bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Legality of the Use of Force to Recover Occupied Territory
Authors: Feinberg Nathan
Published: February 2016

Numerous and complex problems relating to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations have arisen in the protracted Arab-Israel conflict. One of these—and certainly not the least important—is whether there exists any foundation, from a legal point of view, to the claim by the Arab States that the Charter of the United Nations and general international law entitled them to resort to armed force in order to take back the territories occupied by Israel in the Six Day War of 1967. This claim to a right to a military option has been put forward not only in slogans flaunted in fiery speeches by second-rate politicians or extreme party leaders, but by the Heads of State responsible for the formulation of their countries' foreign policy.
Rights and Interests — A Troublesome Distinction Reviewed in the Context of Labour Arbitration and Industrial Action
Authors: Raday Frances
Published: February 2016

It would seem particularly appropriate following the tribute which appeared in the previous issue of the Israel Law Review, to commence our excursion into Israeli labour law with one of Otto Kahn-Freund's thought-provoking observations.

“Over a large area of British industrial relations, the rule-making and the decision-making processes, the, as it were, ‘legislative’ and ‘judicial’ functions are as indistinguishable as they were in the Constitution of medieval England. … And just as in the common law the judge is rule-maker and decision-maker all at once, so in the dynamic system of collective bargaining the parties ignore the difference between interpreting an old rule and making a new one.” Thus, in England, as Professor Kahn-Freund points out, the almost universally accepted distinction between disputes of rights and disputes of interests is not considered relevant.
A Guide to Offences of Threats and Blackmail, or “How to See the Forest for the Trees”
Authors: Bein Dan
Published: February 2016

The Penal Law, 1977, enumerates no less the sixteen offences containing, in one form or another, the element of threat.

Sometimes, threat is the only form taken by the behavioural element of the actus reus, but frequently it appears as an alternative to the use of force or to other forms of behaviour, such as fraud.

The reason for the multitude of offences of threat is primarily historical, and to a certain extent, the lack of methodical thought in this area.

It would seem to us that the legislator, the courts and scholars who deal with offences of threat must clarify their own basic concepts and must be aware of decisions on the questions of policy confronting them: this would result in an elimination of the duplication, the disappearance of superfluous offences from the law books, and would prevent the confusion sometimes reigning in this area at present.
Attendance at Parliamentary Sessions and The Quorum Rule
Authors: Fast Edna
Published: February 2016

Sec. 22 of the Knesset Regulations states as follows:

Knesset Members must participate as frequently as possible in the plenary sessions of the Knesset and in the meetings of the committees of which they are members.

There is, however, no formal sanction—statutory or in the regulations, for enforcing this rule. The lack of formal restrictions on the matter of compulsory attendance expresses itself not only in the absence of a statutory quorum, but in a positive fashion as well, in the rule embodied in sec. 24 of the Basic Law: The Knesset, whereby “The Knesset shall hold debates and pass decisions, whatever the numbers present“. Recently, this section was amended: on July 16, 1980, the Knesset approved the addition of the words, “if there is no contrary provision on this matter in another law” at the end of the section. The amendment was not designed to change the existing legal position, according to which a statutory quorum is not required, but only to open the symbolic door to a future change and to rectify the imprecisions in the law as it was formulated. In the body of the law in which we find exemptions from a compulsory quorum, there are three sections entrenched against amendment by a simple majority or an accidental majority, and they may only be amended by an absolute or special majority at the time of the vote.
The Influences of Constitutional Principles on Civil Procedure in Israel
Authors: Goldstein Stephen
Published: February 2016

In this article we will attempt to clarify a number of basic constitutional principles as they are reflected in the Israeli system of civil procedure. In so doing, we do not purport to be exhaustive as to the constitutional principles discussed. Rather, we will be selective, and shall place our emphasis on those principles that are most basic to the Israeli system. First, however, we must briefly describe the Israeli constitutional structure. Israel has no written constitution. Nor do any of the Basic Laws, which have a quasi-constitutional standing, specifically treat the issues discussed in this article. Yet, this does not mean that constitutional principles do not influence civil procedure in Israel.

First, it should be noted that many constitutional principles, in the broad meaning of this term, i.e., fundamental, structural principles, are embedded in positive Israeli legislative provisions, both of primary and of secondary legislation.
Optical shaping of gas targets for laser–plasma ion sources
Authors: Dover N. P. , Cook N. , Tresca O. , Ettlinger O. , Maharjan C. , Polyanskiy M. N. , Shkolnikov P. , Pogorelsky I. , Najmudin Z.
Published: February 2016

We report on the experimental demonstration of a technique to generate steep density gradients in gas-jet targets of interest to laser–plasma ion acceleration. By using an intentional low-energy prepulse, we generated a hydrodynamic blast wave in the gas to shape the target prior to the arrival of an intense CO$_{2}$ (${\it\lambda}\approx 10~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$) drive pulse. This technique has been recently shown to facilitate the generation of ion beams by shockwave acceleration (Tresca et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 115 (9), 2015, 094802). Here, we discuss and introduce a model to understand the generation of these blast waves and discuss in depth the experimental realisation of the technique, supported by hydrodynamics simulations. With appropriate prepulse energy and timing, this blast wave can generate steepened density gradients as short as $l\approx 20~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$ ($1/e$), opening up new possibilities for laser–plasma studies with near-critical gaseous targets.
Father, brother, and father-in-law as III-w nouns in Semitic
Authors: Wilson-Wright Aren
Published: February 2016

