bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neonatal lipopolysaccharide treatment has long‐term effects on monoaminergic and cannabinoid receptors in the rat
Authors: Zavitsanou Katerina , Dalton Victoria S. , Walker Adam K. , Weickert Cynthia S. , Sominsky Luba , Hodgson Deborah M.
Published: February 2013

Brain inflammation in early life has been proposed to play important roles in the development of anxiety and psychosis‐related behaviors in adulthood, behaviors that rely on the integrity of dopamine and/or serotonin systems. Moreover recent behavioral and anatomical evidence suggests involvement of CB1 receptors in the control of emotion and mood. In this study, we determined the effects of neonatal LPS treatment on dopamine, serotonin, and cannabinoid receptor binding in adulthood. Rats were treated with the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on postnatal day (PND) 3 and 5. Dopamine D1, D2, serotonin 5HT1A, 5HT2A, and serotonin transporter and cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding across several brain regions were measured autoradiographically in adulthood (PND 85). Neonatal LPS treatment caused a significant increase in dopamine D2 in the nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle, a decrease in 5HT1A receptor binding in the hippocampus CA1 and ventromedial hypothalamus. A decrease in CB1 receptor binding after neonatal LPS was observed in the amygdala. Neonatal LPS had no significant impact on dopamine D1, serotonin 5HT2A or serotonin transporter binding in any of the brain regions examined. Our results suggest long lasting, region specific effects and differential impact on dopamine, serotonin and cannabinoid receptor systems following neonatal inflammation, that may form the basis for compromised anxiety and psychosis related behaviors. Synapse, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct comparison of [18F]MH.MZ and [18F]altanserin for 5‐HT2A receptor imaging with PET
Authors: Hansen Hanne D. , Ettrup Anders , Herth Matthias M. , Dyssegaard Agnete , Ratner Cecilia , Gillings Nic , Knudsen Gitte M.
Published: February 2013

Imaging the cerebral serotonin 2A (5‐HT2A) receptors with positron emission tomography (PET) has been carried out in humans with [11C]MDL 100907 and [18F]altanserin. Recently, the MDL 100907 analogue [18F]MH.MZ was developed combining the selectivity profile of MDL 100907 and the favourable radiophysical properties of fluorine‐18. Here, we present a direct comparison of [18F]altanserin and [18F]MH.MZ. 5‐HT2A receptor binding in pig cortex and cerebellum was investigated by autoradiography with [3H]MDL 100907, [18F]MH.MZ, and [18F]altanserin. [18F]MH.MZ and [18F]altanserin were investigated in Danish Landrace pigs by brain PET scanning at baseline and after i.v. administration of blocking doses of ketanserin. Full arterial input function and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis allowed for tissue‐compartment kinetic modeling of PET data. In vitro autoradiography showed high binding in cortical regions with both [18F]MH.MZ and [18F]altanserin. Significant 5‐HT2A receptor binding was also found in the pig cerebellum, thus making this region unsuitable as a reference region for in vivo data analysis in this species. The cortical binding of [18F]MH.MZ and [18F]altanserin was blocked by ketanserin supporting that both radioligands bind to 5‐HT2A receptors in the pig brain. In the HPLC analysis of pig plasma, [18F]MH.MZ displayed a fast and reproducible metabolism resulting in hydrophilic radiometabolites only whereas the metabolic profile of [18F]altanserin as expected showed lipophilic radiometabolites. Due to the slow kinetics of [18F]MH.MZ in high‐binding regions in vivo, we suggest that [18F]MH.MZ will be an appropriate tracer for low binding regions where kinetics will be faster, whereas [18F]altanserin is a suitable tracer for high‐binding regions. Synapse, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phase separation of impact‐modified PVC/PMMA blends under melt‐blending conditions
Authors: Zhou Chao , Gao Yunxia , Qi Xiaoxue , Tan Zhiyong , Sun Shulin , Zhang Huixuan
Published: February 2013

Poly (vinyl chlride)/Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PVC/PMMA) blends were prepared by melt blending at 160°C and 190°C over an entire composition range. The miscibility of the blends was characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and light transmittance testing. The blends prepared at 160°C were homogeneous on our observed scale, while the blends prepared at 190°C clearly showed phase separation. The stress‐strain behaviors of the blends prepared at 160°C were investigated. The results showed that the toughness of the blends could be improved by an increase of PVC content, resulting effectively in a removal of intrinsic strain softening, a decrease in yield stress, and an increase in strain hardening. Furthermore, a core‐shell structured modifier was introduced into the PVC/PMMA blends, and the impact property of the blends was studied. The results showed that the addition of rubber particles could improve the toughness of the two series of blends. However, the blends prepared at 190°C had higher impact strengths than those prepared at 160°C, a result which may be attributed to phase separation. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:11–17, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Blends of poly(vinyl chloride) with α‐methylstyrene‐acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer: Thermal properties, mechanical properties, and morphology
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Chen Shuangjun , Zhang Jun
Published: February 2013

