bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using full‐cohort data in nested case–control and case–cohort studies by multiple imputation
Authors: Keogh Ruth H. , White Ian R.
Published: April 2013

In many large prospective cohorts, expensive exposure measurements cannot be obtained for all individuals. Exposure–disease association studies are therefore often based on nested case–control or case–cohort studies in which complete information is obtained only for sampled individuals. However, in the full cohort, there may be a large amount of information on cheaply available covariates and possibly a surrogate of the main exposure(s), which typically goes unused. We view the nested case–control or case–cohort study plus the remainder of the cohort as a full‐cohort study with missing data. Hence, we propose using multiple imputation (MI) to utilise information in the full cohort when data from the sub‐studies are analysed. We use the fully observed data to fit the imputation models. We consider using approximate imputation models and also using rejection sampling to draw imputed values from the true distribution of the missing values given the observed data. Simulation studies show that using MI to utilise full‐cohort information in the analysis of nested case–control and case–cohort studies can result in important gains in efficiency, particularly when a surrogate of the main exposure is available in the full cohort. In simulations, this method outperforms counter‐matching in nested case–control studies and a weighted analysis for case–cohort studies, both of which use some full‐cohort information. Approximate imputation models perform well except when there are interactions or non‐linear terms in the outcome model, where imputation using rejection sampling works well. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetoscopic laser ablation of placental anastomoses in twin–twin transfusion syndrome using ‘Solomon technique’
Authors: Ruano R. , Rodo C. , Peiro J. L. , Shamshirsaz A. A. , Haeri S. , Nomura M. L. , Salustiano E. M. A. , de Andrade K. K. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar H. , Carreras E. , Belfort M. A.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To document perinatal outcomes following use of the ‘Solomon technique’ in the selective photocoagulation of placental anastomoses for severe twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Methods

Between January 2010 and July 2012, data were collected from 102 consecutive monochorionic twin pregnancies complicated by severe TTTS that underwent fetoscopic laser ablation at four different centers. We compared outcomes between subjects that underwent selective laser coagulation using the Solomon technique (cases) and those that underwent selective laser coagulation without this procedure (controls).

Results

Of the 102 pregnancies examined, 26 (25.5%) underwent the Solomon technique and 76 (74.5%) did not. Of the 204 fetuses, 139 (68.1%) survived up to 30 days of age. At least one twin survived in 82 (80.4%) pregnancies and both twins survived in 57 (55.9%) pregnancies. When compared with the control group, the Solomon‐technique group had a significantly higher survival rate for both twins (84.6 vs 46.1%; P < 0.01) and a higher overall neonatal survival rate (45/52 (86.5%) vs 94/152 (61.8%); P < 0.01). Use of the Solomon technique remained independently associated with dual twin survival (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 11.35 (95% CI, 3.11–53.14); P = 0.0007) and overall neonatal survival rate (aOR, 4.65 (95% CI, 1.59–13.62); P = 0.005) on multivariable analysis. There were no cases of recurrent TTTS or twin anemia–polycythemia sequence (TAPS) in the Solomon‐technique group.

Conclusions

Use of the Solomon technique following selective laser coagulation of placental anastomoses appears to improve twin survival and may reduce the risk of recurrent TTTS and TAPS. Our data support the idea of performing a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the Solomon technique. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Determination of the efficiency of high purity germanium and silicon diode detectors for improved assessment of emission spectra delivered by medical X‐ray tubes
Authors: Deloule Sybelle , Plagnard Johann , Denoziere Marc , Aubineau‐Laniece Isabelle
Published: April 2013

X‐ray sources are widely used in medicine: brachytherapy, radiodiagnosis, mammography and contact radiotherapy. Kerma in air is the primary quantity measured to determine the dose to the patient. Accurate air kerma assessment is obtained using correction factors calculated using the emission spectrum. The Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel launched an in‐depth study of the spectral emission of its reference X‐ray beams used in dosimetry. Two semiconductor detectors are discussed here: a High‐Purity germanium and a silicon PiN, both cooled and operated with dedicated electronics and software. In the low energy range (E < 50 keV), those spectrometers are complementary but require a careful calibration to deduce the emitted spectrum from the detected one. Indeed, both detectors were characterized in terms of spectral response and intrinsic efficiency using a tuneable monochromatic X‐ray source (SOLEX at CEA Saclay) in the 5‐ to 20‐keV energy range and various radionuclides. The characterization methods and results, including the first measured spectra of medical X‐ray tubes (high voltage < 50 kV), are presented in this work. This paper presents the first step of a broader project, aiming at assessing the emission spectrum independently of the detector choice. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental observation of quantum confinement in the conduction band of PbS quantum dots
Authors: Demchenko I. N. , Chernyshova M. , He X. , Minikayev R. , Syryanyy Y. , Derkachova A. , Derkachov G. , Stolte W. C. , Liang H.
Published: April 2013

