bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymer Biocomposites and Nanobiocomposites Obtained from Mango Seeds
Authors: Cordeiro Edna M. S. , Nunes Yana L. , Mattos Adriano L. A. , Rosa Morsyleide F. , de sá M. Sousa Filho Men , Ito Edson N.
Published: October 2014

The objective of this work is to obtain thermoplastic starch, polymer biocomposites and nanobiocomposites using agro‐industrial waste generated in mango processing, and characterize the obtained materials. The starch extraction from the kernels of mango pits showed a good yield and the obtained starch had high purity.The results obtained characterizing the fibers and cellulose nanowhiskers, from the husk of the mango seed, proved the effectiveness of chemical treatment removing the amorphous constituents (hemicellulose and lignin).The polymer biocomposites and nanobiocomposites were obtained and the TPS mango starch showed satisfactory results of mechanical and thermal properties, when compared with TPS corn starch materials with the same composition. It is concluded that the waste generated in the agro‐industrial processing of mangos showed a potential source for biodegradable materials production.
Development of Poly(propylene) Superhydrophobic Surfaces by Functionalised TiO2 Nanoparticles: Effect of Solvents and Dipping Times
Authors: Chagas Gabriela Ramos , Weibel Daniel Eduardo
Published: October 2014

We present a simple strategy for the fabrication of poly(propylene) (PP) superhydrophobic surfaces, i.e., surfaces that show water contact angle (WCA) ≥ 150° after a simple dipping process. Injection‐moulded PP samples were coated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles previously functionalised with trimethoxy propyl silane. Water, ethanol or xylene were used as solvents in the nanoparticles' suspensions. The prepared superhydrophobic surfaces were characterised by WCA, FTIR‐ATR, SEM and profilometry measurements. PP coated samples showed very low wettability, with WCAs higher than 150° when xylene was used as a solvent. The combination of increasing the surface roughness via dipping coating process plus the low surface tension of the coating produced the final superhydrophobic PP substrates.
Evaluation of Fracture Toughness of UHMWPE Used in Orthopaedic Implants Through Essential Work of Fracture
Authors: Santos Rubens E. dos , Finocchio Henrique , Kobayashi Marcio , Ambrosio José D. , Bolfanini Claudemiro
Published: October 2014

This study investigates the use of the essential work of fracture (EWF) test in UHMWPE for use in orthopedic implants. A simplest method to produce the notch and initial crack was used. The validity of the fracture toughness results obtained by this method was investigated to evaluate the possibility of using this technique in obtaining data for the design of orthopedic prostheses.
Waterborne Acrylic‐Casein Nanoparticles. Nucleation and Grafting
Authors: Picchio Matías L. , Minari Roque J. , Gonzalez Veronica D. G. , Passeggi Mario C.G. , Vega Jorge R. , Barandiaran María J. , Gugliotta Luis M.
Published: October 2014

Hybrid nanoparticles containing proteins have a technological interest because they attempt to achieve improved properties with respect to the single materials by chemically linking both components. In this article, the batch emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of varied concentration of casein and tert‐butyl hydroperoxide as initiator was investigated. A detailed characterization of the molecular microstructure and morphology of the hybrid nanoparticles allowed the identification of two competitive particle formation mechanisms. Compatibilized nanoparticles were produced at the beginning of the polymerization, while uncompatibilized particles could be generated by a second way of nucleation, which is promoted by the ungrafted protein and depends on its concentration.
In‐Line Monitoring of Size Distributions in Liquid‐Liquid Dispersions and Suspension Polymerizations by Focused Beam Reflectance Measurements
Authors: Poblete Israel Bernardo , Castor Carlos Alberto , Nele Marcio , Pinto José Carlos
Published: October 2014

This work studies the use of Focused Beam Reflectance Measurements (FBRM) for monitoring of size distributions in liquid‐liquid (styrene‐water) dispersions and styrene suspension polymerizations performed in stirred tanks. The effects of the suspending agent concentration, stirring rate and presence of external light sources on the FBRM performance were evaluated during the in‐line monitoring of average size chords and chord length distribution (CLD). It can be stated that FBRM is sensitive to variations of particle sizes and, therefore, that FBRM is suitable for evaluation of CLDs in real time in suspension polymerization systems.
GRAPPA reconstruction with spatially varying calibration of self‐constraint
Authors: Xu Lin , Guo Li , Liu Xiaoyun , Kang Lili , Chen Wufan , Feng Yanqiu
Published: October 2014

Purpose

To develop and evaluate a novel method of generalized auto‐calibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) with spatially varying calibration of self‐constraint for parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction.

Theory and Methods

The conventional GRAPPA independently estimates each missing sample with adjacent acquired data over multiple coils, thereby ignoring correlations inside missing data. Self‐constrained methods can exploit correlations inside missing data by imposing linear dependence within full neighborhood kernels and showing improved reconstruction compared with GRAPPA. However, self‐constraint kernels are currently calibrated by using auto‐calibration signals. Thus, they may be suboptimal for reconstructing outer k‐space because of spatially varying correlations. This study proposes a novel GRAPPA method with separate self‐constraints (SSC‐GRAPPA). In this method, the spatially varying self‐constraint coefficients are adaptively calibrated by separately exploiting correlations inside missing and acquired data in the outer k‐space. Both phantom and in vivo imaging experiments were conducted with retrospective undersampling to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.

Results

Compared with GRAPPA and self‐constrained GRAPPA, the proposed SSC‐GRAPPA generates images with reduced artifacts and noise.