Binary blends of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with α‐methylstyrene‐acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (AMS‐ABS) were prepared via melt blending. A single glass transition temperature (Tg) was observed by differential scanning calorimetry, thus indicating that PVC is miscible with the α‐methylstyrene‐acrylonitrile‐styrene in AMS‐ABS. The results from attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that specific strong interactions were not available in the blends. With increasing amounts of AMS‐ABS, both heat distortion temperature and thermal stability were increased considerably. With regard to mechanical properties, flexural and tensile properties decreased with increasing AMS‐ABS content. A synergism was observed in impact strength. The morphology of both impact‐fractured and tensile‐fractured surfaces, observed by scanning electron microscopy, correlated well with the mechanical properties. It is suggested that there was a transition of fracture mechanisms with the changing composition of the binary blends—from shear yielding for blends rich in PVC to cavitation for blends rich in AMS‐ABS. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:1–10, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Analysis of light detection and ranging wind speed measurements for wind turbine control
Authors: Simley Eric , Pao Lucy Y. , Frehlich Rod , Jonkman Bonnie , Kelley Neil
Published: February 2013

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems are able to measure the speed of incoming wind before it reaches a wind turbine rotor. These preview wind measurements can be used in feedforward control systems designed to reduce turbine structural loads. However, the degree to which such preview‐based control techniques can reduce loads by reacting to turbulence depends on how accurately the incoming wind field can be measured. This study examines the accuracy of different measurement scenarios that rely on coherent continuous‐wave or pulsed Doppler LIDAR systems, in terms of root‐mean‐square measurement error, to determine their applicability to feedforward control. In particular, the impacts of measurement range, angular offset of the LIDAR beam from the wind direction, and measurement noise are studied for various wind conditions. A realistic simulation case involving a scanning LIDAR unit mounted in the spinner of a MW‐scale wind turbine is studied in depth, with emphasis on preview distances that provide minimum measurement error for a specific scan radius. Measurement error is analyzed for LIDAR‐based estimates of point wind speeds at the rotor as well as spanwise averaged blade effective wind speeds. The impact of turbulence structures with high coherent turbulent kinetic energy on measurement error is discussed as well. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A practical approach to fracture analysis at the trailing edge of wind turbine rotor blades
Authors: Eder M.A. , Bitsche R.D. , Nielsen M. , Branner K.
Published: February 2013

Wind turbine rotor blades are commonly manufactured from composite materials by a moulding process. Typically, the wind turbine blade is produced in two halves, which are eventually adhesively joined along their edges. Investigations of operating wind turbine blades show that debonding of the trailing edge joint is a common failure type, and information on specific reasons is scarce. This paper is concerned with the estimation of the strain energy release rates (SERRs) in trailing edges of wind turbine blades in order to gain insight into the driving failure mechanisms. A method based on the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) is proposed, which can be used to identify critical areas in the adhesive joint of a trailing edge. The paper gives an overview of methods applicable for fracture cases comprising non‐parallel crack faces in the realm of linear fracture mechanics. Furthermore, the VCCT is discussed in detail and validated against numerical analyses in 2D and 3D. Finally, the SERR of a typical blade section subjected to various loading conditions is investigated and assessed in order to identify potential design drivers for trailing edge details. Analysis of the blade section model suggests that mode III action is governing and accordingly that flapwise shear and torsion are the most important load cases.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective and accurate approaches for wind turbine gearbox condition monitoring
Authors: Luo Huageng , Hatch Charles , Kalb Matthew , Hanna Jesse , Weiss Adam , Sheng Shuangwen
Published: February 2013

This paper presents effective and accurate approaches in vibration‐based wind turbine drivetrain component condition monitoring. Detailed spectral analysis and acceleration enveloping techniques were used to effectively extract the gear and bearing damage features. Synchronous analysis was used to accurately detect specific damage features during constantly varying operational conditions. A typical wind turbine gearbox amplifies shaft speed two orders of magnitude from the rotor to the generator. To account for all necessary vibration signatures, synchronous sampling must be carried out for multiple revolutions and at a relatively high rate. The synchronous sampling used in this paper was carried out in the digital domain after both the keyphasor and the vibration signals were digitized at high sampling rate and high sampling resolution analog‐to‐digital conversion. Sometimes, the shaft speed is provided in a speed time history format, as in the case of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Round Robin project. To carry out synchronous sampling using the speed time history, a unique synthesized synchronous sampling technique was adopted. The approach presented in this paper was realized using MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, MA) codes and then validated with a wind turbine field case. It was also applied to the NREL wind turbine drivetrain condition monitoring Round Robin project. The identified damage results using the techniques discussed were compared with post‐test inspection results with good correlation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two Metal Complexes Based on the Ligand 3, 4‐Pyrazoledi­carboxylic Acid: Synthesis, Structures, and Luminescent ­Properties
Authors: Chen Linti , Tao Feng , Wang Lidong , Hong Jian , Jia Xiaoyan , Bao Jinting , Ji Yunzhou , Cheng Meiling , Liu Qi
Published: February 2013

Two new metal complexes, {[Cd2(μ2‐H2pdc)2(H2O)8]·[Cd2(H2pdc)4(H2O)2(μ2‐Cl)2]}·2H2O (1), and [Ba2(H2pdc)4(H2O)8]·2H2O (2) (H3pdc = 3, 4‐pyrazoledicarboxylic acid), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structures show that compound 1 is an independent unit consisting of two discrete dinuclear complex ions [Cd2(μ2‐H2pdc)2(H2O)8]2+ cation and [Cd2(H2pdc)4(H2O)2(μ2‐Cl)2]2– anion, and the two kinds of ions are linked by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions to generate a 3D supramolecular network. Complex 2 is a common dinuclear structure, which is further assembled to a 3D supramolecular network through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π stacks. The hydrogen bonding interactions involving lattice water or coordinated water molecules all exist in complexes 1 and 2. Notably, three coordination modes of 3, 4‐pyrazoledicarboxylic acid were observed. The thermal and photoluminescent properties of complexes 1 and 2 in the solid state were also investigated.
Compatibility of θ
13 and the Type I seesaw model with A
4 symmetry
Authors: Chen Mu-Chun , Huang Jinrui , O’Bryan Jon-Michael , Wijangco Alexander M. , Yu Felix
Published: February 2013

