bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variants of G protein-coupled receptors: a reappraisal of their role in receptor regulation
Authors: Maggio Roberto , Fasciani Irene , Rossi Mario , Di Gregorio Jacopo , Pietrantoni Ilaria , Puca Valentina , Flati Vincenzo , Scarselli Marco
Published: April 2016

Truncated or shorter forms of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), originating by alternative splicing, have been considered physiologically irrelevant for a rather long time. Nevertheless, it is now recognized that alternative splicing variants of GPCRs greatly increase the total number of receptor isoforms and can regulate receptor trafficking and signalling. Furthermore, dimerization of these truncated variants with other receptors concurs to expand receptor diversity. Highly truncated variants of GPCRs, typically, are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and by heteromerization prevent the wild-type receptor to reach the plasma membrane, exerting a dominant-negative effect on its function. This can be responsible for some pathological conditions but in some other cases, it can offer protection from a disease because the expression of the receptor, that is necessary for binding an infectious agent, is attenuated. Here, we propose a possible new mechanism of creation of truncated GPCR variants through an internal ribosome entry site (IRES), a nucleotide sequence that allows cap independent translation of proteins by recruiting the ribosome in proximity of an internal initiation codon. We suggest that an IRES, situated in the third cytoplasmic loop, could be responsible for the translation of the last two transmembrane (TM) regions of the muscarinic M2 receptor. IRES driven expression of this C-terminal part of the muscarinic M2 receptor could represent a novel and additional mechanism of receptor regulation.
Cell surface recycling in yeast: mechanisms and machineries
Authors: MacDonald Chris , Piper Robert C.
Published: April 2016

Sorting internalized proteins and lipids back to the cell surface controls the supply of molecules throughout the cell and regulates integral membrane protein activity at the surface. One central process in mammalian cells is the transit of cargo from endosomes back to the plasma membrane (PM) directly, along a route that bypasses retrograde movement to the Golgi. Despite recognition of this pathway for decades we are only beginning to understand the machinery controlling this overall process. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a stalwart genetic system, has been routinely used to identify fundamental proteins and their modes of action in conserved trafficking pathways. However, the study of cell surface recycling from endosomes in yeast is hampered by difficulties that obscure visualization of the pathway. Here we briefly discuss how recycling is likely a more prevalent process in yeast than is widely appreciated and how tools might be built to better study the pathway.
Vacuole membrane contact sites and domains: emerging hubs to coordinate organelle function with cellular metabolism
Authors: Malia Pedro Carpio , Ungermann Christian
Published: April 2016

Eukaryotic cells rely on a set of membrane-enclosed organelles to perform highly efficient reactions in an optimized environment. Trafficking of molecules via vesicular carriers and membrane contact sites (MCS) allow the coordination between these compartments, though the precise mechanisms are still enigmatic. Among the cellular organelles, the lysosome/vacuole stands out as a central hub, where multiple pathways merge. Importantly, the delivered material is degraded and the monomers are recycled for further usage, which explains its wide variety of roles in controlling cellular metabolism. We will highlight recent advances in the field by focusing on the yeast vacuole as a model system to understand lysosomal function in general.
Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) as targets for antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Cunningham Margaret , McIntosh Kathryn , Bushell Trevor , Sloan Graeme , Plevin Robin
Published: April 2016

Since the identification of the proteinase-activated receptor (PAR) family as mediators of serine protease activity in the 1990s, there has been tremendous progress in the elucidation of their pathophysiological roles. The development of drugs that target PARs has been the focus of many laboratories for the potential treatment of thrombosis, cancer and other inflammatory diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of PAR activation and G protein signalling pathways evoked in response to the growing list of endogenous proteases has yielded great insight into receptor regulation at the molecular level. This has led to the development of new selective modulators of PAR activity, particularly PAR1. The mixed success of targeting PARs has been best exemplified in the context of inhibiting PAR1 as a new antiplatelet therapy. The development of the competitive PAR1 antagonist, vorapaxar (Zontivity), has clearly shown the value in targeting PAR1 in acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however the severity of associated bleeding with this drug has limited its use in the clinic. Due to the efficacy of thrombin acting via PAR1, strategies to selectively inhibit specific PAR1-mediated G protein signalling pathways or to target the second thrombin platelet receptor, PAR4, are being devised. The rationale behind these alternative approaches is to bias downstream thrombin activity via PARs to allow for inhibition of pro-thrombotic pathways but maintain other pathways that may preserve haemostatic balance and improve bleeding profiles for widespread clinical use. This review summarizes the structural determinants that regulate PARs and the modulators of PAR activity developed to date.
Influenza A virus infection and cigarette smoke impair bronchodilator responsiveness to β-adrenoceptor agonists in mouse lung
Authors: Donovan Chantal , Seow Huei Jiunn , Bourke Jane E. , Vlahos Ross
Published: April 2016

