bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increase trend of social hymenoptera (wasps and honeybees) in urban areas, inferred from moving‐out case by 119 rescue services in Seoul of South Korea
Authors: Choi Moon‐Bo , Kim Jeong‐Kyu , Lee Jong‐Wook
Published: November 2012

The number of social hymenoptera have decreased due to accelerated urbanization in Seoul, Korea, during the 1970s–1990s. However, recent changes in environmental conditions have brought distinct re‐growth of their colonies. In this study, we analyzed the re‐colonization trend of social hymenoptera in Seoul with moving‐out reports submitted to 119 rescue services from 2000 to 2009. A total of 14 253 social hymenoptera findings and treatment cases were reported during that time, and the reported numbers increased continuously every year. Among them, 87% of the cases were related to social wasps and 13% were for honeybees. Social wasps peaked from July to September, when the colonies matured, whereas honeybees peaked from April to July when colonies divided. As observed by geographical information system (GIS), moving‐out cases formed hotspots in low‐story buildings around green areas such as nearby forests or city green parks in Eunpyeong‐gu and Gwanak‐gu in Seoul. Among the social wasps, the most frequent species that caused a nuisance and direct stinging was Polistes rothneyi koreanus, the majority of which nested under eaves (63%). Among the honeybees, Apis mellifera was a nuisance while attaching to buildings and walls in the city (60%) during hive splitting. We present herein the situation of the return of social hymenoptera to Seoul and discuss the possible reasons for the recent increase in social wasps in urban areas, including enlarging the green space in urban areas and stable nesting places, which benefited colony development due to the relatively higher urban temperature and the few natural predators and parasitoids.
Surgeon-Lead Shoulder Ultrasound for Rotator Cuff Tears, Accuracy and Learning Curve
Authors: McCulloch Robert A. , McBride Tim , Choudhury Zak , Armitstead Christopher , Simons Adrian W.
Published: November 2012

Background

The present study aimed to assess the accuracy and characterize the learning curve of surgeon-lead shoulder ultrasound scans (USS) performed in outpatients for suspected rotator cuff tears, with intra-operative findings considered as the gold standard.

Methods

From 2009 to 2011, all patients having arthroscopic shoulder surgery by the senior author were identified. Clinic letters were reviewed to identify those who had undergone USS in clinic. This was then compared with the operating findings.

Results

A total of 66 patients had an USS and proceeded to arthroscopic shoulder surgery during that time. Overall sensitivity and specificity was 0.86 and 0.70, respectively. Comparing values from 2009 to 2011: specificity improved from 0.50 to 0.8; sensitivity remained much the same with 2009 values of 0.88 to 2011 values of 0.86.

Conclusions

The results reflect good sensitivity and specificity, which was comparable with that reported in the literature. There was an improvement in specificity over time displaying a learning curve and emphasizing the question of how much experience in shoulder USS is required before it can be relied upon as the patient's primary imaging preoperatively?
A Review of the Use of Imaging Techniques for Measurement of Glenoid Morphology and its Application to Computer-Assisted Surgery
Authors: Sabo Marlis T. , McBride Tim , Trail Ian A.
Published: November 2012

The anatomy of the glenoid is of critical importance when reconstructing the shoulder joint with arthroplasty. Over the past two decades, numerous techniques for measuring the orientation of the articular surface with respect to the rest of the scapula have been described. The present review examines these methods, as well as how they have evolved with technological advances, and how they can be applied to improve the restoration of normal anatomy with shoulder arthroplasty. The originally described technique has been widely accepted and applied to two- and three-dimensional computed tomography scans. Other new techniques have been described recently that use other landmarks entirely. Recent advances in computer-assisted surgery take these principles of measurement to allow more precise navigation and placement of glenoid components in simulation and in vivo.
Effect of CuO Addition on the Microstructure and Electric Properties of Low‐Temperature Sintered 0.25PMN–0.40PT–0.35PZ Ceramics
Authors: Wang Li , Mao Chaoliang , Wang Genshui , Du Gang , Liang Ruihong , Dong Xianlin
Published: November 2012

Low‐temperature sintering of 0.25PMN–0.40PT–0.35PZ ceramics was investigated using CuO as a sintering aid. Effect of CuO on the sinterability, microstructure, and electric properties of 0.25PMN–0.40PT–0.35PZ system was systematically studied. The CuO addition significantly reduced the sintering temperature of 0.25PMN–0.40PT–0.35PZ from 1260°C to 950°C. SEM results indicated that a dense microstructure without any second phase was obtained when the amount of CuO was 0.25 wt%, which gave rise to high values of d33 = 532 pC/N and kp = 58.4%. A large field‐induced longitudinal strain ~2.28% (at 30 kV/cm) can also be obtained for 0.25 wt% CuO‐added specimens, which shows a great promise for multilayer actuator applications.
Modelling of riverine ecosystems by integrating models: conceptual approach, a case study and research agenda
Authors: Jähnig Sonja C. , Kuemmerlen Mathias , Kiesel Jens , Domisch Sami , Cai Qinghua , Schmalz Britta , Fohrer Nicola
Published: November 2012

Aim

Highly complex interactions between the hydrosphere and biosphere, as well as multifactorial relationships, characterize the interconnecting role of streams and rivers between different elements of a landscape. Applying species distribution models (SDMs) in these ecosystems requires special attention because rivers are linear systems and their abiotic and biotic conditions are structured in a linear fashion with significant influences from upstream/downstream or lateral influences from adjacent areas. Our aim was to develop a modelling framework for benthic invertebrates in riverine ecosystems and to test our approach in a data‐rich study catchment.

