bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of probiotic yoghurt on symptoms and intestinal microbiota in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Lee Jin , Rheem Sungsue , Yun Bohyun , Ahn Youngjun , Joung Jaeyeon , Lee Suk Jun , Oh Sejong , Chun Taehoon , Rheem Insoo , Yea Hyun Soo , Lim Kwang Sei , Cha Jae Myung , Kim Saehun
Published: February 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of probiotic yoghurt Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in the treatment of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Eighty‐three IBS patients yielded data to be analysed from this 9‐week, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind and randomized trial. The patients consumed either a LGG‐containing probiotic yoghurt (treatment group; n = 44) or a placebo (n = 39) twice daily for 6 weeks. The results indicate that this probiotic yoghurt was effective in alleviating some IBS symptoms and resulted in slight changes in certain gut microbiota. Probiotic yoghurt may represent a treatment for some gastrointestinal disorders.
Ecometabolomics: optimized NMR‐based method
Authors: Rivas‐Ubach Albert , Pérez‐Trujillo Miriam , Sardans Jordi , Gargallo‐Garriga Albert , Parella Teodor , Peñuelas Josep
Published: February 2013

Metabolomics is allowing great advances in biological sciences. Recently, an increasing number of ecological studies are using a metabolomic approach to answer ecological questions (ecometabolomics). Ecometabolomics is becoming a powerful tool which allows following the responses of the metabolome of an organism environmental changes and the comparison of populations. Some Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) protocols have been published for metabolomics analyses oriented to other disciplines such as biomedicine, but there is a lack of a description of a detailed protocol applied to ecological studies.

Here we propose a NMR‐based protocol for ecometabolomic studies that provides an unbiased overview of the metabolome of an organism, including polar and nonpolar metabolites. This protocol is aimed to facilitate the analysis of many samples, as typically required in ecological studies. In addition to NMR fingerprinting, it identifies metabolites for generating metabolic profiles applying strategies of elucidation of small molecules typically used in natural‐product research, and allowing the identification of secondary and unknown metabolites. We also provide a detailed description to obtain the numerical data from the 1H‐NMR spectra needed to perform the statistical analyses.

We tested and optimized this protocol by using two field plant species (Erica multiflora and Quercus ilex) sampled once per season. Both species showed high levels of polar compounds such as sugars and amino acids during the spring, the growing season. E. multiflora was also experimentally submitted to drought and the NMR analyses were sensitive enough to detect some compounds related to the avoidance of water loses.

This protocol has been designed for ecometabolomic studies. It identifies changes in the compositions of metabolites between individuals and detects and identifies biological markers associated with environmental changes.
Parent Praise to 1‐ to 3‐Year‐Olds Predicts Children's Motivational Frameworks 5 Years Later
Authors: Gunderson Elizabeth A. , Gripshover Sarah J. , Romero Carissa , Dweck Carol S. , Goldin‐Meadow Susan , Levine Susan C.
Published: February 2013

In laboratory studies, praising children's effort encourages them to adopt incremental motivational frameworks—they believe ability is malleable, attribute success to hard work, enjoy challenges, and generate strategies for improvement. In contrast, praising children's inherent abilities encourages them to adopt fixed‐ability frameworks. Does the praise parents spontaneously give children at home show the same effects? Although parents' early praise of inherent characteristics was not associated with children's later fixed‐ability frameworks, parents' praise of children's effort at 14–38 months (N = 53) did predict incremental frameworks at 7–8 years, suggesting that causal mechanisms identified in experimental work may be operating in home environments.
Multilevel Mediation: Cumulative Contextual Risk, Maternal Differential Treatment, and Children's Behavior Within Families
Authors: Meunier Jean Christophe , Boyle Michael , O'Connor Thomas G. , Jenkins Jennifer M.
Published: February 2013

This study tests the hypothesis that links between contextual risk and children's outcomes are partially explained by differential parenting. Using multi‐informant measurement and including up to four children per family (Mage = 3.51, SD = 2.38) in a sample of 397 families, indirect effects (through maternal differential parenting: self‐reported and observed) of cumulative contextual risk on four child outcomes were investigated. Cumulative risk was associated with higher levels of differential parenting and, in turn, with higher levels of behavioral problems. Indirect effects were strongest for attentional and social problems but also evident for aggression. The link between differential parenting and outcome was moderated by favoritism, but this was only evident for maternal report and strongest for aggression.
Can an interprofessional education tool improve healthcare professional confidence, knowledge and quality of inpatient diabetes care: a pilot study?
Authors: Herring R. , Pengilley C. , Hopkins H. , Tuthill B. , Patel N. , Nelson C. , Currie A. , Russell‐Jones D. L.
Published: February 2013

Aims

To conduct a pilot study evaluation of an interprofessional education tool that could improve healthcare professional confidence, knowledge and quality of inpatient diabetes care.

