bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaction cell for in situ soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements of heterogeneous catalysis up to 1 atm and 250 °C
Authors: Kristiansen P. T. , Rocha T. C. R. , Knop-Gericke A. , Guo J. H. , Duda L. C.
Published: November 2013

We present a novel in situ reaction cell for heterogeneous catalysis monitored in situ by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS). The reaction can be carried out at a total pressure up to 1 atm, a regime that has not been accessible to comparable in situ techniques and thus closes the pressure gap to many industrial standard conditions. Two alternate catalyst geometries were tested: (A) a thin film evaporated directly onto an x-ray transparent membrane with a flowing reaction gas mixture behind it or (B) a powder placed behind both the membrane and a gap of flowing reaction gas mixture. To illustrate the working principle and feasibility of our reaction cell setup we have chosen ethylene epoxidation over a silver catalyst as a test case. The evolution of incorporated oxygen species was monitored by total electron/fluorescence yield O K-XAS as well as O K-RIXS, which is a powerful method to separate contributions from inequivalent sites. We find that our method can reliably detect transient species that exist during catalytic reaction conditions that are hardly accessible using other spectroscopic methods.
Quantum mechanics with coordinate dependent noncommutativity
Authors: Kupriyanov V. G.
Published: November 2013

Noncommutative quantum mechanics can be considered as a first step in the construction of quantum field theory on noncommutative spaces of generic form, when the commutator between coordinates is a function of these coordinates. In this paper we discuss the mathematical framework of such a theory. The noncommutativity is treated as an external antisymmetric field satisfying the Jacobi identity. First, we propose a symplectic realization of a given Poisson manifold and construct the Darboux coordinates on the obtained symplectic manifold. Then we define the star product on a Poisson manifold and obtain the expression for the trace functional. The above ingredients are used to formulate a nonrelativistic quantum mechanics on noncommutative spaces of general form. All considered constructions are obtained as a formal series in the parameter of noncommutativity. In particular, the complete algebra of commutation relations between coordinates and conjugated momenta is a deformation of the standard Heisenberg algebra. As examples we consider a free particle and an isotropic harmonic oscillator on the rotational invariant noncommutative space.
Many-body Green's function GW and Bethe-Salpeter study of the optical excitations in a paradigmatic model dipeptide
Authors: Faber C. , Boulanger P. , Duchemin I. , Attaccalite C. , Blase X.
Published: November 2013

We study within the many-body Green's function GW and Bethe-Salpeter formalisms the excitation energies of a paradigmatic model dipeptide, focusing on the four lowest-lying local and charge-transfer excitations. Our GW calculations are performed at the self-consistent level, updating first the quasiparticle energies, and further the single-particle wavefunctions within the static Coulomb-hole plus screened-exchange approximation to the GW self-energy operator. Important level crossings, as compared to the starting Kohn-Sham LDA spectrum, are identified. Our final Bethe-Salpeter singlet excitation energies are found to agree, within 0.07 eV, with CASPT2 reference data, except for one charge-transfer state where the discrepancy can be as large as 0.5 eV. Our results agree best with LC-BLYP and CAM-B3LYP calculations with enhanced long-range exchange, with a 0.1 eV mean absolute error. This has been achieved employing a parameter-free formalism applicable to metallic or insulating extended or finite systems.
Identification and elimination of anomalous thermal decay in gamma-ray microcalorimeters
Authors: Horansky Robert D. , Bennett Douglas A. , Schmidt Daniel R. , Zink Barry L. , Ullom Joel N.
Published: November 2013

Microcalorimeter detectors rely on superconducting components and cryogenic temperatures to provide over an order-of-magnitude improvement in energy resolution compared to semiconducting sensors. Resolution improvements impact fields from gamma-ray astrophysics to nuclear safeguards. The temporal response of these detectors has been much slower than predicted from the known device parameters. This discrepancy has been attributed to the dynamics of quasiparticles and phonons in the bulk absorber used for absorbing photons. We will show that long-lived states in the glue used for absorber attachment have been the dominant cause of the slow response. Also, we have fabricated microcalorimeters using metal-to-metal diffusion bonding to attach the absorber. These detectors show a significant improvement in their recovery after gamma-ray events and will now enable study of the internal scattering dynamics of the bulk absorber.
Quantitative interpretation of the transition voltages in gold-poly(phenylene) thiol-gold molecular junctions
Authors: Wu Kunlin , Bai Meilin , Sanvito Stefano , Hou Shimin
Published: November 2013

The transition voltage of three different asymmetric Au/poly(phenylene) thiol/Au molecular junctions in which the central molecule is either benzene thiol, biphenyl thiol, or terphenyl thiol is investigated by first-principles quantum transport simulations. For all the junctions, the calculated transition voltage at positive polarity is in quantitative agreement with the experimental values and shows weak dependence on alterations of the Au-phenyl contact. When compared to the strong coupling at the Au-S contact, which dominates the alignment of various molecular orbitals with respect to the electrode Fermi level, the coupling at the Au-phenyl contact produces only a weak perturbation. Therefore, variations of the Au-phenyl contact can only have a minor influence on the transition voltage. These findings not only provide an explanation to the uniformity in the transition voltages found for π-conjugated molecules measured with different experimental methods, but also demonstrate the advantage of transition voltage spectroscopy as a tool for determining the positions of molecular levels in molecular devices.
Study of micro-pinches in wire-array Z pinches
Authors: Ivanov V. V. , Papp D. , Anderson A. A. , Talbot B. R. , Astanovitskiy A. L. , Nalajala V. , Dmitriev O. , Chittenden J. P. , Niasse N. , Pikuz S. A. , Shelkovenko T. A.
Published: November 2013

