bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of milk amyloid A in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy ewes
Authors: Miglio Arianna , Moscati Livia , Fruganti Gabriele , Pela Michela , Scoccia Eleonora , Valiani Andrea , Maresca Carmen
Published: October 2013

Subclinical mastitis (SM) is one of the most important diseases affecting dairy ewes worldwide, with negative impact on the animal health, farm income and public health. Animals with SM often remain untreated because the disease may not be revealed. Increase in somatic cell count (SCC) and positive bacteriology for mastitis pathogens in milk samples are indicative of SM but the evidence of only one of these alterations must suggest an uncertain SM (UM). UM is defined when positive bacteriological examination (Latent-SM) or SCC>500 000 cells/ml (non-specific-SM) are detected in milk. Nevertheless, SCC and bacteriological examination are expensive, time consuming and are not yet in use at the farm level in dairy ewes. Recently, a sensitive acute phase protein, amyloid A, displaying multiple isoforms in plasma and different body fluids including mammary secretion (milk amyloid A-MAA), has been investigated as a marker of mastitis in cows and, in a few studies, in sheep. The aim of this trial was to compare the concentration of MAA of single udder-halves in ewes with healthy udder-halves (HU-control group) and naturally occurring subclinical mastitis, both confirmed (SM group) and uncertain (UM groups: Latent-SM and non-specific-SM), for monitoring udder health. The reliability of a specific ELISA kit for the measurement of MAA was also tested. During a 3-month trial period, 153 udder halves were assigned to the experimental groups based on their health status: 25 with SM, 40 with UM (11 with latent-SM and 29 with non-specific-SM) and 88 HU. SCC and bacteriological analysis were performed to establish the control and subclinical mastitis groups. MAA concentrations in milk samples were measured using a specific commercially milk ELISA kit. The data were submitted to statistical analysis. Significant (P<0·05) differences among the groups SM, non-specific-SM and HU were detected with the SM having the highest level and HU the lowest. MAA concentration is affected by the udder health status and is a useful indicator of subclinical mastitis and increased SCC in sheep.
The Great Depression and the changing trajectory of public education policy in Indonesia, 1930–42
Authors: Suwignyo Agus
Published: October 2013

From the turn of the century up until the 1930s, public education under Dutch rule in Indonesia developed both quantitatively and qualitatively, but this expansion was interrupted, and even reversed, by the onset of the Great Depression. Focusing on schoolteachers in particular, this essay examines the trajectory of education policies in colonial Indonesia in response to the crisis, from the initial measures, to partial recovery in the mid-1930s, up to the Japanese invasion of 1942. The crisis ushered in the policy of indigenisation, which saw large-scale education reorganisation, including the substitution of European teachers with much lower paid Indonesians. Indigenisation was also a political response to the spreading of nationalist ideals through the growing number of independent schools run by Taman Siswa and the Muhammadiyah. Hence, the intention was also to transform Indonesian teachers into cultural agents who would propagate a government-formulated concept of cultural identity among their own community. However, indigenisation contributed to the gradual delegitimisation of colonial authority through the exodus of well-educated Indonesians who had been intended as docile imperial subjects.
Reproductive biology of Benthosema pterotum (Teleostei: Myctophidae) in the shelf region of the East China Sea
Authors: Sassa Chiyuki , Ohshimo Seiji , Tanaka Hiroshige , Tsukamoto Youichi
Published: October 2013

Benthosema pterotum is a dominant myctophid in the shelf region of the East China Sea (ECS). They are a key species linking secondary producers and upper trophic levels. We examined the reproductive biology of B. pterotum in the ECS, based on 3065 specimens (10.7–54.8 mm standard length (SL)) sampled during cruises in 1999 and 2004–2009 to enable data over a 12 month cycle to be assessed. Between 14 and 30 mm SL, the ratio of females to males was ~1:1; it increased with SL, and all individuals ≥46 mm SL were females. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 50% sexual maturity of females and males was 3.91 and 0.24, respectively. Based on this criterion, females and males can mature at sizes larger than 28 mm and 24 mm SL, respectively. Although mature females having GSI ≥3.91 occurred over nine months (May–January), mean GSI of females peaked sharply during August–September, i.e. the primary spawning period. The hepatosomatic index peaked during April–July, and declined during August–September, indicating storage of materials and energy for reproduction. Based on data from seasonal bottom trawl surveys, small individuals of B. pterotum began to occur abundantly in autumn, and modal body lengths increased progressively during spring–summer, corresponding to the above reproductive seasonality. Oocytes at various sizes were found in mature ovaries, indicating that they are multiple spawners. Egg size at hydration ranged from 0.5 to 0.85 mm. Batch fecundity was positively correlated with SL, and ranged from 253 to 1942 eggs in fish from 30.1–54.8 mm SL.
JOHN CAGE IN SOVIET RUSSIA
Authors: Ivashkin Alexander
Published: October 2013

