bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Logics Mean
Authors: Garson James W.
Published: June 2014

What do the rules of logic say about the meanings of the symbols they govern? In this book, James W. Garson examines the inferential behaviour of logical connectives (such as 'and', 'or', 'not' and 'if … then'), whose behaviour is defined by strict rules, and proves definitive results concerning exactly what those rules express about connective truth conditions. He explores the ways in which, depending on circumstances, a system of rules may provide no interpretation of a connective at all, or the interpretation we ordinarily expect for it, or an unfamiliar or novel interpretation. He also shows how the novel interpretations thus generated may be used to help analyse philosophical problems such as vagueness and the open future. His book will be valuable for graduates and specialists in logic, philosophy of logic, and philosophy of language.
Thucydides on Politics
Authors: Hawthorn Geoffrey
Published: June 2014

Thucydides famously declared his work to be 'a possession for all time', and so it has proved to be, as each age and generation has seen new things to admire in it and take from it. In the last hundred years, Thucydides has been interpreted and invoked in support of many different positions in politics, political theory and international relations. Geoffrey Hawthorn offers a new and highly original reading, one that sees him as neither simply an ancestor nor a colleague but as an unsurpassed guide to a deeper realism about politics. In this account, Thucydides emerges as sensitive to the non-rational and the limits of human agency, sceptical about political speech, resistant to easy generalisations or theoretical reductions, and opposed to any practical, moral or constitutional closure in politics. The book will be of interest to students of politics and classics.
Social Theory
Authors: Joas Hans , Knöbl Wolfgang
Published: June 2014

Social theory is the theoretical core of the social sciences, clearly distinguishable from political theory and cultural analysis. This book offers a unique overview of the development of social theory from the end of the Second World War in 1945 to the present day. Spanning the literature in English, French and German, it provides an excellent background to the most important social theorists and theories in contemporary sociological thought, with crisp summaries of the main books, arguments and controversies. It also deals with newly emerging schools from rational choice to symbolic interactionism, with new ambitious approaches (Habermas, Luhmann, Giddens, Bourdieu), structuralism and antistructuralism, critical revisions of modernization theory, feminism and neopragmatism. Written by two of the world's leading sociologists and based on their extensive academic teaching, this unrivalled work is ideal both for students in the social sciences and humanities and for anyone interested in contemporary theoretical debates.
The Isle of Wight Suicide Study: a case study of suicide in a limited geographic area
Authors: Shahpesandy H. , Oakes M. , van Heeswijck Ad
Published: June 2014

Background

Suicide is a major public health problem, with mental disorders being one of its major risk factors. The high incidence of suicide on the Isle of Wight has motivated this study, the first of its kind on suicide in this small geographic area.

Aim

The aim of the study was to identify socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for suicide in the population of service users and non-service users, and gender-related characteristics of suicidal behaviour in a limited geographic region.

Method

Data were collected on 68 cases of suicide (ICD-10×60-X84) from residents of the Isle of Wight District between January 2006 and December 2009. All data were statistically analysed using Pearson’s χ2 test and Yates’ correction for continuity.

Results

The mean annual suicide rates over the period were 5.65 per 100 000 for women and 19.28 for men. Significantly (p=0.0006), more men than women (male/female ratio 3:1) died as a result of suicide. Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%), and significantly more (p=0.05) service users (45.3%) than non-service users (13.3%) were unemployed. Significantly, more (p=0.0006) service users (64%) than non-service users (20%) had a history of suicide attempts and relatively (p=0.06) more (50.9%) service users than non-service users (20%) had attended the accident and emergency department before their death; 69% had an adverse life event within a year before their suicide. Depression as the most common Axis-I illness was diagnosed in 36% of all; but significantly (p=0.008) more in women (66.6%) than men (17.3%). Relatively (p=0.07) more women (56.2%) than men (32.7%) have contacted services before their death. Suicide by hanging was the most common cause, accounting for the death of 71% of men and 50% of women.

Conclusions

The study found that 80% of all suicides occurred in people suffering from mental disorder. Men are at a significant risk of suicide. Depressive disorders in women and stress-related disorders in men were the most common mental disorders. Treating mental disorders and co-morbid conditions seems to be one of the key elements in suicide prevention strategies.
Attitudes to and practice of bibliotherapy among senior trainees in psychiatry
Authors: Macsuibhne S. , Abu O. R.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

This study was to assess the attitudes and practice of, senior psychiatric trainees with regard to bibliotherapy.

Methods

A brief online survey was used to assess the attitudes to and practice of bibliotherapy among senior psychiatric trainees in Ireland. There were 34 responses out of 82 (response rate 41.5%). Respondents were asked to indicate their agreement with three statements.

Results

The majority 27 (79.4%) strongly agreed or agreed that they were comfortable recommending books, with none strongly disagreeing and 4 (11.8%) disagreeing. Over half 20 (58.8%) of respondents strongly disagreed or disagreed that self help books could only be a poor substitute for psychotherapy or counselling, with none strongly agreeing and 2 (5.9%) agreeing. Many 19 (55.9%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that self help books could do more harm than good, with 8 (23.5%) agreeing or strongly agreeing. Finally respondents were asked to state their awareness of prescribe-a-book schemes. 4 (11.8%) respondents reported awareness, with 30 (88.2%) unaware of any such schemes.

