bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical porous copper materials: fabrication and characterisation
Authors: Kong Qingquan , Lian Lixian , Liu Ying , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2013

Hierarchical porous copper bulk can be fabricated through chemical dealloying of porous CuAl intermetallics under free corrosion conditions. The obtained precursor porous CuAl intermetallics and as‐dealloyed hierarchical porous copper were characterised using X‐ray diffraction, a field‐emission scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. It was found that the hierarchical porous copper can be easily prepared by this method. The dealloying solution will dramatically influence the morphology of the resultant hierarchical porous materials. As a result, trimodal porous copper composite material and bimodal porous copper can be achieved after being dealloyed in NaOH and HCl solutions, respectively. Therefore, the mechanisms of the evolution of hierarchical pores structure are also discussed.
Ternary semiconductor ZnSe0.7Te0.3 nanowires
Authors: Li Shanying , Su Qing , Zhao Haipeng , Tian Damin
Published: August 2013

Ternary semiconductor ZnSe0.7Te0.3 nanowires (NWs) are synthesised by using a thermal evaporation method, and the as‐synthesised NWs have a wurtzite structure with a growth direction of [001]. The electrical measurements are carried out based on nano‐field‐effect transistors fabricated by individual NWs, and the electron transport characteristics reveal that the ZnSe0.7Te0.3NWs have p‐type conductivity with a high‐mobility (μh) of 0.9 cm2V−1S−1 and carrier concentration (nh) 5 × 1018 cm−3. Photoluminescence measurements for ZnSe0.7Te0.3NWs show a dominant emission peaked at 478 nm which is the emission of free exciton.
Controlled growth of SnO2 nanostructures with small diameters and their photocatalytic properties
Authors: Cheng Guoe , Hao Tingting , Ke Hanzhong , Gong Fujun , Chen Jinyan , Shang Jin
Published: August 2013

SnO2 nanocrystals with small diameters including nanorods, nanowires connected by nanorods and nanoparticles have been obtained in mixed solvents of oleic acid (OA) and ethanol. By simply adjusting the volume ratio of these solvents, the morphologies and structures of the SnO2 crystals can be easily varied. All the products show pure tetragonal SnO2 with a rutile structure and the obtained nanorods can be connected with each other in various ways to form nanowires. The nanocrystals with a volume ratio of OA and ethanol of 1:1 present the best photocatalytic properties which shows 100% degradation of Rhodamine B within 60 min.
Ternary nanocomposites of graphene@SiO2@NiO nanoflowers: synthesis and their microwave electromagnetic properties
Authors: Wang Lei , Huang Ying , Ding Xiao , Liu Panbo , Zong Meng
Published: August 2013

The ternary composites of graphene@SiO2@NiO nanoflowers were fabricated by a multi‐step route. Graphene oxide (GO)@SiO2 sheets were formed by a layer of silica nanosheets coated on the surface of GO. Then, GO@SiO2 sheets were introduced as substrates for the growth of NiO nanoflowers. The microwave absorption property of the ternary composites was studied in the frequency ranging from 2 to 18 GHz, and the effect of the thickness of the ternary composites on microwave absorption was also investigated. The results indicate that graphene@SiO2@NiO nanoflowers composites exhibit enhanced microwave absorption compared with graphene@SiO2. The reflection loss of graphene@SiO2@NiO nanoflowers below −10 dB is 5 GHz (from 10 to 15 GHz) and the maximum absorption is −20.5 dB at 11.3 GHz with a thickness of 3 mm.
Study on porous Cu‐based enzyme‐free glucose electrochemical sensor with different entrapping agents
Authors: Wang Guangfeng , Zhu Yanhong , Nan Honghong , Ma Wenqin , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: August 2013

A report is presented on a novel non‐enzymatic amperometric glucose sensor based on three‐dimensional porous Cu, which was directly reduced by hydrogen from Cu(OH)2. The surface morphology of the synthesised nanoporous Cu was characterised using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction. Compared with the commercial Cu nanoparticles, the nanoporous Cu modified electrode shows better catalysis to glucose, which is attributed to the special porous Cu structure providing a favourable microenvironment for glucose adsorbed in large quantity. The interesting comparative study of different cross‐linking agents for the immobilisation of nanoporous Cu reports that nafion, chitosan and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can all improve the catalysis effect of porous Cu on the glucose but the MWCNT shows the best sensitive response and stability. The MWCNT plays an especially important role in stability improvement by 20% of the efficiency. Under optimal conditions, a linear dependence of the catalytic current upon glucose concentration was obtained in the range of 5.0 × 10−7 –2.0 × 10−3M with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10−7M, a high sensitivity of 20.11 μA μM−1, good stability and no current response from interfering species at the approximate physiological concentration level.
On the reflection type decomposition of the adjoint reduced phase space of a compact semisimple Lie group
Authors: Hofmann M. , Rudolph G. , Schmidt M.
Published: August 2013

