bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Band alignment at epitaxial BaSnO3/SrTiO3(001) and BaSnO3/LaAlO3(001) heterojunctions
Authors: Chambers Scott A. , Kaspar Tiffany C. , Prakash Abhinav , Haugstad Greg , Jalan Bharat
Published: April 2016

We have spectroscopically determined the optical bandgaps and band offsets at epitaxial interfaces of BaSnO3 with SrTiO3(001) and LaAlO3(001). 28 u.c. BaSnO3 epitaxial films exhibit direct and indirect bandgaps of 3.56 ± 0.05 eV and 2.93 ± 0.05 eV, respectively. The lack of a significant Burstein-Moss shift corroborates the highly insulating, defect-free nature of the BaSnO3 films. The conduction band minimum is lower in electron energy in 5 u.c. films of BaSnO3 than in SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 by 0.4 ± 0.2 eV and 3.7 ± 0.2 eV, respectively. This result bodes well for the realization of oxide-based, high-mobility, two-dimensional electron systems that can operate at ambient temperature, since electrons generated in the SrTiO3 by modulation doping, or at the BaSnO3/LaAlO3 interface by polarization doping, can be transferred to and at least partially confined in the BaSnO3 film.
Chlorinated indium tin oxide electrode by InCl3 aqueous solution for high-performance organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Hu Yun , Zhou Dong-Ying , Wang Bo , Wang Zhao-Kui , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: April 2016

The authors develop a facile and effective method to produce the chlorinated indium tin oxide (Cl-ITO) treated by InCl3 aqueous solution and UV/ozone. The work function of the Cl-ITO achieved by this treatment is as high as 5.69 eV, which is increased by 1.09 eV compared with that of the regular ITO without any treatment. Further investigation proved that the enhancement of the work function is attributed to the formation of In-Cl bonds on the Cl-ITO surface. Green phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices based on the Cl-ITO electrodes exhibit excellent electroluminescence performance, elongating lifetime due to the improvement in hole injection.
Spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy using femtosecond extreme ultraviolet light pulses from high-order harmonic generation
Authors: Plötzing M. , Adam R. , Weier C. , Plucinski L. , Eich S. , Emmerich S. , Rollinger M. , Aeschlimann M. , Mathias S. , Schneider C. M.
Published: April 2016

The fundamental mechanism responsible for optically induced magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic thin films has been under intense debate since almost two decades. Currently, numerous competing theoretical models are in strong need for a decisive experimental confirmation such as monitoring the triggered changes in the spin-dependent band structure on ultrashort time scales. Our approach explores the possibility of observing femtosecond band structure dynamics by giving access to extended parts of the Brillouin zone in a simultaneously time-, energy- and spin-resolved photoemission experiment. For this purpose, our setup uses a state-of-the-art, highly efficient spin detector and ultrashort, extreme ultraviolet light pulses created by laser-based high-order harmonic generation. In this paper, we present the setup and first spin-resolved spectra obtained with our experiment within an acquisition time short enough to allow pump-probe studies. Further, we characterize the influence of the excitation with femtosecond extreme ultraviolet pulses by comparing the results with data acquired using a continuous wave light source with similar photon energy. In addition, changes in the spectra induced by vacuum space-charge effects due to both the extreme ultraviolet probe- and near-infrared pump-pulses are studied by analyzing the resulting spectral distortions. The combination of energy resolution and electron count rate achieved in our setup confirms its suitability for spin-resolved studies of the band structure on ultrashort time scales.
Quantum nonunital dynamics of spin-bath-assisted Fisher information
Authors: Hao Xiang , Wu Yinzhong
Published: April 2016

The nonunital non-Markovian dynamics of qubits immersed in a spin bath is studied without any Markovian approximation. The environmental effects on the precisions of quantum parameter estimation are taken into account. The time-dependent transfer matrix and inhomogeneity vector are obtained for the description of the open dynamical process. The dynamical behaviour of one qubit coupled to a spin bath is geometrically described by the Bloch vector. It is found out that the nonunital non-Markovian effects can engender the improvement of the precision of quantum parameter estimation. This result contributes to the environment-assisted quantum information theory.
BiVO4 photoanodes for water splitting with high injection efficiency, deposited by reactive magnetron co-sputtering
Authors: Gong Haibo , Freudenberg Norman , Nie Man , van de Krol Roel , Ellmer Klaus
Published: April 2016

Photoactive bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) thin films were deposited by reactive co-magnetron sputtering from metallic Bi and V targets. The effects of the V-to-Bi ratio, molybdenum doping and post-annealing on the crystallographic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the BiVO4 films were investigated. Phase-pure monoclinic BiVO4 films, which are more photoactive than the tetragonal BiVO4 phase, were obtained under slightly vanadium-rich conditions. After annealing of the Mo-doped BiVO4 films, the photocurrent increased 2.6 times compared to undoped films. After optimization of the BiVO4 film thickness, the photocurrent densities (without a catalyst or a blocking layer or a hole scavenger) exceeded 1.2 mA/cm2 at a potential of 1.23 VRHE under solar AM1.5 irradiation. The surprisingly high injection efficiency of holes into the electrolyte is attributed to the highly porous film morphology. This co-magnetron sputtering preparation route for photoactive BiVO4 films opens new possibilities for the fabrication of large-scale devices for water splitting.
Preparation and stress evolution of sol–gel SiO2 antireflective coatings for small-size anisotropic lithium triborate crystals
Authors: Tian Bingtao , Wang Xiaodong , Niu Yanyan , Zhang Jinlong , Zhang Qinghua , Zhang Zhihua , Wu Guangming , Zhou Bin , Shen Jun
Published: April 2016

