bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Storing Matter technique applied to Alq3: influence of the collector material and the sputter‐deposition energy on fragmentation
Authors: Becker N. , Wirtz T. , Migeon H.‐N.
Published: December 2012

The Storing Matter technique is derived from secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and consists in decoupling the sputtering of the specimen from the analysis step. In a dedicated prototype instrument, the sample surface is bombarded by an ion beam, and the sputtered particles are deposited at sub‐monolayer level onto a collector. In a second step, this deposit is analyzed by SIMS (static or dynamic). In this work, we applied the Storing Matter technique to tris(8‐hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3), a common component of organic light‐emitting diodes. Alq3 was sputter‐deposited onto Ag and Si collectors with different impact energies ranging from 3.75 keV to 10 keV. Positive mass spectra of these deposits and of an Alq3 reference sample were acquired under static SIMS conditions with 10‐keV impact energy. The intensity ratios of the characteristic Alq3 peaks are very similar for the Alq3 reference spectrum and the Storing Matter deposit with 10 keV, which indicates that most of the organic fragments deposited on the collector do not undergo a second fragmentation during the analysis step. This is however not the case for the same deposit on a Si collector. As the impact energy used for the sputter‐deposition step decreases, the peak distribution is shifted in favor of the smaller fragments, indicating a higher level of fragmentation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vesicle‐Mediated Growth of Tubular Branches and Centimeter‐Long Microtubes from a Single Molecule
Authors: Abbas Abdennour , Brimer Andrew , Tian Limei , d'Avignon D. André , Hameed Abdulrahman Shahul , Vittal Jagadese J. , Singamaneni Srikanth
Published: December 2012

The mechanism by which small molecules assemble into microscale tubular structures in aqueous solution remains poorly understood, particularly when the initial building blocks are non‐amphiphilic molecules and no surfactant is used. It is here shown how a subnanometric molecule, namely p‐aminothiophenol (p‐ATP), prepared in normal water with a small amount of ethanol, spontaneously assembles into a new class of nanovesicle. Due to Brownian motion, these nanostructures rapidly grow into micrometric vesicles and start budding to yield macroscale tubular branches with a remarkable growth rate of ∼20 μm s−1. A real‐time visualization by optical microscopy reveals that tubular growth proceeds by vesicle walk and fusion on the apex (growth cone) and sides of the branches and ultimately leads to the generation of centimeter‐long microtubes. This unprecedented growth mechanism is triggered by a pH‐activated proton switch and maintained by hydrogen bonding. The vesicle fusion‐mediated synthesis suggests that functional microtubes with biological properties can be efficiently prepared with a mixture of appropriate diaminophenyl blocks and the desired macromolecule. The reversibility, timescale, and very high yield (90%) of this synthetic approach make it a valuable model for the investigation of hierarchical and structural transition between organized assemblies with different size scales and morphologies.
Leadership Online: Expanding the Horizon
Authors: Phelps Kirstin
Published: December 2012

With an increase of online teaching, social media, and use of classroom technology by both location‐bound and distance students, how do we teach and learn leadership through online tools? International Leadership Association overarching Teaching and Learning Guiding Question: “What are students' developmental levels and what teaching and learning methods are most appropriate to ensure maximum student learning?”
Evolutionary design of decision trees
Authors: Podgorelec Vili , Šprogar Matej , Pohorec Sandi
Published: December 2012

Decision tree (DT) is one of the most popular symbolic machine learning approaches to classification with a wide range of applications. Decision trees are especially attractive in data mining. It has an intuitive representation and is, therefore, easy to understand and interpret, also by nontechnical experts. The most important and critical aspect of DTs is the process of their construction. Several induction algorithms exist that use the recursive top‐down principle to divide training objects into subgroups based on different statistical measures in order to achieve homogeneous subgroups. Although being robust and fast, generally providing good results, their deterministic and heuristic nature can lead to suboptimal solutions. Therefore, alternative approaches have developed which try to overcome the drawbacks of classical induction. One of the most viable approaches seems to be the use of evolutionary algorithms, which can produce better DTs as they are searching for globally optimal solutions, evaluating potential solutions with regard to different criteria. We review the process of evolutionary design of DTs, providing the description of the most common approaches as well as referring to recognized specializations. The overall process is first explained and later demonstrated in a step‐by‐step case study using a dataset from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) machine learning repository. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Classification

Technologies > Machine Learning
Low‐Temperature Synthesis, Characterization, and Stability of Spinel‐Type Li2NiF4 and Solid‐Solutions Li2Ni1–xCoxF4
Authors: Kohl Julia , Nakhal Suliman , Ferro Noel , Bottke Patrick , Wilkening Martin , Bredow Thomas , Heitjans Paul , Lerch Martin
Published: December 2012

A new synthesis route to Li2NiF4 based on a fluorolytic process using Ni(acac)2 or Ni(OAc)2·4H2O as precursor is presented. Variation of the synthesis conditions allows crystallite size control of the obtained powders. 6Li and 7Li MAS NMR experiments were carried out to study local environments of the lithium ions. Several attempts were made to synthesize Li2CoF4, which are, unfortunately, hitherto not successful. Nevertheless, our studies clearly reveal that solid solutions Li2NiF4–Li2CoF4 are stable up to ca. 30 % cobalt. High‐temperature X‐ray diffraction measurements also show no evidence for the existence of pure Li2CoF4. These findings are supported by quantum chemical calculations.
Climate change, phenology and species detectability in a monitoring scheme
Authors: Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: December 2012

