bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Multinationals in Eradicating Poverty in Africa: Perspectives From Different Stakeholders in Urban Uganda
Authors: Turyahabwa Joy
Published: March 2014

Multinational corporations (MNCs) have a role to play in addressing pressing social problems such as chronic poverty in Africa. This article examines community perspectives on the role of MNCs in eradicating poverty in Africa. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered by interviewing members of the general public, Sheraton Uganda employees, and Sheraton trainees in urban Kampala, Uganda. The majority across the three categories of respondents believed that MNCs had a role to play in eradicating poverty. The most frequently cited roles that MNCs could play included providing employment, contributing to community development projects, and providing industrial training to youth. Other roles cited included providing local markets, providing emergency assistance to disaster survivors, environmental protection, staff development, and contributing to the tax base. The research findings from this study seem to suggest a mismatch between current MNCs' corporate social responsibility investments in East Africa and what the communities perceive as their real needs. There is, however, a need to undertake broader studies to confirm these findings.
Solution structure of lysine‐free (K0) ubiquitin
Authors: Huang Tao , Li Jess , Byrd R. Andrew
Published: March 2014

Lysine‐free ubiquitin (K0‐Ub) is commonly used to study the ubiquitin‐signaling pathway, where it is assumed to have the same structure and function as wild‐type ubiquitin (wt‐Ub). However, the K0‐Ub 15N heteronuclear single quantum correlation NMR spectrum differs significantly from wt‐Ub and the melting temperature is depressed by 19°C, raising the question of the structural integrity and equivalence to wt‐Ub. The three‐dimensional structure of K0‐Ub was determined by solution NMR, using chemical shift and residual dipolar coupling data. K0‐Ub adopts the same backbone structure as wt‐Ub, and all significant chemical shifts can be related to interactions impacted by the K to R mutations.
Database search of spontaneous reports and pharmacological investigations on the sulfonylureas and glinides‐induced atrophy in skeletal muscle
Authors: Mele Antonietta , Calzolaro Sara , Cannone Gianluigi , Cetrone Michela , Conte Diana , Tricarico Domenico
Published: March 2014

The ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channel is an emerging pathway in the skeletal muscle atrophy which is a comorbidity condition in diabetes. The “in vitro” effects of the sulfonylureas and glinides were evaluated on the protein content/muscle weight, fibers viability, mitochondrial succinic dehydrogenases (SDH) activity, and channel currents in oxidative soleus (SOL), glycolitic/oxidative flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), and glycolitic extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle fibers of mice using biochemical and cell‐counting Kit‐8 assay, image analysis, and patch‐clamp techniques. The sulfonylureas were: tolbutamide, glibenclamide, and glimepiride; the glinides were: repaglinide and nateglinide. Food and Drug Administration‐Adverse Effects Reporting System (FDA‐AERS) database searching of atrophy‐related signals associated with the use of these drugs in humans has been performed. The drugs after 24 h of incubation time reduced the protein content/muscle weight and fibers viability more effectively in FDB and SOL than in the EDL. The order of efficacy of the drugs in reducing the protein content in FDB was: repaglinide (EC50 = 5.21 × 10−6) ≥ glibenclamide(EC50 = 8.84 × 10−6) > glimepiride(EC50 = 2.93 × 10−5) > tolbutamide(EC50 = 1.07 × 10−4) > nateglinide(EC50 = 1.61 × 10−4) and it was: repaglinide(7.15 × 10−5) ≥ glibenclamide(EC50 = 9.10 × 10−5) > nateglinide(EC50 = 1.80 × 10−4) ≥ tolbutamide(EC50 = 2.19 × 10−4) > glimepiride(EC50=–) in SOL. The drug‐induced atrophy can be explained by the KATP channel block and by the enhancement of the mitochondrial SDH activity. In an 8‐month period, muscle atrophy was found in 0.27% of the glibenclamide reports in humans and in 0.022% of the other not sulfonylureas and glinides drugs. No reports of atrophy were found for the other sulfonylureas and glinides in the FDA‐AERS. Glibenclamide induces atrophy in animal experiments and in human patients. Glimepiride shows less potential for inducing atrophy.
Development of many‐body perturbation theory: How to combine with quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Lindgren Ingvar
Published: March 2014

In the first part, a review is made of the development of the many‐body perturbation theory for the last half century. The development of methods for quantum electrodynamics (QED) calculations, which have occurred essentially in parallel, is also briefly reviewed. In the second part, an effort of unifying the two is discussed. The covariant‐evolution‐operator method, developed primarily for QED calculations by the Gothenburg group, can be combined with atomic/molecular many‐body perturbation theory (MBPT) and for the first time making it possible to combine full QED with electron correlation of arbitrary order. The basic idea is to extend the standard procedure of MBPT to a time‐ or energy‐dependent formalism, which makes it possible to include QED perturbations in a rigorous fashion. The procedure has been implemented and as a first test applied to helium like ions. The method can also be applied to dynamical processes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ar cluster sputtering of polymers: effects of cluster size and molecular weights
Authors: Cristaudo Vanina , Poleunis Claude , Czerwinski Bartlomiej , Delcorte Arnaud
Published: March 2014

