bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion beam driven ion-acoustic waves in a plasma cylinder with negatively charged dust grains
Authors: Sharma Suresh C. , Sharma Kavita , Walia Ritu
Published: July 2012

An ion beam propagating through a magnetized potassium plasma cylinder having negatively charged dust grains drives electrostatic ion-acoustic waves to instability via Cerenkov interaction. The phase velocity of sound wave increases with the relative density of negatively charged dust grains. The unstable wave frequencies and the growth rate increase, with the relative density of negatively charged dust grains. The growth rate of the unstable mode scales as one-third power of the beam density. The real part of frequency of the unstable mode increases with the beam energy and scales as almost the one-half power of the beam energy.
Tuning the surface plasmon on Ag(111) by organic molecules
Authors: Feng Baojie , Qin Huajun , He Jiehui , He Xiaoyue , Cheng Peng , Chen Lan , Wu Kehui
Published: July 2012

The surface plasmon dispersion of Ag(111) tuned by adsorption of F4-TCNQ molecules has been investigated using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. For the pristine Ag(111) film, the surface plasmon energy shows a positive quadratic dispersion. After adsorption of F4-TCNQ, the plasmon energy of Ag decreases significantly and the dispersion switches sign at small q||. The deviation systematically increases with the coverage of F4-TCNQ. These behaviors are explained by charge transfer between the Ag substrate and the molecular gas layer.
A generalization of the dipolar force
Authors: Apostol Marian , Ilie Stelian , Petrut Aurel , Savu Marcel , Toba Stefan
Published: July 2012

The static dipolar force is generalized to time-dependent classical distributions of dipoles and electromagnetic fields. This force may exhibit a remarkable resonance character for induced dipoles, related to the pole structure of the polarizabilities. The resonance phenomenon is illustrated for two macroscopic polarizable bodies, with mutually induced polarizations, using the well-known Lorentz-Drude model for the dielectric response with optical dispersion and a characteristic (resonance) frequency. Specifically, the calculations are performed for distances much longer than the dimension of the bodies (“point-like” bodies), but shorter than the characteristic wavelength (sub-wavelength, stationary, near-field regime). The polarizations are induced via a localized external field acting upon only one body. The force is practically vanishing for distinct substances and acquires a non-vanishing value for identical substances. It falls off as the 7-th power of the distance, being reminiscent of the van der Waals-London force. The conditions of validity of this resonance phenomenon are emphasized. Particular cases corresponding to independent external fields or two isolated, interacting bodies (closed system) are also analyzed, with similar conclusions regarding the resonance character of the force.
Hybrid simulations of metal particle nucleation: A priori and a posteriori analyses of the effects of unresolved scalar interactions on nanoparticle nucleation
Authors: Fager Andrew J. , Liu Jun , Garrick Sean C.
Published: July 2012

The effects of turbulence on nanoparticle nucleation are studied using a combination of fully resolved and large-scale quantities from direct numerical simulations. Growth of these particles is considered by Brownian coagulation. Three simulations are performed using a single Reynolds number and vapor mass fraction. In addition to the direct numerical simulation, we perform hybrid simulations in which fluid, thermal, and scalar transport are fully resolved, while the thermo-chemical variables used in predicting nanoparticle nucleation are filtered. This allows us to elucidate the effects of the unresolved or sub-grid scale (SGS) scalars on the formation of metal particles. The results show that the saturation ratio—representative of the driving force towards particle nucleation—is over-predicted when the SGS interactions are neglected. This results in increased nucleation—particle formation occurs both further upstream and at greater rates. While the SGS interactions act to both increase and decrease particle formation, the tendency to decrease nucleation is dominant.
Admittance spectroscopy study of polymer diodes in small magnetic fields
Authors: Djidjou Thaddee K. , Basel Tek , Rogachev Andrey
Published: July 2012

We performed a systematic study of bipolar and unipolar organic diodes based on the π-conjugated polymer, 2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy) (MEH-PPV), using electronic and magneto-transport measurements with magnetic field in the range 0–180 mT and admittance spectroscopy in the frequency range 1 Hz < f < 10 MHz. The admittance spectra of bipolar devices reveal two relaxation processes with distinct time scales that are influenced by the magnetic field. The slower process, which dominates the device capacitance at f < 10 Hz, is attributed to the trap-assisted monomolecular recombination. The faster process is attributed to the electron-hole bimolecular recombination kinetics. We found that the time scale of this process, τ2, decreases exponentially with the bias voltage. Application of magnetic field, B = 30 mT decreases τ2 by ∼30%. We also found that the magneto-conductance, ΔG(ω,B)/G(ω,0), has a characteristic cutoff frequency that shifts to higher frequencies with increasing bias voltage. In particular, the magnetoconductance at 10 MHz in a bipolar device was measured to be 4.5% at B = 30 mT. For bipolar devices we found that the frequency-dependent response of the device admittance to the small magnetic field is identical to the response of the admittance to a small increase in the bias voltage in zero magnetic field. We also found that the admittance of unipolar diodes does not depend on magnetic field.
Configuration interaction approach to Fermi liquid–Wigner crystal mixed phases in semiconductor nanodumbbells
Authors: Ballester A. , Movilla J. L. , Escartín J. M. , Pi M. , Planelles J.
Published: July 2012

