bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Misfit strain-temperature phase diagrams and domain stability of asymmetric ferroelectric capacitors: Thermodynamic calculation and phase-field simulation
Authors: Chen W. J. , Zheng Yue , Wang B. , Ma D. C. , Wu C. M.
Published: March 2014

Thermodynamic calculation and phase-field simulation have been conducted to investigate the misfit strain-temperature phase diagrams, dielectric property, and domain stability of asymmetric ferroelectric capacitors (FCs), with considering the effects of dissimilar screening properties and work function steps at the two interfaces. The distinct features of asymmetric FCs from their symmetric counterparts have been revealed and discussed. Polar states with nonzero out-of-plane polarization in parallel with the built-in field are found preferential to form in asymmetric FCs. Meanwhile, the built-in field breaks the degeneracy of states with out-of-plane polarization in anti-directions. This leads to the necessity of redefining phases according to the bistability of out-of-plane polarization. Moreover, the phase stability as well as the dielectric behavior can be significantly controlled by the properties of electrodes, misfit strain, and temperature. The phase-field simulation result also shows that polydomain instability would happen in asymmetric FCs as the equivalence of domain stability in anti-directions is destroyed.
Red shift in the photoluminescence of colloidal carbon quantum dots induced by photon reabsorption
Authors: Zhang Wenxia , Dai Dejian , Chen Xifang , Guo Xiaoxiao , Fan Jiyang
Published: March 2014

We synthesize the colloidal carbon/graphene quantum dots 1–9 nm in diameter and study their photoluminescence properties. Surprisingly, the luminescence properties of a fixed collection of colloidal carbon quantum dots can be systematically changed as the concentration varies. A model based on photon reabsorption is proposed which explains well the experiment. Infrared spectral study indicates that the surfaces of the carbon quantum dots are substantially terminated by oxygen atoms, which causes their ultra-high hydrophilicity. Our result clarifies the mystery of distinct emission colors in carbon quantum dots and indicates that photon reabsorption can strongly affect the luminescence properties of colloidal nanocrystals.
Composition, microstructures, and magnetic properties of Bi-modified NiCuZn-ferrite for low temperature Co-fired ceramic application
Authors: Zhang Suna , Jia Lijun , Zhang Huaiwu , Li Jie , Zhou Tingchuan , Liu Baoyuan
Published: March 2014

The effects of Ni2+ and Bi3+ substitution on the microstructural development and magnetic properties of low-temperature-fired NiCuZn ferrites with nominal compositions of NixCu0.21 Zn0.79−xBiyFe2−yO4 (x = 0.1–0.5, y = 0–0.05) were investigated in order to develop low-temperature-cofired ferrite technology and to produce high-frequency devices with a multilayer process. For the Bi-modified NiCuZn ferrites, increasing x decreased the average grain size due to lattice contraction; meanwhile, the saturation flux density first increased and then decreased. We attributed this behavior to the change of superexchange between A-B sites and B-B sites in the spinel structure. We found that Bi3+ ions could enter into the ferrite lattice, which enhanced the grain growth and densification during sintering due to the activation of the lattice. A study of the solid-state reaction kinetics of Bi-modified NiCuZn ferrites revealed that Bi3+ modification decreased the early activation temperature and the ferrite formation temperature; thus, Bi3+ modification could reduce the activation energy of the solid-state reaction. The Bi-substituted samples with x = 0.35 and y = 0.02 had compact, uniform microstructures, and high sintering densities, leading to relatively high values of permeability and Q-factor.
Electromagnetic heating effect of aggregated gold nanoparticle colloids
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Chen Hui-jiuan , Chen Xiaodong , Alfadhl Yasir , Yu Junsheng , Wen Dongsheng
Published: March 2014

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been recently investigated intensively for potential hyperthermia treatment of malignant cancer cells in combination with radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) fields/waves. However, many controversial results have been reported on whether GNPs can be heated by EM fields. It has been suggested that aggregated GNPs may be heated significantly by a RF field, which however has not been examined experimentally. This work proposes a novel electric treatment of mono-dispersed particles to create aggregated GNPs, and conducts an investigation of their bulk heating behavior under a 655 nm laser and a 13.56 MHz RF electric field. It is revealed that the heating rates of aggregated colloids are significantly higher than those of mono-dispersed GNPs for the 655 nm laser, whereas at 13.56 MHz, the heating effects are barely noticeable for both aggregated and mono-dispersed colloids. Various possible reasons are discussed and the negligible electric field enhancement is believed to be responsible at 13.56 MHz.
The smallest prime that splits completely in an abelian number field
Authors: Pollack Paul
Published: March 2014

LetK/QK/\mathbf {Q}be an abelian extension and letDDbe the absolute value of the discriminant ofKK. We show that for eachε>0\varepsilon > 0, the smallest rational prime that splits completely inKKisO(D14+ε)O(D^{\frac 14+\varepsilon }). Here the implied constant depends only onε\varepsilonand the degree ofKK. This generalizes a theorem of Elliott, who treated the case whenK/QK/\mathbf {Q}has prime conductor.
A dynamical systems view of network centrality
Authors: Grindrod Peter , Higham Desmond J.
Published: March 2014

