bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thematic Integration of Spatial Data Sets to Delineate Favourable Zones for Uranium Exploration in Gangpur Basin and Parts of Kunjar and Darjing Basins, Odisha
Authors: Chaturvedi A. K. , Sridhar M. , Murlidharan R. , Shrivastava K. , Guru R. Pavan
Published: October 2014

Surface exploration techniques have been key contributors in discovering mineral deposits over the past three decades. However, in the last decade there has been a growing emphasis on integrating remote sensing, geological, geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques to compliment them in identifying concealed deposits. Successful integrated exploration requires putting mappable petrophysical property contrasts in terms of geological and geochemical process that could be associated with different mineralisation environment. The Precambrian Gangpur basin comprising volcanic free sedimentary sequence is considered as a potential geological setting for hosting uranium mineralisation. The Gangpur basin with metasediments of low to medium metamorphic grade classified as the Gangpur Group are known for hosting manganese, limestone and lead-zinc deposits. Uranium mineralization is reported in limonitic carbonaceous phyllite and sheared quartzite of Kumarmunda Formation at Jhamankele-Bhalulata areas. Several uranium anomalies have been associated with gossan at Kaedarpani, Jamdra and in ferruginised laterite at Badekachar, Jarmal, Jhagarpur, Kadorpani, Karamabahal, Tetelkela & Kumtinunda.

In the present study geological, geophysical and remote sensing data sets are processed and integrated with other available data to delineate target zones for uranium exploration. Even though direct detection of uranium mineralisation remains unresolved in exploration strategy, instead it is becoming increasingly instructive to focus on mapping suitable depositional environments. The enhanced satellite imagery is interpreted in terms of thematic layers viz. trend lines, lineaments, faults and geological contacts. The aeromagnetic data is processed and interpreted thematic layers of magnetic breaks and linears from total magnetic intensity (TMI), the reduced to pole (RTP), tilt derivative and amplitude of analytical signal grid images. The radiometric data is processed based on their broad lithology and radio-elemental distribution maps viz. count maps, ratio maps, ternary (%K-eTh-eU) and eU/K – eU/eTh – eU images are generated to aid in mapping uranium favourability zones. The favourability image zones with high eU/K, eU/eTh and eU counts zones are classified into class based on statistics and anomalous high zones are picked up as uranium favourable locales. The thematic layers of geological contacts, lineaments and faults interpreted from satellite imagery, magnetic linears interpreted from aeromagnetic data and uranium favourability zone extracted from Airborne Gamma Ray Spectrometric (AGRS) data are overlaid. Based on spatial association of favourable features few locals are delineated for uranium exploration.
Neoproterozoic Age Based on Microbiotas from the Raipur Group of Baradwar Sub-basin, Chhattisgarh
Authors: Babu Rupendra , Singh Veeru Kant , Mehrotra Naresh Chandra
Published: October 2014

An assemblage of structurally preserved organic-walled microfossils (OWMs) from the macerated residue of black carbonaceous shale belonging to Saradih Formation, the youngest carbonate horizon of the Raipur Group, Chhattisgarh Supergroup exposed at on the right bank of Mahanadi River, NE of Sarangarh township in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh is being reported for the first time. The assemblage is comprised of 19 taxa of 13 genera belong to eukaryotes and prokaryotes viz. Leiosphaeridia, Stictosphaeridium, Dictyotidium, Synsphaeridium, Symplassosphaeridium, Satka, Trachysphaeridium, Goniosphaeridium, Trachyhystrichosphaera, Vandalosphaeridium, Siphonophycus, Oscillatoriopsis and Polythrichoides. The comprehensive account of recovered microbiotic assemblage can be correlated with globally known Neoproterozoic (early Cryogenian) assemblages, deposited in tidal complexes of shallow sea.
Hydrogeological Investigations in some Selected Major Lakes: A Case Study
Authors: Sanakaran S. , Sundararajan N.
Published: October 2014

A detailed hydrogeological investigations comprising well inventory, water level monitoring, lake bathymetry, infiltration and pump tests were carried out in a few selected observation wells in order to estimate transmissivity (T) and storativity (S) in all major lakes which are highly polluted by the discharge of sewage and other chemical effluents in greater Hyderabad. The salient features of results are presented lake wise which would be of immense use in restoration of all lakes. Also, the outcome of this study along with infiltration rates may be used for modeling in future to simulate the surface water-ground water interaction.
Reactive oxygen species increase HEPN1 expression via activation of the XBP1 transcription factor
Authors: Kim Hyeon Seop , Jung Guhung
Published: October 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma downregulated 1 (HEPN1), a cell growth arrest‐ and apoptosis‐related gene, is suppressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, transcriptional control of HEPN1 has not been characterized. Here, we show that exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to upregulation of the mRNA expression of HEPN1 in HCC cell lines. Mechanistically, ROS increase production of an alternately spliced form of X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1s) and XBP1s increases HEPN1 expression by binding to the HEPN1 promoter, thereby acting as a transcriptional activator. Finally, HEPN1 overexpression increases the expression of p53, p21, and Bax, all of which are ROS‐upregulated proteins.
Mode of substrate recognition by the Josephin domain of ataxin‐3, which has an endo‐type deubiquitinase activity
Authors: Satoh Tadashi , Sumiyoshi Akira , Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Sakata Eri , Sasakawa Hiroaki , Kurimoto Eiji , Yamaguchi Yoshiki , Li Wei , Joazeiro Claudio A.P. , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Kato Koichi
Published: October 2014

