bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real‐time deterministic power flow control through dispatch of distributed energy resources
Authors: Fazeli Amir , Sumner Mark , Johnson Mark Christopher , Christopher Edward
Published: September 2015

Integration of intermittent renewable resources and mass electrification of heat and transport into the existing electricity network, with limited network asset reinforcement requires incorporation of intelligence in the form of active management of flexible resources within different sections of the distribution network. A hierarchical multi‐level control framework is proposed for this purpose which incorporates the appropriate optimisation and control strategies at different levels. In particular, a novel deterministic control algorithm for controlling power flows at the community cell level has been developed and presented in this study. This algorithm incorporates robustness to communication and device failure and is easily expandable to an arbitrary number of devices. The simulation results presented in this study show that the effectiveness of the proposed control technique depends on distributed energy resources flexibility and storage capacity.
Prédisposition aux leucomes pré-carieux due à un excès de mordançage autour des attaches orthodontiques
Authors: Knösel Michael , Bojes Mariana , Jung Klaus , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: September 2015

Introduction : Il n’existe que très peu d’articles dans la littérature traitant du risque iatrogène d’apparition de leucomes (white spots) dus à un surplus inadéquat d’agent de mordançage (acide phosphorique à 30 %) dans des conditions d’hygiène bucco-dentaire insuffisante. Méthode : Quatre-vingt-dix échantillons d’émail sain ont été randomisés et distribués dans six groupes (N = 15 par groupe) : des groupes traités avec un acide phosphorique à 30 % pendant 15 secondes, avec ou sans brossage amélaire quotidien, des groupes traités à l’acide pendant 30 secondes, avec ou sans brossage quotidien, ou des groupes témoins non traités à l’acide, avec ou sans brossage. Les attaques acides ont été simulées par des cycles de déminéralisation trois fois par jour pendant une heure avec des périodes d’interruptions dans un milieu contenant de la salive artificielle. La profondeur des lésions en termes de pourcentage de pertes de fluorescence (delta F, delta Q) et d’amplitude de lésion comparée à une référence a été appréciée en utilisant des mesures quantitatives de fluorescence après 2, 7, 14, 21 et 42 jours. La durée du mordançage, la durée de l’essai clinique et l’hygiène bucco-dentaire, aussi bien que la signification des facteurs d’interaction, ont été analysés grâce à une analyse de variances à trois entrées (Alpha = 5 %). Résultats : Les facteurs tels que le brossage amélaire, la durée de l’essai clinique, l’hygiène bucco-dentaire et le mordançage ont un impact significatif sur l’apparition et sur le développement des lésions. L’effet de l’excès de mordançage sur la formation des leucomes est significativement plus important par l’absence de brossage amélaire et aussi par l’augmentation des durées de l’essai clinique. L’association des deux facteurs : attaque acide pendant 30 secondes et hygiène bucco-dentaire insuffisante était spécialement délétère. Conclusions : L’application excessive d’acide de mordançage sur une surface amélaire, lorsqu’elle n’est pas limitée à la stricte surface de l’attache orthodontique, doit être évitée de façon à prévenir l’apparition iatrogène de leucomes. Les durées de mordançage n’excédant pas 15 secondes sont favorables.
Scanning nonlinear dielectric potentiometry
Authors: Yamasue Kohei , Cho Yasuo
Published: September 2015

Measuring spontaneous polarization and permanent dipoles on surfaces and interfaces on the nanoscale is difficult because the induced electrostatic fields and potentials are often influenced by other phenomena such as the existence of monopole fixed charges, screening charges, and contact potential differences. A method based on tip-sample capacitance detection and bias feedback is proposed which is only sensitive to polarization- or dipole-induced potentials, unlike Kelvin probe force microscopy. The feasibility of this method was demonstrated by simultaneously measuring topography and polarization-induced potentials on a reconstructed Si(111)-(7 × 7) surface with atomic resolution.
Molecular hydrogen messengers can lead to structural infidelity: A cautionary tale of protonated glycine
Authors: Masson Antoine , Williams Evan R. , Rizzo Thomas R.
Published: September 2015

The effects of tagging protonated glycine with either He or between 1 and 14 H2 molecules on the infrared photodissociation spectra and the ion structure were investigated. Differences in the IR spectra with either a single He atom or H2 molecule attached indicate that even a single H2 molecule can affect the frequencies of some vibrational bands of this simple ion. The protonation site is the preferred location of the tag with He and with up to two H2 molecules, but evidence for H2 attachment to the hydrogen atom of the uncharged carboxylic acid is observed for ions tagged with three or more H2 molecules. This results in a 55 cm−1 red shift in the carboxylic acid OH stretch, and evidence for some structural isomers where the hydrogen bond between the protonated nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen is partially broken; as a result H2 molecules attached to this site are observed. These results are supported by theory, which indicates that H2 molecules can effectively break this weak hydrogen bond with three or more H2 molecules. These results indicate that large spectral shifts as a result of H2 molecules attaching to sites remote from the charge can occur and affect stretching frequencies as a result of charge transfer, and that tagging with multiple H2 molecules can change the structure of the ion itself.
Tensile-strain effect of inducing the indirect-to-direct band-gap transition and reducing the band-gap energy of Ge
Authors: Inaoka Takeshi , Furukawa Takuro , Toma Ryo , Yanagisawa Susumu
Published: September 2015

