bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schatten p-class property of pseudodifferential operators with symbols in modulation spaces
Authors: Kobayashi Masaharu , Miyachi Akihiko
Published: May 2015

It is proved that the pseudodifferential operators σt(X, D) belong to the Schatten p-class Cp, 0 < p ≤ 2, if the symbol σ(x,ω) is in certain modulation spaces on
Bounds on the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity
Authors: Celikbas Olgur , Dao Hailong , Huneke Craig , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2015

In this paper we give new lower bounds on the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity of unmixed nonregular local rings, bounding them uniformly away from 1. Our results improve previous work of Aberbach and Enescu.
Vanishing theorems on complete manifolds with weighted Poincaré inequality and applications
Authors: Fu Hai-Ping , Yang Deng-Yun
Published: May 2015

Two vanishing theorems for harmonic map and L2 harmonic 1-form on complete noncompact manifolds are proved under certain geometric assumptions, which generalize results of [13], [15], [18], [19], and [20]. As applications, we improve some main results in [2], [4], [6], [9], [12], [20], [22], [24], and [25].
A Noether-Lefschetz theorem for varieties of r-planes in complete intersections
Authors: Jiang Zhi
Published: May 2015

We prove a Noether-Lefschetz type theorem for varieties of r-planes in complete intersections. We then use it to study the Abel-Jacobi map of planes on a smooth cubic fivefold.
Tate properties, polynomial-count varieties, and monodromy of hyperplane arrangements
Authors: Dimca Alexandru
Published: May 2015

The order of the Milnor fiber monodromy operator of a central hyperplane arrangement is shown to be combinatorially determined. In particular, a necessary and sufficient condition for the triviality of this monodromy operator is given.

It is known that the complement of a complex hyperplane arrangement is cohomologically Tate and, if the arrangement is defined over ℚ, has polynomial count. We show that these properties hold for the corresponding Milnor fibers if the monodromy is trivial.

We construct a hyperplane arrangement defined over ℚ, whose Milnor fiber has a nontrivial monodromy operator, is cohomologically Tate, and has no polynomial count. Such examples are shown not to exist in low dimensions.
Localized Morrey-Campanato spaces on metric measure spaces and applications to Schrüdinger operators
Authors: Yang Dachun , Yang Dongyong , Zhou Yuan
Published: May 2015

Let be a space of homogeneous type in the sense of Coifman and Weiss, and let be a collection of balls in . The authors introduce the localized atomic Hardy space the localized Morrey-Campanato space and the localized Morrey-Campanato-BLO (bounded lower oscillation) space with α ∊ ℝ and p ∊ (0, ∞) , and they establish their basic properties, including and several equivalent characterizations for In particular, the authors prove that when α > 0 and p ∊ [1, ∞), then and when p ∈(0,1], then the dual space of is Let ρ be an admissible function modeled on the known auxiliary function determined by the Schrödinger operator. Denote the spaces and , respectively, by and when is determined by ρ. The authors then obtain the boundedness from of the radial and the Poisson semigroup maximal functions and the Littlewood-Paley g-function, which are defined via kernels modeled on the semigroup generated by the Schrödinger operator. These results apply in a wide range of settings, for instance, the Schrödinger operator or the degenerate Schrödinger operator on ℝd, or the sub-Laplace Schrödinger operator on Heisenberg groups or connected and simply connected nilpotent Lie groups.
On the boundary of the moduli spaces of log Hodge structures: Triviality of the torsor
Authors: Hayama Tatsuki
Published: May 2015

This paper examines the moduli spaces of log Hodge structures introduced by Kato and Usui. This moduli space is a partial compactification of a discrete quotient of a period domain. This paper treats the following two cases: (A) where the period domain is Hermitian symmetric, and (B) where the Hodge structures are of the mirror quintic type. Especially it addresses a property of the torsor.
The norm of a Ree group
Authors: Medts Tom De , Weiss Richard M.
Published: May 2015

We give an explicit construction of the Ree groups of type G2 as groups acting on mixed Moufang hexagons together with detailed proofs of the basic properties of these groups contained in the two fundamental papers of Tits on this subject (see [7] and [8]). We also give a short proof that the norm of a Ree group is anisotropic.
Birational classification of curves on rational surfaces
Authors: Calabri Alberto , Ciliberto Ciro
Published: May 2015

In this paper we consider the birational classification of pairs (S, ℒ), with S a rational surface and ℒ a linear system on S. We give a classification theorem for such pairs, and we determine, for each irreducible plane curve B, its Cremona minimal models, that is, those plane curves which are equivalent to B via a Cremona transformation and have minimal degree under this condition.
Dynamical construction of Kähler-Einstein metrics
Authors: Tsuji Hajime
Published: May 2015

In this article, we give a new construction of a Kähler-Einstein metric on a smooth projective variety with ample canonical bundle. As a consequence, for a dominant projective morphism f: X → S with connected fibers such that a general fiber has an ample canonical bundle, and for a positive integer m, we construct a canonical singular Hermitian metric hE,m on with semipositive curvature in the sense of Nakano.
On the second Gaussian map for curves on a K3 surface
Authors: Colombo Elisabetta , Frediani Paola
Published: May 2015