Lithium triborate (LiB3O5, LBO) crystal is now one of the most useful nonlinear optical materials for frequency conversion of high power lasers. The use of the crystal, however, has been hampered by the unavailability of antireflective (AR) coatings with high laser damage resistance. In this work, a “point contact” dip-coating method is developed to prepare sol–gel SiO2 AR coatings on small-size LBO crystals. Using this approach, we obtain a homogenous coating surface on an 8 mm×8 mm×3 mm LBO crystal. The stress measurements show that the stresses in sol–gel SiO2 coatings vary with the time of natural drying, which is beyond our expectation. The anisotropic Young’s modulus of the LBO crystal and the different evolution tendency of the stress in the different SiO2 coating layers are found to be responsible for the crack of the double-layer AR coatings on anisotropic LBO crystal. Meanwhile, the resulting coatings on LBO crystal achieve a LIDT of over 15 J/cm2 (532 nm, 3ns) and the coated LBO is expected to have a transmittance of over 99% at 800 nm.
Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging
Authors: Carhart-Harris Robin L. , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh , Roseman Leor , Kaelen Mendel , Droog Wouter , Murphy Kevin , Tagliazucchi Enzo , Schenberg Eduardo E. , Nest Timothy , Orban Csaba , Leech Robert , Williams Luke T. , Williams Tim M. , Bolstridge Mark , Sessa Ben , McGonigle John , Sereno Martin I. , Nichols David , Hellyer Peter J. , Hobden Peter , Evans John , Singh Krish D. , Wise Richard G. , Curran H. Valerie , Feilding Amanda , Nutt David J.
Published: April 2016

Significance

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), the prototypical “psychedelic,” may be unique among psychoactive substances. In the decades that followed its discovery, the magnitude of its effect on science, the arts, and society was unprecedented. LSD produces profound, sometimes life-changing experiences in microgram doses, making it a particularly powerful scientific tool. Here we sought to examine its effects on brain activity, using cutting-edge and complementary neuroimaging techniques in the first modern neuroimaging study of LSD. Results revealed marked changes in brain blood flow, electrical activity, and network communication patterns that correlated strongly with the drug’s hallucinatory and other consciousness-altering properties. These results have implications for the neurobiology of consciousness and for potential applications of LSD in psychological research.
Stimulus features coded by single neurons of a macaque body category selective patch
Authors: Popivanov Ivo D. , Schyns Philippe G. , Vogels Rufin
Published: April 2016

Significance

A fundamental and understudied question is that of the higher-level features that actually drive neuronal responses to complex images. Although previous single-unit studies developed our knowledge of the features driving face-selective regions, little is known about the feature selectivity of neurons in body-selective regions. Using a reverse correlation technique, we reveal for the first time to our knowledge the image fragments coded by single neurons of a body-selective region defined by functional imaging. We found that the neurons respond to local fragments, such as extremities (e.g. leg fragments) and curved boundaries (e.g. shoulder), tolerating position and scale changes, with evidence of opponent body coding in a few neurons. Thus, our data offer new insights on how the brain codes higher-level features.
Moral consequences of becoming unemployed
Authors: Barr Abigail , Miller Luis , Ubeda Paloma
Published: April 2016

Significance

Unemployment has devastating effects on people’s economic and social circumstances. Its negative effects on mental health and subjective well-being are also well documented. However, until now, there has been no quantitative evaluation of the moral consequences of unemployment. Here, using behavioral experiments and an unusual subject engagement strategy, we present evidence that becoming unemployed erodes the extent to which a person acknowledges earned entitlement, i.e., acknowledges an individual’s right to that gained through his or her own effort or endeavor. This finding has important implications for the way we should think about economic and political systems. It indicates that, in addition to a causal link running from preferences to outcomes, there exists a feedback loop from outcomes to preferences that needs to be taken into account when considering system dynamics.
Algorithmic handwriting analysis of Judah’s military correspondence sheds light on composition of biblical texts
Authors: Faigenbaum-Golovin Shira , Shaus Arie , Sober Barak , Levin David , Na’aman Nadav , Sass Benjamin , Turkel Eli , Piasetzky Eli , Finkelstein Israel
Published: April 2016

