bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Correlation between Char Gasification Reactivity and Its Parent Coal
Authors: Zhou Zhijie , Huo Wei , Xu Shenqi , Yu Guangsuo , Wang Fuchen
Published: May 2014

The reactivity of 16 coal chars of varying rank with CO2 and H2O was determined to examine the effects of fixed carbon, ash, and volatile matters of raw coal on the gasification reactivity of coal chars. An empirical correlation between the gasification reactivity of coal particles and coal types was presented. A general index, Rc, which was used to indicate the gasification reactivity of coals with CO2 and H2O, is presented. Rc only depends on the proximate analysis and ash composition of coal and reflects the gasification behavior in a combined way, so Rc is called the gasification characteristic index of coal. It is a very useful parameter for engineers and operators to use in predicting the reactivity of different types of coals. The difference between the reactivity indexes (R) of CO2 and H2O in gasification can be reflected by Rc. The lower the value of Rc, the greater the difference between the R and R gasification reactivity.
NiCo2O4 Nanostructures as a Promising Alternative for NiO Photocathodes in p‐Type Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells with High Efficiency
Authors: Shi Zhiwei , Lu Hao , Liu Qiong , Deng Kaimo , Xu Liangyu , Zou Rujia , Hu Junqing , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri , Li Liang
Published: May 2014

NiCo2O4 nanostructures were directly grown on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive substrates by using a facile, low‐temperature hydrothermal process and their morphology was precisely adjusted from nanowires (NW) to nanosheets (NS) and novel nanowire‐woven nanosheet (NW–NS) arrays. Such nanostructures were then explored for photoelectrodes of p‐type dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), in which the conversion efficiency demonstrated a strong dependence on the morphology. NiCo2O4 NW–NS based p‐DSSCs showed a high conversion efficiency of 0.785 %, which is higher than the values reported for NiO and other materials in p‐DSSCs based on the classical I3−/I− electrolyte. The mechanism of enhanced performance was analyzed in detail and mainly attributed to synergistic effects in the photoelectrodes, with a significantly improved efficiency of light harvesting and fast hole transport.
Energy Savings in the Conversion of CO2 to Fuels using an Electrolytic Device
Authors: Bevilacqua Manuela , Filippi Jonathan , Lavacchi Alessandro , Marchionni Andrea , Miller Hamish A. , Oberhauser Werner , Vesselli Erik , Vizza Francesco
Published: May 2014

We describe the realization of an electrolyzer for the electroreduction of CO2 to useful hydrocarbons and carboxylates such as CH4, C2H4, and HCOO‐. The device uses a molecular copper phthalocyanine‐based cathode, an anion exchange membrane, and a nanostructured Pd@Ti anode. The key advantage of this device is the exploitation of anodic alcohol oxidation instead of water oxidation. The lower operating cell potential due to the presence of ethanol leads to a net reduction in energy consumption, from 130 kWh to 77 kWh (per kg of hydrocarbon product mixture), in comparison to the cell operating with oxygen evolution.
Peripheral stem cell collection: From leukocyte growth factor to removal of catheter
Authors: Kindwall‐Keller Tamila
Published: May 2014

A wide variety of hematologic malignancies, autoimmune diseases, inborn errors of metabolism, and bone marrow failure syndromes maybe put into a remission or potentially cured by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Depending on the underlying disorder, stem cells may be collected from the future transplant recipient themselves, an human leukocyte antigen (HLA) identical donor, a mismatched related or unrelated donor, or banked umbilical cord blood. Peripheral blood leukapheresis to collect stem cells from autologous or allogeneic donors is safe and well‐tolerated. In most cases, the apheresis procedure is performed in an outpatient setting over 4–6 h a day for up to 4 days to achieve the stem cell dose needed for HSCT. Current research in stem cell mobilization and collection is focused on optimizing the numbers of stem cells collected by improving mobilization regimens, and increasing the efficiency of the apheresis collection to reduce the number of apheresis procedures needed to meet the stem cell dose requirement for HSCT. J. Clin. Apheresis 29:199–205, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increase in the iron content of the substantia nigra and red nucleus in multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome: A 7 Tesla MRI study
Authors: Blazejewska Anna I. , Al‐Radaideh Ali M. , Wharton Sam , Lim Su Yin , Bowtell Richard W. , Constantinescu Cris S. , Gowland Penny A.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

To study iron deposition in the substantia nigra (SN) and red nuclei (RN), in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and healthy controls (HC).

Materials and Methods

Iron deposition was assessed using susceptibility maps and T2*‐w images acquired at high resolution MRI at 7 Tesla (T). Mean intensities were calculated within circular regions of interest in the SN (d/v, dorsal/ventral) and RN on high resolution T2*‐w, quantitative susceptibility maps and their product for: RRMS, CIS and HC (N = 14, 21, 27, respectively).

Results

Magnetic susceptibility was significantly greater in SNd and RN in RRMS compared with HC (P = 0.04 [0.001, 0.48] and P = 0.01 [0.005, 0.05]), with intermediate values for the CIS group. 1/T2*‐w did not show significant inter‐group differences (for SNv, SNd, RN, respectively: P = 0.5 [−0.352, 0976], P = 0.35 [−0.208, 0.778], P = 0.16 [−0.114, 0.885] for RRMS versus HC) and the T2*‐susceptibility product maps showed the difference only for RN (P = 0.01, [0.009, 0.062]). Changes were independent of EDSS and disease duration.

