bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Wageningen Rainfall Simulator: Set‐up and Calibration of an Indoor Nozzle‐Type Rainfall Simulator for Soil Erosion Studies
Authors: Lassu Tamás , Seeger Manuel , Peters Piet , Keesstra Saskia D.
Published: December 2014

The set‐up and characterisation of an indoor nozzle‐type rainfall simulator (RS) at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, are presented. It is equipped with four Lechler nozzles (two nr. 460·788 and two nr. 461·008). The tilting irrigation plot is 6 m long and 2·5 m wide. An electrical pump supplies the constant flow during the experiments. The spatial distribution of the rainfall was measured with 60 rain gauges equally distributed on the experimental plot. Thies® Laser Precipitation Monitor was used to measure the size and falling velocity of the raindrops. Four different flow rates were applied (Q1–4). From the collected data, spatial rainfall intensity and spatial kinetic energy distribution maps were created; Christiansen uniformity coefficient was calculated for each flow rate. The results of the experiments revealed that the rainfall parameters (spatial rainfall intensity, kinetic energy, raindrop size distribution and fall velocity) in the RS are not homogeneous (Christiansen uniformity ranges from 68·5% to 83·2%). Accordingly, the whole plot can only be irrigated irregularly applying a wide range of intensities and rainfall energies. The RS offers a good opportunity to study great variety of process intensities such as splash erosion, runoff generation, soil aggregate stability, organic matter migration and scaled landscape development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Thinning and Induced Drought on Microbiological Soil Properties and Plant Species Diversity at Dry and Semiarid Locations
Authors: Hedo de Santiago Javier , Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban , Wic‐Baena Consuelo , Andrés‐Abellán Manuela , de las Heras Jorge
Published: December 2014

Soil properties and plant species diversity are key elements of forest ecosystem functioning and are affected directly by climate change. The aim of this work was to study plant species diversity, physicochemical and soil microbiological properties and enzymatic activities after induced drought conditions and thinning at semiarid (Calasparra) and dry (Yeste)Pinus halepensisMill. forest stands. Different plots affected by a wildfire event 17 years ago, with or without thinning 5 years after the fire event, were selected. A 15% rainfall reduction over 3 years was also carried out. Physicochemical soil properties (soil texture, pH, carbonates, total organic carbon, electrical conductivity and total N and P), soil enzymes (urease, phosphatase, β‐glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities), carbon mineralisation and soil microbial biomass carbon were analysed in the selected study areas. Shannon and Simpson indices were calculated, and total plant cover and plant species richness were evaluated. The results showed no differences in microbiological soil properties and soil enzyme activities when comparing thinned and unthinned plots; conversely, plant species diversity indices were affected by thinning. Induced drought affected only total cover and species richness, which were lower at Yeste. Significant site variation was also observed in soil properties, species richness and total plant cover, as opposed to the plant species diversity indices. We conclude that soil properties recover in the midterm after thinning activities, and they resist against a 15% rainfall reduction under potential climate change conditions remaining steady after induced drought. The plant community presents different responses to drought depending on the experimental site. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UV‐Absorbent Lignin‐Based Multi‐Arm Star Thermoplastic Elastomers
Authors: Yu Juan , Wang Jifu , Wang Chunpeng , Liu Yupeng , Xu Yuzhi , Tang Chuanbing , Chu Fuxiang
Published: December 2014

Lignin‐grafted copolymers, namely lignin‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐butyl acrylate) (lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA)), are synthesized via “grafting from” atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with the aid of lignin‐based macroinitiators. By manipulating the monomer feed ratios of MMA/BA, grafted copolymers with tunable glass transition temperatures (−10–40 °C) are obtained. These copolymers are evaluated as sustainable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The results suggest that the mechanical properties of these TPEs lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymers are improved significantly by comparing with those of linear P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymer counterparts, and the elastic strain recovery is nearly 70%. Lignin‐g‐P(MMA‐co‐BA) copolymers exhibit high absorption in the range of the UV spectrum, which might allow for applications in UV‐blocking coatings.

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Effect of the Molecular Architecture on the Internal Complexation Behavior of Linear Copolymers and Miktoarm Star Polymers
Authors: Hebbeker Pascal , Plamper Felix A. , Schneider Stefanie
Published: January 2015

Star polymers with arms of two different homopolymers with a weak mutual attraction have been investigated using a coarse grained polymer model and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The effect of the polymer architecture on the complexation behavior has been studied for various numbers of arms (up to 8) starting from a diblock copolymer and compared to diblock copolymers as well as alternating linear copolymers. It was found that the star architecture promotes an internal complexation, which is indicated by a reduction of the end‐to‐end distance of the polymer chains. The local concentration of the weakly attractive partners is important to promote their interaction and to harvest the attraction. The results were compared to experimental data.
Predictors of response to a cognitive behavioral intervention for impulse control behaviors in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Okai David , Askey‐Jones Sally , Samuel Michael , David Anthony S. , Brown Richard G.
Published: December 2014

Background

Limited trial evidence suggests that cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) may be effective in managing impulse control behavior (ICBs) in Parkinson's disease.

Aims

To examine predictors of outcome in trial, participants (N = 42) receiving treatment immediately or after a waiting time.

