bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between simulated decoupling regimes for specific absorption rate prediction in parallel transmit MRI
Authors: Beqiri Arian , Hand Jeffrey W. , Hajnal Joseph V. , Malik Shaihan J.
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The use of electromagnetic (EM) modeling is critical for specific absorption rate (SAR) characterization in parallel transmission MRI. Radiofrequency arrays that include decoupling networks can be difficult to characterize accurately in simulation. A practical method of simplifying modeling is to exclude the decoupling networks and model each transmit element in isolation. Results from this type of model can be related to a real device by applying “active decoupling” to the real device to suppress residual coupling when in use. Here, we compare this approach with a full model that includes decoupling networks.

Methods

EM simulations for a variety of adult male voxel models placed within an eight‐channel transverse electromagnetic (TEM) array tuned for 3 Tesla operation were run with and without decoupling networks included. The resulting EM fields and SAR estimates were compared using basic normalization, and simulated active decoupling.

Results

Modeling the transmit elements independently leads to variations which have significantly different SAR estimates of ∼20% on average compared with the full model if not normalized appropriately. After “active decoupling,” SAR was still generally seen to be overestimated by ∼7% with independent channel modeling; despite having similar B1+ field distributions.

Conclusion

Modeling transmission elements independently may lead to substantially incorrect SAR estimates if the corresponding MRI system is not run in an analogous manner. Magn Reson Med 74:1423–1434, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surfen auf der Plasmawelle
Authors: Kaluza Malte
Published: November 2014

Hochleistungslaser ermöglichen es inzwischen, relativistische Elektronenpulse mit bemerkenswerten Eigenschaften zu erzeugen. Neben der äußerst kurzen Beschleunigungslänge sind vor allem die kleine Quellgröße und auch die kurze Pulsdauer interessant. Mit diesen Elektronenpulsen lässt sich zudem elektromagnetische Sekundärstrahlung im Kiloelektronenvolt‐Bereich erzeugen. Mit dieser Röntgenstrahlung würden auch Universitäten relativ kompakte Röntgenquellen zur Verfügung stehen, mit denen sich Effekte beobachten lassen, die auf äußerst kurzen räumlichen und zeitlichen Skalen ablaufen. Momentan ist diese Art von Forschung nur an großen, konventionellen Synchrotron‐Beschleunigern möglich.
Der durchleuchtete Kristall
Authors: Jacobi Manfred
Published: November 2014

Den Physik‐Nobelpreis 1914 erhielt Max von Laue (1879–1960) “für seine Entdeckung der Beugung von Röntgenstrahlen beim Durchgang durch Kristalle.” Damit hatte er die Welleneigenschaften von Röntgenstrahlen nachgewiesen und gleichzeitig eine bahnbrechende Methode zur Untersuchung von Festkörpern entwickelt.
Farbmischung mit RGB Color Mixer
Authors: Gößling Alexander
Published: November 2014

Die Android‐App RGB Color Mixer ermöglicht es, die menschliche Farbwahrnehmung eingehend zu untersuchen. Hierbei ist das Smartphone nicht nur Mess‐ oder Simulationswerkzeug, sondern wird selbst Gegenstand der Untersuchung.
Der weiße Streifen im Regenbogen
Authors: Schlichting Hans Joachim
Published: November 2014

Regenbögen weisen bei Sonnenuntergang manchmal einen weißen Streifen auf. Additive Farbmischung ist hier im Spiel.
Simulation of Active Layer Dynamics, Upper Kolyma, Russia, using the Hydrograph Hydrological Model
Authors: Lebedeva Liudmila , Semenova Olga , Vinogradova Tatyana
Published: November 2014

Freeze/thaw simulations were performed for seven permafrost sites at the Kolyma Water Balance Station (KWBS), northeast Russia, using the hydrological model Hydrograph equipped with a heat transfer analytical solution that accounts for soil profile phase changes. The study sites include slopes and plateaus with thaw depths of 0.5 to 1.8 m. Landscape conditions are characterised as rocky talus, mountain tundra with dwarf tree brush, moss‐lichen cover and sparse‐growth forest or larch forest. Soil horizons are distinguished as moss‐lichen cover, peat layer, clay with a high stone content and weathered clayey shale. Schematisation of soil‐vegetation profiles and model parameters were developed for each landscape. Parameterised model output was verified using time series of observed active layer thickness for the period of 1950 to 1990. The simulated values agree well with the observed values at the study sites. The results suggest that the soil profile schematisation and model parameters, along with the proposed algorithm of heat transfer, effectively simulate active layer dynamics under various landscape conditions at the KWBS and are suitable for hydrological modelling in the permafrost zone. The modelling efforts and results are highly relevant because the natural conditions at the KWBS are representative of large areas of northeastern Russia. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reference ranges for shape indices of the flow‐volume loop of healthy children
Authors: Nève Véronique , Edmé Jean‐Louis , Baquet Georges , Matran Régis
Published: November 2014

