bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinoza, Carr, and the ethics ofThe Twenty Years' Crisis
Authors: MOLLOY SEÁN
Published: March 2013

This article reads Carr through the lens of Spinoza's ethics, and Spinoza through the prism of Carr's IR Theory. The argument of the piece is that there are significant parallels in the ethical projects of both writers, which upon further examination reveal important aspects of global political life and the nature and limits of ethics in International Relations. The close, critical examination of Spinoza ad Carr undertaken in this article also sheds light on the most controversial aspect of Carr's career, his advocacy of appeasement in Nazi Germany.
THE ZAGREB INDICES OF RANDOM GRAPHS
Authors: Feng Qunqiang , Hu Zhishui , Su Chun
Published: March 2013

Several limit laws for the Zagreb indices of the classical Erdös–Rényi random graphs are investigated in this paper. We have obtained the necessary and sufficient condition for the asymptotic normality of the two Zagreb indices (suitably normalized), as well as the explicit values for the means and variances of both the indices. Besides, the limiting joint distribution of the numbers of paths of various lengths is also studied under several conditions.
QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF PARTIAL INFORMATION ON SHARPE RATIO OPTIMIZATION
Authors: Zhang Lihong , Zhao Lin
Published: March 2013

Motivated by the fact that many investors have limited ability to update the expectation regarding future stock returns with the arrival of new information instantly, this paper provides a continuous-time model to study the performance of passive trading strategies. We derive the true Sharp ratio of the passive strategies in terms of the mean and variance of an explicit stochastic process. Based on this expression, we quantify the impact of partial information by performing a thorough comparative static analysis. Such an analysis provides a rationale for why investors with inaccurate information about stock return behave better in the mean-reverting environment than in the i.i.d. environment and why pessimistic investors can achieve better performance than optimistic ones. As a by-product, we propose an analytical approach to compute the “implied” parameters in stock return predictor for both i.i.d. and mean-reverting dynamics, which seems interesting for future research.
A role for polyglucans in a model sea urchin embryo cellular interaction
Authors: Singh Suprita , Karabidian Eddie , Kandel Alexander , Metzenberg Stan , Carroll Edward J. , Oppenheimer Steven B.
Published: March 2013

The enzymatic activities of commercially prepared glycosidases were verified by direct chemical assays using defined substrates and fixed and live sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) embryos to determine if a model cellular interaction of interest to developmental biologists for over a century (interaction of archenteron tip and roof of the blastocoel) was mediated by glycans. Glycosidases (active and denatured) were incubated with microdissected archenterons and blastocoel roofs in a direct assay to learn if their enzymatic activities could prevent the normal adhesive interaction. Of the five glycosidases tested only β-amylase (an exoglycosidase) immediately inhibited the interaction at relatively low unit activity. α-Amylase (an endoglycosidase) had no measurable effect, while other glycosidases (α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase) only substantially inhibited adhesion after a 12-h incubation. We demonstrated that the five glycosidases were active (not inhibited) in the presence of embryo materials, and that cleaved sugars could be detected directly after incubation of some enzymes with the embryos. The biochemical purity of the enzymes was examined using gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions, and the absence of contaminating proteases was confirmed using Azocoll™ substrate. As we cannot entirely rule out the presence of minor contaminating enzymatic activities, only inhibitions of adhesion after very short incubations with enzyme were considered significant and biologically relevant. Although glycans in indirect experiments have been implicated in mediating the interaction of the tip of the archenteron and roof of the blastocoel, to our knowledge, this is the first study that directly implicates polyglucans with terminal 1,4-linked glucose residues in this adhesive event.
A Consensus Process on the Use of Exercises and After Action Reports to Assess and Improve Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
Authors: Savoia Elena , Preston Jessica , Biddinger Paul D.
Published: March 2013

Introduction

The objective of disaster preparedness is to ensure that appropriate systems, procedures, and resources are in place to provide prompt, effective assistance to disaster victims, thus facilitating relief measures and rehabilitation of services. Disaster preparedness efforts include the identification of possible health scenarios based on the probability of hazards and vulnerability of the population as a basis for creating a disaster plan. Exercises that simulate emergency response, involving the health and other sectors, have been suggested as useful tools to test the plans on a regular basis and measure preparedness efforts; the absence of actual testing is likely to negate even the best of abstract plans.

Problem

Exercises and after action reports (AARs) are used to document preparedness activities. However, to date, limited analysis has been performed on what makes an exercise an effective tool to assess public health emergency preparedness (PHEP), and how AARs can be developed and used to support PHEP improvement efforts. The scope of this project was to achieve consensus on: (1) what makes an exercise an effective tool to assess PHEP; and (2) what makes an AAR an effective tool to guide PHEP improvement efforts.

Methods

Sixty-one PHEP experts were convened by the use of Nominal Group Techniques to achieve consensus on a series of characteristics that exercises should have when designed to assess PHEP and on the recommendations for developing high-quality AARs.

Results

The panelists achieved consensus on a list of recommendations to improve the use of exercises and AARs in PHEP improvement efforts. Such recommendations ranged from the characteristics of the exercise audience to the evaluation methodology being used and the characteristics of the produced AAR such as its structure and content.