Conclusions

Although majority of senior psychiatric trainees were comfortable recommending self help books and did not consider them harmful, most were unaware of such schemes in Ireland.
Analysis of Vibrations in Fractional Order Magneto-Thermo-Viscoelasticity with Diffusion
Authors: Kalkal K. K. , Deswal S.
Published: June 2014

Present paper is aimed at studying the effects of fractional order parameter, magnetic field, viscosity and diffusion on the thermoelastic interactions in an infinite body whose surface suffers a mechanical load. Body is assumed to be unstrained and unstressed initially and has uniform temperature. Formulation is applied to the fractional generalization of Lord-Shulman theory and the equations are tackled by employing Laplace and Fourier transforms. Expressions for different fields such as displacement, temperature, stress, concentration and chemical potential in physical domain are obtained using a numerical inversion technique. Finally, numerical solution is carried out for copper material and corresponding graphs are plotted to illustrate and compare theoretical results. Some particular cases of interest have also been deduced from the present study. Numerical results predict finite speeds of propagation for thermoelastic and diffusive waves.
Juking the Stats? Authoritarian Information Problems in China
Authors: Wallace Jeremy L.
Published: June 2014

Economic statistics inform citizens of general conditions, while central leaders use them to evaluate local officials. Are economic data systematically manipulated? After establishing discrepancies in economic data series cross-nationally, this article examines Chinese sub-national growth data. It leverages variation in the likelihood of manipulation over two dimensions, arguing that politically sensitivedataare more likely to be manipulated at politically sensitivetimes. Gross domestic product (GDP) releases generate headlines, while highly correlated electricity production and consumption data are relatively unnoticed. In Chinese provinces, the difference between GDP and electricity growth increases in years with leadership turnover, which is consistent with juking the stats for political reasons. The analysis points to the political role of information and the limits of non-electoral accountability mechanisms in authoritarian regimes.
The Tie That Snapped: Bubonic Plague and Mill Labour in Bombay, 1896–1898
Authors: Sarkar Aditya
Published: June 2014

In September 1896, the city of Bombay witnessed the beginning of a long-drawn-out epidemic crisis, with the outbreak of bubonic plague. This article investigates one particular dimension of this crisis – its effects upon the city's cotton textile mills, and its profound, though temporary, alteration of the relations between employers and workers. It argues that the structure of industrial relations in the textile mills in the second half of the nineteenth century rested upon the retention of wage arrears by mill managements, which forced workers into permanent debt, and bound them to the mill and their employers. The demographic and industrial crisis ushered in during the plague years, the article shows, cracked open this structure of industrial control, and workers were able to sustain a new, fleeting system of industrial “regulation from below”, based on the daily payment of wages. Through a study of the tensions in textile mills in 1897, situated within the broader context of a crisis of urban labour relations, the article shows the ways in which industrial relations were both deconstructed and reconstituted in a new form.
Evaluating ear cartilage piercing practices in London, UK
Authors: Mandavia R , Kapoor K , Ouyang J , Osmani H
Published: June 2014

Background:

Ear cartilage piercing is increasingly popular and has a significant complication rate. Contrary to popular belief, there are no minimum qualifications required to practice ear piercing. This study evaluated ear cartilage piercing practices in London, UK.

Method:

Practitioners at 25 piercing parlours completed a telephone questionnaire assessing piercing practice.

Results:

Ninety-six per cent of practitioners were aware of the risk of infection post-piercing. Four per cent, 12 per cent and 0 per cent of practitioners were aware of keloid scarring, hypertrophic scarring and cauliflower ear respectively. No practitioners were aware of any other complications. Their consent forms did not document any ear cartilage complications. Twenty-eight per cent of participants advised clients to seek medical attention following a complication. Forty per cent did not provide written post-piercing guidance.

Conclusion:

Piercing practitioners were insufficiently aware of ear cartilage piercing complications. It is unlikely that informed consent was obtained prior to piercing. The post-piercing practice of the majority of parlours did not follow published national guidance.
Treatment of refractory Aspergillus otomycosis with voriconazole: case series and review
Authors: Ho Hsu-Chueh , Hsiao Shih-Hsuan , Lee Cheng-Yung , Tsai Chen-Chi
Published: June 2014

Background:

Voriconazole is a broad-spectrum azole exhibiting strong anti-Aspergillus activity and good long-term tolerance. However, the evidence for voriconazole efficacy against refractory Aspergillus otomycosis is weak.

Method:

We reviewed the medical records of patients with Aspergillus otomycosis treated with voriconazole from January 2008 to June 2012 in a Taiwanese regional hospital. Demographic data and information regarding underlying diseases, clinical features, treatment and outcome were assessed.

