bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Cyclization Reaction of 2‐Aryl‐Substituted Cinnamates To Form Phenanthrene Carboxylates by Using MoCl5
Authors: Wehming Kathrin , Schubert Moritz , Schnakenburg Gregor , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: August 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is Siegfried R. Waldvogel and co‐workers at Mainz University and Bonn University. The image depicts MoCl5 as an inexpensive, but powerful and fast‐reacting reagent for the oxidative coupling of aryls. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201403442.
Micro‐scale blood particulate dynamics using a non‐uniform rational B‐spline‐based isogeometric analysis
Authors: Chivukula V. , Mousel J. , Lu J. , Vigmostad S.
Published: August 2014

The current research presents a novel method in which blood particulates – biconcave red blood cells (RBCs) and spherical cells are modeled using isogeometric analysis, specifically Non‐Uniform Rational B‐Splines (NURBS) in 3‐D. The use of NURBS ensures that even with a coarse representation, the geometry of the blood particulates maintains an accurate description when subjected to large deformations. The fundamental advantage of this method is the coupling of the geometrical description and the stress analysis of the cell membrane into a single, unified framework. Details on the modeling approach, implementation of boundary conditions and the membrane mechanics analysis using isogeometric modeling are presented, along with validation cases for spherical and biconcave cells. Using NURBS – based isogeometric analysis, the behavior of individual cells in fluid flow is presented and analyzed in different flow regimes using as few as 176 elements for a spherical cell and 220 elements for a biconcave RBC. This work provides a framework for modeling a large number of 3‐D deformable biological cells, each with its own geometric description and membrane properties. To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first application of the NURBS – based isogeometric analysis to model and simulate blood particulates in flow in 3D. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulated Performance of Reactor Configurations for Hot‐Water Pretreatment of Sugarcane Bagasse
Authors: Archambault‐Léger Véronique , Shao Xiongjun , Lynd Lee R.
Published: August 2014

During the pretreatment of cellulosic biomass for subsequent microbial or enzymatic processing, the fiber reactivity typically increases with increasing severity but so does sugar degradation. Experimental results with sugarcane bagasse show that this tradeoff can be mitigated substantially by pretreatment in a flow‐through (FT) mode. A model that incorporates both kinetics and mass transfer was developed to simulate the performance of pretreatment in plug flow, counter‐current flow, cross flow, discrete counter‐current and partial FT configurations. The simulated results compare well to the literature for bagasse pretreated in both batch and FT configurations. A variety of FT configurations result in sugar degradation that is very low (1–5 %) and 5–20‐fold less than a conventional plug flow configuration. The performance exhibits strong sensitivity to the extent of hemicellulose solubilization, particularly for a conventional plug flow configuration.
Divalent Transition Metal Silylamide Ate Complexes
Authors: König Sonja N. , Schneider David , Maichle‐Mössmer Cäcilia , Day Benjamin M. , Layfield Richard A. , Anwander Reiner
Published: August 2014

Dimetallic ate complexes were synthesized from the divalent transition metal silylamide complexes {Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2}2, Cr[N(SiMe3)2]2(thf), Co[N(SiMe3)2]2(thf)2, and {Mn[N(SiHMe2)2]2}2 (thf = tetrahydrofuran) by the addition of the corresponding lithium or sodium silylamide salt. Accordingly, donor‐free LiFe[N(SiMe3)2]3 and NaMn[N(SiHMe2)2]3 as well as thf‐coordinated (thf)NaCr[N(SiMe3)2]3 and (thf)NaCo[N(SiMe3)2]3 were obtained. The thf‐containing mixed iron(II)/lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide complex (thf)LiFe[N(SiMe3)2]3 was synthesized by the simple addition of thf to the donor‐free complex LiFe[N(SiMe3)2]3. All of the complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and the effective magnetic moments in solution were determined by the Evans method. The solid‐state structures of these bis(trimethylsilyl)amido‐derived complexes were additionally determined by X‐ray crystallography.
One‐Pot α‐Amidosulfone‐Mediated Variation of the Pictet–Spengler Tetrahydroisoquinoline Synthesis, Suitable for Amide‐Type Substrates
Authors: Arroyo Francisco J. , López‐Alvarado Pilar , Ganesan A. , Menéndez J. Carlos
Published: August 2014

The development of Pictet–Spengler reactions from amide substrates is a challenging problem. We report here that the reaction between amide‐type compounds (including carbamates, amides, ureas and diketopiperazines), aldehydes and p‐toluenesulfinic acid constitutes an efficient method for the preparation of tetrahydroisoquinolines or pyrazino[2,1‐b]isoquinolines. Unlike previously known methods, this one‐pot Pictet–Spengler protocol avoids the need for strong Lewis or Brønsted acid catalysts.
Space‐time structure of extreme precipitation in Europe over the last century
Authors: Cioffi Francesco , Lall Upmanu , Rus Ester , Krishnamurthy Chandra Kiran B.
Published: August 2014

