bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion‐beam‐assisted fabrication and manipulation of metallic nanowires
Authors: Rajput N.S. , Tong Z. , Verma H.C. , Luo X.
Published: August 2015

Metallic nanowires (NWs) are the key performers for future micro/nanodevices. The controlled manoeuvring and integration of such nanoscale entities are essential requirements. Presented is a discussion of a fabrication approach that combines chemical etching and ion beam milling to fabricate metallic NWs. The shape modification of the metallic NWs using ion beam irradiation (bending towards the ion beam side) is investigated. The bending effect of the NWs is observed to be instantaneous and permanent. The ion beam‐assisted shape manoeuvre of the metallic structures is studied in the light of ion‐induced vacancy formation and reconfiguration of the damaged layers. The manipulation method can be used for fabricating structures of desired shapes and aligning structures at a large scale. The controlled bending method of the metallic NWs also provides an understanding of the strain formation process in nanoscale metals.
Preparation and characterisation of MCM‐41 materials with intra‐wall cross‐mesopores
Authors: Ming Weixing , Ma Jinghong , Wang Yan , Li R.
Published: August 2015

A series of novel mesoporous MCM‐41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) materials has been synthesised using pre‐organo‐functionalised fumed silica as the silica source. Subsequent X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen/argon adsorption and transmission electron microscopy analyses indicated that the additional mesopores formed in silica walls seem to cross the inherent hexagonally arranged channels, affording interconnected structural mesopores. Compared with the conventional MCM‐41 material featuring single cylindrical pores, the newly prepared materials have a larger surface area (1450 m2/g), and their adsorption capacity for n‐heptane has been enhanced in the low‐pressure region, which presumably would be highly beneficial to the abatement of low‐concentration volatile organic compounds.
Magnification and resolution of microlenses with different shapes
Authors: Hou Jinglei , Yao Ling , Ren Jie , Guo Minglei , Ye Yong‐Hong
Published: August 2015

In this reported work, three types of microlenses, the whole microsphere solid lens (W‐SL), the melted microsphere solid lens (M‐SL) and the microsphere solid lens semi‐immersed in SU‐8 resist (S‐SL), have been fabricated from mircospheres with a diameter of 2.87 µm. Their imaging properties on the nanosphere arrays with diameters of 280–600 nm were experimentally studied. It was found that the shape of the microlens plays an important role in the imaging properties. The imaging resolution of the S‐SL is the best as more high Fourier components of the object can be coupled into the lens, while the magnification (∼2.0×) of the M‐SL is the largest.
Synthesis and characterisation of SAPO‐34 with high surface area
Authors: Bai Yadong , Zheng Jiajun , Fan Binbin
Published: August 2015

SAPO‐34 molecular sieve with a high surface area has been successfully synthesised using Y5669 (N‐[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propy]aniline) functionalised fumed, silica as the silica source and tetraethylammonium hydroxide as a structure directing agent via a 60‐day crystallisation time. X‐ray diffraction result indicates that the sample is highly crystalline SAPO‐34 and the scanning electron (electron) microscopy images show that the sample is nanosized with a size of ca. 200 nm. N2 adsorption and ammonia temperature‐programmed adsorption results indicate that the synthesised SAPO‐34 sample exhibits a much higher microporous area and stronger acidity than the conventional SAPO‐34. Moreover, the microporous surface area of the as‐obtained SAPO‐34 can reach 835 m2 g−1, which is difficult to realise using other synthesis methods.
Reliable solution processed planar perovskite hybrid solar cells with large-area uniformity by chloroform soaking and spin rinsing induced surface precipitation
Authors: Chern Yann-Cherng , Wu Hung-Ruei , Chen Yen-Chu , Zan Hsiao-Wen , Meng Hsin-Fei , Horng Sheng-Fu
Published: August 2015

A solvent soaking and rinsing method, in which the solvent was allowed to soak all over the surface followed by a spinning for solvent draining, was found to produce perovskite layers with high uniformity on a centimeter scale and with much improved reliability. Besides the enhanced crystallinity and surface morphology due to the rinsing induced surface precipitation that constrains the grain growth underneath in the precursor films, large-area uniformity with film thickness determined exclusively by the rotational speed of rinsing spinning for solvent draining was observed. With chloroform as rinsing solvent, highly uniform and mirror-like perovskite layers of area as large as 8 cm × 8 cm were produced and highly uniform planar perovskite solar cells with power conversion efficiency of 10.6 ± 0.2% as well as much prolonged lifetime were obtained. The high uniformity and reliability observed with this solvent soaking and rinsing method were ascribed to the low viscosity of chloroform as well as its feasibility of mixing with the solvent used in the precursor solution. Moreover, since the surface precipitation forms before the solvent draining, this solvent soaking and rinsing method may be adapted to spinless process and be compatible with large-area and continuous production. With the large-area uniformity and reliability for the resultant perovskite layers, this chloroform soaking and rinsing approach may thus be promising for the mass production and commercialization of large-area perovskite solar cells.
Plasmonic excitation-assisted optical and electric enhancement in ultra-thin solar cells: the influence of nano-strip cross section
Authors: Sabaeian Mohammad , Heydari Mehdi , Ajamgard Narges
Published: August 2015

