bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A functional polymorphism in MIR196A2 is associated with risk and prognosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Shizhi , Tao Guoquan , Wu Dongmei , Zhu Haixia , Gao Yan , Tan Yongfei , Wang Meilin , Gong Weida , Zhou Yan , Zhou Jianwei , Zhang Zhengdong
Published: February 2013

Genetic variations in miRNAs have been demonstrated to be capable of altering miRNA expression, consequently affecting many cancer‐related biological processes. The MIR196A2 rs11614913 (T > C) polymorphism has been reported to be associated with various cancers development and progression. In our study, we aim to explore whether this polymorphism is relevant to the genetic susceptibility and prognosis of gastric cancer in a Chinese population. We analyzed the correlations of rs11614913 polymorphism with gastric cancer susceptibility in test and validation sets. The test set comprised 749 cases and 900 controls, while the validation set enrolled 940 cases and 1046 controls. Moreover, we evaluated the association between the polymorphism and gastric cancer prognosis in the validation set with follow‐up information. The variant rs11614913 CC genotype was associated with a significantly reduced risk of gastric cancer in both sets (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62–0.99 for the test set and 0.64, 0.52–0.80 for the validation set) compared with the CT/TT genotypes. Furthermore, the CC genotype was associated with a significantly increased survival of gastric cancer compared with the CT/TT genotypes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55–0.95), and the association was more prominent among patients with non‐cardia gastric cancer than those with cardia gastric cancer (adjusted HR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.40–0.83 for NCGC and 1.00, 0.65–1.53 for CGC). Our results suggested that the genetic variation of MIR196A2 may play a role in gastric cancer tumorigenesis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular dynamics of 6‐methyl‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one and 6‐methyl‐2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one (flavanone) derivatives in a solution studied by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Mamedov Ibrahim Garib , Bayramov Musa Rza , Mamedova Yegana Vagif , Maharramov Abel Mammadali
Published: February 2013

Molecular dynamics of benzoxazepin, oxime, pyrazole, and thiosemicarbazone derivatives of some flavanones have been investigated in a solution using NMR. The results confirm the formation of different O–H···O, O–H···N, N···H–N type intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the pyrazole and oxime molecules. The rotational barrier energy and energy of intramolecular hydrogen bonds have been determined. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neutrinoastrophysik und Neutrinoruhmasse
Authors: Kirsten Till
Published: February 2013

Im astrophysikalischen Kontext spielen Neutrinos eine wichtige Rolle: während des Wasserstoffbrennens von Hauptreihensternen, beim Sternkollaps und im Urknall mit seinen Konsequenzen für das gegenwärtige und zukünftige Universum. Im vorliegenden ersten Teil dieses Aufsatzes wird die enge und wechselseitige Verknüpfung zwischen diesen astrophysikalisch‐kosmologischen Bedingungen und der physikalischen Natur der Neutrinos behandelt. Dabei spielt im Rahmen der vereinheitlichten Theorie der Kräfte und Elementarteilchen besonders die Ruhmasse der Neutrinos eine Schlüsselrolle. Es wird deshalb auch auf den gegenwärtigen Stand experimenteller Neutrinoruhmassenbestimmungen eingegangen.

Der zweite Teil dieses Artikels, der in einem der nächsten Hefte erscheint, konzentriert sich auf Experimente zum Nachweis der solaren Neutrinos. Nur die bei der Fusion erzeugten Neutrinos erlauben aufgrund ihrer geringen Wechselwirkung mit Materie einen Blick in das anderweitig unzugängliche Sonneninnere und damit die Überprüfung unserer Vorstellungen vom Sternaufbau. Auch hier ist die Neutrinoruhmasse wichtig, weil dadurch ermöglichte Neutrino‐Oszillationen den im Detektor auf der Erde nachweisbaren Fluß solarer Neutrinos reduzieren können. Selbst bei Ruhmassen noch unterhalb 10−3 eV kann das in Arbeit befindliche Gallium‐Solar‐Neutrinoexperiment darüber eine Entscheidung herbeiführen. Am Schluß des zweiten Teils des Artikels werden Neutrinopulse aus dem Kollaps sterbender Sterne behandelt.
Grundlagen und Anwendungen der Elektronenholographie
Authors: Hanßen Karl‐Joseph
Published: February 2013

Die in der Lichtoptik gebräuchlichen holographischen Verfahren lassen sich auch in der Elektronenmikroskopie anwenden. Sie erlauben es, im Elektronenmikroskop nur schwer vornehmbare Eingriffe bei der Rekonstruktion im lichtoptischen Strahlengang nachzuholen. Eine Verbesserung der Auflösung elektronenmikroskopischer Aufnahmen ist wegen des starken Rauschens in den holographischen Rekonstruktionen noch nicht erreicht worden. Die Elektronenholographie dient hauptsächlich dazu, die elektrische Potentialverteilung in der Materie zu bestimmen und dynamische Beugungserscheinungen zu beobachten. Besonders erfolgreich wurde das Verfahren bei der Erfassung magnetischer Strukturen eingesetzt.
Synthesis and thermal properties of a bio‐based polybenzoxazine with curing promoter
Authors: Wang CaiFei , Zhao ChunHua , Sun JiaQin , Huang SanQing , Liu XiangDong , Endo Takeshi
Published: February 2013

