bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boswellia serrata has Beneficial Anti‐Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties in a Model of Experimental Colitis
Authors: Hartmann Renata Minuzzo , Fillmann Henrique Sarubbi , Morgan Martins Maria Isabel , Meurer Luise , Marroni Norma Possa
Published: March 2014

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease that involves only the colon and rectum, being characterized by leukocyte infiltrate and superficial ulcers in the intestinal mucosa. To evaluate the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of extract from the Boswellia serrata plant in an experimental rat model of acute ulcerative colitis induced by the administration of acetic acid (AA). An extract of B. serrata (34.2 mg/kg/day) was administered by oral gavage for 2 days before and after the induction of colitis with 4 mL of 4% AA. The anal sphincter pressure in the colitis group showed a significant decrease compared to that of the control groups (p < 0.001). The analysis of the values of lipid peroxidation (LPO) obtained by substances that react with thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) showed a significantly increased LPO in the colitis group compared to the control groups (p < 0.001). The nitric oxide levels and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) showed a significant increase in the colitis group compared to control groups (p < 0.01). Both pretreatment and treatment with B. serrata exhibited significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and iNOS and showed improvements in tissue injury and anal sphincter pressure in animals with ulcerative colitis. The B. serrata extract has protective anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects that inhibit inflammatory mediators in acute experimental colitis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On query execution over encrypted data
Authors: Baby Tinu , Cherukuri Aswani Kumar
Published: March 2014

To ensure the confidentiality of the encrypted data in a database‐as‐a‐service model, the sensitive data need to be encrypted. When this encrypted data are queried, complete record has to be decrypted to fetch the actual results. This paper is concentrating on improving the performance of different query operations, that is, non‐aggregate, aggregate, and user‐defined query operations on encrypted data. The performance of these query operations over the encrypted data is compared with that of the available methods in terms of the execution time, and it is found that the efficiency of the proposed approach is better than that of the traditional approach. Effectiveness of different types of non‐aggregate query operations is identified in terms of filter ratio and false ratio. The analysis has shown that the filter ratio increases and the false ratio decreases with increase in size of sensitive string and the reachability matrix generated for non‐aggregate attribute. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive least significant bit matching revisited with the help of error images
Authors: Afrakhteh Masoud , Lee Jeong‐A
Published: March 2014

State‐of‐the‐art steganographic schemes, such as highly undetectable stego (HUGO) and its extended version, aim at least significant bit (LSB)‐based approaches embedding up to 1 bpp and are more concerned about the undetectability level of the stego image rather than the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio. The complexity of such methods is quite high, too. In this work, a steganographic scheme is proposed in a spatial domain that takes advantage of error images resulting from applying an image quality factor (the same as the ones used in JPEG compression) in order to find the pixels where a slight change could be made. The amount of change is adaptively embedded using LSB matching revisited. We show that our proposed method is less detectable than HUGO and almost as undetectable as the extended HUGO while it has a greater time performance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative analyses of photovoltaic CIGS thin films via SIMS depth profiling with elemental ions and MCs+ clusters
Authors: Lee Jihye , Kim Seon Hee , Lee Yeonhee
Published: March 2014

Polycrystalline copper–indium–gallium–diselenide (CIGS) is used as an absorber in thin‐film solar cells because of its appropriate band gap and high absorption coefficient for solar radiation. Many research groups have determined the CIGS compositions related to solar cell efficiency. In this work, three different Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films were prepared on molybdenum back contacts deposited on soda‐lime glass substrates via a three‐stage evaporation or, alternatively, a two‐step selenized process. Surface analyses via AES, XPS, and SIMS were used to characterize the CIGS thin films and compare their depth profiles. The MCs+ clusters were detected to improve the quantification of major compositions in the CIGS thin films while suppressing the matrix effect in the SIMS depth profiles. The compositional distribution in the MCs+‐SIMS was in good agreement with the AES and XPS depth profiles. The MCs+‐SIMS results proved more quantitatively accurate than those from the elemental SIMS while comparing to ICP‐AES data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface studies of environmental reactive species during exhibition or storage of ancient Ag‐based artefacts
Authors: Faraldi F. , Angelini E. , Mezzi A. , Riccucci C. , de Caro T. , Di Carlo G.
Published: March 2014

The role played by environmental species affecting the long‐term stability of archaeological Ag‐based artefacts during museum exhibition or storage has been studied by means of the combined use of selected area X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy + energy dispersive spectrometry. The presence of fine particulate and of aggressive compounds in the museum atmospheres has been investigated by means of an innovative testing methodology based on Ag‐based reference alloys. The procedure has been applied to different areas of some museums in the Mediterranean Basin in order to consider representative environmental conditions of storage and exhibition of Ag‐based artefacts. The case studies of the National Roman Museum in Rome, Italy and of the Egyptian Museum of Cairo, Egypt will be illustrated. Furthermore, the study has been performed as a function of the alloy chemical composition and of the position of the reference specimens. The results of the superficial, micro‐chemical and morphological characterisations of the reference alloys are related to degradation parameters of ancient silver artefacts, as the presence of sulfur dioxide and chloride ions. The chosen methodology can be recommended to investigate the environmental key factors to consider for a safe storage or exhibition of archaeological silver artefacts, ensuring them a long stable life from a chemical–physical point of view. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porous Graphene Materials for Water Remediation
Authors: Niu Zhiqiang , Liu Lili , Zhang Li , Chen Xiaodong
Published: March 2014