The presented investigations aimed at the development of inexpensive method for synthesized materials suitable for utilization of solar energy. This important issue was addressed by focusing, mainly, on electronic local structure studies with supporting X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis of colloidal galena nanoparticles and quantum dots synthesized using wet chemistry under microwave irradiation. The performed X‐ray absorption near edge structure analysis revealed an evidence of quantum confinement for the sample with quantum dots, where the bottom of the conduction band was shifted to higher energy. Existence of sulfate/sulfite and thiosulfate species in pure lead sulfide and quantum dots, respectively, was identified. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polynomial approximation to universal M‐shell ionisation cross‐sections induced by H+ and He2+ ions
Authors: Taborda A. , Chaves P. C. , Carvalho M. L. , Reis M. A.
Published: April 2013

The calculation of ionisation cross‐sections induced by H+ and He2+ ions in efficient ways for inclusion in simulation programmes to determine the X‐ray intensities is still extremely useful, in spite of the significant computer power available nowadays. Particle‐induced X‐ray emission studies have been mostly carried out using K‐shell and L‐shell X‐ray emission. However, the new microcalorimeter detection systems available will make M‐shell and higher shell X‐ray emission data increasingly important. Quantification and simulation of X‐ray intensities require one to be able to compute the ionisation cross‐sections, which can be carried out using the ECPSSR theory. Nevertheless, this is not an efficient process, and therefore, in previous work, K and L‐shells universal ionisation cross‐section curves were found as well as polynomial approximations to the universal curves. In this work, polynomial approximations to the M‐shell universal ionisation cross‐sections are presented, and calculated ionisation and X‐ray production cross‐sections based on the polynomial approximations are compared with results from literature. These polynomial approximations were included in the X‐ray intensities simulation programme DT2simul, based on LibCPIXE, and the results obtained are compared with experimental data for several elements and compound samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Art from the Gutter: Heinrich Zille's Berlin
Authors: Brian Amanda M.
Published: April 2013

The quintessential Berlin artist Heinrich Zille, while remaining almost unrecognized outside Germany and certainly neglected in art historical circles on both sides of the Atlantic, nonetheless offers an important way to understand the modern city in late-nineteenth-century Europe. Zille, I argue, represents a proletarian modernism, a way of viewing and embracing a vibrant working-class domesticity—a milieu—that theGroßstadtitself had created. In so doing, he offered intimate representations of Berlin for Berliners; he was decidedly grounded in the local and telescoped Berlin from its districts to its neighborhoods to its streets. What reemerged at this insider level, however, were glimpses of the wider world into which Berliners had been cast. Zille thus blurred distinctions between public and private spaces that marked the social boundaries of the city and drew from both the local and the global in ways that have gone unrecognized in his work. His perspective on the new capital, in other words, was accomplished by embracing the liminal, and he ultimately offered a kind of palatable social protest—a vision of reform without socialism—that was itself quite remarkable.
Nazi Germany as a Christian State: The “Protestant Experience” of 1933 in Württemberg
Authors: Koehne Samuel
Published: April 2013

The study of German Christian responses to the Nazis is undoubtedly a growing field of historical inquiry. Within this topic much of the focus has been on larger church organizations, such as the Catholic Church or on those who were engaged in the “Church Struggle” (Kirchenkampf)––the Confessing Church (Bekennende Kirche, BK) or the German Christian Faith Movement (Glaubensbewegung Deutsche Christen,GDC). There are numerous such works that form excellent studies of church organizations, as well as individual theologians.
A Jewish “Nature Preserve”: League of Nations Minority Protections in Nazi Upper Silesia, 1933–1937
Authors: Karch Brendan
Published: April 2013

In October 1936, Herbert Levy, a thirty-year-old German Jew living in Breslau, the capital of Silesia, moved to the eastern stretches of the region in order to become a doctor. Against all odds and repressive trends in Nazi Germany at the time, Levy applied for a spot to study medicine in Hindenburg, a mining town near the Polish-German border. While his application was predictably rejected based on his Jewish identity, Levy's response was less predictable, at least to an outsider. He appealed his case, arguing that he had the law on his side. Levy was right. Although more than three years of Nazi decrees and persecution had driven many Jewish doctors out of the practice and made the study of medicine all but impossible, Levy enjoyed the protections ofinternationallaw.
DE GENERATIONE ET CORRUPTIONE2.3: DOES ARISTOTLE IDENTIFY THE CONTRARIES AS ELEMENTS?
Authors: Crowley Timothy J.
Published: April 2013

It might seem quite commonplace to say that Aristotle identifies fire, air, water and earth as the στοιχεῖα, or ‘elements’ – or, to be more precise, as the elements of bodies that are subject to generation and corruption. Yet there is a tradition of interpretation, already evident in the work of the sixth-century commentator John Philoponus and widespread, indeed prevalent, today, according to which Aristotle does not really believe that fire, air, water and earth are truly elemental. The basic premise of this interpretation is that Aristotle takes fire, air, water and earth to be, in some sense, composite bodies and, as such, analysable into simpler constituents. But, of course, an element of bodies is defined by Aristotle himself as something into which bodies can be analysed, and which does not admit further analysis (Metaph.5.3, 1014a26–1014b15;Cael. 3.3, 302a14–21). So if fire, air, water and earthcanbe analysed into simpler or more basic constituents, then it would seem to follow that the latter ought to be considered Aristotle's true elements. These are usually identified as the primary contraries hot and cold, dry and wet; many, perhaps most, commentators would insist also upon prime matter as the subject upon which these contraries act.
THE DESCENDANTS OF PETRARCH'SPRO ARCHIA
Authors: De Keyser Jeroen
Published: April 2013

