bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of dinitrogen fixation to bacterial and primary productivity in the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea)
Authors: Rahav E. , Herut B. , Mulholland M. R. , Voß B. , Stazic D. , Steglich C. , Hess W. R. , Berman-Frank I.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. We evaluated the seasonal contribution of heterotrophic and autotrophic diazotrophy to the total dinitrogen (N2) fixation in a representative pelagic station in the northern Gulf of Aqaba in early spring when the water column was mixed and during summer under full thermal stratification. N2 fixation rates were low during the mixed period (∼ 0.1 nmol N L−1 d−1) and were significantly coupled with both primary and bacterial productivity. During the stratified period N2 fixation rates were four-fold higher (∼ 0.4 nmol N L−1 d−1) and were significantly correlated solely with bacterial productivity. Furthermore, while experimental enrichment of seawater by phosphorus (P) enhanced bacterial productivity and N2 fixation rates during both seasons primary productivity was stimulated by P only in the early spring. Metatranscriptomic analyses from the stratified period identified the major diazotrophic contributors as related to heterotrophic prokaryotes from the Euryarchaeota and Desulfobacterales (Deltaproteobacteria) or Chlorobiales (Chlorobia). Moreover, during this season, experimental amendments to seawater applying a combination of the photosynthetic inhibitor 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) and a mixture of amino acids increased both bacterial productivity and N2 fixation rates. Our findings from the northern Gulf of Aqaba indicate a~shift in the diazotrophic community from phototrophic and heterotrophic populations, including small blooms of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium, in winter/early spring, to predominantly heterotrophic diazotrophs in summer that may be both P and carbon limited as the additions of P and amino acids illustrated.
Joint effect of freshwater plume and coastal upwelling on phytoplankton growth off the Changjiang River
Authors: Tseng Y.-F. , Lin J. , Dai M. , Kao S.-J.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Changjiang River discharges vast amount of unbalanced nutrients (dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) with N / P > 80 in general) into the East China Sea during summertime. To explore nutrient dynamics and P stress potential for phytoplankton, a cruise was conducted in the Changjiang plume during summer 2011. With 3-D observations of nutrients, chlorophyll a (Chl a), and bulk alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), we concluded that the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) and coastal upwelling significantly influenced the horizontal and vertical heterogeneities of phytoplankton P-deficiency in the plume. Allochthonous APA was detected at nutrient-enriched freshwater end. Excessive N (~10 to 112 µM) was obserevd throughout the entire plume surface. In the plume fringe where featured by stratification and excess N, diapycnal phosphate supply was blocked to stimulate APA for phytoplankton growth. We observed upwelling outcrops just attaching the turbidity front at seaward side, where Chl a peaked yet much less APA was detected. An external phosphate supply from subsurface, which stimulated phytoplankton growth but inhibited APA, was suggested and the supply was likely sourced from the Nearshore Kuroshio Branch Current. In such hydrographically complicated Changjiang plume, phosphate supply instead of its concentration was more important determining the expression of APA. Meanwhile, allochthounous APA may also alter the usefulness of APA as a P-stress indicator.
Sink or link? The bacterial role in benthic carbon cycling in the Arabian sea oxygen minimum zone
Authors: Pozzato L. , Van Oevelen D. , Moodley L. , Soetaert K. , Middelburg J. J.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The bacterial loop, the consumption of dissolved organic matter (DOM) by bacteria and subsequent transfer of bacterial carbon to higher trophic levels, plays a prominent role in pelagic aquatic food webs. However, its role in sedimentary ecosystems is not well documented. Here we present the results of isotope tracer experiments performed under in situ oxygen conditions in sediments from inside and outside the Arabian Sea Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) to study the importance of the microbial loop in this setting. Particulate organic matter, added as phytodetritus, was processed by bacteria, protozoa and metazoans, while dissolved organic matter was processed only by bacteria and there was very little, if any, transfer to higher trophic levels within the experimental period. This lack of significant transfer of bacterial-derived carbon to metazoan consumers indicates that the bacterial loop is rather inefficient in these sediments. Moreover, metazoans directly consume labile particulate organic matter resources and thus compete with bacteria for phytodetritus.
Millennial-scale variability of marine productivity and terrigenous matter supply in the western Bering Sea over the past 180 kyr
Authors: Riethdorf J.-R. , Nürnberg D. , Max L. , Tiedemann R. , Gorbarenko S. A. , Malakhov M. I.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. We used piston cores recovered in the western Bering Sea to reconstruct millennial-scale changes in marine productivity and terrigenous matter supply over the past ~180 kyr. Based on a geochemical multi-proxy approach, our results indicate closely interacting processes controlling marine productivity and terrigenous matter supply comparable to the situation in the Okhotsk Sea. Overall, terrigenous inputs were high, whereas export production was low. Minor increases in marine productivity occurred during intervals of Marine Isotope Stage 5 and interstadials, but pronounced maxima were recorded during interglacials and Termination I. The terrigenous material is suggested to be derived from continental sources on the eastern Bering Sea shelf and to be subsequently transported via sea ice, which is likely to drive changes in surface productivity, terrigenous inputs, and upper-ocean stratification. From our results we propose glacial, deglacial, and interglacial scenarios for environmental change in the Bering Sea. These changes seem to be primarily controlled by insolation and sea-level forcing which affect the strength of atmospheric pressure systems and sea-ice growth. The opening history of the Bering Strait is considered to have had an additional impact. High-resolution core logging data (color b*, XRF scans) strongly correspond to the Dansgaard–Oeschger climate variability registered in the NGRIP ice core and support an atmospheric coupling mechanism of Northern Hemisphere climates.
Stochastic spatial disaggregation of extreme precipitation to validate a Regional Climate Model and to evaluate climate change impacts over a small watershed
Authors: Gagnon P. , Rousseau A. N.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Regional Climate Models (RCMs) are valuable tools to evaluate impacts of climate change (CC) at regional scale. However, as the size of the area of interest decreases, the ability of a RCM to simulate extreme precipitation events decreases due to the spatial resolution. Thus, it is difficult to evaluate whether a RCM bias on localized extreme precipitation is caused by the spatial resolution or by a misrepresentation of the physical processes in the model. Thereby, it is difficult to trust the CC impact projections for localized extreme precipitation. Stochastic spatial disaggregation models can bring the RCM precipitation data at a finer scale and reduce the bias caused by spatial resolution. In addition, disaggregation models can generate an ensemble of outputs, producing an interval of possible values instead of a unique discrete value. The objective of this work is to evaluate whether a stochastic spatial disaggregation model applied on annual maximum daily precipitation: (i) enables the validation of a RCM for a period of reference, and (ii) modifies the evaluation of CC impacts over a small area. Three simulations of the Canadian RCM (CRCM) covering the period 1961–2099 are used over a small watershed (130 km2) located in southern Québec, Canada. The disaggregation model applied is based on Gibbs sampling and accounts for physical properties of the event (wind speed, wind direction, and convective available potential energy (CAPE)), leading to realistic spatial distributions of precipitation. The results indicate that disaggregation has a significant impact on the validation. However it does not provide a precise estimate of the simulation bias because of the difference in resolution between disaggregated values (4 km) and observations, and because of the underestimation of the spatial variability by the disaggregation model for the most convective events. Nevertheless, disaggregation permits to determine that the simulations used mostly overestimated annual maximum precipitation depth in the study area during the reference period. Also, disaggregation slightly increases the signal of CC compared to the RCM raw simulations, highlighting the importance of spatial resolution in CC impact evaluation of extreme events.
Aproximaciones al Pensamiento Ambiental de Enrique Leff
Authors: Eschenhagen María Luisa ,   Center for Environmental Philosophy, The University of North Texas
Published: June 2013

