bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
cDNA cloning, localization, and candidate binding partners of acid‐extractable vitelline‐coat protein Ci‐v‐Themis‐like in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Otsuka Kei , Yamada Lixy , Sawada Hitoshi
Published: July 2013

Ascidians are hermaphrodites, although several ascidian species show self‐sterility because of the occurrence of a self/nonself‐recognition system called the self‐incompatibility system. We previously reported that two pairs of sperm polycystin 1‐like receptors, s‐Themis‐A and s‐Themis‐B, and egg fibrinogen‐like ligands, v‐Themis‐A and v‐Themis‐B, are responsible for self‐incompatibility in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis. Our previous results showed that v‐Themis‐A and v‐Themis‐B were hardly extracted from the vitelline coat (VC) by acid treatment, which is not in accordance with a report that an acid‐extractable VC factor has the ability to distinguish self‐ from nonself‐sperm. These results led us to explore a novel factor from acid‐extractable VC proteins that could be involved in self‐incompatibility. Here, we report cDNA cloning, expression, and localization of Ci‐v‐Themis‐like, a major acid‐extractable VC protein. This protein has a fibrinogen‐like domain, as do v‐Themis‐A and v‐Themis‐B, but it showed no polymorphisms. Phylogenic analysis suggested that Ci‐v‐Themis‐like is an ancestral protein of v‐Themis‐A and v‐Themis‐B. Whole mount in situ hybridization revealed that Ci‐v‐Themis‐like mRNA is expressed in the ovary and testis. Western blotting and immunocytochemistry showed the occurrence of Ci‐v‐Themis‐like in developing oocytes and on the VC of mature eggs. Yeast two‐hybrid screenings using testis and ovary libraries revealed candidate interacting proteins; among these candidates, we succeeded in identifying several testis‐specific proteins, including sperm proteases and coiled‐coil‐domain‐containing proteins. The results suggest that Ci‐v‐Themis‐like and its binding partners are involved in sperm binding to the VC prior to the allorecognition process during C. intestinalis fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 840–848, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nondestructive identification of multiple flaws using XFEM and a topologically adapting artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Sun Hao , Waisman Haim , Betti Raimondo
Published: July 2013

We present a novel algorithm based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) and an enhanced artificial bee colony (EABC) algorithm to detect and quantify multiple flaws in structures. The concept is based on recent work that have shown the excellent synergy between XFEM, used to model the forward problem, and a genetic‐type algorithm to solve an inverse identification problem and converge to the ‘best’ flaw parameters.

In this paper, an adaptive algorithm that can detect multiple flaws without any knowledge on the number of flaws beforehand is proposed. The algorithm is based on the introduction of topological variables into the search space, used to adaptively activate/deactivate flaws during run time until convergence is reached. The identification is based on a limited number of strain sensors assumed to be attached to the structure surface boundaries. Each flaw is approximated by a circular void with the following three variables: center coordinates (xc, yc) and radius (rc), within the XFEM framework. In addition, the proposed EABC scheme is improved by a guided‐to‐best solution updating strategy and a local search (LS) operator of the Nelder–Mead simplex type that show fast convergence and superior global/LS abilities compared with the standard ABC or classic genetic algorithms.

Several numerical examples, with increasing level of difficulty, are studied in order to evaluate the proposed algorithm. In particular, we consider identification of multiple flaws with unknown a priori information on the number of flaws (which makes the inverse problem harder), the proximity of flaws, flaws having irregular shapes (similar to artificial noise), and the effect of structured/unstructured meshes. The results show that the proposed XFEM–EABC algorithm is able to converge on all test problems and accurately identify flaws. Hence, this methodology is found to be robust and efficient for nondestructive detection and quantification of multiple flaws in structures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grid dispersion analysis of plane square biquadratic serendipity finite elements in transient elastodynamics
Authors: Kolman R. , Plešek J. , Okrouhlík M. , Gabriel D.
Published: July 2013

The spatial discretisation of a continuum by the FEM introduces dispersion errors to the numerical solution of stress wave propagation. Errors of phase and group velocities and the scatter of wave propagation are induced. When these propagating phenomena are modelled by the FEM, the speed of a single harmonic wave depends on its frequency. Parasitic effects do not exist in an ‘ideal’ unbounded continuum. With higher order finite elements, there are optical modes in the spectrum resulting in spurious oscillations of stress and velocity distributions near the sharp wavefronts. In principle, the dispersion errors and the spurious oscillations cannot be removed from these solutions but can be suppressed to a certain extent. For reliable numerical solutions by the FEM, the dispersion errors should be analysed and determined. The dispersion properties of a plane square biquadratic serendipity finite element are examined and compared with a bilinear one. Dispersion analysis is carried out for the consistent and lumped mass matrices. A dispersive ‘improved’ lumped mass matrix for biquadratic serendipity elements is proposed. The paper closes with the recommendation of a choice of permissible dimensionless wavelengths for bilinear and biquadratic serendipity finite element meshes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A direct analytical method to extract mixed‐mode components of strain energy release rates from Irwin's integral using extended finite element method
Authors: Lan M. , Waisman H. , Harari I.
Published: July 2013

A new analytical approach, within the extended finite element framework, is proposed to compute mixed‐mode components of strain energy release rates directly from Irwin's integral. Crack tip enrichment functions in extended FEM allow for evaluation of integral quantities in closed form (for some crack configurations studied) and therefore resulting in a simple and accurate method.

