bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorption and desorption of alcohol sulfate surfactants in an agricultural soil
Authors: Fernández-Ramos Carolina , Ballesteros Oscar , Zafra-Gómez Alberto , Blanc-García Rosario , Navalón Alberto , Crovetto Sara Isabel , Oliver-Rodríguez Bartolomé , García-Delgado Rafael Antonio , Vílchez José Luís
Published: November 2013

Alcohol sulfates are one of the most important types of commercial anionic surfactants and may pose serious environmental problems. The present study examines the sorption behavior of alcohol sulfates in an agricultural soil using a batch reactor and column experiments. Kinetics and equilibrium isotherms of the sorption and desorption processes of the following alcohol sulfate homologues have been determined: AS-C12, AS-C14, AS-C16, and AS-C18. Sorption and desorption occurred rapidly, and equilibrium was achieved in approximately 1 h. The sorbed mass percentages were 35.1% AS-C12, 67.2% AS-C14, and 100% for both AS-C16 and AS-C18. A pseudo–first-order kinetic model provided an adequate fit of data. Sorption and desorption equilibrium data were fitted into 1) a linear model, with r2 values in the ranges 0.712 to 0.988 and 0.736 to 0.983, respectively, and 2) a Freundlich model, with r2 values in the ranges 0.956 to 0.991 and 0.891 to 0.981, respectively. Continuous-flow experiments in soil columns were carried out to obtain the breakthrough curves for each compound. The present study provides basic theoretical concepts and key parameters for developing mathematical models that simulate the migration of alcohol sulfate into agricultural soils. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:508–515. © 2013 SETAC
Interactive effects of lambda-cyhalothrin, soil moisture, and temperature on Folsomia candida and Sinella curviseta (Collembola)
Authors: Bandow Cornelia , Coors Anja , Karau Nora , Römbke Jörg
Published: November 2013

The authors investigated whether and how 2 environmental factors could influence the toxicity of a pyrethroid to 2 representatives of an important group of soil organisms. The impacts of different temperatures (20 °C and 26 °C) and soil moisture levels (30%, 50%, and 70% of water holding capacity) were investigated in combination with the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin on the reproduction success of Folsomia candida and Sinella curviseta in a full factorial design. Testing was based on the standard collembolan reproduction test (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, guideline 232) following an effect concentration design. The results showed an effect of environmental and chemical factors on the number of juveniles of these animals. Particularly in dry soil, the reproduction of both species was reduced, while higher soil moisture levels influenced the number of juveniles positively compared with the middle soil moisture level. In general, however, higher soil moisture led to increased sensitivity to lambda-cyhalothrin. In both organisms, temperature affected the toxicity of the pesticide but in different directions: high temperature led to higher toxicity in F. candida but to lower toxicity in S. curviseta. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:654–661. © 2013 SETAC
A semi‐implicit numerical method for the free‐surface Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Casulli Vincenzo
Published: November 2013

Semi‐implicit methods are known for being the basis of simple, efficient, accurate, and stable numerical algorithms for simulating a large variety of geophysical free‐surface flows. Geophysical flows are typically characterized by having a small vertical scale as compared with their horizontal extents. Hence, the hydrostatic approximation often applies, and the free surface can be conveniently represented by a single‐valued function of the horizontal coordinates. In the present investigation, semi‐implicit methods are extended to complex free‐surface flows that are governed by the full incompressible Navier–Stokes equations and are delimited by solid boundaries and arbitrarily shaped free‐surfaces. The primary dependent variables are the velocity components and the pressure. Finite difference equations for momentum, and a finite volume discretization for continuity, are derived in such a fashion that, after simple manipulation, the resulting pressure equation yields a well‐posed piecewise linear system from which both the pressure and the fluid volume within each computational cell are naturally derived. This system is efficiently solved by a nested Newton type iterative scheme, and the resulting fluid volumes are assured to be nonnegative and bounded from above by the available cell volumes. The time step size is not restricted by stability conditions dictated by surface wave speed, but can be freely chosen just to achieve the desired accuracy. Several examples illustrate the model applicability to a large range of complex free‐surface flows and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EEF1A2 Inactivates p53 by Way of PI3K/AKT/mTOR-Dependent Stabilization of MDM4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Pellegrino Rossella , Calvisi Diego F. , Neumann Olaf , Kolluru Venkatesh , Wesely Josephine , Chen Xin , Wang Chunmei , Wuestefeld Torsten , Ladu Sara , Elgohary Nahla , Bermejo Justo Lorenzo , Radlwimmer Bernhard , Zörnig Martin , Zender Lars , Dombrowski Frank , Evert Matthias , Schirmacher Peter , Longerich Thomas
Published: November 2013

