bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Weathering of Ferromagnesian Minerals and Surface Water Irrigation in Evolving and Modifying Chemistry of Groundwater in Palakkad District, Kerala, with Special Reference to its Fluoride Content
Authors: Kukillaya J. P. , Narayanan T.
Published: November 2014

The chemical characteristics of groundwater in parts of Palakkad district, Kerala show the role of slow weathering of rocks rich in ferromagnesian minerals in increasing the residual alkalinity of water, and promoting calcium carbonate precipitation and dissolution of fluoride from minerals like biotite and hornblende. Alkaline clayey soils having high cation exchange capacity have a significant role in the process. Leaching of fluoride from soil and weathered rock in the vadose zone appears to be a major cause for high fluoride in groundwater. No relation is seen between fluoride contents in rocks and soils, and in groundwater, while the degree of weathering is a probable controlling factor. The study indicates that, while alkaline pH promotes dissolution of F-, a further linear increase in pH is not required for more increase in dissolution of F-. Similarly, the correlation of F- with HCO3- /Ca2+ ratio may be a more reliable indicator than the correlation of F- with Ca2+. Surface water irrigation has influenced groundwater quality in a large tract. Dug well and bore well waters belong to the same chemical type indicating connectivity between the two aquifers. There is evidence for influent flow from streams into the fractured rock aquifer in some areas. The study was conducted between November 2009 and May 2011.
Explaining the Decline in Mexico-U.S. Migration: The Effect of the Great Recession
Authors: Villarreal Andrés
Published: November 2014

The rate of Mexico-U.S. migration has declined precipitously in recent years. From 25 migrants per thousand in 2005, the annual international migration rate for Mexican men dropped to 7 per thousand by 2012. If sustained, this low migration rate is likely to have a profound effect on the ethnic and national-origin composition of the U.S. population. This study examines the origins of the migration decline using a nationally representative panel survey of Mexican households. The results support an explanation that attributes a large part of the decline to lower labor demand for Mexican immigrants in the United States. Decreases in labor demand in industrial sectors that employ a large percentage of Mexican-born workers, such as construction, are found to be strongly associated with lower rates of migration for Mexican men. Second, changes in migrant selectivity are also consistent with an economic explanation for the decline in international migration. The largest declines in migration occurred precisely among the demographic groups most affected by the Great Recession: namely, economically active young men with low education. Results from the statistical analysis also show that the reduction in labor demand in key sectors of the U.S. economy resulted in a more positive educational selectivity of young migrants.
Condiciones para el aprendizaje organizacional
Authors: Castañeda Delio Ignacio
Published: November 2014

El propósito de esta investigación es contribuir al entendimiento de algunas condiciones que favorecen el aprendizaje en las organizaciones, específicamente el rol de la cultura del aprendizaje, la formación, la claridad estratégica y el soporte organizacional. Se emplea una metodología cuantitativa con 613 participantes, empleados de una organización pública y 2 compañías privadas, las 3 entidades ubicadas en Bogotá, Colombia. Para la realización del estudio se conformó una muestra por conveniencia, con el apoyo de los jefes de recursos humanos de 3 organizaciones con sede en la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia. Para la recolección de los datos se utilizó una escala Likert de 5 niveles de respuesta. Los resultados sugieren que las 4 condiciones estudiadas contribuyen al aprendizaje organizacional. Los hallazgos de este trabajo orientan a profesionales sobre dónde focalizar esfuerzos para promover la adquisición y la generación de conocimiento organizacional y aporta al trabajo investigativo ampliando la evidencia  empírica sobre este campo de relevancia organizacional.
Pharmaceutical industry interactions of psychiatric trainees from 20 European countries
Authors: Riese F. , Guloksuz S. , Roventa C. , Fair J.D. , Haravuori H. , Rolko T. , Flynn D. , Giacco D. , Banjac V. , Jovanovic N. , Bayat N. , Palumbo C. , Rusaka M. , Kilic O. , Augėnaitė J. , Nawka A. , Zenger M. , Kekin I. , Wuyts P. , Barrett E. , Bausch-Becker N. , Mikaliūnas J. , del Valle E. , Feffer K. , Lomax G.A. , Marques J.G. , Jauhar S.
Published: November 2014

Background:

Interactions between the pharmaceutical industry (PI) and psychiatrists have been under scrutiny recently, though there is little empirical evidence on the nature of the relationship and its intensity at psychiatry trainee level. We therefore studied the level of PI interactions and the underlying beliefs and attitudes in a large sample of European psychiatric trainees.

Methods:

One thousand four hundred and forty-four psychiatric trainees in 20 European countries were assessed cross-sectionally, with a 62-item questionnaire.

Results:

The total number of PI interactions in the preceding two months varied between countries, with least interactions in The Netherlands (M (Mean) = 0.92, SD = 1.44, range = 0–12) and most in Portugal (M = 19.06, SD = 17.44, range = 0–100). Trainees were more likely to believe that PI interactions have no impact on their own prescribing behaviour than that of other physicians (M = 3.30, SD = 1.26 vs. M = 2.39, SD = 1.06 on a 5-point Likert scale: 1 “completely disagree” to 5 “completely agree”). Assigning an educational role to the pharmaceutical industry was associated with more interactions and higher gift value (IRR (incidence rate ratio) = 1.21, 95%CI = 1.12–1.30 and OR = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.02–1.37).

