bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobility Method Applied to Calculate the Lubrication Properties of Bearing under Dynamic Loads
Authors: He Tao , Lu Xiqun , Zhu Jingzhi
Published: January 2013

The analytical mobility method for dynamically loaded journal bearings was presented, with the intent to include it in a general computational program, such as the dynamic analysis program, that has been developed for the dynamic analysis of general mechanical systems. An illustrative example and numerical results were presented, with the efficiency of the method being discussed in the process of their presentation.
Alternative Cell Death Pathways and Cell Metabolism
Authors: Fulda Simone
Published: January 2013

While necroptosis has for long been viewed as an accidental mode of cell death triggered by physical or chemical damage, it has become clear over the last years that necroptosis can also represent a programmed form of cell death in mammalian cells. Key discoveries in the field of cell death research, including the identification of critical components of the necroptotic machinery, led to a revised concept of cell death signaling programs. Several regulatory check and balances are in place in order to ensure that necroptosis is tightly controlled according to environmental cues and cellular needs. This network of regulatory mechanisms includes metabolic pathways, especially those linked to mitochondrial signaling events. A better understanding of these signal transduction mechanisms will likely contribute to open new avenues to exploit our knowledge on the regulation of necroptosis signaling for therapeutic application in the treatment of human diseases.
Wearout Reliability and Intermetallic Compound Diffusion Kinetics of Au and PdCu Wires Used in Nanoscale Device Packaging
Authors: Gan C. L. , Ng E. K. , Chan B. L. , Classe F. C. , Kwuanjai T. , Hashim U.
Published: January 2013

Wearout reliability and diffusion kinetics of Au and Pd‐coated Cu (PdCu) ball bonds are useful technical information for Cu wire deployment in nanoscale semiconductor device packaging. This paper discusses the HAST (with bias) and UHAST (unbiased HAST) wearout reliability performance of Au and PdCu wires used in fine pitch BGA packages. In‐depth failure analysis has been carried out to identify the failure mechanism under various wearout conditions. Intermetallic compound (IMC) diffusion constants and apparent activation energies (Eaa) of both wire types were investigated after high temperature storage life test (HTSL). Au bonds were identified to have faster IMC formation, compared to slower IMC growth of PdCu. PdCu wire was found to exhibit equivalent or better wearout reliability margin compared to conventional Au wire bonds. Failure mechanisms of Au, Cu ball bonds post‐HAST and UHAST tests are been proposed, and both Au and PdCu IMC diffusion kinetics and their characteristics are discussed in this paper.
The Not4 RING E3 Ligase: A Relevant Player in Cotranslational Quality Control
Authors: Collart Martine A.
Published: January 2013

The Not4 RING E3 ligase is a subunit of the evolutionarily conserved Ccr4-Not complex. Originally identified in yeast by mutations that increase transcription, it was subsequently defined as an ubiquitin ligase. Substrates for this ligase were characterized in yeast and in metazoans. Interestingly, some substrates for this ligase are targeted for polyubiquitination and degradation, while others instead are stable monoubiquitinated proteins. The former are mostly involved in transcription, while the latter are a ribosomal protein and a ribosome-associated chaperone. Consistently, Not4 and all other subunits of the Ccr4-Not complex are present in translating ribosomes. An important function for Not4 in cotranslational quality control has emerged. In the absence of Not4, the total level of polysomes is reduced. In addition, translationally arrested polypeptides, aggregated proteins, and polyubiquitinated proteins accumulate. Its role in quality control is likely to be related on one hand to its importance for the functional assembly of the proteasome and on the other hand to its association with the RNA degradation machines. Not4 is in an ideal position to signal to degradation mRNAs whose translation has been aborted, and this defines Not4 as a key player in the quality control of newly synthesized proteins.
The Potential Association of Later Initiation of Oral/Enteral Nutrition on Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Burn Patients
Authors: Pérez-Guisado Joaquín , de Haro-Padilla Jesús M. , Rioja Luis F. , DeRosier Leo C. , de la Torre Jorge I.
Published: January 2013

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine if early initiation of oral/enteral nutrition in burn patients minimizes the drop in fT3 levels, reduces the potential for euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS), and shortens the length of hospital stay (LHS).Subjects and Methods. We retrospectively evaluated the statistical association of serum fT3, fT4, and TSH at the first (2nd–5th day) and second sample collection (9th–12th day) after the burn injury in 152 burn patients. Three groups were established depending on time of initiation of the oral/enteral nutrition: <24 h before the injury (Group 1), 24–48 h after the injury (Group 2), and >48 h after the injury (Group 3).Results. They were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. We found that LHS and the fT3 levels were statistically different in the 3 groups. The LHS (in days) was, respectively, in each group,16.77±4.56,21.98±4.86,and26.06±5.47. Despite the quantifiable drop in fT3, ESS was present only at the first sample collection (2.61±0.92days) in Group 3, but there was no group with ESS at the second sample collection (9.89±1.01days). Our data suggest that early initiation of nutritional supplementation decreases the length of hospitalization and is associated with decreasing fT3 serum concentration depression.Conclusion. Early initiation of oral/enteral nutrition counteracts ESS and improves the LHS in burn patients.
Does Changeover by an Experienced Open Prostatic Surgeon from Open Retropubic to Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy Mean a Step Forward or Backward?
Authors: Musch Michael , Roggenbuck Ulla , Klevecka Virgilijus , Loewen Heinrich , Janowski Maxim , Davoudi Yadollah , Kroepfl Darko
Published: January 2013

