bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APSI: a proposed integrative model for suicide prevention
Authors: Kelly J. , Sammon N. , Byrne M.
Published: June 2014

Background

Deaths by suicide have been increasing in recent years in Ireland, many of whom have co-morbid mental health difficulties and/or have attended primary care services 1 month before death.

Aims

To profile how ‘Access to Psychological Services Ireland’ (APSI) provides stepped-care therapies for mild-to-moderate adult mental health presentations and the potential effectiveness of this model based on comparison to a review of evidence-based strategies in suicide prevention. A secondary aim is to highlight how APSI has the potential to target those at risk of suicide and provide an integrative after-care service to complement secondary care mental health services.

Findings

In a context of inter-agency working, APSI provides an integrated continuum of suicide prevention interventions that map onto or intervene across the continuum of suicide behaviour. Hence, APSI appears to implement what the literature suggests will work in preventing suicide. However, outcome research is needed to establish APSI’s impact in preventing suicide.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Irish-based research is conducted to establish APSI’s impact in preventing suicide with a view to rolling out APSI as a national mental health clinical care programme.
Turnaround management strategies in local authorities: managerial, political and national obstacles to recovery
Authors: Beeri Itai , Navot Doron
Published: June 2014

Over recent decades, nations worldwide have been struggling with public finance difficulties and other organizational and functional challenges that,inter alia, led to the EU Fiscal Stability Treaty in 2012. Under various reforms, poor-performing local authorities are subject to continuous pressure to employ turnaround management strategies – strategies borrowed from the private sector that are assumed to be effective in public-sector contexts. Based on insights from institutional theory, we argue not only that turnaround management strategies have been either poorly matched to the causes of failure in the government sector or poorly implemented, but that turnaround management strategies will almost always tend to fail in the public context. Based on survey data collected in local authorities, we empirically verify this argument. Theoretical and practical lessons for improving reforms in the government sector and other public organizations that face crisis are suggested.
THE JOIN OF SPLIT GRAPHS WHOSE QUASI-STRONG ENDOMORPHISMS FORM A MONOID
Authors: HOU HAILONG , GU RUI , SHANG YOULIN
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we characterise the quasi-strong endomorphisms of the join of split graphs. We give conditions under which the quasi-strong endomorphisms of the join of split graphs form a monoid.
Iron and zinc concentrations in peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) seeds and their relationship with other nutritional and yield parameters
Authors: JANILA PASUPULETI , NIGAM S. N. , ABHISHEK R. , ANIL KUMAR V. , MANOHAR S. S. , VENUPRASAD R.
Published: June 2014

Biofortification (delivery of micronutrientsviamicronutrient-dense crops) can be achieved through plant breeding and offers a cost-effective and sustainable approach to fighting micronutrient malnutrition. The present study was conducted to facilitate the initiation of a breeding programme to improve the concentration of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) seeds. The experiment was conducted with 64 diverse peanut genotypes for 2 years in eight different environments at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, India to assess the genetic variation for Fe and Zn concentrations in peanut seeds and their heritability and correlations with other traits. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes and environments for Fe (33–68 mg/kg), Zn (44–95 mg/kg), protein (150–310 mg/g) and oil (410–610 mg/g) concentration in seeds and their heritability was high, thus indicating the possibility of improving them through breeding. As seen in other plants, a significant positive association between concentrations of Fe and Zn was observed. Trade-offs between pod yield and Fe and Zn concentrations were not observed and the same was also true for oil content. Besides being high yielding, genotypes ICGV 06099 (57 mg/kg Fe and 81 mg/kg Zn) and ICGV 06040 (56 mg/kg Fe and 80 mg/kg Zn) had stable performance for Fe and Zn concentrations across environments. These are the ideal choices for use as parents in a breeding programme and in developing mapping populations.
Modulating the microbiota in inflammatory bowel diseases: prebiotics, probiotics or faecal transplantation?
Authors: Verbeke Kristin A. , Boesmans Leen , Boets Eef
Published: June 2014

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two major phenotypes of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) which constitute a spectrum of chronic, debilitating diseases characterised by a relapsing inflammation of the intestinal mucosal lining. Evidence from a variety of disciplines implicates the intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of idiopathic IBD and their complications, including pouchitis. Many studies have reported a dysbiosis in IBD, characterised by a decrease in diversity, a decreased abundance of some dominant commensal members (such asClostridiumIV and XIVa) and an increase in detrimental bacteria (such as sulphate reducing bacteria andEscherichia coli). Therapies such as prebiotics and probiotics aim to selectively manipulate the intestinal microbiota and have been evaluated as an attractive therapeutic option with few side effects. The multispecies product VSL#3 was found effective in preventing and maintaining remission in pouchitis, whereas both VSL#3 andE. coliNissle were effective in maintaining remission in UC. A more drastic approach to restore the composition of the microbiota and correct the underlying imbalance is a faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). FMT has been successfully applied to treat patients with even recalcitrantClostridium difficileinfection. Particularly in UC, the majority of studies suggest that FMT may be an effective treatment option although the evidence is still limited. It is anticipated that our increasing knowledge on the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota components will allow in the future for a better selection of highly performing bacteria with specific functions required for specific benefits.
Liberals and conservatives can show similarities in negativity bias
Authors: Brandt Mark J. , Wetherell Geoffrey , Reyna Christine
Published: June 2014

