bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deterioration of metal–organic framework crystal structure during fabrication of poly(l‐lactic acid) mixed‐matrix membranes
Authors: Kathuria Ajay , Abiad Mohamad G , Auras Rafael
Published: February 2013

Poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and metal–organic framework (MOF) mixed‐matrix membranes were prepared by melt extrusion of PLLA with 5% (w/w) of either activated or water‐saturated Cu3(BTC)2 (Cu3(C9H3O6)2(H2O)3·xH2O, HKUST‐1). The morphology and the stability of injection‐molded samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of activated and saturated MOF crystals increased the cold crystallization onset temperature as compared to neat PLLA. This can be attributed to the MOF crystals incorporated in the PLLA matrix, which decreased the mobility of PLLA and thus impeded the crystallization process. According to the XRD results, the activated MOF crystals were successfully incorporated into the PLLA matrix without altering the crystal structure of the MOF. Moreover, the findings from permeability and tensile tests as well as SEM imaging indicated good interfacial interactions between PLLA and activated MOF. However, during melt extrusion of PLLA with saturated MOF, water molecules from the saturated MOF altered the MOF crystal structure and contributed to the degradation of the PLLA polymer by reducing its molecular weight by around 21%. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
ESPRESSO: A system for estimating protein expression and solubility in protein expression systems
Authors: Hirose Shuichi , Noguchi Tamotsu
Published: February 2013

Recombinant protein technology is essential for conducting protein science and using proteins as materials in pharmaceutical or industrial applications. Although obtaining soluble proteins is still a major experimental obstacle, knowledge about protein expression/solubility under standard conditions may increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of proteomics studies.

In this study, we present a computational approach to estimate the probability of protein expression and solubility for two different protein expression systems: in vivo Escherichia coli and wheat germ cell‐free, from only the sequence information. It implements two kinds of methods: a sequence/predicted structural property‐based method that uses both the sequence and predicted structural features, and a sequence pattern‐based method that utilizes the occurrence frequencies of sequence patterns. In the benchmark test, the proposed methods obtained F‐scores of around 70%, and outperformed publicly available servers. Applying the proposed methods to genomic data revealed that proteins associated with translation or transcription have a strong tendency to be expressed as soluble proteins by the in vivo E. coli expression system. The sequence pattern‐based method also has the potential to indicate a candidate region for modification, to increase protein solubility. All methods are available for free at the ESPRESSO server (http://mbs.cbrc.jp/ESPRESSO).
Quantitative assessment of appearance changes and related distress in cancer patients
Authors: Nozawa Keiko , Shimizu Chikako , Kakimoto Minako , Mizota Yuri , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Takahashi Yumiko , Ito Atsuko , Izumi Hideko , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: February 2013

Objectives

This study examined both the frequency of appearance‐related symptoms and distress resulting from these symptoms in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods

Self‐report questionnaires were distributed to 753 outpatients receiving ≧4 weeks of treatment at an outpatient chemotherapy center. Valid responses were returned by 638 patients (response rate, 84.7%). Participants were questioned about 57 appearance‐related symptoms (AS) and 23 non‐appearance‐related physical symptoms (non‐AS); psychological well‐being was assessed using a shortened version of the Derriford Appearance Scale 59.

Results

Questionnaire responses were obtained from 264 male and 374 female patients (mean age, 59.5 years; range, 18–85 years). Most respondents (80.3%) were concerned with changes in appearance resulting from treatment. By sex and disease type, women suffered more than men, and treatment for breast cancer created the greatest distress for women.

Conclusion

Cancer patients are concerned about a variety of AS, and these may result in greater distress than non‐AS. AS‐related information and care are increasingly being sought in advance of treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How calcium inhibits the magnesium‐dependent kinase gsk3β: A molecular simulation study
Authors: Lu Shao‐Yong , Huang Zhi‐Min , Huang Wen‐Kang , Liu Xin‐Yi , Chen Ying‐Yi , Shi Ting , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2013

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in many biological processes. GSK3β catalyzes the transfer of γ‐phosphate of ATP to the unique substrate Ser/Thr residues with the assistance of two natural activating cofactors Mg2+. Interestingly, the biological observation reveals that a non‐native Ca2+ ion can inhibit the GSK3β catalytic activity. Here, the inhibitory mechanism of GSK3β by the displacement of native Mg2+ at site 1 by Ca2+ was investigated by means of 80 ns comparative molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the GSK3β···Mg2+‐2/ATP/ Mg2+‐1 and GSK3β···Mg2+‐2/ATP/Ca2+‐1 systems. MD simulation results revealed that using the AMBER point charge model force field for Mg2+ was more appropriate in the reproduction of the active site architectural characteristics of GSK3β than using the magnesium‐cationic dummy atom model force field. Compared with the native Mg2+ bound system, the misalignment of the critical triphosphate moiety of ATP, the erroneous coordination environments around the Mg2+ ion at site 2, and the rupture of the key hydrogen bond between the invariant Lys85 and the ATP Oβ2 atom in the Ca2+ substituted system were observed in the MD simulation due to the Ca2+ ion in active site in order to achieve its preferred sevenfold coordination geometry, which adequately abolish the enzymatic activity. The obtained results are valuable in understanding the possible mechanism by why Ca2+ inhibits the GSK3β activity and also provide insights into the mechanism of Ca2+ inhibition in other structurally related protein kinases. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pressure and field tuning in the Kondo lattice ferromagnet CeAgSb2
Authors: Logg Peter , Feng Zhuo , Ebihara Takao , Zou Yang , Friedemann Sven , Alireza Patricia , Goh Swee , Grosche F. Malte
Published: February 2013