Mouse Double Minute homolog 4 (MDM4) gene up-regulation often occurs in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the molecular mechanisms responsible for its induction remain poorly understood. Here we investigated the role of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis in the regulation of MDM4 levels in HCC. The activity of MDM4 and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was modulated in human HCC cell lines by way of silencing and overexpression experiments. Expression of main pathway components was analyzed in an AKT mouse model and human HCCs. MDM4 inhibition resulted in growth restraint of HCC cell lines both

in vitro

and

in vivo

. Inhibition of the PI3K-AKT and/or mTOR pathways lowered MDM4 protein levels in HCC cells and reactivated p53-dependent transcription. Deubiquitination by ubiquitin-specific protease 2a and AKT-mediated phosphorylation protected MDM4 from proteasomal degradation and increased its protein stability. The eukaryotic elongation factor 1A2 (EEF1A2) was identified as an upstream inducer of PI3K supporting MDM4 stabilization. Also, we detected MDM4 protein up-regulation in an AKT mouse model and a strong correlation between the expression of EEF1A2, activated/phosphorylated AKT, and MDM4 in human HCC (each rho > 0.8,

P

< 0.001). Noticeably, a strong activation of this cascade was associated with shorter patient survival.

Conclusion :

The EEF1A2/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis promotes the protumorigenic stabilization of the MDM4 protooncogene in human HCC by way of a posttranscriptional mechanism. The activation level of the EEF1A2/PI3K/AKT/mTOR/MDM4 axis significantly influences the survival probability of HCC patients

in vivo

and may thus represent a promising molecular target. (Hepatology 2014;59:1886–1899)
Silicon‐on‐insulator MOSFETs models in analog/RF domain
Authors: Raskin Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2013

Several physical phenomena specific to silicon‐on‐insulator metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors, such as floating body effects, self‐heating, and substrate coupling, are described and modeled. Small‐signal equivalent circuit of ultra‐thin body and thin buried oxide and fin field effect transistor (FinFET) are extracted, and their radio frequency figures of merit as well as their advantages and limitations are presented. We demonstrate the importance of performing wideband characterization at the early stage of the technology development in order to identify the device weaknesses and come up with technological solutions to overcome those. With the ongoing downscaling of the metal–oxide–semiconductor devices, the surrounding of the transistor, that is, the contacts, the access lines, and the substrate, starts to play a major role on the transistor behavior. There is an urgent need to develop adequate models for the new generation of devices valid over a wide frequency band. © (2013) The Authors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NUMERICAL MODELLING: ELECTRONIC NETWORKS, DEVICES AND FIELDS Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determining soil water‐balance components using an irrigated grass lysimeter in NE Austria
Authors: Nolz Reinhard , Cepuder Peter , Kammerer Gerhard
Published: November 2013

The water balance of a certain soil profile in a certain time interval is subjected to changes of soil water content within the respective profile, and fluxes at its upper and lower boundary. Weighing lysimeters are valuable instruments for water‐balance studies. Typically, mass changes—thus, changes of soil profile water content—are detected by a weighing system, while seepage water outflow is measured by a tipping bucket, and precipitation data originate from a rain gauge. Hence, evapotranspiration as unknown component can be determined by solving a simple water‐balance equation. However, using separately measured precipitation data may cause implausible (negative) evapotranspiration. In this study, change of soil profile water content, seepage water, precipitation, and evapotranspiration were determined directly from 10‐min lysimeter data from 2011. Precipitation measured with the lysimeter was in total 20% greater than rain‐gauge values. Even dew formation was measured and considered as water‐balance component; however, its total amount was rather low. Evapotranspiration calculated on daily and hourly base indicated a sound correlation with measured data, but measured values were considerably smaller. Both calculated and measured dew amount were of the same magnitude. Comparison of lysimeter evapotranspiration with daily calculations (neglecting dew) and hourly computation (considering dew) delivered similar results. Generally, the utilized lysimeter facility and the specific data management provided sound water‐balance components with high accuracy and temporal resolution, respectively.
Early and late Holocene glacial fluctuations and tephrostratigraphy, Cabin Lake, Alaska
Authors: ZANDER PAUL D. , KAUFMAN DARRELL S. , KUEHN STEPHEN C. , WALLACE KRISTI L. , ANDERSON R. SCOTT
Published: November 2013

Marked changes in sediment types deposited in Cabin Lake, near Cordova, Alaska, represent environmental shifts during the early and late Holocene, including fluctuations in the terminal position of Sheridan Glacier. Cabin Lake is situated to receive meltwater during periods when the outwash plain of the advancing Sheridan Glacier had aggraded. A brief early Holocene advance from 11.2 to 11.0 cal ka is represented by glacial rock flour near the base of the sediment core. Non‐glacial lake conditions were restored for about 1000 years before the water level in Cabin Lake lowered and the core site became a fen. The fen indicates drier‐than‐present conditions leading up to the Holocene thermal maximum. An unconformity spanning 5400 years during the mid‐Holocene is overlain by peat until 1110 CE when meltwater from Sheridan Glacier returned to the basin. Three intervals of an advanced Sheridan Glacier are recorded in the Cabin Lake sediments during the late Holocene: 1110–1180, 1260–1540 and 1610–1780 CE. The sedimentary sequence also contains the first five reported tephra deposits from the Copper River delta region, and their geochemical signatures suggest that the sources are the Cook Inlet volcanoes Redoubt, Augustine and Crater Peak, and possibly Mt Churchill in the Wrangell Volcanic field.
Does postoperative infection after soft tissue sarcoma resection affect oncologic outcomes?
Authors: Behnke Nicole K. , Alamanda Vignesh K. , Song Yanna , Archer Kristin R. , Halpern Jennifer L. , Schwartz Herbert S. , Holt Ginger E.
Published: November 2013

