bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporation of Omega‐3 Fatty Acids in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fed Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Bran
Authors: Silva Beatriz Costa e , dos Santos Hevelyse Munise Celestino , Montanher Paula Fernandes , Boeing Joana Schuelter , Almeida Vitor de Cinque , Visentainer Jesuí Vergílio
Published: December 2013

This study evaluated the effect of the inclusion of chia bran in the diet of Nile tilapia on the composition of n‐3 fatty acids (FA). Omega‐3 fatty acids provide health benefits such as reducing the risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension and inflammation, and the precursor alpha‐linolenic acid is considered strictly essential because it cannot be synthesized by humans, therefore must be ingested. Tilapias grown in tanks for a period of 45 days were treated with diets supplemented with either soybean oil (TI) or chia bran (TII). Proximal composition analysis of the feeds showed no significant difference. Feed FA quantification showed that the chia diet (TII) had a higher alpha‐linolenic acid (LNA) content. A significant increase was observed in the concentrations of LNA (8.38–81.31 mg 100 g−1 fillets), eicosapentaenoic acid (1.12–1.56 mg 100 g−1 fillets) and docosahexaenoic acid (19.55–26.55 mg 100 g−1 fillets) in tilapia fillets between 0 and 45 days for TII. Total lipids at 45 days under TII were fractionated into neutral lipids (67.66 %) and polar lipids (18.90 %). Thus, dietary supplementation with chia bran contributed to raising the nutritional quality of Nile tilapia fillets.
Recent advances in mammalian protein production
Authors: Bandaranayake Ashok D. , Almo Steven C.
Published: December 2013

Mammalian protein production platforms have had a profound impact in many areas of basic and applied research, and an increasing number of blockbuster drugs are recombinant mammalian proteins. With global sales of these drugs exceeding US$120 billion per year, both industry and academic research groups continue to develop cost effective methods for producing mammalian proteins to support pre‐clinical and clinical evaluations of potential therapeutics. While a wide range of platforms have been successfully exploited for laboratory use, the bulk of recent biologics have been produced in mammalian cell lines due to the requirement for post translational modification and the biosynthetic complexity of the target proteins. In this review we highlight the range of mammalian expression platforms available for recombinant protein production, as well as advances in technologies for the rapid and efficient selection of highly productive clones.
miR‐329 suppresses the growth and motility of neuroblastoma by targeting KDM1A
Authors: Yang Haifeng , Li Qi , Zhao Wohua , Yuan Dun , Zhao Hongyang , Zhou Yong
Published: December 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as key regulators of multiple cancers. miR‐329 functions as a tumor suppressor in some malignancies. However, its role in neuroblastoma remains poorly understood. We found that miR‐329 was decreased in metastatic tumor tissues compared with matched primary tumor tissues. Forced overexpression of miR‐329 substantially suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of neuroblastoma cells. Lysine‐specific demethylase 1 (KDM1A) was found to be a target of miR‐329. Furthermore, down‐regulation of KDM1A by shRNA performed similar effects with overexpression of miR‐329. Overexpression of KDM1A partially reversed the tumor suppressive effects of miR‐329 in neuroblastoma cells. Collectively, miR‐329 may suppress neuroblastoma cell growth and motility partially by targeting KDM1A.
Bagging with CTD – A Novel Signature for the Hierarchical Prediction of Secreted Protein Trafficking in Eukaryotes
Authors: Govindan Geetha , Nair Achuthsankar S.
Published: December 2013

Protein trafficking or protein sorting in eukaryotes is a complicated process and is carried out based on the information contained in the protein. Many methods reported prediction of the subcellular location of proteins from sequence information. However, most of these prediction methods use a flat structure or parallel architecture to perform prediction. In this work, we introduce ensemble classifiers with features that are extracted directly from full length protein sequences to predict locations in the protein-sorting pathway hierarchically. Sequence driven features, sequence mapped features and sequence autocorrelation features were tested with ensemble learners and their performances were compared. When evaluated by independent data testing, ensemble based-bagging algorithms with sequence feature composition, transition and distribution (CTD) successfully classified two datasets with accuracies greater than 90%. We compared our results with similar published methods, and our method equally performed with the others at two levels in the secreted pathway. This study shows that the feature CTD extracted from protein sequences is effective in capturing biological features among compartments in secreted pathways.
Highly efficient synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides catalyzed by salen aluminum complexes with built-in “CO2 capture” capability under mild conditions
Authors: Luo Rongchang , Zhou Xiantai , Chen Shaoyun , Li Yang , Zhou Lei , Ji Hongbing
Published: December 2013

A polyether-based imidazolium ionic liquid functionalized salen Al complex displays high efficiency and reusability as a homogeneous, single-component and multi-functional catalyst for the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides under mild conditions.
Chiral recognition for the complexation dynamics of β-cyclodextrin with the enantiomers of 2-naphthyl-1-ethanol
Authors: Tang Hao , Sutherland Andria S. M. , Osusky Lana M. , Li Yan , Holzwarth Josef F. , Bohne Cornelia
Published: December 2013