Bright and hot areas with a high plasma density and temperature are observed in all kinds of Z pinches. We studied bright radiating spots produced by micro-pinches in cylindrical and planar wire-arrays at the 1 MA Zebra pulsed power generator using an x-ray streak camera synchronized with laser diagnostics, x-ray time-gated pinhole camera, and spectroscopy. Hot spots with extremely dense and relatively hot plasma arise during the collapse of the micro-pinches. These hot spots radiate a continuum spectrum with energy >2.5 keV. Typical micro-pinches in Al wire arrays generate x-ray bursts with durations of 0.4–1 ns in the soft x-ray range and 0.1–0.4 ns in the keV range. UV two-frame shadowgraphy shows spatial correlation of hot spots with the collapse and explosion of micro-pinches. Micro-pinches typically occur at the necks of the Z pinch, but can demonstrate a variety of parameters and different dynamics. An analysis of x-ray streak images shows that micro-pinches can generate >20% of the x-ray energy in some types of wire-array Z pinches.
On existence of solitary waves in unmagnetized neutral hot pair plasma
Authors: Xie Bai-Song , Li Zi-Liang , Lu Ding , Sang Hai-Bo
Published: November 2013

Whether the solitary waves exist in unmagnetized neutral hot pair plasma is considered. It is found that for small electrons and positrons longitudinal momentum the solitary waves do not exist under the quasi-static approximation.
Computational identification of single-layer CdO for electronic and optical applications
Authors: Zhuang Houlong L. , Hennig Richard G.
Published: November 2013

The search for single-layer materials is an active research field. Using a first-principles design approach focusing on formation energy and bandgap, we search the family of II-VI oxides for metastable single-layer semiconductor materials. We discover a single-layer CdO phase that exhibits a small formation energy and a direct bandgap of 2.1 eV. The phonon spectrum confirms the dynamical stability of single-layer CdO. Calculations of the optical properties show a similar absorption to that of graphene. Estimates of the tunneling barrier of a graphene/CdO/graphene heterostructure reveal that CdO might be a potential dielectric for applications of graphene in electronic devices.
Uniform self-diffusion in a granular gas
Authors: Brey J. Javier , Ruiz-Montero M. J.
Published: November 2013

A granular gas composed of inelastic hard spheres or disks in the homogeneous cooling state is considered. Some of the particles are labeled and their number density exhibits a time-independent linear profile along a given direction. As a consequence, there is a uniform flux of labeled particles in that direction. It is shown that the inelastic Boltzmann-Enskog kinetic equation has a solution describing this self-diffusion state. Approximate expressions for the transport equation and the distribution function of labeled particles are derived. The theoretical predictions are compared with simulation results obtained using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method to generate solutions of the kinetic equation. A fairly good agreement is found.
Plasma studies of the permanent magnet electron cyclotron resonance ion source at Peking University
Authors: Ren H. T. , Peng S. X. , Xu Y. , Zhao J. , Lu P. N. , Chen J. , Zhang A. L. , Zhang T. , Guo Z. Y. , Chen J. E.
Published: November 2013

At Peking University (PKU) we have developed several 2.45 GHz Permanent Magnet Electron Cyclotron Resonance ion sources for PKUNIFTY, SFRFQ, Coupled RFQ&SFRFQ, and Dielectric-Wall Accelerator (DWA) projects (respectively, 50 mA of D+, 10 mA of O+, 10 mA of He+, and 50 mA of H+). In order to improve performance of these ion sources, it is necessary to better understand the principal factors that influence the plasma density and the atomic ion fraction. Theoretical analysis about microwave transmission and cut-off inside the discharge chamber were carried out to study the influence of the discharge chamber diameters. As a consequence, experimental studies on plasma density and ion fraction with different discharge chamber sizes have been carried out. Due to the difficulties in measuring plasma density inside the discharge chamber, the output beam current was measured to reflect the plasma density. Experimental results show that the plasma density increases to the maximum and then decreases significantly as the diameter changed from 64 mm to 30 mm, and the atomic ion fraction has the same tendency. The maximum beam intensity was obtained with the diameter of 35 mm, but the maximum atomic ion fraction with a diameter of 40 mm. The experimental results are basically accordant with the theoretical calculation. Details are presented in this paper.
Spontaneous abrupt climate change due to an atmospheric blocking–sea-ice–ocean feedback in an unforced climate model simulation
Authors: Drijfhout Sybren , Gleeson Emily , Dijkstra Henk A. , Livina Valerie
Published: November 2013