John Cage's music was little known in the Soviet Union until the late 1960s, as official communist cultural policy would not allow his music to be performed or researched. This makes it all the more surprising that the only visit by the composer to Soviet Russia had become possible by 1988. The Soviet officials were planning a large festival of contemporary music in St Petersburg in 1988. With the changing climate Tikhon Khrennikov, the secretary of the All Soviet Union League of Composers, appointed by Stalin in 1948, was keen to be seen as a progressive at the time of Gorbachev's perestroika, and he approved the invitation for Cage to be present at the performances of his works in St Petersburg. This article includes interviews with the composer conducted by the author in 1987–1989, as well as recollections of the meetings with Cage at his home in New York City and in Moscow.
TIPPETT AND ELIOT
Authors: Soden Oliver
Published: October 2013

Michael Tippett called T.S. Eliot his ‘spiritual and artistic mentor’, but the relationship between the two men has never been studied in detail. Eliot's numerous discussions with Tippett in the 1930s proved a lasting influence on the composer's beliefs about the coming-together of words and music. This article has three aims: first, to use Tippett's correspondence and writings to bring together the most accurate and complete biographical description of the relationship to date; second, to show that Tippett quoted from and alluded to the work of T.S. Eliot not only in his early pieces (as has hitherto been thought) but in much later compositions such as The Ice Break, The Mask of Time, and Byzantium; and third, to examine the libretto of Tippett's oratorio A Child of Our Time in the light of the composer's talks with Eliot. This article suggests that the inclusion in the oratorio of Negro spirituals was influenced by Eliot, and provides an analysis of the composer's own libretto through the lens of T.S. Eliot's essay ‘The Three Voices of Poetry’. Eliot's essay examines the number of voices in which the ‘I’ of a poem can speak, freed from the specificities of prose, and this article argues that Tippett, influenced by Eliot, harnessed the form of oratorio, freed from the specificities of opera, to allow it to speak in many voices.
London, Maida Vale and Greenwich: Deirdre Gribbin (and a CD release)
Authors: Conway Paul
Published: October 2013

Deirdre Gribbin's piano concerto, The Binding of the Years, written between 2009 and 2012, was given its UK première by soloist Finghin Collins with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Alan Buribayev at a Maida Vale Studio concert on 15 March. Its evocative title refers to the gathering and securing of 52 reeds that symbolized the old years in Aztec culture; that civilization's rituals connected with fire and time form part of the inspiration behind Gribbin's new work.
London, King's Place: Nico Muhly and Alvin Curran
Authors: Barlow Jill
Published: October 2013

Born in Vermont in 1981, and raised in Rhode Island, then based in New York, the young post-minimalist composer Nico Muhly was, at the age of 20, commissioned by the Juilliard School to write Music in Transition for versatile pianist Bruce Brubaker. Later Brubaker and Muhly created a performance piece ‘involving electronic commentaries and “graffiti” overlaid on live performances of piano sonatas by Haydn’, to quote the Kings Place programme notes for Muhly's new piece Drones and Piano, which received its UK première on 19 May, with Brubaker at the keyboard. Again fragments of Haydn are used, ‘as well as lexia from John Adams’ Phrygian Gates, Janáček, … along with the eighth hymn by Thomas Tallis'.
London, Royal Festival Hall: Shostakovich: Prologue to ‘Orango’
Authors: Anderson Martin
Published: October 2013

The music of Shostakovich's abandoned opera Orango wasn't itself such a surprise: the première, given in Los Angeles in December 2011, was recorded live and released soon after on a Deutsche Grammophon CD (0289 479 0249 2). But experiencing it in the flesh – at its European première in the Royal Festival Hall on 16 May – revealed the music all over again and left at least this listener slack-jawed in astonishment at the profligacy of Shostakovich's genius.
London, St Pancras Parish Church: Philip Moore at 70
Authors: Johnson Bret
Published: October 2013

Philip Moore, Organist Emeritus of York Minster was one of the main featured composers at this year's London Festival of Contemporary Church Music, now in its twelfth consecutive year. A week of concerts and services at St Pancras Church in London showcases a number of new works, and this year saw new choral pieces by Gordon Crosse, Diana Burrell and Ed Hughes (whose Chaconne for organ was composed in memory of Jonathan Harvey, who died on 4 December 2012 at the age of 73). The Festival also marked Robin Holloway's 70th birthday, with a concert of his choral works on 17 May.
Sacred Property and Public Property in the Greek City
Authors: Rousset Denis
Published: October 2013

In the ancient Greek city, was sacred land distinct from public land? Were there points of intersection or areas of overlap between the two or was there no distinction at all? First, evidence from Athens is examined through a discussion of N. Papazarkadas' recent monograph, Sacred and Public Land in Ancient Athens. Three criteria for classifying landed property as sacred are proposed in that study: the prohibition or authorization to cultivate sacred land; the use of revenues for cultic purposes; and the inalienability of sacred land. But this trio of criteria does not in fact allow us to establish a clear division between sacred land and public land. The evidence from other cities shows the existence of land defined simultaneously as ‘sacred and public’ and the possibility of co-ownership and joint possession between god and city; a distinct place within the city's total property could also be reserved for sacred property (either land or funds).
Anisotropy and polarization of space: Evidence from naïve optics and phenomenological psychophysics
Authors: Bianchi Ivana , Bertamini Marco
Published: October 2013

