bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fifteen Minutes of Chair-Based Yoga Postures or Guided Meditation Performed in the Office Can Elicit a Relaxation Response
Authors: Melville Geoffrey W. , Chang Dennis , Colagiuri Ben , Marshall Paul W. , Cheema Birinder S.
Published: January 2012

This study compared acute (15 min) yoga posture and guided meditation practice, performed seated in a typical office workspace, on physiological and psychological markers of stress. Twenty participants (39.6±9.5 yr) completed three conditions: yoga, meditation, and control (i.e., usual work) separated by ≥24 hrs. Yoga and meditation significantly reduced perceived stress versus control, and this effect was maintained postintervention. Yoga increased heart rate while meditation reduced heart rate versus control (P<0.05). Respiration rate was reduced during yoga and meditation versus control (P<0.05). Domains of heart rate variability (e.g., SDNN and Total Power) were significantly reduced during control versus yoga and meditation. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced secondary to meditation versus control only (P<0.05). Physiological adaptations generally regressed toward baseline postintervention. In conclusion, yoga postures or meditation performed in the office can acutely improve several physiological and psychological markers of stress. These effects may be at least partially mediated by reduced respiration rate.
The Limbic-Prefrontal Network Modulated by Electroacupuncture at CV4 and CV12
Authors: Fang Jiliang , Wang Xiaoling , Liu Hesheng , Wang Yin , Zhou Kehua , Hong Yang , Liu Jun , Wang Lei , Xue Chao , Song Ming , Liu Baoyan , Zhu Bing
Published: January 2012

fMRI studies showed that acupuncture could induce hemodynamic changes in brain networks. Many of these studies focused on whether specific acupoints could activate specific brain regions and were often limited to manual acupuncture at acupoints on the limbs. In this fMRI study, we investigated acupuncture's modulation effects on brain functional networks by electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints on the midline of abdomen. Acupoints Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongwan (CV12) were stimulated in 21 healthy volunteers. The needling sensations, brain activation, and functional connectivity were studied. We found that the limbic-prefrontal functional network was deactivated by EA at CV4 and CV12. More importantly, the local functional connectivity was significantly changed during EA stimulation, and the change persisted during the period after the stimulation. Although minor differences existed, both acupoints similarly modulated the limbic-prefrontal functional network, which is overlapped with the functional circuits associated with emotional and cognitive regulation.
Gender Differences in Remission and Recovery of Schizophrenic and Schizoaffective Patients: Preliminary Results of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Carpiniello Bernardo , Pinna Federica , Tusconi Massimo , Zaccheddu Enrico , Fatteri Francesca
Published: January 2012

The aim of the paper was to evaluate rates of clinical remission and recovery according to gender in a cohort of chronic outpatients attending a university community mental health center who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV-TR. A sample of 100 consecutive outpatients (70 males and 30 females) underwent comprehensive psychiatric evaluation using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis of Axis I and II DSM-IV (SCID-I and SCID-II, Version R) and an assessment of psychopathology, social functioning, clinical severity, subjective wellbeing, and quality of life, respectively by means of PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), PSP (Personal and Social Performance), CGI-SCH (Clinical Global Impression—Schizophrenia scale), SWN-S (Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics—scale), and WHOQOL (WHO Quality of Life). Rates of clinical remission and recovery according to different criteria were calculated by gender. Higher rates of clinical remission and recovery were generally observed in females than males, a result consistent with literature data. Overall findings from the paper support the hypothesis of a better outcome of the disorders in women, even in the very long term.
An Efficient Collision Detection Method for Computing Discrete Logarithms with Pollard′s Rho
Authors: Wang Ping , Zhang Fangguo
Published: January 2012

Pollard′s rho method and its parallelized variant are at present known as the best generic algorithms for computing discrete logarithms. However, when we compute discrete logarithms in cyclic groups of large orders using Pollard′s rho method, collision detection is always a high time and space consumer. In this paper, we present a new efficient collision detection algorithm for Pollard′s rho method. The new algorithm is more efficient than the previous
distinguished point method and can be easily adapted to other applications. However, the new algorithm does not work with the parallelized rho method, but it can be parallelized with Pollard′s lambda method. Besides the theoretical analysis, we also compare the performances of the new algorithm with the distinguished point method in experiments with elliptic curve groups. The experiments show that the new algorithm can reduce the expected number of iterations before reaching a match from 1.309 to 1.295 under the same space requirements for the single rho method.
Compromised Rat Testicular Antioxidant Defence System by Hypothyroidism before Puberty
Authors: Sahoo Dipak K. , Roy Anita
Published: January 2012