Negativity bias may underlie the development of political ideologies, but liberals and conservatives are likely to respond to threats similarly. We review evidence from research on intolerance, motivated reasoning, and basic psychological threats that suggest liberals and conservatives are more similar than different when confronting threatening groups, situations, and information.
Political infants? Developmental origins of the negativity bias
Authors: Kinzler Katherine D. , Vaish Amrisha
Published: June 2014

The negativity bias in human cognition emerges in infancy and continues throughout childhood. To fully understand the relationship between differences in attention to negative stimuli and variance in political ideologies, it is critical to consider human development and the process by which early individual differences in negativity unfold and are shaped by both genes and environment.
Threat bias, not negativity bias, underpins differences in political ideology
Authors: Lilienfeld Scott O. , Latzman Robert D.
Published: June 2014

Although disparities in political ideology are rooted partly in dispositional differences, Hibbing et al.'s analysis paints with an overly broad brush. Research on the personality correlates of liberal–conservative differences points not to global differences in negativity bias, but to differences in threat bias, probably emanating from differences in fearfulness. This distinction bears implications for etiological research and persuasion efforts.
Differences in negativity bias probably underlie variation in attitudes toward change generally, not political ideology specifically
Authors: Ludeke Steven G. , DeYoung Colin G.
Published: June 2014

Many of the characteristics cited in Hibbing et al.'s account are ineffective predictors of economic conservatism. However, these same characteristics are often associated with differences not only in social conservatism but also in religiousness and authoritarianism. Hibbing et al. may have offered a useful explanation of traditionalism and attitudes toward change across domains rather than of general political attitudes.
The role of negativity bias in political judgment: A cultural neuroscience perspective
Authors: Pornpattananangkul Narun , Cheon Bobby K. , Chiao Joan Y.
Published: June 2014

Hibbing et al. provide a comprehensive overview of how being susceptible to heightened sensitivity to threat may lead to conservative ideologies. Yet, an emerging literature in social and cultural neuroscience shows the importance of genetic and cultural factors on negativity biases. Promising avenues for future investigation may include examining the bidirectional relationship of conservatism across multiple levels of analysis.
Explaining ideology: Two factors are better than one
Authors: Robbins Philip , Shields Kenneth
Published: June 2014

Hibbing et al. contend that individual differences in political ideology can be substantially accounted for in terms of differences in a single psychological factor, namely, strength of negativity bias. We argue that, given the multidimensional structure of ideology, a better explanation of ideological variation will take into account both individual differences in negativity bias and differences in empathic concern.
Beyond the negative: Political attitudes and ideologies strategically manage opportunities, too
Authors: White Andrew Edward , Neuberg Steven L.
Published: June 2014

Hibbing et al. use evolutionarily derived logic to suggest that political attitudes are related to responses to negative features of the environment. We suggest that the authors focus too narrowly on the negative and contend, instead, that a more comprehensive evolutionary approach focusing on people's responses to threats and opportunities will better account for variation in political attitudes.
Negativity bias and political preferences: A response to commentators
Authors: Hibbing John R. , Smith Kevin B. , Alford John R.
Published: June 2014

A broad, multidisciplinary empirical literature reports that individual-level differences in psychology and biology map onto variation in political orientation. In our target article we argued that negativity bias can explain a surprisingly large share of these findings. The commentators generally support the negativity bias hypothesis but suggest theoretical and empirical revisions and refinements. In this response, we organize these proposals, suggestions, and criticisms into four thematic categories and assess their potential for furthering theories and empirical investigations of the bases for individual-variation in political ideology.
Tackling group-level traits by starting at the start
Authors: Chudek Maciej , Henrich Joseph
Published: June 2014

We agree that emergent group-level properties are important; however, we disagree that current approaches, especially culture-gene coevolutionary (CGC) approaches, have neglected them. We explain how CGC helps demystify the tumult of humans' group-level complexity by “starting at the start,” and why (a) assuming undifferentiated individuals and (b) focusing on cooperation are actually powerful tools to this end.
The priority of the individual in cultural inheritance
Authors: Davis Taylor , Margolis Eric
Published: June 2014

Smaldino's proposed extension of the theory of cultural evolution embraces emergent group-level traits. We argue, instead, that group-level traits reduce to the traits of individuals, particularly when it comes to the question of how group-level traits are inherited or transmitted, and that this metaphysical fact is integral to the theory of cultural evolution.
Studying the emergence of complicated group-level cultural traits requires a mathematical framework
Authors: Doebeli Michael , Simon Burton
Published: June 2014

Understanding the cultural evolution of complicated group-level traits requires the mathematical formulation of a dynamical system with birth and death events at multiple levels, that is, at the level of individual humans and at the level of groups of humans. Both levels are characterized by cultural traits that have complicated transmission, innovation, and inheritance mechanisms and that can undergo a form of Lamarckian evolution.
Group-level expression encoded in the individual
Authors: Ibbotson Paul
Published: June 2014

Smaldino proposes a conceptual extension to the theory of cultural evolution to include emergent group-level traits as a unit of selection. It is important to recognize the role that group-level traits have played in the evolution of human culture. However, the emergent group-level trait of division of labor provides an illustrative example that is implementable within the existing framework of cMLS theory and may not even need a departure from the standard model.
Collaboration in classical political economy and noncooperative game theory
Authors: McCain Roger A.
Published: June 2014