Additional evidence is presented concerning the anisotropy between vertical and horizontal encoding, which emerges from studies of human perception and cognition of space in plane mirror reflections. Moreover, it is suggested that the non-metric characteristic of polarization – that Jeffery et al. discuss with respect to gravity – is not limited to the vertical dimension.
Navigating through a volumetric world does not imply needing a full three-dimensional representation
Authors: Carbon Claus-Christian , Hesslinger Vera M.
Published: October 2013

Jeffery et al. extensively and thoroughly describe how different species navigate through a three-dimensional environment. Undeniably, the world offers numerous three-dimensional opportunities. However, we argue that for most navigation tasks a two-dimensional representation is nevertheless sufficient, as physical conditions and limitations such as gravity, thermoclines, or layers of earth encountered in a specific situation provide the very elevation data the navigating individual needs.
Development of human spatial cognition in a three-dimensional world
Authors: Longstaffe Kate A. , Hood Bruce M. , Gilchrist Iain D.
Published: October 2013

Jeffery et al. accurately identify the importance of developing an understanding of spatial reference frames in a three-dimensional world. We examine human spatial cognition via a unique paradigm that investigates the role of saliency and adjusting reference frames. This includes work with adults, typically developing children, and children who develop non-typically (e.g., those with autism).
Foreshortening affects both uphill and downhill slope perception at far distances
Authors: Ross Helen E.
Published: October 2013

Perceived slope varies with the viewing distance, and is consistent with the effects of foreshortening. Distant viewing makes uphill slopes appear steeper and downhill slopes flatter than does near viewing. These effects are obvious to skiers and climbers in mountainous country. They have also been measured in outdoor experiments with controlled viewing distances. There are many other sources of slope illusions.
What is optimized in an optimal path?
Authors: Sparks Fraser T. , O'Reilly Kally C. , Kubie John L.
Published: October 2013

An animal confronts numerous challenges when constructing an optimal navigational route. Spatial representations used for path optimization are likely constrained by critical environmental factors that dictate which neural systems control navigation. Multiple coding schemes depend upon their ecological relevance for a particular species, particularly when dealing with the third, or vertical, dimension of space.
Map fragmentation in two- and three-dimensional environments
Authors: Yamahachi Homare , Moser May-Britt , Moser Edvard I.
Published: October 2013

The suggestion that three-dimensional space is represented by a mosaic of neural map fragments, each covering a small area of space in the plane of locomotion, receives support from studies in complex two-dimensional environments. How map fragments are linked, which brain circuits are involved, and whether metric is preserved across fragments are questions that remain to be determined.
Executive Function in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The NIH EXAMINER Battery
Authors: Schreiber Jane E. , Possin Katherine L. , Girard Jonathan M. , Rey-Casserly Celiane
Published: October 2013

Theories of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increasingly highlight the role of neuropsychological impairment in ADHD; however, a consistent and identifiable pattern of performance on tests is not well established. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Executive Abilities: Measures and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and Research (EXAMINER) battery provides measures of common variance across multiple executive function tests within specific domains and was used to characterize which executive functions are most affected in children with ADHD. Thirty-two children (24 male), ages 8–15 years (M = 12.02; SD = 2.29), diagnosed with ADHD and no comorbid disorder completed the NIH EXAMINER battery. Sixty age and gender matched healthy controls were chosen from a database of participants enrolled in the NIH EXAMINER multi-site study. Children with ADHD performed worse on the working memory score compared with the controls. No differences were found on the cognitive control or fluency scores. For children with ADHD, poorer working memory performance predicted parent report of child learning problems. Cognitive control and fluency scores did not predict learning problems. In summary, working memory emerges as a primary impairment in children with ADHD who have no comorbid disorders. Furthermore, working memory weaknesses may underlie the academic problems often seen in children with ADHD. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–11)
Long-term care – a review of global funding models (a working paper)
Authors: Elliott S. , Golds S. , Sissons I. , Wilson J. K. (Hamish)
Published: October 2013

This paper looks at alternative long-term care (LTC) funding models and options. It analyses six global models and the potential applications to the UK. The paper provides a demographic overview for each of the six countries to illustrate the increasing global demand for LTC and the funding thereof which is becoming a global critical issue. It examines the approaches each country has taken to address the funding issue with varying degrees of public/private co-operation and partnerships. The authors hope that the lessons learned from these other markets will assist the UK as they try to come to grips with their growing social care funding issue.
Section 1. The Australian insecticide resistance management strategy
Authors: Forrester Neil W. , Cahill Matthew , Bird Lisa J. , Layland Jacquelyn K.
Published: October 2013

In response to field pyrethroid failures against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in early 1983, an insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategy was introduced for insect control in summer crops in eastern Australia. The aims of this strategy were to contain the pyrethroid resistance problem, to prevent re-selection of historical endosulfan resistance (both curative IRM) and to avoid any future problems with organophosphate/carbamate resistance (preventative IRM). An alternation strategy was adopted which was based on the rotation of unrelated chemical groups on a per generation basis, along with a strong recommendation for the use of ovicidal mixtures. These chemical countermeasures were then integrated with other non-chemical control methods (biological and cultural) into a workable integrated pest management programme. The restrictions were applied to all Helicoverpa armigera susceptible crops (including cereals, oilseeds, grain legumes, tomatoes, tobacco and cotton) and even to other co-incident pest species. From its inception, compliance with the voluntary strategy has been exceptional.
Section 4. Pyrethroid and endosulfan resistance: selection and cross resistance studies
Authors: Forrester Neil W. , Cahill Matthew , Bird Lisa J. , Layland Jacquelyn K.
Published: October 2013

