bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of cytokinins from nucleosides: ribose as a blocking group
Authors: Oslovsky Vladimir E. , Solyev Pavel N. , Polyakov Konstantin M. , Alexeev Cyril S. , Mikhailov Sergey N.
Published: March 2018

Cytokinin synthesis based on the irreversible enzymatic cleavage by purine nucleoside phosphorylase in the presence of Na2HAsO4 has been developed.
PhI(OAc)2-mediated dearomative C–N coupling: facile construction of the spiro[indoline-3,2′-pyrrolidine] skeleton
Authors: Zhou Yali , Li Dengke , Tang Shi , Sun Hongwei , Huang Jinbo , Zhu Qiang
Published: March 2018

A facile construction of the spiro[indole-3,2′-pyrrolidine] skeleton, through diacetoxyiodobenzene (PIDA) mediated C–N bond-forming dearomatization of C3 sulfonamide linked indole derivatives, has been developed.
Zn 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates from CO2
Authors: Feng Chao , Cao Xianglei , Zhang Liugen , Guo Changyan , Akram Naeem , Wang Jide
Published: March 2018

[Zn3(BTC)2], a heterogeneous catalyst, can efficiently catalyze the cycloaddition reaction. Under relatively moderate and solvent-free conditions, the yield of cyclic carbonate reached 99%.
Highly-efficient fully non-doped white organic light-emitting diodes consisting entirely of thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters
Authors: Zhao Juan , Chen Xiaojie , Yang Zhan , Chi Zhihe , Yang Zhiyong , Zhang Yi , Xu Jiarui , Chi Zhenguo , Aldred Matthew P.
Published: March 2018

A fully non-doped all-TADF strategy is proposed to fabricate simple and efficient WOLEDs based on a novel yellow TADF emitter.
LOFAR observations of the quiet solar corona
Authors: Vocks C. , Mann G. , Breitling F. , Bisi M. M. , Dąbrowski B. , Fallows R. , Gallagher P. T. , Krankowski A. , Magdalenić J. , Marqué C. , Morosan D. , Rucker H.
Published: March 2018

Context. The quiet solar corona emits meter-wave thermal bremsstrahlung. Coronal radio emission can only propagate above that radius, Rω, where the local plasma frequency equals the observing frequency. The radio interferometer LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) observes in its low band (10–90 MHz) solar radio emission originating from the middle and upper corona.

Aims. We present the first solar aperture synthesis imaging observations in the low band of LOFAR in 12 frequencies each separated by 5 MHz. From each of these radio maps we infer Rω, and a scale height temperature, T. These results can be combined into coronal density and temperature profiles.

Methods. We derived radial intensity profiles from the radio images. We focus on polar directions with simpler, radial magnetic field structure. Intensity profiles were modeled by ray-tracing simulations, following wave paths through the refractive solar corona, and including free-free emission and absorption. We fitted model profiles to observations with Rω and T as fitting parameters.

Results. In the low corona, Rω < 1.5 solar radii, we find high scale height temperatures up to 2.2 × 106 K, much more than the brightness temperatures usually found there. But if all Rω values are combined into a density profile, this profile can be fitted by a hydrostatic model with the same temperature, thereby confirming this with two independent methods. The density profile deviates from the hydrostatic model above 1.5 solar radii, indicating the transition into the solar wind.

Conclusions. These results demonstrate what information can be gleaned from solar low-frequency radio images. The scale height temperatures we find are not only higher than brightness temperatures, but also than temperatures derived from coronograph or extreme ultraviolet (EUV) data. Future observations will provide continuous frequency coverage. This continuous coverage eliminates the need for local hydrostatic density models in the data analysis and enables the analysis of more complex coronal structures such as those with closed magnetic fields.
The WISSH quasars project
Authors: Vietri G. , Piconcelli E. , Bischetti M. , Duras F. , Martocchia S. , Bongiorno A. , Marconi A. , Zappacosta L. , Bisogni S. , Bruni G. , Brusa M. , Comastri A. , Cresci G. , Feruglio C. , Giallongo E. , La Franca F. , Mainieri V. , Mannucci F. , Ricci F. , Sani E. , Testa V. , Tombesi F. , Vignali C. , Fiore F.
Published: March 2018