Ataxin‐3, which is encoded by a gene that has been associated with Machado–Joseph disease, contains a catalytic N‐terminal Josephin domain with deubiquitinase activity. Here, we show that the Josephin domain of ataxin 3 catalyzes endo‐type cleavage of Lys48‐linked polyubiquitin. Furthermore, NMR data obtained following site‐specific paramagnetic spin labeling of Lys48‐linked di‐ubiquitin revealed that both ubiquitin units interact with the Josephin domain, with the C‐terminal Gly76 of the proximal unit being situated in the vicinity of the catalytic triad of Josephin domain. Our results help to elucidate how the substrate is recognized by the Josephin domain and properly positioned for an endo‐type deubiquitination reaction.
PASSAGEWAYS OF COOPERATION: MUTUALITY IN POST-SOCIALIST TANZANIA
Authors: Rodima-Taylor Daivi
Published: October 2014

The paper enquires into the practices of cooperation and mutuality that are reproduced in contemporary mutual help groups of post-socialist Tanzania. Diverse associations of cooperative work and mutual security are on the rise in globalizing African communities. Local institutions of mutual assistance are becoming increasingly important in regulating access to resources and redefining socialities in environments of persistent instability. Mutual help groups among Kuria people have emerged as institutions for facilitating exchange through relationally oriented expansion that enables the rise of new economic niches and social identities. A complex intermingling of diverse organizational features has enabled the associations to engage novel types of resources and categories of participants. The paper examines hybrid and haphazard elements of formalization that occur with the regularizing of work reciprocities and the increasing use of monetary loans and savings. Exploring culturally relevant metaphors of life-sustaining flows and passageways, indispensable for individual and social growth, the article investigates the value conversions mediated by the groups and their impacts on wider public spaces in Tanzanian communities.
Zircon SIMS U–Pb geochronology of the Lushan terrane: dating metamorphism of the southwestern terminal of the Palaeoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen
Authors: LU JUN-SHENG , WANG GUO-DONG , WANG HAO , CHEN HONG-XU , PENG TAO , WU CHUN-MING
Published: October 2014

High-resolution SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons of the TTG gneisses, gneissic granitoid and amphibolites of the Lushan terrane, Taihua metamorphic complex, suggests that the metamorphism had taken place at least as early as ~1.96–1.86 Ga. These new dates, along with reference data, demonstrate that the southern and middle terranes of the Trans-North China Orogen had been involved in the continent–continent collision between the Western Block and the Eastern Block of the North China Craton. This orogenic process started as early as 1.96 Ga and lasted as late as 1.80 Ga.
Lexical constraints in second language learning: Evidence on grammatical gender in German*
Authors: BOBB SUSAN C. , KROLL JUDITH F. , JACKSON CARRIE N.
Published: October 2014

The present study asked whether or not the apparent insensitivity of second language (L2) learners to grammatical gender violations reflects an inability to use grammatical information during L2 lexical processing. Native German speakers and English speakers with intermediate to advanced L2 proficiency in German performed a translation-recognition task. On critical trials, an incorrect translation was presented that either matched or mismatched the grammatical gender of the correct translation. Results show interference for native German speakers in conditions in which the incorrect translation matched the gender of the correct translation. Native English speakers, regardless of German proficiency, were insensitive to the gender mismatch. In contrast, these same participants were correctly able to assign gender to critical items. These findings suggest a dissociation between explicit knowledge and the ability to use that information under speeded processing conditions and demonstrate the difficulty of L2 gender processing at the lexical level.
CALCZAF, TRYZAF and CITZAF: The Use of Multi-Correction-Algorithm Programs for Estimating Uncertainties and Improving Quantitative X-ray Analysis of Difficult Specimens
Authors: Armstrong J.T. , Donovan J. , Carpenter P.
Published: October 2014

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, August 4 – August 8, 2013.
Spectral Analysis of Irregular Roughness Artifacts Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy and Laser Scanning Microscopy
Authors: Chen Yuhang , Luo Tingting , Ma Chengfu , Huang Wenhao , Gao Sitian
Published: October 2014

