bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fault‐tolerant structure for cascaded H‐bridge multilevel inverter and reliability evaluation
Authors: Haji‐Esmaeili Mohammad Mehdi , Naseri Mersad , Khoun‐Jahan Hossein , Abapour Mehdi
Published: April 2016

In this study, a fault‐tolerant structure and its controlling method for a cascaded H‐bridge multilevel inverter is introduced. When a fault occurs in one of the modules, the proposed circuit is able to isolate and eliminate the defective module from the whole system. The isolation and elimination is done by four relays in each module and a controlling circuit. This solution makes the system continue the normal operation by means of the remained healthy modules with decreased output voltage level. Therefore, the whole system failure will be prevented and higher reliability of the inverter will be guaranteed. Principles of operation and the controlling method are presented in this study. Reliability evaluation and comparison of the proposed fault‐tolerant structure and the conventional one are considered. To ensure the correct performance of the proposed cascaded H‐bridge multilevel inverter, a prototype has been synthesised in the laboratory. The obtained results affirm higher reliability and mean time to failure of the proposed circuit, so suitability of the proposed structure for sensitive industrial applications is confirmed.
Critical data real‐time routing in industrial wireless sensor networks
Authors: Kumar Manish , Tripathi Rajeev , Tiwari Sudarshan
Published: April 2016

Recent developments in the field of micro‐electro mechanical systems and wireless sensor networks made revolutionary changes in industrial automation and process control. However, harsh and complex industrial environment pose great challenges toward real‐time and reliable wireless communication. This necessitates a routing protocol that fulfils the industrial current real‐time, reliable routing needs and opens the door for new applications that may arise in future. This study presents critical data reliable routing protocol for industrial real‐time applications. That dynamically selects the reliable relay node by considering the data type, deadline time along with the recent parameters of the network. These parameters are selected in such a way that the critical data forwarding follow shorter path over speedy, reliable links and non‐critical data forwarding follow the path over energy efficient nodes. In this way, the relay node selection process balances the network load that the shorter path remains available for the shorter deadline‐time critical data. The results show improvement in timeliness data delivery along enhanced network life. As far as a node failure is concerned, the forwarding node fails to access potential relay node. Therefore, following transmission energy regulation mechanism optimises this problem with enhancing timeliness data delivery.
Game‐theory‐based coordination in wireless sensor and actor networks
Authors: Liu Qun , Yang Shuanghua , Zhang Lijiao , Ji Lianghao
Published: April 2016

Since better cooperation among actors can balance energy consumption and improve the real‐time performance in wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs), it is tremendously challenging to detect the best cooperating team of actors in WSANs. In this study, a game theoretic method called coalition game is introduced into the authors’ model named cooperative‐game‐based actor‐to‐actor coordination algorithm. It is a multi‐player strategy game consisting of actors. The game performs at each time when an action must be executed in an event area. So the task allocation problem in WSANs is converted into the utility assignment in the actor‐alliance. The proposed model implements the effective executions of tasks by organising the best cooperating work team among actors through a game theory strategy. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, it is simulated using NS‐2 simulator. Then, it is subsequently compared against other existing applicable approaches such as real‐time task mapping and scheduling and distributed actor recovery algorithm algorithms, in terms of real‐time performance, energy consumption and network lifetime, to demonstrate its efficiency and viability. Finally, the simulation results show a better improvement than existing above‐mentioned methods.
Nanostructured ZnO thin film with improved optical and electrochemical properties prepared by hydrothermal electrochemical deposition technique
Authors: Biswas Indranil , Majumder Mousumi , Roy (Kundu) Piyali , Mukherjee Debadrita , Chakraborty Ashim Kumar
Published: April 2016

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were grown on fluorine‐doped tin oxide coated glass substrate by the hydrothermal electrochemical deposition (HTED) route using slightly acidic aqueous zinc acetate solution at 80°C and were characterised by various techniques. The deposited films showed n‐type behaviour with improved carrier concentration. The steady state photocurrent densities were found to be 0.4 mA/cm2 (under UV irradiation) and 8 µA/cm2 (under visible light illumination) at zero bias potential. Significant improvement of optical, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties of deposited films could be achieved using HTED technique.
Bistable memory and logic‐gate devices fabricated by intercrossed stacking of graphene–ferroelectric hybrid ribbons
Authors: Kim Woo Young , Kim Hyeon‐Don , Jeon Gwang‐Jae , Kang In‐Ku , Shim Hyun Bin , Kim Tae‐Hyo , Lee Hee Chul
Published: April 2016

A ferroelectric‐gated graphene field‐effect transistor was fabricated by consecutively stacking two distinct graphene–ferroelectric hybrid ribbons at right angles. Two graphene layers play different roles. One graphene layer acts as a gate electrode and the other graphene layer acts as a channel between two electrodes, source and drain. Electric gating at the gate graphene modulates the resistance of the channel graphene. By means of ferroelectric polarisation, bistable resistance states of the channel graphene could be recorded, and the retention time of bistability was estimated to be 460 days by extrapolating of two resistance values in time–resistance relationships. Furthermore, the underlying concept to fabricate bistable memory device was extended to the methodology to realise a logic‐gate device by stacking three distinct graphene–ferroelectric hybrid ribbons.
Premiere für FKT-Branchentreffen
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: April 2016