Methods

Diabetes specialists designed an education tool for use in the hospital environment to educate qualified pharmacists, nurses, healthcare assistants and junior doctors. The interprofessional learning enabled professionals to learn from and about each other. The education tool was piloted at four hospitals. Diabetes specialists delivered the education programme to 31 healthcare professionals over 8 h either as three individual teaching blocks or a whole day. Healthcare professionals completed a multiple choice questionnaire before and after the education intervention to evaluate acquisition of knowledge. The maximum score was 20. Confidence was evaluated using categorical questions. Diabetes specialists used a clinical audit form before and after the education programme, to evaluate the quality of diabetes care.

Results

Healthcare professional's confidence improved from 58 to 94% (P < 0.05) and knowledge improved from 12.4 ± 0.6 to 15.0 ± 0.6 (mean ± sem, P < 0.05). There was a reduction in management errors from 74 to 44% (P < 0.05) and improvement in appropriate blood glucose monitoring from 67 to 92% (P < 0.05). The number of patients with documented foot assessment improved from15 to 33% (P < 0.05). Improvement in the number of appropriate diabetes referrals and reduction in prescribing errors did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

The education tool improved healthcare professional confidence, knowledge and may improve the quality of inpatient diabetes care.
Recent advances of genome mapping and marker‐assisted selection in aquaculture
Authors: Yue Gen Hua
Published: February 2013

Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector in agriculture. Substantial genetic gains have been achieved in a few cultured species using conventional selective breeding approaches. However, the majority of fish and shellfish species remain in their wild state. Due to the recognition of the enormous potential of marker‐assisted selection (MAS) to speed up genetic gain through early selection, aquaculture scientists have constructed linkage maps in over 40 species and mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) for important traits in over 20 species since the 1990s. Although MAS and genomic selection (GS) have not been widely used in aquaculture, their application in breeding programmes is expected to be a fertile area of research. In this paper, I summarized the recent advances of linkage and QTL mapping, as well as MAS in aquaculture species. I also discussed the potentials of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and GS in aquaculture species.
Performance of regional fisheries management organizations: ecosystem‐based governance of bycatch and discards
Authors: Gilman Eric , Passfield Kelvin , Nakamura Katrina
Published: February 2013

A performance assessment was conducted of regional fisheries management organizations’ (RFMOs’) bycatch governance, one element of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. Obtaining a mean score of 25%, with a 64% CV, collectively the RFMOs have large governance deficits. Individually, there has been mixed progress, with some RFMOs having made substantial progress for some governance elements. There has been nominal progress in gradually transitioning to ecosystem‐based fisheries management: controls largely do not account for broad or multispecies effects of fishing, and cross‐sectoral marine spatial planning is limited. Regional observers collect half of minimum information needed to assess the efficacy of bycatch measures. Over two‐thirds of RFMO‐managed fisheries lack regional observer coverage. International exchange of observers occurs in one‐third of programmes. There is no open access to research‐grade regional observer data. Ecological risk assessments focus on effects of bycatch removals on vulnerable species groups and effects of fishing on vulnerable benthic marine ecosystems. RFMOs largely do not assess or manage cryptic, generally undetectable sources of fishing mortality. Binding measures address about one‐third of bycatch problems. Eighty per cent of measures lack explicit performance standards against which to assess efficacy. Measures are piecemeal, developed without considering potential conflicts across vulnerable groups. RFMOs employ 60% of surveillance methods required to assess compliance. A lack of transparency and limited reporting of inspection effort, identified infractions, enforcement actions and outcomes further limits the ability to assess compliance. Augmented harmonization could help to fill identified deficits.
Is fisheries governance possible?
Authors: Johnsen Jahn P
Published: February 2013

Are there limits to the governability of a fishery? The establishment of a 200 nautical mile economic zone inNorway in 1977 made it possible to change from an open‐access regime to a more closed one. In this process, the former self‐regulatingNorwegian fishing industry, to a large extent, accepted and adapted an explicit, hierarchical form of state‐run governance. However, the process of change did not stop there. Since the turn of the millennium, we have seen the creation of acybernetically organizedfishing industry, where control, regulation and governance have become re‐embedded in the industry. This article explores this radical new development and perspective on fisheries governance and governability based on lessons learned from technological and organizational changes in theNorwegian fishing industry.
Structural analysis of the Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin reveals a domain‐swapping dimeric assembly
Authors: Skamnaki Vassiliki T. , Peumans Willy J. , Kantsadi Anastassia L. , Cubeta Marc A. , Plas Kirsten , Pakala Suman , Zographos Spyridon E. , Smagghe Guy , Nierman William C. , Van Damme Els J. M. , Leonidas Demetres D.
Published: February 2013

Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin (RSA) is a 15.5‐kDa lectin accumulated in the mycelium and sclerotia of the soil born plant pathogenic fungus R. solani. Although it is considered to serve as a storage protein and is implicated in fungal insecticidal activity, its physiological role remains unclear as a result of a lack of any structure/function relationship information. Glycan arrays showed that RSA displays high selectivity towards terminal nonreducing N‐acetylgalactosamine residues. We determined the amino acid sequence of RSA and also determined the crystal structures of the free form and the RSA–N‐acetylgalactosamine complex at 1.6 and 2.2 Å resolution, respectively. RSA is a homodimer comprised of two monomers adopting the β‐trefoil fold. Each monomer accommodates two different carbohydrate‐binding sites in an asymmetric way. Despite RSA topology similarities with R‐type lectins, the two‐monomer assembly involves an N‐terminal swap, thus creating a dimer association novel to R‐type lectins. Structural characterization of the two carbohydrate‐binding sites offers insights on the structural determinants of the RSA carbohydrate specificity.