Background

The concavity of the descending limb of the maximum expiratory flow‐volume loop (MEFVL) is the earliest change associated with airflow obstruction in small airways (ATS/ERS Task Force). The shape of the MEFVL changes with age but there are no reference values for shape indices for preschool and school children. Objectives: To define pediatric reference values for spirometric data and 3 shape indices of MEFVL: 2 geometric indices: the β angle i.e., the angle between the first ½ part and the 2nd part of the MEFVL and the forced expiratory flow after 50% of the forced vital capacity (FVC) has been exhaled/peak expiratory flow (FEF50/PEF) ratio; and a ratio that describes relative growth between airway and lung parenchyma, the forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC/FVC ratio (FEF25–75/FVC ratio). Methods: Data were obtained from 446 Caucasian children (2.5 to 15‐year‐old). The lambda, mu, sigma method was applied. Results: References for spirometric parameters and 3 shape indices. The geometric indices decreased with age from 3 years of age (mean β angle was 215° and FEF50/PEF ratio was 0.82) until 8 years of age (mean β angle was 191° and FEF50/PEF ratio was 0.60) and then remained constant. The FEF25–75/FVC ratio also decreased with age. Sex was a significant determinant for FEF25–75/FVC ratio predicted values. Conclusions: This study provides standard reference equations for indices of mid‐expiratory flows in children and we suggest using the FEF50/PEF index. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:1017–1024. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A distributed scheme for row‐based computational private information retrieval
Authors: Zhu Hong , Wang Zhipeng , Lü Kevin , Xie Meiyi , Zou Xiang , Chen Bing
Published: November 2014

Private information retrieval (PIR) is a technique for clients to retrieve data from database while hiding the identity of data. Existing PIR schemes are impractical because of the expensive cost for complete privacy. In this paper, we propose a flexible, distributed scheme for PIR. First, a new protocol row‐based computational PIR (Robac‐PIR) is designed to make a trade‐off between privacy and efficiency. Second, we apply Robac‐PIR in a distributed system to further lower the computational cost. We implement the scheme, and the results show it has a good performance and can also provide the trade‐off. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical methods for dealing with publication bias in meta‐analysis
Authors: Jin Zhi‐Chao , Zhou Xiao‐Hua , He Jia
Published: November 2014

Publication bias is an inevitable problem in the systematic review and meta‐analysis. It is also one of the main threats to the validity of meta‐analysis. Although several statistical methods have been developed to detect and adjust for the publication bias since the beginning of 1980s, some of them are not well known and are not being used properly in both the statistical and clinical literature. In this paper, we provided a critical and extensive discussion on the methods for dealing with publication bias, including statistical principles, implementation, and software, as well as the advantages and limitations of these methods. We illustrated a practical application of these methods in a meta‐analysis of continuous support for women during childbirth. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developments in modulating glycaemic response in starchy cereal foods
Authors: Taylor John R.N. , Emmambux M. Naushad , Kruger Johanita
Published: November 2014

One cause of obesity and related diseases like type‐2 diabetes is overconsumption of cereal foods with readily available carbohydrates, resulting in hyperglycaemia and ultimately insulin resistance. A strategy to combat this is to modulate glycaemic response through starchy cereal foods that have low glycaemic index (GI) because their starch is less available to digestion. In cereals, many factors can limit accessibility of amylase to the starch. Of these, intact pieces of endosperm, high levels of oat or barley β‐glucan and high amylose starch are probably the most important. Starch accessibility in cereal foods is also greatly affected by processing. Heat‐moisture thermal processing at low moisture above glass transition temperature, but below gelatinization temperature is probably the most effective processing technology to reduce starch availability. Formation of starch‐lipid complexes also appears promising. Whole grain (milled whole kernel) cereal foods are intrinsically low GI but may have a long‐term role in preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes through their phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols. A novel approach is to structure starchy cereal foods to deliver their carbohydrate at the distal end of the gastrointestinal tract to trigger the ileal and colonic brakes feedback systems so as to enhance satiety and hence decrease energy intake.
Re: Assessment of fetal midbrain and hindbrain in mid‐sagittal cranial plane by three‐dimensional multiplanar sonography
Authors: Garel C.
Published: November 2014

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 44: 575–580

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 44: 581–587
Re: Iatrogenic perforation of intertwin membrane after laser surgery for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome. S. H. P. Peeters, T. T. Stolk, F. Slaghekke, J. M. Middeldorp, F. J. Klumper, E. Lopriore and D. Oepkes. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 44: 550–556
Authors: Prefumo F.
Published: November 2014

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014; 44: 550–556
A critical examination of the consumption‐based accounting approach: has the blaming of consumers gone too far?
Authors: Liu Lee
Published: November 2014

A series of studies has recently used emissions embodied in net imports (EENI) to argue for the consumption‐based accounting (CBA) approach. These publications have been generating much attention from the media and academia for ‘providing an opportunity to inform effective climate policy’. However, policymakers must be cautious when considering if CBA can be used to replace or just to supplement current practice of production‐based accounting (PBA). Terms such as ‘carbon leakage’, ‘emissions transfers’, and ‘CO2 outsourcing’ have been uncritically overused as there is little evidence that EENI is the result of climate policy. Furthermore, CBA overlooks ‘insourcing’ of polluting industries by producing regions when blaming consumers for emissions. To avoid misinformation, EENI should be called just that. CBA's practicality is limited as it involves more data‐intensive calculations and higher transaction costs than PBA. The success of CBA will rely on consumers to put pressure on producers. Eventually, it is still producers that need to reduce emissions. PBA is more practical by directly placing pressure on producers along with environmental laws and regulations. CBA will be counter‐productive to global emissions control if producers increase emissions due to reduced responsibility over the emissions incurred by the production of their exports. However, CBA could be used to persuade consumers to choose low‐emissions products, support producers' sustainability efforts, and reduce nonbasic consumption. WIREs Clim Change 2015, 6:1–8. doi: 10.1002/wcc.325