Die Fachvereinigung Krankenhaustechnik (FKT) veranstaltet am 20. und 21. April 2016 erstmals einen eigenen Branchentreff. Die neue „Fachmesse Krankenhaus Technologie“ im Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen wendet sich an alle Berufsgruppen aus dem Krankenhaus.
Keine Angst vor Bewertungsportalen!
Authors: Dettling Daniel
Published: April 2016

In Nordrhein-Westfalen haben vor drei Jahren Kliniken gegen den Krankenhausnavigator geklagt. Das war teuer und erfolglos. Besser ist, sich mit dem Unvermeidlichen zu arrangieren und die Bewertungsportale konstruktiv zu nutzen.
„Wir sind gegen Medizin mit der Stoppuhr”
Authors: Gaede Kirsten
Published: April 2016

Nach 111 Männern ist Gabriele Schackert die erste Frau auf dem Präsidentensitz der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie. Doch das ist für sie kein Thema. Viel lieber spricht die Neurochirurgin über das Motto des DGCH-Kongresses vom 26. bis 29. April: Chirurgie im Spannungsfeld von Technik, Ethik und Ökonomie.
A measurement system applicable for landslide experiments in the field
Authors: Guo Wen-Zhao , Xu Xiang-Zhou , Wang Wen-Long , Yang Ji-Shan , Liu Ya-Kun , Xu Fei-Long
Published: April 2016

Observation of gravity erosion in the field with strong sunshine and wind poses a challenge. Here, a novel topography meter together with a movable tent addresses the challenge. With the topography meter, a 3D geometric shape of the target surface can be digitally reconstructed. Before the commencement of a test, the laser generator position and the camera sightline should be adjusted with a sight calibrator. Typically, the topography meter can measure the gravity erosion on the slope with a gradient of 30°–70°. Two methods can be used to obtain a relatively clear video, despite the extreme steepness of the slopes. One method is to rotate the laser source away from the slope to ensure that the camera sightline remains perpendicular to the laser plane. Another way is to move the camera farther away from the slope in which the measured volume of the slope needs to be corrected; this method will reduce distortion of the image. In addition, installation of tent poles with concrete columns helps to surmount the altitude difference on steep slopes. Results observed by the topography meter in real landslide experiments are rational and reliable.
Theory and implementation of a very high throughput true random number generator in field programmable gate array
Authors: Wang Yonggang , Hui Cong , Liu Chong , Xu Chao
Published: April 2016

The contribution of this paper is proposing a new entropy extraction mechanism based on sampling phase jitter in ring oscillators to make a high throughput true random number generator in a field programmable gate array (FPGA) practical. Starting from experimental observation and analysis of the entropy source in FPGA, a multi-phase sampling method is exploited to harvest the clock jitter with a maximum entropy and fast sampling speed. This parametrized design is implemented in a Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA, where the carry chains in the FPGA are explored to realize the precise phase shifting. The generator circuit is simple and resource-saving, so that multiple generation channels can run in parallel to scale the output throughput for specific applications. The prototype integrates 64 circuit units in the FPGA to provide a total output throughput of 7.68 Gbps, which meets the requirement of current high-speed quantum key distribution systems. The randomness evaluation, as well as its robustness to ambient temperature, confirms that the new method in a purely digital fashion can provide high-speed high-quality random bit sequences for a variety of embedded applications.
Flow and heat simultaneously induced by two stretchable rotating disks
Authors: Turkyilmazoglu Mustafa
Published: April 2016

An exact solution for the steady state Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates is presented in this work. It serves to investigate the fluid flow and heat transfer occurring between two stretchable disks rotating co-axially at constant distance apart. The governing equations of motion and energy are first transformed into a set of nonlinear differential equation system by the use of von Karman similarity transformations, which are later solved numerically. The small Reynolds number case allows us to extract closed-form solutions for the physical phenomenon. The effects of the same or opposite direction rotation, as well as the stretching parameter and the Reynolds number, are discussed on the flow and heat characteristics. The main physical implication of the results is that stretching action of a disk surface alters considerably the classical flow behavior occurring between two disks and the physically interesting quantities like the torque and heat transfer are elucidated in the presence of a new physical mechanism; that is the surface stretching in the current research.
Effective Hamiltonians for correlated narrow energy band systems and magnetic insulators: Role of spin-orbit interactions in metal-insulator transitions and magnetic phase transitions
Authors: Chakraborty Subrata , Vijay Amrendra
Published: April 2016