We assessed whether changeover from open retropubic [RRP] to robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy [RALP] means a step forward or backward for the initial RALP patients. Therefore the first 105 RALPs of an experienced open prostatic surgeon and robotic novice—with tutoring in the initial 25 cases—were compared to the most recent 105 RRPs of the same surgeon. The groups were comparable with respect to patient characteristics and postoperative tumor characteristics (all P>0.09). The only disadvantage of RALP was a longer operating time; the advantages were lower estimated blood loss, fewer anastomotic leakages, earlier catheter removal, shorter hospital stay (all P<0.04), and less major complications within 90 days postoperatively (P<0.01). Positive surgical margin rates were comparable both overall and stratified for pT stage in both groups (all P<0.08). In addition, an equivalent number of lymph nodes were removed (P>0.07). Twelve months after surgery, patient reported continence and erectile function were comparably good (all P>0.11). Our study indicates that an experienced open prostatic surgeon and robotic novice who switches to RALP can achieve favorable surgical results despite the initial RALP learning curve. At the same time neither oncological nor functional outcomes are compromised.
Comparison of Five Parathyroid Scintigraphic Protocols
Authors: Tunninen Virpi , Varjo Pekka , Schildt Jukka , Ahonen Aapo , Kauppinen Tomi , Lisinen Irina , Holm Anu , Eskola Hannu , Seppänen Marko
Published: January 2013

Objectives. We compared five parathyroid scintigraphy protocols in patients with primary (pHPT) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) and studied the interobserver agreement. The dual-tracer method (T99mc-sestamibi/123I) was used with three acquisition techniques (parallel-hole planar, pinhole planar, and SPECT/CT). The single-tracer method (T99mc-sestamibi) was used with two acquisition techniques (double-phase parallel-hole planar, and SPECT/CT). Thus five protocols were used, resulting in five sets of images.
Materials and Methods. Image sets of 51 patients were retrospectively graded by four experienced nuclear medicine physicians. The final study group consisted of 24 patients (21 pHPT, 3 sHPT) who had been operated upon. Surgical and histopathologic findings were used as the standard of comparison. Results. Thirty abnormal parathyroid glands were found in 24 patients. The sensitivities of the dual-tracer method (76.7–80.0%) were similar (P=1.0). The sensitivities of the single-tracer method (13.3–31.6%) were similar (P=0.625). All differences in sensitivity between these two methods were statistically significant (P<0.012). The interobserver agreement was good. Conclusion. This study indicates that any dual-tracer protocol with T99mc-sestamibi and 123I is superior for enlarged parathyroid gland localization when compared with single-tracer protocols using T99mc-sestamibi alone. The parathyroid scintigraphy was found to be independent of the reporter.
Cell Envelope of Corynebacteria: Structure and Influence on Pathogenicity
Authors: Burkovski Andreas
Published: January 2013

To date the genusCorynebacteriumcomprises 88 species. More than half of these are connected to human and animal infections, with the most prominent member of the pathogenic species beingCorynebacterium diphtheriae, which is also the type species of the genus.Corynebacteriumspecies are characterized by a complex cell wall architecture: the plasma membrane of these bacteria is followed by a peptidoglycan layer, which itself is covalently linked to a polymer of arabinogalactan. Bound to this, an outer layer of mycolic acids is found which is functionally equivalent to the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. As final layer, free polysaccharides, glycolipids, and proteins are found. The composition of the different substructures of the corynebacterial cell envelope and their influence on pathogenicity are discussed in this paper.
Teaching Planetary Gear Trains with the Aid of Nomographs
Authors: Lauibi Esmail Essam
Published: January 2013

Planetary gear trains (PGTs) are introduced to undergraduate mechanical engineering students in the course of Theory of Machines. The complexity of the traditional methods for analyzing PGTs has kept many from becoming familiar with the capability of PGTs in mechanisms and machine design. In this paper a unified general formulation for simultaneously visualizing velocities, torques, and power flow through a train is presented on a single nomograph. Therefore, the increasing complex mechanical systems, such as automotive transmissions, are much easier to understand. Nomographs of Fundamental Gear Entities (FGEs) are constructed based on the nomographs of their fundamental circuits, without specifying the exact gear dimensions. They are then unified in one system nomograph. Nomographs are promising to provide designers with an efficient tool for the design of geared mechanisms.
Living-Donor Liver Transplantation and Hepatitis C
Authors: Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Sugawara Yasuhiko
Published: January 2013

