bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved lifetimes of organic solar cells with solution‐processed molybdenum oxide anode‐modifying layers
Authors: Garg Ashish , Gupta Shailendra Kumar , Jasieniak Jacek J. , Singh Th. Birendra , Watkins Scott E.
Published: May 2014

We report on the use and stability of solution‐processed molybdenum oxide (sMoOx) thin films as anode‐modifying layers to replace conventionally used poly(3,4‐ethyldioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) layers in poly(3‐hexylthiophene):[6,6]‐phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PC61BM) bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Our results show that while as prepared devices using the two anode‐modifying layers possess similar performances, the sMoOx devices exhibit a staggering 20‐fold stability improvement in its performance half‐life compared with PEDOT/PSS devices, ~3400 h versus ~150 h, respectively. A further comparison of the stability between encapsulated and unencapsulated devices demonstrates the necessity for protection from atmospheric moisture and oxygen but again highlights the lucrative nature of sMoOx as a protective anode‐modifying layer compared with PEDOT/PSS even under ambient conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interconnection of busbar‐free back contacted solar cells by laser welding
Authors: Schulte‐Huxel Henning , Blankemeyer Susanne , Merkle Agnes , Steckenreiter Verena , Kajari‐Schröder Sarah , Brendel Rolf
Published: May 2014

We are presenting the module integration of busbar‐free back‐junction back‐contact (BJBC) solar cells. Our proof‐of‐concept module has a fill factor of 80.5% and a conversion efficiency on the designated area of 22.1% prior to lamination. A pulsed laser welds the Al metallization of the solar cells to an Al foil carried by a transparent substrate. The weld spots electrically contact each individual finger to the Al foil, which serves as interconnect between different cells. We produce a proof‐of‐concept module using busbar‐free cell strips of 25 × 125 mm2. These are obtained by laser‐dicing of a 125 × 125 mm2 BJBC solar cell. The fill factor of this module is increased by 3.5% absolute compared with the initial cell before laser‐dicing. This is achieved mainly by omitting the busbars and reduction of the finger length. The improvement of the module fill factor results in an increase in the module performance of 0.9% absolute before lamination in comparison with the efficiency of the initial 125 × 125 mm2 BJBC solar cell. Hence, this interconnection scheme enables the transfer of high cell efficiencies to the module. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent development of temperature‐responsive cell culture surface using poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)
Authors: Tang Zhonglan , Akiyama Yoshikatsu , Okano Teruo
Published: May 2014

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm), which is a well‐known temperature‐responsive polymer, is modified on substrates by various methods. At 37 °C, PIPAAm modified surface is hydrophobic and allows cells to adhere to and proliferate on the surface. By reducing temperature below the lower critical solution temperature of PIPAAm, the surface turns to hydrophilic and allows cells to detach themselves from the surface spontaneously. With this technology, cell sheet engineering is established several years ago. This review focuses on the preparations and characteristics of PIPAAm‐modified surfaces, and discusses the effect of surface properties on cell adhesion and deadhesion. In addition, the recent improvement of PIPAAm‐modified surfaces for cell culture and the clinical applications of cell sheets harvested from the surfaces are also mentioned. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 917–926
Effect of matrix bidispersity on the morphology of polymer‐grafted nanoparticle‐filled polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Martin Tyler B. , Jayaraman Arthi
Published: May 2014

We present a simulation study showing the effect of bidispersity in matrix homopolymer length on the wetting/dewetting of homopolymer‐grafted nanoparticles and the morphology of polymer nanocomposites where the graft and matrix polymer chemistries are identical. In a bidisperse matrix with equal number of short and long chains and average matrix length greater than the monodisperse graft length, the densely grafted polymer layer is preferentially wet by the short chains and relatively dewet by the long chains. This is driven by a larger gain in entropy of mixing between graft and matrix for short matrix chains than long matrix chains. Despite the preferential wetting of the short and dewetting of long chains, matrix length bidispersity does not significantly change the overall wetting of the grafted layer. Unlike graft length bidispersity that significantly improves particle dispersion, matrix length bidispersity slightly increases particle aggregation in the polymer matrix. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1661–1668
The structural and functional signatures of proteins that undergo multiple events of post‐translational modification
Authors: Pejaver Vikas , Hsu Wei‐Lun , Xin Fuxiao , Dunker A. Keith , Uversky Vladimir N. , Radivojac Predrag
Published: May 2014