To gain insights about dynamic networks, the dominant paradigm is to study discrete
snapshots
, or
timeslices
, as the interactions evolve. Here, we develop and test a new mathematical framework where network evolution is handled over continuous time, giving an elegant dynamical systems representation for the important concept of node centrality. The resulting system allows us to track the relative influence of each individual. This new setting is natural in many digital applications, offering both conceptual and computational advantages. The novel differential equations approach is convenient for modelling and analysis of network evolution and gives rise to an interesting application of the matrix logarithm function. From a computational perspective, it avoids the awkward up-front compromises between accuracy, efficiency and redundancy required in the prevalent discrete-time setting. Instead, we can rely on state-of-the-art ODE software, where discretization takes place adaptively in response to the prevailing system dynamics. The new centrality system generalizes the widely used Katz measure, and allows us to identify and track, at any resolution, the most influential nodes in terms of broadcasting and receiving information through time-dependent links. In addition to the classical static network notion of attenuation across edges, the new ODE also allows for attenuation over time, as information becomes stale. This allows ‘running measures’ to be computed, so that networks can be monitored in real time over arbitrarily long intervals. With regard to computational efficiency, we explain why it is cheaper to track good receivers of information than good broadcasters. An important consequence is that the overall broadcast activity in the network can also be monitored efficiently. We use two synthetic examples to validate the relevance of the new measures. We then illustrate the ideas on a large-scale voice call network, where key features are discovered that are not evident from snapshots or aggregates.
Challenging the classical notion of time in cognition: a quantum perspective
Authors: Yearsley James M. , Pothos Emmanuel M.
Published: March 2014

All mental representations change with time. A baseline intuition is that mental representations have specific values at different time points, which may be more or less accessible, depending on noise, forgetting processes, etc. We present a radical alternative, motivated by recent research using the mathematics from quantum theory for cognitive modelling. Such cognitive models raise the possibility that certain possibilities or events may be incompatible, so that perfect knowledge of one necessitates uncertainty for the others. In the context of time-dependence, in physics, this issue is explored with the so-called temporal Bell (TB) or Leggett–Garg inequalities. We consider in detail the theoretical and empirical challenges involved in exploring the TB inequalities in the context of cognitive systems. One interesting conclusion is that we believe the study of the TB inequalities to be empirically more constrained in psychology than in physics. Specifically, we show how the TB inequalities, as applied to cognitive systems, can be derived from two simple assumptions: cognitive realism and cognitive completeness. We discuss possible implications of putative violations of the TB inequalities for cognitive models and our understanding of time in cognition in general. Overall, this paper provides a surprising, novel direction in relation to how time should be conceptualized in cognition.
Increased predation of nutrient-enriched aposematic prey
Authors: Halpin Christina G. , Skelhorn John , Rowe Candy
Published: March 2014

Avian predators readily learn to associate the warning coloration of aposematic prey with the toxic effects of ingesting them, but they do not necessarily exclude aposematic prey from their diets. By eating aposematic prey ‘educated’ predators are thought to be trading-off the benefits of gaining nutrients with the costs of eating toxins. However, while we know that the toxin content of aposematic prey affects the foraging decisions made by avian predators, the extent to which the nutritional content of toxic prey affects predators' decisions to eat them remains to be tested. Here, we show that European starlings (
Sturnus vulgaris
) increase their intake of a toxic prey type when the nutritional content is artificially increased, and decrease their intake when nutritional enrichment is ceased. This clearly demonstrates that birds can detect the nutritional content of toxic prey by post-ingestive feedback, and use this information in their foraging decisions, raising new perspectives on the evolution of prey defences. Nutritional differences between individuals could result in equally toxic prey being unequally predated, and might explain why some species undergo ontogenetic shifts in defence strategies. Furthermore, the nutritional value of prey will likely have a significant impact on the evolutionary dynamics of mimicry systems.
Frequency-dependent assistance as a way out of competitive exclusion between two strains of an emerging virus
Authors: Péréfarres Frédéric , Thébaud Gaël , Lefeuvre Pierre , Chiroleu Frédéric , Rimbaud Loup , Hoareau Murielle , Reynaud Bernard , Lett Jean-Michel
Published: March 2014

Biological invasions are the main causes of emerging viral diseases and they favour the co-occurrence of multiple species or strains in the same environment. Depending on the nature of the interaction, co-occurrence can lead to competitive exclusion or coexistence. The successive fortuitous introductions of two strains of
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus
(TYLCV-Mld and TYLCV-IL) in Réunion Island provided an ideal opportunity to study the invasion of, and competition between, these worldwide emerging pathogens. During a 7-year field survey, we observed a displacement of the resident TYLCV-Mld by the newcomer TYLCV-IL, with TYLCV-Mld remaining mostly in co-infected plants. To understand the factors associated with this partial displacement, biological traits related to fitness were measured. The better ecological aptitude of TYLCV-IL in single infections was demonstrated, which explains its rapid spread. However, we demonstrate that the relative fitness of virus strains can drastically change between single infections and co-infections. An epidemiological model parametrized with our experimental data predicts that the two strains will coexist in the long run through assistance by the fitter strain. This rare case of unilateral facilitation between two pathogens leads to frequency-dependent selection and maintenance of the less fit strain.
Regulation of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas and Burkholderia species
Authors: Fazli Mustafa , Almblad Henrik , Rybtke Morten Levin , Givskov Michael , Eberl Leo , Tolker‐Nielsen Tim
Published: March 2014

