bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La Historia Local en tiempos de internet. Nuevos cauces para una especialización disciplinaria
Authors: Bresciano Juan Andrés
Published: September 2014

Los procesos de globalización, potenciados por las redes telemáticas, estimulan y al mismo tiempo desafían a las identidades locales en grados insospechados. La Historia Local – antigua práctica disciplinaria transformada en una especialización científico-social – refleja, en sus desarrollos recientes, los cambios que experimenta su objeto de estudio, incorporando una variada gama de recursos, herramientas y aplicaciones que le proporcionan las nuevas tecnologías. Ya sea en la labor de relevamiento bibliográfico-documental, en el análisis de la información que procede de las fuentes, o en la presentación de los resultados obtenidos en sus investigaciones, los historiadores locales del siglo XXI se sirven del internet de manera sistemática. A partir de la evidencia que aportan ciertos casos, este artículo reflexiona, desde una perspectiva metodológica, sobre las modalidades que asume el vínculo entre los estudios del pasado local y los recursos que brinda “la red de redes”.Palabras clave: Historia Local – Internet – Metodología.
Marco Civil: Liberdade e o Futuro da Internet
Authors: Pellegrini Rafael Trindade , Pellegrini Ramon Trindade
Published: September 2014

Este trabalho tem como objetivo expôr de forma simples e objetiva uma correlação entre a obra escrita por Julian Assange e o projeto de Lei 12.965/14, conhecida como Marco Civil da Internet. Trazendo um alerta a sociedade sobre o que está acontecendo no meio de comunicação/informação, a Internet.
Integration of Simulation-Based Energy Management Techniques in Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum to Enhance Students' Learning
Authors: Chowdhury Ashfaque Ahmed , Rasul M. G.
Published: September 2014

The aim of teaching simulation-based energy conservation techniques to the undergraduate engineering students is to involve students with real-life engineering problems and to enhance the students' learning, discipline knowledge and problem-solving skills. A project-based learning course was designed so that the students receive a broad range of introductory exposure to the effective energy management techniques with relevant applications of the theory. This paper highlighted an overview of the course curriculum, simulation principles and assessment procedures for achieving scholarships in teaching, learning and research. It is understood that the students were competent to make use of the advanced knowledge earned in this course in their future career.
Racialised Inequality, Anti-Racist Strategies and the Workings of the ‘Dialogical Self’: A Case Study in the Shifting Construction of Migrant Identity in Ireland
Authors: Coakley Liam
Published: September 2014

The theory of the dialogical self understands that identity is constructed from a shifting pallet of ‘I’ voices, each created from the dialogic interaction that takes place between the individual subject ‘I’ and multiple ‘others’. These positions are changeable and identity space is constructed in each context, out of the interaction that takes place between a situationally specific manifestation of the self and an ‘other’, who is deemed to be important and worthy of note. This article engages with this conceptualisation in an effort to illustrate how some recent immigrants to Ireland internalise the experience of life in a new cultural contact zone, against a background penetrated by experiences of racialised othering. This takes many forms, but after these experiences are extracted from research participants’ narrative stories, individual immigrants are seen to harness a series of different positions in an effort to internalise the experience of this racialised discrimination and negotiate its place in their lives. Two particular strategies are adopted. Racialised discriminations are seen to be anchored in notions of human nature, broadly based. Immigrants use this conceptualisation to divorce the experience from their aspirations for their future life in Ireland. Equally, Immigrants are seen to switch ‘I’ positions laterally in order to defect the experience of exclusion. In so doing, potentially new and intersectional migrant identity spaces are created.
Income Inequality from 1960–2012: A Brief Time-Series History of Capital and Labour
Authors: Flaherty Eoin
Published: September 2014

This commentary examines two principal forms of inequality and their evolution since the 1960s: the division of national income between capital and labour, and the share of total income held by the top 1 per cent of earners. Trends are linked to current discussions of inequality drivers such as financialisation, and a brief time-series analysis of the effects of trade and financial sector growth on top incomes is presented.
Seeking genericity in the selection of parameter sets: Impact on hydrological model efficiency
Authors: Andréassian Vazken , Bourgin François , Oudin Ludovic , Mathevet Thibault , Perrin Charles , Lerat Julien , Coron Laurent , Berthet Lionel
Published: September 2014

This paper evaluates the use of a small number of generalist parameter sets as an alternative to classical calibration. Here parameter sets are considered generalist when they yield acceptable performance on a large number of catchments. We tested the genericity of an initial collection of 106 parameter sets sampled in the parameter space for the four‐parameter GR4J rainfall‐runoff model. A short list of 27 generalist parameter sets was obtained as a good compromise between model efficiency and length of the short list. A different data set was used for an independent evaluation of a calibration procedure, in which the search for an optimum parameter set is only allowed within this short list. In validation mode, the performance obtained is inferior to that of a classical calibration, but when the amount of data available for calibration is reduced, the generalist parameter sets become progressively more competitive, with better results for calibration series shorter than 1 year.
Geological Data Preservation Program Receives Bipartisan Support
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: September 2014