Conclusions:

There are frequent interactions between European psychiatric trainees and the PI, with significant variation between countries. We identified several factors affecting this interaction, including attribution of an educational role to the PI. Creating alternative educational opportunities and specific training dedicated to PI interactions may therefore help to reduce the impact of the PI on psychiatric training.
An engineered dimeric fragment of hepatocyte growth factor is a potent c‐MET agonist
Authors: Liu Cassie J. , Jones Douglas S. , Tsai Ping-Chuan , Venkataramana Abhishek , Cochran Jennifer R.
Published: November 2014

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), through activation of the c‐MET receptor, mediates biological processes critical for tissue regeneration; however, its clinical application is limited by protein instability and poor recombinant expression. We previously engineered an HGF fragment (eNK1) that possesses increased stability and expression yield and developed a c‐MET agonist by coupling eNK1 through an introduced cysteine residue. Here, we further characterize this eNK1 dimer and show it elicits significantly greater c‐MET activation, cell migration, and proliferation than the eNK1 monomer. The efficacy of the eNK1 dimer was similar to HGF, suggesting its promise as a c‐MET agonist.
Tectonic and Climatic Inferences from the Terrace Staircase in the Meduna Valley, Eastern Southern Alps, NE Italy
Authors: Monegato Giovanni , Poli Maria Eliana
Published: November 2014

Results of stratigraphic and morphotectonic analyses on fluvial terraces at the outlet of the Meduna valley in the eastern Southern Alps are used to investigate on the tectonics and paleoclimate. The Meduna valley, prone to destructive earthquakes, belongs to the front of the eastern Southern Alps, a south-verging fold and thrust belt in evolution from the Middle Miocene to the present, constructed by ENE–WSW striking, SSE-verging medium to low-angle thrusts, gradually propagating in the Venetian–Friulian plain. In the study area, located south of the Periadriatic thrust, the main structural element is the ENE–WSW striking Maniago–M. Jouf thrust system. Seven depositional units, ranging in age from Pliocene to Holocene, and a hierarchy of four numbered terrace complexes were identified. Stratigraphic and geometric relationships between sedimentary units, basal surfaces and terraces allow the reconstruction of the chronology of the depositional events. The study shows that the valley configuration has been shaped during the Pliocene–Quaternary with long-lasting steady intervals, interspaced with periodic tectonic pulses of the thrust front of the eastern Southern Alps. The most recent pulse related to the Maniago thrust shows an upper Pleistocene–Holocene slip rate of about 0.6 mm/yr.
Use of Smoking Cessation Interventions by Physicians in Argentina
Authors: Schoj Veronica , Mejia Raul , Alderete Mariela , Kaplan Celia P. , Peña Lorena , Gregorich Steven E. , Alderete Ethel , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J.
Published: November 2014

Background: Physician-implemented interventions for smoking cessation are effective but infrequently used. We evaluated smoking cessation practices among physicians in Argentina.

Methods: A self-administered survey of physicians from six clinical systems asked about smoking cessation counselling practices, barriers to tobacco use counselling and perceived quality of training received in smoking cessation practices.

Results: Of 254 physicians, 52.3% were women, 11.8% were current smokers and 52% never smoked. Perceived quality of training in tobacco cessation counselling was rated as very good or good by 41.8% and as poor/very poor by 58.2%. Most physicians (90%) reported asking and recording smoking status, 89% advised patients to quit smoking but only 37% asked them to set a quit date and 44% prescribed medications. Multivariate analyses showed that Physicians' perceived quality of their training in smoking cessation methods was associated with greater use of evidence-based cessation interventions. (OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 2.2–19.1); motivating patients to quit (OR: 7.9 CI 3.44–18.5), assisting patients to quit (OR = 9.9; 95% CI = 4.0–24.2) prescribing medications (OR = 9.6; 95% CI = 3.5–26.7), and setting up follow-up (OR = 13.0; 95% CI = 4.4–38.5).

Conclusions: Perceived quality of training in smoking cessation was associated with using evidence-based interventions and among physicians from Argentina. Medical training programs should enhance the quality of this curriculum.
Should I Use Fixed or Random Effects?
Authors: Clark Tom S. , Linzer Drew A.
Published: November 2014

Empirical analyses in social science frequently confront quantitative data that are clustered or grouped. To account for group-level variation and improve model fit, researchers will commonly specify either a fixed- or random-effects model. But current advice on which approach should be preferred, and under what conditions, remains vague and sometimes contradictory. This study performs a series of Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the total error due to bias and variance in the inferences of each model, for typical sizes and types of datasets encountered in applied research. The results offer a typology of dataset characteristics to help researchers choose a preferred model.
Dietary nutrient profiles of wild wolves: insights for optimal dog nutrition?
Authors: Bosch Guido , Hagen-Plantinga Esther A. , Hendriks Wouter H.
Published: November 2014

Domestic dogs diverged from grey wolves between 13 000 and 17 000 years ago when food waste from human settlements provided a new niche. Compared to the carnivorous cat, modern-day dogs differ in several digestive and metabolic traits that appear to be more associated with omnivorous such as man, pigs and rats. This has led to the classification of dogs as omnivores, but the origin of these ‘omnivorous’ traits has, hitherto, been left unexplained. We discuss the foraging ecology of wild wolves and calculate the nutrient profiles of fifty diets reported in the literature. Data on the feeding ecology of wolves indicate that wolves are true carnivores consuming a negligible amount of vegetal matter. Wolves can experience prolonged times of famine during low prey availability while, after a successful hunt, the intake of foods and nutrients can be excessive. As a result of a ‘feast and famine’ lifestyle, wolves need to cope with a highly variable nutrient intake requiring an adaptable metabolism, which is still functional in our modern-day dogs. The nutritive characteristics of commercial foods differ in several aspects from the dog's closest free-living ancestor in terms of dietary nutrient profile and this may pose physiological and metabolic challenges. The present study provides new insights into dog nutrition and contributes to the ongoing optimisation of foods for pet dogs.
Impact of nutrition on the ageing process
Authors: Mathers John C.
Published: November 2014

