bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The economics of mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Lin Pei‐Jung , Neumann Peter J.
Published: November 2012

Individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the economic burden of AD itself is well recognized, little is known about the direct and indirect costs associated with MCI before the onset of AD. Insufficient data on the economic impact of MCI as well as other gaps in the knowledge base (such as estimates of MCI progression rates and factors that drive MCI‐related costs) present challenges to understanding the burden of MCI and to modeling the cost‐effectiveness of potential MCI interventions. Initiating treatment and care management in the MCI phase could improve the health and well‐being of patients and caregivers and possibly offset certain costs. Future economic analyses should incorporate new data, as they become available, from patient registries and linked administrative claims and electronic medical records to better characterize the cost consequences of MCI detection and management. Such analyses should help payers, providers, and policy makers make more informed decisions about the costs and benefits of new tests, treatments, and other management strategies for the condition.
An oncolytic adenovirus regulated by a radiation‐inducible promoter selectively mediates hSulf‐1 gene expression and mutually reinforces antitumor activity of I131‐metuximab in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yan , Fang Lin , Zhang Quan'an , Zheng Qin , Tong Jinlong , Fu Xiaohui , Jiang Xiaoqing , Su Changqing , Zheng Junnian
Published: November 2012

Gene therapy and antibody approaches are crucial auxiliary strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. Previously, we established a survivin promoter‐regulated oncolytic adenovirus that has inhibitory effect on HCC growth. The human sulfatase‐1 (hSulf‐1) gene can suppress the growth factor signaling pathways, then inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and enhance cellular sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I131‐metuximab (I131‐mab) is a monoclonal anti‐HCC antibody that conjugated to I131 and specifically recognizes the HAb18G/CD147 antigen on HCC cells. To integrate the oncolytic adenovirus‐based gene therapy and the I131‐mab‐based radioimmunotherapy, this study combined the CArG element of early growth response‐l (Egr‐l) gene with the survivin promoter to construct a radiation‐inducible enhanced promoter, which was used to recombine a radiation‐inducible oncolytic adenovirus as hSulf‐1 gene vector. When I131‐mab was incorporated into the treatment regimen, not only could the antibody produce radioimmunotherapeutic effect, but the I131 radiation was able to further boost adenoviral proliferation. We demonstrated that the CArG‐enhanced survivin promoter markedly improved the proliferative activity of the oncolytic adenovirus in HCC cells, thereby augmenting hSulf‐1 expression and inducing cancer cell apoptosis. This novel strategy that involved multiple, synergistic mechanisms, including oncolytic therapy, gene therapy and radioimmunotherapy, was demonstrated to exert an excellent anti‐cancer outcome, which will be a promising approach in HCC treatment.
The Public Games of the Romans
Authors: Poynton J. B.
Published: November 2012

(a) Origin and Development. The public games at Rome had their origin in religion. Thus the earliest games of which we have any account, those distinguished for the rape of the Sabine women, were in honour of the god Consus, and another very ancient festival, the Equirria, was in honour of Mars. That something of their religious character was felt even in the last days of the Republic is shown by a passage of Cicero: ‘An, si ludius consistit aut tibicen repente conticuit … aut si aedilis verbo aut simpulo aberravit, ludi sunt non rite facti?’ For Roman religion was marked by a love of formality and ritual: if, therefore, the slightest hitch occurred in the ceremonial procedure, the games were regarded as having failed to satisfy the gods, and it was necessary to start them afresh. So we meet in Livy such notices as ludi in unum diem or in biduum instaurati: sometimes the second performance was no more successful than the first, in which case we find ludi ter, quater, or even septies instaurati. Claudius, suspecting that these hitches were occasionally manufactured in order that the games might be prolonged, decreed that at the second performance chariotand horse-races should be finished in one day.
The Culture of Poverty
Authors: Boxill Bernard
Published: November 2012

A society is culturally plural when it contains a variety of cultural groups. A common view is that just societies are likely to be culturally plural. This view assumes that human beings have rights to remain in the cultures in which they were born, or even to adopt whatever culture they choose. It is also widely believed that cultural pluralism tends to have good consequences. For example, many people suppose that the variety of cultures in a culturally plural society adds savor and interest to the lives of its inhabitants. This view evidently assumes that culture is a consumer good. Another view that cultural pluralism tends to have good consequences rests on the premise that each culture has claims to moral knowledge.
A review of recalcitrant seed physiology in relation to desiccation-tolerance mechanisms
Authors: Pammenter N. W. , Berjak Patricia
Published: November 2012

A suite of mechanisms or processes that together have been implicated in the acquisition and maintenance of desiccation tolerance in orthodox seeds is discussed in the context of the behaviour of desiccation-sensitive seeds, and where appropriate, parallels are drawn with the situation in vegetative plant tissues that tolerate dehydration. Factors included are: physical characteristics of cells and intracellular constituents; insoluble reserve accumulation; intracellular de-differentiation; metabolic ‘switching off’; presence, and efficient operation, of antioxidant systems; accumulation of putatively protective substances including LEAs, sucrose and other oligosaccharides, as well as amphipathic molecules; the presence and role of oleosins; and the presence and operation of repair systems during rehydration. The variable response to dehydration shown by desiccation-sensitive seeds is considered in terms of the absence or incomplete expression of this suite of mechanisms or processes.

