bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transoral robotic surgery for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: Factors predicting surgical response
Authors: Lin Ho‐Sheng , Rowley James A. , Folbe Adam J. , Yoo George H. , Badr M. Safwan , Chen Wei
Published: October 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

We reviewed our experience with the use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for base of tongue (BOT) reduction either alone or as part of multilevel strategy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in order to identify clinical characteristics that may be associated with surgical response.

Study Design

Case series.

Methods

Between June 2010 and May 2014, BOT reduction via TORS ± partial epiglottectomy ± uvulopalatopharyngoplasty were performed on 72 patients with OSAHS. Thirty‐nine patients (15 females and 24 males) with complete preoperative and postoperative clinical information including polysomnograms were included in this study.

Results

Mean apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) was 43.9 ± 32.3 preoperatively and 21.9 ± 23.5 postoperatively and reflected a statistically significant (P < 0.001) AHI reduction of 50.9% ± 38.1%. Statistical significant reduction in daytime somnolence, as measured by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (15.6 ± 5.4 preoperatively vs. 5.7 ± 4.3 postoperatively; P < 0.001), was also achieved. No statistical significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative body mass index (BMI) (32.9 ± 7.0 vs. 32.4 ± 7.3; P = 0.270). Surgical response, as defined by > 50% reduction in AHI and final AHI < 15 with resolution of daytime somnolence, was achieved in 21 patients (53.8%). Clinical characteristics found to be significantly different between the responders and nonresponders were BMI, AHI, and lateral velopharyngeal collapse. Patients with BMI < 30, AHI < 60, or absence of lateral velopharyngeal collapse have excellent surgical response rate of 88.2%, 67.9%, or 66.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

We identified three clinical characteristics associated with increased surgical response rate. This finding may be useful for patient selection and counseling prior to surgery.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:1013–1020, 2015
Effect of the Pillar implant on snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea: A multicenter study in Korea
Authors: Choi Ji H. , Cho Jae H. , Chung Yoo‐Sam , Kim Jeong‐Whun , Kim Sung W.
Published: October 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

The effect of the Pillar implant on mild sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) has been assessed in various studies. However, most of these were conducted among a non‐Asian population at a single institution. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of the Pillar implant in Asian patients with simple snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) at multiple centers.

Study Design

Multicenter prospective clinical trials.

Methods

This study included consecutive subjects with simple snoring or mild OSA. We examined subjective symptoms (snoring intensity, frequency, witnessed apnea, and daytime sleepiness) and objective snoring and respiratory parameters (snoring duration [proportion of sleep while snoring louder than 50 dB], snoring loudness, apnea–hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index, minimum arterial oxygen saturation, and oxygen desaturation index ≥ 4%) at 3 to 6 months after surgery. Adverse events were also investigated.

Results

Twenty‐nine subjects with mild SDB completed the study. Whole group analysis found significant improvements in various subjective symptoms, but not in the objective snoring and respiratory parameters. A subgroup analysis of subjects with mild OSA (n = 11) found significant alleviation in various subjective symptoms, apnea–hypopnea index, respiratory disturbance index, and oxygen desaturation index ≥ 4%. No major complication related to surgery was observed, and most minor adverse effects were resolved without morbidity.

Conclusions

In selected Korean patients, the Pillar implant significantly improved not only subjective symptoms of mild SDB but also respiratory disturbances in mild OSA.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 125:1239–1243, 2014
The vascularized sural nerve graft based on a peroneal artery perforator for reconstruction of the inferior alveolar nerve defect
Authors: Hayashida Kenji , Saijo Hiroto , Morooka Shin , Kuwabara Kaoru , Fujioka Masaki
Published: October 2014

The sural nerve has been described for nerve reconstruction of the maxillofacial region since it provides many advantages. We report a case of a vascularized sural nerve graft based on a peroneal artery perforator for immediate reconstruction after the removal of intraosseous neuroma originating in the inferior alveolar nerve. The patient had a neuroma caused by iatrogenic injury to the inferior alveolar nerve. A 4‐cm long neuroma existed in the inferior alveolar nerve and was resected. A peroneal perforator was chosen as the pedicle of the vascularized sural nerve graft for the nerve gap. The graft including the skin paddle for monitoring the perfusion supplied by this perforator was transferred to the lesion. The nerve gap between the two stumps of the inferior alveolar nerve was repaired using the 6‐cm long vascularized sural nerve. The perforator of the peroneal artery was anastomosed to the branch of the facial artery in a perforator‐to‐perforator fashion. There was no need to sacrifice any main arteries. The skin paddle with 1 cm × 3 cm in size was inset into the incised medial neck. Perceptual function tests with a Semmes‐Weinstein pressure esthesiometer and two‐point discrimination in the lower lip and chin at 10 months after surgery showed recovery almost to the level of the normal side. This free vascularized sural nerve graft based on a peroneal artery perforator may be a good alternative for reconstruction of inferior alveolar nerve defects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:244–248, 2015.
The role of second trimester uterine artery Doppler in pregnancies with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Pagani Giorgio , Reggia Rossella , Andreoli Laura , Prefumo Federico , Zatti Sonia , Lojacono Andrea , Tincani Angela , Frusca Tiziana
Published: October 2014

Objective

The aim of this article is to assess the predictive value of second trimester mean uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (mUtA PI) for pregnancy complications in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Cohort study of consecutive pregnancies complicated with SLE during a period of 12 years is used. SLE diagnosis was made before pregnancy. mUtA PI was measured between 23 + 0 and 26 + 6 weeks' gestation. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were collected. Small for gestational age (SGA) was defined as birth weight <10th percentile. Adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) was defined as one of the following: pre‐eclampsia (PE), SGA, placental abruption, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Differential diagnosis between PE and renal flare was made according to SLE‐disease activity index.

