bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Black earths from Veneto and Piedmont (Northern Italy): origin, composition and potential use in different painting techniques
Authors: Cavallo Giovanni , Gianoli Barioni Karin
Published: February 2015

Terminology used to define black earths is general, vague and unclear with regard to the correspondence between the name of the pigment used in different epochs and its specific mineralogical and chemical composition. Furthermore, no distinction is reported in distinguishing organic and inorganic sources. Here, French, Spanish, German and Italian treatises and modern and contemporary literature have been consulted to understanding the use of this uncommon black pigment in different pictorial techniques. Polarizing Light Microscopy (PLM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical techniques are used to characterize both the raw materials collected in Veneto and Piedmont (Italy) and the black earths available on Italian and German markets. Results indicate that the studied materials are clay minerals rich compounds, in which the colouring fraction is due to the presence of carbonaceous matter and amorphous iron oxides. Depending on the microstructure, black shale and black chalk were identified. The properties of these materials when used in a fresco and a secco techniques are generally very good, as reported in the written sources, even if fading is observed when replicas were exposed in outdoor environment.
STAT5 phosphorylation in T cell subsets from septic patients in response to recombinant human interleukin-7: a pilot study
Authors: Demaret Julie , Dupont Guillaume , Venet Fabienne , Friggeri Arnaud , Lepape Alain , Rimmele´ Thomas , Morel Je´ro∘me , Monneret Guillaume
Published: February 2015

Septic shock is characterized by lymphocyte alterations associated with increased risk of nosocomial infections and mortality. IL-7, a cytokine required for T cell survival, is thought as a novel therapy for septic patients with severe lymphopenia. We assessed CD4+ lymphocyte responsiveness to rhIL-7 in septic shock patients ex vivo. Thirteen septic shock patients and 10 controls were included. The MFI of pSTAT5, a key signaling molecule for IL-7, was measured by flow cytometry in CD4+FOXP3− (Teffs) and CD4+FOXP3+ (Tregs) lymphocytes after whole-blood incubation with increasing doses of rhIL-7. The basal level of pSTAT5 in nonstimulated T cells was higher in patients. However, the maximal activation level in response to the highest doses of rhIL-7 was similar in both groups. Importantly, low doses of rhIL-7 preferentially activated Teff versus Treg in patients and nonsurvivors tended to present with decreased pSTAT5 expression. This pilot study is the first to highlight, in septic patients, the interest of pSTAT5 measurement in whole blood for the monitoring of rhIL-7 therapy. Such a method could represent an innovative, biologic tool for monitoring leukocyte pharmacological responses to biotherapies in daily clinical practice in other clinical contexts.
Final Report of the Intergroup Randomized Study of Combined Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Plus Radiotherapy Versus Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Alone in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Mason Malcolm D. , Parulekar Wendy R. , Sydes Matthew R. , Brundage Michael , Kirkbride Peter , Gospodarowicz Mary , Cowan Richard , Kostashuk Edmund C. , Anderson John , Swanson Gregory , Parmar Mahesh K.B. , Hayter Charles , Jovic Gordana , Hiltz Andrea , Hetherington John , Sathya Jinka , Barber James B.P. , McKenzie Michael , El-Sharkawi Salah , Souhami Luis , Hardman P.D. John , Chen Bingshu E. , Warde Padraig
Published: February 2015

Purpose

We have previously reported that radiotherapy (RT) added to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) improves survival in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. Here, we report the prespecified final analysis of this randomized trial.

Patients and Methods

NCIC Clinical Trials Group PR.3/Medical Research Council PR07/Intergroup T94-0110 was a randomized controlled trial of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. Patients with T3-4, N0/Nx, M0 prostate cancer or T1-2 disease with either prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of more than 40 μg/L or PSA of 20 to 40 μg/L plus Gleason score of 8 to 10 were randomly assigned to lifelong ADT alone or to ADT+RT. The RT dose was 64 to 69 Gy in 35 to 39 fractions to the prostate and pelvis or prostate alone. Overall survival was compared using a log-rank test stratified for prespecified variables.

Results

One thousand two hundred five patients were randomly assigned between 1995 and 2005, 602 to ADT alone and 603 to ADT+RT. At a median follow-up time of 8 years, 465 patients had died, including 199 patients from prostate cancer. Overall survival was significantly improved in the patients allocated to ADT+RT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.85; P < .001). Deaths from prostate cancer were significantly reduced by the addition of RT to ADT (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.61; P < .001). Patients on ADT+RT reported a higher frequency of adverse events related to bowel toxicity, but only two of 589 patients had grade 3 or greater diarrhea at 24 months after RT.