Conclusion

MR changes consistent with iron accumulation occurring in the SN and RN of CIS patients can be identified using susceptibility mapping; this may provide an additional method of monitoring early MS development. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1065–1070. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An international comparison of spontaneous adverse event reports and potentially inappropriate medicine use associated with dabigatran
Authors: McDonald Cameron J. , Kalisch Ellett Lisa M. , Barratt John D. , Caughey Gillian E.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The objective of this study was to analyse spontaneous adverse event (SAE) reports associated with the oral anticoagulant dabigatran from Australia, Canada and USA and to examine concomitant medicine use.

Methods

Spontaneous adverse event national databases from Australia, Canada and the USA were used to examine all reports of adverse events associated with dabigatran from 1st August 2005 to 31st March 2013. Disproportionality analysis was conducted for the quantitative detection of signals using the USA database. Concomitant medicine use was examined to identify potentially inappropriate medicines, which may place the patient at increased risk for adverse events.

Results

There were a total of 1039, 1333 and 13 788 SAE reports associated with dabigatran from Australia, Canada and USA, respectively. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders were the most commonly reported adverse event, ranging from 27.5% for Australia and up to 40.5% for USA. Of these, GI haemorrhage accounted for 81.5% of Australian, 71.5% of Canadian and 42% of the USA adverse event reports for GI disorders. Positive signals were confirmed in the USA data (GI haemorrhage; PRR 18.18, χ2 40993.51 and ROR 19.55 95% CI 18.77–20.36). Use of concomitant medicines with the potential to increase bleeding risk across all three countries ranged from 34.1% for Australia to 51.1% for the USA.

Conclusions

A large proportion of adverse events were associated with concomitant therapies, which may have placed the patient at increased risk of harm. This highlights the need for pharmacovigilance by the prescribing clinician to minimise risk and ensure the safe and effective integration of dabigatran into routine clinical practice. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noncommutative field theory on ℝ3λ
Authors: Vitale P.
Published: May 2014

We consider the noncommutative space ℝ3λ, a deformation of the algebra of functions on ℝ3 which yields a foliation of ℝ3 into fuzzy spheres. We first review the construction of a natural matrix basis adapted to ℝ3λ. We thus consider the problem of defining a new Laplacian operator for the deformed algebra. We propose an operator which is not of Jacobi type. The implication for field theory of the new Laplacian is briefly discussed.
Non‐commutative quantum geometric data in group field theories
Authors: Oriti D.
Published: May 2014

We review briefly the motivations for introducing additional group‐theoretic data in tensor models, leading to the richer framework of group field theories, themselves a field theory formulation of loop quantum gravity. We discuss how these data give to the GFT amplitudes the structure of lattice gauge theories and simplicial gravity path integrals, and make their quantum geometry manifest. We focus in particular on the non‐commutative flux/algebra representation of these models.
Biotransformation of Glucoaurantio‐Obtusin Towards Aurantio‐Obtusin Increases the Toxicity of Irinotecan Through Increased Inhibition Towards SN‐38 Glucuronidation
Authors: Yu Jian , Han Jing‐Chun , Gao Ya‐Jie
Published: May 2014

The present study aims to investigate the influence of irinotecan's toxicity by the biotransformation of glucoaurantio‐obtusin to aurantio‐obtusin. Intraperitoneal administration (i.p.) of 100 mg/kg aurantio‐obtusin significantly increased the toxicity of irinotecan, but the i.p. administration of 100 mg/kg glucoaurantio‐obtusin showed negligible influence towards irinotecan's toxicity. Furthermore, the mechanism was explained through determining the inhibition potential of glucoaurantio‐obtusin and aurantio‐obtusin towards the glucuronidation metabolism of SN‐38 that has been regarded to be the major active product responsible for the toxicity of irinotecan. The results showed that aurantio‐obtusin exhibited strong competitive inhibition towards the glucuronidation of SN‐38, but negligible inhibition potential of glucoaurantio‐obtusin towards SN‐38 glucuronidation was observed. These results showed that biotransformation of glucoaurantio‐obtusin towards aurantio‐obtusin increased the toxicity of irinotecan through increased inhibition of SN‐38 glucuronidation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐Diabetic Properties of Rice‐Based Herbal Porridges in Diabetic Wistar Rats
Authors: Senadheera Senadheera Pathirannehelage Anuruddhika Subhashinie , Ekanayake Sagarika , Wanigatunge Chandanie
Published: May 2014

