bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation lessons and pitfalls for real‐time optimal control with stochastic systems
Authors: Ross Steven M. , Cobb Richard G. , Baker William P. , Harmon Frederick G.
Published: February 2014

Modern computational power and efficient direct collocation techniques are decreasing the solution time required for the optimal control problem, making real‐time optimal control (RTOC) feasible for modern systems. Current trends in the literature indicate that many authors are applying RTOC with a recursive open‐loop structure, relying on a high recursion rate for implicit state feedback to counter disturbances and other unmodeled effects without explicit closed‐loop control. The limitations of using rapid, instantaneous optimal solutions are demonstrated analytically and through application to a surface‐to‐air missile avoidance control system. Two methods are proposed for control structure implementation when using RTOC to take advantage of error integration through either classical feedback or disturbance estimation. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Cover Picture: Diastereoselective Additive Trifluoromethylation/Halogenation of Isoxazole Triflones: Synthesis of All‐Carbon‐Functionalized Trifluoromethyl Isoxazoline Triflones (ChemistryOpen 1/2014)
Authors: Kawai Hiroyuki , Sugita Yutaka , Tokunaga Etsuko , Sato Hiroyasu , Shiro Motoo , Shibata Norio
Published: February 2014

No Abstract
Label‐free LC–MS/MS identification of phosphatidylglycerol‐regulated proteins in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803
Authors: Talamantes Tatjana , Ughy Bettina , Domonkos Ildikó , Kis Mihály , Gombos Zoltán , Prokai Laszlo
Published: February 2014

We present a proteomics dataset combining SDS‐PAGE prefractionation and data‐dependent LC–MS/MS that enables the identification of phosphatidylglycerol‐regulated proteins in the pgsA− mutant of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, a cyanobacterium strain that grows with this indispensable phospholipid added exogenously. We searched the acquired raw data against a composite protein sequence database of Synechocystis using MASCOT, and employed Progenesis LC‐MS software for label‐free quantification based on extracted peptide intensities to detect changes in protein abundances upon phospholipid withdrawal. Protein identifications were validated using rigorous criteria, and our analysis of the dataset revealed 80 phosphatidylglycerol‐regulated proteins involved in various cellular processes including photosynthesis, respiration, metabolism, transport, transcription, and translation. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000363 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000363).
Fascin regulates chronic inflammation‐related human colon carcinogenesis by inhibiting cell anoikis
Authors: Kanda Yusuke , Kawaguchi Tokuichi , Kuramitsu Yasuhiro , Kitagawa Takao , Kobayashi Tokushige , Takahashi Norihiko , Tazawa Hiroshi , Habelhah Hasem , Hamada Jun‐ichi , Kobayashi Masanobu , Hirahata Mio , Onuma Kunishige , Osaki Mitsuhiko , Nakamura Kazuyuki , Kitagawa Tomoyuki , Hosokawa Masuo , Okada Futoshi
Published: February 2014

By a proteomics‐based approach, we identified an overexpression of fascin in colon adenocarcinoma cells (FPCKpP‐3) that developed from nontumorigenic human colonic adenoma cells (FPCK‐1–1) and were converted to tumorigenic by foreign‐body‐induced chronic inflammation in nude mice. Fascin overexpression was also observed in the tumors arising from rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC 6) converted to tumorigenic in chronic inflammation which was induced in the same manner. Upregulation of fascin expression in FPCK‐1–1 cells by transfection with sense fascin cDNA converted the cells tumorigenic, whereas antisense fascin‐cDNA‐transfected FPCKpP‐3 cells reduced fascin expression and lost their tumor‐forming ability in vivo. The tumorigenic potential by fascin expression was consistent with their ability to survive and grow in the three‐dimensional multicellular spheroids. We found that resistance to anoikis (apoptotic cell death as a consequence of insufficient cell‐to‐substrate interactions), which is represented by the three‐dimensional growth of solid tumors in vivo, was regulated by fascin expression through caspase‐dependent apoptotic signals. From these, we demonstrate that fascin is a potent suppressor to caspase‐associated anoikis and accelerator of the conversion of colonic adenoma cells into adenocarcinoma cells by chronic inflammation.
Nanocomposites based on crosslinked polyacrylic latex/silver nanoparticles for waterborne high‐performance antibacterial coatings
Authors: Yilmaz Onur , Karesoja Mikko , Adiguzel A. Candas , Zengin Gokhan , Tenhu Heikki
Published: February 2014

Functional polymer/AgNPs nanocomposites have been prepared. Silver nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized to which polyacrylamide, PAAm, was covalently bound. PAAm was synthesized via a RAFT reaction and carried thiol and carboxylic acid end groups. Thiol was used to bind the polymer to the metal surface and carboxyl for further reactions. The AgNPs were used in a post‐crosslinking reaction with a separately synthesized poly(butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate)/polyglycidyl methacrylate core/shell latex bearing epoxy functional groups. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the functional AgNPs effectively crosslinked the latex polymer, and that the final product had excellent mechanical strength. Antibacterial tests revealed that the nanocomposite films had strong antibacterial activity against all types of the bacteria and the immobilization of silver NPs by crosslinking retarded the release of silver in comparison to the uncrosslinked ones. With the presented method, it is possible to obtain ductile antibacterial nanocomposites to be used as waterborne functional coatings. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1435–1447
Characterization of InGaN quantum disks in GaN nanowires
Authors: Roshko A. , Geiss R. H. , Schlager J. B. , Brubaker M. D. , Bertness K. A. , Sanford N. A. , Harvey T. E.
Published: February 2014