Three categories of damage are envisaged: (i) reduction in cell volume which can lead to mechanical damage; (ii) aqueous-based degradative processes, probably consequent upon deranged metabolism at intermediate water contents. This is termed ‘metabolism-induced damage’ and its extent will depend upon the metabolic rate and the rate of dehydration; and (iii) the removal of water intimately associated with macromolecular surfaces leading to denaturation: this is referred to as desiccation damagesensu stricto. The effects of drying rate and the maturity status of seeds are considered in relation to the responses to dehydration, leading to the conclusion that the concept of critical water contents on a species basis is inappropriate. Viewing seed postharvest physiology in terms of a continuum of behaviour is considered to be more realistic than attempting precise categorization.

Rapid dehydration of excised embryonic axes (or other explants) from desiccation-sensitive seeds permits retention of viability (in the short term) to water contents approaching the level of non-freezable water. This opens up the possibility of long-term conservation, by cryopreservation techniques, of the genetic resources of species producing non-orthodox seeds.
Evidence of both M2 and O1Earth tide waves in radon‐222 air concentration measured in a subglacial laboratory
Authors: Richon Patrick , Moreau Luc , Sabroux Jean‐Christophe , Pili Eric , Salaün Anne
Published: November 2012

Many earthquake‐related radon‐222 temporal changes have been recorded since the 1960s and are frequently discussed, sometimes initiating a controversial debate on the relevance of radon‐222 as an earthquake precursory signal. The diurnal S1–O1 and semidiurnal S2–M2 Earth tide signatures in radon signals are acquired in a natural context. This can be used to calibrate the radon changes under strain accumulation close to epicentral areas, which are often discussed but are rarely evidenced by experimental data. The analysis of a 10 month time series acquired in the subglacial laboratory of the Argentière glacier, Mont Blanc Massif, French Alps, demonstrates here the unambiguous episodic appearance of the M2–O1 waves in the radon signal with significant amplitudes of 36 and 50 Bq m−3, respectively. We thus prove that radon variations induced by gravitational M2 and O1 waves are detectable in a natural environment. In this particular place, the radon response is probably amplified by cyclic stress variations applied on the upstream side of the natural rock dam into which the laboratory is drilled. The amplification of the radon signal is induced by poroelastic deformation under this particular mechanical forcing. This can elucidate why most precedent studies failed to detect M2–O1 signatures in radon signals recorded in other underground laboratories.
Detailed volcanostratigraphy of an accreted seamount: Implications for intraplate seamount formation
Authors: Schnur Susan R. , Gilbert Lisa A.
Published: November 2012

Seamounts are a ubiquitous feature of the seafloor but relatively little is known about their internal structure. A seamount preserved in the Franciscan mélange of California suggests a sequence of formation common to all seamounts. Field mapping, geophysical measurements, and geochemical analyses are combined to interpret three stages of seamount growth consistent with the formation of other intraplate seamounts such as the Hawaiian volcanoes and the island of La Palma. A seamount begins to form as a pile of closely packed pillows with a high density and low porosity. Small pillow mound volcanoes common at mid‐ocean ridges are seamounts that do not grow beyond this initial stage of formation. The second stage of seamount formation is marked by the first occurrence of breccia. As the seamount grows and becomes topographically more complex, slope varies and fractured material may begin to accumulate. Magma supply may also become spatially diffuse as the seamount grows and new supply pathways develop through the edifice. The second stage thus exhibits variability in both flow morphologies and geophysical properties. The final cap stage is composed of thin flows of various morphologies. These sequences reflect the shoaling of the seamount and a greater variability in extrusion rate resulting from waning magma supply and increased mass wasting. Understanding the growth and structure of seamounts has important implications for intraplate volcanism and for models of hydrothermal circulation in the oceanic crust.
Long‐term variation of atmospheric methyl iodide and its link to global environmental change
Authors: Yokouchi Yoko , Nojiri Yukihiro , Toom‐Sauntry Desiree , Fraser Paul , Inuzuka Yoko , Tanimoto Hiroshi , Nara Hideki , Murakami Ryuichi , Mukai Hitoshi
Published: November 2012

It has been suggested that the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the ocean could be affected by global warming, with feedback effects on the climate. In order to detect changes in their emissions as a response to global environmental change, long‐term observations are required. Here we report for the first time long‐term variations of atmospheric methyl iodide (CH3I), the most abundant iodine‐containing compound predominantly emitted from the ocean. We monitored its concentration periodically at five remote sites covering 82.5°N–40.4°S and over the western and northern Pacific Ocean from the late 1990s to 2011. At most observation sites, CH3I increased from 2003/2004 to 2009/2010 by several tens of per cent, with a decreasing trend before 2003. The inter‐annual variation pattern is well approximated by a sine curve with a period of 11 years and showed a good correlation with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), suggesting that CH3I emissions are affected by global‐scale, sea surface temperature (SST)‐related, decadal anomalies. The influence of natural oscillations or environmental change on trace gas emissions from the ocean may be greater than has been thought previously, and these emissions may thus be sensitive to future climate change.
A new fluid scheme for weakly collisional plasmas: 2. The case of solar wind
Authors: Pietrini P. , Torricelli‐Ciamponi G. , Chiuderi C.
Published: November 2012