Significance

Scholars debate whether the first major phase of compilation of biblical texts took place before or after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Proliferation of literacy is considered a precondition for the creation of such texts. Ancient inscriptions provide important evidence of the proliferation of literacy. This paper focuses on 16 ink inscriptions found in the desert fortress of Arad, written
ca
. 600 BCE. By using novel image processing and machine learning algorithms we deduce the presence of at least six authors in this corpus. This indicates a high degree of literacy in the Judahite administrative apparatus and provides a possible stage setting for compilation of biblical texts. After the kingdom’s demise, a similar literacy level reemerges only
ca
. 200 BCE.
Dynamical network of residue–residue contacts reveals coupled allosteric effects in recognition, catalysis, and mutation
Authors: Doshi Urmi , Holliday Michael J. , Eisenmesser Elan Z. , Hamelberg Donald
Published: April 2016

Significance

How exactly protein motions facilitate substrate recognition and catalysis has remained largely unanswered. Characterization of protein dynamics at atomistic level is essential to understanding function. Molecular dynamics and NMR are helpful in this regard; however, analyzing multidimensional data from very long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate key dynamical features observed in NMR remains very challenging. We present results from an approach for data analysis in which dynamics is defined in terms of interresidue contact formation and breaking. Analyzing simulation data on a therapeutically important Cyclophilin A and carrying out NMR experiments, we uncovered remarkable and unprecedented changes in its motions at a site over 15 Å from the active site upon substrate binding and how mutation in this distal site affects catalysis.
Thermal conditions influence changes in body temperature induced by intragastric administration of capsaicin in mice
Authors: Mori Noriyuki , Urata Tomomi , Fukuwatari Tsutomu
Published: April 2016

Capsaicin has been reported to have unique thermoregulatory actions. However, changes in core temperature after the administration of capsaicin are a controversial point. Therefore, we investigated the effects of environmental thermal conditions on changes in body temperature caused by capsaicin in mice. We showed that intragastric administration of 10 and 15 mg/kg capsaicin increased tail temperature and decreased colonic temperatures in the core temperature (CT)-constant and CT-decreasing conditions. In the CT-increasing condition, 15 mg/kg capsaicin increased tail temperature and decreased colonic temperature. However, 10 mg/kg capsaicin increased colonic temperature. Furthermore, the amount of increase in tail temperature was greater in the CT-decreasing condition and lower in the CT-increasing condition, compared with that of the CT-constant condition. These findings suggest that the changes in core temperature were affected by the environmental thermal conditions and that preliminary thermoregulation state might be more important than the constancy of temperature to evaluate the effects of heat diffusion and thermogensis.
Perceptual and Memorial Contributions to Developmental Prosopagnosia
Authors: Ulrich Philip I. N. , Wilkinson David T. , Ferguson Heather J. , Smith Laura J. , Bindemann Markus , Johnston Robert A. , Schmalzl Laura
Published: April 2016

Developmental prosopagnosia (DP) is commonly associated with the failure to properly perceive individuating facial properties, notably those conveying configural or holistic content. While this may indicate that the primary impairment is perceptual, it is conceivable that some cases of DP are instead caused by a memory impairment, with any perceptual complaint merely allied rather than causal. To investigate this possibility, we administered a battery of face perception tasks to 11 individuals who reported that their face recognition difficulties disrupt daily activity and who also performed poorly on two formal tests of face recognition. Group statistics identified, relative to age- and gender-matched controls, difficulties in apprehending global–local relations and the holistic properties of faces, and in matching across viewpoints, but these were mild in nature and were not consistently evident at the level of individual participants. Six of the 11 individuals failed to show any evidence of perceptual impairment. In the remaining five individuals, no single perceptual deficit, or combination of deficits, was necessary or sufficient for poor recognition performance. These data suggest that some cases of DP are better explained by a memorial rather than perceptual deficit, and highlight the relevance of the apperceptive/associative distinction more commonly applied to the allied syndrome of acquired prosopagnosia.
Nonlinear excitation of subcritical fast ion-driven modes
Authors: Lesur M. , Itoh K. , Ido T. , Itoh S.-I. , Kosuga Y. , Sasaki M. , Inagaki S. , Osakabe M. , Ogawa K. , Shimizu A. , Ida K.
Published: April 2016

In collisionless plasma, it is known that linearly stable modes can be destabilized (subcritically) by the presence of structures in phase-space. The growth of such structures is a nonlinear, kinetic mechanism, which provides a channel for free-energy extraction, different from conventional inverse Landau damping. However, such nonlinear growth requires the presence of a seed structure with a relatively large threshold in amplitude. We demonstrate that, in the presence of another, linearly unstable (supercritical) mode, wave–wave coupling can provide a seed, which can lead to subcritical instability by either one of two mechanisms. Both mechanisms hinge on a collaboration between fluid nonlinearity and kinetic nonlinearity. If collisional velocity diffusion is low enough, the seed provided by the supercritical mode overcomes the threshold for nonlinear growth of phase-space structure. Then, the supercritical mode triggers the conventional subcritical instability. If collisional velocity diffusion is too large, the seed is significantly below the threshold, but can still grow by a sustained collaboration between fluid and kinetic nonlinearities. Both of these subcritical instabilities can be triggered, even when the frequency of the supercritical mode is rapidly sweeping. These results were obtained by modeling the subcritical mode kinetically, and the impact of the supercritical mode by simple wave–wave coupling equations. This model is applied to bursty onset of geodesic acoustic modes in an LHD experiment. The model recovers several key features such as relative amplitude, timescales, and phase relations. It suggests that the strongest bursts are subcritical instabilities, with sustained collaboration between fluid and kinetic nonlinearities.
Detection of Colletotrichum acutatum Sensu Lato on Strawberry by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Zhang X. , Harrington T. C. , Batzer J. C. , Kubota R. , Peres N. A. , Gleason M. L.
Published: April 2016