Several benchmark examples on pure and mixed‐mode problems are studied. In particular, we analyze the effects of high‐order enrichments, mesh refinement, and the integration limits of Irwin's integral. The results indicate that high‐order enrichment functions have significant effect on the convergence, in particular when the integral limits are finite. When the integral limits tend to zero, simpler strain energy release rate expressions are obtained, and high‐order terms vanish. Nonetheless, these terms contribute indirectly via coefficients of first‐order terms.

The numerical results show that high accuracy can be achieved with high‐order enrichment terms and mesh refinement. However, the effect of the integral limits remains an open question, with finite integration intervals chosen as h ∕ 2 tending to give more accurate results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrauterine red cell transfusion for anti‐Kell isoimmunization in a fetus with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia
Authors: Unterscheider Julia , Ryan Helen , Morrison John J. , Malone Fergal D.
Published: July 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Both diseases, Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and Kell isoimmunization, are well described.

What does this study add?

This is the first case report that describes the coexistence of fetal anemia due to Kell sensitization in the presence of a platelet dysfunction disorder. It highlights the difficulties of optimal prenatal management and the poor outcome that occurred for this fetus related to cordocentesis, for this combined set of circumstances.
Total serum glycan analysis is superior to lectin‐FLISA for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Comunale Mary Ann , Wang Mengjun , Anbarasan Nikhil , Betesh Lucy , Karabudak Aykan , Moritz Ethan , Devarajan Karthik , Marrero Jorge , Block Timothy M. , Mehta Anand
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver that is predominantly the result of infection with a hepatotropic virus such as hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus. As liver cancer is often asymptomatic, the development of sensitive noninvasive biomarkers is needed for early detection and improved survival.

Experimental design

We have previously identified alterations in the N‐linked glycosylation of serum proteins with the development of HCC and identified many of the proteins that contained the altered glycosylation. In the current study, we compared the ability of the identified proteins to diagnose HCC with the total serum glycan analysis.

Results

Surprisingly, glycan analysis of total serum had the greatest ability to distinguish HCC from cirrhosis with an AUROC of 0.851, a sensitivity of 73% at a specificity of 88%. When total glycan sequencing was combined with alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), the sensitivity increased to 95% at a specificity of 90%.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Changes in glycosylation as detected in whole serum could be used to diagnose HCC with greater sensitivity and specificity than that observed through the analysis of specific protein glycoforms or protein levels. Such an assay could have value in the management of those at risk for the development of HCC.
Soluble amyloid precursor protein 770 is a novel biomarker candidate for acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Kitazume Shinobu , Yoshihisa Akiomi , Yamaki Takayoshi , Oikawa Masayoshi , Tachida Yuriko , Ogawa Kazuko , Imamaki Rie , Takeishi Yasuchika , Yamamoto Naomasa , Taniguchi Naoyuki
Published: July 2013

Most Alzheimer disease patients show deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide in blood vessels as well as the brain parenchyma. We previously found that vascular endothelial cells express amyloid β precursor protein (APP) 770, a different APP isoform from neuronal APP695, and that they produce amyloid β peptide. We analyzed the glycosylation of APP770 and found that O‐glycosylated sAPP770 is preferentially processed by proteases for Aβ production. Because the soluble APP cleavage product sAPP is considered to be a possible marker for Alzheimer disease diagnosis, sAPP, consisting of a mixture of these variants, has been widely measured. We hypothesized that measurement of the endothelial APP770 cleavage product in patients separately from that of neuronal APP695 would enable us to discriminate between endothelial and neurological dysfunctions. Our recent findings, showing that the level of plasma sAPP770 is significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome, raise the possibility that sAPP770 could be an indicator of endothelial dysfunction. In this review, we first describe the expression, glycosylation, and processing of APP770, and then discuss sAPP770 as a novel biomarker candidate of acute coronary syndrome.
Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of group I and group II metal complexes with Boc‐hydroxylamine
Authors: Dain Ryan P. , Gresham Gary , Groenewold Gary S. , Steill Jeffrey D. , Oomens Jos , Van Stipdonk Michael J.
Published: July 2013

RATIONALE

Hydroxamates are essential growth factors for some microbes, acting primarily as siderophores that solubilize iron for transport into a cell. Here we determined the intrinsic structure of 1:1 complexes between Boc‐protected hydroxylamine and group I ([M(L)]+) and group II ([M(L‐H)]+) cations, where M and L are the cation and ligand, respectively, which are convenient models for the functional unit of hydroxamate siderphores.

