bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Recovery from Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation Combined with Treadmill Training in Mice with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Tashiro Syoichi , Nishimura Soraya , Iwai Hiroki , Sugai Keiko , Zhang Liang , Shinozaki Munehisa , Iwanami Akio , Toyama Yoshiaki , Liu Meigen , Okano Hideyuki , Nakamura Masaya
Published: August 2016

Most studies targeting chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have concluded that neural stem/progenitor cell (NS/PC) transplantation exerts only a subclinical recovery; this in contrast to its remarkable effect on acute and subacute SCI. To determine whether the addition of rehabilitative intervention enhances the effect of NS/PC transplantation for chronic SCI, we used thoracic SCI mouse models to compare manifestations secondary to both transplantation and treadmill training and the two therapies combined, with a control group. Significant locomotor recovery in comparison with the control group was only achieved in the combined therapy group. Further investigation revealed that NS/PC transplantation improved spinal conductivity and central pattern generator activity and that treadmill training promoted the appropriate inhibitory motor control. The combined therapy enhanced these independent effects of each single therapy and facilitated neuronal differentiation of transplanted cells and maturation of central pattern generator activity synergistically. Our data suggest that rehabilitative treatment represents a therapeutic option for locomotor recovery after NS/PC transplantation, even in chronic SCI.
Mitofusin-2 is required for mouse oocyte meiotic maturation
Authors: Zhang Jing-Hua , Zhang Teng , Gao Si-Hua , Wang Ke , Yang Xiu-Yan , Mo Fang-Fang , Na Yu  , An Tian , Li Yu-Feng , Hu Ji-Wei , Jiang Guang-Jian
Published: August 2016

Mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) is essential for embryonic development, anti-apoptotic events, protection against free radical-induced lesions and mitochondrial fusion in many cells. However, little is known about its mechanism and function during oocyte maturation. In this study, we found that Mfn2 was expressed in the cytoplasm during different stages of mouse oocyte maturation. Mfn2 was mainly associated with α-tubulin during oocyte maturation. Knockdown of Mfn2 by specific siRNA injection into oocytes caused the mitochondrial morphology and quantity to change, resulting in severely defective spindles and misaligned chromosomes. This led to metaphase I arrest and the failure of first polar body extrusion. Furthermore, Mfn2 depletion from GV stage oocytes caused the redistribution of p38 MAPK in oocyte cytoplasm. These findings provide insights into potential mechanisms of Mfn2-mediated cellular alterations, which may have significant implications for oocyte maturation.
Muscleblind-like 3 deficit results in a spectrum of age-associated pathologies observed in myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Choi Jongkyu , Dixon Donald M. , Dansithong Warunee , Abdallah Walid F. , Roos Kenneth P. , Jordan Maria C. , Trac Brandon , Lee Han Shin , Comai Lucio , Reddy Sita
Published: August 2016

Myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1) exhibits distinctive disease specific phenotypes and the accelerated onset of a spectrum of age-associated pathologies. In DM1, dominant effects of expandedCUGrepeats result in part from the inactivation of the muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins. To test the role of MBNL3, we deleted Mbnl3 exon 2 (Mbnl3ΔE2) in mice and examined the onset of age-associated diseases over 4 to 13 months of age. Accelerated onset of glucose intolerance with elevated insulin levels, cardiac systole deficits, left ventricle hypertrophy, a predictor of a later onset of heart failure and the development of subcapsular and cortical cataracts is observed inMbnl3ΔE2mice. Retention of embryonic splice isoforms in adult organs, a prominent defect in DM1, is not observed in multiple RNAs including the Insulin Receptor (Insr), Cardiac Troponin T (Tnnt2), Lim Domain Binding 3 (Ldb3) RNAs inMbnl3ΔE2mice. Although rare DM1-like splice errors underlying the observed phenotypes cannot be excluded, our data in conjunction with the reported absence of alternative splice errors in embryonic muscles of a similarMbnl3ΔE2mouse by RNA-seq studies, suggest that mechanisms distinct from the adult retention of embryonic splice patterns may make important contributions to the onset of age-associated pathologies in DM1.
Label-free optical quantification of structural alterations in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lee Moosung , Lee Eeksung , Jung JaeHwang , Yu Hyeonseung , Kim Kyoohyun , Yoon Jonghee , Lee Shinhwa , Jeong Yong , Park YongKeun
Published: August 2016

We present a wide-field quantitative label-free imaging of mouse brain tissue slices with sub-micrometre resolution, employing holographic microscopy and an automated scanning platform. From the measured light field images, scattering coefficients and anisotropies are quantitatively retrieved by using the modified the scattering-phase theorem, which enables access to structural information about brain tissues. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate that these scattering parameters enable us to quantitatively address structural alteration in the brain tissues of mice with Alzheimer’s disease.
Coupling with a narrow-band-gap semiconductor for the enhancement of visible-light photocatalytic activity: preparation of Bi2OxS3−x/Nb6O17 and application to the degradation of methyl orange
Authors: Yan Gang , Shi Hongfei , Tan Huaqiao , Zhu Wanbin , Wang Yonghui , Zang Hongying , Li Yangguang
Published: August 2016

