bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse Mode of Phosphatic Rocks in the Environs of Proterozoic Bijawar and Sonrai Basins and its Relevance to Uranium Mineralisation – A Case Study from Central India
Authors: Roy Madhuparna , Rawat T. P. S. , Bhairam C. L. , Parihar P. S.
Published: March 2014

The Bundelkhand massif comprising a variety of Archean-Paleoproterozoic granitoids along with low grade and high-grade metamorphites and located in the centre of the Indian Plate, underwent extension during Paleoproterozoic period, resulting in the formation of homotaxial intracratonic Bijawar and Sonrai basins in the south and Gwalior basin in the northern margin. The Bijawar and Sonrai basins are typified by their characteristic sediments and basic volcanic rocks. A feature common to both the basins, is the overwhelming occurrence of phosphatic rocks across stratigraphy and lithotype in the Bijawar basin and its confinement to the basal part of the sedimentary column in Sonrai basin. Most of these rocks are primarily of marine origin, and later subjected to periods of repeated phosphatic redistribution. Multiple episodes of such phosphatisation culminates in the proliferation and enrichment of phosphate in the upper Bijawar rocks of Bijawar basin (phosphatic breccia of Hirapur-Mardeora) and lower Bijawar rocks of Sonrai basin (phosphatic breccia of Lalitpur). Apart from these established phosphatic rocks in both the basins, quartz reefs occurring in the basement as well as the lower Bijawar Malhera Chert Breccia Formation in Bijawar basin at places are endowed with anomalously high phosphate content. The phosphatic component in all the lithotypes is in the form of apatite varying in form from microcrystalline to well formed coarser crystal aggregate comprising cement, veins and botroidal encrustations. Irrespective of its spatial, temporal and paragenetic position, it invariably registers weak to moderate radioactivity, due to the presence of uranium within it, as is evident from microprobe data. Although intra-grain and inter-grain distribution of uranium is found to be random and erratic, in general, it is observed that uranium tends to be enriched in the later generation phosphates, due to secondary process of dissolution and reprecipitation. The present paper, with fresh inputs from petrological, geochemical, minerochemical and isotope data pertaining to apatite from all these diverse units, not only explores the already established association of uranium and phosphate in these basins but also provides new insight to the phosphatic quartz reef within the basement and the phosphatised arenaceous sediments of the lower Bijawar Formation.
Ground Water Recharge in Urban Areas – Experience of Rain Water Harvesting
Authors: Singh Saumya , Samaddar A. B. , Srivastava R. K. , Pandey H. K.
Published: March 2014

Water consumption is likely to increase substantially in the future on account of rising population, economic growth, and social development. Rapid urbanization and population growth of Allahabad city, has necessitated thinking about the declination in ground water level as well as supply of sufficient quantity of water for future either for drinking purpose or industrial use. In the present study, rainfall recharge of Allahabad city has been computed on GIS platform (ArcInfo). Groundwater recharge potential zones of Allahabad city have also been found out using GIS. Case study of recharge of ground water through roof top rainwater harvesting at Vikas Bhawan (a multistoryed building), Allahabad is discussed. An implementation of this analysis and decision making software is expected to work for sustainable water management.
Hydrogeochemical Investigation and Groundwater Quality Assessment of Pratapgarh District, Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Tiwari Ashwani Kumar , Singh Abhay Kumar
Published: March 2014

Hydogrochemical investigation of groundwater resources of Paragraph district has been carried out to assess the solute acquisition processes and water quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Fifty-five groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, hardness, major anions (F−, Cl−, NO3, HCO3−, SO42−) and cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+). Study results reveal that groundwater of the area is alkaline in nature and HCO3−, Cl−, Mg2+, Na+ and Ca2+ are the major contributing ions to the dissolved solids. The hydrogeochemical data suggest that weathering of rock forming minerals along with secondary contributions from agricultural and anthropogenic sources are mainly controlling the groundwater composition of Pratapgarh district. Alkaline earth metals (Ca2++Mg2+) exceed alkalis (Na++K+) and weak acid (HCO3−) dominate over strong acids (Cl−+SO42−) in majority of the groundwater samples. Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl-HCO3 are the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in the groundwater of the area. The computed saturation indices demonstrate oversaturated condition with respect to dolomite and calcite and undersaturated with gypsum and fluorite. A comparison of groundwater quality parameters in relation to specified limits for drinking water shows that concentrations of TDS, F−, NO3− and total hardness exceed the desirable limits in many water samples. Quality assessment for irrigation uses reveal that the groundwater is good for irrigation. However, values of salinity, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), %Na and Kelley index are exceeding the prescribed limit at some sites, demanding adequate drainage and water management plan for the area.
Comportamiento de los ingresos por comisiones bancarias en Colombia durante el periodo 2006-2010
Authors: Stein Bronfman Roberto , Contreras Orlando , Bottia Santos Yeison Fabian
Published: March 2014

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo describir el comportamiento de los ingresos percibidos por elsector bancario colombiano, desde la perspectiva de los servicios que las instituciones bancarias ofrecena sus usuarios, paralelamente a la intermediación financiera, y que originan el cobro de comisiones ban-carias. Al ser un trabajo de tipo descriptivo, su metodología se apoya en el uso de la estadística descriptivapara entender el comportamiento del sector bancario. El resultado principal obtenido muestra que, tantoen términos agregados como en función del margen financiero bruto, existe un comportamiento opuestoentre los ingresos por intereses y los ingresos por comisiones bancarias, lo que sugiere que el sectorbancario colombiano desarrolló un ciclo complementario entre las 2 clases de ingresos.
Identifying atrial arrhythmias versus pacing‐induced rhythm disorders with state‐of‐the‐art cardiac implanted devices
Authors: Kohno Ritsuko , Oginosawa Yasushi , Abe Haruhiko
Published: March 2014

