bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multienzyme Complexes Involved in the Benson–Calvin Cycle and in Fatty Acid Metabolism
Authors: Gontero Brigitte , Lebreton Sandrine , Graciet Emmanuelle
Published: June 2017

The sections in this article are

Introduction

Supramolecular Complexes Involved in theBenson–Calvin Cycle

Supramolecular Complexes Involved in Fatty Acid Metabolism

Kinetic Aspects of Multienzyme Complexes

Conclusion
Intrinsic Photoprotective Mechanisms in Chlorophylls
Authors: Kotkowiak Michał , Dudkowiak Alina , Fiedor Leszek
Published: June 2017

Photosynthetic energy conversion competes with the formation of chlorophyll triplet states and the generation of reactive oxygen species. These may, especially under high light stress, damage the photosynthetic apparatus. Many sophisticated photoprotective mechanisms have evolved to secure a harmless flow of excitation energy through the photosynthetic complexes. Time‐resolved laser‐induced optoacoustic spectroscopy was used to compare the properties of the T1 states of pheophytin a and its metallocomplexes. The lowest quantum yield of the T1 state is always observed in the Mg complex, which also shows the least efficient energy transfer to O2. Axial coordination to the central Mg further lowers the yield of both T1 and singlet oxygen. These results reveal the existence of intrinsic photoprotective mechanisms in chlorophylls, embedded in their molecular design, which substantially suppress the formation of triplet states and the efficiency of energy transfer to O2, each by 20–25 %. Such intrinsic photoprotective effects must have created a large evolutionary advantage for the Mg complexes during their evolution as the principal photoactive cofactors of photosynthetic proteins.
Large‐scale geophysical archaeological prospection pilot study at Viking Age and medieval sites in west Jutland, Denmark
Authors: Filzwieser Roland , Olesen Lis Helles , Neubauer Wolfgang , Trinks Immo , Mauritsen Esben Schlosser , Schneidhofer Petra , Nau Erich , Gabler Manuel
Published: June 2017

In 2014, a team of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, in collaboration with Holstebro Museum, conducted a geophysical archaeological prospection pilot study at several Viking Age and medieval sites in West Jutland, Denmark; sites that had been discovered earlier by aerial archaeology. The high‐resolution surveys employed motorized ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometer systems as well as novel post‐processing software. The aim of this study was to test the suitability of these methods and the chosen approach to efficiently explore, investigate and document prehistoric settlements on a large scale under the prevalent environmental conditions in this part of Denmark. Over the course of five days of fieldwork, numerous structures of archaeological interest, such as the remains of longhouses, property boundaries, pathways, pit houses and other buried remains of the settlements, were detected and mapped. The combination of the data gathered by magnetic and GPR prospection with the already existing aerial imagery permitted an integrated archaeological interpretation, resulting in considerable new knowledge about the investigated sites. In this paper, we present the results obtained for the Viking Age settlement at Stadil Mølleby and a medieval village near Rysensten, both situated on sandy soils.
Balanced task allocation in the on‐demand computing‐based transaction processing system using social spider optimization
Authors: Mahato Dharmendra Prasad , Singh Ravi Shankar
Published: June 2017

Balanced task allocation is one of the methods that can be used to maximize the performance and reliability in the on‐demand computing‐based transaction processing system. On‐demand computing is an increasingly popular enterprise model. It provides computing resources to the user as needed, which may be maintained within the user's enterprise, or made available by a service provider. The balanced task allocation in such environment is known to be an NP hard. The reliability is a measure of trustworthiness of the system while executing the task. So we derive the reliability formula for the on‐demand computing‐based transaction processing system considering resource availability. We propose the balanced task allocation based on social spider optimization (LBTA_SSO) method for this problem. The LBTA_SSO is based on the cooperative behavior of social‐spiders to find a collection of task allocation solutions. We modified five existing algorithms to obtain the task allocation algorithms; Honey Bee Optimization (HBO), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Hierarchical Load Balanced Algorithm (HLBA), Dynamic and Decentralized Load Balancing (DLB), and Randomized Algorithm respectively. Then, we compared the proposed algorithm with these modified algorithms. The results show that our algorithm works better than the modified existing algorithms.
Quantifying the degree of bias from using county‐scale data in species distribution modeling: Can increasing sample size or using county‐averaged environmental data reduce distributional overprediction?
Authors: Collins Steven D. , Abbott John C. , McIntyre Nancy E.
Published: June 2017

