bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atlas-builder software and the eNeuro atlas: resources for developmental biology and neuroscience
Authors: Heckscher Ellie S. , Long Fuhui , Layden Michael J. , Chuang Chein-Hui , Manning Laurina , Richart Jourdain , Pearson Joseph C. , Crews Stephen T. , Peng Hanchuan , Myers Eugene , Doe Chris Q.
Published: June 2014

A major limitation in understanding embryonic development is the lack of cell type-specific markers. Existing gene expression and marker atlases provide valuable tools, but they typically have one or more limitations: a lack of single-cell resolution; an inability to register multiple expression patterns to determine their precise relationship; an inability to be upgraded by users; an inability to compare novel patterns with the database patterns; and a lack of three-dimensional images. Here, we develop new ‘atlas-builder’ software that overcomes each of these limitations. A newly generated atlas is three-dimensional, allows the precise registration of an infinite number of cell type-specific markers, is searchable and is open-ended. Our software can be used to create an atlas of any tissue in any organism that contains stereotyped cell positions. We used the software to generate an ‘eNeuro’ atlas of the Drosophila embryonic CNS containing eight transcription factors that mark the major CNS cell types (motor neurons, glia, neurosecretory cells and interneurons). We found neuronal, but not glial, nuclei occupied stereotyped locations. We added 75 new Gal4 markers to the atlas to identify over 50% of all interneurons in the ventral CNS, and these lines allowed functional access to those interneurons for the first time. We expect the atlas-builder software to benefit a large proportion of the developmental biology community, and the eNeuro atlas to serve as a publicly accessible hub for integrating neuronal attributes – cell lineage, gene expression patterns, axon/dendrite projections, neurotransmitters – and linking them to individual neurons.
Yeats's Ireland, Darwish's Palestine: The National in the Personal, Mystical, and Mythological
Authors: Tahrir Hamdi
Published: June 2014

William Butler Yeats's and Mahmoud Darwish's poetic oeuvres can safely be said to have contributed significantly to building distinct national consciousnesses for their respective nations of Ireland and Palestine. These poets have equipped themselves with unique repertoires, which include the personal, the mystical, and the mythological, not to escape into a more ideal or abstract world, but to create anew their homelands, which have been placed under political, social, cultural, and in Darwish's case, geographical erasure by oppressive imperialist/Zionist invaders and occupiers. Both poets take on their roles as politician/artist/magician seriously by using hypnotic and other magical techniques in order to focus their people's psyches on the idea of cultural and national liberation. The poetry of both Yeats and Darwish shows poignantly how a poet can embody the nation and how poetry can indeed make something happen.
Five Troops for Every Tree: Lamenting Green Carnage in Contemporary Arab Women's War Diaries
Authors: Nadine Sinno
Published: June 2014

Stories about “green carnage” often get lost among headlines, which most often emphasize civilian and material costs in times of war. War's violation of the environment, however, has serious repercussions for the communities who have strong economic, emotional, and sociopolitical ties to the land. Using Ecocriticism as a framework, I provide a close textual analysis of five contemporary war diaries by Arab women, Suad Amiry's (2004) Sharon and My Mother-in-Law: Ramallah Diaries, Riverbend's (2005) Baghdad Burning: Girl Blog from Iraq, Zena El-Khalil's (2006) “Beirut Update,” IraqiGirl's (2009) IraqiGirl: Diary of a Teenage Girl in Iraq, and Laila El-Haddad's (2010) Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything in Between. I demonstrate how these environment-centered diaries engage with contemporary debates about the impact of militarization on the environment and how that environmental impact affects the inhabitants. I argue that these counter-narratives demonstrate an increasingly prominent environmental consciousness among civilians in war-torn countries in the Middle East.
Popular psychological myths: A comparison of students’ beliefs across the psychology major
Authors: Gaze Catherine M
Published: June 2014

The present study investigates the frequency and confidence with which college students endorse popular psychological myths, contrasting introductory psychology students (at the beginning and end of the course) with upper-level psychology majors and students who have never taken Introduction to Psychology. Implications for the teaching of psychology will be discussed.
Teacher immediacy and student learning: An examination of lecture/laboratory and self-contained course sections
Authors: LeFebvre Luke , Allen Mike
Published: June 2014

This study examined teaching assistant’s immediacy in lecture/laboratory and self-contained classes.  Two hundred fifty-six students responded to instruments measuring teachers’ immediacy behavior frequency, perceptions of instruction quality, and cognitive learning.  No significant difference was identified when comparing lecture/laboratory and self-contained teaching assistants’ immediacy behaviors.  But all students who observed frequent immediate behaviors demonstrated higher affective and cognitive learning.  Teaching assistants’ ratings had significantly higher levels of faculty-student interaction for self-contained sections but lecture/laboratory sections were significantly higher for student effort/involvement.
SoTL and the Institutional Review Board: Considerations before navigating the application process for classroom research in higher education
Authors: Linder Kathryn E. , Elek E. Deborah , Calderon Lucia
Published: June 2014

