bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DTU I isolates ofTrypanosoma cruziinduce upregulation of Galectin-3 in murine myocarditis and fibrosis
Authors: FERRER MARÍA F. , PASCUALE CARLA A. , GOMEZ RICARDO M. , LEGUIZAMÓN MARÍA S.
Published: February 2014

Chagas heart disease is a major public concern since 30% of infected patients develop cardiac alterations. The relationship betweenTrypanosoma cruzidiscrete typing units (DTUs) and the biological properties exhibited by the parasite population has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we analysed the expression ofα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) associated with cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling a murine chronic cardiomyopathy induced by Tc I genotypes. We found the induction of myocarditis was associated with the upregulation of Col I,α-SMA, Gal-3, IFN-γand IL-13, as analysed by q-PCR. In myocardial areas of fibrosis, the intensity of myocarditis and significant ECM remodelling correlated with the presence of Col I-, Gal-3- andα-SMA-positive cells. These results are promising for the further efforts to evaluate the relevance of Gal-3 in Chagas heart disease, since this galectin was proposed as a prognosis marker in heart failure patients.
Predatorvsaliens: bacteria interactions withAcanthamoeba
Authors: KHAN NAVEED AHMED , SIDDIQUI RUQAIYYAH
Published: February 2014

By interactions with other microbes, free-living amoebae play a significant role in microbiology, environmental biology, physiology, cellular interactions, ecology and evolution. Here, we discuss astonishing interactions of bacteria and amoebae, in the light of evolution and functional aspects impacting human health. In favourable environmental conditions, the interaction ofAcanthamoebawith non-virulent bacteria results in lysis of the bacteria. However, the interaction with weak-virulent bacteria results in a symbiotic relationship or amoebal lysis may occur. The microbial survival of amoebae in harsh environments, ability to interact with bacteria, and their ability to aid transmission to susceptible hosts is of great concern to human, animal and ecosystem health.
Emergent creationism: another option in the origin of the soul debate
Authors: FARRIS JOSHUA R.
Published: February 2014

In the debate over the theology of the soul's origin, there have traditionally been three broad views on origins. These include creationism, traducianism, and Origen's pre-existence view. In the recent philosophy of religion and mind literature, William Hasker posits an alternative view of origins called emergent substance dualism. As a contribution to this discussion, I put forward one novel option as a via media between simple creationism and Hasker's emergent substance dualism, wherein it has relevant overlapping features found in the two contrary positions. I suggest that this view is a variation of creationism like emergentism where the material part (i.e. the brain) has some positive causal role in the soul's coming to be as a discrete effect of one divine cause. I argue that emergent creationism (as I call it) is a viable option deserving the attention of philosophers and theologians.
Reconceptualising world order: Chinese political thought and its challenge to International Relations theory
Authors: SCHNEIDER FLORIAN
Published: February 2014

At the outset of the twenty-first century, the world is facing a range of problems, including environmental, economic, and security risks, that increasingly challenge the logic of nation-state governance. While American and European models of International Relations and global governance, such as the Westphalian system of states and the Washington Consensus, have come under attack from poststructuralist thinkers, political philosophers from China and Taiwan have tried to reconceptualise the world of the twenty-first century from their own perspectives. This article examines current streams of Chinese International Relations theorising and confronts them with the case of territorial disputes in the East China Sea. The article analyses the arguments by Chinese realists, ‘worldists’, and procedural constructivists, showing how Chinese scholars creatively revive pre-modern Chinese political theory in attempts to provide new ways in which International Relations scholars might view the world, or: ‘all-under-heaven’. I argue that these contributions will progressively challenge conventional theories of International Relations, while at the same time contending that so-called non-Western theorising, if it is to contribute to IRT, will require additional rigorous empirical grounding, a critical perspective on its entanglement with nationalist political discourses in East Asian societies, and the willingness to incorporate existing theories.
Understanding the communication complexity of the robotic Darwinian PSO
Authors: Couceiro Micael S. , Fernandes Amadeu , Rocha Rui P. , Ferreira Nuno M. F.
Published: February 2014

An extension of the well-knownParticle Swarm Optimization(PSO) to multi-robot applications has been recently proposed and denoted asRobotic Darwinian PSO(RDPSO), benefited from the dynamical partitioning of the whole population of robots. Although such strategy allows decreasing the amount of required information exchange among robots, a further analysis on the communication complexity of the RDPSO needs to be carried out so as to evaluate the scalability of the algorithm. Moreover, a further study on the most adequate multi-hop routing protocol should be conducted. Therefore, this paper starts by analyzing the architecture and characteristics of the RDPSO communication system, thus describing the dynamics of the communication data packet structure shared between teammates. Such procedure will be the first step to achieving a more scalable implementation of RDPSO by optimizing the communication procedure between robots. Second, an ad hoc on-demand distance vector reactive routing protocol is extended based on the RDPSO concepts, so as to reduce the communication overhead within swarms of robots. Experimental results with teams of 15 real robots and 60 simulated robots show that the proposed methodology significantly reduces the communication overhead, thus improving the scalability and applicability of the RDPSO algorithm.
A Study of Underwater Terrain Navigation based on the Robust Matching Method
Authors: Zhang Kai , Li Yong , Zhao Jianhu , Rizos Chris
Published: February 2014

