bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiographic Evaluation of Suspected Bladder Rupture following Blunt Trauma: Critical Review
Authors: Iverson Alan J. , Morey Allen F.
Published: April 2014

Indications for urgent radiographic evaluation of suspected bladder injuries are poorly defined. Review of the existing literature reveals that traumatic bladder rupture is strongly correlated with the combination of pelvic fracture and gross hematuria. Nearly all patients with hematuria or pelvic fracture alone do not have bladder rupture. Bladder rupture is commonly associated with suprapubic discomfort or inability to void in coherent, responsive patients. Intoxicated or unresponsive patients should warrant a higher index of suspicion for bladder injury among clinicians treating patients with pelvic trauma. Similarly, patients having neurologic or preexisting urologic co‐morbidities may not manifest typical symptoms of bladder rupture. The above clinical indicators should be considered when clinicians determine the appropriateness of urgent cystography to detect bladder rupture.
Determinants of Early and Late Outcome after Surgery for Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Pompilio Giulio , Spirito Rita , Alamanni Francesco , Agrifoglio Marco , Polvani Gianluca , Porqueddu Massimo , Reali Matteo , Biglioli Paolo
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to identify the most important variables associated with early and late mortality in patients operated on for type A aortic dissection over a 15‐year period. From January 1984 to March 1999, 110 patients underwent surgery for type A aortic dissection. The 88.1% of patients had an acute type A dissection (AD) and 11.8% had a chronic dissection (CD). Cardiac tamponade and shock occurred in 21.8% and 14.5% of the patients,
respectively. The location of the primary intimal tear was in the ascending aorta in 70.9% of cases, in the arch in 17.2%, and in the descending aorta in 7.2%. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify non‐embolic variables independently correlated to in‐hospital death. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression analyses and hazard function for death risk were used to analyze factors influencing overall and surgical survival. The overall in‐hospital mortality rate was 20.9% (23/110 patients), being 9% for CD and 21.6% for AD.
Emergent procedures had an in‐hospital mortality rate of 47.6%,
whereas nonemergent operations had an in‐hospital mortality rate of
13.7% (p < 0.01). Univariate analysis revealed 41
preoperative and operative variables, including age (years), age >70
years, remote myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular dysfunction,
diabetes, preoperative renal failure, shock, cardiopulmonary bypass time (minutes), emergency operation, as factors associated to in‐hospital death (p < 0.05). Stepwise logistic regression analysis for in‐hospital death selected as independent predicting variables (p < 0.05) remote myocardial infarction [p = 0.006, odds ratio
(OR) = 1.9], preoperative renal failure (p =
0.031; OR = 0.8), shock (p = 0.001; OR =
3.1), and age >70 years (p = 0.007; OR = 1.7).
Follow‐up ranged from 9 to 172 months (median 78 months), with Kaplan‐Meier survivals for all the patients and hospital survivors of
42% and 54% at 10 years, respectively. Cox regression analysis has identified postoperative stroke [relative risk (RR) = 3.7;
p = 0.012), intimal tear in the aortic arch (RR =
2.3; p = 0.036), and postoperative renal failure
(RR = 4.5; p = 0.007) as independent predictors of reduced survival at follow‐up. When this kind of analysis was performed on hospital survivors only, preoperative renal dysfunction
(RR = 1; p = 0.013), reoperation (RR = 1.7;
p = 0.004) and intimal tear in the aortic arch
(RR = 1.2; p = 0.002) emerged as risk factors.
The actuarial freedom from reoperation was 85.4% at 5 years. Multiple factors still influence early and late survival after surgery for type A aortic dissection. Preoperative renal impairment both affects early and late outcome. Early postoperative course affects late outcome in hospital survivors. The presence of the intimal tear in the aortic arch has a negative impact on late survival.
Mild or Moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk in Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery
Authors: Michalopoulos Argyris , Geroulanos Stefanos , Papadimitriou Lila , Papadakis Emmanouel , Triantafillou K. , Papadopoulos Kyrilos , Palatianos George
Published: April 2014

A history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered a risk factor in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of history of mild or moderate COPD on outcome in patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. In this prospective, case‐controlled study, we compared two groups of adult patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. In this prospective, case‐controlled study, we compared two groups of adult patients undergoing elective CABG surgery. There were no statistically significant differences regarding early postoperative complications between the groups (p > 0.05). The median duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay were 0.4 and 1 days, respectively, in the two groups. The mean (± SD) hospital stay was 7.8 ± 1.6 days in the COPD group and 7.5 ± 1.3 days in the control group (p = 0.1). The mortality rate was found
1.4% in COPD patients and 0.7% in the control group (p = 0.5). We concluded that patients with a history of mild or moderate COPD undergoing elective CABG had morbidity and mortality rates comparable with those of controls (p > 0.05).
Petroleum Prospects of Lamu Basin, South-Eastern Kenya
Authors: Nyaberi Mogaka D. , Rop Bernard K.
Published: April 2014

