bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Hygrothermal Behavior of Insulation Materials Based on Natural Fibers
Authors: Zach Jiří , Hroudová Jitka
Published: September 2015

Natural fibre based thermal insulating materials belong to progressive building materials representing one of the possible ways in sustainable development and which are characterised with low carbon trace and low value of primary bound energy. In case of industrially produced insulating materials (for instance using thermal connection method) the insulating materials based on natural fibres showed comparable properties with industrially produced insulating materials on building markets. In the view of thermal insulating properties the natural insulating material show slightly different behavior in comparison with synthetic insulating materials which is caused by fibrous structure of insulating materials and low thermal conductivity of natural fibres (contrary to glass or mineral fibres). The paper describes results of research oriented on study of heat propagation within materials based on natural fibres originated from agriculture and stockbreeding.
Reading the near-death experience from an African perspective
Authors: Agai Jock
Published: September 2015

The scientific study of near-death experience (NDE) teaches that NDE does not entail evidence for life after death, but a study of NDE from an African perspective implies that NDE could serve as a yardstick which supports African traditional beliefs concerning death and resurrection. Using references from Ancient-Egyptian afterlife beliefs and those of the Yorubas of Nigeria, I argue that, for Africans, the percipients of NDE did not only come close to death but are regarded as having truly died. The purpose of this research is to initiate an African debate on the subject and to provide background-knowledge about NDE in Africa for counsellors who counsel NDE percipients that are Africans.
Healing in Herero culture and Namibian African independent churches
Authors: Kgatla Selaelo T. , Park Jinho
Published: September 2015

The current phenomenon of Namibian African Independent Churches (NAICs) draws attention from various people in civil society in Namibia. Although the ministries of NAICs are engaged with activities which are unusual for Christian churches, such as healing the people, fighting against evil spirits and power, performing certain rituals, prophesying and leading the worship services with African Traditional Religion (ATR) as a frame of reference in 21st century, they do have a very big influence on various aspects of society in Namibia, which cannot be ignored. This is because those activities are familiar to the everyday lives of Africans and in touch with their culture. With regards to this, this article focuses on the causes of integration or harmony between the Herero culture and the NAICs.
Medicines availability at a Swaziland hospital and impact on patients
Authors: Shabangu Kholiwe , Suleman Fatima
Published: September 2015

Background: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries is increasing. Where patients are expected to make increased out-of-pocket payments this can lead to treatment interruptions or non-adherence. Swaziland is no exception in this regard.Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the availability of medicines for NCDs in a hospital and the impact of out-of-pocket spending by patients for medicines not available at the hospital.Setting: The study was conducted at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini, Swaziland.Methods: Exit interviews to assess availability of a selected basket of medicines were conducted with 300 patients diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or asthma. The stock status record of a basket of medicines for these conditions in 2012 was assessed at the Central Medical Stores. Results were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0.Results: Most of the patients (n = 213; 71%) confirmed not receiving all of their prescribed medicines at each visit to the hospital in the past six months. On average patients spent 10–50 times more on their medicines at private pharmacies compared to user fees in the health facility. Stock-outs at the Central Medical Stores ranging from 30 days to over 180 days were recorded during the course of the assessment period (12 months), and were found to contribute to inconsistent availability of medicines in the health facility.Conclusion: Out-of-pocket expenditure is common for patients with chronic conditions using this health facility, which suggests the possibility of patients defaulting on treatment due to lack of affordability.
Efficient Computation of Instantons for Multi-Dimensional Turbulent Flows with Large Scale Forcing
Authors: Grafke Tobias , Grauer Rainer , Schindel Stephan
Published: September 2015

Extreme events play a crucial role in fluid turbulence. Inspired by methods from field theory, these extreme events, their evolution and probability can be computed with help of the instanton formalism as minimizers of a suitable action functional. Due to the high number of degrees of freedom in multi-dimensional fluid flows, traditional global minimization techniques quickly become prohibitive in their memory requirements. We outline a novel method for finding the minimizing trajectory in a wide class of problems that typically occurs in turbulence setups, where the underlying dynamical system is a non-gradient, non-linear partial differential equation, and the forcing is restricted to a limited length scale. We demonstrate the efficiency of the algorithm in terms of performance and memory by computing high resolution instanton field configurations corresponding to viscous shocks for 1D and 2D compressible flows.
Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Particle Motion in Binary Immiscible Fluids
Authors: Chen Yu , Kang Qinjun , Cai Qingdong , Wang Moran , Zhang Dongxiao
Published: September 2015

We combine the Shan-Chen multicomponent lattice Boltzmann model and the link-based bounce-back particle suspension model to simulate particle motion in binary immiscible fluids. The impact of the slightly mixing nature of the Shan-Chen model and the fluid density variations near the solid surface caused by the fluid-solid interaction, on the particle motion in binary fluids is comprehensively studied. Our simulations show that existing models suffer significant fluid mass drift as the particle moves across nodes, and the obtained particle trajectories deviate away from the correct ones. A modified wetting model is then proposed to reduce the non-physical effects, and its effectiveness is validated by comparison with existing wetting models. Furthermore, the first-order refill method for the newly created lattice node combined with the new wetting model significantly improves mass conservation and accuracy.
Direct Numerical Simulation of an Open-Cell Metallic Foam through Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Chiappini Daniele , Bella Gino , Festuccia Alessio , Simoncini Alessandro
Published: September 2015

