bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ancient association with Fagaceae in the aphid tribe Greenideini (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Greenideinae)
Authors: LIU QING‐HUA , CHEN JING , HUANG XIAO‐LEI , JIANG LI‐YUN , QIAO GE‐XIA
Published: September 2014

Aphids are intimately associated with their host plants. Evolutionary lability of host association is common within heteroecious aphid lineages, whereas our knowledge of host‐use evolution in non‐host‐alternating aphids is limited. In the present study, we construct the first detailed molecular phylogeny of the monoecious aphid tribe Greenideini based on three mitochondrial genes (COI, COII and Cytb) and one nuclear gene (EF‐1α), and investigated its history of host association. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies strongly support the monophyly of Greenideini and most constituent genera. Divergence time estimates and character reconstructions suggest that Greenideini may have originated during the Late Cretaceous to early Paleogene, which accompanies the origin of its ancestral host, members of the family Fagaceae. Colonisation of novel host plants has occurred multiple times during the evolutionary history of Greenideini, thereby leading to current patterns of host association. We suggest that directly shifting to novel hosts, together with expanding host range onto pre‐existing, unused plants, has probably promoted diversification in this tribe.
Sacred materialism: Things and relations in a US Pagan community
Authors: Morgain Rachel
Published: September 2014

Ever since Marcel Mauss wrote The Gift, the notion that things exchanged as gifts take a personalised social form, and that they partake of and mediate relational sociality, has held an important place in anthropology. Examining material practices among contemporary Pagans in the Reclaiming tradition, this article shows how they seek to imbue things with personhood, exploring the sacredness of things as alive, active and participating in social relations. In doing so, these Pagans work to forge an alternative economy founded on gift exchange and generous labour, which they hope might form a basis for a different kind of sociality from the capitalist system dominant in the United States. In practice, the encounter between gift and commodity forms in this community is a source of both conflict and emergent forms of sociality, as these alternative economic practices are fashioned around the margins of mainstream economic life.
Bone marrow stromal cells transduced with a thrombopoietin, interleukin‐6, and interleukin‐11 syncretic gene induce cord mononuclear cells to generate platelets in vitro
Authors: Lu Hua , Jiang Tianlun , Li Ruqing , Wang Shichun , Zhang Qiang , Zhao Shuming
Published: September 2014

Background

The induction of hematopoietic stem cells to produce mass numbers of platelets (PLTs) in vitro is an effective method to address a lack ofPLTs andPLTtransfusion resistance in the clinic. However, the design of a low‐cost and sustainable culture system is currently problematic.

Study Design and Methods

Here, the thrombopoietin, interleukin (IL)‐6, andIL‐11 genes, three regulatory factors important for thrombopoiesis, were used to construct self‐splicing fusion genes linked by foot and mouth disease (F2A) and Theiler's murine encephalitis (T2A) viruses. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transduced with the fusion gene acted as nourishing cells and induced cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) to generatePLTs in vitro. We counted these cells; determined the percentage of cells expressing specific cell surface markers (CD41); and measured their ability to aggregate via flow cytometry, immunohistochemical staining, and aggregation remote analyzer.

Results

BMSCs transduced with the fusion gene successfully induced cord bloodMNCsto generatePLT‐sized fragments in the absence of exogenous cytokines. The output was higher than that of the control groups, and thePLT‐sized fragments were similar to endogenousPLTsin terms of shape,CD41 expression, and aggregation function.

Conclusion

These results suggest that our method could be used to develop a low‐cost sustainable cultivation system that generatesPLTsin vitro by enhancing the autocrine production of related cytokines through the nourishment provided by cells transduced with a syncretic gene.
The US Generalised System of Preferences in Principle and Practice
Authors: Blanchard Emily , Hakobyan Shushanik
Published: September 2014

In principle, the US generalised system of preferences (GSP) offers uniform market access to exports from eligible developing countries for a broad set of GSP‐eligible products. In practice, realised GSP tariff exemptions demonstrate marked variation across countries, industries and years. In this paper, we identify the sources of discretionary and non‐discretionary GSP exclusions and quantify the extent to which competitive needs limitations (CNLs), waivers and additional annual product, country and country‐product exclusions drive a wedge between the ‘generalised’ principle of GSP and its implementation in practice.
On the Predicted Performance of Oil Lubricated Thrust Collars in Integrally Geared Compressors
Authors: San Andrés Luis , Cable Travis A. , Wygant Karl , Morton Andron
Published: September 2014