By means of a hybrid density-functional method, we investigate the tensile-strain effect of inducing the indirect-to-direct band-gap transition and reducing the band-gap energy of Ge. We consider [001], [111], and [110] uniaxial tensility and (001), (111), and (110) biaxial tensility. Under the condition of no normal stress, we determine both normal compression and internal strain, namely, relative displacement of two atoms in the primitive unit cell, by minimizing the total energy. We identify those strain types which can induce the band-gap transition, and evaluate the critical strain coefficient where the gap transition occurs. Either normal compression or internal strain operates unfavorably to induce the gap transition, which raises the critical strain coefficient or even blocks the transition. We also examine how each type of tensile strain decreases the band-gap energy, depending on its orientation. Our analysis clearly shows that synergistic operation of strain orientation and band anisotropy has a great influence on the gap transition and the gap energy.
Analysis of heterogeneous water vapor uptake by metal iodide cluster ions via differential mobility analysis-mass spectrometry
Authors: Oberreit Derek , Rawat Vivek K. , Larriba-Andaluz Carlos , Ouyang Hui , McMurry Peter H. , Hogan Christopher J.
Published: September 2015

The sorption of vapor molecules onto pre-existing nanometer sized clusters is of importance in understanding particle formation and growth in gas phase environments and devising gas phase separation schemes. Here, we apply a differential mobility analyzer-mass spectrometer based approach to observe directly the sorption of vapor molecules onto iodide cluster ions of the form (MI)xM+ (x = 1-13, M = Na, K, Rb, or Cs) in air at 300 K and with water saturation ratios in the 0.01-0.64 range. The extent of vapor sorption is quantified in measurements by the shift in collision cross section (CCS) for each ion. We find that CCS measurements are sensitive enough to detect the transient binding of several vapor molecules to clusters, which shift CCSs by only several percent. At the same time, for the highest saturation ratios examined, we observed CCS shifts of up to 45%. For x < 4, cesium, rubidium, and potassium iodide cluster ions are found to uptake water to a similar extent, while sodium iodide clusters uptake less water. For x ≥ 4, sodium iodide cluster ions uptake proportionally more water vapor than rubidium and potassium iodide cluster ions, while cesium iodide ions exhibit less uptake. Measured CCS shifts are compared to predictions based upon a Kelvin-Thomson-Raoult (KTR) model as well as a Langmuir adsorption model. We find that the Langmuir adsorption model can be fit well to measurements. Meanwhile, KTR predictions deviate from measurements, which suggests that the earliest stages of vapor uptake by nanometer scale species are not well described by the KTR model.
Effects of concentration-dependent elastic modulus on Li-ions diffusion and diffusion-induced stresses in spherical composition-gradient electrodes
Authors: Zhang Kai , Li Yong , Zheng Bailin
Published: September 2015

The composition-gradient electrode material is considered as one of the most promising materials for lithium-ion batteries because of its excellent electrochemical performance and thermal stability. In this work, the effects of concentration-dependent elastic modulus on Li-ions diffusion and diffusion-induce stress in the composition-gradient electrodes were studied. The coupling equations of elasticity and diffusion under both potentiostatic charging and galvanostatic charging were developed to obtain the distributions of both the Li-ions concentration and the stress. The results indicated that the effects of the concentration-dependent elastic modulus on the Li-ions diffusion and the diffusion-induce stresses are controlled by the lithiation induced stiffening factor in the composition-gradient electrodes: a low stiffening factor at the center and a high stiffening factor at the surface lead to a significant effect, whereas a high stiffening factor at the center and a low stiffening factor at the surface result in a minimal effect. The results in this work provide guidance for the selection of electrode materials.
Semimetal-semiconductor transition and giant linear magnetoresistances in three-dimensional Dirac semimetal Bi0.96Sb0.04 single crystals
Authors: Yue Z. J. , Wang X. L. , Yan S. S.
Published: September 2015

Three-dimensional (3D) Dirac semimetals are new quantum materials and can be viewed as 3D analogues of graphene. Many fascinating electronic properties have been proposed and realized in 3D Dirac semimetals, which demonstrate their potential applications in next generation quantum devices. Bismuth-antimony Bi1−xSbx can be tuned from a topological insulator to a band insulator through a quantum critical point at x ≈ 4%, where 3D Dirac fermions appear. Here, we report on a magnetotransport study of Bi1−xSbx at such a quantum critical point. An unusual magnetic-field induced semimetal-semiconductor phase transition was observed in the Bi0.96Sb0.04 single crystals. In a magnetic field of 8 T, Bi0.96Sb0.04 single crystals show giant magnetoresistances of up to 6000% at low-temperature, 5 K, and 300% at room-temperature, 300 K. The observed magnetoresistances keep linear down to approximate zero-field when the temperature is below 200 K. Our experimental results are not only interesting for the fundamental physics of 3D Dirac semimetals but also for potential applications of 3D Dirac semimetals in magnetoelectronic devices.
Communication: Evidence for dipole-bound excited states in gas-phase I− ⋅ MI (M = Na, K, Cs) anionic salt microclusters
Authors: Harvey Andrew J. A. , Yoshikawa Naruo , Wang Jin-Guo , Dessent Caroline E. H.
Published: September 2015