Using a second-quantized many-electron Hamiltonian, we obtain (a) an effective Hamiltonian suitable for materials whose electronic properties are governed by a set of strongly correlated bands in a narrow energy range and (b) an effective spin-only Hamiltonian for magnetic materials. The present Hamiltonians faithfully include phonon and spin-related interactions as well as the external fields to study the electromagnetic response properties of complex materials and they, in appropriate limits, reduce to the model Hamiltonians due to Hubbard and Heisenberg. With the Hamiltonian for narrow-band strongly correlated materials, we show that the spin-orbit interaction provides a mechanism for metal-insulator transition, which is distinct from the Mott-Hubbard (driven by the electron correlation) and the Anderson mechanism (driven by the disorder). Next, with the spin-only Hamiltonian, we demonstrate the spin-orbit interaction to be a reason for the existence of antiferromagnetic phase in materials which are characterized by a positive isotropic spin-exchange energy. This is distinct from the Néel-VanVleck-Anderson paradigm which posits a negative spin-exchange for the existence of antiferromagnetism. We also find that the Néel temperature increases as the absolute value of the spin-orbit coupling increases.
A numerical study of the effect of various reactions, pressure and gas mixture ratio on the density distribution of etchant species (H, Br, Br+, and HBr+) in HBr/He plasma
Authors: Gul Banat , Aman-ur-Rehman
Published: April 2016

In this study, a fluid model has been used to study the effect of gas mixing ratio and pressure on the density distribution of important etchant species, i.e., hydrogen (H), bromine (Br), Br+, and HBr+ in HBr/He plasma. Our simulation results show that the densities of active etchant species H, Br, and HBr+ increase with the increase in pressure as well as the HBr fraction in HBr/He mixture. On the contrary, the density of Br+ decreases with the increase in He percentage in HBr/He mixture and with the increase in the pressure. Time averaged reaction rates (of the reactions involved in the production and consumption of these species) have been calculated to study the effect of these reactions on the density distribution of these species. The spatial distribution of these species is explained with the help of the time averaged reaction rates. Important reactions have been identified that contribute considerably to the production and consumption of these active species. The code has been optimized by identifying 26 reactions (out of 40 reactions which contribute in the production and consumption of these species) that have insignificant effect on the densities of H, Br, Br+, and HBr+. This shows that out of 40 reactions, only 14 reactions can be used to calculate the density and distribution of the important species in HBr/He plasma discharge.
Hermite finite elements for high accuracy electromagnetic field calculations: A case study of homogeneous and inhomogeneous waveguides
Authors: Boucher C. R. , Li Zehao , Ahheng C. I. , Albrecht J. D. , Ram-Mohan L. R.
Published: April 2016

Maxwell's vector field equations and their numerical solution represent significant challenges for physical domains with complex geometries. There are several limitations in the presently prevalent approaches to the calculation of field distributions in physical domains, in particular, with the vector finite elements. In order to quantify and resolve issues, we consider the modeling of the field equations for the prototypical examples of waveguides. We employ the finite element method with a new set of Hermite interpolation polynomials derived recently by us using group theoretic considerations. We show that (i) the approach presented here yields better accuracy by several orders of magnitude, with a smoother representation of fields than the vector finite elements for waveguide calculations. (ii) This method does not generate any spurious solutions that plague Lagrange finite elements, even though the C1-continuous Hermite polynomials are also scalar in nature. (iii) We present solutions for propagating modes in inhomogeneous waveguides satisfying dispersion relations that can be derived directly, and investigate their behavior as the ratio of dielectric constants is varied both theoretically and numerically. Additional comparisons and advantages of the proposed method are detailed in this article. The Hermite interpolation polynomials are shown to provide a robust, accurate, and efficient means of solving Maxwell's equations in a variety of media, potentially offering a computationally inexpensive means of designing devices for optoelectronics and plasmonics of increasing complexity.
A neutron scintillator based on transparent nanocrystalline CaF2:Eu glass ceramic
Authors: Struebing Christian , Chong JooYun , Lee Gyuhyon , Zavala Martin , Erickson Anna , Ding Yong , Wang Cai-Lin , Diawara Yacouba , Engels Ralf , Wagner Brent , Kang Zhitao
Published: April 2016

There are no efficient Eu2+ doped glass neutron scintillators reported due to low doping concentrations of Eu2+ and the amorphous nature of the glass matrix. In this work, an efficient CaF2:Eu glass ceramic neutron scintillator was prepared by forming CaF2:Eu nanocrystals in a 6Li-containing glass matrix. Through appropriate thermal treatments, the scintillation light yield of the transparent glass ceramic was increased by a factor of at least 46 compared to the as-cast amorphous glass. This improvement was attributed to more efficient energy transfer from the CaF2 crystals to the Eu2+ emitting centers. Further light yield improvement is expected if the refractive index of the glass matrix can be matched to the CaF2 crystal.
Type-II InP quantum dots in wide-bandgap InGaP host for intermediate-band solar cells
Authors: Tayagaki Takeshi , Sugaya Takeyoshi
Published: April 2016

