bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renewable Source Based Non‐biodegradable Polyurethane Coatings from Polyesteramide Prepared in One‐Pot Using Oleic Acid
Authors: Rajput Sandip D. , Gite Vikas V. , Mahulikar Pramod P. , Thamke Viresh R. , Kodam Kisan M. , Kuwar Anil S.
Published: February 2014

The highlight of the work was the preparation of polyesteramide in a one‐pot reaction which avoids isolation of diethanol amide as it is normally required in polyesteramide preparation. In the present work, oleic acid was reacted with diethanol amine resulting in diethanol amide which further reacted with phthalic anhydride in the same reaction vessel without isolation and purification. Therefore the reaction is a one‐pot, time‐saving and cost‐effective method as it requires minimum solvent and processing steps. In addition to this, the fatty acid used was a single fatty acid (oleic acid) that provides selective physico‐ chemical and anticorrosive properties for the resin. FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopic studies confirmed the structure of the polyesteramide. End group analysis and molecular weight were used to calculate the stoichiometric balance of the NCO/OH ratio in the preparation of polyurethane. The prepared resin was converted to polyurethane coatings by reacting with toluene diisocyanate and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Thermal stability, physico‐chemical and coating properties of the polyurethane coatings were investigated. The polyurethane prepared showed a non‐biodegradable nature so that it is of commercial interest and value for applications in various fields. Study of coatings was also carried out for properties like adhesion, impact resistance, pencil hardness and the bending test.
From sarcopenia to frailty: a road less traveled
Authors: Morley John E. , von Haehling Stephan , Anker Stefan D. , Vellas Bruno
Published: February 2014

The physical frailty phenotype consists of fatigue, weight loss, and loss of muscle power. Sarcopenia has been shown to be a major cause of frailty. Six societies including SCWD published a consensus suggesting that all persons older than 70 years of age should be screened for frailty when seeing health professionals. Simple screening tests such as the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, aerobic, illness, and loss of weight) scale can be used. It is felt that frailty can be treated by exercise (resistance and aerobic), high quality protein, vitamin D, and treatment of the common causes of fatigue. It is expected that this approach will decrease disability in older persons.
An Agent Based Model for Networking of Scholars
Authors: Motamarri Saradhi , Liyanage N.D.L. , Smart Rosemary
Published: February 2014

It is a common phenomenon that at any gathering, people cluster into small and multiple groups to: chat, exchange ideas, establish relations, and explore collaborative opportunities either within their field of work or even in newer frontiers. Certain relationships remain strong and may eventually lead to fruitful collaborations while others may be short lived. Depiction and/or modelling of such an emergent social networking behaviours are inherently complex. With this motivation, in the context of an academic conference, this research focuses on the development of ‘ Networking of Scholars at an Academic Conference ( NASC) Model’ using Agent Based Modelling and Simulation (ABMS) technique. The paper describes the model and its implementation in NetLogo. NetLogo is powerful programming environment that facilitates the generation of scenarios and thus helps visualisation of emergent network of relationships among scholars.
Cyclic mononucleotides modulate potassium and calcium flux responses to H2O2 in Arabidopsis roots
Authors: Ordoñez Natalia Maria , Marondedze Claudius , Thomas Ludivine , Pasqualini Stefania , Shabala Lana , Shabala Sergey , Gehring Chris
Published: February 2014

Cyclic mononucleotides are messengers in plant stress responses. Here we show that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induces rapid net K+‐efflux and Ca2+‐influx in Arabidopsis roots. Pre‐treatment with either 10 μM cAMP or cGMP for 1 or 24 h does significantly reduce net K+‐leakage and Ca2+‐influx, and in the case of the K+‐fluxes, the cell permeant cyclic mononucleotides are more effective. We also examined the effect of 10 μM of the cell permeant 8‐Br‐cGMP on the Arabidopsis microsomal proteome and noted a specific increase in proteins with a role in stress responses and ion transport, suggesting that cGMP is sufficient to directly and/or indirectly induce complex adaptive changes to cellular stresses induced by H2O2.
The nature, significance, and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analog treatment of brain insulin resistance in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Talbot Konrad , Wang Hoau-Yan
Published: February 2014

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disease leading over the course of decades to the most common form of dementia. Many of its pathologic features and cognitive deficits may be due in part to brain insulin resistance recently demonstrated in the insulin receptor→insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) signaling pathway. The proximal cause of such resistance in AD dementia and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) appears to be serine inhibition of IRS‐1, a phenomenon likely due to microglial release of inflammatory cytokines triggered by oligomeric Aβ. Studies on animal models of AD and on human brain tissue from MCI cases at high risk of AD dementia have shown that brain insulin resistance and many other pathologic features and symptoms of AD may be greatly reduced or even reversed by treatment with FDA‐approved glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogs such as liraglutide (Victoza). These findings call attention to the need for further basic, translational, and clinical studies on GLP‐1 analogs as promising AD therapeutics.
DIVIDEND OPTIMIZATION FOR A REGIME-SWITCHING DIFFUSION MODEL WITH RESTRICTED DIVIDEND RATES
Authors: Zhu Jinxia
Published: February 2014

