bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphene nanoribbon wrapped cobalt manganite nanocubes for high performance all-solid-state flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Ujjain Sanjeev K. , Ahuja Preety , Sharma Raj K.
Published: April 2015

Graphene nanoribbon (GNR) wrapped nanocubes of cobalt manganite (CoMn2O4) synthesized by hydrothermal processing formed high performance flexible supercapacitor.
Cobalt sulfide nanosheets coated on NiCo2S4 nanotube arrays as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Fu Wenbin , Zhao Changhui , Han Weihua , Liu Ying , Zhao Hao , Ma Yufang , Xie Erqing
Published: April 2015

NiCo2S4@CoSx core/shell nanotube arrays have been successfully synthesized and used to optimize the capacitive performance of electrochemical supercapacitors.
Low-temperature SnO2-based electron selective contact for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Song Jiaxing , Zheng Enqiang , Bian Ji , Wang Xiao-Feng , Tian Wenjing , Sanehira Yoshitaka , Miyasaka Tsutomu
Published: April 2015

We demonstrated compact SnO2thin films prepared by sinter-less spin-coating processes as an electron selective contact for CH3NH3PbI3-based planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Sensing trace arsenate by surface enhanced Raman scattering using a FeOOH doped dendritic Ag nanostructure
Authors: Pradhan Mukul , Maji Siddhartha , Sinha Arun Kumar , Dutta Soumen , Pal Tarasankar
Published: April 2015

SERS based arsenic detection at ∼10−10M level with a FeOOH doped (3.5%) uniform dendritic Ag nanostructure. Area mapping shows the uniformity of the SERS substrate taking arsenate as the probe molecule.
Functionalized Pluronic-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) based nanocarriers of paclitaxel: solubilization, antiproliferative efficacy and in vivo pharmaceutic kinetics
Authors: Du Zhengzhen , Zhang Yan , Xu Heng , Lang Meidong
Published: April 2015

Novel paclitaxel (PTX) nanocarriers were developed based on the Pluronic-based pentablock copolymer and their pharmaceutical behaviours were thoroughly evaluated.
Supplementing π-systems: eumelanin and graphene-like integration towards highly conductive materials for the mammalian cell culture bio-interface
Authors: Gargiulo Valentina , Alfè Michela , Capua Roberto Di , Togna Anna Rita , Cammisotto Vittoria , Fiorito Silvana , Musto Anna , Navarra Angelica , Parisi Silvia , Pezzella Alessandro
Published: April 2015

Eumelanin and graphene-like integration towards a competitive exploitation in the materials science of the melanic human pigment.
Design of magnetic nanoparticles for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment using the control mechanisms of the cell internal nucleus and external membrane
Authors: Zhan Xiuyu , Guan Yan-Qing
Published: April 2015

This work is helpful for developing nanoparticle drugs that assure the molecular control of both the cell inner nucleus and outer membrane.
Development of a conjugated polymer-based fluorescent probe for selective detection of HOCl
Authors: Wang Han , Li Ying , Chen Ying , Li Lianshan , Fang Tao , Tang Zhiyong
Published: April 2015

A novel fluorescent probe based on semiconducting conjugated polymer (SCP) nanoparticles is fabricated, which demonstrates remarkable fluorescence “turn-off” response to hypochlorous acid (HOCl) due to the conjugation perturbation caused by selective oxidation of aniline groups by HOCl.
The mechanism of alkylamine-stabilized copper fine particles towards improving the electrical conductivity of copper films at low sintering temperature
Authors: Yong Yingqiong , Yonezawa Tetsu , Matsubara Masaki , Tsukamoto Hiroki
Published: April 2015

A facile oxidation process was demonstrated, for the first time, and it can facilitate particle sintering by generating nanostructures.
Differential effects of p38 and JNK activation by GSK3 on cadmium-induced autophagy and apoptosis
Authors: Jung Ki-Tae , Kim Hak-Ryul , Lee Byung-Hoon , Kim Seong-Hwan , So Keum-Young , An Tae-Hun , Lee Hyun-Young , Oh Seon-Hee
Published: April 2015

A proposed schematic model of the roles of p38 and JNK MAPK activation in the regulation of Cd-induced autophagy through site-specific phosphorylation in serine and tyrosine residues of GSK3αβ.
Glucocorticoids suppress GLP-1 secretion: possible contribution to their diabetogenic effects
Authors: Kappe Camilla , Fransson Liselotte , Wolbert Petra , Ortsäter Henrik
Published: April 2015

