bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conformational studies of neurohypophyseal hormones analogues with glycoconjugates by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Lubecka Emilia A. , Sikorska Emilia , Marcinkowska Alina , Ciarkowski Jerzy
Published: March 2014

Two glycosylated peptides have been studied using NMR spectroscopy supported by molecular modeling. Peptide I is an oxytocin (OT) analogue in which glutamine 4 was replaced by serine with attached α‐d‐mannose through the oxygen β atom, whereas peptide II is a lysine‐vasopressin (LVP) analogue with lysine 8 side chain modified by the attachment of glucuronic acid through an amide bond. Both peptides exhibit very weak uterotonic effect and are less susceptible to proteolytic degradation than the mother hormones. Additionally, peptide II reveals very weak pressor and antidiuretic activities. Our results have shown that the conformational preferences of glycosylated analogues are highly similar to those of their respective mother hormones. OT glycosylated analogue (I) exhibits a 3,4 β‐turn characteristic of OT‐like peptides, and vasopressin‐glycosylated analogue (II) exhibits β‐turns typical of vasopressin‐like peptides. Therefore, the lack of binding of the glycosylated analogues to the receptors can be attributed to a steric interference between the carbohydrate moieties and the receptors. We also consider this to be the reason of the very low activity of the analyzed glycopeptides. We expect that results from these studies will be helpful in designing new OT‐like and vasopressin‐like drugs. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetocaloric effect near room temperature in (1 − y)La0.8Ca0.05K0.15MnO3/yLa0.8K0.2MnO3 composites
Authors: Mbarek H. , M'nasri R. , Cheikhrouhou‐Koubaa W. , Cheikhrouhou A.
Published: March 2014

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of (1 − y) La0.8Ca0.05K0.15MnO3/yLa0.8K0.2MnO3 with y = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 composites were investigated. Our composites will be designated by CM1 (y = 0.25), CM2 (y = 0.5), and CM3 (y = 0.75). X‐ray diffraction pattern show that La0.8Ca0.05K0.15MnO3 and La0.8K0.2MnO3 samples, elaborated using the solid state reaction at high temperature, are single phase without any detectable impurity and crystallize in the rhombohedral system with Rc space group. The temperature dependence of the magnetization M(T) in the temperature range 200–350 K shows that La0.8Ca0.05K0.15MnO3 and La0.8K0.2MnO3 samples exhibit a paramagnetic–ferromagnetic transition while decreasing temperature, with a Curie temperature TC increasing with K amount and reaching around 300 K for x = 0.2. The field dependence of the magnetization M(H) confirms the ferromagnetic behavior at low temperatures observed in the M(T) curves. The maximum of the magnetic entropy change is found to be 5.32 and 4.37 J kg−1 K−1 under a magnetic field change of 5 T for La0.8Ca0.05K0.15MnO3 and La0.8K0.2MnO3, respectively. Magnetic entropy change versus temperatures reveals that the composite CM2 with y = 0.5 exhibits the best value for the relative cooling power (RCP) of 270 J kg−1 under a magnetic field change of 5 T. For y = 0.25 and 0.75, the RCP is found to be around 227.5 J kg−1 under a magnetic field change of 5 T for both of them. The RCP value of 270 J kg−1 for CM2, which is around 66% of that observed in pure Gd makes our composite a potential candidate for magnetic refrigeration around room temperature.
Mesoporous silicon: A new route to fabricate silicon‐based nanotubes
Authors: Huanca Danilo Roque , Salcedo Walter Jaimes
Published: March 2014

The present work reports the two types of silicon nanotubes fabrication. The tubular structures based on silicon have been fabricated by immersing mesoporous silicon layer into aqueous electrolyte based on a mixture of NH4F and NiSO4. Similar results are achieved by immersing mesoporous silicon layer that was formed from the silicon wafer previously metallized on its smooth surface with aluminum and after annealing in a N2 environment. In this case, either silicon or nickel nanotubes can easily be formed only by tuning the pH level of the ammonium fluoride solution. The range of the inner diameter of these tubes varies from 40 to 110 nm, whereas the mean value of their tube‐wall thicknesses is about 25 nm. The SNT characterization by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy and their open‐circuit potential behaviors show that the silicon tubes have been formed by an etch‐stop process where the space‐charge region on the silicon side plays a key role for tubes formation. In this paper, the SNT formation mechanism in the aqueous mixture solution of NH4F:NiSO4 using the mesoporous silicon layer as a starting material is discussed. We show that this proposed procedure is new and easy to implement.
Temperature‐dependent ac current‐voltage‐capacitance characteristics of GaN‐based light‐emitting diodes under high forward bias
Authors: Yang Wei , Li Ding , He Juan , Wang Cunda , Hu Xiaodong
Published: March 2014

Temperature‐dependent ac current‐voltage‐capacitance characteristics between 90 K and 440 K were investigated for InGaN/GaN multi‐quantum‐wells blue light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) under high forward bias. Under large forward current, deep saturation of junction voltage Vj was observed over a wide temperature range. It was found that Vj corresponds to the separation energy of electron and hole quasi‐Fermi levels and its temperature dependence could be well explained by the flat band model. After the pinning of quasi‐Fermi levels, the forward current is dominated by the drift current in the p ‐GaN access layer. Considering Poole‐Frenkel effect, a quantitative model was developed to reproduce the cur‐rent‐voltage characteristics of LEDs under high forward bias. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Beyond intervalley transfer: damped Bloch oscillation and negative differential drift velocity at very high fields in wide bandgap III‐nitride materials
Authors: Yoder P. Douglas , Sridharan Sriraaman
Published: March 2014

