bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of blood transfusions on patients with head and neck cancer undergoing free tissue transfer
Authors: Danan Deepa , Smolkin Mark E. , Varhegyi Nikole E. , Bakos Stephen R. , Jameson Mark J. , Shonka David C.
Published: August 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine whether blood transfusions are associated with adverse outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing microvascular free tissue transfer.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

The records of all patients who underwent free flaps for reconstruction after HNC resection from July 2007 through February 2013 at a single institution were reviewed. Rates of overall survival (OS), recurrence free survival (RFS), and postoperative wound infection were determined. Statistical analyses included Cox proportional hazards models and chi‐square tests.

Results

Of 167 patients, 90 received 0 to 2 units of blood and 77 received ≥ 3. After controlling for age, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative albumin, cancer stage, and adverse pathologic features, transfusion of ≥ 3 (versus 0 to 2) units was associated with poorer OS (P = 0.0006; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.96) and RFS (P = 0.003; HR = 2.35). The rates of wound infection in patients who received 0, 1, 2, or ≥ 3 units were 13.3%, 21.2%, 33.3%, and 31.2%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in wound infection rates between those patients receiving 0 to 1 versus ≥ 2 units (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Patients who receive ≥ 3 units of blood after free tissue transfer for HNC had a significantly increased risk of death after controlling for age, preoperative hemoglobin and albumin, cancer stage, and adverse pathologic features. Increased transfusions are also associated with higher wound infection rates. The increased tendency to transfuse free flap patients in order to maintain a threshold hematocrit may have a detrimental impact on survival and wound infections and should be revisited.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 125:86–91, 2015
A Flexible and Transparent Thin Film Heater Based on a Silver Nanowire/Heat‐resistant Polymer Composite
Authors: Li Junpeng , Liang Jiajie , Jian Xiang , Hu Wei , Li Juan , Pei Qibing
Published: August 2014

It has been a challenge to develop a new transparent conductor to replace the brittle and expensive indium tin oxide (ITO) film to make film heater with high transmittance in the visible wavelength range, high surface conductivity and mechanical flexibility. Here, we report the synthesis of a transparent composite film comprising a silver nanowire (AgNW) percolation network inlaid in the surface of a heat‐resistant polymer film. This composite conductor has a figure‐of‐merit sheet resistance of 25 Ω · sq−1 with 86.4% transmittance at 550 nm. The composite film possesses outstanding heat‐resistant property and can generate high temperature up to 230 °C at low operation voltages as an efficient thin film heater. Compared with the film heaters previously reported, the composite film heater shows faster heating response and higher saturation temperature under the same input voltage. The film heater could be bent to 10 mm diameter and the generated temperature decreased by less than 3 °C after 3 000 bending cycles.
From yeast to patient neurons and back again: Powerful new discovery platforms
Authors: Tardiff Daniel F. , Khurana Vikram , Chung Chee Yeun , Lindquist Susan
Published: August 2014

No disease‐modifying therapies are available for synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple systems atrophy (MSA). The lack of therapies has been impeded by a paucity of validated drug targets and problematic cell‐based model systems. New approaches are therefore needed to identify genes and compounds that directly target the underlying cellular pathologies elicited by the pathological protein, α−synuclein (α−syn). This small, lipid‐binding protein impinges on evolutionarily conserved processes such as vesicle trafficking and mitochondrial function. For decades, the genetically tractable, single‐cell eukaryote, budding yeast, has been used to study nearly all aspects of cell biology. More recently, yeast has revealed key insights into the underlying cellular pathologies caused by α−syn. The robust cellular toxicity caused by α−syn expression facilitates unbiased high‐throughput small‐molecule screening. Critically, one must validate the discoveries made in yeast in disease‐relevant neuronal models. Here, we describe two recent reports that together establish yeast‐to‐human discovery platforms for synucleinopathies. In this exemplar, genes and small molecules identified in yeast were validated in patient‐derived neurons that present the same cellular phenotypes initially discovered in yeast. On validation, we returned to yeast, where unparalleled genetic approaches facilitated the elucidation of a small molecule's mode of action. This approach enabled the identification and neuronal validation of a previously unknown “druggable” node that interfaces with the underlying, precipitating pathologies caused by α−syn. Such platforms can provide sorely needed leads and fresh ideas for disease‐modifying therapy for these devastating diseases. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Well‐controlled ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters catalyzed by aluminum amido complexes: Kinetics and mechanism
Authors: Liu Junpeng , Ma Haiyan
Published: August 2014

A series of aluminum dimethyl complexes 1–6 bearing N‐[2‐(pyrrolidinyl)benzyl]anilido ligands were synthesized and well characterized. The molecular structure of complex 1 determined by an X‐ray diffraction study indicates the bidentate chelating mode of the pyrrolidinyl‐anilido ligand. In the absence of a coinitiator, these complexes exhibited excellent control toward the polymerizations of ε‐caprolactone and rac‐lactide, affording polyesters with quite narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn = 1.04–1.26). The end group analysis of ε−CL oligomer via 1H NMR and ESI‐TOF MS methods gave strong support to the hypothesis that the polymerization catalyzed by these aluminum complexes proceeds via a coordination‐insertion mechanism involving a unique AlN (amido) bond initiation. Via 1H NMR scale oligomerization studies, it is suggested that the insertion of the first lactide monomer into AlN bond of the complex is much easier than the insertion of lactide monomer into the newly formed AlO (lactate) bond and might also be easier than the insertion of the first ε−CL monomer into AlN bond. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3096–3106
Resmethrin, the first modern pyrethroid insecticide
Authors: Soderlund David M
Published: August 2014

