bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel membranes based on poly(5‐(methacrylamido)tetrazole) and sulfonated polysulfone for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Sinirlioglu Deniz , Celik Sevim Unugur , Muftuoglu Ali Ekrem , Bozkurt Ayhan
Published: November 2013

Proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC)s are increasingly regarded as promising environmentally benign power sources. Heterocyclic molecules are commonly used in the proton conducting membranes as dopant or polymer side group due to their high proton transfer ability. In this study, 5‐(methacrylamido)tetrazole monomer, prepared by the reaction of methacryloyl chloride with 5‐aminotetrazole, was polymerized via conventional free radical mechanism to achieve poly(5‐(methacrylamido)tetrazole) homopolymer. Novel composite membranes, SPSU‐PMTetX, were successfully produced by incorporating sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) into poly(5‐(methacrylamido)tetrazole) (PMTet). The sulfonation of polysulfone was performed with trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate and high degree of sulfonation (140%) was obtained. The homopolymers and composite membranes have been characterized by NMR, FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). 1H‐NMR and FTIR confirmed the sulfonation of PSU and the ionic interaction between sulfonic acid and poly(5‐(methacrylamido)tetrazole) units. TGA showed that the polymer electrolyte membranes are thermally stable up to ∼190°C. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated the homogeneity of the membranes. This result was also supported by the appearance of a single Tg in the DSC curves of the blends. Water uptake and proton conductivity measurements were, as well, carried out. Methanol permeability measurements showed that the composite membranes have similar methanol permeability values with Nafion 112. The maximum proton conductivity of anhydrous SPSU‐PMTet0.5 at 150°C was determined as 2.2 × 10−6 S cm−1 while in humidified conditions at 20°C a value of 6 × 10−3 S cm−1 was found for SPSU‐PMTet2. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40107.
Patterns of connections and movements in dual‐map overlays: A new method of publication portfolio analysis
Authors: Chen Chaomei , Leydesdorff Loet
Published: November 2013

Portfolio analysis of the publication profile of a unit of interest, ranging from individuals and organizations to a scientific field or interdisciplinary programs, aims to inform analysts and decision makers about the position of the unit, where it has been, and where it may go in a complex adaptive environment. A portfolio analysis may aim to identify the gap between the current position of an organization and a goal that it intends to achieve or identify competencies of multiple institutions. We introduce a new visual analytic method for analyzing, comparing, and contrasting characteristics of publication portfolios. The new method introduces a novel design of dual‐map thematic overlays on global maps of science. Each publication portfolio can be added as one layer of dual‐map overlays over 2 related, but distinct, global maps of science: one for citing journals and the other for cited journals. We demonstrate how the new design facilitates a portfolio analysis in terms of patterns emerging from the distributions of citation threads and the dynamics of trajectories as a function of space and time. We first demonstrate the analysis of portfolios defined on a single source article. Then we contrast publication portfolios of multiple comparable units of interest; namely, colleges in universities and corporate research organizations. We also include examples of overlays of scientific fields. We expect that our method will provide new insights to portfolio analysis.
The Landscape of the Liberal Arts
Authors: Roche Mark W.
Published: November 2013

This chapter provides a rationale for the value of a liberal arts education, addressing briefly the recent history of the liberal arts, explaining the value of the liberal arts in diverse educational settings as opposed to simply residential liberal arts colleges, and exploring a contemporary rationale for the liberal arts.
Two‐Year Humanities: “Let Me Count the Ways”
Authors: Altshuler Thelma
Published: November 2013

With flexibility and humor, it is (often) possible to bridge the gap between the lofty goals of the typical humanities syllabus and the expectations of current nontraditional students.
Loving All Your Neighbors: Why Community Colleges Need the Academic Study of Religion
Authors: Maley Melissa
Published: November 2013

This chapter explains how the study of world religions prepares the community college student to become a better citizen, worker, and neighbor. The effective middle between the pitfalls of religious relativism and religious dominance in a world religions classroom is central to this discussion of teaching critical thinking, empathy, and cross‐cultural communication.
How Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts Programs Prepare Students for the Workforce and for Life
Authors: Nutting Maureen Murphy
Published: November 2013

Although science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and vocational training programs are presented as today's community college students' gateway to entry‐level positions in the workforce, liberal arts instruction plays a critical role in their training, by providing these students the skills that many employers require and that make them competitive workers, ready to live full lives. These are the requisite skills, and this chapter describes some of the ways certain liberal arts programs help community college students develop and refine them.
A 21st‐Century Humanities for the Community College
Authors: Alford Barry , Elden Lucia
Published: November 2013

This essay examines not only the role the humanities play in the community college curriculum but also how our approach to and understanding of the humanities must change. The defense of a 21st‐century humanities has to begin in the experience of our students and not in the traditional canons of our disciplines.
Aspartate‐containing neurons of the brainstem and rostral spinal cord of the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus: Distribution and comparison with γ‐aminobutyric acid
Authors: Villar‐Cerviño Verona , Fernández‐López Blanca , Celina Rodicio María , Anadón Ramón
Published: November 2013