Results:

In total, 14 cases of Aspergillus otomycosis were treated with voriconazole, including 5 patients with Aspergillus invasive otitis externa. All patients had failed to respond to local treatment, antibiotics or topical agents. One case was lost to follow up. The symptoms of two patients recurred after voriconazole treatment: one patient received a second 12-week course of voriconazole and was cured; and symptoms of the other patient recurred after a second 12-week course of voriconazole, leading to surgical debridement. The remaining 11 patients were cured by voriconazole treatment without extensive surgical debridement.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that voriconazole can be a very effective and convenient therapeutic option for the management of refractory Aspergillus otomycosis.
Intestinal microbiota during early life – impact on health and disease
Authors: Nylund Lotta , Satokari Reetta , Salminen Seppo , de Vos Willem M.
Published: June 2014

In the first years after birth, the intestinal microbiota develops rapidly both in diversity and complexity while being relatively stable in healthy adults. Different life-style-related factors as well as medical practices have an influence on the early-life intestinal colonisation. We address the impact of some of these factors on the consecutive microbiota development and later health. An overview is presented of the microbial colonisation steps and the role of the host in that process. Moreover, new early biomarkers are discussed with examples that include the association of microbiota and atopic diseases, the correlation of colic and early development and the impact of the use of antibiotics in early life. Our understanding of the development and function of the intestinal microbiota is constantly improving but the long-term influence of early-life microbiota on later life health deserves careful clinical studies.
Molecular detection of Bartonella spp. in deer ked pupae, adult keds and moose blood in Finland
Authors: KORHONEN E. M. , PÉREZ VERA C. , PULLIAINEN A.T. , SIRONEN T. , AALTONEN K. , KORTET R. , HÄRKÖNEN L. , HÄRKÖNEN S. , PAAKKONEN T. , NIEMINEN P. , MUSTONEN A-M. , YLÖNEN H. , VAPALAHTI O.
Published: June 2014

The deer ked (Lipoptena cervi) is a haematophagous ectoparasite of cervids that harbours haemotrophic Bartonella. A prerequisite for the vector competence of the deer ked is the vertical transmission of the pathogen from the mother to its progeny and transstadial transmission from pupa to winged adult. We screened 1154 pupae and 59 pools of winged adult deer keds from different areas in Finland for Bartonella DNA using PCR. Altogether 13 pupa samples and one winged adult deer ked were positive for the presence of Bartonella DNA. The amplified sequences were closely related to either B. schoenbuchensis or B. bovis. The same lineages were identified in eight blood samples collected from free-ranging moose. This is the first demonstration of Bartonella spp. DNA in a winged adult deer ked and, thus, evidence for potential transstadial transmission of Bartonella spp. in the species.
The Environment for Development Initiative: lessons learned in research, academic capacity building and policy intervention to manage resources for sustainable growth
Authors: Sterner Thomas , Alem Yonas , Alpízar Francisco , Berck Cyndi Spindell , Chavez Rebolledo Carlos Alberto , Dikgang Johane , Kirama Stephen , Köhlin Gunnar , Mariara-Kabubo Jane , Mekonnen Alemu , Xu Jintao
Published: June 2014

This article reviews the history of the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative, its activities in capacity building and policy-oriented research, and case studies at its centres in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania. EfD promotes research-based policies to manage natural resources as engines of development. Since 1991, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has provided funding for students from developing countries to earn a PhD at the Environmental Economics Unit (EEU) of the University of Gothenburg. Returning home, these economists face institutional and academic gaps that limit the adoption of research-based policies. In response, the first EfD centre was founded in 2004, and six more followed. Research focuses on agriculture, climate, fisheries, parks, wildlife, forestry, energy and policy design. This has yielded 200 peer-reviewed articles. Successful policy outcomes depend on relationships with policy makers, community involvement in livelihood strategies, strengthened institutional support, interdisciplinary approaches, and dissemination of research results.
Introduction: 20 years later
Authors: Xepapadeas Anastasios , Stefan Joan
Published: June 2014

The journal Environment and Development Economics began operating in 1995; in a few months, it will complete 20 years of operation. It seemed appropriate to mark this occasion with a special issue of the journal that would provide some perspective on the field, looking both backward at what has been achieved and forward to what lies ahead.
Environment and development: achievements and challenges in climate economics
Authors: Bretschger Lucas
Published: June 2014

The economic analysis of the natural environment and of economic development encompasses most complex topics and issues. Accordingly, many contributions in the field are either cross-disciplinary or very detailed and broad in perspective. The core methodology of economics is different, however. Economic models are generally used to drastically reduce complexity and to look at a low number of analytical relationships. This allows for analysis of the basic mechanics of the problems in a concise manner and for the derivation of closed-form model solutions. There are of course seminal contributions using the procedure, e.g., Hotelling (1931) and Dasgupta and Heal (1974). But for the crucial issue of climate change the profession appears to be somewhat reluctant to push strongly for constructing a stringent analytical framework; the field is still dominated by relatively complex integrated assessment models. These yield many important insights but, in certain cases, provide contradicting results and sometimes lack intuition. Hence, climate economic models providing closed-form solutions on future growth and optimum climate policy appear to be warranted.
EDE: Job well done, but job not yet done
Authors: Vincent Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2014

