bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Neuroprotective Role of Insulin Against MPP+‐Induced Parkinson's Disease in Differentiated SH‐SY5Y Cells
Authors: Ramalingam Mahesh , Kim Sung‐Jin
Published: September 2015

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common chronic neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging that primarily caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN). Retinoic acid (RA)‐differentiated human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells (SH‐SY5Y+RA) have been broadly utilized in studies of mechanisms of the pathogenesis underlying 1‐Methyl‐4‐phenyl pyridinium (MPP+)‐induced PD models. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms of insulin on MPP+‐induced neurotoxicity on SH‐SY5Y+RA cells. Recent studies suggest that insulin has a protective effect against oxidative stress but not been elucidated for PD. In this study, pretreatment of insulin prevented the cell death in a dose dependent manner and lowered nitric oxide (NO) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and calcium ion (Ca2+) influx induced by MPP+. Insulin also elevated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and insulin signaling pathways in dopaminergic neuron through activating PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3 survival pathways which in turn inhibits MPP+‐induced iNOS and ERK activation, and Bax to Bcl‐2 ratio. These results suggest that insulin has a protective effect on MPP+‐neurotoxicity in SH‐SY5Y+RA cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 917–926, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The genomic landscape of epithelioid sarcoma cell lines and tumours
Authors: Jamshidi Farzad , Bashashati Ali , Shumansky Karey , Dickson Brendan , Gokgoz Nalan , Wunder Jay S , Andrulis Irene L , Lazar Alexander J , Shah Sohrab P , Huntsman David G , Nielsen Torsten O
Published: September 2015

We carried out whole genome and transcriptome sequencing on four tumour/normal pairs of epithelioid sarcoma. These index cases were supplemented with whole transcriptome sequencing of three additional tumours and three cell lines. Unlike rhabdoid tumour (the other major group of SMARCB1‐negative cancers), epithelioid sarcoma shows a complex genome with a higher mutational rate, comparable to that of ovarian carcinoma. Despite this mutational burden, SMARCB1 mutations remain the most frequently recurring event and are probably critical drivers of tumour formation. Several cases show heterozygous SMARCB1 mutations without inactivation of the second allele, and we explore this further in vitro. Finding CDKN2A deletions in our discovery cohort, we evaluated CDKN2A protein expression in a tissue microarray. Six out of 16 cases had lost CDKN2A in greater than or equal to 90% of cells, while the remaining cases had retained the protein. Expression analysis of epithelioid sarcoma cell lines by transcriptome sequencing shows a unique profile that does not cluster with any particular tissue type or with other SWI/SNF‐aberrant lines. Evaluation of the levels of members of the SWI/SNF complex other than SMARCB1 revealed that these proteins are expressed as part of a residual complex, similarly to previously studied rhabdoid tumour lines. This residual SWI/SNF is susceptible to synthetic lethality and may therefore indicate a therapeutic opportunity. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
American Friends of the Middle East: The CIA, US Citizens, and the Secret Battle for American Public Opinion in the Arab–Israeli Conflict, 1947–1967
Authors: WILFORD HUGH
Published: September 2015

In 1951, the CIA secretly funded the creation of an ostensibly private group of US citizens called the American Friends of the Middle East (AFME). Pro-Arab and anti-Zionist in orientation, AFME was repeatedly attacked by pro-Israel groups before seeing its links to the CIA exposed by investigative journalists in 1967. Drawing on recent scholarship about “state–private networks” and the cultural history of US–Middle East relations, this article examines the origins of AFME, its characteristic values and relations with the CIA, and the reasons for the decline of its influence vis-à-vis the emergent “Israel lobby.”
Cost analysis of vestibular schwannoma screening with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients with asymmetrical hearing loss
Authors: Pan P , Huang J , Morioka C , Hathout G , El-Saden S M
Published: September 2015

Background:

Vestibular schwannomas are a rare cause of asymmetrical hearing loss, and routine screening with magnetic resonance imaging can be costly. This paper reports results on vestibular schwannoma screening at our institution and compares the cost of screening to a utility of hearing benefit.

Method:

All screening examinations with magnetic resonance imaging performed for asymmetrical hearing loss between 2006 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The cost per new vestibular schwannoma diagnosis was calculated. The cost per patient for those who benefitted from intervention was estimated based on rates of hearing preservation reported in the literature.

Results:

Forty-five (4.3 per cent) of 1050 screening examinations with magnetic resonance imaging performed for asymmetrical hearing loss were positive for vestibular schwannoma, and the cost per new diagnosis was $11 436. The estimated screening cost per patient for those who benefitted from surgery or radiation was $147 030, while US federal compensation for unilateral hearing loss was $44 888.