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics > Economics of Mitigation

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Policies, Instruments, Lifestyles, Behavior
Women Creating Public Art and Community, 2000–2014
Authors: Mulvey Anne , Egan Irene M.
Published: November 2014

This narrative describes a series of 15 short‐term public art projects that were part of a program for women and girls in Lowell, Massachusetts, a mid‐size city in the United States. The projects were designed to give public space to women’s stories and perspectives by exhibiting their creative art in response to suggested themes. A few thousand women and girls representing diverse age and cultural groups created art based on their lived experiences. The organizers of the program met people in comfortable settings, tailored their art‐making approaches to particular groups, and used inclusive processes in developing and executing the program. Program successes and challenges were related to the organizational structure of the art projects, the annual themes and art media, the extent of outreach and support, the process of creation, and the impact of art exhibits. Using community psychology and feminist frameworks, authors reflect on the projects and their relevance across contexts, highlight key organizing strategies, and identify ways the project represents community psychology in action.
Talin Dependent Mechanosensitivity of Cell Focal Adhesions
Authors: Yan Jie , Yao Mingxi , Goult Benjamin T. , Sheetz Michael P.
Published: November 2014

A fundamental question in mechanobiology is how mechanical stimuli are sensed by mechanosensing proteins and converted into signals that direct cells to adapt to the external environment. A key function of cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is to transduce mechanical forces between cells and their extracellular environment. Talin, a cytoplasmic adapter essential for integrin-mediated adhesion to the ECM, links the actin cytoskeleton to integrin at the plasma membrane. Here, we review recent progress in the understanding of talin-dependent mechanosensing revealed by stretching single talin molecules. Rapid progress in single-molecule force manipulation technologies has made it possible to directly study the impact of mechanical force on talin’s conformations and its interactions with other signaling proteins. We also provide our views on how findings from such studies may bring new insights into understanding the principles of mechanobiology on a broader scale, and how such fundamental knowledge may be harnessed for mechanopharmacology.
LIFE INSURANCE AND PENSION CONTRACTS I: THE TIME ADDITIVE LIFE CYCLE MODEL
Authors: Aase Knut K.
Published: November 2014

We analyze optimal consumption in the life cycle model by introducing life and pension insurance contracts. The model contains a credit market with biometric risk, and market risk via risky securities. This idealized framework enables us to clarify important aspects of life insurance and pension contracts. We find optimal pension plans and life insurance contracts where the benefits are state dependent. We compare these solutions both to the ones of standard actuarial theory, and to policies offered in practice. Implications of this include what role the insurance industry may play to improve welfare. The relationship between substitution of consumption and risk aversion is highlighted in the presence of a consumption puzzle. One problem related portfolio choice is discussed the horizon problem. Finally, we present some comments on longevity risk and cohort risk.
Roughness effects on the Reynolds stress budgets in near-wall turbulence
Authors: Yuan Junlin , Piomelli Ugo
Published: November 2014

The physics of the roughness sublayer are studied by direct numerical simulations (DNS) of an open-channel flow with sandgrain roughness. A double-averaging (DA) approach is used to separate the spatial variations of the time-averaged quantities and the turbulent fluctuations. The spatial inhomogeneity of velocity and Reynolds stresses results in an additional production term for the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) – the ‘wake production’; it is the excess wake kinetic energy (WKE), generated from the work of mean flow against the form drag, that is not directly dissipated into heat, but instead converted into turbulence. The wake production promotes wall-normal turbulent fluctuations and increases the pressure work, which ultimately leads to more homogeneous turbulence in the roughness sublayer, and to the increase of Reynolds shear stress and the drag on the rough wall. In the fully rough regime, roughness directly affects the generation of the wall-normal fluctuations, while in the transitionally rough regime, the region affected by roughness is separated from the region of intense generation of these fluctuations. The budget of the WKE and the connection between the wake and the turbulence suggest strong interactions between the roughness sublayer and the outer layer that are insensitive to the variation of the outer-layer conditions. Furthermore, the present results may have implications for the relationship between the roughness geometry and the flow dynamics in the region directly affected by roughness.
Expert Opinion and Bordeaux Wine Prices: An Attempt to Correct Biases in Subjective Judgments
Authors: Cardebat Jean-Marie , Figuet Jean-Marc , Paroissien Emmanuel
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of expert opinion on the pricing of Bordeaux wines. To this end, we compile an original dataset including (1) retail prices, (2) scores attributed to wines from France, Spain, and the United States by nine experts from 2000 to 2010, and (3) the meteorological conditions under which the grapes were produced. With this dataset, we aim to determine the presence of bias rooted in the subjectivity of the experts. We assume that the expert wine scores have two main components: (1) an objective one that is driven by the fundamentals of wine production (the quality of soil, producers' skills, and climate conditions) and (2) a subjective one that is determined by the individual opinion of the experts. We use control function techniques to compare the respective impacts of these two factors and find that prices are influenced more deeply by the fundamental quality of the wine than they are by the judge's subjectivity. Furthermore, we notice the great impact of “highest ratings” on pricing, which we interpret as a “marketing effect”: the most favorable score is likely to be the most publicized, which influences the price of the respective wine. (JEL Classifications: C21, D89, L15)
Why Isn't There More Progress in Philosophy?
Authors: Chalmers David J.
Published: November 2014