This commentary suggests (1) that there are precedents for Smaldino's “collaboration” in the history of economic thought before 1900 and (2) that the distinction of collaboration from what is thought of as cooperation in game theory is less clear than Smaldino suggests.
Cultural evolution and emergent group-level traits through social heterosis
Authors: Nonacs Peter , Kapheim Karen M.
Published: June 2014

Smaldino proposes emergent properties of human groups, arising when individuals display both differentiation and organization, constitute a novel unit of cultural selection not addressed by current evolutionary theory. We propose existing theoretical frameworks for maintenance of genetic diversity – social heterosis and social genomes – can similarly explain the appearance and maintenance of human cultural diversity (i.e., group-level traits) and collaborative interdependence.
Homogeneity of mind can yield heterogeneity in behavior producing emergent collaboration in groups
Authors: O'Gorman Rick
Published: June 2014

The evolved psychological process for producing social norms is both needed to facilitate emergent group-level traits and capable of delivering such a process. I discuss how this process can work to generate group-level traits and how specific mechanisms established to buttress social norms similarly can explain how group-level traits are supported.
Emergent group traits, reproduction, and levels of selection
Authors: Okasha Samir
Published: June 2014

All group traits, “emergent” or otherwise, are ultimately dependent on the traits and behaviours of the individuals that constitute the group. Unless a process of “group reproduction” is envisaged, this means that the evolution of group traits can in principle be studied in an individualistic way, by studying the dynamics of the underlying individual traits on which they depend.
Strong group-level traits and selection-transmission thickets
Authors: Schank Jeffrey C.
Published: June 2014

I suggest that we should distinguish between weak and strong group-level traits. It is the latter that are especially problematic for developing models of cultural evolution. Using Campbell's notion of vicarious selection mechanisms, I argue that these mechanisms become intertwined with other group-level traits resulting in selection-transmission thickets that are obstacles to modeling cultural evolution.
Coordination, cooperation, and the ontogeny of group-level traits
Authors: Waring Timothy Michael , Goff Sandra Hughes
Published: June 2014

Group-level traits (GLTs) clarify the necessity of cultural multilevel selection theory. We propose a revised definition of the GLT concept. We also highlight the need to better understand the interplay between the dimensions of cooperation and coordination in the ontogeny of GLTs.
Many important group-level traits are institutions
Authors: Zefferman Matthew R. , Richerson Peter J.
Published: June 2014

Smaldino makes a solid contribution to the literature on the evolution of human social organization by pointing out that group-level-traits (GLTs) often emerge from the interactions of group members in such a way that their effects are not easily partitioned into individual selection. However, we argue that he too readily dismisses institutional analysis as a tool for understanding these traits.
COORDINATED PRICING AND INVENTORY CONTROL WITH BATCH PRODUCTION AND ERLANG LEADTIMES
Authors: Pang Zhan , Chen Frank Y.
Published: June 2014

This paper addresses a joint pricing and inventory control problem for a batch production system with random leadtimes. Assume that demand arrives according to a Poisson process with a price-dependent arrival rate. Each replenishment order contains a single batch of a fixed lot size. The replenishment leadtime follows an Erlang distribution, with the number of completed phases recording the delivery state of outstanding orders. The objective is to determine an optimal inventory-pricing policy that maximizes total expected discounted profit or long-run average profit. We first show that when there is at most one order outstanding at any point in time and that excess demand is lost, the optimal reorder policy can be characterized by a critical stock level and the optimal pricing decision is decreasing in the inventory level and delivery state. We then extend the analysis to mixed-Erlang leadtime distribution which can be used to approximate any random leadtime to any degree of accuracy. We further extend the analysis to allowing three outstanding orders where the optimal reorder point becomes state-dependent: the closer an outstanding order is to its arrival or the more orders are outstanding, the lower selling price is charged and the lower reorder point is chosen. Finally, we address the backlog case and show that the monotone pricing structure may not be true when the optimal reorder point is negative.
SOME PROPERTIES OF BINARY SERIES-PARALLEL GRAPHS
Authors: Mahmoud Hosam M.
Published: June 2014

We introduce an incremental growth model for directed binary series-parallel (SP) graphs. The vertices of a directed binary SP graphs can only have outdgrees 1 or 2. We show that the number of vertices of outdegree 1 have a normal distribution (so, necessarily, the vertices of outdegree 2 have a normal distribution, too). Furthermore, we study the average length of a random walk between the poles of the graph. The asymptotic equivalent of the latter property includes the golden ratio. Pólya urns will systematically provide a coding method to initiate the studies.
Buddhist Idealists and Their Jain Critics On Our Knowledge of External Objects
Authors: Kapstein Matthew T.
Published: June 2014

In accord with the theme of the present volume on ‘Philosophical Traditions’, it is not so much the aim of this essay to provide a detailed account of particular lines of argument, as it is to suggest something of the manner in which so-called 'Buddhist idealism' unfolded as a tradition not just for Buddhists, but within Indian philosophy more generally. Seen from this perspective, Buddhist idealism remained a current within Indian philosophy long after the demise of Buddhism in India, in about the twelfth century, and endured in some respects at least until the Mughal age, when the last thinker to be examined here, the Jain teacher Yaśovijaya, was active.
Philosophy and Life in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy: Three Aspects
Authors: Sorabji Richard
Published: June 2014

