bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency dissection versus ‘knot tying’ in conventional total thyroidectomy
Authors: Ozkul M H , Açikalin R M , Balikci H H , Bayram O , Bayram AA
Published: August 2014

Objective:

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency dissection in conventional ‘open’ total thyroidectomy.

Methods:

Thirty-nine patients scheduled for conventional total thyroidectomy were included in a prospective randomised study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a radiofrequency dissection method was used in one group, and a knot tying technique was used in the other.

Results:

Significantly fewer surgical instruments and materials were required for the radiofrequency dissection group than the knot tying group (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean operative time, blood loss, post-operative drainage and pain, recurrent palsy, and hypocalcaemia (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Radiofrequency dissection is a safe alternative to the knot tying technique, and enables a significant reduction in the number of surgical instruments required for the operation.
Comparing the resident populations of private and public long-term care facilities over a 15-year period: a study from Quebec, Canada
Authors: BRAVO GINA , DUBOIS MARIE-FRANCE , DUBUC NICOLE , DEMERS LOUIS , BLANCHETTE DANIÈLE , PAINTER KAREN , LESTAGE CATHERINE , CORBIN CINTHIA
Published: August 2014

In the province of Quebec, Canada, long-term residential care is provided by two types of facility: privately owned facilities in which care is privately financed and delivered and publicly subsidised accredited facilities. There are few comparative data on the residents served by the private and public sectors, and none on whether their respective population has changed over time. Such knowledge would help plan services for older adults who can no longer live at home due to increased disabilities. This study compared (a) the resident populations currently served by private and public facilities and (b) how they have evolved over time. The data come from two cross-sectional studies conducted in 1995–2000 and 2010–2012. In both studies, we randomly selected care settings in which we randomly selected older residents. In total, 451 residents from 145 settings assessed in 1995–2000 were compared to 329 residents from 102 settings assessed in 2010–2012. In both study periods, older adults housed in the private sector had fewer cognitive and functional disabilities than those in public facilities. Between the two study periods, the proportion of residents with severe disabilities decreased in private facilities while it remained over 80 per cent in their public counterparts. Findings indicate that private facilities care today for less-disabled older adults, leaving to public facilities the heavy responsibility of caring for those with more demanding needs. These trends may impact both sectors' ability to deliver proper residential care.
Health capital in everyday life of the oldest old living in their own homes
Authors: BERGLAND ASTRID , SLETTEBØ ÅSHILD
Published: August 2014

As more people experience old age as a time of growth and productivity, more research is needed that explores how they master everyday life. This paper reports on a qualitative study that explored how ten older women age 90 years or more experience and cope with the challenges of everyday life with a salutogenic perspective. The findings suggest that health resources such as positive expectation, reflection and adaptation, function and active contribution, relations and home, contribute to the health capital of women. These health resources were of importance for the women's experience of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness in daily life. Health capital is a meaningful concept for understanding coping in everyday life by older people.
VOICES AND VIOLS, BIBLES AND BINDINGS: THE ORIGINS OF THE BLOSSOM PARTBOOKS
Authors: Duffin Ross W.
Published: August 2014

The manuscript partbooks (CTB) preserved in the Special Collections Library at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, offer no obvious signs as to their origins. The contents are almost exclusively by London composers and are carefully laid out in an apparently unique alternation of texted and untexted works, as if in performance order. Using clues from the contents, as well as from the physical state of the books, a connection is proposed to events surrounding the death of Prince Henry in late 1612, and marriage of Princess Elizabeth and the Elector Palatine in 1613.
HERCULEAN LABOURS: JOHANNES MARTINI AND THE MANUSCRIPT MODENA, BIBLIOTECA ESTENSE, MS α.M.1.13
Authors: Steib Murray
Published: August 2014

Modena, Biblioteca Estense, MS α.M.1.13 (ModD) is a collection of masses compiled in Ferrara around 1480 for the court of Ercole I d'Este. Although several scholars have argued that the changes in ModD were the result of composers reworking their own music or intervention by the scribe, the situation is far more complex. Through a careful examination of the textual and musical changes in ModD, this essay substantiates three hypotheses: that ModD had a separate and independent editor (Johannes Martini) apart from the scribe who copied it (Fra Filippo), and that both tampered with the music to a different extent; that the reasons behind the changes were in part politically and religiously motivated; and finally that several of the masses in ModD contain sections written by someone other than their original composer, a practice that may have been more common than we currently believe.
Laser wakefield acceleration of electrons from a density-modulated plasma
Authors: Gupta D.N. , Gopal K. , Nam I.H. , Kulagin V.V. , Suk H.
Published: August 2014

This research reports the increased electron energy gain from laser wakefield acceleration in density-modulated plasma with an external magnetic field. Periodic plasma density- modulation can excite higher harmonics of different phase velocities of fundamental wakefield that can assist in improving the self-trapping of pre-accelerated electrons to accelerate them for higher energy. Furthermore, the applied magnetic field assisted self-injection can also contribute in electron energy enhancement during the acceleration. The physical mechanism is described with a theoretical formulation for this scheme. Results of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are reported to understand the proposed idea.
Tuberculosis in Laos, who is at risk: the mahouts or their elephants?
Authors: LASSAUSAIE J. , BRET A. , BOUAPAO X. , CHANTHAVONG V. , CASTONGUAY-VANIER J. , QUET F. , MIKOTA S. K. , THÉORÊT C. , BUISSON Y. , BOUCHARD B.
Published: August 2014

