bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized by Methane Pyrolysis: Structure and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Saenko Nikita S. , Ziatdinov Albert M.
Published: March 2014

The structure and magnetic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic pyrolysis of methane have been investigated by means of mutually complementary physical methods. The average sizes and number of carbon layers forming nanotubes, smearing of the density of states near the Fermi level, degeneracy temperature of gas of extrinsic current carriers, concentrations of localized spins and extrinsic two-dimensional current carriers have been determined. The conclusion has been drawn that ferromagnetic nanoparticles are present in the inner regions of nanotubes, including their tubular cavities. The difference in electronic structure near the Fermi level for carbon nanotubes and ordered graphite has been revealed. The possible reason is that the electronic states near zigzag-type sites of ends as well as edges of linear structural defects in nanotubes make greater contribution to the spectrum than that from similar sites of graphite.
Influence of Preliminary Plasma Processing on Luminescent Properties of Porous Silicon
Authors: Galkin Nikolay Gennadievich , Yan Dmitrii Tkhyarbonovich , Chusovitin Evgeniy Anatolievich , Rasin Anton Borisovich , Galkin Konstantin Nikolaevich , Bozhenko Mikhail Victorovich , Mararov Vsevolod Vladimirovich , Astashinsky Valentin Mironovich , Kuzmitsky Aleksey Mikhailovich
Published: March 2014

Measurements of radiative properties of porous silicon after compression plasma treatment have been carried out. Significant increase of photoluminescence intensity and blue shift of spectra have been observed on studied samples in comparison with porous layers formed on monocrystalline silicon without preliminary plasma treatment. An influence of long storage of plasma modified porous silicon layer on the intensity and spectral composition of photoluminescence has been checked. A rise of PL intensity during first moth of storage and following decrease of PL intensity in the next three months has been observed. Mechanisms of changes in a spectral composition of PL and alterations of PL intensity during storage have been discussed.
Short-term effects of thinning, clear-cutting and stump harvesting on methane exchange in a boreal forest
Authors: Sundqvist E. , Vestin P. , Crill P. , Persson T. , Lindroth A.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Forest management practices can alter soil conditions, affecting the consumption and production processes that control soil methane (CH4) exchange. We studied the short-term effects of thinning, clear-cutting and stump harvesting on the CH4 exchange between soil and atmosphere at a boreal forest site in central Sweden, using an undisturbed plot as the control. Chambers in combination with a high precision laser gas analyser were used for continuous measurements. Both the undisturbed plot and the thinned plot were net sinks of CH4, whereas the clear-cut plot and the stump harvested plot were net CH4 sources. The CH4 uptake at the thinned plot was reduced in comparison to the undisturbed plot. The shift from sink to source at the clear-cut and stump harvested plots was probably due to a rise of the water table and an increase in soil moisture, leading to lower gas diffusivity and more reduced conditions which favour CH4 production by archea. Reduced evapotranspiration after harvesting leads to wetter soils, decreased CH4 consumption and increased CH4 production, and should be accounted for in the CH4 budget of managed forests.
The linkage between hillslope vegetation changes and late-Quaternary fluvial-system aggradation in the Mojave Desert revisited
Authors: Pelletier J. D.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Valley-floor-channel and alluvial-fan deposits and terraces in the southwestern US record multiple episodes of late Quaternary fluvial aggradation and incision. Perhaps the most well constrained of these episodes took place from the latest Pleistocene to the present in the Mojave Desert. One hypothesis for this episode, i.e. the paleo-vegetation change hypothesis (PVCH), posits that a reduction in hillslope vegetation cover associated with the transition from Pleistocene woodlands to Holocene desert scrub generated a pulse of sediment that triggered a primary phase of aggradation downstream, followed by channel incision, terrace abandonment, and initiation of a secondary phase of aggradation further downstream. A second hypothesis, i.e. the extreme-storm hypothesis, attributes episodes of aggradation and incision to changes in the frequency and/or intensity of extreme storms. In the past decade a growing number of studies has advocated the extreme-storm hypothesis and challenged the PVCH on the basis of inconsistencies in both timing and process. Here I show that in eight out of nine sites where the timing of fluvial-system aggradation in the Mojave Desert is reasonably well constrained, measured ages of primary aggradation and/or incision are consistent with the predictions of the PVCH if the time-transgressive nature of paleo-vegetation changes with elevation is fully taken into account. I also present an alternative process model for PVCH that is more consistent with available data and produces sediment pulses primarily via an increase in drainage density (i.e. a transformation of hillslopes into low-order channels) rather than solely via an increase in sediment yield from hillslopes. This paper further documents the likely important role of changes in upland vegetation cover and drainage density in driving fluvial-system response during semiarid-to-arid climatic changes.
À propos d’un théâtre de création qui invite la musique
Authors: Marleau Denis
Published: March 2014

La pratique théâtrale de Denis Marleau, étroitement liée à sa compagnie de création UBU, est fondatrice d’une esthétique de la scène qui, avec constance, privilégie le dialogue entre les pratiques artistiques. Le metteur en scène en témoigne à travers sa rencontre avec le compositeur Denis Gougeon, qui a participé à plus d’une dizaine de ses spectacles en 20 ans.
En orbite de Piano-Soleil : Gougeon pédagogue
Authors: Mckinley Maxime
Published: March 2014

