bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constant absolute bandwidth tunable filter using varactor‐loaded open‐loop resonators
Authors: Huang Xiao‐Guo , Feng Quan‐Yuan , Xiang Qian‐Yin , Jia Ding‐Hong
Published: March 2014

Two novel cascaded microstrip open‐loop resonators with loading varactors are presented to design tunable filter. In two coupled resonators, the coupled sides can provide both electrical and magnetic coupling. A capacitance loaded at input/output feed line is used to control the external quality. By adjusting the parameters of coupling side and the value of the capacitance, coupling coefficients and external quality can be tuned to meet the requirement of constant absolute bandwidth. A two‐pole filter is demonstrated a tuning range from 607 to 942 MHz with the insertion loss 2.5–3.2 dB. Especially, the 3‐dB bandwidth is approximately 63 ± 7 MHz with the center frequency from 642 to 942 MHz. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1178–1181, 2014
A multiband power amplifier with a tunable transmission line for mobile LTE applications
Authors: Lee G. , Jung J. , Song J.
Published: March 2014

A power amplifier (PA) for multiband applications implemented with a tunable load modulation technique is presented. The broadband output matching can be done by load modulation implemented by modification of the characteristic impedance (ZC) of the tunable transmission line. The multiband PA delivered a gain of more than 10.5 dB, an adjacent‐channel‐leakage ratio of evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access adjacent channel leakage ratio (E‐UTRA) lower than −30 dBc, and a power added efficiency of 28–31% at the output power of 26‐dBm and the frequency range of 1.5–2.05 GHz with a 10‐MHz 16QAM long‐term evolution signal. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1175–1178, 2014
Radar cross‐section reduction design for a microstrip antenna
Authors: Shang Yuping , Xiao Shaoqiu , Wang Bing‐Zhong
Published: March 2014

A microstrip antenna with reduced monostatic radar cross section (RCS) is presented. The RCS reduction is realized by replacing the solid ground plane of the reference antenna with a complex ground plane composed of bandstop frequency selective surface unit cells. In the mean time, the radiation performances are properly maintained. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1200–1204, 2014
A compact printed triangular monopole antenna for ultrawideband applications
Authors: Manohar Murli , Kshetrimayum Rakhesh S. , Gogoi Anup K.
Published: March 2014

In this article, a printed triangular‐shaped monopole antenna is proposed for emerging ultrawideband application. The proposed antenna uses a triangular radiating patch which is directly fed by a 50‐Ω microstrip feed line. To improve the impedance bandwidth, a round‐corner ground plane has been used. To further improve the impedance bandwidth for the entire band, a microstrip transition (near the antenna front end) has been introduced between the microstrip feed line and the triangular radiator that provides a wide impedance bandwidth from 1.8 to 15.0 GHz for
 ≤ −10 dB. The proposed antenna has been realized using the FR‐4 printed circuit board substrate and occupies a small size of about 24 × 30 × 1.6 mm3 compared to conventional antenna structures. The proposed antenna has nearly omni‐directional radiation pattern and moderate gain throughout the operating frequency region. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1155–1159, 2014
Food inspection system using terahertz imaging
Authors: Lee Won‐Hui , Lee Wangjoo
Published: March 2014

A terahertz (THz) transmission imaging system using a 0.2 and 0.4 THz gyrotron as a high power source was evaluated. In the gyrotron, 0.2 THz is the first main mode and 0.4 THz is the second harmonic mode. The output power of gyrotron is about 100 W at 0.2 THz and 1 W at 0.4 THz. For fast imaging, the source output was shaped into a line beam and an array detector was used. Two reflecting mirrors were utilized for a reflective imaging system. A 0.8 mm resolution was obtained using a 0.4 THz transmission image. The feasibility of fast THz imaging for the inspection of foreign substances in food is demonstrated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1211–1214, 2014
A novel offset‐fed inverted‐L antenna for 2.4/5‐GHz dual‐band operation
Authors: Li Ching‐Lieh , Chang Hsi
Published: March 2014

This article presents a novel offset‐fed technique to achieve impedance matching for a planar inverted‐L antenna (ILA). The offset‐fed ILA exhibits dual band characteristic (fre. ratio ∼ 3:1) similar as the straight monopole antenna. For dual‐band operation with frequency ratio other than (3:1) a parasitic rectangular strip is introduced for the offset‐fed ILA antenna. Dual‐band ILA antennas operate both at 2.4 and 5 GHz (5.2 or 5.8 GHz) bands are successfully designed. The simulated and measured results are very consistent. Moreover, the designated two bands can be adjusted independently by simply varying the corresponding lengths. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1244–1248, 2014
Steady‐state functional MRI using spoiled small‐tip fast recovery imaging
Authors: Sun Hao , Fessler Jeffrey A. , Noll Douglas C. , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To determine whether a recently proposed steady‐state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence, “small‐tip fast recovery” (STFR), can be used for functional brain imaging. Compared to existing functional MRI (fMRI) based on
‐contrast and long echo time, STFR has the potential for high‐resolution imaging with reduced B0 artifacts such as geometric distortions, blurring, or local signal dropout.