β2-adrenoceptor agonists are the mainstay therapy for patients with asthma but their effectiveness in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is limited. In addition, bronchodilator efficacy of β2-adrenoceptor agonists is decreased during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD), caused by respiratory viruses including influenza A. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the β2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol (SALB) on small airway reactivity using mouse precision cut lung slices (PCLS) prepared from CS-exposed mice and from CS-exposed mice treated with influenza A virus (Mem71, H3N1). CS exposure alone reduced SALB potency and efficacy associated with decreased β2-adrenoceptor mRNA expression, and increased tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression. This impaired relaxation was restored by day 12 in the absence of further CS exposure. In PCLS prepared after Mem71 infection alone, responses to SALB were transient and were not well maintained. CS exposure prior to Mem71 infection almost completely abolished relaxation, although β2-adrenoceptor and TNFα and IL-1β expression were unaltered. The present study has shown decreased sensitivity to SALB after CS or a combination of CS and Mem71 occurs by different mechanisms. In addition, the PCLS technique and our models of CS and influenza infection provide a novel setting for assessment of alternative bronchodilators.
Relaxed stability conditions for the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system using a polynomial non‐quadratic Lyapunov function
Authors: Sol Kim Han , Bae Park Jin , Hoon Joo Young
Published: April 2016

In this study, sum‐of‐squares (SOS)‐based relaxed stability conditions for the continuous‐time Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy system are derived using a polynomial non‐quadratic Lyapunov function (PNQLF). The proposed methods consist of two approaches. Like the previous studies, the first uses the upper bounds on a time derivative of the fuzzy weighting function (TDFWF), and the other directly uses the TDFWF in order to obtain relaxed results and enlarge the domain of attraction. Moreover, unlike the conventional non‐quadratic Lyapunov function, the newly proposed PNQLF uses different fuzzy weighting functions from those of the system in order to solve the existing problems. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated by some numerical examples.
Reconfigurable narrow‐frame antenna for LTE/WWAN metal‐rimmed smartphone applications
Authors: Ban Yong‐Ling , Qiang Yun‐Fei , Wu Gang , Wang Hanyang , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: April 2016

A reconfigurable narrow‐frame coupled‐loop antenna capable of providing hepta‐band long term evolution/wireless wide area network (LTE/WWAN) for metal‐rimmed smartphone applications is proposed. The ground clearance of this proposed antenna is only 7 × 70 mm2 which is promising for narrow‐frame smartphone applications. Moreover, this proposed antenna can realise the miniaturisation by employing a positive intrinsic negative diode (PIN diode), which can provide two working states. When the PIN diode is OFF, it can provide coverage for GSM850/DCS/PCS/UMTS2100/LTE2300/2500 operations. When the PIN diode is ON, the obtained bands are GSM900/DCS/PCS/UMTS2100/LTE2300/2500. Hence, by combining these two working states, GSM850/900/DCS/PCS/UMTS2100/LTE2300/2500 operations are achieved. In addition, the feasibility of realising decoupled multi‐antennas is demonstrated and its performances are well‐suited for future smartphone applications. Detailed design considerations of the proposed antenna are described. Both experimental and simulated results are also presented and discussed.
Scale factor characteristics of laser gyroscopes of different sizes
Authors: Fan Zhenfang , Lu Guangfeng , Hu Shomin , Wang Zhiguo , Luo Hui
Published: April 2016

The scale factor correction characteristics of two ring laser gyroscopes of different sizes are investigated systematically in this paper. The variation in the scale factor can reach 144 or 70 ppm for square gyroscopes with arm lengths of 8.4 cm or 15.6 cm, respectively, during frequency tuning. A dip in the scale factor is observed at the line center of the gain characteristic for both gyroscope sizes. When a different longitudinal mode is excited, the scale factor behavior remains the same, but the scale factor values differ slightly from those derived from geometric prediction. The scale factor tends to decrease with increasing discharge current, but the sensitivity of the scale factor to variations in the excitation decreases with increasing discharge current.
Comprehensive scaling study of NbO2 insulator-metal-transition selector for cross point array application
Authors: Cha Euijun , Park Jaehyuk , Woo Jiyong , Lee Daeseok , Prakash Amit , Hwang Hyunsang
Published: April 2016

The transition metal oxide, NbO2, which exhibits an insulator to metal transition (IMT) is regarded as a promising selector device to be integrated with a resistive memory for cross point array application. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the scaling of an NbO2 selector using a mushroom device structure. A thorough understanding of the scaling behavior of forming voltage (Vf), threshold voltage (Vth), and current (Ith) is essential to evaluate the potential of voltage as well as current scaling and selectivity of NbO2 selector. Importantly, by analyzing the scaling trend of threshold current, we believed that the IMT behavior is strongly affected by filamentary conducting path formed during the forming process. The findings provide the promise to maximize the selector device performance by minimizing the conducting path inside the NbO2 layer.
Perturbations induced by electrostatic probe in the discharge of Hall thrusters
Authors: Grimaud L. , Pétin A. , Vaudolon J. , Mazouffre S.
Published: April 2016