The discovery of resmethrin almost five decades ago was the seminal event in the development of pyrethroid insecticides as important pest management tools, the value of which endures to this day. This brief review considers the development of pyrethroids from the perspective of the discovery of resmethrin. I describe the pathway to the discovery of resmethrin and the unique properties that differentiated it from the pyrethrins and earlier synthetic pyrethroids is described. I also summarize information on metabolic fate and mechanisms of selective toxicity, first elucidated with resmethrin, that have shaped our understanding of pyrethroid toxicology since that time. Finally, I review the discovery pathway that led from resmethrin to the development of the first photostable, agriculturally useful pyrethroids that established the importance of this insecticide class. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Interaction of a novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from the venom of solitary bee Colletes daviesanus with phospholipid vesicles and Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Čujová Sabína , Bednárová Lucie , Slaninová Jiřina , Straka Jakub , Čeřovský Václav
Published: August 2014

The peptide named codesane (COD), consisting of 18 amino acid residues and isolated from the venom of wild bee Colletes daviesanus (Hymenoptera : Colletidae), falls into the category of cationic α‐helical amphipathic antimicrobial peptides. In our investigations, synthetic COD exhibited antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and Candida albicans but also noticeable hemolytic activity. COD and its analogs (collectively referred to as CODs) were studied for the mechanism of their action. The interaction of CODs with liposomes led to significant leakage of calcein entrapped in bacterial membrane‐mimicking large unilamellar vesicles made preferentially from anionic phospholipids while no calcein leakage was observed from zwitterionic liposomes mimicking membranes of erythrocytes. The preference of CODs for anionic phospholipids was also established by the blue shift in the tryptophan emission spectra maxima when the interactions of tryptophan‐containing COD analogs with liposomes were examined. Those results were in agreement with the antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of CODs. Moreover, we found that the studied peptides permeated both the outer and inner cytoplasmic membranes of Escherichia coli. This was determined by measuring changes in the fluorescence of probe N‐phenyl‐1‐naphthylamine and detecting cytoplasmic β‐galactosidase released during the interaction of peptides with E. coli cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that treatment of E. coli with one of the COD analogs caused leakage of bacterial content mainly from the septal areas of the cells. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seismic fragility assessment of a tall reinforced concrete chimney
Authors: Zhou Changdong , Zeng Xulang , Pan Qinglong , Liu Bin
Published: August 2014

In China, a considerable proportion of reinforced concrete (RC) industrial chimneys in operation was designed and constructed in accordance with less rigorous outdated seismic criteria during the end of 19th and early 20th century. However, few research works have been reported till date on a realistic overall assessment of the seismic performance of these existing aging RC chimney structures. Therefore, in this study, fragilities of existing RC chimney were studied. For this purpose, an existing 240 m tall RC chimney was selected and structurally modeled with a lumped mass beam (stick) model by means of the OpenSees analysis program. In order to capture the uncertainties in ground motion realizations, a series of 21 ground motions are selected from the Next Generation Attenuation database as the input motions. To develop the analytical fragility curves, nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis of the studied RC chimney was then carried out using the selected input motions, which were normalized to different excitation levels. The section curvature ductility ratio was considered as the damage index. Based on material strain and sectional analysis, four limit states (LSs) were defined for five damage state. The seismic responses of the all sections were utilized to evaluate the likelihood of exceeding the LSs. Then the peak ground acceleration (PGA)‐based seismic fragility curves of the structure were constructed assuming a lognormal distribution. Finally, under the light of these fragility curves, the damage risks in existing RC chimney were discussed. The analytical results indicated that for design level earthquake of PGA = 0.1 g (g is the gravitational acceleration) and the maximum considered earthquake of PGA = 0.22 g, the probabilities of exceeding the light damage state were around 1.5% and 44%, respectively, while the exceedance probabilities corresponding to moderate, extensive and complete damage states were approximately zero in both cases. On the other hand, fragility analysis revealed that the RC chimney structure had considerable ductility capacity and was capable to withstand a strong earthquake with some structural damages. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of boron oxide and boric acid to improve flame retardancy of an organophosphorus compound in neat and fiber reinforced polyamide‐6
Authors: Polat Osman , Kaynak Cevdet
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the usability of boron oxide and boric acid to enhance flame retardancy of (aluminum diethyl phosphinate)‐type organophosphorus compound in polyamide‐6 and its 15 wt% of short (glass fiber)‐reinforced composite. Materials were compounded by melt‐mixing method via a twin‐screw extruder, and the specimens for testing and analyses were shaped by injection and compression‐molding. For the neat polyamide‐6 specimens, mass loss cone calorimetry analyses indicated that replacement of a certain amount of aluminum diethyl phosphinate with boron oxide or boric acid could result in significant improvements in many flame‐retardancy parameters. For instance, the suppression in peak heat release rate value of polyamide‐6 could be as much as 84% or 86% for boron oxide and boric acid, respectively, whereas it was only 32% when aluminum diethyl phosphinate was used alone. Char microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, X‐ray diffraction, and evolved gas analyses revealed that the main contribution of boron oxide and boric acid to the barrier mechanism of aluminum diethyl phosphinate was the formation of additional glassy boron oxide layers and boron phosphate layers. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:300–310, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Code pruning in opportunistic routing through bidirectional coding traffic comparison
Authors: Wang Weiping , Chen Xiaozhuan , Lu Mingming , Wang Jianxin , Zhang Xi , Wu Jie
Published: August 2014