Abstract

We derive formulae for neutrino masses and mixing angles in a type I seesaw framework with an underlying A
4 flavor symmetry. In particular, the Majorana neutrino mass matrix includes contributions from an A
4 triplet, 1, 1′, and 1′′ flavon fields. Using these formulae, we constrain the general A
4 parameter space using the updated global fits on neutrino mixing angles and mass squared differences, including results from the Daya Bay and RENO experiments, and we find predictive relations among the mixing parameters for certain choices of the triplet vacuum expectation value. In the normal hierarchy case, sizable deviation from maximal atmospheric mixing is predicted, and such deviation is strongly correlated with the value of θ13 in the range of ~ (8 − 10)◦. On the other hand, such deviation is negligible and insensitive to θ13 in the inverted mass hierarchy case. We also show expectations for the Dirac CP phase resulting from the parameter scan. Future refined measurements of neutrino mixing angles will test these predicted correlations and potentially show evidence for particular triplet vev patterns.
Structured Synchronous Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery Program in Elective Colonic Surgery in 33 Hospitals in The Netherlands
Authors: Gillissen Freek , Hoff Christiaan , Maessen José M. C. , Winkens Bjorn , Teeuwen Jitske H. F. A. , von Meyenfeldt Maarten F. , Dejong Cornelis H. C.
Published: February 2013

Background

It has been clearly shown that after elective colorectal surgery patients benefit from multimodal perioperative care programs. The Dutch Institute for Health Care Improvement started a breakthrough project to implement a multimodal perioperative care program of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). This pre/post noncontrolled study evaluated the success of large‐scale implementation of the ERAS program for elective colonic surgery using the breakthrough series.

Methods

A total of 33 hospitals participated in this breakthrough project during 2005–2009. Each hospital performed a retrospective chart review to gather information on traditionally treated patients (pre‐ERAS group, n = 1,451). During the subsequent year patients were treated according to the ERAS program (ERAS group, n = 1 034). Outcomes were length of stay (LOS), functional recovery, adherence to the protocol, and determinants of reduced LOS.

Results

Median LOS decreased significantly from 9 to 6 days (p < 0.001). In the ERAS group, functional recovery was reached within 3 days. Adherence to the protocol elements was high during the preoperative and perioperative phases but slightly lower during the postoperative phase. Younger age, female sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists grades I/II, and laparoscopic surgery were associated with decreased LOS. Care elements that positively influenced LOS were cessation of intravenous fluids and mobilization on postoperative day 1 and administration of laxatives postoperatively.

Conclusions

The ERAS program was successfully implemented in one‐third of all Dutch hospitals using the breakthrough series. Participating hospitals reduced the LOS by a median 3 days and were able to improve their standard of care in elective colonic surgery.
The new 2012 German recommendations for treating rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Wollenhaupt J. , Albrecht K. , Krüger K. , Müller-Ladner U.
Published: February 2013

The German Society for Rheumatology recently published guidelines for the sequential therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These recommendations were developed as a transition from the 2010 EULAR (EUropean League Against Rheumatism) recommendations to the national clinical practice and are based on an updated systematic literature research and expert discussion. While most EULAR recommendations have remained unchanged, some were modified based on new evidence from randomized, controlled trials, current clinical practice, or national drug approval status. The guidelines also include a treatment algorithm for sequential therapy of RA with disease-modifying agents including biologics.
IL28B polymorphisms predict the virological response to standard therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection
Authors: Abdo Ayman A. , Al-Ahdal Mohammed N. , Khalid Saira S. , Helmy Ahmed , Sanai Faisal M. , Alswat Khalid , Al-hamoudi Waleed , Ali Safiyya M. , Al-Ashgar Hamad I. , Al-Mdani Abdallah , Albenmousa Ali , Al Faleh Faleh Z. , Al-Anazi Mashael , Khalaf Nisreen , Al-Qahtani Ahmed
Published: February 2013

Background

Genome-wide association studies have recently revealed that several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the interleukin (IL) 28B genes can predict the sustained virological response (SVR) to pegylated interferon-α2a/b plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-genotype 1 patients. However, data for patients infected with HCV genotype 4 (HCV-G4) are limited.

Aim

We analyzed the association of IL28B SNPs (hematological, biochemical, virological, and pathological factors) with SVR in the HCV-G4 monoinfected cohort of patients.

Patients and methods

One hundred twenty-nine treatment-naïve HCV-G4 patients undergoing treatment were recruited from three tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia. Five IL28B SNPs (rs12979860, rs12980275, rs8105790, rs8099917, and rs72486680) were identified by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. SVR was statistically correlated with various clinical, histopathological, virological, and genetic parameters.