Is there progress in philosophy? A glass-half-full view is that there is some progress in philosophy. A glass-half-empty view is that there is not as much as we would like. I articulate a version of the glass-half-empty view, argue for it, and then address the crucial question of what explains it.
ASYMPTOTIC INFERENCE FOR AR MODELS WITH HEAVY-TAILED G-GARCH NOISES
Authors: Zhang Rongmao , Ling Shiqing
Published: November 2014

It is well known that the least squares estimator (LSE) of an AR(p) model with i.i.d. (independent and identically distributed) noises isn1/αL(n)-consistent when the tail indexαof the noise is within (0,2) and isn1/2-consistent whenα≥ 2, whereL(n) is a slowly varying function. When the noises are not i.i.d., however, the case is far from clear. This paper studies the LSE of AR(p) models with heavy-tailed G-GARCH(1,1) noises. When the tail indexαof G-GARCH is within (0,2), it is shown that the LSE is not a consistent estimator of the parameters, but converges to a ratio of stable vectors. Whenαε [2,4], it is shown that the LSE isn1–2/α-consistent ifαε (2,4), logn-consistent ifα= 2, andn1/2/ logn-consistent ifα= 4, and its limiting distribution is a functional of stable processes. Our results are significantly different from those with i.i.d. noises and should warn practitioners in economics and finance of the implications, including inconsistency, of heavy-tailed errors in the presence of conditional heterogeneity.
Look at the gato! Code-switching in speech to toddlers
Authors: BAIL AMELIE , MORINI GIOVANNA , NEWMAN ROCHELLE S.
Published: November 2014

We examined code-switching (CS) in the speech of twenty-four bilingual caregivers when speaking with their 18- to 24-month-old children. All parents CS at least once in a short play session, and some code-switched quite often (over 1/3 of utterances). This CS included both inter-sentential and intra-sentential switches, suggesting that at least some children are frequently exposed to mixed-language sentences. However, we found no evidence that this exposure to CS had any detrimental effect on children's word learning: children's overall vocabulary size did not relate to parental inter-sentential CS behavior, and was positively related to within-sentence CS. Parents often repeated words across their two languages, but this did not appear to increase the likelihood of children having translation equivalents in their vocabulary. In short, parents appear to CS fairly often to young children, even within sentences, but there is no evidence that this delays child lexical acquisition.
A systematic review of prescribing criteria to evaluate appropriateness of medications in frail older people
Authors: Poudel A , Peel NM , Mitchell C , Nissen LM , Hubbard RE
Published: November 2014

This study systematically reviews the published literature regarding inappropriate prescribing in frail individuals aged at least 65 years. Twenty-five of 466 identified studies met the inclusion criteria. All papers measured some surrogate indicators of frailty, such as performance-based tests, cognitive function and functional dependency. Beers criteria were used in 20 studies (74%) to evaluate inappropriate medication use and 36% (9/25) studies used more than one criterion. The prevalence of inappropriate medications ranged widely from 11 to 92%. Only a few studies reported the relationship between potentially inappropriate medication use and surrogate measures of frailty. These diverse findings indicate the need for a standardized measure for assessing appropriateness of medication in frail older individuals. Prescribing tools should address both medication and patient-related factors such as life expectancy and functional status to minimize inappropriate prescribing in frail individuals.
Everyday Practice and Ritual Space: the Organization of Domestic Ritual in Pre-Aztec Xaltocan, Mexico
Authors: De Lucia Kristin
Published: November 2014

This article offers new understanding to commoner ritual in central Mexico before the rise of the Aztec Empire through an examination of domestic ritual and everyday practice in Early to Middle Postclassic (AD 900–1350) households in Xaltocan. It also seeks to better understand the ways in which elites negotiate and reinvent ritual traditions to gain and maintain power. In this study, I integrate multiple lines of evidence including ethnohistory, household archaeology and burials to understand the organization, practice and meaning of ritual among commoners before the rise of the Aztec Empire. I argue that pre-Aztec commoner ritual worked to foster solidarity, social continuity and collective memory and was intimately concerned with the protection of household members and the maintenance of household and universal equilibrium. While some of the symbolism and rituals documented in pre-Aztec domestic contexts appear similar to those depicted in Aztec contexts, I argue that state rituals held different meanings as Aztec elites adopted and transformed widely-held commoner rituals and symbols to craft an ideology that promoted their own political agenda. Ultimately, domestic- and state-level ritual should be seen as part of an ever-changing, but necessarily intertwined, historical and political process.
The Bioarchaeology of Postmortem Agency: Integrating Archaeological Theory with Human Skeletal Remains
Authors: Crandall John J. , Martin Debra L.
Published: November 2014

