bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of L‐lactide‐grafted sisal fiber–reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Jiang Aiju , Xu Xiaoqiang , Wu Hongwu
Published: September 2014

Pretreatment of the sisal fiber (SF) grafting with L‐lactide (LA) monomer via a ring‐opening polymerization catalyzed by a Sn(II)‐based catalyst was performed to improve the interfacial adhesion between SF and poly (lactic acid) (PLA). Biocomposites from LA‐grafted SF (SF‐g‐LA) and PLA were prepared by compression molding with fiber weight fraction of 10, 20, 30, and 40%, and then were investigated in contrast with alkali‐treated sisal fiber (ASF) reinforced PLA composites and untreated SF reinforced PLA composites. PLA composites reinforced by half‐and‐half SF‐g‐LA/untreated SF (half SF‐g‐LA) were prepared and studied as well, considering the disadvantages of SF‐g‐LA. The results showed that both the tensile properties and flexural properties of the SF‐g‐LA reinforced PLA composites were improved noticeably as the introduction of SF‐g‐LA, compared with pure PLA, untreated SF reinforced PLA composites and ASF reinforced PLA composites. The mechanical properties of the half SF‐g‐LA reinforced PLA composites were not worse, even better in some aspects, than the SF‐g‐LA reinforced PLA composites. Fourier transform infrared analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis exhibited that both the chemical composition and crystal structure of the SFs changed after LA grafting. In addition, the fracture surface morphology of the composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The morphological studies demonstrated that a better adhesion between LA‐grafted SF and PLA matrix was achieved. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:802–809, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Adjustable thermal property of polyethylene glycol/diatomite shape‐stabilized composite phase change material
Authors: Qian Tingting , Li Jinhong , Ma Hongwen , Yang Jing
Published: September 2014

The work involves the fabrication, characterization, and thermal properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/diatomite powder (DP), which can be used as a novel shape‐stabilized composite phase change material (CPCM). The maximum load of PEG in DP can reach 55% while PEG melts during solid–liquid phase transformation. Differential scanning calorimeter results indicated that the melting temperature of the new CPCMs could be adjusted from 34 to 59°C and that the solidifying temperature could be adjusted from 27 to 44°C. Corresponding latent heats of the melting and solidifying processes were 77.27–106.5 J/g and 72.07–94.93 J/g, respectively. Scanning electronic microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction results indicated that PEG was well dispersed in diatomite pores and no chemical changes took place during thermal cyclic test. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis indicated that the CPCMs had good thermal and chemical stability and reliability when diatomite was immersed into melting PEG at 75°C for 90 min. Thermal conductivity of the CPCMs increased from 0.36 to 0.71 W/mK after adding 10 wt% expanded graphite (EG). POLYM. COMPOS., 37:854–860, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Phloroglucinols from Anti‐Microbial Deposit‐Resins of Australian Stingless Bees (Tetragonula carbonaria)
Authors: Massaro C. Flavia , Smyth Thomas J. , Smyth W. Franklin , Heard Tim , Leonhardt Sara D. , Katouli Mohammad , Wallace Helen M. , Brooks Peter
Published: September 2014

Stingless bees accumulate deposits of plant resins that are mixed with beeswax to produce propolis. Previous studies have reported anti‐microbial constituents of stingless bee (Tetragonula carbonaria) propolis from East Australia, but several components remained to be characterized. In the search of natural products yet unreported for Australian propolis, four bee deposit‐resins of T. carbonaria bees were analysed by gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with accurate mass measurements. Ethanolic extracts of the deposit‐resins were tested in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25983 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 by the agar diffusion method. Phloroglucinols, flavonoids and isoprenoids were identified in samples. The crude extracts showed strong anti‐staphylococcal effects but were less active against the Gram‐negative bacterium. The diagnostic data enabled the identification of markers that can be used for profiling other Australian propolis sources and to target the isolation of bioactive phloroglucinols in future studies against antibiotic resistant S. aureus strains. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inquiry, Engagement, and Literacy in Science: A Retrospective, Cross‐National Analysis Using PISA 2006
Authors: McCONNEY ANDREW , OLIVER MARY C. , WOODS‐McCONNEY AMANDA , SCHIBECI RENATO , MAOR DORIT
Published: September 2014

In this study, we examine patterns of students’ literacy and engagement in science associated with different levels of “inquiry‐oriented” learning reported by students in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. To achieve this, we analyzed data from the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development's 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment, which had science as its focus. Consistently, our findings show that science students who report experiencing low levels of inquiry‐oriented learning activities are found to have above‐average levels of science literacy, but below‐average levels of interest in science, and below‐average levels on six variables that reflect students’ engagement in science. Our findings show that the corollary is also true. Across the three countries, students who report high levels of inquiry‐oriented learning activities in science are observed to have below‐average levels of science literacy, but above‐average levels of interest in learning science, and above‐average engagement in science. These findings appear to run counter to science education orthodoxy that the more students experience inquiry‑oriented teaching and learning, the more likely they are to have stronger science literacy, as well as more positive affect toward science. We discuss the implications of these findings for science educators and researchers.
Comparative proteomic analysis of a Candida albicans DSE1 mutant under filamentous and non‐filamentous conditions
Authors: Zohbi Rasha , Wex Brigitte , Khalaf Roy A.
Published: September 2014