Full configuration interaction calculations demonstrate the existence of mixed correlation phases in truly three-dimensional elongated nanocrystals subject to inhomogeneous spatial confining potentials. In such phases, the electron density behaves like a Fermi liquid in some regions, while, simultaneously, other more dilute regions display the typical quasi-classical Wigner distribution. The present results confirm and strengthen previous local spin-density functional theory predictions [Ballester et al., Phys. Rev. B 82, 115405 (2010)]. Additionally, simulation of the in-plane and z-polarized modes of the absorption spectra reveals the different correlation regimes occurring in these systems.
Giant dielectric response in (Sm1−xNdx)1.5Sr0.5NiO4 ceramics: The intrinsic and extrinsic effects
Authors: Jia Bo Wen , Yang Wen Zhi , Liu Xiao Qiang , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: July 2012

(Sm1−xNdx)1.5Sr0.5NiO4 solid solution ceramics with K2NiF4-type structure have been synthesized in the entire range of 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.8. All compositions can form the single orthorhombic phase in a space group of Bmab (64). With increasing x, the crystal structure has a tendency of transforming from orthorhombic to tetragonal phase, and this transformation should be related to the average radius of ions in K-site. The relationships between the low temperature dielectric relaxations and the adiabatic small polaronic hopping processes in all compositions are confirmed. Because of the inhomogeneity and fluctuation of the constituent and structure, the dielectric relaxations above room temperature are originated from extrinsic Maxwell-Wagner effect in the compositions with x = 0.4, and 0.6. The low-frequency dielectric relaxation observed in the sample of x = 0.8 is attributed to grain boundary effect.
Note: In vivo pH imaging system using luminescent indicator and color camera
Authors: Sakaue Hirotaka , Dan Risako , Shimizu Megumi , Kazama Haruko
Published: July 2012

Microscopic in vivo pH imaging system is developed that can capture the luminescent- and color-imaging. The former gives a quantitative measurement of a pH distribution in vivo. The latter captures the structural information that can be overlaid to the pH distribution for correlating the structure of a specimen and its pH distribution. By using a digital color camera, a luminescent image as well as a color image is obtained. The system uses HPTS (8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonate) as a luminescent pH indicator for the luminescent imaging. Filter units are mounted in the microscope, which extract two luminescent images for using the excitation-ratio method. A ratio of the two images is converted to a pH distribution through a priori pH calibration. An application of the system to epidermal cells of Lactuca Sativa L is shown.
Phase-matching enhanced ion heating by nonresonant Alfvén waves
Authors: Li Kehua , Gong Xueyu , Lu Xingqiang , Guo Wei , Li Xinxia
Published: July 2012

Heating of ions by two Alfvén waves propagating along an external magnetic field via nonresonant wave-particle interaction in low-β plasmas is studied using test-particle simulation. Due to subcyclotron ion resonance, the heating effect of the left-hand polarized Alfvén wave pair is 10% greater than that of the right-hand polarized pair. The results show that the perpendicular and parallel (to the external magnetic field) temperatures, as well as the parallel fluid velocity, vary sinusoidally with the phase difference. Furthermore, the magnitude of the oscillations decreases with the ratio of the frequencies of the two waves. When the frequency ratio reaches above 2, the effect of the phase difference vanishes.
Simulation study on the translocation of a partially charged polymer through a nanopore
Authors: Qian Hong , Sun Li-Zhen , Luo Meng-Bo
Published: July 2012

The translocation of a partially charged polymer through a neutral nanopore under external electrical field is studied by using dynamic Monte Carlo method on a simple cubic lattice. One monomer in the polymer is charged and it suffers a driving force when it locates inside the pore. Two time scales, mean first passage time τFP with the first monomer restricted to never draw back into cis side and translocation time τ for polymer continuously threading through nanopore, are calculated. The first passage time τFP decreases with the increase in the driving force f, and the dependence of τFP on the position of charged monomer M is in agreement with the theoretical results using Fokker-Planck equation [A. Mohan, A. B. Kolomeisky, and M. Pasquali, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 125104 (2008)10.1063/1.2868777]. But the dependence of τ on M shows a different behavior: It increases with f for M < N/2 with N the polymer length. The novel behavior of τ is explained qualitatively from dynamics of polymer during the translocation process and from the free energy landscape.
Droplet based microfluidic fabrication of designer microparticles for encapsulation applications
Authors: Kong Tiantian , Wu Jun , To Michael , Wai Kwok Yeung Kelvin , Cheung Shum Ho , Wang Liqiu
Published: July 2012

