bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constraints on breeding for disease resistance in commercially competitive wheat cultivars
Authors: Summers R. W. , Brown J. K. M.
Published: December 2013

Breeding of arable crops such as wheat has led to substantial improvements in yield, quality of produce, traits of agronomic value and resistance to disease and abiotic stress. Resistance to many diseases and pests of wheat has improved through a combination of innovation by breeders, driven by competition, and independent assessment of cultivars in Recommended List trials. In addition to pleiotropic effects of resistance genes, two further limitations on breeding for disease resistance are linkage drag and competition drag. Linkage drag, the slow rate of decline of linkage disequilibrium between closely linked genes, can be especially significant in wheat, particularly after the introgression of chromosome segments from related wild grasses. For example it slowed the deployment of the Pch1 gene for resistance to eyespot in leading cultivars because Pch1 is on a chromosome segment that also reduces yield. Linkage drag also inhibited the use of Pm16 for resistance to powdery mildew. Competition drag can be described as the delay in the deployment of a useful gene because of the additional time needed to raise yield and quality to the standard of the current market‐leading cultivars. This is exemplified by the near‐absence of resistance to Soil‐borne cereal mosaic virus in most modern varieties, despite no evidence for detrimental pleiotropic effects. Changes in agricultural practice and regulation of pesticides are increasing demand for durable resistance to disease but wherever possible, improvement of resistance should not constrain selection for yield which remains the most significant trait in leading wheat cultivars for the UK.
Trade‐offs between metal hyperaccumulation and induced disease resistance in metal hyperaccumulator plants
Authors: Fones H. N. , Preston G. M.
Published: December 2013

Metal hyperaccumulation is an unusual trait involving the uptake and storage of high concentrations of metals in the aerial tissues of plants. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolution of the metal hyperaccumulation trait, of which the hypothesis that accumulated metal provides a defence against herbivores or pathogens has received most attention and support. Metal hyperaccumulation requires a range of physiological adaptations that enable plants to take up, transport, sequester and tolerate high concentrations of metal. Such adaptations may confer a fitness cost, and it has been suggested that metal hyperaccumulator plants may compensate for this cost by reducing investment in other traits such as induced disease resistance. This is supported by recent work that shows that metal hyperaccumulators such as Noccaea spp. show reduced or altered production of key components of induced disease resistance. However, an alternative explanation exists, which is that the physiological adaptations involved in metal hyperaccumulation require alterations to, or compromise, functional aspects of plant defence mechanisms. Here, the evidence for trade‐offs between metal hyperaccumulation and disease resistance mechanisms is reviewed, and the nature of the physiological adaptations involved in metal hyperaccumulation and their potential to impact other forms of plant defence is discussed. It is suggested that defensive trade‐offs may have been key to the evolution of the metal hyperaccumulation trait, resulting in increased dependence upon the protection conferred by metals.
Stomatal lock‐up following pathogenic challenge: source or symptom of costs of resistance in crops?
Authors: Mur L. A. J. , Simpson C. , Gay A. , Smith J. A. , Paveley N. , Sánchez‐Martin J. , Prats E.
Published: December 2013

The cost of a plant deploying its defences against invading pathogens has been linked to altered photosynthesis, respiration or metabolite deficiency as resources are diverted towards defence. The defence responses have also been shown to alter stomatal function. During resistance responses to powdery mildew pathogens mediated by R genes in barley and oats, stomata lock in an open configuration, displaying little or no closure in response to diurnal rhythms or abscisic acid. As a result, these plants exhibit compromised tolerance to drought. Conversely, in response to rust fungal pathogens, major gene resistance is linked to stomata locking shut which has severe impacts on gas exchange, and causes photosynthetic disruption through the over‐reduction of redox‐active components and poorer cooling via the transpirational stream. Thus, stomatal locking probably results in a yield cost of resistance particularly in locations with higher light levels and/or prone to drought, and it is therefore imperative to define their underlying mechanisms. This paper reviews the effects of different types of resistance and their signalling cascades on stomatal function, including effector‐triggered immunity (defence based on R genes), PAMP‐triggered immunity and responses to toxins. More widely, it considers whether stomatal dysfunction could be a feature of wider changes in primary metabolism where regulation of osmolytes is disrupted. This would integrate stomatal locking as one feature of the wider cost of resistance. As such, reduced stomatal lock‐up could be used as a readily measureable marker for lines with a reduced resistance penalty.
Acute hamstring strain injury in track‐and‐field athletes: A 3‐year observational study at the Penn Relay Carnival
Authors: Opar D. A. , Drezner J. , Shield A. , Williams M. , Webner D. , Sennett B. , Kapur R. , Cohen M. , Ulager J. , Cafengiu A. , Cronholm P. F.
Published: December 2013