Enrique Leff sostiene que las causas profundas de la crisis ambiental se basan en formas dominantes de conocimiento, es decir, la crisis tiene sus raíces en las bases epistemológicas de la modernidad. Leff sistemáticamente se ha dedicado a proponer y construir conceptos que deconstruyen los supuestos modernos, y que al mismo tiempo, permiten nuevas formas de entender y aprehender el mundo. Su extensa obra ha logrado trascender y forjar un espacio para el pensamiento ambiental, no sólo en la educación y la filosofía ambiental , sino también en las áreas de la economía, la sociología y el desarrollo. Su argumento central es que estos problemas son el resultado de una crisis de la civilización, e insta a todos a repensar los fundamentos de la racionalidad moderna que subyace a la sociedad global contemporánea.
Lung Adenocarcinoma Biomarker Incidence in Hispanic Versus Non-Hispanic White Patients
Authors: McQuitty Elizabeth , Zhang Wei , Hendrickson Heather , Tio Fermin O. , Jagirdar Jaishree , Olsen Randall , Cagle Philip T.
Published: June 2013

Context.—Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and worldwide. Biomarker testing is critical to personalized therapy in lung adenocarcinoma and has been extensively investigated in non-Hispanic whites, Asians, and African Americans. However, little information addresses the underlying genetic changes in lung adenocarcinoma among Hispanic patients in the United States.

Objective.—To identify targetable biomarkers other than EGFR and EML4-ALK in Hispanic patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Design.—We tested DNA extracted from 85 lung adenocarcinoma specimens collected from 40 Hispanic and 43 non-Hispanic white patients for previously reported mutations in KRAS, MET, BRAF, mTOR, STAT3, JAK2, PIK3CA, AKT1 through AKT3, and PTEN with a custom Sequenom massARRAY assay (Sequenom, San Diego, California).

Results.—Mutations in KRAS were identified in 11 cases (13%; 6 Hispanic [7%], 5 non-Hispanic white [6%]) and had no correlation with sex, age, or smoking history. Mutations in PIK3CA were identified in 2 of the 40 Hispanic patients (5%), including one patient (2.5%) with a concurrent KRAS mutation. The tumors were wild type for all other genes tested.