Hepatitis-C-virus- (HCV-) related end-stage cirrhosis is the primary indication for liver transplantation in many countries. Unfortunately, however, HCV is not eliminated by transplantation and graft reinfection is universal, resulting in fibrosis, cirrhosis, and finally graft decompression. In areas with low deceased-donor organ availability like Japan, living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is similarly indicated for HCV cirrhosis as deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in Western countries and accepted as an established treatment for HCV-cirrhosis, and the results are equivalent to those of DDLT. To prevent graft failure due to recurrent hepatitis C, antiviral treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin is currently considered the most promising regimen with a sustained viral response rate of around 30% to 35%, although the survival benefit of this regimen remains to be investigated. In contrast to DDLT, many Japanese LDLT centers have reported modified treatment regimens as best efforts to secure first graft, such as aggressive preemptive antiviral treatment, escalation of dosages, and elongation of treatment duration.
Global Nutrition Epidemiology and Trends
Authors: Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Salam Rehana A.
Published: January 2013

In the year 2011, 6.9 million children under the age of 5 years died worldwide, one third of them related to increased susceptibility to illnesses due to undernutrition. An estimated 178 million children under 5 years are stunted, 55 million are wasted, and 19 million of these are severely affected and are at a higher risk of premature death, the vast majority being from sub-Saharan Africa and South-Central Asia. Globally, over 2 billion people are at risk for vitamin A, iodine, and/or iron deficiency. Other micronutrient deficiencies of public health concern include zinc, folate, and the B vitamins. The risk factors for undernutrition include low birth weight, inadequate breastfeeding, improper complementary feeding, and recurrent infections. Infectious diseases often coexist with micronutrient deficiencies and exhibit complex interactions leading to the vicious cycle of malnutrition and infections. Diarrhea along with the poor selection and intake of complementary food are the major contributors to undernutrition. Possible strategies to combat malnutrition include promotion of breastfeeding, dietary supplementation of micronutrients, prevention of protein-energy malnutrition, and improvement in the standard of preparation and hygiene of available weaning foods. The universal coverage with the full package of these proven interventions at observed levels of program effectiveness could prevent about one quarter of child deaths under 36 months of age and reduce the prevalence of stunting at 36 months by about one third. The median coverage rate of interventions along the continuum of care for Countdown countries has however been ≥80% for vaccination and vitamin A supplementation. However, for several interventions, including early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding below 6 months of age and case management of childhood illnesses, the median coverage rate hovers at or below 50%. This suggests that interventions requiring strong health systems or behavior change appear to be stalled and need to be re-examined to find more effective ways of delivery.
Global Dietary Patterns and Diets in Childhood: Implications for Health Outcomes
Authors: Allen Lindsay H.
Published: January 2013

This article provides an overview of child feeding recommendations and how these relate to actual practice and dietary adequacy, primarily in developing countries. From birth to 6 months, recommendations focus on optimal breastfeeding practices, although these are still suboptimal in about one third of infants in developing countries. From 6 months of age, breast milk can no longer meet all the nutrient requirements of the child, so from 6 months through at least 24 months, the recommendation is to continue breastfeeding but gradually introduce complementary foods. In poorer populations, the available foods for complementary feeding are primarily cereals and legumes, to which small amounts of fruits and vegetables are added, and even less animal source foods. Based on intake data from infants and preschoolers, it is evident that usual diets typically fall far short of supplying micronutrient needs. By adding more fruits, vegetables, and animal source foods the diet can be improved. Intervention studies show that increasing animal source food intake improves growth, muscle mass, and cognitive function of school children. Milk and dairy product intakes are correlated with greater child growth in many studies, even in industrialized countries. However, for many families, substantially improving children’s diets by providing higher quality foods is often financially unrealistic. Newer approaches to home fortification of children’s foods using micronutrient powders or lipid-based nutrient supplements hold great potential to prevent micronutrient deficiencies at reasonable cost, thus preventing the adverse consequences of these deficiencies for child development.
Renal Failure in Dementia with Lewy Bodies Presenting as Catatonia
Authors: Fekete Robert
Published: January 2013

Catatonia, originally described by Karl Kahlbaum in 1874, may be regarded as a set of clinical features found in a subtype of schizophrenia, but the syndrome may also stem from organic causes including vascular parkinsonism, brain masses, globus pallidus lesions, metabolic derangements, and pharmacologic agents, especially first generation antipsychotics. Catatonia may include paratonia, waxy flexibility (cerea flexibilitas), stupor, mutism, echolalia, and catalepsy (abnormal posturing). A case of catatonia as a result of acute renal failure in a patient with dementia with Lewy bodies is described. This patient recovered after intravenous fluid administration and reinstitution of the atypical dopamine receptor blocking agent quetiapine, but benzodiazepines and amantadine are additional possible treatments. Recognition of organic causes of catatonia leads to timely treatment and resolution of the syndrome.
Is Enterprise Bargaining Still a Better Way of Working?
Authors: Townsend Keith , Wilkinson Adrian , Burgess John
Published: January 2013