In the present review, we describe and compare the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia. Our current knowledge suggests that biofilm formation is regulated by cyclic diguanosine‐5′‐monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP), small RNAs (sRNA) and quorum sensing (QS) in all these bacterial species. The systems that employ c‐di‐GMP as a second messenger regulate the production of exopolysaccharides and surface proteins which function as extracellular matrix components in the biofilms formed by the bacteria. The systems that make use of sRNAs appear to regulate the production of exopolysaccharide biofilm matrix material in all these species. In the pseudomonads, QS regulates the production of extracellular DNA, lectins and biosurfactants which all play a role in biofilm formation. In B. cenocepacia QS regulates the expression of a large surface protein, lectins and extracellular DNA that all function as biofilm matrix components. Although the three regulatory systems all regulate the production of factors used for biofilm formation, the molecular mechanisms involved in transducing the signals into expression of the biofilm matrix components differ between the species. Under the conditions tested, exopolysaccharides appears to be the most important biofilm matrix components for P. aeruginosa, whereas large surface proteins appear to be the most important biofilm matrix components for P. putida, P. fluorescens, and B. cenocepacia.
Warfarin‐induced erythroderma
Authors: Rowe Casey J , Robertson Ivan , James Daniel , McMeniman Erin
Published: March 2014

Erythroderma is a potentially serious and life‐threatening skin disease with a number of possible aetiologies. Drug reactions are well‐documented causes, with carbamazepine, penicillin and allopurinol being the most commonly implicated. This case describes a unique presentation of warfarin‐induced erythroderma in a 78‐year‐old female patient.
A proposal for dose‐adjustment of dabigatran etexilate in atrial fibrillation guided by thrombin time
Authors: Chin Paul K. L. , Wright Daniel F. B. , Patterson David M. , Doogue Matthew P. , Begg Evan J.
Published: March 2014

Dabigatran is an oral anticoagulant that is increasingly used for atrial fibrillation (AF). Presently, many authorities state that routine laboratory coagulation monitoring is not required. However, data have recently been published demonstrating that higher trough plasma dabigatran concentrations are associated with lower thromboembolic and higher haemorrhagic event rates. Using these data, we simulate a range of AF patients with varying risks for these events and derive a target range of trough plasma dabigatran concentrations (30–130 μg l−1). Finally, we propose that a conventional screening coagulation assay, the thrombin time (TT), can be used to discern whether or not patients are within this range of dabigatran concentrations.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐II: its role in metabolic and endocrine disease
Authors: Livingstone Callum , Borai Anwar
Published: March 2014

Insulin‐like growth factor‐II (IGF‐II) is a widely expressed 7·5 kDa mitogenic peptide hormone. Although it is abundant in serum, understanding of its physiological role is limited compared with that of IGF‐I. IGF‐II regulates foetal development and differentiation, but its role in adults is less well understood. Evidence suggests roles in a number of tissues including skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, bone and ovary. Altered IGF‐II expression has been observed in metabolic conditions, notably obesity, diabetes and the polycystic ovary syndrome. This article summarizes what is known about the actions of IGF‐II and its dysregulation in metabolic and endocrine diseases. The possible causes and consequences of dysregulation are discussed along with the implications for diagnostic tests and future research.
Diagnostic accuracy of nitric oxide measurements to detect primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: Boon Mieke , Meyts Isabelle , Proesmans Marijke , Vermeulen Francois L. , Jorissen Mark , De Boeck Kris
Published: March 2014

Background

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is an orphan disease characterized by recurrent respiratory infections and an increased prevalence of situs inversus and male infertility. Low nasal Nitric Oxide (nNO) is used as a new test to diagnose PCD. The test sensitivity is good, but specificity has not been studied widely. Therefore, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of low nNO to diagnose PCD in a large cohort, including healthy patients and different disease controls.

Materials and methods

Nasal nitric oxide was measured during plateau exhalation against resistance (nNOplat) and during tidal breathing (nNOtid). Moreover, we measured fractional exhaled NO (FENO). We included 226 patients: 38 with PCD, 49 healthy controls, and 139 disease controls (cystic fibrosis, humoral immunodeficiency, and asthma).

Results

The nNOplat cut‐off value of 300 ppb provided the best sensitivity (89·5%) and specificity (87·3%) to detect PCD. There was overlap between PCD and disease controls: 16·5% of disease controls had a false‐positive result. nNOtid correlated with nNOplat (r = 0·912), but values differed (P = 0·0001). The nNOtid cut‐off of 200 ppb had a sensitivity of 89·5% and a specificity of 80·6% to detect PCD. The FENO cut‐off of 10 ppb had an acceptable sensitivity (89·5%), but a low specificity (58·3%). Positive and negative likelihood ratios were suboptimal for all tests.