Results

There are 70 pregnancies in 64 women. PE was observed in four cases (6%), SGA in five cases (7%), and APO in seven cases (10%). mUtA PI showed a sensitivity and a specificity of 1.0 (95% CI 0.5–1.0) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.95–1.0) for PE, 0.40 (95% CI 0.12–0.77) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.89–0.99) for SGA, and 0.57 (95% CI 0.25–0.84) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.94–1.0) for APO, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that uterine artery Doppler is confirmed to be a high sensitivity and a high specificity test for predicting PE even in SLE patients. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cranial and cerebral signs in the diagnosis of spina bifida between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation: a German multicentre study
Authors: Bahlmann F. , Reinhard I. , Schramm T. , Geipel A. , Gembruch U. , von Kaisenberg C. S. , Schmitz R. , Stupin J. , Chaoui R. , Karl K. , Kalache K. , Faschingbauer F. , Ponnath M. , Rempen A. , Kozlowski P.
Published: October 2014

Objective

The aim of this article is to study secondary cranial signs in fetuses with spina bifida in a precisely defined screening period between 18 + 0 and 22 + 0 weeks of gestation.

Method

On the basis of retrospective analysis of 627 fetuses with spina bifida, the value of indirect cranial and cerebral markers was assessed by well‐trained ultrasonographers in 13 different prenatal centres in accordance with the ISUOG (International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology) guidelines on fetal neurosonography.

Results

Open spina bifida was diagnosed in 98.9% of cases whereas 1.1% was closed spina bifida. Associated chromosomal abnormalities were found in 6.2%. The banana and lemon signs were evident in 97.1% and 88.6% of cases. Obliteration of the cisterna magna was seen in 96.7%. Cerebellar diameter, head circumference and biparietal diameter were below the 5th percentile in chromosomally normal fetuses in 72.5%, 69.7% and 52%, respectively. The width of the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle was above the 95th percentile in 57.7%. The secondary cranial and cerebral signs were dependent on fetal chromosome status and width of the posterior horn. Biparietal diameter was also dependent on the chromosome status with statistical significance p = 0.0068. Pregnancy was terminated in 89.6% of cases.

Conclusion

In standard measuring planes, lemon sign, banana sign and an inability to image the cistern magna are very reliable indirect ultrasound markers of spina bifida. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A highly efficient receiver for satellite‐based automatic identification system signal detection
Authors: Colavolpe Giulio , Foggi Tommaso , Ugolini Alessandro , Lizarraga Juan , Cioni Stefano , Ginesi Alberto
Published: October 2014

An innovative receiver architecture for the satellite‐based automatic identification system has been recently proposed. In this paper, we describe a few modifications that can be introduced on the algorithms for synchronization and detection, which provide an impressive performance improvement. The receiver architecture has been designed for an on‐board implementation, and a prototype has been implemented by the University of Parma and CGS S.p.A. Compagnia Generale per lo Spazio under the European Space Agency project FENICE (Flexible innovative AIS receiver prototype). A few modifications are also here described that could allow a further performance improvement in case of processing moved to ground‐based stations, based on a priori information there available. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical, Physical, and Industrial Studies of Liquid Steel Chemical Homogenization in One Strand Tundish with Subflux Turbulence Controller
Authors: Cwudziński Adam
Published: October 2014

Chemical homogenization of liquid steel is one of the basic parameters defining quality of final products. The 95% chemical homogenization level is a required minimum that defines the effective dissolution of all the components introduced to the liquid steel. The object of investigation was a one‐strand wedge‐type tundish designed for casting slabs. For the set zone of alloy feeding, numerical simulations, laboratory experiments (with a isothermal physical water model) and industrial experiments were carried out. During the research project, a method for the hybrid introduction of an alloy addition to liquid steel has been developed, which combines the pulse and the step methods. From the performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations, laboratory and industrial trials, fields of liquid steel flow, maps of water motion, behavior of non‐metallic inclusions during industrial alloying process, mixing curves and time mixing characterize influence of using subflux turbulence controller (STC) on alloying process in the tundish have been obtained. In the tundishes with STC and a low dam, a reduction in mixing time was noted.
Adolescent trust and trustworthiness: Role of gender and social value orientation
Authors: Derks Jeffrey , Lee Nikki C. , Krabbendam Lydia
Published: October 2014