The focus of this study is to understand the origin of the chiral recognition for a host–guest system containing complexes with different stoichiometries. Each enantiomer of 2-naphthyl-1-ethanol forms two different 1:1 complexes with β-cyclodextrin, leading to the formation of three different 2:2 complexes. One of these 2:2 complexes leads to excimer emission of the guest. Fluorescence studies were employed to determine the binding isotherms for the 1:1 and 2:2 complexes. No chiral discrimination was directly observed for the formation of the 1:1 complexes, while higher equilibrium constants (29% from binding isotherms and 40% from kinetic studies) were observed for the formation of the 2:2 complexes with (R)-2-naphthyl-1-ethanol when compared to the formation of the 2:2 complexes formed from (S)-2-naphthyl-1-ethanol. The relaxation kinetics was studied using stopped-flow experiments. The formation of the 2:2 complexes was followed by detecting the excimer emission from one of the 2:2 complexes. The relaxation kinetics was faster for (S)-2-naphthyl-1-ethanol, where a higher dissociation rate constant, by 47%, was observed, suggesting that the chiral discrimination occurs because the interaction between two cyclodextrins is more favorable for the complexes containing (R)-2-naphthyl-1-ethanol when compared to (S)-2-naphthyl-1-ethanol. The same overall equilibrium constants were observed for the 1:1 complexes with both enantiomers showing that at a given cyclodextrin concentration the sum of the two types of 1:1 complexes is the same for both enantiomers. However, analysis of the binding isotherms indicates that the ratio between the two different 1:1 complexes for each enantiomer was different for (R)- and (S)-2-naphthyl-1-ethanol.
Guanidinium functionalized superparamagnetic silica spheres for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides and intact phosphoproteins from complex mixtures
Authors: Deng Qiliang , Wu Jianhua , Chen Yang , Zhang Zhijun , Wang Yang , Fang Guozhen , Wang Shuo , Zhang Yukui
Published: December 2013

Capture of phosphopeptides and phosphoproteins from complex mixtures has been demonstrated based on the interaction between phosphate groups and guanidine groups.
Role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in diabetic cardiovascular complications
Authors: Patel Vaibhav B. , Parajuli Nirmal , Oudit Gavin Y.
Published: December 2013

Diabetes mellitus results in severe cardiovascular complications, and heart disease and failure remain the major causes of death in patients with diabetes. Given the increasing global tide of obesity and diabetes, the clinical burden of diabetes-induced cardiovascular disease is reaching epidemic proportions. Therefore urgent actions are needed to stem the tide of diabetes which entails new prevention and treatment tools. Clinical and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that AngII (angiotensin II), the major effector peptide of the RAS (renin–angiotensin system), is a critical promoter of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. The role of RAS and AngII has been implicated in the progression of diabetic cardiovascular complications and AT1R (AngII type 1 receptor) blockers and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors have shown clinical benefits. ACE2, the recently discovered homologue of ACE, is a monocarboxypeptidase which converts AngII into Ang-(1–7) [angiotensin-(1–7)] which, by virtue of its actions on the MasR (Mas receptor), opposes the effects of AngII. In animal models of diabetes, an early increase in ACE2 expression and activity occurs, whereas ACE2 mRNA and protein levels have been found to decrease in older STZ (streptozotocin)-induced diabetic rats. Using the Akita mouse model of Type 1 diabetes, we have recently shown that loss of ACE2 disrupts the balance of the RAS in a diabetic state and leads to AngII/AT1R-dependent systolic dysfunction and impaired vascular function. In the present review, we will discuss the role of the RAS in the pathophysiology and treatment of diabetes and its complications with particular emphasis on potential benefits of the ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/MasR axis activation.
Robust carrier frequency offset and channel estimation for orthogonal frequency division multiple access downlink systems in the presence of severe adjacent‐cell interference
Authors: Deng Juinn‐Horng , Liao Shu‐Min
Published: December 2013

This study investigates joint estimation carrier frequency offset (CFO) and channel impulse response (CIR) in the problematic orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) downlink scenario at the cell boundary, where a maximum supposition of three adjacent base stations preambles can be received. A novel scheme is proposed for estimating the CFOs and CIRs of different cells. First, the highly efficient joint maximum‐likelihood (JML) algorithm is used to enable robust CFO estimation by exploiting the idempotent property of the projection matrix. Next, in order to estimate the precise CIR, the composite CFO‐based and circularly shifted preamble signatures are proposed by applying the constrained minimum variance (CMV) algorithm to suppress adjacent‐cell interference. Finally, the CFO and CIR estimations are enhanced by an iterative cancellation scheme. To the best of the authors research, there is no publication study proposed joint JML‐CFO and CMV‐CIR estimators for OFDMA downlink systems with adjacent‐cell interference. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms provide better performance than the conventional estimators and approach the theoretical Cramer–Rao lower bound at the cell boundary over frequency‐selective fading channels.
Evaluation of nodal reliability risk in a deregulated power system with photovoltaic power penetration
Authors: Zhao Qian , Wang Peng , Goel Lalit , Ding Yi
Published: December 2013