Integrally geared compressors (IGCs) comprise single stage impellers installed on the ends of pinion shafts, all driven by a main bull gear (BG) and shaft system. When compared to single shaft multistage centrifugal compressors, the benefits of IGCs include better thermal efficiency, reduced footprint and simple foundation, dispensing with a high speed coupling, as well as better access for maintenance and overhauls. In IGCs, the compression of the process gas induces axial loads on the pinion shafts that are transmitted via thrust collars (TCs) to the main drive shaft and balanced by a single thrust bearing. The TCs, located on either side of pinion gears, slightly overlap with the BG outer diameter to form lentil-shaped lubricant-wetted regions. Archival literature on the design and optimization of TCs is scant, in spite of their widespread usage as they are comprised of simple geometry mechanical elements. This paper presents an analysis of the hydrodynamic film pressure generated in a lubricated TC due to the rotation of both TC and BGs and specified taper angles for both bodies. The model solves the Reynolds equation of hydrodynamic lubrication to predict the operating film thickness that generates a pressure field reacting to impellers' thrust loads, these forces being a function of the pinion speed and the process gas physical properties. The model also predicts performance parameters, such as power loss and axial stiffness, and damping force coefficients. A parametric study brings out the taper angles in the TC and BG that balance the transmitted load with a lesser friction factor and peak pressure, along with large axial stiffness and damping.
Response of Soot Temperature to Unsteady Inlet Airflow Under Modulated Condition and Naturally Occurring Combustion Dynamics
Authors: Knadler Michael , Cakmakci Arda , Guen Lee Jong
Published: September 2014

The response of soot temperature to unsteady inlet airflow is characterized using pyrometry. The unsteady inlet airflow is achieved by either modulating inlet air or naturally occurring unstable flame, running on a jet fuel at fuel-rich conditions. The inlet air is modulated by a siren device running at frequencies between 150 and 250 Hz and up to 60% of modulation level (u'/um) is achieved. Also, the combustor can be run naturally unstable at the same inlet operating condition by changing the combustor length. For pyrometry, the emission from whole flame at 660 nm, 730 nm, and 800 nm is recorded and the three-color pyrometry is used to measure soot temperature. The effect of nonisothermal distribution of soot in flame on the measured temperature is also considered. The level of overall temperature fluctuation under inlet flow modulation (Trms/Tmean) is about an order of magnitude lower than that of flame emission fluctuation (Irms/Imean). Under naturally occurring instability, the measured soot temperature is in phase with the pressure measured in the combustor, indicating that the measured soot temperature can be used as a quantity related to combustion dynamics for fuel-rich sooty flames.
An Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Flash-Back Flow on Last Three Stages of Low Pressure Steam Turbines
Authors: Shibukawa Naoki , Fukushima Takao , Iwasaki Yoshifumi , Takada Yoshiaki , Murakami Itaru , Suzuki Takashi
Published: September 2014

A shutdown operation of a large size steam turbine could possibly cause flashing phenomena of the pooled drain water in low-pressure heaters. The boiled steam is sometimes in the same amount as the main flow in the case where shutdown is executed during low load conditions, and returns to the steam flow path through the extraction lines. A series of experimental work with a subscale model turbine facility has been carried out to investigate the vibration stress behavior, and the steady and unsteady pressures under the flashing back (FB) conditions. It was observed that the blades of the two stages before the last stage (L-2) and a stage before the last stage (L-1) presented their peak vibration stresses immediately after the flash-back flow reached the turbine. In the meantime, the vibration stresses of the last stage (L-0) blades were reduced for a few tens of seconds. It can be thought that the flash-back flow pushed out the reverse flow region around the L-0 blades and allow the blades to be more stable. A detailed examination with measured data of the L-2 blade explained that, as long as the flash-back flow has small wetness, the blade is excited in its specific vibration modes in larger than eighth harmonic of rotational speed, but once the flash-back flow carries water droplets, the fluid force in random frequencies remarkably increases and excites the blade in less than seventh harmonic range.
Faceted sidewall etching of n-GaN on sapphire by photoelectrochemical wet processing
Authors: Yue Yuanzheng , Yan Xiaodong , Li Wenjun , Xing Huili Grace , Jena Debdeep , Fay Patrick
Published: September 2014

A wet etch process that produces smooth sidewalls aligned with the m-plane ({11¯00}) crystal facets of Ga-polar GaN grown on sapphire is demonstrated by combining photo-electrochemical (PEC) treatment with a postprocessing wet etch step. This novel process results in faceted and extremely smooth vertical etched sidewalls. This two-step process consists of a PEC treatment to define the geometry by converting the region to be removed to an oxide, followed by selective wet-chemical removal of the oxide in buffered HF and post-etch immersion in KOH (0.5 M) at 150 °C to smooth the surface and reveal the crystal planes. The dependence of the PEC treatment parameters (optical intensity, solution composition, direct current bias) on the resulting etch rates and morphology has been investigated.
Brownian motion of a trapped microsphere ion
Authors: Madsen M. J. , Skowronski A. D.
Published: September 2014

We developed a finite difference simulation for a charged microsphere trapped in a Paul trap at atmospheric pressure undergoing Brownian motion. We demonstrate a theory that shows the variance of the motion of the particle increases both for weak traps and as the trap approaches its instability points. Measurements of the variance for a micron-sized dust particle in an ion trap confirm an increase in the variance as the trap is weakened.
Exploring entanglement with the help of quantum state measurement
Authors: Dederick E. , Beck M.
Published: September 2014