The hydrocarbon potential of the sub-surface Lamu basin (SE Kenya) offshore sedimentary rock sequences of Mesozoic age formed the premise of this study. Major similarities and some differences in structural styles can be seen between the offshore Lamu and the Gondwana basins along the margins of Indian Ocean and Carnarvon basin along Australia’s North West Shelf, where oil pools have been discovered. The existing well results and recent 2-D seismic data have been interpreted to identify various structural styles and play fairway segments, which bolster the possibility that the Karroo to late Tertiary sedimentary mega-sequences (∼3000 – 13000 m thick), suitable for hydrocarbon exploration, could be visualized in both the onshore and offshore Lamu basin areas. Similarly, major reservoir-seal and potential source intervals have been identified in the present study. The hydrocarbon indicator from the well-log data shows that oil potential in complex multiple petroleum systems, ranging in age from Triassic to Tertiary, have tested gas deposits. Well control of only one exploratory well per 25,000 sq km in the offshore Lamu basin shows evidence of the existence of at least two active petroleum systems. The Lamu basin has evolved consequent to a complex tectonic activity related to continental rifting and block faulting of the Lamu-Anza and Central African rift systems. An attempt has been made to recommend the probable prognostic structural leads, which are controlled by NW-SE trending faults sympathetic to the Anza-Lamu rift systems, for future essential sub-surface features of source rocks, reservoir rocks and the cap rocks in the Lamu basin.
Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer – Trilaterale Geodaten für die Meeresraumordnung
Authors: Janßen Holger , Hiller Anne
Published: April 2014

Marine spatial planning in Europe is a young and dynamic extension of traditional land-based spatial planning. Much more than land-based planning marine spatial planning has an intensified need for cross-border consultation and transnational data exchange. But particularly regional stakeholders struggle to get easy and transparent access to transnational geodata, which often require specific GIS knowledge. This study focuses on the potential of new geodata services and web based map applications to increase the participation of stakeholders in spatial management processes. It reflects the experience made with the use of new geodata using the example of a geodata portal. It is shown that stakeholders have a strong need for easy and centralized access to spatial planning data and that such access can be provided without too much effort. But it becomes also apparent that spatial planning authorities are often not in the position to provide such transnational services. Here non-governmental actors may play a central role.
Divergence in Age Patterns of Mortality Change Drives International Divergence in Lifespan Inequality
Authors: Gillespie Duncan O. S. , Trotter Meredith V. , Tuljapurkar Shripad D.
Published: April 2014

In the past six decades, lifespan inequality has varied greatly within and among countries even while life expectancy has continued to increase. How and why does mortality change generate this diversity? We derive a precise link between changes in age-specific mortality and lifespan inequality, measured as the variance of age at death. Key to this relationship is a young–old threshold age, below and above which mortality decline respectively decreases and increases lifespan inequality. First, we show for Sweden that shifts in the threshold’s location have modified the correlation between changes in life expectancy and lifespan inequality over the last two centuries. Second, we analyze the post–World War II (WWII) trajectories of lifespan inequality in a set of developed countries—Japan, Canada, and the United States—where thresholds centered on retirement age. Our method reveals how divergence in the age pattern of mortality change drives international divergence in lifespan inequality. Most strikingly, early in the 1980s, mortality increases in young U.S. males led to a continuation of high lifespan inequality in the United States; in Canada, however, the decline of inequality continued. In general, our wider international comparisons show that mortality change varied most at young working ages after WWII, particularly for males. We conclude that if mortality continues to stagnate at young ages yet declines steadily at old ages, increases in lifespan inequality will become a common feature of future demographic change.
Negative cognitive style and perceived social support mediate the relationship between aggression and NSSI in hospitalized adolescents
Authors: Wolff Jennifer C. , Frazier Elisabeth A. , Esposito‐Smythers Christianne , Becker Sara J. , Burke Taylor A. , Cataldo Andrea , Spirito Anthony
Published: April 2014

Despite the well‐documented association between aggression and NSSI among adolescents, relatively little research has been conducted on the mechanisms underlying this relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential socio‐cognitive mechanisms through which aggression and NSSI are related. Participants were 186 adolescents (ages 13–18) recruited from a psychiatric inpatient facility in the northeastern United States. According to teen report, 57.5% of the sample endorsed NSSI in the previous year. Mediation was tested using the modern bootstrapping technique described by Hayes, using 5000 resamples with replacement, including sex and depression diagnosis as covariates. Results demonstrated that greater negative self‐talk, a more negative cognitive style, and lower perceived family support were all significant mediators of the relationship between aggression and greater frequency of NSSI, whereas perceived social support from friends was not a significant mediator. Limitations, clinical implications, and future research directions of the current research are discussed.
Noninvasive risk stratification of lethal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death after myocardial infarction
Authors: Yodogawa Kenji , Shimizu Wataru
Published: April 2014

Prediction of lethal ventricular arrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac death is one of the most important and challenging problems after myocardial infarction (MI). Identification of MI patients who are prone to ventricular tachyarrhythmias allows for an indication of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator placement. To date, noninvasive techniques such as microvolt T‐wave alternans (MTWA), signal‐averaged electrocardiography (SAECG), heart rate variability (HRV), and heart rate turbulence (HRT) have been developed for this purpose. MTWA is an indicator of repolarization abnormality and is currently the most promising risk‐stratification tool for predicting malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Similarly, late potentials detected by SAECG are indices of depolarization abnormality and are useful in risk stratification. However, the role of SAECG is limited because of its low predictive accuracy. Abnormal HRV and HRT patterns reflect autonomic disturbances, which may increase the risk of lethal ventricular arrhythmias, but the existing evidence is insufficient. Further studies of noninvasive assessment may provide a new insight into risk stratification in post‐MI patients.
God and the Great Reform Act: Preaching against Reform, 1831–32
Authors: Saunders Robert
Published: April 2014