Evidence indicates that subtle abnormalities in GC (glucocorticoid) plasma concentrations and/or in tissue sensitivity to GCs are important in the metabolic syndrome, and it is generally agreed that GCs induce insulin resistance. In addition, it was recently reported that short-term exposure to GCs reduced the insulinotropic effects of the incretin GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). However, although defective GLP-1 secretion has been correlated with insulin resistance, potential direct effects of GCs on GLP-1-producing L-cell function in terms of GLP-1 secretion and apoptosis have not been studied in any greater detail. In the present study, we sought to determine whether GCs could exert direct effects on GLP-1-producing L-cells in terms of GLP-1 secretion and cell viability. We demonstrate that the GR (glucocorticoid receptor) is expressed in GLP-1-producing cells, where GR activation in response to dexamethasone induces SGK1 (serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1) expression, but did not influence preproglucagon expression or cell viability. In addition, dexamethasone treatment of enteroendocrine GLUTag cells reduced GLP-1 secretion induced by glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, fructose and potassium, whereas the secretory response to a phorbol ester was unaltered. Furthermore, in vivo administration of dexamethasone to rats reduced the circulating levels of GLP-1 concurrent with induction of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. We can conclude that GR activation in GLP-1-producing cells will diminish the secretory responsiveness of these cells to subsequent carbohydrate stimulation. These effects may not only elucidate the pathogenesis of steroid diabetes, but could ultimately contribute to the identification of novel molecular targets for controlling incretin secretion.
Hearing Care for Older Adults: Beyond the Audiology Clinic
Authors: Öberg Marie
Published: April 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of hearing health care beyond the clinic for older people with impaired hearing.

Method

This article emphasizes factors affecting the success of audiologic rehabilitation for older people and describes practical clinical and community-based strategies for promoting successful hearing health care.

Results

Older people are not always aware of the extent of their hearing loss, may not always expect to benefit from using a hearing aid, and often have low self-efficacy for managing to learn to use hearing aids. Increased knowledge and support from other health professionals, family caregivers, and significant others could optimize older peoples' participation in everyday activities.

Conclusion

Further work is needed to develop new interventions for older people with impaired hearing and to increase collaboration with general practitioners as well as other health care professionals.
Generalization in is Research: A Critique of the Conflicting Positions of Lee & Baskerville and Tsang & Williams
Authors: Seddon Peter B , Scheepers Rens
Published: April 2015

This paper is a companion to the paper on generalization in IS research by Williams and Tsang published in this edition of the Journal of Information Technology. Its purpose is to discuss the implications of the robust exchange of views about the meaning of the term ‘generalization’ in four papers, two by Lee and Baskerville, and two by Tsang and Williams. The objectives of this paper are, first, to help the reader understand the issues by summarizing the arguments in the four papers, and second, to assess the implications of the debate for future IS research. Our conclusion is that when the papers are interpreted from the perspectives of the respective pairs of authors, most of what they say is sound. However, because their perspectives are so different, their differences of opinion are also very real. As a way of showing that neither pair of authors’ conception of generalization is the ‘last word’ on this topic, the paper also compares key concepts from both pairs of authors with those from Seddon and Scheepers. It is argued that although the Seddon and Scheepers’ framework is also not the ‘last word’, it may prove more useful than either of the two preceding frameworks.
A monomeric complex of ammonia and cuprous chloride: H3N⋯CuCl isolated and characterised by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations
Authors: Bittner Dror M. , Zaleski Daniel P. , Stephens Susanna L. , Tew David P. , Walker Nicholas R. , Legon Anthony C.
Published: April 2015

The H3N⋯CuCl monomer has been generated and isolated in the gas phase through laser vaporisation of a copper sample in the presence of low concentrations of NH3 and CCl4 in argon. The resulting complex cools to a rotational temperature approaching 2 K during supersonic expansion of the gas sample and is characterised by broadband rotational spectroscopy between 7 and 18.5 GHz. The spectra of six isotopologues are measured and analysed to determine rotational, B0; centrifugal distortion, DJ, DJK; and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of Cu, Cl, and 14N nuclei, χaa (X). The geometry of the complex is C3v with the N, Cu, and Cl atoms located on the a inertial axis. Bond distances and the ∠(H —N⋯Cu) bond angle within the complex are precisely evaluated through fitting of geometrical parameters to the experimentally determined moments of inertia and through ab initio calculations at the CCSD(T)(F12*)/AVQZ level. The r(Cu —Cl), r(Cu —N), and ∠(H —N⋯Cu) parameters are, respectively, evaluated to be 2.0614(7) Å, 1.9182(13) Å, and 111.40(6)° in the r0 geometry, in good agreement with the ab initio calculations. Geometrical parameters evaluated for the isolated complex are compared with those established crystallographically for a solid-state sample of [Cu(NH3)Cl].
Super-resolution spectral estimation in short-time non-contact vital sign measurement
Authors: Sun Li , Li Yusheng , Hong Hong , Xi Feng , Cai Weidong , Zhu Xiaohua
Published: April 2015

