bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steric and electronic interactions controlling the cis/trans isomer equilibrium at X‐pro tertiary amide motifs in solution
Authors: Reddy Damodara N. , Prabhakaran Erode N.
Published: May 2013

A systematic understanding of the noncovalent interactions that influence the structures of the cis conformers and the equilibrium between the cis and the trans conformers, of the X‐Pro tertiary amide motifs, is presented based on analyses of1H‐,13C‐NMR and FTIR absorption spectra of two sets of homologous peptides, X‐Pro‐Aib‐OMe and X‐Pro‐NH‐Me (where X is acetyl, propionyl, isobutyryl and pivaloyl), in solvents of varying polarities. First, this work shows that the cis conformers of any X‐Pro tertiary amide motif, including Piv‐Pro, are accessible in the new motifs X‐Pro‐Aib‐OMe, in solution. These conformers are uniquely observable by FTIR spectroscopy at ambient temperatures and by NMR spectroscopy from temperatures as high as 273 K. This is made possible by the persistent presence of ni‐1→πi* interactions at Aib, which also influence the disappearance of steric effects at these cis X‐Pro rotamers. Second, contrary to conventional understanding, the energy contribution of steric effects to the cis/trans equilibrium at the X‐Pro motifs is found to be nonvariant (0.54 ± 0.02 kcal/mol) with increase in steric bulk on the X group. Third, the current studies provide direct evidence for the weak intramolecular interactions namely the ni‐1→πi*, the NPro•••Hi+1(C5a), and the C7hydrogen bond that operate and influence the structures, stabilities, and dynamics between different conformational states of X‐Pro tertiary amide motifs. NMR and IR spectral data suggest that the cis conformers of X‐Pro motifs are ensembles of short‐lived rotamers about the C′X–NProbond. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 66–77, 2014.
A heterogeneous CPU–GPU parallel approach to a multigrid Poisson solver for incompressible fluid simulation
Authors: Jung Hwi‐Ryong , Kim Sun‐Tae , Noh Junyong , Hong Jeong‐Mo
Published: May 2013

One of the major obstacles in incompressible fluid simulations is the projection step that enforces zero divergence of the velocity field. We propose a novel heterogeneous CPU–GPU parallel multigrid Poisson solver that decomposes the high‐frequency components of the residual field using a wavelet decomposition and conducts an additional smoothing process on them, using the CPU, while the GPU is performing projection at the coarsest level. In example animations of smoke and turbulent flow with thermal buoyancy, this additional smoothing improves the accuracy of the parallel multigrid Poisson solver in a single multigrid cycle and reduces the number of multigrid cycles required to reach a specified accuracy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward socially responsible agents: integrating attachment and learning in emotional decision‐making
Authors: Moussa Maher Ben , Magnenat‐Thalmann Nadia
Published: May 2013

Our goal is to create socially responsible agents, either robots or virtual humans. In this paper, we present an integration of emotions, attachment, and learning in emotional decision‐making to achieve this goal. Based on emerging psychological theories, we aim at building human‐like emotional decision‐making, where emotions play a central role in selecting the next action to be performed by the agent. Here, we present our own approach for emotion appraisal where we use emotional attachment as an important impulse for determining the intensities of emotions. Emotions in their turn are used to calculate the emotional attachment toward the users and for learning to predict future consequences. We report on the results of a simulation evaluation where we assess the influence of emotions, attachment, and learning on decision‐making. It is our strong belief that by giving an agent the ability to have emotions and to feel empathy and emotional attachment toward others, we will ultimately give this agent the ability to learn and improve its social behavior skills through interactions with the users and through user feedback. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Control of the Size Distribution of Zirconia Nanoparticles in a Concentric‐Axle Dual‐Pipe Microreactor
Authors: Maki T. , Kitada J.‐I. , Mae K.
Published: May 2013

A dual‐pipe‐type microreactor was applied to the formation of nanoparticles at a very rapid reaction rate. As a representative example, zirconia particles were produced by supplying zirconium tetrabutoxide solutes and alcohol/water mixtures. The effects of the solvent and alcohol types and the residence time on the particle properties were examined. Zirconia particles were produced and grown in an inner fluid, and no precipitation of particles was observed at the wall in the outer fluid. When ethanol was used as a solvent for diluting water, the zirconia particles had a sharp narrow size distribution that could not be attained by means of a conventional batch method. The mean particle size was successfully controlled in the range of 4–600 nm merely by changing the mean residence time and the concentrations of zirconium tetrabutoxide and water in the presence of a dispersant, polyethyleneimine.
Life Cycle Assessment in Chemical and Micro Reaction Engineering
Authors: Zschieschang E. , Pfeifer P. , Schebek L.
Published: May 2013

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has become increasingly popular in chemical industry as a standardized methodology for analysis of the environmental impact of products during their whole life cycle. Changes in process design by novel approaches like micro reaction engineering and the respective influence on the use of life cycle assessment are reviewed. The available literature on LCA in early research and development is comprehensively explored for conventional chemical and micro reaction engineering.
Microreactors and CFD as Tools for Biocatalysis Reactor Design: A case study
Authors: Bodla V. K. , Seerup R. , Krühne U. , Woodley J. M. , Gernaey K. V.
Published: May 2013

