bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Learning Instruments of Speaking Containing Character Values toward Speaking Learning
Authors: Wisudariani N. M. R. , Sudiana I N. , Putrayasa I. B. , Rasna I W.
Published: January 2018

This development research aimed at describing the effectiveness of learning instruments of speaking that were contained in character values. The objects of the study were a syllabus, lesson plan, textbook, and assessment. The subjects of the study were the lecturers of Speaking and the 2nd-semester students of IIA, IIB, and IIC in the academic year of 2015/2016. The data was collected through observation, questionnaire, and test. The data was analyzed by administering descriptive qualitative technique and descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that the learning instruments was effective to be used in the teaching and learning process, to improve students understanding on the materials, to improve students speaking skill, and to shape characters such as religious, polite, communicative, open, democratic, respectful, responsible, curious, discipline, confident, cooperative, appreciate achievement, logic, critic, creative and innovative, and love reading. The results of the study indicated that the learning instruments of speaking contained of character values were effective so that it was feasible to be used by both lecturers and students of Indonesian Language and Literature Department, Language and Art Faculty of Ganesha University of Education.
Social Entrepreneurship Andragogy-Based for Community Empowerment
Authors: Hidayat Dayat
Published: January 2018

The essence of social entrepreneurship is the ability to initiate, lead and implement problem-solving strategies, through cooperation with others in all types of social networks. The purpose of this study analyzes: 1) entrepreneurship training, 2) adult education assumptions, and 3) community empowerment. This study is discussed by using a comparative theory analysis method that related to entrepreneurship training, andragogy, and community empowerment from various literary sources. Analysis is conducted to find conclusions that can be justified scientifically. The results of the study conclude that: 1) social entrepreneurship training is an organized learning process from planning, implementation, and evaluation on non-formal education path aimed at enhancing community knowledge, attitude and skills for learning and endeavor, 2) entrepreneurship training based on andragogy conducted through a learning process that implements adults’ assumptions of self-conceptual, learning experiences, learning readiness, and learning orientation. 3) Community empowerment is a process of empowerment or strength to community to have the ability of individuals who completely agreed with the community in building social and economic empowerment of the community.
The Preservation of Traditional Knowledge and the Cultural Expression of Craft Rumah Gadang’s Walls as the Intellectual Property Of West Sumatera
Authors: Riza Armilia , Prahara Surya
Published: January 2018

This study discusses the problems of the preservation of Minangkabau craft culture, especially the problem of Intellectual Property Rights in the form of traditional knowledge that is on the craft of Rumah Gadang’s walls. The method of this research is qualitative. The informant of this study is determined by using purposive sampling. The chosen informants that are people involved in crafting of Rumah Gadang’s walls and the Department of Tourism of West Sumatra Province. This research was conducted at Minangkabau representative area of Luhak Nan Tigo (Agam, Tanah Datar, Lima Puluh Kota). The results of the study shows the extinction of craft of Rumah Gadang's walls was caused by the development factor of modern society's mindset, thus eliminating the value of a local culture of desire to learn old local culture. Moreover, the history and the topic of craft of Rumah Gadang's walls are deleted from Muatan Lokal Subject from the elementary to college level. Besides, the absence of efforts of local governments in trying to preserve the cultural values contained in traditional of craft of Rumah Gadang’s walls.
Identification of Readiness of Developing University to Apply Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Teaching and Learning
Authors: Hidayat Sholeh , Hendrayana Aan , Pujiastuti Heni
Published: January 2018

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in learning is kind of innovation in education. Several studies have shown that the application of ICT is able to improve students' competence and satisfaction with subject studied and enhancing the ability of both subjects and graduate levels. A developing university must be able to apply ICT in teaching and learning. One of a developing university in Indonesia is Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (Untirta). The subject of this research is a student of Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of Untirta. The main purpose of the research is to know the readiness of lecturer and college student in using ICT integrated into the learning process. Based on research it is known that both of lecturers and students have the readiness to adopt integrated ICT in the learning process. The main problem that arises from lecturers is the lack of lecturers' skills in using technology. While the problems that arise from students is the need for a free internet connection. Therefore, the university has to provide the training for the lecturers and provide free connections for the students.
Exploring the values of the local wisdom of kediri through harinjing and ceker inscription
Authors: Kurnia Ita , Laila Alfi
Published: January 2018

Indonesia needs human resources in sufficient quantity and quality as a major supporter of development. To fulfill these human resources, education has a very important role is character development. One effort that can be done by the people of Kediri as an effort to build Indonesia is to use the values of local wisdom as a force. This values can be explored from Harinjing and Ceker Inscription which is located in Kediri, East Java. This research uses qualitative approach with descriptive method. The research purpose is to explore the potentials of local wisdom of Kediri people through (1) the history of Harinjing Inscription and (2) the history of Ceker Inscription. The results of this research that (1) The construction of embankments and holy buildings on the Serinjing River and the making of irrigation systems in Siman, Kepung, Kediri by Bhagawanta Bari proves that since the time of the kingdom, the people of Kediri have a caring to environmental and social, mutual cooperation, and religious character; (2) The people of Kediri also has the character of love of the homeland and faithful. This is evidenced through the inscriptions in Ceker found in the Sukoanyar, Mojo, Kediri.
Tin-Powder-Promoted One-Pot Synthesis of 5-Trifluoromethyl-5-aryl-3-methylidenepyrrolidin-2-ones
Authors: Wang Ke-Hu , Hu Yulai , Wang Jianglong , Wang Yalin , Su Yingpeng , Huang Danfeng , Fu Ying , Du Zhengyin
Published: January 2018