Tuberculosis (TB) in elephants has the potential to infect humans and is an increasing public health concern. Lao PDR is one of the last countries where elephants are still used for timber extraction and where they live in close contact with their mahouts. There are 500 animals at work in the country, some interacting with wild herds. Although human TB prevalence is known to be high in Laos, studies on elephant TB had yet to be undertaken. From January to July 2012, screening was performed using the ElephantTB Stat-Pak assay on 80 elephants working around the Nam Pouy National Park in Sayaboury Province. This represents more than 18% of the total registered national working elephant population. Here we report that 36% of the elephants were seroreactive to the test. Of these, 31% had contacts with wild individuals, which suggests potential transmission of mycobacteria to the local wild herds. Clinical examination, chest X-rays, sputum microscopy and culture were performed on their 142 mahouts or owners. Despite high TB seroreactivity in elephants, no participant was smear- or culture-positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. bovis, although atypical mycobacteria were isolated from 4% of participants.
Trypanosoma cruzi screening in Texas blood donors, 2008–2012
Authors: GARCIA M. N. , WOC-COLBURN L. , ROSSMANN S. N. , TOWNSEND R. L. , STRAMER S. L. , BRAVO M. , KAMEL H. , BEDDARD R. , TOWNSEND M. , OLDHAM R. , BOTTAZZI M. E. , HOTEZ P. J. , MURRAY K. O.
Published: August 2014

Chagas disease is an important emerging disease in Texas that results in cardiomyopathy in about 30% of those infected with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Between the years 2008 and 2012, about 1/6500 blood donors were T. cruzi antibody-confirmed positive. We found older persons and minority populations, particularly Hispanic, at highest risk for screening positive for T. cruzi antibodies during routine blood donation. Zip code analysis determined that T. cruzi is associated with poverty. Chagas disease has a significant disease burden and is a cause of substantial economic losses in Texas.
Normal Birth Weight Variation and Children’s Neuropsychological Functioning: Links between Language, Executive Functioning, and Theory of Mind
Authors: Wade M. , Browne D.T. , Madigan S. , Plamondon A. , Jenkins J.M.
Published: August 2014

The effect of low birth weight on children’s development has been documented for a range of neurocognitive outcomes. However, few previous studies have examined the effect of birth weight variability within the normal range on children’s neuropsychological development. The current study examined birth weight variation amongst children weighing ≥2500 g in relation to their language, executive functioning (EF), and theory of mind (ToM), and specified a developmental pathway in which birth weight was hypothesized to be associated with children’s EF and ToM through their intermediary language skills. The current study used a prospective community birth cohort of 468 children. Families were recruited when children were newborns and followed up every 18 months until children were age 4.5. Language was assessed at age 3 using a standardized measure of receptive vocabulary (PPVT), and EF and ToM were measured at age 4.5 using previously validated and developmentally appropriate tasks. After controlling for potential confounding variables (family income, parent education, gestational age), birth weight within the normal range was associated with language ability at age 3 (β=.17;p=.012); and the effect of birth weight on both EF (z=2.09;p=.03) and ToM (z=2.07;p=.03) at age 4.5 operated indirectly through their language ability at age 3. Our findings indicate that the effects of birth weight on child neurocognition extend into the normal range of birth weight, and specific developmental mechanisms may link these skills over time. (JINS, 2014,20, 1–11)
Predicted efficacy of the Palestinian wheat flour fortification programme: complementary analysis of biochemical and dietary data
Authors: Abdeen Ziad , Ramlawi Asa’d , Qaswari Radwan , Alrub Ala’ Abu , Dary Omar , Rambeloson Zo , Shahab-Ferdows Setareh , Dror Daphna , Allen Lindsay H , Carriquiry Alicia , Salman Rand , Dkeidek Sahar
Published: August 2014

Objective

To utilize complementary biochemical and dietary data collected before the initiation of national flour fortification to (i) identify micronutrient insufficiencies or deficiencies and dietary inadequacies in Palestinian women and children in vulnerable communities and (ii) assess the suitability of the current wheat flour fortification formula.

Design

Quantitative dietary intake questionnaires were administered and fasting venous blood samples collected in randomly selected households in Gaza City and Hebron. The impact of fortification was simulated by estimating the additional micronutrient content of fortified wheat flour.

Setting

Households in Gaza City and Hebron that were not receiving food aid from social programmes.

Subjects

Non-pregnant women (18–49 years) and children aged 36–83 months.

Results

The micronutrients with highest prevalence of insufficiency were vitamin D in women (84–97 % with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <50 nmol/l) and vitamin B12 in women and children (43–82 % with serum B12 <221 pmol/l). Deficiencies of vitamin A, Fe and Zn were also of public health concern. Current levels of wheat flour fortificants were predicted to improve, but not eliminate, micronutrient intake inadequacies. Modification of fortificant concentrations of vitamin D, thiamin, vitamin B12, Zn and folic acid may be indicated.