One of the more challenging areas of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research can be navigating the components of human subjects research protections implemented by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The authors of this article, a faculty developer and a current and former research compliance coordinator, discuss the history of IRB in relation to SoTL research and explicate some of the foundational components of IRB protocols for SoTL projects. In particular, the authors explore what constitutes “research” for SoTL projects, explain the different IRB types of review, and offer some sample SoTL projects with respect to their IRB implications.
Looking beyond the Horizon: How to Approach the Customers’ Customers in Business-to-Business Markets
Authors: Homburg Christian , Wilczek Halina , Hahn Alexander
Published: June 2014

Suppliers in business-to-business (B2B) markets often approach their customers’ customers with marketing activities. However, marketing research lacks an integrative conceptualization of this phenomenon. The authors address this void by conceptualizing a B2B supplier's marketing approaches to indirect customers. Drawing on a literature review and a qualitative empirical study, the authors identify three indirect customer marketing approaches: direct customer downstream support, cooperative indirect customer marketing, and independent indirect customer marketing. They also propose external (value chain–related) and internal (B2B supplier–related) moderators that influence the relationship between a B2B supplier's marketing approaches to indirect customers and its financial performance. The authors argue that although power constellations and product value contribution in the value chain determine the specific indirect customer marketing approach that will lead to financial success, internal professionalization of a B2B supplier's organizational structure and processes further strengthens the positive financial impact of each approach.
Highly sensitive telescope designs for higher contrast observations
Authors: Moretto Gil , Kuhn Jeff R.
Published: June 2014

Off-axis telescope concepts that use unobstructed pupils have better emissivity, throughput, diffraction-limited energy concentrations, and higher dynamic range than traditional concentric instruments. The coronagraphic performance of off-axis telescopes will enable instruments, which are starved for higher dynamic range, for example, those devoted to faint companion detection, circumstellar and solar atmosphere studies.
Policy Uncertainty and Technology Adoption
Authors: Dehghani Mohammad H.
Published: June 2014

This paper considers technology adoption under both technological and subsidy uncertainties. Uncertainty in subsidies for green technologies is considered as an example. Technological progress is exogenous and modeled as a jump process with a drift. The analytical solution is presented for cases when there is no subsidy uncertainty and when the subsidy changes once. The case when the subsidy follows a time invariant Markov process is analyzed numerically. The results show that improving the innovation process raises the investment thresholds. When technological jumps are small or rare, this improvement reduces the expected time before technology adoption. However, when technological jumps are large or abundant, this improvement may raise this expected time.
Transthyretin microheterogeneity and molecular interactions: implications for amyloid formation
Authors: Landreh Michael , Östberg Linus J. , Pettersson Tom M. , Jörnvall Hans
Published: June 2014

Aggregation of transthyretin (TTR), a plasma-binding protein for thyroxine and retinol-binding protein, is the cause of several amyloid diseases. Disease-associated mutations are well known, but wild-type TTR is, to a lesser extent, also amyloidogenic. Monomerization, not oligomer formation as in several other depository diseases, is the rate-limiting step in TTR aggregation, and stabilization of the natively tetrameric form can inhibit amyloid formation. Modifications on Cys10, as well as interactions with native ligands in plasma, were early found to influence the equilibrium between tetrameric and monomeric TTR by dissociating or stabilizing the tetramer. Following these discoveries, synthetic ligands for pharmacological prevention of TTR aggregation could be developed. In this article, we outline how the different types of TTR interactions and its microheterogeneity in plasma are related to its propensity to form amyloid fibrils. We conclude that plasma constituents and dietary components may act as natural TTR stabilizers whose mechanisms of action provide cues for the amelioration of TTR amyloid disease.
A floristic analysis of the marine algae and seagrasses between Cape Mendocino, California and Cape Blanco, Oregon, USA
Authors: Augytė Simona , Shaughnessy Frank J.
Published: June 2014

The biogeographic area between Cape Mendocino, California and Cape Blanco, Oregon in the USA spans over 320 km and is characterized by prominent coastal headlands. This study was a first attempt to produce a current intertidal macroalgal and seagrass species list for this understudied region with basic habitat attributes included. A total of 164 species of marine macroalgae (105 species within 16 orders in Rhodophyta, 32 species within six orders in Heterokontophyta, Phaeophyceae, and 27 species in six orders in Chlorophyta) and two species of seagrasses (Anthophyta) were identified. The optimal habitat for most species was the rocky intertidal in the mid zone (>50%), while some species were specialists in either tidepool and/or sandy habitats (∼20%). Furthermore, based on Akaike Information Criterion, our top ranking model suggests that species richness is dependent on zonation, functional grouping and site location. Based on the seven functional group classification, the leathery macrophytes and crusts were the most prevalent at the two capes exposed to higher wave action and upwelling. One near-endemic species (Cumathamnion sympodophyllum), one invasive species (Sargassum muticum), and seven new records for the region were identified.
Overwintering strategies of bloom-forming Ulva species in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA
Authors: Rinehart Shelby , Guidone Michele , Ziegler Amanda , Schollmeier Tanja , Thornber Carol
Published: June 2014