A simple and efficient synthetic approach is reported for the synthesis of 5-trifluoromethyl-5-aryl-3-methylidenepyrrolidin-2-ones in moderate to excellent yields via an acid-catalyzed one-pot multicomponent reaction of aromatic trifluoromethyl ketones, acylhydrazines, and ethyl 2-(bromomethyl)acrylate promoted by tin powder. The protocol is operationally simple. The overall process involves allylation and cyclization of the intermediate of acylhydrazones.
p-type doping efficiency in CdTe: Influence of second phase formation
Authors: McCoy Jedidiah J. , Swain Santosh K. , Sieber John R. , Diercks David R. , Gorman Brian P. , Lynn Kelvin G.
Published: January 2018

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) high purity, bulk, crystal ingots doped with phosphorus were grown by the vertical Bridgman melt growth technique to understand and improve dopant solubility and activation. Large net carrier densities have been reproducibly obtained from as-grown ingots, indicating successful incorporation of dopants into the lattice. However, net carrier density values are orders of magnitude lower than the solubility of P in CdTe as reported in literature, 1018/cm3 to 1019/cm3 [J. H. Greenberg, J. Cryst. Growth 161, 1–11 (1996) and R. B. Hall and H. H. Woodbury, J. Appl. Phys. 39(12), 5361–5365 (1968)], despite comparable starting charge dopant densities. Growth conditions, such as melt stoichiometry and post growth cooling, are shown to have significant impacts on dopant solubility. This study demonstrates that a significant portion of the dopant becomes incorporated into second phase defects as compounds of cadmium and phosphorous, such as cadmium phosphide, which inhibits dopant incorporation into the lattice and limits maximum attainable net carrier density in bulk crystals. Here, we present an extensive study on the characteristics of these second phase defects in relation to their composition and formation kinetics while providing a pathway to minimize their formation and enhance solubility.
Propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves in dusty plasma with full ionization
Authors: Dan Li , Guo Li-Xin , Li Jiang-Ting
Published: January 2018

This study investigates the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic (EM) waves in fully ionized dusty plasmas. The propagation characteristics of fully ionized plasma with and without dust under the Fokker–Planck–Landau (FPL) and Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) models are compared to those of weakly ionized plasmas by using the propagation matrix method. It is shown that the FPL model is suitable for the analysis of the propagation characteristics of weakly collisional and fully ionized dusty plasmas, as is the BGK model. The influence of varying the dust parameters on the propagation properties of EM waves in the fully ionized dusty plasma was analyzed using the FPL model. The simulation results indicated that the densities and average radii of dust grains influence the reflection and transmission coefficients of fully ionized dusty plasma slabs. These results may be utilized to analyze the effects of interaction between EM waves and dusty plasmas, such as those associated with hypersonic vehicles.
All-optical measurement of interlayer exchange coupling in Fe/Pt/FePt thin films
Authors: Berk C. , Ganss F. , Jaris M. , Albrecht M. , Schmidt H.
Published: January 2018

Time Resolved Magneto Optic Kerr Effect spectroscopy was used to all-optically study the dynamics in exchange coupled Fe(10 nm)/Pt(x = 0–5 nm)/FePt (10 nm) thin films. As the Pt spacer decreases, the effective magnetization of the layers is seen to evolve towards the strong coupling limit where the two films can be described by a single effective magnetization. The coupling begins at x = 1.5 nm and reaches a maximum exchange coupling constant of 2.89 erg/cm2 at x = 0 nm. The films are ferromagnetically coupled at all Pt thicknesses in the exchange coupled regime (x ≤ 1.5 nm). A procedure for extracting the interlayer exchange constant by measuring the magnetic precession frequencies at multiple applied fields and angles is outlined. The dynamics are well reproduced using micromagnetic simulations.
Germanium diffusion with vapor-phase GeAs and oxygen co-incorporation in GaAs
Authors: Wang Wei-Fu , Cheng Kai-Yuan , Hsieh Kuang-Chien
Published: January 2018

