bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the dietary intake of total flavan-3-ols, monomeric flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins and theaflavins in the European Union
Authors: Vogiatzoglou Anna , Mulligan Angela A. , Luben Robert N. , Lentjes Marleen A. H. , Heiss Christian , Kelm Malte , Merx Marc W. , Spencer Jeremy P. E. , Schroeter Hagen , Kuhnle Gunter G. C.
Published: December 2013

Dietary interventions with flavan-3-ols have shown beneficial effects on vascular function. The translation of these findings into the context of the health of the general public requires detailed information on habitual dietary intake. However, only limited data are currently available for European populations. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed the habitual intake of flavan-3-ol monomers, proanthocyanidins (PA) and theaflavins in the European Union (EU) and determined their main food sources using the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database. Data for adults aged 18–64 years were available from fourteen European countries, and intake was determined using the FLAVIOLA Flavanol Food Composition Database, developed for the present study and based on the latest US Department of Agriculture and Phenol-Explorer databases. The mean habitual intake of flavan-3-ol monomers, theaflavins and PA ranged from 181 mg/d (Czech Republic) to 793 mg/d (Ireland). The highest intakes of flavan-3-ol monomers and theaflavins were observed in Ireland (191/505 mg/d) and the lowest intakes in Spain (24/9 mg/d). In contrast, the daily intake of PA was highest in Spain (175 mg/d) and lowest in The Netherlands (96 mg/d). Main sources were tea (62 %), pome fruits (11 %), berries (3 %) and cocoa products (3 %). Tea was the major single contributor to monomer intake (75 %), followed by pome fruits (6 %). Pome fruits were also the main source of PA (28 %). The present study provides important data on the population-based intake of flavanols in the EU and demonstrates that dietary intake amounts for flavan-3-ol monomers, PA and theaflavins vary significantly across European countries. The average habitual intake of flavan-3-ols is considerably below the amounts used in most dietary intervention studies.
Rational Justification and Mutual Recognition in Substantive Domains
Authors: WESTPHAL KENNETH R.
Published: December 2013

This paper argues that individual rational judgment, of the kind required for rational justification in empirical knowledge or morals, is in fundamental part socially and historically based, although this is consistent with realism about the objects of empirical knowledge and with strict objectivity about basic moral principles. To judge fully rationally that one judges, and thus to justify one’s judgment rationally, requires recognizing one’s inherent fallibility and hence our mutual interdependence for assessing our own and each others’ judgments and their justification. This provides a pragmatic account of rational justification which dispatches the distinction between “rational” and “historical” knowledge.
Critical airway induced by formalin injection: case report
Authors: Yeh C-F , Lee T-L
Published: December 2013

Background:

Formalin is a saturated aqueous solution comprising 37–40 per cent formaldehyde. It is often used in histopathology laboratories as a tissue preservative. The ingestion or injection of formalin has an immediate, powerful and destructive impact on humans. This paper reports a case of formalin injection and reviews the relevant world literature.

Case report:

A 36-year-old male attempted suicide by injecting formalin into the right side of his neck, resulting in a critical airway situation. An endotracheal tube was inserted and a tracheostomy was then performed to secure his airway. After receiving medical treatment, including antibiotics and N-acetyl cysteine, the status of the patient's airway improved.

Conclusion:

When examining patients who have injected substances into their neck, the possibility of deep neck inflammation with airway compromise should be considered. Immediate management, which should include establishment of a definitive airway and prophylactic infection control, is crucial.
Filamentation instability of electron/ion beams in magnetized plasma waveguide
Authors: Hasanbeigi A. , Moghani S. , Azimi S. , Mehdian H.
Published: December 2013

The filamentation instability due to the interaction of two relativistic electron and ion beams with magnetized plasma in a waveguide is studied within the framework of a macroscopic cold fluid description. It is assumed that the background plasma provides charge and current neutralization of the injected beams. The dispersion relation is obtained by solving wave eigenvalue equation. The resulting dispersion equation is analyzed numerically over a wide range of system parameters. It is found that the velocity difference factor can strongly affect the filamentation instability.
Wakefield effects on three-dimensional dust-lattice modes
Authors: Farokhi B. , Hameditabar A.
Published: December 2013

Dispersion relations of dust-lattice waves in three-dimensional body-centered cubic (bcc) and face-centered cubic (fcc) dusty plasma crystals are derived taking into account particle–wake interactions. Results show that resonance coupling between the longitudinal and out-of-plane transverse wave modes set in if the vertical confinement is below a certain critical value. The imaginary part of the wave frequency shows that the hybrid mode cannot propagate in the crystal.
Head-on collision of dust magnetoacoustic solitary waves in magnetized plasmas
Authors: Ruan Shi-Sen , Li Zhong-Ming
Published: December 2013