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates that the previously reported benefit in survival is maintained at a median follow-up of 8 years and firmly establishes the role of RT in the treatment of men with locally advanced prostate cancer.
Regulation of melanosome number, shape and movement in the zebrafish retinal pigment epithelium by OA1 and PMEL
Authors: Burgoyne Thomas , O'Connor Marie N. , Seabra Miguel C. , Cutler Daniel F. , Futter Clare E.
Published: February 2015

Analysis of melanosome biogenesis in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is challenging because it occurs predominantly in a short embryonic time window. Here, we show that the zebrafish provides an ideal model system for studying this process because in the RPE the timing of melanosome biogenesis facilitates molecular manipulation using morpholinos. Morpholino-mediated knockdown of OA1 (also known as GPR143), mutations in the human homologue of which cause the most common form of human ocular albinism, induces a major reduction in melanosome number, recapitulating a key feature of the mammalian disease where reduced melanosome numbers precede macromelanosome formation. We further show that PMEL, a key component of mammalian melanosome biogenesis, is required for the generation of cylindrical melanosomes in zebrafish, which in turn is required for melanosome movement into the apical processes and maintenance of photoreceptor integrity. Spherical and cylindrical melanosomes containing similar melanin volumes co-exist in the cell body but only cylindrical melanosomes enter the apical processes. Taken together, our findings indicate that melanosome number and shape are independently regulated and that melanosome shape controls a function in the RPE that depends on localisation in the apical processes.
Highly Efficient Adsorption of Cr(VI) by Sakura Leaves from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Qi Wenfang , Wang Yue , Ji Min , Zhao Yingxin , Zhang Zhenya
Published: February 2015

A forestry waste, natural Sakura leaves (SL), was applied to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. SL exhibited a highly effective adsorption performance at optimum pH 1.0. The presence of Cr(III) in equilibrium solution revealed that chemical redox reaction occurred. The results showed that the removal was successfully fitted to the Langmuir model (R2 > 0.99). The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was 148.12 mg g−1 in static adsorption, which was much higher than similar materials. The study provides a new way to reutilize the SL and indicates a strong potential for waste recycling.
Rapid and Selective Luminescence Response to Aromatic Thiols with a Simple Mononuclear Iridium(III) Complex
Authors: Ni Shitan , Mu Wensheng , Chao Duobin
Published: February 2015

A mononuclear cyclometalated iridium(III) complex 1 exhibited rapid and selective luminescence response to aromatic thiols. The phenomenon could be observed in solution or with test paper. The process has been studied through UV–vis spectra, photoluminescence spectra, HR-MS and 1H NMR spectroscopy. It is believed that complex 1 could react with aromatic thiols to produce strongly luminescent complexes in the solid state.
Power Generation from Airflow Induced Vibrations
Authors: Nayyar Abhishek , Stoilov Vesselin
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a coupled mechanical device that generates power by a direct conversion of the air flow into mechanical vibrations. The mechanism experiences a fluid force that changes with its orientation causing vibrations. The device consists of two tightly coupled parts: a mechanical resonator that produces high-frequency mechanical oscillations from quasi-steady airflow resulting in large amplitude vibrations and a piezoelectric power generator harvesting the energy from the resonator's motion. Assuming that the fluid-structure interactions solely depend on the instantaneous velocity, these interactions were studied using numerical modeling and wind-tunnel tests. The proposed energy harvester allows for locking up the device's lowest natural frequency to the vortex-shedding resonant frequency induced by the ambient energy source. The energy harvester demonstrated a peak-to-peak output voltage of 25V at 10Hz, from an input wind velocity of ∼7 m/s.
Turbine Power Production Sensitivity to Coastal Sheared and Turbulent Inflows
Authors: Smith Jamie C. , Carriveau Rupp , Ting David S-K
Published: February 2015

Inflows with identical wind speeds at turbine hub height can generate varying amounts of power, depending on parameters such as vertical shear and turbulence intensity. At a commercial wind farm located in Southwestern Ontario off the shores of Lake Erie, the wind profile approaching a multi-megawatt horizontal-axis turbine has been characterized by a meteorological mast and then correlated with resulting power production across a range of hub height speeds. Using data collected over a six-month measurement campaign, inferences have been drawn on the sensitivity of turbine performance to sheared and turbulent inflows for both land and lake-influenced winds at the coastal site under study.
Moment Method Boundary Conditions for Multiphase Lattice Boltzmann Simulations with Partially-Wetted Walls
Authors: Hantsch Andreas , Reis Tim , Gross Ulrich
Published: February 2015

We propose a lattice Boltzmann approach for simulating contact angle phenomena in multiphase fluid systems. Boundary conditions for partially-wetted walls are introduced using the moment method. The algorithm with our boundary conditions allows for a maximum density ratio of 200000 for neutral wetting. The achievable density ratio decreases as the contact angle departs from 90°, but remains of the order O(102) for all but extreme contact angles. In all simulations an excellent agreement between the simulated and nominal contact angles is observed.
Assessment of Numerical Treatments in Interface Capturing Simulations for Surface-Tension-Driven Interface Motion
Authors: Dhar Abhinav , Shimada Naoki , Hayashi Kosuke , Tomiyama Akio
Published: February 2015