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laser scanning microscopy (LSM) measurements on a series of specially designed roughness artifacts were performed and the results characterized by spectral analysis. As demonstrated by comparisons, both AFM and LSM can image the complex structures with high resolution and fidelity. When the surface autocorrelation length increases from 200 to 500 nm, the cumulative power spectral density spectra of the design, AFM and LSM data reach a better agreement with each other. The critical wavelength of AFM characterization is smaller than that of LSM, and the gap between the measured and designed critical wavelengths is reduced with an increase in the surface autocorrelation length. Topography measurements of surfaces with a near zero or negatively skewed height distribution were determined to be accurate. However, obvious discrepancies were found for surfaces with a positive skewness owing to more severe dilations of either the solid tip of the AFM or the laser tip of the LSM. Further surface parameter evaluation and template matching analysis verified that the main distortions in AFM measurements are tip dilations while those in LSM are generally larger and more complex.
Nuclear iASPP may facilitate prostate cancer progression
Authors: Morris E V , Cerundolo L , Lu M , Verrill C , Fritzsche F , White M J , Thalmann G N , ten Donkelaar C S , Ratnayaka I , Salter V , Hamdy F C , Lu X , Bryant R J
Published: October 2014

One of the major challenges in prostate cancer (PCa) research is the identification of key players that control the progression of primary cancers to invasive and metastatic disease. The majority of metastatic PCa express wild-type p53, whereas loss of p63 expression, a p53 family member, is a common event. Here we identify inhibitor of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP), a common cellular regulator of p53 and p63, as an important player of PCa progression. Detailed analysis of the prostate epithelium of iASPP transgenic mice, iASPPΔ8/Δ8 mice, revealed that iASPP deficiency resulted in a reduction in the number of p63 expressing basal epithelial cells compared with that seen in wild-type mice. Nuclear and cytoplasmic iASPP expression was greater in PCa samples compared with benign epithelium. Importantly nuclear iASPP associated with p53 accumulation in vitro and in vivo. A pair of isogenic primary and metastatic PCa cell lines revealed that nuclear iASPP is enriched in the highly metastatic PCa cells. Nuclear iASPP is often detected in PCa cells located at the invasive leading edge in vivo. Increased iASPP expression associated with metastatic disease and PCa-specific death in a clinical cohort with long-term follow-up. These results suggest that iASPP function is required to maintain the expression of p63 in normal basal prostate epithelium, and nuclear iASPP may inactivate p53 function and facilitate PCa progression. Thus iASPP expression may act as a predictive marker of PCa progression.
Sodium-23 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Has Potential for Improving Penumbra Detection but Not for Estimating Stroke Onset Time
Authors: Wetterling Friedrich , Gallagher Lindsay , Mullin Jim , Holmes William M , McCabe Chris , Macrae I Mhairi , Fagan Andrew J
Published: October 2014

Tissue sodium concentration increases in irreversibly damaged (core) tissue following ischemic stroke and can potentially help to differentiate the core from the adjacent hypoperfused but viable penumbra. To test this, multinuclear hydrogen-1/sodium-23 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure the changing sodium signal and hydrogen-apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the ischemic core and penumbra after rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Penumbra and core were defined from perfusion imaging and histologically defined irreversibly damaged tissue. The sodium signal in the core increased linearly with time, whereas the ADC rapidly decreased by >30% within 20 minutes of stroke onset, with very little change thereafter (0.5–6 hours after MCAO). Previous reports suggest that the time point at which tissue sodium signal starts to rise above normal (onset of elevated tissue sodium, OETS) represents stroke onset time (SOT). However, extrapolating core data back in time resulted in a delay of 72±24 minutes in OETS compared with actual SOT. At the OETS in the core, penumbra sodium signal was significantly decreased (88±6%, P=0.0008), whereas penumbra ADC was not significantly different (92±18%, P=0.2) from contralateral tissue. In conclusion, reduced sodium-MRI signal may serve as a viability marker for penumbra detection and can complement hydrogen ADC and perfusion MRI in the time-independent assessment of tissue fate in acute stroke patients.
Electronic tunability of the frustrated triangular-lattice cluster magnet LiZn2−xMo3O8
Authors: Sheckelton John P. , Neilson James R. , McQueen Tyrel M.
Published: October 2014

Holes doped into a triangular lattice antiferromagnet remain localized and trap neighboring valence bond singlets.
A domino reaction of tetrahalo-7,7-dimethoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl alcohols leading to indenones and a de novo synthesis of ninhydrin derivatives
Authors: Raveendra Babu Kaki , Ahmed Khan Faiz
Published: October 2014

An acid mediated synthesis of indenones and ade novosynthesis of ninhydrin derivatives.
Palladium-catalyzed amination of allylic carbonates with ammonia: access to primary amines
Authors: Yin Peng , Wong Mun Yee , Tham Jieying , Loh Teck-Peng
Published: October 2014

Allylic amination of allylic carbonates with ammonia gas or aqueous ammonia was successfully carried out using (SIPr)Pd(allyl)Cl as the catalyst and Ph3P, which is essential for the reaction.
An advanced anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (AnaEG) for the treatment of coal gasification wastewater
Authors: Li Chunjie , Tabassum Salma , Zhang Zhenjia
Published: October 2014