Opportunistic routing (OR) significantly improves transmission reliability and network throughput in wireless mesh networks by utilizing the broadcast nature of the wireless medium. Through the integration of network coding (NC), the complicated coordination to select the best forwarding node (FN) in OR can be bypassed. However, the introduction of NC exacerbates the redundant‐packet‐transmission problem. To mitigate this issue, existing coded OR protocols either adopt the loss‐rate‐based approach, employ orthogonal vectors as coded feedback, or pursue the stream‐based coded OR model. However, these three solutions suffer inaccuracy and obsolescence of the loss‐rate measurement, false‐positive/false‐negative problem, and unavailability of hop‐by‐hop stream‐based OR, respectively. To address the previous problems, we propose a simple but practical coded feedback scheme, cumulative coding coefficient acknowledgement (C3ACK), based on the relevance between forward (coded packets received from upstream nodes) and backward coding traffic (coded packets overheard from downstream nodes), and apply C3ACK to both batch‐based and stream‐based coded OR models in order to prune redundant forward and backward coding traffic. Both testbed evaluation and simulation study show that our code‐pruning schemes can outperform existing approaches in terms of expected throughput and transmission count. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Significance of Anatomical Variant of the Left Hepatic Artery for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma Applied to Right‐Sided Hepatectomy
Authors: Shimizu Hiroaki , Hosokawa Isamu , Ohtsuka Masayuki , Kato Atsushi , Yoshitomi Hideyuki , Miyazaki Masaru
Published: August 2014

Background

Full understanding of the hilar anatomy is crucial for successful surgical resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC).

Methods

The three‐dimensional positional relationship between the left hepatic artery (LHA) and the umbilical portion of the left portal vein (UP) was evaluated using multidetector‐row computed tomography (CT) in 58 consecutive patients who underwent right‐sided hepatectomy for Bismuth–Corlette IIIa or IV tumors. The positional relationship of the LHA related to UP was classified into the following three types: L‐UP type, LHA runs into the left lateral section (LLS) from the left caudal side of the UP; R‐UP type, LHA runs into the LLS from the right cranial side of the UP; and combined type, one branch of the LHA runs into the LLS from the right cranial side of the UP, and the other from the left caudal side of the UP.

Results

L‐UP‐type LHA was observed in 53 cases (91.4 %), R‐UP type in three cases (5.2 %), and combined type in two cases (3.4 %). No cancer involvement of the LHA was seen in any cases with L‐UP type. In one case with R‐UP type (one of three; 33.3 %) and one case with combined type (one of two, 50 %), cancer invasion to the LHA was observed at the right side of the UP, requiring combined resection of the involved LHA.

Conclusions

R‐UP‐type LHA running just along the left hepatic duct may be easily involved by right‐side predominant PHC when extending to the left hepatic duct. Hepatobiliary surgeons should recognize this anatomical variant and carefully evaluate the running courses of LHA to successfully perform R0 resection in right‐sided hepatectomy for PHC.
Use of a Patient‐Entered Family Health History Tool with Decision Support in Primary Care: Impact of Identification of Increased Risk Patients on Genetic Counseling Attendance
Authors: Buchanan Adam H. , Christianson Carol A. , Himmel Tiffany , Powell Karen P. , Agbaje Astrid , Ginsburg Geoffrey S. , Henrich Vincent C. , Orlando Lori A.
Published: August 2014

Several barriers inhibit collection and use of detailed family health history (FHH) in primary care. MeTree, a computer‐based FHH intake and risk assessment tool with clinical decision support, was developed to overcome these barriers. Here, we describe the impact of MeTree on genetic counseling (GC) referrals and attendance. Non‐adopted, English speaking adults scheduled for a well‐visit in two community‐based primary‐care clinics were invited to participate in an Implementation‐Effectiveness study of MeTree. Participants’ demographic characteristics and beliefs were assessed at baseline. Immediately after an appointment with a patient for whom GC was recommended, clinicians indicated whether they referred the patient and, if not, why. The study genetic counselor kept a database of patients with a GC recommendation and contacted those with a referral. Of 542 patients completing MeTree, 156 (29 %) received a GC recommendation. Of these, 46 % (n = 72) were referred and 21 % (n = 33) underwent counseling. Patient preferences, additional clinical information unavailable to MeTree, and an incomplete clinician evaluation of the FHH accounted for the 85 patients clinicians chose not to refer. Although MeTree identified a significant proportion of patients for whom GC was recommended, persistent barriers indicate the need for improved referral processes and patient and physician education about the benefits of GC.
Effects of Hachimijiogan, a Kampo powder, on epididymidis sperm characteristics in healthy male rats
Authors: Wang Yuying , Murayama Chiaki , Michihara Seiwa , Saito Toru R. , Norimoto Hisayoshi
Published: August 2014

Purpose

Hachimijiogan (HJG, Rehmannia Eight Formula), a kidney‐replenishing Kampo formula, is clinically known to be effective in the treatment of male infertility with oligozoospermia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of HJG on the epididymal sperm characteristics and related serum hormone changes in rats in an attempt to determine its mechanism.

