bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compatibilization Mechanism and Property Improvement of Immiscible Engineering Plastic Blends
Authors: Triantou Marianna I. , Chatzigiannakis Emmanouil M. , Tarantili Petroula A. , Andreopoulos Andreas G.
Published: October 2013

In the present research, poly(acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene)/polycarbonate (ABS/PC) blends were prepared in a twin screw extruder. The morphology and thermal and mechanical characteristics of the obtained products were investigated. Reinforcement of the compatibility of the above systems was attempted by the incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), as well as by the addition of compatibilizer (ABS grafted with maleic anhydride, ABS‐g‐MAH) and the effect on the morphology and properties of ABS/PC blends was evaluated. In addition, the incorporation of OMMT to the compatibilized blends was also examined. Reinforcing with OMMT enhances the miscibility of ABS and PC phases in ABS/PC blends, influences the thermal degradation mechanism and gives the best performance in terms of tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and storage modulus in all the examined blends.
Thermal Properties of Particle Brush Materials: Effect of Polymer Graft Architecture on the Glass Transition Temperature in Polymer‐Grafted Colloidal Systems
Authors: Dang Alei , Hui Chin Ming , Ferebee Rachel , Kubiak Joshua , Li Tiehu , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof , Bockstaller Michael R.
Published: October 2013

The governing parameters controlling the glass transition temperature of polymer‐grafted particle systems are analyzed for the particular case of polystyrene (PS)‐grafted silica colloids in the dense grafting limit. At a given degree of polymerization of surface‐grafted chains the glass transition temperature is found to increase as compared to linear chain polymers of equivalent degree of polymerization. The difference in the glass transition temperature between polymer‐grafted particle systems and their respective linear polymer analogs increases with decreasing degree of polymerization of surface‐grafted chains and levels off at similar plateau values for particle brushes of distinct particle core size. The trend toward increased glass transition temperature is interpreted as a consequence of the increased steric hindrance in polymer‐grafted particles that counteracts the relaxation of surface‐grafted polymer chains. The increase in glass transition temperature is shown to be approximately consistent with the chain conformational regimes that are predicted on the basis of a Daoud‐Cotton type scaling model.
Functional Polyesters
Authors: Raposeiro Inês , Fonseca Manuela , Duarte Ana Paula , Bordado João M.
Published: October 2013

The present work aims to study the development of the production process of functionalized polyesters. By exploring materials produced by biological systems and modifying them by synthesis using renewable resources, a new class of biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters is being developed. The presence of specific functional groups opens up a wide range of possibilities for further modification of the polymer structure, and therefore of the respective final properties. Chemical modification of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was carried out by partial glycolization to reduce the molecular weight. Subsequently esterification with maleic anhydride and glycols was performed to obtain unsaturated polyester backbones (UP). The UP was then blended with styrene and crosslinked with different initiating systems. The commercial PHB used possibly contained specific compounds to stabilize the polymer, which present an inhibitory effect on the radical polymerization. Moreover, characterization of this material and the functionalized products was performed as well as the optimization of the synthesis procedure.
Metallic Nanocatalysts Embedded within pH‐Responsive Polymeric Microgels and Deposition onto Solid Substrates
Authors: Kaliva Maria , Frysali Melani A. , Flouraki Chara , Papoutsakis Lampros , Vamvakaki Maria , Anastasiadis Spiros H.
Published: October 2013

Palladium (Pd) and ruthenium (Ru) catalytically active nanoparticles are synthesized using as templates pH‐sensitive microgels based on poly(2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), PDEAEMA, and poly(acrylic acid), PAA, respectively. The PDEAEMA and PAA microgel particles are prepared by emulsion copolymerization of a functional monomer with a cross‐linker in the presence of a stabilizer in aqueous media. The incorporation of Pd and Ru nanoparticles within PDEAEMA and PAA is achieved using metal precursors that interact with the amino‐ or carboxyl‐groups of PDEAEMA and PAA, respectively; the metal precursors are subsequently reduced within the microgel to produce the metal nanocatalysts. The attachment of the microgel particles onto glass substrate surfaces, which can potentially be used as the walls of microfluidic reactors, is studied by exploring the Pickering emulsion process. The attached particles are tested for stability and endurance when immersed in pure water for extended periods of time and when rinsed extensively with pure water.
Ramsay hunt syndrome: Clinical characterization of progressive myoclonus ataxia caused by GOSR2 mutation
Authors: van Egmond Martje E. , Verschuuren‐Bemelmans Corien C. , Nibbeling Esther A. , Elting Jan Willem J. , Sival Deborah A. , Brouwer Oebele F. , de Vries Jeroen J. , Kremer Hubertus P. , Sinke Richard J. , Tijssen Marina A. , de Koning Tom J.
Published: October 2013

Background

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (progressive myoclonus ataxia) is a descriptive diagnosis characterized by myoclonus, ataxia, and infrequent seizures. Often the etiology cannot be determined. Recently, a mutation in the GOSR2 gene (c.430G>T, p.Gly144Trp) was reported in 6 patients with childhood‐onset progressive ataxia and myoclonus.