Philosophy, in the ancient Graeco-Roman world, and in various other cultures too, was typically thought of as, among other things, bearing on how to live. Questions of how to live may now be considered by some as merely one optional specialism among others, but Derek Parfit for one, we shall see, rightly treats implications for how to live as flowing naturally from metaphysical theories. In the hope of showing something about the ancient Graeco-Roman tradition as a whole, I shall speak of things that I and others have said before,1 but I will highlight certain aspects of how the various groups or individuals related their philosophy to their lives. I shall start with the ancient Stoics as providing a clear case, then move on more briefly to their rivals, the Epicureans, and finally, more briefly again, to consider their predecessors and successors in other ancient schools and periods. This will not be a survey of the main central doctrines, although that is also something useful to attempt. But it will involve a selection of important ideas to illustrate their application to how to live.
Increase in DNA vaccine efficacy by virosome delivery and co‐expression of a cytolytic protein
Authors: Gargett Tessa , Grubor‐Bauk Branka , Miller Darren , Garrod Tamsin , Yu Stanley , Wesselingh Steve , Suhrbier Andreas , Gowans Eric J
Published: June 2014

The potential of DNA vaccines has not been realised due to suboptimal delivery, poor antigen expression and the lack of localised inflammation, essential for antigen presentation and an effective immune response to the immunogen. Initially, we examined the delivery of a DNA vaccine encoding a model antigen, luciferase (LUC), to the respiratory tract of mice by encapsulation in a virosome. Virosomes that incorporated influenza virus haemagglutinin effectively delivered DNA to cells in the mouse respiratory tract and resulted in antigen expression and systemic and mucosal immune responses to the immunogen after an intranasal (IN) prime/intradermal (ID) boost regimen, whereas a multidose ID regimen only generated systemic immunity. We also examined systemic immune responses to LUC after ID vaccination with a DNA vaccine, which also encoded one of the several cytolytic or toxic proteins. Although the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, in the presence of the prodrug, ganciclovir, resulted in cell death, this failed to increase the humoral or cell‐mediated immune responses. In contrast, the co‐expression of LUC with the rotavirus non‐structural protein 4 (NSP4) protein or a mutant form of mouse perforin, proteins which are directly cytolytic, resulted in increased LUC‐specific humoral and cell‐mediated immunity. On the other hand, co‐expression of LUC with diphtheria toxin subunit A or overexpression of perforin or NSP4 resulted in a lower level of immunity. In summary, the efficacy of DNA vaccines can be improved by targeted IN delivery of DNA or by the induction of cell death in vaccine‐targeted cells after ID delivery.
Iron deficiency increases growth and nitrogen-fixation rates of phosphorus-deficient marine cyanobacteria
Authors: Garcia Nathan S , Fu Feixue , Sedwick Peter N , Hutchins David A
Published: June 2014

Marine dinitrogen (N2)-fixing cyanobacteria have large impacts on global biogeochemistry as they fix carbon dioxide (CO2) and fertilize oligotrophic ocean waters with new nitrogen. Iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) are the two most important limiting nutrients for marine biological N2 fixation, and their availabilities vary between major ocean basins and regions. A long-standing question concerns the ability of two globally dominant N2-fixing cyanobacteria, unicellular Crocosphaera and filamentous Trichodesmium, to maintain relatively high N2-fixation rates in these regimes where both Fe and P are typically scarce. We show that under P-deficient conditions, cultures of these two cyanobacteria are able to grow and fix N2 faster when Fe deficient than when Fe replete. In addition, growth affinities relative to P increase while minimum concentrations of P that support growth decrease at low Fe concentrations. In Crocosphaera, this effect is accompanied by a reduction in cell sizes and elemental quotas. Relatively high growth rates of these two biogeochemically critical cyanobacteria in low-P, low-Fe environments such as those that characterize much of the oligotrophic ocean challenge the common assumption that low Fe levels can have only negative effects on marine primary producers. The closely interdependent influence of Fe and P on N2-fixing cyanobacteria suggests that even subtle shifts in their supply ratio in the past, present and future oceans could have large consequences for global carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Structural insight into SUMO chain recognition and manipulation by the ubiquitin ligase RNF4
Authors: Xu Yingqi , Plechanovová Anna , Simpson Peter , Marchant Jan , Leidecker Orsolya , Kraatz Sebastian , Hay Ronald T. , Matthews Steve J.
Published: June 2014

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) can form polymeric chains that are important signals in cellular processes such as meiosis, genome maintenance and stress response. The SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4 engages with SUMO chains on linked substrates and catalyses their ubiquitination, which targets substrates for proteasomal degradation. Here we use a segmental labelling approach combined with solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and biochemical characterization to reveal how RNF4 manipulates the conformation of the SUMO chain, thereby facilitating optimal delivery of the distal SUMO domain for ubiquitin transfer.
Spectral and structural comparison between bright and dim green fluorescent proteins in Amphioxus
Authors: Bomati Erin K. , Haley Joy E. , Noel Joseph P. , Deheyn Dimitri D.
Published: June 2014

