bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics, Wearable Technology, and Higher Education
Authors: Dawkins Marcia Alesan
Published: July 2014

This chapter explores the relationship between ethics, wearable technology, and higher education through the lens of teaching with Google Glass. Beginning with an introduction to Glass and to the contemporary concept of the digital citizen, the chapter traces out a pedagogical framework aimed at preparing learners to embrace their civic duty to contribute to the virtual world responsibly. Continuing with an investigation of ethical obligations, educational concepts, and learning exercises made available by advances in HET, the chapter describes how to use Google Glass as a case study for examining the limits and possibilities of a new point-of-view angle on interactive instruction. To this end, students' project-based and experiential learning about how Glass impacts communication culture and technology, commerce, security, access, etiquette, branding, ethics, and law is described. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how technology's ethical consciousness continues to be enacted and embodied via a “collusive” point-of-view angle and third voice that shed light on the ongoing rhetorical and pedagogical processes of expression, experience, and identification in the digital age.
Super Soldiers (Part 1)
Authors: Lin Patrick , Mehlman Max , Abney Keith , Galliott Jai
Published: July 2014

After World War II, much debate unfolded about the ethical, legal, and social implications of military human enhancement, due in part to Adolf Hitler's war on the “genetically unfit” and the United States military's experimentation with psychedelic drugs such as LSD. Interest in that debate has waxed and waned since the 1940s. However, it would be foolish or perhaps even dangerous to believe that America and its modern allies have abandoned efforts to upgrade service members' bodies and minds to create the “super soldiers” necessary to match the increasing pace of modern warfare and dominate the strengthening militaries of China and North Korea. Slogans such as “be all that you can be and a whole lot more” still reign strong at the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and, according to some military futurists, the so-called “War on Terror” has only proven that military superpowers need a new type of soldier that is independent, network-integrated, and more lethal than ever before. Patterns of public risk perception, military expenditure, and new technological developments suggest that it is now time to re-open or reinvigorate the original debate. The authors' contribution comes in two parts. In this chapter, they provide a brief background to military human enhancement before defining it carefully and exploring the relevant controversies. In the second, they more explicitly examine the relevant legal, operational, and moral challenges posed by these efforts.
On the topology of $\mathcal{H}(2)$
Authors: Nguyen Duc-Manh
Published: July 2014

The space

\mathcal{H}(2)

consists of pairs

(M,\omega)

, where

M

is a Riemann surface of genus two, and

\omega

is a holomorphic 1-form which has only one zero of order two. There exists a natural action of

\mathbb{C}^*

on

\mathcal{H}(2)

by multiplication to the holomorphic 1-form. In this paper, we single out a proper subgroup

\Gamma

of

\mathrm{Sp}(4,\mathbb{Z})

generated by three elements, and show that the space

\mathcal{H}(2)/\mathbb{C}^*

can be identified with the quotient

\Gamma\backslash\mathcal{J}_2

, where

\mathcal{J}_2

is the Jacobian locus in the Siegel upper half space

\mathfrak{H}_2

. A direct consequence of this result is that

[\mathrm{Sp}(4,\mathbb{Z}):\Gamma]=6

. The group

\Gamma

can also be interpreted as the image of the fundamental group of

\mathcal{H}(2)/\mathbb{C}^*

in the symplectic group

\mathrm{Sp}(4,\mathbb{Z})

.
Assessing Effectiveness of a Geriatrics Rotation for Second-Year Internal Medicine Residents
Authors: Siegler Eugenia L. , Jalali Cathy , Finkelstein Emily , Ramsaroop Sharda , Ouchida Karin , Carmen Tessa Del , Logio Lia
Published: July 2014

Background

Residents need to acquire an understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of caring for older adults with chronic illness, along with effective use of interdisciplinary services inside and outside of the hospital.

Objective

We expanded the geriatric medicine experience for second-year internal medicine residents and present the results of the first year's experience.

Methods

We paired a mandatory rotation for postgraduate year–2 internal medicine residents (2 weeks of day and 1 week of night inpatient experience in the Acute Care for Elders Unit), and a 1-week outpatient systems-based practice experience with online modules and readings. Evaluation included a case presentation, an oral examination, a written questionnaire for all residents, and a global assessment of the residents' performance on the geriatrics portion of the 2012 In-Training Examination (ITE).

Results

All residents passed their oral examination; there was little difference between classes in systems-based practice knowledge. More than 90% (21 of 23) of the residents who took the rotation reported that it left a lasting impression on how they would care for their patients. Mean ITE scores in geriatrics for all residents increased from 53% (versus 61% overall) in 2010 to 87% (versus 81%) in 2012, although they dropped to 69% (versus 82%) in 2013.

Conclusions

A rotation in geriatrics that is highly rated and covers both acute care and systems-based practice concepts is feasible for internal medicine residents. Residents did not learn detailed knowledge about specific programs for older adults, but clinical geriatrics knowledge improved.
An End-of-Year Oral Examination for Internal Medicine Residents: An Assessment Tool for the Clinical Competency Committee
Authors: Mount Cristin A. , Short Patricia A. , Mount George R. , Schofield Christina M.
Published: July 2014

Background

Comprehensive evaluations of clinical competency consume a large amount of time and resources. An oral examination is a unique evaluation tool that can augment a global performance assessment by the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC).

Objective

We developed an oral examination to aid our CCC in evaluating resident performance.

