bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Content analysis of television food advertisements aimed at adults and children in South Africa
Authors: Mchiza Zandile J , Temple Norman J , Steyn Nelia P , Abrahams Zulfa , Clayford Mario
Published: August 2013

Objective

To determine the frequency and content of food-related television (TV) advertisements shown on South African TV.

Design

Four national TV channels were recorded between 15.00 and 21.00 hours (6 h each day, for seven consecutive days, over a 4-week period) to: (i) determine the number of food-related TV advertisements; and (ii) evaluate the content and approach used by advertisers to market their products. The data were viewed by two of the researchers and coded according to time slots, food categories, food products, health claims and presentation.

Results

Of the 1512 recorded TV advertisements, 665 (44 %) were related to food. Of these, 63 % were for food products, 21 % for alcohol, 2 % for multivitamins, 1 % for slimming products and 13 % for supermarket and pharmacy promotions. Nearly 50 % of food advertisements appeared during family viewing time. During this time the most frequent advertisements were for desserts and sweets, fast foods, hot beverages, starchy foods and sweetened drinks. The majority of the alcohol advertisements (ninety-three advertisements, 67 %) fell within the children and family viewing periods and were endorsed by celebrities. Health claims were made in 11 % of the advertisements. The most frequently used benefits claimed were ‘enhances well-being’, ‘improves performance’, ‘boosts energy’, ‘strengthens the immune system’ and ‘is nutritionally balanced’.

Conclusions

The majority of food advertisements shown to both children and adults do not foster good health despite the health claims made. The fact that alcohol advertisements are shown during times when children watch TV needs to be addressed.
UNIQUENESS OF SOLUTIONS TO SCHRÖDINGER EQUATIONS ON -TYPE GROUPS
Authors: BEN SAÏD SALEM , THANGAVELU SUNDARAM , DOGGA VENKU NAIDU
Published: August 2013

This paper deals with the Schrödinger equation$i{\partial }_{s} u(\mathbf{z} , t; s)- \mathcal{L} u(\mathbf{z} , t; s)= 0, $where$ \mathcal{L} $is the sub-Laplacian on the Heisenberg group. Assume that the initial data$f$satisfies$\vert f(\mathbf{z} , t)\vert \lesssim {q}_{\alpha } (\mathbf{z} , t), $where${q}_{s} $is the heat kernel associated to$ \mathcal{L} . $If in addition$\vert u(\mathbf{z} , t; {s}_{0} )\vert \lesssim {q}_{\beta } (\mathbf{z} , t), $for some${s}_{0} \in \mathbb{R} \setminus \{ 0\} , $then we prove that$u(\mathbf{z} , t; s)= 0$for all$s\in \mathbb{R} $whenever$\alpha \beta \lt { s}_{0}^{2} . $This result holds true in the more general context of$H$-type groups. We also prove an analogous result for the Grushin operator on${ \mathbb{R} }^{n+ 1} . $
DENSITY ESTIMATES ON COMPOSITE POLYNOMIALS
Authors: CHEUNG WAI SHUN , NG TUEN WAI , TSANG CHIU YIN
Published: August 2013

Ritt introduced the concepts of prime and composite polynomials and proved three fundamental theorems on factorizations (in the sense of compositions) of polynomials in 1922. In this paper, we shall give a density estimate on the set of composite polynomials.
AGGREGATION AND IDEMPOTENCE
Authors: HUMBERSTONE LLOYD
Published: August 2013

A 1-ary sentential context is aggregative (according to a consequence relation) if the result of putting the conjunction of two formulas into the context is a consequence (by that relation) of the results of putting first the one formula and then the other into that context. All 1-ary contexts are aggregative according to the consequence relation of classical propositional logic (though not, for example, according to the consequence relation of intuitionistic propositional logic), and here we explore the extent of this phenomenon, generalized to having arbitrary connectives playing the role of conjunction; among intermediate logics, LC, shows itself to occupy a crucial position in this regard, and to suggest a characterization, applicable to a broader range of consequence relations, in terms of a variant of the notion of idempotence we shall call componentiality. This is an analogue, for the consequence relations of propositional logic, of the notion of a conservative operation in universal algebra.
Gunn-mounted active microstrip rectangular patch antenna – revisited
Authors: Chatterjee Somnath , Pal Susmita , Bhattacharaya Apala , Biswas Baidynath N.
Published: August 2013

The microstrip active patch antenna behaves like a resonant circuit/cavity with multiple resonant frequencies; furthermore, depending on the non-linearity of the device, it generates significant amount of second harmonic radiation. The location of the device on the patch that maximizes the fundamental radiated power output is found to be not the position corresponding to the minimum second harmonic content in radiated power. An optimum location of the diode on the patch has been suggested. The paper also discusses the modification of the behavior of the active antenna, which is first an oscillator; and then a radiator, under injection-locked condition. The results are presented with respect to a Gunn-mounted rectangular patch.
The Wilson Effect: The Increase in Heritability of IQ With Age
Authors: Bouchard Thomas J.
Published: August 2013

Ronald Wilson presented the first clear and compelling evidence that the heritability of IQ increases with age. We propose to call the phenomenon ‘The Wilson Effect’ and we document the effect diagrammatically with key twin and adoption studies, including twins reared apart, that have been carried out at various ages and in a large number of different settings. The results show that the heritability of IQ reaches an asymptote at about 0.80 at 18–20 years of age and continuing at that level well into adulthood. In the aggregate, the studies also confirm that shared environmental influence decreases across age, approximating about 0.10 at 18–20 years of age and continuing at that level into adulthood. These conclusions apply to the Westernized industrial democracies in which most of the studies have been carried out.
Allergien auf Beta-Laktam-Antibiotika: Wann und wie abklären?
Authors: Wehrle Elisabeth , Bircher Andreas J.
Published: August 2013