Conclusion

The proposed method provides an effective and efficient approach to improve parallel MRI reconstruction, and has potential to benefit routine clinical practice in the future. Magn Reson Med 74:1057–1069, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vertical impedance of an end‐bearing pile in viscoelastic soil
Authors: Zheng Changjie , Ding Xuanming , Li Ping , Fu Qiang
Published: October 2014

This paper presents a new method to derive the analytical solution for the vertical impedance of an end‐bearing pile in viscoelastic soil. The soil is assumed as a homogeneous and isotropic layer, and the pile is considered as a one‐dimensional Euler rod. Considering both the vertical and radial displacements of soil and soil–pile coupled vibration, the governing equations of the soil and pile are established. The volumetric strain of soil is obtained by transformation on the equations of soil and variable separation method. Then the vertical and radial displacements of soil are obtained accordingly. The displacement response and impedance function of pile are derived based on the continuity assumption of the displacement and stress between the pile and soil. The solution is verified by being compared with an existing solution obtained by introducing potential functions. Furthermore, a comparison with two other simplified solutions is conducted. Numerical examples are presented to analyze the vibration characteristics of the pile. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High­Speed­Bildverarbeitung für sicherere Fahrzeuge
Authors: Godding Robert , Dose Wibke
Published: October 2014

Autohersteller müssen schon während der Entwicklungsphase von Neufahrzeugen verschiedenste Anforderungen bezüglich Fahrdynamik, Sicherheit und Bauteilen berücksichtigen. Zudem werden Produkt‐ und Entwicklungszyklen immer kürzer. Daher müssen auch Fahrzeugtests immer effizienter werden. Von den bei diesen Tests verwendeten Messsystemen werden Portabilität, kurze Rüstzeiten, ausfallsicherer Betrieb sowie zuverlässige und hochpräzise Ergebnisse erwartet. Für viele Anwendungen der geometrischen Vermessung eignen sich optische Messsysteme besonders – auch für Tests bei hohen Geschwindigkeiten.
Exakt und intuitiv mikroskopieren
Authors: Kassen Folkert
Published: October 2014

Biowissenschaften, Medizin und Pharmaforschung stellen immer höhere Anforderungen an die optische Auflösung in der Mikroskopie. Neue bildgebende Verfahren tragen dazu bei, dass sich Details immer höher aufgelöst darstellen lassen, auch unterhalb der Beugungsgrenze des Lichts. Fluoreszenzmikroskopie ermöglicht die Kennzeichnung von unterschiedlichen Bereichen oder Körpern (3D‐Mikroskopie) auch bei lebenden Objekten. Sobald die zu untersuchenden Objekte größer sind als das Bildfeld, muss das Objekt präzise verschoben werden. Bei größeren Bereichen (mosaicing or stitching) kommt ein hochpräziser Scanningtisch zum Einsatz. Je genauer dieser positioniert, um so schneller und sicherer können die einzelnen Bilder im Rechner aneinandergereiht und Artefakte vermieden werden. Schnelles Positionieren ist von großem Vorteil, wenn der Durchsatz beim Digitalisieren erhöht werden muss.
High‐Speed‐Datenverbindungen mit Silizium‐Photonik
Authors: Absil Philippe
Published: October 2014

Die Marktaussichten für die Silizium (Si)‐Photonik sind ausgezeichnet. Deswegen würde eine Plattform zur Integration von Si‐Photonik‐Bausteinen, die hoch qualitative passive und aktive Komponenten in einem einzigen Designfluss ermöglicht, die Implementierung von Si‐Photonik‐Bausteinen vorantreiben. Auf einer solchen Plattform ließen sich integrierte photonische Schaltungen für die Telecom‐ und Datacom‐Industrie mit Übertragungsraten von 25 Gbit/s pro Kanal realisieren. Große Gesamtbandbreiten kann man mit Wellenlängenmultiplex‐ (WDM, wavelength division multiplex) oder Raummultiplex‐ (SDM, spatial division multiplex) Architekturen erreichen.
Rauscharme CCD‐Kameras für Bildgebung und Spektroskopie
Authors: Regehly Martin
Published: October 2014

Für die Aufnahme von Bildern oder Spektren erzielen auf CCD‐Sensoren basierende Kameras derzeit die höchste Empfindlichkeit und Dynamik. Rauscharme CCD‐Kameras sind nicht nur für Messungen schwacher Photonenflüsse im sichtbaren und infraroten Spektralbereich geeignet sondern auch für höhere Photonenenergien im ultravioletten (UV) und Röntgenbereich (Abb. 1). Sie werden daher als Detektoren in Wissenschaft und Industrie vielfältig eingesetzt. Im Folgenden werden ausgehend von der Funktionsweise von CCD‐Sensoren, die an der Messung beteiligten, wesentlichen Rauschprozesse vorgestellt und der Einfluss auf das Signal‐Rauschverhältnis diskutiert. Aus den Kenndaten der Kamera und der Abschätzung über die einfallende Strahlung kann das maximale SNR des CCD‐Detektors bei gegebener Messzeit abgeschätzt werden.
Was tun, wenn es rauscht?
Authors: Holst Gerhard
Published: October 2014