Effects of numerical treatments for the surface tension evaluation on predictions of the motions of droplets ranging from micron to sub-micron meters were investigated. Various combinations of schemes for evaluating the normal to the interface and interface curvature were examined, i.e. the ALE (arbitrary Lagrangian-eulerian) like scheme and BFA (balanced-force algorithm) for the normal vector and CSF (continuum surface force) and HF (height function) for the interface curvature. The interface motion was predicted using THAINC (tangent of hyperbola with adaptive slope for interface capturing) proposed in our previous study. Numerical errors in pressure and velocity were examined for neutrally buoyant drops of 1 mm in radius to validate the code, which confirmed that the results were similar to those reported in literature: the combination of BFA and HF gave the lowest errors. The droplet size was reduced to 0.1 mm to investigate the accuracy of the schemes for droplet sizes found in industrial coating processes. The static contact angle was then taken into account in the code. The effect of implementation on the errors was examined. The reduction of droplet sizes and implementation of contact angle had no substantial effect on the order of errors. A model for the dynamic contact angle was also implemented and the wetting behaviour of a drop of 1.14 mm in radius was well predicted. Finally a simulation of the wetting behaviour of a sub-micron meter droplet demonstrated that the present code combining BFA, HF and the dynamic contact angle model is accurate in predicting the motion of sub-micron meter droplets.
Structure and dynamics of the membrane attaching nitric oxide transporter nitrophorin 7
Authors: Knipp Markus , Ogata Hideaki , Soavi Giancarlo , Cerullo Giulio , Allegri Alessandro , Abbruzzetti Stefania , Bruno Stefano , Viappiani Cristiano , Bidon-Chanal Axel , Luque F. Javier
Published: February 2015

Nitrophorins represent a unique class of heme proteins that are able to perform the delicate transportation and release of the free-radical gaseous messenger nitric oxide (NO) in a pH-triggered manner. Besides its ability to bind to phospholipid membranes, the N-terminus contains an additional Leu-Pro-Gly stretch, which is a unique sequence trait, and the heme cavity is significantly altered with respect to other nitrophorins. These distinctive features encouraged us to solve the X-ray crystallographic structures of NP7 at low and high pH and bound with different heme ligands (nitric oxide, histamine, imidazole). The overall fold of the lipocalin motif is well preserved in the different X-ray structures and resembles the fold of other nitrophorins. However, a chain-like arrangement in the crystal lattice due to a number of head-to-tail electrostatic stabilizing interactions is found in NP7. Furthermore, the X-ray structures also reveal ligand-dependent changes in the orientation of the heme, as well as in specific interactions between the A-B and G-H loops, which are considered to be relevant for the biological function of nitrophorins. Fast and ultrafast laser triggered ligand rebinding experiments demonstrate the pH-dependent ligand migration within the cavities and the exit route. Finally, the topological distribution of pockets located around the heme as well as from inner cavities present at the rear of the protein provides a distinctive feature in NP7, so that while a loop gated exit mechanism to the solvent has been proposed for most nitrophorins, a more complex mechanism that involves several interconnected gas hosting cavities is proposed for NP7.
Privacy and Marketing Externalities: Evidence from Do Not Call
Authors: Goh Khim-Yong , Hui Kai-Lung , Png Ivan P. L.
Published: February 2015

If not well targeted, advertising and direct marketing inflict nuisance and inconvenience on consumers. Theoretical analyses predict that consumer actions to avoid advertising impose externalities on other consumers. We investigate the extent of such externalities in the context of the U.S. Do Not Call (DNC) registry by exploiting the exogenous timing of the enforcement of the registry. Supported by multiple robustness tests, and validation and falsification exercises, we conclude that consumer DNC registrations imposed externalities on other consumers. An increase in the first wave of registrations by 1% was associated with a 3.1% increase in subsequent registrations. This effect was stronger in larger and more educationally or racially heterogeneous markets. The externality was possibly due to unregistered consumers being more receptive to telemarketing and telemarketers increasing calls to them. Our results suggest that managers should facilitate consumer opt-out, especially in larger and more educationally or racially heterogeneous markets.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2051 .

This paper was accepted by J. Miguel Villas-Boas, marketing.
Enteral tube feeding for dysphagic stroke patients
Authors: Rowat Anne
Published: February 2015

Enteral feeding tubes, a nasogastric tube (NGT) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), are commonly used to provide nutrition, hydration and essential medications to stroke patients who cannot swallow. Early tube feeding is associated with improved survival after stroke and it is recommended that patients start tube feeding within 24 hours of hospital admission. NGT feeding is the preferred method for short-term feeding in the acute phase of stroke as it has the advantage of being easily placed at the bedside. However, there are often difficulties inserting the NGT and it can be easily dislodged by agitated and confused patients, leading to potentially fatal complications. A PEG tube is considered a more secure method of feeding stroke patients who require longer-term nutritional support, but it is an invasive procedure that can result in complications that are associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality after stroke. The aim of this article is to review the complications associated with enteral feeding tubes and discuss their prevention and management for stroke patients.
Annular lesions, in images
Authors: Watkins Jean
Published: February 2015

Annular lesions are a group of skin conditions which present in a number of ways. Jean Watkins explains the diagnosis and treatment of annuar lesions a primary care nurse might encounter
Dehydration in care homes
Authors: Learner Sue
Published: February 2015

It is a basic human right to be adequately hydrated, yet concerns have been raised that patients admitted to hospital from care homes are significantly more likely to be dehydrated
Medication management: eliminating errors
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: February 2015