Conclusions

Micronutrient insufficiencies or deficiencies and intake inadequacies were prevalent based on either biochemical or dietary intake criteria. Adjustments to the current fortification formula for wheat flour are necessary to better meet the nutrient needs of Palestinian women and children.
The epidemiology of family meals among Ohio’s adults
Authors: Tumin Rachel , Anderson Sarah E
Published: August 2014

Objective

The epidemiology of family meals among adults at a population level is poorly characterized and whether living with children impacts this health behaviour is uncertain. We determined the prevalence of family meals among US adults in a mid-western state whose families did and did not include minor children and described how it varied by sociodemographic characteristics.

Design

The cross-sectional 2012 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey is representative of Ohio adults and included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics and the frequency with which they eat family meals at home.

Setting

Trained interviewers administered landline and cell phone surveys to adults sampled from Ohio’s non-institutionalized population.

Subjects

We analysed data from 5766 adults living with minor children and 8291 adults not living alone or with children.

Results

The prevalence of family meals was similar for adults who did and did not live with minor children: 47 % (95 % CI 46, 49 %) of adults living with and 51 % (95 % CI 50, 53 %) of adults living without children reported eating family meals on most (six or seven) days of the week. Family meal frequency varied by race/ethnicity, marital and employment status in both groups. Non-Hispanic African-American adults, those who were not married and those who were employed ate family meals less often.

Conclusions

Adults in Ohio frequently shared meals with their family and family meal frequency was not strongly related to living with children. Broadening the scope of future studies to include adults who are not parents could enhance our understanding of the potential health benefits of sharing meals.
MINERVA ON THE SURREY DOWNS: READING PLINY (AND HORACE) WITH JOHN TOLAND
Authors: Whitton Christopher
Published: August 2014

John Toland'sDescription of Epsom(1711) is one of the most remarkable creative responses, ancient or modern, to Pliny'sEpistles. Drawing on the villa letters and the collection as a whole for both topographical description and self-styling, Toland moulds himself after an intensely ruralist – and strikingly Horatian – Pliny. This article readsEpsomtogether with Toland's translations from theEpistles(1711–12) as a case study in reception which can also shed fresh light on Pliny's own epistolary self-portraiture.
Computational design of patterned interfaces using reduced order models
Authors: Vattré A. J. , Abdolrahim N. , Kolluri K. , Demkowicz M. J.
Published: August 2014

Patterning is a familiar approach for imparting novel functionalities to free surfaces. We extend the patterning paradigm to interfaces between crystalline solids. Many interfaces have non-uniform internal structures comprised of misfit dislocations, which in turn govern interface properties. We develop and validate a computational strategy for designing interfaces with controlled misfit dislocation patterns by tailoring interface crystallography and composition. Our approach relies on a novel method for predicting the internal structure of interfaces: rather than obtaining it from resource-intensive atomistic simulations, we compute it using an efficient reduced order model based on anisotropic elasticity theory. Moreover, our strategy incorporates interface synthesis as a constraint on the design process. As an illustration, we apply our approach to the design of interfaces with rapid, 1-D point defect diffusion. Patterned interfaces may be integrated into the microstructure of composite materials, markedly improving performance.
On-line micelle to solvent stacking in capillary electrophoresis for the preconcentration of three antihistamines from human plasma
Authors: Yang Xiumin , Liu Shujing , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: August 2014

Electropherograms of blank human plasma (A) and human plasma spiked with 2.0 μg mL−1 of each of the antihistamines and 4.0 μg mL−1 internal standard (B). The insert is a magnified view of the main part of the electropherogram B. Peak identification: 1 – palmatine (internal standard), 2 – diphenhydramine, 3 – chlorpheniramine, 4 – promethazine, U – unknown.
Freezing-induced ordering of block copolymer micelles
Authors: Dhainaut Jérémy , Piana Giulia , Deville Sylvain , Guizard Christian , Klotz Michaela
Published: August 2014

Silica monoliths presenting both hierarchical and mesostructured porosity were obtained by the combination of ice-templating and block-copolymers following a freezing-induced self-assembly process.
On the mechanism of cold denaturation
Authors: Graziano Giuseppe
Published: August 2014

The destabilizing contribution of chain conformational entropy intersects at two temperatures the stabilizing contribution of translational entropy of waters.
Fluorescence from graphene oxide and the influence of ionic, π–π interactions and heterointerfaces: electron or energy transfer dynamics
Authors: Vempati Sesha , Uyar Tamer
Published: August 2014

Is fluorescence from graphene oxide because of O2p orbitals or sp2localization?
Functional hyperbranched polymers with advanced optical, electrical and magnetic properties
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Tang Runli , Li Qianqian , Li Zhen
Published: August 2014

This review summarizes the recent progress in functional HBPs and their application in optics, electronics and magnetics, including light-emitting devices, aggregation-induced emission materials, nonlinear optical materials, chemosensors, solar cells, magnetic materials, etc., and provides outlooks for further exploration in the field.
Fe2O3 nanoparticles anchored in situ on carbon nanotubes via an ethanol-thermal strategy for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Han Jin , Zhang Dengsong , Maitarad Phornphimon , Shi Liyi , Cai Sixiang , Li Hongrui , Huang Lei , Zhang Jianping
Published: August 2014

