bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derivation of the σ‐w relationship for SFRC from prism bending tests
Authors: Amin Ali , Foster Stephen J. , Muttoni Aurelio
Published: September 2014

The material characterization of steel fibre‐reinforced concrete (SFRC), which is required for its implementation in design codes, should be based on nominal properties that describe its post‐cracking strength in tension. In the case of brittle and quasi‐brittle materials, such as concrete, the tensile parameters are often derived indirectly. However, for materials with more ductility, such as SFRC, there is conjecture as to whether or not an indirect measure may be used to establish the stress versus crack opening displacement relationship, such as the use of a three‐ or four‐point prism test combined with an inverse analysis. In this paper a simple and efficient inverse analysis technique is developed and shown to compare well with data obtained from direct tension tests. Furthermore, the methodology proposed by the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 has been investigated and recommendations made to improve its accuracy.
Attributions of consciousness
Authors: Sytsma Justin
Published: September 2014

Many philosophers and brain scientists hold that explaining consciousness is one of the major outstanding problems facing modern science today. One type of consciousness in particular—phenomenal consciousness—is thought to be especially problematic. The reasons given for believing that this phenomenon exists in the first place, however, often hinge on the claim that its existence is simply obvious in ordinary perceptual experience. Such claims motivate the study of people's intuitions about consciousness. In recent years a number of researchers in experimental philosophy of mind have begun to shed light on this area, investigating how people understand and attribute those mental states that have been thought to be phenomenally conscious. In this article, we discuss the philosophical concept of phenomenal consciousness and detail the work that has been done on the question of whether lay people have this concept. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:635–648. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1320

This article is categorized under:

Philosophy > Consciousness
Influence of Anchoring on Miscarriage Risk Perception Associated with Amniocentesis
Authors: Nuccio Regina , Hashmi S. Shahrukh , Mastrobattista Joan , Noblin Sarah Jane , Refuerzo Jerrie , Smith Janice L. , Singletary Claire N.
Published: September 2014

One factor women consider when deciding whether to pursue amniocentesis is the risk of miscarriage. People use mechanisms like anchoring, or the prior belief regarding the magnitude of risk, as a frame of reference for new information. This study aimed to determine a woman's perception of miscarriage risk associated with amniocentesis before and after genetic counseling and to determine what factors anchor a woman's perception of miscarriage risk. One hundred thirteen women being seen for prenatal genetic counseling and possible amniocentesis at six Houston clinics participated in the two‐part anonymous survey. While most women (56.7 %) perceived the risk as low or average pre‐counseling and indicated the numeric risk of amniocentesis as <1 %, significantly more patients (73 %) correctly identified the numeric risk as <1 % post‐counseling (p < 0.0001). However, the majority of patients’ qualitative risk perception did not change after the genetic counseling session (60 %). Those who changed their feeling about the risk after counseling showed a decreased perception of the risk (p < 0.0001). Participants who elected amniocentesis had a significantly lower perception of the risk (p = 0.017) whereas those who declined amniocentesis were more likely to view the risk as high (p = 0.004). The only two anchoring factors that had an effect were having a friend or relative with a personal or family history of a genetic disorder (p = 0.001) and having a child already (p = 0.038); both were associated with a lower risk perception. The lack of significant factors may reflect the uniqueness of each patient's risk assessment framework and reinforces the importance of genetic counseling to elucidate individual concerns, particularly as non‐invasive prenatal testing becomes more widely available and further complicates the prenatal testing landscape.
Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profiles of Bat Wing Surface Lipids
Authors: Pannkuk Evan L. , Fuller Nathan W. , Moore Patrick R. , Gilmore David F. , Savary Brett J. , Risch Thomas S.
Published: September 2014

Sebocytes are specialized epithelial cells that rupture to secrete sebaceous lipids (sebum) across the mammalian integument. Sebum protects the integument from UV radiation, and maintains host microbial communities among other functions. Native glandular sebum is composed primarily of triacylglycerides (TAG) and wax esters (WE). Upon secretion (mature sebum), these lipids combine with minor cellular membrane components comprising total surface lipids. TAG and WE are further cleaved to smaller molecules through oxidation or host enzymatic digestion, resulting in a complex mixture of glycerolipids (e.g., TAG), sterols, unesterified fatty acids (FFA), WE, cholesteryl esters, and squalene comprising surface lipid. We are interested if fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling of bat surface lipid could predict species specificity to the cutaneous fungal disease, white nose syndrome (WNS). We collected sebaceous secretions from 13 bat spp. using Sebutape® and converted them to FAME with an acid catalyzed transesterification. We found that Sebutape® adhesive patches removed ~6× more total lipid than Sebutape® indicator strips. Juvenile eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) had significantly higher 18:1 than adults, but 14:0, 16:1, and 20:0 were higher in adults. FAME profiles among several bat species were similar. We concluded that bat surface lipid FAME profiling does not provide a robust model predicting species susceptibility to WNS. However, these results provide baseline data that can be used for lipid roles in future ecological studies, such as life history, diet, or migration.
Association Colloids Formed by Multiple Surface Active Minor Components and Their Effect on Lipid Oxidation in Bulk Oil
Authors: Kittipongpittaya Ketinun , Panya Atikorn , Cui Leqi , McClements David Julian , Decker Eric Andrew
Published: September 2014