In this paper, I argue that the Semitic kinship terms *ʔab-‘father’, *ʔaḫ-‘brother’, and*ḥam-‘father-in-law’ originally ended in aw, which left traces in several of their forms. In the singular, thewcontracted with the case vowels leaving a distinctive pattern of short and long vowels in the unbound, bound, and suffixal forms. In the plural, thewwas retained in several languages due to the insertion of ana-vowel between the final two root consonants, a common Afro-Asiatic pluralization strategy: *ʔabw- > *ʔabaw. I further suggest that the West Semitic plural morpheme-awwas derived by analogy with the plurals *ʔabawand *ʔaḫaw, and is not, as commonly suggested, an inherited Semitic or Afro-Asiatic plural marker.
Molecular epidemiology ofBartonellaspecies isolated from ground squirrels and other rodents in northern California
Authors: ZIEDINS A. C. , CHOMEL B. B. , KASTEN R. W. , KJEMTRUP A. M. , CHANG C.-C.
Published: February 2016

Bartonellaspp. are endemic in wild rodents in many parts of the world. A study conducted in two northern California counties (Sonoma and Yolo) sampling California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) and four other rodent species (Peromyscus maniculatus, P. boylii, P. trueiandNeotoma fuscipes) led to the isolation of small Gram-negative bacilli which were identified asBartonellaspp. based on colony morphology, polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) and partial gene sequencing. Overall,Bartonellaspp. were isolated from the blood of 71% (32/45) of the ground squirrels and one third (22/66) of the other rodents. PCR–RFLP analysis of thegltA and 16S rRNA genes yielded seven unique profiles, four for the ground squirrels and three for the other rodents. Isolates from each PCR–RFLP profiles were submitted for partial sequencing. Ground squirrel isolates were most closely related toB. washoensis, whereas the other rodent isolates were closest toB. vinsoniisubsp.vinsoniiandB. vinsoniisubsp.arupensis. Two of these three species or subspecies are known zoonotic agents.
SN démonstratifs et anadeixis: sens ‘spatial’, ou valeurs tributaires d'une stratégie pragmatique potentielle?
Authors: CORNISH FRANCIS
Published: February 2016

L'article vise à démontrer que l'emploi des démonstratifs marqués pour la distinction déictique ‘proximal’ vs. ‘distal’ en français et en anglais (ainsi que dans bien d'autres langues encore) ne se laisse pas analyser de manière satisfaisante en fonction du degré de proximité ou de distance du référent visé par rapport au locuteur (ou à l'allocutaire) dans la situation de communication, selon la conception classique. Une analyse plus satisfaisante devrait prendre en compte le projet communicatif du locuteur: implication personnelle forte du locuteur dans le cas du membre proximal de l'opposition, et dissociation subjective ou alignement avec l'allocutaire dans celui du membre distal (non marqué).
The effects of traumatic incidents on schools
Authors: Gillies Robyn M. , Boddington Richard
Published: February 2016

This study aimed at determining the extent of traumatic incidents in schools in Queensland, the extent to which guidance counsellors and schools have been adequately trained to respond effectively to traumatic incidents, and if there were any differences in incidence and preparation on the basis of geographic region or school system. Of the 81 guidance counsellors (51 women, 30 men) who completed a questionnaire specifically designed for this study, only 14% reported having no experience with a traumatic incident. Group (urban, rural, private, and university) and experience in guidance also demonstrated significant effects on exposure to particular traumatic incidents. Respondents provided substantial qualitative information which may be used in establishing and/or reviewing a school's traumatic incident management plan including a guide to the training needs for guidance and other key personnel in a school.
“I want to do something better”: Career education, guidance and counselling for young women wtth disabilities in secondary schools
Authors: van Kraayenoord Christina E.
Published: February 2016

This paper is based on our studySchool subjects, tertiary education, career choice and occupational outcomes: A study of women with sensory and physical disabilities(van Kraayenoord & Bramley, 1993). First, we discuss the literature related to subject selection at high school. The second part of the article examines factors that assist or hinder career choice and development. These factors include specific career aspirations, parents, teachers, career counsellors and gender stereotyping. In the third section of the article we describe the continuum of career education, guidance and counselling that we believe would assist in career decision making if developed in schools. The fourth part of the article makes some specific suggestions related to the nature of assistance that young women with disabilities in secondary school need as part of the process of developing knowledge about work and careers. We argue that changes in practices and attitudes in high schools related to career information and support provided to young women with disabilities will lead to better planned and more effective career paths for these women in the long term.