Water remediation has been a critical issue over the past decades due to the expansion of wastewater discharge to the environment. Currently, a variety of functional materials have been successfully prepared for water remediation applications. Among them, graphene is an attractive candidate due to its high specific surface area, tunable surface behavior, and high strength. This Concept paper summarizes the design strategy of porous graphene materials and their applications in water remediation, such as the cleanup of oil, removal of heavy metal ions, and elimination of water soluble organic contaminants. The progress made so far will guide further development in structure design strategy of porous materials based on graphene and exploration of such materials in environmental remediation.
Patients' rationale for declining participation in a cancer‐associated weight loss study
Authors: Wanger Tammy , Foster Nathan R. , Nguyen Phuong L. , Jatoi Aminah
Published: March 2014

Background

Fewer than 5 % of cancer patients participate in clinical research. Although this paltry rate has led to extensive research on this topic, previous studies have not sought verbatim comments in a real‐time, comprehensive manner to understand why patients decline.

Methods

This study used a low‐risk, non‐interventional parent study that focused on cancer‐associated weight loss to understand patients' reasons for declining research participation. A research assistant wrote down the name and verbatim reason of all patients who declined to participate. These comments with accompanying patient demographic data are the subject of this report.

Results

Of the 334 patients, 51 (15 %) declined parent study enrollment; three comment‐related themes emerged: (1) a repelling sense of too much institutional research, (2) overwhelming personal health issues, and (3) a low likelihood of returning to the institution. In univariate and multivariate analyses, only age (older) and gender (female) were associated with non‐enrollment. Interestingly, 41 patients with fatigue scores of 7 or worse and 26 with pain scores of 7 or worse were enrolled.

Conclusions

Although many factors were associated with declining to participate in research, symptom severity was not. Upfront education might help cancer patients better prioritize their participation in research, particularly as some patients felt overwhelmed by too much research in the institution; and for now, investigators should continue to keep asking patients for their participation.
Swimming in shear
Authors: Saintillan David
Published: March 2014

The complex patterns observed in experiments on suspensions of swimming cells undergoing bioconvection have fascinated biologists, physicists and mathematicians alike for over a century. Theoretical models developed over the last few decades have shown a strong similarity with Rayleigh–Bénard thermal convection, albeit with a richer dynamical behaviour due to the orientational degrees of freedom of the cells. In a recent paper, Hwang & Pedley (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 738, 2014, pp. 522–562) revisit previous models for bioconvection to investigate the effects of an external shear flow on pattern formation. In addition to casting light on new mechanisms for instability, their study demonstrates a subtle interplay between shear, swimming motions and bioconvection patterns.
The initial transient and approach to self-similarity of a very viscous buoyant thermal
Authors: Peng Gunnar G. , Lister John R.
Published: March 2014

An isolated buoyant thermal in very viscous fluid has been shown to attain a self-similar form at large times which grows as $t^{1/2}$ (Whittaker & Lister J. Fluid Mech., vol. 606, 2008, pp. 295–324). For large values of the Rayleigh number $\mathit{Ra}$ (based on the conserved total buoyancy), the similarity solution is slender with a roughly spherical head at the top and a long tail that contains most of the buoyancy and extends down to the origin. We investigate the time-dependent behaviour of the thermal numerically; both the long-time behaviour in terms of perturbations to the similarity solution and the short-time evolution from a spherical initial condition. Using a spectral method, we find the growth rates of the linear perturbations and their spatial structure in similarity space. All eigenmodes decay monotonically for $\mathit{Ra}\lesssim 360$, while for larger $\mathit{Ra}$ the dominant (slowest decaying or fastest growing) eigenmodes are oscillatory with waves propagating up the tail. Above a critical value $\mathit{Ra}_c \approx 10\, 000$, the steady solution becomes unstable to a limit cycle. A one-dimensional reduction to horizontally integrated quantities hints at a theoretical explanation for the oscillatory behaviour, but does not reproduce the loss of stability. Investigation of the initial transient at large $\mathit{Ra}$ reveals that an initially spherical thermal can rise $O(100)$ times its initial diameter before approaching its final self-similar shape. The presence of a rigid horizontal floor below the thermal makes a quantitative difference of around 10 % to the rate of rise at large $\mathit{Ra}$.
Biting behaviour of Tabanidae on cattle in mountainous summer pastures, Pyrenees, France, and effects of weather variables
Authors: Baldacchino F. , Puech L. , Manon S. , Hertzog Lionel R. , Jay-Robert P.
Published: March 2014