Repetitive non‐reentrant ventriculo‐atrial synchrony (RNRVAS) is a pacemaker‐induced arrhythmia that must be distinguished from atrial fibrillation (AF). Pacemaker‐induced arrhythmias are commonly detected as atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) by implanted cardiac devices. Two main types of atrial oversensing are recognized: far‐field R‐wave (FFRW) oversensing and pacemaker‐induced arrhythmias, which include pacemaker‐mediated tachycardia and RNRVAS. The presence of ventriculo‐atrial conduction is required for both types of pacemaker‐induced arrhythmias. The incidence of RNRVAS can increase with the use of various device settings and functions, such as long atrioventricular (AV) interval programming, the rate‐adaptive mode, and the atrial overdrive pacing algorithm. The negative aspects of pacemaker‐induced arrhythmias, especially RNRVAS, include (1) loss of optimal AV delay, (2) inappropriate increase in ventricular pacing, (3) induction of atrial arrhythmias, and (4) inaccurate diagnosis of AHRE. We review the incidence of arrhythmias, electrophysiological mechanisms, and the clinical diagnosis of RNRVAS identified by using dual‐chamber implantable cardiac devices.
PDGFRβ and FGFR2 mediate endothelial cell differentiation capability of triple negative breast carcinoma cells
Authors: Plantamura Ilaria , Casalini Patrizia , Dugnani Erica , Sasso Marianna , D'Ippolito Elvira , Tortoreto Monica , Cacciatore Matilde , Guarnotta Carla , Ghirelli Cristina , Barajon Isabella , Bianchi Francesca , Triulzi Tiziana , Agresti Roberto , Balsari Andrea , Campiglio Manuela , Tripodo Claudio , Iorio Marilena V. , Tagliabue Elda
Published: March 2014

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive subgroup of breast carcinoma, still lacking specific markers for an effective targeted therapy and with a poorer prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes.

In this study we investigated the possibility that TNBC cells contribute to the establishment of tumor vascular network by the process known as vasculogenic mimicry, through endothelial cell differentiation.

Vascular‐like functional properties of breast cancer cell lines were investigated in vitro by tube formation assay and in vivo by confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry on frozen tumor sections. TNBCs express endothelial markers and acquire the ability to form vascular‐like channels in vitro and in vivo, both in xenograft models and in human specimens, generating blood lacunae surrounded by tumor cells. Notably this feature is significantly associated with reduced disease free survival. The impairment of the main pathways involved in vessel formation, by treatment with inhibitors (i.e. Sunitinib and Bevacizumab) or by siRNA‐mediating silencing, allowed the identification of PDGFRβ and FGFR2 as relevant players in this phenomenon. Inhibition of these tyrosine kinase receptors negatively affects vascular lacunae formation and significantly inhibits TNBC growth in vivo.

In summary, we demonstrated that TNBCs have the ability to form vascular‐like channels in vitro and to generate blood lacunae lined by tumor cells in vivo. Moreover, this feature is associated with poor outcome, probably contributing to the aggressiveness of this breast cancer subgroup. Finally, PDGFRβ and FGFR2‐mediated pathways, identified as relevant in mediating this characteristic, potentially represent valid targets for a specific therapy of this breast cancer subgroup.
Sektorenübergreifende Qualitätssicherung und die Rolle des G-BA
Authors: Klakow-Franck Regina
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Die Entwicklung der Qualitätssicherung in Deutschland kann auf eine lange Tradition zurückblicken. Seit nunmehr 10 Jahren obliegt dem Gemeinsamen Bundesausschuss die Aufgabe, Mindeststandards für die Qualität der Patientenversorgung festzulegen. Der gesetzliche Auftrag wurde sukzessive erweitert und legt seit 2007 explizit den Fokus auf die sektorenübergreifende Qualitätssicherung. Anhand der ersten Ergebnisse zu den beauftragten sektorenübergreifenden QS-Verfahren zeigt sich deutlich, wo Umsetzungsprobleme und der Weiterentwicklungsbedarf in der sektorenübergreifenden Qualitätssicherung liegen.
A Barrel of Oil or a Bottle of Wine: How Do Global Growth Dynamics Affect Commodity Prices?
Authors: Cevik Serhan , Saadi Sedik Tahsin
Published: March 2014

This paper explores empirically the causes of extreme fluctuations in commodity prices from January 1990 to June 2010 and seeks to identify the relative contribution of advanced and emerging market economies to the changes in commodity prices. Our assumption is that analyzing two very distinct goods—crude oil and fine wine—helps to identify common determinants of commodity prices. We find that the growth rate of global aggregate demand is the key macroeconomic determinant of the fluctuations in both crude oil and fine wine prices over the sample period. While advanced economies account for more than half of global consumption, emerging market and developing economies make up the bulk of the incremental change in demand, thereby having a greater weight in commodity price formation. The coefficient of emerging market industrial output growth is about three times as high as that of advanced economies in oil price regressions and almost five times as powerful in fine wine price regressions. The results also show that the shift in the composition of aggregate commodity demand is a recent phenomenon. (JEL Classifications: Q11, Q39, Q41, Q43)
Accounts and balance sheet of Hull Whale Fishery Company, 1754–1757
Authors: Stonehouse Bernard
Published: March 2014