Chiuderi et al. (2011) (paper 1) investigated the possibility of extending to weakly collisional plasmas the new fluid scheme recently developed by Chen et al. (2000) for neutral gases. Paper 1 established the conditions under which such an extension is feasible and identified the solar wind as a good candidate to test the new theory. Such a test is performed in the present paper, where we actually build a model for the fast solar wind and compare it with the available data. We define the basic assumptions adopted: steadiness, spherical symmetry, and neglect of magnetic field and of minor ions. We limit our treatment to the range 2–215 R⊙to cover the details of the transition from collisional to collisionless regimes, excluding the low corona and the chromosphere that appear to be far too complex to be described by our simple model. We present a detailed discussion concerning the choice of the parameters and boundary conditions entering the model. We then proceed to the actual construction of the model, whose main merit lies in its simplicity: it is a two‐fluid model capable of accounting for both viscosity and thermal conduction, in spite of the very limited number of equations to be solved. We then critically compare our results with the observations and with other recent solar wind models. The level of agreement with the data is quite satisfactory and is comparable with that obtained by more sophisticated models.
Evolution of negative SI‐induced ionospheric flows observed by SuperDARN King Salmon HF radar
Authors: Hori T. , Shinbori A. , Nishitani N. , Kikuchi T. , Fujita S. , Nagatsuma T. , Troshichev O. , Yumoto K. , Moiseyev A. , Seki K.
Published: November 2012

The spatial evolution of vortex‐like flow structures induced by a negative sudden impulse (SI−) is studied on the basis of SuperDARN King Salmon HF radar (KSR) with other ground and satellite data. A large dip in the solar wind density induced a fairly large SI− with a SYM‐H amplitude of ∼40 nT. The SI‐induced ionospheric flow signatures in the evening sector (MLT ∼ 19 h) were observed by KSR as a westward flow associated with the preliminary impulse (PI) followed by a more intense eastward flow with the main impulse (MI) in the sub‐auroral region of the magnetic latitude ∼60–70 deg, consistent with the local ground magnetic field observations. Following the first PI‐MI flow sequence, KSR saw a second and possibly third sequence of flow variation which were much smaller in flow amplitude than the first pair but showed qualitatively very similar flow variations and latitudinal/longitudinal propagation characteristics. These observations can be interpreted as aftershocks of the first PI‐MI; the same sequence of vortices and field‐aligned currents were generated and then drifted anti‐sunward with the same mechanism, namely the pumping motion of the dayside magnetosphere. These results are qualitatively consistent with predictions suggested by recent numerical simulations.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban air: How chemistry affects the interpretation of positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis
Authors: Yuan Bin , Shao Min , de Gouw Joost , Parrish David D. , Lu Sihua , Wang Ming , Zeng Limin , Zhang Qian , Song Yu , Zhang Jianbo , Hu Min
Published: November 2012

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured online at an urban site in Beijing in August–September 2010. Diurnal variations of various VOC species indicate that VOCs concentrations were influenced by photochemical removal with OH radicals for reactive species and secondary formation for oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs). A photochemical age‐based parameterization method was applied to characterize VOCs chemistry. A large part of the variability in concentrations of both hydrocarbons and OVOCs was explained by this method. The determined emission ratios of hydrocarbons to acetylene agreed within a factor of two between 2005 and 2010 measurements. However, large differences were found for emission ratios of some alkanes and C8 aromatics between Beijing and northeastern United States secondary formation from anthropogenic VOCs generally contributed higher percentages to concentrations of reactive aldehydes than those of inert ketones and alcohols. Anthropogenic primary emissions accounted for the majority of ketones and alcohols concentrations. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was also used to identify emission sources from this VOCs data set. The four resolved factors were three anthropogenic factors and a biogenic factor. However, the anthropogenic factors are attributed here to a common source at different stages of photochemical processing rather than three independent sources. Anthropogenic and biogenic sources of VOCs concentrations were not separated completely in PMF. This study indicates that photochemistry of VOCs in the atmosphere complicates the information about separated sources that can be extracted from PMF and the influence of photochemical processing must be carefully considered in the interpretation of source apportionment studies based upon PMF.
Interaction of dust-ion acoustic solitary waves in nonplanar geometry with electrons featuring Tsallis distribution
Authors: Narayan Ghosh Uday , Chatterjee Prasanta , Tribeche Mouloud
Published: November 2012