We investigate the space‐time structure of extreme precipitation in Europe over the last century, using daily rainfall data from the European Climate Assessment & Dataset (ECA&D) archive. The database includes 267 stations with records longer than 100 years. In the winter season (October to March), for each station, two classes of daily rainfall amount values are selected that, respectively, exceed the 90th and 95th percentile of daily rainfall amount over all the 100 years. For each class, and at each location, an annual time series of the frequency of exceedance and of the total precipitation, defined respectively as the number of days the rainfall threshold (90th and 95th percentiles) is exceeded and total precipitation on days when the percentile is exceeded, are developed. Space‐time structure of the frequency and total precipitation time series at the different locations are then pursued using multivariate time and frequency domain methods. The identified key trends and organized spectral modes are linked to well‐known climate indices, as North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The spectra of the leading principal component of frequency of exceedance and of total precipitation have a peak with a 5‐year period that is significant at the 5% level. These are also significantly correlated with ENSO series with this period. The spectrum of total rainfall is significant at the 10% level with a period of ∼8 years. This appears to be significantly correlated to the NAO index at this period. Thus, a decomposition of both secular trends and quasi‐periodic behaviour in extreme daily rainfall is provided.
Enhancing the performance of accelerated MRI through preservation of acquisition SNR: An “aliased” k‐space approach
Authors: Arunachalam Arjun
Published: August 2014

Purpose

A method for preserving acquisition SNR through simultaneous acquisitions of distinct k‐space phase encodes to enhance the performance of accelerated MRI is presented.

Theory and Methods

An excitation module comprising RF pulses and gradients is inserted into a sequence of choice to overlap and acquire distinct k‐space phase encodes. This accelerates a scan as all phase encodes can now be acquired in a duration shorter than that of a typical scan. Next, this “aliased k‐space” is restored during reconstruction using receiver sensitivity profiles. When the aliased k‐space is also sub‐sampled for additional acceleration, Parallel Imaging (PMRI) is applied first to synthesize the unacquired aliased samples. The synthesized samples are then used with the acquired samples in an iterative reconstruction to obtain the output.

Results

Depending on the sequence, acquisition SNR increased by 18–25% relative to PMRI or by 5% relative to the unaccelerated scan. This compensates for the SNR loss when the aliased k‐space is sub‐sampled for additional acceleration. With PMRI, the method could enable acceleration factors as high as 12 in 2D cartesian scans.

Conclusion

A method for accelerating MRI scans through aliased k‐space acquisitions and the feasibility of combining the same with PMRI for greater acceleration has been demonstrated. Magn Reson Med 74:150–161, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epidermal axonal swellings in painful and painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Cheung Audrey , Podgorny Peter , Martinez Jose A. , Chan Cynthia , Toth Cory
Published: August 2014

Introduction

The pathophysiology of neuropathic pain (NeP) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is unclear. A potential pathological feature associated with intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) loss in DPN is axonal swellings.

Methods

We determined the prevalence of intraepidermal axonal swellings in DPN patients with or without NeP and compared the findings with diabetes patients without DPN, patients with idiopathic neuropathy with NeP, and control subjects. The primary outcome measure was the ratio of axonal swellings to IENFD. Secondary outcome measures included clinical neuropathy severity and assessment for messenger RNA for voltage‐gated sodium and calcium channels.

Results

IENFD was depressed in DPN (with/without pain) and in idiopathic neuropathy patients. Axonal swelling ratios were similar for DPN subjects with and without pain. There was no overexpression of voltage‐gated ion channels in epidermis from DPN patients. Clinical neuropathy severity was only related to IENFD.

Conclusions

There was no clinical relationship to pain or clinical neuropathy severity for axonal swellings in DPN. Muscle Nerve 51: 505–513, 2015
Practical Significance: Ordinal Scale Data and Effect Size in Zooarchaeology
Authors: Wolverton S. , Dombrosky J. , Lyman R. L.
Published: August 2014

Quantitative analysis of zooarchaeological taxonomic abundances and skeletal part frequencies often relies on parametric techniques to test hypotheses. Data upon which such analyses are based are considered by some to be ‘ordinal scale at best’, meaning that non‐parametric approaches may be better suited for addressing hypotheses. An important consideration is that archaeologists do not directly or randomly sample target populations of artefacts and faunal remains, which means that sampling error is not randomly generated. Thus, use of inferential statistics is potentially suspect. A solution to this problem is to rely on a weight of evidence research strategy and to limit analysis to descriptive statistics. Alternatively, if one chooses to use statistical inference, one should analyse effect size to determine practical significance of results and adopt conservative, robust inferential tests that require relatively few assumptions. Archaeologists may choose not to abandon statistical inference, but if so, they should temper how they use statistical tools. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of sense of control and cognitive functioning in older cancer patients' depression
Authors: Mystakidou Kyriaki , Tsilika Eleni , Parpa Efi , Galanos Antonis
Published: August 2014

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between depression, sense of control, and cognitive functioning, as well as the predictive power of sense of control and cognitive functioning in older cancer patients' depression.

Methods

Eighty‐six cancer patients were referred to a palliative care unit. They completed the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale, the Cancer Locus of Control, and the Mini Mental State Examination questionnaires.