We report the first UV laser photodissociation spectra of gas-phase I− ⋅ MI (M = Na, K, Cs) alkali halide anionic microclusters. The photodepletion spectra of these clusters display strong absorption bands just below the calculated vertical detachment energies, indicative of the presence of dipole-bound excited states. Photoexcitation at the peak of the transition to the dipole-bound excited state results in production of a primary [MI]− photofragment along with a less intense I− ion. The photofragmentation mechanism of the excited state cluster is discussed in the context of an initial dipole-bound excited state that subsequently relaxes via a vibrational Feschbach resonance. The experiments described have been performed in an electrospray source laser-interfaced quadrupole ion-trap instrument and demonstrated for the first time that dipole-bound excited states can be identified in the relatively high-collision environment of a quadrupole ion-trap, in particular for systems with large dipole moments associated with the presence of charge separation. This indicates considerable potential for future experiments that identify dipole-bound excited states as a “low-resolution” structural probe of biomolecules and molecular charge separation using the instrumentation employed in this work.
Influence of cooling rate in planar thermally assisted magnetic random access memory: Improved writeability due to spin-transfer-torque influence
Authors: Chavent A. , Ducruet C. , Portemont C. , Creuzet C. , Vila L. , Alvarez-Hérault J. , Sousa R. C. , Prejbeanu I. L. , Dieny B.
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates the effect of a controlled cooling rate on magnetic field reversal assisted by spin transfer torque (STT) in thermally assisted magnetic random access memory. By using a gradual linear decrease of the voltage at the end of the write pulse, the STT decays more slowly or at least at the same rate as the temperature. This condition is necessary to make sure that the storage layer magnetization remains in the desired written direction during cooling of the cell. The influence of the write current pulse decay rate was investigated on two exchange biased synthetic ferrimagnet (SyF) electrodes. For a NiFe based electrode, a significant improvement in writing reproducibility was observed using a gradual linear voltage transition. The write error rate decreases by a factor of 10 when increasing the write pulse fall-time from ∼3 ns to 70 ns. For comparison, a second CoFe/NiFe based electrode was also reversed by magnetic field assisted by STT. In this case, no difference between sharp and linear write pulse fall shape was observed. We attribute this observation to the higher thermal stability of the CoFe/NiFe electrode during cooling. In real-time measurements of the magnetization reversal, it was found that Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) coupling in the SyF electrode vanishes for the highest pulse voltages that were used due to the high temperature reached during write. As a result, during the cooling phase, the final state is reached through a spin-flop transition of the SyF storage layer.
Continuous monitoring of temperature and rate of plasma etching of semiconductor wafers
Authors: Volkov P. V. , Goryunov A. V. , Lukyanov A. Yu. , Okhapkin A. I. , Tertyshnik A. D. , Travkin V. V. , Yunin P. A.
Published: September 2015

We propose an original algorithm for processing of low-coherence tandem interferometer signals, enabling identification of small changes in the geometric thickness of sample against major changes in its optical thickness, caused by temperature variations. Possibilities for simultaneous monitoring of the changes in sample thickness and temperature are demonstrated during chemical plasma etching of a Si wafer highly heated by a plasma discharge. The attained absolute accuracy of temperature measurements is 3 °C. The noise level (3σ) at measurements of thickness/temperature variations was 20 nm and 3 °C, respectively.
Characterization of material ablation driven by laser generated intense extreme ultraviolet light
Authors: Tanaka Nozomi , Masuda Masaya , Deguchi Ryo , Murakami Masakatsu , Sunahara Atsushi , Fujioka Shinsuke , Yogo Akifumi , Nishimura Hiroaki
Published: September 2015

We present a comparative study on the hydrodynamic behaviour of plasmas generated by material ablation by the irradiation of nanosecond extreme ultraviolet (EUV or XUV) or infrared laser pulses on solid samples. It was clarified that the difference in the photon energy deposition and following material heating mechanism between these two lights result in the difference in the plasma parameters and plasma expansion characteristics. Silicon plate was ablated by either focused intense EUV pulse (λ = 9–25 nm, 10 ns) or laser pulse (λ = 1064 nm, 10 ns), both with an intensity of ∼109 W/cm2. Both the angular distributions and energy spectra of the expanding ions revealed that the photoionized plasma generated by the EUV light differs significantly from that produced by the laser. The laser-generated plasma undergoes spherical expansion, whereas the EUV-generated plasma undergoes planar expansion in a comparatively narrow angular range. It is presumed that the EUV radiation is transmitted through the expanding plasma and directly photoionizes the samples in the solid phase, consequently forming a high-density and high-pressure plasma. Due to a steep pressure gradient along the direction of the target normal, the EUV plasma expands straightforward resulting in the narrower angular distribution observed.
Gate voltage and drain current stress instabilities in amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin-film transistors with an asymmetric graphene electrode
Authors: Kim Joonwoo , Myung Sung , Noh Hee-Yeon , Jeong Soon Moon , Jeong Jaewook
Published: September 2015