The effects of Ag nano-strips with triangle, rectangular and trapezoid cross sections on the optical absorption, generation rate, and short-circuit current density of ultra-thin solar cells were investigated. By putting the nano-strips as a grating structure on the top of the solar cells, the waveguide, surface plasmon polariton (SPP), and localized surface plasmon (LSP) modes, which are excited with the assistance of nano-strips, were evaluated in TE and TM polarizations. The results show, firstly, the TM modes are more influential than TE modes in optical and electrical properties enhancement of solar cell, because of plasmonic excitations in TM mode. Secondly, the trapezoid nano-strips reveal noticeable impact on the optical absorption, generation rate, and short-circuit current density enhancement than triangle and rectangular ones. In particular, the absorption of long wavelengths which is a challenge in ultra-thin solar cells is significantly improved by using Ag trapezoid nano-strips.
Contrasting Behaviour of Exciplex Ensembles in the Diastereodifferentiating Paternò–Büchi Reaction of Chiral Cyanobenzoate with Naphthyl- and Phenylethenes on Direct or Charge-Transfer Excitation
Authors: Nagasaki Keisuke , Inoue Yoshihisa , Mori Tadashi
Published: August 2015

The diastereodifferentiating Paternò–Büchi reaction of chiral cyanobenzoate with 1-(1-naphthyl)-1-phenylethene was compared with those with 1,1-diphenylethene on direct and charge-transfer excitations. By desymmetrization of the donor, four diastereomeric oxetane products were formed on photolysis in excellent combined yields. Increase in donor strength induced a stronger charge-transfer interaction both in ground and excited states. Thus, the difference in diastereoselectivities with two different excitation modes (i.e. direct versus charge-transfer) became less significant with a naphthyl derivative as donor. A subtle change of donor–acceptor interaction was shown to have profound effect on the nature of the excited-state complexes and thus the product (stereo)selectivities. Despite a small temperature dependence, an Eyring-type study on the diastereoselectivities confirmed that the excited charge-transfer complex is an excited species distinct from the conventional exciplex.
Genetic Identification of Chinook Salmon: Stock-Specific Distributions of Juveniles along the Washington and Oregon Coasts
Authors: Teel David J. , Burke Brian J. , Kuligowski David R. , Morgan Cheryl A. , Van Doornik Donald M.
Published: August 2015

We used microsatellite DNA data and genetic stock identification methods to delineate the temporal and spatial distributions of juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha occupying coastal habitats extending from central Oregon to northern Washington. Juveniles were collected in trawl surveys conducted during spring, summer, and autumn over 15 years. Distributions (mean latitude and distance from shore) differed between yearling and subyearling life history types and between stocks; many of these differences were consistent across years. Yearlings were nearly all (98%) from Columbia River sources, and only 6% were naturally produced. In late May, yearlings from the lower Columbia and Willamette rivers were farther north than other yearlings, likely due to the early spring timing of their releases from hatcheries and subsequent out-migration from the Columbia River. However, yearling distributions in late June reflected known migration behaviors. Yearlings from interior Columbia and Snake River sources were farthest north by June, whereas yearlings from other stocks were more spread out in latitude. Subyearlings sampled in early summer were also largely from the Columbia River (98%), but greater percentages of subyearlings from coastal rivers were present during the fall (24%). In contrast to yearlings, natural production accounted for nearly one-third of subyearlings. Subyearlings of most stocks tended to remain relatively near their point of sea entry throughout the summer. Subyearlings from the Snake River fall-run stock and upper Columbia River summer–fall-run stock exhibited diverse distributions that included both southward and northward dispersal. Overall, distributions of Chinook Salmon stocks and life history types reflected differences in migration behavior but also reflected the influence of environmental factors and hatchery practices.

Received November 13, 2014; accepted April 15, 2015
LoopIng: a template-based tool for predicting the structure of protein loops
Authors: Messih Mario Abdel , Lepore Rosalba , Tramontano Anna
Published: August 2015

Motivation: Predicting the structure of protein loops is very challenging, mainly because they are not necessarily subject to strong evolutionary pressure. This implies that, unlike the rest of the protein, standard homology modeling techniques are not very effective in modeling their structure. However, loops are often involved in protein function, hence inferring their structure is important for predicting protein structure as well as function.

Results: We describe a method, LoopIng, based on the Random Forest automated learning technique, which, given a target loop, selects a structural template for it from a database of loop candidates. Compared to the most recently available methods, LoopIng is able to achieve similar accuracy for short loops (4–10 residues) and significant enhancements for long loops (11–20 residues). The quality of the predictions is robust to errors that unavoidably affect the stem regions when these are modeled. The method returns a confidence score for the predicted template loops and has the advantage of being very fast (on average: 1 min/loop).