We demonstrate type-II quantum dots (QDs) with long carrier lifetimes in a wide-bandgap host as a promising candidate for intermediate-band solar cells. Type-II InP QDs are fabricated in a wide-bandgap InGaP host using molecular beam epitaxy. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements reveal an extremely long carrier lifetime (i.e., greater than 30 ns). In addition, from temperature-dependent PL spectra, we find that the type-II InP QDs form a negligible valence band offset and conduction band offset of ΔEc ≈ 0.35 eV in the InGaP host. Such a type-II confinement potential for InP/InGaP QDs has a significant advantage for realizing efficient two-step photon absorption and suppressed carrier capture in QDs via Auger relaxation.
Optimal management and planning of storage systems based on particle swarm optimization technique
Authors: Saboori Hedayat , Hemmati Reza
Published: April 2016

In restructured electric power systems under electricity market regulations, Distribution Companies (DISCOs) mainly aim at maximizing their profit subject to safe operation of the network. In this regard, optimal planning of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) can be a very effective method to maximize DISCOs profit. This paper addresses an optimal methodology to signify the location and capacity of ESSs in distribution network under electricity market environment. The proposed optimal ESSs planning aims at maximizing DISCO profit subject to safe and secure operation constraints (e.g., voltage and flow limits). The maximization problem is mathematically expressed as a mixed integer non-linear programming and solved using particle swarm optimization algorithm. Simulations are carried out on a typical distribution network. Simulation results demonstrate significant impact of ESSs on the network operation, security constraint, and costs. The proposed planning not only increases the DISCO profit but also guarantees the safe operation of the network. As well, several stativity analyses are carried out to indicate the impact of parameters on the planning.
Angular dependence of optical modes in metal-insulator-metal coupled quantum well infrared photodetector
Authors: Jing YouLiang , Li ZhiFeng , Li Qian , Chen PingPing , Zhou XiaoHao , Wang Han , Li Ning , Lu Wei
Published: April 2016

We report the dependence of the near-field optical modes in metal-insulator-metal quantum well infrared photodetector (MIM-QWIP) on the incident angles. Three optical modes are observed and attributed to the 2nd- and the 3rd-order surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes and the localized surface polariton (LSP) mode. In addition to the observation of a responsivity enhancement of 14 times by the LSP mode, the varying pattern of the three modes against the incident angle are revealed, in which the LSP mode is fixed while the 2nd SPP mode splits into two branches and the 3rd SPP mode red-shifts. The detailed mechanisms are analyzed and numerically simulated. The results fit the experiments very well, demonstrating the wavevector coupling effect between the incident light and the metal gratings on the SPP modes. Our work will pave the way to fully understanding the influence of incident angles on a detector’s response for applying the MIM-QWIP to focal plane arrays.
Heteronuclear NMR Spectroscopic Investigations of Gallium Complexes of Substituted Thiosemicarbazones Including X-Ray Crystal Structure, a New Halogen Exchange Strategy, and 18F Radiolabelling
Authors: Venkatachalam T. K. , Pierens G. K. , Bernhardt Paul. V. , Stimson D. H. R. , Bhalla R. , Lambert L. , Reutens D. C.
Published: April 2016

Five thiosemicarbazone ligands have been synthesized, and their coordination chemistry with gallium was investigated. The reaction of these thiosemicarbazones with gallium chloride in alcohol solutions in the presence of a base yielded the corresponding penta-coordinated Ga-Cl metal complexes. In contrast, the reaction of gallium nitrate with the ligands in the presence of alkoxides resulted in the formation of the corresponding Ga-alkoxides, rather than the anticipated Ga-nitrate complex. The crystal structures of gallium chloride and gallium methoxide complexes of diphenylthiosemicarbazone comprise a planar configuration of the tetradentate-coordinated thiosemicarbazone with Ga3+ ion, with the chloride or methoxide groups occupying the apical coordination site. The corresponding ethoxido complex was also prepared in an identical fashion, and NMR analysis confirmed structural similarity to the methoxido complex. Facile halogen exchange reactions of the gallium chloride complexes were achieved by treatment with silver nitrate, followed by addition of KF or KI to generate the gallium fluoride and iodide complexes, respectively. This method of exchange using halogenated inorganic salts aids the preparation of group 13 fluorides, which are notoriously insoluble in organic solvents, for complexation with organic ligands. All compounds have been fully characterized by NMR, and the X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes are reported. Additionally, the positron-emitting isotope 18F was introduced in the structure of the diphenyl gallium thiosemicarbazone complex.
A transcriptional signature of Alzheimer’s disease is associated with a metastable subproteome at risk for aggregation
Authors: Ciryam Prajwal , Kundra Rishika , Freer Rosie , Morimoto Richard I. , Dobson Christopher M. , Vendruscolo Michele
Published: April 2016

Significance

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, has been associated with a complex transcriptional response. To define the nature of this response, we carried out a comprehensive analysis that reveals a set of differentially expressed genes encoding proteins at risk for aggregation. These results identify a transcriptional signature of Alzheimer’s disease consisting of down-regulated genes corresponding to a highly expressed “metastable subproteome” prone to aggregation. Our analysis of this metastable subproteome singles out a small number of biochemical pathways enriched in proteins that are simultaneously supersaturated in control brains and encoded by genes down-regulated in Alzheimer’s disease.
Covert neurofeedback without awareness shapes cortical network spontaneous connectivity
Authors: Ramot Michal , Grossman Shany , Friedman Doron , Malach Rafael
Published: April 2016