The struggle for the “Great” Reform Act was one of the most serious crises of the nineteenth century, stirring controversy not only in Parliament and the political unions but in churches and chapels across the country. For many of its supporters, reform was a holy cause; for its opponents, it was a “Satanic” measure. This article seeks to reestablish reform as a religious controversy, paying special attention to the religious press and to the hundreds of sermons preached by the Anglican clergy. Anglicans mobilized an array of scriptural authorities against the reform bill, contributing directly to the rising temperature of debate. This was a “Constitution in Church and State,” and the church possessed both an authority and an audience that few institutions could match. Restoring it to the center of debate helps us to understand what was at stake in the reform bill and why it aroused such bitter passions.
Context dependency of rewards and services in an Indian ant–plant interaction: southern sites favour the mutualism between plants and ants
Authors: Chanam Joyshree , Kasinathan Srinivasan , Pramanik Gautam K. , Jagdeesh Amaraja , Joshi Kanchan A. , Borges Renee M.
Published: April 2014

Protection-based ant–plant mutualisms may vary in strength due to differences in ant rewards, abundance of protective ants and herbivory pressure. We investigated geographical and temporal variation in host plant traits and herbivory pressure at five sites spanning the distribution range of the myrmecophyteHumboldtia brunonis(Fabaceae) in the Indian Western Ghats. Southern sites had, on average, 2.4 times greater abundance of domatia-bearing individuals, 1.6 times greater extrafloral nectary numbers per leaf, 1.2 times larger extrafloral nectary sizes, 2.2 times greater extrafloral nectar (EFN) volumes and a two-fold increase in total amino acid and total sugar concentrations in EFN compared with northern sites. A strong protection-based mutualism with ants occurred at only one southern site where herbivory was highest, suggesting that investments in attracting ants correlate with anti-herbivore benefits gained from the presence of protective ants. Our results confirm a temporally stable north–south gradient in myrmecophytic traits in this ant-plant as several of these traits were re-sampled after a 5-y interval. However, the chemical composition of EFN varied at both spatial and short-term temporal scales suggesting that only repeated measurements of rewards such as EFN can reveal the real spectrum of trait variation in an ant–plant mutualistic system.
Local and regional determinants of galling-insect richness in Neotropical savanna
Authors: Araújo Walter Santos de , Cuevas-Reyes Pablo , Guilherme Frederico Augusto Guimarães
Published: April 2014

In this study, we determined the effects of plant richness, total plant abundance and abundance of plants with high galling diversity (super-hosts) on the local and regional galling richness in 15 areas of Neotropical savanna in different parts of Brazil. We established in each area 10 plots of 10 × 10 m, where we sampled a total of 131 plant species and 112 galling insect species. We considered all areas at the regional level and plots within each area at the local level. We found that at the regional level a combination of plant richness and plant abundance is the best model to explain the gall-inducing richness. We also found that at the local scale the most important factors are plant abundance and super-host abundance, but the plant richness is irrelevant. These findings confirm recent results that plant richness is an important predictor of galling species richness at the regional level, whereas the vegetation composition and structure act at the local level. Furthermore, this study contributes to the knowledge of the ecology of galling by showing how local factors influence the richness of this insect guild.
Differing influences of resource availability on the demographics and habitat selection of wildebeest compared with impala
Authors: O'Kane Christopher A.J. , Page Bruce R. , Macdonald David W.
Published: April 2014

Although what drives the abundance and habitat selection of ungulates is a long-standing question, coherent datasets investigating the influences of rainfall, competition and fire on ungulates are unusual. Over 4 y we carried out extensive monthly road transects in Ithala Game Reserve, South Africa, to determine the demographics and habitat occupancy of the region's prevalent grazer (wildebeest) and mixed-feeder (impala). Habitat occupancy was determined using a GIS-based approach. We obtained 8742 sighting records, encompassing 8400 wildebeest and 10071 impala. Annual rainfall did not significantly correlate with population sizes of either species. Fecundity of wildebeest, but not of impala, showed a significant positive relationship with rainfall specifically over the perinatal period (November–December), whilst no significant relationships were found for either species between fecundity and rainfall over the previous year, 2 y, rut (February–April) or height of the dry season (June–August). Impala unexpectedly favoured browse habitats to grassland year round, probably consequent on competition for grass with wildebeest. Dry-season grass flushes attracted both wildebeest and impala. The study emphasized how rainfall, competition and fire regimes may affect differently grazers compared with mixed-feeders.
Radiation therapist peer review: raising the bar on quality and safety in radiation oncology
Authors: Chamunyonga Crispen , Bridge Pete
Published: April 2014

Purpose

An emerging developmental tool to help radiation therapists achieve better outcomes is ‘peer review’. This review of the current literature summarises the challenges and benefits of peer review in both individual and departmental practice.

