bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where is the money? Post-disaster foreign aid flows
Authors: Becerra Oscar , Cavallo Eduardo , Noy Ilan
Published: October 2014

This paper describes the flows of aid after large catastrophic natural disasters by using the extensive record of bilateral aid flows, by aid sector, available through the OECD's Development Assistance Committee. For each large donor, the extent of cross-sector reallocation is identified that is occurring in the aftermath of large disasters whereby humanitarian aid increases but other types of aid may decrease. The evidence in this paper suggests that the expectation of large surges in post-disaster aid flows is not warranted given the past diversity of experience of global foreign post-disaster aid by donor and by event. No evidence is found, however, that donors reallocate aid between recipient countries (cross-recipient reallocation). These observations suggest that countries which are predicted to face increasing losses from natural disasters in the coming decades (and almost all are) should be devoting significant resources to prevention, insurance and mitigation, rather than expecting significant post-disaster aid inflows.
Organizational characteristics and processes are important in the adoption of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth in child-care centres
Authors: Farmer Anna P , Nikolopoulos Hara , McCargar Linda , Berry Tanya , Mager Diana
Published: October 2014

Objective

The objective of the present study was to gain an understanding of the organizational characteristics and processes in two child-care centres that may influence adoption of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (ANGCY).

Design

In-depth qualitative case studies. Data were collected through direct observations, key informant interviews and field notes. Diffusion of Innovations theory guided the evaluation and intrinsic case analysis.

Setting

Two urban child-care centres in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada identified as exemplary early adopter cases.

Subjects

Ten key informants comprised of directors, junior and senior staff members participated in interviews.

Results

Organizational processes such as leadership, networking and knowledge brokering, health champions and organizational culture positively influenced adoption behaviour in child-care centres. A key determinant influencing organizational behaviour within both centres was the directors’ strong leadership. Acceptance of and adherence to the guidelines were facilitated by organizational factors, such as degree of centralization, formalization and complexity, level of staff training and education. Knowledge brokering by directors was important for transferring and exchanging information across the centre. All child-care staff embraced their informal role as health champions as essential to supporting guideline adherence and encouraging healthy food and eating environments.

Conclusions

Organizational processes and characteristics such as leadership, knowledge brokering and networking, organizational culture and health champions played an important role in the adoption of nutrition guidelines in child-care centres. The complex interplay of decision making, organization of work and specialization of roles influenced the extent to which nutrition guidelines were adopted.
Acceptability of delivery of dietary advice in the dentistry setting to address obesity in pre-school children: a case study of the Common Risk Factor Approach
Authors: Henderson Emily J
Published: October 2014

Objective

The Common Risk Factor Approach proposes that public health efforts can be improved by multiple agencies working together on a shared risk factor. The present study aimed to assess the acceptability to parents, dental practice staff and commissioners of the delivery of dietary advice in the dentistry setting in order to address obesity.

Design

Semi-structured focus groups with dental practice staff and one-to-one interviews with parents of pre-school children and public health commissioners involved in an oral health promotion initiative delivering dietary advice in dental surgeries. Data were analysed using the Framework Approach.

Setting

General dental practice surgeries and pre-schools in areas of high deprivation in north-east England.

Subjects

Parents (n 4), dental practice staff (n 23) and one commissioner.

Results

All participants found acceptable the concept of delivering public health messages in non-conventional settings. Dental practice staff were concerned about the potential for conflicting messages and deprioritisation of oral health advice, and they identified practical barriers to delivery, such as lack of training. Parents were very apprehensive about the potential of such approaches to stigmatise overweight children, including bullying. Uncertainty over the causes of obesity led to confusion about its solutions and the roles of public health and health care.

Conclusions

Major concerns about the implementation of the Common Risk Factor Approach were raised by parents and dental practice staff. Specific dietary guidance for both oral health and healthy weight, as well as further research into issues of suitability, feasibility and stigmatisation, are needed.
Multimedia psychoeducational interventions to support patient self-care in degenerative conditions: A realist review
Authors: O'Halloran Peter , Scott David , Reid Joanne , Porter Sam
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Multimedia interventions are increasingly used to deliver information in order to promote self-care among patients with degenerative conditions. We carried out a realist review of the literature to investigate how the characteristics of multimedia psychoeducational interventions combine with the contexts in which they are introduced to help or hinder their effectiveness in supporting self-care for patients with degenerative conditions.

Method:

Electronic databases (Medline, Science Direct, PSYCHinfo, EBSCO, and Embase) were searched in order to identify papers containing information on multimedia psychoeducational interventions. Using a realist review approach, we reviewed all relevant studies to identify theories that explained how the interventions work.

Results:

Ten papers were included in the review. All interventions sought to promote self-care behaviors among participants. We examined the development and content of the multimedia interventions and the impact of patient motivation and of the organizational context of implementation. We judged seven studies to be methodologically weak. All completed studies showed small effects in favor of the intervention.