Significance

There is a long-standing debate about whether climate models are able to simulate large, abrupt events that characterized past climates. Here, we document a large, spontaneously occurring cold event in a preindustrial control run of a new climate model. The event is comparable to the Little Ice Age both in amplitude and duration; it is abrupt in its onset and termination, and it is characterized by a long period in which the atmospheric circulation over the North Atlantic is locked into a state with enhanced blocking. To simulate this type of abrupt climate change, climate models should possess sufficient resolution to correctly represent atmospheric blocking and a sufficiently sensitive sea-ice model.
Selective regulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE3A isoforms
Authors: Vandeput Fabrice , Szabo-Fresnais Nicolas , Ahmad Faiyaz , Kho Changwon , Lee Ahyoung , Krall Judith , Dunlop Allan , Hazel Mark W. , Wohlschlegel James A. , Hajjar Roger J. , Houslay Miles D. , Manganiello Vincent C. , Movsesian Matthew A.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) PDE3A increase cardiac contractility in patients with heart failure, but their long-term use increases mortality. Two isoforms expressed in cardiac myocytes, PDE3A1 and PDE3A2, have amino acid sequences that are identical except for a unique N-terminal extension in PDE3A1. We found that PDE3A1 and PDE3A2 are selectively phosphorylated at alternative sites in response to the activation of PKA and PKC, respectively, resulting in differential regulation of their catalytic activity and protein interactomes. Existing PDE3 inhibitors thus target at least two functionally distinct cardiac isoforms likely with different roles in intracellular signaling. This raises the possibility that isoform-selective targeting may increase contractility in failing hearts without increasing mortality, providing a potential route for developing therapeutics.
Distribution, evolution, and diversity of retrotransposons at the
flamenco
locus reflect the regulatory properties of piRNA clusters
Authors: Zanni Vanessa , Eymery Angéline , Coiffet Michael , Zytnicki Matthias , Luyten Isabelle , Quesneville Hadi , Vaury Chantal , Jensen Silke
Published: November 2013

Significance

Control of transposable elements (TEs) by RNAi has a large impact on genome evolution in higher eucaryotes. In this paper, we study in detail a Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA)-producing locus of
Drosophila melanogaster
,
flamenco
(
flam
), known to be responsible for the control of at least three retrotransposons by RNAi. We demonstrate the high structural dynamics of the
flam
locus resulting in loss and gain of TEs and establish a link between such structural variations and its ability to silence retrotransposons. We show that
flam
is a trap for TEs coming in by horizontal transfer from other
Drosophila
species. Overall, our data give unique insights into piRNA cluster regulatory properties, their role in evolution, and expansion and taming of TEs.
Structural basis of myosin V Rab GTPase-dependent cargo recognition
Authors: Pylypenko Olena , Attanda Wikayatou , Gauquelin Charles , Lahmani Marion , Coulibaly Doudouh , Baron Bruno , Hoos Sylviane , Titus Margaret A. , England Patrick , Houdusse Anne M.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Directed movement is essential for life, and cytoskeleton-based motors generate mechanical force and motion to precisely organize the cell. Their selective recruitment and activation at particular times and positions in cells is critical to numerous cell processes. This paper provides unique insights into the specific recognition of cellular compartments by the myosin V nanomotor via direct or indirect interactions with Rab GTPases. These studies highlight the role of plasticity in the binding site to achieve selectivity in cargo/motor recognition. We also describe how the globular tail domain sequence of the motor diverged among isoforms during evolution to maintain core shared functions while promoting diversification of cellular roles by acquiring new specific partner interactions.
Quantifying causal emergence shows that macro can beat micro
Authors: Hoel Erik P. , Albantakis Larissa , Tononi Giulio
Published: November 2013

Significance

Properly characterizing emergence requires a causal approach. Here, we construct causal models of simple systems at micro and macro spatiotemporal scales and measure their causal effectiveness using a general measure of causation [effective information (
EI
)].
EI
is dependent on the size of the system’s state space and reflects key properties of causation (selectivity, determinism, and degeneracy). Although in the example systems the macro mechanisms are completely specified by their underlying micro mechanisms,
EI
can nevertheless peak at a macro spatiotemporal scale. This approach leads to a straightforward way of quantifying causal emergence as the supersedence of a macro causal model over a micro one.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of gene flow and hybrid fitness between the M and S forms of the malaria mosquito,
Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Lee Yoosook , Marsden Clare D. , Norris Laura C. , Collier Travis C. , Main Bradley J. , Fofana Abdrahamane , Cornel Anthony J. , Lanzaro Gregory C.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Populations of the African malaria vector,
Anopheles gambiae
, are structured into M and S forms. All current work assumes the two rarely hybridize. Here we show this assumption is false. We demonstrate (
i
) significant exchange of genes between the two forms, even though (
ii
) hybrids have reduced fitness and (
iii
) the gene exchange process is spatially and temporally dynamic. For malaria, it is important to determine if genes for traits like insecticide resistance are shared between forms. For evolutionary biologists, this work confirms that this mosquito is a good model for studying if and how species may evolve in cases where there is ongoing gene flow.
Centromere proteins CENP-C and CAL1 functionally interact in meiosis for centromere clustering, pairing, and chromosome segregation
Authors: Unhavaithaya Yingdee , Orr-Weaver Terry L.
Published: November 2013

Significance

The centromere is essential for chromosome segregation because it is the site at which the kinetochore assembles to control microtubule attachment and chromosome movement. In meiosis, the homologous chromosomes pair, synapse by forming the synaptonemal complex (SC), and segregate. This is associated with the centromeres clustering in the nucleus. Little is known about the function of the integral centromere proteins in these processes because they are essential, and mutations in the genes are lethal. Here, we exploit allelic combinations to show the centromere proteins CENP-C and CAL1 are required in
Drosophila
meiosis for centromere pairing and clustering, and we find this occurs at the nucleolus. Defects in these proteins affect the SC at the centromere and cause meiosis segregation errors.
From the Silk Road to the Railroad (and Back): The Means and Meanings of the Iranian Encounter with China
Authors: Green Nile
Published: November 2013