We present evidence for a new mode of charge transport at very high fields in gallium nitride (GaN) and related wide bandgap materials, based on the phenomenon of damped Bloch oscillation. Entirely new solutions of the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) are developed to describe the microscopic physics of damped Bloch oscillation, which is shown to lead to negative differential drift velocity in bulk material. Bloch transport in bulk GaN is confirmed by full band Monte Carlo simulation. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
GaN high electron mobility transistors on silicon substrates with MBE/PVD AlN seed layers
Authors: Cordier Y. , Frayssinet E. , Chmielowska M. , Nemoz M. , Courville A. , Vennéguès P. , Mierry P. De , Chenot S. , Camus J. , Aissa K. Ait , Simon Q. , Brizoual L. Le , Djouadi M. A. , Defrance N. , Lesecq M. , Altuntas P. , Cutivet A. , Agboton A. , Jaeger J.‐C. De
Published: March 2014

In the present paper, we describe the development of new AlN seed layers obtained by combining molecular beam epitaxy and low temperature physical vapour deposition (magnetron sputtering). It is shown that it is possible to grow thick AlN seed layers with a good in‐plane crystal ordering. GaN based structures on silicon can then be regrown with device quality active layers, as attested by the realization of high electron mobility transistors. Furthermore, the low substrate bowing achieved with these structures is of high interest for the fabrication of large GaN‐on‐silicon wafers. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Advantages of the moth‐eye patterned sapphire substrate for the high performance nitride based LEDs
Authors: Kondo Toshiyuki , Kitano Tsukasa , Suzuki Atsushi , Mori Midori , Naniwae Koichi , Kamiyama Satoshi , Iwaya Motoaki , Takeuchi Tetsuya , Akasaki Isamu
Published: March 2014

We propose moth‐eye patterned sapphire substrate (MPSS) as a solution to improve the light extraction efficiency and to reduce the production cost of LEDs. The MPSS samples' surfaces consisted of a triangular grid of about 375 nm high truncated cones with different pitches of 460 nm, 500 nm, 600 nm, 700 nm and 800 nm. A commercially available patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) and a flat sapphire substrate (FSS) was also used in the experiments for comparison. According to the cathode luminescence observation, the GaN template on MPSS with a thickness of 3 µm showed a threading dislocation density (TDD) of around 1.9 × 108 cm–2. Transmission electron microscope observation revealed that many of the dislocations were bent and disappeared as loops formed in the vicinity of MPSS cones. On the other hand, PSS required a GaN template thicker than 5µm to achieve a level of TDD equal to MPSS. The LED on MPSS with a pitch of 600 nm showed the highest light output power among the evaluated LEDs as it was 1.89 times higher than that on FSS and 1.05 times higher than that on PSS. The pitch dependence of the light output improvement agrees with the pitch dependence of the simulated transmissivity at the GaN/sapphire interface.

As a result of our comparison, we concluded that MPSS provides the most cost effective solution for high performance LEDs.
Evaluation of radiated emission of GaN‐HEMT switching circuit
Authors: Ide Toshihide , Kaji Ryousaku , Shimizu Mitsuaki , Mizutani Kenji , Ueno Hiroaki , Otsuka Nobuyuki , Ueda Tetsuzo , Tanaka Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2014

The radiated emission from the GaN‐HEMT switching converter is investigated by two‐dimensional electromagnetic‐probe scanning. By the scanning, the single peak spectrum due to the ringing of the switching waveforms is obtained. When the supply voltage of the converter Vcc is varied, this peak frequency of the spectrum of the electromagnetic field is shifted. This peak shift is thought to be due to the change of the capacitance of the depletion region in the GaN‐HEMTs. Therefore, we propose the equivalent circuit model for the radiated emission employing the resonant frequency between the output capacitance of the GaN‐HEMTs and the parasitic inductance of the circuit wire Lline. The calculated results at Lline of 1.2 nH agree well with the experimental results. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Randomk‐SAT and the power of two choices
Authors: Perkins Will
Published: March 2014

We study an Achlioptas‐process version of the randomk‐SAT process: a bounded number ofk‐clauses are drawn uniformly at random at each step, and exactly one added to the growing formula according to a particular rule. We prove the existence of a rule that shifts the satisfiability threshold. This extends a well‐studied area of probabilistic combinatorics (Achlioptas processes) to random CSP's. In particular, while a rule to delay the 2‐SAT threshold was known previously, this is the first proof of a rule to shift the threshold ofk‐SAT for. We then propose a gap decision problem based upon this semi‐random model. The aim of the problem is to investigate the hardness of the randomk‐SAT decision problem, as opposed to the problem of finding an assignment or certificate of unsatisfiability. Finally, we discuss connections to the study of Achlioptas random graph processes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 47, 163–173, 2015
A new multi‐use multi‐secret sharing scheme based on the duals of minimal linear codes
Authors: Song Yun , Li Zhihui , Li Yongming , Li Jing
Published: March 2014