Conclusions

nNOplat, nNOtid and FENO measurements overlap between PCD and disease controls. Sensitivity is comparable for the three tests. Applying composite scores slightly improves diagnostic accuracy. Given the less than 90% test sensitivity, PCD should be considered in patients with intermediate results.
Potential for passive internal dispersal: eggs of an aquatic leaf beetle survive passage through the digestive system of mallards
Authors: LAUX JAN‐JAKOB , KÖLSCH GREGOR
Published: March 2014

Long‐distance dispersal of aquatic invertebrates is in many cases facilitated by resistant life stages surviving the passage through the gut of water birds. While this is well known for taxa like crustaceans and bryozoans, it has only very rarely been documented for aquatic insects.

The fully aquatic leaf beetle Macroplea mutica shows a remarkably wide distribution throughout the whole Palearctic region, despite showing very little potential for active dispersal. The aim of this study was to test the potential for endozoochorous dispersal in Macroplea mutica by feeding beetle eggs to mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). It was hypothesised that eggs of these water beetles might survive internal transport within birds.

Approximately 1% of ingested M. mutica eggs could be retrieved from faeces of mallards 2–8 h after ingestion. Larvae hatched from 20% of the retrieved eggs after gut passage.

These results represent one of the first documented cases of insects surviving the gut passage through a water bird, and the first experimental evidence of the potential for bird‐mediated endozoochorous dispersal of aquatic beetles. The possibility of internal transport could help to explain the remarkably wide distribution of an otherwise strikingly immobile beetle species.
Microglia shape corpus callosum axon tract fasciculation: functional impact of prenatal inflammation
Authors: Pont‐Lezica Lorena , Beumer Wouter , Colasse Sabrina , Drexhage Hemmo , Versnel Marjan , Bessis Alain
Published: March 2014

Microglia colonise the brain parenchyma at early stages of development and accumulate in specific regions where they participate in cell death, angiogenesis, neurogenesis and synapse elimination. A recurring feature of embryonic microglial is their association with developing axon tracts, which, together with in vitro data, supports the idea of a physiological role for microglia in neurite development. Yet the demonstration of this role of microglia is lacking. Here, we have studied the consequences of microglial dysfunction on the formation of the corpus callosum, the largest commissure of the mammalian brain, which shows consistent microglial accumulation during development. We studied two models of microglial dysfunction: the loss‐of‐function of DAP12, a key microglial‐specific signalling molecule, and a model of maternal inflammation by peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide at embryonic day (E)15.5. We also took advantage of the Pu.1−/− mouse line, which is devoid of microglia. We performed transcriptional profiling of maternally inflamed and Dap12‐mutant microglia at E17.5. The two treatments principally down‐regulated genes involved in nervous system development and function, particularly in neurite formation. We then analysed the developmental consequences of these microglial dysfunctions on the formation of the corpus callosum. We show that all three models of altered microglial activity resulted in the defasciculation of dorsal callosal axons. Our study demonstrates that microglia display a neurite‐development‐promoting function and are genuine actors of corpus callosum development. It further shows that microglial activation impinges on this function, thereby revealing that prenatal inflammation impairs neuronal development through a loss of trophic support.
Swing phase kinematics of horses trotting over poles
Authors: Brown S. , Stubbs N. C. , Kaiser L. J. , Lavagnino M. , Clayton H. M.
Published: March 2014

Reasons for performing study

Trotting over poles is used therapeutically to restore full ranges of limb joint motion. The mechanics of trotting over poles have not yet been described, hence quantitative evidence for the presumed therapeutic effects is lacking.

Objectives

To compare limb kinematics in horses trotting over level ground, over low poles and over high poles to determine changes in joint angulations and hoof flight arcs.

Study design

Repeated measures experimental study in sound horses.

Methods

Standard motion analysis procedures with skin‐fixed reflective markers were used to measure swing phase kinematics from 8 horses trotting on level ground, over low (11 cm) and high (20 cm) poles spaced 1.05 ± 0.05 m apart. Spatiotemporal variables and peak swing phase joint flexion angles were compared using repeated measuresANOVA(P<0.05) withBonferroni correction for pairwisepost hoctesting.

Results

Peak heights of the fore and hind hooves increased significantly and progressively from no poles (fore: 13.8 ± 3.8 cm; hind: 10.8 ± 2.4 cm) to low poles (fore: 30.9 ± 4.9 cm; hind: 24.9 ± 3.7 cm) and to high poles (fore: 41.0 ± 3.9 cm; hind: 32.7 ± 4.0 cm). All joints of the fore‐ and hindlimbs contributed to the increase in hoof height through increased swing phase flexion. The hooves cleared the poles due to increases in joint flexion rather than by raising the body higher during the suspension phases of the stride.