More than 22 million vertical feet of geologic cores and cuttings fill the Kentucky Geological Survey's Well Sample and Core Library in Lexington. The materials are from at least 22,000 sites within Kentucky—including collections from oil and gas exploration operations, coal and other mining companies, highway construction projects, environmental studies, and federal facilities such as Fort Knox—and they are straining the 15‐year‐old facility to the point where there is no room to keep everything, according to geologist Patrick Gooding, the library manager.
U.S. and Indian Spacecrafts Orbit Mars
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: September 2014

Mars received two new visitors in September. First, NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft entered into orbit around the planet on 21 September. Just 3 days later, the Indian Space Research Organization's (ISRO) Mars Orbiter spacecraft—known as Mangalyaan—also successfully entered into Mars orbit. Each received a “welcome to the neighborhood” tweet from NASA's Mars rover Curiosity team and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express team.
Statistical analysis of ground‐based chorus observations during geomagnetic storms
Authors: Spasojevic M.
Published: September 2014

Chorus observations from two ground‐based, Antarctic receiving stations are analyzed for a set of geomagnetic storms from 2000 to 2010. Superposed epoch analysis is performed together with statistical hypothesis testing to determine whether the observed quantities (geomagnetic indices, outer belt energetic electron fluxes, and chorus properties) are statistically significantly different as functions of storm phase, storm size, and storm type. Waves generated in the outer dayside magnetosphere and observed on the ground at South Pole Station are suppressed during main phase and are statistically unchanged from random intervals during recovery phase. Waves generated in the inner magnetosphere and observed on the ground at Palmer Station are significantly enhanced during storm main phase and for about 3 days into recovery. During main phase, there are larger enhancements in chorus occurrence, amplitude, and frequency extent as observed at Palmer during larger storms. During recovery phase, there are larger enhancements in chorus occurrence, amplitude, and frequency extent as observed at Palmer during larger storms and during storms where the average rate of electron flux increase, averaged across the outer belt, is higher.
Spatial distribution of seismic energy rate of tectonic tremors in subduction zones
Authors: Yabe Suguru , Ide Satoshi
Published: September 2014

The sizes of deep tectonic tremors have never been accurately evaluated as a physical quantity. Here we estimate tremor size as the band‐limited seismic energy rate at 2–8 Hz, with accurate evaluation of the path attenuation and site amplification of seismic waves in four subduction zones: Nankai, Cascadia, Jalisco, and South Chile. The size‐frequency statistics of seismic energy rate, which are characterized by the median measure for each subregion, are spatially variable. The spatial variations are categorized into three types, with each type corresponding to a different tremor migration behavior. In type A regions where tremor zone is wider, seismic energy rates are highly variable in the dip direction, and tremor activities are usually initiated in the less energetic tremor zone. Some of them further penetrate into the energetic tremor zone and subsequently migrate for long distances in the strike direction. Type B regions are characterized by relatively narrow tremor zones, minor variations in energy rates in the dip direction, and long‐distance migration in the strike direction. Type C regions are characterized by isolated clusters of tremor activities without migration and by independent failure of each small tremor cluster. Given that the spatial distributions of tremor energy rates reflect heterogeneities in the strength of the plate interface, such distributions, which would be controlled by the width of tremor zone, may determine the regional style of slow‐earthquake behavior. Some energetic tremor regions act as switches that trigger large slow slip events, especially in type A regions.
Performance evaluation of sum‐of‐cisoids Rice/Rayleigh fading channel simulators with respect to the bit error probability
Authors: Pätzold M. , Rafiq G.
Published: September 2014

Sum‐of‐cisoids (SOC) processes provide an important framework for the modeling and simulation of multipath fading channels. In this paper, we analyze the performance of SOC Rice/Rayleigh narrowband fading channel simulators with respect to the bit error probability (BEP) of quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and differential phase shift keying (DPSK) systems with both coherent and noncoherent demodulation. For the BEP of coherent QPSK and DPSK, exact analytical expressions are derived, which provide insight into the influence of the number of propagation paths and the path gains on the system performance. It will be shown that at least 10 multipath components are required to guarantee that the absolute value of the relative error of the BEP is less than 5%. Regarding the BEP of noncoherent DPSK, we show analytically and by simulations that the system performance reacts very sensitively to the model error caused by an imperfect computation of the channel simulator's Doppler frequencies. Our study is not only important for the performance evaluation of SOC‐based channel simulators but also for the performance evaluation of QPSK and DPSK systems in the presence of a limited number of scatterers. Especially for a small number of propagation paths with unbalanced path gains, where the central limit theorem does not apply, the derived analytical expressions for the BEP reveal their full importance.
Enzymatic Kinetic Determinations
Authors: Hüttl Regina , Frank Nicole
Published: September 2014