Background and Objectives

Prior studies have demonstrated postoperative infection may confer a survival benefit after osteosarcoma resection. Our aim was to determine whether infection after soft tissue sarcoma resection has similar effects on metastasis, recurrence and survival.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted; 396 patients treated surgically for a soft tissue sarcoma between 2000 and 2008 were identified. Relevant oncologic data were collected. Fifty‐six patients with a postoperative infection were compared with 340 patients without infection. Hazard ratios and overall cumulative risk were evaluated.

Results

There was no difference in survival, local recurrence or metastasis between patients with or without a postoperative infection. Patients were evenly matched for age at diagnosis, gender, smoking status, and diabetes status. Tumor characteristics did not differ between groups in tumor size, location, depth, grade, margin status, stage, and histologic subtype. There was no difference in utilization of chemotherapy or radiation therapy between groups. From our competing risk model, only positive margin status significantly impacted the risk of local recurrence. An increase in tumor size corresponded to an increased risk of metastasis and death.

Conclusions

Postoperative infection neither conferred a protective effect, nor increased the risk of adverse oncologic outcomes after soft tissue sarcoma resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:415–420. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of pepsin and pepsinogen: Linking laryngopharyngeal reflux with otitis media with effusion in children
Authors: Luo Hua‐Nan , Yang Qi‐Mei , Sheng Ying , Wang Zheng‐Hui , Zhang Qing , Yan Jing , Hou Jin , Zhu Kang , Cheng Ying , Wang Bo‐Tao , Xu Ying‐Long , Zhang Xiang‐Hong , Ren Xiao‐Yong , Xu Min
Published: November 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To analyze the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) represented by pepsin and pepsinogen, and pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME).

Study Design

Prospective case‐control study.

Methods

Children with OME who required adenoidectomy and tympanostomy/tympanostomy tubes placement were enrolled in OME group, whereas children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) who required adenoidectomy and individuals who required cochlear implantation (CI) were enrolled in AH and CI groups, respectively. Pepsinogen mRNA and protein levels were assessed by real‐time fluorescence‐based quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in adenoid specimens from the OME and AH groups. Pepsin and pepsinogen concentrations were evaluated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in middle ear fluid and plasma from the OME and CI groups.

Results

The levels of pepsinogen protein expressed in cytoplasm of epithelial cells and clearance under epithelial cells in adenoid specimens from the OME group were significantly higher than those in the AH group. Furthermore, the concentrations of pepsin and pepsinogen in the OME group were 51.93 ± 11.58 ng/mL and 728 ± 342.6 ng/mL, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the CI group (P < .001). In addition, the concentrations of pepsin in dry ears were significantly lower than those in serous and mucus ears in the OME group (F = 22.77, P < .001).Finally, the concentration of pepsinogen in middle ear effusion was positively correlated with the expression intensity of pepsinogen protein in cytoplasm of epithelial cells(r = 0.73, P < .05) in the OME group.

Conclusions

Pepsin and pepsinogen in middle ear effusion are probably caused by LPR and may be involved in the pathogenesis of OME.

Level of Evidence

3b Laryngoscope, 124:E294–E300, 2014
Nanoparticles of Well‐Defined 4‐Arm Stars made using Nanoreactors in Water
Authors: Sebakhy Khaled O. , Gavrilov Mikhail , Valade David , Jia Zhongfan , Monteiro Michael J.
Published: November 2013

In this work, the use of a nanoreactor is demonstrated to rapidly prepare monodisperse polymer nanoparticles in water‐based dispersion consisting of 4‐arm star polymer via the R‐group RAFT approach. It is shown that by heating a nanoparticle assembler above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), stabilized nanoparticles are formed that act as a template for the 4‐arm star RAFT‐mediated polymerization of styrene. Monodisperse nanoparticles of size (between 40 and 90 nm) containing monodisperse polymer of desired molecular weight (30–95 k) are obtained with little star–star coupling due to compartmentalization. The nanoreactor technique allows independent control over the size and molecular weight with a 4‐arm star topology.

image
Modeling the Biodegradability of Chemical Compounds Using the Online CHEmical Modeling Environment (OCHEM)
Authors: Vorberg Susann , Tetko Igor V.
Published: November 2013