This study aimed to observe the incidence rates of hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) across different competition levels and ages during the Penn Relays Carnival. Over a 3‐year period, all injuries treated by the medical staff were recorded. The type of injury, anatomic location, event in which the injury occurred, competition level, and demographic data were documented. Absolute and relative HSI (per 1000 participants) were determined, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated between sexes, competition levels, and events. Throughout the study period 48 473 athletes registered to participate in the Penn Relays Carnival, with 118 HSIs treated by the medical team. High school girls displayed lesser risk of HSI than high school boys (OR = 0.55, P = 0.021), and masters athletes were more likely than high school‐ (OR = 4.26, P < 0.001) and college‐level (OR = 3.55, P = 0.001) athletes to suffer HSI. The 4 × 400‐m relay displayed a greater likelihood of HSI compared with the 4 × 100‐m relay (OR = 1.77, P = 0.008). High school boys and masters‐level athletes are most likely to suffer HSI, and there is higher risk in 400‐m events compared with 100‐m events.
Recruitment and retention of blood donors in four Canadian cities: an analysis of the role of community and social networks
Authors: Smith André , Matthews Ralph , Fiddler Jay
Published: December 2013

Background

This study approaches the decision to donate blood as a dynamic process involving interplay between blood donors' personal motives, donors' social contexts, and the donor recruitment and retention activities of blood collection agencies.

Study Design and Methods

Data were gathered from four blood donation clinics using in‐depth interviews with Canadian Blood Services employees, donors, and nondonors in 25 organizations participating in Life Link, a donor recruitment program that supports organizations to educate employees about the benefits of blood donation. Further data were obtained from ethnographic observations of blood collection and donor recruitment activities.

Results

Thematic analysis resulted in three umbrella themes: leveraging social networks, embedding the clinic in the community, and donating blood and social reciprocity. Donor recruitment activities at all four clinics enhanced awareness of blood donation in the workplace by using experienced donors to motivate their coworkers in making a first‐time donation. Clinic employees reported varying success in improving awareness of blood donation in the broader community, in part because of varying employee engagement in community‐wide activities and celebrations. Altruistic motives were mentioned by experienced donors, who also identified a desire to reciprocate to their community as another strong motive.

Conclusion

This study contextualizes donor recruitment and retention as involving activities that tie blood donation to meaningful aspects of donors' social networks and community. The findings point to the need for further analyses of the institutional dimensions of blood donation to develop effective strategies beyond appeals to altruism.
Identification, characterisation and discriminatory power of microsatellite markers in the parasitic weed Orobanche cumana
Authors: Pineda‐Martos R , Velasco L , Pérez‐Vich B
Published: December 2013

Orobanche cumana is an obligate root parasite of sunflower. It represents a major agricultural problem in many countries of southern and eastern Europe. Information on O. cumana population genetics, structure and dynamics is scarce, particularly due to the lack of suitable molecular markers for such studies. The objective of this study was to identify and characterise simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for O. cumana. Four thousand two hundred SSR‐containing candidate sequences were obtained from O. cumana using next‐generation sequencing, from which 298 SSR primer pairs were designed and 217 of them used for validation. Seventy nine SSR primers produced reproducible, high quality amplicons of the expected size that were polymorphic among 18 O. cumana populations from different geographical locations and hosts (sunflower, wild hosts from the Compositae family). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 10, with an average polymorphism information content value of 0.37. The O. cumana SSR markers were highly transferable to the closely related species Orobanche cernua. SSR markers showed high resolving power; UPGMA cluster analysis allowed proper classification of Orobanche spp. samples into species (O. cumana and O. cernua), geographical origin and host. The functional SSR markers reported in this study constitute a valuable tool for genetic analyses in O. cumana and related species and will contribute insights into the biology and genetics of this parasitic weed.
Seed germination and viability of herbicide resistant and susceptible Chenopodium album populations after ensiling, digestion by cattle and manure storage
Authors: Aper J , De Cauwer B , De Roo S , Lourenço M , Fievez V , Bulcke R , Reheul D
Published: December 2013

Chenopodium album became a problem weed in sugar beet production, due to resistance to metamitron, a key herbicide in this crop. Dispersal of the seeds from resistant biotypes may occur due to spread by wind, animals, agricultural machinery or manure. This study examined the effect of ensiling, digestion by cattle and storage in slurry and farmyard manure on the germination and viability of the seeds of one susceptible and three resistant C. album populations. After 4 weeks in a maize silo, seed viability of C. album populations was reduced drastically to 0–5%. Incubation for 24 h in the rumen followed by a post‐ruminal digestion in vitro of intact seeds only resulted in a small reduction in viability in one C. album population. Storage in a slurry cellar for 16 weeks reduced the viability of intact seeds of the C. album populations to 25–60%. Only 0–1% of the seeds remained viable after storage in a farmyard manure heap for 4 weeks. An accelerated ageing experiment showed seed persistence to be population specific and less related to seed weight. Keeping a fresh maize silo closed for at least 4 weeks and heaping farmyard manure are excellent preventive measures to limit the spread of resistant C. album seeds between fields.
A study of the attitude of Latin‐American residents in Spain toward organ xenotransplantation
Authors: Ríos Antonio , López‐Navas Ana Isabel , Martínez‐Alarcón Laura , Sánchez José , Ramis Guillermo , Ramírez Pablo , Parrilla Pascual
Published: December 2013

Background

It is important to find out what would be the level of acceptance of xenotransplantation in society, especially in populations where there are preclinical trials. The Latin‐American population is growing in Spain, given the cultural, religious, and language similarities. Objectives: (i) to analyze attitude toward xenotransplantation in the population born in Latin America and now residing in Spain; and (ii) to establish the variables that affect this attitude.

