bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Self‐Assembly Synthesis of PdPt Bimetallic Nanotubes with Good Performance for Ethanol Oxidation in an Alkaline Medium
Authors: Huang Zhongyuan , Zhou Haihui , Sun Feifei , Fu Chaopeng , Zeng Fanyan , Li Tianqi , Kuang Yafei
Published: September 2013

PdPt bimetallic nanotubes were prepared by the self‐assembly of Pt and Pd on Te nanowires at room temperature. The morphologies of the as‐prepared PdPt nanotubes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the results display a large amount of PdPt bimetallic nanotubes with a diameter of 10–20 nm and a length of several micrometers. The composition and structure of the nanotubes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy spectrum analysis, and the results display uniform compositional distributions of both elements (Pd and Pt). The mechanism of the formation of the nanotube structure was supposed. The electrocatalytic performance of PdPt nanotubes were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Electrochemical results show that the as‐prepared PdPt nanotube catalysts have not only high activity but also good stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium.
Quantifying the Nature of Lone Pair Domains
Authors: Rahm Martin , Christe Karl. O.
Published: September 2013

The lone pair lies at the heart of chemistry, and is often in a conceptual respect the site of chemical reactivity. Here we show how the analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) can be improved upon by introducing intra‐basin partitioning. The high‐ELF localization domain population (HELP), is presented as a probe of the more chemically relevant and electron‐localized regions of the ELF lone pair basin, and shown to correlate with a range of physical properties and quantum mechanical constructs, such as the ESP,eand H+affinity, IP, HOMO/LUMO energies, atomic charge, NBO lone pair orbitals, and molecular geometry. A strong connection between topological density and orbital‐based analysis of chemistry is intuitively expected, yet this is the first time that an average electron population, obtained by any localization method, can be linked to properties of molecules. The application of HELP as a descriptor of lone pair domains is predicted to be of general use.
Lipoproteinemia and arylesterase activity in Zucker Fa/Fa rats fed glucomannan/spirulina‐enriched squid‐surimi
Authors: Vázquez‐Velasco Miguel , González‐Torres Laura , Olivero‐David Raúl , Bastida Sara , Benedí Juana , Sánchez‐Reus Mª Isabel , González‐Muñoz Mª José , Sánchez‐Muniz Francisco J.
Published: September 2013

Surimi is considered a healthy food. Hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties of soluble fiber and microalgae may reduce cardiovascular disease risk, making them potential functional ingredients. This study aims to determine whether glucomannan‐enriched or glucomannan plus spirulina‐enriched squid‐surimi improve plasma lipid/lipoprotein levels and arylesterase (AE) activity in Zucker Fa/Fa rats. Six groups of eight growing rats were given modified AIN‐93M diets for 7 wk. Experimental diets included 30% squid‐surimi control diet (C), 30% glucomannan‐enriched squid‐surimi diet (G), 30% glucomannan plus spirulina‐enriched squid‐surimi diet (GS), and the same diets enriched with hypercholesterolemic agent (2% cholesterol and 0.4% cholic acid; HC, HG, and HGS diets). G and GS diets induced significantly lower (p < 0.001) body weight gain and growth rate than the C diet and partially normalized the lipoprotein lipid contribution to plasma lipids. HC rats presented marked hyperlipemia, elevated cholesterol/triglyceride ratio in all lipoprotein fractions, and a high percentage of cholesterol transported by VLDL and IDL + LDL fractions. HG and HGS diets noticeably normalized lipemia and the lipid composition of the various lipoprotein fractions versus HC. In conclusion, glucomannan added to surimi‐diets decreased bodyweight gain. HG or HGS exhibited strong lipid normalizing properties versus HC. Spirulina did not add to the effects of glucomannan.
From Chondroitin Polymer to Size‐Defined Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides
Authors: Ferrer Lopez Angelika , Jacquinet Jean‐Claude , Lopin‐Bon Chrystel
Published: September 2013

Efficient and stereocontrolled synthesis of size‐defined hyaluronan oligomers is described for the first time starting from natural chondroitin polymer. Semisynthesis from chondroitin polymer afforded a disaccharide fragment that was used as starting material for the efficient preparation of a protected hyaluronic acid disaccharide building block. Selective inversion of configuration at C‐4 of the D‐galactosamine in the chondroitin disaccharide was one of the key steps necessary to afford a hyaluronic disaccharide skeleton. Stereoselective glycosylation, efficient reduction of the N‐trichloroacteyl group into the corresponding N‐acetyl group and deprotection afforded hyaluronan oligomers in good yield.
Sodium‐Hydroxide‐Mediated Synthesis of Highly Functionalized [1,6]‐Naphthyridines in a One‐Pot Pseudo Five‐Component Reaction
Authors: Sarkar Satavisha , Das Deb K. , Khan Abu T.
Published: September 2013

The synthesis of hitherto unreported 5‐amino‐7‐alkoxy‐2‐methyl‐2,4‐aryl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,6‐naphthyridine‐8‐carbonitriles (4) was accomplished by a one‐pot pseudo five‐component reaction using aryl methyl ketones or alkyl methyl ketones, malononitrile, and alcohols in the presence of sodium hydroxide under reflux conditions. By following an identical reaction procedure, various 5‐amino‐2‐methyl‐2,4‐diaryl‐7‐(arylthio)‐1,2‐dihydro‐1,6‐naphthyridine‐8‐carbonitrile derivatives (6) were also synthesized from aryl methyl ketones, malononitrile, and thiophenols in the presence of sodium hydroxide in ethanol. High bond‐forming efficiency, good yields, and the use of a readily available base are some of the salient features of this multicomponent reaction.
Cognitive functioning and its influence on sexual behavior in normal aging and dementia
Authors: Hartmans Carien , Comijs Hannie , Jonker Cees
Published: September 2013