The knowledge of the state of biodiversity on the globe is based on a large number of monitoring schemes. Quite often the results of these schemes are sensitive to the timing of monitoring due to the phenology of species, which in turn may affect the detectability of species during censuses. As global warming has been shown to cause changes in phenology, there is an increasing risk that species detectability will be altered if the timing of monitoring is not adapted to this change. I tested how sensitive species detectability is to the timing of censuses and whether there are potential climate‐driven temporal changes in the detectability of 73 Finnish land bird species monitored using single‐visit line‐transects in 1987–2010. This was done by investigating seasonal and annual patterns in the proportion of birds in the main belt and those detected by displaying activity. Over 20 of the study species showed significant changes in detectability within the census season. However, only three species showed a significant trend in annual detectability. According to multi‐species analyses there was a slight but significant increasing trend in the proportion of displaying birds and a slight decreasing trend in the proportion of birds in the main belt. However, the observed species‐specific annual changes in displaying activity or in proportion of birds in main belt were not associated with the observed population trends of species during the same period. Nevertheless, the findings highlight a strong potential risk that species detectability can change if climate change escalates in the future. I recommend researchers to investigate how sensitive their monitoring systems are for phenological changes and prepare tools for taking potential changes in detectability into account.
A simplePichia pastorisfermentation and downstream processing strategy for making recombinant pandemic Swine Origin Influenza A virus Hemagglutinin protein
Authors: Athmaram T N , Singh Anil Kumar , Saraswat Shweta , Srivastava Saurabh , Misra Princi , Kameswara Rao M , Gopalan N , Rao P V L
Published: December 2012

The present Influenza vaccine manufacturing process has posed a clear impediment to initiation of rapid mass vaccination against spreading pandemic influenza. New vaccine strategies are therefore needed that can accelerate the vaccine production. Pichia offers several advantages for rapid and economical bulk production of recombinant proteins and, hence, can be attractive alternative for producing an effective influenza HA based subunit vaccine. The recombinant Pichia harboring the transgene was subjected to fed-batch fermentation at 10 L scale. A simple fermentation and downstream processing strategy is developed for high-yield secretory expression of the recombinant Hemagglutinin protein of pandemic Swine Origin Influenza A virus using Pichia pastoris via fed-batch fermentation. Expression and purification were optimized and the expressed recombinant Hemagglutinin protein was verified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot and MALDI-TOF analysis. In this paper, we describe a fed-batch fermentation protocol for the secreted production of Swine Influenza A Hemagglutinin protein in the P. pastoris GS115 strain. We have shown that there is a clear relationship between product yield and specific growth rate. The fed-batch fermentation and downstream processing methods optimized in the present study have immense practical application for high-level production of the recombinant H1N1 HA protein in a cost effective way using P. pastoris.
Treatment of acute decompensation of maple syrup urine disease in adult patients with a new parenteral amino‐acid mixture
Authors: Servais A. , Arnoux J. B. , Lamy C. , Hummel A. , Vittoz N. , Katerinis I. , Bazzaoui V. , Dubois S. , Broissand C. , Husson M. C. , Berleur M. P. , Rabier D. , Ottolenghi C. , Valayannopoulos V. , de Lonlay P.
Published: December 2012

Background

Acute decompensation of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is usually treated by enteral feeding with an amino‐acid mixture without leucine (Leu), valine or isoleucine. However, its administration is ineffective in cases of gastric intolerance and some adult patients refuse enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube. We developed a new parenteral amino‐acid mixture for patients with MSUD.

Methods

Seventeen decompensation episodes in four adult patients with MSUD treated with a parenteral amino‐acid mixture (group P) were compared to 18 previous episodes in the same patients treated by enteral feeding (group E).

Results

The mean Leu concentration at presentation was similar in the groups P and E (1196.9 μmol/L and 1212.2 μmol/L, respectively). The mean decrease in the Leu concentration during the first 3 days of hospitalisation was significantly higher in group P than group E (p = 0.0026); there were no side effects. The mean duration of hospitalisation was similar (4 vs. 4.5 days, p = NS). No patient in group P deteriorated whereas one patient in group E required dialysis.