Discussion

There is compelling evidence supporting peer review implementation at both individual and department level in many professions. Implementing peer review requires that radiation therapists and other radiation oncology professionals embrace a culture that supports safety. Peer review can identify trends and barriers associated with quality radiotherapy and share best practice or recommend changes accordingly. Support for peer review must come from pre-registration educational systems as well as clinical managers. Continuing professional development in the workplace is nurtured by peer review of radiotherapy practice and an aptitude for this should be viewed as important to the profession as technical and clinical skills.

Conclusion

It is clear that peer review has the potential to facilitate reflective practice, improve staff motivation and help foster a culture of quality and safety in radiation oncology. To drive the issues of quality and safety a step further radiation therapists need to accept the challenge of adopting peer review methods in day-to-day practice.
Association of selenium and copper with lipids in umbilical cord blood
Authors: Wells E. M. , Navas-Acien A. , Apelberg B. J. , Herbstman J. B. , Jarrett J. M. , Lin Y. H. , Verdon C. P. , Ward C. , Caldwell K. L. , Hibbeln J. R. , Halden R. U. , Witter F. R. , Goldman L. R.
Published: April 2014

Altered levels of selenium and copper have been linked with altered cardiovascular disease risk factors including changes in blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels. However, it is unclear whether this can be observed prenatally. This cross-sectional study includes 274 singleton births from 2004 to 2005 in Baltimore, Maryland. We measured umbilical cord serum selenium and copper using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We evaluated exposure levels vis-à-vis umbilical cord serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations in multivariable regression models adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, race, parity, smoking, prepregnancy body mass index, n-3 fatty acids and methyl mercury. The percent difference in triglycerides comparing those in the highest v. lowest quartile of selenium was 22.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.1, 39.7). For copper this was 43.8% (95% CI: 25.9, 64.3). In multivariable models including both copper and selenium as covariates, copper, but not selenium, maintained a statistically significant association with increased triglycerides (percent difference: 40.7%, 95% CI: 22.1, 62.1). There was limited evidence of a relationship of increasing selenium with increasing total cholesterol. Our findings provide evidence that higher serum copper levels are associated with higher serum triglycerides in newborns, but should be confirmed in larger studies.
Marine ice regulates the future stability of a large Antarctic ice shelf
Authors: Kulessa Bernd , Jansen Daniela , Luckman Adrian J. , King Edward C. , Sammonds Peter R.
Published: April 2014

The collapses of the Larsen A and B ice shelves on the Antarctic Peninsula in 1995 and 2002 confirm the impact of southward-propagating climate warming in this region. Recent mass and dynamic changes of Larsen B’s southern neighbour Larsen C, the fourth largest ice shelf in Antarctica, may herald a similar instability. Here, using a validated ice-shelf model run in diagnostic mode, constrained by satellite and in situ geophysical data, we identify the nature of this potential instability. We demonstrate that the present-day spatial distribution and orientation of the principal stresses within Larsen C ice shelf are akin to those within pre-collapse Larsen B. When Larsen B’s stabilizing frontal portion was lost in 1995, the unstable remaining shelf accelerated, crumbled and ultimately collapsed. We hypothesize that Larsen C ice shelf may suffer a similar fate if it were not stabilized by warm and mechanically soft marine ice, entrained within narrow suture zones.
Anti-inflammatory effects of green soybean extract irradiated with visible light
Authors: Tanaka Keiko , Ohgo Yasushi , Katayanagi Yuki , Yasui Kensuke , Hiramoto Shigeru , Ikemoto Hiroyuki , Nakata Yumi , Miyoshi Noriyuki , Isemura Mamoru , Ohashi Norio , Imai Shinjiro
Published: April 2014

We conducted a preliminary investigation of the effects of visible light irradiation on plant extracts and we observed a strong suppressive effect on interleukin (IL) 2 expression with the inhibition of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in Jurkat cells by visible light irradiation to ethanol extract from green soybeans (LIEGS). This effect was produced only by extracts from green soybeans (Glycine max) and not other-color soybeans. LIEGS suppressed the lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α expression levels in human monocyte THP-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. LIEGS was applied for 8 weeks to NC/Nga mice. LIEGS suppressed the development of atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions and reduced the dermatitis scores of the mice. The light irradiation changed the various types of small-molecule compounds in extracts. Visible light irradiation to daidzein with chlorophyll b induced a novel oxidative product of daidzein. This product suppressed IL-2 expression in Jurkat cells.
Mutated tumor alleles are expressed according to their DNA frequency
Authors: Castle John C. , Loewer Martin , Boegel Sebastian , Tadmor Arbel D. , Boisguerin Valesca , de Graaf Jos , Paret Claudia , Diken Mustafa , Kreiter Sebastian , Türeci Özlem , Sahin Ugur
Published: April 2014