The present study aims to investigate anti‐hyperglycaemic, anti‐hyperlipidaemic and toxic effects of long‐term consumption of selected green leafy porridges in a streptozotocin‐induced diabetic Wistar rat model. Porridges made with Asparagus racemosus Willd. (AR), Hemidesmus indicus (L) R. Br. W. T. Aiton (HI), Scoparia dulcis L. (SD) and coconut milk porridge (CM) were incorporated into diets of diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetic control (DM) and normal control groups (NC) were provided with standard rat diet. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, C reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), liver enzymes and creatinine were measured. Feed and water intake among diabetic groups were significantly high when compared with those of NC (p < 0.05). All rats in SD (mean = 39 ± 19 g) and NC (mean = 114 ± 7 g) groups gained weight, whereas most rats in other diabetic groups lost weight. Among the diabetic groups, SD group had the lowest mean FBG, FBG increment percentage (45%) and HbA1c (5.8 ± 2.1). FBG increment percentage and HbA1c of SD group were not significantly different to those of NC (38%; 4.7 ± 0.7) (p > 0.05). Among the diabetic groups, lowest TC (119 ± 20.6 mg/dL) and highest HDL‐C (33 ± 6.3 mg/dL) were also detected in SD group. Alanine transaminase and creatinine were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among diabetic groups but significant when compared with those of NC. When compared with those of NC, aspartate transaminase levels were significantly (p < 0.05) high in SD, CM and DM groups. Body weight : liver weight and body weight : pancreas weight ratios and CRP were not significantly different among all groups. The study proved that SD porridge reduced weight loss, elicited hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic properties, and caused no toxicity in diabetes‐induced Wistar rats. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring internal stickiness: Impediments to the transfer of best practice within the firm
Authors: Szulanski Gabriel
Published: May 2014

The ability to transfer best practices internally is critical to a firm's ability to build competitive advantage through the appropriation of rents from scarce internal knowledge. Just as a firm's distinctive competencies might be difficult for other firms to imitate, its best practices could be difficult to imitate internally. Yet, little systematic attention has been paid to such internal stickiness. The author analyzes internal stickiness of knowledge transfer and tests the resulting model using canonical correlation analysis of a data set consisting of 271 observations of 122 best‐practice transfers in eight companies. Contrary to conventional wisdom that blames primarily motivational factors, the study findings show the major barriers to internal knowledge transfer to be knowledge‐related factors such as the recipient's lack of absorptive capacity, causal ambiguity, and an arduous relationship between the source and the recipient.
Optimization of plate girders
Authors: Abspoel Roland , Bijlaard Frans
Published: May 2014

The costs of the self‐weight of a structure have never been a real issue in the design of steel girders, since the material costs of a structural element are mainly determined by labour costs. The booming economies of China and India cause a continuously increasing demand for steel. This and the now stringent regulations regarding sustainability make material economy in design much more interesting.

In a material economy‐driven plate girder design, the lever arm between the flanges will increase. This leads to a higher stiffness and bending moment resistance, but also to an increase in the web slenderness of the girder. This means that high‐strength steels can be used, leading to a large reduction in steel consumption.

Eurocode 3, EN‐1993‐1‐5, [1] restricts the web slenderness based on the formula to avoid flange‐induced buckling, originally derived by Basler [2]. However, experimental and theoretical research conducted on 10 unstiffened plate girders with high web slenderness ratios at the Stevin II Laboratory of Delft University of Technology shows that this formula is too conservative.

This paper presents the results of this research and suggestions for a new plate girder design strategy.
Analytical models for call blocking and dropping in sectorized cellular networks with fractional frequency reuse
Authors: Sheu Tsang‐Ling , Lin Bo‐Jiun , Chou Zi‐Tsan
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we construct mathematical models to analyze the probabilities of new call blocking and handoff call (HC) dropping for a sectorized cellular network with fractional frequency reuse (FFR). Because a sectorized FFR network (SFN) consists of two areas, the super group (SG) and the regular group (or sectors), three different types of HCs may happen when a mobile station (MS) moves from the SG to a sector, from a sector to the SG, or from one sector to another sector. To characterize three types of HCs, we first derive the area transition probability, which is defined as the reciprocal of MS's average residence time in an area (i.e., sector or SG). Moreover, we construct the model of Markov chains and derive the state transition rates. Then on the basis of the stationary probabilities of Markovian states, we derive the three types of blocking probabilities of new calls and two types of dropping probabilities of HCs. Finally, we conduct extensive numerical simulations. From the results of numerical simulations, we reveal two important rules for choosing the optimal radius of the SG, with which the system blocking and dropping probability can be effectively minimized. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular mechanisms in the selective basal activation of pyrabactin receptor 1: Comparative analysis of mutants
Authors: Dorosh Lyudmyla , Rajagopalan Nandhakishore , Loewen Michele C. , Stepanova Maria
Published: May 2014

Pyrabactin receptors (PYR) play a central role in abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction; they are ABA receptors that inhibit type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C). Molecular aspects contributing to increased basal activity of PYR against PP2C are studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. An extensive series of MD simulations of the apo‐form of mutagenized PYR1 as a homodimer and in complex with homology to ABA‐insensitive 1 (HAB1) phosphatase are reported. In order to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms mediating PYR1 activity, the MD data was analyzed by essential collective dynamics (ECD), a novel approach that allows the identification, with atomic resolution, of persistent dynamic correlations based on relatively short MD trajectories. Employing the ECD method, the effects of select mutations on the structure and dynamics of the PYR1 complexes were investigated and considered in the context of experimentally determined constitutive activities against HAB1. Approaches to rationally design constitutively active PYR1 constructs to increase PP2C inhibition are discussed.
Drug resistance to targeted therapies: Déjà vu all over again
Authors: Groenendijk Floris H. , Bernards René
Published: May 2014