Conclusions.—Targetable biomarkers other than EGFR and EML4-ALK were identified in 7 of the 40 Hispanic patients (18%) and 5 of the 43 non-Hispanic white patients (12%), suggesting a similar mutational frequency. Our highly multiplexed genotyping assay detected actionable mutations in 14% (12 of 83) more patients than would have been identified by EGFR and EML4-ALK testing alone.
Sonographic Features of Cervical Lymph Nodes After Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Choo Hye Jung , Lee Yoo Jin , Jung Soo Jin , Eom Jae Wook , Ha Tae Kwun
Published: June 2013

Objectives

Unlike the preoperative findings in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, the postoperative sonographic features of cervical lymph nodes have not been established. This study aimed to assess the sonographic features of metastatic lymph nodes after thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Methods

The study population consisted of 104 consecutively registered patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma and underwent sonographically guided fine‐needle aspiration of lymph nodes in the neck. The sonographic features of each lymph node were retrospectively evaluated by a single radiologist. The confirmation methods for the 115 lymph nodes included surgery (n = 35), measurement of thyroglobulin levels in the aspirates (n = 2), malignant cytologic analysis (n = 10), and benign cytologic analysis with sonographic follow‐up over 12 months (n = 68). We determined the diagnostic indices of individual sonographic features for differentiating between metastatic and benign lymph nodes by comparing these features with the final diagnoses.

Results

Of the 104 patients, 67 underwent at least 1 cycle of radioisotope therapy after thyroidectomy. The malignancy rate for the lymph nodes was 42.6% (49 of 115). A significant relationship was found between malignancy and the presence of an intranodal cystic component, intranodal microcalcifications, diffusely increased echogenicity, a microlobulated margin, a round shape, loss of echogenic hila, and mixed or central vascularity on color Doppler sonography (P < .05).

Conclusions

The sonographic features of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in postoperative patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were similar to those in preoperative patients.
Use of Pelvic Computed Tomography and Sonography in Women of Reproductive Age in the Emergency Department
Authors: Asch Elizabeth , Shah Sejal , Kang Tarina , Levine Deborah
Published: June 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to review use of pelvic computed tomography (CT) and sonography in the emergency department for women of reproductive age and to identify cases in which sonography might have been adequate.

Methods

Computed tomographic and sonographic examinations of the pelvis performed on women up to 55 years of age in our emergency department during a 6‐month period were reviewed. Repeated CT and CT with indications for which sonography would not be the first‐line imaging modality (eg, diverticulitis and trauma) were excluded. For the sonographic‐only assessment, repeated sonography and sonography with indications for which CT would not be the first‐line imaging modality (eg, vaginal bleeding) were excluded. Patient referral indications, imaging diagnoses, and discharge diagnoses were compared for the groups with CT only, CT first, sonography first, and sonography only.

Results

Of 509 women who underwent CT, 407 (80%) underwent CT only; 54 (11%) underwent CT first; and 48 (9%) underwent pelvic sonography first. The percentages with negative CT findings were 42%,17%, and 50%, respectively. Overall, 63 (CT only), 38 (CT first), and 12 (sonography first) patients had CT diagnoses of pelvic conditions only (113 of 509 women [22%]). Of the patients with CT and discharge diagnoses of pelvic conditions, 36 of 44 (82%) had CT only or CT first; 58 of 110 (53%) of cases with sonography only showed acute pelvic conditions.

Conclusions

Twenty‐two percent of pelvic CT examinations performed in women of reproductive age in our emergency department showed only pelvic conditions, suggesting that sonography would have been a reasonable primary imaging test for these patients.
Double Sac Sign and Intradecidual Sign in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Doubilet Peter M. , Benson Carol B.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To assess the interobserver agreement, frequency of occurrence, and prognostic importance of the double sac sign (DSS), intradecidual sign (IDS), and other sonographic findings in early intrauterine pregnancies.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all sonograms obtained between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2011, in which: (1) the scan demonstrated an intrauterine fluid collection without a yolk sac or embryo; (2) a follow‐up scan confirmed an intrauterine pregnancy; and (3) the first‐trimester outcome was known. Each coinvestigator characterized the 199 study sonograms as demonstrating or not demonstrating a DSS or an IDS, based on judgment about whether the scan met published criteria defining these signs.

Results

Interobserver agreement was poor for the DSS (κ= 0.24) and IDS (κ= 0.23). Scans frequently demonstrated neither sign: 150 cases (75.4%) if we considered a sign to be present when both investigators graded it as present and 69 cases (34.7%) using the looser criterion that either graded it as present. The presence of a DSS or an IDS was unrelated to the β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) value (P > .05, t test, all comparisons). An inner echogenic ring was present in 158 cases (79.4%), and the decidua was brighter peripherally than centrally in 102 (51.3%). The first‐trimester outcome was unrelated to the presence of a DSS or an IDS, presence of an inner echogenic ring, or decidual appearance (P > .05, χ2, all comparisons).

Conclusions

The sonographic appearance of early gestational sacs, before visualization of a yolk sac or embryo, is highly variable. The DSS and IDS are often absent; there is poor interobserver agreement regarding these signs; and the prognosis is unrelated to their presence or absence. A round or oval intrauterine fluid collection in a woman with positive β‐hCG should be treated as a gestational sac until proven otherwise, regardless of whether it demonstrates a DSS or an IDS.
Fetal Dorsalis Pedis Artery Velocimetry in the Second and Third Trimesters
Authors: Zhao Yili , Zhang Ming , Zhou Qichang , Tang Kui , Wang Linling , Gong Zheli
Published: June 2013

Objectives

This study aimed to establish reference ranges for Doppler parameters of the fetal dorsalis pedis artery and to compare them with those of the anterior tibial artery.