The transcription of tumor mutations from DNA into RNA has implications for biology, epigenetics and clinical practice. It is not clear if mutations are in general transcribed and, if so, at what proportion to the wild-type allele. Here, we examined the correlation between DNA mutation allele frequency and RNA mutation allele frequency. We sequenced the exome and transcriptome of tumor cell lines with large copy number variations, identified heterozygous single nucleotide mutations and absolute DNA copy number and determined the corresponding DNA and RNA mutation allele fraction. We found that 99% of the DNA mutations in expressed genes are expressed as RNA. Moreover, we found a high correlation between the DNA and RNA mutation allele frequency. Exceptions are mutations that cause premature termination codons and therefore activate nonsense-mediated decay. Beyond this, we did not find evidence of any wide-scale mechanism, such as allele-specific epigenetic silencing, preferentially promoting mutated or wild-type alleles. In conclusion, our data strongly suggest that genes are equally transcribed from all alleles, mutated and wild-type and thus transcribed in proportion to their DNA allele frequency.
Growth evolution of SixNy on the GaN underlayer and its effects on GaN-on-Si (111) heteroepitaxial quality
Authors: Wang Tzu Yu , Ou Sin Liang , Horng Ray Hua , Wuu Dong Sing
Published: April 2014

We verified that nanocrystalline SixNy with a size ranging from 4 to 6 nm appeared on the pit sidewall and preferred to reside at the pit.
Label-free colorimetric aptasensor for IgE using DNA pseudoknot probe
Authors: Chang Chia-Chen , Chen Chen-Yu , Zhao Xihong , Wu Tzu-Heng , Wei Shih-Chung , Lin Chii-Wann
Published: April 2014

A simple design of a label-free colorimetric assay for IgE was demonstrated based on a structure-switching aptamer with a low detection limit of 0.2 nM and high selectivity.
An electrospun magnetic nanocomposite for a facile micro-scaled analysis approach
Authors: Bagheri Habib , Roostaie Ali , Daliri Rasoul
Published: April 2014

The extraction–desorption setup for the isolation of fluoxetine.
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction using a molecular cobalt complex deposited on TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Jin Tong , Liu Chao , Li Gonghu
Published: April 2014

A macrocyclic cobalt catalyst is effectively coupled with TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Coordination polymers built with transition metal sulphates and angular 2,5-bis(imidazol-1-yl)thiophene (thim2): synthesis, structure and photoluminescent properties
Authors: Singh Namita , Anantharaman Ganapathi
Published: April 2014

Six new CPs, based on thim2 and metal sulphates have been synthesised. The photoluminescence properties of CPs 1 and 3 have been investigated.
Adsorption and splitting of H2S on 2D-ZnO1−xNy: first-principles analysis
Authors: Kouser Summayya , Waghmare Umesh V. , Tit Nacir
Published: April 2014

Based on first-principles calculations, we report novel applications of an inorganic analogue of graphene (2D-ZnO) in the detection and capture of toxic H2S gas, its dissociation and conversion to a green fuel, hydrogen, highlighting the role of N-substitution and oxygen vacancies.
Organic soluble and uniform film forming oligoethylene glycol substituted BODIPY small molecules with improved hole mobility
Authors: Singh Saumya , Venugopalan Vijay , Krishnamoorthy Kothandam
Published: April 2014

A propeller type donor imparts organic solubility to oligoethylene glycol substituted conjugated small molecules. The oligoethylene glycol facilitates better intermolecular contacts and improved organic field effect transistor efficiency.
Synthesis, spectral and thermal studies of pyridyl adducts of Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) dithiocarbamates, and their use as single source precursors for ZnS and CdS nanoparticles
Authors: Onwudiwe Damian C. , Strydom Christien A. , Oluwafemi Oluwatobi S. , Hosten Eric , Jordaan Anine
Published: April 2014

The synthesis and characterization of pyridyl adducts of Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) dtc: precursors to ZnS and CdS nanoparticles are reported.
Heme in the marine environment: from cells to the iron cycle
Authors: Hogle Shane L. , Barbeau Katherine A. , Gledhill Martha
Published: April 2014

Heme is an essential enzyme cofactor in marine microbes as well as a dynamic and quantitatively significant component of the marine iron cycle.
A new calix[4]arene based molecular probe for selective and sensitive detection of CN− ions in aqueous media
Authors: Chawla Har Mohindra , Shahid Mohammad , Black David StC , Kumar Naresh
Published: April 2014

A molecular diagnostic probe for CN− ions in aqueous media promises the development of disposable filter paper strips for field applications.
A metal-free tandem approach to prepare structurally diverse N-heterocycles: synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and pyrimidinones
Authors: Gupta Puneet K. , Hussain Mohd. Kamil , Asad Mohd. , Kant Ruchir , Mahar Rohit , Shukla Sanjeev K. , Hajela Kanchan
Published: April 2014

N-heterocycles, namely 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 2,6 disubstituted pyrimidin-4-ones, have been synthesised in one pot via carboxamidation of amidines with aryl carboxylic acids and aryl propargylic acids under metal-free conditions.
Design principles for Bernal spirals and helices with tunable pitch
Authors: Fejer Szilard N. , Chakrabarti Dwaipayan , Kusumaatmaja Halim , Wales David J.
Published: April 2014

Bernal spiral composed of eight Janus particles.
Efficiency enhancement in Cu2ZnSnS4 solar cells with subwavelength grating nanostructures
Authors: Kuo Shou-Yi , Hsieh Ming-Yang
Published: April 2014