Results

Higher perceived control over the ‘course of illness’ was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms (p < 0.0005), whereas lower perceived control over the ‘cause of illness’ was associated with higher depressive symptoms. The same results were found for ‘cause of illness’ between non‐depressed and depressed patients (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that whereas an external orientation in ‘course of illness’ increased the likelihood of depression (p = 0.002), an external orientation in ‘cause of illness’ decreased the likelihood of depression (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Older cancer patients' sense of control orientation over the course of illness and the cause of illness predicted the levels of depressive symptomatology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rutin improves endotoxin‐induced acute lung injury via inhibition of iNOS and VCAM‐1 expression
Authors: Huang Yi‐Chun , Horng Chi‐Ting , Chen Shyan‐Tarng , Lee Shiuan‐Shinn , Yang Ming‐Ling , Lee Chien‐Ying , Kuo Wu‐Hsien , Yeh Chung‐Hsin , Kuan Yu‐Hsiang
Published: August 2014

Endotoxins exist anywhere including in water pools, dust, humidifier systems, and machining fluids. The major causal factor is endotoxins in many serious diseases, such as fever, sepsis, multi‐organ failure, meningococcemia, and severe morbidities like neurologic disability, or hearing loss. Endotoxins are also called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and are important pathogens of acute lung injury (ALI). Rutin has potential beneficial effects including anti‐inflammation, antioxidation, anti‐hyperlipidemia, and anti‐platelet aggregation. Pre‐treatment with rutin inhibited LPS‐induced neutrophil infiltration in the lungs. LPS‐induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was suppressed by rutin, but there was no influence on expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and cyclooxygenase‐2. In addition, activation of the nuclear factor (NF)κB was reduced by rutin. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitory concentration of rutin on expression of VCAM‐1 and iNOS was similar to NFκB activation. In conclusion, rutin is a potential protective agent for ALI via inhibition of neutrophil infiltration, expression of VCAM‐1 and iNOS, and NFκB activation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 185–191, 2016.
Elucidating and alleviating impacts of lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitors on Clostridium beijerinckii during fermentation of Miscanthus giganteus to butanol
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ezeji Thaddeus Chukwuemeka
Published: August 2014

Fermentation of liquid hot water (LHW) pretreated Miscanthus giganteus (MG) by Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 was investigated towards understanding the toxicity of lignocellulose-derived inhibitors to solventogenic Clostridium species vis-à-vis butanol production. While C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 did not grow in undiluted MG hydrolysate-based fermentation medium, supplementation of this medium with Calcium carbonate enabled the growth of C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 and production of butanol. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric assays, LHW-pretreated MG was found to contain lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds; some of which were transformed by exponentially growing C. beijerinckii to less inhibitory compounds during fermentation. Contrary to all expectations, the reduction product of furfural, furfuryl alcohol, inhibited butanol production by C. beijerinckii by more than 16 %. Collectively, these results provide new insights into why lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates are recalcitrant to fermentation to biofuels and chemicals.
Comparative studies on the implantation of nano platinum black and pure platinum electrodes in the rabbit orbicularis oculi muscle
Authors: Zhang Y , Li K Y , Jin C , Wang Y T , Geng L , Sun Y J , Tian H C , Liu J Q , Jin X J
Published: August 2014

Objective:

To study the interactive influence of implanted nano platinum black electrodes (as compared with pure platinum electrodes) on rabbit orbicularis oculi muscle morphology and function.

Methods:

The influence of the two types of electrode on the orbicularis oculi muscle was monitored in a rabbit model of facial paralysis. Biological electric current and exciting current were administered to biological tissue, and morphological and functional changes were identified. Changes in orbicularis oculi muscle contraction, electrode configuration and performance associated with long-term electrical stimulation were observed over 28 days of implantation.

Results:

The nano platinum black electrode was superior to the pure platinum electrode in the following aspects: morphology and functionality, electrical excitation function of the orbicularis oculi muscle (as assessed by electromyography), muscle contraction function and biological tissue changes. Furthermore, the nano platinum black electrode features had good stability.

Conclusion:

Microelectrode surface modification with nano platinum black can effectively increase the microelectrode surface area and improve electrode performance, and is associated with good tissue compatibility.
Early perturbation in mitochondria redox homeostasis in response to environmental stress predicts cell fate in diatoms
Authors: van Creveld Shiri Graff , Rosenwasser Shilo , Schatz Daniella , Koren Ilan , Vardi Assaf
Published: August 2014

Diatoms are ubiquitous marine photosynthetic eukaryotes that are responsible for about 20% of global photosynthesis. Nevertheless, little is known about the redox-based mechanisms that mediate diatom sensing and acclimation to environmental stress. Here we used a redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein sensor targeted to various subcellular organelles in the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, to map the spatial and temporal oxidation patterns in response to environmental stresses. Specific organelle oxidation patterns were found in response to various stress conditions such as oxidative stress, nutrient limitation and exposure to diatom-derived infochemicals. We found a strong correlation between the mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) redox potential (EGSH) and subsequent induction of cell death in response to the diatom-derived unsaturated aldehyde 2E,4E/Z-decadienal (DD), and a volatile halocarbon (BrCN) that mediate trophic-level interactions in marine diatoms. Induction of cell death in response to DD was mediated by oxidation of mitochondrial EGSH and was reversible by application of GSH only within a narrow time frame. We found that cell fate can be accurately predicted by a distinct life-death threshold of mitochondrial EGSH (−335 mV). We propose that compartmentalized redox-based signaling can integrate the input of diverse environmental cues and will determine cell fate decisions as part of algal acclimation to stress conditions.
From molecular spectra to a density shift in dense Rydberg gases
Authors: Gaj A. , Krupp A. T. , Balewski J. B. , Löw R. , Hofferberth S. , Pfau T.
Published: August 2014