In 1989, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) produced a blueprint for change titled ‘Enterprise based bargaining units: A better way of working’. To a great extent, this document and the corresponding shifts in business, government and union approaches to wage and conditions determination meant that Australia shifted from a centralised to a workplace system of bargaining. After more than two decades of enterprise bargaining, though, we ask the question: Is it still a better way of working? While the Business Council of Australia pointed to a panoply of advantages, we look at the other side of the argument. Decentralisation may be inefficient at a number of levels. First, there is the procedure of bargaining and the resources, expertise and time that is required. Second, there are the outcomes of bargaining, where despite a more individual focus, in many cases, outcomes demonstrate very little variation across enterprises. Finally, there are the collateral consequences of bargaining: conflict, reduced trust and disruption. Is enterprise bargaining still meeting the needs of the actors or has the model run its course? We consider two case studies of bargaining that demonstrate the limitations and advantages of enterprise bargaining.
Return, Volatility and Risk Spillover from Oil Prices and the US Dollar Exchange Rate to the Indian Industrial Sectors
Authors: Kumar Dilip , Maheswaran S.
Published: January 2013

This article examines the return, volatility, upside risk and downside risk spillover effects from crude oil prices and the US$/INR exchange rate to the major Indian industrial sectors using Hong’s (2001) approach. We make use of the generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) class of models based on the generalised error distribution (GED) to estimate extreme upside and downside Value-at-Risk (VaR). Our empirical results provide evidence of a significant return spillover effect from the crude oil market to the energy, FMCG and pharmaceutical (pharma) sectors and from the US$/INR exchange rate to the pharma sector. We also find evidence of significant volatility spillover from crude oil prices to the energy, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and multinational corporation (MNC) sectors and from the US$/INR exchange rate to the energy and pharma sectors. Moreover, we find significant upside risk spillover from crude oil prices and the US$/INR exchange rate to all the industrial sectors (except for the energy sector with respect to the US$/INR exchange rate); significant downside risk spillover from crude oil prices to the energy, FMCG, pharma and MNC sectors and from the US$/INR exchange rate to only the pharma sector. In addition, we observe two-way downside risk spillover between crude oil prices and the US$/INR exchange rate.
Home Country Determinants of Outward FDI from Developing Countries
Authors: Das Khanindra Ch.
Published: January 2013

This article examines various home country determinants of outward FDI from developing economies, which have received limited attention in empirical studies. The role of home country determinants is investigated for a large sample of developing economies, as against a handful of developing economies, for the most recent period, 1996–2010, using a panel data econometric framework. The results indicate that source country’s level of economic development, globalisation, political risk and science and technology investments contribute significantly to outward FDI from developing countries. While outward FDI might be unavoidable in the course of economic development and globalisation, developing countries need to emphasise improving political governance in order to prevent capital outflow arising out of high domestic political risk. On the flip side, science and technology investments could contribute to higher outward FDI, thereby yielding complementary benefits of internationalisation in the long-run. Thus, given the evolving role of developing countries in the global economic scenario, a balance between domestic and international investments is crucial for them to harness the benefits of globalisation, which can be achieved through suitable governance and policy reforms in specific fields.
The missing link. Labour unions, central banks and monetary integration in Europe1
Authors: Hancké Bob
Published: January 2013

This article examines the problems of the single currency in light of the organization of labour relations in the Member States and their interaction with monetary policies. Continental (western) Europe consists of two very different systems of employment and labour relations, roughly coinciding with ‘coordinated market economies’ in the north-west of the continent, and ‘Mixed Market Economies’ in the south. These differences in employment relations and wage-setting systems implied that, against the background of a relatively restrictive one-size-fits-all monetary policy in place since 1999, the north-west of the continent systematically improved its competitiveness, while the south lost competitiveness in parallel. Small differences between the two groups of countries at the start of EMU thus were accentuated and, against the background of low growth and an almost closed E(M)U economy, the northern coordinated market economies accumulated current account surpluses while the GIIPS (Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain) ran into severe balance of payments problems in 2010 and 2011.
Weaving multimodal meaning in a graphic novel reading group
Authors: Connors Sean P
Published: January 2013

Despite the interest that literacy educators in the United States have expressed in graphic novels as a pedagogical tool, few empirical studies have asked how readers interact with their multimodal design to interpret them. To account for a gap in the literature, this case study asked how six high school students read and talked about four graphic novels in the context of a voluntary after-school reading group. In doing so, it sought to identify semiotic resources the students drew on as readers, and understand how they used them to construct literary meaning. Contrary to arguments that have traditionally characterized works written in the medium of comics as rendering readers passive, the findings indicate that the participants actively drew on an available visual and linguistic design to construct meaning and interpret the graphic novels they read.
Visual optics: interpreting body art, three ways
Authors: Rowsell Jennifer , Kress Gunther , Street Brian
Published: January 2013

Research methodology using visual narrative techniques opens up conceptual views for interpreting a wide range of visuals. In this article, the authors analyse tattoos on a subject’s body and approach the task from what they term three ‘optics’: social semiotics; sedimented identity in texts; and New Literacy Studies in relation to multimodality, drawing on ethnographic perspectives. Each optic illustrates how a woman constructs her identity through her body art. The article serves to illustrate that, whilst the use of visual methods in a small-scale study does not aim to be generalizable, the contribution to visual methodology has to do more with how varied conceptual views can work in conjunction to excavate deeper, more textured meanings in visual narratives.
Sum of parts is greater than the whole: inference of common genetic history of populations
Authors: Utro Filippo , Pybus Marc , Parida Laxmi
Published: January 2013