Database

Structural data have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank database under accession numbers 4G9M and 4G9N.

Structured digital abstract

RSA and RSA bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Voluntary standards, expert knowledge and the governance of sustainability networks
Authors: PONTE STEFANO , CHEYNS EMMANUELLE
Published: February 2013

Products certified according to their environmental and social sustainability are becoming an important feature of production, trade and consumption in the agro‐food sector. ‘Sustainability networks’ are behind the emergence and growth of these new product forms, often evolving into multi‐stakeholder initiatives that establish and manage base codes, standards, certifications and labels. As sustainability moves into the mainstream, understanding the governance of these networks is essential because they partly reshape the structure and characteristics of commodity flows. In this article, we examine the role of expert knowledge and process management in governing two multi‐stakeholder initiatives (the Marine Stewardship Council and the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil) and in shaping their distributional effects. We find that the ability of developing countries, especially small‐scale actors within them, to shape standard setting and management to their advantage depends not only on overcoming important structural differences in endowments and access to resources, but also on more subtle games. These include promoting the enrolment of one expert group or kind of expert knowledge over another, using specific formats of negotiation, and legitimating particular modes of engagement over others.
Forced transnationalism: transnational coping strategies and gendered stigma among Jamaican deportees
Authors: GOLASH‐BOZA TANYA
Published: February 2013

Once forcibly returned to their countries of citizenship, how and why do deportees engage in transnational relationships? Through analyses of 37 interviews with Jamaican deportees, I approach the question of why deportees engage in transnational practices and reveal that deportees use transnational ties as coping strategies to deal with financial and emotional hardship. This reliance on transnational ties, however, has two consequences: (1) male deportees who rely on transnational strategies to survive face a gendered stigma because they must relinquish the provider role and become dependants; and (2) the transnational coping strategies serve as a reminder of the shame, isolation and alienation that deportees experience because of their deportation. This consideration of the consequences of transnational relationships sheds light on why some migrants are transnational and others are not.
Transnational youth transitions: becoming adults between Vancouver and Hong Kong
Authors: TSE JUSTIN K. H. , WATERS JOHANNA L.
Published: February 2013

In the context of the academic interest shown in the enduring transnationalism of contemporary migrants and in the modes of transitions to adulthood in different global settings, in this article we examine the transnational lives of adolescents moving between Vancouver (Canada) and Hong Kong. While there is a lot of literature on the parents' political and economic calculations, there is very little on how adolescents in these situations articulate their geographical sensibilities. We draw on three periods of fieldwork undertaken in 2002, 2008 and 2010 during which we employed a transnational methodology to interview young people in Vancouver and Hong Kong. We argue that becoming an adult involves a process in which, in their discussions about the geographical and emotional distance between themselves and their families, young people articulate their own complex emotions towards specific places in their transnational social field. Their families sporadically interrupt the adolescents' otherwise independent lives with fragmented modes of supervision. By examining the complex intentions and emotions behind circular migration from the perspective of transnational youth in a community of split families, we advance the discussion on transnational geographies, particularly of the family in the context of a flexible global economy.
Memoir/manuals of South Korean pre‐college study abroad: defending mothers and humanizing children
Authors: ABELMANN NANCY , KANG JIYEON
Published: February 2013

In this article, we analyse the memoir/manuals of three ‘goose’ families. These are South Koreans whose children participate in pre‐college study abroad (PSA). One parent (typically the mother) accompanies the child while the other (usually the father) remains at home to support the venture. Although many South Koreans aspire to study abroad, both the mothers and children of goose families have attracted wide criticism – the mothers for being narrowly instrumental and too family centred, worried only about social reproduction and mobility and the children for forsaking their nation, foregoing their filial duties and, perhaps, failing abroad. These memoir/manuals defend the goose mother and protect the PSA child against such charges. As memoirs, they depict remarkable people worthy of documentation. As manuals, they offer (at least some) guidance for mothers and families contemplating this particular family strategy. The memoir/manuals open a window to the challenges and anxieties of PSA in South Korea today.
Health information outreach: a survey of U.S. academic libraries, highlighting a midwestern university's experience
Authors: Duhon Lucy , Jameson Jodi
Published: February 2013

Background and objectives

As a result of their involvement in a campus health fair, the authors of this paper became interested in the extent to which other academic libraries were engaged in health information outreach (HIO). The authors present the results of a nationwide survey they conducted in 2010 and share a specific example of HIO at their own institution.