Methods

We used Monte Carlo Bloch simulations to calculate the voxel‐averaged steady‐state signal during rest and activation, for blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) and STFR. STFR relies on a tailored “tip‐up” radiofrequency pulse to align the spins with the longitudinal axis after each data readout segment, and here we performed proof‐of‐concept in vivo STFR fMRI experiments using a tip‐up pulse tailored to a two‐dimensional region‐of‐interest in motor cortex. Experiments were performed on multiple subjects to test reliability of the functional activation maps.

Results

Bloch simulations predict a detectable functional signal that depends mainly on intravoxel dephasing, and only weakly on spin diffusion. STFR produces similar activation maps and signal change as BOLD in finger‐tapping experiments, and shows reliability comparable to BOLD.

Conclusion

STFR can produce functional contrast (even with short TE), and is a potential alternative to long‐TE (
) fMRI. The functional contrast arises primarily from the interaction between
‐like dephasing and the tailored tip‐up pulse, and not from spin diffusion. Magn Reson Med 73:536–543, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrakurzpulslaser — „Bohrmaschinen”︁ für die Fertigung
Authors: Paff Katja
Published: March 2014

Jens König von Bosch, Stefan Nolte von der FSU Jena und dem Fraunhofer IOF und Dirk Sutter von Trumpf erhielten gemeinsam für das Projekt „Ultrakurzpulslaser für die industrielle Massenfertigung — produzieren mit Lichtblitzen”︁ den Deutschen Zukunftspreis.
Prophylactic Use of Pegfilgrastim in Patients Treated with a Nitrosourea and Teniposide for Recurrent Glioma
Authors: Thiepold Anna‐Luisa , Lemercier Sophie , Franz Kea , Atta Johannes , Sulzbacher Annette , Steinbach Joachim P. , Rieger Johannes
Published: March 2014

Study Objective

As chemotherapy with teniposide and a nitrosourea is commonly used for the treatment of patients with recurrent glioma but can be associated with severe myelotoxicity, we sought to determine if prophylactic administration of pegfilgrastim could reduce leukopenia or infectious complications in patients receiving this chemotherapeutic regimen.

Design

Retrospective medical record review.

Setting

University‐affiliated neurooncology hospital in Frankfurt, Germany.

Patients

Sixty‐four patients who received at least one cycle of a nitrosourea agent (nimustine or lomustine) and teniposide for recurrent glioma between 2008 and 2012; of these patients, 28 did not receive prophylactic pegfilgrastim (cohort A), and 36 patients received prophylactic pegfilgrastim (cohort B).

Measurements and Main Results

Blood counts, hospitalizations due to infection or myelosuppression, use of intravenous antibiotics, and survival parameters were analyzed. Leukopenia was more frequently observed before day 30 (early nadir) versus from 30 days until the next cycle (late nadir). In cohort B, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 3 leukopenia in the early nadir occurred less often compared with cohort A (9% in cohort B vs 31% in cohort A). However, the frequency of grade 4 leukopenia, number of days in the hospital due to infection or myelosuppression, days on intravenous antibiotics, progression‐free survival, and overall survival were similar between the cohorts.

Conclusion

Moderate, but not severe, leukopenia or related complications could be prevented by prophylactic pegfilgrastim in patients treated with a nitrosourea and teniposide for recurrent glioma. Our results, therefore, do not support routine prophylactic use of pegfilgrastim in these patients.
The role of metallothionein interactions with other proteins
Authors: Zalewska Marta , Trefon Jagoda , Milnerowicz Halina
Published: March 2014

Metallothionein (MT) is a protein involved in numerous key processes, and the most important include zinc ion homeostasis, detoxification of heavy metals, and protection against oxidative stress. MT by interaction with other proteins fulfills its function, resulting in different effects in the body. Interaction of MT with ferritin, which causes a redox reaction, resulting in the reduction of Fe3+ stored in ferritin and a release of harmful Fe2+, was observed. Referring to the redox function of MT, it has been shown that the pair of GSH/GSSG modulates transfer of Zn between MT and Zn‐binding proteins. Furthermore, it was shown that GSSG, in the presence of GSH, interacts directly with MT. Apothionein‐MT can retrieve Zn from the transcription factors or Zn‐containing enzymes. Apothionein‐MT by taking Zn can deactivate metal‐dependent enzymes while Zn‐MT has the opposite effect. As the effect of MT interaction with low‐density lipoprotein receptors—megalin and lipoprotein receptor related protein 1, the uptake of Cd‐MT occurs and results in the disruption of many functions of proximal tubules. MT is involved in numerous processes and many of them are regulated by protein‐protein interactions. Possibly in the future MT will become a therapeutic agent, which will result in a breakthrough in the field of pharmacy and medicine.
Systemic Administration of Polymer‐Coated Nano‐Graphene to Deliver Drugs to Glioblastoma
Authors: Moore Thomas L. , Podilakrishna Rama , Rao Apparao , Alexis Frank
Published: March 2014