Methods

We reviewed tools used in our internal medicine residency program and other training programs in our institution. A literature search failed to identify reports of a similar evaluation tool used in internal medicine programs. We developed and administered an internal medicine oral examination (IMOE) to our postgraduate year–1 and postgraduate year–2 internal medicine residents annually over a 3-year period. The results were used to enhance our CCC's discussion of overall resident performance. We estimated the costs in terms of faculty time away from patient care activities.

Results

Of the 54 residents, 46 (86%) passed the IMOE on their first attempt. Of the 8 (14%) residents who failed, all but 1 successfully passed after a mentored study period and retest. Less than 0.1 annual full-time equivalent per faculty member was committed by most faculty involved, and the time spent on the IMOE replaced regular resident daily conference activities.

Conclusions

The results of the IMOE were added to other assessment tools and used by the CCC for a global assessment of resident performance. An oral examination is feasible in terms of cost and can be easily modified to fit the needs of various competency committees.
Linking Cave, Mountain, and Sky: A Subterranean Observation Point for the Sunrise on the Day of Solar Zenith Transit in Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Slater Donald A.
Published: July 2014

In the Maya region scholars have long noted the connection between solar alignments and radial pyramids at sites such as Chickén Itzá, Dzibilchaltún, and Uaxactún. Just. 26.5 km west-southwest of Chichén Itzá, the site of Ikil also contains a massive radial pyramid, known as Structure 1. In May 2011 investigations at Ikil revealed that this pyramid also figures in a solar hierophany-the sunrise over the pyramid's summit on the days of the solar zenith transit. What is unique, however, is that the observation point for this event is situated inside of a cave to the west of the pyramid. In this paper, evidence is presented that suggests the location of Structure 1 was dictated by the orientation of the cave, and that the physical and ceremonial linkage of these two landscape features created the cosmic hub of Ikil. Furthermore, it is argued that ceremonies marking the solar zenith-a day largely ignored in Euro-Christian calendars-would have been enacted by the ruling class as a way to formalize and sanctify the annual rebirth of the agricultural cycle, while publicly displaying their connection to the divine and thus legitimizing their position of high religious and social status.
Similarity scaling of turbulence in a temperate lake during fall cooling
Authors: Tedford Edmund W. , MacIntyre Sally , Miller Scott D. , Czikowsky Matthew J.
Published: July 2014

Turbulence, quantified as the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (ε), was measured with 1400 temperature‐gradient microstructure profiles obtained concurrently with time series measurements of temperature and current profiles, meteorology, and lake‐atmosphere fluxes using eddy covariance in a 4 km2 temperate lake during fall cooling. Winds varied from near calm to 5 m s−1 but reached 10 m s−1 during three storm events. Near‐surface values of ε were typically on the order of 10−8 to 10−7 m2 s−3 and reached 10−5 m2 s−3 during windy periods. Above a depth equal to |LMO|, the Monin‐Obukhov length scale, turbulence was dominated by wind shear and dissipation followed neutral law of the wall scaling augmented by buoyancy flux during cooling. During cooling, εz = 0.56
/kz + 0.77 JB0 and during heating εz = 0.6
/kz, where
is the water friction velocity computed from wind shear stress, k is von Karman's constant, z is depth, and JB0 is surface buoyancy flux. Below a depth equal to |LMO| during cooling, dissipation was uniform with depth and controlled by buoyancy flux. Departures from similarity scaling enabled identification of additional processes that moderate near‐surface turbulence including mixed layer deepening at the onset of cooling, high‐frequency internal waves when the diurnal thermocline was adjacent to the air‐water interface, and horizontal advection caused by differential cooling. The similarity scaling enables prediction of near‐surface ε as required for estimating the gas transfer coefficient using the surface renewal model and for understanding controls on scalar transport.
A robust multimodel framework for ensemble seasonal hydroclimatic forecasts
Authors: Mendoza Pablo A. , Rajagopalan Balaji , Clark Martyn P. , Cortés Gonzalo , McPhee James
Published: July 2014

We provide a framework for careful analysis of the different methodological choices we make when constructing multimodel ensemble seasonal forecasts of hydroclimatic variables. Specifically, we focus on three common modeling decisions: (i) number of models, (ii) multimodel combination approach, and (iii) lead time for prediction. The analysis scheme includes a multimodel ensemble forecasting algorithm based on nonparametric regression, a set of alternatives for the options previously pointed, and a selection of probabilistic verification methods for ensemble forecast evaluation. The usefulness of this framework is tested through an example application aimed to generate spring/summer streamflow forecasts at multiple locations in Central Chile. Results demonstrate the high impact that subjectivity in decision‐making may have on the quality of ensemble seasonal hydroclimatic forecasts. In particular, we note that the probabilistic verification criteria may lead to different choices regarding the number of models or the multimodel combination method. We also illustrate how this objective analysis scheme may lead to results that are extremely relevant for the case study presented here, such as skillful seasonal streamflow predictions for very dry conditions.
Impulsive versus premeditated aggression in the prediction of violent criminal recidivism
Authors: Swogger Marc T. , Walsh Zach , Christie Michael , Priddy Brittany M. , Conner Kenneth R.
Published: July 2014