Candida albicans is a common opportunistic pathogen that causes a variety of diseases in immunocompromised hosts. In a pathogen, cell wall proteins are important virulence factors. We previously characterized Dse1 as a cell wall protein necessary for virulence and resistance to cell surface‐disrupting agents, such as Calcofluor white, chitin deposition, proper adhesion and biofilm formation. In the absence of decomplexation, our objectives were to investigate differential proteomic expression of a DSE1 mutant strain compared to the wild‐type strain. The strains were grown under filamentous and non‐filamentous conditions. The extracted cell proteome was subjected to tryptic digest, followed by generation of peptide profiles using MALDI–TOF MS. Generated peptide profiles were analysed and unique peaks for each strain and growth condition mined against a Candida database, allowing protein identification. The DSE1 mutant was shown to lack the chitin biosynthesis protein Chs5, explaining the previously observed decrease in chitin biosynthesis. The wild‐type strain expressed Pra1, involved in pH response and zinc acquisition, Atg15, a lipase involved in virulence, and Sod1, required for oxidative stress tolerance, in addition to proteins involved in protein biosynthesis, explaining the increase in total protein content observed compared to the mutants strain. The mutant, on the other hand, expressed glucoamylase 1, a cell wall glycoprotein involved in carbohydrate metabolism cell wall degradation and biofilm formation. As such, MALDI–TOF MS is a reliable technique in identifying mutant‐specific protein expression in C. albicans. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ferrimagnetism in the High Pressure 6H‐Perovskite BaCrO3
Authors: Arevalo‐Lopez Angel M. , Reeves Simon J. , Attfield J. Paul
Published: September 2014

The 6‐layered hexagonal polymorph of BaCrO3 has been synthesized at 900 °C under a pressure of 9 GPa. The hexagonal structure (space group P63/mmc, cell parameters a = 5.3809(9) and c = 13.123(3) Å at 300 K) is stable on cooling down to 5 K. Ferrimagnetism with a small saturated magnetization of approx. 0.1 μB is observed below a Curie transition at TC = 192 K, and neutron diffraction shows that a simple collinear ferrimagnetic spin structure with moments parallel to c is adopted.
Intraoperative Diagnosis of Central Compartment Lymph Node Metastasis Predicts Recurrence of Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Clinically Node‐Negative Lateral Neck and May Guide Extent of Initial Surgery
Authors: Lee Chang Wook , Gong Gyungyup , Roh Jong‐Lyel
Published: September 2014

Background

Although lymph node (LN) metastasis (LNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is common, routine prophylactic LN dissection (LND) is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for recurrence of PTC with clinically node‐negative lateral neck to determine the utility of intraoperative LN biopsy.

Materials and methods

This study involved 185 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC and clinically node‐negative lateral neck. All patients underwent thyroidectomy with or without ipsilateral or bilateral central LND after intraoperative central LN biopsy. Routine lateral neck LND was not performed. Clinicopathologic and intraoperative findings and post‐treatment recurrences were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses with Cox‐proportional hazards model were used to identify factors associated with recurrence.

Results

During a follow‐up of 50–96 months, six (3.2 %) patients had recurrences in lateral cervical LNs at a median 28 months (range 7–57 months) after surgery. Overall, 2‐ and 5‐year RFS rates were 98.4 and 96.7 %, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed that tumor size (P = 0.005), bilaterality (P = 0.033), T4 disease (P < 0.001), and intraoperative diagnosis of central LNM (P = 0.001) were significantly predictive of recurrence. Multivariate analyses showed that T4 disease (P = 0.049) and intraoperative diagnosis of central LNM (P = 0.027) were independently predictive of recurrence.

Conclusions

Prophylactic lateral neck LND is not advocated for PTC with clinically node‐negative lateral neck. Intraoperative LN biopsy may help identify patients at risk for recurrence and those who would benefit from LND.
Efficient gene targeting of the Rosa26 locus in mouse zygotes using TALE nucleases
Authors: Kasparek Petr , Krausova Michaela , Haneckova Radka , Kriz Vitezslav , Zbodakova Olga , Korinek Vladimir , Sedlacek Radislav
Published: September 2014

Gene targeting in mice mainly employs homologous recombination (HR) in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Although it is a standard way for production of genetically modified mice, the procedure is laborious and time‐consuming. This study describes targeting of the mouse Rosa26 locus by transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs). We employed TALEN‐assisted HR in zygotes to introduce constructs encoding TurboRFP and TagBFP fluorescent proteins into the first intron of the Rosa26 gene, and in this way generated two transgenic mice. We also demonstrated that these Rosa26‐specific TALENs exhibit high targeting efficiency superior to that of zinc‐finger nucleases (ZFNs) specific for the same targeting sequence. Moreover, we devised a reporter assay to assess TALENs activity and specificity to improve the quality of TALEN‐assisted targeting.
Breakout Session 5 Summary: Development of Evidence-Based Technical Guidance and Education/ Training Programs for the Advancement of Health and Disaster Risk Management Capabilities
Authors: Radjak Abdul , Redmond Anthony
Published: September 2014