In France, during the summer, cattle in mountainous pastures can be highly exposed to tabanid bites. The persistent biting behaviour of tabanids not only causes disturbance, but is also responsible for transmitting diseases, such as bovine besnoitiosis. The purpose of this study was to better identify the level of tabanid annoyance on cattle by means of insect trapping and direct observation of cows. Tabanids were active during the entire daily observation period (10:00–16:00), except forHaematopotasp., which were less active in the morning. The tabanids collected in Nzi traps were generally representative of those that landed on cattle, except forHaematopotasp., as Nzi traps were not very effective for these species. The preferred feeding sites for most species appeared to be cow's legs or udder. Leg stamping was the defensive reaction most related to a tabanid alighting on a host. Generalized linear mixed models showed that the parameters associated with tabanid landings on hosts were related to weather and altitude, but not to landscape structure. Increased landings were mostly associated with the higher temperatures and lower wind speeds at midday, but some differences were observed between species. The results indicate that cattle-protection measures should be taken during the peak of tabanid abundance when climatic conditions favour intense biting activity. Nzi traps set close to livestock were very effective to catch tabanids and could help in reducing the annoyance caused by horse flies.
An isolate of the nematophagous fungusMonacrosporium thaumasiumfor the control of cattle trichostrongyles in south-eastern Brazil
Authors: Assis R.C.L. , Luns F.D. , de Araújo J.V. , Braga F.R. , Assis R.L. , Marcelino J. , Freitas P.C. , Andrade M.A.
Published: March 2014

A mycelial formulation in sodium alginate pellets of the nematophagous fungusMonacrosporium thaumasium(isolate NF34A) was assessed in the biological control of beef cattle trichostrongyles in tropical Brazil. Two groups of ten male Nellore calves aged 6 months, a fungus-treated group and a control group, were fed on a pasture ofBrachiaria decumbensnaturally infected with larvae of cattle trichostrongyles. The fungus-treated group received doses of sodium alginate mycelial pellets orally (1 g pellets (0.2 g fungus)/10 kg live weight) twice a week for 12 months. At the end of the study there was a signiﬁcant reduction (P< 0.01) in the number of eggs per gram of faeces and coprocultures of the fungus-treated group – 47.8% and 50.2%, respectively – in relation to the control group. There was a 47.3% reduction in herbage samples, collected up to 0–20 cm from faecal pats, between the fungus-treated and control groups, and a 58% reduction when the sampling distance was 20–40 cm from faecal pats (P< 0.01). The treatment with sodium alginate pellets containing the nematode-trapping fungusM. thaumasiumreduced trichostrongyles in tropical south-eastern Brazil and could be an effective tool for the biological control of this parasitic nematode in beef cattle. However, in such a tropical climate with low rainfall the fungal viability can be reduced.
Biochemical and cellular mechanisms regulatingAcanthamoeba castellaniiadherence to host cells
Authors: SOTO-ARREDONDO K. J. , FLORES-VILLAVICENCIO L. L. , SERRANO-LUNA J. J. , SHIBAYAMA M. , SABANERO-LÓPEZ M.
Published: March 2014

Free-living amoebae belonging to the genusAcanthamoebaare the causative agents of infections such as amoebic keratitis (AK), granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and cutaneous lesions. The mechanisms involved in the establishment of infection are unknown. However, it is accepted that the initial phase of pathogenesis involves adherence to the host tissue. In this work, we analysed surface molecules with an affinity for epithelial and neuronal cells from the trophozoites ofAcanthamoeba castellanii. We also investigated the cellular mechanisms that govern the process of trophozoite adhesion to the host cells. We first used confocal and epifluorescence microscopy to examine the distribution of theA. castellaniiactin cytoskeleton during interaction with the host cells. The use of drugs, as cytochalasin B (CB) and latrunculin B (LB), revealed the participation of cytoskeletal filaments in the adhesion process. In addition, to identify the proteins and glycoproteins on the surface ofA. castellanii, the trophozoites were labelled with biotin and biotinylated lectins. The results revealed bands of surface proteins, some of which were glycoproteins with mannose andN-acetylglucosamine residues. Interaction assays of biotinylated amoebae proteins with epithelial and neuronal cells showed that some surface proteins had affinity for both cell types. The results of this study provide insight into the biochemical and cellular mechanisms of theAcanthamoebainfection process.
HOW HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AGENCIES ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF UNPUBLISHED DATA
Authors: Kreis Julia , Panteli Dimitra , Busse Reinhard
Published: March 2014

Objectives: Reporting bias potentially threatens the validity of results in health technology assessment (HTA) reports. Our study aimed to explore policies and practices of HTA agencies regarding strategies to include previously unpublished data in their assessments, focusing on requests to industry for unpublished data.

Methods: We included international HTA agencies with publicly available methods papers as well as HTA reports. From the methods papers and recent reports we extracted information on requests to industry and on searches in trial registries, regulatory authority Web sites and for conference abstracts.