Trusting others is an essential feature of adolescent development. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in trusting behavior using an experimental game and relate these to the underlying social preferences. 206 adolescents (Mage = 15.1 years, 51% girls) performed a series of one‐shot Trust Games to measure their levels of trust and trustworthiness. Social value orientation, or the preference to maximize one's own outcomes (proself) or both the outcomes of self and other (prosocial) was assessed using the Triple Dominance Measure. Boys were more trusting than girls, but no gender differences on trustworthiness were found. Prosocials were more trusting and trustworthy than proselfs. In addition, gender and social value orientation were independent predictors of trust (but not trustworthiness). These findings show that the higher levels of trust in boys are not the result of a gender difference in prosocial orientation.
Brief report: Cyberbullying perpetration and its associations with socio‐demographics, aggressive behaviour at school, and mental health outcomes
Authors: Fletcher Adam , Fitzgerald‐Yau Natasha , Jones Rebecca , Allen Elizabeth , Viner Russell M. , Bonell Chris
Published: October 2014

Relatively little is known about those who cyberbully others, especially in a UK context. We drew on data from 1144 young people aged 12–13 in eight English secondary schools to examine the prevalence of cyberbullying perpetration and its associations with socio‐demographics, other behaviours, and health outcomes. Overall, 14.1% of respondents reported ever cyberbullying others with no significant differences by gender or socio‐economic status. Drawing on mixed‐effects logistic regression models, first we found a strong, dose–response relationship between aggressive behaviour at school and cyberbullying others, suggesting that cyberbullying may not only be a facet of wider patterns of bullying but also of aggression more broadly. Second, cyberbullying others was associated with poorer quality of life and with psychological difficulties but not with peer/social problems or worse mental wellbeing. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess whether such associations are causal.
Knowledge about cervical cancer screening and perception of risk among women attending outpatient clinics in rural Kenya
Authors: Rosser Joelle I. , Njoroge Betty , Huchko Megan J.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To evaluate cervical cancer knowledge, risk perception, and screening intention among women attending outpatient clinics in rural Kenya.

Methods

A cross‐sectional oral survey was conducted among non‐pregnant women aged 23–64 years who attended one of 11 western Kenyan health facilities for any reason between March 25 and April 26, 2013. Demographic and clinical predictors were identified using bivariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Among 419 participants, 327 (78.0%) had heard of cervical cancer screening. Nevertheless, their specific knowledge was low (mean score 8.6 ± 2.4 [out of 15.0]). Overall, 288 (68.7%) women felt at risk for cervical cancer, and 333 (79.5%) stated that they would undergo screening if offered. Women who intended to undergo screening were less likely to attend a district hospital (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2–0.6) and more likely to have been diagnosed with HIV more than 4 years previously (AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.6). Additionally, increased screening acceptance was associated with high knowledge scores (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Educational interventions to increase knowledge about cervical cancer might increase screening uptake in low‐income settings. Additionally, improvements in services at local health facilities could have a large effect.
Bringing in health technology assessment and cost‐effectiveness considerations at an early stage of drug development
Authors: Jönsson Bengt
Published: October 2014

This paper reviews the issues involved in undertaking HTA studies early in the development of new cancer therapies, and discusses the data and methods for estimating the cost‐effectiveness of new diagnostics and treatments. The value for patients of new cancer therapies is based on access to the treatment and optimal use. Realising potential value depends on successful completion of a series of steps, from the initial economic evaluations based on clinical trial data, to the reimbursement decisions based on the evaluations and the implementation of these decisions in clinical practice. Considerable resources have been devoted to the study of the cost‐effectiveness of new cancer drugs as a basis for decisions about payment and use. Such resources could be used much more effectively if industry and HTA agencies were to collaborate at an early stage in the development process. The traditional clinical trial approach of using progression‐free survival and cross‐overs has serious shortcomings, producing data that cannot be used to determine outcomes and, so, cost‐effectiveness. A new standard is needed; both regulatory and HTA authorities should be involved in its development.
Voices of discontent: Student protest participation in Romania
Authors: Burean Toma , Badescu Gabriel
Published: October 2014

In January 2012, in several cities of Romania, people turned out to streets to protest. The protests were linked to the wave of movements such as the Indignados or Occupy Wall Street. The students were especially visible among protesters. In this paper, we show that the profile of protests in Romania witnessed a significant shift from workers strikes for higher wages and better jobs, during communism and in the 1990ies, to social movements in which young urban educated citizens mobilize with the help of social networks for issues that are linked to the quality of democracy and life.

Furthermore, the shift in protesting is associated, at the individual level, with distrust of the political system, which stimulates engaging in demonstrations. Interestingly, online activism accelerates the feeling of shared distrust of institutions, motivating youth to engage in protest participation, although the effects might be moderate and the causal arrow somewhat uncertain. The hypotheses are tested with data from a general survey on participation in 2012 and a student survey from October 2012. We find that gender, distrust in institutions and family income influence protest behavior. Time spent online has a negative effect on protest engagement and online activism is related to protest behavior.
EXPLICIT MATHEMATICS AND OPERATIONAL SET THEORY: SOME ONTOLOGICAL COMPARISONS
Authors: JÄGER GERHARD , ZUMBRUNNEN RICO
Published: October 2014