This fundamental contribution on time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry polymer depth‐profiling by massive argon clusters is focused on the investigation of the influence of the Ar cluster size and the molecular weight of the investigated polymers on the efficiency of the sputtering process. For this purpose, 100‐nm thin films of polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene, with a range of molecular weights (103–1.5 × 105 amu) spin‐coated onto Si wafers, are sputtered by 10 keV Arn+ cluster ions with selected sizes (1500, 3000 and 5000 atoms/cluster) employing Bi5+ as an analysis source. The experiments show that the sputtering yield volume (nm3/primary ion), Y, decreases with the increase of the molecular weight, Mw, for a selected cluster size, and at constant molecular weight, Y decreases with the increase in cluster size. The experimental results are in good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations and previous studies for high molecular weight PS. Furthermore, the trend of Y versus Mw seems to be related to the variation of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the investigated polymers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lateral Magnetic Near‐Field Imaging of Plasmonic Nanoantennas With Increasing Complexity
Authors: Denkova Denitza , Verellen Niels , Silhanek Alejandro V. , Van Dorpe Pol , Moshchalkov Victor V.
Published: March 2014

The design of many promising, newly emerging classes of photonic metamaterials and subwavelength confinement structures requires detailed knowledge and understanding of the electromagnetic near‐field interactions between their building blocks. While the electric field distributions and, respectively, the electric interactions of different nanostructures can be routinely measured, for example, by scattering near‐field microscopy, only recently experimental methods for imaging the magnetic field distributions became available. In this paper, we provide direct experimental maps of the lateral magnetic near‐field distributions of variously shaped plasmonic nanoantennas by using hollow‐pyramid aperture scanning near‐field optical microscopy (SNOM). We study both simple plasmonic nanoresonators, such as bars, disks, rings and more complex antennas. For the studied structures, the magnetic near‐field distributions of the complex resonators have been found to be a superposition of the magnetic near‐fields of the individual constituting elements. These experimental results, explained and validated by numerical simulations, open new possibilities for engineering and characterization of complex plasmonic antennas with increased functionality.
Automated Fabrication of 2‐nm Solid‐State Nanopores for Nucleic Acid Analysis
Authors: Briggs Kyle , Kwok Harold , Tabard‐Cossa Vincent
Published: March 2014

We demonstrate the automated and reproducible fabrication of sub‐2‐nm nanopores in 10‐nm thick silicon nitride membranes, through controlled dielectric breakdown in solution. Our results reveal that under the appropriate conditions, nanopores can be fabricated with a size no larger than 2.0 ± 0.5‐nm in diameter for a sample of N = 23 nanopores, with an average and standard deviation of 1.3 ± 0.6‐nm. The dimensions of these nanopores are confirmed by using individual translocating DNA molecules as molecular rulers. We show that a 2.0‐nm and a 2.1‐nm diameter nanopore are capable of distinguishing single‐stranded DNA versus double‐stranded DNA, and that a 2.4‐nm diameter nanopore can be used to investigate the overstretching transition in short dsDNA fragments. These results highlight the reliability and precision of the automated fabrication of nanopores via controlled dielectric breakdown, showing great promise for the manufacturing of future nanopore‐based technologies.
Concise Review: The Role of C-kit Expressing Cells in Heart Repair at the Neonatal and Adult Stage
Authors: Hesse Michael , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Kotlikoff Michael I.
Published: March 2014

Ischemic heart disease is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world due to the inability of the heart to replace lost myocytes. The cause of postinfarction myogenic failure has been a subject of intense scientific investigation and much controversy. Recent data indicate a brief perinatal developmental window exists during which postinfarction myogenesis, and substantial heart regeneration, occurs. By contrast, repair of an equivalent injury of the adult heart results in prominent revascularization without myogenesis. Here, we review recent experiments on neonatal postinjury myogenesis, examine the mechanistic hypotheses of dedifferentiation and precursor expansion, and discuss experiments indicating that postinfarction revascularization derives primarily from cardiac vascular precursors. These data have profound consequences for the understanding of human heart repair, as they address the long standing question as to whether human postinfarction myogenic failure is due to the loss of precursors existent at the neonatal stage or to a context-dependent inhibition of these precursors within the infarct, and suggest strategies for the recapitulation of neonatal myogenic capacity and the augmentation of revascularization. Stem Cells  2014;32:1701–1712
Vulnerability of steel moment‐resisting frames under effects of forward directivity
Authors: Gerami Mohsen , Abdollahzadeh Davood
Published: March 2014