Results: Eighteen HTA agencies and seventy-three reports were included. Agencies’ methods papers showed variability regarding requests to industry (requests are routinely carried out in seven cases, not mentioned in six, at the discretion of HTA authors in three, and based on manufacturer applications in two), which were reflected in the reports investigated. As reporting of requests was limited, it often remained unclear whether unpublished data had been received. Searches in trial registries, at regulatory authorities or for conference abstracts are described as a routine or optional part of the search strategy in the methods papers of 9, 11, and 8 included agencies, respectively. A total of 52 percent, 39 percent, and 16 percent of reports described searches in trial registries, at regulatory agencies, and hand searching of conference proceedings.

Conclusion: International HTA agencies currently differ considerably in their efforts to address the issue of unpublished data. Requests to industry may constitute one strategy to access and include unpublished data, while agencies can learn from each other concerning successful practice.
BRIDGING THE GAP
Authors: Hulstijn Jan H. , Young Richard F. , Ortega Lourdes , Bigelow Martha , DeKeyser Robert , Ellis Nick C. , Lantolf James P. , Mackey Alison , Talmy Steven
Published: March 2014

For some, research in learning and teaching of a second language (L2) runs the risk of disintegrating into irreconcilable approaches to L2 learning and use. On the one side, we find researchers investigating linguistic-cognitive issues, often using quantitative research methods including inferential statistics; on the other side, we find researchers working on the basis of sociocultural or sociocognitive views, often using qualitative research methods including case studies and ethnography. Is there a gap in research in L2 learning and teaching? The present article developed from an invited colloquium at the 2013 meeting of the American Association for Applied Linguistics in Dallas, Texas. It comprises nine single-authored pieces, with an introduction and a conclusion by the coeditors. Our overarching goals are (a) to raise awareness of the limitations of addressing only the cognitive or only the social in research on L2 learning and teaching and (b) to explore ways of bridging and/or productively appreciating the cognitive-social gap in research. Collectively, the nine contributions advance the possibility that the approaches are not irreconcilable and that, in fact, cognitive researchers and social researchers will benefit by acknowledging insights and methods from one another.
An Enhanced 3D Multi-Sensor Integrated Navigation System for Land-Vehicles
Authors: Atia Mohamed Maher , Karamat Tashfeen , Noureldin Aboelmagd
Published: March 2014

In urban areas, Global Positioning System (GPS) accuracy deteriorates due to signal degradation and multipath effects. To provide accurate and robust navigation in such GPS-denied environments, multi-sensor integrated navigation systems are developed. This paper introduces a 3D multi-sensor navigation system that integrates inertial sensors, odometry and GPS for land-vehicle navigation. A new error model is developed and an efficient loosely coupled closed-loop Kalman Filter (Extended KF or EKF) integration scheme is proposed. In this EKF-based integration scheme, the inertial/odometry navigation output is continuously corrected by EKF-estimated errors, which keeps the errors within acceptable linearization ranges which improves the prediction accuracy of the linearized dynamic error model. Consequently, the overall performance of the integrated system is improved. Real road experiments and comparison with earlier works have demonstrated a more reliable performance during GPS signal degradation and accurate estimation of inertial sensor errors (biases) have led to a more sustainable performance reliability during long GPS complete outages.
Early adolescent alcohol use in context: How neighborhoods, parents, and peers impact youth
Authors: Trucco Elisa M. , Colder Craig R. , Wieczorek William F. , Lengua Liliana J. , Hawk Larry W.
Published: March 2014

Developmental–ecological models are useful for integrating risk factors across multiple contexts and conceptualizing mediational pathways for adolescent alcohol use, yet these comprehensive models are rarely tested. This study used a developmental–ecological framework to investigate the influence of neighborhood, family, and peer contexts on alcohol use in early adolescence (N= 387). Results from a multi-informant longitudinal cross-lagged mediation path model suggested that high levels of neighborhood disadvantage were associated with high levels of alcohol use 2 years later via an indirect pathway that included exposure to delinquent peers and adolescent delinquency. Results also indicated that adolescent involvement with delinquent peers and alcohol use led to decrements in parenting, rather than being consequences of poor parenting. Overall, the study supported hypothesized relationships among key microsystems thought to influence adolescent alcohol use, and thus findings underscore the utility of developmental–ecological models of alcohol use.
The Institute of Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration, and the calcium conundrum
Authors: Neupane Shristi , Knohl Stephen J
Published: March 2014

In the present article we aim to bring forward the apparent disconnect between two US government-sponsored entities – the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – regarding the safe upper limit of Ca intake.

In light of the 2011 US Congress-appointed IOM report indicating an upper limit of elemental Ca intake of 2000–2500 mg/d in adults (based on age group), it is perplexing that the FDA has not yet required a change on the labelling of over-the-counter Ca-containing antacids, some of which indicate an upper limit of elemental Ca intake of 2800–3000 mg/d. Even more concerning is that Ca intake is rarely from supplementation in isolation. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2003–2006 indicate that mean dietary Ca intakes for males ranged from 871 to 1266 mg/d and for females from 748 to 968 mg/d depending on the age group. The estimated total Ca (diet + supplements) intake exceeded the upper limit in 5 % of the population older than 50 years. Furthermore, NHANES data from 1999–2000 indicate that when Ca is taken as part of an antacid preparation, patients often fail to report this as Ca intake. Thus, individuals taking the maximum allowable dose of supplemental Ca as antacids are at high risk for complications associated with excess Ca intake.