Altered thyroid function during early stages of development is known to affect adversely testicular growth, physiology, and antioxidant defence status at adulthood. The objective of the present study is to investigate the modulation of antioxidant defence status in neonatal persistent hypothyroid rats before their sexual maturation and also to identify the specific testicular cell populations vulnerable to degeneration during neonatal hypothyroidism in immature rats. Hypothyroidism was induced in neonates by feeding the lactating mother with 0.05% 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) through the drinking water. From the day of parturition till weaning (25 day postpartum), the pups received PTU through mother's milk (or) drinking water and then directly from drinking water containing PTU for the remaining period of experimentation. On the 31st day postpartum, the animals were sacrificed for the study. An altered antioxidant defence system marked by elevated SOD, CAT, and GR activities, with decreased GPx and GST activities were observed along with increased protein carbonylation, disturbed redox status in hypothyroid immature rat testis. This compromised testicular antioxidant status might have contributed to poor growth and development by affecting the spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in rats before puberty as indicated by reduced germ cell number, complete absence of round spermatids, decreased seminiferous tubule diameter, and decreased testosterone level.
Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Grasso Daniel , Garcia Maria Noé , Iovanna Juan L.
Published: January 2012

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with an extremely poor life expectancy and no effective treatment. Autophagy is a process of degradation of cytoplasmic component capable of recycling cellular components or eliminate specific targets. The presence of autophagy in PDAC has been demonstrated. However, the implicated cellular pathways are not fully understood and, more importantly, the role of autophagy in PDAC is matter of intensive debate. This review summarizes recently published data in an attempt to clarify the importance of autophagy in this disease and try to reconcile apparently contradictory results.
Application of OpenMP to Wireline Triaxial Induction Logging in 1D Layered Anisotropic Medium
Authors: Zhang Zhijuan , Yuan Ning , Liu Richard
Published: January 2012

Efficient and accurate forward modeling of logging tool responses is essential for data inversion in the log data interpretation in both real time and postprocessing. With the aggressive advancement of various high-performance computing techniques and computer hardware technology, it is possible to significantly improve the efficiency of the forward modeling. In this paper, we apply OpenMP to parallelize the simulation of triaxial induction logging tools in 1D multilayered anisotropic formation. The parallel process is explained in detail and numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effect of the parallel programming. Comparison of the original code and the parallel code shows that the latter is much faster without loss of accuracy, which is very promising for future real-time inversion.
On Some Generalizations of Commuting Mappings
Authors: Alghamdi Mohammad Ali , Radenović Stojan , Shahzad Naseer
Published: January 2012

It is shown that occasionally 𝒥ℋ operators as well as occasionally
weakly biased mappings reduce to weakly compatible mappings in the presence
of a unique point of coincidence (and a unique common fixed point) of the given
maps.
Selective Extraction of Entangled Textures via Adaptive PDE Transform
Authors: Wang Yang , Wei Guo-Wei , Yang Siyang
Published: January 2012

Texture and feature extraction is an important research area with a wide range of applications in science and technology. Selective extraction of entangled textures is a challenging task due to spatial entanglement, orientation mixing, and high-frequency overlapping. The partial differential equation (PDE) transform is an efficient method for functional mode decomposition. The present work introduces adaptive PDE transform algorithm to appropriately threshold the statistical variance of the local variation of functional modes. The proposed adaptive PDE transform is applied to the selective extraction of entangled textures. Successful separations of human face, clothes, background, natural landscape, text, forest, camouflaged sniper and neuron skeletons have validated the proposed method.
A Diagnostic Dilemma: Dystrophic Calcified Nodule of the Testicle in a Patient with No Other Symptoms – Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Viola Patrizia , Claudi Roberta , Pompa Paolo , Lattanzio Giuseppe , Zappacosta Roberta
Published: January 2012

Dystrophic calcified nodule of the testicle represents an exceptional lesion with an unknown etiology and controversial diagnostic approach. There are very few reports in the literature that have examined this feature. Here, we report the fourth case of dystrophic testis nodule, identified in a 46-year-old man who presented the urologist with a palpable mass on his left testicle and no other symptoms. Histopathological findings were discussed and pooled with those of all previously published series. We believe that this description is particularly innovative because of the absence of symptoms and testicular pain associated with the lesion, and interesting as an attempt to determine the recognition of this rare entity.
Vagoglossopharyngeal Neuralgia Treated by Microvascular Decompression and Glossopharyngeal Rhizotomy: Clinical Results of 21 Cases
Authors: Xiong Nan-Xiang , Zhao Hong-Yang , Zhang Fang-Cheng , Liu Ru-En
Published: January 2012