Association colloids formed by surface active minor components play an important role in the oxidative stability of bulk oils. To imitate the formation of nanostructures in refined oils, multiple surface active minor components including phospholipids, free fatty acids, diacylglycerols and sterols were added to stripped corn oil. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the mixed components was determined. The impact of mixed minor components at below and above their CMC on oxidative stability of bulk oil and on antioxidant activity of α‐tocopherol and Trolox was investigated. The CMC of the mixed surface active components in bulk oil was 20 µmol/kg oil in the presence of 383 ± 2 ppm of water. 1,2‐Dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC) played an important role on the formation of association colloids since it was the most important component in forming the association colloids as confirmed by CMC and fluorescence probe studies. The association colloids formed by the mixed components showed prooxidative activity in bulk oil as determined by monitoring the formation of lipid hydroperoxide and hexanal. The activity of α‐tocopherol or Trolox was not changed by mixed components association colloids. These results suggest that association colloids both physically and chemically impacted the oxidative stability and activity of antioxidants in bulk oil.
Ubiquitylation‐dependent downregulation of Nck regulates its functional activity
Authors: Joseph Noah , Reicher Barak , David Ahuvit , Matalon Omri , Barda-Saad Mira
Published: September 2014

The Nck adapter protein is involved in key cellular functions, such as actin polymerization and reorganization, serving as a molecular bridge between the surface complex essential for foreign antigen recognition, the T‐cell antigen receptor (TCR), and the actin machinery. However, the mechanisms regulating Nck expression and functions are unknown. In this study, we revealed Nck negative regulation and demonstrated that Nck is ubiquitylated following cellular activation. We identified the molecular determinants and mediators involved in this process. Our data suggest that Nck ubiquitylation might serve as a mechanism controlling Nck‐mediated effector functions during cellular activation.
tRNA fragments in human health and disease
Authors: Anderson Paul , Ivanov Pavel
Published: September 2014

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is traditionally considered to be an adaptor molecule that helps ribosomes to decode messenger RNA (mRNA) and synthesize protein. Recent studies have demonstrated that tRNAs also serve as a major source of small non‐coding RNAs that possess distinct and varied functions. These tRNA fragments are heterogeneous in size, nucleotide composition, biogenesis and function. Here we describe multiple roles that tRNA fragments play in cell physiology and discuss their relevance to human health and disease.
Rational design of a structure‐switching DNA aptamer for potassium ions
Authors: Catherine Andrew T. , Shishido Stephanie N. , Robbins-Welty Gregg A. , Diegelman-Parente Amy
Published: September 2014

Structure‐switching molecules provide a unique means for analyte detection, generating a response to analyte concentration through a binding‐specific conformational change between non‐binding and binding‐competent states. While most ligand‐binding molecules are not structure switching by default, many can be engineered to be so through the introduction of an alternative non‐binding (and thus non‐signalling) conformation. This population‐shift mechanism is particularly effective with oligonucleotides and has led to the creation of structure‐switching aptamers for many target ligands. Here, we report the rational design of structure‐switching DNA aptamers, based on the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA), that bind potassium with affinities that bridge the gap between previously reported weak‐binding and strong‐binding aptamers. We also demonstrate a correlation between the free energy of the experimentally determined binding affinity for potassium and the computationally estimated free energy of the alternative (non‐binding) structure.
Every death counts: Electronic tracking systems for maternal death review in India
Authors: Purandare Chittaranjan , Bhardwaj Ajey , Malhotra Manisha , Bhushan Himanshu , Shah Paramanand Keshavlal
Published: September 2014

Maternal death review (MDR) is an important strategy to improve the quality of obstetric care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. MDR provides detailed information on various factors at community, facility, and district levels that influence maternal health outcomes. One of the key challenges is to analyze large volumes of data collected via a paper‐based system that uses facility and community level forms. This database continues to expand quantitatively (multiple forms and data elements), which makes analysis of data increasingly difficult for timely management and analysis. The present paper describes the development process involved in linking the paper‐based system with an electronic system for MDR in India. The lessons learnt from this experience can contribute to understanding how innovative technologies can be used to address large‐scale public health issues in low‐resource countries and in particular solutions to address maternal health.
Manufacturing – Still a missing link?
Authors: Krause Daniel , Youngdahl William , Ramaswamy Kannan
Published: September 2014

This paper introduces the special issue on “Implementing Operations Strategy for Competitive Advantage.” We initiated the call for papers for this special issue with this question: “How do we identify, promote, and implement transformational initiatives that put into place operational capabilities that provide new sources of firm‐level competitive advantage?” Collectively, these papers provide insight into how important operations can be to a company's success, while also reinforcing how important it is for operations to be integrated with other functions, internally, to achieve that success, as well as externally with suppliers. Before introducing the papers included in the forum, the authors provide thoughts on operations strategy research, drawing from the past and looking forward.
Developing supplier integration capabilities for sustainable competitive advantage: A dynamic capabilities approach
Authors: Vanpoucke Evelyne , Vereecke Ann , Wetzels Martin
Published: September 2014