Objective

Motivational aspects, emotional factors, and cognition, all of which require intact cognitive functioning may be essential in sexual functioning. However, little is known about the association between cognitive functioning and sexual behavior. The aim of this article is to review the current evidence for the influence of cognitive functioning on sexual behavior in normal aging and dementia.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases. The databases were searched for English language papers focusing on human studies published relating cognitive functioning to sexual behavior in the aging population. Keywords included sexual behavior, sexuality, cognitive functioning, healthy elderly, elderly, aging and dementia.

Results

Eight studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, five included dementia patients and/or their partners, whereas only three studies included healthy older persons. Although not consistently, results indicated a trend that older people who are not demented and continue to engage in sexual activity have better overall cognitive functioning. Cognitive decline and dementia seem to be associated with diminished sexual behavior in older persons.

Conclusions

The association between cognitive functioning and sexual behavior in the aging population is understudied. The results found are inconclusive. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arctic marginal ice zone trending wider in summer and narrower in winter
Authors: Strong Courtenay , Rigor Ignatius G.
Published: September 2013

Declines in Arctic sea ice extent and thickness suggest scientifically important changes in the spatial pattern of the marginal ice zone (MIZ)—a dynamic and biologically active band of sea ice cover close to open ocean. Arctic MIZ widths were measured in satellite era sea ice concentrations over the years 1979–2011 using a recently published MIZ width analysis method. Over the record, the warm season (July–September) MIZ width increased by 13 km decade−1, amounting to a 39% widening. This widening trend resulted from a marked poleward advancement of the MIZ poleward edge into regions where sea ice was increasingly younger and thinner at the beginning of annual melt, while the MIZ's equatorward edge moved comparatively little. The warm season MIZ widening contrasted in sign and strength with a cold season (February–April) MIZ narrowing trend (4 km decade−1, amounting to a 15% narrowing).
Projections of global changes in precipitation extremes from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models
Authors: Toreti Andrea , Naveau Philippe , Zampieri Matteo , Schindler Anne , Scoccimarro Enrico , Xoplaki Elena , Dijkstra Henk A. , Gualdi Silvio , Luterbacher Jürg
Published: September 2013

Precipitation extremes are expected to increase in a warming climate; thus, it is essential to characterize their potential future changes. Here we evaluate eight high‐resolution global climate model simulations in the twentieth century and provide new evidence on projected global precipitation extremes for the 21st century. A significant intensification of daily extremes for all seasons is projected for the middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres at the end of the present century. For the subtropics and tropics, the lack of reliable and consistent estimations found for both the historical and future simulations might be connected with model deficiencies in the representation of organized convective systems. Low intermodel variability and good agreement with high‐resolution regional observations are found for the twentieth century winter over the Northern Hemisphere middle and high latitudes.
Geographically versus dynamically defined boundary layer cloud regimes and their use to evaluate general circulation model cloud parameterizations
Authors: Nam Christine C.W. , Quaas Johannes
Published: September 2013

Regimes of tropical low‐level clouds are commonly identified according to large‐scale subsidence and lower tropospheric stability (LTS). This definition alone is insufficient for the distinction between regimes and limits the comparison of low‐level clouds from CloudSat radar observations and the ECHAM5 GCM run with the COSP radar simulator. Comparisons of CloudSat radar cloud altitude‐reflectivity histograms for stratocumulus and shallow cumulus regimes, as defined above, show nearly identical reflectivity profiles, because the distinction between the two regimes is dependent upon atmospheric stability below 700 hPa and observations above 1.5 km. Regional subsets, near California and Hawaii, for example, have large differences in reflectivity profiles than the dynamically defined domain; indicating different reflectivity profiles exist under a given large‐scale environment. Regional subsets are better for the evaluation of low‐level clouds in CloudSat and ECHAM5 as there is less contamination between 2.5 km and 7.5 km from precipitating hydrometeors which obscured cloud reflectivities.
Cluster observations of ∂Bz/∂x during growth phase magnetotail stretching intervals
Authors: Petrukovich A. A. , Artemyev A. V. , Nakamura R. , Panov E. V. , Baumjohann W.
Published: September 2013

We study a statistics of ∂Bz/∂x in a thin stretching current sheet (substorm growth phases) observed by Cluster between 8 and 18 RE downtail. After 2005, spacecraft separation allowed to measure directly this derivative of Bz along the tail axis. The near‐tail events (within 14 RE) exhibited a straight decrease of an initially large positive ∂Bz/∂x to ∼1–2 nT/RE. In the more stretched middle tail, usually the small |∂Bz/∂x|<0.5−1 nT/RE had no clear trend and fluctuated around zero with time scales 5–15 min. In general, negative ∂Bz/∂x were ubiquitous. At some onsets, larger negative ∂Bz/∂x<−1 nT/RE were associated with transient dipolarizations, propagating earthward. There was no clear association of local plasma sheet activity onset with any value of ∂Bz/∂x. We discuss relation of observations and recent modeling results.
Treatment of acne scars with fractional CO2 laser at 1‐month versus 3‐month intervals: An intra‐individual randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bjørn Marie , Stausbøl‐Grøn Birgitte , Braae Olesen Anne , Hedelund Lene
Published: September 2013

Background

Treatment of acne scars with ablative fractional CO2 laser appears to be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment. However, so far the influence of treatment interval has not been evaluated.