Developing carriers of active ingredients with pre-determined release kinetics is a main challenge in the field of controlled release. In this work, we fabricate designer microparticles as carriers of active ingredients using droplet microfluidics. We show that monodisperse droplet templates do not necessarily produce monodisperse particles. Magnetic stirring, which is often used to enhance the droplet solidification rate, can promote breakup of the resultant microparticles into fragments; with an increase in the stirring time, microparticles become smaller in average size and more irregular in shape. Thus, the droplet solidification conditions affect the size, size distribution and morphology of the fabricated particles, and these attributes of the microparticles strongly influence their release kinetics. The smaller the average size of the microparticles is, the higher the initial release rate is. The release kinetics of drug carriers is strongly related to their characteristics. The understanding of this relationship enables the fabrication of tailor-designed carriers with a specified release rate, and even programmed release to meet the needs of applications that require a complex release profile of the active ingredients.
Ultra-low resistance ohmic contacts to GaN with high Si doping concentrations grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Afroz Faria Faiza , Guo Jia , Zhao Pei , Li Guowang , Kumar Kandaswamy Prem , Wistey Mark , (Grace) Xing Huili , Jena Debdeep
Published: July 2012

Ti/Al/Ni/Au ohmic contacts were formed on heavily doped n+ metal-polar GaN samples with various Si doping concentrations grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The contact resistivity (RC) and sheet resistance (Rsh) as a function of corresponding GaN free carrier concentration (n) were measured. Very low RC values (<0.09 Ω mm) were obtained, with a minimum RC of 0.035 Ω mm on a sample with a room temperature carrier concentration of ∼5 × 1019 cm−3. Based on the systematic study, the role of RC and Rsh is discussed in the context of regrown n+ GaN ohmic contacts for GaN based high electron mobility transistors.
Controllable spin-glass behavior and large magnetocaloric effect in Gd-Ni-Al bulk metallic glasses
Authors: Yuan Fang , Du Juan , Shen Baolong
Published: July 2012

Glass-forming ability, spin-glass (SG) behavior, and magnetocaloric effect in Gd55NixAl45-x (x = 15, 20, 25, 30) metallic alloys were investigated. A ferromagnetic SG behavior was observed for glassy ribbons with compositions of x = 15, 20, and 25, but it disappeared for that of x = 30. Furthermore, the maximum magnetic entropy change (−ΔSmmax) increased with the increasing Ni/Al-ratio while the decrease of full width at half −ΔSmmax was almost negligible. Accordingly, −ΔSmmax of 9.25 J kg−1 K−1, adiabatic temperature change of 4.3 K and refrigeration capacity of 851 J kg−1 under 50 kOe were obtained for Gd55Ni30Al15 glassy alloy.
Suppression of electric and magnetic fluctuations and improvement of confinement due to current profile modification by biased electrode in Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics tokamak
Authors: Basu Debjyoti , Pal Rabindranath , Ghosh Joydeep , Chattopadhyay Prabal K.
Published: July 2012

Improvement of plasma confinement is achieved in normal qa discharges of SINP-tokamak by introducing a biased electrode inside the last closed flux surface. All the important features of high confinement mode are observed biasing the electrode negatively with respect to the vacuum vessel. Arrays of electric and magnetic probes introduced in the edge plasma region reveal suppression of electric and magnetic fluctuations over distinct frequency ranges as well as modification of the toroidal current profile due to biasing. Further analysis identifies the electrostatic fluctuations to be due to drift mode and the magnetic fluctuations may be of slow compressional Alfven waves. Both get suppressed due to current profile modification during biasing, hence leading to the improvement of plasma confinement.
Monolithic integration of fine cylindrical glass microcapillaries on silicon for electrophoretic separation of biomolecules
Authors: Cao Zhen , Ren Kangning , Wu Hongkai , Yobas Levent
Published: July 2012

We demonstrate monolithic integration of fine cylindrical glass microcapillaries (diameter ∼1 μm) on silicon and evaluate their performance for electrophoretic separation of biomolecules. Such microcapillaries are achieved through thermal reflow of a glass layer on microstructured silicon whereby slender voids are moulded into cylindrical tubes. The process allows self-enclosed microcapillaries with a uniform profile. A simplified method is also described to integrate the microcapillaries with a sample-injection cross without the requirement of glass etching. The 10-mm-long microcapillaries sustain field intensities up to 90 kV/m and limit the temperature excursions due to Joule heating to a few degrees Celsius only.
Plasma penetration of the dayside magnetopause
Authors: Gunell H. , Nilsson H. , Stenberg G. , Hamrin M. , Karlsson T. , Maggiolo R. , André M. , Lundin R. , Dandouras I.
Published: July 2012

Data from the Cluster spacecraft during their magnetopause crossing on 25 January 2002 are presented. The magnetopause was in a state of slow non-oscillatory motion during the observational period. Coherent structures of magnetosheath plasma, here typified as plasmoids, were seen on closed magnetic field lines on the inside of the magnetopause. Using simultaneous measurements on two spacecraft, the inward motion of the plasmoids is followed from one spacecraft to the next, and it is found to be in agreement with the measured ion velocity. The plasma characteristics and the direction of motion of the plasmoids show that they have penetrated the magnetopause, and the observations are consistent with the concept of impulsive penetration, as it is known from theory, simulations, and laboratory experiments. The mean flux across the magnetopause observed was 0.2%–0.5% of the solar wind flux at the time, and the peak values of the flux inside the plasmoids reached approximately 20% of the solar wind flux.
Dam Removal Increases American Eel Abundance in Distant Headwater Streams
Authors: Hitt Nathaniel P. , Eyler Sheila , Wofford John E. B.
Published: July 2012