Methods

We evaluated 5 patients with cortical myoclonus, ataxia, and areflexia.

Results

All 5 patients had the same homozygous mutation in GOSR2. Here we present their clinical and neurophysiological data. Our patients (aged 7‐26 years) all originated from the northern Netherlands and showed a remarkably homogeneous phenotype. Myoclonus and ataxia were relentlessly progressive over the years. Electromyography revealed signs of sensory neuronopathy or anterior horn cell involvement, or both, in all patients with absent reflexes.

Conclusions

Based on the presented phenotype, we would advise movement disorder specialists to consider mutation analysis of GOSR2 in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, especially when they also have areflexia. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Altered ceramide acyl chain length and ceramide synthase gene expression in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Abbott Sarah K. , Li Hongyun , Muñoz Sonia Sanz , Knoch Bianca , Batterham Marijka , Murphy Karen E. , Halliday Glenda M. , Garner Brett
Published: October 2013

Genetic studies have provided increasing evidence that ceramide homeostasis plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). It is known that the relative amounts of different ceramide molecular species, as defined by their fatty acyl chain length, regulate ceramide function in lipid membranes and in signaling pathways. In the present study we used a comprehensive sphingolipidomic case‐control approach to determine the effects of PD on ceramide composition in postmortem brain tissue from the anterior cingulate cortex (a region with significant PD pathology) and the occipital cortex (spared in PD), also assessing mRNA expression of the major ceramide synthase genes that regulate ceramide acyl chain composition in the same tissue using quantitative PCR. In PD anterior cingulate cortex but not occipital cortex, total ceramide and sphingomyelin levels were reduced from control levels by 53% (P < 0.001) and 42% (P < 0.001), respectively. Of the 13 ceramide and 15 sphingomyelin molecular lipid species identified and quantified, there was a significant shift in the ceramide acyl chain composition toward shorter acyl chain length in the PD anterior cingulate cortex. This PD‐associated change in ceramide acyl chain composition was accompanied by an upregulation of ceramide synthase‐1 gene expression, which we consider may represent a response to reduced ceramide levels. These data suggest a significant shift in ceramide function in lipid membranes and signaling pathways occurs in regions with PD pathology. Identifying the regulatory mechanisms precipitating this change may provide novel targets for future therapeutics. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
PBMCs reflect the immune component of the WAT transcriptome—Implications as biomarkers of metabolic health in the postprandial state
Authors: O'Grada Colm M. , Morine Melissa J. , Morris Ciara , Ryan Miriam , Dillon Eugene T. , Walsh Marianne , Gibney Eileen R. , Brennan Lorraine , Gibney Michael J. , Roche Helen M.
Published: October 2013

Scope

Food and nutrition studies often require accessing metabolically active tissues, including adipose tissue. This can involve invasive biopsy procedures that can be a limiting factor in study design. In contrast, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are a population of circulating immune cells that are easily accessible through venipuncture. As transcriptomics is of growing importance in food and metabolism research, understanding the transcriptomic relationship between these tissue types can provide insight into the utility of PBMCs in this field.

Methods and results

We examine this relationship within eight subjects, in two postprandial states (following oral lipid tolerance test and oral glucose tolerance test). Multivariate analysis techniques were used to examine variation between tissues, samples, and subjects in order to define which genes havecommon/disparate expression profiles associated with highly defined metabolic phenotypes. We demonstrate global similarities in gene expression between PBMCs and white adipose tissue, irrespective of the metabolic challenge type. Closer examination of individual genes revealed this similarity to be strongest in pathways related to immune response/inflammation. Notably, the expression of metabolism‐related nuclear receptors, including PPARs, LXR, etc. was discordant between tissues

Conclusion

The PBMC transcriptome may therefore provide a unique insight into the inflammatory component of metabolic health, as opposed to directly reflecting the metabolic component of the adipose tissue transcriptome.
Density functional theory with exact XC potentials: Lessons from DMRG studies and exactly solvable models
Authors: Evers F. , Schmitteckert P.
Published: October 2013

Density functional theory in the Kohn‐Sham formulation is the most successful method in chemistry and physics when it comes to predicting crystal and molecular structures. Very frequently it is also used with benefit for estimating the corresponding electronic dispersion relations. Therefore, it is not surprising that computations have been attempted of observables that, strictly speaking, are beyond those protected by the Hohenberg‐Kohn theorems. The most infamous one of them is the conductance of single molecules. In this article we offer a brief overview of recent developments that justify such transport studies in situations where transport is dominated by a single orbital. In such situations the Friedel sum rule establishes a relation between conductance and ground‐state density that is free of microscopic parameters, such as the interaction strength, and therefore can provide a rigorous link between Kohn‐Sham transport and the physical observables. What happens in more general situations is also discussed.
Depth profiling of Irganox‐3114 nanoscale delta layers in a matrix of Irganox‐1010 using conventional Cs+ and O2+ ion beams
Authors: Chakraborty B.R. , Shard A.G. , Dalai M.K. , Sehgal G.
Published: October 2013