Past aggression is a potent predictor of future aggression and informs the prediction of violent criminal recidivism. However, aggression is a heterogeneous construct and different types of aggression may confer different levels of risk for future violence. In this prospective study of 91 adults in a pretrial diversion program, we examined (a) premeditated versus impulsive aggression in the prediction of violent recidivism during a one‐year follow‐up period, and (b) whether either type of aggression would have incremental validity in the prediction of violent recidivism after taking into account frequency of past general aggression. Findings indicate that premeditated, but not impulsive, aggression predicts violent recidivism. Moreover, premeditated aggression remained a predictor of recidivism even with general aggression frequency in the model. Results provide preliminary evidence that the assessment of premeditated aggression provides relevant information for the management of violent offenders. Aggr. Behav. 41:346–352, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PLXNA4 is associated with Alzheimer disease and modulates tau phosphorylation
Authors: Jun Gyungah , Asai Hirohide , Zeldich Ella , Drapeau Elodie , Chen CiDi , Chung Jaeyoon , Park Jong‐Ho , Kim Sehwa , Haroutunian Vahram , Foroud Tatiana , Kuwano Ryozo , Haines Jonathan L. , Pericak‐Vance Margaret A. , Schellenberg Gerard D. , Lunetta Kathryn L. , Kim Jong‐Won , Buxbaum Joseph D. , Mayeux Richard , Ikezu Tsuneya , Abraham Carmela R. , Farrer Lindsay A.
Published: July 2014

Objective

Much of the genetic basis for Alzheimer disease (AD) is unexplained. We sought to identify novel AD loci using a unique family‐based approach that can detect robust associations with infrequent variants (minor allele frequency < 0.10).

Methods

We conducted a genome‐wide association study in the Framingham Heart Study (discovery) and NIA‐LOAD (National Institute on Aging–Late‐Onset Alzheimer Disease) Study (replication) family‐based cohorts using an approach that accounts for family structure and calculates a risk score for AD as the outcome. Links between the most promising gene candidate and AD pathogenesis were explored in silico as well as experimentally in cell‐based models and in human brain.

Results

Genome‐wide significant association was identified with a PLXNA4 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs277470) located in a region encoding the semaphorin‐3A (SEMA3A) binding domain (meta‐analysis p value [meta‐P] = 4.1 × 10−8). A test for association with the entire region was also significant (meta‐P = 3.2 × 10−4). Transfection of SH‐SY5Y cells or primary rat neurons with full‐length PLXNA4 (TS1) increased tau phosphorylation with stimulated by SEMA3A. The opposite effect was observed when cells were transfected with shorter isoforms (TS2 and TS3). However, transfection of any isoform into HEK293 cells stably expressing amyloid β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) did not result in differential effects on APP processing or Aβ production. Late stage AD cases (n = 9) compared to controls (n = 5) had 1.9‐fold increased expression of TS1 in cortical brain tissue (p = 1.6 × 10−4). Expression of TS1 was significantly correlated with the Clinical Dementia Rating score (ρ = 0.75, p = 2.2 × 10−4), plaque density (ρ = 0.56, p = 0.01), and Braak stage (ρ = 0.54, p = 0.02).

Interpretation

Our results indicate that PLXNA4 has a role in AD pathogenesis through isoform‐specific effects on tau phosphorylation. Ann Neurol 2014;76:379–392
Poly‐3‐hydroxyalkanoates‐co‐polyethylene glycol methacrylate copolymers for pH responsive and shape memory hydrogel
Authors: Gumel Ahmad Mohammed , Annuar Mohamad Suffian Mohamad
Published: July 2014

Multifunctional hydrogels combining the capabilities of cellular pH responsiveness and shape memory, are highly promising for the realization of smart membrane filters, controlled drug released devices, and functional tissue‐engineering scaffolds. In this study, lipase was used to catalyze the synthesis of medium‐chain‐length poly‐3‐hydroxyalkanoates‐co‐polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PHA‐PEGMA) macromer, which was used to prepare pH‐responsive and shape memory hydrogel via free radical polymerization. Increasing the PEGMA fraction from 10 to 50% (mass) resulted in increased thermal degradation temperature (Td) from 430 to 470°C. Highest lower critical solution temperature of 37°C was obtained in hydrogel with 50% PEGMA fraction. The change in PEGMA fraction was also found to highly influence the hydrogel's hydration rate (r) from 2.8 × 10−5 to 7.6 × 10−5 mL·s−1. The hydrogel's equilibrium weight swelling ratio (qe), protein release and its diffusion coefficient (Dm) were all found to be pH dependent. Increasing the phosphate buffer pH from 2.4 to 13 resulted in increased qe from 2 to 16 corresponding to the enlarging of network pore size (ξ) from 150 to 586 nm. Different types of crosslinker for the hydrogel influenced its flexibility and ductility. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41149.
POTATO LEAF EXTRACT AND ITS COMPONENT, α‐SOLANINE, EXERT SIMILAR IMPACTS ON DEVELOPMENT AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN Galleria mellonella L.
Authors: Adamski Zbigniew , Adamski Zbigniew , Marciniak Pawel , Ziemnicki Kazimierz , Büyükgüzel Ender , Erdem Meltem , Büyükgüzel Kemal , Ventrella Emanuela , Falabella Patrizia , Cristallo Massimo , Salvia Rosanna , Bufo Sabino Aurelio , Scrano Laura
Published: July 2014