In Rydberg atoms, at least one electron is excited to a state with a high principal quantum number. In an ultracold environment, this low-energy electron can scatter off a ground state atom allowing for the formation of a Rydberg molecule consisting of one Rydberg atom and several ground state atoms. Here we investigate those Rydberg molecules created by photoassociation for the spherically symmetric S-states. A step by step increase of the principal quantum number up to n=111 enables us to go beyond the previously observed dimer and trimer states up to a molecule, where four ground state atoms are bound by one Rydberg atom. The increase of bound atoms and the decreasing binding potential per atom with principal quantum number results finally in an overlap of spectral lines. The associated density-dependent line broadening sets a fundamental limit, for example, for the optical thickness per blockade volume in Rydberg quantum optics experiments.
Ligand-specific endocytic dwell times control functional selectivity of the cannabinoid receptor 1
Authors: Flores-Otero Jacqueline , Ahn Kwang H. , Delgado-Peraza Francheska , Mackie Ken , Kendall Debra A. , Yudowski Guillermo A.
Published: August 2014

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the major transducers of external stimuli and key therapeutic targets in many pathological conditions. When activated by different ligands, one receptor can elicit multiple signalling cascades that are mediated by G proteins or β-arrestin, a process defined as functional selectivity or ligand bias. However, the dynamic mechanisms underlying β-arrestin signalling remain unknown. Here by studying the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), we identify ligand-specific endocytic dwell times, that is, the time during which receptors are clustered into clathrin pits together with β-arrestins before endocytosis, as the mechanism controlling β-arrestin signalling. Agonists inducing short endocytic dwell times produce little or no β-arrestin signalling, whereas those eliciting prolonged dwell times induce robust signalling. Remarkably, extending CB1R dwell times by preventing endocytosis substantially increased β-arrestin signalling. These studies reveal how receptor activation translates into β-arrestin signalling and identify a mechanism to control this pathway.
Multiple-state interfacial electron injection competes with excited state relaxation and de-excitation to determine external quantum efficiencies of organic dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Zhang Min , Yang Lin , Yan Cancan , Ma Wentao , Wang Peng
Published: August 2014

We have revealed stepwise excited state relaxations and multiple state electron injections at a realistic TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface.
Investigation of transannular cycloaddition reactions involving furanoxonium ions using DFT calculations. Implications for the origin of plumarellide and rameswaralide and related polycyclic metabolites isolated from corals
Authors: Lygo B. , Palframan M. J. , Pattenden G.
Published: August 2014

DFT calculations probing potential cycloaddition pathways leading to the polycyclic ring systems found in the coral secondary metabolites plumarellide, mandapamate and rameswaralide are described.
Homogenous formation and quaternization of urea-functionalized imidazolyl silane and its immobilization on silica for surface-confined ionic liquid stationary phases
Authors: Zhang Mingliang , Chen Jia , Qiu Hongdeng , Mallik Abul K. , Takafuji Makoto , Ihara Hirotaka
Published: August 2014

New strategy for surface modification of silica sphere was proposed on the basis of one-pot urea formation and quaternization of imidazole, resulting in sorbents of high tunability and controllable hydrophobicity.
Solution-processable design strategy for a Li2FeSiO4@C/Fe nanocomposite as a cathode material for high power lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Donglin , Yong Hong-Tuan-Hua , Xie Rong , Fan Xiaoyong , Gou Lei , Tian Miao , Ma Shoulong , Hao Limin , Ni Lei , Duan Li
Published: August 2014

Li2FeSiO4@C/Fe nanocomposites have been synthesized by solution-processable approaches, which exhibit a superior rate performance as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Synthesis of high purity Cr2AlC nanolamellas with improved tribological properties for oil-based additives
Authors: Xue Maoquan , Zhang Xianghua , Tang Hua , Li Changsheng
Published: August 2014

High purity Cr2AlC nanolamellas and tribological properties for oil-based additives.
Ultra-low gas permeability and efficient reinforcement of cellulose nanocomposite films by well-aligned graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Huang Hua-Dong , Liu Chun-Yan , Li Dan , Chen Yan-Hui , Zhong Gan-Ji , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: August 2014

Fully exfoliated and highly aligned GONSs give regenerated cellulose nanocomposite films an ultra-low O2 permeability and high mechanical performance.
Mesoporous organosilica hybrids with a tunable amphoteric framework for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Moorthy Madhappan Santha , Park Ji-Hye , Bae Jae-Ho , Kim Sun-Hee , Ha Chang-Sik
Published: August 2014