Methods

The authors conducted an online survey of approximately 1700 U.S. general academic and academic health science libraries with the objective to create a broad picture of HIO activity and its context within patron information‐seeking behavior.

Results

The survey yielded a 21% response rate. Nearly 55% of all respondents indicated that their libraries did not participate in HIO, while 37% indicated that they did. Other responses yielded information on patron usage patterns concerning health information, specific types of HIO that libraries are involved in, and barriers to library involvement in HIO.

Conclusions

As libraries' traditional roles and information delivery methods evolve, librarians must do more to provide services that are relevant and accessible to users. Even as virtual services become more commonplace, librarians involved in HIO should consider also increasing their visibility by collaborating with others on campus.
Bioactivity evaluation of three calcium silicate‐based endodontic materials
Authors: Han L. , Okiji T.
Published: February 2013

Aim

To compare white ProRoot MTA (WMTA), EndoSequence BC sealer (BC sealer) and Biodentine with regard to their ability to produce apatites and cause Ca and Si incorporation in adjacent human root canal dentine after immersion in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS).

Methodology

Root sections of human single‐rooted teeth were filled with one of the materials and immersed in PBS for 1, 7, 30 or 90 days (n = 5 each). Morphology and elemental composition of surface precipitates and interfacial dentine were analysed using a wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy electron probe microanalyser with image observation function. Ca‐ and Si‐incorporation depths in the interfacial dentine were measured. In addition, the amount of Ca ions released from the test materials was measured by EDTA titration.

Results

All materials produced surface precipitates of acicular or lath‐like morphology with Ca/P ratio of 1.6 : 2.0. Within dentinal tubules, the three materials formed tag‐like structures that were frequently composed of Ca‐ and P‐rich and Si‐poor materials, suggesting intratubular precipitation. Ca‐ and Si‐incorporation depths were in the order of Biodentine > WMTA > BC sealer, with a significant difference between BC sealer and the others at several time‐points (P < 0.05, anova and Tukey's honestly significant difference test). The concentration of released Ca ions was in the order of Biodentine > WMTA > BC sealer with significant differences between the materials (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with Biodentine and WMTA, BC sealer showed less Ca ion release and did not show Ca and Si incorporation as deeply in human root canal dentine when immersed in PBS for up to 90 days.
Ex vivo antimicrobial efficacy of strong acid electrolytic water against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm
Authors: Chen X. , Li P. , Wang X. , Gu M. , Zhao C. , Sloan A. J. , Lv H. , Yu Q.
Published: February 2013

Aim

To observe the antimicrobial effect of strong acid electrolytic water (SAEW) against an Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilm when used as a root canal irrigant.

Methodology

The effect of SAEW, sodium hypochlorite (5.25%; NaOCl) and sodium chloride (0.9%; normal saline) on E. faecalis biofilm vitality on coverslips was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Thirty‐five root canals from extracted human teeth were sterilized prior to contamination with E. faecalis for four weeks. Bacterial samples were collected with sterile paper points and plated onto BHI agar plates for 48 h. Root canal walls were observed by scanning electron microscopy before and after instrumentation, together with root canal irrigation with SAEW, NaOCl or normal saline, with or without ultrasonic vibration. Antimicrobial effectiveness was established by counting colony‐forming units and analysed by two‐way anova.

Results

Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that SAEW decreased E. faecalis biofilm vitality, and the proportion of dead bacteria increased in accordance with increasing treatment time. Most bacteria in the biofilms were killed after 10‐min treatment. No significant difference was observed between SAEW and NaOCl groups at the same treatment time (P > 0.05) or in the susceptibility of E. faecalis to SAEW and NaOCl (P > 0.05) in extracted human teeth with or without ultrasonic activation. SAEW and NaOCl were more effective against E. faecalis biofilm than normal saline, and antimicrobial efficacy was significantly enhanced by ultrasonic vibration (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Strong acid electrolytic water effectively killed E. faecalis in a biofilm both on coverslips and in the root canals of extracted human teeth.
Return on investment for workplace training: the Canadian experience
Authors: Percival Jennifer C. , Cozzarin Brian P. , Formaneck Steven D.
Published: February 2013

One of the central problems in managing technological change and maintaining a competitive advantage in business is improving the skills of the workforce through investment in human capital and a variety of training practices. This paper explores the evidence on the impact of training investment on productivity in 14 Canadian industries from 1999 to 2005. Our productivity analysis demonstrates that in 12 out of 14 industries, training had a positive effect on productivity. However, when the analysis is put within a financial context, the return on investment was positive in only four industries. Faced with negative rates of return, why should managers in most of the industries in the study promote investment in training? Probably the best explanation is that new technology requires an investment in training. The investment in training is necessary just for the firm to maintain its current labour productivity. Employee turnover necessarily impedes the efficacy of training, because trained workers leave, and untrained workers arrive. Thus, training in this instance again is necessary just to maintain current labour productivity.
Research on the Discrimination of Marginalized Employees: Fishing in Other Ponds
Authors: Nadler Joel T. , Bartels Lynn K. , Sliter Katherine A. , Stockdale Margaret S. , Lowery Meghan
Published: February 2013