Methods

Male Wistar–Imamichi rats (233.4 ± 5.2 g, nine weeks old) were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 6 for each group). Apart from one control group treated with distilled water, the other groups were administered HJG consecutively for 9–11 days with doses of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg. After the last administration the caude epididymides were quickly removed under anesthesia for assessing sperm characteristics. Additionally, the testes, seminal vesicles, prostate and adrenal glands were removed surgically and their wet weights measured.

Results

Results showed that HJG increased sperm numbers and motility as well as the weights of seminal vesicles and adrenal glands at lower doses. Moreover, HJG decreased serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone while increasing follicle‐stimulating hormone levels.

Conclusions

Our findings may support the conclusion that a lower dosage of HJG has an effect on improving local spermatogenous environments by activating adrenal functions and/or promoting local androgen activity.
Cachexia: a problem of energetic inefficiency
Authors: Argilés Josep M. , Fontes-Oliveira Cibely Cristine , Toledo Miriam , López-Soriano Francisco J. , Busquets Sílvia
Published: August 2014

An alteration of energy balance is the immediate cause of the so‐called cachexia. Although alterations of energy intake are often associated with cachexia, it has lately became clear that an increased energy expenditure is the main cause of wasting associated with different types of pathological conditions, such as cancer, infections or chronic heart failure among others. Different types of molecular mechanisms contribute to energy expenditure and, therefore, involuntary body weight loss; among them, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) consumption by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pumps could represent a key mechanism. In other cases, an increase in energy inefficiency will further contribute to energy imbalance.
Leadership Style Preference of Undergraduate Occupational Therapy Students in Australia
Authors: Brown Ted , Williams Brett , Jolliffe Laura
Published: August 2014

Background

Occupational therapy graduates are expected to assume leadership roles in a variety of contexts and capacities.

Objective

To investigate the leadership styles of undergraduate occupational therapy students.

Methods

First, second, third, and fourth year undergraduate occupational therapy students from one Australian university were asked to complete the What's My Leadership Style (WMLS) questionnaire.

Results

The total sample response rate was 86.3% (n = 182/211). Overall there was a statistically significant difference in students’ preference for the leadership styles (p < .001). The two most preferred leadership styles were the Considerate and Spirited styles while the two least preferred were the Direct and Systematic leadership styles. There were no statistically significant differences in preference for any of the four leadership styles based on students’ sex, age, or year level of study.

Conclusion

The Considerate leadership style is characterised by creating comfortable working environments, following established procedures, and creating an easy work pace, while the Spirited leadership style is about inspiring people, generating excitement, turning work into play, and rallying people. It is recommended that leadership be integrated into occupational therapy curricula so as to adequately equip students for future professional practice.
Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of buprenorphine in treatment of chronic pain using competing EQ-5D weights
Authors: Norrlid Hanna , Dahm Peter , Tennvall Gunnel Ragnarson
Published: August 2014

Background and aims

Chronic pain is a life altering condition and common among elderly persons. The 7-day buprenorphine patch could be a suitable treatment for managing chronic pain of moderate severity in elderly patients in Sweden.

The objective of this analysis was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the 7-day buprenorphine patch, versus no treatment, in patients >50 years old who suffer from moderate pain in a health economic perspective. An additional aim was to evaluate how the cost-effectiveness is affected by the choice of EQ-5D weights.

Methods

The annual treatment cost and the potential gains in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of buprenorphine, compared to no treatment, were evaluated. Original EQ-5D data were collected from four clinical reference studies at baseline and at the final visit. Treatment effects on HRQoL were then assessed using both UK and Swedish EQ-5D weights. Annual treatment costs were calculated based on costs of physician visits and pharmaceuticals.

The optimal treatment dose was 10-15 μg/h and the analysis was hence performed on both a 10- and a 15 μg/h buprenorphine patch.

Results

The analysis of buprenorphine treatment resulted in improved HRQoL in all reference studies, irrespective of choice of EQ-5D weight set. The change in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) varied with a gain of 0.042-0.118 using the UK weights and 0.020-0.051 with the Swedish weights. The average annual treatment cost was SEK14454 for the 10μg/h patch and SEK17 017 for the 15 μg/h patch, while cost for the no-treatment alternative was SEK 9 960. The base case incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) with the UK weights were SEK 40000-SEK 170000 and SEK 90000-SEK 350000 when applying the Swedish weights. The corresponding ICER-span in the sensitivity analysis was SEK 15 000-SEK 400 000 when applying the UK weights and SEK 30 000-SEK 840 000 with the Swedish weights (SEK 100 is about €11).