Our hope is that by describing Ca homeostasis and highlighting the risks and dangers of Ca overload, the FDA will align its recommendation with the IOM and solve the current Ca conundrum in the USA for the sake of patient safety.
“Every Picture Tells a Story”; Picturing Judicial Biography
Authors: Moran Leslie J
Published: March 2014

In this article Leslie J. Moran turns to objects that are often marginal to legal biography and neglected by those engaging in legal biographical projects; pictures. Drawing upon his previous and current work on judicial portraits the article outlines three biographical dimensions of these legal images. The first explores the legal biography potential of what lies within the frame of a judicial portrait. The second focuses upon the biographical dimensions of the process of portrait making. The third draws upon the now well established insight that the meaning of the object, the judicial portrait, is not generated exclusively by, or confined to, what is to be found within the frame of the picture. This provides an opportunity to consider the role of pictures as a method for use by those engaging in legal biographical projects.
An Introduction to Archive Collections held at SOAS
Authors: Rayner Susannah
Published: March 2014

Susannah Rayner provides an introduction to the archive collections held at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Library which relate to legal studies, based on a presentation given at the National Socio-legal Training Day on the subject of legal biography, held at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies 15th May 2013.
Electronic Legal Deposit and the Advocates Library
Authors: Longson Andrea
Published: March 2014

The Advocates Library provides a library and information service to around 470 members of the Faculty of Advocates, the Scottish Bar. The library also acts as the national law library for Scotland, having the privilege of claiming law materials on legal deposit. The Senior Librarian, Andrea Longson (the author of this article), and the library's management group work closely with staff at the National Library of Scotland and have been involved in strategic discussions about the drafting and implementation of legal deposit legislation for over ten years.
The Dixie Chicks’ “Lubbock or Leave It”: Negotiating Identity and Place in Country Song
Authors: WATSON JADA
Published: March 2014

The concepts of “place,” “space,” and “home” are integral to the study of country music, a genre conventionally associated with geographic regions, rural landscapes, and domestic values. Place-songs have emerged as an important way in which country musicians communicate life experiences and define elements of their identity, emphasizing the influence of family and community on their character, beliefs, and values. However, just as place can signify belonging, it can also represent a constricting environment from which artists struggle to escape. Such narratives enable us to see vital parts of regional identity that would otherwise be hidden, obscured, or overshadowed.

The Dixie Chicks’ song “Lubbock or Leave It” (2006) is an interesting case study for an inquiry into how artists struggle to define themselves within the country genre. The song spurred immediate uproar insofar as the lyrics portray lead singer Natalie Maines's hometown of Lubbock, Texas as small and narrow-minded. Many listeners and critics interpreted the song as a rejection of both Lubbock and country values. Drawing from the fields of cultural geography and musicology, this study examines how the Dixie Chicks draw on musical codes and conventions in an act of defiance and genre subversion, as they struggle with parochialism and conservative thinking.
Die Therapie des komplizierten Morbus Crohn
Authors: Scharl Michael , Barthel Christiane , Rogler Gerhard
Published: March 2014

Bei einem signifikanten Teil der Morbus-Crohn-Patienten entwickeln sich im Krankheitsverlauf Komplikationen, wie das Auftreten von Fisteln und/oder Stenosen. Symptomatische, perianale Fisteln sollten zunächst drainiert werden, bevor eine antientzündliche Behandlung eingeleitet wird. Antibiotika, wie Metronidazol, wirken zunächst symptomatisch, ein dauerhafter Fistelverschluss wird hiermit jedoch nicht erreicht. Hierfür stehen Azathioprin/6-Mercaptopurin sowie insbesondere anti-TNF-Antikörper zur Verfügung. Diese Medikamente führen bei kontinuierlicher Gabe bei rund 50% der Patienten sowohl zu einem initialen als auch andauernden Fistelverschluss. Chirurgisch kann eine Versorgung mittels Seton-Faden, Fistelexzision, Fistel-Plug oder Mukosa-Flap durchgeführt werden. Als ultima ratio kommen eine temporäre Ileostomie oder eine Rektumresektion infrage. Nicht-perianale Fisteln erfordern häufig ein chirurgisches Vorgehen. Stenosen können mittels antientzündlicher Medikamente (wenn sie entzündlicher Genese sind), Ballondilatation oder Chirurgie behandelt werden.
Understanding Light Harvesting in Radial Junction Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: Yu Linwei , Misra Soumyadeep , Wang Junzhuan , Qian Shengyi , Foldyna Martin , Xu Jun , Shi Yi , Johnson Erik , Cabarrocas Pere Roca i
Published: March 2014