By a theorem of Wahl, for canonically embedded curves which are hyperplane sections of K3 surfaces, the first Gaussian map is not surjective. In this paper we prove that if C is a general hyperplane section of high genus (> 280) of a general polarized K3 surface, then the second Gaussian map of C is surjective. The resulting bound for the genus g of a general curve with surjective second Gaussian map is decreased to g > 152.
Mean representation number of integers as the sum of primes
Authors: Bhowmik Gautami , Schlage-Puchta Jan-Christoph
Published: May 2015

Assuming the Riemann hypothesis, we obtain asymptotic estimates for the mean value of the number of representations of an integer as a sum of two primes. By proving a corresponding Ω-term, we show that our result is essentially the best possible.
On Waring’s problem: Three cubes and a minicube
Authors: Brüdern Jörg , Wooley Trevor D.
Published: May 2015

We establish that almost all natural numbers n are the sum of four cubes of positive integers, one of which is no larger than n5/36. The proof makes use of an estimate for a certain eighth moment of cubic exponential sums, restricted to minor arcs only, of independent interest.
Quasi-socle ideals in Buchsbaum rings
Authors: Goto Shiro , Horiuchi Jun , Sakurai Hideto
Published: May 2015

Quasi-socle ideals, that is, ideals of the form I = Q: mq (q ≥ 2), with Q parameter ideals in a Buchsbaum local ring (A,m), are explored in connection to the question of when I is integral over Q and when the associated graded ring G(I) ⊕ n≥0In/In+1 of I is Buchsbaum. The assertions obtained by Wang in the Cohen-Macaulay case hold true after necessary modifications of the conditions on parameter ideals Q and integers q. Examples are explored.
Derived equivalences and stable equivalences of Morita type, I
Authors: Hu Wei , Xi Changchang
Published: May 2015

For self-injective algebras, Rickard proved that each derived equivalence induces a stable equivalence of Morita type. For general algebras, it is unknown when a derived equivalence implies a stable equivalence of Morita type. In this article, we first show that each derived equivalenceFbetween the derived categories of Artin algebrasAandBarises naturally as a functorbetween their stable module categories, which can be used to compare certain homological dimensions ofAwith that ofB. We then give a sufficient condition for the functorto be an equivalence. Moreover, if we work with finite-dimensional algebras over a field, then the sufficient condition guarantees the existence of a stable equivalence of Morita type. In this way, we extend the classical result of Rickard. Furthermore, we provide several inductive methods for constructing those derived equivalences that induce stable equivalences of Morita type. It turns out that we may produce a lot of (usually not self-injective) finite-dimensional algebras that are both derived-equivalent and stably equivalent of Morita type; thus, they share many common invariants.
Distribution of polynomials with cycles of a given multiplier
Authors: Bassanelli Giovanni , Berteloot François
Published: May 2015

In the space of degree d polynomials, the hypersurfaces defined by the existence of a cycle of period n and multiplier eiθ are known to be contained in the bifurcation locus. We prove that these hypersurfaces equidistribute the bifurcation current. This is a new result, even for the space of quadratic polynomials.
The Hippo pathway effector Yki downregulates Wg signaling to promote retinal differentiation in the Drosophila eye
Authors: Wittkorn Erika , Sarkar Ankita , Garcia Kristine , Kango-Singh Madhuri , Singh Amit
Published: May 2015

The evolutionarily conserved Hippo signaling pathway is known to regulate cell proliferation and maintain tissue homeostasis during development. We found that activation of Yorkie (Yki), the effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, causes separable effects on growth and differentiation of the Drosophila eye. We present evidence supporting a role for Yki in suppressing eye fate by downregulation of the core retinal determination genes. Other upstream regulators of the Hippo pathway mediate this effect of Yki on retinal differentiation. Here, we show that, in the developing eye, Yki can prevent retinal differentiation by blocking morphogenetic furrow (MF) progression and R8 specification. The inhibition of MF progression is due to ectopic induction of Wingless (Wg) signaling and Homothorax (Hth), the negative regulators of eye development. Modulating Wg signaling can modify Yki-mediated suppression of eye fate. Furthermore, ectopic Hth induction due to Yki activation in the eye is dependent on Wg. Last, using Cut (Ct), a marker for the antennal fate, we show that suppression of eye fate by hyperactivation of yki does not change the cell fate (from eye to antenna-specific fate). In summary, we provide the genetic mechanism by which yki plays a role in cell fate specification and differentiation – a novel aspect of Yki function that is emerging from multiple model organisms.
Essential elements for translation: the germline factor Vasa functions broadly in somatic cells
Authors: Yajima Mamiko , Wessel Gary M.
Published: May 2015

Vasa is a conserved RNA-helicase found in the germ lines of all metazoans tested. Whereas Vasa presence is often indicated as a metric for germline determination in animals, it is also expressed in stem cells of diverse origin. Recent research suggests, however, that Vasa has a much broader function, including a significant role in cell cycle regulation. Results herein indicate that Vasa is utilized widely, and often induced transiently, during development in diverse somatic cells and adult precursor tissues. We identified that Vasa in the sea urchin is essential for: (1) general mRNA translation during embryogenesis, (2) developmental re-programming upon manipulations to the embryo and (3) larval wound healing. We also learned that Vasa interacted with mRNAs in the perinuclear area and at the spindle in an Importin-dependent manner during cell cycle progression. These results suggest that, when present, Vasa functions are essential to contributing to developmental regulation.
Deducing the stage of origin of Wilms' tumours from a developmental series of Wt1 mutants
Authors: Berry Rachel L. , Ozdemir Derya , Aronow Bruce , Lindström Nils O. , Dudnakova Tatiana , Thornburn Anna , Perry Paul , Baldock Richard , Armit Chris , Joshi Anagha , Jeanpierre Cécile , Shan Jingdong , Vainio Seppo , Baily James , Brownstein David , Davies Jamie , Hastie Nicholas D. , Hohenstein Peter
Published: May 2015