Kinetic methods for analytical applications can be divided into noncatalytic and catalytic methods. Enzyme kinetic determinations are a special type of catalytic methods. Enzymatic reactions are used analytically to determine enzyme activities – for instance, in the diagnosis of diseases, substrate concentrations in the food industry or medicine, and concentrations of effectors – for example, in trace analysis. Owing to the high selectivity of enzymatic analysis, the importance of this method in various fields is growing rapidly. The widest use is observed in clinical chemistry and food chemistry. This article gives only a general survey of the high potential of enzymatic analysis, with references to more detailed literature. Enzymatic reactions are characterized by some special features, explained after the introduction. The theoretical background for kinetic determination is the comprehension of the principles on enzymatic kinetics. In Section 3, the simplest mechanism, outlined by Michaelis and Menten, and several transformations of the equation are described. In this section, two kinetic parameters, enzyme activity and the Michaelis constant, are introduced. Section 4 deals with substances, the so‐called
effectors
, influencing the rate of an enzymatic reaction. Simple mechanisms of these effectors are shown. Different methods for determination of substrates, enzymes, and effectors, illustrated by many examples, are represented in Section 5. While substrate concentrations can be determined using both equilibrium or kinetic methods, the determination of enzymes and effectors can be performed only by kinetic approaches. In the last two sections, the application of enzymes in flow systems and biosensor development are shown.
Formation of DNA:RNA Hybrid G‐Quadruplexes of Two G‐Quartet Layers in Transcription: Expansion of the Prevalence and Diversity of G‐Quadruplexes in Genomes
Authors: Xiao Shan , Zhang Jia‐yu , Wu Jun , Wu Ren‐yi , Xia Ye , Zheng Ke‐wei , Hao Yu‐hua , Zhou Xiang , Tan Zheng
Published: September 2014

G‐quadruplexes are implicated in important cellular processes. Previous studies mostly focused on intramolecular G‐quadruplexes of three or more G‐quartets. Those composed of two G‐quartets were only shown to form in single‐stranded oligonucleotides. On the basis of electrophoresis, DMS footprinting, fluorescence labeling, and photo‐cross‐linking, we detected the formation of DNA:RNA hybrid G‐quadruplexes (HQs) of two G‐quartets during the transcription of DNA duplexes. These HQs have a lifetime on the minute scale and are stabilized by a stabilizing ligand. They are far shorter‐lived than the HQs of three G‐quartets, which last for hours. The occurrence of putative formation motifs of such HQs shows a transcription‐dependent strand‐biased selection, thus supporting their formation and function in genomes. They are present in almost all human genes in large amounts. We speculate that the two‐G‐quartet HQs may be a distinct type of G‐quadruplexes that may play a role in timely responsive processes and for purposes of fine‐tuning.
An N‐Heterocyclic Silylene‐Stabilized Digermanium(0) Complex
Authors: Shan Yu‐Liang , Yim Wai‐Leung , So Cheuk‐Wai
Published: September 2014

The synthesis of an N‐heterocyclic silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex is described. The reaction of the amidinate‐stabilized silicon(II) amide [LSiN(SiMe3)2] (1; L=PhC(NtBu)2) with GeCl2⋅dioxane in toluene afforded the SiII–GeII adduct [L{(Me3Si)2N}Si→GeCl2] (2). Reaction of the adduct with two equivalents of KC8 in toluene at room temperature afforded the N‐heterocyclic carbene silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex [L{(Me3Si)2N}Si→ GeGe←Si{N(SiMe3)2}L] (3). X‐ray crystallography and theoretical studies show conclusively that the N‐heterocyclic silylenes stabilize the singlet digermanium(0) moiety by a weak synergic donor–acceptor interaction.
Toward improving selectivity in affinity chromatography with PEGylated affinity ligands: The performance of PEGylated protein A
Authors: González‐Valdez José , Yoshikawa Alex , Weinberg Justin , Benavides Jorge , Rito‐Palomares Marco , Przybycien Todd M.
Published: September 2014

Chemical modification of macromolecular affinity chromatography ligands with polyethylene glycol chains or “PEGylation” can potentially improve selectivity by sterically suppressing non‐specific binding interactions without sacrificing binding capacity. For a commercial protein A affinity media and with yeast extract (YE) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) serving as mock contaminants, we found that the ligand accounted for more than 90% of the media‐associated non‐specific binding, demonstrating an opportunity for improvement. The IgG static binding affinity of protein A mono‐PEGylated with 5.0 and 20.7 kDa poly(ethylene glycol) chains was found to be preserved using a biomolecular interaction screening platform. Similar in situ PEGylations of the commercial protein A media were conducted and the modified media was functionally characterized with IgG solutions spiked with YE and FBS. Ligand PEGylation reduced the mass of media‐associated contaminants by a factor of two to three or more. Curiously, we also found an increase of up to 15% in the average recovery of IgG on elution after PEGylation. Combined, these effects produced an order of magnitude increase in the IgG selectivity on average when spiked with YE and a two‐ to three‐fold increase when spiked with FBS relative to the commercial media. Dynamic binding capacity and mass‐transfer resistance measurements revealed a reduction in dynamic capacity attributed to a decrease in IgG effective pore diffusivity and possibly slower IgG association kinetics for the PEGylated protein A ligands. Ligand PEGylation is a viable approach to improving selectivity in affinity chromatography with macromolecular ligands. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1364–1379, 2014
Density Functional Theory Calculations on Oxidative CC Bond Cleavage and NO Bond Formation of [RuII(bpy)2(diamine)]2+ via Reactive Ruthenium Imide Intermediates
Authors: Guan Xiangguo , Law Siu‐Man , Tse Chun‐Wai , Huang Jie‐Sheng , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: September 2014