Significance of Results:

Multimedia interventions may provide high-quality information in an accessible format, with the potential to promote self-care among patients with degenerative conditions, if the patient perceives the information as important and develops confidence about self-care. The evidence base is weak, so that research is needed to investigate effective modes of delivery at different resource levels. We recommend that developers consider how an intervention will reduce uncertainty and increase confidence in self-care, as well as the impact of the context in which it will be employed.
A new, improved and generalizable approach for the analysis of biological data generated by -omic platforms
Authors: Pleasants A. B. , Wake G. C. , Shorten P. R. , Hassell-Sweatman C. Z. W. , McLean C. A. , Holbrook J. D. , Gluckman P. D. , Sheppard A. M.
Published: October 2014

The principles embodied by the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) view of ‘life history’ trajectory are increasingly underpinned by biological data arising from molecular-based epigenomic and transcriptomic studies. Although a number of ‘omic’ platforms are now routinely and widely used in biology and medicine, data generation is frequently confounded by a frequency distribution in the measurement error (an inherent feature of the chemistry and physics of the measurement process), which adversely affect the accuracy of estimation and thus, the inference of relationships to other biological measures such as phenotype. Based on empirical derived data, we have previously derived a probability density function to capture such errors and thus improve the confidence of estimation and inference based on such data. Here we use published open source data sets to calculate parameter values relevant to the most widely used epigenomic and transcriptomic technologies Then by using our own data sets, we illustrate the benefits of this approach by specific application, to measurement of DNA methylation in this instance, in cases where levels of methylation at specific genomic sites represents either (1) a response variable or (2) an independent variable. Further, we extend this formulation to consideration of the ‘bivariate’ case, in which the co-dependency of methylation levels at two distinct genomic sites is tested for biological significance. These tools not only allow greater accuracy of measurement and improved confidence of functional inference, but in the case of epigenomic data at least, also reveal otherwise cryptic information.
Basal ganglia anatomy and schizophrenia: the role of antipsychotic treatment
Authors: Zampieri E. , Bellani M. , Crespo-Facorro B. , Brambilla P.
Published: October 2014

Progressive enlargement of basal ganglia volume has been observed in schizophrenia individuals, potentially being sustained by chronic administration of antipsychotic drugs. Here we briefly summarise the state of the art of the role of antipsychotic in leading to increased basal ganglia in schizophrenia, particularly focusing on the caudate nucleus.
Transkranielle Magnetstimulation (TMS), Inhibitionsprozesse und Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/ Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS)
Authors: Hoegl Thomas , Bender Stephan , Buchmann Johannes , Kratz Oliver , Moll Gunther H. , Heinrich Hartmut
Published: October 2014

Die Exzitabilität des motorischen Systems kann mittels der transkraniellen Magnetstimulation (TMS) untersucht werden. In dieser Arbeit wird ein Überblick über methodische Weiterentwicklungen und Forschungsergebnisse im Bereich der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) der vergangenen Jahre gegeben. Es werden verschiedene TMS-Parameter vorgestellt, die unter anderem die Funktion von Interneuronen im Motorkortex abbilden und neurophysiologische Inhibitionsmarker für ADHS darstellen könnten. Dies gilt insbesondere für die sogenannte intrakortikale Inhibition, die bei Kindern mit stark ausgeprägter hyperaktiver/impulsiver Symptomatik in Ruhe ähnlich gering wie kurz vor der Durchführung einer Bewegung ausfällt. Durch die Ableitung von TMS-evozierten Potentialen im EEG können Exzitabilitätsprozesse prinzipiell auch in nicht-motorischen Arealen untersucht werden. Die Effekte von Methylphenidat auf die Exzitabilität des motorischen Systems lassen sich im Sinne eines «Fine-Tunings» interpretieren, wobei diese überwiegend dopaminergen Effekte auch von genetischen Parametern (DAT1 Transporter) abhängen. Ein detaillierter Blick auf die Organisation motorischer Kontrolle ist durch eine kombinierte Messung von TMS-Parametern und ereignisbezogenen Potentialen möglich. Mit diesem Ansatz konnten bei Kindern mit ADHS eine unterschiedliche Implementierung bzw. mögliche kompensatorische Mechanismen (unter Beteiligung des präfrontalen Kortex) aufgezeigt werden. Diese Befunde, die zu einem besseren Verständnis von Hyperaktivität/Impulsivität, Inhibitionsmechanismen und motorischer Kontrolle bei ADHS sowie den Wirkmechanismen medikamentöser Therapie beitragen, unterstreichen die Bedeutung der TMS als neurophysiologische Methode zur Erforschung von ADHS.
Increased N-glycosylation of Asn88 in serum pancreatic ribonuclease 1 is a novel diagnostic marker for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Nakata Daisuke
Published: October 2014

Alterations of carbohydrate structures in cancer cells are the most promising targets for developing clinical diagnostic reagents. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose because it lacks definitive symptoms. Two antibodies were raised against human pancreatic ribonuclease 1 that bind to the enzyme containing unglycosylated Asn88, but not when its Asn88isN-glycosylated. Differential studies using these antibodies in immunoassays and Western blot analyses showed a significant increase in the serum levels of pancreatic ribonuclease 1 containingN-glycosylated Asn88in pancreatic cancer patients compared with normal human subjects. Focusing on the increase in anN-glycosylated Asn residue of serum pancreatic ribonuclease 1, specifically Asn88, affords a new diagnostic marker for pancreatic cancer. This is the first report of a diagnostic cancer marker that takes advantage of the presence or absence ofN-glycosylation at a specific Asn residue of a glycoprotein.
Application of PAMAM dendrimers in optical sensing
Authors: Soršak E. , Valh J. Volmajer , Urek Š. Korent , Lobnik A.
Published: October 2014

