bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural analysis of lead magnesium niobate using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction and the Rietveld method
Authors: Bhakar Ashok , Pandey Adityanarayan H. , Singh M. N. , Upadhyay Anuj , Sinha A. K. , Gupta S. M. , Ganguli Tapas
Published: May 2016

The room-temperature synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the single phase perovskite lead magnesium niobate (PMN) has shown significant broadening in theqrange ∼ 5–7 Å−1compared with standard LaB6synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data, taken under similar conditions. This broadening/asymmetry lies mainly towards the lower 2θ side of the Bragg peaks. Attempts to fit this data with the paraelectric cubic phase (Pm\bar 3m) and the local rhombohedral phase (R3m) corresponding to polar nanoregions (PNRs) are made using the Rietveld method. Rietveld refinements show that neither cubic (Pm\bar 3m) nor rhombohedral (R3m) symmetry can fit this XRD pattern satisfactorily. The two-phase refinement fits the experimental data satisfactorily and suggests that the weight percentage of the PNRs is approximately 12–16% at room temperature. The unit-cell volume of these rhombohedral PNRs is approximately 0.15% larger than that of the unit cell volume of the paraelectric cubic phase.
6b-Hydroxy-17-methyl-15-(3-nitrophenyl)-6b,7,16,17-tetrahydro-7,14a-methanonaphtho[1′,8′:1,2,3]pyrrolo[3′,2′:8,8a]azuleno[5,6-b]quinolin-14(15H)-one dichloromethane hemisolvate
Authors: Joseph J. M. , Viswanathan Vijayan , Velmurugan Devadasan
Published: May 2016

In the title compound, C34H25N3O4·0.5CH2Cl2, which crystallized as a dichloromethane hemisolvate, the central 1-methylpyrrolidine ring adopts an envelope conformation with the N atom as the flap. The cyclopentane ring adopts a twist conformation on the CH—CH2bond and the cyclohexane ring has an envelope conformation with the CH2atom as the flap. The pyrrolidine ring mean plane makes dihedral angles of 40.09 (11), 69.21 (10) and 80.88 (8)° with the mean planes of the cyclopentane, cyclohexane and acenaphthylene rings, respectively. The 3-nitrobenzene ring is inclined to the acenaphthylene and quinoline ring systems by 69.32 (8) and 82.07 (7)°, respectively. There is an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond present forming anS(5) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets lying parallel to theabplane, which encloseR22(18),R22(14),R22(12) andR22(16) ring motifs.
A survey on lean manufacturing implementation in a selected manufacturing industry in Iran
Authors: Zahraee Seyed Mojib
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Lean manufacturing (LM) practices and tools are among the key concepts that assist managers and engineers sustain competitiveness in an expanding global market. The purpose of this paper is to identify effective practices and tools of lean manufacturing implementation in an Iranian manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative method. Stratified random sampling and self-administrated questionnaires were sent to respondents in an Iranian manufacturing industry.

Findings

The final results indicate that processes and equipment, planning and control, supplier relationship, human resources and customer relations are significant practices in lean manufacturing in Iranian manufacturing factories. The results from this survey additionally show that lean tools such as Kaizen, 5S, setup time reduction, cellular manufacturing, continuous flow, equipment layout, product design simplicity and error proof equipment are crucial to lean manufacturing implementation.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused solely on a manufacturing industry in Iran that deals with electrical, electronic, metal, plastic, rubber and other automotive components.

Practical implications

The findings of this study emphasize some implications and suggest that reducing cost is more effective and decreased inventory is less effective on lean manufacturing implementation. The current study results should assist quality mangers, product managers and director managers as well as academicians.

Originality/value

An investigation was carried out in this study based on the current situation of Iran’s manufacturing industry to empirically examine and evaluate the effect of lean practices and tools. Besides, a very limited number of studies have been done regarding the implementation of lean thinking and practices in Iran’s manufacturing industry.
Experimental characterization and numerical analysis of the weld-region material in friction stir welded thick AA2139-T8 plates
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Snipes Jennifer , Ramaswami S , Yen Chian-Fong
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The weld region obtained during friction stir welding (FSW) of metallic materials (including aluminum alloys) contains typically well-defined zones, each characterized by fairly unique microstructure and properties. The purpose of this paper is to carry out combined experimental and numerical investigations of the mechanical properties of materials residing in different weld zones of FSW joints of thick AA2139-T8 plates.

Design/methodology/approach

– Within the experimental investigation, the following has been conducted: first, optical-microscopy characterization of the transverse sections of the FSW joints, in order to help identify and delineate weld zones; second, micro hardness field generation over the same transverse section in order to reconfirm the location and the extent of various weld zones; third, extraction of miniature tensile specimens from different weld zones and their experimental testing; and finally, extraction of a larger size tensile specimen spanning transversely the FSW weld and its testing. Within the computational investigation, an effort was made to: first, validate the mechanical properties obtained using the miniature tensile specimens; and second, demonstrate the need for the use of the miniature tensile specimens.