Emissive and Langmuir probes are two widely used plasma diagnostic techniques that, when used properly, give access to a wide range of information on the plasma’s ions and electrons. We show here that their use in small and medium power Hall thrusters produces large perturbations in the discharge characteristics. Potential measurements performed by both probes and non-invasive Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy highlight significant discrepancies in the discharge profile. This phenomenon is observed both in the 200 W and the 1.5 kW-class thrusters. In order to have a better understanding of these perturbations, ion velocity distribution functions are acquired by LIF spectroscopy at different positions in the smaller thruster, with and without the probes. Emissive probes are shown to produce the biggest perturbation, shifting the acceleration region upstream. The probe insertion is also shown to have significant effect on both the average discharge current, increasing it by as much as 30%, and its harmonic content in both amplitude and spectrum. These perturbations appear as the probe tip passes a threshold located between 0 and 5 mm downstream of the thruster exit plane.
Unstable density distribution associated with equatorial plasma bubble
Authors: Kherani E. A. , Bharuthram R. , Singh S. , Lakhina G. S. , de Meneses F. Carlos
Published: April 2016

In this work, we present a simulation study of equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) in the evening time ionosphere. The fluid simulation is performed with a high grid resolution, enabling us to probe the steepened updrafting density structures inside EPB. Inside the density depletion that eventually evolves as EPB, both density and updraft are functions of space from which the density as implicit function of updraft velocity or the density distribution function is constructed. In the present study, this distribution function and the corresponding probability distribution function are found to evolve from Maxwellian to non-Maxwellian as the initial small depletion grows to EPB. This non-Maxwellian distribution is of a gentle-bump type, in confirmation with the recently reported distribution within EPB from space-borne measurements that offer favorable condition for small scale kinetic instabilities.
Identification of the zinc-oxygen divacancy in ZnO crystals
Authors: Holston M. S. , Golden E. M. , Kananen B. E. , McClory J. W. , Giles N. C. , Halliburton L. E.
Published: April 2016

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum in neutron-irradiated ZnO crystals is assigned to the zinc-oxygen divacancy. These divacancies are observed in the bulk of both hydrothermally grown and seeded-chemical-vapor-transport-grown crystals after irradiations with fast neutrons. Neutral nonparamagnetic complexes consisting of adjacent zinc and oxygen vacancies are formed during the irradiation. Subsequent illumination below ∼150 K with 442 nm laser light converts these (VZn2− − VO2+)0 defects to their EPR-active state (VZn− − VO2+)+ as electrons are transferred to donors. The resulting photoinduced S = 1/2 spectrum of the divacancy is holelike and has a well-resolved angular dependence from which a complete g matrix is obtained. Principal values of the g matrix are 2.00796, 2.00480, and 2.00244. The unpaired spin resides primarily on one of the three remaining oxygen ions immediately adjacent to the zinc vacancy, thus making the electronic structure of the (VZn− − VO2+)+ ground state similar to the isolated singly ionized axial zinc vacancy. The neutral (VZn2− − VO2+)0 divacancies dissociate when the ZnO crystals are heated above 250 °C. After heating above this temperature, the divacancy EPR signal cannot be regenerated at low temperature with light.
Ferromagnetic resonance in low interacting permalloy nanowire arrays
Authors: Raposo V. , Zazo M. , Flores A. G. , Garcia J. , Vega V. , Iñiguez J. , Prida V. M.
Published: April 2016

Dipolar interactions on magnetic nanowire arrays have been investigated by various techniques. One of the most powerful techniques is the ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy, because the resonance field depends directly on the anisotropy field strength and its frequency dependence. In order to evaluate the influence of magnetostatic dipolar interactions among ferromagnetic nanowire arrays, several densely packed hexagonal arrays of NiFe nanowires have been prepared by electrochemical deposition filling self-ordered nanopores of alumina membranes with different pore sizes but keeping the same interpore distance. Nanowires’ diameter was changed from 90 to 160 nm, while the lattice parameter was fixed to 300 nm, which was achieved by carefully reducing the pore diameter by means of Atomic Layer Deposition of conformal Al2O3 layers on the nanoporous alumina templates. Field and frequency dependence of ferromagnetic resonance have been studied in order to obtain the dispersion diagram which gives information about anisotropy, damping factor, and gyromagnetic ratio. The relationship between resonance frequency and magnetic field can be explained by the roles played by the shape anisotropy and dipolar interactions among the ferromagnetic nanowires.
Size-dependent pyroelectric properties of gallium nitride nanowires
Authors: Zhang Jin , Wang Chengyuan
Published: April 2016