Results

SVR was significantly associated with the CC and AA alleles of rs12979860 (p = 0.008) and rs12980275 (p = 0.004), respectively. Moreover, albumin levels (p = 0.002) and platelet count (p = 0.039) showed significant differences in the SVR and No SVR groups. On multivariate analysis, the CC allele of rs12979860 (OR, 2.89; 95 % CI 1.6–6.2, p = 0.006) and albumin levels (OR, 1.2; 95 % CI 1.1–1.4, p = 0.001) independently predicted SVR.

Conclusions

IL28B polymorphism (CC allele of rs12979860) predicts the sustained response to antiviral therapy in HCV-G4.
An Efficient Approach to Obtaining Large Numbers of Distant Supernova Host Galaxy Redshifts
Authors: Lidman C. , Ruhlmann-Kleider V. , Sullivan M. , Myzska J. , Dobbie P. , Glazebrook K. , Mould J. , Astier P. , Balland C. , Betoule M. , Carlberg R. , Conley A. , Fouchez D. , Guy J. , Hardin D. , Hook I. , Howell D. A. , Pain R. , Palanque-Delabrouille N. , Perrett K. , Pritchet C. , Regnault N. , Rich J.
Published: February 2013

We use the wide-field capabilities of the 2 degree field fibre positioner and the AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) to obtain redshifts of galaxies that hosted supernovae during the first 3 years of the Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS). With exposure times ranging from 10 to 60 ks per galaxy, we were able to obtain redshifts for 400 host galaxies in two SNLS fields, thereby substantially increasing the total number of SNLS supernovae with host galaxy redshifts. The median redshift of the galaxies in our sample that hosted photometrically classified Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is z ~ 0.77, which is 25% higher than the median redshift of spectroscopically confirmed SNe Ia in the 3-year sample of the SNLS. Our results demonstrate that one can use wide-field fibre-fed multi-object spectrographs on 4-m telescopes to efficiently obtain redshifts for large numbers of supernova host galaxies over the large areas of the sky that will be covered by future high-redshift supernova surveys, such as the Dark Energy Survey.
GASKAP—The Galactic ASKAP Survey
Authors: Dickey John M. , McClure-Griffiths Naomi , Gibson Steven J. , Gómez José F. , Imai Hiroshi , Jones Paul , Stanimirović Snežana , Van Loon Jacco Th. , Walsh Andrew , Alberdi A. , Anglada G. , Uscanga L. , Arce H. , Bailey M. , Begum A. , Wakker B. , Bekhti N. Ben , Kalberla P. , Winkel B. , Bekki K. , For B.-Q. , Staveley-Smith L. , Westmeier T. , Burton M. , Cunningham M. , Dawson J. , Ellingsen S. , Diamond P. , Green J. A. , Hill A. S. , Koribalski B. , McConnell D. , Rathborne J. , Voronkov M. , Douglas K. A. , English J. , Ford H. Alyson , Lockman F. J. , Foster T. , Gomez Y. , Green A. , Bland-Hawthorn J. , Gulyaev S. , Hoare M. , Joncas G. , Kang J.-H. , Kerton C. R. , Koo B.-C. , Leahy D. , Lo N. , Migenes V. , Nakashima J. , Zhang Y. , Nidever D. , Peek J. E. G. , Tafoya D. , Tian W. , Wu D.
Published: February 2013

A survey of the Milky Way disk and the Magellanic System at the wavelengths of the 21-cm atomic hydrogen (H i) line and three 18-cm lines of the OH molecule will be carried out with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder telescope. The survey will study the distribution of H i emission and absorption with unprecedented angular and velocity resolution, as well as molecular line thermal emission, absorption, and maser lines. The area to be covered includes the Galactic plane (|b| < 10°) at all declinations south of δ = +40°, spanning longitudes 167° through 360°to 79° at b = 0°, plus the entire area of the Magellanic Stream and Clouds, a total of 13 020 deg2. The brightness temperature sensitivity will be very good, typically σT≃ 1 K at resolution 30 arcsec and 1 km s−1. The survey has a wide spectrum of scientific goals, from studies of galaxy evolution to star formation, with particular contributions to understanding stellar wind kinematics, the thermal phases of the interstellar medium, the interaction between gas in the disk and halo, and the dynamical and thermal states of gas at various positions along the Magellanic Stream.
Optical Corrections to the Véron-Cetty and Véron Quasar Catalogue
Authors: Flesch E.
Published: February 2013

Fixes are presented to be applied to the Véron-Cetty and Véron Quasar Catalogue, 13th edition. These are comprised of 39 de-duplications, 380 astrometric moves of 8 + arcsec of which 31 are over 10 arcmin, and 30 indicated de-listings.
Absolute Magnitude Calibration for Giants Based on the Colour–Magnitude Diagrams of Galactic Clusters. II. Calibration with SDSS
Authors: Karaali S. , Bilir S. , Gökçe E. Yaz
Published: February 2013