The radial junction (RJ) architecture has proven beneficial for the design of a new generation of high performance thin film photovoltaics. We herein carry out a comprehensive modeling of the light in-coupling, propagation and absorption profile within RJ thin film cells based on an accurate set of material properties extracted from spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements. This has enabled us to understand and evaluate the impact of varying several key parameters on the light harvesting in radially formed thin film solar cells. We found that the resonance mode absorption and antenna-like light in-coupling behavior in the RJ cell cavity can lead to a unique absorption distribution in the absorber that is very different from the situation expected in a planar thin film cell and that has to be taken into account in the design of high performance RJ thin film solar cells. When compared to the experimental EQE response of real RJ solar cells, this modeling also provides an insightful and powerful tool to resolve the wavelength-dependent contributions arising from individual RJ units and/or from strong light trapping due to the presence of the RJ cell array.
Predicting phosphorescent lifetimes and zero-field splitting of organometallic complexes with time-dependent density functional theory including spin–orbit coupling
Authors: Mori K. , Goumans T. P. M. , van Lenthe E. , Wang F.
Published: March 2014

Experimental phosphorescent lifetimes for various organometallic complexes are well reproduced by spin–orbit coupling TDDFT calculations with a continuum solvation model.
Optical spectrum, perceived color, refractive index, and non-adiabatic dynamics of the photochromic diarylethene CMTE
Authors: Wiebeler Christian , Bader Christina A. , Meier Cedrik , Schumacher Stefan
Published: March 2014

A comprehensive study of the photochromic diarylethene CMTE is presented, including optical absorption, perceived color, refractive index, and reaction dynamics with non-adiabatic ab initio molecular dynamics.
Psychometric analysis of the thermochemistry concept inventory
Authors: Wren David , Barbera Jack
Published: March 2014

Assessing conceptual understanding of foundational topics before instruction on higher-order concepts can provide chemical educators with information to aid instructional design. This study provides an instrument that can be used to identify students' alternative conceptions regarding thermochemistry concepts. The Thermochemistry Concept Inventory (TCI) has been developed for use in formative and summative assessments. Items on the TCI were developed and refined through qualitative evaluation as well as β and pilot tests. Data for the psychometric analysis of the TCI was gathered during a large data collection (N= 1330) and was analyzed using the Rasch model. Supporting evidence for response process validity, structural validity, and reliability were collected. Testing data shows that the TCI is unidimensional and has acceptable fit to the Rasch model. In support of prior qualitative studies, option probability curves support the response process validity and reliability of the items. With exception of one item, when used in summative testing, all items displayed good item functioning. Test-level analysis indicated that the TCI was well targeted to the ability of students in our testing samples. Performance data from different groups shows that the TCI is a measure of overall student ability, providing evidence of concurrent validity.
Thin-film microextraction for the preconcentration of some endocrine disrupting chemicals in aqueous samples before chromatographic analysis
Authors: Sun Meng , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: March 2014

The PVDF membrane was used as the extraction phase in TFME for the first time, which was developed for the extraction of some endocrine disrupting chemicals in aqueous samples prior to their determination by HPLC.
Four-component strategy for selective synthesis of azepino[5,4,3-cd]indoles and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines
Authors: Jiang Bo , Ye Qin , Fan Wei , Wang Shu-Liang , Tu Shu-Jiang , Li Guigen
Published: March 2014

One-pot multicomponent formations of azepino[5,4,3-cd]indoles and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines have been established with great scope and efficiency.
N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-modulated Pd/Cu cocatalyzed three-component synthesis of 2,6-diarylquinolines
Authors: Xu Chen , Li Hong-Mei , Yuan Xiao-Er , Xiao Zhi-Qiang , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Fu Wei-Jun , Ji Bao-Ming , Hao Xin-Qi , Song Mao-Ping
Published: March 2014

An efficient NHC-modulated Pd/Cu cocatalyzed three-component coupling reaction for the synthesis of 2,6-diarylquinolinesviaoxidation, cyclization and Suzuki reactions.
Regioselective direct ortho C-acylation of phenol and naphthol derivatives catalyzed by modified ZnCl2on Al2O3as catalyst under solvent-free and microwave conditions
Authors: Naeimi Hossein , Amini Atefeh , Moradian Mohsen
Published: March 2014

In this study, we present a new and practical method for the synthesis of someorthoC-acylated mono- and di-hydroxyaromatic moieties.
Facile synthesis of cerium oxide nanostructures for rechargeable lithium battery electrode materials
Authors: Pang Huan , Chen Changyun
Published: March 2014

A facile method is developed to synthesize cerium oxides with plate and brick morphologies by the thermal decomposition of nanostructured oxalate precursors.
On overshoot and integrators
Authors: Zhu Bo
Published: March 2014

An extension of previous results concerning the effect of integrators on the closed‐loop response overshoot is presented. It is shown that if the open‐loop transfer function contains more integrators (i.e. [1/s]) than the Laplace transform of the reference signal, then the resulting output response must exhibit overshoot, assuming that a one degree‐of‐freedom control configuration is used. Several corollaries are also derived. The obtained results are applicable to minimum and non‐minimum phase linear systems, and also strictly proper and non‐strictly proper linear systems. A non‐overshooting output tracking controller is then proposed for linear chain of integrators, whose structure and performance are analysed.
Harmonic current protection scheme for voltage source converter‐based high‐voltage direct current transmission system
Authors: Zheng Xiaodong , Tai Nengling , Wu Zhongyu , Thorp James
Published: March 2014