Citizen‐science databases have been used to develop species distribution models (SDMs), although many taxa may be only georeferenced to county. It is tacitly assumed that SDMs built from county‐scale data should be less precise than those built with more accurate localities, but the extent of the bias is currently unknown. Our aims in this study were to illustrate the effects of using county‐scale data on the spatial extent and accuracy of SDMs relative to true locality data and to compare potential compensatory methods (including increased sample size and using overall county environmental averages rather than point locality environmental data). To do so, we developed SDMs in maxent with PRISM‐derived BIOCLIM parameters for 283 and 230 species of odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) and butterflies, respectively, for five subsets from the OdonataCentral and Butterflies and Moths of North America citizen‐science databases: (1) a true locality dataset, (2) a corresponding sister dataset of county‐centroid coordinates, (3) a dataset where the average environmental conditions within each county were assigned to each record, (4) a 50/50% mix of true localities and county‐centroid coordinates, and (5) a 50/50% mix of true localities and records assigned the average environmental conditions within each county. These mixtures allowed us to quantify the degree of bias from county‐scale data. Models developed with county centroids overpredicted the extent of suitable habitat by 15% on average compared to true locality models, although larger sample sizes (>100 locality records) reduced this disparity. Assigning county‐averaged environmental conditions did not offer consistent improvement, however. Because county‐level data are of limited value for developing SDMs except for species that are widespread and well collected or that inhabit regions where small, climatically uniform counties predominate, three means of encouraging more accurate georeferencing in citizen‐science databases are provided.
Conceptualizing ecosystem tipping points within a physiological framework
Authors: Harley Christopher D. G. , Connell Sean D. , Doubleday Zoë A. , Kelaher Brendan , Russell Bayden D. , Sarà Gianluca , Helmuth Brian
Published: June 2017

Connecting the nonlinear and often counterintuitive physiological effects of multiple environmental drivers to the emergent impacts on ecosystems is a fundamental challenge. Unfortunately, the disconnect between the way “stressors” (e.g., warming) is considered in organismal (physiological) and ecological (community) contexts continues to hamper progress. Environmental drivers typically elicit biphasic physiological responses, where performance declines at levels above and below some optimum. It is also well understood that species exhibit highly variable response surfaces to these changes so that the optimum level of any environmental driver can vary among interacting species. Thus, species interactions are unlikely to go unaltered under environmental change. However, while these nonlinear, species‐specific physiological relationships between environment and performance appear to be general, rarely are they incorporated into predictions of ecological tipping points. Instead, most ecosystem‐level studies focus on varying levels of “stress” and frequently assume that any deviation from “normal” environmental conditions has similar effects, albeit with different magnitudes, on all of the species within a community. We consider a framework that realigns the positive and negative physiological effects of changes in climatic and nonclimatic drivers with indirect ecological responses. Using a series of simple models based on direct physiological responses to temperature and ocean pCO2, we explore how variation in environment‐performance relationships among primary producers and consumers translates into community‐level effects via trophic interactions. These models show that even in the absence of direct mortality, mismatched responses resulting from often subtle changes in the physical environment can lead to substantial ecosystem‐level change.
Phylogeography of a migratory songbird across its Canadian breeding range: Implications for conservation units
Authors: Haché Samuel , Bayne Erin M. , Villard Marc‐André , Proctor Heather , Davis Corey S. , Stralberg Diana , Janes Jasmine K. , Hallworth Michael T. , Foster Kenneth R. , Chidambara‐vasi Easwaramurthyvasi , Grossi Alexandra A. , Gorrell Jamieson C. , Krikun Richard
Published: June 2017

The objectives of this study were to describe and evaluate potential drivers of genetic structure in Canadian breeding populations of the Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla. We performed genetic analyses on feather samples of individuals from six study sites using nuclear microsatellites. We also assessed species identity and population genetic structure of quill mites (Acariformes, Syringophilidae). For male Ovenbirds breeding in three study sites, we collected light‐level geolocator data to document migratory paths and identify the wintering grounds. We also generated paleohindcast projections from bioclimatic models of Ovenbird distribution to identify potential refugia during the last glacial maximum (LGM, 21,000 years before present) as a factor explaining population genetic structure. Birds breeding in the Cypress Hills (Alberta/Saskatchewan) may be considered a distinct genetic unit, but there was no evidence for genetic differentiation among any other populations. We found relatively strong migratory connectivity in both western and eastern populations, but some evidence of mixing among populations on the wintering grounds. There was also little genetic variation among syringophilid mites from the different Ovenbird populations. These results are consistent with paleohindcast distribution predictions derived from two different global climate models indicating a continuous single LGM refugium, with the possibility of two refugia. Our results suggest that Ovenbird populations breeding in boreal and hemiboreal regions are panmictic, whereas the population breeding in Cypress Hills should be considered a distinct management unit.
Historic changes in length distributions of three Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) stocks: Evidence of growth retardation
Authors: Svedäng Henrik , Hornborg Sara
Published: June 2017

Understanding how combinations of fishing effort and selectivity affect productivity is central to fisheries research. We investigate the roles of fishing regulation in comparison with ecosystem status for Baltic Sea cod stock productivity, growth performance, and population stability. This case study is interesting because three cod populations with different exploitation patterns and stock status are located in three adjacent but partially, ecologically different areas. In assessing stock status, growth, and productivity, we use survey information and rather basic stock parameters without relying on age readings. Because there is an urgent interest of better understanding of the current development of the Eastern Baltic cod stock, we argue that our approach represents partly a novel way of interpreting monitoring information together with catch data in a simplified yet more informative way. Our study reports how the Eastern and Western Baltic cod have gone toward more truncated size structures between 1991 and 2016, in particular for the Eastern Baltic cod, whereas the Öresund cod show no trend. We suggest that selective fishing may disrupt fish population dynamic stability and that lower natural productivity might amplify the effects of selective fishing. In support of earlier findings on a density‐dependent growth of Eastern Baltic cod, management is advised to acknowledge that sustainable exploitation levels for Eastern Baltic cod are much more limited than perceived in regular assessments. Of more general importance, our results emphasize the need to embrace a more realistic view on what ecosystems can produce regarding tractable fish biomass to facilitate a more ecosystem‐based fisheries management.
No evidence of nonlinear effects of predator density, refuge availability, or body size of prey on prey mortality rates
Authors: Simkins Richard M. , Belk Mark C.
Published: June 2017