Conclusion

This new parenteral amino‐acid mixture is safe and allows efficient Leu concentration decrease during acute MSUD decompensation episodes in adults. Its use avoids the need for nasogastric tube insertion.
Selegiline (deprenyl) decreases calbindin‐D28k expression in cortical neurons of rats socially deprived during the post‐weaning period
Authors: Pascual Rodrigo , Zamora‐León Pilar , Bustamante Carlos
Published: December 2012

Preclinical studies indicate that selegiline (deprenyl), frequently used in some neurodegenerative diseases, exert protective effects on central nervous system neurons of individuals exposed to social isolation (SI). Furthermore, it has been suggested that SI produces neuronal dysfunction due in part to an excessive intracellular Ca2+ overload. Since the main intracellular Ca2+ buffering mechanism involves changes in the calcium‐binding protein calbindin‐D28k (CB), and that CB neuronal expression can increase in response to Ca2+ transients, we hypothesized that chronic selegiline administration in early socially isolated animals could minimize cell CB expression as an indirect indicator of protective mechanism against Ca2+ overload. In the present study male rats were weaned at postnatal day 21 (P21) and randomly assigned to social deprivation (SI) or control (SC) environments for 30 days (P21–51). SI animals were further subdivided in two experimental groups: socially deprived‐saline (SI‐SAL) and socially isolated‐selegiline (SI‐SEL) for additional 30 days (P52–82). Medial frontal CB immunoreactivity (CB‐ir) neurons were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The results obtained indicate that neocortical cells of adult rats submitted to early SI show a significant increase in the number of CB‐ir neurons per cortical field, while selegiline treatment significantly reduces this parameter.
Frontolimbic atrophy is associated with agitation and aggression in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Trzepacz Paula T. , Yu Peng , Bhamidipati Phani K. , Willis Brian , Forrester Tammy , Tabas Linda , Schwarz Adam J. , Saykin Andrew J. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2012

Background

The neuroanatomy of agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's disease is not well understood.

Methods

We analyzed 24 months of Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative data for patients with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment‐stable, and mild cognitive impairment‐converter (n = 462) using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire Agitation and Aggression subscale. Magnetic resonance imaging regions of interest that correlated with Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire Agitation and Aggression subscale raw scores were included in mixed‐model, repeated‐measures analyses of agitation and aggression over time with age, sex, apolipoprotein E ε4 status, education, and Mini‐Mental State Examination score as covariates.

Results

Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire Agitation and Aggression subscale scores worsened in patients with Alzheimer's disease and in mild cognitive impairment‐converter (P < .05; trend for mild cognitive impairment, P = .0518). Greater agitation and aggression severity was associated with greater atrophy of frontal, insular, amygdala, cingulate, and hippocampal regions of interest (P < .05). Mini‐Mental State Examination score was significant in mixed‐effect model repeated measures only in mild cognitive impairment‐converters for posterior regions of interest. Demographics and apolipoprotein ε4 were not associated with agitation and aggression.

Conclusions

Agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment is associated with neurodegeneration affecting the anterior salience network that may reduce capacity to process and regulate behaviors properly.
Diagnostic utility of freehand core-needle biopsy in head and neck masses
Authors: Bowyer D J , Smillie I , Ganly I
Published: December 2012

Objective:

To review our experience with freehand core-needle biopsy in the assessment of unexplained head and neck masses.

Methods:

A total of 770 patients with head and neck masses (referred over a 22-month period) were evaluated. A retrospective chart review was performed on 53 of those patients who underwent core-needle biopsy for an unexplained mass.

Results:

Correct sampling of the target tissue was achieved in all 53 patients (100 per cent) using a freehand core-needle biopsy technique. The diagnostic accuracy for providing adequate tissue samples for histopathological diagnosis was 96 per cent; the test sensitivity was 92 per cent. Four patients (7 per cent) required open surgical biopsy prior to commencing definitive treatment.

Conclusion:

Out-patient freehand core-needle biopsy can be carried out safely on select patients with head and neck masses, and provides high quality histopathology specimens with high diagnostic utility.
SINGLE VEHICLE ROUTING PROBLEMS WITH A PREDEFINED CUSTOMER ORDER, UNIFIED LOAD AND STOCHASTIC DISCRETE DEMANDS
Authors: Pandelis Dimitrios G. , Karamatsoukis Constantinos C. , Kyriakidis Epaminondas G.
Published: December 2012

We consider the problem of finding the optimal routing of a single vehicle that delivers K different products to N customers that are served according to a particular order. It is assumed that the demands of the customers for each product are discrete random variables, and the total demand of each customer for all products cannot exceed the vehicle capacity. The joint probability mass function of the demands of each customer is known. It is assumed that all products are stored together in the vehicle's single compartment. The policy that serves all customers with the minimum total expected cost is found by implementing a suitable dynamic programming algorithm. We prove that this policy has a specific threshold-type structure. Furthermore, we study a corresponding infinite-time horizon problem in which the service of the customers is not completed when the last customer has been serviced but it continues periodically with the same customer order. The demands of each customer for the products have the same distributions at different periods. The discounted cost optimal policy and the average-cost optimal policy have the same structure as the optimal policy in the finite-horizon problem. Numerical results are given that illustrate the structural results.
INEQUALITIES FOR CORRELATED BIVARIATE NORMAL DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION
Authors: Monhor Davaadorjin
Published: December 2012

We establish several such new inequalities that improve the accuracy of bounding the probability content of bivariate normal distribution function by the Slepian's inequalities. Apart from the improvement of the accuracy, their easy–to–compute form is another attractive feature of these new inequalities which fact is of considerable interest for both theoretical and practical applications. A novel application possibility is mentioned, too.
ON THE RELIABILITY PROPERTIES OF SOME WEIGHTED MODELS OF BATHTUB SHAPED HAZARD RATE DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Noughabi M. Shafaei , Borzadaran G.R. Mohtashami , Roknabadi A.H. Rezaei
Published: December 2012

LetFbe a bathtub-shaped (BT) hazard rate distribution function. It has been shown that the hazard rate function of the order statistics may be BT, increasing, etc. Then, we have carried out a graphical study for some useful lifetime models.