The structural, functional, and mechanistic characterization of several types of post‐translational modifications (PTMs) is well‐documented. PTMs, however, may interact or interfere with one another when regulating protein function. Yet, characterization of the structural and functional signatures of their crosstalk has been hindered by the scarcity of data. To this end, we developed a unified sequence‐based predictor of 23 types of PTM sites that, we believe, is a useful tool in guiding biological experiments and data interpretation. We then used experimentally determined and predicted PTM sites to investigate two particular cases of potential PTM crosstalk in eukaryotes. First, we identified proteins statistically enriched in multiple types of PTM sites and found that they show preferences toward intrinsically disordered regions as well as functional roles in transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and developmental processes. Second, we observed that target sites modified by more than one type of PTM, referred to as shared PTM sites, show even stronger preferences toward disordered regions than their single‐PTM counterparts; we explain this by the need for these regions to accommodate multiple partners. Finally, we investigated the influence of single and shared PTMs on differential regulation of protein–protein interactions. We provide evidence that molecular recognition features (MoRFs) show significant preferences for PTM sites, particularly shared PTM sites, implicating PTMs in the modulation of this specific type of macromolecular recognition. We conclude that intrinsic disorder is a strong structural prerequisite for complex PTM‐based regulation, particularly in context‐dependent protein–protein interactions related to transcriptional and developmental processes. Availability: www.modpred.org
Impact of Bacillus amyloliquefaciensS13‐3 on control of bacterial wilt and powdery mildew in tomato
Authors: Yamamoto Shoko , Shiraishi Soma , Kawagoe Yumi , Mochizuki Mai , Suzuki Shunji
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Biological control is a non‐hazardous technique to control plant diseases. Researchers have explored microorganisms that show high plant‐disease control efficiency for use as biological control agents.

RESULTS

A single soil application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain S13‐3 suppressed tomato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, a soilborne bacterial pathogen, through production of antibiotics augmented possibly by induction of systemic acquired resistance. Soil application also controlled tomato powdery mildew disease through induction of systemic acquired resistance.

CONCLUSION

S13‐3 showing bifunctional activity with a single application to soil may be an innovative biological control agent against bacterial wilt and powdery mildew in tomato. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification and estimation of survivor average causal effects
Authors: Tchetgen Tchetgen Eric J.
Published: May 2014

In longitudinal studies, outcomes ascertained at follow‐up are typically undefined for individuals who die prior to the follow‐up visit. In such settings, outcomes are said to be truncated by death and inference about the effects of a point treatment or exposure, restricted to individuals alive at the follow‐up visit, could be biased even if as in experimental studies, treatment assignment were randomized. To account for truncation by death, the survivor average causal effect (SACE) defines the effect of treatment on the outcome for the subset of individuals who would have survived regardless of exposure status. In this paper, the author nonparametrically identifies SACE by leveraging post‐exposure longitudinal correlates of survival and outcome that may also mediate the exposure effects on survival and outcome. Nonparametric identification is achieved by supposing that the longitudinal data arise from a certain nonparametric structural equations model and by making the monotonicity assumption that the effect of exposure on survival agrees in its direction across individuals. A novel weighted analysis involving a consistent estimate of the survival process is shown to produce consistent estimates of SACE. A data illustration is given, and the methods are extended to the context of time‐varying exposures. We discuss a sensitivity analysis framework that relaxes assumptions about independent errors in the nonparametric structural equations model and may be used to assess the extent to which inference may be altered by a violation of key identifying assumptions. © 2014 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress, Cognitive Appraisal and Psychological Health: Testing Instruments for Health Professionals
Authors: Gomes A. Rui , Teixeira Pedro M.
Published: May 2014

The job of health professionals, including nurses, is considered inherently stressful, and thus, it is important to improve and develop specific measures that are sensitive to the demands that health professionals face. This study analysed the psychometric properties of three instruments that focus on the professional experiences of nurses in aspects related to occupational stress, cognitive appraisal and mental health issues. The evaluation protocol included the Stress Questionnaire for Health Professionals (SQHP), the Cognitive Appraisal Scale (CAS) and the General Health Questionnaire‐12 (GHQ‐12). Validity and reliability issues were considered with statistical analysis (i.e. confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity and composite reliability) that revealed adequate values for all of the instruments, namely a six‐factor structure for the SQHP, a five‐factor structure for the CAS and a two‐factor structure for the GHQ‐12. In conclusion, this study proposes three consistent instruments that may be useful for analysing nurses' adaptation to work contexts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic testing of GUI‐based applications
Authors: Mariani Leonardo , Pezzè Mauro , Riganelli Oliviero , Santoro Mauro
Published: May 2014

Testing GUI‐based applications is hard and time consuming because it requires exploring a potentially huge execution space by interacting with the graphical interface of the applications. Manual testing can cover only a small subset of the functionality provided by applications with complex interfaces, and thus, automatic techniques are necessary to extensively validate GUI‐based systems. This paper presents AutoBlackTest, a technique to automatically generate test cases at the system level. AutoBlackTest uses reinforcement learning, in particular Q‐learning, to learn how to interact with the application under test and stimulate its functionalities. When used to complement the activity of test designers, AutoBlackTest reuses the information in the available test suites to increase its effectiveness. The empirical results show that AutoBlackTest can sample better than state of the art techniques the behaviour of the application under test and can reveal previously unknown problems by working at the system level and interacting only through the graphical user interface. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving the Oxidative Stability of Krill Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions
Authors: Shen Zhiping , Bhail Sukhdeep , Sanguansri Luz , Augustin Mary Ann
Published: May 2014