Vapor-phase germanium diffusion has been demonstrated in Zn-doped and semi-insulating GaAs in sealed ampoules with GeAs powders and excess arsenic. Secondary-ion-mass spectroscopy (SIMS) profiles indicate the presence of unintentional co-incorporation of oxygen in high densities (>1017/cm3) along with diffused germanium donors whose concentration (>>1018/cm3) determined by electro-chemical capacitance-voltage (ECV) profiler shows significant compensation near the surface. The source of oxygen mainly originates from the GeAs powder which contains Ge-O surface oxides. Variable-temperature photoluminescence (PL) shows that in GeAs-diffused samples, a broad peak ranging from 0.86-1.38 eV with the peak position around 1.1 eV predominates at low temperatures while the near band-edge luminescence quenches. The broad band is attributed to the GeGa-VGa self-activated (SA) centers possibly associated with nearby oxygen-related defect complex, and its luminescence persists up to 400 K. The configurational-coordinate modeling finds that the SA defect complex has a thermal activation energy of 150-180 meV and a vibrational energy 26.8 meV. The presence of oxygen does not much affect the SA emission intensity but may have influenced the peak position, vibration frequency and activation energy as compared to other common donor-VGa defects in GaAs.
Molecular dynamics study of thermodynamic stability and dynamics of [Li(glyme)]+ complex in lithium-glyme solvate ionic liquids
Authors: Shinoda Wataru , Hatanaka Yuta , Hirakawa Masashi , Okazaki Susumu , Tsuzuki Seiji , Ueno Kazuhide , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: January 2018

Equimolar mixtures of glymes and organic lithium salts are known to produce solvate ionic liquids, in which the stability of the [Li(glyme)]+ complex plays an important role in determining the ionic dynamics. Since these mixtures have attractive physicochemical properties for application as electrolytes, it is important to understand the dependence of the stability of the [Li(glyme)]+ complex on the ion dynamics. A series of microsecond molecular dynamics simulations has been conducted to investigate the dynamic properties of these solvate ionic liquids. Successful solvate ionic liquids with high stability of the [Li(glyme)]+ complex have been shown to have enhanced ion dynamics. Li-glyme pair exchange rarely occurs: its characteristic time is longer than that of ion diffusion by one or two orders of magnitude. Li-glyme pair exchange most likely occurs through cluster formation involving multiple [Li(glyme)]+ pairs. In this process, multiple exchanges likely take place in a concerted manner without the production of energetically unfavorable free glyme or free Li+ ions.
Singlet-triplet splittings from the virial theorem and single-particle excitation energies
Authors: Becke Axel D.
Published: January 2018

The zeroth-order (uncorrelated) singlet-triplet energy difference in single-particle excited configurations is 2Kif, where Kif is the Coulomb self-energy of the product of the transition orbitals. Here we present a non-empirical, virial-theorem argument that the correlated singlet-triplet energy difference should be half of this, namely, Kif. This incredibly simple result gives vertical HOMO-LUMO excitation energies in small-molecule benchmarks as good as the popular TD-B3LYP time-dependent approach to excited states. For linear acenes and nonlinear polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the performance is significantly better than TD-B3LYP. In addition to the virial theorem, the derivation borrows intuitive pair-density concepts from density-functional theory.
Optimized “detectors” for dynamics analysis in solid-state NMR
Authors: Smith Albert A. , Ernst Matthias , Meier Beat H.
Published: January 2018

Relaxation in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results from stochastic motions that modulate anisotropic NMR interactions. Therefore, measurement of relaxation-rate constants can be used to characterize molecular-dynamic processes. The motion is often characterized by Markov processes using an auto-correlation function, which is assumed to be a sum of multiple decaying exponentials. We have recently shown that such a model can lead to severe misrepresentation of the real motion, when the real correlation function is more complex than the model. Furthermore, multiple distributions of motion may yield the same set of dynamics data. Therefore, we introduce optimized dynamics “detectors” to characterize motions which are linear combinations of relaxation-rate constants. A detector estimates the average or total amplitude of motion for a range of motional correlation times. The information obtained through the detectors is less specific than information obtained using an explicit model, but this is necessary because the information contained in the relaxation data is ambiguous, if one does not know the correct motional model. On the other hand, if one has a molecular dynamics trajectory, one may calculate the corresponding detector responses, allowing direct comparison to experimental NMR dynamics analysis. We describe how to construct a set of optimized detectors for a given set of relaxation measurements. We then investigate the properties of detectors for a number of different data sets, thus gaining an insight into the actual information content of the NMR data. Finally, we show an example analysis of ubiquitin dynamics data using detectors, using the DIFRATE software.
High peak power THz source for ultrafast electron diffraction
Authors: Liu Shengguang
Published: January 2018

Terahertz (THz) science and technology have already become the research highlight at present. In this paper, we put forward a device setup to carry out ultrafast fundamental research. A photocathode RF gun generates electron bunches with ∼MeV energy, ∼ps bunch width and about 25pC charge. The electron bunches inject the designed wiggler, the coherent radiation at THz spectrum emits from these bunches and increases rapidly until the saturation at ∼MW within a short wiggler. THz pulses can be used as pump to stimulate an ultra-short excitation in some kind of sample. Those electron bunches out of wiggler can be handled into bunches with ∼1pC change, small beam spot and energy spread to be probe. Because the pump and probe comes from the same electron source, synchronization between pump and probe is inherent. The whole facility can be compacted on a tabletop.
Dynamic Leidenfrost temperature on micro-textured surfaces: Acoustic wave absorption into thin vapor layer
Authors: Jerng Dong Wook , Kim Dong Eok
Published: January 2018