METHODS

The relevant complex ions were generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) and isolated and stored in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometer. Infrared spectra of the isolated complexes were collected by monitoring (infrared) photodissociation yield as a function of photon energy. Experimental spectra were then compared to those predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

RESULTS

The infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectra collected are in good agreement with those predicted to be lowest‐energy by DFT. The spectra for the group I complexes contain six resolved absorptions that can be attributed to amide I and II type and hydroxylamine N‐OH vibrations. Similar absorptions are observed for the group II cation complexes, with shifts of the amide I and amide II vibrations due to the change in structure with deprotonation of the hydroxylamine group.

CONCLUSIONS

IRMPD spectroscopy unequivocally shows that the intrinsic binding mode for the group I cations involves the O atoms of the amide carbonyl and hydroxylamine groups of Boc‐hydroxylamine. A similar binding mode is preferred for the group II cations, except that in this case the metal ion is coordinated by the O atom of the deprotonated hydroxylamine group. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Treatment of Vestibulodynia with Topical Estradiol and Testosterone
Authors: Burrows Lara J. , Goldstein Andrew T.
Published: July 2013

Introduction.

Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) use is becoming an increasingly recognized causes of vestibulodynia.

Aim.

This study aims to describe pre- and posttreatment vestibular pain, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and calculated free testosterone levels in women undergoing treatment for vestibulodynia.

Methods.

This was a chart review of 50 premenopausal women who presented with vestibular pain while currently using CHCs. Pre- and posttreatment vestibular pain, SHBG, and calculated free testosterone levels were assessed.

Results.

There was a statistically significant improvement in posttreatment vestibular pain scores (P = 0.001), SHBG (P = 0.001), and calculated free testosterone (P = 0.001) levels from baseline.

Conclusion.

Women with vestibulodynia that began while on CHC may effectively be treated by discontinuing the CHC combined with the application topical hormone therapy. Symptomatic improvement is accompanied by normalization of calculated free testosterone and SHBG values.
Tempering Induction Hardened 42CrMo4 Steel Helical Gearwheels from Residual Heat Using Spray Cooling
Authors: Rodman Dmytro , Nürnberger Florian , Dalinger Andrej , Schaper Mirko , Krause Christian , Kästner Markus , Reithmeier Eduard
Published: July 2013

Induction hardening is a surface hardening process in which severe temperature gradients occur due to limiting the heating to the sub‐surface layer. High residual stresses result from these gradients, which can negatively influence the fatigue strength and induce cracking. To reduce the residual stresses, induction hardening is followed by a tempering, which is usually carried out for several hours in a furnace. Substituting furnace tempering by tempering from the residual heat motivated the current investigations. During induction hardening of helical gearwheels made of 42CrMo4 heat‐treating steel using a controlled quenching by means of spray cooling, an additional tempering from the residual heat was performed. The result of the heat treatment was analyzed with the aid of hardness, residual stress, and distortion measurements. The obtained hardening results demonstrate the equivalence of the two tempering processes considered here.
Verification and validation of an actuator disc model
Authors: Réthoré Pierre‐Elouan , van der Laan Paul , Troldborg Niels , Zahle Frederik , Sørensen Niels N.
Published: July 2013

Wind turbine wake can be studied in computational fluid dynamics with the use of permeable body forces (e.g. actuator disc, line and surface). This paper presents a general flexible method to redistribute wind turbine blade forces as permeable body forces in a computational domain. The method can take any kind of shape discretization, determine the intersectional elements with the computational grid and use the size of these elements to redistribute proportionally the forces. This method can potentially reduce the need for mesh refinement in the region surrounding the rotor and, therefore, also reduce the computational cost of large wind farm wake simulations. The special case of the actuator disc is successfully validated with an analytical solution for heavily loaded turbines and with a full‐rotor computation in computational fluid dynamics. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time deformed shape estimation of a wind turbine blade using distributed fiber Bragg grating sensors
Authors: Kim Hong‐Il , Han Jae‐Hung , Bang Hyung‐Joon
Published: July 2013

This study presents a real‐time shape estimation technique based on measured strains at multiple points. For the measurement of multiple strain data, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are used because of their excellent strain accuracy and multiplexing capability with minimal mechanical loading. The displacement‐strain relation of a blade structure is systematically formulated using a finite element model, where the locations and directions of the FBG sensors are taken into account. Because there could be unavoidable modeling uncertainties, the operational modal analysis is also introduced to construct a displacement‐strain transformation matrix. In the laboratory, the developed technique is applied to a wind turbine blade in which the FBG sensors are embedded. The blade deformation is reconstructed using the proposed method when the blade is subjected to static and vibratory loadings. At the same time, a stereo pattern recognition system consisting of eight cameras directly captures the deformation of the blade to validate the estimated blade shapes. For various loading cases, the estimated results of the blade shape agree very well with the reference measurements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgeon Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Volume and Outcomes of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A 12‐year Nationwide Study
Authors: Chen Chun‐Ku , Chang Hsiao‐Ting , Chen Yu‐Chun , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Chen I‐Ming , Shih Chun‐Che
Published: July 2013

Background

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of surgeon elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair volume on outcomes after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair.

Methods

A nationwide claims database was used to identify patients who underwent rAAA repair from 1998 to 2009. Surgeon elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EAR) volume was classified as low, medium, or high. Associations between surgeon EAR volume and in‐hospital mortality, overall survival, and complications after open rAAA repair (RAR) were compared with multivariate analysis. Associations between surgeon elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EER) volume and outcomes after endovascular rAAA repair (RER) were also analyzed.