The head-on collision of dust magnetoacoustic solitary waves (DMASWs) is studied in magnetized electron–ion–dust plasma. The extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo perturbation method is used to derive the Korteweg de Vries equations for DMASWs in this three-component plasma. The effects of the magnetic field intensityB0, the number of electrons residing on dust surfaceZd, the ratio of electron to dust number density δ, the ratio of electron to ion temperature σ, and the ratio of dust acoustic velocity to dust Alfvén velocity β on the phase shift are investigated. It is found that these parameters can significantly influence the phase shifts of colliding DMASWs. The present investigation may be beneficial to understand the interaction between two DMASWs that may occur in plasma with dust impurities situations.
Exact Riemann solver for ideal magnetohydrodynamics that can handle all types of intermediate shocks and switch-on/off waves
Authors: Takahashi K. , Yamada S.
Published: December 2013

We have built a code to obtain the exact solutions of Riemann problems in ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) for an arbitrary initial condition. The code can handle not only regular waves but also switch-on/off rarefactions and all types of non-regular shocks: intermediate shocks and switch-on/off shocks. Furthermore, the initial conditions with vanishing normal or transverse magnetic fields can be handled, although the code is partly based on the algorithm proposed by Torrilhon (2002) (Torrilhon, M. 2002 Exact solver and uniqueness condition for Riemann problems of ideal magnetohydrodynamics. Research report 2002-06, Seminar for Applied Mathematics, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland), which cannot deal with all types of non-regular waves nor the initial conditions without normal or transverse magnetic fields. Our solver can find all the solutions for a given Riemann problem, and hence, as demonstrated in this paper, one can investigate the structure of the solution space in detail. Therefore, the solver is a powerful instrument to solve the outstanding problem of existence and uniqueness of solutions of MHD Riemann problems. Moreover, the solver may be applied to numerical MHD schemes like the Godunov scheme in the future.
Analytical model for gyro-phase drift arising from abrupt inhomogeneity
Authors: Walker Jeffrey J. , Koepke M. E. , Zimmerman M. I. , Farrell W. M. , Demidov V. I.
Published: December 2013

If a magnetized-orbit-charged grain encounters any abrupt inhomogeneity in plasma conditions during a gyro-orbit, such that the resulting in-situ equilibrium charge is significantly different between these regions (q1/q2 ~ 2, where q1 is the in-situ equilibrium charge on one side of the inhomogeneity, q2 is the in-situ equilibrium charge on the other side, and q1 < q2 < 0), then the capacitive effects of charging and discharging of the dust grain can result in a modification to the orbit-averaged grain trajectory, i.e. gyro-phase drift. The special case of q1/q2 is notioned for the purpose of illustrating the utility of the method. An analytical expression is derived for the grain velocity, assuming a capacitor approximation to the OML charging model. For cases in which a strong electric field suddenly appears in the wake or at the space-plasma-to-crater interface from solar wind and/or ultraviolet illumination and in which a magnetic field permeates an asteroid, comet, or moon, this model could contribute to the interpretation of the distribution of fields and particles.
Population structure of the purple sea urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma along a latitudinal gradient in south-west Australia
Authors: Smale Dan A. , Wernberg Thomas
Published: December 2013

Sea urchins are key herbivores in many coastal ecosystems. The purple sea urchin, Heliocidaris erythrogramma, is widely distributed across temperate Australia where it exhibits considerable plasticity in feeding behaviour and ecophysiology. In this study we examined H. erythrogramma populations on subtidal reefs along ~4° of latitude in south-west Australia. We used a multi-factorial survey design to assess variability in H. erythrogramma abundances between locations (>200 km part), sites (≥1 km apart) and habitat types (reef flats and slopes). We also examined spatial variability in urchin size, condition (measured by gonad index), and the relative abundances of two co-occurring subspecies. Urchin densities were generally low and did not vary between locations, but did vary between habitat types and amongst sites. Site-level variability in urchin size and condition was also pronounced. The southernmost population comprised smaller individuals and greater relative abundance of the H. e. erythrogramma subspecies, which is abundant on the east coast of Australia. We observed no indication of population-level responses to a recent extreme warming event that impacted the wider ecology of the region, but further investigation into the effects of both gradual warming and short-term climatic events on the ecology of H. erythrogramma and other key herbivores is required.
Debating Revolution: Early eighteenth century Sikh public philosophy on the formation of the Khalsa
Authors: SINGH SYAN HARDIP
Published: December 2013

This paper examines the public debate that happened among Delhi's Sikh community following the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh. The detail of this debate was expressed in the early eighteenth century Sikh text, Sri Gur Sobha. The Sri Gur Sobha explains how Delhi's Sikhs became divided into pro-Khalsa and anti-Khalsa factions, and how this conflict resulted in a campaign of persecution against Delhi's Khalsa Sikhs. In this paper I endeavour to analyse exactly why this dispute occurred and how it reflects wider political and socio-economic processes in early modern India and Sikh society. In addition, the paper will explore how the elite Khatri community consequently became an object of hatred in eighteenth century Khalsa Sikh literature.
The role of chemokines in severe malaria: more than meets the eye
Authors: IOANNIDIS LISA J. , NIE CATHERINE Q. , HANSEN DIANA S.
Published: December 2013