Graphene—2D carbon—has received significant attention thanks to its electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties. Recently, nano‐graphene (nGr) has been investigated as a possible platform for biomedical applications. Here, a polymer‐coated nGr to deliver drugs to glioblastoma after systemic administration is reported. A biodegradable, biocompatible poly(lactide) (PLA) coating enables encapsulation and controlled release of the hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX), and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) shell increases the solubility of the nGr drug delivery system. Importantly, the polymer coating mediates the interaction of nGr with U‐138 glioblastoma cells and decreases cytotoxicity compared with pristine untreated nGr. PLA‐PEG‐coated nGr is also able to encapsulate PTX at 4.15 wt% and sustains prolonged PTX release for at least 19 d. PTX‐loaded nGr‐PLA‐PEGs are shown to kill up to 20% of U‐138 glioblastoma cells in vitro. Furthermore, nGr‐PLA‐PEG and CNT‐PLA‐PEG, two carbon nanomaterials with different shapes, are able to kill U‐138 in vitro as well as free PTX at significantly lower doses of drug. Finally, in vivo biodistribution of nGr‐PLA‐PEG shows accumulation of nGr in intracranial U‐138 glioblastoma xenografts and organs of the reticuloendothelial system.
Microtubule‐Templated Cadmium Sulfide Nanotube Assemblies
Authors: Spoerke Erik D. , Connor Bridget A. , Gough Dara V. , McKenzie Bonnie B. , Bachand George D.
Published: March 2014

This paper describes the use of microtubules (MTs) as nanoscale templates for the biologically directed growth and assembly of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanotubes. CdS is a wide bandgap semiconductor with valuable optical, electronic, and chemical properties, and the organization of CdS nanostructures is critical to their widespread utility. The present work explores a bioinspired, biomediated approach to the formation and assembly of CdS nanotubes. In particular, a biomimetic synthetic strategy is used to control the uniform growth of cubic zinc blende CdS nanocrystals on MT templates, replicating the MTs' tubular morphology with dense CdS only a single nanocrystal thick. Furthermore, specific interactions between MTs and functional microtubule‐associated proteins (MAPs) are exploited to manipulate the secondary organization of these MT templates. The subsequent directed growth of CdS nanotubes on these structures produces specific biomediated architectures including linear arrays, 3D asters, and rings. Finally, cathodoluminescence from MT‐templated CdS structures verifies that the valuable semiconducting character of these materials is exhibited. These demonstrations of nanoscale materials synthesis and assembly illustrate a new level of complexity and control over materials synthesis that may be achieved using such biological tools and processes.
Uniform infinite planar quadrangulations with a boundary
Authors: Curien Nicolas , Miermont Grégory
Published: March 2014

We introduce and study the uniform infinite planar quadrangulation (UIPQ) with a boundary via an extension of the construction of Curien et al. (Curien et al., Lat Am J Probab Math Stat 49 (2013) 340–373). We then relate this object to its simple boundary analog using a pruning procedure. This enables us to study the aperture of these maps, that is, the maximal graph distance between two points on the boundary, which in turn sheds new light on the geometry of the UIPQ. In particular we prove that the self‐avoiding walk on the UIPQ is at most diffusive. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 47, 30–58, 2015
The role of reference point in CEO restricted stock and its impact on R&D intensity in high‐technology firms
Authors: Lim Elizabeth N. K.
Published: March 2014

Prior work based on agency theory and behavioral agency model has focused on how absolute pay values affect firm outcomes. Departing from this traditional approach, we draw from behavioral decision theory to explain how relative pay levels influence firm risk taking. We investigate how CEO restricted stock value relative to reference point influences R&D intensity in high‐technology firms. We propose that negative deviation increases are related to R&D increases and positive deviation increases lead to R&D decreases, while negative deviation has greater effect than positive deviation. We establish theoretical boundary conditions by considering CEO duality and board vigilance as moderators. Drawing from agency theory, we predict the main effects will be enhanced under duality and weakened under high board vigilance. Our hypotheses are largely supported. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Productivity enhancement at home via cross‐border acquisitions: The roles of learning and contemporaneous domestic investments
Authors: Bertrand Olivier , Capron Laurence
Published: March 2014

We examine whether ex post domestic productivity gains accrue to firms making cross‐border acquisitions. We argue that cross‐border acquisitions can enhance the acquirers' productivity at home, and we posit that these domestic productivity gains will be greater when there are learning opportunities in the target's host country and when contemporaneous domestic productivity‐enhancing investments are made by the acquirer in conjunction with the acquisition. These predictions are supported by data drawn from a sample of French acquiring and nonacquiring firms. Our results indicate that cross‐border acquisitions and investing in productivity at home are complementary: each makes the other more beneficial to firm productivity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative assessment of in vitro and in vivo toxicity of azinphos methyl and its commercial formulation
Authors: Güngördü Abbas , Uçkun Miraç
Published: March 2014

The toxic effects of Gusathion (GUS), which is a commercial organophosphate (OP) pesticide, and also its active ingredient, azinphos methyl (AzM), are evaluated comparatively with in vitro and in vivo studies. Initially, the 96‐h LC50 values of AzM and GUS were estimated for two different life stages of Xenopus laevis, embryos, and tadpoles. The actual AzM concentrations in exposure media were monitored by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Also, the sub‐lethal effects of these compounds to tadpoles were determined 24 h later at exposure concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/L using selected biomarker enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CaE), glutathione S‐transferase (GST), glutathione reductase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotrasferase. Differences in AChE inhibition capacities of AzM and GUS were evaluated under in vitro conditions between frogs and fish in the second part of this study. The AChE activities in a pure electrical eel AChE solution and in brain homogenates of adult Cyprinus carpio, Pelophylax ridibundus, and X. laevis were assayed after in vitro exposure to 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/L concentrations of AzM and GUS. According to in vivo studies AChE, CaE and GST are important biomarkers of the effect of OP exposure while CaE may be more effective in short‐term, low‐concentration exposures. The results of in vitro studies showed that amphibian brain AChEs were relatively more resistant to OP exposure than fish AChEs. The resistance may be the cause of the lower toxicity/lethality of OP compounds to amphibians than to fish. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1091–1101, 2015.
Trapping efficiency and associated mortality of incidentally captured small mammals during herpetofaunal surveys of temporary wetlands
Authors: Edwards Katherine E. , Jones Jeanne C.
Published: March 2014