A new 2D sheet composite Bi2OxS3−x/Nb6O17 has been prepared, which shows good visible light photocatalytic performance for the degradation of methyl orange.
Ultrathin amorphous α-Co(OH)2nanosheets grown on Ag nanowire surfaces as a highly active and durable electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Kim Hyeonghun , Kim Youngmin , Noh Yuseong , Kim Won Bae
Published: August 2016

Simply prepared ultrathin α-Co(OH)2nanosheets grown on silver nanowires exhibit highly active and durable catalytic behavior for the oxygen evolution reaction.
Modelling of the production of ACE inhibitory hydrolysates of horse mackerel using proteases mixtures
Authors: Pérez-Gálvez R. , Morales-Medina R. , Espejo-Carpio F. , Guadix A. , Guadix E. M.
Published: August 2016

Fish protein hyrolysates from Mediterranean horse mackerel were produced by using a mixture of two commercial endoproteases (i.e. subtilisin and trypsin) at different levels of substrate concentration, temperature and percentage of subtilisin in the enzyme mixture.
Regulatory parameters of self-healing alginate hydrogel networks prepared via mussel-inspired dynamic chemistry
Authors: Alegre-Requena Juan V. , Häring Marleen , Herrera Raquel P. , Díaz Díaz David
Published: August 2016

Key parameters that influence the self-healing and water retention properties of hydrogels made of alginate–dopamine conjugates have been revealed.
Advances in the development of catalytic tethering directing groups for C–H functionalization reactions
Authors: Sun Huan , Guimond Nicolas , Huang Yong
Published: August 2016

Inspired by the development of organocatalysis, transition-metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization reactions using tethering groups to accomplish site-selectivity catalytically have been demonstrated.
Gold nanoparticles/silver-bipyridine hybrid nanobelts with tuned peroxidase-like activity
Authors: Boujakhrout Abderrahmane , Díez Paula , Martínez-Ruíz Paloma , Sánchez Alfredo , Parrado Concepción , Povedano Eloy , Soto Paul , Pingarrón José M. , Villalonga Reynaldo
Published: August 2016

Novel Au nanoparticles-doped silver-bipyridine coordination polymers with fractal morphology and intrinsic peroxidase-like activity were prepared.
Carbon dots reduced and stabilized silver nanoclusters: synthesis and formation mechanisms
Authors: Jin Jian-Cheng , Xu Zi-Qiang , Zou Han-Feng , Zhou Zhi-Qiang , Yang Qi-Qi , Wang Bei-Bei , Jiang Feng-Lei , Liu Yi
Published: August 2016

Red emitting silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have been synthesized by using carbon nanodots (CDs) as reductants and stabilizer at a high temperature of 80 °C in ethanol.
Gold nanosheets synthesized with red marine alga Actinotrichia fragilis as efficient electrocatalysts toward formic acid oxidation
Authors: Momeni Safieh , Safavi Afsaneh , Ahmadi Raheleh , Nabipour Iraj
Published: August 2016

In this study, gold nanosheets were synthesized with red marine alga (Actinotrichia fragilis) collected from Persian Gulf and used as an electrocatalyst for oxidation of formic acid.
Best of both worlds: Diels–Alder chemistry towards fabrication of redox-responsive degradable hydrogels for protein release
Authors: Altinbasak Ismail , Sanyal Rana , Sanyal Amitav
Published: August 2016

Poly(ethylene glycol)-based redox-responsive hydrogels have been preparedviathe Diels–Alder reaction between a furan-containing hydrophilic copolymer and a disulfide-containing bis-maleimide based crosslinker.
Encapsulation of tungstophosphoric acid into harmless MIL-101(Fe) for effectively removing cationic dye from aqueous solution
Authors: Zhu Ting-Ting , Zhang Zhi-Ming , Chen Wei-Lin , Liu Zhu-Jun , Wang En-Bo
Published: August 2016

H3PW12O40 was incorporated into cages of harmless MIL-101(Fe). The composite material exhibited excellent adsorption performance for the cationic dyes MB and RhB, can be utilized in the selective capture and separation of organic dyes in water and is reusable and stable.
Unified synthesis of mono/bis-arylated phenols via RhIII-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling
Authors: Wu Qian , Chen Ying , Yan Dingyuan , Zhang Muyue , Lu Yi , Sun Wei-Yin , Zhao Jing
Published: August 2016

2,6-Bis-arylated phenols are rarely reported and synthetically challenging. We report that switching between internal and external oxidation could be a general strategy to realize these bis-functionalized products.
Wireless channel characterisation for IEEE 802.15.4 in railroad scenario
Authors: Lee Jingu , Kim Daehyun , Kim Younglok
Published: August 2016