The size scale effect on the pyroelectric properties is studied for gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires (NWs) based on molecular dynamics simulations and the theoretical analysis. Due to the significant influence of the surface thermoelasticity and piezoelectricity at the nanoscale, the pyroelectric coefficient of GaN NWs is found to depend on the cross-sectional size. This size-dependent pyroelectric coefficient of GaN NWs together with the size-dependent dielectric constant reported in our previous study is employed to study the pyroelectric potential of GaN NWs subjected to heating. The results show that the size scale effect is significant for thin NWs (cross-sectional size in nanometers) and may raise the pyroelectric potential of GaN NWs by over 10 times. Such a size scale effect on the pyroelectric properties of NWs originates from the influence of thermoelasticity, piezoelectricity, and dielectricity at the nanoscale and decreases with increasing cross-section of GaN NWs. It is expected that the present study may have strong implication in the field of energy harvesting at the nanoscale, as pyroelectricity offers a new avenue to the design of novel nanogenerators.
Microscopic origin of read current noise in TaOx-based resistive switching memory by ultra-low temperature measurement
Authors: Pan Yue , Cai Yimao , Liu Yefan , Fang Yichen , Yu Muxi , Tan Shenghu , Huang Ru
Published: April 2016

TaOx-based resistive random access memory (RRAM) attracts considerable attention for the development of next generation nonvolatile memories. However, read current noise in RRAM is one of the critical concerns for storage application, and its microscopic origin is still under debate. In this work, the read current noise in TaOx-based RRAM was studied thoroughly. Based on a noise power spectral density analysis at room temperature and at ultra-low temperature of 25 K, discrete random telegraph noise (RTN) and continuous average current fluctuation (ACF) are identified and decoupled from the total read current noise in TaOx RRAM devices. A statistical comparison of noise amplitude further reveals that ACF depends strongly on the temperature, whereas RTN is independent of the temperature. Measurement results combined with conduction mechanism analysis show that RTN in TaOx RRAM devices arises from electron trapping/detrapping process in the hopping conduction, and ACF is originated from the thermal activation of conduction centers that form the percolation network. At last, a unified model in the framework of hopping conduction is proposed to explain the underlying mechanism of both RTN and ACF noise, which can provide meaningful guidelines for designing noise-immune RRAM devices.
Sn-based Ge/Ge0.975Sn0.025/Ge p-i-n photodetector operated with back-side illumination
Authors: Chang C. , Li H. , Huang S. H. , Cheng H. H. , Sun G. , Soref R. A.
Published: April 2016

We report an investigation of a GeSn-based p-i-n photodetector grown on a Ge wafer that collects light signal from the back of the wafer. Temperature dependent absorption measurements performed over a wide temperature range (300 K down to 25 K) show that (a) absorption starts at the indirect bandgap of the active GeSn layer and continues up to the direct bandgap of the Ge wafer, and (b) the peak responsivity increases rapidly at first with decreasing temperature, then increases more slowly, followed by a decrease at the lower temperatures. The maximum responsivity happens at 125 K, which can easily be achieved with the use of liquid nitrogen. The temperature dependence of the photocurrent is analyzed by taking into consideration of the temperature dependence of the electron and hole mobility in the active layer, and the analysis result is in reasonable agreement with the data in the temperature regime where the rapid increase occurs. This investigation demonstrates the feasibility of a GeSn-based photodiode that can be operated with back-side illumination for applications in image sensing systems.
Site-controlled InGaN/GaN single-photon-emitting diode
Authors: Zhang Lei , Teng Chu-Hsiang , Ku Pei-Cheng , Deng Hui
Published: April 2016

We report single-photon emission from electrically driven site-controlled InGaN/GaN quantum dots. The device is fabricated from a planar light-emitting diode structure containing a single InGaN quantum well, using a top-down approach. The location, dimension, and height of each single-photon-emitting diode are controlled lithographically, providing great flexibility for chip-scale integration.
Oestrogenic action of neonatal tamoxifen on the hypothalamus and reproductive system in female mice
Authors: Parandin Rahmatollah , Behnam-Rassouli Morteza , Mahdavi-Shahri Nasser
Published: April 2016

Tamoxifen, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, is widely used for both the treatment and prevention of breast cancer in women; however, it is known to have adverse effects in the female reproductive system. Growing evidence suggests that oestrogen-sensitive neuron populations of the anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus and arcuate (ARC) nucleus, especially kisspeptin neurons, play a pivotal role in the timing of puberty onset and reproductive function. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether neonatal exposure to tamoxifen affects oestrogenic actions in the brain and reproductive function in mice. On 1 to 5 postnatal days, female pups were injected subcutaneously with sesame oil (sham), oestradiol benzoate (EB; 20 µg kg–1), tamoxifen (0.4 mg kg–1) or EB+tamoxifen. Control mice received no treatment. Mice in the EB, tamoxifen and tamoxifen+EB groups exhibited advanced vaginal opening, disrupted oestrous cycles and a decreased follicular pool. Conversely, in these groups, there was a reduction in kisspeptin (Kiss1) mRNA expression, the neuronal density of AVPV and ARC nuclei and LH and oestradiol concentrations in the serum. The results of the present study confirm oestrogenic actions of tamoxifen in the brain and reproductive system. In addition, we show, for the first time, that tamoxifen has oestrogenic effects on the oestrogen-sensitive hypothalamic AVPV and ARC nuclei controlling the reproductive axis in female mice.
Sigma1 receptors inhibit store-operated Ca2+ entry by attenuating coupling of STIM1 to Orai1
Authors: Srivats Shyam , Balasuriya Dilshan , Pasche Mathias , Vistal Gerard , Edwardson J. Michael , Taylor Colin W. , Murrell-Lagnado Ruth D.
Published: April 2016