Findings

– It is argued that the availability of weld-zone material mechanical properties is critical since: first, these properties are often inferior relative to their base-metal counterparts; second, the width of the weld in thick metallic-armor is often comparable to the armor thickness, and therefore may represent a significant portion of the armor exposed-surface area; and finally, modeling of the weld-material structural response under loading requires the availability of high-fidelity/validated material constitutive models, and the development of such models requires knowledge of the weld-material mechanical properties.

Originality/value

– The importance of determining the mechanical properties of the material in different parts of the weld zone with sufficient accuracy is demonstrated.
Energy efficient and latency optimized media resource allocation
Authors: Nosrati Masoud , Karimi Ronak
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a method for media resource allocation in Cloud systems for supporting green computing policies, as well as attempting to improve the overall performance of system by optimizing the communication latencies.

Design/methodology/approach

A common method for resource allocation is using resource agent that takes the budgets/prices of applicants/resources and creates a probability matrix of allocation according to the policies of system. Two general policies for optimization are latency optimization and green computing. Presented heuristic for latencies is so that the average latencies of communication between applicant and resource are measured, and they will affect the next decision. For gaining green computing, it is attempted to consolidate the allocated resources on smaller number of physical machines. So calculation formula of the price of each resource is modified to decrease the probability of allocating the resources on the machine with least allocated resources.

Findings

Results of proposed method indicates its success in both green computing and improving the performance. Experiments show decreasing 21.4 per cent of response time simultaneously with increasing tasks in the tested range. The maximum and minimum of saved energy is acceptable and reported as 79.2 and 16.8 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

Like other centralized solutions, the proposed method suffers from the limitations of centralized resource agent, like bottle neck. But the implementation of distributed resource agent is postponed to future work.

Originality/value

Proposed method presents heuristics for improving the performance and gaining green computing. The key feature is formulating all the details and considering pitch variables for controlling the policies of system.
User centred design and validation during the development of domestic brain computer interface applications for people with acquired brain injury and therapists: a multi-stakeholder approach
Authors: Daly Lynn Jean Mary , Armstrong Elaine , Martin Suzanne
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to outline the application of user centred design (UCD) within a research project to support the design, development and evaluation of a brain computer interface (BCI) with associated home-based services and remote therapy station for people with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Design/methodology/approach

– A multi- stakeholder UCD approach was adopted to include people living with ABI, their caregivers and therapists providing rehabilitation. A three-phased iterative approach was implemented: Phase 1 was to gather user requirements, Phase 2 an iterative design phase with end user (EU) groups and therapists and finally the verification and implementation phase. The final phase had two strands of a home-based BCI evaluation with target EUs and their caregivers, alongside this, therapists evaluated the final therapist station that supports the use of the BCI at home. Ethical governance, inline with Ulster University, was awarded.

Findings

– UCD enabled the co-creation and validation of a home-based BCI system for social inclusion and rehabilitation.

Originality/value

– This was the first BCI project to adopt UCD to design and validation a novel home-based BCI system and migrate this from the lab to home. It highlights the importance of UCD to bridge the gap between the technical developers and those whom the technology is aimed at. This complex design process is essential to increase usability and reduce device abandonment.
CSR in Afghanistan: a global CSR agenda in areas of limited statehood
Authors: Azizi Sameer , Jamali Dima
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain the emergence of CSR in Afghanistan as a novel context in the South-Asian CSR debate.

Design/methodology/approach

– The findings of the paper are based on case studies of four corporations in the Afghan mobile telecommunications industry. Multiple sources of qualitative data are coded according to the analytical framework of the paper to generate the findings.

Findings

– The findings highlight that the Afghan national setting can be conceptualised as an “area of limited statehood” indicating the weak national institutional setting, which enables space for manoeuvring for non-state actors to play a pivotal role in business-society relations. The paper highlights that the CSR practices are driven by the multi-level organisational field that through a unique blend of global coercive, mimetic and normative pressures lead to convergence around explicit CSR themes.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are based on CSR practices that are explicitly stated and do not include informal and/or implicit business-society practices in such contexts.

Originality/value

– This paper combines the literature on areas of limited statehood and the neo-institutional theory to explain the emergence of CSR the Afghan mobile telecommunications industry. The paper advocates for a shift from a national setting focus to a multi-level institutional field lens in providing contextualised explanation of the emergence of CSR in developing countries.
Students’ dependence on smartphones and its effect on purchasing behavior
Authors: Arif Imtiaz , Aslam Wajeeha , Ali Muhammad
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how social need, social influence and convenience affect dependence on smartphones and purchasing behavior among university students in Pakistan’s emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey methods and non-probability purposive sampling were used to collect data from 337 respondents, and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis.

Findings

– Overall the results provided evidence that social need, social influence and convenience significantly affect students’ dependence on their smartphones. A significant relationship also existed between students’ dependence on smartphones and their purchasing behavior.