Care home staff are responsible for older people who may be prescribed multiple medicines. It is vital for staff to be aware of safe medication management and the risks associated with errors in prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines
Facilitating and supporting family relationships in dementia
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: February 2015

One of the biggest challenges of dementia is the way it can affect meaningful relationships. Aysha Mendes argues that care staff can play an essential role in supporting existing, new and evolving connections in the lives of people with dementia
The best advice: top tips for care home managers
Authors: Piper-Thompson Jessica
Published: February 2015

In this informative piece, Jessica Piper-Thompson provides some key advice for care home managers on a range of different topics, from financial and legal matters to using mentoring to enhance a business
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: a gilded cage is still a cage
Authors: Frankova Helena
Published: February 2015

The significant increase in applications to apply the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards indicates that awareness is finally growing. We explore in this article why that is a positive development
Alphabet action
Authors: Sharpe Deborah
Published: February 2015

Activities that combine letters, pictures, action and associations will help children to learn the alphabet and to take the first steps in understanding how words are formed.
Don't leave me like this
Authors: Doyle Phoebe
Published: February 2015

Peeling a child away from his or her parent or carer is complicated. Phoebe Doyle explains how we can best manage the heartbreak of separation anxiety and provides some useful ‘dos and don'ts’.
A Automatização da(s) Biblioteca(s) da Universidade de Coimbra
Authors: Ferreira Carla
Published: February 2015

Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever o processo de informatização da(s) biblioteca(s) da Universidade de Coimbra, liderado pela Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra. Apesar de cobrir todo o período que vai desde o momento em que os bibliotecários de Coimbra compreenderam as vantagens que o uso do computador traria às várias operações executadas nas bibliotecas (1964) até à implementação do atual Sistema Integrado de Bibliotecas (2003) utilizado pelas dezenas de bibliotecas da Universidade de Coimbra, este estudo acaba por focar com mais relevo os anos 80 e 90, período em que decorreu o estudo, parametrização e implementação dos primeiros sistemas.Este estudo é, essencialmente, um trabalho de recolha e de compilação de informação dispersa e confinada apenas ao arquivo interno da BGUC. Com ele pretende-se contribuir para a história da informatização das bibliotecas em Portugal, que ainda se encontra por fazer.
Novel Schiff base amino acid as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in CO2-saturated 3.5% NaCl solution: experimental and computational study
Authors: Abd El-Lateef Hany M. , Ismael Mohamed , Mohamed Ibrahim M.A.
Published: February 2015

The corrosion inhibition and adsorption behavior of some novel Schiff bases based on amino acids on carbon steel in CO2-saturated 3.5% NaCl solution at 50°C was investigated using gravimetric, potentiodynamic polarization, linear polarization resistance corrosion rate, and scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDAX) techniques. Results show that the inhibition efficiency increases when the inhibitor concentration increases. Potentiodynamic polarization curves reveal that the used Schiff bases are mixed-type inhibitors. Experimental data indicate that these Schiff base inhibitors adsorb at the carbon steel/solution interface according the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. SEM/EDAX was used to examine the surface morphology of carbon steel samples in the absence and presence of the inhibitors. Quantum chemical calculations were further applied to explain the experimental results.
Improved method based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for nondestructive evaluation of solid wood moisture content
Authors: Tanaka Takashi
Published: February 2015

An accurate, rapid, and convenient method is presented for moisture content (MC) determination of solid wood based on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Poly(methyl methacrylate)-equivalent thicknesses (PMMA-EThs) of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood blocks and pure water were measured by means of a wide range of X-ray tube voltages (20–100 kV). The ratio of the PMMA-ETh of pure water to that of wood decreased as X-ray tube voltage was increased, suggesting that an appropriate pair of tube voltages for DXA is 20 and 100 kV. According to this result, X-ray images of 30 wood samples were taken at 20- and 100-kV tube voltages, and their average PMMA-Eths from both images was determined. There was a strong negative correlation between the wet-basis MC of the wood sample and the ratio of its PMMA-Eth at 100 kV to that at 20 kV. A regression equation was developed for estimating the dry-basis MC of wood samples from their PMMA-ETh ratios. The standard error of estimate was 2.2%, which is better than those determined for electric moisture meters. This approach may lead to the development of a practical, nondestructive moisture meter for wood.
In vitro assessment of anticholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities of an edible fern, Diplazium esculentum
Authors: Roy Subhrajyoti , Dutta Somit , Chaudhuri Tapas Kumar
Published: February 2015

Background:
Diplazium esculentum is the most commonly consumed edible fern throughout Asia and Oceania. Several studies have been performed so far to determine different functional properties of this plant, but there have been no reports on the anticholinesterase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase inhibitory activities of this plant. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the anticholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities of 70% methanolic extract of D. esculentum.

Methods: The D. esculentum extract was investigated for its acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities as well as its free radical scavenging and total antioxidant activities in the linoleic acid system. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. The total antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods.

Results: The D. esculentum extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 272.97±19.38 and 265.81±21.20 μg/mL, respectively. The extract also showed a potent DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 402.88±12.70 μg/mL. Moreover, the extract showed 27.41% and 33.22% of total antioxidant activities determined by FTC and TBA methods, respectively.