A state-of-the-art advanced anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (AnaEG) was developed for the anaerobic treatment of coal gasification wastewater (typical industrial wastewater with poor biodegradability and high toxicity).
Spin-dependent transport properties of a chromium porphyrin-based molecular embedded between two graphene nanoribbon electrodes
Authors: Chen Tong , Wang Lingling , Li Xiaofei , Luo Kaiwu , Xu Liang , Li Quan , Zhang Xianghua , Long Mengqiu
Published: October 2014

By using the nonequilibrium Green's function formalism combined with the density-functional theory, we present a theoretical study of the spin-dependent electron transport of a chromium porphyrin-based molecule device.
Lipid directed assembly of the HIV capsid protein
Authors: Miles Penny , Frankel Daniel
Published: October 2014

Curling tadpole mechanism of viral capsid assembly.
Cloning and expression analysis of Drosophila extracellular Cu Zn superoxide dismutase
Authors: Blackney Michael J. , Cox Rebecca , Shepherd David , Parker Joel D.
Published: October 2014

In the present study, we cloned and sequenced the mRNAs of the Sod3 [extracellular Cu Zn SOD (superoxide dismutase)] gene in Drosophila and identified two mRNA products formed by alternative splicing. These products code for a long and short protein derived from the four transcripts found in global expression studies (Flybase numbers Dmel\CG9027, FBgn0033631). Both mRNA process variants contain an extracellular signalling sequence, a region of high homology to the Sod1 (cytoplasmic Cu Zn SOD) including a conserved AUG start, with the longer form also containing a hydrophobic tail. The two fully processed transcripts are homologous to Caenorhabditis elegans Sod3 mRNA showing the same processing pattern. Using an established KG p-element+ insertion line (KG06029), we demonstrate that the Sod3 codes for an active Cu Zn SOD. We found differing expression patterns across sex with higher levels of expression of Sod3 in females. There is a correlation of Sod1 and Sod3 gene expression and activity that can explain why Sod3 was not seen in earlier studies of Sod1. Finally, we found no effect on lifespan with the Sod3 hypomorph mutation (Sod3KG06029) but did observe a significant increase in resistance to paraquat and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide).
Cooperative source localisation of multi‐agent system based on a cooperative PE condition
Authors: Shao Jing‐Ping , Tian Yu‐Ping
Published: October 2014

This study deals with cooperative source localisation with a group of agents where the source is static/dynamic. In stead of the traditionally defined persistent excitation (PE) condition, it is shown that a looser condition – cooperative PE condition – is sufficient for the source localisation provided the topology graph is connected. An estimator is designed to estimate the relative coordinate among agents; a local cooperative estimator based on cooperative PE condition is designed to estimate the relative location of the source; based on the first two steps, a consensus‐based estimation fusion algorithm is given to guarantee that estimation errors asymptotically converge to 0. The cooperative localisation method is then extended to the case of a dynamic source and is analysed for the disturbance case. Finally, several simulation results are provided to show the correctness of the conclusion and the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On τ ‐decomposition frequency‐sweeping strategy to rational‐order fractional systems with commensurate delays
Authors: Zhang Huaguang , Cai Tiaoyang , Wang Yingchun
Published: October 2014

This study presents an effective analysis procedure to give the bounded input bounded output stability intervals of time delay for a class of commensurate delayed fractional‐order systems with rational order. First, it is proposed that the analysis on multi‐valued characteristic function of delayed fractional‐order systems can be conducted equivalent on the consideration of the principal branch. The statement makes the generalisation of the τ ‐decomposition method in integer order case possible. With the convenience in studying delayed systems, the frequency‐sweeping method is applied logically, and the PIRs and the cross‐direction around them can be determined through the frequency‐sweeping curves simultaneously. Moreover, the verification of the neutral stability condition of fractional‐order delayed systems is considered in a systematic manner. At last, some examples show that the proposed strategy is practically useful in the analysis and design of feedback control for both integer and fractional‐order systems with time delays.
Enhanced side match vector quantisation based on constructing complementary state codebook
Authors: Ma Xiaoxiao , Pan Zhibin , Hu Sen , Wang Lingfei
Published: October 2014

Side match vector quantisation (SMVQ) technique has been widely used in a lot of image compression and data hiding applications. It can effectively decrease the bit rate (BR) but the encoding visual quality of the image using SMVQ is generally poor because the correlation among neighbouring image blocks is still low. In this study, the authors propose a new enhanced SMVQ (ESMVQ) by introducing the concept of complementary state codebook (CSC) to improve the visual quality of SMVQ. Encoding input vectors by using CSC, ESMVQ can achieve almost the same encoding visual quality as using the conventional vector quantisation. As a result, the encoding visual quality of image can be significantly improved by exploiting the power of CSC. Experimental results show that the improvement of proposed ESMVQ method over SMVQ is up to 4.677 dB at a similar BR for image Lena when the main codebook size is 1024.
Numerous single‐layer graphene sheets prepared from natural graphite by non‐chemical liquid‐phase exfoliation
Authors: Hsu Ping‐Cheng , Lin Ting‐An , Tsai I‐Shou
Published: October 2014