We consider the optimal dividend control problem to find an optimal strategy under the constraint that dividend rates is restricted such that the expected total discounted dividends are maximized for an insurance company. The evolution of the reserve is modeled by a diffusion process with drift and volatility coefficients modulated by an observable Markov chain. We consider the regime-switching threshold strategy which pays out dividends at the maximal possible rate when the current reserve is above some critical level dependent on the regime of the Markov chain at the time, and pays nothing when the reserve is below that level. We give sufficient conditions under which such type of strategy is optimal for the regime-switching model.
The Immediate Physical and Mental Health Crisis in Residents Proximal to the Evacuation Zone After Japan's Nuclear Disaster: An Observational Pilot Study
Authors: Tsubokura Masaharu , Hara Kazuo , Matsumura Tomoko , Sugimoto Amina , Nomura Shuhei , Hinata Masamitsu , Shibuya Kenji , Kami Masahiro
Published: February 2014

Objective

The 2011 earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan have had devastating effects on residents near the damaged nuclear power plant, but quantifying its effect on their health has been difficult.

Methods

Among the 564 residents of Iitate Village and Soma City who enrolled in this study, we evaluated the changes of clinical parameters in 155 participants who underwent annual health evaluations in the previous year and after the earthquake. Psychological distress was also measured by using patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9).

Results

Participants (median age, 64 years) showed significant post-disaster increases in body weight, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and triglyceride levels. PHQ-9 scores of 10 or greater were found in 12% of the subjects, indicating that a substantial number had major depression.

Conclusions

The findings in this study showed substantial deterioration in clinical parameters related to lifestyle diseases and the presence of general psychological distress among residents living near the damaged nuclear power plant after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. In addition to controlling the levels of radiation exposure, aggressive management of immediate physical and mental health crisis for residents may be necessary in future nuclear accidents. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–7)
On Violence and Repression: A Relational Approach (TheGovernment and Opposition/Leonard Schapiro Memorial Lecture, 2013)
Authors: della Porta Donatella
Published: February 2014

Oppositional violence and repression are closely related. In fact, repression often produces an escalation of violence rather than controlling it. Bridging social movement studies and research on violence, the article uses a small-N, most-different research design to analyse the working of a specific mechanism at the onset of different types of political violence: escalating policing. In particular, it indicates specific causal mechanisms, related to interactions between social movements and the state, which create the conditions for some splinter groups to move underground. In order to compare left-wing, right-wing, ethno-national and religious violence, the article presents empirical references to the author's own empirical research on Italy and the Basque Country as well as a secondary analysis of the conflicts that preceded the rise of al-Qaeda.
Streak instabilities in boundary layers beneath free-stream turbulence
Authors: Hack M. J. P. , Zaki T. A.
Published: February 2014

The secondary instability of boundary layer streaks is investigated by means of direct stability analysis. The base flow is computed in direct simulations of bypass transition. The random nature of the free-stream perturbations causes the formation of a spectrum of streaks inside the boundary layer, with breakdown to turbulence initiated by the amplification of localized instabilities of individual streaks. The capability of the instability analysis to predict the instabilities which are observed in the direct numerical simulation is established. Furthermore, the analysis is shown to identify the particular streaks that break down to turbulence farther downstream. Two particular configurations of streaks regularly induce the growth of these localized instabilities: low-speed streaks that are lifted towards the edge of the boundary layer, and the local overlap between high-speed and low-speed streaks inside the boundary layer. It is established that the underlying modes can be ascribed to the general classification of inner and outer modes which was introduced by Vaughan & Zaki (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 681, 2011, pp. 116–153). Statistical evaluations show that Blasius boundary layers favour the amplification of outer instabilities. Adverse pressure gradient promotes breakdown to turbulence via the inner mode.
The World Novel, Mediated Wars and Exorbitant Witnessing
Authors: Ganguly Debjani
Published: February 2014

This essay traces the emergence of a new contemporary novel form at the conjunction of global violence in the wake of the Cold War, digital hyperconnectivity, and a mediated infrastructure of sympathy. Since the first Gulf War, and more so, in the rhetoric presaging the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have come to accept that there is very little difference between the technologies used to wage war and those used to view it. This essay argues that the novels of our time are not contiguous with contemporary cinematic or televisual or new media genres in representing the immediacy of violence, but are rather texts that graph the sedimented and recursive history of such mediation. Their alternative way of documenting “witness”—that is, of abstracting the architectonics of testimonial work—urges us to focus not so much on the question ofvisibility—and its stock thematics of overexposure and desensitization—as on thelegibilityof this new mode of witnessing. The distinction between visibility and legibility amounts to calibrating differently theworkof witnessing in novels, their textual and tropological play with multiple modes of spectatorship and engagement, and their distinctively different braiding of the factual and the evidentiary in comparison with genres of the visual.
Cooked navy and black bean diets improve biomarkers of colon health and reduce inflammation during colitis
Authors: Zhang Claire , Monk Jennifer M. , Lu Jenifer T. , Zarepoor Leila , Wu Wendy , Liu Ronghua , Pauls K. Peter , Wood Geoffrey A. , Robinson Lindsay , Tsao Rong , Power Krista A.
Published: February 2014