In this review, recent advances have been reported in those PAMAM dendrimer-based optical sensors that are used for the detection of pH, cations, and other analyte.
Efficient light harvesting of a luminescent solar concentrator using excitation energy transfer from an aggregation-induced emitter
Authors: Banal James L. , Ghiggino Kenneth P. , Wong Wallace W. H.
Published: October 2014

Efficient light harvesting in a luminescent solar concentrator has been achieved by using excitation energy transfer from an aggregation-induced emitter to a high fluorescence quantum yield fluorophore.
Ab initio and metadynamics studies on the role of essential functional groups in biomineralization of calcium carbonate and environmental situations
Authors: Saharay Moumita , Kirkpatrick R. James
Published: October 2014

A computational study of the interaction of Ca2+ and CO32− with functional groups relevant to CaCO3 biomineralization and NOM to evaluate the structural environments, energetics of these interactions in small molecular clusters, changes in the vibrational frequencies due to ion-association, and the effects of solvation of the clusters in bulk water.
Interaction of para-tert-butylcalix[6]arene molecules in Langmuir films with cadmium ions and their effects on molecular conformation and surface potential
Authors: Wrobel Ellen C. , Santos Poliana M. , Lazzarotto Márcio , Oliveira Osvaldo N. , Uehara Thiers M. , Miranda Paulo B. , Caseli Luciano , Garcia Jarem R. , de Lázaro Sérgio R. , Camilo Jr Alexandre , Wohnrath Karen
Published: October 2014

The SFG data show the orientation ofCalix6molecules at the air/water interface, and their interaction with Cd ions.
Bacteria-powered battery on paper
Authors: Fraiwan Arwa , Choi Seokheun
Published: October 2014

Paper-based devices have recently emerged as simple and low-cost paradigms for fluid manipulation and analytical/clinical testing.
Dual ligand-based fluorescence and phosphorescence emission at room temperature from platinum thioxanthonyl complexes
Authors: Geist Fabian , Jackel Andrej , Winter Rainer F.
Published: October 2014

Platinum complexes with σ-bonded thioxanthonyl (Tx) ligands exhibit, on irradiation into the Tx π→π* band, dual Tx-based fluorescence and phosphorescence emission with phosphorescence quantum yields of up to 19% in fluid solution at room temperature.
[(η5-C5Me5)Ru]+ fragments ligated to polyaromatic hydrocarbons: an experimental and computational approach to pathways for haptotropic migration
Authors: Rioja Matias , Hamon Paul , Roisnel Thierry , Sinbandhit Sourisak , Fuentealba Mauricio , Letelier Karina , Saillard Jean-Yves , Vega Andrés , Hamon Jean-René
Published: October 2014

DFT calculations indicated rather high activation energies for the thermally induced intramolecular inter-ring haptotropic migration of the [(η5-C5Me5)Ru+] moiety.
Iron(ii) complexes featuring κ3- and κ2-bound PNP pincer ligands – the significance of sterics
Authors: Glatz Mathias , Bichler Bernhard , Mastalir Matthias , Stöger Berthold , Weil Matthias , Mereiter Kurt , Pittenauer Ernst , Allmaier Günter , Veiros Luis F. , Kirchner Karl
Published: October 2014

A series of octahedral Fe(ii) complexes of the type [Fe(κ3-P,N,P-PNP)(κ2-P,N-PNP)X]+ (X = Cl, Br) where PNP pincer ligands are coordinated both in a κ3-P,N,P- and κ2-P,N-fashion was prepared and characterized.
Stable anode performance of vanadium oxide hydrate semi-microspheres and their graphene based composite microspheres in sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Fei Hailong , Li Zhiwei , Feng Wenjing , Liu Xin
Published: October 2014

A novel graphene based VO2 hydrate anode material delivers a high capacity for sodium-ion batteries.
Redox-active multinuclear Pd(ii) complexes with bis- and tris-mesoionic carbenes
Authors: Maity Ramananda , van der Meer Margarethe , Sarkar Biprajit
Published: October 2014

Synthesis of a ligand platform to generate di- and tri-mesoionic carbenes is reported together with their multinuclear Pd(ii) complexes.
Electrocatalytic H2 production with a turnover frequency >107 s−1: the medium provides an increase in rate but not overpotential
Authors: Hou Jianbo , Fang Ming , Cardenas Allan Jay P. , Shaw Wendy J. , Helm Monte L. , Bullock R. Morris , Roberts John A. S. , O'Hagan Molly
Published: October 2014

Changes to the medium results in remarkable increases in the rate of electrocatalytic production of H2 without increases in overpotential.
An efficient production of benzene from benzoic acid in subcritical water using a copper(i) oxide catalyst
Authors: Zheng Qingxin , Morimoto Masato , Takanohashi Toshimasa
Published: October 2014

The benzene yield from benzoic acid increased greatly to 90 mol% with 100% selectivity in subcritical water catalyzed by Cu2O.
C18-coated stir bar sorptive extraction combined with HPLC-ICP-MS for the speciation of butyltins in environmental samples
Authors: Mao Xiangju , Fan Wenying , He Man , Chen Beibei , Hu Bin
Published: October 2014

A simple, rapid and sensitive method of C18-SBSE-HPLC-ICP-MS for the speciation of butyltins in environmental waters and sediments.
A micro-sized bio-solar cell for self-sustaining power generation
Authors: Lee Hankeun , Choi Seokheun
Published: October 2014