Non-contact techniques for measuring vital signs attract great interest due to the benefits shown in medical monitoring, military application, etc. However, the presence of respiration harmonics caused by nonlinear phase modulation will result in performance degradation. Suffering from smearing and leakage problems, conventional discrete Fourier transform (DFT) based methods cannot distinguish the heartbeat component from closely located respiration harmonics in frequency domain, especially in short-time processing. In this paper, the theory of sparse reconstruction is merged with an extended harmonic model of vital signals, aiming at achieving a super-resolution spectral estimation of vital signals by additionally exploiting the inherent sparse prior information. Both simulated and experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has superior performance to DFT-based methods and the recently applied multiple signal classification algorithm, and the required processing window length has been shortened to 5.12 s.
Linear vs. nonlinear acceleration in plasma turbulence. I. Global versus local measures
Authors: Ghosh Sanjoy , Parashar Tulasi N.
Published: April 2015

Magnetized turbulent plasmas are generally characterized as strongly or weakly turbulent based on the average relative strengths of the linear and nonlinear terms. While this description is useful, it does not represent the full picture and can be misleading. We study the variation of linear and nonlinear accelerations in the Fourier space of a magnetohydrodynamic system with a mean magnetic field and broad selection of initial states and plasma parameters. We show that the local picture can show significant departures from what is expected from the general global picture. We find that high cross helicity systems that are traditionally believed to have relatively weaker nonlinearities, compared to low cross helicity systems, can show strong nonlinearities in parts of the Fourier space that are orthogonal to the mean magnetic field direction. In some cases, these nonlinearities can exceed in strength the level of nonlinearities recovered from low cross helicity systems.
Intrinsic excitability state of local neuronal population modulates signal propagation in feed-forward neural networks
Authors: Han Ruixue , Wang Jiang , Yu Haitao , Deng Bin , Wei Xilei , Qin Yingmei , Wang Haixu
Published: April 2015

Reliable signal propagation across distributed brain areas is an essential requirement for cognitive function, and it has been investigated extensively in computational studies where feed-forward network (FFN) is taken as a generic model. But it is still unclear how distinct local network states, which are intrinsically generated by synaptic interactions within each layer, would affect the ability of FFN to transmit information. Here we investigate the impact of such network states on propagating transient synchrony (synfire) and firing rate by a combination of numerical simulations and analytical approach. Specifically, local network dynamics is attributed to the competition between excitatory and inhibitory neurons within each layer. Our results show that concomitant with different local network states, the performance of signal propagation differs dramatically. For both synfire propagation and firing rate propagation, there exists an optimal local excitability state, respectively, that optimizes the performance of signal propagation. Furthermore, we find that long-range connections strongly change the dependence of spiking activity propagation on local network state and propose that these two factors work jointly to determine information transmission across distributed networks. Finally, a simple mean field approach that bridges response properties of long-range connectivity and local subnetworks is utilized to reveal the underlying mechanism.
Interdependence of electroforming and hydrogen incorporation in nanoporous titanium dioxide
Authors: Strungaru M. , Cerchez M. , Herbertz S. , Heinzel T. , El Achhab M. , Schierbaum K.
Published: April 2015

It is shown that in nanoporous titanium dioxide films, sensitivity to atmospheric hydrogen exposure and electroforming can coexist and are interdependent. The devices work as conventional hydrogen sensors below a threshold electric field while above it, the well-known electroforming is observed. Offering hydrogen in this regime accelerates the electroforming process, and in addition to the usual reversible increase of the conductance in response to the hydrogen gas, an irreversible conductance decrease is superimposed. The behavior is interpreted in terms of a phenomenological model where current carrying, oxygen-deficient filaments with hydrogen-dependent conductivities form inside the TiO2 matrix.
A surface chemical potential and instability of piezoelectric thin films
Authors: Zhou Wangmin , Huang Guangyong , Yin Shuyuan
Published: April 2015

Piezoelectric materials perform mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion and have unique and enhanced properties, particularly in the thin film form. In this work, the chemical potential of free surface for piezoelectric solids is defined and the mechanical field, electric field, and stability of a piezoelectric ceramic thin film are linearly analyzed. Expressions of the perturbed stress and electric field intensities, to first order approximation in perturbed amplitude to wavelength ratio, are derived, which show that the stresses and electric field intensities are directly proportional to the lattice mismatch and the perturbed amplitude, and decrease with increasing perturbed wavelength. The critically perturbed wavelength, which the flat film for the perturbation is stable, is obtained.
On the generating function of weight multiplicities for the representations of the Lie algebra C2
Authors: Fernández-Núñez José , García-Fuertes Wifredo , Perelomov Askold M.
Published: April 2015

We use the generating function of the characters of C2 to obtain a generating function for the multiplicities of the weights entering in the irreducible representations of that simple Lie algebra. From this generating function, we derive some recurrence relations among the multiplicities and a simple graphical recipe to compute them.
Solvation thermodynamics of amino acid side chains on a short peptide backbone
Authors: Hajari Timir , van der Vegt Nico F. A.
Published: April 2015