In this paper Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) has been used in order to perform Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) for porous media analysis. Among the different configurations of porous media, open cell metallic foams are gaining a key role for a large number of applications, like heat exchangers for high performance cars or aeronautic components as well. Their structure allows improving heat transfer process with fruitful advantages for packaging issues and size reduction. In order to better understand metallic foam capabilities, a random sphere generation code has been implemented and fluid-dynamic simulations have been carried out by means of a kinetic approach. After having defined a computational domain the Reynolds number influence has been studied with the aim of characterizing both pressure drop and friction factor throughout a finite foam volume. In order to validate the proposed model, a comparison analysis with experimental data has been carried out too.
Numerical Simulation of the Motion of Inextensible Capsules in Shear Flow Under the Effect of the Natural State
Authors: Niu Xiting , Shi Lingling , Pan Tsorng-Whay , Glowinski Roland
Published: September 2015

In this paper, a computational model for the natural state of an inextensible capsule has been successfully combined with a spring model of the capsule membrane to simulate the motion of the capsule in two-dimensional shear flow. Besides the viscosity ratio of the internal fluid and external fluid of the capsule, the natural state also plays a role for having the transition between two well known motions, tumbling and tank-treading (TT) with the long axis oscillates about a fixed inclination angle (a swinging mode), when varying the shear rate. Between tumbling and tank-treading, the intermittent behavior has been obtained for the capsule with a biconcave rest shape. The estimated critical value of the swelling ratio for having the intermittent transition behavior is less than 0.7, i.e., the capsules with rest shape closer to a full disk do not have the intermittent behavior in shear flow. The intermittent dynamics of the capsule in the transition region is a mixture of tumbling and TT with a swinging mode. Just like the motion of TT with a swing mode, which can be viewed as a tank-treading with an incomplete tumbling, the membrane tank-treads backward and forward within a small range during the tumbling motion.
Deuterium excess in the atmospheric water vapour of a Mediterranean coastal wetland: regional vs. local signatures
Authors: Delattre H. , Vallet-Coulomb C. , Sonzogni C.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Stable isotopes of water vapour represent a powerful tool for tracing atmospheric vapour origin and mixing processes. Laser spectrometry recently allowed high time-resolution measurements, but despite an increasing number of experimental studies, there is still a need for a better understanding of the isotopic signal variability at different time scales. We present results of in situ measurements of δ18O and δD during 36 consecutive days in summer 2011 in atmospheric vapour of a Mediterranean coastal wetland exposed to high evaporation (Camargue, Rhône River delta, France). The mean composition of atmospheric vapour (δv) is δ18O = −14.66 ‰ and δD = − 95.4 ‰, with data plotting clearly above the local meteoric water line on a δ18O-δD plot, and an average deuterium excess (d) of 21.9 ‰. Important diurnal d variations are observed, and an hourly time scale analysis is necessary to interpret the main processes involved in its variability. After having classified the data according to air mass back trajectories, we analyse the average daily cycles relating to the two main meteorological situations, i.e. air masses originating from North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. In both situations, we show that diurnal fluctuations are driven by (1) the influence of local evaporation, culminating during daytime, and leading to an increase in absolute water vapour concentration associated to a δv enrichment and d increase; (2) vertical air mass redistribution when the Planetary Boundary Layer collapses in the evening, leading to a d decrease, and (3) dew formation during the night, producing a δv depletion with d remaining stable. Using a two-component mixing model, we calculate the average composition of the locally evaporated vapour (δE). We find higher d(E) under North Atlantic air mass conditions, which is consistent with lower humidity conditions. We also suggest that δv measured when the PBL collapses is the most representative of a regional signal. Strong, cold and dry winds coming from the north bring an isotopically depleted vapour, while light, warm and wet winds coming from the south bring an isotopically enriched vapour. Under northern conditions, a strong advection rate dilutes the contribution of the locally evaporated vapour (δE) to the ambient moisture (δv). The higher d values measured under northern conditions, compared to the Mediterranean situation, thus results from the combination of a higher d in both local and regional vapour. This depiction of typical daily cycles of water vapour isotopic composition can be used as a framework for further quantitative analyses of vapour sources during specific days.
An automated gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry instrument for the quantitative analysis of halocarbons in air