Winds accelerated by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are invoked in the most successful models of galaxy evolution to explain the observed physical and evolutionary properties of massive galaxies. Winds are expected to deposit energy and momentum into the interstellar medium (ISM), thus regulating both star formation and supermassive black hole (SMBH) growth. We undertook a multiband observing program aimed at obtaining a complete census of winds in a sample of WISE/SDSS selected hyper-luminous (WISSH) quasars (QSOs) at z ≈ 2–4. We analyzed the rest-frame optical (i.e. LBT/LUCI and VLT/SINFONI) and UV (i.e. SDSS) spectra of 18 randomly selected WISSH QSOs to measure the SMBH mass and study the properties of winds both in the narrow line region (NLR) and broad line region (BLR) traced by blueshifted or skewed [OIII] and CIV emission lines, respectively. These WISSH QSOs are powered by SMBH with masses ≳109 M⊙ accreting at 0.4 < λEdd < 3.1. We found the existence of two subpopulations of hyper-luminous QSOs characterized by the presence of outflows at different distances from the SMBH. One population (i.e. [OIII] sources) exhibits powerful [OIII] outflows, a rest-frame equivalent width (REW) of the CIV emission REWCIV ≈ 20–40 Å, and modest CIV velocity shift (vCIVpeak) with respect to the systemic redshift (vCIVpeak <~ 2000 km s−1). The second population (i.e. Weak [OIII] sources), representing ~70% of the analyzed WISSH QSOs, shows weak or absent [OIII] emission and an extremely large blueshifted CIV emission (vCIVpeak up to ~8000 km s−1 and REWCIV <~ 20 Å). We propose two explanations for the observed behavior of the strength of the [OIII] emission in terms of the orientation effects of the line of sight and ionization cone. The dichotomy in the presence of BLR and NLR winds could be likely due to inclination effects considering a polar geometry scenario for the BLR winds. In a few cases these winds are remarkably as powerful as those revealed in the NLR in the [OIII] QSOs (Ėkin ~ 1044−45 erg s−1). We also investigated the dependence of these CIV winds on fundamental AGN parameters such as bolometric luminosity (LBol), Eddington ratio (λEdd), and UV-to-X-ray continuum slope (αOX). We found a strong correlation with LBol and an anti-correlation with αOX whereby the higher the luminosity, the steeper the ionizing continuum described by means of αOX and the larger the blueshift of the CIV emission line. Finally, the observed dependence vCIVpeak ∝ LBol0.28 ± 0.04 is consistent with a radiatively-driven-winds scenario, where a strong UV continuum is necessary to launch the wind and a weakness of the X-rayemission is fundamental to prevent overionization of the wind itself.
IGR J17329-2731: The birth of a symbiotic X-ray binary
Authors: Bozzo E. , Bahramian A. , Ferrigno C. , Sanna A. , Strader J. , Lewis F. , Russell D. M. , di Salvo T. , Burderi L. , Riggio A. , Papitto A. , Gandhi P. , Romano P.
Published: March 2018

We report on the results of the multiwavelength campaign carried out after the discovery of the INTEGRAL transient IGR J17329-2731. The optical data collected with the SOAR telescope allowed us to identify the donor star in this system as a late M giant at a distance of 2.7-1.2+3.4 kpc. The data collected quasi-simultaneously with XMM–Newton and NuSTAR showed the presence of a modulation with a period of 6680 ± 3 s in the X-ray light curves of the source. This unveils that the compact object hosted in this system is a slowly rotating neutron star. The broadband X-ray spectrum showed the presence of a strong absorption (≫1023 cm−2) and prominent emission lines at 6.4 keV, and 7.1 keV. These features are usually found in wind-fed systems, in which the emission lines result from the fluorescence of the X-rays from the accreting compact object on the surrounding stellar wind. The presence of a strong absorption line around ~21 keV in the spectrum suggests a cyclotron origin, thus allowing us to estimate the neutron star magnetic field as ~2.4 × 1012 G. All evidencethus suggests IGR J17329-2731 is a symbiotic X-ray binary. As no X-ray emission was ever observed from the location of IGR J17329-2731 by INTEGRAL (or other X-ray facilities) during the past 15 yr in orbit and considering that symbiotic X-ray binaries are known to be variable but persistent X-ray sources, we concluded that INTEGRAL caught the first detectable X-ray emission from IGR J17329-2731 when the source shined as a symbiotic X-ray binary. The Swift XRT monitoring performed up to ~3 months after the discovery of the source, showed that it maintained a relatively stable X-ray flux and spectral properties.
The measurement of agricultural productivity change in OECD countries with Fuzzy data
Authors: Atici Kazim Baris , Ulucan Aydin , Bayar Irmak Uzun
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we aim to measure agricultural productivity change of 34 OECD countries between years 1990 and 2014. The methods employed are data envelopment analysis (DEA) and malmquist productivity index (MPI). DEA is a relative efficiency method in a production technology, whereas MPI is based on DEA to measure the changes in the production technology over time. Our challenge is the existence of missing data points over the years in the initial dataset, which correspond to approximately 9% of the data. Removing units, factors or years with missing data as commonly practiced in DEA, would cause loss of information and makes it very difficult to draw conclusions in such a macro-data. We present the idea of using averages of available data points for a given factor and average variations over the years in those data to produce intervals for the missing points and handle the problem without any dimension reduction in the available data. Fuzzy DEA approach is employed using the calculated factor-specific intervals followed by MPI calculations to conduct a productivity change analysis. We suggest and empirically illustrate that instead of narrowing down the scope of the analysis by excluding the points missing, applying fuzzy approaches is an option worth considering by which it can be possible to make the best out of the available information. The results of the analysis are interpreted with respect to years, countries, regions and economic size of the countries.
Ergot Alkaloids and their Hallucinogenic Potential in Morning Glories
Authors: Steiner Ulrike , Leistner Eckhard
Published: March 2018