The integrated nitrile groups in the pore walls of the DU-MSH-CN were converted into reactive –COOH or –NH2groups, by an acid or base hydrolysis technique to achieve large amounts of either –COOH or –NH2groups into the pore walls. Thein vitrodrug release and biocompatibility tests proved the organosilica hybrids suitable for drug carriers in cancer therapy.
Coumarin dye-embedded semiconducting polymer dots for ratiometric sensing of fluoride ions in aqueous solution and bio-imaging in cells
Authors: Huang Ya-Chi , Chen Chuan-Pin , Wu Pei-Jing , Kuo Shih-Yu , Chan Yang-Hsiang
Published: August 2014

This communication demonstrates a simple platform for using coumarin-encapsulated Pdots as a sensor for ratiometric determination of fluoride ions.
Thermally induced conformational changes of Ca-arachidate Langmuir-Blodgett Films at different compression
Authors: Weber Jan , Beier Andre , Hasselbrink Eckart , Balgar Thorsten
Published: August 2014

The conformational order in Ca-arachidate Langmuir-Blodgett films on solid glass supports is investigated by means of vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy (VSFG). The symmetric C-H stretching vibrations of both the terminal methyl and the methylene groups are utilized to monitor the chain conformation at various sample temperatures under ambient conditions. At room temperature the film is well-ordered consisting almost entirely of all-trans configured chains. Between 340 and 430 K we observe a marked increase in gauche-defects before oxidative degeneration starts at sample temperatures above 470 K. The temperature dependence of the data is well represented by apparent enthalpy changes for the formation of gauche-defects, sharply increasing with packing density from 29 to 62 kJ/mol; values, which are an order of magnitude larger than those of the gas phase molecule. These large apparent enthalpies do not prevent the formation of a high degree of conformational disorder at elevated temperatures.
On the application of Floquet theorem in development of time-dependent Lindbladians
Authors: Szczygielski Krzysztof
Published: August 2014

In this paper, the mathematical framework providing a description of completely positive and trace preserving dynamics of open quantum systems is addressed. Special case of time-dependent Lindbladian governed by periodic Hamiltonian is concerned. It is proven that appropriate trace preserving dynamical map of such periodically driven system may be constructed by application of Floquet theory. Appropriate Lindbladian and Markovian master equation in weak coupling regime and resulting dynamical map are constructed. Some examples of application of developed technique are given.
Focusing of intense and divergent ion beams in a magnetic mass analyzer
Authors: Jianlin Ke , Changgeng Zhou , Rui Qiu , Yonghong Hu
Published: August 2014

A magnetic mass analyzer is used to determine the beam composition of a vacuum arc ion source. In the analyzer, we used the concentric multi-ring electrodes to focus the intense and divergent ion beams. We describe the principle, design, and the test results of the focusing device. The diameter of the beam profile is less than 20 mm when the accelerating voltage is 30 kV and the focusing voltage is about 2.0 kV. The focusing device has been successfully used in the magnetic mass analyzer to separate Ti+, Ti2+, and Ti3+.
Electrically detected magnetic resonance study of defects created by hot carrier stress at the SiC/SiO2 interface of a SiC n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor
Authors: Gruber G. , Hadley P. , Koch M. , Aichinger T.
Published: August 2014

This Letter reports electrical measurements as well as electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) studies of defects created at the SiC/SiO2 interface of a lateral 4H-SiC n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) by hot carrier stress (HCS). Both charge pumping (CP) and mobility measurements indicate severe device degradation due to the electrical stress. In accordance with the electrical measurements, a large increase in the EDMR amplitude by a factor of 27 was observed after 106 s of HCS. The defect observed in the unstressed device is anisotropic with gB||c = 2.0045(4) and gB⊥c = 2.0020(4). After the stress, the g-value changes to gB||c = 2.0059(4) and gB⊥c = 2.0019(4). During HCS, most defects are created near the n-doped drain region of the device. In this region, the crystalline structure of the SiC is distorted due to incorporation of N close to the amorphous dose. The distortion could explain the slight change in the g-value with the dominating defect or defect family remaining the same before and after stress. Although the precise structure of the defect could not be identified due to overlapping spectra and limited measurement resolution, the strong hyperfine side peaks suggest a N related defect.
Measuring dehydration tolerance in pasture grasses to improve drought survival
Authors: Norton M. R. , Lelièvre the late F. , Volaire F.
Published: August 2014

Cool-season grasses, both annual and perennial, typically employ the strategies of dehydration avoidance and dehydration tolerance to help them to survive extended periods of low soil moisture. Summer dormancy is an extra trait employed by perennial grasses particularly adapted to regions experiencing extended hot, dry summers. Of the three strategies, it appears that least is known about dehydration tolerance. Using and extending a methodology developed for cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), this study compared a range of cultivars of cocksfoot, tall fescue and phalaris differing in expression of summer dormancy. Both inter- and intra-specific variation in dehydration tolerance was observed, with cocksfoot expressing the trait strongly, whereas it was least evident in phalaris. The trait was more strongly evident in cultivars originating in drier environments, and the ability to express dehydration tolerance appeared to be independent of summer dormancy. It has been confirmed that dehydration tolerance is a powerful drought-survival trait, one that warrants increasing attention in plant breeding programs for drying environments.
Behavioural measures of pain
Authors: Chorney Jill MacLaren , McMurtry C. Meghan
Published: August 2014