Outliers in terrain data are an obstacle to achieving accurate and robust solutions of Underwater Terrain Relative Navigation (UTRN). If not handled properly, navigation may be degraded or even divergent. To address the problem, this paper proposes a terrain-matching algorithm based on the robust estimation theory. In contrast to the conventional approach, the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the interference of the outliers. Experimental results confirm the good performance of the proposed method.
Does vitamin D protect against respiratory viral infections?
Authors: BRYSON K. J. , NASH A. A. , NORVAL M.
Published: February 2014

The active form of vitamin D has effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses that may influence the outcome in many infectious diseases. Observational studies conclusively show that a low vitamin D status is associated with an increased occurrence of respiratory viral infections, which globally represent significant health and financial burdens. However, no consistent protective effects are evident in prospective clinical trials carried out to date where vitamin D was provided as a dietary supplement, except possibly in cases where the starting vitamin D status of the individual was considered deficient. Thus far, vitamin D has not been found to enhance the immune response to vaccines. The design of future prospective clinical trials assessing a role for vitamin D in respiratory viral infections requires very careful planning to avoid the uncertainties associated with the data available currently.
Local Limit Theorems for the Giant Component of Random Hypergraphs
Authors: BEHRISCH MICHAEL , COJA-OGHLAN AMIN , KANG MIHYUN
Published: February 2014

LetHd(n,p)signify a randomd-uniform hypergraph withnvertices in which each of the$\binom{n}{d}$possible edges is present with probabilityp=p(n)independently, and letHd(n,m)denote a uniformly distributedd-uniform hypergraph withnvertices andmedges. We derive local limit theorems for the joint distribution of the number of vertices and the number of edges in the largest component ofHd(n,p)andHd(n,m)in the regime$(d-1)\binom{n-1}{d-1}p>1+\varepsilon$, resp.d(d−1)m/n>1+ϵ, where ϵ>0 is arbitrarily small but fixed asn→ ∞. The proofs are based on a purely probabilistic approach.
Cerebral microemboli detection and differentiation during transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a paediatric population
Authors: Wallace Sean , Døhlen Gaute , Holmstrøm Henrik , Lund Christian , Russell David
Published: February 2014

Introduction:The aim of this prospective study was to determine the frequency and composition of cerebral microemboli in a paediatric population during transcatheter atrial septal defect closure.Methods:Multi-frequency transcranial Doppler was used to detect microembolic signals in the middle cerebral artery of 24 patients. Embolic signals were automatically identified and differentiated according to their composition, gaseous or solid. The procedure was divided into five periods: right cardiac catheterisation; left cardiac catheterisation; pulmonary angiography; balloon sizing; and device placement.Results:Microemboli were detected in all patients. The median number of signals was 63 and over 95% gaseous. The total number of microembolic signals detected during two periods – balloon sizing and sheath placement and device placement – was not significantly different (median: 18 and 25, respectively) but was significantly higher than each of the other three periods (p<0.001). In eight patients, the device was opened more than once and the number of embolic signals decreased with each successive device deployment. There was no correlation between the number of microembolic signals and fluoroscopic time, duration of procedure, age, or device size.Conclusion:This is the first study to investigate the timing and composition of cerebral microemboli in a paediatric population during cardiac catheterisation. Microembolic signals were related to specific catheter manipulations but were not associated with fluoroscopic time or duration of procedure.
Surgical experience for prolapse of both atrioventricular valves in a patient with filamin A mutation
Authors: Hoashi Takaya , Shiraishi Isao , Ichikawa Hajime
Published: February 2014

A 21-year-old man underwent mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty for severe mitral regurgitation and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Until the operation, he had been treated for hypermobility type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Gene examination revealed a mutation in filamin A gene, which is the gene responsible for X-linked myxomatous valvular dystrophy.
WHY LEGAL THEORY IS POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Edmundson William A.
Published: February 2014

The concept of law is not a theorist's invention but one that people use every day. Thus one measure of the adequacy of a theory of law is its degree of fidelity to the concept as it is understood by those who use it. That means “saving the truisms” as far as possible. There are important truisms about the law that have an evaluative cast. The theorist has either to say what would make those evaluative truisms true or to defend her choice to dismiss them as false of law or not of the essence of law. Thus the legal theorist must give an account of the truth grounds of the more central evaluative truisms about law. This account is a theory of legitimacy. It will contain framing judgments that state logical relations between descriptive judgments and directly evaluative judgments. Framing judgments are not directly evaluative, nor do they entail directly evaluative judgments, but they are nonetheless moral judgments. Therefore, an adequate theory of law must make (some) moral judgments. This means that an adequate theory of law has to take a stand on certain (but not all) contested issues in political philosophy. Legal theory is thus a branch of political philosophy. Moreover, one cannot be a moral-aim functionalist about legal institutions without compromising one's positivism about legal norms.
A Service Evaluation of a 1-Year Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Programme for Women with Borderline Personality Disorder in a Low Secure Unit
Authors: Fox Emily , Krawczyk Kirsten , Staniford Jessica , Dickens Geoffrey L.
Published: February 2014