I wandered into environment and development economics through an initially disconnected series of interests in the environment, development and, finally, economics. Family camping trips instilled in me a love of nature from an early age, but growing up in the US industrial heartland in the 1960s also exposed me (literally) to serious pollution problems. My home state of Ohio is famous for having a river that caught on fire. It is also on the shores of Lake Erie, which was the source of my family's Friday fish dinners untilmercury contamination closed the fishery. About the only business in my rural hometown was a waste dump, which contaminated all the wells in the town and forced the town to develop a more costly water source.
Looking back to leap forward: does environment and development economics matter to South Asia's future?
Authors: Shyamsundar Priya
Published: June 2014

I was 23 when I first ventured into rural India as a research assistant to examine how women harvested, traded and earned income from a fruit from the Uppage (Garcinia Cambogia) tree. The seeds were collected for their oil by local women, until markets opened up for the fruit, which had value as a condiment in a neighboring region. This led to changes in demand, and harvest rights began to be auctioned by the government. The Uppage case presents a classic story of access to new markets leading to partial privatization of common property, with consequences for both conservation and income distribution. Of course, I knew little about environmental economics then. But this foray into rural India exposed me to many elements of environment and development problems – the challenges of managing the commons, the possibility of markets leading to overexploitation of resources and growth in employment, the idea of institutional change contributing to multiple winners and losers with poor women being left behind on the bottom rung, and so on. This had a life-changing influence, leading me eventually to branch out and specialize in this area.
The influence of lobbying on climate policies; or, why the world might fail
Authors: Pezzey John C. V.
Published: June 2014

How can the malign and growing influence of lobbying on global climate policies be checked? In this short piece I link some wide-ranging suggestions for academic research by environment and development economists that is needed to further this aim, with the key idea in Acemoglu and Robinson's (2012) Why Nations Fail. Their book argues strongly that sustained, very long-term economic growth through national industrial revolutions requires ‘inclusive institutions’ that distribute political power broadly over a nation's economic, class and geographical sectors. This is because long-term growth needs technical innovations, which cause creative destruction (structural adjustment) of existing technologies, which in turn harms the interests of existing elites. If elites are too powerful, they will block new technologies, so as to keep their powers to extract rents from the rest of society, and the nation will then fail (to grow sustainably).
ON THE FORMAL AFFINE HECKE ALGEBRA
Authors: Zhong Changlong
Published: June 2014

We study the action of the formal affine Hecke algebra on the formal group algebra, and show that the the formal affine Hecke algebra has a basis indexed by the Weyl group as a module over the formal group algebra. We also define a concept called the normal formal group law, which we use to simplify the relations of the generators of the formal affine Demazure algebra and the formal affine Hecke algebra.
Preparing for family caregiving in specialized palliative home care: An ongoing process
Authors: Holm Maja , Henriksson Anette , Carlander Ida , Wengström Yvonne , Öhlen Joakim
Published: June 2014

Objective:

Family caregivers have been given increasing importance in palliative home care and face a great responsibility as caregivers for patients suffering from incurable illness. Preparedness for caregiving has been found to moderate negative effects and promote well-being in family caregivers. The aim of our study was to explore family caregivers' own experiences of preparing for caregiving in specialized palliative home care.

Method:

An interpretive descriptive design was chosen. A strategic sampling method was applied with a focus on participants who rated their preparedness as high and low using a structured instrument. Qualitative interviews were completed with 12 family caregivers. They were analyzed using a constant-comparative technique.

Results:

Family caregivers described their experience of preparing for caregiving as an ongoing process, rather than something done in advance. The process was illustrated through three subprocesses: “awaring” (realizing the seriousness of the situation), “adjusting” (managing a challenging situation), and “anticipating” (planning for the inevitable loss).

Significance of results:

Knowledge about the process of preparedness for caregiving and its subprocesses could be valuable to healthcare professionals, given the positive effects shown by preparedness in this context. Being able to recognize the different subprocesses of preparedness for caregiving could provide healthcare professionals with opportunities to support family caregivers in managing them. Preparedness for caregiving should be seen as a process to be supported and promoted continuously in palliative home care, not just at enrollment.
Wideband, high-efficiency, high-power GaN amplifiers, using MIC and quasi-MMIC technologies, in the 1–4 GHz range
Authors: Berrached Chamssedine , Bouw Diane , Camiade Marc , El-Akhdar Kassem , Barataud Denis , Neveux Guillaume
Published: June 2014

In this paper, the designs and experimental performances of wideband (higher than one octave) high-efficiency, high-power amplifiers (HPA) working in the 1–4 GHz range, using the same GaN process, are presented. They are based on the Bode–Fano integrals, which can be applied to a trade-off calculation between bandwidth and efficiency. Firstly, an microwave intregrated circuits (MIC) wideband HPA, externally matched, is presented. It generates a continuous wave (CW) output power (Pout) greater than 40 W, a power gain (GP) higher than 9.2 dB and a corresponding power added efficiency (PAE) (drain efficiency (DE)) ranged between 36 and 44% (40 and 48%) over the 1–3 GHz bandwidth. Two other amplifiers have been designed upon the same theoretical methodology, with a passive GaAs MMIC circuit technology, enabling to reduce the final size down to 420 mm2. The first internally matched Quasi monolithic microwave intergrated circuits (Quasi-MMIC) single-ended HPA generates a pulsed Poutgreater than 25 W, GPhigher than 9.8 dB, and a corresponding PAE (DE) ranged between 37 and 52.5% (40 and 55%) over the 2–4 GHz bandwidth. The second internally matched Quasi-MMIC HPA, based on balanced architecture, generates a pulsed Pouthigher than 45 W, GPhigher than 9.5 dB and PAE (DE) ranged between 33 and 44% (38 and 50%) over the 2–4 GHz bandwidth. These results are among the best ones published in terms of PAE and Poutin instantaneous octave bandwidth in the 1–4 GHz frequency range.
Can the incidental killing of military doctors never be excessive?
Authors: Gisel Laurent
Published: June 2014