A major limitation of targeted anticancer therapies is intrinsic or acquired resistance. This review emphasizes similarities in the mechanisms of resistance to endocrine therapies in breast cancer and those seen with the new generation of targeted cancer therapeutics. Resistance to single‐agent cancer therapeutics is frequently the result of reactivation of the signaling pathway, indicating that a major limitation of targeted agents lies in their inability to fully block the cancer‐relevant signaling pathway. The development of mechanism‐based combinations of targeted therapies together with non‐invasive molecular disease monitoring is a logical way forward to delay and ultimately overcome drug resistance development.
Maize yield forecasting by linear regression and artificial neural networks in Jilin, China
Authors: MATSUMURA K. , GAITAN C. F. , SUGIMOTO K. , CANNON A. J. , HSIEH W. W.
Published: May 2014

Forecasting the maize yield of China's Jilin province from 1962 to 2004, with climate conditions and fertilizer as predictors, was investigated using multiple linear regression (MLR) and non-linear artificial neural network (ANN) models. Yield was set to be a function of precipitation from July to August, precipitation in September and the amount of fertilizer used. Fertilizer emerged as the dominant predictor and was non-linearly related to yield in the ANN model. Given the difficulty of acquiring fertilizer data for maize, the current study was also tested using the previous year's yield in the place of fertilizer data. Forecast skill scores computed under both cross-validation and retroactive validation showed ANN models to significantly outperform MLR and persistence (i.e. forecast yield is identical to last year's observed yield). As the data were non-stationary, cross-validation was found to be less reliable than retroactive validation in assessing the forecast skill.
Showing One's Colours: The political work of elections in post-war Sri Lanka
Authors: KLEM BART
Published: May 2014

This article analyses Sri Lanka's April 2010 parliamentary elections as they played out in the Muslim community on the east coast. The political work of elections, as the article shows, involves a lot more than the composition of government. Antagonism over group identities and boundaries are at centre stage. Elections force people to show their colours, which causes turbulence as they grapple with several, possibly contradictory, loyalties. The article argues that elections bring together different political storylines, rather than one master antagonism. It is the interaction between different narratives that paradoxically provides elections both with a sense of gravity and dignity, and with the lingering threat of rupture and disturbance.
Hammers, Axes, Bulls, and Blood: Some Practical Aspects of Roman Animal Sacrifice
Authors: Aldrete Gregory S.
Published: May 2014

Animal sacrifice was a central component of ancient Roman religion, but scholars have tended to focus on the symbolic aspects of these rituals, while glossing over the practical challenges involved in killing large, potentially unruly creatures, such as bulls. The traditional explanation is that the animal was struck on the head with a hammer or an axe to stun it, then had its throat cut. Precisely how axes, hammers, and knives were employed remains unexplained. This article draws upon ancient sculpture, comparative historical sources, and animal physiology to argue that the standard interpretation is incomplete, and, in its place, offers a detailed analysis of exactly how the killing and bleeding of bovines was accomplished and the distinct purposes of hammers and axes within these rituals.
PROSODIC TRANSFER IN LEARNER AND CONTACT VARIETIES
Authors: Gabriel Christoph , Kireva Elena
Published: May 2014

A remarkable example of Spanish-Italian contact is the Spanish variety spoken in Buenos Aires (Porteño), which is said to be prosodically “Italianized” due to migration-induced contact. The change in Porteño prosody has been interpreted as a result of transfer from the first language (L1) that occurred when Italian immigrants learned Spanish as a second language (L2; McMahon, 2004). This article aims to examine if and to what extent prosodic features that are typical of Italian show up in Porteño and in L2 Castilian Spanish produced by Italian native speakers. Specifically, we investigated speech rhythm and the realization of yes-no questions in Porteño and L2 Castilian Spanish in comparison to Italian and L1 Castilian Spanish. We hypothesized that Italian, Porteño, and L2 Castilian Spanish would exhibit similar rhythm patterns, showing high values for the percentage of vocalic material, the variation coefficient of vocalic intervals, and the speech-rate-normalized pairwise variability index for vowels as well as high frequencies of rising prenuclear accents, with the peak located at the end of the syllable (L+H*) and falling final contours in yes-no questions, in contrast to Castilian Spanish. The results confirm our predictions for speech rhythm but not entirely for the intonation of yes-no questions.
L2 ACQUISITION OF PROSODIC PROPERTIES OF SPEECH RHYTHM
Authors: Li Aike , Post Brechtje
Published: May 2014

This study examines the development of speech rhythm in second language (L2) learners of typologically different first languages (L1s) at different levels of proficiency. An empirical investigation of durational variation in L2 English productions by L1 Mandarin learners and L1 German learners compared to native control values in English and the learners’ L1s showed that the L1 groups followed comparable developmental paths in their acquisition of vocalic variability and accentual lengthening. However, the two L1 groups diverged in the proportion of vocalic materials in their L2 utterances, exhibiting L2 acquisition patterns that are consistent with direct transfer from the L1. The results support a multisystemic model of L2 rhythm acquisition in which the various linguistic-systemic properties that contribute to speech rhythm are acquired at different proficiency levels and depend on different acquisition processes with respect to L1 influence and universal effects. We conclude that theories of L2 phonology need to be able to accommodate the multisystemic nature of L2 prosodic acquisition. Additionally, L2 phonological acquisition theories, and SLA theories more generally, should take into account the nonuniform manner in which the various prosodic properties of the interlanguage reflect L1 transfer effects as well as universal constraints on acquisition.
Changes in folic acid supplementation behaviour among women of reproductive age after the implementation of a massive supplementation programme in China
Authors: Liu Jufen , Jin Lei , Meng Qinqin , Gao Lili , Zhang Le , Li Zhiwen , Ren Aiguo
Published: May 2014

Objective

To examine changes in periconceptional folic acid supplementation behaviour among Chinese women of reproductive age after the implementation of a folic acid supplementation programme.