Catalyst‐free GaN nanowires with InGaN quantum disks (QDs) were characterized by scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) and photoluminescence. A variety of structures, from QDs with large strain fields to apparently strain free QDs were observed. TEM lattice imaging revealed dislocations in the QD regions of the samples. Stacking faults were also observed and appear to be associated with the GaN growth temperature rather than the presence of indium. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy in the TEM revealed indium concentrated in stacking faults but not always localized in the QD regions. Photoluminescence spectra show a red‐shift, possibly associated with indium concentration. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Are carbon—halogen double and triple bonds possible?
Authors: Kalescky Robert , Kraka Elfi , Cremer Dieter
Published: February 2014

The carbon—halogen and carbon—chalcogen bonding of 84 molecules was investigated utilizing local vibrational modes calculated at the M06‐2X/cc‐pVTZ level of theory including anharmonicity corrections in all cases. The relative bond strength order of each CX or CE bond (X = F, Cl; E = O, S) was derived from the local CX or CE stretching force constant and compared with trends of calculated bond lengths r and bond dissociation energies (BDE) obtained at the G3 level of theory. It is shown that both bond length r and BDE are not reliable bond strength descriptors. The CX double bond is realized for some Cl‐substituted carbenium ions, however, not for the corresponding F‐derivatives. Diatomic CF+ and CCl+ possess fully developed double bonds but not, as suggested in the literature, triple bonds. Halonium ions have fractional (electron‐deficient) CX bonds, which can be stabilized by σ‐donor substituents or by an increased polarizability of the halogen atom as with Cl. Bridged halonium ions are more stable than their acyclic counterparts, which results from more effective two‐electron‐three‐center bonding. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐stage tandem mass spectrometric analysis of novel β‐cyclodextrin‐substituted and novel bis‐pyridinium gemini surfactants designed as nanomedical drug delivery agents
Authors: Donkuru McDonald , Chitanda Jackson M. , Verrall Ronald E. , El‐Aneed Anas
Published: February 2014

RATIONALE

This study aimed at evaluating the collision‐induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometric (CID‐MS/MS) fragmentation patterns of novel β‐cyclodextrin‐substituted‐ and bis‐pyridinium gemini surfactants currently being explored as nanomaterial drug delivery agents. In the β‐cyclodextrin‐substituted gemini surfactants, a β‐cyclodextrin ring is grafted onto an N,N‐bis(dimethylalkyl)‐α,ω‐aminoalkane‐diammonium moiety using variable succinyl linkers. In contrast, the bis‐pyridinium gemini surfactants are based on a 1,1'‐(1,1'‐(ethane‐1,2‐diylbis(sulfanediyl))bis(alkane‐2,1‐diyl))dipyridinium template, defined by two symmetrical N‐alkylpyridinium parts connected through a fixed ethane dithiol spacer.

METHODS

Detection of the precursor ion [M]2+ species of the synthesized compounds and the determination of mass accuracies were conducted using a QqTOF‐MS instrument. A multi‐stage tandem MS analysis of the detected [M]2+ species was conducted using the QqQ‐LIT‐MS instrument. Both instruments were equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source.

RESULTS

Abundant precursor ion [M]2+ species were detected for all compounds at sub‐1 ppm mass accuracies. The β‐cyclodextrin‐substituted compounds, fragmented via two main pathways: Pathway 1: the loss of one head‐tail region produces a [M–(N(Me)2‐R)]2+ ion, from which sugar moieties (Glc) are sequentially cleaved; Pathway 2: both head‐tail regions are lost to give [M–2(N(Me)2‐R)]+, followed by consecutive loss of Glc units. Alternatively, the cleavage of the Glc units could also have occurred simultaneously. Nevertheless, the fragmentation evolved around the quaternary ammonium cations, with characteristic cleavage of Glc moieties. For the bis‐pyridinium gemini compounds, they either lost neutral pyridine(s) to give doubly charged ions (Pathway A) or formed complementary pyridinium alongside other singly charged ions (Pathway B). Similar to β‐cyclodextrin‐substituted compounds, the fragmentation was centered on the pyridinium functional groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The MSn analyses of these novel gemini surfactants, reported here for the first time, revealed diagnostic ions for each compound, with a universal fragmentation pattern for each compound series. The diagnostic ions will be employed within liquid chromatography (LC)/MS/MS methods for screening, identification, and quantification of these compounds within biological samples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autonomous Capabilities for Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Conducting Radiological Response: Findings from a High‐fidelity Discovery Experiment
Authors: Duncan Brittany A. , Murphy Robin R.
Published: February 2014