In a train monitoring system, the sensor data measured at the train wheel, near the axle needs to be transmitted to a receiver located within the passenger car. The condition of the wireless channel from the outside to the inside of the train is critical because there are several metal parts between the transmitter and receiver. In addition, the channel variation characteristics change according to the area in which the train is driven. Hence, analyses of the wireless channel conditions are important for the successful transmission of the sensed data. Here, the channel profiles are estimated based on the data measured during various driving scenarios. The channel variation statistics are characterised by a probability function with certain key wireless channel parameters. In all the scenarios, the extreme value distribution in the dB scale is well matched with the channel statistics. A practical research of a railroad wireless sensor network is presented in this Letter and it is expected to be the basis for further simulation studies.
Variable‐speed wind energy conversion system based on a dual stator‐winding induction generator
Authors: Barrado‐Rodrigo Jose Antonio , Talpone Juan Ignacio , Martinez‐Salamero Luis
Published: August 2016

This study presents a wind energy conversion system based on a dual stator‐winding induction generator. The generator can work at variable wind speed and can also be connected to the grid. The proposed energy conversion system presents three operation zones that depend on the wind speed and are delimited by the power ratio assigned to each of the two stator windings. The generator design starts from a three‐phase squirrel‐cage induction machine and allows a simple assembling of the new windings, what results in an economical, robust and reliable machine. These features make the generator appropriate for wind energy conversion systems located in remote places or in developing areas with limited resources, as well as for distributed generation systems and microgrids. This report also includes experimental and simulation results of the generator operation in the three working areas.
A review of hybrid systems including photovoltaic solar energy: General aspects in Mexico
Authors: Belman-Flores J. M. , Camacho-Vázquez G. , Rodríguez-Muñoz A. P.
Published: August 2016

Research on hybrid systems has emerged in recent years due to the current and growing global interest in the search for energy resources that lead to a decrease in fossil fuel use for power generation. Such systems are coupled to both conventional and non-conventional sources. Therefore, in this paper we present a review of hybrid energy systems, with emphasis on those which are engaged in photovoltaic solar energy. The purpose is to identify the different integration frameworks and types of storage capacities according to energy demand, geographic area, and other parameters. Finally, an overview of Mexico in relation to hybrid systems is presented as an attempt to motivate researchers, industry, and government to implement and develop these systems.
Computational Studies on the Encapsulation of 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivatives into CNT(10,10)
Authors: Dutra Loraine Morete , Vital de Oliveira Osmair , Divino dos Santos José
Published: July 2016

Semiempirical and density functional theory (DFT) methods were herein used to study the encapsulation process of 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives into (10,10) armchair carbon nanotube (CNT(10,10)). The encapsulated DHPs do not affect the overall structural and electronic properties of the CNT(10,10). The following binding energy was obtained from DFT-D3 calculations: DHP_Cl2@CNT(10,10) (–62.36 kcal mol–1) < DHP_Ph@CNT(10,10) (–54.71 kcal mol–1) < DHP_OH@CNT(10,10) (–43.92 kcal mol–1) < DHP_NO2@CNT(10,10) (–41.71 kcal mol–1) < DHP_H@CNT(10,10) (–32.74 kcal mol–1). The increase in the dipole moment for all DHPs@CNT(10,10) indicates their partial solubility in water. Our results play a promising role as a guide for future experiments using CNTs as a vehicle to transport DHP derivatives.
Social landscape of the night parrot in western Queensland, Australia
Authors: Garnett Stephen T. , Kleinschmidt Mark , Jackson Micha V. , Zander Kerstin K. , Murphy Stephen A.
Published: July 2016

The attitudes of the owners or managers of properties potentially supporting populations of night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) in western Queensland, Australia, were explored using interviews to understand whether they would be sympathetic to the species’ conservation. Eighteen interviews were carried out by a former member of the local grazing community and found a high level of support for conservation, especially if it did not unduly disrupt existing grazing management practices and there was compensation in the event property management needed to change. This included trying to limit burning and not overgrazing habitat in which the parrot might occur. It also included the cessation of wild dog baiting, which is conducted to reduce calf losses, although concern about wild dogs was deeply entrenched. While some graziers were indifferent, none were openly antagonistic to parrot conservation that might involve their property. The results suggest that collaborative management with local graziers can contribute substantially to conservation of the night parrot in the region and any fears that graziers might be antagonistic to night parrot conservation are ill-founded.
Effect of Tributyltin, Cadmium, and Their Combination on Physiological Responses in Juvenile Grass Carp
Authors: Mu Wei-Na , Li Zhi-Hua , Zhong Li-Qiao , Wu Yan-Hua
Published: August 2016