Background: Microvascular decompression (MVD) and rhizotomy are all selected for treating vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia (VGPN). Nonetheless, controversies still exist about their curative effect on VGPN. Here we evaluate the effectiveness of MVD together with rhizotomy of the glossopharyngeal nerve for the treatment of VGPN. Methods: This study was carried out on 21 patients who were diagnosed with VGPN between the years 2005 and 2010. Patients underwent MVD and glossopharyngeal rhizotomy through a retromastoid keyhole approach. Surgical technique, operation results and complications were our particular concern. Results: Eighteen (85.7%) of 21 patients experienced immediate and complete relief of pain after surgery. In the remaining 3 patients (14.3%), the pain faded away within the following week. No patient complained of dysphonia or dysphagia. All 21 patients reported no change in their outcome at follow-up. Conclusions: Intracranial vagoglossopharyngeal nerve MVD with glossopharyngeal rhizotomy is an effective and safe procedure to treat VGPN.
The Fate of Fat: A Response
Authors: Saely Christoph H. , Drexel Veronika , Drexel Heinz
Published: January 2012

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity increases energy expenditure and therefore may facilitate weight loss. The principal physiological trigger for its activation is stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system by decreased ambient temperature. Also, direct pharmacological stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system activates BAT, but sympathomimetics up to now have had only very limited success as weight-lowering agents. More recently, components of other signaling pathways that trigger brown adipocyte development and activity have been investigated as potential treatment targets. These pharmacological options are far from the bedside since safety issues need to be clarified as well as the potentially important role of counter-regulatory energy-sparing mechanisms attenuating the negative energy balance achieved by BAT activation in the long term. However, BAT remains a very important candidate target for antiobesity treatment, a field in which alternative approaches have proved disappointing. Importantly, physical exercise is a nonpharmacological intervention which has the potential to activate BAT, promotes weight loss, has beneficial metabolic effects and may even slow the rate of aging.
Fetoscopic Release of an Amniotic Band with Risk of Amputation: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Richter Jute , Wergeland Hakon , DeKoninck Philip , De Catte Luc , Deprest Jan A.
Published: January 2012

Amniotic bands can cause limb amputation as well as intrauterine fetal demise. Fetoscopic release of amniotic bands has been shown to rescue limb function. Herein, we describe an interesting case of an amniotic band wrapped around the right forearm as well as the umbilical cord, which was released by fetoscopy. Following the procedure, the blood flow in the forearm was restored and the edema gradually reduced. Full functionality of the arm was confirmed after birth, though the esthetic problem of the imprint of the band on the arm persisted. Furthermore, we review the available literature regarding fetoscopic interventions in amniotic band syndrome.
Sex Ratio Bias in Managed Populations of Hylobatids
Authors: Margulis Susan W. , Burns Faith , Rothenberg Adrienne
Published: January 2012

A number of explanations have been proposed for the occurrence of sex ratio bias in primates, including the Trivers-Willard hypothesis on differential investment, local resource competition or enhancement as a result of sex-biased dispersal, dominance-related advantages conferred on one sex but not the other, and the fragile male hypothesis. However, none of these theories was thought to be applicable to monogamous primate species. Here, we examine data on zoo-housed populations of three hylobatid species to test the null hypothesis of equal sex ratio. We analyzed over 40 years of demographic data on Nomascus leucogenys, Hylobates lar and Symphalangus syndactylus. We identified a strong male-biased birth sex ratio in N. leucogenys. Male infant mortality was consistently higher than female infant mortality for N. leucogenys, but this difference was not significant. We found that prime-age N. leucogenys females (aged 13–20) produced significantly more male offspring than female offspring, and young S. syndactylus females (<13 years) produced significantly more female offspring. Recent field evidence of more flexible mating systems in H. lar and S. syndactylus may also be occurring in N. leucogenys. However, N. leucogenys has not been well studied in the wild. Ecological differences among species may further contribute to these observed patterns.
Serum Magnesium in the First Week of Life in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Noone D. , Kieran E. , Molloy E.J.
Published: January 2012

Background: Evidence that antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) to women in preterm labor may confer fetal neuroprotection is growing. MgSO4 crosses the placenta and can affect the neonate. Magnesium homeostasis in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants remains to be clarified. Objectives: We aimed to assess the natural progression of serum magnesium (Mg) in ELBW infants not exposed to antenatal MgSO4 during the first month of life. Methods: Laboratory data of a group of ELBW infants born in a tertiary center over a 1-year period were analyzed. Serum Mg was recorded daily for the first week and thereafter each week for a month for each infant. Concurrent calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were measured. Results: 51 preterm infants (24 female) with a birth weight <1,000 g were included (33 were born at <27 weeks’ gestation). The mean magnesium ranged from 0.9 to 1.1 mmol/l over the first week with a minimum of 0.62 mmol/l and maximum of 1.53 mmol/l. Mg rises in the first few days before stabilizing and remains within a narrow range thereafter. Conclusions: In ELBW infants, Mg tends to rise initially then stabilize and remain normal thereafter. The effect of antenatal MgSO4 on magnesium homeostasis requires further study.
The End of Eschatology? Questions on the Future of Interfaith Relations - Part 1
Authors: Boyd Robin
Published: January 2012