In view of the recent expansion of Indo-Persian studies, the neglect of the Sino-Persian nexus is a missed opportunity to place Iranian history on a larger Asian stage. While Iranian contact with China has continued episodically from antiquity to modernity, scholars have so far focused almost exclusively on the pre-modern phases of exchange. As a contribution to developing the field of Sino-Persian studies, this article situates two twentieth century Iranian travelers to China against the changing background of Chinese–Iranian exchange from the medieval to modern period. In so doing, it demonstrates the infrastructural and conceptual apparatus that enabled the modern Iranian encounter with China while asking how, if at all, twentieth century intellectuals were able to draw on a longer history of interaction to find meanings for Sino-Persian exchange.
An array of nuclear microtubules reorganizes the budding yeast nucleus during quiescence
Authors: Laporte Damien , Courtout Fabien , Salin Bénédicte , Ceschin Johanna , Sagot Isabelle
Published: November 2013

The microtubule cytoskeleton is a highly dynamic network. In dividing cells, its complex architecture not only influences cell shape and movement but is also crucial for chromosome segregation. Curiously, nothing is known about the behavior of this cellular machinery in quiescent cells. Here we show that, upon quiescence entry, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae microtubule cytoskeleton is drastically remodeled. Indeed, while cytoplasmic microtubules vanish, the spindle pole body (SPB) assembles a long and stable monopolar array of nuclear microtubules that spans the entire nucleus. Consequently, the nucleolus is displaced. Kinetochores remain attached to microtubule tips but lose SPB clustering and distribute along the microtubule array, leading to a large reorganization of the nucleus. When cells exit quiescence, the nuclear microtubule array slowly depolymerizes and, by pulling attached centromeres back to the SPB, allows the recovery of a typical Rabl-like configuration. Finally, mutants that do not assemble a nuclear array of microtubules are impaired for both quiescence survival and exit.
Multistage genome-wide association meta-analyses identified two new loci for bone mineral density
Authors: Zhang Lei , Choi Hyung Jin , Estrada Karol , Leo Paul J. , Li Jian , Pei Yu-Fang , Zhang Yinping , Lin Yong , Shen Hui , Liu Yao-Zhong , Liu Yongjun , Zhao Yingchun , Zhang Ji-Gang , Tian Qing , Wang Yu-ping , Han Yingying , Ran Shu , Hai Rong , Zhu Xue-Zhen , Wu Shuyan , Yan Han , Liu Xiaogang , Yang Tie-Lin , Guo Yan , Zhang Feng , Guo Yan-fang , Chen Yuan , Chen Xiangding , Tan Lijun , Zhang Lishu , Deng Fei-Yan , Deng Hongyi , Rivadeneira Fernando , Duncan Emma L , Lee Jong Young , Han Bok Ghee , Cho Nam H. , Nicholson Geoffrey C. , McCloskey Eugene , Eastell Richard , Prince Richard L. , Eisman John A. , Jones Graeme , Reid Ian R. , Sambrook Philip N. , Dennison Elaine M. , Danoy Patrick , Yerges-Armstrong Laura M. , Streeten Elizabeth A. , Hu Tian , Xiang Shuanglin , Papasian Christopher J. , Brown Matthew A. , Shin Chan Soo , Uitterlinden André G. , Deng Hong-Wen
Published: November 2013

Aiming to identify novel genetic variants and to confirm previously identified genetic variants associated with bone mineral density (BMD), we conducted a three-stage genome-wide association (GWA) meta-analysis in 27 061 study subjects. Stage 1 meta-analyzed seven GWA samples and 11 140 subjects for BMDs at the lumbar spine, hip and femoral neck, followed by a Stage 2 in silico replication of 33 SNPs in 9258 subjects, and by a Stage 3 de novo validation of three SNPs in 6663 subjects. Combining evidence from all the stages, we have identified two novel loci that have not been reported previously at the genome-wide significance (GWS; 5.0 × 10−8) level: 14q24.2 (rs227425, P-value 3.98 × 10−13, SMOC1) in the combined sample of males and females and 21q22.13 (rs170183, P-value 4.15 × 10−9, CLDN14) in the female-specific sample. The two newly identified SNPs were also significant in the GEnetic Factors for OSteoporosis consortium (GEFOS, n = 32 960) summary results. We have also independently confirmed 13 previously reported loci at the GWS level: 1p36.12 (ZBTB40), 1p31.3 (GPR177), 4p16.3 (FGFRL1), 4q22.1 (MEPE), 5q14.3 (MEF2C), 6q25.1 (C6orf97, ESR1), 7q21.3 (FLJ42280, SHFM1), 7q31.31 (FAM3C, WNT16), 8q24.12 (TNFRSF11B), 11p15.3 (SOX6), 11q13.4 (LRP5), 13q14.11 (AKAP11) and 16q24 (FOXL1). Gene expression analysis in osteogenic cells implied potential functional association of the two candidate genes (SMOC1 and CLDN14) in bone metabolism. Our findings independently confirm previously identified biological pathways underlying bone metabolism and contribute to the discovery of novel pathways, thus providing valuable insights into the intervention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Magnetic field structure of the extended 3C 380 jet
Authors: Gabuzda D. C. , Cantwell T. M. , Cawthorne T. V.
Published: November 2013