The dynamic Leidenfrost phenomenon is governed by three types of pressure potentials induced via vapor hydrodynamics, liquid dynamic pressure, and the water hammer effect resulting from the generation of acoustic waves at the liquid-vapor interface. The prediction of the Leidenfrost temperature for a dynamic droplet needs quantitative evaluation and definition for each of the pressure fields. In particular, the textures on a heated surface can significantly affect the vapor hydrodynamics and the water hammer pressure. We present a quantitative model for evaluating the water hammer pressure on micro-textured surfaces taking into account the absorption of acoustic waves into the thin vapor layer. The model demonstrates that the strength of the acoustic flow into the liquid droplet, which directly contributes to the water hammer pressure, depends on the magnitude of the acoustic resistance (impedance) in the droplet and the vapor region. In consequence, the micro-textures of the surface and the increased spacing between them reduce the water hammer coefficient (kh) defined as the ratio of the acoustic flow into the droplet to total generated flow. Aided by numerical calculations that solve the laminar Navier-Stokes equation for the vapor flow, we also predict the dynamic Leidenfrost temperature on a micro-textured surface with reliable accuracy consistent with the experimental data.
A Straightforward Methodology for the Synthesis of α,ω-Telechelic Poly(dimethylsiloxane)s
Authors: Lencina María M. Soledad , Redondo Franco L. , Müller Camila , Hanazumi Vivina , Vitale Cristian , Ninago Mario D. , Vega Daniel A. , Villar Marcelo A. , Ciolino Andrés E.
Published: January 2018

In this work we report the synthesis of α,ω-telechelic poly(dimethylsiloxane)s (α,ω-PDMS) by employing a novel bifunctional initiator obtained from a commercially available siloxane precursor, diglycidylether-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS-DGE). The synthetic strategy was easily followed by different colour changes, and involved the high-vacuum reaction of sec-Bu−Li+ with 1,1′-diphenylethylene (DPE) to afford the addition adduct (bright red) that was subsequently reacted with PDMS-DGE, promoting the nuclephilic ring-opening from epoxide-end chains. The resulting bifunctional initiator (light green) was then employed to polymerize hexamethyl(cyclotrisiloxane) monomer (D3) by using conventional anionic polymerization (from light green to pale yellow). From suitable terminating agents, silane (–SiH), vinyl (–CH=CH2), hydroxy (–OH), and even methacryloyl α,ω-PDMS were obtained. 1H NMR and FT-IR analyses confirmed the presence of the targeted functional groups in the resulting polymers. However, a careful siliconization procedure should be performed over glass surfaces during the fractionation of chlorosilane ampoules in order to avoid the presence of silanol moieties that decrease end-capping efficiency. This fact was observed not only from NMR but also from size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analyses, since narrow molar masses distributions (1.15 ≤ Mw/Mn ≤ 1.3) and a good control over the resulting molar masses were observed.
Preparation and Characterization of PMMA Particles Incorporating a Chemical Sunscreen Agent for Improvement of UV Protection Ability
Authors: Zhang Suning , Wang Wenyang , Chen Tao
Published: January 2018

UV protection ability is an important concern in the application of sunscreen. Modifying well-known UV filters is one of the most important ways to develop sunscreens. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate)–ethylhexyl salicylate (PMMA-EHS) particles were prepared via miniemulsion polymerization using a redox initiator at low temperature. Compared with free EHS, the sun protection factor (SPF) value of PMMA-EHS particles was increased by ~40 %, which indicated a significant improvement in UV protection ability from encapsulating EHS in PMMA. Prepared PMMA-EHS particles proved non-leaky in application and can greatly reduce skin irritation by preventing direct contact of EHS with skin.
Combined effects of light reduction and ammonia nitrogen enrichment on the submerged macrophyte Vallisneria natans
Authors: Zhu Zhengjie , Song Siyuan , Yan Yaner , Li Pengshan , Jeelani Nasreen , Wang Penghe , An Shuqing , Leng Xin
Published: January 2018