DFT calculations are performed on [RuII(bpy)2(tmen)]2+ (M1, tmen=2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐butanediamine) and [RuII(bpy)2(heda)]2+ (M2, heda=2,5‐dimethyl‐2,5‐hexanediamine), and on the oxidation reactions of M1 to give the CC bond cleavage product [RuII(bpy)2(NH=CMe2)2]2+ (M3) and the NO bond formation product [RuII(bpy)2(ONCMe2CMe2NO)]2+ (M4). The calculated geometrical parameters and oxidation potentials are in good agreement with the experimental data. As revealed by the DFT calculations, [RuII(bpy)2(tmen)]2+ (M1) can undergo oxidative deprotonation to generate Ru‐bis(imide) [Ru(bpy)2(tmen‐4 H)]+ (A) or Ru‐imide/amide [Ru(bpy)2(tmen‐3 H)]2+ (A′) intermediates. Both A and A′ are prone to CC bond cleavage, with low reaction barriers (ΔG≠) of 6.8 and 2.9 kcal mol−1 for their doublet spin states 2A and 2A′, respectively. The calculated reaction barrier for the nucleophilic attack of water molecules on 2A′ is relatively high (14.2 kcal mol−1). These calculation results are in agreement with the formation of the RuII‐bis(imine) complex M3 from the electrochemical oxidation of M1 in aqueous solution. The oxidation of M1 with CeIV in aqueous solution to afford the RuII‐dinitrosoalkane complex M4 is proposed to proceed by attack of the cerium oxidant on the ruthenium imide intermediate. The findings of ESI‐MS experiments are consistent with the generation of a ruthenium imide intermediate in the course of the oxidation.
Traitement solvothermique superficiel de la biomasse lignocellulosique dans les liquides ioniques–hygroscopicité, morphologie et propriétés mécaniques
Authors: Chérif Hadj‐Ahmed , Chaala Abdelkader , Rodrigue Denis , Larachi Faical
Published: September 2014

Le traitement thermique superficiel du bois permet de rehausser ses propriétés hydrophobe, antifongique et anti‐gonflement contribuant à le mettre à l'abri des aléas naturels. Nous avons étudié la pertinence d'un traitement solvothermique d'éprouvettes de bois d'épinette noire imprégnées de liquides ioniques hydrophile ([EMIM][OTf]) et hydrophobe ([HMIM][TF2N]) comparativement à un traitement thermique simple sous balayage à l'azote. Les éprouvettes ont été soumises à des tests d'adsorption d'humidité, d'absorption d'eau, de gonflement, et de propriétés mécaniques après des traitements réalisés dans les gammes de température et de temps suivantes: [180 °C–260 °C] et [30 min–4 h]. Les tests ont montré une diminution notable de la teneur ultime en humidité et de prise d'eau liquide lorsque les échantillons de bois sont préalablement imprégnés de liquide ionique hydrophobe et que la température de traitement reste inférieure à 200 °C. Cependant, les tests de propriétés mécaniques ont montré que les modules d'élasticité et de rupture des éprouvettes affichaient une tendance à la baisse avec l'augmentation de la température et du temps de traitement. L'imprégnation de liquide ionique ne changeait rien à ce comportement même si en général une fragilisation accrue des éprouvettes pouvait être notée à cause de la solubilisation partielle des principaux composants de bois.

Surface heat treatment of wood improves its hydrophobic, antifungal, and anti‐swelling properties, and strengthens its resistance to the vagaries of natural exposure. We investigated the relevance of a superficial solvothermal treatment of wood specimens impregnated with hydrophilic ([EMIM][OTf]) and hydrophobic ([EMIM][OTf]) ionic liquids which we compared to a conventional heat treatment under nitrogen atmosphere over the following treatment temperature and time ranges: [180 °C – 260 °C] and [30 min – 4 h]. The treated specimens were subjected to moisture adsorption, water absorption, swelling, and mechanical properties testing. The results revealed a notable decrease in ultimate moisture content and water uptake of the samples, provided they were impregnated with a hydrophobic ionic liquid before heat treatment at temperatures less than 200 °C. However, the mechanical properties testing showed that the elastic and rupture moduli of specimens decreased with increasing treatment temperature and time irrespective of using ionic liquids. However, the impregnated samples suffered in general increased breakability which was ascribed to partial solubilization of wood components in the ionic liquid.
Aurora A is a prognostic marker for breast cancer arising in BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors: Aradottir Margret , Reynisdottir Sigridur T , Stefansson Olafur A , Jonasson Jon G , Sverrisdottir Asgerdur , Tryggvadottir Laufey , Eyfjord Jorunn E , Bodvarsdottir Sigridur K
Published: September 2014