Professeur de composition à la Faculté de musique de l’Université de Montréal depuis 2001, Denis Gougeon a enseigné à plusieurs compositeurs menant aujourd’hui de brillantes carrières. Le 8 novembre 2013, à la Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur (Montréal), sept de ses anciens élèves lui ont rendu hommage par la création de miniatures inspirées de son cycle Six thèmes solaires, en particulier de sa pièce d’ouverture : Piano-Soleil. Ces pièces-hommages sont signées Ashot Ariyan, Simon Bertrand, André Cayer, Mathieu Lavoie, Analía Llugdar, Pierre Michaud et Marianne Trudel. L’Ensemble Arkea, sous la direction de Dina Gilbert, a créé ces miniatures, après avoir interprété les dix pièces des Six thèmes solaires de Gougeon. Consacrée à cet événement, notre enquête interroge les participants sur leurs pièces-hommages. En filigrane, nous en apprenons davantage sur la nature de l’enseignement de Gougeon, en particulier sur les plans de la rigueur du métier et de la polyvalence. Un bref discours de Gougeon, prononcé après le concert, est retranscrit en guise de conclusion.
Calibration of Elekta aSi EPIDs Used as Transit Dosimeter
Authors: Cilla S. , Fidanzio A. , Greco F. , Sabatino D. , Russo A. , Gargiulo L. , Azario L. , Piermattei A.
Published: March 2014

The transit in vivo dosimetry performed by the Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID), avoids the problem of solid-state detector positioning on the patient. Moreover, the dosimetric characterization of the recent Elekta aSi EPIDs in terms of signal stability and linearity enables these detectors adaptable for the transit in vivo dosimetry with 6, 10 and 15 MV photon beams. However, the implementation of the EPID transit dosimetry requires several measurements. Recently, the present authors have developed an in vivo dosimetry method for the 3D CRT based on correlation functions defined by the ratios between the transit signal, st (w,L), by the EPID and the phantom mid-plane dose, Dm(w,L), at the Source to Axis Distance (SAD) as a function of the phantom thickness, w, and the square field dimensions, L. When the phantom mid-plane was positioned at distance d from the SAD, the ratios st(w,L)/s't(d,w,L), were used to take into account the variation of the scattered photon contributions on the EPID as a function of, d and L. The aim of this paper was the implementation of a procedure that uses generalized correlation functions obtained by nine Elekta Precise linac beams. The procedure can be used by other Elekta Precise linacs equipped with the same aSi EPIDs assuring the stabilities of the beam output factors and the EPID signals. The calibration procedure of the aSi EPID here reported avoids measurements in solid water equivalent phantoms needed to implement the in vivo dosimetry method in the radiotherapy center. A tolerance level ranging between ±5% and ±6% (depending on the type of tumor) was estimated for the comparison between the reconstructed isocenter dose, Diso and the computed dose Diso, TPS by the treatment planning system (TPS).
Non-Thermal Irreversible Electroporation (N-TIRE) and Adjuvant Fractionated Radiotherapeutic Multimodal Therapy for Intracranial Malignant Glioma in a Canine Patient
Authors: Garcia P. A. , Pancotto T. , Rossmeisl J. H. , Henao-Guerrero N. , Gustafson N. R. , Daniel G. B. , Robertson J. L. , Ellis T. L. , Davalos R. V.
Published: March 2014

Non-thermal irreversible electroporation (N-TIRE) has shown promise as an ablative therapy for a variety of soft-tissue neoplasms. Here we describe the therapeutic planning aspects and first clinical application of N-TIRE for the treatment of an inoperable, spontaneous malignant intracranial glioma in a canine patient. The N-TIRE ablation was performed safely, effectively reduced the tumor volume and associated intracranial hypertension, and provided sufficient improvement in neurological function of the patient to safely undergo adjunctive fractionated radiotherapy (RT) according to current standards of care. Complete remission was achieved based on serial magnetic resonance imaging examinations of the brain, although progressive radiation encephalopathy resulted in the death of the dog 149 days after N-TIRE therapy. The length of survival of this patient was comparable to dogs with intracranial tumors treated via standard excisional surgery and adjunctive fractionated external beam RT. Our results illustrate the potential benefits of N-TIRE for in vivo ablation of undesirable brain tissue, especially when traditional methods of cytoreductive surgery are not possible or ideal, and highlight the potential radiosensitizing effects of N-TIRE on the brain.
Cellular Immunologic Response to Primary Cryoablation of C6 Gliomas in Rats
Authors: Li M. , Liu J. , Zhang S-Z. , Zhou Y. , Guo Y-W. , Chen Q. , Ke Y-Q. , Jiang X. D. , Cai Y. Q.
Published: March 2014