Location

We present a case study of a 9‐km section of the lowland Kielstau River located in northern Germany.

Methods

We linked hydrological, hydraulic and species distribution models to predict the habitat suitability for the bivalve Sphaerium corneum in a riverine system. The results generated by the hydrological model served as inputs into the hydraulic model, which was used to simulate the resulting water levels, velocities and sediment discharge within the stream channel.

Results

The ensemble model obtained good evaluation scores (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.96; kappa 0.86; true skill statistic 0.95; sensitivity 86.14; specificity 85.75). Mean values for variables at the sampling sites were not significantly different from the values at the predicted distribution (Mann–Whitney U‐test P > 0.05). High occurrence probabilities were predicted in the downstream half of the 9‐km section of the Kielstau. The most important variable for the model was sediment discharge (contributing 40%), followed by water depth (30%), flow velocity (19%) and stream power (11%).

Main conclusions

The hydrological and hydraulic models are able to produce predictors, acting at different spatial scales, which are known to influence riverine organisms; which, in turn, are used by the SDMs as input. Our case study yielded good results, which corresponded well with ecological knowledge about our study organism. Although this method is feasible for making projections of habitat suitability on a local scale (here: a reach in a small catchment), we discuss remaining challenges for future modelling approaches and large‐scale applications.
A niche for biology in species distribution models
Authors: Higgins Steven I. , O'Hara Robert B. , Römermann Christine
Published: November 2012

Why species are found where they are is a central question in biogeography. The most widely used tool for understanding the controls on distribution is species distribution modelling. Species distribution modelling is now a well‐established method in both the theoretical and applied ecological literature. In this special issue we examine the current state of the art in species distribution modelling and explore avenues for including more biological processes in such models. In particular we focus on physiological, demographic, dispersal, competitive and ecological‐modulation processes. This overview highlights opportunities for new species distribution model concepts and developments, as well as a statistical agenda for implementing such models.
Predictors of Early and Late Target Lesion Revascularization after Drug‐Eluting Stent Implantation
Authors: CHOI IK JUN , PARK HUN‐JUN , SEO SUK‐MIN , KOH YOON‐SEOK , LEE JONG‐MIN , CHANG KIYUK , CHUNG WOOK‐SUNG , SEUNG KI‐BAE , KIM PUM‐JOON
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Recent studies have suggested the existence of a late catch‐up phenomenon after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation. The aim of this study is to identify predictors of early (≤1 year) and late (>1 year) target lesion revascularization (TLR) in DESs.

Methods

The COACT (CathOlic medical center percutAneous Coronary inTervention) registry was designed to evaluate the clinical outcomes after DES implantation. Data from 9,127 consecutive patients were reviewed, all of whom underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES between January 2004 and December 2009, including 8,126 patients who received PCI with homogenous DES.

Results

During a median follow‐up period of 24 months (interquartile range, 11–41), the cumulative incidences of early and late TLR were 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2–5.1) and 3.3% (95% CI, 2.9–3.7). Independent predictors of early TLR were multivessel disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.637; 95% CI 1.241–2.158, P < 0.001) and stent diameter (OR 0.614; 95% CI 0.437–0.862, P = 0.005). Independent predictors of late TLR were stent diameter (OR 0.567; 95% CI 0.367–0.875, P = 0.010), insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (OR 2.235; 95% CI 1.314–3.802, P = 0.003), first‐generation DES (OR 5.104; 95% CI 2.744–9.492, P < 0.001), and elevated levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein at follow‐up coronary angiography >2 mg/dL (OR 1.616; 95% CI 1.173–2.226, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Although multivessel disease and stent diameter were associated with early TLR, late TLR was more associated with clinical comorbidities including insulin‐dependent diabetes and procedural factors like the generation of the stent used and stent diameter. The risk factors for TLR may be markedly different at different time points during TLR. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:137–144)
Delayed delivery of intravenous gentamicin in neonates: impact of infusion variables
Authors: Medlicott Natalie J , Reith David M , McCaffrey Frances , Krittaphol Woravimol , Broadbent Roland S
Published: November 2012

Objective

To investigate infusion variables that delay delivery of gentamicin through neonatal infusion lines.

Methods

Infusions were set up to simulate administration of gentamicin to neonates. The primary infusion was 10% dextrose (Baxter Colleague pump). A syringe driver was used to deliver a coloured marker via the T-connection over 35 min followed by a 1 ml normal saline flush over 35 min. Effects of dextrose concentration, primary infusion rate, dose volume and angle of the primary line were investigated. Gentamicin adsorption to in-line filters (Poisdyne Neo) and administration protocols from different neonatal intensive care units were also investigated.