Originality/value

– The availability of 3G/4G mobile networks and the growth in smartphones’ computing power have meant that this form of mobile technology is in great demand. This study provides an exclusive viewpoint concerning students’ dependence on smartphones and the effect of this on their purchasing behavior, which is a subject that has not been covered previously in the Pakistani context.
Anorexic response to rapamycin does not appear to involve a central mechanism
Authors: Toklu Hale Z. , Bruce Erin B. , Sakarya Yasemin , Carter Christy S. , Morgan Drake , Matheny Michael K. , Kirichenko Nataliya , Scarpace Philip J. , Tümer Nihal
Published: May 2016

The authors have previously demonstrated that a low and intermittent peripheral dose of rapamycin (1 mg/kg three times/week) to rats inhibited mTORC1 signalling, but avoided the hyperlipidemia and diabetes‐like syndrome associated with higher doses of rapamycin. The dosing regimen reduced food intake, body weight, adiposity, serum leptin and triglycerides. mTORC1 signalling was inhibited in both liver and hypothalamus, suggesting some of the actions, in particular the decrease in food intake, may be the results of a central mechanism. To test this hypothesis, rapamycin (30 μg/day for 4 weeks) was infused into 23–25‐month‐old F344xBN rats by intracerebroventricular (icv) mini pumps. Our results demonstrated that central infusion did not alter food intake or body weight, although there was a tendency for a decrease in body weight towards the end of the study. mTORC1 signalling, evidenced by decreased phosphorylation of S6 protein at end of 4 weeks, was not activated in liver, hypothalamus or hindbrain. Fat and lean mass, sum of white adipose tissues, brown adipose tissue, serum glucose, insulin and leptin levels remained unchanged. Thus, these data suggest that the anorexic and body weight responses evident with peripheral rapamycin are not the result of direct central action. The tendency for decreased body weight towards the end of study, suggests that there is either a slow transport of centrally administered rapamycin into the periphery, or that there is delayed action of rapamycin at sites in the brain.
Suitability of the milk of native breeds of cows from low‐input farms for cheese production, including rennet curd texture
Authors: Wolanciuk Anna , Barłowska Joanna , Litwińczuk Zygmunt , Florek Mariusz
Published: May 2016

The cheesemaking suitability of the milk of native cow breeds [Polish Red (RP) and White‐Backed (BG)] raised on low‐input farms was assessed. The milk of Polish Holstein‐Friesian cows raised in an intensive system constituted the reference group. Chemical composition, pH, rennet coagulation time, fat dispersion and curd texture were determined. The cows on the low‐input farms produced over 40% less milk, but with higher (P ≤ 0.01) fat content, shorter coagulation time by over 2 min and lower (P ≤ 0.05) fat dispersion. The curds from this milk were significantly springier, more cohesive and harder. The best milk indices were obtained for the RP cows.
Ocular morphology and visual function in relation to general growth in moderate‐to‐late preterm school‐aged children
Authors: Raffa Lina H. , Dahlgren Jovanna , Hellström Ann , Andersson Grönlund Marita
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To study ocular morphology and visual function in relation to general growth in moderate‐to‐late preterm (MLP) children.

Methods

Visual acuity (VA), refraction, optic disc parameters, biometric values and anthropometric measures were obtained from 50 eight‐year‐old MLP and 43 full‐term children. Macular parameters were examined by optical coherence tomography. Serum insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) levels were analysed at birth and at assessment and delta IGF‐I was calculated.

Results

Total macular volume was significantly less in MLP than in controls (both eyes p < 0.01). Macular volume correlated with head circumference (HCF) at assessment [right eye (RE) p = 0.002, r = 0.67; left eyes (LE) p = 0.01, r = 0.54] and refraction (both eyes p < 0.05, r = 0.4) in the MLP children. Furthermore, central retinal thickness correlated significantly with delta IGF‐I (RE p = 0.03, r = −0.51, LE p = 0.006, r = −0.59) and refraction (both eyes p < 0.01, r = 0.5) and optic disc areas correlated with weight and height at assessment (all p < 0.05, r = 0.4). Total axial length correlated with HCF at assessment (both eyes p < 0.01, r = 0.5) and VA logMAR (both eyes p < 0.02, r = −0.4).