The hydration process of side chain analogue molecules differs from that of the actual amino acid side chains in peptides and proteins owing to the effects of the peptide backbone on the aqueous solvent environment. A recent molecular simulation study has provided evidence that all nonpolar side chains, attached to a short peptide backbone, are considerably less hydrophobic than the free side chain analogue molecules. In contrast to this, the hydrophilicity of the polar side chains is hardly affected by the backbone. To analyze the origin of these observations, we here present a molecular simulation study on temperature dependent solvation free energies of nonpolar and polar side chains attached to a short peptide backbone. The estimated solvation entropies and enthalpies of the various amino acid side chains are compared with existing side chain analogue data. The solvation entropies and enthalpies of the polar side chains are negative, but in absolute magnitude smaller compared with the corresponding analogue data. The observed differences are large; however, owing to a nearly perfect enthalpy-entropy compensation, the solvation free energies of polar side chains remain largely unaffected by the peptide backbone. We find that a similar compensation does not apply to the nonpolar side chains; while the backbone greatly reduces the unfavorable solvation entropies, the solvation enthalpies are either more favorable or only marginally affected. This results in a very small unfavorable free energy cost, or even free energy gain, of solvating the nonpolar side chains in strong contrast to solvation of small hydrophobic or nonpolar molecules in bulk water. The solvation free energies of nonpolar side chains have been furthermore decomposed into a repulsive cavity formation contribution and an attractive dispersion free energy contribution. We find that cavity formation next to the peptide backbone is entropically favored over formation of similar sized nonpolar side chain cavities in bulk water, in agreement with earlier work in the literature on analysis of cavity fluctuations at nonpolar molecular surfaces. The cavity and dispersion interaction contributions correlate quite well with the solvent accessible surface area of the nonpolar side chains attached to the backbone. This correlation however is weak for the overall solvation free energies owing to the fact that the cavity and dispersion free energy contributions are almost exactly cancelling each other.
Magnetic properties of amorphous Fe93Zr7 films: Effect of light ion implantation
Authors: Zamani Atieh , Moubah Reda , Ahlberg Martina , Stopfel Henry , Arnalds Unnar B. , Hallén Anders , Hjörvarsson Björgvin , Andersson Gabriella , Jönsson Petra E.
Published: April 2015

The Curie temperature (Tc) of amorphous FeZr alloys can be greatly enhanced by doping with light elements. In this investigation, ion implantation is used to dope Fe93Zr7 thin films with H, He, B, C, and N. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements confirm that the amorphous structure is preserved upon implantation for all samples, except for the N-implanted sample which is partially crystallized. The Curie temperature increases from 124 K for the pristine FeZr sample to about 400 K for the (FeZr)B0.11 sample. The increase of Tc is proportional to the increase in the average Fe-Fe distance, which allows us to conclude that the dominant cause of the Tc enhancement of amorphous Fe93Zr7 upon doping is a volume effect.
Piezoelectric enhancement by surface effect in hydrofluorinated graphene bilayer
Authors: Kim Hye Jung , Noor-A-Alam Mohammad , Shin Young-Han
Published: April 2015

We investigated the piezoelectricity of dipolar hydrofluorinated graphene (C2HF)n multilayers with first-principles calculations. Our results reveal that the dipole moment decreases as the number of layers increases, because electron and hole carriers are induced at the top and bottom layers due to the depolarization field. These carriers make (C2HF)n multilayers more stable by decreasing the depolarization field in the material. Through the calculation of the average layer piezoelectric stress constant e31/ℓ in ℓ-layer chair (C2HF)n multilayers, we confirmed that the piezoelectricity of the bilayer is about three times larger than that of the monolayer and bulk material. Moreover, we found that the electron and hole carriers on the top and bottom layers played a significant role in the piezoelectric enhancement of the bilayer.
Microwave meta-atom enhanced spintronic rectification
Authors: Gou Peng , Xi Fuchun , Qian Qinbai , Xu Jie , Gui Y. S. , Hu C.-M. , An Zhenghua
Published: April 2015

An artificial meta-atom (MA), or alternatively, a plasmonic antenna, has been demonstrated to significantly enhance the microwave spin rectifying photovoltage by more than two orders in magnitude (∼280) in the ferromagnetic resonance regime. The large enhancement is attributed to the unique structure of the MA which magnifies both microwave electric (∼5) and magnetic (∼56) fields in the same near-field spatial region. Our work develops the interdisciplinary direction with artificial and natural magnetism and may find promising applications in high-frequency or opto-spintronic devices and wireless microwave energy harvesting.
Quantifying the complex permittivity and permeability of magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Yao B. M. , Gui Y. S. , Worden M. , Hegmann T. , Xing M. , Chen X. S. , Lu W. , Wroczynskyj Y. , van Lierop J. , Hu C.-M.
Published: April 2015

The complex permittivity and permeability of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles has been quantified using a circular waveguide assembly with a static magnetic field to align the nanoparticle's magnetization. The high sensitivity of the measurement provides the precise resonant feature of nanoparticles. The complex permeability in the vicinity of ferromagnetic resonance is in agreement with the nanoparticle's measured magnetization via conventional magnetometry. A rigorous and self-consistent measure of complex permittivities and permeabilities of nanoparticles is crucial to ascertain accurately the dielectric behaviour as well as the frequency response of nanoparticle magnetization, necessary ingredients when designing and optimizing magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
Interband tunneling for hole injection in III-nitride ultraviolet emitters
Authors: Zhang Yuewei , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Johnson Jared M. , Akyol Fatih , Allerman Andrew , Moseley Michael W. , Armstrong Andrew , Hwang Jinwoo , Rajan Siddharth
Published: April 2015