A fully bio‐based benzoxazine, 3‐furfuryl‐8‐methoxy‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,3‐benzoxazine (Bzf), has been prepared using guaiacol, furfurylamine, and paraformaldehyde as raw materials. Its chemical structure has been characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, FTIR, and elemental analysis. The polymerization behavior of Bzf in the presence of methyl p‐toluenesulfonate (PTSM) has been studied by FTIR and DSC, and the thermal stability of the cured resin has been evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that PTSM is a good promoter that serves to avoid thermal decomposition of the bio‐based monomer during the curing process at high temperature. In contrast to the situation with neat Bzf, the presence of PTSM (5 mol % for Bzf) significantly improves the polymerization behaviors, including a decrease in the polymerization temperature from 240 to 174 °C, a shortening of the time required to reach the gel point on heating at 200 °C from 47 to 20 min, and an increase in the char yield of the cured resin from 53 to 62%. Moreover, these observed experimental results on the promoting effect of PTSM are interpreted in terms of several possible mechanistic schemes, which involve a catalytic effect on the dissociation of CO bonds in both the coordination ring‐opening reaction and the rearrangement from a phenoxy structure to a phenolic structure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Fabrication of transparent conducting polymer/GaN Schottky junction for deep level defect evaluation under light irradiation
Authors: Lozac'h Mickaël , Nakano Yoshitaka , Sang Liwen , Sakoda Kazuaki , Sumiya Masatomo
Published: February 2013

Transparent conducting polymer/n‐GaN Schottky junction was fabricated in order to study deep level defects of III–V nitride films under light irradation. The leakage current was as low as 10−6 A cm−2 at reverse bias of 10 V. The Schottky barrier height reaches 1.15 eV under dark condition and under normalized solar spectrum AM1.5G the fill factor was up to 0.71 with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.72 V and a short‐circuit current of 0.37 mA cm−2. Deep level optical spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of gallium vacancies (VGa) and/or related complexes impurities (VGa–ON and/or VGa–CN) at the interface between PEDOT:PSS and n‐GaN. The Schottky and photovoltaic properties are discussed in term of deep level defects concentration.

magnified image

Schematic illustration of PEDOT:PSS/III–V nitride Schottky junction with a metallic front grid on PEDOT:PSS layer.
Drastic change in electronic structure of AlGaN under Ba adsorption
Authors: Benemanskaya Galina , Timoshnev Sergey , Ivanov Sergey , Jmerik Valentin , Marchenko Dmitry
Published: February 2013

A synchrotron‐radiation photoemission spectroscopy is applied to the clean and Ba‐deposited AlGaN(0001) surfaces to investigate the interface electronic structure relevant to both the surface states and an electron accumulation layer and to clarify their origins. Valence‐band photoemission and Ga 3d, Al 2p, Ba 4d core level spectra of AlxGa1‐xN (x=0.16, x=0.42) have been studied under the step‐by‐step Ba submonolayer deposition. The clean n ‐Al0.16Ga0.84N surface exhibits the surface states at energies of 2.8 eV, 5.5 eV, and 7.8 eV with respect to the valence band maximum, while the states for the clean Al0.42Ga0.58N surface are at higher energies of 3.9 eV, 5.6 eV, and 8.2 eV. Drastic change in the valence band spectra is revealed and it is showed that narrowing of valence band and suppression of surface states occur with increasing Ba coverage. The appearance of a new photoemission peak at the Fermi level clearly indicates the creation of the accumulation layer on the n ‐Al0.16Ga0.84N surface under the Ba adsorption. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High Throughput‐Per‐Footprint Inertial Focusing
Authors: Ciftlik Ata Tuna , Ettori Maxime , Gijs Martin A. M.
Published: February 2013

Matching the scale of microfluidic flow systems with that of microelectronic chips for realizing monolithically integrated systems still needs to be accomplished. However, this is appealing only if such re‐scaling does not compromise the fluidic throughput. This is related to the fact that the cost of microelectronic circuits primarily depends on the layout footprint, while the performance of many microfluidic systems, like flow cytometers, is measured by the throughput. The simple operation of inertial particle focusing makes it a promising technique for use in such integrated flow cytometer applications, however, microfluidic footprints demonstrated so far preclude monolithic integration. Here, the scaling limits of throughput‐per‐footprint (TPFP) in using inertial focusing are explored by studying the interplay between theory, the effect of channel Reynolds numbers up to 1500 on focusing, the entry length for the laminar flow to develop, and pressure resistance of the microchannels. Inertial particle focusing is demonstrated with a TPFP up to 0.3 L/(min cm2) in high aspect‐ratio rectangular microfluidic channels that are readily fabricated with a post‐CMOS integratable process, suggesting at least a 100‐fold improvement compared to previously demonstrated techniques. Not only can this be an enabling technology for realizing cost‐effective monolithically integrated flow cytometry devices, but the methodology represented here can also open perspectives for miniaturization of many biomedical microfluidic applications requiring monolithic integration with microelectronics without compromising the throughput.
Preparation, Crystal Structure, and Thermal Decomposition of the Intriguing Five‐coordinated Compound [Cu(IMI)4Cl]Cl (IMI = Imidazole)
Authors: Wu Bi‐Dong , Zhou Zun‐Ning , Bi Yan‐Gang , Yang Li , Zhang Jian‐Guo , Zhang Tong‐Lai
Published: February 2013