Tributyltin (TBT) and cadmium (Cd) are two common pollutants in aquatic environments. This study was designed to examine the physiological responses of juvenile Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella to TBT, Cd, and their combination. Fish were apportioned into a control group, a TBT group (7.5 μg/L), a Cd group (2.97 mg/L), and a TBT–Cd group (7.5 μg/L TBT, 2.97 mg/L Cd2+) for 7 d. The following activities were measured: Na+,K+-ATPase in gill tissues; nitric oxide synthase (NOS), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) in brain tissues; and lipid peroxidation (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), and glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues. Cadmium-induced stress was suggested by alterations in antioxidant responses (MDA, LPO, and T-AOC) and neurological parameters (AChE, MAO, and NOS). Cadmium also induced Na+,K+-ATPase and GSH activity. Compared with the responses among the Cd group, the combination of TBT and Cd not only decreased the level of GSH and Na+,K+-ATPase but also increased the levels of MDA, LPO, AChE, MAO, and NOS. These results suggest that a combination of TBT and Cd could reduce the adverse effects of Cd on Grass Carp. However, the exact mechanisms for the combined effects TBT and Cd on these biomarkers require further investigation.

Received September 28, 2015; accepted April 17, 2016 Published online August 2, 2016
Eutrophication, Ammonia Intoxication, and Infectious Diseases: Interdisciplinary Factors of Mass Mortalities in Cultured Nile Tilapia
Authors: Abu-Elala Nermeen M. , Abd-Elsalam Reham M. , Marouf Sherif , Abdelaziz Mohamed , Moustafa Mohamed
Published: August 2016

The present study was designed to assess the possible causes of the mass mortalities of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus at El-Behera Governorate, Egypt, in relationship to environmental and microbiotic factors. Water samples were collected from fish farms at different locations and from Lake Edku to analyze water temperature, water pH, salinity, biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total ammonia nitrogen, and un-ionized ammonia. A number of moribund and freshly dead fish were sampled and submitted to our laboratory for microbiological, molecular, and histopathological examination. Water analysis of the fish farms revealed noticeable increases in the previously mentioned physicochemical parameters. Clinical examinations of moribund fish showed severe gill rot and massive external and internal hemorrhages. Ordinary and molecular laboratory findings confirmed the presence of Branchiomyces sp. in gill tissue and mixed bacterial fish pathogens (Streptococcus agalactiae, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas anguilliseptica, and P. aeruginosa) in visceral organs. The histopathological and transmission electron microscopic examinations revealed severe necrosis of gill filaments and blockage of branchial blood vessels and lamellar capillaries with Branchiomyces sp. hyphae and spores mixed with different shapes of bacteria. Severe inflammations were detected in liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissues. Ultimately, we can conclude that the syndrome of mass fish kills in this area is a consequence of ecological damage to the aquatic environment, which is mainly related to natural and anthropogenic factors, as well as to the presence of infectious agents.

Received September 30, 2015; accepted April 12, 2016 Published online August 2, 2016
Effects of evolution of nanoscale copper precipitation and copper content on mechanical properties of high-strength steel weld metal
Authors: Wang H. H. , Tong Z. , Hou T. P. , Wu K. M. , Mehmood T.
Published: August 2016

Nanoscale copper precipitation in high-strength weld metal was characterised by using atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy. In as-deposited zone, there was no copper precipitation. During welding thermal cycling, nanoscale copper of 2–3 nm in radius precipitated with face-centred cubic (FCC) and body-centred cubic (BCC) structure. During post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), FCC copper precipitate became coarsen and BCC transformed into FCC. The highest hardness was in the reheated zone which subjected to the peak temperature below 500°C; while the lowest hardness was both in deposited zone and the reheated zone which subjected to the peak temperature greater than 810°C. After PWHT, the hardness became homogenous as well as decreased. With increasing copper content, the hardness was increased and the toughness was slightly decreased. After PWHT, the toughness decreased due to the change in the structure of copper precipitates.
Predators risk injury too: the evolution of derring-do in a predator–prey foraging game
Authors: Brown Joel S. , Embar Keren , Hancock Eric , Kotler Burt P.
Published: August 2016

Derring-do is how aggressive a predator is in stalking and capturing prey. We model predator–prey interactions in which prey adjust vigilance behavior to mitigate risk of predation and predators their derring-do to manage risk of injury from capturing prey. High derring-do increases a predator's likelihood of capturing prey, but at higher risk of injury to itself. For fixed predator derring-do, prey increase vigilance in response to predator abundance, predator lethality, and predator encounter probability with prey and decrease vigilance with their own feeding rate; there is a humped-shaped relationship between prey vigilance and effectiveness of vigilance. For fixed prey vigilance, predators increase derring-do with the abundance of prey and predator lethality and decrease it with benefit of vigilance to prey and level of prey vigilance. When both prey and predator are behaviorally flexible, a predator–prey foraging game ensues whose solution represents an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). At the ESS, prey provide themselves with a public good as their vigilance causes predators to decrease derring-do. Conversely, predators have negative indirect effects on themselves as their derring-do causes prey to be more vigilant. These behavioral feedbacks create negative intra-specific interaction coefficients. Increasing the population size of prey (or predators) now has a direct negative effect on the prey (or predators). Both effects help stabilize predator–prey dynamics. Besides highlighting a common way by which predators may experience a food-safety tradeoff via dangerous prey, the model suggests why natural selection favors even small defensive measures by prey and hulky predators.
Inter‐disciplinarity in sport sciences: The neuroscience example*
Authors: Fargier Patrick , Collet Christian , Moran Aidan , Massarelli Raphaël
Published: August 2016