Taking the social agency of dead bodies as its main theme, this introduction discusses the articles in this special section on the bioarchaeology of post-mortem agency and discusses theoretical concerns relevant to the (bio)archaeological analysis of agency. In particular, the argument that only biological living persons have social agency or impact the direction of social processes, or the decisions of others is challenged. The challenges of defining and archaeologically detecting such agency of past humans as well as socially alive entities such as ghosts, corpses, relics and totem heads are discussed. A review of the ways investigations of the agency of the dead might unify bioarchaeologists and further integrate social archaeology into future research is also presented. It is argued that a holistic anthropological approach to humans and their ability to impact their surroundings is not complete if the symbolic and material effects of the dead are not considered.
Efficacy, safety and regulatory status of SGLT2 inhibitors: focus on canagliflozin
Authors: Haas B , Eckstein N , Pfeifer V , Mayer P , Hass M D S
Published: November 2014

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus is inc6reasing, with a burden of 382 million patients worldwide at present (more than the entire US population). The International Diabetes Federation anticipates an increase up to 592 million patients by 2035. Another major problem arises from the fact that just 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at target glycaemic control with currently available medications. Therefore, a clear need for new therapies that aim to optimize glycaemic control becomes evident. Renal sodium-linked glucose transporter 2 inhibitors are new antidiabetic drugs with an insulin-independent mechanism of action. They pose one remarkable advantage compared with already established antidiabetics: increasing urinary glucose excretion without inducing hypoglycaemia, thereby promoting body weight reduction due to loss of ~300 kcal per day. This review focuses on canagliflozin, which was the first successful compound of this class to be approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in 2013. Clinical trials showed promising results: enhancing glycaemic control was paralleled by reducing body weight and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Nevertheless, some safety concerns remain, such as genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections and cardiovascular risks in vulnerable patients, which will be closely monitored in several post-authorization safety studies.
Effect of supersaturation on hillock of directional Growth of KDP crystals
Authors: Liu Fa-Fu , Yu Guang-Wei , Zhang Li-Song , Li Liang , Wang Bo , Gan Xiao-Yu , Ren Hong-Kai , Zhou Hai-Liang , Zhu Li-Li , Ji Shao-Hua , Xu Ming-Xia , Liu Bao-An , Xu Xin-Guang , Gu Qing-Tian , Sun Xun
Published: November 2014

KDP single crystals were grown in aqueous solution by using “point seeds” with a defined crystallographic direction of 59° to the Z axis. When hillock slopes on the (100) face of KDP crystals were measured within the supersaturation (σ) range of 0 < σ ≤ 0.06, the slope of hillocks with hollow cores depended nonlinearly on supersaturation. Below σ = 0.02, the hillock slope depended on supersaturation, but when σ was ≥ 0.02, the hillock slope increased more gradually and was less dependent on supersaturation. Hollow funnel-shaped growth dislocation on the (100) face of KDP crystals was observed at σ = 0.04, characterized by large holes with micro-steps and step bunching inside, the formation of which were analyzed. The result verified that the reversed growth appears to occur within hollow channels found on growth hillocks.
Green Polyurethanes and Bio-fiber-based Products and Processes
Authors: Gu Ruijun , Sain Mohini
Published: November 2014

Green polyurethane (PU), discussed in this chapter, is considered to be ‘green’ because of the foams themselves (rather than the urethane resins) which are widely used in industrial sustainable applications. PU foams can be highly cross-linked and, consequently, blown with chemical blowing agents such as water. Green PU foams are already used in carbon neutral construction as insulation and in automotive seating systems. In view of environmental and carbon emission concerns, there is now greater emphasis on the utilization of vegetable oil or plant oil polyols in PU fabrication, particularly soybean-oil-derived polyols. However, some plant oils, such as epoxidized soybean oil and castor oil, can react through their hydroxyl groups. Due to the limited industrialization of sustainable isocyanates, the basic raw biomaterials for green PU are bio-based polyols and bio-mass such as natural fibers and lignin, which are derived from sustainable sources. Obviously, the introduction of bio-mass into PU manufacturing eventually increases the renewable content of PU products. Green PU foams made from bio-based polyols were initially selected for automotive parts (i.e. seat cushions, headliners, armrests and load floors) because of their low weight, high quality, thermal stability, high R-values and air-sealing properties. In the current market, more petroleum-based PU products have been replaced with new bio-based alternatives without compromising the integrity of the product, while improving bio-degradability. Green PU foam is manufactured in two cell forms which depend on the manufacturing procedures and formulations; the foaming method and formulation determine the foam density and cell quality. Finally, the addition of reactive bio-mass has a significant effect on the foam characteristics as well as on their final performance, with a decrease in product cost.
Utilization of Green Materials for Coating Applications
Authors: Shah Shailesh N. , Mendon Sharathkumar K. , Thames Shelby F.
Published: November 2014