Method

A sample of Latin‐American residents in Spain was obtained randomly in 2010 and stratified by the respondent's nationality (n = 1.314). Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire (PCID—XenoTx Rios), which was completed anonymously and self‐administered. Statistical analysis: Student's t‐test, the Chi‐squared test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis.

Results

The questionnaire completion rate was 89% (n = 1.165). If it was assumed that xenotransplanted organs functioned as well as human ones, 40% were in favor, 19% against, and 41% undecided. This attitude is related to: age (P = 0.003); sex (P = 0.002); level of education (P < 0.001); descendents (P = 0.003); country of origin (P < 0.001); participation in voluntary prosocial activities (P = 0.006); having spoken about donation and transplantation within the family (P < 0.001); a partner's favorable attitude toward transplantation (P < 0.001); previous experience of donation and/or transplantation (P < 0.001); a belief that one might need a transplant in the future (P < 0.001); and a favorable attitude toward human donation, both deceased as well as living (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the following variables continue to feature as independent variables: age (older: Odds Ratio = 1.041); sex (male: OR = 1.579); level of education (university: OR = 2.770); descendents (none: OR = 2.386); a partner's attitude toward transplantation (favorable: OR = 2.262); attitude toward deceased organ donation (favorable: OR = 1.587); previous experience of donation and/or transplantation (OR = 1.519); a belief that one might need a transplant in the future (OR = 1.675); and attitude toward related living donation (in favor: OR = 4.405).

Conclusions

Latin Americans who usually reside in Spain have a more negative attitude toward xenotransplantation than the native Spanish population, and their attitude is affected by many psychosocial factors, mainly related to previous attitude toward the different types of human organ donation.
Cryptic polychaete diversity: a review
Authors: Nygren Arne
Published: December 2013

This review summarises the current knowledge on cryptic species of polychaetes, one of the most dominant taxa in marine communities, and gives a brief overview of the different methods that has been used for their disclosure. Cryptic species constitute an important part of biodiversity and they are common among all kinds of polychaetes, with different life history traits, and may have sympatric as well as allopatric distributions. It is emphasised that cryptic species must not be neglected for a variety of reasons, and even though the magnitude of cryptic species is largely unknown the available data on polychaetes clearly demonstrate that morphology alone seriously underestimate the number of species. It is suggested that future research should focus on appropriately designed case‐studies using combined approaches, as well as on large‐scale whole sample analyses using next‐generation sequencing in order to be able to answer the many questions that still remains.
Optimal Tooth Modifications in Face-Hobbed Spiral Bevel Gears to Reduce the Influence of Misalignments on Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication
Authors: Simon Vilmos V.
Published: December 2013

In this study, an optimization methodology is proposed to systematically define the optimal tooth modifications introduced by head-cutter geometry and machine-tool settings to minimize the influence of misalignments on the elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication characteristics in face-hobbed spiral bevel gears. The goal is to simultaneously maximize the EHD load-carrying capacity of the oil film and to minimize power losses in the oil film when different misalignments are inherent in the gear pair. The proposed optimization procedure relies heavily on the EHD lubrication analysis developed in this paper. The core algorithm of the proposed nonlinear programming procedure is based on a direct search method. Effectiveness of this optimization was demonstrated on a face-hobbed spiral bevel gear example. A drastic increase in the EHD load-carrying capacity of the oil film and a reduction in the power losses in the oil film were obtained.
Forward Dynamic Optimization of Human Gait Simulations: A Global Parameterization Approach
Authors: Sharif Shourijeh Mohammad , McPhee John
Published: December 2013

This study presents a 2D gait model that uses global parameterization within an optimal control approach and a hyper-volumetric foot contact model. The model is simulated for an entire gait stride, i.e., two full steps. Fourier series are utilized to represent muscle forces to provide a periodic gait with bilateral symmetry. The objectives of this study were to develop a predictive gait simulation and to validate the predictions. The comparison of simulation results of optimal muscle activations, joint angles, and ground reaction forces against experimental data showed a reasonable agreement.
Experimental and Theoretical Efficiency Investigation of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery Thermal Management Systems
Authors: Hamut H. S. , Dincer I. , Naterer G. F.
Published: December 2013

In this study, a thermodynamic model of a hybrid electric vehicle battery thermal management system (TMS) is developed and the efficiency of the system is determined based on different parameters and operating conditions. Subsequently, a TMS test bench is used with a production vehicle (Chevrolet Volt) that is fully instrumented in order to develop a vehicle level demonstration of the study. The experimental data are acquired under various conditions using an IPETRONIK data acquisition system, along with other reported data in the literature, to validate the numerical model results. Based on the analyses, the condenser and evaporator pressure drop, compressor work and compression ratio, evaporator heat load and efficiency of the system are determined both numerically and experimentally. The predicted results are determined to be within 6% of the conducted experimental results and within 15% of the reported results in the literature.
Extensible-Link Kinematic Model for Characterizing and Optimizing Compliant Mechanism Motion
Authors: Beroz Justin , Awtar Shorya , John Hart A.
Published: December 2013