Objective

To evaluate whether treatment of acne scars with fractional CO2 laser resurfacing at 1‐month interval achieves better results with no difference in the occurrence of adverse effects, than treatment given at 3‐months interval.

Methods

Patients (n = 13) with symmetrical atrophic acne scars on right and left sides of the mid‐face and lower‐face were randomized to two fractional CO2 laser treatments at 1‐month versus 3‐month intervals. Blinded on‐site evaluations were performed 1 and 6 months after the last treatment on 10‐point scales. Endpoints were scar atrophy, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects.

Results

Pre‐operatively, acne scars were moderately atrophic (5.86 ± 1.87). After treatment acne scars appeared with less atrophy on both treated sides 1 month postoperatively (1‐month interval 1.96 ± 1.23, P < 0.0001; 3‐months interval 1.82 ± 1.08, P = 0.0006) and 6 months postoperatively (1‐month interval 1.56 ± 1.24, P = 0.0021; 3‐months interval 1.33 ± 1.66, P = 0.0002). The treatment interval did not influence the improvement of scar atrophy at any time postoperatively (P = 0.81). Patients were moderately and equally satisfied with the treatment result on facial sides (P = 0.93). Postoperative adverse effects were minor and not influenced by the treatment interval.

Conclusions

Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing improves atrophic acne scars and a treatment interval of either 1‐month or 3‐months does not seem to influence the improvement of scar atrophy nor the occurrence of postoperative adverse effects. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:89–93, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gas Transport Properties of Hydrogenated and Fluorinated Polynorbornene Dicarboximides
Authors: Vargas Joel , Santiago Arlette A. , Cruz‐Morales Jorge A. , Tlenkopatchev Mikhail A. , de Lys Tomás , López‐González Mar , Riande Evaristo
Published: September 2013

The synthesis and further hydrogenation of fluorinated polynorbornene dicarboximides is reported, using p‐toluenesulfonyl hydrazide and Wilkinson's catalysts, respectively. Despite improving the resistance to thermo‐oxidative degradation, it is observed that the hydrogenation of the backbone double bonds in the polymer also decreases the thermomechanical properties. Afterward, a comparative study of gas transport in membranes based on these hydrogenated polynorbornenes, as well as in their unsaturated analogues, is carried out. The gases studied are hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, and propylene. After hydrogenation, the gas permselectivity of the membranes is enhanced as a consequence of the decrease of both the gas solubility and the gas diffusion.

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Visual Analysis of Biological Activity Data with Scaffold Hunter
Authors: Klein Karsten , Koch Oliver , Kriege Nils , Mutzel Petra , Schäfer Till
Published: September 2013

The growing interest in chemogenomics approaches over the last years has led to an increasing amount of data regarding chemical and the corresponding biological activity space. The resulting data, collected in either in‐house or public databases, need to be analyzed efficiently to speed‐up the increasingly difficult task of drug discovery. Unfortunately, the discovery of new chemical entities or new targets for known drugs (‘drug repurposing’) is not suitable to a fully automated analysis or a simple drill down process. Visual interactive interfaces that allow to explore chemical space in a systematic manner and facilitate analytical reasoning can help to overcome these problems. Scaffold Hunter is a tool for the visual analysis of chemical compound databases that provides integrated visualization and analysis of biological activity data and fosters the interactive exploration of data imported from a variety of sources. We describe the features and illustrate the use by means of an exemplary analysis workflow.
Jacobi polynomials and generalized Clifford algebra‐valued Appell sequences
Authors: Cação Isabel , Eelbode David
Published: September 2013

Appell sequences in Clifford analysis are defined as polynomial families on which the Heisenberg algebra acts through a raising and a lowering operator satisfying the canonical Heisenberg relation. Recently, these sequences have gained new interest, as they are connected to the topic of special functions (such as harmonic or monogenic Gegenbauer polynomials) and branching rules for certain irreducible representations of the spin group. In this paper, we will explain how Jacobi polynomials appear quite naturally in the setting of Appell sequences related to certain branching problems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of n‐3 PUFA on the CD4+ type 2 helper T‐cell‐mediated immune responses in Fat‐1 mice
Authors: Jang Hyun‐Young , Lim Kyu , Lee Sang‐Myeong , Park Byung‐Hyun
Published: September 2013

Scope

It has been suggested that n‐3 PUFA can be used as a preventive or therapeutic strategy to control allergic asthma. But little is known about the exact mechanisms by which n‐3 PUFA modulates it. Here, the effects of elevated n‐3 PUFA on ovalbumin (OVA) induced airway inflammation were investigated using Fat‐1 transgenic mice that can convert n‐6 PUFA to n‐3 PUFA endogenously.