Results

A total of 537 patients who underwent rAAA repair were identified, including 498 who underwent RAR and 39 who underwent RER. In‐hospital mortality rates after RAR were 49, 38, and 24 % in the low, medium, and high EAR volume groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients in the low surgeon EAR volume group had higher in‐hospital mortality than those in the high surgeon EAR volume group [odds ratio 3.39, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.52, 7.59; p = 0.003]. Patients in the low surgeon EAR volume group also had higher long‐term mortality (hazard ratio 1.86, 95 % CI 1.21, 2.85; p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in complication rates among the surgeon EAR volume groups or in‐hospital mortality after RER among the surgeon EER volume groups.

Conclusions

Surgeon EAR volume is associated with in‐hospital mortality and long‐term survival after RAR.
Thermodynamic Properties of Sulfobetaine‐Type Surfactants
Authors: Zhu Hai‐lin , Hu Zhi‐yong , Wang Jian‐long , Cao Duan‐lin
Published: July 2013

Sulfobetaine‐type surfactants containing a hydroxy group were synthesized by the reaction of long chain monoalkyl dimethyl tertiary amine with 3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropanesulfonic acid sodium salt. The structures were characterized by 1H NMR and ESI‐MS. Their critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in aqueous solution were determined by the plate method in the temperature rang from 298.15 to 328.15 K. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (, and ) and surface adsorption (, and ) were calculated from CMC data. The results showed that the micellization and surface adsorption of these surfactants in aqueous solution was a spontaneous and entropy‐driven process. The micellization and surface adsorption became easier when the alkyl chain length increased from 12 carbon atoms to 14. The enthalpy–entropy compensation of micellization and adsorption was investigated. The compensation temperature were found to be (311 ± 2) K for both micellization and adsorption. The and decreased, but the and increased with increasing the hydrophobic chain length from 12 to 14.
Efficacy and safety of novel anticoagulant dabigatran in clinical practice for Japanese patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Miyamoto Koji , Aiba Takeshi , Nakajima Ikutaro , Yamada Yuko , Okamura Hideo , Noda Takashi , Satomi Kazuhiro , Ishihara Masaharu , Anzai Toshihisa , Yasuda Satoshi , Ogawa Hisao , Kamakura Shiro , Shimizu Wataru
Published: July 2013

Background

There is little evidence of the efficacy and safety of dabigatran in Japanese patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods and Results

We evaluated 300 consecutive patients with NVAF (68±11 years old, 209 men, 180 paroxysmal) who received 220 mg/day (203 patients) or 300 mg/day dabigatran (97 patients) at our hospital. Most patients (84%) had lower CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age>75 years, diabetes, stroke/transient ischemic attack) scores of 0 (n=60), 1 (n=114), or 2 (n=78) and lower HAS‐BLED (hypertension, abnormal renal/liver function, stroke, bleeding history or predisposition) scores of 0 (n=39), 1 (n=114), or 2 (n=103). The estimated creatinine clearance was 77±24 mL/min, which was inversely correlated to age (r2=0.48, p<0.0001). Activated partial thromboplastin time was 42±9 s but was not dependent on sampling time. During follow‐up of 263±160 days, an ischemic stroke occurred in 1 patient (0.3%), but no systemic embolism was observed. Some adverse events were reported for 70 (23%) patients, such as dyspepsia (n=42, 14%) or minor bleeding complications (n=11, 4%) resulting in discontinuation of dabigatran for 39 patients. However, no major complications were observed, and no patient died from adverse events or because of cardiovascular or stroke events.

Conclusions

Dabigatran is safe and useful for the prevention of ischemic strokes in Japanese NVAF patients, but additional care should be taken for elderly patients.
Injuries in Commercial Whitewater Rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers of West Virginia
Authors: Attarian Aram , Siderelis Christos
Published: July 2013

Objective

To describe the rates, patterns, and likelihood of injuries in commercial whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers, West Virginia.

Methods

Standardized injury report forms developed by the West Virginia Whitewater Commission were reviewed for years 2005–2010 to provide a statistical account of injuries reported by licensed commercial rafting outfitters operating on the New and Gauley rivers.

Results

Overall, musculoskeletal injuries (sprains/strains, 21.1%; dislocations, 13.8%; fractures, 12.2%) comprised the majority (47.4%) of incidents followed by injuries to soft tissue (lacerations, 29.0%; abrasions, 13.3%; contusions, 2.3%). Almost one half (44.3%) of injuries were to the head, neck, and shoulders followed by the lower extremities (foot/ankle/leg/knee/hip, 33.9%) and upper extremities (hand/wrist/arm, 14.3%). Data analyzed using the Somers’ D statistic revealed the likelihood of an injury occurring inside the raft is P = .55, and P = .39 when passengers are ejected from the raft into the river. The most likely injuries to occur to passengers are a laceration ( P = .51) or a sprain ( P = .20). The main probabilities for the risks of injuries were found to be to the head ( P = .24), shoulder ( P = .16), and face ( P = .13) of the passenger.