Sigma1 receptors (σ1Rs) are expressed widely; they bind diverse ligands, including psychotropic drugs and steroids, regulate many ion channels, and are implicated in cancer and addiction. It is not known how σ1Rs exert such varied effects. We demonstrate that σ1Rs inhibit store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), a major Ca2+ influx pathway, and reduce the Ca2+ content of the intracellular stores. SOCE was inhibited by expression of σ1R or an agonist of σ1R and enhanced by loss of σ1R or an antagonist. Within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), σ1R associated with STIM1, the ER Ca2+ sensor that regulates SOCE. This interaction was modulated by σ1R ligands. After depletion of Ca2+ stores, σ1R accompanied STIM1 to ER–plasma membrane (PM) junctions where STIM1 stimulated opening of the Ca2+ channel, Orai1. The association of STIM1 with σ1R slowed the recruitment of STIM1 to ER–PM junctions and reduced binding of STIM1 to PM Orai1. We conclude that σ1R attenuates STIM1 coupling to Orai1 and thereby inhibits SOCE.
B cell IFN-γ receptor signaling promotes autoimmune germinal centers via cell-intrinsic induction of BCL-6
Authors: Jackson Shaun W. , Jacobs Holly M. , Arkatkar Tanvi , Dam Elizabeth M. , Scharping Nicole E. , Kolhatkar Nikita S. , Hou Baidong , Buckner Jane H. , Rawlings David J.
Published: April 2016

Dysregulated germinal center (GC) responses are implicated in the pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although both type 1 and type 2 interferons (IFNs) are involved in lupus pathogenesis, their respective impacts on the establishment of autoimmune GCs has not been addressed. In this study, using a chimeric model of B cell-driven autoimmunity, we demonstrate that B cell type 1 IFN receptor signals accelerate, but are not required for, lupus development. In contrast, B cells functioning as antigen-presenting cells initiate CD4+ T cell activation and IFN-γ production, and strikingly, B cell–intrinsic deletion of the IFN-γ receptor (IFN-γR) abrogates autoimmune GCs, class-switched autoantibodies (auto-Abs), and systemic autoimmunity. Mechanistically, although IFN-γR signals increase B cell T-bet expression, B cell–intrinsic deletion of T-bet exerts an isolated impact on class-switch recombination to pathogenic auto-Ab subclasses without impacting GC development. Rather, in both mouse and human B cells, IFN-γ synergized with B cell receptor, toll-like receptor, and/or CD40 activation signals to promote cell-intrinsic expression of the GC master transcription factor, B cell lymphoma 6 protein. Our combined findings identify a novel B cell–intrinsic mechanism whereby IFN signals promote lupus pathogenesis, implicating this pathway as a potential therapeutic target in SLE.
Is my boson sampler working?
Authors: Bentivegna Marco , Spagnolo Nicolò , Sciarrino Fabio
Published: April 2016

Is it possible to assess the correct functioning of a quantum device which eludes efficient computation of the expected results? The BosonSampling protocol is one of the best candidates to experimentally demonstrate the superior computational power of quantum mechanics, but the problem of its results certification requires the development of new methodologies, when the size of the problem becomes too large for a complete classical simulation. A recent work (Walschaers et al 2016 New J. Phys.
18 032001) has provided a significant step forward in this direction, by developing a statistical test to identify particle types in a many-body interference pattern. This tool can be applied in a general scenario to assess and investigate multi-particle coherent dynamics.
Characterizing diversity and variation in fish choruses in Darwin Harbour
Authors: Parsons Miles J. G. , Salgado-Kent Chandra P. , Marley Sarah A. , Gavrilov Alexander N. , McCauley Robert D.
Published: April 2016

The diversity, intensity, and periodicity of fish sounds can provide a wealth of information on spatial and temporal distribution of soniferous fish and, on occasion, which environmental factors these choruses are driven by. Such information can help predict species presence and understand their movement patterns in the long term. At three sites in Darwin Harbour, Australia, sea-noise loggers on the harbour floor recorded ambient noise over a 2-year period. Many fish calls and nine different chorus types were detected over 50 Hz to 3 kHz. Source species were speculated for four of the choruses and source levels, a precursor to passive acoustic abundance estimates, were identified for two of these. Other calls displayed similarities to choruses detected elsewhere in Australia. All choruses displayed diel cycles with semi-lunar patterns present for three of the chorus types. Time of sunset and temperature were also significantly related to the presence of the most predominant chorus and while not statistically significant, height of high tide and salinity also appeared related. A lack of frequency and temporal partitioning in calling across the choruses in hours of darkness (after sunset) illustrates the complexity of monitoring communities of different vocal species. The study has outlined some of the patterns biological sounds exhibit, which has significant implications for sampling strategies when using soundscapes for temporal and spatial predictive modelling.
The evolving and increasing need for climate change research on the oceans
Authors: Barange Manuel , King Jacquelynne , Valdés Luis , Turra Alexander
Published: April 2016