There are several methods to construct multi‐secret sharing schemes, one of which is based on coding theory. Generally, however, it is very hard to determine the minimal access structures of the schemes based on linear codes. In this paper, we first propose the concept of minimal linear codes so as to make it easier to determine the access structures of the schemes based on the duals of minimal linear codes. It is proved that the shortening codes of minimal linear codes are also minimal ones. Then we present the algorithm to determine whether a class of linear codes are minimal. On the basis of our aforementioned studies, we further devise a new multi‐use multi‐secret sharing scheme based on the dual code of a minimal linear code, where each participant has to carry only one share. Furthermore, we study the minimal access structures of the multi‐secret sharing scheme and present specific examples through programming. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling Static and Dynamic Kinetics of Microstructure Evolution in Type 316 Stainless Steel
Authors: Dupin Eduardo , Yanagida Akira , Yanagimoto Jun
Published: March 2014

The material genome of type 316 austenitic stainless steel is presented. The material genome is a set of constitutive equations which describes the microstructure evolution during hot forming. Single‐ and double‐compression tests at temperatures of 950–1150°C and with strain rates of 0.01–20 s−1 were performed to obtain the kinetics of dynamic and static events. Inverse analysis, which couples a thermomechanical finite element analysis with experimental data, is used to obtain the flow curves. It compensates the effect of inhomogeneous distributions of deformation and temperature during the compression tests. The sine‐hyperbolic law, which relates the flow stress and the Zener–Hollomon parameter, is used to validate the accuracy of the solution. Regression analysis is applied on the coefficients of the flow curves in order to obtain the parameters of the constitutive equations. Microstructure investigations are used to demonstrate the validity of the newly obtained material genome.
Knockdown of Nucleosome Assembly Protein 1-Like 1 Induces Mesoderm Formation and Cardiomyogenesis Via Notch Signaling in Murine-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Gong Hui , Yan Yuan , Fang Bo , Xue Yuanyuan , Yin Peipei , Li Lu , Zhang Guoping , Sun Xia , Chen Zhidan , Ma Hong , Yang Chunjie , Ding Yingjiong , Yong Ye , Zhu Yichun , Yang Huangtian , Komuro Issei , Ge Junbo , Zou Yunzeng
Published: March 2014

Low efficiency of cardiomyocyte differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hinders the clinical application of iPSC technology for cardiac repair strategy. Recently, we screened out nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (Nap1l1), which was downregulated during the differentiation of P19CL6 cells into cardiomyocytes. Here, we attempted to study the role of Nap1l1 in cardiomyogenesis of iPSC. Nap1l1 was downregulated during the differentiation of iPSC. Knockdown of Nap1l1 dramatically enhanced the differentiation of iPSC into functional cardiomyocytes while overexpression of Nap1l1 sharply lowered the differentiation. Moreover, although Nap1l1-knockdown had little effect on endoderm differentiation, the Nap1l1 modulation significantly accelerated mesoderm development. Re-expressing Nap1l1 in Nap1l1-knockdown-iPSC rescued the effects of Nap1l1. Inducibly overexpressing Nap1l1 at early stage of differentiation greatly inhibited mesoderm induction and cardiogenesis of iPSC. However, mesoderm stem cells (Flk-1-positive cells) originated from Nap1l1-knockdown- or -overexpression-iPSC showed no difference in further cardiomyocyte differentiation compared with that of control-iPSC. Further study revealed that Nap1l1-overexpression increased γ-secretase activity and the expression of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and downstream genes during the differentiation of iPSC. γ-Secretase inhibitor DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycinet-butyl ester) greatly suppressed the production of NICD and abolished the inhibitory effects of Nap1l1-overexpression on mesoderm induction and cardiogenesis. These findings demonstrate that downregulation of Nap1l1 significantly enhances mesodermal induction and subsequent cardiogenesis of murine iPSC via inhibition of γ-secretase-regulated Notch signaling, which would facilitate the application of iPSC in heart diseases. Stem Cells  2014;32:1759–1773
MyLabStocks: a web‐application to manage molecular biology materials
Authors: Chuffart Florent , Yvert Gaël
Published: March 2014

Laboratory stocks are the hardware of research. They must be stored and managed with mimimum loss of material and information. Plasmids, oligonucleotides and strains are regularly exchanged between collaborators within and between laboratories. Managing and sharing information about every item is crucial for retrieval of reagents, for planning experiments and for reproducing past experimental results. We have developed a web‐based application to manage stocks commonly used in a molecular biology laboratory. Its functionalities include user‐defined privileges, visualization of plasmid maps directly from their sequence and the capacity to search items from fields of annotation or directly from a query sequence using BLAST. It is designed to handle records of plasmids, oligonucleotides, yeast strains, antibodies, pipettes and notebooks. Based on PHP/MySQL, it can easily be extended to handle other types of stocks and it can be installed on any server architecture. MyLabStocks is freely available from: https://forge.cbp.ens‐lyon.fr/redmine/projects/mylabstocks under an open source licence. © 2014 Laboratoire de Biologie Moleculaire de la Cellule CNRS. Yeast published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistic Effect on Wettability of Mixtures of Amine Oxides, Alkylpolyglucosides, and Ethoxylated Fatty Alcohols
Authors: García Martín Juan F. , Herrera‐Márquez Otilia , Vicaria José M. , Jurado Encarnación
Published: March 2014