We present an analytical model for characterizing the motion trajectory of an arbitrary planar compliant mechanism. Model development consists of identifying particular material points and their connecting vectorial lengths in a manner that represents the mechanism topology; whereby these lengths may extend over the course of actuation to account for the elastic deformation of the compliant mechanism. The motion trajectory is represented within the model as an analytical function in terms of these vectorial lengths, whereby its Taylor series expansion constitutes a parametric formulation composed of load-independent and load-dependent terms. This adds insight to the process for designing compliant mechanisms for high-accuracy motion applications because: (1) inspection of the load-independent terms enables determination of specific topology modifications that reduce or eliminate certain error components of the motion trajectory; and (2) the load-dependent terms reveal the polynomial orders of principally uncorrectable error components in the trajectory. The error components in the trajectory simply represent the deviation of the actual motion trajectory provided by the compliant mechanism compared to the ideally desired one. A generalized model framework is developed, and its utility demonstrated via the design of a compliant microgripper with straight-line parallel jaw motion. The model enables analytical determination of all geometric modifications for minimizing the error trajectory of the jaw, and prediction of the polynomial order of the uncorrectable trajectory components. The jaw trajectory is then optimized using iterative finite elements simulations until the polynomial order of the uncorrectable trajectory component becomes apparent; this reduces the error in the jaw trajectory by 2 orders of magnitude over the prescribed jaw stroke. This model serves to streamline the design process by identifying the load-dependent sources of trajectory error in a compliant mechanism, and thereby the limits with which this error may be redressed by topology modification.
Spinal PAR1 RNA Levels Are Regulated by Mechanical and Inflammatory Cues in Painful Nerve Root Compression
Authors: Smith Jenell R. , Rothman Sarah M. , Janmey Paul A. , Winkelstein Beth A.
Published: December 2013

Radicular pain can be caused by a disc herniation that can compress the spinal nerve roots as they exit the spinal canal [1]. Pain models in the rat mimic both the mechanical and chemical components of a disc herniation, either individually or in combination, and have demonstrated that the specific injury inputs (i.e. mechanics, inflammation) modulate the pain responses [2,3]. For both types of nerve root injuries, allodynia (i.e. pain) is elevated as early as 1 day after injury but its temporal responses vary over time according to the type of injury insult [3]. Painful nerve root injuries also induce a host of inflammatory cascades in the spinal cord that promote neuronal healing [2–4]. Although inflammatory responses have been shown to relate to the onset and maintenance of pain following injury, the specific biochemical processes and their relationship to inflammation and pain symptoms are not yet fully defined.
Nano-Mechanical Properties of Human Meniscal Surfaces
Authors: Moyer John T. , Abraham Adam C. , Haut Donahue Tammy L.
Published: December 2013

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a crippling disease in humans that deteriorates the articular cartilage (AC) and subchondral bone. Research has shown AC preservation is most important for halting the initiation of OA, in the human knee joint, and this defense is contingent on the structural integrity of the menisci [1, 2]. The menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures which are crucial for proper load distribution in the knee [3–5]. The menisci are specifically designed to fit the contour of the femoral condyles, aiding to disperse the stresses on the tibial plateau and in turn safeguarding the underlying AC. Circumferentially aligned collagen fibers help to support the menisci while in tension, while a proteoglycan and water matrix reinforce the menisci during compressive loads [2, 6].
An Inflation Test Method for the Anisotropic Properties of Human Skin Tissues
Authors: Koys Theresa M. , Voo Liming , Nguyen Thao D.
Published: December 2013

Skin tissue consists of a network of collagen and elastin fibers embedded in a ground matrix of hydrated proteoglycans. Skin is known to exhibit anisotropy, which is thought to arise from the collagen microstructure and has been historically described by Langer’s lines. Studies investigating anisotropy in humans in vitro have included uniaxial [1], biaxial [2], and multiaxial [3] tensile tests. The resulting anisotropy is typically quantified by comparing load-deformation curves in lateral and longitudinal directions, fitting phenomenological models to each direction, or utilizing new models that account for fiber direction [4].
Exponential Concentration Gradients in Microfluidic Devices for Cell Studies
Authors: Selimović Šeila , Sim Woo Young , Kim Sang Bok , Jang Yun Ho , Lee Won Gu , Khabiry Masoud , Bae Hojae , Jambovane Sachin , Hong Jong Wook , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: December 2013

Microscale technologies are a powerful tool in many biological and chemical applications, as they utilize only small reagent volumes. Microfluidics is especially well compatible with biological materials and applications, for example protein crystallization, high throughput assay analysis, and various cell studies. In that context, non-linear gradients of particles and molecules as well as efficient mixing of the components inside the lab-on-a-chip are crucial for many experimental studies: testing of and analyzing biological responses to different analyte concentration levels, studying the native cell microenvironment or cellular responses during different growth and proliferation stages. Thus, a microfluidic approach that allows for generation of different concentration gradients and specifically exponential gradients emerges as a helpful technology, and is also compatible with cells.
Buckling Behavior of Arteries Under Torsion
Authors: Garcia Justin R. , Lamm Shawn D. , Han Hai-Chao
Published: December 2013