Methods

Dorsalis pedis artery velocimetry was performed in 138 singleton fetuses. Intraobserver repeatability coefficients and differences between measurements of bilateral legs were also evaluated. Comparisons were made between the pulsatility index in the dorsalis pedis and anterior tibial arteries.

Results

The average maximum velocity of the dorsalis pedis artery increased from approximately 12.2 cm/s at 18 weeks' gestation to 33.6 cm/s at 39 weeks' gestation, whereas the minimum velocity did not show any significant variation during the observed gestational weeks. The average pulsatility index increased from about 2.0 at 18 weeks' gestation to 3.1 at 39 weeks' gestation. The pulsatility index was lower in the dorsalis pedis artery than in the anterior tibial artery.

Conclusions

Doppler parameters of the dorsalis pedis artery can be easily and accurately acquired by trained examiners and therefore are potential means for evaluating related fetal vascular development. However, it is still unclear whether changes exist in fetuses with limb diseases, and further investigation is needed.
Entanglement of Conjugated Polymer Chains Influences Molecular Self‐Assembly and Carrier Transport
Authors: Zhao Kui , Khan Hadayat Ullah , Li Ruipeng , Su Yisong , Amassian Aram
Published: June 2013

The influence of polymer entanglement on the self‐assembly, molecular packing structure, and microstructure of low‐Mw (lightly entangled) and high‐Mw (highly entangled) poly (3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT), and the carrier transport in thin‐film transistors, are investigated. The polymer chains are gradually disentangled in a marginal solvent via ultrasonication of the polymer solution, and demonstrate improved diffusivity of precursor species (coils, aggregates, and microcrystallites), enhanced nucleation and crystallization of P3HT in solution, and self‐assembly of well‐ordered and highly textured fibrils at the solid–liquid interface. In low‐Mw P3HT, reducing chain entanglement enhances interchain and intrachain ordering, but reduces the interconnectivity of ordered domains (tie molecules) due to the presence of short chains, thus deteriorating carrier transport even in the face of improving crystallinity. Reducing chain entanglement in high‐Mw P3HT solutions increases carrier mobility up to ≈20‐fold, by enhancing interchain and intrachain ordering while maintaining a sufficiently large number of tie molecules between ordered domains. These results indicate that charge carrier mobility is strongly governed by the balancing of intrachain and interchain ordering, on the one hand, and interconnectivity of ordered domains, on the other hand. In high‐Mw P3HT, intrachain and interchain ordering appear to be the key bottlenecks to charge transport, whereas in low‐Mw P3HT, the limited interconnectivity of the ordered domains acts as the primary bottleneck to charge transport.
Formation of CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2 Thin‐Films Deposited by Three‐Stage Thermal Co‐Evaporation: A Real‐Time X‐Ray Diffraction and Fluorescence Study
Authors: Rodriguez‐Alvarez Humberto , Weber Alfons , Lauche Jakob , Kaufmann Christian Alexander , Rissom Thorsten , Greiner Dieter , Klaus Manuela , Unold Thomas , Genzel Christoph , Schock Hans‐Werner , Mainz Roland
Published: June 2013

Thin film solar cells based on co‐evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber films present the highest efficiencies among current polycrystalline thin‐film technologies. Thanks to the development of a novel experimental setup for in situ growth studies, it was possible to follow the formation of the crystalline phases during such deposition processes for the first time. This synchrotron‐based energy‐dispersive X‐ray diffraction and fluorescence setup is suited for real‐time studies of thin film vapor deposition processes. Focusing on the growth of CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2 fabricated by three‐stage processing, we find that the phase transitions in the Cu‐In‐Se system follow the reported pseudo‐binary In2Se3‐Cu2Se phase diagram. This requires a transformation of the Se sublattice during the incorporation of Cu‐Se into the In2Se3 precursor film from the first process stage. In the Cu‐Ga‐Se system, besides an increase in the lattice spacings, we observe no transformation of the Se sublattice. Furthermore, the structural defects of the Ga‐Se precursor film are preserved until the CuGaSe2 stoichiometry is reached. By means of model calculations of the fluorescence signals, we confirm in both systems the segregation of Cu2Se at the surface near a concentration of 25 at.% Cu shortly after the recrystallization of the films. The modeling also reveals that Cu2Se penetrates into the CuInSe2 film, whereas it remains at the surface of the CuGaSe2 film.
The role of ergonomic and psychosocial workplace factors in the reporting of back injuries among U.S. home health aides
Authors: Arlinghaus Anna , Caban‐Martinez Alberto J. , Marino Miguel , Reme Silje Endresen
Published: June 2013

Background

Due to the aging population and a shift to patient home care, home health aides (HHAs) are a fast‐growing occupation. Since little is known about workplace risk factors for back injuries among HHAs, we examined the role of ergonomic and psychosocial factors in injury reporting among HHAs.

Methods

We used the 2007 U.S. National Home Health Aide Survey data (weighted n = 160,720) to predict the risk of back injuries by use of/need for ergonomic equipment and supervisor support with logistic regression, adjusted for socio‐demographic variables.