Key findings

Low dose volumes (<0.4 ml) infused into slow-flowing glucose (dextrose) lines (3.8–4 ml/h) did not mix well at the T-connection. Coloured solutions formed an upper layer that moved in a retrograde direction towards the primary infusion bag. Gentamicin did not adsorb onto Posidyne Neo filters. Comparison of infusion protocols for gentamicin administration showed that slow infusion (30 min) into slow-flowing lines (4 ml/h) containing 10% glucose gave low recovery of drug during the infusion (<30% of intended dose).

Conclusions

Poor mixing at the T-connection appears to be the cause of delayed and/or incomplete gentamicin delivery for low dose volumes and slow infusion rates.
The response threshold of SalmonellaPilZ domain proteins is determined by their binding affinities for c‐di‐GMP
Authors: Pultz Ingrid Swanson , Christen Matthias , Kulasekara Hemantha Don , Kennard Andrew , Kulasekara Bridget , Miller Samuel I.
Published: November 2012

c‐di‐GMP is a bacterial second messenger that is enzymatically synthesized and degraded in response to environmental signals. Cellular processes are affected when c‐di‐GMP binds to receptors which include proteins that contain the PilZ domain. Although each c‐di‐GMP synthesis or degradation enzyme metabolizes the same molecule, many of these enzymes can be linked to specific downstream processes. Here we present evidence that c‐di‐GMP signalling specificity is achieved through differences in affinities of receptor macromolecules. We show that the PilZ domain proteins of Salmonella Typhimurium, YcgR and BcsA, demonstrate a 43‐fold difference in their affinity for c‐di‐GMP. Modulation of the affinities of these proteins altered their activities in a predictable manner in vivo. Inactivation of yhjH, which encodes a predicted c‐di‐GMP degrading enzyme, increased the fraction of the cellular population that demonstrated c‐di‐GMP levels high enough to bind to the higher‐affinity YcgR protein and inhibit motility, but not high enough to bind to the lower‐affinity BcsA protein and stimulate cellulose production. Finally, PilZ domain proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated a 145‐fold difference in binding affinities, suggesting that regulation by binding affinity may be a conserved mechanism that allows organisms with many c‐di‐GMP binding macromolecules to rapidly integrate multiple environmental signals into one output.
Interventions employing mobile technology for overweight and obesity: an early systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Bacigalupo R. , Cudd P. , Littlewood C. , Bissell P. , Hawley M. S. , Buckley Woods H.
Published: November 2012

Obesity is a global epidemic with major healthcare implications and costs. Mobile technologies are potential interventions to promote weight loss. An early systematic review of this rapidly growing area of research was conducted. Electronic databases were searched for articles published between January 1998 and October 2011. Data sources included Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Ongoing research was searched for using clinical trials databases and registers. Out of 174 articles retrieved, 21 met the inclusion criteria of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on mobile technology interventions facilitating weight loss in overweight and obese adults with any other comparator. A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Seven articles were included and appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool: four presented a low risk of bias and three presented a high risk of bias. There is consistent strong evidence across the included multiple high‐quality RCTs that weight loss occurs in the short‐term because of mobile technology interventions, with moderate evidence for the medium‐term. Recommendations for improving the reporting and quality of future trials are made including reporting weight loss in percent to meet clinical standards, and including features such as long‐term follow‐up, cost‐effectiveness and patient acceptability.
B*07:156, revealed by sequence‐based typing of a leukemia patient and confirmed by allele‐specific amplification
Authors: Witter K. , Albert T. , Spannagl M. , Dick A.
Published: November 2012

We present the full‐length sequence of the novel allele HLA‐B*07:156, closely related to B*07:02:01.
Gating of the designed trimeric/tetrameric voltage‐gated H+ channel
Authors: Fujiwara Yuichiro , Kurokawa Tatsuki , Takeshita Kohei , Nakagawa Atsushi , Larsson H. Peter , Okamura Yasushi
Published: November 2012

Key points

The voltage‐gated H+ channel assembles as a dimer by the cytoplasmic coiled‐coil domain.

This study focuses on understanding the structural characteristics and functional significance of dimerization.

Monomeric, trimeric and tetrameric channels can be engineered by changing the assembly state of the coiled coil by mutation, and interestingly, they show functional currents.

However, only the native dimeric form shows successful cooperative gating, which is of physiological importance in the phagosomal production of reactive oxygen species.

These results help us to understand better why the native form of the channel is a dimer from a standpoint of molecular structure and physiological function.