The cephalochordate Amphioxus naturally co-expresses fluorescent proteins (FPs) with different brightness, which thus offers the rare opportunity to identify FP molecular feature/s that are associated with greater/lower intensity of fluorescence. Here, we describe the spectral and structural characteristics of green FP (bfloGFPa1) with perfect (100%) quantum efficiency yielding to unprecedentedly-high brightness and compare them to those of co-expressed bfloGFPc1 showing extremely-dim brightness due to low (0.1%) quantum efficiency. This direct comparison of structure-function relationship indicated that in the bright bfloGFPa1, a Tyrosine (Tyr159) promotes a ring flipping of a Tryptophan (Trp157) that in turn allows a cis-trans transformation of a Proline (Pro55). Consequently, the FP chromophore is pushed up, which comes with a slight tilt and increased stability. FPs are continuously engineered for improved biochemical and/or photonic properties and this study provides new insight to the challenge of establishing a clear mechanistic understanding between chromophore structural environment and brightness level.
Food safety control of zeranol through voltammetric immunosensing on Au–Pt bimetallic nanoparticle surfaces
Authors: Regiart Matías , Pereira Sirley V. , Spotorno Viviana G. , Bertolino Franco A. , Raba Julio
Published: June 2014

This study reports an accurate and sensitive strategy for zeranol (ZER) determination in bovine urine samples.
Parameters affecting ion intensities in transmission-mode direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry
Authors: Harding Lindsay P. , Parkes Gareth M. B. , Townend James D.
Published: June 2014

The first systematic study of thermal parameters affecting ion intensities in transmission mode DARTMS is presented.
Determination of phthalate acid esters in soybean milk using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometric detection
Authors: Bai Songchun , Wang Xinxiu , Hu Fan , Wang Tianlin , Cheng Ping , Zhou Zhen
Published: June 2014

Eight kinds of PAEs in five different brands of soybean milk were successfully determined using the DLLME method coupled with GC-MS.
Separation and determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in pistachio samples based on magnetic solid phase extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection
Authors: Hashemi Mahdi , Taherimaslak Zohreh
Published: June 2014

A simple and fast method based on magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) followed by HPLC with a post column derivatization-fluorescence detection system has been developed for simultaneous separation and determination of aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1 and G2 in pistachio.
Water on Au sputtered films
Authors: Canning J. , Tzoumis N. , Beattie J. K. , Gibson B. C. , Ilagan E.
Published: June 2014

Transient changes in the contact angle, Δθ∼ 10°, of water on gold (Au) reveal reversible wetting of near hydrophobic Au films.
Surface plasmon-enhanced zeolite catalysis under light irradiation and its correlation with molecular polarity of reactants
Authors: Zhang Xingguang , Du Aijun , Zhu Huaiyong , Jia Jianfeng , Wang Jun , Ke Xuebin
Published: June 2014

The catalytic performance of zeolites can be boosted by the electric near-field enhancement (ENFE) of plasmonic Au-NPs induced by the localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) under visible light irradiation.
Highly enantioselective aza-Henry reaction with isatinN-Boc ketimines
Authors: Holmquist Melireth , Blay Gonzalo , Pedro José R.
Published: June 2014

A Cu(ii)–BOX complex catalyzes the highly enantioselective aza-Henry reaction with isatinN-Boc ketimines (ee's up to 99.9%). Protection of the N1 atom is not required.
Tailor-made oxide architectures attained by molecularly permeable metal-oxide organic hybrid thin films
Authors: Sarkar Debabrata , Taffa Dereje Hailu , Ishchuk Sergey , Hazut Ori , Cohen Hagai , Toker Gil , Asscher Micha , Yerushalmi Roie
Published: June 2014

Tailor-made metal oxide (MO) thin films with controlled compositions, electronic structures, and architectures are obtained via molecular layer deposition (MLD) and solution treatment.
Growth of an oriented Bi40−xInxTe60 (x = 3, 7) thermoelectric material by seeding zone melting for the enhancement of chemical homogeneity
Authors: Liu Dongmei , Engelhardt Hannes , Li Xinzhong , Löffler Andrea , Rettenmayr Markus
Published: June 2014

A tailored seeding zone melting technique aiming to synthesize oriented Bi–In–Te crystals with enhanced chemical homogeneity is reported.
Solvent-mediated assembly of chiral/achiral hydrophilic Ca(ii)-tetrafluoroterephthalate coordination frameworks: 3D chiral water aggregation, structural transformation and selective CO2 adsorption
Authors: Chen Sheng-Chun , Tian Feng , Huang Kun-Lin , Li Cheng-Peng , Zhong Jing , He Ming-Yang , Zhang Zhi-Hui , Wang Hong-Ning , Du Miao , Chen Qun
Published: June 2014

Spontaneous reactions of CaII with a fluorinated carboxylate ligand afford chiral/achiral hydrophilic MOF materials.
Hydrogen-dimer lines and electron waveguides in graphene
Authors: Achilli Simona , Tantardini Gian Franco , Martinazzo Rocco
Published: June 2014