A recently-discovered financial balance sheet, accounting for the first four years’ transactions of the Hull Whale Fishery Company (1754–1757), adds detail to present knowledge of British Arctic whaling economics during the early years of the industry. This article summarises previously-known information on the Company and its four ships, and provides transcripts of the balance sheet covering the profits and losses of the early voyages. Based on tabulated details from the transcripts, and additional data from Customs records and muster rolls, it discusses ships, crews, voyages, catches and expenses, the products of oil and baleen, and the profits derived from them. It makes brief comparisons with similar data from Bristol and Exeter in the formative years of the industry, and draws attention to the key significance of the 40 shilling (£2) bounty during the early years.
Towards a cognitive model of hallucinations in the course of alcohol dependence? A source monitoring-based pilot study
Authors: Gawęda Ł. , Mikuła J. , Szelenbaum W. , Kokoszka A.
Published: March 2014

Background

We investigated whether source-monitoring deficits (here a discrimination between imagined and performed actions) underlie hallucinations among patients with a history of hallucinations in the course of their alcohol dependence.

Method

We assessed 29 patients with alcohol dependence who had no history of hallucinations during their course of alcoholism and 29 patients with a history of at least one episode of hallucinations of any modality during their course of alcohol dependency. The control group consisted of 24 healthy participants. Participants were assessed with an action memory task. Simple actions were presented to the participants verbally or non-verbally. Some actions were performed physically and others were imagined. In the recognition phase, participants were asked whether the action was presented verbally or non-verbally (action presentation type discrimination) and whether the action was performed or imagined (self-monitoring). A confidence score related to self-monitoring responses was also obtained.

Results

Alcoholics with a history of hallucinations misremembered imagined actions as perceived ones more frequently than patients without hallucinations, but not the reverse. Only patients with a history of hallucinations committed more errors of this type than healthy subjects. There were no group differences regarding discrimination between an action presentation type. Both clinical groups committed errors with a higher degree of confidence than healthy subjects.

Conclusions

Our results tentatively suggest that a specific type of source-monitoring deficit (i.e. confusing imagery with reality) may be involved in the hallucinations in patients with alcohol dependence. The findings are discussed in the light of a transdiagnostic approach to hallucinations.
Mandatory retirement for older professional drivers: an exploration of experiences for older Singaporean taxi drivers
Authors: CHAN MEI LENG , GUSTAFSSON L. , LIDDLE JACKI
Published: March 2014

Singapore has an age-based mandatory retirement policy for taxi drivers. In 2006, the upper age limit of mandatory retirement was raised from 70 to 73 years for healthy, older taxi drivers. Retirement from taxi driving in Singapore often results in simultaneous retirement from work and forced driving cessation due to limited private vehicle ownership. While both retirement from work and driving cessation have been found to have negative implications for health and wellbeing in Western countries, little is known about the effects of mandatory retirement and driving cessation for healthy professional drivers in an Asian context. This study aimed to explore the mandatory retirement experience of older Singaporean taxi drivers, aged 70–73 years. In-depth interviews were conducted within a descriptive phenomenological approach with 23 older Singaporean taxi drivers who were retired or retiring drivers. Findings showed the experience to be dominated by retirement from work issues rather than by driving cessation. Three themes described the experiences: ‘stories of taxi driving’, ‘feeling lost in retirement’ and ‘contradictions of growing old in Singapore’. Taxi driving was a valued role. Despite an expected retirement, most participants were not prepared for the retirement transition. They struggled with emotional adjustment, financial vulnerability, identity, reduction in life-space and meaningful activity participation. Participants felt under-valued despite having personal achievements and support from family and ‘successful ageing’ policies. Work remained a preferred activity despite limited re-employment opportunities. The unique context of expected but forced retirement, financial need in a non-welfare system, high cultural value on work, and limited options for productive or meaningful activities and roles, predisposed this sub-group of older Singaporean men to be vulnerable retirees in terms of identity and wellbeing issues. Support for a stressful late-life transition is indicated for continued health and wellbeing.
AN ARITHMETICAL EXCURSION VIA STONEHAM NUMBERS
Authors: COONS MICHAEL
Published: March 2014

Let$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}p$be a prime and$b$a primitive root of$p^2$. In this paper, we give an explicit formula for the number of times a value in$\{0,1,\ldots,b-1\}$occurs in the periodic part of the base-$b$expansion of$1/p^m$. As a consequence of this result, we prove two recent conjectures of Aragón Artacho et al. [‘Walking on real numbers’,Math. Intelligencer35(1) (2013), 42–60] concerning the base-$b$expansion of Stoneham numbers.
Genetic diversity and structure ofJatropha curcasL. in its centre of origin
Authors: Salvador-Figueroa M. , Magaña-Ramos J. , Vázquez-Ovando J. A. , Adriano-Anaya M. L. , Ovando-Medina I.
Published: March 2014