In near‐fault regions, forward directivity causes long‐period pulse‐like motions with high amplitude and short duration perpendicular to the fault surface. Pulse‐like motions have important roles in forming the distribution of damages over the structure height. Recent studies indicate that the number of spans influences the demand distribution over the moment frame's height. Considering the destruction of the buildings near causative fault in Bam earthquake, Iran (2003) demonstrates that most damages are concentrated in the ground floor of moment frames. Hence, in this study, forward directivity effect on vulnerability distribution of steel moment‐resisting frames with a few number of spans has been studied by nonlinear dynamic analysis of five structural models with different heights under 20 earthquake records. Related to frames height, results showed that 70% to 90% of forward directivity effects are accumulated in lower one‐third or half of model's height. Also, in near field of fault, growing rate of ductility demand at lower parts of model's height is two times higher than that of far‐fault regions. In addition, it was observed that ductility capacity in lower half of low‐rise or one‐third of high‐rise models has a key role in stability of moment frames under near‐fault pulse‐like motions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensorless IPMSM position estimation based on multi SVPWM with elimination of inverter nonlinear effects
Authors: Gu Minglei , Ogasawara Satoshi , Takemoto Masatsugu
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a position‐sensorless interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) control system at low and zero speed based on a multi‐space‐vector pulse‐width modulation (MSVPWM) pattern with the elimination of nonlinear inverter effects. In conventional sensorless methods based on the MSVPWM pattern, the high‐frequency (HF) components of voltage and current are used to estimate the rotor position information. However, the inverter nonlinear effects, such as forward voltage drops and deadtime, distort the HF components of the voltage and current so that an error occurs in the position estimation. Therefore, an improved position estimation scheme is developed in this paper. The compensated HF components of the voltage taking account of the inverter nonlinear effects can be used to decrease the estimation error. The proposed method can be implemented without increasing any hardware cost. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gradually Releasing Responsibility to Students Writing Persuasive Text
Authors: Read Sylvia , Landon‐Hays Melanie , Martin‐Rivas Alicia
Published: March 2014

The emphasis on improving writing instruction, especially the writing of non‐narrative texts, may lead some teachers to seek effective ways to teach students. The IMSCI model, a scaffolded model for writing instruction, is useful for planning effective instruction. This article describes a research project conducted in a 4th grade classroom emphasizing the combined benefits of scaffolded instruction and genre study and testing scaffolded persuasive writing lessons based on the IMSCI model. Researchers wrote lesson plans using the IMSCI model as the underlying structure and tied the lessons to science objectives for fourth grade. Teachers implemented the lessons in their classrooms and student essays were collected as data. Results from this study suggest there are positive outcomes in student writing as a result of a focus on genre in a scaffolded instructional setting.
An Endless Professional Learning Community
Authors: Satterfield Amy
Published: March 2014

View From the Chalkboard essays share readers' reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Applications of spatial statistical network models to stream data
Authors: Isaak Daniel J. , Peterson Erin E. , Ver Hoef Jay M. , Wenger Seth J. , Falke Jeffrey A. , Torgersen Christian E. , Sowder Colin , Steel E. Ashley , Fortin Marie‐Josee , Jordan Chris E. , Ruesch Aaron S. , Som Nicholas , Monestiez Pascal
Published: March 2014

Streams and rivers host a significant portion of Earth's biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services for human populations. Accurate information regarding the status and trends of stream resources is vital for their effective conservation and management. Most statistical techniques applied to data measured on stream networks were developed for terrestrial applications and are not optimized for streams. A new class of spatial statistical model, based on valid covariance structures for stream networks, can be used with many common types of stream data (e.g., water quality attributes, habitat conditions, biological surveys) through application of appropriate distributions (e.g., Gaussian, binomial, Poisson). The spatial statistical network models account for spatial autocorrelation (i.e., nonindependence) among measurements, which allows their application to databases with clustered measurement locations. Large amounts of stream data exist in many areas where spatial statistical analyses could be used to develop novel insights, improve predictions at unsampled sites, and aid in the design of efficient monitoring strategies at relatively low cost. We review the topic of spatial autocorrelation and its effects on statistical inference, demonstrate the use of spatial statistics with stream datasets relevant to common research and management questions, and discuss additional applications and development potential for spatial statistics on stream networks. Free software for implementing the spatial statistical network models has been developed that enables custom applications with many stream databases.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems
Similarity
Authors: Hahn Ulrike
Published: March 2014

Similarity is a fundamental concept within Cognitive Science. It is routinely invoked in the explanation of cognitive processes as diverse as memory retrieval, categorization, visual search, problem solving, learning, language processing, reasoning, and social behavior. At the same time, it is of fundamental practical concern to computer scientists concerned with clustering and machine learning, and it figures in many philosophical contexts. Crucially, ‘similar’ is not a relationship that simply reflects objective properties of the objects under consideration but rather is dependent on how those objects are represented by an observer. This ties theories of similarity closely to theories of representation.