Cross-cutting Principle

Use knowledge, innovation, and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels
Conceptual designs of a laser plasma accelerator-based EUV-FEL and an all-optical Gamma-beam source
Authors: Nakajima Kazuhisa
Published: September 2014

Recently, intense research into laser plasma accelerators has achieved great progress in the production of high-energy, high-quality electron beams with GeV-level energies in a cm-scale plasma. These electron beams open the door for broad applications in fundamental, medical, and industrial sciences. Here we present conceptual designs of an extreme ultraviolet radiation source for next-generation lithography and a laser Compton Gamma-beam source for nuclear physics research on a table-top scale.
ETHICS, EQUITY AND THE ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE PAPER 1: SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Stern Nicholas
Published: September 2014

This paper examines a broad range of ethical perspectives and principles relevant to the analysis of issues raised by the science of climate change and explores their implications. A second and companion paper extends this analysis to the contribution of ethics, economics and politics in understanding policy towards climate change. These tasks must start with the science which tells us that this is a problem of risk management on an immense scale. Risks on this scale take us far outside the familiar policy questions and standard, largely marginal, techniques commonly used by economists; this is a subject that requires the full breadth and depth of what economics has to offer and a much more thoughtful view of ethics than economists usually bring to bear. Different philosophical approaches bring different perspectives on understanding and policy, yet they generally point to the case for strong action to manage climate change.
Who Passes Business’s “Model Bills”? Policy Capacity and Corporate Influence in U.S. State Politics
Authors: Hertel-Fernandez Alexander
Published: September 2014

Which policymakers are most likely to enact legislation drafted by organized business interests? Departing from the business power scholarship that emphasizes structural, electoral, or financial mechanisms for corporate influence, I argue that lawmakers are likely to rely on businesses' proposals when they lack the time and resources to develop legislation on their own, especially when they also hold an ideological affinity for business. Using two new datasets of “model bills” developed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a policy group that promotes pro-business legislation across the states, I find strong support for this theory. These results indicate that ALEC provides private policy capacity to state legislators who would otherwise lack such support, and relatedly, that low state policy capacity may favor certain organized interests over others—namely the business interests affiliated with ALEC. My findings have implications for the study of business influence in policymaking, as well as for state politics.
Health Reform and the Future of American Politics
Authors: Jacobs Lawrence R.
Published: September 2014

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is a landmark in American social policy that is disrupting America’s “liberal tradition.” It is successfully expanding access and compelling insurers to change their business models to serve more socially-useful purposes; cost control enjoyed initial success but confronts barriers rooted in America’s resilient political economy. The ACA is disrupting long-standing patterns of American politics, introducing new developmental paths that unsettle or, in certain respects, offset the familiar patterns of selectivity, deference to private markets, and “drift” that tend to produce government inaction as economic insecurity increases. New policy arrangements for financing and delivering medical care is ushering in a new politics of US health care that are resetting the terms of future debate; the ACA is also challenging familiar approaches to studying politics including analyses of framing, policy effects and political development, and American political thought.
Analytic Filmmaking: A Response to Critics
Authors: Germano Roy
Published: September 2014

I would like to begin by thanking Jeff Isaac for organizing this symposium. I am also grateful to the five commentators—Henry Farrell, Jeffrey Gould, Davide Panagia, Sunita Parikh, and Dvora Yanow—for taking the time to think about my target essay and to offer such thought provoking comments and critiques. Even if the commentators have reservations about the analytic filmmaking approach, I am encouraged by their enthusiasm for the fundamental idea contained in my target essay: Audiovisual media can and should be used to publish social science research. This rejoinder aims to briefly clarify my positions on some of the major issues raised by the commentators. The first part addresses questions about how we should structure audiovisual publications, while the second part examines the nexus between analytic filmmaking and scientific inquiry.
Role of dietary fish oil on nitric oxide synthase activity and oxidative status in mice red blood cells
Authors: Martins Marcela A. , Moss Monique B. , Mendes Iara K. S. , Águila Márcia B. , Mandarim-de-Lacerda Carlos Alberto , Brunini Tatiana M. C. , Mendes-Ribeiro Antônio Cláudio
Published: September 2014

The consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from fish oil is associated with cardiovascular benefits, which may result from the participation of nitric oxide.
Spontaneous assembly of strong and conductive graphene/polypyrrole hybrid aerogels for energy storage
Authors: Sun Rui , Chen Hongyuan , Li Qingwen , Song Qijun , Zhang Xuetong
Published: September 2014

A spontaneous assembly approach was employed to fabricate graphene/polypyrrole hybrid aerogels with excellent mechanical properties and enhanced supercapacitor performance.
The study of polyplex formation and stability by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of SYBR Green I-stained DNA
Authors: D’Andrea Cosimo , Pezzoli Daniele , Malloggi Chiara , Candeo Alessia , Capelli Giulio , Bassi Andrea , Volonterio Alessandro , Taroni Paola , Candiani Gabriele
Published: September 2014