Microreactors have been used for acquiring process data while consuming significantly lower amounts of expensive reagents. In this article, the combination of microreactor technology and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is shown to contribute significantly towards understanding the diffusional properties of the substrate and the product of a biocatalytic reaction. Such knowledge is then applied to design reactor configurations. It has been demonstrated that this kind of knowledge is crucial for the choice and design of reactors. In the discussion, it is highlighted how microreactor‐based platforms with similar dimensions to the ones tested here can be used as a screening tool for screening biocatalyst and process alternatives.
Spatial organization of proteins in metastasizing cells
Authors: Rönnlund Daniel , Gad Annica K. B. , Blom Hans , Aspenström Pontus , Widengren Jerker
Published: May 2013

The ability of tumor cells to invade into the surrounding tissue is linked to defective adhesive and mechanical properties of the cells, which are regulated by cell surface adhesions and the intracellular filamentous cytoskeleton, respectively. With the aim to further reveal the underlying mechanisms and provide new strategies for early cancer diagnostics, we have used ultrahigh resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy as a means to identify metastasizing cells, based on their subcellular protein distribution patterns reflecting their specific adhesive and mechanical properties. We have compared the spatial distribution of cell‐matrix adhesion sites and the vimentin filamentous systems in a matched pair of primary, normal, and metastatic human fibroblast cells. We found that the metastatic cells showed significantly increased densities and more homogenous distributions of nanoscale adhesion‐related particles. Moreover, they showed an increase in the number but reduced sizes of the areas of cell‐matrix adhesion complexes. The organization of the vimentin intermediate filaments was also found to be significantly different in the metastasizing cells, showing an increased entanglement and loss of directionality. Image analysis procedures were established, allowing an objective detection and characterization of these features and distinction of metastatic cells from their normal counterparts. In conclusion, our results suggest that STED microscopy provides a novel tool to identify metastasizing cells from a very sparse number of cells, based on the altered spatial distribution of the cell‐matrix adhesions and intermediate filaments.
The influence of vegetation on the hydrodynamics and geomorphology of a tree island in Everglades National Park (Florida, United States)
Authors: Sullivan Pamela L. , Engel Vic , Ross Michael S. , Price René M.
Published: May 2013

Transpiration‐driven nutrient accumulation has been identified as a potential mechanism governing the creation and maintenance of wetland vegetation patterning. This process may contribute to the formation of nutrient‐rich tree islands within the expansive oligotrophic marshes of the Everglades (Florida, United States). This study presents hydrogeochemical data indicating that tree root water uptake is a primary driver of groundwater ion accumulation across one of these islands. Sap flow, soil moisture, water level, water chemistry, and rainfall were measured to identify the relationships between climate, transpiration, and groundwater uptake by phreatophytes and to examine the effect this uptake has on groundwater chemistry and mineral formation in three woody plant communities of differing elevations. During the dry season, trees relied more on groundwater for transpiration, which led to a depressed water table and the advective movement of groundwater and dissolved ions, including phosphorus, from the surrounding marsh towards the centre of the island. Ion exclusion during root water uptake led to elevated concentrations of all major dissolved ions in the tree island groundwater compared with the adjacent marsh. Groundwater was predominately supersaturated with respect to aragonite and calcite in the lower‐elevation woody communities, indicating the potential for soil formation. Elevated groundwater phosphorous concentrations detected in the highest‐elevation woody community were associated with the leaching of inorganic sediments (i.e. hydroxyapatite) in the vadose zone. Understanding the complex feedback mechanisms regulating plant/groundwater/surface water interactions, nutrient dynamics, and potential soil formation is necessary to manage and restore patterned wetlands such as the Everglades. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrologic variation of stemflow yield across co‐occurring dominant canopy trees of varying mortality
Authors: Frost Ethan E. , Levia Delphis F.
Published: May 2013

Concern over forest dieback due to environmental change and the long residence times of standing dead trees necessitates understanding the impact of forest health on the redistribution of precipitation by forest canopies. Stemflow represents a critical point source input of water and nutrients to forest ecosystems. We investigate the variation in water storage capacity, stemflow volume and stemflow funnelling ratios from two co‐occurring dominant canopy species, Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (American beech) and Liriodendron tulipifera L. (yellow poplar), across three different mortality classes: live, stressed (girdled) and standing dead. Over 25 rainfall events, interspecific differences in stemflow volume distributions were significant over all (U = 45 881, p < 0·0001), leaf‐off (U = 11 285, p < 0·0001) and leaf‐on (U = 11 582, p < 0·0001) events. Stemflow funnelling ratios were greater in F. grandifolia (26·0 ± 1·2) compared with L. tulipifera (4·9 ± 0·4). Minimum precipitation threshold amounts required to initiate stemflow were lower for F. grandifolia compared with L. tulipifera, and lower for live and stressed compared with dead. Mean stemflow volume from both species was 1·5 ± 0·2 l stem−1 event−1 from dead stems, 89·2 ± 7·7 l stem−1 event−1 from stressed stems and 91·3 ± 8·9 l stem−1 event−1 from live stems. The results of this study improve our understanding of the influence of mortality on rainfall partitioning and stemflow fluxes and may give insight into how mortality generating factors such as pest defoliation and climate change may alter stemflow relationships in forested ecosystems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender‐specific transcriptomic response to environmental exposure in flemish adults
Authors: De Coster Sam , van Leeuwen Danitsja M. , Jennen Danyel G.J. , Koppen Gudrun , Den Hond Elly , Nelen Vera , Schoeters Greet , Baeyens Willy , van Delft Joost H.M. , Kleinjans Jos C.S. , van Larebeke Nicolas
Published: May 2013