Owing to the intermittent characteristic of solar radiation, power system reliability may be affected with high photovoltaic (PV) power penetration. To reduce large variation of PV power, additional system balancing reserve would be needed. In deregulated power systems, deployment of reserves and customer reliability requirements are correlated with energy and reserve prices. Therefore a new method should be developed to evaluate the impacts of PV power on customer reliability and system reserve deployment in the new environment. In this study, a method based on the pseudo‐sequential Monte Carlo simulation technique has been proposed to evaluate the reserve deployment and customers' nodal reliability with high PV power penetration. The proposed method can effectively model the chronological aspects and stochastic characteristics of PV power and system operation with high computation efficiency. An auto‐regressive and moving average model has also been developed for simulating the chronological characteristics of the solar radiation. Customers' reliability preferences have been considered in the generation and reserve deployment. Moreover, the correlation between PV power and load has been considered in the proposed method. Nodal reliability indices and reserve deployment have been evaluated by applying the proposed method to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers reliability test system.
Parallel‐differential evolution approach for optimal event‐driven load shedding against voltage collapse in power systems
Authors: Xu Yan , Dong Zhao Yang , Luo Fengji , Zhang Rui , Wong Kit Po
Published: December 2013

Event‐driven load shedding is an effective countermeasure against voltage collapse in power systems. Conventionally, its optimisation relies on sensitivity‐based linear methods, which, however, could suffer from unrealistic assumptions and sub‐optimality. In this study, an alternative approach based on parallel‐differential evolution (P‐DE) is proposed for efficiently and globally optimising the event‐driven load shedding against voltage collapse. Working in a parallel structure, the approach consists of candidate buses selection, voltage stability assessment (VSA) and DE optimisation. Compared with conventional methods, it fully considers the non‐linearity of the problem and is able to effectively escape from local optima and not limited to system modelling and unrealistic assumptions. Besides, any type of objective functions and VSA techniques can be used. The proposed approach has been tested on the IEEE 118‐bus test system considering two cases for preventive control and corrective control, respectively, and compared with the two existing methods. Simulation results have verified its effectiveness and superiority over the compared methods.
Optimal charging of plug‐in electric vehicles observing power grid constraints
Authors: Esmaili Masoud , Rajabi Mohsen
Published: December 2013

Plug‐in electric vehicles (PEVs) impose considerable loads to existing power grids, and consequently, they can challenge power quality and reliability of power systems if their charging is not coordinated. To use existing distribution systems for PEV charging without upgrading them, coordinated charging is inevitable. In this study, an optimal PEV dynamic charging method is proposed observing power grid thermal ratings and voltage quality. The problem is formulated as a standard non‐linear programming with minimising energy losses over the charging span as objective function subject to PEVs and power system security constraints. Node voltages and power losses are explicitly and precisely formulated in the proposed method. Coordinated charging span of PEVs starts from evening, when PEV owners arrive home, to the next day morning, when the owners need their car charged and ready to use. The IEEE 31‐bus distribution system in highly stressed conditions is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method in the worst voltage status. According to obtained results, discussed in detail, voltage quality constraints are more restricting than equipment thermal rating in PEV optimal charging because of mostly radial structure of distribution systems. The results confirm the efficiency of the proposed method.
Analysis on in‐band distortion caused by switching amplifiers
Authors: Jang Wonhoon , Silva Nelson , Oliveira Arnaldo , Carvalho Nuno Borges
Published: December 2013

A hypothetical model is built to explain an in‐band distortion mechanism of the class F amplifier. Using the model it is analytically proved that static non‐linearities of switching amplifiers do not cause meaningful in‐band distortion when the amplifiers are driven by ideal 1‐bit digital RF signals. It is also found that short‐term memory effects significantly contribute to in‐band distortion. The analysis and the mechanism are tested and supported by MATLAB simulations. A system composed of a field‐programmable gate array and a class F amplifier has been built and the in‐band distortion mechanism is verified by measurement.
Analysis and implementation of a three‐phase power factor correction scheme using modular Cuk rectifier for balanced and unbalanced supply conditions
Authors: Umamaheswari Mallapu Gopinath , Uma Govindarajan , Viswanathan Sangeetha
Published: December 2013

In this study, the analysis and design of a three‐phase AC–DC converter followed by DC–DC Cuk converter modules to achieve unity power factor is presented. Two methods of reference current generation techniques are employed. In the first scheme, reference current is generated using instantaneous symmetrical component theory under balanced supply conditions. In the second scheme, extended synchronous detection methods such as equal current criterion, equal power criterion and equal impedance criterion are used for reference current generation under unbalanced supply conditions. The control strategy uses three hysteresis current controllers for source current shaping and an outer voltage loop with proportional‐integral controller for load voltage regulation. To validate the proposed method, a prototype controlled by dSPACE signal processor is set up. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed system offers regulated output voltage for wide load variations and provides power factor close to unity.
Conducted electromagnetic interference evaluation of forward converter with symmetric topology and passive filter
Authors: Yazdani Mohammad Rouhollah , Amini Filabadi Nahid , Faiz Jawad
Published: December 2013