Self-sustainable energy sources are essential for a wide array of wireless applications deployed in remote field locations.
Synthesis and use of “clickable” bay-region tetrasubstituted perylene tetracarboxylic tetraesters and a perylene monoimide diester as energy acceptors
Authors: Aydin Edanur , Nisanci Bilal , Acar Murat , Dastan Arif , Bozdemir Özgür Altan
Published: October 2014

Novel perylene derivatives are ready to be used as functional energy acceptors in light-harvesting systems.
Facile one-pot method synthesis CNT–GeO2 nanocomposite for high performance Li ion battery anode material
Authors: Jia Fangfang , Song Lingxiao , Wei Wei , Qu Peng , Xu Maotian
Published: October 2014

The facile one-pot synthesized CNT–GeO2 nanocomposite shows promising use as an anode material for Li ion batteries.
Cu–Ni nano-alloy: mixed, core–shell or Janus nano-particle?
Authors: Guisbiers Grégory , Khanal Subarna , Ruiz-Zepeda Francisco , Roque de la Puente Jorge , José-Yacaman Miguel
Published: October 2014

Bimetallic nanoparticles like Cu–Ni are particularly attractive due to their magnetic and catalytic properties; however, their properties depend strongly on the structure of the alloy i.e. mixed, core–shell or Janus.
Novel synthesis of 5-methyl-5,10-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]indoles by Pd-catalyzed C–C and two-fold C–N coupling reactions
Authors: Hung Tran Quang , Hancker Sören , Villinger Alexander , Lochbrunner Stefan , Dang Tuan Thanh , Friedrich Aleksej , Breitsprecher Wolfgang , Langer Peter
Published: October 2014

A series of 5,10-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]indoles was successfully prepared by an efficient two-step strategy.
Indium-catalyzed intramolecular hydroarylation of aryl propargyl ethers
Authors: Alonso-Marañón Lorena , Martínez M. Montserrat , Sarandeses Luis A. , Sestelo José Pérez
Published: October 2014

Indium(iii) halides are efficient and selective catalysts for the intramolecular hydroarylation of aryl propargyl ethers.
Late-stage diversification of biologically active pyridazinones via a direct C–H functionalization strategy
Authors: Li Wei , Fan Zhoulong , Geng Kaijun , Xu Youjun , Zhang Ao
Published: October 2014

Divergent ortho-selective C–H functionalization was successfully established using a pyridazinone moiety as an internal directing group.
Simple and effective route for synthesis of parvaquone, an antiprotozoal drug
Authors: Patil Pravin C. , Akamanchi Krishnacharya G.
Published: October 2014

Parvaquone, an antiprotozoal agent is made from 1-naphthol and cyclohexanol in 33.8% overall yield in four steps: a novel acid catalyzed cyclohexylation to get 2-cyclohexyl-1-naphthol in 86% followed by oxidation, epoxidation and isomerization.
Polypyrrole: FeOx·ZnO nanoparticle solar cells with breakthrough open-circuit voltage prepared from relatively stable liquid dispersions
Authors: Zong Bao-Yu , Ho Pin , Zhang Zhi-Guo , Ng Ging-Meng , Yao Kui , Guo Zai-Bing
Published: October 2014

Breakthrough Voc up to >1.5 V for polypyrrole-Fe2O3ZnO solar-cells is attained from stable dispersions and affected by the reactant type and ratio.
Single-molecule force spectroscopic study on chiral recognition of cysteine derivatives immobilized on a gold substrate by using AFM tips chemically modified with optically active crown ethers
Authors: Nakahara Yoshio , Mitani Hitoshi , Kado Shinpei , Kimura Keiichi
Published: October 2014

The chiral recognition of cysteine derivatives on a gold substrate was investigated using AFM tips modified with optically active crown ethers.
Metal-induced histidine deprotonation in biocatalysis? Experimental and theoretical insights into superoxide reductase
Authors: Horch Marius , Pinto Ana Filipa , Mroginski Maria Andrea , Teixeira Miguel , Hildebrandt Peter , Zebger Ingo
Published: October 2014

An experimental and theoretical case study on superoxide reductase explores the protonation states of iron-bound histidines and their relevance for metalloenzyme catalysis.
Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy reveals water-mediated coherent dynamics in an enzyme active site
Authors: Adamczyk Katrin , Simpson Niall , Greetham Gregory M. , Gumiero Andrea , Walsh Martin A. , Towrie Michael , Parker Anthony W. , Hunt Neil T.
Published: October 2014

Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy provides insights into the dynamic nature of water in the active sites of catalase and peroxidase enzymes.
A carbon modified NaTaO3 mesocrystal nanoparticle with excellent efficiency of visible light induced photocatalysis
Authors: Wu Xiaoyong , Yin Shu , Liu Bin , Kobayashi Makoto , Kakihana Masato , Sato Tsugio
Published: October 2014

A carbon modified NaTaO3mesocrystal was successfully prepared by a one-pot solvothermal method, presenting excellent visible light induced deNOxability.
Facile preparation of MnO2 doped Fe2O3 hollow nanofibers for low temperature SCR of NO with NH3
Authors: Zhan Sihui , Qiu Mingying , Yang Shanshan , Zhu Dandan , Yu Hongbing , Li Yi
Published: October 2014