Conclusions

The results imply that the 7-day buprenorphine patch may be a cost-effective treatment of moderate chronic pain in patients over 50 years of age. The UK and the Swedish EQ-5D weights generated vastly different HRQoL estimates but buprenorphine remains cost-effective regardless choice of weight set.
Supplement use by UK-based British Army soldiers in training
Authors: Casey Anna , Hughes Jason , Izard Rachel M. , Greeves Julie P.
Published: August 2014

The use of supplements is widespread at all levels of civilian sport and a prevalence of 60–90 % is reported among high-performance UK athletes, including juniors. The prevalence of supplement use among UK-based British Army personnel is not known. The aim of the present study was to establish the point prevalence of supplement use in UK-based British Army soldiers under training (SuTs) and associated staff. A cross-sectional anonymous survey was carried out in 3168 British Army SuTs and soldiers, equating to 3·1 % of regular Army strength, based at eleven Phase 1, 2 and 3 UK Army training sites. Overall, 38 % of the respondents reported current use of supplements, but prevalence varied according to the course attended by the respondents. The number of different supplements used was 4·7 (sd 2·9). Supplements most commonly used were protein bars, powders and drinks (66 %), isotonic carbohydrate–electrolyte sports drinks (49 %), creatine (38 %), recovery sports drinks (35 %), multivitamins (31 %) and vitamin C (25 %). A small proportion of respondents reported the use of amphetamines and similar compounds (1·6 %), cocaine (0·8 %), anabolic androgenic steroids (1·1 %), growth hormone (2·0 %), and other anabolic agents, e.g. testosterone (4·2 %). Logistic regression modelling indicated that, for current users, younger age, being female, smoking and undergoing Officer Cadet training were associated with greater supplement use. This is the first study to investigate the prevalence of dietary and training supplement use in UK-based British military personnel. Self-administration of a wide range of supplements is reported by British military personnel in training, which is at least as great as that reported by those on deployment, and has implications for Defence policy and educational needs.
Taiwan's PC Industry, 1976–2010: The Evolution of Organizational Capabilities
Authors: Yu Howard H. , Shih Willy C.
Published: August 2014

The stellar growth of Taiwan's personal-computer (PC) industry over the past three decades represents a paradox. Participating in the global production system, local firms in Taiwan grew in association with established firms in the West. Despite their technical know-how, manufacturing prowess, and size, most leading Taiwanese firms did not develop their own capabilities in branding and marketing. A close examination of the historical evolution of the industry reveals that interactions with established companies in the West, in addition to local competition, decisively shaped capability development among latecomer firms. A few firms in Taiwan that eventually joined the ranks of global PC brands had been investing in marketing early, guided by a strategic vision rather than near-term economic calculation.
Getting Away with Murder: The Wrongful Deaths of Lascars Aboard theUnionin 1802
Authors: Frey James W.
Published: August 2014

In 1802, several “country ships” arrived in London from Bengal, their lascar crews having suffered severe casualties due to fatigue, exposure, and starvation. Aboard theUnion, the officers’ treatment of the crew was so bad that the lascars and a sympathetic English sailor alerted the East India Company. Their testimony, recorded by the Company's Committee of Shipping, provides new insights into lascar living and working conditions – in particular the problem of undermanning ships – reminding us how the management–labour dynamic aboard a ship at sea always favoured owners and officers rather than workers.
Phytoplankton community composition in the south-eastern Black Sea determined with pigments measured by HPLC-CHEMTAX analyses and microscopy cell counts
Authors: Agirbas Ertugrul , Feyzioglu Ali Muzaffer , Kopuz Ulgen , Llewellyn Carole A.
Published: August 2014

The phytoplankton community structure and abundance in the south-eastern Black Sea was measured from February to December 2009 using and comparing high performance liquid chromatography pigment and microscopy analyses. The phytoplankton community was characterized by diatoms, dinoflagellates and coccolithophores, as revealed by both techniques. Fucoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, peridinin and 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin were the main accessory pigments showing significant correlation with diatom-Cr2 = 0.56–0.71,P < 0.05), diatom-C (r2 = 0.85–0.91,P < 0.001), dinoflagellate-C (r2 = 0.39–0.88,P < 0.05) and coccolithophore-C (r2 = 0.80–0.71,P < 0.05), respectively. Microscopy counts indicated a total of 89 species, 71% of which were dinoflagellates, 23% were diatoms and 6% other species (mainly coccolithophores). Pigment-CHEMTAX analysis also indicated the presence of pico- and nanoplankton. Phytoplankton carbon (phyto-C) concentrations were highest in the upper water column, whereas chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) showedadeep maximum. Average phyto-C was higher at the coastal station (291 ± 66 µg l−1) than at the offshore station (258 ± 35 µg l−1), not statistically different (P > 0.05). The coastal station also had higher Chl-aconcentrations (0.52–3.83 µg l−1) compared to the offshore station (0.63–2.55 µg l−1), not significant (P > 0.05). Our results are consistent with other studies and indicate that the southern Black Sea is shifting towards mesotrophy with the increasing prevalence of dinoflagellates compared to diatoms.
Arctic shipping insurance: towards a harmonisation of practices and costs?
Authors: Sarrabezoles Aurélie , Lasserre Frédéric , Hagouagn’rin Zebret
Published: August 2014