(a) The simulation angular reflectance spectra for a solar cell with (top) bare and (bottom) AZO SWG solar cells. (b) The weighted reflectance of the cells. This shows that the AZO SWG structure is a suitable alternative to omnidirectional AR coating for CZTS solar cells.
Enzymatic etching of gold nanorods by horseradish peroxidase and application to blood glucose detection
Authors: Saa Laura , Coronado-Puchau Marc , Pavlov Valeri , Liz-Marzán Luis M.
Published: April 2014

Enzymatic oxidation of gold nanorods by the enzymatic activity of horseradish peroxidase.
Can small hydrophobic gold nanoparticles inhibit β2-microglobulin fibrillation?
Authors: Brancolini Giorgia , Toroz Dimitrios , Corni Stefano
Published: April 2014

Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that small hydrophobic gold nanoparticles can stabilize the native folding of the β2-microglobulin protein.
Synthesis and properties of a rod-g-rod bottlebrush with a semirigid mesogen-jacketed polymer as the side chain
Authors: Tian Hai-Jian , Qu Wei , Zhu Yu-Feng , Shen Zhihao , Fan Xing-He
Published: April 2014

A series of bottlebrushes, PPLG-g-PMPCS, with an α-helical rigid backbone and mesogen-jacketed rigid side chains were synthesized by the “grafting onto” method. The conformation of the bottlebrush changes from a cylinder to an ellipsoid with increasing side-chain length.
A two-dimensional single-layer supramolecular organic framework that is driven by viologen radical cation dimerization and further promoted by cucurbit[8]uril
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhou Tian-You , Tian Jia , Wang Hui , Zhang Dan-Wei , Zhao Xin , Liu Yi , Li Zhan-Ting
Published: April 2014

Without or with the assistance of CB[8], a triangular radical monomer can self-assemble into 2D supramolecular organic frameworks in water.
Synthesis and self-assembly of a novel fluorinated triphilic block copolymer
Authors: Li Xinxin , Yang Yanhua , Li Guojun , Lin Shaoliang
Published: April 2014

The morphological evolution of triphilic copolymer P(MMA-co-MAA)-b-PFEMA aggregates self-assembling in DMF/H2O solutions with an increase in water content.
A well-defined coil–comb polycationic brush with “star polymers” as side chains for gene delivery
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Xiong Qingqing , Wang Yinsong , Zhang Zhibao , Shen Wei , Liu Lingrong , Wang Quanyao , Zhang Qiqing
Published: April 2014

The well-defined polycationic brush with super-high grafting density of PDMAEMA showed higher transfection capability than the single star polymer and PEI25K.
Ultrasmall and monodisperse colloidal amorphous Nd–Fe–B–Na magnetic nanoparticles with high TC
Authors: Zhang Q. , Jiang Z. , Yan B.
Published: April 2014

Ultrasmall and monodisperse air-stable colloidal Nd–Fe–B nanoparticles have been synthesized by the solution phase colloidal method and characterized by TEM and SQUID. Their size can be controlled in the sub-5 nm regime. The critical temperature (TC) of Nd–Fe–B nanoparticles with 3 nm diameter is surprisingly high, higher than 650 K.
Discovery of a cyclic 6 + 6 hexamer of d-biotin and formaldehyde
Authors: Lisbjerg Micke , Jessen Bo M. , Rasmussen Brian , Nielsen Bjarne E. , Madsen Anders Ø. , Pittelkow Michael
Published: April 2014

The discovery of receptors using templated synthesis enables the selection of strong receptors from complex mixtures.
The effects of Ta2O5–ZnO films as cathodic buffer layers in inverted polymer solar cells
Authors: Lan Jo-Lin , Cherng Sheng-Jye , Yang Yi-Hsun , Zhang Qifeng , Subramaniyan Selvam , Ohuchi Fumio S. , Jenekhe Samson A. , Cao Guozhong
Published: April 2014

Ta2O5–ZnO composite films with varied composition were fabricated by sol–gel processing and applied as cathodic buffer layers (CBLs) for inverted polymer solar cells, and demonstrated enhanced power conversion efficiency with excellent stability.
Tunable nano-carriers from clicked glycosaminoglycan block copolymers
Authors: Novoa-Carballal Ramon , Silva Carla , Möller Stephanie , Schnabelrauch Matthias , Reis Rui L. , Pashkuleva Iva
Published: April 2014

Synthesis of diblock copolymers of PEG and glycosaminoglycans by oxime click reaction is reported and the ability of these copolymers to carry positively charged proteins is evidenced.
Flexible memory devices with tunable electrical bistability via controlled energetics in donor–donor and donor–acceptor conjugated polymers
Authors: Yen Hung-Ju , Tsai Hsinhan , Kuo Cheng-Yu , Nie Wanyi , Mohite Aditya D. , Gupta Gautam , Wang Jian , Wu Jia-Hao , Liou Guey-Sheng , Wang Hsing-Lin
Published: April 2014