When I was at school, one of the career teachers thought I should … work in the blue collar area, not the white collar area … [and said] ‘No you can't do that’ … I really wanted that too much. I wanted something better. I couldn't argue though. Now I hope that the teacher sees what I am now. Be surprised, perhaps shrink down, realise that she had the wrong thought (van Kraayenoord & Bramley, 1993, p.68.)
Using verbal mediation strategies and group processes to enhance story writing
Authors: Gillies Robyn
Published: February 2016

This study was conducted to determine whether verbal mediation strategies and group process skills implemented in small cooperative group settings of learning disabled children and low progress children, were effective in improving the children's expository writing performances. Measures of writing behaviour which were monitored included words per story, and two measures of complexity-number of T-units per story and number of words per T-unit. The results indicated that there was a larger increase in the target children's performances over baseline in both the number of words per story and the number of T-units per story. However, there was no significant difference in measures of words per T-unit. The results obtained suggest that the relatively simple procedures which were adopted to facilitate group interaction and commitment to tasks did contribute to the gains made by the children in the cooperative condition.
The Development and Validation of a Short Form of the Australian Version of the Career Development Inventory
Authors: Creed Peter A. , Patton Wendy
Published: February 2016

This study used a sample of 2173 high school students, enrolled in Years 8 to 12, to develop a 33-item shortened form (CDI-A-SF) of the Australian version of the 72-item Career Development Inventory (CDI-A). The long form of the CDI-A has been criticised for its length, difficulty and repetitive nature. The CDI-A-SF was devised with reference to content coverage and statistical criteria. Factor analysis of the short form indicated that, at the item level, subscale items loaded on their respective factors, and at the subscale level, the attitudinal and cognitive subscales loaded on the appropriate factors. Strong correlations were found between the CDI-A-SF and the CDI-A at the subscale, composite scale and total scale levels. Internal reliability coefficients for the CDI-A-SF at all levels were satisfactory to good. Initial validity for the CDI-A-SF was demonstrated by associations in the expected direction with career decidedness, self-esteem and decision-making self-efficacy, and by age and gender differences in the expected directions. The CDI-A-SF shows promise as a measure of career maturity where it is not possible or inappropriate to use the full version, although further research needs to replicate the findings and further test its validity.
The Challenge for Counsellors: Understanding and Addressing Indigenous Secondary Students' Aspirations, Self-concepts and Barriers to Achieving their Aspirations
Authors: Craven Rhonda G. , Marsh Herbert W.
Published: February 2016

Indigenous students are not attaining the same educational and employment outcomes as non-Indigenous students. Psychological constructs have been demonstrated by research with non-Indigenous Australians to impact upon desirable educational outcomes; however, there is a dearth of Aboriginal education research that has identified psychological constructs of salience to Indigenous students. The purpose of this study was to: (a) evaluate the self-concepts of Indigenous secondary students; (b) identify Indigenous students' aspirations; (c) elucidate Indigenous students' perceptions of barriers faced in attaining their aspirations; and (d) compare and contrast the pattern of results for Indigenous students to results for non-Indigenous students from the same schools. A total of 1686 students (517 Indigenous and 1151 non-Indigenous) from urban and rural regions from three Australian States participated. Indigenous students displayed statistically significantly lower academic (school, maths, verbal) self-concepts in comparison to non-Indigenous students. Significantly more Indigenous students in comparison to non-Indigenous students aspired to leaving school early, attending Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions and were less likely to know much about what sort of job or further education and training they could pursue after leaving school. Indigenous students also rated nine potential barriers with significantly higher scores compared to non-Indigenous students in regard to limiting or stopping them from achieving what they want to do. The results have important implications for career education and counselling interventions in educational contexts.
Generalists or Specialists? Guidance Officers in Queensland Schools
Authors: Bramston Paul , Rice Don
Published: February 2016

The role and training of Queensland guidance officers appears to be set toward the practice end of the scientist-practitioner continuum. Yet data are presented which demonstrate that the expectations placed on many guidance officers are relatively sophisticated and specialised. Particularly in the areas of personal crisis counselling, family support and community-school development, today's guidance officers working in Queensland schools are required to demonstrate considerable specialisation. The profession seems to be facing a choice, attempt to develop into a group of true educational specialists with all the required training, supervision and in-service education or move to become a group of expert general practitioners. Some implications of these two options for the profession are explored.
Promoting effective coping in adolescents ‘at-risk’ for depression
Authors: Bugalski Kerry , Frydenberg Erica
Published: February 2016

This study aims to investigate the effect of a coping skills program ‘The Best of Coping: Bright Lives’ on adolescents' coping styles. This study also seeks to determine if groups of adolescents who are more or less resistant to depression show different gains from program participation.

Comparisons between changes in coping styles were made between groups of adolescents; those considered at-risk for and resistant to depression, those neither resistant or at-risk for depression, and a male and female group. All students, regardless of group membership, participated in the ‘The Best of Coping: Bright Lives’ program.

All participants completed the Adolescent Coping Scale, the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire and the Perceived Control of Internal States pre and post program.

Results show a significant increase in Reference to Others coping post program, for all groups, particularly the males. The ‘at-risk’ group also appeared to show a decrease in the use of ‘Non-Productive’ coping post program, in comparison to the ‘resilient“ group.