Conclusions: Results indicated that 70% methanolic extract of D. esculentum effectively inhibited the enzymes acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase and acted as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. These in vitro assays indicate that this plant extract is a significant source of natural antioxidants, which may be helpful in preventing the progression of various neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress.
Investigation of oxidative phosphorylation in continuous cultures.
A non-equilibrium thermodynamic approach to energy transduction for
Escherichia coli in aerobic condition
Authors: Ghafuri Mohazabeh , Nosrati Mohsen , Hosseinkhani Saman
Published: February 2015

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in living cells is very important.
Different researches have shown that in terms of mathematical modeling, the
domain of these investigations is essentially restricted. Recently the
thermodynamic models have been suggested for calculation of the efficiency
of oxidative phosphorylation process and rate of energy loss in animal cells
using chemiosmotic theory and non-equilibrium thermodynamics equations.
In our previous work, we developed a mathematical model for mitochondria
of animal cells. In this research, according to similarities between
oxidative phosphorylation process in microorganisms and animal cells,
Golfar's model was developed to predict the non-equilibrium thermodynamic
behavior of the oxidative phosphorylation process for bacteria in aerobic
condition. With this model the rate of energy loss, P/O ratio, and
efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation were calculated for Escherichia coli in aerobic
condition. The results then were compared with experimental data given by
other authors. The thermodynamic model had an acceptable agreement with the
experimental data.
Should radioiodine be the first-line treatment for paediatric Graves’ disease?
Authors: West James D. , Cheetham Timothy D. , Dane Carole , Natarajan Anuja
Published: February 2015

Debate exists regarding the optimal treatment strategy for paediatric Graves’ disease with radioiodine (RAI), and surgery, usually reserved for failure of medical therapy. We present our own experience to introduce a review of the published literature focussing on the predictors of remission after antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy from diagnosis, and discuss whether RAI should be considered as a first-line therapy.

A retrospective analysis of all diagnosed cases of paediatric Graves’ disease presenting to a large District General Hospital.

Thirteen patients were diagnosed with Graves’ disease between February 2004 and May 2013. The median age at diagnosis was 13.7 years (range 7.2–17.1 years) with a female:male ratio of 11:2. Some nine patients completed a 2-year course of carbimazole out of which 8 relapsed after a mean duration of 0.82 years (range 0.08–1.42 years); the ninth currently remains in remission. Of the eight patients who relapsed, three have undergone RAI treatment. Two patients failed to tolerate carbimazole treatment, one of whom received RAI treatment because surgery was contraindicated and one patient with severe autism proceeded to RAI treatment due to poor compliance and persistent hyperthyroidism.

Prognostic factors at presentation predicting a low likelihood of remission following ATD treatment include younger age, non-Caucasian ethnicity, and severe clinical and/or biochemical markers of hyperthyroidism. Psycho-social factors including compliance also influence management decisions.

In specifically selected patients presenting with paediatric Graves’ disease, the benefits and risks of radioactive iodine as a potential first-line therapy should be communicated allowing families to make informed decisions.
Resistin and right ventricular function in children with recently diagnosed type-1 diabetes mellitus: a case control study
Authors: Al-Biltagi Mohammed A. , Tolba Osama A. , Mawlana Wegdan , Abd El Hamed Abdallah , Ghazy May
Published: February 2015

Resistin is an adipocyte-derived signaling polypeptide described in adipose tissue, which acts as a metabolic link between inflammation and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to assess the relation between right ventricular (RV) function assessed by echocardiography and resistin levels in recently diagnosed type-1 diabetic children.

The study was conducted as a prospective cohort study and it included 30 children with type-1 diabetes mellitus as a patient group and 30 healthy children matched for age and sex as controls. It evaluated RV functions by tissue Doppler imaging, speckle tracking imaging, and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE), as well as assessing resistin serum level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The left ventricle (LV) showed no significant difference between the two groups in E/A ratio across the mitral valve, ejection fraction, and S wave mitral annulus. However, it showed significant decrease in the E′/A′ wave of mitral annulus, impairment of LV myocardial performance index (MPI), and decrease in LV EF measured by RT3DE in diabetic patients compared to the control group. Significant differences in the mean value of tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TASE), pulmonary artery pressure, longitudinal systolic strain (RV LSS), MPI, and RV ejection fraction were observed between the studied groups. Yet, no significant differences in E/A ratio and S value were observed between the two groups. Significant positive correlation of resistin level with age of studied group and significant negative correlation of resistin with both TASE and RV LSS values were also observed.