Human life expectancy has been increasing steadily for almost two centuries and is now approximately double what it was at the beginning of the Victorian era. This remarkable demographic change has been accompanied by a shift in disease prevalence so that age is now the major determinant of most common diseases. The challenge is to enhance healthy ageing and to reduce the financial and social burdens associated with chronic ill health in later life. Studies in model organisms have demonstrated that the ageing phenotype arises because of the accumulation of macromolecular damage within the cell and that the ageing process is plastic. Nutritional interventions that reduce such damage, or which enhance the organism's capacity to repair damage, lead to greater longevity and to reduced risk of age-related diseases. Dietary (energy) restriction increases lifespan in several model organisms, but it is uncertain whether it is effective in primates, including humans. However, excess energy storage leading to increased adiposity is a risk factor for premature mortality and for age-related diseases so that obesity prevention is likely to be a major public health route to healthy ageing. In addition, adherence to healthy eating patterns, such as the Mediterranean dietary pattern, is associated with longevity and reduced risk of age-related diseases.
A preface on advances in diagnostics for infectious and parasitic diseases: detecting parasites of medical and veterinary importance
Authors: STOTHARD J. RUSSELL , ADAMS EMILY
Published: November 2014

There are many reasons why detection of parasites of medical and veterinary importance is vital and where novel diagnostic and surveillance tools are required. From a medical perspective alone, these originate from a desire for better clinical management and rational use of medications. Diagnosis can be at the individual-level, at close to patient settings in testing a clinical suspicion or at the community-level, perhaps in front of a computer screen, in classification of endemic areas and devising appropriate control interventions. Thus diagnostics for parasitic diseases has a broad remit as parasites are not only tied with their definitive hosts but also in some cases with their vectors/intermediate hosts. Application of current diagnostic tools and decision algorithms in sustaining control programmes, or in elimination settings, can be problematic and even ill-fitting. For example in resource-limited settings, are current diagnostic tools sufficiently robust for operational use at scale or are they confounded by on-the-ground realities; are the diagnostic algorithms underlying public health interventions always understood and well-received within communities which are targeted for control? Within this Special Issue (SI) covering a variety of diseases and diagnostic settings some answers are forthcoming. An important theme, however, throughout the SI is to acknowledge that cross-talk and continuous feedback between development and application of diagnostic tests is crucial if they are to be used effectively and appropriately.
Universality and language-specific experience in the perception of lexical tone and pitch
Authors: BURNHAM DENIS , KASISOPA BENJAWAN , REID AMANDA , LUKSANEEYANAWIN SUDAPORN , LACERDA FRANCISCO , ATTINA VIRGINIA , RATTANASONE NAN XU , SCHWARZ IRIS-CORINNA , WEBSTER DIANE
Published: November 2014

Two experiments focus on Thai tone perception by native speakers of tone languages (Thai, Cantonese, and Mandarin), a pitch–accent (Swedish), and a nontonal (English) language. In Experiment 1, there was better auditory-only and auditory–visual discrimination by tone and pitch–accent language speakers than by nontone language speakers. Conversely and counterintuitively, there was better visual-only discrimination by nontone language speakers than tone and pitch–accent language speakers. Nevertheless, visual augmentation of auditory tone perception in noise was evident for all five language groups. In Experiment 2, involving discrimination in three fundamental frequency equivalent auditory contexts, tone and pitch–accent language participants showed equivalent discrimination for normal Thai speech, filtered speech, and violin sounds. In contrast, nontone language listeners had significantly better discrimination for violin sounds than filtered speech and in turn speech. Together the results show that tone perception is determined by both auditory and visual information, by acoustic and linguistic contexts, and by universal and experiential factors.
The Japanese voluntary sector's responses to the increasing unmet demand for home care from an ageing population
Authors: HAYASHI MAYUMI
Published: November 2014

As Japan faces the challenge of the increasing demand for home care from its ageing population in an era of economic constraints, the expectation has evolved that the voluntary sector will fill the shortfall in statutory provision through semi-volunteers providing affordable home care. Drawing on qualitative interviews with managers from 15 voluntary organisations, this article explores their experiences in trying to meet this expectation. Even though most organisations provided supplementary home-care services, the empirical evidence indicates a limited capacity to deliver this expectation, with respondents aware of the deteriorating situation. It has been ascertained that supply mechanisms differ between the traditional voluntary – and the new hybrid – organisations. The former employ ‘cost-efficient’ labour such as ‘paid volunteers’ on below minimum pay rates. In contrast, the ‘hybrids’ use paid employees at regular pay rates, a finding that contradicts optimistic assumptions about the ideological role of ‘traditional’ voluntary organisations. This article suggests the importance of acknowledging diverse responses from the voluntary sector, including the new hybrids with their acknowledgement of voluntary and commercial imperatives. Open mindedness and a preparedness to revise interpretations of the earlier ‘models’ of the voluntary sector are essential. The conclusion proposes that the best strategy to unlock the voluntary sector's full potential to deliver supplementary home care is a multi-platformed approach, with adequate public purse funding, which pragmatically maximises resources.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF AN INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION STRATEGY OF HEALTHY CHILDREN
Authors: Gregg Meghann , Blackhouse Gordon , Loeb Mark , Goeree Ron
Published: November 2014

Objectives: Vaccinating healthy children is proposed as a strategy to produce a herd effect and protect vulnerable groups. The Hutterite Influenza Prevention Study investigated this strategy, comparing communities with or without childhood influenza immunization programs. There are costs associated with vaccination therefore there may be a trade-off between these costs and the benefits of avoiding influenza cases. This evaluation estimates the cost-effectiveness of immunizing only healthy children in preventing cases of influenza within entire communities.