The gate voltage and drain current stress instabilities in amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin-film transistors (a-IGZO TFTs) having an asymmetric graphene electrode structure are studied. A large positive shift in the threshold voltage, which is well fitted to a stretched-exponential equation, and an increase in the subthreshold slope are observed when drain current stress is applied. This is due to an increase in temperature caused by power dissipation in the graphene/a-IGZO contact region, in addition to the channel region, which is different from the behavior in a-IGZO TFTs with a conventional transparent electrode.
Influence of interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction on the parametric amplification of spin waves
Authors: Verba Roman , Tiberkevich Vasil , Slavin Andrei
Published: September 2015

The influence of the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (IDMI) on the parametric amplification of spin waves propagating in ultrathin ferromagnetic film is considered theoretically. It is shown that the IDMI changes the relation between the group velocities of the signal and idler spin waves in a parametric amplifier, which may result in the complete vanishing of the reversed idler wave. In the optimized case, the idler spin wave does not propagate from the pumping region at all, which increases the efficiency of the amplification of the signal wave and suppresses the spurious impact of the idler waves on neighboring spin-wave processing devices.
Selenium fortification of hydroponically grown corn salad (Valerianella locusta)
Authors: Tomasi Nicola , Pinton Roberto , Gottardi Stefano , Mimmo Tanja , Scampicchio Matteo , Cesco Stefano
Published: September 2015

There is increasing interest in the hydroponic technology to produce leafy vegetables for ready-to-eat salads. Optimisation of the growing system can lead to higher yield and/or improved nutritional value of the product. Selenium (Se) is an essential element for animal and humans, with quite a narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, whereas it is assumed beneficial for plants. In the present study, two cultivars (Gala and Baron) of corn salad (Valerianella locusta (L.) Laterr.) were used to test the possibility to increase Se content in the edible parts (leaves). Effects on yield, nitrate content, and accumulation of sulfur (S) and S-containing amino acids and Se and Se-containing amino acids were studied. Results showed that corn salad tolerates selenate (Na2SeO4) concentrations ranging from 10 to 40 µm in the nutrient solution, with plants accumulating Se at levels compatible with the need in human diets at 10 µm selenate. Se-treated plants showed some benefits with respect to a decrease of nitrate concentration and increase of pigment contents (chlorophylls and carotenoids). At 10 µm selenate, Se-cysteine and Se-methionine were produced, without affecting non-protein thiols or cysteine and methionine contents. At the higher Se supply, sulfate accumulated in the leaves with a parallel decrease in the amount of S-amino acids and a rise in the relative amount of Se-amino acids. Based on the chemical analyses, cv. Gala showed better tolerance than cv. Baron to moderate selenate supply (40 µm).
Limitations and utilisation of Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity products for assessing wildfire severity in the USA
Authors: Kolden Crystal A. , Smith Alistair M. S. , Abatzoglou John T.
Published: September 2015

The Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity project is a comprehensive fire atlas for the United States that includes perimeters and severity data for all fires greater than a particular size (~400 ha in the western US, and ~200 ha in the eastern US). Although the database was derived for management purposes, the scientific community has expressed interest in its research capacity. As with any derived data, it is critical to understand inherent limitations to maximise the utility of the dataset without compromising the inferences. The classified severity product in particular is of limited use to research due to a lack of both consistency in developing class thresholds and empirical relationships with ecological metrics. Here we review the products available and their development process, and characterise and quantify the limitations of the classified burn severity data product based on the use of highly variable and subjective classification thresholds. We suggest a framework for overcoming these limitations by developing a more robust classified product that will support ecological management and applications. This framework utilises field data to develop consistent, ecologically based thresholds that incorporate existing ecoregion classifications from LANDFIRE or other fire management frameworks already widely integrated into planning efforts.
Embracing connectedness and change
Authors: Cameron Lynne
Published: September 2015

Complex dynamic systems (CDS) theory offers a powerful metaphorical model of applied linguistic processes, allowing holistic descriptions of situated phenomena, and addressing the connectedness and change that often characterise issues in our field. A recent study of Kenyan conflict transformation illustrates application of a CDS perspective. Key CDS concepts and tools for thinking are described. I argue that the CDS perspective can, and should, include an inherent ethical/moral dimension that applies to every choice made by researcher and participants. Adding the ecological notion of ‘affordances’ allows the CDS metaphor to better address human creativity. Methodological principles for a CDS perspective are described. The author’s Discourse Dynamics model is presented for further development and research.
Native language identification and writing proficiency
Authors: Kyle Kristopher , Crossley Scott A. , Kim YouJin
Published: September 2015

This study evaluates the impact of writing proficiency on native language identification (NLI), a topic that has important implications for the generalizability of NLI models and detection-based arguments for cross-linguistic influence (Jarvis 2010, 2012; CLI). The study uses multinomial logistic regression to classify the first language (L1) group membership of essays at two proficiency levels based on systematic lexical and phrasal choices made by members of five L1 groups. The results indicate that lower proficiency essays are significantly easier to classify than higher proficiency essays, suggesting that lower proficiency writers make lexical and phrasal choices that are more similar to other lower proficiency writers that share an L1 than higher proficiency writers that share an L1. A close analysis of the findings also indicates that the relationship between NLI accuracy and proficiency differed across L1 groups.
Acoustic analysis in the Accents of Non-Native English (ANNE) corpus
Authors: Gnevsheva Ksenia
Published: September 2015