To investigate the genetic diversity and structure ofJatropha curcasL. oilseed plant, in this study, native populations from Chiapas, Mexico, were evaluated, using microsatellite DNA markers. A total of 93 representative samples were selected from seven sites in two regions in the state of Chiapas grouped by geographical proximity, where leaf samples were collected to isolate the genomic DNA. Individual polymerase chain reactions were carried out with ten pairs of specific oligonucleotides for the microsatellites ofJ. curcas, separating the products of amplification by acrylamide electrophoresis. Twenty-seven fragments were detected (77% polymorphic) with which heterozygous individuals were distinguished. The most informative microsatellite wasJcps20(nine alleles, polymorphic index content 0.354). The average polymorphism per population was 58%. The Hardy–Weinberg tests revealed a reproductive pattern of non-random mating. The diversity descriptors and the analysis of molecular variance revealed that the populations were structured and moderately differentiated (FST0.087) and that this differentiation was not due to isolation by distance, as the Mantel test was not significant (P= 0.137), but rather due to allopatry. Bayesian analysis revealed that the accessions belonged to only four genetic groups and confirmed the differentiation between the regions. Because some loci were in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium, it is proposed that differentiation is due to the clonal reproduction ofJ. curcaspractised by farmers in Chiapas, along with the anthropogenic dispersion at regional levels. The results of this study reveal thatJ. curcasin Chiapas has genetic diversity that is greater than that reported in other parts of the world, which represents a potential germplasm pool for the selection of genotypes.
Transcending or Descending? European Integration in Times of Crisis
Authors: Lefkofridi Zoe , Schmitter Philippe C.
Published: March 2014

The European Union is at a make-or-break moment. The current crisis could be beneficial or detrimental for its future. We revisit Schmitter’s model of crisis-induced decision-making cycles (1970) and critically discuss why the current crisis might not be as benign as originally thought.
Physiologie der Sexualhormone bei Mann und Frau
Authors: Lauber-Biason Anna
Published: March 2014

Die Biosynthese von Steroidhormonen ist ein faszinierender Prozess. In einer Reaktionskaskade wird Cholesterin, ein normaler Bestandteil der Lipid-Doppelschichten der Membranen, über eine Reihe von Hydroylierungs-, Oxidations- und Reduktionsschritten in eine Vielzahl von biologisch aktiven Substanzen wie z. B. Mineralocorticoide, Glucocorticoide und Sexualhormone umgewandelt. Die meisten dieser Modifikationen finden in den Nebennieren, Hoden und Ovarien statt, obwohl andere Gewebe, wie Leber, Niere, Plazenta, Gehirn und Haut auch sehr aktiv sind. Die Wirkung der Steroidhormone ist ein komplexer, noch nicht vollständig verstandener Prozess, in dem sich Steroidhormone an spezifische intrazelluläre Rezeptoren der Zielzellen binden, sodass Interaktionen mit der DNA im Zellkern möglich sind. Dadurch wird die Genaktivität moduliert und eine hormonspezifische Reaktion tritt auf [1]. Physiologisch sind die Sexualhormone in jeder Phase des Lebens wichtig, angefangen bei der Bestimmung des Geschlechts gefolgt von der phänotypischen Differenzierung in ein weibliches oder männliches Individuum. Sie sind auch unerlässlich für ein erfolgreiches reproduktives Leben und sind an der Entwicklung des Gehirns sowie der Ausprägung des geschlechtsspezifischen Verhaltens beteiligt. Anomalien in jedem Schritt der Steroidhormonwirkung haben potentielle klinische Konsequenzen. Abnormalitäten in der Rezeptor-, oder Post-Rezeptor-Maschinerie führen zu Störungen der Wirkung eines bestimmten Hormons. Anomalien der Steroidhormonproduktion können jedoch auch zu gravierenden und komplexen Wirkungen führen. Zum Beispiel verursacht eine Blockade eines Syntheseschrittes einerseits einen Mangel an Produkten, was dramatische Konsequenzen in Entwicklung und Funktion der Zielorgane hat. Andererseits aktiviert die Anhäufung der Hormone vor der Blockade andere Mitglieder der Steroidhormon-Rezeptor-Familie. Beide Umstände können komplexe klinische Bilder verursachen.
Doping mit Anabolika – auch ein Thema für den Hausarzt!
Authors: Bieri Andreas , Kamber Matthias , Sterchi Martin , Mullis Primus E.
Published: March 2014

In der Schweiz werden jährlich rund 2000 – 3000 Dopingkontrollen bei Athletinnen und Athleten durchgeführt. Unlängst ist aber bekannt, dass der Gebrauch von Anabolika und andern Dopingsubstanzen ein nicht mehr auf den Spitzensport begrenztes Phänomen darstellt. Auch im ambitionierten Breitensport, insbesondere im Fitnessbereich, ist der Gebrauch von Anabolika zur Leistungssteigerung verbreitet. Die Abgabe und Verschreibung von Substanzen auf der Dopingliste an Athleten des reglementierten Wettkampfsports ist strafbar, außer es stehen keine Alternativen zur Verfügung. In diesen Fällen können sogenannte Ausnahmebewilligungen zu therapeutischen Zwecken beantragt werden. Für Hausärzte in der Praxis, die Sportler mitbetreuen, ist es daher einerseits von größter Bedeutung, die rechtliche Situation im Umgang mit Doping zu kennen. Andererseits können auch schwerwiegende unerwünschte Wirkungen durch den Konsum von Anabolika auftreten, die es frühzeitig zu erkennen gilt.
Deutsche Übersetzung und Adaptation der «Uncertainty Stress Scale High Risk Pregnancy Version III» (USS-HRPV) für hospitalisierte Frauen mit Risikoschwangerschaft
Authors: Amsler Marlen , König Claudia , Ikhilor Paola Origlia , Cignacco Eva Lucia
Published: March 2014