Polyplexes are nanoparticles formed by the self-assembly of DNA/RNA and cationic polymers specifically designed to deliver exogenous genetic material to cells by a process called transfection. There is a general consensus that a subtle balance between sufficient extracellular protection and intracellular release of nucleic acids is a key factor for successful gene delivery. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop suitable tools and techniques for enabling the monitoring of the stability of polyplexes in the biological environment they face during transfection. In this work we propose time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with SYBR Green I-DNA dye as a reliable tool for the in-depth characterization of the DNA/vector complexation state. As a proof of concept, we provide essential information on the assembly and disassembly of complexes formed between DNA and each of three cationic polymers, namely a novel promising chitosan-graft-branched polyethylenimine copolymer (Chi-g-bPEI), one of its building block 2 kDa bPEI and the gold standard transfectant 25 kDa bPEI. Our results highlight the higher information content provided by the time-resolved studies of SYBR Green I/DNA, as compared to conventional steady state measurements of ethidium bromide/DNA that enabled us to draw relationships among fluorescence lifetime, polyplex structural changes and transfection efficiency.
A phthalimide- and diketopyrrolopyrrole-based A1–π–A2 conjugated polymer for high-performance organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Zhang Guobing , Guo Jinghua , Zhang Jie , Li Peng , Ma Jingxuan , Wang Xianghua , Lu Hongbo , Qiu Longzhen
Published: September 2014

A phthalimide- and diketopyrrolopyrrole-based polymer was synthesized and polymer-based OTFTs exhibited an electron mobility as high as 0.52 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Hofmeister anion effect on the formation of ZIF-8 with tuneable morphologies and textural properties from stoichiometric precursors in aqueous ammonia solution
Authors: Chen Binling , Bai Fenghua , Zhu Yanqiu , Xia Yongde
Published: September 2014

The classic Hofmeister anions can remarkably affect and promote the formation of ZIF-8 with tuneable particle morphologies and textural properties.
Atomic layer deposition of textured zinc nitride thin films
Authors: Sinha Soumyadeep , Sarkar Shaibal K.
Published: September 2014

Atomic layer deposition of crystallographically oriented and optically transparent zinc nitride thin films deposited at 150–315 °C.
A colorimetric and near-infrared fluorescent probe for biothiols and its application in living cells
Authors: Yu Dehuan , Zhang Qiong , Ding Shuangshuang , Feng Guoqiang
Published: September 2014

A new highly selective and sensitive colorimetric and NIR fluorescent probe for detection and bioimaging of biothiols was reported.
Palladium nanoparticles on noncovalently functionalized graphene-based heterogeneous catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki reactions in water
Authors: Sharavath Vittal , Ghosh Sutapa
Published: September 2014

Palladium nanoparticles supported on noncovalently functionalized graphene based heterogeneous catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura and Heck–Mizoroki C–C coupling reactions towards aryl bromides and less reactive aryl chlorides in water.
Experimental and DFT study on the indium-mediated synthesis of benzophenones via arylstannanes
Authors: Lo Fiego Marcos J. , Dorn Viviana B. , Badajoz Mercedes A. , Lockhart María T. , Chopa Alicia B.
Published: September 2014

A DFT analysis was performed with the aim to explaining the narrow scope of the indium-promoted reaction of aroyl chlorides with arylstannanes.
Single step hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical TiO2 microflowers with radially assembled nanorods for enhanced photovoltaic performance
Authors: Patil Pallavi B. , Mali Sawanta S. , Kondalkar Vijay V. , Pawar Nita B. , Khot Kishorkumar V. , Hong Chang K. , Patil Pramod S. , Bhosale Popatrao N.
Published: September 2014

Herein, 3D hierarchical TiO2 microflowers with a well faceted profile and high crystallinity were successfully obtained via a surfactant directed single step facile hydrothermal technique.
Synthesis and characterization of robust three-dimensional chiral metal sulfates
Authors: Behera J. N. , Bhattacharjee Joydeep , Horike Satoshi , Marri Subba R. , Dahiya Prem P.
Published: September 2014

Chiral three-dimensional Mg(ii) and Mn(ii) sulfates have been synthesized, well characterized and studied from first-principles calculations. High temperature X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and DFT calculations reveal that the structures of both the compounds remain intact even after the thermal decomposition of the ammonium ion.
Temperature memory effect in amorphous shape memory polymers
Authors: Yu Kai , Qi H. Jerry
Published: September 2014

Temperature memory effect in shape memory polymers is found to be complicated and the shape memory characteristic temperature depends on the programming temperature and other programming conditions.
Self-assembly of kagome lattices, entangled webs and linear fibers with vibrating patchy particles in two dimensions
Authors: Chapela Gustavo A. , Guzmán Orlando , Martínez-González José Adrián , Díaz-Leyva Pedro , Quintana-H Jacqueline
Published: September 2014

A vibrating version of patchy particles in two dimensions is introduced to study self-assembly of kagome lattices, disordered networks of looping structures, and linear arrays.
Facile synthesis of Pd–Mn3O4/C as high-efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Zhuo-Ying , Liu Zi-li , Liang Jie-Cong , Xu Chang-Wei , Lu Xihong
Published: September 2014