The mixture proportions of three surfactants, i.e. an alkylpolyglucoside (APG), an ethoxylated fatty alcohol, and an amine oxide (AO), were optimized by applying Response Surface Methodology in order to achieve the surfactant ratio that produces the highest wetting power. The synergistic effect of the binary samples of AO with the other surfactants was firstly verified. An improvement in this synergistic effect on wettability was found in the ternary mixture. In the experimental range analyzed, the surfactant concentration ratio that produced the highest wettability was a composition with 19.3 % APG, 30.1 % ethoxylated alcohol, and 50.6 % lauramine oxide.
Synthesis of Urethane Derivatives of Mono‐ and Diacylglycerols for Use as HPLC Standards in the Enantiomeric Separation
Authors: Tada Naoto , Fujita Honami , Ando Yasuhiro
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a convenient method for the preparation of reference standards for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) used in stereospecific analysis of triacyl‐sn‐glycerols via monoacylglycerol or diacylglycerol intermediates. In the analysis, these partial acylglycerols are separated into their respective positional and enantiomeric isomer classes by chiral HPLC as their 3,5‐dinitrophenylurethane derivatives or by silicic acid HPLC as their (S)‐ or (R)‐1‐(1‐naphthyl)ethyl urethane derivatives. In this study, these urethane derivative standards were synthesized by the following novel procedure: first, partial urethane derivatives of glycerol were prepared by carbamoylation of glycerol with isocyanates; secondly, the products were separated into positional isomer classes by silicic acid HPLC, and; finally, a fatty acid was added to the partial urethanes using N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The identities of the resulting urethane derivatives of glycerol were verified by mass spectrometry and HPLC. This new procedure is advantageous in that standard urethane derivatives of partial acylglycerols can be synthesized from no more than 50 μg of fatty acids. This benefit is especially important in the case of rare and expensive fatty acids, such as very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, tetracosahexaenoic acid, and hexacosaheptaenoic acid, found in marine lipids.
Play the Music, not the Instrument
Authors: Van Dalen Jan
Published: March 2014

None
International Note: What factors are associated with reading, mathematics, and science literacy of Indian adolescents? A multilevel examination
Authors: Areepattamannil Shaljan
Published: March 2014

A sample of 15‐year‐olds in India took part in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) for the first time in 2010. The PISA reading, mathematics, and science literacy scores of Indian adolescents were considerably lower than their counterparts in most PISA participating countries. In order to explore potential reasons for this, the present study, therefore, drawing on data from the fourth cycle of PISA and employing multilevel modeling, examined the relations of student‐ and school‐level factors to reading, mathematics, and science literacy among 4826 15‐year‐old students from 213 schools in India. Gender, metacognitive learning strategies, students' positive attitudes toward school, and students' positive perceptions of classroom climate were found to be significantly associated with Indian adolescents' performance on the PISA assessment.
Workplace-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation Programs in Swedish Public Human Service Organisations
Authors: Vinberg Stig , Landstad Bodil J.
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this article is to contribute to knowledge about workplace-based prevention and rehabilitation programs by investigating effects on outcomes concerning employee health, psychosocial working conditions, sickness absence, sick-cases and rehabilitation indicators in 19 Swedish public human service workplaces including 311 individuals. Interviews with middle managers and an examination of documentation about prevention and rehabilitation interventions at the workplaces made it possible to group the workplaces in two workplace program groups — high versus low quality workplace-based prevention and rehabilitation programs. Statistical methods used were reliability tests, correlation analyses and t tests. Results indicate significant associations between changes in employee-judged stress and psychosocial working conditions, and changes in employee-judged health. The results concerning changes in employees’ health, stress and psychosocial working conditions (after workplace-based programs) showed significant differences between workplaces with high quality workplace-based programs compared with workplaces with low quality workplace-based programs, with the former having more favourable results. The study indicates that workplace-based prevention and rehabilitation programs with a broad change strategy and high levels of management and employee involvement can apply to small public sector workplaces.
Nonlinear stability of gravitationally unstable, transient, diffusive boundary layers in porous media
Authors: Tilton N. , Riaz A.
Published: March 2014

The linear stability of transient diffusive boundary layers in porous media has been studied extensively for its applications to carbon dioxide sequestration. The onset of nonlinear convection, however, remains understudied because the transient base state invalidates the traditional stability methods that are used for autonomous systems. We demonstrate that the onset time of nonlinear convection, $t=t_{\mathit{on}}$, can be determined from an expansion that is two orders of magnitude faster than a direct numerical simulation. Using the expansion, we explore the sensitivity of $t_{\mathit{on}}$ to the initial perturbation magnitude and wavelength, as well as the initial time at which a perturbation is initiated. We find that there is an optimal initial time and wavelength that minimize $t_{\mathit{on}}$, and we obtain analytical relationships for these parameters in terms of aquifer properties and initial perturbation magnitude. This importance of the initial perturbation time and magnitude is often overlooked in previous studies. To investigate perturbation evolution at late-times, $t>t_{\mathit{on}}$, we perform direct numerical simulations that reveal two unique features of transient diffusive boundary layers. First, when a boundary layer is perturbed with a single horizontal Fourier mode, nonlinear mechanisms generate a zero-wavenumber response whose magnitude eventually surpasses that of the fundamental mode. Second, when a boundary layer is simultaneously perturbed with many Fourier modes, the late-time perturbation magnitude is concentrated in the zero-wavenumber mode, and there is no clearly dominant, non-zero, wavenumber. These unique results are further interpreted by comparison with direct numerical simulations of Rayleigh–Bénard convection.
Collision statistics of inertial particles in two-dimensional homogeneous isotropic turbulence with an inverse cascade
Authors: Onishi Ryo , Vassilicos J. C.
Published: March 2014