Abstract  The voltage‐gated H+ channel functions as a dimer, a configuration that is different from standard tetrameric voltage‐gated channels. Each channel protomer has its own permeation pathway. The C‐terminal coiled‐coil domain has been shown to be necessary for both dimerization and cooperative gating in the two channel protomers. Here we report the gating cooperativity in trimeric and tetrameric Hv channels engineered by altering the hydrophobic core sequence of the coiled‐coil assembly domain. Trimeric and tetrameric channels exhibited more rapid and less sigmoidal kinetics of activation of H+ permeation than dimeric channels, suggesting that some channel protomers in trimers and tetramers failed to produce gating cooperativity observed in wild‐type dimers. Multimerization of trimer and tetramer channels were confirmed by the biochemical analysis of proteins, including crystallography. These findings indicate that the voltage‐gated H+ channel is optimally designed as a dimeric channel on a solid foundation of the sequence pattern of the coiled‐coil core, with efficient cooperative gating that ensures sustained and steep voltage‐dependent H+ conductance in blood cells.
Combining Mathematical Programming and SysML for Automated Component Sizing of Hydraulic Systems
Authors: Shah Aditya A. , Paredis Christiaan J. J. , Burkhart Roger , Schaefer Dirk
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we present a framework for automated component sizing to extend a designer's ability to evaluate a particular configuration during the architecture exploration phase of a design process. Component sizing is a hard problem to solve, both from a computational and modeling aspect. This is because of competing objectives, requirements from multiple disciplines, and the need to find a good solution quickly for the architecture being considered. In current approaches, designers rely on heuristics and iterate over the multiple objectives and requirements until a satisfactory solution is found. To improve on this state of practice, we introduce advances in the following two areas: (a) solving the problem efficiently so that all of the imposed requirements are satisfied simultaneously and the solution obtained is mathematically optimal and (b) modeling a component sizing problem in a manner that is convenient to designers. An acausal, algebraic, equation-based, declarative modeling approach using mathematical programming (GAMS) is taken to solve these problems more efficiently. The object management group systems modeling language (OMG SysML™) is used to model component sizing problems in order to facilitate problem formulation, model reuse and automatic generation of low-level code that can be solved using GAMS and its solvers. This framework is demonstrated by applying it to an example of a hydraulic log splitter. Based on this initial example, we discuss two advantages of this framework—total time taken in solving multiple scenarios for a given configuration and the graphical representation of a problem in SysML.
Imaging Emission Spectra with Handheld and Cellphone Cameras
Authors: Sitar David
Published: November 2012

As point-and-shoot digital camera technology advances it is becoming easier to image spectra in a laboralory setting on a shoestring budget and get immediale results. With this in mind, I wanted to test three cameras to see how their results would differ. Two undergraduate physics students and I used one handheld 7.1 megapixel (MP) digital Cannon point-and-shoot auto focusing camera and two different cellphone cameras: one at 6.1 MP and the other at 5.1 MP.
The Electric Whirl in the 19th and 21st Centuries
Authors: Daffron John A. , Greenslade Thomas B.
Published: November 2012

The electric whirl or electric fly in Fig. 1 is one of the many electrostatic demonstrations from the 19th century that continue to amuse and delight students today.1 It also introduces them to some good physics.
A Simple Apparatus for Demonstrating Fluid Forces and Newton's Third Law
Authors: Mohazzabi Pirooz , James Mark C.
Published: November 2012

Over 2200 years ago, in order to determine the purity of a golden crown of the king of Syracuse, Archimedes submerged the crown in water and determined its volume by measuring the volume of the displaced water.1 This simple experiment became the foundation of what eventually became known as Archimedes' principle: An object fully or partially immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. The principle is used to explain all questions regarding buoyancy, and the method is still prescribed for determination of the volume of irregularly shaped objects.2
Frames of Reference in the Classroom
Authors: Grossman Joshua
Published: November 2012

The classic film “Frames of Reference”1,2 effectively illustrates concepts involved with inertial and non-inertial reference frames. In it, Donald G. Ivey and Patterson Hume use the cameras perspective to allow the viewer to see motion in reference frames translating with a constant velocity, translating while accelerating, and rotating—all with respect to the Earth frame. The film is a classic for good reason, but today it does have a couple of drawbacks: 1) The film by nature only accommodates passive learning. It does not give students the opportunity to try any of the experiments themselves. 2) The dated style of the 50-year-old film can distract students from the physics content. I present here a simple setup that can recreate many of the movies demonstrations in the classroom. The demonstrations can be used to supplement the movie or in its place, if desired. All of the materials except perhaps the inexpensive web camera should likely be available already in most teaching laboratories. Unlike previously described activities, these experiments do not require travel to another location3 or an involved setup.4,5
The Period of a Swinging Rod in an Oscillating Frame of Reference
Authors: Biezeveld Hubert
Published: November 2012

It was obvious long ago that for mechanical behavior a gravitational field and an accelerating frame of reference are equivalent.1 Or in other words: it is impossible to decide whether you are in an accelerating elevator or in a closed room on a planet with a different value of g. In the first section of this article I will describe a simple experiment that illustrates this. In the second part I will give a numerical model that predicts the results. Data collection and the calculations were carried out using Coach and CoachLab2.2
Resistance Studies of a Dithiazol Analogue, DBPR110, as a Potential Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Inhibitor in Replicon Systems
Authors: Lin Hui-Mei , Wang Jing-Chyi , Hu Han-Shu , Wu Pei-Shan , Wang Wen-Hung , Wu Su-Ying , Yang Chi-Chen , Yeh Teng-Kuang , Hsu Tsu-An , Jiaang Weir-Torn , Chao Yu-Sheng , Chern Jyh-Haur , Yueh Andrew
Published: November 2012