Conclusions

The characteristics of the exercise audience, scenario and scope are among the most important attributes to the effectiveness of an exercise conducted for PHEP evaluation purposes. The evaluation instruments used to gather observations need an appropriate matching between exercise objectives and the response capabilities tested during the exercise, to build the base for the production of a good AAR. Improvements in the design and creation of exercises and AARs could facilitate better reporting and measurement of preparedness outcomes.

SavoiaE, PrestonJ, BiddingerPD. A consensus process on the use of exercises and after action reports to assess and improve public health emergency preparedness and response. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(3):1-4.
Complicating the Political Scientist as Blogger
Authors: Farley Robert
Published: March 2013

In our efforts to make blogging an acceptable component of an academic career in political science, we ought not tame the practice of blogging beyond recognition. Multiple models exist under which blogging can contribute to the discipline of political science and through which political scientists can contribute to the public sphere.
Teaching Redistricting: Letting the People Draw the Lines for the People's House
Authors: Boatright Robert G. , Giner Nicholas M. , Gomes James R.
Published: March 2013

The 2012 congressional redistricting was the first for which census data and mapmaking software were available to and easily useable by undergraduate students. We discuss our experience teaching the redistricting process to undergraduates and having our students draw constitutionally and statutorily valid congressional districts for Massachusetts. Bringing students into the process is a valuable teaching tool, and it also provides unbiased redistricting scenarios to state legislators and makes the redistricting process more open and transparent. Perhaps contrary to the fears of some legislators, our students placed substantial value on incumbency and the preservation of existing district lines, along with a respect for the traditional redistricting concerns of communities of interest and compactness.
Of Bridges and Borders: An APSA Congressional Fellow's North American Tale
Authors: Asada Matthew K.
Published: March 2013

I had seen once before, halfway around the world, what a new bridge could do to a border region. However, despite having worked in border towns and on border issues for more than a decade, I had never given much thought to the border in my own backyard. I remember crossing the Detroit River to visit the casinos in Windsor, Ontario, before Detroit had her own and seeing the lines of trucks waiting to cross the bridge and being unaware of the border's economic importance to the region and the country. I had studied the economic benefits of European integration, but never thought about how those lessons could be applied to the North American continent. However, last year as a 2011–2012 APSA congressional fellow working with my hometown congressman US Representative Gary Peters I had the opportunity to apply these overseas experiences to a border that mattered to my town, state, and country. The US-Canadian border is not only the world's longest nonmilitarized border, but is also the line separating my hometown Detroit, Michigan, from Windsor, Ontario; and it is the line preventing the region and the two countries from fully realizing their economic potential.
Teaching the Arab Uprisings: Between Media Maelstrom and Pedantic Pedagogy
Authors: Iskandar Adel
Published: March 2013

The recent protests and revolutionary movements in the Middle East, which commenced in late 2010, constitute a cataclysm not only in the way we understand the relation between states and publics in each respective country, but also in the manner the region is taught. Significantly, Arab media studies has emerged as a vital and extremely functional subject of immediate relevance to the studies of Middle East politics. The explosion of media worldwide and in the region has created new connections, increased information flows, and forged new opportunities for solidarities and transnational dissident identities to emerge.
Spaces of Resistance: the Adorno–Nono Complex
Authors: PHILLIPS WESLEY
Published: March 2013

The historical and theoretical resonances between the work of Theodor Adorno and that of Luigi Nono have hitherto remained underexplored. In this article a debate is constructed between the two figures concerning the politics of space in advanced music in order to question a frequently held opposition between ‘autonomous’ and ‘political’ art. Nono can be seen to interweave German and Italian traditions of historical materialism, responding simultaneously to the issues of both reification and imperialism. This is drawn out by way of Adorno's evolving attitude towards the younger generation at Darmstadt, via his revised understanding of the relationship between music and painting. Conversely the solidarity Nono maintained with contemporary spaces of resistance while not compromising his musical language promises to expand Adorno's aesthetic theory.
Ernst Krenek's ‘Problem of Freedom’ inJonny spielt auf
Authors: NIELSEN NANETTE
Published: March 2013

Ernst Krenek's operaJonny spielt auf(1927) was, according to the composer, concerned with ‘the problem of freedom’. But in what ways did it grapple with this problem? This article offers a new interpretation of Krenek's opera in light of the composer's views on freedom, developments in contemporary criticism, and the wider context of German Idealism. By focusing on constructions of subjectivity inJonny, I argue that, much as Krenek lamented the fact that the opera's fundamental message had not been taken seriously enough in the work's reception, he himself had presented this theme of individual freedom ambiguously in musical terms. As a work that mediated between ethics and aesthetics, consistently adhering to an irreconcilable dialectic between the individual and the community,Jonny spielt aufcontributed in important ways to the discourse that would stir so many Weimar intellectuals over the next few years to warn against the power of mass culture.
Neue genetische Tests und ihr Nutzen in der Krebsvorsorge
Authors: Probst-Hensch Nicole M. , Brand Angela
Published: March 2013