Flanders, Belgium, is one of the most densely populated areas in Europe. The Flemish Environment and Health Survey (2002–2006) aimed at determining exposure to pollutants of neonates, adolescents, and older adults and to assess associated biological and health effects. This study investigated genome wide gene expression changes associated with a range of environmental pollutants, including cadmium, lead, PCBs, dioxin, hexachlorobenzene, p,p'‐DDE, benzene, and PAHs. Gene expression levels were measured in peripheral blood cells of 20 adults with relatively high and 20 adults with relatively low combined internal exposure levels, all non‐smokers aged 50–65. Pearson correlation was used to analyze associations between pollutants and gene expression levels, separately for both genders. Pollutant‐ and gender‐specific correlation analysis results were obtained. For organochlorine pollutants, analysis within genders revealed that genes were predominantly regulated in opposite directions in males and females. Significantly modulated pathways were found to be associated with each of the exposure biomarkers measured. Pathways and/or genes related to estrogen and STAT5 signaling were correlated to organochlorine exposures in both genders. Our work demonstrates that gene expression in peripheral blood is influenced by environmental pollutants. In particular, gender‐specific changes are associated with organochlorine pollutants, including gender‐specific modulation of endocrine related pathways and genes. These pathways and genes have previously been linked to endocrine disruption related disorders, which in turn have been associated with organochlorine exposure. Based on our results, we recommend that males and females be considered separately when analyzing gene expression changes associated with exposures that may include chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:574‐588, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of PCFC‐Electrolytes Deposited by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering; Comparison with Ceramic Bulk Samples
Authors: Arab Pour Yazdi M. , Briois P. , Georges S. , Costa R. , Billard A.
Published: May 2013

SrZr0.84Y0.16O3–α (SZY16), BaZr0.84Y0.16O3–α (BZY16), BaCe0.8Zr0.1Y0.1O3–α (BCZY10), and BaCe0.90Y0.10O3–α (BCY10) thin films with the thickness of lower than 6 micron are successfully deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering on alumina substrate covered by about 200 nm Pt3Ti collector layer. The corresponding ceramic bulk samples are prepared by solid state reaction. In order to obtain dense BZY16 and BCZY10 samples, 1 wt.% ZnO was added before sintering process.

As deposited films are amorphous and crystallise under the expected crystal structure at different temperatures (e.g., SZY16 ≈ 623 K; BZY16 ≈ 423 K; BCY10 ≈ 873 K, and BCZY10 ≈ 873 K). SZY16 and BZY16 coatings are stable in air with respect to carbonation and hydration. BZY16 coatings require an in situ crystallization in order to avoid further cracking due to the tensile stress generation associated with the crystallization phenomenon, so they are deposited directly onto hot substrate (Tsubstrate ≈ 523 K). BCZY10 amorphous coatings present a good chemical stability against carbonation in air up to 573 K but the coatings decompose in BaCO3 and CeO2 mixture after annealing treatment at around 873 K for 2 h in air, instead of the expected double substituted BaCeO3 perovskite structure. Nevertheless, the crystallization perovskite structure is obtained after annealing treatment under vacuum to prevent the carbonation of the coating. BCY10 requires in situ crystallisation (Tsubstrate ≈ 873 K) to obtain BaCeO3 structure while avoiding the carbonation of the film. All the bulk samples present the perovskite structure with a relative density higher than ∼80% and without trace of ZnO or BaCO3. Eighty percent of relative density was demonstrated to give a good compromise between porosity and grain boundary blocking effects. The electrical properties of the films and pellets are investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy in air. Conductivities of crystallised coatings are close but always significantly lower than those of ceramic bulk samples of the same composition.
A Novel Carbon‐Encapsulated Cobalt‐Tungsten Carbide as Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Zhong G. , Wang H. , Yu H. , Peng F.
Published: May 2013

Carbon‐encapsulated cobalt‐tungsten carbides (CoWC@C) were synthesized by reduction and carbonization method and used as the electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in direct methanol fuel cells. The as‐prepared samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that CoWC@C consists of outer layer carbon and internal Co3W3C, WC, and Co. The cyclic voltammetry results show that CoWC@C has high ORR activity, long‐term durability, and good methanol‐tolerant performance. It is revealed that the main active phase for ORR of CoWC@C is Co3W3C, and the outer layer carbon plays the role in improving the durability of the catalyst.
Clarity Through Complexity
Authors: Brose Ulrich
Published: May 2013

The sixth wave of species extinction on Earth has begun. Research is already looking to discover what natural ecosystems will have to contend with in the future. Analysing networks has led to some surprisingly clear predictions.
Multi‐talented Membranes
Authors: Blume Alfred , Kreßler Jörg
Published: May 2013