Wilms' tumours, paediatric kidney cancers, are the archetypal example of tumours caused through the disruption of normal development. The genetically best defined subgroup of Wilms' tumours is the group caused by biallelic loss of the WT1 tumour suppressor gene. Here we describe a developmental series of mouse models with conditional loss of Wt1 in different stages of nephron development before and after the mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). We demonstrate that Wt1 is essential for normal development at all kidney developmental stages under study. Comparison of genome-wide expression data from the mutant mouse models to human tumour material of WT1-mutant and WT1 wild-type datasets identifies the stage of origin of human WT1-mutant tumours, and emphasizes fundamental differences between the two human tumour groups due to different developmental stages of origin.
Targeting tubulointerstitial remodeling in experimental proteinuric nephropathy
Authors: Yazdani Saleh , Hijmans Ryanne S. , Poosti Fariba , Dam Wendy , Navis Gerjan , van Goor Harry , van den Born Jacob
Published: May 2015

Proteinuria is an important cause of tubulointerstitial damage. Anti-proteinuric interventions are not always successful, and residual proteinuria often leads to renal failure. This indicates the need for additional treatment modalities by targeting the harmful downstream consequences of proteinuria. We previously showed that proteinuria triggers renal lymphangiogenesis before the onset of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. However, the interrelationship of these interstitial events in proteinuria is not clear yet. To this end, we specifically blocked lymphangiogenesis (anti-VEGFR3 antibody), monocyte/macrophage influx (clodronate liposomes) or lymphocyte and myofibroblast influx (S1P agonist FTY720) separately to investigate the role and the possible interaction of each of these phenomena in tubulointerstitial remodeling in proteinuric nephropathy. Proteinuria was induced in three-month old male Wistar rats by adriamycin injection. After 6 weeks, when proteinuria has developed, rats were treated for another 6 weeks by anti-VEGFR3 antibody, clodronate liposomes, and FTY720 up to week 12. In proteinuric rats, lymphangiogenesis, influx of macrophages, T cells and myofibroblasts, and collagen III deposition and interstitial fibrosis significantly increased at week 12 vs. week 6. Anti-VEGFR3 antibody prevented lymphangiogenesis in proteinuric rats, however without significant effects on inflammatory and fibrotic markers, and proteinuria. Clodronate liposomes inhibited macrophage influx, partly reduced myofibroblast expression; however, neither significantly prevented the development of lymphangiogenesis, nor fibrotic markers and proteinuria. FTY720 prevented myofibroblast accumulation and T cell influx and interstitial fibrosis, partially declined macrophage number and proteinuria; however, it did not influence significantly on lymphangiogenesis and collagen III deposition. This study showed that proteinuria-induced interstitial fibrosis cannot be halted by blocking lymphangiogenesis or influx of macrophages. On the other hand, FTY720 treatment could prevent T-cells influx, myofibroblasts accumulation and interstitial fibrosis, but not renal lymphangiogenesis and proteinuria. We conclude that tubulointerstitial fibrosis and inflammation are separate from lymphangiogenesis, at least under proteinuric conditions.
Regulation of epithelial cell polarity by PAR-3 depends on Girdin transcription and Girdin–Gαi3 signaling
Authors: Sasaki Kazunori , Kakuwa Taku , Akimoto Kazunori , Koga Hisashi , Ohno Shigeo
Published: May 2015

Epithelial apicobasal polarity has fundamental roles in epithelial physiology and morphogenesis. The PAR complex, comprising PAR-3, PAR-6 and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), is involved in determining cell polarity in various biological contexts, including in epithelial cells. However, it is not fully understood how the PAR complex induces apicobasal polarity. In this study, we found that PAR-3 regulates the protein expression of Girdin (also known as GIV or CCDC88A), a guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) for heterotrimeric Gαi subunits, at the transcriptional level by cooperating with the AP-2 transcription factor. In addition, we confirmed that PAR-3 physically interacts with Girdin, and show that Girdin, together with the Gαi3 (also known as GNAI3), controls tight junction formation, apical domain development and actin organization downstream of PAR-3. Taken together, our findings suggest that transcriptional upregulation of Girdin expression and Girdin–Gαi3 signaling play crucial roles in regulating epithelial apicobasal polarity through the PAR complex.
A role for F-BAR protein Rga7p during cytokinesis in S. pombe
Authors: Arasada Rajesh , Pollard Thomas D.
Published: May 2015