Editors of Cicero'sPro Archiahave assumed that Petrarch's lost transcription of the equally lost Liège manuscript that he discovered in 1333 survives in an almost unaltered version in a single Florentine manuscript, while the remaining 265Italireflect another stage of the text, when conjectural corrections by its learned discoverer were introduced into the text. This article proposes a reassessment of that dichotomy, based on a first comprehensive study of the whole transmission.
PROPERTIUS 3.10.17
Authors: Dominicy Marc
Published: April 2013

The vulgate text at Prop. 3.10.17–18 reads as follows:et pete, qua polles, ut sit tibi forma perennisinque meum semper stent tua regna caput.17–18om.N  17polles T,uulgo: pelles FLP
THE WOMAN'S PART: THE SPEAKING BELOVED IN ROMAN ELEGY
Authors: Drinkwater Megan O.
Published: April 2013

Roman elegy is well known for its reversal of traditional Roman gender roles: women are presented in positions of power, chiefly but not exclusively erotic, that bear little or no relation to women's lived experience in the first centuryb.c.e. Yet the way elegy presents the beloved in a position of power over her lover, as Sharon James has observed, ‘retains standard Roman social and power structures, thus suggesting an inescapable inequity even within a private love affair: rather than sharing goals and desires, lover and beloved are placed in a gendered opposition … Hence resistant reading by thedominais an anticipated and integral part of the genre’. James's remark is indeed correct for each of the instances in which thedomina, or female beloved, speaks directly. When she does so, as James also shows, she speaks at cross-purposes with her lover, following a script that is designed ‘to destabilize him’ in an attempt to keep his interest. Yet what has not been noticed is that when the beloved is instead male, the situation is quite different. Tibullus' Marathus in poem 1.8, our sole example of a male elegiac beloved-turned-speaker, is the exception that proves the fundamental rule of gender inequity. Marathus, that is, when given the opportunity to speak, does in fact share the aims of a male lover, albeit in pursuit of his ownpuella. When the gendered opposition so integral to elegy is erased, the beloved no longer protests against the strictures of the genre; when both are male, lover and beloved alike are entitled to speak as elegiac lovers.
TRUTH AND GENRE IN PINDAR
Authors: Park Arum
Published: April 2013

By convention epinician poetry claims to be both obligatory and truthful, yet in the intersection of obligation and truth lies a seeming paradox: the poet presents his poetry as commissioned by a patron but also claims to be unbiased enough to convey the truth. In Slater's interpretation Pindar reconciles this paradox by casting his relationship to the patron as one of guest-friendship: when he declares himself a guest-friend of the victor, he agrees to the obligation ‘a) not to be envious of hisxenosand b) to speak well of him. The argumentation is:Xeniaexcludes envy, I am axenos, therefore I am not envious and consequently praise honestly’. Slater observes that envy may foster bias against the patron, but the problem of pro-patron bias remains: does the poet's friendship with and obligation to his patron produce praise at the expense of truth?
MADNESS AND BESTIALIZATION IN EURIPIDES'HERACLES
Authors: Provenza Antonietta
Published: April 2013

Against a background of anxious evocation of Dionysiac rites, Euripides'Heraclesstages the extreme degradation of the tragic hero who, as a consequence of the hatred of a divinity, loses his heroic traits and above all his human ones in the exercise of brutal violence. By comparing Heracles in the grip of madness to a furious bull assailing its prey, the tragedian clearly shows the inexorability of the divine will and its arbitrariness, and emphasizes madness itself through images traditionally associated with the bull. However, the reference to monstrosity and animals does not only involve Heracles, but also concerns the representation of Lyssa, the demon of madness sent by Hera to induce Heracles to slaughter his own family. This representation of Lyssa includes the monstrous and disturbing Gorgon and the dog, set alongside the metaphor of hunting, which in turn highlight the link between the demon and the Erinyes, those other bringers of madness.
MARCIA CATONIS AND THEFULMEN CLARUM
Authors: Tansey Patrick
Published: April 2013

Anyone familiar with the work of Friedrich Münzer knows that he possessed an unrivalled knowledge of the Roman aristocracy of the Republic. On the rare occasion when something escapes Münzer, it is apt to pass altogether unnoticed. The following is one such instance.
Sipunculans associated with dead coral skeletons in the Santa Marta region of Colombia, south-western Caribbean
Authors: Gómez Carlos E. , Ardila Néstor E. , Sanjuan-Muñoz Adolfo
Published: April 2013