This article is categorized under:

Philosophy > Foundations of Cognitive Science
Review on wind turbines with focus on drive train system dynamics
Authors: Struggl S. , Berbyuk V. , Johansson H.
Published: March 2014

The strong growth within the wind technology market, underpinned by policy goals around the world, has highlighted the demand for advanced engineering analysis to improve wind turbine (WT) design, both in terms of reliability and design of larger turbines. This paper presents a review of the latest research that has been carried out in modeling and analysis of load transmission in WT drive train systems and their components. Common failure roots are elaborated, and probable hypotheses are presented. A modeling approach is derived by classification into engineering, mathematical and computational models with a focus on gearbox modeling efforts. Precise understanding of drive train system dynamics and load transmission is necessary for a cost efficient and robust system design to enhance reliability and reduce the maintenance costs. Design optimization of WTs and their subsystems will make future WTs more attractive compared with fossil and nuclear power plants, and it is therefore an important issue for a more sustainable environment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on rotational augmentation using CFD analysis of flow in the inboard region of the MEXICO rotor blades
Authors: Guntur Srinivas , Sørensen Niels N.
Published: March 2014

This work presents an analysis of data from existing as well as new full‐rotor computational fluid dynamics computations on the MEXICO rotor, with focus on the flow around the inboard parts of the blades. The boundary layer separation characteristics on the airfoil sections in the inboard parts of the rotor are analysed using the pressure and the skin friction data at a range of angles of attack. These data are used to gain insight on the relative behaviour of separated boundary layers in 3D flow compared with 2D flow. It has been found that separation on airfoils in rotating flows is different from that in 2D flows in two respects: (i) there is a chord‐wise postponement (or delay) of the separation point, and (ii) the angle of attack at which separation is initiated is higher in 3D compared with 2D. Comments are made on the mechanism of stall delay, and the main differences between the skin friction and pressure distribution behaviours in 2D and 3D rotating flows are highlighted. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Replacing a suite of commercial pectinases with a single enzyme, pectate lyase B, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentations of cull peaches
Authors: Edwards M C , Williams T , Pattathil S , Hahn M G , Doran-Peterson J
Published: March 2014

Fermentation of pectin-rich biomass with low concentrations of polysaccharides requires some treatment of the pectin, but does not need complete degradation of the polysaccharide to reach maximum ethanol yields. Cull peaches, whole rotten fruits that are not suitable for sale, contain high concentrations of glucose (27.7 % dw) and fructose (29.3 % dw) and low amounts of cellulose (2.8 % dw), hemicellulose (4.5 % dw) and pectin (5.6 % dw). Amounts of commercial saccharification enzymes, cellulase and cellobiase can be significantly decreased and commercial pectinase mixtures can be replaced completely with a single enzyme, pectate lyase (PelB), while maintaining ethanol yields above 90 % of the theoretical maximum. PelB does not completely degrade pectin; it only releases short chain oligogalacturonides. However, the activity of PelB is sufficient for the fermentation process, and its addition to fermentations without commercial pectinase increases ethanol production by ~12 %.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Secondary to an Accessory Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Muscle Belly: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Javed Saqib , Woodruff Michael
Published: March 2014

Anomalous muscles usually do not cause symptoms but are of academic interest mainly discovered during cadaveric dissection. An aberrant muscle belly arising from the index finger flexor digitorum superficialis tendon causing carpal tunnel syndrome is rare. The management of such an anatomical variant is dependent on whether the median nerve compression is associated with a palpable mass. A brief case highlighting important management principles along with a complete literature review is reported.
Synthesis, Characterization and Investigation of Different Properties of Three Novel Thiourea‐Based Non‐ionic Surfactants
Authors: Ullah Imdad , Shah Afzal , Badshah Amin , Rana Usman Ali , Shakir Imran , Khan Asad Muhammad , Khan Shahan Zeb , Zia‐ur‐Rehman
Published: March 2014

Three novel thiourea‐based non‐ionic surfactants, 3‐decanoyl‐1,1‐diphenylthiourea, 3‐dodecanoyl‐1,1‐diphenylthiourea and 1,1‐diphenyl‐3‐tetradecanoylthiourea were synthesized from carbonyl chlorides, potassium thiocyanate and amines in high yield. The synthesized compounds were characterized by different techniques like 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR and UV‐Visible spectrophotometry. These surfactants are soluble in nonpolar and polar organic solvents and resist solubility in water due to the presence of thiourea group. Electronic absorption spectroscopy was used to evaluate their critical micelle concentration (CMC) in different solvents. The CMC was found to decrease with increase in hydrophobic carbon chain length as expected. Moreover, the effect of pH on their spectral transition was investigated and the two peaks were found to merge in highly alkaline conditions.
Comparison of Fatty Acid Methyl and Ethyl Esters as Biodiesel Base Stock: a Review on Processing and Production Requirements
Authors: Yusoff Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad , Xu Xuebing , Guo Zheng
Published: March 2014

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were the first fatty acid esters to be introduced for use as biodiesel. However, there is a growing interest in the use of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in biodiesel. Both FAME and FAEE have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. These differences are ultimately attributable to the structural differences imparted by the alcohols used in their production. Sources of reactants as well as their safety issues, are a focus of this review. Also reviewed are the comparative characteristics and properties of both biodiesel types in terms of physicochemical features and performance. Processing requirements, reaction times and molar ratios of alcohol to oil, together with problems and drawbacks, are discussed. Recent developments on improving the yield of biodiesel, include mixing methanol and ethanol in the same reaction with ethanol acting as a co‐solvent, and enzymatic methanolysis and ethanolysis are also highlighted.
Lange nichtkodierende RNA (lncRNA)
Authors: Maass P.G.
Published: March 2014