The intermetallic compound CeAgSb2 is an unusual example of a ferromagnetically ordered Kondo lattice system. Ferromagnetism sets in below the Curie temperature TC = 9.6 K at ambient pressure and zero fields. We have investigated the sensitivity of the ferromagnetic phase to hydrostatic pressure and a transverse magnetic tuning field using a series of resistivity and magnetization measurements. With pressure, TC is suppressed rapidly, and extrapolates to zero at 35 kbar. The ferromagnetism arising in CeAgSb2 is uniaxial, with the ordered moment aligning along the tetragonal c‐axis. The application of an in‐plane tuning field similarly suppresses TC, and drives the transition to zero temperature by 2.8 T. The character of the phase transition remains continuous on the approach to T = 0 K, and it is found that the quadratic A coefficient from the resistivity is strongly enhanced near the critical field.
Influence of microstructural defects on the thermal conductivity of GaN: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Spiteri David , Pomeroy James W. , Kuball Martin
Published: February 2013

The lattice thermal conductivity is known to depend on crystal quality, but the reduction in thermal conductivity due to specific defects is presently unclear. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the impact of microstructural defects on the thermal conductivity of gallium nitride. The conductivity of a finite crystal was reduced to (39 ± 4)% by a screw dislocation density of 2.0 × 1013 cm−2 and to (51 ± 4)% by an edge dislocation of similar density, illustrating that the type of dislocation is important for thermal conductivity. The effect of stacking faults on thermal conductivity was also investigated.
Au–Ge bonding on a uniformly Au‐covered Ge(001) surface
Authors: Popescu Dana G. , Husanu Marius A.
Published: February 2013

The structure and electronic properties of the system resulted by epitaxial growth of a single atomic Au layer on a heated Ge(001) surface featured by (2 × 1) reconstruction are studied. The deposition at ∼750 K results in a well‐ordered Au surface featured by ripples separated by four times the theoretical distance between two neighboring Au atoms. As revealed by valence‐band photoemission studies, the Au/Ge(001) system has metallic character. Correlating X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results with first‐principles calculations we derive the implications on the covalent bonding of Au on the Ge dimer surface.

magnified image

(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of the Antihypertensive Properties of Yellow Passion Fruit Pulp (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Konta Eliziane Mieko , Almeida Mara Ribeiro , Amaral Cátia Lira do , Darin Joana Darc Castania , de Rosso Veridiana V. , Mercadante Adriana Zerlotti , Antunes Lusânia Maria Greggi , Bianchi Maria Lourdes Pires
Published: February 2013

Various species of the genus Passiflora have been extensively used in traditional medicine as sedatives, anxiolytics, diuretics and analgesics. In the present study, after the identification and quantification of phytochemical compounds from yellow passion fruit pulp by liquid chromatography‐photodiode array‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐PDA‐MS/MS), its antihypertensive effect was investigated on spontaneously hypertensive rats. Additionally, the renal function, evaluated by kidney/body weight, serum creatinine, proteinuria, urinary flow, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) and mutagenicity in bone marrow cells were assessed to evaluate the safety of passion fruit consumption. Yellow passion fruit pulp (5, 6 or 8 g/kg b.w.) was administered by gavage once a day for 5 consecutive days. HLPC‐PDA‐MS/MS analysis revealed that yellow passion fruit pulp contains phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and flavonoids. The highest dose of passion fruit pulp significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure, increased the GSH levels and decreased TBARS. There were no changes in renal function parameters or the frequency of micronuclei in bone marrow cells. In conclusion, the antihypertensive effect of yellow passion fruit pulp, at least in part, might be due to the enhancement of the antioxidant status. The exact mechanisms responsible by this effect need further investigation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
To know is not enough: research knowledge and its use
Authors: Levin Ben
Published: February 2013

This paper is about the relationship between research, policy and practice in education. It outlines reasons for the increased interest in research and its impact and describe some of the difficulties in studying this relationship. A conceptualization of the knowledge mobilization process is presented that identifies three overlapping and interacting domains – the production of research, the end use of research, and the intermediary processes that link these two. The paper reviews current research and develops ideas about all three of these aspects, identifying areas of understanding and gaps in current knowledge.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed athttps://vimeo.com/56377921
Dynamic evolution of interface roughness during friction and wear processes
Authors: Kubiak K.J. , Bigerelle M. , Mathia T.G. , Dubois A. , Dubar L.
Published: February 2013