Conclusion:

Although we achieved a lower screening cost per new diagnosis than reported in the current literature, there remains disparity between the screening cost per benefitted patient and the ‘benefit’ of hearing.
Unique and accurate soil parameter identification for air-cushioned robotic vehicles
Authors: Xu Shuo , Gu Yinan , Sun Jing , Tu Dawei
Published: September 2015

On-line identification of soil parameters is a pre-condition of operating performance optimization and control for unmanned ground vehicles (UGV). Inverse calculation from measured vehicular operating parameters is a prevalent methodology. However, it inherently suffers from a multiple-solution problem caused by the coupling of soil parameters in terramechanics equations and an accuracy problem caused by the influences of state noise and measurement noise. These problems in tractive-force-related soil parameters identification were addressed here for air-cushioned vehicles (ACV) by taking advantage of their additional degree of control freedom in vertical force. To be specific, a g-function algorithm was proposed to solve the multiple-solution problem from reproductive tractive force equations; de-noising techniques consisting of mean-effect strategies, sampling points selection and sample rearrangement were employed to solve the accuracy problem. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate these techniques at different noise levels and in different soil conditions. They got satisfactory results in terms of data utilization ratio, identification accuracy and performance stability. The contribution of the paper lies in inventing a novel algorithm for unique and accurate identification of tractive-force-related soil parameters without making any simplification to the original terramechanics equation and with robustness to variations of noise level and soil condition.
High burden of invasive group A streptococcal disease in the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: BOYD R. , PATEL M. , CURRIE B. J. , HOLT D. C. , HARRIS T. , KRAUSE V.
Published: September 2015

Although the incidence of invasive group A streptococcal disease in northern Australia is very high, little is known of the regional epidemiology and molecular characteristics. We conducted a case series of Northern Territory residents reported between 2011 and 2013 withStreptococcus pyogenesisolates from a normally sterile site. Of the 128 reported episodes, the incidence was disproportionately high in the Indigenous population at 69·7/100 000 compared to 8·8/100 000 in the non-Indigenous population. Novel to the Northern Territory is the extremely high incidence in haemodialysis patients of 2205·9/100 000 population; and for whom targeted infection control measures could prevent transmission. The incidences in the tropical north and semi-arid Central Australian regions were similar. Case fatality was 8% (10/128) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome occurred in 14 (11%) episodes. Molecular typing of 82 isolates identified 28emmtypes, of which 63 (77%) were represented by fouremmclusters. Typing confirmed transmission between infant twins. While the diverse range ofemmtypes presents a challenge for effective coverage by vaccine formulations, the limited number ofemmclusters raises optimism should cluster-specific cross-protection prove efficacious. Further studies are required to determine effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis for contacts and to inform public health response.
Halmyris, a settlement and fort near the mouth of the Danube: interim report
Authors: Zahariade Mihail , Phelps Myrna K.
Published: September 2015

Ancient Halmyris lies in the NW corner of the Dobrudja region in SE Romania. It liesc.2.5 km east of the village of Murighiol on a rocky promontory which is slightly higher than the surrounding marshes. This is at the E end of the Dunavat peninsula (known in antiquity asExtrema Scythiae Minoris: Jord., Get.266) and it is bordered by the Danube delta on the north and east, Razelm lake on the south, and the Tulcea hills on the west (fig. 1). The site was occupied continuously from at least the mid-first millennium B.C. up to the 7th c. A.D. The local environment, flora and fauna were favourable to settlement until as a result of natural causes the Danube became almost inaccessible; from that point on, the settlement became vulnerable to human and other natural events and eventually it became deserted.

The site is known today as Bataraia or Cetatea. In the early 20th c. the locals still called it the Genoese stronghold (Geneviz-Kaleh). In antiquity it lay on the bank of the southern arm of the Danube called Peuce (now known as Sfantu Gheorghe). Today the southern arm of the Danube runs 2 km north of the site and it is connected to Lake Murighiol by the Periboina canal. Until 1983 there were two lakes,c.100 andc.200 m from the site, modern relics of the ancient course of the river. To the east lie the Dunavat hills and to the south is Dealul Cetatea (“fort hill”) (fig. 2).
Roman and native in Scotland: new approaches
Authors: Hunter Fraser
Published: September 2015

Roman-native relationships have been an active topic of debate for many years, and interest shows no signs of abating. However, in the three decades since the last major survey of the Scottish data (Robertson 1970) there has been a substantial increase in the data-set, and it should now be possible to develop more complex and robust interpretations. The aim here is not to present a detailed new corpus of Roman material from non-Roman sites, although a list of finds since Robertson's work is given in the Appendix: instead, it is to look at the quantity and distribution of the material; to explore new approaches that allow us to develop models of its use; and to look at its nature. The study concerns itself with finds from Iron Age sites, burials or hoards; stray finds are not considered in detail since their cultural context is much harder to assess. The focus is on the uses made of Roman material in Iron Age societies. From this perspective, the mechanisms by which the material was acquired and the motives of the Romans in dealing with the ‘barbarians’ are less crucial, and they will not be considered in detail here. Different parts of Scotland sustained very different societies during the Iron Age and had quite different histories of Roman contact (Armit 1997a; Breeze 1982). To allow for this, an attempt will be made to identify regional patterns in the use of Roman material.
The Via Egnatia (Albania) Project and the bridge at Topçias
Authors: Amore Maria Grazia , Bejko Lorenc , Cerova Ylli , Gjipali Ilir
Published: September 2015

The Via Egnatia has attracted limited attention over the last half-century. The ancient road, crossing Albania between Durrës (Dyrrachium) and Qafe Thane, was one of the major thoroughfares of antiquity, and it remained in use until modern times. This brief report describes the work of the new Albanian Rescue Archaeology Unit, working in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology of Albania, in an attempt to document parts of the road which may be threatened by infrastructure development.