We consider a system with symmetries whose configuration space is a compact Lie group, acted upon by inner automorphisms. The classical reduced phase space of this system decomposes into connected components of orbit type subsets. To investigate hypothetical quantum effects of this decomposition one has to construct the associated costratification of the Hilbert space of the quantum system in the sense of Huebschmann. In the present paper, instead of the decomposition by orbit types, we consider the related decomposition by reflection types (conjugacy classes of reflection subgroups). These two decompositions turn out to coincide, e.g., for the classical groups SU(n) and Sp(n). We derive defining relations for reflection type subsets in terms of irreducible characters and discuss how to obtain from that the corresponding costratification of the Hilbert space of the system. To illustrate the method, we give explicit results for some low rank classical groups.
Effect of the charge surface distribution on the flow field induced by a dielectric barrier discharge actuator
Authors: Cristofolini Andrea , Neretti Gabriele , Borghi Carlo A.
Published: August 2013

The Electro-Hydro-Dynamics (EHD) interaction induced by a surface dielectric barrier discharge in the aerodynamic boundary layer at one atmosphere still air has been investigated. Three different geometrical configurations of the actuator have been utilized. In the first configuration, an electrode pair separated by a 2 mm dielectric sheet has been used. The second and the third configurations have been obtained by adding a third electrode on the upper side of the dielectric surface. This electrode has been placed downstream of the upper electrode and has been connected to ground or has been left floating. Three different dielectric materials have been utilized. The high voltage upper electrode was fed by an a.c. electric tension. Measurements of the dielectric surface potential generated by the charge deposition have been done. The discharge has been switched off after positive and negative phases of the plasma current (the current phase was characterized by a positive or a negative value, respectively). The measurements have been carried out after both phases. The charge distribution strongly depended on the switching off phase and was heavily affected by the geometrical configuration. A remarkable decrease of the charge deposited on the dielectric surface has been detected when the third electrode was connected to ground. Velocity profiles were obtained by using a Pitot probe. They showed that the presence of the third electrode limits the fluid dynamics performance of the actuator. A relation between the charge surface distribution and the EHD interaction phenomenon has been found. Imaging of the plasma has been done to evaluate the discharge structure and the extension of the plasma in the configurations investigated.
Bubble dynamics in N dimensions
Authors: Klotz Alexander R.
Published: August 2013

Cavitation and bubble dynamics are central concepts in engineering, the natural sciences, and the mathematics of fluid mechanics. Due to the nonlinear nature of their dynamics, the governing equations are not fully solvable. Here, the dynamics of a spherical bubble in an N-dimensional fluid are discussed in the hope that examining bubble behavior in N dimensions will add insight to their behavior in three dimensions. Several canonical results in bubble dynamics are re-derived, including the Rayleigh collapse time, the Rayleigh-Plesset equation, and the Minnaert frequency. Recent analytical approximations to the Rayleigh collapse are discussed, and the N-dimensional generalization is used to resolve a known discrepancy. Numerical simulations are used to examine the onset of nonlinear behavior. Overall, the dynamics of bubbles are faster at higher dimensions, with nonlinear behavior occurring at lower strain. Several features are found to be unique to three dimensions, including the trend of nonlinear behavior and apparent coincidences in timescales.
The complete Heyting algebra of subsystems and contextuality
Authors: Vourdas A.
Published: August 2013

The finite set of subsystems of a finite quantum system with variables in ${\mathbb {Z}}(n)$Z(n), is studied as a Heyting algebra. The physical meaning of the logical connectives is discussed. It is shown that disjunction of subsystems is more general concept than superposition. Consequently, the quantum probabilities related to commuting projectors in the subsystems, are incompatible with associativity of the join in the Heyting algebra, unless if the variables belong to the same chain. This leads to contextuality, which in the present formalism has as contexts, the chains in the Heyting algebra. Logical Bell inequalities, which contain “Heyting factors,” are discussed. The formalism is also applied to the infinite set of all finite quantum systems, which is appropriately enlarged in order to become a complete Heyting algebra.
On some polynomial potentials in d-dimensions
Authors: Brandon David , Saad Nasser , Dong Shi-Hai
Published: August 2013

The d-dimensional Schrödinger's equation is analyzed with regard to the existence of exact solutions for polynomial potentials. Under certain conditions on the interaction parameters, we show that the polynomial potentials $V_8(r) =\sum _{k=1}^8 \alpha _kr^k, \alpha _8>0$V8(r)=∑k=18αkrk,α8>0 and $V_{10}(r)= \sum _{k=1}^{10} \alpha _kr^k, \alpha _{10}>0$V10(r)=∑k=110αkrk,α10>0 are exactly solvable. By examining the polynomial solutions of certain linear differential equations with polynomial coefficients, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of these exact solutions are discussed. Finding accurate solutions for arbitrary values of the potential parameters using the asymptotic iteration method is also presented.
Tsunami and acoustic-gravity waves in water of constant depth
Authors: Hendin Gali , Stiassnie Michael
Published: August 2013