Dynamic evolution of surface roughness and influence of initial roughness (Sa = 0.282–6.73 µm) during friction and wear processes has been analyzed experimentally. The mirror polished and rough surfaces (28 samples in total) have been prepared by surface polishing on Ti–6Al–4V and AISI 1045 samples. Friction and wear have been tested in classical sphere/plane configuration using linear reciprocating tribometer with very small displacement from 130 to 200 µm. After an initial period of rapid degradation, dynamic evolution of surface roughness converges to certain level specific to a given tribosystem. However, roughness at such dynamic interface is still increasing and analysis of initial roughness influence revealed that to certain extent, a rheology effect of interface can be observed and dynamic evolution of roughness will depend on initial condition and history of interface roughness evolution. Multiscale analysis shows that morphology created in wear process is composed from nano, micro, and macro scale roughness. Therefore, mechanical parts working under very severe contact conditions, like rotor/blade contact, screws, clutch, etc. with poor initial surface finishing are susceptible to have much shorter lifetime than a quality finished parts. SCANNING 36:30–38, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incongruent dissolution of copper in an Al–Cu assembling. Influence of local pH changes
Authors: Joma S. , Sancy M. , Sutter E. M. M. , Tran T. T. M. , Tribollet B.
Published: February 2013

The aim of this work is to show that the presence of a crevice between copper and aluminium and the differential pH values inside and outside the crevice can induce copper dissolution and replating. This was first observed on an assembly between an AA2024 aluminium sheet and a rivet of same composition. The conditions encountered in a crevice were then obtained using a thin‐layer electrochemical cell, in which a thin electrolyte layer of 150 µm was trapped between a pure copper and a pure aluminium electrode. A mechanism is suggested involving local acidification in the crevice, due to Al dissolution, pH increase towards the crevice opening and selective dissolution of cuprous oxide at the mouth. Cuprous oxide formation is replenished outside the crevice where oxygen reduction maintains an alkaline interface. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antedependence models for nonstationary categorical longitudinal data with ignorable missingness: likelihood‐based inference
Authors: Xie Yunlong , Zimmerman Dale L.
Published: February 2013

Time index‐ordered random variables are said to be antedependent (AD) of order (p1,p2, … ,pn) if thekth variable, conditioned on thepkimmediately preceding variables, is independent of all further preceding variables. Inferential methods associated with AD models are well developed for continuous (primarily normal) longitudinal data, but not for categorical longitudinal data. In this article, we develop likelihood‐based inferential procedures for unstructured AD models for categorical longitudinal data. Specifically, we derive maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of model parameters; penalized likelihood criteria and likelihood ratio tests for determining the order of antedependence; and likelihood ratio tests for homogeneity across groups, time invariance of transition probabilities, and strict stationarity. We give closed‐form expressions for MLEs and test statistics, which allow for the possibility of empty cells and monotone missing data, for all cases save strict stationarity. For data with an arbitrary missingness pattern, we derive an efficient restricted expectation–maximization algorithm for obtaining MLEs. We evaluate the performance of the tests by simulation. We apply the methods to longitudinal studies of toenail infection severity (measured on a binary scale) and Alzheimer's disease severity (measured on an ordinal scale). The analysis of the toenail infection severity data reveals interesting nonstationary behavior of the transition probabilities and indicates that an unstructured first‐order AD model is superior to stationary and other structured first‐order AD models that have previously been fit to these data. The analysis of the Alzheimer's severity data indicates that the antedependence is second order with time‐invariant transition probabilities, suggesting the use of a second‐order autoregressive cumulative logit model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single and Polycrystalline Graphene on Rh(111) Following Different Growth Mechanisms
Authors: Liu Mengxi , Gao Yabo , Zhang Yanfeng , Zhang Yu , Ma Donglin , Ji Qingqing , Gao Teng , Chen Yubin , Liu Zhongfan
Published: February 2013

Graphene grown on the same substrate but under different growth conditions may evolve diverse characteristics and disparate growth mechanisms. To explore this issue, graphene is prepared on Rh(111) by both ultrahigh vacuum and ambient‐pressure chemical vapor deposition methods and the different growth behaviors, the atomic‐scale structures, and the stacking geometry are analysed, mainly by virtue of scanning tunneling microscope. Interestingly, with ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition growth at 600 °C, a template growth of graphene by the Rh(111) lattice is obtained, reflected with the formation of a uniform graphene moiré. In comparison, with the ambient‐pressure chemical vapor deposition at 1000 °C by different quenching processes, monolayer and randomly stacked few‐layer polycrystalline graphene is achieved, probably directed by combined surface catalysis and segregation mechanisms. In this case, strong and weak interactions between graphene and Rh substrates are suggested, with the samples prepared under vacuum and ambient‐pressure conditions, respectively. This work is expected to contribute greatly to the exploration of interactions between graphene and a substrate, as well as the segregation mechanism of graphene growth on polycrystalline transitional metal substrates.
Influence of High‐Frequency Micro‐Forging on Microstructure and Properties of 304 Stainless Steel Fabricated by Laser Rapid Prototyping
Authors: Zhang Yan , Qiu Chang Jun , Chen Yong , Yu Jinshui , Zhou Ju , Li Linsheng , Wang Zhongchang
Published: February 2013