We have performed a series of experiments using a spontaneous parametric down-conversion source to produce pairs of photons in either entangled or non-entangled polarization states. We determine the full quantum mechanical polarization state of one photon, conditioned on the results of measurements performed on the other photon. For non-entangled states, we find that the measured state of one photon is independent of measurements performed on the other. However, for entangled states, the measured state does depend on the results of measurements performed on the other photon. This is possible because of the nonlocal nature of entangled states. These experiments are suitable for an undergraduate teaching laboratory.
Unnormalized probability: A different view of statistical mechanics
Authors: Swendsen Robert H.
Published: September 2014

All teachers and students of physics have absorbed the doctrine that probability must be normalized. Nevertheless, there are problems for which the normalization factor only gets in the way. An important example of this counter-intuitive assertion is provided by the derivation of the thermodynamic entropy from the principles of statistical mechanics. Unnormalized probabilities provide a surprisingly effective teaching tool that can make it easier to explain to students the essential concept of entropy. The elimination of the normalization factor offers simpler equations for thermodynamic equilibrium in statistical mechanics, which then lead naturally to a new and simpler definition of the entropy in thermodynamics. Notably, this definition does not change the formal expression of the entropy based on composite systems that I have previously offered. My previous definition of entropy has been criticized by Dieks, based on what appears to be a misinterpretation. I believe that the new definition presented here has the advantage of greatly reducing the possibility of such a misunderstanding—either by students or by experts.
Ligand binding to the FeMo-cofactor: Structures of CO-bound and reactivated nitrogenase
Authors: Spatzal Thomas , Perez Kathryn A. , Einsle Oliver , Howard James B. , Rees Douglas C.
Published: September 2014

Making nitrogen available for biosynthesis

Nitrogen gas (N
2
) is abundant in Earth's atmosphere; however, it must be converted into a bioavailable form before it can be incorporated into biomolecules. The enzyme nitrogenase, which is made up of two metalloproteins, converts N
2
into bioavailable ammonia. One of these, the MoFe-protein, contains a complex metal center, the FeMo cofactor, where the triple N
2
bond is reduced. Understanding how nitrogenase achieves the reduction of N
2
has been a long-term goal. Spatzal
et al.
present the structure of MoFe-protein bound to carbon monoxide (see the Perspective by Hogbom). Although this is an inhibitor rather than the natural substrate, the structure gives insight into how the FeMo metallocluster rearranges to achieve substrate reduction.

Science
, this issue p.
1620
Closed-loop neuromodulation of spinal sensorimotor circuits controls refined locomotion after complete spinal cord injury
Authors: Wenger Nikolaus , Moraud Eduardo Martin , Raspopovic Stanisa , Bonizzato Marco , DiGiovanna Jack , Musienko Pavel , Morari Manfred , Micera Silvestro , Courtine Grégoire
Published: September 2014

Closed-loop neuromodulation of spinal sensorimotor circuits allows high-fidelity control over leg movements in paralyzed rats.
Genomic Complexity: A Call to Action
Authors: Hait William N. , Levine Arnold J.
Published: September 2014

Because of their genomic simplicity relative to mature cancers, pre-malignant tissues might harbor therapeutic targets for drugs that destroy cancers before they appear.
Tackling the Persistent Effects of Concussion
Authors: Nishijima Daniel K.
Published: September 2014

Transcranial magnetic stimulation improved symptoms in subjects experiencing persistent negative effects after a concussion.
Viral Profiling Identifies Multiple Subtypes of Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Authors: Hosseinipour Mina C. , Sweet Kristen M. , Xiong Jie , Namarika Dan , Mwafongo Albert , Nyirenda Michael , Chiwoko Loreen , Kamwendo Deborah , Hoffman Irving , Lee Jeannette , Phiri Sam , Vahrson Wolfgang , Damania Blossom , Dittmer Dirk P.
Published: September 2014

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), caused by KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is the most common cancer among HIV-infected patients in Malawi and in the United States today. In Malawi, KSHV is endemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with HIV infection and KS with no history of chemo- or antiretroviral therapy (ART). Seventy patients were enrolled. Eighty-one percent had T1 (advanced) KS. Median CD4 and HIV RNA levels were 181 cells/mm
3
and 138,641 copies/ml, respectively. We had complete information and suitable plasma and biopsy samples for 66 patients. For 59/66 (89%) patients, a detectable KSHV load was found in plasma (median, 2,291 copies/ml; interquartile range [IQR], 741 to 5,623). We utilized a novel KSHV real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) array with multiple primers per open reading frame to examine KSHV transcription. Seventeen samples exhibited only minimal levels of KSHV mRNAs, presumably due to the limited number of infected cells. For all other biopsy samples, the viral latency locus (LANA, vCyc, vFLIP, kaposin, and microRNAs [miRNAs]) was transcribed abundantly, as was K15 mRNA. We could identify two subtypes of treatment-naive KS: lesions that transcribed viral RNAs across the length of the viral genome and lesions that displayed only limited transcription restricted to the latency locus. This finding demonstrates for the first time the existence of multiple subtypes of KS lesions in HIV- and KS-treatment naive patients.