Methods: Effect data and resource utilization were collected during the trial. Cost data were collected from payer, literature and Internet sources. A two-stage bootstrap (TSB) with shrinkage correction was used to estimate average costs and effects. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) and sample uncertainty around this estimate were calculated from the TSB results.

Results: Mean costs per patient for the treatment and control arms were $69.07 and $32.66 (difference $36.41). Mean number of influenza cases for the treatment and control arms were 0.04 and 0.27 (difference 0.23). ICER was $164.12 ($28.38, $2767.75) per case of influenza averted.

Conclusions: Immunizing healthy children for influenza is more costly, yet more effective than no immunization in preventing cases in the sample. At a cost of $164.12 to prevent a case of influenza, immunizing healthy children to protect all community members may be considered costeffective. Estimated results are conservative as the influenza season was mild and the sample population was healthy. In a more severe season with a less healthy population the ICER is expected to decrease.
Experimental measurements and Monte Carlo modelling of the XSTRAHL 150 superficial X-ray therapy unit
Authors: Al-Ghorabie Fayez H. H.
Published: November 2014

Background

Superficial X-ray therapy units are used for the treatment of certain types of skin cancer and some severe dermatological conditions. The performance assessment and beam characteristics of the superficial unit are very important to ensure accurate dose delivery during patient treatment. Both experimental measurements and Monte Carlo calculations can be used for this purpose.

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether it is possible to reproduce experimentally measured data for the XSTRAHL 150 superficial X-ray unit with simulations using the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo code.

Materials and Methods

The experimental procedure applied in this study included the following: experimental measurements of different X-ray spectra, half-value layers, percentage depth dose and beam profiles. Monte Carlo modelling of the XSTRAHL 150 unit was performed with the BEAMnrc code. The validity of the model was checked by comparing the theoretical calculations with experimental measurements.

Results

There was good agreement (∼1%) between experimentally measured and simulated X-ray spectra. Results of half-value layers obtained from simulated and measured spectra showed that there was a maximum of 3·6% difference between BEAMnrc and measurements and a minimum of 2·3%. In addition, simulated percentage depth dose and profile curves have been compared against experimental measurements and show good agreement (within 2% for the depth dose curves and 3–5% for beam profile curves, depending on the applicator size).

Conclusion

The results of this study provide information about particles’ interaction in different kilovoltage and filter combinations. This information is useful for X-ray tube design and development of new target/filter combinations to improve beam quality in superficial X-ray radiotherapy. The data presented here may provide a base for comparison and a reference for other or potential new users of the XSTRAHL 150 X-ray unit.
Positive Psychotherapie und rezeptive Kunsttherapie
Authors: Franzen Georg
Published: November 2014

Unter Berücksichtigung psychoanalytischer und neuroästhetischer Theorien zur Kunst wird die Positive Psychotherapie als ein psychodynamisches Verfahren dargestellt, in dem es möglich ist während des therapeutischen Prozesses auch Kunstbetrachtungen zu integrieren, welche die Verbalisierung von emotionalen Erlebnisinhalten und einen kreativen Prozess fördern.
Karl Hörmann zum 70. Geburtstag
Authors: Mucha Christian
Published: November 2014

Die Kunsttherapie hat einen facettenreichen Entstehungsweg. Das Umdenken in der Kunst selbst und der Wandel in bestimmten Disziplinen der Medizin im 20. Jahrhundert führten zur Annäherung von künstlerischen und therapeutischen Prozessen. Schon früh wurde die Kunsttherapie in die Rehabilitationsmedizin einbezogen und ist inzwischen ein fester Bestandteil der integralen Therapiepläne. Die multimodalen Wirkungsebenen der Kunsttherapie: psychische-, kognitive- und verbale, motorische und Handlungsebenen sowie die soziale und Beziehungsebene, begründen ihre Indikationen in der Rehabilitationstherapie von Patienten mit unterschiedlichen und kombinierten physischen und psychischen Defiziten und Behinderungen. Hier kann die Kunsttherapie als kreativ-schöpferisches Handeln und Erleben auf physiologischer und psychologischer Ebene wirken und im Rehabilitationsprozess, insbesondere von Patienten mit multimodalen Behinderungen, durch Stimulation verbliebener Ressourcen entsprechende Defizite zu restituieren, bzw. Defekte durch Übungen zu kompensieren helfen. Mögliche Einflüsse der Kunsttherapie in der klinischen Rehabilitation, vor allem von Patienten mit schweren Hirnerkrankungen und -verletzungen, werden diskutiert und anhand ausgewählter Bildbeispiele besprochen.
Bacteria slingshot more on soft surfaces
Authors: Zhang Rongrong , Ni Lei , Jin Zhenyu , Li Jiahong , Jin Fan
Published: November 2014