A simple method was used to produce a high concentration of single‐layer graphene sheets in a single organic solvent system, without using any surfactants. In this experiment, the concentration of single‐layer graphene sheets dispersed in solution increased as the sonication time increased, but damage occurred after performing sonication for 120 min. The concentration of single‐layer graphene sheets was 0.915 mg/ml after sonication for 60 min. According to a transmission electron microscope image, the length of the single‐layer graphene sheets was ∼2–3 μm, and the width was 0.5–1 μm. The perfect single‐layer graphene sheets and the defective single‐layer graphene sheets were distinguished using selected‐area electron diffraction. X‐ray diffraction determined that the two‐theta angle of the numerous single‐layer graphene sheets on a (002) plane was 25.57°, but the ‘one layer’ graphene sheets produced no peak along the (002) plane. According to the Raman spectra, the ratio of ID/IG was 0.3, which indicated that the graphene sheets contained few defects.
Fluctuation-driven anisotropy in effective pair interactions between nanoparticles: Thiolated gold nanoparticles in ethane
Authors: Jabes B. Shadrack , Yadav Hari O. S. , Kumar Sanat K. , Chakravarty Charusita
Published: October 2014

Fluctuations within the ligand shell of a nanoparticle give rise to a significant degree of anisotropy in effective pair interactions for low grafting densities [B. Bozorgui, D. Meng, S. K. Kumar, C. Chakravarty, and A. Cacciuto, Nano Lett. 13, 2732 (2013)]. Here, we examine the corresponding fluctuation-driven anisotropy for gold nanocrystals densely passivated with short ligands. In particular, we consider gold nanocrystals capped by alkylthiols, both in vacuum and in ethane solvent at high density. As in the preceding study, we show that the anisotropy in the nanoparticle pair potential can be quantified by an angle-dependent correction term to the isotropic potential of mean force (PMF). We find that the anisotropy of the ligand shells is distance dependent, and strongly influenced by ligand interdigitation effects as well as expulsion of ligand chains from the interparticle region at short distances. Such fluctuation-driven anisotropy can be significant for alkylthiol-coated gold nanoparticles, specially for longer chain lengths, under good solvent conditions. The consequences of such anisotropy for self-assembly, specially as a function of grafting density, solvent quality and at interfaces, should provide some interesting insights in future work. Our results clearly show that an isotropic two-body PMF cannot adequately describe the thermodynamics and assembly behavior of nanoparticles in this dense grafting regime and inclusion of anisotropic effects, as well as possibly many-body interactions, is necessary. Extensions of this approach to other passivated nanoparticle systems and implications for self-assembly are considered.
How finite sample dimensions affect the reversal process of magnetic dot arrays
Authors: Van de Wiele Ben , Fin Samuele , Sarella Anandakumar , Vavassori Paolo , Bisero Diego
Published: October 2014

We investigate the magnetization reversal of a magnetic dot array by means of magneto-optical Kerr effect and magnetic force microscopy measurements as well as micromagnetic simulations. We find that the finite dimensions of the dot array introduce a global configurational anisotropy that promotes state transitions first in dots near the sample boundaries. From there, the reversal process expands towards the sample body by means of collective magnetization processes originating in the magnetostatic coupling between the dots. These processes are characterized by transition avalanches and the formation of magnetization chains. These findings are important in the development of applications that rely on a robust control of dot magnetization states in dot arrays.
Reflections on the Many Facets of Protein Microcrystallography
Authors: Boudes Marion , Garriga Damià , Coulibaly Fasséli
Published: October 2014

The use of X-ray crystallography for the structure determination of biological macromolecules has experienced a steady expansion over the last 20 years with the Protein Data Bank growing from <1000 deposited structures in 1992 to >100 000 in 2014. The large number of structures determined each year not only reflects the impact of X-ray crystallography on many disciplines in the biological and medical fields but also its accessibility to non-expert laboratories. Thus protein crystallography is now largely a mainstream research technique and is routinely integrated in high-throughput pipelines such as structural genomics projects and structure-based drug design. Yet, significant frontiers remain that continuously require methodological developments. In particular, membrane proteins, large assemblies, and proteins from scarce natural sources still represent challenging targets for which obtaining the large diffracting crystals required for classical crystallography is often difficult. These limitations have fostered the emergence of microcrystallography, novel approaches in structural biology that collectively aim at determining structures from the smallest crystals. Here, we review the state of the art of macromolecular microcrystallography and recent progress achieved in this field.
Probing the Mode of Neurotransmitter Binding to GABA Receptors Using Selectively Fluorinated GABA Analogues
Authors: Absalom Nathan , Yamamoto Izumi , O'Hagan David , Hunter Luke , Chebib Mary
Published: October 2014