Between bridge and barrier: The structure of cell membranes is exceedingly complex. But their basic properties are often more easily decoded using model membranes of lesser complexity. This area of research is of significant relevance to biomedicine.
Criticism, Censorship and a New Dawn
Authors: Effinger Maria
Published: May 2013

Around the turn of the twentieth century, art and satirical magazines flourished. Their agenda and aesthetics set the standard for the art and literature of the art nouveau movement. Now a digitisation project in Heidelberg is making a unique collection of magazines available online.
LA‐ICP‐MS depth profiling perspective on cleaning protocols for elemental analyses in planktic foraminifers
Authors: Vetter Lael , Spero Howard J. , Russell Ann D. , Fehrenbacher Jennifer S.
Published: May 2013

Measurements of trace metal ratios in foraminiferal calcite are routinely used to reconstruct paleoceanographic conditions. Analyses using solution‐based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) require dissolution of the entire foraminifer shell. The potential exists for contamination from adherent clays, mineralized coatings, and other diagenetic components that confound the biogenic trace metal signal. We present results from a cleaning experiment on fossil specimens of the planktic foraminifer Orbulina universa that were cracked into several shell fragments and subjected to different cleaning protocols. We use laser ablation ICP‐MS (LA‐ICP‐MS) depth profiling to evaluate the effects of reductive, oxidative, and chelating (diethylene‐triamine pentaacetic acid) cleaning protocols on shell Mg/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios. Using the natural pattern of intrashell Mg/Ca heterogeneity exhibited by O. universa, we demonstrate that reductive and oxidative cleaning can dissolve shell calcite from available surfaces, although intrashell Mg/Ca minima and maxima are unaffected. High‐resolution depth profiles can be used to identify areas of heterogeneous intrashell Ba/Ca, which can be excluded from computations of whole‐shell Ba/Ca. The size and density of shell pores plays a major role in the degree of contamination from sedimentary material. We demonstrate an approach for computing whole‐shell Me/Ca ratios from LA‐ICP‐MS depth profiles that accounts for potential contamination and diagenetic overprinting.
Contrail ice particles in aircraft wakes and their climatic importance
Authors: Schumann Ulrich , Jeßberger Philipp , Voigt Christiane
Published: May 2013

Measurements of gaseous (NO, NOy, SO2, HONO) and ice particle concentrations in young contrails in primary and secondary wakes of aircraft of different sizes (B737, A319, A340, A380) are used to investigate ice particle formation behind aircraft. The gas concentrations are largest in the primary wake and decrease with increasing altitude in the secondary wake, as expected for passive trace gases and aircraft‐dependent dilution. In contrast, the measured ice particle concentrations were found larger in the secondary wake than in the primary wake. The contrails contain more ice particles than expected for previous black carbon (soot) estimates. The ice concentrations may result from soot‐induced ice nucleation for a soot number emission index of 1015 kg−1. For a doubled ice particle concentration in young contrails, a contrail cirrus model computes about 60% increases of global radiative forcing by contrail cirrus because of simultaneous increases in optical depth, age, and cover.
Acute mood effect of donepezil in young, healthy volunteers
Authors: Pompeia Sabine , Gouveia Juliana Ramos , Galduróz José Carlos Fernandes
Published: May 2013

Objective

Chronic use of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil has been found to improve mood or to induce mania/hypomania in many neuropsychiatric patients with altered cholinergic and dopaminergic tone. Our aim was to determine whether acutely administered donepezil would alter mood in volunteers with no such alterations.

Methods

This investigation was a double‐blind, crossover design study of 15 young, healthy male participants who were allocated in random order to three oral treatments: placebo and 5‐mg and 7.5‐mg donepezil (doses which exert clinical and acute cognitive effects without considerable peripheral side effects). At the theoretical peak‐plasma concentrations of donepezil, volunteers rated how they felt on validated questionnaires, which included various dimensions of subjective feelings. We also assessed changes in brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is increased by donepezil after chronic regimes and is related to modulation of mood.

Results

Donepezil significantly increased ratings of vigour and anxiety symptoms (medium effect sizes). No changes in bodily symptoms or BDNF were observed.

Conclusions

Acute donepezil administration in participants with unaltered cholinergic and dopaminergic tone led to positive and negative changes in affect. These results call for further research on the direct mood effects of donepezil. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attention control in mood and anxiety disorders: evidence from the antisaccade task
Authors: Ainsworth Ben , Garner Matthew
Published: May 2013

The antisaccade task (in which participants must suppress a reflexive saccade towards a sudden, peripheral stimulus and generate a volitional saccade in the opposite direction) is considered a measure of cognitive inhibition. The task has been used to examine cognitive control deficits in several neuropsychiatric conditions, most notably schizophrenia. This commentary summarizes recent evidence from antisaccade tasks in mood and anxiety disorders, with reference to neuropsychological models and psychopharmacological mechanisms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing a nonlinear groundwater module in the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT)
Authors: Wang Y. , Brubaker K.
Published: May 2013