The immunological consequences of cryoablation for gliomas are largely unknown. cryoablation is an attractive therapeutic option for tumors due to its minimally invasive nature. cryoablation is also potentially immunogenic. With an aim to explore changes in cellullar immunity following argon-helium cryosurgery, we established Wistar rat models bearing subcutaneous C6 glioma and divided the rats into the normal control (30 rats), sham-operated (33 rats), surgical resection (30 rats), and cryosurgery (33 rats) groups with corresponding treatments. The tumor cell morphology was observed, and changes in the T lymphocyte subset and NK lymphocyte subset and the ratio of Th1/Th2 were assessed with flow cytometry following the cryosurgery. The results showed that subcutaneous tumor implantation was successful in all cases and this was confirmed histologically. Compared with surgical resection that caused significant reduction in CD3+, CD4+, CD14+, CD16+56 cell percentages, cryosurgery resulted in significantly increased percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD14+, CD16+56 cells (P < 0.05) with a increase of the Th1/Th2 ratio 7 days after the operation. These results demonstrate that in addition to tumor cell destruction, cryosurgery also results in enhanced cellular immunity, suggesting the great potential of argon-helium cryosurgery in clinical management of gliomas.
Comparison of equatorial plasma mass densities deduced from field line resonances observed at ground for dipole and IGRF models
Authors: Vellante M. , Piersanti M. , Pietropaolo E.
Published: March 2014

The technique to remotely sense the plasma mass density in magnetosphere using field line resonance frequencies detected by ground‐based magnetometers has become more and more popular in the last few years. In this paper we examine the error that would be committed at low and middle latitudes (L < 4) in estimating the equatorial plasma mass density if dipole field lines are assumed instead of the more realistic representation given by International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) lines. It is found that the use of the centered dipole model may result in an error in the inferred density appreciably larger than what is usually assumed. In particular, it has a significant longitudinal dependence being, for example, greater than +30% in the Atlantic sector and about −30% at the opposite longitude sector for field lines extending to a geocentric distance of 2 Earth radii. This may result in an erroneous interpretation of the longitudinal variation in plasmaspheric density when comparing results from ground‐based arrays located at different longitudes. We also propose simple modifications of the standard technique, such as the use of an effective dipole moment or the eccentric dipole model, which allow to keep using the dipole field geometry but with a significant error reduction.
Synthesis, Structure Transformation, and Electrochemical Properties of Li2MgSi as a Novel Anode for Li‐lon Batteries
Authors: Liu Yongfeng , Ma Ruijun , He Yanping , Gao Mingxia , Pan Hongge
Published: March 2014

In this work, a novel hexagonal Li2MgSi anode is successfully prepared through a hydrogen‐driven chemical reaction technique. Electrochemical tests indicate significantly improved cycling stability for the as‐synthesized Li2MgSi compared with that of Mg2Si. Ball‐milling treatment induces a polymorphic transformation of Li2MgSi from a hexagonal structure to a cubic structure, suggesting that the cubic Li2MgSi is a metastable phase. The post‐24‐h‐milled Li2MgSi delivers a maximum capacity of 807.8 mAh g−1, which is much higher than that of pristine Li2MgSi. In particular, the post‐24‐h‐milled Li2MgSi retains 50% of its capacity after 100 cycles, which is superior to cycling stability of Mg2Si. XRD analyses correlated with CV measurements do not demonstrate the dissociation of metallic Mg and/or Li–Mg alloy involved in the lithiation of Mg2Si for the Li2MgSi anode, which contributes to the improved lithium storage performance of the Li2MgSi anode. The findings presented in this work are very useful for the design and synthesis of novel intermetallic compounds for lithium storage as anode materials of Li‐ion batteries.
Hybrid polydiacetylene/magnetite nanoparticles: Sensing for sodium cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and streptavidin
Authors: Lu Shengguo , Luo Fang , Duan Xujia , Jia Chen , Han Yuwang , Huang He
Published: March 2014

Hybrid nanoparticles composed of polydiacetylene (PDA) and magnetite (Fe3O4) were fabricated by a double‐emulsion method. The structure and composite form of the hybrid nanoparticles were investigated with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. The successful incorporation of magnetism to an attractive class of colorimetric PDA sensors was demonstrated. Compared with the PDA vesicles, the hybrid nanoparticles showed better colloidal stability with ethanol stimuli. In this study, we explored the colorimetric sensing ability of the hybrid nanoparticles in response to sodium cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The results show a high sensitivity to CTAB with a limit of detection at 30 μM. The biotin–streptavidin interaction was used as a sensing model to test ligand–receptor interactions on the hybrid nanoparticles' response. The concentration dependence of the chromic response was observed with the limit of visual detection at 20 μg/mL. The Fe3O4–PDA hybrid nanoparticles might have great potential applications in biosensing because of their advantages, including separation and sensing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40634.
Effect of chemical composition on the response of zwitterionic glucose sensitive hydrogels studied by design of experiments
Authors: Cho Seung‐Hei , Tathireddy Prashant , Rieth Loren , Magda Jules
Published: March 2014

A stimuli‐responsive hydrogel that contains the anionic monomer 3‐acrylamidophenylboronic acid and the cationic monomer N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide binds with cis‐diol groups of glucose molecules selectively and reversibly. Even though such hydrogels have good selectivity for glucose, there are still remaining thresholds that should be overcome to enhance the sensitivity (swelling pressure response magnitude) and to reduce the response time (inverse of 1st order rate constant). In this study, the sensitivity and response time of zwitterionic glucose sensitive hydrogels (GSHs) were studied with three factor DOE analysis. The DOE results show that the molar ratio of 3‐acrylamidophenylboronic acid/N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide and the wt % of monomer in the pregel solution are the most important factors for enhancing the hydrogel sensitivity. In addition, fast response times can best be achieved by decreasing the molar ratio of cross‐linker. The results of this study will be useful as guidelines for the optimal synthesis of glucose sensitive hydrogels. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40667.
Ownership Status and the Representation of Assets of Uncertain Value: The Balloon Endowment Risk Task (BERT)
Authors: Walasek Lukasz , Wright Rebecca J. , Rakow Tim
Published: March 2014