Pitfall‐trapping used in conjunction with drift‐fence arrays is a common and effective means for detecting herpetofauna and small terrestrial mammals. A concern when using less‐selective trapping methods is the impact of capture on target and non‐target species. We compared capture and mortality rates of non‐target species during a herpetofaunal study of temporary wetlands on forested lands in Mississippi, USA, March 2004–March 2006. We compared rates from pitfall traps, double‐ended funnel traps, and pitfall traps combined with anti‐predator wire exclusions along drift‐fence arrays in 4 isolated upland and 6 floodplain ephemeral pools. We monitored traps daily for 23 5–10‐day trap periods over a 2‐year period. We captured 10 small mammal species (216 captures) on upland sites and 8 species (256 captures) on floodplain sites. Southern short‐tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis) and mice (Peromyscus spp.) accounted for 94% of total captures. Southern short‐tailed shrews and mice suffered 76% and 52% mortality. Capture and mortality rates for small mammals were similar in un‐excluded pitfall traps and excluded pitfall traps. Because of potential impact of pitfall‐trapping on small mammals, we recommend researchers either alter trapping methods to address mortality in non‐target species or work cooperatively using an integrated survey approach for both herpetofauna and small mammals. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Lentiviral vectors for the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies
Authors: Farinelli Giada , Capo Valentina , Scaramuzza Samantha , Aiuti Alessandro
Published: March 2014

In the last years important progress has been made in the treatment of several primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) with gene therapy. Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy indeed represents a valid alternative to conventional transplantation when a compatible donor is not available and recent success confirmed the great potential of this approach. First clinical trials performed with gamma retroviral vectors were promising and guaranteed clinical benefits to the patients. On the other hand, the outcome of severe adverse events as the development of hematological abnormalities highlighted the necessity to develop a safer platform to deliver the therapeutic gene. Self‐inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vectors (LVVs) were studied to overcome this hurdle through their preferable integration pattern into the host genome. In this review, we describe the recent advancements achieved both in vitro and at preclinical level with LVVs for the treatment of Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome (WAS), chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), ADA deficiency (ADA‐SCID), Artemis deficiency, RAG1/2 deficiency, X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency (γchain deficiency, SCIDX1), X‐linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) and immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X‐linked (IPEX) syndrome.
Economías de escala publicitarias en grandes empresas en México 2008-2011
Authors: Cruz Rodríguez Ignacio Javier
Published: March 2014

El objetivo del artículo es analizar el impacto que tiene la publicidad en las ventas de 9 grandes empresasen México mediante la cuantificación de la elasticidad ventas-publicidad. La clasificación de la elasticidadindica la presencia de economías o deseconomías de escala publicitarias. Los resultados siguieren lapresencia de economías de escala publicitarias en Walmart y Telcel y deseconomías de escala publicitariaspara el resto de las empresas. Finalmente, se discuten las ventajas y desventajas que cada empresa puedetener de esta situación.
Effects of prenatal chronic mild stress exposure on hippocampal cell proliferation, expression of GSK‐3α, β and NR2B in adult offspring during fear extinction in rats
Authors: Li Min , Li Xiaobai , Zhang Xinxin , Ren Jintao , Jiang Han , Wang Yan , Ma Yuchao , Cheng Wenwen
Published: March 2014

Stress during pregnancy has been implicated as a risk factor for the development of many mental disorders; however, the influence of prenatal stress on the fear or anxiety‐related behaviors, especially the fear extinction in adult offspring has been little investigated. In order to investigate how prenatal stress affects fear extinction, which is regarded as a form of new learning that counteracts the expression of Pavlovian's conditioned fear, a rat model of prenatal chronic mild stress (PNS) was used to evaluate the effects of PNS on fear extinction in adult offspring. The expression of hippocampal glycogen synthase kinase‐3s (GSK‐3α, β), N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptors (NMDARs)‐2B and the hippocampal cell proliferation in dentate gyrus in the adult offspring during fear extinction were studied. Our results showed that PNS significantly reduced body weight of pups, indicating PNS might induce growth retardation in offspring. Moreover, PNS significantly enhanced the freezing behavior of offspring at the phase of extinction, suggesting PNS impaired the abilities of fear extinction learning. In addition, PNS significantly increased the levels of GSK‐3α, β and NR2B, but reduced hippocampal cell proliferation during fear extinction. Taken together, our findings suggest that maternal stress during pregnancy can impair the fear extinction of adult offspring, probably by affecting the neural plasticity of brain.
VALUATION OF MORTGAGE INSURANCE CONTRACTS WITH COUNTERPARTY DEFAULT RISK: REDUCED-FORM APPROACH
Authors: Chang Chia-Chien
Published: March 2014