The survey was organised during April and May 2000 and involved both systematically walking the line followed by the Via Egnatia and visiting sites of different periods that developed along it. During the first season, our survey concentrated upon the area between Bradashesh (identified as themutatio Ad Quintumof the Roman itineraries), near Elbasan, and Qukës (mutatio In Tabernasof theItinerarium Burdigalense, orTrès Tabernaeof the Antonine Itinerary) (fig. 1).
THE TIME SHUFFLING MACHINE AND METAPHYSICAL FATALISM
Authors: Licon Jimmy Alfonso
Published: September 2015

In this paper, I outline a toy argument for metaphysical fatalism – i.e. there is no sense in which the world could have been different than it is. First, I explain a couple of assumptions that I make about the nature of time. These assumptions appear to be plausible and widely held – or, at least, they are reasonable positions to hold. Second, I outline and explain a thought experiment designed to bring our fatalist-friendly intuitions to the forefront.
The Bamberg Dementia Screening Test (BDST) – First Evidence Regarding the Diagnostic Usability of a “True Bedside” Test for Geriatric Inpatients
Authors: Trapp Wolfgang , Weisenberger Bruno , Düclos Denise , Lautenbacher Stefan , Mitznegg Nicholas , Meyrer Robert , Hajak Göran
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Due to physical limitations (e. g. difficulties in reading and writing), geriatric inpatients are often not able to complete relevant dementia screening tests. The Bamberg Dementia Screening Test (BDST) is a new dementia screening measure that can be administered in a few minutes as “true bedside” – test. 150 patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild or moderate dementia as well as a control sample of 40 cognitively unimpaired participants completed the BDST and the CERAD-Plus test battery. High correlations of BDST-subscores with CERAD subtests of corresponding content and between the total scores of the two tests could be found. Using the BDST, mild dementia and MCI patients could be discriminated from healthy controls with high sensitivity and specificity.
Training in Motivational Interviewing as a Best Training Practice in Pediatric Psychology: Relationship to Core Competencies
Authors: Gillaspy Stephen R. , Litzenburg Catrina C. , Leffingwell Thad R. , Miller Mary Beth
Published: September 2015

This article describes an innovative Motivational Interviewing (MI) training that is included in the current training program for psychology interns and fellows (trainees) at 1 institution and outlines how this training experience aligns with multiple core training competencies for pediatric psychologists. MI is an evidence-based approach to behavior change counseling that is efficacious in motivating change in many health-risk behaviors. The training module adds systematic practice with simulated patients and objective feedback regarding adherence and fidelity to MI principles and strategies to traditional didactics. This state-of-the-art training is particularly beneficial to our pediatric psychology trainees, as it impacts treatment interventions with their patients and families and maps onto several of the new pediatric psychology competencies. Specific examples of training components are provided and demonstrate how the MI training module aligns with the pediatric psychology competencies in several clusters: crosscutting knowledge competencies in pediatric psychology, interpersonal, professionalism, and application. MI training is well-suited to be included in competency-based training in pediatric psychology.
Considerations for Assessing Competencies in Pediatric Psychology
Authors: Piazza-Waggoner Carrie , Karazsia Bryan T. , Hommel Kevin A. , Modi Avani C.
Published: September 2015

Building on the foundation laid by Palermo and colleagues (2014) , this issue illustrates how specific competencies can be developed. Naturally, many of these examples are specific to training stage (e.g., graduate student, intern, postdoctoral fellow) and location of training. As a result, communication across stages of training or across sites may be limited, and trainee development may or may not link with measured outcomes of interest (e.g., patient improvement). In this commentary, we discuss an approach of offering meaningful feedback to trainees in the assessment process that aligns with behavioral anchors recommended by Palermo and colleagues (2014) . We also consider ways in which universal assessment practices could facilitate communication across stages of development and sites of training, as well as promote trainee self-reflection. Finally, we discuss existing gaps between how our ongoing development is measured, our actual practice behaviors, and the need to map our professional competencies to the health outcomes of our patients.
The role of mRNA and protein stability in the function of coupled positive and negative feedback systems in eukaryotic cells
Authors: Moss Bendtsen Kristian , Jensen Mogens H. , Krishna Sandeep , Semsey Szabolcs
Published: September 2015