Forward converter is popular for isolated switching power supply. Generally, power switching converters are the sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) because of their high transient voltage and current. In this study, reduction of conducted EMI in the single‐switch forward converter is examined using a symmetric topology. At this end, the forward converter topology is modified to achieve a symmetric topology. EMI model of the conventional forward converter and symmetric forward converter are derived taking into account the main parasitic of components and printed circuit tracks. Accuracy of the predicted EMI is verified by the measured EMI for two converters. In addition to the symmetric approach evaluation from the EMI viewpoint, the effect of this approach on the output voltage noise is examined. Finally, the combination of a passive EMI filtering with the symmetric method is utilised for EMC compliance.
Simplified sol–gel method for synthesis of mesoporous alumina
Authors: More Mahesh P. , Patil Pravin O. , Pandey Abhijeet P. , Patil Dilip A. , Deshmukh Prashant K.
Published: December 2013

In the present investigation, a simplified method for the synthesis of mesoporous alumina using a sol–gel strategy is reported. Formation of the mesoporous structure is supported by the results of a Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller study. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra confirmed its primary characteristic peaks. Elemental analysis and X‐ray diffraction revealed the formation of γ‐Al2O3, after calcination at 700°C. Particle size and zeta potential were measured to assess the size and the surface charge of the synthesised mesoporous material.
Depression in palliative care patients: a survey of assessment and treatment practices of Australian and New Zealand palliative care specialists
Authors: Porche Kay , Reymond Liz , Callaghan John O' , Charles Margaret
Published: December 2013

Objective To explore the practices of members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) in assessing and treating depression in palliative care patients. Methods Semistructured questionnaires were forwarded to ANZSPM members in consecutive mail-outs to survey diagnostic and treatment practices for depression. Results The response rate was 62.3%. The median prevalence of depression, as perceived by respondents, in the present respondent patient populations was 20% (range 0%–90%); 57.1% of respondents always assessed for depression, whereas 42.9% assessed for depression sometimes. The majority (98.9%) of respondents relied on clinical interviews to assess depression; non-somatic symptoms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria were more useful than somatic symptoms. The depression screening tools most frequently used were one- and two-item questions. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods were used to treat depression, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors the most frequently prescribed medications. Psycho-educational and supportive counselling were the most frequently used non-pharmacological interventions. Nominated measures to augment depression management included improving access to psychiatry, psychology and other allied health services, the development of a screening tool specific to palliative care patients and associated guidelines for depression management. Conclusions This is the first Australasian study to explore the practice of medical practitioners regarding depression in palliative patients. Incorporation of screening tool questions into palliative care assessment interviews may warrant future research. What is known about the topic? Depression in palliative care patients has a negative impact on quality of life; however, little is known about how Australasian palliative care medical practitioners manage depression in this patient population. What does this paper add? To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first Australasian study that explores the practices of local palliative care specialists in the management of depression in palliative patients. What are the implications for practitioners? Overall management of depression in palliative care populations by Australasian practitioners is similar to that of their European colleagues. Consensus is that for assessment of depression in palliative patients, non-somatic symptoms of DSM-IV criteria are more useful than somatic symptoms. Practitioners report the need for improved access to psychiatric, psychological and other support services, for a palliative care-specific depression screening tool and for depression management guidelines applicable to palliative care patients.
Establishing the value of Indigenous eye health programs: health needs, economic priority and performance assessment approaches
Authors: Dunt David , Anjou Mitchell , Boudville Andrea , Hsueh Arthur , Taylor Hugh
Published: December 2013

Objectives The aim of this paper was to compare three different approaches that are used in support of additional funding of health programs, using Indigenous eye health programs (IEHPs) as an example. These approaches are Heath and Health Care Needs, Economic Priority (Value for Money) and Conformity with Health Services Performance Standards. Methods A review of relevant literature was conducted to identify relevant benchmarks and assess IEHPs. Results In terms of health needs, vision loss is the fourth highest contributor to the Indigenous health gap. Additional funding for Indigenous eye treatment services to remove the gap is estimated at A$28.1 million per annum. As an economic priority, IEHPs (specifically for refractive error, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and trachoma) demonstrate excellent value for money and compare favourably with other better-researched health programs. Evaluation of health performance measures indicated that IEHPs also perform well, as judged by Australian performance standards for health services generally and Indigenous health services more specifically, the later involving local delivery, including care coordination through Aboriginal-controlled community health services. Conclusion The value of IEHPs was demonstrated using all three approaches. Different approaches are likely to be more or less persuasive with different audiences. The application of these approaches is relevant to other health programs. What is known about this topic? Supporters of additional funding for health programs frequently use the impact of this additional funding on the health and health care needs of the affected populations and individuals. Indigenous Eye Health programs are considered for illustrative purposes. This argument is not necessarily persuasive to funders of health programs. What does this paper add? This paper demonstrates that two further approaches, namely Economic Priority and Conformity with Health Performance Measure Standards, both demonstrate good arguments in support of additional funding and that these outcomes may be more persuasive to funders of health programs. What are the implications for practitioners? Practitioners are able to harness additional approaches with a higher likelihood of success of submissions for additional funding for the program they are promoting.
Estimating treatment rates for mental disorders in Australia
Authors: Whiteford Harvey A. , Buckingham William J. , Harris Meredith G. , Burgess Philip M. , Pirkis Jane E. , Barendregt Jan J. , Hall Wayne D.
Published: December 2013