Results

The annual prevalence of back injuries for U.S. HHAs was 5.2%. Injury risk was increased in HHAs reporting the need of additional ergonomic equipment in patient homes, and marginally associated with low reported supervisor support.

Conclusions

Improvement of workplace ergonomic and psychosocial factors could be targeted as a strategy to decrease work‐related injuries in HHAs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1239–1244, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimating occupational exposure to carcinogens in Quebec
Authors: Labrèche France , Duguay Patrice , Ostiguy Claude , Boucher Alexandre , Roberge Brigitte , Peters Cheryl E. , Demers Paul A.
Published: June 2013

Background

We estimated the extent of exposure to occupational carcinogens in Quebec, Canada, to help raise awareness of occupational cancers.

Methods

Proportions of workers exposed to 21 recognized and 17 probable carcinogens (according to Quebec occupational health regulation and the International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC] classification) were extracted from various sources: workplace monitoring data, research projects, a population survey, radiation protection data, exposure estimates from the Carcinogen Exposure Canada (CAREX Canada) Project database, and published exposure data. These proportions were applied to Quebec labor force data.

Results

Among the 38 studied, carcinogens with the largest proportions of exposed workers were solar radiation (6.6% of workers), night shift work/rotating shift work including nights (6.0%), diesel exhaust fumes (4.4%), wood dust (2.9%) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (2.0%). More than 15 carcinogens were identified in several industrial sectors, and up to 100,000 young workers are employed in these sectors.

Conclusion

Although crude, estimates obtained with different data sources allow identification of research and intervention priorities for cancer in Quebec. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1040–1050, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surperhydrophobic polyurethane foam modified by graphene oxide
Authors: Liu Hai‐dong , Liu Zheng‐ying , Yang Ming‐bo , He Qi
Published: June 2013

Graphene with amine group was covalently grafted on the polyurethane foam with nitrile group to form superhydrophobic foam. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), optical contact angle measuring device, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the foam, showing the dodecane diamine was successfully grafted onto graphene oxide and the graphene oxide modified by dodecane diamine was successfully grafted onto polyurethane foam. Moreover, the modified foam exhibited a high contact angle (159.1 ± 2.3°) compared to unmodified foam (121.4 ± 3.2°). And that is due to the foam modified by amidation of graphene oxide can enhance the surface roughness and reduce the surface energy of the foam. Owing to modified foam was extremely hydrophobic and preferentially adsorbed oil other than water, the sorption capacity of the modified foam for toluene, gasoline, and diesel is 41, 27, and 26 g/g, respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3530–3536, 2013
Recent advances in flexible sensors for wearable and implantable devices
Authors: Pang Changhyun , Lee Chanseok , Suh Kahp‐Yang
Published: June 2013

Flexible devices are emerging as important applications for future display, robotics, in vitro diagnostics, advanced therapies, and energy harvesting. In this review, we provide an overview of recent achievements in flexible mechanical and electrical sensing devices, focusing on the properties and functions of polymeric layers. In the order of historical development, sensing platforms are classified into four types: electronic skins for robotics and medical applications, wearable devices for in vitro diagnostics, implantable devices for human organs or tissues for surgical applications, and advanced sensing devices with additional features such as transparency, self‐power, and self‐healing. In all of these examples, a polymer layer is used as a versatile component including a flexible structural support and a functional material to generate, transmit, and process mechanical and electrical inputs in various ways. We briefly discuss some outlooks and future challenges toward the next steps for flexible devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1429–1441, 2013
Crystal structure transformations and orientation in crosslinked elastic fibers of an ethylene‐octene copolymer in response to deformation and heat treatment
Authors: Liu Li‐Zhi , Paradkar Rajesh , Bensason Selim
Published: June 2013

Crosslinked elastic fibers, made from a low density (0.875 g/cc) ethylene‐octene copolymer, were studied after constrained at 300% elongation and annealed at different temperatures (40–80°C) to simulate conditions encountered in yarn and textile processing. It is surprisingly found that the transition from pseudo hexagonal to orthorhombic structure is much faster under simultaneously constraining and annealing than that without strain. Almost a neat orthorhombic structure can be produced when the fiber is annealed at 60°C. Annealing above 60°C leads to mixed orthorhombic and pseudo‐hexagonal structures. The average melting point increases with an increase in the fraction of orthorhombic phase. It is also surprisingly noted that the simultaneously constraining and annealing of the fiber can produce highly oriented crystals, even annealed at 80°C (above the average melting point of 65°C). The unique effect of annealing under large strain can be attributed to the crosslinking of the fiber, which makes it possible for the fiber to have strong chain orientation (even in molten state) under large strain. The strong chain orientation in melt leads to a faster structural transition from pseudo hexagonal to more stable orthorhombic structure. The strong chain orientation is also very likely the reason why highly oriented crystal and amorphous phases are formed, including the case where the fiber is annealed above melting point. These findings could be leveraged for improving thermal and mechanical properties of the fabrics made with such fibers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3565–3573, 2013
An environment‐friendly thermal insulation material from cellulose and plasma modification
Authors: Shi Jianjun , Lu Lingbin , Guo Wantao , Sun Yujia , Cao Yang
Published: June 2013