Lange nichtkodierende RNAs (lncRNA) ergänzen die bisher bekannten Mechanismen und Möglichkeiten der Genregulation. lncRNAs beeinflussen auf transkriptioneller oder posttranskriptioneller Ebene – in Interaktion mit der Genomarchitektur – fundamentale biologische Prozesse, wie genomisches Imprinting, Histonmodifikationen, Genaktivierung oder -repression, die Determinierung von Gewebespezifitäten oder Zellproliferation. Die Assoziation von lncRNAs in der molekularen Pathogenese von klinisch apparenten Phänotypen wurde gezeigt und unterstreicht die Bedeutung der lncRNA-vermittelten Genregulation und jeglicher Veränderungen der regulativen Netzwerke im Nukleus. Aufgrund der gewebespezifischen lncRNA-Expression und der Zielgenspezifität stellen lncRNAs potenzielle Ziele für therapeutische Ansätze dar.
Tim Swanwick, Understanding medical education: evidence, theory and practice: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, 520 pp., 2nd edn, ISBN 978-1-118-47240-8
Authors: Peeraer Griet
Published: March 2014

None
Diagnosing young children with autism
Authors: Matson Johnny L. , Goldin Rachel L.
Published: March 2014

The starting point for any research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves the identification of people who evince the condition. From this point follows research on symptom presentation, genetics, epidemiology, animal models, treatment efficacy, and many other important topics. Major advances have been made in differential diagnosis, particularly with young children. This fact is particularly important since ASD is a life long condition. This review documents recent advances and the current state of research on this topic.
E-theory for C[0, 1]-algebras with finitely many singular points
Authors: Dadarlat Marius , Vaidyanathan Prahlad
Published: March 2014

We study the E-theory group E[0, 1](A, B) for a class of C*-algebras over the unit interval with finitely many singular points, called elementary C[0, 1]-algebras. We use results on E-theory over non-Hausdorff spaces to describe E[0, 1](A, B) where A is a sky-scraper algebra. Then we compute E[0, 1](A, B) for two elementary C[0, 1]-algebras in the case where the fibers A(x) and B(y) of A and B are such that E1 (A(x), B(y)) = 0 for all x, y ∈ [0, 1]. This result applies whenever the fibers satisfy the UCT, their K0-groups are free of finite rank and their K1-groups are zero. In that case we show that E[0, 1](A, B) is isomorphic to Hom(0(A), 0(B)), the group of morphisms of the K-theory sheaves of A and B. As an application, we give a streamlined partially new proof of a classification result due to the first author and Elliott.
Effects of the particle deformability on the critical separation diameter in the deterministic lateral displacement device
Authors: Ye Shangjun , Shao Xueming , Yu Zhaosheng , Yu Wenguang
Published: March 2014

Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) technology is a newly developed method which can separate microscale and nanoscale particles continuously and efficiently. In this paper, a direct numerical simulation method (i.e. a fictitious domain method) is used to simulate the motion of an elastic particle (modelled as homogeneously elastic body) in the DLD device. The effects of the particle deformability on the critical separation diameter are investigated. Our results indicate that there exists a critical deformability, below which the critical diameter decreases with increasing deformability, whereas beyond which the critical diameter increases with increasing deformability. The reasons are discussed via the consideration of the effects of the particle deformation and the lubrication force on the lateral position of the particle centre point. In addition, our results show that the increase in the gap distance between adjacent posts in both directions or in the longitudinal direction alone leads to the increase in the critical particle size with respect to the gap size, which can be explained by the lateral position of the separation streamline of the undisturbed flow.
Computational modelling of flow through prosthetic heart valves using the entropic lattice-Boltzmann method
Authors: Yun B. Min , Dasi L. P. , Aidun C. K. , Yoganathan A. P.
Published: March 2014

Previous clinical, in vitro experimental and in silico simulation studies have shown the complex dynamics of flow through prosthetic heart valves. In the case of bileaflet mechanical heart valves (BMHVs), complex flow phenomena are observed due to the presence of two rigid leaflets. A numerical method for this type of study must be able to accurately simulate pulsatile flow through BMHVs with the inclusion of leaflet motion and high-Reynolds-number flow modelling. Consequently, this study aims at validating a numerical method that captures the flow dynamics for pulsatile flow through a BMHV. A $23~ \mbox{mm}$ St. Jude Medical (SJM) Regent™ valve is selected for use in both the experiments and numerical simulations. The entropic lattice-Boltzmann method is used to simulate pulsatile flow through the valve with the inclusion of reverse leakage flow, while prescribing the flowrate and leaflet motion from experimental data. The numerical simulations are compared against experimental digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) results from a previous study for validation. The numerical method is shown to match well with the experimental results quantitatively as well as qualitatively. Simulations are performed with efficient parallel processing at very high spatiotemporal resolution that can capture the finest details in the pulsatile BMHV flow field. This study validates the lattice-Boltzmann method as suitable for simulating pulsatile, high-Reynolds-number flows through prosthetic devices for use in future research.
Incorporating parasite data in population structure studies of South African sardine Sardinops sagax
Authors: VAN DER LINGEN CARL DAVID , WESTON LAURA FRANCES , SSEMPA NURUDEAN NORMAN , REED CECILE CATHARINE
Published: March 2014