Military medical personnel and objects, as well as wounded and sick combatants, are protected against direct attack under the principle of distinction in international humanitarian law. However, some authors argue that they are not covered by the principles of proportionality and precautions. This opinion note explains that military medical objects constitute civilian objects under the rules governing the conduct of hostilities. It also demonstrates that, in view of the object and purpose of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, expected incidental casualties of military medical personnel and wounded and sick combatants must be included among the relevant incidental casualties under the principles of proportionality and precautions. This stems in particular from the interpretation of the obligation ‘to respect and protect’ as the overarching obligation of the special protection afforded to all medical personnel and wounded and sick. Support for this conclusion can be found in a number of military manuals and in the Additional Protocol's preparatory work and Commentaries. This conclusion also reflects customary law.
Chimpanzee choice rates in competitive games match equilibrium game theory predictions
Authors: Martin Christopher Flynn , Bhui Rahul , Bossaerts Peter , Matsuzawa Tetsuro , Camerer Colin
Published: June 2014

The capacity for strategic thinking about the payoff-relevant actions of conspecifics is not well understood across species. We use game theory to make predictions about choices and temporal dynamics in three abstract competitive situations with chimpanzee participants. Frequencies of chimpanzee choices are extremely close to equilibrium (accurate-guessing) predictions and shift as payoffs change, just as equilibrium theory predicts. The chimpanzee choices are also closer to the equilibrium prediction and more responsive to past history and payoff changes, than two samples of human choices from experiments in which humans were also initially uninformed about opponent payoffs and could not communicate verbally. The results are consistent with a tentative interpretation of game theory as explaining evolved behavior, with the additional hypothesis that chimpanzees may retain or practice a specialized capacity to adjust strategy choice during competition to perform at least as well as, or better than, humans have.
A facile method for detection of alkaline phosphatase activity based on the turn-on fluorescence of resorufin
Authors: Wang Fangyuan , Li Yongxin , Li Wenying , Zhang Qingfeng , Chen Jian , Zhou Huipeng , Yu Cong
Published: June 2014

In the present study, a facile fluorescence turn-on approach for the detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity has been developed.
Stable tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline osmium(iii) complex in neutral pH as a photoluminescence-following electron-transfer reagent for the detection of acetaminophen in urine and pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Patel M. P. , Varnum S. A. , Gandla D. , Zdilla M. J. , Martoff C. J.
Published: June 2014

A stable [Os(tmphen)3]3+reagent was prepared in neutral aqueous solution by oxidation of [Os(tmphen)3]2+with lead(iv) oxide.
Quantitative and structure analysis of pectin in tobacco by13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu Xiaolan , Liu Baizhan , Zheng Saijing , Gao Yun
Published: June 2014

A new method utilizing13C CP/MAS NMR spectra was developed for the simultaneous quantitative and structure analysis of pectin in tobacco. The method was employed to measure pectin after the extraction of tobacco samples with acid under optimal conditions (pH 2.0 for 1.5 h at 85 °C).
The bioactivity of composite Fmoc-RGDS-collagen gels
Authors: Gouveia Ricardo M. , Jones Roanne R. , Hamley Ian W. , Connon Che J.
Published: June 2014

Collagen type-I gels incorporating self-assembled Fmoc-RGDS during polymerisation become functionalised, providing a scaffold for enhanced cell attachment and survival, and with improved mechanical and structural properties.
A novel mechanism for poisoning of metal oxide SCR catalysts: base–acid explanation correlated with redox properties
Authors: Chang Huazhen , Li Junhua , Su Wenkang , Shao Yuankai , Hao Jiming
Published: June 2014

A novel correlation between base–acid properties and redox ability contributes to acid gas poisoning and N2O formation on SCR catalysts.
Tuning the electronic effects of aromatic phosphorus heterocycles: an unprecedented phosphinine with significant P(π)-donor properties
Authors: Loibl Antonia , de Krom Iris , Pidko Evgeny A. , Weber Manuela , Wiecko Jelena , Müller Christian
Published: June 2014

Substituent effects in phosphinine chemistry have been studied systematically and for the first time considerable π-donor properties of the aromatic phosphorus heterocycles have been revealed.
Facile fabrication of magnetically recyclable metal–organic framework nanocomposites for highly efficient and selective catalytic oxidation of benzylic C–H bonds
Authors: Chen Yifa , Huang Xianqiang , Feng Xiao , Li Jikun , Huang Yingyu , Zhao Jingshu , Guo Yuexin , Dong Xinmei , Han Ruodan , Qi Pengfei , Han Yuzhen , Li Haiwei , Hu Changwen , Wang Bo
Published: June 2014