We present an absolute magnitude calibration for red giants with the colour–magnitude diagrams of six Galactic clusters with different metallicities, i.e. M92, M13, M3, M71, NGC 6791, and NGC 2158. The combination of the absolute magnitudes of the red giant sequences with the corresponding metallicities provides calibration for absolute magnitude estimation for red giants for a given (g − r)0 colour. The calibration is defined in the colour interval 0.45 ≤ (g − r)0 ≤ 1.30 mag and it covers the metallicity interval −2.15≤[Fe/H]≤ +0.37 dex. The absolute magnitude residuals obtained by the application of the procedure to another set of Galactic clusters lie in the interval −0.28 < ΔM ≤ +0.43 mag. However, the range of 94% of the residuals is shorter, −0.1 < ΔM ≤ +0.4 mag. The mean and the standard deviation of (all) residuals are 0.169 and 0.140 mag, respectively. The derived relations are applicable to stars older than 2 Gyr, the age of the youngest calibrating cluster.
Absolute Magnitude Calibration for Red Giants Based on the Colour–Magnitude Diagrams of Galactic Clusters. III. Calibration with 2MASS
Authors: Karaali S. , Bilir S. , Gökçe E. Yaz
Published: February 2013

We present two absolute magnitude calibrations, MJ and MKs, for red giants with the colour–magnitude diagrams of five Galactic clusters with different metallicities, i.e. M92, M13, M71, M67, and NGC 6791. The combination of the absolute magnitudes of the red giant sequences with the corresponding metallicities provides calibration for absolute magnitude estimation for red giants for a given colour. The calibrations for MJ and MKs are defined in the colour intervals 1.3≤(V−J)0≤2.8 and 1.75≤(V−Ks)0≤3.80 mag, respectively, and they cover the metallicity interval −2.15≤[Fe/H]≤+0.37 dex. The absolute magnitude residuals obtained by the application of the procedure to another set of Galactic clusters lie in the intervals −0.08<ΔMJ≤+0.34 and -0.10< Δ MKs≤ +0.27 mag for MJ and MKs, respectively. The means and standard deviations of the residuals are 〈ΔMJ〉=0.137 and σMJ=0.080, and $〈 Δ MKs〉 =0.109 and σMKs=0.123 mag. The derived relations are applicable to stars older than 4 Gyr, the age of the youngest calibrating cluster.
Study of the Abundance Patterns in the Metal-Poor Stellar Stream
Authors: Li Hongjie , Liang Shuai , Cui Wenyuan , Zhang Bo
Published: February 2013

The chemical abundances of the metal-poor stars in the stellar stream provide important information for setting constraints on models of neutron-capture processes. The study of these stars could gives us a better understanding of the r-process nucleosynthesis and chemical composition of the early Galaxy. Using the updated main r-process and weak r-process patterns, we fit abundances in the stellar stream stars. The weak r-process component coefficients are almost constant for the sample stars, including r-rich stars, which means that both the weak r-process and Fe are produced as primary elements from Type II supernovae and their yields have nearly a constant mass fraction. The difference between the stream stars and r-rich stars is obvious. For the stream stars, the fact that the increased trend in the main r-process component coefficients as metallicity increases means a gradual increase in the production of main r-process elements relative to iron. This behaviour implies that the masses of progenitors for the main r-process are smaller than those of the weak r-process. Furthermore, we find that the metal-poor stream star HD 237846 is a weak r-process star.
The Nature of V1464 Aql: A New Ellipsoidal Variable with a δ Scuti Component
Authors: Dal H. A. , Sipahi E.
Published: February 2013

Taking into account the results obtained from the models and analyses of the BVRI light curves, we discuss the nature of V1464 Aql. The analyses indicated that the mass ratio of the system is q = 0.71 ± 0.02, while the inclination of the system (i) is 38°.45 ± 0°.22. Taking the primary component’s temperature as 7420 ± 192 K, we found that the temperature of the secondary is 6232 ± 161 K. The mass of the primary component was found to be 1.74 ± 0.05 M⊙, while it is 1.23 ± 0.01 M⊙ for the secondary. The primary component’s radius was found to be 2.10 ± 0.05 R⊙, while it was found as 1.80 ± 0.01 R⊙ for the secondary. Revealing that the system should not exhibit any eclipses, we demonstrated that the main variation with large amplitude should be caused due to the ellipsoidal effect. Indeed, the Fourier analysis also supported the result. For the first time in the literature, we revealed that the primary component is a δ Scuti star. The period of pulsation was found to be 58.482 ± 0.002, 58.482 ± 0.001, 60.966 ± 0.002, and 60.964 ± 0.003 min in BVRI bands, respectively. We plotted V1464 Aql in the log (Porb)–log (Ppulse) plane. Using more than 160 binaries, whose one or both components are pulsating, we derived a new linear fit in the log (Porb)–log (Ppulse) plane for each type of binary. Using the linear fit of each group, we obtained new calibrations between log (Porb) and log (Ppulse) for different types of pulsating stars. In addition, a calibration has been obtained for the first time for the pulsating stars with spectral types O and B. V1464 Aql seems to be located near the other ellipsoidal and close binaries. Thus, we listed V1464 Aql as a new candidate for the ellipsoidal variables with a δ Scuti component.
The Parkes Pulsar Timing Array Project
Authors: Manchester R. N. , Hobbs G. , Bailes M. , Coles W. A. , van Straten W. , Keith M. J. , Shannon R. M. , Bhat N. D. R. , Brown A. , Burke-Spolaor S. G. , Champion D. J. , Chaudhary A. , Edwards R. T. , Hampson G. , Hotan A. W. , Jameson A. , Jenet F. A. , Kesteven M. J. , Khoo J. , Kocz J. , Maciesiak K. , Oslowski S. , Ravi V. , Reynolds J. R. , Sarkissian J. M. , Verbiest J. P. W. , Wen Z. L. , Wilson W. E. , Yardley D. , Yan W. M. , You X. P.
Published: February 2013