This article presents a preliminary work domain theory and identifies autonomous vehicle, navigational, and mission capabilities and challenges for small unmanned aerial systems (SUASs) responding to a radiological disaster. Radiological events are representative of applications that involve flying at low altitudes and close proximities to structures. To more formally understand the guidance and control demands, the environment in which the SUAS has to function, and the expected missions, tasks, and strategies to respond to an incident, a discovery experiment was performed in 2013. The experiment placed a radiological source emitting at 10 times background radiation in the simulated collapse of a multistory hospital. Two SUASs, an AirRobot 100B and a Leptron Avenger, were inserted with subject matter experts into the response, providing high operational fidelity. The SUASs were expected by the responders to fly at altitudes between 0.3 and 30 m, and hover at 1.5 m from urban structures. The proximity to a building introduced a decrease in GPS satellite coverage, challenging existing vehicle autonomy. Five new navigational capabilities were identified: scan, obstacle avoidance, contour following, environment‐aware return to home, and return to highest reading. Furthermore, the data‐to‐decision process could be improved with autonomous data digestion and visualization capabilities. This article is expected to contribute to a better understanding of autonomy in a SUAS, serve as a requirement document for advanced autonomy, and illustrate how discovery experimentation serves as a design tool for autonomous vehicles.
Eco‐labels and Schemes: A Requisitely Holistic Proof of Tourism's Social Responsibility?
Authors: Lebe Sonja Sibila , Vrečko Igor
Published: February 2014

Tourism belongs to the ‘affluent society/economy phase’, which in crisis requires more social responsibility (SR) in general to overcome it. Tourism forms one of the biggest global economic sectors; it is crucial that tourism businesses and their developing and commercial projects maintain high standards of SR, that is, ethic of interdependence, requisite holism and systemic behavior, including responsibility for impacts on society. This contribution presents a brief analysis of the need for and the benefits of eco certificates and sustainability schemes for tourism (being often considered as important proofs of SR). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GC‐FID/MS Analysis of Fatty Acids in Indian Cultivars of Moringa oleifera: Potential Sources of PUFA
Authors: Saini R. K. , Shetty N. P. , Giridhar P.
Published: February 2014

In the present investigation, the fatty acid profile was analysed in vegetative and reproductive parts of eight commercially cultivated Indian cultivars of Moringa oleifera and verified by gas chromatography mass spectra. In leaves, α‐linolenic acid (C18:3, cis‐9,12,15) was found in the highest quantity (49–59 %) followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) (16–18 %), and linoleic acid (C18:2, cis‐9,12) (6–13 %). The total content of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids showed a ratio of 0.33 (cv. DHANRAJ) to 0.39 (cv. PKM‐2) in leaves, 0.53 in flowers and 0.56 in tender pods. Similarly, polyunsaturated fatty acids and total monounsaturated fatty acids were found in a ratio of 5.68 (cv. DHANRAJ) to 9.71 (cv. CO‐1) in leaves, 1.11 in flowers and 2.79 in tender pods. The total lipid content was recorded in the range of 1.92 % (flowers) to 4.82 % (leaves, cv. CO‐1). When considering health benefits, M. oleifera leaves contain low amounts of saturated fatty acids, a high mono‐ and polyunsaturated fatty acid content, which can enhance the health benefits of Moringa‐based products.
The Effects of Grandparents on Children’s Schooling: Evidence From Rural China
Authors: Zeng Zhen , Xie Yu
Published: February 2014

The issue of whether the social class of grandparents affects grandchildren’s socioeconomic outcomes net of the characteristics of the middle generation is much debated in the social mobility literature. Using data from the 2002 Chinese Household Income Project, we investigate the direct effects of grandparents on grandchildren’s educational attainment in rural China. We find that the influence of grandparents is contingent on living arrangements. Although the educational level of coresident grandparents directly affects the educational attainment of their grandchildren, with an effect size similar to that of parental education, the education of noncoresident and deceased grandparents does not have any effect. These findings suggest that grandparents can directly affect grandchildren’s educational outcomes through sociopsychological pathways. Our study not only adds an important case study to the literature but also sheds new light on theoretical interpretations of grandparent effects when they are found.
Stellar Populations and the Star Formation Histories of LSB Galaxies: IV Spitzer Surface Photometry of LSB Galaxies
Authors: Schombert James M. , McGaugh Stacy
Published: February 2014

Surface photometry at 3.6 μm is presented for 61 low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies (μo<19 3.6 μm mag arcsecs−2). The sample covers a range of luminosity from −11 to −22 in M3.6 and size from 1 to 25 kpc. The morphologies in the mid-IR are comparable to those in the optical with 3.6 μm imaging reaches similar surface brightness depth as ground-based optical imaging. A majority of the resulting surface brightness profiles are single exponential in shape with very few displaying upward or downward breaks. The mean V − 3.6 colour of LSB is 2.3 with a standard deviation of 0.5. Colour-magnitude and two-colour diagrams are well matched to models of constant star formation, where the spread in colour is due to small changes in the star formation rate (SFR) over the last 0.5 Gyrs as also suggested by the specific SFR measured by Hα.
The Triassic U–Pb age for the aquatic long-necked protorosaur of Guizhou, China
Authors: WANG YANBIN , YANG DETING , HAN JUAN , WANG LITING , YAO JIANXIN , LIU DUNYI
Published: February 2014