The head-on collisions between nonplanar dust-ion acoustic solitary waves are dealt with by an extended version of Poincaré-Lighthill-Kuo perturbation method, for a plasma having stationary dust grains, inertial ions, and nonextensive electrons. The nonplanar geometry modified analytical phase-shift after a head-on collision is derived. It is found that as the nonextensive character of the electrons becomes important, the phase-shift decreases monotonically before levelling-off at a constant value. This leads us to think that nonextensivity may have a stabilizing effect on the phase-shift.
Chemical precipitation structures formed by drops impacting on a deep pool
Authors: Kaminker V. , Maselko J. , Pantaleone J.
Published: November 2012

The experiments described here are at the intersection of two dynamical systems with long pedigrees for forming interesting patterns: liquid droplet impacts and precipitation membranes. Drops of calcium chloride solution have been allowed to impact on a deep pool of sodium silicate solution. The precipitation structures produced by this method, and how these structures subsequently evolve, have been observed. Many interesting patterns can be formed from this process. It is observed that the precipitation patterns produced are sensitive to the shape of the drop when it impacts the pool's surface. Also, at large drop heights, we determine two critical Weber numbers: one for forming a skirt around the structures and the other for breakup of the structures. On longer time scales, open tubes grow from the closed precipitation shell produced at lower drop heights. These tubes can appear in large numbers with nearly identical sizes and diameters as small as 50 μm.
Inhomogeneous Fermi and quantum spin systems on lattices
Authors: Bru J.-B. , de Siqueira Pedra W.
Published: November 2012

We study the thermodynamic properties of a certain type of space-inhomogeneous Fermi and quantum spin systems on lattices. We are particularly interested in the case where the space scale of the inhomogeneities stays macroscopic, but very small as compared to the side-length of the box containing fermions or spins. The present study is however not restricted to “macroscopic inhomogeneities” and also includes the (periodic) microscopic and mesoscopic cases. We prove that – as in the homogeneous case – the pressure is, up to a minus sign, the conservative value of a two-person zero-sum game, named here thermodynamic game. Because of the absence of space symmetries in such inhomogeneous systems, it is not clear from the beginning what kind of object equilibrium states should be in the thermodynamic limit. However, we give rigorous statements on correlations functions for large boxes.
Comparisons of 2D IR measured spectral diffusion in rotating frames using pulse shaping and in the stationary frame using the standard method
Authors: Karthick Kumar S. K. , Tamimi A. , Fayer M. D.
Published: November 2012

Multidimensional visible spectroscopy using pulse shaping to produce pulses with stable controllable phases and delays has emerged as an elegant tool to acquire electronic spectra faster and with greatly reduced instrumental and data processing errors. Recent migration of this approach using acousto-optic modulator (AOM) pulse shaping to the mid-infrared region has proved useful for acquiring two dimensional infrared (2D IR) vibrational echo spectra. The measurement of spectral diffusion in 2D IR experiments hinges on obtaining accurate 2D line shapes. To date, pulse shaping 2D IR has not been used to study the time-dependent spectral diffusion of a vibrational chromophore. Here we compare the spectral diffusion data obtained from a standard non-collinear 2D IR spectrometer using delay lines to the data obtained from an AOM pulse shaper based 2D IR spectrometer. The pulse shaping experiments are performed in stationary, partially rotating, and fully rotating reference frames and are the first in the infrared to produce 2D spectra collected in a fully rotating frame using a phase controlled pulse sequence. Rotating frame experiments provide a dramatic reduction in the number of time points that must be measured to obtain a 2D IR spectrum, with the fully rotating frame giving the greatest reduction. Experiments were conducted on the transition metal carbonyl complex tricarbonylchloro(1,10-phenanthroline)rhenium(I) in chloroform. The time dependent data obtained from the different techniques and with different reference frames are shown to be in agreement.
Distant mechanical sensors based on cholesteric liquid crystals
Authors: Shibaev Petr V. , Schlesier Cristina
Published: November 2012

The improved performance is demonstrated for mechanical sensors based on cholesteric paint covering elastic silicone substrate with imprinted grooves. Due to the presence of the grooves, the deformation of the substrate is translated to the deformation of the cholesteric paint differently along the grooves and perpendicular to them. The model is suggested to describe the anisotropy of deformations and color changes.
Path-integral Mayer-sampling calculations of the quantum Boltzmann contribution to virial coefficients of helium-4
Authors: Shaul Katherine R. S. , Schultz Andrew J. , Kofke David A.
Published: November 2012

We present Mayer-sampling Monte Carlo calculations of the quantum Boltzmann contribution to the virial coefficients Bn, as defined by path integrals, for n = 2 to 4 and for temperatures from 2.6 K to 1000 K, using state-of-the-art ab initio potentials for interactions within pairs and triplets of helium-4 atoms. Effects of exchange are not included. The vapor-liquid critical temperature of the resulting fourth-order virial equation of state is 5.033(16) K, a value only 3% less than the critical temperature of helium-4: 5.19 K. We describe an approach for parsing the Boltzmann contribution into components that reduce the number of Mayer-sampling Monte Carlo steps required for components with large per-step time requirements. We estimate that in this manner the calculation of the Boltzmann contribution to B3 at 2.6 K is completed at least 100 times faster than the previously reported approach.
Discrete-time quantum walks: Continuous limit and symmetries
Authors: di Molfetta G. , Debbasch F.
Published: November 2012