Methods

Dependent variables were Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI‐C) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Baseline demographic and clinical variables were independent variables.

Results

Better CGI‐C was predicted by fewer ICBs, taking a dopamine agonist, lower levodopa (l‐dopa) equivalent dose (LEDD), higher social functioning, and lower NPI severity before treatment. Improvement on the NPI was predicted by lower LEDD, lower anxiety, lower baseline global clinical severity, and higher social functioning.

Conclusions

Patients with lower burden of ICBs and other psychiatric symptomatology, better social functioning, and lower dose of antiparkinsonian medication may benefit more from CBT. However, we cannot yet identify individual patients with sufficient confidence at this stage to target treatment. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Effects of rasagiline on the progression of nonmotor scores of the MDS‐UPDRS
Authors: Poewe Werner , Hauser Robert A. , Lang Anthony
Published: December 2014

Background

A draft version of part 1 (Non‐Motor Aspects of Experiences of Daily Living; nM‐EDL) of the MDS‐UPDRS scale was employed as a secondary outcome in the ADAGIO study, which assessed the effect of rasagiline in early Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

Methods

This analysis includes 1,150 untreated PD patients randomized to placebo or rasagiline 1 or 2 mg/day for 36 weeks in the placebo‐controlled phase of ADAGIO who had draft‐nM‐EDL assessments at baseline and week 36.

Results

Over the 9‐month placebo‐controlled phase of the study, nM‐EDL scores significantly deteriorated from baseline in the placebo group only (0.34 ± 0.10 units; P < 0.001). Compared to the placebo group (n = 583), there was significantly less deterioration in the 1‐mg/day rasagiline group (n = 280; treatment effect: −0.33 units; P < 0.05), whereas the treatment effect in the 2‐mg/day rasagiline group (n = 287) was not statistically significant (−0.25 ± 0.17 units; P = 0.131).

Conclusions

The nM‐EDL subscale appears sensitive to change in very early PD, and treatment with rasagiline 1 mg/day was associated with significantly less decline in nonmotor experiences of daily living versus placebo. Given that score changes were numerically small, the clinical implications of this effect remain unclear. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Liquid Crystal Alignment on Thin Organic Films Deposited in a Low Pressure Plasma Enhanced CVD Reactor
Authors: Baitukha Alibi , Mori Shinsuke , Suzuki Masaaki
Published: December 2014

The application of a low pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) system is considered for the deposition of thin carbon films with alignment properties for liquid crystals (LC). The original electrode configuration induces directional planar alignment properties on deposited films, and makes possible to fabricate alignment layer in a one step process. To evaluate the LC alignment properties LC cells are assembled from substrates with deposited carbon films and observed in a polarizing optical microscope. Directional ion bombardment induced by the electrode configuration is considered to be the cause of the observed LC molecules alignment. The simultaneous deposition and ion bombardment processes induce a favorable condition for depositing carbon films with anisotropic properties.
Assessment of the Physicochemical Properties and Biological Effects of Water Activated by Non‐thermal Plasma Above and Beneath the Water Surface
Authors: Tian Ying , Ma Ruonan , Zhang Qian , Feng Hongqing , Liang Yongdong , Zhang Jue , Fang Jing
Published: December 2014

A direct current atmospheric pressure cold plasma microjet (PMJ) was used to produce plasma activated water (PAW) in two generation modes above (PAW‐A) and beneath (PAW‐B) the water surface. The physicochemical characteristics and biological effects of them were measured respectively. Results showed that PAW‐B exhibited stronger disinfection efficiency than PAW‐A, which was associated with ORP and conductivity, but not pH value, temperature, H2O2, NO3− or NO2−. Furthermore, the cell membrane integrity and membrane potential of S. aureus were destroyed more severely by PAW‐B. More importantly, a significant increase of intracellular ROS was induced by PAW‐B, which was supposed to contribute most to the sterilization. This work provides valuable guidance for the production and wide applications of PAW.
Plasma Copolymerization of Fluorinated and Acrylate Monomers: Kinetics and Chemical Structure Study
Authors: Chahine Claudine , Poncin‐Epaillard Fabienne , Debarnot Dominique
Published: December 2014

The plasma homo‐ and co‐polymerization of a fluorinated monomer and an acrylate one are studied in pulsed mode. The proportion of each monomer in the mixture, input power, on and off‐times are varied. Their effects are examined on the growth kinetics and on the chemical structure of the obtained layers. The chemical structure of the films is characterized using Fourier Transform Infra‐Red and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The results show the formation of a polymer blend or a block copolymer rather than a new material. The variation of power and on‐time affects the acrylate unit structure more than it does the fluorinated monomer, both in the homopolymers and in the copolymer. The deposition kinetics of the copolymer seems to be governed by the fluorinated monomer that plays a catalytic role in the comonomer mixture.
Fast Microplasma Synthesis of Blue Luminescent Carbon Quantum Dots at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Huang Xunzhi , Li Yongsheng , Zhong Xiaoxia , Rider Amanda E. , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken)
Published: December 2014