Hintergrund: Medizinisch und gesellschaftlich bedingte Faktoren führen zu einer Zunahme hospitalisierter Frauen mit Risikoschwangerschaft. Die Unvorhersehbarkeit des weiteren Schwangerschaftsverlaufs kann zu Ungewissheit und je nach Bewältigungsstrategie auch zu Stress führen. Ziele: Ziele dieser Studie waren die deutsche Übersetzung und Adaptation der USS-HRPV. Methode: Die Übersetzung in die deutsche Sprache erfolgte mittels Vor- und Rückwärtsübersetzung. Die zwei Phasen umfassende Adaptation wurde mit hospitalisierten Frauen mit Risikoschwangerschaft (n = 24) sowie diplomierten Hebammen (n = 10) durchgeführt und beruht sowohl auf kognitiven Interviews wie auch auf einer Testung der Inhaltsvalidität mittels «Content Validity Index» (CVI). Nach jeder Erhebungsphase wurde das Messinstrument mithilfe von Fachexpertinnen (n = 3) modifiziert. Ergebnisse: Der für jedes Item berechnete CVI (I-CVI) ergab in der ersten Phase für beide Teilstichproben Werte zwischen 0,10 und 1,0, der über das gesamte Messinstrument berechnete CVI (S-CVI/Ave) einen Wert von 0,62 respektive 0,70. Die I-CVI-Werte der hospitalisierten Frauen mit Risikoschwangerschaft der zweiten Phase lagen zwischen 0,17 und 1,0, der S-CVI/Ave betrug 0,73. Insgesamt wurden unter Berücksichtigung aller Daten 44 der ursprünglich 86 Items entfernt und 28 sprachlich verändert. Schlussfolgerungen: Aufgrund der methodischen Vorgehensweise konnte eine solide Ausgangslage für die weiteren Validierungsschritte zur Weiterentwicklung des Messinstrumentes für den deutschsprachigen Raum erarbeitet werden.
Temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma cells occurs partly through epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated induction of connexin 43
Authors: Munoz J L , Rodriguez-Cruz V , Greco S J , Ramkissoon S H , Ligon K L , Rameshwar P
Published: March 2014

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive adult primary brain tumor with poor prognosis. GBM patients develop resistance to the frontline chemotherapy, temozolomide (TMZ). As the connexins (Cx) have been shown to have a complex role in GBM, we investigated the role of Cx43 in TMZ resistance. Cx43 was increased in the TMZ-resistant low passage and cell lines. This correlated with the data in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cx43 knockdown, reporter gene assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, real-time PCR and western blots verified a role for Cx43 in TMZ resistance. This occurred by TMZ-resistant GBM cells being able to activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In turn, EGFR activated the JNK-ERK1/2-AP-1 axis to induce Cx43. The increased Cx43 was functional as indicated by gap junctional intercellular communication among the resistant GBM cells. Cell therapy could be a potential method to deliver drugs, such as anti-EGF to tumor cells. Similar strategies could be used to reverse the expression of Cx43 to sensitize GBM cells to TMZ. The studies showed the potential for targeting EGF in immune therapy. These agents can be used in conjunction with stem cell therapy to treat GBM.
Correlation between viral production and carbon mineralization under nitrate-reducing conditions in aquifer sediment
Authors: Pan Donald , Watson Rachel , Wang Dake , Tan Zheng Huan , Snow Daniel D , Weber Karrie A
Published: March 2014

A variety of microbially mediated metabolic pathways impact biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial subsurface environments. However, the role that viruses have in influencing microbial mortality and microbial community structure is poorly understood. Here we investigated the production of viruses and change in microbial community structure within shallow alluvial aquifer sediment slurries amended with 13C-labeled acetate and nitrate. Biostimulation resulted in production of viruses concurrent with acetate oxidation, 13CO2 production and nitrate reduction. Interestingly, change in viral abundance was positively correlated to acetate consumption (r2=0.6252, P<0.05) and 13CO2 production (r2=0.6572, P<0.05); whereas change in cell abundance was not correlated to acetate consumption or 13CO2 production. Viral-mediated cell lysis has implications for microbial community structure. Betaproteobacteria predominated microbial community composition (62% of paired-end reads) upon inoculation but decreased in relative abundance and was negatively correlated to changes in viral abundance (r2=0.5036, P<0.05). As members of the Betaproteobacteria decreased, Gammaproteobacteria, specifically Pseudomonas spp., increased in relative abundance (82% of paired-end reads) and was positively correlated with the change in viral abundance (r2=0.5368, P<0.05). A nitrate-reducing bacterium, Pseudomonas sp. strain Alda10, was isolated from these sediments and produced viral-like particles with a filamentous morphology that did not result in cell lysis. Together, these results indicate that viruses are linked to carbon biogeochemistry and community structure in terrestrial subsurface sediments. The subsequent cell lysis has the potential to alter available carbon pools in subsurface environments, additionally controlling microbial community structure from the bottom-up.
Resonant metasurfaces at oblique incidence: interplay of order and disorder
Authors: Albooyeh M. , Kruk S. , Menzel C. , Helgert C. , Kroll M. , Krysinski A. , Decker M. , Neshev D. N. , Pertsch T. , Etrich C. , Rockstuhl C. , Tretyakov S. A. , Simovski C. R. , Kivshar Yu. S.
Published: March 2014