A study of wave radiation by a rather general bottom displacement, in a compressible ocean of otherwise constant depth, is carried out within the framework of a three-dimensional linear theory. Simple analytic expressions for the flow field, at large distance from the disturbance, are derived. Realistic numerical examples indicate that the Acoustic-Gravity waves, which significantly precede the Tsunami, are expected to leave a measurable signature on bottom-pressure records that should be considered for early detection of Tsunami.
A quasi-continuum hydrodynamic model for slit shaped nanochannel flow
Authors: Bhadauria Ravi , Aluru N. R.
Published: August 2013

We propose a quasi-continuum hydrodynamic model for isothermal transport of Lennard-Jones fluid confined in slit shaped nanochannels. In this work, we compute slip and viscous contributions independently and superimpose them to obtain the total velocity profile. Layering of fluid near the interface plays an important role in viscous contribution to the flow, by apparent viscosity change along the confining dimension. This relationship necessitates computing density profiles, which is done using the recently proposed empirical-potential based quasi-continuum theory [A. V. Raghunathan, J. H. Park, and N. R. Aluru, J. Chem. Phys. 127, 174701 (2007)]10.1063/1.2793070. Existing correlations for density dependent viscosity provided by Woodcock [AIChE J. 52, 438 (2006)]10.1002/aic.10676 are used to compute viscosity profile in the nanopores. A Dirichlet type slip boundary condition based on a static Langevin friction model describing center-of-mass motion of fluid particles is used, the parameters of which are dependent on the fluctuations of total wall-fluid force from an equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation. Different types of corrugated surfaces are considered to study wall-fluid friction effects on boundary conditions. Proposed hydrodynamic model yields good agreement of velocity profiles obtained from non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations for gravity driven flow.
Local and bulk melting of shocked columnar nanocrystalline Cu: Dynamics, anisotropy, premelting, superheating, supercooling, and re-crystallization
Authors: He A. M. , Duan S. Q. , Shao J. L. , Wang P. , Luo S. N.
Published: August 2013

We perform large-scale molecular dynamics simulations to study shock-induced melting transition of idealized hexagonal columnar nanocrystalline Cu. The as-constructed nanocrystalline Cu consists of unrotated (reference) and rotated columnar crystals, relative to the columnar axis. Shock loading is applied along three principal directions of the columnar Cu: two transverse (zigzag and armchair) and one longitudinal directions. Dynamic local melting processes are highly anisotropic with respect to the shock directions. For the transverse directions, hotspot effect and disparate dynamic responses of grains with different orientations may lead to partial or complete premelting of the initially rotated grains, which in turn leads to transient supercooling and heterogeneous recrystallization, and thus, the formation of nanocrystalline solids with modified grain structures or solid-liquid mixtures, depending on the extent of supercooling. With increasing shock strengths, the reference grains melt heterogeneously at interfaces and homogeneously inside. Conversely, “bulk” premelting of the rotated grains is absent for the longitudinal direction, except for grain boundary melting. The progression of recrystallization or heterogenous melting diminishes and eventually eliminates the transient premelting or superheating of the system via latent heat and thermal diffusion. Premelting or superheating appears unlikely for bulk melting or well-defined Hugoniot states, if the thermal and mechanical equilibria are achieved, and the thermodynamic melting curve coincides with the partial melting Hugoniot states of a polycrystalline solid.
Kinetic Alfvén wave turbulence and formation of localized structures
Authors: Sharma R. P. , Modi K. V.
Published: August 2013

This work presents non-linear interaction of magnetosonic wave with kinetic Alfvén wave for intermediate β-plasma (me/mi≪β≪1). A set of dimensionless equations have been developed for analysis by considering ponderomotive force due to pump kinetic Alfvén wave in the dynamics of magnetosonic wave. Stability analysis has been done to study modulational instability or linear growth rate. Further, numerical simulation has been carried out to study the nonlinear stage of instability and resulting power spectrum applicable to solar wind around 1 AU. Due to the nonlinearity, background density of magnetosonic wave gets modified which results in localization of kinetic Alfvén wave. From the obtained results, we observed that spectral index follows k−3.0, consistent with observation received by Cluster spacecraft for the solar wind around 1 AU. The result shows the steepening of power spectrum which may be responsible for heating and acceleration of plasma particles in solar wind.
The effect of a varied NH3 flux on growth of AlN interlayers for InAlN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Smith Matthew D. , Sadler Thomas C. , Li Haoning , Zubialevich Vitaly Z. , Parbrook Peter J.
Published: August 2013

The effects of AlN interlayer growth conditions on InAlN/AlN/GaN heterostructures are investigated, with interlayers imaged as they would appear prior to InAlN barrier layer deposition using surface atomic force microscopy scans undertaken immediately after growth. Surface morphologies and subsequent heterostructure conductivity suggested minimum on-resistance can be achieved by balancing the underlying GaN channel decomposition and interfacial roughening when deciding AlN interlayer growth parameters on a sapphire substrate of a given miscut.
Carrier transport and electroluminescence efficiency of erbium-doped silicon nanocrystal superlattices
Authors: Ramírez J. M. , Berencén Y. , López-Conesa L. , Rebled J. M. , Peiró F. , Garrido B.
Published: August 2013