Fast, environmentally friendly synthesis of blue‐luminescent carbon quantum dots (C‐dots) at ambient conditions (i.e., room temperature and atmospheric pressure) is presented. The as synthesized C‐dots are of a relatively size uniform distribution with a peak at approximately 2.4 nm. The photoluminescence show that the emission peak of C‐dots shifts from 443 nm to more than 456 nm as the excitation sources is varied from 360–410 nm. The majority of C‐dots produced are predominantly graphitic in nature based on the Raman spectroscopy. The plasma‐assisted non‐equilibrium reactive chemistry induces chemical reactions and accelerates the C‐dot formation process.
Contamination of Magnetron Sputtered Metallic Films by Oxygen From Residual Atmosphere in Deposition Chamber
Authors: Pokorný Petr , Musil Jindřich , Fitl Přemysl , Novotný Michal , Lančok Jan , Bulíř Jiří
Published: December 2014

The article reports on the contamination of Ag thin films sputtered from a pure Ag target in Ar and Ne gas by the RF magnetron by gas atoms contained in residual gas atmosphere in the deposition chamber at different values of the base pressure. The amount of O atoms generated at different values of base pressure is compared with the amount of Ag atoms sputtered at different deposition rates of Ag film. This comparison reveals a great problem in the formation of pure metallic films at low deposition rates and high values of the base pressure. No pure Ag films can be deposited at low in deposition chambers evacuated with diffusion or root pumps to the base pressures lower than 1 mPa only.
Towards Roll‐to‐Roll Deposition of High Quality Moisture Barrier Films on Polymers by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Assisted Process
Authors: Starostin Sergey A. , Creatore Mariadriana , Bouwstra Jan B. , van de Sanden Mauritius C. M. , de Vries Hindrik W.
Published: December 2014

An atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was applied for the deposition of silica‐like moisture barrier films on polyethylene 2,6 naphthalate foil. The diffuse plasma was sustained between two cylindrical drum electrodes in N2/O2/Ar gas flow with the addition of tetraethyl orthosilicate. The chemical composition, morphology and water vapour transmission rate of the moisture permeation barrier layers were studied as a function of the dynamic deposition rate and substrate temperature. It was demonstrated that dense silica‐like layers of 100 nm thick with a good permeation barrier of ≈1.8 × 10−3 g · m−2 · day (at 40 °C, 90% RH), corresponding to three orders of magnitude barrier improvement with respect to the pristine polymer, can be deposited in an atmospheric pressure process.
Landau quantization, Rashba spin–orbit coupling and Zeeman splitting of two‐dimensional heavy‐hole gases
Authors: Moskalenko S. A. , Podlesny I. V. , Dumanov E. V. , Liberman M. A. , Novikov B. V.
Published: December 2014

The origin of the g‐factor of two‐dimensional (2D) electrons and holes moving in the periodic crystal lattice potential with perpendicular magnetic and electric fields is discussed. The Pauli equation describing the Landau quantization accompanied by the Rashba spin–orbit coupling (RSOC) and Zeeman splitting (ZS) for 2D heavy holes with nonparabolic dispersion law is solved exactly. The solutions have the form of pairs of the Landau quantization levels due to the spinor‐type wave functions. The energy levels depend on the amplitudes of the magnetic and electric fields, on the g‐factor , and on the parameter of nonparabolicity . The dependences of two energy levels in any pair on the Zeeman parameter , where is the hole effective mass, are nonmonotonous and without intersections. The smallest distance between them at takes place at the value , where is the order of the chirality terms determined by the RSOC and is the same for any quantum number of the Landau quantization.
Modification of titanium and titanium dioxide surfaces by ion implantation: Combined XPS and DFT study
Authors: Boukhvalov D. W. , Korotin D. M. , Efremov A. V. , Kurmaev E. Z. , Borchers Ch. , Zhidkov I. S. , Gunderov D. V. , Valiev R. Z. , Gavrilov N. V. , Cholakh S. O.
Published: December 2014

The results of XPS measurements (core levels and valence bands) of P+, Ca+, P+Ca+ and Ca+P+ ion implanted (E = 30 keV, D = 1 × 1017 cm−2) commercially pure titanium (cp‐Ti) and first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrates formation of various structural defects in titanium dioxide films formed on the surface of implanted materials. We have found that for double implantation (Ti:P+,Ca+ and Ti:Ca+,P+) the outermost surface layer is formed mainly by Ca and P, respectively, i.e. the implantation sequence is very important. The DFT calculations show that under P+ and Ca+P+ ion implantation the formation energies for both cation (P–Ti) and anion (P–O) substitutions are comparable, which can induce the creation of [PO4]3– and Ti‐P species. For Ca+ and P+Ca+ ion implantation the calculated formation energies correspond to Ca2+–Ti4+ cation substitution. This conclusion is in agreement with XPS Ca 2p and Ti 2p core levels and valence‐band measurements and DFT calculations of the electronic structure of related compounds. The conversion of implanted ions to Ca2+ and [PO4]3− species provides a good biocompatibility of cp‐Ti for further formation of hydroxyapatite.
Correlating core‐level shifts and structure of zinc‐oxide surfaces
Authors: Abedi Navid , Heimel Georg
Published: December 2014