In the recent subprime mortgage crisis, which has caused banks and insurance companies to go bankrupt or into acquisition, the lender and insurer have exhibited not only correlated defaults when exposed to common risk factors but also counterparty default risk, which is triggered by mortgage defaults. Given the correlated defaults and the counterparty default risk, we use the reduced-form approach to derive the closed-form formulas of mortgage insurance contracts with premium refunds, annual premiums and upfront premiums. Regardless of the nature of the premium structures, the numerical analysis with parameter calibration demonstrates that both the correlated defaults and the counterparty default risk significantly impact mortgage insurance premiums, particularly in long-term mortgage loans.
Biochemical and molecular aspects of spectral diagnosis in calcinosis cutis
Authors: Lin Shan-Yang
Published: March 2014

Calcinosis cutis (CC) is a type of calcinosis wherein insoluble compounds or salts deposited on the skin. Clinical diagnosis of CC is usually achieved through time consuming histopathological or immunohistochemical procedures, but it can only be empirically identified by experienced practitioners. The use of advanced vibrational spectroscopy has been recently shown to have great potential as a diagnostic technique for various diseased tissues because it analyses the chemical composition of diseased tissue rather than its anatomy and predicts disease progression. This review article includes a summary of the application of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopic or microspectroscopic analysis for the rapid diagnosis and identification of the chemical composition of skin calcified deposits in patients with various CC symptoms. Both advanced techniques not only can detect the types of insoluble salts such as calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and monosodium urate, and β-carotene in the calcified deposits of human skin tissue but also can directly differentiate the carbonate substitution in the apatite structure of the skin calcified deposits. In particular, the combination of both vibrational techniques may provide complementary information to simultaneously assess the intact components of the calcified deposits. In the future, both FT-IR and Raman vibrational microspectroscopic techniques will become available tools to support the standard test techniques currently used in some clinical diagnoses. Molecular spectroscopy technique is rapidly changing disease diagnosis and management.
Vorticity generation due to cross-sea
Authors: Postacchini M. , Brocchini M. , Soldini L.
Published: March 2014

Similarly to shore-parallel waves interacting with submerged obstacles, two wave trains, approaching the shore with different angles, generate breakers of finite cross-flow length and an intense vorticity at their edges. The dynamics of crossing wave trains in shallow waters is studied by means of a simple theoretical approach that is used to inspect the flow characteristics at breaking. The post-breaking dynamics, with specific focus on the vorticity generation and evolution processes, is described on the basis of the analytical results of Brocchini et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 507, 2004, pp. 289–307). Ad hoc numerical simulations, performed by means of a nonlinear shallow-water equations (NSWE) solver, are used to support the analytical findings and detail the post-breaking flow evolution. Comparisons between numerical and analytical findings confirm that: (i) the cross-sea theory successfully predicts the breaking position when a finite-length breaker stems from two crossing wave trains and (ii) the dynamics induced by such a breaking (i.e. vorticity generation, mutual-advection and self-advection mechanisms) is similar to that occurring after the breaking event of a shore-parallel wave over a submerged obstacle: vortices generated at the breaker edges are first subjected to wave forcing and self-advection, these pushing the vortices shoreward; then, oppositely-signed vortices pair and the mutual interaction enables them to invert the motion and move seaward. Useful relationships have been found to describe the main features of such a dynamics (i.e. breaker length, vortex trajectories, etc.).
Constraining a Possible Variation of G with Type Ia Supernovae
Authors: Mould Jeremy , Uddin Syed A.
Published: March 2014

Astrophysical cosmology constrains the variation of Newton’s Constant in a manner complementary to laboratory experiments, such as the celebrated lunar laser ranging campaign. Supernova cosmology is an example of the former and has attained campaign status, following planning by a Dark Energy Task Force in 2005. In this paper, we employ the full SNIa data set to the end of 2013 to set a limit on G variation. In our approach, we adopt the standard candle delineation of the redshift distance relation. We set an upper limit on its rate of change $|\dot{G}/G|$ of 0.1 parts per billion per year over 9 Gyrs. By contrast, lunar laser ranging tests variation of G over the last few decades. Conversely, one may adopt the laboratory result as a prior and constrain the effect of variable G in dark energy equation of state experiments to δw < 0.02. We also examine the parameterisation G ~ 1 + z. Its short expansion age conflicts with the measured values of the expansion rate and the density in a flat Universe. In conclusion, supernova cosmology complements other experiments in limiting G variation. An important caveat is that it rests on the assumption that the same mass of 56Ni is burned to create the standard candle regardless of redshift. These two quantities, f and G, where f is the Chandrasekhar mass fraction burned, are degenerate. Constraining f variation alone requires more understanding of the SNIa mechanism.
Quality of life assessment in patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis treated with montelukast and/or intranasal steroids: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Goh B-S , Ismail M I M , Husain S
Published: March 2014

Objective:

This study investigated improvements in quality of life associated with eight weeks of montelukast and/or intranasal steroid treatment for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis.

Methods:

A single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out. Assessments were made using the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and symptom scales.