This article extends the assertion by Ruggs et al. (2013) that industrial–organizational (I–O) psychologists have underresearched discrimination against marginalized groups other than African Americans (race-Black) and women. We examined the research published in the top social psychology journals on workplace discrimination with regard to Ruggs et al.'s seven marginalized groups. Restricting the review to I–O journals, as was done by Ruggs et al., may provide a limited view of available research. As research on discrimination against marginalized groups by its nature draws heavily from sociopsychological concepts, such as stereotyping, prejudice, outgroups, and social identity (Landy 2008; Nadler & Stockdale, 2012), it would follow that these outlets may be where such research is being published. Perhaps I–O journals have a stronger preference than social psychology journals for methodologies such as the use of field samples that are difficult for discrimination scholars to use. This preference may possibly lead to higher publication rates of such research in social psychology journals. Without examining both types of journals, the picture of research conducted on discrimination against marginalized groups is incomplete. Thus, the questions we address in this commentary are as follows: Is research on discrimination against marginalized groups being published in top-tier social psychological journals at greater frequency than top-tier I–O journals, and do some marginalized groups (excluding Blacks and women) receive more or less attention in I–O compared to social psychology journals?
The Complexity of Marginalized Identities: The Social Construction of Identities, Multiple Identities, and the Experience of Exclusion
Authors: Shen Winny , Dumani Soner
Published: February 2013

Ruggs et al. (2013) have argued compellingly that industrial–organizational (I–O) psychologists have missed opportunities to understand the experiences of marginalized groups in the workplace, particularly in generating research that will be relevant in the formation of social policies. We fully agree with Ruggs et al.'s assessment of the literature and highlight three important extensions that should be considered when conducting research with marginalized groups: the social construction of identities, the intersection of multiple identities, and the experience of exclusion.
Obesity: Disability or Public Health Crisis?
Authors: Kristl Davison H. , Bing Mark N.
Published: February 2013

In their article, Ruggs, Law, Cox, Roehling, Wiener, Hebl, and Barron (2013) address a number of underresearched groups that are subject to discrimination. We applaud the authors for calling attention to the neglected groups in the study of discrimination. However, it is likely that researchers have neglected some of these groups for practical reasons as the discrimination against these groups is either less intense or less widespread. For example, religious discrimination has accounted for between 2% and 4% of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges, whereas race and sex discrimination together have accounted for approximately 65% of discrimination charges (EEOC, 2012a).
Further Delineation of “Social/Interpersonal Compatibility's” Role in Employability
Authors: Ferris Gerald R. , Summers James K.
Published: February 2013

There has been no more fundamental concept in the field of industrial and organizational (I–O) psychology than “employability,” whereby individuals seek to gain and retain jobs with organizations, and organizations desire to attract and keep quality employees. Indeed, theory, research, and practice in the field continually have sought to identify the best predictors of performance and career success. Expansion of the predictor and criterion domains has been a focus of scholarly and practical concern for at least the past couple of decades, as we have realized that the fundamental nature of work, jobs, and organization have changed considerably in U.S. organizations.
The Meanings of “Imagine” Part I: Constructive Imagination
Authors: Van Leeuwen Neil
Published: February 2013

In this article (Part I), I first clarify what the words “imagine,”“imagining,” and “imagination” can mean. Each has (a) a constructive sense, (b) an attitudinal sense, and (c) an imagistic sense. Keeping the senses straight in the course of cognitive theorizing is important for both psychology and philosophy. I then discuss the roles that perceptual memories, beliefs, and genre truth attitudes play in constructive imagination, or the capacity to generate novel representations that go well beyond what’s prompted by one’s immediate environment.
Near‐Net‐Shaped Porous Ceramics for Potential Sound Absorption Applications at High Temperatures
Authors: Carlesso Mateus , Giacomelli Renan , Günther Stefan , Koch Dietmar , Kroll Stephen , Odenbach Stefan , Rezwan Kurosch
Published: February 2013