F-BAR proteins are known to participate in cytokinesis, but their mechanisms are not well understood. Here we investigated Rga7p, an Schizosaccharomyces pombe F-BAR protein with a RhoGAP domain. Localization of Rga7p to the cytokinetic cleavage furrow depends on its F-BAR domain, actin filaments, the formins Cdc12p and For3p, and the presence of a contractile ring. Rga7p is not required for the constriction of the contractile ring but does participate in the transport of a β-glucan synthetase (Bgs4p) from the late Golgi compartments to plasma membrane that is adjacent to the contractile ring. Cells without Rga7p moved Bgs4p normally from the poles to the Golgi complex near to the cell center, but Bgs4p then moved slowly from the late Golgi compartments to the cleavage site. The late arrival and lower than normal numbers of Bgs4p result in septal defects late in cytokinesis, and in the lysis of separating cells, similar to that in cells with mutations in the cwg1+ gene (which encodes Bgs4p).
Negative feedback from CaSR signaling to aquaporin-2 sensitizes vasopressin to extracellular Ca2+
Authors: Ranieri Marianna , Tamma Grazia , Di Mise Annarita , Russo Annamaria , Centrone Mariangela , Svelto Maria , Calamita Giuseppe , Valenti Giovanna
Published: May 2015

We previously described that high luminal Ca2+ in the renal collecting duct attenuates short-term vasopressin-induced aquaporin-2 (AQP2) trafficking through activation of the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR). Here, we evaluated AQP2 phosphorylation and permeability, in both renal HEK-293 cells and in the dissected inner medullary collecting duct, in response to specific activation of CaSR with NPS-R568. In CaSR-transfected cells, CaSR activation drastically reduced the basal levels of AQP2 phosphorylation at S256 (AQP2-pS256), thus having an opposite effect to vasopressin action. When forskolin stimulation was performed in the presence of NPS-R568, the increase in AQP2-pS256 and in the osmotic water permeability were prevented. In the freshly isolated inner mouse medullar collecting duct, stimulation with forskolin in the presence of NPS-R568 prevented the increase in AQP2-pS256 and osmotic water permeability. Our data demonstrate that the activation of CaSR in the collecting duct prevents the cAMP-dependent increase in AQP2-pS256 and water permeability, counteracting the short-term vasopressin response. By extension, our results suggest the attractive concept that CaSR expressed in distinct nephron segments exerts a negative feedback on hormones acting through cAMP, conferring high sensitivity of hormone to extracellular Ca2+.
Retrograde transport is not required for cytosolic translocation of the B-subunit of Shiga toxin
Authors: Garcia-Castillo Maria Daniela , Tran Thi , Bobard Alexandre , Renard Henri-François , Rathjen Stefan J. , Dransart Estelle , Stechmann Bahne , Lamaze Christophe , Lord Mike , Cintrat Jean-Christophe , Enninga Jost , Tartour Eric , Johannes Ludger
Published: May 2015

Antigen-presenting cells have the remarkable capacity to transfer exogenous antigens to the cytosol for processing by proteasomes and subsequent presentation on major histocompatibility complex class-I (MHC-I) molecules, a process termed cross-presentation. This is the target of biomedical approaches that aim to trigger a therapeutic immune response. The receptor-binding B-subunit of Shiga toxin (STxB) has been developed as an antigen delivery tool for such immunotherapy applications. In this study, we have analyzed pathways and trafficking factors that are involved in this process. A covalent conjugate between STxB and saporin was generated to quantitatively sample the membrane translocation step to the cytosol in differentiated monocyte-derived THP-1 cells. We have found that retrograde trafficking to the Golgi complex was not required for STxB–saporin translocation to the cytosol or for STxB-dependent antigen cross-presentation. Depletion of endosomal Rab7 inhibited, and lowering membrane cholesterol levels favored STxB–saporin translocation. Interestingly, experiments with reducible and non-reducible linker-arm–STxB conjugates led to the conclusion that after translocation, STxB remains associated with the cytosolic membrane leaflet. In summary, we report new facets of the endosomal escape process bearing relevance to antigen cross-presentation.
It's never too late to publish an abandoned trial
Authors: Shiles Celia , Sinclair Julia
Published: May 2015

It is estimated that half of all trials have never been published which can lead to patients being denied the most effective treatment and being exposed to unnecessary side effects.  Furthermore the trial participants have been misinformed since the trial results have not contributed to the care of future patients.

However the non-publication of trials is often not due to a deliberate decision to cover up results.  Commonly in academia it is due to more understandable reasons such as researchers having busy clinical posts, moving onto other more demanding projects, changing research areas or starting a family.  This is called the “file drawer” problem.

The examples in this editorial demonstrate that it is possible to go back, even decades later, and make the results available to inform future evidence based medicine.  We call on others to look into their “file drawer” for unpublished trials.
Diagnostic Assessment of Teachers� ICT-competency
Authors: �������  , Alferov M. , ��������  , Paromova S. , �������  , Nevskaya O. , ��������  , Fedorova Yuliya , �������  , Kalinin A.
Published: May 2015

The article describes the results of the collaborative work of the Moscow Institute of Open Education and UNESCO IITE on the system of international

assessment and certification of teachers� competencies and capabilities in the area of ICT use in classroom practices.