Background: Previous studies about the effectiveness of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder have had promising results. However, no previous studies have examined its effectiveness when delivered in low secure inpatient services for women. Aims: To evaluate clinical outcomes during and after a 1-year period of admission within a low secure unit for women offering a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme. Method: A naturalistic, within subjects study of clinical data collected as part of routine practice was conducted. Participants were18 consecutively admitted women who met the diagnostic criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder and had completed at least 1 year of treatment. Measures covered: risk behaviours; self-reported symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder, and current mood and symptom experience; staff reports of clinical problems, needs and social functioning. Scores were compared between admission and at 6 months and 1 year. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement on all 13 measures over the year's treatment. Most improvement was demonstrated between admission and 6 months. Conclusions: Engagement in1-year's treatment was associated with significant reduction in risk behaviours and both staff-rated and self-rated outcome measures. Some significant questions remain about which elements of the programme are most effective but the results are encouraging.
The “Alzheimer's Type” Profile of Semantic Clustering in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: McLaughlin Paula M. , Wright Matthew J. , LaRocca Michael , Nguyen Peter T. , Teng Edmond , Apostolova Liana G. , Ringman John M. , Zhou Yan , Cummings Jeffrey L. , Woo Ellen
Published: February 2014

Impairments in learning and recall have been well established in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). However, a relative dearth of studies has examined the profiles of memory strategy use in persons with aMCI relative to those with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Participants with aMCI, nonamnestic MCI, AD, and healthy older adults were administered the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II). Measures of semantic clustering and recall were obtained across learning and delayed recall trials. In addition, we investigated whether deficits in semantic clustering were related to progression from healthy aging to aMCI and from aMCI to AD. The aMCI group displayed similar semantic clustering performance as the AD participants, whereas the AD group showed greater impairments on recall relative to the aMCI participants. Control participants who progressed to aMCI showed reduced semantic clustering at the short delay at baseline compared to individuals who remained diagnostically stable across follow-up visits. These findings show that the ability to engage in an effective memory strategy is compromised in aMCI, before AD has developed, suggesting that disruptions in semantic networks are an early marker of the disease. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–11)
The Comparative Analysis of Public Support for Developing Regional Regime in East Sea Rim (Sea of Japan) Region
Authors: KIM JUNG HYOUN
Published: February 2014

The East Sea (or Sea of Japan) (ESR/SOJ) Rim region, in which five countries – Japan, China, Russia, and North and South Korea – have their own coastal areas, is complex and dynamic, with many emerging regional security concerns. In this paper, the author tries to show that there is the possibility of a maritime regional regime in the ESR/SOJ region by investigating the level of public support, in Japan and South Korea, for the formation of a regional regime. Based on the theoretical assumptions of constructivism, the author analyzes what kinds of individual's social position factors influence the level of support for regional regime formation by conducting a nested regression model of survey datasets. The results of the statistical analysis suggest that people with a high level of national pride in South Korea are more likely to support a regional regime in the ESR/SOJ region. In contrast, for Japanese people, there is no relationship between people's national pride and the level of support for regional regime formation. The economic recession in Japan since the early 1990s has made public concern more about domestic policy than about foreign policy issues. Based on strong support of the bottom, public opinion towards regional regime formation, the South Korean government may play a leading role in developing a regional regime in the ESR/SOJ region (when the process of negotiation begins) as in the case of Japan in nineteenth century.
Assessment of sleep disturbance in lung cancer patients: Relationship between sleep disturbance and pain, fatigue, quality of life, and psychological distress
Authors: Nishiura Mare , Tamura Atsuhisa , Nagai Hideaki , Matsushima Eisuke
Published: February 2014

Objective:

We investigated the prevalence of sleep disturbance and psychological distress in lung cancer patients. We also examined the association between sleep disturbance and psychological distress, pain, fatigue, and quality of life in the same population.

Method:

Fifty lung cancer patients were evaluated. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Athens Sleep Insomnia Scale (AIS) and psychological distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Quality of life (QOL), pain, and fatigue were assessed employing the European Organization of Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire–Cancer 30 (EORTC QLQ–C30).

Results:

We observed that 56% of lung cancer patients had sleep disturbance (AIS score ≥6) and 60% had psychological distress (total HADS score ≥11). Patients with sleep disturbance had a HADS score of 14.6 ± 5.8, a fatigue score of 45.3 ± 22.0, and a pain score of 27.2 ± 26.2. In contrast, patients without sleep disturbance had a lower HADS score of 9.9 ± 8.1 (p< 0.05) and a higher fatigue score of 28.5 ± 18.0 (p< 0.01) and a pain score of 8.7 ± 15.8 (p< 0.01). In addition, we found a lower QOL in patients with sleep disturbance (46.3 ± 20.2) than in those without (65.2 ± 20.7) (p< 0.05). We also observed a significant correlation between the AIS, HADS, fatigue, QOL, and pain scores.