When assessing a second language speaker’s nativelikeness or accentedness, researchers often employ holistic judgments (Abrahamsson & Hyltenstam 2009, Ioup et al. 1994) or auditory analysis of specific segments (Rampton 2013). Acoustic analysis, which can help quantify minute details, can be quite time-consuming when large corpora are involved. This research note describes the Accents of Non-Native English (ANNE) learner corpus which employs the open-source Language Brain and Behaviour-Corpus Annotation Tool (LaBB-CAT; Fromont & Hay 2012) that allows researchers to automatically extract timing information about segments in the corpus and process them with Praat (Boersma & Weenink 2009), facilitating large-scale acoustic analysis.
Validating a primed identity leads to expectations of group-relevant outcomes / La validación de una identidad previamente primada facilita que se anticipen respuestas de discriminación
Authors: Briñol Pablo , DeMarree Kenneth G. , Petty Richard E.
Published: September 2015

We argue that a person’s identity can be changed by seemingly irrelevant primes to the point where one expects to be treated as a member of an activated social group. We further argue that primes should only influence the self to the extent that they are seen as valid. We experimentally manipulated conditions that foster perceptions of prime validity using a head movement induction. Previous research has linked head nodding to higher levels of confidence than head shaking. Participants primed with the African American stereotype (versus control) expected more future discrimination, but only if they were nodding their heads. Results are discussed with respect to research on priming and validation processes.
Effects of word frequency and visual complexity on eye movements of young and older Chinese readers
Authors: Zang Chuanli , Zhang Manman , Bai Xuejun , Yan Guoli , Paterson Kevin B. , Liversedge Simon P.
Published: September 2015

Research using alphabetic languages shows that, compared to young adults, older adults employ a risky reading strategy in which they are more likely to guess word identities and skip words to compensate for their slower processing of text. However, little is known about how ageing affects reading behaviour for naturally unspaced, logographic languages like Chinese. Accordingly, to assess the generality of age-related changes in reading strategy across different writing systems we undertook an eye movement investigation of adult age differences in Chinese reading. Participants read sentences containing a target word (a single Chinese character) that had a high or low frequency of usage and was constructed from either few or many character strokes, and so either visually simple or complex. Frequency and complexity produced similar patterns of influence for both age groups on skipping rates and fixation times for target words. Both groups therefore demonstrated sensitivity to these manipulations. But compared to the young adults, the older adults made more and longer fixations and more forward and backward eye movements overall. They also fixated the target words for longer, especially when these were visually complex. Crucially, the older adults skipped words less and made shorter progressive saccades. Therefore, in contrast with findings for alphabetic languages, older Chinese readers appear to use a careful reading strategy according to which they move their eyes cautiously along lines of text and skip words infrequently. We propose they use this more careful reading strategy to compensate for increased difficulty processing word boundaries in Chinese.
Sudan’s radical foreign policy agenda in the 1990s: an overview of implications
Authors: Sharfi Mohammed Hussein
Published: September 2015

This paper looks at the Sudanese regime’s foreign policy agenda and its sponsorship of radical groups in its initial years in power. It discusses the regime’s revolutionary pan-Islamist ideology and the belief that Sudan should take a prominent role in Islamic revivalism. These issues have led to the isolation of Sudan at the regional and international levels and have crippled the state’s ability to further its national interests. The paper explores the ongoing implications of the regime’s early radical policies. It describes the critical period when the underpinnings for current developments in Sudan were established.
α5β1 integrin recycling promotes Arp2/3-independent cancer cell invasion via the formin FHOD3
Authors: Paul Nikki R. , Allen Jennifer L. , Chapman Anna , Morlan-Mairal Maria , Zindy Egor , Jacquemet Guillaume , Fernandez del Ama Laura , Ferizovic Nermina , Green David M. , Howe Jonathan D. , Ehler Elisabeth , Hurlstone Adam , Caswell Patrick T.
Published: September 2015

Invasive migration in 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial to cancer metastasis, yet little is known of the molecular mechanisms that drive reorganization of the cytoskeleton as cancer cells disseminate in vivo. 2D Rac-driven lamellipodial migration is well understood, but how these features apply to 3D migration is not clear. We find that lamellipodia-like protrusions and retrograde actin flow are indeed observed in cells moving in 3D ECM. However, Rab-coupling protein (RCP)-driven endocytic recycling of α5β1 integrin enhances invasive migration of cancer cells into fibronectin-rich 3D ECM, driven by RhoA and filopodial spike-based protrusions, not lamellipodia. Furthermore, we show that actin spike protrusions are Arp2/3-independent. Dynamic actin spike assembly in cells invading in vitro and in vivo is regulated by Formin homology-2 domain containing 3 (FHOD3), which is activated by RhoA/ROCK, establishing a novel mechanism through which the RCP–α5β1 pathway reprograms the actin cytoskeleton to promote invasive migration and local invasion in vivo.
Towards the Identification of Type III Effectors Associated with Ralstonia solanacearum Virulence on Tomato and Eggplant
Authors: Pensec Flora , Lebeau Aurore , Daunay M. C. , Chiroleu Frédéric , Guidot Alice , Wicker Emmanuel
Published: September 2015