IMPORTANCE
KS is the leading cancer in people infected with HIV worldwide and is causally linked to KSHV infection. Using viral transcription profiling, we have demonstrated the existence of multiple subtypes of KS lesions for the first time in HIV- and KS-treatment-naive patients. A substantial number of lesions transcribe mRNAs which encode the viral kinases and hence could be targeted by the antiviral drugs ganciclovir or AZT in addition to chemotherapy.
Bifidobacterium—friend or foe? A case of urinary tract infection withBifidobacteriumspecies
Authors: Pathak Poonam , Trilligan Cheryl , Rapose Alwyn
Published: September 2014

Bifidobacterium—a commensal of the human intestine is considered non-pathogenic and has been advocated as a probiotic due to its potential beneficial effects. However, there have been case reports implicating bifidobacteria as pathogenic agents in a variety of different infectious conditions. We discuss here one such case of a complicated urinary tract infection associated withBifidobacteriumspp.
Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain
Authors: Downie Aron , Williams Christopher M , Henschke Nicholas , Hancock Mark J , Ostelo Raymond W J G , de Vet Henrica C W , Macaskill Petra , Irwig Les , van Tulder Maurits W , Koes Bart W , Maher Christopher G
Published: September 2014

STUDY QUESTION

What are the best red flags to indicate the possibility of fracture or malignancy in patients presenting with low back pain in primary, secondary, or tertiary care?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Older age, prolonged corticosteroid use, severe trauma, and presence of a contusion or abrasion increase the likelihood of spinal fracture (likelihood was higher with multiple red flags); a history of malignancy increases the likelihood of spinal malignancy.
Witten genus of generalized complete intersections in products of Grassmannians
Authors: Zhou Jian , Zhuang Xiaobo
Published: September 2014

By using the Milnor ring structure of the cohomology of Grassmannian, we prove a vanishing theorem of Witten genus for generalized string complete intersections in products of Grassmannian.
First-principles investigations on the elastic and thermodynamic properties of cubic ZrO2 under high pressure
Authors: Wei Ning , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhang Chuanguo , Hou Songjun , Zeng Z.
Published: September 2014

We have investigated the elastic and thermodynamic properties of ZrO 2 under pressure up to 120 Gpa by the plane wave pseudopotential density functional theory with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) method. The elastic constants of ZrO 2 are calculated and meet the generalized stability criteria, suggesting that ZrO 2 is mechanically stable within this pressure range. The pressure effects on the elastic properties reveal that the elastic modulus B, shear modulus G and Young's modulus Y increase linearly with the pressure increasing, implying that the resistance to deformation is enhanced. In addition, by analyzing the Poisson's ratio ν and the value of B/G, we notice that ZrO 2 is regarded as being a ductile material under high pressure and the ductility can be improved by the pressure increasing. Then, we employ the quasi-harmonic Debye model considering the phononic effects to obtain the thermodynamic properties of ZrO 2. Debye temperature ΘD, thermal expansion coefficient α, heat capacity Cp and Grüneisen parameter γ are systematically explored at pressure of 0–80 Gpa and temperature of 0–1000 K. Our results have provided fundamental facts and evidences for further experimental and theoretical researches.
Integrable hydrodynamic equations for initial chiral currents and infinite hydrodynamic chains from WZNW model and string model of WZNW type with SU(2), SO(3), SP(2), SU(∞), SO(∞), SP(∞) constant torsions
Authors: Cirilo-Lombardo D. J. , Gershun V. D.
Published: September 2014

The WZNW and string models are considered in terms of the initial and invariant chiral currents assuming that the internal and external torsions coincide (anticoincide) and they are the structure constants of the SU(n), SO(n), SP(n) Lie algebras. These models are the auxiliary problems in order to construct integrable equations of hydrodynamic type. It was shown that the WZNW and string models in terms of invariant chiral currents are integrable for the constant torsion associated with the structure constants of the SU(2), SO(3), SP(2) and SU(3) algebras only. The equation of motion for the density of the first Casimir operator was obtained in the form of the inviscid Burgers equation. The solution of this equation is presented through the Lambert function. Also, a new equation of motion for the initial chiral current was found. The integrable infinite hydrodynamic chains obtained from the WZNW and string models are given in terms of invariant chiral currents with the SU(2), SO(3), SP(2) and with SU(∞), SO(∞), SP(∞) constant torsions. Also, the equations of motion for the density of any Casimir operator and new infinite-dimensional equations of hydrodynamic type for the initial chiral currents through the symmetric structure constant of SU(∞), SO(∞), SP(∞) algebras are obtained.
Intense laser field and conduction band-edge nonparabolicity effects on hydrogenic impurity states of InGaN QW
Authors: El Ghazi Haddou
Published: September 2014

In this paper, hydrogenic impurity ground-state binding energy in unstrained wurtzite (In, Ga)N symmetric quantum well is investigated. The heterostructure is considered under the action of an intense laser field (ILF) incorporating an additional internal probe as well as the conduction band-edge nonparabolicity effect (CBENP). The variational approach is used within the framework of single band effective-mass approximation with two-parametric 1S-hydrogenic trial wavefunction. The competition effect between internal and external perturbations is also shown. Our results reveal that the binding energy is the largest for the well width around the effective Bohr radius and is strongly influenced by both parameters. Moreover, the principle effect of ILF (CBENP) is to reduce (enhance) the binding energy. It is found that the lift of the conduction band-edge can be easily eliminated by adjusting the ILF-parameter.
Angular dependence of giant magneto impedance and magnetic characteristic of Co-based wire in different magnetic field ranges
Authors: Mardani Reza , Amirabadizadeh Ahmad , Ghanaatshoar Majid
Published: September 2014