Significance

Real-time functional MRI allows the use of well-localized, complex network activity patterns to drive neurofeedback, rather than a simple up/down regulation of a specific cortical region. We based our feedback on differential levels of activity in two high-order visual areas but misled participants to believe the feedback was random. Even without being given an explicit strategy, or having any awareness or intention of learning, our results show changes in resting-state connectivity, which are correlated with the ability to implicitly modulate interactions between neural networks to positively impact feedback. This opens up numerous possibilities for research, as well as for potential clinical intervention, even in states of altered consciousness.
Contrasting variability patterns in the default mode and sensorimotor networks balance in bipolar depression and mania
Authors: Martino Matteo , Magioncalda Paola , Huang Zirui , Conio Benedetta , Piaggio Niccolò , Duncan Niall W. , Rocchi Giulio , Escelsior Andrea , Marozzi Valentina , Wolff Annemarie , Inglese Matilde , Amore Mario , Northoff Georg
Published: April 2016

Significance

Depressive and manic phases in bipolar disorder show opposite constellations of affective, cognitive, and psychomotor symptoms. These may be related to disbalance between large-scale networks, such as the default-mode (DMN) and sensorimotor network (SMN) that are involved in these functions. The variability of resting-state signal amplitude—an index of neuronal activity—of large-scale networks and their balances was investigated in bipolar disorder. The DMN/SMN balance was tilted toward the DMN in depression (characterized by excessive focus on internal thought contents and psychomotor inhibition) and toward the SMN in mania (characterized by excessive focus on external environmental contents and psychomotor overexcitement). Accordingly, the contrasting symptoms of depression and mania may be related to opposite spatiotemporal patterns in the resting-state structure.
Cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 30: An RNA-binding zinc-finger protein with an unexpected 2Fe–2S cluster
Authors: Shimberg Geoffrey D. , Michalek Jamie L. , Oluyadi Abdulafeez A. , Rodrigues Andria V. , Zucconi Beth E. , Neu Heather M. , Ghosh Shanchari , Sureschandra Kanisha , Wilson Gerald M. , Stemmler Timothy L. , Michel Sarah L. J.
Published: April 2016

Significance

Cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 30 (CPSF30) is part of a complex of proteins, collectively called CPSF, that direct pre-mRNA processing. CSPF30 is classified as a “zinc-finger” protein because it contains five repeats of three cysteine and one histidine residue (CCCH) within its amino acid sequence, which are sequences known to bind zinc in other proteins. We report that CPSF30 contains an unexpected 2Fe–2S cluster, at one of the CCCH domains, in addition to zinc. We also demonstrate that CPSF30 selectively recognizes the AU-rich “hexamer” sequence present in all pre-mRNA via a cooperative, metal-dependent binding mechanism. These findings identify a functional role for CPSF30 in pre-mRNA recognition and identify a previously unidentified Fe–S cluster in this zinc-finger protein.
Chiral plasmons without magnetic field
Authors: Song Justin C. W. , Rudner Mark S.
Published: April 2016

Significance

A class of collective excitations is introduced, arising from the combined action of electron interactions and Berry curvature. These excitations manifest as chiral plasmonic modes at zero magnetic field. These collective modes are predicted to arise in a range of anomalous Hall metals, yielding a fundamental characteristic of interacting topological metals with non-zero Berry flux. Featuring a rich set of properties, these modes will enable versatile new tools for molding the flow of light.
Striatal structure and function predict individual biases in learning to avoid pain
Authors: Eldar Eran , Hauser Tobias U. , Dayan Peter , Dolan Raymond J.
Published: April 2016

Significance

Our ability to learn how to avoid harm is critical for maintaining physical and mental health. However, excessive harm avoidance can be maladaptive, as evident in psychiatric disorders such as avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We therefore investigated the neural factors underlying individual imbalances in harm avoidance behavior. Our findings show that such imbalances can be predicted by the function and structure of an individual’s striatum, a brain region that is critical for goal-directed decisionmaking. Moreover, the neural signals expressed in this region revealed key processes through which individuals learn to avoid harm. These findings highlight a neural basis for imbalanced harm avoidance behavior, extreme forms of which may contribute to psychiatric pathology.
Orexin-A represses satiety-inducing POMC neurons and contributes to obesity via stimulation of endocannabinoid signaling
Authors: Morello Giovanna , Imperatore Roberta , Palomba Letizia , Finelli Carmine , Labruna Giuseppe , Pasanisi Fabrizio , Sacchetti Lucia , Buono Lorena , Piscitelli Fabiana , Orlando Pierangelo , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Cristino Luigia
Published: April 2016