Objective
To estimate the percentage of Australians with a mental disorder who received treatment for that disorder each year between 2006–07 and 2009–10.

Methods
We used: (1) epidemiological survey data to estimate the number of Australians with a mental disorder in any year; (2) a combination of administrative data on people receiving mental health care from the Commonwealth and State and Territories and epidemiological data to estimate the number receiving treatment; and (3) uncertainty modelling to estimate the effects of sampling error and assumptions on these estimates.

Results
The estimated population treatment rate for mental disorders in Australia increased from 37% in 2006–07 to 46% in 2009–10. The model estimate for 2006–07 (37%) was very similar to the estimated treatment rate in the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (35%), the only data available for external comparison. The uncertainty modelling suggested that the increased treatment rates over subsequent years could not be explained by sampling error or uncertainty in assumptions.

Conclusions
The introduction of the Commonwealth’s Better Access initiative in November 2006 has been the driver for the increased the proportion of Australians with mental disorders who received treatment for those disorders over the period from 2006–07 to 2009–10.

What is known about the topic?
Untreated mental disorders incur major economic costs and personal suffering. Governments need timely estimates of treatment rates to assess the effects of policy changes aimed at improving access to mental health services.

What does this paper add?
Drawing upon a combination of epidemiological and administrative data sources, the present study estimated that the population treatment rate for mental disorders in Australia increased significantly from 37% in 2006–07 to 46% in 2009–10.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Increased access to services is not sufficient to ensure good outcomes for those with mental disorders. It is also important to ensure that evidence-based treatment is provided to those Australians accessing these services.
Incorporating farmed goats into sustainable rangeland grazing systems in southern Australia: a review
Authors: Hacker Ronald B. , Alemseged Yohannes
Published: December 2013

The recent trend to farming or re-domestication of feral goats poses serious questions for the ecological sustainability of the semiarid and arid rangelands of southern Australia. This paper reviews aspects of the biology and grazing habits of goats, and aspects of the Australian goat industry, relevant to their sustainable management in livestock enterprises. Key factors identified include high fertility and fecundity even under low seasonal rainfall conditions and a generalist feeding strategy. Adverse consequences for rangeland condition can be expected if seasonal or market conditions result in an imbalance between population growth and turnoff, resulting in high grazing pressures. Given the limited control of the reproductive process at the current stage of the development of goat farming, strategies aimed at ensuring continuity of sale of goats (e.g. on-property feed lots or supply chain and market development) will be important in ensuring that imbalances are avoided. Conservative stocking rates and use of seasonal risk management tools are also particularly relevant. The major research and development needs identified by this review, from a resource management perspective, concern the appropriate dry sheep equivalent rating for goat classes based on age, sex and reproductive status, the extent and consequences of heterogeneity of grazing in space, time, and across forage species, and development of means of establishing sustainable stocking rates based on the use of all available forage sources, including browse.
Zipping, entanglement, and the elastic modulus of aligned single-walled carbon nanotube films
Authors: Won Yoonjin , Gao Yuan , Panzer Matthew A. , Xiang Rong , Maruyama Shigeo , Kenny Thomas W. , Cai Wei , Goodson Kenneth E.
Published: December 2013

Significance

Aligned carbon nanotube films promise the unusual combination of high thermal conductivity and mechanical compliance. Here, the mechanical compliance of single-walled nanotube films has been measured and linked to their morphology and microscopic motions, including zipping, unzipping, and entanglement. The physical mechanisms governing the mechanical response include bending forces or van der Waals interactions, with the dominant mechanism depending on the nanotube density and alignment. The dependence of film morphology on mechanical modulus explored here provides the foundation for modeling of a variety of other properties including thermal and electrical conductivity.
The spectrum of the scattering matrix near resonant energies in the semiclassical limit
Authors: Nakamura Shu , Pushnitski Alexander
Published: December 2013