Stereoselective fluorination is a useful technique for controlling the conformations of organic molecules. This concept has been exploited to create conformationally biased analogues of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Mono- and di-fluorinated GABA analogues are found to adopt different conformations, due to subtle stereoelectronic effects associated with the C–F bond. These conformationally biased GABA analogues exhibit different shape-dependent selectivity patterns towards GABAA, GABAB, and GABAC receptors, providing valuable information on the binding modes of the natural ligand at these medicinally important targets.
Age-dependent changes in gross and histological morphology of the thyroid gland in South Australian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: Graham C. , Woolford L. , Johnson L. , Speight K. N.
Published: October 2014

Studies characterising the thyroid gland structure of koalas are limited and have not previously been undertaken in South Australian populations. Hence, this study aimed to describe the thyroid gland morphology of koalas from the Mount Lofty region, South Australia. Results showed that thyroid gland morphology was highly variable between individual koalas (n = 36), ranging from that considered typical for healthy mammals, in which small colloid-filled follicles were lined by cuboidal epithelium, to that consistent with colloidal goitre, in which macrofollicles distended with colloid were lined by flattened epithelium. Juvenile koalas more frequently showed typical thyroid gland morphology than adults, with significantly higher thyroid follicle density (P < 0.05) and a higher proportion of follicles lined by cuboidal epithelium compared with flattened epithelium (P < 0.05). Thyroid glands of most adult koalas were characterised by colloidal macrofollicles (P < 0.01), and classified as colloidal goitre. There were no significant differences in thyroid gland morphology based on health status or sex of koalas. These findings suggest that an age-dependent colloidal goitre occurs in adult koalas, which is unlikely to have ill effects and may be associated with the low metabolic rate of this species, or exposure to a dietary goitrogen.
Mazdakism, Manichaeism and Zoroastrianism: In Search of Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy in Late Antique Iran
Authors: Rezakhani Khodadad
Published: October 2014

This paper argues that the designation of heterodoxy for the socio-religious movements of late antique Iran such as Mazdakism is a misnomer. It suggests that the designation of Mazdakism and similar movements as heterodoxies is in fact the product of an early Islamic assessment of post-Sasanian Zoroastrian attempts to create a Zoroastrian orthodoxy which did not exist under Sasanian rule. Pressured by the Abrahamic religions surrounding them, the followers of Weh Dēn in this period felt the need to demarcate and clarify their beliefs, and to make their own beliefs comprehensible to their neighbors and rulers. What was then left out of this attempt was labeled a deviation, and heterodoxy, whose fundamental disagreement with Zoroastrian orthodoxy was then reflected back in time.
Effects of dietary fiber with Bacillus coagulans lilac-01 on bowel movement and fecal properties of healthy volunteers with a tendency for constipation
Authors: Minamida Kimiko , Nishimura Mie , Miwa Kazunori , Nishihira Jun
Published: October 2014

To elucidate the effects of Lilac LAB (Bacillus coagulans lilac-01 and okara [soy pulp] powder) on bowel movements/fecal properties, we conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial with healthy Japanese volunteers with a tendency for constipation (n = 297). The subjects ingested 2 g/d placebo (okara powder) or test food (Lilac LAB, 1 × 108 CFU) once a day for 2 weeks. In the test group of functionally constipated subjects, the changes in the average scores of self-reported fecal size, sensation of incomplete evacuation, and defecation frequency were significantly improved compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05), and fecal color and odor tended to improve (p = 0.07). In the test food group of all subjects and among the non-functionally constipated subjects, the fecal size tended to improve compared to the placebo group (p = 0.06, p = 0.07, respectively). Lilac LAB was effective in improving bowel movements and fecal properties in functionally constipated persons.
MUSE observations of the lensing cluster SMACSJ2031.8-4036: new constraints on the mass distribution in the cluster core
Authors: Richard Johan , Patricio Vera , Martinez Johany , Bacon Roland , Clément Benjamin , Weilbacher Peter , Soto Kurt , Wisotzki Lutz , Vernet Joël , Pello Roser , Schaye Joop , Turner Monica , Martinsson Thomas
Published: October 2014

We present new observations of the lensing cluster SMACSJ2031.8-4036 obtained with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral field spectrograph as part of its commissioning on the Very Large Telescope. By providing medium-resolution spectroscopy over the full 4750–9350 Å domain and a 1 × 1 arcmin2 field of view, MUSE is ideally suited for identifying lensed galaxies in the cluster core, in particular multiple-imaged systems. We perform a redshift analysis of all sources in the data cube and identify a total of 12 systems ranging from z = 1.46 to 6.4, with all images of each system confirmed by a spectroscopic redshift. This allows us to accurately constrain the cluster mass profile in this region. We foresee that future MUSE observations of cluster cores should help us discover very faint Lyman α emitters thanks to the strong magnification and the high sensitivity of this instrument.
Towards elucidating the connection between epithelial–mesenchymal transitions and stemness
Authors: Jolly Mohit Kumar , Huang Bin , Lu Mingyang , Mani Sendurai A. , Levine Herbert , Ben-Jacob Eshel
Published: October 2014