Die allergologische Abklärung ist bei Verdacht auf eine Allergie auf Beta-Laktam-Antibiotika wichtig, um die Reaktion zu bestätigen und alternative Medikamente zu testen. Da jedoch alle Testmethoden der allergologischen Abklärung (Hautteste und in-vitro-Tests) eine nicht sehr hohe Sensitivität haben, ist eine vorherige umfassende Anamnese sowie die Dokumentation der Symptome und Befunde entscheidend, um eine hohe Aussagekraft der Untersuchung zu ermöglichen und die Indikation zum in vielen Fällen notwendigen Provokationstest stellen zu können. Als wesentliche Voraussetzung muss neben der Klinik der zeitliche Ablauf festgehalten werden, um zwischen einer Sofortreaktion (wenige Stunden nach Substanzeinnahme) und einer Spätreaktion (einige Tage nach Einnahme) unterscheiden zu können. Die Abklärung bis spätestens sechs Monate nach der Reaktion erhöht die Chancen einer erfolgreichen allergologischen Abklärung.
Kein tropisches, aber ein nicht minder exotisches Fieber
Authors: Gisler Valentin , Schaer Dominik , Wichmann Werner , Kerl Katrin , Franzen Daniel
Published: August 2013

Wir beschreiben einen 26-jährigen Patienten mit einem inflammatorischen Fieber über drei Monate. Initial bestand zusätzlich eine enzephalitische Episode. Nach Ausschluss einer infektiologischen Ursache gingen wir angesichts unauffälliger ANA- und ANCA-Titer erst von einem Morbus Still aus. Erst spät entwickelte der Patient ein noduläres Erythem, dessen Biopsie die Diagnose einer Polyarteritis nodosa erbrachte. Unser Fall unterstreicht die Tatsache, dass diese Erkrankung hauptsächlich mit Allgemeinsymptomen einhergeht. Ihre Diagnose ist daher schwierig. Eine – vor allem MR-tomographisch – enzephalitische Manifestation ist selten.
A Computational Model of Oxygen Transport in the Cerebrocapillary Levels for Normal and Pathologic Brain Function
Authors: Safaeian Navid , David Tim
Published: August 2013

The oxygen exchange and correlation between the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2) in the cortical capillary levels for normal and pathologic brain functions remain the subject of debate. A 3D realistic mesoscale model of the cortical capillary network (non-tree like) is constructed using a random Voronoi tessellation in which each edge represents a capillary segment. The hemodynamics and oxygen transport are numerically simulated in the model, which involves rheological laws in the capillaries, oxygen diffusion, and non-linear binding of oxygen to hemoglobin, respectively. The findings show that the cerebral hypoxia due to a significant decreased perfusion (as can occur in stroke) can be avoided by a moderate reduction in oxygen demand. Oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) can be an important indicator for the brain oxygen metabolism under normal perfusion and misery-perfusion syndrome (leading to ischemia). The results demonstrated that a disproportionately large increase in blood supply is required for a small increase in the oxygen demand, which, in turn, is strongly dependent on the resting OEF. The predicted flow-metabolism coupling in the model supports the experimental studies of spatiotemporal stimulations in humans by positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Why does Brain Metabolism not Favor Burning of Fatty Acids to Provide Energy? - Reflections on Disadvantages of the Use of Free Fatty Acids as Fuel for Brain
Authors: Schönfeld Peter , Reiser Georg
Published: August 2013

It is puzzling that hydrogen-rich fatty acids are used only poorly as fuel in the brain. The long-standing belief that a slow passage of fatty acids across the blood–brain barrier might be the reason. However, this has been corrected by experimental results. Otherwise, accumulated nonesterified fatty acids or their activated derivatives could exert detrimental activities on mitochondria, which might trigger the mitochondrial route of apoptosis. Here, we draw attention to three particular problems: (1) ATP generation linked to β-oxidation of fatty acids demands more oxygen than glucose, thereby enhancing the risk for neurons to become hypoxic; (2) β-oxidation of fatty acids generates superoxide, which, taken together with the poor anti-oxidative defense in neurons, causes severe oxidative stress;(3) the rate of ATP generation based on adipose tissue-derived fatty acids is slower than that using blood glucose as fuel. Thus, in periods of extended continuous and rapid neuronal firing, fatty acid oxidation cannot guarantee rapid ATP generation in neurons. We conjecture that the disadvantages connected with using fatty acids as fuel have created evolutionary pressure on lowering the expression of the β-oxidation enzyme equipment in brain mitochondria to avoid extensive fatty acid oxidation and to favor glucose oxidation in brain.
Cerebral Blood Flow Quantification Using Vessel-Encoded Arterial Spin Labeling
Authors: Okell Thomas W , Chappell Michael A , Kelly Michael E , Jezzard Peter
Published: August 2013