Naturally occurring and semisynthetic ergot alkaloids play a role in health care or as recreational drugs in Western and indigenous Mexican societies. Evidence is summarized that ergot alkaloids present in Central American Convolvulaceae like Turbina corymbosa, Ipomoea violacea, and Ipomoea asarifolia are colonized by different species of a newly described clavicipitaceous fungal genus named Periglandula. The fungi are associated with peltate glandular trichomes on the adaxial leaf surface of its host plants. The Periglandula fungi are not yet culturable in vitro but were demonstrated to have the capacity to synthesize ergot alkaloids. The alkaloids do not remain in the fungal mycelium but are translocated via the glandular trichomes into their plant host. Both fungi and host benefit from a symbiotic lifestyle. In evolutionary terms the alkaloid biosynthetic gene cluster in the Periglandula/Ipomoea symbiosis is likely to have a conserved (basic) structure while biosynthetic ergot gene clusters within the genera Claviceps and Epichloe were under ecological selection for alkaloid diversification.
Die Rechtsfrage: Können Eltern mir verbieten, mich mit dem verordnenden Arzt auszutauschen?
Authors: Bossow Karsten
Published: March 2018

„Die Mutter eines Therapiekindes mit angeblicher Hochbegabung hat mir abends um 20 Uhr per SMS mitgeteilt, dass ich den ergotherapeutischen Befund auf keinen Fall dem behandelnden Arzt schicken soll. Am nächsten Tag hat sie – wieder per SMS – die Therapie abgebrochen. Ein anschließendes Telefongespräch konnte die Situation nicht klären. Was kann, darf und muss ich denn nun dem Arzt mitteilen?”

Ergotherapeutin via Facebook
Arbeitshilfen Bessere Kommunikation – Einfache Regeln
Authors: Holtel Markus
Published: March 2018

Zwei Jahre braucht der Mensch, so ein Ernest Hemingway zugeschriebenes Bonmot, um sprechen, aber fünfzig, um
schweigen zu lernen. In der Zeit dazwischen wird viel unkoordiniert, undiszipliniert und ziellos geredet.
Schon wenige Regeln können die Kommunikation in der Gesundheitsversorgung professioneller machen.
AMNOG – Bessere Arzneimittel kosten auch mehr
Authors: Potempa Christoph
Published: March 2018

Lauenroth VD et al. Pharmaceutical Pricing in Germany: How is Value Determined within the Scope of AMNOG. Value
Health 2017; 20: 927–935

Vor dem Hintergrund des AMNOG haben die Autoren um Lauenroth et al. empirisch untersucht, ob sich die
Preisbildung neuer Arzneimittel tatsächlich an der Bewertung des Zusatznutzens durch den G-BA orientiert.
Die Autoren konnten zeigen, dass diese Zielsetzung des AMNOG bisher weitgehend erreicht werden
konnte.
Collimation testing using slit Fresnel diffraction
Authors: Luo Xiaohe , Hui Mei , Wang Shanshan , Hou Yinlong , Zhou Siyu , Zhu Qiudong
Published: March 2018

A simple collimation testing method based on slit Fresnel diffraction is proposed. The method needs only a CMOS and a slit with no requirement in dimensional accuracy. The light beam to be tested diffracts across the slit and forms a Fresnel diffraction pattern received by CMOS. After analysis, the defocusing amount and the distance between the primary peak point and secondary peak point of diffraction pattern fulfill an expression relationship and then the defocusing amount can be deduced from the expression. The method is applied to both the coherent beam and partially coherent beam, and these two beams are emitted from a laser and light-emitting diode (LED) with a spectrum width of about 50 nm in this paper. Simulations show that the wide spectrum of LED has the effect of smooth filtering to provide higher accuracy. Experiments show that the LED with a spectrum width of about 50 nm has a lower limitation error than the laser and can achieve up to 58.1601 μm with focal length 200 mm and slit width 15 mm.
The effects of microstructure on propagation of laser-driven radiative heat waves in under-dense high-Z plasma
Authors: Colvin J. D. , Matsukuma H. , Brown K. C. , Davis J. F. , Kemp G. E. , Koga K. , Tanaka N. , Yogo A. , Zhang Z. , Nishimura H. , Fournier K. B.
Published: March 2018

This work was motivated by previous findings that the measured laser-driven heat front propagation velocity in under-dense TiO2/SiO2 foams is slower than the simulated one [Pérez et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 023102 (2014)]. In attempting to test the hypothesis that these differences result from effects of the foam microstructure, we designed and conducted an experiment on the GEKKO laser using an x-ray streak camera to compare the heat front propagation velocity in “equivalent” gas and foam targets, that is, targets that have the same initial density, atomic weight, and average ionization state. We first discuss the design and the results of this comparison experiment. To supplement the x-ray streak camera data, we designed and conducted an experiment on the Trident laser using a new high-resolution, time-integrated, spatially resolved crystal spectrometer to image the Ti K-shell spectrum along the laser-propagation axis in an under-dense TiO2/SiO2 foam cylinder. We discuss the details of the design of this experiment, and present the measured Ti K-shell spectra compared to the spectra simulated with a detailed superconfiguration non-LTE atomic model for Ti incorporated into a 2D radiation hydrodynamic code. We show that there is indeed a microstructure effect on heat front propagation in under-dense foams, and that the measured heat front velocities in the TiO2/SiO2 foams are consistent with the analytical model of Gus'kov et al. [Phys. Plasmas 18, 103114 (2011)].
Surface and bulk electronic structures of unintentionally and Mg-doped In0.7Ga0.3N epilayer by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Imura Masataka , Tsuda Shunsuke , Takeda Hiroyuki , Nagata Takahiro , Banal Ryan G. , Yoshikawa Hideki , Yang AnLi , Yamashita Yoshiyuki , Kobayashi Keisuke , Koide Yasuo , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Kaneko Masamitsu , Uematsu Nao , Wang Ke , Araki Tsutomu , Nanishi Yasushi
Published: March 2018