Low p-type conductivity and high contact resistance remain a critical problem in wide band gap AlGaN-based ultraviolet light emitters due to the high acceptor ionization energy. In this work, interband tunneling is demonstrated for non-equilibrium injection of holes through the use of ultra-thin polarization-engineered layers that enhance tunneling probability by several orders of magnitude over a PN homojunction. Al0.3Ga0.7N interband tunnel junctions with a low resistance of 5.6 × 10−4 Ω cm2 were obtained and integrated on ultraviolet light emitting diodes. Tunnel injection of holes was used to realize GaN-free ultraviolet light emitters with bottom and top n-type Al0.3Ga0.7N contacts. At an emission wavelength of 327 nm, stable output power of 6 W/cm2 at a current density of 120 A/cm2 with a forward voltage of 5.9 V was achieved. This demonstration of efficient interband tunneling could enable device designs for higher efficiency ultraviolet emitters.
Crossbreed genetic performance study in the eventing horse competition
Authors: Cervantes I. , Bartolomé E. , Valera M. , Gutiérrez J. P. , Molina A.
Published: April 2015

Eventing is an equestrian discipline combining dressage, show jumping and cross-country exercises. The Spanish Sport Horse (SSH) was used in this study as an example to develop a method to ascertain the influence of parental breeds on particular performances by linking their parental genetic contribution with the individual phenotype value computing the optimal breed contribution for each trait evaluated in eventing. Data included 1220 eventing records from 210 SSH animals. The genetic contribution of six main founder populations were computed for each SSH: the Spanish Purebreed (SPB), Arab Horse (A), Thoroughbred (TB), Selle Français (SF), German breeds (G) and North(-west) European (N) breeds. For this analysis we used BLUP (best linear unbiased predictor) animal models for five defined traits and for the total score. The genetic contribution as linear and quadratic adjustment and the interaction between genetic contributions were included as covariates in the genetic model to separate the possible combining ability from the breeding values. The optimal breed genetic contribution for each trait was maximised by using a simplex method. The best combination for conformation was 51% SPB and 49% N, for cross-country aptitude 23% SPB and 77% N, for dressage 48% SF and 52% N, and for show jumping 64% A and 36% N. For cross-country the best performance was predicted using 100% N genetic contribution and for the total score of 24% SF and 76% N. The combination of two breeds (group of breeds) seemed to be the best option for most of the traits. Although the results should be interpreted with caution, the importance of this paper is that it can be considered as a starting point of the analysis. The methodology applied here performed nicely in searching for the best contribution of several breeds to find the best combination for particular interests and could, therefore, be useful for other species/populations.
The role of oxidative stress in determining the level of viability of black poplar (Populus nigra) seeds stored at different temperatures
Authors: Kalemba Ewa Marzena , Suszka Jan , Ratajczak Ewelina
Published: April 2015

Black poplar (Populus nigra L.) is one of the most threatened tree species in Europe since up to 99% of its natural habitat has disappeared. Black poplar seeds are characterised by short longevity. It was recently demonstrated that black poplar seeds can be successfully stored at −10°C, −20°C and −196°C for at least 2 years but not at higher temperatures. In the present study, the role of oxidative stress in determining the level of viability of black poplar seeds stored at −196°C, −20°C, −10°C, −3°C and 3°C for 3 months, 1 year and 2 years was monitored. The superoxide anion radicals (O2–•) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased during storage and had an impact on membrane integrity as determined by changes in the content of fatty acids and phospholipids and increases in electrolyte leakage. The level of non-enzymatic and enzymatic components of the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle was also investigated. The level of O2–• was strongly correlated with the level of seed germination after 1 and 2 years of storage. This was accompanied by changes in the redox potential, as well as changes in the content of linoleic acid and phosphatydiloglycerol over the same period of time. In particular, the deleterious effect of H2O2 was observed after 2 years of storage when its accumulation was highly correlated with changes in the composition of fatty acids and phospholipids. Despite increased activity of AsA-GSH cycle enzymes, the level of reducing agents was insufficient and seeds exhibited large increases in the redox potential when stored at −3°C and still higher when stored at 3°C. Overall, the results of the study demonstrate that oxidative stress increases during seed storage, especially at the warmer temperatures and injures seed tissues; resulting in a loss of viability.
Photosynthetic characteristics and light energy conversions under different light environments in five tree species occupying dominant status at different stages of subtropical forest succession
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhang Tai-Jie , Chow Wah Soon , Xie Xin , Chen Yuan-Jun , Peng Chang-Lian
Published: April 2015