Moreover, we are interested to compare the time that maximizes the mean residual life (MRL) function ofFwith the one related to a general weighted model in terms of their locations. Also, the times maximizing the conditional reliability proposed by Mi [13] ofFhave been compared with the corresponding times of a general weighted model. As special cases, we consider order statistics and the proportional hazard rate model.
“ALL THAT IS SOLID…”:SACBES, SETTLEMENT, AND SEMIOTICS AT TZACAUIL, YUCATAN
Authors: Hutson Scott R. , Magnoni Aline , Stanton Travis W.
Published: December 2012

This paper applies structuration theory and semiotics to interpret the results of a recently completed total coverage pedestrian survey to the east of Yaxuna, Yucatan. Data from this survey suggest that a social group centered at the site of Tzacauil vied for political clout in the Late Preclassic period through the construction of a triadic acropolis 3 km from Yaxuna. This group also initiated but did not complete a new experimental construction: a long-distance causeway between the two sites. A central facet of structuration is the instability of social practice. Rules can be altered when transposed to new contexts, while durable resources, such as causeways and acropolis groups, do not ensure the solidity of the coalitions they are meant to represent. Despite an outlay of labor never again seen to the east of Yaxuna, Tzacauil had a rather short occupation. Though they never completed the causeway, the people of Tzacauil did succeed in transforming the conventional understanding of causeways. These events support a semiotic approach since they show that materiality is contingent: it has a potential that people may or may not work to realize.
LIVING IN THE CITY: SETTLEMENT PATTERNS AND THE URBAN EXPERIENCE AT CLASSIC PERIOD CHUNCHUCMIL, YUCATAN, MEXICO
Authors: Magnoni Aline , Hutson Scott R. , Dahlin Bruce H.
Published: December 2012

In this paper we illustrate the distinctive settlement patterns of the city of Chunchucmil during its largest occupation in the middle of the Classic period (a.d.400–650). The unusually dense urban settlement showcased a network of boundary walls andchichbessurrounding residential groups and narrow streets winding between the tightly bounded houselots. Using a sample of 392 completely and unambiguously bounded houselots, we review the basic characteristics, the structural composition, and variability of late Early Classic and early Late Classic residential groups. Then, we explore how these city dwellers may have experienced their urban environment. Our focus is on understanding how the material aspects of the socially constructed space affected people's practices and how this materiality helped create and define specific household identities as well as extra-household social bonds.
SOMETHING IN COMMON?
Authors: Wallsten Kevin , Nteta Tatishe M.
Published: December 2012

Does elite rhetoric influence how Latinos view their relationship with African Americans? In this paper, we provide a systematic empirical assessment of the impact that elite messages have on Latino perceptions of economic and political commonality by drawing on two unique data sources: the 2006 Latino National Survey (LNS) and a survey experiment embedded in the September 2010 Latino Decisions Tracking Poll (LDS). Our analysis reveals that the attitudinal effects of exposure to elite messages are strongly conditioned by one's political partisanship. To be more precise, we find that although exposure to elite messages leads Democrats to express more in common politically with African Americans, it fails to exert any significant influence among other groups and on different dependent variables. Specifically, the evidence presented here shows that reception of persuasive messages from like-minded political leaders contributes nothing to our understanding of how attitudes on economic commonality are formed and very little to our understanding of the source from which perceptions of political commonality arise among Republicans and Independents. In addition to making significant contributions to the literatures on commonality, multiracial coalitions and public opinion, these findings also make a strong case for further evaluating the role of political leadership in forging bonds of cooperation across racial lines.
Stresserleben und verändertes Fahrverhalten nach einem virtuellen Autounfall
Authors: Kinateder Max , Pauli Paul , Müller Mathias , Mühlberger Andreas
Published: December 2012

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Verkehrsunfälle bedeuten enormem Stress, der die körperliche und psychische Gesundheit der Betroffenen beeinflussen kann. Zudem besteht das Risiko einer akuten oder posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung. Fragestellung: Die hier vorgestellten Studien untersuchten Stresserleben und Fahrverhalten während und nach einem virtuellen Verkehrsunfall sowie den moderierenden Einfluss von wahrgenommener Verantwortung. Methode: Die Probanden überholten je sechsmal einen Lkw auf einer Autobahnbrücke. Während der zweiten Fahrt verursachte dieser einen Verkehrsunfall mit Beteiligung des Probandenfahrzeugs. In Studie 1 warnten Windsäcke eine Probandengruppe vor erhöhter Unfallgefahr, in Studie 2 wurde die wahrgenommene Verantwortung variiert, indem die Probanden den Unfall als Fahrer oder als Beifahrer erlebten. Ergebnisse: Der Unfall löste in beiden Studien deutliche Stressreaktionen aus. In Studie 1 hatten die Windwarnungen keinen Einfluss auf das Fahrverhalten. In Studie 2 fuhren Probanden, die den Unfall als Fahrer erlebt hatten, nach dem Unfall vorsichtiger. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse tragen zum Verständnis des Erlebens und Verhaltens potentiell traumatisierender Situationen bei.
Ein Gruppenbehandlungsprogramm zur Bewältigung von schweren Brandverletzungen
Authors: Seehausen Annika , Renneberg Babette
Published: December 2012