Availability and implementation:  www.biocomputing.it/looping

Contact:  anna.tramontano@uniroma1.it

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Strategies to improve the performance of rare variant association studies by optimizing the selection of controls
Authors: Zhu Na , Heinrich Verena , Dickhaus Thorsten , Hecht Jochen , Robinson Peter N. , Mundlos Stefan , Kamphans Tom , Krawitz Peter M.
Published: August 2015

Motivation: When analyzing a case group of patients with ultra-rare disorders the ethnicities are often diverse and the data quality might vary. The population substructure in the case group as well as the heterogeneous data quality can cause substantial inflation of test statistics and result in spurious associations in case-control studies if not properly adjusted for. Existing techniques to correct for confounding effects were especially developed for common variants and are not applicable to rare variants.

Results: We analyzed strategies to select suitable controls for cases that are based on similarity metrics that vary in their weighting schemes. We simulated different disease entities on real exome data and show that a similarity-based selection scheme can help to reduce false positive associations and to optimize the performance of the statistical tests. Especially when data quality as well as ethnicities vary a lot in the case group, a matching approach that puts more weight on rare variants shows the best performance. We reanalyzed collections of unrelated patients with Kabuki make-up syndrome, Hyperphosphatasia with Mental Retardation syndrome and Catel–Manzke syndrome for which the disease genes were recently described. We show that rare variant association tests are more sensitive and specific in identifying the disease gene than intersection filters and should thus be considered as a favorable approach in analyzing even small patient cohorts.

Availability and implementation: Datasets used in our analysis are available at ftp://ftp.1000genomes.ebi.ac.uk./vol1/ftp/

Contact: peter.krawitz@charite.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
mafba is a downstream transcriptional effector of Vegfc signaling essential for embryonic lymphangiogenesis in zebrafish
Authors: Koltowska Katarzyna , Paterson Scott , Bower Neil I. , Baillie Gregory J. , Lagendijk Anne K. , Astin Jonathan W. , Chen Huijun , Francois Mathias , Crosier Philip S. , Taft Ryan J. , Simons Cas , Smith Kelly A. , Hogan Benjamin M.
Published: August 2015

The lymphatic vasculature plays roles in tissue fluid balance, immune cell trafficking, fatty acid absorption, cancer metastasis, and cardiovascular disease. Lymphatic vessels form by lymphangiogenesis, the sprouting of new lymphatics from pre-existing vessels, in both development and disease contexts. The apical signaling pathway in lymphangiogenesis is the VEGFC/VEGFR3 pathway, yet how signaling controls cellular transcriptional output remains unknown. We used a forward genetic screen in zebrafish to identify the transcription factor mafba as essential for lymphatic vessel development. We found that mafba is required for the migration of lymphatic precursors after their initial sprouting from the posterior cardinal vein. mafba expression is enriched in sprouts emerging from veins, and we show that mafba functions cell-autonomously during lymphatic vessel development. Mechanistically, Vegfc signaling increases mafba expression to control downstream transcription, and this regulatory relationship is dependent on the activity of SoxF transcription factors, which are essential for mafba expression in venous endothelium. Here we identify an indispensable Vegfc–SoxF–Mafba pathway in lymphatic development.
The empirical and moral foundations of the ISLLC Standards
Authors: Murphy Joseph
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to unpack the foundations for the national standards for school leaders in the USA. The author examines some of the background of the Standards from 1996 to 2015. The author explores the two foundations on which the ISLLC Standards rest, academic press and supportive community.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper takes the approach of a review of research.

Findings

– The paper lays out the foundations for ISLLC.

Originality/value

– The ISLLC Standards have the potential to significantly alter the landscape of leadership.
Strategies for marketing diamonds in China from the perspective of international diamond SMEs compared to the west
Authors: Berger Ron , Herstein Ram
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The Chinese diamond industry is dominated by SMEs. The purpose of this paper examines which of the three business strategies prevalent in the global diamond industry is utilized by Chinese diamond SMEs compared to those used in other western countries. In so doing, it maps the major actors in the Chinese diamond industry and identifies the challenges faced by SMEs when entering the highly competitive but very lucrative Chinese diamond industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two stage approach was undertaken. Step 1 involved exploratory field work with leading institutions. In the second stage a qualitative questionnaire was administered to members of 54 small to medium-sized international diamond SMEs operating in China. The difficulty of acquiring information on this secretive industry was further hindered by the equally secretive nature of Chinese culture.

Findings

– Guanxi was found not to be prevalent in the Chinese diamond industry. This is an interesting finding as China is a socially embedded and highly networked society. Chinese diamond SMEs conduct business by implementing a transactional-based approach to business strategy that centers on short-term cash-based transactions.

Research limitations/implications

– Future studies should use a quantitative questionnaire with a larger set of Chinese SME diamond firms. Studies could also examine whether the transformation from a system based on social networks to a system based on market forces as found in the Chinese diamond industry has been transposed to other Chinese industries dominated by SMEs. This may show the rationalization of the Chinese economy and its progression toward western models of exchange.