The intriguing multi‐ligand compound [Cu(IMI)4Cl]Cl (1) with the ligand imidazole (IMI) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure was determined by X‐ray single crystal diffraction and the crystallographic data showed that the compound belongs to the monoclinic P21/n space group [α = 8.847(2) Å, b = 13.210(3) Å, c = 13.870(3) Å, and β = 90.164(3)°]. Furthermore, the CuII ion is five‐coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from four imidazole ligands and a chlorine atom. The thermal decomposition mechanism was determined based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG‐DTG) analysis. The non‐isothermal kinetics parameters were calculated by the Kissinger's method and Ozawa's method, respectively. The energy of combustion, enthalpy of formation, critical temperature of thermal explosion, entropy of activation (ΔS≠), enthalpy of activation (ΔH≠), and free energy of activation (ΔG≠) were measured and calculated.
itSIMPLE: towards an integrated design system for real planning applications
Authors: Vaquero Tiago S. , Silva José R. , Tonidandel Flavio , Christopher Beck J.
Published: February 2013

Since the end of the 1990s, there has been an increasing interest in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) planning techniques to solve real-life problems. In addition to characteristics of academic problems, such as the need to reason about actions, real-life problems require detailed knowledge elicitation, engineering, and management. A systematic design process in which Knowledge and Requirements Engineering tools play a fundamental role is necessary in such applications. One of the main challenges in such design process, and consequently in the study of Knowledge Engineering in AI planning, has been the analysis of requirements and their subsequent transformation into an input-ready model for planners. itSIMPLE is a research project dedicated to the study of a project process to support the design phases of real-life planning models. In this paper, we give an overview of itSIMPLE focusing on the main translation processes among a minimal set of representations: from requirements represented in Unified Modeling Language (UML) to Petri Nets and from UML models to planning domain definition language for problem solving.
Diversity, relative abundance, new locality records, and updated fish fauna of the Ross Sea region
Authors: Hanchet Stuart M. , Stewart Andrew L. , McMillan Peter J. , Clark Malcolm R. , O'Driscoll Richard L. , Stevenson Michael L.
Published: February 2013

Two surveys were carried out in the Ross Sea region during February and March 2004 and 2008 from the New Zealand RVTangaroa. Fishes were sampled on the continental shelf and slope of the Ross Sea, and on adjacent seamounts to the north, mainly using a large demersal fish trawl and a large mesopelagic fish trawl. Parts of the shelf and slope were stratified by depth and at least three random demersal trawls were completed in each stratum, enabling biomass estimates of demersal fish to be calculated. Fish distribution data from these two surveys were supplemented by collections made by observers from the toothfish fishery. A diverse collection of over 2500 fish specimens was obtained from the two surveys representing 110 species in 21 families. When combined with previous documented material this gave a total species list of 175, of which 135 were from the Ross Sea shelf and slope (to the 2000 m isobath). Demersal species-richness, diversity and evenness indices all decreased going from the shelf to the slope and the seamounts. In contrast, indices for pelagic species were similar for the slope and seamounts/abyss but were much lower for the shelf.
Presentational/Existential Structures in Spoken versus Written German: Es Gibt and SEIN
Authors: Weinert Regina
Published: February 2013

This article presents a synchronic, corpus-based examination of spoken German with regard to the distribution and function of presentational/ existential es gibt NP and a range of SEIN NP structures such as da SEIN, locative SEIN, es SEIN, and zero-locative SEIN. In particular, the use of da SEIN has been neglected in previous research. While es gibt is equally frequent in the spoken and written data, SEIN structures are typical of spoken German only, with da SEIN being the most frequent. The article concentrates on clauses with indefinite NPs, while the presentation of events with da and wider da-usage in spoken German are also considered.*
Expected and actual replacement rates in the pension system of the Netherlands: how and why do they differ?
Authors: VAN DUIJN MARK , MASTROGIACOMO MAURO , LINDEBOOM MAARTEN , LUNDBORG PETTER
Published: February 2013

This study examines the expected retirement replacement rates (RRs) of several cohorts of Dutch employees at the time of their planned retirements. It also computes RRs based on the available pension records. We find that the expected replacement rate (E(RR)) is, in general, higher than the ones we compute. Larger discrepancies are found for younger cohorts and for individuals with less education and working experience. We also examine the difference between the expected and computed RRs and find that the mismatch is mostly related to poor institutional knowledge. We also show the role of assumptions about institutions and wage profiles in determining our results.
Converting souls across cultural borders: Dutch Calvinism and early modern missionary enterprises
Authors: Parker Charles H.
Published: February 2013