Authors: Obersteiner F. , Bönisch H. , Engel A.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. We present the characterization and application of a new gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry instrument (GC-TOFMS) for the quantitative analysis of halocarbons in air samples. The setup comprises three fundamental enhancements compared to our earlier work (Hoker et al., 2015): (1) full automation, (2) a mass resolving power R = m/Δ m of the TOFMS (Tofwerk AG, Switzerland) increased up to 4000 Th/Th and (3) a fully accessible data format of the mass spectrometric data. Automation in combination with the accessible data allowed an in-depth characterization of the instrument. Mass accuracy was found around 5 ppm after automatic recalibration of the mass axis in each measurement. A TOFMS configuration giving R = 3500 was chosen to provide an R-to-sensitivity ratio suitable for our purpose. Calculated detection limits were as low as a few femtograms as mass traces could be made highly specific for selected molecule fragments with the accurate mass information. The precision for substance quantification was 0.15 % at the best for an individual measurement and in general mainly determined by the signal-to-noise ratio of the chromatographic peak. The TOFMS was found to be linear within a concentration range from about 1 pg to 1 ng of analyte per Liter of air. At higher concentrations, non-linearities of a few percent were observed (precision level: 0.2 %) but could be attributed to a potential source within the detection system. A straight-forward correction for those non-linearities was applied in data processing, again by exploiting the accurate mass information. Based on the overall characterization results, the GC-TOFMS instrument was found to be very well-suited for the task of quantitative halocarbon trace gas observation and a big step forward compared to scanning, low resolution quadrupole MS and a TOFMS technique reported to be non-linear and restricted by a small dynamical range.
Fire vs. fossil fuel: all CO2 emissions are not created equal
Authors: Landry J.-S. , Matthews H. D.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Fire is arguably the most influential natural disturbance in terrestrial ecosystems, thereby playing a major role in carbon exchanges and affecting many climatic processes. Nevertheless, fire has not been the subject of dedicated studies in coupled climate–carbon models with interactive vegetation until very recently. Hence, previous studies resorted to results from simulations of fossil fuel emissions to estimate the effects of fire-induced CO2 emissions. While atmospheric CO2 molecules are all alike, fundamental differences in their origin suggest that the effects from fire emissions on the global carbon cycle and temperature are irreconcilable with the effects from fossil fuel emissions. The main purpose of this study is to illustrate the consequences from these fundamental differences between CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and non-deforestation fires (i.e., following which the natural vegetation can recover) using 1000-year simulations of a coupled climate–carbon model with interactive vegetation. We assessed emissions from both pulse and stable fire regime changes, considering both the gross (carbon released from combustion) and net (fire-caused change in land carbon, also accounting for vegetation decomposition and regrowth, as well as climate–carbon feedbacks) fire CO2 emissions. In all cases, we found substantial differences from equivalent amounts of emissions produced by fossil fuel combustion. These findings suggest that side-by-side comparisons of non-deforestation fire and fossil fuel CO2 emissions – implicitly implying that they have similar effects – should therefore be avoided, particularly when these comparisons involve gross fire emissions. Our results also support the notion that most net emissions occur relatively soon after fire regime shifts and then progressively approach zero, whereas gross emissions stabilize around a new value that is a poor indicator of the cumulative net emissions caused by the fire regime shift. Overall, our study calls for the explicit representation of fire in climate models, rather than resorting to ersatz results coming from fossil fuel simulations, as a valuable step to foster a more accurate understanding of its impacts in the Earth system.
The new database of the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P)
Authors: Biskaborn B. K. , Lanckman J.-P. , Lantuit H. , Elger K. , Streletskiy D. A. , Cable W. L. , Romanovsky V. E.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) provides the first dynamic database associated with the Thermal State of Permafrost (TSP) and the Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) programs, which extensively collect permafrost temperature and active layer thickness (ALT) data from Arctic, Antarctic and mountain permafrost regions. The purpose of GTN-P is to establish an early warning system for the consequences of climate change in permafrost regions and to provide standardized thermal permafrost data to global models. In this paper we introduce the GTN-P database and perform statistical analysis of the GTN-P metadata to identify and quantify the spatial gaps in the site distribution in relation to climate-effective environmental parameters. We describe the concept and structure of the data management system in regard to user operability, data transfer and data policy. We outline data sources and data processing including quality control strategies based on national correspondents. Assessment of the metadata and data quality reveals 63 % metadata completeness at active layer sites and 50 % metadata completeness for boreholes. Voronoi tessellation analysis on the spatial sample distribution of boreholes and active layer measurement sites quantifies the distribution inhomogeneity and provides a potential method to locate additional permafrost research sites by improving the representativeness of thermal monitoring across areas underlain by permafrost. The depth distribution of the boreholes reveals that 73 % are shallower than 25 m and 27 % are deeper, reaching a maximum of 1 km depth. Comparison of the GTN-P site distribution with permafrost zones, soil organic carbon contents and vegetation types exhibits different local to regional monitoring situations, which are illustrated with maps. Preferential slope orientation at the sites most likely causes a bias in the temperature monitoring and should be taken into account when using the data for global models. The distribution of GTN-P sites within zones of projected temperature change show a high representation of areas with smaller expected temperature rise but a lower number of sites within Arctic areas where climate models project extreme temperature increase. GTN-P metadata used in this paper are available at doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.842821.
Heuristic evaluations of the accessibility of learning management systems (LMSs) as authoring tools for teachers
Authors: Chen Weiqin , Sanderson Norun Christine , Kessel Siri , Królak Aleksandra
Published: September 2015