Mit der Entschlüsselung des menschlichen Genoms waren Erwartungen im Hinblick auf die medizinischen Anwendungen der neuen Erkenntnisse verbunden, die sich nicht in dem erhoffen Ausmaß erfüllt haben. Der klinische Nutzen von Gentests im Bereich von familiär gehäuft auftretenden Krebsarten für die gesunden Familienmitglieder ist unumstritten, wenn sich hierdurch das Erkrankungsrisiko mit Hilfe präventiver Interventionen substantiell senken lässt. So lässt sich das Brust- und Eierstockkrebsrisiko von Trägerinnen einer BRCA1- oder BRCA2-Mutation dank prophylaktischer Mastektomie oder Ovarektomie substantiell senken. In den letzten Jahren beschäftigte sich die Forschung aber vor allem mit der Entschlüsselung der genetischen Ursachen sporadisch auftretender, komplexer Krebsarten. Mit Hilfe von genomweiten, hypothesenfreien Assoziationsstudien gelang es, verschiedenste Chromosomenregionen mit der Entstehung von Krebs in Verbindung zu bringen. Auf diese Weise wurden zwar neue Erkenntnisse über Krankheitsmechanismen gewonnen, die später grundlegend zur Entwicklung von Diagnostika und Medikamenten beitrugen. Es fehlt jedoch bislang die Evidenz, dass sich die ermittelten, assoziierten SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) auch zur individuellen Risikovorsagen oder zur Stratifizierung der Bevölkerung in Gruppen mit unterschiedlichem Präventions- oder Screening-Bedarf verwenden lassen.
Leben mit einer Vielzahl von Medikamenten: Eine qualitative Studie zu Erfahrungen von Patient(inn)en mit Krebs
Authors: Klein Margot , Geschwindner Heike , Spichiger Elisabeth
Published: March 2013

Für viele Patient(inn)en mit Krebs ist es wichtig, eine komplexe Medikamententherapie handhaben zu können, weil sie zuhause Chemotherapeutika, Mittel gegen krankheitsbedingte Symptome und therapiebedingte Nebenwirkungen sowie gegen vorbestehende Erkrankungen einnehmen müssen. Diese qualitative Studie untersuchte, wie Betroffene ein komplexes Medikamentenregime erlebten und damit umgingen. Mit 12 Patient(inn)en aus Onkologie-Ambulatorien wurden Interviews geführt und mittels Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Sie kannten ihre Medikamente und nahmen sie mehrheitlich wie verordnet ein, weil sie diese als Absicherung gegen eine Verschlechterung und als Lebensretter sahen. Zudem hatten die Patient(inn)en Vertrauen in ihre Ärzte/Ärztinnen und fühlten sich ihnen gegenüber zur Einnahme verpflichtet. Die Beziehung zwischen ihnen wurde durch ein konstantes Behandlungsumfeld begünstigt. Trotzdem hätten die Patient(inn)en lieber weniger oder keine Medikamente genommen, hauptsächlich aus Angst vor Nebenwirkungen. Um eine regelmäßige Einnahme zu gewährleisten, hatten sie die Medikamente mit festen Plätzen, Zeiten und Aktivitäten verknüpft und Routinen entwickelt. Pflegende wurden in Bezug auf Medikamente und deren Management kaum wahrgenommen. Es empfiehlt sich, dass Patient(inn)en mit komplexen Medikamententherapien konstante Ansprechpersonen beim Gesundheitspersonal haben. Diese sollten Medikamentenwissen, Einstellungen und Handlungsstrategien der Patient(inn)en regelmäßig überprüfen, sinnvolles Verhalten bestärken oder ihnen helfen, einen akzeptablen Weg bei Einnahme und Handhabung zu finden.
Das Gehirn als Meister des Herzens
Authors: Müggler Simon A. , Köhn Tina J. , Christen Stefan , Schreen Christoph
Published: March 2013

Eine 42-jährige Patientin mit komatösem Zustandsbild, klinischen Zeichen eines Schocks sowie auf einen Myokardinfarkt suspekten EKG-Veränderungen (ST-Hebungen und T-Inversionen) wurde von uns zur Koronarangiographie zugewiesen. Bei unauffälligen Koronarien erfolgte aufgrund der Vigilanzminderung ein Schädel-CT, wo schliesslich eine aneurysmatische Subarachnoidalblutung festgestellt wurde. Eingegangen wird einerseits auf die diagnostische Herausforderung, welche die Subarachnoidalblutung bietet, und andererseits auf die pathophysiologischen Ursachen der kardialen Schädigung und EKG-Veränderungen von akuten neurologischen Erkrankungen sowie die Differenzialdiagnose von ST-Hebungen im EKG.
Bacterial community structure on two alpine debris-covered glaciers and biogeography of Polaromonas phylotypes
Authors: Franzetti Andrea , Tatangelo Valeria , Gandolfi Isabella , Bertolini Valentina , Bestetti Giuseppina , Diolaiuti Guglielmina , D’Agata Carlo , Mihalcea Claudia , Smiraglia Claudio , Ambrosini Roberto
Published: March 2013

High-elevation cold environments are considered ideal places to test hypotheses about mechanisms of bacterial colonization and succession, and about bacterial biogeography. Debris-covered glaciers (glaciers whose ablation area is mainly covered by a continuous layer of rock debris fallen from the surrounding mountains) have never been investigated in this respect so far. We used the Illumina technology to analyse the V5 and V6 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplified from 38 samples collected in July and September 2009 at different distances from the terminus on two debris-covered glaciers (Miage and Belvedere—Italian Alps). Heterotrophic taxa-dominated communities and bacterial community structure changed according to ice ablation rate, organic carbon content of the debris and distance from the glacier terminus. Bacterial communities therefore change during downwards debris transport, and organic carbon of these recently exposed substrates is probably provided more by allochthonous deposition of organic matter than by primary production by autotrophic organisms. We also investigated whether phylotypes of the genus Polaromonas, which is ubiquitous in cold environments, do present a biogeographical distribution by analysing the sequences retrieved in this study together with others available in the literature. We found that the genetic distance among phylotypes increased with geographic distance; however, more focused analyses using discrete distance classes revealed that both sequences collected at sites <100 km and at sites 9400–13 500 km to each other were more similar than those collected at other distance classes. Evidences of biogeographic distribution of Polaromonas phylotypes were therefore contrasting.
Phonon thermal transport outside of local equilibrium in nanowires via molecular dynamics
Authors: Zhou Ya , Strachan Alejandro
Published: March 2013