Background

Reconstructability of population history, from genetic information of extant individuals, is studied under a simulation setting. We do not address the issue of accuracy of the reconstruction algorithms: we assume the availability of the theoretical best algorithm. On the other hand, we focus on the fraction (1 - f) of the common genetic history that is irreconstructible or impenetrable. Thus the fraction, f, gives an upper bound on the extent of estimability. In other words, there exists no method that can reconstruct a fraction larger than f of the entire common genetic history. For the realization of such a study, we first define a natural measure of the amount of genetic history. Next, we use a population simulator (from literature) that has at least two features. Firstly, it has the capability of providing samples from different demographies, to effectively reflect reality. Secondly, it also provides the underlying relevant genetic history, captured in its entirety, where such a measure is applicable. Finally, to compute f, we use an information content measure of the relevant genetic history. The simulator of choice provided the following demographies: Africans, Europeans, Asians and Afro-Americans.

Results

We observe that higher the rate of recombination, lower the value of f, while f is invariant over varying mutation rates, in each of the demographies. The value of f increases with the number of samples, reaching a plateau and suggesting that in all the demographies at least about one-third of the relevant genetic history is impenetrable. The most surprising observation is that the the sum of the reconstructible history of the subsegments is indeed larger than the reconstructible history of the whole segment. In particular, longer the chromosomal segment, smaller the value of f, in all the demographies.

Conclusions

We present the very first framework for measuring the fraction of the relevant genetic history of a population that is mathematically elusive. Our observed results on the tested demographies suggest that it may be better to aggregate the analysis of smaller chunks of chromosomal segments than fewer large chunks. Also, no matter the richness of samples in a population, at least one-third of the population genetic history is impenetrable. The framework also opens up possible new lines of investigation along the following. Given the characteristics of a population, possibly derived from observed extant individuals, to estimate the (1) optimal sample size and (2) optimal sequence length for the most informative analysis.
Genomic differences between cultivated soybean, G. max and its wild relative G. soja
Authors: Joshi Trupti , Valliyodan Babu , Wu Jeng-Hung , Lee Suk-Ha , Xu Dong , Nguyen Henry T
Published: January 2013

Background

Glycine max is an economically important crop and many different varieties of soybean exist around the world. The first draft sequences and gene models of G. max (domesticated soybean) as well as G. soja (wild soybean), both became available in 2010. This opened the door for comprehensive comparative genomics studies between the two varieties.

Results

We have further analysed the sequences and identified the 425 genes that are unique to G. max and unavailable in G. soja. We further studied the genes with significant number of non-synonymous SNPs in their upstream regions. 12 genes involved in seed development, 3 in oil and 6 in protein concentration are unique to G. max. A significant number of unique genes are seen to overlap with the QTL regions of the three traits including seed, oil and protein. We have also developed a graphical chromosome visualizer as part of the Soybean Knowledge Base (SoyKB) tools for molecular breeding, which was used in the analysis and visualization of overlapping QTL regions for multiple traits with the deletions and SNPs in G. soja.

Conclusions

The comparisons between genome sequences of G. max and G. soja show significant differences between the genomic compositions of the two. The differences also highlight the phenotypic differences between the two in terms of seed development, oil and protein traits. These significant results have been integrated into the SoyKB resource and are publicly available for users to browse at http://soykb.org/GSoja.
Genome reassembly with high-throughput sequencing data
Authors: Parrish Nathaniel , Sudakov Benjamin , Eskin Eleazar
Published: January 2013

Motivation

Recent studies in genomics have highlighted the significance of structural variation in determining individual variation. Current methods for identifying structural variation, however, are predominantly focused on either assembling whole genomes from scratch, or identifying the relatively small changes between a genome and a reference sequence. While significant progress has been made in recent years on both de novo assembly and resequencing (read mapping) methods, few attempts have been made to bridge the gap between them.

Results

In this paper, we present a computational method for incorporating a reference sequence into an assembly algorithm. We propose a novel graph construction that builds upon the well-known de Bruijn graph to incorporate the reference, and describe a simple algorithm, based on iterative message passing, which uses this information to significantly improve assembly results. We validate our method by applying it to a series of 5 Mb simulation genomes derived from both mammalian and bacterial references. The results of applying our method to this simulation data are presented along with a discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of this technique.
Ferromagnetism and semiconducting of boron nanowires
Authors: Li Jiling L , He Tao , Yang Guowei
Published: January 2013