Angular dependence of the giant magneto impedance (GMI), hysteresis loops and magnetization curves have been investigated in amorphous wires with respect to direction and amplitude of the magnetic field in room temperature. The measurements were performed at different orientation angles of the applied magnetic field relative to the wire axis and various magnetic field strengths in moderate (0–200 Oe) and high (0–5000 Oe) ranges. The highest GMI response (500%) and magnetization (100 emu/gr) were found for angles close to the wire axis in high magnetic field range. By increasing the angle from 0°, in moderate external magnetic fields the GMI and magnetization decrease without reaching the saturation. However, in high magnetic fields (~ 5000 Oe) these parameters are nearly constant and almost saturated for all angles. In both magnetic field ranges, increasing the angle of applied field widens the impedance curves.
ALGORITHMS FOR DISTANCE PROBLEMS IN PLANAR COMPLEXES OF GLOBAL NONPOSITIVE CURVATURE
Authors: MAFTULEAC DANIELA
Published: September 2014

CAT(0) metric spaces and hyperbolic spaces play an important role in combinatorial and geometric group theory. In this paper, we present efficient algorithms for distance problems in CAT(0) planar complexes. First of all, we present an algorithm for answering single-point distance queries in a CAT(0) planar complex. Namely, we show that for a CAT(0) planar complex [Formula: see text] with n vertices, one can construct in O(n2 log n) time a data structure [Formula: see text] of size O(n2) so that, given a point [Formula: see text], the shortest path γ(x, y) between x and the query point y can be computed in linear time. Our second algorithm computes the convex hull of a finite set of points in a CAT(0) planar complex. This algorithm is based on Toussaint's algorithm for computing the convex hull of a finite set of points in a simple polygon and it constructs the convex hull of a set of k points in O(n2 log n + nk log k) time, using a data structure of size O(n2 + k).
Particular solutions in bimetric theory and their implications
Authors: Hassan S. F. , Schmidt-May Angnis , von Strauss Mikael
Published: September 2014

Ghost-free bimetric theory can describe gravity in the presence of an extra spin-2 field. In this paper, we study certain aspects of dynamics in this theory: (i) It is shown that if either of the metrics is an Einstein solution, then the other is always forced to be Einstein, too. For a class of bimetric models, this constraint is stronger and as soon as one metric is Einstein, the other metric is forced to be proportional to it. As a consequence, the models in this class avoid a branch of pathological solutions that exhibit determinant singularities or nonlinear ghosts. These constraints persists in a generalized form when sources are included, but are destroyed in the massive gravity limit of the theory. (ii) For another class of bimetric models, we show the existence of solutions that do not admit a massive gravity limit. A bimetric model that could exhibit a nonlinear version of "partially massless" symmetry belongs to both these classes. It is argued that if such a model exist, its symmetry will not survive in the massive gravity limit.
Optical Study of Liquid Crystal Doped with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube
Authors: Gharde Rita A. , Thakare Sangeeta Y.
Published: September 2014

Liquid crystalline materials have been useful for display devices i.e watches, calculators, automobile dashboards, televisions, multi media projectors etc. as well as in electro tunable lasers, optical fibers and lenses. Carbon nanotube is chosen as the main experimental factor in this study as it has been observed that Carbon Nano Tube influence the existing properties of liquid crystal host and with the doping of CNT can enhance1 the properties of LC. The combination of carbon nanotube (CNT) and liquid crystal (LC) materials show considerable interest in the scientific community due to unique physical properties of CNT in liquid crystal. Dispersion of CNTs in LCs can provide us a cheap, simple, versatile and effective means of controlling nanotube orientation on macroscopic scale with no restrictions on nanotube type. LCs have the long range orientational order rendering them to be anisotropic phases. If CNTs can be well dispersed in LC matrix, they will align with their long axes along the LC director to minimize distortions of the LC director field and the free energy. In this paper, we doped liquid crystal (Cholesteryl Nonanoate) by a small amount of multiwall carbon nanotube 0.05% and 0.1% wt. We found that by adding carbon nanotube to liquid crystals the melting point of the mixture is decreased but TNI is increased. It has been also observed that with incereas in concentration of carbon nanotube into liquid crystal shows conciderable effect on LC.