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques are gaining popularity for visualizing and quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF) in a range of patient groups. However, most ASL methods lack vessel-selective information, which is important for the assessment of collateral flow and the arterial supply to lesions. In this study, we explored the use of vessel-encoded pseudocontinuous ASL (VEPCASL) with multiple postlabeling delays to obtain individual quantitative CBF and bolus arrival time maps for each of the four main brain-feeding arteries and compared the results against those obtained with conventional pseudocontinuous ASL (PCASL) using matched scan time. Simulations showed that PCASL systematically underestimated CBF by up to 37% in voxels supplied by two arteries, whereas VEPCASL maintained CBF accuracy since each vascular component is treated separately. Experimental results in healthy volunteers showed that there is no systematic bias in the CBF estimates produced by VEPCASL and that the signal-to-noise ratio of the two techniques is comparable. Although more complex acquisition and image processing is required and the potential for motion sensitivity is increased, VEPCASL provides comparable data to PCASL but with the added benefit of vessel-selective information. This could lead to more accurate CBF estimates in patients with a significant collateral flow.
Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction as a Cause and Consequence of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Erickson Michelle A , Banks William A
Published: August 2013

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) plays critical roles in the maintenance of central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Dysfunction of the BBB occurs in a number of CNS diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). A prevailing hypothesis in the AD field is the amyloid cascade hypothesis that states that amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the CNS initiates a cascade of molecular events that cause neurodegeneration, leading to AD onset and progression. In this review, the participation of the BBB in the amyloid cascade and in other mechanisms of AD neurodegeneration will be discussed. We will specifically focus on three aspects of BBB dysfunction: disruption, perturbation of transporters, and secretion of neurotoxic substances by the BBB. We will also discuss the interaction of the BBB with components of the neurovascular unit in relation to AD and the potential contribution of AD risk factors to aspects of BBB dysfunction. From the results discussed herein, we conclude that BBB dysfunction contributes to AD through a number of mechanisms that could be initiated in the presence or absence of Aβ pathology.
Regulation of Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow during Combined Changes in Intraocular Pressure and Arterial Blood Pressure
Authors: Boltz Agnes , Schmidl Doreen , Werkmeister René M , Lasta Michael , Kaya Semira , Palkovits Stefan , Told Reinhard , Napora Katarzyna J , Popa-Cherecheanu Alina , Garhöfer Gerhard , Schmetterer Leopold
Published: August 2013

In the choroid, there is evidence that blood flow does not only depend on ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), but also on absolute mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intraocular pressure (IOP). The present study included 40 healthy subjects to investigate whether such behavior is also found in the optic nerve head (ONH). The ONH blood flow (ONHBF) was studied using laser Doppler flowmetry during a separate increase in IOP and MAP as well as during a combined elevation. Mean arterial pressure was increased by isometric exercise and IOP by the suction method. During both, the change in ONHBF was less pronounced than the change in OPP indicating autoregulation. Correlation analysis was performed for the combined experiments after pooling all data according to IOP and MAP values. A correlation between ONHBF and MAP was found at IOPs 25 mm Hg ( P<0.001), but not at IOPs>25 mm Hg ( P=0.79). Optic nerve head blood flow and IOP were significantly correlated ( P<0.001), and ONHBF was only slightly dependent on MAP. The data of the present study indicate a complex regulation of ONHBF during combined changes in MAP and IOP. Our results may be compatible with myogenic mechanisms underlying autoregulation, and indicate better ONHBF regulation during an increase in MAP than during an increase in IOP.
Tubular endocytosis drives remodelling of the apical surface during epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila
Authors: Fabrowski Piotr , Necakov Aleksandar S. , Mumbauer Simone , Loeser Eva , Reversi Alessandra , Streichan Sebastian , Briggs John A. G. , De Renzis Stefano
Published: August 2013

During morphogenesis, remodelling of cell shape requires the expansion or contraction of plasma membrane domains. Here we identify a mechanism underlying the restructuring of the apical surface during epithelial morphogenesis in Drosophila. We show that the retraction of villous protrusions and subsequent apical plasma membrane flattening is an endocytosis-driven morphogenetic process. Quantitation of endogenously tagged GFP::Rab5 dynamics reveals a massive increase in apical endocytosis that correlates with changes in apical morphology. This increase is accompanied by the formation of tubular plasma membrane invaginations that serve as platforms for the de novo generation of Rab5-positive endosomes. We identify the Rab5-effector Rabankyrin-5 as a regulator of this pathway and demonstrate that blocking dynamin activity results in the complete inhibition of tubular endocytosis, in the disappearance of Rab5 endosomes, and in the inhibition of surface flattening. These data collectively demonstrate a requirement for endocytosis in morphogenetic remodelling during epithelial development.
Quantitative assessment of minimal effective concentration of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents
Authors: Yan X , Krzyzanski W
Published: August 2013

Minimal effective concentration (MEC) was proposed to explain why subcutaneous (SC) administration of erythropoietin (EPO) induces a higher hemoglobin (HGB) increase than intravenous (IV) administration. It has been further used to explain the paradox that erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA) with lower receptor binding affinity may have higher in vivo activity. We have developed a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model with incorporation of the operational model of agonism to characterize the data from two clinical trials. By using model‐based simulations, we demonstrate that SC route is more efficacious than IV route and explain the paradoxical behavior of ESAs. We determined that MEC can be quantified by C50, which represents the concentration of an ESA producing its half‐maximal effect of stimulating the proliferation of erythroid precursor cells. The model used may allow joint PK/PD modeling of data from different ESAs, and provide a platform for dosing regimen optimizations and future clinical study designs.

CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology (2013) 2, e62; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.39; published online 7 August 2013
Synthesis and volume phase transition of concanavalin A-based glucose-responsive nanogels
Authors: Ye Ting , Yan Suting , Hu Yumei , Ding Li , Wu Weitai
Published: August 2013

A glucose-responsive nanogel that can undergo reversible and rapid volume phase transitions is made of ConA interpenetrated in a poly(NIPAM) network.
Collaboration of AMPK and PKC to induce phosphorylation of Ser413 on PIP5K1B resulting in decreased kinase activity and reduced PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis in response to oxidative stress and energy restriction
Authors: van den Bout Iman , Jones David R. , Shah Zahid H. , Halstead Jonathan R. , Keune Willem-Jan , Mohammed Shabaz , D’Santos Clive S. , Divecha Nullin
Published: August 2013

The spatial and temporal regulation of the second messenger PtdIns(4,5)P2 has been shown to be crucial for regulating numerous processes in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Three isoforms of PIP5K1 (phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase), A, B and C, are responsible for the regulation of the major pools of cellular PtdIns(4,5)P2. PIP5K1B is negatively regulated in response to oxidative stress although it remains unclear which pathways regulate its activity. In the present study, we have investigated the regulation of PIP5K1B by protein phosphorylation. Using MS analysis, we identified 12 phosphorylation sites on PIP5K1B. We developed a phospho-specific antibody against Ser413 and showed that its phosphorylation was increased in response to treatment of cells with phorbol ester, H2O2 or energy restriction. Using inhibitors, we define a stress-dependent pathway that requires the activity of the cellular energy sensor AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and PKC (protein kinase C) to regulate Ser413 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PKC can directly phosphorylate Ser413in vitro. Mutation of Ser413 to aspartate to mimic serine phosphorylation decreased both PIP5K1B activity in vitro and PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis in vivo. Our studies show that collaboration between AMPK and PKC dictates the extent of Ser413 phosphorylation on PIP5K1B and regulates PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesis.
TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of APPL1 enhances hepatic actions of insulin by promoting the membrane translocation of Akt
Authors: Cheng Kenneth K. Y. , Lam Karen S. L. , Wang Yu , Wu Donghai , Zhang Mingliang , Wang Baile , Li Xiaomu , Hoo Ruby L. C. , Huang Zhe , Sweeney Gary , Xu Aimin
Published: August 2013

Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production through activation of the protein kinase Akt, and any defect in this pathway causes fasting hyperglycaemia in Type 2 diabetes. APPL1 [adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interaction, PH (pleckstrin homology) domain and leucine zipper containing 1] sensitizes hepatic insulin action on suppression of gluconeogenesis by binding to Akt. However, the mechanisms underlying the insulin-sensitizing actions of APPL1 remain elusive. In the present study we show that insulin induces Lys63-linked ubiquitination of APPL1 in primary hepatocytes and in the livers of C57 mice. Lys160 located within the BAR (Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs) domain of APPL1 is the major site for its ubiquitination. Replacement of Lys160 with arginine abolishes insulin-dependent ubiquitination and membrane localization of APPL1, and also diminishes membrane recruitment and activation of Akt, thereby abrogating the effects of APPL1 on alleviation of hepatic insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in obese mice. Further analysis identified TRAF6 (tumour-necrosis-factor-receptor-associated factor 6) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for APPL1 ubiquitination. Suppression of TRAF6 expression attenuates insulin-mediated ubiquitination and membrane targeting of APPL1, leading to an impairment of insulin-stimulated Akt activation and inhibition of gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes. Thus TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of APPL1 is a vital step for the hepatic actions of insulin through modulation of membrane trafficking and activity of Akt.
Designing CXCL8-based decoy proteins with strong anti-inflammatory activity in vivo
Authors: Falsone Angelika , Wabitsch Veronica , Geretti Elena , Potzinger Heide , Gerlza Tanja , Robinson James , Adage Tiziana , Teixeira Mauro M. , Kungl Andreas J.
Published: August 2013

IL (interleukin)-8 [CXCL8 (CXC chemokine ligand 8)] exerts its role in inflammation by triggering neutrophils via its specific GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors), CXCR1 (CXC chemokine receptor 1) and CXCR2, for which additional binding to endothelial HS-GAGs (heparan sulphate-glycosaminoglycans) is required. We present here a novel approach for blocking the CXCL8-related inflammatory cascade by generating dominant-negative CXCL8 mutants with improved GAG-binding affinity and knocked-out CXCR1/CXCR2 activity. These non-signalling CXCL8 decoy proteins are able to displace WT (wild-type) CXCL8 and to prevent CXCR1/CXCR2 signalling thereby interfering with the inflammatory response. We have designed 14 CXCL8 mutants that we subdivided into three classes according to number and site of mutations. The decoys were characterized by IFTs (isothermal fluorescence titrations) and SPR (surface plasmon resonance) to determine GAG affinity. Protein stability and structural changes were evaluated by far-UV CD spectroscopy and knocked-out GPCR response was shown by Boyden chamber and Ca2+ release assays. From these experiments, CXCL8(Δ6F17KF21KE70KN71K) emerged with the most promising in vitro characteristics. This mutant was therefore further investigated in a murine model of mBSA (methylated BSA)-induced arthritis in mice where it showed strong anti-inflammatory activity. Based on these results, we propose that dominant-negative CXCL8 decoy proteins are a promising class of novel biopharmaceuticals with high therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases.
Test–Retest Reliability of Eye Tracking in the Visual World Paradigm for the Study of Real-Time Spoken Word Recognition
Authors: Farris-Trimble Ashley , McMurray Bob
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Researchers have begun to use eye tracking in the visual world paradigm (VWP) to study clinical differences in language processing, but the reliability of such laboratory tests has rarely been assessed. In this article, the authors assess test–retest reliability of the VWP for spoken word recognition.