The decline of submerged plants resulting from low light and high ammonia nitrogen (ammonia-N) has become a serious problem worldwide. In the present study, three levels of ammonia-N concentrations (0, 3 and 6mgL–1) and four levels of light intensity (control, 15, 2.5 and 0.75% underwater light) were designed to investigate the combined effects of low light and high ammonia-N stress on the submerged plant Vallisneria natans. The effects of low light and ammonia-N were examined by measuring the relative growth rate (RGR), chlorophyll content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity in response to the stressors. The decline in RGR and increase in SOD and POD activity in high ammonia-N water were more significant than under low light conditions, indicating that the stress imposed on submerged plants due to ammonia-N enrichment is stronger. Moreover, the combination of ammonia-N enrichment and low light had a greater effect on submerged plants. This study indicates that V. natans were tolerant to ammonia-N concentrations <6mgL–1. Moreover, low light intensity (0.75% underwater light) amplified the toxic effects of ammonia-N, reducing ammonia-N tolerance from <6 to <3mgL–1.
Male-specific IL-33 expression regulates sex-dimorphic EAE susceptibility
Authors: Russi Abigail E. , Ebel Mark E. , Yang Yuchen , Brown Melissa A.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Women are much more likely to develop autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, clearly influence disease susceptibility, but the precise cellular and molecular targets of these hormones have remained unexplained. While most studies have focused on what causes the damaging inflammation in females, there is also much to be learned by studying the factors that confer protection to males. Using a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, a CNS demyelinating disease, we identified a testosterone-driven pathway mediated by mast cell-dependent IL-33 expression that limits the development of a destructive immune response in males. The identification of such pathways has important therapeutic implications.
Neutrophils recruited through high endothelial venules of the lymph nodes via PNAd intercept disseminatingStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Bogoslowski Ania , Butcher Eugene C. , Kubes Paul
Published: January 2018

Significance

Staphylococcus aureusis a bacterium causing many community-acquired skin infections. However, as dissemination from skin infections is rare, we were interested in understanding what mechanisms the body has in place to prevent escape of bacteria from skin infections via lymphatics to the rest of the body. We found that after infection, neutrophils were almost immediately recruited to the lymph nodes via specialized blood vessels to cut bacteria off at the pass. Neutrophils worked together with resident macrophages to preventS. aureusspread, as removing both these immune cells from the lymph nodes resulted in bacterial dissemination to peripheral organs. This study demonstrates the importance of the lymph node neutrophils in early infection to prevent systemic dissemination of bacteria.
High-resolution structure prediction of
β
-barrel membrane proteins
Authors: Tian Wei , Lin Meishan , Tang Ke , Liang Jie , Naveed Hammad
Published: January 2018

Significance

β

-Barrel membrane proteins (

β

MPs) are drawing increasing attention because of their promising potential in bionanotechnology. However, their structures are notoriously hard to determine experimentally. Here we develop a method to achieve accurate prediction of

β

MP structures, including those for which no prediction has been attempted before. The method is general and can be applied to genome-wide structural prediction of

β

MPs, which will enable research into bionanotechnology and drugability of

β

MPs.
E-cigarette smoke damages DNA and reduces repair activity in mouse lung, heart, and bladder as well as in human lung and bladder cells
Authors: Lee Hyun-Wook , Park Sung-Hyun , Weng Mao-wen , Wang Hsiang-Tsui , Huang William C. , Lepor Herbert , Wu Xue-Ru , Chen Lung-Chi , Tang Moon-shong
Published: January 2018

Significance

E-cigarette smoke (ECS) delivers nicotine through aerosols without burning tobacco. ECS is promoted as noncarcinogenic. We found that ECS induces DNA damage in mouse lung, bladder, and heart and reduces DNA-repair functions and proteins in lung. Nicotine and its nitrosation product 4-(methylnitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone can cause the same effects as ECS and enhance mutations and tumorigenic cell transformation in cultured human lung and bladder cells. These results indicate that nicotine nitrosation occurs in the lung, bladder, and heart, and that its products are further metabolized into DNA damaging agents. We propose that ECS, through damaging DNA and inhibiting DNA repair, might contribute to human lung and bladder cancer as well as to heart disease, although further studies are required to substantiate this proposal.
Wireless optoelectronic photometers for monitoring neuronal dynamics in the deep brain
Authors: Lu Luyao , Gutruf Philipp , Xia Li , Bhatti Dionnet L. , Wang Xinying , Vazquez-Guardado Abraham , Ning Xin , Shen Xinru , Sang Tian , Ma Rongxue , Pakeltis Grace , Sobczak Gabriel , Zhang Hao , Seo Dong-oh , Xue Mantian , Yin Lan , Chanda Debashis , Sheng Xing , Bruchas Michael R. , Rogers John A.
Published: January 2018

Capabilities for recording neural activity in behaving mammals have greatly expanded our understanding of brain function. Some of the most sophisticated approaches use light delivered by an implanted fiber-optic cable to optically excite genetically encoded calcium indicators and to record the resulting changes in fluorescence. Physical constraints induced by the cables and the bulk, size, and weight of the associated fixtures complicate studies on natural behaviors, including social interactions and movements in environments that include obstacles, housings, and other complex features. Here, we introduce a wireless, injectable fluorescence photometer that integrates a miniaturized light source and a photodetector on a flexible, needle-shaped polymer support, suitable for injection into the deep brain at sites of interest. The ultrathin geometry and compliant mechanics of these probes allow minimally invasive implantation and stable chronic operation. In vivo studies in freely moving animals demonstrate that this technology allows high-fidelity recording of calcium fluorescence in the deep brain, with measurement characteristics that match or exceed those associated with fiber photometry systems. The resulting capabilities in optical recordings of neuronal dynamics in untethered, freely moving animals have potential for widespread applications in neuroscience research.
Holo-lipocalin-2–derived siderophores increase mitochondrial ROS and impair oxidative phosphorylation in rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Song Erfei , Ramos Sofhia V. , Huang Xiaojing , Liu Ying , Botta Amy , Sung Hye Kyoung , Turnbull Patrick C. , Wheeler Michael B. , Berger Thorsten , Wilson Derek J. , Perry Christopher G. R. , Mak Tak W. , Sweeney Gary
Published: January 2018