Cellulose aerogels were prepared by combining the NaOH/thiourea/H2O solvent system and the freeze‐drying technology. Hydrophobic aerogels were obtained with the cold plasma modification technology. The results showed that cellulose aerogel had good heat insulation performance, while the main factors affecting thermal conductivity were density and porosity. Thermal conductivity decreased with the decrease of density and the increase of porosity. It could be as low as 0.029 W/(m K). Cellulose aerogel adsorbed moisture easily. The moisture adsorption had a significant influence on the heat insulation performance of aerogel. After conducting hydrophobic modification using CCl4as plasma, cellulose aerogel was changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic and water contact angle was as high as 102°. Hydrophobic modification did not affect the heat insulation performance of aerogel. This work provided a foundation for the possibility of applying cellulose aerogels in the insulating material field. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3652–3658, 2013
Comparative Study on State Estimation in Elastic Joints
Authors: Chen Wenjie , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: June 2013

In robots with elastic joints, discrepancies exist between the motor side and the load side (i.e., the link of the robotic joint) due to joint elasticity. Thus, sensing only at the motor side does not precisely provide the information of interest at the load side. In view that the load side states determine the position and orientation of the end‐effector, it is critical to have the load side states sensed and/or estimated. In this paper, we present a comprehensive comparative study on load side state estimation utilizing two different models of robotic elastic joints. Low‐cost MEMS inertia sensors, such as gyroscopes and accelerometers, are adopted on the load side to supplement the motor side sensing. We also incorporate sensor noises and biases in the measurement dynamics. Kalman filtering methods are designed based on the extended dynamic/kinematic models for the fusion of multiple sensor signals. We also study the specific issue related to the noise covariance adaptation. The effectiveness of the proposed schemes is experimentally demonstrated and compared on a robotic elastic joint testbed.
A Balancing Act: A Family Perspective to Sibling Sexual Abuse
Authors: Keane Michael , Guest Andrea , Padbury Jo
Published: June 2013

This article will focus on responding to harmful sexual behaviour by young people towards their siblings and other young children in their family network. It will explore a framework for practice of engaging children and their families following disclosure of sexual abuse, developed by the Sexual Abuse Counselling and Prevention Program at the Children's Protection Society (CPS) in Melbourne, Australia. This article will detail statutory and policy frameworks that provide a context for therapeutic intervention. This particularly applies to consideration of the separation of young people from their families, and where this occurs, to the matter of their reunification with their families. The CPS is particularly exercised by the challenge of achieving a balance in individual safety and the wellbeing of all family members. The article will look at examples of work in which balancing the best interests of different family members which at times are in potential if not actual conflict poses a challenge to counselling staff. The article will provide ideas and approaches to consider for those programmes that walk this difficult journey with families. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘This article will detail statutory and policy frameworks that provide a context for therapeutic intervention’

Key Practitioner Messages

In working with sibling sexual abuse, therapeutic work should equally consider the needs of the victim and the offending sibling.

Joint work with all family members can contribute to creating a safe environment, which promotes family healing.

Safety planning needs to occur in partnership with parents and statutory bodies.

‘Safety planning needs to occur in partnership with parents and statutory bodies’
‘If it makes you feel good it must be right’: Embodiment strategies for healthy eating and risk management
Authors: Kristensen Dorthe Brogård , Askegaard Søren , Jeppesen Lene Hauge
Published: June 2013

The following arguments are constructed around the encounter of embodied experiences and societal discourses. On the basis of an ethnographic study of 34 Danish consumers, we present different consumers' strategies in relation to their perception of healthy food and management of food‐related health risk. Drawing on a subsample representing particular subject positions in relation to healthy eating, we argue for an increased role of embodiment in consumers' risk handling. The study shows that because of the overload of information, consumers increasingly turn to personal experiences and bodily feelings as the instrument and strategy for evaluating possible health risk and benefit. Furthermore, the study shows how these evaluations are related to broader political and socio‐economic issues as well as closely intertwined with notion of trust and mistrust. Through embodied feelings, consumers navigate and negotiate their position in relation to social discourses of health and risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Direct Stereoselective Preparation of a Fish Pheromone and Application of the Zinc Porphyrin Tweezer Chiroptical Protocol in Its Stereochemical Assignment
Authors: Ouedraogo Yannick P. , Huang Longchuan , Torrente Mariana P. , Proni Gloria , Chadwick Ekaterina , Wehmschulte Rudolf J. , Nesnas Nasri
Published: June 2013

A two‐step stereoselective preparation of a goldfish pheromone, 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one, is reported from the readily available cortexolone in 64% overall yield. The (20S)‐epimer was also synthesized in three steps from cortexolone with an overall yield of 47%. A microscale chiroptical technique based on a host/guest complexation mechanism between the substrate and a dimeric metalloporphyrin host (tweezer) was used to confirm the stereochemical assignment, while Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were employed to explain the high stereoselectivity induced by the 17α‐hydroxyl and C18‐methyl groups. Chirality 00:000–000:, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Neuronal Excitability, Oscillations, and Coincidence Detection
Authors: Rinzel John , Huguet Gemma
Published: June 2013