The 3rd International Symposium on the Effects of Climate Change on the World's Oceans was held in Santos, Brazil, in March 2015, convened by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC), and organized locally by the Oceanographic Institute, University of Sao Paulo (IO-USP). The symposium was designed to do two things. First, to get updates on new scientific developments that would address recognized uncertainties that remained from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report and to contribute to building bridges between research in the natural and social sciences in respect to the human dimensions of climate change, with a focus on coastal communities, management objectives, governance and adaptation measures. The choice of the venue in Santos, Brazil, was aimed to stimulate and widen this thematic discussion in Latin America and southern Atlantic regions, where there still are important knowledge gaps and scientific, politic and societal challenges to be overcome. The meeting was attended by 280 participants from 38 countries, contributing 336 oral and poster presentations. This paper summarizes the main outcomes of the symposium and introduces a number of papers submitted to this special issue.
Molecular analysis of vertebrates and plants in scats of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in southwest China
Authors: Xiong Mengyin , Shao Xinning , Long Ying , Bu Hongliang , Zhang Dan , Wang Dajun , Li Sheng , Wang Rongjiang , Yao Meng
Published: April 2016

Understanding the diets of carnivores is essential for resolving food web interactions and the population dynamics of both prey and predators and for designing effective strategies for species and ecosystem conservation. As effective predators, wild felids play important roles in various ecosystems, but relatively little is known about the dietary habits of many species, primarily owing to their elusive behavior. We used a DNA-based method to analyze the vertebrates and plants constituting the diet of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in the temperate forests of the mountains of southwest China, a global biodiversity hotspot. DNA extracted from leopard cat scats was amplified with primers targeting either the vertebrate mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene (N = 25 scats) or the psbCL region of the chloroplast genome of vascular plants (N = 42 scats). The polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced and prey taxa were assigned based on sequence similarity. We identified a total of 16 taxa of vertebrate prey, with pikas (in 76% of the scats) and rodents (40%) predominating. Plant material belonging to 12 taxa was found in 76% of the samples, and the genus Solanum and subfamily Rosoideae were the most frequently detected plant taxa. The frequency of occurrence of identified plant taxa differed between the spring–summer and fall–winter months. Thus, the leopard cats in our study area have a diversified diet and are highly flexible in adapting their foraging behavior to the locally available prey. Our data suggest that preserving their natural prey base dominated by pikas and rodents may be vital for the subsistence of local populations. The high species resolution and detection sensitivity of the DNA-based method we used in this study make it a powerful and efficient tool for fine-scale analysis of complex diets.
Montaigne’s Essays
Authors: Desan Philippe
Published: April 2016

The creator of the “essay,” Michel de Montaigne serves as a bridge between what we call the early modern and modernity. The Essays resemble a patchwork of personal reflections that tend toward a single goal: to live better in the present and to prepare for death. Montaigne constantly redefines the nature of his task in order to fashion himself anew and, in the end, offers an impressionistic model of descriptions based on momentary experiences. Over the centuries, the reception of Montaigne has been anything but simple. The institutionalization of an author depends on what one might call his or her “ideological and historical trajectory.” An effect of “globalization” has even reached Montaigne in recent years, bringing him sudden, worldwide visibility. His thought has become internationalized, and he is read, studied, and commented in most European countries as well as in North America, Latin America, and Asia.
Montaigne in England and America
Authors: Boutcher Warren
Published: April 2016

This article begins by summarizing the foundational work of Pierre Villey on the reception of Montaigne in England and America. Villey argued that studies of influence should rest on carefully documented proof of reception. He found that no other French writer had enjoyed such a strong reception in England, and that no other European country had welcomed him with such consistent admiration across the centuries. Villey explained this in terms of a fundamental but variously inflected sympathy between the essayist and the English mentality or character. The rest of the article surveys how research has developed in the one hundred years since Villey’s time and argues that we need both a wider range of data and new ways of analyzing continuity and change over long periods. The article concludes with a comparison of the contexts of John Florio’s Montaigne (1603) and William Hazlitt’s first English edition of Montaigne’s complete Works (1842).
Bibliographic and Research Resources on Montaigne
Authors: Desan Philippe
Published: April 2016