Significance

Metabolic dysfunction associated with decreased mitochondrial oxidative capacity is a major underlying cause of heart failure. Our study sheds new light on the potential role of bacteria-derived or endogenous siderophores as direct regulators of cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we demonstrate that lipocalin-2, a key feature of the innate immune response, facilitates the transport of siderophore–iron complexes into cells. This mechanism may have important physiological implications because elevated lipocalin-2 levels correlate positively with heart failure in humans, and mice lacking lipocalin-2 are protected from stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and heart failure.
Sirt4 is a mitochondrial regulator of metabolism and lifespan in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Wood Jason G. , Schwer Bjoern , Wickremesinghe Priyan C. , Hartnett Davis A. , Burhenn Lucas , Garcia Meyrolin , Li Michael , Verdin Eric , Helfand Stephen L.
Published: January 2018

Significance

Sirtuins are a class of proteins known to regulate aspects of genomic stability, metabolism, and lifespan in many organisms. In this study, we show that the mitochondrial sirtuin Sirt4 plays an important role in regulating the organismal response to fasting as well as ensuring normal lifespan in
Drosophila
. Flies lacking Sirt4 are short-lived, while flies overexpressing Sirt4 are long-lived. Flies lacking Sirt4 display a number of metabolic defects, including sensitivity to starvation; decreased fertility and activity; and an inability to utilize energy stores, particularly long-chain fatty acids, suggesting Sirt4 is important for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Our results suggest that boosting mitochondrial sirtuin activity may be an important avenue for treating age-related metabolic decline and preserving healthy lifespan.
Comparison of Nostocean hormogonium induction and its motility on solid plates between agar and gellan gum at varying gel matrix concentrations
Authors: Nishizuka Hiroaki , Hashidoko Yasuyuki
Published: January 2018

To establish a sensitive bioassay for Nostocean hormogonium induction, we compared the effectiveness of the morpho-differentiation induction on two gelled plates, agar and gellan gum, for anacardic acid C15:1-Δ8 decyl ester (1) (100 nmol/disc). On BG-110 (nitrogen-free) medium-based 0.6 and 0.8% agar plates, Nostoc sp. strain Yaku-1 isolated from a coralloid root of Cycas revoluta in Yakushima Island showed clear morpho-differentiation from filamentous aggregates into hormogonia, and the induced hormogonia dispersed within 24 h; however, similar hormogonium formation was not observed at agar concentrations of 1.0% or higher. Conversely, hormogonium induction was considerably more pronounced on gellan gum plates than those on agar plates through concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 1.6% even after 12 h of incubation, particularly active on the 0.8–1.0% gellan gum plates. Thus, gellan gum plates can achieve clear results within 12 h and are thus highly useful for primary screening for hormogonium-inducing factors (HIFs).
Deficiency in T follicular regulatory cells promotes autoimmunity
Authors: Fu Weiwei , Liu Xindong , Lin Xiang , Feng Han , Sun Lin , Li Shuran , Chen Hairong , Tang Hong , Lu Liwei , Jin Wei , Dong Chen
Published: January 2018

T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are a new subset of regulatory T (T reg) cells localized in the germinal center to limit the humoral response. Until now, the physiological function of Tfr cells has been largely unknown. In this study, we developed a Bcl6fl/flFoxp3Cre mouse to analyze the function of Tfr cells in immune and autoimmune responses. These mice exhibited enhanced immunity to influenza virus; moreover, Bcl6fl/flFoxp3Cre/Cre mice developed late-onset spontaneous autoimmune diseases, affecting the salivary glands with lymphocyte infiltration and antibody deposition. In a mouse experimental Sjögren’s syndrome model, ablation of Bcl6 in T reg cells greatly enhanced disease development. Conversely, Bcl6fl/flCd4Cre mice were protected in the model. Thus, our study indicates that Tfr cells control autoimmune diseases and can be targeted in infectious and autoimmune disease.
Co-complex protein membership evaluation using Maximum Entropy on GO ontology and InterPro annotation
Authors: Armean Irina M , Lilley Kathryn S , Trotter Matthew W B , Pilkington Nicholas C V , Holden Sean B
Published: January 2018

Motivation

Protein–protein interactions (PPI) play a crucial role in our understanding of protein function and biological processes. The standardization and recording of experimental findings is increasingly stored in ontologies, with the Gene Ontology (GO) being one of the most successful projects. Several PPI evaluation algorithms have been based on the application of probabilistic frameworks or machine learning algorithms to GO properties. Here, we introduce a new training set design and machine learning based approach that combines dependent heterogeneous protein annotations from the entire ontology to evaluate putative co-complex protein interactions determined by empirical studies.