We discuss several ontological properties of explicit mathematics and operational set theory: global choice, decidable classes, totality and extensionality of operations, function spaces, class and set formation via formulas that contain the definedness predicate and applications.
Co-H-Spaces and Almost Localization
Authors: Costoya Cristina , Iwase Norio
Published: October 2014

Apart from simply connected spaces, a non-simply connected co-H-space is a typical example of a space X with a coaction of Bπ1 (X) along rX: X → Bπ1 (X), the classifying map of the universal covering. If such a space X is actually a co-H-space, then the fibrewise p-localization of rX (or the ‘almost’ p-localization of X) is a fibrewise co-H-space (or an ‘almost’ co-H-space, respectively) for every prime p. In this paper, we show that the converse statement is true, i.e. for a non-simply connected space X with a coaction of Bπ1 (X) along rX, X is a co-H-space if, for every prime p, the almost p-localization of X is an almost co-H-space.
The role of traditional beliefs in conservation of herpetofauna in Banten, Indonesia
Authors: Uyeda Linda T. , Iskandar Entang , Purbatrapsila Azhari , Pamungkas Joko , Wirsing Aaron , Kyes Randall C.
Published: October 2014

Social taboos have been increasingly recognized for their role in determining human behaviour. Such informal institutions may also, in some instances, guide practices that serve as effective conservation measures. Here we present a case in Banten, Indonesia, where a local taboo has discouraged the collection of two herpetofaunal species, the water monitor lizard Varanus salvator and the reticulated python Python reticulatus, on Tinjil Island, an undeveloped island off the coast of Java. The taboo is not observed in the nearby mainland villages of Muara Dua and Cisiih, where the two species may be harvested for skin or meat, and where the water monitor may also be killed as a pest. Water monitors and reticulated pythons figure prominently in the international reptile leather trade, with skins produced from Indonesia's wild populations representing the highest percentage of total global exports of both lizard and snake skins. The site-specific taboo documented here provides a strong deterrent to collection of these species in a location where they could be subject to illicit harvest as populations in nearby mainland areas decrease. Preliminary evidence also suggests that belief in forest guardian spirits may extend protection to other wildlife species on Tinjil Island.
A HIDDEN MARKOV MODEL FOR THE DETECTION OF PURE AND MIXED STRATEGY PLAY IN GAMES
Authors: Shachat Jason , Swarthout J. Todd , Wei Lijia
Published: October 2014

We propose a statistical model to assess whether individuals strategically use mixed strategies in repeated games. We formulate a hidden Markov model in which the latent state space contains both pure and mixed strategies. We apply the model to data from an experiment in which human subjects repeatedly play a normal form game against a computer that always follows its part of the unique mixed strategy Nash equilibrium profile. Estimated results show significant mixed strategy play and nonstationary dynamics. We also explore the ability of the model to forecast action choice.
The Great Sidetrack War: In Which Downtown Merchants and thePhiladelphia North AmericanDefeat the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1903–1904
Authors: Aldrich Mark
Published: October 2014

On November 21, 1903, the Pennsylvania Railroad announced that its north-south through trains would no longer enter Broad Street Station in downtown Philadelphia and would stop instead at West Philadelphia. Nor would the company sell tickets from that station to downtown. These schedule changes, which seemed minor to the company and were intended to reduce congestion in the central city, threatened downtown merchants and manufacturers who worried that buyers would shift to more accessible cities. Philadelphia had been sidetracked, theNorth Americanreported. The result was an eruption of boycotts, protests, and petitions that pitted nearly every local trade association against the railroad. Encouraged by theNorth American's editorials, partisan reporting, and stinging cartoons, the protesters forced the Pennsylvania to back down, and in March 1904, through trains returned to Broad Street. The newspaper cloaked this local business dispute in the language of antimonopoly, linking the fears of small businessmen to national anti-railroad concerns. The sidetrack episode also helped launch modern corporate public relations, as the Pennsylvania—stung by this threat to corporate autonomy—soon hired Ivy Lee as its first publicity agent.
Diet is a major factor governing the fecal butyrate-producing community structure across Mammalia, Aves and Reptilia
Authors: Vital Marius , Gao Jiarong , Rizzo Mike , Harrison Tara , Tiedje James M
Published: October 2014

Butyrate-producing bacteria have an important role in maintaining host health. They are well studied in human and medically associated animal models; however, much less is known for other Vertebrata. We investigated the butyrate-producing community in hindgut-fermenting Mammalia (n=38), Aves (n=8) and Reptilia (n=8) using a gene-targeted pyrosequencing approach of the terminal genes of the main butyrate-synthesis pathways, namely butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase (but) and butyrate kinase (buk). Most animals exhibit high gene abundances, and clear diet-specific signatures were detected with but genes significantly enriched in omnivores and herbivores compared with carnivores. But dominated the butyrate-producing community in these two groups, whereas buk was more abundant in many carnivorous animals. Clustering of protein sequences (5% cutoff) of the combined communities (but and buk) placed carnivores apart from other diet groups, except for noncarnivorous Carnivora, which clustered together with carnivores. The majority of clusters (but: 5141 and buk: 2924) did not show close relation to any reference sequences from public databases (identity <90%) demonstrating a large ‘unknown diversity’. Each diet group had abundant signature taxa, where buk genes linked to Clostridium perfringens dominated in carnivores and but genes associated with Ruminococcaceae bacterium D16 were specific for herbivores and omnivores. Whereas 16S rRNA gene analysis showed similar overall patterns, it was unable to reveal communities at the same depth and resolution as the functional gene-targeted approach. This study demonstrates that butyrate producers are abundant across vertebrates exhibiting great functional redundancy and that diet is the primary determinant governing the composition of the butyrate-producing guild.
A novel cohabitation between two diazotrophic cyanobacteria in the oligotrophic ocean
Authors: Momper Lily M , Reese Brandi Kiel , Carvalho Gustavo , Lee Patrick , Webb Eric A
Published: October 2014

