bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neopatrimonialism and the Political Economy of Economic Performance in Africa: Critical Reflections
Authors: Mkandawire Thandika
Published: May 2015

During the past two decades, neopatrimonialism has become the convenient, all purpose, and ubiquitous moniker for African governance. The school of thought behind this research program, which the author refers to as the neopatrimonialism school, has produced an impressive literature on Africa. Its analysis informs policymakers and its language permeates media reportage on African states. While neopatrimonialism has long been a focus of development studies, in recent times it has assumed politically and economically exigent status. The school identifies causal links between neopatrimonialism and economic performance, and makes predictions drawing from what is referred to as the "logic of neopatrimonialism." Neopatrimonialism is said to account for trade policies, hyperinflation, economic stagnation, low investment in infrastructure, urban bias, andultimately, the lack of economic development in Africa. This article examines the empirical basis of predictions and policy prescriptions. It argues that while descriptive of the social practices of the states and individuals that occupy different positions within African societies, the concept of neopatrimonialism has little analytical content and no predictive value with respect to economic policy and performance.
Critical periods for the neurodevelopmental processes of externalizing and internalizing
Authors: Tucker Don M. , Poulsen Catherine , Luu Phan
Published: May 2015

Research on neurobiological development is providing insight into the nature and mechanisms of human neural plasticity. These mechanisms appear to support two different forms of developmental learning. One form of learning could be described as externalizing, in which neural representations are highly responsive to environmental influences, as the child typically operates under a mode of hedonic approach. A second form of learning supports internalizing, in which motive control separates attention and self-regulation from the immediate influences of the context, particularly when the child faces conditions of avoidance and threat. The dorsal cortical networks of externalizing are organized around dorsal limbic (cingulate, septal, lateral hypothalamic, hippocampal, and ventral striatal) circuits. In contrast, the ventral cortical networks of internalizing are organized around ventral limbic (anterior temporal and orbital cortex, extended amygdala, dorsal striatal, and mediodorsal thalamic) circuits. These dual divisions of the limbic system in turn self-regulate their arousal levels through different brain stem and forebrain neuromodulator projection systems, with dorsal corticolimbic networks regulated strongly by locus coeruleus norepinephrine and brain stem raphe nucleus serotonin projection systems, and ventral corticolimbic networks regulated by ventral tegmental dopamine and forebrain acetylcholine projections. Because the arousal control systems appear to regulate specific properties of neural plasticity in development, an analysis of these systems explains differences between externalizing and internalizing at multiple levels of neural and psychological self-regulation. In neuroscience, the concept of critical periods has been applied to times when experience is essential for the maturation of sensory systems. In a more general neuropsychological analysis, certain periods of the child's development require successful self-regulation through the differential capacities for externalizing and internalizing.
Using cross-species comparisons and a neurobiological framework to understand early social deprivation effects on behavioral development
Authors: Brett Zoë H. , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Fleming Alison S. , Kraemer Gary W. , Drury Stacy S.
Published: May 2015

Building upon the transactional model of brain development, we explore the impact of early maternal deprivation on neural development and plasticity in three neural systems: hyperactivity/impulsivity, executive function, and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis functioning across rodent, nonhuman primate, and human studies. Recognizing the complexity of early maternal–infant interactions, we limit our cross-species comparisons to data from rodent models of artificial rearing, nonhuman primate studies of peer rearing, and the relations between these two experimental approaches and human studies of children exposed to the early severe psychosocial deprivation associated with institutional care. In addition to discussing the strengths and limitations of these paradigms, we present the current state of research on the neurobiological impact of early maternal deprivation and the evidence of sensitive periods, noting methodological challenges. Integrating data across preclinical animal models and human studies, we speculate about the underlying biological mechanisms; the differential impact of deprivation due to temporal factors including onset, offset, and duration of the exposure; and the possibility and consequences of reopening of sensitive periods during adolescence.
Early life nutrition and neural plasticity
Authors: Georgieff Michael K. , Brunette Katya E. , Tran Phu V.
Published: May 2015

The human brain undergoes a remarkable transformation during fetal life and the first postnatal years from a relatively undifferentiated but pluripotent organ to a highly specified and organized one. The outcome of this developmental maturation is highly dependent on a sequence of environmental exposures that can have either positive or negative influences on the ultimate plasticity of the adult brain. Many environmental exposures are beyond the control of the individual, but nutrition is not. An ever-increasing amount of research demonstrates not only that nutrition shapes the brain and affects its function during development but also that several nutrients early in life have profound and long-lasting effects on the brain. Nutrients have been shown to alter opening and closing of critical and sensitive periods of particular brain regions. This paper discusses the roles that various nutrients play in shaping the developing brain, concentrating specifically on recently explicated biological mechanisms by which particularly salient nutrients influence childhood and adult neural plasticity.
Lexical processing deficits in children with developmental language disorder: An event-related potentials study
Authors: Kornilov Sergey A. , Magnuson James S. , Rakhlin Natalia , Landi Nicole , Grigorenko Elena L.
Published: May 2015