Results

PPI annotations are built combinatorically using corresponding GO terms and InterPro annotation. We use a S.cerevisiae high-confidence complex dataset as a positive training set. A series of classifiers based on Maximum Entropy and support vector machines (SVMs), each with a composite counterpart algorithm, are trained on a series of training sets. These achieve a high performance area under the ROC curve of ≤0.97, outperforming go2ppi—a previously established prediction tool for protein-protein interactions (PPI) based on Gene Ontology (GO) annotations.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/ima23/maxent-ppi

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Hippocampal mutant APP and amyloid beta-induced cognitive decline, dendritic spine loss, defective autophagy, mitophagy and mitochondrial abnormalities in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Manczak Maria , Kandimalla Ramesh , Yin Xiangling , Reddy P Hemachandra
Published: January 2018

The purpose of our study was to determine the toxic effects of hippocampal mutant APP and amyloid beta (Aβ) in 12-month-old APP transgenic mice. Using rotarod and Morris water maze tests, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, Golgi-cox staining and transmission electron microscopy, we assessed cognitive behavior, protein levels of synaptic, autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, dendritic protein MAP2 and quantified dendritic spines and mitochondrial number and length in 12-month-old APP mice that express Swedish mutation. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring the levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, cytochrome c oxidase activity and mitochondrial ATP. Morris water maze and rotarod tests revealed that hippocampal learning and memory and motor learning and coordination were impaired in APP mice relative to wild-type (WT) mice. Increased levels of mitochondrial fission proteins, Drp1 and Fis1 and decreased levels of fusion (Mfn1, Mfn2 and Opa1) biogenesis (PGC1α, NRF1, NRF2 and TFAM), autophagy (ATG5 and LC3BI, LC3BII), mitophagy (PINK1 and TERT), synaptic (synaptophysin and PSD95) and dendritic (MAP2) proteins were found in 12-month-old APP mice relative to age-matched non-transgenic WT mice. Golgi-cox staining analysis revealed that dendritic spines are significantly reduced. Transmission electron microscopy revealed significantly increased mitochondrial numbers and reduced mitochondrial length in APP mice. These findings suggest that hippocampal accumulation of mutant APP and Aβ is responsible for abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and defective biogenesis, reduced MAP2, autophagy, mitophagy and synaptic proteins and reduced dendritic spines and hippocampal-based learning and memory impairments, and mitochondrial structural and functional changes in 12-month-old APP mice.
Mainstreaming Marine Biological Diversity Conservation in the Law of the Sea
Authors: Harrison James
Published: January 2018

Chapter 3 considers how the conservation of marine biological diversity has emerged as a major concept that has influenced the development of the international legal framework for the protection of the marine environment. Whilst the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) only obliquely refers to the importance of protecting marine ecosystems, biodiversity has come to play a much greater role in the modern law of the sea, particularly since the conclusion of the Convention Biological Diversity (CBD). The chapter analyses the structure and content of this Convention and related global biodiversity treaties and how they apply to marine areas. It also considers how the conservation of marine biodiversity has emerged as a central objective of many regional seas treaties and the roles that these instruments have played in offering protection to endangered or threatened marine species and promoting the global objective of increasing the number and scope of marine protected areas.
Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution
Authors: Harrison James
Published: January 2018

Chapter 4 addresses the major international instruments that have been adopted to address land-based sources of marine pollution. This category includes industrial, agricultural, and urban discharges, which are amongst the most serious causes of marine environmental degradation, as well as some of the most difficult to regulate. The chapter begins by reviewing the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and how they apply to land-based activities. It then explores the range of other instruments that have been negotiated on the topic. At the global level, the analysis covers the Global Programme of Action, the POPs Convention, and the Mercury Convention. The most detailed regulations are seen at the regional level, and, therefore, the chapter explains the manner in which regional institutions have developed and overseen a variety of rules and standards to address this threat. The interaction of these different levels is also taken into account, using a case study of marine litter.
Addressing the Marine Environmental Impacts of Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
Authors: Harrison James
Published: January 2018

Chapter 9 addresses the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on the marine environment and the extent to which international law has reacted to this emerging threat to the ecological integrity of the oceans. These issues are particularly challenging to regulate because of their wide-ranging causes and effects. This chapter, therefore, takes into account both how the global legal regime relating to climate change, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, has taken into account the oceans, as well as how sectoral treaties dealing with specific maritime activities have addressed climate change and ocean acidification within their normative framework. In this latter respect, the chapter focuses on the global regulation of carbon emissions from shipping and the way in which the international community has responded to proposed carbon sequestration activities at sea, including sub-seabed storage and geo-engineering.
The Role of International Law in Saving the Oceans and Future Challenges for the Legal Framework
Authors: Harrison James
Published: January 2018