Resistance to endosulfan and pyrethroids in Helicoverpa armigera in Australia was shown to be due to multiple rather than cross resistance. The independence of the endosulfan and pyrethroid resistance mechanisms vindicates the sequential use of these two groups in Stages I and II of the insecticide resistance management strategy, respectively. Within the cyclodienes, greatest resistance occurred to dieldrin with lower order cross resistance to endosulfan and endrin. Male and female moths expressed cyclodiene resistance equally.
The role of acetylation in TLR4‐mediated innate immune responses
Authors: Hu Xiaolan , Yu Yingnian , Eugene Chin Y , Xia Qiang
Published: October 2013

Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role in the innate immune response to Gram‐negative bacterial infection. A large number of the components involved in TLR4 signaling pathways have been identified over the past ten years. Recent studies focusing on the post‐translational modification of TLR4 signaling pathways have begun expanding our knowledge of the impact of lysine acetylation on TLR4 signaling cascades. In this review, we will focus on the potential roles of acetylation in TLR4‐mediated innate immune responses.
Redox balance of mouse medullary CD4 single‐positive thymocytes
Authors: Jin Rong , Teng Fei , Xu Xi , Yao Yisha , Zhang Shusong , Sun Xiuyuan , Zhang Yu , Ge Qing
Published: October 2013

After positive selection, the newly differentiated single‐positive (SP) thymocytes undergo negative selection to eliminate autoreactive T cells, functional maturation to acquire immunocompetence and egress capability. To investigate whether the intracellular reduction/oxidation (redox) balance has an important role on SP maturation, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of proteins that regulate ROS were compared among the four subsets of mouse TCRαβ+CD4+CD8− thymocytes (SP1–SP4) that represent sequential stages of SP differentiation program. A gradual increase of ROS and a gradual decrease of thioredoxin were revealed along the SP maturation process. The high ROS level at the mature SP stage did not result from a specific enrichment at this stage of natural regulatory T cells and SP thymocytes undergoing negative selection (Helios positive). An increase of ROS in the most mature SP4 cells resulted in enhanced cytokine production upon stimulation, whereas an early increase of ROS in the immature SP1 thymocytes resulted in enhanced apoptosis. Aire−/− mice that have defects in negative selection and a developmental blockage at the SP3–SP4 transition showed significantly less ROS in SP3 thymocytes. Thymic epithelial cells that have been shown to promote SP maturation in vitro also increased the ROS level of SP thymocytes. These results suggest that ROS may be involved in promoting the functional maturation of CD4+ SPs and thymic medullary microenvironment contributes to the pro‐oxidant shift of SP thymocytes.
Natural sequence variants of yeast environmental sensors confer cell‐to‐cell expression variability
Authors: Fehrmann Steffen , Bottin‐Duplus Hélène , Leonidou Andri , Mollereau Esther , Barthelaix Audrey , Wei Wu , Steinmetz Lars M , Yvert Gaël
Published: October 2013

Living systems may have evolved probabilistic bet hedging strategies that generate cell‐to‐cell phenotypic diversity in anticipation of environmental catastrophes, as opposed to adaptation via a deterministic response to environmental changes. Evolution of bet hedging assumes that genotypes segregating in natural populations modulate the level of intraclonal diversity, which so far has largely remained hypothetical. Using a fluorescent Pmet17‐GFP reporter, we mapped four genetic loci conferring to a wild yeast strain an elevated cell‐to‐cell variability in the expression of MET17, a gene regulated by the methionine pathway. A frameshift mutation in the Erc1p transmembrane transporter, probably resulting from a release of laboratory strains from negative selection, reduced Pmet17‐GFP expression variability. At a second locus, cis‐regulatory polymorphisms increased mean expression of the Mup1p methionine permease, causing increased expression variability in trans. These results demonstrate that an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) can simultaneously have a deterministic effect in cis and a probabilistic effect in trans. Our observations indicate that the evolution of transmembrane transporter genes can tune intraclonal variation and may therefore be implicated in both reactive and anticipatory strategies of adaptation.
Growing Hyperbranched Polymers Using Natural Sunlight
Authors: Yan Jun-Jie , Sun Jiao-Tong , You Ye-Zi , Wu De-Cheng , Hong Chun-Yan
Published: October 2013

In nature, a sapling can grow into a big tree under irradiation of sunlight. In chemistry, a similar concept that a small molecule only exposing to sunlight grows into a hyperbranched macromolecule has not been realized by now. The achievement of the concept will be fascinating and valuable for polymer synthesis wherein sunlight is inexpensive, abundant, renewable and nonpolluting. Herein, we report a new strategy in which small monomers can directly grow into big hyperbranched macromolecule under irradiation of sunlight without any catalyst.
Rational syntheses of core-shell Fex@Pt nanoparticles for the study of electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Jang Ji-Hoon , Lee Eunjik , Park Jinwoo , Kim Gunn , Hong Suklyun , Kwon Young-Uk
Published: October 2013