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Schwere Verbrennungen verursachen häufig bleibende körperliche Einschränkungen und Entstellungen. Viele Betroffene fühlen sich beim Bewältigungsprozess der Unfallfolgen überfordert. Das deutschlandweit erste verhaltenstherapeutische Gruppenbehandlungsprogramm speziell für Brandverletzte wurde entwickelt, um Betroffene bei der Bewältigung der längerfristigen Folgen des Unfalls und der Rückkehr in den Alltag zu unterstützen. Fragestellung: Ziel der Arbeit ist die Beschreibung des Programms und der Implementierung sowie die Darstellung der Ergebnisse zur Zufriedenheit der Teilnehmer (n = 86). Methode: Mit Hilfe eines Evaluationsbogens bewerteten die Gruppenteilnehmer, wie hilfreich und interessant sie die einzelnen Sitzungen fanden. Antworten auf die Frage: „Was könnte an der Sitzung verbessert werden?” wurden qualitativ ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die Zufriedenheit der Patienten mit dem Gruppenprogramm war hoch. 89,3 % beurteilten es als „gut oder sehr gut” und 80,4 % der Teilnehmer empfanden es als „sehr hilfreich oder hilfreich”. Als besonders wichtig wurde in den Rückmeldungen der Austausch mit anderen Betroffenen hervorgehoben. Schlussfolgerung: Das neu entwickelte Gruppenbehandlungsprogramm für Brandverletzte wurde von den Betroffenen gut angenommen und als hilfreich für die Bewältigung der Unfallfolgen beurteilt.
Psychophysiologische Belastungsreaktivität nach einem simulierten Feuer in einer Parkgarage
Authors: Scheel Corinna N. , Kleim Birgit , Schmitz Julian , Becker-Asano Christian , Sun Dali , Nebel Bernhard , Tuschen-Caffier Brunna
Published: December 2012

Theoretischer Hindergrund: Bewältigungsverhalten in Notfallsituationen wird meistens retrospektiv erfasst oder ist aufgrund der Verschiedenheit der Notfallsituationen schlecht vergleichbar. Methoden der Virtuellen Realität (VR) ermöglichen die Erfassung von Verhaltensparametern und psychophysiologischen Belastungsreaktionen während eines belastenden Ereignisses und erlauben zudem das standardisierte Wiederholen für mehrere Personen. Fragestellung: Ziel unserer Studie war es, ein neues Notfallszenario (Feuer in einer Parkgarage) in VR zu entwickeln und zu testen, ob sich anhand dessen substanzielle psychische und physiologische Belastungsreaktionen induzieren lassen. Methode: Mehrfach im Untersuchungsablauf wurden das emotionale Erleben und physiologische Parameter erhoben. Ergebnisse: Das VR Szenario führte bei den teilnehmenden Probanden sowohl zu subjektiven als auch zu physiologischen Veränderungen im Sinne einer Stressinduktion. Das von uns entwickelte Szenario erscheint daher brauchbar, Verhaltensstrategien und Bewältigungsverhalten in Notfallsituationen zu simulieren. Schlussfolgerungen: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der VR-Methode mit Blick auf klinisch-psychologische Implikationen werden diskutiert.
Do earthquakes talk to each other? Triggering and interaction of repeating sequences at Parkfield
Authors: Chen Kate Huihusan , Bürgmann Roland , Nadeau Robert M.
Published: December 2012

Knowledge of what governs the timing of earthquakes is essential to understanding the nature of the earthquake cycle and to determining earthquake hazard, yet the variability and controls of earthquake recurrences are not well established. The large population of small, characteristically repeating earthquakes at Parkfield provides a unique opportunity to study how the interaction of earthquakes affects their recurrence properties. We analyze 112 M −0.4~3.0 repeating earthquake sequences (RESs) to examine the triggering effect from nearby microseismicity. We find that the repeating events with a smaller number of neighboring earthquakes in their immediate vicinity tend to recur in a more periodic manner (i.e., the coefficient of variation in recurrence intervals is less than 0.3). The total static stress perturbation from close‐by earthquakes, however, does not seem to strongly influence RES regularity. The uneven distribution of stress changes in time has a modest but significant impact on recurrence intervals. A significant reduction of recurrence intervals occurs in the case of very high‐stress changes from neighboring events. Close‐by events influence RES timing in a matter of several days or less by short‐term triggering. Events that occurred within less than 1 day of an RES often imposed or experienced high‐stress changes. A static stress increment of ~30 kPa can be enough to produce such short‐term triggering. We find that the triggered repeating events are often near the end of their average earthquake cycle, but some events occur following a substantially shortened interval. When comparing the accelerated occurrence at the time of RES events following neighboring events with varying magnitudes, we find that the distance of short‐term triggering increases from <1 km to 4 km for M1 to M4 events.
Modeling Perceived Quality of Life for People Living Near a Nigerian Dumpsite
Authors: Olapegba Peter O. , Balogun Shyngle K. , De Paul Chism Nicola F.
Published: December 2012