This study focuses on disputes among Dutch Calvinists (Reformed Protestants) in Asia and in Europe over how to administer the sacraments of baptism and communion to people with little or no exposure to Protestant Christianity. Historians have tended to view these conflicts as evidence of Calvinist rigidity and the incompatibility between Protestantism and non-European societies. When examined within global patterns of Christianization, however, it becomes clear that Calvinists had much in common with Roman Catholic missionaries in trying to convert people across cultural borders. All missionaries had to negotiate the inherent tensions between accommodation and orthodoxy in early modern missionary programmes. Many Calvinists on the missionary frontier, like their Catholic counterparts, opted for syncretistic strategies over objections from authorities in their religious heartland.
Simple pleasures: food consumption in Japan and the global comparison of living standards
Authors: Francks Penelope
Published: February 2013

Contrary both to Pomeranz's argument for the comparability of pre-industrial living standards across Eurasia and to the accumulating evidence of the extent of growth in the Japanese economy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, quantitative historical comparisons of living standards consistently place Japan on a level with the least developed parts of Europe and imply that the living conditions of ordinary Japanese people only began to approach those of the industrialized West once imported modernization had been absorbed. This article uses concepts derived from comparative consumption history to go deeper into this issue, arguing that, from at least the late eighteenth century, Japanese living standards were changing in ways that paralleled equivalent developments in Europe. Through the consumption histories of a set of ‘transformative’ products – rice, tea, tobacco, and sugar – it seeks to demonstrate the potential for comparative qualitative analysis of living standards and to show that, in Japan as in Europe, the ‘transformation of desire’ paved the way for industrialization.
Useful knowledge, ‘industrial enlightenment’, and the place of India
Authors: Berg Maxine
Published: February 2013

Research is now turning to the missing place of technology and ‘useful knowledge’ in the debate on the ‘great divergence’ between East and West. Parallel research in the history of science has sought the global dimensions of European knowledge. Joel Mokyr's recentThe Enlightened Economy(2009) argued the place of an exceptional ‘industrial enlightenment’ in Europe in explaining industrialization there, but neglected the wide geographic framework of European investigation of the arts and manufactures. This article presents two case studies of European industrial travellers who accessed and described Indian crafts and industries at the time of Britain's industrial revolution and Europe's Enlightenment discourse on crafts and manufactures. The efforts of Anton Hove and Benjamin Heyne to ‘codify’ the ‘tacit’ knowledge of a part of the world distant from Europe were hindered by the English East India Company and the British state. Their accounts, only published much later, provide insight into European perceptions of India's ‘useful knowledge’.
Wideband harmonically matched packaged GaN HEMTs with high PAE performances at S-band frequencies
Authors: Chéron Jérôme , Campovecchio Michel , Barataud Denis , Reveyrand Tibault , Stanislawiak Michel , Eudeline Philippe , Floriot Didier
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a design method of internally-matched packaged GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) for achieving not only high-efficiency and high-power performances but also a wide bandwidth and insensitivity to harmonic terminations in the S-band. The package and its internal matching networks are synthesized to confine the second harmonic impedances seen by the GaN die to high-efficiency regions whatever the harmonic impedances presented outside the package. This paper reports the design of a packaged GaN HEMT achieving 78% of power-added-efficiency (PAE) and 25 W of output power at 2.5 GHz. A packaged GaN power bar is also reported with the addition of fundamental matching networks inside the package. In 50 Ω environment, the packaged GaN power bar provided more than 56% of PAE from 2.5 to 3.1 GHz and was desensitized to harmonic load variations with less than two points of PAE variation when a load-pull is performed at second harmonic frequencies outside the package.
Cultivating Youth's Capacity to Address Climate Change in Uganda
Authors: Johnson Laura R. , Johnson-Pynn Julie S. , Lugumya Douglas L. , Kityo Robert , Drescher Christopher F.
Published: February 2013

Cultivating youth's capacity to address climate change is critical for a sustainable future. This is especially true in developing countries in equatorial Africa where agrarian communities are severely affected by climate change. We examine a youth development program designed to increase knowledge and capacity for leadership and action in response to climate change. Ugandan youth, ages 16 to 24 years, participated in multiday residential workshops held in national forests. Workshops included biodiversity assessments with scientist mentors, discussions of environmental concerns, and reflective writing. Surveys revealed increases in self-efficacy, connection to nature, and political awareness. Youth reported gains in knowledge, leadership, social awareness, and commitment to civic action. Our results suggest that engaging youth in nature-based field experiences is a contextually appropriate pedagogical approach to empower conservation. We discuss challenges of interdisciplinary community-based research, highlighting the needs for advances in cross-cultural measurement and support for collaborative international program development and research.
In Vitro Engineering of Vascularized Tissue Surrogates
Authors: Sakaguchi Katsuhisa , Shimizu Tatsuya , Horaguchi Shigeto , Sekine Hidekazu , Yamato Masayuki , Umezu Mitsuo , Okano Teruo
Published: February 2013