Conclusions

The increases in swing phase joint flexions indicate that trotting over poles is effective for activating and strengthening the flexor musculature. Unlike the use of proprioceptive stimulation devices in which the effects decrease over time due to habituation, the horse is required to elevate the hooves to ensure clearance whenever poles are present. The need to raise the limbs sufficiently to clear the poles and place the hooves accurately requires visuomotor coordination, which may be useful in the rehabilitation of neurological cases.

The Summary is available in Chinese – seeSupporting information.
Chronic progressive lymphoedema in draught horses
Authors: de Keyser K. , Janssens S. , Buys N.
Published: March 2014

The objective of this review was to summarise and evaluate the current state of knowledge about chronic progressive lymphoedema in draught horses. Clinical signs of this multifactorial disorder are mainly restricted to the lower limbs, comprising progressively deteriorating skin, swelling and deformation. Although typical lesions were first reported at the beginning of the 20th century, chronic progressive lymphoedema was recognised as a specific syndrome only in 2003, and since then research has driven forward. Despite the high prevalence in some breeds and the serious economic impact, the pathogenesis is not fully understood, and the available treatment options remain symptomatic and noncurative. There is a need to improve diagnostic techniques and to develop selection tools.
Between the State and the People: Civil Society Organizations in Interwar Japan
Authors: Law Ricky
Published: March 2014

This article provides an overview of civil society organizations as a venue for investigating the politics, culture, and society of interwar Japan. Whereas extant scholarship on the Japanese government and certain notable individuals from the period is diverse and sophisticated, there is a lacuna in attention on unofficial organizations beyond specific types like labor unions. Yet during the moment of liberalization in the 1920s and early 1930s, many Japanese took advantage of the relative freedom of association to found or participate in voluntary organizations with few governmental ties or concrete agendas. Moreover, these groups used the measured latitude in expression to engage in public discussions through hosting lectures and publishing the talks as pamphlets. This essay introduces the most influential of the associations and calls attention to their publications as underutilized sources. By scrutinizing these organizations, historians can contribute to a more nuanced analysis of interwar Japan and elaborate the relations between the governing and the governed.
Temporal Trends in Health-Related Quality of Life after Stroke: Analysis from the South London Stroke Register 1995–2011
Authors: Sheldenkar Anita , Crichton Siobhan , Douiri Abdel , Rudd Anthony G. , Wolfe Charles D. A. , Chen Ruoling
Published: March 2014

Background

Survival after stroke has dramatically increased in the last two decades as the treatment of stroke has improved. However, time-trend analyses of health-related quality of life in stroke patients covering this time period are still not well investigated.

Aims

The study aims to examine temporal trends in mental and physical health-related quality of life of stroke survivors between the period of 1995 and 2011.

Methods

First in a lifetime strokes were registered in the South London Stroke Register between 1995 and 2011. Using the Short Form-12 Health Survey, trends in self-reported health-related quality of life at one-year after stroke were assessed over a 17-year period using linear regression, adjusting for socio-demographics, risk factors, and case-mix variables. Analyses stratifying by age, gender, race-ethnicity, and functional impairment were also performed.

Results

The overall trends of mental and physical health-related quality of life scores at one-year after stroke remained relatively unchanged over the period 1995–2011. However, mental health-related quality of life scores significantly improved between the period of 1995–2007 [β = 0·94 (95% CI; 0·15 to 1·74), P = 0·02], after which scores deteriorated [β = −2·02 (–3·82 to −0·22), P = 0·03]. Physical health-related quality of life scores remained stable until 2007, after which scores declined [β = −1·63 (–3·25 to −0·01), P = 0·05].

Conclusions

Despite declining health-related quality of life trends within the general population, stroke survivors' overall health-related quality of life remained unchanged, possibly due to lower expectations of health among stroke survivors. However, in recent years there has been a significant unexplained decline in both physical and mental health-related quality of life, suggesting that despite stroke policy aims to improve health-related quality of life, more needs to be done to target this decline.
Two Soybean Plant Introductions Display Slow Leaf Wilting and Reduced Yield Loss under Drought
Authors: Pathan S. M. , Lee J.‐D. , Sleper D. A. , Fritschi F. B. , Sharp R. E. , Carter T. E. , Nelson R. L. , King C. A. , Schapaugh W. T. , Ellersieck M. R. , Nguyen H. T. , Shannon J. G.
Published: March 2014

Due to high costs of irrigation, limited availability of irrigation water in many locations and/or lack of irrigation capabilities, genetic improvement for drought tolerance is an effective method to reduce yield loss in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Slow wilting and minimal yield reduction under drought are important traits in evaluating drought tolerance. Two maturity group III soybean plant introductions (PIs, PI 567690 and PI 567731) and two elite cultivars (DKB38‐52 and Pana) were evaluated with and without irrigation on a sandy soil. Drought was imposed by withholding irrigation at full bloom and continued until moderate wilting was shown by the fast leaf wilting in the check cultivar, Pana. Then, irrigation was resumed until maturity. Genotypes were scored for leaf wilting during the stress period, and yields were assessed at the end of the growing season and used to calculate a drought index. Yields of the exotic PIs were lower than those of the checks under both drought and well‐watered conditions. However, the PIs exhibited significantly lower wilting and less yield loss under drought (higher drought index) than check cultivars. The two PIs may have useful genes to develop drought‐tolerant germplasm and cultivars and maybe useful in genetic and physiological studies to decipher mechanisms responsible for improving yield under limited water availability.
Porous Mullite Ceramics Formed by Direct Consolidation Using Native and Granular Cold‐Water‐Soluble Starches
Authors: Talou Mariano H. , Moreno Rodrigo , Camerucci M. Andrea
Published: March 2014