A ‘pulsar timing array’ (PTA), in which observations of a large sample of pulsars spread across the celestial sphere are combined, allows investigation of ‘global’ phenomena such as a background of gravitational waves or instabilities in atomic timescales that produce correlated timing residuals in the pulsars of the array. The Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA) is an implementation of the PTA concept based on observations with the Parkes 64-m radio telescope. A sample of 20 ms pulsars is being observed at three radio-frequency bands, 50 cm (~700 MHz), 20 cm (~1400 MHz), and 10 cm (~3100 MHz), with observations at intervals of two to three weeks. Regular observations commenced in early 2005. This paper describes the systems used for the PPTA observations and data processing, including calibration and timing analysis. The strategy behind the choice of pulsars, observing parameters, and analysis methods is discussed. Results are presented for PPTA data in the three bands taken between 2005 March and 2011 March. For 10 of the 20 pulsars, rms timing residuals are less than 1 μs for the best band after fitting for pulse frequency and its first time derivative. Significant ‘red’ timing noise is detected in about half of the sample. We discuss the implications of these results on future projects including the International Pulsar Timing Array and a PTA based on the Square Kilometre Array. We also present an ‘extended PPTA’ data set that combines PPTA data with earlier Parkes timing data for these pulsars.
Explaining Social Policy Preferences: Evidence from the Great Recession
Authors: MARGALIT YOTAM
Published: February 2013

To what extent do personal circumstances, as compared to ideological dispositions, drive voters’ preferences on welfare policy? Addressing this question is difficult because a person's ideological position can be an outcome of material interest rather than an independent source of preferences. The article deals with this empirical challenge using an original panel study carried out over four years, tracking the labor market experiences and the political attitudes of a national sample of Americans before and after the eruption of the financial crisis. The analysis shows that the personal experience of economic hardship, particularly the loss of a job, had a major effect on increasing support for welfare spending. This effect was appreciably larger among Republicans than among Democrats, a result that was not simply due to a “ceiling effect.” However the large attitudinal shift was short lived, dissipating as individuals’ employment situations improved. The results indicate that the personal experience of an economic shock has a sizable, yet overall transient effect on voters’ social policy preferences.
Post-exercise whey protein hydrolysate supplementation induces a greater increase in muscle protein synthesis than its constituent amino acid content
Authors: Kanda Atsushi , Nakayama Kyosuke , Fukasawa Tomoyuki , Koga Jinichiro , Kanegae Minoru , Kawanaka Kentaro , Higuchi Mitsuru
Published: February 2013

It is well known that ingestion of a protein source is effective in stimulating muscle protein synthesis after exercise. In addition, there are numerous reports on the impact of leucine and leucine-rich whey protein on muscle protein synthesis and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling. However, there is only limited information on the effects of whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) on muscle protein synthesis and mTOR signalling. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of WPH and amino acids on muscle protein synthesis and the initiation of translation in skeletal muscle during the post-exercise phase. Male Sprague–Dawley rats swam for 2 h to depress muscle protein synthesis. Immediately after exercise, the animals were administered either carbohydrate (CHO), CHO plus an amino acid mixture (AA) or CHO plus WPH. At 1 h after exercise, the supplements containing whey-based protein (AA and WPH) caused a significant increase in the fractional rate of protein synthesis (FSR) compared with CHO. WPH also caused a significant increase in FSR compared with AA. Post-exercise ingestion of WPH caused a significant increase in the phosphorylation of mTOR levels compared with AA or CHO. In addition, WPH caused greater phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 than AA and CHO. In contrast, there was no difference in plasma amino acid levels following supplementation with either AA or WPH. These results indicate that WPH may include active components that are superior to amino acids for stimulating muscle protein synthesis and initiating translation.
Palaeoenvironmental significance of Toarcian black shales and event deposits from southern Beaujolais, France
Authors: SUAN GUILLAUME , RULLEAU LOUIS , MATTIOLI EMANUELA , SUCHÉRAS-MARX BAPTISTE , ROUSSELLE BRUNO , PITTET BERNARD , VINCENT PEGGY , MARTIN JEREMY E. , LÉNA ALEX , SPANGENBERG JORGE. E. , FÖLLMI KARL B.
Published: February 2013

New sedimentological, biostratigraphical and geochemical data recording the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) are reported from a marginal marine succession in southern Beaujolais, France. Theserpentinumandbifronsammonite zones record black shales with high (1–10 wt%) total organic carbon contents (TOC) and dysoxia-tolerant benthic fauna typical of the ‘Schistes Carton’ facies well documented in contemporaneous nearby basins. The base of theserpentinumammonite zone, however, differs from coeval strata of most adjacent basinal series in that it presents several massive storm beds particularly enriched in juvenile ammonites and the dysoxia-tolerant, miniaturized gastropodCoelodiscus. This storm-dominated interval records a marked negative 5‰ carbonate and organic carbon isotope excursion being time-equivalent with that recording storm- and mass flow-deposits in sections of the Lusitanian Basin, Portugal, pointing to the existence of a major tempestite/turbidite event over tropical areas during the T-OAE. Although several explanations remain possible at present, we favour climatically induced changes in platform morphology and storm activity as the main drivers of these sedimentological features. In addition, we show that recent weathering, most probably due to infiltration of O2-rich meteoric water, resulted in the preferential removal of12C-enriched organic carbon, dramatic TOC loss and total destruction of the lamination of the black shale sequence over most of the studied exposure. These latter observations imply that extreme caution should be applied when interpreting the palaeoenvironmental significance of sediments lacking TOC enrichment and lamination from outcrops with limited surface exposures.
The Development of Trade between the Roman Empire and the East Under Augustus
Authors: Thorley J.
Published: February 2013