We report the fabrication of the 304 stainless steel by the laser rapid prototyping harmonized with high‐frequency micro‐forging and demonstrate that both microstructure and properties of the prepared samples can be enhanced significantly. Structurally, we find that the large regular dendritic microstructure can be broken into pieces and that the internal defects are to some extent eliminated. Moreover, grains are refined remarkably. As a consequence of such structural modification, mechanical properties are found to be enhanced considerably by demonstrating a much broader fluctuation in tensile strength, a marked increase in tensile and yielding strength, and a drastic enhancement in surface hardness by 76% after the micro‐forging. Further calculations reveal that the defect region is shrunken substantially after micro‐forging. Detailed analysis of fractures in the tensile samples provides convincing evidence that plastic properties can be improved as well by the micro‐forging.
Incremental association rule mining: a survey
Authors: Nath B. , Bhattacharyya D. K. , Ghosh A.
Published: February 2013

Association rule mining is a computationally expensive task. Despite the huge processing cost, it has gained tremendous popularity due to the usefulness of association rules. Several efficient algorithms can be found in the literature. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms for association rule mining, specially when the data sets used for rule mining are not static. Addition of new data to a data set may lead to additional rules or to the modification of existing rules. Finding the association rules from the whole data set may lead to significant waste of time if the process has started from the scratch. Several algorithms have been evolved to attend this important issue of the association rule mining problem. This paper analyzes some of them to tackle the incremental association rule mining problem. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Association Rules

Technologies > Classification
The SAGES Manual on the Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE)
Authors: Criscitelli Theresa
Published: February 2013

The SAGES Manual on the Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE), Laine S. Feldman, Pascal R. Fuchshuber, Daniel B. Jones, 2012, Springer Publishing, 266 pages, softcover
Nurse Past, Present and Future: The Making of Modern Nursing
Authors: Walter Deborah
Published: February 2013

Present and Future: The Making of Modern Nursing, Kate Trant, Susan Usher, Nurse Past, 2012, Black Dog Publishing, 191 pages, paperback
Condorcet versus Borda, a response to: Comment on “A New Method to Obtain a Consensus Ranking of a Region's Vintages' Quality”
Authors: Borges José , Real António C. , Sarsfield Cabral J. , Jones Gregory V.
Published: February 2013

In response to the work of Borges et al. (2012), Hulkower (2012) poses questions regarding the relative merits of the Condorcet and the Borda methods; a topic which has been taking place in socio-political studies for a very long time. While both approaches have their supporters and their detractors (Young, 1988; Risse, 2005; Saari, 2006), below we present the reasons for choosing Condorcet's method to obtain a consensus ranking of a region's vintage quality (Borges et al., 2012).
Feeding a DHA-enriched diet increases skeletal muscle protein synthesis in growing pigs: association with increased skeletal muscle insulin action and local mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1
Authors: Wei Hong-Kui , Zhou Yuanfei , Jiang Shuzhong , Tao Ya-Xiong , Sun Haiqing , Peng Jian , Jiang Siwen
Published: February 2013

Dietaryn-3 PUFA have been demonstrated to promote muscle growth in growing animals. In the present study, fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR) in the skeletal muscle of growing pigs fed a DHA-enriched (DE) diet (DE treatment) or a soyabean oil (SO) diet (SO treatment) were evaluated in the fed and feed-deprived states. Feeding-induced increases in muscle FSR, as well as the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin and protein kinase B, were higher in the DE treatment as indicated by the positive interaction between diet and feeding. In the fed state, the activation of eIF4E-binding protein 1 in the skeletal muscle of pigs on the DE diet was higher than that in pigs on the SO diet (P <0·05). Feeding the DE diet increased muscle insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) expression (P <0·05) and insulin action (as demonstrated by increased insulin receptor (IR) phosphorylation,P <0·05), resulting in increased IR substrate 1 activation in the fed state. However, no difference in plasma IGF-1 concentration or hepatic IGF-1 expression between the two treatments was associated. The increased IGF-1 expression in the DE treatment was associated with increased mRNA expression of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A and decreased mRNA expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 3 in skeletal muscle. Moreover, mRNA expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1), the activation of PTPN1 and the activation of NF-κB in muscle were significantly lower in the DE treatment (P <0·05). The results of the present study suggest that feeding a DE diet increased feeding-induced muscle protein synthesis in growing pigs, and muscle IGF-1 expression and insulin action were involved in this action.
Grape seed extract triggers apoptosis in Caco-2 human colon cancer cells through reactive oxygen species and calcium increase: extracellular signal-regulated kinase involvement
Authors: Dinicola Simona , Mariggiò Maria Addolorata , Morabito Caterina , Guarnieri Simone , Cucina Alessandra , Pasqualato Alessia , D'Anselmi Fabrizio , Proietti Sara , Coluccia Pierpaolo , Bizzarri Mariano
Published: February 2013