Predator density, refuge availability, and body size of prey can all affect the mortality rate of prey. We assume that more predators will lead to an increase in prey mortality rate, but behavioral interactions between predators and prey, and availability of refuge, may lead to nonlinear effects of increased number of predators on prey mortality rates. We tested for nonlinear effects in prey mortality rates in a mesocosm experiment with different size classes of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) as the prey, different numbers of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) as the predators, and different levels of refuge. Predator number and size class of prey, but not refuge availability, had significant effects on the mortality rate of prey. Change in mortality rate of prey was linear and equal across the range of predator numbers. Each new predator increased the mortality rate by about 10% overall, and mortality rates were higher for smaller size classes. Predator–prey interactions at the individual level may not scale up to create nonlinearity in prey mortality rates with increasing predator density at the population level.
The impact of hydraulic processes in Olduvai Beds I and II, Tanzania, through a particle dimension analysis of stone tool assemblages
Authors: de la Torre Ignacio , Benito‐Calvo Alfonso , Proffitt Tomos
Published: June 2017

The effect of post‐depositional processes on the formation of Plio‐Pleistocene sites at Olduvai Gorge is the subject of considerable debate, due mainly to its implications for the behavioral interpretation of the Beds I and II assemblages. In light of this debate, here we contribute to the discussion that investigates the role of water flow in site formation at Olduvai. This is achieved by assessing the artifact size and shape ranges of lithic assemblages excavated by Mary Leakey from both Oldowan (FLK North Levels 3 and 1, FLK Zinj, FLK North Levels 6‐1, Sandy Conglomerate andDeinotherium, HWKE Level 1) and early Acheulean (TK Lower and Upper Floor) sites. We apply grain size and shape statistical techniques to these stone tool assemblages in order to classify sites according to patterns in artifact dimensions. These patterns are then compared to those produced during experimental flaking, thus providing a referential framework against which the archaeological assemblages can be interpreted. Artifact size distribution results show pronounced differences between the archaeological and experimental assemblages. Most of the archaeological assemblages are characterized by a bimodal size trend that is opposed to the dominantly unimodal distribution seen in the flaking experiments. The few archaeological assemblages where the distribution is predominantly unimodal (TF Lower Floor, TK Upper Floor and FLK Zinj) also show a significant underrepresentation of smaller artifacts, when compared to the experimental distributions. Overall, the comparison of archaeological materials with experimental results enables a more accurate assessment of the impact of natural processes over the Bed I and II assemblages, and further, it helps to refine our understanding of taphonomic and behavioral contexts for the Oldowan and early Acheulean sites at Olduvai Gorge.
A new depression‐dominated delineation (D‐cubed) method for improved watershed modelling
Authors: Tahmasebi Nasab Mohsen , Zhang Jianli , Chu Xuefeng
Published: June 2017

Prior to hydrologic modelling, topographic features of a surface are derived, and the surface is divided into sub‐basins. Surface delineation can be described as a procedure, which leads to the quantitative rendition of surface topography. Different approaches have been developed for surface delineation, but most of them may not be applicable to depression‐dominated surfaces. The main objective of this study is to introduce a new depression‐dominated delineation (D‐cubed) method and highlight its unique features by applying it to different topographic surfaces. The D‐cubed method accounts for the hierarchical relationships of depressions and channels by introducing the concept of channel‐based unit (CBU) and its connection with the concept of puddle‐based unit (PBU). This new delineation method implements a set of new algorithms to determine flow directions and accumulations for puddle‐related flats. The D‐cubed method creates a unique cascaded channel‐puddle drainage system based on the channel segmentation algorithm. To demonstrate the capabilities of the D‐cubed method, a small laboratory‐scale surface and 2 natural surfaces in North Dakota were delineated. The results indicated that the new method delineated different surfaces with and without the presence of depressional areas. Stepwise changes in depression storage and ponding area were observed for the 3 selected surfaces. These stepwise changes highlighted the dynamic filling, spilling, and merging processes of depressions, which need to be considered in hydrologic modelling for depression‐dominated areas. Comparisons between the D‐cubed method and other methods emphasized the potential consequences of use of artificial channels through the flats created by the depression‐filling process in the traditional approaches. In contrast, in the D‐cubed method, sub‐basins were further divided into a number of smaller CBUs and PBUs, creating a channel‐puddle drainage network. The testing of the D‐cubed method also demonstrated its applicability to a wide range of digital elevation model resolutions. Consideration of CBUs, PBUs, and their connection provides the opportunity to incorporate the D‐cubed method into different hydrologic models and improve their simulation of topography‐controlled runoff processes, especially for depression‐dominated areas.
Epigenetic silencing of ASPP1 confers 5‐FU resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by preventing p53 activation
Authors: Wang Xingwen , Cheng Yiwei , Zhu YiFu , Li Huayi , Ge Wenjie , Wu Xiaoliang , Zhao Kunming , Yuan Jinyang , Li Zhenglin , Jiang Shijian , Han Zhengbin , Jiang Qinghua , Wu Qiong , Liu Tao , Zhang Cheng , Yu Miao , Hu Ying
Published: June 2017