We confirmed the presence of subclinical RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in type-1 diabetic children with positive correlation between resistin level and RV dysfunction among them.
An evaluation of the links between microRNA, autophagy, and epilepsy
Authors: Gan Jing , Qu Yi , Li Jiao , Zhao Fengyan , Mu Dezhi
Published: February 2015

Epilepsy is a serious chronic neurologic disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures resulting from abnormal and highly synchronous neuronal discharges within the brain. Small noncoding RNAs, called microRNAs, play vital roles in epileptogenesis, with potential contributions as valuable biomarkers and targets for the treatment of epilepsy. To maintain cellular homeostasis, cellular components, such as organelles, proteins, protein complexes/oligomers, and pathogens, are delivered to the lysosome for degradation through a process called autophagy, which plays either a protective or a harmful role under epileptic stress. Several autophagic mechanisms have been implicated in epileptogenesis, including the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, aberrant substrate accumulation, and the formation of epileptic networks. In addition, the regulation of autophagy through microRNAs (miRNAs) represents a novel posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism through ‘autophagamiRNAs’. The correlation between autophagy and miRNA has increased our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis of human diseases. Here, we review the current findings regarding the correlations between miRNA, autophagy, and epilepsy to provide a solid foundation for further examination of the miRNA-autophagy pathway involved in epilepsy pathophysiology.
Diode Laser Spectrum of HCCCN near 5 pm * The Hot Band
Authors: Yamada Koichi , Winnewisser Gisbert
Published: February 2015

Two hot bands associated with the vs vibration-rotation band of cyanoacetylene, HC3N, have been measured with a diode laser spectrometer in the 2060- 2100 cm-1 range. Since the width of the observed lines is essentially determined by Doppler broadening, the splitting of the hot band rovibrational transitions due to l-type doubling could be resolved and was assigned. Improved spectral parameters were obtained, including the anharmonicity parameters
Low-Energy e-He(21L) Scattering Calculations
Authors: Koledin D. , Grujić P.
Published: February 2015

Cross sections for e-He(21L) scattering have been calculated in the energy range 1 ≦ E ≦ 4 eV. For l > 0 partial cross sections a simple analytical method, proposed by the authors before, which is essentially an extension of Seaton's exact resonance method, has been applied. In the case l = 0, when a complex "angular momentum quantum number" in the rotated space appears, a matching procedure has been adopted, making use of a more realistic model potential.

The results for Q(21S-21S), Ql (21S-21P) and Q(21P-21P) cross sections are compared with other theoretical calculations and in the case of the elastic Q(21S-21S) cross section with the available experimental data as well.

The applicability of the analytical method used in the electron-atom scattering calculations is discussed, in particular for those processes which play a dominant role in the Stark broadening of spectral lines from plasmas. Finally, the relevance of the present method to searching for an eventual resonant (or virtual) state near 21S threshold has been discussed.
Carbon Contaminant Buildup and Sputtering Behaviour on Zinc Oxide During XPS Examination
Authors: Mintas M. , Filby G. W.
Published: February 2015

The effect of argon and oxygen sputtering on carbon contaminant buildup on ZnO during XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis has been examined. Argon and oxygen sputtering cause a rapid decline in hydroxyl oxygen and contaminant carbon content at the surface. Reduc­tion to metallic zinc is not observed. In a carefully baked instrument after sputtering a stable clean surface could be maintained over several hours of analysis.
Optical Measurements of Tropospheric Hydroxyl with Lasers
Authors: Ortgies G. , Gericke K.-H. , Comes F. J.
Published: February 2015

The application of laser induced fluorescence (LIF) in the uv to monitor tropospheric OH concentrations is limited for several reasons. In general the sensitivity of this method increases with the laser intensity. But at the low OH concentrations present in the atmosphere the beginning nonlinearity of the absorption (saturation effect) severely restricts the use of higher laser intensities. The high sensitivity of the LIF technique can be further compromised by the presence of an OH interference signal. This signal is generated by the monitoring laser light itself from laser photolysis of ambient ozone and the succeeding reaction of the photolysis product O (1D) with water to produce hydroxyl radicals. The results of the calculations are presented in a diagram from which the range of laser parameters can be deduced, which can be applied with confidence to monitor OH by the LIF method. The maximum number of signal counts for these working conditions is in the range of 10-3 per laser pulse.
Localization of Conduction Band Electrons in Polycrystalline Ti02 Studied by ESR
Authors: Serwicka E. , Schlierkamp M. W. , Schindler R. N.
Published: February 2015

Adsorption of electron acceptors on partially reduced TiO2 leads to the localization of mobile conduction band electrons which is indicated by the appearance of an ESR signal with g = 2.003. The localization process is accompanied by an electron transfer from donor centers in reduced TiO2 (Ti3+ ions) to adsorbed molecules. The ESR spectra show a decrease of the Ti3+ signal intensity at gr -1.96. Additionally, in the case of O2, SO2 and C6H5NO2 adsorption, the ESR signals of the respective anion radicals are observed. Illumination of samples with an electron acceptor adsorbed enhances the g - 2.003 signal. The activation energy corresponding to the temperature dependence of the localization process has been determined to be ~ 1 kcal/mole in the temperature range - 140 to - 40 °C. In the case of O2 and N2O the signal at g = 2.003 could be annihilated chemically by using propylene which reacted with the adsorbed electron acceptor and thus removed the species which reduced the electron mobility
Investigation of the Molecular Geometry of Donor-Acceptor Complexes by the NDDO Method
Authors: Kiss Ärpad I. , Lukovits Istvan , Hargittai Istvan
Published: February 2015