More recently, motivated by extensively technical applications of carbon nanostructures, there is a growing interest in exploring novel non-carbon nanostructures. As the nearest neighbor of carbon in the periodic table, boron has exceptional properties of low volatility and high melting point and is stronger than steel, harder than corundum, and lighter than aluminum. Boron nanostructures thus are expected to have broad applications in various circumstances. In this contribution, we have performed a systematical study of the stability and electronic and magnetic properties of boron nanowires using the spin-polarized density functional calculations. Our calculations have revealed that there are six stable configurations of boron nanowires obtained by growing along different base vectors from the unit cell of the bulk α-rhombohedral boron (α-B) and β-rhombohedral boron (β-B). Well known, the boron bulk is usually metallic without magnetism. However, theoretical results about the magnetic and electronic properties showed that, whether for the α-B-based or the β-B-based nanowires, their magnetism is dependent on the growing direction. When the boron nanowires grow along the base vector [001], they exhibit ferromagnetism and have the magnetic moments of 1.98 and 2.62 μB, respectively, for the α-c [001] and β-c [001] directions. Electronically, when the boron nanowire grows along the α-c [001] direction, it shows semiconducting and has the direct bandgap of 0.19 eV. These results showed that boron nanowires possess the unique direction dependence of the magnetic and semiconducting behaviors, which are distinctly different from that of the bulk boron. Therefore, these theoretical findings would bring boron nanowires to have many promising applications that are novel for the boron bulk.
Correlation between matrix structural order and compressive stress exerted on silicon nanocrystals embedded in silicon-rich silicon oxide
Authors: Zatryb Grzegorz , Podhorodecki Artur , Misiewicz Jan , Cardin Julien , Gourbilleau Fabrice
Published: January 2013

Silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon oxide matrix were deposited by radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering. By means of Raman spectroscopy, we have found that a compressive stress is exerted on the silicon nanocrystal cores. The stress varies as a function of silicon concentration in the silicon-rich silicon oxide layers varies, which can be attributed to changes of nanocrystal environment. By conducting the Fourier transform infrared absorption experiments, we have correlated the stresses exerted on the nanocrystal core to the degree of matrix structural order.

PACS

78.67.Bf, 78.67.Pt, 73.63.Bd, 78.47.D, 74.25.Nd
Kinetic study of H-terminated silicon nanowires oxidation in very first stages
Authors: Bashouti Muhammad Y , Sardashti Kasra , Ristein Jürgen , Christiansen Silke
Published: January 2013

Oxidation of silicon nanowires (Si NWs) is an undesirable phenomenon that has a detrimental effect on their electronic properties. To prevent oxidation of Si NWs, a deeper understanding of the oxidation reaction kinetics is necessary. In the current work, we study the oxidation kinetics of hydrogen-terminated Si NWs (H-Si NWs) as the starting surfaces for molecular functionalization of Si surfaces. H-Si NWs of 85-nm average diameter were annealed at various temperatures from 50°C to 400°C, in short-time spans ranging from 5 to 60 min. At high temperatures (T ≥ 200°C), oxidation was found to be dominated by the oxide growth site formation (made up of silicon suboxides) and subsequent silicon oxide self-limitation. Si-Si backbond oxidation and Si-H surface bond propagation dominated the process at lower temperatures (T < 200°C).
Development of a multi-electrode array for spinal cord epidural stimulation to facilitate stepping and standing after a complete spinal cord injury in adult rats
Authors: Gad Parag , Choe Jaehoon , Nandra Mandheerej Singh , Zhong Hui , Roy Roland R , Tai Yu-Chong , Edgerton V Reggie
Published: January 2013

Background

Stimulation of the spinal cord has been shown to have great potential for improving function after motor deficits caused by injury or pathological conditions. Using a wide range of animal models, many studies have shown that stimulation applied to the neural networks intrinsic to the spinal cord can result in a dramatic improvement of motor ability, even allowing an animal to step and stand after a complete spinal cord transection. Clinical use of this technology, however, has been slow to develop due to the invasive nature of the implantation procedures, the lack of versatility in conventional stimulation technology, and the difficulty of ascertaining specific sites of stimulation that would provide optimal amelioration of the motor deficits. Moreover, the development of tools available to control precise stimulation chronically via biocompatible electrodes has been limited. In this paper, we outline the development of this technology and its use in the spinal rat model, demonstrating the ability to identify and stimulate specific sites of the spinal cord to produce discrete motor behaviors in spinal rats using this array.

Methods

We have designed a chronically implantable, rapidly switchable, high-density platinum based multi-electrode array that can be used to stimulate at 1–100 Hz and 1–10 V in both monopolar and bipolar configurations to examine the electrophysiological and behavioral effects of spinal cord epidural stimulation in complete spinal cord transected rats.

Results

In this paper, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of using high-resolution stimulation parameters in the context of improving motor recovery after a spinal cord injury. We observed that rats whose hindlimbs were paralyzed can stand and step when specific sets of electrodes of the array are stimulated tonically (40 Hz). Distinct patterns of stepping and standing were produced by stimulation of different combinations of electrodes on the array located at specific spinal cord levels and by specific stimulation parameters, i.e., stimulation frequency and intensity, and cathode/anode orientation. The array also was used to assess functional connectivity between the cord dorsum to interneuronal circuits and specific motor pools via evoked potentials induced at 1 Hz stimulation in the absence of any anesthesia.