We study thermal transport through Pt nanowires that bridge planar contacts as a function of wire length and vibrational frequency of the contacts. When phonons in the contacts have lower average frequencies than those in the wires thermal transport occurs under conditions away from local equilibrium with low-frequency phonons experiencing a higher thermal gradient than high-frequency ones. This results in a size-dependent increase in the effective thermal conductivity of the wire with decreasing vibrational frequencies of the contacts. The interfacial resistivity when heat flows from the wire to the contact is also size-dependent and has the same physical origin in the lack of full equilibration in short nanowires. We develop a model based on a 1D atomic chain that captures the salient physics of the MD results.
High symmetric SrRuO3 (001) thin films: Perfectly lattice-matched electrodes for multiferroic BiFeO3
Authors: Bohra Murtaza , Wu C. P. , Yeh H. J. , Chou H.
Published: March 2013

High symmetric tetragonal (c/a < 1 and c/a > 1) and cubic (c/a = 1) SrRuO3 thin films were developed on SrTiO3 substrate by controlling RF-power and substrate temperature. These SrRuO3 symmetries exhibit larger in-plane lattice parameters (3.936–3.98 Å) compared to bulk orthorhombic SrRuO3 (3.93 Å), and are coincidentally similar to the predicted high temperature tetragonal (>820 K) and cubic (>950 K) SrRuO3 phases. Importantly, the lattice parameters of cubic (c/a = 1) SrRuO3 (3.968 Å) films match very well to the pseudocubic BiFeO3 (3.966 Å), opening new perspectives for BiFeO3/SrRuO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures for spintronics. Due to high crystal symmetry and large unit cell expansion (∇V/V = ∼1.1%-4.2%), a non-Fermi-liquid (R ∝ T3/2) and weak anisotropic magnetic behaviors, and reduced TC's are commonly observed which are different from the orthorhombic SrRuO3.
Point contact Andreev reflection from semimetallic bismuth—The roles of the minority carriers and the large spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Stamenov P.
Published: March 2013

The Point Contact Andreev Reflection (PCAR) technique has been traditionally and predominantly applied to either the characterisation of superconductors or of spin-polarised metals. The sufficiently large and slowly varying, on the scale of tens of meV around the Fermi level (EF), Density of States (DOS) in metals and highly degenerate semiconductors significantly simplifies the interpretation and quantitative analysis of the measured Differential Conductance Spectra (DCS). Semimetals in general, and particularly the heavy semimetals, because of the presence of several carrier bands and the larger Spin-Orbit coupling, exhibit significantly higher variations in the DOS, close to EF, which can be observed and evaluated with PCAR. Here, DCS of bismuth/niobium point contacts are examined to reveal the relative energy offsets [0.12(3), 2.32(5), and 5.7(2)] meV and the approximate relative DOS contributions of the three main carrier bands (16:5:4). Apart from the bulk, some surface states are also expected to contribute to the observed DOS and be potentially spin-split. The spin polarisation due to all conducting states is evaluated at P≤ 0.09(7).
Tight-binding branch-point energies and band offsets for cubic InN, GaN, AlN, and AlGaN alloys
Authors: Mourad Daniel
Published: March 2013

Starting with empirical tight-binding band structures, the branch-point (BP) energies and resulting valence band offsets for the zincblende phase of InN, GaN, and AlN are calculated from their k-averaged midgap energy. Furthermore, the directional dependence of the BPs of GaN and AlN is discussed using the Green's function method of Tersoff. We then show how to obtain the BPs for binary semiconductor alloys within a band-diagonal representation of the coherent potential approximation and apply this method to cubic AlGaN alloys. The resulting band offsets show good agreement to available experimental and theoretical data from the literature. Our results can be used to determine the band alignment in isovalent heterostructures involving pure cubic III-nitrides or AlGaN alloys for arbitrary concentrations.
Dynamic variation of biaxial strain in optimally doped and underdoped YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films
Authors: Pahlke P. , Trommler S. , Holzapfel B. , Schultz L. , Hühne R.
Published: March 2013

Continuous and reversible biaxial strain was applied to optimally doped and underdoped YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO), using epitaxial thin films on (001)-oriented piezoelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.72Ti0.28O3 substrates. Biaxial strain of up to 0.1% was induced into the YBCO ab-plane by applying an electric field to the substrate, leading to a continuous and reversible shift of the superconducting transition temperature, the normal state resistance and the upper critical field. The shift of the superconducting transition temperature was determined to about 0.75 K per 1% compressive biaxial strain for optimally doped YBCO, whereas a significant higher strain sensitivity of 4.20 K per 1% strain was found for underdoped YBCO. These values were compared to strain sensitivity data calculated out of available data from pressure experiments, showing a rather good agreement.
Studying ferromagnetism in PrNiGe2 through the magnetocaloric effect
Authors: Snyman J. L. , Strydom A. M.
Published: March 2013