In order to reveal the mechanism of succession in subtropical forest along a light gradient, we investigated photosynthetic physiological responses to three light environments in five tree species including a pioneer species Pinus massoniana Lamb., two mid-successional species Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. and Castanopsis fissa (Champ. ex Benth.) Rehd. et Wils., and two late-successional species Cryptocarya concinna Hance. and Acmena acuminatissima (BI.) Merr et Perry) that were selected from Dinghu Mountain subtropical forest, South China. Results showed that, among the three kinds of species in all light conditions (100%, 30% and 12% of full sunlight), the pioneer species had the highest photosynthetic capacity (Amax), light saturation point (LSP), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and maximum utilisation rate of triose phosphate (TPU) that characterised a strong photosynthetic capacity and high carbon dioxide uptake efficiency. However, a higher light compensation point (LCP) and dark respiration (Rd) as well as lower apparent quantum yield (AQY) indicated that the pioneer specie cannot adapt to low light conditions. Mid-successional species had photosynthetic characteristics in between pioneer and late-successional species, but had the greatest effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and light use efficiency (LUE, expressed in terms of photosynthesis). In contrast to pioneer and mid-successional species, late-successional species had lower photosynthetic capacity and carbon uptake efficiency, but higher shade tolerance and high-light heat dissipation capacity, as characterised by higher levels of total xanthophyll cycle pigments (VAZ) and de-epoxidation state of xanthophyll cycle (DEPs). These results indicate that photosynthetic capacity decreases along the successional axis and that late-successional species have more responsive heat dissipation capability to compensate for their inferior photosynthetic capacity.
Challenges to establishing successful partnerships in community health promotion programs: local experiences from the national implementation of healthy eating activity and lifestyle (HEAL™) program
Authors: Dennis Sarah , Hetherington Sharon A. , Borodzicz Jerrad A. , Hermiz Oshana , Zwar Nicholas A.
Published: April 2015

Issue addressed

Community‐based programs to address physical activity and diet are seen as a valuable strategy to reduce risk factors for chronic disease. Community partnerships are important for successful local implementation of these programs but little is published to describe the challenges of developing partnerships to implement health promotion programs. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and opinions of key stakeholders on the development and maintenance of partnerships during their implementation of the HEAL™ program.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in implementation of HEAL™ in four local government areas. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

Partnerships were vital to the success of the local implementation. Successful partnerships occurred where the program met the needs of the partnering organisation, or could be adapted to do so. Partnerships took time to develop and were often dependent on key people. Partnering with organisations that had a strong influence in the community could strengthen existing relationships and success. In remote areas partnerships took longer to develop because of fewer opportunities to meet face to face and workforce shortages and this has implications for program funding in these areas.

Conclusion

Partnerships are important for the successful implementation of community preventive health programs. They take time to develop, are dependent on the needs of the stakeholders and are facilitated by stable leadership.
Electroreception in the obligate freshwater stingray, Potamotrygon motoro
Authors: Harris Lindsay L. , Bedore Christine N. , Kajiura Stephen M.
Published: April 2015

Elasmobranch fishes use electroreception to detect electric fields in the environment, particularly minute bioelectric fields of potential prey. A single family of obligate freshwater stingrays, Potamotrygonidae, endemic to the Amazon River, demonstrates morphological adaptations of their electrosensory system due to characteristics of a high impedance freshwater environment. Little work has investigated whether the reduced morphology translates to reduced sensitivity because of the electrical properties of freshwater, or because of a marine-tuned sensory system attempting to function in freshwater. The objective of the present study was to measure electric potential from prey of Potamotrygon motoro and replicate the measurements in a behavioural assay to quantify P. motoro electrosensitivity. Median orientation distance to prey-simulating electric fields was 2.73cm, and the median voltage gradient detected was 0.20mVcm–1. This sensitivity is greatly reduced compared with marine batoids. A euryhaline species with marine-type ampullary morphology was previously tested in freshwater and demonstrated reduced sensitivity compared with when it was tested in seawater (0.2μVcm–1 v. 0.6nVcm–1). When the data were adjusted with a modified ideal dipole equation, sensitivity was comparable to P. motoro. This suggests that the conductivity of the medium, more so than ampullary morphology, dictates the sensitivity of elasmobranch electroreception.
Generic base algebras and universal comodule algebras for some finite-dimensional Hopf algebras
Authors: Iyer Uma , Kassel Christian
Published: April 2015

After recalling the definitions and the properties of the generic base algebra and of the universal comodule algebra attached to a Hopf algebra given by Aljadeff and the second-named author, we determine these algebras for the Taft algebras, the Hopf algebras 

E
(
n
)

E(n)

and certain monomial Hopf algebras.
Resveratrol inhibits the acetylated α-tubulin-mediated assembly of the NLRP3-inflammasome
Authors: Misawa Takuma , Saitoh Tatsuya , Kozaki Tatsuya , Park Sehoon , Takahama Michihiro , Akira Shizuo
Published: April 2015