The ancient marine limestone beds of the upper part of the Guanling Formation, Panxian County, Guizhou Province, SW China, yielded a wide range of high-diversity well-preserved marine reptiles such as the fully aquatic protorosaur with an extremely long neckDinocephalosaurus orientalis, the oldest mixosaurid ichthyosaurs and lariosaurs. However, there is no precise isotopic age to study the intriguing origin, evolution and emigration history of the important fauna. We report a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon age for a volcanic tuff bed within the upper part of the Guanling Formation. The result indicates that the age of the fossil horizon is 244.0±1.3 Ma, 14 Ma earlier than the previously estimated age based on conodont evidence. We consider that the marine reptiles had a relatively rapid evolution during Middle Triassic time, some 8 Ma after the end-Permian mass extinction.
From “Nourish the People” to “Sacrifice for the Nation”: Changing Responses to Disaster in Late Imperial and Modern China
Authors: Edgerton-Tarpley Kathryn Jean
Published: February 2014

This article seeks to spark a conversation about shifting conceptualizations of disaster under modernizing states. It employs case studies of two major disasters, the North China Famine of 1876–79 and the Yellow River flood of 1938–47, to map changes and continuities in Chinese responses to disaster. State approaches to the late-Qing famine both drew on a millennium of Chinese thinking about disaster causation and anticipated new issues that would become increasingly important in twentieth-century China. The catastrophic Yellow River flood occurred when China's Nationalist government deliberately breached a major dike in a desperate attempt to “use water instead of soldiers” to slow the brutal Japanese invasion. The Nationalist state's technologization of disaster, its rejection of cosmological interpretations of calamity, and its depiction of flood victims as heroes sacrificing for the nation mark departures from late-imperial responses to disaster, but foreshadow features of the devastating Mao-era Great Leap Famine of 1958–62.
Measuring the effect of avermectins and milbemycins on somatic muscle contraction of adult Haemonchus contortus and on motility of Ostertagia circumcincta in vitro
Authors: DEMELER JANINA , VON SAMSON-HIMMELSTJERNA GEORG , SANGSTER NICHOLAS C.
Published: February 2014

The mechanism of anthelmintic resistance against the widely used macrocyclic lactones (MLs) is still not fully understood. Pharyngeal, somatic body muscles and the ovijector have been proposed as putative sites of action as well as resistance. In the present study the effects of three avermectins and three milbemycins on adult parasitic nematodes were evaluated in vitro. The Muscle Transducer system was used to investigate the effects of MLs on muscle contraction in female Haemonchus contortus and effects on motility were measured in Ostertagia (Teladorsagia) circumcincta using the Micromotility Meter. Concentration-response curves for all substances in both systems shifted to the right in the resistant isolates. Resistance was present to ivermectin (IVM) and its components IVM B1a and IVM B1b, suggesting that both components are involved in the mode of action and resistance. No consistent patterns of potency and resistance of the substances were observed except that milbemycins generally showed lower resistance ratios (RRs) than IVM. IVM and IVM B1b were the most potent inhibitors of contraction and motility in both susceptible isolates and also showed the highest RR in both species. Low RRs for milbemycins recorded in vitro for highly resistant isolates in vivo suggest that other factors such as pharmacokinetics influence drug potency in vivo.
Screening for mood disorders after stroke: a systematic review of psychometric properties and clinical utility
Authors: Burton L.-J. , Tyson S.
Published: February 2014

Background

Routine mood screening is recommended after stroke. However, clinicians report difficulty selecting appropriate tools from the wide range available. We aimed to systematically review the psychometric properties and clinical utility of mood screening tools for stroke survivors.

Method

Electronic databases (AMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO) were searched to identify studies assessing the sensitivity and specificity of mood screening tools. Tools that demonstrated at least 80% sensitivity and 60% specificity with stroke survivors with identifiable cut-off scores indicating major and/or any mood disorder in at least one study were selected and clinical utility was assessed. Those with high clinical utility (against predefined criteria) were selected for recommendation.

Results

Thirty papers examining 27 screening tools were identified and 16 tools met the psychometric and clinical utility criteria: 10 were verbal self-report tools, four were observational and two incorporated visual prompts for those with communication problems. Only the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire –Hospital version (SADQ-H) met all the psychometric and utility criteria. The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) can detect major depression and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) can identify milder symptoms; both are feasible to use in clinical practice. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was the only tool able to identify anxiety accurately, but clinical utility was mixed.

Conclusions

Valid and clinically feasible mood screening tools for stroke have been identified but methodological inconsistency prevented recommendations about the optimal cut-off scores.
Language Learning Roundtable: Memory and Second Language Acquisition 2012, Hong Kong
Authors: Wen Zhisheng (Edward) , McNeill Arthur , Mota Mailce Borges
Published: February 2014

Organized under the auspices of the Language Learning Roundtable Conference Grant (2012), this seminar aimed to provide an interactive forum for a group of second language acquisition (SLA) researchers with particular interests in cognitive linguistics and psycholinguistics to discuss key theoretical and methodological issues in the roles of key human memory systems (in particular, working memory) in various aspects of SLA. The seminar consisted of a tutorial workshop (Michael Ullman), three keynotes (Michael Ullman, Peter Skehan, and Cem Alptekin), and other invited speeches addressing the more specific relationships between working memory (WM) and various aspects of SLA (e.g. vocabulary, grammar, reading, speaking, writing, and interpreting).
The role of walking surface in enhancing the stability of the simplest passive dynamic biped
Authors: Safa Ali Tehrani , Naraghi Mahyar
Published: February 2014