Plasmodium falciparummalaria is responsible for over 250 million clinical cases every year worldwide. Severe malaria cases might present with a range of disease syndromes including acute respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis, hypoglycaemia, renal failure, anaemia, pulmonary oedema, cerebral malaria (CM) and placental malaria (PM) in pregnant women. Two main determinants of severe malaria have been identified: sequestration of parasitized red blood cells and strong pro-inflammatory responses. Increasing evidence from human studies and malaria infection animal models revealed the presence of host leucocytes at the site of parasite sequestration in brain blood vessels as well as placental tissue in complicated malaria cases. These observations suggested that apart from secreting cytokines, leucocytes might also contribute to disease by migrating to the site of parasite sequestration thereby exacerbating organ-specific inflammation. This evidence attracted substantial interest in identifying trafficking pathways by which inflammatory leucocytes are recruited to target organs during severe malaria syndromes. Chemo-attractant cytokines or chemokines are the key regulators of leucocyte trafficking and their potential contribution to disease has recently received considerable attention. This review summarizes the main findings to date, investigating the role of chemokines in severe malaria and the implication of these responses for the induction of pathogenesis and immunity to infection.
Social Policy Digest Online
Authors: Croft Jacqui
Published: December 2013

The Social Policy Digest is a major online resource providing up-to-date listings of developments across the whole range of UK and pan-European social policy issues – including links to source materials and commentary. The Digest is published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Social Policy Association.
Recovering from forest-to-pasture conversion: leaf decomposition in Central Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Lorenzo Leda , Pérez-Harguindeguy Natalia , Casanoves Fernando , de Oliveira Alexandre Adalardo
Published: December 2013

Land-use change in tropical forests can affect the micro-environment for decomposition under modified canopies. In turn, decomposition may have consequences for soil fertility and ecosystem sustainability. The effects of the conversion from primary forest to pastures on leaf-litter decomposition and its recovery in secondary forests 20 y after pasture abandonment were evaluated using litterbags and a general mixed model approach. Litterbags containing leaf-litter of two contrasting qualities were placed in those three ecosystems and the mass remaining after 90 d was quantified. The mass remaining was 50% lower in high- than in low-quality leaves. The effects of the decomposition environment depended on the substrate quality. Although differences among ecosystems were not significant for low-quality leaves, high-quality leaves decomposed more slowly in pastures than in forests (mean dry mass remaining was 38% in pastures, 14% in secondary and 12% in primary forest). The decomposition of common substrates did not differ among forests. Results show that the conversion of primary forest to pasture may produce conditions for slower decomposition; however, these conditions appear be restored to a great extent in 20-y-old secondary forests.
Detection of IgG antibody against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus using ELISA with recombinant nucleoprotein antigens from genetically diverse strains
Authors: RANGUNWALA A. , SAMUDZI R. R. , BURT F. J.
Published: December 2013

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) has the propensity to cause nosocomial infections with a high fatality rate. Handling the virus requires biosafety level-4 facilities, limiting accessibility for many laboratories. Advances in molecular techniques have allowed preparation of safe recombinant antigens that have application in diagnosis and serosurveillance of CCHFV. The aim of this study was to determine genetic diversity in CCHFV based on all available complete sequence data for the S gene encoding CCHFV nucleoprotein (NP) and antibody cross-reactivity between the NP of a South African isolate and the NP of a Greek isolate (AP92), the most genetically diverse CCHFV strain. The nucleotide sequence diversity and amino-acid diversity between genotypes, within genotypes and the pairwise distances were calculated for a dataset of 45 CCHFV isolates retrieved from GenBank. The most diverse virus, AP92, isolated from a tick in Greece, displayed the highest amino-acid difference (8·7%) with SPU415/85, isolated from a human infection in South Africa. Recombinant NP encoded for by codon-optimized S genes of SPU415/85 and AP92 were expressed in a bacterial host system and used to develop an in-house ELISA to detect IgG antibody against CCHFV in South African patients who survived infection. A total of 14/14 sera reacted with the South African recombinant NP and 13/14 reacted with the Greek recombinant NP. The serological cross-reactivity of the two NP antigens suggests that recombinant antigens prepared from geographically distinct CCHFV will have diagnostic and epidemiological applications worldwide.
Norovirus genotypes implicated in two oyster-related illness outbreaks in Ireland
Authors: RAJKO-NENOW P. , KEAVENEY S. , FLANNERY J. , McINTYRE A. , DORÉ W.
Published: December 2013

We investigated norovirus (NoV) concentrations and genotypes in oyster and faecal samples associated with two separate oyster-related outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Ireland. Quantitative analysis was performed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis was conducted to establish the NoV genotypes present. For both outbreaks, the NoV concentration in oysters was >1000 genome copies/g digestive tissue and multiple genotypes were identified. In faecal samples, GII.13 was the only genotype detected for outbreak 1, whereas multiple genotypes were detected in outbreak 2 following the application of cloning procedures. While various genotypes were identified in oyster samples, not all were successful in causing infection in consumers. In outbreak 2 NoV GII.1 was identified in all four faecal samples analysed and NoV GII concentrations in faecal samples were >108copies/g. This study demonstrates that a range of NoV genotypes can be present in highly contaminated oysters responsible for gastroenteritis outbreaks.
Parliamentary Report
Authors: Cranmer Frank
Published: December 2013