PrNiGe2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic CeNiSi2-type crystal structure and is known to order ferromagnetically below 13 K. The emergence of ferromagnetic order has been understood in terms of a crystalline electric field (CEF) Hamiltonian dominated by O0n-Stevens operator equivalents. However, a recent calculation points out that the O22-terms are important in this system. Here a study of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of PrNiGe2 is presented. The aim of the study is to investigate the origin of long range ferromagnetic order given the presence of the above-mentioned CEF. We find that the interplay between a dominant CEF-energy scale and a weaker exchange interaction results in the formation of a ferromagnetic ground state in this system.
Thermomagnetic analysis of FeCoCrxNi alloys: Magnetic entropy of high-entropy alloys
Authors: Lucas M. S. , Belyea D. , Bauer C. , Bryant N. , Michel E. , Turgut Z. , Leontsev S. O. , Horwath J. , Semiatin S. L. , McHenry M. E. , Miller C. W.
Published: March 2013

The equimolar alloy FeCoCrNi, a high-entropy alloy, forms in the face-centered-cubic crystal structure and has a ferromagnetic Curie temperature of 130 K. In this study, we explore the effects of Cr concentration, cold-rolling, and subsequent heat treatments on the magnetic properties of FeCoCrxNi alloys. Cr reductions result in an increase of the Curie temperature, and may be used to tune the TC over a very large temperature range. The magnetic entropy change for a change in applied field of 2T is ΔSm = −0.35 J/(kg K) for cold-rolled FeCoCrNi. Cold-rolling results in a broadening of ΔSm, where subsequent heat treatment at 1073 K sharpens the magnetic entropy curve. In all of the alloys, we find that upon heating (after cold-rolling) there is a re-entrant magnetic moment near 730 K. This feature is much less pronounced in the as-cast samples (without cold-rolling) and in the Cr-rich samples, and is no longer observed after annealing at 1073 K. Possible origins of this behavior are discussed.
High capacity cobalt boride prepared via vacuum freeze-drying method and used as anode material for alkaline secondary battery
Authors: Bai Ying , Pang Chunhui , Hu Wenlong , Wu Feng , Wu Chuan , Yang Liwei , Bao Li-ying
Published: March 2013

In recent years, some metal borides, especially cobalt boride, have been regarded as anode candidates of high energy alkaline secondary batteries for their potential of carrying out multi-electron reactions. So far, there are some reports on the synthesis of metal borides, such as ball milling method, arc melting method, high-temperature solid-phase method, and so on. Herein, a vacuum freeze-drying method is adopted to synthesize cobalt boride with small size, uniform particle size distribution, high specific surface area, as well as excellent electrochemical activity. The crystal structures, particle size, and specific surface area of the as-prepared Co–B alloys were characterized and analyzed via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption test. The electrochemical activities of the Co–B samples were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge–discharge test. It is found that the Co-B alloy synthesized via the vacuum freeze-drying method exhibits good reversibility and cycle stability, and achieves a maximum discharge capacity of 437 mAh/g at the current density of 300 mA/g, which is much superior to that of the sample prepared via traditional chemical reduction method.
Electrochemical performance of lithium ion capacitors using aqueous electrolyte at high temperature
Authors: Yan Jingwang , Sun Yuanyuan , Jiang Liang , Tian Ying , Xue Rong , Hao Lixing , Liu Wei , Yi Baolian
Published: March 2013

Aqueous lithium ion capacitors (LICs) with LiFePO4 positive electrodes and activated carbon (AC) negative electrodes were developed and their electrochemical performances were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and ac impedance spectroscopy at various temperatures. It is found that the stable voltage window for the aqueous LICs is 0–1.7 V and the optimized mass ratio between the positive electrode and negative electrode is 1:1. The rate capability of the LIC is much higher than that of the LiFePO4 electrodes. The Ohmic resistance and electrochemical impedance of the LiFePO4 and AC electrodes decrease with increasing the temperature, leading to high rate capability of the LIC. The performance of the LIC is deteriorated when it is cycled at 70 °C which is caused by the reduction of Fe2+ in LiFePO4.
Raman spectroscopy of glassy carbon up to 60 GPa
Authors: Solopova N. A. , Dubrovinskaia N. , Dubrovinsky L.
Published: March 2013

In the present work in experiments in a diamond anvil cell at room temperature we studied the behavior of glassy carbon under high pressure up to 60 GPa by means of in situ Raman spectroscopy. Raman bands typical for glassy carbon were clearly observed in the entire pressure interval. We did not see any noticeable changes in the type of chemical bonding in glassy carbon up to the highest pressure reached. The yield strength of the material under confining pressure was found to be maximum of about 7 GPa, inconsiderably higher than that measured at ambient pressure (1.4 GPa on literature data).
Intrinsic carrier mobility of multi-layered MoS2 field-effect transistors on SiO2
Authors: Pradhan N. R. , Rhodes D. , Zhang Q. , Talapatra S. , Terrones M. , Ajayan P. M. , Balicas L.
Published: March 2013