Temperate coastal estuaries worldwide, such as Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, are influenced by seasonal macroalgal blooms (e.g., Ulva) during warm months, whereas bloom-forming macroalgae are rarely encountered during winter. We assessed the ability of distromatic Ulva to overwinter through fragments, recruits, and/or microscopic propagules. We documented (a) small tissue fragments in sediment cores and the water column, (b) recruits and microscopic propagules on field-based settlement tiles, and (c) production of reproductive propagules, throughout the winter months. Laboratory culturing experiments indicated that both fragments and propagules are viable. Our data indicate that bloom-forming overwintering Ulva simultaneously use multiple reproductive strategies.
Model Misspecification When Excluding Instrumental Variables from PS Models in Settings Where Instruments Modify the Effects of Covariates on Treatment
Authors: Wyss Richard , Ellis Alan R. , Lunt Mark , Brookhart M. Alan , Glynn Robert J. , Stürmer Til
Published: June 2014

Theory and simulations show that variables affecting the outcome only through exposure, known as instrumental variables (IVs), should be excluded from propensity score (PS) models. In pharmacoepidemiologic studies based on automated healthcare databases, researchers will sometimes use a single PS model to control for confounding when evaluating the effect of a treatment on multiple outcomes. Because these “full” models are not constructed with a specific outcome in mind, they will usually contain a large number of IVs for any individual study or outcome. If researchers subsequently decide to evaluate a subset of the outcomes in more detail, they can construct reduced “outcome-specific” models that exclude IVs for the particular study. Accurate estimates of PSs that do not condition on IVs, however, can be compromised when simply excluding instruments from the full PS model. This misspecification may have a negligible impact on effect estimates in many settings, but is likely to be more pronounced for situations where instruments modify the effects of covariates on treatment (instrument–confounder interactions). In studies evaluating drugs during early dissemination, the effects of covariates on treatment are likely modified over calendar time and IV–confounder interaction effects on treatment are likely to exist. In these settings, refitting more flexible PS models after excluding IVs and IV–confounder interactions can work well. The authors propose an alternative method based on the concept of marginalization that can be used to remove the negative effects of controlling for IVs and IV–confounder interactions without having to refit the full PS model. This method fits the full PS model, including IVs and IV–confounder interactions, but marginalizes over values of the instruments. Fitting more flexible PS models after excluding IVs or using the full model to marginalize over IVs can prevent model misspecification along with the negative effects of balancing instruments in certain settings.
Estimation of a Predictor’s Importance by Random Forests When There Is Missing Data: RISK Prediction in Liver Surgery using Laboratory Data
Authors: Hapfelmeier Alexander , Hothorn Torsten , Riediger Carina , Ulm Kurt
Published: June 2014

In the last few decades, new developments in liver surgery have led to an expanded applicability and an improved safety. However, liver surgery is still associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality, especially in extended resections. We analyzed a large liver surgery database to investigate whether laboratory parameters like
Overall Effectiveness Factor for Slab Geometry in a Three-Phase Reaction System
Authors: Boldrini Diego E. , Tonetto Gabriela M. , Damiani Daniel E.
Published: June 2014

The overall effectiveness factor for slab geometry applicable to uniform washcoats on a monolith surface for three-phase reaction systems was studied in the present work. Analytical solutions for zero-order reactions and Langmuir–Hinshelwood and power law kinetics were reported. The analysis of the theoretical results showed that not considering the geometry of the monolithic system in a proper way lead to 14% errors in reactions parameters when operating under mixed control (kinetic-internal diffusion) and negligible external mass-transfer resistances.
Wahlkämpfe im Miniaturformat: Fernsehdebatten und ihre Wirkung am Beispiel des TV-Duells 2013 zwischen Angela Merkel und Peer Steinbrück
Authors: Faas Thorsten , Maier Jürgen
Published: June 2014

Fernsehduelle nach amerikanischem Format gibt es in Deutschland seit 2002, als sich Gerhard Schröder und Edmund Stoiber zu zwei Duellen trafen. In der Zwischenzeit sind solche Duelle zu einem festen Bestandteil von Wahlkämpfen geworden. In dem Beitrag gehen wir der Frage nach, warum die Ereignisse bei den beteiligten Akteuren, den übertragenden Medien, den zuschauenden Bürgerinnen und Bürgern, aber auch der Wissenschaft hohe Wertschätzung genießen. Am Beispiel der Bundestagswahl 2013 zeigen wir schließlich, wie sich diese „Wahlkämpfe im Miniaturformat“ erforschen lassen.
„Anwenderschulung zur computergestützten Informationsbeschaffung für Fortgeschrittene“ oder doch lieber in die Coffee Lectures?
Authors: Renn Oliver
Published: June 2014

Nutzer empfinden die von wissenschaftlichen Bibliothe­ken angebotenen Schulungen zur Informationskompetenz und insbesondere zu Datenbanken oft als unnötig und uninteressant oder zu zeitraubend. Der Beitrag be­schreibt das Konzept und die ersten Erfahrungen mit den Coffee Lectures, einem Format, welches Ende 2013 an der ETH Zürich eingeführt wurde, und welches auf kurzen, maximal zehnminütigen Vorträgen beruht, während denen gratis ein Kaffee oder Tee getrunken werden kann.
Increased levels of serum γ-glutamyltransferase and uric acid on metabolic, hepatic and kidney parameters in subjects at high altitudes
Authors: Gonzales Gustavo F. , Tapia Vilma
Published: June 2014

Background: Currently there are no studies on γ-glutamyltransferase (γGT) levels at high altitude or on the relationship between γGT, uric acid and several dysfunctions. The aim of the study was to determine the association between serum γGT and uric acid levels in subjects at high altitude with hemoglobin, glycemia, and lipidic, hepatic and kidney markers.