The technologies used in diagnostic assessment of ICT-competency in teachers in relation to the UNESCO Information and Communication Tools Competency

Framework for Teachers (ICT-CFT) at the First Centre for Certification at the Moscow Institute of Open Education are detailed. Statistical data

from assessment results of about 6 thousand subject teachers of Moscow in years 2012-2014 is presented and analyzed. Tendencies in the dynamics of

the assessment results are discussed, and the functional role of the assessment system in improving quality of education is formulated
What the Bologna Process Means for the Russian Education System?
Authors: ��������  , Saburova Marina , �������  , Galeeva R.
Published: May 2015

The paper describes the results of the expert survey among the respondents of the Ulyanovsk region devoted to the problem of the impact of the Bologna

system on the quality of higher education in Russia and the problem of employment of university graduates, which was held within the project

"Investigation of the higher education system: harmonization of relations between the labor market and the market of educational services." The study

involved representatives of government, higher education and business in the region. Different points of view on the reform of higher education in Russia

are presented, an analytical conclusion, how the Bologna system is perceived by Russian society on an example of the region, is made. It should be

noted, there was not the consensus among the government, business and higher education of the Ulyanovsk region whether the Bologna system carries

the benefit of Russian society or not.
Portfolio Choice with Market Closure and Implications for Liquidity Premia
Authors: Dai Min , Li Peifan , Liu Hong , Wang Yajun
Published: May 2015

Most existing portfolio choice models ignore the prevalent periodic market closure and the fact that market volatility is significantly higher during trading periods. We find that market closure and the volatility difference across trading and nontrading periods significantly change optimal trading strategies. In addition, we demonstrate numerically that transaction costs can have a first-order effect on liquidity premia that is largely comparable to empirical findings. Moreover, this effect on liquidity premia increases in the volatility difference, which is supported by our empirical analysis.

This paper was accepted by Jerome Detemple, finance.
The Impact of Walmart Supercenter Conversion on Consumer Shopping Behavior
Authors: Hwang Minha , Park Sungho
Published: May 2015

This paper presents an empirical study of the impact of Walmart supercenter conversion on consumer shopping behavior. By using a difference-in-difference estimator, we find that Walmart gains 41% in weekly revenue from the conversion. Decomposing the revenue gains into components attributable to store visits and per-visit expenditures, we find that the majority of these gains were due to larger expenditures, with a much smaller impact from store visits. By contrast, among competing retailers, grocery stores experience the most significant loss (20% weekly revenue) mostly from fewer store visits, with a much smaller impact attributable to per-visit expenditure. Taken together, these findings show that consumers may benefit from reduced shopping costs by making fewer overall trips and increasing their Walmart basket sizes. In addition, we find that overall revenue gains for Walmart from conversion outweigh the small cannibalization loss at the existing Walmart supercenters located farther away. Finally, from category-level analyses, we find evidence of increases in category-level spending in preexisting categories in the converted supercenter. However, we also find that positive demand externality is more pronounced in food categories, mainly as a result of increased purchase incidence. We discuss the implications of our findings for academics and retail managers.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Pricing and Production Flexibility: An Empirical Analysis of the U.S. Automotive Industry
Authors: Moreno Antonio , Terwiesch Christian
Published: May 2015

We use a detailed data set from the U.S. auto industry spanning from 2002 to 2009 and a variety of econometric methods to characterize the relationship between the availability of production mix flexibility and firms’ use of responsive pricing. We find that production mix flexibility is associated with reductions in observed manufacturer discounts, resulting from the increased ability to match supply and demand. Under the observed market conditions, mix flexibility accounts for substantial average savings by reducing price discounting by approximately 10% of the average industry discount. We test three supplementary hypotheses and find that the reduction in discounts for vehicles manufactured at flexible plants is (1) higher for higher demand uncertainty, (2) higher for vehicles coproduced with vehicles that belong to a different segment, and (3) lower in situations with higher local competition.
Small is Beautiful: A Framework for Evaluating and Optimizing Live-Cube Compact Storage Systems
Authors: Zaerpour Nima , Yu Yugang , de Koster René
Published: May 2015

Warehouses occupy much space and land, which has become increasingly scarce in many parts of Europe, Asia, and the United States, particularly close to areas where demand is generated, such as large cities. This paper studies live-cube compact storage systems that may solve this space shortage problem as they do not require travel aisles. Each stored unit load is accessible individually and can be moved in x and y directions by a shuttle as long as an empty location is available, comparable to the well-known 15-puzzle in which 15 numbered tiles slide within a 4 × 4 grid. When multiple empty locations are available on a level, the shuttles can cooperate to create a virtual aisle for fast retrieval of a desired unit load. A lift moves the unit loads across different levels in z direction. Such storage systems are increasingly used in different service sectors like car parking, warehousing, and container handling, but so far they have hardly been studied. For live-cube systems, many research questions still have to be answered, including cycle time calculations, cost comparisons, and energy requirements. In this paper, we first derive simple to use closed-form formulas for expected retrieval time of an arbitrary unit load and validate the quality of these formulas by comparing them with a real application. Second, we propose and solve a mixed-integer nonlinear model to optimize system dimensions by minimizing the retrieval time. We obtain closed-form expressions for minimum retrieval time that are simple to apply in practice. Third, we compare the investment, operational costs, and energy consumption of live-cube systems with traditional systems based on a real application.
Investigating clinical incidents: conclusions and recommendations
Authors: Tingle John
Published: May 2015

In the second of a two-part column, John Tingle discusses the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) report on investigating clinical incidents in the NHS.
Noninvasive Detection of Activating Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1) Mutations in Estrogen Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Guttery David S , Page Karen , Hills Allison , Woodley Laura , Marchese Stephanie D , Rghebi Basma , Hastings Robert K , Luo Jinli , Pringle J Howard , Stebbing Justin , Coombes R Charles , Ali Simak , Shaw Jacqueline A
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Activating mutations in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene are acquired on treatment and can drive resistance to endocrine therapy. Because of the spatial and temporal limitations of needle core biopsies, our goal was to develop a highly sensitive, less invasive method of detecting activating ESR1 mutations via circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and tumor cells as a “liquid biopsy.”