Biodegradability describes the capacity of substances to be mineralized by free‐living bacteria. It is a crucial property in estimating a compound’s long‐term impact on the environment. The ability to reliably predict biodegradability would reduce the need for laborious experimental testing. However, this endpoint is difficult to model due to unavailability or inconsistency of experimental data. Our approach makes use of the Online Chemical Modeling Environment (OCHEM) and its rich supply of machine learning methods and descriptor sets to build classification models for ready biodegradability. These models were analyzed to determine the relationship between characteristic structural properties and biodegradation activity. The distinguishing feature of the developed models is their ability to estimate the accuracy of prediction for each individual compound. The models developed using seven individual descriptor sets were combined in a consensus model, which provided the highest accuracy. The identified overrepresented structural fragments can be used by chemists to improve the biodegradability of new chemical compounds. The consensus model, the datasets used, and the calculated structural fragments are publicly available at http://ochem.eu/article/31660.
Effect of backbone structures on photovoltaic properties in naphthodithiophene‐based copolymers
Authors: Bathula Chinna , Badgujar Sachin , Song Chang Eun , Kang In‐Nam , Cho Shinuk , Lee Jong‐Cheol , Shin Won Suk , Moon Sang‐Jin , Lee Sang Kyu
Published: November 2013

A “zigzag” naphthodithiophene‐based copolymer, poly[4,9‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)naphtho[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐1,3‐(5‐heptadecan‐9‐yl)‐4H‐thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione] (P1) is synthesized and its properties are compared to “linear” naphthodithiophene‐based copolymer, poly[4,9‐bis(2‐ethylhexyloxy)naphtho[2,3‐b:6,7‐d′]dithiophene‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐1,3‐(5‐heptadecan‐9‐yl)‐4H‐thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione] (P2). The field‐effect carrier mobilities and the optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of the copolymers are systematically investigated. The results suggest that the backbone of the copolymer structure significantly influences the band gap, electronic energy levels, carrier mobilities, and photovoltaic properties of the resultant thin films. In this work, the zigzag naphtho[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene‐based copolymer displays a good hole mobility and a high open‐circuit voltage; however, polymer solar cells in which the linear naphtho[2,3‐b;6,7‐d′]dithiophene‐based copolymer is used as the electron donor material perform better than the cells prepared using the zigzag naphtho[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene‐based copolymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 305–312
Influence of Different Levels of Immersion in Water on the Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Pressure in Healthy Individuals: Observational Study
Authors: de Andrade Armèle Dornelas , Júnior Jader Carneiro , Lins de Barros Melo Talita Lourdes , Rattes Lima Catarina Souza Ferreira , Brandão Daniella Cunha , de Melo Barcelar Jacqueline
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose

Immersion in water, with the head above the water line, causes acute physiological changes in the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute physiological responses to immersion on lung volumes and respiratory muscle strength at different depths.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 28 healthy individuals (21.75 ± 1.99 years; 13 men and 15 women). Anthropometric and spirometric data as well as respiratory muscle strength were evaluated. Evaluations were carried out on dry land (DL) and in a pool at three different levels of immersion: iliac crests (IC), xiphoid appendix of the sternum (XA) and clavicles (CL). The order of evaluation for spirometry and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures between DL and the different levels of immersion was randomized. The ANOVA test for repeated measures with post hoc Tukey was applied to compare the variables.

Results

Vital capacity exhibited lower values at the CL level compared with DL, XA and IC (p < 0.01). The most significant change in forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) occurred under immersion at CL and XA levels. No differences in maximal expiratory pressure were found in the comparisons between the different levels of immersion and DL (p = 0.19). There was nevertheless a decrease in maximum inspiratory pressure with immersion at the CL level (91 ± 23 cmH2O) compared with DL (105 ± 29 cmH2O), XA (99 ± 24 cmH2O) and IC (101 ± 25 cmH2O) values (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The results suggest that immersion at the level of the clavicles and xiphoid appendix alters lung function and respiratory muscle strength when compared with the values measured out of the water and immersed at the IC level in healthy individuals, demonstrating the influence of hydrostatic pressure on the respiratory system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid monitoring of volatile organic compounds: a comparison between gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry
Authors: Langford Vaughan S. , Graves Ian , McEwan Murray J.
Published: November 2013

RATIONALE

The gold standard for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). However, in many situations, when VOC concentrations are at the ppmv level, there are complicating factors for GC/MS. Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) is an emerging technique for monitoring VOCs in air. It is simpler to use and provides results in real time.

METHODS

Three different experiments were used for the comparison. First SIFT‐MS was applied to monitor the concentrations of 25 VOCs in a mixture at concentrations up to 1 ppmv using only a generic database for known kinetic data of three reagent ions (H3O+, NO+ and O2+) with each VOC. In experiment 2, a side‐by‐side comparison was made of 17 VOCs at concentrations between 1 ppmv and 5 ppbv after small corrections had been made to the SIFT‐MS kinetic data. In a third experiment, a side‐by‐side comparison examined two groups of samples received for commercial analysis.

RESULTS

In experiment 1, 85% of the VOC concentrations were within 35% of their stated values without any calibration of the SIFT‐MS instrument. In experiment 2, the two techniques yielded good correspondence between the measured VOC concentrations. In experiment 3, good correlation was found for VOCs from three of the samples. However, interferences from some product ions gave over‐reported values in one sample from the SIFT‐MS instrument.