Conclusions

By knowing what injuries are common, their likelihood of occurrence, and the settings in which they happen, commercial outfitters can initiate practices to reduce injury rates.
Exercising in a Hot Environment: Which T-shirt to Wear?
Authors: Sperlich Billy , Born Dennis-Peter , Lefter Marie Denise , Holmberg Hans-Christer
Published: July 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate thermoregulatory, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and perceptual responses while running in a hot environment (31.7° ± 1.0°C; 42% ± 3% relative humidity) and wearing T-shirts made from different fiber types.

Methods

Eight well-trained men performed 4 tests wearing either a T-shirt made of 100% polyester with 4, 6, or 8 channels, or one made of 100% cotton. Each test consisted of 30 minutes running at 70% of peak oxygen uptake, followed by a ramp test to exhaustion and 15 minutes of recovery.

Results

There were no differences in skin, core, and body temperatures between fiber types during submaximal and high-intensity running (best P = .08). During recovery, body temperature and shivering/sweating sensations were lower when wearing 4- and 6-channel fibers ( P ≤ .04) compared with cotton. The relative humidity at the chest and back were lower for all polyester T-shirts compared with cotton during and after submaximal and maximal running ( P ≤ .007). Heart rate (best P = .10), oxygen uptake ( P = .95), respiratory exchange ratio (best P = .93), ventilation (best P = .99), and blood lactate concentration (best P = .97) did not differ between the fiber types. Nor were any differences in time to exhaustion (best P = .76), ratings of perceived exertion (best P = .09), thermal sensation (best P = .07), or sensation of clothing wetness (best P = .36) discovered.

Conclusions

Although statistical analysis revealed lower shivering/sweating sensations while wearing 4- and 6-channel fiber shirts during recovery, with an improved chest and back microenvironment for all polyester T-shirts, the question remains whether these differences are of any practical relevance because the performance of the well-trained men was unaffected.
The Eliassen–Palm flux tensor
Authors: Maddison J. R. , Marshall D. P.
Published: July 2013

The aim of this paper it to derive general coordinate-invariant forms of the Eliassen–Palm flux tensor and thereby characterize the true geometric nature of the eddy–mean-flow interaction in hydrostatic Boussinesq rotating fluids. In the quasi-geostrophic limit previous forms of the Eliassen–Palm flux tensor are shown to be related to each other via a gauge transformation; a general form is stated and its geometric properties are discussed. Similar methodology is applied to the hydrostatic Boussinesq Navier–Stokes equations to re-derive the residual-mean equations in a coordinate-invariant form. Thickness-weighted averaging in buoyancy coordinates is carefully described, via the definition of a volume-form-weighted average, constructed so as to commute with the covariant divergence of a vector. The procedures leading to the thickness-weight averaged equation are discussed, and forms of the Eliassen–Palm flux tensor which arise are identified.
Actualism and Beauty: Karl Barth's Insistence on theAuchin his Account of Divine Beauty
Authors: Barnett William T.
Published: July 2013

Hans Urs von Balthasar claimed that Barth'sChurch Dogmaticsdemonstrates a weakening of his distinctive actualism in order to make space for ‘the concept of authentic objective form’, a point illustrated by the discourse on divine beauty inCDII/1. There Barth treats the divine being as an objective form to be contemplated, a seeming departure from Barth's privileged conceptualisation of God as personal subject whose free action humbles our theoretical gaze and graciously provides the material content for proper speech about God. Bruce McCormack has challenged von Balthasar's general thesis, arguing that no weakening has in fact taken place in theChurch Dogmatics. If this is the case, what then of Barth's discourse on divine beauty? Is it consistent with his actualistic doctrine of God? Is it possible to speak of God both as a free, dynamic event and an object of beauty? Can theological aesthetics find a home within Barth's actualism? This article answers in the affirmative by demonstrating the systematic integrity between Barth's claims about divine beauty and the actualism permeatingCDII/1. First, the article examines the ambiguity of Barth's specific claims about divine beauty. Barth is both enthusiastic and hesitant in speaking about divine beauty, affirming the concept yet placing careful qualifications on its use. Next, the article illustrates how the nature of these claims is anticipated by the actualism ofCDII/1, specifically by (1) Barth's clear rejection of divine formlessness, (2) his argument that God's act of self-revelation in Jesus Christ implies an objective triune form for God's being and, lastly, (3) how he grounds discourse on divine beauty in the event of God's dynamic, free love. The article finally contends that the key to Barth's puzzling position on divine beauty is in understanding the precise reason why he registers beauty as a necessary but insufficient theological concept. This qualification is rooted in an important content–form, spirit–nature distinction which frames all discussion about God's being-in-act. ThroughoutCDII/1, objective form is a necessary condition for divine self-expression, but objectivity is always grounded in the freedom of the Spirit. Thus, the freedom-to-love at the heart of God's triune existence is the ground of our experience of God as beautiful, not any continuity with our contemplation of created forms. As such, the creative freedom animating God's triune life provides the space for, but also the limit to, theological aesthetics by imbuing divine beauty in mystery.
‘An Extraordinarily Acute Embarrassment’: The Doctrine of Angels in Barth's Göttingen Dogmatics
Authors: Wood Donald
Published: July 2013