Design

Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted.

Setting

One survey was before (2002–2004) and the other was after (2011–2012) implementation of the programme, both were conducted in two areas of China with different prevalence of neural tube defects. Information on supplementation behaviours was collected in face-to-face interviews with women early in their pregnancy.

Subjects

A total of 1257 and 1736 pregnant women participated before and after the programme, respectively.

Results

The rate of periconceptional folic acid supplementation increased from 15 % to 85 % in the high-prevalence population and from 66 % to 92 % in the low-prevalence population. However, more than half of the women began taking the supplement after learning they were pregnant. The proportion of women who began taking folic acid before their last menstrual period decreased after the programme in rural areas with both a high and low prevalence of neural tube defects.

Conclusions

Although periconceptional folic acid supplementation among Chinese women increased substantially after the programme, supplementation was often initiated too late to be effective in preventing neural tube defects. Educational and promotional campaigns should focus on how to increase the rate of folic acid supplementation before pregnancy.
Gender and Legislative Performance in India
Authors: Jacob Suraj
Published: May 2014

A large literature on the United States and Western Europe establishes that there is a correlation between gender and legislator activity. The article extends the literature to India by exploring a unique dataset of Question Hour activity in the lower house of parliament over a 30-year period (1980–2009). Compared with male legislators, female legislators ask 24% fewer parliamentary questions, and there are also significant differences in question content, even after controlling for important covariates. However, it is likely that female and male legislators differ on unobserved attributes that affect legislative activity. Using the intuition that the gender of winners in close elections between women and men is quasi-randomly determined, the article employs a regression discontinuity design to reestimate the gender effect. The results indicate that gender has zero causal effect on the volume of questions and most types of question content.
Understanding the Future of Feminism Requires Understanding Conservative Women
Authors: Schreiber Ronnee
Published: May 2014

The question of whether or not we still need a women's movement is legitimate and important, but it usually presumes a conflation of women with feminist. Certainly, significant gains in women's rights and status are due to decades of feminist activism, but feminists have not been the only ones advocating on behalf of women. Indeed, as long as there have been feminist women's movements, there have been conservative women contesting them. The increase in the number of conservative women running for office and the growth of a conservative women's movement prompts further questions about identity and representation, women's interests, and the future of feminism itself.
The Hidden Women's Movement
Authors: Banaszak Lee Ann
Published: May 2014

It is important to take the time and look both backward and forward at the women's movement: how it has influenced the past and how it is likely to be important in the future. But why do we ask this question in the first place?
ADHS und das Ausmaß der elterlichen Stressbelastung bei mangelnder Spielfähigkeit im Säuglings- und Kleinkindalter
Authors: Weber-Börgmann Insa , Burdach Stefan , Barchfeld Petra , Wurmser Harald
Published: May 2014

Fragestellung: Frühkindliche «Spielunlust» könnte nach Papouek (2004) ein früher Hinweis auf die Entwicklung einer AD(H)S im Schulalter sein. Das Phänomen Spielunlust ist verbunden mit Leidensdruck bei Eltern und Kind sowie Störungen der Eltern-Kind-Beziehungen ( Papouek, 2003 ). In dieser Studie wurden deshalb der Zusammenhang zwischen frühkindlicher Spielunlust und AD(H)S sowie deren Assoziationen mit der mütterlichen Stressbelastung untersucht. Methodik: Die Stichprobe umfasste 35 AD(H)S-Kinder im Grundschulalter [Alter: M (SD) = 9.0 (1.1) Jahre; Jungenanteil: 30 (85.7 %)] und eine Kontrollgruppe mit 42 Kindern ohne AD(H)S [Alter: M (SD) = 8.8 (1.0) Jahre; Jungenanteil: 35 (83.3 %)]. Anhand eines Fragebogens zur frühkindlichen Spielfähigkeit erfolgte eine Einteilung in 39 Kinder mit geringerer Spiellust und 38 Kinder mit höherer Spiellust. Die mütterliche Stressbelastung wurde mittels einer deutschen Version des Parenting Stress Index ( Abidin, 1995 ) erfasst. Ergebnisse: AD(H)S fand sich signifikant häufiger bei Kindern mit frühkindlicher Spielunlust. Die Stressbelastung war bei Müttern von Kindern mit frühkindlicher Spielunlust signifikant erhöht, wobei sie bei Müttern von spielunlustigen AD(H)S-Kindern am höchsten, bei Müttern von spielfähigen Kindern ohne AD(H)S am geringsten ausgeprägt war. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse sind vereinbar mit der These, dass frühkindliche Spielunlust im Zusammenhang mit der Entwicklung einer späteren AD(H)S steht und einen zusätzlichen Stressor für betroffene Mütter darstellt.
Revisiting the Romeo and Juliet Effect ()
Authors: Sinclair H. Colleen , Hood Kristina B. , Wright Brittany L.
Published: May 2014