Arterial tortuosity is a phenomenon which is observed throughout the body and is associated with aging, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other vascular diseases [1]. Tortuous arteries significantly hinder blood flow which may lead to the development of atherosclerotic plaque buildup [2]. Blood vessels may also become twisted or demonstrate 3-D tortuous shapes when subject to large twist deformations such as during surgical implantation of vascular grafts, propeller flap procedures, stent-artery interactions, and sudden movements of the neck or limbs [4–6]. However, the twisting behavior of arteries is poorly understood.
A Neuro-Mechanical Model Comparing Traditional and Pseudoelastic Splinting of Spastic Joints
Authors: Viscuso Stefano , Garavaglia Lorenzo , Pittaccio Simone
Published: December 2013

Neuromuscular rehabilitation of patients with upper motor neuron syndromes (traumatic brain injury - TBI, stroke, cerebral palsy…) is based on multidisciplinary approaches aiming at preventing or contrasting the detrimental sequelae of paresis, contracture and spasticity. Due to the large individual variability of patients’ conditions and impairments it is generally difficult to have a quantitative grasp of the appropriate line of action to prescribe bracing in the most effective manner. This is an even more complex task when testing new therapeutic principles and using non-standardized devices. To this end, it is important to evaluate both instantaneous interaction (orthosis compliance to patient’s movement, localized pressure on the skin, reflex responses, etc.) and mid-long term evolution of the ill-posture (resting angle, reflex adaptation, range of motion, etc.). Accordingly, the current paper presents a model devised to investigate the interaction between the human body and two main types of othotic devices: traditional and pseudoelastic Ni-Ti based orthoses. The two devices represent different approaches to repositioning: traditional braces impose a joint angle and expect plastic relaxation, while pseudoelastic splints promote a plastic creep of tissues towards a more physiological posture without forcing the joints into any particular position. This idea has already been described in previous work [1] and ad-hoc devices have been constructed [2]. The focus here is on possible application scenarios.
Innovative Therapeutic Kit for Magnetically Controlled Viscosupplementation Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Antoniac Iulian , Antoniac Aurora Mioara , Laptoiu Dan , Popescu Diana
Published: December 2013

The therapeutic attitude for degenerative knee joint damage (such as osteoarthritis) consists in a complex protocol which starts with physiotherapy sessions, involves the use of specific devices — orthosis for sustaining the affected joint, and includes intra-articular infiltrations for reducing the pain, improving joint mobility and minimizing functional deterioration [1, 2].
Quantitative Hemodynamic Comparison of Velocity Values From Computational Fluid Dynamics and Phase-Contrast MRI in an In-Vitro Aneurysm Model
Authors: George Stephanie M. , Cao Amos , Giddens Don P. , Oshinski John N. , Tong Frank C.
Published: December 2013

Intracranial aneurysms affect thousands of people every year, therefore the ability to monitor their growth or predict their rupture would be invaluable for planning treatment. One proposed method to address this issue of predicting rupture is to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on phase contrast magnetic resonance (PC-MR). CFD and PCMR have been used to understand some of the fundamental conditions of cerebrovascular flow. While there has been general acceptance of the validity of CFD, some research suggests that there can be poor correlation between CFD flow calculations and directly measured flow (1). Previous research has qualitatively compared CFD to PC-MR and demonstrated similar pathlines (2). To the authors’ knowledge a systematic quantitative comparison has not been preformed. Therefore the purpose of this work is to quantitatively compare velocity data from phase-contrast MRI measurements and from a CFD model derived from MRI geometry and flow boundary conditions in an in-vitro aneurysm model.
In situ reaction mechanism studies on the Ti(NMe2)2(OiPr)2-D2O and Ti(OiPr)3[MeC(NiPr)2]-D2O atomic layer deposition processes
Authors: Tomczak Yoann , Knapas Kjell , Leskelä Markku , Ritala Mikko
Published: December 2013

Reaction mechanisms in the Ti(NMe2)2(OiPr)2-D2O and Ti(OiPr)3[MeC(NiPr)2] [also written Ti(OiPr)3(NiPr-Me-amd)]-D2O atomic layer deposition processes were studied in situ with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) at 275 °C. For the Ti(NMe2)2(OiPr)2-D2O process, both QCM and QMS results indicated adsorption of the Ti(NMe2)2(OiPr)2 molecule through an exchange of at least one of its –NMe2 ligands with surface hydroxyl groups. Regarding the Ti(OiPr)3(NiPr-Me-amd)-D2O process, a mismatch between the QCM and QMS results revealed more complex reactions: the decomposition of the [MeC(NiPr)2] [also written (NiPr-Me-amd)] ligand is suggested by the shape of the QCM data and the intensity of the QMS signals belonging to fragments of the [MeC(NiPr)2] [also written (NiPr-Me-amd)] ligand. A simple calculation model associating the growth rate per cycle of a crystalline film and the surface area taken by the ligands remaining after saturation was also used to support the decomposition of the [MeC(NiPr)2] [also written (NiPr-Me-amd)] ligand. The observed high growth rate is incompatible with the whole [MeC(NiPr)2] (also written [NiPr-Me-amd)] ligand remaining on the surface.
Conduction processes in metal–insulator–metal diodes with Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 insulators deposited by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Alimardani Nasir , McGlone John M. , Wager John F. , Conley John F.
Published: December 2013