This study investigates the collision statistics of inertial particles in inverse-cascading two-dimensional (2D) homogeneous isotropic turbulence by means of a direct numerical simulation (DNS). A collision kernel model for particles with small Stokes number ($\mathit{St}$) in 2D flows is proposed based on the model of Saffman & Turner (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 1, 1956, pp. 16–30) (ST56 model). The DNS results agree with this 2D version of the ST56 model for $\mathit{St}\lesssim 0.1$. It is then confirmed that our DNS results satisfy the 2D version of the spherical formulation of the collision kernel. The fact that the flatness factor stays around 3 in our 2D flow confirms that the present 2D turbulent flow is nearly intermittency-free. Collision statistics for $\mathit{St}= 0.1$, 0.4 and 0.6, i.e. for $\mathit{St}<1$, are obtained from the present 2D DNS and compared with those obtained from the three-dimensional (3D) DNS of Onishi et al. (J. Comput. Phys., vol. 242, 2013, pp. 809–827). We have observed that the 3D radial distribution function at contact ($g(R)$, the so-called clustering effect) decreases for $\mathit{St}= 0.4$ and 0.6 with increasing Reynolds number, while the 2D $g(R)$ does not show a significant dependence on Reynolds number. This observation supports the view that the Reynolds-number dependence of $g(R)$ observed in three dimensions is due to internal intermittency of the 3D turbulence. We have further investigated the local $\mathit{St}$, which is a function of the local flow strain rates, and proposed a plausible mechanism that can explain the Reynolds-number dependence of $g(R)$. Meanwhile, 2D stochastic simulations based on the Smoluchowski equations for $\mathit{St}\ll 1$ show that the collision growth can be predicted by the 2D ST56 model and that rare but strong events do not play a significant role in such a small-$\mathit{St}$ particle system. However, the probability density function of local $\mathit{St}$ at the sites of colliding particle pairs supports the view that powerful rare events can be important for particle growth even in the absence of internal intermittency when $\mathit{St}$ is not much smaller than unity.
Are Single-session Smoking Cessation Groups a Feasible Option for Rural Australia? – Outcomes From a Pilot Study
Authors: Gould Gillian S. , Watters Tracey
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Single-session group smoking cessation interventions have received little attention in the literature.

Aims: This study aimed to test the feasibility and outcomes of a single-session large group smoking cessation intervention in a rural area of New South Wales.

Methods: Participants from a smoking cessation course (N = 42) were asked about cigarette consumption, quit attempts, and readiness and confidence to quit at registration and six months. The two-hour intervention occurred in a group setting and comprised of cognitive behaviour therapy and pharmacotherapy advice.

Results: The analysis revealed a 26.2% (N = 11) quit rate based on self-report and/or carbon monoxide validation at 6 months (intention to treat). Those who quit all used pharmacotherapy: eight (73%) Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT); two (18%) varenicline and one (9%) bupropion with NRT. Seven people (17%) used medicines to reduce consumption of cigarettes. A paired samples t test of those still smoking showed a statistically significant decrease in the numbers of cigarettes smoked per day (p<.001).

Conclusion: The quit rate of 26.2% from this large single-session smoking cessation course is comparable to that expected from groups having multiple sessions. As a pilot study, these data suggest that a multi-faceted single-session two-hour smoking cessation intervention can successfully support quit attempts in a rural location.
Oral Mycostatin as a possible alternative treatment for intractable Ménière's disease: preliminary cohort study
Authors: Leong A C , Pothier D D , Rutka J A
Published: March 2014

Background:

The potential efficacy of antifungal agents (e.g. Mycostatin) in treating acute attacks of Ménière's disease was first suggested in 1983 but few data have been published. Oral Mycostatin has been used as second-line medical treatment for intractable Ménière's disease at our institution for many years.

Objective:

This preliminary cohort study investigated the role of oral Mycostatin in intractable Ménière's disease.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients with intractable Ménière's disease who started oral Mycostatin treatment between 2010 and 2012 was conducted.

Results:

Of 256 patients presenting with vertiginous disorders, 26 had definite Ménière's disease and had not responded to standard first-line treatment. Following oral Mycostatin treatment, improvements were reported for vertigo (n = 8), aural fullness (n = 7), tinnitus (n = 3) and subjective hearing loss (n = 3). Half of those with symptom improvement persisted with oral Mycostatin for two years and continued to remain asymptomatic.