Oscillators and switches are important elements of regulation in biological systems. These are composed of coupling negative feedback loops, which cause oscillations when delayed and positive feedback loops, which lead to memory formation. Here, we examine the behavior of a coupled feedback system, the Negative Autoregulated Frustrated bistability motif (NAF). This motif is a combination of two previously explored motifs, the frustrated bistability motif (FBM) and the negative auto regulation motif (NAR), which both can produce oscillations. The NAF motif was previously suggested to govern long term memory formation in animals and was used as a synthetic oscillator in bacteria. We build a mathematical model to analyze the dynamics of the NAF motif. We show analytically that the NAF motif requires an asymmetry in the strengths of activation and repression links in order to produce oscillations. We show that the effect of time delays in eukaryotic cells, originating from mRNA export and protein import, are negligible in this system. Based on the reported protein and mRNA half-lives in eukaryotic cells, we find that even though the NAF motif possesses the ability for oscillations, it mostly promotes constant protein expression at the biologically relevant parameter regimes.
Metalloprotease OMA1 Fine-tunes Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Function and Respiratory Supercomplex Stability
Authors: Bohovych Iryna , Fernandez Mario R. , Rahn Jennifer J. , Stackley Krista D. , Bestman Jennifer E. , Anandhan Annadurai , Franco Rodrigo , Claypool Steven M. , Lewis Robert E. , Chan Sherine S. L. , Khalimonchuk Oleh
Published: September 2015

Mitochondria are involved in key cellular functions including energy production, metabolic homeostasis and apoptosis. Normal mitochondrial function is preserved by several interrelated mechanisms. One mechanism – intramitochondrial quality control (IMQC) – is represented by conserved proteases distributed across mitochondrial compartments. Many aspects and physiological roles of IMQC components remain unclear. Here, we show that the IMQC protease Oma1 is required for the stability of the respiratory supercomplexes and thus balanced and tunable bioenergetic function. Loss of Oma1 activity leads to a specific destabilization of respiratory supercomplexes and consequently to unbalanced respiration and progressive respiratory decline in yeast. Similarly, experiments in cultured Oma1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts link together impeded supercomplex stability and inability to maintain proper respiration under conditions that require maximal bioenergetic output. Finally, transient knockdown of OMA1 in zebrafish leads to impeded bioenergetics and morphological defects of the heart and eyes. Together, our biochemical and genetic studies in yeast, zebrafish and mammalian cells identify a novel and conserved physiological role for Oma1 protease in fine-tuning of respiratory function. We suggest that this unexpected physiological role is important for cellular bioenergetic plasticity and may contribute to Oma1-associated disease phenotypes in humans.
Putting on the brakes: Bacterial impediment of wound healing
Authors: Brothers Kimberly M. , Stella Nicholas A. , Hunt Kristin M. , Romanowski Eric G. , Liu Xinyu , Klarlund Jes K. , Shanks Robert M. Q.
Published: September 2015

The epithelium provides a crucial barrier to infection and its integrity requires efficient wound healing. Bacterial cells and secretomes from a subset of tested species of bacteria inhibited human and porcine corneal epithelial cell migration in vitro and ex vivo. Secretomes from 95% of Serratia marcescens, 71% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 29% of Staphylococcus aureus strains and other bacterial species inhibited epithelial cell migration. Migration of human foreskin fibroblasts was also inhibited by S. marcescens secretomes indicating that the effect is not cornea specific. Transposon mutagenesis implicated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core biosynthetic genes as being required to inhibit corneal epithelial cell migration. LPS depletion of S. marcescens secretomes with polymyxin B agarose rendered secretomes unable to inhibit epithelial cell migration. Purified LPS from S. marcescens, but not from Escherichia coli or S. marcescens strains with mutations in the waaG and waaC genes, inhibited epithelial cell migration in vitro and wound healing ex vivo. Together these data suggest that S. marcescens LPS is sufficient for inhibition of epithelial wound healing. This study presents a novel host-pathogen interaction with implications for infections where bacteria impact wound healing and provides evidence that secreted LPS is a key factor in the inhibitory mechanism.
Criteria for Applying the Lucas-Washburn Law
Authors: Li Kewen , Zhang Danfeng , Bian Huiyuan , Meng Chao , Yang Yanan
Published: September 2015

Spontaneous imbibition happens in many natural and chemical engineering processes in which the mean advancing front usually follows Lucas-Washburn’s law. However it has been found that the scaling law does not apply in many cases. There have been few criteria to determine under what conditions the Washburn law works. The effect of gravity on spontaneous imbibition in porous media was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The mathematical model derived analytically was used to calculate the imbibition rates in porous media with different permeabilities. The results demonstrated that the effect of gravity on spontaneous imbibition was governed by the hydraulic conductivity of the porous media (permeability of the imbibition systems). The criteria for applying the Lucas-Washburn law have been proposed. The effect of gravity becomes more apparent with the increase in permeability or with the decrease in CGR number (the ratio of capillary pressure to gravity forces) and may be ignored when the CGR number is less than a specific value "Equation missing" ≅ 3.0. The effect of gravity on imbibition in porous media can be modeled theoretically. It may not be necessary to conduct spontaneous imbibition experiments horizontally in order to exclude the effect of gravity, as has been done previously.
Living without DAT: Loss and compensation of the dopamine transporter gene in sauropsids (birds and reptiles)
Authors: Lovell P. V. , Kasimi B. , Carleton J. , Velho T. A. , Mello C. V.
Published: September 2015