The surface and bulk electronic structures of In0.7Ga0.3N epilayers are investigated by angle-resolved hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HX-PES) combined with soft X-PES. The unintentionally and Mg-doped In0.7Ga0.3N (u-In0.7Ga0.3N and In0.7Ga0.3N:Mg, respectively) epilayers are grown by radio-frequency plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Here three samples with different Mg concentrations ([Mg] = 0, 7 × 1019, and 4 × 1020 cm−3) are chosen for comparison. It is found that a large downward energy band bending exists in all samples due to the formation of a surface electron accumulation (SEA) layer. For u-In0.7Ga0.3N epilayer, band bending as large as 0.8 ± 0.05 eV occurs from bulk to surface. Judged from the valence band spectral edge and numerical analysis of energy band with a surface quantum well, the valence band maximum (VBM) with respect to Fermi energy (EF) level in the bulk is determined to be 1.22 ± 0.05 eV. In contrast, for In0.7Ga0.3N:Mg epilayers, the band bending increases and the VBM only in the bulk tends to shift toward the EF level owing to the Mg acceptor doping. Hence, the energy band is considered to exhibit a downward bending structure due to the coexistence of the n+ SEA layer and Mg-doped p layer formed in the bulk. When [Mg] changes from 7 × 1019 to 4 × 1020 cm−3, the peak split occurs in HX-PES spectra under the bulk sensitive condition. This result indicates that the energy band forms an anomalous downward bending structure with a singular point due to the generation of a thin depleted region at the n+ p interface. For In0.7Ga0.3N:Mg epilayers, the VBM in the bulk is assumed to be slightly lower than EF level within 0.1 eV.
Effect of thermal annealing on the redistribution of alkali metals in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells on glass substrate
Authors: Kamikawa Yukiko , Nishinaga Jiro , Ishizuka Shogo , Tayagaki Takeshi , Guthrey Harvey , Shibata Hajime , Matsubara Koji , Niki Shigeru
Published: March 2018

The precise control of alkali-metal concentrations in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells via post deposition treatment (PDT) has recently attracted attention. When PDT is performed at an elevated temperature, an accompanying annealing effect is expected. Here, we investigate how thermal annealing affects the redistribution of alkali metals in CIGS solar cells on glass substrates and the properties of the solar cells. In addition, we investigate the origin of non-homogeneous alkali-metal depth profiles that are typical of CIGS grown using a three-stage process. In particular, we use secondary-ion mass spectrometry measurements of the ion concentration as a function of distance from the CIGS surface to investigate the impact of thermal annealing on the distribution of alkali metals (Na, Ka, and Rb) and constituent elements (Ga and In) in the CIGS absorbers. We find that the depth profiles of the alkali metals strongly reflect the density of sites that tend to accommodate alkali metals, i.e., vacancies. Annealing at elevated temperature caused a redistribution of the alkali metals. The thermal-diffusion kinetics of alkali metals depends strongly on the species involved. We introduced low flux potassium fluoride (KF) to study a side effect of KF-PDT, i.e., Na removal from CIGS, separately from its predominant effects such as surface modification. When sufficient amounts of Na are supplied from the soda lime glass via annealing at an elevated temperature, the negative effect was not apparent. Conversely, when the Na supply was not sufficient, it caused a deterioration of the photovoltaic properties.
The multichannel n-propyl + O2 reaction surface: Definitive theory on a model hydrocarbon oxidation mechanism
Authors: Bartlett Marcus A. , Liang Tao , Pu Liang , Schaefer Henry F. , Allen Wesley D.
Published: March 2018

The n-propyl + O2 reaction is an important model of chain branching reactions in larger combustion systems. In this work, focal point analyses (FPAs) extrapolating to the ab initio limit were performed on the n-propyl + O2 system based on explicit quantum chemical computations with electron correlation treatments through coupled cluster single, double, triple, and perturbative quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)] and basis sets up to cc-pV5Z. All reaction species and transition states were fully optimized at the rigorous CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level of theory, revealing some substantial differences in comparison to the density functional theory geometries existing in the literature. A mixed Hessian methodology was implemented and benchmarked that essentially makes the computations of CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ vibrational frequencies feasible and thus provides critical improvements to zero-point vibrational energies for the n-propyl + O2 system. Two key stationary points, n-propylperoxy radical (MIN1) and its concerted elimination transition state (TS1), were located 32.7 kcal mol−1 and 2.4 kcal mol−1 below the reactants, respectively. Two competitive β-hydrogen transfer transition states (TS2 and TS2′) were found separated by only 0.16 kcal mol−1, a fact unrecognized in the current combustion literature. Incorporating TS2′ in master equation (ME) kinetic models might reduce the large discrepancy of 2.5 kcal mol−1 between FPA and ME barrier heights for TS2. TS2 exhibits an anomalously large diagonal Born-Oppenheimer correction (ΔDBOC = 1.71 kcal mol−1), which is indicative of a nearby surface crossing and possible nonadiabatic reaction dynamics. The first systematic conformational search of three hydroperoxypropyl (QOOH) intermediates was completed, uncovering a total of 32 rotamers lying within 1.6 kcal mol−1 of their respective lowest-energy minima. Our definitive energetics for stationary points on the n-propyl + O2 potential energy surface provide key benchmarks for future studies of hydrocarbon oxidation.
Aluminum and gallium nuclei as microscopic probes for pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance diagnostics of electric-field gradient and spin density in garnet ceramics doped with paramagnetic ions
Authors: Uspenskaya Yu. A. , Mamin G. V. , Babunts R. A. , Badalyan A. G. , Edinach E. V. , Asatryan H. R. , Romanov N. G. , Orlinskii S. B. , Khanin V. M. , Wieczorek H. , Ronda C. , Baranov P. G.
Published: March 2018