Interfaith relations are facing serious road-blocks – socio-ethical and theological – on their way into the future. Some of the former threaten peace and justice, while some of the latter question whether God can be viewed in personal terms. In this context, “eschatology” proves to be an unsatisfactory term, and to eschaton is not a New Testament term at all. Telos, as both fulfilment and Person (so G. B. Caird), and teleiosis (as “bringing to wholeness”) are more promising, especially in the context of diverse world faiths and of the earth’s limited physical future.
Rural transport and social inclusion: The DalesBus Initiative
Authors: Liddle Joyce , McElwee Gerard , Disney John
Published: January 2012

The importance of rural transport in addressing social exclusion has been acknowledged for some time. We report and comment on one particular case in North Yorkshire, a predominantly rural county in England, of how state, non-state and third/societal sectors worked together to market and improve public transport links and reduce social exclusion. The article examines the outcomes of a SIS (Stimulating Innovation for Success) project: a leisure-based public transport network located in North Yorkshire. It comments on the efficacy of this relationship and in particular with one agency, the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company.
London’s Olympic legacy and the Imagine methodology
Authors: Bell Simon , Farren Bradley Judi
Published: January 2012

In 2010 Future of London commissioned academics to work with representatives from the London Boroughs, to consider the legacy of the Olympic Village taking shape in Stratford, in the East End of London. The exercise, in the form of a workshop, was to: review the current context/situation; prioritize issues; envisage future options; explore and develop relevant sustainability indicators; develop a forward plan for community development. This article describes the process adopted in the analysis of the Olympic Village’s transformation from World Media Site to a sustainable part of the Greater London metropolis. The methodology applied, Imagine, is described and some of the key outputs from the analysis and design of legacy process are described. In conclusion the article examines the oeuvre of projects of this kind when set against the challenges of longer term sustainability.
Redevelopment of development zones: The smart growth of cities in China
Authors: Xingping Wang , Xinguo Yuan , Kai Zhu
Published: January 2012

Development zones are the important carriers of China’s promoting industrialization and attracting international investment in the past 30 years and act as the primary means of city expansion. In this article, we analyse the low efficiency of land use problem existing in China’s current development zones. Comparing with the general old city update phenomenon, we make a detailed illustration on the feasibility and comparative advantage of redevelopment of development zones. On this basis, combining with the investigation practice, we propose the basic redevelopment models of development zones and analyse the typical redevelopment cases of development zones in Xi’an, Shanghai, Changzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing.
How places matter: Telecare technologies and the changing spatial dimensions of healthcare
Authors: Oudshoorn Nelly
Published: January 2012

Dominant discourses on telecare technologies often celebrate the erasure of distance and place. This paper provides a critical intervention into these discourses by investigating how spaces still matter, despite the move from physical to virtual encounters between healthcare professionals and patients. I argue that science and technology studies (STS) research on telecare, as well as other technologies, can be enriched by including a focus on place to understand the dynamic interactions between people and things. Adopting insights of human geographers, I show how places in which technologies are used affect how technologies enable or constrain human actions and identities. Whereas some spaces may facilitate the incorporation of technologies, others may resist technologies. A focus on how places matter is important for understanding how telecare technologies reorder and redefine healthcare. Although other healthcare technologies are also important actors in transforming healthcare, telecare technologies do this in a very specific way: they redefine the spatial dimensions of healthcare. To capture and further explore this changing spatial configuration of healthcare, I introduce the notion of technogeography of care. This concept provides a useful heuristic to study how places matter in healthcare. Although telecare technologies introduce virtual encounters between healthcare providers and patients, the use of telecare devices still largely depends on locally grounded, situated care acts. Based on interviews with users of several cardiac telecare applications, including healthcare professionals and patients in Germany and the Netherlands, the paper shows how patients’ homes and public spaces are important for shaping the implementation and use of telecare technologies, and vice versa. Last, but not least, telecare devices are implicated as well. The paper emphasizes the place-dependency of the use and meaning of technical devices by showing how the same technological device can do and mean different things in different places.
Precaution: A taxonomy
Authors: Luján José Luis , Todt Oliver
Published: January 2012

In this paper we propose a typology of three interpretations of the precautionary principle, each with its associated philosophical and policy implications. We found that these different interpretations of precaution are closely related to variations in the understanding of scientific uncertainty, as well as varying ways of assessing possible (but uncertain) impacts of scientific–technological development. There is a direct link to the question of what scientific knowledge is and what role it plays in regulation and decision-making. The proposed typology permits a conceptual systematization of the current controversies related to the precautionary principle, while facilitating understanding of some of the deeper roots of science and technology policy debates.
Win Friends and Influence People
Authors: Hill Vanessa , Carley Kathleen M.
Published: January 2012