MnO2 doped Fe2O3 hollow nanofibers were successfully synthesized by the electrospinning method, which exhibit superior catalytic activity for low temperature NH3-SCR.
Low-temperature and one-pot synthesis of sulfurized graphene nanosheets via in situ doping and their superior electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Chen Yi , Li Jing , Mei Tao , Hu Xian'gang , Liu Dengwu , Wang Juncheng , Hao Ming , Li Jinhua , Wang Jianying , Wang Xianbao
Published: October 2014

The chemical doping of foreign atoms and functional moieties is a significant strategy for tailoring the electronic properties and enhancing the catalytic ability of graphene.
Disruption of integrin–fibronectin complexes by allosteric but not ligand-mimetic inhibitors
Authors: Mould A. Paul , Craig Susan E. , Byron Sarah K. , Humphries Martin J. , Jowitt Thomas A.
Published: October 2014

Failure of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-based inhibitors to reverse integrin-ligand binding has been reported, but the prevalence of this phenomenon among integrin heterodimers is currently unknown. In the present study we have investigated the interaction of four different RGD-binding integrins (α5β1, αVβ1, αVβ3 and αVβ6) with fibronectin (FN) using surface plasmon resonance. The ability of inhibitors to reverse ligand binding was assessed by their capacity to increase the dissociation rate of pre-formed integrin–FN complexes. For all four receptors we showed that RGD-based inhibitors (such as cilengitide) were completely unable to increase the dissociation rate. Formation of the non-reversible state occurred very rapidly and did not rely on the time-dependent formation of a high-affinity state of the integrin, or the integrin leg regions. In contrast with RGD-based inhibitors, Ca2+ (but not Mg2+) was able to greatly increase the dissociation rate of integrin–FN complexes, with a half-maximal response at ~0.4 mM Ca2+ for αVβ3–FN. The effect of Ca2+ was overcome by co-addition of Mn2+, but not Mg2+. A stimulatory anti-β1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) abrogated the effect of Ca2+ on α5β1–FN complexes; conversely, a function-blocking mAb mimicked the effect of Ca2+. These results imply that Ca2+ acts allosterically, probably through binding to the adjacent metal-ion-dependent adhesion site (ADMIDAS), and that the α1 helix in the β subunit I domain is the key element affected by allosteric modulators. The data suggest an explanation for the limited clinical efficacy of RGD-based integrin antagonists, and we propose that allosteric antagonists could prove to be of greater therapeutic benefit.
Energy‐efficient orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme based on time–frequency joint channel estimation
Authors: Ding Wenbo , Yang Fang , Song Jian , Niu Zhisheng
Published: October 2014

Time‐domain synchronous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (TDS‐OFDM) enjoys the higher spectrum efficiency and faster synchronisation than the classical cyclic prefix OFDM (CP‐OFDM). However, TDS‐OFDM suffers from performance degradation especially under severely fading channels with long delays. To solve these problems, the authors propose an energy‐efficient OFDM scheme called time–frequency‐training orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (TFT‐OFDM) based on the time–frequency joint channel estimation under the framework of compressive sensing (CS). The power of the guard interval (GI) in the proposed scheme can be reduced to achieve higher energy efficiency, which is infeasible for CP‐OFDM. This method first utilises the time‐domain pseudo noise sequence to acquire partial support information of the channel, and then some frequency‐domain pilots are used for the exact channel estimation. Simulation results show that TFT‐OFDM with CS can achieve much higher energy efficiency than the classical CP‐OFDM, and outperforms the conventional OFDM schemes in both static and mobile environments. Moreover, for the channel with long delay spread, the TFT‐OFDM scheme with CS can demonstrate robustness and much better performance than the conventional OFDM schemes. In this way, the TFT‐OFDM scheme can use the same GI length for larger broadcasting coverage and hence further achieve higher energy efficiency.
Silver nanoparticles prepared by using poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulphonic acid) as a surfactant
Authors: Li Yanbo , Li Zhihua , Zheng Feng , Laven Jozua
Published: October 2014

Silver nanoparticles were synthesised successfully using poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulphonic acid) (PAMPS) as a surfactant. Silver nanoparticles prepared through this approach possess high purity and narrow size distribution. The size distribution result shows that the diameters ranging from 78.82 to 105.709 nm can account for 76.41% of nanoparticles. UV–vis spectra were used to record the formation of silver nanoparticles in detail. It is found that PAMPS can play an important role in the formation and the colloidal stabilisation of silver nanoparticles because of the high affinity of sulphonic and amide with silver ions. The formation is summarised in detail. In addition, a potential application in nanocomposites of this method is explored. The Ag/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite prepared using this method shows higher electrical conductivity than that prepared using other methods. This method is novel, convenient, efficient and environmental‐friendly, especially suiting those wastewaters treatment facilities containing silver ions. At the same time, it is also promising to prepare Ag/PANI or other metals/polymer composites via in‐situ polymerisation.
Homogeneous ice nucleation evaluated for several water models
Authors: Espinosa J. R. , Sanz E. , Valeriani C. , Vega C.
Published: October 2014