Chapter 11 is the concluding chapter of this book and it provides an overview of the current state of the legal framework for the protection of the marine environment. It describes the multifaceted and multilayered nature of regulation in this field and sketches the key interrelationships that take place between different treaty regimes. It also draws general conclusions about how key general principles have been applied across different sectors and what law-making procedures have been used in order to ensure the evolution of the legal framework. Finally, the chapter offers reflections on the key challenges that remain for the international community in tackling threats to the marine environment and potential strategies that may be available for States to meet these challenges.
The Investment Treaty Regime in Context
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan , Skovgaard Poulsen Lauge N , Waibel Michael
Published: January 2018

This chapter charts the rise of the global network of more than 3000 investment treaties and of investment treaty arbitration. Investors have used investment treaties to ask for compensation for a very wide range of government conduct. The chapter surveys the investment treaty regime and the investment regime complex. The regime consists of three main components: (i) investment treaties; (ii) the set of treaties, rules, and institutions governing investment treaty arbitration; and (iii) the decisions of arbitral tribunals applying and interpreting investment treaties. The growing role of investment treaty arbitration has made it highly controversial in both developed and developing countries, and has transformed the investment treaty regime from an obscure field of international law to a central part of the investment regime complex.
Investment Treaty Arbitration
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan , Skovgaard Poulsen Lauge N , Waibel Michael
Published: January 2018

This chapter provides an overview of investment treaty arbitration, where a host state’s consent to investor–state arbitration is contained in an investment treaty. The first section explains the basic features of investment treaty arbitration, and compares it to other dispute resolution processes—such as domestic and international courts, investor–state arbitration based on contracts, as well as state-to-state arbitration. The second section describes different institutions and arbitral rules for investment treaty arbitrations. It outlines the phases of investment treaty arbitrations and the core features of the arbitration process, such as the choice of remedies. The third section deals with issues that arise following the conclusion of an investment treaty arbitration—notably, the review, enforcement, and compliance with arbitral awards. The fourth section evaluates two potential alternatives to investment treaty arbitration—alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and litigation in domestic courts.
Standards of Investment Protection
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan , Skovgaard Poulsen Lauge N , Waibel Michael
Published: January 2018

This chapter introduces the substantive obligations in investment treaties. Most offer a common core of six substantive protections to foreign investors. The chapter first considers the two ‘relative’ standards of protection—most-favoured nation treatment and national treatment. It then turns to four ‘absolute’ standards of protection: expropriation, fair and equitable treatment, umbrella clauses, and free transfer of funds. The third section examines carve-outs that remove certain state measures from the scope of application of investment treaties, defences that can justify or excuse breaches of investment treaty protections, and the standard of review that tribunals apply when examining host state conduct. The fourth and final section discusses the calculation of compensation or damages if host states have breached investment treaties.
Politics of Investment Treaties in Developed Countries
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan , Skovgaard Poulsen Lauge N , Waibel Michael
Published: January 2018

This chapter focuses on the main factors driving investment treaty policy-making in developed countries. This can only be done based on an understanding of the changing socio-economic environment for foreign investments, and the chapter therefore provides significant historical context to the law and economics of the investment treaty regime. The chapter evaluates four potential explanations for why and how developed countries adopted investment treaties. These are: (i) the promotion of business interests; (ii) de-politicizing investment disputes; (iii) building customary international law; and (iv) using investment treaties for diplomatic and symbolic reasons. The chapter concludes by examining recent developments. These include the rise of investment treaty arbitration against developed country states themselves, which has prompted unprecedented political debate about investment treaties.
Legitimacy and Governance Challenges
Authors: Bonnitcha Jonathan , Skovgaard Poulsen Lauge N , Waibel Michael
Published: January 2018

The rapid growth of investment treaty arbitrations in often sensitive policy areas has focused public attention on the investment treaty regime. This chapter draws together several strands of the book to focus on two central debates about legitimacy and governance challenges facing the investment treaty regime. The first section considers the impact of investment treaties on national governance. It assesses criticisms that investment treaties unduly fetter democratic decision-making and discourage states from regulating in the public interest. The second section examines the legitimacy of investment treaty arbitration—the regime feature that has come under the closest scrutiny over the last decade. It assesses debates about transparency and consistency in investment treaty arbitration, its impact on the broader investment regime complex, the selection, identity, and alleged biases of arbitrators, as well as the lack of investor obligations.
2 European Public Law—Lessons from the Concept’s Past
Authors: Armin von Bogdandy , Stephan Hinghofer-Szalkay
Published: January 2018

This chapter engages with selected texts from the past. Aiming at a deeper understanding of social phenomena by revealing the origins and transformations of core terminology, the chapter draws from the tradition of conceptual history. By studying how key authors used — and sometimes abused — this term, this chapter seeks to enrich the understanding of how public law in contemporary Europe should be perceived. It shows that historical material can be construed in such a way that the many threads that span over the centuries illuminate its features and the challenges Europe faces today. The chapter furthermore argues that past usages of European public law encourage further, useful reflections by contemporary European public lawyers, not least given its darker legacies.