Es gilt bei Fotos und Videoaufnahmen als unerwünscht, dabei ist es nicht nur ein vermeidbares Übel, sondern ergibt sich aus der Natur des Lichts: Bildrauschen. Durch die Wahl der richtigen Kamera für die jeweilige Anwendung lassen sich die Bildstörungen unter Kontrolle bringen. Es kommt dabei nicht auf den Rauschpegel allein an, sondern auf das gewünschte Signal‐Rausch‐Verhältnis der Kamera und die Aufnahmesituation.
Immer das gleiche Licht
Authors: Jensen Kevin , Damer Diane
Published: October 2014

Im April diesen Jahres hatte Schott angekündigt, in Zusammenarbeit mit der Lufthansa eine Technik für die nächste Generation des Flugzeugkabinenlichts mittels RGBW‐LEDs (Rot, Grün, Blau, Weiß) zu entwickeln. Die Jencolor‐Farbsensoren von Mazet kommen dabei zum Einsatz, um die Einheitlichkeit des Farblichts über mehrere Module hinweg zu garantieren. Die Technologie wurde erstmals von Schott und Lufthansa auf der Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg im April 2014 präsentiert. HelioJet Spectrum ist die Weiterentwicklung des frühen Prototypen, der während des LED Professional Symposiums im vergangenen Herbst enthüllt wurde.
Self‐Organization of Anisotropic and Binary Colloids in Thermo‐Switchable 1D Microconfinement
Authors: de Folter Julius W. J. , Liu Ping , Jiang Lingxiang , Kuijk Anke , Bakker Henriëtte E. , Imhof Arnout , van Blaaderen Alfons , Huang Jianbin , Kegel Willem K. , Philipse Albert P. , Petukhov Andrei V.
Published: October 2014

Anisotropic and binary colloids self‐assemble into a variety of novel supracolloidal structures within the thermo‐switchable confinement of molecular microtubes, achieving structuring at multiple length scales and dimensionalities. The multistage self‐assembly strategy involving hard colloidal particles and a soft supramolecular template is generic for colloids with different geometries and materials as well as their binary mixtures. The colloidal architectures can be controlled by colloid shape, size, and concentration. Colloidal cubes align in chains with face‐to‐face arrangement, whereas rod‐like colloids predominantly self‐organize in end‐to‐end configurations with their long axis parallel with the long axis of the microtubes. The 1D microconfinement imposed on binary mixtures of anisotropic and isotropic colloids further increases the diversity of colloid‐in‐tube structures. In cube–sphere mixtures, cubes may act as additional confiners, locking in colloidal sphere chains, while a “colloidal Morse code” is generated where rods and spheres alternate in the case of rod–sphere mixtures. The versatile confined colloidal superstructures including their thermoresponsive assembly and disassembly are relevant for the development of stimulus–responsive materials where controlled release and encapsulation are desired.
Effects of MgH2/Mg(BH4)2 Powders on the Thermal Decomposition Behaviors of 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
Authors: Yao Miao , Chen Liping , Peng Jinhua
Published: October 2014

The thermal properties of 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), TNT/MgH2, and TNT/Mg(BH4)2 were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC). The results show that addition of MgH2 or Mg(BH4)2 to TNT has a great effect on the DSC decomposition process. The exothermic decomposition peak of TNT disappeared and was replaced by a slow exothermic trend in the curves of both TNT/MgH2 and TNT/Mg(BH4)2. The kinetic triplet of TNT formulations were calculated by ARC data. The results show that TNT/MgH2 and TNT/Mg(BH4)2 have lower onset temperatures, apparent activation energies (E) and frequency factors (A) than neat TNT. A change of the TNT decomposition mechanism is also discussed.
Kinetics of Nano Titanium Dioxide Catalyzed Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium Nitrate‐Based Composite Solid Propellant
Authors: Vargeese Anuj A. , Muralidharan Krishnamurthi , Krishnamurthy V. N.
Published: October 2014

This study deals with the influence of nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) catalysts on the decomposition kinetics of ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium nitrate‐based composite solid propellant. TiO2 nanocatalyst with an average particle size of 10 nm was synthesized by sol‐gel method using titanium alkoxide as precursor. Formation of nanostructured TiO2 and presence of its anatase and brookite phases was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and selected area diffraction (SAED) studies. Nano TiO2 was further characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. The catalytic effect of TiO2 nanocatalysts on the solid state thermal decomposition reaction of AN and nonaluminized HTPB/AN propellant was evaluated. To ascertain the effectiveness of the TiO2 nanocatalyst, the thermal kinetic constants for the catalytic and non‐catalytic decomposition of AN and AN propellant samples were computed by using a nonlinear integral isoconversional method. Catalytic influence was evident from the lowering of activation energy for the catalyzed decomposition reactions. Apparently, the nanocatalysts provide Lewis acid and/or active metal sites, facilitating the removal of AN dissociation products NH3 and HNO3 and thereby enhance the rate of decomposition. The changes in the critical temperature of thermal explosion of AN and AN propellant samples due to the addition of TiO2 nanocatalyst were also computed and the possible reasons for the changes are discussed.
On static output‐feedback stabilization for multi‐input multi‐output positive systems
Authors: Shen Jun , Lam James
Published: October 2014

This paper revisits the static output‐feedback stabilization problem for positive systems. We first point out that for a class of positive systems whose output matrix has a particular row echelon form, this problem can be completely solved via linear programming. By duality, the result is also valid when the column echelon form of the input matrix has a particular structure. Along this line, by augmenting the output matrix as well as the feedback gain matrix, an iterative convex optimization algorithm is developed for the more general case. Finally, we show that the proposed method has advantages over existing works via several numerical examples. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Versatile carboxymethyl chitin and chitosan nanomaterials: a review
Authors: Narayanan Deepa , Jayakumar R. , Chennazhi K. P.
Published: October 2014

Biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low cost of chitin and chitosan have drawn immense attention in many fields including medicine, bioinspired material science, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Their handling and processing are difficult owing to its insolubility in neutral aqueous solution or organic solvents. One of the methods used to improve the solubility characteristics of chitin and chitosan is chemical modification. Introducing a carboxymethyl group is the most advantageous method of increasing the solubility of chitosan at neutral and alkalinepH. Carboxymethyl chitin (CMC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) are water soluble derivatives formed by introducingCH2COOHfunction into the polymer which endows it with better biological properties. The functional group makesCMC/CMCSnanoparticles (NPs) efficient vehicles for the delivery ofDNA, proteins, and drugs. This review provides an overview of the characteristics ofCMC/CMCS NPsas well as fulfills the task of describing and discussing its important roles primarily in cancer nanomedicine detailing the targeted drug delivery aspect. The application of these NPs in imaging, agriculture, and textiles has also been highlighted. The review also elaborates the advantages of using theCMCandCMCS NPsfor drug and gene delivery.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2014, 6:574–598. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1301

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement
Recent advances in biosynthesis of fatty acids derived products in Saccharomyces cerevisiae via enhanced supply of precursor metabolites
Authors: Lian Jiazhang , Zhao Huimin
Published: October 2014

Fatty acids or their activated forms, fatty acyl-CoAs and fatty acyl-ACPs, are important precursors to synthesize a wide variety of fuels and chemicals, including but not limited to free fatty acids (FFAs), fatty alcohols (FALs), fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), and alkanes. However, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an important cell factory, does not naturally accumulate fatty acids in large quantities. Therefore, metabolic engineering strategies were carried out to increase the glycolytic fluxes to fatty acid biosynthesis in yeast, specifically to enhance the supply of precursors, eliminate competing pathways, and bypass the host regulatory network. This review will focus on the genetic manipulation of both structural and regulatory genes in each step for fatty acids overproduction in S. cerevisiae, including from sugar to acetyl-CoA, from acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, and from malonyl-CoA to fatty acyl-CoAs. The downstream pathways for the conversion of fatty acyl-CoAs to the desired products will also be discussed.
Theory and Modeling for the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission
Authors: Hesse M. , Aunai N. , Birn J. , Cassak P. , Denton R. E. , Drake J. F. , Gombosi T. , Hoshino M. , Matthaeus W. , Sibeck D. , Zenitani S.
Published: October 2014

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission will provide measurement capabilities, which will exceed those of earlier and even contemporary missions by orders of magnitude. MMS will, for the first time, be able to measure directly and with sufficient resolution key features of the magnetic reconnection process, down to the critical electron scales, which need to be resolved to understand how reconnection works. Owing to the complexity and extremely high spatial resolution required, no prior measurements exist, which could be employed to guide the definition of measurement requirements, and consequently set essential parameters for mission planning and execution. Insight into expected details of the reconnection process could hence only been obtained from theory and modern kinetic modeling. This situation was recognized early on by MMS leadership, which supported the formation of a fully integrated Theory and Modeling Team (TMT). The TMT participated in all aspects of mission planning, from the proposal stage to individual aspects of instrument performance characteristics. It provided and continues to provide to the mission the latest insights regarding the kinetic physics of magnetic reconnection, as well as associated particle acceleration and turbulence, assuring that, to the best of modern knowledge, the mission is prepared to resolve the inner workings of the magnetic reconnection process. The present paper provides a summary of key recent results or reconnection research by TMT members.
O2 reduction by photosystem I involves phylloquinone under steady‐state illumination
Authors: Kozuleva Marina A. , Petrova Anastasia A. , Mamedov Mahir D. , Semenov Alexey Yu. , Ivanov Boris N.
Published: October 2014

O2 reduction was investigated in photosystem I (PS I) complexes isolated from cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 wild type (WT) and menB mutant strain, which is unable to synthesize phylloquinone and contains plastoquinone at the quinone‐binding site A1. PS I complexes from WT and menB mutant exhibited different dependencies of O2 reduction on light intensity, namely, the values of O2 reduction rate in WT did not reach saturation at high intensities, in contrast to the values in menB mutant. The obtained results suggest the immediate phylloquinone involvement in the light‐induced O2 reduction by PS I.
Examining negative effects of early life experiences on reproductive and sexual health among female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Oza Karishma K. , Silverman Jay G. , Bojorquez Ietza , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Goldenberg Shira M.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To explore experiences during childhood and adolescence that influenced reproductive and sexual health among women who had entered the sex industry in adolescence.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using information provided by 25 female sex workers (FSWs) from Tijuana, Mexico, who reported entering the sex industry when younger than 18 years. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with all participants between January 31, 2011, and July 8, 2011.

Results

Four interrelated themes that shaped health experiences—early sexual abuse, early illicit drug use, ongoing violence, and limited access to reproductive and sexual health care—were identified. Participants reporting these experiences were at risk of unintended teenaged pregnancy, spontaneous abortion or stillbirth, and untreated sexually transmitted infections.