Methods

Participants performed an auditory VWP task in repeated sessions and a visual-only VWP task in a third session. The authors performed correlation and regression analyses on several parameters to determine which reflect reliable behavior and which are predictive of behavior in later sessions.

Results

Results showed that the fixation parameters most closely related to timing and degree of fixations were moderately-to-strongly correlated across days, whereas the parameters related to rate of increase or decrease of fixations to particular items were less strongly correlated. Moreover, when including factors derived from the visual-only task, the performance of the regression model was at least moderately correlated with Day 2 performance on all parameters (R> .30).

Conclusion

The VWP is stable enough (with some caveats) to serve as an individual measure. These findings suggest guidelines for future use of the paradigm and for areas of improvement in both methodology and analysis.
Twenty barrel in situ pipe gun type solid hydrogen pellet injector for the Large Helical Device
Authors: Sakamoto Ryuichi , Motojima Gen , Hayashi Hiromi , Inoue Tomoyuki , Ito Yasuhiko , Ogawa Hideki , Takami Shigeyuki , Yokota Mitsuhiro , Yamada Hiroshi
Published: August 2013

A 20 barrel solid hydrogen pellet injector, which is able to inject 20 cylindrical pellets with a diameter and length of between 3.0 and 3.8 mm at the velocity of 1200 m/s, has been developed for the purpose of direct core fueling in LHD (Large Helical Device). The in situ pipe gun concept with the use of compact cryo-coolers enables stable operation as a fundamental facility in plasma experiments. The combination of the two types of pellet injection timing control modes, i.e., pre-programing mode and real-time control mode, allows the build-up and sustainment of high density plasma around the density limit. The pellet injector has demonstrated stable operation characteristics during the past three years of LHD experiments.
The accuracy of the Gaussian-and-finite-element-Coulomb (GFC) method for the calculation of Coulomb integrals
Authors: Przybytek Michal , Helgaker Trygve
Published: August 2013

We analyze the accuracy of the Coulomb energy calculated using the Gaussian-and-finite-element-Coulomb (GFC) method. In this approach, the electrostatic potential associated with the molecular electronic density is obtained by solving the Poisson equation and then used to calculate matrix elements of the Coulomb operator. The molecular electrostatic potential is expanded in a mixed Gaussian-finite-element (GF) basis set consisting of Gaussian functions of s symmetry centered on the nuclei (with exponents obtained from a full optimization of the atomic potentials generated by the atomic densities from symmetry-averaged restricted open-shell Hartree–Fock theory) and shape functions defined on uniform finite elements. The quality of the GF basis is controlled by means of a small set of parameters; for a given width of the finite elements d, the highest accuracy is achieved at smallest computational cost when tricubic (n = 3) elements are used in combination with two (γH = 2) and eight (γ1st = 8) Gaussians on hydrogen and first-row atoms, respectively, with exponents greater than a given threshold (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\alpha _\mathrm{min}^\mathrm{G}=0.5$\end{document}α min G=0.5). The error in the calculated Coulomb energy divided by the number of atoms in the system depends on the system type but is independent of the system size or the orbital basis set, vanishing approximately like d4 with decreasing d. If the boundary conditions for the Poisson equation are calculated in an approximate way, the GFC method may lose its variational character when the finite elements are too small; with larger elements, it is less sensitive to inaccuracies in the boundary values. As it is possible to obtain accurate boundary conditions in linear time, the overall scaling of the GFC method for large systems is governed by another computational step—namely, the generation of the three-center overlap integrals with three Gaussian orbitals. The most unfavorable (nearly quadratic) scaling is observed for compact, truly three-dimensional systems; however, this scaling can be reduced to linear by introducing more effective techniques for recognizing significant three-center overlap distributions.
Micro-fabricated stylus ion trap
Authors: Arrington Christian L. , McKay Kyle S. , Baca Ehren D. , Coleman Jonathan J. , Colombe Yves , Finnegan Patrick , Hite Dustin A. , Hollowell Andrew E. , Jördens Robert , Jost John D. , Leibfried Dietrich , Rowen Adam M. , Warring Ulrich , Weides Martin , Wilson Andrew C. , Wineland David J. , Pappas David P.
Published: August 2013

An electroformed, three-dimensional stylus Paul trap was designed to confine a single atomic ion for use as a sensor to probe the electric-field noise of proximate surfaces. The trap was microfabricated with the UV-LIGA technique to reduce the distance of the ion from the surface of interest. We detail the fabrication process used to produce a 150 μm tall stylus trap with feature sizes of 40 μm. We confined single, laser-cooled, 25Mg+ ions with lifetimes greater than 2 h above the stylus trap in an ultra-high-vacuum environment. After cooling a motional mode of the ion at 4 MHz close to its ground state (⟨n⟩ = 0.34 ± 0.07), the heating rate of the trap was measured with Raman sideband spectroscopy to be 387 ± 15 quanta/s at an ion height of 62 μm above the stylus electrodes.
Dynamics of a two-level system under the simultaneous influence of a spin bath and a boson bath
Authors: Wu Ning , Zhao Yang
Published: August 2013