Common beans contain non-digestible fermentable components (SCFA precursors) and phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins) with demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. The objective of the present study was to assess the in vivo effect of cooked whole-bean flours, with differing phenolic compound levels and profiles, in a mouse model of acute colitis. C57BL/6 mice were fed a 20 % navy bean or black bean flour-containing diet or an isoenergetic basal diet (BD) for 2 weeks before the induction of experimental colitis via 7 d dextran sodium sulphate (DSS, 2 % (w/v) in the drinking-water) exposure. Compared with the BD, both bean diets increased caecal SCFA and faecal phenolic compound concentrations (P< 0·05), which coincided with both beneficial and adverse effects on colonic and systemic inflammation. On the one hand, bean diets reduced mRNA expression of colonic inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-9, IFN-γ and IL-17A) and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 (P< 0·05), while systemically reduced circulating cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, IFNγ, and IL-17A, P< 0·05) and DSS-induced oxidative stress. On the other hand, bean diets enhanced DSS-induced colonic damage as indicated by an increased histological injury score and apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and FasL mRNA expression) (P< 0·05). In conclusion, bean-containing diets exerted both beneficial and adverse effects during experimental colitis by reducing inflammatory biomarkers both locally and systemically while aggravating colonic mucosal damage. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms through which beans exert their effects on colonic inflammation and the impact on colitis severity in human subjects.
Do sleep-deprived adolescents make less-healthy food choices?
Authors: Kruger Allison K. , Reither Eric N. , Peppard Paul E. , Krueger Patrick M. , Hale Lauren
Published: February 2014

Short sleep duration among children and adolescents has been reported to be associated with elevated BMI and other adverse health outcomes. Food choices are one proposed mechanism through which this association may occur. In the present study, we examined whether self-reported habitual sleep duration is associated with vegetable and fruit consumption and fast food consumption. Using cross-sectional data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n13 284), we estimated three nested logistic regression models for two outcome variables: daily vegetable and fruit consumption and previous week's fast food consumption. The adjusted models included demographic and social/behavioural covariates. Self-reported habitual short sleep duration ( < 7 h/night) was associated with reduced odds of vegetable and fruit consumption compared with the recommended sleep duration (>8 h/night) (OR 0·66,P <0·001), even after adjusting for demographic and social/behavioural factors (OR 0·75,P <0·001). Short sleep duration was also associated with increased odds of fast food consumption (OR 1·40,P <0·001) even after adjustment (OR 1·20,P <0·05). Food choices are significantly associated with sleep duration and may play an important role in the mediation of the association between sleep and health among adolescents.
Apomictic parthenogenesis in a parasitoid waspMeteorus pulchricornis, uncommon in the haplodiploid order Hymenoptera
Authors: Tsutsui Y. , Maeto K. , Hamaguchi K. , Isaki Y. , Takami Y. , Naito T. , Miura K.
Published: February 2014

Although apomixis is the most common form of parthenogenesis in diplodiploid arthropods, it is uncommon in the haplodiploid insect order Hymenoptera. We found a new type of spontaneous apomixis in the Hymenoptera, completely lacking meiosis and the expulsion of polar bodies in egg maturation division, on the thelytokous strain of a parasitoid waspMeteorus pulchricornis(Wesmael) (Braconidae, Euphorinae) on pest lepidopteran larvaeSpodoptera litura(Fabricius) (Noctuidae). The absence of the meiotic process was consistent with a non-segregation pattern in the offspring of heterozygous females, and no positive evidence was obtained for the induction of thelytoky by any bacterial symbionts. We discuss the conditions that enable the occurrence of such rare cases of apomictic thelytoky in the Hymenoptera, suggesting the significance of fixed heterosis caused by hybridization or polyploidization, symbiosis with bacterial agents, and occasional sex. Our finding will encourage further genetic studies on parasitoid wasps to use asexual lines more wisely for biological control.
Invasion rate of deer ked depends on spatiotemporal variation in host density
Authors: Meier C. M. , Bonte D. , Kaitala A. , Ovaskainen O.
Published: February 2014

Invasive parasites are of great global concern. Understanding the factors influencing the spread of invading pest species is a first step in developing effective countermeasures. Growing empirical evidence suggests that spread rates are essentially influenced by spatiotemporal dynamics of host–parasite interactions, yet approaches modelling spread rate have typically assumed static environmental conditions. We analysed invasion history of the deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) in Finland with a diffusion–reaction model, which assumed either the movement rate, the population growth rate, or both rates may depend on spatial and temporal distribution of moose (Alces alces), the main host of deer ked. We fitted the model to the data in a Bayesian framework, and used the Bayesian information criterion to show that accounting for the variation in local moose density improved the model's ability to describe the pattern of the invasion. The highest ranked model predicted higher movement rate and growth rate of deer ked with increasing moose density. Our results suggest that the historic increase in host density has facilitated the spread of the deer ked. Our approach illustrates how information about the ecology of an invasive species can be extracted from the spatial pattern of spread even with rather limited data.
Effects of plant availability on population size and dynamics of an insect community: diamondback moth and two of its parasitoids
Authors: Soufbaf M. , Fathipour Y. , Karimzadeh J. , Zalucki M.P.
Published: February 2014