American eel Anguilla rostrata abundances have undergone significant declines over the last 50 years, and migration barriers have been recognized as a contributing cause. We evaluated eel abundances in headwater streams of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, to compare sites before and after the removal of a large downstream dam in 2004 (Embrey Dam, Rappahannock River). Eel abundances in headwater streams increased significantly after the removal of Embrey Dam. Observed eel abundances after dam removal exceeded predictions derived from autoregressive models parameterized with data prior to dam removal. Mann–Kendall analyses also revealed consistent increases in eel abundances from 2004 to 2010 but inconsistent temporal trends before dam removal. Increasing eel numbers could not be attributed to changes in local physical habitat (i.e., mean stream depth or substrate size) or regional population dynamics (i.e., abundances in Maryland streams or Virginia estuaries). Dam removal was associated with decreasing minimum eel lengths in headwater streams, suggesting that the dam previously impeded migration of many small‐bodied individuals (<300 mm TL). We hypothesize that restoring connectivity to headwater streams could increase eel population growth rates by increasing female eel numbers and fecundity. This study demonstrated that dams may influence eel abundances in headwater streams up to 150 river kilometers distant, and that dam removal may provide benefits for eel management and conservation at the landscape scale.
Comparison of Radiotelemetry and Microsatellites for Determining the Origin of Yukon River Chinook Salmon
Authors: Flannery Blair G. , Crane Penny A. , Eiler John H. , Beacham Terry D. , Decovich Nick A. , Templin William D. , Schlei Ora L. , Wenburg John K.
Published: July 2012

Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha support important subsistence and commercial fisheries throughout the Yukon River. Low returns and diverse user groups have made management of these fisheries contentious and have necessitated information on the origin of the spawning migration and harvest. Here we compare estimates of individual assignment and stock composition derived from genetic and radiotelemetry data collected from the same Chinook salmon. Radiotelemetry and genetic individual assignments were highly concordant. Agreement between methods for individual assignment was 79% to region and 93% to country when using the most probable genetic criterion, improving to 94% for region and 98% for country when using the ≥95% probability genetic criterion; however, under the more stringent criterion, fewer individuals could be assigned. Further analysis showed that estimates of stock composition based on radiotelemetry and genetic methods were within 6% of each other and were not significantly different. The concordance between estimates of individual assignment and stock composition from the radiotelemetry and genetic methods indicates that both methods are credible tools for fishery assessment of Yukon River Chinook salmon.

Received October 14, 2011; accepted April 17, 2012
Differences in Paddlefish Populations among Impoundments of the Arkansas River, Arkansas
Authors: Leone Frank J. , Stoeckel Joseph N. , Quinn Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2012

Most large rivers within the range of paddlefish Polyodon spathula are fragmented by dams. However, little research has been done to determine if population characteristics (e.g., growth, mortality, density) vary among impoundments within river systems and how this may influence the risk of overfishing. Population characteristics and the potential for commercial overfishing were assessed for paddlefish in three impoundments of the Arkansas River, Arkansas (Pool 13, Ozark Lake, and Lake Dardanelle). Paddlefish (n = 751) were collected with gill nets from November 2003 to March 2005. Paddlefish from the most lentic and most heavily fished pool, Lake Dardanelle, had the lowest catch rate, grew fastest, and had the highest mean condition factor, weight, fecundity, and total annual mortality (67%). In contrast, paddlefish from the most lotic impoundment that was less intensively fished, Pool 13, had the highest catch rate, slowest growth, and the lowest mean condition, weight, fecundity, and total annual mortality (53%). The Lake Dardanelle paddlefish fishery appeared to show signs of commercial overfishing when managed with a 914-mm eye fork length minimum length limit and a 151-d season. Beverton–Holt population simulations modeled by impoundment indicated Lake Dardanelle was more sensitive to overfishing than the other pools. Although there was limited movement among pools, results of this study indicate that population characteristics vary among the three adjacent impoundments on the Arkansas River and that they should be managed as separate management units.