We study dynamics of a two-level system coupled simultaneously to a pair of dissimilar reservoirs, namely, a spin bath and a boson bath, which are connected via finite interbath coupling. It is found that the steady-state population transfer in the two-level system increases with its coupling to the spin bath, while optimal transfer occurs at intermediate coupling in the transient process. If the two-level system is strongly coupled to the spin bath, the population transfer is unidirectional barring minor population oscillations of minute amplitudes. If the spin bath is viewed as an atomic ensemble, robust generation of macroscopic superposition states exists against parameter variations of the two-level system and the boson bath.
Alloy content determination of fully strained and partially relaxed semi-polar group III-nitrides by x-ray diffraction
Authors: Oehler F. , Vickers M. E. , Kappers M. J. , Oliver R. A.
Published: August 2013

Semi-polar group III nitrides and their alloys (AlGaN, InGaN) show great promise for future opto-electronic devices. For these orientations, specific X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods have been developed to measure the alloy content. The XRD methods proposed in the literature all use approximations at different levels. Here, we introduce a novel exact model, against which we compare each simplifying assumption previously used. The relevant approximations are then assembled to produce an accurate linearized model, which shares the same mathematical form as that of the standard polar or non-polar nitride analysis. This linearized model can be further simplified to provide an analytic expression for correction of the alloy content when a tilt (partial relaxation) is found between the alloy epilayer and the semi-polar GaN template. For a given model—alloy content and tilt angle— we can compute the expected XRD data. Vice-versa, the alloy content can be obtained from the experimental measurements—tilt angle and difference in d-spacing. This work focuses on the typical semi-polar planes studied in the literature: inclined a-planes (hh2h¯l), e.g., (112¯2), and inclined m-planes (hh¯0l), e.g., (11¯01) or (22¯01).
An enhanced continuum modeling of the ideal strength and the angle of twist in tensile behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Delfani M. R. , Shodja H. M.
Published: August 2013

By utilizing the fourth-, sixth-, eighth-, and tenth-order elastic moduli tensors of graphene a highly nonlinear constitutive model for it is proposed. Subsequently, an accurate analytical formulation, describing the entire tensile behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from their initial unloaded states through their ideal strengths, is made possible. The angle of twist which is a critical parameter that varies with the tensile loading is also calculated within the current framework. The estimated value of the theoretical strength of SWCNTs with different chiralities and radii as well as that of graphene ranges from 0.39 to 0.44 TPa. Some peculiarities associated with chirality of 15° are observed.
Note: Spectral motional Stark effect diagnostic for measurement of magnetic fields below 0.3 T
Authors: Lizunov A. , Donin A. , Savkin V.
Published: August 2013

The paper reports on development of the spectral motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic in the midplane of the gas dynamic trap (GDT) linear system for magnetic confinement of anisotropic hot-ion plasma. The axially symmetric GDT vacuum magnetic field has a minimum value in the midplane, which varies from 0.2 to 0.35 T in different regimes of operation. Buildup of 15 keV ion population generates a diamagnetic reduction of magnetic field in the plasma core of up to 30% in the maximum density region, as measured by the existing eight-line MSE diagnostic. Commissioning of the midplane MSE provided first direct measurements of diamagnetic modifications in the minimum magnetic field GDT section, a necessary complement to the understanding of equilibrium and self-organization of high-β plasmas in GDT. Making use of the stable short-pulse diagnostic beam and calibration of the apparent spectral width of beam emission lines allow for the measurement of the plasma magnetic field of 0.29 ± 0.007 T with the integration time of 200 μs.
Optimization of black dye-sensitized solar cells by numerical simulation
Authors: Razvan Mitroi Mihai , Fara Laurentiu
Published: August 2013

The numerical simulation of the physical parameters for dye sensitized solar cells with black dyes was considered based on a new optimizing procedure. The influence of thickness and lifetime on the J−V characteristics parameters was analyzed. In this way, Jsc (short-circuit current density), Voc (open circuit voltage), FF (fill factor), and η (efficiency) were determined. A comparison between the classical ruthenium based solar cells and black dyes ones was possible on the simulation and experimental approach. The obtained optimum values for thickness and lifetime, as well as the analysis of the main parameters of the J−V characteristics of black-dye solar cells, could be used to optimise the manufacturing process. The electron lifetime is in the range of 2–100 ms and has its optimal value of 15 ms. The suitable thickness of TiO2 layer was determined to be in the range of 8–20 μm with the optimal value of 10 μm, where Jsc and η reach their maxima.
Amorphous silicon nanomaterials: Quantum dots versus nanowires
Authors: Kryjevski Andrei , Kilin Dmitri , Kilina Svetlana
Published: August 2013

Semiconductor nanomaterials allow tuning their optical and electronic properties as a function of their morphology and structural disorder. Quantum dots (QD), arrays of quantum dots, and nanowires demonstrate strong dependence of absorption spectra on the morphological variables. Organization of QDs into arrays leads to increase in the oscillator strengths and overall brightening of the optical transitions. Electronic structure calculations support search of efficient nanomaterials in several amorphous and crystalline silicon nanosystems.
Role of chlorine in In2S3 for band alignment at nanoporous-TiO2/In2S3 interfaces
Authors: Owino Juma Albert , Azarpira Anahita , Steigert Alexander , Pomaska Manuel , Fischer Christian-Herbert , Lauermann Iver , Dittrich Thomas
Published: August 2013