Methods and results

First, we tested whether Fat‐1 expression modulates CD4+ T‐cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro and found that the Fat‐1 expression attenuated all of these CD4+ T‐cell responses by suppression of T‐cell receptor mediated signaling and cytokine‐mediated phosphorylation of STATs. When the Fat‐1 mice were sensitized and challenged with the OVA, they showed a significant decrease in the recruitment of inflammatory cells into airway, the production of Th2 cytokines, eotaxin, and mucin in the lung, and the concentration of OVA‐specific IgE in the serum. Furthermore, the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th2 was also decreased in the spleen of Fat‐1 mice.

Conclusion

Our results showed that an elevated level of n‐3 PUFA was effective in preventing allergic airway inflammation by modulating the activation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells in Fat‐1 mice.
Reproducibility study of four‐dimensional flow MRI of arterial and portal venous liver hemodynamics: Influence of spatio‐temporal resolution
Authors: Stankovic Zoran , Jung Bernd , Collins Jeremy , Russe Maximilian F. , Carr James , Euringer Wulf , Stehlin Lena , Csatari Zoltan , Strohm Peter C. , Langer Mathias , Markl Michael
Published: September 2013

Purpose

To evaluate influence of variation in spatio‐temporal resolution and scan‐rescan reproducibility on three‐dimensional (3D) visualization and quantification of arterial and portal venous (PV) liver hemodynamics at four‐dimensional (4D) flow MRI.

Methods

Scan‐rescan reproducibility of 3D hemodynamic analysis of the liver was evaluated in 10 healthy volunteers using 4D flow MRI at 3T with three different spatio‐temporal resolutions (2.4 × 2.0 × 2.4 mm3, 61.2 ms; 2.5 × 2.0 × 2.4 mm3, 81.6 ms; 2.6 × 2.5 × 2.6 mm3, 80 ms) and thus different total scan times. Qualitative flow analysis used 3D streamlines and time‐resolved particle traces. Quantitative evaluation was based on maximum and mean velocities, flow volume, and vessel lumen area in the hepatic arterial and PV systems.

Results

4D flow MRI showed good interobserver variability for assessment of arterial and PV liver hemodynamics. 3D flow visualization revealed limitations for the left intrahepatic PV branch. Lower spatio‐temporal resolution resulted in underestimation of arterial velocities (mean 15%, P < 0.05). For the PV system, hemodynamic analyses showed significant differences in the velocities for intrahepatic portal vein vessels (P < 0.05). Scan‐rescan reproducibility was good except for flow volumes in the arterial system.

Conclusion

4D flow MRI for assessment of liver hemodynamics can be performed with low interobserver variability and good reproducibility. Higher spatio‐temporal resolution is necessary for complete assessment of the hepatic blood flow required for clinical applications. Magn Reson Med 72:477–484, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identifying newly approved medications in Medicare claims data: a case study using tocilizumab
Authors: Curtis Jeffrey R. , Xie Fenglong , Chen Rui , Chen Lang , Kilgore Meredith L , Lewis James D. , Yun Huifeng , Zhang Jie , Wright Nicole C. , Delzell Elizabeth
Published: September 2013

Background

After U.S. licensure, parenterally administered medications are identified using non‐specific drug codes. Accurately identifying these medications is critical to safety and effectiveness research. Methods to identify medications prior to assignment of specific drug codes have not been well described.

Objectives

To describe a generalized approach using non‐specific drug codes to identify parenteral therapies in Medicare claims and to assess the ability of that approach to identify tocilizumab (TCZ), a new biologic agent approved in 2010.

Methods

We used 2008–2010 Medicare data for a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients for algorithm development. Our algorithm classified non‐specific drug codes based upon: 1) ICD9 codes; 2) unit values (i.e. dose); 3) codes for infusion/injection procedures; 4) expected versus observed total reimbursement amount and reimbursement per unit. We assessed algorithm performance by linking to an arthritis registry to examine external validity.

Results

Of 472 803 claims with non‐specific drug codes, 9762 claims satisfied the TCZ algorithm. 74.3% of 9762 claims were classified as TCZ by exact unit price or allowed amount, 4.4% by unique doses, 21.3% by diagnosis code and small deviation from unit price or allowed amount. The algorithm demonstrated good performance characteristics: sensitivity 94% (95% CI 80–99), specificity 100% (99–100) and PPV 97% (84–100).

Conclusion

Claims‐based algorithms in Medicare or similar data systems can accurately identify newly approved biologics administered parenterally prior to the assignment of specific drug codes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Signal detection on spontaneous reports of adverse events following immunisation: a comparison of the performance of a disproportionality‐based algorithm and a time‐to‐onset‐based algorithm
Authors: van Holle Lionel , Bauchau Vincent
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Disproportionality methods measure how unexpected the observed number of adverse events is. Time‐to‐onset (TTO) methods measure how unexpected the TTO distribution of a vaccine‐event pair is compared with what is expected from other vaccines and events. Our purpose is to compare the performance associated with each method.

Methods

For the disproportionality algorithms, we defined 336 combinations of stratification factors (sex, age, region and year) and threshold values of the multi‐item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS). For the TTO algorithms, we defined 18 combinations of significance level and time windows. We used spontaneous reports of adverse events recorded for eight vaccines. The vaccine product labels were used as proxies for true safety signals. Algorithms were ranked according to their positive predictive value (PPV) for each vaccine separately; amedian rank was attributed to each algorithm across vaccines.