Received November 15, 2011; accepted April 13, 2012
Preliminary Study of Trap Bycatch in the Gulf of Maine's Northern Shrimp Fishery
Authors: Moffett Cinamon , Chen Yong , Hunter Margaret
Published: July 2012

Shrimp are one of the most economically valued and internationally traded fisheries products in the world, but there are persistent concerns over the environmental impact of shrimp fisheries, particularly the bycatch. In the Gulf of Maine (GOM), the northern shrimp Pandalus borealis are fished by two types of gear–trawls and traps. Bycatch rates for the trawl fishery were studied previously, but little has been documented for the trap fishery. In this study, onboard observers quantified bycatch on several trap boats along the central coast of Maine during the 2010 and 2011 fishing seasons (i.e., winter). This study found that the average bycatch level for Maine's northern shrimp trap fishery for the areas covered in the study was 1.21% in 2010 and 1.11% in 2011 by weight of landed catch. Although bycatch level and bycatch species composition varied on both temporal and spatial scales, the level of bycatch involved with the GOM's northern trap shrimp fishery was low compared with the global wild-caught shrimp fisheries. This study adds evidence of the low ecosystem impact of sustainably harvested coldwater trap-caught shrimp. Additional samples are needed for a complete understanding of bycatch levels on both temporal and spatial scales in Maine's northern shrimp trap fishery.

Received June 23, 2011; accepted April 19, 2012
SpliceSeq: a resource for analysis and visualization of RNA-Seq data on alternative splicing and its functional impacts
Authors: Ryan Michael C. , Cleland James , Kim RyangGuk , Wong Wing Chung , Weinstein John N.
Published: July 2012

Summary: SpliceSeq is a resource for RNA-Seq data that provides a clear view of alternative splicing and identifies potential functional changes that result from splice variation. It displays intuitive visualizations and prioritized lists of results that highlight splicing events and their biological consequences. SpliceSeq unambiguously aligns reads to gene splice graphs, facilitating accurate analysis of large, complex transcript variants that cannot be adequately represented in other formats.

Availability and implementation: SpliceSeq is freely available at http://bioinformatics.mdanderson.org/main/SpliceSeq:Overview. The application is a Java program that can be launched via a browser or installed locally. Local installation requires MySQL and Bowtie.

Contact:  mryan@insilico.us.com

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Discriminative local subspaces in gene expression data for effective gene function prediction
Authors: Puelma Tomas , Gutiérrez Rodrigo A. , Soto Alvaro
Published: July 2012

Motivation: Massive amounts of genome-wide gene expression data have become available, motivating the development of computational approaches that leverage this information to predict gene function. Among successful approaches, supervised machine learning methods, such as Support Vector Machines (SVMs), have shown superior prediction accuracy. However, these methods lack the simple biological intuition provided by co-expression networks (CNs), limiting their practical usefulness.

Results: In this work, we present Discriminative Local Subspaces (DLS), a novel method that combines supervised machine learning and co-expression techniques with the goal of systematically predict genes involved in specific biological processes of interest. Unlike traditional CNs, DLS uses the knowledge available in Gene Ontology (GO) to generate informative training sets that guide the discovery of expression signatures: expression patterns that are discriminative for genes involved in the biological process of interest. By linking genes co-expressed with these signatures, DLS is able to construct a discriminative CN that links both, known and previously uncharacterized genes, for the selected biological process. This article focuses on the algorithm behind DLS and shows its predictive power using an Arabidopsis thaliana dataset and a representative set of 101 GO terms from the Biological Process Ontology. Our results show that DLS has a superior average accuracy than both SVMs and CNs. Thus, DLS is able to provide the prediction accuracy of supervised learning methods while maintaining the intuitive understanding of CNs.

Availability: A MATLAB® implementation of DLS is available at http://virtualplant.bio.puc.cl/cgi-bin/Lab/tools.cgi

Contact:  tfpuelma@uc.cl

Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at http://bioinformatics.mpimp-golm.mpg.de/.
Dysnatraemia in heart failure
Authors: Deubner Nikolas , Berliner Dominik , Frey Anna , Güder Gülmisal , Brenner Susanne , Fenske Wiebke , Allolio Bruno , Ertl Georg , Angermann Christiane E. , Störk Stefan
Published: July 2012

Aims

To investigate in detail the correlates of dysnatremia, and to estimate its differential prognostic relevance in patients with heart failure with reduced or preserved LVEF.

Background

Hyponatraemia has been shown to carry important prognostic information in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, exact serum sodium cut‐off levels are not defined and the implications for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF‐pEF) are unclear. The prognostic value of hypernatraemia has not been investigated systematically. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate in detail the correlates of dysnatraemia, and to estimate its differential prognostic relevance in patients with heart failure with reduced or preserved LVEF.

Methods and results

One thousand consecutive patients with heart failure of any cause and severity from the Würzburg Interdisciplinary Network for Heart Failure registry were included. Non‐linear models for the association between serum sodium and mortality risk were calculated using restricted cubic splines and Cox proportional hazard regression. Median follow‐up time for survivors was 5.1 years.

Results

Independent correlates of dysnatraemia included guideline‐recommended medication for chronic heart failure, indicators of renal function, and reverse associations with established cardiac risk factors. Overall mortality was 56%. Both hyponatraemia (n = 72) and hypernatraemia (n = 98) were associated with a significantly increased mortality risk: hazard ratio (HR) 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60–2.77; and HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.49–2.45, respectively. A U‐shaped association of serum sodium with mortality risk was found. Prognosis was best for patients with high normal sodium levels, i.e. 140–145 mmol/L.