Because they crucially impact parameters of direct relevance for the performance of zinc‐oxide (ZnO) based applications and devices, atomistic details of the ZnO surface structure have received appreciable attention over the past decades. Numerous studies have shown that it critically depends on preparation procedures, necessitating a thorough surface characterization for a truly knowledge‐based improvement of, e.g., ZnO‐based opto‐electronic devices. Here, we present the results of a comprehensive theoretical study on the core‐level shifts of various ZnO surface reconstructions with the aim of enabling structure‐ and stoichiometry determination from one of the most widely available surface‐analytic methods, that is, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Covalent effects in magnetic ferroelectrics MnMO3 (M = Ti, Sn)
Authors: Hao Xianfeng , Xu Yuanhui , Franchini Cesare , Gao Faming
Published: December 2014

By means of first‐principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT), DFT + U and hybrid functional methods, we report a comparative study of the magnetic, electronic, and ferroelectric properties of high‐pressure‐induced compounds MnMO3 (M = Ti, Sn). The results correctly describe the insulating character and G‐type antiferromagnetic ground state for both compounds, which is in good agreement with the experimental observations. We predicted large spontaneous ferroelectric polarizations of MnTiO3 and MnSnO3 by using the Berry‐phase method. In particular, the proper covalent interaction mechanism driving the ferroelectric transition is discussed and explained in term of the analysis of potential‐energy surfaces, Born effective charges, and electric localization function. Our results indicate that MnTiO3 and MnSnO3 represent unique examples of ferroelectric perovskites in which the ferroelectric instabilities originate from the combined action of geometric effects and chemical activity of the B‐site atom, thus extending the concept of d0‐ness (MnTiO3) and lone‐pair mechanism (MnSnO3) to magnetic ferroelectrics.
Study on carrier lifetimes in InGaN multi‐quantum well with different barriers by time‐resolved photoluminescence
Authors: Wang Lai , Xing Yuchen , Hao Zhibiao , Luo Yi
Published: December 2014

The carrier lifetimes depending on emission photo energy of InGaN multi‐quantum well (MQW) with different barriers are studied by time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL). A two‐exponential decay process is observed for the high‐energy photons. This is explained by there being two types of carrier localization centers (LCs), shallow localization centers (SLCs), and deep localization centers (DLCs), in InGaN quantum wells. The radiative recombination efficiency (RRE) of a quantum well is mainly determined by carrier dynamics in the DLCs. Compared to the conventional InGaN/GaN MQW, the MQW with the first barrier of 60‐nm In0.01Ga0.99N, has the smaller and denser DLCs, and hence the higher RRE, and for the MQW with all the barriers of In0.02Ga0.98N, the average and total area of DLCs both become larger. It can maintain the similar RRE but much shorter carrier lifetime of tens of ns in DLCs. It is considered that the state of LCs is strongly dependent on the strain in MQW.
Growth of BGaN epitaxial layers using close‐coupled showerhead MOCVD
Authors: Malinauskas T. , Kadys A. , Stanionytė S. , Badokas K. , Mickevičius J. , Jurkevičius J. , Dobrovolskas D. , Tamulaitis G.
Published: December 2014

BGaN epilayers were grown on GaN/sapphire templates in hydrogen atmosphere by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The growth was attempted at different temperatures and flow rates of triethylboron, which was used as boron precursor. According to XRD measurements, up to 2.9% of boron was incorporated in 500 nm‐thick BGaN layers deposited at 870 °C. Comparison of XRD results with the red shift observed in the photoluminescence band with increasing boron content confirms an extremely large value of ∼10 eV for the bowing parameter in BGaN.
Investigations of the electrochemical stability of InGaN photoanodes in different electrolytes
Authors: Finken Matthias , Wille Ada , Reuters Benjamin , Heuken Michael , Kalisch Holger , Vescan Andrei
Published: December 2014

InGaN is a promising material for direct solar water splitting due to its tuneable bandgap between 0.69 and 3.4 eV. Several investigations were carried out recently to test the suitability of InGaN in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). These studies were performed in a multitude of different electrolytes and hence a comparison of the results is very difficult. Therefore, the electrochemical stability of InGaN was investigated and compared in different commonly used electrolytes in this work. The InGaN layers were deposited via metal‐organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Their structural properties were examined by high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction (HRXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The long‐term stability of the InGaN layers was studied in NaCl, HCl, HBr, H2SO4, NaOH and KOH. Etching was observed for the two bases after 48 h. Furthermore, the photoanodes were investigated via chronoamperometry. For these measurements, the samples were illuminated with a 55 W Xe lamp for 45 min and additionally biased with 0.5 V. A comparison of the different electrolytes reveals that only the samples in NaOH and HBr show a sufficient photocurrent. Additionally, stable InGaN surfaces were observed only in 1 mol/L NaCl and in 1 mol/L HBr. Since the use of HBr most likely leads to the formation of Br2 instead of O2, it is concluded that n‐doped InGaN has to be used with co‐catalysts in PECs to prevent the etching of the surface.
Nonradiative centers in deep‐UV AlGaN‐based quantum wells revealed by two‐wavelength excited photoluminescence
Authors: Kamata N. , Touhidul Islam A. Z. M. , Julkarnain M. , Murakoshi N. , Fukuda T. , Hirayama H.
Published: December 2014