Conclusions

Macular volume was significantly less in MLP children than in controls examined at 8 years of age. General growth of children and IGF‐I levels seem to be involved in development of ocular growth and morphology.
Charting a course through the CEAs: diagnosis and management of medullary thyroid cancer
Authors: Rowe Christopher W. , Bendinelli Cino , McGrath Shaun
Published: May 2016

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is an uncommon thyroid cancer that requires a high index of suspicion to facilitate diagnosis of early‐stage disease amenable to surgical cure. The challenges of diagnosis, as well as management in the setting of persistent disease, are explored in the context of a case presenting with the incidental finding of elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and an 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG‐PET)‐positive thyroid incidentaloma detected following treatment of colorectal cancer. Strategies to individualize prognosis, and emerging PET‐based imaging modalities, particularly the potential role of 18F‐DOPA‐PET in staging, are reviewed.
BlendForces: A Dynamic Framework for Facial Animation
Authors: Barrielle Vincent , Stoiber Nicolas , Cagniart Cédric
Published: May 2016

In this paper we present a new paradigm for the generation and retargeting of facial animation. Like a vast majority of the approaches that have adressed these topics, our formalism is built on blendshapes. However, where prior works have generally encoded facial geometry using a low dimensional basis of these blendshapes, we propose to encode facial dynamics by looking at blendshapes as a basis of forces rather than a basis of shapes. We develop this idea into a dynamic model that naturally combines the blendshapes paradigm with physics‐based techniques for the simulation of deforming meshes. Because it escapes the linear span of the shape basis through time‐integration and physics‐inspired simulation, this approach has a wider expressive range than previous blendshape‐based methods. Its inherent physically‐based formulation also enables the simulation of more advanced physical interactions, such as collision responses on lip contacts.
Near‐Instant Capture of High‐Resolution Facial Geometry and Reflectance
Authors: Fyffe G. , Graham P. , Tunwattanapong B. , Ghosh A. , Debevec P.
Published: May 2016

We present a near‐instant method for acquiring facial geometry and reflectance using a set of commodity DSLR cameras and flashes. Our setup consists of twenty‐four cameras and six flashes which are fired in rapid succession with subsets of the cameras. Each camera records only a single photograph and the total capture time is less than the 67ms blink reflex. The cameras and flashes are specially arranged to produce an even distribution of specular highlights on the face. We employ this set of acquired images to estimate diffuse color, specular intensity, specular exponent, and surface orientation at each point on the face. We further refine the facial base geometry obtained from multi‐view stereo using estimated diffuse and specular photometric information. This allows final submillimeter surface mesostructure detail to be obtained via shape‐from‐specularity. The final system uses commodity components and produces models suitable for authoring high‐quality digital human characters.
Learning 3D Deformation of Animals from 2D Images
Authors: Kanazawa Angjoo , Kovalsky Shahar , Basri Ronen , Jacobs David
Published: May 2016

Understanding how an animal can deform and articulate is essential for a realistic modification of its 3D model. In this paper, we show that such information can be learned from user‐clicked 2D images and a template 3D model of the target animal. We present a volumetric deformation framework that produces a set of new 3D models by deforming a template 3D model according to a set of user‐clicked images. Our framework is based on a novel locally‐bounded deformation energy, where every local region has its own stiffness value that bounds how much distortion is allowed at that location. We jointly learn the local stiffness bounds as we deform the template 3D mesh to match each user‐clicked image. We show that this seemingly complex task can be solved as a sequence of convex optimization problems. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on cats and horses, which are highly deformable and articulated animals. Our framework produces new 3D models of animals that are significantly more plausible than methods without learned stiffness.
Methanogenic abundance and changes in community structure along a rice soil chronosequence from east China
Authors: Liu Y. , Wang P. , Crowley D. , Liu X. , Chen J. , Li L. , Zheng J. , Zhang X. , Zheng J. , Pan G.
Published: May 2016

Changes in abundance, community structure and activity of archaea were investigated for rice paddy soil under long‐term cultivation along a chronosequence that spans 700 years in a coastal area of east China. Topsoil samples were analysed for archaeal abundance and community structures, which were determined with archaeal 16S rRNA and methanogenic mcrA genes. Methane production potential (MPP) was evaluated concurrently with a laboratory anaerobic incubation of treated topsoil samples. Gene abundance of archaea and methanogenic archaea increased from 6.70 × 106 and 1.53 × 105 copies g−1 in marsh to 2.89 × 108 and 2.73 × 107 copies g−1 in rice soil cultivated for seven centuries, respectively. Compared with the uncultivated marsh, diversity indices for both archaea and methanogenic archaea increased markedly with rice cultivation. Methanogenic archaeal community structure was dominated by Methanosarcinales and changed to a lesser extent after 100 years. The measured MPP varied over a range from 241.3 to 301.1 µg CH4 g−1 for the rice soil, whereas it was 101.3 µg CH4 g−1 for the uncultivated marsh soil. Therefore, gene abundance of both archaea and methanogenic archaea appeared to increase with the accumulation of organic matter following long‐term rice cultivation. The changes in MPP and community structure, however, were independent of differences in archaeal abundance. This suggests a complex interaction of soil organic matter, archaeal abundance and community structure, which could change the potential methanogenic activity in rice soil with long histories of rice cultivation.

Highlights

How do archaeal and methanogenic archaeal communities change in response to long‐term rice cultivation?

Improve understanding of archaeal communities and their function in rice soil over hundreds of years.

Change in the archaeal community structure was controlled by soil desalinization and decalcification.