Adaptive responses greatly improve the competitive capacities of bacteria in diverse environments. Here, we investigate whether bacteria can adapt to a microenvironment with distinctive softness by examining the type-IV pili (TFP)-mediated motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells on brush-like surfaces that are grafted with a layer of thermally sensitive polymer chains, where the softness of the brush-layer is tunable by applying a small temperature change (from 30 to 37 °C). We report that P. aeruginosa cells slingshot more on soft surfaces at a shear-thinning condition, which greatly facilitates their surface crawling by means of reducing energy dissipation. This adaptive response suggests that P. aeruginosa cells may be able to sense the local viscoelasticity and then deploy TFP to adapt to their physical surroundings.
Emergence of single-molecular chirality from achiral reactants
Authors: Steendam René R. E. , Verkade Jorge M. M. , van Benthem Tim J. B. , Meekes Hugo , van Enckevort Willem J. P. , Raap Jan , Rutjes Floris P. J. T. , Vlieg Elias
Published: November 2014

The synthesis of enantiopure molecules from achiral precursors without the need for pre-existing chirality is a major challenge associated with the origin of life. We here show that an enantiopure product can be obtained from achiral starting materials in a single organic reaction. An essential characteristic of this reaction is that the chiral product precipitates from the solution, introducing a crystal–solution interface which functions as an asymmetric autocatalytic system that provides sufficient chiral amplification to reach an enantiopure end state. This approach not only provides more insight into the origin of life but also offers a pathway to acquire enantiopure compounds for industrial applications.
VAV-1 acts in a single interneuron to inhibit motor circuit activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Fry Amanda L. , Laboy Jocelyn T. , Norman Kenneth R.
Published: November 2014

The complex molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal control of animal movement are not well understood. Locomotion ofCaenorhabditis elegansis mediated by a neuronal circuit that produces coordinated sinusoidal movement. Here we utilize this simple, yet elegant, behaviour to show that VAV-1, a conserved guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho-family GTPases, negatively regulates motor circuit activity and the rate of locomotion. Whilevav-1is expressed in a small subset of neurons, we find that VAV-1 function is required in a single interneuron, ALA, to regulate motor neuron circuit activity. Furthermore, we show by genetic and optogenetic manipulation of ALA that VAV-1 is required for the excitation and activation of this neuron. We find that ALA signalling inhibits command interneuron activity by abrogating excitatory signalling in the command interneurons, which is responsible for promoting motor neuron circuit activity. Together, our data describe a novel neuromodulatory role for VAV-1-dependent signalling in the regulation of motor circuit activity and locomotion.
Electrospun nanofibers: A prospective electro-active material for constructing high performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Aravindan Vanchiappan , Sundaramurthy Jayaraman , Suresh Kumar Palaniswamy , Lee Yun-Sung , Ramakrishna Seeram , Madhavi Srinivasan
Published: November 2014

The present review outlines high performance Li-ion cells fabricated with all one-dimensional materials as the cathode and anode, as well as a separator-cum-electrolyte prepared by an electrospinning technique.
Assembly of metal–organic polyhedra into highly porous frameworks for ethene delivery
Authors: Stoeck Ulrich , Senkovska Irena , Bon Volodymyr , Krause Simon , Kaskel Stefan
Published: November 2014

Two mesoporous MOFs (DUT-75 and DUT-76) with increased concentration of open metal sites and exceptional high ethene uptake were designed.
Binary behaviour of an oxidation-responsive MRI nano contrast agent
Authors: Jeanmaire Damien , Timco Grigore A. , Gennari Arianna , Sproules Stephen , Williams Kaye J. , Winpenny Richard E. P. , Tirelli Nicola
Published: November 2014

A nano MRI contrast agent composed of molecular magnets loaded in polysulfide nanoparticles senses <0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide.
Role of grafted alkoxybenzylidene ligand in silica-supported Hoveyda–Grubbs-type catalysts
Authors: Cheong Jian Liang , Wong Daniel , Lee Song-Gil , Lim Jaehong , Lee Su Seong
Published: November 2014

Using both circulating flow and batch reaction systems, we explored the role of immobilized alkoxybenzylidene ligands in capturing and stabilizing active ruthenium species.
Heat-induced transformation of CdSe–CdS–ZnS core–multishell quantum dots by Zn diffusion into inner layers
Authors: Yalcin Anil O. , Goris Bart , van Dijk-Moes Relinde J. A. , Fan Zhaochuan , Erdamar Ahmet K. , Tichelaar Frans D. , Vlugt Thijs J. H. , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Bals Sara , Vanmaekelbergh Daniël , Zandbergen Henny W. , van Huis Marijn A.
Published: November 2014

CdSe–CdS–ZnS core–multishell quantum dots transform by Zn inner diffusion during in situ heating in the TEM.
Mechanical deformation mechanisms and properties of amyloid fibrils
Authors: Choi Bumjoon , Yoon Gwonchan , Lee Sang Woo , Eom Kilho
Published: November 2014

We study the role that the length of amyloid fibrils plays in their mechanical deformation mechanisms and properties by using all-atom explicit water steered molecular dynamics simulations.
Formation of dibenzofuran, dibenzo-p-dioxin and their hydroxylated derivatives from catechol
Authors: Altarawneh Mohammednoor , Dlugogorski Bogdan Z.
Published: November 2014