Duringthe period of the Roman Republic incense from Arabia, ivory from East Africa, pepper from India, and perhaps an occasional consignment of silk from China had reached Roman markets, having passed through the hands of many eastern merchants. The trade had remained small, for such wealth as Rome possessed was in the hands of a small number of landowners or financiers, and the unsettled conditions in the eastern Mediterranean were not conducive to a free flow of trade.
Common mental disorder severity and its association with treatment contact and treatment intensity for mental health problems
Authors: ten Have M. , Nuyen J. , Beekman A. , de Graaf R.
Published: February 2013

Background

Detailed population-based survey information on the relationship between the severity of common mental disorders (CMDs) and treatment for mental health problems is heavily based on North American research. The aim of this study was to replicate and expand existing knowledge by studying CMD severity and its association with treatment contact and treatment intensity in The Netherlands.

Method

Data were obtained from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2 (NEMESIS-2), a nationally representative face-to-face survey of the general population aged 18–64 years (n = 6646, response rate = 65.1%). DSM-IV diagnoses and disorder severity were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0 (CIDI 3.0). Treatment contact refers to at least one contact for mental health problems made in the general medical care (GMC) or mental health care (MHC) sector. Four levels of treatment intensity were assessed, based on type and duration of therapy received.

Results

Although CMD severity was related to treatment contact, only 39.0% of severe cases received MHC. At the same time, 40.3% of MHC users did not have a 12-month disorder. Increasing levels of treatment intensity ranged from 51.6% to 13.0% in GMC and from 81.4% to 51.1% in MHC. CMD severity was related to treatment intensity in MHC but not in GMC. Sociodemographic characteristics were not significantly related to having experienced the highest level of treatment intensity in MHC.

Conclusions

Mental health treatment in the GMC sector should be improved, especially when policy is aimed at increasing the role of primary care in the management of mental health problems.
Constancy results for special families of projections
Authors: FÄSSLER KATRIN , ORPONEN TUOMAS
Published: February 2013

Let { = V × ℝl : V ∈ G(n−l,m−l)} be the family of m-dimensional subspaces of ℝn containing {0} × ℝl, and let : ℝn → be the orthogonal projection onto . We prove that the mapping V ↦ Dim (B) is almost surely constant for any analytic set B ⊂ ℝn, where Dim denotes either Hausdorff or packing dimension.
Reporting of trans-fat on labels of Brazilian food products
Authors: Silveira Bruna Maria , Gonzalez-Chica David Alejandro , da Costa Proença Rossana Pacheco
Published: February 2013

Objective

The present study investigated how trans-fat is reported on the packaging of foods sold in a Brazilian supermarket.

Design

The present descriptive, cross-sectional study analysed the ingredient list, nutrition facts label and claims of no trans-fat on the packaging.

Setting

A large supermarket in Florianópolis, Brazil.

Subjects

All food products available at the supermarket.

Results

Of the 2327 study products, more than half had components containing trans-fat in the ingredient list, especially hydrogenated vegetable fat and its alternative names. A small percentage of food products reported some trans-fat content on the nutrition facts label and roughly a quarter of the food products claimed to contain no trans-fat on the front of the packaging. There was very low agreement among the trans-fat content reported in the nutrition facts label, claims of no trans-fat made on the packaging and the ingredient list.

Conclusions

There was low agreement among the different ways of reporting trans-fat, suggesting that it is not possible to rely on the nutrition facts label or no trans-fat claims printed on the packaging of Brazilian food products. Hence, the Brazilian legislation on food labels needs to change to improve the reliability of food labels and to help control the trans-fat intake of the population.
Identification of Fragile Microscopic Structures during Mineral Transformations in Wet Supercritical CO2
Authors: Arey Bruce W. , Kovarik Libor , Qafoku Odeta , Wang Zheming , Hess Nancy J. , Felmy Andrew R.
Published: February 2013

This study examines the nature of highly fragile reaction products that form in low water content supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) using a combination of focus ion beam/scanning electron microscopy, confocal Raman spectroscopy, helium ion microscopy (HeIM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). HeIM images show these precipitates are fragile rosettes. Using the TEM revealed details on the interfacial structure between the newly formed surface precipitates and the underlying initial solid phases. Detailed microscopy analysis revealed that growth of the precipitates either followed a tip growth mechanism, with precipitates forming directly on the forsterite surface if the initial solid was nonporous (natural forsterite) or growth from the surface of the precipitates, where fluid was conducted through the porous (nanoforsterite) agglomerates to the growth center. Identification of the mechanism of formation of hydrated/hydroxylated magnesium carbonate compound phases is a key factor in unraveling the impact of water recycling on mineral reactivity in low water content scCO2 solutions, which has received a great deal of attention as a result of the potential for CO2 to act as an atmospheric greenhouse gas. Techniques used here to examine these fragile structures are also used to examine a wide range of fragile material surfaces.
FT-Raman Spectroscopy Study of Organic Matrix Degradation in Nanofilled Resin Composite
Authors: Soares Luís Eduardo Silva , Nahórny Sídnei , Martin Airton Abrahão
Published: February 2013