Depth profiling of an organic reference sample consisting of Irganox 3114 layers of 3 nm thickness at depths of 51.5, 104.5, 207.6 and 310.7 nm inside a 412 nm thick Irganox 1010 matrix evaporated on a Si substrate has been studied using the conventional Cs+ and O2+ as sputter ion beams and Bi+ as the primary ion for analysis in a dual beam time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometer. The work is an extension of the Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards project on depth profiling of organic multilayer materials. Cs+ ions were used at energies of 500 eV, 1.0 keV and 2.0 keV and the O2+ ions were used at energies of 500 eV and 1.0 keV. All four Irganox 3114 layers were identified clearly in the depth profile using low mass secondary ions. The depth profile data were fitted to the empirical expression of Dowsett function and these fits are reported along with the full width at half maxima to represent the useful resolution for all the four delta layers detected. The data show that, of the conditions used in these experiments, an energy of 500 eV for both Cs+ beam and O2+ beam provides the most useful depth profiles. The sputter yield volume per ion calculated from the slope of depth versus ion dose matches well with earlier reported data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards a Methodology of Wicked Problem Exploration through Concept Shifting and Tension Point Analysis
Authors: Houghton Luke , Tuffley David
Published: October 2013

Synthesis is a creative and mysterious process in which a chaotic array of concepts, what might be called a mess, is cognitively ‘engaged’ with a problem domain to produce as many interpretations as can validly be derived for effective decision‐making purposes. The benefits of engaging concepts into a mess are that it allows the problem to be viewed through multiple lenses simultaneously, which affords a holistic vantage point for richer problem interpretation. By deliberately shifting the underlying concept held by actors and provoking the movement of concepts, better interpretations might lead to more useful decision making. Although research has discussed the possibility of using synthesis through case studies, we argue that there is a need to formally develop methodologies in this area for the purpose of fostering and solving complex problems. To demonstrate this, we provide a speculative case study to illustrate how this approach may be usefully applied. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of Patients with Esophageal Perforations: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Biancari Fausto , Saarnio Juha , Mennander Ari , Hypén Linda , Salminen Paulina , Kuttila Kari , Victorzon Mikael , Böckelman Camilla , Tarantino Enrico , Tiffet Olivier , Koivukangas Vesa , Søreide Jon Arne , Viste Asgaut , Bonavina Luigi , Vidarsdóttir Halla , Gudbjartsson Tomas
Published: October 2013

Background

Recent studies have suggested that stent‐grafting may improve the treatment outcome of patients with esophageal perforation, but evidence on this is still lacking.

Methods

Data on 194 patients who underwent conservative (43 patients), endoclip (4 patients) stent‐grafting (63 patients) or surgical treatment (84 patients) for esophageal perforation were retrieved from nine medical centers.

Results

In‐hospital/30‐day mortality was 17.5 %. Three‐year survival was 67.1 %. Age, coronary artery disease, and esophageal malignancy were independent predictors of early mortality. Chi squared automatic interaction detection analysis showed that patients without coronary artery disease, without esophageal malignancy and younger than 70 years had the lowest early mortality (4.1 %). Surgery was associated with slightly lower early mortality (conservative 23.3, endoclips 25.0 %, stent‐grafting 19.0 %, surgery 13.1 %; p = 0.499). One center reported a series of more than 20 patients treated with stent‐grafting which achieved an early mortality of 7.7 % (2/26 patients). Stent‐grafting was associated with better survival with salvaged esophagus (conservative 76.7 %, endoclips 75.0 %, stent‐grafting 77.8 %, surgery 56.0 %; p = 0.019). Propensity score adjusted analysis showed that stent‐grafting achieved similar early mortality (p = 0.946), but significantly higher survival with salvaged esophagus than with surgical treatment (p = 0.001, OR 0.253, 95 % CI 0.110–0.585). Primary surgical repair was associated with somewhat lower early mortality (14.6 vs. 19.0 %; p = 0.561) and better survival with salvaged esophagus (85.4 vs. 77.8 %; p = 0.337) than stent‐grafting.

Conclusions

Esophageal perforation was associated with a rather high mortality rate in this all‐comers population. Stent‐grafting failed to decrease operative mortality, but it improved survival with salvaged esophagus. The results of one of the centers indicate that increasing experience with this less invasive procedure may possibly improve the outcome of these patients.
Estimation of epistasis in doubled haploid barley populations considering interactions between all possible marker pairs
Authors: Bocianowski Jan
Published: October 2013

Epistasis, is the interaction between alleles from two or more loci determining complex traits, and thus plays an important role in the development of quantitative traits of crops. In mapping studies of inbreeding species epistasis is usually defined as the interactions between quantitative trait loci with significant additive gene effects. Indeed, in many studies, genes with small effects do not come into the final model and thus the total epistasis interaction effect is biased. Many loci may not have a significant direct effect on the trait under consideration, but they may still affect trait expression by interacting with other loci. In this paper the benefits of using all loci, not only the loci with significant main effects, for estimation of the epistatic effects are presented. The particular examples are with doubled haploids lines and so are restricted to homozygotes and thus additive genetic effects and additive × additive interactions. Numerical analyses were carried out on three populations of doubled haploid lines of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): 120 doubled haploid lines from the Clipper × Sahara 3771 cross, 145 doubled haploid lines from the Harrington × TR306 cross and 150 doubled haploid lines from the Steptoe × Morex cross. In total, 157 sets of observations were analyzed and altogether 728 pairs of loci were observed for the three datasets.
Tapping the treasure of intracellular oncotargets with immunotherapy
Authors: Hong Cheng William , Zeng Qi
Published: October 2013