Previous research describes supplier integration as a competitive resource that manufacturers use to create economic rents. Considering the mixed results obtained from linking supplier integration with performance outcomes, a ‘dynamic’ component – or the ability to reconfigure the supply chain to adapt to changing environments – appears critical to creating a sustainable competitive advantage. This study identifies integration sensing, seizing and transforming as sub‐capabilities that together form a dynamic capability, referred to herein as supplier integrative capability (SIC). That is, SIC enables buyers to sense changes in the supply environment by sharing information with suppliers, seize opportunities presented by establishing procedures to analyse this information and make long‐term changes to existing processes. A global sample from the industrial sector reveals that the three capabilities exhibit complementarity and must exist simultaneously for the capability to be effective, which then enhances both process flexibility and cost efficiency and helps firms avoid the traditional trade‐off of cost and flexibility. In addition, market and technological dynamics strengthen the effect of SIC on operational performance; supply base complexity attenuates this link.
The role of operations executives in strategy making
Authors: Demeester Lieven , De Meyer Arnoud , Grahovac Jovan
Published: September 2014

Creating competitive advantage based on operations capabilities is likely to require much analysis and communication within the operations function. At the same time, much communication and joint strategizing with the top and other functional executives is likely to be needed as well. Hence, given that operations executives have limited time and also have to perform many other routine tasks, they need to manage two tradeoffs. The first one is between the time spent on strategy making and the time spent on everything else. The other is within strategy making, between the time spent on “functional deliberation” within the operations function and “top‐level communication” with other executives. Using a survey of 134 operations executives, we find that an increase in the time the operations executive spends on strategy making is positively associated with performance in complex and hostile environments and when the relative strength of the operations function within the firm is low. Within the operations executive's strategy making, an increased emphasis on top‐level communication is positively associated with performance in environments that are complex, stable (less uncertain), or hostile.
The Fortunes of a Scholar: When the Yijing Challenged Modern Astronomy
Authors: Homola Stéphanie
Published: September 2014

Liu Zihua arrived in France in 1919 as part of the Sino-French Work-Study Movement. In 1940, he completed a PhD thesis in which he combined modern astronomy and the Yijing through “analogical reasoning” to discover a planet. After Liu went back to China in 1945, his efforts to win recognition came up against nationalist and communist anti-traditionalism but were eventually integrated into the intellectual revival of the 1980s. This study relies on historical sources and anthropological fieldwork to show that Liu is an emblematic figure of the cultural upheaval caused by the introduction of modern Western categories of science, religion, and superstition at the beginning of the twentieth century. Liu's example reveals the changing status of the Yijing in Chinese society, the cross-cultural understanding of science and sacred literature as embodied in this classic, and the role of analogy in cultural assimilation. It also sheds light on the shaping of academic standards in China and on the connection between traditional literary scholars and contemporary “amateur scientists.”
“In Search of New Voices from Alien Lands”: Lu Xun, Cultural Exchange, and the Myth of Sino-Japanese Friendship
Authors: Cheng Eileen J.
Published: September 2014

Lu Xun, a lifelong translator dedicated to introducing foreign thought, “searched for new voices from alien lands” to reinvigorate indigenous culture. Yet, his attitude toward cultural exchange was an ambivalent one. Among the questions that preoccupied him: How are foreign discourses, technologies, and knowledge appropriated and disseminated? Do they enable new frameworks for understanding the self and the world and forward an emancipatory agenda? Or legitimize systems of oppression? While Lu Xun's essays and short stories largely affirm the latter, “Mr. Fujino” imagines a paradigm of relationality that goes beyond the limits of nationalist and colonial discourse. The sentimental account mythologizing his friendship with his Japanese anatomy teacher—one that draws on Confucian notions of benevolence and reciprocity—and, in turn, the positive sentiments and cross-cultural encounters the story has generated, reflects, and in a certain sense, enacts, Lu Xun's more sanguine visions of the transformative possibilities of cultural exchange.
Colour measurement of colostrum for estimation of colostral IgG and colostrum composition in dairy cows
Authors: Gross Josef J , Kessler Evelyne C , Bruckmaier Rupert M
Published: September 2014

Instruments for on-farm determination of colostrum quality such as refractometers and densimeters are increasingly used in dairy farms. The colour of colostrum is also supposed to reflect its quality. A paler or mature milk-like colour is associated with a lower colostrum value in terms of its general composition compared with a more yellowish and darker colour. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between colour measurement of colostrum using the CIELAB colour space (CIE L*=from white to black, a*=from red to green, b*=from yellow to blue, chroma value G=visual perceived colourfulness) and its composition. Dairy cow colostrum samples (n=117) obtained at 4·7±1·5 h after parturition were analysed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) by ELISA and for fat, protein and lactose by infrared spectroscopy. For colour measurements, a calibrated spectrophotometer was used. At a cut-off value of 50 mg IgG/ml, colour measurement had a sensitivity of 50·0%, a specificity of 49·5%, and a negative predictive value of 87·9%. Colostral IgG concentration was not correlated with the chroma value G, but with relative lightness L*. While milk fat content showed a relationship to the parameters L*, a*, b* and G from the colour measurement, milk protein content was not correlated with a*, but with L*, b*, and G. Lactose concentration in colostrum showed only a relationship with b* and G. In conclusion, parameters of the colour measurement showed clear relationships to colostral IgG, fat, protein and lactose concentration in dairy cows. Implementation of colour measuring devices in automatic milking systems and milking parlours might be a potential instrument to access colostrum quality as well as detecting abnormal milk.
Sequence variation in two mitochondrial DNA regions and internal transcribed spacer among isolates of the nematodeOesophagostomum asperumoriginating from goats in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Li F. , Hu T. , Duan N.C. , Li W.Y. , Teng Q. , Li H. , Liu W. , Liu Y. , Cheng T.Y.
Published: September 2014