Coatings of Cl-free and Cl-containing In2S3 (In2S3:Cl) layers were prepared by spray ion layer gas reaction on nanoporous TiO2 (np-TiO2). Charge separation in FTO/np-TiO2/In2S3:Cl, FTO/In2S3:Cl, FTO/np-TiO2/In2S3:acac, and FTO/In2S3:acac systems has been investigated by modulated surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV). The exponential defect tails below the band gap of In2S3 were reduced for In2S3:Cl. The analysis of the SPV spectra allowed to distinguish different mechanisms of charge separation and to deduce the conduction band offsets (about 0.3 eV and 0.05 eV for np-TiO2/In2S3:Cl and np-TiO2/In2S3:acac, respectively) in correlation with photoelectron measurements.
Tunable sideband laser from cascaded four-wave mixing in thin glass for ultra-broadband femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu Liangdong , Liu Weimin , Fang Chong
Published: August 2013

We demonstrate the generation of broadband up-converted multicolor array (BUMA) in a thin BK7 glass slide using two noncollinear weak near-IR laser pulses with various crossing angles. The BUMA signal arises from cubic nonlinear χ(3):χ(3) processes via cascaded four-wave mixing of the two incident beams. Broad and continuous tunability of BUMA is simply achieved by varying the time delay between the two pulses. We implement one of the BUMA sidebands as the probe pulse for femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy and collect a solvent mixture anti-Stokes Raman spectrum with an ultrabroad detection range of ca. 100–4000 cm−1.
The influence of the secondary electron induced asymmetry on the electrical asymmetry effect in capacitively coupled plasmas
Authors: Korolov Ihor , Derzsi Aranka , Donkó Zoltán , Schulze Julian
Published: August 2013

In geometrically symmetric capacitive radio-frequency plasmas driven by two consecutive harmonics, a dc self-bias can be generated as a function of the phase shift between the driving frequencies via the Electrical Asymmetry Effect (EAE). Recently, the Secondary Electron Asymmetry Effect (SEAE) was discovered (Lafleur et al., J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 46, 135201 (2013)): unequal secondary electron emission coefficients at both electrodes were found to induce an asymmetry in single-frequency capacitive plasmas. Here, we investigate the simultaneous presence of both effects, i.e., a dual-frequency plasma driven by two consecutive harmonics with different electrode materials. We find that the superposition of the EAE and the SEAE is generally non-linear, i.e., the asymmetries generated by each individual effect do not simply add up at all phases. The control ranges of the dc self-bias and the mean ion energy can be enlarged, if both effects are combined.
Observation of hybrid state of Tamm and surface plasmon-polaritons in one-dimensional photonic crystals
Authors: Afinogenov B. I. , Bessonov V. O. , Nikulin A. A. , Fedyanin A. A.
Published: August 2013

Experimental observation of hybrid mode of Tamm plasmon-polariton and surface plasmon-polariton is reported. The hybrid state is excited in one-dimensional photonic crystal terminated by semitransparent metal film under conditions of total internal reflection for transverse-magnetic-polarized light. Coupling between Tamm and surface plasmon-polaritons leads to repulsion of their dispersion curves controlled by metal film thickness.
Direct observation of the depairing current density in single-crystalline Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 microbridge with nanoscale thickness
Authors: Li Jun , Yuan Jie , Yuan Ya-Hua , Ge Jun-Yi , Li Meng-Yue , Feng Hai-Luke , Pereira Paulo J. , Ishii Akira , Hatano Takeshi , Silhanek Alejandro V. , Chibotaru Liviu F. , Vanacken Johan , Yamaura Kazunari , Wang Hua-Bing , Takayama-Muromachi Eiji , Moshchalkov Victor V.
Published: August 2013

We investigated the critical current density (Jc) of Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 single-crystalline microbridges with thicknesses ranging from 276 to 18 nm. The Jc of the microbridge with thickness down to 91 nm is 10.8 MA/cm2 at 35 K, and reaches 944.4 MA/cm2 by extrapolating Jc(T) to T = 0 K using a two-gap s-wave Ginzburg-Landau model, well in accordance with the depairing current limit. The temperature, magnetic field, and angular-dependence of Jc(T,H,θ) indicated weaker field dependence and weakly anisotropic factor of 1.15 (1 T) and 1.26 (5 T), which also yielded the validity of the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau scaling.
Electrically tunable film bulk acoustic resonator based on Au/ZnO/Al structure
Authors: Dong S. R. , Bian X. L. , Jin Hao , Hu N. N. , Zhou Jian , Wong Hei , Deen M. J.
Published: August 2013

An electrically tunable Au/N-ZnO/ZnO/Al film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) is proposed. The stack resonator is Au-piezoelectric ZnO layer-Al while Schottky diode junction is Au/N-ZnO semiconductor layer. The FBAR's resonance frequency changes as the junction capacitance decreases with reverse bias. Our experiments gave a frequency shift of ∼30 kHz/V at 1.46 GHz, maximum insertion loss ∼0.7 dB, and a very high Q factor above 1200. Circuit simulations indicated a tunable range of ∼3.8 MHz from optimizing the FBAR's structure and doping concentration of N-ZnO. Electrical tunability decreases from 27 kHz/V to 1.5 kHz/V with temperatures from 30 °C to 105 °C.
Recognising wetland ecosystem services within urban case studies
Authors: McInnes Robert J.
Published: August 2013