We have succeeded in detecting nonradiative recombination (NRR) centers in InAlGaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) for the sterilization wavelength at around 265 nm by our scheme of two‐wavelength excited photoluminescence (PL). Samples studied are InAlGaN multiple quantum well structures with InAlGaN electron blocking layer grown on sapphire (0001) substrates by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique at the growth temperature of 880 °C (sample A) and 920 °C (sample B). The MQW consists of three InAlGaN wells of 2 nm sandwiched by 7 nm InAlGaN barrier layers. With the addition of the below‐gap excitation (BGE) light of 1.17 eV, the PL intensity decreased for the sample A but increased for the sample B. Both change in the PL intensity implies the existence of NRR centers, which were activated by the BGE. We attribute both intensity change to two‐levels model and one level model, respectively. Based on rate equation analysis, a set of NRR parameters of sample B was determined by utilizing a saturating tendency of the PL intensity change. Spectroscopic and quantitative advantages of the method enable us to clarify energy distribution of NRR centers without providing electrode.
Deliberately Light Interpersonal Touch as an Aid to Balance Control in Neurologic Conditions
Authors: Johannsen Leif , McKenzie Evelyn , Brown Melanie , Redfern Mark S. , Wing Alan M.
Published: December 2014

Purpose:

We aimed to quantify the benefit of externally provided deliberately light interpersonal touch (IPT) on body sway in neurological patients.

Design:

IPT effect on sway was assessed experimentally across differing contacting conditions in a group of 12 patients with Parkinson’s disease and a group of 11 patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke.

Methods:

A pressure plate recorded sway when IPT was provided by a healthcare professional at various locations on a patient’s back.

Findings:

IPT on the back reduced anteroposterior body sway in both groups. Numerically, IPT was more effective when applied more superior on the back, specifically at shoulder level, and when applied at two contact locations simultaneously.

Conclusion:

Our findings demonstrate the benefit of deliberately light IPT on the back to facilitate patients’ postural stability.

Clinical Relevance:

Deliberately light IPT resembles a manual handling strategy, which minimizes load imposed on healthcare professionals when providing balance support, while it facilitates patients’ own sensorimotor control of body balance during standing.
Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Hemodialysis Patients With Dizziness
Authors: Dai Chin-Ying , Lin Su-Chun , Peng Hui-Ling , Chung Yueh-Chin , Chen Shu-Wen , Feng Ying-Feng , Tung Yi-Chen , Liu Wen-Miao
Published: December 2014

Purpose:

This study evaluated the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) for hemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic dizziness.

Design:

A single-blind, randomized controlled study was performed.

Methods:

Cluster-randomized sampling was used to select the experimental group from two outpatient dialysis clinics. A total of 26 patients participated in the study. Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and falls were used as outcome measures. Data were collected at baseline (T1), 3 months (T2), and 6 months (T3).

Findings:

Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA of DHI revealed a statistically significant group and time interaction. Dizziness handicap outcome was significantly reduced over time in the experimental group (DHI total score, T1 = 35.29, T2 = 32.86, T3 = 27.86,p= .001).

Conclusions:

VR exercise instructed by nurses can be effective in alleviating handicap imposed by dizziness in dialysis patients.

Clinical Relevance:

Nurses are encouraged to learn VR as a simple exercise to improve well-being in dialysis patients with chronic dizziness.
Optimal Fish Passage Barrier Removal—Revisited
Authors: King S. , O'Hanley J. R.
Published: December 2014

Infrastructure, such as dams, weirs and culverts, disrupt the longitudinal connectivity of rivers, causing adverse impacts on fish and other aquatic species. Improving fish passage at artificial barriers, accordingly, can be an especially effective and economical river restoration option. In this article, we propose a novel, mixed integer programing model for optimizing barrier mitigation decisions given a limited budget. Rather than simply treating barriers as being impassable or not, we consider the more general case in which barriers may be partially passable. Although this assumption normally introduces nonlinearity into the problem, we manage to formulate a linear model via the use of probability chains, a newly proposed technique from the operations research literature. Our model is noteworthy in that it can be readily implemented and solved using off‐the‐shelf optimization modelling software. Using a case study from the US State of Maine, we demonstrate that the model is highly efficient in comparison with existing solution methods and, moreover, highly scalable in that large problems with many thounsands of barriers can still be solved optimally. Our analysis confirms that barrier mitigation can provide substantial ecological gains for migratory fish at low levels of investment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coping with Work‐related Traumatic Situations among Crime Scene Technicians
Authors: Pavšič Mrevlje Tinkara
Published: January 2015

Crime scene technicians collect evidence related to crime and are therefore exposed to many traumatic situations. The coping strategies they use are thus very important in the process of facing the psychological consequences of such work. The available literature shows that crime scene technicians are an understudied subgroup of police workers. Our study is therefore the first unfolding insights into technicians' coping strategies, post‐traumatic symptomatology and somatic health, based on a sample of 64 male crime scene technicians (85% of all Slovene technicians).

Crime scene technicians mainly use avoidance coping strategies. Approach strategies that are more effective in the long‐term—i.e. lead to a larger buffering of the effects of traumatic stress—are more frequently used if technicians are familiar with the nature of the task, when they have time to prepare for it, and if they feel that past situations have been positively resolved. Behavioural avoidance strategies were found to be least effective when dealing with traumatic experiences and are also related to more frequent problems of physical health.