We report on the syntheses of core-shell Fex@Pt (x = 0.4–1.2) nanoparticles (NPs) with Pt-shell thickness systematically controlled while the overall particle size is constant. The syntheses were achieved via one-pot ultrasound-assisted polyol synthesis (UPS) reactions. Fe1.2@Pt showed a record-breaking high core-element content (55 at%) of core-shell NPs. Based on observations from a series of control experiments, we propose a mechanism of the NPs' formation that enables control of shell thickness in UPS reactions. Fex@Pt NPs showed drastic enhancements in mass and specific activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and significantly enhanced durability compared to commercial Pt NPs. Fex@Pt with a 1 (monolayer) ML Pt shell showed the highest activity. The ab initio density functional theory calculations on the binding energies of oxygen species on the surfaces of Fex@Pt NPs showed that the 1 ML case is most favourable for the ORR and in good agreement with the experimental results.
Identification of QTLs conferring resistance to downy mildew in legacy cultivars of lettuce
Authors: Simko Ivan , Atallah Amy J. , Ochoa Oswaldo E. , Antonise Rudie , Galeano Carlos H. , Truco Maria Jose , Michelmore Richard W.
Published: October 2013

Many cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.), the most popular leafy vegetable, are susceptible to downy mildew disease caused byBremia lactucae. Cultivars Iceberg and Grand Rapids that were released in the 18thand 19thcenturies, respectively, have high levels of quantitative resistance to downy mildew. We developed a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) originating from a cross between these two legacy cultivars, constructed a linkage map and identified two QTLs for resistance on linkage groups 2 (qDM2.1) and 5 (qDM5.1) that determined resistance under field conditions in California and the Netherlands. The same QTLs determined delayed sporulation at the seedling stage in laboratory experiments. Alleles conferring elevated resistance at both QTLs originate from cultivar Iceberg. An additional QTL on linkage group 9 (qDM9.1) was detected through simultaneous analysis of all experiments with mixed-model approach. Alleles for elevated resistance at this locus originate from cultivar Grand Rapids.
A symptomatic Fabry disease mouse model generated by inducing globotriaosylceramide synthesis
Authors: Taguchi Atsumi , Maruyama Hiroki , Nameta Masaaki , Yamamoto Tadashi , Matsuda Junichiro , Kulkarni Ashok B. , Yoshioka Hidekatsu , Ishii Satoshi
Published: October 2013

Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disorder in which neutral glycosphingolipids, predominantly Gb3 (globotriaosylceramide), accumulate due to deficient α-Gal A (α-galactosidase A) activity. The GLAko (α-Gal A-knockout) mouse has been used as a model for Fabry disease, but it does not have any symptomatic abnormalities. In the present study, we generated a symptomatic mouse model (G3Stg/GLAko) by cross-breeding GLAko mice with transgenic mice expressing human Gb3 synthase. G3Stg/GLAko mice had high Gb3 levels in major organs, and their serum Gb3 level at 5–25 weeks of age was 6–10-fold higher than that in GLAko mice of the same age. G3Stg/GLAko mice showed progressive renal impairment, with albuminuria at 3 weeks of age, decreased urine osmolality at 5 weeks, polyuria at 10 weeks and increased blood urea nitrogen at 15 weeks. The urine volume and urinary albumin concentration were significantly reduced in the G3Stg/GLAko mice when human recombinant α-Gal A was administered intravenously. These data suggest that Gb3 accumulation is a primary pathogenic factor in the symptomatic phenotype of G3Stg/GLAko mice, and that this mouse line is suitable for studying the pathogenesis of Fabry disease and for preclinical studies of candidate therapies.
Contact resistivity and suppression of Fermi level pinning in side-contacted germanium nanowires
Authors: Koleśnik-Gray Maria M. , Lutz Tarek , Collins Gillian , Biswas Subhajit , Holmes Justin D. , Krstić Vojislav
Published: October 2013

Electrical properties of contact-interfaces in germanium nanowire field effect transistor devices are studied. In contrast to planar bulk devices, it is shown that the active conduction channel and gate length extend between and underneath the contact electrodes. Furthermore, direct scaling of contact resistivity and Schottky barrier height with electrode metal function is observed. The associated pinning parameter was found to be γ=0.65 ± 0.03, which demonstrates a significant suppression of Fermi level pinning in quasi-one-dimensional structures.
Fano resonances in metallic grating coupled whispering gallery mode resonator
Authors: Zhou Yanyan , Zhu Di , Yu Xia , Ding Wei , Luan Feng
Published: October 2013

We experimentally demonstrate robust coupling of a metallic grating to the whispering gallery mode (WGM) of a microsphere resonator. The metallic grating coupled resonator forms a hybrid system that generates Fano resonances. Through theoretical modeling and experimental demonstration, we analyze this vertically coupled Fano-WGM structure. It is found that the Fano resonances originate from the interaction between the high-Q WGM and direct reflection of the grating. The Fano resonance shape is found to depend on the polarization state of the incident wave.
Synergistic effects of interfacial modifiers enhance current and voltage in hybrid solar cells
Authors: Weickert Jonas , Zimmermann Eugen , Reindl Julian B. , Pfadler Thomas , Dorman James A. , Petrozza Annamaria , Schmidt-Mende Lukas
Published: October 2013