Originality/value

– This paper is a pioneering work on the structure and business strategy implemented by SMEs in the Chinese diamond industry.
Markets as “ultimate judges” of economic policies: Angela Merkel’s discourse profile during the economic crisis and the European crisis policies
Authors: Pühringer Stephan
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer an explanation of the predominance of austerity policies in Europe based on distinct crisis narratives and their underlying market metaphors in public speeches and addresses of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to a broader audience of economic decision-makers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses discourse and metaphor analysis of speeches and addresses of Angela Merkel in the aftermath of the crisis applying cognitive metaphor theory in combination with a corpus linguistic approach.

Findings

– Dominant conceptual metaphors in Merkel’s crisis narrative subordinate policy-making to superior “market mechanisms”, which are attributed with human and natural characteristics. Moral focus of crisis narrative of “living-beyond-ones-means” forces austerity policies.

Research limitations/implications

– The analysis is restricted to public speeches of Merkel, whereas the impact on public discourses was not analyzed.

Social implications

– The paper offers an explanation for the prevalence of neoliberal policies in the Eurozone and the uneven balances of political power in public economic discourses.

Originality/value

– Study of the role of “market metaphors” in crisis narratives of influential political leaders as well as an analysis of the impact of discursive manifestations and conceptual market metaphors for economic crisis policies.
Epidemiology of law enforcement vehicle collisions in the US and California
Authors: Rice Thomas M. , Troszak Lara , Gustafson Bryon G.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Concerns about the risk of traffic collision injury to both police officers and bystanders are increasing as the use of in-vehicle technologies becoming widespread among agencies. This study used national and California data to characterize traffic collisions in which a police vehicle was involved. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors used a California traffic collision database to retrospectively identify collisions that involved police vehicles for years 2007-2010. The authors summarized collision characteristics with descriptive methods and used log-binomial regression to estimate associations between personal and collision characteristics with officer culpability.

Findings

– The authors identified 5,233 traffic collisions in California. In total, 10 percent of law enforcement vehicles were motorcycles. In all, 9 percent of cruisers struck a pedestrian or bicyclist, compared with only 2 percent of motorcycles. Compared with officers aged 50 or older, officers in younger age categories were progressively much more likely to have been culpable. Motorcycle officers were 33 percent less likely to be culpable for their collision involvements. Approximately 100 fatal collisions involving a law enforcement vehicle occur each year in the USA.

Originality/value

– The findings from this study indicate that approximately 1,300 injury-producing traffic collisions occur each year in California that involve a law enforcement vehicle. The authors found that younger age, female sex, cruiser operation, traveling unbelted, and single-vehicle collision involvement were positively associated with officer culpability. Officer race and community population were not significantly associated with culpability. The occurrence of fatal collisions in the USA was stable over a 12-year period.
Then
&
now: trends in fatal law enforcement traffic collisions
Authors: Gustafson Bryon G.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze trends in fatal law enforcement officer (LEO) traffic collisions and describes prior research approaches and industry responses. It reviews the issue from historical and contemporary perspectives and details its problems for public policy.

Design/methodology/approach

– Descriptive statistics are applied to data primarily covering the period 1995 to 2010 contained in the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime in the USA and LEO Killed and Assaulted reports and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System database. Trends are established and comparisons are offered between groups.

Findings

– Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for LEOs. Traffic fatalities in the general public have steadily decreased in past decades. This has not been the trend among LEOs. This issue has been studied from several disciplinary perspectives in the social, cognitive, biological, engineering, and natural sciences. While the law enforcement industry has documented the trend, concerted efforts to mitigate the issue have been limited until recently.

Practical implications

– Law enforcement practitioners and policymakers should take note of research findings and pursue training, policy, and practice changes to limit LEO traffic fatalities and effect an improvement trend consistent with the national reduction in highway deaths.

Originality/value

– This paper brings together previously uncoupled data sources and prior research to identify problematic trends and contextualize LEO traffic fatalities as a subset of all traffic fatalities. It provides law enforcement policymakers a stark and revealing assessment of the most dangerous aspect of their field.
State-level differences in fatal law enforcement officer collisions
Authors: Gustafson Bryon G.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate variability in law enforcement officer (LEO) traffic fatality rates among states in order to identify policy-relevant areas of opportunity to reduce deaths.

Design/methodology/approach

– Differences in state highway spending, regulatory policy, law enforcement training, LEO and general public traffic fatalities, and other state-level variables are explored through cross-sectional regression analysis and qualitative content analysis. Data were used from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime in the USA and LEOs Killed and Assaulted reports, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System, among other sources.

Findings

– There are a number of significant state-level variables and trends that contribute to differences in LEO traffic fatality rates. Maximum highway speed limits and general population traffic fatalities are found to be statistically significant predictors. Thematic factors relating to LEO exceptionalism, agency sovereignty, training, and external control loci, emerged through qualitative analysis.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations included differences in definition, consistency, and reporting among data sources. Qualitative analysis of some variables were limited and future research should pursue more robust and repeated/longitudinal measures.

Practical implications

– Policymakers have an opportunity to review significant factors contributing to higher/lower collision involvement rates and make changes to police practices to reduce collision involvement and improve safety for LEOs.