In this work, we evaluate by means of computer simulations the rate for ice homogeneous nucleation for several water models such as TIP4P, TIP4P/2005,TIP4P/ICE, and mW (following the same procedure as in Sanz et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 15008 (2013)]) in a broad temperature range. We estimate the ice-liquid interfacial free-energy, and conclude that for all water models γ decreases as the temperature decreases. Extrapolating our results to the melting temperature, we obtain a value of the interfacial free-energy between 25 and 32 mN/m in reasonable agreement with the reported experimental values. Moreover, we observe that the values of γ depend on the chosen water model and this is a key factor when numerically evaluating nucleation rates, given that the kinetic prefactor is quite similar for all water models with the exception of the mW (due to the absence of hydrogens). Somewhat surprisingly the estimates of the nucleation rates found in this work for TIP4P/2005 are slightly higher than those of the mW model, even though the former has explicit hydrogens. Our results suggest that it may be possible to observe in computer simulations spontaneous crystallization of TIP4P/2005 at about 60 K below the melting point.
Calculation of the state-to-state S-matrix for tetra-atomic reactions with transition-state wave packets: H2/D2 + OH → H/D + H2O/HOD
Authors: Zhao Bin , Sun Zhigang , Guo Hua
Published: October 2014

This work is concerned with the calculation of state-to-state S-matrix elements for four-atom reactions using a recently proposed method based on the quantum transition-state theory. In this approach, the S-matrix elements are computed from the thermal flux cross-correlation functions obtained in both the reactant and product arrangement channels. Since transition-state wave packets are propagated with only single arrangement channels, the bases/grids required are significantly smaller than those needed in state-to-state approaches based on a single set of scattering coordinates. Furthermore, the propagation of multiple transition-state wave packets can be carried out in parallel. This method is demonstrated for the H2/D2 + OH → H/D + H2O/HOD reactions (J = 0) and the reaction probabilities are in excellent agreement with benchmark results.
Ion-acoustic cnoidal waves in a quantum plasma
Authors: Mahmood S. , Haas F.
Published: October 2014

Nonlinear ion-acoustic cnoidal wave structures are studied in an unmagnetized quantum plasma. Using the reductive perturbation method, a Korteweg-de Vries equation is derived for appropriate boundary conditions and nonlinear periodic wave solutions are obtained. The corresponding analytical solution and numerical plots of the ion-acoustic cnoidal waves and solitons in the phase plane are presented using the Sagdeev pseudo-potential approach. The variations in the nonlinear potential of the ion-acoustic cnoidal waves are studied at different values of quantum parameter He which is the ratio of electron plasmon energy to electron Fermi energy defined for degenerate electrons. It is found that both compressive and rarefactive ion-acoustic cnoidal wave structures are formed depending on the value of the quantum parameter. The dependence of the wavelength and frequency on nonlinear wave amplitude is also presented.
Effective cell collection method using collagenase and ultrasonic vibration
Authors: Kurashina Y. , Takemura K. , Miyata S. , Komotori J. , Koyama T.
Published: October 2014

This study proposes a novel cell collection method based on collagenase treatment and ultrasonic vibration. The method collects calf chondrocytes from a reusable metal cell culture substrate. To develop our concept, we calculated the natural vibration modes of the cell culture substrate by a finite element method, and conducted eigenvalue and piezoelectric-structural analyses. Selecting the first out-of-plane vibration mode of the substrate, which has a single nodal circle, we designed and fabricated the cell collection device. The excited vibration mode properly realized our intentions. We then evaluated the cell collection ratio and the growth response, and observed the morphology of the collected cells. The collagenase and ultrasonic vibration treatment collected comparable numbers of cells to conventional trypsin and pipetting treatment, but improved the proliferating cell statistics. Morphological observations revealed that the membranes of cells collected by the proposed method remain intact; consequently, the cells are larger and rougher than cells collected by the conventional method. Therefore, we present a promising cell collection method for adhesive cell culturing process.
A novel microfluidic flow focusing method
Authors: Jiang Hai , Weng Xuan , Li Dongqing
Published: October 2014

A new microfluidic method that allows hydrodynamic focusing in a microchannel with two sheath flows is demonstrated. The microchannel network consists of a T-shaped main channel and two T-shaped branch channels. The flows of the sample stream and the sheath streams in the microchannel are generated by electroosmotic flow-induced pressure gradients. In comparison with other flow focusing methods, this novel method does not expose the sample to electrical field, and does not need any external pumps, tubing, and valves.
Form of an evolutionary tradeoff affects eco-evolutionary dynamics in a predator–prey system
Authors: Kasada Minoru , Yamamichi Masato , Yoshida Takehito
Published: October 2014

Significance

Rapid evolution on an ecological time scale has been increasingly recognized. Ecological and evolutionary dynamics can be tightly linked and important to predict future dynamics, but there is a significant gap between theoretical predictions and empirical tests, especially on the effects of the nature of genetic variation such as the form of a fitness tradeoff. Using a predator–prey experimental system, we show for the first time to our knowledge that different forms of a fitness tradeoff produce remarkably divergent eco-evolutionary dynamics. A mathematical model supports the observed dynamics. Our results suggest that without knowing the details of genetic variation that is usually variable among wild populations, it is difficult to understand how evolution and ecology interact and what form of eco-evolutionary dynamics results.
Vehicle Writings in an Iranian Context: The Interplay of Habitus and Field
Authors: Hasrati Mostafa , Street Brian , Habibi Saba
Published: October 2014