To understand the effect of plant availability/structure on the population size and dynamics of insects, a specialist herbivore in the presence of two of its parasitoids was studied in four replicated time-series experiments with high and low plant availabilities; under the latter condition, the herbivore suffered from some periods of resource limitation (starvation) and little plant-related structural refuges. Population dynamics of the parasitoidCotesia vestaliswas governed mainly by the delayed density-dependent process under both plant setups. The parasitoid,Diadegma semiclausum, under different plant availabilities and different coexistence situations (either +competitor or –competitor) showed dynamics patterns that were governed mainly by the delayed density process (significant lags at weeks 2–4). Both the competing parasitoids did not experience beneficial or costly interferences from each other in terms of their own population size when the plant resource was limited. Variation in thePlutella xylostellapopulation under limited plant availability is higher than that under the other plant setup. For both parasitoids, under limited plant setup, the extinction risk was lower when parasitoids were engaged in competition, while under the unlimited plant setup, the mentioned risk was higher when parasitoids competed. In this situation, parasitoids suffered from two forces, competition and higher escaped hosts.
Shifts in Sino-Islamic Discourse: Modelling religious authority through language and travel
Authors: PETERSEN KRISTIAN
Published: February 2014

During the nineteenth century, many Sino-Muslim scholars were seeking a more robust relationship with their Arab co-religionists. The efforts of Ma Dexin 馬德新 (1794–1874) exemplify this shift to strengthen ties with the Muslim community outside China and situate Sino-Islamic scholarship in widespread Islamic discourses. Ma's writings provided Sino-Muslims with discursive and pragmatic tools for engaging a global Muslim community. For Ma, Muslim cooperation was negotiated through the means of religious education, which was enabled through travel and language. In this paper, I demonstrate how Ma Dexin modelled the importance of global connections of inter-Asian networks of religious learning by exemplifying the value of Middle Eastern travel and fluency in Arabic. I employ Ma's Chinese and Arabic written works in relation to those of Wang Daiyu 王岱輿 (circa1590–1658) and Liu Zhi 劉智 (circa1670–1724) to illustrate how he differed significantly from previous Sino-Muslim authors with regard to the use of Arabic within the Sino-Islamic intellectual tradition and in his emphatic urgings to perform the hajj pilgrimage. Finally, I briefly show how his divergent position was embraced, as exhibited through the efforts of one of his intellectual inheritors, Ma Lianyuan 馬聯元 (1841–1903).
British Raj to China's Hong Kong: The rise of madrasas for ethnic Muslim youth
Authors: HO WAI-YIP
Published: February 2014

The madrasa, the Islamic institution of learning, has for centuries occupied a central role in the transmission of religious knowledge and the shaping of the identity of the global Muslim community (umma). This paper explores the sharp rise in the number of madrasas in contemporary Hong Kong. It examines, in particular, how South Asian Muslim youth, after receiving a modern education in a conventional day school, remain faithful to their religious tradition by spending their evenings at a madrasa studying and memorizing the Qur'an. Engaging with the stereotypical bias of Islamophobia and national security concerns regarding the ties of madrasas to Islamic terrorist movements over the last decade, this paper argues that the burgeoning South Asian madrasa networks have to be understood in the context of Hong Kong's tripartite Islamic traditions—South Asian Muslim, Chinese Hui Muslims, and Indonesian Muslims—and within each Muslim community's unique expression of Islamic piety. Furthermore, the paper also identifies factors contributing to the increase in madrasas in Hong Kong after the transition from British colonial rule to China's resumption of sovereign power in 1997.
Insights Into the Lives of Indonesian Female Tablighi Jama’at
Authors: NISA EVA F.
Published: February 2014

Tablighi Jama’at is one of the most popular Islamic purist movements in the world. Although it has a growing presence in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, little research has thus far been done on its activities in that country. To gain access to Indonesian society, the Tablighi Jama’at has been particularly original in choosing a uniquely Indonesian institution as its entry point: thepesantren(Islamic boarding schools). The role ofpesantrenfor the Tablighis in Indonesia is not confined to spreading Islamic knowledge, they also serve as a hub of Tablighi activities. This paper focuses on examining the role of the Tablighipesantrenin shaping and transmitting religious knowledge to its Indonesian followers, and in particular to female followers, as there is to date no scholarship on this topic. It analyses the life experiences of female Tablighis inside and outside thepesantrenand their passion to belong to a global imagined Tablighi community. Transnational travel of female Tablighis from diverse neighbouring countries is a central part of thepesantrenexperience. For Indonesian Tablighi women, the presence of these female guests and foreign students who are enrolled in thepesantrenplay a significant role in strengthening their passionate desire to be part of the global Tablighi Jama’atumma.
L.T. Hobhouse and the transformation of liberal internationalism
Authors: HOLTHAUS LEONIE
Published: February 2014