By fabricating and characterizing multi-layered MoS2-based field-effect transistors in a four terminal configuration, we demonstrate that the two terminal-configurations tend to underestimate the carrier mobility μ due to the Schottky barriers at the contacts. For a back-gated two-terminal configuration, we observe mobilities as high as 91 cm2 V−1 s−1 which is considerably smaller than 306.5 cm2 V−1 s−1 as extracted from the same device when using a four-terminal configuration. This indicates that the intrinsic mobility of MoS2 on SiO2 is significantly larger than the values previously reported, and provides a quantitative method to evaluate the charge transport through the contacts.
Room temperature ferromagnetism in thermally diffused Cr in GaN
Authors: Suggisetti P. , Banerjee D. , Adari R. , Pande N. , Patil T. , Ganguly S. , Saha D.
Published: March 2013

We report room temperature ferromagnetism in crystalline GaCrN prepared by Cr deposition and drive-in diffusion with Curie temperature much above 300 K. The Curie temperature increases with increasing active Cr concentration. Cr doped GaN acts as an n-type material with significant increase in electron carrier concentration due to the presence of Cr. Optical property of GaCrN is found to be very similar to GaN with an additional peak at 3.29 eV due to Cr. The hysteresis measurements show that the ferromagnetic ordering is maintained up to 300 K with no significant change in saturation magnetization.
Understanding Transition—Periphery Dynamics: Renewable Energy in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland
Authors: Murphy Joseph , Smith Adrian
Published: March 2013

Over the coming decades the Highlands and Islands of Scotland will be transformed as new technologies and infrastructures are installed to exploit wind, wave, and tide power. However, interactions between the region—understood as a sociospatial category shaped by history, culture, and institutions—and these technologies are poorly understood and need to be appreciated in more detail before the changes gather momentum. In this paper we link and extend research around sociotechnical transitions and resource peripheries and use this framework to analyse wind energy projects on the island of Lewis. Our analysis draws attention to transition—periphery dynamics and the ways in which renewable energy projects and particular locations are coshaping each other through these. Building on this case study we suggest implications for the region as a whole, argue that the analytical—normative agenda of sociotechnical transitions should be recast, and highlight the need for more research on sociotechnical transitions and new resource peripheries.
The Minimum Stimulus Conditions for Vection—Two- and Four-Stroke Apparent Motions Can Induce Self-Motion Perception
Authors: Nakamura Shinji
Published: March 2013

Vection can be induced by repeated presentation of static visual images with only two or four frames. The result suggests that vection is only affected by the perceived motion of the visual stimulus, not by awareness of visual displacement.
Variation in mohair staple length over the lifetime of Angora goats
Authors: McGregor B. A. , Butler K. L. , Ferguson M. B.
Published: March 2013

Previous work has shown that, within an Angora goat flock, clean fleece weight is proportional to fleece-free liveweight (FFLwt)2/3 and for goats of the same age and cohort, the mean mohair fibre diameter is proportional to FFLwt1/3. This indicates that fibre length might not be related to the size of animals. This study examines how mohair staple length (SL) is related to FFLwt of Angora goats of different genetic origins over their lifetime and how the relationship varies with other lifetime factors. Measurements were made over 11 shearing periods on a population of Angora goats representing the current range and diversity of genetic origins in Australia, including South African, Texan and interbred admixtures of these and Australian sources. Records of breed, sire, dam, date of birth, dam age, birthweight, birth parity, weaning weight, liveweight, fleece growth and fleece quality were taken for castrated males (wethers) (n = 94 animals). FFLwt were determined for each goat at shearing time by subtracting the greasy fleece weight from the liveweight recorded immediately before shearing. The average of the FFLwt at the start of the period and the FFLWt at the end of the period was calculated. Liveweight change (LwtCh) was the change in FFLwt over the period between shearings. A restricted maximum likelihood model was developed for SL, which allowed the observations of the same animal at different ages to be correlated in an unstructured manner. Average SL differed from ~12.0 to ~14.5 cm, depending on age. There were no consistent effects of season. At any age, an increase of 10 kg LwtCh between animals results in about a 0.34 (s.e. = 0.087) cm increase in SL. There was no evidence of an effect of FFLwt on SL. The results confirm our hypothesis that within a single age cohort of Angora goats, there is very little, if any, relationship between the liveweight and SL of individual animals. This implies that the biological determinants of size of fibres related to cross-sectional area are substantially different to the size determinants of fibre length.
Improving the Yield of the Exhaustive Grignard Alkylation of N-Benzylphthalimide
Authors: Jayawardena Viraj C. , Fairfull-Smith Kathryn E. , Bottle Steven E.
Published: March 2013

The tetraalkylation of N-benzylphthalimide is the major yield limiting step in the common synthetic route to isoindoline nitroxides. The progress of this reaction was found to be limited by the formation of previously unobserved mono- and dialkyl side products that do not lead to the desired product. The yield for the tetraalkylation of N-benzylphthalimide with ethylmagnesium iodide could be increased (60 % over two steps) when a stepwise addition sequence was employed. The new two-step synthesis offers a practical preparative scale alternative to the current approach.
Effects of distribution of bulk density and moisture content on shrub fires
Authors: Dahale Ambarish , Ferguson Selina , Shotorban Babak , Mahalingam Shankar
Published: March 2013