Sipunculans represent a discrete component of the coral reef ecosystem, since they live inside the calcareous structure. They are an important component in terms of biomass and number of organisms. The present study describes the diversity of sipunculans living inside massive coral skeletons. A total of 43 blocks of dead coral skeletons from Montastraea cavernosa, Montastraea annularis and Diploria strigosa were collected from nearby coral reef areas off Santa Marta, on the Colombian Caribbean coast. Using hammer and chisel, blocks of approximately 1 dm3 were broken into small pieces, from which the sipunculans were extracted. A total of 381 organisms were obtained from the coral blocks comprising four families and 10 species. All the species found have been widely reported in different studies from the Caribbean region. Aspidosiphon fischeri and Phascolosoma perlucens were the two most abundant species comprising more than 60% of the total organisms with a mean density of 18.52 ± 4.64 organisms dm−3. Dead coral substrate from M. cavernosa had the greatest abundance (N = 148), followed by D. strigosa (N = 121) and M. annularis (N = 112). There were no significant differences in the abundance, richness, and diversity of sipunculans between coral skeletons; and within samples there was high variability suggesting that the skeletal substrates analysed came from coral skeletons of different unknown ages of succession. These results describe the sipunculan community structure that live inside three important massive coral skeletons, and contributes to the knowledge of the cryptobiota diversity of the Santa Marta area of Colombia.
An integrated multidomain functional failure and propagation analysis approach for safe system design
Authors: Mutha Chetan , Jensen David , Tumer Irem , Smidts Carol
Published: April 2013

Early system design analysis and fault removal is an important step in the iterative design process to avoid costly repairs in the later stages of system development. System complexity is increasing with increased use of software to control the physical system. There is a dearth of techniques to evaluate inconsistencies, incompatibility, and fault proneness of the system design in an integrated manner. The early design analysis technique presented in this paper aids a designer to understand the interplay between the multifaceted components and evaluate his/her design in an integrated manner. The technique allows simultaneous propagation of different types of faults from various domains and evaluates their functional impact over a period of time. The structure of the technique is explained using domain-specific conceptual metamodels, whereas the execution is based on the event sequence diagram, which is one of the established reliability and safety analysis techniques. One of the notable features of the proposed technique is the object-oriented nature of the system design representation. The technique is demonstrated with the help of a case study, and the execution results of two scenarios are evaluated to demonstrate the analysis capability of the proposed technique.
Modeling detailed design knowledge with the extended structure–behavior–function model
Authors: Chen Yong , Huang Jian , Xie Youbai , Zhang Zhinan
Published: April 2013

Detailed design is often a time-consuming and experience-dependent engineering process, where various detailed design knowledge can be reused. This paper proposes a formal approach for modeling detailed design knowledge for effective reuse. An extended structure–behavior–function model is developed for representing the structural, behavioral, and functional information in various life cycle periods of a detailed design. Based on the extended structure–behavior–function model, an issue- and solution-based approach is then developed to model the detailed knowledge of a mechanical design. The proposed approach is implemented in a detailed design knowledge modeling system, with a fixture design knowledge modeling as a brief example.
Serogroup distribution of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis in urban ethnic groups in The Netherlands
Authors: VERWEIJ S. P. , QUINT K. D. , BAX C. J. , VAN LEEUWEN A. P. , MUTSAERS J. A. E. M. , JANSEN C. L. , OOSTVOGEL P. M. , OUBURG S. , MORRÉ S. A. , PETERS R. P. H.
Published: April 2013

The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis varies between ethnic groups in The Netherlands. It is, however, unknown whether this is associated with specific serogroups. The objective of this study was to determine whether serogroup distribution is associated with ethnic origin in the region of The Hague, The Netherlands. Serogroups of 370 microbiologically confirmed C. trachomatis-positive samples were analysed. The samples were obtained from 247 women and 123 men between January and October 2008, of self-reported Dutch Caucasian, Dutch Antillean, Surinamese, N. African/Turkish or other descent. We observed a difference in serogroup distribution comparing Dutch Caucasian women to Dutch Antillean women (χ2 for distribution P = 0·035). Serogroup C was more common in Dutch Antillean women, whereas serogroup B was less common (P = 0·03). This difference was not observed for Dutch Antillean men. The observed difference in distribution of C. trachomatis serogroups between ethnic groups is relevant for further transmission studies.
A Computer Simulation of a California Casualty Collection Point Used to Respond to a Major Earthquake
Authors: Koehler Gus A. , Foley Dennis , Jones Michelle
Published: April 2013

Purpose:

Casualty Collection Points (CCPs) are sites predesignated by county officials for the congregation, triage, austere medical treatment, holding, and evacuation of casualties following a major disaster. A CCP (and the simulation) is made up of a series of discrete, interrelated steps that collectively result in medical care being provided to a casualty.

Methods:

A series of computer simulations was run comparing differences in personnel, supplies, and evacuation configuration for a jurisdiction that has plans in place to establish a CCP, and for one that does not. Each simulation was for 650 earthquake-related casualties.