The present study examined sequence variability in two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) regions, namely cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1), and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) amongOesophagostomum asperumisolates from goats in Hunan Province, China. A portion of thecox1 (pcox1),nad1 (pnad1) genes and the ITS (ITS1+5.8S rDNA+ITS2) rDNA were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) separately from adultO. asperumindividuals and the representative amplicons were subjected to sequencing from both directions. The lengths of pcox1, pnad1 and ITS rDNA were 366 bp, 681 bp and 785 bp, respectively. The A+T contents of gene sequences were 71.5–72% for pcox1, 73.7–74.2% for pnad1 and 58–58.8% for ITS rDNA. Intra-specific sequence variations withinO. asperumwere 0–1.6% for pcox1, 0–1.9% for pnad1 and 0–1.7% for ITS rDNA, while inter-specific sequence differences among members of the genusOesophagostomumwere significantly higher, being 11.1–12.5%, 13.3–17.7% and 8.5–18.6% for pcox1, pnad1 and ITS rDNA, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses using combined sequences of pcox1 and pnad1, with three different computational algorithms (Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony), revealed distinct groups with high statistical support. These findings demonstrated the existence of intra-specific variation in mtDNA and rDNA sequences amongO. asperumisolates from goats in Hunan Province, China, and have implications for studying molecular epidemiology and population genetics ofO. asperum.
Lymph node metastasis in thyroid papillary microcarcinoma: a study of 170 patients
Authors: Varshney R , Pakdaman M N , Sands N , Hier M P , Rochon L , Black M J , Payne R J
Published: September 2014

Objective:

Papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid has been described as either a normal variant or a serious malignancy. We describe our experience with papillary microcarcinoma and lymph node metastases.

Method:

A total of 685 consecutive total thyroidectomies with central compartment neck dissection were reviewed for papillary microcarcinoma. Association of central compartment lymph node metastases with age, gender, tumour multifocality, bilaterality and extrathyroidal extension was analysed.

Results:

Out of 170 papillary microcarcinoma cases, multifocality was found in 72 (42.4 per cent), bilaterality in 49 (28.8 per cent) and extrathyroidal extension in 16 (9.4 per cent). In all, 23 patients (13.5 per cent) had lymph node metastases. There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between extrathyroidal extension (but no other tumour characteristics) and lymph node metastases.

Conclusion:

In all, 13.5 per cent of papillary microcarcinomas in our series showed lymph node metastases. Lymph node metastases were associated with extrathyroidal invasion of the papillary microcarcinoma.
Shrinking the lymphatic filariasis map: update on diagnostic tools for mapping and transmission monitoring
Authors: REBOLLO MARIA P. , BOCKARIE MOSES JOHN
Published: September 2014

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), which is highly endemic in 73 countries worldwide, is targeted for elimination by 2020. The strategy for achieving this goal is based on 4 sequential programmatic steps: mapping, Mass drug administration (MDA) implementation, post-MDA surveillance and verification of LF elimination. All 4 stages of the implementation process are dependent on the availability of user friendly and highly sensitive rapid diagnostic tools. By the end of 2012, 59 countries had completed mapping for LF and Eritrea was the only country yet to start the process. Rolling out new diagnostic tools to facilitate the mapping process will enable an accelerated shrinking of the LF map to zero endemic countries by 2020. When the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was launched in 2000, diagnostic tools for LF were limited to clinical examination, detection of microfilaria (MF) by microscopy in night blood samples and detection of antibodies to native-antigen preparations. There has been a significant improvement in the traditional LF diagnostic methods in recent years and some new tools are now available. This paper provides an update on the human diagnostic tests available for LF and their current applications as tools in mapping and transmission monitoring. The values of entomological indicators and parasite detection and speciation methods applied to vector populations are also discussed.
Stranger Communities: Art Labour and BerlinerButoh
Authors: MEZUR KATHERINE
Published: September 2014

I examine the art labour of three Japanese womenbutohartists living and working internationally. They are foreign at home and abroad: when these artists return to Japan, they are erased from the current arts scene or they are cast as outsiders in a separate category from ‘Japanese artists’; they are also compelled to keep theirbutohdesignation in foreign places because it lends an exotic, economically viable Japanese-ness to their art labour. The artists complicate any simple outsider/resident status or national/cultural representation. They also take on an in-transit-ness, in which they are always on the move and always ‘at work’. I argue that their art-labour-under-duress amplifies their physical intensity, arising from interrelated pressures such as economic conditions and relationships withbutohand Japanese art labour practices. This art labour intensity sustains creativity and initiates a ‘stranger community’ that is a vital part of their radical art labour and survival.
Child Disaster Mental Health Interventions: Therapy Components
Authors: Pfefferbaum Betty , Sweeton Jennifer L. , Nitiéma Pascal , Noffsinger Mary A. , Varma Vandana , Nelson Summer D. , Newman Elana
Published: September 2014

Children face innumerable challenges following exposure to disasters. To address trauma sequelae, researchers and clinicians have developed a variety of mental health interventions. While the overall effectiveness of multiple interventions has been examined, few studies have focused on the individual components of these interventions. As a preliminary step to advancing intervention development and research, this literature review identifies and describes nine common components that comprise child disaster mental health interventions. This review concluded that future research should clearly define the constituent components included in available interventions. This will require that future studies dismantle interventions to examine the effectiveness of specific components and identify common therapeutic elements. Issues related to populations studied (eg, disaster exposure, demographic and cultural influences) and to intervention delivery (eg, timing and optimal sequencing of components) also warrant attention.