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a member of theFlaviviridaefamily, affects approximately 3% of the world's population and is becoming the leading cause of liver disease in the world. Therefore, the development of novel or more effective treatment strategies to treat chronic HCV infection is urgently needed. In our previous study, we identified a potential HCV NS5A inhibitor, BP008. After further systemic optimization, we discovered a more potent HCV inhibitor, DBPR110. DBPR110 reduced the reporter expression of the HCV1b replicon with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) and a selective index value of 3.9 ± 0.9 pM and >12,800,000, respectively. DBPR110 reduced HCV2a replicon activity with an EC50and a selective index value of 228.8 ± 98.4 pM and >173,130, respectively. Sequencing analyses of several individual clones derived from the DBPR110-resistant RNAs purified from cells harboring genotype 1b and 2a HCV replicons revealed that amino acid substitutions mainly within the N-terminal region (domain I) of NS5A were associated with decreased inhibitor susceptibility. P58L/T and Y93H/N in genotype 1b and T24A, P58L, and Y93H in the genotype 2a replicon were the key substitutions for resistance selection. In the 1b replicon, V153M, M202L, and M265V play a compensatory role in replication and drug resistance. Moreover, DBPR110 displayed synergistic effects with alpha interferon (IFN-α), an NS3 protease inhibitor, and an NS5B polymerase inhibitor. In summary, our results present an effective small-molecule inhibitor, DBPR110, that potentially targets HCV NS5A. DBPR110 could be part of a more effective therapeutic strategy for HCV in the future.
TRIF Mediates Toll-Like Receptor 2-Dependent Inflammatory Responses to Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Petnicki-Ocwieja Tanja , Chung Erin , Acosta David I. , Ramos Laurie T. , Shin Ok S. , Ghosh Sanjukta , Kobzik Lester , Li Xin , Hu Linden T.
Published: November 2012

TRIF is an adaptor molecule important in transducing signals from intracellularly signaling Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR4. Recently, TLR2 was found to signal from intracellular compartments. Using a synthetic ligand for TLR2/1 heterodimers, as well asBorrelia burgdorferi, which is a strong activator of TLR2/1, we found that TLR2 signaling can utilize TRIF. Unlike TRIF signaling by other TLRs, TLR2-mediated TRIF signaling is dependent on the presence of another adaptor molecule, MyD88. However, unlike MyD88 deficiency, TRIF deficiency does not result in diminished control of infection withB. burgdorferiin a murine model of disease. This appears to be due to the effects of MyD88 on phagocytosis via scavenger receptors, such as MARCO, which are not affected by the loss of TRIF. In mice, TRIF deficiency did have an effect on the production of inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that regulation of inflammatory cytokines and control of bacterial growth may be uncoupled, in part through transduction of TLR2 signaling through TRIF.
The essential elements of health impact assessment and healthy public policy: a qualitative study of practitioner perspectives
Authors: Harris Patrick John , Kemp Lynn Amanda , Sainsbury Peter
Published: November 2012

Objectives

This study uses critical realist methodology to identify the essential and contingent elements of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Healthy Public Policy (HPP) as operationalised by practitioners.

Design

Data collection—qualitative interviews and a workshop were conducted with HIA and HPP practitioners working in differing contexts.

Data analysis

Critical realist analytical questions identified the essential elements of HIA and HPP, the relationship between them, and the influences of public policy and other contingencies on the practice of both.

Participants

Nine interviews were conducted with purposively sampled participants working in Europe, USA and Australasia. 17 self-selected participants who worked in Europe, South East Asia and Australasia attended the workshop.

Results

The results clarify that HIA and HPP are different but mutually supporting. HIA has four characteristics: assessing a policy proposal to predict population health and equity impacts, a structured process for stakeholder dialogue, making recommendations and flexibly adapting to the policy process. HPP has four characteristics: concern with a broad definition of health, designing policy to improve people's health and reduce health inequities, intersectoral collaboration and influencing the policy cycle from inception to completion. HIA brings to HPP prediction about a policy's broad health impacts, and a structured space for intersectoral engagement, but is one approach within a broader suite of HPP activities. Five features of public policy and seven contingent influences on HIA and HPP practice are identified.

Conclusions

This study clarifies the core attributes of HIA and HPP as separate yet overlapping while subject to wider influences. This provides the necessary common language to describe the application of both and avoid conflated expectations of either. The findings present the conceptual importance of public policy and the institutional role of public health as distinct and important influences on the practice of HIA and HPP.
Geographical variation in certification rates of blindness and sight impairment in England, 2008–2009
Authors: Malik Aeesha N J , Bunce Catey , Wormald Richard , Suleman Mehrunisha , Stratton Irene , Gray J A Muir
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To examine and interpret the variation in the incidence of blindness and sight impairment in England by PCT, as reported by the Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI).

Design

Analysis of national certification data.

Setting

All Primary Care Trusts, England.

Participants

23 773 CVI certifications issued from 2008 to 2009.

Main Outcome measures

Crude and Age standardised rates of CVI data for blindness and sight loss by PCT.

Methods

The crude and age standardised CVI rates per 100 000 were calculated with Spearman's rank correlation used to assess whether there was any evidence of association between CVI rates with Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the Programme Spend for Vision.