A multidisciplinary approach has been applied to examine the population structure of sardine Sardinops sagax off South Africa, where this species supports significant fisheries and is also of ecological and eco-tourism importance. Observations of discontinuous sardine distribution patterns, discrete spawning grounds and significant spatial differences in a variety of phenotypic characteristics have suggested the existence of discrete western, southern and eastern sardine sub-populations or stocks. The use of parasites as biological tags to elucidate sardine population structure has recently been investigated, and strong spatial gradients around South Africa in the prevalence, mean infection intensity and mean abundance of a digenean ‘tetracotyle’ type metacercarial endoparasite considered to be of the genus Cardiocephaloides and found in the humours of fish eyes support and have proved particularly convincing evidence for the sardine multiple stock hypothesis. A discontinuous distribution in the occurrence of another parasite, the coccidean Eimeria sardinae found in fish testes, has provided additional but weaker evidence of discrete stocks. These results have contributed to a changed understanding of the population structure of South African sardine and have significant implications for management of the fisheries for this species.
Genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between adult ADHD symptoms and self-reported problem drinking in 6024 Dutch twins
Authors: Derks E. M. , Vink J. M. , Willemsen G. , van den Brink W. , Boomsma D. I.
Published: March 2014

Background

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have shown a positive association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and problematic alcohol use in adults. To what extent this association is explained by genetic and environmental factors is largely unknown.

Method

Data on ADHD and alcohol consumption were collected by self-report in 6024 adult Dutch twins. ADHD symptoms were assessed by three subscales of the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales – Self-Report: Screening Version (CAARS–S:SV): inattentiveness, hyperactivity and the ADHD index (ADHD-I). Problem drinking was defined as at least two self-reported alcohol-related problems on the CAGE questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was applied to the bivariate twin data to estimate genetic and environmental influences.

Results

Heritability of ADHD symptoms ranged between 32% and 40% and heritability of problem drinking was 50%. The positive correlation between ADHD symptoms and problem drinking was confirmed in this general population sample, with phenotypic correlations between 0.20 and 0.28 and genetic correlations between 0.39 and 0.50. Phenotypic correlations are primarily (61–100%) explained by genetic influences with non-shared environmental influences explaining the remaining covariance. No significant quantitative or qualitative gender differences in covariance structure were found.

Conclusions

This study convincingly shows that ADHD symptoms and problem drinking are moderately but significantly correlated in adults and that genetic correlations are primarily underlying this association. This suggests that early interventions are required to prevent adolescents with ADHD from developing problematic levels of alcohol use. Furthermore, clinicians who treat alcohol-dependent patients should be aware that the patient may have a co-morbid condition of ADHD; integrated interventions are required.
Collaborative research projects in the technology-enhanced language classroom: Pre-service and in-service teachers exchange knowledge about technology
Authors: Cutrim Schmid Euline , Hegelheimer Volker
Published: March 2014

This paper presents research findings of a longitudinal empirical case study that investigated an innovative Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) professional development program for pre-service English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. The conceptualization of the program was based on the assumption that pre-service language teachers learn better in situated contexts (Egbert, 2006). Therefore, a key component of the program was the development of school-based research projects, in which the student teachers needed to design, implement, and evaluate technology-enhanced EFL lessons in collaboration with in-service teachers. Data were collected via field notes, video recordings of lessons, academic research reports produced by the pre-service teachers, and in-depth interviews with the pre-service and in-service teachers. Our findings indicate that the field experiences provided professional learning opportunities that supported the student teachers’ development as CALL practitioners. The participating pre-service teachers especially emphasized the important role played by school-based experiences in allowing them to use technology in authentic language teaching scenarios and to evaluate the impact of technology on language teaching and learning. The paper concludes with a discussion of important principles and guidelines that should underlie and inform such collaborative efforts and a summary of the implications of the findings for the design of CALL pre-service teacher education programs.
The effects of communication mode on negotiation of meaning and its noticing
Authors: Yuksel Dogan , Inan Banu
Published: March 2014

This study examined the effects of communication mode (i.e., face to face versus computer mediated communication) on the instances of negotiation of meaning (NofM) and its level of noticing by learners. Sixty-four participants (32 dyads) completed two jigsaw tasks in two different mediums (one in each) and four days after the tasks they were asked to identify the instances where they had communication breakdowns in a stimulated recall protocol. The findings of the study revealed that the average number of the NofM exchanges and durations of the tasks were higher in face to face mode (F2F) but the participants of the synchronous computer mediated communication (SCMC) group noticed a higher average of NofM instances (M=10.72) compared to the F2F group (M=9.13) and the difference was significant. Based on these results, we can argue that F2F promotes a better context for the production of NofM, but the SCMC environment leads to more instances of noticing.
Exercise as an add-on strategy for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Mura Gioia , Moro Maria Francesca , Patten Scott B. , Carta Mauro G.
Published: March 2014