Sport science is a relatively recent domain of research born from the interactions of different disciplines related to sport. According to the European College of sport science (http://sport‐science.org): “scientific excellence in sport science is based on disciplinary competence embedded in the understanding that its essence lies in its multi‐ and interdisciplinary character”. In this respect, the scientific domain of neuroscience has been developed within such a framework. Influenced by the apparent homogeneity of this scientific domain, the present paper reviews three important research topics in sport from a neuroscientific perspective. These topics concern the relationship between mind and motor action, the effects of cognition on motor performance, and the study of certain mental states (such as the “flow” effect, see below) and motor control issues to understand, for example, the neural substrates of the vertical squat jump. Based on the few extensive examples shown in this review, we argue that by adopting an interdisciplinary paradigm, sport science can emulate neuroscience in becoming a mono‐discipline.
Can I Get me out of my Head? Exploring Strategies for Controlling the Self-Referential Aspects of the Mind-Wandering State during Reading
Authors: Sanders Jet G. , Wang Hao-Ting , Schooler Jonathan , Smallwood Jonathan
Published: August 2016

Trying to focus on a piece of text and keep unrelated thoughts at bay can be a surprisingly futile experience. The current study explored the effects of different instructions on participants’ capacity to control their mind-wandering and maximize reading comprehension, while reading. Participants were instructed to (a) enhance focus on what was read (external) or (b) enhance meta-awareness of mind-wandering (internal). To understand when these strategies were important, we induced a state of self-focus in half of our participants at the beginning of the experiment. Results replicated the negative association between mind-wandering and comprehension and demonstrated that both internal and external instructions impacted on the efficiency of reading following a period of induced self-focus. Techniques that foster meta-awareness improved task focus but did so at the detriment of reading comprehension, while promoting a deeper engagement while reading improved comprehension with no changes in reported mind-wandering. These data provide insight into how we can control mind-wandering and improve comprehension, and they underline that a state of self-focus is a condition under which they should be employed. Furthermore, these data support component process models that propose that the self-referent mental contents that arise during mind-wandering are distinguishable from those processes that interfere with comprehension.
Using Movements and Habitat Utilization as a Functional Metric of Restoration for Estuarine Juvenile Fish Habitat
Authors: Freedman Ryan M. , Espasandin Carrie , Holcombe Erika F. , Whitcraft Christine R. , Allen Bengt J. , Witting David , Lowe Christopher G.
Published: August 2016

Resource managers use habitat restoration to offset estuarine habitat loss; however, there is limited information about how functionally successful restorations have been, particularly with respect to their use by mobile marine predators. Restoration monitoring efforts typically use point-of-capture metrics to assess fish community recovery and habitat use, but this provides little insight into how fish habitat use changes through time. Using translocation experiments, we integrated the movements of California Halibut Paralichthys californicus, a conservation target species, into a point-of-capture monitoring program in a restored tidal creek estuary. Large halibut (>25 cm) were captured more frequently in the main stream channel, while small ones (<25 cm) were typically caught in the innermost marsh creeks. We actively tracked these fish (n = 20; size range = 26.6–60.5 cm TL) acoustically to identify their preferred habitats and challenged these habitat associations by means of translocations to a different habitats. Large fish tended to have small localized convex hull activity spaces, remaining in areas with high water flow and sandy substratum near eelgrass Zostera marina beds. Individuals that were translocated to marshes returned to the channel and exhibited movements over long distances from their initial locations to their last tracked positions; however, fish that were translocated from marshes to the channel remained in channel habitat and moved smaller distances between their first and last tracked points. Large halibut likely selected the channel because higher water flow would lead to higher concentrations of prey. Small halibut used marshes more frequently, likely because marshes have temperatures thought to maximize growth rates. Our study can serve as a proof of concept that linking point-of-capture and tracking data provides valuable information for habitat restoration, including the fact that California Halibut utilize estuaries in a size-segregated manner based on environmental conditions. This suggests that tidal creek estuaries with a variety of channel types and morphologies—like our study site—are well-suited to support this species.