PfefferbaumB,SweetonJL,NitiémaP,NoffsingerMA,VarmaV,NelsonSD,NewmanE.Child disaster mental health interventions: therapy components.Prehosp Disaster Med.2014;29(5):1-9.
Anti‐metastatic immunotherapy based on mucosal administration of flagellin and immunomodulatory P10
Authors: de Melo Filipe M , Braga Catarina JM , Pereira Felipe V , Maricato Juliana T , Origassa Clarice ST , Souza Mariana F , Melo Amanda C , Silva Priscila , Tomaz Samanta L , Gimenes Karina P , Scutti Jorge AB , Juliano Maria A , Zamboni Dario S , Câmara Niels O , Travassos Luiz R , Ferreira Luis CS , Rodrigues Elaine G
Published: September 2014

Current therapies against malignant melanoma generally fail to increase survival in most patients, and immunotherapy is a promising approach as it could reduce the dosage of toxic therapeutic drugs. In the present study, we show that an immunotherapeutic approach based on the use of the Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐5 ligand flagellin (Salmonella Typhimurium FliCi) combined with the major histocompatibility complex class II‐restricted P10 peptide, derived from the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis gp43 major surface protein, reduced the number of lung metastasis in a murine melanoma model. Compounds were administered intranasally into C57Bl/6 mice intravenously challenged with syngeneic B16F10‐Nex2 melanoma cells, aiming at the local (pulmonary) immune response modulation. Along with a marked reduction in the number of lung nodules, a significant increase in survival was observed. The immunization regimen induced both local and systemic proinflammatory responses. Lung macrophages were polarized towards a M1 phenotype, lymph node cells, and splenocytes secreted higher interleukin‐12p40 and interferon (IFN)‐γ levels when re‐stimulated with tumor antigens. The protective effect of the FliCi+P10 formulation required TLR‐5, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 and IFN‐γ expression, but caspase‐1 knockout mice were only partially protected, suggesting that intracellular flagellin receptors are not involved with the anti‐tumor effect. The immune therapy resulted in the activation of tumor‐specific CD4+ T lymphocytes, which conferred protection to metastatic melanoma growth after adoptive transfer. Taken together, our results report a new immunotherapeutic approach based on TLR‐5 activation and IFN‐γ production capable to control the metastatic growth of B16F10‐Nex2 melanoma, being a promising alternative to be associated with chemotherapeutic drugs for an effective anti‐tumor responses.
A novel hydrogen oxidizer amidst the sulfur-oxidizing Thiomicrospira lineage
Authors: Hansen Moritz , Perner Mirjam
Published: September 2014

Thiomicrospira species are ubiquitously found in various marine environments and appear particularly common in hydrothermal vent systems. Members of this lineage are commonly classified as sulfur-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophs. Although sequencing of Thiomicrospira crunogena’s genome has revealed genes that encode enzymes for hydrogen uptake activity and for hydrogenase maturation and assembly, hydrogen uptake ability has so far not been reported for any Thiomicrospira species. We isolated a Thiomicrospira species (SP-41) from a deep sea hydrothermal vent and demonstrated that it can oxidize hydrogen. We show in vivo hydrogen consumption, hydrogen uptake activity in partially purified protein extracts and transcript abundance of hydrogenases during different growth stages. The ability of this strain to oxidize hydrogen opens up new perspectives with respect to the physiology of Thiomicrospira species that have been detected in hydrothermal vents and that have so far been exclusively associated with sulfur oxidation.
Serotonin tranporter methylation and response to cognitive behaviour therapy in children with anxiety disorders
Authors: Roberts S , Lester K J , Hudson J L , Rapee R M , Creswell C , Cooper P J , Thirlwall K J , Coleman J R I , Breen G , Wong C C Y , Eley T C
Published: September 2014

Anxiety disorders that are the most commonly occurring psychiatric disorders in childhood, are associated with a range of social and educational impairments and often continue into adulthood. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment option for the majority of cases, although up to 35–45% of children do not achieve remission. Recent research suggests that some genetic variants may be associated with a more beneficial response to psychological therapy. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation work at the interface between genetic and environmental influences. Furthermore, epigenetic alterations at the serotonin transporter (SERT) promoter region have been associated with environmental influences such as stressful life experiences. In this study, we measured DNA methylation upstream of SERT in 116 children with an anxiety disorder, before and after receiving CBT. Change during treatment in percentage DNA methylation was significantly different in treatment responders vs nonresponders. This effect was driven by one CpG site in particular, at which responders increased in methylation, whereas nonresponders showed a decrease in DNA methylation. This is the first study to demonstrate differences in SERT methylation change in association with response to a purely psychological therapy. These findings confirm that biological changes occur alongside changes in symptomatology following a psychological therapy such as CBT.
Ultrasensitive carbohydrate-peptide SPR imaging microarray for diagnosing IgE mediated peanut allergy
Authors: Joshi Amit A. , Peczuh Mark W. , Kumar Challa V. , Rusling James F.
Published: September 2014