Overexpression of the Aurora A kinase has been shown to have prognostic value in breast cancer. Previously, we showed a significant association between AURKA gene amplification and BRCA2 mutation in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of Aurora A overexpression on breast cancer arising in BRCA2 mutation carriers. Aurora A expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on breast tumour tissue microarrays from 107 BRCA2 999del5 mutation carriers and 284 of sporadic origin. Prognostic value of Aurora A nuclear staining was estimated in relation to clinical markers and adjuvant treatment, using multivariate Cox's proportional hazards ratio regression model. BRCA2 wild‐type allele loss was measured by TaqMan in BRCA2 mutated tumour samples. All statistical tests were two sided. Multivariate analysis of breast cancer‐specific survival, including proliferative markers and treatment, indicated independent prognostic value of Aurora A nuclear staining for BRCA2 mutation carriers (hazards ratio = 7.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.23–40.6; p = 0.028). Poor breast cancer‐specific survival of BRCA2 mutation carriers was found to be significantly associated with combined Aurora A nuclear expression and BRCA2 wild type allele loss in tumours (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated independent prognostic value of both positive Aurora A nuclear staining (hazards ratio = 10.09; 95% confidence interval = 1.19–85.4, p = 0.034) and BRCA2 wild type allele loss (hazards ratio = 9.63; 95% confidence interval = 1.81–51.0, p = 0.008) for BRCA2 mutation carriers. Aurora A nuclear expression was found to be a significant prognostic marker for BRCA2 mutation carriers, independent of clinical parameters and adjuvant treatment. Our conclusion is that treatment benefits for BRCA2 mutation carriers and sporadic breast cancer patients with Aurora A positive tumours may be enhanced by giving attention to Aurora A targeted treatment.
A new arrangement of Z‐source AC–AC converter and its closed‐loop control system
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Soreshjani Mohsen , Abjadi Navidreza , Arab Markadeh Gholamreza
Published: September 2014

In this study, a Z‐source alternating current‐to‐alternating current (AC–AC) converter with a specific topology, which can provide both buck and boost modes, is investigated. This converter, which can be implemented easily, utilizes only two switches with complemented commands. A comparison between the Z‐source AC–AC converter and a conventional thyristor voltage controlled one is presented here, and it shows that in the most areas, the Z‐source converter provides a faster response and lower total harmonic distortion of the output currents than the conventional one. Moreover, the Z‐source converter is also extended to the multiphase systems. In addition, a new arrangement of this converter is proposed here to remove the isolated single‐phase sources. Furthermore, an open‐loop method is proposed for soft‐starting applications. Finally, a closed‐loop control system is also suggested for a three‐phase Z‐source converter to soft start and control the speed of an induction motor. Computer simulations show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed schemes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defining Th‐cell subsets in a classical and tissue‐specific manner: Examples from the skin
Authors: Eyerich Stefanie , Zielinski Christina E.
Published: September 2014

Th cells are important mediators of adaptive immunity and involved in various diseases. During the past decade, the Th family has expanded from including Th1 and Th2 cells to also encompass Th9, Th17, Th22, and Treg cells; the original classification using the expression of signature cytokines is still the gold standard for definition of subset affiliation. However, the identification of Th cells that do not fit into these tight conceptual boundaries has tumbled the field into an identity crisis. This review gives an overview on different Th‐cell classification approaches, their advantages and drawbacks. In addition, this review highlights the functional properties of distinct Th subsets and their effector cytokines in tissues and disease‐specific settings with a special focus on inflammatory skin diseases.
Carbon–Phosphorus Bond Formation by Enantioselective Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylation of Diphenylphosphine Oxide
Authors: Zhang Liang , Liu Wei , Zhao Xiaoming
Published: September 2014

The enantioselective Pd‐catalyzed allylation of diaryl‐substituted allylic carbonates and diphenylphosphine oxide was investigated. This method gave allylic diphenylphosphine oxides in yields up to 95 % with 97 % ee. Pd‐catalyzed allylation of (E)‐methyl allyl carbonates with diisopropyl phosphonate was also examined.
Differential time course of NGF‐induced hyperalgesia to heat versus mechanical and electrical stimulation in human skin
Authors: Weinkauf B. , Obreja O. , Schmelz M. , Rukwied R.
Published: September 2014

Background

Nerve growth factor (NGF) causes early heat and delayed mechanical hyperalgesia. Axonal transport might contribute to lasting responses. Temporal hyperalgesia development was investigated by administering NGF in paraspinal skin. Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is up‐regulated by NGF and chemical responsiveness to cinnamon aldehyde (TRPA1 agonist) was quantified.

Methods

Eight healthy volunteers received 1 μg human recombinant NGF (i.d. 50 μL) to L4/L5 processi spinosi skin. Mechanical, thermal and electrical sensitization was assessed at 3–6 h and at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21, and pain upon cinnamon aldehyde (20%, 60 μL) recorded at days 3 and 21.

Results

Heat hyperalgesia developed with an initial maximum at 3 h [heat pain threshold −3.9°; peak pain ratings +22 visual analogue scale (VAS)] that decreased by day 1, subsequently increased to a maximum around day 5 (−5 ± 0.2 °C, +41 ± 4 VAS), and thereafter declined to ∼20% at day 21. Mechanical and electrical hyperexcitability developed within 3 days and gradually increased to peak between days 14 and 21. Pain intensity upon cinnamon aldehyde stimulation was doubled at the NGF site at day 3 and was still increased by about 50% at day 21.