A detailed study of transport phenomena and electroluminescence of erbium-doped silicon-rich oxide/silicon oxide superlattices is presented. Extended states conduction is thermally activated from Poole-Frenkel traps located at silicon nanocrystals or its interface. These traps provide bulk limited conduction at low and medium electric fields. In contrast, under high electric fields, conduction is governed by trap-assisted tunneling of electrons from the electrode to the active layer conduction band. Superlattice electroluminescence efficiency at 1.5 μm and injected electron energy distribution in the conduction band are evaluated and compared to a silicon dioxide and a silicon-rich oxide single layer. This work sheds light on the implementation of alternative electroluminescent device architectures with strong emphasis in the hot electron engineering.
Determination of surface recombination velocities of organic monolayers on silicon through Kelvin probe
Authors: Alderman Nicholas , Adib Ibrahim Mohd , Danos Lefteris , Grossel Martin C. , Markvart Tom
Published: August 2013

We report the determination of the surface recombination velocity of electron-hole pairs for silicon samples passivated with organic monolayers using the Kelvin probe. The recombination velocity was determined from the surface photovoltage and incident photon flux. By scanning of the Kelvin probe tip over the sample, the change in surface recombination velocity can be measured allowing recombination lifetime mapping. Organic monolayers with different chain lengths and exhibiting various recombination lifetimes were synthesized through a two-step chlorination-alkylation technique. The estimated recombination lifetimes were compared against those obtained from an industrial standard technique and were found to be in good agreement.
Spectral characteristics of ultra-short laser pulses in plasma amplifiers
Authors: Riconda C. , Weber S. , Lancia L. , Marquès J.-R. , Mourou G. A. , Fuchs J.
Published: August 2013

Amplification of laser pulses based on the backscattering process in plasmas can be performed using either the response of an electron plasma wave or an ion-acoustic wave. However, if the pulse durations become very short and the natural spread in frequency a substantial amount of the frequency itself, the Raman and Brillouin processes start to mix. Kinetic simulations show the transition from a pure amplification regime, in this case strong-coupling Brillouin, to a regime where a considerable downshift of the frequency of the amplified pulse takes place. It is conjectured that in the case of very short pulses, multi-modes are excited which contribute to the amplification process.
Linearly polarized light from substrate emitting ring cavity quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Schwarzer Clemens , Szedlak Rolf , Il Ahn Sang , Zederbauer Tobias , Detz Hermann , Maxwell Andrews Aaron , Schrenk Werner , Strasser Gottfried
Published: August 2013

The authors report on substrate emitting ring cavity quantum cascade lasers that feature linearly polarized emission beams at an emission wavelength of 8.8 μm. A central lobed far field is achieved by a modification of the distributed feedback grating, at which two π phase-shifts at an angular distance of 180° are applied. In this central lobe, 80% linear polarization is measured. In order to extend this polarization property to the whole far field, an on-chip wire grid polarizer is used. These devices show linearly polarized substrate emission with an extinction ratio higher than 1:16.
Photoelectrochemical oxidation-treated AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron mobility transistors with oxidized layer/Ta2O5/Al2O3 gate dielectric stack
Authors: Lee Ching-Ting , Chiou Ya-Lan
Published: August 2013