Ecosystems, and wetlands in particular, provide services that support and enhance human well being. In an increasingly urbanising world, the appropriate planning and management of ecosystem services can benefit a growing urban population. In 2011 UN-Habitat’s Governing Council adopted a Resolution that provided a mandate to promote biodiversity, wetlands and ecosystem services within the human settlement agenda. Subsequently, and developed in collaboration with UN-Habitat, in 2012 the Ramsar Convention also adopted a Resolution on the principles for the planning and management of urban and periurban wetlands and invited countries to raise awareness of the importance of wetlands to urban populations. This paper considered case studies drawn from cities across the globe in order to understand the level of awareness of ecosystem services from urban areas. The study demonstrated that ecosystem services were consistently under-recognised and that the failure to recognise the benefits is greatest for the ecosystem services provided by wetlands and in particular for supporting services. To ensure that the obligations under the two resolutions are implemented, and that urbanisation delivers high levels of societal well being, will require the development, dissemination and adoption of practical tools and a more robust integration of ecosystem services into urban planning and decision-making.
Gestational protein restriction delays prostate morphogenesis in male rats
Authors: Pinho Cristiane F. , Ribeiro Mariana A. , Rinaldi Jaqueline C. , Felisbino Sergio L. , Pinheiro Patricia F. , Domeniconi Raquel F. , Fochi Ricardo A. , Boer Patrícia A. , Scarano Wellerson R.
Published: August 2013

Maternal malnutrition due to a low-protein diet is associated with functional disorders in adulthood, which may be related to embryonic development failures. The effects of gestational protein restriction on prostate morphogenesis in male offspring were investigated. Pregnant rat dams were divided into normoprotein (NP; fed a normal diet containing 17% protein) and hypoprotein (LP; fed a diet containing 6% protein) groups. On the day of birth (PND1), anogenital distance and bodyweight were measured in male pups. Seven males per experimental group (one male per litter) were killed, and the pelvic urethra was evaluated. LP offspring showed a significant reduction in bodyweight and anogenital distance on PND1. On three-dimensional reconstruction of the prostate, the number of prostatic buds was lower in LP than in NP males. Mesenchymal cells surrounding the buds were androgen-receptor positive, and the quantity and intensity of nucleus immunoreactivity was decreased in LP. The proliferation index was lower in LP than in NP prostatic buds. Immunoreactivity for α-actin in mesenchymal cells and that for epidermal growth factor receptor in epithelial cells was higher in NP than in LP. Our findings demonstrate that maternal protein restriction delays prostatic morphogenesis, probably because of considerable disruption in the epithelium–mesenchyme interaction.
SAD-A kinase controls islet β-cell size and function as a mediator of mTORC1 signaling
Authors: Nie Jia , Liu Xiaolei , Lilley Brendan N. , Zhang Hai , Pan Y. Albert , Kimball Scot R. , Zhang Jun , Zhang Weiping , Wang Li , Jefferson Leonard S. , Sanes Joshua R. , Han Xiao , Shi Yuguang
Published: August 2013

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays an important role in controlling islet β-cell function. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly elucidated. Synapses of amphids defective kinase-A (SAD-A) is a 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-related protein kinase that is exclusively expressed in pancreas and brain. In this study, we investigated a role of the kinase in regulating pancreatic β-cell morphology and function as a mediator of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. We show that global SAD-A deletion leads to defective glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and petite islets, which are reminiscent of the defects in mice with global deletion of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1, a downstream target of mTORC1. Consistent with these findings, selective deletion of SAD-A in pancreas decreased islet β-cell size, whereas SAD-A overexpression significantly increased the size of mouse insulinomas cell lines β-cells. In direct support of SAD-A as a unique mediator of mTORC1 signaling in islet β-cells, we demonstrate that glucose dramatically stimulated SAD-A protein translation in isolated mouse islets, which was potently inhibited by rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1. Moreover, the 5′-untranslated region of SAD-A mRNA is highly structured and requires mTORC1 signaling for its translation initiation. Together, these findings identified SAD-A as a unique pancreas-specific effector protein of mTORC1 signaling.
T-box transcription factor T-bet, a key player in a unique type of B-cell activation essential for effective viral clearance
Authors: Rubtsova Kira , Rubtsov Anatoly V. , van Dyk Linda F. , Kappler John W. , Marrack Philippa
Published: August 2013

Significance

Here, we show that signals delivered by antigen engagement, IFNγ, and toll-like receptor 7 [TLR7] induce T-box transcription factor T-bet and IgG2a switching in B cells. The IgG2a product of these signals is important for viral immunity. For example, the titers of mouse gammaherpesvirus 68, an Epstein–Barr-related virus, are not well reduced if the B cells cannot express T-bet and consequently cannot switch to production of IgG2a. The T-bet expressing B cells resemble a subset of B cells that appears in autoimmune prone mice and women. Thus, a B-cell differentiation pathway that has evolved to promote immunity to viruses may also contribute to autoimmunity.
Attitude of Iranian Female University Students to Sport and Exercise
Authors: Mirsafian Hamidreza , Dóczi Tamás , Mohamadinejad Azadeh
Published: August 2013

Women's sport has always been a challenging subject in Muslim countries and Muslim women have had to face various constraints regarding their participation in sport and exercise, which also influence their attitudes to sport. This study aims to explore the attitude of Iranian female university students toward sport by survey method (N = 1,120) and qualitative interviews (N = 50). The results indicate that the majority of the participants have negative attitudes to sport, and accordingly they do not practice it. Various macro-, meso- and micro-level factors were found as perceived barriers. From the results it can be concluded that the media as a tool for raising awareness to providing role models and shaping the social values of mainstream society does not take a positive role in order to develop the culture of women's sport, and to change the attitude of female students and their social environments to sport in Iranian society.