Results:

A total of 128 patients (aged 13–51 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the montelukast group, patients were treated with montelukast tablets and fluticasone propionate nasal spray (n = 64). In the placebo group, treatment comprised a placebo and fluticasone propionate. The results showed significant improvements in symptom scores and quality of life scores for both groups after one month and two months of treatment, compared with baseline values; these improvements were significantly greater for the montelukast group compared with the placebo group. The mean number of loratadine tablets taken by each patient during the study period was only 0.73 for the montelukast group compared with 9 for the placebo group.

Conclusion:

The combination of montelukast tablets and fluticasone propionate nasal spray improved symptom control and overall quality of life for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis patients.
Rates of warming and the global sensitivity of shallow water marine invertebrates to elevated temperature
Authors: Morley S.A. , Bates A.E. , Lamare M , Richard J , Nguyen K.D. , Brown J , Peck L.S.
Published: March 2014

Assessing the sensitivity of ectotherms to variability in their environment is a key challenge, especially in the face of rapid warming of the Earth's surface. Comparing the upper temperature limits of species from different regions, at different rates of warming, has recently been developed as a method to estimate the long term sensitivity of shallow marine fauna. This paper presents the first preliminary data from four tropical Ascension Island, five temperate New Zealand and six Antarctic McMurdo Sound species. The slopes and intercepts of these three assemblages fitted within the overall pattern for previously measured assemblages from high temperature tolerance in tropical fauna and a shallow slope, to low temperature tolerance and a steep slope in Antarctic fauna. Despite the tropical oceanic Ascension Island being subject to upwelling events, the fit of the intercept and slope within the overall assemblage pattern suggests that the upwelling is sufficiently predictable for the fauna to have evolved the plasticity to respond. This contrasts with previously analysed species from the Peruvian upwelling region, which had a steeper slope than other temperate fauna. The speed and capacity of faunal assemblages to acclimatize their physiology is likely to determine the shape of the rates of warming relationship, and will be a key mechanism underpinning vulnerability to climate warming.
Crystal chemistry of birefringent spessartine
Authors: Antao Sytle M. , Round Stephanie A.
Published: March 2014

The crystal structure of one isotropic [(1) Brazil] and three birefringent spessartine samples [(2) California, (3) Tanzania, and (4) Colorado] were refined using the Rietveld method, cubic space group$Ia\overline 3 d$, and monochromatic synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) data. The results of electron-microprobe analysis (EMPA) indicate homogeneous compositions, in terms of end-members, as follows: (1) Sps54Alm43, (2) Sps90Alm8, (3) Sps64Prp27Grs3, and (4) Sps73Alm19. Their crystal structures were modeled well as indicated by the Rietveld refinement statistics where the reducedχ2and overallR(F2) values for each sample are: (1) 1.395 and 0.0329, (2) 1.082 and 0.0354, (3) 1.025 and 0.0347, and (4) 1.016 and 0.0413. Two cubic phases occur in samples 2–4, and a single cubic phase occurs in sample-1. The dominant cubic phase-1 with locality, weight fraction (%), unit-cell parameter (Å), distances (Å), and site occupancy factors (sofs) are as follows: (1) Brazil: 100%,a = 11.581 54 (1), average  = 2.3156, Al–O = 1.8949 (3), Si–O = 1.6376 (3) Å, Mn(sof) = 0.961(1), Al(sof) = 0.945(1), and Si(sof) = 0.936(1); (2) California: 96.67(7)%,a = 11.613 32(1), average  = 2.3249, Al–O = 1.8956 (4), Si–O = 1.6416 (4) Å, Mn(sof) = 0.951(1), Al(sof) = 0.946(1), and Si(sof) = 0.927(1); (3) Tanzania: 69.46(6)%,a = 11.598 45(1), average  = 2.3199, Al–O = 1.8964 (5), Si–O = 1.6398 (5) Å, Mn(sof) = 0.808(1), Al(sof) = 0.942(1), and Si(sof) = 0.922(1); and (4) Colorado: 98.58(6)%,a = 11.606 89(1), average  = 2.3204, Al-O = 1.8948 (6), Si–O = 1.6450 (6) Å, Mn(sof) = 0.949(1), Al(sof) = 0.967(2), and Si(sof) = 0.913(2). The two-phase intergrowth causes strain that arises from mismatch of the structural parameters and gives rise to strain-induced birefringence.
A case-control study of post-operative endophthalmitis diagnosed at a Spanish hospital over a 13-year-period
Authors: ASENCIO M. A. , HUERTAS M. , CARRANZA R. , TENIAS J. M. , CELIS J. , GONZALEZ-DEL VALLE F.
Published: March 2014

A retrospective case-control study of patients who had undergone cataract extraction at a Spanish hospital over a 13-year period was conducted to identify the risk factors for developing post-operative endophthalmitis (POE). During the study period, the type of antibiotic prophylaxis was changed from subconjunctival gentamicin to the addition of both vancomycin and gentamicin to the irrigating solution. The overall incidence of POE was 0·19% (35 cases/18 287 operations). For the period prior to the change in antibiotic prophylaxis, the incidence rate of POE was 3·4 cases/1000 operations while in the latter period the incidence rate decreased to 0·34 cases/1000 operations. All patients who presented a virulent microorganism had a final visual acuity worse than 20/200. The only significant risk factor identified was the type of prophylaxis used (odds ratio 1·97, 95% confidence interval 0·94–4·14, P = 0·07). There were no significant differences between cases and controls although choice of surgeon approached significance.
Heat and sweat transport in fibrous media with radiation
Authors: WANG JILU , SUN WEIWEI
Published: March 2014