Conclusions

Both hypo‐ and hypernatraemia indicate a markedly compromised prognosis in heart failure regardless of LVEF. Sodium levels within the reference range carry differential information on survival, with serum levels of 135–139 mmol/L indicating an increased mortality risk.
Phospholamban R14del mutation in patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: evidence supporting the concept of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
Authors: van der Zwaag Paul A. , van Rijsingen Ingrid A.W. , Asimaki Angeliki , Jongbloed Jan D.H. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Wiesfeld Ans C.P. , Cox Moniek G.P.J. , van Lochem Laura T. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Hofstra Robert M.W. , Christiaans Imke , van Spaendonck‐Zwarts Karin Y. , Lekanne dit Deprez Ronald H. , Judge Daniel P. , Calkins Hugh , Suurmeijer Albert J.H. , Hauer Richard N.W. , Saffitz Jeffrey E. , Wilde Arthur A.M. , van den Berg Maarten P. , van Tintelen J. Peter
Published: July 2012

Aims

To investigate whether phospholamban gene (PLN) mutations underlie patients diagnosed with either arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods and results

We screened a cohort of 97 ARVC and 257 DCM unrelated index patients for PLN mutations and evaluated their clinical characteristics. PLN mutation R14del was identified in 12 (12 %) ARVC patients and in 39 (15 %) DCM patients. Haplotype analysis revealed a common founder, estimated to be between 575 and 825 years old. A low voltage electrocardiogram was present in 46 % of R14del carriers. Compared with R14del– DCM patients, R14del+ DCM patients more often demonstrated appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator discharge (47 % vs. 10 %, P < 0.001), cardiac transplantation (18 % vs. 2 %, P < 0.001), and a family history for sudden cardiac death (SCD) at < 50 years (36 % vs. 16 %, P = 0.007). We observed a similar pattern in the ARVC patients although this was not statistically significant. The average age of 26 family members who died of SCD was 37.7 years. Immunohistochemistry in available myocardial samples revealed absent/depressed plakoglobin levels at intercalated disks in five of seven (71 %) R14del+ ARVC samples, but in only one of nine (11 %) R14del+ DCM samples (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The PLN R14del founder mutation is present in a substantial number of patients clinically diagnosed with DCM or ARVC. R14del+ patients diagnosed with DCM showed an arrhythmogenic phenotype, and SCD at young age can be the presenting symptom. These findings support the concept of ‘arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy’.
Lysinimonas soli gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from soil, and reclassification of

Leifsonia kribbensis

Dastager et al. 2009 as Lysinimonas kribbensis sp. nov., comb. nov.
Authors: Jang Yun-Hee , Kim Soo-Jin , Tamura Tomohiko , Hamada Moriyuki , Weon Hang-Yeon , Suzuki Ken-ichiro , Kwon Soon-Wo , Kim Wan-Gyu
Published: July 2012

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile rod, designated strain SGM3-12T, was isolated from paddy soil in Suwon, Republic of Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strain represented a novel member of the family

Microbacteriaceae

. The nearest phylogenetic neighbour was

Leifsonia kribbensis

MSL-13T (97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Strain SGM3-12T and

Leifsonia kribbensis

MSL-13T formed a distinct cluster within the family

Microbacteriaceae

. Strain SGM3-12T contained MK-12(H2) and MK-11(H2) as the predominant menaquinones with moderate amounts of MK-12 and MK-11; anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of total); and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipids as the polar lipids. The peptidoglycan type of the isolate was B1δ with l-Lys as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid. On the basis of these results, strain SGM3-12T represents a novel species within a new genus, for which the name Lysinimonas soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (the type strain of the type species is SGM3-12T = KACC 13362T = NBRC 107106T). It is also proposed that

Leifsonia kribbensis

be transferred to this genus as Lysinimonas kribbensis comb. nov. (the type strain is MSL-13T = DSM 19272T = JCM 16015T = KACC 21108T = KCTC 19267T).
A Ubiquitin Ligase of Symbiosis Receptor Kinase Involved in Nodule Organogenesis
Authors: Yuan Songli , Zhu Hui , Gou Honglan , Fu Weiwei , Liu Lijing , Chen Tao , Ke Danxia , Kang Heng , Xie Qi , Hong Zonglie , Zhang Zhongming
Published: July 2012