Conclusions

Therefore the high density electrode array allows high spatial resolution and the ability to selectively activate different neural pathways within the lumbosacral region of the spinal cord to facilitate standing and stepping in adult spinal rats and provides the capability to evoke motor potentials and thus a means for assessing connectivity between sensory circuits and specific motor pools and muscles.
An alternative high output tissue microarray technique
Authors: Shi Yuan , He Deming , Hou Yingyong , Hu Qin , Xu Chen , Liu Yalan , Jiang Dongxian , Su Jieakesu , Zeng Haiying , Tan Yunshan
Published: January 2013

Background

Tissue microarray (TMA) is a high throughput research tool, which has greatly facilitated and accelerated in situ tissue analyses. However, its productivity has been restricted due to the confined thickness of traditional donor block. Here, we introduce an improved high output TMA method that is applicable to a broader range of tissue samples.

Methods

In this method, a 3.6 cm long and 2.7 cm wide recipient block with 88 square lattices (3 mm in width) was first prepared using several commercial instruments. A 2 mm wide and 6 mm long tissue rod was then prepared using a self-made blade-shaped knife from each paraffin embedded donor block of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. These rods were manually arrayed one by one into the corresponding lattices of the 60°C pre-softened recipient block with the guide of holes drilled with a steel needle. A 70-rod TMA was made to testify this method.

Results

The prepared TMA had well defined array configurations, good tissue morphology and fully preserved proteins and DNA. A total of 500–1000 TMA sections could be easily obtained from a TMA block.

Conclusion

This low-cost and time-saving method provides an alternative sampling tool for high output TMA.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1979605867857990
Supramolecular assembly in metal complexes: Two structural cases
Authors: Ghazzali Mohamed
Published: January 2013

With the current advances in our understanding of molecular components in the solid-state world, the relation between energy and geometry remains controversial. In this study, we deliver a concise account for supramolecular chemistry, and in order to illustrate some of its concepts we describe some structural and theoretical analyses for two unique cases of our work. We elaborate on a supramolecular model of controlled “one-pot” host–guest metal-mediated self-assembly reaction inside iron coordination polymer grid architecture, and we review halogen bonding by specifically observing M–Cl···Cl–M intermolecular interactions using Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) hit analyses with theoretical calculations.
In search of 3d/4f-metal single-molecule magnets: Nickel(II)/lanthanide(III) coordination clusters
Authors: Polyzou Christina D. , Efthymiou Constantinos G. , Escuer Albert , Cunha-Silva Luís , Papatriantafyllopoulou Constantina , Perlepes Spyros P.
Published: January 2013

The importance of 3d/4f-metal cluster chemistry is outlined, and the employment of 2-pyridyl ketone- and 2-pyridyl oxime-based ligands for the preparation of low-nuclearity NiII/LnIII complexes (Ln = lanthanide) is reviewed. The synthetic utility of the “metal complexes as ligands” and “one-pot” approaches is critically discussed. The small nuclearity of the products permits the in-depth analysis of their magnetic properties.
REVIEWS
Authors: Collard Christophe , Hand Richard J. , Raw Laurence
Published: January 2013

FILM AND LITERATURE: AN INTRODUCTION AND READER – SECOND EDITION, TIMOTHY CORRIGAN (ED.) (2012) London: Routledge, 470 pp., ISBN: 978-0-415-56010-8, p/bk, £24.99

IN THE PEANUT GALLERY WITH MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: ESSAYS ON FILM, FANDOM, TECHNOLOGY AND THE CULTURE
OF RIFFING, ROBERT G. WEINER AND SHELLEY E. BARBA (EDS) (2011) Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 265 pp., ISBN: 0786445327, 9780786445325, p/bk, $40.00

WILLIAM GILLETTE: AMERICA’S SHERLOCK HOLMES, HENRY ZECHER (2011) New York: XLibris Corporation, 733 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4535-5580-4,
p/bk, $22.50
Algebraic points on Shimura curves of Γ0(p)-type
Authors: Arai Keisuke , Momose Fumiyuki
Published: January 2013

In this article,
we classify the characters associated to algebraic points
on Shimura curves of Γ0(p)-type, and over a quadratic field
we show that
there are at most elliptic points on such a Shimura curve
for every sufficiently large prime number p.
This is an analogue of the study of rational points or points over a quadratic field
on the modular curve

X
0

(
p
)

$X_0(p)$

by Mazur and the second author.
We also apply the result to a finiteness conjecture on abelian varieties
with constrained prime power torsion by Rasmussen–Tamagawa.
Weight gain in an eating disorders day program
Authors: deGraft-Johnson Ama , Fisher Martin , Rosen Lisa , Napolitano Barbara , Laskin Emma
Published: January 2013

Background: Day treatment programs have increasingly become an important level of care in the medical and psychiatric management of patients with eating disorders, yet there is little in the literature describing the weight gain patterns of patients in these programs.

Methods: Weight gain accomplished by 198 patients admitted to a day program over a 2-year period was studied. Weight gain was analyzed by demographic, diagnostic and program-related variables and was compared for weekdays and weekends.