We conducted a replication and extension of Driscoll, Davis, and Lipetz’s (1972) classic longitudinal survey of the Romeo and Juliet effect, wherein they found that increases in parental interference were linked to increases in love and commitment. Using the original measures, 396 participants were followed over a 3–4 month period wherein they reported love, commitment, trust, and criticism for their partners as well as levels of perceived interference from friends and family. Participants also completed contemporary, validated measures of the same constructs similar to those often implemented in studies of social network opinion. Repeating the analyses employed by Driscoll and colleagues, we could not find evidence for the Romeo and Juliet effect. Rather, consistent with the social network effect ( Felmlee, 2001 ), participants reporting higher levels of interference or lower levels of approval reported poorer relationship quality regardless of outcome measured. This effect was likewise evident in a meta-analysis.
Three Attempts to Replicate the Moral Licensing Effect
Authors: Blanken Irene , van de Ven Niels , Zeelenberg Marcel , Meijers Marijn H.C.
Published: May 2014

The present work includes three attempts to replicate the moral licensing effect by Sachdeva, Iliev, and Medin (2009) . The original authors found that writing about positive traits led to lower donations to charity and decreased cooperative behavior. The first two replication attempts (student samples, 95% power based on the initial findings, NStudy1= 105, NStudy2= 150), did not confirm the original results. The third replication attempt (MTurk sample, 95% power based on a meta-analysis on self-licensing, N = 940) also did not confirm the moral licensing effect. We conclude that (1) there is as of yet no strong support for the moral self-regulation framework proposed in Sachdeva et al. (2009) (2) the manipulation used is unlikely to induce moral licensing, and (3) studies on moral licensing should use a neutral control condition.
Synergistic catalysis: highly diastereoselective benzoxazole addition to Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates
Authors: Ceban Victor , Putaj Piotr , Meazza Marta , Pitak Mateusz B. , Coles Simon J. , Vesely Jan , Rios Ramon
Published: May 2014

An expedited method has been developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized alkyl-azaarene systems with good yields and high diastereoselectivities (>15 : 1 dr).
Coordination reaction between tetraphenylporphyrin and nickel on a TiO2(110) surface
Authors: Wang Cici , Fan Qitang , Hu Shanwei , Ju Huanxin , Feng Xuefei , Han Yong , Pan Haibin , Zhu Junfa , Gottfried J. Michael
Published: May 2014

Reaction of tetraphenylporphyrin with nickel on TiO2(110) results in the formation of nickel(ii)-tetraphenylporphyrin and a 45° rotation of the molecule.
Three-dimensional characterization of electrodeposited lithium microstructures using synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging
Authors: Eastwood David S. , Bayley Paul M. , Chang Hee Jung , Taiwo Oluwadamilola O. , Vila-Comamala Joan , Brett Daniel J. L. , Rau Christoph , Withers Philip J. , Shearing Paul R. , Grey Clare P. , Lee Peter D.
Published: May 2014

The morphology of electrodeposited high surface area lithium microstructures was imaged in 3D using synchrotron X-ray phase contrast tomography.
Chiral nematic mesoporous films of ZrO2:Eu3+: new luminescent materials
Authors: Chu Guang , Feng Jing , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiao , Xu Yan , Zhang Hongjie
Published: May 2014

Free-standing chiral nematic mesoporous films of ZrO2:Eu3+ exhibit tunable optical properties and selective suppression of the spontaneous emission of Eu3+.
Efficient, high yield perovskite photovoltaic devices grown by interdiffusion of solution-processed precursor stacking layers
Authors: Xiao Zhengguo , Bi Cheng , Shao Yuchuan , Dong Qingfeng , Wang Qi , Yuan Yongbo , Wang Chenggong , Gao Yongli , Huang Jinsong
Published: May 2014

A new low-temperature all-solution approach was invented to produce perovskite solar cells with an efficiency of 15.4% at high device yield.
Monitoring and assessing the impact of wastewater treatment on release of both antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their typical genes in a Chinese municipal wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Yuan Qing-Bin , Guo Mei-Ting , Yang Jian
Published: May 2014

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important hotspots for the spread of antibiotic resistance.
B-DNA structure and stability: the role of hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking interactions, twist-angle, and solvation
Authors: Poater Jordi , Swart Marcel , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Fonseca Guerra Célia
Published: May 2014

Insight into structure and stability of B-DNA is obtained through systematic quantum chemical analyses of the roles played by hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, solvation, and twist-angle.
Catalyst-controlled regio- and stereoselective synthesis of diverse 12H-6,12-methanodibenzo[d,g][1,3]dioxocines
Authors: Xia Likai , Cai Hongyun , Lee Yong Rok
Published: May 2014

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of 12H-6,12-methanodibenzo[d,g][1,3]dioxocines has been accomplished by the EDDA and PTSA-catalyzed cascade reactions of resorcinols and 2-hydroxychalcones.
Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-tylophorine and (S)-cryptopleurine via one-pot Curtius rearrangement and Friedel–Crafts reaction tandem sequence
Authors: Chen Fazhong , Su Bo , Wang Qingmin
Published: May 2014