Conclusion

Programs and policies that address social, structural, and individual vulnerabilities during adolescence and adulthood are required to promote reproductive and sexual health among FSWs in Tijuana, Mexico.
Market conditions, governance and the information content of insider trades
Authors: Bhabra Harjeet S. , Hossain Ashrafee T.
Published: October 2014

We examine the information content of Form‐4 filings following extreme market downturns in the pre and post‐Sarbanes–Oxley‐Act (SOX) periods. We find that the announcement period abnormal returns under extreme market conditions are larger and this effect is stronger in the more tighter disclosure rules in the post‐SOX period. Insider rank, corporate governance and proxies for information asymmetry are significantly related to the abnormal returns around the filing date. Overall, our results show that the more timely filing requirement introduced by SOX has been particularly beneficial for investors in firms with higher levels of information asymmetry, poor governance and during market downturns.
SINGLE-VALUED MOTIVIC PERIODS AND MULTIPLE ZETA VALUES
Authors: BROWN FRANCIS
Published: October 2014

The values at 1 of single-valued multiple polylogarithms span a certain subalgebra of multiple zeta values. The properties of this algebra are studied from the point of view of motivic periods.
Vortex stretching and compression near the turbulent/non-turbulent interface in a planar jet
Authors: Watanabe Tomoaki , Sakai Yasuhiko , Nagata Kouji , Ito Yasumasa , Hayase Toshiyuki
Published: October 2014

Vortex stretching and compression, which cause enstrophy production by inviscid processes, are investigated near the turbulent/non-turbulent (T/NT) interface in a planar jet by using a direct numerical simulation (DNS). The enstrophy production is investigated by analysing the relationship among a vorticity vector, strain-rate eigenvectors and strain-rate eigenvalues. The statistics are calculated individually for three different interface orientations. The vorticity near the T/NT interface is oriented in the tangential direction to the interface. The enstrophy production is affected by the interface orientation because the intensity of vortex stretching depends on the interface orientation, and the alignment between the vorticity vector and the strain-rate eigenvectors is confined by the interface. The enstrophy production near the T/NT interface is analysed by considering the motion of turbulent fluid relative to that of the interface. The results show that the alignment between the interface and the strain-rate eigenvectors changes depending on the velocity field near the T/NT interface. When the turbulent fluid moves toward the T/NT interface, the enstrophy is generated by vortex stretching without being greatly affected by vortex compression. In contrast, when the turbulent fluid relatively moves away from the T/NT interface, large enstrophy reduction frequently occurs by vortex compression. Thus, it is shown that the velocity field near the T/NT interface affects the enstrophy production near the interface through the alignment between the vorticity and the strain-rate eigenvectors.
ENHANCED TOLERANCE TO LOW TEMPERATURE IN TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUML.) SPRAYED WITH A LOW-TEMPERATURE-RESISTANT AGENT
Authors: YI JIAN-HUA , LI YUE , DAI ZE-MING , JIA ZHI-HONG , PU WEN-XUAN , SUN ZAI-JUN , WANG YAO-FU , SHEN HONG
Published: October 2014

Low-temperature stress is an important limiting factor to tobacco growth in early spring of south China. In this study, a low-temperature-resistant agent (LTRA) was employed to examine its ameliorating effect on the inhibition of tobacco growth triggered by low-temperature stress. Results indicated that low-temperature stress of 12 °C for 6 days reduced root number and biomass of tobacco seedling by 27.4% and 24.1%, while treatment with LTRA could recover the inhibitory effect of low-temperature stress on tobacco growth significantly. The content of ascorbic acid and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase at low-temperature stress were 65.2%, 53.5% and 32.1% of those at normal temperature condition (26 °C), while the corresponding values with LTRA treatment were 89.2%, 88.9% and 74.2%, suggesting that LTRA treatment could enhance the activity of antioxidant enzyme and the synthesis of antioxidant compounds. Low-temperature stress increased the membrane permeability by 84.8%, while LTRA treatment recovered it by 77.4%. Furthermore, LTRA treatment contributed to increase chlorophyll synthesis and maintain the integrity of tobacco leaf structure. Effective component analysis indicated that the complex of ammonium calcium nitrate and glycine betaine was the main effective component of LTRA in maintaining membrane integrity. Its effective concentration was 1.0 g L−1. The above results suggested that LTRA could enhance the synthesis of chlorophyll, activate the activity of antioxidant enzyme, maintain the integrity of cell membrane, and thus elevate the tolerance of tobacco seedlings to low-temperature stress.
Collisional relaxation: Landau versus Dougherty operator
Authors: Pezzi Oreste , Valentini F. , Veltri P.
Published: October 2014

A detailed comparison between the Landau and the Dougherty collision operators has been performed by means of Eulerian simulations, in the case of relaxation toward equilibrium of a spatially homogeneous field-free plasma in three-dimensional velocity space. Even though the form of the two collisional operators is evidently different, we found that the collisional evolution of the relevant moments of the particle distribution function (temperature and entropy) are similar in the two cases, once an ‘ad hoc’ time rescaling procedure has been performed. The Dougherty operator is a nonlinear differential operator of the Fokker-Planck type and requires a significantly lighter computational effort with respect to the complete Landau integral; this makes self-consistent simulations of plasmas in presence of collisions affordable, even in the multi-dimensional phase space geometry.
Influence of microhabitat structure and disturbance on detection of native and non-native murids in logged and unlogged forests of northern Borneo
Authors: Cusack Jeremy J. , Wearn Oliver R. , Bernard Henry , Ewers Robert M.
Published: October 2014