In July the Charity Commission issued new guidance on decision-making for charity trustees. The avowed purpose of the guidance is ‘to help increase trustees’ confidence when making decisions, and inform their processes', and the Commission points out that, if the need arises and something goes wrong, trustees have to be able to demonstrate how they have followed the principles set out in the guidance.
General Synod of the Church of England
Authors: Slack Stephen
Published: December 2013

The report on the Synod's proceedings published in the January 2013 issue of this Journal reported the defeat – by a narrow majority – at the November 2012 group of sessions of the motion for the final approval of the draft measure intended to allow the consecration of women to the episcopate. As is well known, the Synod's decision was received with shock and dismay by many – both inside and outside the Church of England. But a response came quickly. In December the House of Bishops committed itself to bringing the elements of a new legislative package to the Synod in July 2013 and to that end established a working group, drawn from all three Houses.
General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Authors: Guild Ivor
Published: December 2013

In opening the Synod the Primus said that it was easy to be institutionally burdened with reports and papers but that the Church was called to have a Spirit-enlivened spring in its step – a dynamic which shaped relationships, ministry and leadership. What mattered was that differences were re-cast by the Spirit into a dynamic and comprehensive unity, and that there was a need to be both strategy-led and Spirit-led.
Separation Probabilities for Products of Permutations
Authors: BERNARDI OLIVIER , DU ROSENA R. X. , MORALES ALEJANDRO H. , STANLEY RICHARD P.
Published: December 2013

We study the mixing properties of permutations obtained as a product of two uniformly random permutations of fixed cycle types. For instance, we give an exact formula for the probability that elements 1,2,. . .,kare in distinct cycles of the random permutation of {1,2,. . .,n} obtained as a product of two uniformly randomn-cycles.
Behavioural and emotional outcomes in school-aged children after surgery or transcatheter closure treatment for ventricular septal defect
Authors: Guan Guotao , Liu Haiyan , Wang Yulin , Han Bo , Jin Youpeng
Published: December 2013

Objection

We aimed to assess and compare the behavioural and emotional outcomes of school-aged children after surgery or transcatheter closure for ventricular septal defect and investigate the risk factors for developing abnormal behavioural problems with the condition.

Methods

In this study, we included 29 children, including 20 boys, with ventricular septal defect who underwent surgery and 35 children, including 21 boys, who underwent transcatheter closure (6–13 years old) and their age- and sex-matched best friends (n = 56) and their parents. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to obtain standardised parents’ reports of behavioural and emotional problems in children. The 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire was used to assess parents’ psychological distress. Pearson correlation and logistic regression were used to analyse risk factors for developing behaviour problems.

Results

Behavioural problems were greater for boys and girls undergoing surgery or transcatheter closure than controls. The behavioural problems were mainly depression, somatic complaints, and social withdrawal for boys and thought problems, depression, somatic complaints, and social withdrawal for girls. Depression and somatic complaints were greater for boys undergoing surgery than for boys undergoing transcatheter closure. Behavioural problems did not differ between treatment groups for girls. Risk factors for developing behavioural problems were age at the time of ventricular septal defect repair (p = 0.03; odds ratio = 2.35), skin scar (p = 0.04; odds ratio = 3.12), post-operative atrioventricular block (p = 0.03; odds ratio = 2.81), and maternal anxiety (p < 0.01; odds ratio = 4.5).

Conclusion

School-aged children who underwent repair of ventricular septal defect regardless of the type of treatment (surgery or transcatheter closure) exhibit internalising behavioural problems. Risk factors for developing problems are young age, scarring, post-operative atrioventricular block, and maternal anxiety. In particular, maternal anxiety is the most important risk factor.
Use of a Hooked Cutting Device Compared With Scissors for the Emergency Exposure of Critically Ill and Injured Patients
Authors: Tang Nelson , Levy Matthew J. , Harrow Jeffrey , Bingham Nina
Published: December 2013

Introduction

The initial assessment of critical patients includes prompt identification of life-threatening conditions. Any device or technique that can aid in this process may ultimately save lives. This study examined whether clothing could be removed faster with the use of a hooked cutting device as compared with the commonly-used heavy-duty, blunt-tipped, serrated scissors.

Methods

This study took place in an urban academic emergency department of a Level-1 trauma center. Human patient simulator mannequins were clothed in identical shirts and pants. The time required for clinical personnel to expose the patient using each device was measured. Each of the 50 participants was queried regarding their tactile comfort using each device.

Results

The mean time for shirt removal using scissors was 83 seconds (SD = 55 seconds; 95% CI, 68-99). The mean time for shirt removal using the hook device was 28 seconds (SD = 21 seconds; 95% CI, 22-34). The mean time for pants removal using scissors was 69 seconds (SD = 40 seconds; 95% CI, 56-73). The mean time for pants removal using the hook device was 19 seconds (SD=15 seconds; 95% CI, 15-23).