Received August 18, 2015; accepted March 1, 2016
Appraisal of geodynamic inversion results: a data mining approach
Authors: Baumann T. S.
Published: July 2016

Bayesian sampling based inversions require many thousands or even millions of forward models, depending on how nonlinear or non-unique the inverse problem is, and how many unknowns are involved. The result of such a probabilistic inversion is not a single ‘best-fit’ model, but rather a probability distribution that is represented by the entire model ensemble. Often, a geophysical inverse problem is non-unique, and the corresponding posterior distribution is multimodal, meaning that the distribution consists of clusters with similar models that represent the observations equally well. In these cases, we would like to visualize the characteristic model properties within each of these clusters of models. However, even for a moderate number of inversion parameters, a manual appraisal for a large number of models is not feasible. This poses the question whether it is possible to extract end-member models that represent each of the best-fit regions including their uncertainties. Here, I show how a machine learning tool can be used to characterize end-member models, including their uncertainties, from a complete model ensemble that represents a posterior probability distribution. The model ensemble used here results from a nonlinear geodynamic inverse problem, where rheological properties of the lithosphere are constrained from multiple geophysical observations. It is demonstrated that by taking vertical cross-sections through the effective viscosity structure of each of the models, the entire model ensemble can be classified into four end-member model categories that have a similar effective viscosity structure. These classification results are helpful to explore the non-uniqueness of the inverse problem and can be used to compute representative data fits for each of the end-member models. Conversely, these insights also reveal how new observational constraints could reduce the non-uniqueness. The method is not limited to geodynamic applications and a generalized MATLAB code is provided to perform the appraisal analysis.
Pediatric computed tomography practice in Japanese university hospitals from 2008–2010: did it differ from German practice?
Authors: Yoshida Koji , Krille Lucian , Dreger Steffen , Hoenig Lars , Merzenich Hiltrud , Yasui Kiyotaka , Kumagai Atsushi , Ohtsuru Akira , Uetani Masataka , Mildenberger Peter , Takamura Noboru , Yamashita Shunichi , Zeeb Hajo , Kudo Takashi
Published: July 2016

Computed tomography (CT) is an essential tool in modern medicine and is frequently used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, particularly in industrial countries, such as Japan and Germany. However, markedly higher doses of ionizing radiation are delivered during CT imaging than during conventional X-ray examinations. To assess pediatric CT practice patterns, data from three university hospital databases (two in Japan and one in Germany) were analyzed. Anonymized data for patients aged 0 to 14 years who had undergone CT examinations between 2008 and 2010 were extracted. To assess CT practice, an interdisciplinary classification scheme for CT indications, which incorporated the most common examination types and radiosensitive tissues, was developed. The frequency of CT examinations was determined according to sex, age at examination, and indications. A total of 5182 CT examinations were performed in 2955 children. Overall, the frequency of CT examinations at the Japanese university hospitals did not differ significantly from that at the German hospital. However, differences were detected in the age distribution of the patients who underwent CT examinations (the proportion of patients <5 years of age was significantly higher in Japan than in Germany) and in the indications for CT. Substantial practice differences regarding the use of CT in pediatric health care were detected between the three hospitals. The results of this study point towards a need for approaches such as clinical guidelines to reduce unwarranted medical radiation exposures, particularly abdominal and head CT, in the Japanese health system.
NIHAO X: reconciling the local galaxy velocity function with cold dark matter via mock H i observations
Authors: Macciò Andrea V. , Udrescu Silviu M. , Dutton Aaron A. , Obreja Aura , Wang Liang , Stinson Greg R. , Kang Xi
Published: July 2016

We used 87 high-resolution hydrodynamical cosmological simulations from the NIHAO suite to investigate the relation between the maximum circular velocity ($V_{\rm max}^{\rm DM}$) of a dark matter halo in a collisionless simulation and the velocity width of the H i gas in the same halo in the hydrodynamical simulation. These two quantities are normally used to compare theoretical and observational velocity functions and have led to a possible discrepancy between observations and predictions based on the cold dark matter (CDM) model. We show that below 100 km s−1, there is clear bias between H i -based velocities and $V_{\rm max}^{\rm DM}$, that leads to an underestimation of the actual circular velocity of the halo. When this bias is taken into account, the CDM model has no trouble in reproducing the observed velocity function and no lack of low-velocity galaxies is actually present. Our simulations also reproduce the linewidth–stellar mass (Tully–Fisher) relation and H i sizes, indicating that the H i gas in our simulations is as extended as observed. The physical reason for the lower than expected linewidths is that, in contrast to high-mass galaxies, low-mass galaxies no longer have extended thin H i rotating discs, as is commonly assumed.
Orphan γ-ray flares from relativistic blobs encountering luminous stars
Authors: Banasiński P. , Bednarek W. , Sitarek J.
Published: July 2016

We propose that γ-rays in blazars can be produced during encounters of relativistic blobs of plasma with radiation field produced by luminous stars within (or close to) the jet. The blob is expected to contain relativistic electrons which Comptonize stellar radiation to the GeV–TeV energies. Produced γ-rays can initiate the inverse Compton e± pair cascade in the stellar radiation. We propose that such a scenario can be responsible for the appearance of the so-called orphan γ-ray flares. We show that the relativistic blob/luminous star collision model can explain the appearance of the extreme orphan γ-ray flare observed in the GeV and sub-TeV energy range from the flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1222+21.
Three-lane and multilane signatures of planets in planetesimal discs
Authors: Demidova Tatiana V. , Shevchenko Ivan I.
Published: July 2016