It appears that positive program effects are greatest for adolescents who are prone to depression and use the most ineffective strategies. This indicates that the program effectively targets the adolescents that need the help the most.
Keine Angst vor Praxisbegleitung!
Authors: Wellensiek Stefan
Published: February 2016

Zusammenfassung. Praxisbegleitung stellt Lehrende, Lernende und Beteiligte des Lernorts Praxis oftmals vor eine große inhaltliche und methodische Herausforderung. In diesem Artikel werden in Form von drei Bausteinen Ziele, Inhalte und Methoden beschrieben, wie Praxisbegleitung stärker auf die Bedürfnisse der Lernenden und die Entwicklung von Kompetenzen im Sinne des Krankenpflegegesetzes ausgerichtet werden kann.
Erratum: Comprehensive analysis of antibody recognition in convalescent humans from highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection
Authors: Zuo Teng , Sun Jianfeng , Wang Guiqin , Jiang Liwei , Zuo Yanan , Li Danyang , Shi Xuanling , Liu Xi , Fan Shilong , Ren Huanhuan , Hu Hongxing , Sun Lina , Zhou Boping , Liang Mifang , Zhou Paul , Wang Xinquan , Zhang Linqi
Published: February 2016

Nature Communications 6: Article number: 8855 (2015); Published 4 December 2015; Updated 15 February 2016 In Fig. 4k of this Article, the first row in the far-right column of the table contains a typographical error and should read ‘VS3’. The correct version of Fig. 4 appears below. Figure 4
Correction: Corrigendum: Modulating protein activity using tethered ligands with mutually exclusive binding sites
Authors: Schena Alberto , Griss Rudolf , Johnsson Kai
Published: February 2016

Nature Communications 6: Article number: 7830 (2015); Published 22 July 2015; Updated 15 February 2016 The original version of this article was published with an incorrect label for Fig. 4c. The labels ‘no tacrine’ and ‘3 mM tacrine’ were associated with the incorrect fluorescence micrographs. The correct version of Fig.
A low-carbohydrate high-fat diet increases weight gain and does not improve glucose tolerance, insulin secretion or β-cell mass in NZO mice
Authors: Lamont B J , Waters M F , Andrikopoulos S
Published: February 2016

Background/Objectives:

Dietary guidelines for the past 20 years have recommended that dietary fat should be minimized. In contrast, recent studies have suggested that there could be some potential benefits for reducing carbohydrate intake in favor of increased fat. It has also been suggested that low-carbohydrate diets be recommended for people with type 2 diabetes. However, whether such diets can improve glycemic control will likely depend on their ability to improve β-cell function, which has not been studied. The objective of the study was to assess whether a low-carbohydrate and therefore high-fat diet (LCHFD) is beneficial for improving the endogenous insulin secretory response to glucose in prediabetic New Zealand Obese (NZO) mice.

Methods:

NZO mice were maintained on either standard rodent chow or an LCHFD from 6 to 15 weeks of age. Body weight, food intake and blood glucose were assessed weekly. Blood glucose and insulin levels were also assessed after fasting and re-feeding and during an oral glucose tolerance test. The capacity of pancreatic β-cells to secrete insulin was assessed in vivo with an intravenous glucose tolerance test. β-Cell mass was assessed in histological sections of pancreata collected at the end of the study.

Results:

In NZO mice, an LCHFD reduced plasma triglycerides (P=0.001) but increased weight gain (P<0.0001), adipose tissue mass (P=0.0015), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.044) and exacerbated glucose intolerance (P=0.013). Although fasting insulin levels tended to be higher (P=0.08), insulin secretory function in LCHFD-fed mice was not improved (P=0.93) nor was β-cell mass (P=0.75).

Conclusions:

An LCHFD is unlikely to be of benefit for preventing the decline in β-cell function associated with the progression of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes.
MiR-125a promotes paclitaxel sensitivity in cervical cancer through altering STAT3 expression
Authors: Fan Z , Cui H , Yu H , Ji Q , Kang L , Han B , Wang J , Dong Q , Li Y , Yan Z , Yan X , Zhang X , Lin Z , Hu Y , Jiao S
Published: February 2016

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common malignancies in women. Paclitaxel is the front-line chemotherapeutic agent for treating CC. However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited because of chemoresistance, the mechanism of which remains poorly understood. Here, we used microRNA (miRNA) arrays to compare miRNA expression levels in the CC cell lines, HeLa and CaSki, with their paclitaxel resistance counterparts, HeLa/PR and CaSki/PR. We demonstrate that miR-125a was one of most significantly downregulated miRNAs in paclitaxel-resistant cells, which also acquired cisplatin resistance. And that the upregulation of miR-125a sensitized HeLa/PR and CaSki/PR cells to paclitaxel both in vitro and in vivo and to cisplatin in vitro. Moreover, we determined that miR-125a increased paclitaxel and cisplatin sensitivity by downregulating STAT3. MiR-125a enhanced paclitaxel and cisplatin sensitivity by promoting chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Clinically, miR-125a expression was associated with an increased responsiveness to paclitaxel combined with cisplatin and a more favorable outcome. These data indicate that miR-125a may be a useful method to enable treatment of chemoresistant CC and may also provide a biomarker for predicting paclitaxel and cisplatin responsiveness in CC.
With a little help from DNA barcoding: investigating the diversity of Gastropoda from the Portuguese coast
Authors: Borges Luísa M. S. , Hollatz Claudia , Lobo Jorge , Cunha Ana M. , Vilela Ana P. , Calado Gonçalo , Coelho Rita , Costa Ana C. , Ferreira Maria S. G. , Costa Maria H. , Costa Filipe O.
Published: February 2016