To unleash the full potential of hybrid solar cells, it is imperative to get significant photocurrent contribution from both the sensitizing dye and the polymeric hole transporter. Here we report on the interfacial modifier 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MP), which induces controlled orientation of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), the most widely used hole transporting polymer for hybrid solar cells, at the interface. 4-MP optimizes the charge separating interface between P3HT and a squaraine dye-decorated TiO2, inducing enhanced contribution to photocurrent generation by the polymer. In combination with 4-tert-butylpyridine, which enhances the open circuit potential in dye-sensitized and hybrid solar cells but reduces the photocurrent, a synergistic effect is observed and it is possible to enhance both open circuit voltage and photocurrent simultaneously. Similar effects on device performance are also found for two other commonly used dye molecules, a fullerene derivative and a common indoline dye.
Magnetic and Gilbert damping properties of L21-Co2FeAl film grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Qiao Shuang , Nie Shuaihua , Zhao Jianhua , Huo Yan , Wu Yizheng , Zhang Xinhui
Published: October 2013

Co2FeAl film with L21 structure was prepared. Its magnetic and Gilbert damping properties were studied by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect (TR-MOKE), respectively. It is observed that the apparent damping parameter decreases drastically with increasing magnetic field at low field regime and eventually becomes a constant value of 0.004 at high field regime by TR-MOKE measurements. A Gilbert damping parameter of 0.008 in the hard axis by FMR measurement has also been obtained, which is comparable with that extracted from TR-MOKE measurements at low external field, indicating the extrinsic damping processes involved in the low field regime.
Polarization dynamics across the morphotropic phase boundary in Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 ferroelectrics
Authors: Zhukov Sergey , Genenko Yuri A. , Acosta Matias , Humburg Heide , Jo Wook , Rödel Jürgen , von Seggern Heinz
Published: October 2013

Analysis of polarization switching dynamics by means of the inhomogeneous field mechanism model allows insight into the microscopic mechanism of reversed polarization domain nucleation. For all chemical compositions studied, two distinct field regions of nucleation are established. In the high-field region, the activation energy barrier is found to be inversely proportional to the local field according to the Merz law. In contrast, the barriers in the low-field region exhibit a linear field dependence with a minimum in the compositional region of phase instability, which can explain the corresponding peak ferroelectric properties.
Low temperature characteristics in amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors down to 10 K
Authors: Hossain Chowdhury Md Delwar , Migliorato Piero , Jang Jin
Published: October 2013

We report on the characteristics of amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) in the temperature range of 10–300 K. In the range of 80–300 K, the transfer characteristics are consistent with thermally activated band conduction. Below 80 K, the drain current vs. temperature behavior follows Mott's law, exp(−B/T−1/4), with constant B, indicating variable range hopping. The subthreshold swing of the TFT remains unchanged in the band conduction region, but it increases rapidly with decreasing temperature below 80 K. With decreasing temperature, the hopping activation energy decreases and hopping distance increases, and are 16.8 meV and ∼11.6 nm, respectively, at 60 K.
Low resistance copper-based ohmic contact for AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Wong Yuen-Yee , Chen Yu-Kong , Maa Jer-Shen , Yu Hung-Wei , Tu Yung-Yi , Dee Chang-Fu , Yap Chi-Chin , Yi Chang Edward
Published: October 2013

Ti/Al/Ni/Cu ohmic contact for AlGaN/GaN structure has been fabricated. The Ni layer played an important role in achieving low specific contact resistance (rc), smooth morphology, and excellent edge acuity. With a 50-Å Ni layer, a rc of 1.35 × 10−6 Ω-cm2 and a root-mean-square roughness of 7.65 nm have been realized. The characterization results indicated that no evidence of Cu diffusion into the semiconductor layers. The formation of Al-Cu and Ti-Cu alloys might have confined the Cu within the ohmic metal. In the absence of gold, the surface roughening caused by Au-Al alloy in conventional Ti/Al/Ni/Au structure was also prevented.
Multi-trait assessment of early-in-life female, male and genomic measures for use in genetic selection to improve female reproductive performance of Brahman cattle
Authors: Barwick S. A. , Johnston D. J. , Holroyd R. G. , Walkley J. R. W. , Burrow H. M.
Published: October 2013