Colletotrichum acutatum, one of the most economically damaging pathogens of strawberry, is the primary causal agent of anthracnose fruit rot (AFR). A key challenge in managing AFR is detecting the pathogen on asymptomatic plants. To meet this need, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed that incorporated two sets of primers: LITSG1, targeted on the intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA, and Ltub2, on the β-tubulin 2 gene. In pure culture assays, Ltub2 was specific for detection of C. acutatum, whereas LITSG1 detected C. acutatum and two additional anthracnose pathogens, C. gloeosporioides and C. fragariae. LITSG1 had 10-fold lower detection threshold (20 pg of mycelial DNA) than Ltub2 (200 pg mycelial DNA) in detection of C. acutatum from pure culture. For detection on asymptomatic leaves, two protocols for dislodging C. acutatum for DNA extraction were compared: i) the sonicate-agitate (SA) method and ii) the freeze-incubate-sonicate-agitate (FISA) method, which initially freezes tissues, followed by 2 days of incubation at 26°C in darkness, and then, sonication and agitation. Both methods were used for greenhouse-grown plant leaves that had been spray inoculated with serial dilutions ranging from 1.5 × 106 to 1.5 conidia ml−1. The FISA method produced more repeatable results than the SA method. For the FISA method, detection limits (expressed as initial inoculum concentrations) using LITSG1 and Ltub2 were 1.5 × 101 and 1.5 × 102 conidia ml−1, respectively. For composite samples comprised of inoculated (1.5 × 106 conidia ml−1) and noninoculated leaves of greenhouse-grown strawberry, the two sets of LAMP primers were compared using the SA method. Primer set LITSG1 consistently detected the pathogen from a single inoculated leaf in bulk samples of 50 or fewer pathogen-free leaves, whereas Ltub2 consistently detected one inoculated leaf in 20 or fewer pathogen-free leaves. Using primer set LITSG1, FISA was more sensitive than SA for detecting C. acutatum on leaves of field-grown plants from Florida. In an Iowa field trial using the FISA method, both primer sets detected C. acutatum in samples of asymptomatic leaves 6 days before fruit symptoms appeared. The results indicate that the LAMP assay has potential to provide a simplified method for detection of C. acutatum on asymptomatic strawberry plants.
Phytophthora ramorum Causes Cryptic Bole Cankers in Canyon Live Oak
Authors: Swiecki Tedmund J. , Bernhardt Elizabeth A. , Aram Kamyar , Rizzo David M. , Kasuga Takao , Bui Mai
Published: April 2016

Mortality of large canyon live oaks suddenly appeared in natural stands in San Mateo, CA, starting in 2007. A survey of affected stands showed that symptomatic trees were spatially associated with California bay, the primary source of Phytophthora ramorum spores in California coastal oak forests. Trunk canker symptoms on affected trees were similar to late-stage symptoms caused by P. ramorum on other oak hosts, but the pathogen could not be isolated from affected trees. Artificial inoculation of logs, and later, trees, confirmed that P. ramorum caused phloem cankers on canyon live oak, but cankers showed either no or minuscule external bleeding. Knowledge of early bark symptom appearance facilitated successful isolations from naturally infected trees. Tree declines associated with similarly cryptic Phytophthora cankers could remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for many years, thwarting detection and management efforts.

Accepted for publication 12 February 2016. Published 18 February 2016.
Mirroring and beyond: coupled dynamics as a generalized framework for modelling social interactions
Authors: Hasson Uri , Frith Chris D.
Published: April 2016

When people observe one another, behavioural alignment can be detected at many levels, from the physical to the mental. Likewise, when people process the same highly complex stimulus sequences, such as films and stories, alignment is detected in the elicited brain activity. In early sensory areas, shared neural patterns are coupled to the low-level properties of the stimulus (shape, motion, volume, etc.), while in high-order brain areas, shared neural patterns are coupled to high-levels aspects of the stimulus, such as meaning. Successful social interactions require such alignments (both behavioural and neural), as communication cannot occur without shared understanding. However, we need to go beyond simple, symmetric (mirror) alignment once we start interacting. Interactions are dynamic processes, which involve continuous mutual adaptation, development of complementary behaviour and division of labour such as leader–follower roles. Here, we argue that interacting individuals are dynamically coupled rather than simply aligned. This broader framework for understanding interactions can encompass both processes by which behaviour and brain activity mirror each other (neural alignment), and situations in which behaviour and brain activity in one participant are coupled (but not mirrored) to the dynamics in the other participant. To apply these more sophisticated accounts of social interactions to the study of the underlying neural processes we need to develop new experimental paradigms and novel methods of data analysis
Analysing change in music therapy interactions of children with communication difficulties
Authors: Spiro Neta , Himberg Tommi
Published: April 2016