In vitro scaling up of bioengineered tissues is known to be limited by diffusion issues, specifically a lack of vasculature. Here, we report a new strategy for preserving cell viability in three-dimensional tissues using cell sheet technology and a perfusion bioreactor having collagen-based microchannels. When triple-layer cardiac cell sheets are incubated within this bioreactor, endothelial cells in the cell sheets migrate to vascularize in the collagen gel and finally connect with the microchannels. Medium readily flows into the cell sheets through the microchannels and the newly developed capillaries, while the cardiac construct shows simultaneous beating. When additional triple-layer cell sheets are repeatedly layered, new multi-layer construct spontaneously integrates and the resulting construct becomes a vascularized thick tissue. These results confirmed our method to fabricate in vitro vascularized tissue surrogates that overcomes engineered-tissue thickness limitations. The surrogates promise new therapies for damaged organs as well as new in vitro tissue models.
Mapping of interactions between the N- and C-termini and the channel core in HERG K+ channels
Authors: de la Peña Pilar , Machín Angeles , Fernández-Trillo Jorge , Domínguez Pedro , Barros Francisco
Published: February 2013

The characteristic gating properties of the HERG [human eag (ether-a-go-go)-related gene] potassium channel determine its contribution to cardiac repolarization and in setting the electrical behaviour of a variety of cells. In the present study we analysed, using a site-directed cysteine and disulfide chemistry approach, whether the eag/PAS (Per/Arnt/Sim) and proximal domains at the HERG N-terminus exert a role in controlling the access of the N-terminal flexible tail to its binding site in the channel core for interaction with the gating machinery. Whereas the eag/PAS domain is necessary for disulfide bridging, plus the cysteine residues introduced at positions 3 and 542 of the HERG sequence, the presence of the proximal domain seems to be dispensable. The state-dependent formation of a disulfide bridge between Cys3 and an endogenous cysteine residue at position 723 in the C-terminal C-linker suggests that the N-terminal tail of HERG can also get into close proximity with the C-linker structures located at the bottom of helix S6. Therefore the intrinsic flexibility of the N-tail and its proximity to both the S4–S5 loop and the C-linker may dynamically contribute to the modulation of HERG channel gating.
Primary and secondary relaxation process in plastically crystalline cyanocyclohexane studied by 2H nuclear magnetic resonance. II. Quantitative analysis
Authors: Micko B. , Kruk D. , Rössler E. A.
Published: February 2013

We analyze the results of our previously reported 2H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments in the plastically crystalline (PC) phase of cyanocyclohexane (Part I of this work) to study the fast secondary relaxation (or β-process) in detail. Both, the occurrence of an additional minimum in the spin-lattice relaxation T1 and the pronounced effects arising in the solid-echo spectrum above the glass transition temperature Tg = 134 K, allow for a direct determination of the restricting geometry of the β-process in terms of the “wobbling-in-a-cone” model. Whereas at temperatures below Tg the reorientation is confined to rather small solid angles (below 10°), the spatial restriction decreases strongly with temperature above Tg, i.e., the distribution of cone angles shifts continuously towards higher values. The β-process in the PC phase of cyanocyclohexane proceeds via the same mechanism as found in structural glass formers. This is substantiated by demonstrating the very similar behavior (for T < Tg) of spin-lattice relaxation, stimulated echo decays, and spectral parameters when plotted as a function of ⟨log τβ⟩ (taken from dielectric spectroscopy). We do, however, not observe a clear-cut relation between the relaxation strength of the β-process observed by NMR (calculated within the wobbling-in-a-cone model) and dielectric spectroscopy.
Nonautonomous motion study on accelerated and decelerated solitons for the variable-coefficient Lenells-Fokas model
Authors: Lü Xing , Peng Mingshu
Published: February 2013

In this paper, the nonautonomous Lenells-Fokas (LF) model is studied with the bilinear method and symbolic computation. Such analytical solutions of the nonautonomous LF model as one-soliton, two-soliton, and earthwormons are derived. Nonautonomous characteristics are then symbolically and graphically investigated, and it is finally found that the soliton velocity is time-dependent, and there exist soliton accelerating and decelerating motions. Further, two necessary conditions for the occurrence of earthwormon acceleration and deceleration (and their alternation) are pointed out.
Infrared identification of the σ-complex of Cl-C6H6 in the reaction of chlorine atom and benzene in solid para-hydrogen
Authors: Bahou Mohammed , Witek Henryk , Lee Yuan-Pern
Published: February 2013

The reaction of a chlorine atom with benzene (C6H6) is important in organic chemistry, especially in site-selective chlorination reactions, but its product has been a subject of debate for five decades. Previous experimental and theoretical studies provide no concrete conclusion on whether the product is a π- or σ-form of the Cl-C6H6 complex. We took advantage of the diminished cage effect of para-hydrogen (p-H2) to produce Cl in situ to react with C6H6 (or C6D6) upon photolysis of a Cl2/C6H6 (or C6D6)/p-H2 matrix at 3.2 K. The infrared spectrum, showing intense lines at 1430.5, 833.6, 719.8, 617.0, and 577.4 cm−1, and several weaker ones for Cl-C6H6, and the deuterium shifts of observed new lines unambiguously indicate that the product is a 6-chlorocyclohexadienyl radical, i.e., the σ-complex of Cl-C6H6. Observation of the σ-complex rather than the π-complex indicates that the σ-complex is more stable in solid p-H2 at 3.2 K. The spectral information is crucial for further investigations of the Cl + C6H6 reaction either in the gaseous or solution phase.
Molecular electrostatic potential at the atomic sites in the effective core potential approximation
Authors: Lesiuk Michał , Zachara Janusz
Published: February 2013