Plants synthesize a broad range of secondary metabolites that act as natural defenses against plant pathogens and herbivores. Among these, potato plants produce glycoalkaloids (GAs). In this study, we analyzed the effects of the dried extract of fresh potato leaves (EPL) on the biological parameters of the lepidopteran, Galleria mellonella (L.) and compared its activity to one of the main EPL components, the GA α‐solanine. Wax moth larvae were reared from first instar on a diet supplemented with three concentrations of EPL or α‐solanine. Both EPL and α‐solanine affected survivorship, fecundity, and fertility of  G. mellonella to approximately the same extent. We evaluated the effect of EPL and α‐solanine on oxidative stress in midgut and fat body by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO) contents, both biomarkers of oxidative damage. We evaluated glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity, a detoxifying enzyme acting in prevention of oxidative damage. EPL and α‐solanine altered MDA and PCO concentrations and GST activity in fat body and midgut. We infer that the influence of EPL on G. mellonella is not enhanced by synergistic effects of the totality of potato leaf components compared to α‐solanine alone.
Use of percutaneous image‐guided coaxial core‐needle biopsy for diagnosis of intraabdominal lymphoma
Authors: Shimizu Ikuo , Okazaki Yoichi , Takeda Wataru , Kirihara Takehiko , Sato Keijiro , Fujikawa Yuko , Ueki Toshimitsu , Hiroshima Yuki , Sumi Masahiko , Ueno Mayumi , Ichikawa Naoaki , Kobayashi Hikaru
Published: July 2014

Although pathological diagnosis is essential for managing malignant lymphoma, intraabdominal lesions are generally difficult to approach due to the invasiveness of abdominal surgery. Here, we report the use of percutaneous image‐guided coaxial core‐needle biopsy (CNB) to obtain intraabdominal specimens for diagnosing intraabdominal lymphomas, which typically requires histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. We retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases involving computed tomography (CT)‐ or ultrasonography (US)‐guided CNB to obtain pathological specimens for intraabdominal lesions from 1999 to 2011. Liver, spleen, kidney, and inguinal node biopsies were excluded. We compared CNBs with laparotomic biopsies. A total of 66 CNBs were performed for 59 patients (32 males, 27 females; median age, 63.5), including second or third repeat procedures. Overall diagnostic rate was 88.5%. None of the patients required additional surgical biopsies. Notably, the median interval between recognition of an intraabdominal mass and biopsy was only 1 day. Forty‐five procedures were performed for hematological malignancies. Adequate specimens were obtained for histopathological diagnosis in 86% of cases. Flow cytometry detected lymphoma cells in 79.5% of cases. Twelve patients (nine males, three females; median age, 60) were eligible for surgical biopsy. While every postoperative course was satisfactory, median duration from lesion recognition to therapy initiation for lymphoma cases was significantly shorter for CNB than for surgical biopsy (14 vs. 35 days). While one‐fourth of the patients were not eligible for the procedures, CNB is safe and highly effective for diagnosis of intraabdominal lymphomas. This method significantly improves sampling and potentially helps attain immunohistological distinction, allowing for more timely therapy initiation.
Methyl Yellow: A Potential Drug Scaffold for Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Geldenhuys Werner J. , Kochi Akiko , Lin Li , Sutariya Vijaykumar , Dluzen Dean E. , Van der Schyf Cornelis J. , Lim Mi Hee
Published: July 2014

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disease affecting movement. To date, there are no currently available therapeutic agents which can prevent or slow disease progression. Here, we evaluated an azobenzene derivative, methyl yellow (MY), as a potential drug scaffold for PD; its inhibitory activity toward monoamine oxidase B (MAO‐B) as well as drug‐like properties were investigated. The inhibitory effect of MY on MAO activity was determined by a MAO enzyme inhibition assay. In addition, the in vitro properties of MY as a drug candidate (e.g., blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, serum albumin binding, drug efflux through P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), drug metabolism by P450, and mitochondrial toxicity) were examined. In vivo effectiveness of MY was also evaluated in the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) Parkinsonian mouse model. MY selectively inhibited MAO‐B in a dose‐dependent and reversible manner. MY was BBB‐permeable, bound relatively weakly to serum albumin, was an unlikely substrate for both systems of P‐gp and P450, and did not cause mitochondrial toxicity. Results from the MPTP Parkinsonian mouse model indicated that, upon treatment with MY, neurotoxicity induced by MPTP was mitigated. Investigations of MY demonstrate its inhibitory activity toward MAO‐B, compliant properties for drug consideration, and its neuroprotective capability in the MPTP Parkinsonian mouse model. These data provide insights into potential use, optimization, and new design of azobenzene derivatives for PD treatment.
Graphitic Silicon Nitride: A Metal‐Free Ferromagnet with Charge and Spin Current Rectification
Authors: Sen Sabyasachi , Chakrabarti Swapan
Published: July 2014

As a first example, herein we show that g‐Si4N3 is expected to act as a metal‐free ferromagnet featuring both charge and spin current rectification simultaneously. Such rectification is crucial for envisioning devices that contain both logic and memory functionality on a single chip. The spin coherent quantum‐transport calculations on g‐Si4N3 reveal that the chosen system is a unique molecular spin filter, the current‐voltage characteristics of which is asymmetric in nature, which can create a perfect background for synchronous charge and spin current rectification. To shed light on this highly unusual in‐silico observation, we have meticulously inspected the bias‐dependent modulation of the spin‐polarized eigenstates. The results indicate that, whereas only the localized 2p orbitals of the outer‐ring (OR) Si atoms participate in the transmission process in the positive bias, both OR Si and N atoms contribute in the reverse bias. Furthermore, we have evaluated the spin‐polarized electron‐transfer rate in the tunneling regime, and the results demonstrate that the transfer rates are unequal in the positive and negative bias range, leading to the possible realization of a simultaneous logic–memory device.
Ca3Si2O4N2:Ce3+,Li+ Phosphor for the Generation of White‐Light‐Emitting Diodes with Excellent Color Rendering Index Values
Authors: Huang Chien‐Hao , Chiu Yi‐Chen , Liu Wei‐Ren
Published: July 2014