The paper is concerned with heat and sweat transport in porous textile media with a non-local thermal radiation and phase change. The model, based on a combination of these classical heat transfer mechanisms (convection, conduction and radiation), is governed by a nonlinear, degenerate and strongly coupled parabolic system. The thermal radiative flow is described by a radiation transport equation and characterized by the thermal absorptivity and emissivity of fibre. A conservative boundary condition is introduced to describe the radiative heat flux interacting with environment. With the conservative boundary condition, we prove the global existence of positive/non-negative weak solutions of a nonlinear parabolic system. A typical clothing assembly with a polyester batting material sandwiched in two laminated covers is investigated numerically. Numerical results show that the contribution of radiative heat transfer is comparable with that of conduction/convection in the sweating system.
Theories of analytic monads
Authors: SZAWIEL STANISŁAW , ZAWADOWSKI MAREK
Published: March 2014

In this paper we characterise the categories of Lawvere theories and equational theories that correspond to the categories of analytic and polynomial monads onSet, and hence also to the categories of the symmetric and rigid operads inSet. We show that the category of analytic monads is equivalent to the category of regular-linear theories. The category of polynomial monads is equivalent to the category of rigid theories, that is, regular-linear theories satisfying an additional global condition. This solves a problem posed by A. Carboni and P. T. Johnstone. The Lawvere theories corresponding to these monads are identifiedviasome factorisation systems. We also show that the categories of analytic monads and finitary endofunctors onSetare monadic over the category of analytic functors. The corresponding monad for analytic monads distributes over the monad for finitary endofunctors and hence the category of (finitary) monads onSetis monadic over the category of analytic functors. This extends a result of M. Barr.
New Bounds for Edge-Cover by Random Walk
Authors: GEORGAKOPOULOS AGELOS , WINKLER PETER
Published: March 2014

We show that the expected time for a random walk on a (multi-)graphGto traverse allmedges ofG, and return to its starting point, is at most 2m2; if each edge must be traversed in both directions, the bound is 3m2. Both bounds are tight and may be applied to graphs with arbitrary edge lengths. This has interesting implications for Brownian motion on certain metric spaces, including some fractals.
Pituitary gland volume in at-risk mental state for psychosis: a longitudinal MRI analysis
Authors: Walter Anna , Studerus Erich , Smieskova Renata , Tamagni Corinne , Rapp Charlotte , Borgwardt Stefan J. , Riecher-Rössler Anita
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Pituitary enlargement has been reported in individuals with schizophrenic psychosis or an at-risk mental state for psychosis (ARMS). In a previous study, our group could show pituitary volume increase in first episode and ARMS patients with later transition to psychosis (ARMS-T). However, there are no longitudinal studies on this issue so far. We therefore examined longitudinally whether transition to psychosis would be accompanied by a further increase of pituitary volume in antipsychotic-naïve ARMS patients.

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were acquired from 23 antipsychotic-naïve individuals with an ARMS. Ten subjects developed psychosis (ARMS-T) and 13 did not (ARMS-NT). ARMS-T were re-scanned after the onset of psychosis, and ARMS-NT were re-scanned at the end of the study period.

Results

There was no significant difference of the pituitary volume between ARMS-T and ARMS-NT in our sample, and there were no significant pituitary volume changes over time.

Discussion

Longitudinally, we could not detect any further volumetric changes in the pituitary volume with transition to psychosis.

Conclusions

This, together with the result of our previous study, could indicate that the perceived level of stress in ARMS patients is constantly high from very early onward.
IAPT and Long Term Medical Conditions: What Can We Offer?
Authors: Wroe Abigail L. , Rennie Edward W. , Gibbons Sarah , Hassy Arek , Chapman Judith E.
Published: March 2014

Background:The proposal of a 4-year plan to integrate treatment of people with long term medical conditions (LTCs) into the IAPT service (Department of Health, 2011) seeks for research to understand the effectiveness of IAPT interventions for this patient group.Aim:The aim of this service development pilot work was to develop an intervention that is effective for people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). It was hypothesized that the standard IAPT intervention would not be effective, but that it can be adapted so that it is effective both in terms of mood and self-management of T2DM.Method:Clients (n= 95) who experienced mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety and had a diagnosis of T2DM opted to attend. The intervention was adapted over a series of cohorts from a standard Step 2 intervention. A team of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs), a Clinical Health Psychologist and a General Practitioner worked in collaboration, using outcomes measures and feedback from service users and facilitators.Results:The standard IAPT Step 2 intervention met with challenges when specifically targeting this client group. Using pairedt-tests, the modified Step 2 intervention demonstrated significant improvements from pre- to postintervention measures both in terms of psychological (n= 17) and physical (n= 9) outcomes.Conclusion:It is concluded that it may be possible to modify a generic Step 2 IAPT intervention to demonstrate improvements both in terms of psychological wellbeing and self-management of T2DM. The main adaptations were related to more targeted recruitment and linking of diabetes specifically into the CBT model.
Who decides the rules for network use? A ‘common pool’ analysis of gas network regulation
Authors: HALLACK MICHELLE , VAZQUEZ MIGUEL
Published: March 2014