Hydrogen-dimer lines might be used to imprint nano-circuits on graphene. The figure shows a possible Hall bar defined by H-dimer lines (white) with gold contacts (gold).
Reaction dynamics of the 4-methylphenyl radical (C6H4CH3; p-tolyl) with isoprene (C5H8) – formation of dimethyldihydronaphthalenes
Authors: Dangi Beni B. , Yang Tao , Kaiser Ralf I. , Mebel Alexander M.
Published: June 2014

Reaction dynamics and energetics of 4-methylphenyl radical with isoprene are reported under single collision condition at collision energy of 58 kJ mol−1 by exploiting the crossed molecular beam technique and electronic structure calculations.
Electric field induced hydrogenation of silicene
Authors: Wu Weichang , Ao Zhimin , Wang Tao , Li Changming , Li Sean
Published: June 2014

The electric field can act as a catalyst to reduce the energy barrier of H2 molecule dissociative adsorption on silicene, thus facilitating the hydrogenation of silicene.
The morphology dependent electrocatalytic activity of Ir nanostructures towards oxygen reduction
Authors: Chakrapani Kalapu , Sampath Srinivasan
Published: June 2014

Oxygen reduction on Ir nanoparticles and nanochains in acidic and alkaline media.
Strong enhancement of parity violation effects in chiral uranium compounds
Authors: Wormit Michael , Olejniczak Małgorzata , Deppenmeier Anna-Lena , Borschevsky Anastasia , Saue Trond , Schwerdtfeger Peter
Published: June 2014

A new generation of molecular candidates for parity violation measurements. The chiral UNXYZ compounds are predicted to exhibit strong parity violating effects which are up to an order of magnitude larger than for any of the previously suggested candidates.
Stability of Pt near surface alloys under electrochemical conditions: a model study
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Yu Shansheng , Zheng Weitao , Liu Ping
Published: June 2014

The stability is one of the key requirements for commercializing the fuel cell electrocatalysts in automotive applications.
Automated generation of radical species in crystalline carbohydrate using ab initio MD simulations
Authors: Aalbergsjø Siv G. , Pauwels Ewald , Van Yperen-De Deyne Andy , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Sagstuen Einar
Published: June 2014

Stabilization of radical products is connected to charge transfer along hydrogen bonds.
Upconversion nanoparticles as versatile light nanotransducers for photoactivation applications
Authors: Idris Niagara Muhammad , Jayakumar Muthu Kumara Gnanasammandhan , Bansal Akshaya , Zhang Yong
Published: June 2014

Upconversion nanoparticles enable use of near infrared light for spatially and temporally controlled activation of therapeutic compounds in deeper tissues.
Organic semiconducting single crystals as solid-state sensors for ionizing radiation
Authors: Fraboni Beatrice , Ciavatti Andrea , Basiricò Laura , Fraleoni-Morgera Alessandro
Published: June 2014

So far, organic semiconductors have been mainly proposed as detectors for ionizing radiation in the indirect conversion approach, i.e. as scintillators, which convert ionizing radiation into visible photons, or as photodiodes, which detect visible photons coming from a scintillator and convert them into an electrical signal. The direct conversion of ionizing radiation into an electrical signal within the same device is a more effective process than indirect conversion, since it improves the signal-to-noise ratio and it reduces the device response time. We report here the use of Organic Semiconducting Single Crystals (OSSCs) as intrinsic direct ionizing radiation detectors, thanks to their stability, good transport properties and large interaction volume. Ionizing radiation X-ray detectors, based on low-cost solution-grown OSSCs, are here shown to operate at room temperature, providing a stable linear response with increasing dose rate in the ambient atmosphere and in high radiation environments.
Selective fusion of anchored droplets via changes in surfactant concentration
Authors: Tullis Jonathan , Park Chong L. , Abbyad Paul
Published: June 2014

We present a general method for the parallel and selective fusion of anchored droplets in oil.
Synthesis of Pd(ii) organometal incorporated ordered Im3m mesostructural silica and its catalytic activity in a water-medium Sonogashira reaction
Authors: Zhu Fengxia , Zhu Lili , Sun Xiaojun , An Litao , Zhao Pusu , Li Hexing
Published: June 2014

A novel mesoporous Pd(ii) catalyst exhibits high activity for Sonogashira coupling of aryl halides with phenylacetylene in aqueous medium.
Enantioselective synthesis of γ-tetrasubstituted nitrosulfonyl carboxylates and amides vial-tert-leucine-derived-squaramide catalyzed conjugate addition of nitrosulfones to acrylates and acrylamides
Authors: Bera Kalisankar , Namboothiri Irishi N. N.
Published: June 2014

At-leucine-derived squaramide catalyzed reaction of α-nitrosulfones with acrylates/acrylamides provides γ-tetrasubstituted γ-nitro-γ-sulfonyl carboxylates/amides in excellent yield and enantioselectivity.
Azabicycles construction: the transannular ring contraction with N-protected nucleophiles
Authors: Rizzo Antonio , Harutyunyan Syuzanna R.
Published: June 2014

Synthetic strategies are one of the most critical factors for the success of a synthetic campaign, but most importantly they are crucial for the economy and the efficiency of the sequence.
Synthesis and characterization of quaternary phosphonium-containing, trithiocarbonate RAFT agents
Authors: Zhang Longhe , Tang Qiang , Weiss R. A. , Cavicchi Kevin A.
Published: June 2014