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation method was used to directly oxidize AlGaN layer as the oxide layer of AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor high-electron mobility transistors (MOS-HEMTs). High-k Ta2O5 layer and wide bandgap Al2O3 layer were sequentially deposited on the PEC-oxidized layer as the gate dielectric stack of the MOS-HEMTs. Comparing with the Al2O3/Ta2O5/Al2O3 gate dielectric stack, the resulting MOS-HEMTs exhibited improved performances, including a maximum extrinsic transconductance of 134 mS/mm, a Hooge's coefficient of 1.32 × 10−4, and a maximum output power of 3.44 W/mm. These experimental results verified that high performance gate dielectric stack/AlGaN interface was achieved using the PEC oxidation method.
Comparing AUS-MEAT marbling scores using image analysis traits to estimate genetic parameters for marbling of Japanese Black cattle in Australia
Authors: Maeda Sakura , Grose Joe , Kato Keisuke , Kuchida Keigo
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the application of image analysis for Japanese Black cattle in Australia (Australian JB). Therefore, we assessed meat quality using an image analysis method to estimate the heritability of this trait in Australian JB. We photographed the cross-section of the 5th–6th ribs and calculated image analysis traits of 473 and 539 head of Australian JB and Australian JB sire crosses with other breeds (F1), respectively. Least square means of grading and image analysis traits were calculated. We further estimated the heritability of grading and image analysis traits of 414 head of Australian JB. The Australian Meat Industry Classification System (AUS-MEAT) marbling score (6.8) and percentage marbling area (29.2%) for Australian JB were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those for F1 (4.7% and 19.3%, respectively). Percentage marbling area strongly correlated with the AUS-MEAT marbling score (r = 0.88), indicating that marbling can be improved using percentage marbling area as a substitute for AUS-MEAT marbling score. The head counts of AUS-MEAT marbling score increased in the Australian JB (mode value = 9). The result indicated that the AUS-MEAT marbling score lacks a sufficient range of values to evaluate a high marbling beef breed such as the Australian JB. Further, the heritability of percentage marbling area was 0.54, which is higher than the heritability of AUS-MEAT marbling score (0.23). Therefore, we conclude that determining percentage marbling area using image analysis may prove to be an effective method for improving the marbling of the Australian JB.
The comparison of two embryo donor breeds for the generation of transgenic goats by DNA pronuclear microinjection
Authors: Freitas Vicente J. F. , Serova Irina A. , Andreeva Lyudmila E. , Melo Luciana M. , Teixeira Dárcio I. A. , Pereira Alexsandra F. , Moura Raylene R. , Lopes-Jr Edílson S. , Souza-Fabjan Joanna M. G. , Batista Ribrio I. T. P. , Serov Oleg L.
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present study was to compare two breeds as embryo donors to produce transgenic goats for the production of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Ten Canindé and 11 Saanen goats were used as donors and received a hormonal treatment for oestrus synchronisation. The superovulation was induced with a total administration of 4.4 mg/kg bodyweight NIH-FSH-P1, given in decreasing doses over 3 days. Donors also received 100 μg of GnRH and they were hand-mated at 36 and 48 h after progestagen removal. Embryo recovery was performed by oviduct flushing at 72 h after progestagen removal and the pronuclear embryos were microinjected. Fifty-two recipients of undefined breed were prepared by receiving the same oestrus synchronisation treatment; however, only 32 were used due to the availability of embryos. Embryos were surgically transferred into the oviduct. A significant (P < 0.05) difference was observed in the total number of ovulations when Canindé (12.6 ± 6.9) and Saanen (22.5 ± 10.0) donors were compared. Concerning the microinjectable embryos, Canindé goats produced a greater number when compared with Saanen females (P < 0.05). Twenty recipients received 61 Canindé embryos and, of those, 12 kidded, whereas just 12 recipients received 30 Saanen embryos but just three kidded. In total, three transgenic goats were obtained, of which two were healthy Canindé and one stillborn Saanen. It was possible to develop an efficient protocol to obtain transgenic goats for Canindé but not for Saanen breed, for which some variables such as superovulatory regime and time of breeding should be further studied.
FOXM1 is lower in human fetal membranes after spontaneous preterm labour and delivery
Authors: Lim Ratana , Barker Gillian , Lappas Martha
Published: August 2013

Spontaneous preterm birth is usually associated with infection, inflammation or both. Forkhead box (FOX) M1 (FOXM1), a member of the FOX family of transcription factors, has been associated with inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine whether FOXM1 regulates the expression and release of pro-labour mediators in human gestational tissues. FOXM1 mRNA and protein expression were determined in fetal membranes from women at (1) preterm no labour: Caesarean section with no labour and (2) preterm labour: after spontaneous labour and delivery. Primary amnion cells were utilised to investigate the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing of FOXM1 on pro-labour mediators. Spontaneous preterm labour decreased FOXM1 gene and nuclear protein expression. FOXM1 silencing in primary amnion cells increased interleukin (IL)-1β-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA expression and secretion), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and subsequent prostaglandin (PG)E2 and PGF2α release as well as gene expression and secretion of the matrix-degrading enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). In conclusion, spontaneous preterm labour is associated with decreased FOXM1 expression in fetal membranes.
Novel approach for alleviation of soil water repellency using a crude enzyme extract from fungal pretreatment of switchgrass
Authors: Liu Jiayang , Zeng Lusheng , Carrow Robert N. , Raymer Paul L. , Huang Qingguo
Published: August 2013

Soil water repellency (SWR) caused by organic coatings on soil particles can lead to serious loss in crop production and turfgrass quality. In laboratory experiments, we tested the novel concept of direct application of enzymes to alleviate SWR. In a biofuel research project on fungal pre-treatment of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for improved saccharification, enzymatic co-products (mainly laccase mixed with other trace enzymes) were produced based on fermentation periods of 18, 36, 54, and 72 days. We characterised enzyme activities of the 18–72-day crude enzyme extracts (CEE) and applied undiluted or diluted solutions (dilutions of 5-, 10-, and 100-fold) to eight air-dried, SWR soils from several golf courses. These soils exhibited water drop penetration times (WDPT) of 345–7439 s (i.e. moderately to very strongly hydrophobic) and all showed a large decrease in SWR to WDPT <60 s after application of undiluted CEE and various dilutions of CEE for 3 days with a 1 : 1 soil : solution ratio (10 g air-dried soil and 10 mL CEE solution). The observed decrease in WDPT was positively related to increased enzyme activity level for each soil in an exponential or logarithmic relationship. Most of the improvement in SWR was observed within 1 day. Enzyme activity was maintained to varying degrees in the soil solution for up to 5 days. These preliminary results suggest that it may be feasible to use direct enzyme application from CEE, as a biomass fermentation byproduct, for remediation of hydrophobic soils, which could also offer a cost benefit for biomass fermentation.
Aurora B helps the central spindle measure up
Authors: Short Ben
Published: August 2013

A mitotic kinase controls anaphase spindle length by regulating two kinesin motor proteins.
Jody Rosenblatt: To extrude apically or basally, that is the question
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: August 2013