The continuous limit of one-dimensional discrete-time quantum walks with time-and space-dependent coefficients is investigated. A given quantum walk does not generally admit a continuous limit but some families (1-jets) of quantum walks do. All families (1-jets) admitting a continuous limit are identified. The continuous limit is described by a Dirac-like equation or, alternately, a couple of Klein-Gordon equations. Variational principles leading to these equations are also discussed, together with local invariance properties.
Influence of working liquid on the onset characteristics of a thermoacoustic engine with gas and liquid
Authors: Tang Ke , Lei Tian , Jin Tao
Published: November 2012

This paper analyzes the influence of working liquid on the onset characteristics in a thermoacoustic engine with gas and liquid. The governing equations have been derived by the electro-acoustic analogy with thermoacoustics. According to the formulation of the liquid column impedance, we focus on the impact of density and kinematic viscosity of the working liquid on the onset characteristics. The calculations show that the onset temperature increases with a rise in the liquid's kinematic viscosity, and the oscillation frequency decreases with a rise in the liquid's density. Three liquids, i.e., water, potassium formate aqueous solution, and [EMIM][BF4], are used in the experiments to observe the onset characteristics of the engine. The comparison between calculation and experimental results confirms that the liquid's viscosity should be included in the calculation to obtain a better agreement with the experiment.
Influence of crystallographic orientation and anisotropy on Kapitza conductance via classical molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Duda J. C. , Kimmer C. J. , Soffa W. A. , Zhou X. W. , Jones R. E. , Hopkins P. E.
Published: November 2012

We investigate the influence of crystallographic orientation and anisotropy on local phonon density of states, phonon transmissivity, and Kapitza conductance at interfaces between Lennard-Jones solids via classical molecular dynamics simulations. In agreement with prior works, we find that the Kapitza conductance at an interface between two face-centered cubic materials is independent of crystallographic orientation. On the other hand, at an interface between a face-centered cubic material and a tetragonal material, the Kapitza conductance is strongly dependent on the relative orientation of the tetragonal material, albeit this dependence is subject to the overlap in vibrational spectra of the cubic and tetragonal materials. Furthermore, we show that interactions between acoustic phonons in the cubic material and optical phonons in the tetragonal material can lead to the interface exhibiting greater “thermal anisotropy” as compared to that of the constituent materials. Finally, it is noted that the relative match or mismatch between the Debye temperatures of two materials comprising an interface does not serve an accurate gauge of the efficiency of interfacial thermal transport when those materials have different crystal structures.
Loop realizations of quantum affine algebras
Authors: Cautis Sabin , Licata Anthony
Published: November 2012

We give a simplified description of quantum affine algebras in their loop presentation. This description is related to Drinfeld's new realization via halves of vertex operators. We also define an idempotent version of the quantum affine algebra which is suitable for categorification.
Peptide salt bridge stability: From gas phase via microhydration to bulk water simulations
Authors: Pluhařová Eva , Marsalek Ondrej , Schmidt Burkhard , Jungwirth Pavel
Published: November 2012

The salt bridge formation and stability in the terminated lysine-glutamate dipeptide is investigated in water clusters of increasing size up to the limit of bulk water. Proton transfer dynamics between the acidic and basic side chains is described by DFT-based Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations. While the desolvated peptide prefers to be in its neutral state, already the addition of a single water molecule can trigger proton transfer from the glutamate side chain to the lysine side chain, leading to a zwitterionic salt bridge state. Upon adding more water molecules we find that stabilization of the zwitterionic state critically depends on the number of hydrogen bonds between side chain termini, the water molecules, and the peptidic backbone. Employing classical molecular dynamics simulations for larger clusters, we observed that the salt bridge is weakened upon additional hydration. Consequently, long-lived solvent shared ion pairs are observed for about 30 water molecules while solvent separated ion pairs are found when at least 40 or more water molecules hydrate the dipeptide. These results have implications for the formation and stability of salt bridges at partially dehydrated surfaces of aqueous proteins.
Electrical and optical interconnection for mechanically stacked multi-junction solar cells mediated by metal nanoparticle arrays
Authors: Mizuno Hidenori , Makita Kikuo , Matsubara Koji
Published: November 2012

An interconnection approach for mechanical stacking of solar cells is described. In this approach, block copolymer-templated fabrication of metal nanoparticle arrays and van der Waals bonding were integrated to design interfaces which permit both high interfacial conductivities and minimal transmission losses upon interconnections of solar cells. A series of electrical and optical characterizations verified that the approach potentially provides resistances of as low as 3.7 Ω-cm2 with transmission losses of less than 2%. The demonstrative two-junction solar cell exhibited promising open-circuit voltage and fill factor, suggesting the possibility of achieving high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells based on this unique strategy.
Scintillation property of rare earth-free SnO-doped oxide glass
Authors: Masai Hirokazu , Yanagida Takayuki , Fujimoto Yutaka , Koshimizu Masanori , Yoko Toshinobu
Published: November 2012