Lexical processing deficits in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have been postulated to arise as sequelae of their grammatical deficits (either directly or via compensatory mechanisms) and vice versa. We examined event-related potential indices of lexical processing in children with DLD (n= 23) and their typically developing peers (n= 16) using a picture–word matching paradigm. We found that children with DLD showed markedly reduced N400 amplitudes in response both to auditorily presented words that had initial phonological overlap with the name of the pictured object and to words that were not semantically or phonologically related to the pictured object. Moreover, this reduction was related to behavioral indices of phonological and lexical but not grammatical development. We also found that children with DLD showed a depressed phonological mapping negativity component in the early time window, suggesting deficits in phonological processing or early lexical access. The results are partially consistent with the overactivation account of lexical processing deficits in DLD and point to the relative functional independence of lexical/phonological and grammatical deficits in DLD, supporting a multidimensional view of the disorder. The results also, although indirectly, support the neuroplasticity account of DLD, according to which language impairment affects brain development and shapes the specific patterns of brain responses to language stimuli.
Beating the brain about abuse: Empirical and meta-analytic studies of the association between maltreatment and hippocampal volume across childhood and adolescence
Authors: Riem Madelon M. E. , Alink Lenneke R. A. , Out Dorothée , Van Ijzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans-Kranenburg Marian J.
Published: May 2015

We present new empirical data and meta-analytic evidence for the association of childhood maltreatment with reduced hippocampal volume. In Study 1, we examined the effects of maltreatment experiences reported during the Adult Attachment Interview on hippocampal volume in female twin pairs. We found that reduced hippocampal volume was related to childhood maltreatment. In addition, individuals who reported having experienced maltreatment at older ages had larger reductions in hippocampal volume compared to individuals who reported maltreatment in early childhood. In Study 2, we present the results of a meta-analysis of 49 studies (including 2,720 participants) examining hippocampal volume in relation to experiences of child maltreatment, and test the moderating role of the timing of the maltreatment, the severity of maltreatment, and the time after exposure to maltreatment. The results of the meta-analysis confirmed that experiences of childhood maltreatment are associated with a reduction in hippocampal volume and that the effects of maltreatment are more pronounced when the maltreatment occurs in middle childhood compared to early childhood or adolescence.
Child maltreatment, inflammation, and internalizing symptoms: Investigating the roles of C-reactive protein, gene variation, and neuroendocrine regulation
Authors: Cicchetti Dante , Handley Elizabeth D. , Rogosch Fred A.
Published: May 2015

Prior research has found inconsistent evidence regarding the association among childhood adversity, inflammation, and internalizing symptoms, perhaps because previous studies have yet to adequately integrate important factors such as the timing of the adversity, genetic variation, and other relevant processes such as neuroendocrine regulation. The aims of the present study were threefold: (a) to determine whether the effect of the timing of child maltreatment on C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, varies by CRP gene variation; (b) to explore whether links between salivary CRP and childhood internalizing symptoms depend on the presence and timing of maltreatment experiences; and (c) to investigate the role of CRP in the relations between child neuroendocrine regulation and internalizing symptoms and examine whether these associations are moderated by the presence and timing of child maltreatment. Participants included a sample of 267 maltreated and 222 nonmaltreated children (Mage = 9.72,SD= 0.99; 52.4% male; 66% African American) who attended a summer day camp research program designed for school-aged low-income children. Department of Human Services records were examined to determine the onset and recency of maltreatment for children in the maltreated group. The results indicated that among children with recent onset maltreatment, those with at least one A allele from CRP single nucleotide polymorphism rs1417938 evidenced significantly higher CRP levels compared to recently maltreated children carrying the TT genotype. Moreover, higher levels of CRP were associated with higher levels of internalizing symptoms only for recently maltreated children. Finally, we did not find support for salivary CRP as a mechanism in the relation between neuroendocrine regulation and childhood internalizing symptoms. Our findings highlight the importance of the timing of child maltreatment and have important implications for characterizing variability in inflammation and internalizing symptoms among youth.
Epigenetic pathways through which experiences become linked with biology
Authors: McGowan Patrick O. , Roth Tania L.
Published: May 2015

This article highlights the defining principles, progress, and future directions in epigenetics research in relation to this Special Issue. Exciting studies in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry have provided new insights into the epigenetic factors (e.g., DNA methylation) that are responsive to environmental input and serve as biological pathways in behavioral development. Here we highlight the experimental evidence, mainly from animal models, that factors such as psychosocial stress and environmental adversity can become encoded within epigenetic factors with functional consequences for brain plasticity and behavior. We also highlight evidence that epigenetic marking of genes in one generation can have consequences for future generations (i.e., inherited), and work with humans linking epigenetics, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disorder. Though epigenetics has offered more of a beginning than an answer to the centuries-old nature–nurture debate, continued research is certain to yield substantial information regarding biological determinants of central nervous system changes and behavior with relevance for the study of developmental psychopathology.
Cognitive impulsivity and the development of delinquency from late childhood to early adulthood: Moderating effects of parenting behavior and peer relationships
Authors: Menting Barbara , Van Lier Pol A. C. , Koot Hans M. , Pardini Dustin , Loeber Rolf
Published: May 2015