We review some widely studied models and firing dynamics for neuronal systems, both at the single cell and network level, and dynamical systems techniques to study them. In particular, we focus on two topics in mathematical neuroscience that have attracted the attention of mathematicians for decades: single‐cell excitability and bursting. We review the mathematical framework for three types of excitability and onset of repetitive firing behavior in single‐neuron models and their relation with Hodgkin's classification in 1948 of repetitive firing properties. We discuss the mathematical dissection of bursting oscillations using fast/slow analysis and demonstrate the approach using single‐cell and mean‐field network models. Finally, we illustrate the properties of Type III excitability in which case repetitive firing for constant or slow inputs is absent. Rather, firing is in response only to rapid enough changes in the stimulus. Our case study involves neuronal computations for sound localization for which neurons in the auditory brain stem perform extraordinarily precise coincidence detection with submillisecond temporal resolution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energy‐Transfer Mechanisms in IrIII–EuIII Bimetallic Complexes
Authors: Yu Gang , Xing Yadong , Chen Fangfang , Han Ruimin , Wang Jianqiang , Bian Zuqiang , Fu Limin , Liu Zhiwei , Ai Xicheng , Zhang Jianping , Huang Chunhui
Published: June 2013

The bridging ligands in d–f bimetallic complexes play an important role in the excitation energy transfer (EET) process. To elaborate on the effect of the ligand on the EET process, a series of bridging ligands (μ‐L), 1‐(1′,10′‐phenanthrolin‐2′‐yl)‐4,4,4‐trifluorobutane‐1,3‐dione (phen3f), 1‐(1′,10′‐phenanthrolin‐2′‐yl)‐4,4,5,5,5‐pentafluoropentane‐1,3‐dione (phen5f), 1‐(2,2′‐bipyridine‐6‐yl)‐4,4,4‐trifluorobutane‐1,3‐dione (bpy3f), and 1‐(2,2′‐bipyridine‐6‐yl)‐4,4,5,5,5‐pentafluoropentane‐1,3‐dione (bpy5f), and their corresponding iridium complexes, [(dfppy)2Ir(μ‐L)] (dfppy=2‐(4′,6′‐difluorophenyl)pyridinato‐N,C2′), as well as their corresponding heteroleptic IrIII–EuIII complexes [{(dfppy)2Ir(μ‐L)}3EuCl]Cl2 were synthesized and characterized. Photophysical and kinetic results revealed that the alternation of the bridge ligand resulted in a systemic difference in the lowest triplet‐state energy (T1) of the iridium complexes, the EET efficiency from iridium complexes to the EuIII ion, and a significant difference in the total luminescence quantum yields. Based on the nanosecond time‐resolved phosphorescence spectra, a model for the energy‐transfer mechanism was proposed for d–f bimetallic complexes, which indicated that the nonradiative relaxation of the excited energy of EuIII, especially energy dissipation by means of the T1 state, was the main reason for the discrepancy in the quantum yields of the four IrIII–EuIII complexes.
Reproductive isolation and cryptic introgression in a sky island enclave of Appalachian birds
Authors: Davidson Brian S. , Sattler Gene D. , Via Sara , Braun Michael J.
Published: June 2013

Reproductive isolation is central to the speciation process, and cases where the strength of reproductive isolation varies geographically can inform our understanding of speciation mechanisms. Although generally treated as separate species, Black‐capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and Carolina chickadees (P. carolinensis) hybridize and undergo genetic introgression in many areas where they come into contact across the eastern United States and in the northern Appalachian Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains harbor the last large breeding population of atricapillus in the southern Appalachians, isolated from the species’ main range by nearly 200 km. This population is believed to be reproductively isolated from local carolinensis due to an unusual, behaviorally mediated elevational range gap, which forms during the breeding season and may function as an incipient reproductive isolating mechanism. We examined the effectiveness of this putative isolating mechanism by looking for genetic introgression from carolinensis in Great Smoky Mountain atricapillus. We characterized this population and parental controls genetically using hundreds of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci as well as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data from cytochrome‐b. Great Smoky Mountain atricapillus have experienced nuclear genetic introgression from carolinensis, but at much lower levels than other populations near the hybrid zone to the north. No mitochondrial introgression was detected, in contrast to northern contact areas. Thus, the seasonal elevational range gap appears to have been effective in reducing gene flow between these closely related taxa.
High evolutionary potential of marine zooplankton
Authors: Peijnenburg Katja T. C. A. , Goetze Erica
Published: June 2013

Open ocean zooplankton often have been viewed as slowly evolving species that have limited capacity to respond adaptively to changing ocean conditions. Hence, attention has focused on the ecological responses of zooplankton to current global change, including range shifts and changing phenology. Here, we argue that zooplankton also are well poised for evolutionary responses to global change. We present theoretical arguments that suggest plankton species may respond rapidly to selection on mildly beneficial mutations due to exceptionally large population size, and consider the circumstantial evidence that supports our inference that selection may be particularly important for these species. We also review all primary population genetic studies of open ocean zooplankton and show that genetic isolation can be achieved at the scale of gyre systems in open ocean habitats (100s to 1000s of km). Furthermore, population genetic structure often varies across planktonic taxa, and appears to be linked to the particular ecological requirements of the organism. In combination, these characteristics should facilitate adaptive evolution to distinct oceanographic habitats in the plankton. We conclude that marine zooplankton may be capable of rapid evolutionary as well as ecological responses to changing ocean conditions, and discuss the implications of this view. We further suggest two priority areas for future research to test our hypothesis of high evolutionary potential in open ocean zooplankton, which will require (1) assessing how pervasive selection is in driving population divergence and (2) rigorously quantifying the spatial and temporal scales of population differentiation in the open ocean.
Preparation of Imines by Oxidative Coupling of Benzyl Alcohols with Amines Catalysed by Dicopper Complexes
Authors: Lan Yung‐Syuan , Liao Bei‐Sih , Liu Yi‐Hong , Peng Shie‐Ming , Liu Shiuh‐Tzung
Published: June 2013