Flexible nonvolatile memory devices were fabricated from benzodithiophene-based donor–donor and donor–acceptor 2D conjugated polymers with thermally/non-thermally recoverable memory behaviors.
Do habitat fragmentation and fire influence variation of plant species composition, structure and diversity within three regional ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia?
Authors: Etherington Rohan , Shapcott Alison
Published: April 2014

Habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Species richness is predicted to decrease with decreasing patch size and increasing isolation, and this has been shown in some ecosystems. However, few studies have specifically investigated the effects of fragmentation on specific vegetation types, or compared different vegetation types within the same region. In this study, we assessed the influence of habitat fragmentation and time since fire on the floristic composition, structure and diversity of three ecosystems with varying fire proneness within the Sunshine Coast region. This study found that the tall-open forest ecosystem (RE 12.9-10.14) had higher overall species richness within fixed sample areas used for this study than did either open forest (RE 12.5.3) or gallery rainforest (RE 12.3.1), because it was composed of species typical of each of these ecosystem types. Open forest species richness was found mostly in the lower stratum, whereas gallery rainforest diversity was found in the upper stratum. Species richness decreased with increasing isolation in the open forest ecosystem where seeds are mostly abiotically dispersed. However, this study did not find strong evidence for reduced species richness within smaller patches in any ecosystem type studied; instead, finding species richness decreased with increasing patch size in the open forest ecosystem. Overall, across ecosystems, time since fire affected vegetation structure, but in fire-prone ecosystems, time since fire was not a determinant of species richness within the sites studied.
Predicting pKa in Implicit Solvents: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Ho Junming
Published: April 2014

Computational prediction of condensed phase acidity is a topic of much interest in the field today. We introduce the methods available for predicting gas phase acidity and pKas in aqueous and non-aqueous solvents including high-level electronic structure methods, empirical linear free energy relationships (LFERs), implicit solvent methods, explicit solvent statistical free energy methods, and hybrid implicit–explicit approaches. The focus of this paper is on implicit solvent methods, and we review recent developments including new electronic structure methods, cluster-continuum schemes for calculating ionic solvation free energies, as well as address issues relating to the choice of proton solvation free energy to use with implicit solvation models, and whether thermodynamic cycles are necessary for the computation of pKas. A comparison of the scope and accuracy of implicit solvent methods with ab initio molecular dynamics free energy methods is also presented. The present status of the theory and future directions are outlined.
Physiological controls of the isotopic time lag between leaf assimilation and soil CO2 efflux
Authors: Salmon Yann , Barnard Romain L. , Buchmann Nina
Published: April 2014

Environmental factors and physiological controls on photosynthesis influence the carbon isotopic signature of ecosystem respiration. Many ecosystem studies have used stable carbon isotopes to investigate environmental controls on plant carbon transfer from above- to belowground. However, a clear understanding of the internal mechanisms underlying time-lagged responses of carbon isotopic signatures in ecosystem respiration to environmental changes is still lacking. This study addressed plant physiological controls on the transfer time of recently assimilated carbon from assimilation to respiration. We produced a set of six wheat plants with varying physiological characteristics, by growing them under a wide range of nitrogen supply and soil water content levels under standardised conditions. The plants were pulse-labelled with 13C-CO2, and the isotopic signature of CO2 respired in the dark by plants and soil was monitored continuously over two days. Stomatal conductance (gs) was strongly related to the rate of transfer of recently assimilated carbon belowground. The higher gs, the faster newly assimilated carbon was allocated belowground and the faster it was respired in the soil. Our results suggest that carbon sink strength of plant tissues may be a major driver of transfer velocity of recently assimilated carbon to plant respiratory tissues and soil respiration.
Effects of soil structural properties on saturated hydraulic conductivity under different land-use types
Authors: Jiang Yanli , Shao Ming'an
Published: April 2014

Soil structure has important influences on edaphic conditions and environment, is often related to aggregate stability. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) is an important soil hydraulic property that affects water flow and transport of dissolved solutes. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of water-stable aggregate stability on Ks under different land-use types. Using a range of aggregate stabilities in disturbed soil columns, Ks was measured and relationships between the mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates and Ks for three different conditions (three soil layers, four land use types, two water supply methods) were determined. Differences between soil aggregate characteristics and organic matter content among the land use types were significant. Using both both top and bottom water supply methods, MWD was related to Ks by a non-linear function (coefficient of determination >0.95), and land-use type and water supply method were significant factors. When undisturbed soil columns were investigated, the relationship between MWD and Ks was obscured by other soil environmental factors.
Multiple lines of evidence for the origin of domesticated chili pepper,Capsicum annuum, in Mexico
Authors: Kraft Kraig H. , Brown Cecil H. , Nabhan Gary P. , Luedeling Eike , Luna Ruiz José de Jesús , Coppens d’Eeckenbrugge Geo , Hijmans Robert J. , Gepts Paul
Published: April 2014