The first peptide-carbohydrate SPR imaging immunoarray aimed at diagnosing severity of peanut allergies is reported. The SPRi chip features a peptide epitope of peanut protein allergen Ara h2, a β-xylosyl glycoside, and anti-IgE antibody to achieve epitope-specific detection of human allergen IgEs at sub-attomol levels.
A new focus for quality in chemical measurement
Authors: Thompson Michael
Published: September 2014

This contribution discusses issues surrounding the quality of chemical measurements and the evaluation of uncertainty.
Matrix solid-phase dispersion: a simple and fast technique for the determination of phenolic compounds in olive oil by liquid chromatography
Authors: Monasterio Romina P. , Fontana Ariel R. , Silva María Fernanda
Published: September 2014

MSPD-HPLC-MWD for phenolic compound determination in olive oil was developed. It is simple and requires little sample preparation, thus increasing the throughput.
Subphthalocyanines: addressing water-solubility, nano-encapsulation, and activation for optical imaging of B16 melanoma cells
Authors: Bernhard Yann , Winckler Pascale , Chassagnon Remi , Richard Philippe , Gigot Élodie , Perrier-Cornet Jean-Marie , Decréau Richard A.
Published: September 2014

Three new facets of subphthalocyanines (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) are presented: probes for molecular imaging, pH-activation, nano-encapsulation (liposomes: 20 nm large/13% loading).
Doxycycline and oxytetracycline loading of a zwitterionic amphoteric surfactant-gel and their controlled release
Authors: Cesaretti A. , Carlotti B. , Gentili P. L. , Clementi C. , Germani R. , Elisei F.
Published: September 2014

Oxytetracycline chelates with magnesium spread between the hydrophobic domains and water pools of the micro-heterogeneous environment provided by a zwitterionic surfactant-gel. The fluorescence lifetime of those molecules trapped in the gel undergoes a clear lengthening.
Excitation energy migration dynamics in upconversion nanomaterials
Authors: Tu Langping , Liu Xiaomin , Wu Fei , Zhang Hong
Published: September 2014

Excitation energy migration in a rare earth ions doped upconversion nanoparticle.
Ammonia-mediated, large-scale synthesis of ammonia borane
Authors: Ramachandran P. Veeraraghavan , Mistry Hitesh , Kulkarni Ameya S. , Gagare Pravin D.
Published: September 2014

The presence of NH3 allows a high concentration, ambient temperature synthesis of ammonia borane from sodium borohydride in air using reagent-grade THF.
Accumulation, speciation and uptake pathway of ZnO nanoparticles in maize
Authors: Lv Jitao , Zhang Shuzhen , Luo Lei , Zhang Jing , Yang Ke , Christie Peter
Published: September 2014

Engineered nanomaterials such as ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) will inevitably enter the environment because of the large quantities produced and their widespread application.
Digestive diversity and kinetic intrigue among heated and unheated β-lactoglobulin species
Authors: Loveday Simon M. , Peram Malleswara R. , Singh Harjinder , Ye Aiqian , Jameson Geoffrey B.
Published: September 2014

We investigated the relationship between structure andin vitropeptic digestibility of heated and unheated β-lactoglobulin. Surprisingly, the native protein was digested in two distinct phases, which we hypothesise is due to the binding of an inhibitory peptide to the active site of pepsin, followed by a pH-gated transition that releases the inhibitory peptide.
Pd/C-catalyzed reactions of HMF: decarbonylation, hydrogenation, and hydrogenolysis
Authors: Mitra Joyee , Zhou Xiaoyuan , Rauchfuss Thomas
Published: September 2014

The diverse reactivity of 5-hydroxymethylfural (HMF) in Pd/C-catalyzed reactions is described with emphasis on the role of additives that affect selectivity.
Elemental recoveries for metal oxide nanoparticles analysed by direct injection ICP-MS: influence of particle size, agglomeration state and sample matrix
Authors: Motellier Sylvie , Guiot Arnaud , Legros Samuel , Fiorentino Brice
Published: September 2014

Metal oxide nanoparticles were analyzed by ICP-MS with direct injection and their recoveries were determined in different media.
Relationship between the architecture of zinc coordination and zinc binding affinity in proteins – insights into zinc regulation
Authors: Kochańczyk Tomasz , Drozd Agnieszka , Krężel Artur
Published: September 2014

Relationship between the architecture and stability of zinc proteins.
Synthesis and characterization of the nickel@carbon dots hybrid material and its application in the reduction of Cr(vi)
Authors: Guo Yali , Wang Dan , Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Xudong , Liu Weisheng , Qin Wenwu
Published: September 2014