Grape seed extract (GSE) from Italia, Palieri and Red Globe cultivars inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in Caco-2 human colon cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. In order to investigate the mechanism(s) supporting the apoptotic process, we analysed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, intracellular Ca2+ handling and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation. Upon exposure to GSE, ROS and intracellular Ca2+ levels increased in Caco-2 cells, concomitantly with ERK inactivation. As ERK activity is thought to be essential for promoting survival pathways, inhibition of this kinase is likely to play a relevant role in GSE-mediated anticancer effects. Indeed, pretreatment with N-acetyl cysteine, a ROS scavenger, reversed GSE-induced apoptosis, and promoted ERK phosphorylation. This effect was strengthened by ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid-mediated inhibition of extracellular Ca2+ influx. ROS and Ca2+ influx inhibition, in turn, increased ERK phosphorylation, and hence almost entirely suppressed GSE-mediated apoptosis. These data suggested that GSE triggers a previously unrecognised ERK-based mechanism, involving both ROS production and intracellular Ca2+ increase, eventually leading to apoptosis in cancer cells.
Viscous methyl cellulose solution thickens gastric mucosa and increases the number of gland mucous cells in mice
Authors: Takabayashi Fumiyo , Sekiguchi Hirotaka
Published: February 2013

We have observed a stiffening of the gastric wall in mice following oral administration of viscous methyl cellulose (MC) solution as a vehicle for food chemicals, an effect which has not previously been reported. To further investigate this effect, young male ICR mice (n 48) were divided into four groups (one control and three experimental groups) of twelve mice each. Experimental groups I, II and III were administered 0·2 ml of 0·5 % (w/v) MC viscous solution/d via a stomach tube for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. Stomachs were collected following 12 h fasting. The weight of the stomach and mucosa of seven mice per group was measured, and the mucosa was used for the measurement of 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). Stomach tissue slices from the remaining five mice per group were stained with haematoxylin and eosin to measure mucosal thickness, and were immunostained with an HIK1083 antibody to determine the number of gastric gland mucous cells. The mucosal thickness of the groups administered the MC solution for 3 and 4 weeks, and the size of the HIK1083-immunostained area of the groups administered the MC solution for 2, 3 and 4 weeks were significantly increased (P< 0·01) compared with those of the control group. The amount of 8-oxodG was not significantly affected. These results indicate that oral administration of viscous MC solution leads to the thickening of the gastric mucosa, which may be related to an increase in the number of gland mucous cells.
UNIQUENESS FOR SINGULAR SEMILINEAR ELLIPTIC BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS
Authors: HAI D. D. , SMITH R. C.
Published: February 2013

We prove uniqueness of positive solutions for the boundary value problems

\[
\{\begin{array}{ll} -\Delta u=\lambda f(u)\ \ &\text{in}\Omega, \ \ \ \ \ u=0 &\text{on \partial \Omega,
\]

where Ω is a bounded domain in ℝn with smooth boundary ∂Ω, λ is a positive parameter and f:(0,∞) → (0,∞) is sublinear at ∞ and is allowed to be singular at 0.
BIHARMONIC LAGRANGIAN SUBMANIFOLDS IN KÄHLER MANIFOLDS
Authors: MAETA SHUN , URAKAWA HAJIME
Published: February 2013

We give the necessary and sufficient conditions for Lagrangian submanifolds in Kähler manifolds to be biharmonic. We classify biharmonic PNMC Lagrangian H-umbilical submanifolds in the complex space forms. Furthermore, we classify biharmonic PNMC Lagrangian surfaces in the two-dimensional complex space forms.
Difficult airway in a child with severe dystonia
Authors: Eze N , Morrison G A
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To describe the management of a 15-year-old girl with repeated life-threatening complications of her tracheostomy secondary to muscle dystonia and thoracolumbocervical lordosis.

Method:

This paper reports a retrospective case review.

Results:

Regular microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, treatment with systemic steroids and a soft tracheostomy tube, in addition to better control of the dystonia, resulted in control of the patient's airway. This minimised tracheal inflammation and granulation tissue formation.

Conclusion:

The need for a tracheostomy in patients with thoracolumbocervical lordosis and severe dystonia should be considered only after all other options of airway management have been explored. Every attempt should be made to minimise tracheal trauma caused by excessive movement of a tracheostomy tube.
Disputed access to the gold sites in Luhwindja, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Geenen Sara , Claessens Klara
Published: February 2013

In a context of increased competition over natural resources, large-scale investors are showing renewed interest in eastern Congo's mineral resources. At the local level this is resulting in fierce disputes over access to land and to mining sites. This article offers an empirical study of access in Luhwindja, where a multinational mining company has recently begun to exploit gold. We first sketch the context, examining the overlapping legal fields and analysing how various actors gain and control access to the gold mines. Next we study how the arrival of Banro Corporation in Luhwindja has altered power relations at the local level. Looking more specifically at the displacement of artisanal miners and the resettlement of local communities, we demonstrate how the company, local elites and the local population have engaged in a complex struggle for access.
Sticta viviana(lichenized Ascomycota:Peltigerales:Lobariaceae), a new species from Colombian paramos
Authors: SUÁREZ Alejandra , LÜCKING Robert
Published: February 2013