The authors have demonstrated scintillation of rare earth (RE)-free Sn-doped oxide glass by excitation of ionizing radiation. It is notable that light emission is attained for RE-free transparent glass due to s2-sp transition of Sn2+ centre and the emission correlates with the excitation band at 20 eV. We have also demonstrated that excitation band of emission centre can be tuned by the chemical composition of the host glass. The present result is valuable not only for design of RE-free inorganic amorphous oxide scintillator but also for revealing the band structure of oxide glass by irradiation of ionizing radiation.
Dielectric properties in microwave remote plasma sustained in argon: Expanding plasma conditions
Authors: Jauberteau J. L. , Jauberteau I.
Published: November 2012

This work is devoted to the study of the relative permittivity in argon expanding plasma produced below a microwave discharge sustained in a quartz tube and working at 2.45 GHz. We discuss results and explain the microwave propagation within the reactor, outside the quartz tube. It is shown that at low pressures (133 Pa) and at powers ranging from 100 W to 400 W, the wave frequency remains lower than the plasma frequency anywhere in the expanding plasma. Under these conditions, the real part of the relative permittivity is negative and the wave is reflected. Surprisingly, in these conditions, the plasma is produced inside and outside the quartz tube, below the wave launcher. This effect can be explained considering a surface wave propagating at the surface of the quartz tube then into the reactor, on the external surface of the expanding plasma below the quartz tube.
Communication: Vibrational study of a benzyl carbanion: Deprotonated 2,4-dinitrotoluene
Authors: Crestoni Maria Elisa , Chiavarino Barbara , Steinmetz Vincent , Fornarini Simonetta
Published: November 2012

The bare deprotonated 2,4-dinitrotoluene [DNT-H]− anion, formed by electrospray ionization and trapped in a Paul ion-trap, has been investigated by IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level. IRMPD spectra were recorded in the 950–1800 cm−1 fingerprint range and interpreted by comparison with the calculated IR absorption spectra for different low-lying isomers. The sampled [DNT-H]− species is found to involve deprotonation at the methyl group, yielding a benzyl carbanion 1′, previously described as an amine complex in solution and here characterized by vibrational spectroscopy as an unperturbed gaseous species. Anion 1′ is the most stable species among [DNT-H]− isomers.
Effect of subtropical perennial grass pastures on nutrients and carbon in coarse-textured soils in a Mediterranean climate
Authors: Lawes R. A. , Robertson M. J.
Published: November 2012

In the northern agricultural region of Western Australia, some farmers have integrated C4 grass pastures into their farming system. This switch away from a farming system historically dominated by annual species could alter soil nutrient and carbon (C) levels. To explore this issue, 16 ‘over-the-fence’, pair-wise comparisons were conducted between a field in an annual crop–pasture rotation and a field sown to perennial pasture. The perennial pastures were 2–8 years of age, and comprised a mix of perennial species and volunteer annuals. Soils were deep yellow sand (Tenosols), and perennial root systems extended to beyond 150 cm.
Averaged over all sites, organic C (OC) in the top 90 cm of the profile was 38.7 t/ha, nitrate 34.5 kg/ha, Colwell phosphorus (P) 5.9 kg/ha, and Colwell potassium (K) 518 kg/ha. In general, there were no differences between annuals and perennials for any of these attributes. For OC, greater differences were observed between sites than between annual and perennial species. Site differences in OC ranged from 18.7 to 62.7 t/ha. There were some differences between annuals and perennials at different sites for OC, P, nitrate, and K, but these differences were not systematic. For example, at three sites, more OC was found in the annual system; at another site, more OC was found in the perennial system, and differences occurred in the surface layers at two sites and at depth in the other two. Overall, clear differences between annual and perennial farming systems were not evident and were highly variable. The survey was augmented with a simulation study using the APSIM crop model, where a continuous perennial pasture was compared with a wheat–wheat–lupin rotation. After 10 years, there was only 1.27 t/ha more OC in the perennial system than the annual. The simulation study and on-farm survey suggest the differences in the accumulation of soil C under a perennial or an annual system in this landscape are small and variable, and if differences do exist, they will take considerable time to accrue. In addition, management and local site effects were more important than the perenniality of the system per se in influencing C and nutrient levels.
Cell structures on the blob algebra
Authors: Ryom-Hansen Steen
Published: November 2012

We consider ther=0r = 0case of the conjectures by Bonnafé, Geck, Iancu and Lam on cellular structures on the Hecke algebra of typeBB. We show that this case induces the natural cell structure on the blob algebrabnb_nby restriction to one-line bipartitions.
Srv2/cyclase-associated protein forms hexamericshurikensthat directly catalyze actin filament severing by cofilin
Authors: Chaudhry Faisal , Breitsprecher Dennis , Little Kristin , Sharov Grigory , Sokolova Olga , Goode Bruce L.
Published: November 2012