The amino acid L‐aspartate (ASP) is one of the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain, but its distribution in other vertebrates has not yet been well characterized. We investigated the distribution of ASP in the brainstem and rostral spinal cord of the adult sea lamprey by using ASP immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that ASP is accumulated in specific neurons, but not in glia (tanycytes). ASP‐immunoreactive neuronal populations were rather similar as the glutamatergic populations reported in the adult sea lamprey (Villar‐Cerviño et al. [2013] J Comp Neurol 521:522–557), although some important differences were noted. Characteristically, the largest reticular neurons of the lamprey brainstem (Müller cells) showed ASP immunoreactivity in perikarya and processes, in contrast to the absence or faint glutamate immunoreactivity reported in these perikarya. We also compared the distribution of ASP and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in brainstem neurons by using double immunofluorescence methods. In regions such as the midbrain tectum, dorsal isthmus, and motor nuclei, ASP and GABA immunoreactivity was mostly located in different neurons, whereas in other nuclei (torus semicircularis, octavolateralis area, parvocellular reticular formation), many of the ASP‐immunonegative neurons displayed colocalization with GABA. These results, together with those of our previous studies of colocalization of glutamate and GABA, suggest that some lamprey neurons may co‐release both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the pathways of uptake and release of ASP by ASP‐immunoreactive neurons. Our results indicate that ASP is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system representative of agnathans, the earliest vertebrate group. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1209–1231, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trigeminal intersubnuclear neurons: Morphometry and input‐dependent structural plasticity in adult rats
Authors: Martin Yasmina B. , Negredo Pilar , Villacorta‐Atienza Jose A. , Avendaño Carlos
Published: November 2013

Intersubnuclear neurons in the caudal division of the spinal trigeminal nucleus that project to the principal nucleus (Pr5) play an active role in shaping the receptive fields of other neurons, at different levels in the ascending sensory system that processes information originating from the vibrissae. By using retrograde labeling and digital reconstruction, we investigated the morphometry and topology of the dendritic trees of these neurons and the changes induced by long‐term experience‐dependent plasticity in adult male rats. Primary afferent input was either eliminated by transection of the right infraorbital nerve (IoN), or selectively altered by repeated whisker clipping on the right side. These neurons do not display asymmetries between sides in basic metric and topologic parameters (global number of trees, nodes, spines, or dendritic ends), although neurons on the left tend to have longer terminal segments. Ipsilaterally, both deafferentation (IoN transection) and deprivation (whisker trimming) reduced the density of spines, and the former also caused a global increase in total dendritic length and a relative increase in more complex arbors. Contralaterally, deafferentation reduced more complex dendritic trees, and caused a moderate decline in dendritic length and spatial reach, and a loss of spines in number and density. Deprivation caused a similar, but more profound, effect on spines. Our findings provide original quantitative descriptions of a scarcely known cell population, and show that denervation‐ or deprivation‐derived plasticity is expressed not only by neurons at higher levels of the sensory pathways, but also by neurons in key subcortical circuits for sensory processing. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1597–1617, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What do the data show? Knowledge map development for comprehensive environmental assessment
Authors: Painter Kyle , McConnell Emma R , Sahasrabudhe Samir , Burgoon Lyle , Powers Christina M
Published: November 2013

Environmental and human health risk assessments benefit from using data that cross multiple scientific domains. Although individual data points may often be readily understood, the total picture can be difficult to envision. This is especially true with gaps in the data (e.g., with emerging substances such as engineered nanomaterials [ENM]), such that simply presenting only known information can result in a skewed picture. This study describes a method for building knowledge maps (KM) to visually summarize factors relevant to risk assessment in a relatively easy to interpret format. The KMs were created in the context of the comprehensive environmental assessment (CEA) approach for research planning and risk management of environmental contaminants. Recent applications of CEA to emerging substances such as engineered nanomaterials that have numerous data gaps have suggested that a more visually based depiction of information would improve the approach. We developed KM templates as a pilot project, to represent pertinent aspects of conceptual domains, and to highlight gaps in available information for one particular portion of a specific CEA application: the comparison of environmental transport, transformation, and fate of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and decabromodiphenyl ether as flame retardants. The results are 3 KM templates representing Physical Properties, Transport, and Transformation. The 3 templates were applied to both substances, resulting in a total of 6 KMs. In addition to presenting the KMs, this paper details the process used to generate them, to aid KM development for other sections of CEA applied to MWCNTs, or to apply the process to new CEA applications. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:37–47. © 2013 SETAC
The effect of graphene substrate on osteoblast cell adhesion and proliferation
Authors: Aryaei Ashkan , Jayatissa Ahalapitiya H. , Jayasuriya Ambalangodage C.
Published: November 2013