This study presents mechanistic and kinetic accounts of the formation of dibenzofuran (DF), dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) and their hydroxylated derivatives (OHs-DF/OHs-DD) from the catechol (CT) molecule, as model compounds for phenolic constituents in biomass.
Tailoring the interface of an immiscible polymer blend by a mutually miscible homopolymer grafted onto graphene oxide: outstanding mechanical properties
Authors: Kar Goutam Prasanna , Biswas Sourav , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: November 2014

A unique strategy was adopted here to improve the compatibility between the components of an immiscible polymer blend and strengthen the interface.
Structure, stability and elasticity of DNA nanotubes
Authors: Joshi Himanshu , Dwaraknath Anjan , Maiti Prabal K.
Published: November 2014

DNA nanotubes: an extension to DNA crossover molecules.
Graphene/carbon composite nanofibers for NO oxidation at room temperature
Authors: Guo Zeyu , Huang Zheng-Hong , Wang Mingxi , Kang Feiyu
Published: November 2014

The novel structure of composite CNFs was preparedviaembedding reduced graphene oxide sheets for oxidation of NO at room temperature.
Mechanistic insights into solar water oxidation by cobalt-phosphate-modified α-Fe2O3 photoanodes
Authors: Carroll Gerard M. , Zhong Diane K. , Gamelin Daniel R.
Published: November 2014

Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and microscopic measurements on mesostructured Co-Pi/α-Fe2O3 composite photoanodes reveal evolving pathways of water oxidation with increasing Co-Pi thickness, and highlight major fundamental differences between structured and planar Co-Pi/α-Fe2O3 composite photoanodes that help to reconcile previously conflicting mechanistic interpretations.
Experimental and modeling study of pure terephthalic acid (PTA) wastewater transport in the vadose zone
Authors: Wang Cuiling , Liu Changli , Pei Lixin , Pang Yajie , Zhang Yun , Hou Hongbing
Published: November 2014

PTA wastewater discharged from a factory was selected as the research object in this project and CODcrwas selected as the characteristic pollution factor.
Reductive immobilization of uranium by PAAM–FeS/Fe3O4 magnetic composites
Authors: Shao Dadong , Wang Xiangxue , Li Jiaxing , Huang Yongshun , Ren Xuemei , Hou Guangshun , Wang Xiangke
Published: November 2014

PAAM–FeS/Fe3O4 composites present exciting performance in reductive immobilization and extraction of trace UO22+ from aqueous solution.
An economical upflow bio-filter circuit (UBFC): a biocatalyst microbial fuel cell for sulfate–sulfide rich wastewater treatment
Authors: Sukkasem C. , Laehlah S.
Published: November 2014

In this study of the UBFC, a biocatalyst MFC was applied to remove sulfate–sulfide in wastewater (initial concentration: 350–450 mg L−1).
The critical importance of gap modes in surface enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Futamata Masayuki , Ishikura Maho , Iida Chiaki , Handa Saori
Published: November 2014

For efficient utilization of surface plasmons in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), we investigated the gap modes in flocculates of metal nanoparticles (MNPs), and between MNPs and metal substrates under an external and an attenuated total reflection (ATR) geometry. First, the adsorbed state of thiol molecules and counter ions trapped in solutions were elucidated using flocculation-SERS, in which closely adjacent nanoparticles are formed by using interactions between MNPs and target species. Second, we obtained a pronounced enhancement of 105–108 at a nanogap between gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and various metal substrates even with a large damping under an external geometry. Markedly larger enhancement was obtained for larger AuNPs, by a factor of 103 for particles with a radius (r) of 50 nm compared with those of r = 15 nm in this geometry. Finally, we attained an additional enhancement factor under an ATR geometry by a coupling of propagating surface plasmons with gap modes.
Anti-apoptotic and anti-glycative effects of asiatic acid in the brain ofd-galactose treated mice
Authors: Chao Pei-chun , Yin Mei-chin , Mong Mei-chin
Published: November 2014

Protection of asiatic acid (AA) in mice brain againstd-galactose (DG) induced aging was examined.
Microencapsulation of indocyanine green for potential applications in image-guided drug delivery
Authors: Zhu Zhiqiang , Si Ting , Xu Ronald X.
Published: November 2014

Schematic illustration of the LDCFF experimental setup. We used easily obtained stainless steel coaxial needles to produce ICG encapsulated liposomes by using a liquid-driven coaxial flow-focusing (LDCFF) method.
A fully biocompatible single-mode distributed feedback laser
Authors: Choi Yunkyoung , Jeon Heonsu , Kim Sunghwan
Published: November 2014

A fully biocompatible laser would be attractive in many aspects of biomedical research.
Application of the polyphenylene ether-ether-sulfone ultrafiltration membrane for concentration of antioxidants from the Phyllitis scolopendrium L. extract
Authors: Paun Gabriela , Neagu Elena , Albu Camelia , Radu Gabriel Lucian
Published: November 2014

Preparation of the poly(1,4-phenylene ether ether sulfone) membrane is an effective strategy to increase the flux through the UF membranes. This also correlates with the PPEES membrane's effective rejection of the polyphenols and flavonoids.
Transport limits in defect-engineered LaAlO3/SrTiO3 bilayers
Authors: Gunkel Felix , Wicklein Sebastian , Hoffmann-Eifert Susanne , Meuffels Paul , Brinks Peter , Huijben Mark , Rijnders Guus , Waser Rainer , Dittmann Regina
Published: November 2014