Actin filament severing is critical for the dynamic turnover of cellular actin networks. Cofilin severs filaments, but additional factors may be required to increase severing efficiency in vivo. Srv2/cyclase-associated protein (CAP) is a widely expressed protein with a role in binding and recycling actin monomers ascribed to domains in its C-terminus (C-Srv2). In this paper, we report a new biochemical and cellular function for Srv2/CAP in directly catalyzing cofilin-mediated severing of filaments. This function is mediated by its N-terminal half (N-Srv2), and is physically and genetically separable from C-Srv2 activities. Using dual-color total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we determined that N-Srv2 stimulates filament disassembly by increasing the frequency of cofilin-mediated severing without affecting cofilin binding to filaments. Structural analysis shows that N-Srv2 forms novel hexameric star-shaped structures, and disrupting oligomerization impairs N-Srv2 activities and in vivo function. Further, genetic analysis shows that the combined activities of N-Srv2 and Aip1 are essential in vivo. These observations define a novel mechanism by which the combined activities of cofilin and Srv2/CAP lead to enhanced filament severing and support an emerging view that actin disassembly is controlled not by cofilin alone, but by a more complex set of factors working in concert.
Characterization of white spot syndrome virus immediate-early gene promoters
Authors: Lin Fanyu , Huang He , Ke Wei , Hou Luhong , Li Fang , Yang Feng
Published: November 2012

Twenty-one immediate-early (IE) genes of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) have been identified so far. However, the transcriptional regulation of WSSV IE genes remains largely unknown. In this report, the 5′ flanking regions of 18 WSSV IE genes were cloned and eight functional promoter regions were identified. WSSV IE gene promoters normally contained a TATA box approximately 30 bp upstream of the transcriptional initiation site. Also, the cyclic AMP response element (CRE; TGACGTCA) was frequently found within the WSSV IE promoter regions. Mutations of the CREs of WSSV IE promoters P403 and P465 reduced their activity significantly, suggesting that these elements have a role in WSSV IE gene transcription. Our findings provide a more global view of WSSV IE gene promoters and will facilitate the in-depth investigation of viral gene transcriptional regulation.
Comparison of the Delay in Processing Time and Protective Plastic Cases in Two Phosphor Plate Systems
Authors: Aktan Ali Murat , Çiftçi Mehmet Ertuğrul , Akgünlü Faruk
Published: November 2012

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze two phosphor plate systems (PSPs) (Dürr Dental, Digora Optime) according to their scanning delay and protective plastic case performances.Methods. Two PSPs using an aluminum step wedge were exposed. These plates were placed in three different protective plastic cases (manufacturers' original cases, black case, and white case) before obtaining the radiographs and were then processed immediately and 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 min after exposure. Mean gray values (MGVs) of the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th steps of the wedges were compared using ANOVA.Results. Statistically significant differences were found between the two PSPs (). ANOVA revealed that the MGVs of four steps of the wedges were significantly different from each other for all scan delays (). MGVs increased with increasing scanning delay, except the group with Dürr plates in their original cases. Reduction in image quality began 5 min after exposure in the other Dürr plate groups.Conclusions. Within the limitations of the current study, it can be concluded that scanning delay causes a reduction in image quality, and using the manufacturer's original protective case will result in better performance of PSPs.
Nonrenewable Energy Cost and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of a “Pig-Biogas-Fish” System in China
Authors: Yang Qing , Wu Xiaofang , Yang Haiping , Zhang Shihong , Chen Hanping
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study is to assess the energy savings and emission reductions of the present rural biogas system in China. The life cycle assessment (LCA) method is used to analyze a “pig-biogas-fish” system in Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China. The nonrenewable energy cost and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the system, including the pigsty, the biogas digester, and the fishpond, are taken into account. The border definition is standardized because of the utilization of the database in this paper. The results indicate that the nonrenewable energy consumption intensity of the “pig-biogas-fish” system is 0.60 MJ/MJ and the equivalent CO2emission intensity is 0.05 kg CO2-eq/MJ. Compared with the conventional animal husbandry system, the “pig-biogas-fish” system shows high renewability and GHG reduction benefit, which indicates that the system is a scientific and environmentally friendly chain combining energy and ecology.
Health Status and Health Care Experiences among Homeless Patients in Federally Supported Health Centers: Findings from the 2009 Patient Survey
Authors: Lebrun‐Harris Lydie A. , Baggett Travis P. , Jenkins Darlene M. , Sripipatana Alek , Sharma Ravi , Hayashi A. Seiji , Daly Charles A. , Ngo‐Metzger Quyen
Published: November 2012

Objective

To examine health status and health care experiences of homeless patients in health centers and to compare them with their nonhomeless counterparts.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Nationally representative data from the 2009 Health Center Patient Survey.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analyses were limited to adults (n = 2,683). We compared sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, access to health care, and utilization of services among homeless and nonhomeless patients. We also examined the independent effect of homelessness on health care access and utilization, as well as factors that influenced homeless patients' health care experiences.

Data Collection

Computer‐assisted personal interviews were conducted with health center patients.

Principal Findings

Homeless patients had worse health status—lifetime burden of chronic conditions, mental health problems, and substance use problems—compared with housed respondents. In adjusted analyses, homeless patients had twice the odds as housed patients of having unmet medical care needs in the past year (OR = 1.98, 95 percent CI: 1.24–3.16) and twice the odds of having an ED visit in the past year (OR = 2.00, 95 percent CI: 1.37–2.92).