Results

There was high-level variation, almost 11-fold (coefficient of variation 38%) in standardised CVI blindness and sight impairment annual certification rates across PCTs. The mean rate was 43.7 and the SD 16.7. We found little evidence of an association between the rate of blindness and sight impairment with either the IMD or Programme Spend on Vision.

Conclusions

The wide geographical variation we found raises questions about the quality of the data and whether there is genuine unmet need for prevention of sight loss. It is a concern for public health practitioners who will be interpreting these data locally and nationally as the CVI data will form the basis of the public health indicator ‘preventable sight loss’. Poor-quality data and inadequate interpretation will only create confusion if not addressed adequately from the outset. There is an urgent need to address the shortcomings of the current data collection system and to educate all public health practitioners.
DESIGN OF PSEUDO-RANDOM BIT GENERATOR BASED ON CHAOTIC MAPS
Authors: WANG XING-YUAN , YANG LEI
Published: November 2012

In order to solve the problem of degradation of dynamical properties caused by finite states of computer, a new binary stream-cipher algorithm based on dual one-dimensional chaotic maps is proposed in this paper. In the process of generation, we employ a parameter of one chaotic map to perturb the other chaotic map's trajectory to lengthen the cycle-length of the other chaotic map's trajectory. In addition, we design a nonlinear principle to generate a pseudo-random chaotic bit sequence as key stream. Statistic proprieties show that the sequence is of high randomness.
Electrochemical Properties of Tungsten Oxide Nanowires Compared to Bulk Particles
Authors: Meda Lamartine , Dangerfield Aaron M. , Jones Mila'na C. , White Christian M. , Navulla Anantharamulu
Published: November 2012

The electrochemical properties of oxygen-deficient tungsten oxide (W18O49) nanowires were investigated. The nanowires were prepared via a simple thermal evaporation method. The as-deposited nanowires were 60–90 nm in diameter and several micrometers long as measured by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The crystal structure was indexed to the monoclinic W18O49 phase. The electrochemical properties of the nanowires and WO3 bulk particles were examined by cyclic voltammetry between 2 and 4 V vs Li/Li+. We found that the nanowires cycle better than the bulk particles.
Vacuum Annealing Formation of Graphene on Diamond C(111) Surfaces Studied by Real-Time Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Ogawa Shuichi , Yamada Takatoshi , Ishizduka Shinji , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Hasegawa Masataka , Teraoka Yuden , Takakuwa Yuji
Published: November 2012

To clarify the graphene formation process on a diamond C(111) surface, changes in the chemical bonding state caused by annealing in vacuum were investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. It was difficult to study the formation of sp2-bonded carbon atoms on a diamond C(111) surface using photoelectron spectroscopy because the peak of the sp2 component overlaps the peak of the surface sp3 component as a result of the 2×1 reconstruction. Therefore, we focused on the shift in the C 1s photoelectron spectra and energy loss spectra caused by band bending depending on the temperature. As a result, we found that graphitization on the diamond C(111) surface began at approximately 1120 K, which was lower than that for a SiC substrate. The obtained photoelectron spectra indicated that a buffer layer composed of sp2-bonded carbon atoms existed at the interface between graphene and the diamond C(111) surface.
Study on the Structural, Electrical, and Magnetic Properties of Pure and (Pr3+,Co2+)-Doped BiFeO3Powders and Thin Films
Authors: Albino Gina Montes , Gálvez-Saldaña Marco , Perales-Pérez Oscar
Published: November 2012

The present work addresses the systematic evaluation of the influence of the incorporation of praseodymium (Pr) and cobalt (Co) ions in the bismuth ferrite (BFO) structure on its corresponding structural, ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The level of the doping ions varied from 0 to 4 at. %. Pure and doped BFO powders and thin films were synthesized by a modified sol–gel method. In the case of thin films, glycol was added to the main solvent to increase the viscosity of the precursor solutions and promote their adhesion onto platinum substrates. The development of the host BFO structure was confirmed by XRD analyses of samples annealed in air at 700 °C for 1 h (powders) and 500 °C for Pr and Co-doped BFO thin films. The incorporation of specific dopant ions played an important role in the ferromagnetic and ferroelectric behavior in the material.
Cobalt-Doped Antimony/Tin Oxide Sol–Gels on Carbon–Silicon Layers for Modeling Sol–Gel-Carbon Fiber Interfaces
Authors: Richard Brandon Demar , Alcantar Norma , Thomas Sylvia Wilson
Published: November 2012

This research presents a novel thermo-responsive sol–gel (dopant) combination and evaluation of the actuating responses due to various heat treatment temperatures. In this project, samples of antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) doped with 0.1% cobalt oxide (0.1% Co2O3) sol–gel on carbon/silicon substrates are used to model the implementation of sol–gel coatings into carbon fiber composite systems. While ATO is a well-known transparent conductive material, the addition of cobalt oxide (Co2O3) alters its morphology and optical parameters at low annealing temperatures. By altering the ATO (0.1% Co2O3) heat treatment temperatures, the grain size starts to increase at 200 °C. However, when approaching 500 °C, Raman spectroscopy shows that the increase in intensity of ATO (0.1% Co2O3) is lower than ATO undoped. Scanning electron microscopy is used for imaging, and energy dispersive spectroscopy will be used for the composition analysis. Optical reflectance is reported via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy analysis.
Synthesis of Au Nanorods by Using Gamma-ray Irradiation
Authors: Okamoto Akihiko , Nagata Koichiro , Taguchi Noboru , Iwase Akihiro , Hori Fuminobu
Published: November 2012