The electrical properties of the metallic interface in LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) bilayers are investigated with focus on the role of cationic defects in thin film STO.
C-Nitrosation of a β-diketiminate ligand in copper(ii) complex
Authors: Kalita Aswini , Kumar Vikash , Mondal Biplab
Published: November 2014

Copper(ii) complex of a β-diketiminate ligand, upon reaction with nitric oxide, affords C-nitrosation of the ligand.
Improved hole injection in organic light emitting devices by gold nanoparticles
Authors: Jesuraj P. Justin , Jeganathan K.
Published: November 2014

AuNPs at various surface coverage.
Facile synthesis of Ag-doped ZnCdS nanocrystals and transformation into Ag-doped ZnCdSSe nanocrystals with Se treatment
Authors: Zeng Ruosheng , Sun Zhiguo , Cao Sheng , Shen Rongan , Liu Zuoji , Xiong Ying , Long Jingtao , Zheng Jinju , Zhao Yunqiang , Shen Yayun , Wang Dingsheng
Published: November 2014

High-quality, pure, and color-tunable Ag:ZnCdS nanocrystals are prepared by optimization of the experimental conditions, and they can be further transformed into Ag:ZnCdSSe nanocrystals with Se treatment.
Evolution of structural and thermal properties of carbon-coated TaC nanopowder synthesized by single step reduction of Ta-ethoxide
Authors: Brar Loveleen K. , Singla Gourav , Pandey O. P.
Published: November 2014

Carbon-coated nano-TaC has been synthesized at 800 °C using tantalum-ethoxide by single step chemical reaction route and no external carbon source
Cocrystal explosive hydrate of a powerful explosive, HNIW, with enhanced safety
Authors: Yang Zongwei , Zeng Qun , Zhou Xiaoqing , Zhang Qi , Nie Fude , Huang Hui , Li Hongzhen
Published: November 2014

A novel ternary cocrystal explosive hydrate of HNIW was discovered and it exhibits a substantial reduction in impact sensitivity.
ZnO/Ag micro/nanospheres with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial properties synthesized by a novel continuous synthesis method
Authors: Li Zhenjiang , Zhang Fenghua , Meng Alan , Xie Cuicui , Xing Jing
Published: November 2014

A continuous concentric impinging stream method was used for preparing ZnO/Ag MNSs, which possessed excellent photocatalytic and antibacterial activities.
Polarization, second-order nonlinear optical properties and electrochromism in 4H-pyranylidene chromophores with a quinoid/aromatic thiophene ring bridge
Authors: Marco A. Belén , Burrezo Paula Mayorga , Mosteo Laura , Franco Santiago , Garín Javier , Orduna Jesús , Diosdado Beatriz E. , Villacampa Belén , López Navarrete Juan T. , Casado Juan , Andreu Raquel
Published: November 2014

The second-order NLO responses and spectroelectrochemical properties of donor–π–acceptor systems featuring a quinoid/aromatic thiophene unit have been studied.
Unusual tandem sequence of oxa Diels–Alder reaction, retro Diels–Alder reaction, and oxa 6π-electrocyclic ring opening in the reaction of 6-amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones with benzaldehydes
Authors: Khatri Adil I. , Samant Shriniwas D.
Published: November 2014

The oxa Diels–Alder reaction of 6-amino-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones with benzaldehydes took an unusual path whereby an unexpected tandem sequence of three reactions yielded 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-1-(piperidin-1-yl/pyrrolidin-1-yl)penta-2,4-dien-1-ones.
Solid phase extraction and ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric identification of carcinogenic/mutagenic heterocyclic amines in cooked camel meat
Authors: Khan Mohammad Rizwan , Naushad Mu , Alothman Zeid Abdullah , Alsohaimi Ibrahim Hotan , Algamdi Mohammad Saad
Published: November 2014

In the present study, three kinds of camel (Mjahim, Mgatir and Humor) from Saudi Arabia have been studied for heterocyclic amines (HAs) contents in their cooked meat.
Effect of the linkage location in double branched organic dyes on the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs
Authors: Huang Zu-Sheng , Cai Cheng , Zang Xu-Feng , Iqbal Zafar , Zeng Heping , Kuang Dai-Bin , Wang Lingyun , Meier Herbert , Cao Derong
Published: November 2014

Double D–π–A branched organic dyes with a hexylene connector linked in different locations show diverse photovoltaic performances.
Interconnected three-dimensional V2O5/polypyrrole network nanostructures for high performance solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Qian Tao , Xu Na , Zhou Jinqiu , Yang Tingzhou , Liu Xuejun , Shen Xiaowei , Liang Jiaqi , Yan Chenglin
Published: November 2014

We report all-solid-state supercapacitors based on interconnected three-dimensional V2O5/polypyrrole network nanostructures with enhanced pseudocapacitive performance.
Preparation and characterization of stable phospholipid–silica nanostructures loaded with quantum dots
Authors: Beloglazova N. V. , Goryacheva I. Yu. , Shmelin P. S. , Kurbangaleev V. , De Saeger S.
Published: November 2014

The structural dependence of silica–liposome hybrids on silanization conditions was investigated.
A rhodamine B-based lysosomal pH probe
Authors: Shen Shi-Li , Chen Xin-Peng , Zhang Xiao-Fan , Miao Jun-Ying , Zhao Bao-Xiang
Published: November 2014

A novel rhodamine B-based lysosomal pH probe RML was developed. RML responded to acidic pH with short response time, high selectivity and high sensitivity and could detect lysosomal pH change in living cells.
Graph‐based fair resource allocation scheme combining interference alignment in femtocell networks
Authors: Li Jiandong , Meng Yun , Li Hongyan , Suo Long
Published: November 2014