Conclusions

NGF causes immediate heat hyperalgesia probably linked to an up‐regulation and sensitization of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and possibly other proteins involved in heat transduction. The delayed mechanical hyperalgesia is apparently independent of the time required for axonal transport of NGF receptor complexes. Local mRNA translation at axonal terminals and protein accumulation is hypothesized being involved in sustained NGF‐evoked hyperalgesia.
Combining super‐orthogonal space‐frequency trellis coding, constellation shaping by shell mapping, and OFDM for high data rate broadband mobile communications
Authors: Vlădeanu Călin , Bănică Ion , Hogstad Bjørn Olav , Pätzold Matthias , Sterian Corneliu Eugen D.
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we seamlessly combine three transmission techniques to design an improved performance broadband mobile communication system with two transmit antennas. In so doing, we took inspiration from the V.34 data modem toolbox designed for public switched telephone network. We modified the constellation shaping by shell mapping algorithm to apply it only to the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) frame sent by the first antenna, in such a way that the peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) is also reduced for the second antenna. We use a 24‐point quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal constellation on each subcarrier, while the reference system employs 16 QAM for the same data rate. The 24 QAM constellation is partitioned into four subsets and six rings of four two‐dimensional points each. Two adjacent OFDM frequencies form with the symbols transmitted on them the entries of a 2 × 2 matrix similar to Alamouti's scheme. Two rings corresponding to adjacent OFDM frequencies form a super‐ring. The constellation shaping algorithm is applied to shells made up of super‐rings instead of rings as usual. Super‐orthogonal space‐frequency trellis coding is used on pairs of subcarriers. The proposed system was simulated using two channel models, and the performance was evaluated against the uncoded OFDM reference system. It has both reduced PAPR, and better bit error rate and frame error rate performances. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimation of dissociation rate constant of CO2 hydrate in water flow
Authors: Fukumoto Ayako , Sean Wu‐Yang , Sato Toru , Yamasaki Akihiro , Kiyono Fumio
Published: September 2014

Dissociation processes of CO2 hydrate under water flow conditions were investigated by experimental measurements and numerical calculation. Dissociation experiments were carried out with a CO2 hydrate ball (diameter 10 mm) mounted in a flow cell, and the overall dissociation rate of CO2 hydrate without bubble formation was measured under various conditions of temperature, pressure, and water flow rate. A linear phenomenological rate equation in the form of the product of the dissociation rate constant and the molar Gibbs free energy difference, between the hydrate phase and the ambient aqueous phase, was derived by considering the Gibbs free energy difference as the driving force for the dissociation. The molar Gibbs free energy difference was expressed by the logarithm of the ratio of the concentration of CO2 dissolved in water at the hydrate surface to the solubility of CO2 in the aqueous solution in equilibrium with the hydrate. The dissociation rate constant was determined from the experimental results of the overall dissociation rate combined with the numerical simulation results of the concentration profile of CO2 constructed by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The obtained dissociation rate constant at the same pressure was found to be dependent on the temperature with the apparent activation energy of 97.51 kJ/mol. A general form with product of the dissociation rate constant times driving force is proposed to calculate the dissociation rate of CO2 hydrate in the water. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Efficient calculation of relative binding free energies by umbrella sampling perturbation
Authors: Zeller Fabian , Zacharias Martin
Published: September 2014

An important task of biomolecular simulation is the calculation of relative binding free energies upon chemical modification of partner molecules in a biomolecular complex. The potential of mean force (PMF) along a reaction coordinate for association or dissociation of the complex can be used to estimate binding affinities. A free energy perturbation approach, termed umbrella sampling (US) perturbation, has been designed that allows an efficient calculation of the change of the PMF upon modification of a binding partner based on the trajectories obtained for the wild type reference complex. The approach was tested on the interaction of modified water molecules in aqueous solution and applied to in silico alanine scanning of a peptide‐protein complex. For the water interaction test case, excellent agreement with an explicit PMF calculation for each modification was obtained as long as no long range electrostatic perturbations were considered. For the alanine scanning, the experimentally determined ranking and binding affinity changes upon alanine substitutions could be reproduced within 0.1–2.0 kcal/mol. In addition, good agreement with explicitly calculated PMFs was obtained mostly within the sampling uncertainty. The combined US and perturbation approach yields, under the condition of sufficiently small system modifications, rigorously derived changes in free energy and is applicable to any PMF calculation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Harmonic Distributions for Equitable Partitions of a Hypercube
Authors: Hyun Jong Yoon
Published: September 2014

We provide general criteria for orthogonal arrays and t‐designs on equitable partitions of a hypercube by exploring harmonic distributions. Generalized harmonic weight enumerators for real‐valued functions of are introduced and applied to eigenfunctions of the adjacency matrix of . Using this, expressions for harmonic distributions are established for every cell of an equitable partition π of . Moreover, for any given cell in the partition π, the strength of the cell as an orthogonal array is explicitly expressed, and also a characterization of a t‐design of that cell is established. We also compute strengths of cells and find t‐designs from cells based on constructions of Krotov, Borges, Rifa, and Zinoviev.
The Effect of Self Efficacy and Meaning in Life on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Severity Among Veterans
Authors: Blackburn Laura , Owens Gina P.
Published: September 2014

Objective

The current study examined the relationships among combat exposure, presence of and search for meaning in life, general and social self‐efficacy, and both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom severity for a Veteran sample (N = 93).