In this article, the processing and microstructures of porous mullite bodies prepared by modifying the conventional route of the starch consolidation casting method were studied. The proposed route, called the “soluble route”, involves the use of native starches (i.e., potato, cassava, and corn starches) and a synthesized granular cold‐water‐soluble (GCWS) starch. Stable aqueous mullite‐starch suspensions (0.25 starch volume fraction of 40 vol% total solids) were prepared by mixing. The total starch content was a mixture of ungelatinized native starch and GCWS starch with a 1:10 ratio of GCWS starch to total starch. Steady‐state shear flow properties of the suspensions were analyzed by measuring viscosity. The addition of CGWS starch increased the starting suspension viscosity and thus prevented the particle segregation. Porous mullite bodies were obtained by heating (80°C, 2 h) the suspensions in metallic molds and by drying (40°C, 24 h) and sintering (1650°C, 2 h) the green disks after burning out the starch (650°C, 2 h). Green bodies obtained before and after the burning‐out process, and the sintered disks were characterized with density and porosity measurements (Archimedes method) and microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy. The phases generated after the sintering process were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis, and pore size distributions were studied by Hg‐porosimetry. The obtained results showed that the use of the GCWS starch made the shaping of homogeneous mullite bodies without cracks or deformations possible along with the development of controlled porous microstructures.
Syndrome‐Specific Patterns of Regional Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Posterior Cortical Atrophy in Comparison to Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer's Disease—A [F‐18]‐Fdg Pet Study
Authors: Spehl Timo S. , Hellwig Sabine , Amtage Florian , Weiller Cornelius , Bormann Tobias , Weber Wolfgang A. , Hüll Michael , Meyer Philipp T. , Frings Lars
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a rare neurodegenerative syndrome with visuospatial deficits. PET studies have identified hypometabolism of the occipital cortex in PCA. There is, however, a huge overlap in clinical presentation and involvement of the occipital cortex between PCA, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Syndrome‐specific patterns of metabolism have not yet been demonstrated that allow for a reliable differentiation with [F‐18]‐FDG‐PET.

METHODS

A total of 33 dementia patients (PCA n = 6, DLB n = 12, AD n = 15) who underwent [F‐18]‐FDG‐PET imaging and a neuropsychological examination were retrospectively analyzed. Group comparisons of regional cerebral glucose metabolism were calculated with statistical parametric mapping. Extracted clusters were used to evaluate discrimination accuracy by logistic regression.

RESULTS

PCA patients showed a syndrome‐specific area of hypometabolism in the right lateral temporooccipital cortex. DLB patients showed specific hypometabolism predominantly in the left occipital cortex. Logistic regression based on these two regions correctly separated patients with a sensitivity/specificity of 83/93% for PCA, 75/86% for DLB and 67/78% for AD. Overall accuracy was 73%.

CONCLUSION

[F‐18]‐FDG‐PET could reveal syndrome‐specific patterns of glucose metabolism in PCA and DLB. Accurate group discrimination in the differential diagnosis of dementia with visuospatial impairment is feasible.
Successes and Challenges in the Implementation of Care Pathways in an Intellectual Disability Service: Health Professionals' Experiences
Authors: Wood Susan , Gangadharan Satheesh , Tyrer Freya , Gumber Rohit , Devapriam John , Hiremath Avinash , Bhaumik Sabyasachi
Published: March 2014

Healthcare pathways are a relatively new approach to delivering care in intellectual disability services. The authors endeavored to ascertain and explore successes and challenges in the implementation of care pathways in a National Health Service adult intellectual disability service in Leicestershire, UK. Data were obtained from a variety of sources including observations of multidisciplinary team meetings, issue logs, and feedback from health professionals. Constant comparative analysis identified 10 themes: communication between health professionals; clarity and dissemination of relevant documentation; multidisciplinary working; role of health professionals; role of administrative staff; locality differences; information technology systems; care pathway procedures; attitudes toward care pathways; and impact on clients. It was found that a new implementation of care pathways approach to service delivery in the healthcare setting can be challenging for health professionals. Some of the challenges were generic to service change and could be addressed through careful and organized preplanning of the implementation process. Others, such as organizational culture and attitudes within the organization, were contextual and may be unique to each service and warrant significant advance consideration when attempting implementation.
Challenges in Implementing Inclusive Education in Ireland: Principal's Views of the Reasons Students Aged 12+ Are Seeking Enrollment to Special Schools
Authors: Kelly Aine , Devitt Catherine , O'Keeffe Donal , Donovan Anne Marie
Published: March 2014