The cyanobacterial genus Trichodesmium is biogeochemically significant because of its dual role in nitrogen and carbon fixation in the oligotrophic ocean. Trichodesmium species form colonies that can be easily enriched from the water column and used for shipboard rate measurements to estimate their contribution to oceanic carbon and nitrogen budgets. During a July 2010 cruise near the Hawaiian Islands in the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a specific morphology of Trichodesmium puff-form colonies were examined under epifluorescent microscopy and found to harbor a colonial endobiont, morphologically identified as the heterocystous diazotrophic cyanobacterium Calothrix. Using unialgal enrichments obtained from this cruise, we show that these Calothrix-like heterocystous cyanobionts (hetDA for ‘Trichodesmium-associated heterocystous diazotroph’) fix nitrogen on a diurnal cycle (maximally in the middle of the light cycle with a detectable minimum in the dark). Gene sequencing of nifH from the enrichments revealed that this genus was likely not quantified using currently described quantitative PCR (qPCR) primers. Guided by the sequence from the isolate, new hetDA-specific primers were designed and subsequent qPCR of environmental samples detected this diazotroph from surface water to a depth of 150 m, reaching densities up to ∼9 × 103 l−1. Based on phylogenetic relatedness of nifH and 16S rRNA gene sequences, it is predicted that the distribution of this cyanobiont is not limited to subtropical North Pacific but likely reaches to the South Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Therefore, this previously unrecognized cohabitation, if it reaches beyond the oligotrophic North Pacific, could potentially influence Trichodesmium-derived nitrogen fixation budgets in the world ocean.
Ecophysiology of Thioploca ingrica as revealed by the complete genome sequence supplemented with proteomic evidence
Authors: Kojima Hisaya , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Yamamoto Nozomi , Togashi Tomoaki , Mori Hiroshi , Watanabe Tomohiro , Nemoto Fumiko , Kurokawa Ken , Hayashi Tetsuya , Fukui Manabu
Published: October 2014

Large sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which accumulate a high concentration of nitrate, are important constituents of aquatic sediment ecosystems. No representative of this group has been isolated in pure culture, and only fragmented draft genome sequences are available for these microorganisms. In this study, we successfully reconstituted the genome of Thioploca ingrica from metagenomic sequences, thereby generating the first complete genome sequence from this group. The Thioploca samples for the metagenomic analysis were obtained from a freshwater lake in Japan. A PCR-free paired-end library was constructed from the DNA extracted from the samples and was sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. By closing gaps within and between the scaffolds, we obtained a circular chromosome and a plasmid-like element. The reconstituted chromosome was 4.8 Mbp in length with a 41.2% GC content. A sulfur oxidation pathway identical to that suggested for the closest relatives of Thioploca was deduced from the reconstituted genome. A full set of genes required for respiratory nitrate reduction to dinitrogen gas was also identified. We further performed a proteomic analysis of the Thioploca sample and detected many enzymes/proteins involved in sulfur oxidation, nitrate respiration and inorganic carbon fixation as major components of the protein extracts from the sample, suggesting that these metabolic activities are strongly associated with the physiology of T. ingrica in lake sediment.
An adaptable stage perfusion incubator for the controlled cultivation of C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Kurth Felix , Franco-Obregón Alfredo , Bärtschi Christoph A. , Dittrich Petra. S.
Published: October 2014

Here we present a stage perfusion incubation system that allows for the cultivation of mammalian cells within PDMS microfluidic devices for long-term microscopic examination and analysis.
Separation of xylenes by enclathration
Authors: Nassimbeni Luigi R. , Báthori Nikoletta B. , Patel Leena Desiree , Su Hong , Weber Edwin
Published: October 2014

The isomers of xylene have been separated by enclathration using three host compounds: 9,9′-bianthryl (H1), 9,9′-spirobifluorene (H2) and trans-2,3-dibenzoylspiro[cyclopropane-1,9-fluorene] (H3).
Predicting bond strength from a single Hartree–Fock ground state using the localized pair model
Authors: Hennessey Dylan C. , Sheppard Brendan J. H. , Mackenzie Dalton E. C. K. , Pearson Jason K.
Published: October 2014

We present electron pair distributions within chemical bonds and show that these characterize and quantify chemical bond strength.
Hydrogen-bond structure and anharmonicity in croconic acid
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Sanghamitra , Gutmann Matthias , Fernandez-Alonso Felix
Published: October 2014