Blue‐emitting Ca3Si2O4N2:Ce3+,Li+ phosphors were successfully synthesized by solid‐state reactions for applications in white near‐ultraviolet (NUV) light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) with excellent color rendering index (CRI) values. The excitation and reflectance spectra of these phosphors reveal broad excitation and absorption in the NUV region, which matches well with those of NUV chips. This phosphors showed a broad blue emission at 436–488 nm that is dependent on the concentration of Ce3+ and Li+ ions; the quantum efficiency of (Ca0.94Ce0.03Li0.03)3Si2O4N2 is 23.6 % of that of the Ca5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+ phosphor. The thermal stability of the (Ca0.94Ce0.03Li0.03)3Si2O4N2 phosphor below 100 °C was higher than that of the commercially available Ca5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+ phosphor, and the activation energies were calculated to be 0.0445 and 0.0205 eV for the (Ca0.94Ce0.03Li0.03)3Si2O4N2 and Ca5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+ phosphors. The optical properties of the white NUV LED gave an excellent CRI of 92.5 with International Commission on Illumination (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of (0.338, 0.345) at a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 5266 K.
Interval complete quadratic combination rule for the response spectrum analysis of buildings with accidental eccentricity
Authors: Muscolino Giuseppe , Versaci Claudia
Published: July 2014

The accidental torsion, caused by several sources of structural uncertainties, gets the elastic response of a building different from that computed. To take into account of these uncertainties, building codes impose the introducing in every storey of the buildings an artificial eccentricity, called accidental, as a fraction of the plan dimension. Because, according to building codes, the accidental eccentricity can mathematically be expressed as a modification of the mass matrix, it follows that each mass modifications require new dynamic analyses that could be cumbersome from a numerical point of view. This paper proposes a new combination rule to obtain in closed form the maximum responses of structures with mass modification by the response spectrum analysis (RSA) without solving any further eigenproblem. In particular, the proposed procedure, based on the application to the RSA of the interval perturbation method, leads to an extension of the classical complete quadratic combination rule to the analysis of structural systems with uncertain‐but‐bounded parameter. In particular, for structural systems with accidental eccentricity, the proposed approach allows to directly evaluate the worst condition for the structural elements with a single RSA. This very remarkable result is obtained by adopting a new modal combination rule, here called interval complete quadratic combination. Numerical results evidence a very good accuracy of the interval complete quadratic combination for single‐storey buildings as well as for the analyzed multistorey buildings. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tree‐age control on reconstructed debris‐flow frequencies: examples from a regional dendrogeomorphic reconstruction in the Crimean Mountains
Authors: Šilhán Karel , Pánek Tomáš , Hradecký Jan , Stoffel Markus
Published: July 2014

The Crimean Mountains (Ukraine) are renowned for the highest occurrence of debris flows along the northern coast of the Black Sea, but information on their origin, frequency and triggers is widely lacking. This study reconstructs a regional time series of debris flows in eight catchments located on the slopes above Yalta. Dendrogeomorphic analyses were performed on 1122 increment cores selected from 566 black pines (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana) with clear signs of external damage induced by past debris‐flow activity. The trees sampled were divided into old and young trees. The sample contains 361 young trees with post‐1930 innermost rings and 205 old trees with pre‐1930 germination dates. The two groups of trees were analyzed separately to identify possible age effects in the reconstructed debris‐flow series and to assess the ability of P. nigra to record geomorphic disturbances over time. We date a total of 215 debris flows back to ad 1701 and observe a mean decadal frequency of 6.9 events, with a peak in activity during the 1940s (20 events). The young trees record an increase in debris‐flow activity over the last 70 years, whereas the frequency of events remained fairly constant in the old trees for the same period. By contrast, the formation of reaction wood became increasingly scarce with increasing tree age whereas the occurrence of abrupt growth suppression increased. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using airborne thermal imaging data to measure near‐surface hydrology in upland ecosystems
Authors: Luscombe David J. , Anderson Karen , Gatis Naomi , Grand‐Clement Emilie , Brazier Richard E.
Published: July 2014

Upland ecosystems are recognized for their importance in providing valuable ecosystem services including water storage, water supply and flood attenuation alongside carbon storage and biodiversity. The UK contains 10–15% of the global resource of upland blanket peatlands, the hydrology and ecology of which are highly sensitive to external anthropogenic and climatic forcing. In particular, drainage of these landscapes for agricultural intensification and peat extraction has resulted in often unquantified damage to the peatland hydrology, and little is understood about the spatially distributed impacts of these practices on near‐surface wetness. This paper develops new techniques to extract spatial data describing the near‐surface wetness and hydrological behaviour of drained blanket peatlands using airborne thermal imaging data and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. The relative thermal emissivity (Ɛr) of the ground surface is mapped and used as a proxy for near‐surface wetness. The results show how moorland drainage and land surface structure have an impact on airborne measurements of thermal emissivity. Specifically, we show that information on land surface structure derived from LiDAR can help normalize signals in thermal emissivity data to improve description of hydrological condition across a test catchment in Exmoor, UK. An in situ field hydrological survey was used to validate these findings. We discuss how such data could be used to describe the spatially distributed nature of near‐surface water resources, to optimize catchment management schemes and to deliver improved understanding of the drivers of hydrological change in analogous ecosystems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of density‐functional tight‐binding models in describing hydrogen‐bonded anionic‐water clusters
Authors: Jahangiri Soran , Cai Lemin , Peslherbe Gilles H.
Published: July 2014