This article explores L. T. Hobhouse's transformation of liberal internationalism at the beginning of the twentieth century. It argues that Hobhouse's thought contributes to understanding dilemmas within the frame of liberal internationalism and the emergence of international functionalism. Using a philosophical approach, Hobhouse tackled international concerns throughout his life, alongside J. A. Hobson, Gilbert Murray, James Bryce, H. N. Brailsford, Norman Angell, and G. L. Dickinson. He restated a belief in human progress and association in ever-greater circles. But he noted,contraformer hopes, that nationalism furthered democracy only briefly, and that liberal democracy remained incapable of bringing about effective international cooperation and moral universalism. In order to resolve this impasse, Hobhouse suggested substituting political with economic democracy on an international scale. The aim was to create an international functional organisation consisting of vocational and civic associations and states, which would allow individuals to entertain multiple, overlapping, and transnational loyalties. He thus anticipated proposals for global reform that became increasingly popular after the end of World War II. However, in spite of his concern with domestic social equality and his borrowing from international socialism, Hobhouse failed to qualify his internationalism with an analogous interest in equality.
The Relationship between the International Criminal Court and its Host State: The Impact on Human Rights
Authors: IRVING EMMA
Published: February 2014

When an international criminal tribunal establishes its headquarters in a state, its legal relationship with that state must be carved out. This legal relationship has the potential to exclude the applicability of human rights protection by curtailing the host state's jurisdiction in parts of its territory. Despite this, there is little clarity as to when when such curtailment should arise. This problem is illustrated by the situation regarding witnesses at the International Criminal Court, which has recently been the subject of decisions of the Hague District Court and of the European Court of Human Rights. These two courts disagree on the threshold at which the human rights issues engaged by the situation are brought under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands. This article submits that the European Court in Djokaba Lambi Longa v. The Netherlands set the threshold for jurisdiction under the Convention too high. In applying easily distinguishable previous case law, and failing to take into account all relevant facts, the Court's finding of inadmissibility is unconvincing. The Dutch Court, on the other hand, took a broader approach from which the European Court of Human Rights could learn. Ultimately the two decisions give contrasting interpretations of the relationship between the ICC and its host state, which could have wider ramifications.
Numerical null controllability of the heat equation through a least squares and variational approach
Authors: MÜNCH ARNAUD , PEDREGAL PABLO
Published: February 2014

This work is concerned with the numerical computation of null controls for the heat equation. The goal is to compute an approximation of controls that drives the solution from a prescribed initial state at t=0 to zero at t=T. In spite of the diffusion of the heat equation, recent developments indicate that this issue is difficult and still largely open. Most of the existing literature, concerned with controls of minimal L2-norm, make use of dual convex arguments and introduce backward adjoint system. In practice, the null control problem is then reduced to the minimization of a dual conjugate function with respect to the final condition of the adjoint state. As a consequence of the highly regularizing property of the heat kernel, this final condition – which may be seen as the Lagrange multiplier for the null controllability condition – does not belong to L2, but to a much larger space than can hardly be approximated by finite (discrete) dimensional basis. This phenomenon, unavoidable whatever be the numerical approximation used, strongly deteriorates the efficiency of minimization algorithms. In this work, we do not use duality arguments and in particular do not introduce any backward heat equation. For the boundary case, the approach consists first in introducing a class of functions satisfying a priori the boundary conditions in space and time, in particular the null controllability condition at time T, and then finding among this class one element satisfying the heat equation. This second step is done by minimizing a convex functional among the admissible corrector functions of the heat equation. The inner case is performed in a similar way. We present the (variational) approach, discuss the main features of it and then describe some numerical experiments highlighting the interest of the method. The method holds in any dimension but, for the sake of simplicity, we provide details in the one-space dimensional case.
The Asymptotic Number of Connectedd-Uniform Hypergraphs
Authors: BEHRISCH MICHAEL , COJA-OGHLAN AMIN , KANG MIHYUN
Published: February 2014

Ford≥ 2, letHd(n,p)denote a randomd-uniform hypergraph withnvertices in which each of the$\binom{n}{d}$possible edges is present with probabilityp=p(n)independently, and letHd(n,m)denote a uniformly distributedd-uniform hypergraph withnvertices andmedges. Let eitherH=Hd(n,m)orH=Hd(n,p), wherem/nand$\binom{n-1}{d-1}p$need to be bounded away from (d−1)−1and 0 respectively. We determine the asymptotic probability thatHis connected. This yields the asymptotic number of connectedd-uniform hypergraphs with given numbers of vertices and edges. We also derive a local limit theorem for the number of edges inHd(n,p), conditioned onHd(n,p)being connected.
Effect of ambient light exposure of media and embryos on development and quality of porcine parthenogenetically activated embryos
Authors: Li Rong , Liu Ying , Pedersen Hanne Skovsgaard , Callesen Henrik
Published: February 2014