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a major regulator of synaptic dopamine (DA) availability. It plays key roles in motor control and motor learning, memory formation and reward-seeking behavior, is a major target of cocaine and methamphetamines and has been assumed to be conserved among vertebrates. We have found, however, that birds, crocodiles and lizards lack the DAT gene. We also found that the unprecedented loss of this important gene is compensated for by the expression of the noradrenaline transporter (NAT) gene and not the serotonin transporter genes, in dopaminergic cells, which explains the peculiar pharmacology of the DA reuptake activity previously noted in bird striatum. This unexpected pattern contrasts with that of ancestral vertebrates (e.g. fish) and mammals, where the NAT gene is selectively expressed in noradrenergic cells. DA circuits in birds/reptiles and mammals thus operate with an analogous reuptake mechanism exerted by different genes, bringing new insights into gene expression regulation in dopaminergic cells and the evolution of a key molecular player in reward and addiction pathways.
Effects of ionization potential of an element and boiling point of the corresponding oxide on the sensitivity of ICP-MS
Authors: Ho Koon-Sing , Lee Wan-Waan , Chan Wing-Tat
Published: September 2015

The sampling depth profiles of 19 elements in aqueous solution were obtained. The optimized sampling position depends on the boiling point of the oxides for high-boiling oxides, or the difference between the boiling point and the temperature for high degree of ionization for elements of high ionization potential and low-boiling oxides.
Frequency-dependent learning achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells
Authors: Dong W. S. , Zeng F. , Lu S. H. , Liu A. , Li X. J. , Pan F.
Published: September 2015

Frequency-dependent learning has been achieved using semiconducting polymer/electrolyte composite cells, which realized conventional spike-rate-dependent plasticity learning protocol.
Synthesis of sub-nanosized Pt particles on mesoporous SBA-15 material and its application to the CO oxidation reaction
Authors: Wu Hung-Chi , Chen Tse-Ching , Lai Nien-Chu , Yang Chia-Min , Wu Jia-Huang , Chen Yan-Chu , Lee Jyh-Fu , Chen Ching-Shiun
Published: September 2015

The 2D Pt NPs and single Pt atoms formed in SBA-15 can induce strong reactivity for CO oxidation.
Synthesis and assembly of barium-doped iron oxide nanoparticles and nanomagnets
Authors: Wu Liheng , Shen Bo , Sun Shouheng
Published: September 2015

A facile organic-phase synthesis of monodisperse barium-doped iron oxide (Ba–Fe–O) nanoparticles (NPs) is reported. The obtained Ba–Fe–O NPs can be easily assembled and converted into ferromagnetic barium ferrite (BaFe) arrays.
In situ loading of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles on nanocrystalline magnesium oxide for real-time monitoring of catalytic reactions by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Kaige , Li Gongke , Hu Yuling
Published: September 2015

The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique is of great importance for insight into the transient reaction intermediates and mechanistic pathways involved in heterogeneously catalyzed chemical reactions under actual reaction conditions, especially in water.
The influence of titanium surfaces treated by alkalis on macrophage and osteoblast-like cell adhesion and gene expression in vitro
Authors: Ma Ting , Ge Xi-Yuan , Jia Sheng-Nan , Jiang Xi , Zhang Yu , Lin Ye
Published: September 2015

The effect of alkali-treated titanium surfaces on inflammation-related gene expression of macrophages and alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblast-like cells.
Electrodeposition of ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles for biosensing applications
Authors: Naik Kusha Kumar , Rout Chandra Sekhar
Published: September 2015

Electrochemical sensing properties of electrodeposited ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles towards glucose and dopamine are investigated.
Pt-nanoparticle functionalized carbon nano-onions for ultra-high energy supercapacitors and enhanced field emission behaviour
Authors: Suryawanshi Sachin R. , Kaware Vaibhav , Chakravarty Disha , Walke Pravin S. , More Mahendra A. , Joshi Kavita , Rout Chandra Sekhar , Late Dattatray J.
Published: September 2015

In the present work, we have investigated the charge storage capacitive response and field emission behaviour of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles decorated on carbon nano onions (CNOs) and compared them with those of pristine carbon nano onions.
N-doped mesoporous inverse opal structures for visible-light photocatalysts
Authors: Ha Su-Jin , Kim Dong Ha , Moon Jun Hyuk
Published: September 2015

N-doped, mesoporous IO TiO2 structures were fabricated as visible-light photocatalysts.
Non-covalent functionalization of graphene oxide by pyrene-block copolymers for enhancing physical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Song Shiqiang , Wan Chaoying , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2015

Pyrene-functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polydimethylsiloxane (Py-PMMA-b-PDMS) copolymers were synthesized via ARGET ATRP method and further used to functionalize GO through the π–π interaction between pyrene and the carbon sheets.
Synthesis of bright upconversion submicrocrystals for high-contrast imaging of latent-fingerprints with cyanoacrylate fuming
Authors: Xie Han-Han , Wen Qian , Huang Hao , Sun Tian-Ying , Li Penghui , Li Yong , Yu Xue-Feng , Wang Qu-Quan
Published: September 2015

High-contrast imaging of latent-fingerprints was obtained by the combination of bright UCPs and CA-fuming.
Oxygen plasma modified separator for lithium sulfur battery
Authors: Li Zhen , Jiang Qianqian , Ma Zhaoling , Liu Qiuhong , Wu Zhenjun , Wang Shuangyin
Published: September 2015