Significance

The novelty of the information of this manuscript resides in the addition of species distribution modeling and paleobiolinguistics data, combined with genetic and existing archaeobotanical data, to trace back the geographic origin of a crop, namely domesticated pepper,Capsicum annuum. Furthermore, the utilization of a geographic framework of reference for the four types of data has allowed us to combine these independent data types into a single hypothesis about the origin of this crop. Our results suggest that food crops in Mexico had a multiregional origin with chili pepper originating in central-east Mexico, maize in the Balsas River Basin and common bean in the Lerma–Santiago River Basin, resembling similar finds for the Fertile Crescent and China.
Particularism and the retreat from theory in the archaeology of agricultural origins
Authors: Gremillion Kristen J. , Barton Loukas , Piperno Dolores R.
Published: April 2014

The introduction of new analytic methods and expansion of research into previously untapped regions have greatly increased the scale and resolution of data relevant to the origins of agriculture (OA). As a result, the recognition of varied historical pathways to agriculture and the continuum of management strategies have complicated the search for general explanations for the transition to food production. In this environment, higher-level theoretical frameworks are sometimes rejected on the grounds that they force conclusions that are incompatible with real-world variability. Some of those who take this position argue instead that OA should be explained in terms of local and historically contingent factors. This retreat from theory in favor of particularism is based on the faulty beliefs that complex phenomena such as agricultural origins demand equally complex explanations and that explanation is possible in the absence of theoretically based assumptions. The same scholars who are suspicious of generalization are reluctant to embrace evolutionary approaches to human behavior on the grounds that they are ahistorical, overly simplistic, and dismissive of agency and intent. We argue that these criticisms are misplaced and explain why a coherent theory of human behavior that acknowledges its evolutionary history is essential to advancing understanding of OA. Continued progress depends on the integration of human behavior and culture into the emerging synthesis of evolutionary developmental biology that informs contemporary research into plant and animal domestication.
Archaeological and genetic insights into the origins of domesticated rice
Authors: Gross Briana L. , Zhao Zhijun
Published: April 2014

Rice (
Oryza sativa
) is one of the most important cereal grains in the world today and serves as a staple food source for more than half of the world’s population. Research into when, where, and how rice was brought into cultivation and eventually domesticated, along with its development into a staple food source, is thus essential. These questions have been a point of nearly continuous research in both archaeology and genetics, and new information has continually come to light as theory, data acquisition, and analytical techniques have advanced over time. Here, we review the broad history of our scientific understanding of the rice domestication process from both an archaeological and genetic perspective and examine in detail the information that has come to light in both of these fields in the last 10 y. Current findings from genetics and archaeology are consistent with the domestication of
O. sativa japonica
in the Yangtze River valley of southern China. Interestingly, although it appears rice was cultivated in the area by as early 8000 BP, the key domestication trait of nonshattering was not fixed for another 1,000 y or perhaps longer. Rice was also cultivated in India as early as 5000 BP, but the domesticated
indica
subspecies currently appears to be a product of the introgression of favorable alleles from
japonica
. These findings are reshaping our understanding of rice domestication and also have implications for understanding the complex evolutionary process of plant domestication.
Millisecond dynamics of RNA polymerase II translocation at atomic resolution
Authors: Silva Daniel-Adriano , Weiss Dahlia R. , Pardo Avila Fátima , Da Lin-Tai , Levitt Michael , Wang Dong , Huang Xuhui
Published: April 2014

Significance

In this study, by using molecular dynamics simulations and Markov state models, we reveal that RNA polymerase II translocation is driven purely by thermal energy and does not require the input of any additional chemical energy. Our simulations show an important role for the bridge helix: Large thermal oscillations of this structural element facilitate the translocation by specific interactions that lower the free-energy barriers between four metastable states. Among these states, we identify two previously unidentified intermediates that have not been previously captured by crystallography. The dynamic view of translocation presented in our study represents a substantial advance over the current understanding based on the static snapshots provided by X-ray structures of transcribing complexes.
Mechanisms of noise robust representation of speech in primary auditory cortex
Authors: Mesgarani Nima , David Stephen V. , Fritz Jonathan B. , Shamma Shihab A.
Published: April 2014

Significance

We show that the auditory system maintains a robust representation of speech in noisy and reverberant conditions by preserving the same statistical distribution of responses in all conditions. Reconstructed stimulus from population of cortical neurons resembles more the original clean than the distorted signal. We show that a linear spectrotemporal receptive field model of neurons with a static nonlinearity fails to account for the neural noise reduction. Although replacing static nonlinearity with a dynamic model of synaptic depression can account for the reduction of additive noise, only the combined model with feedback gain normalization is able to predict the effects across both additive and reverberant conditions.
Cytokinin pathway mediates
APETALA1
function in the establishment of determinate floral meristems in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Han Yingying , Zhang Cui , Yang Haibian , Jiao Yuling
Published: April 2014

Significance

Indeterminate growth of shoots continually produces new tissues from the dividing apical meristem. In contrast, determinate growth of the floral meristem produces flowers of a particular size and form by specification of floral organs and termination of stem-cell divisions in the meristem. To achieve this specification, floral organs do not form meristems in organ axils, although leaves can form axillary meristems and thus have reiterative developmental potential. In this study, we found that the classic floral homeotic gene
APETALA1
directly regulates homeostasis of the plant hormones (i.e., cytokinins) to inhibit the formation of sepal axil stem-cell niches. A deeper understanding of axil lateral meristem activity provides crucial information for enhancing yield by engineering crops that produce more elaborated racemes.