In response to the rapid and unplanned growth that has led to the colocation of residential communities with refuse dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria, we conducted a cross-sectional investigation of individuals living within the Olusosun community near a refuse dumpsite. Participants were 479 persons (>18 years of age, 52.6% male) who lived within 1 km of a refuse dumpsite. We examined the relationships between perceived quality of life and predictor variables, self-esteem, learned helplessness, and environmental expectations. Data analysis using structural equation modeling procedures partially supported our hypothesized explanatory model. Specifically, we found self-esteem had direct and indirect effects, through environmental expectations, on perceived quality of life. However, the indirect effect of learned helplessness on perceived quality of life was not supported. A limitation of our study, selective recruitment of participants who could read and write in English, emphasizes the need for future studies to recruit indigenous language speakers.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Icelandic Beliefs About Psychological Services Scale (I-BAPS)
Authors: Ægisdóttir Stefanía , Einarsdóttir Sif
Published: December 2012

Three studies are described on the cross-cultural adaptation of the Beliefs About Psychological Services scale for use in Iceland (I-BAPS). Emic and etic methods were used to enhance the instrument's cross-cultural validity. In Study 1, indigenous emic items were developed. In Studies 2 and 3, the dimensionality and psychometric properties of the instrument were evaluated. The I-BAPS contains 22 items (16 etic and 6 emic) distributed on three subscales: Intent, Stigma Tolerance, and Expertness, which provide a reliable and valid representation of Icelanders' attitudes toward and intentions to seek psychological services. It is expected that the I-BAPS will stimulate research on psychological help seeking in Iceland. It is also anticipated that the methods we used will inspire those interested in cross-cultural and cultural research to focus on validity enhancement of instruments for use outside their culture of origin.
Thermal fluctuations of magnetic nanoparticles: Fifty years after Brown
Authors: Coffey William T. , Kalmykov Yuri P.
Published: December 2012

The reversal time, superparamagnetic relaxation time, of the magnetization of fine single domain ferromagnetic nanoparticles owing to thermal fluctuations plays a fundamental role in information storage, paleomagnetism, biotechnology, etc. Here a comprehensive tutorial-style review of the achievements of fifty years of development and generalizations of the seminal work of Brown [Phys. Rev. 130, 1677 (1963)] on thermal fluctuations of magnetic nanoparticles is presented. Analytical as well as numerical approaches to the estimation of the damping and temperature dependence of the reversal time based on Brown's Fokker-Planck equation for the evolution of the magnetic moment orientations on the surface of the unit sphere are critically discussed while the most promising directions for future research are emphasized.
Evidence for surface plasmons in a liquid crystal containing gold nanoparticles
Authors: Tiwari Kunal , Singh Ankit K. , Sharma Suresh C.
Published: December 2012

We present evidence for surface plasmons (SPs) in a nematic liquid crystal (LC) containing dispersion of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The evidence originates from observations of attenuated total reflection (ATR) of p-polarized laser incident upon a high-index prism/LC-Au NPs/glass structure. We argue that SPs are generated through evanescent waves interacting with Au NPs embedded in the LC and NPs' dispersing medium.
Effects of fuel load and moisture content on fire behaviour and heating in masticated litter-dominated fuels
Authors: Kreye Jesse K. , Kobziar Leda N. , Zipperer Wayne C.
Published: December 2012

Mechanical fuels treatments are being used in fire-prone ecosystems where fuel loading poses a hazard, yet little research elucidating subsequent fire behaviour exists, especially in litter-dominated fuelbeds. To address this deficiency, we burned constructed fuelbeds from masticated sites in pine flatwoods forests in northern Florida with palmetto-dominated understoreys and examined the effects of fuel load and fuel moisture content (FMC) on fire behaviour. Flame lengths (49–140 cm) and fireline intensity (183–773 kJ m–1 s–1) increased with loading (10–30 Mg ha–1) and were reduced by 40 and 47% with increasing FMC from 9 to 13%. Rate of spread was not influenced by fuel load, but doubled under drier FMC. Fuel consumption was >90% for all burns. Soil temperatures were influenced by both fuel load and FMC, but never reached lethal temperatures (60°C). However, temperatures of thermocouple probes placed at the fuelbed surface reached 274–503°C. Probe maximum temperature and duration at temperatures ≥60°C (9.5–20.0°C min) both increased with fuel load, but were unaffected by FMC. The fire behaviour observed in these unique litter-dominated fuelbeds provides additional insight into the burning characteristics of masticated fuels in general.
Conformal surface plasmons propagating on ultrathin and flexible films
Authors: Shen Xiaopeng , Cui Tie Jun , Martin-Cano Diego , Garcia-Vidal Francisco J.
Published: December 2012