Fe2O3 nanoparticles anchored in situ on carbon nanotubes via an ethanol-thermal strategy present an excellent DeNOx performance.
Hydrodeoxygenation of dibenzofuran over SiO2, Al2O3/SiO2and ZrO2/SiO2supported Pt catalysts
Authors: Wang Lei , Wan Huihui , Jin Shaohua , Chen Xiao , Li Chuang , Liang Changhai
Published: August 2014

Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles are supported on Al2O3or ZrO2modified silica for hydrodeoxygenation of dibenzofuran.
Improved silica–titania catalysts by chitin biotemplating
Authors: Sachse Alexander , Hulea Vasile , Kostov Krassimir L. , Belamie Emmanuel , Alonso Bruno
Published: August 2014

New silica–titania mesoporous catalysts with improved performance were achieved by combining surface and templating properties of α-chitin nanorods recovered from biomass with sol–gel and spray-drying processes.
Crystal chemical characteristics of ellestadite-type apatite: implications for toxic metal immobilization
Authors: Fang Y. N. , Ritter Clemens , White T. J.
Published: August 2014

Ellestadites are silicate–sulphate apatite matrices for the immobilization of toxic metal waste. Phosphate-rich chlorellestadite, Ca10[(SiO4)x(PO4)6−2x(SO4)x]Cl2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) show promise as ceramic waste forms for hazardous fly ashes rich in sulphur and chlorine.
The promise of microfluidic artificial lungs
Authors: Potkay Joseph A.
Published: August 2014

Microfluidic artificial lungs promise to enable a new class of truly portable artificial lungs through biomimetic feature sizes and blood flow paths.
Highly selective and effective mercury(ii) fluorescent sensors
Authors: Hu JingHan , Li JianBin , Qi Jing , Chen JuanJuan
Published: August 2014

A novel and sulfur-free mercury specifically selective and highly sensitive fluorescent chemosensorLbased on the benzimidazole group and the quinoline group as the fluorescence signal group has been designed and synthesized.
A tandem mass spectrometry-based method to assess the architectural purity of synthetic polymers: a case of a cyclic polylactide obtained by click chemistry
Authors: Josse Thomas , De Winter Julien , Dubois Philippe , Coulembier Olivier , Gerbaux Pascal , Memboeuf Antony
Published: August 2014

A tandem mass spectrometry-based method is developed to determine the degree of purity achieved in the cyclization of a linear poly(l-lactide).
Molecular dynamics and dissipative particle dynamics simulations of the miscibility and mechanical properties of GAP/DIANP blending systems
Authors: Yang Junqing , Zhang Xueli , Gao Pin , Gong Xuedong , Wang Guixiang
Published: August 2014

Prediction of miscibility and mechanical properties of GAP/DIANP blends.
RANEY® nickel-catalyzed reductive N-methylation of amines with paraformaldehyde: theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Ge Xin , Luo Chenxi , Qian Chao , Yu Zhiping , Chen Xinzhi
Published: August 2014

RANEY® Ni-catalyzed reductive N-methylation of amines with paraformaldehyde has been investigated.
Effect of pH on the liquid superlubricity between Si3N4 and glass achieved with phosphoric acid
Authors: Li Jinjin , Zhang Chenhui , Luo Jianbin
Published: August 2014

The pH effect on liquid superlubricity achieved with phosphoric acid solution was discussed and the mechanism of pH dependence was revealed.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the macrolide antibiotic (−)-A26771B
Authors: Chatterjee Sucheta , Sharma Anubha , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: August 2014

The macrolide antibiotic (−)-A26771B is synthesized using lipase catalyzed reactions as the key steps.
The oxidation product (NO3−) of NO pollutant in flue gas used as a nitrogen source to improve microalgal biomass production and CO2 fixation
Authors: Cheng Jun , Huang Yun , Lu Hongxiang , Huang Rui , Zhou Junhu , Cen Kefa
Published: August 2014

Oxydate of toxic nitric oxide pollutant in flue gas by UV/H2O2 was used as nitrogen source for microalgae culture to improve CO2 fixation efficiency by 112.8%.
Charge transport behaviors of end-capped narrow band gap polymers in bottom-contact organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Kim Shinae , Park Jin Kuen , Park Yeong Don
Published: August 2014

The ends of conjugated polymer chains were capped with thiophene units to enhance intermolecular packing and decrease device hysteresis by removing charge trap sites.
Porous conducting polymer and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for room temperature gas detection
Authors: Yang Yajie , Yang Xiaojie , Yang Wenyao , Li Shibin , Xu Jianhua , Jiang Yadong
Published: August 2014

Porous conducting polymer and reduced graphene oxide (GO) composites was prepared as sensing materials for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity.
Graphene oxide interpenetrated polymeric composite hydrogels as highly effective adsorbents for water treatment
Authors: Cheng Chong , Liu Zhengyang , Li Xiaoxiao , Su Baihai , Zhou Tao , Zhao Changsheng
Published: August 2014

In this study, synthetic GO interpenetrated PAA composite hydrogels were prepared and systematically studied as 3D high-efficient adsorbents for water treatment.
Construction of thermal- and light-responsive liposomes noncovalently decorated with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Xia Yuqiong , Qi Shuo , Zhang Xinlong , Li Lei , Qu Xiaochao , Zhang Xianghan , Liang Jimin
Published: August 2014