The presence of aluminum and gallium isotopes with large nuclear magnetic and quadrupole moments in the nearest environment of impurity ions Mn2+ and Ce3+ in garnets made it possible to use hyperfine and quadrupole interactions with these ions to determine the spatial distribution of the unpaired electron and the gradient of the electric field at the sites of aluminum and gallium in the garnet lattice. High-frequency (94 GHz) electron spin echo detected electron paramagnetic resonance and electron-nuclear double resonance measurements have been performed. Large difference in the electric field gradient and quadrupole splitting at octahedral and tetrahedral sites allowed identifying the positions of aluminum and gallium ions in the garnet lattice and proving that gallium first fills tetrahedral positions in mixed aluminum-gallium garnets. This should be taken into account in the development of garnet-based scintillators and lasers. It is shown that the electric field gradient at aluminum nuclei near Mn2+ possessing an excess negative charge in the garnet lattice is ca. 2.5 times larger than on aluminum nuclei near Ce3+.
Immobile defects in ferroelastic walls: Wall nucleation at defect sites
Authors: He X. , Salje E. K. H. , Ding X. , Sun J.
Published: March 2018

Randomly distributed, static defects are enriched in ferroelastic domain walls. The relative concentration of defects in walls, Nd, follows a power law distribution as a function of the total defect concentration C: Nd∼Cα with α=0.4. The enrichment Nd/C ranges from ∼50 times when C = 10 ppm to ∼3 times when C = 1000 ppm. The resulting enrichment is due to nucleation at defect sites as observed in large scale MD simulations. The dynamics of domain nucleation and switching is dependent on the defect concentration. Their energy distribution follows the power law with exponents during yield between ε∼1.82 and 2.0 when the defect concentration increases. The power law exponent is ε≈2.7 in the plastic regime, independent of the defect concentration.
Note: Additionally refined new possibilities of plasma probe diagnostics
Authors: Riaby V. A. , Savinov V. P. , Masherov P. E. , Yakunin V. G.
Published: March 2018

In two previous Notes published in this journal, a method of measuring probe sheath thickness and ion mass was described using Langmuir probe diagnostics in low pressure xenon plasma close to Maxwellian substance. According to the first Note, this method includes two stages: (i) in a special experiment with known ion mass, the Bohm and Child–Langmuir–Boguslavsky (CLB) equations for cylindrical Langmuir probes used in this xenon plasma were solved jointly to determine the probe sheath thicknesses and Bohm coefficient CBCyl ≈ 1.13; and (ii) in a general experiment, with known CBCyl, the same equations could be solved to obtain the probe sheath thicknesses and the mean ion mass. In the second Note, the (i) stage of this method was refined: the results of the CLB probe sheath model application, which were termed “evaluations,” were corrected using the step-front probe sheath model, which was closer to reality in the special experiment with the xenon plasma. This process resulted in a Bohm coefficient of CBCyl ≈ 1.23 for the cylindrical probe. In the present Note, corrected xenon plasma parameters without the influence of the bare probe protective shield were used for the (i) stage of this diagnostic method. This action also refined the Bohm coefficient, lowering it to CBCyl ≈ 0.745 for cylindrical probes. This advance makes the new diagnostics method more objective and reliable.
Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy probes deeper into InGaN epilayers
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: March 2018

A new study combines hard and soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the chemical states and electronic structures of InGaN, revealing the effects of magnesium doping.
Nonlinear pendulum equations and space plasma reveal potential radiation belt trick
Authors: Johnson Sally Cole
Published: March 2018

By pairing space plasma wave phenomena with nonlinear pendulum equations, researchers discovered a potential way to artificially generate coherent waves to control conditions within the Van Allen radiation belts.
Exploring the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients admitted to a metropolitan health service
Authors: Wotherspoon Craig , Williams Cylie M.
Published: March 2018

Objective There continue to be disparate health outcomes for people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The aim of the present study was to measure whether there were any differences in in-patient experiences between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those without an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background. Methods Random samples of people were invited to complete a survey following admission at the hospitals at Peninsula Health, Victoria, Australia. This survey was based on the Victorian Patient Satisfaction Monitor. Open-ended questions were also asked to gauge perspectives on how the services could better meet needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Results A total of 154 responses was obtained. There were differences between the two groups of participants in the following variables: respect of privacy, representation of culture, assistance with meals and access to a culturally specific worker if needed. This was reflected in thematic analysis, with three main themes identified: (1) interactions with staff; (2) the challenging environment; and (3) not just about me, but my family too. Conclusion There were systemic differences in in-patient experiences. Healthcare services have a responsibility to make systemic changes to improve the health care of all Australians by understanding and reforming how services can be appropriately delivered. What is known about the topic? There is a disparity in health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and those who do not identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. In addition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have different interactions within healthcare services. Many rural health services have models that aim to deliver culturally appropriate services, but it is unknown whether the same challenges apply for this group of Australians within metropolitan health services. What does this paper add? This paper identifies the structural supports that are required to help close the gap in health care provision inequality. Many of the key issues identified are not people but system based. Healthcare administrators should consider the factors identified and address these at a whole-of-service level. What are the implications for practitioners? Many practitioners are aware of the challenges of providing culturally appropriate services. This research raises awareness of how traditional healthcare is not a one size fits all and flexibility is required to improve health outcomes.
Foraging behaviour of mulga birds in Western Australia. I. Use of resources and temporal effects
Authors: Recher Harry F. , Davis Jr William E.
Published: March 2018