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is widely used in modeling water quantity and quality. In the original SWAT, groundwater flow is calculated using a linear‐reservoir model, with outflow proportional to storage. However, observations show that this assumption is not always applicable; for example, macropores in Karst formations would seriously affect the groundwater behavior. A nonlinear groundwater algorithm was introduced in a new version of the SWAT model, called ISWAT. The Shenandoah Valley area in the Eastern U.S., which includes a number of geologic formations including Karst, was selected to test the modified ISWAT model. Parameter ESTimation (PEST) was coupled with ISWAT to auto‐calibrate the nonlinear parameter values. Ten years of record at 15 stream gauges were used to calibrate the model. The nonlinear ISWAT, statistically and visually, performed better in stream discharge estimation especially during baseflow recession and low‐flow periods. This indicated that the nonlinear algorithm can better represent groundwater behavior. The coupled ISWAT‐PEST approach can be used in future stream discharge simulation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current sheet structure and kinetic properties of plasma flows during a near‐Earth magnetic reconnection under the presence of a guide field
Authors: Grigorenko E. E. , Malova H. V. , Artemyev A. V. , Mingalev O. V. , Kronberg E. A. , Koleva R. , Daly P. W. , Cao J. B. , Sauvaud J.‐A. , Owen C. J. , Zelenyi L. M.
Published: May 2013

Fortunate positioning of Cluster and TC‐1 in the plasma sheet (PS) of the Earth's magnetotail has allowed studies of the current sheet (CS) structure and particle dynamics in mesoscale and microscale in both sides of the near‐Earth reconnection, which took place between 03:42 and 03:55 UT on 22 September 2004. The distinctive feature of this event was the presence of a strong negative BY field forming a “bell‐like” spatial profile with the maximum absolute value near the neutral plane. The magnitude of this BY field was almost two times larger than the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and therefore could not be explained solely by the IMF penetration into the magnetotail. We propose a possible intrinsic mechanism of the BY field enhancement near the neutral plane based on peculiarities of the nonadiabatic ion interaction with the thin CS. An analysis of test particle trajectories shows that in the presence of a guide field with the “bell‐like” spatial profile, a pronounced north‐south asymmetry appears in the refraction/reflection properties of nonadiabatic ions from the CS. In a region tailward of the reconnection (BZ < 0), this asymmetry results in an increase of the density of the keV ions ejected into the northern PS and moving tailward. These ions can carry the tailward current which may be responsible for the strong negative BY near the neutral plane, i.e., self‐consistent enhancement of a BY field could occur near the neutral plane.
A Closure for 1‐Hamilton‐Connectedness in Claw‐Free Graphs
Authors: Ryjáček Zdeněk , Vrána Petr
Published: May 2013

A graph G is 1‐Hamilton‐connected if is Hamilton‐connected for every vertex . In the article, we introduce a closure concept for 1‐Hamilton‐connectedness in claw‐free graphs. If is a (new) closure of a claw‐free graph G, then is 1‐Hamilton‐connected if and only if G is 1‐Hamilton‐connected, is the line graph of a multigraph, and for some , is the line graph of a multigraph with at most two triangles or at most one double edge. As applications, we prove that Thomassen's Conjecture (every 4‐connected line graph is hamiltonian) is equivalent to the statement that every 4‐connected claw‐free graph is 1‐Hamilton‐connected, and we present results showing that every 5‐connected claw‐free graph with minimum degree at least 6 is 1‐Hamilton‐connected and that every 4‐connected claw‐free and hourglass‐free graph is 1‐Hamilton‐connected.
MICROEFFECTS OF WOMEN'S EDUCATION ON CONTRACEPTIVE USE AND FERTILITY: THE CASE OF UGANDA
Authors: Buyinza Faisal , Hisali Eria
Published: May 2013

This article uses the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (2006), which links an individual woman's fertility outcomes to her education level. Thus, in this study, an attempt has been made to investigate the relationships between women's education, contraceptive use, and fertility rates in Uganda. The findings indicate that women's education and social–economic factors are important in explaining reproductive behavior. Fertility findings show that higher education levels are consistently associated with lower fertility rates and positively associated with contraceptive use. The major implication of these results is that raising women's education improves their economic opportunities, and the behavioral responses in fertility will lead to the decline in population by reducing the willingness to engage in unprotected sex and subsequent fall in fertility. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Healing in Tough Graphene Oxide Composite Hydrogels
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Song Guoshan , He Changcheng , Wang Huiliang
Published: May 2013

Polymer hydrogels that are capable of spontaneously healing injury are being developed at a rapid pace because of their great potential in biomedical applications. Here, the self‐healing property of tough graphene nanocomposite hydrogels fabricated by using graphene peroxide as polyfunctional initiating and cross‐linking centers is reported. The hydrogels show excellent self‐healing ability at ambient temperature or even lower temperatures for a short time and very high recovery degrees (up to 88% tensile strength) can be achieved at a prolonged healing time. The healed gels exhibit very high tensile strengths (up to 0.35 MPa) and extremely high elongations (up to 4900%). The strong interactions between the polyacrylamide chains and the graphene oxide sheets are essential to the mechanical strengths of the healed gels.