Density‐functional tight‐binding (DFTB) models are computationally efficient approximations to density‐functional theory that have been shown to predict reliable structural and energetic properties for various systems. In this work, the reliability and accuracy of the self‐consistent‐charge DFTB model and its recent extension(s) in predicting the structures, binding energies, charge distributions, and vibrational frequencies of small water clusters containing polyatomic anions of the Hofmeister series (carbonate, sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, acetate, nitrate, perchlorate, and thiocyanate) have been carefully and systematically evaluated on the basis of high‐level ab initio quantum‐chemistry [MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVQZ] reference data. Comparison with available experimental data has also been made for further validation. The self‐consistent‐charge DFTB model, and even more so its recent extensions, are shown to properly account for the structural properties, energetics, intermolecular polarization, and spectral signature of hydrogen‐bonding in anionic water clusters at a fraction of the computational cost of ab initio quantum‐chemistry methods. This makes DFTB models candidates of choice for investigating much larger systems such as seeded water droplets, their structural properties, formation thermodynamics, and infrared spectra. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved nuclear delivery of antisense 2'‐Ome RNA by conjugation with the histidine‐rich peptide H5WYG
Authors: Asseline Ulysse , Gonçalves Cristine , Pichon Chantal , Midoux Patrick
Published: July 2014

Background

Antisense oligonucleotides are promising medicines for treating various diseases, although their efficiency still requires high doses. Their delivery in the cytosol and nucleus to reach their mRNA targets would increase their efficiency at the same time as reducing the dose.

Methods

We conjugated the histidine‐rich peptide H5WYG (GLFHAIAHFIHGGWHGLIHGWYG) at the 5'‐end of the RNase H‐incompetent antisense 2'‐O‐methyl‐phosphodiester oligonucleotide (2'‐Ome RNA705) targeting aberrant splicing of luciferase pre‐mRNA in HeLa pLuc705 cells. H5WYG was also conjugated with 2'‐Ome‐RNA705 labelled by fluorescein at the 3'‐end. Then, H5WYG‐2'‐Ome‐RNA705 conjugate and 2'‐Ome‐RNA705 were formulated with lipofectamine to favor their uptake in HeLa pLuc705 cells.

Results

Confocal microscopy showed that, after 4 h and overnight incubation, the presence of fluorescein‐labelled 2'‐Ome‐RNA705 in the cytosol and nucleus was enhanced when the oligonucleotide was conjugated with H5WYG. We found that H5WYG‐2'‐Ome‐RNA705 increased the splicing redirection and restoration of a functional luciferase mRNA. Luciferase activity and luciferase mRNA levels in these cells were 6.6‐ and two‐fold higher, respectively, with H5WYG‐2'‐Ome‐RNA705 than with 2'‐Ome‐RNA705.

Conclusions

The results of the present study show that the conjugation of 2'‐Ome antisense RNA to peptide H5WYG is a good strategy for improving its cytosol delivery, accumulation in the nucleus and antisense activity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling the influence of urbanization on the 20th century temperature record of weather station De Bilt (The Netherlands)
Authors: Koopmans S. , Theeuwes N. E. , Steeneveld G. J. , Holtslag A. A. M.
Published: July 2014

Many cities have expanded during the 20th century, and consequently some weather stations are currently located closer to cities than before. Due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, those weather stations may show a positive bias in their 2‐m temperature record. In this study, we estimate the impact of urbanization on the temperature record of WMO station De Bilt (The Netherlands). This station has a long historical record, but the nearby city of Utrecht and its suburbs expanded during the 20th century. The temperature rise due to urbanization is estimated by conducting representative mesoscale model simulations for the land‐use situation for the years 1900 and 2000. This is performed for 14 different episodes of a week, each representing a typical large‐scale flow regime (Grosswettertypes) in both the winter and the summer season. Frequency distributions of these flow regimes are used to estimate an average temperature rise. We find that the model results with two rather different atmospheric boundary‐layer schemes, robustly indicate that the urbanization during the 20th century has resulted in a temperature rise of 0.22 ± 0.06 K. This is more than a factor of 2 higher than a previously estimated temperature trend by using observed temperature records of stations close to De Bilt.
Deconstructing evolution education: The relationship between micro‐ and macroevolution
Authors: Novick Laura R. , Schreiber Emily G. , Catley Kefyn M.
Published: July 2014