The object of study in this paper is the on-shell scattering matrixS(E)S(E)of the Schrödinger operator with the potential satisfying assumptions typical in the theory of shape resonances. We study the spectrum ofS(E)S(E)in the semiclassical limit when the energy parameterEEvaries fromEres−εE_\text {res}-\varepsilontoEres+εE_\text {res}+\varepsilon, whereEresE_\text {res}is a real part of a resonance andε\varepsilonis sufficiently small. The main result of our work describes the spectral flow of the scattering matrix through a given point on the unit circle. This result is closely related to the Breit-Wigner effect.
Spin polynomial functors and representations of Schur superalgebras
Authors: Axtell Jonathan
Published: December 2013

We introduce categories of homogeneous strict polynomial functors,

P
o
l

d
,
k

I

\mathsf {Pol}^{\mathrm {I}}_{d,\Bbbk }

and

P
o
l

d
,
k

I
I

\mathsf {Pol}^{\mathrm {II}}_{d,\Bbbk }

, defined on vector superspaces over a field

k
\Bbbk

of characteristic not equal 2. These categories are related to polynomial representations of the supergroups

G
L
(
m

|

n
)

GL(m|n)

and

Q
(
n
)

Q(n)

. In particular, we prove an equivalence between

P
o
l

d
,
k

I

\mathsf {Pol}^{\mathrm {I}}_{d,\Bbbk }

,

P
o
l

d
,
k

I
I

\mathsf {Pol}^{\mathrm {II}}_{d,\Bbbk }

and the category of finite dimensional supermodules over the Schur superalgebra

S

(
m

|

n
,
d
)

\mathcal {S}(m|n,d)

,

Q

(
n
,
d
)

\mathcal {Q}(n,d)

respectively provided

m
,
n
≥
d

m,n \ge d

. We also discuss some aspects of Sergeev duality from the viewpoint of the category

P
o
l

d
,
k

I
I

\mathsf {Pol}^{\mathrm {II}}_{d,\Bbbk }

.
The Fusarium oxysporum Effector Six6 Contributes to Virulence and Suppresses I-2-Mediated Cell Death
Authors: Gawehns F. , Houterman P. M. , Ichou F. Ait , Michielse C. B. , Hijdra M. , Cornelissen B. J. C. , Rep M. , Takken F. L. W.
Published: December 2013

Plant pathogens secrete effectors to manipulate their host and facilitate colonization. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease in tomato. Upon infection, F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici secretes numerous small proteins into the xylem sap (Six proteins). Most Six proteins are unique to F. oxysporum, but Six6 is an exception; a homolog is also present in two Colletotrichum spp. SIX6 expression was found to require living host cells and a knockout of SIX6 in F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici compromised virulence, classifying it as a genuine effector. Heterologous expression of SIX6 did not affect growth of Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves or susceptibility of Arabidopsis thaliana toward Verticillium dahliae, Pseudomonas syringae, or F. oxysporum, suggesting a specific function for F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Six6 in the F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici– tomato pathosystem. Remarkably, Six6 was found to specifically suppress I-2-mediated cell death (I2CD) upon transient expression in N. benthamiana, whereas it did not compromise the activity of other cell-death-inducing genes. Still, this I2CD suppressing activity of Six6 does not allow the fungus to overcome I-2 resistance in tomato, suggesting that I-2-mediated resistance is independent from cell death.
A Reassessment of Virulence Phenotypes of Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines) in China with HG Typing Method
Authors: Wang D. , Zhu X. F. , Wang Y. Y. , Luo X. , Song P. , Zhu F. , Wang F. , Chen J. S. , Chen L. J. , Duan Y. X.
Published: December 2013

Soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, is the most destructive pest of soybean (Glycine max) worldwide, including China. H. glycines virulence phenotypes can be described in two ways. One is the race determination test that uses four soybean lines to categorize H. glycines into 16 “races” (3). The HG type designation is similar, but avoids the implications of the term “race” and includes seven soybean lines rather than four (2). In China, previous data revealed the occurrence of nine H. glycines races including races 1 through 7, 9, and 14, whereas HG types have not been recorded (1). The objective of this study was to reassess virulence phenotypes of H. glycines in China by means of HG types. In 2011 and 2012, 10 SCN populations from the primary soybean production regions of China were identified as six races (races 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 14) with the race test scheme (3) and were cultured on a H. glycines-susceptible soybean cultivar. In 2013, seven indicator soybean lines (PI 548402, PI 88788, PI 90763, PI 437654, PI 209332, PI 89772, and PI 548316) plus the susceptible standard soybean “Lee74” were used to determine the HG types of these populations following standardized procedures (2) with some modification in a growth chamber set at 28°C under 16-h days. After 30 days, females were extracted from roots and collected, and a female index was calculated for each indicator line (2,3). The average number of females on Lee74 was more than 100 in all the tests. Eight HG types were identified in the populations tested: HG type 0 (race 3), HG type 7 (race 3 or 6), HG type 2.7 (race 1 or 5), HG type 5.7 (race 3), HG type 1.3.7 (race 14), HG type 2.5.7 (race 1), HG type 1.2.5.7 (race 2), and HG type 1.2.3.5.7 (race 4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of H. glycines HG types in China, which will contribute to development of management strategies implementing the use of resistant cultivars. This work was supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest 200903040-03 and the China Agriculture Research System CARS-04.