Understanding the impact of order and disorder is of fundamental importance to perceive and to appreciate the functionality of modern photonic metasurfaces. Metasurfaces with disordered and amorphous inner arrangements promise to mitigate problems that arise for their counterparts with strictly periodic lattices of elementary unit cells such as, e.g., spatial dispersion and allows the use of fabrication techniques that are suitable for large scale and cheap fabrication of metasurfaces. In this study, we analytically, numerically and experimentally investigate metasurfaces with different lattice arrangements and uncover the influence of lattice disorder on their electromagnetic properties. The considered metasurfaces are composed of metal-dielectric-metal elements that sustain both electric and magnetic resonances. Emphasis is placed on understanding the effect of the transition of the lattice symmetry from a periodic to an amorphous state and on studying oblique illumination. For this scenario, we develop a powerful analytical model that yields, for the first time, an adequate description of the scattering properties of amorphous metasurfaces, paving the way for their integration into future applications.
Alkali-metal-enhanced grain growth in Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films
Authors: Johnson M. , Baryshev S. V. , Thimsen E. , Manno M. , Zhang X. , Veryovkin I. V. , Leighton C. , Aydil E. S.
Published: March 2014

Copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) is an emerging photovoltaic material comprised of earth abundant elements. Presence of very small amounts of sodium and potassium during the synthesis of thin CZTS films enhances grain growth and leads to microstructures ideally suited for solar cells.
Analysis of free ACh and 5-HT in milk from four different species and their bioactivity on 5-HT3and nACh receptors
Authors: Gallegos-Perez Jose-Luis , Limon Agenor , Reyes-Ruiz Jorge M. , Alshanqeeti Ali S. , Aljohi Mohammad A. , Miledi Ricardo
Published: March 2014

In this work we explored whether the content of free ACh and 5-HT is of physiological significance in milk from four different species: cow, goat, camel and human.
Real-time release monitoring for water content and mean particle size of granules in lab-sized fluid-bed granulator by near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Otsuka Makoto , Koyama Akira , Hattori Yusuke
Published: March 2014

Simultaneous real-time monitoring of water content and mean particle size in the powder bed of a fluidized-bed granulator was performed by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy through a window, and the findings were used to evaluate the granular properties.
TiCx–Ti2C nanocrystals and epitaxial graphene-based lamellae by pulsed laser ablation of bulk TiC in vacuum
Authors: Cai K. J , Zheng Y. , Shen P. , Chen S. Y.
Published: March 2014

Faceted δ-TiCx and δ′′-Ti2C nanocondensates co-existing with ribbon-like graphene-based lamellae with a 2-D turbostratic structure.
Copper-catalyzed bis-arylations of alkenes leading to oxindole derivatives
Authors: Shi Liangliang , Wang Yuyuan , Yang Haijun , Fu Hua
Published: March 2014

A simple and practical copper-catalyzed approach to oxindole derivatives by copper-catalyzed bis-arylation of N-alkyl-N-phenylacrylamides with diaryliodonium triflates has been developed under mild conditions, and the method is of tolerance towards some functional groups in the substrates.
Multiblock sequence-controlled glycopolymers via Cu(0)-LRP following efficient thiol–halogen, thiol–epoxy and CuAAC reactions
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Anastasaki Athina , Li Guang-Zhao , Haddleton Alice J. , Wilson Paul , Haddleton David M.
Published: March 2014

The combination of copper(0) mediated living radical polymerization (Cu(0)-LRP) with thiol–halogen, thiol–epoxy and copper catalysed alkyne azide coupling (CuAAC) click chemistry has been employed to give a new route to multiblock sequence-controlled glycopolymers.
Kinetics and mechanism of PPh3 oxygenation with 3O2 catalyzed by a 1,3,2-oxazaphosphole as flavin mimic
Authors: Bors I. , Kaizer J. , Speier G.
Published: March 2014

1,3,2-Oxazaphosphole catalyse the oxygenation of triphenylphosphine to its oxide by molecular oxygen.
Boron–boronJcoupling constants are unique probes of electronic structure: a solid-state NMR and molecular orbital study
Authors: Perras Frédéric A. , Bryce David L.
Published: March 2014

Jcouplings measured between11B spin pairs in solid diboron compounds provide insight into electronic structure and crystallographic symmetry.
Inositol phosphates induce DAPI fluorescence shift
Authors: Kolozsvari Bernadett , Parisi Federica , Saiardi Adolfo
Published: March 2014

The polymer inorganic polyP (polyphosphate) and inositol phosphates, such as IP6 (inositol hexakisphosphate; also known as phytic acid), share many biophysical features. These similarities must be attributed to the phosphate groups present in these molecules. Given the ability of polyP to modify the excitation–emission spectra of DAPI we decided to investigate whether inositol phosphates possess the same property. We discovered that DAPI–IP6 complexes emit at approximately 550 nm when excited with light of wavelength 410–420 nm. IP5 (inositol pentakisphosphate) is also able to induce a similar shift in DAPI fluorescence. Conversely, IP3 (inositol trisphosphate) and IP4 (inositol tetrakisphosphate) are unable to shift DAPI fluorescence. We have employed this newly discovered feature of DAPI to study the enzymatic activity of the inositol polyphosphate multikinase and to monitor phytase phosphatase reactions. Finally, we used DAPI–IP6 fluorescence to determine the amount of IP6 in plant seeds. Using an IP6 standard curve this straight-forward analysis revealed that among the samples tested, borlotti beans possess the highest level of IP6 (9.4 mg/g of dry mass), whereas the Indian urad bean the lowest (3.2 mg/g of dry mass). The newly identified fluorescence properties of the DAPI–IP5 and DAPI–IP6 complexes allow the levels and enzymatic conversion of these two important messengers to be rapidly and reliably monitored.
AuD Students' Perceptions and Influences Regarding Careers in Independent Practice
Authors: Steiger James R. , Saccone Patricia , Einsporn Richard L. , Cox Carlee A. , Squires Richard M.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Independent practice (IP) may be important for the financial stability and autonomy of audiology. The authors sought to identify variables that affect doctor of audiology (AuD) students' decisions to enter IP or another practice setting.