GNP–DPPC, a gold nanoparticle-decorated DPPC liposome complex, can release encapsulated dyes upon heating or illumination. GNP–DPPC also has a faster thermal response and higher critical leakage temperature than liposomes.
Pd-free Sonogashira coupling: one pot synthesis of phthalide via domino Sonogashira coupling and 5-exo-dig cyclization
Authors: Dhara Shubhendu , Singha Raju , Ghosh Munmun , Ahmed Atiur , Nuree Yasin , Das Anuvab , Ray Jayanta K.
Published: August 2014

Phthalides have been synthesized exclusively in one pot via Pd-free Sonogashira coupling.
The palladium(ii) complex of N,N-diethyl-1-ferrocenyl-3-thiabutanamine: synthesis, solution and solid state structure and catalytic activity in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction
Authors: Damljanović Ivan , Stevanović Dragana , Pejović Anka , Ilić Danijela , Živković Marija , Jovanović Jovana , Vukićević Mirjana , Bogdanović Goran A. , Radulović Niko S. , Vukićević Rastko D.
Published: August 2014

A novel phosphine-free ferrocene-containing Pd complex is an excellent precatalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling.
Hexamethylenetetramine mediated simultaneous nitrogen doping and reduction of graphene oxide for a metal-free SERS substrate
Authors: Barman Barun Kumar , Nanda Karuna Kar
Published: August 2014

We report the hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) decorated N-rGO from graphene oxide (GO), metal ions and hexamethylenetetramine.
Sensitization of wide band gap photocatalysts to visible light by molten CuCl treatment
Authors: Iwashina Katsuya , Iwase Akihide , Kudo Akihiko
Published: August 2014

Cu(i)-containing metal oxide photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation were prepared using molten CuCl treatment.
Mechanistic analysis of ammonium cation stability for alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Mohanty Angela D. , Bae Chulsung
Published: August 2014

Stability of a variety of quaternary ammonium groups was systematically studied for development of robust alkaline exchange membranes for fuel cells.
Facile surfactant-free synthesis and characterization of Fe3O4@3-aminophenol–formaldehyde core–shell magnetic microspheres
Authors: Zhao Jianming , Luque Rafael , Qi Wenjing , Lai Jianping , Gao Wenyue , Hasan Shah Gilani Muhammad Rehan , Xu Guobao
Published: August 2014

Fe3O4@3-aminophenol–formaldehyde (Fe3O4@APF) core–shell resin polymer magnetic nanocomposites were fabricated by the polymerization of 3-aminophenol and formaldehyde as efficient absorbants for methyl blue.
Sustainable production of formic acid by electrolytic reduction of gaseous carbon dioxide
Authors: Lee Seunghwa , Ju HyungKuk , Machunda Revocatus , Uhm Sunghyun , Lee Jae Kwang , Lee Hye Jin , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: August 2014

A tin (Sn) nanostructure has been applied to a gas diffusion electrode for the direct electro-reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a zero-gap electrolytic cell.
A facile synthesis of CoFe2O4/biocarbon nanocomposites as efficient bi-functional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Bian Weiyong , Yang Zhenrong , Tian Jinghua , Jin Chao , Shen Ming , Zhou Zhufa , Yang Ruizhi
Published: August 2014

The CoFe2O4/biocarbon nanocomposites synthesized via a facile biosynthesis method have shown high electrocatalytic activity and durability for both the ORR and OER.
Preparation of BaTiO3/low melting glass core–shell nanoparticles for energy storage capacitor applications
Authors: Su Xiaofeng , Riggs Brian C. , Tomozawa Minoru , Nelson J. Keith , Chrisey Douglas B.
Published: August 2014

A core–shell nano-scale mixing method is applied to fabricate highly densified BaTiO3/low melting glass nanocomposites, which appear to be a promising material system for high energy storage capacitor applications.
Influence of reduction-sensitive diselenide bonds and disulfide bonds on oligoethylenimine conjugates for gene delivery
Authors: Yue Dong , Cheng Gang , He Yiyan , Nie Yu , Jiang Qian , Cai Xiaojun , Gu Zhongwei
Published: August 2014

As a new reduction-sensitive linkage, diselenide bonds can also timely release DNA inside the tumor cells, while remaining constant outside the cells, implying its higher stability during the circulation process and great potential for in vivo gene delivery system design.
Combinatorial approach in the design of multifunctional polymeric nano-delivery systems for cancer therapy
Authors: Singh Amit , Talekar Meghna , Tran Thanh-Huyen , Samanta Abishek , Sundaram Ravi , Amiji Mansoor
Published: August 2014

This update summarizes the recent advances in combinatorial design of polymeric material for developing multifunctional nanovectors to deliver nucleic acids and chemodrugs for cancer therapy.
Can a metal nanoparticle based catalyst drive the selective growth of bright SiV color centers in CVD diamonds?
Authors: Cianchetta Ilaria , Tomellini Massimo , Tamburri Emanuela , Gay Stefano , Porchetta Dario , Terranova Maria Letizia , Orlanducci Silvia
Published: August 2014