Insurance is an important component of shipping costs, albeit minor when compared to capital, crew or fuel. If the literature of Arctic shipping agrees that insurance premiums are likely to be higher for Arctic shipping, no study so far has tried to assess the cost of Arctic shipping insurance premiums, nor what specific demands insurance firms might formulate before agreeing to give coverage to a shipping company, thus presenting obstacles to entry in the Arctic shipping market. We first present insurance policies and costs as they are discussed in the literature on Arctic shipping. We also sketch out how their risk-assessment process was influenced by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and classification societies. Then we outline the results of a survey conducted between 2012 and 2013 with insurance firms on their Arctic shipping policies.
The importance of Yalu Jiang coastal wetland in the north Yellow Sea to Bar-tailed GodwitsLimosa lapponicaand Great KnotsCalidris tenuirostrisduring northward migration
Authors: CHOI CHI-YEUNG , BATTLEY PHIL F. , POTTER MURRAY A. , ROGERS KEN G. , MA ZHIJUN
Published: August 2014

Bar-tailed GodwitsLimosa lapponicaand Great KnotsCalidris tenuirostrisare long-distance migratory shorebirds with declining numbers in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. One of the most important staging sites for these two species during northward migration is Yalu Jiang coastal wetland in the north Yellow Sea. Historical counts have been limited to once a year and conducted at different periods; these yield inadequate data for population monitoring. We estimated the numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits and Great Knots and described their migration phenology during northward migration from 2010 to 2012 at the Yalu Jiang coastal wetland, using a combination of periodic area-wide counts over the migration period and a modelling approach that estimates passage times and total numbers of birds transiting. The mean arrival date forL. l. bauerigodwits was 29 March and mean departure date was 8 May. Corresponding dates were 11 April and 15 May forL. l. menzbierigodwits and 7 April and 14 May for Great Knots. We estimated that an annual average of over 68,000 Bar-tailed Godwits and 44,000 Great Knots used the area on northward migration from 2010–2012. Our results indicate that the Yalu Jiang coastal wetland supports on average at least 42% of the flyway’s northward-migratingL. l. bauerigodwits, 19% ofL. l. menzbierigodwits, and 22% of the Great Knots. Comparisons with historical counts conducted during peak migration periods indicate a 13% decline in Bar-tailed Godwits since 2004 and an 18% decline in Great Knots since 1999. Our results confirm that the study area remains the most important northward migration staging site for Bar-tailed Godwits and indicate that it has become the most important northward migration staging site for Great Knots along the flyway.
Screening Older Latinos for Dementia in the Primary Care Setting
Authors: Grober Ellen , Ehrlich Amy R. , Troche Yaritza , Hahn Steven , Lipton Richard B.
Published: August 2014

The purpose was to compare the Spanish language picture version of the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test with Immediate Recall (pFCSRT+IR) and the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) in identifying very mild dementia among Spanish speaking Latino patients. The tests and an independent diagnostic assessment were administered to 112 Latino patients free of medically diagnosed dementia from an urban primary care clinic. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to examine differences in the operating characteristics of the pFCSRT+IR and the MMSE. Cut scores were manipulated to equate sensitivities (specificities) at clinically relevant values to compare differences in specificities (sensitivities) using the Pearson Chi Square test. Youden’s index was used to select the optimal cut scores. Twenty-four of the 112 primary care patients (21%) received a research dementia diagnosis, indicating a substantial burden of unrecognized dementia. MMSE scores but not free recall scores were associated with years of education in patients free of dementia. AUC was significantly higher for free recall than for MMSE. Free recall performed significantly better than the MMSE in sensitivity and in specificity. Using optimal cut scores, patients with impaired free recall were 10 times more likely to have dementia than patients with intact recall, and patients with impaired MMSE scores were 4.5 times more likely to have dementia than patients with intact scores. These results suggest that the Spanish language pFCSRT+IR may be an effective tool for dementia screening in educationally diverse Latino primary care populations. (JINS, 2014,20, 1–8)
Exceeding Judicial Competence in the Name of Democracy: The German Federal Constitutional Court's OMT Reference
Authors: Wendel Mattias
Published: August 2014

First preliminary reference of the German Federal Constitutional Court – ECB Outright Monetary Transaction Programme (OMT) – Financial crisis – Ultra vires review – Principle of democracy – Judicial dialogue – Separation of powers – National constitutional identity – Mandate of the ECB – Article 123 TFEU – Article 18.1 ESCB-Statute – Economic and monetary policy – Honeywell test partially abandoned – Pringle judgment inverted – No margin of discretion for the ECB – Necessity, and prohibition of functional misuse, under Article 267 TFEU – Comparative reasoning
Melloni in Three Acts: From Dialogue to Monologue
Authors: Pérez Aida Torres
Published: August 2014

On 13 February 2014, the Spanish Constitutional Court came to a final decision regarding the fate of Mr Stefano Melloni. The story of the case is worthy of attention not only from the perspective of the interaction between the Spanish Constitutional Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), but also from the standpoint of the conflicting levels of rights' protection in Europe. The story of Melloni can be described in three acts: setup, confrontation, and resolution.