Organizational culture research has primarily focused on organizations characterized by permanent, full-time employment relationships. The workplace is increasingly characterized by multiple employment relationships. It is not clear that current understandings of culture capture what occurs in these organizations. Employing participant observation and survey methods, the authors use a grounded theory approach to explore the transmission of cultural values and practices in a temporary placement agency, an organization characterized by multiple employment relationships. The authors find that successful purveyors of cultural values are characterized by how well they are liked and their perceived importance to their coworkers’ success rather than traditional means of culture management, such as policy and hierarchical authority.
Theoretical Description of Substituent Effects in 2,4-Pentanedione: AIM, NBO, and NMR Study
Authors: Raissi Heidar , Yoosefian Mehdi , Hajizadeh Ahmad , Imampour Jalal shakhs , Karimi Mohammad , Farzad Farzaneh
Published: January 2012

The intramolecular hydrogen bond, molecular structure, and vibrational frequencies of 2,4-pentanedione and its seventeen derivatives have been investigated by means of density functional (DFT) method with 6-311++G** basis set. The nature of these interactions, known as resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds, has been discussed. The topological properties of the electron density distributions for O–H···O intramolecular bridges have been analyzed in terms of the Bader theory of atoms in molecules (AIM). The results of calculations show that the Q-parameter describing the degree of π-electron delocalization within the O=C–C=C–O–H keto–enol group correlates with the strength of the H-bond. Correlations between the H-bond strength and topological parameters have been also studied. Natural population analysis data, the electron density and Laplacian properties, as well as, ν(O–H) and γ(O–H) have been used to evaluate the hydrogen-bonding interactions. Furthermore, calculated 1H NMR chemical shifts (δH) correlate well with the hydrogen-bond distance as well as electron density at the bond and ring critical points in the molecular electron density topography.
Arsenic concentration and speciation in infant formulas and first foods
Authors: Jackson Brian P. , Taylor Vivien F. , Punshon Tracy , Cottingham Kathryn L.
Published: January 2012

Arsenic (As) exposure to humans is pervasive, and, increasingly, studies are revealing adverse health effects at ever lower doses. Drinking water is the main route of exposure for many individuals; however, food can be a significant source of As to individuals, especially if their diet is rice-based. Infants are particularly susceptible to dietary exposure, since many first foods contain rice and infants have a low body mass. Here we report on As concentration and speciation in infant formulas and first foods. Speciation is essential for food analysis because of the much greater toxicity of inorganic As species and the possibility that As in food (unlike water) may be present in either inorganic or organic forms. Infant milk formulas were low in total As (2.2–12.6 ng g–1, n = 15). Non-dairy formulas were significantly higher in As than dairy-based formulas. Arsenic in formula was almost exclusively inorganic. Arsenic concentration in purees (n = 41) and stage 2/3 foods (n = 18) ranged from 0.3 to 22 ng g–1. Rice-fortified foods had significantly higher total As concentrations than non-rice-based foods. Again, As speciation was predominantly inorganic with lower concentrations of dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) also present. These data confirm that infants are exposed to As via diet, and suggest that careful attention to diet choices may limit this exposure.
Structure and Properties of High Performance Gels Made by Module Assembling Method
Authors: Shibayama Mitsuhiro , Asai Hanako , Fujii Kenta , Akagi Yuki , Sakai Takamasa
Published: January 2012

High performance polymer network gels consisting of tetra-arm poly(ethyleneglycol) (Tetra-PEG) gels were fabricated via a module assembling method and their mechanical properties and structure were investigated by stretching and compression measurements, dynamic mechanical measurements, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). It was found that Tetra-PEG gels are nearly-ideal polymer network with negligible fractions of defects and entanglements. SANS intensity functions indicated that the network structure was uniform free from spatial inhomogeneities. It is deduced that this uniform structure is ascribed to its unique preparation method, i.e., module assembling method (cross-end-coupling of tetra-functional macromers with complementary functional groups). Characteristic properties originated from the near-ideality as polymer networks are demonstrated, including its application to ion gels, i.e., polymer network in ionic liquid.
Substrate and film structure impacts on adhesion properties between lignocellulosic polymers
Authors: Estephan Elias , Aguié-Béghin Véronique , Muraille Loïc , Molinari Michael
Published: January 2012

Using AFM, ellipsometric and profilometric measurements, we have investigated the topography and the thickness of the cellulose nanocristal (NCC) films prepared by two different methods: the first one is obtained by evaporation of concentrated suspension of NCC in petri-dish to produce a self-supported film; the second one is produced by dipping thin NCC layer on silicon substrate by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Glucomanan (GM) functionalized AFM tip was brought into contact with these two kinds of NCC films in order to measure the adhesion between GM and NCC. The impact of the substrate and the thickness of NCC films on the measured adhesion forces were also studied: the mean measured adhesion force between the two polysaccharides was 17 nN regardless of the way the films were prepared. Adhesion properties can help us understand biochemical processes in the plant cell wall.
Photovoltaics Informatics: Harnessing Energy Science via Data-driven Approaches
Authors: Suh Changwon , Munch Kristin , Biagioni David , Glynn Stephen , Scharf John , Contreras Miguel A. , Perkins John D. , Nelson Brent P. , Jones Wesley B.
Published: January 2012