METHODS

We developed a targeted 23-amplicon next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel for detection of hot-spot mutations in ESR1, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA), tumor protein p53 (TP53), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in 48 patients with estrogen receptor-α–positive metastatic breast cancer who were receiving systemic therapy. Selected mutations were validated using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

RESULTS

Nine baseline cfDNA samples had an ESR1 mutation. NGS detected 3 activating mutations in ESR1, and 3 hot-spot mutations in PIK3CA, and 3 in TP53 in baseline cfDNA, and the ESR1 p.D538G mutation in 1 matched circulating tumor cell sample. ddPCR analysis was more sensitive than NGS and identified 6 additional baseline cfDNA samples with the ESR1 p.D538G mutation at a frequency of <1%. In serial blood samples from 11 patients, 4 showed changes in cfDNA, 2 with emergence of a mutation in ESR1. We also detected a low frequency ESR1 mutation (1.3%) in cfDNA of 1 primary patient who was thought to have metastatic disease but was clear by scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Early identification of ESR1 mutations by liquid biopsy might allow for cessation of ineffective endocrine therapies and switching to other treatments, without the need for tissue biopsy and before the emergence of metastatic disease.
The effect of contextualizing strategy on vocabulary learning in teaching Turkish language to foreigners
Yabancılara Türkçe öğretiminde bağlamlaştırma stratejisinin sözcük öğrenimine etkisi
Authors: Hamzadayı Ergün , Bayat Nihat
Published: May 2015

This study aims to determine the effect of contextualizing strategy on vocabulary learning in teaching Turkish as a foreign language. An experimental design was used with pretest-posttest control group. The research participants were 38 foreign students learning Turkish as a foreign language at the A2 level. A vocabulary test with 20 words taught at a higher level and comprising both noun and verb roots was used as a data collection tool. Following the pretest, the data collection tool words were taught to the experimental group by contextualizing them, and taught to the control group without contextualization. The vocabulary test was administered once more following the procedure. According to the posttest comparisons, the contextualizing strategy positively affected vocabulary learning and was statistically significant. Additionally, research results showed that nouns were learned better than verbs using contextualizing strategy.

 

Özet

Bu araştırmanın amacı, Türkçenin yabancı dil olarak öğretiminde bağlamlaştırma stratejisinin sözcük öğrenimindeki etkisini saptamaktır. Öntest-sontest kontrol gruplu deneysel desende yürütülen araştırmanın katılımcılarını Türkçeyi yabancı dil olarak öğrenen A2 düzeyindeki 38 yabancı uyruklu öğrenci oluşturmuştur. Veri toplama aracı olarak bir üst düzeyde öğretilen ad ve eylem kökenli 20 sözcükten oluşan sözcük testi kullanılmıştır. Yapılan öntestten sonra veri toplama aracında bulunan sözcükler deney grubuna bağlam içinde, kontrol grubuna bağlam kullanılmadan öğretilmiştir. İşlem sonrasında sözcük testi yeniden uygulanmıştır. Sontest karşılaştırmaları sonucunda bağlamlaştırma stratejisinin sözcük öğrenimini olumlu yönde ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde etkilediği saptanmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, ayrıca bağlam içinde adların eylemlerden daha iyi öğrenildiğini de ortaya koymuştur.
Biofiksasi CO2 Oleh Mikroalga Chlamydomonas sp dalam Photobioreaktor Tubular
Authors: Hadiyanto Hadiyanto , Widayat W
Published: May 2015

Mikroalga memiliki potensi dalam membiofiksasi CO2 dan dapat dimanfaatkan untuk mengurangi kadar CO2 dalam gas pencemar. Pertumbuhan mikroalga sangat dipengaruhi oleh konsentrasi gas CO2 di dalam gas pencemar. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengeetahui kemampuan mikroalga Chlamydomonas sp yang dikultivasi dalam photobioreaktor tubular dalam penyerapan gas CO2 serta untuk mengetahui konsentrasi maksimum gas CO2 dalam umpan untuk memproduksi biomasa mikroalga yang optimal. Percobaan dilakukan dnegan memvariasi laju alir dari 0.03 -0.071 L/menit dan konsentrasi CO2 dalam umpan 10-30%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa biomasa mikroalga dapat diproduksi dengan maksimal dengan konsentrasi gas CO2 20% dengan laju alir 0.07 L/min. Semakin tinggi laju alir maka produksi biomasa alga semakin besar. Kecepatan pertumbuhan alga maksimum terjadi pada 0.31 /hari. Pada konsentrasi gas CO2 30%, terjadi substrate inhibition yang disebabkan carbon dalam bentuk ion bicarbonate tidak dapat dikonsumsi lagi di dalam kultur alga. Kata kunci : Mikroalga, chlamydomonas sp, biofiksasi CO2, biogas Abstract Microalgae have a potential for CO2 biofixation and therefore can be used to reduce the CO2 concentration in the gas pollutants. Moreover, microalgae growth is strongly affected by the concentration of CO2 in the exhaust gas pollutants. The objective of this research was to investigate the ability of microalgae Chlamydomonas sp which was cultivated in a tubular photobioreactor for CO2 absorption as well as to determine the maximum concentration of CO2 in the feed gas to obtain optimum microalgae biomass. The experiments were performed by varying the gas flow rate of 0.03 -0.071 L / min and the concentration of CO2 in the feed of 10-30%. The results showed that the maximum biomass of microalgae can be produced with CO2 concentration of 20% vol with a flow rate of 0.07 L / min. The result also showed that increasing the gas flow rate, the greater of the production of algal biomass and the maximum algae growth rate occurred at 0.31 / day. At a concentration of 30% CO2 gas, it occurs a substrate inhibition due to inefficient of bicarbonate use by algae culture.
BIOBRIKET ENCENG GONDOK (EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES) SEBAGAI BAHAN BAKAR ENERGI TERBARUKAN
Authors: Ariyanto Eko , Karim Muhammad Arief , Firmansyah Agung
Published: May 2015