Music therapy has been found to improve communicative behaviours and joint attention in children with autism, but it is unclear what in the music therapy sessions drives those changes. We developed an annotation protocol and tools to accumulate large datasets of music therapy, for analysis of interaction dynamics. Analysis of video recordings of improvisational music therapy sessions focused on simple, unambiguous individual and shared behaviours: movement and facing behaviours, rhythmic activity and musical structures and the relationships between them. To test the feasibility of the protocol, early and late sessions of five client–therapist pairs were annotated and analysed to track changes in behaviours. To assess the reliability and validity of the protocol, inter-rater reliability of the annotation tiers was calculated, and the therapists provided feedback about the relevance of the analyses and results. This small-scale study suggests that there are both similarities and differences in the profiles of client–therapist sessions. For example, all therapists faced the clients most of the time, while the clients did not face back so often. Conversely, only two pairs had an increase in regular pulse from early to late sessions. More broadly, similarity across pairs at a general level is complemented by variation in the details. This perhaps goes some way to reconciling client- and context-specificity on one hand and generalizability on the other. Behavioural characteristics seem to influence each other. For instance, shared rhythmic pulse alternated with mutual facing and the occurrence of shared pulse was found to relate to the musical structure. These observations point towards a framework for looking at change in music therapy that focuses on networks of variables or broader categories. The results suggest that even when starting with simple behaviours, we can trace aspects of interaction and change in music therapy, which are seen as relevant by therapists.
Benchmarking of the Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing for quantitative and qualitative assessment of cDNA populations
Authors: Oikonomopoulos Spyros , Wang Yu Chang , Djambazian Haig , Badescu Dunarel , Ragoussis Jiannis
Published: April 2016

To assess the performance of the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencing platform, cDNAs from the External RNA Controls Consortium (ERCC) RNA Spike-In mix were sequenced. This mix mimics mammalian mRNA species and consists of 92 polyadenylated transcripts with known concentration. cDNA libraries were generated using a template switching protocol to facilitate the direct comparison between different sequencing platforms. The MinION performance was assessed for its ability to sequence the cDNAs directly with good accuracy in terms of abundance and full length. The abundance of the ERCC cDNA molecules sequenced by MinION agreed with their expected concentration. No length or GC content bias was observed. The majority of cDNAs were sequenced as full length. Additionally, a complex cDNA population derived from a human HEK-293 cell line was sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2500, PacBio RS II and ONT MinION platforms. We observed that there was a good agreement in the measured cDNA abundance between PacBio RS II and ONT MinION (rspearman=0.57, fragments with length more than 700bp) and between Illumina HiSeq 2500 and ONT MinION (rspearman=0.61). This indicates that the ONT MinION can sequence quantitatively both long and short full length cDNA molecules.
“mazEFmediated programmed cell death in Escherichia coli”: is it?
Authors: Ramisetty Bhaskar Chandra Mohan , Raj Swati , Ghosh Dimpy
Published: April 2016

Toxin-antitoxins systems (TAS) are prokaryotic operons containing two small overlapping genes which encode two components referred to as Toxin and Antitoxin. Involvement of TAS in bacterial programmed cell death (PCD) is highly controversial. MazEF, a typical type II TAS, is particularly implicated in mediating PCD inEscherichia coli. Hence, we compared the metabolic fitness and stress tolerance ofE. colistrains (MC4100 and itsmazEF- derivative) which were extensively used by proponents ofmazEF- mediated PCD. We found that both the strains are deficient inrelAgene and that theΔmazEFstrain has lower fitness and stress tolerance compared to wild type MC4100. Furthermore, these strains are likely not isogenic. We could not reproducemazEFmediated PCD which emphasizes the need for skeptic approach to the PCD hypothesis.
Deep sequencing analysis of the circadian transcriptome of the jewel waspNasonia vitripennis
Authors: Davies Nathaniel J. , Tauber Eran
Published: April 2016

The study of the circadian clock has benefited greatly from usingDrosophilaas a model system. Yet, accumulating evidence suggests that the fly might not be the canonical insect model. Here, we have analysed the circadian transcriptome of the Jewl waspNasonia vitripennisby using RNA-seq in both constant darkness (DD) and constant light (LL, the wasps are rhythmic in LL with period shortening). At a relatively stringent FDR (q < 0.1), we identified 1,057 cycling transcripts in DD and 929 in LL (fraction of 6.7% and 5.9% of all transcripts analysed in DD and LL respectively). Although there was little similarity between cycling genes inDrosophilaandNasonia, the functions fulfilled by cycling transcripts were similar in both species. Of the knownDrosophilacore clock genes, onlypdp1e,shaggyandClokshowed a significant cycling inNasonia, underscoring the importance of studying the clock in non-model organisms.
USP51 deubiquitylates H2AK13,15ub and regulates DNA damage response
Authors: Wang Zhiquan , Zhang Honglian , Liu Ji , Cheruiyot Abigael , Lee Jeong-Heon , Ordog Tamas , Lou Zhenkun , You Zhongsheng , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: April 2016