In Ireland, an increasing number of students with special educational needs are leaving mainstream schools and enrolling in special education schools. A comparable context is countries that share an inclusion ideology and are at the implementation stage of inclusive education. The authors sought to investigate the reasons why students aged 12+ are leaving mainstream education and transferring to special schools, and to identify what burden this places on the special schools. Data were obtained from questionnaires sent to 54 special school principals. These administrators reported on their experiences with 246 transfer students. Descriptive analysis, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, and exact tests of significance were conducted between school groups and level of agreement with perceived difficulties. The principals reported an increasing trend (40% over 5 years) in students enrolling in special schools. The main reason given for the students leaving mainstream schools was the failure of mainstream schools to meet their academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and access‐to‐health resource needs. Adjustment and integration problems resulted from a lack of transition planning, entering too late into the special school curriculum, and an over‐dependency on supports. Students were reported to display a lack of self‐confidence, classroom disengagement, peer interaction difficulties, and challenging behavior, and these dysfunctions were attributed to the mismatch between the students' educational and other special needs and the educational environments.
Acute and Chronic Effects of a Contraceptive Compound RTI‐4587‐073(l) on Testicular Histology and Endocrine Function in Miniature Horse Stallions
Authors: Pozor MA , Zambrano G , Roser J , Hess R , Runyon S , Runcan E , Thomas BF , Dymock D , Macpherson ML , Troedsson MH , Kelleman A
Published: March 2014

Contents

The objective of this study was to evaluate acute endocrine effects as well as histological changes in testicular parenchyma induced by the contraceptive compound RTI‐4587‐073(l). Six miniature stallions were used in this experiment. The treatment group (n = 3) received one oral dose of 12.5 mg/kg of RTI‐4587‐073(l), and the control group (n = 3) received placebo only. The stallions' baseline parameters (semen, testicular dimensions, endocrine values) were collected and recorded for 5 weeks before treatment and for 6 weeks after treatment. Multiple blood samples were collected for endocrine analysis. Testicular biopsies were obtained before treatment, 1 day after treatment and every other week after treatment. Ultrasound exams were performed to monitor the dimensions of the stallions' testes. All stallions were castrated 6 weeks after treatment. Sperm numbers, motility and percentage of morphologically normal sperm decreased (p < 0.05), while the number of immature germ cells increased in ejaculates from treated animals (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of inhibin and follicle‐stimulating hormone did not change. Testosterone concentrations initially transiently decreased (p < 0.05) after administration of RTI‐4587‐073(l), and increased several days later (p < 0.05). Testicular content of testosterone and estradiol 17‐β was lower in treated stallions than in control stallions on Day 1 after treatment (p < 0.05). Severe disorganization of the seminiferous tubules, significant loss of immature germ cells and complete depletion of elongated spermatids were observed in testicular biopsies obtained from treated stallions 1 day, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. These changes were still present in the testicular samples taken from treated stallions after castration. The results of this study confirmed that RTI‐4587‐073(l) has antispermatogenic effects in stallions. Furthermore, we concluded that this compound causes acute sloughing of immature germ cells from the seminiferous tubules. RTI‐4587‐073(l) has significant but transient effects on Leydig cell function in stallions.
Framing Symbols and Space: Counterrecruitment and Resistance to the U.S. Military in Public Education
Authors: Friesen Matthew C.
Published: March 2014

Despite recent federal laws providing military recruiters unprecedented access to public schools and student information, sociologists have given scant attention to the militarization of education or the military counterrecruitment movement in the United States. Semistructured in‐depth interviews with counterrecruiters reveal five framing campaigns used to resist the armed forces' efforts to dominate the symbolic discourse in public schools: 1) the rendition of information, 2) educational space, 3) heroic military narrative, 4) educational mission, and 5) vocational vision. Analysis examining the interaction of space and social movement framing reveals how counterrecruiters compete with military recruiters over the U.S. public education's foundational values and symbols. This article advances our understanding of the counterrecruitment movement in U.S. public schools and how space influences social movement framing through the concepts of spatial legitimacy, spatial authorities, and spatial protocols.
Making Connections: Elementary Teachers' Construction of Division Word Problems and Representations
Authors: Timmerman Maria A.
Published: March 2014

If teachers make few connections among multiple representations of division, supporting students in using representations to develop operation sense demanded by national standards will not occur. Studies have investigated how prospective and practicing teachers use representations to develop knowledge of fraction division. However, few studies examined primary (K‐3) teachers' learning of contextual division problems, making connections among representations of division, and resolving the ambiguity of representing quotients with remainders. A written post‐course assessment provided evidence that most teachers created partitive division word problems, used a set model without splitting the remainder, and wrote equations with limited success. Post‐course written reflections demonstrated that many teachers developed pedagogical knowledge for helping students make connections among multiple representations, and mathematical knowledge of unit fractions. These findings suggest two areas that have implications for mathematics teacher educators who design professional development courses to facilitate teachers' learning of mathematical content and pedagogical knowledge of division and fraction relationships.
Identifiability of mean‐reverting measurement error with instrumental variable
Authors: Li Qing
Published: March 2014