The prepared samples were characterized using various techniques to study structural, thermal and optical properties i.e PMS, FPSS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR measurements, and DTA.
Modified Activated Carbon to be Used in Clinical Applications
Authors: Fernando M. S. , De Silva W. R. M. , De Silva K. M. N.
Published: September 2014

In this study a novel nano composite of hydroxyapatite nano particles impregnated activated carbon (C-HAp), which was synthesized in our own method, was used in iron adsorption studies. The study was conducted in order to investigate the potential of using C-HAp nanocomposite to be used in clinical detoxifications such as acute iron toxicity where the use of Activated carbon (GAC) is not very effective. Adsorption studies were conducted for synthetic solutions of Fe 2+, Fe 3+ and iron syrup using GAC, C-HAp and neat HAp as adsorbents. According to the results C-HAp nano composite showed improved properties than GAC in adsorbing Fe 2+, Fe 3+ and also Fe ions in iron syrup solutions. Thus the results of the in-vitro studies of iron adsorption studies indicated the potential of using C-HAp as an alternative to activated carbon in such clinical applications.
Thermodynamic stability and structural parameters of carbon nanoclusters
Authors: Namazian Mansoor , Orangi Nasim , Noorbala Mohammad R.
Published: September 2014

Thermodynamic stability of neutral carbon nanoclusters of C m, up to the size of C 50 have been investigated using density functional theory. Four different symmetry point groups, C (m/2)h, acetylenic D (m/2)h, cumulenic D (m/2)h and D mh, have been considered for the clusters and the C (m/2)h has been found to be the most stable isomer for the studied clusters. Peierls transition is also studied for acetylenic D (m/2)h and cumulenic D (m/2)h point groups. It has been revealed that the relative stability of clusters converges to a constant value for clusters larger than C 38. The changes of calculated structural parameters for these clusters, such as bond lengths, have been in agreement with their relative stability.
CALCULATION OF DISPERSION CURVES FOR ARBITRARY WAVEGUIDES USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: ZHU KAIGE , FANG DAINING
Published: September 2014

Dispersion curves for waveguide structures are an important prerequisite for the implementation of guided wave-based nondestructive evaluation (NDE) approach. Although many methods exist, each method is only applicable to a certain type of structures, and also requires complex programming. A Bloch theorem-based finite element method (FEM) is proposed to obtain dispersion curves for arbitrary waveguides using commercial finite element software in this paper Dispersion curves can be obtained for a variety of structures, such as homogeneous plates, multilayered structures, finite cross section rods and honeycomb sandwiches. The propagation of guided waves in honeycomb sandwich plates and beams are discussed in detail. Then, dispersion curves for honeycomb sandwich beams are verified by experiments.
Phototransistor Properties of Indium Tin Oxide Nanowires Grown by RF Sputtering Mechanism and Annealing Process
Authors: Shariati Mohsen , Alishavandi Sahel
Published: September 2014

Photoconducting properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanowires grown by RF sputtering associated with annealing process were studied. ITO nanowires have been grown without the use of catalysts or oblique deposition. The cubic cross-sectional nanowires length was of the order of several microns, while their diameter was ~150–250 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) analysis on nanowires proved their excellent photoemission characteristics. Devices based on ITO nanowires showed a substantial increase in conductance of up to three orders of magnitude upon exposure to UV light and showing reproducible UV photoresponse and remaining relatively stable. The rising speed is slightly reduced, while the decay time is prolonged. Such devices also exhibited short response times and significant shifts in the threshold gate voltage. It was found that the dynamic response of the ITO nanowires phototransistor was stable with an on/off current contrast ratio of around 101. It is thus found that the change in the carrier concentrations in constant gate voltage was enhanced by 1.12 × 1017 cm-3 for the 350 nm UV light, corresponding to threshold-voltage shifts of before to after UV-light exposition. The photoconductive gain corresponding to responsivity measured at 350 nm was 0.11 × 105.
Biogeomorphic Impacts of Invasive Species
Authors: Fei Songlin , Phillips Jonathan , Shouse Michael
Published: September 2014

Invasive species, often recognized as ecosystem engineers, can dramatically alter geomorphic processes and landforms. Our review shows that the biogeomorphic impacts of invasive species are common, but variable in magnitude or severity, ranging from simple acceleration or deceleration of preexisting geomorphic processes to landscape metamorphosis. Primary effects of invasive flora are bioconstruction and bioprotection, whereas primary effects of invasive fauna are bioturbation, bioerosion, and bioconstruction. Land-water interfaces seem particularly vulnerable to biogeomorphic impacts of invasive species. Although not different from biogeomorphic impacts in general, invasive species are far more likely to lead to major geomorphic changes or landscape metamorphosis, which can have long-lasting impacts. In addition, invasive species can alter selection pressures in both macroevolution and microevolution by changing geomorphic processes. However, the differing timescales of biological invasions, landscape evolution, and biological evolution complicate assessment of the evolutionary impacts of invasive organisms.
Rethinking Sediment Biogeochemistry After the Discovery of Electric Currents
Authors: Nielsen Lars Peter , Risgaard-Petersen Nils
Published: September 2014

The discovery of electric currents in marine sediments arose from a simple observation that conventional biogeochemistry could not explain: Sulfide oxidation in one place is closely coupled to oxygen reduction in another place, centimeters away. After experiments demonstrated that this resulted from electric coupling, the conductors were found to be long, multicellular, filamentous bacteria, now known as cable bacteria. The spatial separation of oxidation and reduction processes by these bacteria represents a shortcut in the conventional cascade of redox processes and may drive most of the oxygen consumption. In addition, it implies a separation of strong proton generators and consumers and the formation of measurable electric fields, which have several effects on mineral development and ion migration. This article reviews the work on electric currents and cable bacteria published through April 2014, with an emphasis on general trends, thought-provoking consequences, and new questions to address.
Long-Distance Interactions Regulate the Structure and Resilience of Coastal Ecosystems
Authors: van de Koppel Johan , van der Heide Tjisse , Altieri Andrew H. , Eriksson Britas Klemens , Bouma Tjeerd J. , Olff Han , Silliman Brian R.
Published: September 2014