Results

The algorithm with the highest median rank was based on TTO with a significance level of 0.01 and a time window of 60 days after immunisation. It had an overall PPV 2.5 times higher than for the highest‐ranked MGPS algorithm, 16th rank overall, which was fully stratified and had a threshold value of 0.8. A TTO algorithm with roughly the same sensitivity as the highest‐ranked MGPS had better specificity but longer time‐to‐detection.

Conclusions

Within the scope of this study, the majority of the TTO algorithms presented a higher PPV than for any MGPS algorithm. Considering the complementarity of TTO and disproportionality methods, a signal detection strategy combining them merits further investigation. © 2013 GlaxoSmithKline. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High throughput screening of disulfide‐containing proteins in a complex mixture
Authors: Zhao Dong S. , Gregorich Zachery R. , Ge Ying
Published: September 2013

The formation of disulfide bonds between cysteine residues is crucial for the stabilization of native protein structures and, thus, determination of disulfide linkages is an important facet of protein structural characterization. Nonetheless, the identification of disulfide bond linkages remains a significant analytical challenge, particularly in large proteins with complex disulfide patterns. Herein, we have developed a new LC/MS strategy for rapid screening of disulfides in an intact protein mixture after a straightforward reduction step with tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine. LC/MS analysis of reduced and nonreduced protein mixtures quickly revealed disulfide‐containing proteins owing to a 2 Da mass increase per disulfide reduction and, subsequently, the total number of disulfide bonds in the intact proteins could be determined. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in a protein mixture composed of both disulfide‐containing and disulfide‐free proteins. Our method is simple (no need for proteolytic digestion, alkylation, or the removal of reducing agents prior to MS analysis), high throughput (fast on‐line LC/MS analysis), and reliable (no S–S scrambling), underscoring its potential as a rapid disulfide screening method for proteomics applications.
Tobacco use among long‐term survivors of head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy
Authors: Chen Allen M. , Vazquez Esther , Courquin Jean , Donald Paul J. , Farwell D. Gregory
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of tobacco consumption (i.e., cigarette use) among survivors of head and neck cancer after treatment with radiation therapy (RT).

Methods and materials

A longitudinal study was conducted with 230 patients previously treated with RT for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. All patients were clinically without evidence of disease and had a minimum of 1 year follow‐up. Patients were summarily asked about the use of tobacco products at each follow‐up visit. To explore for associations between potential predictors of post‐RT smoking, the Chi‐square test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were employed.

Results

The percentage of patients who were actively smoking was 21%, 21%, and 20%, at 1, 2, and 3 years post‐RT, respectively. When the analysis was limited to patients with a former smoking history (i.e., excluding all never‐smokers), these percentages increased to 32%, 27%, and 25%, respectively. The intensity of smoking at follow‐up ranged from one cigarette daily to 2.5 packs daily. Forty‐two of 76 (55%) patients who were smoking at diagnosis were found to be smoking at 1‐year follow‐up compared to 7 of 154 patients who were not (p < 0.001). The only factor that significantly predicted for persistent smoking at follow‐up was the presence of a preexisting psychiatric condition (most commonly, a mood disorder) at initial cancer diagnosis.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of former smokers are actively smoking during follow‐up despite having completed intensive RT and having their cancers evidently under control. Innovative interventional approaches to target those at highest risk for continued smoking are warranted. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of EPR spectra of the Gd3+ ion‐doped YAl3(BO3)4, EuAl3(BO3)4, and TmAl3(BO3)4 single crystals
Authors: Prokhorov A. D. , Prokhorov A. A. , Chernush L. F. , Minyakaev R. , Dyakonov V. P. , Szymczak H.
Published: September 2013

The EPR spectra of Gd3+ ion replacing Y3+ or rare‐earth (RE) ions in aluminum borates REAl3(BO3)4 (RE = Y3+, Eu3+, Tm3+) have been studied. The spin‐Hamiltonian parameters of an impurity Gd3+ ion in these crystals were determined. The basic atom coordinates in the structure of TmAl 3 (BO3)4 crystal have been established. Distortions of the Gd3+ ion nearest environment were analyzed within the framework of the superposition model of zero‐field splitting. The parameter change in isomorphic aluminum borates is shown to be determined by change of the angle between the Gd3+O2− bond and the C3‐axis.
Insights into Stabilization of a Viral Protein Cage in Templating Complex Nanoarchitectures: Roles of Disulfide Bonds
Authors: Li Feng , Chen Huiling , Ma Lingzhi , Zhou Kun , Zhang Zhi‐Ping , Meng Chun , Zhang Xian‐En , Wang Qiangbin
Published: September 2013

As a typical protein nanostructure, virus‐based nanoparticle (VNP) of simian virus 40 (SV40), which is composed of pentamers of the major capsid protein of SV40 (VP1), has been successfully employed in guiding the assembly of different nanoparticles (NPs) into predesigned nanostructures with considerable stability. However, the stabilization mechanism of SV40 VNP remains unclear. Here, the importance of inter‐pentamer disulfide bonds between cysteines in the stabilization of quantum dot (QD)‐containing VNPs (VNP‐QDs) is comprehensively investigated by constructing a series of VP1 mutants of cysteine to serine. Although the presence of a QD core can greatly enhance the assembly and stability of SV40 VNPs, disulfide bonds are vital to stability of VNP‐QDs. Cysteine at position 9 (C9) and C104 contribute most of the disulfide bonds and play essential roles in determining the stability of SV40 VNPs as templates to guide assembly of complex nanoarchitectures. These results provide insightful clues to understanding the robustness of SV40 VNPs in organizing suprastructures of inorganic NPs. It is expected that these findings will help guide the future design and construction of protein‐based functional nanostructures.
Quantifying the impact of storage procedures for faecal bacteriotherapy in the critically endangered New Zealand Parrot, the Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)
Authors: Waite David W. , Deines Peter , Taylor Michael W.
Published: September 2013