Results indicate that appropriate trainings for future technicians would facilitate the use of more effective coping strategies and consequently lead to a more effective and satisfied worker. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Volumetric Alterations in the Heteromodal Association Cortex in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Richter J. , Poustka L. , Vomstein K. , Haffner J. , Parzer P. , Stieltjes B. , Henze R.
Published: January 2015

Background:

We investigated if alterations in higher-order association areas related to schizophrenia, namely the heteromodal association cortex (HASC), are also observable in subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods:

A group of 18 children with ASD and 18 healthy controls (HC) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The examination comprised an analysis of group differences in gray matter (GM) volume, surface area (SA) and hemispheric lateralization.

Results:

Differences in GM volumes in children with ASD and HC were detected in frontal and parietal areas related to the HASC. No HASC structure that showed changes in GM volume exhibited differences in SA. Alterations in hemispheric lateralization between ASD and HC are seen in a frontal area of the HASC.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that changes in HASC areas are not restricted to schizophrenia, but extend to other psychiatric disorders, namely ASD. The lacking group differences in SA indicate that changes in GM volume are possibly evoked by other variables than SA in children with ASD.
Abnormalities in Cortical Gray Matter Density in Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Rossi R. , Lanfredi M. , Pievani M. , Boccardi M. , Rasser P.E. , Thompson P.M. , Cavedo E. , Cotelli M. , Rosini S. , Beneduce R. , Bignotti S. , Magni L.R. , Rillosi L. , Magnaldi S. , Cobelli M. , Rossi G. , Frisoni G.B.
Published: January 2015

Background:

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a chronic condition with a strong impact on patients’ affective, cognitive and social functioning. Neuroimaging techniques offer invaluable tools to understand the biological substrate of the disease. We aimed to investigate gray matter alterations over the whole cortex in a group of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients compared to healthy controls (HC).

Methods:

Magnetic resonance-based cortical pattern matching was used to assess cortical gray matter density (GMD) in 26 BPD patients and in their age- and sex-matched HC (age: 38 ± 11; females: 16, 61%).

Results:

BPD patients showed widespread lower cortical GMD compared to HC (4% difference) with peaks of lower density located in the dorsal frontal cortex, in the orbitofrontal cortex, the anterior and posterior cingulate, the right parietal lobe, the temporal lobe (medial temporal cortex and fusiform gyrus) and in the visual cortex (P < 0.005). Our BPD subjects displayed a symmetric distribution of anomalies in the dorsal aspect of the cortical mantle, but a wider involvement of the left hemisphere in the mesial aspect in terms of lower density. A few restricted regions of higher density were detected in the right hemisphere. All regions remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons via permutation testing.

Conclusions:

BPD patients feature specific morphology of the cerebral structures involved in cognitive and emotional processing and social cognition/mentalization, consistent with clinical and functional data.
Dramatic improvement of refractory anemia caused by mechanical hemolysis in a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy using dual‐chamber pacing
Authors: Miwa Yosuke , Soejima Kyoko , Sato Toshiaki , Matsushita Kenichi , Sueoka Junsuke , Takayama Nobuyuki , Yoshino Hideaki
Published: January 2015

A 59‐year‐old woman with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was admitted to our institution with worsening heart failure. She developed mechanical intracardiac hemolysis due to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Despite surgical myectomy, the LVOT pressure gradient (PG) remained high and hemolytic anemia recurred. A dual‐chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator was then implanted, which decreased the LVOT‐PG and improved hemolysis.
Soft suspensions: inertia cooperates with flexibility
Authors: Misbah Chaouqi
Published: January 2015

Cross-streamline migration of soft particles in suspensions is essential for cell and DNA sorting, blood flow, polymer processing and so on. Pioneering work by Poiseuille on blood flow in vivo revealed an erythrocyte-free layer close to blood vessel walls. The formation of this layer is related to a viscous lift force caused by cell deformation that pushes cells towards the centre of blood capillaries. This lift force has in this case a strong impact on blood flow. In contrast, rigid spherical particles migrate from the centre towards the periphery, owing to inertia (the Segré–Silberberg effect). An important open issue is to elucidate the interplay between particle deformation and inertia. By using a capsule suspension model, Krueger, Kaoui & Harting (J. Fluid Mech., 2014, vol. 751, pp. 725–745) discovered that capsule flexibility can suppress the Segré–Silberberg effect and inertia promotes overall flow efficiency thanks to a strong inertial flow focusing effect.
Osteology and taxonomy of Mosasaurus conodon Cope 1881 from the Late Cretaceous of North America
Authors: Ikejiri T. , Lucas S.G.
Published: January 2015