Dynamic regulation of RNF168-mediated ubiquitylation of histone H2A Lys13,15 (H2AK13,15ub) at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is crucial for preventing aberrant DNA repair and maintaining genome stability. However, it remains unclear which deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) removes H2AK13,15ub. Here we show that USP51, a previously uncharacterized DUB, deubiquitylates H2AK13,15ub and regulates DNA damage response. USP51 depletion results in increased spontaneous DNA damage foci and elevated levels of H2AK15ub and impairs DNA damage response. USP51 overexpression suppresses the formation of ionizing radiation-induced 53BP1 and BRCA1 but not RNF168 foci, suggesting that USP51 functions downstream from RNF168 in DNA damage response. In vitro, USP51 binds to H2A–H2B directly and deubiquitylates H2AK13,15ub. In cells, USP51 is recruited to chromatin after DNA damage and regulates the dynamic assembly/disassembly of 53BP1 and BRCA1 foci. These results show that USP51 is the DUB for H2AK13,15ub and regulates DNA damage response.
Distinctive properties of metastasis-initiating cells
Authors: Celià-Terrassa Toni , Kang Yibin
Published: April 2016

Primary tumors are known to constantly shed a large number of cancer cells into systemic dissemination, yet only a tiny fraction of these cells is capable of forming overt metastases. The tremendous rate of attrition during the process of metastasis implicates the existence of a rare and unique population of metastasis-initiating cells (MICs). MICs possess advantageous traits that may originate in the primary tumor but continue to evolve during dissemination and colonization, including cellular plasticity, metabolic reprogramming, the ability to enter and exit dormancy, resistance to apoptosis, immune evasion, and co-option of other tumor and stromal cells. Better understanding of the molecular and cellular hallmarks of MICs will facilitate the development and deployment of novel therapeutic strategies.
Evolving adaptive immunity
Authors: Lovely Geoffrey A. , Sen Ranjan
Published: April 2016

Generation of a diverse repertoire of antigen receptor specificities via DNA recombination underpins adaptive immunity. In this issue of Genes & Development, Carmona and colleagues (pp. 909–917) provide novel insights into the origin and function of recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1) and RAG2, the lymphocyte-specific components of the recombinase involved in the process.
MOMP in the absence of BH3-only proteins
Authors: García Sáez Ana J. , Villunger Andreas
Published: April 2016

The minimum requirement for mitochondrial apoptosis has been controversial ever since the discovery of BCL-2 as a cell death regulator. In this issue of Genes & Development, O'Neill and colleagues (pp. 973–988) end a long-standing debate by creating a cellular system free of BCL-2 family proteins, thereby identifying the outer mitochondrial membrane rather than BH3-only proteins as the only requirement for BAX/BAK activation and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP).
(4Z)-2-Phenyl-1-{(E)-[4-(propan-2-yl)benzylidene]amino}-4-[(thiophen-2-yl)methylidene]-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one
Authors: Kamni  , Singh Vikram D. , Subbulakshmi K. N. , Narayana B. , Sarojini B. K. , Anthal Sumati , Kant Rajni
Published: April 2016

In the title molecule, C24H21N3OS, the imidazole ring subtends dihedral angles of 4.6 (1) and 20.2 (1)° with the thiophene and iso-propylbenzene rings, respectively. The plane of the imidazole ring forms a dihedral angle of 39.9 (1)° with the phenyl ring. An intramolecular C—H...N hydrogen bond closes anS(6) ring. In the crystal, pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds link molecules into inversion dimers featuringR22(10) graph-set motifs. Aromatic π–π stacking interactions are observed between the thiophene and imidazole rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.570 (2) Å] and thiophene and benzene rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.889 (2) Å]. Weak C—H...π interactions are also observed.
4-Aminobenzoic acid–quinoline (1/1)
Authors: Sivakumar P. , Sudhahar S. , Israel S. , Chakkaravarthi G.
Published: April 2016

In the title 1:1 adduct, C9H7N·C7H7NO2, the carboxyl group is twisted at an angle of 5.42 (8) Å with respect to its attached benzene ring. In the crystal, the carboxylic acid molecule is linked to the quinoline molecule by an O—H...N hydrogen bond. The 4-aminobenzoic acid molecules are linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets propagating in (001). Weak aromatic π–π stacking [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.758 (1) and 3.888 (1) Å] interactions also occur.
1-Propyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione
Authors: Qachchachi Fatima Zahrae , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Haoudi Amal , Essassi El Mokhtar , Capet Frédéric , Zouihri Hafid
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C11H11NO2, the 1H-indole-2,3-dione unit is essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0387 (13) Å. This plane makes a dihedral angle of 72.19 (17)° with the plane of the propyl substituent. In the crystal, chains propagating along thebaxis are formed through C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Technology, enrollment gender gap and the impact of social norms in rural China
Authors: Gu Hejun , Ozturk Ugur Aytun
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Investigating the relationship between gender gap in school enrollment and the spread of information and communication technology (ICT) in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from China Health and Nutrition Survey for the period of 1991-2009, we document gender patterns of school enrollments of children aged between 7 and 18 years. We estimate the impact of phone and internet access on school enrollments of children using a probit model.