Methods: The present study was performed in 487 subjects aged 30–75 years living at 4100 m of altitude. A venous blood sample was drawn from each subject to measure hemoglobin, glucose, and lipid levels and markers of liver and kidney function. Quartiles for serum γGT and uric acid were calculated and associated with different physiological variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Serum γGT values were higher in men (38.35± 2.54 IU/L) than in women (30.33±1.76 IU/L) (p<0.01). Similarly, serum uric acid levels were higher in men (5.78± 0.12 mg/dL) than in women (4.29±0.08 mg/dL; p<0.001). Serum γGT levels in the top quartile were associated with higher glycemia, overweight/obesity, increased levels of non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, creatinine, and hemoglobin. Levels of uric acid in the top quartile were associated with overweight/obesity, elevated non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, γGT and hemoglobin. Higher arterial blood pressure was associated with high levels of uric acid but not with γGT levels.

Conclusions: At high altitude, increased γGT levels were associated with hyperglycemia; increased uric acid levels were associated with overweight/obesity, hemoglobin, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
Babel and the Fear of Same-Sex Marriage: Mapping Conservative Constellations
Authors: Runions Erin
Published: June 2014

This paper looks at recent allusions to the Babel story as they appear in conservative political and religious discourse to refer to same-sex marriage as a problem of sick egalitarianism and democracy. Liberalism, and a certain kind of democracy, is said to create an imposing and tyrannical neutrality, a neutrality that leads to stagnation and self indulgence, including same-sex relations. This constellation of discourse is explored in relation to the most prominent interpretation of Genesis 11, Josephus’ political retelling in Antiquities of the Jews. Josephus’ version voices fears about tyranny, collectivity, and too much pleasure – themes that are clearly echoed in contemporary references to Babel. The paper shows how the Babel story thus becomes a story about sick egalitarianism associated with same-sex relationships. Tracing this genealogy, the essay argues that such citations of Babel indicate that the fear of gay marriage may actually be a fear of too much democracy.
Energy substrate metabolism in pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency
Authors: Stenlid Maria Halldin , Ahlsson Fredrik , Forslund Anders , von Döbeln Ulrika , Gustafsson Jan
Published: June 2014

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency is an inherited disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in lactic acidosis and neurological dysfunction. In order to provide energy for the brain, a ketogenic diet has been tried. Both the disorder and the ketogenic therapy may influence energy production. The aim of the study was to assess hepatic glucose production, lipolysis and resting energy expenditure (REE) in an infant, given a ketogenic diet due to neonatal onset of the disease. Lipolysis and glucose production were determined for two consecutive time periods by constant-rate infusions of [1,1,2,3,3-
Zwinglis spekulativer Gottesbegriff
Authors: Seuck Cho Yong
Published: June 2014

Huldrych Zwingli versteht Gott als das »höchste Gut« ­(
»Person« und Dreieinigkeit
Authors: Zimmermann Gunter
Published: June 2014

Im ersten Gang der Untersuchung wird gezeigt, dass der Begriff »Person« nicht mit dem Begriff »Mensch« identifiziert werden kann. Aber auch alle Versuche, den Begriff »Mensch« genauer zu fassen und einzugrenzen, führen nicht zu einem adäquaten Verständnis von »Person«. Anhand der Entwicklung des Begriffs in der lateinischen Sprache ist daher zu konstatieren, dass »Person« den Status oder Rang eines handelnden Darstellers kennzeichnet. »Person« ist ein Titel, der mehr oder weniger nach Belieben verliehen werden kann, wobei offensichtlich allein die Handlungsfähigkeit vorausgesetzt werden muss. Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt ist es evident, dass im Lebensdrama jedes Christen der himmlische Vater, der einzige Sohn und der heilige Geist als Personen auftreten. Mit der Formel »tres personae, una persona« kann darüber hinaus auch die Dreieinigkeit insgesamt als Person begriffen werden.
The effects of open holes on the fracture behaviors and mechanical properties of glass fiber mat composites
Authors: Zhang Zhiyuan , Yang Yuqiu , Hamada Hiroyuki
Published: June 2014

In this paper, composite specimens were fabricated from a glass fiber chopped strand mat and unsaturated polyester resin using the hand lay-up method. To evaluate the effects of open holes on the mechanical properties, different factors, including the volume fraction of glass fiber and material thickness were investigated. Both the unnotched strength of smooth specimens and the notched strength of specimens with holes, increased as volume fraction increased, but the trends were different. For notched specimens with closer volume fractions, increased thickness or width-to-depth ratio led to a lower resistance on the open hole. In investigating the fracture behaviors of notched specimens, two different fracture areas were distinguished: parallel areas and fan-shaped areas. The length of each parallel area was measured. To evaluate the material properties, characteristic distance was calculated using linear elastic methods in finite element software (MSC-Marc, MSC Software Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The results revealed that characteristic distance has a good correspondence with parallel area length.
Measurement of Stiffness Anisotropy in Kaolinite Using Bender Element Tests in A Floating Wall Consolidometer
Authors: Kang X. , Kang G.-C. , Bate B.
Published: June 2014