Significance

Both evolutionarily and functionally, wakefulness requires, and is accompanied by, food search and intake for survival. From the molecular perspective, the neuropeptide orexin-A (OX-A) promotes wakefulness, α–melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) promotes satiety, and the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) promotes appetite. In the cerebrospinal fluid of obese mice and in the plasma of human obese subjects, we found an inverse correlation between OX-A and α-MSH levels, which led us to uncover the role of OX-A in promoting hyperphagia by enhancing 2-AG levels and subsequently activating CB
1
receptor-mediated down-regulation of POMC synthesis and α-MSH release. Pharmacological inhibition of OX-A receptor type 1 counteracted the impairment of α-MSH signaling and the associated hyperphagia, obesity, and steatosis, thus providing a potential therapy for these pathological conditions.
A high-precision chronological model for the decorated Upper Paleolithic cave of Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche, France
Authors: Quiles Anita , Valladas Hélène , Bocherens Hervé , Delqué-Količ Emmanuelle , Kaltnecker Evelyne , van der Plicht Johannes , Delannoy Jean-Jacques , Feruglio Valérie , Fritz Carole , Monney Julien , Philippe Michel , Tosello Gilles , Clottes Jean , Geneste Jean-Michel
Published: April 2016

Significance

We compiled a set of more than 250 radiocarbon dates related to the rock art, human activities, and bone remains in the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc Cave (Ardèche, France) and derive a modeled absolute chronology of the human and cave bear occupations of this site, presented here in calendar years. It provides an insightful framework for the successive events that occurred in the cave during the Paleolithic period.
Resolving the HONO formation mechanism in the ionosphere via ab initio molecular dynamic simulations
Authors: He Rongxing , Li Lei , Zhong Jie , Zhu Chongqin , Francisco Joseph S. , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: April 2016

Significance

This contribution resolves a long-standing puzzle of the nitrous acid (HONO) formation mechanism from NO
+
motif and water clusters in the ionosphere (key layer for radio signal transmission). From previous studies, massive different isomer structures have been identified. However, an explanation of how the low-lying isomers channel through the high-lying ones to form HONO species has been elusive. A clear understanding of the mechanism was only possible through molecular dynamics simulation. This work identifies the critical isomer that is key to linking the network of all the low-lying isomers together. This finding provides, to our knowledge, the first solid theoretical evidence for the formation of HONO in the ionosphere.
Ape malaria transmission and potential for ape-to-human transfers in Africa
Authors: Makanga Boris , Yangari Patrick , Rahola Nil , Rougeron Virginie , Elguero Eric , Boundenga Larson , Moukodoum Nancy Diamella , Okouga Alain Prince , Arnathau Céline , Durand Patrick , Willaume Eric , Ayala Diego , Fontenille Didier , Ayala Francisco J. , Renaud François , Ollomo Benjamin , Prugnolle Franck , Paupy Christophe
Published: April 2016

Significance

African great apes were recently found to host a large diversity of parasites (subgenus
Laverania
) related to the main agent of human malaria (
Plasmodium falciparum
). Despite their close genetic relationships, these parasites are highly host-specific, infecting either chimpanzees or gorillas. This host specificity could result from incompatibilities between parasites and hosts or from a strong host tropism of the vectors. To test this second hypothesis, we performed a large entomological survey in the heart of the Gabonese rainforest (central Africa) to identify the vector species involved in ape
Plasmodium
transmission. Our results demonstrated that all ape parasites are transmitted by the same three vector species, thus rejecting the hypothesis that vectors could be responsible for the
Laverania
host specificity.
Generation of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Detectability Half‐Lives and Comparison of Sampling Protocols for Genetic Diet Studies of San Francisco Estuary Fishes
Authors: Brandl Scott C. , Schreier Brian M. , Conrad J. Louise , May Bernie , Baerwald Melinda R.
Published: April 2016

Several factors affect the probability of genetic analyses to detect prey in predator gut contents, including biological differences in the prey and predator species as well as differences in sampling and laboratory methodologies. Understanding these biases allows researchers to more appropriately put genetic prey detections in an ecological context. In this study, we determined the detectability half‐lives of DNA from two prey species in the guts of two predators. The half‐life detectability of juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in Striped Bass Morone saxatilis was 66.2 h, and that of larval Delta Smelt Hypomesus transpacificus in Mississippi Silverside Menidia audens was 26.4 h. Additionally, we performed a series of laboratory trials to examine the effects of variables in sample collection and preservation methodologies on the detectability of prey. Differences between methodologies were minimal, providing confidence that laboratory analyses will not be greatly affected by inconsistencies in field sampling procedures. Injecting a 95% solution of ethanol into the stomach via the esophagus immediately following collection and placing the fish on ice in the field prior to freezing at −20°C in the laboratory is a protocol readily applied in the field that will provide consistent results.