It is commonly believed that antibodies are too large (∼150 kDa) to access the intracellular compartment. Therefore, therapeutic antibodies have been traditionally used to target cell surface receptors or soluble proteins in the circulation, leaving a large intracellular treasure of potential cancer‐specific targets untapped. This review offers new perspectives on our recently proposed concept that antibodies can be used to target intracellular tumor antigens for anti‐cancer therapy. We propose to vastly expand the repertoire of potential targets for cancer immunotherapy since many excellent cancer targets are inside cells.
La culture des groupes minoritaires face au droit international
Authors: Trudel Elisabeth Roy
Published: October 2013

La protection de la culture et les droits culturels revêtent une importance particulière pour les minorités et les peuples autochtones dans un contexte où la différence culturelle est pour plusieurs une source d’appréhension, engendrant souvent des discriminations multiples vis-à-vis de ces groupes minoritaires. Or, si on compare la promotion et la protection des droits culturels à celles d’autres droits humains, on constate d’emblée leur marginalisation. Cet article explore une des causes de cette marginalisation en abordant la question suivante : dans quelle mesure le concept de culture en droit international influence-t-il la promotion et la protection des droits culturels des groupes minoritaires? L’hypothèse avancée est que l’ambigüité et l’absence d’une définition contraignante de ce concept dans les instruments internationaux relatifs aux droits humains laissent la voie libre à une conception sous-jacente réductrice qui ne rend pas justice aux droits culturels des groupes minoritaires, qui conditionnent la mise en œuvre de ces droits en plus d’exacerber plusieurs exclusions. Une re-conceptualisation de la notion de culture qui tiendrait compte de réflexions émanant de l’anthropologie apparaît essentielle.
Orally administered whole egg demonstrates antidepressant-like effects in the forced swimming test on rats
Authors: Nagasawa Mao , Otsuka Tsuyoshi , Ogino Yumi , Yoshida Junki , Tomonaga Shozo , Yasuo Shinobu , Furuse Mitsuhiro
Published: October 2013

Objective

Several studies have reported that vegetarian diets are associated with a higher prevalence of major depression. Therefore, we hypothesised that the consumption of animal products, especially eggs, may have positive effects on mental health, especially on major depression, because a previous study reported that egg consumption produces numerous beneficial effects in humans. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of chronic whole-egg treatment on depression-like behaviours in Wistar rats, a control strain, and Wistar Kyoto rats, an animal model of depression.

Methods

In both the rats, either whole-egg solution (5 ml/kg) or distilled water (5 ml/kg) was orally administrated for 35 days. During these periods, the open-field test (OFT) was conducted on the 21st day, and a forced swimming test (FST) was enforced on the 27th and 28th days. On the 36th day, the plasma and brain were collected.

Results

Chronic whole-egg treatment did not affect line crossing in the OFT, whereas it reduced the total duration of immobility in the FST on both strains. Furthermore, interestingly, the results indicated the possibility that whole-egg treatment elevated the incorporation of tryptophan into the brain, and the tryptophan concentration in the prefrontal cortex was actually increased by the treatment.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that whole-egg treatment exerts an antidepressant-like effect in the FST. It is suggested that whole egg may be an excellent food for preventing and alleviating the conditions of major depression.
'A Permanent and Prominent Feature of the Show'
Authors: Scott Joanne
Published: October 2013

Variously described as ‘the outstanding feature of the show’, the ‘finest . . . in Australia’ and ‘a breath-taking experience’, the district exhibits competition is a central and much-loved feature of the annual Brisbane Exhibition, Queensland's premier agricultural show. Although the contest has attracted enthusiastic crowds and substantial media attention across more than a century, scholarly analysis has been limited. Yet, as other studies have demonstrated, exploring key aspects of the histories of agricultural shows not only provides insights into some of post-contact Australia's oldest and most popular events, but also enriches our understanding of the ideas that have sustained and shaped our communities. This article contributes to that historiography through an analysis of the origins and subsequent meanings of the Brisbane district exhibits competition.
Peter Roennfeldt, 'Northern lyrebird: the contribution to Queensland's music by its Conservatorium 1957–2007', Brisbane: Australian Academic Press, 2012, ISBN 9 7819 2211 7014, 406 pp., RRP A$79.95
Authors: Irving David R. M.
Published: October 2013

Peter Roennfeldt, Northern lyrebird: the contribution to Queensland's music by its Conservatorium 1957–2007, Brisbane: Australian Academic Press, 2012, ISBN 9 7819 2211 7014, 406 pp., RRP A$79.95
READINGTHE SECOND SEXIN 1950s AMERICA
Authors: GERMAIN ROSIE
Published: October 2013