With the development of e-education and e-society it is important for information and communication systems and services to be equally accessible to all users, including people with disabilities. Learning management systems (LMSs) are becoming a necessity in higher education and making them accessible to all users, both students and teachers, is crucial. Existing studies on accessibility of LMSs mostly focus on students and their access to learning materials. Very few studies have focused on the accessibility of LMSs for teachers who are responsible for using LMSs to create accessible contents for students. This paper presents the heuristic evaluations of two learning management systems (Fronter and Sakai) focusing on their accessibility from teachers’ perspective. Based on universal design principles and guidelines we aim to identify accessibility issues and to propose possible improvements. The Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) 2.0 were adopted in the heuristic evaluations and qualitative data have been collected. We have also compared the findings from the evaluations of Fronter and Sakai, as well as Moodle, an open source LMS which was evaluated in our previous heuristic evaluation. The analysis of the data shows that the level of conformance of the systems to the ATAG2.0 guidelines is very low and many issues needs to be solved for them to be fully accessible for teachers with disabilities.
Disability and the Internet in 2015: Where to now?
Authors: Ellis Katie , Kent Mike
Published: September 2015

Earlier this decade, the emerging field of disability media began to focus on the Internet and people with disabilities. Books such as Paul T. Jaeger’s Disability and the Internet in 2012 and Disability and new media by this issue’s editors in 2011 both extended earlier work in this field particularly Goggin and Newell’s 2003 Digital disability.This new focus incorporated changes to the environment with the hype around Web 2.0, the rise of online social networks and the increasing prevalence of smartphone and other mobile devices being used to access the Internet, as well as the evolving legal environment around access to technology for people with disabilities.Our aim in compiling this special issue was to continue the work we began with Disability and new media.
Disability and mobile Internet
Authors: Goggin Gerard
Published: September 2015

As the World Wide Web turns 25, it is an appropriate time to ask: where are we are now with disability and the Internet? A good place to look is in the burgeoning area of Internet and mobile technology. Accordingly, this paper explores the issues and prospect for disability and mobile Internet. It provides a brief history of the entwined nature of the rise of disability and the Internet, discusses the emergence of mobile Internets, and then turns to a discussion of mobile Web accessibility. It concludes by noting the limits of mobile Web accessibility, for its struggle to adopt an expanded concept of disability — but also because of growing complexity of mobile Internets.
“Our Natural and Original Illness”:
Authors: Wallen James Ramsey
Published: September 2015

This article examines a certain subterranean counter-conception of the human/animal distinction that occasionally surfaces in the Western literary-philosophical tradition. Focusing on Michel de Montaigne and Friedrich Nietzsche (particularly Apologie de Raimond Sebond and Zur Genealogie der Moral), I demonstrate how each writer's assault on the human/animal distinction relies on a sophisticated revaluation of the canonical humanist position of Pico della Mirandola, a position that each thinker (to some extent) can be said to reposit under a negative valence.
Writing Trauma, Writing Life in Chanrithy Him's When Broken Glass Floats
Authors: Tuon Bunkong
Published: September 2015

In “Writing Trauma, Writing Life in Chanrithy Him's When Broken Glass Floats,” I discuss Him's autobiography within the context of recovery narratives, where survivors of traumatic events use writing as therapy and healing. In my exegesis of the text, I demonstrate how not just Him's memory but also the history and culture of Cambodia are reclaimed in this recovery narrative, with Him somewhat paradoxically infusing her memoir, a genre that goes against the grain of Cambodian literary tradition with its focus on the self, with elements of Cambodian culture, history, and poetic structure. The result, I argue, is a text that is neither traditional Cambodian literature nor typical American immigrant literature. I conclude the essay by locating this emergent literature within the recent global boom in witness narrative and, more specifically, within the emergent discourse of Southeast Asian American studies.
Diagnostic utility of Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 immunostaining in differentiation of psoriasis vs. other psoriasiform dermatitis
Authors: Sezer Engin , Böer-Auer Almut , Cetin Emel , Tokat Fatma , Durmaz Emel , Sahin Sedef , Ince Umit
Published: September 2015

Background: Differentiation of psoriasis from non-psoriasis psoriasiform dermatitis (NPPD) may be difficult for dermatopathologists, as lack of distinctive histopathological features in a subset of cases may cause confusion in diagnosis.

Objective: As the prototype of psoriasiform dermatitis, psoriasis is a hyperproliferative skin disorder with increased epidermal turnover compared with NPPD, we investigated the role of proliferation markers, Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 as diagnostic tools to differentiate psoriasis from other psoriasiform dermatitis.

Methods: Histopathological specimens of psoriasis (n = 35) and NPPD (n = 36, 14 pityriasis rubra pilaris, 12 pityriasis rosea and 10 lichen simplex) cases were reviewed and immunohistochemically stained for Ki-67 and Cyclin D1. Ki-67 and Cyclin D1 positive cells were counted for suprabasal, and total epidermal immunostaining per mm2.