Originality/value

– No prior study has offered a national, cross-case analysis of LEO traffic fatalities by state. This paper offers law enforcement policymakers empirical examples of successful LEO traffic safety policies.
Inter‐/Intra‐observer Reliability of Hand Assessment Using Skin Detail: A Count‐based Method
Authors: Malone Christina A. , Salyards Michael J. , Hein Meredith
Published: August 2015

Skin detail of the hand is used in photographic comparisons, yet its reliability has not been evaluated. This study examines a count‐based method for documenting skin features. In Part I, 14 individuals counted skin features on 40 color images of the hand, three of which were repeated. An average correlation value of 0.557 was obtained for interobserver assessment; values ranged from 0.545 to 0.832 for intra‐observer assessment. The variation in correlation values for hands suggests that there are certain distinguishing characteristics that increase reliability. In Part II, 17 examiners assessed 20 nonrepeated grayscale images of hands by circling skin features. An average correlation value of 0.674 was obtained, but visual assessment of examiner markings suggested some examiners grouped features whereas others viewed them individually. The results suggest further research is warranted, some hands may be more suitable for comparisons, and a standardized method for examining skin features is needed.
Sudden Cardiac Death in a Young Man with Migraine‐associated Arrhythmia
Authors: Monroe Darren J. , Meehan John T. , Schandl Cynthia A.
Published: August 2015

A 31‐year‐old man with migraine‐induced syncope and bradycardia with subsequent pacemaker implantation died unexpectedly. Clinically unsuspected cardiac anomalies were found at autopsy including myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending artery and shelf‐like coronary artery ostia. Nortriptyline was identified by toxicologic analysis. A review of the autopsy findings, the historical information, and the effects of the possible arrhythmogenic circumstances is undertaken and the potential contributions to the death are discussed. Cardiac arrhythmias have been documented during migraines. Coronary artery bridging has been known to lead to ischemia and infarction, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death; however, these are very rare sequelae. Congenital coronary artery anomalies have been linked to sudden cardiac death, but only rarely cause death in people younger than 31 years. Migraines and the autopsy findings described have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. Altogether, they led to the unexpected death of this young man.
Fatal Eurasian Brown Bear Attacks—Two Swedish Fatalities in Modern Times
Authors: Gustafsson Torfinn , Eriksson Anders
Published: August 2015

Fatal bear attacks on humans are uncommon with only one reported case in Sweden since 1902. The bear population is, however, growing and the frequency of confrontations is likely to increase. Case I‐A 40‐year‐old hunter and his dog were found dead near a bear's den. Autopsy showed that a large portion of the face, facial skeleton, and anterior portion of the brain was missing. Autopsy of the bear showed two nonfatal gunshot wounds. Case II‐A 61‐year‐old man and his dog were found dead outside a hunting lodge. Autopsy revealed numerous wounds, including partial evisceration of the intestines. The victim's blood ethanol concentration was 0.27%. These cases confirm the presence of risk factors identified by the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project, that is, provocation by a dog, encountering an injured bear, and appearing close to its den. An additional possible factor in case II was ethanol intoxication.
Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Insoluble Dietary Fiber Isolated from Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea[L.] Verdc.)
Authors: Diedericks Claudine F. , Jideani Victoria A.
Published: August 2015

Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a widely cultivated legume with a rich nutritional profile, yet despite its many benefits it still remains underutilized. To highlight its potential value, 4 BGN varieties—brown, red, black eye, and brown eye were subjected to sequential enzymatic treatments followed by centrifugation to obtain the insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) fraction. The IDFs were vacuum‐dried and evaluated for color, hydration properties, fat absorption, polyphenolic compounds, neutral sugars, and uronic acids. An optimized white bread formulation was also determined using brown BGN‐IDF in an optimal (IV) mixture design. Three mixture components constrained at lower and upper limits (water: 57% to 60%, yeast: 2.3% to 5.3%, and BGN‐IDF: 7% to 10%) were evaluated for their effects on responses of specific loaf volume, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience of the loaves. All BGN‐IDFs differed significantly (P≤ 0.05) across all color parameters. Polyphenols were significantly (P≤ 0.05) highest in red and brown BGN‐IDFs. Arabinose/galactose (31.04% to 37.12%), xylose (16.53% to 27.30%), and mannose (14.48% to 22.24%) were the major sugars identified. Swelling capacity was significantly (P≤ 0.05) highest for brown eye BGN‐IDF (7.72 ± 0.49 mL/g). Water retention capacity ranged from 1.63 to 2.01 g water/g dry weight. Fat absorption for red BGN‐IDF differed significantly (P≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the best optimal white bread formulation enriched with brown BGN‐IDF was established with numerical optimization at 59.5% water, 4.3% yeast, and 8.5% BGN‐IDF. Overall positive physicochemical and functional properties were observed for BGN‐IDFs, and it was shown that an optimal white bread enriched with BGN‐IDF could be produced.
Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in Oat and Soya Drinks by Enterocin AS‐48 in Combination with Other Antimicrobials
Authors: Burgos María José Grande , Aguayo Mª Carmen López , Pulido Rubén Pérez , Gálvez Antonio , López Rosario Lucas
Published: August 2015