A high-efficient OER electrocatalyst based on Pd nanoparticles, Mn3O4and carbon black has been designed and exhibited excellent OER activity.
Highly cohesive dual nanoassemblies for complementary multiscale bioimaging
Authors: Faucon Adrien , Maldiney Thomas , Clément Olivier , Hulin Philippe , Nedellec Steven , Robard Myriam , Gautier Nicolas , De Meulenaere Evelien , Clays Koen , Orlando Tomas , Lascialfari Alessandro , Fiorini-Debuisschert Céline , Fresnais Jérôme , Ishow Eléna
Published: September 2014

Core–shell nanoarchitectures made of non-doped fluorescent organic platforms capped with magnetic nanoparticles display high bioimaging performances.
The quest for optical magnetism: from split-ring resonators to plasmonic nanoparticles and nanoclusters
Authors: Monticone Francesco , Alù Andrea
Published: September 2014

We review the recent developments in the quest for optical magnetism, with particular focus on implementations based on plasmonic meta-molecules.
Glia in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Verkhratsky Alexei , Parpura Vladimir , Pekna Marcela , Pekny Milos , Sofroniew Michael
Published: September 2014

Exclusively neuron-centric approaches to neuropathological mechanisms have not resulted in major new breakthroughs in the prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present paper, we review the role of glia in neurodegeneration in an attempt to identify novel targets that could be used to develop much-needed strategies for the containment and cure of neurodegenerative disorders. We discuss this in the context of glial roles in the homoeostasis and defence of the brain. We consider the mounting evidence supporting a change away from the perception of reactive glial responses merely as secondary detrimental processes that exacerbate the course of neurological disorders, in favour of an emerging contemporary view of glial pathological responses as complex and multistaged defensive processes that also have the potential for dysfunction.
New insight into the intracellular roles of class II phosphoinositide 3-kinases
Authors: Maffucci Tania , Falasca Marco
Published: September 2014

In the last few years, an increased attention to class II isoforms of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) has emerged, mainly fuelled by evidence suggesting a distinct non-redundant role for these enzymes compared with other PI3Ks. Despite this renewed interest, many questions remain on the specific functions regulated by these isoforms and their mechanism of activation and action. In the present review, we discuss results from recent studies that have provided some answers to these questions.
Interactions of peripheral proteins with model membranes as viewed by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Kalli Antreas C. , Sansom Mark S. P.
Published: September 2014

Many cellular signalling and related events are triggered by the association of peripheral proteins with anionic lipids in the cell membrane (e.g. phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs). This association frequently occurs via lipid-binding modules, e.g. pleckstrin homology (PH), C2 and four-point-one, ezrin, radixin, moesin (FERM) domains, present in peripheral and cytosolic proteins. Multiscale simulation approaches that combine coarse-grained and atomistic MD simulations may now be applied with confidence to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the association of peripheral proteins with model bilayers. Comparisons with experimental data indicate that such simulations can predict specific peripheral protein–lipid interactions. We discuss the application of multiscale MD simulation and related approaches to investigate the association of peripheral proteins which contain PH, C2 or FERM-binding modules with lipid bilayers of differing phospholipid composition, including bilayers containing multiple PIP molecules.
Biophysical properties of sphingosine, ceramides and other simple sphingolipids
Authors: Goñi Félix M. , Sot Jesús , Alonso Alicia
Published: September 2014

Some of the simplest sphingolipids, namely sphingosine, ceramide and their phosphorylated compounds [sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) and ceramide 1-phosphate (Cer-1-P)], are potent metabolic regulators. Each of these lipids modifies in marked and specific ways the physical properties of the cell membranes, in what can be the basis for some of their physiological actions. The present paper is an overview of the mechanisms by which these sphingolipid signals, sphingosine and ceramide, in particular, are able to modify the properties of cell membranes.
The trials and tubule-ations of Rab6 involvement in Golgi-to-ER retrograde transport
Authors: Heffernan Linda F. , Simpson Jeremy C.
Published: September 2014

In the early secretory pathway, membrane flow in the anterograde direction from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi complex needs to be tightly co-ordinated with retrograde flow to maintain the size, composition and functionality of these two organelles. At least two mechanisms of transport move material in the retrograde direction: one regulated by the cytoplasmic coatomer protein I complex (COPI), and a second COPI-independent pathway utilizing the small GTP-binding protein Rab6. Although the COPI-independent pathway was discovered 15 years ago, it remains relatively poorly characterized, with only a handful of machinery molecules associated with its operation. One feature that makes this pathway somewhat unusual, and potentially difficult to study, is that the transport carriers predominantly seem to be tubular rather than vesicular in nature. This suggests that the regulatory machinery is likely to be different from that associated with vesicular transport pathways controlled by conventional coat complexes. In the present mini-review, we have highlighted the key experiments that have characterized this transport pathway so far and also have discussed the challenges that lie ahead with respect to its further characterization.
Tri‐band superconducting bandpass filter with controllable passband specifications
Authors: Feng Yuning , Guo Xubo , Cao Bisong , Wei Bin , Zhang Xiaoping , Song Fei , Lu Xilong , Xu Zhan
Published: September 2014