Cognitive impulsivity may increase children's risk of developing delinquent behavior. However, the influence of cognitive impulsivity may depend on social environmental risk factors. This study examined the moderating effect of late childhood parenting behaviors and peer relations on the influence of children's cognitive impulsivity on delinquency development across adolescence and early adulthood, while taking possible interactions with intelligence also into account. Delinquent behavior of 412 boys from the Pittsburgh Youth Study was measured annually from ages 13 to 29 years with official arrest records. Cognitive impulsivity (neurocognitive test scores) and intelligence were assessed at age 12–13. Parenting behaviors (persistence of discipline, positive reinforcement, and parental knowledge), peer delinquency, and peer conventional activities were assessed between ages 10 and 13 years. Results showed that, while controlling for intelligence, the influence of youths' cognitive impulsivity on delinquency depended on their parents' behaviors. An interaction was found among cognitive impulsivity, intelligence, and peer delinquency, but instead of cognitive impulsivity, the effect of intelligence on delinquency was particularly moderated. Overall, findings suggest that when there was moderation, high cognitive impulsivity and low intelligence were associated with an increased probability for engaging in delinquency predominantly among boys in a good social environment, but not in a poor social environment.
Scientific collecting in Malawi, a response to Dowsett-Lemaire et al.
Authors: BATES JOHN M. , VOELKER GARY
Published: May 2015

We present a response to Dowsett-Lemaire et al. regarding their contention that there is a “new threat” posed by scientific collecting in Malawi and elsewhere.
Performing Pain, Performing Beauty: Dealing With Difficult Death in the Iron Age
Authors: Giles Melanie
Published: May 2015

Traumatic death rends the fabric of personal and social relations in a manner that is qualitatively different to other kinds of mortality. Mourners must deal with the personal affects, familial consequences and political aftermath of such events. This paper examines the way in which performances around such difficult deaths were used to express and negotiate trauma, through the lens of Iron Age burials in Britain and Ireland. It draws on performance theory developed in relation to contexts of violence to argue that such funerals embodied a necessary tension: articulating pain whilst working towards a re-making of the world. The paper makes an original contribution to the archaeological analysis and interpretation of funerary performance, and moves recent debates on violence in the Iron Age into a new arena of study.
Tracking in Caves: Experience Based Reading of Pleistocene Human Footprints in French Caves
Authors: Pastoors Andreas , Lenssen-Erz Tilman , Ciqae Tsamkxao , Kxunta Ui , Thao Thui , Bégouën Robert , Biesele Megan , Clottes Jean
Published: May 2015

Some of the painted caves in southern France preserve human footprints from the Ice Age of 17,000 years ago. Research has so far dealt with them sparsely and through a morphometric approach only. In 2013 three indigenous hunters/trackers from the Kalahari had an opportunity to read several spoor accumulations in four caves on the basis of their indigenous knowledge. As a result of this morpho-classificatory approach to track reading they produced new hypotheses on prehistoric cave visitors. Most spectacular is the narrative which the trackers generated from the footprints not far from the clay bison at Tuc d’Audoubert. Further research is planned to inspect more tracks and look into the epistemological status of the indigenous tracking method.
Bovine non-competent oocytes (BCB–) negatively impact the capacity of competent (BCB+) oocytes to undergo in vitro maturation, fertilisation and embryonic development
Authors: Salviano M.B. , Collares F.J.F. , Becker B.S. , Rodrigues B.A. , Rodrigues J.L.
Published: May 2015

Competent oocyte selection remains a bottleneck in the in vitro production (IVP) of mammalian embryos. Among the vital assays described for selecting competent oocytes for IVP, the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test has shown consistent results. The aim of the first experiment was to observe if oocytes directly submitted to IVM show similar cleavage and blastocyst rates as those obtained with oocytes maintained under the same in vitro conditions as the oocytes that undergo the BCB test. Bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries and, after morphological evaluation, were randomised grouped into three groups: (1) directly submitted to IVM; (2) oocytes submitted to the BCB test without the addition of BCB stain (BCB control group); and (3) submitted to the BCB test. The results showed that oocytes directly submitted to IVM reached similar cleavage (48/80 – 60%) and embryonic development rates to the blastocyst stage (10/48 – 21%) as the results obtained with the BCB control group oocytes (45/77 – 58% and 08/45 – 18%, respectively). The aim of the second experiment was to determine the cleavage and blastocyst rates obtained from BCB+ oocytes undergoing IVM in the presence of BCB– oocytes at a ratio of 10:1. COCs were recovered from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries and, after morphological evaluation, were randomised into two groups that were submitted to IVM either directly (1: control group) or submitted to the BCB test prior to IVM. After the BCB test, the COCs were classified as either BCB+ (blue cytoplasm) or BCB– (colourless cytoplasm) and then divided into four experimental groups: (2) BCB+; (3) BCB–; and (4) BCB+ matured in same IVM medium drop as (5) BCB– at a ratio of 10:1. After IVM (24 h), oocytes from the different experimental groups were submitted to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) under the same culture conditions until they reached the blastocyst stage (D7). With regards to the cleavage rate (48 h after IVF), only group 3 (102/229 – 44%) differed (P < 0.05) from the other groups [1 (145/241 – 60%); 2 (150/225 – 67%); 4 (201/318 – 63%) and 5 (21/33 – 63%)]. On day 7, the embryos from group 2 (BCB+) achieved the highest blastocyst rate (46/150 – 31%) (P < 0.05) when compared with the embryo development capacity of the other experimental groups (1: 31/145 – 21%; group 3: 17/102 – 17%; group 4: 46/201 – 23%; and group 5: 2/21 – 10%). In conclusion, submitting BCB+ oocytes that were separated from BCB– oocytes to IVM increases the rate of embryonic development to the blastocyst stage when compared to the control group, BCB– oocyte group, BCB+ paracrine group and BCB– paracrine group. The presence of non-competent oocytes during IVM, even in low proportion (1:10), reduces the capacity of competent oocytes to undergo embryo development and achieve blastocyst stage during IVC.
Testing the Boundaries of Subnational Diplomacy: The International Climate Action of Local and Regional Governments
Authors: Setzer Joana
Published: May 2015