The Essays have generated an entire modern library, equal in size to their author’s original library. In this concluding article, bibliographic and research tools are reviewed. These resources will help the reader to further pursue his or her own personal investigations of Montaigne’s Essays in a manner that the author himself would have wished for. To this end, a select bibliography of 120 titles proposes further readings on different topics and themes. Reasoned and analytical bibliographies on Montaigne are also presented with a list of French editions of the Essays and other writings by Montaigne, a list of English translations, and Internet sites dedicated to Montaigne’s works.
Montaigne and the Wars of Religion
Authors: Greengrass Mark
Published: April 2016

Using examples of moments in the Essays where Montaigne says that he has “seen” something this article problematizes the relationship between the events of the Wars of Religion, those in Montaigne’s life, and his reflections in the Essays. The questions Montaigne chooses to reflect on, and how he does so, is more important than the abstraction of the references in the text, which can be construed as referring to incidents or phenomena during the period of the wars. The plasticity of his allusions (“civil wars,” “troubles,” etc.) furnishes the context for demonstrating why Montaigne’s view of religion meant that he could not regard the period as, in any simple way, “wars of religion.” His attitudes to attempts to bring about a pacification of the troubles through royal edict are analyzed. The article concludes with a brief examination of Montaigne’s public engagements as mayor of Bordeaux and in the wars of the Catholic League.
Ethics and Values of Commissioning Mental Health Services
Authors: Heginbotham Christopher
Published: April 2016

Commissioning is a cyclical process of that demands an understanding of the needs of prospective and current patients and service users, knowledge of community and institutional assets for psychiatric care, information on those public private and independent organizations available and willing to provide services, a wide and deep understanding of psychiatric nosology and treatments available, an ability to turn this information into a contract that is negotiated with the relevant providers, a recognition of cost and quality, a resource allocation methodology, and a system of measurement and clinical governance. Care planning, needs assessment, service development, and contracting disciplines each have their own ethical codes and values bases; by using values-based systems that engage patients and seek to meet patients lived experience, commissioners can shape the most appropriate service relevant to the patients’ recovery objectives.
Ethics of Public Mental Health in Developing Societies
Authors: Fernando Buddhika Lalanie , Sumathipala Athula
Published: April 2016

Half of the world’s population lives in countries with one psychiatrist to serve 200,000 people and in low and middle income countries (LAMICs), even most people with severe mental disorders remain untreated. As curative care is prioritized, public mental health is inundated with deep-seated problems, primarily due to the lack of funding. From an ethical perspective, such underlying issues in public mental health exist regardless of income levels; they are, however, further exacerbated by the lack of resources and awareness in LAMICs. Ironically, the ethics of public mental health have received much less attention than that of psychiatric research. We therefore use a public health ethics framework to broaden the ethical perspective in public mental health and examine it from a low-resource setting viewpoint. Next, we examine public mental health from a social justice perspective. Third, we examine issues critical to ensuring better access to mental health services in LAMICs.
Comparative Corporate Governance in Closely Held Corporations
Authors: Fleischer Holger
Published: April 2016

This chapter examines issues relating to corporate governance in closely held corporations. It begins by describing the typical characteristics of closely held corporations, with particular emphasis on shareholder involvement in management, number of shareholders, share transfers, market for shares, and the broad spectrum of shareholders and applications. It then considers common governance issues and conflicts in closely held corporations and proceeds with a discussion of the governance framework for such corporations consisting of company law, model articles, articles of association, shareholder agreements, and corporate governance guidelines. It also explores the internal governance and management of closely held corporations, the governance of share transfer restrictions, and provisions for shareholder withdrawal and expulsion. The chapter concludes with an analysis of shareholder conflicts, especially oppression by majority shareholders and ex-post opportunism by minority shareholders, and how they are governed in closely held corporations.
Maritime Communities and Traditions
Authors: Ransley Jesse
Published: April 2016

Maritime communities and traditions discussed within archaeological discourse, imply either small, contemporary, indigenous communities or folklore traditions from European or North American contexts. The article discusses small-scale tradition and local maritime practices. There are three main strands within this subject—oral histories and folklore traditions, studies of contemporary “traditional” boats, and ethnography that has a maritime locus of study. This article gives a review of these three sources of information on maritime communities and traditions, and addresses the history and context of each research field. Finally, it touches on new directions in studies of maritime communities and traditions, focusing on the notion of maritime heritage. The study of maritime traditions explores the uses to which maritime archaeological knowledge is put in the contemporary world and the cultural and even the socioeconomic politics behind many of the archaeological projects.
A Five Factor Discussion
Authors: Widiger Thomas A.
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this chapter is to pay homage to and provide a discussion of each of the chapters included within this text. The first section of the book provided a description of the Five Factor Model (FFM), followed by a chapter devoted to each of the five domains. The second section concerned construct validity support for the FFM. The third and final section considered various social and clinical applications of the FFM, as well as issues and concerns with respect to these applications. Each of the chapters included within each section is discussed in turn.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Memory
Authors: Gutchess Angela , Huff Sarah
Published: April 2016