The nickel@carbon dots hybrid material (Ni@C-dots) was prepared through a simple reduction route and tested as a catalyst to reduce toxic Cr(vi) to nontoxic Cr(iii) under room temperature.
Mesoscopically structured nanocrystalline metal oxide thin films
Authors: Carretero-Genevrier Adrian , Drisko Glenna L. , Grosso David , Boissiere Cédric , Sanchez Clement
Published: September 2014

This review describes the main successful strategies that are used to grow mesostructured nanocrystalline metal oxide and SiO2 films via solution deposition.
Artificial photosynthesis on tree trunk derived alkaline tantalates with hierarchical anatomy: towards CO2 photo-fixation into CO and CH4
Authors: Zhou Han , Li Peng , Guo Jianjun , Yan Runyu , Fan Tongxiang , Zhang Di , Ye Jinhua
Published: September 2014

Artificial photosynthesis is carried out on alkaline tantalates MTaO3 (M = Li, Na, K) with hierarchical anatomy derived from tree trunks using only artificial sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide as inputs to produce carbon monoxide and methane as outputs.
Tungsten oxide nanorod growth by pulsed laser deposition: influence of substrate and process conditions
Authors: Huang Peng , Ali Kalyar M. Mazhar , Webster Richard F. , Cherns David , Ashfold Michael N. R.
Published: September 2014

We report successful pulsed laser deposition of tungsten oxide nanorods on a range of metal substrates, and demonstrate striking substrate dependent differences in nanorod morphology.
Incorporation of Cl into sequentially deposited lead halide perovskite films for highly efficient mesoporous solar cells
Authors: Dharani Sabba , Dewi Herlina Arianita , Prabhakar Rajiv Ramanujam , Baikie Tom , Shi Chen , Yonghua Du , Mathews Nripan , Boix Pablo P. , Mhaisalkar Subodh G.
Published: September 2014

The role of Cl in determining the optical, electrical, structural and morphological properties is correlated with the photovoltaic performance in sequentially deposited perovskite solar cells.
Alteration of architecture of MoO3 nanostructures on arbitrary substrates: growth kinetics, spectroscopic and gas sensing properties
Authors: Illyaskutty Navas , Sreedhar Sreeja , Sanal Kumar G. , Kohler Heinz , Schwotzer Matthias , Natzeck Carsten , Pillai V. P. Mahadevan
Published: September 2014

MoO3 nanostructures were grown on different substrates by RF magnetron sputtering and the influence of substrate material on their morphological and photophysical properties were investigated.
Degradable cross-linked polymer vesicles for the efficient delivery of platinum drugs
Authors: Fu Q. , Xu J. , Ladewig K. , Henderson T. M. A. , Qiao G. G.
Published: September 2014

Nontoxic and acid-degradable polymer vesicles were synthesized as drug carriers. In vitro dose–response cytotoxicity studies suggested that the drug-loaded polymer vesicles were more efficient in delivering cis-platin into cancer cells compared to the internalization of the free drug.
Spectroscopic study and electronic structure of prototypical iron porphyrins and their μ-oxo-dimer derivatives with different functional configurations
Authors: Xu Wei , Dziedzic-Kocurek Katarzyna , Yu Meijuan , Wu Ziyu , Marcelli Augusto
Published: September 2014

The electronic structures and the charge dynamics of prototypical porphyrins and their μ-oxo-dimer derivatives have been investigated to provide insight into their molecular biophysical mechanisms.
Fabrication and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activities of BiVO4/Bi2WO6 composites
Authors: Geng Yanling , Zhang Peng , Kuang Shaoping
Published: September 2014

Mechanism of photodegradation over BiVO4/Bi2WO6 composite photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.
Prospective use of the potentiostatic triple pulse strategy for the template-free electrosynthesis of metal nanoparticles
Authors: Guin Saurav K. , Aggarwal Suresh K.
Published: September 2014

A switchover of the nucleation mechanism during the last pulse from progressive in potentiostatic double pulse strategy (PDPS) to instantaneous in potentiostatic triple pulse strategy (PTPS) resulting in smaller and better monodispersed metal nanoparticles.
Redox competition and generation-collection modes based scanning electrochemical microscopy for the evaluation of immobilised glucose oxidase-catalysed reactions
Authors: Morkvenaite-Vilkonciene I. , Ramanaviciene A. , Ramanavicius A.
Published: September 2014

Redox competition (RC-SECM) and generation-collection (GC-SECM) modes of scanning electrochemical microscopy were applied for the evaluation of a glucose oxidase (GOx)-modified non-conducting poly(methyl methacrylate) surface.
Poly-amidoamine structure characterization: amide resonance structure of imidic acid (HO–CN) and tertiary ammonium
Authors: Ji Yan , Yang XiaoLiang , Qian Ying
Published: September 2014

The dendrimer PAMAM has an amide resonance structure,i.e.imidic acid (HO–CN), and a tertiary ammonium structure, which can be characterized using15N/1H/2D NH/13C NMR, IR and MS.
Ab initio calculation of magnetic properties of p-block element doped ZnO
Authors: Nath Palash , Chakraborti Anirban , Sanyal D.
Published: September 2014

Effective magnetic moment for Zn54O53X (X = B, C, N, F, Al, Si, P, Cl, Ga, Ge, As) system.
Synthesis and near-infrared luminescence of La3GaGe5O16:Cr3+phosphors
Authors: Zhou Jun , Xia Zhiguo
Published: September 2014