Menipisnya cadangan energi fosil sebagai akibat dari meningkatnya pertumbuhan penduduk dan sektor industri. Biomassa dapat dianggap sebagai pilihan terbaik untuk energy alternatif terbarukan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengamati kemungkinan eceng gondok (Eichhornia crassipes) untuk diolah menjadi bio-briket. Penelitian briket dilakukan dengan menggunakan tepung tapioka dan lem kayu sebagai perekat. Dengan persentase perekat adalah 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, dan 12%. Bio-briket yang dihasilkan diamati kadar air evalueted, kadar abu dan nilai kalor. Dari hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai kadar air dan kadar abu meningkat dengan meningkatnya presentasi perekat pada bio-briket. Namun, nilai kalor mencapai titik maksimum 10% dan 8% untuk masing-masing penambahan tapioka strach dan lem kayu perekat.
PEMODELAN PINDAH PANAS PADA PROSES STERILISASI GUDEG KALENGAN
Authors: Nurhikmat Asep , Suratmo Bandul , Bintoro Nursigit , Suharwadji S
Published: May 2015

Telah dilakukan penelitian pemodelan pindah panas pada proses sterilisasi gudeg kalengan. Tujuan penelitian adalah untuk mengetahui fenomena pindah panas gudeg kalengan selama sterilisasi. Penelitian dilakukan pada suhu sterilisasi 111; 121 dan 131oC dengan lama sterilisasi 10; 20 dan 30 menit. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap nilai F dan tekstur bahan. Simulasi model dilakukan dengan menggunakan MATLAB versi R2010a. Simulasi menghasilkan nilai difusivitas panas (α) bahan sekitar 1.0443x10-1 mm2/s, nilai koefisien transfer panas (h) adalah 4.1366x10-2 W/mm2/s dengan sse sekitar 5.4634x102. Selama proses sterilisasi terjadi kenaikan nilai F dan penurunan tekstur. Perlakuan yang paling optimal adalah perlakuan 121oC selama 20 menit dengan nilai F sekitar 4,32 menit.
A scalable search engine for mass storage smart objects
Authors: Anciaux Nicolas , Lallali Saliha , Popa Iulian Sandu , Pucheral Philippe
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a new embedded search engine designed for smart objects. Such devices are generally equipped with extremely low RAM and large Flash storage capacity. To tackle these conflicting hardware constraints, conventional search engines privilege either insertion or query scalability but cannot meet both requirements at the same time. Moreover, very few solutions support document deletions and updates in this context. In this paper, we introduce three design principles, namely Write-Once Partitioning, Linear Pipelining and Background Linear Merging, and show how they can be combined to produce an embedded search engine reconciling high insert/delete/update rate and query scalability. We have implemented our search engine on a development board having a hardware configuration representative for smart objects and have conducted extensive experiments using two representative datasets. The experimental results demonstrate the scalability of the approach and its superiority compared to state of the art methods.
On the surprising difficulty of simple things
Authors: Schuhknecht Felix Martin , Khanchandani Pankaj , Dittrich Jens
Published: May 2015

Partitioning a dataset into ranges is a task that is common in various applications such as sorting [1,6,7,8,9] and hashing [3] which are in turn building blocks for almost any type of query processing. Especially radix-based partitioning is very popular due to its simplicity and high performance over comparison-based versions [6].
Knowledge-based trust
Authors: Dong Xin Luna , Gabrilovich Evgeniy , Murphy Kevin , Dang Van , Horn Wilko , Lugaresi Camillo , Sun Shaohua , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2015

The quality of web sources has been traditionally evaluated using
exogenous
signals such as the hyperlink structure of the graph. We propose a new approach that relies on
endogenous
signals, namely, the correctness of factual information provided by the source. A source that has few false facts is considered to be trustworthy.

The facts are automatically extracted from each source by information extraction methods commonly used to construct knowledge bases. We propose a way to distinguish errors made in the extraction process from factual errors in the web source per se, by using joint inference in a novel multi-layer probabilistic model.