Nickel nanoparticles produce a massive amount of Si color centers in CVD diamonds.
Piezoelectricity of lead-free (K, Na)NbO3 nanoscale single crystals
Authors: Cheng Li-Qian , Wang Ke , Li Jing-Feng , Liu Yuanming , Li Jiangyu
Published: August 2014

PFM characterization of (K, Na)NbO3 nanoscale single crystals reveals the piezoelectric composition dependence and the existence of a phase boundary.
Red fluorescent genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators for use in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Wu Jiahui , Prole David L. , Shen Yi , Lin Zhihong , Gnanasekaran Aswini , Liu Yingjie , Chen Lidong , Zhou Hang , Chen S. R. Wayne , Usachev Yuriy M. , Taylor Colin W. , Campbell Robert E.
Published: August 2014

Ca2+ is a key intermediary in a variety of signalling pathways and undergoes dynamic changes in its cytoplasmic concentration due to release from stores within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and influx from the extracellular environment. In addition to regulating cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals, these responses also affect the concentration of Ca2+ within the ER and mitochondria. Single fluorescent protein-based Ca2+ indicators, such as the GCaMP series based on GFP, are powerful tools for imaging changes in the concentration of Ca2+ associated with intracellular signalling pathways. Most GCaMP-type indicators have dissociation constants (Kd) for Ca2+ in the high nanomolar to low micromolar range and are therefore optimal for measuring cytoplasmic [Ca2+], but poorly suited for use in mitochondria and ER where [Ca2+] can reach concentrations of several hundred micromolar. We now report GCaMP-type low-affinity red fluorescent genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators for optical imaging (LAR-GECO), engineered to have Kd values of 24 μM (LAR-GECO1) and 12 μM (LAR-GECO1.2). We demonstrate that these indicators can be used to image mitochondrial and ER Ca2+ dynamics in several cell types. In addition, we perform two-colour imaging of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in cells expressing both cytoplasmic GCaMP and ER-targeted LAR-GECO1. The development of these low-affinity intensiometric red fluorescent Ca2+ indicators enables monitoring of ER and mitochondrial Ca2+ in combination with GFP-based reporters.
A Study of the Effectiveness of the S-Pack Program in the Elimination of Frontal Lisping Behavior in Third-Grade Children
Authors: Ryan Bruce P.
Published: August 2014

This clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of the S-Pack Program in eliminating frontal lisping behavior. The subjects were 10 male and 8 female third-grade children with frontal lisps. Six clinicians put them through the three-part establishment program. This was followed by a 15-day transfer program carried out by their parents. An articulation screening test (UOST), the Predictive Screening Test of Articulation (PSTA), and the Arizona Articulation Proficiency Scale (AAPS) administered before and after the program indicated significant improvement in /s/ production. An analysis of a sample of conversational speech taken at the end of the program revealed that 50% of the children demonstrated 90% or better /s/ productions. The S-Pack is an effective, efficient procedure for correcting frontal lisps.
Consonant Errors and Remediation in Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Owens Elmer
Published: August 2014

An analysis of consonant errors for hearing-impaired subjects in a multiple-choice format revealed that about 14 consonants caused most of the difficulty in consonant recognition. For a given consonant, error probability was typically lower in the initial position of the stimulus word than in the final position. When errors were made, the substitutions were limited typically to two or three other consonants, with a greater variety occurring for consonants in the final position. Substitutions tended to be the same over a wide range of pure-tone configurations. Place errors were predominant, but manner errors also occurred. In only a few instances did specific relationships occur between particular stimulus consonants and pure-tone configurations. With knowledge of the error consonants and typical substitutions, auditory recognition of consonants can be improved by programmed instruction methods. Shaping can be accomplished by a manipulation of the response foils (choices). Since it has been shown that visual recognition of consonants can also be improved, advantage can be taken of both the visual and auditory modalities in remedial procedures. Frequency of usage in the language should be considered in the ordering of consonants for retraining purposes. Work in consonant recognition should be beneficial to the hearing-impaired patient as part of a total rehabilitation program.
The Performance of Children With Language-Learning Disabilities on Two Types of Cognitive Tasks
Authors: Masterson Julie J.
Published: August 2014

The performance of children with language-learning disabilities on two types of cognitive tasks was compared to that of two groups without language-learning disabilities, one matched for mental age and the other for language (vocabulary) age. The first task, Concept Formation, measured one’s ability to identify and state the rule for a concept about a set of colored geometric figures when shown instances and noninstances of the concept. The second task, Analysis Synthesis, required the identification and use of a solution key to solve an incomplete logic puzzle. Both tasks involved increases in complexity as additional items were administered. Results indicate that the children with language-learning disabilities performed at a level commensurate with the language-matched group on the Concept Formation task, and at a level commensurate with the mental-age matched group on the Analysis-Synthesis task. The implications of these findings for the nature of language-learning disabilities are discussed.
Real coded genetic algorithm approach with random transfer vectors‐based mutation for short‐term hydro–thermal scheduling
Authors: Haghrah Amirarslan , Mohammadi‐ivatloo Behnam , Seyedmonir Seyedehnegar
Published: August 2014