We present an interesting processing route for obtaining alumina/mullite‐based ceramics with controlled porosity and airflow resistance leading to promising microstructures for application as sound absorbers. The use of ceramic materials aims for potential applications where high temperatures or corrosive atmospheres are predominant, e.g., in combustion chambers of gas turbines. For the production of the porous ceramics we combined freeze gelation and sacrificial templating processes to produce near‐net‐shaped parts with low shrinkage (<3%) based on environmental‐friendly and low cost conditions. The obtained microstructure presents a bimodal pore size distribution, with small pores derived from the freeze gelation process (~30 μm) connecting large pores (2–5 mm diameter) originated from the expanded polystyrene template particles. These connections, called “windows” in this study, show a significant impact on the sound absorption properties, allowing the pressure diffusion effect to take place, resulting in a significant improvement of the sound absorption coefficient. By varying the template particle content and the slurry solid content, it is possible to control the sound absorption behavior at different frequencies of the open‐celled ceramics. These ceramics feature a high open porosity, from 77% to 82%, combined with sufficient compressive strength ranging from 0.27 to 0.68 MPa and sound absorption coefficients of 0.30–0.99, representing a highly promising combination of properties for noise control and reduction at corrosive environments and high temperatures.
Oxidation and Crack Healing Behavior of a Fine‐GrainedCr2AlCCeramic
Authors: Li Shibo , Xiao Liou , Song Guiming , Wu Xiaomin , Sloof Wim G. , van der Zwaag Sybrand
Published: February 2013

This work reports the oxidation and crack healing behavior of a fine‐grained (~2 μm)Cr2AlCMAXphase ceramic. The oxidation behavior was investigated in the temperature range 900°C–1200°C for times up to 100 h. The material showed a good oxidation resistance, owing to the formation of a dense and thin α‐Al2O3layer. The microstructure, composition and thickness of the oxide scale were characterized. Its oxidative crack healing behavior as a function of temperature, healing time, and initial crack size was studied systematically. The material showed excellent healing behavior. The main crack healing mechanism is the filling of the crack by oxides well adhering to the crack faces. The crack geometry before and after healing was characterized byX‐ray tomography. Three‐point bend tests showed the dependence of strength recovery at 1100°C as a function of initial crack length and healing time.
Synthesis of Potassium Tungsten Bronze Nanosheets by Phase Transformation
Authors: Qin JingFang , Xing YingJie , Zhang GengMin
Published: February 2013

Single‐crystalline potassium tungsten bronze nanosheets were prepared by reducing potassium tungsten oxide nanosheets grown on a W foil. The nanosheets showed no evident shape change before and after reduction. Morphology, structure, and composition analyses revealed that a phase transformation from orthorhombic potassium tungsten oxide to hexagonal potassium tungsten bronze occurred. Better field emission with lower turn‐on field was measured from potassium tungsten bronze nanosheet film. The effects of reduction treatment on field emission performance are discussed.
Formation of Sol–Gel In Situ Derived BTO/NZFO Composite Ceramics with Considerable Dielectric and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Xiao Bin , Dong Yanling , Ma Ning , Du Piyi
Published: February 2013

The BT/NZFO composite ceramics derived by sol–gel in situ process were successfully prepared. The phase composition, morphology, and microstructure of the composite ceramics were determined and observed by X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), SEM, and EDS. Results showed that the Ni–Zn ferrite (NZFO) phase started to grow initially and then the BaTiO3 (BTO) phase grew among the interfaces of NZFO particles at high ferrite content. The observation of microstructure showed that the NZFO phase in large grain size is enwrapped by the BTO phase in small grain size, and the constituent phases existed in the form of solid solutions doped with Fe and Ti, respectively. The densification and microstructure depended on the volume fraction of ferrite (fNZFO). The appropriate sintering temperature was 1280°C–1300°C at which stable phase structure could be obtained for the BTO/NZFO composite. The maximum permittivity could achieve 86 000, and the initial permeability was as high as 162 when the ceramics was loaded with 95% ferrite and sintered at 1300°C for 12 h. The BT/NZFO composite ceramics exhibited impressive dielectric and magnetic properties, making it a potential candidate for wide applications in the integration of electronic devices.
Phase Separation Phenomenon and Mechanism of Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 Powders Prepared Using Chemical Coprecipitation Method
Authors: Chuang Chia‐Che , Hsiang Hsing‐I , Chen Chih‐Cheng , Yen Fu‐Su , Yoshimura Masahiro
Published: February 2013

Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 (C60Z) powders were synthesized using the chemical coprecipitation method to investigate the phase separation mechanism. The phase separation of C60Z powders occurred during the heating step (>1100°C), suggesting that it might be a thermally activated process. The activation energy for the phase separation of C60Z was 398 (±20) kJ/mol and the Avrami parameter was ~1.0, indicating that the phase separation may be interface controlled. We suggested that Zr+4 diffusion played an important role in C60Z phase separation due to the ionic radius of Zr+4 being smaller than that of Ce+4. The C60Z powders tended to aggregate, which induced the driving force for the phase separation resulting from the surface energy difference between the particle surface and the interface. The phase separation behavior of C60Z powders was very similar to the initial stage of sintering. After high‐temperature treatment, more Zr+4 ions diffused to the interface between C60Z particles to lower the surface energy of the system than did Ce+4 ions, which resulted in the composition gradually being changed and phase separation. Therefore, the phase separation of C60Z powders can be effectively decreased by the addition of Al+3, which suppresses aggregation.
Color‐Tunable Up‐Conversion Emission and Infrared Photoluminescence and Dielectric Relaxation of Er3+/Yb3+ Co‐Doped Bi2Ti2O7 Pyrochlore Thin Films
Authors: Zhao Jianxiong , Zhang Qinyuan , Qin Ni , Li Baojun , Bao Dinghua
Published: February 2013