For the development of pathogen-informed breeding strategies, identifying the microbial genes involved in interactions with the plant is a critical step. To identify type III effector (T3E) repertoires associated with virulence of the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum on Solanaceous crops, we used an original association genetics approach combining DNA microarray data and pathogenicity data on resistant eggplant, pepper, and tomato accessions. From this first screen, 25 T3Es were further full-length polymerase chain reaction-amplified within a 35-strain field collection, to assess their distribution and allelic diversity. Six T3E repertoire groups were identified, within which 11 representative strains were chosen to challenge the bacterial wilt-resistant eggplants ‘Dingras multiple Purple’ and ‘AG91-25’, and tomato Hawaii7996. The virulence or avirulence phenotypes could not be explained by specific T3E repertoires, but rather by individual T3E genes. We identified seven highly avirulence-associated genes, among which ripP2, primarily referenced as conferring avirulence to Arabidopsis thaliana. Interestingly, no T3E was associated with avirulence to both eggplants. Highly virulence-associated genes were also identified: ripA5_2, ripU, and ripV2. This study should be regarded as a first step toward investigating both avirulence and virulence function of the highlighted genes, but also their evolutionary dynamics in natural R. solanacearum populations.
Integration Host Factor Is Required for RpoN-Dependent hrpL Gene Expression and Controls Motility by Positively Regulating rsmB sRNA in Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Lee Jae Hoon , Zhao Youfu
Published: September 2015

Erwinia amylovora requires an hrp-type III secretion system (T3SS) to cause disease. It has been reported that HrpL, the master regulator of T3SS, is transcriptionally regulated by sigma factor 54 (RpoN), YhbH, and HrpS. In this study, the role of integration host factor (IHF) in regulating hrpL and T3SS gene expression was investigated. IHF is a nucleoid-associated protein that regulates gene expression by influencing nucleoid structure and DNA bending. Our results showed that both ihfA and ihfB mutants of E. amylovora did not induce necrotic lesions on pear fruits. Growth of both mutants was greatly reduced, and expression of the hrpL and T3SS genes was significantly down-regulated as compared with those of the wild type. In addition, expression of the ihfA, but not the ihfB gene, was under auto-suppression by IHF. Furthermore, both ihfA and ihfB mutants were hypermotile, due to significantly reduced expression of small RNA (sRNA) rsmB. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay further confirmed that IHF binds to the promoters of the hrpL and ihfA genes, as well as the rsmB sRNA gene. These results indicate that IHF is required for RpoN-dependent hrpL gene expression and virulence, and controls motility by positively regulating the rsmB sRNA in E. amylovora.
Does kin selection moderate sexual conflict inDrosophila?
Authors: Chippindale Adam K. , Berggren Meredith , Alpern Joshua H. M. , Montgomerie Robert
Published: September 2015

Two recent studies provide provocative experimental findings about the potential influence of kin recognition and cooperation on the level of sexual conflict inDrosophila melanogaster. In both studies, male fruit flies apparently curbed their mate-harming behaviours in the presence of a few familiar or related males, suggesting some form of cooperation mediated by kin selection. In one study, the reduction in agonistic behaviour by brothers apparently rendered them vulnerable to dramatic loss of paternity share when competing with an unrelated male. If these results are robust and generalizable, fruit flies could be a major new focus for the experimental study of kin selection and social evolution. In our opinion, however, the restrictive conditions required for male cooperation to be adaptive in this species make it unlikely to evolve. We investigated these phenomena in two different populations ofD. melanogasterusing protocols very similar to those in the two previous studies. Our experiments show no evidence for a reduction in mate harm based upon either relatedness or familiarity between males, and no reduction in male reproductive success when two brothers are in the presence of an unfamiliar, unrelated, ‘foreign’ male. Thus, the reduction of sexual conflict owing to male cooperation does not appear to be a general feature of the species, at least under domestication, and these contrasting results call for further investigation: in new populations, in the field and in the laboratory populations in which these phenomena have been reported.
The reshaping of Chinese consumer values in the social media era
Authors: Duan Jingyi , Dholakia Nikhilesh
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how, in China, postings on social media site Weibo reflect as well as accelerate the reshaping of traditional values. As Chinese social media extend their reach outside China, the displays of visible desire, hedonism and materialism could influence global consumption ethos.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using interpretive content analysis, over 250 Weibo postings of 8 selected Weibo users, from the network of one of the authors, were identified, coded and interpreted. The users were selected based on their frequency, variety and expressiveness of postings.