To synthesize Au nanorods without the use of seed crystals, we applied gamma-ray irradiation from 60Co radioactive source to reduce aqueous solution containing Au ions. The total dose was fixed to 6.0 kGy with various dose rates from 0.4 to 13.6 kGy/h. After the irradiation, two surface plasmon bands in the range around 530 nm and above 700 nm were observed in UV/vis spectra. We observed by a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that rod-shaped Au nanoparticles with the length of 20–25 nm, and the width of about 7–15 nm were produced as well as a small amount of spherical particles. The size and the aspect ratio of the Au nanorods are well correlated with gamma-ray irradiation dose rate; with increasing the dose rate, their size decreases and the aspect ratio increases.
Growth Control of Dry Yeast Using Scalable Atmospheric-Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Irradiation
Authors: Kitazaki Satoshi , Koga Kazunori , Shiratani Masaharu , Hayashi Nobuya
Published: November 2012

We have investigated the effects of plasma irradiation on the growth of dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) using a scalable atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device. NO of 380 ppm, NO2 of 10 ppm and O3 of 560 ppm were detected 1 mm below the discharges, which were produced by the DBD plasmas. DBD plasma irradiation of 10 to 100 s enhances the growth of yeast in the lag phase, whereas that of 120 and 150 s suppresses the growth. O3, NO2, photons, and heat generated by the plasma irradiation are not responsible for the growth enhancement of the dry yeast. Plasma etching has little effect on the growth of dry yeast cells. NO plays a key role in the growth enhancement of dry yeast cells.
Proposal of All-Optical Active Microring Logic Gate for Microring Processor
Authors: Yajima Hideki , Nishimura Masaki , Arakawa Taro , Kokubun Yasuo
Published: November 2012

We propose and analyze all-optical active microring logic gates for a microring processor that has various integrated all-optical signal processing functions. The active microring logic gate is composed of an InGaAsP/InP multiple quantum well and is operated on the basis of cross gain modulation (XGM) and cross phase modulation (XPM). The XGM and XPM are enhanced in the active microring resonator, leading to low-power consumption. We have analyzed and successfully demonstrated 10 Gbps wavelength conversion and NOT, NOR, OR and 5 Gbps AND gate operations by the transfer matrix method (TMM). The simulation results show that the proposed active microring can be operated with very low energy input signals as low as 1.0–20 fJ/pulse.
First-Principles Calculations of Adatom–Vacancy Pairs on the Graphene
Authors: Lin Jianbo , Nishida Kazunori , Saito Mineo
Published: November 2012

By using first-principles calculation, we study adatom–vacancy pairs on graphenes. We found that the healing barrier of the adatom–vacancy pair is very small (0.06 eV) when the adatom is bonded to a nearest carbon atom of the mono-vacancy. Therefore, this pair is easily healed. On the contrary, when the adatom is located 4.26–5.54 Å far from the vacant site, the healing barrier becomes high (0.24–0.32 eV), but these barriers are lower than that of the adatom diffusion. It is therefore expected that these adatom–vacancy pairs are healed in low temperature range where the adatom does not diffuse.
Growth Conditions and Structural Properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Films Prepared by Selenization Method Using Diethylselenide
Authors: Uchikoshi Masaki , Shirakata Sho
Published: November 2012

The relationship between the selenization conditions and structural properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films was investigated for the selenization method using diethylselenide (DESe). The grain structure changed markedly depending on selenization temperature, selenization time, and DESe flow rate. The CIGS thin films selenized at a high temperature (HT: 500–540 °C), which is referred to as a one-step selenization are very rough. On the other hand, the films selenized at a low temperature (LT: 350–450 °C) exhibited a relatively uniform thickness and densely packed grains, although they contain second binary phases such as In–Se and Cu9Ga4. To form a single-phase chalcopyrite CIGS film, a two-step selenization method is examined, in which the films selenized at LT (first step) are subsequently selenized at HT (second step). Single-phase densely packed CIGS thin films with uniform thickness were obtained by the two-step selenization. The use of the InSe/Cu0.7Ga0.3 precursor was proposed, and the selenization of this precursor successfully yielded single-phase CIGS thin films with a flat surface. The importance of the role of InSe during the selenization process using DESe is discussed.
Oxide Solar Cells Fabricated Using Zinc Oxide and Plasma-Oxidized Cuprous Oxide
Authors: Chan Yi-Ming , Wu Ya-Ting , Jou Shyankay
Published: November 2012

Oxide heterojunction solar cells composed of an n-type Al-doped ZnO (AZO) thin film on the surfaces of p-type Cu2O films were fabricated. The Cu2O films of about 0.34 to 1.67 µm thickness were grown by partial oxidation of a Cu sheet using microwave plasma. The AZO film of 400 nm thickness was deposited by magnetron sputtering. Energy conversion efficiencies of 0.12 to 0.30% were obtained in AZO/Cu2O cells under AM1.5 solar illumination.
Thickness Dependence of Structure and Optical Characteristics in Fluorine-Doped SnO2 Films Grown by Spray Pyrolysis Method
Authors: Oshima Minoru , Yoshino Kenji
Published: November 2012