Understanding the effect of graphene substrate on graphene–cell interaction is important for considering graphene as a potential candidate for biomedical applications. In this article, biocompatibility of few layers of graphene film transferred to different substrates was evaluated using osteoblasts. The substrates were oxidized silicon wafer (SiO2/Si stack), soda lime glass, and stainless steel. Chemical vapor deposition method was employed to synthesize graphene on copper substrate using methane and hydrogen as precursors. The quality and the thickness of graphene films on different substrates were estimated by Raman spectra, whereas the thickness of graphene film was confirmed by reflectance and transmittance spectroscopy. The study was also focused on cell attachment and morphology at two time points. The results show that graphene does not have any toxic effect on osteoblasts. The cell adhesion improves with graphene coated substrate than the substrate alone. It seems that graphene substrate properties play a dominant role in cell adhesion. The result of this study suggests that a layer of graphene on bone implants will be beneficial for osteoblast attachment and proliferation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3282–3290, 2014.
Modern Friedel–Crafts Chemistry. Part 37. Efficient Syntheses of Some New Julolidines via Cyclialkylations of Heteroaryl Carbinols
Authors: Abd El‐Aal Hassan A. K. , Khalaf Ali A , El‐Khawaga Ahmed M. A
Published: November 2013

A simple and convenient procedure for the synthesis of some novel alkyl‐substituted and aryl‐substituted julolidines is reported. Julolidines were smoothly synthesized in excellent isolated yields via Friedel–Crafts intramolecular alkylations of heteroarylalkanols in the presence of both Brønsted (PPA) and Lewis (AlCl3/CH3NO2) acid catalysts. The precursors alkanols, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, were readily prepared both by reaction of selectively synthesized carboxylic acid esters and ketones with different Grignard reagents and also by reduction of the synthesized ketones with LAH. A plausible carbocation mechanism is proposed to account for the results. The structures of the compounds are established using both spectral and analytical data.
Improved Negishi Cross‐Coupling Reactions of an Organozinc Reagent Derived from l‐Aspartic Acid with Monohalopyridines
Authors: Usuki Toyonobu , Yanuma Hiroto , Hayashi Takahiro , Yamada Haruka , Suzuki Noriyuki , Masuyama Yoshiro
Published: November 2013

The Negishi cross‐coupling reaction of an organozinc derivative prepared from protected l‐aspartic acid with monohalopyridines was improved by employing a combination catalyst of Pd2(dba)3 and P(2‐furyl)3 and removing an extra Zn from the organozinc reagent via centrifugation. The reactivity of halogenated pyridines (Cl, Br, I) with substituents at the C2, C3, and C4 positions of the pyridine ring was investigated, and it was found that the use of 4‐iodopyridine as a substrate gave the best yield (90%) for the cross‐coupling reaction.
Effect of a hospitalist‐run postdischarge clinic on outcomes
Authors: Burke Robert E. , Whitfield Emily , Prochazka Allan V.
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

New post‐discharge strategies to reduce adverse events are needed.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether follow‐up in a hospitalist‐run post‐discharge clinic (PDC) decreases post‐discharge adverse events when compared to follow‐up in a primary care clinic (PCP) or urgent care clinic (UC).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using propensity scoring in multivariate analysis.

PATIENTS

Consecutive Veterans discharged home after a nonscheduled admission seen in PDC, UC, or PCP within 30 days of discharge.

INTERVENTIONS

Recently discharged patients are seen by housestaff who cared for them during the index admission and staffed with a rotating hospitalist in PDC; UC and PCP patients are seen by housestaff or attending ambulatory physicians.

MAIN MEASURES

The primary outcome was a composite of hospital readmissions, Emergency Department visits, and mortality 30 days after discharge.

KEY RESULTS

5085 patients met criteria; 538 followed up in PDC (10.6%), 1848 with their PCP (36.3%), and 2699 in UC (53.1%). Patients following up in PDC were older and had a higher comorbidity burden. ICU exposure was similar between groups. Patients seen in PDC had shorter length of stay (LOS) (PDC, 3.8 days, UC, 5.0 days, PCP, 6.2 days; p = 0.04) and time to first post‐discharge visit (PDC, 5.0 days, UC, 9.4 days, PCP, 13.7 days; p < 0.01). There were no differences between groups in the primary outcome in unadjusted or propensity‐adjusted multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients seen in a hospitalist‐run PDC had similar 30‐day post‐discharge adverse outcome rates despite a 2.4‐day shorter LOS compared to patients seen by their PCP. Prospective testing of PDCs is warranted. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:7–12. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Large scale screening of human sera for HCV RNA and GBV‐C RNA
Authors: Keys Jessica R. , Leone Peter A. , Eron Joseph J. , Alexander Kelcie , Brinson Myra , Swanstrom Ronald
Published: November 2013

North Carolina locates acute HIV cases by pooled nucleic acid testing of HIV‐antibody negative serum samples. Here, 224 pools of 80 HIV‐negative samples (N = 17,920) were screened for viral RNA from HCV, GBV‐C, and influenza A. No evidence of influenza A was found, but HCV and GBV‐C were common (1.2% and 1.7% prevalence, respectively), demonstrating the utility of pooled testing in locating individuals that may remain undiagnosed otherwise. By sequencing positive pools, potential transmission clusters may be located as well. J. Med. Virol. 86:473–477, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proteomics methods to study methionine oxidation
Authors: Ghesquière Bart , Gevaert Kris
Published: November 2013