Findings

The results indicate that the spread of phone and internet access both contribute to an increase in enrollment of females. Naturally, the gender gap in enrollments is not simply shaped by technology, and social norms also play an important role. Consequently, our results also show that enrollment of females is lower in the communities where pro-son preference is stronger, holding technology and other factors constant.

Originality/value

We conclude that promoting further development of telecommunications services may result in narrowing the school enrollment gender gap in rural China. This conclusion is valuable in setting governmental policies as well as guiding the actions of NGOs.
Fatigue strength assessment of ship structures accounting for a coating life and corrosion degradation
Authors: Garbatov Yordan
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Fatigue strength and reliability assessment of complex double hull oil tanker structures, based on different local structural finite element approaches, is performed accounting for the uncertainties originating from load, nominal stresses, hot spot stress calculations, weld quality estimations and misalignments and fatigue S-N parameters including the correlation between load cases and the coating life and corrosion degradation.

Design/methodology/approach

Ship hull wave-induced vertical and horizontal bending moments and pressure are considered in the analysis. Stress analyses are performed based on the nominal, local hot spot and notch stress approaches. A linear elastic finite element analysis is used to determine the stress distribution around the welded details and to estimate structural stresses of all critical locations. Fatigue damage is estimated by employing the Palmgren-Miner approach. The importance of the contribution of each random variable to the uncertainty of the fatigue limit state function is also estimated. The probability of fatigue damage of hot spots is evaluated taking into account random coating life and corrosion wastage. Fatigue reliability, during the service life, is modelled as a system of correlated events.

Findings

The fatigue analysis showed that the fatigue damage at the hotspot, located at the flange of the stiffener close to the cut-out, is always highest in the cases of the structural hot spot stress and effective notch stress approaches, except for the one of the nominal stress approach. The sensitivities of the fatigue limit state function with respect to changes in the random variables were demonstrated showing that the uncertainty in the fatigue stress estimation and fatigue damage are the most important. Fatigue reliability, modelled as a parallel system of structural hot spots and as a serial system of correlated events (load cases) was evaluated based on the Ditlevsen bounds. As a result of the performed analysis, reliability and Beta reliability indexes of lower and upper bounds were estimated, which are very similar to the ones adopted for ultimate strength collapse as reported in literature.

Originality/value

This paper develops a very complex fatigue strength and reliability assessment model for analysing a double hull oil tanker structure using different local structural finite element approaches accounting for the associated uncertainties and the correlation between load cases and the coating life and corrosion degradation. The developed model is flexible enough to be applied for analysing different structural failure modes.
Dynamic protection index factor of concrete substrate for anti carbonation coating protection systems subjected to accelerated environmental loading - part A: carbonation
Authors: Apostolopoulos Charis A , Rodopoulos Chris Alexander
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effect of accelerated environmental loading, i.e. humidity, solar radiation, wet/dry cycling, CO2 concentration and temperature on specimens being initially protected using 4 commercially available coating systems and to evaluate their degradation considering the results.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of the study, an accelerated environmental loading was performed in a highly sophisticated chamber able to replicate weather patterns representing the 8 characteristic climate zones of Australia.

Findings

The results in terms of degradation patterns can provide a qualitative classification leading to the development of a Dynamic Protection Index Factor (DPIF) which can be used as direct input in life cycle cost analysis appraisal.

Originality/value

This paper is considered to be very important, since the degradation results of different environmental conditions constiture a major problem for structures life inspections and durability
A multi-mechanical nonlinear fibre beam-column model for corroded columns
Authors: Kashani Mehdi , Lowes Laura N , Crewe Adam J , Alexander Nicholas A
Published: April 2016

Purpose

A new modelling technique is developed to model the nonlinear behaviour of corrosion damaged reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers subject to cyclic loading. The model employs a nonlinear beam-column element with multi-mechanical fibre sections using OpenSees. The nonlinear uniaxial material models used in the fibre sections account for the effect of corrosion damage on vertical reinforcing, cracked cover concrete due to corrosion of vertical bars and damaged confined concrete due to corrosion of horizontal tie reinforcement. An advance material model is used to simulate the nonlinear behaviour of the vertical reinforcing bars that accounts for combined impact of inelastic buckling and low-cycle fatigue degradation. The basic uncorroded model is verified by comparison of the computation and observed response of RC columns with uncorroded reinforcement. This model is used in an exploration study of recently tested reinforced concrete components to investigate the impact of different corrosion models on the inelastic response of corrosion damaged RC columns.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of pushover and cyclic analyses on a hypothetical corroded RC columns are conducted. The impact of corrosion on reinforcing steel and concrete is modelled. The influence of cyclic degradation due to low-cycle fatigue is also modelled.

Findings

(1) Corrosion has a more significant impact on ductility loss of RC columns than the strength loss (plastic moment capacity).

(2) It was found that the flexural failure is initiated by buckling of vertical bars and crushing of core concrete which then followed by fracture of bars in tension.

(3) The analyses results showed that for seismic performance and evaluation of existing corroded bridges monotonic pushover analysis is insufficient. The cyclic degradation due to low-cycle fatigue has a significant influence on the response of corroded RC columns.