The endemic New Zealand kakapo is classified as ‘critically endangered’ and, in an effort to prevent extinction and restore the kakapo population, intensive handling of rare kakapo chicks is often utilised to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes among juveniles. Due to concerns that hand‐reared chicks may not receive a full bacterial complement in their gut in the absence of regurgitated food from their mother, conservation workers feed a suspension of frozen adult faeces to captive chicks. However, the efficacy of this practice is unknown, with no information about the viability of these bacteria, or whether certain bacterial taxa are selected for or against as a consequence of freezing. In this study we experimentally determined the effects of freezing and reanimation on bacterial cell viability and diversity, using a faecal sample obtained from a healthy adult kakapo. Freezing reduced the number of viable bacterial cells (estimated by colony‐forming units, CFU) by 99.86%, although addition of a cryoprotectant prior to freezing resulted in recovery of bacterial cells equivalent to that of non‐frozen controls. Bacterial taxonomic diversity was reduced by freezing, irrespective of the presence of a cryoprotectant. While this study did not address the efficacy of faecal supplementation per se, the obtained data do suggest that faecal bacteriotherapy using frozen faeces (with a cryoprotectant) from healthy adult birds warrants further consideration as a conservation strategy for intensively managed species. Zoo Biol. 32:620–625, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MODUS OPERANDIIN ASSESSING BIOMASS AND CARBON IN RUBBER PLANTATIONS UNDER VARYING CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Authors: MUNASINGHE E. S. , RODRIGO V. H. L. , GUNAWARDENA U. A. D. P.
Published: September 2013

In addition to latex and timber, the rubber tree is useful in the alleviation of rural poverty and also in the mitigation of climate change through fixing atmospheric CO2as biomass. For developing any rubber-based carbon projects, protocols for quantifying biomass and carbon fixed are required. In this context, the present study was aimed at building up allometric models using simple growth indicators (i.e. tree diameter and total height) to assess the timber, biomass and carbon in rubber trees and also to quantify their ontogenetic variation under average growth conditions in two major climatic regimes (i.e. wet and intermediate) of Sri Lanka. All models developed were in the accuracy level of over 88%. The mean absolute percentage error in the validation of allometric models was only 12.9% for timber and less than 5% for biomass and carbon. Under average growth conditions, 1 ha of rubber could produce 208 m3timber, 191 MT biomass and fix 78 MT carbon during its 30-year lifespan in the wet zone and ca. 16% lesser values in the intermediate zone. The applicability of the findings in carbon trading is discussed.
Single-molecule views on homologous recombination
Authors: Candelli Andrea , Modesti Mauro , Peterman Erwin J. G. , Wuite Gijs J. L.
Published: September 2013

All organisms need homologous recombination (HR) to repair DNA double-strand breaks. Defects in recombination are linked to genetic instability and to elevated risks in developing cancers. The central catalyst of HR is a nucleoprotein filament, consisting of recombinase proteins (human RAD51 or bacterial RecA) bound around single-stranded DNA. Over the last two decades, single-molecule techniques have provided substantial new insights into the dynamics of homologous recombination. Here, we survey important recent developments in this field of research and provide an outlook on future developments.
Constraint analysis for variational discrete systems
Authors: Dittrich Bianca , Höhn Philipp A.
Published: September 2013

A canonical formalism and constraint analysis for discrete systems subject to a variational action principle are devised. The formalism is equivalent to the covariant formulation, encompasses global and local discrete time evolution moves and naturally incorporates both constant and evolving phase spaces, the latter of which is necessary for a time varying discretization. The different roles of constraints in the discrete and the conditions under which they are first or second class and/or symmetry generators are clarified. The (non-) preservation of constraints and the symplectic structure is discussed; on evolving phase spaces the number of constraints at a fixed time step depends on the initial and final time step of evolution. Moreover, the definition of observables and a reduced phase space is provided; again, on evolving phase spaces the notion of an observable as a propagating degree of freedom requires specification of an initial and final step and crucially depends on this choice, in contrast to the continuum. However, upon restriction to translation invariant systems, one regains the usual time step independence of canonical concepts. This analysis applies, e.g., to discrete mechanics, lattice field theory, quantum gravity models, and numerical analysis.
Theoretical models for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and local ζ-potential of unfolded proteins in nanopores
Authors: Vitarelli Michael J. , Talaga David S.
Published: September 2013