Understanding the habitat preferences of native and non-native species may offer valuable insights into the mechanisms favouring invasion of disturbed habitats. This study investigated the determinants of trap-site detection probability of three native (Maxomys surifer, Maxomys whiteheadiandLeopoldamys sabanus) and one invasive (Rattus rattus) species of terrestrial murid (Muridae) in logged and unlogged forests of northern Borneo. We established four and two trapping grids in repeatedly logged and unlogged forest, respectively, for a total of 500 sampled trap sites. From these, we obtained 504 detections of the four species over 3420 trap nights. For each species, probability of detection was modelled as a function of both the structural components and disturbance level of the forest patch measured around each trap site. Each of the four species showed contrasting microhabitat preferences:M. suriferfavoured increased canopy closure and intermediate ground and understorey vegetation cover;M. whiteheadipreferred increased ground vegetation cover and canopy height;L. sabanusfavoured sites with larger amounts of coarse woody debris and less leaf litter; andR. rattuswas associated with increased ground vegetation cover. Within logged forest, detection probabilities of the three native species did not vary significantly with level of patch disturbance, whereas that of the invasiveR. rattusincreased markedly in more degraded sites. This latter finding will have increasingly important implications when considering the rapid degradation of forests in the region, and the resulting expansion of suitable habitat for this competitive species.
Sustainable reduction of nasal colonization and hand contamination withStaphylococcus aureusin food handlers, 2002–2011
Authors: HO J. , BOOST M. , O'DONOGHUE M.
Published: October 2014

A longitudinal study of nasal colonization and hand contamination of food handlers withStaphylococcus aureuscommenced in 2002 prior to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. In the follow-up in 2003 when hygiene measures were strictly implemented, significant reductions in carriage were observed. To investigate if this change was sustained, nasal and hand carriage rates were compared between the earlier studies and a further sampling in 2011. The initial nasal carriage rate was 35% and hand contamination 41·2%, decreasing to 23·5% and 11·6%, respectively in 2003 (P< 0·001). In 2011, nasal carriage was similar to 2003 (22·9%), while hand contamination dropped further to 3·7% (P< 0·001).Spa-typing revealed 39 types in 2002 and 42 in 2011. This study reveals that the marked reduction in colonization had been sustained. This may be attributed to reduced opportunities for spread due to enhanced hygiene and reinforces its importance for control of disease.
A standardised tool for assessing needs in forensic psychiatric population: clinical validation of the Italian CANFOR, staff version
Authors: Castelletti L. , Lasalvia A. , Molinari E. , Thomas S. D. M. , Straticò E. , Bonetto C.
Published: October 2014

Background.

The Camberwell Assessment of Need – Forensic Version (CANFOR) is a standardised assessment tool specifically designed to assess needs for care in forensic psychiatric populations. The original English version of the instrument has shown good psychometric properties. The aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of the CANFOR-staff tool.

Method.

After translation and back-translation, the Italian CANFOR tool was administered to a sample of 50 forensic psychiatric patients. Convergent validity was tested using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) by applying Kendall's tau-b. Inter-rater and test–retest reliabilities were measured by ICCs for need dimensions (total and unmet) and Cohen's kappa coefficients for individual need items.

Results.

Regarding convergent validity, a higher number of needs (total and unmet) were associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms (BPRS). Higher numbers of unmet needs were also associated with lower levels of global functioning (GAF). ICCs for total and unmet needs scores indicated a good level of agreement for inter-rater reliability and a very good level for test–retest, respectively. Regarding the specific items, inter-rater Cohen's kappa was high (moderate to very good agreement) for 18 items in relation to the presence of a need and for 15 items in the rating of an unmet need, whereas Cohen's kappa for test–retest reliability was very high for all the items in the presence of a need and high for 18 of the unmet need domains.

Conclusions.

The Italian version of CANFOR has adequate psychometric properties. It can be considered a promising instrument for the assessment of needs of forensic psychiatric patients.
Prevalence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in a Sample of Spanish Schoolchildren
Authors: Meisel Victoria , Servera Mateu , Cardo Esther , García-Banda Gloria
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rate of ODD in school age children, and analyze the variability of the prevalence rates per informant, according to the sources of information, sex, age, and level of agreement between teachers and parents. This is an epidemiological study conducted using a community sample extracted by means of multi-stage stratified sampling. The sample consisted of 1,295 children of both sexes from 6 to 8 years old. For diagnostic evaluation, the Oppositional Defiant Disorder Rating Scale (ODDRS-IV) was used. The estimated global prevalence of ODD, detected by all sources is 16.1%. But if we consider the percentage of subjects detected by only one informant, the prevalence rate is 9.5%. The prevalence according to teachers is 5.1% (95% CI = 3.88–6.31), according to fathers is 9% (95% CI = 7.38–10.54), and according to mothers is 9.7% (95% CI = 8.02–11.29). Teachers report more boys with ODD than girls. Results support the idea of high variability in ODD prevalence rates. Our findings suggest that parents are more prone to detect the disorder than teachers, and that boys present ODD more frequently than girls, only when they are evaluated by their teachers.
Simultaneous determination of iodide and creatinine in human urine by flow analysis with an on-line sample treatment column
Authors: Sitanurak Jirayu , Inpota Prawpan , Mantim Thitirat , Ratanawimarnwong Nuanlaor , Wilairat Prapin , Nacapricha Duangjai
Published: October 2014

The first system suitable for large-scale screening of iodine deficiency in humans was developed. This is a step towards resolving the outstanding problems of sample preparation and 24 h urine collection.
Propofol detection and quantification in human blood: the promise of feedback controlled, closed-loop anesthesia
Authors: Kivlehan Francine , Chaum Edward , Lindner Ernő
Published: October 2014