Conclusion:

The use of oral Mycostatin to alleviate symptoms of intractable Ménière's disease showed promising results in this case series. Mycostatin may offer a safe and useful alternative for the management of Ménière's disease for patients with chronic unremitting symptoms in whom first-line treatment options have failed.
English binominal NPs: A construction-based perspective
Authors: KIM JONG-BOK , SELLS PETER
Published: March 2014

English binominal NPs (BNPs) (e.g.,a giant of a man,a skullcracker of a headache) are of empirical and theoretical interest due to their complex syntactic and semantic properties. In this paper, we review some basic properties of the BNP construction, focusing on its headedness, semantic relations, and the role of the prepositionof. We argue that these properties suggest an account in the spirit of construction grammar. In particular, we argue that the English BNP is a nominal juxtaposition construction with particular special syntactic constraints, linked to a semantic interpretation reminiscent of the subject–predicate relation.
Colonization on Pinna nobilis at a marine protected area: extent of the spread of two invasive seaweeds
Authors: Vázquez-Luis Maite , Banach-Esteve Gàlia , Álvarez Elvira , Deudero Salud
Published: March 2014

Introduction of species is a major driver of global change and loss of biodiversity in ecosystems. The Mediterranean Sea is the most heavily invaded region in the world by introduced seaweeds. The fan mussel Pinna nobilis is the largest Mediterranean bivalve, and a protected species, present at depths from 0.5 m to 60 m. In Cabrera National Park marine protected area (MPA) (Balearic Islands, north-western Mediterranean) the population of P. nobilis is affected by the invasive seaweeds Lophocladia lallemandii and Caulerpa racemosa; however the extent of this colonization on the bivalve is unknown. Therefore, the main aims of the present study were to: (1) determine the extent of invasion of L. lallemandii and C. racemosa on the P. nobilis population; and (2) test if this invasion showed differences with depth. This is the first study assessing invasion by seaweeds on a large bivalve in a high density P. nobilis population. Pinna nobilis was distributed in all seagrass meadows surveyed within the MPA; we found a total of 872 live P. nobilis individuals, 449 and 423 of which were found at 10 and 20 m depth, respectively. High cover of L. lallemandii and low presence of C. racemosa were detected in the P. nobilis population, being quantified in 49.37% and 1.38% of the population of P. nobilis, respectively. Bathymetric differences on Lophocladia epizoism over P. nobilis has been recorded in this study; with increasing values of L. lallemandii cover index, biomass and volume at deeper depths. Pinna nobilis could be a preferential substratum for L. lallemandii in Posidonia oceanica meadows in deeper waters, acting as a stepping-stone for invasive seaweeds and facilitating the invasion throughout seagrass meadows.
The International Rule of Law: Law and the Limit of Politics
Authors: Hurd Ian
Published: March 2014

The international rule of law is often seen as a centerpiece of the modern international order. It is routinely reaffirmed by governments, international organizations, scholars, and activists, who credit it with reducing the recourse to war, preserving human rights, and constraining (albeit imperfectly) the pursuit of state self-interests. It is commonly seen as supplanting coercion and power politics with a framework of mutual interests that is cemented by state consent.
Kosovo to Kadi: Legality and Legitimacy in the Contemporary International Order
Authors: Teitel Ruti
Published: March 2014

Whence does international law derive its normative force as law in a world that remains, in many respects, one where legitimate politics is practiced primarily at the national level? As with domestically focused legal theories, one standard answer is positivistic: the law's authority is based on its origin in agreed procedures of consent. This is certainly plausible with respect to treaty obligations and commitments that derive from the United Nations Charter, but it leaves customary international law vulnerable to legitimacy critiques—of which there is no shortage among international law skeptics. Even with respect to conventional international norms, such as treaty provisions, there is often a sense that such consent is democratically thinner than the public consent to domestic law, particularly fundamental domestic law, constitutional norms, and derivative principles of legitimate governance. State consent in international law, in this view, is often a very imperfect proxy for democratic consent to international legal norms. While it is obvious to international lawyers why (as a matter of positive law doctrine) state consent should make international norms prevail over domestic norms to which there is arguably deeper democratic consent, persistent critics of international law have questioned whether this should be so as a matter of legitimacy.
Does eating family meals and having the television on during dinner correlate with overweight? A sub-study of the PRO GREENS project, looking at children from nine European countries
Authors: Roos Eva , Pajunen Tuuli , Ray Carola , Lynch Christel , Kristiansdottir Ása Gudrun , Halldorsson Thorhallur I , Thorsdottir Inga , te Velde Saskia J , Krawinkel Michael , Behrendt Isabel , de Almeida Maria Daniel Vaz , Franchini Bela , Papadaki Angeliki , Moschandreas Joanna , Ribič Cirila Hlastan , Petrova Stefka , Duleva Vesselka , Simčič Irena , Yngve Agneta
Published: March 2014

Objective

Family meals have been negatively associated with overweight in children, while television (TV) viewing during meals has been associated with a poorer diet. The aim of the present study was to assess the association of eating family breakfast and dinner, and having a TV on during dinner, with overweight in nine European countries and whether these associations differed between Northern and Southern & Eastern Europe.

Design

Cross-sectional data. Schoolchildren reported family meals and TV viewing. BMI was based on parental reports on height and weight of their children. Cut-off points for overweight by the International Obesity Task Force were used. Logistic regressions were performed adjusted by age, gender and parental education.

Setting

Schools in Northern European (Sweden, the Netherlands, Iceland, Germany and Finland) and Southern & Eastern European (Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria and Slovenia) countries, participating in the PRO GREENS project.

Subjects

Children aged 10–12 years in (n 6316).