Received August 19, 2015; accepted December 3, 2015 Published online April 11, 2016
Education systems and the dynamics of educational inequalities in low educational attainment: a closer look at England (UK), Finland, Luxembourg, and German-speaking Switzerland
Authors: Hadjar Andreas , Uusitalo Erica
Published: April 2016

For decades, reforms aiming at educational expansion attempted to boost economic growth and to reduce inequalities. This study sheds light on the link between institutional settings of the education system and educational inequalities in the course of educational expansion along two axes of inequality: social origin and gender. Looking at the educational attainment of cohorts born between 1925 and 1982 in the European Social Survey data, changing patterns of inequalities are analysed regarding four distinct education systems – England (UK), Finland, Luxembourg, and (German-speaking) Switzerland. Employing a comparative perspective, characteristics of the educational system that influence the societal change of educational levels and educational inequalities are considered. Our results show that although the patterns of educational inequalities were comparable in all four countries, Finland seems to have been the most successful in reducing educational inequalities if looking at both inequalities related to social origins and gender at the same time. However, in regard to social inequalities Switzerland also performs well.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K2 of the air-kerma standards of the CMI, Czech Republic and the BIPM in low-energy x-rays
Authors: Burns D T , Kessler C , Sochor V
Published: April 2016

A key comparison has been made between the air-kerma standards of the CMI, Czech Republic and the BIPM in the low-energy x-ray range. The results show the standards to be in agreement at around the level of the standard uncertainty of the comparison of 3.5 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
The non-thermal origin of the tokamak low-density stability limit
Authors: Paz-Soldan C. , La Haye R.J. , Shiraki D. , Buttery R.J. , Eidietis N.W. , Hollmann E.M. , Moyer R.A. , Boom J.E. , Chapman I.T.
Published: April 2016

DIII-D plasmas at very low density exhibit the onset of n  =  1 error field (EF) penetration (the ‘low-density locked mode’) not at a critical density or EF, but instead at a critical level of runaway electron (RE) intensity. Raising the density during a discharge does not avoid EF penetration, so long as RE growth proceeds to the critical level. Penetration is preceded by non-thermalization of the electron cyclotron emission, anisotropization of the total pressure, synchrotron emission shape changes, as well as decreases in the loop voltage and bulk thermal electron temperature. The same phenomena occur despite various types of optimal EF correction, and in some cases modes are born rotating. Similar phenomena are also found at the low-density limit in JET. These results stand in contrast to the conventional interpretation of the low-density stability limit as being due to residual EFs and demonstrate a new pathway to EF penetration instability due to REs. Existing scaling laws for penetration project to increasing EF sensitivity as bulk temperatures decrease, though other possible mechanisms include classical tearing instability, thermo-resistive instability, and pressure-anisotropy driven instability. Regardless of the first-principles mechanism, known scaling laws for Ohmic energy confinement combined with theoretical RE production rates allow rough extrapolation of the RE criticality condition, and thus the low-density limit, to other tokamaks. The extrapolated low-density limit by this pathway decreases with increasing machine size and is considerably below expected operating conditions for ITER. While likely unimportant for ITER, this effect can explain the low-density limit of existing tokamaks operating with small residual EFs.
ELM behaviour and linear MHD stability of edge ECRH heated ASDEX Upgrade plasmas
Authors: Burckhart A. , Dunne M. , Wolfrum E. , Fischer R. , McDermott R. , Viezzer E. , Willensdorfer M.
Published: April 2016

In order to test the peeling–ballooning ELM model, ECRH heating was applied to the edge of ASDEX Upgrade type-I ELMy H-mode plasmas to alter the pedestal pressure and current density profiles. The discharges were analysed with respect to ideal MHD stability. While the ELM frequency increased and the pedestal gradients relaxed with edge ECRH, the MHD stability boundary did not change. The results indicate that the peeling–ballooning model is insufficient to fully explain the triggering of ELM instabilities in the presence of edge ECRH heating.
Quality control of single-cell RNA-seq by SinQC
Authors: Jiang Peng , Thomson James A. , Stewart Ron
Published: April 2016

Summary: Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) is emerging as a promising technology for profiling cell-to-cell variability in cell populations. However, the combination of technical noise and intrinsic biological variability makes detecting technical artifacts in scRNA-seq samples particularly challenging. Proper detection of technical artifacts is critical to prevent spurious results during downstream analysis. In this study, we present ‘Single-cell RNA-seq Quality Control’ (SinQC), a method and software tool to detect technical artifacts in scRNA-seq samples by integrating both gene expression patterns and data quality information. We apply SinQC to nine different scRNA-seq datasets, and show that SinQC is a useful tool for controlling scRNA-seq data quality.

Availability and Implementation: SinQC software and documents are available at http://www.morgridge.net/SinQC.html

Contacts: PJiang@morgridge.org or RStewart@morgridge.org

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Persistence of the plains mouse, Pseudomys australis, with cattle grazing is facilitated by a diet dominated by disturbance-tolerant plants
Authors: Pavey Chris R. , Jefferys Elizabeth A. , Nano Catherine E. M.
Published: April 2016