The oxidation and consequent reduction of protein‐bound methionine residues is of great interest in understanding different aspects of how oxidative stress affects protein functions and cellular signaling. To date, few technologies are available for the study of methionine sulfoxides. And, especially the absence of highly specific antibodies has impeded the field in understanding the exact role of methionine oxidation on a proteome‐wide level. Nonetheless, the different models where the responsible enzymes for repair of the oxidized methionines have been studied show that there is an important role for this modification in a cellular context. We here review different mass spectrometry based and proteomics methods for characterizing in vivo methionine oxidation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 33: 147–156, 2014.
Whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (WB‐MRI) as surveillance for subsequent malignancies in survivors of hereditary retinoblastoma: A pilot study
Authors: Friedman Danielle Novetsky , Lis Eric , Sklar Charles A. , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Reppucci Marina , Fleischut Megan Harlan , Francis Jasmine H. , Marr Brian , Abramson David H , Dunkel Ira J
Published: November 2013

Background

Individuals with hereditary retinoblastoma (RB) are at very high risk of developing subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) of which osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common. We hypothesized that annual surveillance using whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging (WB‐MRI) in asymptomatic survivors of hereditary RB would detect SMN of the bone and soft tissues at an early stage.

Procedure

Retrospective review of the results of a WB‐MRI screening program in hereditary RB survivors from February 2008 to August 2012. The primary outcome was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of WB‐MRI in detecting SMNs.

Results

Twenty‐five patients had at least one WB‐MRI performed (range: 1–5). First WB‐MRI was performed at a median age of 16 years (range: 8–25 years). WB‐MRI detected new osseous abnormalities suspicious for malignancy in five patients: two were diagnosed with localized high‐grade OS of the extremity and three were found to have benign osseous abnormalities after dedicated imaging (n = 5/5) and/or biopsy (n = 3/5). One patient was diagnosed with secondary OS 3 months after a normal screening WB‐MRI exam. Among a total of 41 WB‐MRI screening tests performed in survivors of hereditary RB, the sensitivity of detecting SMN was 66.7% and the specificity was 92.1%.

Conclusions

Preliminary results suggest that annual WB‐MRI surveillance detects SMN in survivors of hereditary RB, but with modest sensitivity. Further study is needed to assess the performance of annual surveillance WB‐MRIs and whether this modality decreases SMN‐related mortality in RB survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1440–1444. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Invisible Higgs decay in a supersymmetric inverse seesaw model with light sneutrino dark matter
Authors: Banerjee Shankha , Dev P. S. Bhupal , Mondal Subhadeep , Mukhopadhyaya Biswarup , Roy Sourov
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Within the framework of a constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (cMSSM) augmented by an MSSM singlet-pair sector to account for the non-zero neutrino masses by inverse seesaw mechanism, the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) can be a mixed sneutrino with mass as small as 50 GeV, satisfying all existing constraints, thus qualifying as a light dark matter candidate. We study the possibility of the lightest neutral Higgs boson in this model decaying invisibly into a pair of sneutrino LSPs, thereby giving rise to novel missing energy signatures at the LHC. We perform a two-parameter global analysis of the LHC Higgs data available till date to determine the optimal invisible Higgs branching fraction in this scenario, and obtain a 2σ (1σ) upper limit of 0.25 (0.15). A detailed cut-based analysis is carried out thereafter, demonstrating the viability of our proposed signal vis-a-vis backgrounds at the LHC.
Facilitating Emergent Change in a Healthcare Setting
Authors: Dickens Peter M.
Published: November 2013

During my doctoral research, I identified new ways of thinking about complexity in organizations. This involved embracing the capacity of complex systems to find their own form of order and coherence, often referred to as self-organization, and then asking the question, “What can organizational leaders do to create the systems and structures that would facilitate emergent change?” Emergent change comes from within and through the active members of a system and not according to some external prompting or design. This results in the sort of change capacity that enables an organization to be agile and resilient through a high level of employee engagement. The question was answered by identifying and validating organizational-specific factors that facilitate emergent change.
Pursuing Enterprise Risk Management: A Local Road Map for Canadian Healthcare Leaders
Authors: Haney James R. , Church John , Cockerill Rhonda
Published: November 2013

An in-depth analysis of organizational risk management in healthcare, and in particular the concepts of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), has identified a 5-part model that can be used by Canadian healthcare leaders as an evidence-supported approach to successful organizational risk management. The Model for Organizational Risk Management, termed “the Model,” has been developed as a basis for linking the components of an ERM Framework into a Canadian health organization to overcome the barriers that commonly disrupt strategic risk management. The Model addresses how an ERM Framework can fit within an existing health organization by building off and enhancing existing processes and resources to ensure familiarity, acceptance, and sustainability of the risk management program. By approaching the Model in a stepwise fashion (based on individual organizational context), healthcare leaders are provided with a road map from which to advance their own organizational risk management program.
The Relationship between Canadian Nurses and Hospital Management: A Snapshot from 50 Years Ago
Authors: Sibbald Shannon , Graham Ross , Sylvester Shannon
Published: November 2013