Inactivation of p53 has been shown to correlate with drug resistance in tumors. However, in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), p53 is rarely mutated, yet the tumors remain highly insensitive to the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the non‐genetic p53 inactivation remain obscure. Here, we report, for the first time, that Apoptosis Stimulating of P53 Protein 1 (ASPP1) was remarkably downregulated at both mRNA (about 3.9‐fold) and protein (about 4.9‐fold) levels in ccRCC human specimens in comparison with the paired normal controls. In addition, lower ASPP1 was closely related to the higher grade of tumors and shorter life expectancy of ccRCC patients, both with p < 0.001. We also find that CpG island hypermethylation at promoter region contributed to the suppression of ASPP1 expression in ccRCC that contained relatively low levels of ASPP1. Further functional studies demonstrated that forced expression ASPP1 not only significantly inhibited the growth rate of ccRCC, but also promoted sensitivity of ccRCC to the conventional chemotherapeutic drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐induced apoptosis. Moreover, ASPP1 expression was accompanied with the apoptosis‐prone alterations of p53 targets expression and p53 target PIG3 luciferase reporter activation. In contrast, ASPP1 knockdown promoted cell growth and prevent 5‐FU‐induced p53 activation and apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that ASPP1 silencing is one of dominate mechanisms in inhibiting wild type p53 in ccRCC. ASPP1, therefore, may be potentially used as a promising biomarker for prognosis and therapeutic intervention in ccRCC.
MATERNAL PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTING FOLLOWING AN EVIDENCE‐BASED PARENTING PROGRAM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF LEGACY FOR CHILDRENTM
Authors: Hartwig Sophie A. , Robinson Lara R. , Comeau Dawn L. , Claussen Angelika H. , Perou Ruth
Published: June 2017

This article presents the findings of a qualitative study of maternal perceptions of parenting following participation in Legacy for ChildrenTM (Legacy), an evidence‐based parenting program for low‐income mothers of young children and infants. To further examine previous findings and better understand participant experiences, we analyzed semistructured focus‐group discussions with predominantly Hispanic and Black, non‐Hispanic Legacy mothers at two sites (n = 166) using thematic analysis and grounded theory techniques. The qualitative study presented here investigated how mothers view their parenting following participation in Legacy, allowing participants to describe their experience with the program in their own words, thus capturing an “insider” perspective. Mothers at both sites communicated knowledge and use of positive parenting practices targeted by the goals of Legacy; some site‐specific differences emerged related to these parenting practices. These findings align with the interpretation of quantitative results from the randomized controlled trials and further demonstrate the significance of the Legacy program in promoting positive parenting for mothers living in poverty. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding real‐world context regarding program efficacy and the benefit of using qualitative research to understand participant experiences.
Consistency in quality correction factors for ionization chamber dosimetry in scanned proton beam therapy
Authors: Sorriaux Jefferson , Testa Mauro , Paganetti Harald , Bertrand Damien , Lee John Aldo , Palmans Hugo , Vynckier Stefaan , Sterpin Edmond
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The IAEA TRS‐398 code of practice details the reference conditions for reference dosimetry of proton beams using ionization chambers and the required beam quality correction factors (kQ). Pencil beam scanning (PBS) systems cannot approximate reference conditions using a single spot. However, dose distributions requested in TRS‐398 can be reproduced with PBS using a combination of spots. This study aims to demonstrate, using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, that kQ factors computed/measured for broad beams can be used with scanned beams for similar reference dose distributions with no additional significant uncertainty.

Methods

We consider the Alfonso formalism13 usually employed for nonstandard photon beams. To approach reference conditions similar as IAEA TRS‐398 and the associated dose distributions, PBS must combine many pencil beams with range or energy modulation and shaping techniques that differ from those used in passive systems (broad beams). In order to evaluate the impact of these differences on kQ factors, ionization chamber responses are computed with MC (Geant4 9.6) in three different proton beams, with their corresponding quality factors (Q), producing a 10 × 10 cm2 field with a flat dose distribution for (a) a dedicated scanned pencil beam (Qpbs), (b) a hypothetical proton source (Qhyp), and (c) a double‐scattering beam (Qds). The tested ionization chamber cavities are a 2 × 2 × 0.2 mm³ air cavity, a Roos‐type ionization chamber, and a Farmer‐type ionization chamber.

Results and Discussion

Ranges of Qpbs, Qhyp, and Qds are consistent within 0.4 mm. Flatnesses of dose distributions are better than 0.5%. Calculated is 0.999 ± 0.002 for the air cavity and the Farmer‐type ionization chamber and 1.001 ± 0.002 for the Roos‐type ionization chamber. The quality correction factors is 0.999 ± 0.002 for the Farmer‐type and Roos‐type ionization chambers and 1.001 ± 0.001 for the Roos‐type ionization chamber.