We discuss our current research focus on photovoltaic (PV) informatics, which is dedicated to functionality enhancement of solar materials through data management and data mining-aided, integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) for rapid screening and identification of multi-scale processing/structure/property/performance relationships. Our current PV informatics research ranges from transparent conducting oxides (TCO) to solar absorber materials. As a test bed, we report on examples of our current data management system for PV research and advanced data mining to improve the performance of solar cells such as CuInxGa1-xSe2 (CIGS) aiming at low-cost and high-rate processes. For the PV data management, we show recent developments of a strategy for data modeling, collection and aggregation methods, and construction of data interfaces, which enable proper archiving and data handling for data mining. For scientific data mining, the value of high-dimensional visualizations and non-linear dimensionality reduction is demonstrated to quantitatively assess how process conditions or properties are interconnected in the context of the development of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin films as the TCO layers for CIGS devices. Such relationships between processing and property of TCOs lead to optimal process design toward enhanced performance of CIGS cells/devices.
Sustained Protection for Transparent Electrodes in Touch Panels and Smart Windows: Template Assisted Encapsulation of Fluorinated Silanes in Sol-Gel Silica Films for Sustained Hydrophobic-Oleophobic Functionality
Authors: Kessman Aaron J. , DeFusco Elizabeth E. , Hoover Andrew W. , Sierros Konstantinos A. , Cairns Darran R.
Published: January 2012

Hydrophobic-oleophobic coatings are often used to provide the transparent electrodes in devices like touch panels and smart windows with protection from fingerprints and other contaminants which may degrade electronic and optical performance. Conventional fluorosilane monolayers or co-condensed films are often surface-enriched with fluorinated moieties due to the thermodynamic drive of these components to migrate to low-surface energy interfaces. Consequently, these conventional coatings may be strongly non-wetting and have low-surface energy when pristine, but upon wear and exposure of the bulk subsurface regions, the films are much less functional. This work explores the use of surfactant templated sol-gel silica films as scaffolds for encapsulating surface-segregating functional organic moieties as a mesoscopically dispersed phase with the goal of imparting sustained functionality. The results show that surfactant template concentration may be used to tune the dispersion of the fluorosilane-rich phase within the silica film in order to allow worn and exposed internal surfaces to maintain much of the original functionality of the pristine top surface.
Assessment of the Effect of Two Occlusal Concepts for Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses by Finite Element Analysis in Patients With Bruxism
Authors: Göre Evrim , Evlioğlu Gülümser
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bruxing forces on implants configured under 2 different occlusal schemes by dynamic finite element analysis. A main model consisting of a 5-unit fixed partial denture supported by 3 implants was simulated with bone, implants, and superstructures. All calculations were made individually for each component, namely porcelain crowns, abutments, abutment screws, implants, and bone. Maximum stresses were found in the group-function occlusion. Group-function loading may result excess stresses on the components compared with canine-guidance loading. According to the results of this study, use of canine guidance is encouraged in bruxers with implant-supported prostheses.
Zygomatic Implants/Fixture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sharma Ashu , Rahul G. R.
Published: January 2012