The presence of toxicogenic Staphylococcus aureus in foods and the dissemination of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the food chain are matters of concern. In the present study, the circular bacteriocin enterocin AS‐48, applied singly or in combination with phenolic compounds (carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, and citral) or with 2‐nitro‐1‐propanol (2NPOH), was investigated in the control of a cocktail made from 1 methicillin‐sensitive and 1 MRSA strains inoculated on commercial oat and soya drinks. Enterocin AS‐48 exhibited low bactericidal activity against staphylococci in the drinks investigated when applied singly. The combinations of sub‐inhibitory concentrations of enterocin AS‐48 (25 μg/mL) and phenolic compounds or 2NPOH caused complete inactivation of staphylococci in the drinks within 24 h of incubation at 22 °C. When tested in oat and soya drinks stored for 7 d at 10 °C, enterocin AS‐48 (25 μg/mL) in combination with 2NPOH (5.5 mM) reduced viable counts rapidly in the case of oat drink (4.2 log cycles after 12 h) or slowly in soya drink (3.8 log cycles after 3 d). The same combined treatment applied on drinks stored at 22 °C achieved a fast inactivation of staphylococci within 12 to 24 h in both drinks, and no viable staphylococci were detected for up to 7 d of storage. Results from the study highlight the potential of enterocin AS‐48 in combination with 2NPOH for inactivation of staphylococci.
Improvement of Fish Sauce Quality by Strain CMC5‐3‐1: A Novel Species ofStaphylococcussp.
Authors: Udomsil Natteewan , Rodtong Sureelak , Tanasupawat Somboon , Yongsawatdigul Jirawat
Published: August 2015

Staphylococcussp. CMC5‐3‐1 and CMS5‐7‐5 isolated from fermented fish sauce at 3 to 7 mo, respectively, showed different characteristics on protein hydrolysis and volatile formation. These Gram‐positive cocci were able to grow in up to 15% NaCl with the optimum at 0.5% to 5% NaCl in tryptic soy broth. Based on ribosomal 16S rRNA gene sequences,Staphylococcussp. CMC5‐3‐1 and CMS5‐7‐5 showed 99.0% similarity to that ofStaphylococcus piscifermentansJCM 6057T, but DNA–DNA relatedness was <30%, indicating that they were likely to be new species. DNA relatedness between these 2 strains was only 65%, suggesting that they also belonged to different species. The α‐amino group content of 6‐month‐old fish sauce inoculated withStaphylococcussp. CMC5‐3‐1 was 740.5 mM, which was higher than that inoculated by the strain CMS5‐7‐5 (662.14 mM,P< 0.05). Histamine was not produced during fermentations with both strains. Fish sauce inoculated withStaphylococcussp. CMC5‐3‐1 showed the highest content of total glutamic acid (P< 0.05). The major volatile compound detected in fish sauce inoculated withStaphylococcussp. CMC5‐3‐1 was 2‐methypropanal, contributing to the desirable dark chocolate note.Staphylococcussp. CMC5‐3‐1 could be applied as a starter culture to improve the umami and aroma of fish sauce.
Uptake of milk with and without solid feed during the monogastric phase: Effect on fibrolytic and methanogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of calves
Authors: Guzman Cesar E. , Bereza‐Malcolm Lara T. , De Groef Bert , Franks Ashley E.
Published: August 2015

Microbial communities are affected by diet and play a role in the successful transition from milk to a solid diet. The response of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein bull calves to the uptake of milk with solid feed (control treatment; CT), or milk without solid feed (milk‐only treatment; MT) during the first 3 weeks of life was investigated. Samples were collected from the rumen (fluid and tissue), abomasum (fluid), cecum (fluid and tissue) and feces at 7, 14 and 20 days of age. Calf weight was higher on days 14 and 20 in the MT than the CT. In the rumen at 14 days, the fibrolytic bacteria Fibrobacter succinogenes and Prevotella ruminicola increased in the CT and Ruminococcus flavefaciens increased in the MT. This suggests that R. flavefaciens is not strictly fibrolytic and that it might use milk as a substrate or other microbial species might supply a substrate. Diet affected methanogens, but this may have been due to an indirect effect via an association with Geobacter spp. or other syntrophic partners. The treatments also affected microorganisms in the abomasum, cecum and feces. Our results contribute to an understanding of diet, microbes in the gastrointestinal tract and weaning.
Randomized trial of allergen‐induced asthmatic response in smokers and non‐smokers: effects of inhaled corticosteroids
Authors: Cahn A. , Boyce M. , Mistry S. , Musani N. , Rambaran C. , Storey J. , Ventresca P. , Michel O.
Published: August 2015

Background

It is thought that asthmatics who smoke cigarettes respond less well to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy than asthmatics who do not smoke.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of smoking on allergen‐induced airway responses in asthmatics treated with ICS.

Methods

Randomized, double‐blind, crossover study evaluating twice daily fluticasone propionate (FP) 100 μg, FP 500 μg and placebo, for 7 days, on allergen‐induced asthmatic responses in 18 non‐smoking and 17 smoking atopic asthmatics (NCT01400906). At 1 h post‐morning dose on Day 6, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) was measured up to 10 h post‐challenge. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), induced sputum cell counts, and responsiveness to methacholine were assessed the following day.