Two well-preserved skeletons of Mosasaurus conodon Cope 1881 (Squamata, Mosasaurinae) from the Pierre Shale (late Campanian) of Colorado and the Bearpaw Shale (Late Campanian to Early Maastrichtian) of Montana are described. The two specimens are important because they provide new osteological information, especially on the skull (including jaws with teeth) and forelimbs, whereas those elements are largely missing in the holotype (AMNH 1380) of M. conodon. Morphological comparisons of the holotype with the two new specimens allow us to emend the diagnosis of the species in the genus Mosasaurus, primarily using tooth and forelimb morphologies. Teeth of M. conodon are unique in their combination of having a slender, gently recurved overall shape (similar to Clidastes) with no serration on the developed carinae (less developed in Clidastes). The tooth count of M. conodon tends to be low (14–15 in the maxilla, 16 in the dentary and eight in the pterygoid, respectively) when compared to other species, such as Mosasaurus lemonnieri, Mosasaurus missouriensis and Mosasaurus hoffmanni–Mosasaurus maximus. The forelimb is short in the species, characterised by a much lower number of the manual digital formula, 4(+1?)–4(+2?)–4(+1?)–4(+1)–2 than other species of Mosasaurus. The forelimb bones are generally robust, especially the box-shaped humerus (width-to-length ratio 3/2). A variety of new morphological data support the conclusions that (1) M. conodon is a nominal species, (2) the European species M. lemonnieri is not a junior synonym and (3) one of the most complete skeletons of Mosasaurus from South Dakota (SDSM 452) is not assigned to M. conodon (but is likely to be Mosasaurus sp.). To date, M. conodon occurs only in North America during the late Campanian to early Maastrichtian.
Habitat preference of mosasaurs indicated by rare earth element (REE) content of fossils from the Upper Cretaceous marine deposits of Alabama, New Jersey, and South Dakota (USA)
Authors: Harrell T.L. , Pérez-Huerta A.
Published: January 2015

Knowledge of habitat segregation of mosasaurs has been based on lithology and faunal assemblages associated with fossil remains of mosasaurs and stable isotopes (δ13C). These approaches have sometimes provided equivocal or insufficient information and, therefore, the preference of habitat by different mosasaur taxa is still suboptimally constrained. The present study is focused on the analysis of rare earth element (REE) ratios of mosasaur fossils from the Upper Cretaceous formations of western Alabama, USA. Results of the REE analysis are used to infer the relative paleobathymetry associated with the mosasaur specimens and then to determine if certain taxonomic groups showed a preference for a particular water depth. Comparisons are then made with mosasaur specimens reported in the literature from other regions of North America from different depositional environments. Results indicate that Mosasaurus, Platecarpus and Plioplatecarpus may have preferred more restricted habitats based on water depth whereas Tylosaurus and Clidastes favoured a wider range of environments. Results also suggest that Plioplatecarpus lived in a shallower environment than its Platecarpus predecessor. Although the results of this study are encouraging, caution must be exercised before drawing any final conclusions due to the small sample size of most of the taxa analysed.
Modelling particle-size distributions from operator estimates of sediment particle size - RETRACTION
Authors: Roberson S. , Weltje G.J.
Published: January 2015

The article Modelling particle-size distributions from operator estimates of sediment particles (Roberson & Weltje, 2014) has been withdrawn due to a misunderstanding about the permission required for the underlying data on which the reported results relied. The editors expect the article to be rewritten and republished in collaboration with the owners of the data, the Geological Survey of the Netherlands, as soon as practicably possible, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Palaeomagnetism of Mesoproterozoic limestone and shale successions of some Purana basins in southern India
Authors: DE KOCK MICHIEL O. , BEUKES NICOLAS J. , MUKHOPADHYAY JOYDIP
Published: January 2015

The ‘Purana’ basins were long considered Neoproterozoic basins until geochronology and palaeomagnestism showed parts of the Chattisgarth and lower Vindhyan basins to be a billion years older. Historically, the successions in the Chattisgarth Basin are correlated with similar successions in the Pranhita–Godavari and Indravati basins. In India, differentiating between early–late Mesoproterozoic rocks and those spanning the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic boundary is possible by comparing magnetic declination and inclination; palaeomagnetism is therefore a very useful correlation tool. Here we report a new Stenian-aged palaeopole (50.1°N, 67.4°E, radius of cone of 95% confidence A95 = 12.4°, precision K = 30.1) from carbonate and shale successions of the Pranhita–Godavari and Chattisgarth basins (the C+/– magnetization). In addition, an early diagenetic remagnetization (component A) was identified. No primary or early diagenetic magnetizations were identified from the Indravati Basin. Here, as well as in stratigraphically higher parts of the other two successions, widespread younger magnetic overprints were identified (B+ and B– magnetic components). Our C+/– palaeopole is constrained by palaeomagnetic stability field tests, is different from known 1.4 Ga and 1.0 Ga Indian palaeopoles, but similar to a 1.19 Ga palaeopole. Penganga Group (Pranhita–Godavari Basin) deposition was probably initiated at around 1.2 Ga. A similar palaeomagnetic signature confirms its correlation with the Raipur Group (Chattisgarth Basin), of which the deposition spans most of the Stenian period (c. 1.2–1.0 Ga). Sedimentation in these groups began significantly later than c. 1.4 and c. 1.6 Ga, as suggested by ages reported from below the Raipur and Penganga groups, respectively.
New Music Biennial, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Authors: Lee David
Published: January 2015

Amidst the wide range of events staged as part of Glasgow's 2014 Cultural Programme in celebration of the Commonwealth Games, the New Music Biennial Showcase occupied the closing weekend of the Games. Hosted at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 1 and 2 August, it made use of three separate performances spaces: the main hall, the newly redeveloped Strathclyde Suite and the more intimate brand new City of Music Studio. As at its London partner event, which took place between 4 and 6 July at the Southbank Centre, audiences were provided with an opportunity to hear 20 new commissions from a diverse selection of composers from across Britain, each of which had already been performed across the country in a variety of locations, ranging from skate parks to concert halls.
RE-WRITING HISTORY: BERNHARD LANG'SMONADOLOGIESERIES (2007–PRESENT)
Authors: Dysers Christine
Published: January 2015

The oeuvre of Austrian composer Bernhard Lang (b. 1957) is based upon extreme musical repetition. In hisMonadologieseries (2007-present), short samples of pre-existing music form the starting point for a variety of automatically generated looping and transformation processes. The overwriting of pre-existing music results in the creation of meta-compositions that radically alter the listeners' understanding of the original piece.