Since the 1990s, a number of local and regional governments around the world have started to engage in a real international or ‘paradiplomatic’ climate agenda. While the multilevel governance approach has advanced the examination of the actors and levels involved in climate governance, there is within this body of literature a limited consideration of the legal capacity of non-state actors to act across scales. This article addresses this gap and examines the potential limitations imposed on subnational diplomacy by international and domestic legal orders. The article draws upon the example of Brazil where, despite constitutional limitations on the involvement of subnational governments in international relations, paradiplomacy has been termed ‘federative diplomacy’ and institutionalized within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and within the Presidency of the Republic. The article shows that the diplomatic activity of local and regional governments is still constrained by international and domestic legal frameworks. If cities and regions are to help in addressing the inadequacies of the international climate regime, then domestic and international legal frameworks will need to further accommodate subnational diplomatic activities.
Linking Subnational Climate Change Policies: A Commentary on the California–Acre Process
Authors: Roessing Neto Ernesto
Published: May 2015

Climate change is a global environmental problem which has been addressed primarily at the multilateral level. However, national, supranational, and even subnational action on the issue has also sprung up. At the subnational level, California (United States) and Acre (Brazil) offer an interesting example of how domestic policies may be linked in order to address climate change. Based on a memorandum of understanding concluded in 2010, these two states have been working towards the possible linkage of their respective climate change policies, in essence providing a pathway for using emissions offset credits that are generated in Acre through reductions of forest-based emissions in the Californian cap-and-trade programme. Taking into account that this is an ongoing process, this commentary provides a general overview of the issue from the perspective of international law.
Triangular prism-shaped β-peptoid helices as unique biomimetic scaffolds
Authors: Laursen Jonas S. , Harris Pernille , Fristrup Peter , Olsen Christian A.
Published: May 2015

β-Peptoids are peptidomimetics based on N-alkylated β-aminopropionic acid residues (or N-alkyl-β-alanines). This type of peptide mimic has previously been incorporated in biologically active ligands and has been hypothesized to be able to exhibit foldamer properties. Here we show, for the first time, that β-peptoids can be tuned to fold into stable helical structures. We provide high-resolution X-ray crystal structures of homomeric β-peptoid hexamers, which reveal right-handed helical conformations with exactly three residues per turn and a helical pitch of 9.6–9.8 Å between turns. The presence of folded conformations in solution is supported by circular dichroism spectroscopy showing length- and solvent dependency, and molecular dynamics simulations provide further support for a stabilized helical secondary structure in organic solvent. We thus outline a framework for future design of novel biomimetics that display functional groups with high accuracy in three dimensions, which has potential for development of new functional materials.
Electrochemical polymerization of pyrene derivatives on functionalized carbon nanotubes for pseudocapacitive electrodes
Authors: Bachman John C. , Kavian Reza , Graham Daniel J. , Kim Dong Young , Noda Suguru , Nocera Daniel G. , Shao-Horn Yang , Lee Seung Woo
Published: May 2015

Electrochemical energy-storage devices have the potential to be clean and efficient, but their current cost and performance limit their use in numerous transportation and stationary applications. Many organic molecules are abundant, economical and electrochemically active; if selected correctly and rationally designed, these organic molecules offer a promising route to expand the applications of these energy-storage devices. In this study, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are introduced within a functionalized few-walled carbon nanotube matrix to develop high-energy, high-power positive electrodes for pseudocapacitor applications. The reduction potential and capacity of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are correlated with their interaction with the functionalized few-walled carbon nanotube matrix, chemical configuration and electronic structure. These findings provide rational design criteria for nanostructured organic electrodes. When combined with lithium negative electrodes, these nanostructured organic electrodes exhibit energy densities of ∼350 Wh kg−1electrode at power densities of ∼10 kW kg−1electrode for over 10,000 cycles.
Measuring the dynamic structure factor of a quantum gas undergoing a structural phase transition
Authors: Landig Renate , Brennecke Ferdinand , Mottl Rafael , Donner Tobias , Esslinger Tilman
Published: May 2015