Antidepressants are currently the treatment of choice for major depressive disorder (MDD). Nevertheless, a high percentage of patients do not respond to a first-line antidepressant drug, and combination treatments and augmentation strategies increase the risk of side effects. Moreover, a significant proportion of patients are treatment-resistant. In the last 30 years, a number of studies have sought to establish whether exercise could be regarded as an alternative to antidepressants, but so far no specific analysis has examined the efficacy of exercise as an adjunctive treatment in combination with antidepressants. We carried out a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise as an adjunctive treatment with antidepressants on depression.

A search of relevant papers was carried out in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus with the following keywords: “exercise,” “physical activity,” “physical fitness,” “depressive disorder,” “depression,” “depressive symptoms,” “add-on,” “augmentation,” “adjunction,” and “combined therapy.” Twenty-two full-text articles were retrieved by the search. Among the 13 papers that fulfilled our inclusion criteria, we found methodological weaknesses in the majority. However, the included studies showed a strong effectiveness of exercise combined with antidepressants.

Further analyses and higher quality studies are needed; nevertheless, as we have focused on a particular intervention (exercise in adjunction to antidepressants) that better reflects clinical practice, we can hypothesize that this strategy could be appropriately and safely translated into real-world practice.
Impact of maternal hyperlipidic hypercholesterolaemic diet on male reproductive organs and testosterone concentration in rabbits
Authors: Dupont C. , Ralliard-Rousseau D. , Tarrade A. , Faure C. , Dahirel M. , Sion B. , Brugnon F. , Levy R. , Chavatte-Palmer P.
Published: March 2014

The concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease initially stemmed from the developmental programming of metabolic diseases. Reproductive functions and fertility in adulthood may also be programmed during foetal development. We studied the impact of dietary-induced maternal hyperlipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia (HH), administered at 10 weeks of age and throughout the gestation and lactation, on male reproductive functions of rabbit offspring. Male rabbits born to HH dams and fed a control diet had significantly lighter testes and epididymes compared with rabbits born to control dams at adulthood. No significant changes in sperm concentration, sperm DNA integrity and sperm membrane composition were observed, but serum-free testosterone concentrations were decreased in HH males. This study confirms the importance of maternal metabolic status for the development of male reproductive organs.
Hypothermia-Induced Neuroprotection is Associated with Reduced Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability in a Swine Model of Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Gong Ping , Hua Rong , Zhang Yu , Zhao Hong , Tang Ziren , Mei Xue , Zhang Mingyue , Cui Juan , Li Chunsheng
Published: March 2014

Correction to: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism (2013) 33, 928–934; doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.33 ; published online 13 March 2013

A fund grant number was incorrectly omitted from the Acknowledgements. The following sentence should be read with the Funding Statement: ‘This work was supported by the Liaoning Province Nature Science Foundation (Grant No. 2013023020).’
Interleukin-8 gene silencing on pancreatic cancer cells using biodegradable polymer nanoplexes
Authors: Lin Guimiao , Yang Chengbin , Hu Rui , Chen Chih-Kuang , Law Wing-Cheung , Anderson Tommy , Zhang Butian , Nguyen Quoc Toan , Toh Hui Ting , Yoon Ho Sup , Cheng Chong , Yong Ken-Tye
Published: March 2014

Biodegradable polymer nanoplexes were used as siRNA carriers for interleukin-8 gene silencing to attenuate cell proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells.
A theoretical study of the structures and optical spectra of helical copper–silver clusters
Authors: Heard Christopher J. , Johnston Roy L.
Published: March 2014

Optical response spectra of AgnCu13−n+ Bernal spiral clusters show subtle variations by dopant site and loading. Comparison to nanorod-like and icosahedral clusters shows local geometry plays a significant role in electronic transitions at the sub-nanoscale.
Light to investigate (read) and operate (write) molecular devices and machines
Authors: Ceroni Paola , Credi Alberto , Venturi Margherita
Published: March 2014

Functional supramolecular systems can exploit photoinduced processes for gaining energy as well as for providing information on their state. We discuss the operation of these species from a fundamental viewpoint and we illustrate their potential to function as nanoscale devices and machines by means of selected examples.
Assembling cellular networks of colloids via emulsions of partially miscible liquids: a compositional approach
Authors: Hijnen Niek , Clegg Paul S.
Published: March 2014

Removing the continuous phase of a Pickering emulsion of partially miscible liquids by selective evaporation provides a one-step route to assembling colloidal particles into a cellular network.
Trifluoroacetic acid catalyzed thiophenylmethylation and thioalkylmethylation of lactams and phenols via domino three-component reaction in water
Authors: Mudududdla Ramesh , Sharma Rohit , Guru Santosh K. , Kushwaha Manoj , Gupta Ajai P. , Bharate Sonali S. , Aravinda Subrayashastry , Kant Rajni , Bhushan Shashi , Vishwakarma Ram A. , Bharate Sandip B.
Published: March 2014