In massive numerical experiments we show that a planet embedded in a planetesimal disc induces a characteristic multilane ‘planetosignature’ representing a pattern of several stellar-centric rings. If the planet's mass is large enough, the multilane signature degenerates to a three-lane one: then it consists of three rings, one bright co-orbital with the planet, and two dark gaps in the radial distribution of the particles. The gaps correspond to orbital resonances 2:1 and 1:2 with the planet. This theoretical prediction may explain recent ALMA observations of the disc of HL Tau.
Male-biased sex allocation in ageing parents; a longitudinal study in a long-lived seabird
Authors: Vedder Oscar , Bouwhuis Sandra , Benito María M. , Becker Peter H.
Published: August 2016

Optimal sex allocation is frequency-dependent, but senescence may cause behaviour at old age to be suboptimal. We investigated whether sex allocation changes with parental age, using 16 years of data comprising more than 2500 molecularly sexed offspring of more than 600 known-age parents in common terns (
Sterna hirundo
), slightly sexually size-dimorphic seabirds. We decomposed parental age effects into within-individual change and sex allocation-associated selective (dis)appearance. Individual parents did not differ consistently in sex allocation, but offspring sex ratios at fledging changed from female- to male-biased as parents aged. Sex ratios at hatching were not related to parental age, suggesting sons to outperform daughters after hatching in broods of old parents. Our results call for the integration of sex allocation theory with theory on ageing and demography, as a change in sex allocation with age
per se
will cause the age structure of a population to affect the frequency-dependent benefits and the age-specific strength of selection on sex allocation.
Evaluating empirical contact networks as potential transmission pathways for infectious diseases
Authors: VanderWaal Kimberly , Enns Eva A. , Picasso Catalina , Packer Craig , Craft Meggan E.
Published: August 2016

Networks are often used to incorporate heterogeneity in contact patterns in mathematical models of pathogen spread. However, few tools exist to evaluate whether potential transmission pathways in a population are adequately represented by an observed contact network. Here, we describe a novel permutation-based approach, the network
k
-test, to determine whether the pattern of cases within the observed contact network are likely to have resulted from transmission processes in the network, indicating that the network represents potential transmission pathways between nodes. Using simulated data of pathogen spread, we compare the power of this approach to other commonly used analytical methods. We test the robustness of this technique across common sampling constraints, including undetected cases, unobserved individuals and missing interaction data. We also demonstrate the application of this technique in two case studies of livestock and wildlife networks. We show that the power of the
k
-test to correctly identify the epidemiologic relevance of contact networks is substantially greater than other methods, even when 50% of contact or case data are missing. We further demonstrate that the impact of missing data on network analysis depends on the structure of the network and the type of missing data.
Elasto-capillarity in insect fibrillar adhesion
Authors: Gernay Sophie , Federle Walter , Lambert Pierre , Gilet Tristan
Published: August 2016

The manipulation of microscopic objects is challenging because of high adhesion forces, which render macroscopic gripping strategies unsuitable. Adhesive footpads of climbing insects could reveal principles relevant for micro-grippers, as they are able to attach and detach rapidly during locomotion. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this work, we characterize the geometry and contact formation of the adhesive setae of dock beetles (
Gastrophysa viridula
) by interference reflection microscopy. We compare our experimental results to the model of an elastic beam loaded with capillary forces. Fitting the model to experimental data yielded not only estimates for seta adhesion and compliance in agreement with previous direct measurements, but also previously unknown parameters such as the volume of the fluid meniscus and the bending stiffness of the tip. In addition to confirming the primary role of surface tension for insect adhesion, our investigation reveals marked differences in geometry and compliance between the three main kinds of seta tips in leaf beetles.
Magnetic resonance and ultrasound contrast imaging of polymer-shelled microbubbles loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Sciallero Claudia , Balbi Luca , Paradossi Gaio , Trucco Andrea
Published: August 2016

Dual-mode contrast agents (CAs) have great potential for improving diagnostics. However, the effectiveness of CAs is strictly related to both the solution adopted to merge the two agents into a single probe unit, and the ratio between the two agents. In this study, two dual-mode CAs for simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging (UI) were assessed. For this purpose, different densities of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were anchored to the external surface of polymer-shelled microbubbles (MBs) or were physically entrapped into the shell.
In vitro
static and dynamic experiments were carried out with a limited concentration of modified MBs (10
6
 bubbles ml
−1
) by avoiding destruction during UI (performed at a peak pressure lower than 320 kPa) and by using a low-field MRI system (with a magnetic flux density equal to 0.25 T). Under these conditions, different imaging techniques, set-up parameters and SPION densities were used to achieve satisfactory detection of the CAs by using both UI and MRI. However, when the SPION density was increased, the MRI contrast improved, whereas the UI contrast worsened due to the reduced elasticity of the MB shell. For both UI and MRI, MBs with externally anchored SPIONs provided better performance than MBs with SPIONs entrapped into the shell. In particular, a SPION density of 29% with respect to the mass of the MBs was successfully tested.
Multimodal signals: ultraviolet reflectance and chemical cues in stomatopod agonistic encounters
Authors: Franklin Amanda M. , Marshall N. Justin , Lewis Sara M.
Published: August 2016