Owners tend to overvalue possessions relative to non‐owners: a phenomenon known as the endowment effect. In three experiments, using markets for goods of uncertain value, we investigated whether this can be partly attributed to misperceiving an asset's profitability or to uncertainty about a good's utility. To test our hypotheses, we devised the Balloon Endowment Risk Task, in which participants can sell or buy their right to participate in the Balloon Analogue Risk Task. Once purchased/retained, a virtual balloon is pumped to accrue money, which is lost if the balloon bursts. Participants first learn about the risky asset (balloon) by observing others playing the Balloon Analogue Risk Task before they enter the market. In Experiment 1, we replicated the endowment effect; yet, owners and non‐owners predicted pumping the same number of times and subsequently did so when given that opportunity. In Experiments 2 and 3, the level of uncertainty about the balloon's profitability was manipulated by modifying the number of bursts that participants viewed in the initial learning stage. When more diagnostic information was provided, making the average burst point easier to estimate and reducing value uncertainty and increasing confidence in valuation, the endowment effect diminished although mean estimates of the average burst point did not differ between owners and non‐owners. Thus, endowment effects were partly attributable to value uncertainty but could not be explained by owners and non‐owners having divergent perceptions of the asset's payoff distribution. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leptin and adiponectin receptor expression in oesophageal cancer
Authors: Howard J M , Cathcart M C , Healy L , Beddy P , Muldoon C , Pidgeon G P , Reynolds J V
Published: March 2014

Background

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is an exemplar model of an obesity-associated adenocarcinoma. Altered secretion of adipokines by visceral fat is believed to play a key role in tumorigenesis. This study examined leptin receptor (ObR) and adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) expression in oesophageal cancer, and its relationship with patient obesity status, clinicopathological data and patient survival.

Methods

Tissue microarrays were constructed from paraffin-embedded oesophagectomy specimens. ObR, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 expression was quantified by immunohistochemistry. Anthropometric data were measured at the time of diagnosis, and obesity status was assessed using visceral fat area determined by computed tomography and body mass index. Receptor expression was correlated with various clinicopathological and anthropometric variables. Patient survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and results compared between those with low versus high receptor expression. A Cox multivariable regression model was used to assess the relationship between survival and a number of co-variables.

Results

All 125 tumours analysed expressed AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, whereas 96·8 per cent expressed ObR. There was no significant difference in tumour pathological features or patient obesity status between tumours with low versus high ObR expression. A high level of AdipoR1 expression was significantly associated with increased patient age, obesity and less advanced tumour (T) category. Expression of AdipoR2 was inversely associated with T category (P = 0·043). Low AdipoR1 expression was an independent predictor of improved overall survival (hazard ratio 0·56, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·35 to 0·90; P = 0·017).

Conclusion

The association between adiponectin receptor expression, obesity status and tumour category and survival suggests a potential mechanism linking obesity and oesophageal cancer.
Determinants of optimal mastectomy skin flap thickness
Authors: Robertson S A , Rusby J E , Cutress R I
Published: March 2014

Background

There is a limited evidence base to guide surgeons on the ideal thickness of skin flaps during mastectomy. Here the literature relevant to optimizing mastectomy skin flap thickness is reviewed, including anatomical studies, oncological considerations, factors affecting viability, and the impact of surgical technique and adjuvant therapies.

Methods

A MEDLINE search was performed using the search terms ‘mastectomy’ and ‘skin flap’ or ‘flap thickness’. Titles and abstracts from peer-reviewed publications were screened for relevance.

Results

A subcutaneous layer of variable thickness that contains minimal breast epithelium lies between the dermis and breast tissue. The thickness of this layer may vary within and between breasts, and does not appear to be associated with obesity or age. The existence of a distinct layer of superficial fascia in the breast remains controversial and may be present in only up to 56 per cent of patients. When present, it may not be visible macroscopically, and can contain islands of breast tissue. As skin flap necrosis occurs in approximately 5 per cent of patients, a balance must be sought between removing all breast tissue at mastectomy and leaving reliably viable skin flaps.

Conclusion

The variable and unpredictable thickness of the breast subcutaneous layer means that a single specific universal thickness for mastectomy skin flaps cannot be recommended. It may be that the plane between the subdermal fat and breast parenchyma is a reasonable guide for mastectomy flap thickness, but this may not always correspond to a subcutaneous fascial layer.
Impact of routine intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on bile duct injury
Authors: Alvarez F A , de Santibañes M , Palavecino M , Sánchez Clariá R , Mazza O , Arbues G , de Santibañes E , Pekolj J
Published: March 2014

Background

The role of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in the diagnosis, prevention and management of bile duct injury (BDI) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of routine IOC in the diagnosis and management of BDI sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) at a high-volume centre.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a single-institution database was performed. Patients who underwent LC with routine IOC between October 1991 and May 2012 were included.