This chapter reviews the literature on the effects of culture on memory, focusing on the comparison of Easterners and Westerners. The chapter opens with a consideration of the mechanisms through which culture can impact memory and then reviews the cognitive biases and strategies that can shape memory, including memory for objects versus background, memory for perceptual details, source memory, the use of categories in memory, and false memory. Next, the chapter presents evidence for cross-cultural differences in self-relevant, autobiographical, and emotional memory, and it discusses the neuroimaging literature broadly related to differences in self-construals across cultures. Throughout, the chapter adopts a developmental perspective with a focus on older adulthood, and it closes with a consideration of the health relevance of the study of memory across cultures with age.
The Gene–Culture Interaction Framework and Implications for Health
Authors: Sasaki Joni Y. , Leclair Jean , West Alexandria , Kim Heejung S.
Published: April 2016

Based on the framework of gene–environment interactions (G  E), the gene–culture interaction framework demonstrates that a more complete understanding of thoughts and behaviors relevant to health may come from incorporating both genetic and cultural factors. Genes may interact with culture such that genetic predispositions lead to different outcomes depending on culture, and cultural differences on a given outcome may vary depending on genetic predispositions. We provide an overview of G  E research and some of the underlying biological mechanisms of these interactions. We explain the gene–culture interaction framework and discuss how culture is an important form of environment to consider that makes theoretical contributions unique from other forms of environment typically studied in G  E research. We discuss theoretical questions raised by gene–culture interaction research and specify how the gene–culture interaction framework can be applied to certain health issues.
Confirmation and Induction
Authors: Sprenger Jan
Published: April 2016

Scientific knowledge is based on induction, ampliative inferences from experience. The chapter gives an overview of the problem of induction and the responses that philosophers of science have developed over time, focusing on attempts to spell out rules of inductive inference, and to balance attractive theoretical principles with judgments and intuitions in particular cases. That this is not always easy is demonstrated by challenges such as the paradox of the ravens, the problem of irrelevant conjunctions, and Goodman's new riddle of induction. The chapter then focuses on explications of the degree of confirmation of a hypothesis and compares various Bayesian measures of confirmation, as well as the Bayesian and frequentist approaches to statistical inference.
Experiment
Authors: Feest Uljana , Steinle Friedrich
Published: April 2016

The authors provide an overview of philosophical discussions about the roles of experiment in science. First, they cover two approaches that took shape under the heading of “new experimentalism” in the 1980s and 1990s. One approach was primarily concerned with questions about entity realism, robustness, and epistemological strategies. The other has focused on exploratory experiments and the dynamic processes of experimental research as such, highlighting its iterative nature and drawing out the ways in which such research is grounded in experimental systems, concepts and operational definitions. Second, the authors look at more recent philosophical work on the epistemology of causal inference, in particular highlighting discussions in the philosophy of the behavioral and social sciences, concerning the extrapolation from laboratory contexts to the world.
Transcendental Thomisms
Authors: Marmion Declan
Published: April 2016

This chapter locates those known as ‘trasncendental Thomists’ against the broad background, first, of the revival of Thomism in the late nineteenth century and, second, of debates concerning the relationship between faith and reason in Catholic circles since the late eighteenth century. The chapter then explores how Pierre Rousselot and Joseph Maréchal sought to bring Kant’s discussion of the intellect’s dynamism into conversation with Thomas’s philosophy. Karl Rahner was influenced by Maréchal’s work, but developed a far more comprehensive theological project. Lonergan’s own transcendental project focused on a dynamic vision of human knowing and thinking, trying to adapt Thomist thought to a more historicist philosophical context. These two theologians continue to offer great promise for the future of Catholic theology.
Catholic Theology in Africa
Authors: Akinwale Anthony
Published: April 2016

This chapter introduces Catholic theology in Africa. The encounter between Africa and Christianity is divided into three periods. The first of these runs from the beginning of Christianity to ad 1500. During this period Christianity flourished and produced some of the major theologians of the patristic period, and then survived with difficulty after the rise of Islam. The second period runs from ad 1500 to 1800. During this period there were certainly African priests and African seminaries, but little theological writing. The third period covers ad 1800 to the present day. This chapter considers the many theological voices and movements of this period beginning with inculturation theology and liberation theology, and ending with critiques of these movements and the emergence of a more firmly doctrinal theology in recent decades.
The Invisible Landscape
Authors: Caponetti Lorenzo
Published: April 2016

This chapter highlights the experiences and results of a decade-long investigation of an Etruscan water tunnel (cuniculum) on a central Italian farm and the adaptation of this engineering method to a contemporary water distribution system. The history of these drainage and water distribution tunnels is discussed and the attributes that have made it possible for Etruscan water systems to survive over two millennia are identified. The chapter then proposes ways that this technology can be applied to the challenges posed by sustainable agriculture today. The discussion concludes by comparing a zero emission water distribution system that is currently employed on the author’s farm to its Etruscan ancestor, and suggests how archaeological knowledge can be applied in contemporary agricultural contexts