Results: Suprabasal and total epidermal cell counts for Ki-67 were found to be significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared with the NPPD group (p < 0.05). An important and interesting feature was the presence of a cut-off value for the suprabasal/total epidermal cell count ratio of 75% for Ki-67 immunostaining, which was higher in all patients having psoriasis (range, 77.1% – 92.4%) and lower in all NPPD cases (range, 21.0% – 73.3%). However, suprabasal Cyclin D1 cell counts were higher in the psoriasis group compared with the NPPD group (p < 0.05), total epidermal Cyclin D1 cell counts were not statistically significant in either group (p = 0.167), and a cut-off value for suprabasal/total epidermal cell count ratio to distinguish these two entities was not detected using this immunostain.

Conclusions: We suggest that Ki-67 is a more sensitive marker than Cyclin D1 in terms of having a cut-off value of 75% for the suprabasal/total epidermal immunoreactive cell count ratio, which we believe could be useful for dermatopathologists in differentiating psoriasis from other psoriasiform dermatitis.
Short‐Run Water Demand Forecast Accuracy for the Tampa Bay Area
Authors: Jr. Thomas M. Fullerton , Walke Adam G. , Asefa Tirusew
Published: September 2015

Short‐term water demand forecasts are often employed for operational planning purposes. The success of operational decision‐making depends in part on the quality of those forecasts. This study examines the accuracy of one‐week‐ahead demand projections produced between June 2006 and February 2014 by Tampa Bay Water, a large wholesale water supplier located in western Florida. Tampa Bay Water uses lagged historical data on weather conditions and previously recorded water consumption to predict demand in each of eight zones within the service area. For this study, random walk forecasts were developed to serve as benchmarks for the evaluation of the water supplier's original ex‐ante forecasts. Both descriptive prediction‐error summary statistics and formal statistical tests were used to gauge predictive accuracy. The results generally indicate that the one‐week‐ahead forecasts produced by Tampa Bay Water compare favorably against the benchmark projections.
Chapter 7. Evelyn Briggs Baldwin and Kersting Bay
Authors: Cruz Alejandro
Published: September 2015

A letter from Evelyn Briggs Baldwin to the photographer Rudolf Kersting in May of 1898 lends credence to the notion that the two men were close associates, shared membership in the Arctic Club of America, and that Kersting was the personality behind Baldwin’s place name of Kersting Bay on Wilczek Island in Franz Josef Land later in 1898 during the second Wellman polar expedition.
Researcher-Library Collaborations: Data Repositories as a Service for Researchers
Authors: Gordon Andrew S. , Millman David S. , Steiger Lisa , Adolph Karen E. , Gilmore Rick O.
Published: September 2015

INTRODUCTION New interest has arisen in organizing, preserving, and sharing the raw materials—the data and metadata—that undergird the published products of research. Library and information scientists have valuable expertise to bring to bear in the effort to create larger, more diverse, and more widely used data repositories. However, for libraries to be maximally successful in providing the research data management and preservation services required of a successful data repository, librarians must work closely with researchers and learn about their data management workflows. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES Databrary is a data repository that is closely linked to the needs of a specific scholarly community—researchers who use video as a main source of data to study child development and learning. The project’s success to date is a result of its focus on community outreach and providing services for scholarly communication, engaging institutional partners, offering services for data curation with the guidance of closely involved information professionals, and the creation of a strong technical infrastructure. NEXT STEPS Databrary plans to improve its curation tools that allow researchers to deposit their own data, enhance the user-facing feature set, increase integration with library systems, and implement strategies for long-term sustainability.
Big Things Have Small Beginnings: Curating a Large Natural History Collection – Processes and Lessons Learned
Authors: Knight-Davis Stacey , Bruns Todd , Tucker Gordon C.
Published: September 2015

INTRODUCTION Digitization of natural history collections is underway in earnest around the world and presented via platforms such as JSTOR Plants. Few natural history digital collections of specimens exist in academic institutional repositories, in spite of the fact that many universities have repositories and also hold extensive natural history collections. At Eastern Illinois University, a mid-sized public university, librarians worked with the Biological Sciences department to develop the means to digitize the 80,000 specimens of the Stover-Ebinger Herbarium collection. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT Setting up digitization of the herbarium collection required meeting with experts associated with important projects in the field, such as Symbiota, and with acquiring the correct digitization equipment. Data management techniques had to be developed to move metadata from an Access database to Symbiota and to the institutional repository platform. These were informative steps to be taken and will enable easier development of future natural history collections. NEXT STEPS Having procured the correct equipment and expert guidance, the library is ready for move forward with digitization of this large collection. The existing 16,000 records in the repository will have images added to them, databasing and imaging will proceed for the remaining 64,000 specimens, and we will be exploring the impact of these specimen records in the “Cited by” notation in Google Scholar, as well as adding specimen field notes to enhance the collection.
Supershear rupture in the 24 May 2013 Mw 6.7 Okhotsk deep earthquake: Additional evidence from regional seismic stations
Authors: Zhan Zhongwen , Shearer Peter M. , Kanamori Hiroo
Published: September 2015