Conclusions

The hooked device was 69% faster at removing clothing than traditionally-used scissors. Though simple in concept, these implications can be life saving, particularly in conditions of uncontrolled, life-threatening external hemorrhage.

TangN, LevyM, HarrowJ, BinghamN. Use of a hooked cutting device compared with scissors for the emergency exposure of critically ill and injured patients. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):1-4.
Daytime sleepiness associated with lurasidone and quetiapine XR: results from a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Loebel Antony D. , Siu Cynthia O. , Cucchiaro Josephine B. , Pikalov Andrei A. , Harvey Philip D.
Published: December 2013

Objective

The aim of this analysis was to compare the effects of 2 atypical antipsychotic agents, lurasidone (80 mg/d or 160 mg/d) and quetiapine XR (600 mg/d), on daytime alertness, and to evaluate the effects of daytime sleepiness on treatment outcomes in patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia.

Methods

Patients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for schizophrenia were randomized to 6 weeks of double-blind treatment with fixed doses of lurasidone 80 mg/d (n = 125), lurasidone 160 mg/d (n = 121), quetiapine XR 600 mg/d (n = 119), or placebo (n = 121), all dosed once daily in the evening, with food. Daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

Results

Daytime sleepiness improved in the lurasidone and placebo-treated groups but worsened in the quetiapine XR treatment group when compared to placebo (p = 0.001) and to either dose of lurasidone (both p < 0.01). Sedation associated with quetiapine XR treatment mediated an improvement in agitation [assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale—Excitement (PANSS-EC) subscale] and a worsening in functional capacity [assessed by the University of California–San Diego (UCSD) Performance-Based Skills Assessment—Brief Version (UPSA-B) total score]; these mediating relationships were not observed for the lurasidone or placebo treatment groups.

Conclusion

In this 6-week double-blind study, treatment with lurasidone 80 mg or 160 mg, administered once daily in the evening, was associated with a reduction in daytime sleepiness similar in magnitude to placebo, while quetiapine XR 600 mg/d was associated with a significant increase in daytime sleepiness, compared to both lurasidone dose groups and placebo. Daytime sleepiness was associated with improvement in agitation and worsening in functional capacity for quetiapine XR, but not lurasidone or placebo-treated patients.
Cognitive Rehabilitation of Memory for Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Methodological Review and Model for Future Research
Authors: Hampstead Benjamin M. , Gillis M. Meredith , Stringer Anthony Y.
Published: December 2013

Several recent reviews have suggested that cognitive rehabilitation may hold promise in the treatment of memory deficits experienced by patients with mild cognitive impairment. In contrast to the previous reviews that mainly focused on outcome, the current review examines key methodological challenges that are critical for designing and interpreting research studies and translating results into clinical practice. Using methodological details from 36 studies, we first examine diagnostic variability and how the use of cutoffs may bias samples toward more severely impaired patients. Second, the strengths and limitations of several common rehabilitative techniques are discussed. Half of the reviewed studies used a multi-technique approach that precludes the causal attribution between any specific technique and subsequent improvement. Third, there is a clear need to examine the dose-response relationship since this information was strikingly absent from most studies. Fourth, outcome measures varied widely and frequently depended on neuropsychological tests with little theoretical justification or ecological relevance. Fifth, we discuss how the variability in each of these other four areas complicates efforts to examine training generalization. Overall, future studies should place greater emphasis on ecologically relevant treatment approaches and outcome measures and we propose a hierarchical model that may aid in this pursuit. (JINS, 2014,19, 1–17)
Rural household participation in markets for non-timber forest products in Zambia
Authors: Mulenga Brian P. , Richardson Robert B. , Tembo Gelson , Mapemba Lawrence
Published: December 2013

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) support livelihoods in rural communities through provision of food, fuel, materials, medicines and income from sales. We estimated the contribution of NTFPs to rural household income in Zambia, and used a two-stage tobit alternative model to identify the factors associated with participation in NTFP markets. NTFPs accounted for 35 per cent of household income for participating households, second only to trading. Human capital variables and the value of assets were found to be significant determinants of both participation in business activities related to NTFPs and the associated household income, and the poor were more dependent on NTFPs than wealthier households. The effect of average rainfall underscores the role that NTFPs play in providing a safety net during periods of low crop yields. Rural development policies should recognize the role played by NTFPs in rural livelihoods and the need to balance welfare improvement and sustainable forest management.
Lexical-semantic skills in bilingual children who are becoming English-dominant: A longitudinal study
Authors: SHENG LI
Published: December 2013