The main objective of this paper is to problematize writings on vehicles in an Iranian context. Previous studies have indicated that vehicle stickers can be employed to express emotions and social status, political views, ideology and identity, and religious beliefs. However, very little has been done on this discursive practice in Iran. This study is the result of the content analysis of 122 vehicle writings collected from April 2011 to March 2012. This paper will draw on six of the most frequent themes: religion, humor, playing pessimism, didactic expressions, ethnic-geographic identification, and love. Employing Bourdieu's conceptual frameworks of “habitus,” “field,” and “doxa,” and Heath and Street's social practice perspective on literacy, it will be argued that vehicle writings in this study can be regarded as situated literacy practices reflecting the dominant undisputed discourses in the context, but at the same time displaying the dynamic interplay of power relations, the relationship of cultural structures and individual customized versions of those structures in vehicle writings.
Corresponding influences of top-down control on task switching and long-term memory
Authors: Richter Franziska R. , Yeung Nick
Published: October 2014

Three experiments investigated the impact of cognitive control on current performance and later memory in task switching. Participants first switched between object and word classification tasks, performed on picture–word stimuli that each appeared only once, then were tested for their recognition memory of these items. Each experiment replicated the recent finding that task switching results in reduced selectivity in later memory for task-relevant over task-irrelevant items. Top-down control was manipulated through varying the time available for advance task preparation (Experiment 1), the freedom of choice over which task to perform (Experiment 2), and the availability of reward incentives (Experiment 3). For each manipulation, more effective top-down control during task switching was associated with increased selectivity in memory for task-relevant information. These findings shed new light on the role of cognitive control in long-term memory encoding, in particular supporting an interactive model in which long-term memory reflects the enduring traces of perceptual and cognitive processes that operate under the selective influence of top-down control.
Simple, rapid and accurate genotyping-by-sequencing from aligned whole genomes with ArrayMaker
Authors: Willet Cali E. , Haase Bianca , Charleston Michael A. , Wade Claire M.
Published: October 2014

Summary: Whole-genome sequencing has revolutionized the study of genetics. Genotyping-by-sequencing is now a viable method of genotyping, yet the bioinformatics involved can be daunting if not prohibitive for some laboratories. Here we present ArrayMaker, a user-friendly tool that extracts accurate single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes at pre-defined loci from whole-genome alignments and presents them in a standard genotyping format compatible with association analysis software and datasets genotyped on commercial array platforms. Using this tool, geneticists with only basic computing ability can genotype samples at any desired list of markers, facilitating genome-wide association analysis, fine mapping, candidate variant assessment, data sharing and compatibility of data sourced from multiple technologies.

Availability and implementation: ArrayMaker is licensed under The MIT License and can be freely obtained at https://github.com/cw2014/ArrayMaker/. The program is implemented in Perl and runs on Linux operating systems.

Supplementary information:  Supplementary Data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Contact:  cali.willet@sydney.edu.au
LIGSIFT: an open-source tool for ligand structural alignment and virtual screening
Authors: Roy Ambrish , Skolnick Jeffrey
Published: October 2014

Motivation: Shape-based alignment of small molecules is a widely used approach in computer-aided drug discovery. Most shape-based ligand structure alignment applications, both commercial and freely available ones, use the Tanimoto coefficient or similar functions for evaluating molecular similarity. Major drawbacks of using such functions are the size dependence of the score and the fact that the statistical significance of the molecular match using such metrics is not reported.

Results: We describe a new open-source ligand structure alignment and virtual screening (VS) algorithm, LIGSIFT, that uses Gaussian molecular shape overlay for fast small molecule alignment and a size-independent scoring function for efficient VS based on the statistical significance of the score. LIGSIFT was tested against the compounds for 40 protein targets available in the Directory of Useful Decoys and the performance was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the Enrichment Factor (EF) and Hit Rate (HR). LIGSIFT-based VS shows an average AUC of 0.79, average EF values of 20.8 and a HR of 59% in the top 1% of the screened library.

Availability and implementation: LIGSIFT software, including the source code, is freely available to academic users at http://cssb.biology.gatech.edu/LIGSIFT.

Supplementary information: Supplementary Data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Contact:  skolnick@gatech.edu
Heart Rot of Pomegranate: Disease Etiology and the Events Leading to Development of Symptoms
Authors: Ezra David , Kirshner Benny , Hershcovich Michal , Shtienberg Dani , Kosto Itzhak
Published: October 2014

Pomegranate fruit rot disease, known as “heart rot” or “black heart,” is a major pomegranate disease that impacts production worldwide. Heart rot is characterized by black rot of the fruit core that spreads from the calyx area, whereas the outer peel and the hard rind retain their healthy appearance. Aims of the present study were to identify the pathogen that causes pomegranate heart rot in Israel and to study the dynamics of fruit-organ colonization by fungi during fruit development, as the first steps toward the development of management strategies. Several fungi were isolated from pomegranate fruits, among which were species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, Botrytis, and Rhizopus, but the causative pathogen of the disease was identified as Alternaria alternata. This fungus was isolated from the pistils of more than 85% of open flowers and ∼20% of the loculi of asymptomatic fruits and from all tissues of the symptomatic fruits. The dynamics of fruit-organ colonization by fungi during fruit development was recorded in six commercial orchards in 2010 and 2011. It was found that A. alternata spores germinate on the stigmata of open flowers and develop into the style. In some fruits, the mycelium grows into the tunnel and reaches the lower loculus, where the fungus becomes latent for about 3 to 4 months pending initiation of fruit ripening. Then, in a small number of fruits, the fungus starts growing and invades the arils, causing black rot of the arils in the lower loculus. At the beginning of disease development, the fungus causes brown soft rot of the arils, which becomes black and dry as the fungus grows. Eventually, the fungus grows from the lower loculus into the upper loculi, causing rot of the entire fruit.
Fusarium graminearum Isolates from Wheat and Maize in New York Show Similar Range of Aggressiveness and Toxigenicity in Cross-Species Pathogenicity Tests
Authors: Kuhnem Paulo R. , Del Ponte Emerson M. , Dong Yanhong , Bergstrom Gary C.
Published: October 2014