Archaeal community diversity precedes soil morphological and mineralogical development.
Independent Mating Preferences for Male Body Size and Coloration in Female Trinidadian Guppies
Authors: Auld Heather L. , Pusiak Ryan J. P. , Godin Jean‐Guy J.
Published: May 2016

Although females in numerous species generally prefer males with larger, brighter and more elaborate sexual traits, there is nonetheless considerable intra‐ and interpopulation variation in mating preferences amongst females that requires explanation. Such variation exists in the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata, an important model organism for the study of sexual selection and mate choice. While female guppies tend to prefer more ornamented males as mates, particularly those with greater amounts of orange coloration, there remains variation both in male traits and female mating preferences within and between populations. Male body size is another trait that is sexually selected through female mate choice in some species, but has not been examined as extensively as body coloration in the guppy despite known intra‐ and interpopulation variation in this trait among adult males and its importance for survivorship in this species. In this study, we used a dichotomous‐choice test to quantify the mating preferences of female guppies, originating from a low‐predation population in Trinidad, for two male traits, body length and area of the body covered with orange and black pigmentation, independently of each other. We expected strong female mating preferences for both male body length and coloration in this population, given relaxation from predation and presumably relatively low cost of choice. Females indeed exhibited a strong preference for larger males as expected, but surprisingly a weaker (but nonetheless significant) preference for orange and black coloration. Interestingly, larger females demonstrated stronger preferences for larger males than did smaller females, which could potentially lead to size‐assortative mating in nature.
The association of change in medication regimen and use of inappropriate medication based on beers criteria with adverse outcomes in Japanese long‐term care facilities
Authors: Ishii Shinya , Kojima Taro , Ezawa Kazuhiko , Higashi Kentaro , Ikebata Yukihiko , Takehisa Yozo , Akishita Masahiro
Published: May 2016

Aim

To describe medication use including potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) and examine the association between adverse outcomes and patient factors including PIM use in Japanese elderly patients in long‐term care facilities.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 470 patients in 53 Geriatric Health Service Facilities and 44 Sanatorium Type Medical Care Facilities for the Elderly Requiring Long Term Care. Standardized forms were used to collect information including oral and parenteral medication use on admission, and 1 month and 3 months after admission. PIMs were determined by the 2003 or 2012 Beers criteria. Adverse outcomes were any medical events leading to emergency department transfer, hospitalization to acute care hospitals or death.

Results

A total of 2,227 oral medications and 197 parenteral medications were prescribed for 470 patients on admission. PIM exposure based on the 2003 and 2012 Beers criteria was observed in 11.9% and 37.5%, respectively. Adverse outcomes within 3 months after admission were observed in 8.9% of the entire cohort, and were associated with age, sex, facility type and number of parenteral medications on admission. Adverse outcomes between one and three months after admission were associated with age, sex, number of parenteral medications at one month, and a change in the number of oral and parenteral medications within one month after admission. PIM exposure was not associated with adverse outcomes in any models.

Conclusions

Use of PIM was prevalent in long‐term care facilities. Our findings support the importance of comprehensive assessment of medication regimens including parenteral medication. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 591–597.
Lichen sclerosis: clinicopathological study of 60 cases from Lebanon
Authors: Knio Zeina , Kurban Mazen , Abbas Ossama
Published: May 2016

Background

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an uncommon idiopathic chronic inflammatory debilitating disease with predilection for the genital region. Our recent encounter with an LS case exhibiting perineural inflammation microscopically prompted us to assess the features of all patients diagnosed with LS at our institution.

Materials and methods

All cases of LS diagnosed between 1990 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed with demonstration of microscopic features typical of LS.

Results

Sixty patients (42 women and 18 men) with 65 biopsy specimens of LS were identified, of which 41 were extragenital, 16 genital, and three had both. Histopathologically, significantly higher proportions of follicular plugging, atrophy, and vacuolar interface changes were observed in extragenital LS cases, while angiokeratoma‐like, mycosis fungoides‐like, and pseudoepitheliomatous changes were only seen in genital LS. Perineural inflammation was observed as a novel finding in 22 cases (33.8%) of LS.

Conclusion

Features of patients with LS in this study are generally comparable to those published in the literature, with some differences. In contrast to the literature, extragenital LS was more frequently encountered. Histopathologically, perineural inflammation was not an uncommon feature of LS and thus may serve as a clue in the differentiation of LS from its mimickers.
Synthesis and Unique Photoluminescence Properties of Eu2Ti2O7 and Eu2TiO5
Authors: Orihashi Takuya , Nakamura Toshihiro , Adachi Sadao
Published: May 2016