Chemically-bonded HKUST-1@Fe3O4 shows exceptional activity for the oxidation of benzylic C–H bonds.
Identification of novel inhibitors that disrupt STAT3–DNA interaction from a γ-AApeptide OBOC combinatorial library
Authors: Teng Peng , Zhang Xiaolei , Wu Haifan , Qiao Qiao , Sebti Said M. , Cai Jianfeng
Published: June 2014

γ-AApeptides identified from a combinatorial library selectively inhibit STAT3–DNA interaction.
The effect of the nano-silica support on the catalytic reduction of water by gold, silver and platinum nanoparticles – nanocomposite reactivity
Authors: Zidki T. , Bar-Ziv R. , Green U. , Cohen H. , Meisel D. , Meyerstein D.
Published: June 2014

The support of M°-nanoparticles affects considerably their properties as catalysts for the HER (H2 evolution reaction).
How TOPO affects the interface of the novel mixed water/AOT:TOPO/n-heptane reverse micelles: dynamic light scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies
Authors: Odella Emmanuel , Falcone R. Darío , Silber Juana J. , Correa N. Mariano
Published: June 2014

The proportion of TOPO in water/AOT:TOPO/n-heptane reverse micelles produces dramatic changes in the water structure, droplet size and composition of the interface.
Hydrogen-bonding in the pyrimidine⋯NH3van der Waals complex: experiment and theory
Authors: Gosling M. P. , Cockett M. C. R.
Published: June 2014

The pyrimidine⋯NH3complex exists as just a single double hydrogen-bonded structure in the gas phase with the ammonia favouring a position which shields it from repulsive interactions with the more remote ring-nitrogen.
Selective hydrogenation of levulinic acid to valeric acid and valeric biofuels by a Pt/HMFI catalyst
Authors: Kon Kenichi , Onodera Wataru , Shimizu Ken-ichi
Published: June 2014

Valeric acid and valeric biofuels are obtained in high yield by direct hydrogenation of levulinic acid catalyzed by Pt/HMFI under relatively mild conditions (2 or 8 bar H2, 200 °C), driven by cooperation of the metal and support Brønsted acid sites.
Directional properties of fluorenylidene moieties in unsymmetrically substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes. Unexpected CH activation of a methylfluorenyl group with palladium. Use in palladium catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling of aryl chlorides
Authors: Teci Matthieu , Brenner Eric , Matt Dominique , Gourlaouen Christophe , Toupet Loïc
Published: June 2014

The confining properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes with alkylfluorenyl substituents have been investigated.
High temperature ethylene polymerization catalyzed by titanium(iv) complexes with tetradentate aminophenolate ligands in cis-O, N, N chelating mode
Authors: Zhao Ruiguo , Liu Taotao , Wang Liying , Ma Haiyan
Published: June 2014

A series of titanium and zirconium complexes ligated by tetradentate aminophenolate ligands in cis-O, N, N chelating mode were synthesized. Upon activation with MMAO, they exhibit moderate to high catalytic activities for ethylene polymerization at 30–120 °C.
A thermally derived and optimized structure from ZIF-8 with giant enhancement in CO2 uptake
Authors: Gadipelli Srinivas , Travis Will , Zhou Wei , Guo Zhengxiao
Published: June 2014

Post-synthesis thermal annealing of ZIF-8 close to its framework decomposition temperature below 550 °C results in a modified structure with highly enhanced and stable cyclic CO2 adsorption capacity of over 1.5 mmol g−1 at 25 °C and 1 bar of CO2, which is over 100% greater than that of initial ZIF-8.
Cobalt catalysts: very efficient for hydrogenation of biomass-derived ethyl levulinate to gamma-valerolactone under mild conditions
Authors: Zhou Huacong , Song Jinliang , Fan Honglei , Zhang Binbin , Yang Yingying , Hu Jiayin , Zhu Qinggong , Han Buxing
Published: June 2014

A cobalt catalyst is very efficient and stable for hydrogenation of biomass-derived ethyl levulinate to gamma-valerolactone under mild conditions.
Renal protein reactivity and stability of antibiotic amphenicols: structure and affinity
Authors: Ding Fei , Peng Wei , Peng Yu-Kui , Jiang Yu-Ting
Published: June 2014

The molecular recognition of amphenicols by low-molecular-weight proteins may have great impact on the pharmacokinetics of amphenicols in the human body.
TiO2@C composite nanospheres with an optimized homogeneous structure for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ni Jiangfeng , Guo Jing , Cao Bingqiang
Published: June 2014

TiO2@C nanospheres synthesized by pyrolysis demonstrate enhanced performance as anodes for lithium-ion batteries.
Radiofrequency heating pathways for gold nanoparticles
Authors: Collins C. B. , McCoy R. S. , Ackerson B. J. , Collins G. J. , Ackerson C. J.
Published: June 2014