The short‐term hydro–thermal scheduling involves scheduling of hydro and thermal generations to minimise the fuel cost of thermal plants in a horizon of planning time while meeting various hydraulic and electric system constraints. The problem is considered as a non‐linear and non‐convex problem involving valve‐points effects and transmission losses with a set of equality and inequality constraints. In this study, a novel promising approach is represented with an innovated mutation method utilising genetic algorithm (GA). The proposed real coded GA approach with random transfer vectors‐based mutation (RCGA‐RTVM) is applied to two test systems with different characteristics. The effectiveness of the proposed RCGA‐RTVM is validated by the obtained results. Comparison of the obtained results with recently developed methods shows the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
DC flashover criterion and discharge elongation mechanism in an air–electrolyte interval
Authors: Ouis Amel , Flazi Samir
Published: August 2014

For a better understanding of the flashover criterion and discharge elongation mechanism, an experimental study was carried out in order to find flashover voltage and current according to the pollution amount. A simulation study was then carried out to assess the electric field distribution in the vicinity of the discharge that corresponds to the flashover experimental values. The obtained results show that the average value of the electrical field in the flashover gap discharge‐electrolyte is high compared with the average value obtained in works devoted to the study of air breakdown in the vicinity of an electrical discharge. The average field value of these two systems is lower than the average field value in a metal pin–water system. This result confirms that the presence of an electric discharge weakened the dielectric rigidity of the air. The maximum values of the electrical field in the vicinity of the discharge are high compared with the value of the disruptive field of air at atmospheric pressure. Flashover is, therefore, possible if the electric field distribution along the leakage distance is sufficient for discharge elongation by a progressive breakdown of the air, by Streamer or Townsend mechanism, between the discharge and the electrolyte.
Performance analysis of mean level constant false alarm rate detectors with binary integration in Weibull background
Authors: Baadeche Mohamed , Soltani Faouzi
Published: August 2014

In this study, the authors analyse the performance of some constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors namely: the cell averaging‐CFAR (CA‐CFAR), greatest of CFAR (GO‐CFAR), the smallest of CFAR (SO‐CFAR), the smallest of OS and CA‐CFAR (SOSCA‐CFAR) and the OS and CA‐CFAR greatest of (OSCAGO‐CFAR) detectors in homogeneous and non‐homogeneous Weibull background with binary integration under the assumption of a known shape parameter. The non‐homogeneity is modelled by the presence of interfering targets and the presence of a clutter edge in the reference window. The authors derive close‐form expressions of the probability of false alarm in the case of a homogeneous clutter environment. For a non‐homogeneous environment, the performance of these detectors is investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The obtained results showed that the best false alarm rate performance at clutter boundary is obtained for the OSCAGO and GO‐CFAR detectors, whereas the SOSCA and SO‐CFAR detectors present better performance for the interfering targets situation.
Technology demonstrator of a novel software defined radio‐based aeronautical communications system
Authors: Cheng Yongqiang , Xu Kai , Hu Yim Fun , Pillai Prashant , Baddoo Jim , Smith Aleister , Ali Muhammad , Pillai Anju
Published: August 2014

This study presents the architectural design, software implementation, the validation and flight trial results of an aeronautical communications system developed within the Seamless Aeronautical Networking through integration of Data links Radios and Antennas (SANDRA) project funded by the European 7th Framework Aeronautics and Transport Programme. Based on software defined radio (SDR) techniques, an integrated modular radio (IMR) platform was developed to accommodate several radio technologies. This can drastically reduce the size, weight and cost in avionics with respect to current radio systems implemented as standalone equipment. In addition, the modular approach ensures the possibility to dynamically reconfigure each radio element to operate on a specific type of radio link. A radio resource management (RRM) framework is developed in the IMR consisting of a communication manager for the resource allocation and management of the different radio links and a radio adaptation manager to ensure protocol convergence through IP. The IMR has been validated although flight trials held at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany in June 2013. The results presented in the paper validate the flexibility and scalability of the IMR platform and demonstrate seamless service coverage across different airspace domains through interworking between the IMR and other components of the SANDRA network.
Space‐time QAM wireless MISO systems employing differentially coded in‐/out‐FECC SCQICs over slow‐fading Jakes scattering mobile radio links
Authors: Rahimian Ardavan , Mehran Farhad , Maunder Robert G.
Published: August 2014

This study presents research that supplements and extends the previous works on design of space‐time fully systematic unpunctured (FSU) serial concatenation of quadratic interleaved codes (SCQICs). The requirements for efficient design of the forward error correction (FEC) codecs motivated potential information‐theoretic studies for enjoying the development of low‐complex system components within the FEC encoder/decoder for securing the transmission reliability. Inspired by this motivation, this study not only provides design guidelines to achieve better bit error rate performance in terms of the major design factors of FSU‐SCQICs, that is, component code constraint length and trellis structure, and FEC rate, but also estimates the gain gaps of different quadratic permutation (QP) structures in two crucial untouched aspects: (i) signal‐to‐noise ratio‐region comparison on the optimality and (ii) investigation on the structural parameters of QPs, that is, cyclic shift and primitive factor.
23 µW 8.9‐effective number of bit 1.1 MS/s successive approximation register analog‐to‐digital converter with an energy‐efficient digital‐to‐analog converter switching scheme
Authors: Sun Lei , Ko Chi Tung , Ho Marco , Ng Wai Tung , Leung Ka Nang , Choy Chiu Sing , Pun Kong Pang
Published: August 2014