The europium titania materials, pyrochlore Eu2Ti2O7 and orthorhombic Eu2TiO5, were synthesized from a mixture of Eu2O3 and TiO2 using the solid‐state reaction method. The structural and optical properties of these titania materials were investigated using X‐ray diffraction analysis, photoluminescence (PL) analysis, PL excitation (PLE) spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Temperature dependence of the PL intensity was measured between T = 20 and 450 K and analyzed on the basis of various theoretical models. A remarkable increase in the PL intensity with increasing T was observed in these titania materials at higher temperatures, above ~140 K, and well explained by a trap/reservoir model. Interestingly, a dramatic decrease in the electric‐dipole emission component relative to the magnetic‐dipole one was observed in Eu2Ti2O7 above T ~ 140 K. The schematic energy‐level diagram for Eu3+ in the Eu2Ti2O7 host was proposed for the sake of a better understanding of the PL and PLE processes in this type of phosphorescent material.
The triad psoriasis–obesity–adipokine profile
Authors: Coimbra S. , Catarino C. , Santos‐Silva A.
Published: May 2016

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, often associated with overweight/obesity. The adipose tissue is a complex organ that secretes several adipokines, involved in the regulation of some metabolic processes, such as lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, angiogenesis, blood pressure and inflammation. In obesity, the distribution and function of adipose tissue, and the adipokine profile are altered. The unbalanced production of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory adipokines in obesity, contributes to the development of a chronic low‐grade inflammation state, which seems to favour worsening of psoriasis lesion and a poorer response to treatment. In this review, we will debate published data concerning the current knowledge about the triad psoriasis–obesity–adipokine profile.
Physical health issues in adults with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities: a systematic review of cross‐sectional studies
Authors: van Timmeren E. A. , van der Schans C. P. , van der Putten A. A. J. , Krijnen W. P. , Steenbergen H. A. , van Schrojenstein Lantman‐de Valk H. M. J. , Waninge A.
Published: May 2016

Background

People with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities (SPIMD) encounter several risk factors associated with higher mortality rates. They are also likely to experience a cluster of health problems related to the severe brain damage/dysfunction. In order to earlier detect physical health problems in people with SPIMD, first of all, knowledge regarding the prevalence of physical health problems is necessary. The aim of this systematic review was to methodically review cross‐sectional studies on the prevalence of various types of physical health problems in adults with SPIMD.

Method

MedLine/PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 2004 and 2015. The quality of the incorporated studies was assessed utilising an adjusted ‘risk of bias tool’ for cross‐sectional studies. To estimate the prevalence of the health problems, the proportion and corresponding confidence interval were calculated. A random effect meta‐analysis was performed when at least three studies on a specific health problem were available.

Results

In total, 20 studies were included and analysed. In the meta‐analysis, a homogeneous prevalence rate of 70% (CI 65–75%) was determined for epilepsy. Heterogeneous results were ascertained in the meta‐analysis for pulmonary/respiratory problems, hearing problems, dysphagia, reflux disease and visual problems. For the health problems identified in two studies or in a single study, the degree of evidence was low. As expected, higher prevalence rates were found in the current review compared with people with ID for visual problems, epilepsy and spasticity.

Conclusion

This review provides an overview of the current state of the art research on the prevalence of health problems in adults with SPIMD. There is a substantial need for comprehensive epidemiological data in order to find clusters of health problems specific for people with SPIMD. This would provide insight into the excess morbidity associated with SPIMD.
Metamorphism of high‐P metagreywacke from the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis: phase equilibria and P–T path
Authors: Tian Z. , Zhang Z. , Dong X.
Published: May 2016

High‐pressure (HP) metagreywacke from the Namche Barwa Complex, Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS), consists of garnet, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, rutile and ilmenite with or without K‐feldspar, sillimanite, cordierite, spinel and orthopyroxene. Two types of metagreywacke are recognized: medium‐temperature (MT) and high‐temperature (HT) types. Garnet in the MT metagreywacke shows significant growth zoning and contains lower MgO than the weakly zoned garnet in the HT metagreywacke. Petrographic observations and phase equilibria modelling for four representative samples indicate that both types of metagreywacke experienced clockwise P–T paths subdivided into three stages: stage I is the pre‐peak prograde to pressure peak (Pmax) stage characterized by progressive increase in P–T conditions. The Pmax conditions are estimated using the garnet composition with maximum CaO, being 12.5–13.5 kbar and 685–725 °C for the MT metagreywacke, and 15–16 kbar and 825–835 °C for the HT one. Stage II is the post‐Pmax decompression with heating or near‐isothermal to Tmax stage and the Tmax conditions, constrained using the garnet compositions with maximum MgO, are 11 kbar and 760 °C for the MT metagreywacke, and ~12 kbar and 830–845 °C for the HT one. The modelled mineral assemblages at Tmax are garnet + biotite + K‐feldspar + rutile + plagioclase ± ilmenite in the presence of melt for both types of metagreywacke, consistent with the petrographic observations. Stage III is the post‐Tmax retrograde metamorphism, characterized by decompression and cooling. The modelling suggests that the melts with high Na/K ratios (1.7–5.2) have been produced during stages I and II, which could be responsible for the formation of sodium‐rich leucogranites. This study and previous results indicate that the Higher Himalayan Crystallines in the EHS consist of MT–HP and HT–HP metamorphic units separated by a speculated tectonic contact. Petrological and structural discontinuities within the EHS cannot be easily interpreted with ‘tectonic aneurysm’ model.
Third‐harmonic generation imaging of breast tissue biopsies
Authors: LEE WOOWON , KABIR MOHAMMAD M. , EMMADI RAJYASREE , TOUSSAINT KIMANI C.
Published: May 2016