Method

Participants completed an online survey comprising the Combat Exposure Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Self‐Efficacy Scale, Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales‐21, and PTSD Checklist‐Specific Stressor version. The majority of participants were male and Caucasian. Participants served in various service eras

Results

To determine factors that predicted PTSD and depression severity, separate hierarchical linear regressions were performed. In the final PTSD model, rank, combat exposure, and general self‐efficacy were significant predictors, with officer rank, lower combat exposure, and higher general self‐efficacy associated with lower PTSD severity. The interaction between combat exposure and general self‐efficacy was also significant, with self‐efficacy moderating the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD severity. For depression, rank, presence of meaning in life, and general self‐efficacy were significant predictors in the model, with officer rank, higher presence of meaning in life, and general self‐efficacy associated with lower depression severity.

Conclusion

A focus on strengthening self‐efficacy may assist with lower levels of PTSD and depression symptomatology after combat trauma.
Quantifying nicotine's value‐enhancement effect using a behavioral economic approach
Authors: Cassidy Rachel N. , Dallery Jesse
Published: September 2014

Nicotine increases the value of some reinforcing stimuli, and this effect may contribute to nicotine's widespread abuse. We aimed to quantify this effect using a behavioral economic analysis. Six Long‐ Evans rats were exposed to a modified observing response procedure. In this procedure, presses to one lever resulted either in food according to a variable‐interval 15 s schedule or extinction; presses to a second, observing lever illuminated stimuli correlated with the schedule in effect on the food/extinction lever (i.e., conditioned reinforcers). The FR requirement on the observing lever increased across sessions. The number of presentations of the conditioned reinforcers was plotted as a function of FR value to generate a demand curve. Nicotine was then administered at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg. All demand curves were fitted to the exponential demand equation and a parameter reflecting reinforcer value was evaluated. Nicotine increased the value of the conditioned reinforcers as measured by this equation; nicotine also increased responding on the food/extinction lever. This analysis demonstrates that nicotine increases the value of conditioned reinforcers under certain conditions. The current procedure allows for a novel method of analyzing demand for conditioned reinforcers.
Comparison of the microbiology and antibiotic treatment among diabetic and nondiabetic patients hospitalized for cellulitis or cutaneous abscess
Authors: Jenkins Timothy C. , Knepper Bryan C. , Jason Moore S. , Saveli Carla C. , Pawlowski Sean W. , Perlman Daniel M. , McCollister Bruce D. , Burman William J.
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

Among diabetics, complicated skin infections may involve gram‐negative pathogens; however, the microbiology of cellulitis and cutaneous abscess is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the microbiology and prescribing patterns between diabetics and nondiabetics hospitalized for cellulitis or abscess.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of 2 published retrospective cohorts.

SETTING/PATIENTS

Adults hospitalized for cellulitis or abscess, excluding infected ulcers or deep tissue infections, at 7 academic and community facilities.

METHODS

Microbiological findings and antibiotic use were compared among diabetics and nondiabetics. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with exposure to broad gram‐negative therapy, defined as receipt of at least 2 calendar days of β‐lactamase inhibitors, second‐ to fifth‐generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, carbapenems, tigecycline, aminoglycosides, or colistin.

RESULTS

Of 770 total patients with cellulitis or abscess, 167 (22%) had diabetes mellitus. Among the 38% of cases with a positive culture, an aerobic gram‐positive organism was isolated in 90% of diabetics and 92% of nondiabetics (P = 0.59); aerobic gram‐negative organisms were isolated in 7% and 12%, respectively (P = 0.28). Overall, diabetics were more likely than nondiabetics to be exposed to broad gram‐negative therapy (54% vs 44% of cases, P = 0.02). By logistic regression, diabetes mellitus was independently associated with exposure to broad gram‐negative therapy (odds ratio: 1.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.15‐2.40).

CONCLUSION

In cases of cellulitis or abscess associated with a positive culture, gram‐negative pathogens were not more common among diabetics compared with nondiabetics. However, diabetics were overall more likely to be exposed to broad gram‐negative therapy suggesting this prescribing practice may not be not warranted. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:788–794. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Enhancing crop yield with the use of N‐based fertilizers co‐applied with plant hormones or growth regulators
Authors: Zaman Mohammad , Kurepin Leonid V , Catto Warwick , Pharis Richard P
Published: September 2014