Results:

Generally, it was found that: 1) mortality appears to be related directly to performance of triage of casualties and to where they are directed for care. The least injured did not need to be treated at a CCP; 2) survival is related directly to arrival time, mix of medical staff, and the ability to form “care teams” on-site; 3) the sudden, massive arrival of casualties will result in a “snowball” mortality effect if staff numbers are low or do not include the proper mix of training to form care teams well before the peak arrival time of casualties; 4) holding ambulances until they are filled completely before evacuation may increase mortality; 5) during the first four hours, more lives may be saved by using transportation assets to move medical staff and supplies to a CCP, if large numbers of casualties are expected to congregate there. Generally, the local jurisdiction must be prepared to mobilize a significant number of medical staff and supplies to a predesignated CCP within 4–6 hours after an event.

Conclusions:

The simulation produced useful information. In particular, local disaster response planners need to develop rapid response methods to ensure that the best combination of medical staff are available early to care for casualties.
The Impact of Recurrent Disasters on Mental Health: A Study on Seasonal Floods in Northern India
Authors: Wind Tim R. , Joshi Pooran C. , Kleber Rolf J. , Komproe Ivan H.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Very little is known on the impact of recurrent disasters on mental health.

Aim

The present study examines the immediate impact of a recurrent flood on mental health and functioning among an affected population in the rural district of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, India, compared with a population in the same region that is not affected by floods.

Methods

The study compared 318 affected respondents with 308 individuals who were not affected by floods. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). Psychological and physical functioning was assessed by using the Short Form-12 (SF-12).

Results

The affected group showed large to very large differences with the comparison group on symptoms of anxiety (D = .92) and depression (D = 1.22). The affected group scored significantly lower on psychological and physical functioning than the comparison group (respectively D = .33 and D = .80). However, hierarchical linear regressions showed no significant relationship between mental health and the domains of functioning in the affected group, whereas mental health and the domains of functioning were significantly related in the comparison group.

Conclusion

This study found a large negative impact of the recurrent floods on mental health outcomes and psychological and physical functioning. However, in a context with recurrent floods, disaster mental health status is not a relevant predictor of functioning. The findings suggest that the observed mental health status and impaired functioning in this context are also outcomes of another mechanism: Both outcomes are likely to be related to the erosion of the social and environmental and material context. As such, the findings refer to a need to implement psychosocial context-oriented interventions to address the erosion of the context rather than specific mental health interventions.

WindTR, JoshiPC, KleberRJ, KomproeIH. The impact of recurrent disasters on mental health: a study on seasonal floods in northern India. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(3):1-7.
Region- and Age-Dependent Alterations of Glial-Neuronal Metabolic Interactions Correlate with CNS Pathology in a Mouse Model of Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
Authors: Meisingset Tore Wergeland , Ricca Alessandra , Neri Margherita , Sonnewald Ursula , Gritti Angela
Published: April 2013

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) or Krabbe disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by genetic defects in the expression and activity of galactosylceramidase, a key enzyme in the catabolism of myelin-enriched sphingolipids. While there are several histologic, biochemical, and functional studies on GLD, correlations between morphologic and biochemical alterations in central nervous system (CNS) tissues during disease progression are lacking. Here, we combined immunohistochemistry and metabolic analysis using 1 H and 13 C magnetic resonance (MR) spectra of spinal cord, cerebellum, and forebrain to investigate glial-neuronal metabolic interactions and dysfunction in a GLD murine model that recapitulates the human pathology. In order to assess the temporal- and region-dependent disease progression and the potential metabolic correlates, we investigated CNS tissues at mildly symptomatic and fully symptomatic stages of the disease. When compared with age-matched controls, GLD mice showed glucose hypometabolism, alterations in neurotransmitter content, N-acetylaspartate, N-acetylaspartylglutamate, and osmolytes levels. Notably, age- and region-dependent patterns of metabolic disturbances were in close agreement with the progression of astrogliosis, microglia activation, apoptosis, and neurodegeneration. We suggest that MR spectroscopy could be used in vivo to monitor disease progression, as well as ex vivo and in vivo to provide criteria for the outcome of experimental therapies.
Biodiesel
Authors: Sarin Amit
Published: April 2013

Written by an accomplished author this book discusses all major aspects on the production and properties of biodiesel, but the main focus is on the two very important properties of oxidative stability and low-temperature flow. Examples of key chapters include: biodiesel properties, fuel specifications, oxidative stability and low-temperature flow properties, engine efficiency and emissions using biodiesel, major sources for biodiesel production, the present state of the biodiesel industry. One additional feature of the book is that it contains a comprehensive section on biodiesel resources. In this section the reader will be directed to fifty Indian unknown plants, that contain more than 30% oil in their seed or fruit. The author discusses in significant detail the statistical relationship between fatty acid compositions and other biodiesel properties. To bring the book to a final conclusion the food versus fuel issue is discussed and possible solutions. The book will be essential reading for chemists, chemical engineers and agricultural scientists working in both industry and academia on the production of biofuels.
Strong magnetic coupling in a magnetically dilute f-electron insulator: A dysprosium boron-cluster compound
Authors: Mori T. , Sahara R. , Kawazoe Y. , Yubuta K. , Shishido T. , Grin Y.
Published: April 2013