The continued use of fossil (petroleum-based) materials has raised environmental concerns due to their lack of bio-degradability and bio-sustainability. The coatings industry has been proactive by incorporating natural materials into its products. The recent thrust in favor of bio-based materials for coatings has led to even greater interest in using technologies to integrate green materials into coating formulations without performance property losses. This chapter highlights some examples of how bio-based materials are being modified for use in resins and coatings.
Silicon carbide coated with TiO2 with enhanced cobalt active phase dispersion for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Liu Yuefeng , Florea Ileana , Ersen Ovidiu , Pham-Huu Cuong , Meny Christian
Published: November 2014

The introduction of a thin layer of TiO2 on β-SiC allows a significant improvement of the cobalt dispersion. This catalyst exhibits an excellent and stable catalytic activity for the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) with high C5+ selectivity, which contributes to the development of a new active catalyst family in the gas-to-liquid process.
Ag–Si artificial microflowers for plasmon-enhanced solar water splitting
Authors: Chen Chih-Jung , Chen Ming-Guei , Chen Chih Kai , Wu Pin Chieh , Chen Po-Tzu , Basu Mrinmoyee , Hu Shu-Fen , Tsai Din Ping , Liu Ru-Shi
Published: November 2014

The solar water splitting efficiency of Ag–Si microflowers was enhanced through the synergistic effects of co-catalytic and plasmonic assistance.
Electronic effects of ligand substitution on metal–organic framework photocatalysts: the case study of UiO-66
Authors: Shen Lijuan , Liang Ruowen , Luo Mingbu , Jing Fenfen , Wu Ling
Published: November 2014

The electronic effect of the ligand substituents greatly affects the photocatalytic activity of UiO-66, the rates obtained by different substituents are linearly correlated with their Hammett coefficients.
A shift toward a new holistic paradigm will help to preserve and better process grain products’ food structure for improving their health effects
Authors: Fardet Anthony
Published: November 2014

A holistic approach to grain products will help preserve their food structure and nutrient density and thus their health potential.
Folate bioavailability from foods rich in folates assessed in a short term human study using stable isotope dilution assays
Authors: Mönch Sabine , Netzel Michael , Netzel Gabriele , Ott Undine , Frank Thomas , Rychlik Michael
Published: November 2014

Different sources of folate may have different bioavailability and hence may impact the standard definition of folate equivalents.
cis and trans influences on [Pt(SRF)(triphos)]+ complexes (SRF = polyfluorobenzothiolate)
Authors: Cervantes Ruy , Tiburcio Jorge , Torrens Hugo
Published: November 2014

Platinum(ii) derivatives of the tridentate ligand Ph2PCH2CH2P(Ph)CH2CH2PPh2 (triphos), including [Pt(SRF)(triphos)](CF3SO3) RF = C6F4CF3-4 1, C6F52, C6HF4-4 3, C6H4CF3-4 4, C6H3F2-2,4 5, C6H4F-2 6, C6H4F-4 7 and C6H58, have been prepared and characterised.
Magnetic amphiphilic hybrid carbon nanotubes containing N-doped and undoped sections: powerful tensioactive nanostructures
Authors: Purceno Aluir D. , Machado Bruno F. , Teixeira Ana Paula C. , Medeiros Tayline V. , Benyounes Anas , Beausoleil Julien , Menezes Helvecio C. , Cardeal Zenilda L. , Lago Rochel M. , Serp Philippe
Published: November 2014

Due to the combination of hydrophobic/hydrophilic sections coupled with encapsulated catalyst particles, N-doped CNTs behave like magnetic tensioactive agents.
Polyelectrolyte-coated gold nanorods and their biomedical applications
Authors: Pissuwan Dakrong , Niidome Takuro
Published: November 2014

Polyelectrolyte-coated gold nanorods have been extensively used in biomedical applications, because of their favorable optical properties.
Sulfate recognition by a hexaaza cryptand receptor
Authors: Mateus Pedro , Delgado Rita , André Vânia , Teresa Duarte M.
Published: November 2014

A polypyrrolic polyammonium macrobicycle encapsulates sulfate with very high association constants and selectivity in the presence of other anions.
Gas bubble dynamics in soft materials
Authors: Solano-Altamirano J. M. , Malcolm John D. , Goldman Saul
Published: November 2014

Gas bubbles dissolve slower and expand faster in a soft solid elastic medium, relative to a simple (inviscid) liquid medium.
Recent advances in metal nitrides as high-performance electrode materials for energy storage devices
Authors: Balogun Muhammad-Sadeeq , Qiu Weitao , Wang Wang , Fang Pingping , Lu Xihong , Tong Yexiang
Published: November 2014

This review highlights the progress and development of metal nitrides as electrode materials for energy storage devices.
Reversible PEGylation and Schiff-base linked imidazole modification of polylysine for high-performance gene delivery
Authors: Cai Xiaojun , Li Yongyong , Yue Dong , Yi Qiangying , Li Shuo , Shi Donglu , Gu Zhongwu
Published: November 2014

In the designed polylysine based catiomer the reversible PEGylation was introduced forin vivocirculation and to augment the cellular internalization, while the Schiff-base linked imidazole to accelerate the endosomal escape and facilitate intracellular DNA unpacking and release.
Spin-valve effects in point contacts to exchange biased Co40Fe40B20 films
Authors: Balkashin O. P. , Fisun V. V. , Triputen L. Yu. , Andersson S. , Korenivski V. , Naidyuk Yu. G.
Published: November 2014