Study of Barth's doctrine of angels has languished, and the time is ripe for a thorough reassessment. While any full account will centre on the magisterial theology of angels in theChurch Dogmatics, much can be gained from a close, contextually informed reading of the earlier treatment of angels in the Göttingen dogmatics lectures. These lectures are shaped by a twofold procedural commitment: Barth's presentation is ordered, on one hand, to a recognisably modern conception of the logical content of Christian preaching; and it conforms, on the other hand, to a doctrinal sequence recommended by the dogmatic textbooks of the classical Reformed tradition. A tension between these two aspects becomes visible in Barth's handling of the doctrine of angels – a tract of teaching by which he is visibly unsettled. Barth accordingly attends with particular care to two fundamental modern objections to the doctrine – namely that it involves a superfluous reduplication of anthropological themes and that it has no independent doctrinal standing. The first objection exploits the observation that the doctrine of angels traditionally stands in close proximity to the doctrine of the human creature; the second follows from the claim that Christian preaching, and the dogmatic theology which serves it, attends strictly to the relationship between God and humanity, realised and revealed in the gospel. Barth's attempts to respond to these criticisms, and so to draw out the necessity and the proper dogmatic status of the doctrine of angels, are traced in detail. Angels and demons, conceived as real spiritual forces, are ineluctable features of the situation within which human moral agency is exercised. And angels are ingredients in, though not central to, the scriptural depiction of the relationship between God and humanity. Barth's elaboration of the positive features of Protestant scholastic angelology is summarised, and the motivating impulses and constructive potential of his theology of angels are briefly noted: Barth's exposition may be read as a complex exercise in theological self-differentiation; a recommendation of a distinctive style of biblical reasoning; and a creative contribution to the revitalisation of a culture of Christian witness.
Christological Foundations for an Ecological Ethic: Learning from Bonhoeffer
Authors: Burkholder Benjamin J.
Published: July 2013

In an age where the church needs to foster moral concern for the environment, some are suggesting that Christian theology itself must be changed to produce this result. This article argues that such emendations are unnecessary because Dietrich Bonhoeffer, working a couple of decades before ecological concern was even seen as necessary, manages to craft a theological and ethical approach which is sensitive to ecological concern while retaining large portions of the Christian tradition. Bonhoeffer's anthropology robustly affirms humanity's connection with the natural environment and does not separate humans from the natural order. In fact, his novel approach to the image of God emphasises the necessity of human physicality and the ethical responsibility for the other, which seems to be extendable to the natural order as well. In addition, Bonhoeffer's interpretation of the command to have dominion sees the injunction as a call to be ‘bound’ to nature as a servant, not as a lord free to exploit the earth for wanton pleasure. Consequently, Bonhoeffer interprets the industrial revolution as the failure of humans to rule and serve creation well. Finally, his anthropology, unlike many in the tradition, does not extradite humans from the world, but rather situates them entirely within the matrix of interlocking relationships in the natural world. While Christian soteriology has been criticised for shifting Christian concern away from the environment and life in this world, Bonhoeffer's soteriology overcomes this criticism. Bonhoeffer vociferously repudiates two kingdoms theology in favour of a single unified reality of Christ, which unites God's work of creation and redemption into a unified whole. Furthermore, he interprets the incarnation as a robust affirmation of God's creation and thereby life in this present world. Finally, Bonhoeffer posits redemption encompassing the entire world order, rather than seeing humans as its unique constituents. Bonhoeffer's ethics of responsible action shows that humans need to evaluate not just their immediate actions, but also the long-term consequences of their actions, especially when it comes to use of the environment, both for the sake of other humans and for the sake of following Christ. Since disciples of Christ are supposed to be working towards the reality of Christ, one can conclude that Bonhoeffer's thought encourages humans to work towards the harmony that is to typify creation in the eschaton. Thus, Bonhoeffer's ethics encourages a moral concern for the environment both as a means of neighbourly love and as a means of following Christ.
Terror Management and Civic Engagement
Authors: Green Jennifer , Merle Patrick
Published: July 2013

Stories of death flood the media, making mortality a salient theme in American news. Research shows that subconscious reminders of death influence a range of behaviors associated with charitable giving and a bolstered sense of patriotism ( Burke, Martens, & Faucher, 2010 , Personality & Social Psychology Review, 14, 155–195). Terror management theory (TMT) explains this relationship by positing that subconscious mortality salience motivates individuals to embrace their cultural worldviews (e.g., engaging in volunteerism or politically oriented activities). Moreover, collectivistic, relative to individualistic, self-construals motivate individuals to serve others and meet group needs. In a first-known attempt to understand the relationship between TMT, self-construals, and civic engagement, a 2 (mortality salience: high or low) × 2 (self-construal: individualistic or collectivistic) experiment (N = 124) revealed that counter to common findings, increased mortality salience was negatively related to civic engagement intentions. However, as predicted, collectivism was positively associated with such intentions. Results also indicated that mortality salience and self-construals may not interact to influence civic engagement.
Nuclear microbiology—bacterial assault on the nucleolus
Authors: Bierne Hélène
Published: July 2013