Results: The mean length of stay was 2.6 weeks and patients gained a mean of 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg) in the program. Approximately one-quarter of patients lost weight, one-quarter gained 0 to <2 pounds (0.9 kg), one-quarter gained 2–4 pounds (0.9–1.8 kg), and one-quarter gained more than 4 pounds (1.8 kg). Weight gain was greater in those with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or eating disorder not otherwise specified (compared to bulimia nervosa), a longer time in the program, and a lower body mass index on admission. Patients gained more on weekdays, while in the program, than on weekends, when they were home.

Conclusions: The data showed that most patients accomplished modest weight gains during a relatively short stay in an eating disorders day program, demonstrating what can be expected for this level of care in the current healthcare environment.
Color science of nanocrystal quantum dots for lighting and displays
Authors: Erdem Talha , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: January 2013

Colloidal nanocrystals of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are gaining prominence among the optoelectronic materials in the photonics industry. Among their many applications, their use in artificial lighting and displays has attracted special attention thanks to their high efficiency and narrow emission band, enabling spectral purity and fine tunability. By employing QDs in color-conversion LEDs, it is possible to simultaneously accomplish successful color rendition of the illuminated objects together with a good spectral overlap between the emission spectrum of the device and the sensitivity of the human eye, in addition to a warm white color, in contrast to other conventional sources such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps, and phosphor-based LEDs, which cannot achieve all of these properties at the same time. In this review, we summarize the color science of QDs for lighting and displays, and present the recent developments in QD-integrated LEDs and display research. First, we start with a general introduction to color science, photometry, and radiometry. After presenting an overview of QDs, we continue with the spectral designs of QD-integrated white LEDs that have led to efficient lighting for indoor and outdoor applications. Subsequently, we discuss QD color-conversion LEDs and displays as proof-of-concept applications – a new paradigm in artificial lighting and displays. Finally, we conclude with a summary of research opportunities and challenges along with a future outlook.
Tautomers and polymorphs of pyrazolinone derivatives, generated from reactions of arylhydrazines, ArNHNH2, with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Baddeley Thomas C. , Howie R. Alan , de Lima Geraldo M. , Wardell James L. , Wardell Solange M. S. V.
Published: January 2013

From reactions of arylhydrazines with R2COCH2CONHPh or R2COCH2CO2Me, different tautomeric pyrazolinone forms, 1-aryl-3-R2-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-ones (IIa), 1-aryl-3-R2-1H-pyrazol-5-ols (IIb) and 2-aryl-5-R2-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-ones (IIc)], can be isolated. The crystal structures of monoclinic- and triclinic-3-phenyl-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-one (IIa forms), tautomeric 1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-one (IIa form), and 1-(4-methylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol (IIb form), as well as1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazo-5-ol (IIb form) and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one (IIc form) are reported.

The data suggest thatthe most electron withdrawing aryl group [3-nitrophenyl] generates IIa forms, while the most electron releasing aryl group [4-methoxyphenyl] generates IIb and IIc forms and that the aryl group with the intermediate electronic effect [4-methylphenyl] provides both IIa and IIb forms. This trend is supported by the reported isolations of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-one and 1-(2,4-nitrophenyl)-3-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-one [both IIa-forms] with electron-withdrawing chloro and nitro groups respectively and by the isolation of IIb and co-crystallised IIb/IIc forms from use of phenylhydrazine as the reactant.
Synthesis and characterization of Tetrakis-μ-[N-phenylanthranilato](O,O′)-bis[(4-vinylpyridine copper(II)] complex
Authors: Taş Murat , Karabağ Elif , Titiz Abdullah , Kaya Mukadder , Ataseven Mehmet , Dal Hakan
Published: January 2013

The complex, tetrakis-μ-[2-(phenylamino)ben-zoato](O,O′)-bis[4-vinylpyridine copper(II)] (1) was synthesized by the reaction of N-phenylanthranilic acid and copper powder in the presence of 4-vinylpyridine and crystallized from ethanol-dichloromethane-n-hexane mixture (1 : 1 : 1). The crystal structure of 1 contains one binuclear cage complex and each dimer locate on a crystallographic inversion centre (triclinic, P-1 space group). In the compound, two Cu(II) ions are bridged by four µ2-O : O′ N-phenylanthranilato (NPA) ligands, forming a cage structure, and 4-vinylpyridine ligands are bonded through their N atoms to the Cu(II) ions in terminal positions to form square pyramidal environment around Cu(II) ions. The Cu(II) ions in apart of 2.6298(14) Å, are bridged by the carboxylate groups of four N-phenylanthranilate ligands. The complex molecules show three dimensional supramolecular networks by O—H···O, C—H···O, C—H···π and π···π interactions.
Spiked helmet sign ST-segment elevation
Authors: Tomcsányi János , Frész Tamás
Published: January 2013

The authors report the spiked helmet ST-segment elevation in two patients in order to draw attention to this high-risk electrocardiographic sign. This form of ST-segment elevation needs an urgent evaluation and management of the critically ill patient. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 147–149.