An earlier study of the complex jet of 3C 380 by Papageorgiou et al. revealed total intensity and polarization structure associated with a bright knot K1 about 0.7 arcsec from the core that was reminiscent of that expected for a conical shock wave. In this new study, 1.42, 1.66 and 4.99 GHz total intensity, polarization and Faraday rotation images are presented and analysed. These images were derived from observations with the Very Long Baseline Array plus one antenna of the Very Large Array, obtained in 2006 March. These new images confirm the overall magnetic field structure of the knot K1 indicated in the earlier observations. In addition, a clear Faraday rotation gradient has been detected across the jet, extending roughly from 10 to 30 mas (70–200 pc) along the jet from the core (a radial distance of approximately two beamwidths). The gradient spans roughly 3.5 beamwidths in the transverse direction, and the difference in the rotation measures on either side of the jet is 4–5σ, demonstrating that the detection of the gradient is firm. We interpret this transverse Faraday rotation gradient as reflecting systematic variation of the line-of-sight component of a helical or toroidal magnetic field (B) associated with the jet of 3C 380. These results provide evidence that the helical field arising due to the joint action of the rotation of the central black hole and its accretion disc and the jet outflow can survive to distances of hundreds of parsecs from the central engine.
Relation Between Serum Osteocalcin Levels and Body Composition in Obese Children
Authors: Wang Jing‐Wen , Tang Qing‐Ya , Ruan Hui‐Juan , Cai Wei
Published: November 2013

Overweight and obesity may contribute to bone fractures in children; however, the mechanism involved is not clear. In this study, we assessed the relation between serum osteocalcin levels and body composition in obese children. A total of 79 children (ages 7–12 years) were recruited. Serum osteocalcin levels were negatively correlated with fat percentage and visceral fat area (r = −0.24 and r = −0.46, respectively, P < 0.05); however, no statistically significant association was found between obesity degree and serum osteocalcin levels (r = −0.29, P = 0.052). Serum osteocalcin levels were positively correlated with lean body mass, fat‐free mass, and fat‐free mass index (r = 0.24, 0.23, and 0.31, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, serum osteocalcin levels were significantly lower in severely obese (44.46 ± 9.73 μg/mL) and moderately obese (48.72 ± 10.82 μg/mL) children than in mildly obese (55.43 ± 12.4 μg/mL) and overweight (54.36 ± 11.96 μg/mL) children (P = 0.02). These findings indicate that body composition is related to serum osteocalcin levels in overweight and obese children.
Large deviations and gradient flows
Authors: Adams Stefan , Dirr Nicolas , Peletier Mark , Zimmer Johannes
Published: November 2013

In recent work we uncovered intriguing connections between Otto’s characterization of diffusion as an entropic gradient flow on the one hand and large-deviation principles describing the microscopic picture (Brownian motion) on the other. In this paper, we sketch this connection, show how it generalizes to a wider class of systems and comment on consequences and implications. Specifically, we connect macroscopic gradient flows with large-deviation principles, and point out the potential of a bigger picture emerging: we indicate that, in some non-equilibrium situations, entropies and thermodynamic free energies can be derived via large-deviation principles. The approach advocated here is different from the established hydrodynamic limit passage but extends a link that is well known in the equilibrium situation.
Non-convex entropies for conservation laws with involutions
Authors: Dafermos Constantine M.
Published: November 2013

The paper discusses systems of conservation laws endowed with involutions and contingent entropies. Under the assumption that the contingent entropy function is convex merely in the direction of a cone in state space, associated with the involution, it is shown that the Cauchy problem is locally well posed in the class of classical solutions, and that classical solutions are unique and stable even within the broader class of weak solutions that satisfy an entropy inequality. This is on a par with the classical theory of solutions to hyperbolic systems of conservation laws endowed with a convex entropy. The equations of elastodynamics provide the prototypical example for the above setting.
Correlation between serum reactivity to Demodex-associated Bacillus oleronius proteins, and altered sebum levels and Demodex populations in erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients
Authors: Jarmuda Stanisław , McMahon Fred , Żaba Ryszard , O'Reilly Niamh , Jakubowicz Oliwia , Holland Ashling , Szkaradkiewicz Andrzej , Kavanagh Kevin
Published: November 2013

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin of the face and the eyes. The aetiology of rosacea is not clearly established but increasing evidence suggests a potential role for bacteria in the induction of the condition. A role for Bacillus oleronius, originally isolated from within a Demodex folliculorum mite, in the aetiology of the condition has been suggested. The aim of the study was to determine whether a correlation existed between the level of sebum and the density of D. folliculorum in the skin of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea patients, and the reactivity of these patients’ sera to proteins of B. oleronius. Serum reactivity to the 62 and 83 kDa B. oleronius proteins was found in 82.6 % (62/75) of the rosacea patients and in 26.9 % (14/52) of controls (P = 0.0016). In the group of rosacea patients whose sera reacted to B. oleronius proteins, the level of sebum was statistically lower than in controls (P = 0.01). The density of D. folliculorum on the face of Bacillus positive rosacea patients was statistically higher than controls (P = 0.0001). Rosacea patients demonstrated increased Demodex populations on their faces and reduced sebum levels. Their sera also showed reactivity to B. oleronius proteins, suggesting a potential role for this bacterium in the aetiology of rosacea.
Is external cephalic version at term contraindicated in previous caesarean section? A prospective comparative cohort study
Authors: Burgos J , Cobos P , Rodríguez L , Osuna C , Centeno MM , Martínez‐Astorquiza T , Fernández‐Llebrez L
Published: November 2013

Objective

To determine if external cephalic version (ECV) can be performed with safety and efficacy in women with previous caesarean section.