Conclusion

The Alfonso formalism was applied to scanned proton beams. In our MC simulations, neither the difference in the beam profiles (scanned beam vs hypothetical beam) nor the different incident beam energies influenced significantly the beam correction factors. This suggests that ionization chamber quality correction factors in scanned or broad proton beams are indistinguishable within the calculation uncertainties provided dose distributions achieved by both modalities are similar and compliant with the TRS‐398 reference conditions.
The effects of the location of organoclay on the structure and mechanical properties of compatibilized polypropylene/polyamide‐12 ternary nanocomposites
Authors: Aranburu N. , Eguiazábal J. I. , Guerrica‐Echevarria G.
Published: June 2017

Ternary nanocomposites (NCs) were obtained by melt‐mixing maleic anhydride‐modified polypropylene (gPP) with previously prepared polyamide‐12 (PA12)/organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) NCs. During melt‐mixing, OMMT migrated from the PA12 phase to the gPP/PA12 interphase. Moreover, a critical concentration of OMMT was found to saturate the interphase and, at higher contents, the excess OMMT migrated to the gPP matrix. When compared with the unfilled gPP/PA12 blends, the addition of OMMT caused a change in the microstructure. The average size of the PA12 dispersed particles in the NCs was found to be independent of the OMMT content. At OMMT contents below the critical concentration, that is, when the OMMT located at the interphase, Young's modulus remained practically unchanged and the ductile nature of the ternary NCs maintained. However, at higher OMMT contents, Young's modulus increased linearly and the NCs became brittle, due to the presence of OMMT in the gPP matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:830–838, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Controlled synthesis and photoluminescence properties of In2O3 rods with dodecahedron In2O3 microcrystals on top
Authors: Ouacha Hassan , Hendaoui Ali , Kleineberg Ulf , Albrithen Hamad , Azzeer Abdallah
Published: June 2017

In2O3 rods with dodecahedron In2O3 microcrystals on top were synthesized in an electrical furnace via Au‐catalyzed vapor transport process. A catalyst‐assisted selective vapor‐solid (VS) growth was proposed to explain the formation of the dodecahedron In2O3 microcrystal, while the self‐catalytic VS growth mechanism dominated the subsequent one‐dimensional (1D) growth of the In2O3 rod underneath the In2O3 microcrystal. The structural evolution of these structures was carefully examined during the synthesis process by controlling the growth parameters. The morphologies, crystalline structures and surface chemistry were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction technique (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum at room temperature of the as‐grown In2O3 structures exhibited both UV and blue luminescence emission under one excitation at 260 nm, which may be related to the existence of oxygen vacancies. The synthesized multifaceted In2O3 microcrystal has shown to contain a large number of vertices and may find many applications in developing three‐dimensional (3D) resonators. This work will not only enrich the synthesis science but also will open doors for applications of such structures in optical devices.
Numerical simulation of vertical tunneling transistor with bilayer graphene as source and drain regions
Authors: Horri Ashkan , Faez Rahim , Darvish Ghafar
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the electrical characteristics of vertical tunneling bilayer graphene field effect transistor (VTBGFET) are theoretically investigated. We evaluate the device behavior using nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism combined with an atomistic tight binding model. By using this method, we extract the most significant figures of merit such as ON/OFF current ratio, subthreshold swing, and intrinsic gate‐delay time.

The results indicate that using a bilayer graphene instead of a monolayer graphene as the base material for the source and drain regions leads to a larger ON/OFF current ratio due to the presence of an energy bandgap in biased bilayer graphene. Also, the subthreshold swing of VTBGFET can be much lower than that of vertical tunneling monolayer graphene field‐effect transistor (VTMGFET). We find that the increase of the number of hBN layers enhances the ON/OFF current ratio but degrades the intrinsic gate‐delay time.
Sugar Blowing‐Induced Porous Cobalt Phosphide/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanostructures with Enhanced Electrochemical Oxidation Performance toward Water and Other Small Molecules
Authors: Zhu Chengzhou , Fu Shaofang , Xu Bo Z. , Song Junhua , Shi Qiurong , Engelhard Mark H. , Li Xiaolin , Beckman Scott P. , Sun Junming , Du Dan , Lin Yuehe
Published: June 2017

Rational design of high active and robust nonprecious metal catalysts with excellent catalytic efficiency in oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is extremely vital for making the water splitting process more energy efficient and economical. Among these noble metal‐free catalysts, transition‐metal‐based nanomaterials are considered as one of the most promising OER catalysts due to their relatively low‐cost intrinsic activities, high abundance, and diversity in terms of structure and morphology. Herein, a facile sugar‐blowing technique and low‐temperature phosphorization are reported to generate 3D self‐supported metal involved carbon nanostructures, which are termed as Co2P@Co/nitrogen‐doped carbon (Co2P@Co/N‐C). By capitalizing on the 3D porous nanostructures with high surface area, homogeneously dispersed active sites, the intimate interaction between active sites, and 3D N‐doped carbon, the resultant Co2P@Co/N‐C exhibits satisfying OER performance superior to CoO@Co/N‐C, delivering 10 mA cm−2 at overpotential of 0.32 V. It is worth noting that in contrast to the substantial current density loss of RuO2, Co2P@Co/N‐C shows much enhanced catalytic activity during the stability test and a 1.8‐fold increase in current density is observed after stability test. Furthermore, the obtained Co2P@Co/N‐C can also be served as an excellent nonprecious metal catalyst for methanol and glucose electrooxidation in alkaline media, further extending their potential applications.
Flexible Ionic‐Electronic Hybrid Oxide Synaptic TFTs with Programmable Dynamic Plasticity for Brain‐Inspired Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: John Rohit Abraham , Ko Jieun , Kulkarni Mohit R. , Tiwari Naveen , Chien Nguyen Anh , Ing Ng Geok , Leong Wei Lin , Mathews Nripan
Published: June 2017