Metal–insulator–metal diodes with Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 insulators deposited via atomic layer deposition are investigated. For both Nb2O5 and Ta2O5, the dominant conduction process is established as Schottky emission at small biases and Frenkel–Poole emission at large biases. Fowler–Nordheim tunneling is not found to play a role in determining current versus voltage asymmetry. The dynamic dielectric constants are extracted from conduction plots and found to be in agreement with measured optical dielectric constants. Trap energy levels at ϕT ≈ 0.62 and 0.53 eV below the conduction band minimum are estimated for Nb2O5 and Ta2O5, respectively.
Interaction between water cluster ions and mica surface
Authors: Ryuto Hiromichi , Ohmura Yuki , Nakagawa Minoru , Takeuchi Mitsuaki , Takaoka Gikan H.
Published: December 2013

Water cluster ion beams were irradiated on mica surfaces to investigate the interaction between molecular cluster ions and a mica surface. The contact angle of the mica surface increased with increasing dose of the water cluster ion beam, but the increase in the contact angle was smaller than that induced by an ethanol cluster ion beam. The surface roughness also increased with increasing dose of the water cluster ion beam, whereas the intensity of K 2p x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peaks decreased with increasing dose of the water cluster ion beam. The decrease in the number of potassium atoms together with the increase in the surface roughness may be the causes of the increase in the contact angle.
Open-ended Laboratory Investigations in a High School Physics Course: The difficulties and rewards of implementing inquiry-based learning in a physics lab
Authors: Szott Aaron
Published: December 2013

often closed-ended. The outcomes are known in advance and students replicate procedures recommended by the teacher. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the great opportunities created by allowing students investigative freedom in physics laboratories. I have realized that a laboratory environment in which students are free to conduct investigations using procedures of their own design can provide them with varied and rich opportunities for discovery. This paper describes what open-ended laboratory investigations have added to my high school physics classes. I will provide several examples of open-ended laboratories and discuss the benefits they conferred on students and teacher alike.
Mouthpiece and Bell Effects on Trombone Resonance
Authors: LoPresto Michael C.
Published: December 2013

TThe effects of the mouthpiece and bell on the frequencies of the vibrating air column in a trombone can be demonstrated quite readily by first calculating the expected resonant frequencies of a piece of PVC pipe that is the same length as a trombone, then replacing portions of the PVC pipe of the same length with first a cup-shaped mouthpiece and then a flaring-bell section of a trombone. The trombone components used were from a new pBone plastic trombone1 that is not only much less expensive than a regular instrument, which is made mostly of brass, but also features components that are much lighter than those of a conventional brass trombone and is therefore easier to work with.
Just in Time to Flip Your Classroom
Authors: Lasry Nathaniel , Dugdale Michael , Charles Elizabeth
Published: December 2013

With advocates like Sal Khan and Bill Gates,1 flipped classrooms are attracting an increasing amount of media and research attention.2 We had heard Khan's TED talk and were aware of the concept of inverted pedagogies in general. Yet it really hit home when we accidentally flipped our classroom. Our objective was to better prepare our students for class. We set out to effectively move some of our course content outside of class and decided to tweak the Just-in-Time Teaching approach (JiTT).3 To our surprise, this tweak—which we like to call the flip-JiTT—ended up completely flipping our classroom. What follows is narrative of our experience and a procedure that any teacher can use to extend JiTT to a flipped classroom.
Integrating Numerical Computation into the Modeling Instruction Curriculum
Authors: Caballero Marcos D. , Burk John B. , Aiken John M. , Thoms Brian D. , Douglas Scott S. , Scanlon Erin M. , Schatz Michael F.
Published: December 2013

Numerical computation (the use of a computer to solve, simulate, or visualize a physical problem) has fundamentally changed the way scientific research is done. Systems that are too difficult to solve in closed form are probed using computation. Experiments that are impossible to perform in the laboratory are studied numerically. Consequently, in modern science and engineering, computation is widely considered to be as important as theory and experiment.
The attraction (and fear) of a counterintuitive world
Authors: DeBuvitz William
Published: December 2013

I had a solid geometry teacher in high school who, when looking at a particular theorem, liked to say, “It's intuitively obvious.” In college I heard that same phrase from a professor teaching electrodynamics. And when I taught in college a colleague of mine liked to tell his students that the laws of physics were “intuitively obvious.” Often our intuition can lead us to the right conclusion. But often not. And what may be intuitively obvious to a seasoned physics teacher might not be so to a student. I believe it is important to consider how this affects a student's attitude towards the study of physics.
Pemphigus vulgaris: a multidisciplinary approach to management
Authors: Vinall Christopher , Stevens Lucy , McArdle Paul
Published: December 2013