O2 plasma treatment could generate electronegative oxygen functional groups such as –COOH and –OH on the separator to restrain the shuttle effect of polysulfide intermediates in Li–S battery.
Self-assembling α,γ-cyclic peptides that generate cavities with tunable properties
Authors: Rodríguez-Vázquez Nuria , García-Fandiño Rebeca , Amorín Manuel , Granja Juan R.
Published: September 2015

The design and synthesis of self-assembling cyclic peptides with tunable cavity properties is described, allowing the incorporation of guests with different features.
Oxatub[4]arene: a smart macrocyclic receptor with multiple interconvertible cavities
Authors: Jia Fei , He Zhenfeng , Yang Liu-Pan , Pan Zhi-Sheng , Yi Min , Jiang Ren-Wang , Jiang Wei
Published: September 2015

We report a smart macrocycle with four interconvertible cavities, which can select the best-fit cavity for a given guest.
Enhanced electrocatalytic activity and stability of Pd3V/C nanoparticles with a trace amount of Pt decoration for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Liu Sufen , Han Lili , Zhu Jing , Xiao Weiping , Wang Jie , Liu Hongfang , Xin Huolin , Wang Deli
Published: September 2015

A trace amount of Pt decorated on the surface or inside of Pd3V/C nanoparticles significantly enhanced the ORR electrocatalytic activity and stability.
Reduced graphene oxide grafted by the polymer of polybromopyrroles for nanocomposites with superior performance for supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Shouzhi , Gai Ligang , Jiang Haihui , Guo Zhenzhen , Bai Nana , Zhou Jianhua
Published: September 2015

An integrated structure has been designed by grafting the polymer of polybromopyrroles (PPBP) onto reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to produce RGO/PPBP nanocomposites with superior electrochemical performance for supercapacitors.
Application of a battery energy storage for frequency regulation and peak shaving in a wind diesel power system
Authors: Sebastián Rafael
Published: September 2015

This study presents the modelling and dynamic simulation of a high penetration wind diesel power system (WDPS) consisting of a diesel generator (DG), a wind turbine generator (WTG), consumer load, dump load and a battery energy storage system (BESS). First the WDPS architecture and the models of the WDPS components are described. The WDPS is simulated in wind‐only (WO) mode where the DG is not running and the WTG supply active power and in wind‐diesel (WD) mode where both DG and WTG supply power. The simulation results are given showing graphs of the main electric variables in the WDPS (system frequency and voltage and active power in each component) and main battery variables (current, voltage and state of charge). The results in the WO mode show how the BESS, under the command of a proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller, supplies/stores active power to regulate the isolated system frequency. The WD control enables the BESS to smooth the load and wind power variations, so that the isolated system power quality is improved. Also it is shown in the WD mode a peak shaving application where the control orders the BESS to supply active power temporarily to support system frequency in a DG overload situation.
GaAs on Si epitaxy by aspect ratio trapping: Analysis and reduction of defects propagating along the trench direction
Authors: Orzali Tommaso , Vert Alexey , O'Brien Brendan , Herman Joshua L. , Vivekanand Saikumar , Hill Richard J. W. , Karim Zia , Papa Rao Satyavolu S.
Published: September 2015

The Aspect Ratio Trapping technique has been extensively evaluated for improving the quality of III-V heteroepitaxial films grown on Si, due to the potential for terminating defects at the sidewalls of SiO2 patterned trenches that enclose the growth region. However, defects propagating along the trench direction cannot be effectively confined with this technique. We studied the effect of the trench bottom geometry on the density of defects of GaAs fins, grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition on 300 mm Si (001) wafers inside narrow (<90 nm wide) trenches. Plan view and cross sectional Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy, together with High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction, were used to evaluate the crystal quality of GaAs. The prevalent defects that reach the top surface of GaAs fins are {111} twin planes propagating along the trench direction. The lowest density of twin planes, ∼8 × 108 cm−2, was achieved on “V” shaped bottom trenches, where GaAs nucleation occurs only on {111} Si planes, minimizing the interfacial energy and preventing the formation of antiphase boundaries.
The politics of English, language and uptake
Authors: Lillis Theresa , Curry Mary Jane
Published: September 2015

Drawing on 95 text histories from a longitudinal project on writing for publication in 4 national contexts, this article analyses the language ideologies enacted in referees’ and editors’ comments on articles submitted for publication in English-medium ‘international’ journals. It considers how orientations to ‘English’, ‘language’ and ‘language work’ are enacted in practices of reviewer uptake and the consequences of such practices for knowledge production, evaluation and circulation. In exploring evaluation practices, the article problematizes three foundational categories in applied linguistics: (1) The treating of English as a single stable semiotic resource over which the ‘native’ speaker is attributed a privileged evaluative position; (2) The overriding transparency approach to language and communication; (3) The focus on production as distinct from uptake.
Measuring warmth and competence at inter-group, interpersonal and individual levels / Medición de la cordialidad y la competencia en los niveles intergrupal, interindividual e individual
Authors: Aragonés Juan I. , Poggio Lucía , Sevillano Verónica , Pérez-López Raquel , Sánchez-Bernardos María-Luisa
Published: September 2015