Transparent conducting thin films of fluorine-doped SnO2 were deposited on glass substrates by a spray pyrolysis technique in order to investigate the effect of film thickness. These films were prepared at a substrate temperature of 500 °C. The thickness of the samples was between approximately 70 nm and 1.5 µm. The preferred grain orientation of the films varied with increasing film thickness. The grain size of the surface increased with increasing film thickness. Crystal growth occurred at several stages of film growth. In the first stage, pores were formed in the film. Secondly, the grains grew in two dimensions and completely coved the substrate surface. Finally, the grains became columnar crystals with increasing film thickness. The electrical resistivity decreased with increasing film thickness although this was accompanied by a decrease in optical transmittance. The IR absorption increased despite a constant carrier concentration. Film thickness also increased. This result meant that with a constant high carrier concentration, the increased film thickness enhanced the absorption.
Lifetime of Molecular Nitrogen at Metastable A3Σu+State in Afterglow of Inductively-Coupled Nitrogen Plasma
Authors: Horikawa Yoshimine , Hayashi Toshio , Sasaki Koichi
Published: November 2012

The lifetime of the metastable A3Σu+state of molecular nitrogen was examined in the afterglow of inductively-coupled nitrogen plasma, and it was compared with the diffusion time constant which was determined by the geometry of the vacuum chamber, the gas pressure, and the gas temperature. As a result, we found that the decay time constants observed at almost all the discharge conditions were longer than the diffusion time constants. We discussed the possibilities of non-relaxed reflection on the chamber wall and gas-phase production of N2(A3Σu+), in order to explain the long decay time constants observed experimentally.
Eval begone!
Authors: Meawad Fadi , Richards Gregor , Morandat Floréal , Vitek Jan
Published: November 2012

Eval endows JavaScript developers with great power. It allows developers and end-users, by turning text into executable code, to seamlessly extend and customize the behavior of deployed applications as they are running. With great power comes great responsibility, though not in our experience. In previous work we demonstrated through a large corpus study that programmers wield that power in rather irresponsible and arbitrary ways. We showed that most calls to eval fall into a small number of very predictable patterns. We argued that those patterns could easily be recognized by an automated algorithm and that they could almost always be replaced with safer JavaScript idioms. In this paper we set out to validate our claim by designing and implementing a tool, which we call Evalorizer, that can assist programmers in getting rid of their unneeded evals. We use the tool to remove eval from a real-world website and validated our approach over logs taken from the top 100 websites with a success rate over 97% under an open world assumption.
Urticaria in Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins
Authors: Thomsen Simon Francis , van der Sluis Sophie , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm , Backer Vibeke
Published: November 2012

Aim. To identify risk factors for urticaria, to determine the relative proportion of the susceptibility to urticaria that is due to genetic factors in an adult clinical twin sample, and to further determine whether the genetic susceptibility to urticaria overlaps with the genetic susceptibility to atopic diseases. Methods. A total of 256 complete twin pairs and 63 single twins, who were selected from sibships with self-reported asthma via a questionnaire survey of 21,162 adult twins from the Danish Twin Registry, were clinically interviewed about a history of urticaria and examined for atopic diseases. Data were analysed with Cox proportional hazards regression and variance components models. Results. A total of 151 individuals (26%) had a history of urticaria, whereas 24 (4%) had had symptoms within the past year. Female sex, HR=2.09 (1.46–2.99), P=0.000; hay fever, HR=1.92 (1.36–2.72), P=0.000; and atopic dermatitis, HR=1.44 (1.02–2.06), P=0.041 were significant risk factors for urticaria. After adjustment for sex and age at onset of urticaria in the index twin, the risk of urticaria was increased in MZ cotwins relative to DZ cotwins, HR=1.42 (0.63–3.18), P=0.394. Genetic factors explained 45% (16–74%), P=0.005, of the variation in susceptibility to urticaria. The genetic correlation between urticaria and hay fever was 0.45 (0.01–0.89), P=0.040. Conclusions. Susceptibility to urticaria is partly determined by genetic factors. Urticaria is more common in women, and in subjects with hay fever and atopic dermatitis, and shares genetic variance with hay fever.
Hydrodynamics of a Free Floating Vertical Axisymmetric Oscillating Water Column Device
Authors: Mavrakos S. A. , Konispoliatis D. N.
Published: November 2012

This paper aims at presenting a general formulation of the hydrodynamic problem of a floating or restrained oscillating water column device. Three types of first‐order boundary value problems are investigated in order to calculate the velocity potential of the flow field around the device. The horizontal and vertical exciting wave forces, the rolling moment, the hydrodynamic parameters, the volume flows, and the drift forces are obtained in order to find the loads on the structure. The efficiency rate of the device is calculated in connection with the absorbed power and the capture length of energy absorption. Finally, the resulting wave motion inside and outside the device and the inner air pressure are examined.