A positively charged protein (fish gelatin) or a negatively charged protein species (heat‐treated milk protein–carbohydrate mixture) was added to a primary krill oil (KO) emulsion stabilized by the phospholipids inherent in KO, with the aim of improving the oxidative stability of KO‐in‐water emulsions at pH 8.0 (10 % KO). The positively charged fish gelatin deposited on the primary interface of the oil droplets in the primary KO‐in‐water emulsion improved the oxidative stability of the KO‐in‐water emulsion as evidenced by the higher eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) remaining and lower propanal produced after accelerated oxidation (40 °C, 25 days). The addition of the negatively charged heat‐treated milk protein–carbohydrate mixture containing Maillard reaction products (MRP) to the bulk phase of the emulsion also enhanced the oxidative stability of the KO‐in‐water emulsion. The addition of MRP to the aqueous phase of phospholipids stabilized emulsion droplets offered more protection to EPA and DHA of the KO emulsions compared to the formation of an additional layer at the interface of the KO emulsion droplet. This suggests that interventions based on addition of antioxidant species to the formulation were more effective for arresting oxidation than increasing the thickness of the droplet interface. The addition of proteins into KO containing emulsion formulations is a promising strategy for protecting omega‐3 marine phospholipids against oxidation.
The relationship between female genital cutting and women's autonomy in Eritrea
Authors: Besera Ghenet , Roess Amira
Published: May 2014

Objective

To investigate the relationship between women's autonomy and attitudes toward female genital cutting (FGC) and having a daughter with FGC in Eritrea.

Methods

Data from a nationally representative sample of 8754 women aged between 15 and 49 years from the 2002 Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of the practice of and attitudes toward FGC, including women's autonomy.

Results

Sixty‐three percent (n = 3168) of women sampled had at least one daughter who had undergone FGC and 50.1% (n = 4848) of women believed FGC should continue. When controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, the odds of supporting the continuation of FGC were greater among women who justified wife beating (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–1.66). Among women who participated in household decisions, the odds of them supporting the continuation of FGC were less than among women who did not participate in household decisions (aOR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75–0.99).

Conclusion

Interventions addressing women's autonomy, specifically attitudes toward gender norms and increasing women's involvement in household decisions that carry a greater responsibility, may be a useful approach to reduce the support for and practice of FGC.
A four‐year survey on unexpected pregnancy diagnoses in a large urban emergency department in Parma, Italy
Authors: Cervellin Gianfranco , Comelli Ivan , Sartori Elisabetta , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: May 2014

Objective

To investigate the rate of unexpected pregnancy diagnoses in the emergency department of the Academic Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Methods

Data for all patients with a positive β‐human chorionic gonadotropin test between October 2008 and September 2012 were retrieved from the hospital records. Information on age, gender, country of birth, and reason for presenting to the emergency department was collected.

Results

During the study period, 160 151 visits of female patients were recorded, including 385 (0.2%) women who received a diagnosis of pregnancy; 97 (25.2%) were native Italians and 288 (74.8%) were foreign‐born. The percentage of women presenting for trauma did not differ between the two groups, whereas the rate of admission to the obstetrics and gynecology department was higher among natives (20.6% vs 9.0%; P = 0.002). Africans represented 66.0% (n = 190) of the women with an unexpected pregnancy diagnosis. Nigerians accounted for 20.8% (n = 60) of all foreign‐born women with a pregnancy diagnosis, although they represented less than 2% of the entire immigrant population.

Conclusion

Unexpected pregnancy is a problem in the province of Parma, most notably among women from Sub‐Saharan Africa. Efforts should be strengthened to provide more fragile groups with easily available family planning information.
Pelvic packing with vaginal traction for the management of intractable hemorrhage
Authors: Naranjo‐Gutiérrez Leonardo A. , Oliva‐Cristerna Joaquín , Ramírez‐Montiel Martha L. , Ortiz Mario I.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To present clinical cases examining the effectiveness and safety of pelvic packing with vaginal traction for inhibiting obstetric hemorrhage among women receiving treatment at a public obstetrics and gynecology tertiary care hospital in Mexico.

Methods

In a retrospective observational descriptive study, eight cases of obstetric hemorrhage treated by pelvic packing with vaginal traction between January 2012 and December 2013 at Hospital de la Mujer, Mexico City, Mexico, were reviewed.

Results

The mean patient age was 28.8 ± 6.8 years. The average blood loss was 4535 ± 897 mL. Uterine atony was the cause of bleeding among six patients: histopathologic examination revealed two cases of placenta accreta, one case of placenta percreta, two cases of uteroplacental apoplexy, and one case of myomatosis. For two patients, placental separation was difficult and required surgical management. The packing technique was effective for all patients. No patients presented with infection or required re‐operation for bleeding management. No deaths occurred.

Conclusion

For management of bleeding among patients with underlying coagulation disorders, pelvic packing can be useful when standard techniques such as hysterectomy, tubal hypogastric ligation, and/or pharmacologic therapy are unsuccessful.
The impact of mortality salience on the relative effectiveness of donation appeals
Authors: Cai Fengyan , Wyer Robert S.
Published: May 2014

Some donation appeals emphasize the magnitude of the help that is needed. Other, “bandwagon” appeals emphasize the fact that many others have already donated. The relative effectiveness of these appeals can depend on individuals' awareness of their mortality. Four experiments converge on the conclusion that need‐focused appeals are effective when individuals are not conscious of their own mortality. When people's mortality is salient, however, bandwagon appeals have relatively greater influence. This is particularly true when others' donations have put the goal of the donation campaign within reach. These effects are evident when people have little a priori interest in the individuals being helped and sympathy does not play a major role in donation decisions.
Cross-sector partnership and human services in Australian states and territories: Reflections on a mutable relationship
Authors: Butcher John , Dalton Bronwen
Published: May 2014