Warmth and competence are universal dimensions of social perception that articulate the perception of other individuals and social groups. However, there are no scales that have systematically been used in psychosocial research. The purpose of this study is to construct two scales, one on warmth and another on competence, which could be used at the inter-group, interpersonal and individual levels. To accomplish this, we performed two studies. In Study I ( N = 578 students and N = 540 general population), we tested the scales at the intergroup level (immigrant groups and Spaniards), the interpersonal level (people close to the participants) and the individual level (the participants themselves). In Study 2 ( N = 184 students), the two scales were tested at an interpersonal level by evaluating 16 public figures. The results of both studies show that both the warmth scale ( kind, pleasant, friendly, warm) and the competence scale ( competent, effective, skilled, intelligent) achieved a high degree of reliability when reflecting the perception of groups, individuals and oneself.
Transformational leadership and job satisfaction of police officers (carabineros) in Chile: the mediating effects of group identification and work engagement / Liderazgo transformacional y satisfacción laboral en carabineros de Chile: los efectos mediadores de la identificación con el grupo y el work engagement
Authors: Espinoza-Parra Sergio , Molero Fernando , Fuster-Ruizdeapodaca María J.
Published: September 2015

The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and work satisfaction, as well as to analyse the mediating role of group identification and work engagement in a police training process at a Chilean professional military institution. The sample was made up of 985 candidates representing all the candidates that joined the units of the country in the different locations. Officers and non-commissioned officers acting as instructors were considered ‘leaders’, while their ‘followers’ were the young candidates in the training period. It was found that all the relevant variables were positively and significantly interrelated, and a model of structural equations revealed that both work engagement and group identification played a mediating role in the relationship between transformational leadership and work satisfaction.
KLP-7 acts through the Ndc80 complex to limit pole number in C. elegans oocyte meiotic spindle assembly
Authors: Connolly Amy A. , Sugioka Kenji , Chuang Chien-Hui , Lowry Joshua B. , Bowerman Bruce
Published: September 2015

During oocyte meiotic cell division in many animals, bipolar spindles assemble in the absence of centrosomes, but the mechanisms that restrict pole assembly to a bipolar state are unknown. We show that KLP-7, the single mitotic centromere–associated kinesin (MCAK)/kinesin-13 in Caenorhabditis elegans, is required for bipolar oocyte meiotic spindle assembly. In klp-7(−) mutants, extra microtubules accumulated, extra functional spindle poles assembled, and chromosomes frequently segregated as three distinct masses during meiosis I anaphase. Moreover, reducing KLP-7 function in monopolar klp-18(−) mutants often restored spindle bipolarity and chromosome segregation. MCAKs act at kinetochores to correct improper kinetochore–microtubule (k–MT) attachments, and depletion of the Ndc-80 kinetochore complex, which binds microtubules to mediate kinetochore attachment, restored bipolarity in klp-7(−) mutant oocytes. We propose a model in which KLP-7/MCAK regulates k–MT attachment and spindle tension to promote the coalescence of early spindle pole foci that produces a bipolar structure during the acentrosomal process of oocyte meiotic spindle assembly.
MST kinases in development and disease
Authors: Thompson Barry J. , Sahai Erik
Published: September 2015

The mammalian MST kinase family, which is related to the Hippo kinase in Drosophila melanogaster, includes five related proteins: MST1 (also called STK4), MST2 (also called STK3), MST3 (also called STK24), MST4, and YSK1 (also called STK25 or SOK1). MST kinases are emerging as key signaling molecules that influence cell proliferation, organ size, cell migration, and cell polarity. Here we review the regulation and function of these kinases in normal physiology and pathologies, including cancer, endothelial malformations, and autoimmune disease.
Jeffrey Fredberg: Flow under pressure
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: September 2015

Fredberg takes a physical approach to model mechanical properties of cells and tissues.
Dissemination of Goss’s Wilt of Corn and Epiphytic Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis from Inoculum Point Sources
Authors: Eggenberger Sharon , Diaz-Arias Mercedes M. , Gougherty Andrew V. , Nutter Forrest W. , Sernett Jeff , Robertson Alison E.
Published: September 2015

Goss’s wilt of corn, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, has reemerged since 2006 as an economically important disease of corn in in the Midwestern United States. In 2012 and 2013, field plot studies were conducted with a pathogenic, rifampicin-resistant C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis isolate and a Goss’s wilt-susceptible corn hybrid to monitor epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis population densities and the temporal and spatial spread of Goss’s wilt incidence originating from inoculum point sources. The randomized complete block trial included three treatments: noninoculated control, inoculum point sources established by wound inoculation, and inoculum point sources consisting of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis-infested corn residue. Epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis was detected on asymptomatic corn leaves collected up to 2.5 m away from inoculum sources at 15 days after inoculation in both years. The percentage of asymptomatic leaf samples on which epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis was detected increased until mid-August in both years, and reached 90, 55, and 35% in wound-, residue-, and noninoculated plots, respectively, in 2012; and 50, 11, and 2%, respectively, in 2013. Although both growing seasons were drier than normal, Goss’s wilt incidence increased over time and space from all C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis point sources. Plots infested with C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis residue had final Goss’s wilt incidence of 7.5 and 1.8% in 2012 and 2013, respectively; plots with a wound-inoculated source had final Goss’s wilt incidence of 16.6 and 14.0% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Our findings suggest that relatively recent outbreaks of Goss’s wilt in new regions of the United States may be the result of a gradual, nondetected buildup of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis inoculum in fields.
Multilaboratory Comparison of Quantitative PCR Assays for Detection and Quantification of Fusarium virguliforme from Soybean Roots and Soil
Authors: Kandel Yuba R. , Haudenshield James S. , Srour Ali Y. , Islam Kazi Tariqul , Fakhoury Ahmad M. , Santos Patricia , Wang Jie , Chilvers Martin I. , Hartman Glen L. , Malvick Dean K. , Floyd Crystal M. , Mueller Daren S. , Leandro Leonor F. S.
Published: September 2015