Epithelial cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions have often been shown to behave as cancer stem cells, but the precise molecular connection remains elusive. At the genetic level, stemness is governed by LIN28/let-7 double inhibition switch, whereas EMT/MET is controlled by miR-200/ZEB double inhibition circuit and LIN28 is inhibited by miR-200, coupling the two modules. Here, using a specially devised theoretical framework to investigate the dynamics of the LIN28/let-7 system, we show that it can operate as a three-way switch (between low, high and intermediate LIN28 levels termed the D, U and hybrid D/U states) similar to the three-way operation of the miR-200/ZEB circuit that allows for the existence of a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype. We find significant correspondence between the existence of the three states of the two circuits: E–D, M–U and E/M–D/U. Incorporating the activation of OCT4 by LIN28, we find that the hybrid E/M phenotype has high likelihood (when compared with either the E or M states) to gain stemness. Combining the LIN28/let-7 regulation by NF-
κ
B and c-MYC, we find that NF-
κ
B, but not c-MYC, elevates the likelihood of E/M phenotype to gain stemness. Our results are consistent with emerging concept that partial EMT can lead to stemness.
Shrinking fish: comparisons of prehistoric and contemporary salmonids indicate decreasing size at age across millennia
Authors: Turrero Pablo , García-Vázquez Eva , de Leaniz Carlos Garcia
Published: October 2014

A comparison of Upper Palaeolithic and contemporary salmonid vertebrae from the Iberian Peninsula indicates that there has been a significant decrease in the mean body size for a given age among Atlantic salmon and brown trout inhabiting the southernmost range of their endemic distribution. Mean size at age was greater in prehistoric specimens for all age classes during the freshwater phase of their life histories. Fisheries-induced evolution (selection for smaller sizes) is an obvious explanation for the observed reduction in fish body size, but recent changes in the aquatic habitat affecting density-dependent growth cannot be ruled out.
Population viscosity suppresses disease emergence by preserving local herd immunity
Authors: Reluga Timothy C. , Shim Eunha
Published: October 2014

Animal reservoirs for infectious diseases pose ongoing risks to human populations. In this theory of zoonoses, the introduction event that starts an epidemic is assumed to be independent of all preceding events. However, introductions are often concentrated in communities that bridge the ecological interfaces between reservoirs and the general population. In this paper, we explore how the risks of disease emergence are altered by the aggregation of introduction events within bridge communities. In viscous bridge communities, repeated introductions can elevate the local prevalence of immunity. This local herd immunity can form a barrier reducing the opportunities for disease emergence. In some situations, reducing exposure rates counterintuitively increases the emergence hazards because of off-setting reductions in local immunity. Increases in population mixing can also increase emergence hazards, even when average contact rates are conserved. Our theory of bridge communities may help guide prevention and explain historical emergence events, where disruption of stable economic, political or demographic processes reduced population viscosity at ecological interfaces.
Ancestry Composition: A Novel, Efficient Pipeline for Ancestry Deconvolution
Authors: Durand Eric Y. , Do Chuong B. , Mountain Joanna L. , Macpherson J. Michael
Published: October 2014

Ancestry deconvolution, the task of identifying the ancestral origin of chromosomal segments in admixed individuals, has important implications, from mapping disease genes to identifying candidate loci under natural selection. To date, however, most existing methods for ancestry deconvolution are typically limited to two or three ancestral populations, and cannot resolve contributions from populations related at a sub-continental scale.

We describe Ancestry Composition, a modular three-stage pipeline that efficiently and accurately identifies the ancestral origin of chromosomal segments in admixed individuals. It assumes the genotype data have been phased. In the first stage, a support vector machine classifier assigns tentative ancestry labels to short local phased genomic regions. In the second stage, an autoregressive pair hidden Markov model simultaneously corrects phasing errors and produces reconciled local ancestry estimates and confidence scores based on the tentative ancestry labels. In the third stage, confidence estimates are recalibrated using isotonic regression.

We compiled a reference panel of almost 10,000 individuals of homogeneous ancestry, derived from a combination of several publicly available datasets and over 8,000 individuals reporting four grandparents with the same country-of-origin from the member database of the personal genetics company, 23andMe, Inc., and excluding outliers identified through principal components analysis (PCA). In cross-validation experiments, Ancestry Composition achieves high precision and recall for labeling chromosomal segments across over 25 different populations worldwide.
Sensing nostalgia through traditional food: an insight from Croatia
Authors: Renko Sanda , Bucar Kristina
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Due to the growing trend of consuming healthy food, which reproduces the ideal of the food the authors tried in their childhood, an increasing number of researchers have brought together the values of tradition, nostalgia and food. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between food and nostalgia in order to find out in which way they affect each other.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to explore the perspectives of traditional food in re-collecting and re-experiencing positive past experiences, both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used in two stages. First, focus group interviews were conducted with ten restaurant chefs in three different regions of Croatia. Then, a survey was carried out with 362 Croatian consumers.