Quaternary phosphonium-containing RAFT agents were synthesized and used to prepare hemi-telechelic polystyrene ionomers with high end-group functionality by bulk, thermally-initiated polymerization.
Fabrication of PDMS micro through-holes using micromolding in open capillaries
Authors: Zhou K. , Zhu X. G. , Li Y. , Liu J.
Published: June 2014

Micromolding in open capillaries, a simpler method for PDMS through-holes fabrication, whose procedures are easy to handle and observe.
An organic cation as a silver(i) analogue for the arylation of sp2 and sp3 C–H bonds with iodoarenes
Authors: Arroniz Carlos , Denis J. Gabriel , Ironmonger Alan , Rassias Gerasimos , Larrosa Igor
Published: June 2014

A general, cost-effective and sustainable replacement for silver in palladium catalysed direct arylations of C(sp2)–H and C(sp3)–H bonds.
Chain flexibility for tuning effective interactions in blends of polymers and polymer-grafted nanoparticles
Authors: Palli Babji , Padmanabhan Venkat
Published: June 2014

We present molecular dynamics simulations of polymer-grafted nanoparticles in a homopolymer matrix to demonstrate the effect of chain flexibility on the potential of mean force (PMF) between various species in the nanocomposite.
Incorporating covalent and allosteric effects into rate equations: the case of muscle glycogen synthase
Authors: Palm Daniel C. , Rohwer Johann M. , Hofmeyr Jan-Hendrik S.
Published: June 2014

Several enzymes have been described that undergo both allosteric and covalent regulation, but, to date, there exists no succinct kinetic description that is able to account for both of these mechanisms of regulation. Muscle glycogen synthase, an enzyme implicated in the pathogenesis of several metabolic diseases, is activated by glucose 6-phosphate and inhibited by ATP and phosphorylation at multiple sites. A kinetic description of glycogen synthase could provide insight into the relative importance of these modifiers. In the present study we show, using non-linear parameter optimization with robust weight estimation, that a Monod–Wyman–Changeux model in which phosphorylation favours the inactive T conformation provides a satisfactory description of muscle glycogen synthase kinetics. The best-fit model suggests that glucose 6-phosphate and ATP compete for the same allosteric site, but that ATP also competes with the substrate UDP-glucose for the active site. The novelty of our approach lies in treating covalent modification as equivalent to allosteric modification. Using the obtained rate equation, the relationship between enzyme activity and phosphorylation state is explored and shown to agree with experimental results. The methodology we propose could also be applied to other enzymes that undergo both allosteric and covalent modification.
Crystal structures and functional studies clarify substrate selectivity and catalytic residues for the unique orphan enzyme N-acetyl-D-mannosamine dehydrogenase
Authors: Sola-Carvajal Agustín , Gil-Ortiz Fernando , García-Carmona Francisco , Rubio Vicente , Sánchez-Ferrer Álvaro
Published: June 2014

NAMDH (N-acetyl-D-mannosamine dehydrogenase), from the soil bacteroidete Flavobacterium sp. 141-8, catalyses a rare NAD+-dependent oxidation of ManNAc (N-acetyl-D-mannosamine) into N-acetylmannosamino-lactone, which spontaneously hydrolyses into N-acetylmannosaminic acid. NAMDH belongs to the SDR (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase) superfamily and is the only NAMDH characterized to date. Thorough functional, stability, site-directed mutagenesis and crystallographic studies have been carried out to understand better the structural and biochemical aspects of this unique enzyme. NAMDH exhibited a remarkable alkaline pH optimum (pH 9.4) with a high thermal stability in glycine buffer (Tm=64°C) and a strict selectivity towards ManNAc and NAD+. Crystal structures of ligand-free and ManNAc- and NAD+-bound enzyme forms revealed a compact homotetramer having point 222 symmetry, formed by subunits presenting the characteristic SDR α3β7α3 sandwich fold. A highly developed C-terminal tail used as a latch connecting nearby subunits stabilizes the tetramer. A dense network of polar interactions with the substrate including the encasement of its acetamido group in a specific binding pocket and the hydrogen binding of the sugar 4OH atom ensure specificity for ManNAc. The NAMDH–substrate complexes and site-directed mutagenesis studies identify the catalytic tetrad and provide useful traits for identifying new NAMDH sequences.
Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder among College Students in Health Care Disciplines
Authors: Freedman Skott E.
Published: June 2014

Given the increasing incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), coupled with its complex and diverse nature, health care professionals require some degree of knowledge and training about this disorder. Previous studies have focused on assessing the knowledge possessed by established professionals. Yet, it is equally important to examine what college students pursuing these careers are learning before entering the workforce. The present study explored knowledge of ASD among undergraduate students majoring in health care professions (e.g., speech-language pathology, occupational therapy) using a web-based survey. Two hundred and fifty-two participants anonymously completed a 25-question survey regarding the general characteristics, risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and incidence of ASD. Findings revealed that learning was more observable in general areas such as behaviors versus specific risk factors and incidence. Students who had learned about ASD in a course, who personally knew individuals with ASD, and who planned on working with this population in the future knew the most about ASD; level of education did not seem to influence accuracy. Training implications are discussed.
Power divider with bandwidth from 14 to 82 GHz in CMOS IC technology
Authors: Dang Trung‐Sinh , Lee Bomson , Yoon Sang‐Woong
Published: June 2014