The new speciesSticta vivianaA. Suárez & Lücking is described from Colombian paramos. It superficially resemblesS. fuliginosas. str. but differs by the small lobes with a shiny surface, the strongly branched, corymbose isidia, the dark lower tomentum, the smaller, usually sessile and urceolate cyphellae with one papilla-like outgrowth per cell of the basal membrane, and the K+ orange-yellow medulla. In contrast,Sticta fuliginosas. str., as represented by the type material, a sequenced topotype, and specimens from North America and Colombia falling into the same clade, is defined by an uneven lobe surface, simple to branched but not corymbose isidia, a pale lower tomentum, larger, immersed to erumpent cyphellae, with each cell of the basal membrane having 2–4 papillae, and a K− medulla. The new species is not closely related toS. fuliginosas. str. but falls within a clade of several, as yet undescribed, species withS. fuliginosagross morphology.
Sphinctrina paramerae, a new Mediterranean lichenicolous species with non-septate spores
Authors: MUÑIZ D. , LLOP E. , HLADUN N. L.
Published: February 2013

The new species, Sphinctrina paramerae, is proposed. Characteristics of ascospores (size, morphology and ornamentation), apothecia (morphology, size and chemical reactions) and ecological features revealed significant differences between S. paramerae and the currently known species of Sphinctrina with non-septate ascospores. The new species grows on Pertusaria paramerae, epiphytic on the bark of Juniperus thurifera, which occurs on well-exposed areas of parameras in the Iberian high plateau and other montane Mediterranean areas.
Distribution of fish, crustacea and zooplankton at different distances from mangrove prop roots within a semi-isolated lagoon
Authors: Jaxion-Harm J. , Pien C. , Saunders J. E. , Speight M. R.
Published: February 2013

Although semi-isolated mangrove lagoons are common in the Caribbean, few studies have surveyed organisms of multiple trophic levels and taxa in these lagoons, which are characterized by a lack of adjacent seagrass and coral-reef habitats. In this study, visual surveys, minnow traps and plankton tows, which were deployed at abutting mangrove prop roots and on macro-algal beds 5 and 15 m away from the prop roots, were used to study assemblages of fish and their potential prey in a semi-isolated lagoon located on Utila, Honduras during the dry season. Assemblages of fish and macro-crustacea differed between the three distances from prop roots, while zooplankton abundances were highly variable and did not follow any distinct distribution patterns. Daytime visual surveys found that large lutjanid (snapper) juveniles, tetraodontid (pufferfish), and some species of brachyurans were more abundant near prop roots. Small lutjanid juveniles were also significantly more numerous near prop roots, but their potential prey, copepods, showed no such difference in abundance. However, 24-hour minnow trap catches found that mean fish abundance (although low) did not differ between near-mangrove transects and transects located in algal beds away from prop roots. Whereas it is well known that mangrove–seagrass habitats play a vital role for fish in open systems, low abundances of organisms in algal beds, particularly in the day time, in this study indicate that algal beds may not be as important to fish in a semi-isolated mangrove lagoon.
ADAPTIVE GMM SHRINKAGE ESTIMATION WITH CONSISTENT MOMENT SELECTION
Authors: Liao Zhipeng
Published: February 2013

This paper proposes a generalized method of moments (GMM) shrinkage method to efficiently estimate the unknown parameters θo identified by some moment restrictions, when there is another set of possibly misspecified moment conditions. We show that our method enjoys oracle-like properties; i.e., it consistently selects the correct moment conditions in the second set and at the same time, its estimator is as efficient as the GMM estimator based on all correct moment conditions. For empirical implementation, we provide a simple data-driven procedure for selecting the tuning parameters of the penalty function. We also establish oracle properties of the GMM shrinkage method in the practically important scenario where the moment conditions in the first set fail to strongly identify θo. The simulation results show that the method works well in terms of correct moment selection and the finite sample properties of its estimators. As an empirical illustration, we apply our method to estimate the life-cycle labor supply equation studied in MaCurdy (1981, Journal of Political Economy 89(6), 1059–1085) and Altonji (1986, Journal of Political Economy 94(3), 176–215). Our empirical findings support the validity of the instrumental variables used in both papers and confirm that wage is an endogenous variable in the labor supply equation.
ON METRIZATION OF UNIONS OF FUNCTION SPACES ON DIFFERENT INTERVALS
Authors: ALKURDI TALEB , HILLE SANDER C. , VAN GAANS ONNO
Published: February 2013

This paper investigates a class of metrics that can be introduced on the set consisting of the union of continuous functions defined on different intervals with values in a fixed metric space, where the union ranges over a family of intervals. Its definition is motivated by the Skorohod metric(s) on càdlàg functions. We show what is essential in transferring the ideas employed in the latter metric to our setting and obtain a general construction for metrics in our case. Next, we define the metric space where elements are sequences of functions from the above mentioned set. We provide conditions that ensure separability and completeness of the constructed metric spaces.
CALORIC MEASURE FOR ARBITRARY OPEN SETS
Authors: WATSON NEIL A.
Published: February 2013