This chapter reviews the current state of evidence on behavioural measures of pain in children and adolescents including a brief discussion of future directions. To demonstrate the utility of behavioural scales, it also includes a clinical case example at the end of this chapter. A few limits of coverage should be noted. First, although some of the measures included in this chapter may have been used for infants, we will not review measures that are only validated for infants as these measures are covered by Lee and Stevens (Chapter 35, this volume)). Second, given that there are no well-established behavioural measures of chronic pain, this chapter will focus on measures that are relevant to acute and procedural pain and will also not cover other pain-related outcome measures (e.g. functional disability, quality of life).
Gazing with Soft Eyes
Authors: Koithan Mary
Published: August 2014

Chapter 42 provides an overview of integrative nursing by one of the authors, including how practising nursing from a whole-person/whole-systems perspective begins with the recognition that the one we seek to help is a whole person who lives in a particular context (social, relational, temporal, geographical, cultural). She also demonstrates that integrative nurses find meaning and purpose in relationship. She suggests that what makes this resource stand out is that it lays out guidelines to how our commitment to provide opportunities for healing within a co-created relationship is based on mutuality and participatory engagement.
Promoter-proximal transcription factor binding is transcriptionally active when coupled with nucleosome repositioning in immediate vicinity
Authors: Yadav Vinod Kumar , Thakur Ram Krishna , Eckloff Bruce , Baral Aradhita , Singh Ankita , Halder Rashi , Kumar Akinchan , Alam Mohammad Parwez , Kundu Tapas K. , Pandita Raj , Pandita Tej K. , Wieben Eric D. , Chowdhury Shantanu
Published: August 2014

Previous studies have analyzed patterns of transcription, transcription factor (TF) binding or mapped nucleosome occupancy across the genome. These suggest that the three aspects are genetically connected but the cause and effect relationships are still unknown. For example, physiologic TF binding studies involve many TFs, consequently, it is difficult to assign nucleosome reorganization to the binding site occupancy of any particular TF. Therefore, several aspects remain unclear: does TF binding influence nucleosome (re)organizations locally or impact the chromatin landscape at a more global level; are all or only a fraction of TF binding a result of reorganization in nucleosome occupancy and do all TF binding and associated changes in nucleosome occupancy result in altered gene expression? With these in mind, following characterization of two states (before and after induction of a single TF of choice) we determined: (i) genomic binding sites of the TF, (ii) promoter nucleosome occupancy and (iii) transcriptome profiles. Results demonstrated that promoter-proximal TF binding influenced expression of the target gene when it was coupled to nucleosome repositioning at or close to its binding site in most cases. In contrast, only in few cases change in target gene expression was found when TF binding occurred without local nucleosome reorganization.
Drosophila Brahma complex remodels nucleosome organizations in multiple aspects
Authors: Shi Jiejun , Zheng Meizhu , Ye Youqiong , Li Min , Chen Xiaolong , Hu Xinjie , Sun Jin , Zhang Xiaobai , Jiang Cizhong
Published: August 2014

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes regulate nucleosome organizations. In Drosophila, gene Brm encodes the core Brahma complex, the ATPase subunit of SWI/SNF class of chromatin remodelers. Its role in modulating the nucleosome landscape in vivo is unclear. In this study, we knocked down Brm in Drosophila third instar larvae to explore the changes in nucleosome profiles and global gene transcription. The results show that Brm knockdown leads to nucleosome occupancy changes throughout the entire genome with a bias in occupancy decrease. In contrast, the knockdown has limited impacts on nucleosome position shift. The knockdown also alters another important physical property of nucleosome positioning, fuzziness. Nucleosome position shift, gain or loss and fuzziness changes are all enriched in promoter regions. Nucleosome arrays around the 5′ ends of genes are reorganized in five patterns as a result of Brm knockdown. Intriguingly, the concomitant changes in the genes adjacent to the Brahma-dependent remodeling regions have important roles in development and morphogenesis. Further analyses reveal abundance of AT-rich motifs for transcription factors in the remodeling regions.
The First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by Peronospora belbahrii on Sweet Basil in Greenhouses in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šafránková I. , Holková L.
Published: August 2014