Emulation of biological synapses is necessary for future brain‐inspired neuromorphic computational systems that could look beyond the standard von Neuman architecture. Here, artificial synapses based on ionic‐electronic hybrid oxide‐based transistors on rigid and flexible substrates are demonstrated. The flexible transistors reported here depict a high field‐effect mobility of ≈9 cm2 V−1 s−1 with good mechanical performance. Comprehensive learning abilities/synaptic rules like paired‐pulse facilitation, excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents, spike‐time‐dependent plasticity, consolidation, superlinear amplification, and dynamic logic are successfully established depicting concurrent processing and memory functionalities with spatiotemporal correlation. The results present a fully solution processable approach to fabricate artificial synapses for next‐generation transparent neural circuits.
Centrifuge modeling to evaluate natural frequency and seismic behavior of offshore wind turbine consideringSFSI
Authors: Seong Jun‐Tae , Ha Jeong‐Gon , Kim Jae‐Hyun , Park Heon‐Joon , Kim Dong‐Soo
Published: June 2017

Understanding of dynamic response of offshore wind turbine is important to reduce vibration of offshore wind turbine induced by structural and environmental loadings. Although dynamic characteristics of the offshore wind turbine such as natural frequency and seismic behavior are affected by foundation and soil conditions, there are little experimental studies about the dynamic behavior of offshore wind turbine with consideration of proper soil–foundation–structure interaction (SFSI). The goal of this research is to evaluate the natural frequency and seismic behavior of offshore wind turbine with a monopod foundation considering SFSI. Scaled model of offshore wind turbine and monopod foundation is produced for this research. Geotechnical centrifuge tests in fixed‐based and SFSI condition were performed to measure natural frequency in each case. Also, a series of seismic loadings with different intensities are applied to observe seismic behaviors of the offshore wind turbine during the earthquake and permanent changes after the earthquake. Experimental results show apparent natural frequency reduction in SFSI condition compared with the fixed‐based condition, non‐linear changes in dynamic response during a series of earthquakes and permanent changes occurred in natural frequency and rotational displacement after earthquakes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The cosmopolitan engineering student: an analysis of a recruitment campaign for KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm
Authors: Kingdon Patricia
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a study that seeks to examine the messages conveyed in one of the initiatives that have been initialized in order to make young people interested in pursuing engineering studies at technological universities. The study is a case study of the web-based advertising (recruitment) campaign KTH from the Inside designed for KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The analysis draws on a theoretical framework from governmentality studies. The analysis of the campaign conclude that the ideal engineering constructed in the campaign is one of an individual who meets the requirements asked of a lifelong learner with cosmopolitan aspirations. This is an ideal that builds on a notion of progress associated with social progress and sustainability. This is a break with historical and cultural patterns, which symbolically have linked technology to capitalist profitability and masculinity. Though a break with gender patterns is suggested the ideal subject constructed in the campaign is almost exclusively based on the students on Masters’ level. This excludes students at Bachelor programmes. This I argue is problematic as it narrows the recruitment of students to technological universities to a small group of students.
Lipid transfers to HDL are diminished in long‐term bedridden patients: association with low HDL‐cholesterol and increased inflammatory markers
Authors: de Oliveira Wilson Pascoalino Camargo , Tavoni Thauany Martins , Freitas Fatima Rodrigues , Silva Bruna Miranda Oliveira , Maranhão Raul Cavalcante
Published: June 2017

Plasma lipids have been extensively studied in sedentary and in subjects practicing exercise training, but not in extreme inactivity as occurs in bedridden patients. This is important for the care of bedridden patients and understanding the overall plasma lipid regulation. Here, we investigated plasma lipids, lipid transfers to HDL and inflammatory markers in bedridden patients. Fasting blood samples were collected from 23 clinically stable bedridden patients under long‐term care (>90 days) and 26 normolipidemic sedentary subjects, paired for age and gender. In vitro transfer of four lipids to HDL was performed by incubating plasma with donor nanoparticles containing radioactive lipids. Total (193 ± 36 vs 160 ± 43, p = 0.005), LDL (124 ± 3 vs 96 ± 33 p = 0.003) and HDL‐cholesterol (45 ± 10 vs 36 ± 13, p = 0.008), apolipoprotein A‐I (134 ± 20 vs 111 ± 24, p = 0.001) and oxidized LDL (53 ± 13 vs 43 ± 12, p = 0.011) were lower in bedridden patients, whereas triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, CETP and LCAT were equal in both groups. Transfers of all lipids, namely unesterified cholesterol, cholesterol esters, triglycerides and phospholipids, to HDL were lower in bedridden patients, probably due to their lower HDL‐cholesterol levels. Concentrations of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, HGF and NGF were higher in bedridden patients compared to sedentary subjects. In conclusion, inactivity had great impact on HDL, by lowering HDL‐cholesterol, apolipoprotein A‐I and thereby cholesterol transfers to the lipoprotein, which suggests that inactivity may deteriorate HDL protection beyond the ordinary sedentary condition.
A Criterial Freezing approach to subject extraction in Jordanian Arabic
Authors: Jarrah Marwan
Published: June 2017