Under Australia's federal system subnational governments fund the delivery of a wide range of public services. In particular, state and territory governments have increasingly looked to the non-profit sector to deliver human services under contract. Over time, the contracting regimes employed by public sector commissioners have taken on more ‘relational’ characteristics, accompanied by a gradual softening of public sector resistance to non-profit sector input into policy development. Nevertheless, the Australian non-profit sector is fragmented and, although policy capacity within the sector has undoubtedly matured, it is also unevenly distributed. Almost two decades of contracting has left its mark on organisational culture. There are fears within the non-profit sector that it is organisations with the largest ‘market share’ that gain a seat at the policy table.
Doppler Detection in Ama Divers of Japan
Authors: Lemaître Frédéric , Kohshi Kiyotaka , Tamaki Hideki , Nakayasu Kasuo , Harada Mesanori , Okayama Masanobu , Satou Yuka , Hoshiko Michiko , Ishitake Tatsuya , Costalat Guillaume , Gardette Bernard
Published: May 2014

Objective

Symptoms consistent with neurological decompression sickness (DCS) in commercial breath-hold (Ama) divers has been reported from a few districts of Japan. The aim of this study was to detect circulating intravascular bubbles after repetitive breath-hold diving in a local area where DCS has been reported in Ama divers.

Methods

The participants were 12 partially assisted (descent using weights) male Ama divers. The equipment (AQUALAB system) consisted of continuous-wave Doppler with a 5-MHz frequency, and the Doppler probe was placed in the precordial site with the ultrasonic wave directed into the pulmonary infundibulum. We carried out continuous monitoring for 10 minutes at the end of the series of repetitive dives, and the recordings were made on numerical tracks and graded in a blind manner by 2 experienced investigators, according to the Spencer Doppler code.

Results

Depths and number of dives were 8 to 20 m and 75 to 131 times. Mean diving duration and surface interval were 64 ± 12 seconds and 48 ± 8 seconds, respectively (mean ± SD). We detected the lowest grade of intravascular bubbles (Spencer’s grade I) in an Ama diver whose mean surface interval was only 35.2 ± 6.2 seconds. His mean descending, bottom, and ascending times were 10.4 ± 1.6 seconds, 39.2 ± 8 seconds, and 18.2 ± 3.0 seconds, respectively, over the course of 99 dives.

Conclusions

Intravascular bubbles may be formed after repetitive breath-hold dives with short surface intervals or after a long breath-holding session in Ama divers. Symptoms consistent with neurological accidents in repetitive breath-hold diving may be caused in part by the intravascular presence of bubbles, indicating the need for safety procedures.
Preservice Teachers’ Learning Among Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Power Anne , Costley Debra
Published: May 2014

This article reports on a collaborative venture between Autism Spectrum Australia and the University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The Social Club network was formed for children and adolescents to provide structured opportunities for positive peer interactions in safe, stimulating and nonjudgmental environments. The Social Clubs were run by expert facilitators with additional workers drawn from preservice teachers undertaking a service-learning unit of study within the Master of Teaching Secondary course at the University of Western Sydney. The research design included surveys and reflections. Data were drawn from 4 sources: 58 parent survey responses, 51 Social Club member survey responses, 9 facilitator survey responses and 9 preservice teachers’ reflections. Data analysis was framed by Bourdieu's work, which refers to the allocation of social power. After the experience, surveyed parents confirmed that their children were relaxed when changing topics in a conversation and working in groups. Members demonstrated that they engaged with other members and with preservice teachers. Club facilitators felt that the preservice teachers developed an understanding that students with autism spectrum disorder thrive in structured environments and that they would set up their own classrooms accordingly. For the future teachers, it was authentic learning that enriched their preparation for the classroom, however multilayered its student population might be.
ON NONINNER 2-AUTOMORPHISMS OF FINITE 2-GROUPS
Authors: ABDOLLAHI ALIREZA , GHORAISHI S. MOHSEN
Published: May 2014

Let $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}G$ be a finite 2-group. If $G$ is of coclass 2 or $(G,Z(G))$ is a Camina pair, then $G$ admits a noninner automorphism of order 2 or 4 leaving the Frattini subgroup elementwise fixed.
The comprehensive transcriptional analysis inCaenorhabditis elegansby integrating ChIP-seq and gene expression data
Authors: HE KAN , SHAO JIAOFANG , ZHAO ZHONGYING , LIU DAHAI
Published: May 2014