Findings

– Focus group results show that although traditional food creates new opportunities for differentiation, finding the right ingredients and time for cooking traditional food is still a problem. There is a low interest in traditional food in restaurants, as domestic patrons mostly worry about the high prices, while foreign ones do not know anything about such foods due to the inadequate promotion of Croatian gastronomic offer. Survey results indicate that consumers are familiar with traditional Croatian food, eat it regularly at home and consider it as food with high-quality aspects that reminds them of their childhood and positive past experiences.

Practical implications

– The results presented in this paper give some directions for subjects involved in the manufacturing industry, tourism, the restaurant industry, etc. to devise ways of reminding their customers of childhood memories, family ties, etc.

Originality/value

– A relatively small number of food-centred studies are directly concerned with nostalgia. Many more studies investigate food in social changes, related to ethnic elements, etc. Considering an extensive literature review, and the analysis of data in the qualitative and quantitative study, this paper addresses two multidimensional and complex concepts which are powerful predictors of customer satisfaction.
Re-framing planning decision-making: increasing flood resilience in Jakarta
Authors: Mulyani Sunarharum Tri , Sloan Mellini , Susilawati Connie
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to re-frame planning decision-making to address risks of flooding and to increase community resilience. Rapid urbanisation, fragmented governance and recurrent flooding complicate resolution of DKI Jakarta’s chronic housing shortage. Failure to effectively implement planning decision-making processes poses potential human rights violations. Contemporary planning policy requires the relocation of households living in floodplains within 15 m of DKI Jakarta’s main watercourses, further constraining land availability and potentially requiring increased densification.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents a preliminary scoping study for a technologically enhanced participatory planning method, incorporating synthesis of existing information on urbanisation, governance and flood risk management in Jakarta.

Findings

– Responsibility for flood risk management in DKI Jakarta is fragmented both within and across administrative boundaries. Decision-making is further complicated by: limited availability of land use data; uncertainty as to the delineated extent of watercourses, floodplains and flood modelling; unclear risk and liability for infrastructure investments; and technical literacy of both public and government participants.

Practical implications

– This research provides information to facilitate consultation with government entities tasked with re-framing planning processes to increase public participation.

Social implications

– Potential increased opportunities for collaborative decision-making and consequent reduction in risk exposure amongst DKI Jakarta’s most vulnerable populations can help to address issues of social justice.

Originality/value

– This paper synthesises information from a range of sources not available in English, and offers insights into a complex system of governance and modes for improving decision-making.
A study identifying factors influencing decision making in dynamic emergencies like urban fire and rescue settings
Authors: Launder David , Perry Chad
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– There has been little research about incident management decision making within real-life, dynamic emergencies such as urban fire settings. So this research addresses the research problem: how do incident managers make decisions in urban fire settings? These decision behaviours cover five areas: assessment of the fireground situation, selection of a decision strategy, determination of incident objectives, deployment and management of firefighting resources and ongoing review of the incident. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case research was used to examine management of different types of fires, through in-depth interviews with a range of incident managers.

Findings

– This research identified five key behavioural elements associated with incident management in urban fire settings such as their application of a mix of recognition-primed, value based, procedural and formal decision strategies throughout the course of an incident rather than a single style.

Research limitations/implications

– The in-depth framework of decision making could provide foundations for later research about other emergency settings. And this research is limited to analytic generalisation (Yin, 2009); so quantitative research such as surveys and large scale interviews could be done to further extend the research for statistical generalisation.

Practical implications

– The decision procedures uncovered in this research will assist incident managers in many emergencies, assist policy making and foster the development of future incident managers.

Originality/value

– The findings expand the knowledge of how incident managers develop situation awareness, make decisions and plans, implement them, and review the incident as it evolves. Another contribution is the comprehensive framework of decision making developed from these findings.
Supplier sustainability assessment for the UK defence industry
Authors: Emmanuel-Ebikake Oyetola , Roy Rajkumar , Shehab Essam
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to design a framework for assessing supplier sustainability (in terms of survivability) within the defence industry based on financial and operational dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research employs a case study approach to identify a research gap in the area of supplier performance measurement and proposes five dimensions to assess supplier sustainability from the review of literature and industry practice while employing a systematic approach to generate measures for each dimension with suggested actions to improve sustainability.

Findings

– The sustainability measures, dimensions and improvement actions developed were validated with industrial experts from three defence companies and implemented as a sustainability system. A case study was applied and the results were generated.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research could include further case study application and application of dimensions and measures to other industries.

Practical implications

– The paper offers managerial implications about the need to consider the survivability of suppliers in the long term, especially in the current economic climate and think about mitigation strategies to enable economic sustainability.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the existing knowledge in the supply chain area and proposes a novel approach to supplier performance measurement and management which is holistic.