The foraging behaviour of mulga birds in the Murchison and Gascoyne Bioregions was studied in 1999 following a period of heavy rain and again in 2002 when it was dry. Mulga birds allocated foraging resources in a similar fashion to other bird communities, with species differing in the way that prey were taken, the substrates and plant species on which prey were found, and the heights at which prey were sought. The numbers of birds and bird species in the study areas declined with drier conditions and there was less breeding activity. Nomadic species, including honeyeaters, seed-eaters, and insect-eaters, largely left the area as it became drier and food resources changed. The birds that remained foraged differently when it was drier than when conditions were wetter and food more abundant. These observations illustrate the fragility of the mulga avifauna and its likely sensitivity to long-term climate change with predicted increasing temperatures, more extreme heat events, and reduced winter rainfall. Conservation of mulga birds and associated flora and fauna requires a whole-of-landscape approach and the adoption of land management practices by Australian governments and land managers that will allow species to adapt to climate change and guarantee their right to evolve.
Foraging behaviour of mulga birds in Western Australia. II. Community structure and conservation
Authors: Recher Harry F.
Published: March 2018

Mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands dominate much of arid and semiarid Australia. Although mulga woodlands are floristically and structurally diverse, the composition of the mulga avifauna is consistent across the continent, with 50–70% of bird species shared between sites and a high proportion of migratory and nomadic species. A comparison of avian foraging guilds in mulga woodlands in the Murchison and Gascoyne Bioregions of Western Australia with those in the Northern Territory identified nine guilds. All guilds occurred at the three locations studied during wet years. The number of bird species, species’ abundances, and the number of guilds declined on the Western Australian sites when there was less rain. Despite the commonality of guilds and species between sites, there were differences between sites and years in the grouping of species, with many species best associated with two or more guilds. These differences reflected differences between locations and wet and dry years in the food resources available to birds, which affected how species foraged. Particularly noticeable were the differences between sites and years in migratory and nomadic birds, which in Western Australia and the Northern Territory were the most abundant birds during wet conditions, but largely absent when conditions were drier.
Is camera trap videography suitable for assessing activity patterns in eastern grey kangaroos?
Authors: Green-Barber Jai M. , Old Julie M.
Published: March 2018

Camera traps are frequently used in wildlife research and may be a useful tool for monitoring behavioural patterns. The suitability of camera traps to monitor behaviour depends on the size, locomotion, and behaviour of the species being investigated. The suitability of cameras for documenting the behaviour of eastern grey kangaroos was assessed here by comparing activity patterns collected using cameras to published activity patterns for the species. The activity patterns calculated from camera trap data were largely consistent with data from previous studies, although nocturnal activity appeared to be under-represented. Observations of unusual fighting behaviour illustrates the potential for camera traps to enable capture of novel observations. Kangaroo behaviour appeared to be influenced by the presence of cameras; however, no kangaroos retreated from cameras. Data suggested that kangaroos became habituated to cameras after eight months. The findings of this study suggest that camera traps are suitable for assessing the diurnal activity of eastern grey kangaroos and are useful tools for documenting their behaviour.
Decision-making processes in direct and inverse translation through retrospective protocols
Authors: Ferreira Aline , Gottardo Alexandra , Schwieter John W.
Published: March 2018

Metacognitive aspects of decision-making processes were investigated in eight professional translators who translated related and unrelated texts from L2 English into L1 Portuguese and also from L1 into L2. Retrospective protocols were recorded after each translation task. Verbal utterances were classified into two categories (problem identification and prospective solution) and each one was divided into several subcategories. The data analyses evaluated metacognitive activities during decision-making processes. Results suggest that noteworthy differences between direct and inverse translation can be assessed via retrospective protocols and that translator performance and behavior might be closely related to the source text.
A homeostatic clock sets daughter centriole size in flies
Authors: Aydogan Mustafa G. , Wainman Alan , Saurya Saroj , Steinacker Thomas L. , Caballe Anna , Novak Zsofia A. , Baumbach Janina , Muschalik Nadine , Raff Jordan W.
Published: March 2018