Complex signals are commonly used during intraspecific contests over resources to assess an opponent's fighting ability and/or aggressive state. Stomatopod crustaceans may use complex signals when competing aggressively for refuges. Before physical attacks, stomatopods assess their opponents using chemical cues and perform threat displays showing a coloured patch, the meral spot. In some species, this spot reflects UV. However, despite their complex visual system with up to 20 photoreceptor classes, we do not know if stomatopods use chromatic or achromatic signals in contests. In a field study, we found thatNeogonodactylus oerstediimeral spot luminance varies with sex, habitat and, more weakly, body length. Next, we conducted an experimental manipulation which demonstrated that both chemical cues and chromatic signals are used during contests. In the absence of chemical cues, stomatopods approached an occupied refuge more quickly and performed offensive behaviours at a lower rate. When UV reflectance was absent, stomatopods performed offensive behaviours more frequently and contest duration trended towards shorter fights. These results provide new evidence that UV reflectance and/or visible spectrum luminance is used to amplify threat displays. Our results are the first to demonstrate that chemical and chromatic cues comprise a multimodal signal in stomatopod contests.
Three-dimensional water impact at normal incidence to a blunt structure
Authors: Chatjigeorgiou I. K. , Cooker M. J. , Korobkin A. A.
Published: August 2016

The three-dimensional water impact onto a blunt structure with a spreading rectangular contact region is studied. The structure is mounted on a flat rigid plane with the impermeable curved surface of the structure perpendicular to the plane. Before impact, the water region is a rectangular domain of finite thickness bounded from below by the rigid plane and above by the flat free surface. The front free surface of the water region is vertical, representing the front of an advancing steep wave. The water region is initially advancing towards the structure at a constant uniform speed. We are concerned with the slamming loads acting on the surface of the structure during the initial stage of water impact. Air, gravity and surface tension are neglected. The problem is analysed by using some ideas of pressure-impulse theory, but including the time-dependence of the wetted area of the structure. The flow caused by the impact is three-dimensional and incompressible. The distribution of the pressure-impulse (the time-integral of pressure) over the surface of the structure is analysed and compared with the distributions provided by strip theories. The total impulse exerted on the structure during the impact stage is evaluated and compared with numerical and experimental predictions. An example calculation is presented of water impact onto a vertical rigid cylinder. Three-dimensional effects on the slamming loads are the main concern in this study.
Wave–structure interactions for the distensible tube wave energy converter
Authors: Smith Warren R.
Published: August 2016

A comprehensive linear mathematical model is constructed to address the open problem of the radiated wave for the distensible tube wave energy converter. This device, full of sea water and located just below the surface of the sea, undergoes a complex interaction with the waves running along its length. The result is a bulge wave in the tube which, providing certain criteria are met, grows in amplitude and captures the wave energy through the power take-off mechanism. Successful optimization of the device means capturing the energy from a much larger width of the sea waves (capture width). To achieve this, the complex interaction between the incident gravity waves, radiated waves and bulge waves is investigated. The new results establish the dependence of the capture width on absorption of the incident wave, energy loss owing to work done on the tube, imperfect tuning and the radiated wave. The new results reveal also that the wave–structure interactions govern the amplitude, phase, attenuation and wavenumber of the transient bulge wave. These predictions compare well with experimental observations.
Beyond Brownian motion and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process: Stochastic diffusion models for the evolution of quantitative characters
Authors: Blomberg Simon Phillip
Published: August 2016

Gaussian processes such as Brownian motion and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process have been popular models for the evolution of quantitative traits and are widely used in phylogenetic comparative methods. However, they have drawbacks which limit their utility. Here I describe new, non-Gaussian stochastic differential equation (diffusion) models of quantitative trait evolution. I present general methods for deriving new diffusion models, and discuss possible schemes for fitting non-Gaussian evolutionary models to trait data. The theory of stochastic processes provides a mathematical framework for understanding the properties of current, new and future phylogenetic comparative methods. Attention to the mathematical details of models of trait evolution and diversification may help avoid some pitfalls when using stochastic processes to model macroevolution.
CCP-FEL: a collection of computer programs for free-electron laser research
Authors: Maia Filipe R. N. C. , White Thomas A. , Loh N. Duane , Hajdu Janos
Published: July 2016

The latest virtual special issue ofJournal of Applied Crystallography(http://journals.iucr.org/special_issues/2016/ccpfel) collects software for free-electron laser research and presents tools for a range of topics such as simulation of experiments, online monitoring of data collection, selection of hits, diagnostics of data quality, data management, data analysis and structure determination for both nanocrystallography and single-particle diffractive imaging. This article provides an introduction to the special issue.