Based on the inherent characteristic of the carrier‐based pulse‐width modulation converters, the response of the first carrier frequency harmonic (FCFH) current in the voltage source converter (VSC)‐based high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is analysed under different fault conditions in this paper. A new protection scheme for the VSC‐based HVDC transmission systems is proposed based on the FCFH currents. By extracting the harmonic currents at both the endings of the DC transmission cable, the fault type can be identified. The VSC‐based HVDC test system is modelled in the PSCAD/EMTDC and the proposed protection scheme is evaluated with a variety of values of the fault resistance and the fault locations. Comprehensive test studies show that the performance of the proposed protection scheme is inspiring. It can recognise the internal and the external faults correctly.
Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of terpene synthases in Arabidopsis and Medicago
Authors: Parker Michael T. , Zhong Yuan , Dai Xinbin , Wang Shiliang , Zhao Patrick
Published: March 2014

This study provides a timely comparative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of the terpene synthase (TPS) gene family in Medicago truncatula (bears glandular and non‐glandular trichomes) and Arabidopsis thaliana (bears non‐glandular trichomes). The authors’ efforts aimed to gain insight into TPS function, phylogenetic relationships and the role of trichomes in terpene biosynthesis and function. In silico analysis identified 33 and 23 putative full‐length TPS genes in Arabidopsis and Medicago, respectively. All AtTPS and MtTPS fall into the five established angiosperm TPS subfamilies, with lineage‐specific expansion of Subfamily A in Arabidopsis and Subfamily G in Medicago. Large amounts of tandem duplication have occurred in both species, but only one syntenic duplication seems to have occurred in Arabidopsis, with no such duplication apparent in Medicago. Expression analysis indicates that there is much more trichome‐localised TPS expression in Medicago than in Arabidopsis. However, TPS genes were expressed in non‐glandular trichomes in both species. One trichome‐specific gene has been identified in each Medicago and Arabidopsis along with flower‐, seed‐, stem‐ and root‐specific genes. Of these, MtTPS11 is a promising candidate for trichome‐specific genetic engineering, a technology that may be possible for both plants according to the findings of this manuscript. These results suggest that non‐glandular trichomes may play a role in plant chemical defense and/or ecological communication instead of only in physical defence. Finally, the general lack of correlation between expression patterns and phylogenetic relationships in both species suggests that phylogenetic analysis alone is insufficient to predict gene function even for phylogenetically close paralogs.
Synthesis and magnetic properties of single phase titanomagnetites
Authors: Schoenthal W. , Liu X. , Cox T. , Mesa J. L. , Maicas M. , Diaz-Michelena M. , Laughlin D. E. , McHenry M. E.
Published: March 2014

The focus of this paper is the study of cation distributions and resulting magnetizations in titanomagnetites (TMs), (1−x)Fe3O4−xFe2TiO4 solid solutions. TM remnant states are hypothesized to contribute to planetary magnetic field anomalies. This work correlates experimental data with proposed models for the TM pseudobinary. Improved synthesis procedures are reported for single phase Ulvöspinel (Fe2TiO4), and TM solid solutions were made using solid state synthesis techniques. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy show samples to be single phase solid solutions. M-H curves of TM75, 80, 85, 90, and 95 (TMX where X = at. % of ulvöspinel) were measured using a Physical Property Measurement System at 10 K, in fields of 0 to 8 T. The saturation magnetization was found to be close to that predicted by the Neel model for cation distribution in TMs. M-T curves of the remnant magnetization were measured from 10 K to 350 K. The remnant magnetization was acquired at 10 K by applying an 8 T field and then releasing the field. Experimental Neel temperatures are reported for samples in the Neel model ground state.
Patterned graphene functionalization via mask-free scanning of micro-plasma jet under ambient condition
Authors: Ye Dong , Wu Shu-Qun , Yu Yao , Liu Lin , Lu Xin-Pei , Wu Yue
Published: March 2014

In this work, a mask-free method is introduced for patterned nitrogen doping of graphene using a micro-plasma jet under ambient condition. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra indicate that nitrogen atoms are incorporated into the graphene lattice with the two-dimensional spatial distribution precisely controlled in the range of mm down to 10 μm. Since the chemistry of the micro-plasma jet can be controlled by the choice of the gas mixture, this direct writing process with micro-plasma jet can be a versatile approach for patterned functionalization of graphene with high spatial resolution. This could have promising applications in graphene-based electronics.
Free energy calculations from adaptive molecular dynamics simulations with adiabatic reweighting
Authors: Cao Lingling , Stoltz Gabriel , Lelièvre Tony , Marinica Mihai-Cosmin , Athènes Manuel
Published: March 2014