Early-in-life female and male measures with potential to be practical genetic indicators were chosen from earlier analyses and examined together with genomic measures for multi-trait use to improve female reproduction of Brahman cattle. Combinations of measures were evaluated on the genetic gains expected from selection of sires and dams for each of age at puberty (AGECL, i.e. first observation of a corpus luteum), lactation anoestrous interval in 3-year-old cows (LAI), and lifetime annual weaning rate (LAWR, i.e. the weaning rate of cows based on the number of annual matings they experienced over six possible matings). Selection was on an index of comparable records for each combination. Selection intensities were less than theoretically possible but assumed a concerted selection effort was able to be made across the Brahman breed. The results suggested that substantial genetic gains could be possible but need to be confirmed in other data. The estimated increase in LAWR in 10 years, for combinations without or with genomic measures, ranged from 8 to 12 calves weaned per 100 cows from selection of sires, and from 12 to 15 calves weaned per 100 cows from selection of sires and dams. Corresponding reductions in LAI were 60–103 days or 94–136 days, and those for AGECL were 95–125 or 141–176 days, respectively. Coat score (a measure of the sleekness or wooliness of the coat) and hip height in females, and preputial eversion and liveweight in males, were measures that may warrant wider recording for Brahman female reproduction genetic evaluation. Pregnancy-test outcomes from Matings 1 and 2 also should be recorded. Percentage normal sperm may be important to record for reducing LAI and scrotal size and serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentration in heifers at 18 months for reducing AGECL. Use of a genomic estimated breeding value (EBV) in combination with other measures added to genetic gains, especially at genomic EBV accuracies of 40%. Accuracies of genomic EBVs needed to approach 60% for the genomic EBV to be the most important contributor to gains in the combinations of measures studied.
IPM in the transgenic era: a review of the challenges from emerging pests in Australian cotton systems
Authors: Wilson Lewis , Downes Sharon , Khan Moazzem , Whitehouse Mary , Baker Geoff , Grundy Paul , Maas Susan
Published: October 2013

The Cotton Catchment Communities Cooperative Research Centre began during a period of rapid uptake of Bollgard II® cotton, which contains genes to express two Bt proteins that control the primary pests of cotton in Australia, Helicoverpa armigera and H. punctigera. The dramatic uptake of this technology presumably resulted in strong selection pressure for resistance in Helicoverpa spp. against the Bt proteins. The discovery of higher than expected levels of resistance in both species against one of the proteins in Bollgard II® cotton (Cry2Ab) led to significant re-evaluation of the resistance management plan developed for this technology, which was a core area of research for the Cotton CRC. The uptake of Bollgard II® cotton also led to a substantial decline in pesticide applications against Helicoverpa spp. (from 10–14 to 0–3 applications per season). The low spray environment allowed some pests not controlled by the Bt proteins to emerge as more significant pests, especially sucking species such as Creontiades dilutus and Nezara viridula. A range of other minor pests have also sporadically arisen as problems. Lack of knowledge and experience with these pests created uncertainty and encouraged insecticide use, which threatened to undermine the gains made with Bollgard II® cotton. Here we chronicle the achievements of the Cotton CRC in providing the industry with new knowledge and management strategies for these pests.
Allosteric regulation of SERCA by phosphorylation-mediated conformational shift of phospholamban
Authors: Gustavsson Martin , Verardi Raffaello , Mullen Daniel G. , Mote Kaustubh R. , Traaseth Nathaniel J. , Gopinath T. , Veglia Gianluigi
Published: October 2013

Significance

The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
-ATPase (SERCA)/phospholamban complex regulates cardiac muscle contractility by controlling Ca
2+
transport from the cytosol to the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. By mapping the interactions between these two membrane proteins, we found that SERCA function depends on the equilibria between transient conformational states of phospholamban. Phosphorylation of phospholamban shifts the equilibria, enhancing SERCA function. This mechanism explains why tuning phospholamban’s structural dynamics can modulate SERCA function and may aid in designing innovative therapeutic approaches to heart failure.
Vegetation controls on the maximum size of coastal dunes
Authors: Durán Orencio , Moore Laura J.
Published: October 2013

Coastal dunes, in particular foredunes, support a resilient ecosystem and reduce coastal vulnerability to storms. In contrast to dry desert dunes, coastal dunes arise from interactions between biological and physical processes. Ecologists have traditionally addressed coastal ecosystems by assuming that they adapt to preexisting dune topography, whereas geomorphologists have studied the properties of foredunes primarily in connection to physical, not biological, factors. Here, we study foredune development using an ecomorphodynamic model that resolves the coevolution of topography and vegetation in response to both physical and ecological factors. We find that foredune growth is eventually limited by a negative feedback between wind flow and topography. As a consequence, steady-state foredunes are scale invariant, which allows us to derive scaling relations for maximum foredune height and formation time. These relations suggest that plant zonation (in particular for strand “dune-building” species) is the primary factor controlling the maximum size of foredunes and therefore the amount of sand stored in a coastal dune system. We also find that aeolian sand supply to the dunes determines the timescale of foredune formation. These results offer a potential explanation for the empirical relation between beach type and foredune size, in which large (small) foredunes are found on dissipative (reflective) beaches. Higher waves associated with dissipative beaches increase the disturbance of strand species, which shifts foredune formation landward and thus leads to larger foredunes. In this scenario, plants play a much more active role in modifying their habitat and altering coastal vulnerability than previously thought.
Serum deprivation inhibits the transcriptional co-activator YAP and cell growth via phosphorylation of the 130-kDa isoform of Angiomotin by the LATS1/2 protein kinases
Authors: Adler Jacob J. , Johnson Derrick E. , Heller Brigitte L. , Bringman Lauren R. , Ranahan William P. , Conwell Michael D. , Sun Yang , Hudmon Andy , Wells Clark D.
Published: October 2013