A new floating wall consolidometer-type bender element testing system was developed to study the stiffness anisotropy of clays at applied vertical stresses up to 800 kPa. One-dimensional slurry-consolidated Georgia RP-2 kaolinite samples, prepared with 0.005 and 1 mol/l NaCl solutions, were tested in this system. A floating wall design eliminated the detrimental bending moment that acts upon the horizontally installed benders as a result of soil settlement in a traditional fixed wall setup, which significantly improved the signal quality and bender reuse. Floating wall–soil interface resistance was quantified with pulling tests. Analytical equations were then derived to calculate the wall resistance-corrected vertical effective stress. As a result, stresses applied to the soil were more accurately determined. The bender element (BE) test was used to measure kaolinite's shear wave velocity (Vs), thereby quantifying the small strain stiffness of soils. Average Vs results for RP-2 kaolinite were lower than those for other kaolinites reported in the literature. This was postulated to be primarily due to the longer and more tortuous chains of particle contacts associated with the smaller median diameter (d50 = 0.36 μm) of RP-2 kaolinite samples. BE test results indicated that Vs increased with stress, density, and concentration. The hierarchy of Vs in three orthogonal directions (i.e., hh > hv > vh) agreed with results in the literature. It was also illustrated that Vs anisotropy increased with applied stress and decreased during unloading. In addition, a comparison was made between the BE test in the new floating wall consolidometer and the BE test in a triaxial testing setup.
Apparent Fracture Toughness Versus Micro-Scale Fracture Toughness of Interfaces—The Challenge of Critical Values
Authors: Kanerva M. , Jokinen J. , Sarlin E. , Saarela O.
Published: June 2014

This study aims to shed light on the conflict between macroscopic fracture toughness and small-scale measures of interface strength when the interface is simulated with an increasing resolution. In the design of practical structures, crack initiation is the critical, limiting phase of material behavior and needs to be defined by lucid means. In this study, we model an example structure, namely a fracture test specimen, including a bi-material interface having micro-roughness and thermal residual stresses. The initiation of secondary cracks, which is one of the microscopic mechanisms leading to crack coalescence, is studied. The work focuses on the effects of the bi-material's Young's modulus, residual stresses, and flaws. The simulation of crack propagation shows that the overall crack tip loading mode mixity distribution is not essentially affected when the Young's modulus of the bi-material's coating is doubled. The analysis of the secondary crack initiation due to interfacial flaws in turn showed that increasing the Young's modulus of either the bi-materials substrate or coating resulted in immediate interface collapse via an elongated ‘damage region’ along the interface.
Human Cancer Xenografts in Outbred Nude Mice Can Be Confounded by Polymorphisms in a Modifier of Tumorigenesis
Authors: Zeineldin Maged , Jensen Derek , Paranjape Smita R , Parelkar Nikhil K , Jokar Iman , Vielhauer George A , Neufeld Kristi L
Published: June 2014

Tumorigenicity studies often employ outbred nude mice, in the absence of direct evidence that this mixed genetic background will negatively affect experimental outcome. Here we show that outbred nude mice carry two different alleles of Pla2g2a, a genetic modifier of intestinal tumorigenesis in mice. Here, we identify previous unreported linked polymorphisms in the promoter, noncoding and coding sequences of Pla2g2a and show that outbred nude mice from different commercial providers are heterogeneous for this polymorphic Pla2g2a allele. This heterogeneity even extends to mice obtained from a single commercial provider, which display mixed Pla2g2a genotypes. Notably, we demonstrated that the polymorphic Pla2g2a allele affects orthotopic xenograft establishment of human colon cancer cells in outbred nude mice. This finding establishes a non-cell-autonomous role for Pla2g2a in suppressing intestinal tumorigenesis. Using in vitro reporter assays and pharmacological inhibitors, we show promoter polymorphisms and nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) as underlying mechanisms that lead to low Pla2g2a mRNA levels in tumor-sensitive mice. Together, this study provides mechanistic insight regarding Pla2g2a polymorphisms and demonstrates a non-cell-autonomous role for Pla2g2a in suppressing tumors. Moreover, our direct demonstration that mixed genetic backgrounds of outbred nude mice can significantly affect baseline tumorigenicity cautions against future use of outbred mice for tumor xenograft studies.
Rate of Spending on Chronic Conditions Among Medicaid and CHIP Recipients
Authors: Agrawal Rishi , Smith Tracie , Li Yan , Cartland Jenifer
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the rate at which children with and without chronic conditions became recipients of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) during a period of economic recession and to evaluate changes in spending and service utilization among children with chronic conditions.