Single solid-state nanopores find increasing use for electrical detection and/or manipulation of macromolecules. These applications exploit the changes in signals due to the geometry and electrical properties of the molecular species found within the nanopore. The sensitivity and resolution of such measurements are also influenced by the geometric and electrical properties of the nanopore. This paper continues the development of an analytical theory to predict the electrochemical impedance spectra of nanopores by including the influence of the presence of an unfolded protein using the variable topology finite Warburg impedance model previously published by the authors. The local excluded volume of, and charges present on, the segment of protein sampled by the nanopore are shown to influence the shape and peak frequency of the electrochemical impedance spectrum. An analytical theory is used to relate the capacitive response of the electrical double layer at the surface of the protein to both the charge density at the protein surface and the more commonly measured zeta potential. Illustrative examples show how the theory predicts that the varying sequential regions of surface charge density and excluded volume dictated by the protein primary structure may allow for an impedance-based approach to identifying unfolded proteins.
Quantitative scanning thermal microscopy based on determination of thermal probe dynamic resistance
Authors: Bodzenta J. , Juszczyk J. , Chirtoc M.
Published: September 2013

Resistive thermal probes used in scanning thermal microscopy provide high spatial resolution of measurement accompanied with high sensitivity to temperature changes. At the same time their sensitivity to variations of thermal conductivity of a sample is relatively low. In typical dc operation mode the static resistance of the thermal probe is measured. It is shown both analytically and experimentally that the sensitivity of measurement can be improved by a factor of three by measuring the dynamic resistance of a dc biased probe superimposed with small ac current. The dynamic resistance can be treated as a complex value. Its amplitude represents the slope of the static voltage-current U-I characteristic for a given I while its phase describes the delay between the measured ac voltage and applied ac current component in the probe. The phase signal also reveals dependence on the sample thermal conductivity. Signal changes are relatively small but very repeatable. In contrast, the difference between dynamic and static resistance has higher sensitivity (the same maximum value as that of the 2nd and 3rd harmonics), and also much higher amplitude than higher harmonics. The proposed dc + ac excitation scheme combines the benefits of dc excitation (mechanical stability of probe-sample contact, average temperature control) with those of ac excitation (base-line stability, rejection of ambient temperature influence, high sensitivity, lock-in signal processing), when the experimental conditions prohibit large ac excitation.
Biodiesel production from waste cooking oil catalyzed by solid acid SO42−/TiO2/La3+
Authors: Wang Kui , Jiang Jianchun , Si Zhan , Liang Xinyu
Published: September 2013

A solid acid catalyst SO42−/TiO2/La3+ was prepared via sol-gel method using tetrabutyl titanate as TiO2 precursor. The catalyst simultaneously catalyzed esterification and transesterification resulting in the synthesis of biodiesel from waste cooking oil with high content of free fatty acids as feedstock. The optimization of reaction conditions was also performed. The maximum yield of more than 90% could be obtained under the optimized conditions that catalyst amount 5 wt. % of oil, 10:1 molar ratio (methanol to oil), temperature 110 °C, and esterification of 1 h. The catalyst can be reused for five times by activation without observing the decrease of its catalytic performance. The final products were purified by molecular distillation and detected by GC-MS. The content of fatty acid methyl esters was 96.16%.
Enhanced spin accumulation at room temperature in graphene spin valves with amorphous carbon interfacial layers
Authors: Neumann I. , Costache M. V. , Bridoux G. , Sierra J. F. , Valenzuela S. O.
Published: September 2013

We demonstrate a large enhancement of the spin accumulation in monolayer graphene following electron-beam induced deposition of an amorphous carbon layer at the ferromagnet-graphene interface. The enhancement is 104-fold when graphene is deposited onto poly(methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) and exposed with sufficient electron-beam dose to cross-link the PMMA, and 103-fold when graphene is deposited directly onto SiO2 and exposed with identical dose. We attribute the difference to a more efficient carbon deposition in the former case due to an increase in the presence of compounds containing carbon, which are released by the PMMA. The amorphous carbon interface can sustain very large current densities without degrading, which leads to very large spin accumulations exceeding 500 μeV at room temperature.
A transfer function approach to reaction rate analysis with applications to phase-change materials and devices
Authors: Aziz M. M. , Wright C. D.
Published: September 2013

A very good approximate, closed-form solution to the reaction rate equation with Arrhenius temperature dependence is derived, valid for activation energies E ≫ kBT0 (kB is Boltzmann constant and T0 is room temperature) and monotonically decreasing temperatures. This solution is then used to develop a transfer function description of the reaction rate equation, enabling the bandwidth of the reaction rate to be determined and related to the kinetic and thermophysical parameters of the medium. Applications of the transfer function approach to understanding and predicting reaction (i.e., crystallization) rates in phase-change materials and devices are discussed.
Epitaxial integration of dilute magnetic semiconductor Sr3SnO with Si (001)
Authors: Lee Y. F. , Wu F. , Kumar R. , Hunte F. , Schwartz J. , Narayan J.
Published: September 2013

Epitaxial thin films heterostructures of topological insulator candidate Sr3SnO (SSO) are grown on a cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia (c-YSZ)/Si (001) platform by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray and electron diffraction patterns confirm the epitaxial nature of the layers with cube-on-cube orientation relationship: (001)[100]SSO∥(001)[100]c-YSZ∥(001)[100]Si. The temperature dependent electrical resistivity shows semiconductor behavior with a transport mechanism following the variable-range-hopping model. The SSO films show room-temperature ferromagnetism with a high saturation magnetization, and a finite non-zero coercivity persisting up to room temperature. These results indicate that SSO is a potential dilute magnetic semiconductor, presumably obtained by controlled introduction of intrinsic defects.
Erratum: “Moments of the distribution of distance” [J. Math. Phys. 52, 033505 (2011)]
Authors: García-Pelayo Ricardo
Published: September 2013