Results

The late asthmatic response (LAR) was suppressed by FP in smokers and non‐smokers; with placebo, the LAR was also attenuated in smokers versus non‐smokers (adjusted mean minimum change in FEV1 (L) over 4–10 h [95% CI] in non‐smokers: placebo −1.01 [1.31, 0.70], FP 100 μg −0.38 [0.54, 0.22], FP 500 μg −0.35 [0.54–0.22]; and in smokers: placebo −0.63 [0.84, 0.43]; FP 100 μg −0.44 [0.65, 0.23]; FP 500 μg −0.46 [0.59–0.32]). The Early AR was suppressed by FP treatment in non‐smokers, but was not impacted in smokers. The reduction in methacholine hyperresponsiveness after FP was greater in non‐smokers (1.5‐ and twofold doubling dose difference from placebo after FP 100 μg and FP 500 μg) than smokers (1.0 and 1.3 difference, respectively). Allergen‐induced increases in eNO and sputum eosinophils were lower in smokers than non‐smokers and were suppressed in both groups by FP.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Allergen‐induced LARs were of a similar amplitude in both smoking and non‐smoking atopic asthmatics at the end of ICS treatment, but attenuation of the LAR in smokers was only partly associated with ICS treatment. The marked attenuation of the LAR observed in smokers in the absence of ICS treatment is a novel observation.
Sex‐biased survivorship and differences in migration of wild steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) smolts from two coastal Oregon rivers
Authors: Thompson Neil F. , Leblanc Camille A. , Romer Jeremy D. , Schreck Carl B. , Blouin Michael S. , Noakes David L.G.
Published: August 2015

In salmonids with partial migration, females are more likely than males to undergo smoltification and migrate to the ocean (vs. maturing in freshwater). However, it is not known whether sex affects survivorship during smolt migration (from fresh water to entry into the ocean). We captured wild steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) smolts in two coastal Oregon rivers (USA) and collected fin tissue samples for genetic sex determination (2009; N = 70 in the Alsea and N = 69 in the Nehalem, 2010; N = 25 in the Alsea). We implanted acoustic tags and monitored downstream migration and survival until entry in to the Pacific Ocean. Survival was defined as detection at an estuary/ocean transition array. We found no effect of sex on smolt survivorship in the Nehalem River in 2009, or in the Alsea River in 2010. However, males exhibited significantly lower survival than females in the Alsea River during 2009. Residency did not influence this result as an equal proportion of males and females did not reach the estuary entrance (11% of males, 9% of females). The sexes did not differ in timing or duration of migration, so those variables seem unlikely to explain sex‐biased survivorship. Larger males had higher odds of survival than smaller males in 2009, but the body size of females did not affect survivorship. The difference in survivorship between years in the Alsea River could be due to flow conditions, which were higher in 2010 than in 2009. Our findings suggest that sex may affect steelhead smolt survival during migration, but that the difference in survivorship may be weak and not a strong factor influencing adult sex ratios.
Influences of Parental Care and Food Deprivation on Regulation of Body Mass in a Burying Beetle
Authors: Trumbo Stephen T. , Xhihani Ervis
Published: August 2015

Changes in adult body mass during breeding can reveal how parents prepare energetically for care, the stress of care, and the need to terminate care in a state conducive for future reproduction. Interpreting changes in parent mass can be difficult, however, because temporal variation in body mass may reflect a constraint imposed by the stress of care, revealing conflict within the family, or a shift to a new body mass optimum adaptive for a different stage of the breeding cycle. Here, we examined the effect of food deprivation and parenting on variation in female body mass of Nicrophorus orbicollis, an insect in which parents and offspring share a common food resource (a prepared carrion ball). Female parents demonstrated a remarkable degree of regulation of body mass: Despite varied periods of food deprivation (0–8 d) prior to discovery of a carcass, females attained a similar body mass (108.3–109.2% of pre‐deprivation mass) at the time of larval hatching. Females attained a greater body mass in anticipation of rearing a greater number of young. Mothers lost mass during active parental care, and mass at the end of caregiving was less in mothers that reared more and heavier young. Body mass at the end of care was less than the preferred mass for females searching for a carcass, indicating that the mothers sacrificed self‐maintenance and future reproductive potential for their current brood. Contrary to prediction, pre‐breeding food deprivation had no effect on offspring size or on female condition at the end of care. We conclude that there is a limited degree of conflict over the sharing of food among N. orbicollis parents and offspring, but that this conflict is not exacerbated by food deprivation prior to breeding.
Bi‐Doped Glass for Photonic Devices
Authors: Qiu Jianrong
Published: August 2015