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Effects of raftilose on serum biochemistry and liver morphology in rats fed with normal or high‐fat diet
Authors: Correia‐Sá Inês , de‐Sousa‐Lopes Hugo , Martins Maria J. , Azevedo Isabel , Moura Eduardo , Vieira‐Coelho Maria A.
Published: May 2013

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is the leading cause of chronic liver injury in developed countries. Oligofructose (OFS) is a prebiotic with proven benefits for health. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of 10% OFS on hepatic morphology and lipid metabolism in Wistar Kyoto rats submitted to normal diet (ND) or high‐fat diet (FD). Animals were treated for 7 weeks. Lipid profile and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured and liver histology evaluated at the end of the study. Ten percent OFS reduced triglyceride (TAG) levels when added to any of the diet regimens; 10% OFS decreased plasmatic urea in ND and plasmatic and urinary urea levels in FD; ND + 10% OFS treated rats showed lower ALP activity than controls. FD increased ALP activity, an effect not reversed by OFS. Animals submitted to FD have microscopic hepatic changes: marked steatosis with disarranged centrilobular zone structure; enlarged sinusoids; enlarged mitochondria and an increase in number and volume of adiposomes. Supplementation with 10% OFS in FD reversed those effects. In conclusion, 10% OFS supplementation prevented deleterious effects of FD such as alterations on lipid profile (TAG elevation) and hepatic morphologic changes. OFS decreased ALP activity in animals subjected to ND, which may have contributed to the differences on lipid metabolism.
Investigation of resolution effects using a specialized diffusion tensor phantom
Authors: Bach Michael , Fritzsche Klaus H. , Stieltjes Bram , Laun Frederik B.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The clinical potential of the diffusion imaging‐based analysis of fine brain structures such as fornix or cingulum is high due to the central role of these structures in psychiatric diseases. However, the quantification of diffusion parameters in fine structures is especially prone to partial volume effects (PVEs).

Methods

In this study, a phantom for the investigation of PVEs and their influence on diffusion parameters in fine structures of different diameter is presented. The phantom is produced by winding wet polyester fibers onto a spindle. The resulting fiber strands have well defined square cross‐sections of 1–25 mm2 and provide a homogeneous and high fractional anisotropy (FA ≈ 0.9).

Results

Several PVEs are demonstrated and analyzed. It is shown that inferred results such as the fiber geometry and diffusion parameters strongly depend on the relative position of the structure of interest to the voxel‐grid. Several implications of PVEs on post‐processing methods such as Tract‐based Spatial Statistics and fiber tractography are demonstrated.

Conclusion

These results show that the handling of PVEs in common post‐processing tasks can be problematic, and that the presented phantom provides a valuable tool for the improvement and evaluation of these effects. Magn Reson Med 71:1108–1116, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kieselalgen für die Nanotechnik
Authors: Kröger Nils
Published: May 2013

Das Silicagerüst der einzelligen Kieselalgen kann Bier filtern, Häuserwände dämmen und Zähne säubern. Mit Chemie und Biotechnik werden aus den nano‐ und mikrostrukturierten Zellwänden jetzt auch Enzymträger, Elektrodenmaterialien sowie Gas‐ und Biosensoren.
200 umsatzstarke Medikamente
Authors: Weber Fabian , Sedelmeier Gottfried
Published: May 2013

Ein Poster präsentiert Steckbriefe von Arzneimitteln, die zu den erfolgreichsten auf der Welt zählen. Wie sehen die Strukturen der Wirkstoffe aus? Wo wirken sie im menschlichen Körper?
Egon Uhlig und die Koordinationschemie in Jena
Authors: Seidel Rüdiger W.
Published: May 2013

Liganden, Komplexe und Übergangsmetalle waren seine Welt. Als einer der führenden Koordinationschemiker der DDR hat Egon Uhlig die anorganische Chemie an der Universität Jena geprägt.
Pfade durch den Informationsdschungel
Authors: Böhme Uwe , Tesch Silke
Published: May 2013

Von Mikrofilmen und Sichtlochkarten hin zu Onlinedatenbanken: Die Suche nach Chemie‐ fachliteratur hat sich gewandelt. Eine Lehrveranstaltung an der TU Bergakademie Freiberg zeigt Chemiestudenten, wie sie sich bei der heutigen Informationsfülle zurechtfinden.
Summenparameter in der Umweltanalytik: TOC und TNb
Authors: Hupach Sascha
Published: May 2013

Organisch gebundener Kohlenstoff und der gesamte gebundene Stickstoff sind Parameter in der Analytik von Wasser und Boden, die schnell und automatisch zu bestimmen sind.
Long‐term neurodevelopmental and cardiovascular outcome after intrauterine transfusions for fetal anaemia: a review
Authors: Lindenburg Irene T. M. , van Klink Jeanine M. , Smits‐Wintjens Vivianne E. H. J. , van Kamp Inge L. , Oepkes Dick , Lopriore Enrico
Published: May 2013

Perinatal survival rates after intrauterine transfusions (IUT) for red cell alloimmunisation now exceed 90%, which demonstrates the safety and efficacy of one of the most successful procedures in fetal therapy. However, improved perinatal survival could lead to an increased number of children with long‐term disabilities. The importance of long‐term follow‐up studies in fetal therapy lies in both the necessity of evaluation of antenatal management as well as in evidence‐based preconceptional and prenatal counselling. This review describes the possible long‐term cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental sequelae after IUT treatment for different indications including red cell alloimmunisation, parvovirus B19 infection, fetomaternal haemorrhage and twin anaemia‐polycythaemia sequence. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apraxia
Authors: Goldenberg Georg
Published: May 2013