Sketching a general overview of the composer's aesthetic beliefs and the compositional strategies originating from them, this article focuses on Lang'sMonadologieseries. It aims to clarify the relationships between the individual pieces of the series, to analyse the musical techniques used to reinterpret pre-existing scores within a contemporary setting and, finally, to interpret the implications that arise from that procedure. The 2009Monadologie VII: …for Arnold…functions as a historico-analytical case study, from which a deeper insight into the series' hermeneutics can be gained.
Pubertal maturation and affective symptoms in adolescence and adulthood: Evidence from a prospective birth cohort
Authors: Gaysina Darya , Richards Marcus , Kuh Diana , Hardy Rebecca
Published: January 2015

The higher prevalence of affective symptoms among women compared to men emerges in adolescence, and it has been associated with pubertal maturation. However, it remains unclear whether pubertal timing has long-term influences on affective symptoms. Using data from the British 1946 birth cohort, we investigated whether pubertal timing was associated with affective symptoms over the life course, distinguishing those with symptoms in adolescence only, symptoms in adulthood only, and symptoms in both adolescence and adulthood. In females, there was no evidence that early pubertal maturation was a risk factor for affective symptoms. However, those with particularly late menarche (≥15 years) showed a lower risk of adult-onset affective symptoms (odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.31, 0.95). This effect of late pubertal timing was not explained by a range of sociobehavioral factors. In contrast, in males, late pubertal timing was associated with increased risk of adolescent-onset affective symptoms that tracked into adulthood (odds ratio = 2.10, 95% confidence interval = 1.44, 3.06). This effect was partly explained by low prepubertal body mass index. Sex-specific effects of pubertal timing on the long-term risk of affective symptoms might be due to different effects of gonadal hormonal on the central nervous system, as well as different social experiences during puberty.
Expressiveness modulo bisimilarity of regular expressions with parallel composition
Authors: BAETEN JOS C. M. , LUTTIK BAS , MULLER TIM , VAN TILBURG PAUL
Published: January 2015

The languages accepted by finite automata are precisely the languages denoted by regular expressions. In contrast, finite automata may exhibit behaviours that cannot be described by regular expressions up to bisimilarity. In this paper, we consider extensions of the theory of regular expressions with various forms of parallel composition and study the effect on expressiveness. First we prove that adding pure interleaving to the theory of regular expressions strictly increases its expressiveness modulo bisimilarity. Then, we prove that replacing the operation for pure interleaving by ACP-style parallel composition gives a further increase in expressiveness, still insufficient, however, to facilitate the expression of all finite automata up to bisimilarity. Finally, we prove that the theory of regular expressions with ACP-style parallel composition and encapsulation is expressive enough to express all finite automata up to bisimilarity. Our results extend the expressiveness results obtained by Bergstra, Bethke and Ponse for process algebras with (the binary variant of) Kleene's star operation.
Site of interstage outpatient care and growth after the Norwood operation
Authors: Patel Mehul D. , Uzark Karen , Yu Sunkyung , Donohue Janet , Pasquali Sara K. , Schidlow David , Brown David W. , Gelehrter Sarah
Published: January 2015

Background

Recent efforts have focused on optimising interstage outcomes, including growth, for infants following the Norwood operation. The impact of the site of interstage care remains unclear, and it has been hypothesised that care at the surgical site may be beneficial due to greater access to resources such as nutritional support. This study evaluated the relationship between site of interstage care and weight gain in a large multicentre cohort.

Methods

Infants enrolled in the National Paediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (2008–2013) surviving up to Stage 2 were included. Change in weight-for-age z-score between Norwood discharge and Stage 2 admission was compared in those receiving care at the surgical versus non-surgical site.

Results

Of the 487 interstage survivors, 60% received all care at the surgical site, and 40% received care at a non-surgical site. There was no significant difference between groups in change in weight-for-age z-score: +0.36±0.96 for the surgical site group versus +0.46±1.02 for the non-surgical site group, p=0.3. Results were unchanged in multivariable analysis adjusting for differences in important baseline characteristics, duration of interstage, and home surveillance strategy. The proportion of all patients with weight-for-age z-score <−2 decreased from 40% at Norwood discharge to 29% at Stage 2, with no significant difference in change between the two groups (p=0.1).

Conclusions

The site of interstage care was not associated with weight gain during the interstage period. Nearly one-third of patients overall had a weight-for-age z-score <−2 at Stage 2. Further study is required to identify methods to optimise weight gain in these patients.