Nurses and management are partners in hospital service delivery. Currently, there are gaps in understanding what fosters this partnership and how it has changed over time. This research investigated the topics that punctuated the nurse-manager relationship from 50 years ago, from the viewpoint of Canadian hospital management. A content review was conducted on the 1962 issues of the “national professional publication for hospital management.” Five dominant themes are reported and discussed.
Transient dispersion regimes
Authors: Holleman Rusty C. , Stacey Mark T.
Published: November 2013

Characterizing scalar dispersion is a key concern in a wide variety of applications, including both steady-state and time-dependent studies of wastewater outfalls, salinity distribution in estuaries, and the spreading of pollutants from industrial spills. As the size of a scalar plume grows with respect to the size of the containing water body, the effective dispersion varies, from the well-known ${ \sigma }_{x}^{2} \sim {t}^{3} $ behaviour for a plume enveloped in a region of linear shear, to the ${ \sigma }_{x}^{2} \sim t$ behaviour at the limit of a laterally well-mixed plume. We introduce an additional regime in which the plume extends across the full range of the available shear, but is not significantly affected by the lateral bounds of the water body. Through an analytic treatment we show that this regime exhibits a ${ \sigma }_{x}^{2} \sim {t}^{2} $ behaviour, independent of lateral mixing coefficient. Particle tracking results in an idealized, tidal channel–shoal basin demonstrate this regime as particle clouds straddle the channel–shoal interface. Quantitative analysis of spatial moments as plumes transition between regimes show good correlation between the observed parameters and parameters predicted by the analytic framework.
Food restriction by intermittent fasting induces diabetes and obesity and aggravates spontaneous atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolaemic mice
Authors: Dorighello Gabriel G. , Rovani Juliana C. , Luhman Christopher J. F. , Paim Bruno A. , Raposo Helena F. , Vercesi Anibal E. , Oliveira Helena C. F.
Published: November 2013

Different regimens of food restriction have been associated with protection against obesity, diabetes and CVD. In the present study, we hypothesised that food restriction would bring benefits to atherosclerosis- and diabetes-prone hypercholesterolaemic LDL-receptor knockout mice. For this purpose, 2-month-old mice were submitted to an intermittent fasting (IF) regimen (fasting every other day) over a 3-month period, which resulted in an overall 20 % reduction in food intake. Contrary to our expectation, epididymal and carcass fat depots and adipocyte size were significantly enlarged by 15, 72 and 68 %, respectively, in the IF mice compared with thead libitum-fed mice. Accordingly, plasma levels of leptin were 50 % higher in the IF mice than in thead libitum-fed mice. In addition, the IF mice showed increased plasma levels of total cholesterol (37 %), VLDL-cholesterol (195 %) and LDL-cholesterol (50 %). As expected, in wild-type mice, the IF regimen decreased plasma cholesterol levels and epididymal fat mass. Glucose homeostasis was also disturbed by the IF regimen in LDL-receptor knockout mice. Elevated levels of glycaemia (40 %), insulinaemia (50 %), glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were observed in the IF mice. Systemic inflammatory markers, TNF-α and C-reactive protein, were significantly increased and spontaneous atherosclerosis development were markedly increased (3-fold) in the IF mice. In conclusion, the IF regimen induced obesity and diabetes and worsened the development of spontaneous atherosclerosis in LDL-receptor knockout mice. Although being efficient in a wild-type background, this type of food restriction is not beneficial in the context of genetic hypercholesterolaemia.
Locomotion, cognition and influences of nutrition in ageing
Authors: Ayers Emmeline , Verghese Joe
Published: November 2013

Gait and cognitive impairments in older adults can reflect the simultaneous existence of two syndromes that affect certain brain substrates and pathologies. Nutritional deficiencies, which are extremely common among elderly population worldwide, have potential to impact the existence and rehabilitation of both syndromes. Gait and cognition are controlled by brain circuits which are vulnerable to multiple age-related pathologies such as vascular diseases, inflammation and dementias that may be caused or accentuated by poor nutrition or deficiencies that lead to cognitive, gait or combined cognitive and gait impairments. The following review aims to link gait and cognitive classifications and provide an overview of the potential impact of nutritional deficiencies on both neurological and gait dysfunctions. The identification of common modifiable risk factors, such as poor nutrition, may serve as an important preventative strategy to reduce cognitive and mobility impairments and moderate the growing burden of dementia and disability worldwide.
Offspring death and subsequent psychiatric morbidity in bereaved parents: addressing mechanisms in a total population cohort
Authors: Ljung T. , Sandin S. , Långström N. , Runeson B. , Lichtenstein P. , Larsson H.
Published: November 2013

Background

It is unclear if psychiatric morbidity among parents bereaved of a child is related to major loss in general or if the cause of death matters. Whether such a link is consistent with a causal explanation also remains uncertain.

Method

We identified 3 114 564 parents through linkage of Swedish nationwide registers. Risk of psychiatric hospitalization was assessed with log-linear Poisson regression and family-based analyses were used to explore familial confounding.