Mounting evidence indicates that spatial interactions are important in structuring coastal ecosystems. Until recently, however, most of this work has been focused on seemingly exceptional systems that are characterized by regular, self-organized patterns. In this review, we document that interactions that operate at long distances, beyond the direct neighborhood of individual organisms, are more common and have much more far-reaching implications for coastal ecosystems than was previously realized. We review studies from a variety of ecosystem types—including cobble beaches, mussel beds, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests—that reveal a startling interplay of positive and negative interactions between habitats across distances of up to a kilometer. In addition to classical feeding relations, alterations of physical conditions constitute an important part of these long-distance interactions. This entanglement of habitats has crucial implications for how humans manage coastal ecosystems, and evaluations of anthropogenic impact should explicitly address long-distance and system-wide effects before we deem these human activities to be causing little harm.
Critical Periods in Speech Perception: New Directions
Authors: Werker Janet F. , Hensch Takao K.
Published: September 2014

A continuing debate in language acquisition research is whether there are critical periods (CPs) in development during which the system is most responsive to environmental input. Recent advances in neurobiology provide a mechanistic explanation of CPs, with the balance between excitatory and inhibitory processes establishing the onset and molecular brakes establishing the offset of windows of plasticity. In this article, we review the literature on human speech perception development within the context of this CP model, highlighting research that reveals the interplay of maturational and experiential influences at key junctures in development and presenting paradigmatic examples testing CP models in human subjects. We conclude with a discussion of how a mechanistic understanding of CP processes changes the nature of the debate: The question no longer is, “Are there CPs?” but rather what processes open them, keep them open, close them, and allow them to be reopened.
Internet Research in Psychology
Authors: Gosling Samuel D. , Mason Winter
Published: September 2014

Today the Internet plays a role in the lives of nearly 40% of the world's population, and it is becoming increasingly entwined in daily life. This growing presence is transforming psychological science in terms of the topics studied and the methods used. We provide an overview of the literature, considering three broad domains of research: translational (implementing traditional methods online; e.g., surveys), phenomenological (topics spawned or mediated by the Internet; e.g., cyberbullying), and novel (new ways to study existing topics; e.g., rumors). We discuss issues (e.g., sampling, ethics) that arise when doing research online and point to emerging opportunities (e.g., smartphone sensing). Psychological research on the Internet comes with new challenges, but the opportunities far outweigh the costs. By integrating the Internet, psychological research has the ability to reach large, diverse samples and collect data on actual behaviors, which will ultimately increase the impact of psychological research on society.
Synaptic transmission between end bulbs of Held and bushy cells in the cochlear nucleus of mice with a mutation in Otoferlin
Authors: Wright Samantha , Hwang Youngdeok , Oertel Donata
Published: September 2014

Mice that carry a mutation in a calcium binding domain of Otoferlin, the putative calcium sensor at hair cell synapses, have normal distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), but auditory brain stem responses (ABRs) are absent. In mutant mice mechanotransduction is normal but transmission of acoustic information to the auditory pathway is blocked even before the onset of hearing. The cross-sectional area of the auditory nerve of mutant mice is reduced by 54%, and the volume of ventral cochlear nuclei is reduced by 46% relative to hearing control mice. While the tonotopic organization was not detectably changed in mutant mice, the axons to end bulbs of Held and the end bulbs themselves were smaller. In mutant mice bushy cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (aVCN) have the electrophysiological hallmarks of control cells. Spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) occur with similar frequencies and have similar shapes in deaf as in hearing animals, but they are 24% larger in deaf mice. Bushy cells in deaf mutant mice are contacted by ∼2.6 auditory nerve fibers compared with ∼2.0 in hearing control mice. Furthermore, each fiber delivers more synaptic current, on average 4.8 nA compared with 3.4 nA, in deaf versus hearing control mice. The quantal content of evoked EPSCs is not different between mutant and control mice; the increase in synaptic current delivered in mutant mice is accounted for by the increased response to the size of the quanta. Although responses to shocks presented at long intervals are larger in mutant mice, they depress more rapidly than in hearing control mice.
Community Mobilization and Awareness Creation for Orofacial Cleft Services: A Survey of Nigerian Cleft Service Providers
Authors: Adebola Raphael A. , Bamgbose Babatunde O. , Adeoye Joshua B.
Published: September 2014