Employing passive dynamics of the simplest point-foot walker, we have shown that the walking surface could have a great role in promoting the gait stability. In this regard, the stabilization of the simplest walking model,3 between the range of slopes greater than 0.0151 rad. and less than 0.26 rad., has been achieved. The walker like other passive dynamic walking models has no open or closed-loop control system; so, is only actuated by the gravity field. Moreover, no damper or spring is used. Obviously, according to the model's unstable behavior, it is unable to walk on an even flat ramp between the mentioned intervals.3 Here, instead of restraining the model, we let it explore other smooth surfaces, walking on which, will end in an equally inclined surface. To reach the objective, we employ a parallel series of fixed straight lines (local slopes) passing through contact points of an unstable cycling gait, which is generated by an ordinary ramp. To categorize, we have nicknamed those local slopes that guide the biped to a stable cyclic walking, “Ground Attractors,” and the other, leading it to a fall, “Repulsive Directions.” Our results reveal that for the slope <0.26 rad., a closed interval of ground attractors could be found. Stabilization of those unstable limit cycles by this technique makes obvious the key role of walking surface on bipedal gait. Furthermore, following our previous work,13 the results confirm that the two thoroughly similar walking trajectories can have different stability. All of these results strongly demonstrate that without considering the effects of a walking surface, we cannot establish any explicit relationship between the walker's speed and its stability.
Robust tracking of bio-inspired references for a biped robot using geometric algebra and sliding mode control
Authors: Oviedo-Barriga J. , González-Jiménez L. , Castillo-Toledo B. , Bayro-Corrochano E.
Published: February 2014

Controlling a walking biped robot is a challenging problem due to the robot's complex and uncertain dynamics. In order to tackle this problem, we propose a sliding mode controller based on a dynamic model that we obtained using the conformal geometric algebra (CGA) approach. An important contribution of this paper is the development of algorithms using the CGA framework. The CGA framework permits us to use lines, points, and other geometric entities to obtain the Lagrange equations of the system. The references for the joints of the robot were obtained in a bio-inspired way following the kinematics of a walking human body. The first and second derivatives of the reference signal were obtained via an exact robust differentiator based on a high-order sliding mode. We analyzed the performance of the proposed control schemes by using bio-inspired walking patterns and simulations.
Is this enough? A qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of a teacher-training course on the use of corpora in language education
Authors: Leńko-Szymańska Agnieszka
Published: February 2014

The paper describes a teacher-training course on the use of corpora in language education offered to graduate students at the Institute of Applied Linguistics, University of Warsaw. It also presents the results of two questionnaires distributed to the students prior to and after the second edition of the course. The main aims of the course are: to introduce students to the concept of a corpus and its analysis; to familiarize them with a range of available corpora, corpus-based resources and tools; and to demonstrate to them various applications of corpora in language education, with special emphasis placed on the in-house preparation of courses, teaching materials and class activities. In the first part of the paper, the design, the syllabus, the progression and the outcomes of the course are outlined. In the second part, the responses of thirteen students who participated in the second edition of the course are analysed. The analysis indicates that on the whole the students reacted positively to the course and they saw the benefits of corpus-based materials and tools in language teaching. Yet the students also reported that they needed more time to gain full command of the resources and software presented and more guidance on the pedagogical issues related to corpus use. The paper concludes that fourteen sessions, designed as an overview of the whole range of corpus-based resources and applications, is not sufficient to encourage teacher trainees to use corpora in their future work if they have no contact with these resources and tools in other classes. Only extensive exposure to corpora by future teachers coupled with suitable teacher training in the applications of corpora in language education may bring a substantial change in the scope of corpus use in language classrooms in the wide educational context.
Professional training in nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe: current status and opportunities for capacity development
Authors: Gurinović Mirjana , Novaković Romana , Šatalić Zvonimir , Nikolić Marina , Milešević Jelena , Ranić Marija , Glibetić Marija
Published: February 2014

Objective

To examine the availability of academic programmes in nutrition and identify nutrition training needs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

Design

A questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions was distributed to the members of the United Nations University Standing Committee on Nutrition, Regional Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in CEE (NCDN CEE).

Setting

Participants’ responses to the questionnaire including the comments of their colleagues from home institutions were obtained in group discussions during NCDN CEE meetings in 2010–2013.

Subjects

Sixteen CEE countries’ experts and their colleagues from home institutions involved in NCDN CEE activities 2007–2013.

Results

The responses were obtained from fourteen out of sixteen participating countries; five countries have established Bachelor, Master and PhD studies in nutrition (Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), whereas in Latvia and Republic of Macedonia only Bachelor and Master studies are set up. Seven countries have no Bachelor, Master or PhD studies: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. Introduction to data analysis and Nutritional epidemiology are the most needed nutrition trainings that would increase working competence of nutritionists and nutrition-related professionals in CEE.