Results

Among 11 423 consecutive LCs IOC was performed successfully in 95·7 per cent of patients. No patient had IOC-related complications. Twenty patients (0·17 per cent) sustained a BDI during LC, and the diagnosis was made during surgery in 18 patients. Most BDIs were type D according to the Strasberg classification. The sensitivity of IOC for the detection of BDI was 79 per cent; specificity was 100 per cent. All injuries diagnosed during surgery were repaired during the same surgical procedure. Two patients developed early biliary strictures that were treated by percutaneous dilatation and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with satisfactory long-term results.

Conclusion

The routine use of IOC during LC in a high-volume teaching centre was associated with a low incidence of BDI, and facilitated detection and repair during the same surgical procedure with a good outcome.
The startle paradigm in a forensic psychiatric setting: Elucidating psychopathy
Authors: Loomans Max M. , Tulen Joke H. M. , van Marle Hjalmar J. C.
Published: March 2014

Background

Most people who meet the diagnostic criteria for anti‐social personality disorder (ASPD) do not meet the criteria for psychopathy. A differentiating feature is affective‐interpersonal style. Eye blink startle reflex paradigms have been used to study affect.

Aim

The aim of this study is to explore an eye blink startle paradigm as a means of distinguishing between men with both ASPD and psychopathy, and men with ASPD alone.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐six men were recruited as follows: 31 patients with ASPD and a Psychopathy Checklist‐Revised (PCL‐R) score of 26 or more, 22 patients with ASPD and a PCL‐R score of 25 or less, 50 forensic hospital employees and 33 general population men, none in the latter two groups having abnormal personality traits. Each was presented with 16 pleasant, 16 unpleasant and 16 neutral pictures. Acoustic probes were presented during each category at 300, 800, 1300 and 3800 milliseconds (ms) after picture onset. Eye blink response was measured by electromyography.

Results

Overall, both patient groups showed significantly smaller eye blink responses to the startle stimuli compared with the community controls. Both the latter and the ASPD group showed the expected increase in eye blink response at longer startle latencies to unpleasant pictures than pleasant pictures, but this was not present either in the group with psychopathy or in the forensic hospital employees. With increasing startle latency onset, eye blink amplitude increased significantly in both the healthy comparison groups and the ASPD group, but not in the group with psychopathy.

Conclusions

We replicated eye blink startle modulation deficiencies among men with psychopathy. We confirmed that the psychopathy and ASPD groups could be distinguished by startle stimulus onset asynchrony, but this pattern was also seen in one healthy group – the forensic hospital employees. This suggests a case for more research with more diverse comparison groups and more differentiation of personality traits before drawing definitive conclusions about distinctive startle response patterns among men with psychopathy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous Chlorine‐Free Process for Production of Tetrafluoroethylene
Authors: Aschauer Stephan J. , Herdegen Jens , Schmidt Achim , Gerdes Thorsten , Hintzer Klaus , Zipplies Tilman , Willert‐Porada Monika
Published: March 2014

Die Herstellung von Tetrafluorethylen (TFE), dem wichtigsten Monomer zur Herstellung von Fluorpolymeren, erfolgt bislang in einem energetisch und prozesstechnisch aufwendigen Verfahren. Hier wurde ein Verfahren entwickelt, dass es ermöglicht, TFE völlig chlorfrei über einen Plasmaprozess aus Perfluoralkanen herzustellen. Dafür wurde ein Plasma in einem Rohrreaktor erzeugt und charakterisiert. Es konnten hohe TFE‐Ausbeuten erreicht und die Bildung von Nebenprodukten vermieden werden. Dies zeigt, dass eine vollständig chlorfrei TFE‐Synthese auch im technischen bzw. industriellen Maßstab in Zukunft durchgeführt werden könnte.
Accounting for tagging‐to‐harvest mortality in a Brownie tag‐recovery model by incorporating radio‐telemetry data
Authors: Buderman Frances E. , Diefenbach Duane R. , Casalena Mary Jo , Rosenberry Christopher S. , Wallingford Bret D.
Published: March 2014

The Brownie tag‐recovery model is useful for estimating harvest rates but assumes all tagged individuals survive to the first hunting season; otherwise, mortality between time of tagging and the hunting season will cause the Brownie estimator to be negatively biased. Alternatively, fitting animals with radio transmitters can be used to accurately estimate harvest rate but may be more costly. We developed a joint model to estimate harvest and annual survival rates that combines known‐fate data from animals fitted with transmitters to estimate the probability of surviving the period from capture to the first hunting season, and data from reward‐tagged animals in a Brownie tag‐recovery model. We evaluated bias and precision of the joint estimator, and how to optimally allocate effort between animals fitted with radio transmitters and inexpensive ear tags or leg bands. Tagging‐to‐harvest survival rates from >20 individuals with radio transmitters combined with 50–100 reward tags resulted in an unbiased and precise estimator of harvest rates. In addition, the joint model can test whether transmitters affect an individual's probability of being harvested. We illustrate application of the model using data from wild turkey, Meleagris gallapavo, to estimate harvest rates, and data from white‐tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, to evaluate whether the presence of a visible radio transmitter is related to the probability of a deer being harvested. The joint known‐fate tag‐recovery model eliminates the requirement to capture and mark animals immediately prior to the hunting season to obtain accurate and precise estimates of harvest rate. In addition, the joint model can assess whether marking animals with radio transmitters affects the individual's probability of being harvested, caused by hunter selectivity or changes in a marked animal's behavior.
A cost‐effective and reliable method to predict mechanical stress in single‐use and standard pumps
Authors: Dittler Ina , Kaiser Stephan C. , Blaschczok Katharina , Löffelholz Christian , Bösch Pascal , Dornfeld Wolfgang , Schöb Reto , Rojahn Jürgen , Kraume Matthias , Eibl Dieter
Published: March 2014