A suite of dryland mammals rely on refuges for long-term persistence during alternating cycles of low and high resource availability. Refuges are small, discrete areas into which populations contract during the lengthy dry periods that characterize dryland environments. Little is known about the characteristics of a location that make it functional as a refuge. Similarly, no information exists on how grazing-facilitated landscape modification affects small mammal refuges. To examine these questions, we assessed diet at refuge sites across the low phase (“bust”) of the population cycle of the plains mouse (Pseudomys australis), a threatened, refuge-using rodent coexisting with extensive cattle production in Australia’s drylands. The species has a varied diet dominated by species of grasses and forbs (mostly seeds) with a small proportion of invertebrates. Most of the plants consumed are shallow-rooted and short-lived species that should germinate in response to small rainfall events. Coexistence with cattle production is likely to be possible because grazing-tolerant plants are a dominant component of the diet. Our findings provide a plausible explanation for the persistence of P. australis with cattle production in dryland Australia, which should be further investigated to develop management strategies that will enable continued coexistence. This investigation should be extended to consider other refuge-using species of small mammal in pastoral systems.
Well-definedness and observational equivalence for inductive–coinductive programs
Authors: Basold Henning , Hansen Helle Hvid
Published: April 2016

We define notions of well-definedness and observational equivalence for programs of mixed inductive and coinductive types. These notions are defined by means of tests formulas which combine structural congruence for inductive types and modal logic for coinductive types. Tests also correspond to certain evaluation contexts. We define a program to be well-defined if it is strongly normalizing under all tests, and two programs are observationally equivalent if they satisfy the same tests.

We show that observational equivalence is sufficiently coarse to ensure that least and greatest fixed point types are initial algebras and final coalgebras, respectively. This yields inductive and coinductive proof principles for reasoning about program behaviour. On the other hand, we argue that observational equivalence does not identify too many terms, by showing that tests induce a topology that, on streams, coincides with usual topology induced by the prefix metric.

As one would expect, observational equivalence is, in general, undecidable, but in order to develop some practically useful heuristics we provide coinductive techniques for establishing observational normalization and observational equivalence, along with up-to techniques for enhancing these methods.
Effect of Planting Date, Seed Treatment, and Cultivar on Plant Population, Sudden Death Syndrome, and Yield of Soybean
Authors: Kandel Yuba R. , Wise Kiersten A. , Bradley Carl A. , Tenuta Albert U. , Mueller Daren S.
Published: April 2016

A 2-year study was conducted in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ontario in 2013 and 2014 to determine the effects of planting date, seed treatment, and cultivar on plant population, sudden death syndrome (SDS) caused by Fusarium virguliforme, and grain yield of soybean (Glycine max). Soybean crops were planted from late April to mid-June at approximately 15-day intervals, for a total of three to four plantings per experiment. For each planting date, two cultivars differing in SDS susceptibility were planted with and without fluopyram seed treatment. Mid-May plantings resulted in higher disease index compared with other planting dates in two experiments, early June plantings in three, and the remaining six experiments were not affected by planting date. Soil temperature at planting was not linked to SDS development. Root rot was greater in May plantings for most experiments. Resistant cultivars had significantly lower disease index than the susceptible cultivar in 54.5% of the experiments. Fluopyram reduced disease severity and protected against yield reductions caused by SDS in nearly all plantings and cultivars, with a maximum yield response of 1,142 kg/ha. Plant population was reduced by fluopyram seed treatment and early plantings in some experiments; however, grain yield was not affected by these reductions. Yields of plots planted in mid-June were up to 29.8% less than yields of plots planted in early May. The lack of correlation between early planting date and SDS severity observed in this study indicates that farmers do not have to delay planting in the Midwest to prevent yield loss due to SDS; cultivar selection combined with fluopyram seed treatment can reduce SDS in early-planted soybean (late April to mid May).
Geographic Differentiation and Population Genetic Structure of Moniliophthora roreri in the Principal Cocoa Production Areas in Colombia
Authors: Jaimes Yeirme Y. , Gonzalez Carolina , Rojas Jairo , Cornejo Omar E. , Mideros Maria F. , Restrepo Silvia , Cilas Christian , Furtado E. L.
Published: April 2016

Frosty pod rot (FPR) disease on cocoa, caused by Moniliophthora roreri, is one of the most devastating cocoa disease in the Western Hemisphere. In Colombia, the disease is particularly severe in the Magdalena Valley, which is considered the possible center of origin for the pathogen species. We analyzed the genetic diversity of isolates from the departments of Santander, Antioquia, Tolima, and Huila in Colombia using 23 simple-sequence repeats (SSR) markers. In total, 117 different multilocus genotypes were found among 120 isolates, each one representing a unique haplotype. High mutation rates in the SSR and gene flow can explain the high levels of diversity. Also, the observed and standardized indexes of association (IA and řd) indicate that the populations of M. roreri are clonal. Furthermore, given the high haplotype diversity and the significant linkage disequilibrium observed, we hypothesize that M. roreri could be a primarily asexual species undergoing sporadic recombination or partial recombination through parasexuality. A Bayesian clustering analysis implemented by STRUCTURE showed that the most probable number of genetic groups in the data was three, confirming the geographical differentiation among isolates. Similar results were obtained by a discriminant analysis of principal components, a principal coordinate analysis, and a neighbor-joining tree from microsatellite loci base on Nei distance. Cacao genotypes and environmental variables did contribute to the genetic differentiation of the groups. We discuss how this information could be used to improve the management of FPR at the regional level.