The molecular geometries of simple electron donor-acceptor complexes have been obtained from NDDO semi-empirical calculations. The results are in agreement with earlier observations based on experimental evidence concerning the characteristic geometrical variations in the donor and acceptor parts upon the complexation as compared with the free uncomplexed molecules. While the direction of the geometrical changes can be unambiguously predicted for the acceptor, these changes cannot be predicted for the donor as they are the results of opposing effects. It is generally observed that an increase in the bond angles is accompanied by bond shortening and vice versa. In order to interpret the results, calculated quantities from the energy partitioning have been attributed to electron pair repulsions and non-bonded atom-atom repulsions in a qualitative model
B2 Diagrams and Bhabha Equation with Mass Matrix
Authors: Jansen L.
Published: February 2015

Till now nearly all papers about the Bhabba equation treat equations with a mass term m1. This is merely a matter of mathematical simplicity, because we will see in this work that important physical fields can only be described by a mass term ≠ m 1. The second aim of this publication is to derive a constructive procedure for the calculation of the representations of the Bhabha equation and the tensor and spinor field equations, which are equivalent to them
Molecular Orbital Studies on the Interaction of Single Transition Metal Atoms with NH3 and H2O Ligands
Authors: Itoh H. , Ertl G. , Kunz A. B.
Published: February 2015

The bond formation of 3d-metal atoms (Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu) with NH3 and H2O is investigated by an ab initio MO theory. In the case of NH3, coupling occurs mainly through the HOMO 3a1-levels ≙ (N lone pair), whereas with H2O the main contribution arises from σ-bond formation of the second highest occupied orbital (3a1 ≙O2pz). Results on the bond energies, electron populations and orbital energies are in qualitatively good agreement with experimental data on the adsorptive properties of these molecules on transition metal surfaces
Construction of Optimal Basis Sets in Approximate Theories of the Electronic Structure of Molecules
Authors: Maksić Z. B.
Published: February 2015

Properties of the weighted Löwdin orthogonalization procedure are thoroughly discussed. It is shown that its flexibility might be very useful in the construction of optimal truncated basis sets in approximate theories of the electronic structure of molecules and solids. The relevance of pairwise nonorthogonal (hybrid) basis functions is pointed out
The Determination of Thermodynamic Properties of melts from the Cu-Si-System by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Riekert G. , Lamparter P. , Steeb S.
Published: February 2015

The Knudsen effusion technique combined with mass spectrometry has been applied to determine thermodynamic activities and excess Gibbs energies for the liquid Cu-Si System. The system shows a tendency for segregation over the entire composition range. Special features in the partial and integral properties could be interpreted by means of two models.
Vibrationsrelaxation in Benzol
Authors: Asenbaum A. , Müllner M.
Published: February 2015

Vibrational Relaxation in Benzene From Brillouin spectra measured in the temperature range between 8.2 °C and 75.6 °C and ultrasonic velocities the sound dispersion and the relaxing vibrational specific heat of Benzene were determined. A comparison with the theoretical value calculated on the basis of the Planck-Einstein formula shows good agreement between experiment and theory if one assumes that all vibrational modes of the Benzene molecule are contributing to the relaxing vibrational specific heat.
Analytical Results for the Partition Function of a Generalized Anharmonic Oscillator
Authors: Witschel W.
Published: February 2015

The classical partition function, the semiclassical partition function in the Wigner-Kirkwoodperturbation approximation and the exact quantum statistical upper and lower bounds to the partition function for the general single and double well anharmonic oscillator with Ĥ = p̂2/2m +(m ω2/2)x̂2 + k2nx̂2n, n ≧ 2 and ω2 ≶ 0 are calculated by a simple integration. The quickly converging series is evaluated numerically for n = 2 and compared with numerical summations of Boltzmann-factors with eigenvalues from the literature. Matrix elements of exp( - αx2n) in a harmonic oscillator basis are calculated as by-products.
On the Relative Stability of Ascorbic Acid Tautomers
Authors: Bischof P. , Eckert-Maksić M. , Maksić Z. B.
Published: February 2015

The four possible tautomers of ascorbic acid were studied by the semiempirical MINDO/3 and MNDO methods. The most stable tautomer 1 corresponds to that identified in solution and solid state by the 13C-NMR and X-ray techniques, respectively. Its estimated structural parameters are in reasonable agreement with data obtained by the combined use of X-ray and neutron dif­ fraction methods. The MNDO bond angles exhibit a dramatic improvement over the MINDO/3 ones. The most acidic proton corresponds to the O-H bond attached to the ring in the immediate neighbourhood of the side chain.
Über eine adiabatische Theorie
Authors: Schapiro B.
Published: February 2015

An interacting electron-ion system is considered in the general non-adiabatic case. For the ions a set of exact coupled Schrödinger equations with an effective potential is obtained. The potential is expressed through the non-adiabatic terms of the traditional theory of adiabatic approximation.
On the Kinetic Theory of the Enskog Fluid. Viscosity and Viscoelasticity, Heat Conduction and Thermal Pressure
Authors: Schmidt G. , Köhler W. E. , Hess S.
Published: February 2015