Twenty-seven Mandarin–English bilingual children participated in picture identification and picture naming tasks at two time points, 16 months apart. The younger children (mean age = 4 years) showed greater gains over time than the older children (mean age = 6 years 10 months) in English lexical-semantic skills and neither group showed significant gains in Mandarin. At the individual level, a majority of the children showed increased accuracy for the English tasks, but only half of them did so for the Mandarin tasks. Analyses of error distribution indicated production of more advanced error types in the older children and in English, as well as different patterns of time-related changes in error types in the two languages. These findings illustrate how age and initial language proficiency are related to lexical growth among Mandarin-speaking bilingual children who are becoming English-dominant.
Improved Microchip Design and Application for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of Macromolecules
Authors: Dukes Madeline J , Thomas Rebecca , Damiano John , Klein Kate L , Balasubramaniam Sharavanan , Kayandan Sanem , Riffle Judy S , Davis Richey M , McDonald Sarah M , Kelly Deborah F
Published: December 2013

Understanding the fundamental properties of macromolecules has enhanced the development of emerging technologies used to improve biomedical research. Currently, there is a critical need for innovative platforms that can illuminate the function of biomedical reagents in a native environment. To address this need, we have developed an in situ approach to visualize the dynamic behavior of biomedically relevant macromolecules at the nanoscale. Newly designed silicon nitride devices containing integrated “microwells” were used to enclose active macromolecular specimens in liquid for transmission electron microscopy imaging purposes.We were able to successfully examine novel magnetic resonance imaging contrast reagents, micelle suspensions, liposome carrier vehicles, and transcribing viral assemblies. With each specimen tested, the integrated microwells adequately maintained macromolecules in discrete local environments while enabling thin liquid layers to be produced.
THE MAHLER MEASURE OF TRINOMIALS OF HEIGHT 1
Authors: FLAMMANG V.
Published: December 2013

We study the Mahler measure of the trinomials ${z}^{n} \pm {z}^{k} \pm 1$. We give two criteria to identify those whose Mahler measure is less than $1. 381\hspace{0.167em} 356\cdots = M(1+ {z}_{1} + {z}_{2} )$. We prove that these criteria are true for $n$ sufficiently large.
WTO-plus commitments and emerging implications for China's large civil aircraft manufacturing
Authors: HE JUAN
Published: December 2013

China's accession to the WTO in 2001 is widely accepted as a landmark event for the multilateral trade system and for the country. The large-scale WTO-plus commitments have nevertheless received unceasing criticism and discussion. This article is concerned with the resulting policy implications for the Chinese initiative to become a global producer of large civil aircraft at the next stage of development. A real-life case study is expected to provide robust evidence for inquiring whether China and emerging economies alike can smoothly advance up the global value chain while honouring their WTO obligations in good faith. The article confirms the widespread opinion that there are vast legal uncertainties ahead for China throughout this journey, and for that reason, a rigorous market-orientation effort is needed to strengthen its ability to compete in the commercial aviation sector.
Estimation of Disability Transition Probabilities in Australia I: Preliminary
Authors: Hariyanto Evan A. , Dickson David C.M. , Pitt David G.W.
Published: December 2013

This is the first of two papers in which we estimate transition probabilities amongst levels of disability as defined in the Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. In this paper we describe both the main tools of our estimation and the estimation of the numbers of individuals in different disability categories at annual intervals using survey data that are available at five year intervals. In Paper II we describe our estimation procedure, followed by its implementation, discussion of results and graduation of the estimated transition probabilities.
Estimation of Disability Transition Probabilities in Australia II: Implementation
Authors: Hariyanto Evan A. , Dickson David C. M. , Pitt David G. W.
Published: December 2013

This is the second of two papers in which we estimate transition probabilities amongst levels of disability as defined in the Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. In this paper we describe our estimation procedure, followed by its implementation, discussion of results and graduation of the estimated transition probabilities.
Coalition theory: a veto players’ approach
Authors: Tsebelis George , Ha Eunyoung
Published: December 2013

Coalition theories have produced arguments about the importance of party positions for participation in government coalitions, but have not connected the existing government institutions (in particular agenda setting) with the coalition government that will be formed. This article presents a veto players’ approach to coalition formation, which pushes the logic of non-cooperative game-theoretic models one step further: we argue that policy positions play a significant role in coalition formation because governments in parliamentary systems control the agenda of the policymaking process. As a result, the institutions that regulate this policymaking process affect coalition formation. In particular, positional advantages that a government may have (central policy position offormateur, fewer parties, and small policy distances among coalition partners) will become more necessary as a government has fewer institutional agenda setting advantages at its disposal. The empirical tests presented in this paper corroborate these expectations by explicitly accounting for the conditional effects of policy positions and institutional agenda setting rules on one another in a set of multilevel logit models.
Sideband stabilization in the presence of LO phase noise: analysis and system demonstrator
Authors: Brendel Friederike , Zwick Thomas , Poëtte Julien , Cabon Béatrice
Published: December 2013

We present a technique allowing the stabilization and tuning of a modulation sideband in the presence of high-carrier frequency jitter and increased carrier phase noise. This technique is of particular interest in communication systems where oscillators providing the carrier signal cannot be stabilized by a conventional phase-locked loop, such as systems relying on low-cost optical LO generation techniques. The results obtained in simulation are validated by measurements carried out on a modular system demonstrator.
Variable Z0applied to the optimal design of multi-stub matching network and a meander monopole
Authors: Dib Nihad , Sharaqa Ashraf , Formato Richard A.
Published: December 2013