The color‐tunable up‐conversion (UC) emission and infrared photoluminescence and dielectric relaxation of Er3+/Yb3+ co‐doped Bi2Ti2O7 pyrochlore thin films prepared by a chemical solution deposition method have been investigated. The pyrochlore phase structure of Bi2Ti2O7 can be stabilized by Er3+/Yb3+ co‐doping. Intense color‐tunable UC emission and infrared photoluminescence can be detected on the thin films excited by a 980 nm diode laser. Two UC emission bands centered at 548 and 660 nm in the spectra can be assigned to 2H11/2, 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. A Stokes infrared emission centered at 1530 nm is due to 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions. The dependence of UC emission intensity on pumping power indicates that the UC emission of the thin films is a two‐photon process. The thin films also exhibit a relatively high dielectric constant and a low dissipation factor as well as a good bias voltage stability. Temperature‐ and frequency‐dependent dielectric relaxation has been confirmed. This study suggests that Er3+/Yb3+ co‐doped Bi2Ti2O7 thin films can be applied to new multifunctional photoluminescence dielectric thin‐film devices.
Fining Behavior in Alkaline Earth Aluminoborosilicate Melts Doped with As2O5 and SnO2
Authors: Kim Kidong
Published: February 2013

In this work the gas evolution behavior and the fining ability of the alkali‐free alkaline earth aluminoborosilicate glass batches doped with As2O5 or SnO2 were examined, and the redox behavior of As and Sn ion in the corresponding fined melts was investigated by square wave voltammetry. The evolved gas analysis showed a distinct difference at begin temperature of O2 emission and in evolved O2 volume between glass batches doped with As2O5 and SnO2. One peak due to reduction of As5+ to As3+ or Sn4+ to Sn2+ was shown in the voltammograms. Glass batch doped with SnO2 showed better fining in the first fining zone, but batch doped with As2O5 is more excellent in the overall fining inclusive of the second fining. This difference in fining behavior was discussed by combination of O2 evolution from batches and redox ratio in melts. Finally, it was suggested that the earlier oxidation of As ion in the second fining zone contributed to the excellent fining of melts.
Sol–Gel Synthesis of Bioactive Glass‐Ceramic 45S5 and its in vitro Dissolution and Mineralization Behavior
Authors: Pirayesh Hamidreza , Nychka John A.
Published: February 2013

Amorphous bioactive glasses such as 45S5 have been successfully used in bone‐filling therapy in non‐load bearing biomedical applications for decades. In this study, we challenge the predilection to amorphous over crystalline ceramics by investigating the effect of synthesis route on surface texture, in vitro dissolution, and mineral formation on powders produced by sol–gel and glass melt‐casting methods. Many reports have indicated bulk crystalline bioactive glass‐ceramics to be less bioactive than their amorphous counterparts as measured by the onset time for mineral formation. Bioactive glass 45S5 was synthesized using the sol–gel method followed by heat treatment to produce a semi‐crystalline structure and was compared against commercially available amorphous melt‐cast 45S5 powder. Gel‐derived samples were stabilized at 700°C making more than 80% of the structure crystalline. Dissolution of 45S5 glass‐ceramic in powder form(particle diameter 12 μm) was studied by in vitro immersion in simulated body fluid solution for various periods of time. The immersed powders were then analyzed through X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the onset time for surface mineralization, and were compared with the melt‐cast powder as a control. The rates of dissolution and onset time for mineral formation were similar for the gel‐derived powder as compared with the melt‐cast control; it is proposed that the higher surface area of the sol–gel powder overcame the penalty usually associated with lower dissolution rates of crystalline materials, implicating surface texture as a much more important determinant of dissolution and mineralization behavior than mere crystallinity.
Impedance Analysis of Dielectric Nanoparticles Enabled via a Self‐Assembled Monolayer
Authors: Siddabattuni Sasidhar , Schuman Thomas P. , Petrovsky Vladimir , Dogan Fatih
Published: February 2013