New research by Ting Li, Feng Shao and colleagues shows that bacterial pathogens, such as Legionella and Burkholderia spp., can hijack the nucleolus by secreting SET‐domain effectors that target and modify rDNA chromatin.
Seismic Evidence for a Geosuture between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks, South China
Authors: He Chuansong , Dong Shuwen , Santosh M. , Chen Xuanhua
Published: July 2013

South China, composed of the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks and the intervening Jiangnan orogenic belt, has been central to the debate on the tectonic evolution of East Asia. Here we investigate the crustal structure and composition of South China from seismic data employing theH-kstacking technique. Our results show that the composition and seismic structure of the crust in the Jiangnan orogenic belt are identical to those of the Cathaysia Block. Our data reveal a distinct contrast in the crustal structure and composition between the two flanks of the Jiujiang-Shitai buried fault. We propose that the Jiujiang-Shitai buried fault defines a geosuture between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks and that the felsic lower crust of the Cathaysia Block and the Jiangnan orogenic belt may represent fragments derived from the Gondwana supercontinent.
Kind of high‐power microwave radial line slot antenna
Authors: Peng S.R. , Yuan C.W. , Shu T. , Li Z.Q. , Zhang Q.
Published: July 2013

A kind of circularly‐polarised radial line slot antenna for high‐power microwave application is proposed by contriving a kind of radial line slow‐wave structure, an improved circularly‐polarised radiator unit and a reflection cancelling slot. An antenna prototype with a length of 12 cm and an aperture diameter of 54 cm is designed, which has a gain of 29.0 dBi and an axial ratio of 1.12 at 9.42 GHz. The high‐power experiment proves that this antenna has a power‐handling capacity of more than 600 MW.
Wideband SIW power divider with improved out‐of‐band rejection
Authors: Chen S.Y. , Zhang D.S. , Yu Y.T.
Published: July 2013

A wideband substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) power divider with enhanced out‐of‐band rejection is proposed. Periodic butterfly radial slots are etched on top layer of SIW to realise a pass‐band combining with high‐pass characteristics of SIW. An experimental circuit has been fabricated by the standard printed circuit board process. Simulated results are compared with measured data and good agreement is reported.
Method to improve two bi‐directional half‐duplex relaying scheme under use of single‐user decoder
Authors: Truc T.T. , Kong H.Y.
Published: July 2013

A two bi‐directional‐way relaying method that enables simultaneous communication without inter‐pair interference within two time slots is proposed. A common sensor node B exchanges information with two sensor nodes S1 and S2 via two relaying scenarios. In the first scenario, the relaying system contains two relays, R1 and R2, in two overlapping clusters. In the second scenario, the relaying system has only one relay, R, in the same cluster. Under the amplify‐and‐forward protocol, the authors propose the use of a pulse amplitude modulation signal, instead of a general complex signal, for presenting informational messages of all sources. The authors then propose a phase‐shift transmission scheme. As a result, two‐bi‐directional relaying transmission is available within two time slots, but without any interference. Simulation results show that in terms of achievable rate, the proposed scheme outperforms the conventional method which uses a general complex signal and four time slots.
Pre‐emphasis transmitter (0.007 mm2, 8 Gbit/s, 0–14 dB) with improved data zero‐crossing accuracy in 65 nm CMOS
Authors: Chen Y. , Mak P.‐I. , Zhang L. , Qian H. , Wang Y.
Published: July 2013

A pre‐emphasis transmitter with improved data zero‐crossing accuracy is described. It is achieved via data re‐synchronisation using a set of extended true single‐phase clock latches before output combining, constituting a robust, area‐ and power‐efficient solution. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS, the full‐rate one‐tap pre‐emphasis transmitter measures a total jitter of 33.12 ps up to an 8 Gbit/s data rate, and 25.04 to 38.75 ps under a 0–14 dB reconfigurable pre‐emphasis range. The achieved output swing is as large as 550 mVpp, and the active area is just 0.007 mm2.
Optimised LNA for wireless link in brain machine interface applications
Authors: Dehghani S. , Abouei J.
Published: July 2013

Presentsed is an optimised design for the RF CMOS low‐noise amplifier (LNA) as the analogue front‐end circuit for the brain–machine interface's transceiver with an emphasis on the tradeoff between gain, noise and power consumption. A 360 nm cascode LNA operating in 404 MHz of the Medical Implant Communication Service frequency band is designed to demonstrate good performance achievable in the microwatt range. Overdrive voltage of the transistors is approximately 100 mV to exploit the high gm/ID achieving low power consumption, while avoiding performance degradation associated with the subthreshold region.
UWB antenna with notched band at 5.5 GHz
Authors: Azim R. , Mobashsher A.T. , Islam M.T.
Published: July 2013