Simone de Beauvoir'sThe second sexwas first published in English in 1953, four years after its publication in French. Since the 1970s, many scholars have come to view de Beauvoir as the most important feminist thinker of the twentieth century and consequently to regard the initial American reactions toThe second sex, which rarely discussed it in explicitly feminist terms, as showing that de Beauvoir's work had been misunderstood or misrepresented. This article focuses on what American commentators did say about de Beauvoir, rather than what they did not, and it shows thatThe second sexwas quite widely, and often enthusiastically, discussed. Critics often saw de Beauvoir through the prism of social science, in particular anthropology and the ‘science’ of sexology. However, three things impeded a wholly sympathetic reception. First, unlike de Beauvoir, American writers believed that ‘modern’ society, by which they meant America, should combine female emancipation, especially at work, with the preservation of ‘femininity’. Secondly, de Beauvoir's view that ‘woman is made not born’ clashed with biologically determinist ideas popular among American social scientists by the 1950s. Thirdly, and most importantly, American critics were incensed by what they took to be de Beauvoir's denigration of motherhood.
THE FORMATION, COMPOSITION, AND CONDUCT OF THE BRITISH SECTION OF THE PALESTINE GENDARMERIE, 1922–1926
Authors: GANNON SEÁN WILLIAM
Published: October 2013

The British Section of the Palestine Gendarmerie was raised in early 1922 by the colonial secretary, Winston Churchill, as a striking force and riot squad for Palestine. Through the agency of the Irish police chief, General Hugh Tudor, this British Gendarmerie was recruited almost entirely from amongst the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and its Auxiliary Division, then in the process of disbanding as part of the recent Anglo-Irish settlement. The international notoriety of the Black and Tans led to official efforts to obscure the fact that the force was to be drawn from RIC ranks but these were entirely unsuccessful. Indeed, the British Gendarmerie itself quickly acquired a reputation for Black and Tan-type behaviour but an examination of its four-year career indicates that this derived more from preconceptions about the force's composition than from its actual conduct. In fact, in terms of force discipline and levels of police brutality, the British Gendarmerie's record compared very favourably with those of its ‘parent’ forces in Ireland, lending support to recent claims that historians have tended to over-value character-based explanations at the expense of circumstance-based assessments when analysing police behaviour both during the Irish revolution and the Palestine Mandate.
The Institution of Polygamy in the Chinese Imperial Palace
Authors: McMahon Keith
Published: October 2013

This study examines Chinese imperial polygamy under two aspects, as institution and actual practice. Institution refers to its existence as a set of rules and expectations, practice to the actual ways in which imperial people carried out polygamy as recorded in both historical and fictional sources. The key to the institutionalization of polygamy had to do with the idea that a ruler did not engage in polygamy because he wanted to, but because he had to in order to fulfill his role as Son of Heaven. He was obligated to extend the patriline and was as if following a hallowed directive. Practice had to do with what rules and expectations could not control or predict, including how a man justified his role as polygamist, his polygamous transgressions, and how he dealt with the main challenge to polygamous harmony, women's jealousy and rivalry.
Stock assessment of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the central East China Sea based on length data
Authors: Wang Yingbin , Zheng Ji , Yu Cungen
Published: October 2013

The chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) has been one of the important commercial pelagic species in the East China Sea since the decline of traditional demersal economic species. Although chub mackerel resources are suffering over-exploitation with the increase of fishing effort, their response to fishing and changing trends have not been analysed because of a shortage of data. In this paper we separated sample catches of chub mackerel from the central East China Sea during 2009 and 2010 into three age groups based on the age–fork length key. We then estimated the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and built a spawner–recruitment relationship based on the fishery statistics of purse seine vessels, lighting purse seine vessels and deep-water purse seine vessels from 2006 to 2012. We predicted the biomass, spawning biomass, catches and the length compositions of catches when fishing at the current intensity (fishing mortality (F) = 0.7). The results showed that the MSY of chub mackerel is about 18.8 × 104t, and the fishing effort at MSY (EMSY) is about 72 standard purse seine vessels (both the lighting purse seine vessels and deep-water purse seine vessels were standardized to purse seine vessels), which is equivalent toF = 0.4. IfFremains at the current level, the biomass of chub mackerel will remain at 45.3 × 104t. At the same time, more than 40% in the catch will be the individuals smaller than 200 mm, and only about 8% will be larger than 300 mm. Therefore, there is little potential for further exploitation of the chub mackerel resources in the central East China Sea, and it is better to reduceFto less than 0.4 for sustainable utilization.
Docosahexaenoic acid, protectin synthesis: relevance against atherothrombogenesis
Authors: Lagarde Michel , Liu Miao , Véricel Evelyne , Calzada Catherine , Chen Ping , Driss Fathi , Guichardant Michel
Published: October 2013

DHA is an abundant nutrient from marine lipids: its specific biological effects have been investigated in human volunteers, taking into consideration the dose effects. We report herein that, at dosages below 1 g/d, DHA proved to be effective in lowering blood platelet function and exhibited an ‘antioxidant’ effect. However, this was no longer the case following 1·6 g/d, showing then a U-shape response. The antioxidant effect has been observed in platelets as well as LDL, of which the redox status is assumed to be crucial in their relationship with atherosclerosis. Second, the oxygenated products of DHA, especially protectins produced by lipoxygenases, have been considered for their potential to affect blood platelets and leucocytes. It is concluded that DHA is an interesting nutrient to reduce atherothrombogenesis, possibly through complementary mechanisms involving lipoxygenase products of DHA.
A naturalistic, randomized, controlled trial combining cognitive remediation with cognitive–behavioural therapy after first-episode non-affective psychosis
Authors: Drake R. J. , Day C. J. , Picucci R. , Warburton J. , Larkin W. , Husain N. , Reeder C. , Wykes T. , Marshall M.
Published: October 2013

Background

Cognitive remediation (CR) preceding cognitive–behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) was trialled within routine clinical services, with the hypothesis that following first-episode non-affective psychosis CR would enhance CBTp efficacy by improving neuropsychological performance.