Significance of Results:

Lung cancer patients suffered from combined symptoms related to sleep. Sleeping pills improved sleep induction but were not sufficient to provide sleep quality and prevent daytime dysfunction. Daytime dysfunction was specifically associated with psychological distress. Additionally, the type of sleep disturbance was related to other patient factors, including whether or not they received chemotherapy.
What family caregivers learn when providing care at the end of life: A qualitative secondary analysis of multiple datasets
Authors: Funk Laura M. , Stajduhar Kelli I. , Outcalt Linda
Published: February 2014

Objective:

Although growing numbers of family members provide end-of-life care for dying persons, caregivers frequently report lacking essential information, knowledge, and skills. This analysis explicates what family members learn during the process of providing end-of-life care.

Method:

Four qualitative interview studies of family caregivers to those at the end of life (n = 156) formed the basis of a secondary data analysis.

Results:

Thematic and cross-comparative analyses found three general kinds of learning that were described—knowledge about: (1) the situation and the illness (including what to expect), (2) how to provide care, and (3) how to access help. Learning gaps, preferences, and potential inequities were identified. Further, in some instances, participant talk about “learning” appears to reflect a meaning-making process that helps them accept their situation, as suggested by the phrase “I have had to learn.”

Significance of Results:

Findings can inform the development of individualized educational programs and interventions for family caregivers.
Development of a post–intensive care unit storytelling intervention for surrogates involved in decisions to limit life-sustaining treatment
Authors: Schenker Yael , Dew Mary Amanda , Reynolds Charles F. , Arnold Robert M. , Tiver Greer A. , Barnato Amber E.
Published: February 2014

Objective:

Surrogates involved in decisions to limit life-sustaining treatment for a loved one in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at increased risk for adverse psychological outcomes that can last for months to years after the ICU experience. Post-ICU interventions to reduce surrogate distress have not yet been developed. We sought to (1) describe a conceptual framework underlying the beneficial mental health effects of storytelling, and (2) present formative work developing a storytelling intervention to reduce distress for recently bereaved surrogates.

Method:

An interdisciplinary team conceived the idea for a storytelling intervention based on evidence from narrative theory that storytelling reduces distress from traumatic events through emotional disclosure, cognitive processing, and social connection. We developed an initial storytelling guide based on this theory and the clinical perspectives of team members. We then conducted a case series with recently bereaved surrogates to iteratively test and modify the guide.

Results:

The storytelling guide covered three key domains of the surrogate's experience of the patient's illness and death: antecedents, ICU experience, and aftermath. The facilitator focused on the parts of a story that appeared to generate strong emotions and used nonjudgmental statements to attend to these emotions. Between September 2012 and May 2013, we identified 28 eligible surrogates from a medical ICU and consented 20 for medical record review and recontact; 10 became eligible, of whom 6 consented and completed the storytelling intervention. The single-session storytelling intervention lasted from 40 to 92 minutes. All storytelling participants endorsed the intervention as acceptable, and five of six reported it as helpful.

Significance of Results:

Surrogate storytelling is an innovative and acceptable post-ICU intervention for recently bereaved surrogates and should be evaluated further.
Family caregivers' perceptions of depression in patients with advanced cancer: A qualitative study
Authors: Rhondali Wadih , Chirac Anne , Laurent Angélique , Terra Jean-Louis , Filbet Marilène
Published: February 2014

Objective:

Depression is a serious issue for cancer patients, resulting in impaired quality of life and probably shorter survival. However, many cancer patients with depression are not treated because of the difficulties in identifying depression within this population. Our study aimed to examine caregivers' perceptions of depression among advanced cancer patients.

Method:

This qualitative study employed semistructured interviews, and we analyzed data using grounded theory and qualitative methods. We recruited caregivers from our palliative care unit (PCU) at an academic medical center.

Results:

We interviewed a total of 15 caregivers. Cancer patients' caregivers had a good theoretical knowledge of depression but also acknowledged that, in the context of cancer and because of their relationship with the patient, identification of depressive symptoms could be challenging. They considered themselves as partners in the patient's care with a supportive role. However, by assuming the role of partner in patient care, caregivers exposed themselves to emotional difficulties and an increased need for support and information.