Complexation of 2,7‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,8‐naphthyridine (bpnp) with Cu2O in formic acid under aerobic conditions provided a dicopper complex [Cu2(bpnp)(μ‐OH)(HCOO)3] (1). This complex has been characterized by X‐ray crystallographic and spectroscopic analysis. With O2 as the oxidant, complex 1 is an efficient catalyst for the oxidative coupling of alcohols with amines or diamines, leading to the corresponding imines or diimines in good to excellent yields.
Asymmetric Michael/Aromatization Reaction of Azlactones to α,β‐Unsaturated Pyrazolones with C‐4 Regioselectivity Catalyzed by an Isosteviol‐Derived Thiourea Organocatalyst
Authors: Geng Zhi‐Cong , Chen Xiang , Zhang Jin‐Xin , Li Ning , Chen Jian , Huang Xiao‐Fei , Zhang Shao‐Yun , Tao Jing‐Chao , Wang Xing‐Wang
Published: June 2013

Pyrazoles are an important class of molecular structures with significant biological and pharmaceutical activities. Herein, heterocyclic compounds containing both a pyrazole motif and a masked amino acid structure are synthesized through the asymmetric Michael/aromatization of azlactones to α,β‐unsaturated pyrazolones by using isosteviol‐derived amine thiourea as the organocatalyst. The products are obtained in good yields (up to 93 %) with good diastereoselectivities and good enantioselectivities (up to >10:1 dr, 97 % ee).
Uncertainty due to low‐dose extrapolation: modified BMD methodology for epidemiological data
Authors: Whitney Melissa , Ryan Louise
Published: June 2013

Traditional environmental risk assessment methodologies, including benchmark dose (BMD) estimation, were originally developed to be used with animal toxicology data. We discuss some problems that can occur when toxicology‐based methods are applied to human cohort studies, and we propose a new method for BMD risk estimation adapted to epidemiological data. Instead of extrapolating to zero‐dose levels to estimate risk in an unexposed population, our proposed alternative involves specifying a nonzero background exposure level instead. To account for uncertainty in that level, we can average modified BMDs over a distribution of exposure levels. We apply our modified BMD method to analyze data from a cohort study designed to assess the effects of prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure on cognitive ability in young children. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A noniterative design procedure for supplemental brace–damper systems in single‐degree‐of‐freedom systems
Authors: Londoño Julián M. , Neild Simon A. , Wagg David J.
Published: June 2013

In this paper, a method for designing supplemental brace–damper systems in single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) structures is presented. We include the effects of the supporting brace stiffness in the dynamic response by using a viscoelastic Maxwell model. On the basis of the study of an SDOF under ground excitation, we propose a noniterative design procedure for simultaneously specifying both the damper and the brace while assuring a desired structural performance. It is shown that to increase the damper size beyond the value delivered by the proposed criteria will not provide any improvement but actually worsen the structural response. The design method presented here shows excellent agreement with the FEMA 273 design approach but offers solutions closer to optimality. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EPCAM germline and somatic rearrangements in lynch syndrome: identification of a novel 3′EPCAM deletion
Authors: Spaepen Marijke , Neven Esther , Sagaert Xavier , De Hertogh Gert , Beert Eline , Wimmer Katharina , Matthijs Gert , Legius Eric , Brems Hilde
Published: June 2013

3′EPCAM (Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule) genomic rearrangements can be a cause of mismatch repair deficiency in rare Lynch syndrome families. 3′EPCAM deletions include the polyadenylation signal and might result in promoter hypermethylation of the centromeric MSH2 gene in cis. A somatic rearrangement in trans affecting MSH2 is responsible for the final mismatch repair deficiency in the corresponding tumors but the mechanisms are not well documented. In this report two germline 3′EPCAM deletions are described together with the corresponding somatic mutations in the patient's colorectal tumors. Mutation and breakpoint analysis resulted in the identification of one novel (c.556‐531_*872del) and one known EPCAM deletion (c.859‐689_*14697del). Both deletions resulted from Alu mediated homologous recombination causing aberrant EPCAM‐MSH2 fusion transcripts. The colorectal tumors of the deletion carriers were MSI‐high. Strong hypermethylation of the MSH2 promoter was measured. Analysis of somatic genomic rearrangements showed a 4 Mb deletion including the EPCAM, MSH2 and MSH6 genes in one tumor and copy neutral loss of heterozygosity in the EPCAM‐MSH2 region in the other tumor. This indicates that hemi‐ and homozygous hypermethylation of the MSH2 promoter and hence complete silencing of MSH2 expression was responsible for the mismatch repair deficiency in both colorectal tumors. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.