An on‐chip power divider with an extremely wide bandwidth is presented. The power divider was implemented in a TSMC 180 nm RF CMOS process. Measurements showed an absolute bandwidth of 68 GHz from 14 to 82 GHz with a matching condition of <−10 dB, which was the fractional bandwidth of 141.7%. A very accurate bandwidth analysis using the theory of three coupled lines is provided. An insertion loss of 2.8–10.5 dB was measured across the bandwidth. The core size of the power divider is 0.2 × 0.73 mm.
3–18 GHz compact planar antenna for short‐range radar imaging
Authors: Capobianco A.D. , Khan M.S. , Caruso M. , Bevilacqua A.
Published: June 2014

An ultra‐compact planar antenna aiming to be part of an imaging antenna array operating in the broad 3–18 GHz frequency range is presented. The antenna is made of two closely packed wide‐band monopoles for simultaneous transmission and reception functionalities. A high isolation (>20 dB) between the two patches is achieved through the insertion of a structured ground plane (decoupling structure). A prototype was fabricated on a Roger R4003c laminate measuring 58 × 33 mm2 and used in inverse synthetic array radar configuration for detecting a steel object with sub‐centimetre spatial resolution.
Monitoring of radiofrequency thermal ablation in liver tissue through fibre Bragg grating sensors array
Authors: Tosi D. , Macchi E.G. , Braschi G. , Gallati M. , Cigada A. , Poeggel S. , Leen G. , Lewis E.
Published: June 2014

A fibre Bragg grating (FBG) array‐based sensing probe has been installed on a device for radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA). The probe is made of five FBGs with 0.5 cm active area and 1 cm spacing, to provide quasi‐distributed thermal pattern measurements. Multiple experiments have been conducted on porcine liver, reporting the temperature pattern along the ablation axis. Thermal maps allow an estimation of the RFTA efficiency and spatial extension in the liver.
Two‐stage optimisation algorithm for adaptive IIR notch filter
Authors: Peng Renhua , Zheng Chengshi , Li Xiaodong
Published: June 2014

The performances of the linear prediction (LP) algorithm and the indirect plain gradient (IPG) algorithm for the adaptive infinite‐impulse‐response (IIR) notch filter are theoretically studied, and the two phenomena in these two algorithms are revealed. First, the LP algorithm has a faster convergence speed than the IPG algorithm when the initial adjusted value is far away from the optimal solution. Secondly, the IPG algorithm has a much smaller estimation bias and mean squared error than the LP algorithm in a steady state. On the basis of these facts, a two‐stage optimisation algorithm is proposed to make full use of the advantages of both the LP algorithm and the IPG algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the convergence rate while keeping the same steady state as the IPG algorithm.
Wilkinson power divider design for dual‐band applications
Authors: Wu Guoan , Yang Lingling , Zhou Yinlei , Xu Qinfen
Published: June 2014

A novel dual‐band Wilkinson power divider (WPD) is designed for the purpose of operating at two arbitrary frequencies. The theory and design procedure of the novel component are presented in detail. For demonstration, a dual‐band WPD with operating frequencies of 1.0 and 2.6 GHz is proposed, fabricated and tested. The good agreement between the measured and simulated results confirmed the design concept. Measurements show that insert losses both at the two central frequencies are less than 3.3 dB. Both return loss and port isolation have good performances, which are more than 21 and 28 dB separately.
Object‐based attention: saliency detection using contrast via background prototypes
Authors: Zhou Quan
Published: June 2014

An object‐based attention model to predict visual saliency using contrast against the ‘background prototypes’ is presented. The proposed model automatically identifies a series of regions far away from the image centre as background prototypes. The visual saliency is then calculated using the colour contrast against these background prototypes. Promising experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of detection accuracy and implementation efficiency.
Remarks on the Pocklington and Padró–Sáez cube root algorithm in 𝔽q
Authors: Heo Geon , Choi Seokhwan , Lee Kwang Ho , Koo Namhun , Kwon Soonhak
Published: June 2014

A cube root algorithm in 𝔽q proposed by Pocklington and later rediscovered by Padró and Sáez is clarified and generalised. Some errors in the result of Padró and Sáez are corrected and a full generalisation of their result is given. A comparison of the implementation of the proposed algorithm with the two most popular cube root algorithms is also given, namely the Adleman–Manders–Miller algorithm and the Cipolla–Lehmer algorithm. To the authors’ knowledge, this comparison is the first one which compares three fundamental algorithms together.
Edge‐based spatial concealment of digital dropout error in degraded archived media
Authors: Hoque Md. Monirul , Leonel Quiroa Pimentel Mario , Hasan Md. Mehedi , Ahn Kiok , Kim Jaemyun , Chae Oksam
Published: June 2014

A spatial concealment technique, based on the concept of the strength of an edge, is proposed for ‘digital dropout’ error, evident in old archived media. As long as the presence of pathological motion is observed in video sequences where current state‐of‐the‐art methods fail to reproduce correct information, such spatial restoration offers a much better solution in terms of quality and complexity. Furthermore, relevant edge‐based weighted interpolation is able to restore complicated edges and complex textures from the available neighbourhood. An experiment is performed on real video archives to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed technique.