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are localized surface electromagnetic waves that propagate along the interface between a metal and a dielectric. Owing to their inherent subwavelength confinement, SPPs have a strong potential to become building blocks of a type of photonic circuitry built up on 2D metal surfaces; however, SPPs are difficult to control on curved surfaces conformably and flexibly to produce advanced functional devices. Here we propose the concept of conformal surface plasmons (CSPs), surface plasmon waves that can propagate on ultrathin and flexible films to long distances in a wide broadband range from microwave to mid-infrared frequencies. We present the experimental realization of these CSPs in the microwave regime on paper-like dielectric films with a thickness 600-fold smaller than the operating wavelength. The flexible paper-like films can be bent, folded, and even twisted to mold the flow of CSPs.
Regulation of the filament structure and assembly ofAcanthamoebamyosin II by phosphorylation of serines in the heavy-chain nonhelical tailpiece
Authors: Liu Xiong , Hong Myoung-Soon , Shu Shi , Yu Shuhua , Korn Edward D.
Published: December 2012

Significance

Class II myosins are the only members of this superfamily of actin-associated molecular motors that form antiparallel bipolar filaments, which are essential for the biological functions of these myosins. Here we show that the assembly ofAcanthamoebamyosin II monomers into minifilaments is modified by phosphorylation of one or more of four serine residues in the 27-residue nonhelical tailpiece at the end of each of the two heavy chains that form the coiled-coil helix characteristic of class II myosins. This regulatory mechanism might be applicable to other class II myosins that have a nonhelical tailpiece.
Systemic administration of a bispecific antibody targeting EGFRvIII successfully treats intracerebral glioma
Authors: Choi Bryan D. , Kuan Chien-Tsun , Cai Mingqing , Archer Gary E. , Mitchell Duane A. , Gedeon Patrick C. , Sanchez-Perez Luis , Pastan Ira , Bigner Darell D. , Sampson John H.
Published: December 2012

Bispecific antibodies (bscAbs), particularly those of the bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) subclass, have been shown to effectively redirect T cells against cancer. Previous efforts to target antigens expressed in both tumors and normal tissues have produced significant toxicity, however. Moreover, like other large molecules, bscAbs may be restricted from entry into the “immunologically privileged” CNS. A tumor-specific mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFRvIII, is a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase not found in normal tissues but frequently expressed in glioblastomas and many other neoplasms. Because it is localized solely to tumor tissue, EGFRvIII presents an ideal target for immunotherapy. Here we report the preclinical evaluation of an EGFRvIII-targeted BiTE, bscEGFRvIIIxCD3. Our results show that bscEGFRvIIIxCD3 activates T cells to mediate potent and antigen-specific lysis of EGFRvIII-expressing gliomas in vitro (
P
< 0.001) at exceedingly low concentrations (10 ng/mL) and effector-to-target ratios (2.5:1). Treatment with i.v. bscEGFRvIIIxCD3 yielded extended survival in mice with well-established intracerebral tumors (
P
< 0.05) and achieved durable complete cure at rates up to 75%. Antitumor efficacy was significantly abrogated on blockade of EGFRvIII binding, demonstrating the need for target antigen specificity both in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that BiTEs can be used to elicit functional antitumor immunity in the CNS, and that peptide blockade of BiTE-mediated activity may greatly enhance the safety profile for antibody-redirected T-cell therapies. Finally, bscEGFRvIIIxCD3 represents a unique advancement in BiTE technology given its exquisite tumor specificity, which enables precise elimination of cancer without the risk of autoimmune toxicity.
Long-lived microRNA–Argonaute complexes in quiescent cells can be activated to regulate mitogenic responses
Authors: Olejniczak Scott H. , La Rocca Gaspare , Gruber Joshua J. , Thompson Craig B.
Published: December 2012

Cellular proliferation depends on the integration of mitogenic stimuli with environmental conditions. Increasing evidence suggests that microRNAs play a regulatory role in this integration. Here we show that during periods of cellular quiescence, mature microRNAs are stabilized and stored in Argonaute protein complexes that can be activated by mitogenic stimulation to repress mitogen-stimulated targets, thus influencing subsequent cellular responses. In quiescent cells, the majority of microRNAs exist in low molecular weight, Argonaute protein-containing complexes devoid of essential components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). For at least 3 wk, this pool of Argonaute-associated microRNAs is stable and can be recruited into RISC complexes subsequent to mitogenic stimulation. Using several model systems, we demonstrate that stable Argonaute protein-associated small RNAs are capable of repressing mitogen-induced transcripts. Therefore, mature microRNAs may represent a previously unappreciated form of cellular memory that allows cells to retain posttranscriptional regulatory information over extended periods of cellular quiescence.
Pathway-specific modulation of nucleus accumbens in reward and aversive behavior via selective transmitter receptors
Authors: Hikida Takatoshi , Yawata Satoshi , Yamaguchi Takashi , Danjo Teruko , Sasaoka Toshikuni , Wang Yanyan , Nakanishi Shigetada
Published: December 2012