Magnetic, electrophoretic and inductive mechanisms are proposed and parsed to account for heating of gold nanoparticles in radiofrequency fields.
Structure-induced enhancement of thermal conductivities in electrospun polymer nanofibers
Authors: Zhong Zhenxin , Wingert Matthew C. , Strzalka Joseph , Wang Hsien-Hau , Sun Tao , Wang Jin , Chen Renkun , Jiang Zhang
Published: June 2014

The axial thermal conductivity of ultra-drawn electrospun polymer nanofibers was found to correlate with their internal crystalline structures.
In situ surface hydrogenation synthesis of Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 with enhanced visible light photoactivity
Authors: Huo Junchao , Hu Yanjie , Jiang Hao , Li Chunzhong
Published: June 2014

We have developed a novel one-step, vapor-fed aerosol flame synthesis process to prepare surface Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 by in situ surface hydrogenation. The sample shows effective photocatalyst activity under visible light irradiation because of the Ti3+ ions doped on the surface.
Single-step direct fabrication of luminescent Cu-doped ZnxCd1−xS quantum dot thin films via a molecular precursor solution approach and their application in luminescent, transparent, and conductive thin films
Authors: Chen Yanyan , Li Shenjie , Huang Lijian , Pan Daocheng
Published: June 2014

Luminescent Cu-doped ZnxCd1−xS quantum dot thin films have been directly fabricated via a facile solution method in open air.
Tandem metal relay catalysis: from cyclopropene to polysubstituted furan
Authors: Song Chuanling , Wang Jianwu , Xu Zhenghu
Published: June 2014

Transmetalation is a key step in traditional coupling reactions. An efficient synthetic methodology of tetrasubstituted furans from cyclopropenes with Cu–Pd transmetalation relay catalysis was presented.
Facile synthesis of magnetic hierarchical MgO–MgFe2O4 composites and their adsorption performance towards Congo red
Authors: Han Xiuying , Tian Peng , Pang Hongchang , Song Qiang , Ning Guiling , Yu Yanhao , Fang Haixia
Published: June 2014

MgO–MgFe2O4 composites have been synthesized by a facile method, and they showed enhanced adsorption capacity and good magnetic separation performance.
Camphor sulfonic acid doped PPy/α-Fe2O3 hybrid nanocomposites as NO2 sensors
Authors: Navale S. T. , Khuspe G. D. , Chougule M. A. , Patil V. B.
Published: June 2014

PPy/α-Fe2O3 hybrid nanocomposites with different weight percentages (10–50%) of CSA were successfully prepared by using a solid state synthesis method for NO2 gas detection at room temperature.
ON/OFF states of a microbial fuel cell controlled by an optical switching system
Authors: Bao Han , Li Feifang , Lei Lecheng , Yang Bin , Li Zhongjian
Published: June 2014

An optical switching system was developed to control the ON/OFF state of a microbial fuel cell.
Synthesis of functional 4H-chromenes from phenols and acetophenones under solvent- and metal-free conditions
Authors: Li Hui-Jing , Deng Kai , Luo Dong-Hui , Liu De-Hui , Wang Jun-Li , Lin Chun-Hua , Wu Yan-Chao
Published: June 2014

Sulfuric-acid-promoted tandem reaction of phenols with acetophenones under solvent- and metal-free conditions has been developed, which afforded functional 4H-chromenes in good yields with water as the side product.
Folding thermodynamics of protein-like oligomers with heterogeneous backbones
Authors: Reinert Zachary E. , Horne W. Seth
Published: June 2014

Biophysical analysis of folding equilibria in heterogeneous-backbone variants of a small protein provides insights into the thermodynamic consequences of backbone alteration.
Equation of state and adsorption dynamics of soft microgel particles at an air–water interface
Authors: Deshmukh Omkar S. , Maestro Armando , Duits Michel H. G. , van den Ende Dirk , Stuart Martien Cohen , Mugele Frieder
Published: June 2014

PNIPAM microgel particles deform substantially upon adsorbing onto an air–water interface. The adsorption is initially controlled by the diffusion of particles to the interface followed by a slow exponential relaxation at long times.
Experimental verification of fracture mechanism for polymer gels with controlled network structure
Authors: Sakai Takamasa , Akagi Yuki , Kondo Shinji , Chung Ungil
Published: June 2014

To fully understand the fracture mechanism of polymer gels, we performed a series of experiments on polymer gels with controlled network structure.
Ruthenium(ii) quasi-solid state dye sensitized solar cells with 8% efficiency using a supramolecular oligomer-based electrolyte
Authors: Vincent Joseph K. L. , Anthonysamy A. , Sudhagar P. , Cho Woohyung , Kwon Young Soo , Park Taiho , Kang Yong Soo , Kim Jin Kon
Published: June 2014

We have achieved 8% efficiency for the ruthenium(ii) dye, SY-04, in solid state dye sensitized solar cells using a supramolecular oligomer-based electrolyte. The dyes used in this study showed better photophysical and electrochemical properties compared to the Z907 dye.
Photoluminescence activity of Ba1−xCaxTiO3: dependence on particle size and morphology
Authors: Souza Agda Eunice , Teixeira Silvio Rainho , -Santos Cássio Morilla , Schreiner Wido Herwig , Lisboa Filho Paulo Noronha , Longo Elson
Published: June 2014