Results

In the sample, 21 % of the children were overweight, from 35 % in Greece to 10 % in the Netherlands. Only a few associations were found between family meals and TV viewing during dinner with overweight in the nine countries. Northern European children, compared with other regions, were significantly more likely to be overweight if they had fewer family breakfasts and more often viewed TV during dinner.

Conclusions

The associations between family meals and TV viewing during dinner with overweight were few and showed significance only in Northern Europe. Differences in foods consumed during family meals and in health-related lifestyles between Northern and Southern & Eastern Europe may explain these discrepancies.
Development of a conceptually equivalent Chinese-language translation of the US Household Food Security Survey Module for Chinese immigrants to the USA
Authors: Kwan Christine ML , Napoles Anna M , Chou Jeyling , Seligman Hilary K
Published: March 2014

Objective

To develop a conceptually equivalent Chinese-language translation of the eighteen-item US Household Food Security Survey Module.

Design

In the current qualitative study, we (i) highlight methodological challenges which arise in developing survey instruments that will be used to make comparisons across language groups and (ii) describe the development of a Chinese-language translation of the US Household Food Security Survey Module, called the San Francisco Chinese Food Security Module.

Setting

Community sites in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Subjects

We conducted cognitive interviews with twenty-two community members recruited from community sites hosting food pantries and with five professionals recruited from clinical settings.

Results

Development of conceptually equivalent surveys can be difficult. We highlight challenges related to dialect, education, literacy (e.g. preferences for more or less formal phrasing), English words and phrases for which there is no Chinese language equivalent (e.g. ‘balanced meals’ and ‘eat less than you felt you should’) and response formats. We selected final translations to maximize: (i) consistency of the Chinese translation with the intent of the English version; (ii) clarity; and (iii) similarities in understanding across dialects and literacy levels.

Conclusions

Survey translation is essential for conducting research in many communities. The challenges encountered illustrate how literal translations can affect the conceptual equivalence of survey items across languages. Cognitive interview methods should be routinely used for survey translation when such non-equivalence is suspected, such as in surveys addressing highly culturally bound behaviours such as diet and eating behaviours. Literally translated surveys lacking conceptual equivalence may magnify or obscure important health inequalities.
A study of early complementary feeding determinants in the Republic of Ireland based on a cross-sectional analysis of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort
Authors: Castro Patricia Dominguez , Kearney John , Layte Richard
Published: March 2014

Objective

Early complementary feeding has been shown to increase the risk of overweight, obesity and chronic diseases later in life. Poor compliance with current guidelines on complementary feeding has been reported by Irish studies. The aim of the present paper is to identify predictors of early complementary feeding in order to help health professionals target population groups in greater need of dietary intervention as well as to provide effective advice.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of the national, longitudinal Growing Up in Ireland study.

Setting

Data were derived from the first wave (2007–2008) of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort.

Subjects

A cohort of mothers (n 11 134) from the Republic of Ireland, interviewed when their infants were 9 months of age.

Results

Of the infants, 1469 (13·5 %) had been regularly taking solids in the period between 12 and 16 weeks; this percentage increased to 47·0 % of the sample in the period between 16 and 20 weeks. Timing of formula feeding commencement, high maternal BMI and choosing a relative as the infant's minder were strongly associated with early introduction of solids both in bivariate and multivariate analysis. Those infants who started formula feeding at >4 months were 88·4% less likely to be introduced to solids early compared with those who started at <2 months (OR = 0·116; 95% CI 0·072, 0·186; P < 0·001).

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that biological, social and behavioural aspects exert an important role in infant feeding practices. These findings are relevant to the design of policies and intervention programmes aimed at educating parents.
Assessing the Cost of Cuts in Welfare Spending for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People
Authors: Beckett Clare
Published: March 2014

The current austerity in government spending has far reaching implications, not only for individuals but for the context in which a welfare state is perceived. The position has been reached at the same time as equality legislation makes some groups more visible. This article is an early attempt at drawing out the relationship between lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people and welfare spending cuts, made observable because of legislation requiring impact assessment. This article draws on research into impact prepared by the author, in affiliation with the Bradford LGBT Strategic Partnership, and considers LGB claims to welfare and to citizenship.
Biomarkers for Ischemic Preconditioning: Finding the Responders
Authors: Koch Sebastian , Della-Morte David , Dave Kunjan R , Sacco Ralph L , Perez-Pinzon Miguel A
Published: March 2014

Ischemic preconditioning is emerging as an innovative and novel cytoprotective strategy to counter ischemic vascular disease. At the root of the preconditioning response is the upregulation of endogenous defense systems to achieve ischemic tolerance. Identifying suitable biomarkers to show that a preconditioning response has been induced remains a translational research priority. Preconditioning leads to a widespread genomic and proteonomic response with important effects on hemostatic, endothelial, and inflammatory systems. The present article summarizes the relevant preclinical studies defining the mechanisms of preconditioning, reviews how the human preconditioning response has been investigated, and which of these bioresponses could serve as a suitable biomarker. Human preconditioning studies have investigated the effects of preconditioning on coagulation, endothelial factors, and inflammatory mediators as well as on genetic expression and tissue blood flow imaging. A biomarker for preconditioning would significantly contribute to define the optimal preconditioning stimulus and the extent to which such a response can be elicited in humans and greatly aid in dose selection in the design of phase II trials. Given the manifold biologic effects of preconditioning a panel of multiple serum biomarkers or genomic assessments of upstream regulators may most accurately reflect the full spectrum of a preconditioning response.
Determination of [11C]PBR28 Binding Potential in vivo: A First Human TSPO Blocking Study
Authors: Owen David R , Guo Qi , Kalk Nicola J , Colasanti Alessandro , Kalogiannopoulou Dimitra , Dimber Rahul , Lewis Yvonne L , Libri Vincenzo , Barletta Julien , Ramada-Magalhaes Joaquim , Kamalakaran Aruloly , Nutt David J , Passchier Jan , Matthews Paul M , Gunn Roger N , Rabiner Eugenii A
Published: March 2014