In the context where one main regressor is measured with error and at least one instrumental variable is available for the correction of measurement error, this paper provides, to the best of our knowledge, a first point‐identification result on the variance of measurement error, the variance of latent variable, and their covariance. We show that the parameters are identified if the regression model is not de facto linear. We illustrate the method in an application to identify mean‐reverting measurement error, a typical issue in reported income where the measurement error of income is negatively correlated with the true income.
Using Mobile Phones and Short Message Service to Deliver Self‐Management Interventions for Chronic Conditions: A Meta‐Review
Authors: Jones Katherine R. , Lekhak Nirmala , Kaewluang Napatsawan
Published: March 2014

Background

The worldwide burden of chronic disease is widespread and growing. This shift from acute to chronic care requires rethinking how resources are invested in managing these conditions. One response has been to create programs and interventions that have the goal of helping patients better manage their own conditions. Over time, these self‐management interventions and strategies have increasingly relied on various technologies for their implementation, with the newest technology being mobile phones and short message service (SMS).

Aim

The objective of this meta‐review was to evaluate the current evidence on the use of mobile phones and SMS to deliver self‐management interventions for chronic conditions.

Methods

A meta‐review was conducted of the 11 systematic reviews (SRs) that were identified and retrieved after an extensive search of electronic databases covering the years 2000–2012. Relevant information was abstracted from each systematic review and a quality assessment carried out using the AMSTAR (“A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews”) criteria.

Findings

The number and types of included studies and total number of subjects varied significantly across the systematic reviews. Mobile phone text messaging was reported to significantly improve adherence to appointments and antiretroviral therapy, short‐term smoking quit rates, and selected clinical and behavioral outcomes. AMSTAR scores ranged from 11 to 3, reflecting substantial variation in SR quality.

Linking Evidence to Action

Mobile phones and SMS show promise as a technology to deliver self‐management interventions to improve outcomes of chronic care management. However, the quality of future studies and systematic reviews needs to be improved. There also are unresolved issues about the technology itself.
Comparison of Three-Dimensional Patellofemoral Joint Reaction Forces in Persons With and Without Patellofemoral Pain
Authors: Chen Yu-Jen , Powers Christopher M.
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine if persons with patellofemoral pain (PFP) exhibit differences in patellofemoral joint reaction forces (PFJRFs) during functional activities. Forty females (20 PFP, 20 controls) underwent two phases of data collection: (1) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and (2) biomechanical analysis during walking, running, stair ascent, and stair descent. A previously described three-dimensional model was used to estimate PFJRFs. Resultant PFJRFs and the orthogonal components were reported. The PFP group demonstrated lower peak resultant PFJRFs and posterior component and superior component of the PFJRFs compared with the control group across all conditions. However, the PFP group had a higher peak lateral component of the PFJRF in three out of the four conditions evaluated. The lower resultant PFJRFs suggested that individuals with PFP may employ strategies to minimize patellofemoral joint loading, but it did not result in diminished lateral forces acting on the patella.
Toll-Like Receptor Stimulation Induces Nondefensin Protein Expression and Reverses Antibiotic-Induced Gut Defense Impairment
Authors: Wu Ying-Ying , Hsu Ching-Mei , Chen Pei-Hsuan , Fung Chang-Phone , Chen Lee-Wei
Published: March 2014

Prior antibiotic exposure is associated with increased mortality in Gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis. However, how antibiotic-mediated changes of commensal bacteria promote the spread of enteric pathogenic bacteria in patients remains unclear. In this study, the effects of systemic antibiotic treatment with or without Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation on bacterium-killing activity, antibacterial protein expression in the intestinal mucosa, and bacterial translocation were examined in mice receiving antibiotics with or without oral supplementation of dead
Escherichia coli
or
Staphylococcus aureus
. We developed a systemic ampicillin, vancomycin, and metronidazole treatment protocol to simulate the clinical use of antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment decreased the total number of bacteria, including aerobic bacteria belonging to the family
Enterobacteriaceae
and the genus
Enterococcus
as well as organisms of the anaerobic genera
Lactococcus
and
Bifidobacterium
in the intestinal mucosa and lumen. Antibiotic treatment significantly decreased the bacterium-killing activity of the intestinal mucosa and the expression of non-defensin-family proteins, such as RegIIIβ, RegIIIγ, C-reactive protein-ductin, and RELMβ, but not the defensin-family proteins, and increased
Klebsiella pneumoniae
translocation. TLR stimulation after antibiotic treatment increased NF-κB DNA binding activity, nondefensin protein expression, and bacterium-killing activity in the intestinal mucosa and decreased
K. pneumoniae
translocation. Moreover, germfree mice showed a significant decrease in nondefensin proteins as well as intestinal defense against pathogen translocation. Since TLR stimulation induced NF-κB DNA binding activity, TLR4 expression, and mucosal bacterium-killing activity in germfree mice, we conclude that the commensal microflora is critical in maintaining intestinal nondefensin protein expression and the intestinal barrier. In turn, we suggest that TLR stimulation induces nondefensin protein expression and reverses antibiotic-induced gut defense impairment.