A compact tri‐band bandpass filter is designed by combining a dual‐band sub‐filter and a single‐band one. The dual‐band sub‐filter comprises four stub‐loaded resonators. The single‐band sub‐filter is inserted into the gaps of the dual‐band sub‐filter for size miniaturisation. Both the centre frequencies and the bandwidths of the three passbands can be independently controlled. The measurements of the fabricated superconducting filter exhibit high performance and match well with the simulations.
Midwave infrared InSb nBn photodetector
Authors: Evirgen A. , Abautret J. , Perez J.P. , Cordat A. , Nedelcu A. , Christol P.
Published: September 2014

The first demonstration of InSb photodetector with nBn design is reported. The nBn structure, grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on InSb substrate, is built by using n‐type InSb as absorber layer and InAlSb alloy as barrier layer. The nBn detector, showing cut‐off wavelength of 5.4 µm at 77 K in photovoltaic mode, exhibits dark current density as low as 10−9A/cm2 at −50 mV reverse bias, at least two decades lower than usual InSb photodiode.
Cilia beating patterns are not hydrodynamically optimal
Authors: Guo Hanliang , Nawroth Janna , Ding Yang , Kanso Eva
Published: September 2014

We examine the hydrodynamic performance of two cilia beating patterns reconstructed from experimental data. In their respective natural systems, the two beating patterns correspond to: (A) pumping-specialized cilia, and (B) swimming-specialized cilia. We compare the performance of these two cilia beating patterns as a function of the metachronal coordination in the context of two model systems: the swimming of a ciliated cylinder and the fluid pumping by a ciliated carpet. Three performance measures are used for this comparison: (i) average swimming speed/pumping flow rate; (ii) maximum internal moments generated by the cilia; and (iii) swimming/pumping efficiencies. We found that, in both models, pattern (B) outperforms pattern (A) in almost all three measures, including hydrodynamic efficiency. These results challenge the notion that hydrodynamic efficiency dictates the cilia beating kinematics, and suggest that other biological functions and constraints play a role in explaining the wide variety of cilia beating patterns observed in biological systems.
Magnetism of zigzag edge phosphorene nanoribbons
Authors: Zhu Zhili , Li Chong , Yu Weiyang , Chang Dahu , Sun Qiang , Jia Yu
Published: September 2014

We have investigated, by means of ab initio calculations, the electronic and magnetic structures of zigzag edge phosphorene nanoribbons (ZPNRs) with various widths. The stable magnetic state was found in pristine ZPNRs by allowing the systems to be spin-polarized. The ground state of pristine ZPNRs prefers ferromagnetic order in the same edge but antiferromagnetic order between two opposite edges. The magnetism arises from the dangling bond states as well as edge localized π-orbital states. The presence of a dangling bond is crucial to the formation of the magnetism of ZPNRs. The hydrogenated ZPNRs get nonmagnetic semiconductors with a direct band gap. While, the O-saturated ZPNRs show magnetic ground states due to the weak P-O bond in the ribbon plane between the pz-orbitals of the edge O and P atoms.
Evolution of Neural Computations: Mantis Shrimp and Human Color Decoding
Authors: Zaidi Qasim , Marshall Justin , Thoen Hanne , Conway Bevil R.
Published: September 2014

Mantis shrimp and primates both possess good color vision, but the neural implementation in the two species is very different, a reflection of the largely unrelated evolutionary lineages of these creatures. Mantis shrimp have scanning compound eyes with 12 classes of photoreceptors, and have evolved a system to decode color information at the front-end of the sensory stream. Primates have image-focusing eyes with three classes of cones, and decode color further along the visual-processing hierarchy. Despite these differences, we report a fascinating parallel between the computational strategies at the color-decoding stage in the brains of stomatopods and primates. Both species appear to use narrowly tuned cells that support interval decoding color identification.
Manganese(ii) Oxazolidine Nitroxide Chelates: Structure, Magnetism, and Redox Properties
Authors: Gass Ian A. , Asadi Mousa , Lupton David W. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Bond Alan M. , Guo Si-Xuan , Murray Keith S.
Published: September 2014

The mononuclear oxazolidine nitroxide complex [MnII(L•)2](ClO4)2 (1) (L•, 4-dimethyl-2,2-di(2-pyridyl)oxazolidine N-oxide) has been synthesized and investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, and electrochemistry. The structural analysis reveals bond lengths compatible with a linear L•–MnII–L• arrangement where the ligands are in the neutral ligand form and the central MnII ion is high spin (S = 5/2). Although analysis of the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data suggests a strong antiferromagnetic metal–radical interaction, the radical–radical intramolecular interaction could not be determined unambiguously from such fits. The resultant isolated S = 3/2 ground state is confirmed by low-temperature magnetization versus field measurements. Electrochemical studies reveal similar square schemes and redox intermediates to the previously reported analogues [FeII(L•)2][BF4]2 and [CoII(L•)2][NO3]2.
Discovery of Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors: Serendipity and Rational Drug Design
Authors: Feil Susanne C. , Holien Jessica K. , Morton Craig J. , Hancock Nancy C. , Thompson Philip E. , Parker Michael W.
Published: September 2014