Conclusions

There is an ongoing need to focus on the health issues that disproportionately affect homeless populations. Among health center patients, homelessness is an independent risk factor for unmet medical needs and ED use.
Improved Blood Pressure Control with Nifedipine GITS/Valsartan Combination Versus High‐Dose Valsartan Monotherapy in Mild‐to‐Moderate Hypertensive Patients from Asia: Results from the ADVISE Study, a Randomized Trial
Authors: Ke Yuan‐Nan , Dong Yu‐Gang , Ma Shu‐Ping , Yuan Hong , Ihm Sang‐Hyun , Baek Sang Hong
Published: November 2012

Aims: ADVISE was a 12‐week, multicenter, randomized, prospective, open‐label, parallel‐group study comparing combination therapy of nifedipine GITS 30 mg plus valsartan 80 mg (N + V) with high‐dose valsartan (160 mg) monotherapy (V160) in Asian patients with hypertension. Methods: Patients with hypertension inadequately controlled with valsartan 80 mg for at least 4 weeks were randomized. The coprimary endpoints were the mean changes in clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively) at Week 12. Other endpoints included blood pressure (BP) control rate, response rate, and adverse events. Results: The full analysis set (FAS) comprised 359 patients. Least squares (LS) mean changes in SBP were −18.3 mmHg (N + V; n = 177) and −16.5 mmHg (V160; n = 182) (difference: −1.9 mmHg; P = 0.0998). DBP LS mean changes were −9.8 mmHg (N + V) and −7.4 mmHg (V160) (difference: −2.4 mmHg; P = 0.0011). BP control rates were significantly higher in the N + V group (Week 4: 51.2% vs. 38.4%, P = 0.0138; Week 8: 68.3% vs. 50.3%, P = 0.0004; and Week 12: 71.2% vs. 55.5%, P = 0.0024). Similar findings were observed when patients were stratified according to smoking status, SBP baseline quartiles, and ESC/ESH guideline‐defined added‐risk category. The BP response rate was also higher in the N + V group compared with the V160 group. Rates of adverse drug reactions (all mild‐to‐moderate) were similar: 4.5% (N + V) and 4.4% (V160). Conclusions: Although one of the coprimary endpoints did not reach statistical significance, combination treatment with N + V provided a greater early and more consistent BP‐lowering effect than monotherapy with V160, including superior reduction in DBP and BP control rates.
Donor population size rather than local adaptation can be a key determinant of amphibian translocation success
Authors: Zeisset I. , Beebee T. J. C.
Published: November 2012

Translocation of species to new locations is a widespread procedure in conservation biology. Conventional wisdom suggests using large numbers of donor stock from sites as close and as ecologically similar to the recipient location as possible to minimise risks from maladaptation and outbreeding depression. Here, we compare translocation success to a common receptor site of animals from a large but distant population with those from smaller proximal populations. Common toads (Bufo bufo) from a site far from the recipient locality and with very different habitat rapidly established a new population where three attempts with local animals failed. After 10 years, the new population retained allele frequency distributions at microsatellite loci almost the same as the donor site, whereas major histocompatibility complex allele frequencies changed to resemble local ones. Variations in phenology and climate could not readily explain the success of the distant translocation source. We postulate that success was due to the very large size of the donor population compared with local sources, implying that high levels of mean fitness or adaptive variation can be more important than local factors when considering translocations, at least in some circumstances.
An allergic phenotype and the use of steroid inhalers predict eosinophilic oesophagitis in patients with asthma
Authors: Harer K. N. , Enders F. T. , Lim K. G. , Alexander J. A. , Katzka D. A.
Published: November 2012

Background

Patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) commonly have asthma and atopy.

Aims

To determine the predictive factors of EoE in patients with asthma.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a large database identified 156 asthma patients with EoE and 276 patients without EoE between 2000 and 2010. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were first analyzed in half of each group. Significant differences and modelling were then applied to the other half of each group in a split half analysis.

Results

Odds ratios and P‐values found to predict the presence of EoE in asthma patients were: allergic vs. non‐allergic asthma (4.07, <0.01), food allergies (45, <0.01), allergic rhinitis (2.13, =0.01) and peripheral eosinophilia (4.51, <0.01). The use of inhaled corticosteroids was negatively associated with EoE (0.41, <0.01) for asthma patients and (0.37, P < 0.01) for allergic type asthma patients. EoE patients were also younger (27.4 vs. 41.6 years old, P < 0.01). By logistic regression analysis, allergic asthma, presence of peripheral eosinophilia and use of inhaled steroids remained significant. From these parameters, a 3.5‐point scoring system model for EoE in asthma was formed with an ROC = 0.787 on split analysis.

Conclusions

In descending order, peripheral eosinophilia, allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are associated with EoE in patients with asthma. Steroid inhalers appear to have a protective effect against EoE. An accurate and simple scoring system can be used as a screening tool to predict the presence of EoE in patients with asthma and dysphagia. EoE should be viewed as part of a generalised allergic phenotype rather than isolated oesophageal disease.