Conclusions

Availability of academic programmes in nutrition in CEE countries is limited. Opportunities for improving the competence of existing and future nutrition-related professionals should be addressed at national and regional level; distance learning courses and creation of a regional centre for nutrition training were seen as opportunities for sustainable capacity development in nutrition in CEE.
The future of new institutional economics: from early intuitions to a new paradigm?
Authors: MÉNARD CLAUDE , SHIRLEY MARY M.
Published: February 2014

The trajectory of institutional economics changed in the 1970s when new institutional economics (NIE) began to take shape around some relative vague intuitions which eventually developed into powerful conceptual and analytical tools. The emergence of NIE is a success story by many measures: four Nobel laureates in less than 20 years, increasing penetration of mainstream journals, and significant impacts on major policy debates. This rapid acceptance is remarkable when we consider that it was divided from birth into distinct schools of thought. What will be the future of NIE? Will it be quietly absorbed by mainstream theory, or will it radically transform neoclassical economics into a new paradigm that includes institutions? To address these questions, we follow the sometimes-bumpy road to NIE's current successes and ponder the challenges that lie ahead.
Zielorientierte Veränderungsmessungen als Möglichkeit einer individualisierten Ergebnisevaluation in der Psychotherapie
Authors: Watzke Birgit , Schulz Holger , Dirmaier Jörg
Published: February 2014

Bei der Anwendung zielorientierter Strategien zur Evaluation bzw. Veränderungsmessung in der Psychotherapie stehen dem zentralen Vorteil eines stärker individualisierten Ansatzes eine Reihe offenen Fragen und Herausforderungen entgegen, Diese beziehen sich z. B. auf den Zeitpunkt, die Erhebungsperspektive und das Ausmass der Standardisierung bei der Therapiezielerfassung. Es liegen verschiedene sowohl therapeuten- als auch patientenseitige Verfahren zur zielorientierten Veränderungsmessung vor (z. B. target complaints, GAS, BIT-C, PPZ-T), die sich hinsichtlich ihres Ausmasses der Individualisierung bei der Therapiezielbestimmung und der Erfassung der Therapiezielerreichung unterscheiden.
Infant mortality and ethnicity in an indigenous European population: Novel evidence from the Finnish population register
Authors: Saarela Jan , Finnäs Fjalar
Published: February 2014

We provide the first analyses of infant mortality rates by indigenous ethnic group in Finland, a country that has one of the lowest relative numbers of infant deaths in the world. Using files from the Finnish population register, we identified both of the parents of children born in the period from 1975–2003 according to ethnic affiliation, socioeconomic profile and demographic position. The infant mortality rate in homogamous Finnish unions is similar to that in homogamous Swedish unions, which reflects a lack of social disparities between the two groups. Surprisingly, infants from ethnically mixed unions have markedly lower mortality rates, with an adjusted rate ratio of 0.81 relative to homogamous Swedish unions (95% CI: 0.67–0.98). Although not empirically verified, we argue that the lower infant mortality rate in ethnically mixed unions may be due to lower levels of inbreeding and hence related to historically low intermarriage rates between the two ethnic groups, remote consanguinities and restricted inter-community gene flow.
Fluctuation-based imaging of nuclear Rac1 activation by protein oligomerisation
Authors: Hinde Elizabeth , Yokomori Kyoko , Gaus Katharina , Hahn Klaus M. , Gratton Enrico
Published: February 2014

Here we describe a fluctuation-based method to quantify how protein oligomerisation modulates signalling activity of a multifunctional protein. By recording fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) data of a FRET biosensor in a format that enables concomitant phasor and cross Number and Brightness (cN&B) analysis, we measure the nuclear dynamics of a Rac1 FRET biosensor and assess how Rac1 homo-oligomers (N&B) regulate Rac1 activity (hetero-oligomerisation with the biosensor affinity reagent, PBD, by FLIM-FRET) or interaction with an unknown binding partner (cN&B). The high spatiotemporal resolution of this method allowed us to discover that upon DNA damage monomeric and active Rac1 in the nucleus is segregated from dimeric and inactive Rac1 in the cytoplasm. This reorganisation requires Rac1 GTPase activity and is associated with an importin-α2 redistribution. Only with this multiplexed approach can we assess the oligomeric state a molecular complex must form in order to regulate a complex signalling network.
Drug loaded multilayered gold nanorods for combined photothermal and chemotherapy
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Chi Xuemei , Li Bowen , Zhang Min , Ma Yuxiang , Achilefu Samuel , Gu Yueqing
Published: February 2014

Drug loaded multi-layered gold nanorods exhibited synergistic photothermal and chemotherapy effects on tumors.
The first peripherally masked thiol dendrimers: a facile and highly efficient functionalization strategy of polyester dendrimers via one-pot xanthate deprotection/thiol–acrylate Michael addition reactions
Authors: Auty Sam E. R. , Andrén Oliver , Malkoch Michael , Rannard Steven P.
Published: February 2014

We present the first xanthate surface functional dendrimers which undergo rapid one-pot deprotection to thiols and subsequent acrylate Michael addition .
Phase-selective hydrothermal synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4nanocrystals: the effect of the sulphur precursor
Authors: Tiong Vincent Tiing , Zhang Yi , Bell John , Wang Hongxia
Published: February 2014