CONCLUSIONS

These three experiments showed that GC/MS was better suited to monitoring samples containing large numbers of VOCs at high concentrations. In all other applications, SIFT‐MS proved simpler to use, was linear with concentration over a much wider concentration range than GC/MS and provided faster results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability analysis of large‐scale dynamical systems by sub‐Gramian approach
Authors: Yadykin I. B. , Iskakov A. B. , Akhmetzyanov A. V.
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we consider two methods for solving differential and algebraic Lyapunov equations in the time and frequency domains. Solutions of these equations are finite and infinite Gramians. In the first approach, we use the Laplace transform to solve the equations, and we apply the expansion of the matrix resolvent of the dynamical system. The expansions are bilinear and quadratic forms of the Faddeev matrices generated by resolvents of the original matrices. The second method allows computation of an infinite Gramian of a stable system as a sum of sub‐Gramians, which characterize the contribution of eigenmodes to the asymptotic variation of the total system energy over an infinite time interval. Because each sub‐Gramian is associated with a particular eigenvector, the potential sources of instability can easily be localized and tracked in real time. When solutions of Lyapunov equations have low‐rank structure typical of large‐scale applications, sub‐Gramians can be represented in low‐rank factored form, which makes them convenient in the stability analysis of large systems. Our numerical tests for Kundur's four‐machine two‐area system confirm the suitability of using Gramians and sub‐Gramians for small‐signal stability analyses of electric power systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The past is prologue: reflections on forty‐plus years of system dynamics modeling practice
Authors: Richardson John
Published: November 2013

What lessons might a body of work recognized for “Lifetime Achievements” offer to a new generation of system dynamics modelers? In what areas are future contributions of system dynamics most needed and likely to have the greatest impact? My life goals have been the design of effective public policy systems and the remediation of ineffective ones. Searching for a practice – an “engineering” or “curative” discipline that would facilitate the attainment of those goals led me to system dynamics modeling. A chronicling of three projects focusing, respectively, on global modeling, conflict–development linkages, and Singapore's improbable resilience, illustrate system dynamics modeling principles, applications, and lessons learned. China represents an important new frontier for system dynamics modeling and modelers to contribute to the survival and well‐being of the human species. Copyright © 2013 System Dynamics Society
A practical anonymous authentication protocol for wireless roaming
Authors: Xie Qi , Tan Xiao , Wong Duncan S. , Wang Guilin , Bao Mengjie , Dong Na
Published: November 2013

Recently, Chen et al. proposed a practical authentication protocol for supporting anonymous roaming in wireless access networks, then the protocol is further improved by Hsieh and Leu. In this paper, we demonstrate the adversarial model of this type of protocols and show that Hsieh‐Leu scheme is not as secure as they originally claimed to be. In particular, we show that their protocol does not provide user privacy protection, and it is vulnerable to off‐line password guessing attack mounted by a side channel adversary who has compromised all the information stored in the user's smart card. To fix these weaknesses, a new practical authentication protocol with anonymity for wireless roaming is proposed. We use the formal verification tool ProVerif, which is based on applied pi calculus, to prove the security of the proposed scheme. The experimental results confirm that the new scheme not only achieves many desirable properties, such as strong anonymity, perfect forward secrecy and support of session key update, but also provides robustness against all those attacks that Hsieh–Leu protocol does not resist. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surveillance using non‐stealthy sensors: A new intruder model
Authors: Bagchi Amitabha , Kalayappan Rajshekar , Sankhla Surabhi
Published: November 2013

We study the problem of intruder tracking with non‐stealthy sensors, i.e., sensors whose ON/OFF state can be detected by an intruder, sometimes in advance. The sensor field is assumed to be operating with a sleep schedule to conserve energy. Both motion sensors and presence sensors are considered. We provide a rigorous basis for the study of this scenario by defining a new intruder model, the Ideal Intruder, that knows the entire sleep schedule of all the sensors in the field. More realistic intruders that have spatially and temporally limited knowledge of the sensor states are also defined. We study the well‐known Random Independent Sleep (RIS) scheduling scheme with a single parameter p, giving mathematical bounds for the ideal intruder's crossing time in the motion sensor case and showing that the crossing probability in the presence sensor case undergoes a sharp transition as p increases. Further, we show that non‐ideal intruders perform almost as well as the ideal intruder against RIS. Motivated by this finding and by the comparison between Barrier Coverage and RIS, we define a new sleep scheduling scheme, Spotlight, that is more robust to faults than Barrier Coverage and more effective than RIS. But more than that, Spotlight is shown to be specifically suited to the non‐stealthy case because a non‐ideal intruder, that is, one with limited information performs significantly worse against it than the ideal intruder. Spotlight, therefore, apart from being a novel and interesting sleep scheduling scheme in its own right, also illustrates the power of the analytical framework we introduce in this paper. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An empirical comparison of univariate and multivariate meta‐analyses for categorical outcomes
Authors: Trikalinos Thomas A. , Hoaglin David C. , Schmid Christopher H.
Published: November 2013