Patients with moderate to severe atrophy challenge the surgeon to discover alternative ways to use existing bone or resort to augmenting the patient with autogenous or alloplastic bone materials. Many procedures have been suggested for these atrophied maxillae before implant placement, which include Le Fort I maxillary downfracture, onlay bone grafts and maxillary sinus graft procedures. A zygomatic implant can be an effective device for rehabilitation of the severely resorbed maxilla. If zygomatic implants are used, onlay bone grafting or sinus augmentation would likely not be necessary. The purpose of this article is to review the developments that have taken place in zygomatic implant treatment over years, including anatomic information for installing the zygomatic implants, implant placement techniques, stabilization, and prosthodontic procedures.
Comparison of Implant-Abutment Interface Misfits After Casting and Soldering Procedures
Authors: Neves Flávio Domingues das , Elias Gisele Araújo , da Silva-Neto João Paulo , de Medeiros Dantas Lucas Costa , da Mota Adérito Soares , Neto Alfredo Júlio Fernandes
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to compare vertical and horizontal adjustments of castable abutments after conducting casting and soldering procedures. Twelve external hexagonal implants (3.75 × 10 mm) and their UCLA abutments were divided according their manufacturer and abutment type: PUN (plastic UCLA, Neodent), PUC (plastic UCLA, Conexão), PU3i (plastic UCLA, Biomet 3i), and PUTN (plastic UCLA with Tilite milled base, Neodent). Three infrastructures of a fixed partial implant–supported bridge with 3 elements were produced for each group. The measurements of vertical (VM) and horizontal (HM) misfits were obtained via scanning electron microscopy after completion of casting and soldering. The corresponding values were determined to be biomechanically acceptable to the system, and the results were rated as a percentage. Statistical analysis establishes differences between groups by chi-square after procedures, and McNeman's test was applied to analyze the influence of soldering over casting (α ≤ .05). For the values of VM and HM, respectively, when the casting process was complete, it was observed that 83.25% and 100% (PUTN), 33.3% and 27.75% (PUN), 33.3% and 88.8% (PUC), 33.3% and 94.35% (PU3i) represented acceptable values. After completing the requisite soldering, acceptable values were 50% and 94.35% (PUTN), 16.6% and 77.7% (PUN), 38.55% and 77.7% (PUC), and 27.75% and 94.35% (PU3i). Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the premachined abutments presented more acceptable VM values. The HM values were within acceptable limits before and after the soldering procedure for most groups. Further, the soldering procedure resulted in an increase of VM in all groups.
Stridulation byJadera haematoloma(Hemiptera: Rhopalidae): Production Mechanism and Associated Behaviors
Authors: Zych Ariel F , Mankin R W , Gillooly James F , Foreman Everett
Published: January 2012

The Hemiptera displays a notable diversity of vibratory communication signals across its various families. Here we describe the substrate and airborne vibrations (sounds), the mechanism of production, and associated behaviors of Jadera haematoloma Herrich-Schaeffer, a member of the family Rhopalidae. Adult males and females both produce short, stereotyped sound bursts by anterior-posterior movement of abdominal tergites I and II against a stridulitrum located on the ventral surface of the metathoracic wing. Sound bursts are produced by a single adult male or female when physically touched by another adult, and are strongly associated with being crawled on by the approaching individual, but are not produced in response to contact with other arthropods or when pinched with forceps. The propensity to produce sounds when crawled upon decreases during the mating season. These sound bursts by J. haematoloma likely are communication signals. Rhopalidae has been significantly absent from the vibratory communication literature until now. Although the sounds are produced using a mechanism common to vibratory communication systems in closely related Heteropteran Hemiptera, the sounds in these other species function primarily in courtship or in mother-daughter interactions, which suggests that the functions of stridulation and the behavioral contexts have diversified in the Heteroptera.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Necrophagous Beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae, Silphidae) Assemblages in Natural Habitats of Central Spain
Authors: Martín-Vega Daniel , Baz Arturo
Published: January 2012

The composition, spatial distribution, and seasonal fluctuations of necrophagous Coleoptera assemblages of families Dermestidae and Silphidae are studied along a bioclimatical level gradient of natural habitats in central Spain. Both families were collected with carrion-baited traps throughout a year. The main part of the individuals occurred in spring and summer, but silphids showed different seasonal patterns depending on the bioclimatical level. The assemblage composition also differs depending on the bioclimatical level with two distinguishable groups: one corresponding to mesomediterranean habitats and the other to supramediterranean and oromediterranean habitats. The most abundant species of Dermestidae are well represented at every bioclimatical level, whereas some species of Silphidae appear to have a preference for some habitats. Such differences in spatial and temporal patterns between both families could be because of their different food and carcass size preferences.
Cognitive Processes inVespula germanicaWasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) When Relocating a Food Source
Authors: Moreyra Sabrina , D'Adamo Paola , Lozada Mariana
Published: January 2012

The German yellowjacket Vespula germanica (F.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), an invasive wasp, is a highly efficient forager. We studied wasp cognitive ability while varying landmark disposition and cue conspicuity. Learning flights were used as an indicator of forager cognition while relocating a food source. We recorded the number of learning flights (circling above the food location) performed after each visit by each wasp. We studied the effect of modifying a learned location and analyzed how the addition of conspicuous cues affected wasp learning. Cognitive ability also was studied in relation to food manipulation efficiency, i.e., the time taken to extract a piece of meat and fly away. We found that one feeding visit was sufficient for wasps to learn relevant cues associated with a rewarded location, as shown by the reduction of learning flights after just one experience. Moreover, wasps reached asymptotic levels in food manipulation after only one feeding visit. The introduction of a contextual change, such as moving the food location a few centimeters from the original feeding site, affected returning foragers, who increased the number of learning flights when leaving the array. Interestingly, enriched contexts with conspicuous cues seemed to facilitate wasp cognition as they performed fewer learning flights than in nonenriched ones. Learning flights seem to be a good cognitive indicator, reflecting wasp experience with a certain context, thus revealing their sensitivity to landmark cue conspicuity. This study highlights the cognitive capacities of V. germanica foragers.
Biological Characteristics and Thermal Requirements of the Biological Control Agent Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) Reared on Eggs of Different Species of the Genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Pomari Aline Farhat , Bueno Adeney De Freitas , De Freitas Bueno Regiane Cristina Oliveira , De Oliveira Menezes Junior Ayres
Published: January 2012