The suitability of oil–water emulsions to predict shear forces in stirred bioreactors under cost‐effective and time‐saving conditions has been demonstrated several times, but no application to pumps has been described so far. In this report, the drop sizes in a model oil–water system were determined for the Levitronix PuraLev® multiuse (MU) series (PuraLev® 200MU and PuraLev® 600MU), a peristaltic pump (Masterflex® I/P Easy Load), and 4‐piston diaphragm pump (Quattroflow 1200‐SU, where SU is single‐use) using inline endoscopy. It was determined that the Sauter mean diameter could be used as a comparison criterion to estimate mechanical stress in pumps. The investigation showed that PuraLev® MU pumps are characterized by up to 59% larger Sauter mean diameters than their counterparts at comparable operational conditions. This indicates lower hydrodynamic stress in the PuraLev® MU pumps. Using computational fluid dynamics, a well‐streamlined fluid flow and low turbulent energy dissipation rates were found in the PuraLev® MU pumps, which correlated well with experimental results. A calculation model was used to predict the Sauter mean diameter by combining both experimental and computational fluid dynamics data. Good agreement with deviations below 13% was determined between model predictions and experimental data.
NAC transcription factor gene regulatory and protein–protein interaction networks in plant stress responses and senescence
Authors: Jensen Michael K. , Skriver Karen
Published: March 2014

Plant‐specific NAM/ATAF/CUC (NAC) transcription factors (TFs) have recently received considerable attention due to their significant roles in plant development and stress signaling. Here, we summarize progress in understanding NAC TFs in stress responses and senescence. We focus on interactions between the DNA‐binding NAC domain and target genes, and between the large, mostly disordered transcription regulatory domain of NAC TFs and protein interaction partners. Recent studies have identified both up‐stream regulators of NAC genes and down‐stream NAC target genes, outlining regulatory networks associated with NAC–protein interactions. This connects molecular interactions and signal pathway intersections with biological functions with promising use in agriculture. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(3):156–166, 2014
Evaluation of bone formation guided by DNA/protamine complex with FGF‐2 in an adult rat calvarial defect model
Authors: Shinozaki Yosuke , Toda Masako , Ohno Jun , Kawaguchi Minoru , Kido Hirofumi , Fukushima Tadao
Published: March 2014

DNA/protamine complex paste (D/P) and D/P complex paste with Fibroblast Growth Factor‐2 (FGF‐2) (D/P‐FGF) were prepared to investigate their new bone formation abilities using an ∼40‐week‐old rat calvarial defect model. It was found that D/P could release FGF‐2 proportionally in an in vitro experiment with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. It was also found that aging adversely affected self‐bone healing of rats by comparison with the results in a previous study using 10‐week‐old rats. Microcomputed tomography and histopathological examinations showed that new bone formation abilities of D/P and D/P‐FGF were superior to that of the control (sham operation). Control, D/P and D/P‐FGF showed newly formed bone areas of 6.7, 58.3, and 67.0%, respectively, 3 months after the operation. Moreover, it was found that FGF‐2 could support the osteoanagenesis ability of D/P. It was considered that FGF‐2 could play an important role in new bone formation at early stages because it induced the genes such as collagen I, CBFA, OSX, and OPN, which are initiated first in the process of osteogenesis. Therefore, D/P‐FGF will be a useful injectable biomaterial with biodegradable properties for the repair of bone defects in the elderly. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1669–1676, 2014.
Oxygen adsorption characteristics on hybrid carbon and boron‐nitride nanotubes
Authors: Liu Haining , Turner C. Heath
Published: March 2014

In this work, first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) is used to predict oxygen adsorption on two types of hybrid carbon and boron‐nitride nanotubes (CBNNTs), zigzag (8,0), and armchair (6,6). Although the chemisorption of O2 on CBNNT(6,6) is calculated to be a thermodynamically unfavorable process, the binding of O2 on CBNNT(8,0) is found to be an exothermic process and can form both chemisorbed and physisorbed complexes. The CBNNT(8,0) has very different O2 adsorption properties compared with pristine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and boron‐nitride nanotube (BNNTs). For example, O2 chemisorption is significantly enhanced on CBNNTs, and O2 physisorption complexes also show stronger binding, as compared to pristine CNTs or BNNTs. Furthermore, it is found that the O2 adsorption is able to increase the conductivity of CBNNTs. Overall, these properties suggest that the CBNNT hybrid nanotubes may be useful as a gas sensor or as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assault by battery: Battery‐related injury in the head and neck
Authors: Svider Peter F. , Johnson Andrew P. , Folbe Adam J. , Carron Michael A. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Zuliani Giancarlo
Published: March 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To estimate nationwide incidence of emergency department (ED) visits for battery‐related injury (BRI) occurring in the head and neck, and analyze demographic and anatomic‐specific trends.