We demonstrate for the first time the imaging of unstained breast tissue biopsies using third‐harmonic generation (THG) microscopy. As a label‐free imaging technique, THG microscopy is compared to phase contrast and polarized light microscopy which are standard imaging methods for breast tissues. A simple feature detection algorithm is applied to detect tumour‐associated lymphocyte rich regions in unstained breast biopsy tissue and compared with corresponding regions identified by a pathologist from bright‐field images of hematoxylin and eosin stained breast tissue. Our results suggest that THG imaging holds potential as a complementary technique for analysing breast tissue biopsies.
The orthotropic elastic properties of fibrolamellar bone tissue in juvenile white‐tailed deer femora
Authors: Barrera John W. , Le Cabec Adeline , Barak Meir M.
Published: May 2016

Fibrolamellar bone is a transient primary bone tissue found in fast‐growing juvenile mammals, several species of birds and large dinosaurs. Despite the fact that this bone tissue is prevalent in many species, the vast majority of bone structural and mechanical studies are focused on human osteonal bone tissue. Previous research revealed the orthotropic structure of fibrolamellar bone, but only a handful of experiments investigated its elastic properties, mostly in the axial direction. Here we have performed for the first time an extensive biomechanical study to determine the elastic properties of fibrolamellar bone in all three orthogonal directions. We have tested 30 fibrolamellar bone cubes (2 × 2 × 2 mm) from the femora of five juvenile white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in compression. Each bone cube was compressed iteratively, within its elastic region, in the axial, transverse and radial directions, and bone stiffness (Young's modulus) was recorded. Next, the cubes were kept for 7 days at 4 °C and then compressed again to test whether bone stiffness had significantly deteriorated. Our results demonstrated that bone tissue in the deer femora has an orthotropic elastic behavior where the highest stiffness was in the axial direction followed by the transverse and the radial directions (21.6 ± 3.3, 17.6 ± 3.0 and 14.9 ± 1.9 Gpa, respectively). Our results also revealed a slight non‐significant decrease in bone stiffness after 7 days. Finally, our sample size allowed us to establish that population variance was much bigger in the axial direction than the radial direction, potentially reflecting bone adaptation to the large diversity in loading activity between individuals in the loading direction (axial) compared with the normal (radial) direction. This study confirms that the mechanically well‐studied human transverse‐isotropic osteonal bone is just one possible functional adaptation of bone tissue and that other vertebrate species use an orthotropic bone tissue structure which is more suitable for their mechanical requirements.
Trifolium species – the latest findings on chemical profile, ethnomedicinal use and pharmacological properties
Authors: Kolodziejczyk-Czepas Joanna
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Clovers (Trifolium, Fabaceae) have a long history of use in folk medicine. Furthermore, during last 3 years, a considerable growth in scientific interest in these plants has been observed. This article summarizes and critically reviews an over 3-year progress of knowledge of ethnomedicinal use, phytochemical profile, physiological effects and possible therapeutic action of various clover species. It contains the latest literature (over 80 papers), originated from international databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Science Direct/Elsevier, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library) and reports from other international and local scientific periodicals.

Key findings

Traditional uses of T. pratense and T. repens have been confirmed, while the folk medicine recommendations for administration of other clovers such as T. burchellianum, T. fragiferum, T. hybridum, T. minus and T. purpureum were reported for the first time. Furthermore, several other clover species were also investigated in terms of their antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytoestrogenic effects for the first time. Only T. alexandrinum, T. pratense and T. medium were examined in animal studies.

Besides T. pratense, other clovers may be a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals. However, in contradiction to red clover, the therapeutic use of other clovers is still limited by the lack of in-vivo evidence.
Effect of estrogen on visceral sensory function in a non‐inflammatory colonic hypersensitivity rat model
Authors: Knuesel C. , Oulevey‐Meier M. , Flogerzi B. , Krayer M. , Gschossmann I. , Miller J. , Tovar L. , Janko S. , Gschossmann J. M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Increased prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in women and perimenstrually accentuated symptoms imply that sexual hormones play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of such syndromes. The aim of this study was to analyze the selective effect of estrogen on visceral sensitivity in gonadectomized female and male Lewis rats with or without prior treatment with butyrate enemas.

Methods

Following ovariectomy (OVX) or orchiectomy (ORX) estradiol pellets (E2‐P) or sham pellets (Sham‐P) were implanted. After treatment with butyrate (BUT) or saline (NaCl) enemas, colorectal distensions (CRD) were performed and the visceromotor reflex (VMR) to CRD was measured by electromyography.