Layered structure of croconic acid and radial distributions from large scale MD simulations, highlighting a distinct broadening even at 300 K where the material remains ferroelectric.
Contact angles of surfactant solutions on heterogeneous surfaces
Authors: Milne A. J. B. , Elliott J. A. W. , Amirfazli A.
Published: October 2014

Exploration of new model for contact angle of surfactant solutions on smooth/rough heterogeneous surfaces, allowing adsorption at all interfaces.
Identification of hyperhalogens in Agn(BO2)m (n = 1–3, m = 1–2) clusters: anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations
Authors: Kong Xiang-Yu , Xu Hong-Guang , Koirala Pratik , Zheng Wei-Jun , Kandalam Anil K. , Jena Puru
Published: October 2014

We identified hyperhalogens in Agn(BO2)m (n = 1–3, m = 1–2) clusters by using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations.
Effects of thermal disorder on the electronic properties of ordered polymers
Authors: Mladenović Marko , Vukmirović Nenad
Published: October 2014

Main chain disorder is mainly responsible for localisation of HOMO states, while side chain disorder also has a pronounced effect.
Cluster-controlled dimerisation in supramolecular ruthenium photosensitizer–polyoxometalate systems
Authors: Heussner Kirsten , Peuntinger Katrin , Rockstroh Nils , Rau Sven , Streb Carsten
Published: October 2014

A metal oxide-triggered dimerisation reaction of Ru-photosensitizer complexes is reported which is triggered by hydroxide ions liberated during the re-arrangement of a molybdate cluster.
A new copper species based on an azo-compound utilized as a homogeneous catalyst for water oxidation
Authors: Yu Wei-Bin , He Qing-Ya , Ma Xiu-Fang , Shi Hua-Tian , Wei Xianwen
Published: October 2014

An azo-conjugated Copper complex efficiently catalyzes water oxidation in a phosphate buffer at pH 11 at room temperature and exhibits high stability and activity toward water oxidation under mild conditions with a TOF of 4.0 kPa h−1.
An in silico protocol for identifying potential poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitors from chemical databases
Authors: Niu Miaomiao , Gu Yueqing
Published: October 2014

Pharmacophore models, steric constriction and docking approaches have been employed in the identification of potential PARP-1 inhibitors from databases.
Synthesis of nickel oxalate/zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (NiC2O4/ZIF-67) as a supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Gao Yilong , Wu Jianxiang , Zhang Wei , Tan Yueyue , Gao Jing , Zhao Jiachang , Tang Bohejin
Published: October 2014

The good cycling performance (retaining 73% after 2000 cycles) and high specific capacitance (1019.7 F g−1) of NiC2O4/ZIF-67.
Modern plant metabolomics: advanced natural product gene discoveries, improved technologies, and future prospects
Authors: Sumner Lloyd W. , Lei Zhentian , Nikolau Basil J. , Saito Kazuki
Published: October 2014

Plant metabolomics has matured and modern plant metabolomics has accelerated gene discoveries and the elucidation of a variety of plant natural product biosynthetic pathways.
Triterpenoids
Authors: Hill Robert A. , Connolly Joseph D.
Published: October 2014

This review covers the isolation and structure determination of triterpenoids reported during 2012 including squalene derivatives, lanostanes, holostanes, cycloartanes, cucurbitanes, dammaranes, euphanes, tirucallanes, tetranortriterpenoids, quassinoids, lupanes, oleananes, friedelanes, ursanes, hopanes, serratanes, isomalabaricanes and saponins; 348 references are cited.
Structural insight into the aggregation of l-prolyl dipeptides and its effect on organocatalytic performance
Authors: Berdugo Cristina , Escuder Beatriu , Miravet Juan F.
Published: October 2014

NMR and organocatalytic studies of four dipeptides derived from l-proline are described.
Vapour phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein over vanadium phosphorous oxide (VPO) catalyst
Authors: Rajan N. Pethan , Rao Ginjupalli Srinivasa , Putrakumar Balla , Chary Komandur V. R.
Published: October 2014

X-ray diffraction patterns of pure and spent VPO samples.
Adsorption performance of a MIL-101(Cr)/graphite oxide composite for a series of n-alkanes
Authors: Sun Xuejiao , Li Yujie , Xi Hongxia , Xia Qibin
Published: October 2014

A novel composite MIL-101@GO based on MIL-101(Cr) and graphite oxide (GO) shows high adsorption capacities and excellent adsorption–desorption performance for a series of n-alkanes.
Highly sulfonated graphene and graphene oxide nanosheets as heterogeneous nanocatalysts in green synthesis of bisphenolic antioxidants under solvent free conditions
Authors: Naeimi Hossein , Golestanzadeh Mohsen
Published: October 2014

Sulfonated functionalized graphene and graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared via chemical approaches and their catalytic activities were investigated in the green synthesis of 6,6′-(arylmethylene)bis(2,4-dialkylphenol) antioxidants.
Response of strongly fluorescent carbazole-based benzoxazole derivatives to external force and acidic vapors
Authors: Xue Pengchong , Yao Boqi , Wang Panpan , Sun Jiabao , Zhang Zhenqi , Lu Ran
Published: October 2014