METHODS:

Child recipients of Illinois fee-for-service Medicaid and CHIP from 2007 to 2010 were assigned to 5 chronic condition groups using 3M Clinical Risk Group software. Outcome measures were change in recipient number in each chronic condition category, total and per capita spending changes within various categories of service, and changes in service utilization.

RESULTS:

From 2007 to 2010, children with chronic conditions became recipients of Illinois fee-for-service Medicaid and CHIP at a higher rate than children without chronic conditions (26.7% vs 14.5%). Inflation-adjusted mean spending fell with a linear trend in all chronic condition categories except malignancy (P < .001). Per member inpatient and emergency department service utilization fell and outpatient service utilization increased in all condition categories. Average inpatient length of stay declined in all chronic condition groups (P < .001) but not in children without chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS:

From 2007 to 2010, a period of severe economic recession, a disproportionately high number of children with chronic conditions became Illinois Medicaid and CHIP recipients. Total spending increases were driven by an increase in the number of recipients with the most complex chronic conditions, not increases in per-member spending.
Rotavirus Vaccines and Health Care Utilization for Diarrhea in the United States (2007–2011)
Authors: Leshem Eyal , Moritz Rebecca E. , Curns Aaron T. , Zhou Fangjun , Tate Jacqueline E. , Lopman Benjamin A. , Parashar Umesh D.
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVES:

To examine reductions in diarrhea-associated health care utilization after rotavirus vaccine implementation and to assess direct and indirect effectiveness of vaccination.

METHODS:

Retrospective cohort analysis of claims data of commercially insured US children aged <5 years. We examined annual pentavalent (RV5) and monovalent (RV1) rotavirus vaccine coverage. We compared rates of diarrhea-associated health care utilization in prevaccine (2001–2006) versus postvaccine introduction (2007–2011) years, compared rates of diarrhea-associated health care utilization in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children and compared rates in unvaccinated children in postvaccine versus prevaccine years.

RESULTS:

Among children aged <5 years, RV5 and RV1 rotavirus vaccine coverage rates reached 58% and 5%, respectively, by December 31, 2010. Compared with the average rate of rotavirus-coded hospitalizations in 2001–2006, rates were reduced by 75% in 2007–2008, 60% in 2008–2009, 94% in 2009–2010, and 80% in 2010–2011. Compared with unvaccinated children, in 2010–2011, the rate of rotavirus-coded hospitalizations was reduced by 92% among RV5 recipients and 96% among RV1 recipients. Rotavirus-coded hospitalization rate reductions among RV5 recipients versus unvaccinated children ranged from 87% among <1-year-olds to 81% among 4-year-olds. Compared with prevaccine rates in 2001–2006, rotavirus-coded hospitalization rates among unvaccinated children decreased by 50% in 2007–2008, 77% in 2009–2010, and 25% in 2010–2011.

CONCLUSIONS:

Implementation of rotavirus vaccines has substantially reduced diarrhea health care utilization in US children. Both rotavirus vaccines conferred high protection against rotavirus hospitalizations; RV5 conferred durable protection through the fourth year of life. Vaccination also conferred indirect benefits to unvaccinated children.
An Outbreak of Measles in an Undervaccinated Community
Authors: Gahr Pamala , DeVries Aaron S. , Wallace Gregory , Miller Claudia , Kenyon Cynthia , Sweet Kristin , Martin Karen , White Karen , Bagstad Erica , Hooker Carol , Krawczynski Gretchen , Boxrud David , Liu Gongping , Stinchfield Patricia , LeBlanc Julie , Hickman Cynthia , Bahta Lynn , Barskey Albert , Lynfield Ruth
Published: June 2014

Measles is readily spread to susceptible individuals, but is no longer endemic in the United States. In March 2011, measles was confirmed in a Minnesota child without travel abroad. This was the first identified case-patient of an outbreak. An investigation was initiated to determine the source, prevent transmission, and examine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage in the affected community. Investigation and response included case-patient follow-up, post-exposure prophylaxis, voluntary isolation and quarantine, and early MMR vaccine for non-immune shelter residents >6 months and <12 months of age. Vaccine coverage was assessed by using immunization information system records. Outreach to the affected community included education and support from public health, health care, and community and spiritual leaders. Twenty-one measles cases were identified. The median age was 12 months (range, 4 months to 51 years) and 14 (67%) were hospitalized (range of stay, 2–7 days). The source was a 30-month-old US-born child of Somali descent infected while visiting Kenya. Measles spread in several settings, and over 3000 individuals were exposed. Sixteen case-patients were unvaccinated; 9 of the 16 were age-eligible: 7 of the 9 had safety concerns and 6 were of Somali descent. MMR vaccine coverage among Somali children declined significantly from 2004 through 2010 starting at 91.1% in 2004 and reaching 54.0% in 2010 (χ2 for linear trend 553.79; P < .001). This was the largest measles outbreak in Minnesota in 20 years, and aggressive response likely prevented additional transmission. Measles outbreaks can occur if undervaccinated subpopulations exist. Misunderstandings about vaccine safety must be effectively addressed.
DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF A FERROELECTRIC NANO-ACTUATOR USING PHASE-FIELD MODELING
Authors: Balakrishna Ananya Renuka , Huber John E.
Published: June 2014