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), the primary cyclic AMP-hydrolysing enzyme in cells, is a promising drug target for a wide range of mental disorders including Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, schizophrenia, and depression, plus a range of inflammatory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, targeting PDE4 is complicated by the fact that the enzyme is encoded by four very closely related genes, together with 20 distinct isoforms as a result of mRNA splicing, and inhibition of some of these isoforms leads to intolerable side effects in clinical trials. With almost identical active sites between the isoforms, X-ray crystallography has played a critical role in the discovery and development of safer PDE4 inhibitors. Here we describe our discovery of a novel class of highly potent PDE4 via a ‘virtuous’ cycle of structure-based drug design and serendipity.
Physical requirements in Olympic sailing
Authors: Bojsen‐Møller J. , Larsson B. , Aagaard P.
Published: September 2014

Physical fitness and muscular strength are important performance parameters in Olympic sailing although their relative importance changes between classes. The Olympic format consists of eight yacht types combined into 10 so‐called events with total 15 sailors (male and female) in a complete national Olympic delegation. The yachts have different requirements with respect to handling, and moreover, each sailor plays a specific role when sailing. Therefore physical demands remain heterogeneous for Olympic sailors. Previous studies have mainly examined sailors where ‘hiking’ (the task of leaning over the side of the yacht to increase righting moment) is the primary requirement. Other than the ability to sustain prolonged quasi‐isometric contractions, hiking seems to require significant maximal muscle strength especially in knee extensors, hip flexors and abdominal and lower back muscles. Another group of studies has investigated boardsailing and provided evidence to show that windsurfing requires very high aerobic and anaerobic capacity. Although data exist on other types of sailors, the information is limited, and moreover the profile of the Olympic events has changed markedly over the last few years to involve more agile, fast and spectacular yachts. The change of events in Olympic sailing has likely added to physical requirements; however, data on sailors in the modern‐type yachts are scarce. The present paper describes the recent developments in Olympic sailing with respect to yacht types, and reviews the existing knowledge on physical requirements in modern Olympic sailing. Finally, recommendations for future research in sailing are given.
Comparative assessment of fluorescent transgene methods for quantitative imaging in human cells
Authors: Mahen Robert , Koch Birgit , Wachsmuth Malte , Politi Antonio Z. , Perez-Gonzalez Alexis , Mergenthaler Julia , Cai Yin , Ellenberg Jan
Published: September 2014

Fluorescence tagging of proteins is a widely used tool to study protein function and dynamics in live cells. However, the extent to which different mammalian transgene methods faithfully report on the properties of endogenous proteins has not been studied comparatively. Here we use quantitative live-cell imaging and single-molecule spectroscopy to analyze how different transgene systems affect imaging of the functional properties of the mitotic kinase Aurora B. We show that the transgene method fundamentally influences level and variability of expression and can severely compromise the ability to report on endogenous binding and localization parameters, providing a guide for quantitative imaging studies in mammalian cells.
Conclusion
Authors: Walkden George
Published: September 2014

Chapter 6 summarizes and concludes the book, presenting an account of the main findings of earlier chapters as regards verb position in main clauses, the syntax of the wh-system, and the (non-)occurrence of null pronominal subjects and objects. This is followed by a tentative comparison with other early Indo-European daughter languages, suggesting that the findings of this book are consilient with analyses proposed for such languages and that the syntax of Proto-Indo-European might not be forever beyond our grasp. The chapter closes with an exploration of what it is that we reconstruct when we reconstruct syntax, and a warning about the limited nature of the conclusions reached.
Ensemble Performance
Authors: Keller Peter
Published: September 2014

This chapter addresses how ensemble musicians achieve the precision and flexibility in interpersonal coordination that enables alignment of performance parameters related to basic properties of sounds and artful stylistic expression across ensemble members. It describes auditory cues (systematic variations in timing, intensity, intonation, articulation, and timbre) and visual cues (body movements, gestures, and eye gaze) that ensemble performers employ to communicate their intentions concerning musical structure and expression. It then deals with the psychological mechanisms that allow these multimodal cues to be used in a manner that fosters ensemble cohesion. These mechanisms include rehearsal strategies for establishing shared performance goals prior to performance, as well as cognitive–motor skills that allow performers to anticipate, attend to, and adapt to each other’s actions in real time during performance. Finally, context-specific factors (e.g. familiarity with co-performer playing style) and domain-general factors (e.g. personality) that may affect ensemble strategies and skills are discussed.
Effects of Short‐Term Measures to Curb Air Pollution: Evidence from Santiago, Chile
Authors: Mullins Jamie , Bharadwaj Prashant
Published: September 2014