The term apraxia refers to ‘higher level’ disorders of motor control. Apraxia differs from other motor symptoms of unilateral brain damage by the bilaterality of symptoms following unilateral lesions. Lesions causing apraxia are located predominantly in the left hemisphere and apraxia is frequently, although not invariably, associated with aphasia. Examination for apraxia traditionally assesses imitation of gestures, performance of communicative gestures on command, and use of tools and objects. It has, however, been amply demonstrated that these three domains can be affected more or less independently from each other. This review discusses current topics of research and controversy from each of these domains concentrating on questions that are relevant for determining the border between motor and cognitive mechanisms underlying apraxic errors. For imitation, the proposal of a direct link from perception to motor execution is confronted with the hypothesis that body part coding is interpolated between perception and motor replication of gestures. Discussion of communicative gestures concentrates on pantomime of tool use and argues that pantomime is not equivalent to reproduction of the motor programs of actual tool use but that pantomimes are created by selection and combination of distinctive features of the object and its use. For tool use the boundary between visuo‐motor coordination and knowledge about tool use is addressed by discussion of the selection of grips for use or for transport of tools.WIREs Cogn Sci2013, 4:453–462. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1241

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction

Psychology > Motor Skill and Performance

Neuroscience > Clinical Neuroscience
Assessing the value of cooperation and information exchange in large water resources systems by agent‐based optimization
Authors: Giuliani M. , Castelletti A.
Published: May 2013

Many large‐scale water resources systems, especially in transboundary contexts, are characterized by the presence of several and conflicting interests and managed by multiple, institutionally independent decision makers. These systems are often studied adopting a centralized approach based on the assumption of full cooperation and information exchange among the involved parties. Such a perspective is conceptually interesting to quantify the best achievable performance but might have little practical impact given the real political and institutional setting. In this work, we propose a novel decision‐analytic framework based on multiagent systems to model and analyze different levels of cooperation and information exchange among multiple decision makers. The Zambezi River basin is used as a case study. According to the proposed agent‐based optimization approach, each agent represents a decision maker, whose decisions are defined by an explicit optimization problem considering only the agent's local interests. The economic value of information exchange is estimated comparing a noncooperative setting, where agents act independently, with the first basic level of cooperation, i.e., coordination, characterized by full information exchange. The economic value of cooperation is also estimated by comparison with the ideal, fully cooperative management of the system. Results show that coordination, obtained with complete information exchange, allows the downstream agents to better adapt to the upstream behaviors. The impact of information exchange depends on the objective considered, and we show coordination to be particularly beneficial to environmental interests.
Hexaamminecobalt(III) – Probing Metal Ion Binding Sites in Nucleic Acids by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Rowinska‐Zyrek Magdalena , Skilandat Miriam , Sigel Roland K. O.
Published: May 2013

Hexaamminecobalt(III), an octahedral, inert metal ion complex, has lately gained increasing attention of structural biologists and bioinorganic chemists due to its use in structure determination of nucleic acids. This complex mimics outer‐sphere binding events of the physiologically relevant magnesium(II)hexaaqua ion; hexaamminecobalt(III) often finds usage either in NMR spectroscopy, where cross‐peaks between the complex ammines and the nucleic acid protons near the binding site are observed, in X‐ray spectroscopy as heavy metal derivative for phasing, or in other techniques. In this review, we discuss the basic hexaamminecobalt(III) binding modes and give an overview on the most recent findings on [Co(NH3)6]Cl3–nucleic acid complexes. The various techniques that are applied in combination with this complex are mentioned and briefly summarized. Special attention is given to the application of [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of nucleic acids, where it is used to reveal potential outer‐sphere magnesium binding sites.
On the Reactivity of the Silylene PhC(NtBu)2SiNPh2 toward Organic Substrates
Authors: Azhakar Ramachandran , Roesky Herbert W. , Wolf Hilke , Stalke Dietmar
Published: May 2013

The reactivity studies of stable silylenes with organo isothiocyanates are so far not reported. In this manuscript we describe for the first time the reaction of the stable silylene LSiNPh2 (1) [L = PhC(NtBu)2] with PhNCS to yield the silathione LSi(S)NPh2 (2), with elimination of PhNC. The reaction of PhC≡CPh with LSiNPh2 resulted in the [1+2]‐cycloaddition product silacyclopropene 3. Treatment of 1 with 3, 5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐o‐benzoquinone yielded the [1+4]‐cycloaddition product 4. Compounds 2, 3, and 4 were characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and EI‐MS spectrometry. The molecular structures of compounds 2, 3, and 4 were established unequivocally by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis.
Saucerization: A Modified Uncapitonnage Method of Surgery for Pulmonary Hydatidosis
Authors: Mahmodlou Rahim , Sepehrvand Nariman , Nasiri Mahya
Published: May 2013

Background

There are contrary opinions regarding the surgical treatment of pulmonary hydatid cysts. We report our experience performing a modified version of uncapitonnage surgery, called “saucerization,” for treating pulmonary hydatid cysts.

Methods

A total of 78 patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts were studied regarding their surgery outcome and the complication rate. The procedure used for cyst evacuation depended on whether the cyst had ruptured. If ruptured, cystotomy was done; otherwise, enucleation was preferred. To deal with the residual cavity in an uncapitonnage manner, we removed the thin margins of the pericyst and closed the bronchial openings at the cavity floor. All patients were followed up at least for 6 months.