Centrioles are highly structured organelles whose size is remarkably consistent within any given cell type. New centrioles are born when Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) recruits Ana2/STIL and Sas-6 to the side of an existing “mother” centriole. These two proteins then assemble into a cartwheel, which grows outwards to form the structural core of a new daughter. Here, we show that in early Drosophila melanogaster embryos, daughter centrioles grow at a linear rate during early S-phase and abruptly stop growing when they reach their correct size in mid- to late S-phase. Unexpectedly, the cartwheel grows from its proximal end, and Plk4 determines both the rate and period of centriole growth: the more active the centriolar Plk4, the faster centrioles grow, but the faster centriolar Plk4 is inactivated and growth ceases. Thus, Plk4 functions as a homeostatic clock, establishing an inverse relationship between growth rate and period to ensure that daughter centrioles grow to the correct size.
Basal mitophagy is widespread in Drosophila but minimally affected by loss of Pink1 or parkin
Authors: Lee Juliette J. , Sanchez-Martinez Alvaro , Zarate Aitor Martinez , Benincá Cristiane , Mayor Ugo , Clague Michael J. , Whitworth Alexander J.
Published: March 2018

The Parkinson’s disease factors PINK1 and parkin are strongly implicated in stress-induced mitophagy in vitro, but little is known about their impact on basal mitophagy in vivo. We generated transgenic Drosophila melanogaster expressing fluorescent mitophagy reporters to evaluate the impact of Pink1/parkin mutations on basal mitophagy under physiological conditions. We find that mitophagy is readily detectable and abundant in many tissues, including Parkinson’s disease–relevant dopaminergic neurons. However, we did not detect mitolysosomes in flight muscle. Surprisingly, in Pink1 or parkin null flies, we did not observe any substantial impact on basal mitophagy. Because these flies exhibit locomotor defects and dopaminergic neuron loss, our findings raise questions about current assumptions of the pathogenic mechanism associated with the PINK1/parkin pathway. Our findings provide evidence that Pink1 and parkin are not essential for bulk basal mitophagy in Drosophila. They also emphasize that mechanisms underpinning basal mitophagy remain largely obscure.
Understanding the social and economic aspects of upland rice farming
Authors: Taridala S A A , Abdullah W G , Suaib  , Wahyuni S , Wianti N I , Zani M , Jabuddin L O , Yusria W O , Limi M A , Ekaputri A S
Published: March 2018

The objectives of this study were to (1) analyze the socio-economic characteristics of upland rice farmers, and (2) to analyze the productivity of farming in South Konawe Regency of Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The analysis used in this research was combine economic research through quantitative and qualitative analysis. This research was conducted by survey method. The results showed that (1) farmers are generally in productive age, dominated by men, with low formal education level, and moderate family members, (2) upland rice farming is cultivated in medium land area, with fixed costs higher than variable cost, productivity that has been increased but still lower than rice paddy, and the price of rice production is relatively higher than rice paddy production price, and (3) feasible to cultivate dryland rice, and has a high efficiency value.
A rare missense mutation in MYH6 associates with non-syndromic coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Bjornsson Thorsteinn , Thorolfsdottir Rosa B , Sveinbjornsson Gardar , Sulem Patrick , Norddahl Gudmundur L , Helgadottir Anna , Gretarsdottir Solveig , Magnusdottir Audur , Danielsen Ragnar , Sigurdsson Emil L , Adalsteinsdottir Berglind , Gunnarsson Sverrir I , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Arnar David O , Helgason Hrodmar , Gudbjartsson Tomas , Gudbjartsson Daniel F , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Holm Hilma , Stefansson Kari
Published: March 2018

Aims

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) accounts for 4–8% of congenital heart defects (CHDs) and confers substantial morbidity despite treatment. It is increasingly recognized as a highly heritable condition. The aim of the study was to search for sequence variants that affect the risk of CoA.

Methods and results

We performed a genome-wide association study of CoA among Icelanders (120 cases and 355 166 controls) based on imputed variants identified through whole-genome sequencing. We found association with a rare (frequency = 0.34%) missense mutation p.Arg721Trp in MYH6 (odds ratio = 44.2, P = 5.0 × 10−22), encoding the alpha-heavy chain subunit of cardiac myosin, an essential sarcomere protein. Approximately 20% of individuals with CoA in Iceland carry this mutation. We show that p.Arg721Trp also associates with other CHDs, in particular bicuspid aortic valve. We have previously reported broad effects of p.Arg721Trp on cardiac electrical function and strong association with sick sinus syndrome and atrial fibrillation.

Conclusion

Through a population approach, we found that a rare missense mutation p.Arg721Trp in the sarcomere gene MYH6 has a strong effect on the risk of CoA and explains a substantial fraction of the Icelanders with CoA. This is the first mutation associated with non-familial or sporadic form of CoA at a population level. The p.Arg721Trp in MYH6 causes a cardiac syndrome with highly variable expressivity and emphasizes the importance of sarcomere integrity for cardiac development and function.
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions for Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Collins Rebecca N , Kishita Naoko
Published: March 2018

Background and Objectives

The application of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) for informal caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) is relatively novel, and the current state of the evidence base is unclear. This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of MABIs on reducing symptoms of depression and burden in informal caregivers of PwD. The quality of included studies was evaluated and moderator variables explored.

Research Design and Methods

A literature search of six electronic databases (PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, MEDLINE Complete, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ProQuest) was conducted from the first available date to 20 December 2016. Inclusion criteria involved studies that quantitatively investigated the impact of MABIs on depression and/or burden in informal caregivers of PwD.

Results

Twelve studies, providing data on 321 caregivers, were included. Most used mindfulness-based stress reduction and were conducted in the United States. The average attrition among participants was 15.83%. The pre–post effect of MABIs was large for depression and moderate for burden. These effects were largely maintained at follow-up. Significant heterogeneity of effect sizes was observed, with no significant moderators identified. Study quality varied from very poor to moderately good.