Nonlinear current-voltage characteristics and magnetoresistance of point contacts between a normal metal (N) and films of amorphous ferromagnet (F) Co40Fe40B20 of different thickness, exchange-biased by antiferromagnetic Mn80Ir20 are studied. A surface spin valve effect in the conductance of such F–N contacts is observed. The effect of exchange bias is found to be inversely proportional to the Co40Fe40B20 film thickness. This behavior as well as other magneto-transport effects we observe on single exchange-pinned ferromagnetic films are similar in nature to those found in conventional three-layer spin-valves.
Optofluidic microvalve-on-a-chip with a surface plasmon-enhanced fiber optic microheater
Authors: Kim Hyun-Tae , Bae Hyungdae , Zhang Zhijian , Kusimo Abisola , Yu Miao
Published: November 2014

We present an optofluidic microvalve utilizing an embedded, surface plasmon-enhanced fiber optic microheater. The fiber optic microheater is formed by depositing a titanium thin film on the roughened end-face of a silica optical fiber that serves as a waveguide to deliver laser light to the titanium film. The nanoscale roughness at the titanium-silica interface enables strong light absorption enhancement in the titanium film through excitation of localized surface plasmons as well as facilitates bubble nucleation. Our experimental results show that due to the unique design of the fiber optic heater, the threshold laser power required to generate a bubble is greatly reduced and the bubble growth rate is significantly increased. By using the microvalve, stable vapor bubble generation in the microchannel is demonstrated, which does not require complex optical focusing and alignment. The generated vapor bubble is shown to successfully block a liquid flow channel with a size of 125 μm × 125 μm and a flow rate of ∼10 μl/min at ∼120 mW laser power.
Scintillator yields glimpse of elusive solar neutrinos
Authors: Smart Ashley G.
Published: November 2014

The low-energy neutrinos are byproducts of the first reaction in a chain that generates 99% of the Sun’s energy.
Flocking behavior of the Cucker-Smale model under rooted leadership in a large coupling limit
Authors: Ha Seung-Yeal , Li Zhuchun , Slemrod Marshall , Xue Xiaoping
Published: November 2014

We present an asymptotic flocking estimate for the Cucker-Smale flocking model under the rooted leadership in a large coupling limit. For this, we reformulate the Cucker-Smale model into a fast-slow dynamical system involving a small parameter which corresponds to the inverse of a coupling strength. When the coupling strength tends to infinity, the spatial configuration will be frozen instantaneously, whereas the velocity configuration shrinks to the global leader’s velocity immediately. For the rigorous explanation of this phenomenon, we use Tikhonov’s singular perturbation theory. We also present several numerical simulations to confirm our analytical theory.
Quantitative biology: where modern biology meets physical sciences
Authors: Shekhar Shashank , Zhu Lian , Mazutis Linas , Sgro Allyson E. , Fai Thomas G. , Podolski Marija
Published: November 2014

Quantitative methods and approaches have been playing an increasingly important role in cell biology in recent years. They involve making accurate measurements to test a predefined hypothesis in order to compare experimental data with predictions generated by theoretical models, an approach that has benefited physicists for decades. Building quantitative models in experimental biology not only has led to discoveries of counterintuitive phenomena but has also opened up novel research directions. To make the biological sciences more quantitative, we believe a two-pronged approach needs to be taken. First, graduate training needs to be revamped to ensure biology students are adequately trained in physical and mathematical sciences and vice versa. Second, students of both the biological and the physical sciences need to be provided adequate opportunities for hands-on engagement with the methods and approaches necessary to be able to work at the intersection of the biological and physical sciences. We present the annual Physiology Course organized at the Marine Biological Laboratory (Woods Hole, MA) as a case study for a hands-on training program that gives young scientists the opportunity not only to acquire the tools of quantitative biology but also to develop the necessary thought processes that will enable them to bridge the gap between these disciplines.
E. colipopulations in unpredictably fluctuating environments evolve to face novel stresses through enhanced efflux activity
Authors: Karve Shraddha Madhav , Daniel Sachit , Chavhan Yashraj Deepak , Anand Abhishek , Kharola Somendra Singh , Dey Sutirth
Published: November 2014

There is considerable understanding about how laboratory populations respond to predictable (constant or deteriorating-environment) selection for single environmental variables like temperature or pH. However, such insights may not apply when selection environments comprise multiple variables that fluctuate unpredictably, as is common in nature. To address this issue, we grew replicate laboratory populations ofE. coliin nutrient broth whose pH and concentrations of salt (NaCl) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were randomly changed daily. After ∼170 generations, the fitness of the selected populations had not increased in any of the three selection environments. However, these selected populations had significantly greater fitness in four novel environments which have no known fitness-correlation with tolerance to pH, NaCl or H2O2. Interestingly, contrary to expectations, hypermutators did not evolve. Instead, the selected populations evolved an increased ability for energy dependent efflux activity that might enable them to throw out toxins, including antibiotics, from the cell at a faster rate. This provides an alternate mechanism for how evolvability can evolve in bacteria and potentially lead to broad spectrum antibiotic resistance, even in the absence of prior antibiotic exposure. Given that environmental variability is increasing in nature, this might have serious consequences for public-health.
Multi-Channel Imaging of Cellular Signaling: Interplay of Ca2+ and Conventional Protein Kinase C
Authors: Lipp Peter , Hui Xin , Reither Gergor , Kaestner Lars
Published: November 2014