The symbiosis receptor kinase (SymRK) is required for morphological changes of legume root hairs triggered by rhizobial infection. How protein turnover of SymRK is regulated and how the nodulation factor signals are transduced downstream of SymRK are not known. In this report, a SymRK-interacting E3 ubiquitin ligase (SIE3) was shown to bind and ubiquitinate SymRK. The SIE3-SymRK interaction and the ubiquitination of SymRK were shown to occur in vitro and in planta. SIE3 represents a new class of plant-specific E3 ligases that contain a unique pattern of the conserved CTLH (for C-terminal to LisH), CRA (for CT11-RanBPM), and RING (for Really Interesting New Gene) domains. Expression of SIE3 was detected in all tested tissues of Lotus japonicus plants, and its transcript level in roots was enhanced by rhizobial infection. The SIE3 protein was localized to multiple subcellular locations including the nuclei and plasma membrane, where the SIE3-SymRK interaction took place. Overexpression of SIE3 promoted nodulation in transgenic hairy roots, whereas downregulation of SIE3 transcripts by RNA interference inhibited infection thread development and nodule organogenesis. These results suggest that SIE3 represents a new class of E3 ubiquitin ligase, acts as a regulator of SymRK, and is involved in rhizobial infection and nodulation in L. japonicus.
Multiple entity farms: a growing and challenging phenomenon
Authors: Featherstone Allen M. , Wood Mark A. , Herbel Kevin L. , Langemeier Michael R.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Understanding complex farming organizations is important in the USA given the rapid consolidation of the agricultural production sector. Multiple entity farms arise from a desire to enhance the ability to transfer the farm from one generation to the next, a desire to affect tax liability, and a desire to affect legal liability. To determine the extent of the multiple entity phenomena and the complications that multiple entities can cause in data collection, the purpose of this article is to address the importance of multiple entities in Kansas.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of reasons leading to additional organizational complexity are discussed. Two case farms are presented to understand the depth of the complexity and how that complexity has implications for data collection.

Findings

The number of multiple entity farms is expected to continue to increase. Obtaining data through the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) will become more difficult as production agriculture increases the use of multiple entities. ARMS must reconsider how multiple entity organizations are handled. Possible solutions include an alternative system for data collection of multiple entity farms. Documenting the prevalence of multiple entity organizations in the production sector and tracing through how those organizations are currently handled is critical to understanding potential impacts on the current data collected.

Originality/value

The National Research Council completed a review of ARMS that addressed challenges in keeping the survey relevant into the future. However, research that examines the construction of financial statements and other information had not been conducted since the early 1990s. This study fills part of that gap.
Keeping ARMS relevant: increasing its usability
Authors: Blank Steven C. , Klinefelter Danny
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) conducted annually by the USDA's Economic Research Service collects data on US agriculture, ranging from production practices to the financial condition of farm and ranch enterprises and the farm household. The purpose of this article is to consider what could make ARMS useful from a farmer's point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi method is used to gather input from a panel of experts.

Findings

Results show that increasing the usability of the ARMS to agricultural producers involves expanding the content and relevance of the data collected. Specific types of data needed are identified. Also, recommendations are made concerning how the usefulness and relevance of the data could be increased by refining the sample frame. Finally, it is argued here that after making some adjustments to the ARMS sample frame to create nationally representative data, the ARMS project could serve as a hugely important basis for reporting economic performance levels for American agriculture.

Originality/value

This study offers insights from agricultural finance experts on how the ARMS could be improved to expand the quality and usefulness of its output for both professionals and agricultural producers.
Keeping ARMS relevant: extracting additional information from ARMS
Authors: Featherstone Allen M. , Park Timothy A. , Weber Jeremy G.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss opportunities to obtain more information from the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). Specifically, the paper will explore the issue of survey nonresponse, the development of pseudo panels, and more frequent updating of cost of production data on an enterprise basis.\

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers from the Land Grant University System and the Economic Research Service have relied on ARMS to evaluate the effect of agricultural, macroeconomic, and other factors on the US farm sector, farm businesses, and the households that manage them. This paper will identify gaps in understanding and proposes approaches to extract additional information from ARMS.

Findings

The relevance of ARMS in the future will depend on the ability to continue to understand potential pitfalls and areas of additional research that can develop new procedures to extract additional information. Three issues which are in need of further study include continuing to examine the issue of non‐response, refining methods to develop pseudo panel data, and examining methods to develop commodity specific financial information between the commodity specific surveys.

Originality/value

The National Research Council completed a review of ARMS to address challenges in keeping the survey relevant into the future. However, research that examines the construction of financial statements and other information had not been conducted since the early 1990s. This study fills part of that gap.
Reporting and usability of ARMS income and balance sheet data
Authors: Wilson Christine A. , Moss Charles B. , Brown D. Scott
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the usability and communication methods of the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) data. Recommendations for improving access and usability are proposed to Economic Research Service (ERS).

Design/methodology/approach

The current methods for accessing the ARMS data are described. Several accounting issues related to the usability of the data are presented. Cost of production issues related to the data are also discussed.

Findings

Recommendations to ERS include: increase efforts to disseminate the ARMS results more widely, make the ARMS web tool easier to access, develop partnerships with universities, increase the value of the web tool by providing more information on the data that are already available, consider the accounting items of extraordinary income, inventory valuations, and nonmonetary income and consider issues related to cost of production items.

Originality/value

By identifying the factors limiting the current use of the ARMS data, changes can be made that may result in wider dissemination and use of the data.
Easy to chew, but hard to swallow – consumer perception of neutrally marinated meat
Authors: Konstantin Nissen Nina , Sandøe Peter , Holm Lotte
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Meat which has been injected or tumbled with water, salt, sugar and other ingredients, has been available on the Danish market for some decades and is now becoming increasingly common. However, it is not known whether this so‐called neutrally marinated meat will be appropriated by consumers in the long term, or will be destined to be a marginal second rate product. The purpose of this paper is to explore the views of consumers on neutrally marinated meat, including acceptance and potential problems for appropriation.