Rosenblatt discovered epithelial cell extrusion and studies its regulation and impact.
Carbon and hydrogen stable isotope fractionation associated with the anaerobic degradation of propane and butane by marine sulfate‐reducing bacteria
Authors: Jaekel Ulrike , Vogt Carsten , Fischer Anko , Richnow Hans‐Hermann , Musat Florin
Published: August 2013

The anaerobic degradation of propane and butane is typically initiated by activation via addition to fumarate. Here we investigated the mechanism of activation under sulfate‐reducing conditions by one pure culture (strain BuS5) and three enrichment cultures employing stable isotope analysis. Stable isotope fractionation was compared for cultures incubated with or without substrate diffusion limitation. Bulk enrichment factors were significantly higher in mixed vs. static incubations. Two dimensional factors, given by the correlation of stable isotope fractionation of both carbon and hydrogen at their reactive positions (Lambda reactive position, Λrp), were compared to analyse the activation mechanisms. A characteristic reactive position isotope fractionation pattern was observed, distinct from aerobic degradation. Λrp values ranged from 10.5 to 11.8 for propane and from 7.8 to 9.4 for butane. Incubations of strain BuS5 with deuterium‐labelled n‐alkanes indicated that butane was activated solely at the subterminal C atom. In contrast, propane was activated mainly at the subterminal C atom but also significantly at the terminal C atoms. A conservative estimate suggests that about 70% of the propane activation events occurred at the subterminal C atom and about 30% at the terminal C atoms.
When Good Intentions Go Astray: Policy Framing Processes and the Europeanization of Children's Rights
Authors: Iusmen Ingi
Published: August 2013

Research Highlights and Abstract

Empirical evidence of how Commission policy framing processes shape the Europeanization of Member States Analytical and empirical evidence of how and why Commission services develop and promote divergent policy frames in relation to children's rights Challenges faced by the EU's promotion of policy measures that have a cross-sectoral dimension Analytical and empirical evidence of how Commission services conceive their legal role and scope with respect to children's rights

This article examines how and why Commission policy framing processes impact on the Europeanization of children's rights at the national level. By employing the Hotline for Missing Children as a case study, it is demonstrated that Commission services failed to adopt a coherent policy line regarding the issue of missing children. Instead, Commission services promoted conflicting Hotline templates, which conveyed mixed messages and shaped the differential implementation of the Hotline at the national level. The contradictory Hotline templates are rooted in Commission services' embrace of divergent policy frames, which are determined by institutional fragmentation and conflicting interpretations of Commission legal competence to address the issue of missing children and the protection of child rights.
Effect of Penicillium roqueforti and incorporation of whey cheese on volatile profiles and sensory characteristics of mould‐ripened Civil cheese
Authors: Cakmakci Songul , Dagdemir Elif , Hayaloglu Ali A , Gurses Mustafa , Cetin Bulent , Tahmas‐Kahyaoglu Deren
Published: August 2013

In this study, four different types of mould‐ripened Civil cheese were manufactured. A defined (nontoxigenic) strain of a Penicillium roqueforti (SC 509) was used as secondary starter for the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese with and without addition of the whey cheese Lor; in parallel, secondary starter‐free counterparts were manufactured. A total of 83 compounds were identified. Ketones, alcohols and esters were the principal classes of volatile components. Principal component analysis of the headspace volatiles grouped cheeses by age and type. P. roqueforti inoculated cheese was clearly separated from the other cheeses at 180 days of ripening, and these cheeses were characterised with high levels of ketones (e.g., 2‐butanone, 2‐heptanone). Differences in the panel scores between the cheese samples were not significant during the first stage of ripening (up to 60 days); as ripening proceeded, these differences were become evident and P. roqueforti inoculated cheeses received higher scores than others. Addition of Lor in the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese caused lower points by the sensory panel, and the cheese inoculated with P. roqueforti and Lor‐free was the best type of mould‐ripened Civil cheese. The results showed that the use of P. roqueforti in the manufacture of mould‐ripened Civil cheese has significant impact on the volatile profiles and sensory attributes.
Stated and Inferred Attribute Attendance Models: A Comparison with Environmental Choice Experiments
Authors: Kragt Marit E.
Published: August 2013

There is increasing evidence that respondents to choice experiment surveys do not consider all attributes presented in the choice sets. Not accounting for this ‘attribute non‐attendance’ leads to biased parameter estimates, and hence biased estimates of willingness to pay. Various methods exist to account for non‐attendance in the analysis of choice data, with limited agreement as to which method is ‘best’. This paper compares modelling approaches that can account for non‐attendance, based on stated and inferred attribute non‐attendance. Respondents' stated non‐attendance is incorporated in the specification of multinomial and mixed logit models. Inference of non‐attendance is based on equality constrained latent class models. Results show that model fit is significantly improved when attribute non‐attendance is taken into account, and that welfare estimates are lower when incorporating non‐attendance. The inference based on equality constrained latent class models provides the best model fit. There is little concordance between stated and inferred non‐attendance, suggesting that respondents may not answer attendance statements truthfully.
To Cheat or Not To Cheat: Moral Hazard and Agri‐environmental Policy
Authors: Fraser Rob
Published: August 2013