With applications of Tree of Life data becoming ever more prevalent in everyday contexts, tree thinking has emerged as a vital component of scientific literacy. This article reports a study testing the hypothesis that instruction in natural selection, which is the primary focus of US evolution education at the high school and introductory college levels, does little to promote tree‐thinking skills and that explicit instruction in understanding evolutionary tree diagrams is required. Testing this contention required the creation of a novel tree‐thinking assessment and an instructional intervention, both guided by deep knowledge of evolutionary biology and of science education research. College students (N = 124) with weaker versus stronger backgrounds in biology were randomly assigned to control versus instructional conditions and were also assessed for their knowledge of natural selection. Although knowledge of natural selection and ability to engage in tree thinking were correlated, a short instructional booklet that provided a basic introduction to evolutionary trees predicted tree‐thinking success more strongly than did either knowledge of natural selection or previous college coursework in biology. Clearly, tree thinking and natural selection are dissociable constructs that must both be taught for students to grasp the full gamut of evolutionary patterns and processes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 759–788, 2014
Revision of the corticolous Mazosia species, with a key to Mazosia species with 3-septate ascospores
Authors: APTROOT André , MENEZES Aline Anjos , XAVIER-LEITE Amanda Barreto , SANTOS Viviane Monique dos , ALVES Marilia Muryel Estevam , CÁCERES Marcela Eugenia da Silva
Published: July 2014

A revision of corticolous Mazosia specimens showed that four species are present, all differing from the foliicolous taxa in the genus. One of them is widely distributed in the tropics and the others are, as far as is known, neotropical. Three species are co-occurring in NE Brazil. They can be distinguished as follows: M. leptosticta (Nyl.) Sparrius has longer ascospores (22–35×4–7 µm) than the other species, M. endonigra A. A. Menezes, M. Cáceres & Aptroot sp. nov. has sessile apothecia on a smooth thallus and occasionally also sessile pycnidia, M. carnea (Eckfeldt) Aptroot & M. Cáceres comb. nov. has immersed apothecia and a smooth thallus, and M. viridescens (Fée) Aptroot & M. Cáceres comb. nov. has distinct verrucae on the thallus. Descriptions are given and an identification key is presented to all Mazosia species with 3-septate ascospores, which includes all corticolous species known so far.
Occurrence, genetic characterization and antimicrobial resistance ofSalmonellaisolated from chicken meat and giblets
Authors: ABD-ELGHANY S. M. , SALLAM K. I. , ABD-ELKHALEK A. , TAMURA T.
Published: July 2014

This study was undertaken to survey the presence ofSalmonellain 200 chicken samples collected from Mansoura, Egypt.Salmonellawas detected in 16% (8/50), 28% (14/50), 32% (16/50) and 60% (30/50) of whole chicken carcasses, drumsticks, livers and gizzards, respectively, with an overall prevalence of 34% (68/200) among all samples. One hundred and sixty-six isolates were identified biochemically asSalmonella, and confirmed genetically by PCR, based on the presence ofinvAandstngenes. ThespvC gene, however, was detected in only 25·3% (42/166) of the isolates. Isolates were serotyped asSalmonellaEnteritidis (37·3%),S.Typhimurium (30·1%),S.Kentucky (10·8%),S.Muenster (8·4%),S.Virchow (4·8%),S.Anatum (4·8%),S.Haifa (1·2%), and four were non-typable. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests of theSalmonellaisolates revealed that 100% were resistant to each of erythromycin, penicillin, and amoxicillin, while 98·8%, 96·4%, 95·2%, and 91·6% were resistant to nalidixic acid, sulphamethoxazole, oxytetracycline, and ampicillin, respectively. Multidrug resistance was evident for 92·8% of the isolates. The high contamination level of chicken meat with multidrug-resistant Salmonellacan constitute a problem for public health.
Die Evaluation von Therapieeffekten bei sozialen Angststörungen in einer Hochschulambulanz mit verhaltenstherapeutischem Schwerpunkt
Authors: Crecelius Verena , Hiller Wolfgang
Published: July 2014

Hintergrund: Verhaltenstherapie hat sich bei sozialen Angststörungen in zahlreichen randomisiert-kontrollierten Studien als wirksam erwiesen. Entsprechende Nachweise unter Routinebedingungen sind bislang selten. Fragestellung: Welche Effektstärken, Response- und Remissionsraten können unter Routinebedingungen in einer verhaltenstherapeutisch orientierten Hochschulambulanz bei sozialen Angststörungen erreicht werden? Methode: Es wurden insgesamt 247 Patienten mit sozialer Angststörung zu Therapiebeginn, -ende sowie nach 6 und 12 Monaten untersucht. Ergebnisse: Es ergeben sich signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Prä- und Postmesszeitpunkt. Die Effektstärke der Completer erreichte d = 1.04 und zeigte sich auch zu den Katamnesezeitpunkten stabil. Die Kriterien für Response erreichten 62,5 % der Completer, 39,6 % erreichten durch die Therapie die Kriterien für Remission. Diskussion: Die Therapieeffekte, die unter Routinebedingungen erreicht werden konnten, gelten nach den Konventionen nach Cohen (1992) als hoch und lagen im guten Mittel im Vergleich zu RCTs sowie naturalistischen Studien.
Growth form defines physiological photoprotective capacity in intertidal benthic diatoms
Authors: Barnett Alexandre , Méléder Vona , Blommaert Lander , Lepetit Bernard , Gaudin Pierre , Vyverman Wim , Sabbe Koen , Dupuy Christine , Lavaud Johann
Published: July 2014