Treatment effects for multiple outcomes can be meta‐analyzed separately or jointly, but no systematic empirical comparison of the two approaches exists. From the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, we identified 45 reviews, including 1473 trials and 258,675 patients, that contained two or three univariate meta‐analyses of categorical outcomes for the same interventions that could also be analyzed jointly. Eligible were meta‐analyses with at least seven trials reporting all outcomes for which the cross‐classification tables were exactly recoverable (e.g., outcomes were mutually exclusive, or one was a subset of the other). This ensured known correlation structures. Outcomes in 40 reviews had an is‐subset‐of relationship, and those in 5 were mutually exclusive. We analyzed these data with univariate and multivariate models based on discrete and approximate likelihoods. Discrete models were fit in the Bayesian framework using slightly informative priors. The summary effects for each outcome were similar with univariate and multivariate meta‐analyses (both using the approximate and discrete likelihoods); however, the multivariate model with the discrete likelihood gave smaller between‐study variance estimates, and narrower predictive intervals for new studies. When differences in the summary treatment effects were examined, the multivariate models gave similar summary estimates but considerably longer (shorter) uncertainty intervals because of positive (negative) correlation between outcome treatment effects. It is unclear whether any of the examined reviews would change their overall conclusions based on multivariate versus univariate meta‐analyses, because extra‐analytical and context‐specific considerations contribute to conclusions and, secondarily, because numerical differences were often modest. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Use of Textual Memorisation in Foreign Language Learning: Hearing the Chinese Learner and Teacher Voice
Authors: Yu Xia
Published: November 2013

Textual memorisation is a widely used yet underexplored language practice in foreign language teaching and learning in China. The research addresses the need for a comprehensive and in‐depth understanding of the practices and beliefs of Chinese learners regarding the use of textual memorisation in foreign language learning. This article reports on findings from semistructured interviews concentrating on the perceptions of textual memorisation as a way of learning from the learners' perspective. The data were collected from a group of Chinese learners and teachers (N = 62) affiliated with 15 schools and universities at three educational levels (i.e., junior high, senior high, and college), which constitute the major part of foreign language education in China. Qualitative analyses of the data reveal that the practice was perceived to be beneficial not only because it assists learning in a number of ways but because it affords the learners psychological satisfaction built on their sense of achievement and confidence.
Using Analytic Hierarchy Process in Textbook Evaluation
Authors: Kato Shigeo
Published: November 2013

This study demonstrates the application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in English language teaching materials evaluation, focusing in particular on its potential for systematically integrating different components of evaluation criteria in a variety of teaching contexts. AHP is a measurement procedure wherein pairwise comparisons are made at different levels, each of which comprises a specific criterion. A series of hierarchical comparisons are consecutively carried out to help the evaluator prioritize the available alternatives, that is, the materials or coursebooks to be chosen. This procedure can be used by both individuals and teams and can be utilized in various decision‐making settings, as was done by British Airways, which applied the method in choosing the best entertainment system for its flights in 1998. Numerous evaluation criteria have been proposed to help teachers assess materials more validly and reliably, using checklists with several categories or components, such as syllabus, content, illustrations, and price, to facilitate the evaluation process. However, few of these evaluation methods examined or considered a systematic method that integrates each criteria component to arrive at a final evaluation outcome and weighs each component in order to adapt the evaluation to the particular teaching context.
Focusing on Content: Discourse in L2 Peer Review Groups
Authors: Vorobel Oksana , Kim Deoksoon
Published: November 2013

Recent studies on peer review groups in second language classes have focused on various topics, including collaboration (Carr, 2008) and the effect of peer review versus teacher feedback on students' writing (Zhang, 1995). One area that has received little attention is the content of students' speech during peer review. This longitudinal case study examined English as a second language (ESL) students' oral discourse during peer feedback sessions to explore the types of comments ESL students choose to make during peer review sessions. The study was conducted between fall 2009 and summer 2010 at a large urban university in the southeastern United States. Data collection included audio‐recorded peer review sessions, interviews with the teacher, and the researchers' observation notes. The researchers thoroughly analyzed the content of the students' discourse during actual peer review sessions. The findings of the study shed light on various aspects of writing ESL that students choose to comment on during peer feedback sessions. The findings may serve as the basis for further research on students' discourse during peer review, teachers' feedback or facilitation of peer review sessions, and issues of collaboration in peer review sessions in ESL classes.
Three Linear Trinuclear Zinc(II) Complexes with Acenaphthenequinone Dioxime and the Ancillary Ligand 2‐Amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol in Different Coordination Modes
Authors: Wu Shuang , Cheng Haiyan , Chen Zilu , Zhang Zhong , Liang Fupei
Published: November 2013