It is well established that exposure to high levels of air pollution in the short term leads to negative health outcomes; yet there exist very few policies intended to address short run spikes in air pollution. In this article we examine a policy implemented by the Government of Chile that uses temporary measures to reduce the severity and negative health impacts of poor air quality in the short run. This policy involves the announcement of “Environmental Episodes” on days forecast to have particularly poor air quality. Such Episode announcements trigger a number of government protocols and public notices intended to both improve regional air quality and encourage avoidance behaviors among the populace. By comparing days on which Episodes were announced to observationally similar days before the policy was fully implemented, we demonstrate that the announcement of an Environmental Episode reduces ambient concentrations of particulate matter in the Santiago Metropolitan Region by approximately 20% on the day of implementation, with effects persisting into subsequent days. We also find that the temporary restrictions, government actions, and informational campaigns that make up an Episode reduce mortality among the elderly on the day‐of and days‐after Episode implementation. Our findings suggest that the Environmental Episode program effectively addresses poor air quality in the short term and could serve as a valuable model for policymakers seeking to augment long‐term air quality strategies with a means of addressing temporary spikes in local or regional air pollution levels.
Where Imperialism Could Not Reach: Chinese Industrial Policy and Japan, 1900–1940
Authors: Lee Joyman
Published: September 2014

Where Imperialism Could Not Reachexamines the impact of the Japanese model of industrialization on China through a history of policy recommendations and economic ideas in practice. In the aftermath of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), Chinese regional policymakers learned a Japanese-style industrial policy that focused on the use of exhibitions and schools to disseminate information and stimulate rural innovation. In focusing on the treaty ports and the impact of European and American capitalism that has a larger and more quantifiable source base, many scholars have ignored the vital intra-Asian dimensions of China’s economic development, underpinned by shared position of China and Japan on the global semiperiphery and the pursuit of labor-intensive industrialization focusing on improvements to labor quality. The dissertation also aims to demonstrate the primary importance of information and incentives for innovation—rather than overcoming capital constraints—in Chinese strategies for economic growth.
Birds of the Same Feather Tweet Together: Bayesian Ideal Point Estimation Using Twitter Data
Authors: Barberá Pablo
Published: September 2014

Politicians and citizens increasingly engage in political conversations on social media outlets such as Twitter. In this article, I show that the structure of the social networks in which they are embedded can be a source of information about their ideological positions. Under the assumption that social networks are homophilic, I develop a Bayesian Spatial Following model that considers ideology as a latent variable, whose value can be inferred by examining which politics actors each user is following. This method allows us to estimate ideology for more actors than any existing alternative, at any point in time and across many polities. I apply this method to estimate ideal points for a large sample of both elite and mass public Twitter users in the United States and five European countries. The estimated positions of legislators and political parties replicate conventional measures of ideology. The method is also able to successfully classify individuals who state their political preferences publicly and a sample of users matched with their party registration records. To illustrate the potential contribution of these estimates, I examine the extent to which online behavior during the 2012 US presidential election campaign is clustered along ideological lines.
Murine model of Bacillus cereus gastrointestinal infection
Authors: Rolny Ivanna S. , Minnaard Jessica , Racedo Silvia M. , Pérez Pablo F.
Published: September 2014

Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming micro-organism responsible for foodborne illness. In this study, we focus on the host response following intragastric challenge with a pathogenic B. cereus strain (B10502) isolated from a foodborne outbreak. C57BL/6J female mice were infected by gavage with strain B10502. Controls were administered with PBS. Infection leads to significant modification in relevant immune cells in the spleen, Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). These findings correlated with an increase in the size of PP as compared with uninfected controls. Histological studies showed that B. cereus infection increased the ratio of intestinal goblet cells and induces mononuclear cell infiltrates in spleen at 5 days post-infection. Evaluation of cytokine mRNA expression demonstrated a significant increase in IFN-γ in MLN after 2 days of infection. The present work demonstrates that infection of mice with vegetative B. cereus is self-limited. Our findings determined relevant cell populations that were involved in the control of the pathogen through modification of the ratio and/or activation.
Secondary contact and local adaptation contribute to genome-wide patterns of clinal variation in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bergland Alan O. , Tobler Ray , Gonzalez Josefa , Schmidt Paul , Petrov Dmitri
Published: September 2014

Populations arrayed along broad latitudinal gradients often show patterns of clinal variation in phenotype and genotype. Such population differentiation can be generated and maintained by historical demographic events and local adaptation. These evolutionary forces are not mutually exclusive and, moreover, can in some cases produce nearly identical patterns of genetic differentiation among populations. Here, we investigate the evolutionary forces that generated and maintain clinal variation genome-wide among populations ofDrosophila melanogastersampled in North America and Australia. We contrast patterns of clinal variation in these continents with patterns of differentiation among ancestral European and African populations. Using established and novel methods we derive here, we show that recently derived North America and Australia populations were likely founded by both European and African lineages and that this admixture event contributed to genome-wide patterns of parallel clinal variation. The pervasive effects of admixture meant that only a handful of loci could be attributed to the operation of spatially varying selection using an FST outlier approach. Our results provide novel insight into the well-studied system of clinal differentiation inD. melanogasterand provide a context for future studies seeking to identify loci contributing to local adaptation in a wide variety of organisms, including other invasive species as well as some temperate endemics.