Considering calculations of the molecular electrostatic potential at the atomic sites (MEP@AS) in the presence of effective core potentials (ECP), we found that the consequent use of the definition of MEP@AS based on the energy derivative with respect to nuclear charge leads to a formula that differs by one term from the result of simple application of Coulomb's law. We have developed a general method to analytically treat derivatives of ECP with respect to nuclear charge. Benchmarking calculations performed on a set of simple molecules show that our formula leads to a systematic decrease in the error connected with the introduction of ECP when compared to all-electron results. Because of a straightforward implementation and relatively low costs of the developed procedure we suggest to use it by default.
Characterization and analysis of thermal response of rice husk for gasification applications
Authors: Kalita P. , Clifford M. J. , Jiamjiroch K. , Kalita K. , Mahanta P. , Saha U. K.
Published: February 2013

Present study involves characterisation and thermal analysis of rice husk as a potential source for gasification. Both the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the influence of heating rate on the degradation of rice husk. Experiments were carried out at three different heating rates of 10, 30, and 80 K min−1. The kinetic parameters, viz. pre-exponential factor, activation energy, and order of reaction were evaluated for both first and second reaction zones, which are categorized based on the degradation of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin content present in the biomass. The degradation of mass with temperature obtained from TG curve was validated numerically. The thermal response of rice husk undergoing decomposition has also been modelled by using a one dimensional (1-D) transient thermal model with an nth order approximation for the rate of decomposition. Kinetic parameters, heat of decomposition, and thermal properties are taken as input to the model. The model was validated by measuring the transient temperature profiles during decomposition using Heisler chart at heat transfer coefficient of 20 W/m2 K. The data for specific heat and thermal conductivity of the biomass were taken from the literature and the values of heat of decomposition and kinetic parameters were taken from the experiments. Model results were compared well with the result obtained by using Heisler chart.
Thunderstorm downburst risks to wind farms
Authors: Huy Nguyen Hieu , Manuel Lance
Published: February 2013

As has been noted in recent experiences, thunderstorms can cause damage to turbine units that are part of a wind farm because of the correlated wind inflow fields that these units can be subjected to simultaneously. We extend a model for simulating thunderstorm downburst events and their effects on a single turbine unit to situations where multiple units in a wind farm are subjected to correlated input from moving downbursts. The end-to-end simulation we describe involves first the generation of a downburst touchdown with associated downburst wind field and subsequent movement in the vicinity of a wind farm, comprised of a 6 × 4 rectilinear arrangement of 5 MW 90-m hub-height turbines. The downburst model includes a slowly varying (non-turbulent) component and a turbulent component. The wind field model is developed and calibrated based on Doppler radar data on recorded downbursts. Results show that downbursts with different physical characteristics can lead to highly variable loads on units in the wind farm.
High capacity reversible hydrogen storage by metallo-carbohedrenes: An ab initio molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Banerjee S. , Pillai C. G. S. , Majumder C.
Published: February 2013

Here, we report a hydrogen storage material based on partially hydrogenated metallo-carbohedrene (Ti8C12H12) cluster using an ab-initio molecular dynamics simulation study. The effective storage capacity of the partially hydrogenated metallo-carbohedrene with reversible adsorption-desorption behavior is estimated to be 10.96 wt. % albeit total hydrogen loading capacity of 15.06 wt. % for an isolated Ti8C12 cluster. On the basis of the results, it is inferred that the partially hydrogenated metallocarbohedrenes are very promising high capacity reversible hydrogen storage materials.
The Promise of the Affordable Artist's Studio: Governing Creative Spaces in London
Authors: Moreton Simon
Published: February 2013

The role of artists' organisations in populating and popularising postindustrial urban areas is well documented. However, what are less apparent are analyses of how spaces of artistic production are organised and governed in these areas. This paper explores, via an analysis of organisational documents and practices, the techniques used by London-based affordable studio providers to imagine, calculate, and make material low-cost workspace for artists. The argument made is that the negotiation of competing agendas around the production of cultural, economic, and social benefit by affordable studio providers has led to the emergence of a specific form of affordable studio. This analysis will thus show how configurations of creative space emerge from mundane techniques of measurement and governance.
Retrospective analysis of disease association and outcome in histologically confirmed ischemic colitis
Authors: Mosli Mahmoud , Parfitt Jeremy , Gregor Jamie
Published: February 2013

Objective

To identify risk factors, clinical features and complications in patients with ischemic colitis (IC).

Methods

All patients diagnosed with biopsy proven IC within a 2‐year period were identified; clinical data were retrospectively collected and subsequently analyzed.

Results

In total, 72 IC patients with a mean age of 68 years were included in this study. Among them, 18 (25.0%) were younger than 65 years with a female predominance. One‐third of the patients was found to be without vascular risk factors, and 8 patients met the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. No history of oral contraceptives or hormonal replacement therapy use could be found among the women diagnosed with IC. Over a mean duration of follow‐up of 9.5 months (range 0–65 months), the rate of recurrent disease was 16.7%, while only 2 (2.8%) patients developed extra intestinal vascular sequelae. Statistical analysis identified a history of atrial fibrillation and the use of furosemide to be the only significant predictors of a poor outcome, while coronary artery disease and chronic renal failure predicted recurrence and low platelet count predicted stricture formation.