Method

The authors sent a survey link electronically to 1,430 members of the Student Academy of Audiology; 300 returned completed surveys.

Results

Nearly 24% of AuD student participants plan to choose IP immediately upon graduation. Men were more likely than women to choose IP as were those who had an IP rotation and were in the 3rd or 4th year of their AuD program. Important predictors included the survey items “job satisfaction among IP practitioners” and “attractiveness of other specialties”; the “patient contact” perception factor; the “overall job satisfaction” influence factor; and the student age (over 30) demographic variable.

Conclusions

It appears likely that audiology IP rates will remain steady at levels that lag behind the IP rates of other doctoring professions. The authors report some of the variables that appear to have driven current AuD students' career setting choices regarding IP.
Timeliness of Service Delivery for Children With Later-Identified Mild-to-Severe Hearing Loss
Authors: Walker Elizabeth A. , Holte Lenore , Spratford Meredith , Oleson Jacob , Welhaven Anne , Harrison Melody
Published: March 2014

Purpose

In this study, the authors examined diagnostic and intervention services for children identified with hearing loss (HL) after the newborn period.

Method

The authors compared ages at service delivery and length of delays between service delivery steps for 57 later-identified children with HL and 193 children who referred for assessment from the newborn hearing screen (NHS). For only later-identified children, regression models were used to investigate relationships among predictor variables and dependent variables related to service delivery.

Results

Children who referred from the NHS received follow-up services at younger ages than later-identified children. Later-identified children had significantly longer delays from HL confirmation to entry into early intervention, compared to children who referred from the NHS. For later-identified children, degree of HL predicted ages at follow-up clinical services. Children with more severe HL received services at younger ages compared to children with milder HL. Gender predicted the length of the delay from confirmation to entry into early intervention, with girls demonstrating shorter delays.

Conclusions

The current results lend support to the need for ongoing hearing monitoring programs after the neonatal period, particularly when children enter early intervention programs because of language/developmental delays.
Linear quadratic Gaussian control for linear time‐delay systems
Authors: Song Xinmin , Yan Xuehua
Published: March 2014

This study investigates a separation principle for the H2 control of time‐delay systems with partial observations. The authors first consider the linear quadratic regulation problem for time‐delay systems. Based on the dynamic programming technique, the solution to the controller is given in terms of a backward partial difference Riccati equation. Then the estimation problem is investigated for linear discrete‐time systems in the presence of time‐delays. By employing the innovation analysis approach, the linear minimum‐mean‐square error (LMMSE) estimator is developed in terms of a forward partial difference Riccati equation. The Riccati equation is of the same dimension as the plant. Therefore compared with the conventional augmented approach, the presented approach greatly lessens the computational demand when the delay is large. Finally, they show that the separation principle holds in the following sense: an optimal controller can be obtained from two parts, one associated with the optimal control problem when state variable is available, and the other one associated with the LMMSE estimation problem.
Fusing target information from multiple views for robust visual tracking
Authors: Hu Keli , Zhang Xing , Gu Yuzhang , Wang Yingguan
Published: March 2014

In this study, the authors address the problem of tracking a single target in a calibrated multi‐camera surveillance system with information on its location in the first frame of each view. Recently, tracking with online multiple instance learning (OMIL) has been shown to give promising tracking results. However, it may fail in a real surveillance system because of problems arising from target orientation, scale or illumination changes. In this study, the authors show that fusing target information from multiple views can avoid these problems and lead to a more robust tracker. At each camera node, an efficient OMIL algorithm is used to model target appearance. To update the OMIL‐based classifier in one view, a co‐training strategy is applied to generate a representative set of training bags from all views. Bags extracted from each view hold a unique weight depending on similarity of target appearance between the current view and the view which contains the classifier that needs to be updated. In addition, target motion on a camera's image plane is modelled by a modified particle filter guided by the corresponding object two‐dimensional (2D) location and fused 3D location. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is robust for human tracking in challenging scenes.
A comparative study of magnetic behaviors in TbNi2, TbMn2 and TbNi2Mn
Authors: Wang J. L. , Md Din M. F. , Kennedy S. J. , Hong F. , Campbell S. J. , Studer A. J. , Wu G. H. , Cheng Z. X. , Dou S. X.
Published: March 2014

All TbNi2, TbMn2, and TbNi2Mn compounds exhibit the cubic Laves phase with AB2-type structure in spite of the fact that the ratio of the Tb to transition-metal components in TbNi2Mn is 1:3. Rietveld refinement indicates that in TbNi2Mn the Mn atoms are distributed on both the A (8a) and B (16d) sites. The values of the lattice constants were measured to be a = 14.348 Å (space group F-43 m), 7.618 Å, and 7.158 Å (space group Fd-3 m) for TbNi2, TbMn2, and TbNi2Mn, respectively. The magnetic transition temperatures TC were found to be TC = 38 K and TC = 148 K for TbNi2 and TbNi2Mn, respectively, while two magnetic phase transitions are detected for TbMn2 at T1 = 20 K and T2 = 49 K. Clear magnetic history effects in a low magnetic field are observed in TbMn2 and TbNi2Mn. The magnetic entropy changes have been obtained.
Probe-rotating atomic force microscopy for determining material properties
Authors: Lee Sang Heon
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we propose a probe-rotating atomic force microscope that enables scan in an arbitrary direction in the contact imaging mode, which is difficult to achieve using a conventional atomic force microscope owing to the orientation-dependent probe and the inability to rotate the probe head. To enable rotation of the probe about its vertical axis, we employed a compact and light probe head, the sensor of which is made of an optical disk drive pickup unit. Our proposed mechanical configuration, operating principle, and control system enables axial and lateral scan in various directions.
Investigating the impact of source/drain doping dependent effective masses on the transport characteristics of ballistic Si-nanowire field-effect-transistors
Authors: Nag Chowdhury Basudev , Chattopadhyay Sanatan
Published: March 2014