The dynamic structure factor is a central quantity describing the physics of quantum many-body systems, capturing structure and collective excitations of a material. In condensed matter, it can be measured via inelastic neutron scattering, which is an energy-resolving probe for the density fluctuations. In ultracold atoms, a similar approach could so far not be applied because of the diluteness of the system. Here we report on a direct, real-time and nondestructive measurement of the dynamic structure factor of a quantum gas exhibiting cavity-mediated long-range interactions. The technique relies on inelastic scattering of photons, stimulated by the enhanced vacuum field inside a high finesse optical cavity. We extract the density fluctuations, their energy and lifetime while the system undergoes a structural phase transition. We observe an occupation of the relevant quasi-particle mode on the level of a few excitations, and provide a theoretical description of this dissipative quantum many-body system.
Genetic Architecture of Micro-Environmental Plasticity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Morgante Fabio , Sørensen Peter , Sorensen Daniel A. , Maltecca Christian , Mackay Trudy F. C.
Published: May 2015

Individuals of the same genotype do not have the same phenotype for quantitative traits when reared under common macro-environmental conditions, a phenomenon called micro-environmental plasticity. Genetic variation in micro-environmental plasticity is assumed in models of the evolution of phenotypic variance and is important in applied breeding and personalized medicine. Here, we quantified genetic variation for micro-environmental plasticity for three quantitative traits in the inbred, sequenced lines of the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel. We found substantial genetic variation for micro-environmental plasticity for all traits, with broad sense heritabilities of the same magnitude or greater than those of trait means. Micro-environmental plasticity is not correlated with residual segregating variation, is trait-specific and has genetic correlations with trait means ranging from zero to near unity. We identified several candidate genes associated with micro-environmental plasticity of startle response, including Drosophila Hsp90, setting the stage for future genetic dissection of this phenomenon.
The reduction of surface plasmon losses in quasi-suspended graphene
Authors: Dubrovkin Alexander M. , Tao Jin , Chao Yu Xue , Zheludev Nikolay I. , Jie Wang Qi
Published: May 2015

Highly confined surface plasmons on graphene attract substantial interest as potential information carriers for highly integrated photonic data processing circuits. However, plasmon losses remain the main obstacle for implementation of such devices. In near-field microscopic experiments performed at the wavelength of 10 μm we show that a substantial reduction of plasmon damping can be achieved by placing a nanometric polymer nano-dots spacer between the graphene layer and the supporting silicon oxide slab making graphene quasi-suspended. We argue that reduction of plasmon losses is attributed to weaker coupling with substrate phonons in the quasi-suspended graphene.
The phase diagram and hardness of carbon nitrides
Authors: Dong Huafeng , Oganov Artem R. , Zhu Qiang , Qian Guang-Rui
Published: May 2015

Novel superhard materials, especially those with superior thermal and chemical stability, are needed to replace diamond. Carbon nitrides (C-N), which are likely to possess these characteristics and have even been expected to be harder than diamond, are excellent candidates. Here we report three new superhard and thermodynamically stable carbon nitride phases. Based on a systematic evolutionary structure searches, we report a complete phase diagram of the C-N system at 0–300 GPa and analyze the hardest metastable structures. Surprisingly, we find that at zero pressure, the earlier proposed graphitic-C3N4 structure ("Equation missing") is dynamically unstable and we find the lowest-energy structure based on s-triazine unit and s-heptazine unit.
Ozone-induced stomatal sluggishness changes carbon and water balance of temperate deciduous forests
Authors: Hoshika Yasutomo , Katata Genki , Deushi Makoto , Watanabe Makoto , Koike Takayoshi , Paoletti Elena
Published: May 2015

Tropospheric ozone concentrations have increased by 60–100% in the Northern Hemisphere since the 19th century. The phytotoxic nature of ozone can impair forest productivity. In addition, ozone affects stomatal functions, by both favoring stomatal closure and impairing stomatal control. Ozone-induced stomatal sluggishness, i.e., a delay in stomatal responses to fluctuating stimuli, has the potential to change the carbon and water balance of forests. This effect has to be included in models for ozone risk assessment. Here we examine the effects of ozone-induced stomatal sluggishness on carbon assimilation and transpiration of temperate deciduous forests in the Northern Hemisphere in 2006-2009 by combining a detailed multi-layer land surface model and a global atmospheric chemistry model. An analysis of results by ozone FACE (Free-Air Controlled Exposure) experiments suggested that ozone-induced stomatal sluggishness can be incorporated into modelling based on a simple parameter (gmin, minimum stomatal conductance) which is used in the coupled photosynthesis-stomatal model. Our simulation showed that ozone can decrease water use efficiency, i.e., the ratio of net CO2 assimilation to transpiration, of temperate deciduous forests up to 20% when ozone-induced stomatal sluggishness is considered and up to only 5% when the stomatal sluggishness is neglected.
Genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of immune genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Xia Xiaofeng , Yu Liying , Xue Minqian , Yu Xiaoqiang , Vasseur Liette , Gurr Geoff M. , Baxter Simon W. , Lin Hailan , Lin Junhan , You Minsheng
Published: May 2015

The diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella(L.), is a destructive pest that attacks cruciferous crops worldwide. Immune responses are important for interactions between insects and pathogens and information on these underpins the development of strategies for biocontrol-based pest management. Little, however, is known about immune genes and their regulation patterns inP. xylostella. A total of 149 immune-related genes in 20 gene families were identified through comparison ofP. xylostellagenome with the genomes of other insects. Complete and conserved Toll, IMD and JAK-STAT signaling pathways were found inP. xylostella. Genes involved in pathogen recognition were expanded and more diversified than genes associated with intracellular signal transduction. Gene expression profiles showed that the IMD pathway may regulate expression of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes in the midgut and be related to an observed down-regulation of AMPs in experimental lines of insecticide-resistantP. xylostella. A bacterial feeding study demonstrated thatP. xylostellacould activate different AMPs in response to bacterial infection. This study has established a framework of comprehensive expression profiles that highlight cues for immune regulation in a major pest. Our work provides a foundation for further studies on the functions ofP. xylostellaimmune genes and mechanisms of innate immunity.
A metabolomic study of the PPARδ agonist GW501516 for enhancing running endurance in Kunming mice
Authors: Chen Wei , Gao Rong , Xie Xinni , Zheng Zhibing , Li Haijing , Li Song , Dong Fangting , Wang Lili
Published: May 2015

Exercise can increase peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPARδ) expression in skeletal muscle. PPARδ regulates muscle metabolism and reprograms muscle fibre types to enhance running endurance. This study utilized metabolomic profiling to examine the effects of GW501516, a PPARδ agonist, on running endurance in mice. While training alone increased the exhaustive running performance, GW501516 treatment enhanced running endurance and the proportion of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-positive muscle fibres in both trained and untrained mice. Furthermore, increased levels of intermediate metabolites and key enzymes in fatty acid oxidation pathways were observed following training and/or treatment. Training alone increased serum inositol, glucogenic amino acids and branch chain amino acids. However, GW501516 increased serum galactose and β-hydroxybutyrate, independent of training. Additionally, GW501516 alone raised serum unsaturated fatty acid levels, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, but levels increased even more when combined with training. These findings suggest that mechanisms behind enhanced running capacity are not identical for GW501516 and training. Training increases energy availability by promoting catabolism of proteins and gluconeogenesis, whereas GW501516 enhances specific consumption of fatty acids and reducing glucose utilization.
Formation of Poly[d(A-T)2] Specific Z-DNA by a Cationic Porphyrin
Authors: Jang Yoon Jung , Lee Changyun , Kim Seog K.
Published: May 2015

Typical CD spectrum of the right-handed poly[d(A-T)2] was reversed when trans-bis(N-methylpyrimidium-4-yl)diphenyl porphyrin (trans-BMPyP) was bound, suggesting that the helicity of the polynucleotide was reversed to the left-handed form. The formation of the left-handed Z-form poly[d(A-T)2] was confirmed by 31P NMR, in which a single 31P peak of B-form poly[d(A-T)2] was split into two peaks, which is similar to the conventional B-Z transition of poly[d(G-C)2] induced by the high ionic strength. The observed B-Z transition is unique for poly[d(A-T)2]. The other polynucleotides, including poly[d(G-C)2], poly(dG)·poly(dC) and poly(dA)·poly(dT) remained as the right-handed form in the presence of the same porphyrin. This observation suggests that the porphyrin array that was formed along the poly[d(A-T)2] provides a template to which left-handed poly[d(A-T)2] is associated with an electrostatic interaction.
Tau co-organizes dynamic microtubule and actin networks
Authors: Elie Auréliane , Prezel Elea , Guérin Christophe , Denarier Eric , Ramirez-Rios Sacnicte , Serre Laurence , Andrieux Annie , Fourest-Lieuvin Anne , Blanchoin Laurent , Arnal Isabelle
Published: May 2015

The crosstalk between microtubules and actin is essential for cellular functions. However, mechanisms underlying the microtubule-actin organization by cross-linkers remain largely unexplored. Here, we report that tau, a neuronal microtubule-associated protein, binds to microtubules and actin simultaneously, promoting in vitro co-organization and coupled growth of both networks. By developing an original assay to visualize concomitant microtubule and actin assembly, we show that tau can induce guided polymerization of actin filaments along microtubule tracks and growth of single microtubules along actin filament bundles. Importantly, tau mediates microtubule-actin co-alignment without changing polymer growth properties. Mutagenesis studies further reveal that at least two of the four tau repeated motifs, primarily identified as tubulin-binding sites, are required to connect microtubules and actin. Tau thus represents a molecular linker between microtubule and actin networks, enabling a coordination of the two cytoskeletons that might be essential in various neuronal contexts.
Shaping a Subwavelength Needle with Ultra-long Focal Length by Focusing Azimuthally Polarized Light
Authors: Qin Fei , Huang Kun , Wu Jianfeng , Jiao Jiao , Luo Xiangang , Qiu Chengwei , Hong Minghui
Published: May 2015