Unexpectedly strong magnetic coupling is observed in boride insulators containing the B12 icosahedra as a structural unit. We have successfully synthesized Dy0.74B22C2N, which takes the RB22C2N-type crystal structure. The Dy phase was previously thought to not be possible to form. Spin glass-like behavior was observed with a broad peak in the zero field cooled (ZFC) magnetic susceptibility at T ∼ 44 K, while a large divergence for ZFC and field cooled (FC) curves is observed. The Curie-Weiss constant is determined to be θ=−43.9 K, and this system is indicated to have the strongest magnetic coupling ever observed for any rare earth boride insulator. Electronic structure and chemical bonding calculations were also made. Conventional mechanisms for f-electron magnetism cannot explain the strong coupling observed, which further indicates that the B12 icosahedra is functioning as a novel mediator of magnetic interaction.
Cooperative effects in novel LiF/HF⋯LiF⋯XF (X = F, Cl, Br) clusters
Authors: McDowell Sean A. C. , Joseph Jerelle A.
Published: April 2013

Highly stable trimeric clusters of general formula LiF/HF⋯LiF⋯XF (X = F, Cl, Br) are predicted computationally. These clusters involve a LiF⋯XF dyad, with both the positively charged Li and negatively charged F atom of LiF non-covalently bonded to the X atom of XF. A third molecule (LiF or HF) is complexed to this dyad via ionic-type F⋯Li and Li(H)⋯F interactions to form a substantially stronger cluster.
Condensation of circular DNA
Authors: Starostin E. L.
Published: April 2013

A simple model of a circularly closed double-stranded DNA in a poor solvent is considered as an example of a semi-flexible polymer with self-attraction. To find the ground states, the conformational energy is computed as a sum of the bending and torsional elastic components and the effective self-attraction energy. The model includes a relative orientation or sequence dependence of the effective attraction forces between different pieces of the polymer chain. Two series of conformations are analysed: a multicovered circle (a toroid) and a multifold two-headed racquet. The results are presented as a diagram of state. It is suggested that the stability of particular conformations may be controlled by proper adjustment of the primary structure. Application of the model to other semi-flexible polymers is considered.
Child allowances, fertility, and chaotic dynamics
Authors: Chen Hung-Ju , Li Ming-Chia
Published: April 2013

This paper analyzes the dynamics in an overlapping generations model with the provision of child allowances. Fertility is an increasing function of child allowances and there exists a threshold effect of the marginal effect of child allowances on fertility. We show that if the effectiveness of child allowances is sufficiently high, an intermediate-sized tax rate will be enough to generate chaotic dynamics. Besides, a decrease in the inter-temporal elasticity of substitution will prevent the occurrence of irregular cycles.
Transporter-mediated biofuel secretion
Authors: Doshi Rupak , Nguyen Tuan , Chang Geoffrey
Published: April 2013

Engineering microorganisms to produce biofuels is currently among the most promising strategies in renewable energy. However, harvesting these organisms for extracting biofuels is energy- and cost-intensive, limiting the commercial feasibility of large-scale production. Here, we demonstrate the use of a class of transport proteins of pharmacological interest to circumvent the need to harvest biomass during biofuel production. We show that membrane-embedded transporters, better known to efflux lipids and drugs, can be used to mediate the secretion of intracellularly synthesized model isoprenoid biofuel compounds to the extracellular milieu. Transporter-mediated biofuel secretion sustainably maintained an approximate three- to fivefold boost in biofuel production in our
Escherichia coli
test system. Because the transporters used in this study belong to the ubiquitous ATP-binding cassette protein family, we propose their use as “plug-and-play” biofuel-secreting systems in a variety of bacteria, cyanobacteria, diatoms, yeast, and algae used for biofuel production. This investigation showcases the potential of expressing desired membrane transport proteins in cell factories to achieve the export or import of substances of economic, environmental, or therapeutic importance.
Transition of the stellar initial mass function explored using binary population synthesis
Authors: Suda Takuma , Komiya Yutaka , Yamada Shimako , Katsuta Yutaka , Aoki Wako , Gil-Pons Pilar , Doherty Carolyn L. , Campbell Simon W. , Wood Peter R. , Fujimoto Masayuki Y.
Published: April 2013