The fundamental step of learning transcriptional regulation mechanism is to identify the target genes regulated by transcription factors (TFs). Despite numerous target genes identified by chromatin immunopre-cipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing technology (ChIP-seq) assays, it is not possible to infer function from binding alonein vivo. This is equally true in one of the best model systems, the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans(C. elegans), where regulation often occurs through diverse TF binding features of transcriptional networks identified in modENCODE. Here, we integrated ten ChIP-seq datasets with genome-wide expression data derived from tiling arrays, involved in six TFs (HLH-1, ELT-3, PQM-1, SKN-1, CEH-14 and LIN-11) with tissue-specific and four TFs (CEH-30, LIN-13, LIN-15B and MEP-1) with broad expression patterns. In common, TF bindings within 3 kb upstream of or within its target gene for these ten studies showed significantly elevated level of expression as opposed to that of non-target controls, indicated that these sites may be more likely to be functional through up-regulating its target genes. Intriguingly, expression of the target genes out of 5 kb upstream of their transcription start site also showed high levels, which was consistent with the results of following network component analysis. Our study has identified similar transcriptional regulation mechanisms of tissue-specific or broad expression TFs inC. elegansusing ChIP-seq and gene expression data. It may also provide a novel insight into the mechanism of transcriptional regulation not only for simple organisms but also for more complex species.
CREOLE NATIONALISTS AND THE SEARCH FOR NATIVIST AUTHENTICITY IN TWENTIETH-CENTURY ZANZIBAR: THE LIMITS OF COSMOPOLITANISM
Authors: Glassman Jonathon
Published: May 2014

The founders of the Zanzibar National Party can be understood as creole nationalists, who imagined their political authority as stemming from membership in a transnational Arab elite. But in the mid-twentieth century, prompted by the rising hegemony of territorial nationalism and by subaltern challenges informed by pan-Africanism, they crafted a new historical narrative that depicted their movement as having originated with indigenous villagers. Party leaders then related this narrative to Western scholars, whose publications helped reproduce the myth throughout the rest of the century. This article traces the genesis of this masquerade and asks what it implies about the nature of the creole metaphor and its supposed link to discourses of cosmopolitan hybridity. The conventional contrast betweencréolitéand nativist essentialism is shown to be illusory.
REIMAGINING THE AFRICAN-ATLANTIC ARCHIVE: METHOD, CONCEPT, EPISTEMOLOGY, ONTOLOGY
Authors: Sweet James H.
Published: May 2014

For many scholars, the history of Africans in the Atlantic world only becomes visible at the juncture of the history of ‘the slave’. However, the sources upon which most of these studies are based, and the organization of the colonial archive more generally operate as something of a trap, inviting researchers to see how African slaves embraced or manipulated colonial institutions and ideas for their own purposes. This article focuses on methodological and conceptual meta questions that challenge how historians conduct African-Atlantic history, arguing that sources of the African past exist in the Americas, if only we are open to seeing them.
Forum: What's New in Southern Studies – And Why Should We Care?
Authors: WARD BRIAN
Published: May 2014

In this forum, seven established scholars of the US South, working from a variety of institutional and intellectual bases, discuss the latest developments in southern studies, connecting them to broader trends within American studies and in their own home disciplines, particularly literature, cultural studies, and history. Critically engaging with recent work in the New Southern Studies, the participants consider the importance – or otherwise – of recent theoretical, especially transnational and interdisciplinary, moves within the field of southern studies. In the process, the contributions, individually and collectively, offer a provocative assessment of what has been really innovative and of lasting significance in the field over the past decade. Equally important, the essays contemplate the topics, time frames and analytical techniques that might drive important research in both southern and American studies in the future.
Dynamics ofBesnoitia besnoitiinfection in cattle
Authors: ÁLVAREZ-GARCÍA G. , GARCÍA-LUNAR P. , GUTIÉRREZ-EXPÓSITO D. , SHKAP V. , ORTEGA-MORA L. M.
Published: May 2014

Bovine besnoitiosis is caused by the cyst-forming apicomplexan parasiteBesnoitia besnoiti.This disease progresses in two sequential phases: a febrile acute phase with oedemas and respiratory disorders, and a chronic phase characterized by the presence of subcutaneous tissue cysts and skin lesions. Serious consequences of the infection are poor body condition, sterility in bulls and eventual death. The role of host/parasite-dependent factors, which play a major role in the pathogenesis of the disease, is not yet fully elucidated. Isolate/strain virulence, parasite stage, dose and the route of parasite inoculation were studied under different experimental conditions, which make it difficult to compare the results. Data on host-dependent factors obtained from naturally infected cattle showed that (i) the seroprevalence of infection is similar in both sexes; (ii) seropositivity increases with age; (iii) both beef and dairy cattle are susceptible to the infection; and (iv) the cell-mediated immune response is likely to play a major role because a T cell response has been observed around several tissue cysts. Whether colostral antibodies are protective and to what extent the humoral immune response might reflect the disease/protection status require further research. Thus, a well-established experimental bovine model could help to clarify these important questions. The dynamics ofB. besnoitiinfection in cattle and available knowledge on relevant factors in the pathogenesis of the infection are reviewed in the present work.
Melatonin enhances thein vitromaturation and developmental potential of bovine oocytes denuded of the cumulus oophorus
Authors: Zhao Xue-Ming , Min Jiang-Tao , Du Wei-Hua , Hao Hai-Sheng , Liu Yan , Qin Tong , Wang Dong , Zhu Hua-Bin
Published: May 2014