Bi‐doped glasses have been paid much attention since the first observation of the broadband near‐infrared emission. Great progress has been achieved in this area of research and development in the last decade. In this review article, we aim to present some recent research development on Bi‐doped glasses carried out mainly by our group. Firstly, the mechanism of NIR emission is summarized and analyzed based on experimental data and first principle calculation. Then, we introduce new strategies for enhancing the NIR emission through mixed network effect, topological network structure control, and codoping. Finally, we elaborate the representative results about optical nonlinear effect, optical amplification, and lasing property of Bi‐doped glasses. Some important related results obtained by other groups are also mentioned.
The Brain Science Interface
Authors: Simpson Sean L. , Burdette Jonathan H. , Laurienti Paul J.
Published: August 2015

The human brain consists of billions of neurons clustered into many different regions, each of which work together to give rise to complex human behaviour. But understanding how these regions are networked together – and the effect trauma and disease might have on network functions – requires greater statistical input. Sean L. Simpson, Jonathan H. Burdette and Paul J. Laurienti discuss neuroscience past and present, and how statistics can help its future
Effect of TiC Nanoinclusions on Thermoelectric and Mechanical Performance of Polycrystalline In4Se2.65
Authors: Li Gen , Yang Junyou , Xiao Ye , Fu Liangwei , Luo Yubo , Zhang Dan , Liu Ming , Li Weixin , Zhang Mingyang
Published: August 2015

Uniformly dispersed TiC nanoparticle strengthened In4Se2.65 composites have been fabricated by a combined process of mechanical alloying (MA) and hot pressing (HP) successfully. Due to the good electrical conductivity and the extra phonon scattering effect of the TiC nanoinclusions, the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity decrease with the TiC content up to 0.8 wt%, and a maximum ZT of 0.98 at 723 K was achieved in the sample with 0.8 wt% TiC. Taking account of the measurement uncertainly, the enhancement of ZT value by TiC nanoinclusions is less obvious. On the other hand, the mechanical performance of In4Se2.65 can be effectively improved by TiC nanoinclusions due to the dispersive strengthening effect of the nanoinclusions, and the flexural strength of the sample with 0.8 wt% TiC is improved to 73 MPa, which is over 40% higher than that of the pristine sample.
Influence of Particle Size and Soaking Conditions on Rheology and Microstructure of Amorphous Calcium Polyphosphate Hydrogel
Authors: Song Wei , Seta Joseph , Kast Rachel E. , Auner Gregory W. , Chen Liang , Markel David C. , Ren Weiping
Published: August 2015

Amorphous calcium polyphosphate (ACPP), an inorganic polymer ceramic, has shown promise as a drug delivery matrix following a repeat gelling protocol. This study described a simple method of preparing ACPP hydrogel in the presence of an excess volume of water. The increased water availability accelerates water molecule ingress and microstructural transformation of ACPP hydrogels. The impact of some experimental settings (soaking time, temperature, stirring, and ACPP particle size) on the physiochemical and rheological natures of ACPP hydrogel were investigated and from which possible hydrogel formation mechanisms were inferred. We believe that the formation of ACPP hydrogel is through the mechanisms of intermolecular ionic interaction and entanglement of polyphosphate chains. The potential application of ACPP hydrogel as a ceramic matrix for sustained drug release warrants further investigation.
Temperature Distributions During Flash Sintering of 8% Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia
Authors: Pereira da Silva João Gustavo , Lebrun Jean‐Marie , Al‐Qureshi Hazim Ali , Janssen Rolf , Raj Rishi
Published: August 2015

Flash sintering is a nonlinear phenomenon characterized by a sharp increase in the conductivity of the sample and concomitant rapid densification under an electric field in low temperatures in a matter of seconds. Since it is a transient phenomenon, the power dissipation on the sample is not uniform during the process. Thus, a transient analysis is needed to estimate the temperature of the sample during flash sintering due to Joule heating. In this work, the Finite Element Method on a coupled electrothermal nonlinear analysis was used in order to obtain the specimen temperature of 8YSZ after 5 s of flashing. The results agree with the experimental data obtained by the flashing of dense samples and with previous literature.
Association Between Hypertension, Menopause, and Cognition in Women
Authors: Zilberman Judith M. , Cerezo Gustavo H. , Del Sueldo Mildren , Fernandez‐Pérez Cristina , Martell‐Claros Nieves , Vicario Augusto
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the cognitive state in women and its relation to menopause and hypertension (HTN). The authors included 1034 women aged 47.13±15.71 years. The prevalence of HTN was 47.1%, with 67.8% of patients treated and 48.6% controlled. Cognitive impairment was higher among hypertensive menopausal (mini‐Boston Naming Test: 7.4±3.1 vs 8.5±2.4, P<.001; Clock‐Drawing Test: 5.2±2 vs 5.6±1.6, P<.01). Using logistic regression adjusted by age and education level, statistical differences were found in the results from the mini‐Boston Naming Test between menopausal hypertensive vs menopausal normotensive women (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.07; P=.021), and no difference between nonmenopausal hypertensive vs menopausal normotensive women (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–1.57; P=.697). The P interaction between both groups was significant (P=.038). The possibility of alteration in cortical functions in menopausal hypertensive woman showed a relative increment of 48% (P=.021). The association between HTN and menopause increases the possibility of compromising the semantic memory by 50%.