This study aimed to assess whether pathogenic Fusarium graminearum isolates from wheat and maize were more aggressive on their host of origin and whether aggressiveness was influenced further by B-trichothecene chemotype. Fifteen isolates were selected from a contemporary collection of isolates surveyed in New York in 2011 to 2012 to represent diversity of host of origin and chemotype. Three pathogenicity assays were used to evaluate and compare these isolates. Fusarium head blight (FHB) severity and trichothecene production in wheat, and maize seedling blight were evaluated in greenhouse inoculation experiments, and Gibberella ear rot (GER) severity and trichothecene production were evaluated in maize ears inoculated in the field. Our results showed among F. graminearum isolates a wide variation in aggressiveness and mycotoxin production toward wheat and maize and these isolates could not be structured by their host of origin or by chemotype. Moreover, aggressiveness rank order changed according to the host/organ evaluated. This indicates that relative susceptibility at the seedling stage may not predict susceptibility of ears. Significant correlations were observed of total trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol [DON] and its acetylated derivatives) produced with FHB and GER severity on wheat and maize, respectively. One isolate did not produce DON or ADON in wheat or maize kernels, yet was aggressive on both hosts. Nine of the fifteen isolates produced small amounts of zearalenone (ZON) in maize kernels, but not in wheat kernels, and ZON level was not correlated with GER severity. F. graminearum isolates from New York showed wide variation in aggressiveness and mycotoxin production toward susceptible wheat and maize. Neither host of origin nor trichothecene chemotype appeared to structure the populations we sampled.
Axial Plane Deformity of the Shoulder in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Menon Venugopal K. , Tahasildar Naveen , Pillay Haroon M. , M. Anbuselvam
Published: October 2014

Study Design:

Prospective observational study.

Objective:

To study axial plane deformation of the shoulder in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and try to correlate it with curve type and surgical correction.

Summary of Background Data:

It is established that AIS is a 3-dimensional deformity. The rib hump is the most common manifestation of axial plane deformations; the least common manifestation seems to be upper trunk and shoulder rotation, which has been hitherto undescribed.

Methods:

Fourteen consecutive, operated cases of AIS were analyzed prospectively. Preoperative and postoperative x-rays of the spine and clinical photographs were studied. Clinical photographs (top view) were taken with patients in the sitting position, to show shoulder level in relation to the axis of the head and pelvis. Chest computed tomography scans were also studied to determine the direction of apical vertebra and trunk torsion.

Results:

All 14 patients in this series had their right shoulders anteriorly rotated preoperatively (anticlockwise). The direction of rotation seemed unrelated to the curve type and shoulder elevation, although most had rib humps on the right. This shoulder rotation was corrected postoperatively by routine maneuvers done for scoliosis correction. Minor residual rotation was seen in 6 patients who also had minimal persisting rib hump. In 1 case the axial plane rotation worsened, although the shoulder level and trunk symmetry improved significantly. The apical vertebral rotation on computed tomography had little bearing on the direction of shoulder rotation.

Conclusions:

Axial plane rotation of the shoulder is a hitherto un-described dimension of AIS deformity complex. Much of it corrects spontaneously with correction of the thoracic spinal deformity.
Are Modic Changes Able to Help Us in Our Clinical Practice? A Study of the Modic Changes in Young Adults During Working Age
Authors: Martínez-Quiñones José V. , Aso-Escario José , González-García Laura , Consolini Fabián , Arregui-Calvo Ricardo
Published: October 2014

Study Design:

Modic changes [vertebral endplate spinal changes (VESC)] have been related to degenerative disk disease, and in past decades it was thought that their presence justified the surgical treatment, in particular spinal fusion.

Objective:

The aim of the present study is to investigate its prevalence and features in a population of young workers suffering from low back pain, and explore the eventual relationship with the treatment applied in each case.

Background Data:

We conducted a retrospectively review of 450 magnetic resonance images from our hospital, in patients with low back pain or sciatica and age below 40.

Materials and Methods:

Age, sex, symptoms predominance, concurrence with other spine disease, VESC type, evolution, level/s of involvement and placement, affected disk location and extent of the disease, disk height, and status of the endplate were recorded. The applied treatment was divided in groups according to the degree of invasiveness of the procedure.

Results:

Prevalence of VESC was 13.05% predominant in patients over 30 years, and 100% associated to disk degenerative changes. Most frequent features were: type I (54%), lower lumbar region (98%), along with a decreased disk height (68%), and distortion of the disk endplates (98%, P<0.01). The patients with VESC presented a favorable outcome with conservative treatment, but were more frequently associated with invasive treatment, compared with non-VESC patients (P<0.024).

Conclusions:

VESC prevalence increases with age, underlying the degenerative causative etiology. Surgical indication should not be stated on the basis of the VESC findings alone, the main factor for indicating surgery depends more on other associated degenerative spinal changes.