A statement in an example had been proved incorrectly. A correct proof is given here.
Understanding the effect of resonant magnetic perturbations on tearing mode dynamics
Authors: Hu Qiming , Rao Bo , Yu Q. , Ding Yonghua , Zhuang Ge , Jin Wei , Hu Xiwei
Published: September 2013

Numerical understandings of the effect of resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) on 2/1 tearing mode (TM) dynamics observed on J-TEXT tokamak (Hu et al. Nucl. Fusion 52, 083011 (2012)) are presented in this paper. The non-uniform mode rotation frequency, modulated by electromagnetic force (Fem) and viscous force (Fvs), results in the applied RMPs contributing both net stabilizing and braking effect on TM. Numerical evaluation based on analytical theory shows the applied RMP contributes a dominant stabilizing effect, which is responsible for the suppression of TM. The dynamics of the first discovered small locked island are investigated. It is found that the island is locked at the stabilizing phase and the saturated island width is less than the linear layer width. The simulated Mirnov signal indicates the small locked island is likely to be the complete suppression case observed in experiments. Associated with the application of RMP, the shape of Mirnov signal deviates from sinusoidal before mode locking, which is explained by numerical modeling. The comparisons between the numerical and experimental results are in good agreement phenomenally.
Intense green-yellow electroluminescence from Tb+-implanted silicon-rich silicon nitride/oxide light emitting devices
Authors: Berencén Y. , Wutzler R. , Rebohle L. , Hiller D. , Ramírez J. M. , Rodríguez J. A. , Skorupa W. , Garrido B.
Published: September 2013

High optical power density of 0.5 mW/cm2, external quantum efficiency of 0.1%, and population inversion of 7% are reported from Tb+-implanted silicon-rich silicon nitride/oxide light emitting devices. Electrical and electroluminescence mechanisms in these devices were investigated. The excitation cross section for the 543 nm Tb3+ emission was estimated under electrical pumping, resulting in a value of 8.2 × 10−14 cm2, which is one order of magnitude larger than one reported for Tb3+:SiO2 light emitting devices. These results demonstrate the potentiality of Tb+-implanted silicon nitride material for the development of integrated light sources compatible with Si technology.
Ultra low loss soft magnetic nanoparticles for applications up to S-band
Authors: Sharma Sucheta , Daya K. S. , Sharma S. , Singh M.
Published: September 2013

Magnetic and dielectric properties of sol-gel auto combustion processed soft spinel nanoferrite (NZFO) and hexa nanoferrite (Co2Z) were investigated for microwave antenna applications in the frequency range from 1.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz. Selection of dopants and optimized physical conditions have been used to control the high frequency electromagnetic properties of soft NZFO and Co2Z nanoparticles. At frequency 3.5 GHz the magnetic and electric losses of single phased Co2Z are 0.006, 0.002 and for NZFO are 0.004, 0.0018, respectively. The microwave measurements are supported by magnetization data and Mössbauer analysis.
The survival of lambs in shelter declines at high stocking intensities
Authors: Robertson S. M. , King B. J. , Broster J. C. , Friend M. A.
Published: September 2013

This experiment evaluated the effect of stocking intensity at lambing on lamb survival. A randomised block design with three replicates compared stocking rates of 16 and 30 ewes/ha. Twin-bearing Merino ewes (n = 69) that had been mated with Poll Dorset × White Suffolk rams were placed in paddocks sheltered with rows of hessian, with 8 or 15 ewes per 0.5-ha plot for the low and high stocking rates, respectively. The survival of lambs born alive at the high stocking rate (63%) was 24% less (P = 0.002) than for those at the low stocking rate (83%), and was associated with a higher (P < 0.05) proportion of lambs dying from starvation, mismothering or exposure. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in lamb birthweight, marking weight, ewe liveweight or condition, suggesting nutritional conditions between the stocking rates were similar. The results suggest caution in using lambing strategies which require high stocking rates.
Interactions of the Antimicrobial Peptide Maculatin 1.1 and Analogues with Phospholipid Bilayers
Authors: Fernandez David I. , Sani Marc-Antoine , Separovic Frances
Published: September 2013

The interactions of the antimicrobial peptide, maculatin 1.1 (GLFGVLAKVAAHVVPAIAEHF-NH2) and two analogues, with model phospholipid membranes have been studied using solid-state NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Maculatin 1.1 and the P15G and P15A analogues displayed minimal secondary structure in water, but with zwitterionic dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles displayed a significant increase in α-helical content. In mixed phospholipid vesicles of DMPC and anionic dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG), each peptide was highly structured with ~80% α-helical content. In DMPC vesicles, the native peptide displayed moderate head group interaction and significant perturbation of the lipid acyl chains. In DMPC/DMPG vesicles, maculatin 1.1 promoted formation of a DMPG-enriched phase and moderately increased disorder towards acyl chain ends of DMPC in the mixed bilayer. Both analogues showed reduced phospholipid head group interactions with DMPC but displayed significant interactions with the mixed lipid system. These effects support the preferential activity of these antimicrobial peptides for bacterial membranes.