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare but potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease affecting the mucosa and the skin. The disease is caused by circulating antibodies to desmosomes (important adhesion proteins linking cells together). Disruption of these intercellular connections results in a loss of cohesion between cells (acantholysis). The clinical result of this process is the development of multiple blisters that easily rupture, leaving behind painful sloughing eroded areas of mucosa and/or skin. We report a case of severe PV in a 56-year-old man presenting with widespread, painful, eroded mucocutaneous lesions. The severity of the disease demanded a range of medical and surgical specialties to successfully manage the problem. This paper highlights the importance of an early multidisciplinary team approach to improve the outcome of patients suffering with this disease.
Fibrolipomas masquerading as abdominal hernias
Authors: Watson Hannah Isabella , Saunders Andrew John
Published: December 2013

A 15-year-old Caucasian girl presented to her general practitioner with a tender, irreducible mass in the paraumbilical region. On examination, two small masses could be felt. She was referred to general surgery. Ultrasound imaging and MRI were unremarkable. However, clinical suspicion suggested multiple areas of abdominal wall herniation. The patient was admitted for elective surgery to exclude herniation. At operation, three subcutaneous masses were found but with no evidence of abdominal wall herniation. Histopathology results from the specimens showed mature adipose tissue mixed with fibrous deposits. There was no evidence of malignancy. A diagnosis of fibrolipoma was given.
New karyotypes of Atlantic tree rats, genus Phyllomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae)
Authors: Araújo Naiara Pereira , Loss Ana Carolina , Cordeiro-Junior Dirceu A. , da Silva Kátia Regina , Leite Yuri L.R. , Svartman Marta
Published: December 2013

Phyllomys (Echimyidae, Rodentia) is a genus of Neotropical rodents with available cytogenetic data restricted to six out of 13 species, mainly based on simple staining methods, without detailed analyses. In this work, we present new karyotypes for Phyllomys lamarum (diploid number 2n = 56, fundamental number or number of autosomal arms FN = 102) and Phyllomys sp. (2n = 74, FN = 140) from the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. We provide the first GTG- and CBG-banding patterns, silver-staining of the nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with telomeric and 45S rDNA probes of Phyllomys. In addition to examining their chromosomes and phenotypic characters, we sequenced mitochondrial DNA from the specimens analyzed to confirm their taxonomic identification. The comparison of the distinctive chromosome complements of our specimens with those of other species of Phyllomys already published allowed us to conclude that chromosome data may be very useful for the taxonomy of the genus, as no two species analyzed presented the same diploid and fundamental numbers (2n and FN).
SOME TWO-LOOP CONTRIBUTIONS TO MUON MAGNETIC DIPOLE MOMENT IN THE CP-VIOLATING MSSM
Authors: ZHAO SHU-MIN , WANG FANG , CHEN BIAO , FENG TAI-FU , ZHANG HAI-BIN , GUO XING-DAO , ZHAN XI-JIE
Published: December 2013

In the CP-violating minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM), we study the two-loop diagrams without the one-loop self-energy, and they are composed of virtual neutralino–slepton-Z. We obtain electroweak corrections to the anomalous magnetic dipole moment (MDM) of muon. With electromagnetic gauge invariance, the Wilson coefficients of dimension-5 operators contributing to the MDM of muon are deduced. To remove the ultra-violet divergences induced by the divergent sub-diagrams, we use the on-shell scheme. The numerical results are about 8.8×10-11, i.e. at the same order of present experimental precision, which indicates these two-loop diagrams are important.
NARIAI BLACK HOLES WITH QUINTESSENCE
Authors: FERNANDO SHARMANTHIE
Published: December 2013

In this paper we study the properties of Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence matter. The main objective of the paper is to show the existence of Nariai type black hole for special values of the parameters in the theory. The Nariai black hole with the quintessence has the topology dS2 ×S2 with dS2 with a different curvature than what would be expected for the Schwarzschild–de Sitter degenerate black hole. Temperature and the entropy for the Schwarzschild–de Sitter black hole and the Schwarzschild-quintessence black hole are compared. The temperature and the curvature are computed for general values of the state parameter ω.
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE PHASE DETECTOR FOR MULTIPLICATIVE SECOND-ORDER PLL SYSTEMS USING DEFORMED ALGEBRA
Authors: DE ALMEIDA MARCONI O. , SANTOS EDUARDO T. F. , ARAÚJO JOSÉ M.
Published: December 2013

Phase-locked loops (PLL) is a phase and/or frequency tracking system, widely used in communication and control systems. The sinusoidal multiplicative type PLL still remains a recurrent model, due the fact that its derivation is originated from the maximum likelihood approach. In this note, it is showed as a generalized product, called q-product, which can be used to implement the phase detector and improve some important parameters of the PLL system, as the block linearity and pull-in characteristics. Numerical examples are presented in order to illustrate the proposal.
A PARALLEL ALGORITHM FOR MINIMIZING ESOP EXPRESSIONS
Authors: PAPAKONSTANTINOU GEORGE
Published: December 2013