VariableZ0, a new concept in antenna design and optimization, is applied to two optimization problems: a multi-stub matching network (MSMN) using biogeography-based optimization (BBO), and an ultra wideband meander monopole antenna (MMA) using central force optimization (CFO). BBO is a newly-proposed stochastic global search and optimization evolutionary algorithm (EA) used to determine MSMN stub lengths and locations for optimum (minimum) reflection coefficient. CFO is a deterministic EA used to optimize the MMA's impedance bandwidth (IBW) while maintaining good average gain without considering the radiation pattern in detail. Two cases are investigated for both problems: (a) fixed characteristic impedanceZ0, and (b) variable characteristic impedance. In the first case,Z0is a fixed user-specified parameter (the traditional methodology), whereas in the second, it is a true variable quantity whose value is determined by the optimization methodology, which is a new technology. VariableZ0is a fundamentally different design approach in optimization problems. BBO's fixedZ0results for MSMN are compared to published data computed using Nelder–Mead optimization with BBO exhibiting better performance. BBO's results are improved even more using VariableZ0technology. A similar performance improvement is seen for VariableZ0applied to the CFO-optimized MMA.
‘Organising the unpredictable’: the Nigeria–Biafra war and its impact on the ICRC
Authors: Desgrandchamps Marie-Luce
Published: December 2013

This article analyses how the events of the late 1960s – and in particular the Nigeria–Biafra War – marked a turning point in the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Nigeria-Biafra conflict required the ICRC to set up and coordinate a major relief operation during a civil war in a post-colonial context, posing several new challenges for the organisation. This article shows how the difficulties encountered during the conflict highlighted the need for the Geneva-based organisation to reform the management of its operations, personnel, and communications in order to become more effective and professional. Finally, the article takes the examination of this process within the ICRC as a starting point for a broader discussion of the changing face of the humanitarian sector in the late 1960s.
New technologies and new policies: the ICRC's evolving approach to working with separated families
Authors: Dubois Olivier , Marshall Katharine , McNamara Siobhan Sparkes
Published: December 2013

The field of humanitarian action is far from static, and the ICRC has worked over the years to evolve and respond to changing needs and changing circumstances. The past several decades have seen a proliferation of humanitarian actors, protracted, complex conflicts, and the rapid rise of new technologies that have significantly impacted how humanitarian work is done. The ICRC has been continually challenged to adapt in this changing environment, and its core work of supporting separated families – through restoration of family links and through support to the families of the missing – provides insight into ways that it has met this challenge and areas in which it may still seek to improve.
Non-collinear interaction of photons with orbital angular momentum
Authors: Roger Thomas , Heitz Julius J. F. , Wright Ewan M. , Faccio Daniele
Published: December 2013

We study the nonlinear interaction between two non-collinear light beams that carry orbital angular momentum (OAM). More specifically, two incident beams interact at an angle in a medium with a second order nonlinearity and thus generate a third, non-collinear beam at the second harmonic frequency that experiences a reduced conversion efficiency in comparison to that expected based on conventional phase-matching theory. This reduction scales with the input beam OAM and, differently from previous spiral bandwidth calculations, is due to a geometric effect whereby the input OAM is projected along the non-collinear interaction direction. The effect is relevant even at small interaction angles and is further complicated at large angles by a non-conservation of the total OAM in the nonlinear interaction. Experiments are performed under different conditions and are in excellent agreement with the theory. Our results have implications beyond the specific case studied here of second-harmonic generation, in particular for parametric down-conversion of photons or in general for phase-matched non-collinear interactions between beams with different OAM.
Quantum State Tomography via Linear Regression Estimation
Authors: Qi Bo , Hou Zhibo , Li Li , Dong Daoyi , Xiang Guoyong , Guo Guangcan
Published: December 2013

A simple yet efficient state reconstruction algorithm of linear regression estimation (LRE) is presented for quantum state tomography. In this method, quantum state reconstruction is converted into a parameter estimation problem of a linear regression model and the least-squares method is employed to estimate the unknown parameters. An asymptotic mean squared error (MSE) upper bound for all possible states to be estimated is given analytically, which depends explicitly upon the involved measurement bases. This analytical MSE upper bound can guide one to choose optimal measurement sets. The computational complexity of LRE is O(d4) where d is the dimension of the quantum state. Numerical examples show that LRE is much faster than maximum-likelihood estimation for quantum state tomography.
Hypoxia-inducible factors regulate human and rat cystathionine β-synthase gene expression
Authors: Takano Naoharu , Peng Ying-Jie , Kumar Ganesh K. , Luo Weibo , Hu Hongxia , Shimoda Larissa A. , Suematsu Makoto , Prabhakar Nanduri R. , Semenza Gregg L.
Published: December 2013