Background. The opportunity to provide free surgical care for orofacial clefts has opened a new vista and is enhanced by well-informed communities who are aware of the free surgical services available to them. It is the responsibility of cleft care providers to adequately inform these communities via a combination of community mobilization and awareness creation. Methods. This was a nationwide, cross-sectional descriptive study of all orofacial cleft service providers in Nigeria using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Results. A total of 4648 clefts have been repaired, 50.8% by the ten government-owned and 49.2% by the five nongovernment-owned organizations included in the study. The nongovernment-owned institutions seemed to be more aggressive about community mobilization and awareness creation than government-owned ones, and this was reflected in their patient turnout. Most of the organizations studied would prefer a separate, independent body to handle their awareness campaign. Conclusion. Community mobilization requires skill and dedication and may require formal training or dedicated budgets by government-owned and nongovernment-owned institutions alike. Organizations involved in cleft care provision must take community mobilization and awareness seriously if the largely unmet needs of orofacial cleft patients in Nigeria are to be tackled.
Elastic Analysis for Subaqueous Tunnel Surrounding Rock via the Complex Variable Method
Authors: Yu Li-yuan , Jing Hong-wen , Wang Ying-chao
Published: September 2014

Generally speaking, the subaqueous tunnels can be regarded as the shallow‐buried ones. Consequently, the classical problem of an elastic half plane with a round cavity, loaded arbitrarily along the surface boundary, can be used to obtain the stress and displacement fields of the surrounding rock for this type of tunnels. The solution uses the complex variable method, with a conformal mapping onto a circular ring in the image plane. Because of the convergence of the complex potentials throughout the annular region, the coefficients in the Laurent series expansion form for complex functions can be determined by a system of liner recurrent equations, obtained from both the horizontal and the cavity boundary conditions. The stresses and deformations of the surrounding rock can then be calculated via some relevant equations. The whole calculation program should be coded by Fortran language. As an example, the case of a specific underwater tunnel is considered in some detail eventually.
Energy‐Efficient Scheduling for Tasks with Deadline in Virtualized Environments
Authors: Du Guangyu , He Hong , Meng Qinggang
Published: September 2014

Data centers, as resource providers, take advantage of virtualization technology to achieve excellent resource utilization, scalability, and high availability. However, large numbers of computing servers containing virtual machines of data centers consume a tremendous amount of energy. Thus, it is necessary to significantly improve resource utilization. Among the many issues associated with energy, scheduling plays a very important role in successful task execution and energy consumption in virtualized environments. This paper seeks to implement an energy‐efficient task scheduling algorithm for virtual machines with changeless speed comprised of two main steps: assigning as many tasks as possible to virtual machines with lower energy consumption and keeping the makespan of each virtual machine within a deadline. We propose a novel scheduling algorithm for heterogeneous virtual machines in virtualized environments to effectively reduce energy consumption and finish all tasks before a deadline. The new scheduling strategy is simulated using the CloudSim toolkit package. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms previous scheduling methods by a significant margin in terms of energy consumption.
Response Surfaces for Fresh and Hardened Properties of Concrete with E-Waste (HIPS)
Authors: Senthil Kumar K. , Baskar K.
Published: September 2014

The fresh and hardened properties of concrete with E-waste plastic, that is, high impact polystyrene (HIPS), as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate were analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM). Face-centred central composite response surface design was used in this study. The statistical models were developed between the factors (HIPS and water cement ratio) and their response variables (slump, fresh density, dry density, compressive strength, spilt tensile strength, and flexural strength). The Design-Expert 9.0.3 software package was used to analyze the experimental values. The relationships were established and final mathematical models in terms of coded factors from predicted responses were developed. The effects of factors on properties for all variables were seen visually from the response surface and contour plot. Validation of experiments has shown that the experimental value closely agreed with the predicted value, which validates the calculated response surface models with desirability = 1. The HIPS replacement influenced all the properties of concrete than water cement ratio. Even though all properties show the decline trend, the experimented values and predicted values give a hope that the E-waste plastic (HIPS) can be used as coarse aggregate up to certain percentage of replacement in concrete which successively reduces the hazardous solid waste problem and conserves the natural resources from exhaustion.
Osteoid Osteoma of Distal Phalanx of Toe: A Rare Cause of Foot Pain
Authors: Başar Hakan , Topkar Osman Mert , Erol Bülent
Published: September 2014

Osteoid osteoma is an uncommon benign tumor and causes severe pain, being worse at night, that responds dramatically to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. An osteoid osteoma of the toe is very rare and arising in a pedal phalanx may be difficult to diagnose. A 34-year-old male has local swelling and tenderness but there were no hyperemia, temperature increase, or clubbing. There was a 2-month history of antibiotic treatment with suspicion of soft tissue infection in another clinic. The osteoid osteoma was completely excised by curettage and nidus removal with open surgical technique. The patient was followed up for 63 months with annual clinical and radiographic evaluations. There was no relapse of the pain and no residual recurrent tumour. Osteoid osteoma may be difficult to distinguish from chronic infection or myxedema. The patients may be taken for unnecessary treatment. The aim of the treatment for osteoid osteoma is to remove entire nidus by open surgical excision or by percutaneous procedures such as percutaneous radiofrequency and laser ablation. Osteoid osteomas having radiologic and clinical features other than classical presentation of osteoid osteoma are called atypical osteoid osteomas. Atypical localized osteoid osteomas can be easily misdiagnosed and treatment is often complicated.