Two parallel algorithms are proposed in this paper for solving the problem of finding exact exclusive-or sum of products (ESOP) expressions for an arbitrary Boolean function. This minimization problem is a very difficult one and solutions have been proposed only for up to seven variables. The processing time for some symmetric functions of seven variables is of the order of weeks. The proposed algorithm is a hybrid one (OpenMP, MPI) and a speed-up of more than nine could be achieved, for a cluster of three nodes with four cores each.
A MULTI-BAND LOW NOISE AMPLIFIER WITH GAIN FLATNESS AND BANDWIDTH ENHANCEMENT
Authors: WANG SAN-FU , WU JAN-OU , FAN YANG-HSIN , WANG JHEN-JI
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a differential multi-band CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) is proposed that is operated within a range of 1500–2700 MHz with input matching capacitor switching and gain flatness performance enhancement technique. Traditional multi-band LNAs have poor performances on gain flatness performance. Therefore, we propose a new multi-band LNA which obtain good gain flatness performance by integrating the characteristics of the transistor trans-conductance and LC resonant load. The new LNA can also achieve a tunable frequency at different matching capacitance conditions. The post-layout simulation results shows that the voltage gain is between 19.3 dB and 22.4 dB, the NF is less than 2.5 dB, and the 1-dB compression point is about -5.1 dBm. The LNA consumes 17.79 mW under 1.8 V supply voltage in TSMC 0.18-um RF CMOS process.
A NEW IR-UWB PULSE FOR THE COMPATIBILITY OF IEEE802.11.a WLAN AND IR-UWB SYSTEMS
Authors: MIR-MOGHTADAEI SAYED VAHID , FOTOWAT-AHMADY ALI , NEZHAD ABOLGHASEM ZEIDAABADI
Published: December 2013

A new ultra wideband (UWB) pulse shape is proposed to mitigate coexistence issues of IEEE802.11.a WLAN and impulse radio UWB (IR-UWB) systems. The proposed method is applicable to the reduction of mutual interference of UWB and any given narrowband (NB) systems. This pulse shape is based on frequency up-converting of the first derivative of the Gaussian pulse which has an adjustable null in power spectral density (PSD) depending on the up-converting frequency. Analytical and simulation results show that both UWB and WLAN systems have noticeable improved performance when using the proposed pulse in comparison with using conventional modulated Gaussian (MG) pulse in UWB system. The new pulse does not reduce the throughput of the UWB system and does not require modification of the NB system. The proposed transmitter circuit block diagram has been presented at the conclusion.
BIORTHOGONAL MULTIWAVELETS RELATED BY DIFFERENTIATION
Authors: NGUYEN PHAN
Published: December 2013

We provide a procedure for constructing biorthogonal multiwavelets from a family of biorthogonal multiscaling functions compactly supported on [-1,1]. The scaling vectors and the associated multiwavelets are piecewise continuously differentiable, symmetrical and possess approximation order three. The construction of scaling vectors is accomplished using quadratic fractal interpolation functions. The filters corresponding to scaling vectors possess certain properties which enable us to construct a new pair of biorthogonal scaling vectors and associated multiwavelets with different regularity and approximation order, related to the old ones by differentiation. The old and new biorthogonal multiwavelet systems give rise to compactly supported biorthogonal multiwavelet basis for the space of divergence-free vector fields on the upper half plane with the Navier boundary condition.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Au NANOPARTICLES/REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITE: A FACILE AND ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH
Authors: ZOU MEILING , ZHU HAN , WANG PAN , BAO SHIYONG , DU MINGLIANG , ZHANG MING
Published: December 2013

In this paper, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was used as a green reductant both for the fabrication of soluble reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and the synthesis of Au nanoparticles/rGO nanocomposite. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed the efficient removal of the oxygen-containing groups in graphene oxide (GO) through the reduction act of EGCG. Au nanoparticles ( AuNPs ) were anchored onto the rGO sheets by heating the mixed solution of rGO and chloroauric acid at 65°C using EGCG as reductant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterize the resulting nanocomposite. Due to the chelating effect of polyhydroxy EGCG, AuNPs with diameters of ~20–50 nm were stably decorated onto both sides of the rGO sheets. Because this reduction method avoids the use of toxic reagents, AuNPs /rGO nanocomposite would be eco-friendly, and it might be useful not only for electronic devices but also for biocompatible materials in the future applications.
Detection of Antibodies and Confirmation ofMycobacterium aviumSubspeciesparatuberculosisUsing Nested PCR in Bulk Milk Samples from Nakasongola and Sembabule Districts, Uganda
Authors: Boniface Okuni Julius , Oyo Tony , Kisekka Magid , Ochwo Sylvester , Kalenzi Atuhaire David , Afayoa Mathias , Olaho-Mukani William , Ojok Lonzy
Published: December 2013

Mycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis(MAP) is an emerging pathogen in many livestock and wildlife populations around the world. Concerns range from the serious economic impacts on livestock productivity to its suspected role in the human inflammatory bowel disease syndrome. Milk and faeces of infected animals are the main vehicles through which the organism spreads from infected to susceptible hosts. In this study, a survey was done in Nakasongola and Sembabule districts of Uganda involving a total of seven dairy collection centres to determine the prevalence of antibodies to MAP in bulk milk samples. The milk was tested with a commercial ELISA kit for MAP testing in milk. Positive and suspicious milk samples were further tested using nested PCR. Of the 257 milk samples tested, 11 (4.3%) were positive and five (1.9%) were suspicious. All the ELISA positive and suspicious milk samples were positive using nested PCR. The results show that MAP infection occurs in cattle from the two districts and highlight the need for a paratuberculosis control program in these and other districts where MAP infection has been reported.