A novel Cr3+-doped La3GaGe5O16phosphor was synthesized by a solid-state reaction, and the phase formation and microstructure, near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL) properties and PL thermal stability were investigated in detail.
Ultrafast delocalization of excitation in synthetic light-harvesting nanorings
Authors: Yong Chaw-Keong , Parkinson Patrick , Kondratuk Dmitry V. , Chen Wei-Hsin , Stannard Andrew , Summerfield Alex , Sprafke Johannes K. , O'Sullivan Melanie C. , Beton Peter H. , Anderson Harry L. , Herz Laura M.
Published: September 2014

When light is absorbed by a nanoring consisting of 6–24 porphyrin units, the excitation delocalizes over the whole molecule within 200 fs. Highly symmetric nanorings exhibit thermally enhanced super-radiance.
Hollow nickel-coated silica microspheres containing rhodium nanoparticles for highly selective production of hydrogen from hydrous hydrazine
Authors: Yoo Jung Bo , Kim Han Sol , Kang Seung Hee , Lee Byeongno , Hur Nam Hwi
Published: September 2014

Hollow nickel-coated microspheres containing Rh nanoparticles (Rh/Ni@SiO2) generate hydrogen (H2) from hydrazine (H2NNH2) with over 99% selectivity within 1.5 h at 25 °C.
Comparative study of ECG signal denoising by wavelet thresholding in empirical and variational mode decomposition domains
Authors: Lahmiri Salim
Published: September 2014

Hybrid denoising models based on combining empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) were found to be effective in removing additive Gaussian noise from electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. Recently, variational mode decomposition (VMD) has been proposed as a multiresolution technique that overcomes some of the limits of the EMD. Two ECG denoising approaches are compared. The first is based on denoising in the EMD domain by DWT thresholding, whereas the second is based on noise reduction in the VMD domain by DWT thresholding. Using signal‐to‐noise ratio and mean of squared errors as performance measures, simulation results show that the VMD‐DWT approach outperforms the conventional EMD–DWT. In addition, a non‐local means approach used as a reference technique provides better results than the VMD‐DWT approach.
Square pulse emission with ultra‐low repetition rate utilising non‐linear polarisation rotation technique
Authors: Tan Sin Jin , Tiu Zian Cheak , Harun Sulaiman Wadi , Ahmad Harith
Published: September 2014

The generation of nanosecond square pulse and microsecond harmonic pulse in a passively mode‐locked fibre ring laser is demonstrated by inserting a 20 km long single mode fibre in the cavity. The laser operates in anomalous region based on the non‐linear polarisation rotation process. The square pulse generation is because of the dissipative soliton resonance effect, which clamps the peak intensity of the laser and broadens the pulse width. The pulse width can be tuned from 28.2 to 167.7 ns. It was found that the square pulse can deliver higher pulse energy compared with the harmonic pulse. The highest recorded pulse energy is 249.8 nJ under the maximum available pump power of 125 mW without pulse breaking.
Recreating nature with dendrite‐like self‐assembly of magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Reyman Dolores , Serrano Raquel
Published: September 2014

The self‐organisation of magnetite nanoparticles (FeNPs) into fractal dendrite‐like structures is reported. The fractal alignment was addressed by the diffusion‐limited aggregation dynamics of solvent dewetting. Ethylene glycol and folate anion were used as capping agents of the FeNPs. The presence of ethylene glycol is critical for the fractal growth process. X‐ray and magnetisation measurements, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, confocal fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies were used to characterise the dendritic structures.
Market Consolidation in the Telecommunication Sector: Will LIME Survive?
Authors: Golding Paul A , Tennant Vanesa M
Published: September 2014

This teaching case presents a situation confronting Garfield Sinclair, the Managing Director of LIME Jamaica, a telecommunication provider, in March 2011, learning of a possible swap deal between the market leader, Digicel and its closest rival Claro (LIME's two biggest competitors). The unexpected deal threatens to create a new monopoly in the Jamaican telecommunications market. Ironically, LIME held a monopoly position in Jamaica until 2000, when new licenses were offered in the country. Now, LIME's very existence is threatened and Sinclair must decide what to do. This case supports debate on whether the telecommunications industry is a natural monopoly, and can serve as a vehicle that improves students’ understanding of the complex interplay among technology, business strategy and the law.
Use of dielectric spectroscopy for evidencing subphases in an antiferroelectric liquid crystal
Authors: Marino Lucia , Ionescu Andrei Th. , Pucci Daniela , Marino Salvatore , Bruno Emanuela , Scaramuzza Nicola
Published: September 2014

The analysis of an orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid-crystalline mixture, using dielectric spectroscopy, has revealed a plurality of ferroelectric smectic C* subphases. A great variety of relaxation responses that could indicate the presence of different SmC* subphases has been observed with the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique in partial agreement with other techniques as DSC and optical microscopy. They represent smectic intermediate variants between the ferroelectric phase and the antiferroelectric one, whose study is still open and is collecting a lot of interest in academic field. The results obtained by dielectric spectroscopy were compared with other techniques as differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The results demonstrate the possibility of using dielectric spectroscopy to highlight subphases that cannot be observed with conventional experimental techniques.