Results

A total of 3284 suicides and 14 095 any-cause deaths were identified in offspring between 12 and 25 years of age. Parents exposed to offspring suicide had considerably higher risk of subsequent psychiatric hospitalization than unexposed parents [relative risk (RR) 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.72–2.09], higher than parents exposed to offspring non-suicide death relative to controls (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11–1.26). We found no risk increase among stepfathers differentially exposed to biologically unrelated stepchildren's death or suicide, and the relative risk was notably lower among full siblings differentially exposed to offspring death or suicide.

Conclusions

Parental psychiatric hospitalization following offspring death was primarily found in offspring suicide. Familial (e.g. shared genetic) effects seemed important, judging from both lack of psychiatric hospitalization in bereaved stepfathers and attenuated risk when bereaved parents were contrasted to their non-bereaved siblings. We conclude that offspring suicide does not ‘cause’ psychiatric hospitalization in bereaved parents.
MxB/Mx2: the latest piece in HIV's interferon puzzle
Authors: Fackler Oliver T , Keppler Oliver T
Published: November 2013

Three groups have recently shown in Nature and Cell Host & Microbe that MxB/Mx2 is an interferon‐inducible HIV restriction factor, adding to the innate arsenal of the cell against the virus and paving the way for the possible development of new antiviral strategies.
O
2
Dissociation Rates O2-Ar Mixtures
Authors: Camac Morton , Vaughan Arthur
Published: November 2013

Experimental measurements of the O2 dissociation rate in shock-heated oxygen-argon mixtures were obtained with the ultraviolet light absorption technique described in the preceding article. The dissociation rate constant kAr for the reaction O2+Ar→O+O+Ar can be fit over the temperature range from 3400 °K to 7500 °K by the theoretical formula kAr = C(D/RT)n−12 exp(−D/RT), where C = 6.0×101±20% cc/mole-sec and n = 1.5±0.2. 0 = 5.116 ev is the oxygen dissociation energy; R is the gas constant; and T is the temperature. This result is compared with the classical collision theory and the theories of Wigner and Keck. The rates for the dissociation of O2 by O and O2 were also determined; compared to the argon rate constant kO≈25kAr, kO2⪅3kAr Our experimental results are compared with those of Byron and Matthews. The relaxation times for dissociation and vibration are observed to be comparable at about 8000 °K. The experimental data indicate that the dissociation rate above 8000 °K is at least a factor of two less than the expected rate when the vibration is not in equilibrium (the vibrational temperature being less than the translational temperature) during dissociation.
Sulfur vacancies in monolayer MoS2 and its electrical contacts
Authors: Liu D. , Guo Y. , Fang L. , Robertson J.
Published: November 2013

The use of reactive electropositive metal contacts is proposed to lower contact resistance in MoS2 devices, based on calculations of the sulfur vacancy in MoS2 by the screened exchange (sX) hybrid functional. sX gives band gaps of 1.88 eV and 1.34 eV for monolayer and bulk MoS2. The S vacancy has a formation energy of 2.35 eV in S-rich conditions, while the Mo vacancy has a large formation energy of 8.02 eV in Mo-rich conditions. The S vacancy introduces defect levels 0/−1 at 1.23 eV and −1/−2 at 1.28 eV in the upper gap. Its formation energy becomes small or negative for EF near the conduction band edge, leading to EF pinning near the conduction band for reactive metal contacts and lower contact resistances.
The characteristic of elongated Coulomb-blockade regions in a Si quantum-dot device coupled via asymmetric tunnel barriers
Authors: Lee Sejoon , Lee Youngmin , Song Emil B. , Hiramoto Toshiro
Published: November 2013

We investigate the peculiar electrical characteristics of Si quantum-dot devices coupled with asymmetric source/drain tunnel barriers. When the thick and thin tunnel barriers connect the quantum-dot to the source and drain, respectively, an elongated Coulomb-blockade region is created and enables a precise, reliable, and systematic control of both Coulomb-blockade oscillation and negative-differential-conductance oscillation by means of bias voltages. The distinctive phenomenon is attributed to the renormalization of the electron charging energy requirements for the Coulomb blockade. In-depth analyses on the transport characteristics and transport mechanisms are discussed.
Two-dimensional core-softened model with water like properties: Monte Carlo and integral equation study
Authors: Urbic Tomaz
Published: November 2013

Monte Carlo simulations and integral equation theory were used to study the thermodynamics and structure of particles interacting through the smooth version of Stell-Hemmer interaction. We checked the possibility that a fluid with a core-softened potential reproduces anomalies of liquid water such as the density anomaly, the minimum in the isothermal compressibility as a function of temperature, and others. Critical points of the fluid were also determined. We showed that a potential with two characteristic distances is sufficient for the system to exhibit water-like behavior and anomalies, including the famous density maximum. We also showed that some versions of the integral equation theory completely fail to predict structure of such system, while others only predict it qualitatively.
Excitation of trapped modes from a metasurface composed of only Z-shaped meta-atoms
Authors: Dhouibi Abdallah , Nawaz Burokur Shah , Lupu Anatole , de Lustrac André , Priou Alain
Published: November 2013