Significance

This study defines a unique mechanism controlling the activation of Hippo signaling and consequent inhibition of cell growth. Specifically, serum starvation is found to induce the large tumor suppressor (LATS)1/2 kinases to phosphorylate and thus stabilize the 130 kDa isoform of the membrane-associated polarity protein angiomotin (Amot130). As a consequence, Amot130 recruits the E3 protein-ubiquitin ligase atrophin-1 interacting protein 4. This multiprotein complex then signals the degradation of Yes-associated protein (YAP) and the inhibition of cell growth. These findings significantly modify our current view that YAP phosphorylation by LATS1/2 is sufficient for its inhibition in mammals and thus for growth arrest.
Modulation of macrophage phenotype by cell shape
Authors: McWhorter Frances Y. , Wang Tingting , Nguyen Phoebe , Chung Thanh , Liu Wendy F.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Macrophages are central regulators of the immune response during infection and wound healing, and their behavior is largely thought to be regulated by soluble factors in the microenvironment. Here, we find that adhesive cues are also critical for regulating the proinflammatory vs. prohealing state of these cells. We use engineered cell culture substrates to control cell shape and find that elongation of cells promotes a prohealing phenotype. Moreover, we identify key molecular pathways that are responsible for transducing physical cues to the biochemical cues that govern this response. Together, these studies suggest an important role for cell shape in regulating macrophage function.
Model-driven optimization of multicomponent self-assembly processes
Authors: Korevaar Peter A. , Grenier Christophe , Markvoort Albert J. , Schenning Albertus P. H. J. , de Greef Tom F. A. , Meijer E. W.
Published: October 2013

Significance

The molecular organization of semiconducting molecules is extremely important for the performance of functional organic materials in electronic devices. The processing of these materials often leads to multiple assembly pathways toward different types of molecular organizations. Hence, directing the assembly process toward the desired type of organization requires many trial-and-error optimization steps. In this paper, we introduce an approach to optimize these self-assembly processes. Based on experiments with a system that assembles into 1D helices in solution, we have developed models to describe the dynamics of multicomponent self-assembly processes. These models simulate the experimental data very well and allow us to understand and avoid, or alternatively attenuate, the entrapment of materials in nonequilibrium assemblies.
Greatwall is essential to prevent mitotic collapse after nuclear envelope breakdown in mammals
Authors: Álvarez-Fernández Mónica , Sánchez-Martínez Ruth , Sanz-Castillo Belén , Gan Pei Pei , Sanz-Flores María , Trakala Marianna , Ruiz-Torres Miguel , Lorca Thierry , Castro Anna , Malumbres Marcos
Published: October 2013

Significance

Nuclear envelope breakdown (NEB) leads to the exposure of nuclear structures to cytoplasmic activities. Greatwall is a kinase able to inhibit PP2A phosphatases that counteract Cdk-dependent phosphorylation required for mitosis. Here we show that Greatwall, an essential protein in mammals, is exported to the cytoplasm in a Cdk-dependent manner before NEB, thus protecting mitotic phosphates from phosphatase activity.
Illusory spirals and loops in crystal growth
Authors: Shtukenberg Alexander G. , Zhu Zina , An Zhihua , Bhandari Misha , Song Pengcheng , Kahr Bart , Ward Michael D.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Molecular mechanisms of crystal growth from solution remain ill-defined. Scanning probe microscopies have begun to illustrate what was before insightful theory. The in situ observations described here for hexagonal
l
-cystine crystals, which are known to form kidney stones, demonstrate that crystals with certain symmetries can exhibit unusual structural and growth behaviors that produce unexpected and deceptive morphological features. Such features can appear to violate a classic theory of crystal growth enshrined more than 60 y ago and could lead to incorrect conclusions about growth mechanisms.
Astrocyte control of synaptic NMDA receptors contributes to the progressive development of temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Clasadonte Jerome , Dong Jinghui , Hines Dustin J. , Haydon Philip G.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a chronic brain disorder characterized by the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Much of our knowledge of epilepsy is based on how neurons contribute to this disorder. Here we provide a view in which glial cells (astrocytes) contribute to the progressive development of TLE. We have combined a model of epilepsy that more closely mimics the complex features of seizures in epileptic patients, with astrocyte-specific molecular genetics to identify how astrocytes modulate the progressive development of TLE, including seizure occurrence, brain damage, and behavioral deficits. We provide evidence of the glial regulation of neuronal NMDA receptors in this process. This study identifies astrocytes as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of epilepsy.
Implication of the anti-inflammatory bioactive lipid prostaglandin D2-glycerol ester in the control of macrophage activation and inflammation by ABHD6
Authors: Alhouayek Mireille , Masquelier Julien , Cani Patrice D. , Lambert Didier M. , Muccioli Giulio G.
Published: October 2013

Significance

2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an endogenous bioactive lipid implicated in numerous (patho)physiological processes. 2-AG classically activates the cannabinoid receptors, and its activity is terminated by enzymatic hydrolysis. The main enzyme studied in this context is monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Although its inhibition, to increase 2-AG levels, has proven beneficial, it is hindered by psychotropic side effects due to drastically elevated brain 2-AG. Here we show the anti-inflammatory effects of inhibition of another 2-AG hydrolase, α/β-hydrolase domain 6, without the side effects associated with MAGL inhibition. We also show that 2-AG decreases macrophage activation and this effect is not mediated by its classical receptors. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a cyclooxygenase-2–derived metabolite of 2-AG, prostaglandin D2-glycerol ester, is responsible for the documented effects.