This Address examines the moral hazard problem in agri‐environmental policy. It begins with a theoretical analysis of moral hazard in this context, including the identification of eight potential causes of cheating behaviour among farmers. But is cheating behaviour among farmers actually a problem for agri‐environmental policy? And if it is, which are the statistically significant causes of concern? The answer seems to be: “we don't know” as there are currently no empirical analyses of the moral hazard problem and its causes in agri‐environmental policy. On this basis I analyse a set of policy solutions – to a problem for which we have no evidence of its causes or extent!
Food Security and Cardioprotection: The Polar Lipid Link
Authors: Zabetakis Ioannis
Published: August 2013

The projected increase in world population and therefore demand for food in the foreseeable future pose some risks on how secure is the food production system today. Millions of people are threatened by malnutrition, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, and obesity. This is a multidimensional challenge: the production of food needs to be increased but also the quality of food needs to be improved so less people suffer from undernourishment and CVDs. This hypothesis paper addresses this problem by critically evaluating recent developments on the role of food components against CVDs, presenting recent insights for assessing the nutritional value of food and suggesting novel approaches toward the sustainable production of food that would, in turn, lead to increased food security. The issue of the sustainability of lipid sources and genetically modified crops is also discussed from a food security point of view.
Sensory Profiles for Dried Fig (Ficus carica L.) Cultivars Commercially Grown and Processed in California
Authors: Haug Megan T. , King Ellena S. , Heymann Hildegarde , Crisosto Carlos H.
Published: August 2013

A trained sensory panel evaluated the 6 fig cultivars currently sold in the California dried fig market. The main flavor and aroma attributes determined by the sensory panel were “caramel,” “honey,” “raisin,” and “fig,” with additional aroma attributes: “common date,” “dried plum,” and “molasses.” Sensory differences were observed between dried fig cultivars. All figs were processed by 2 commercial handlers. Processing included potassium sorbate as a preservative and SO2 application as an antibrowning agent for white cultivars. As a consequence of SO2 use during processing, high sulfite residues affected the sensory profiles of the white dried fig cultivars. Significant differences between dried fig cultivars and sources demonstrate perceived differences between processing and storage methods. The panel‐determined sensory lexicon can help with California fig marketing.
Fluorescence Imaging Spectroscopy (FIS) for Comparing Spectra from Corn Ears Naturally and Artificially Infected with Aflatoxin Producing Fungus
Authors: Hruska Zuzana , Yao Haibo , Kincaid Russell , Darlington Dawn , Brown Robert L. , Bhatnagar Deepak , Cleveland Thomas E.
Published: August 2013

In an effort to address the problem of rapid detection of aflatoxin in grain, particularly oilseeds, the current study assessed the spectral differences of aflatoxin production in kernels from a cornfield inoculated with spores from 2 different strains of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin production in corn from the same field due to natural infestation was also assessed. A small corn plot in Baton Rouge, La., U.S.A., was used during the 2008‐growing season. Two groups of 400 plants were inoculated with 2 different inocula and 1 group of 400 plants was designated as controls. Any contamination detected in the controls was attributed to natural infestation. A subset of each group was imaged with a visible near infra red (VNIR) hyperspectral system under ultra violet (UV) excitation and subsequently analyzed for aflatoxin using affinity column fluorometry. Group differences were statistically analyzed. Results indicate that when all the spectral data across all groups were averaged, any potential differences between groups (treated and untreated) were obscured. However, spectral analysis based on contaminated “hot” pixel classification showed a distinct spectral shift/separation between contaminated and clean ears with fluorescence peaks at 501 and 478 nm, respectively. All inoculated and naturally infected control ears had fluorescence peaks at 501 nm that differed from uninfected corn ears. Results from this study may be useful in evaluating rapid, noninvasive instrumentation and/or methodology for aflatoxin detection in grain.
Antimicrobial Activity of a Pullulan–Caraway Essential Oil Coating on Reduction of Food Microorganisms and Quality in Fresh Baby Carrot
Authors: Gniewosz Małgorzata , Kraśniewska Karolina , Woreta Marcin , Kosakowska Olga
Published: August 2013