With its adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), Nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) forms the inflammasome and mediates inflammatory innate immune responses. Development of an anti-inflammatory drug targeting the NLRP3-inflammasome is urgently required because its aberrant activation often causes inflammatory diseases, including gout. We show that resveratrol, a natural polyphenol in grapes and wine, is a safe and effective phytochemical that inhibits NLRP3-inflammasome activation. Resveratrol inhibits the accumulation of acetylated α-tubulin caused by mitochondrial damage in macrophages stimulated with inducers of the NLRP3-inflammasome. Consequently, resveratrol inhibits the acetylated-α-tubulin-mediated spatial arrangement of mitochondria and their subsequent contact with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), causing insufficient assembly of ASC on the mitochondria and NLRP3 on the ER. These findings indicate that resveratrol targets the generation of an optimal site for the assembly of NLRP3 and ASC, thus inhibiting NLRP3-inflammasome activation. Therefore, resveratrol could be an effective medication for the treatment of NLRP3-related inflammatory diseases.
Primary Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva
Authors: Khan Ashraf A. , Cameron James R. , Torgersen Antonia , Roberts Fiona , Kerr Jan
Published: April 2015

A 77-year-old male presented with a large papillomatous conjunctival lesion on his lower eyelid. Biopsy and extensive systemic investigation revealed this to be a primary conjunctival transitional cell carcinoma. Patient preference and coexisting medical problems dictated conservative management with surgical debulking, topical mitomicin, and radiotherapy. Local control has been maintained for 4 years to date.
Water entry of a body which moves in more than six degrees of freedom
Authors: Scolan Y.-M. , Korobkin A. A.
Published: April 2015

The water entry of a three-dimensional smooth body into initially calm water is examined. The body can move freely in its 6 d.f. and may also change its shape over time. During the early stage of penetration, the shape of the body is approximated by a surface of double curvature and the radii of curvature may vary over time. Hydrodynamic loads are calculated by the Wagner theory. It is shown that the water entry problem with arbitrary kinematics of the body motion, can be reduced to the vertical entry problem with a modified vertical displacement of the body and an elliptic region of contact between the liquid and the body surface. Low pressure occurrence is determined; this occurrence can precede the appearance of cavitation effects. Hydrodynamic forces are analysed for a rigid ellipsoid entering the water with 3 d.f. Experimental results with an oblique impact of elliptic paraboloid confirm the theoretical findings. The theoretical developments are detailed in this paper, while an application of the model is described in electronic supplementary materials.
Changes in postural syntax characterize sensory modulation and natural variation ofC. eleganslocomotion
Authors: Schwarz Roland F. , Branicky Robyn , Grundy Laura J. , Schafer William R. , Brown André E.X.
Published: April 2015

Locomotion is driven by shape changes coordinated by the nervous system through time; thus, enumerating an animal’s complete repertoire of shape transitions would provide a basis for a comprehensive understanding of locomotor behaviour. Here we introduce a discrete representation of behaviour in the nematodeC. elegans. At each point in time, the worm’s posture is approximated by its closest matching template from a set of 90 postures and locomotion is represented as sequences of postures. The frequency distribution of postural sequences is heavy-tailed with a core of frequent behaviours and a much larger set of rarely used behaviours. Responses to optogenetic and environmental stimuli can be quantified as changes in postural syntax: worms show different preferences for different sequences of postures drawn from the same set of templates. A discrete representation of behaviour will enable the use of methods developed for other kinds of discrete data in bioinformatics and language processing to be harnessed for the study of behaviour.

Author Summary

Technology for recording neural activity is advancing rapidly and whole-brain imaging with single neuron resolution has already been demonstrated for smaller animals. To interpret such complex neural recordings, we need comprehensive characterizations of behaviour, which is the principal output of the brain. Animal tracking can increasingly be performed automatically but an outstanding challenge is finding ways to represent these behavioural data. We have focused on the movement of the nematode wormC. elegansto develop a quantitative representation of behaviour as a series of distinct postures. Each posture is analogous to a word in a language and so we can directly count the number of phrases that makes up theC. elegansbehavioural repertoire.C. eleganshas a very small nervous system but we find that its behavioural repertoire is still complex. As with human languages, there is a large number of possible phrases, but most are rarely used. When comparing different populations of worms or worms in different environments, we find that the difference between their behaviour is due to a subset of their entire repertoire. In the language analogy, these would correspond to idiomatic phrases that distinguish groups of speakers. A quantitative understanding of the nature of behavioural variation will inform research on the function and evolution of neural circuits.
Senescent cells communicate via intercellular protein transfer
Authors: Biran Anat , Perelmutter Meirav , Gal Hilah , Burton Dominick G.A. , Ovadya Yossi , Vadai Ezra , Geiger Tamar , Krizhanovsky Valery
Published: April 2015