We give a systematic treatment of caloric measure for arbitrary open sets. The caloric measure is defined only on the essential boundary of the set. Our main result gives criteria for the resolutivity of essential boundary functions, and their integral representation in terms of caloric measure. We also characterize the caloric measure null sets in terms of the boundary singularities of nonnegative supertemperatures.
Deprivatization of Disbelief?: Non-Religiosity and Anti-Religiosity in 14 Western European Countries
Authors: Ribberink Egbert , Achterberg Peter , Houtman Dick
Published: February 2013

This article aims to move beyond media discourse about “new atheism” by mapping and explaining anti-religious zeal among the public at large in 14 Western European countries. We analyze data from the International Social Survey Program, Religion III, 2008, to test two theories about how country-level religiousness affects anti-religiosity and its social bases: a theory of rationalization and a theory of deprivatization of disbelief. Hypotheses derived from the former are contradicted, whereas those derived from the latter are largely confirmed. Anti-religiosity is strongest among disbelievers and among the higher educated in the most religious countries and among the older generations in today's most secularized countries.
Dynamic software update model for remote entity management of machine‐to‐machine service capability
Authors: Chang Yao‐Chung , Chi Ting‐Yun , Wang Wei‐Cheng , Kuo Sy‐Yen
Published: February 2013

Daily life applications of machine‐to‐machine (M2M) communication are constantly increasing. Typically, M2M communication systems comprise numerous small, cheap and autonomous devices that communicate with each other while monitoring environmental conditions. After their deployment, however, remote entity management of a node is still needed for firmware or software updates required for bug fixes, functional changes or other maintenance. Therefore implementing remote entity management for M2M service capability in third generation partnership project machine‐type‐communication is a major challenge. Previous works have attempted to reduce traffic by updating only the software changes in the M2M device. However, the device must still reboot after a software update. Rebooting the device is costly since the previous runtime states are lost. The devices expend time and bandwidth when synchronising with other nodes and when rebuilding the routing table. Hence, the dynamic software update model (DSUM) proposed in this study is designed to enable remote entity management for M2M. A dynamic software update programming model and a prototype implementation for M2M service capability are also presented. By allowing M2M service capabilities to update the software without rebooting the node, the DSUM preserves precious runtime states. The tests in this study showed that software updating required only 88 clock cycles. This framework not only enables dynamic replacement of remote entity management functionalities at runtime, it also reduces power consumption by avoiding the need to rebuild the network topology for devices in an M2M communication network.
Environmental control of community organisation on ocean-exposed sandy beaches
Authors: Schlacher Thomas A. , Thompson Luke
Published: February 2013

Models of faunal communities on open-coast beaches emphasise the primacy of environmental conditions in determining species richness and abundance. What remains unresolved under this ‘physical-control paradigm’ includes the following two aspects: (1) how habitat properties relate to structural traits of communities; and (2) how environmental conditions shape communities when habitat properties change over time. Here, we test these by modelling the relationship between a broad range of environmental drivers and assemblage structure. Our models draw on a sizeable dataset (15 600 cores collected over 4 years) of benthic invertebrates from beaches in eastern Australia; we also include a test of whether human disturbance (vehicles) alters the relationships between environmental predictors and faunal communities. A suite of physical factors, comprising habitat features (i.e. moisture level, grain size, beach slope) and wave parameters, explained variation in community structure. Novel aspects are the role of sea-surface temperature (SST) as a driver of biological structure on beaches, and that human impacts can override the sediment–animal relationships that are normally important. More generally, theoretical and empirical models of beach-community organisation should incorporate multiple environmental drivers, include broader structural aspect of assemblages, and recognise the role of human habitat alterations in shaping these fauna–environment links.
Regional patterns of mtDNA diversity in Styela plicata, an invasive ascidian, from Australian and New Zealand marinas
Authors: Torkkola Janne , Riginos Cynthia , Liggins Libby
Published: February 2013

The ascidian Styela plicata is abundant in harbours and marinas worldwide and has likely reached this distribution via human-mediated dispersal. Previous worldwide surveys based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase one (COI) sequences have described two divergent clades, showing overlapping distributions and geographically widespread haplotypes. These patterns are consistent with recent mixing among genetically differentiated groups arising from multiple introductions from historically distinct sources. In contrast, a study of Australian S. plicata using nuclear markers found that population differentiation along the eastern coast related to geographic distance and no evidence for admixture between previously isolated genetic groups. We re-examined the genetic patterns of Australian S. plicata populations using mtDNA (CO1) to place their genetic patterns within a global context, and we examined New Zealand populations for the first time. We found that the haplotypic compositions of Australian and New Zealand populations are largely representative of other worldwide populations. The New Zealand populations, however, exhibited reduced diversity, being potentially indicative of a severely bottlenecked colonisation event. In contrast to results from nuclear markers, population differentiation of mtDNA among Australian S. plicata was unrelated to geographic distance. The discrepancy between markers is likely to be a consequence of non-equilibrium population genetic processes that typify non-indigenous species.
Knockdown of desmin in zebrafish larvae affects interfilament spacing and mechanical properties of skeletal muscle
Authors: Li Mei , Andersson-Lendahl Monika , Sejersen Thomas , Arner Anders
Published: February 2013