Conclusions

Although most patients with IC are elderly and have conventional vascular risk factors, it should also be considered in young patients without vascular risk factors, especially in women, who may have an atypical distribution of the disease. Severe complications and extraintestinal vascular sequelae are rare, however, residual gastrointestinal complaints and recurrent disease are relatively common and there are no reliable predictors of the outcome.
Microscopic colitis. A review
Authors: Brown William R. , Tayal Shalini
Published: February 2013

Microscopic colitis (MC) is characterized by a triad of watery diarrhea, usually normal colonoscopic findings and typical microscopic findings. Two distinct histological forms of MC have been defined: lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis, but overlapping features may be present. The incidence of MC appears to be rising and in some countries it may account for as many as 10–20% of patients with non‐bloody watery diarrhea. The cause of MC remains unknown and is likely to be multifactorial. The pathogenesis is poorly defined, and numerous immunological abnormalities have been reported. MC is commonly associated with autoimmune diseases including celiac disease. Use of various medications, most notably non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agents and proton pump inhibitors, have been etiologically implicated but not firmly established as causative. In imperfect trials several agents have been reported to be effective in the treatment of MC; budesonide is the best studied and evidence supporting its effectiveness is the most persuasive. In cases of otherwise unexplained watery, non‐bloody diarrhea, MC should be considered and colonic biopsied specimens should be taken of normal‐appearing mucosa.
Cancer survival and prevalence in Australia: Period estimates from 1982 to 2010
Authors:   Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Published: February 2013

Aim

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is a major national agency established by the Australian government to provide reliable, regular and relevant information and statistics on Australia's health and welfare. The AIHW publishes updated information on survival and prevalence of cancer in Australia on a regular basis.

Methods

The latest national survival and prevalence statistics for cancer in Australia from 1982 to 2010 are presented. The period method is used in survival calculations. Limited duration prevalence by sex and 5‐year relative survival by age, sex, remoteness from major centers and socioeconomic status are examined in detail for all cancers combined as well as for selected cancers. National conditional survival statistics are also presented.

Results

Five‐year survival from all cancers combined increased from 47% in the period 1982–1987 to 66% in 2006–2010. Over the same period, prostate cancer, kidney cancer and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma had the largest increases in 5‐year survival, while many of the cancers that already had a low survival in 1982–1987 (such as mesothelioma and pancreatic cancer) showed only small increases. For those who have already survived 5 years past their cancer diagnosis, their survival prospects for the next 5 years were more than 90% for all cancers combined. At the end of 2007 there were 774 700 Australians, or 3.6% of the population, living with a diagnosis of cancer in the previous 26 years. The prevalence was particularly high for breast cancer, melanoma of the skin, prostate cancer and bowel cancer.
Inhibition of extracellular nucleotides hydrolysis intensifies the allergic bronchospasm. A novel protective role of ectonucleotidases
Authors: Chávez J. , Vargas M. H. , Rebollar‐Ayala D. C. , Díaz‐Hernández V. , Cruz‐Valderrama J. E. , Flores‐Soto E. , Flores‐García M. , Jiménez‐Vargas N. N. , Barajas‐López C. , Montaño L. M.
Published: February 2013

Background

Nucleotides released to the extracellular space stimulate purinergic receptors, and their effects are modulated by ectonucleotidases. The role of ATP in the allergic bronchospasm has been scantly studied.

Methods

We used several techniques (plethysmography, organ baths, confocal microscopy, RT‐PCR, ATP measurement) to explore the role of nucleotides and ectonucleotidases in the allergic bronchospasm in guinea pigs.

Results

While allergenic challenge with a low‐dose ovalbumin (OVA) only produced a small bronchospasm (~2‐fold the basal lung resistance), previous inhibition of ectonucleotidases by ARL‐67156 greatly intensified this response (~11‐fold the basal lung resistance, with 44% mortality). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained during this bronchospasm contained increased ATP concentration. This potentiation was abolished by antagonism of purinergic receptors (suramin+RB2) or TXA2 receptor (SQ29548), or by intratracheal apyrase. In tracheal rings and lung parenchyma strips, OVA caused a concentration‐dependent contraction. Suramin+RB2 or levamisole produced a significant rightward displacement of this response, and ARL‐67156 did not modify it. Platelets stimulated with OVA released ATP. Confocal images of nonsensitized tracheas showed slight fluorescence for P2Y6 receptors in epithelium and none for P2Y4. Sensitized animals showed strong fluorescence to both receptors and to alkaline phosphatase in the airway epithelium. This correlated with a large increment in mRNA for P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptors in sensitized animals.