This study presents a successive approximation register analog‐to‐digital converter with an energy‐efficient switching scheme. A split‐most significant bit capacitor array is used with a least significant bit‐down switching scheme. Compared with the conventional binary‐weighted capacitor array, it reduces the area and average switching energy by 50 and 87% under the same unit capacitor. Moreover, capacitor matching requirement is relaxed by 75%. A prototype design was fabricated in a 0.13 µm complementary metal oxide semiconductor process. It consumes 23.2 µW under 1 V analog supply and 0.5 V digital supply. Measured results show a peak signal‐to‐distortion‐and‐noise ratio of 55.2 dB and an effective resolution bandwidth up to 1.1 MHz when it operates at 1.1 MS/s. Its figure‐of‐merit is 44.1 fJ/ conversion‐step.
A 65 nm CMOS broadband self‐calibrated power detector for the square kilometre array radio telescope
Authors: Wu Ge , Belostotski Leonid , Haslett James W.
Published: August 2014

In this study, a 65 nm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) broadband self‐calibrated high‐sensitivity power detector for use in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the next‐generation high‐sensitivity radio telescope, is presented. The power detector calibration is performed by adjusting voltages at the bulk terminals of the input transistors to compensate for mismatches in the output voltages because of process, voltage and temperature variations. Measurements show that the power detector, preceded by an input power‐match circuit with 6 dB gain, has an input signal range from −48 to −11 dBm over which a 0.95 dB maximum error in the detected power is observed when the calibration rate is 20 kHz. The proposed broadband power detector has a 3 dB upper band edge of 1.8 GHz, which adequately covers the midband SKA frequency range from 0.7 to 1.4 GHz. The settling time and the calibration time are both <5 μs. The circuit consumes 1.2 mW from a 1.2 V power supply and the input‐match circuit consumes another 5.8 mW. The presented power detector achieves the best combination of the detection range and sensitivity of previously published circuits.
Preamble‐aided time delay estimation in frequency selective channels for wireless OFDM systems
Authors: Yu Qun , Lin Haisheng , Feng Suili , Li RongLin
Published: August 2014

In this Letter, an improved method for estimating the time delay in preamble‐aided orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems is presented. It uses a conventional preamble structure and combines cross‐correlation techniques to achieve estimations of time delay and the number of multipaths without any additional overhead. Computer simulations results show that the proposed method is of near‐ideal property in frequency‐selected channels.
Introductory survey for wireless infrared communications
Authors: Jatoi Munsif Ali , Kamel Nidal
Published: August 2014

Wireless infrared communications can be defined as the propagation of light waves in free space using infrared radiation whose range is 400–700 nm. This range corresponds to frequencies of hundreds of terahertz, which is high for higher data rate applications. Wireless infrared is applied for higher data rates applications such as wireless computing, wireless video and wireless multimedia communication applications. Introduced by Gfeller, this field has grown with different link configurations, improved transmitter efficiency, increased receiver responsivity and various multiple access techniques for improved quality. Errors are caused because of background light, which causes degradation overall system performance. Error correction techniques are used to remove the errors caused during transmission. This study provides a brief account on field theory used for error correction in wireless infrared systems. The results are produced in terms of bit error rate and signal‐to‐noise ratio for various bit lengths to show the ability of encoding and decoding algorithms.
Hierarchical energy management mechanisms for an electricity market with microgrids
Authors: Yang Hong‐Tzer , Liao Jian‐Tang
Published: August 2014

This study addresses a micro‐grid electricity market (MGEM) with day‐ahead (DA) and real‐time market mechanisms integrated. The bidding mechanisms for the market are described in this study, considering the generation cost of different distributed energy resources (DERs), like distributed generator, energy storage system and demand response. Including load and renewable generation forecasting systems and a fuzzy decision supporting system, a hierarchical micro‐grid energy management system (MG‐EMS) is then proposed to ensure the benefits of involved micro‐grid central controller, DER owners and customers. To verify the feasibility of the proposed system, the whole‐year historical pricing and load data for New England independent system operator are employed. The numerical results show that the proposed MG‐EMS is promising and effective for the operations of MGEM.
A first-principles study of lithium-decorated hybrid boron nitride and graphene domains for hydrogen storage
Authors: Hu Zi-Yu , Shao Xiaohong , Wang Da , Liu Li-Min , Johnson J. Karl
Published: August 2014

First-principles calculations are performed to investigate the adsorption of hydrogen onto Li-decorated hybrid boron nitride and graphene domains of (BN)xC1−x complexes with x = 1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0, and B0.125C0.875. The most stable adsorption sites for the nth hydrogen molecule in the lithium-decorated (BN)xC1−x complexes are systematically discussed. The most stable adsorption sites were affected by the charge localization, and the hydrogen molecules were favorably located above the C-C bonds beside the Li atom. The results show that the nitrogen atoms in the substrate planes could increase the hybridization between the 2p orbitals of Li and the orbitals of H2. The results revealed that the (BN)xC1−x complexes not only have good thermal stability but they also exhibit a high hydrogen storage of 8.7% because of their dehydrogenation ability.