The stellar initial mass function (IMF) plays a crucial role in the determination of the number of surviving stars in galaxies, of the chemical composition of the interstellar medium and of the distribution of light in galaxies. A key unsolved question is whether the IMF is universal in time and space. Here, we use the state-of-the-art results of stellar evolution to show that the IMF of our Galaxy made a transition from an IMF dominated by massive stars to the present-day IMF at an early phase of the Galaxy formation. Updated results from stellar evolution in a wide range of metallicities have been implemented in a binary population synthesis code, and compared with the observations of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in our Galaxy. We find that the application of the present-day IMF to Galactic halo stars causes serious contradictions with four observable quantities connected with the evolution of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Furthermore, a comparison between our calculations and the observations of CEMP stars might help us to constrain the transition metallicity for the IMF, which we tentatively set at [Fe/H] ≈−2. A novelty of the current study is the inclusion of mass-loss suppression in intermediate-mass AGB stars at low metallicity. This significantly reduces the overproduction of nitrogen-enhanced stars, which was a major problem in previous studies when using the IMF dominated by high-mass stars. Our results also demonstrate that the use of the present-day IMF for all time in chemical evolution models results in the overproduction of Type I.5 supernovae. More data on stellar abundances will help us to understand how the IMF has changed, and what caused such a transition.
Climate, ecological release and bill dimorphism in an island songbird
Authors: Greenberg Russell , Danner Raymond M.
Published: April 2013

Sexual size dimorphism is expected to be more pronounced in vertebrates on islands, particularly in trophic characters, as a response to decreased interspecific competition for food. We found (based on measurements of 1423 museum specimens) that bill size dimorphism was greater in island than mainland populations of song sparrows. However, dimorphism varied among islands and was positively correlated with high summer temperature and island size. Island song sparrow bills follow the overall positive temperature bill size relationship for California song sparrows, which includes larger bills on large, warmer islands. Large bills dissipate more heat and may be an adaptation to summer heat stress. Dimorphism increases because the slope for males is greater than females. Thus, the greater magnitude of bill dimorphism on islands with warmer summers may result from males experiencing greater thermal stress during territorial activity, creating different thermal optima. In contrast, bill dimorphism was unrelated to climate on the mainland. We hypothesize that reduced interspecific competition releases island populations from a constraint so that sex-specific physiological optima can be achieved, whereas mainland birds are constrained.
Application of discontinuity layout optimization to three-dimensional plasticity problems
Authors: Hawksbee Samuel , Smith Colin , Gilbert Matthew
Published: April 2013

A new three-dimensional limit analysis formulation that uses the recently developed discontinuity layout optimization (DLO) procedure is described. With DLO, limit analysis problems are formulated purely in terms of discontinuities, which take the form of polygons when three-dimensional problems are involved. Efficient second-order cone programming techniques can be used to obtain solutions for problems involving Tresca and Mohr–Coulomb yield criteria. This allows traditional ‘upper bound’ translational collapse mechanisms to be identified automatically. A number of simple benchmark problems are considered, demonstrating that good results can be obtained even when coarse numerical discretizations are employed.
Increased morphological asymmetry, evolvability and plasticity in human brain evolution
Authors: Gómez-Robles Aida , Hopkins William D. , Sherwood Chet C.
Published: April 2013

The study of hominin brain evolution relies mostly on evaluation of the endocranial morphology of fossil skulls. However, only some general features of external brain morphology are evident from endocasts, and many anatomical details can be difficult or impossible to examine. In this study, we use geometric morphometric techniques to evaluate inter- and intraspecific differences in cerebral morphology in a sample of
in vivo
magnetic resonance imaging scans of chimpanzees and humans, with special emphasis on the study of asymmetric variation. Our study reveals that chimpanzee–human differences in cerebral morphology are mainly symmetric; by contrast, there is continuity in asymmetric variation between species, with humans showing an increased range of variation. Moreover, asymmetric variation does not appear to be the result of allometric scaling at intraspecific levels, whereas symmetric changes exhibit very slight allometric effects within each species. Our results emphasize two key properties of brain evolution in the hominine clade: first, evolution of chimpanzee and human brains (and probably their last common ancestor and related species) is not strongly morphologically constrained, thus making their brains highly evolvable and responsive to selective pressures; second, chimpanzee and, especially, human brains show high levels of fluctuating asymmetry indicative of pronounced developmental plasticity. We infer that these two characteristics can have a role in human cognitive evolution.
BRANCHED1 Interacts with FLOWERING LOCUS T to Repress the Floral Transition of the Axillary Meristems inArabidopsis
Authors: Niwa Masaki , Daimon Yasufumi , Kurotani Ken-ichi , Higo Asuka , Pruneda-Paz José L. , Breton Ghislain , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Kay Steve A. , Ohme-Takagi Masaru , Endo Motomu , Araki Takashi
Published: April 2013