CZTS thin films with uniform thickness and homogeneous composition for generation of a stable photocurrent were made using one-step hydrothermal synthesis.
Analysis of manganese and iron in exhaled endogenous particles
Authors: Bredberg Anna , Ljungkvist Göran , Taube Fabian , Ljungström Evert , Larsson Per , Mirgorodskaya Ekaterina , Isaxon Christina , Gudmundsson Anders , Forsgard Niklas , Olin Anna-Carin
Published: February 2014

This paper describes a new method to non-invasively measure the manganese and iron content of exhaled endogenous particles, and how the content increases after experimental exposure to welding aerosols.
Nanomanipulation, nanotribology and nanomechanics of Au nanorods in dry and liquid environments using an AFM and depth sensing nanoindenter
Authors: Maharaj Dave , Bhushan Bharat
Published: February 2014

The effects of gold nanorods on friction and wear in dry conditions and submerged in water were studied using an AFM for the first time.
Injection and waveguiding properties in SU8 nanotubes for sub-wavelength regime propagation and nanophotonics integration
Authors: Bigeon John , Huby Nolwenn , Duvail Jean-Luc , Bêche Bruno
Published: February 2014

We report photonic concepts related to injection and sub-wavelength propagation in nanotubes, an unusual but promising geometry for highly integrated photonic devices.
Aerosol-assisted deposition of gold nanoparticle-tin dioxide composite films
Authors: Chew Clair , Bishop Peter , Salcianu Carmen , Carmalt Claire J. , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: February 2014

Composite gold/tin oxide films were successfully grown from a simple one-pot solution by chemical vapour deposition.
A new organic–inorganic hybrid electrolyte based on polyacrylonitrile, polyether diamine and alkoxysilanes for lithium ion batteries: synthesis, structural properties, and electrochemical characterization
Authors: Pan Yu-Chi , Saikia Diganta , Fang Jason , Tsai Li-Duan , Fey George T. K. , Kao Hsien-Ming
Published: February 2014

The plasticized hybrid electrolyte exhibits a maximum ionic conductivity of 6.4 mS cm−1at 30 °C and an initial discharge capacity of 123 mA h g−1in battery testing.
Layered structures and nanosheets of pyrimidinethiolate coordination polymers
Authors: Beldon P. J. , Tominaka S. , Singh P. , Saha Dasgupta T. , Bithell E. G. , Cheetham A. K.
Published: February 2014

A lamellar pyrimidinethiolate coordination polymer has been exfoliated to form nanosheets and found to be electronically insulating.
A metathesis reaction route to obtain fine Mg2Si particles
Authors: Itahara H. , Yamada T. , Oh S.-Y. , Asahi R. , Imagawa H. , Yamane H.
Published: February 2014

We have developed a novel synthetic route for the production of fine Mg2Si particles (<1 μm) using NaSi, MgCl2, and Na.
Vortex-induced aggregation in superfluid helium droplets
Authors: Spence Daniel , Latimer Elspeth , Feng Cheng , Boatwright Adrian , Ellis Andrew M. , Yang Shengfu
Published: February 2014

The formation of Ag nanoparticles by the addition of Ag atoms to helium droplets has been investigated.
Recent developments in liquid-phase selective oxidation using environmentally benign oxidants and mesoporous metal silicates
Authors: Kholdeeva Oxana A.
Published: February 2014

ThisPerspectivearticle surveys recent advances in the synthesis of mesoporous transition-metal-containing silicate materials and their use for the liquid-phase selective oxidation of organic compounds with environmentally friendly oxidants – molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides.
An organocatalyst from renewable materials for the synthesis of coumarins and chromenes: three-component reaction and multigram scale synthesis
Authors: Sangsuwan Rapeepat , Sangher Sasithorn , Aree Thammarat , Mahidol Chulabhorn , Ruchirawat Somsak , Kittakoop Prasat
Published: February 2014

A new concept of catalysts which are prepared from renewable materials is demonstrated for the synthesis of coumarins and chromenes.
Enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution over micro-SiC by coupling with CdS under visible light irradiation
Authors: Peng Yuan , Guo Zhongnan , Yang Jingjing , Wang Da , Yuan Wenxia
Published: February 2014

Fine-tuning surface activation of the micro-SiC catalyst via hybridizing a suitable amount of CdS to obtain effective surface active sites.
Dopamine amperometric detection at a ferrocene clicked PEDOT:PSS coated electrode
Authors: Scavetta E. , Mazzoni R. , Mariani F. , Margutta R. G. , Bonfiglio A. , Demelas M. , Fiorilli S. , Marzocchi M. , Fraboni B.
Published: February 2014

An amperometric sensor based on an ITO electrode coated with ferrocene clicked PEDOT:PSS is described and the electrocatalytical performance of the device towards dopamine is assessed.
Artificial neural network‐based discrete‐fuzzy logic controlled active power filter
Authors: Saribulut Lütfü , Teke Ahmet , Tümay Mehmet
Published: February 2014