References: (1) W. G. Lu et al. Agr. Sci. China 5:615, 2006. (2) T. L. Niblack et al. J. Nematol. 34:279, 2002. (3) R. D. Riggs and D. P. Schmitt. J. Nematol. 20:392, 1988.
Robot-Assisted Thyroidectomy with Novel Camera-Port Retractor
Authors: Ishikawa Norihiko , Kawaguchi Masahiko , Moriyama Hideki , Shimada Masanari , Watanabe Go
Published: December 2013

We performed gasless transaxillary robot-assisted thyroidectomy with a novel camera-port retractor (CP retractor). Herein, we describe the new instrument and its efficacy, which was evaluated by performing robot-assisted thyroidectomy. From October 2009 to August 2012, a total of 12 patients underwent robot-assisted thyroidectomy using the da Vinci Surgical System. The CP retractor was used in all cases, and we use the Maryland bipolar forceps and the microbipolar forceps on both arms for dissection of the surrounding tissues as well as for cutting and coagulation to avoid injury to the vessels and the nerves. The CP retractor provided excellent visualization without robotic arm instrument interference. The novel retractor is useful and safe, and the use of bipolar instruments is an effective option for robotic dissection around the nerves in the robotassisted thyroidectomy.
Early intervention in Portugal: family support and benefits
Authors: Correia Leite Carina Sofia , Da Silva Pereira Ana Paula
Published: December 2013

This study investigated the support and benefits of early intervention (EI) in families with children with special needs. Data were gathered through a written questionnaire, ‘Family Benefits Inventory’, completed by 126 families with children with special needs supported by EI teams, with ages from six months to six years in Portugal. The global results obtained in this study allowed us to conclude that families considered that they obtained benefit from EI and received support most of the time in the different dimensions of the questionnaire. Furthermore, support given by an EI professional had a positive influence on families' perceptions regarding the benefits of EI.
The impact of media representation of disabilities on teachers' perceptions
Authors: Samsel Maria , Perepa Prithvi
Published: December 2013

The study investigates a link between media portrayal of disabilities and its influence on teachers' perceptions of their students. By using semi‐structured interviews and questionnaires, participants (N = 8) gave an insight into their perceptions of the impact TV programmes and films have on their understanding of disability and teaching style. The findings reveal that the participants found the majority of media to sensationalise disability, perpetuate stereotypes and lack appropriate representation of people with disabilities in general. The teachers within the sample also acknowledged media as impacting their understanding, awareness and knowledge of disabilities and approaches, but they did not see it as impacting their teaching practices directly.
Richard Bourke: For the Honour of God and the Good of Man
Authors: Stoneman David
Published: December 2013

The Church Act (1836) was arguably the most significant ecclesiastical legislation in Australia's history, as it profoundly impacted on the nation's social and political development in its formative years. The Act was instigated by Governor Richard Bourke and was welcomed by the people as establishing “religious equality on a just and firm basis.” However, historically it is often categorised as being part of Bourke's liberal reform agenda where the legislation's attributes of religious toleration have been magnified and its function to expand Christianity minimised. The fact that Bourke was a devout Christian is something that none of his biographers have disputed, but this belief is rarely portrayed as fundamental to his motives. This article explores the nature of Bourke's Christianity and discusses how that influenced his public policy in relation to religion and education. It reveals a complex man who had sincere orthodox Anglican faith, but recognised the part played by other denominations in the Christian mission. This examination will demonstrate the difficulty in differentiating between secular and spiritual motives and intentions in this period.
Designer Psychostimulants in Urine by Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry,
Authors: Kerrigan Sarah , Mott Ashley , Jatzlau Breanna , Ortiz Francisco , Perrella Laura , Martin Sarah , Bryand Kelsie
Published: December 2013

Designer psychostimulants are known by recreational drug users to produce a complex array of adrenergic and hallucinogenic effects. Many of these drugs are not targeted during routine toxicology testing and as a consequence, they are rarely reported. The purpose of this study was to develop a procedure for the detection of 15 psychostimulants in urine using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), specifically 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐bromophenethylamine (2C‐B), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐chlorophenethylamine (2C‐C), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylphenethylamine (2C‐D), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐ethylphenethylamine (2C‐E), 2,5‐dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C‐H), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodophenethylamine (2C‐I), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐ethylthiophenethylamine (2C‐T‐2), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐isopropylthiophenethylamine (2C‐T‐4), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐propylthiophenethylamine (2C‐T‐7), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐bromoamphetamine (DOB), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐chloroamphetamine (DOC), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐ethylamphetamine (DOET), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodoamphetamine (DOI), 2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐methylamphetamine (DOM), and 4‐methylthioamphetamine (4‐MTA). Analytical recoveries using solid‐phase extraction were 64–92% and the limit of detection was 0.5 ng/mL for all drugs except 2C‐B (1 ng/mL). The assay was evaluated in terms of analytical recovery, precision, accuracy, linearity, matrix effect, and interferences. The technique allows for the simultaneous detection of 15 psychostimulants at sub‐ng/mL concentrations.
Morphometric Comparison of Clavicle Outlines from 3D Bone Scans and 2D Chest Radiographs: A Shortlisting Tool to Assist Radiographic Identification of Human Skeletons
Authors: Stephan Carl N. , Amidan Brett , Trease Harold , Guyomarc'h Pierre , Pulsipher Trenton , Byrd John E.
Published: December 2013