This article studies the impact of doping dependent carrier effective masses of the source/drain regions on transport properties of Si-nanowire field effect transistors within ballistic limit. The difference of carrier effective mass in channel and that in the source/drain regions leads to a misalignment of respective sub-bands and forms non-ideal contacts. Such non-idealities are incorporated by modifying the relevant self-energies which control the effective electronic transport from source to drain through the channel. Non-ideality also arises in the nature of local density of states in the channel due to sub-band misalignment, resulting to a reduction of drain current by almost 50%. The highest values of drain current, leakage current, and their ratio are obtained for the S/D doping concentrations of 3 × 1020 cm−3, 8 × 1020 cm−3, and 2 × 1020 cm−3, respectively, for the nanowire of length 10 nm and diameter of 3 nm. Interestingly, the maximum of sub-threshold swing, minimum of threshold voltage, and the maximum of leakage current are observed to be apparent at the same doping concentration.
Interplay between gadolinium dopants and oxygen vacancies in HfO2: A density functional theory plus Hubbard U investigation
Authors: Zhang Wei , Hou Z. F.
Published: March 2014

The influence of gadolinium (Gd) doping on the oxygen vacancy (VO) in monoclinic HfO2 have been studied by the first-principles calculations within the spin-polarized generalized gradient approximation plus Hubbard U approach. It is found that the Gd dopant and VO show strong attractive interaction, resulting in a cooperative effect that the substitution of Gd for Hf (GdHf) would increase the probability of oxygen vacancies generation and vice versa. The GdHf is more energetically favorable to be next to the vacancy site of a three-coordinated oxygen (O3), forming a complex defect GdHf + VO. A single GdHf acts a hole donor and passivates the defect states of VO. Our results suggest that the decrease of the VO-related defect states observed in the photoluminescence spectra of Gd-HfO2 is because Gd doping passivates the defect states of VO, rather than caused by decrease of VO concentration. Our findings would clarify the debate about the influence of Gd doping on the oxygen vacancies in HfO2.
Diffraction-limited ultrasensitive molecular nano-arrays with singular nano-cone scattering
Authors: Wang Yunshan , Chang Ting-Chou , Stoddart Paul R. , Chang Hsueh-Chia
Published: March 2014

Large-library fluorescent molecular arrays remain limited in sensitivity (1 × 106 molecules) and dynamic range due to background auto-fluorescence and scattering noise within a large (20–100 μm) fluorescent spot. We report an easily fabricated silica nano-cone array platform, with a detection limit of 100 molecules and a dynamic range that spans 6 decades, due to point (10 nm to 1 μm) illumination of preferentially absorbed tagged targets by singular scattering off wedged cones. Its fluorescent spot reaches diffraction-limited submicron dimensions, which are 104 times smaller in area than conventional microarrays, with comparable reduction in detection limit and amplification of dynamic range.
Atomic configuration of irradiation-induced planar defects in 3C-SiC
Authors: Lin Y. R. , Ho C. Y. , Hsieh C. Y. , Chang M. T. , Lo S. C. , Chen F. R. , Kai J. J.
Published: March 2014

The atomic configuration of irradiation-induced planar defects in single crystal 3C-SiC at high irradiation temperatures was shown in this research. A spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscope provided images of individual silicon and carbon atoms by the annular bright-field (ABF) method. Two types of irradiation-induced planar defects were observed in the ABF images including the extrinsic stacking fault loop with two offset Si-C bilayers and the intrinsic stacking fault loop with one offset Si-C bilayer. The results are in good agreement with images simulated under identical conditions.
Cloning and expression of progesterone receptor isoforms A and B in bovine corpus luteum
Authors: Rekawiecki Robert , Kowalik Magdalena Karolina , Kotwica Jan
Published: March 2014

Progesterone (P4) affects a cell through its nuclear receptor (PGR), which has two main isoforms: A (PGRA) and B (PGRB). A partial section of previously unknown PGRB cDNA from cattle was cloned. Next, mRNA and protein levels for these two isoforms in corpora lutea (CL) collected during different stages of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy were determined. The PGRB mRNA level was highest on Days 2–5 of the oestrous cycle, decreased over the next few days (P < 0.01) and increased again slightly on Days 17–20 (P < 0.05). During pregnancy, PGRB mRNA was at its lowest level during Weeks 3–5 (P < 0.01) and highest during Weeks 6–12 (P < 0.01). The profile of PGRA mRNA levels was similar to that of PGRB throughout the oestrous cycle. The PGRA protein level was highest on Days 2–10 of the oestrous cycle, decreased continuously to its lowest concentration on Days 17–20 (P < 0.01) and during Weeks 3–5 of pregnancy (P > 0.05) and increased during Weeks 6–12 (P < 0.05). PGRB protein concentration followed a similar pattern but at a markedly lower level. Both PGRA and PGRB isoforms are involved in the regulation of P4 action, especially in the newly formed CL and developed CL in the first trimester of pregnancy. These data suggest that the variable expression of these isoforms during the oestrous cycle may depend on the influence of P4.