The ability to accurately detect and quantify Fusarium virguliforme, the cause of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybean, in samples such as plant root tissue and soil is extremely valuable for accurate disease diagnoses and to address research questions. Numerous quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays have been developed for this pathogen but their sensitivity and specificity for F. virguliforme have not been compared. In this study, six qPCR assays were compared in five independent laboratories using the same set of DNA samples from fungi, plants, and soil. Multicopy gene-based assays targeting the ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer (IGS) or the mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU) showed relatively high sensitivity (limit of detection [LOD] = 0.05 to 5 pg) compared with a single-copy gene (FvTox1)-based assay (LOD = 5 to 50 pg). Specificity varied greatly among assays, with the FvTox1 assay ranking the highest (100%) and two IGS assays being slightly less specific (95 to 96%). Another IGS assay targeting four SDS-causing fusaria showed lower specificity (70%), while the two mtSSU assays were lowest (41 and 47%). An IGS-based assay showed consistently highest sensitivity (LOD = 0.05 pg) and specificity and inclusivity above 94% and, thus, is suggested as the most useful qPCR assay for F. virguliforme diagnosis and quantification. However, specificity was also above 94% in two other assays and their selection for diagnostics and research will depend on objectives, samples, and materials used. These results will facilitate both fundamental and disease management research pertinent to SDS.
How sex-biased dispersal affects conflict over parental investment
Authors: Kuijper Bram , Johnstone Rufus A.
Published: September 2015

Existing models of parental investment have mainly focused on interactions at the level of the family, and have paid much less attention to the impact of population-level processes. Here we extend classical models of parental care to assess the impact of population structure and limited dispersal. We find that sex-differences in dispersal substantially affect the amount of care provided by each parent, with the more philopatric sex providing the majority of the care to young. This effect is most pronounced in highly viscous populations: in such cases, when classical models would predict stable biparental care, inclusion of a modest sex difference in dispersal leads to uniparental care by the philopatric sex. In addition, mating skew also affects sex-differences in parental investment, with the more numerous sex providing most of the care. However, the effect of mating skew only holds when parents care for their own offspring. When individuals breed communally, we recover the previous finding that the more philopatric sex provides most of the care, even when it is the rare sex. Finally, we show that sex-differences in dispersal can mask the existence of sex-specific costs of care, because the philopatric sex may provide most of the care even in the face of far higher mortality costs relative to the dispersing sex. We conclude that sex-biased dispersal is likely to be an important, yet currently overlooked driver of sex-differences in parental care.
Director identity in pre- and post-crisis Iceland: effects of board life stage and gender
Authors: Jonsdottir Thoranna , Singh Val , Terjesen Siri , Vinnicombe Susan
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how directors’ roles and social identities are shaped by gender and board life stage, using pre- and post-crisis Iceland as the setting. Recent theoretical work suggests the importance of directors’ monitoring and resource provision roles at certain board life stages; however, there is limited empirical evidence of directors’ identification with these roles as well as social role identification as a member of the board.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors contribute empirical evidence from interviews with 23 corporate directors in Iceland on individual identification with the director role of monitoring and resource provision, relational identification with the CEO role and social identification as a member of the board.

Findings

– Prior to the crisis, male directors identified more strongly with resource provision and with their social roles and less strongly with monitoring roles. Compared to their male counterparts, pre-crisis female directors identified more strongly with monitoring and did not identify with their social roles. After the crisis, mature boards’ male director role identities were little changed; male directors continued to identify with resource provision and social identification, rather than monitoring, roles. Compared to pre-crisis, post-crisis female directors described greater identity with their resource provision roles and reported that male directors resented their attempts to fulfill their monitoring roles. In post-crisis, newly formed diverse boards, male and female directors reported very similar role identities which reflected balanced monitoring and resource provision roles, for example providing the board with ethical individual identities and unblemished reputations. The findings of this paper indicate that board composition and life cycle stage might have more impact on director identity than a pre- or post-crisis setting. These findings suggest implications for theory, practice and future research.

Originality/value

– This paper provides further empirical evidence of the roles male and female directors identify with on corporate boards. Its originality lies in the context of the board work in terms of newly formed and mature boards, before and after the financial crisis, with differing gender composition (male-dominated and gender-balanced boards).