A ferroelectric crystal with charge-free surface conditions contains polarized domains which can form a flux closure with zero net polarization. In the presence of an external electric field, the flux closure in a two-dimensional continuum reorients its spontaneous polarization to align with the field. Based on this concept of ferroelectric switching coupled with mechanical straining, we demonstrate the working principle of a ferroelectric nano-actuator. The behavior of the actuator is explored under the action of electro-mechanical loading and its mechanism is simulated with a 2D phase-field model. The design of nano-actuator is modified to achieve greater actuation displacements by bending a thin device.
Nanostructural tuning of the texture of PZT pervoskite thin films grown by RF sputtering for piezoelectric MEMS
Authors: Mazzalai Andrea , Kratzer Martin , Matloub Ramin , Sandu Cosmin , Muralt Paul
Published: June 2014

Currently, large efforts are going on to scale up PZT thin film processes for large volume MEMS fabrication. It is critical to complete the scaling up with optimized film properties. In this work we report about microstructural control and piezoelectric properties of RF magnetron sputtered PZT (Pb(Zrx,Ti1−x)O3) thin films. The former is a prerequisite to achieve good properties homogeneously on the entire wafer, and with a good repeatability. We focus on the use of a commercial tool capable to reach a deposition rate of 1nm/sec with a thickness uniformity better than +/-3%. We show particularly how the texture can be chosen between (100) and (111) orientation upon tuning the thickness of a very thin TiO2 seed layer on fully passivated Pt electrodes. The surface morphology as resulting from the various grain shapes is strongly influenced by the self-bias established on the substrate, and by the growth temperature. PZT films with compact grain structure and flat surface reached a transverse piezoelectric coefficient e31,f of -23±1 C/m2 in the actuator mode (converse piezoelectric effect) and a dielectric strength of 0.5MV/cm. Both are remarkable values for un-doped, pure PZT thin films.
Embedded Fiber Optic Sensing for Accurate State Estimation in Advanced Battery Management Systems
Authors: Sommer Lars Wilko , Raghavan Ajay , Kiesel Peter , Saha Bhaskar , Staudt Tobias , Lochbaum Alexander , Ganguli Anurag , Bae Chang-Jun , Alamgir Mohamed
Published: June 2014

The problems of using performance parameters such as voltage, current and temperature measured with electrical sensors in today’s battery management systems (BMS) are well known. These parameters can be weakly informative about cell state, particularly as cells age, and contribute to over-conservative utilization and oversizing of a battery pack. Fiber optic (FO) sensors can offer an interesting alternative to conventional electrical sensors, with several advantages such as high selective sensitivity to various parameters, light weight, robustness to EMI, and multiplexing capabilities. In this study, a particular type of FO sensors, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors were externally attached to lithium ion pouch cells for monitoring additional informative cell parameter such as strain and temperature. Multiple charge and discharge cycle were performed to examine the qualification of these signals for cell state estimation in BMS. In comparison to corresponding measurements using conventional electrical sensors, the FBG signals showed very promising results for utilization in effective BMS.
Integrated Visible optical filter and photodetector for detection of FRET signals
Authors: Louro P. , Charneca A. , Silva V. , Vieira M. , Karmali A.
Published: June 2014

In this paper we present a multilayer device based on a-Si:H/a-SiC:H that operates as photodetector and optical filter. The use of such device in protein detection applications is pertinent in Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) measurements that demand the detection of visible fluorescent signals located at specific wavelengths bands. This device was designed to operate in the visible range with a selective sensitivity dependent on the applied electrical bias. Several nanosensors were tested with a commercial spectrophotometer to judge the performance of the FRET signals using glucose solutions of different concentrations. Two nanosensors (FLIPglu-90μM and FLIPglu-600μM) were tested with a commercial spectrofluorimeter to judge the performance of the FRET signals by using glucose solutions of different concentrations. These measurements were carried out by using these nanosensors both in the free form and immobilized form on inner epidermis of onion bulb scale. The proposed device was used to demonstrate the possibility of FRET signals detection, using visible signals of similar wavelength and intensity. The device sensitivity was tuned to enhance the wavelength band of interest using adequate electrical biasing.
Diamond for Electronics: Future Prospects of Diamond SAW Devices
Authors: Glass J.T. , Fox B.A. , Dreifus D.L. , Stoner B.R.
Published: June 2014

From a commercialization standpoint, electronic applications have been particularly elusive for diamond. Market estimates of $560 million per year by the year 2000 indicate the original enthusiasm in this area. Now such projections seem unreasonably optimistic, and even a niche commercial application in the area of electronics would be considered a success. However when taken in a broader context, this extended time frame for commercialization is not at all unusual for new technologies, and many new advances have continued to bolster the enthusiasm of diamond electronics research groups. Diamond has such an extensive list of exceptional properties that it continues to be a candidate for numerous electronic applications from heat spreaders to detectors to microvacuum tubes.