Using the Criterial Freezing approach to movement and chain formation (Rizzi 2005, 2006, 2014; Rizzi and Shlonsky 2006, 2007), this study explores the strategies Jordanian Arabic makes available for subject extraction. I argue that subject extraction in this variety of Arabic is constrained by the postulatedD-linking condition of the Subject Criterion– i.e., [spec,SubjP] is filled by an element with the same D(iscourse)-linking status as that of the subject wh-word (D-linked vs. non-D-linked). In case of questions with a D-linked wh-word, [spec,SubjP] can be filled by the D-linked particleillior a deictic (time-point/place-point) adjunct. Unlike time-point adjuncts, the use of place-point adjuncts to fill [spec,SubjP] is subject to the effects of the Phase Impenetrability Condition (Chomsky 2001), given their low base positions. In contrast, in case of questions with a non-D-linked wh-word, I assume that [spec,SubjP] is filled by an expletivepro.
(Not)Knowing: Walking the Terrain of Indigenous Education with Preservice Teachers
Authors: McDowall Ailie
Published: June 2017

Our work as educators is entangled in questions of how colonisation privileges particular epistemologies and ontologies, ethical responsibilities and the reproduction of privilege or exclusion through education. Working with preservice teachers as they shape their social and ethical responsibilities allows the opportunity to effect social change on a larger scale as they move into their own classrooms. Students often begin the course seeking some form of knowledge about Indigenous peoples, yet this knowledge can be seen to represent a form of epistemic violence.In this research project, I use a decolonial lens to consider the reflective writing journals of preservice teachers as they consider their relationships and responsibilities in the field of Indigenous education. The purpose is to explore how preservice teachers position themselves in this field and whether their engagement with these stories, theories, voices and knowledges leaves them with an inability to remain indifferent to their ethical responsibilities. In this paper, I invite you to walk with me through a landscape where we consider preservice teachers’ writings, Moreton–Robinson's possessive logic, transformative education and the concept of diffraction.
Arc of Empire: The Federal Telegraph Company, the U.S. Navy, and the Beginnings of Silicon Valley
Authors: Adams Stephen B.
Published: June 2017

The early history of Silicon Valley is incomplete unless it is framed within the context of American foreign policy. The Federal Telegraph Company, the region's first major high-technology firm, received its first contract from the U.S. Navy in 1913. Its subsequent success relied not only on navy contracts but also on State Department support and access to Bureau of Standards technology. The company's contributions to America's military-industrial complex began a pattern that would fuel the region's development and growth for more than a half century.
Examining High Rates of Preventable Maternal Mortality in Kenya: Could Provisional Measures be an Effective Tool to Guarantee Safe Pregnancy?
Authors: Burbano-Herrera Clara
Published: June 2017

This article analyses the barriers that expectant mothers face in accessing appropriate, quality medical services in Kenya, and investigates the potential for the regional African human rights adjudicator to use provisional measures (PMs) to protect expectant mothers. The article aims to explore whether PMs adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights could be an appropriate legal tool to secure protection for expectant mothers who are dealing with obstacles in obtaining the medical services that they need. In that regard, this contribution suggests that the situation of certain expectant mothers in Kenya meets the two necessary conditions to grant PMs under the African Human Rights system: that the situation is urgent and the measures are necessary to prevent irreparable damage. It suggests that, following the tendency of other international human rights bodies, the Commission has the potential to play a relevant role in the context of maternal mortality.
Constraint solving for finite model finding in SMT solvers
Authors: REYNOLDS ANDREW , TINELLI CESARE , BARRETT CLARK
Published: June 2017

Satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solvers have been used successfully as reasoning engines for automated verification and other applications based on automated reasoning. Current techniques for dealing with quantified formulas in SMT are generally incomplete, forcing SMT solvers to report “unknown” when they fail to prove the unsatisfiability of a formula with quantifiers. This inability to return counter models limits their usefulness in applications that produce queries involving quantified formulas. In this paper, we reduce these limitations by integrating finite model finding techniques based on constraint solving into the architecture used by modern SMT solvers. This approach is made possible by a novel solver for cardinality constraints, as well as techniques for on-demand instantiation of quantified formulas. Experiments show that our approach is competitive with the state of the art in SMT, and orthogonal to approaches in automated theorem proving.
Negri bodies are viral factories with properties of liquid organelles
Authors: Nikolic Jovan , Le Bars Romain , Lama Zoé , Scrima Nathalie , Lagaudrière-Gesbert Cécile , Gaudin Yves , Blondel Danielle
Published: June 2017