A practical total synthesis of phenanthroindo/quinolizidine alkaloids was developed, featuring an enantioselective alkylation and a one-pot Curtius rearrangement/intramolecular cyclization cascade.
Unusual hierarchical distribution of β-crystals and improved mechanical properties of injection-molded bars of isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Wang Long , Yang Ming-Bo
Published: May 2014

Shish-kebab and β-cylindrite morphology were observed simultaneously in the GAIM iPP part, which showed greatly improved mechanical properties.
Recent advances and perspectives in copper-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reactions
Authors: Thomas Anns Maria , Sujatha Asha , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: May 2014

The review highlights the origin, development, mechanistic insights and recent applications of Cu-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling reactions.
Peptide microarrays for the discovery of bioactive surfaces that guide cellular processes: a single step azide–alkyne “click” chemistry approach
Authors: Zhang Douglas , Kilian Kristopher A.
Published: May 2014

Mixed peptide microarrays were formed in a single step using copper-catalyzed “click” chemistry for exploring cell adhesion and differentiation.
Targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Kwekkeboom Rick F. J. , Lei Zhiyong , Doevendans Pieter A. , Musters René J. P. , Sluijter Joost P. G.
Published: May 2014

Dysregulation of miRNA expression has been associated with many cardiovascular diseases in animal models, as well as in patients. In the present review, we summarize recent findings on the role of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases and discuss the opportunities, possibilities and challenges of using miRNAs as future therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we focus on the different approaches that can be used to deliver these newly developed miRNA therapeutics to their sites of action. Since siRNAs are structurally homologous with the miRNA therapeutics, important lessons learned from siRNA delivery strategies are discussed that might be applicable to targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics, thereby reducing costs and potential side effects, and improving efficacy.
Coating thickness and coverage effects on the forces between silica nanoparticles in water
Authors: Salerno K. Michael , Ismail Ahmed E. , Lane J. Matthew D. , Grest Gary S.
Published: May 2014

The structure and interactions of coated silica nanoparticles have been studied in water using molecular dynamics simulations. For 5 nm diameter amorphous silica nanoparticles, we studied the effects of varying the chain length and grafting density of polyethylene oxide on the nanoparticle coating's shape and on nanoparticle-nanoparticle effective forces. For short ligands of length n = 6 and n = 20 repeat units, the coatings are radially symmetric while for longer chains (n = 100) the coatings are highly anisotropic. This anisotropy appears to be governed primarily by chain length, with coverage playing a secondary role. For the largest chain lengths considered, the strongly anisotropic shape makes fitting to a simple radial force model impossible. For shorter ligands, where the coatings are isotropic, we found that the force between pairs of nanoparticles is purely repulsive and can be fit to the form (R/2rcore − 1)−b where R is the separation between the center of the nanoparticles, rcore is the radius of the silica core, and b is measured to be between 2.3 and 4.1.
Electrode of ionic polymer-metal composite sensors: Modeling and experimental investigation
Authors: Shen Qi , Kim Kwang J. , Wang Tianmiao
Published: May 2014

In this study, we theoretically model and experimentally investigate the electrode electrical properties and the mechano-electrical properties of the ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) sensor. A physics-based model of the electrode was developed. In addition, based on the Poisson-Nernst-Planck system of equations, the current in the polymer membrane was modeled. By combining the physics of the polymer membrane and the electrode, the model of the surface electrical potential of the IPMC sensor was proposed. Experiments were conducted to test the electrical characteristics of the electrode and validate the model. The results demonstrate that the model can well describe the resistance, capacitance, and surface electrical potential of the IPMC electrode under external oscillation. Based on the model, a parametric study was done to investigate the impact of the parameters on the IPMC electrode properties. The results show that by changing the parameters of the electrode, such as the particle diameter, the electrode thickness, and microstructure, the electrical properties of the electrode can be changed accordingly. The current method of examining the electrode properties may also be applied to the study of electrodes for other smart materials.
Tailoring broadband light trapping of GaAs and Si substrates by self-organised nanopatterning
Authors: Martella C. , Chiappe D. , Mennucci C. , de Mongeot F. Buatier
Published: May 2014

We report on the formation of high aspect ratio anisotropic nanopatterns on crystalline GaAs (100) and Si (100) substrates exploiting defocused Ion Beam Sputtering assisted by a sacrificial self-organised Au stencil mask. The tailored optical properties of the substrates are characterised in terms of total reflectivity and haze by means of integrating sphere measurements as a function of the morphological modification at increasing ion fluence. Refractive index grading from sub-wavelength surface features induces polarisation dependent anti-reflection behaviour in the visible-near infrared (VIS-NIR) range, while light scattering at off-specular angles from larger structures leads to very high values of the haze functions in reflection. The results, obtained for an important class of technologically relevant materials, are appealing in view of photovoltaic and photonic applications aiming at photon harvesting in ultrathin crystalline solar cells.
Synthesis, Structures, and Conformations of Linked Bis-Glyoxylamides Derived from Bis-Acylisatins
Authors: Suryanti Venty , Condie Glenn C. , Bhadbhade Mohan , Bishop Roger , Black David StC. , Kumar Naresh
Published: May 2014