To investigate the coupling between the calcium (Ca2+) signal and the conventional protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) translocation, which are both transient processes, a sectioning imaging technique with sufficient scanning speed is required. Here, we describe how to use a Nipkow-disk-based confocal system with an image splitter for two cameras to acquire simultaneously both the Ca2+ signal and images of PKCα fused to the fluorescent protein DsRed2 in HEK293 cells on ATP stimulation.
Using In-Gel Digestion and an Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer to Analyze the Proteome of Clathrin-Coated Vesicles
Authors: Borner Georg H.H. , Fielding Andrew B.
Published: November 2014

The characterization of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs), including the effects of genetic or biochemical manipulations on their composition, can be studied by mass spectrometry analysis of HeLa cell fractions enriched for CCVs. This protocol describes the preparation of samples by tryptic in-gel digest and peptide extraction followed by analysis in an Orbitrap mass spectrometer.
Using the RCAS-TVA System to Model Human Cancer in Mice
Authors: Ahronian Leanne G. , Lewis Brian C.
Published: November 2014

For successful infection, avian sarcoma leukosis virus subgroup A (ASLV-A) requires its receptor, tumor virus A (TVA), to be present on the surface of target cells. This is the basis of the RCAS-TVA gene delivery system: Mammalian cells lack the gene encoding TVA and are normally resistant to infection by ASLV; however, transgenic targeting of TVA to specific cell types or tissues in the mouse renders these cells uniquely susceptible to infection by ASLV-A-based RCAS viruses. The RCAS-TVA system is a powerful tool for effectively modeling human tumors, including pancreatic, ovarian, and breast cancers, gliomas, and melanomas. RCAS viruses can deliver cDNAs (≤2.8 kb), as well as short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and other noncoding RNAs. Compared with traditional transgenic and knockout mice, the RCAS-TVA system has several strengths. First, virus delivery is generally performed postnatally and results in a relatively low infection rate of target cells; the sporadic postnatal expression of the gene of interest mimics the situation in developing human tumors. Second, a single transgenic mouse line can be used to compare the consequences of specific genes on tumor development, with viruses encoding oncogenes or shRNAs targeting specific tumor suppressor genes. TVA mouse strains can also be easily combined with transgenic, knock-in, and knockout mouse models to study cooperating genetic events.
Measuring Apoptosis in Mammals In Vivo
Authors: Newbold Andrea , Martin Ben P. , Cullinane Carleen , Bots Michael
Published: November 2014

Apoptosis is a mode of cell death that is essential in multicellular organisms for the removal of superfluous, damaged, or potentially dangerous cells during development, infection, or normal tissue homeostasis. To prevent inflammation, cells undergoing apoptosis produce “find-me” signals that trigger the recruitment of phagocytes, which clear the apoptotic cells on recognition of “eat-me” signals. Despite the loss of billions of cells per day by apoptosis in the human body, the number of apoptotic cells found in healthy tissue is surprisingly low and reflects the efficiency of this process. However, in certain conditions (e.g., in cancer cells responding to chemotherapy), the number of apoptotic cells is too high to be efficiently cleared by phagocytes, and apoptotic cells can be observed. In these situations, the detection of apoptosis may be helpful in monitoring disease progression as well as in predicting the responses of tumors to anticancer therapies. Here we introduce various methods for monitoring apoptotic cells in vivo using a murine model of B-cell lymphoma and a solid tumor xenograft.
Isolation of Clathrin-Coated Vesicles from Tissue Culture Cells
Authors: Borner Georg H.H. , Fielding Andrew B.
Published: November 2014

The study of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) isolated from various organs has revealed the identities and important features of many of the factors involved in membrane trafficking. The development of isolation methods using cultured cell lines has made it possible to manipulate the source material before isolation to ask important questions about the roles of these factors and the pathways in which they are involved. We discuss here the advantages and limitations of the use of cultured cell lines for the isolation of CCVs.
Self-organization of Fe clusters on mesoporous TiO2templates
Authors: Ziegler Patrick , Paul Neelima , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Wiedemann Birgit , Kreuzpaintner Wolfgang , Jutimoosik Jaru , Yimnirun Rattikorn , Setzer Annette , Esquinazi Pablo , Böni Peter , Paul Amitesh
Published: November 2014

Fe layers with thicknesses between 5 and 100 nm were sputtered on mesoporous nanostructured anatase TiO2templates. The morphology of these hybrid films was probed with grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray reflectivity, complemented with magnetic measurements. Three different stages of growth were found, which are characterized by different correlation lengths for each stage. The magnetic behavior correlates with the different growth regimes. At very small thicknesses the TiO2template is coated and a porous Fe film results, with in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization components. With increasing thickness, agglomeration of Fe occurs and the magnetization gradually turns mostly in plane. At large thicknesses, the iron grows independently of the template and the magnetization is predominantly in plane with a bulk-like characteristic.