Plant architecture shows a large degree of developmental plasticity. Some of the key determinants are the timing of the floral transition induced by a systemic flowering signal (florigen) and the branching pattern regulated by key factors such as BRANCHED1 (BRC1). Here, we report that BRC1 interacts with the florigen proteins FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TWIN SISTER OF FT (TSF) but not with TERMINAL FLOWER1, a floral repressor. FT protein induced in leaves moves into the subtended bud, suggesting that FT protein also plays a role in promotion of the floral transition in the axillary meristem (AM). The brc1-2 mutant shows an earlier floral transition in the axillary shoots compared with the wild type, suggesting that BRC1 plays a role in delaying the floral transition of the AMs. Genetic and gene expression analyses suggest that BRC1 interferes with florigen (FT and TSF) function in the AMs. Consistent with this, BRC1 ectopically expressed in the shoot apical meristem delays the floral transition in the main shoot. These results taken together suggest that BRC1 protein interacts with FT and TSF proteins and modulates florigen activity in the axillary buds to prevent premature floral transition of the AMs.
Bonded composite repair structures multiple site damage analysis
Authors: Chen Chi , Hai Tran Thanh , Volinsky Alex A.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to describe the effects of the length of cracks and the patch size on the stress intensity factors in a bonded composite repair structure containing multiple site damage.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element method was applied to simulate a bonded repair of a cracked aluminum plate with multiple site damage. A two‐dimensional three‐layer technique was utilized to model damage in a typical aluminum plate with collinear twin cracks.

Findings

This research has found that the stress intensity factors of collinear twin cracks can be reduced significantly through bonded composite repair, and their values strongly depend on the relative position of the cracks. Moreover, the composite patch should be 1.5 to two times longer than the crack length and the patch thickness should be 30‐40 percent of the plate thickness for the best repair performance.

Research limitations/implications

Patch debonding can significantly reduce the repair efficiency and should be avoided if possible.

Originality/value

It is seen that, instead of the three‐dimensional finite element model, which is computationally intense, the two‐dimensional three‐layer finite element model has an adequate accuracy to obtain stress intensity factors in a bonded composite repair structure with multiple site damage.
Coning algorithm based on singular perturbation
Authors: Fu Li , Wang Lingling , Hu Jianghai
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to propose a new coning correction algorithm, based on the singular perturbation technique, for the attitude update computation with non‐ideal angular rate information.

Design/methodology/approach

Unlike conventional coning correction algorithms, the new method uses angular rate two‐time scale model to construct the coning correction term of attitude update. In order to achieve balanced real/pseudo coning correction performance, the selection guidelines of the new algorithm parameters are established.

Findings

Performance of the new algorithm is evaluated by comparison with the conventional algorithm in no ideal sensors undergoing stochastic coning environments. The accuracy of attitude update can be improved effectively with reduced computational workload by using this new coning algorithm as compared with conventional ones.

Practical implications

The proposed coning correction algorithm can be implemented with angular rate sensors in UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and other aircrafts attitude estimation for navigation and control applications.

Originality/value

Singular perturbation is an effective method for structuring coning correction algorithm with filtered angular rate outputs in stochastic coning environments. The improved coning correction algorithm based on singular perturbations reduces the real and pseudo coning effects effectively as compared with conventional ones. It is proved to be valid for improvement of accuracy with reduced computations of the attitude update.
Determinants of immigrants’ cash‐welfare benefits intake in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez‐Planas Núria
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Much of the literature on immigrants’ cash‐welfare benefits use has focused on countries with a large tradition of receiving immigrants and with well‐established welfare states. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this literature by analyzing differences in cash‐welfare benefits receipt between immigrants and natives and their determinants in Spain, a country with a small level of social assistance and a welfare state heavily reliant on conditioned access to pensions; and an unprecedented immigration boom.

Design/methodology/approach

Different probit models of social program intake are estimated for immigrants and native‐born individuals using pooled cross‐sectional data from the 1999 to 2009 Spanish Labor Force Survey (LFS).

Findings

Results show that a negative residual welfare gap exists and that it is mainly driven by recently arrived immigrants, whose legal status or insufficient contribution is likely to hamper participation in social programs. In addition, it is found that immigrants with more than five years in the host country are more likely to receive unemployment benefits than natives, consistent with findings in other countries. These findings hold, regardless of immigrants’ continent of origin.

Research limitations/implications

Return migration related (or not) to an amnesty may be worrisome, as both return migration and under‐reporting of immigrants may generate deterministic biases in an analysis. Although the direction of the biases caused by return migration is not always obvious, sensitivity analysis has been undertaken to evaluate the extent of this problem by comparing the population sizes for the different entry cohorts of immigrants at each LFS. While there is some variation in sizes across LFS, no clear pattern is observed that would raise major concerns of return migration (as there are no regular patterns for decreases in cohort sizes). Nonetheless, for this to be a problem, it needs to generate a deterministic bias in any analysis. Analyzing the demographic characteristics of the different cohorts of immigrants at each of the different LFSs only reveals small changes across surveys; in essence, the socio‐demographic characteristics of the cohort remain quite stable across surveys, implying that no deterministic bias would emerge in an analysis.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the relevance of accounting for cohort of arrival in the host country, especially when welfare benefits are based on workers’ contribution. Indeed, failure to account for this would lead to the conclusion that immigrants are less likely to receive unemployment insurance (UI) benefits than natives. However, once cohort of arrival is included as a covariate, this paper finds that the lower UI intake is explained by the most recent immigrants, as their legal status and lower contributions hamper participation in social programs.