This research evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of pullulan films containing caraway essential oil (CEO). The films were prepared from a 10% of pullulan, containing from 0.12% to 10.0% of CEO. The composition of the CEO was analyzed with the use of gas chromatography. The antimicrobial activity of the CEO was evaluated with the method of serial microdilutions, and the films containing CEO—with the agar diffusion method against selected Gram‐negative, Gram‐positive bacteria, and fungi. The structure of the film surface and its cross‐section were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Analyses were also carried out to determine the efficacy of a pullulan coating with 10% CEO on baby carrots experimentally inoculated with Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or Aspergillus niger and stored at a room temperature for 7 d. At a concentration of 0.12%, CEO inhibited the growth of all the tested microorganisms. Pullulan films containing 8% to 10% of CEO were active against all tested microorganisms. Populations of S. aureus on carrot samples were reduced by approximately 3 log CFU/g, while those of A. niger and S. cerevisiae by, respectively, 5 and 4 log CFU/g, after 7 d of storage. S. enteritidis was the most resistant among the tested species, since it was not significantly reduced after 7 d of storage. At the end of storage, samples treated with pullulan–caraway oil coating maintained better visual acceptability than control samples. Results of this study suggest the feasibility of applying a pullulan film with incorporated CEO to extend the microbiological stability of minimally processed foods.
Beneficial effects of silibinin against the progression of metabolic syndrome, increased oxidative stress, and liver steatosis in Psammomys obesus, a relevant animal model of human obesity and diabetes (在一种与人类肥胖以及糖尿病相关的动物模型肥沙鼠中，水飞蓟素具有拮抗代谢综合征进展、拮抗氧化应激增加以及拮抗肝脏脂肪变性的有益作用)
Authors: Bouderba Saida , Sanchez‐Martin Carlos , Villanueva Gloria R. , Detaille Dominique , Koceïr E. Ahmed
Published: August 2013

Background

Insulin resistance and oxidative stress are major pathogenic mechanisms leading to chronic liver diseases in diabetic subjects. The gerbil Psammomys obesus is a unique model of nutritional diabetes resembling the disease in humans. This study investigated whether the natural ingredient silibinin, known as hepatoprotective, could decrease oxidative stress and reduce liver damage in obese gerbils.

Methods

Control animals were fed their vegetable‐based low caloric diet while two other rat groups ingested a high calorie diet for 14 weeks. Silibinin, or its vehicle, was administrated by gastric intubation (100 mg/kg per day) from the 7th week of treatment, which corresponds to an established insulin resistance state. At the end of the experiments, the hepatic biochemical profile, markers of oxidative stress in either plasma or liver tissue, and histological alterations were examined.

Results

Diabetic P. obesus displayed many metabolic disturbances (hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia), which were aggravated for the last 8 weeks. These events were coupled with greater oxidative stress (decline in glutathione, rise in lipoperoxidation). In addition, glutathione peroxidase activity was reduced while the level of superoxide dismutase was elevated. Interestingly, treatment with silibinin alleviated most of the metabolic defects, especially high triglyceride levels, reduced insulin resistance and largely restored antioxidant status. Also, Masson's trichrome staining revealed distinct steatosis, yet silibinin partially reversed this manifestation.

Conclusion

Silibinin affords substantial protection against the progression of insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes mellitus for P. obesus by hampering the oxidative process and improving hepatic metabolism.
Virtual airway simulation to improve dexterity among novices performing fibreoptic intubation
Authors: De Oliveira G. S. , Glassenberg R. , Chang R. , Fitzgerald P. , McCarthy R. J.
Published: August 2013

We developed a virtual reality software application (iLarynx) using built‐in accelerometer properties of the iPhone® or iPad® (Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA, USA) that mimics hand movements for the performance of fibreoptic skills. Twenty novice medical students were randomly assigned to virtual airway training with the iLarynx software or no additional training. Eight out of the 10 subjects in the standard training group had at least one failed (> 120 s) attempt compared with two out of the 10 participants in the iLarynx group (p = 0.01). There were a total of 24 failed attempts in the standard training group and four in the iLarynx group (p < 0.005). Cusum analysis demonstrated continued group improvement in the iLarynx, but not in the standard training group. Virtual airway simulation using freely available software on a smartphone/tablet device improves dexterity among novices performing upper airway endoscopy.
Embryonic development and nourishment in the viviparous fish Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae)
Authors: Arcanjo Rachel B. , de Souza Leonardo P. , Rezende Carla F. , Silva José R. F.
Published: August 2013

While viviparity confers protection to the embryos during gestation, it increases energetic costs for the mother, which acquires new relations to its offspring. Maternal–fetal transfer of nutrients can occur in different patterns: as lecithotrophy (nourished by yolk) or matrotrophy (nourished by the mother). The development of Poecilia vivipara embryos was described macroscopically and microscopically, and the form of nutritional provisioning was identified. Embryonic development was divided into three prefertilization and seven postfertilization stages. The first organ to appear is the notochord, followed by the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems, and then by muscles and eyes. Embryonic nutritional provisioning was lecithotrophic, with yolk persisting until the last developmental stages and rich in proteins and polysaccharides. This kind of embryonic nutrition confirms the pattern found in the family Poeciliidae.
We don't know how to help: an online survey of school staff
Authors: Knightsmith Pooky , Treasure Janet , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: August 2013

Background

Eating disorders (ED) have a peak rate of onset in school‐aged children. Little is known about teachers’ experiences of ED.

Method

A total of 826 school staff completed an online questionnaire exploring their Eating Disorder experiences. Responses were analysed using content analysis principles.

Results

74 per cent of respondents’ schools had received no training on ED, 40% did not know how to follow up pupils’ Eating Disorder concerns and 89% of respondents felt uncomfortable teaching pupils about ED.

Conclusions

School staff feel ill‐equipped to support ED. Training in the recognition, support and teaching of ED would be welcomed and could improve outcomes for young people.