The Gastropoda is one of the best studied classes of marine invertebrates. Yet, most species have been delimited based on morphology only. The application of DNA barcodes has shown to be greatly useful to help delimiting species. Therefore, sequences of the cytochromecoxidase I gene from 108 specimens of 34 morpho-species were used to investigate the molecular diversity within the gastropods from the Portuguese coast. To the above dataset, we added available COI-5P sequences of taxonomically close species, in a total of 58 morpho-species examined. There was a good match between ours and sequences from independent studies, in public repositories. We found 32 concordant (91.4%) out of the 35 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) generated from our sequences. The application of a ranking system to the barcodes yield over 70% with top taxonomic congruence, while 14.2% of the species barcodes had insufficient data. In the majority of the cases, there was a good concordance between morphological identification and DNA barcodes. Nonetheless, the discordance between morphological and molecular data is a reminder that even the comparatively well-known European marine gastropods can benefit from being probed using the DNA barcode approach. Discordant cases should be reviewed with more integrative studies.
Occam’s Quantum Strop: Synchronizing and Compressing Classical Cryptic Processes via a Quantum Channel
Authors: Mahoney John R. , Aghamohammadi Cina , Crutchfield James P.
Published: February 2016

A stochastic process’ statistical complexity stands out as a fundamental property: the minimum information required to synchronize one process generator to another. How much information is required, though, when synchronizing over a quantum channel? Recent work demonstrated that representing causal similarity as quantum state-indistinguishability provides a quantum advantage. We generalize this to synchronization and offer a sequence of constructions that exploit extended causal structures, finding substantial increase of the quantum advantage. We demonstrate that maximum compression is determined by the process’ cryptic order–a classical, topological property closely allied to Markov order, itself a measure of historical dependence. We introduce an efficient algorithm that computes the quantum advantage and close noting that the advantage comes at a cost–one trades off prediction for generation complexity.
Targeted and controlled anticancer drug delivery and release with magnetoelectric nanoparticles
Authors: Rodzinski Alexandra , Guduru Rakesh , Liang Ping , Hadjikhani Ali , Stewart Tiffanie , Stimphil Emmanuel , Runowicz Carolyn , Cote Richard , Altman Norman , Datar Ram , Khizroev Sakhrat
Published: February 2016

It is a challenge to eradicate tumor cells while sparing normal cells. We used magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENs) to control drug delivery and release. The physics is due to electric-field interactions (i) between MENs and a drug and (ii) between drug-loaded MENs and cells. MENs distinguish cancer cells from normal cells through the membrane’s electric properties; cancer cells have a significantly smaller threshold field to induce electroporation. In vitro and in vivo studies (nude mice with SKOV-3 xenografts) showed that (i) drug (paclitaxel (PTX)) could be attached to MENs (30-nm CoFe2O4@BaTiO3 nanostructures) through surface functionalization to avoid its premature release, (ii) drug-loaded MENs could be delivered into cancer cells via application of a d.c. field (~100 Oe), and (iii) the drug could be released off MENs on demand via application of an a.c. field (~50 Oe, 100 Hz). The cell lysate content was measured with scanning probe microscopy and spectrophotometry. MENs and control ferromagnetic and polymer nanoparticles conjugated with HER2-neu antibodies, all loaded with PTX were weekly administrated intravenously. Only the mice treated with PTX-loaded MENs (15/200 μg) in a field for three months were completely cured, as confirmed through infrared imaging and post-euthanasia histology studies via energy-dispersive spectroscopy and immunohistochemistry.
Feasible logic Bell-state analysis with linear optics
Authors: Zhou Lan , Sheng Yu-Bo
Published: February 2016

We describe a feasible logic Bell-state analysis protocol by employing the logic entanglement to be the robust concatenated Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (C-GHZ) state. This protocol only uses polarization beam splitters and half-wave plates, which are available in current experimental technology. We can conveniently identify two of the logic Bell states. This protocol can be easily generalized to the arbitrary C-GHZ state analysis. We can also distinguish two N-logic-qubit C-GHZ states. As the previous theory and experiment both showed that the C-GHZ state has the robustness feature, this logic Bell-state analysis and C-GHZ state analysis may be essential for linear-optical quantum computation protocols whose building blocks are logic-qubit entangled state.
Exfoliation and Raman Spectroscopic Fingerprint of Few-Layer NiPS3 Van der Waals Crystals
Authors: Kuo Cheng-Tai , Neumann Michael , Balamurugan Karuppannan , Park Hyun Ju , Kang Soonmin , Shiu Hung Wei , Kang Jin Hyoun , Hong Byung Hee , Han Moonsup , Noh Tae Won , Park Je-Geun
Published: February 2016

The range of mechanically cleavable Van der Waals crystals covers materials with diverse physical and chemical properties. However, very few of these materials exhibit magnetism or magnetic order, and thus the provision of cleavable magnetic compounds would supply invaluable building blocks for the design of heterostructures assembled from Van der Waals crystals. Here we report the first successful isolation of monolayer and few-layer samples of the compound nickel phosphorus trisulfide (NiPS3) by mechanical exfoliation. This material belongs to the class of transition metal phosphorus trisulfides (MPS3), several of which exhibit antiferromagnetic order at low temperature, and which have not been reported in the form of ultrathin sheets so far. We establish layer numbers by optical bright field microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and perform a detailed Raman spectroscopic characterization of bilayer and thicker NiPS3 flakes. Raman spectral features are strong functions of excitation wavelength and sample thickness, highlighting the important role of interlayer coupling. Furthermore, our observations provide a spectral fingerprint for distinct layer numbers, allowing us to establish a sensitive and convenient means for layer number determination.
Critical assessment and ramifications of a purported marine trophic cascade
Authors: Grubbs R. Dean , Carlson John K. , Romine Jason G. , Curtis Tobey H. , McElroy W. David , McCandless Camilla T. , Cotton Charles F. , Musick John A.
Published: February 2016