Increased catalytic activity of CBS (cystathionine β-synthase) was recently shown to mediate vasodilation of the cerebral microcirculation, which is initiated within minutes of the onset of acute hypoxia. To test whether chronic hypoxia was a stimulus for increased CBS expression, U87-MG human glioblastoma and PC12 rat phaeochromocytoma cells were exposed to 1% or 20% O2 for 24–72 h. CBS mRNA and protein expression were increased in hypoxic cells. Hypoxic induction of CBS expression was abrogated in cells transfected with vector encoding shRNA targeting HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) 1α or 2α. Exposure of rats to hypobaric hypoxia (0.35 atm; 1 atm=101.325 kPa) for 3 days induced increased CBS mRNA, protein and catalytic activity in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, which was blocked by administration of the HIF inhibitor digoxin. HIF-binding sites, located 0.8 and 1.2 kb 5′ to the transcription start site of the human CBS and rat Cbs genes respectively, were identified by ChIP assays. A 49-bp human sequence, which encompassed an inverted repeat of the core HIF-binding site, functioned as a hypoxia-response element in luciferase reporter transcription assays. Thus HIFs mediate tissue-specific CBS expression, which may augment cerebral vasodilation as an adaptive response to chronic hypoxia.
Enhancement of light output power in ultraviolet light emitting diodes using graphene film on self-assembled Au nanocluster by agglomeration process
Authors: Seo Tae Hoon , Shin GangU , Kyoung Kim Bo , Choi Chel-Jong , Lee Changhyup , Jong Kim Myung , Suh Eun-Kyung
Published: December 2013

We applied graphene network on Au nanoclusters as a transparent and current spreading electrode in GaN-based ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED). The electroluminescence (EL) of UV-LEDs with graphene film on Au nanoclusters was enhanced by 10% at injection current of 20 mA, while keeping reasonably good injected current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. This result is attributed to the reduction of absorption at UV wavelength region, effective current spreading and injection by reduced sheet and contact resistance, and texturing effect through Au nanocluster.
Growth process of microcrystalline silicon studied by combined photoluminescence and Raman investigations
Authors: Klossek A. , Mankovics D. , Arguirov T. , Ratzke M. , Kirner S. , Friedrich F. , Gabriel O. , Stannowski B. , Schlatmann R. , Kittler M.
Published: December 2013

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of silicon on glass substrates leads to formation of silicon amorphous films with partial crystallization of nano-grains in the amorphous matrix. We studied the transition of amorphous to microcrystalline silicon during such deposition. Formation of silicon nano-grains was detected by means of photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy. The crystalline fraction and the mean size of the nano-grains were estimated by the position and the intensity of the peaks in the Raman spectrum. We showed that the fraction of crystalline silicon in the layers and the size of the nano-grains are strongly dependent on the growth conditions. The photoluminescence spectra exhibit distinct features related to recombination in the amorphous and in the crystalline phases. A significant narrowing of the photoluminescence peak related to the amorphous phase with increasing crystalline fraction indicates a structural modification in the amorphous silicon. It suggests an ordering process occurring before the start of the actual crystallization. A peak at about 1.4 eV was associated with isolated nano-crystalline grains within the amorphous matrix. A correlation between the peak energy and grain size was found, indicating effects of carrier quantum confinement. The experimental results confirm the established theoretical models for growth of microcrystalline silicon films.
Fabrication and electrical characterization of the anisotype n-ZnO/p-CdTe heterostructures for solar cell applications
Authors: Khomyak V. V. , Ilashchuk M. I. , Parfenyuk O. A. , Shtepliuk I. I.
Published: December 2013

n-ZnO/p-CdTe photosensitive anisotype surface-barrier structures were fabricated by means of radio-frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering of the zinc oxide onto freshly cleaved surface of the single-crystal CdTe. It was revealed that dark I-V characteristics at the forward voltages are determined by recombination and tunnel-recombination processes involving surface energy states at the interface. At reverse bias, space-charge limited currents (SCLC) are dominated. It was found that the fabricated structures are referred to smooth p-n-junctions due to the formation of the intermediate Cd1-xZnxTe buffer layer.
Excited electronic states from a variational approach based on symmetry-projected Hartree–Fock configurations
Authors: Jiménez-Hoyos Carlos A. , Rodríguez-Guzmán R. , Scuseria Gustavo E.
Published: December 2013

Recent work from our research group has demonstrated that symmetry-projected Hartree–Fock (HF) methods provide a compact representation of molecular ground state wavefunctions based on a superposition of non-orthogonal Slater determinants. The symmetry-projected ansatz can account for static correlations in a computationally efficient way. Here we present a variational extension of this methodology applicable to excited states of the same symmetry as the ground state. Benchmark calculations on the C2 dimer with a modest basis set, which allows comparison with full configuration interaction results, indicate that this extension provides a high quality description of the low-lying spectrum for the entire dissociation profile. We apply the same methodology to obtain the full low-lying vertical excitation spectrum of formaldehyde, in good agreement with available theoretical and experimental data, as well as to a challenging model C2v insertion pathway for BeH2. The variational excited state methodology developed in this work has two remarkable traits: it is fully black-box and will be applicable to fairly large systems thanks to its mean-field computational cost.