This study was designed to determine the effect of melatonin on thein vitromaturation (IVM) and developmental potential of bovine oocytes denuded of the cumulus oophorus (DOs). DOs were cultured alone (DOs) or with 10−9M melatonin (DOs + MT), cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured without melatonin as the control. After IVM, meiosis II (MII) rates of DOs, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptotic rates and parthenogenetic blastocyst rates of MII oocytes were determined. The relative expression of ATP synthase F0 Subunit 6 and 8 (ATP6andATP8), bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) mRNA in MII oocytes and IFN-tau (IFN-τ),Na+/K+-ATPase, catenin-beta like 1 (CTNNBL1) andAQP3mRNA in parthenogenetic blastocysts were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that: (1) melatonin significantly increased the MII rate of DOs (65.67 ± 3.59 % vs. 82.29 ± 3.92%;P <0.05), decreased the ROS level (4.83 ± 0.42 counts per second (c.p.s) vs. 3.78 ± 0.29 c.p.s;P <0.05) and apoptotic rate (36.99 ± 3.62 % vs. 21.88 ± 2.08 %;P <0.05) and moderated the reduction of relative mRNA levels ofATP6,ATP8,BMP-15andGDF-9caused by oocyte denudation; (2) melatonin significantly increased the developmental rate (24.17 ± 3.54 % vs. 35.26 ± 4.87%;P <0.05), and expression levels ofIFN-τ,Na+/K+-ATPase,CTNNBL1andAQP3mRNA of blastocyst. These results indicated that melatonin significantly improved the IVM quality of DOs, leading to an increased parthenogenetic blastocyst formation rate and quality.
The Rights of States, the Rule of Law, and Coercion: Reflections on Pauline Kleingeld's Kant and Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Bernstein Alyssa R.
Published: May 2014

Pauline Kleingeld argues that according to Kant it would be wrong to coerce a state into an international federation, due to the wrongness of paternalism. Although I agree that Kant opposes the waging of war as a means to peace, I disagree with Kleingeld's account of the reasons why he would oppose coercing a state into a federation. Since she does not address the broader question of the permissibility of interstate coercion, she does not properly address the narrower question of whether coercion to compel a state to join a federation can be permissible. I revise and supplement her arguments.
American Musical Life Before 1900
Authors: PRESTON KATHERINE K.
Published: May 2014

The Journal of the Society for American Music is the official organ of the Society; as such, the articles published in its pages deal with a wide range of topics that both reflect its mission and illustrate the incredible diversity of music and musical styles composed, performed, and heard in the Americas. A glance at the tables of contents for issues published in the last three volumes of the journal (February 2011 through February 2014) provides an illuminating snapshot of the wondrous multiplicity that characterizes American music history. The thirteen issues published during that time include articles on popular music (hip hop, ragtime, swing, jazz, rock, country, soul), musical theatre, teachers, conductors, works by composers ranging from Ives and Copland to Feldman, Harrison, and Reich (and many in between), performers (Heifetz, Robeson, Zappa), jam sessions, ethnomusicological topics; in other words, the journal reflects in a truly impressive manner the rich and varied musical culture of the Americas. What is seriously underrepresented in this panoply of musical multiplicity, however, is the rich, diverse, and similarly wondrous American musical culture of any time before the twentieth century. Of the forty-two articles published over this three-year period, only two (5 percent) deal with American music or musical life before 1900, both of them on nineteenth-century topics.
Serum-dependent processing of late apoptotic cells for enhanced efferocytosis
Authors: Liang Y Y , Arnold T , Michlmayr A , Rainprecht D , Perticevic B , Spittler A , Oehler R
Published: May 2014

Binding of the serum protein complement component C1q to the surface of dying cells facilitates their clearance by phagocytes in a process termed efferocytosis. Here, we investigate during which phase of apoptotic cell death progression C1q binding takes place. Purified C1q was found to bind to all dying cells and, albeit weaker, also to viable cells. The presence of serum abrogated completely the binding to viable cells. In addition, C1q binding to dying cells was limited to a specific subpopulation of late apoptotic/secondary necrotic cells. Co-culturing serum-treated apoptotic cells with human monocytes revealed a much higher phagocytosis of C1q-positive than of C1q-negative late apoptotic/secondary necrotic cells. But this phagocytosis-promoting activity could not be observed with purified C1q. Serum-treated C1q-positive late apoptotic/secondary necrotic cells exhibited a similar volume, a similar degraded protein composition, but a much lower DNA content in comparison with the remaining late apoptotic/secondary necrotic cells. This was mediated by a serum-bound nuclease activity that could be abrogated by G-actin, which is a specific inhibitor of serum DNase I. These results show that serum factors are involved in the prevention of C1q binding to viable cells and in the processing of late apoptotic/secondary necrotic cells promoting cell death progression toward apoptotic bodies. This process leads to the exposure of C1q-binding structures and facilitates efferocytosis.
Extortion subdues human players but is finally punished in the prisoner’s dilemma
Authors: Hilbe Christian , Röhl Torsten , Milinski Manfred
Published: May 2014

Extortion is the practice of obtaining advantages through explicit forces and threats. Recently, it was demonstrated that even the repeated prisoner’s dilemma, one of the key models to explain mutual cooperation, allows for implicit forms of extortion. According to the theory, extortioners demand and receive an excessive share of any surplus, which allows them to outperform any adapting co-player. To explore the performance of such strategies against humans, we have designed an economic experiment in which participants were matched either with an extortioner or with a generous co-player. Although extortioners succeeded against each of their human opponents, extortion resulted in lower payoffs than generosity. Human subjects showed a strong concern for fairness: they punished extortion by refusing to fully cooperate, thereby reducing their own, and even more so, the extortioner’s gains. Thus, the prospects of extorting others in social relationships seem limited; in the long run, generosity is more profitable.
Imaging atomic-level random walk of a point defect in graphene
Authors: Kotakoski Jani , Mangler Clemens , Meyer Jannik C.
Published: May 2014