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic plant that is cultivated as a pot plant in greenhouses or in fields in the Czech Republic. The plants are intended for direct consumption or for drying. In April of 2012, the first large chlorotic from the middle necrotic spots occurred gradually on leaves of pot plants O. basilicum cv. Genovese in greenhouses in Central Bohemia. The characteristic gray to brown furry growth of downy mildew appeared on abaxial surfaces of leaves in the place of chlorotic spots within 3 to 4 days. The infested leaves fell off in the late stages of pathogenesis. The infestation gradually manifested itself in ever-younger plants and in July, cotyledons and possibly the first true leaves were already heavily infected and damaged and these plants rapidly died. The plant damage reached 80 to 100%, so it was necessary to stop growing the plants in the greenhouse at the end of July. The causal agent was isolated and identified as Peronospora belbahrii Thines by means of morphological and molecular characters (2,3). Conidiophores were hyaline, straight, monopodial, 280 to 460 μm, branched three to five times, ended with two slightly curved branchlets with a single conidia on each branchled tip. The longer branchlets measured 13 to 24 μm (average 18.2 μm), the shorter one 4 to 15 μm (average 9.7 μm). Conidia were rounded or slightly ovoid, from brownish to dark brownish, measured 22 to 31 × 20 to 28 μm (length/width ratio 1.2). A pathogen-specific sequence was detected with the help of the pathogen ITS rDNA specific primers in symptomatic leaves (1). DNA from plant tissues was isolated using the DNeasy plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germany) following the standard protocol. PCR was performed using KAPA2G Robust HotStar kit (Kapa Biosystems, United States) according to the conditions recommended in Belbahri et al. (1). The specific products were visualized by electrophoresis through 1.5% agarose gels. Leaves of 20-day-old potted plants O. basilicum ‘Genovese’ were inoculated by spraying with 5 × 105 conidia/ml of the pathogen. Each pot contained 10 plants. Sterilized distilled water was applied to control plants. Plants were covered with polyethylene bags during the entire incubation period to maintain high humidity, and kept at a temperature of 22 to 24°C. Typical disease symptoms appeared on leaves 5 to 9 days after inoculation. Control plants were symptomless. P. belbahrii was re-isolated from the lesions of inoculated plants, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Downy mildew on sweet basil was reported in countries in Africa, Europe, and South and North America (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of downy mildew on sweet basil in the Czech Republic.

References: (1) L. Belbahri et al. Mycol. Res. 109:1276, 2005. (2) Y.-J. Choi et al. Mycol. Res. 113:1340, 2009. (3) M. Thines et al. Mycol. Res. 113:532, 2009. (4) C. A. Wyenandt et al. HortScience 45:1416, 2010.
Crystal structure of 1-(8-methoxy-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethanone
Authors: Koh Dongsoo
Published: August 2014

In the structure of the title compound, C12H12O3, the dihydropyran ring is fused with the benzene ring. The dihydropyran ring is in a half-chair conformation, with the ring O and methylene C atoms positioned 1.367 (3) and 1.504 (4) Å, respectively, on either side of the mean plane formed by the other four atoms. The methoxy group is coplanar with the benzene ring to which it is connected [Cb—Cb—Om—Cmtorsion angle = −0.2 (4)°; b = benzene and m = methoxy], and similarly the aldehyde is coplanar with respect to the double bond of the dihydropyran ring [Cdh—Cdh—Ca—Oa= −178.1 (3)°; dh = dihydropyran and a = aldehyde]. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak methyl–methoxy C—H...O hydrogen bonds into supramolecular chains along thea-axis direction.
Crystal structure of 4-bromo-N-(2-bromo-3-nitrobenzyl)-2-nitronaphthalen-1-amine
Authors: Singh Vijay P. , Venkateshwaran Krishnan , Singh Harkesh B. , Butcher Ray J.
Published: August 2014

In the title compound, C17H11Br2N3O4, the dihedral angle between the planes of the naphthalene system and the benzene ring is 52.86 (8)°. The nitro substituent and the attached naphthalene system are almost coplanar [dihedral angle = 5.6 (4)°], probably as a consequence of an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond with the amine group. The nitro substituent attached to the benzene ring is disordered over two sets of sites with occupancies of 0.694 (3) and 0.306 (3). The major component deviates significantly from the ring plane [dihedral angle = 53.6 (2)°]. In the crystal, the molecules are linked into a three-dimensional array by extensive π–π interactions involving both the naphthalene and benzene rings [range of centroid–centroid distances = 3.5295 (16)–3.9629 (18) Å] and C—H...O interactions involving the methylene H atoms and the phenyl-attached nitro group.
Crystal structure of ethyl 2-chloro-5,8-dimethoxyquinoline-3-carboxylate
Authors: Hayour Hasna , Bouraiou Abdelmalek , Bouacida Sofiane , Benzerka Saida , Belfaitah Ali
Published: August 2014

In the title compound, C14H14ClNO4, the dihedral angle between the quinoline ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0142 Å) and ester planes is 18.99 (3)°. The C—O—C—Cm(m = methyl) torsion angle is −172.08 (10)°, indicating atransconformation. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by C—H...O and C—H...N interactions, generating layers lying parallel to (101). Aromatic π-π stacking [centroid–centroid distances = 3.557 (2) and 3.703 (2)Å] links the layers into a three-dimensional network.
Maternal age and emergency operative deliveries at term: a population−based registry study among low‐risk primiparous women
Authors: Herstad L , Klungsøyr K , Skjærven R , Tanbo T , Forsén L , Åbyholm T , Vangen S
Published: August 2014

Objective

To study the association between maternal age and emergency operative delivery. The roles of in‐labour indications, and birthweight ≥ 4000 g, gestational age ≥ 42 weeks, induction of labour, and epidural use, according to maternal age were explored.

Design

Population‐based study.

Setting

Medical Birth Registry of Norway and Statistics Norway.

Population

We studied 169 583 low‐risk primiparous mothers with singleton, cephalic labours, at ≥37 weeks of gestation, from 1999 to 2009.