Significance of Results:

Our results suggest a significant impact of depression in advanced cancer caregivers, and it is therefore crucial that healthcare professionals develop educational programs targeting cancer patients' families as well as specific interventions to minimize the impact of the burden of patient care on caregivers.
How health care regionalisation in Italy is widening the North–South gap
Authors: Toth Federico
Published: February 2014

The Italian National Health Service began experimenting with a significant regionalisation process during the 1990s. The purpose of this article is to assess the effects that this regionalisation process is having on the rift between the north and the south of the country. Has the gap between the health care systems of the northern and southern regions been increasing or decreasing during the 1999–2009 decade? Three indicators will be utilised to answer this question: (1) the level of satisfaction expressed by the citizens towards the regional hospital system; (2) the mobility of the patients among regions; (3) the health care deficit accumulated by the individual regions. On the basis of these three indicators, there is evidence to conclude that, during the decade under study, the gap between the North and the South, already significant, has increased further.
Smoking outside: the effect of the Irish workplace smoking ban on smoking prevalence among the employed
Authors: Savage Michael
Published: February 2014

In March 2004, Ireland became the first country to introduce a nationwide workplace smoking ban. The primary aim of the ban was to reduce people’s exposure to second-hand smoke. A 95% compliance rate among employers suggests this aim was achieved. By prohibiting smoking in the majority of indoor working places, an effect of the ban was to increase the non-monetary cost of smoking. The aim of this paper is to examine whether the extra non-monetary cost of smoking was concentrated on the employed. A difference-in-differences approach is used to measure changes in smoking behaviour among the employed relative to the non-working population following the introduction of the workplace smoking ban. The research finds that the workplace smoking ban did not induce a greater reduction in smoking prevalence among the employed population compared with the non-working population. In fact, the evidence suggests a significantly larger decrease in smoking prevalence among the non-workers relative to the employed. Changes in the real price of cigarettes and changes in attitudes to risk are discussed as possible causes for the pattern observed.
Cueing God: Religious Cues and Voter Support
Authors: McLaughlin Bryan , Wise David
Published: February 2014

Scholars contend that correctly applying religious cues is crucial to winning political elections. This article examines the effect of general religious cues by conducting an experiment on a national sample (N = 520). Through the use of a fictitious congressional candidate's webpage, we examine how subtle and overt religious cues interact with citizen religiosity to affect political evaluations. The findings demonstrate that politicians who use overt religious cues run the risk of alienating a large portion of potential voters. Religious cues do, however, appear to become more effective as citizens become more religious. We also find some evidence that overt religious cues are more polarizing than subtle religious cues. This article provides a foundation from which to more thoroughly consider how general religious cues can affect political outcomes and how these cues may interact with other factors.
‘Globalization, Constitutionalism, and Sovereignty’1
Authors: SCHEUERMAN WILLIAM E
Published: February 2014

Jean L Cohen’s impressive new volume argues that the existing global order’s own internal attributes point the way to the possibility of attractive as well as realistic institutional reforms. Global dualism, she argues, suggests the advantages of constructing non-statist global federations, in which sovereign states would cooperate in far-reaching ways to tackle common problems, in conjunction with a ‘low-intensity’ – yet potentially path-breaking – constitutionalization of global governance. If properly achieved, such reforms could produce a global order better able to preserve legality, protect rights, and allow for far-reaching political autonomy. This review chiefly focuses on the author’s attempt to link her normative and political ideas, and especially her ideas about constitutional pluralism and global federations, to her analysis of the existing global order. Despite the many virtues of her reform ideas, they sometimes embody unfairly hostile views of cosmopolitan political and legal aims. Unfortunately, Cohen has not sufficiently responded to political and institutional cosmopolitans who seek potentially more far-reaching alterations to our global order than she deems desirable.
Piercing the veil of state sovereignty: How China’s censorship regime into fragmented international law can lead to a butterfly effect
Authors: CHEN GE
Published: February 2014

This article seeks to address China’s entrenched censorship regime in the constitutionalist dimension of international law. First, the article probes into China’s censorship regime and the way it is linked to the country’s foreign policies. Second, the article explores the tension between China’s national censorship regime and international law. Such tension is rendered sharper than ever in the context of fragmented international law, as exemplified by two UPRs of China and two WTO rulings. Finally, the article advances a constitutionalist premise that eventually China’s self-motivated step into the fragmented domain of international law could boomerang against China’s censorship regime. As the international standards of freedom of expression are evolving into a fundamental right with constitutional status, the functional interrelatedness between different subsystems of international law gives rise to the accountability of state actors, which in turn compels them to comply with universal rules.
All Solution-processed Stable White Quantum Dot Light-emitting Diodes with Hybrid ZnO@TiO2 as Blue Emitters
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhao Dewei , Li Chi , Xu Feng , Lei Wei , Sun Litao , Nathan Arokia , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: February 2014

White quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) have been a promising candidate for high-efficiency and color-saturated displays. However, it is challenging to integrate various QD emitters into one device and also to obtain efficient blue QDs. Here, we report a simply solution-processed white QD-LED using a hybrid ZnO@TiO2 as electron injection layer and ZnCdSeS QD emitters. The white emission is obtained by integrating the yellow emission from QD emitters and the blue emission generated from hybrid ZnO@TiO2 layer. We show that the performance of white QD-LEDs can be adjusted by controlling the driving force for hole transport and electroluminescence recombination region via varying the thickness of hole transport layer. The device is demonstrated with a maximum luminance of 730 cd/m2 and power efficiency of 1.7 lm/W, exhibiting the Commission Internationale de l’Enclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.33, 0.33). The unencapsulated white QD-LED has a long lifetime of 96 h at its initial luminance of 730 cd/m2, primarily due to the fact that the device with hybrid ZnO@TiO2 has low leakage current and is insensitive to the oxygen and the moisture. These results indicate that hybrid ZnO@TiO2 provides an alternate and effective approach to achieve high-performance white QD-LEDs and also other optoelectronic devices.
Selective visual detection of trace trinitrotoluene residues based on dual-color fluorescence of graphene oxide–nanocrystals hybrid probe
Authors: Zhang Kui , Yang Lei , Zhu Houjuan , Ma Fang , Zhang Zhongping , Wang Suhua
Published: February 2014

The dual-color fluorescence nanohybrid probe comprising blue emissive fluorescent graphene oxide and red emissive nanocrystals has been developed for the visual detection of TNT residues in solution and on various surfaces.
Unprecedented non-aromatic, conformationally locked dibenzohexaphyrin analogs carrying multiple meso-exocyclic double bonds
Authors: Park Dowoo , Choi Na Young , Hong Seong-Jin , Lee Chang-Hee
Published: February 2014

Acid-catalysed, ‘3+3’ condensation of m-bispyrryl benzene derivatives with acetone afforded new non-aromatic macrocycles that can be converted to meso-alkylidenyl dibenzohexaphyrins carrying four exocyclic double bonds at meso-positions by DDQ oxidation.
Modelling flow-induced crystallisation in polymers
Authors: Graham Richard S.
Published: February 2014

A review of recent multiscale modelling of flow-induced crystallisation in polymers with a particular emphasis on newly emerging techniques to connect modelling and simulation techniques at different levels of coarse-graining.
The plasma assisted synthesis and high pressure studies of the structural and elastic properties of metal nitrides XN (X = Sc, Y)
Authors: Cong Ridong , Liu Xiaoyu , Cui Hang , Zhang Jian , Wu Xiaoxin , Wang Qiushi , Zhu Hongyang , Cui Qiliang
Published: February 2014

This paper investigated the arc discharge synthesis of ScN and YN and the high pressure behaviors of the samples.
Non-precious metal electrocatalysts with high activity for hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline electrolytes
Authors: Sheng Wenchao , Bivens Adam P. , Myint MyatNoeZin , Zhuang Zhongbin , Forest Robert V. , Fang Qianrong , Chen Jingguang G. , Yan Yushan
Published: February 2014

Polarization curves of hydrogen oxidation on a Pt disk, electroplated Ni and CoNiMo multimetallic layer.
RiboVision suite for visualization and analysis of ribosomes
Authors: Bernier Chad R. , Petrov Anton S. , Waterbury Chris C. , Jett James , Li Fengbo , Freil Larry E. , Xiong Xiao , Wang Lan , Migliozzi Blacki L. R. , Hershkovits Eli , Xue Yuzhen , Hsiao Chiaolong , Bowman Jessica C. , Harvey Stephen C. , Grover Martha A. , Wartell Zachary J. , Williams Loren Dean
Published: February 2014

RiboVision is a visualization and analysis tool for the simultaneous display of multiple layers of diverse information on primary (1D), secondary (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) structures of ribosomes. The ribosome is a macromolecular complex containing ribosomal RNA and ribosomal proteins and is a key component of life responsible for the synthesis of proteins in all living organisms. RiboVision is intended for rapid retrieval, analysis, filtering, and display of a variety of ribosomal data. Preloaded information includes 1D, 2D, and 3D structures augmented by base-pairing, base-stacking, and other molecular interactions. RiboVision is preloaded with rRNA secondary structures, rRNA domains and helical structures, phylogeny, crystallographic thermal factors,etc.RiboVision contains structures of ribosomal proteins and a database of their molecular interactions with rRNA. RiboVision contains preloaded structures and data for two bacterial ribosomes (Thermus thermophilusandEscherichia coli), one archaeal ribosome (Haloarcula marismortui), and three eukaryotic ribosomes (Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Drosophila melanogaster, andHomo sapiens). RiboVision revealed several major discrepancies between the 2D and 3D structures of the rRNAs of the small and large subunits (SSU and LSU). Revised structures mapped with a variety of data are available in RiboVision as well as in a public gallery (http://apollo.chemistry.gatech.edu/RibosomeGallery). RiboVision is designed to allow users to distill complex data quickly and to easily generate publication-quality images of data mapped onto secondary structures. Users can readily import and analyze their own data in the context of other work. This package allows users to import and map data from CSV files directly onto 1D, 2D, and 3D levels of structure. RiboVision has features in rough analogy with web-based map services capable of seamlessly switching the type of data displayed and the resolution or magnification of the display. RiboVision is available at http://apollo.chemistry.gatech.edu/RiboVision.
Innovative interactive flexible docking method for multi-scale reconstruction elucidates dystrophin molecular assembly
Authors: Molza A.-E. , Férey N. , Czjzek M. , Le Rumeur E. , Hubert J.-F. , Tek A. , Laurent B. , Baaden M. , Delalande O.
Published: February 2014