Deviations from the perfect atomic arrangements in crystals play an important role in affecting their properties. Similarly, diffusion of such deviations is behind many microstructural changes in solids. However, observation of point defect diffusion is hindered both by the difficulties related to direct imaging of non-periodic structures and by the timescales involved in the diffusion process. Here, instead of imaging thermal diffusion, we stimulate and follow the migration of a divacancy through graphene lattice using a scanning transmission electron microscope operated at 60 kV. The beam-activated process happens on a timescale that allows us to capture a significant part of the structural transformations and trajectory of the defect. The low voltage combined with ultra-high vacuum conditions ensure that the defect remains stable over long image sequences, which allows us for the first time to directly follow the diffusion of a point defect in a crystalline material.
High-Precision Distribution of Highly Stable Optical Pulse Trains with 8.8 × 10−19 instability
Authors: Ning B. , Zhang S. Y. , Hou D. , Wu J. T. , Li Z. B. , Zhao J. Y.
Published: May 2014

The high-precision distribution of optical pulse trains via fibre links has had a considerable impact in many fields. In most published work, the accuracy is still fundamentally limited by unavoidable noise sources, such as thermal and shot noise from conventional photodiodes and thermal noise from mixers. Here, we demonstrate a new high-precision timing distribution system that uses a highly precise phase detector to obviously reduce the effect of these limitations. Instead of using photodiodes and microwave mixers, we use several fibre Sagnac-loop-based optical-microwave phase detectors (OM-PDs) to achieve optical-electrical conversion and phase measurements, thereby suppressing the sources of noise and achieving ultra-high accuracy. The results of a distribution experiment using a 10-km fibre link indicate that our system exhibits a residual instability of 2.0 × 10−15 at1 s and8.8 × 10−19 at 40,000 s and an integrated timing jitter as low as 3.8 fs in a bandwidth of 1 Hz to 100 kHz. This low instability and timing jitter make it possible for our system to be used in the distribution of optical-clock signals or in applications that require extremely accurate frequency/time synchronisation.
Recent advances in deep-sea natural products
Authors: Skropeta Danielle , Wei Liangqian
Published: May 2014

Review of deep-sea natural products covering the five-year period 2009–2013.
Facile production of a large-area flexible TiO2/carbon cloth for dye removal
Authors: Yang Le , Hong Zonghan , Wu Jun , Zhu Lian-Wen
Published: May 2014

We successfully produced a large area, flexible and robust TiO2 nanofiber/carbon fiber sheet with great convenience for water purification.
Reverse transcription through a bulky triazole linkage in RNA: implications for RNA sequencing
Authors: Chen Xiong , El-Sagheer Afaf H. , Brown Tom
Published: May 2014

Reverse-transcriptase reads through the bulky artificial triazole linkage with omission of one nucleotide with implications for RNA isolation and analysis.
Successful melting and density measurements of Cu and Ag single crystals with an electrostatic levitation (ESL) system
Authors: Cho Yong Chan , Kim Bum-Su , Yoo Hanbyeol , Kim Ji Young , Lee Seunghun , Lee Yun-Hee , Lee Geun Woo , Jeong Se-Young
Published: May 2014

By using grain-free single crystal specimens, the melting of Cu and Ag using electrostatic levitation (ESL) and obtaining their high-temperature densities were accomplished for the first time.
Twinning boundary-elongated hierarchical Pt dendrites with an axially twinned nanorod core for excellent catalytic activity
Authors: Khi Nguyen Tien , Yoon Jisun , Baik Hionsuck , Lee Sangmin , Ahn Dong June , Kwon Seong Jung , Lee Kwangyeol
Published: May 2014

Introduction of twinning boundary elongation and lattice mismatch to the hierarchical and dendritic Pt3Ni@Pt nanostructures by heteroepitaxial twinning transfer from five-fold twinned Pt3Ni nanorods leads to great enhancement of the electrocatalytic performance in MOR and ORR.
Applications of metal–organic frameworks in heterogeneous supramolecular catalysis
Authors: Liu Jiewei , Chen Lianfen , Cui Hao , Zhang Jianyong , Zhang Li , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: May 2014

The contributions of MOFs to the field of heterogeneous supramolecular catalysis are comprehensively reviewed with regard to active sites, selectivity, as well as host–guest chemistry.
A reusable CuII based metal–organic framework as a catalyst for the oxidation of olefins
Authors: Cancino Patricio , Paredes-García Verónica , Aguirre Pedro , Spodine Evgenia
Published: May 2014

The metal–organic framework [Cu2(bipy)2(btec)]∞ was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in the liquid phase oxidation of styrene and cyclohexene with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant either in water–dichloroethane or n-decane medium.
Direct evidence for a coordination–insertion mechanism of ethylene oligomerization catalysed by neutral 2,6-bisiminopyridine iron monoalkyl complexes
Authors: Ángeles Cartes M. , Rodríguez-Delgado Antonio , Palma Pilar , Sánchez Luis J. , Cámpora Juan
Published: May 2014