The basal ganglia–thalamocortical circuitry plays a central role in selecting actions that achieve reward-seeking outcomes and avoid aversive ones. Inputs of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in this circuitry are transmitted through two parallel pathways: the striatonigral direct pathway and the striatopallidal indirect pathway. In the NAc, dopaminergic (DA) modulation of the direct and the indirect pathways is critical in reward-based and aversive learning and cocaine addiction. To explore how DA modulation regulates the associative learning behavior, we developed an asymmetric reversible neurotransmission-blocking technique in which transmission of each pathway was unilaterally blocked by transmission-blocking tetanus toxin and the transmission on the intact side was pharmacologically manipulated by local infusion of a receptor-specific agonist or antagonist. This approach revealed that the activation of D1 receptors and the inactivation of D2 receptors postsynaptically control reward learning/cocaine addiction and aversive learning in a direct pathway-specific and indirect pathway–specific manner, respectively. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that aversive learning is elicited by elaborate actions of NMDA receptors, adenosine A2a receptors, and endocannabinoid CB1 receptors, which serve as key neurotransmitter receptors in inducing long-term potentiation in the indirect pathway. Thus, reward and aversive learning is regulated by pathway-specific neural plasticity via selective transmitter receptors in the NAc circuit.
English-medium programmes at Austrian business faculties
Authors: Unterberger Barbara
Published: December 2012

Internationalisation processes have accelerated the implementation of English-medium programmes (EMPs) across European higher education institutions. The field of business and management studies has been particularly affected by this trend (Wächter & Maiworm 2008: 46) with numerous new EMPs introduced each year. This paper presents key findings of a quantitative status quo survey on the spread of EMPs across Austrian business faculties as well as those of a qualitative case study on English-taught programmes at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU). The macro data regarding degrees, implementation years and entry requirements confirm trends identified by precedent studies: There are no English-taught BA programmes, nearly 30% of all programmes were implemented at the peak of the Bologna reforms and there is no uniform admission policy. On the micro level, the study identifies key facts concerning the curriculum design of EMPs. The results point towards a lack of awareness of the ESP (English for Specific Purposes) element in English-medium business education, as only 11% of the courses can be classified as ESP. Despite the lack of focus on ESP, the analysis also shows that about a third of all content classes explicitly state language learning aims in their course descriptions.
Convolution sampling and reconstruction of signals in a reproducing kernel subspace
Authors: Nashed M. , Sun Qiyu , Xian Jun
Published: December 2012

We consider convolution sampling and reconstruction of signals in certain reproducing kernel subspaces of

L
p

,
1
≤
p
≤
∞

L^p, 1\le p\le \infty

. We show that signals in those subspaces could be stably reconstructed from their convolution samples taken on a relatively separated set with small gap. Exponential convergence and error estimates are established for the iterative approximation-projection reconstruction algorithm.
Taxing Food and Beverages: Theory, Evidence, and Policy
Authors: Zheng Yuqing , McLaughlin Edward W. , Kaiser Harry M.
Published: December 2012

We developed a theoretical framework to examine the effect of a change in sales or excise tax on food and beverage demand after considering that consumers may have imperfect tax knowledge, are sometimes inattentive to sales tax, may not be informed of a sales tax change, and pay no sales tax on eligible food or beverages if using food stamps. We conducted simulations to assess how much the sales tax elasticity of demand should be adjusted downward from the price elasticity of demand and quantified the advantage of using an excise tax as an anti‐obesity policy.
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme
Authors: Patnick Julietta
Published: December 2012

Cervical cancer is the 11th most common cancer in women. Cervical screening aims to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and, consequently, the number of deaths caused by cervical cancer, by regularly screening women so that cervical abnormalities that might otherwise develop into invasive cancer can be identified and treated. GPs play an important role in raising awareness of cervical cancer and ensuring that women are provided with the necessary information and advice to assist them in making an informed choice about attending cervical screening appointments.
Risk Factors for Developing Transient Neonatal Cholestasis
Authors: Champion Valerie , Carbajal Ricardo , Lozar Jana , Girard Isabelle , Mitanchez Delphine
Published: December 2012

Objectives:

To describe the incidence and the characteristics of neonatal cholestasis in a cohort of patients with known risk factors and to investigate additional risk factors.

Methods:

A prospective observational study conducted between April 2008 and 2009 involved all neonates admitted in the neonatal ward. They were divided into high‐ and low‐risk groups for cholestasis. The high‐risk group included preterm birth <34 weeks of gestation, small for gestational age (SGA), parenteral nutrition (PN) >7 days, abdomino‐pelvic or thoracic surgery. Bilirubinemia was weekly measured in the high‐risk group.

Results:

Of the 460 newborns studied, 234 were included in the high‐risk group and 226 in the low‐risk group. Cholestasis developed in 32 patients (13.7%) in the high‐risk group at mean (SD) age of 14.7 (12.9) days; all were receiving PN. None of the patients in the low‐risk group developed cholestasis. An analysis was carried out in the 207 patients in the high‐risk group who received PN. The odds ratio (OR) for developing cholestasis was 2.3 [1.1–5.0] and 5.6 [2.5–12.5] for SGA or surgical patients, respectively. Cholestasis was associated with neonatal severe conditions, longer PN duration, and more intravenous macronutrients' intakes. In multivariate analysis, SGA and neonatal surgery were strong independent risk factors for cholestasis, with OR (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of 4.4 [1.6–12.5] and 4.6 [1.7–12.3], respectively.

Conclusions:

Transient neonatal cholestasis is a complication of PN. SGA and neonatal surgery are additional risk factors. There is no evidence to limit intravenous protein intakes in preterm.