The biological characteristics of Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on eggs of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857); S. cosmioides Walker 1858, S. eridania (Cramer, 1782); and S. frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were evaluated under different temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34°C ± 1°C). The duration of the T. remus egg-to-adult period on eggs of all four Spodoptera species and the longevity of adults of T. remus were both inversely proportional to the increase in temperature. Parasitoid emergence was higher than 80% at temperatures from 19 to 28°C when the parasitoid was reared on eggs of S. eridania and S. frugiperda. Differently, when the parasitoid was reared on eggs of S. albula and S. cosmioides, T. remus emergence at rates of 80% or higher just occurred from 22 to 25°C and at 22°C, respectively. At 34°C, this parameter was lower than 30% for T. remus reared in all hosts. The sex ratio was 64–86% females, except for T. remus in S. cosmioides eggs at 34°C, in which temperature it was 39%. The estimated thermal requirements of T. remus, for the thermal constant (K) and the base temperature (Tbase), were: 125.39 DD and 15.139°C; 125.56 DD and 14.912°C; 142.98 DD and 14.197°C; and 149.16 DD and 13.846°C, for S. cosmioides, S. frugiperda, S. albula, and S. eridania, respectively. In general, T. remus showed good parasitism potential on all the hosts, although eggs of S. frugiperda, S. eridania, and S. albula proved to be the most suitable for mass rearing of T. remus in the laboratory. Eggs of S. cosmioides are less suitable because of the lower parasitoid emergence observed at most of the temperatures with exception of 22°C.
Redefinition and Four New Species ofYavannaSzeptycki and Comparison withNosekiellaRusek (Protura: Acerentomidae: Nipponentominae)
Authors: Shrubovych Julia , Rusek Josef , Bernard Ernest C
Published: January 2012

Generic redefinitions of Yavanna Szeptycki and Nosekiella Rusek based on type species are presented. Four new species of Yavanna are described: Yavanna baikalica n. sp., Yavanna chimitovae n. sp., Yavanna babenkoi n. sp., and Yavanna stebaevae n. sp. from Siberia. Nosekiella danica (Tuxen) is redescribed, and Nosekiella behanae Nosek and Nosekiella sinensis Bu & Yin are transferred to Yavanna. A key to the Nosekiella group of genera is provided, as well as a key to the known Yavanna spp.
Feeding Damage from Cotton Aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aphididae), in Cotton with Colored Fiber Intercropped with Fennel
Authors: Ramalho F S , Fernandes F S , Nascimento A R B , Júnior J L Nascimento , Malaquias J B , Silva CAD
Published: January 2012

Intercropping is a traditional agronomic practice, and when properly managed, it can significantly contribute to pest control. The current study investigates the severity of plant damage related to infestation by the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aphididae) and its predation by spotless ladybird beetle, Cycloneda sanguinea (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and parasitism by Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) in sole cotton plots and in plots of cotton intercropped with fennel. Cotton aphid populations were significantly higher in sole cotton plots than in intercropping plots for plots that were not treated with insecticide. The percentages of losses in cotton seed yield were higher in the sole cotton plots than in the four intercropping systems (one row of cotton for two rows of fennel, one row of cotton for three rows of fennel, two rows of cotton for one row of fennel, and three rows of cotton for two rows of fennel). The losses in cotton seed yield were significantly lower in the intercropping system with three rows of cotton interspersed with two rows of fennel than in the other intercropping systems. Spotless ladybird beetle and green lacewing densities were significantly higher in the intercropping system with three rows of cotton interspersed with two rows of fennel than in the other intercropping systems. These results are of practical significance in designing appropriate strategies for cotton aphid control in cotton-fennel intercropping systems.
Value of Nymphal Morphology in Determining Identity of Pregenital and Genital Segments in AdultCorimelaena incognita(Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae)
Authors: McPherson J E , Bundy C S , Sweet M H
Published: January 2012

There has been disagreement concerning the number and identity of the abdominal segments involved in the development of the genitalia and, therefore, pregenitalia of the Hemiptera. Although these studies have been conducted during the past two centuries, they have involved only adults. Here we present the results of our study of the nymphs of Corimelaena incognita (McAtee and Malloch) in which we trace the development of the abdomen through the five instars into the adult and determine the number of segments involved in genitalic development. The total number of spiracles (seven) and location of each spiracle (i.e., below or within the lateral carina) were important in this determination. We conclude that the genitalia begin with segment 9 in the male (pygophore) and segment 8 (gonocoxae 1) in the female.