The moment method is applied to the linearized Enskog-Boltzmann equation for a dense gas. Thus an enlarged set of equations of thermo-hydrodynamics is obtained which allows to go beyond ordinary hydrodynamics. The resulting expressions for the density dependent viscosity and heat conductivity coincide with those previously obtained with the help of the Chapman- Enskog solution procedure. In addition, however, the frequency dependence of the viscosity is treated and it is demonstrated that the thermal pressure does not vanish in a dense fluid
Upper and Lower Bounds for the Heat Flux in a Gas Between Parallel Plates
Authors: Vestner H.
Published: February 2015

Waldmann's result for heat transfer through a monatomic gas between parallel plates is the starting point for the derivation of upper and lower bounds for the heat flux as a function of Knudsen number. In order to obtain numerical results, one transport-relaxation eigenfunction and its eigenvalue are determined approximately, and a simple model for the interfacial kernel of the kinetic boundary condition for the distribution function is used
Triplet Distribution Functions and their Superposition Approximation from an MD-simulation of molten KCl
Authors: Schäfer L. , Klemm A.
Published: February 2015

Isosceles triplet distribution functions of molten KCl are obtained from an MD-simulation and compared with those approximated by multiplication of the corresponding three pair distribution functions. For small branch lengths r the deviations are considerable, e.g. for r = 3 Å the frequency of linear triplets +-+ or -+- relative to the frequency of all triplets with that branch length is underestimated by a factor of about 0.6
Experiments on Rayleigh Scattering of 145 keV and 317 keV Photons
Authors: Barros S. de , Eichler J. , Gonçalves  , Gaspar M.
Published: February 2015

Elastic differential cross sections for scattering of photons with 145 keV and 317 keV were measured for Pb, W, Sn, Cd, Ag, Mo and Cu for angles from 5° to 40°. For measuring the strong energy dependence of the cross section at small angles, a well collimated beam (±0,5°) and a small detecting solid angle were used. For the energies and angles studied, agreement between experiment and form factor calculations is found. The results are compared with recent measurements of other authors, which found disagreement with form factor calculations
Die Grundstruktur der klassischen Partikelmechanik und ihre Spezialfsierungen
Authors: Balzer W. , Moulines C. U.
Published: February 2015

Classical particle mechanics is given an axiomatic form which - we think - constitutes an essential progress with respect to extisting axiomatizations. We clarify the status of it's basic concepts (first of all of the concept of force), we reconstruct the factual (implicit) form of it's basic law, and we exemplify the general method of obtaining more special mechanical laws from this basic law by means of concrete examples. By this the "overall"-structure of classical particle mechanics as that of an "open" theory can be clearly recognized. The result is of methodological, philosophical and didactical relevance
Fuzzy Space-Time
Authors: Heller M. , Staruszkiewicz A.
Published: February 2015

The mathematical theory of fuzzy sets is applied to construct a fuzzy Minkowski space-time. An event in this space-time is defined to be a function χ:M → [0, 1], where M is the ordinary Minkowski space-time. The notion of fuzzy causal structure is defined
Dielektrisdie Verluste starrer polarer Molekule in verdiinnter Losung bei Mikrowellen und im Fernen Infrarot
Authors: Deiker R. , Klages G.
Published: February 2015

With regard to their Debye and Poley absorption the dielectric loss of twelve species of rigid polar molecules has been measured in very dilute solutions (n-heptane cyclohexane and decalin) at frequencies from 300 MHz to 5 THz. Within the limits of experimental error for t-butylchloride no Poley absorption is observed. Its ε" (ω) plot may be fitted using the three-variable Mori formalism because e" finally decreases with the fifth power of frequency. The absorption data of all other dipole molecules cannot be fitted by a single Mori curve. Therefore we propose to separate the Debye absorption approximating the low frequency wing and the predominant loss region as done with t-butylchloride. In this way the dispersion step of the Poley absorption itself is obtained, and it is discussed according to the libration model. The observed step is too large in benzophenone only perhaps due to the fast orientation of a mesomeric moment by a ring twist. The Poley ε" (ω) data are formally matched by one or two three-variable Mori curves, and the frequency behaviour of the dipole ensemble is discussed in terms of librations damped by soft collisions, using the absorption coefficient α (ω)
Die Temperaturabhangigkeit der Fluoreszenzquantenausbeuten von Donator-Akzeptor-substituierten trans-Stilbenen in Losungsmitteln unterschiedlidier Polaritat
Authors: Gloyna D. , Gryczyński I. , Kawski A.
Published: February 2015

The temperature dependence of the fluorescence quantum yield of donor-acceptor-substituted trans-stilbenes (1) in n-heptane, toluene and dimethylformamide (DMF) in the temperature range of 5-70 °C is due to twisting of the excited Si state to the perp.-S1 state. Twisting and fluorescence are the predominant deactivation processes. Within the series of 4'-acceptor-substituted substances 1g, 1b, 1h- 1k, the activation energies, Etp, in n-heptane and DMF are correlated with the Hammett constants atp of the acceptor in a way comparable to the correlaton between the twisting rate constant kt„ and Aσp. No such correlation was found with toluene. The deactivation of the S1 state results from two oppositely acting factors: the intramolecular donoracceptor interaction and the intermolecular solute-solvent interaction