A printed planar Z-shaped meta-atom has recently been proposed as an alternative design to the conventional electric-LC resonator for achieving negative permittivity. Transforming the LC topology of the resonator helps to facilitate transposition of geometrical parameters for the optical regime and also to improve the metamaterial homogeneity. In this work, we discuss about the excitation of a dark or trapped mode in such Z-shaped meta-atom. The electromagnetic behavior of the meta-atom has been investigated through both simulations and experiments in the microwave regime. Our results show that the Z meta-atom exhibits a trapped mode resonance. Depending on the orientation of the polarized electromagnetic field with respect to the Z atom topology and the incident plane, the excitation of the dark mode can lead either to a narrowband resonance in reflection or to a very asymmetric Fano-like resonance in transmission, analog of electromagnetically induced transparency. Compared to other structures, the Z meta-atom presents the advantage of having the dark mode resonance spectrally spaced with respect to the bright mode resonances, which could simplify the observation of the dark mode at much shorter wavelengths.
Pinhole free thin film CdS deposited by chemical bath using a substrate reactive plasma treatment
Authors: Lisco F. , Abbas A. , Maniscalco B. , Kaminski P. M. , Losurdo M. , Bass K. , Claudio G. , Walls J. M.
Published: November 2013

Achieving a pinhole-free CdS layer is necessary to produce high performance thin film CdTe solar cells. Pinholes in the CdS layer can compromise the efficiency of a CdTe solar cell by causing shunts. We have investigated the use of a plasma treatment of a fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrate (NSG TEC 15) and its effect on pinhole reduction in thin film CdS layers grown by Chemical Bath Deposition. CdS films, <100 nm thickness, were deposited on both O2/Ar plasma cleaned and conventionally cleaned substrates. We show that the O2/Ar plasma treatment of the TEC 15 substrate reduced the water contact angle from ∼55° to less than 12° indicating a substantial increase in the surface energy. The CdS deposited on the plasma treated TEC 15 was pinhole free, very smooth and homogenous in morphology and composition. Scanning electron microscopy images show that the O2/Ar plasma treatment is effective in increasing film density and grain size. Corresponding spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements show an increase in the refractive index from 2.18 to 2.43 at 550 nm wavelength.
Tunneling magnetoresistance effect in MnGa based perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction with Fe/Co interlayer
Authors: Ma Qinli , Mizukami Shigemi , Kubota Takahide , Zhang Xianmin , Sugihara Atsushi , Naganuma Hiroshi , Oogane Mikihiko , Ando Yasuo , Miyazaki Terunobu
Published: November 2013

In order to enhance the magnetoresistance (MR) of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJs) based on MnGa alloys, a single ferromagnetic layer such as Fe and Co was previously inserted between MnGa and MgO barrier. In this study, to further enhance the spin-filter effect, we introduced a Fe/Co bilayer as an interlayer in the MnGa/MgO interface. Compared to the single Co interlayer, an apparent MR ratio enhancement was obtained when Fe layer thickness was around 0.3 nm for pMTJs with MnGa compositions of Mn57Ga43, Mn62Ga38, and Mn70Ga30, and the maximum MR ratio reaches 50% at room temperature. In addition, inverted magnetoresistance loops were observed due to the antiparallel alignment of the magnetic moments of Co and MnGa layers separated by the thin Fe layer.
Analysis of electronic structure of amorphous InGaZnO/SiO2 interface by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Ueoka Y. , Ishikawa Y. , Maejima N. , Matsui F. , Matsui H. , Yamazaki H. , Urakawa S. , Horita M. , Daimon H. , Uraoka Y.
Published: November 2013

The electronic structures of amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) on a SiO2 layers before and after annealing were observed by constant final state X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (CFS-XPS) and X-ray adsorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES). From the results of angle-resolved CFS-XPS, the change in the electronic state was clearly observed in the a-IGZO bulk rather than in the a-IGZO/SiO2 interface. This suggests that the electronic structures of the a-IGZO bulk strongly affected the thin-film transistor characteristics. The results of XANES indicated an increase in the number of tail states upon atmospheric annealing (AT). We consider that the increase in the number of tail states decreased the channel mobility of AT samples.
Interspecific hybridisation in tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala, Myrtaceae): a conservation management issue?
Authors: Wheeler Rachael , Nevill Paul G. , Renton Michael , Krauss Siegfried L.
Published: November 2013