Design

Prospective comparative cohort study.

Setting

Cruces University Hospital (Spain).

Population

Single pregnancy with breech presentation at term.

Methods

We compared 70 ECV performed in women with previous caesarean section with 387 ECV performed in multiparous women (March 2002 to June 2012).

Main outcome measures

Success rate, complications of the ECV and caesarean section rate.

Results

The success rate of ECV in women after previous caesarean section was 67.1% versus 66.1% in multiparous women (P = 0.87). The logistic regression analysis confirmed this result (odds ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.52–1.68; P = 0.82) adjusted by the variables associated with success of ECV. There were no complications in the previous caesarean section cohort. The vaginal delivery rate in the previous caesarean section cohort was 52.8% versus 74.9% in the multiparous cohort (P < 0.01). There were no cases of uterine rupture.

Conclusion

Based on our data, we conclude that complications are uncommon with ECV in women with previous caesarean section, with a success rate comparable to that of multiparous women. Uterine scar should not be considered a contraindication and ECV should be offered to women with previous caesarean section with breech presentation at term.
Vaginal birth after caesarean section: a cohort study investigating factors associated with its uptake and success
Authors: Knight HE , Gurol‐Urganci I , van der Meulen JH , Mahmood TA , Richmond DH , Dougall A , Cromwell DA
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To investigate the demographic and obstetric factors associated with the uptake and success rate of vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC).

Design

Cohort study using data from Hospital Episode Statistics.

Setting

English National Health Service.

Population

Women whose first birth resulted in a live singleton delivery by caesarean section between 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2011, and who had a second birth before 31 March 2012.

Methods

Logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR).

Main outcome measures

Attempted and successful VBAC.

Results

Among the 143 970 women in the cohort, 75 086 (52.2%) attempted a VBAC for their second birth. Younger women, those of non‐white ethnicity and those living in a more deprived area had higher rates of attempted VBAC. Overall, 47 602 women (63.4%) who attempted a VBAC had a successful vaginal birth. Younger women and women of white ethnicity had higher success rates. Black women had a particularly low success rate (OR, 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50–0.57). Women who had an emergency caesarean section in their first birth also had a lower VBAC success rate, particularly those with a history of failed induction of labour (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.53–0.67).

Conclusion

In this national cohort, just over one‐half of women with a primary caesarean section who were eligible for a trial of labour attempted a VBAC for their second birth. Of these, almost two‐thirds successfully achieved a vaginal delivery.
Inhibition of Lipid Oxidation and Rancidity in Precooked Pork Patties by Radical‐Scavenging Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Extract
Authors: Jiang Jiang , Zhang Xin , True Alma D. , Zhou Lirong , Xiong Youling L.
Published: November 2013

This study investigated the efficacy of licorice extract (LE) to curtail lipid oxidation and protect sensory attributes of ground pork during refrigerated and frozen storage. Pork patties (20% fat) were formulated with 0%, 0.02%, 0.05%, and 0.1% (meat basis) LE or rosemary extract (RE) as comparison or 0.01% (fat basis) BHA with 0 or 1.5% NaCl. Raw and precooked (75 °C) patties were packaged in polyvinylchloride overwrapped trays and stored at 2 °C up to 7 and 14 d, respectively, or at –20 °C up to 6 mo. Lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances [TBARS]) and sensory attributes of stored patty samples were evaluated, radical scavenging activity of the LE was measured, and the active phenolic compounds were identified. Cooking yield (<85%) was similar among antioxidant treatments, and lipid oxidation was minimal in refrigerated or frozen raw samples. However, TBARS values in refrigerated precooked control patties (0.22 mg/kg) rose to 9.3 to 9.4 mg/kg after 14 d, compared to 3.4 to 4.4 and 4.4 to 6.9 mg/kg in patties treated with 0.1% LE and RE, respectively. In frozen precooked samples, TBARS (0.22 mg/kg) increased to 1.3 mg/kg (P < 0.05) in control patties after 6 mo and had no significant change in patties treated with 0.1% LE or 0.01% butylated hydroxyanisol. Sensory panel evaluation confirmed strong inhibition of rancidity production by LE, corroborating its remarkable antiradical activity due to the presence of multiple phenolics. The results indicate that licorice has great potential as a natural antioxidative additive to extend the shelf‐life of precooked pork.
Diversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria during Fermentation of a Traditional Chinese Fish Product, Chouguiyu (Stinky Mandarinfish)
Authors: Dai Zhiyuan , Li Yan , Wu Jiajia , Zhao Qiaoling
Published: November 2013

Chouguiyu, or stinky mandarinfish, is a traditional Chinese fermented fish product made of mandarinfish by spontaneous fermentation at the anaerobic condition with low‐salt concentration. In order to get a primary understanding of the microbial community presenting in the Chouguiyu fermentation, 61 cultures of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various fermentation period were isolated using MRS agar plates and characterized based on a combination of phenotypic and genotypic approaches including amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing analysis. Eight distinct bacterial species belonging to 6 genera were identified in total. Among them, Lactobacillus sakei was the dominant species (63%) during the fermentation, which exhibited great variety in phenotypic tests but unique genotypic characters. Meanwhile, the other LAB species including Lactococcus (Lc.) garvieae, Lc. lactis, Lc. raffinolactis, Vagococcus sp., Enterococcus hermanniensis, Macrococcus caseolyticus as well as Streptococcus parauberis were also recovered from the different fermentation periods, especially at the initial point of the fermentation. This seems to be the 1st report investigating the LAB composition involved in Chouguiyu fermentation and the data obtained in this study may be valuable for selecting starter culture for Chouguiyu industrial‐scale production.
Prevention of duodenal ileus reveals functional differences in the duodenal response to luminal hypertonicity in Sprague‐Dawley and Dark Agouti rats
Authors: Sedin J. , Sjöblom M. , Nylander O.
Published: November 2013

Aim

The mechanism by which the duodenum adjusts the luminal osmolality remains unclear. The aim was to compare the duodenal osmoregulation in response to different hyperosmolar solutions in Sprague‐Dawley and Dark Agouti rats and to elucidate whether cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition affects these responses.