A variety of theoretical calculations established diamond's potential in the early years of CVD-diamond research. As shown in Table I, figures of merit indicated that diamond's potential far exceeded the potential of more common semiconductors such as silicon and gallium arsenide for certain applications. Typically these applications revolved around high power or high temperature. However more accurate assessments of diamond's capability after further development uncovered several issues with many electronic applications of interest: (1) n-Type doping: Although scattered reports of n-type doping have been made a high-quality, low-resistance n-type material is not available, limiting the potential applications for diamond.

(2) Deep activation of p-type carriers: At reasonable dopant levels, the activation energy for p-type carriers is approximately 0.3 eV, causing diamond to be highly resistive and sensitive to temperature variations at normal operating temperatures.
Electrically Conducting Polymers: Science and Technology
Authors: Epstein Arthur J.
Published: June 2014

For the past 50 years, conventional insulating-polymer systems have increasingly been used as substitutes for structural materials such as wood, ceramics, and metals because of their high strength, light weight, ease of chemical modification/customization, and processability at low temperatures. In 1977 the first intrinsic electrically conducting organic polymer—doped polyacetylene—was reported, spurring interest in “conducting polymers.” Intrinsically conducting polymers are completely different from conducting polymers that are merely a physical mixture of a nonconductive polymer with a conducting material such as metal or carbon powder. Although initially these intrinsically conducting polymers were neither processable nor air-stable, new generations of these materials now are processable into powders, films, and fibers from a wide variety of solvents, and also are airstable. Some forms of these intrinsically conducting polymers can be blended into traditional polymers to form electrically conductive blends. The electrical conductivities of the intrinsically conductingpolymer systems now range from those typical of insulators (<10−10 S/cm (10−10 Ω−1 cm1)) to those typical of semiconductors such as silicon (~10 5 S/cm) to those greater than 10+4 S/cm (nearly that of a good metal such as copper, 5 × 105 S/cm). Applications of these polymers, especially polyanilines, have begun to emerge. These include coatings and blends for electrostatic dissipation and electromagnetic-interference (EMI) shielding, electromagnetic-radiation absorbers for welding (joining) of plastics, conductive layers for light-emitting polymer devices, and anticorrosion coatings for iron and steel.

The common electronic feature of pris tine (undoped) conducting polymers is the π-conjugated system, which is formed by the overlap of carbon pz orbitals and alternating carbon-carbon bond lengths.
Conjugated Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces for Light-Emitting Devices
Authors: Salaneck W.R. , Brédas J.L.
Published: June 2014

Since the discovery of high electrical conductivity in doped polyacetylene in 1977, π-conjugated polymers have emerged as viable semiconducting electronic materials for numerous applications. In the context of polymer electronic devices, one must understand the nature of the polymer surface's electronic structure and the interface with metals. For conjugated polymers, photoelectron spectroscopy—especially in connection with quantum-chemical modeling—provides a maximum amount of both chemical and electronic structural information in one (type of) measurement. Some details of the early stages of interface formation with metals on the surfaces of conjugated polymers and model molecular solids in connection with polymer-based light-emitting devices (LEDs) are outlined. Then a chosen set of issues is summarized in a band structure diagram for a polymer LED, based upon a “clean calcium electrode” on the clean surface of a thin film of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV). This diagram helps to point out the complexity of the systems involved in polymer LEDs. No such thing as “an ideal metal-on-polymer contact” exists. There is always some chemistry occurring at the interface.
Benefits of Rehabilitation With Implants in Masticatory Function: Is Patient Perception of Change in Accordance With the Real Improvement?
Authors: Vieira Rogeria Acedo , Melo Ana Cláudia Moreira , Budel Lucimara A. , Gama Josiane Cristina , de Mattias Sartori Ivete Aparecida , Thomé Geninho
Published: June 2014

This study aimed to compare the index of satisfaction and masticatory function of edentulous patients before and after rehabilitation and to evaluate if patients' perception of the changes in their oral health status is in agreement with the results of masticatory performance test. Fourteen edentulous patients were rehabilitated with lower implant-supported fixed prosthesis and upper removable dentures. Index of satisfaction and masticatory capacity (subjective analysis) and performance test (objective analysis) were evaluated before and 20 days and 8 months after rehabilitation. The patients were asked to respond a yes/no masticatory capacity questionnaire and to rate their oral satisfaction on a 0 to 10 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Masticatory performance test comprised the ability of the individual to pulverize an artificial test food (Optocal), after 20 and 40 masticatory strokes. When baseline answers were compared to answers 8 months after treatment, all questions, excepting the ones that considered pain and social disability, were statistically different. Wilcoxon test was used to compare index of satisfaction before and after treatment. All answers showed statistically significant differences, excluding the one that referred to ease of cleaning the prostheses. Considering the masticatory performance test, Student t test (normally distributed) and Wilcoxon test (non-normally distributed) were used to test the null hypothesis that the weight of the particles of the test food left in sieves were equal in all times of evaluation. In the larger sieve with 20 cycles, statistically significant differences were observed between baseline and 8 months, 20 days and 8 months. With 40 strokes, baseline and 20 days, baseline and 8 months and 20 days and 8 months showed significant differences. It was concluded that oral rehabilitation leads to better masticatory function in edentulous patients and there is a coincidence between patient perception and real improvement on masticatory function.