Thisin vitrostudy evaluated the effect of light curing unit (LCU) type, mouthwashes, and soft drink on chemical degradation of a nanofilled resin composite. Samples (80) were divided into eight groups: halogen LCU, HS—saliva (control); HPT—Pepsi Twist®; HLC—Listerine®; HCP—Colgate Plax®; LED LCU, LS—saliva (control); LPT—Pepsi Twist®; LLC—Listerine®; LCP—Colgate Plax®. The degree of conversion analysis and the measure of the peak area at 2,930 cm−1(organic matrix) of resin composite were done by Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopy (baseline, after 7 and 14 days). The data were subjected to multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a 95% confidence followed by Tukey's HSD post-hoc test. The DC ranged from 58.0% (Halogen) to 59.3% (LED) without significance. Differences in the peak area between LCUs were found after 7 days of storage in S and PT. A marked increase in the peak intensity of HLC and LLC groups was found. The soft-start light-activation may influence the chemical degradation of organic matrix in resin composite. Ethanol contained in Listerine® Cool Mint mouthwash had the most significant degradation effect. Raman spectroscopy is shown to be a useful tool to investigate resin composite degradation.
Micro-PIXE and Micro-RBS Characterization of Micropores in Porous Silicon Prepared Using Microwave-Assisted Hydrofluoric Acid Etching
Authors: Ahmad Muthanna , Grime Geoffrey W.
Published: February 2013

Porous silicon (PS) has been prepared using a microwave-assisted hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching method from a silicon wafer pre-implanted with 5 MeV Cu ions. The use of microbeam proton-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) and microbeam Rutherford backscattering techniques reveals for the first time the capability of these techniques for studying the formation of micropores. The porous structures observed from micro-PIXE imaging results are compared to scanning electron microscope images. It was observed that the implanted copper accumulates in the same location as the pores and that at high implanted dose the pores form large-scale patterns of lines and concentric circles. This is the first work demonstrating the use of microwave-assisted HF etching in the formation of PS.
ON THE OPTIMAL CONTINUED FRACTION EXPANSION OF A QUADRATIC SURD
Authors: MATTHEWS KEITH R.
Published: February 2013

We describe the period structure of the optimal continued fraction expansion of a quadratic surd, in terms of the period of its nearest square continued fraction expansion. The analysis results in a faster algorithm for determining the optimal continued fraction expansion of a quadratic surd.
Shift from widespread symbiont infection of host tissues to specific colonization of gills in juvenile deep-sea mussels
Authors: Wentrup Cecilia , Wendeberg Annelie , Huang Julie Y , Borowski Christian , Dubilier Nicole
Published: February 2013

The deep-sea mussel Bathymodiolus harbors chemosynthetic bacteria in its gills that provide it with nutrition. Symbiont colonization is assumed to occur in early life stages by uptake from the environment, but little is known about this process. In this study, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization to examine symbiont distribution and the specificity of the infection process in juvenile B. azoricus and B. puteoserpentis (4–21 mm). In the smallest juveniles, we observed symbionts, but no other bacteria, in a wide range of epithelial tissues. This suggests that despite the widespread distribution of symbionts in many different juvenile organs, the infection process is highly specific and limited to the symbiotic bacteria. Juveniles⩾9 mm only had symbionts in their gills, indicating an ontogenetic shift in symbiont colonization from indiscriminate infection of almost all epithelia in early life stages to spatially restricted colonization of gills in later developmental stages.
Calcium receptors located in fibrotic septa: a new target to reduce portal pressure in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Sansoè Giovanni , Aragno Manuela , Mastrocola Raffaella , Paternostro Claudia , Parola Maurizio
Published: February 2013

In rats with experimental liver cirrhosis, the kidney contains reduced amounts of membrane-bound CaRs (calcium-sensing receptors), and the specific stimulation of CaRs causes the generation of PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), renal vasodilation and increased natriuresis. CaR content and function in the liver of cirrhotic rats are unknown. To assess the activity of this Ca2+-dependent vasomotor system, we evaluated the effects of intravenous administration of PolyAg (poly-L-arginine), a selective CaR agonist, on hormonal status, portal haemodynamics, MAP (mean arterial pressure) in rats with liver cirrhosis induced by chronic CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride) administration. Two groups of eight control rats received intravenously 1 ml of 5% (w/v) glucose solution alone or containing 0.5 mg of PolyAg; two groups of ten cirrhotic rats were administered vehicle or PolyAg. Compared with controls, at baseline cirrhotic rats showed higher portal pressure (P<0.01), lower estimated functional liver plasma flow, measured as CICG (Indocyanine Green clearance) (P<0.03) and reduced hepatic protein content of CaRs (P<0.03), which were located mainly in sub-endothelial layers of portal venules and in myofibroblasts of fibrotic septa (immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescence staining of liver sections). In cirrhotic animals, 0.5 mg of PolyAg decreased portal pressure (P<0.01) and increased CICG (P<0.05), without effects on arterial pressure and hormonal status. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that in experimental cirrhosis agonists of liver CaRs elicit beneficial portal hypotensive effects by reducing intrahepatic resistance to portal flow. Moreover, these drugs are devoid of effects on systemic haemodynamics.