Key Results

Gender did not influence VMR to CRD in gonadectomized animals. VMR in E2‐P animals compared to Sham‐P animals was increased (635 ± 32 μVs vs 470 ± 39 μVs; p = 0.002). Overall, instillation of butyrate enemas did not influence VMR to CRD. A comparison of CRD clusters showed that butyrate enemas in the E2‐P animals resulted in a significant sensitization in both OVX and ORX animals. In female rats, sensitization was also caused by estrogen substitution alone.

Conclusion & Inferences

In our animal model, estrogen is a strong factor for an increase in visceral sensory function. Surprisingly, the treatment with butyrate alone did not evoke a general rise in VMR to CRD. Rats treated with butyrate enemas and under selective estrogen substitution developed visceral sensitization during the series of CRDs.
Metabolic engineering of anthocyanins in dark tobacco varieties
Authors: He Xianzhi , Li Yong , Lawson Darlene , Xie De‐Yu
Published: May 2016

In this study, we investigate the metabolic engineering of anthocyanins in two dark tobacco crops (Narrow Leaf Madole and KY171) and evaluate the effects on physiological features of plant photosynthesis. Arabidopsis PAP1 (production of anthocyanin pigment 1) gene (AtPAP1) encodes a R2R3‐type MYB transcript factor that is a master component of regulatory complexes controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis. AtPAP1 was introduced to Narrow Leaf Madole and KY171 plants. Multiple transgenic plants developed red/purple pigmentation in different tissues. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis showed that the expression levels of six pathway genes were increased two‐ to eight‐fold in AtPAP1 transgenic plants compared with vector control plants. Dihydroflavonol reductase and anthocyanidin synthase genes that were not expressed in wild‐type plants were activated. Spectrophotometric measurement showed that the amount of anthocyanins in AtPAP1 transgenic plants were 400–800 µg g−1 fresh weight (FW). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that one main anthocyanin molecule accounted for approximately 98% of the total anthocyanins. Tandem MS/MS analysis using HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry identified the main anthocyanin as cyanidin 3‐O‐rutinoside, an important medicinal anthocyanin. Analysis of photosynthesis rate, chlorophylls and carotenoids contents showed no differences between red/purple transgenic and control plants, indicating that this metabolic engineering did not alter photosynthetic physiological traits. This study shows that AtPAP1 is of significance for metabolic engineering of anthocyanins in crop plants for value‐added traits.
Public Opinion Distribution and Party Competition in US Trade Policy
Authors: Winslett Gary
Published: May 2016

Mass public opinion has generally been presumed to have little or no impact on American trade policy. I argue against this presumption. I assert that mass public opinion significantly affects US trade policy by shaping the way the two parties compete over that trade policy. When public opinion is unbalanced, the competition between the parties is likely to resemble a bidding war. When public opinion is balanced but split in a partisan manner the competition is likely to descend into Manichean conflict. When public opinion is balanced but split in a non‐partisan manner, the competition is likely to be characterised by political actors seeking to maintain the support of their core constituencies. To examine this relationship, I investigate three cases: the push to punish China over Tiananmen Square in 1989–90, the ratification of NAFTA in 1992–93 and the process through which President Bush was granted trade promotion authority in 2001–02.
Case–control study of immediate and delayed vasovagal reactions in blood donors
Authors: Narbey D. , Fillet A.‐M. , Jbilou S. , Tiberghien P. , Djoudi R.
Published: May 2016

Background and objective(s)

Vasovagal reactions (VVRs) are the most common adverse events associated with blood donations. To assess the relative importance of VVR risk factors, a retrospective case–control study of severe immediate and delayed VVRs was performed.

Study design

Vasovagal reactions were defined as immediate when occurring at the transfusion site and as delayed when occurring outside the transfusion site and within 24 h following donation. VVRs with probable or certain imputability and moderate to death severity were considered. One control/case was drawn randomly from among donors without VVR. Explanatory variables (sex, age, body mass index (BMI), donation status, type of phlebotomy) as well as the matching variables (donation region, date) and the interaction term (sex and BMI) were integrated into the multivariate model.

Results

In French hemovigilance data collected from 2011 to 2013, 8410 immediate and 833 delayed VVRs occurred among 8 834 214 donations. In multivariate analysis, occurrence of immediate VVR was strongly associated with first‐time donation (OR 4·34; 95% CI: 3·93–4·79, P < 0·0001) and the 18–24 age group (OR 2·24; 95% CI: 2·00–2·45, P < 0·0001) and of delayed VVR with women with a normal BMI (OR 7·31; 95% CI: 4·96–10·77, P < 0·0001), overweight BMI (OR 7·89; 95% CI: 4·84–12·87, P < 0·0001) or obese BMI (OR 3·72; 95% CI: 1·42–9·74, P < 0·0001), and in men with an underweight BMI (OR 6·39; 95% CI: 1·56–26·13, P < 0·0001). Apheresis was a risk factor for occurrence of both immediate and delayed VVR.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that first‐time donation by a young person is particularly at risk of immediate VVR while a female donor is at risk of delayed VVR.