Positron emission tomography (PET) targeting the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is used to quantify neuroinflammation. Translocator protein is expressed throughout the brain, and therefore a classical reference region approach cannot be used to estimate binding potential ( BP ND). Here, we used blockade of the TSPO radioligand [11C]PBR28 with the TSPO ligand XBD173, to determine the non-displaceable volume of distribution ( V ND), and hence estimate the BP ND. A total of 26 healthy volunteers, 16 high-affinity binders (HABs) and 10 mixed affinity binders (MABs) underwent a [11C]PBR28 PET scan with arterial sampling. Six of the HABs received oral XBD173 (10 to 90 mg), 2 hours before a repeat scan. In XBD173-dosed subjects, V ND was estimated via the occupancy plot. Values of BP ND for all subjects were calculated using this V ND estimate. Total volume of distribution ( V T) of MABs (2.94 ± 0.31) was lower than V T of HABs (4.33 ± 0.29) ( P<0.005). There was dose-dependent occupancy of TSPO by XBD173 (ED50 = 0.34 ± 0.13 mg/kg). The occupancy plot provided a V ND estimate of 1.98 (1.69, 2.26). Based on these V ND estimates, BP ND for HABs is approximately twice that of MABs, consistent with predictions from in vitro data. Our estimates of [11C]PBR28 V ND and hence BP ND in the healthy human brain are consistent with in vitro predictions. XBD173 blockade provides a practical means of estimating V ND for TSPO targeting radioligands.
Systems Biology for Simulating Patient Physiology During the Postgenomic Era of Medicine
Authors: Schmidt BJ
Published: March 2014

Systems pharmacology models capable of accurately recapitulating sophisticated patient phenotypes have enabled the investigation of mechanisms responsible for therapeutic efficacy. Although omics data sets are capable of characterizing the operation of subcellular networks, their utility in mechanistically predicting quantitative, clinically accessible outcome measures has been limited. Developing insights into clinical outcomes from omics data sets will benefit from modeling approaches that can integrate molecular networks mechanistically with simulations of patient pathophysiology across compartments and scales.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e106; doi: 10.1038/psp.2014.2; published online 19 March 2014
A sulfur mimic of 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane: a new ligand opens up
Authors: Sues Peter E. , Lough Alan J. , Morris Robert H.
Published: March 2014

Tetrasubstituted-diphosphine monosulfides “open up” and coordinate to Ru(ii) as chelating bis(ditertiaryphosphino)thioethers.
Perturbation of physiological systems by nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Yi , Bai Yuhong , Jia Jianbo , Gao Ningning , Li Yang , Zhang Ruinan , Jiang Guibin , Yan Bing
Published: March 2014

Nanoparticle translocation and potential toxicity at the physiological system level.
Energy positive domestic wastewater treatment: the roles of anaerobic and phototrophic technologies
Authors: Shoener B. D. , Bradley I. M. , Cusick R. D. , Guest J. S.
Published: March 2014

Utilizing both anaerobic and phototrophic biotechnologies for domestic wastewater treatment could enable energy positive sanitation.
A novel self-healing poly(amic acid) ammonium salt hydrogel with temperature-responsivity and robust mechanical properties
Authors: Zhang Li , Wu Juntao , Sun Na , Zhang Xiaomin , Jiang Lei
Published: March 2014

A novel self-healing poly(amic acid) ammonium salt hydrogel with temperature-responsivity is fabricated, and the possible self-healing mechanisms are proposed.
A cascade signal amplification strategy for sensitive and label-free DNA detection based on Exo III-catalyzed recycling coupled with rolling circle amplification
Authors: Liu Xingti , Xue Qingwang , Ding Yongshun , Zhu Jing , Wang Lei , Jiang Wei
Published: March 2014

A sensitive and label-free DNA detection method was developed based on cascade amplification combining exonuclease-III recycling with rolling circle amplification.
The H + HeH+ → He + H2+ reaction from the ultra-cold regime to the three-body breakup: exact quantum mechanical integral cross sections and rate constants
Authors: De Fazio Dario
Published: March 2014

Benchmark quantum mechanical calculations from the Wigner's regime to the three-body breakup are compared to previous experimental and theoretical studies.
Inherent and transferable stabilization energies of carbon- and heteroatom-centred radicals on the same relative scale and their applications
Authors: Coote Michelle L. , Lin Ching Yeh , Zavitsas Andreas A.
Published: March 2014

A predictive scheme for ranking the inherent stabilities of carbon- and heteroatom-centred radicals on the same relative scale is presented.