Methods

The duodenum was perfused in situ with a 700‐milliosmolar solution (NaCl alone, D‐glucose ± NaCl, D‐mannitol ± NaCl or orange juice), and the effects on the duodenal motility, mucosal permeability, luminal alkalinization, fluid flux and osmoregulation were assessed in anaesthetized rats.

Results

The change in net fluid flux and luminal osmolality, in response to a given hyperosmolar solution, was almost identical in control rats of both strains. In control rats, hypertonic D‐glucose–NaCl induced fluid secretion only in the presence of phlorizin, an inhibitor of SGLT1. Cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition potentiated the hypertonicity‐induced fluid secretion and increased the osmolality‐adjusting capability in both strains, but the responses were greater in Dark Agouti rats. While cyclooxygenase‐2‐inhibited Dark Agouti rats responded to the hyperosmolar solutions with depression of motility and increased mucosal permeability, these effects were absent or smaller in the Sprague‐Dawley strain. In contrast, orange juice induced the same duodenal responses in cyclooxygenase‐2‐inhibited Dark Agouti and Sprague‐Dawley rats.

Conclusion

The duodenum possesses the ability to absorb fluid despite a very high luminal osmolality. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐2 markedly enhanced the capability of the duodenum to secrete fluid and to decrease luminal osmolality, irrespective of the hyperosmolar solution or the rat strain used, and revealed notable differences between the two strains with regard to their osmolality‐adjusting capability.
Gender differences in thyroid system function: relevance to bipolar disorder and its treatment
Authors: Bauer Michael , Glenn Tasha , Pilhatsch Maximilian , Pfennig Andrea , Whybrow Peter C
Published: November 2013

Objectives

Thyroid hormones play a critical role in the functioning of the adult brain, and thyroid diseases impair both mood and cognition. This paper reviews gender differences in thyroid system function that are relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder.

Methods

The study comprised a comprehensive literature review of gender differences in thyroid disease that are pertinent to mood disorders.

Results

The prevalence of thyroid disease was found to be much higher in females than males, and to increase with age. The most commonly detected abnormality was subclinical hypothyroidism, which was found to occur in up to 20% of postmenopausal women. Females also had higher rates of thyroid autoimmunity. Individuals at risk for thyroid disease, such as adult females, may have had less ability to compensate for additional challenges to thyroid metabolism, including lithium treatment. Thyroid abnormalities were associated with a poorer response to standard treatments for mood disorders. Females with treatment‐resistant mood disorders may have responded better than males to adjunctive therapy with thyroid hormones.

Conclusions

Disturbances of thyroid system function, which occur commonly in females, may complicate the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. In particular, this is clinically relevant during lithium treatment because lithium may impair vital thyroid metabolic pathways secondary to its anti‐thyroid activity.
Pediatric Brainstem Gangliogliomas Show BRAFV600E Mutation in a High Percentage of Cases
Authors: Donson Andrew M. , Kleinschmidt‐DeMasters Bette K. , Aisner Dara L. , Bemis Lynne T. , Birks Diane K. , Levy Jean M. Mulcahy , Smith Amy A. , Handler Michael H. , Foreman Nicholas K. , Rush Sarah Z.
Published: November 2013

Brainstem gangliogliomas (GGs), often cannot be resected, have a much poorer prognosis than those located in more common supratentorial sites and may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches. Therapeutically targetable BRAF c.1799T>A (p.V600E) (BRAFV600E) mutations are harbored in roughly 50% of collective GGs taken from all anatomical sites. Large numbers of pediatric brainstem GGs, however, have not been specifically assessed and anatomic—and age‐restricted assessment of genetic and biological factors are becoming increasingly important. Pediatric brainstem GGs (n = 13), non‐brainstem GGs (n = 11) and brainstem pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) (n = 8) were screened by standard Sanger DNA sequencing of BRAF exon 15. Five of 13 (38%) pediatric GG harbored a definitive BRAFV600E mutation, with two others exhibiting an equivocal result by this method. BRAFV600E was also seen in five of 11 (45%) non‐brainstem GGs and one of eight (13%) brainstem PAs. VE1 immunostaining for BRAFV600E showed concordance with sequencing in nine of nine brainstem GGs including the two cases equivocal by Sanger. The equivocal brainstem GGs were subsequently shown to harbor BRAFV600E using a novel, more sensitive, RNA‐sequencing approach, yielding a final BRAFV600E mutation frequency of 54% (seven of 13) in brainstem GGs. BRAFV600E‐targeted therapeutics should be a consideration for the high percentage of pediatric brainstem GGs refractory to conventional therapies.
Deep intronic KRIT1 mutation in a family with clinically silent multiple cerebral cavernous malformations
Authors: Riant F. , Odent S. , Cecillon M. , Pasquier L. , de Baracé C. , Carney M.P. , Tournier‐Lasserve E.
Published: November 2013