Light exposure is a common stress factor during in vitro handling of oocytes and embryos that originates from both microscope and ambient light. In the current study, the effect of two types of ambient light (daylight and laboratory light) on porcine parthenogenetically activated (PA) embryos was tested in two experiments: (1) ambient light on medium subsequently used for embryo in vitro development; and (2) ambient light exposure on activated oocytes before in vitro development. The results from Experiment 1 showed that exposure of culture medium to both types of ambient light decreased the percentage of blastocysts that showed good morphology, only after 24 h exposure. The results from Experiment 2 revealed a reduction in both blastocyst formation and quality when activated oocytes were exposed to both types of ambient light. This effect was seen after only 1 h exposure and increased with time. In conclusion, exposure to ambient light can be harmful to embryo development, both when medium is exposed for a long period of time and, to a greater extent, when the embryo itself is exposed for >1 h. In practice, it is therefore recommended to protect both culture medium and porcine embryos against ambient light during in vitro handling in the laboratory.
Effect of different types of sesquiterpene lactones on the maturation of Rhinella arenarum oocytes
Authors: Sánchez-Toranzo G. , Zapata-Martínez J. , Catalán C. , Bühler M.I.
Published: February 2014

The sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) are a large class of plant secondary metabolites that are generally found in the Asteraceae family and that have high diversity with respect to chemical structure as well as biological activity. STLs have been classified into different groups, such as guaianolides, germacranolides, and melampolides etc., based on their carboxylic skeleton. In amphibians, fully grown ovarian oocytes are arrested at the beginning of meiosis I. Under the stimulus of progesterone, this meiotic arrest is released and meiosis progresses to metaphase II, a process known as oocyte maturation. The purpose of this work was to determine whether sesquiterpene lactones from the germacranolide and melampolide groups act as inhibitor agents on the meiosis of amphibian oocytes in vitro. Results for germacranolides indicated that the addition of deoxyelephantopins caused a high degree of inhibition and that minimolide showed a moderate inhibitory effect, whereas glaucolide A was inactive. Furthermore, the addition of melampolides (uvedalin, enhydrin, polymatin A and polymatin B) showed inhibitory effects. For enhydrin and uvedalin, inhibitory effects were observed at the higher concentrations assayed. The results of this study suggest that the inhibitory activity of the tested sesquiterpene lactones on the meiosis of Rhinella arenarum oocytes is not dependent on the group to which they belong, i.e. not on the carboxylic skeleton, but probably due to the arrangement and type of function groups present in the molecules. All assayed lactones in the germacranolide group showed low toxicity. In contrast, important differences in toxicity were observed for lactones from the melampolide group: enhydrin and uvedalin showed low toxicity, but polymatin A and B were highly toxic.
Computerized Neurocognitive Testing within 1 Week of Sport-Related Concussion: Meta-analytic Review and Analysis of Moderating Factors
Authors: Kontos Anthony P. , Braithwaite Rock , Dakan Scott , Elbin R.J.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study is to perform a meta-analysis assessing the effects of sport-related concussion as measured by computerized neurocognitive tests (NCT) 1-week post injury. Thirty-seven studies involving 3960 participants between 2000 and 2011 were included. Hedge'sgprovides an adjusted effect size for smaller sample sizes and was calculated for overall and cognitive task effects, and subgroup analyses were conducted for age, type of NCT, and sport. Concussions had a low negative effect (g= −0.16;p< .001) across all groups, outcomes, and time points. Code substitution (g= −0.27;p< .05), visual memory (g= −0.25;p< .05), processing speed (g= −0.18;p< .05), and memory (g= −0.21;p< .05) tasks demonstrated negative effects for concussion. Younger adolescents had lower (g= −0.29;p< .05) NCT performance than older adolescents (g= −0.01) and college aged athletes (g= −0.11). ImPACT studies (g= −0.19;p< .05) demonstrated a negative effect for concussion as did those involving contact sports (g= −0.20;p< .05). A low to moderate overall effect size of concussion on neurocognitive performance was supported. Subgroup analyses revealed different effect sizes for specific cognitive tasks, types of NCTs, age, and type of sport. (JINS, 2014,20, 1–9)
A frontier functions approach to optimal scales of sustainable production
Authors: Hoang Viet-Ngu
Published: February 2014

This paper translates the concepts of sustainable production to three dimensions of economic, environmental and ecological sustainability to analyze optimal production scales by solving optimizing problems. Economic optimization seeks input-output combinations to maximize profits. Environmental optimization searches for input-output combinations that minimize the polluting effects of materials balance on the surrounding environment. Ecological optimization looks for input-output combinations that minimize the cumulative destruction of the entire ecosystem. Using an aggregate space, the framework illustrates that these optimal scales are often not identical because markets fail to account for all negative externalities. Profit-maximizing firms normally operate at the scales which are larger than optimal scales from the viewpoints of environmental and ecological sustainability; hence policy interventions are favoured. The framework offers a useful tool for efficiency studies and policy implication analysis. The paper provides an empirical investigation using a data set of rice farms in South Korea.
Application of Dynamic Impedance Spectroscopy to Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Tobiszewski Mateusz Tomasz , Arutunow Anna , Darowicki Kazimierz
Published: February 2014

Dynamic impedance spectroscopy, designed for measuring nonstationary systems, was used in combination with scanning probe microscopy. Using this approach, impedance mapping could be carried-out simultaneously with topography scanning. Therefore, correlation of electrical properties with particular phases of an examined sample was possible. The sample used in this study was spheroidal graphite cast iron with clearly defined phases having significantly different properties. Additionally, impedance-force curves were made at graphite precipitation and ferrite matrix to illustrate the relation between impedance and the force applied to a probe.
A study to assess the feasibility of using CT (±diagnostic MRI) instead of MRI at brachytherapy in image guided brachytherapy in cervical cancer
Authors: Rai Bhavana , Patel Firuza D. , Tomar Parsee , Singh Oinam A. , Simha Vijai , Dhanireddy Bhaswanth , Sharma Suresh C.
Published: February 2014

Purpose

To compare the contours and dose volume histograms (DVH) parameters of the high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) contoured on computed tomography (CT) using clinical findings at brachytherapy, clinical findings at brachytherapy with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at diagnosis and HRCTV defined on MRI at brachytherapy in cervical cancer patients.