Methods

The associations between maternal age and mode of delivery were analysed using multinomial regression analyses, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.

Main outcome measures

Emergency caesarean section and operative vaginal delivery.

Results

Of women aged ≥40 years, 22% had emergency caesarean sections and 24% had operative vaginal deliveries, giving adjusted relative risk ratios (RRRs) of 6.60 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 5.53–7.87) and 3.30 (95% CI 2.79–3.90), respectively, when compared with women aged 20–24 years. Adjustments for sociodemographic factors only slightly changed the estimates. Dystocia was the main indication, followed by fetal distress. All of the listed factors increased the level of emergency operative deliveries, mainly because of an increase in dystocia. The increase in risk for emergency caesarean section by all factors, and for operative vaginal deliveries by epidural, were greater in older than in younger women, but were significant for epidural only.

Conclusions

We found a close association between maternal age and emergency operative delivery in low‐risk primiparas. Contributory factors increased the risk for both emergency operative delivery and epidural more in older than in younger women.
Children learning to use technologies through play: A Digital Play Framework
Authors: Bird Jo , Edwards Susan
Published: August 2014

Digital technologies are increasingly acknowledged as an important aspect of early childhood education. A significant problem for early childhood education has been how to understand the pedagogical use of technologies in a sector that values play‐based learning. This paper presents a new framework to understand how children learn to use technologies through play. The Digital Play Framework is based on the sociocultural concept of tool mediation and Corrine Hutt's work regarding epistemic and ludic activity as basis for understanding play. The Digital Play Framework presents a series of indicators for how children learn to use technologies as cultural tools, first by exploring the functionality of technologies through epistemic activity, and second by generating new content through ludic activity.
Geographic disparity: the dilemma of lower socioeconomic status, multiple listing, and death on the liver transplant waiting list
Authors: Schwartz Adam , Schiano Thomas , Kim‐Schluger Leona , Florman Sander
Published: August 2014

Due to the current regionally based allocation system, some patients list for and are transplanted away from home in regions with shorter waits and higher transplant rates. Of 147 included patients, 120 died waiting and 27 received transplants at outside centers during the study (32.5 months). Those transplanted elsewhere had higher median incomes than patients dying on the waitlist ($84 946 vs. $55 250, p = 0.0001). Those with median incomes <$60 244 were more likely to die than those with incomes >$60 244 (94% vs. 70%, RR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.14–1.59). Patients with Medicaid were more likely to die waiting than those with other insurance (100% vs. 77%, RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.18–1.44). Our analysis demonstrates that those who died waiting were more likely to have lower incomes and Medicaid compared with those transplanted elsewhere. Even when we controlled for Medicaid status, patients who died waiting had lower incomes compared with those transplanted elsewhere. Increased organ sharing over geographically broader regions, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine in 1999, may reduce incentives for patients to travel to receive a liver and reduce inequities. Current efforts to address this disparity continue to fall short of the Institute of Medicine recommendations, United States Department of Health and Human Services regulations and the Final Rule.
To What did They Consent? Understanding Consent Among Low Literacy Participants in a Microbicide Feasibility Study in Mazabuka, Zambia
Authors: Munalula‐Nkandu Esther , Ndebele Paul , Siziya Seter , Munthali JC
Published: August 2014

We conducted a study to review the consenting process in a vaginal Microbicide feasibility study conducted in Mazabuka, Zambia. Participants were drawn from those participating in the microbicide study. A questionnaire and focus group discussion were used to collect information on participants understanding of study aims, risks and benefits. Altogether, 200 participants took part in this study. The results of the study showed that while all participants signed or endorsed their thumbprints to the consent forms, full informed consent was not attained from most of the participants since 77% (n = 154) of the participants had numerous questions about the study and 34% (n = 68) did not know who to get in touch with concerning the study. Study objectives were not fully understood by over 61% of the participants. Sixty four percent of the participants were not sure of the risks of taking part in the microbicide study. A significant number thought the study was all about determining their HIV status. Some participants were concerned that their partners were not on the trial as they were convinced that being on the study meant that that they had a lifetime protection from HIV infection. The process of obtaining consent was inadequate as various phases of the study were not fully understood. We recommend the need for researchers to reinforce the consenting process in all studies and more so when studies are conducted in low literacy populations.
A novel large deletion and single nucleotide insertion in the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein gene
Authors: Gulácsy Vera , Soltész Beáta , Petrescu Carmen , Bataneant Mihaela , Gyimesi Edit , Serban Margit , Maródi László , Tóth Beáta
Published: August 2014

Deletion mutations of WAS are relatively rare and the precise localization of large deletions in the genome has rarely been described in previous studies. We report here a 5‐month‐old boy with a large deletion mutation in WAS that completely abolished protein expression. To localize the deletion, a 2816‐bp‐length sequence that spans between exons 9 and 12 was amplified. PCR amplification of the patient's sample revealed a single band of about 1 kb in contrast to the 2816‐bp‐amplicon in the control. Genomic DNA sequencing of the patient revealed a 1595‐bp‐deletion and an adenine insertion (g.5247_6841del1595insA). This large deletion of WAS resulted in partial loss of exon 10 and intron 11, and a complete loss of intron 10 and exon 11.