Zhan et al. (2014a) reported supershear rupture during the Mw 6.7 aftershock of the 2013 Mw 8.3 Sea of Okhotsk deep earthquake, relying heavily on the regional station PET, which played a critical role in constraining the vertical rupture dimension and rupture speed. Here we include five more regional stations and find that the durations of the source time functions derived from these stations are consistent with Zhan et al.'s supershear rupture model. Furthermore, to reduce the nonuniqueness of deconvolution and combine the bandwidths of different stations, we conduct a joint inversion of the six regional stations for a single broadband moment‐rate function (MRF). The best fitting MRF, which explains all the regional waveforms well, has a smooth shape without any temporal gaps. The Mw 6.7 Okhotsk deep earthquake is more likely a continuous supershear rupture than a dynamically triggered doublet.
A PIGN mutation responsible for multiple congenital anomalies–hypotonia–seizures syndrome 1 (MCAHS1) in an Israeli–Arab family
Authors: Khayat Morad , Tilghman Joseph Mark , Chervinsky Ilana , Zalman Lucia , Chakravarti Aravinda , Shalev Stavit A.
Published: September 2015

Mutations in the PIGN gene involved in the glycosylphoshatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis pathway cause Multiple Congenital Anomalies–Hypotonia–Seizures syndrome 1 (MCAHS1). The syndrome manifests developmental delay, hypotonia, and epilepsy, combined with multiple congenital anomalies. We report on the identification of a homozygous novel c.755A>T (p.D252V) deleterious mutation in a patient with Israeli–Arab origin with MCAHS1. The mutated PIGN caused a significant decrease of the overall GPI‐anchored proteins and CD24 expression. Our results, strongly support previously published data, that partial depletion of GPI‐anchored proteins is sufficient to cause severe phenotypic expression. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled Transcription of Exogenous mRNA in Platelets Using Protocells
Authors: Chan Vivienne , Novakowski Stefanie K. , Law Simon , Klein‐Bosgoed Christa , Kastrup Christian J.
Published: September 2015

Transcribing exogenous RNA in eukaryotic cells requires delivering DNA to their nuclei and changing their genome. Nuclear delivery is often inefficient, limiting the potential scope of gene therapy and synthetic biology. These challenges may be overcome by techniques that allow for extranucleate transcription within eukaryotic cells. Protocells have been developed that enable transcription inside of liposomes; however, it has not yet been demonstrated whether this technology can be extended for use within eukaryotic cells. Here we show RNA‐synthesizing nanoliposomes allow transcription of exogenous RNA inside anucleate cells. To accomplish this, components of transcription were encapsulated into liposomes and delivered to platelets. These liposomes were capable of light‐induced transcription in platelets, providing proof‐of‐concept that protocell technology can be adapted for use within mammalian cells.
Single‐pulsed electromagnetic field therapy increases osteogenic differentiation through Wnt signaling pathway and sclerostin downregulation
Authors: Lin Chih‐Chun , Lin Ru‐Wei , Chang Chih‐Wei , Wang Gwo‐Jaw , Lai Kuo‐An
Published: September 2015

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has been used for more than three decades to treat bone diseases. The main complaint about using PEMF is that it is time‐consuming. Previously, we showed single‐pulsed electromagnetic field (SPEMF) applied for 3 min daily increased osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and accelerated bone growth in a long bone defect model. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism of SPEMF to increase osteogenic differentiation in osteoblastic cells. We found that both short‐term (SS) and long‐term (SL) SPEMF treatment increased mineralization, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity increased during the first 5 days of SPEMF treatment. SS treatment increased gene expression of Wnt1, Wnt3a, Wnt10b, Fzd9, ALP, and Bmp2. Also, SPEMF inhibited sclerostin after 5 days of treatment, and that inhibition was more significant with SL treatment. SL SPEMF increased expression of parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) but decreased expression of Sost gene, which encodes sclerostin. Together, the early osteogenic effect of SPEMF utilizes the canonical Wnt signaling pathway while the inhibitory effect of long‐term SPEMF on sclerostin may be attributable to PTHrP upregulation. This study enhances our understanding of cellular mechanisms to support the previous finding and may provide new insight for clinical applications. Bioelectromagnetics. 36:494–505, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Mechanistic Study of Thiophene Hydrodesulfurization by the Parahydrogen‐Induced Polarization Technique
Authors: Salnikov Oleg G. , Burueva Dudari B. , Barskiy Danila A. , Bukhtiyarova Galina A. , Kovtunov Kirill V. , Koptyug Igor V.
Published: September 2015