Results

The intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 9 days. Incomplete lung expansion (six patients) was the main postoperative complication followed by wound infection (four patients) and persistent air leak (≥7 days) (one patient). There was one death. Dependence on mechanical ventilation and subsequent septic shock were also observed. The other patients exhibited no complications during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

Our experience demonstrated a low complication rate associated with removing the thin margins of the residual cavity and changing the shape of it into a “saucer.” The results were satisfactory and comparable to the results of other studies on pulmonary hydatid cysts.
Improved xylose fermentation ofKluyveromyces marxianusat elevated temperature through construction of a xylose isomerase pathway
Authors: Wang Rongliang , Li Lulu , Zhang Biao , Gao Xiaolian , Wang Dongmei , Hong Jiong
Published: May 2013

To improve the xylose fermentation ability of Kluyveromyces marxianus, a xylose assimilation pathway through xylose isomerase was constructed. The genes encoding xylose reductase (KmXyl1) and xylitol dehydrogenase (KmXyl2) were disrupted in K. marxianus YHJ010 and the resultant strain was named YRL002. A codon-optimized xylose isomerase gene from Orpinomyces was transformed into K. marxianus YRL002 and expressed under GAPDH promoter. The transformant was adapted in the SD medium containing 1 % casamino acid with 2 % xylose as sole carbon source. After 32 times of trans-inoculation, a strain named YRL005, which can grow at a specific growth rate of 0.137/h with xylose as carbon source, was obtained. K. marxianus YRL005 could ferment 30.15 g/l of xylose and produce 11.52 g/l ethanol with a yield of 0.38 g/g, production rate of 0.069 g/l/h at 42 °C, and also could ferment 16.60 g/l xylose to produce 5.21 g/l ethanol with a yield of 0.31 g/g, and production rate of 0.054 g/l h at 45 °C. Co-fermentation with 2 % glucose could not improve the amount and yield of ethanol fermented from xylose obviously, but it could improve the production rate. Furthermore, K. marxianus YRL005 can ferment with the corn cob hydrolysate, which contained 20.04 g/l xylose to produce 8.25 g/l ethanol. It is a good platform to construct thermo-tolerant xylose fermentation yeast.
Interference control in 6–11 year‐old children with and without ADHD: behavioral and ERP study
Authors: Cao Jian , Wang Suhong , Ren Yanling , Zhang Yili , Cai Jing , Tu Wenjuan , Shen Huijuan , Dong Xuan , Xia Ying
Published: May 2013

Event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during a hybrid Simon–spatial Stroop task. We compared interference control and conflict monitoring in children with and without attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to examine developmental functional patterns. We found that children with ADHD exhibited lower accuracy rates and longer and more variable reaction time (RT) in both tasks, especially in the incongruent condition. In both controls and ADHD children, the accuracy rate increased and RT decreased with age. Major development in interference control occurred from 6–7 to 8 years in ADHD children and controls, yet only occurred from 9 to 10–11 years in normal children. The ERP results revealed that the N2 potentials were not significantly different from age‐matched controls in the two tasks and that the development pattern of conflict monitoring was not different in school age children with and without ADHD. Children with ADHD had normal conflict monitoring ability.
Holocene reactivations of catastrophic complex flow-like landslides in the Flysch Carpathians (Czech Republic/Slovakia)
Authors: Pánek Tomáš , Smolková Veronika , Hradecký Jan , Baroň Ivo , Šilhán Karel
Published: May 2013

Complex flow-like landslides (CFLLs) are important geomorphic agents of Late Quaternary mountain evolution in the Flysch Belt of the Outer Western Carpathians. The CFLLs are characterised by the upper section of deep-seated, retrogressive landslide of structurally unfavourably oriented rocks and lower sections composed of earthflows originated due to liquefaction of material accumulated from the upper slopes. Radiocarbon dating of organic matter incorporated into landslide debris or related deposits suggests that most of the CFLLs collapsed repeatedly throughout the Holocene with typical recurrence intervals of approximately 1–2 ka. Catastrophic landslides that occurred during extreme hydrometeorological events in recent decades displayed evidence of Holocene activity. Most of the CFLLs dammed and steepened adjacent valleys. Our chronological dataset is biased by erosion of older landforms, but most of the dated reactivations correlate to regional increases in humidity identified by previous paleoenvironmetal studies.
Communicative language teaching in Japan: current practices and future prospects
Authors: Abe Emiko
Published: May 2013

In Japan, the ability to speak and understand English is widely regarded as essential for communication in a ‘globalized’ world. At the same time, however, many Japanese are reluctant to communicate in English because they perceive themselves (and are often perceived by others) to be poor speakers of English, despite the fact that they will have studied English for at least six years in junior and senior high school. In response to this, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has recently revised the national syllabus for English teaching. The revised syllabus places more emphasis on developing oral communication skills, and proposes a much greater use of communicative language teaching (CLT) methodology in order to bring this about. This paper describes the present situation of CLT in Japan based on questionnaire data obtained from 48 Japanese university students, and proposes that a more effective and practical approach to CLT and English teaching more generally may be obtained by adopting a ‘World Englishes’ point of view.