The nanofibers have enhanced emission and exhibited an isothermal reversible mechanochromism. Furthermore, acetic acid vapor may selectively act as stabilizer and developer to retain the information imparted by mechanical force.
Time resolved growth of membrane stabilized silver NPs and their catalytic activity
Authors: Patra Sabyasachi , Sen Debasis , Pandey Ashok K. , Bahadur J. , Mazumder S. , Ramagiri Shobha V. , Bellare Jayesh R. , Roth S. V. , Santoro G. , Yu S. , Goswami A.
Published: October 2014

Growth kinetics of membrane stabilized silver nanoparticles have been studied for the first time with time resolved in situ SAXS. The catalytic application of nanocomposite membranes thus formed has also been explored.
Photofragment ionization-loss stimulated Raman spectroscopy of a hydrated neurotransmitter: 2-phenylethylamine–water
Authors: Mayorkas Nitzan , Cohen Snir , Sachs Hanan , Bar Ilana
Published: October 2014

The first use of photofragment ionization-loss stimulated Raman spectroscopy, in a broad range, for structural studies of clusters is reported.
DNA binding, molecular docking and apoptotic inducing activity of nickel(ii), copper(ii) and zinc(ii) complexes of pyridine-based tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ligands
Authors: Haleel A. , Arthi P. , Dastagiri Reddy N. , Veena V. , Sakthivel N. , Arun Y. , Perumal P. T. , Kalilur Rahiman A.
Published: October 2014

The biological activity of metal(ii) complexes of tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ligands show that the copper(ii) complexes may act as promising anticancer agents.
A convenient palladium-catalyzed carbonylative synthesis of quinazolines from 2-aminobenzylamine and aryl bromides
Authors: Chen Jianbin , Natte Kishore , Neumann Helfried , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: October 2014

An interesting approach for the synthesis of 2-functionalized quinazolines has been developed. Various quinazolines have been produced in moderate to excellent yields.
A successive photocurrent transient study to probe the sub-band gap electron and hole traps in ZnO nanorods
Authors: Sett Dipanwita , Sarkar Sanjit , Basak Durga
Published: October 2014

Probing of the sub-band gap electron and hole traps in ZnO nanorods has been carried out using a simple technique of successive photocurrent transients.
Remarkable acid strength of ammonium ions in zeolites: FTIR study of low-temperature CO adsorption on NH4FER
Authors: Perra Danio , Drenchev Nikola , Chakarova Kristina , Cutrufello Maria Giorgia , Hadjiivanov Konstantin
Published: October 2014

FTIR spectra of CO adsorbed at 100 K reveal remarkable acid strength of the free NH groups of tridentate ammonium ions in NH4FER zeolite.
Facile synthesis of oligoyne amphiphiles and their rotaxanes
Authors: Schrettl Stephen , Contal Emmanuel , Hoheisel Tobias N. , Fritzsche Martin , Balog Sandor , Szilluweit Ruth , Frauenrath Holger
Published: October 2014

Carbon-rich organic compounds containing a series of conjugated triple bonds (oligoynes) are relevant synthetic targets, but an improved access to oligoynes bearing functional groups would be desirable.
Robust design optimisation of electromagnetic devices exploiting gradient indices and Kriging
Authors: Xiao Song , Rotaru Mihai , Sykulski Jan K.
Published: October 2014

Since uncertainties in variables are unavoidable, an optimal solution must consider the robustness of the design. The gradient index approach provides a convenient way to evaluate the robustness but is inconclusive when several possible solutions exist. To overcome this limitation, a novel methodology based on the use of first‐ and second‐order gradient indices is proposed introducing the notion of gradient sensitivity. The sensitivity affords a measure of the change in the objective function with respect to the uncertainty of the variables. A Kriging method assisted by algorithms exploiting the concept of rewards is employed to facilitate function predictions for the robust optimisation process. The performance of the proposed algorithm is assessed through a series of numerical experiments. A modification to the correlation model through the introduction of a Kriging predictor and mean square error criterion allows efficient solution of large scale and multi‐parameter problems. The three‐parameter version of TEAM Workshop Problem 22 has been used for illustration.
Measuring local volume fraction, long-wavelength correlations, and fractionation in a phase-separating polydisperse fluid
Authors: Williamson J. J. , Evans R. M. L.
Published: October 2014

We dynamically simulate fractionation (partitioning of particle species) during spinodal gas-liquid separation of a size-polydisperse colloid, using polydispersity up to ∼40% and a skewed parent size distribution. We introduce a novel coarse-grained Voronoi method to minimise size bias in measuring local volume fraction, along with a variety of spatial correlation functions which detect fractionation without requiring a clear distinction between the phases. These can be applied whether or not a system is phase separated, to determine structural correlations in particle size, and generalise easily to other kinds of polydispersity (charge, shape, etc.). We measure fractionation in both mean size and polydispersity between the phases, its direction differing between model interaction potentials which are identical in the monodisperse case. These qualitative features are predicted by a perturbative theory requiring only a monodisperse reference as input. The results show that intricate fractionation takes place almost from the start of phase separation, so can play a role even in nonequilibrium arrested states. The methods for characterisation of inhomogeneous polydisperse systems could in principle be applied to experiment as well as modelling.
Infrared absorption of gaseous CH2BrOO detected with a step-scan Fourier-transform absorption spectrometer
Authors: Huang Yu-Hsuan , Lee Yuan-Pern
Published: October 2014