We call the trustworthiness score we computed
Knowledge-Based Trust (KBT)
. On synthetic data, we show that our method can reliably compute the true trustworthiness levels of the sources. We then apply it to a database of 2.8B facts extracted from the web, and thereby estimate the trustworthiness of 119M webpages. Manual evaluation of a subset of the results confirms the effectiveness of the method.
Allele Sharing and Evidence for Sexuality in a Mitochondrial Clade of Bdelloid Rotifers
Authors: Signorovitch Ana , Hur Jae , Gladyshev Eugene , Meselson Matthew
Published: May 2015

Rotifers of Class Bdelloidea are common freshwater invertebrates of ancient origin whose apparent asexuality has posed a challenge to the view that sexual reproduction is essential for long-term evolutionary success in eukaryotes and to hypotheses for the advantage of sex. The possibility nevertheless exists that bdelloids reproduce sexually under unknown or inadequately investigated conditions. Although certain methods of population genetics offer definitive means for detecting infrequent or atypical sex, they have not previously been applied to bdelloid rotifers. We conducted such a test with bdelloids belonging to a mitochondrial clade of Macrotrachela quadricornifera. This revealed a striking pattern of allele sharing consistent with sexual reproduction and with meiosis of an atypical sort, in which segregation occurs without requiring homologous chromosome pairs.
Metallic Binary Copper Chalcogenides with Orthorhombic Layered Structure
Authors: Kobayashi Kaya , Kawamoto Shinya , Akimitsu Jun
Published: May 2015

Chalcogenide materials have regained attention after the recent recognition of the compatibility of transition metal dichalcogenides with graphene. Additionally, there has been a recent appreciation for the rich variety of properties they support due to the anomalies in the materials’ intrinsic band structure. These materials generally have layered structures and weak interlayer connection through the chalcogen layer and its van der Waals type bonding. We have synthesized orthorhombic copper telluride and measured its electrical transport properties. The results of these measurements reveal that the conduction is metallic in both the in-plane and out-of-plane directions. The range of stability of this structure is examined along with the lattice constants. The independence of the resistivity in samples to changes in excess copper indicates that the transport is essentially within the conducting planes. This result shows that the material hosts two-dimensional character likely due to its covalent interlayer bonding.
Hierarchical Modeling of HLW Glass-Gel-Solution Systems for Stage 3 Glass Degradation
Authors: Jantzen Carol M. , Crawford Charles L.
Published: May 2015

The necessity to a priori predict the durability of high level nuclear waste (HLW) glasses on extended time scales has led to a variety of modeling approaches based primarily on solution (leachate) concentrations. The glass composition and structure control the leachate and the gel compositions which in turn control what reaction products form: the leached layer is a hydrogel and reacts with the solution (leachate) to form secondary phases some of which cause accelerated glass dissolution which is undesirable. Glasses with molar excess alkali that is not bound to glass forming (Al,Fe,B)O4 structural groups in the glass resume accelerated leaching. The hydrogels of the glasses that resume accelerated leaching at long times contain excess alkali and the leachates contain excess strong base, [SB]ex. The [SB]ex further accelerates aluminosilicate gel aging into analcime with time. Glasses with no excess molar structural alkali do not resume accelerated leaching: the glass generates weak acids, [WA], in the leachate favoring hydrogel aging into clays. These data indicate that the gel layer transforms to secondary phases in situ in response to interactions with the chemistry of a continuously evolving leachate.
Polyelectrolyte brushes: Water Content, Zeta Potential and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Irigoyen Joseba , Iturri Jagoba , Camacho José Luis , Donath Edwin , Moya Sergio
Published: May 2015

Polymer brushes of poly[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (PMETAC) and poly(sulfo propyl methacrylate) (PSPM) were synthesized by Atomic Transfer Radical Polymerization from planar and colloidal surfaces. Polymer brush growth was followed by QCMD and the water content determined by combined QCMD and elipsometry. From the water content the percentage of water lost during the brush collapse with the ionic strength could be obtained.

Highly charged PSPM brushes were indented by Atomic Force Microscopy at different ionic strengths. The force response was fitted to a phenomenological equation analogous to the equation of state of a compressible fluid. Internal energy and brush compressibility were obtained as a function of ionic strength.

Spherical brushes of PMETAC and PSPM display an invariance of the zeta potential with ionic strength in the range from 20 mM to 200 mM NaCl, the zeta potential remains almost constant. This invariance can be explained applying a hairy surface approach.
Visible Light Absorption Characteristics of M-Nitrogen (M= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) Co-Doped Monodisperse TiO2 Microparticles
Authors: Mathis John E.
Published: May 2015

There is great interest in improving TiO2’s photocatalytic activity in the visible portion of electromagnetic spectrum. Recent work has shown that co-doping mesoporous TiO2 microparticles with a transition metal and nitrogen, hereby designated as (M,N) TiO2, significantly increases its visible light absorption. However, the hydrothermal method used to produce the microparticles creates a wide distribution in the size of the microparticles, which could affect the absorption properties. Recently, it has become possible to produce monodisperse, mesoporous TiO2 microparticles with engineered sizes using a hybrid sol-gel/hydrothermal technique. Further, it has also been shown that the size of monodisperse TiO2 microparticles affects the the photocatalytic activity.

This study investigated whether using mondodisperse (M,N) TiO2 microparticles would further increase visible-light absorption for (M,N)TiO2. The first-row transition metals chosen for this study - Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu – have been characterized in the earlier (M,N) TiO2 UV-vis study, which was used as a baseline. The doping levels of the transition metals samples were set at the 2.5 percent level previously shown to be optimum for photocatalytic activity.