The anthropogenic movement of Eucalyptus species beyond their natural distributions is increasing the opportunity for interspecific hybridisation. The conservation implications arising from hybridisation between indigenous and introduced eucalypt species in modified urban landscapes is an increasingly important management issue that requires an assessment of risk. It has been claimed that much of the tuart (Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC., Myrtaceae) seed in Kings Park, a large urban bushland remnant in Perth, Western Australia, is of hybrid origin with introduced eastern Australian eucalypts, and especially with E. cladocalyx. Using molecular markers, we tested this claim and determined whether hybridisation in tuart is a conservation management issue in Kings Park, as well as the adjacent Bold Park. Eight microsatellite markers were used to genotype 220 open-pollinated tuart seedlings from 19 families. Allele frequency estimates for tuart were generated by genotyping 42 mature tuart trees. Forty-four trees of four alternative species thought to be capable of hybridising with tuart in these parks, including two non-indigenous species, E. cladocalyx and E. camaldulensis, and two indigenous species, E. decipiens and E. rudis, were also genotyped. Pairwise FST between tuart and each alternative species for these markers ranged from 0.105 to 0.204. A hybrid-index analysis of seedling genotypes showed no significant evidence for hybridisation, and no alternative species private alleles (n = 35) were found in any tuart offspring genotypes. A likelihood analysis showed that the maximum likelihood of observing no private alleles of the alternative species in the progeny occurred at a hybridisation frequency of zero for all four alternative species. We conclude that hybridisation between tuart and non-indigenous species is not currently a conservation management issue in Kings Park and Bold Park. Rather, the invasion of pure non-indigenous species, and in particular E. cladocalyx, as weeds into bushland is of greater management concern.
Impact of community participation in primary health care: what is the evidence?
Authors: Bath Jessamy , Wakerman John
Published: November 2013

Community participation is a foundational principle of primary health care, with widely reputed benefits including improved health outcomes, equity, service access, relevance, acceptability, quality and responsiveness. Despite considerable rhetoric surrounding community participation, evidence of the tangible impact of community participation is unclear. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to locate and evaluate evidence of the impact of community participation in primary health care on health outcomes. The findings reveal a small but substantial body of evidence that community participation is associated with improved health outcomes. There is a limited body of evidence that community participation is associated with intermediate outcomes such as service access, utilisation, quality and responsiveness that ultimately contribute to health outcomes. Policy makers should strengthen policy and funding support for participatory mechanisms in primary health care, an important component of which is ongoing support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services as exemplars of community participation in Australia. Primary health-care organisations and service providers are encouraged to consider participatory mechanisms where participation is an engaged and developmental process and people are actively involved in determining priorities and implementing solutions.
Barriers and enablers to good communication and information-sharing practices in care planning for chronic condition management
Authors: Lawn Sharon , Delany Toni , Sweet Linda , Battersby Malcolm , Skinner Timothy
Published: November 2013

Our aim was to document current communication and information-sharing practices and to identify the barriers and enablers to good practices within the context of care planning for chronic condition management. Further aims were to make recommendations about how changes to policy and practice can improve communication and information sharing in primary health care. A mixed-method approach was applied to seek the perspectives of patients and primary health-care workers across Australia. Data was collected via interviews, focus groups, non-participant observations and a national survey. Data analysis was performed using a mix of thematic, discourse and statistical approaches. Central barriers to effective communication and information sharing included fragmented communication, uncertainty around client and interagency consent, and the unacknowledged existence of overlapping care plans. To be most effective, communication and information sharing should be open, two-way and inclusive of all members of health-care teams. It must also only be undertaken with the appropriate participant consent, otherwise this has the potential to cause patients harm. Improvements in care planning as a communication and information-sharing tool may be achieved through practice initiatives that reflect the rhetoric of collaborative person-centred care, which is already supported through existing policy in Australia. General practitioners and other primary care providers should operationalise care planning, and the expectation of collaborative and effective communication of care that underpins it, within their practice with patients and all members of the care team. To assist in meeting these aims, we make several recommendations.
pyGCluster, a novel hierarchical clustering approach
Authors: Jaeger Daniel , Barth Johannes , Niehues Anna , Fufezan Christian
Published: November 2013

Summary: pyGCluster is a clustering algorithm focusing on noise injection for subsequent cluster validation. The reproducibility of a large amount of clusters obtained with agglomerative hierarchical clustering is assessed. Furthermore, a multitude of different distance-linkage combinations are evaluated. Finally, highly reproducible clusters are meta-clustered into communities. Graphical illustration of the results as node and expression maps is implemented.

Availability and implementation: pyGCluster requires Python 2.7, it is freely available at http://pyGCluster.github.io and published under MIT license. Dependencies are NumPy, SciPy and optionally fastcluster and rpy2.

Contact:  christan@fufezan.net

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data is available at Bioinformatics online and at http://pyGCluster.github.io
Disorder, Discipline, and Naval Reform in Mid-Eighteenth-Century Britain
Authors: Kinkel Sarah
Published: November 2013

Historians have considered a series of reforms in the mid-1740s to mark a turning-point between British naval failure and British naval success; they have argued that these reforms were commonsensical, and motivated by purely naval concerns. In contrast, this article argues that the form and function of the mid-century Navy were deeply contentious matters with serious ideological implications. The reforms instituted a new professional naval culture based on order, discipline, and obedience and were motivated at least as much by political concerns as by naval. Those who supported these naval reforms also wanted to see similar hierarchical and authoritarian values enforced in imperial governance and in domestic socio-political hierarchies. Those who opposed the reforms did so from fears that a professional Navy would be turned inward on British civilians and would unbalance the constitution by over-strengthening the executive. Rather than a military composed of disciplined professionals, they advocated more widespread civilian participation in both military and political affairs. Contemporary Britons believed that the Navy represented a microcosm of the social order, and they projected their idealised versions of the Anglo-imperial polity onto naval debates.