Skeletal muscle was examined in zebrafish larvae in order to address questions related to the function of the intermediate filament protein desmin and its role in the pathogenesis of human desminopathy. A novel approach including mechanical and structural studies of 4–6-d-old larvae was applied. Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides were used to knock down desmin. Expression was assessed using messenger RNA and protein analyses. Histology and synchrotron light–based small angle x-ray diffraction were applied. Functional properties were analyzed with in vivo studies of swimming behavior and with in vitro mechanical examinations of muscle. The two desmin genes normally expressed in zebrafish could be knocked down by ∼50%. This resulted in a phenotype with disorganized muscles with altered attachments to the myosepta. The knockdown larvae were smaller and had diminished swimming activity. Active tension was lowered and muscles were less vulnerable to acute stretch-induced injury. X-ray diffraction revealed wider interfilament spacing. In conclusion, desmin intermediate filaments are required for normal active force generation and affect vulnerability during eccentric work. This is related to the role of desmin in anchoring sarcomeres for optimal force transmission. The results also show that a partial lack of desmin, without protein aggregates, is sufficient to cause muscle pathology resembling that in human desminopathy.
Confocal imaging of transmembrane voltage by SEER of di-8-ANEPPS
Authors: Manno Carlo , Figueroa Lourdes , Fitts Robert , Ríos Eduardo
Published: February 2013

Imaging, optical mapping, and optical multisite recording of transmembrane potential (Vm) are essential for studying excitable cells and systems. The naphthylstyryl voltage-sensitive dyes, including di-8-ANEPPS, shift both their fluorescence excitation and emission spectra upon changes in Vm. Accordingly, they have been used for monitoring Vm in nonratioing and both emission and excitation ratioing modes. Their changes in fluorescence are usually much less than 10% per 100 mV. Conventional ratioing increases sensitivity to between 3 and 15% per 100 mV. Low sensitivity limits the value of these dyes, especially when imaged with low light systems like confocal scanners. Here we demonstrate the improvement afforded by shifted excitation and emission ratioing (SEER) as applied to imaging membrane potential in flexor digitorum brevis muscle fibers of adult mice. SEER—the ratioing of two images of fluorescence, obtained with different excitation wavelengths in different emission bands—was implemented in two commercial confocal systems. A conventional pinhole scanner, affording optimal setting of emission bands but less than ideal excitation wavelengths, achieved a sensitivity of up to 27% per 100 mV, nearly doubling the value found by conventional ratioing of the same data. A better pair of excitation lights should increase the sensitivity further, to 35% per 100 mV. The maximum acquisition rate with this system was 1 kHz. A fast “slit scanner” increased the effective rate to 8 kHz, but sensitivity was lower. In its high-sensitivity implementation, the technique demonstrated progressive deterioration of action potentials upon fatiguing tetani induced by stimulation patterns at >40 Hz, thereby identifying action potential decay as a contributor to fatigue onset. Using the fast implementation, we could image for the first time an action potential simultaneously at multiple locations along the t-tubule system. These images resolved the radially varying lag associated with propagation at a finite velocity.
Dysphagia therapy in stroke: a survey of speech and language therapists
Authors: Archer S. K. , Wellwood I. , Smith C. H. , Newham D. J.
Published: February 2013

Background

Dysphagia is common after stroke, leading to adverse outcome. There is a paucity of high‐quality evidence for dysphagia therapy, thus making it difficult to determine the best approaches to treatment. Clinical decisions are often based on usual practice, however no formal method of monitoring practice patterns exists.

Aims

To determine speech and language therapists’ (SLTs) approaches to direct dysphagia therapy with stroke patients in the UK and Ireland.

Methods & Procedures

A 24‐item questionnaire was developed, piloted and delivered in a web‐based cross‐sectional survey targeting all SLTs working with stroke patients in the UK and Ireland.

Outcomes & Results

A total of 138 SLTs responded from a range of clinical settings and levels of experience. There was variation in the responses to all questions. Respondents reported treating patients a median of once a day, 3 days a week for 15 min. The most commonly recommended direct exercises were supervised swallow trials (recommended ‘frequently or always’ by 73%). Despite most respondents having access to an instrumental swallowing assessment, over half reported rarely or never conducting one before recommending exercises. Most (93%) did not use a protocol for systematically progressing patients’ exercises and only 37% reported using standardized outcome measures.

Conclusions & Implications

This survey gives valuable insight into the direct dysphagia therapy practices of SLTs based in the UK and Ireland working in stroke. It highlights discrepancies between reported approaches and recommendations from existing evidence and clinical guidelines. The variation in responses indicates a need to develop a consensus statement and further research to guide practice.