Impedance spectroscopy has been shown to be a powerful tool to investigate the dielectric characteristics of powders suspended in suitable liquids. The electrical and dielectrical contributions of different components of the slurry can be extracted from the impedance spectra through measurement of frequency‐dependent relaxations. However, for ferroelectric powders that possess innate surface conductivity, such as BaTiO3, nanoparticles have sufficient conductivity to exclude low‐frequency fields that preclude impedance characterization of the particle core. In this work, the slurry technique is shown to be effective for dielectric characterization of not only micrometer‐sized particles through equivalent circuit modeling but also applicable to nanometer size dielectric particles upon remediating the conductive surface defect. Application of a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) onto the nanoparticle as a surface passivation layer reduces the surface conductivity, stabilizes the nanoparticles to dissolution, and allows a reproducible measurement and modeling of the nanoparticle dielectric characteristics including nanoparticle permittivity. The dielectric permittivity of surface passivated, ~40 nm diameter barium titanate particles was measured to be εr ~ 135.
Divergent and narrower climatic niches characterize polyploid species of European primroses inPrimulasect.Aleuritia
Authors: Theodoridis Spyros , Randin Christophe , Broennimann Olivier , Patsiou Theofania , Conti Elena
Published: February 2013

Aim

It is hypothesized that the ecological niches of polyploids should be both distinct and broader than those of diploids – characteristics that might have allowed the successful colonization of open habitats by polyploids during the Pleistocene glacial cycles. Here, we test these hypotheses by quantifying and comparing the ecological niches and niche breadths of a group of European primroses.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We gathered georeferenced data of four related species inPrimulasect.Aleuritiaat different ploidy levels (diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid and octoploid) and used seven bioclimatic variables to quantify niche overlap between species by applying a series of univariate and multivariate analyses combined with modelling techniques. We also employed permutation‐based tests to evaluate niche similarity between the four species. Niche breadth for each species was evaluated both in the multivariate environmental space and in geographical space.

Results

The four species differed significantly from each other in mono‐dimensional comparisons of climatological variables and occupied distinct habitats in the multi‐dimensional environmental space. The majority of the permutation‐based tests either indicated that the four species differed significantly in their habitat preferences and ecological niches or did not support significant niche similarity. Furthermore, our results revealed narrower niche breadths and geographical ranges in species ofP. sect.Aleuritiaat higher ploidy levels.

Main conclusions

The detected ecological differentiation between the four species ofP. sect.Aleuritiaat different ploidy levels is consistent with the hypothesis that polyploids occupy distinct ecological niches that differ from those of their diploid relative. Contrary to expectations, we find that polyploid species ofP. sect.Aleuritiaoccupy narrower environmental and geographical spaces than their diploid relative. These results on the ecological niches of closely related polyploid and diploid species highlight factors that potentially contribute to the evolution and distribution of polyploid species.
Physician‐Pharmacist Co‐Management and 24‐Hour Blood Pressure Control
Authors: Chen Ziqian , Ernst Michael E. , Ardery Gail , Xu Yinghui , Carter Barry L.
Published: February 2013

The objectives of this study were to compare indices of 24‐hour blood pressure (BP) following a physician‐pharmacist collaborative intervention and to describe the associated changes in antihypertensive medications. This was a secondary analysis of a prospective, cluster‐randomized clinical trial conducted in 6 family medicine clinics randomized to co‐managed (n=3 clinics, 176 patients) or control (n=3 clinics, 198 patients) groups. Mean ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) was significantly lower in the co‐managed vs the control group: daytime BP 122.8 mm Hg vs 134.4 mm Hg (P<.001); nighttime SBP 114.8 mm Hg vs 123.7 mm Hg (P<.001); and 24‐hour SBP 120.4 mm Hg vs 131.8 mm Hg (P<.001), respectively. Significantly more drug changes were made in the co‐managed than in the control group (2.7 vs 1.1 changes per patient, P<.001), and there was greater diuretic use in co‐managed patients (79.6% vs 62.6%, P<.001). Ambulatory BPs were significantly lower for the patients who had a diuretic added during the first month compared with those who never had a diuretic added (P<.01). Physician‐pharmacist co‐management significantly improved ambulatory BP compared with the control group. Antihypertensive drug therapy was intensified much more for patients in the co‐managed group.
Bioluminescence imaging: a shining future for cardiac regeneration
Authors: Roura Santiago , Gálvez‐Montón Carolina , Bayes‐Genis Antoni
Published: February 2013

Advances in bioanalytical techniques have become crucial for both basic research and medical practice. One example, bioluminescence imaging (BLI), is based on the application of natural reactants with light‐emitting capabilities (photoproteins and luciferases) isolated from a widespread group of organisms. The main challenges in cardiac regeneration remain unresolved, but a vast number of studies have harnessed BLI with the discovery of aequorin and green fluorescent proteins. First described in the luminous hydromedusan Aequorea victoria in the early 1960s, bioluminescent proteins have greatly contributed to the design and initiation of ongoing cell‐based clinical trials on cardiovascular diseases. In conjunction with advances in reporter gene technology, BLI provides valuable information about the location and functional status of regenerative cells implanted into numerous animal models of disease. The purpose of this review was to present the great potential of BLI, among other existing imaging modalities, to refine effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of cardiac cell therapy. We recount the first discovery of natural primary compounds with light‐emitting capabilities, and follow their applications to bioanalysis. We also illustrate insights and perspectives on BLI to illuminate current efforts in cardiac regeneration, where the future is bright.