Flat optics, which could planarize and miniaturize the traditional optical elements, possesses the features of extremely low profile and high integration for advanced manipulation of light. Here we proposed and experimentally demonstrated a planar metalens to realize an ultra-long focal length of ~240λ with a large depth of focus (DOF) of ~12λ, under the illumination of azimuthally polarized beam with vortical phase at 633 nm. Equally important is that such a flat lens could stably keep a lateral subwavelength width of 0.42λ to 0.49λ along the needle-like focal region. It exhibits one-order improvement in the focal length compared to the traditional focal lengths of 20~30λ of flat lens, under the criterion of having subwavelength focusing spot. The ultra-long focal length ensures sufficient space for subsequent characterization behind the lens in practical industry setups, while subwavelength cross section and large DOF enable high resolution in transverse imaging and nanolithography and high tolerance in axial positioning in the meantime. Such planar metalens with those simultaneous advantages is prepared by laser pattern generator rather than focused ion beam, which makes the mass production possible.
Rice (Oryza sativa L) plantation affects the stability of biochar in paddy soil
Authors: Wu Mengxiong , Feng Qibo , Sun Xue , Wang Hailong , Gielen Gerty , Wu Weixiang
Published: May 2015

Conversion of rice straw into biochar for soil amendment appears to be a promising method to increase long-term carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The stability of biochar in paddy soil, which is the major determining factor of carbon sequestration effect, depends mainly on soil properties and plant functions. However, the influence of plants on biochar stability in paddy soil remains unclear. In this study, bulk and surface characteristics of the biochars incubated without rice plants were compared with those incubated with rice plants using a suite of analytical techniques. Results showed that although rice plants had no significant influence on the bulk characteristics and decomposition rates of the biochar, the surface oxidation of biochar particles was enhanced by rice plants. Using 13C labeling we observed that rice plants could significantly increase carbon incorporation from biochar into soil microbial biomass. About 0.047% of the carbon in biochar was incorporated into the rice plants during the whole rice growing cycle. These results inferred that root exudates and transportation of biochar particles into rice plants might decrease the stability of biochar in paddy soil. Impact of plants should be considered when predicting carbon sequestration potential of biochar in soil systems.
An odor detection system based on automatically trained mice by relative go no-go olfactory operant conditioning
Authors: He Jing , Wei JingKuan , Rizak Joshua D. , Chen YanMei , Wang JianHong , Hu XinTian , Ma YuanYe
Published: May 2015

Odor detection applications are needed by human societies in various circumstances. Rodent offers unique advantages in developing biologic odor detection systems. This report outlines a novel apparatus designed to train maximum 5 mice automatically to detect odors using a new olfactory, relative go no-go, operant conditioning paradigm. The new paradigm offers the chance to measure real-time reliability of individual animal’s detection behavior with changing responses. All of 15 water-deprivation mice were able to learn to respond to unpredictable delivering of the target odor with higher touch frequencies via a touch sensor. The mice were continually trained with decreasing concentrations of the target odor (n-butanol), the average correct percent significantly dropped when training at 0.01% solution concentration; the alarm algorithm showed excellent recognition of odor detection behavior of qualified mice group through training. Then, the alarm algorithm was repeatedly tested against simulated scenario for 4 blocks. The mice acted comparable to the training period during the tests and provided total of 58 warnings for the target odor out of 59 random deliveries and 0 false alarm. The results suggest this odor detection method is promising for further development in respect to various types of odor detection applications.
A Tale of Two Hyper-diversities: Diversification dynamics of the two largest families of lichenized fungi
Authors: Kraichak Ekaphan , Divakar Pradeep K. , Crespo Ana , Leavitt Steven D. , Nelsen Matthew P. , Lücking Robert , Lumbsch H. Thorsten
Published: May 2015

Renewed interests in macroevolutionary dynamics have led to the proliferation of studies on diversification processes in large taxonomic groups, such as angiosperms, mammals and birds. However, such a study has yet to be conducted in lichenized fungi – an extremely successful and diverse group of fungi. Analysing the most comprehensive time-calibrated phylogenies with a new analytical method, we illustrated drastically different diversification dynamics between two hyper-diverse families of lichenized fungi, Graphidaceae and Parmeliaceae, which represent more than a fourth of the total species diversity of lichenized fungi. Despite adopting a similar nutrition mode and having a similar number of species, Graphidaceae exhibited a lower speciation rate, while Parmeliaceae showed a sharp increase in speciation rate that corresponded with the aridification during the Oligocene-Miocene transition, suggesting their adaptive radiation into a novel arid habitat.
Developmentally dynamic genome: Evidence of genetic influences on increases and decreases in conduct problems from early childhood to adolescence
Authors: Pingault Jean-Baptiste , Rijsdijk Frühling , Zheng Yao , Plomin Robert , Viding Essi
Published: May 2015