Thiophenic compounds are the least reactive organosulfur compounds in fossil fuels, and thiophene is widely used as a model substrate in studies of industrially important hydrodesulfurization (HDS) processes. It is generally presumed that the HDS process can proceed by two possible pathways, namely hydrogenation or direct desulfurization. In this work, the parahydrogen‐induced polarization technique was successfully utilized in a mechanistic study of a hydrodesulfurization reaction by example of a heterogeneous hydrodesulfurization of thiophene over supported catalysts in the presence of parahydrogen. It was demonstrated that the HDS of thiophene on a MoS2/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst proceeds preferentially by the hydrogenation pathway to form tetrahydrothiophene, followed by desulfurization. In contrast, if a Pt/TiO2 catalyst was used, direct desulfurization to 1,3‐butadiene and the hydrogenation pathway both contributed to the overall reaction mechanism.
Organoantimony(III)‐Containing Tungstoarsenates(III): From Controlled Assembly to Biological Activity
Authors: Yang Peng , Bassil Bassem S. , Lin Zhengguo , Haider Ali , Alfaro‐Espinoza Gabriela , Ullrich Matthias S. , Silvestru Cristian , Kortz Ulrich
Published: September 2015

A family of three sandwich‐type, phenylantimony(III)‐containing tungstoarsenates(III), [(PhSbIII){Na(H2O)}AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]11− (1), [(PhSbIII)2AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]10− (2), and [(PhSbIII)3(B‐α‐AsIIIW9O33)2]12− (3), have been synthesized by one‐pot procedures and isolated as hydrated alkali metal salts, Cs3K3.5Na4.5[(PhSbIII){Na(H2O)}AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]⋅41H2O (CsKNa‐1), Cs4.5K5.5[(PhSbIII)2AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]⋅35H2O (CsK‐2), and Cs4.5Na7.5[(PhSbIII)3(B‐α‐AsIIIW9O33)2]⋅42H2O (CsNa‐3). The number of incorporated {PhSbIII} units could be selectively tuned from one to three by careful control of the reaction parameters. The three compounds were characterized in the solid state by single‐crystal XRD, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The aqueous solution stability of sandwich polyanions 1–3 was also studied by multinuclear (1H, 13C, 183W) NMR spectroscopy. Effective inhibitory activity against six different kinds of bacteria was identified for all three polyanions, for which the activity increased with the number of incorporated {PhSbIII} groups.
Separation of Enantiomers of a Phospholipid in Langmuir Monolayers by a New Selector
Authors: Caminati Gabriella , Cicchi Stefano , Lascialfari Luisa , Brandi Alberto
Published: September 2015

Chiral discrimination in a racemic mixture of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) is induced by a new selector at the water–air interface: L‐DPPC is segregated in the condensed phase of a Langmuir monolayer upon interactions with an enantiopure amphiphilic compound. Chirality 27:784–787, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NiMo/alumina hydrodesulphurization catalyst modified by saccharose: Effect of addition stage of organic modifier
Authors: Escobar José , Gutiérrez Ana W. , Barrera María C. , Colín José A.
Published: September 2015

NiMo/Al2O3 catalysts, obtained by one‐pot simultaneous impregnation, were modified by saccharose (SA, at Ni/SA = 1 mol ratio) addition. To address the influence of stage of saccharide impregnation on the hydrodesulphurization activity of sulphided catalysts, three different preparation methodologies were followed: (a) modification of already calcined (400 °C) NiMo/Al2O3 by SA impregnation; (b) SA deposition directly onto the alumina support, prior to Ni + Mo impregnation; (c) simultaneous Ni + Mo + SA deposition. Materials were characterized by N2 physisorption, X‐ray diffraction, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR), and tested on liquid‐phase dibenzothiophene (DBT) conversion (batch reactor, T = 320 °C, P = 7.2 MPa, n‐hexadecane as solvent). The last methodology resulted in the catalyst with the highest DBT hydrodesulphurization (HDS) activity, on a pseudo‐first order kinetic constant basis. A decreased proportion of tetrahedral Mo6+ species due to diminished interaction with the carrier, increased reducibility of octahedral Mo6+, and Ni complexation as well seemed to play determining roles in the trends of the activity observed. Simultaneous saccharose addition during NiMo phase impregnation required no additional preparation steps to efficiently integrate the organic modifier.
Cooperative Effects in Copper Polyamido­amine Dendrimer Complexes Catalyzing the Reduction of Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Tang Yi‐Hsuan , Lin Yen Chung , Hsu Sodio C. N. , Liou Si‐Ting , Chen Hsing‐Yin , Hsieh Kuang‐Chan , Chuang Wan‐Jung , Chiu Li‐Ting , Chen Yeh‐Long , Kao Chai‐Lin
Published: September 2015

Generation‐dependent cooperation was observed in the reduction of molecular oxygen by a series of Cu2+ complexes of pyridine‐modified polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. The cooperative behavior of the metal ions was examined by preparing (G2–G6)‐dendri‐PAMAM‐(Py)n and testing the dendrimers for their ability to reduce oxygen catalytically in the presence of several Cu2+ ion concentrations. Spectrophotometric measurements during the reactive metallic ion titrations revealed that the maximum numbers of reactive Cu2+ ions available for O2 reduction were 4.8, 7.6, 22.2, 57.3, and 81.7 in each of the second‐ to sixth‐generation (G2–G6) dendrimer complexes, respectively. An analysis revealed that each Cu2+ ion worked independently as an active center in the G2 to G4 dendrimer complexes. By contrast, pairs of Cu2+ ion active species were present in the G5 and G6 dendrimer complexes. A kojic acid titration indicated that the copper ions were proximal and formed a bicopper active center in the G5 and G6 dendrimer complexes. Catalytic reactions with catechol as a reducing agent further demonstrated the activity of the dinuclear copper center in the G5 and G6 dendrimer complexes. The present findings suggest that generations of dendrimer–metal complexes can alter their catalytic behavior.
The perspectives and barriers for the implementation of CCS in Poland
Authors: Uliasz‐Misiak Barbara , Przybycin Andrzej
Published: September 2015