Gas sector liberalization is based on opening networks to different players, so they become common pool resources. Different players using the same resources can give rise to “commons’ dilemmas”. To avoid them, rules must be established to constrain players’ use of the network. We build on the concept of common's pool resources to analyze the logic for and consequences of different institutional settings governing the use of gas pipelines. We show that rules based on regulation imply ex ante decisions that preclude players to choose the preferred output. This limitation may be removed by rules designed by market players. We also show that the mechanism to define the rules is based on the definition of network use property rights. The practical implications of our approach are stressed by comparing the US mechanism (negotiated rules) and the EU mechanism (regulated rules).
Two Heads Are Better Than One, but How Much?
Authors: Vadillo Miguel A. , Ortega-Castro Nerea , Barberia Itxaso , Baker A. G.
Published: March 2014

Many theories of causal learning and causal induction differ in their assumptions about how people combine the causal impact of several causes presented in compound. Some theories propose that when several causes are present, their joint causal impact is equal to the linear sum of the individual impact of each cause. However, some recent theories propose that the causal impact of several causes needs to be combined by means of a noisy-OR integration rule. In other words, the probability of the effect given several causes would be equal to the sum of the probability of the effect given each cause in isolation minus the overlap between those probabilities. In the present series of experiments, participants were given information about the causal impact of several causes and then they were asked what compounds of those causes they would prefer to use if they wanted to produce the effect. The results of these experiments suggest that participants actually use a variety of strategies, including not only the linear and the noisy-OR integration rules, but also averaging the impact of several causes.
Biases in Spatial Bisection Induced by Viewing Male and Female Faces
Authors: Cattaneo Zaira , Schiavi Susanna , Lega Carlotta , Renzi Chiara , Tagliaferri Matteo , Boehringer Jana , Carbon Claus-Christian , Vecchi Tomaso
Published: March 2014

Research on visual attention triggered by face gender is still relatively sparse. In the present study, three experiments are reported in which male and female participants were required to estimate the midpoint of a line (i.e., the “line bisection task”): at each end of the line a face was presented. Depending on the experimental condition, faces could be of the same gender (i.e., two males or two females) or the opposite gender. Experiments 1 and 2 converged in showing that when a male face was presented at the right and a female face at the left endpoint of the line, a clear rightward bias emerged compared to the other experimental conditions, indicating that male faces captured attention more than female faces. Importantly, male faces used across Experiments 1 and 2 were rated as more threatening than female faces, suggesting that perceived level of threat may have been responsible for the observed bias toward the male face. Experiment 3 corroborated this hypothesis by finding an attentional bias toward the male face with high threat (angry) faces but not with low threat (smiling) faces.
Colorimetric detection of mercury based on a strip sensor
Authors: Xing Changrui , Liu Liqiang , Zhang Xun , Kuang Hua , Xu Chuanlai
Published: March 2014

Environmental pollution with mercury is a global problem.
Coupling of cold vapor generation with an atmospheric pressure glow microdischarge sustained between a miniature flow helium jet and a flowing liquid cathode for the determination of mercury by optical emission spectrometry
Authors: Greda Krzysztof , Jamroz Piotr , Pohl Pawel
Published: March 2014

Introduction of Hg vapor to μAPGD formed between a miniature He flow microjet and a flowing liquid cathode resulted in a significant improvement of the sensitivity of the Hg I 253.7 nm emission line and a sub-ppb DL of Hg.
Synthesis of conjugation-ready zwitterionic oligosaccharides by chemoselective thioglycoside activation
Authors: Schumann B. , Pragani R. , Anish C. , Pereira C. L. , Seeberger P. H.
Published: March 2014

A method to chemoselectively activate thioglycosides in the presence of thioethers is developed and applied in the total synthesis of repeating units ofS. pneumoniaeSp1 andB. fragilisPS A1. Biochemical evaluation of these glycans is performed after conjugation to reporter moieties.
A graphene-based transparent electrode for use in flexible optoelectronic devices
Authors: Rana Kuldeep , Singh Jyoti , Ahn Jong-Hyun
Published: March 2014

Graphene, a monolayer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, is a unique material with outstanding properties that may be useful in applications ranging from electronic devices to energy storage devices.
Dual-mode chemical vapor generation for simultaneous determination of hydride-forming and non-hydride-forming elements by atomic fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Wang Yu , Xu Kailai , Jiang Xiaoming , Hou Xiandeng , Zheng Chengbin
Published: March 2014

A dual-mode chemical vapor generation system was developed for simultaneous multi-element analysis of hydride-forming and non-hydride-forming elements.
One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of peony-like Ag/Ag0.68V2O5 hybrid as high-performance anode and cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries
Authors: Wei Denghu , Li Xiaona , Zhu Yongchun , Liang Jianwen , Zhang Kailong , Qian Yitai
Published: March 2014

We proposed a simple but effective method to synthesize a peony-like Ag/Ag0.68V2O5 hybrid and explored the effects of its unique hierarchical structure on the superior cycling stability as electrode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.
Size dependence of the structural, electronic, and optical properties of (CdSe)n, n = 6–60, nanocrystals
Authors: Sigalas Michael M. , Koukaras Emmanuel N. , Zdetsis Aristides D.
Published: March 2014

HOMO–LUMO and optical gaps of (CdSe)n nanocrystals appear to have controversial magnitudes and size dependence, which we have rationalized.