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) determination with a membrane-coated electrochemical sensor implemented onto the surface of an indwelling catheter for potentialin vivomonitoring.
Combined SERS and Raman analysis for the identification of red pigments in cross-sections from historic oil paintings
Authors: Frano Kristen A. , Mayhew Hannah E. , Svoboda Shelley A. , Wustholz Kristin L.
Published: October 2014

SERS and normal Raman approach to identify red pigments in cross-sections from historic oil paintings.
Development of a high sensitivity photometric procedure for the determination of vanadium in mineral and fresh waters employing a downsized multicommuted flow analysis approach
Authors: Dias Tuanne R. , Rohwedder Jarbas J. R. , Brasil Marcos A. S. , Reis Boaventura F.
Published: October 2014

This article focuses on the development of an analytical procedure for the photometric determination of vanadium in fresh and mineral waters, implemented employing a downsized multicommuted flow analysis approach.
Precise micromolar-level glucose determination using a glucose test strip for quick and approximate millimolar-level estimation
Authors: DOI Ryoichi
Published: October 2014

Various test strips for the quick and rough estimation of analytes are commonly and reasonably available. When the reaction time of 30 seconds indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions was extended to three hours, the sensitivity increased 56-fold.
Effective CpG DNA delivery using amphiphilic cycloamylose nanogels
Authors: Tahara Y. , Yasuoka J. , Sawada S. , Sasaki Y. , Akiyoshi K.
Published: October 2014

Native CpG oligodeoxynucleotides induce inflammatory immune responses through cytokine production by their effective cell uptake with amphiphilic cationic cycloamylose nanogels.
Compartmentalization of bacteria in microcapsules
Authors: van Wijk Judith , Heunis Tiaan , Harmzen Elrika , Dicks Leon M. T. , Meuldijk Jan , Klumperman Bert
Published: October 2014

Lactobacillus plantarum strain 423 was encapsulated in hollow poly(organosiloxane) microcapsules by templating water-in-oil Pickering emulsion droplets via the interfacial reaction of alkylchlorosilanes.
A hybrid with uniaxial negative thermal expansion behaviour: the synergistic role of organic and inorganic components
Authors: Wang Kai-Yao , Feng Mei-Ling , Zhou Liu-Jiang , Li Jian-Rong , Qi Xing-Hui , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: October 2014

Through the study on a new Mn2(api)Sb2S5compound, we propose a strategy for designing a novel hybrid with uniaxial NTE behaviour based on the synergistic role of organic and inorganic components.
Environment friendly template-free microwave synthesis of submicron-sized hierarchical titania nanostructures and their application in photovoltaics
Authors: Javed Sofia , Akram Muhammad Aftab , Mujahid Mohammad
Published: October 2014

Presenting instant microwave-synthesized hierarchical nanostructures (HNSs) of titania with huge surface area and light scattering, thus greater absorption, for better performance in DSSCs.
Full cLR-PCM calculations of the solvatochromic effects on emission energies
Authors: Chibani Siwar , Budzák Šimon , Medved' Miroslav , Mennucci Benedetta , Jacquemin Denis
Published: October 2014

Are cLR-PCM excited-state geometries providing more accurate solvatochromic shifts?
Single-molecule transistors
Authors: Perrin Mickael L. , Burzurí Enrique , van der Zant Herre S. J.
Published: October 2014

Artist impression of a single-molecule transistor, where a molecule is connected to the source and the drain electrodes. The red lines illustrated the electric field caused by the gate electrode, located below.
Semiconducting black phosphorus: synthesis, transport properties and electronic applications
Authors: Liu Han , Du Yuchen , Deng Yexin , Ye Peide D.
Published: October 2014

Phosphorus is one of the most abundant elements preserved in earth, and it comprises a fraction of ∼0.1% of the earth crust.
A density functional theory study on ethylene formation and conversion over P modified ZSM-5
Authors: Huang Yanping , Dong Xiuqin , Li Mengmeng , Yu Yingzhe
Published: October 2014

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to study the effect of P modification of ZSM-5 on ethylene protonation.
Mechanism of Ni N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst for C–O bond hydrogenolysis of diphenyl ether: a density functional study
Authors: Sawatlon Boodsarin , Wititsuwannakul Taveechai , Tantirungrotechai Yuthana , Surawatanawong Panida
Published: October 2014

Ni(SIPr)(η2-PhOPh) is the key active species for C–O bond hydrogenolysis of diphenyl ether.
Epitaxial growth of silver chloride crystals on bismuth oxychloride
Authors: Bokhonov Boris B.
Published: October 2014

AgCl crystals precipitating on the surface of bismuth oxychloride crystals show orientation ordering with the (001)BiOCl||(100)AgCl.
EuroTracker® dyes: design, synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of very bright europium complexes and their use in bioassays and cellular optical imaging
Authors: Butler Stephen J. , Delbianco Martina , Lamarque Laurent , McMahon Brian K. , Neil Emily R. , Pal Robert , Parker David , Walton James W. , Zwier Jurriaan M.
Published: October 2014

The creation of the most emissive series of europium complexes is traced and examples given of their use in imaging.
Rational design of a room temperature molecular spin switch. The light-driven coordination induced spin state switch (LD-CISSS) approach
Authors: Dommaschk M. , Schütt C. , Venkataramani S. , Jana U. , Näther C. , Sönnichsen F. D. , Herges R.
Published: October 2014