First, the setup: in 2011, the Spanish Constitutional Court made its first and (so far) only preliminary reference to the CJEU. The Constitutional Court was faced with a collision between the constitutional right to fair trial of persons convicted in absentia and the obligation under EU law to execute a European arrest warrant (heretofore EAW). This setup generated great anticipation, both because of the protagonists and the type of conflict, since in this case what obstructed one member state from complying with EU law was its higher level of constitutional protection for the right in question.
Case C-176/12 Association de Médiation Sociale: Some Reflections on the Horizontal Effect of the Charter and the Reach of Fundamental Employment Rights in the European Union
Authors: Frantziou Eleni
Published: August 2014

On 15 January 2014, the Court of Justice (hereafter ‘the Court’) delivered its judgment in Association de Médiation Sociale (hereafter ‘AMS’). AMS brought for the first time before the Court the issue of horizontal applicability in relation to a provision of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (hereafter ‘Charter’), namely Article 27 thereof, which enshrines the right of workers to information and consultation within the undertaking. The case therefore raised questions of ‘undeniable constitutional significance’, as Advocate-General Cruz Villalón had put it in his Opinion, regarding the post-Lisbon enforcement and interpretation of the Charter and, in particular, its application to disputes between private parties.
Simultaneous determination of pharmaceutical and personal care products in wastewater by capillary electrophoresis with head-column field-amplified sample stacking
Authors: Zhang Zixing , Zhang Dandan , Zhang Xian
Published: August 2014

This article reports a sensitive and reliable solid-phase extraction coupling capillary zone electrophoresis with head-column field-amplified sample stacking method for trace determination of nineteen pharmaceutical and personal care products in wastewater.
Efficient molecular recognition based on nonspecific van der Waals interaction at the solid/liquid interface
Authors: Cao Lili , Xu Lirong , Zhao Dahui , Tahara Kazukuni , Tobe Yoshito , De Feyter Steven , Lei Shengbin
Published: August 2014

A surprising recognition phenomenon based on van der Waals interactions was observed, which proves that the design of the supramolecular assembly from its building blocks represents a highly promising and general strategy.
High-yield photolytic generation of brominated single-walled carbon nanotubes and their application for gas sensing
Authors: Hines D. , Rümmeli M. H. , Adebimpe D. , Akins D. L.
Published: August 2014

We present a facile and efficient photobromination technique for the covalent sidewall functionalization of SWNT using N-bromosuccinamide as the bromine source.
When gold meets chiral Brønsted acid catalysts: extending the boundaries of enantioselective gold catalysis
Authors: Inamdar Suleman M. , Konala Ashok , Patil Nitin T.
Published: August 2014

This review describes the development in the use of Au(i)/Brønsted acid binary catalytic systems to enable an enantioselective transformation in one-pot that cannot be achieved by gold catalysts alone.
An amine-functionalized metal–organic framework as a sensing platform for DNA detection
Authors: Zhang Hao-Tian , Zhang Jian-Wei , Huang Gang , Du Zi-Yi , Jiang Hai-Long
Published: August 2014

An amine-functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF) as a DNA sensing platform, with possible hydrogen bond interaction between DNA and the MOF, has been developed.
Optimization of thermoelectric efficiency in SnTe: the case for the light band
Authors: Zhou Min , Gibbs Zachary M. , Wang Heng , Han Yemao , Xin Caini , Li Laifeng , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: August 2014

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of SnTe are obtained by counter-doping with iodine as predicted using a two-valence-band model.
Towards a better understanding of magnetic exchange mediated by hydrogen bonds in Mn(iii)/Fe(iii) salen-type supramolecular dimers
Authors: Nemec Ivan , Herchel Radovan , Šilha Tomáš , Trávníček Zdeněk
Published: August 2014

Detailed investigations of the magnetic coupling and magnetic anisotropy in a series of Schiff base salen-type Fe(iii) and Mn(iii) complexes, based on SQUID experiments and DFT calculations, are reported.
A triple-bridged azido-Cu(ii) chain compound fine-tuned by mixed carboxylate/ethanol linkers displays slow-relaxation and ferromagnetic order: synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties and DFT calculations
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Chen Sanping , Grancha Thais , Pardo Emilio , Ke Hongshan , Yin Bing , Wei Qing , Xie Gang , Gao Shengli
Published: August 2014

A triple-bridged azido-Cu(ii) compound has been synthesized and magnetically characterized.
Comparison of carbon materials as electrodes for enzyme electrocatalysis: hydrogenase as a case study
Authors: Quinson Jonathan , Hidalgo Ricardo , Ash Philip A. , Dillon Frank , Grobert Nicole , Vincent Kylie A.
Published: August 2014

We present a study of electrocatalysis by an enzyme adsorbed on a range of carbon materials, with different size, surface area, morphology and graphitic structure, which are either commercially available or preparedviasimple, established protocols. We choose as our model enzyme the hydrogenase I fromE. coli(Hyd-1), which is an active catalyst for H2oxidation, is relatively robust and has been demonstrated in H2fuel cells and H2-driven chemical synthesis. The carbon materials were characterised according to their surface area, surface morphology and graphitic character, and we use the electrocatalytic H2oxidation current for Hyd-1 adsorbed on these materials to evaluate their effectiveness as enzyme electrodes. Here, we show that a variety of carbon materials are suitable for adsorbing hydrogenases in an electroactive configuration. This unified study provides insight into selection and design of carbon materials for study of redox enzymes and different applications of enzyme electrocatalysis.
Effect of electrochemical dissolution and deposition order on lithium dendrite formation: a top view investigation
Authors: Li Wenjun , Zheng Hao , Chu Geng , Luo Fei , Zheng Jieyun , Xiao Dongdong , Li Xing , Gu Lin , Li Hong , Wei Xianlong , Chen Qing , Chen Liquan
Published: August 2014