When identifying potential trophic cascades, it is important to clearly establish the trophic linkages between predators and prey with respect to temporal abundance, demographics, distribution and diet. In the northwest Atlantic Ocean, the depletion of large coastal sharks was thought to trigger a trophic cascade whereby predation release resulted in increased cownose ray abundance, which then caused increased predation on and subsequent collapse of commercial bivalve stocks. These claims were used to justify the development of a predator-control fishery for cownose rays, the “Save the Bay, Eat a Ray” fishery, to reduce predation on commercial bivalves. A reexamination of data suggests declines in large coastal sharks did not coincide with purported rapid increases in cownose ray abundance. Likewise, the increase in cownose ray abundance did not coincide with declines in commercial bivalves. The lack of temporal correlations coupled with published diet data suggest the purported trophic cascade is lacking the empirical linkages required of a trophic cascade. Furthermore, the life history parameters of cownose rays suggest they have low reproductive potential and their populations are incapable of rapid increases. Hypothesized trophic cascades should be closely scrutinized as spurious conclusions may negatively influence conservation and management decisions.
Plain to point network reduced graphene oxide - activated carbon composites decorated with platinum nanoparticles for urine glucose detection
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Faruk , Park Jae Y.
Published: February 2016

In this study, a hydrothermal technique was applied to synthesize glucose-treated reduced graphene oxide-activated carbon (GRGO/AC) composites. Platinum nanoparticles (PtNP) were electrochemically deposited on the modified GRGO/AC surface, and chitosan-glucose oxidase (Chit-GOx) composites and nafion were integrated onto the modified surface of the working electrode to prepare a highly sensitive glucose sensor. The fabricated biosensor exhibited a good amperometric response to glucose in the detection range from 0.002 mM to 10 mM, with a sensitivity of 61.06 μA/mMcm2, a short response time (4 s) and a low detection limit of 2 μM (signal to noise ratio is 3). The glucose sensor exhibited a negligible response to interference and good stability. In addition, the glucose levels in human urine were tested in order to conduct a practical assessment of the proposed sensor, and the results indicate that the sensor had superior urine glucose recognition. These results thus demonstrate that the noble nano-structured electrode with a high surface area and electrocatalytic activity offers great promise for use in urine glucose sensing applications.
Effects of fragment traits, burial orientation and nutrient supply on survival and growth in Populus deltoides × P. simonii
Authors: Zhang Ping , Su Zhi-Qin , Xu Lie , Shi Xue-Ping , Du Ke-Bing , Zheng Bo , Wang Yong-Jian
Published: February 2016

Clonal propagations of shoot or root fragments play pivotal roles in adaptation of clonal trees to environmental heterogeneity, i.e. soil nutrient heterogeneity and burials after disturbance. However, little is known about whether burial orientation and nutrient supply can alter the effects of fragment traits in Populus. Shoot and root fragments of Populus deltoides × P. simonii were subjected to burials in two different fragment diameters (0.5 and 2.0 cm), two fragment lengths (5 and 15 cm) and three burial orientations (horizontal, upward and downward). For the shoot fragments, survival and growth were significantly higher in the larger pieces (either in length or diameter) and the horizontal/upward burial position. On the contrary, the effect of burial position was reversed for the root fragments. Shoot/root fragments of 15 cm in length in horizontal burial position were then subjected to two different fragment diameters (0.5 and 2.0 cm) and four types of nutrient supplies (without nutrient, low frequency, high frequency and patchy). Growth of shoot fragments of 2.0 cm in diameter significantly increased in high frequency and patchy nutrient supplies than that of without nutrient treatment. These results suggest that burial orientation and nutrient supply could be employed in clonal propagations of cuttings, afforestation or regeneration in Populus.
Genetic Improvements in Rice Yield and Concomitant Increases in Radiation- and Nitrogen-Use Efficiency in Middle Reaches of Yangtze River
Authors: Zhu Guanglong , Peng Shaobing , Huang Jianliang , Cui Kehui , Nie Lixiao , Wang Fei
Published: February 2016