Findings

– Weibo is playing a critical role in transforming Chinese consumer values. Via Weibo, personal consumption experiences are available for public gaze. Consequently, desire for powerfully signified objects and experiences is more visible; “enjoy now” is turning out to be an appreciated life attitude, and materialism and hedonism are growing irresistibly. As a result, the traditional Chinese consumer values – suppressing desire, delaying gratification and thriftiness – are losing ground in Chinese society. Also, as Weibo makes the influence of the elite as well as electronic word-of-mouth very powerful, the values of the elite and grassroots groups are actually converging instead of being separated by substantial chasms that have existed historically.

Practical implications

– Sina Weibo had a US initial public offering (IPO) of its stock in April, 2014, and many other China-based Internet firms were getting set for US IPOs. This paper provides unique insights for Chinese social media companies’ potential global impact. Future social media contexts would be shaped by collision as well as convergence of Asia-centric and USA-centric platforms. This paper lays the groundwork for studying such interactions.

Originality/value

– In-depth interpretations of Weibo postings contribute to our understanding of how social media impact Chinese society now and would potentially affect global societies later. This is a pioneering study on the massive influences of social media on the macro-level consumer behavior.
Traits of neighbouring plants and space limitation determine intraspecific trait variability in semi‐arid shrublands
Authors: Le Bagousse‐Pinguet Yoann , Börger Luca , Quero José‐Luis , García‐Gómez Miguel , Soriano Sara , Maestre Fernando T. , Gross Nicolas
Published: September 2015

Understanding how intraspecific trait variability (ITV) responds to both abiotic and biotic constraints is crucial to predict how individuals are assembled in plant communities, and how they will be impacted by ongoing global environmental change.

Three key functional traits [plant height, leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA)] were assessed to quantify the range of ITV of four dominant plant species along a rainfall gradient in semi‐arid Mediterranean shrublands. Variance partitioning and confirmatory multilevel path analyses were used to assess the direct and indirect effects of rainfall, space limitation (crowding) and neighbouring plant traits on ITV.

The direct effect of the local neighbourhood on the trait values of subordinate individuals was as strong as the effect of rainfall. The indirect effect of rainfall, however, mediated by the effect of the local neighbourhood on the trait values of subordinate individuals, was weak. Rainfall decreased the height and SLA of subordinate individuals, but increased their LA. Neighbouring plant traits were just as strong predictors as crowding in explaining changes in ITV.

Synthesis. Our study provides a framework to disentangle the direct effects of abiotic factors and their indirect effects on ITV mediated by the local neighbourhood. Our results highlight that abiotic and biotic constraints are both substantial sources of trait variations at the individual level, and can blur processes underlying changes in ITV. Considering and disentangling combined sources with an individual perspective would help to refine our predictions for community assembly and functional ecology.
Nursing Students' Perceptions of Their Own Caring Behaviors: A Multicountry Study
Authors: Labrague Leodoro J. , McEnroe‐Petitte Denise M. , Papathanasiou Ioanna V. , Edet Olaide B. , Arulappan Judie , Tsaras Konstantinos
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify perceptions of caring behaviors in student nurses from four countries.

Methods

This study employed a descriptive, comparative survey design. Four hundred sixty‐seven students were recruited from four countries (Nigeria, India, Greece, and the Philippines) to participate in the study during the months of September 2013 to January 2014. Data were collected using the Caring Behavior Inventory.

Findings

The highest ranked subscale was “assurance of human presence” (4.827 ± 0.927), while “positive connectedness” (4.610 ± 0.949) was the lowest ranked subscale. There were no statistically significant correlations between the Caring Behavior Inventory scale and gender (F = 0.215, p = .643), educational level (F = 0.396, p = .529), and family structure of students (F = 0.680, p = .410), except for age (F = 9.380, p = .002, η2 = 0.141) and the country of origin (F = 5.772, p = .001, η2 = 0.036).

Conclusion

Students from four countries possess positive caring behaviors, specifically on physically based caring interventions, while there is a need to emphasize expressive caring behaviors during nursing education and training.

Implication for Nursing Practice

Caring interventions should be carried out in order to help students build or enhance their caring behaviors that can be adapted to clinical situations.
Apoptosis and necrosis mediate skeletal muscle fiber loss in age‐induced mitochondrial enzymatic abnormalities
Authors: Cheema Nashwa , Herbst Allen , McKenzie Debbie , Aiken Judd M.
Published: September 2015

Sarcopenia, the age‐induced loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, results from the contributions of both fiber atrophy and loss of myofibers. We have previously characterized sarcopenia in FBN rats, documenting age‐dependent declines in muscle mass and fiber number along with increased fiber atrophy and fibrosis in vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles. Concomitant with these sarcopenic changes is an increased abundance of mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations and electron transport chain (ETC) abnormalities. In this study, we used immunohistological and histochemical approaches to define cell death pathways involved in sarcopenia. Activation of muscle cell death pathways was age‐dependent with most apoptotic and necrotic muscle fibers exhibiting ETC abnormalities. Although activation of apoptosis was a prominent feature of electron transport abnormal muscle fibers, necrosis was predominant in atrophic and broken ETC‐abnormal fibers. These data suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is a major contributor to the activation of cell death processes in aged muscle fibers. The link between ETC abnormalities, apoptosis, fiber atrophy, and necrosis supports the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA deletion mutations are causal in myofiber loss. These studies suggest a progression of events beginning with the generation and accumulation of a mtDNA deletion mutation, the concomitant development of ETC abnormalities, a subsequent triggering of apoptotic and, ultimately, necrotic events resulting in muscle fiber atrophy, breakage, and fiber loss.
General versus spinal anaesthesia and postoperative delirium in an orthogeriatric population
Authors: Ilango Sivarajah , Pulle Ranjeev Chrys , Bell Jack , Kuys Suzanne S
Published: September 2015

Aim

Postoperative delirium is common among elderly hip surgery patients. We aimed to pragmatically evaluate whether type of anaesthesia influenced postoperative delirium in an orthogeriatric population following hip fracture.