Mammalian cells mostly rely on extracellular molecules to transfer signals to other cells. However, in stress conditions, more robust mechanisms might be necessary to facilitate cell–cell communications. Cellular senescence, a stress response associated with permanent exit from the cell cycle and the development of an immunogenic phenotype, limits both tumorigenesis and tissue damage. Paradoxically, the long-term presence of senescent cells can promote tissue damage and aging within their microenvironment. Soluble factors secreted from senescent cells mediate some of these cell-nonautonomous effects. However, it is unknown whether senescent cells impact neighboring cells by other mechanisms. Here we show that senescent cells directly transfer proteins to neighboring cells and that this process facilitates immune surveillance of senescent cells by natural killer (NK) cells. We found that transfer of proteins to NK and T cells is increased in the murine preneoplastic pancreas, a site where senescent cells are present in vivo. Proteomic analysis and functional studies of the transferred proteins revealed that the transfer is strictly dependent on cell–cell contact and CDC42-regulated actin polymerization and is mediated at least partially by cytoplasmic bridges. These findings reveal a novel mode of intercellular communication by which senescent cells regulate their immune surveillance and might impact tumorigenesis and tissue aging.
Hong Kong’s population policies on immigration: challenges and feasibility
Authors: Lam Gigi , Tu Edward Jow-Ching
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The aging crisis in Hong Kong is unique in that it was caused by several waves of immigration and emigration, coupled with inadequate investment in tertiary education (Wong, 2013b). The purpose of this paper is to study the causes and outcomes of the Hong Kong aging crisis and, where appropriate, advise on mitigation strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyzes the current demographic predicament and makes recommendations.

Findings

– A viable method for alleviating this demographic problem is to introduce various immigration schemes; however, these have been rendered futile because of a lack of infrastructure necessary for attracting immigrants and mitigating the protectionism that occurs among local workers and in trade unions in Hong Kong. A purely open and proactive immigration policy should involve prioritizing the admission of professionals and laborers across pillar industries and areas where technical skills are in short supply, as well as setting a daily immigration quota of 50 to recruit professionals with university degrees from abroad (Wong, 2013a). A comprehensive immigration policy should also be complemented by encouraging Hong Kong residents who work overseas to return (Wong, 2013a).

Originality/value

– The paper analyzes the demographic predicament of labor shrinkage in Hong Kong and summarizes the recommendations for attracting talent and professionals from abroad.
Case of Sjögren–Larsson syndrome with a large deletion in the ALDH3A2 gene confirmed by single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis
Authors: Gaboon Nagwa E. A. , Jelani Musharraf , Almramhi Mona M. , Mohamoud Hussein S. A. , Al‐Aama Jumana Y.
Published: April 2015

Sjögren–Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a neurocutaneous disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. SLS patients are characterized by lipid metabolism error, primarily leading to cardinal signs of ichthyosis, spasticity and mental retardation. Additional signs include short stature, epilepsy, retinal abnormalities and photophobia. More than 90 mutations of the ALDH3A2 gene have been reported for SLS, and such variants can be successfully detected at a rate of 94% by direct DNA sequencing. We performed direct sequencing of ALDH3A2 gene from the index patient, however, no mutation could be detected. HumanCytoSNPs12 array analysis and subsequent targeted single nucleotide polymorphism analysis revealed a novel deletion mutation at chromosome 17p11.2. This 67‐Kb region includes the first five coding exons of ALDH3A2, and is flanked by rs2245639 and rs962801. To the best of our knowledge, this mutation is novel and our findings broaden the mutation spectrum of ALDH3A2 causing SLS phenotype.
Crater/ulcerated form of infundibular squamous cell carcinoma: A possible distinct entity as a malignant (or high‐grade) counterpart to keratoacanthoma
Authors: Misago Noriyuki , Inoue Takuya , Nagase Kotaro , Tsuruta Noriko , Tara‐Hashimoto Akiko , Kimura Hiromi , Takahara Kanako , Narita Tomomi , Narisawa Yutaka
Published: April 2015

Follicular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with infundibular differentiation includes the common and crater forms of infundibular SCC. We previously considered the crater/ulcerated infundibular SCC to be a progressive condition of the common form and histopathologically studied an additional five cases of the crater/ulcerated infundibular SCC, the results of which suggested the following characteristic histopathological features and possible developmental process in this type of SCC: (i) a considerable number of continuous hyperplastic follicular infundibula, which may develop at the beginning of the disease; (ii) hyperplastic infundibula exhibiting an abrupt or gradual transition to the SCC component, which frequently change relative to the neoplastic infundibular canal; and (iii) the presence of multiple sites of branching of the neoplastic infundibular canals and/or complete involvement of large cysts in the neoplastic process over the center of the lesion, resulting in ulceration. Based on these histopathological findings, we considered that crater/ulcerated infundibular SCC involve a considerable number of continuous follicular infundibula from the start, although some cases may develop from the common form. We also emphasize the possible aggressive biological behavior of the crater/ulcerated form. Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a unique, benign or borderline malignant neoplasm exhibiting follicular (infundibular/isthmic) differentiation characterized by the involvement of continuous follicular infundibula in multiples. From this standpoint, we consider that crater/ulcerated infundibular SCC is possibly related to KA in terms of histogenesis and is a malignant (or high‐grade) counterpart of KA.