A new method for thiophenylmethylation and thioalkylmethylation of lactams and phenols has been described.
Copper catalyzed nitrile synthesis from aryl halides using formamide as a nitrile source
Authors: Khemnar Ashok B. , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: March 2014

A simple and efficient protocol has been developed for nitrile synthesis from aryl halides in the presence of an inexpensive and easily available copper catalyst along with triphenyl phosphine ligand.
Lipid tucaresol as an adjuvant for methamphetamine vaccine development
Authors: Collins K. C. , Schlosburg J. E. , Lockner J. W. , Bremer P. T. , Ellis B. A. , Janda K. D.
Published: March 2014

The immunopotentiator tucaresol was modified for incorporation into liposomes, where it was found to be a superior adjuvant to MPLA for vaccination against methamphetamine.
Isoreticular MOFs based on a rhombic dodecahedral MOP as a tertiary building unit
Authors: Kim Dongwook , Liu Xinfang , Oh Minhak , Song Xiaokai , Zou Yang , Singh Devendra , Kim Kwang S. , Lah Myoung Soo
Published: March 2014

The reactions of a Zn(ii) ion with ligands containing two 1,3-benzene dicarboxylate residues resulted in isoreticular MOFs based on a rhombic dodecahedral MOP, in which the MOP was built using [Zn2(COO)4] clusters as a 4-c SBU and [Zn2(COO)3] clusters as a 3-c SBU.
A facile route for the preparation of ZnO/C composites with high photocatalytic activity and adsorption capacity
Authors: Ma Shuaishuai , Xue Jinjuan , Zhou Yuming , Zhang Zewu , Wu Xin
Published: March 2014

This manuscript describes the deposition of carbon on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles via a simple adsorption and calcination process.
The effect of electronic energy loss on irradiation-induced grain growth in nanocrystalline oxides
Authors: Zhang Yanwen , Aidhy Dilpuneet S. , Varga Tamas , Moll Sandra , Edmondson Philip D. , Namavar Fereydoon , Jin Ke , Ostrouchov Christopher N. , Weber William J.
Published: March 2014

The unraveling disorder-driven grain growth mechanism may be utilized to control grain sizes and tailor the functionality of nanocrystalline materials.
Large-scale virtual high-throughput screening for the identification of new battery electrolyte solvents: evaluation of electronic structure theory methods
Authors: Korth Martin
Published: March 2014

The performance of semi-empirical quantum mechanical (SQM), density functional theory (DFT) and wave function theory (WFT) methods is evaluated for the purpose of screening a large number of molecular structures with respect to their electrochemical stability to identify new battery electrolyte solvents.
Catalytic combustion of ventilation air methane (VAM) – long term catalyst stability in the presence of water vapour and mine dust
Authors: Setiawan Adi , Friggieri Jarrod , Kennedy Eric M. , Dlugogorski Bogdan Z. , Stockenhuber Michael
Published: March 2014

This paper presents long-term evaluation of catalyst stability and durability in the presence of water and coal mine dust.
Gel architectures and their complexity
Authors: Richtering Walter , Saunders Brian R.
Published: March 2014

We review structurally complex hydrogels and consider key parameters controlling their structures and properties and conclude by suggesting a framework for assessing the novelty of new gels.
Interface layer formation in solid polymer electrolyte lithium batteries: an XPS study
Authors: Xu Chao , Sun Bing , Gustafsson Torbjörn , Edström Kristina , Brandell Daniel , Hahlin Maria
Published: March 2014

O1s and S2p XPS spectra of the graphite electrode after the 1st discharge and the schematic representation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers formed in an SPE-based graphite half-cell.
Enhanced photocatalytic mechanism for the hybrid g-C3N4/MoS2 nanocomposite
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Guan Zhaoyong , Huang Jing , Li Qunxiang , Yang Jinlong
Published: March 2014

The predicted type-II band alignment and the interfacial polarized field in g-C3N4/MoS2 nanocomposite are responsible for its enhanced photocatalysis.
The epitaxial growth of lead phthalocyanine on copper halogen compounds as the origin of templating effects
Authors: Kim Tae-Min , Kim Hyo Jung , Shim Hyun-Sub , Choi Min-Soo , Kim Ji Whan , Kim Jang-Joo
Published: March 2014

The templating effect of copper halogen compounds on the growth of lead phthalocyanine was described by heteroepitaxial growth of organic molecules on the templating layers.
Development of liquid-crystalline shape-memory polyurethane composites based on polyurethane with semi-crystalline reversible phase and hexadecyloxybenzoic acid for self-healing applications
Authors: Chen Shaojun , Yuan Hongming , Zhuo Haitao , Chen Shiguo , Yang Haipeng , Ge Zaochuan , Liu Jianhong
Published: March 2014

Novel liquid crystalline shape memory polyurethane composites display liquid crystalline properties, triple-shape memory behaviours and self-healing behaviours.