Originality/value

The finite element developed in this paper is the most comprehensive model to date that is able to capture the onlinear behaviour of corroded RC columns under cyclic loading up to complete collapse.
Failure by corrosion in PC bridges: a case history of a viaduct in Italy
Authors: Colajanni Piero , Recupero Antonino , Ricciardi Giuseppe , Spinella Nino
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The paper illustrates a viaduct collapse due to corrosion phenomena. Moreover, a contribution to the issues related to both the control of existing structures and design methods to be followed for the construction of new buildings is provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives were achieved by in situ observations and numerical analyses. The effects of corrosion phenomena are investigated, and the progressive collapse analysis is provided to be helpful in this case.

Findings

The damages induced by corrosion phenomena have caused the collapse of the viaduct taken in to account. The performed numerical analyses were able to reproduce the effects of corrosion in terms of reduction of wires diameter.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to prestressed concrete viaduct with post-tensioned cables.

Practical implications

A monitoring plan, subdivided in several phases, is suggested, to avoid critical situations as these described.

Originality/value

The case study brought useful information on the effects of corrosion on the decks section, showing how the technology in post-tensioned cables is usually insidious and prone to the issues relating to corrosion of the wires
Conceptualising the linkage between professional scepticism and auditor independence
Authors: Chiang Christina
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct linkage between professional scepticism and auditor independence.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews the extant literature on professional scepticism, auditor independence, conflict of interest and unconscious bias.

Findings

Auditor independence is a fundamental antecedent to professional scepticism. However, auditor independence is impossible due to the auditor–client structure and conscious and unconscious personal bias. The threats to auditor independence are powerful incentives that reduce professional scepticism, making it difficult to exercise professional scepticism while making professional judgement.

Practical implications

An understanding of the direct link between professional scepticism and auditor independence is necessary to appreciate the context and meaning of professional scepticism in relation to the greater body of literature and ongoing concerns of audit regulators. This paper, which conceptualises the linkage between professional scepticism and auditor independence, provides a platform for future research to be conducted to examine the validity of the discussions and how a discourse in a moral framework embedded within accounting education may assist in improving auditor independence and professional scepticism.

Social implications

It is insufficient for audit regulators to assess professional scepticism by audit outputs. Threats to independence should be brought into the assessment. To ensure auditor independence is not compromised, auditors should be made aware of the ethical dimensions of their decisions and reminded constantly to monitor virtue ethics behaviours.

Originality/value

This paper brings into mainstream accounting and auditing literature and research a psychological perspective of auditor independence in the discussion of professional scepticism that is seldom examined.
Dynamic Termo - Mechanical Spectra of Pen/Pet Fibres
Authors: Aneja J. Militký
Published: April 2016

PEN fibres are well known for their high performance properties, resistance, and good tensile properties. Their potential markets are the packaging, film and fibre markets. For tyre yarns in particular, the response to dynamic deformations at elevated temperatures is interesting. The ultimate modulus of PEN fibres is substantially higher than that of polethylenetrephtalate (PET). However, in the amorphous domains of PEN, the rotation of the naphthalene rings induces conformational transitions, which negatively influence the dynamic mechanical properties (Militký, 1999)

The main aim of this contribution is to measure and characterize the dynamic mechanical spectra of PEN fibres. These spectra are obtained at various levels of pre-straining. The analysis is based on the real part of the dynamic modulus and on an evaluation of the loss tangent. The simple model of dynamic behaviour based on the standard linear viscoelastic body is presented. The special apparatus for measuring dynamic behaviour under various types of deformation (tension, compression, bending, shearing) is described in detail.
Using a Thermal Simulator to Determine the Amount of Time that Humans are Thermally Protected by Fabrics Containing Phase
Change Materials
Authors: Hes Lubos , Lu B. I.
Published: April 2016

In this paper, a simple original method and instrument for testing the thermal efficiency of garments containing PCM particles is described. The efficiency is characterized by the length of time that the garment can offer protection, when the effective thermal resistance is
at least two times higher then the thermal resistance of the same garment without any PCM function. The related instrument can simulate any boundary conditions typical for the wearing of PCM garments. The good functionality of the instrument was verified by the tests. The experiments revealed that the length of time that the tested commercial garments could offer protection is quite short.
Defect Detection of Jacquard Fabrics Using Multiple Color-channel Analysis
Authors: Yu Xiaobo , Hu Jinlian , Baciu George
Published: April 2016

The automated defect detection of jacquard fabrics is intuitively appealing to the textile industry but as yet there has been little in-depth research in this field. In this paper, we introduce a defect detection method for use on jacquard fabrics that is based on multiple color-channel analysis. According to the number of color yarns employed, a number of color channels can be extracted from an arbitrary jacquard fabric. Images of each color channel are patterned. By first separating the color channel of an input test fabric image, and then eliminating noise and applying a pattern extraction process, it is possible to produce a set of channel patterns. To characterize each defined defect, we introduce a pattern comparison method which makes use of Fourier transform and frequency spectrum analysis. In experiments, this method efficiently and precisely detected defects in test fabrics and provided relevant information about defects such as the defect category and which color yarns are involved in the defect.