A record player type molecule changes spin state reversibly upon irradiation with green and blue light in solution at room temperature without measureable fatigue.
Intestinal absorption of vitamin D: from the meal to the enterocyte
Authors: Reboul Emmanuelle
Published: October 2014

This review describes the fate of vitamin D in the human upper gastrointestinal lumen during digestion and focuses on the putative or identified proteins involved in the intestinal membrane and cellular transport of vitamin D across the enterocyte.
The effect of changing the components of an ionic liquid upon the solubility of lignin
Authors: Hart William E. S. , Harper Jason B. , Aldous Leigh
Published: October 2014

Changing the cation of an ionic liquid was shown to have a significant effect on lignin solubility, with interaction of aromatic cations with the solute being significant. The effect of the anion on lignin solubility was negligible, above a minimum hydrogen bond basicity.
Isotope ratio analysis of carbon and nitrogen by elemental analyser continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-CF-IRMS) without the use of a reference gas
Authors: Bay L. J. , Chan S. H. , Walczyk T.
Published: October 2014

A new approach to normalize carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios measured by EA-CF-IRMS without using a reference gas for correction of instrumental drifts and instrumental isotope fractionation.
Improved catalytic activity and surface electro-kinetics of bimetallic Au–Ag core–shell nanocomposites
Authors: Monga Anila , Pal Bonamali
Published: October 2014

The Aucore–Agshell and hollow Ag–Au alloy nanostructures significantly improved (∼2 times) the reduction of 1,3-dinitrobenzene relative to the monometallic ones demonstrating the role of the synergistic effect of the Au–Ag interface in catalytic activity.
DNA-templated assembly of viral protein hydrogel
Authors: Xu Xin , Tao Ailin , Xu Yun
Published: October 2014

Hydrogels are a promising class of biomaterials that can be easily tailored to produce a native extracellular matrix that exhibits desirable mechanical and chemical properties.
Nanoparticles of ZrPO4 for green catalytic applications
Authors: Sreenivasulu Peta , Pendem Chandrasekhar , Viswanadham Nagabhatla
Published: October 2014

Here we report the successful room temperature synthesis of zirconium phosphate nanoparticles (ZPNP) using the P123 tri-co-block polymer for the first time and was employed for fixation of CO2 on aniline to produce pharmaceutically important acetanilide under mild reaction conditions (150 °C and 150 Psi CO2 pressure).
Molecular force transfer mechanisms in graphene oxide paper evaluated using atomic force microscopy and in situ synchrotron micro FT-IR spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Congwei , Frogley Mark D. , Cinque Gianfelice , Liu Lu-Qi , Barber Asa H.
Published: October 2014

The mechanical properties of graphene oxide (GO) paper are critically defined both by the mechanical properties of the constituent GO sheets and the interaction between these sheets.
Black phosphorus nanoelectromechanical resonators vibrating at very high frequencies
Authors: Wang Zenghui , Jia Hao , Zheng Xuqian , Yang Rui , Wang Zefang , Ye G. J. , Chen X. H. , Shan Jie , Feng Philip X.-L.
Published: October 2014

Black phosphorus NEMS resonators of various dimensions and geometries exhibit robust thermomechanical and driven resonances, in both frequency and time-domain.
Simple fabrication of a three-dimensional porous polymer film as a diffuser for organic light emitting diodes
Authors: Lim Byung Wan , Suh Min Chul
Published: October 2014

We have investigated a simple and cost-effective fabrication method for a porous polymer film employing the spin-coating process during continuous supply of water droplets by an ultrasonic humidifier.
Efficient solution-processed small-molecule solar cells by insertion of graphene quantum dots
Authors: Wang Dong Hwan , Kim Jung Kyu , Jin Kim Sang , Hee Hong Byung , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: October 2014

Solution-processed small-molecule solar cells are demonstrated by insertion of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The GQDs play an important role in increasing current density and fill factor which correlate with improved EQE and effective surface morphology. The multiple scattering and a reduced charge transport resistance lead to enhanced performances.
Exfoliated-SnS2 restacked on graphene as a high-capacity, high-rate, and long-cycle life anode for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Liu Yongchang , Kang Hongyan , Jiao Lifang , Chen Chengcheng , Cao Kangzhe , Wang Yijing , Yuan Huatang
Published: October 2014

Designed as a high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries, exfoliated-SnS2 restacked on graphene was prepared by the hydrolysis of lithiated-SnS2 followed by a facile hydrothermal method.
An efficient continuous flow approach to furnish furan-based biaryls
Authors: Trinh Trieu N. , Hizartzidis Lacey , Lin Andrew J. S. , Harman David G. , McCluskey Adam , Gordon Christopher P.
Published: October 2014

Suzuki cross-couplings of 5-formyl-2-furanylboronic acid with activated or neutral aryl bromides were performed under continuous flow conditions in the presence of (Bu)4N+F−and the immobilisedt-butyl based palladium catalyst CatCart™ FC1032™.
A degradable brush polymer–drug conjugate for pH-responsive release of doxorubicin
Authors: Yu Yun , Chen Chih-Kuang , Law Wing-Cheung , Sun Haotian , Prasad Paras N. , Cheng Chong
Published: October 2014

We report the synthesis, characterization andin vitroassessment of a degradable brush polymer–drug conjugate which can enable acid-triggered release of doxorubicin (DOX).