Three linear trinuclear complexes [Zn3L3(HAMP)2]·2MeOH (1), [Zn3L3(HAMP)2]·2DMF·2EtOH (2), and [Zn3L3(HAMP)2]·DMF·EtOH (3) were separated from the reactions of ZnII salts with acenaphthenequinone dioxime (H2L) and 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol (HAMP) under different reaction conditions. They were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffractional analysis. All of them present a similar linear trinuclear skeleton with the three ZnII ions linked by three L2– ligands. The coordination arrangements of their terminal ZnII ions and the coordination modes of the two HAMP ancillary ligands are different. 1 has two five‐coordinate bipyramidal terminal ZnII ions with the two HAMP molecules chelated to the two terminal ZnII ions, while the two terminal metal ions in 3 are both tetracoordinate in tetrahedral arrangements with the two HAMP molecules in monodentate coordination modes. However, 2 shows different coordination modes (bipyramidal and tetrahedral) for the two terminal ZnII ions with the two HAMP molecules in chelated and monodentate coordination modes, respectively. Their luminescent properties were also investigated.
Pore‐Filled Nanoporous Silica Colloidal Films with Enantioselective Permeability
Authors: Ignacio‐de Leon Patricia A. , Cichelli Julie A. , Abelow Alexis E. , Zharov Ilya
Published: November 2013

We prepared nanoporous silica colloidal films whose nanopores were filled with polymer brushes containing chiral selector moieties in the side chains, or with a chiral polypeptide. Both types of polymers were grown inside the nanopores using surface‐initiated polymerization and thus were covalently attached to the nanopore surface. We studied the enantioselective permeation in the resulting pore‐filled films and found that they possess a relatively high enantioselectivity. Increasing the number of chiral selectors inside the nanopores and preventing through solution diffusion by pore‐filling with polymers did not lead to increased enantioselectivity compared to that observed for silica colloidal films whose nanopores were surface‐modified with a monolayer of chiral selectors. This suggests that the enantioselectivity depends solely on the energy difference between the enantiomer/selector complexes and that through solution diffusion plays a minor role in the transport of enantiomers, which occurs predominantly through site hopping.
A Possible Complex between TNT and Epinephrine – A DFT Study
Authors: Türker Lemi , Varış Serhat
Published: November 2013

The interaction between TNT and a vitally significant biological molecule, epinephrine, was investigated at the level of density functional theory. Two models are constructed; (i) an intimate pair of TNT and epinephrine and (ii) a π complex of them. The calculations (in vacuo conditions) have showed that these molecules in the intimate pair model orient themselves in an angular arrangement, whereas a π complex formation between these molecules is quite likely in the case of parallel arrangement of aromatic rings. The calculated electrostatic charges, UV and NMR spectra support the idea of a strong interaction between TNT and epinephrine whatever the type of interaction is.
Synthesis and Thermolysis of the Homoleptic Iron(II) Complex [Fe{cyclo‐(P5tBu4)}2]
Authors: Kırcalı Akdag Aslıhan , Lönnecke Peter , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: November 2013

Na[cyclo‐(P5tBu4)] (1) reacts with [FeBr2(CO)4] (2:1) to give the first homoleptic iron(II) complex [Fe{cyclo‐(P5tBu4)}2] (2) containing two tridentate cyclo‐(P5tBu4)– ligands. Thermolysis of 2 up to 500 °C produces a new phosphorus‐rich iron phosphide, calculated as FeP6 according to the mass change.
Directed evolution of GH43 β-xylosidase XylBH43 thermal stability and L186 saturation mutagenesis
Authors: Singh Sanjay K , Heng Chamroeun , Braker Jay D , Chan Victor J , Lee Charles C , Jordan Douglas B , Yuan Ling , Wagschal Kurt
Published: November 2013

Directed evolution of β-xylosidase XylBH43 using a single round of gene shuffling identified three mutations, R45K, M69P, and L186Y, that affect thermal stability parameter K  t  0.5 by −1.8 ± 0.1, 1.7 ± 0.3, and 3.2 ± 0.4 °C, respectively. In addition, a cluster of four mutations near hairpin loop-D83 improved K  t  0.5 by ~3 °C; none of the individual amino acid changes measurably affect K  t  0.5. Saturation mutagenesis of L186 identified the variant L186K as having the most improved K  t  0.5 value, by 8.1 ± 0.3 °C. The L186Y mutation was found to be additive, resulting in K  t  0.5 increasing by up to 8.8 ± 0.3 °C when several beneficial mutations were combined. While k  cat of xylobiose and 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside were found to be depressed from 8 to 83 % in the thermally improved mutants, K  m, K  ss (substrate inhibition), and K  i (product inhibition) values generally increased, resulting in lessened substrate and xylose inhibition.
Longitudinal epiphyseal bracket
Authors: Choo Alexander D. , Mubarak Scott J.
Published: November 2013

Longitudinal epiphyseal bracket or bracket epiphysis is an uncommon disorder of growth. Alternatively known as a delta phalanx, it is due to an anomalous secondary ossification center that extends longitudinally along the diaphysis. Although rare, longitudinal epiphyseal bracket most commonly manifests in the hands as clinodactyly and in the feet as hallux varus. Previously, longitudinal epiphyseal bracket has been treated with angular osteotomy, but we recommend early surgical physiolysis. We describe this uncommon disorder, our current recommendation for treatment, and present three illustrative cases.
The effects of out‐of‐school time on changes in youth risk of obesity across the adolescent years
Authors: Zarrett Nicole , Bell Bethany A.
Published: November 2013