Formulation of a physics-based model, capable of predicting fire spread through a single elevated crown-like shrub, is described in detail. Predictions from the model, obtained by numerical solutions to governing equations of fluid dynamics, combustion, heat transfer and thermal degradation of solid fuel, are found to be in fairly good agreement with experimental results. In this study we utilise the physics-based model to explore the importance of two parameters – the spatial variation of solid fuel bulk density and the solid fuel moisture content – on the burning of an isolated shrub in quiescent atmosphere. The results suggest that vertical fire spread rate within an isolated shrub and the time to initiate ignition within the crown are two global parameters significantly affected when the spatial variation of the bulk density or the variation of fuel moisture content is taken into account. The amount of fuel burnt is another parameter affected by varying fuel moisture content, especially in the cases of fire propagating through solid fuel with moisture content exceeding 40%. The specific mechanisms responsible for the reduction in propagation speed in the presence of higher bulk densities and moisture content are identified.
Dimers of mitochondrial ATP synthase form the permeability transition pore
Authors: Giorgio Valentina , von Stockum Sophia , Antoniel Manuela , Fabbro Astrid , Fogolari Federico , Forte Michael , Glick Gary D. , Petronilli Valeria , Zoratti Mario , Szabó Ildikó , Lippe Giovanna , Bernardi Paolo
Published: March 2013

Here we define the molecular nature of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP), a key effector of cell death. The PTP is regulated by matrix cyclophilin D (CyPD), which also binds the lateral stalk of the F
O
F
1
ATP synthase. We show that CyPD binds the oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein subunit of the enzyme at the same site as the ATP synthase inhibitor benzodiazepine 423 (Bz-423), that Bz-423 sensitizes the PTP to Ca
2+
like CyPD itself, and that decreasing oligomycin sensitivity-conferring protein expression by RNAi increases the sensitivity of the PTP to Ca
2+
. Purified dimers of the ATP synthase, which did not contain voltage-dependent anion channel or adenine nucleotide translocator, were reconstituted into lipid bilayers. In the presence of Ca
2+
, addition of Bz-423 triggered opening of a channel with currents that were typical of the mitochondrial megachannel, which is the PTP electrophysiological equivalent. Channel openings were inhibited by the ATP synthase inhibitor AMP-PNP (γ-imino ATP, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analog) and Mg
2+
/ADP. These results indicate that the PTP forms from dimers of the ATP synthase.
Normalization is a general neural mechanism for context-dependent decision making
Authors: Louie Kenway , Khaw Mel W. , Glimcher Paul W.
Published: March 2013

Understanding the neural code is critical to linking brain and behavior. In sensory systems, divisive normalization seems to be a canonical neural computation, observed in areas ranging from retina to cortex and mediating processes including contrast adaptation, surround suppression, visual attention, and multisensory integration. Recent electrophysiological studies have extended these insights beyond the sensory domain, demonstrating an analogous algorithm for the value signals that guide decision making, but the effects of normalization on choice behavior are unknown. Here, we show that choice models using normalization generate significant (and classically irrational) choice phenomena driven by either the value or number of alternative options. In value-guided choice experiments, both monkey and human choosers show novel context-dependent behavior consistent with normalization. These findings suggest that the neural mechanism of value coding critically influences stochastic choice behavior and provide a generalizable quantitative framework for examining context effects in decision making.
Characterization of platelet aminophospholipid externalization reveals fatty acids as molecular determinants that regulate coagulation
Authors: Clark Stephen R. , Thomas Christopher P. , Hammond Victoria J. , Aldrovandi Maceler , Wilkinson Gavin W. , Hart Keith W. , Murphy Robert C. , Collins Peter W. , O’Donnell Valerie B.
Published: March 2013

Aminophospholipid (APL) trafficking across the plasma membrane is a key event in cell activation, apoptosis, and aging and is required for clearance of dying cells and coagulation. Currently the phospholipid molecular species externalized are unknown. Using a lipidomic method, we show that thrombin, collagen, or ionophore-activated human platelets externalize two phosphatidylserines (PSs) and five phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs). Four percent of the total cellular PE/PS pool (∼300 ng/2 × 10
8
cells, thrombin), is externalized via calcium mobilization and protease-activated receptors-1 and -4, and 48% is contained in microparticles. Apoptosis and energy depletion (aging) externalized the same APLs in a calcium-dependent manner, and all stimuli externalized oxidized phospholipids, termed hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-PEs. Transmembrane protein-16F (TMEM-16F), the protein mutated in Scott syndrome, was required for PE/PS externalization during thrombin activation and energy depletion, but not apoptosis. Platelet-specific APLs optimally supported tissue factor-dependent coagulation in human plasma, vs. APL with longer or shorter fatty acyl chains. This finding demonstrates fatty acids as molecular determinants of APL that regulate hemostasis. Thus, the molecular species of externalized APL during platelet activation, apoptosis, and energy depletion were characterized, and their ability to support coagulation revealed. The findings have therapeutic implications for bleeding disorders and transfusion therapy. The assay could be applied to other cell events characterized by APL externalization, including cell division and vesiculation.
Family of pH (low) insertion peptides for tumor targeting
Authors: Weerakkody Dhammika , Moshnikova Anna , Thakur Mak S. , Moshnikova Valentina , Daniels Jennifer , Engelman Donald M. , Andreev Oleg A. , Reshetnyak Yana K.
Published: March 2013