This paper describes a computerized clavicle identification system primarily designed to resolve the identities of unaccounted‐for U.S. soldiers who fought in the Korean War. Elliptical Fourier analysis is used to quantify the clavicle outline shape from skeletons and postero‐anterior antemortem chest radiographs to rank individuals in terms of metric distance. Similar to leading fingerprint identification systems, shortlists of the top matching candidates are extracted for subsequent human visual assessment. Two independent tests of the computerized system using 17 field‐recovered skeletons and 409 chest radiographs demonstrate that true‐positive matches are captured within the top 5% of the sample 75% of the time. These results are outstanding given the eroded state of some field‐recovered skeletons and the faintness of the 1950's photofluorographs. These methods enhance the capability to resolve several hundred cold cases for which little circumstantial information exists and current DNA and dental record technologies cannot be applied.
Quantification of Perspective‐Induced Shape Change of Clavicles at Radiography and 3D Scanning to Assist Human Identification
Authors: Stephan Carl N. , Guyomarc'h Pierre
Published: December 2013

Change in perspective between antemortem and postmortem imaging sessions (radiograph to radiograph and surface scan to radiograph) may cause different 2D renderings of the same osseous element complicating comparisons for identification. In this study, clavicle shape changes due to radiographic positioning and 3D laser scanning were examined in 20 right‐side specimens, as pertinent to chest radiograph comparisons. Results indicate substantial changes in clavicle form with short source‐to‐image receptor distance, elevation of the element from the image receptor, and movement of the element away from the center beam (10% mean square for shape). Although quantitative shape differences were small when the clavicle was in close opposition to the image receptor (3% mean square), important qualitative differences remained with large distances from the center beam (e.g., conoid tubercle presence/absence). The significance of these results for image superimposition and computer‐automated‐shape‐based searches of radiographic libraries to find matching candidates is discussed.
DART‐MS as a Preliminary Screening Method for “Herbal Incense”: Chemical Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Authors: Lesiak Ashton D. , Musah Rabi A. , Domin Marek A. , Shepard Jason R. E.
Published: December 2013

Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART‐MS) served as a method for rapid high‐throughput screening of six commercially available “Spice” products, detecting various combinations of five synthetic cannabinoids. Direct analysis in real time is an ambient ionization process that, along with high mass accuracy time‐of‐flight (TOF)‐MS to 0.0001 Da, was employed to establish the presence of cannabinoids. Mass spectra were acquired by simply suspending a small portion of sample between the ion source and the mass spectrometer inlet. The ability to test minute amounts of sample is a major advantage when very limited amounts of evidentiary material are available. In addition, reports are widespread regarding the testing backlogs that now exist because of the large influx of designer drugs. This method circumvents time‐consuming sample extraction, derivatization, chromatographic, and other sample preparative steps required for analysis by more conventional mass spectrometric methods. Accordingly, the synthetic cannabinoids AM‐2201, JWH‐122, JWH‐203, JWH‐210, and RCS‐4 were identified in commercially available herbal Spice products, singly and in tandem, at concentrations within the range of 4–141 mg/g of material. Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry decreases the time necessary to triage analytical evidence, and therefore, it has the potential to contribute to backlog reduction and more timely criminal prosecution.
Impact of High Hydrostatic Pressure and Pasteurization on the Structure and the Extractability of Bioactive Compounds of Persimmon “Rojo Brillante”
Authors: Hernández‐Carrión M. , Vázquez‐Gutiérrez J. L. , Hernando I. , Quiles A.
Published: December 2013

Rojo Brillante is an astringent oriental persimmon variety with high levels of bioactive compounds such as soluble tannins, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and dietary fiber. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and pasteurization on the structure of the fruit and on the extractability of certain bioactive compounds. The microstructure was studied using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and low temperature scanning electron microscopy, and certain physicochemical properties (carotenoid and total soluble tannin content, antioxidant activity, fiber content, color, and texture properties) were measured. The structural changes induced by HHP caused a rise in solute circulation in the tissues that could be responsible for the increased carotenoid level and the unchanged antioxidant activity in comparison with the untreated persimmon. In contrast, the changes that took place during pasteurization lowered the tannin content and antioxidant activity. Consequently, HHP treatment could improve the extraction of potentially bioactive compoundsxsts from persimmons. A high nutritional value ingredient to be used when formulating new functional foods could be obtained using HHP.