Over 90% of Polish energy comes from burning fossil fuels, i.e., hard coal and lignite, responsible for high greenhouse gas (including CO2) emissions. The need to adapt to international agreements, expected increase of CO2 emissions, limited technological capabilities to reduce emissions, the energy intensity of industry and geological conditions allowing underground storage make carbon capture and storage (CCS) a viable option to reduce CO2 emissions. The implementation of CCS on a commercial scale depends on many factors, including the development of capture technology, transport options, and the geological structure. Its applicability is highly dependent on the regulations and economic, energy, and environmental policy. At the current stage of work, the biggest problems in the implementation of CCS include legal regulations, social acceptance, and cost reduction. The numerous political and economic benefits may balance the costs of CCS technology implementation. The captured CO2 can be used in the exploitation of oil fields and in large‐scale industrial processes. The implementation of CCS can contribute to the introduction of high‐efficient technologies and modernization of the national energy sector. The development of CCS can help to create new jobs, stimulate the development of the Polish economy and contribute to the development of research in this field. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Facile synthesis of a thermally stable imine and benzimidazole functionalized nanoporous polymer (IBFNP) for CO2 capture application
Authors: Muhammad Raeesh , Rekha Pawan , Mohanty Paritosh
Published: September 2015

An imine and benzimidazole functionalized nanoporous polymer (IBFNP) has been synthesized by a single‐step condensation reaction between 3,3´‐diaminobenzidene and terephthaldehyde at 150 °C. The IBFNP‐1 has a moderately high BET specific surface area of 1040 m2/g with pore diameter centered at 1.4 nm and pore volume of 1.46 cm3/g. The IBFNP‐1 could reversibly capture 5.27 mmol/g (23.2 wt%) of CO2 at 273 K and 1 atm, which is among the best reported microporous organic polymers. The good selectivity of CO2 over N2 (65:1) and moderately high isosteric heat of adsorption (33.8 kJ/mol) make this material a good adsorbent for the CO2 capture application.© 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Development of the brain's structural network efficiency in early adolescence: A longitudinalDTItwin study
Authors: Koenis Marinka M.G. , Brouwer Rachel M. , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , Mandl René C.W. , van Soelen Inge L.C. , Kahn René S. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Hulshoff Pol Hilleke E.
Published: September 2015

The brain is a network and our intelligence depends in part on the efficiency of this network. The network of adolescents differs from that of adults suggesting developmental changes. However, whether the network changes over time at the individual level and, if so, how this relates to intelligence, is unresolved in adolescence. In addition, the influence of genetic factors in the developing network is not known. Therefore, in a longitudinal study of 162 healthy adolescent twins and their siblings (mean age at baseline 9.9 [range 9.0–15.0] years), we mapped local and global structural network efficiency of cerebral fiber pathways (weighted with mean FA and streamline count) and assessed intelligence over a three‐year interval. We find that the efficiency of the brain's structural network is highly heritable (locally up to 74%). FA‐based local and global efficiency increases during early adolescence. Streamline count based local efficiency both increases and decreases, and global efficiency reorganizes to a net decrease. Local FA‐based efficiency was correlated to IQ. Moreover, increases in FA‐based network efficiency (global and local) and decreases in streamline count based local efficiency are related to increases in intellectual functioning. Individual changes in intelligence and local FA‐based efficiency appear to go hand in hand in frontal and temporal areas. More widespread local decreases in streamline count based efficiency (frontal cingulate and occipital) are correlated with increases in intelligence. We conclude that the teenage brain is a network in progress in which individual differences in maturation relate to level of intellectual functioning.Hum Brain Mapp 36:4938–4953, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid SERS monitoring of lipid‐peroxidation‐derived protein modifications in cells using photonic crystal fiber sensor
Authors: Gong Tianxun , Zhang Nan , Kong Kien Voon , Goh Douglas , Ying Cui , Auguste Jean‐Louis , Shum Perry Ping , Wei Lei , Humbert Georges , Yong Ken‐Tye , Olivo Malini
Published: September 2015

We proposed a side channel photonic crystal fiber (SC‐PCF) based Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platform which is able to accurately monitor lipid peroxidation derived protein modifications in cells. This platform incorporates linoleamide alkyne (LAA), which is oxidized and subsequently modifies proteins in cells with alkyne functional group upon lipid peroxidation. By loading the side channel of SC‐PCF with a mixture of gold nanoparticles and LAA treated cells, and subsequently measuring the interference‐free alkyne Raman peak from these proteins in cells, strong SERS signal was obtained. The platform provides a method for the rapid monitoring of lipid peroxidation derived protein modification in cells.

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