Conclusions

Nucleotides greatly potentiate the allergic bronchospasm when ectonucleotidases activity is diminished, and this effect is probably favored by the upregulation of P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptors in airway epithelium during sensitization. These results prompt for further research on these mechanisms in human asthma.
Survival rates of short (6 mm) micro‐rough surface implants: a review of literature and meta‐analysis
Authors: Srinivasan Murali , Vazquez Lydia , Rieder Philippe , Moraguez Osvaldo , Bernard Jean‐Pierre , Belser Urs C.
Published: February 2013

Objective

The aim of this review was to test the hypothesis that 6 mm micro‐rough short Straumann® implants provide predictable survival rates and verify that most failures occurring are early failures.

Materials and methods

A PubMed and hand search was performed to identify studies involving micro‐rough 6‐mm‐short implants published between January 1987 and August 2011. Studies were included that (i) involve Straumann® 6 mm implants placed in the human jaws, (ii) provide data on the survival rate, (iii) mention the time of failure, and (iv) report a minimum follow‐up period of 12 months following placement. A meta‐analysis was performed on the extracted data.

Results

From a total of 842 publications that were screened, 12 methodologically sound articles qualified to be included for the statistical evaluation based on our inclusion criteria. A total of 690 Straumann® 6‐mm‐short implants were evaluated in the reviewed studies (Total: placed‐690, failed‐25; maxilla: placed‐266, failed‐14; mandible: placed‐364, failed‐5; follow‐up period: 1–8 years). A meta‐analysis was performed on the calculated early cumulative survival rates (CSR%). The pooled early CSR% calculated in this meta‐analysis was 93.7%, whereas the overall survival rates in the maxilla and mandible were 94.7% and 98.6% respectively. Implant failures observed were predominantly early failures (76%).

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis provides robust evidence that micro‐rough 6‐mm‐short dental implants are a predictable treatment option, providing favorable survival rates. The failures encountered with 6‐mm‐short implants were predominantly early and their survival in the mandible was slightly superior.
The Impact of Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills on Professional Salaries in An Emerging Economy, Chile
Authors: Ramos Joseph , Coble David , Elfernan Ricardo , Soto Claudia
Published: February 2013

Professional salaries in Chile are here explained on the basis not only of traditional human capital variables but also of variables indicative of other cognitive and noncognitive skills. As might be expected, college entrance scores (SAT), our measure of advanced cognitive skills, are found to impact strongly and nonlinearly on salaries. More surprisingly, ranking in one's high school graduation class raises one's salary 10 years later by the equivalent of one year of additional experience, suggesting that ranking stands for a more permanent noncognitive skill such as effort or self‐discipline. As is typically found, women earn less than men, but, to our surprise, they also have lower asking salaries than men.
Prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia and usefulness of HbA1c as a diagnostic criterion
Authors: Wan Nazaimoon W. M. , Md Isa S. H. , Wan Mohamad W. B. , Khir A. S. , Kamaruddin N. A. , Kamarul I. M. , Mustafa N. , Ismail I. S. , Ali O. , Khalid B. A. K.
Published: February 2013

Aim

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Malaysians aged ≥ 30 years of age has increased by more than twofold over a 20‐year period. This study aimed to determine the current status and to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of the HbA1c cut‐off point of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%).

Methods

Using a two‐stage stratified sampling design, participants aged ≥ 18 years were recruited from five zones selected to represent Malaysia. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed on all those not known to have diabetes.

Results

A total of 4341 subjects were recruited. By World Health Organization criteria, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 22.9%; of that percentage, 10.8% was known diabetes and 12.1% was newly diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes was most prevalent amongst Indians (37.9%) and Malays (23.8%). Prevalence of new diabetes mellitus was only 5.5% (95% CI 4.9–6.3) when based on the HbA1c diagnostic criteria of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) and, although the cut‐off point was highly specific (98.1%), it was less sensitive (36.7%) compared with 45 mmol/mol (6.3%), which showed the optimal sum of sensitivity (42.5%) and specificity (97.4%) in identifying new diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

This study recorded an overall diabetes prevalence of 22.6%, almost a twofold increase from 11.6% reported in 2006. This was likely attributable to the higher prevalence of new diabetes (12.1%) diagnosed following an oral glucose tolerance test. An HbA1c of 45 mmol/mol (6.3%) was found to be a better predictive cut‐off point for detecting new diabetes in our multi‐ethnic population.
Prevalence of herbal medicine use by UK patients/consumers: a systematic review of surveys
Authors: Posadzki Paul , Watson Leala K , Alotaibi Amani , Ernst Edzard
Published: February 2013

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of herbal medicine (HM) use in the UK.

Methods

The databases AMED, CINAHL, COCHRANE, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for peer‐reviewed surveys published between January 2000 and September 2011. The authors’ own departmental files were also manually searched for relevant references.

Results

Ten surveys were included with a total of 20 601 participants. All surveys had major methodological limitations. Across all surveys, the average prevalence rate for a range of time periods was 37.1% (range 4.8–92.4). One‐year prevalence was provided by just one survey and amounted to 36%. The vast majority of patients did not discuss their use of HM with a conventional healthcare professional. The average incidence rate of adverse effects that was associated with HM use was 15.8%.

Conclusion

Many UK patients and/or consumers use HM, often without consulting their conventional healthcare professionals. In order to maximise patient‐safety, a full medical history should include questions about HM usage.