The yield potential of rice (Oryza sativa L.) has experienced two significant growth periods that coincide with the introduction of semi-dwarfism and the utilization of heterosis. In present study, we determined the annual increase in the grain yield of rice varieties grown from 1936 to 2005 in Middle Reaches of Yangtze River and examined the contributions of RUE (radiation-use efficiency, the conversion efficiency of pre-anthesis intercepted global radiation to biomass) and NUE (nitrogen-use efficiency, the ratio of grain yield to aboveground N accumulation) to these improvements. An examination of the 70-year period showed that the annual gains of 61.9 and 75.3 kg ha−1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively, corresponded to an annual increase of 1.18 and 1.16% in grain yields, respectively. The improvements in grain yield resulted from increases in the harvest index and biomass and the sink size (spikelets per panicle) was significantly enlarged because of breeding for larger panicles. Improvements were observed in RUE and NUE through advancements in breeding. Moreover, both RUE and NUE were significantly correlated with the grain yield. Thus, our study suggests that genetic improvements in rice grain yield are associated with increased RUE and NUE.
Correction: Corrigendum: Irisin promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation via activating the MAP kinase signaling pathways
Authors: Qiao Xiaoyong , Nie Ying , Ma Yaxian , Chen Yan , Cheng Ran , Yin Weiyao , Hu Ying , Xu Wenming , Xu Liangzhi
Published: February 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 18732; published online: 07 January 2016; updated: 15 February 2016 The original version of this Article contained typographical errors in the spelling of the authors Xiaoyong Qiao, Yaxian Ma, Weiyao Yin, Wenming Xu and Liangzhi Xu which were incorrectly given as Xiao Yong Qiao, Ya Xian Ma, Wei Yao Yinrg, Wen Ming Xu and Liang Zhi Xu respectively.
Method parameters’ impact on mortality and variability in mouse stroke experiments: a meta-analysis
Authors: Ingberg Edvin , Dock Hua , Theodorsson Elvar , Theodorsson Annette , Ström Jakob O.
Published: February 2016

Although hundreds of promising substances have been tested in clinical trials, thrombolysis currently remains the only specific pharmacological treatment for ischemic stroke. Poor quality, e.g. low statistical power, in the preclinical studies has been suggested to play an important role in these failures. Therefore, it would be attractive to use animal models optimized to minimize unnecessary mortality and outcome variability, or at least to be able to power studies more exactly by predicting variability and mortality given a certain experimental setup. The possible combinations of methodological parameters are innumerous, and an experimental comparison of them all is therefore not feasible. As an alternative approach, we extracted data from 334 experimental mouse stroke articles and, using a hypothesis-driven meta-analysis, investigated the method parameters’ impact on infarct size variability and mortality. The use of Swiss and C57BL6 mice as well as permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery rendered the lowest variability of the infarct size while the emboli methods increased variability. The use of Swiss mice increased mortality. Our study offers guidance for researchers striving to optimize mouse stroke models.
Clinical Relevance of Liver Kinase B1(LKB1) Protein and Gene Expression in Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen I-Chun , Chang Yuan-Ching , Lu Yen-Shen , Chung Kuei-Pin , Huang Chiun-Sheng , Lu Tzu-Pin , Kuo Wen-Hung , Wang Ming-Yang , Kuo Kuan-Ting , Wu Pei-Fang , Hsueh Tsu-Hsin , Shen Chen-Yang , Lin Ching-Hung , Cheng Ann-Lii
Published: February 2016

Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a tumor suppressor, and its loss might lead to activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and tumorigenesis. This study aimed to determine the clinical relevance of LKB1 gene and protein expression in breast cancer patients. LKB1 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in tumors from early breast cancer patients in two Taiwanese medical centers. Data on LKB1 gene expression were obtained from the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) data set. The correlations between LKB1 expression, clinicopathologic factors, and patient outcome were analyzed. LKB1 expression was significantly associated with estrogen receptor (ER) expression in 2 of the 4 cohorts, but not with other clinicopathologic factors. LKB1 expression was not a predictor for relapse-free survival, overall survival (OS), or breast cancer-specific survival. In a subgroup analysis of the two Taiwanese cohorts, high LKB1 protein expression was predictive of high OS in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients (P = 0.013). Our study results indicate that LKB1 expression is not prognostic in the whole population of breast cancer patients, but it is a potential predictor of OS in the subset of HER2-positive patients
The influence of liquid Pb–Bi on the anti-corrosion behavior of Fe3O4: a first-principles study
Authors: Li Dongdong , Qu Bingyan , He H. Y. , Zhang Y. G. , Xu Yichun , Pan B. C. , Zhou Rulong
Published: February 2016

In this work, the influence of Pb and Bi atoms on the anti-corrosion behavior of the oxide film (Fe3O4) formed on steel surface is investigated based on first-principles calculations.
The effects of framework dynamics on the behavior of water adsorbed in the [Zn(l-L)(Cl)] and Co-MOF-74 metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Terranova Zachary L. , Paesani Francesco
Published: February 2016

Density distributions of water molecules in the pores of the [Zn(l-L)(Cl)] metal–organic framework.
A mechanism of Cu work function reduction in CsBr/Cu photocathodes
Authors: Halliday M. T. E. , Hess W. P. , Shluger A. L.
Published: February 2016

Thin films of CsBr deposited on Cu(100) have been proposed as next-generation photocathode materials for applications in particle accelerators and free-electron lasers.
Investigation of new phases in the Ba–Si phase diagram under high pressure using ab initio structural search
Authors: Shi Jingming , Cui Wenwen , Flores-Livas José A. , San-Miguel Alfonso , Botti Silvana , Marques Miguel A. L.
Published: February 2016

Barium silicides are versatile materials that have attracted attention for a variety of applications in electronics and optoelectronics.
Plant leaves as templates for soft lithography
Authors: Wu Wenming , Guijt Rosanne M. , Silina Yuliya E. , Koch Marcus , Manz Andreas
Published: February 2016

Complex microvascular venation patterns of natural leaves are replicated into PDMS replicas, which allows for a leakage-tight seal with a flat substrate despite the surface topography.
Nanocomposite hydrogels of LAPONITE® mixed with polymers bearing dopamine and cholic acid pendants
Authors: Jia Yong-Guang , Zhu X. X.
Published: February 2016