Artificial neural network (ANN) is a computational algorithm based on the structure and functions of biological neural networks. It is used for modelling of the non‐linear systems that cannot be mathematically expressed by the formula and extraction of the system dynamics, expressed by using the complex mathematical equations, such as harmonics. To show the effective usage of ANNs in the power system, the fundamental harmonic of a load with six‐pulse thyristor controlled rectifier is extracted with ANN by using the system variables that are difficult to express with each other. Then, a new approach is proposed to generate the reference signal for compensating the harmonics of the current by using discrete fuzzy logic in this study. In addition, a simple and useful method to determine the circuit parameters of the active power filter (APF) is proposed to reduce the rating of the required filter and the capacitor values without affecting its efficiency. Case studies are performed to test the performance of the proposed control algorithm for APF.
Simplistic approach for water vapour sensing using a standalone global positioning system receiver
Authors: Das Saurabh , Majumder Souvik , Chakraborty Rohit , Maitra Animesh
Published: February 2014

Precipitable water vapour (PWV) is an important input for numerical weather prediction model, meteorology and high‐precision navigational applications. Conventional methods for the determination of PWV using radiosonde are not sufficient owing to poor temporal resolution, whereas radiometer‐derived PWV is reliable only in fair weather conditions. Global positioning system (GPS) is a very useful and cost‐effective tool to determine PWV continuously in all weather conditions. The processing of GPS data to extract the PWV information is, however, very complicated due to very small effect of the PWV (∼0.5% of total delay) on GPS frequencies than other sources of delay and errors and requires a network of GPS in differential configuration for such purpose. The authors show how the problem can be handled in a standalone dual‐frequency GPS receiver in a relatively less complicated manner with reasonable accuracy. The performances of different dry tropospheric delay models are also investigated. The methodology is tested with GPS measurements at Kolkata (22.57°N, 88.37°E) and Bangalore (13.01°N, 77.5°E). The results indicate that the proposed methodology can be implemented for PWV estimation using single GPS receiver with satisfactory performance.
Self-consistent determination of the bridge function for simple fluids with the Lennard-Jones potential
Authors: Bomont J. M. , Jakse N. , Bretonnet J. L.
Published: February 2014

A new modified hypernetted-chain integral equation for simple fluids is proposed in order to extract the bridge function by means of an iterative and self-consistent process based on the renormalization of the indirect correlation function. We have tested the method for pure Lennard-Jones potential, and our results are compared to those obtained with classical parametrized bridge functions as well as Monte Carlo simulation. It is a matter of fact that the role of the renormalization of the indirect correlation function is to improve the behavior of the bridge function all over the range of distances. Many states near the triple point and under supercritical conditions have been investigated: at high densities, very good agreement is found for structural quantities and thermodynamic properties as compared to other accurate constructions, whereas at low densities our results reduce to those of the standard integral equations.
Suppression of the coherent charge oscillations in coupled quantum wells by an in-plane magnetic field
Authors: Raichev O. E.
Published: February 2014

A magnetic field H applied parallel to the layers of a double-quantum-well system (DQWs) modifies the energy spectrum of the electrons, giving rise to a suppression of tunnel coupling of the electron states. Damping of the coherent charge oscillations in DQWs due to this effect is considered theoretically. A significant damping appears at H>H0, where H0∼1 T for typical parameters of the DQWs and excitation pulse. Two regimes of the damping are described: a small magnetic field (H∼H0) modifies both the amplitude and temporal evolution of the electron density, while a high field (H≫H0) suppresses the amplitude, but has no effect on the temporal evolution. In this last case, the oscillations show nonharmonic Bessel-like behavior and their period is determined only by the tunnel coupling energy.
Fabrication and mechanical characterization of graphene oxide-reinforced poly (acrylic acid)/gelatin composite hydrogels
Authors: Faghihi Shahab , Gheysour Mahsa , Karimi Alireza , Salarian Reza
Published: February 2014

Hydrogels have found many practical uses in drug release, wound dressing, and tissue engineering. However, their applications are restricted due to their weak mechanical properties. The role of graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS) as reinforcement agent in poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)/Gelatin (Gel) composite hydrogels is investigated. Composite hydrogels are synthesized by thermal initiated redox polymerization method. Samples are then prepared with 20 and 40 wt. % of PAA, an increasing amount of GONS (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 wt. %), and a constant amount of Gel. Subsequently, cylindrical hydrogel samples are subjected to a series of compression tests in order to measure their elastic modulus, maximum stress and strain. The results exhibit that the addition of GONS increases the Young's modulus and maximum stress of hydrogels significantly as compared with control (0.0 wt. % GONS). The highest Young's modulus is observed for hydrogel with GO (0.2 wt. %)/PAA (20 wt. %), whereas the highest maximum stress is detected for GO (0.2 wt. %)/PAA (40 wt. %) specimen. The addition of higher amounts of GONS leads to a decrease in the maximum stress of the hydrogel GO (0.3 wt. %)/PAA (40 wt. %). No significant differences are detected for the maximum strain among the hydrogel samples, as the amount of GONS increased. These results suggest that the application of GONS could be used to improve mechanical properties of hydrogel materials. This study may provide an alternative for the fabrication of low-cost graphene/polymer composites with enhanced mechanical properties beneficial for tissue engineering applications.