Method

A total of 61 patients with DSM-IV non-affective psychoses waiting for routine CBTp were randomized to computerized CR over 12 weeks, supported by a trained support worker, or time-matched social contact (SC). Primary outcome was the blind-rated Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS). Secondary outcomes included measures of CBTp progress, cognition, symptoms, insight and self-esteem: all at baseline, after CR (12 weeks) and after CBTp (42 weeks). PSYRATS and global neuropsychological efficacy were tested using mixed-effects models with a group × time interaction term. Measures of CBTp progress and some neuropsychological measures were modelled by regression.

Results

There was no significant difference between the CR and SC groups in PSYRATS (group × time coefficient 0.3, 95% confidence interval −0.4 to 1.1, p = 0.39). However, after CR CBTp was shorter [median 7 sessions, interquartile range (IQR) 2–12 after CR; median 13, IQR 4–18 after SC; model p = 0.011] and linked to better insight (p = 0.02). Global cognition did not improve significantly more after CR (p = 0.20) but executive function did (Wisconsin Card Sort, p = 0.012).

Conclusions

CBTp courses preceded by CR were far shorter but achieved the same outcome as CBTp preceded by an active control, consistent with neuropsychological improvement enhancing CBTp. CR was delivered by staff with minimal training, offering the potential to reduce the costs of CBTp considerably.
Disturbing Dogmas: Biologists and the History of Biology
Authors: Jablonka Eva , Lamb Marion J.
Published: October 2013

The attitude of biologists to the history of their discipline varies. For some, a hazy knowledge of the recent past is all that is necessary to provide an explanatory basis for their work. They take it for granted that everything of value from the less recent past has been appropriately incorporated into present-day thinking. Other biologists see history as an integral part of their research: the historical roots of accepted facts and theories help in the evaluation of present positions. These biologists bring to history their specialized knowledge, which can be an advantage, but often they also bring an agenda that biases what they investigate and how they present it. We illustrate this by describing our own foray into history, which was motivated by findings in cell biology that suggested that some accepted views about heredity and evolution were wrong.
The History of Science as Unending Steeplechase: A Dialogue
Authors: Métraux Alexandre
Published: October 2013

Preliminary remark:The following conversation began as a series of written email exchanges. Due to technical reasons, this exchange had to be interrupted at some point. Rather than rewriting the text that had obtained from scratch, I continued the conversation, turning the real “other” of the dialogue into an imagined one. Heartfelt thanks to Oren Harman, the guest editor of this topical issue, for continuing support and for having taken the risk of designing this unusual topical issue ofScience in Contextwith me. AM.
Cette fusion annuelle: cosmopolitanism and identity in Nice,c. 1815–1860
Authors: CHALUS ELAINE
Published: October 2013

Between 1815 and 1860, Nice became one of Europe's leading health and leisure resorts, annually hosting an international wintering population of thousands. During a period marked by the rise of the nation-state and national sentiment, Nice was celebrated as ‘une ville cosmopolite’. This article suggests that while geographic, historic and economic factors provided preconditions for cosmopolitanism, Nice's emergence as a peculiarly cosmopolitan town in the first half of the nineteenth century owes much to a combination of forward-looking urban developments and long-established traditions of face-to-face elite sociability, directed and shaped largely by women.
Memory and place on the Liverpool waterfront in the mid-twentieth century
Authors: BALDERSTONE LAURA , MILNE GRAEME J. , MULHEARN RACHEL
Published: October 2013

This article explores the changing urban form and society of waterfront Liverpool in the last generation of the city's role as a traditional general cargo seaport. Deriving much of its evidence from a collaborative public history project, it demonstrates the continuing vitality of the near waterfront zone into the 1960s, and interprets the subsequent sudden collapse of the district with the closure of the south docks in 1972. Interviewees identified sites of memory that cast light on both the routine working of the district and the nature of its fall into dereliction and abandonment.
Transplantation of Cryopreserved Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Does Not Induce Sustained Recovery after Experimental Stroke in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Weise Gesa , Lorenz Marlene , Pösel Claudia , Maria Riegelsberger Ute , Störbeck Veronika , Kamprad Manja , Kranz Alexander , Wagner Daniel-Christoph , Boltze Johannes
Published: October 2013