A nanocomposite hydrogel system was formulated by mixing LAPONITE® with polymers bearing dopamine and cholic acid pendants.
Glucose-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of few-layer reduced graphene oxide wrapped mesoporous TiO2 submicrospheres with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Peng Jun , Wang Gang , Zuo Yong-Tao , Li Gang , Yu Feng , Dai Bin , Guo Xu-Hong
Published: February 2016

Few-layer reduced graphene oxide-wrapped mesoporous anatase TiO2 submicrosphere (denoted as m-TiO2@FL-RGO) composite prepared by glucose-assisted hydrothermal method exhibits high specific capacity and excellent cycling stability.
Investigation of the heat resistance, wettability and hemocompatibility of a polylactide membrane via surface crosslinking induced crystallization
Authors: Xiong Zhu , Liu Fu , Gao Ailin , Lin Haibo , Yu Xuemin , Wang Yunze , Wang Yi
Published: February 2016

Polylactide (PLA) has attracted much attention as a sustainable and environmentally friendly material.
Effect of Nd3+ substitution for Bi3+ on the dielectric properties and conduction behavior of Aurivillius NdBi4Ti3FeO15 ceramics
Authors: Rehman Fida , Jin Hai-Bo , Wang Lin , Tanver Abbas , Su De-Zhi , Li Jing-Bo
Published: February 2016

NdBi4Ti3FeO15 and Bi5Ti3FeO15 ceramics were prepared by solid state reaction.
An oligonucleotide-functionalized carbon nanotube chemiresistor for sensitive detection of mercury in saliva
Authors: Wordofa Dawit N. , Ramnani Pankaj , Tran Thien-Toan , Mulchandani Ashok
Published: February 2016

We report a highly selective and sensitive biosensor for detection of both mercuric (Hg2+) and monomethyl mercury (CH3Hg+) that are known to be highly toxic to humans.
Correlation of growth temperature with stress, defect states and electronic structure in an epitaxial GaN film grown on c-sapphire via plasma MBE
Authors: Krishna Shibin , Aggarwal Neha , Mishra Monu , Maurya K. K. , Singh Sandeep , Dilawar Nita , Nagarajan Subramaniyam , Gupta Govind
Published: February 2016

Stress engineering is shown to have a significant influence on the defect states, surface morphology and electronic properties of a GaN film grown on c-sapphire.
10-π-Electron arenes à la carte: structure and bonding of the [E–(CnHn)–E]n−6 (E = Ca, Sr, Ba; n = 6–8) complexes
Authors: Mondal Sukanta , Cabellos Jose Luis , Pan Sudip , Osorio Edison , Torres-Vega Juan Jose , Tiznado William , Restrepo Albeiro , Merino Gabriel
Published: February 2016

Alkaline earth metals (Ca, Sr, and Ba) can form inverted sandwich compounds with C6H6, C7H7+, and C8H82+ of Dnh symmetry holding planar 10-π-electron aromatic cores.
Partially amorphized MnMoO4for highly efficient energy storage and the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Yan Xiaodong , Tian Lihong , Murowchick James , Chen Xiaobo
Published: February 2016

Hydrogenated MnMoO4exhibited excellent supercapacitive properties and high catalytic activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Single‐phase series active power filter with transformer‐coupled matrix converter
Authors: Buticchi Giampaolo , Barater Davide , Concari Carlo , Franceschini Giovanni
Published: February 2016

This study presents a series active power filter based on a single‐phase matrix converter. Back‐to‐back voltage‐source converters with nested control loops and passive filters are normally used for this application. A matrix converter, as proposed in this study, allows a simpler implementation both in terms of hardware (no grid filter and no DC link) and of control. Moreover, a novel zero‐voltage compensation technique is introduced in order to reduce the distortion around the input voltage zero crossing. Simulations and experiments are used to validate the considered control methods, confirming the feasibility of the proposed architecture.
Intensive random carrier pulse width modulation for induction motor drives based on hopping between discrete carrier frequencies
Authors: T.S. Sivarani , S. Joseph Jawhar , C. Agees Kumar
Published: February 2016

The existing random carrier pulse‐width modulation (RCPWM) schemes result in poor non‐deterministic characteristics. They basically use a single‐frequency triangular carrier and its inverted version to synthesise the random carrier by a pseudo‐random binary sequence (PRBS) bit selector. Even though the bits are highly random in nature with large pattern repetition rate, the resulting random carrier does not possess required level of randomness. Rather it can make slight positional variation in the resulting PWM pulses. Moreover, the harmonic spreading effects of these randomness may not be sufficient to meet the expectations of modern drives. Hence, this study proposes a multiple carriers based RCPWM (MCBRCPWM) scheme for the voltage‐source inverter fed induction motor drive to enhance the harmonic power spreading ability of the modulator. The proposed MCBRCPWM scheme utilises the non‐deterministic characteristics of both the PRBS and hopping action between the MCs involved. The simulation results using MATLAB 7.1.0 (2010a)‐Simulink software and the experimental results with hardware implemented using XC6SLX45 field programmable gate array for a 3Ø squirrel cage induction motor load prove the excellent harmonic spectra spreading capability of the proposed scheme as compared with existing non‐deterministic methods.