Crop yield, vegetative or reproductive, depends on access to an adequate supply of essential mineral nutrients. At the same time, a crop plant's growth and development, and thus yield, also depend on in situ production of plant hormones. Thus optimizing mineral nutrition and providing supplemental hormones are two mechanisms for gaining appreciable yield increases. Optimizing the mineral nutrient supply is a common and accepted agricultural practice, but the co‐application of nitrogen‐based fertilizers with plant hormones or plant growth regulators is relatively uncommon. Our review discusses possible uses of plant hormones (gibberellins, auxins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and ethylene) and specific growth regulators (glycine betaine and polyamines) to enhance and optimize crop yield when co‐applied with nitrogen‐based fertilizers. We conclude that use of growth‐active gibberellins, together with a nitrogen‐based fertilizer, can result in appreciable and significant additive increases in shoot dry biomass of crops, including forage crops growing under low‐temperature conditions. There may also be a potential for use of an auxin or cytokinin, together with a nitrogen‐based fertilizer, for obtaining additive increases in dry shoot biomass and/or reproductive yield. Further research, though, is needed to determine the potential of co‐application of nitrogen‐based fertilizers with abscisic acid, ethylene and other growth regulators. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of ionic compositions in nasal irrigations on human olfactory thresholds
Authors: Lam Kent , Conley David B. , Liu Kevin , Kern Robert C. , Tan Bruce K. , Richter Claus‐Peter
Published: September 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Nasal irrigations are commonly employed to promote nasal hygiene in the treatment of various sinonasal conditions. Few studies have evaluated how the ionic composition of irrigation solutions affects olfactory performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose responsiveness of human olfactory thresholds for each of the following ions: potassium, sodium, and calcium.

Study Design

Prospective translational study.

Methods

Irrigation solutions with variable potassium, sodium, and calcium were tested in 25 healthy human participants. Six potassium concentrations (range, 2–10 mM), six sodium concentrations (range, 73.7–113.7 mM), and three calcium concentrations (range, 0.44–0.64 mM) were used. Before and immediately following irrigations, olfactory thresholds were determined using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Differences in olfactory threshold scores before and after irrigations were compared to assess the effect of ionic composition on olfactory sensitivity.

Results

Physiologic concentrations of potassium, sodium, and calcium at 5.7, 89.5, and 0.54 mM, respectively, did not significantly change olfactory thresholds. Variations in both potassium and sodium concentrations demonstrated statistically significant dose‐dependent elevations in olfactory thresholds (P < .05). Only the calcium concentration that was lower than the physiologic level led to significant elevations in olfactory thresholds.

Conclusions

Different potassium and sodium concentrations in irrigation solutions provide distinctive dose‐dependent shifts in olfactory thresholds. Calcium concentrations also elevate olfactory thresholds, but calcium plays a less significant role than potassium and sodium in modulating olfactory thresholds. These results highlight the importance of the intranasal ionic microenvironment in olfactory physiology and suggest that optimal ionic concentrations in irrigation solutions exist to preserve olfactory function.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:E50–E56, 2015
A low‐dose regimen of cisplatin before high‐dose cisplatin potentiates ototoxicity
Authors: Harrison Ryan T. , DeBacker J. Riley , Bielefeld Eric C.
Published: September 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Cochlear preconditioning with low doses of kanamycin or noise can reduce susceptibility to noise‐ and ototoxic drug‐induced hearing loss. The current study was undertaken to investigate whether a preconditioning regimen of low‐dose cisplatin would alter susceptibility to ototoxicity induced by a single large dose of cisplatin.

Study Design

In vivo study using an animal model.

Methods

Twenty‐six Fischer 344/NHsd rats were used in the study. The low‐dose regimen consisted of cisplatin (2 or 3 mg/kg) given every 2 weeks by intraperitoneal injection. Control animals received injections of saline on the same schedule as the cisplatin injections. Four injections were done in total. Following the preconditioning interval, seven of the animals were sacrificed for hair cell analyses. The remaining 19 animals were exposed to 12 mg/kg cisplatin by intraperitoneal infusion to induce cochlear injury. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were measured 3 days after cisplatin, and the cochleae from the 19 animals were harvested and analyzed.

Results

Statistical analyses revealed no threshold shifts, but mild outer hair cell losses, after the low‐dose regimen. ABR threshold shifts in the rats exposed to the 12 mg/kg cisplatin dose were significantly higher at day 3 in the animals that underwent preconditioning with low‐dose cisplatin. Outer hair cell losses were also greater in the preconditioned animals.

Conclusions

Preconditioning with low‐dose cisplatin, using the protocol applied in the current experiment, created potentiation of cisplatin ototoxicity, rather than protection from it. There are numerous possible explanations for this effect that should be considered.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 125:E78–E83, 2015
Waveguide sub‐wavelength structures: a review of principles and applications
Authors: Halir Robert , Bock Przemek J. , Cheben Pavel , Ortega‐Moñux Alejandro , Alonso‐Ramos Carlos , Schmid Jens H. , Lapointe Jean , Xu Dan‐Xia , Wangüemert‐Pérez J. Gonzalo , Molina‐Fernández Íñigo , Janz Siegfried
Published: September 2014

Periodic structures with a sub‐wavelength pitch have been known since Hertz conducted his first experiments on the polarization of electromagnetic waves. While the use of these structures in waveguide optics was proposed in the 1990s, it has been with the more recent developments of silicon photonics and high‐precision lithography techniques that sub‐wavelength structures have found widespread application in the field of photonics. This review first provides an introduction to the physics of sub‐wavelength structures. An overview of the applications of sub‐wavelength structures is then given including: anti‐reflective coatings, polarization rotators, high‐efficiency fiber–chip couplers, spectrometers, high‐reflectivity mirrors, athermal waveguides, multimode interference couplers, and dispersion engineered, ultra‐broadband waveguide couplers among others. Particular attention is paid to providing insight into the design strategies for these devices. The concluding remarks provide an outlook on the future development of sub‐wavelength structures and their impact in photonics.

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