A slot antenna with a notched band at 5.5 GHz is proposed for UWB applications. The basic UWB antenna comprises of a rectangular radiating patch and a ground plane with a tapered shape slot and printed on 1.6 mm‐thick FR4 dielectric substrate. To realise a notch band, two symmetrical slits are etched on the slot of the ground plane. Experimental results show that the proposed antenna exhibits wideband performance from 3.08 to more than 11 GHz with a notched frequency band centred at 5.5 GHz which can effectively mitigate the interference between the WLAN and UWB systems. It is also confirmed from the measurements that the insertion of slits does not affect the antenna performance, except at the notched frequency band.
Accurate map merging with virtual emphasis for multi‐robot systems
Authors: Lee H.C. , Cho Y.J. , Lee B.H.
Published: July 2013

A new grid map‐merging technique which consists of virtual emphasis by one‐way observation, curvature‐based map matching and particle swarm optimisation is proposed. The proposed technique can improve not only the accuracy of map merging, but also the flexibility of multi‐robot systems. The improved performance is verified by showing higher similarities than the existing map‐merging techniques in experiments.
Large nonlinear optical coefficients in pseudo-tetragonal BiFeO3 thin films
Authors: Haislmaier Ryan C. , Podraza Nikolas J. , Denev Sava , Melville Alex , Schlom Darrell G. , Gopalan Venkatraman
Published: July 2013

Biaxial strain induces a phase transition from a pseudo-rhombohedral (R) to pseudo-tetragonal (T) phase in BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films. Using optical second harmonic generation, we measure the nonlinear optical dij coefficients at a fundamental wavelength of 1550 nm for R and T-BFO thin films. A large increase of the dij magnitudes is observed for T-BFO in comparison to R-BFO. The dij magnitudes for T-BFO were measured to be: |d33|=18.1±2.4, |d31|=60.8±8.1, and |d15|=47.0±4.2, and for R-BFO: |d33|=15.1±2.1, |d31|=8.5±1.2, |d15|=0.9±0.1, and |d22|=18.7±2.6 (pm/V). The strain-enhanced nonlinear optical properties of T-BFO thin films make them potentially useful for optical applications.
Communication: Quantum dynamics in classical spin baths
Authors: Sergi Alessandro
Published: July 2013

A formalism for studying the dynamics of quantum systems embedded in classical spin baths is introduced. The theory is based on generalized antisymmetric brackets and predicts the presence of open-path off-diagonal geometric phases in the evolution of the density matrix. The weak coupling limit of the equation can be integrated by standard algorithms and provides a non-Markovian approach to the computer simulation of quantum systems in classical spin environments. It is expected that the theory and numerical schemes presented here have a wide applicability.
Engineered core-shell Si1−xGex/Ge nanowires fabricated by focused ion beam and oxido-reduction
Authors: Aouassa M. , Ronda A. , Favre L. , Delobbe A. , Sudraud P. , Berbezier I.
Published: July 2013

We demonstrate that perfectly reproducible and homogeneous core-shell Si1−xGex/Ge nanowires can be produced by a two step nanofabrication process. The process makes use of a combination of Liquid Metal Alloy Ion Source–Focused Ion Beam (LMAIS-FIB) nanomilling and condensation. In a first step, we fabricate arrays of SiGe wires by LMAIS-FIB milling of fully relaxed Si1−xGex pseudo-substrates. The use of Ge2+ ions during this step avoids any metallic contamination of the nanowires. In a second step, we both reduce the diameter of the wires and form the core-shell configuration by oxido-reduction of the wires. Large arrays of core-shell nanowires with extended aspect ratio (length over diameter), small diameters and ultra-thin shell thickness are fabricated. Multilayer core-shell configurations with tunable arrangements could also be produced by repeated condensation cycles.
The interaction of He with vibrating HCN: Potential energy surface, bound states, and rotationally inelastic cross sections
Authors: Denis-Alpizar Otoniel , Stoecklin Thierry , Halvick Philippe , Dubernet Marie-Lise
Published: July 2013

A four-dimensional potential energy surface representing the interaction between He and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) subjected to bending vibrational motion is presented. Ab initiocalculations were carried out at the coupled-cluster level with single and double excitations and a perturbative treatment of triple excitations, using a quadruple-zeta basis set and mid-bond functions. The global minimum is found in the linear He-HCN configuration with the H atom pointing towards helium at the intermolecular separation of 7.94 a0. The corresponding well depth is 30.35 cm−1. First, the quality of the new potential has been tested by performing two comparisons with previous theoretical and experimental works. (i) The rovibrational energy levels of the He-HCN complex for a rigid linear configuration of the HCN molecule have been calculated. The dissociation energy is 8.99 cm−1, which is slightly smaller than the semi-empirical value of 9.42 cm−1. The transitions frequencies are found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. (ii) We performed close coupling calculations of the rotational de-excitation of rigid linear HCN in collision with He and observed a close similarity with the theoretical data published in a recent study. Second, the effects of the vibrational bending of HCN have been investigated, both for the bound levels of the He-HCN system and for the rotationally inelastic cross sections. This was performed with an approximate method using the average of the interaction potential over the vibrational bending wavefunction. While this improves slightly the comparison of calculated transitions frequencies with experiment, the cross sections remain very close to those obtained with rigid linear HCN.