1H NMR studies on ethylene oligomerization catalyzed by compound 3 allowed direct observation of alkyl iron intermediate species as well as reversible ethylene coordination to the metal center.
Hierarchically porous carbon derived from polymers and biomass: effect of interconnected pores on energy applications
Authors: Dutta Saikat , Bhaumik Asim , Wu Kevin C.-W.
Published: May 2014

Access to hierarchically porous carbons from polymers and biopolymersviaa non-templating route has emerged as a promising strategy for a range of energy applications.
Breaking the simple proportionality between molecular conductances and charge transfer rates
Authors: Venkatramani Ravindra , Wierzbinski Emil , Waldeck David H. , Beratan David N.
Published: May 2014

A theoretical framework is presented to describe and to understand the observed relationship between molecular conductances and charge transfer rates across molecular bridges as a function of length, structure, and charge transfer mechanism. The approach uses a reduced density matrix formulation with a phenomenological treatment of system–bath couplings to describe charge transfer kinetics and a Green's function based Landauer–Buttiker method to describe steady-state currents. Application of the framework is independent of the transport regime and includes bath-induced decoherence effects. This model shows that the relationship between molecular conductances and charge transfer rates follows a power-law. The nonlinear rate–conductance relationship is shown to arise from differences in the charge transport barrier heights and from differences in environmental decoherence rates for the two experiments. This model explains otherwise puzzling correlations between molecular conductances and electrochemical kinetics.
The effect of fibers on coagulation of casein-based enteral nutrition in an artificial gastric digestion model
Authors: Luttikhold Joanna , van Norren Klaske , Minor Marcel , Buijs Nikki , van den Braak Claudia C. M. , Ludwig Thomas , Abrahamse Evan , Rijna Herman , van Leeuwen Paul A. M.
Published: May 2014

A serious complication seen in critically ill patients is the solidification of enteral nutrition causing gastrointestinal obstruction.
Piceid presents antiproliferative effects in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells, effects unrelated to resveratrol release
Authors: Storniolo Carolina E. , Quifer-Rada Paola , Lamuela-Raventos Rosa M. , Moreno Juan J.
Published: May 2014

Trans-piceid (T-Pc) is abundant inPolygonum cuspidatum, and in grapes and grape products such as wine.
Surface modification of supramolecular nanotubes and selective guest capture
Authors: Lin Minjuan , Liu Haoliang , Miller Philip W. , Zhang Jianyong , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: May 2014

Supramolecular nanotubes have been covalently post-modified to show high adsorption capacity and selective adsorption of anionic dyes with easy regeneration.
Enhanced radiation therapy with internalized polyelectrolyte modified nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Peipei , Qiao Yong , Wang Chaoming , Ma Liyuan , Su Ming
Published: May 2014

Polyelectrolyte modified nanoparticles are delivered into cancer cells to enhance X-ray radiation therapy.
Synthesis of functionalized chromones through sequential reactions in aqueous media
Authors: Mehrparvar Saber , Balalaie Saeed , Rabbanizadeh Mahnaz , Rominger Frank , Ghabraie Elmira
Published: May 2014

An efficient synthesis protocol has been developed for diversity-oriented functionalized compounds via four-component reaction of chromone carbaldehydes, Meldrum's acid, 4-hydroxyl coumarin or 6-methyl-4-hydroxyl-pyrone and primary alcohols in aqueous media.
Synthesis of phosphaisocoumarin amidates via DIBAL-H-mediated selective amidation of phosphaisocoumarin esters
Authors: Guo Yu-Juan , Chen Pei-Jiang , Wang Bo , Peng Ai-Yun
Published: May 2014

A series of phosphaisocoumarin amidates were synthesized via DIBAL-H-mediated selective amidation of phosphaisocoumarin esters in good to excellent yields. In each case, the phostone ring was intact and only the exocyclic ethoxy group was amidated.
Enantioselective synthesis of spiroacetals: the conquest of a long-sought goal in asymmetric catalysis
Authors: Cala Lara , Fañanás Francisco J. , Rodríguez Félix
Published: May 2014

This perspective article summarizes the few and recently reported methods on catalytic asymmetric synthesis of spiroacetal derivatives from achiral substrates.
Total synthesis of (+)-monocerin via tandem dihydroxylation-SN2 cyclization and a copper mediated tandem cyanation–lactonization approach
Authors: Nookaraju U. , Begari Eeshwaraiah , Kumar Pradeep
Published: May 2014

A simple and novel synthesis of (+)-monocerin was achieved from 3-buten-1-ol employing HKR, Julia olefination, intramolecular tandem Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation-SN2 cyclization and a novel copper mediated tandem cyanation–cyclization as the key steps.
Carbopalladation of bromoene-alkynylsilanes: mechanistic insights and synthesis of fused-ring bicyclic silanes and phenols
Authors: Cordonnier Marie-Caroline A. , Kan S. B. Jennifer , Gockel Birgit , Goh Shermin S. , Anderson Edward A.
Published: May 2014

Palladium-catalyzed cyclizations of silylated bromoenynes lead to bicyclic cyclohexadienes that are precursors to enones and phenols. Novel cyclization pathways and mechanistic insights are also disclosed.