Method

This observational study comprises prospectively collected data on hip fracture patients admitted between October 2010 and November 2011. Delirium was diagnosed clinically by geriatricians.

Results

Of the 344 patients admitted, seven managed conservatively and 19 with incomplete data were excluded; 318 patients were analysed. Average age was 81.6 (SD 9.8) years; 28% were men and 167 (53%) were administered general anaesthesia. Mean length of stay was 18 (SD 9.4) days. Overall, 172 patients (54%) experienced delirium. There was no apparent difference in postoperative delirium by anaesthetic type (88 vs 84, P = 0.15).

Conclusion

Delirium was common in both general and spinal anaesthetic patients. Further randomised controlled trials would be required to determine whether anaesthesia type influenced delirium rates.
A New Application for Albumin Dialysis in Extracorporeal Organ Support: Characterization of a Putative Interaction Between Human Albumin and Proinflammatory Cytokines IL‐6 and TNFα
Authors: Pfensig Claudia , Dominik Adrian , Borufka Luise , Hinz Michael , Stange Jan , Eggert Martin
Published: September 2015

Albumin dialysis in extracorporeal organ support is often performed in the treatment of liver failure as it facilitates the removal of toxic components from the blood. Here, we describe a possible effect of albumin dialysis on proinflammatory cytokine levels in vitro. Initially, albumin samples were incubated with different amounts of cytokines and analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Analysis of interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) levels indicated that increased concentrations of albumin reduce the measureable amount of the respective cytokines. This led to the hypothesis that the used proinflammatory cytokines may interact with albumin. Size exclusion chromatography of albumin spiked with cytokines was carried out using high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. The corresponding fractions were evaluated by immunoblotting. We detected albumin and cytokines in the same fractions indicating an interaction of the small‐sized cytokines IL‐6 and TNFα with the larger‐sized albumin. Finally, a two‐compartment albumin dialysis in vitro model was used to analyze the effect of albumin on proinflammatory cytokines in the recirculation circuit during 6‐h treatment. These in vitro albumin dialysis experiments indicated a significant decrease of IL‐6, but not of TNFα, when albumin was added to the dialysate solution. Taken together, we were able to show a putative in vitro interaction of human albumin with the proinflammatory cytokine IL‐6, but with less evidence for TNFα, and demonstrated an additional application for albumin dialysis in liver support therapy where IL‐6 removal might be indicated.
Continuity and Interpolation Techniques for Computer Graphics
Authors: Gonzalez F. , Patow G.
Published: September 2015

Continuity and interpolation have been crucial topics for computer graphics since its very beginnings. Every time we want to interpolate values across some area, we need to take a set of samples over that interpolating region. However, interpolating samples faithfully allowing the results to closely match the underlying functions can be a tricky task as the functions to sample could not be smooth and, in the worst case, it could be even impossible when they are not continuous. In those situations bringing the required continuity is not an easy task, and much work has been done to solve this problem. In this paper, we focus on the state of the art in continuity and interpolation in three stages of the real‐time rendering pipeline. We study these problems and their current solutions in texture space (2D), object space (3D) and screen space. With this review of the literature in these areas, we hope to bring new light and foster research in these fundamental, yet not completely solved problems in computer graphics.
On Core Sorting in RMTS and RMTO Systems: A Newsvendor Framework
Authors: Li Xiang , Li Yongjian , Cai Xiaoqiang
Published: September 2015

Variation in core condition and uncertainty in market demand pose great challenges for remanufacturers to match supply with demand. This article investigates a firm that acquires and remanufactures cores of multiple quality conditions to satisfy demand. Both remanufacturing‐to‐stock (RMTS) and remanufacturing‐to‐order (RMTO) systems are considered. In each system, a sorting operation that resolves the core conditions before remanufacturing may or may not be adopted, leading to four possible sorting/remanufacturing strategies: (1) no sorting in RMTS; (2) sorting in RMTS; (3) no sorting in RMTO; and (4) sorting in RMTO. Under each strategy, we derive the optimal decisions on the acquisition and remanufacturing quantities, in two scenarios, respectively: (i) all acquired cores are remanufacturable and (ii) some cores are non‐remanufacturable. We find that sorting can be completely useless to RMTS system, and thus should never be adopted regardless of the sorting cost. We provide the analytical condition under which this ineffectiveness of sorting occurs. Nevertheless, sorting is always useful to RMTO system and should be adopted when the sorting cost is below a threshold value. We also conduct an extensive numerical study and show that the effects of sorting to RMTO system are more significant than that to RMTS system.