Rechargeable metallic lithium batteries are the ultimate solution to electrochemical storage due to their high theoretical energy densities. One of the key technological challenges is to control the morphology of metallic lithium electrode during electrochemical dissolution and deposition. Here we have investigated the morphology change of metallic lithium electrode after charging and discharging in nonaqueous batteries by ex situ SEM techniques from a top view. Formation of the hole structure after lithium dissolution and the filling of dendrite-like lithium into the holes has been observed for the first time. In addition, an in situ SEM investigation using an all-solid Li/Li2O/super aligned carbon nanotube set-up indicates that lithium ions could diffuse across through the surface oxide layer and grow lithium dendrites after applying an external electric field. The growth of lithium dendrites can be guided by electron flow when the formed lithium dendrite touches the carbon nanotube.
Mapping the protein profile involved in the biotransformation of organoarsenicals using an arsenic metabolizing bacterium
Authors: Thomas John A. , Chovanec Peter , Stolz John F. , Basu Partha
Published: August 2014

Insight into the organoarsenic metabolism of Alkaliphilus oremlandii OhILAs by comprehensive proteomic analysis.
Nitroso Diels–Alder (NDA) reaction as an efficient tool for the functionalization of diene-containing natural products
Authors: Carosso Serena , Miller Marvin J.
Published: August 2014

This review describes the use of nitroso Diels–Alder reactions for the functionalization of complex diene-containing natural products in order to generate libraries of compounds with potential biological activity.
Synthesis and evaluation of a photoresponsive quencher for fluorescent hybridization probes
Authors: Kovaliov Marina , Wachtel Chaim , Yavin Eylon , Fischer Bilha
Published: August 2014

dUDAB modified probes are promising probes for gene quantification in real-time PCR detection and as photoswitchable devices.
Synthesis and properties of D–A copolymers based on dithienopyrrole and benzothiadiazole with various numbers of thienyl units as spacers
Authors: Geng Yanfang , Cong Junzi , Tajima Keisuke , Zeng Qingdao , Zhou Erjun
Published: August 2014

By introducing different numbers of thienyl spacers, the properties of D–A type polymers could be modulated, which provides a simple strategy for designing high-performance D–A type photovoltaic polymers based on the existing polymers.
Amino-terminated ionic liquid modified graphene oxide coated silica composite stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction chromatography
Authors: Liu Houmei , Guo Yong , Wang Xusheng , Liang Xiaojing , Liu Xia
Published: August 2014

IL@GO@SiO2 composite was synthesized and revealed good separation for three kinds of strong polar and hydrophilic compounds in HILIC mode.
Composite cathode material β-LiVOPO4/LaPO4 with enhanced electrochemical properties for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Shen Chao , Zheng Jun-chao , Zhang Bao , Han Ya-dong , Zhang Jia-feng , Ming Lei , Li Hui , Yuan Xin-bo
Published: August 2014

β-LiVOPO4/LaPO4 exhibits much better electrochemical performance than bare β-LiVOPO4.
Thermodynamics of thorium substitution in yttrium iron garnet: comparison of experimental and theoretical results
Authors: Guo X. , Rak Zs. , Tavakoli A. H. , Becker U. , Ewing R. C. , Navrotsky A.
Published: August 2014

The thermodynamic stability of Th-doped yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12, YIG) as a possible actinide-bearing material has been investigated using calorimetric measurements and first-principles electronic-structure calculations.
High areal and volumetric capacity sustainable all-polymer paper-based supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Tammela Petter , Zhang Peng , Strømme Maria , Nyholm Leif
Published: August 2014

Dense, yet porous, all-polymer thick paper electrodes are constructed by compression of PPy@nanocellulose composites. When used in symmetric supercapacitors, these electrodes yield a device volumetric energy density of 3.7 W h L−1as well as the highest volumetric specific capacitance (236 F cm−3) and areal capacitance (5.66 F cm−2) ever shown for conducting polymer-based electrodes.
Stabilisation of networked delta operator systems with uncertainty
Authors: Li Hongbo , Li Zhiwei , Yang Hongjiu , Zhang Yu , Sun Fuchun
Published: August 2014

This study is concerned with the robust stabilisation problem of networked delta operator systems with time delays and packet losses. To avoid the inherent drawback of the standard shift‐domain model at high sampling rates, the uncertain delta operator model is employed to describe the plant of networked control systems. Under this framework, by guaranteeing the deceasement of Lyapunov functional at each updating period rather than at each sampling period, a sufficient robust stability condition in terms of linear matrix inequalities is presented. Based on this criterion, the robust stabilising controller design method is also provided. The results acquired in this study are network parameters dependent in the sense that they depend on not only the bounds of time delays but also the bound of maximum consecutive packet losses. Numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness and potential of the developed theoretical results.