A series of bis-glyoxylamides possessing hydrophobic alkyl chains was successfully synthesised by ring opening of bis-acylisatins with amines or amino acid alkyl esters. The crystal structures revealed the interplay of intra- and intermolecular interactions (NH···O and C=O···C=O interactions) and the conformations of these long molecules.
Time-varying, serotype-specific force of infection of dengue virus
Authors: Reiner Robert C. , Stoddard Steven T. , Forshey Brett M. , King Aaron A. , Ellis Alicia M. , Lloyd Alun L. , Long Kanya C. , Rocha Claudio , Vilcarromero Stalin , Astete Helvio , Bazan Isabel , Lenhart Audrey , Vazquez-Prokopec Gonzalo M. , Paz-Soldan Valerie A. , McCall Philip J. , Kitron Uriel , Elder John P. , Halsey Eric S. , Morrison Amy C. , Kochel Tadeusz J. , Scott Thomas W.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Using mathematical models to extend knowledge of pathogen transmission and recommend optimized control efforts is dependent on the accuracy of model parameters. The rate at which susceptible individuals become infected [the force of infection (FoI)] is one of the most important parameters, but due to data constraints it is often incorrectly assumed to be constant over time. Using a bespoke method for a 12-y longitudinal dataset of serotype-specific dengue virus (DENV) infections, we estimated time-varying, serotype-specific FoIs for all four DENV serotypes. The FoI varied markedly in time, which implies that DENV transmission dynamics are complex and are best summarized using time-dependent transmission parameters. Our results provide more accurate measures of virus transmission dynamics and a basis for improving selection of control and disease prevention strategies.
Mechanisms controlling the smooth muscle cell death in progeria via down-regulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1
Authors: Zhang Haoyue , Xiong Zheng-Mei , Cao Kan
Published: May 2014

Significance

Patients with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) almost always die of cardiovascular disease in their teens. Moreover, overlapping cardiovascular pathologies have been identified in HGPS and geriatric patients, including the loss of vascular smooth muscle cells in large vessels. However, how progerin leads to smooth muscle cell loss is still largely unknown. Here, using induced pluripotent stem cells as a model, we examined the role of progerin in smooth muscle cell differentiation and maintenance. Our study identified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 as a central regulator of smooth muscle cell survival in progeria and elucidated a molecular pathway underlying heart disease in progeria. This study may provide key insights into future medical interventions for the cardiovascular dysfunction in progeria and normal aging.
Trapped translocation intermediates establish the route for export of capsular polysaccharides across
Escherichia coli
outer membranes
Authors: Nickerson Nicholas N. , Mainprize Iain L. , Hampton Lauren , Jones Michelle L. , Naismith James H. , Whitfield Chris
Published: May 2014

Significance

Exported long-chain polysaccharides protect the bacterial cell in harsh environments and play multifactorial roles in pathogenesis. These long-chain polysaccharides can take the form of secreted polymers (exopolysaccharides), or cell-associated capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) that form an organized surface layer called the capsule. Processes involved in the synthesis and export of CPSs are potential targets for new therapeutic strategies. Independent of their structures, these polymers rely on a family of outer membrane polysaccharide export (OPX) proteins for assembly on the cell surface. Combining structural information with site-specific in vivo photo–cross-linking provides direct evidence that the lumen of octameric complexes of Wza, a prototype OPX protein, is the export conduit for CPS.
Chapter 3. A genre analysis of student microbiology laboratory notebooks
Authors: Hanauer David I.
Published: May 2014

This chapter reports on a qualitative analysis of student laboratory notebooks in a professional microbiology laboratory. The study explored the genre characteristics of laboratory notebooks and organized these characteristics according to social functions, models of notebook completion, and types of entry utilized. To conduct this study, a system for analyzing notebook entry type was modified from Ruiz-Primo, Li, and Shavelson (2002). The results suggest that the laboratory notebook is a multifaceted literacy object that functions as a scientific document for recording laboratory activities, a learning tool for acquiring laboratory protocols, and a personal journal for enhancing scientific engagement.
Chapter 8. Learning while teaching
Authors: Choppin Jeffrey
Published: May 2014

The literature in mathematics education has extensively documented the ways that discourse practices affect student learning and dispositions. However, there has been little discussion about how discourse practices affect what teachers learn in classrooms. This chapter builds from Davis’s (1997) description of listening practices to explore the related propositions that what teachers learn in the context of their teaching is tied to the ways they listen, and their opportunities for listening are tied to the language patterns they enact in their classrooms. I provide examples of classroom discussions to illustrate various types of listening/language patterns and their implications for teacher learning. The episodes of classroom discourse demonstrate a continuum of teachers’ listening practices and associated language patterns, from evaluative listening and teacher-centric language patterns to more interpretive listening and interactive discourse practices. In these episodes, evaluative listening involved less ambiguity than interpretive forms of listening, but revealed little about the deep ways students made sense of the mathematics. Interpretive and hermeneutic listening, by contrast, involved higher ambiguity but yielded deeper insights into student thinking than evaluative forms of listening. These findings highlight the importance of connecting teacher practices not only to student learning but also to what teachers know about how students learn mathematics. They also demonstrate the value of discourse analysis to understanding mathematics classroom practices of teaching and learning.