We propose an adiabatic reweighting algorithm for computing the free energy along an external parameter from adaptive molecular dynamics simulations. The adaptive bias is estimated using Bayes identity and information from all the sampled configurations. We apply the algorithm to a structural transition in a cluster and to the migration of a crystalline defect along a reaction coordinate. Compared to standard adaptive molecular dynamics, we observe an acceleration of convergence. With the aid of the algorithm, it is also possible to iteratively construct the free energy along the reaction coordinate without having to differentiate the gradient of the reaction coordinate or any biasing potential.
Electronic couplings for molecular charge transfer: Benchmarking CDFT, FODFT, and FODFTB against high-level ab initio calculations
Authors: Kubas Adam , Hoffmann Felix , Heck Alexander , Oberhofer Harald , Elstner Marcus , Blumberger Jochen
Published: March 2014

We introduce a database (HAB11) of electronic coupling matrix elements (Hab) for electron transfer in 11 π-conjugated organic homo-dimer cations. High-level ab inito calculations at the multireference configuration interaction MRCI+Q level of theory, n-electron valence state perturbation theory NEVPT2, and (spin-component scaled) approximate coupled cluster model (SCS)-CC2 are reported for this database to assess the performance of three DFT methods of decreasing computational cost, including constrained density functional theory (CDFT), fragment-orbital DFT (FODFT), and self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding (FODFTB). We find that the CDFT approach in combination with a modified PBE functional containing 50% Hartree-Fock exchange gives best results for absolute Hab values (mean relative unsigned error = 5.3%) and exponential distance decay constants β (4.3%). CDFT in combination with pure PBE overestimates couplings by 38.7% due to a too diffuse excess charge distribution, whereas the economic FODFT and highly cost-effective FODFTB methods underestimate couplings by 37.6% and 42.4%, respectively, due to neglect of interaction between donor and acceptor. The errors are systematic, however, and can be significantly reduced by applying a uniform scaling factor for each method. Applications to dimers outside the database, specifically rotated thiophene dimers and larger acenes up to pentacene, suggests that the same scaling procedure significantly improves the FODFT and FODFTB results for larger π-conjugated systems relevant to organic semiconductors and DNA.
Inter-layer potential for hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Leven Itai , Azuri Ido , Kronik Leeor , Hod Oded
Published: March 2014

A new interlayer force-field for layered hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) based structures is presented. The force-field contains three terms representing the interlayer attraction due to dispersive interactions, repulsion due to anisotropic overlaps of electron clouds, and monopolar electrostatic interactions. With appropriate parameterization, the potential is able to simultaneously capture well the binding and lateral sliding energies of planar h-BN based dimer systems as well as the interlayer telescoping and rotation of double walled boron-nitride nanotubes of different crystallographic orientations. The new potential thus allows for the accurate and efficient modeling and simulation of large-scale h-BN based layered structures.
How distributed charge reduces the melting points of model ionic salts
Authors: Lindenberg E. K. , Patey G. N.
Published: March 2014

Using coarse grain model ions and NPT molecular dynamics simulations, we determine melting point trends across a set of salts beginning with a system closely akin to the restricted primitive model. Redistributing the cation charge in salts with size-symmetric, monovalent, spherical ions can reduce the melting temperature by up to 50% compared to the charge-centered case. Displacing the charge from the ion center reduces the enthalpy of the liquid more than that of the solid resulting in a lower melting point. Upon cooling from the liquid phase, the model salts considered either crystallize as orientationally-disordered CsCl solids, or become trapped in glassy states, depending on the amount and extent of the cation charge redistribution. For the latter case, we find an orientationally-ordered crystal structure with space group 111 (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$P_{\bar{4}2m}$\end{document}P4¯2m) underlying the glassy states. The structural and dynamical properties of both the solid and liquid phases of the model salts are discussed in some detail.
Surface tension of isotropic-nematic interfaces: Fundamental measure theory for hard spherocylinders
Authors: Wittmann René , Mecke Klaus
Published: March 2014

A fluid constituted of hard spherocylinders is studied using a density functional theory for non-spherical hard particles, which can be written as a function of weighted densities. This is based on an extended deconvolution of the Mayer f-function for arbitrarily shaped convex hard bodies in tensorial weight functions, which depend each only on the shape and orientation of a single particle. In the course of an examination of the isotropic-nematic interface at coexistence the functional is applied to anisotropic and inhomogeneous problems for the first time. We find good qualitative agreement with other theoretical predictions and also with Monte Carlo simulations.
Thermodynamic properties and diffusion of water + methane binary mixtures
Authors: Shvab I. , Sadus Richard J.
Published: March 2014

Thermodynamic and diffusion properties of water + methane mixtures in a single liquid phase are studied using NVT molecular dynamics. An extensive comparison is reported for the thermal pressure coefficient, compressibilities, expansion coefficients, heat capacities, Joule-Thomson coefficient, zero frequency speed of sound, and diffusion coefficient at methane concentrations up to 15% in the temperature range of 298–650 K. The simulations reveal a complex concentration dependence of the thermodynamic properties of water + methane mixtures. The compressibilities, heat capacities, and diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing methane concentration, whereas values of the thermal expansion coefficients and speed of sound increase. Increasing methane concentration considerably retards the self-diffusion of both water and methane in the mixture. These effects are caused by changes in hydrogen bond network, solvation shell structure, and dynamics of water molecules induced by the solvation of methane at constant volume conditions.