The development of conduct problems in childhood and adolescence is associated with adverse long-term outcomes, including psychiatric morbidity. Although genes constitute a proven factor of stability in conduct problems, less is known regarding their role in conduct problems’ developmental course (i.e. systematic age changes, for instance linear increases or decreases).Mothers rated conduct problems from age 4 to 16 years in 10,038 twin pairs from the Twins Early Development Study. Individual differences in the baseline level (.78; 95% CI: .68-.88) and the developmental course of conduct problems (.73; 95% CI: .60-.86) were under high and largely independent additive genetic influences. Shared environment made a small contribution to the baseline level but not to the developmental course of conduct problems. These results show that genetic influences not only contribute to behavioural stability but also explain systematic change in conduct problems. Different sets of genes may be associated with the developmental course versus the baseline level of conduct problems. The structure of genetic and environmental influences on the development of conduct problems suggests that repeated preventive interventions at different developmental stages might be necessary to achieve a long-term impact.
Spying on small wildlife sounds using affordable collar-mounted miniature microphones: an innovative method to record individual daylong vocalisations in chipmunks
Authors: Couchoux Charline , Aubert Maxime , Garant Dany , Réale Denis
Published: May 2015

Technological advances can greatly benefit the scientific community by making new areas of research accessible. The study of animal vocal communication, in particular, can gain new insights and knowledge from technological improvements in recording equipment. Our comprehension of the acoustic signals emitted by animals would be greatly improved if we could continuously track the daily natural emissions of individuals in the wild, especially in the context of integrating individual variation into evolutionary ecology research questions. We show here how this can be accomplished using an operational tiny audio recorder that can easily be fitted as an on-board acoustic data-logger on small free-ranging animals. The high-quality 24 h acoustic recording logged on the spy microphone device allowed us to very efficiently collect daylong chipmunk vocalisations, giving us much more detailed data than the classical use of a directional microphone over an entire field season. The recordings also allowed us to monitor individual activity patterns and record incredibly long resting heart rates and to identify self-scratching events and even whining from pre-emerging pups in their maternal burrow.
Inhibitory effect of SO2 on side reactions of NH3-SCR over olivine
Authors: Shi Yun , Tan Shan , Li Sujing , Zhao Jingkai , Xia Yinfeng , Lv Bihong , Li Wei
Published: May 2015

The inhibitory effect of SO2 on side reactions of NH3-SCR over olivine was thoroughly investigated.
Amino acid fluorides: viable tools for synthesis of peptides, peptidomimetics and enantiopure heterocycles
Authors: Prabhu Girish , Narendra N. , Basavaprabhu Basavaprabhu , Panduranga V. , Sureshbabu Vommina V.
Published: May 2015

This review provides a broad perspective of the uses of amino acid fluorides in the synthesis of peptides and a wide range of other molecules including peptidomimetics, heterocycles and biologically active molecules.
Development of microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of maleic hydrazide residues in tobacco
Authors: Wang Leijun , Fei Ting , Qi Dawei , Sha Yunfei , Wu Da , Liu Baizhan
Published: May 2015

Herein, an effective and rapid method involving microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the determination of maleic hydrazide residues in tobacco.
Solid phase extraction coupled with a liquid waveguide capillary cell for simultaneous redox speciation analysis of dissolved iron in estuarine and coastal waters
Authors: Chen Yaojin , Huang Yongming , Feng Sichao , Yuan Dongxing
Published: May 2015

An automatic system for simultaneous determination of Fe(ii) and Fe(ii + iii) in estuarine and coastal waters is established and applied in situ.
Assembly of a Fe–pamoate porous complex on magnetic microspheres for extraction of sulfonamide antibiotics from environmental water samples
Authors: Wang Huan , Liu Si-Yao , Lv Xiao-Jun , Ma Rui , Zhang Zhi-Qi
Published: May 2015

Fe3O4@SiO2@Fe–pamoate single core–double shell microspheres were synthesized via a step-by-step assembly strategy and were used to extract sulfonamide antibiotics.
ICP-MS DNA assay based on lanthanide labels and hybridization chain reaction amplification
Authors: Deng Chong , Zhang Chong-Hua , Tang Hao , Jiang Jian-Hui
Published: May 2015

A novel ICP MS DNA assay based on lanthanide labels and hybridization chain reaction amplification has been developed.
Experimental and mechanistic analysis of the palladium-catalyzed oxidative C8-selective C–H homocoupling of quinoline N-oxides
Authors: Stephens David E. , Lakey-Beitia Johant , Chavez Gabriel , Ilie Carla , Arman Hadi D. , Larionov Oleg V.
Published: May 2015

A novel site-selective palladium-catalyzed oxidative C8–H homocoupling reaction affords substituted 8,8′-biquinolyl N,N′-dioxides that can be converted to functionalized 8,8′-biquinolyls.