Previous studies have highlighted the enormous potential of cell-based therapies for stroke not only to prevent ischemic brain damage, but also to amplify endogenous repair processes. Considering its widespread availability and low immunogenicity human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) is a particularly attractive stem cell source. Our goal was to investigate the neurorestorative potential of cryopreserved HUCB mononuclear cells (MNC) after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Human umbilical cord blood MNC or vehicle solution was administered intravenously 24 hours after MCAO. Experimental groups were as follows: (1) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of host-derived growth factors up to 48 hours after stroke; (2) immunohistochemical analysis of astroglial scarring; (3) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and weekly behavioral tests for 2 months after stroke. Long-term functional outcome and lesion development on MRI were not beneficially influenced by HUCB MNC therapy. Furthermore, HUCB MNC treatment did not change local growth factor levels and glial scarring extent. In summary, we could not demonstrate neurorestorative properties of HUCB MNC after stroke in SHR. Our results advise caution regarding a prompt translation of cord blood therapy into clinical stroke trials as long as deepened knowledge about its precise modes of action is missing.
CD200R signaling inhibits pro-angiogenic gene expression by macrophages and suppresses choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Horie Shintaro , Robbie Scott J. , Liu Jian , Wu Wei-Kang , Ali Robin R. , Bainbridge James W. , Nicholson Lindsay B. , Mochizuki Manabu , Dick Andrew D. , Copland David A.
Published: October 2013

Macrophages are rapidly conditioned by cognate and soluble signals to acquire phenotypes that deliver specific functions during inflammation, wound healing and angiogenesis. Whether inhibitory CD200R signaling regulates pro-angiogenic macrophage phenotypes with the potential to suppress ocular neovascularization is unknown. CD200R-deficient bone marrow derived macrophages (BMMΦ) were used to demonstrate that macrophages lacking this inhibitory receptor exhibit enhanced levels of Vegfa, Arg-1 and Il-1β when stimulated with PGE2 or RPE-conditioned (PGE2-enriched) media. Endothelial tube formation in HUVECs was increased when co-cultured with PGE2-conditioned CD200R−/− BMMΦ, and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization was enhanced in CD200R-deficient mice. In corroboration, signaling through CD200R results in the down-regulation of BMMΦ angiogenic and pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Translational potential of this pathway was investigated in the laser-induced model of choroidal neovascularization. Local delivery of a CD200R agonist mAb to target myeloid infiltrate alters macrophage phenotype and inhibits pro-angiogenic gene expression, which suppresses pathological angiogenesis and CNV development.
Discontinuous properties of current-induced magnetic domain wall depinning
Authors: Hu X. F. , Wu J. , Niu D. X. , Chen L. , Morton S. A. , Scholl A. , Huang Z. C. , Zhai Y. , Zhang W. , Will I. , Xu Y. B. , Zhang R. , van der Laan G.
Published: October 2013

The current-induced motion of magnetic domain walls (DWs) confined to nanostructures is of great interest for fundamental studies as well as for technological applications in spintronic devices. Here, we present magnetic images showing the depinning properties of pulse-current-driven domain walls in well-shaped Permalloy nanowires obtained using photoemission electron microscopy combined with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. In the vicinity of the threshold current density (Jth = 4.2 × 1011 A.m−2) for the DW motion, discontinuous DW depinning and motion have been observed as a sequence of “Barkhausen jumps”. A one-dimensional analytical model with a piecewise parabolic pinning potential has been introduced to reproduce the DW hopping between two nearest neighbour sites, which reveals the dynamical nature of the current-driven DW motion in the depinning regime.
Assessment of Genetically Modified Soybean in Relation to Natural Variation in the Soybean Seed Metabolome
Authors: Clarke Joseph D. , Alexander Danny C. , Ward Dennis P. , Ryals John A. , Mitchell Matthew W. , Wulff Jacob E. , Guo Lining
Published: October 2013

Genetically modified (GM) crops currently constitute a significant and growing part of agriculture. An important aspect of GM crop adoption is to demonstrate safety and equivalence with respect to conventional crops. Untargeted metabolomics has the ability to profile diverse classes of metabolites and thus could be an adjunct for GM crop substantial equivalence assessment. To account for environmental effects and introgression of GM traits into diverse genetic backgrounds, we propose that the assessment for GM crop metabolic composition should be understood within the context of the natural variation for the crop. Using a non-targeted metabolomics platform, we profiled 169 metabolites and established their dynamic ranges from the seeds of 49 conventional soybean lines representing the current commercial genetic diversity. We further demonstrated that the metabolome of a GM line had no significant deviation from natural variation within the soybean metabolome, with the exception of changes in the targeted engineered pathway.
Note: Design principles of a linear array multi-channel effusive metal-vapor atom source
Authors: Jana B. , Majumder A. , Thakur K. B. , Das A. K.
Published: October 2013

Atomic beams can easily be produced by allowing atoms to effuse through a channel. In an earlier investigation [A. Majumder et al., Vacuum 83, 989 (2009)], we had designed, fabricated, and characterized an effusive metal-vapor source using collinear-array of multi-channel. In this note, we describe the theoretical basis of designing the source. Atom density in atomic beam has been estimated using a set of analytical expressions for long-channel operated in transparent mode. Parametric studies on aspect ratio of channel, inter-channel separation, beam width, and vertical distance from the source are carried out. They are useful in providing physical picture and optimizing design parameters.
Modified energetics and growth kinetics on H-terminated GaAs (110)
Authors: Galiana B. , Benedicto M. , Díez-Merino L. , Lorbek S. , Hlawacek G. , Teichert C. , Tejedor P.
Published: October 2013