This study examined the longitudinal effects of out‐of‐school time (OST) activities on youth weight‐status through mid‐to‐late adolescence. First, using pattern‐centered methods, we identified the prominent ways in which youth allocate their OST across 12 common active and sedentary activities available to them. Second, through multi‐level modeling procedures we examined the relation of OST activity patterns to: 1) BMI‐status during the 11th grade, and; 2) within‐person change in BMI‐status across the adolescent years. After accounting for race, gender, SES, pubertal‐status, and gaming, youth who participated in a sports‐dominant activity pattern for 2 or more years had significantly lower 11th grade odds of being at‐risk for overweight/obesity compared to youth in all other activity patterns. Youth of all other activity patterns had similar odds of being at‐risk as Low‐Activity youth and each other. Understanding the relations of OST to youth healthy weight is a critical first step in developing healthy OST settings.
Mast cell deficiency results in the accumulation of preadipocytes in adipose tissue in both obese and non‐obese mice
Authors: Ishijima Yasushi , Ohmori Shin'ya , Ohneda Kinuko
Published: November 2013

Mast cells have been suggested to play key roles in adipogenesis. We herein show that the expression of preadipocyte, but not adipocyte, marker genes increases in the white adipose tissue of mast cell‐deficient (KitW‐sh/W‐sh
) mice under both obese and non‐obese conditions. In vitro culturing with adipogenic factors revealed increased adipocytes differentiated from the KitW‐sh/W‐sh
stromal vascular fraction, suggesting the accumulation of preadipocytes. Moreover, the increased expression of preadipocyte genes was restored by mast cell reconstitution in the KitW‐sh/W‐sh
mice. These results suggest positive effects of mast cells on the preadipocyte to adipocyte transition under both physiological and pathological conditions.
Parent-Endorsed Reasons for Not Completing Homework in Group-Based Behavioural Parent Training for High-Risk Families of Youth With ADHD
Authors: Chacko Anil , Anderson Lindsay , Wymbs Brian T. , Wymbs Frances A.
Published: November 2013

Background: This study examined reasons parents endorsed/provided for not completing homework tasks during their participation in a group-based behavioural parent training (BPT) intervention. Method: Eighty single mothers anonymously completed a questionnaire at the end of each of eight BPT sessions to ascertain reasons for not completing assigned homework. Results: Data suggests that there are varied reasons for poor HW completion that are related to various aspects of the homework process, but most notably the implementation phase of homework. Conclusions: Therapists should utilise various strategies to support homework completion, with special attention focused on methods for ‘in-vivo’ support for parents.
Heterogeneity in NTFP quality, access and management shape benefit distribution in an Amazonian extractive reserve
Authors: ZEIDEMANN V. , KAINER K. A. , STAUDHAMMER C. L.
Published: November 2013

Extractive reserves are conservation units that are concurrently expected to sustain subsistence and cash economies of reserve residents, often through use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) has been central to many Amazonian reserves and resident livelihoods therein, due to its basin-wide distribution, significance in global markets, and potential for sustainable use and forest conservation. Yet, do the benefits of this and other NTFPs extend to all extractive reserve residents? A livelihood survey, structured interviews, and Brazil nut inventories from 2008 to 2010, randomly sampling the widely dispersed households and corresponding forests across the three regions of Riozinho do Anfrísio Extractive Reserve (RDAER), revealed significant social and ecological heterogeneity among RDAER regions. There were differences in Brazil nut stand access, individual tree characteristics (including crown form and marginally, and fruit production), stand and tree management, multiple household characteristics that shape resident investment and dependence on NTFPs, and the contribution of Brazil nut to forest-based income. If Brazil nut and other NTFPs are to reconcile conservation and development in forest communities, then policies to regulate and promote NTFP use must integrate the socioecological heterogeneity inherent in these forest products and within reserve polygons.
How will climate variability interact with long-term climate change to affect the persistence of plant species in fragmented landscapes?
Authors: RENTON MICHAEL , SHACKELFORD NANCY , STANDISH RACHEL J.
Published: November 2013

As climates change, some plant species will need to migrate across landscapes fragmented by unsuitable environments and human activities to colonize new areas with suitable climates as previously habited areas become uninhabitable. Previous modelling of plant's migration potential has generally assumed that climate changes at a constant rate, but this ignores many potentially important aspects of real climate variability. In this study, a spatially explicit simulation model was used to investigate how interannual climate variability, the occurrence of extreme events and step changes in climate might interact with gradual long-term climate change to affect plant species’ capacity to migrate across fragmented landscapes and persist. The considered types of climate variability generally exacerbated the negative effects of long-term climate change, with a few poignant exceptions where persistence of long-lived trees improved. Strategic habitat restoration ameliorated negative effects of climate variability. Plant functional characteristics strongly influenced most results. Any modelling of how climate change may affect species persistence, and how actions such as restoration may help species adapt, should account for both short-term climate variability and long-term change.