Substitution of Ba/Ca (0.25/0.75) in Ba1−xCaxTiO3 compounds causes defects which inhibit the growth of particles and promote higher photoluminescence emission.
On ECG reconstruction using weighted‐compressive sensing
Authors: Zonoobi Dornoosh , Kassim Ashraf A.
Published: June 2014

The potential of the new weighted‐compressive sensing approach for efficient reconstruction of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals is investigated. This is motivated by the observation that ECG signals are hugely sparse in the frequency domain and the sparsity changes slowly over time. The underlying idea of this approach is to extract an estimated probability model for the signal of interest, and then use this model to guide the reconstruction process. The authors show that the weighted‐compressive sensing approach is able to achieve reconstruction performance comparable with the current state‐of‐the‐art discrete wavelet transform‐based method, but with substantially less computational cost to enable it to be considered for use in the next generation of miniaturised wearable ECG monitoring devices.
Interference alignment in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Rezaei Fatemeh , Tadaion Aliakbar
Published: June 2014

A fast algorithm to perform interference alignment (IA) in a cognitive radio network is proposed. Here, the authors consider a network consisting of multiple primary users (PUs) and secondary users (SUs). Although the PUs are cooperating through IA and their rates are maximised by water‐filling algorithm, in the secondary network, the authors try to choose the precoding matrices of the SUs such that the interferences at the primary receivers are aligned away from the desired subspaces of the primary receivers. Besides, the interference cancellation of the PUs on the secondary links is considered through designing the post‐processing matrices for the secondary links. In this way, their mutual harmful effects are suppressed and SUs could transmit their information simultaneously on the same frequency or time without causing/receiving any interference to/from the primary links. Meanwhile, the feasibility condition for the secondary network regarding the mentioned constraints is investigated. In addition, the rates of the secondary links are maximised by water‐filling algorithm. The proposed iterative algorithm is an improved version of minimum weighted leakage interference algorithm with a much faster convergence rate. The analytical results are confirmed through simulations.
Impulsive control for stabilisation of discrete delay systems and synchronisation of discrete delay dynamical networks
Authors: Liu Xinzhi , Zhang Kexue
Published: June 2014

This study investigates impulsive stabilisation of non‐linear discrete‐time systems with time‐delay. By employing Razumikhin technique and Lyapunov functions, several global exponential stability criteria are established. It is shown that, even if the non‐linear discrete delay systems, in the absence of impulses, are unstable, impulses can exponentially stabilise the system with an estimated convergence rate. Moveover, these impulsive stabilisation results can be applied to design impulsive control scheme to achieve exponential synchronisation of discrete dynamical networks with coupling time‐delays. Synchronisation criteria are obtained by using some simple forms of Lyapunov functions. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the authors’ results.
Stabilisation of hybrid stochastic systems by disordered controllers
Authors: Wang Guoliang , Xu Shengyuan , Zou Yun
Published: June 2014

This study considers the stabilisation problem of hybrid stochastic systems by regular and stochastic state feedback controllers whose operation modes suffer a disordering phenomenon. By introducing an augmented Markov chain, a new operation mode is used to describe such a disagreement. Without designing a controller with new operation mode directly, a kind of controllers only having original operation mode is developed by using the non‐fragile control method, whose condition is given as linear matrix inequalities with equation constraints. Moreover, extensions to transition probability matrix with elementwise bounded uncertainties and being partially unknown are obtained. Simulation examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Delay dependent stability conditions of static recurrent neural networks: a non‐linear convex combination method
Authors: Yang Feisheng , Zhang Huaguang
Published: June 2014

A new method is developed for stability of static recurrent neural networks with time‐varying delay in this study. Improved delay‐dependent conditions in the form of a set of linear matrix inequalities are derived for this class of static nets through the newly proposed augmented Lyapunov–Krasovski functional. Our derivation employs a novel non‐linear convex combination technique, that is, quadratic convex combination. Different from previous results, the property of quadratic convex function is fully taken advantage of without resort to the Jensen's inequality. A numerical example is provided to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the presented results.
Single change detection‐based moving object segmentation by using Daubechies complex wavelet transform
Authors: Khare Manish , Srivastava Rajneesh Kumar , Khare Ashish
Published: June 2014

Research in motion analysis is a challenging field and it has a variety of video surveillance applications. For any video surveillance application, background detection and removal plays an important role in segmentation of the moving objects. This study proposes a new method for segmentation of the moving object, which is based on single change detection applied on Daubechies complex wavelet coefficients of two consecutive frames. The authors have chosen Daubechies complex wavelet transform as it is shift invariant and has a better directional selectivity as compared with real‐valued wavelet transforms. Single change detection is a method to obtain video object plane by inter‐frame difference of two consecutive frames, and it provides automatic detection of appearances of new objects. The proposed method does not require any other parameter except wavelet coefficients. Segmentation results of the moving objects after applying the proposed method are compared with those obtained after applying other spatial and wavelet domain segmentation methods in terms of visual performance and a number of quantitative measures viz misclassification penalty, relative position‐based measure, structural content, normalised absolute error and average difference and the proposed method is found better than the other methods.