Materials and methods

Fifteen patients undergoing MRI-guided image-based brachytherapy underwent both CT and MRI after applicator insertion. Two sets of contours were defined on CT. In the first set, the HRCTV was defined with the help of clinical findings at brachytherapy (CT-HRCTV). In the second set, HRCTV was defined with MRI at diagnosis and clinical findings at brachytherapy (CT-HRCTVdmri). This was compared with the HRCTV defined on MRI at brachytherapy (MR-HRCTV). The doses to the organs at risk (OARs) were compared for CT and MRI.

Results

A significant overestimation of the maximum width and width at point A was observed for CT-HRCTV (p −0·00; 0·00) and CT-HRCTVdmri (p −0·03; 0·01), respectively. The height was underestimated with CT-HRCTV in patients with intrauterine disease extension. For a single fraction, the mean difference in the D90 for the CT contours was <1 Gy. The doses to the OARs were comparable.

Conclusions

CT may be an alternative when facilities for MRI image-based brachytherapy are lacking, provided at least one MRI is available before brachytherapy.
Chemical coping versus pseudoaddiction in patients with cancer pain
Authors: Kwon Jung Hye , Tanco Kimberson , Hui David , Reddy Akhila , Bruera Eduardo
Published: February 2014

Objective:

The purpose of this case series was to describe patients with aberrant drug-related behaviors and similar patterns of dose escalation in whom interdisciplinary assessment revealed different bases for their dose increases.

Method:

During the period from December 26 to December 30, 2011, the medical records of two patients with opioid-related aberrant behaviors were reviewed.

Results:

We described two patients with a significant cancer history and different comorbidities who presented with different aberrant drug-related behaviors and opioid requirements.

Significance of Results:

Opioid-related aberrant behaviors can be interpreted in different ways, and two of the more common syndromes in cancer patients are chemical coping and pseudoaddiction. In advanced cancer patients, the boundaries between these conditions are not as clear, and diagnosis is often made retrospectively. Furthermore, there have been relatively limited studies describing these two syndromes. Thus, they continue to pose a diagnostic and treatment challenge that requires different approaches for effective management of symptoms. The key characteristic between the two syndromes is that the behaviors displayed in chemical coping are motivated by obtaining opioids to relieve psychosocial distress, while in pseudoaddiction these behaviors are motivated by uncontrolled nociceptive input. Close monitoring of the pain syndromes, aberrant behaviors, and opioid requirements over several visits is usually necessary to distinguish the two syndromes.
Constitutional pluralism: An oxymoron?
Authors: LOUGHLIN MARTIN
Published: February 2014

This article examines the origins of the concept of constitutional pluralism that has emerged in the last decade and it critically assesses the claims of its advocates. It argues that the claims made on behalf of the concept cannot be sustained and seeks to show that constitutional pluralism is an oxymoronic concept.
Coming down from the trees: Is terrestrial activity in Bornean orangutans natural or disturbance driven?
Authors: Ancrenaz Marc , Sollmann Rahel , Meijaard Erik , Hearn Andrew J. , Ross Joanna , Samejima Hiromitsu , Loken Brent , Cheyne Susan M. , Stark Danica J. , Gardner Penny C. , Goossens Benoit , Mohamed Azlan , Bohm Torsten , Matsuda Ikki , Nakabayasi Miyabi , Lee Shan Khee , Bernard Henry , Brodie Jedediah , Wich Serge , Fredriksson Gabriella , Hanya Goro , Harrison Mark E. , Kanamori Tomoko , Kretzschmar Petra , Macdonald David W. , Riger Peter , Spehar Stephanie , Ambu Laurentius N. , Wilting Andreas
Published: February 2014

The orangutan is the world's largest arboreal mammal and images of the red ape moving through the tropical forest canopy symbolise its typical arboreal behaviour. Records of terrestrial behaviour are scarce and often associated with habitat disturbance. We conducted a large-scale species-level analysis of ground-based camera-trapping data to evaluate the extent to which Bornean orangutans Pongo pygmaeus come down from the trees to travel terrestrially and whether they are indeed forced to the ground primarily by anthropogenic forest disturbances. Although the degree of forest disturbance and canopy gap size influenced terrestriality, orangutans were recorded on the ground as frequently in heavily degraded habitats as in primary forests. Furthermore, all age-sex classes were recorded on the ground (flanged males more often). This suggests that terrestrial locomotion is part of the Bornean orangutan's natural behavioural repertoire to a much greater extent than previously thought and is only modified by habitat disturbance. The capacity of orangutans to come down from the trees may increase their ability to cope with at least smaller-scale forest fragmentation and to cross moderately open spaces in mosaic landscapes, although the extent of this versatility remains to be investigated.
Assembly and structural transformation of organic-decorated manganese selenidostannates
Authors: Du Cheng-Feng , Feng Mei-Ling , Li Jian-Rong , Zou Guo-Dong , Du Ke-Zhao , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: February 2014