Atomic hydrogen modification of the surface energy of GaAs (110) epilayers, grown at high temperatures from molecular beams of Ga and As4, has been investigated by friction force microscopy (FFM). The reduction of the friction force observed with longer exposures to the H beam has been correlated with the lowering of the surface energy originated by the progressive de-relaxation of the GaAs (110) surface occurring upon H chemisorption. Our results indicate that the H-terminated GaAs (110) epilayers are more stable than the As-stabilized ones, with the minimum surface energy value of 31 meV/Å2 measured for the fully hydrogenated surface. A significant reduction of the Ga diffusion length on the H-terminated surface irrespective of H coverage has been calculated from the FFM data, consistent with the layer-by-layer growth mode and the greater As incorporation coefficient determined from real-time reflection high-energy electron diffraction studies. Arsenic incorporation through direct dissociative chemisorption of single As4 molecules mediated by H on the GaAs (110) surface has been proposed as the most likely explanation for the changes in surface kinetics observed.
Flag-dipole spinor fields in ESK gravities
Authors: da Rocha Roldão , Fabbri Luca , Hoff da Silva J. M. , Cavalcanti R. T. , Silva-Neto J. A.
Published: October 2013

We consider the Riemann-Cartan geometry as a basis for the Einstein-Sciama-Kibble theory coupled to spinor fields: we focus on f(R) and conformal gravities, regarding the flag-dipole spinor fields, type-(4) spinor fields under the Lounesto classification. We study such theories in specific cases given, for instance, by cosmological scenarios: we find that in such background the Dirac equation admits solutions that are not Dirac spinor fields, but in fact the aforementioned flag-dipoles ones. These solutions are important from a theoretical perspective, as they evince that spinor fields are not necessarily determined by their dynamics, but also a discussion on their structural (algebraic) properties must be carried off. Furthermore, the phenomenological point of view is shown to be also relevant, since for isotropic Universes they circumvent the question whether spinor fields do undergo the Cosmological Principle.
Rectifying differences in transport, dynamic, and quasi-equilibrium measurements of critical current density
Authors: Golovchanskiy I. A. , Pan A. V. , Shcherbakova O. V. , Fedoseev S. A.
Published: October 2013

The dependence of the critical current density (Jc) on electric field criteria (Ecr) is studied for high-quality YBCO (YBa2Cu3O7) thin films over the entire applied magnetic field (Ba) range. The quantitative model describing the Jc(Ba) dependence is compared and explained for the critical current densities obtained by different measurement techniques. Transport current and quasi-equilibrium magnetization measurement data can successfully be fitted by the model with appropriate electric field criteria. The dependence of the irreversibility field on the Ecr criterion can be obtained within the model. At the same time, the dynamic magnetization measurements of the Jc(Ba) curves strongly depend on instrumentally defined parameters, introducing inconsistencies in the experimental results. Therefore, the model calculations are able to explain the Jc(Ba) curves only if the instrumental vibrations affecting vortex behaviour are taken into account. However, the nature of the observed dependence on the vibration of the samples is unclear. Different frequencies of the sample vibrations have been investigated. It is revealed that if the frequency tends to zero, the Jc(Ba) curves are well described by the model. We have outlined a number of possibilities which may be responsible for the behaviour observed. However, none of the existing theories can explain the effect of the vibrations, which exponentially degrade the irreversibility field to a certain tampered Birr value at frequencies larger than ≃25 Hz.
Performance analysis of MgO-based perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions
Authors: Devolder T. , Garcia K. , Agnus G. , Manfrini M. , Cornelissen S. , Min T.
Published: October 2013

We studied state of the art perpendicularly magnetized tunnel junctions to identify performance improvement opportunities. The free layer has both a low damping and a large anisotropy. Conversely, the perpendicular remanence of the reference layer requires its encapsulation and its coupling with the hard layer. The weak pinning and low damping of the reference layer may make it prone to fluctuations induced by spin-torque. The combined optimization of the interface anisotropies on both sides of the MgO, together with the reproducibility of the interlayer exchange coupling are the main material challenges for our type of magnetic tunnel junctions.
Generalized space-charge limited current and virtual cathode behaviors in one-dimensional drift space
Authors: Yang Zhanfeng , Liu Guozhi , Shao Hao , Chen Changhua , Sun Jun
Published: October 2013

This paper reports the space-charge limited current (SLC) and virtual cathode behaviors in one-dimensional grounded drift space. A simple general analytical solution and an approximate solution for the planar diode are given. Through a semi-analytical method, a general solution for SLC in one-dimensional drift space is obtained. The behaviors of virtual cathode in the drift space, including dominant frequency, electron transit time, position, and transmitted current, are yielded analytically. The relationship between the frequency of the virtual cathode oscillation and the injected current presented may explain previously reported numerical works. Results are significant in facilitating estimations and further analytical studies.