CH2BrOO radicals were produced upon irradiation, with an excimer laser at 248 nm, of a flowing mixture of CH2Br2 and O2. A step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer coupled with a multipass absorption cell was employed to record temporally resolved infrared (IR) absorption spectra of reaction intermediates. Transient absorption with origins at 1276.1, 1088.3, 961.0, and 884.9 cm−1 are assigned to ν4 (CH2-wagging), ν6 (O–O stretching), ν7 (CH2-rocking mixed with C–O stretching), and ν8 (C–O stretching mixed with CH2-rocking) modes of syn-CH2BrOO, respectively. The assignments were made according to the expected photochemistry and a comparison of observed vibrational wavenumbers, relative IR intensities, and rotational contours with those predicted with the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ method. The rotational contours of ν7 and ν8 indicate that hot bands involving the torsional (ν12) mode are also present, with transitions $7_0^1 12_v^v$70112vv and $8_0^1 12_v^v$80112vv, v = 1–10. The most intense band (ν4) of anti-CH2BrOO near 1277 cm−1 might have a small contribution to the observed spectra. Our work provides information for directly probing gaseous CH2BrOO with IR spectroscopy, in either the atmosphere or laboratory experiments.
Conduction in alumina with atomic scale copper filaments
Authors: Xu Xu , Liu Jie , Anantram M. P.
Published: October 2014

The conductance of atomic scale filaments with three and seven Cu atoms in α-alumina are calculated using ab initio density functional theory. We find that the filament with 3 Cu atoms is sufficient to increase the conductance of 1.3 nm thick alumina film by more than 103 times in linear response. As the applied voltage increases, the current quickly saturates and differential resistance becomes negative. Compared to the filament with three Cu atoms, while the conductance of the filament with seven Cu atoms is comparable in linear response, they carry as much as twenty times larger current at large biases. The electron transport is analyzed based on local density of states, and the negative differential resistance in the seven Cu filaments occurs due to their narrow bandwidth.
An optimized software framework for real-time, high-throughput tracking of spherical beads
Authors: Cnossen J. P. , Dulin D. , Dekker N. H.
Published: October 2014

Numerous biophysical techniques such as magnetic tweezers, flow stretching assays, or tethered particle motion assays rely on the tracking of spherical beads to obtain quantitative information about the individual biomolecules to which these beads are bound. The determination of these beads’ coordinates from video-based images typically forms an essential component of these techniques. Recent advances in camera technology permit the simultaneous imaging of many beads, greatly increasing the information that can be captured in a single experiment. However, computational aspects such as frame capture rates or tracking algorithms often limit the rapid determination of such beads’ coordinates. Here, we present a scalable and open source software framework to accelerate bead localization calculations based on the CUDA parallel computing framework. Within this framework, we implement the Quadrant Interpolation algorithm in order to accurately and simultaneously track hundreds of beads in real time using consumer hardware. In doing so, we show that the scatter derived from the bead tracking algorithms remains close to the theoretical optimum defined by the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound. We also explore the trade-offs between processing speed, size of the region-of-interests utilized, and tracking bias, highlighting in passing a bias in tracking along the optical axis that has previously gone unreported. To demonstrate the practical application of this software, we demonstrate how its implementation on magnetic tweezers can accurately track (with ∼1 nm standard deviation) 228 DNA-tethered beads at 58 Hz. These advances will facilitate the development and use of high-throughput single-molecule approaches.
Evidence for composition variations and impurity segregation at grain boundaries in high current-density polycrystalline K- and Co-doped BaFe2As2 superconductors
Authors: Kim Yoon-Jun , Weiss Jeremy D. , Hellstrom Eric E. , Larbalestier David C. , Seidman David N.
Published: October 2014

Some polycrystalline forms of the K- and Co-doped BaFe2As2 and SrFe2As2 superconductors now have a critical current density (Jc) within a factor of ∼5 of that required for real applications, even though it is known that some grain boundaries (GBs) block current, thus, raising the question of whether this blocking is intrinsic or extrinsically limited by artefacts amenable to improvement by better processing. Herein, we utilize atom-probe tomography (APT) to study the grain and GB composition in high Jc K- and Co-doped BaFe2As2 polycrystals. We find that all GBs studied show significant compositional variations on the scale of a few coherence lengths (ξ), as well as strong segregation of oxygen impurities, which we believe are largely introduced in the starting materials. Importantly, these findings demonstrate that APT enables quantitative analysis of the highest Jc K-doped BaFe2As2 samples, where analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) fails because of the great reactivity of thin TEM samples. The observations of major chemical perturbations at GBs make us cautiously optimistic that there is a large extrinsic component to the GB current blocking, which will be ameliorated by better processing, for which APT will likely be a crucial instrument.