Cancer is a complex disease with a range of genetic and biochemical markers within and among tumors, but a general tumor characteristic is extracellular acidity, which is associated with tumor growth and development. Acidosis could be a universal marker for cancer imaging and the delivery of therapeutic molecules, but its promise as a cancer biomarker has not been fully realized in the clinic. We have discovered a unique approach for the targeting of acidic tissue using the pH-sensitive folding and transmembrane insertion of pH (low) insertion peptide (pHLIP). The essence of the molecular mechanism has been elucidated, but the principles of design need to be understood for optimal clinical applications. Here, we report on a library of 16 rationally designed pHLIP variants. We show how the tuning of the biophysical properties of peptide–lipid bilayer interactions alters tumor targeting, distribution in organs, and blood clearance. Lead compounds for PET/single photon emission computed tomography and fluorescence imaging/MRI were identified, and targeting specificity was shown by use of noninserting variants. Finally, we present our current understanding of the main principles of pHLIP design.
Smith-type criterion for the asymptotic stability of a pendulum with time-dependent damping
Authors: Sugie Jitsuro
Published: March 2013

A necessary and sufficient condition is given for the asymptotic stability of the origin of a pendulum with time-varying friction described by the equation
\[

x
+
h
(
t
)

x
′

+
sin
⁡
x
=
0
,

x + h(t)x’ + \sin x = 0,

\]
where

h
(
t
)

h(t)

is continuous and nonnegative for

t
≥
0

t \ge 0

. This condition is expressed as a double integral on the friction

h
(
t
)

h(t)

. The method that is used to obtain the result is Lyapunov’s stability theory and phase plane analysis of the positive orbits of an equivalent planar system to the above-mentioned equation.
High‐intensity vs. sham inspiratory muscle training in patients with chronic heart failure: a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Marco Ester , Ramírez‐Sarmiento Alba L. , Coloma Ana , Sartor Monique , Comin‐Colet Josep , Vila Joan , Enjuanes Cristina , Bruguera Jordi , Escalada Ferran , Gea Joaquim , Orozco‐Levi Mauricio
Published: March 2013

Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and safety of a 4‐week high‐intensity inspiratory muscle training (hi‐IMT) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods and results

A double‐blind randomized clinical trial was carried out in 22 patients with CHF. Participants were assigned to the hi‐IMT or sham‐IMT group. The trainer device was a prototype of the Orygen‐Dual Valve®. The training workloads were adjusted weekly at the inspiratory pressure which allowed the performance of 10 consecutive maximal repetitions (10RM). Main outcomes were strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles assessed by maximal respiratory pressures (PImax and PEmax) and a 10RM manoeuvre, respectively. Twenty‐one patients presented impairment in respiratory muscle strength and endurance. Patients in the hi‐IMT group showed a significant improvement in both strength and endurance: inspiratory muscle strength in the intervention group increased 57.2% compared with 25.9% in the control group (P = 0.001). The percentage change in endurance was 72.7% for the hi‐IMT group compared with 18.2% in the sham‐IMT group (P < 0.001). No adverse effects occurred during the intervention.

Conclusion

A 4‐week hi‐IMT with the use of the Orygen‐Dual Valve® is shown to be an effective, feasible, and safe tool to improve weakness and fatigue of the inspiratory muscles. The key point of this study is to discuss immediate practical implications in terms of respiratory muscle dysfunction postulated as a potential prognostic factor and as an additional therapeutic target.

Trials registration

NCT01606553.
The ‘Echo Heart Failure Score’: an echocardiographic risk prediction score of mortality in systolic heart failure
Authors: Carluccio Erberto , Dini Frank Lloyd , Biagioli Paolo , Lauciello Rosanna , Simioniuc Anca , Zuchi Cinzia , Alunni Gianfranco , Reboldi Gianpaolo , Marzilli Mario , Ambrosio Giuseppe
Published: March 2013

Aims

Although many transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) measurements have been shown to predict outcome in heart failure (HF), whether incremental risk prediction is afforded by their combination is unknown. We developed a simple echocardiographic risk score of mortality in HF patients.

Methods and results

We performed TTE in 747 systolic HF patients followed‐up for 34 ± 23 months. The Cox hazard model was used to evaluate the association between 14 TTE parameters and death. The Echo Heart Failure Score (EHFS) was derived by assigning the value of 1 to each independent predictor when present, and 0 when it was absent, and then by summing the number. The 3‐year risk prediction improvement was tested by adding the EHFS to a model containing clinical predictors, and by calculating the C index and net reclassification improvement (NRI). Five baseline TTE variables (end‐systolic volume index, left atrial volume index, mitral E‐wave deceleration time, tricuspid annular peak systolic excursion, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure) remained independent predictors of mortality. The mortality rate (per 100 patients/year) significantly increased with EHFS ranging from 0 to 5 (EHFS = 0, 2.7%; 1, 5.2%; 2, 10.1%; 3, 13.7%, 4, 29.7%; 5, 36.9%; P < 0.0001). Patients with EHFS ≥3 had a mortality hazard ratio of 3.58 (95% confidence interval 2.74–4.78) compared with EHFS <3. Adding EHFS to the base model improved the C index (from 0.74 to 0.81, P < 0.0001), yielding a continuous NRI of 0.63 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The EHFS, an easily obtainable echo score, improved risk prediction of death over traditional prognostic factors in systolic HF patients, and it may prove useful for risk stratification.