Presented are the 1D, and the first 2D and 3D amine-decorated Mn–Sn–Se compounds, and structural transformation between the 1D and 2D ones.
Dispersion of U-series natural radionuclides in stream sediments from Edale, UK
Authors: Siddeeg Saifeldin M. , Bryan Nicholas D. , Livens Francis R.
Published: February 2014

The spatial distribution of 238U-series radionuclides, specifically 238U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra, has been determined in stream sediments from Edale, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, to explore the behaviour of U-series radionuclides during weathering.
ExaViz: a flexible framework to analyse, steer and interact with molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Dreher Matthieu , Prevoteau-Jonquet Jessica , Trellet Mikael , Piuzzi Marc , Baaden Marc , Raffin Bruno , Ferey Nicolas , Robert Sophie , Limet Sébastien
Published: February 2014

The amount of data generated by molecular dynamics simulations of large molecular assemblies and the sheer size and complexity of the systems studied call for new ways to analyse, steer and interact with such calculations. Traditionally, the analysis is performed off-line once the huge amount of simulation results have been saved to disks, thereby stressing the supercomputer I/O systems, and making it increasingly difficult to handle post-processing and analysis from the scientist's office. The ExaViz framework is an alternative approach developed to couple the simulation with analysis tools to process the data as close as possible to their source of creation, saving a reduced, more manageable and pre-processed data set to disk. ExaViz supports a large variety of analysis and steering scenarios. Our framework can be used for live sessions (simulations short enough to be fully followed by the user) as well as batch sessions (long-time batch executions). During interactive sessions, at runtime, the user can display plots from analysis, visualise the molecular system and steer the simulation with a haptic device. We also emphasise how a CAVE-like immersive environment could be used to leverage such simulations, offering a large display surface to view and intuitively navigate the molecular system.
Mesoporous silica KIT-6 supported superparamagnetic CuFe2O4nanoparticles for catalytic asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones in air
Authors: Li Min , Li Bin , Xia Hong-Feng , Ye Danru , Wu Jing , Shi Yifeng
Published: February 2014

Asymmetric hydrosilylation of ketones catalyzed by magnetically recoverable superparamagnetic CuFe2O4nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica KIT-6 proceeded in air with up to 97% ee.
Inorganic proton conducting electrolyte coupled oxide-based dendritic transistors for synaptic electronics
Authors: Wan Chang Jin , Zhu Li Qiang , Zhou Ju Mei , Shi Yi , Wan Qing
Published: February 2014

Artificial synapses based on oxide-based EDL transistors with two in-plane gates were fabricated and STDP, dynamic logic and dendritic integration were demonstrated.
The effect of heteroatom conformation on optoelectronic properties of cyclopentadithiophene derivatives
Authors: Wanwong Sompit , Poe Ambata , Balaji Ganapathy , Thayumanavan S.
Published: February 2014

Cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT) derivatives with different heteroatom conformations have been synthesized.
Direct preparation of PNIPAM coating gold nanoparticles by catechol redox and surface adhesion chemistry
Authors: Marcelo Gema , Fernández-García Marta
Published: February 2014

The water-stable branched gold nanoparticles coated with a PNIPAM shell allow pyrene SERS detection at a concentration of 0.13 μM.
A magnesium MOF as a sensitive fluorescence sensor for CS2 and nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: Wu Zhao-Feng , Tan Bin , Feng Mei-Ling , Lan An-Jian , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: February 2014

A magnesium MOF, namely Mg5(OH)2(BTEC)2(H2O)4·11H2O (1) (H4BTEC = pyromellitic acid), has been synthesized and characterized, which reveals a highly selective fluorescence sensing of CS2 and nitroaromatic compounds.
A review of research on the teaching and learning of thermodynamics at the university level
Authors: Bain Kinsey , Moon Alena , Mack Michael R. , Towns Marcy H.
Published: February 2014

We review previous research on the teaching and learning of thermodynamics in upper-level, undergraduate settings. As chemistry education researchers we use physical chemistry as a context for understanding the literature. During our synthesis four themes of research emerged: factors that influence student success in learning thermodynamics, understanding thermodynamics through mathematical concepts and representations, student reasoning using the particulate nature of matter, and students' alternative thermodynamic conceptions. We also draw from literature in physics education research, engineering education research, and research on undergraduate mathematics education communities to widen our perspective on the teaching and learning of thermodynamics across disciplines. Following our presentation of studies, we discuss gaps in the literature and directions for new research in line with the recommendations of the National Research Council's (2012) recent report on Discipline-Based Education Research. We also discuss implications for practice which we hope will provide increased pedagogical support for teaching thermodynamics in upper-level, undergraduate settings, especially physical chemistry.