Replication of Mononegavirales occurs in viral factories which form inclusions in the host-cell cytoplasm. For rabies virus, those inclusions are called Negri bodies (NBs). We report that NBs have characteristics similar to those of liquid organelles: they are spherical, they fuse to form larger structures, and they disappear upon hypotonic shock. Their liquid phase is confirmed by FRAP experiments. Live-cell imaging indicates that viral nucleocapsids are ejected from NBs and transported along microtubules to form either new virions or secondary viral factories. Coexpression of rabies virus N and P proteins results in cytoplasmic inclusions recapitulating NBs properties. This minimal system reveals that an intrinsically disordered domain and the dimerization domain of P are essential for Negri bodies-like structures formation. We suggest that formation of liquid viral factories by phase separation is common among Mononegavirales and allows specific recruitment and concentration of viral proteins but also the escape to cellular antiviral response.
A channelopathy mutation in the voltage-sensor discloses contributions of a conserved phenylalanine to gating properties of Kv1.1 channels and ataxia
Authors: Hasan Sonia , Bove Cecilia , Silvestri Gabriella , Mantuano Elide , Modoni Anna , Veneziano Liana , Macchioni Lara , Hunter Therese , Hunter Gary , Pessia Mauro , D’Adamo Maria Cristina
Published: June 2017

Channelopathy mutations prove informative on disease causing mechanisms and channel gating dynamics. We have identified a novel heterozygous mutation in the KCNA1 gene of a young proband displaying typical signs and symptoms of Episodic Ataxia type 1 (EA1). This mutation is in the S4 helix of the voltage-sensing domain and results in the substitution of the highly conserved phenylalanine 303 by valine (p.F303V). The contributions of F303 towards K+ channel voltage gating are unclear and here have been assessed biophysically and by performing structural analysis using rat Kv1.2 coordinates. We observed significant positive shifts of voltage-dependence, changes in the activation, deactivation and slow inactivation kinetics, reduced window currents, and decreased current amplitudes of both Kv1.1 and Kv1.1/1.2 channels. Structural analysis revealed altered interactions between F303V and L339 and I335 of the S5 helix of a neighboring subunit. The substitution of an aromatic phenylalanine with an aliphatic valine within the voltage-sensor destabilizes the open state of the channel. Thus, F303 fine-tunes the Kv1.1 gating properties and contributes to the interactions between the S4 segment and neighboring alpha helices. The resulting channel’s loss of function validates the clinical relevance of the mutation for EA1 pathogenesis.
Nonlinear climatic sensitivity to greenhouse gases over past 4 glacial/interglacial cycles
Authors: Lo Li , Chang Sheng-Pu , Wei Kuo-Yen , Lee Shih-Yu , Ou Tsong-Hua , Chen Yi-Chi , Chuang Chih-Kai , Mii Horng-Sheng , Burr George S. , Chen Min-Te , Tung Ying-Hung , Tsai Meng-Chieh , Hodell David A. , Shen Chuan-Chou
Published: June 2017

The paleoclimatic sensitivity to atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) has recently been suggested to be nonlinear, however a GHG threshold value associated with deglaciation remains uncertain. Here, we combine a new sea surface temperature record spanning the last 360,000 years from the southern Western Pacific Warm Pool with records from five previous studies in the equatorial Pacific to document the nonlinear relationship between climatic sensitivity and GHG levels over the past four glacial/interglacial cycles. The sensitivity of the responses to GHG concentrations rises dramatically by a factor of 2–4 at atmospheric CO2 levels of >220 ppm. Our results suggest that the equatorial Pacific acts as a nonlinear amplifier that allows global climate to transition from deglacial to full interglacial conditions once atmospheric CO2 levels reach threshold levels.
Tailoring hydrophobic branch in polyzwitterionic resin for simultaneous capturing of Hg(II) and methylene blue with response surface optimization
Authors: Saleh Tawfik A. , Rachman Ihsan Budi , Ali Shaikh A.
Published: June 2017

A new highly efficient cross-linked polymer was synthesized via cyclotetrapolymerization of hydrophilic [(diallylamino)propyl]phosphonic acid hydrochloride (72 mol%), hydrophobic N,N-diallyl-1-[6-(biphenyl-4-yloxy)hexylammonium chloride (18 mol%), cross-linker 1,1,4,4-tetraallylpiperazinium dichloride (10 mol%) with an equivalent amount of alternating SO2 units (100 mol%). The pH-responsive resin chemically tailored with the aminopropylphosphonate chelating ligand and hydrophobic chain of (CH2)6OC6H4-C6H5 is designed to capture toxic metal ions and organic contaminants simultaneously. The developed resin was used for the remediation of Hg(II) ions and methylene blue from aqueous solutions as models. The experimental conditions were optimized utilizing the response surface methodology as an environmentally friendly method. The adsorption efficiency for Hg(II) was ≈100% at 10 ppm initial concentration at pH 5 at 25 °C, while it was 80% for removal of the dye in a single pollutant system. Interestingly, the resin demonstrated its remarkable efficacy in the simultaneous and complete removal of Hg(II) and the dye from their mixture. Increased removal of the dye (≈100%) in the presence of Hg(II) was attributed to the synergistic effect. The equilibrium data were evaluated by employing the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.