Design/methodology/approach

Four focus group interviews were conducted involving 27 Danish consumers with various socio‐demographic backgrounds.

Findings

The interviewed consumers had very little prior knowledge of neutrally marinated meat, and expressed ambivalent attitudes when introduced to it. They had favourable reactions to its taste, texture and robustness and saw the potentially low price as a positive feature. But they also viewed neutrally marinated meat as unnatural, unauthentic and potentially risky to health. Furthermore, concern was expressed due to the lack of information available to consumers and due to suspicion of unfair prices. The focus group interviews also showed that categorisation of neutrally marinated meat in different social contexts is not settled, underlining a sense of ambivalence among consumers. So, even though neutrally marinated meat is being consumed it is unclear if and when conceptual appropriation will take place.

Originality/value

This study provides a broader perspective on consumer perception of new products than found in conventional sensorial tests, including views on the processing, health aspects, ethical aspects and convenience aspects.
Drivers for innovation in niche pork netchains: a study of United Kingdom, Greece, and Spain
Authors: Nijhoff‐Savvaki Rannia , Trienekens J.H. (Jacques) , Omta S.W.F (Onno)
Published: July 2012

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insight in the set‐up and governance of niche (organic, local and/or regional) pork supply chains and networks (netchains) in the UK, Greece, and Spain, characterized by societal embeddedness and differentiation in food production.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consists of 29 expert interviews; it compares the different types of netchain innovation trajectories and concludes on each innovation driver and barrier what lessons can be learnt.

Findings

The findings clearly demonstrate the influence of the institutional setting on these netchains; whereas in the UK there is a clear focus on operational excellence and leadership, both in Greece and Spain the focus is on preservation of tradition and culture.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides directions for further research based on the conclusion that for niche pork netchains to enjoy market growth, effective netchain driven learning structures are needed to catalyze innovation.

Originality/value

Although a lot has been written on the adoption of innovations, the combination of the social network theory with innovation adoption theory seems to be absent in the present literature. So whereas normally theory on innovation adoption is looking at adoption of individual innovations, this study is taking a broader perspective by looking at the adoption of a range of innovations on a netchain level.
The configuration of power in vertical relationships in the food supply chain in the Canary Islands
Authors: Angeles Sanfiel‐Fumero María , Martín Ramos‐Dominguez Ángel , Ramón Oreja‐Rodríguez Juan
Published: July 2012

Purpose

Today's environment imposes traceability compliance on food firms. Power within the interorganisational relationships in the food supply chain may hinder the integration necessary for that traceability to be effective. The purpose of the present study is to define the configuration of power in food industry‐distribution relationships from the food industry perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The variables of power configuration considered in this study have been classified as mediated and non‐mediated power sources, in accordance with the criteria used by French and Raven. The Rasch model employed in the treatment of the values given by the food industries to the construct perceived power (mediated and non‐mediated power sources) permit a unidimensional measurement of that construct. Thus, the model estimated using this methodology explains power‐shaping in the food industry‐distribution relationships in the Canary Islands.

Findings

The results obtained are mostly based on the distributors' use of mediated power sources; they describe a situation that does not contribute to a high level of commitment in such relationships, since the negative effects of this type of power do not favour the climate required for the implementation of active traceability.

Research limitations/implications

The data applied in this study were gathered prior to the implementation of traceability as a legal requirement, and consequently it would be advisable and useful to conduct a post‐implementation.

Originality/value

The paper adopts a business management approach, aimed at improving relations in the food supply chain. The methodology employed allows food firms to establish suitable chain integration strategies, facilitating the effective implementation of traceability. The paper presents a conceptual framework and analytical methodology which sustain the present study and subsequent work.
The significance of home cooking within families
Authors: Simmons Dean , Chapman Gwen E.
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore parents' and teens' perspectives on the significance of being able to cook.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, 22 families participated in in‐depth interviews that explored their perspectives on food in the family and the significance of being able to cook. The sample was socio‐economically diverse and drew from one urban and one rural community in British Columbia, Canada.

Findings

The main themes from participants' descriptions of the significance of home cooking were that home cooking gave families control over their food supply, helped them to connect to others, enabled them to explore their own and others' food cultures and, in the case of teens, become more independent.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the familial motivations for home cooking go beyond concerns for health or home economy and would benefit from further exploration.

Practical implications

For food producers and retailers, cooking instructors, dieticians, food scholars and writers, understanding familial motivations for home cooking provides the opportunity to better target family cooks with food products or services, and to encourage increased home cooking as a means to promote healthier, more sustainable diets and socially rich family food practices.

Originality/value

A perceived broad‐based decline in home cooking has received a great deal of attention in the UK and elsewhere. In contrast, this paper describes how participating families really do see value in home cooking—though they place as much emphasis on social, cultural and personal motivations as they do nutritional health.