The exponential growth of services demands further increase of spectral efficiency which drives the next generation wireless access networks towards deploying femtocells with frequency reuse. However, the interference will be severe especially in dense deployment scenarios. The fair resource allocation problem by joint consideration of sub‐channel assignment and interference alignment (IA) is more complicated than the traditional problem. First, not all the users are appropriate for IA since the number of participant users is limited by the feasibility constraint and the interference power levels are different for the path loss. Second, IA can increase the degrees‐of‐freedoms while occupy additional signal dimensions of participant users, hence more sub‐channels are needed by IA compared with the non‐participants when each user transmits the same number of streams. This study models the fair resource allocation problem as an optimisation problem, which is a non‐deterministic polynomial‐time (NP)‐hard. To solve it with low complexity, the authors propose a graph‐based scheme to give the approximate solution, where the selection criteria of IA group are based on the influence of IA on the interference graph. Simulation results show that the authors scheme can approximate the optimal solution in a small network and improve the fairness in dense deployment scenarios.
Resonantly loaded apertures for sub‐diffraction near‐field imaging and surface probing
Authors: Malyuskin Oleksandr , Fusco Vincent
Published: November 2014

It is demonstrated that electromagnetic (EM) transmission through a subwavelength or non‐resonant aperture in a conductive screen can be significantly enhanced by loading it with folded metallic strips exhibiting resonant properties. When illuminated by an EM plane wave, these loaded apertures enable very tight, subwavelength, collimation of the EM power in the near‐field zone. The authors propose quasi‐planar resonant insertion geometries that should allow, for the first time, simultaneous subwavelength near field focusing of both electric and magnetic fields. The proposed technique for resonance transmission enhancement and near‐field confinement forms a basis for a new class of microwave near‐field imaging probe with subwavelength resolution capable of operating over a wide range of imaging distances (0.01–0.25λ). Measurement results demonstrate the possibility of high‐contrast (more than 3 dB in amplitude and 40° in phase) near‐field subwavelength imaging of active sources as well as the characterisation of planar subwavelength non‐resonant dielectric targets located in free space and at the interface of moderately lossy layered media.
Synthesising gene clock with toggle switch and oscillator
Authors: Lin Chun‐Liang , Chen Po‐Kuei , Cheng Young‐Yi
Published: November 2014

The usefulness of a genetic clock lies in its role to stimulate a sequence of logic reactions for sequential biological circuits. A clock signal is a periodic square wave, its amplitude alternates at a steady frequency between fixed minimal and maximal levels. Transition between the minimum and the maximum is instantaneous for an ideal square wave; however, the function is unrealisable in physical bio‐systems. This research develops a new genetic clock generator based on a genetic oscillator, in which, a sine wave generator is adopted as a signal oscillator. It is shown that combination of a genetic oscillator with a toggle switch is able to generate clock signals forming an efficient way to generate a near square wave. In silico study confirms the proposed idea.
The Comprehensive AOCMF Classification System: Mandible Fractures- Level 2 Tutorial
Authors: Cornelius Carl-Peter , Audigté Laurent , Kunz Christoph , Rudderman Randal , Buitrago-Téllez Carlos H. , Frodel John , Prein Joachim
Published: November 2014

This tutorial outlines the details of the AOCMF image-based classification system for fractures of the mandible at the precision level 2 allowing description of their topographical distribution. A short introduction about the anatomy is made. Mandibular fractures are classified by the anatomic regions involved. For this purpose, the mandible is delineated into an array of nine regions identified by letters: the symphysis/parasymphysis region anteriorly, two body regions on each lateral side, combined angle and ascending ramus regions, and finally the condylar and coronoid processes. A precise definition of the demarcation lines between these regions is given for the unambiguous allocation of fractures. Four transition zones allow an accurate topographic assignment if fractures end up in or run across the borders of anatomic regions. These zones are defined between angle/ramus and body, and between body and symphysis/parasymphysis. A fracture is classified as “confined” as long as it is located within a region, in contrast to a fracture being “nonconfined” when it extents to an adjoining region. Illustrations and case examples of mandible fractures are presented to become familiar with the classification procedure in daily routine.
Investigation of the hydrated 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin dimer by combined IR/UV spectroscopy
Authors: Stamm A. , Schwing K. , Gerhards M.
Published: November 2014

The first molecular beam investigations on a coumarin dimer and clusters of a coumarin dimer with water both in the neutral (S0) and cationic (D0) electronic ground state are performed. The structure and structural changes due to ionization of the isolated 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin dimer (7H4MC)2 as well as its mono- and dihydrate (7H4MC)2(H2O)1-2 are analyzed by applying combined IR/UV spectroscopy compared with density functional theory calculations. In case of the neutral dimer of 7H4MC a doubly hydrogen-bonded structure is formed. This doubly hydrogen-bonded arrangement opens to a singly hydrogen-bonded structure in the ion presenting a rearrangement reaction within an isolated dimer. By attaching one or two water molecules to the neutral 7H4MC dimer water is inserted into the hydrogen bonds. In contrast to the non-hydrated species this general binding motif with water in a bridging function does not change via ionization but especially for the dihydrate the spatial arrangement of the two 7H4MC units changes strengthening the interaction between the aromatic chromophores. The presented analyses illustrate the strong dependence of binding motifs as a function of successive hydration and charge including a rearrangement reaction.