Discussion and Implications

The low attrition and moderate to large effects suggest that MABIs are acceptable and beneficial for informal caregivers of PwD. The lack of significant moderators could advocate services using more cost-effective forms of MABIs. Further higher-quality research is needed to improve the robustness of the evidence base and enable a meta-analysis to thoroughly examine and quantify moderator variables.
Striking Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Liver Cancer Incidence Rates and Temporal Trends in California, 1988–2012
Authors: Pham Christopher , Fong Tse-Ling , Zhang Juanjuan , Liu Lihua
Published: March 2018

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by disparate risk patterns by race/ethnicity. We examined HCC incidence patterns and temporal trends among detailed racial/ethnic populations, including disaggregated Asian-American subgroups.

Methods

Using data from the population-based California Cancer Registry, we identified 41 929 invasive HCC cases diagnosed during 1988–2012. Patients were grouped into mutually exclusive racial/ethnic groups of non-Hispanic (NH) white, NH black, Hispanic, and NH Asian/Pacific Islander (API), as well as Asian subgroups of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and South Asian. Age-adjusted and age-specific incidence rates by sex, race/ethnicity, and time period were calculated. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence rates was estimated using joinpoint regression. All estimates were provided with the 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Aggregated NH API had higher HCC risk than NH whites, NH blacks, and Hispanics. When disaggregated, Southeast Asians (Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians) had overall HCC incidence rates eight to nine times higher than NH whites and more than twice that of other ethnic Asians. Statistically significant rising temporal trends of HCC were found in NH whites, NH blacks, and Hispanics, especially those older than age 50 years. Overall HCC risk declined in Chinese males (AAPC = –1.3%, 95% CI = –2.0 to –0.6), but rose in Filipino (AAPC = +1.2%, 95% CI = 0.3 to 2.1) and Japanese males (AAPC = +3.0%, 95% CI = 0.4 to 5.6) and Vietnamese (AAPC = +4.5%, 95% CI = 0.7 to 8.5) and Laotian (+3.4%, 95% CI = 0.1 to 6.8) females.

Conclusions

Our findings provide valuable information for the identification of at-risk ethnic subgroups of Asian Americans while underscoring the importance of disaggregating ethnic populations in cancer research.
Durability of Efavirenz Compared With Boosted Protease Inhibitor-Based Regimens in Antiretroviral-Naïve Patients in the Caribbean and Central and South America
Authors: Caro-Vega Yanink , Belaunzarán-Zamudio Pablo F , Crabtree-Ramírez Brenda E , Shepherd Bryan E , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Wolff Marcelo , Pape Jean W , Padgett Denis , Gotuzzo Eduardo , McGowan Catherine C , Sierra-Madero Juan G
Published: March 2018

Background

Efavirenz (EFV) and boosted protease inhibitors (bPIs) are still the preferred options for firstline antiretroviral regimens (firstline ART) in Latin America and have comparable short-term efficacy. We assessed the long-term durability and outcomes of patients receiving EFV or bPIs as firstline ART in the Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV epidemiology (CCASAnet).

Methods

We included ART-naïve, HIV-positive adults on EFV or bPIs as firstline ART in CCASAnet between 2000 and 2016. We investigated the time from starting until ending firstline ART according to changes of third component for any reason, including toxicity and treatment failure, death, and/or loss to follow-up. Use of a third-line regimen was a secondary outcome. Kaplan-Meier estimators of composite end points were generated. Crude cumulative incidence of events and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were estimated accounting for competing risk events.

Results

We included 14 519 patients: 12 898 (89%) started EFV and 1621 (11%) bPIs. The adjusted median years on firstline ART were 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4–4.7) on EFV and 3.8 (95% CI, 3.8–4.0) on bPI (P < .001). Cumulative incidence of firstline ART ending at 10 years of follow-up was 32% (95% CI, 31–33) on EFV and 44% (95% CI, 39–48) on bPI (aHR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78–0.97). The cumulative incidence rates of third-line initiation in the bPI-based group were 6% (95% CI, 2.4–9.6) and 2% (95% CI, 1.4–2.2) among the EFV-based group (P < .01).

Conclusions

Durability of firstline ART was longer with EFV than with bPIs. EFV-based regimens may continue to be the preferred firstline regimen for our region in the near future due to their high efficacy, relatively low toxicity (especially at lower doses), existence of generic formulations, and affordability for national programs.
‘Not for us the Weekly dose of Sulphur and Brimstone!’ Women, Family and Homoeopathic Medicine in Early Twentieth-century Britain
Authors: Draper Melvyn Lloyd
Published: March 2018

During the first three decades of the twentieth century Victorian notions of differentiated gender roles continued to inhibit British women intending on a medical career. For some aspiring women doctors, however, homoeopathic medicine offered way into into the profession, a route that allowed them to sidestep the constraints imposed by masculine medical culture. The appeal of homoeopathy for these women doctors lay partly in its ‘soft healing’ approach and also in its sectarian nature. Extensive intra- and inter-generational affiliative networks provided homoeopathic group cohesion, while its gentle therapeutics contrasted with the powerful pharmaceutical basis of orthodox scientific medicine. For these reasons women homoeopathic doctors embraced the gendered role of woman as caregiver and, turning this to their advantage, were able to forge successful careers in modern British medicine.