In intertidal marine sediments, characterized by rapidly fluctuating and often extreme light conditions, primary production is frequently dominated by diatoms. We performed a comparative analysis of photophysiological traits in 15 marine benthic diatom species belonging to the four major morphological growth forms (epipelon (EPL), motile epipsammon (EPM-M) and non-motile epipsammon (EPM-NM) and tychoplankton (TYCHO)) found in these sediments. Our analyses revealed a clear relationship between growth form and photoprotective capacity, and identified fast regulatory physiological photoprotective traits (that is, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and the xanthophyll cycle (XC)) as key traits defining the functional light response of these diatoms. EPM-NM and motile EPL showed the highest and lowest NPQ, respectively, with EPM-M showing intermediate values. Like EPL, TYCHO had low NPQ, irrespective of whether they were grown in benthic or planktonic conditions, reflecting an adaptation to a low light environment. Our results thus provide the first experimental evidence for the existence of a trade-off between behavioural (motility) and physiological photoprotective mechanisms (NPQ and the XC) in the four major intertidal benthic diatoms growth forms using unialgal cultures. Remarkably, although motility is restricted to the raphid pennate diatom clade, raphid pennate species, which have adopted a non-motile epipsammic or a tychoplanktonic life style, display the physiological photoprotective response typical of these growth forms. This observation underscores the importance of growth form and not phylogenetic relatedness as the prime determinant shaping the physiological photoprotective capacity of benthic diatoms.
Multivariate calibration applied to ESI mass spectrometry data: a tool to quantify adulteration in extra virgin olive oil with inexpensive edible oils
Authors: Alves J. O. , Sena M. M. , Augusti R.
Published: July 2014

A fast method of multivariate calibration applied to ESI-MS data for quantification of adulteration of EVOO with cheaper edible oils.
Exposure to arsenic and intra-chromosomal instability in blood
Authors: Wojdacz Tomasz K. , Bottai Matteo , Vahter Marie , Broberg Karin
Published: July 2014

The 450k Chip Analysis Methylation Pipeline (ChAMP) is a novel Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip data processing algorithm that allows the analysis of copy number alterations (CNAs).
Surface-engineered nanogel assemblies with integrated blood compatibility, cell proliferation and antibacterial property: towards multifunctional biomedical membranes
Authors: Xia Yi , Cheng Chong , Wang Rui , Qin Hui , Zhang Yi , Ma Lang , Tan Hong , Gu Zhongwei , Zhao Changsheng
Published: July 2014

This study presents the fabrication of multifunctional nanolayers on biomedical membrane surfaces by using LBL self-assembly of nanogels and heparin-like polymers.
Decoration of carbon nanotubes by chitosan in a nanohybrid conductive polymer composite for detection of polar vapours
Authors: Molla-Abbasi P. , Ghaffarian S. R.
Published: July 2014

A new hybrid nanocomposite was designed by introducing decorated CNTs into a polymer for improving the sensitivity against polar vapours.
Conformationally strained trans-cyclooctene with improved stability and excellent reactivity in tetrazine ligation
Authors: Darko Ampofo , Wallace Stephen , Dmitrenko Olga , Machovina Melodie M. , Mehl Ryan A. , Chin Jason W. , Fox Joseph M.
Published: July 2014

Computation has guided the design of conformationally-strained dioxolane-fusedtrans-cyclooctene (d-TCO) derivatives that display excellent reactivity in the tetrazine ligation.
Moiré deflectometry using the Talbot-Lau interferometer as refraction diagnostic for High Energy Density plasmas at energies below 10 keV
Authors: Valdivia M. P. , Stutman D. , Finkenthal M.
Published: July 2014

The highly localized density gradients expected in High Energy Density (HED) plasma experiments can be characterized by x-ray phase-contrast imaging in addition to conventional attenuation radiography. Moiré deflectometry using the Talbot-Lau grating interferometer setup is an attractive HED diagnostic due to its high sensitivity to refraction induced phase shifts. We report on the adaptation of such a system for operation in the sub-10 keV range by using a combination of free standing and ultrathin Talbot gratings. This new x-ray energy explored matches well the current x-ray backlighters used for HED experiments, while also enhancing phase effects at lower electron densities. We studied the performance of the high magnification, low energy Talbot-Lau interferometer, for single image phase retrieval using Moiré fringe deflectometry. Our laboratory and simulation studies indicate that such a device is able to retrieve object electron densities from phase shift measurements. Using laboratory x-ray sources from 7 to 15 μm size we obtained accurate simultaneous measurements of refraction and attenuation for both sharp and mild electron density gradients.
Flexoelectric effect on the electroelastic responses and vibrational behaviors of a piezoelectric nanoplate
Authors: Zhang Zhengrong , Yan Zhi , Jiang Liying
Published: July 2014

Flexoelectricity, referring to the coupling between electric polarization and strain gradients, is a universal effect in all dielectrics and may become manifest at the nano-scale. The current work aims to investigate the flexoelectric effect on the electroelastic responses and the free vibrational behaviors of a piezoelectric nanoplate (PNP). Based on the conventional Kirchhoff plate theory and the extended linear piezoelectricity theory, the governing equation and the boundary conditions of a clamped PNP with the consideration of the static bulk flexoelectricity are derived. Ritz approximate solutions of the electroelastic fields and the resonant frequencies demonstrate the size-dependency of the flexoelectric effect, which is more prominent for thinner plates with smaller thickness as expected. Simulation results also indicate that the influence of the flexoelectricity upon the electroelastic fields of a bending PNP and the transverse vibration of the PNP is sensitive to the plate in-plane dimensions as well as the applied electric voltage. Moreover, it is suggested that the possible frequency tuning of a PNP resonator by adjusting applied electrical load warrants the consideration of the flexoelectricity. This study is claimed to provide a theoretical predicition on the trend of the flexoelectric effect upon the static and dynamic behaviors of a bending PNP, thus sheding light on understanding the underlying physics of electromechanical coupling at the nano-scale to some extent.