At present, our molecular knowledge of dystrophin, the protein encoded by the DMD gene and mutated in myopathy patients, remains limited. To get around the absence of its atomic structure, we have developed an innovative interactive docking method based on the BioSpring software in combination with Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) data. BioSpring allows interactive handling of biological macromolecules thanks to an augmented Elastic Network Model (aENM) that combines the spring network with non-bonded terms between atoms or pseudo-atoms. This approach can be used for building molecular assemblies even on a desktop or a laptop computer thanks to code optimizations including parallel computing and GPU programming. By combining atomistic and coarse-grained models, the approach significantly simplifies the set-up of multi-scale scenarios. BioSpring is remarkably efficient for the preparation of numeric simulations or for the design of biomolecular models integrating qualitative experimental data restraints. The combination of this program and SAXS allowed us to propose the first high-resolution models of the filamentous central domain of dystrophin, covering repeats 11 to 17. Low-resolution interactive docking experiments driven by a potential grid enabled us to propose how dystrophin may associate with F-actin and nNOS. This information provides an insight into medically relevant discoveries to come.
Photoinduced changes in hydrogen bonding patterns of 8-thiopurine nucleobase analogues in a DNA strand
Authors: Morihiro Kunihiko , Kodama Tetsuya , Mori Shohei , Obika Satoshi
Published: February 2014

Photoinduced changes in hydrogen bonding patterns have a strong effect on base recognition by nucleobase analogues.
Increasing student motivation and the perception of chemistry's relevance in the classroom by learning about tattooing from a chemical and societal view
Authors: Stuckey Marc , Eilks Ingo
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a study on tattooing as a topic for chemistry education. The selection of the topic was inspired by a newly suggested framework, which focuses on the question of relevance of science education. The aim of this case was to get evidence on how topics selected based on the suggested model of relevance of science education affect learners' overall motivation and perception of chemistry learning. For the purpose of the study a lesson plan was cyclically developed and tested within a project of Participatory Action Research. The lesson plan focuses both the chemistry behind tattoo inks and the societal perspectives surrounding tattoos. The study description first includes some background information about tattooing and tattoo inks. It then continues with a description of the lesson plan and ends with reporting experiences and findings taken from lesson plan evaluations at the lower secondary chemistry teaching level (age 14–15). The topic and lesson plan proved themselves to be very motivating for students. Indicators that this lesson plan can potentially contribute to positive changes in students' perceptions of learning chemistry were observed. Implications arising from this case are also discussed.
A novel electrochemical chiral sensor for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine based on the combination of single-walled carbon nanotubes, sulfuric acid and square wave voltammetry
Authors: Chen Lisha , Chang Fengxia , Meng Lingchen , Li Meixian , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: February 2014

The combination of SWV with chiral SWCNTs and H2SO4 shows chiral discrimination for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and the three are indispensable for this chiral recognition.
CO2 as a reaction ingredient for the construction of metal cages: a carbonate-panelled [Gd6Cu3] tridiminished icosahedron
Authors: Hooper Thomas N. , Inglis Ross , Palacios Maria A. , Nichol Gary S. , Pitak Mateusz B. , Coles Simon J. , Lorusso Giulia , Evangelisti Marco , Brechin Euan K.
Published: February 2014

A CO32−-panelled [GdIII6CuII3] cage conforming to a tridiminished icosahedron is synthesised by bubbling CO2 through a solution of GdIII and CuII ions.
A supramolecular hydrogel as a carrier to deliver microRNA into the encapsulated cells
Authors: Li Jinbo , Kooger Romain , He Mingtao , Xiao Xiao , Zheng Li , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2014

A supramolecular hydrogel serves as both 3D culture medium for live cells and a carrier for microRNA delivery.
Metal free oxidative coupling of aryl formamides with alcohols for the synthesis of carbamates
Authors: Reddy N. Veera , Prasad K. Rajendra , Reddy P. Sudhir , Lakshmi Kantam M. , Reddy K. Rajender
Published: February 2014

A new method under metal free conditions has been developed for the direct transformation of N-aryl formamides to corresponding N-aryl carbamates with alcohols using hypervalent iodine reagents as oxidants. The reaction has been postulated to go through the formation of isocyanate intermediates.
Polymorphism of rs873308 near the transmembrane protein 57 gene is associated with serum lipid levels
Authors: Guo Tao , Yin Rui-Xing , Lin Quan-Zhen , Wu Jian , Shen Shao-Wen , Sun Jia-Qi , Shi Guang-Yuan , Wu Jin-Zhen , Li Hui , Wang Yi-Ming
Published: February 2014

SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) of rs10903129 near the TMEM (transmembrane protein) 57 locus has been associated with TC (total cholesterol) in a previous GWAS (genome-wide association study), but the association of TMEM57 rs873308 SNP and serum lipid levels has not been previously reported. The current study was undertaken to detect the association of the TMEM57 rs873308 SNP and several environmental factors with serum lipid profiles in the Han Chinese and Mulao populations. The genotypes of the TMEM57 rs873308 SNP in 865 individuals of Han Chinese and 902 participants of Mulao nationality were determined by PCR and RFLP (restriction-fragment-length polymorphism) combined with gel electrophoresis and then confirmed by direct sequencing. The T allele frequency of TMEM57 rs873308 SNP was not different between Han and Mulao (23.18% versus 25.72%, P>0.05), but different between males and females in the two ethnic groups (P<0.05). The T allele carriers had lower serum TC, Apo (apolipoprotein) B, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels, ApoA1/ApoB ratio in Han; and lower TAG (triacylglycerol), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), ApoA1 levels and the ApoA1/ApoB ratio and higher HDL-C levels in Mulao than the T allele non-carriers. There was also different association of the TMEM57 rs873308 SNP and serum lipid profiles between males and females in the both ethnic groups. Serum lipid parameters in the two ethnic groups were also associated with several environmental factors. The association of the TMEM57 rs873308 SNP and serum lipid levels was different in the Han Chinese and Mulao populations and between males and females in the both ethnic groups. There may be a sex-specific association of the TMEM57 rs873308 SNP and serum lipid levels in our study populations.
Minimum energy control of positive fractional descriptor continuous‐time linear systems
Authors: Kaczorek Tadeusz
Published: February 2014

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the positivity and reachability of fractional descriptor continuous‐time linear systems are established. The minimum energy control problem for the fractional positive descriptor systems is formulated and solved. Procedure for computation of the optimal inputs and minim value of the performance index is proposed and illustrated by a numerical example.
Transducing by observing length-reducing and painter
rules
Authors: Hundeshagen Norbert , Leupold Peter
Published: February 2014

The recently introduced model of transducing by observing is compared with traditional
models for computing transductions on the one hand and the recently introduced restarting
transducers on the other hand. Most noteworthy, transducing observer systems with
length-reducing rules are almost equivalent to RRWW-transducers. With painter rules we
obtain a larger class of relations that additionally includes nearly all rational
relations.
Toward a Process-Based View of Information Technology Acceptance
Authors: Schwarz Andrew , Chin Wynne W , Hirschheim Rudy , Schwarz Colleen
Published: February 2014

Research into the acceptance of technology is in need of an alternative approach. Despite repeated calls for research to guide our colleagues-in-practice in the deployment of systems that are accepted, there has yet to be systematic research into the relationship between the decisions made by individuals and the bottom-line impact that is derived from user acceptance. This study fills the gap in the literature by theorizing a process-based view of information technology (IT) acceptance. We report on a narrative study of 30 users of an ERP deployment and, analyzing this qualitative data through the lens of the five decisions of acceptance proposed by Schwarz and Chin, propose a process model of IT acceptance. We conclude by theorizing on the relationship between these structures and the corresponding bottom-line impacts.
Direct comparison of graphene devices before and after transfer to different substrates
Authors: Sachs Raymond , Lin Zhisheng , Odenthal Patrick , Kawakami Roland , Shi Jing
Published: February 2014

The entire graphene field-effect-transistor devices first fabricated on SiO2/Si are peeled from the surface and placed on a different wafer. Both longitudinal and transverse resistivity measurements of the devices before and after the transfer are measured to calculate the mobility for a direct comparison. After transferred to different SiO2/Si wafers, the mobility, generally, is comparable, and the defect density does not show any significant increase, which indicates the degradation due to the transfer process itself is minimal. The same method can be applied to transfer graphene devices to any arbitrary substrates (e.g., SrTiO3 or STO). The transfer method developed here not only eliminates the need to locate single-layer graphene on non-SiO2/Si substrates for patterning but also provides a convenient way to study the effects of various substrates on graphene electronic properties.
Ultrafast reduction of the total magnetization in iron
Authors: Fognini A. , Michlmayr T. U. , Salvatella G. , Wetli C. , Ramsperger U. , Bähler T. , Sorgenfrei F. , Beye M. , Eschenlohr A. , Pontius N. , Stamm C. , Hieke F. , Dell'Angela M. , Jong S. de , Kukreja R. , Gerasimova N. , Rybnikov V. , Al-Shemmary A. , Redlin H. , Raabe J. , Föhlisch A. , Dürr H. A. , Wurth W. , Pescia D. , Vaterlaus A. , Acremann Y.
Published: February 2014

Surprisingly, if a ferromagnet is exposed to an ultrafast laser pulse, its apparent magnetization is reduced within less than a picosecond. Up to now, the total magnetization, i.e., the average spin polarization of the whole valence band, was not detectable on a sub-picosecond time scale. Here, we present experimental data, confirming the ultrafast reduction of the total magnetization. Soft x-ray pulses from the free electron laser in Hamburg (FLASH) extract polarized cascade photoelectrons from an iron layer excited by a femtosecond laser pulse. The spin polarization of the emitted electrons is detected by a Mott spin polarimeter.