Methods

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was searched for BRI in the head and neck, with analysis for incidence, anatomic site, age and gender, and specific diagnoses.

Results

There were an estimated 18,803 head and neck BRI ED visits from 2003 to 2012. A total of 65.8% of patients were male. A total of 92.8% of patients were treated/examined and then released, and 4.7% of patients were admitted. A plurality (34.2%) of patients had BRI related to nose injures, and this represented the youngest cohort (median: 3 years old). The vast majority of ear and nose diagnoses were “foreign bodies”; two‐thirds of mouth injuries were related to burns, whereas lacerations predominated in the face and head. Nearly half of ED visits involved patients between 2 and 5 years of age. A total of 45.2% of cases involving patients ≥ 65 years of age were related to hearing aid batteries as foreign bodies.

Conclusion

BRI in the head and neck results in a significant amount of ED visits. Mechanisms of injury vary by age and anatomic location, but a considerable male predilection exists. Whereas pediatric patients are primarily affected, particularly patients between 2 to 5 years of age, injuries do occur among adults. Importantly, the prevalence of dislodged hearing‐aid batteries in the elderly necessitates comprehensive patient education to increase awareness and counseling regarding this complication. Awareness of demographic and anatomic‐specific trends reported in this analysis may be an invaluable adjunct for history‐taking and clinical examination.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope 124:2257–2261, 2014
Resveratrol inhibits glucose‐induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells mediated by focal adhesion kinase
Authors: Lin Yi‐Chiao , Chen Li‐Hsuen , Varadharajan T. , Tsai May‐Jywan , Chia Yi‐Chen , Yuan Ta‐Chun , Sung Ping‐Jyun , Weng Ching‐Feng
Published: March 2014

Scope

Diabetes is a critical factor for atherosclerosis, as hyperglycemia induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration and subsequently contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. This study investigates whether resveratrol plays a regulatory role in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs under high glucose induction to imitate a hyperglycemic condition.

Methods and results

Resveratrol inhibited the migration of VSMCs in the wound‐healing assay and the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia as assessed by atomic force microscopy scanning. Resveratrol suppressed the mRNA expression of c‐Src, Rac1, cdc42, IRS‐1, MEKK1, MEKK4, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase along with the protein levels of c‐Src, p‐Src, and cdc42 in VSMCs. Resveratrol decreased the level of p‐FAK protein under normal glucose conditions. Resveratrol could inhibit the activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP 9 as shown by zymography. Moreover, resveratrol also regulated the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway and MMP activities of VSMC migration under the high glucose condition.

Conclusion

The antimigratory effects of resveratrol by reduced MMP expression through the inhibition of Rac1, p‐FAK, and lamellipodia formation and the activation of p‐AKT and p‐ERK1/2 suggest that resveratrol is a potential compound for the treatment of vascular diseases via the regulation of VSMC migration.
Regulation of the polyamine metabolic pathway in the endometrium of cows during early diestrus
Authors: Ramos Roney dos Santos , Mesquita Fernando Silveira , D'Alexandri Fabio L. , Gonella‐Diaza Angela Maria , Papa Paula de Carvalho , Binelli Mario
Published: March 2014

The timing and magnitude of exposure to preovulatory estradiol followed by post‐ovulatory progesterone (periovulatory endocrine milieu) in cattle modulate endometrial gene expression, histotroph composition, and conceptus development, but the mechanisms underlying this regulation remain unknown. Using an experimental model based on the modulation of follicle growth, this work aimed to evaluate if the polyamine metabolic pathway is regulated by the periovulatory endocrine milieu. Nelore cows were manipulated to ovulate small (n = 15) or large (n = 15) follicles, then the profiles of polyamines and their synthetic enzymes were compared between groups. Transcripts for the enzymes of this pathway, ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1; the rate‐limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis) protein quantification, adenosylmethionine decarboxylase 1 (AMD1) protein immunolocalization, and concentrations of the different polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) were respectively quantified by quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry in both the endometrium and uterine flushing. No differences in gene and protein expression or concentration of polyamines were observed between groups. There were significant correlations between the relative abundance of ODC1 and spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) transcripts as well as between antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1) and adenosylmethionine decarboxylase 1 (AMD1) transcripts. In conclusion, our results show that the polyamine metabolic pathway is present and functional, but not regulated by the periovulatory endocrine milieu in the bovine endometrium. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 584–594, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The control of mechanical bow for GaN substrate grown by HVPE with relatively longer radius of lattice curvature
Authors: Lee Hae‐Yong , Choi Young‐Jun , Kim Jin‐Hun , Jang Hyun‐Soo , Oh Hae‐Kon , Kim Jun Young , Jung Jung Young , Hwang Jonghee
Published: March 2014