Loss‐of‐function mutations in CCM1/KRIT1, CCM2/MGC4607 and CCM3/PDCD10 genes are identified in the vast majority of familial cases with multiple cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). However, genomic DNA sequencing combined to large rearrangement screening fails to detect a mutation in 5% of those cases. We report a family in which CCM lesions were discovered fortuitously because of the investigation of a developmental delay in a boy. Three members of the family on three generations had typical multiple CCM lesions and no clinical signs related to CCM. No mutation was detected using genomic DNA sequencing and quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF). cDNA sequencing showed a 99‐nucleotide insertion between exons 5 and 6 of CCM1, resulting from a mutation located deep into intron 5 (c.262+132_262+133del) that activates a cryptic splice site. This pseudoexon leads to a premature stop codon. These data highly suggest that deep intronic mutations explain part of the incomplete mutation detection rate in CCM patients and underline the importance of analyzing the cDNA to provide comprehensive CCM diagnostic tests. This kind of mutation may be responsible for apparent sporadic presentations due to a reduced penetrance.
Characterization and Dielectric Properties of Novel Dielectric Ceramics CaxZn(1−x)Al2O4 for GPS Patch Antennas
Authors: Wan Jalal Wan Nasarudin , Abdullah Huda , Zulfakar Mohd Syafiq , Shaari Sahbudin , Islam Mohammad Thariqul
Published: November 2013

A solgel method was used to prepare CaxZn(1−x)Al2O4 thin films and fabricate GPS patch antennas. The addition of calcium (Ca) has increased the εr, crystallite size, and grain size, to increase the ceramics density. The three highest Q × f values appear at the position of x = 0.05 (31,091 MHz), 0.15 (63,906 MHz), and 0.25 (40,609 MHz), respectively. The best combination of microwave dielectric properties (εr ~ 9.02), Q × f ~ 63,906 MHz and with the lowest return lost (−25 dB) is obtained for specimen using Ca0.15Zn0.85Al2O4 (x = 0.15) ceramics, which is the suggested material for GPS patch antennas.
Joining of Sintered Alumina Substrates and LTCC Green Tapes via Cold Low‐Pressure Lamination
Authors: Hambuch Michael , Gora Frieder , Beart Karin , Wittmann Frieder , Roosen Andreas
Published: November 2013

Common technologies for the manufacture of ceramic‐based microelectronic devices are thick‐film hybrid technology and LTCC technology. The first one uses sintered ceramic substrates, mostly Al2O3, to provide very good heat conductivity, for example of 25 W/mK for alumina substrates; but there are only two sides to carry a metallization. An improved miniaturization can be accomplished by multilayer systems using the LTCC technology. A drawback of LTCCs is their low heat conductivity of typically 3 W/mK due to the high glass content. By combining hybrid and LTCC technology, the advantages of both methods can be joined. Because the failure rate is too high to laminate sintered substrates and ceramic green tapes via thermo compression, cold low‐pressure lamination (CLPL) has been used. CLPL is a lamination method, where the joining is performed at room temperature by application of very low pressure (<5 MPa) using a double‐sided adhesive tape. During heat treatment, the adhesive film keeps the tapes together until the adhesive is completely decomposed; during further temperature increase, the tapes are joined by sintering. The study describes the materials used and processing steps and discusses effects which occur during firing. These effects like edge curl and crack formation are mainly due to stresses which occur during constrained sintering.
Embedded Versus Peripheral Corporate Social Responsibility: Psychological Foundations
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Glavas Ante
Published: November 2013

We propose a new conceptualization to make sense of the vast and diverse body of work regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR): (a) embedded CSR and (b) peripheral CSR. This distinction relies on psychological foundations originating primarily in industrial–organizational psychology and related fields (i.e., organizational behavior, human resource management) and allows for a better understanding of when and why CSR is likely to lead to positive outcomes for employees, organizations, and society. Embedded CSR involves an organization's core competencies and integrates CSR within a firm's strategy, routines, and operations, and therefore affects all employees. In contrast, peripheral CSR focuses on activities that are not integrated into an organization's strategy, routines, and operations (e.g., philanthropy, volunteering). We use our conceptualization to explain the success of CSR initiatives at GE, IBM, and Intel, and to reinterpret the scholarly CSR literature in the fields of marketing, corporate governance and legal studies, and economics. We also describe how our conceptualization can help bridge the much lamented micro–macro and science–practice gaps and helps guide future CSR research as well as organizational interventions.
No Steps Forward, Two Steps Back: The Fallacy of Trying to “Eradicate” Adverse Impact?
Authors: Arthur Winfred , Woehr David
Published: November 2013

Within the context of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and specifically as it pertains to the tenets of Title VII, Lindsey, King, Dunleavy, McCausland, and Jones (2013) state: “This focal article raises and addresses critical issues regarding a yet unanswered question: How can organizational researchers and practitioners contribute to the ultimate goal of eradicating employment discrimination” (p. 391). We argue that in the context of employment testing and selection, at least as per the disparate impact theory of discrimination, this question is the wrong one—certainly as framed by Lindsey et al. To the contrary, instead of holding up the "eradication of employment discrimination" as our ultimate goal, perhaps we should continue to focus on the development, implementation, and support of the best (i.e., most job-related and valid) employment practices possible.