We are going to develop GaN growth process by HVPE method, which shows the near null value of free standing (FS)‐GaN wafer bowing after laser lift‐off (LLO) process in order to reduce the production cost of GaN substrate. The 309 to 318 µm thick HVPE grown GaN layers on sapphire shows 574 to 669 µm of as grown bows, and –299 to 95 µm of bow after LLO process. The 440 µm thick HVPE grown GaN layer on sapphire shows 693 µm of as grown bow, and –4 µm of bow after LLO process. From this GaN template, we could get the 356 µm thick FS‐GaN wafer with 2 µm of bow after polishing. This GaN substrate shows at least 43.87 m of the radius of lattice curvature evaluated by 9‐points measuring of (004) rocking curve along center line parallel to the main flat plane. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural characterization of AgGaTe2 layers grown on a‐ and c‐sapphire substrates by a closed space sublimation method
Authors: Uruno Aya , Usui Ayaka , Kobayashi Masakazu
Published: March 2014

AgGaTe2 layers were grown on a‐ and c‐plane sapphire substrates by a closed space sublimation method with varying the source temperature. Grown films were evaluated by θ ‐2θ and pole figure measurements of X‐ray diffraction. AgGaTe2 layers were grown to have strong preference for the (103) orientation. However, it was cleared the Ag5Te3 was formed along with the AgGaTe2 when the layer was grown on c‐plane sapphire. The orientation of the film was analyzed by using the pole figure, and resulted in AgGaTe2 without Ag5Te3 layers could be grown on a‐plane sapphire. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ist die zunehmende Biogasproduktion die alleinige Ursache für den Grünlandschwund in Deutschland? – eine Analyse von georeferenzierten Daten zur Landnutzung
Authors: Laggner Birgit , Orthen Natascha , Osterburg Bernhard , Röder Norbert
Published: March 2014

In the last years the area used as permanent grassland declined considerably in Germany. This decline raised public concerns as grassland produces more environmental benefits compared to arable land. In the public debate the loss of grassland is frequently linked to the promotion of silage maize as feedstock for bio-methane production via the renewable energy law. We present a geo information system, which is capable to process various high resolution data on land use, land use change and site conditions. With the help of the system we analyse whether the expansion of bio-methane production is the primary reason for the observed land use change in the period 1999–2007. We provide results for Germany as a whole. These general results are supplemented by an analysis conducted for the federal state of Lower Saxony (2005–2007). This state is a stronghold of the bio-methane production and more detailed data are available. Our results show, that feedstock for the production of bio-methane is primarily cultivated on existing arable land. Farms growing feedstock for bio-methane production have a higher probability to convert grassland to arable land though these farms cultivate only very few areas of former grassland. The probability of grassland conversion increases with the vicinity of biogas plants. However, most of the conversion can be attributed to dairy farms without the cultivation of feedstock for bio-methane production. Generally, the likelihood that grassland is converted increases markedly if the managing farmer changes. Based on our findings we discuss different options to protect permanent grassland. We argue that our conclusions do also apply to the general context of limiting undesired direct and indirect land use change.
Effects of membrane hardness and scaling analysis for capsules in planar extensional flows
Authors: Dimitrakopoulos P.
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we investigate computationally the effects of membrane hardness on the dynamics of strain-hardening capsules in planar extensional Stokes flows. As the flow rate increases, all capsules reach elongated steady-state configurations but the cross-section of the more strain-hardening capsules preserves its elliptical shape while the less strain-hardening capsules become lamellar. The capsule deformation in strong extensional flows is accompanied with very pointed edges, i.e. large edge curvatures and thus small local edge length scales, which makes the current investigation a multi-length interfacial dynamics problem. Our computational results for elongated strain-hardening capsules are accompanied with a scaling analysis which provides physical insight on the extensional capsule dynamics. The two distinct capsule conformations we found, i.e. the slender spindle and lamellar capsules, are shown to represent two different types of steady-state extensional dynamics. The former are stabilized mainly via the membrane’s shearing resistance and the latter via its area-dilatation resistance, associated with the elongation tension normal forces and thus both types differ from bubbles which are stabilized mainly via the lateral surface-tension normal forces. Our steady-state deformation results can be used to identify the elastic properties of a real capsule, i.e. the membrane’s shear and area-dilatation moduli, utilizing a single experimental technique.
Extreme solitary waves on falling liquid films
Authors: Chakraborty S. , Nguyen P.-K. , Ruyer-Quil C. , Bontozoglou V.
Published: March 2014

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of liquid film flow is used to compute fully developed solitary waves and to compare their characteristics with the predictions of low-dimensional models. Emphasis is placed on the regime of high inertia, where available models provide widely differing results. It is found that the parametric dependence of wave properties on inertia is highly non-trivial, and is satisfactorily approximated only by the four-equation model of Ruyer-Quil & Manneville (Eur. Phys. J. B, vol. 15, 2000, pp. 357–369). Detailed comparison of the asymptotic shapes of upstream and downstream tails is performed, and inherent limitations of all long-wave models are revealed. Local flow reversal in front of the main hump, which has been previously discussed in the literature, is shown to occur for an inertia range bounded from below and from above, and the boundaries are interpreted in terms of the capillary origin of the phenomenon. Computational results are reported for the entire range of Froude numbers, providing benchmark data for all wall inclinations.