bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ageing at home, co-residence or institutionalisation? Preferred care and residential arrangements of older adults in Spain
Authors: FERNÁNDEZ-CARRO CELIA
Published: December 2014

This paper examines the opinions of Spanish older people regarding the ideal living situation in later life – living in their own home, co-residing in a relative's home or institutionalisation – differentiating between two hypothetical situations: healthy ageing and frailty. Data are drawn from the Instituto de Mayores y Servicios Sociales (Institute of Older People and Social Services; IMSERSO) survey Encuesta de Mayores 2010 (Older People Survey 2010), comprising 2,535 individuals aged 65 and over living in private dwellings. The results confirm that residential preferences vary depending on expected health conditions. Remaining in one's own home is preferred when older people foresee a healthy old age, whilst co-residence at a relative's home turns into the favoured solution if older people have to face some physical or cognitive limitation. The particularities of the Spanish context regarding family-oriented values about care responsibilities and the structural deficiency in the provision of formal support, in addition to other socio-demographic, psychological and attitudinal aspects, were explanatory factors of the lower desirability for ageing at home in the case of frailty. The findings question the uniform image of ‘ageing in place’ as a preference, inviting reflections on the need to distinguish between later-life stages and national contexts.
Extracting Information from Qubit-Environment Correlations
Authors: Reina John H. , Susa Cristian E. , Fanchini Felipe F.
Published: December 2014

Most works on open quantum systems generally focus on the reduced physical system by tracing out the environment degrees of freedom. Here we show that the qubit distributions with the environment are essential for a thorough analysis and demonstrate that the way that quantum correlations are distributed in a quantum register is constrained by the way in which each subsystem gets correlated with the environment. For a two-qubit system coupled to a common dissipative environment "Equation missing", we show how to optimise interqubit correlations and entanglement via a quantification of the qubit-environment information flow, in a process that, perhaps surprisingly, does not rely on the knowledge of the state of the environment. To illustrate our findings, we consider an optically-driven bipartite interacting qubit AB system under the action of "Equation missing". By tailoring the light-matter interaction, a relationship between the qubits early stage disentanglement and the qubit-environment entanglement distribution is found. We also show that, under suitable initial conditions, the qubits energy asymmetry allows the identification of physical scenarios whereby qubit-qubit entanglement minima coincide with the extrema of the "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" entanglement oscillations.
WP1066 Sensitizes Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells to Cisplatin by Targeting STAT3/miR-21 axis
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Ren Yu , Liu Aiqin , Jin Rui , Jiang Qingping , Huang Yuanyuan , Kong Lingping , Wang Xudong , Zhang Lun
Published: December 2014

Accumulating evidence reveals that activation of STAT3 and miR-21 contributes to chemoresistance in multiple tumors. We examined the expression of STAT3 and miR-21 in 43 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumors and classified them into cisplatin sensitive or resistant group. Tca8113 and Tca8113/DDP cells were treated with cisplatin (DDP), WP1066 (STAT3 inhibitor) or in combination. MTT, colony formation, wound healing, 3-D culture and transwell chamber assays were used to evaluate the malignant phenotype of OSCC cells. We evaluated the effect of WP1066 on the expression of STAT3 and miR-21. A Tca8113/DDP OSCC xenograft tumor model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of WP1066 in combination with DDP. The expression of STAT3/miR-21 was significantly increased in DDP-resistant OSCC samples and Tca8113/DDP cells compared to its parental cell. Treatment of DDP combined with WP1066 efficiently inhibited Tca8113 and Tca8113/DDP cell proliferation, migration and invasion. STAT3 mediated OSCC cell survival and DDP resistance through upregulating the expression of miR-21 and downregulating miR-21 downstream targets, including PTEN, TIMP3 and PDCD4. WP1066 plus DDP treatment could inhibit Tca8113 and Tca8113/DDP cell growth by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation and miR-21 expression. These results indicated that STAT3/miR-21 axis could be a candidate therapeutic target for OSCC chemoresistance.
Tungsten oxide nanowires for chemical detection
Authors: Zappa D. , Bertuna A. , Comini E. , Molinari M. , Poli N. , Sberveglieri G.
Published: December 2014

Tungsten oxide nanowires have been synthesized on alumina substrates in order to fabricate sensing devices.
A strategy for suitable mass production of a hollow Si@C nanostructured anode for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Pang Chunlei , Song Huawei , Li Na , Wang Chengxin
Published: December 2014

Si with high theoretical capacity has long suffered from its large volume variation and low electrical transport linked to poor cycling stability and rate performance.
High In-content InGaN layers synthesized by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy: Growth conditions, strain relaxation, and In incorporation kinetics
Authors: Valdueza-Felip S. , Bellet-Amalric E. , Núñez-Cascajero A. , Wang Y. , Chauvat M.-P. , Ruterana P. , Pouget S. , Lorenz K. , Alves E. , Monroy E.
Published: December 2014

We report the interplay between In incorporation and strain relaxation kinetics in high-In-content InxGa1-xN (x = 0.3) layers grown by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. For In mole fractions x = 0.13–0.48, best structural and morphological qualities are obtained under In excess conditions, at In accumulation limit, and at a growth temperature where InGaN decomposition is active. Under such conditions, in situ and ex situ analyses of the evolution of the crystalline structure with the layer thickness point to an onset of misfit relaxation after the growth of 40 nm, and a gradual relaxation during more than 200 nm, which results in an inhomogeneous strain distribution along the growth axis. This process is associated with a compositional pulling effect, i.e., indium incorporation is partially inhibited in presence of compressive strain, resulting in a compositional gradient with increasing In mole fraction towards the surface.
Using a two-capillary viscometer with preheating to measure the viscosity of dilute argon from 298.15 K to 653.15 K
Authors: Lin H. , Feng X. J. , Zhang J. T. , Liu Can
Published: December 2014

Currently, there exists only one set of experimental results at temperatures up to 680 K with the claimed relative standard uncertainty of (0.15–0.20)%. This paper reports new experimental results using the two-capillary viscometer in the temperature range from 298.15 K to 653.15 K with the claimed relative standard uncertainty of 0.062%. The new measurements agree with the existing high accuracy measurements and ab initio calculations in the overlapping temperature range within the extraordinary low relative differences of ±0.08%. The good agreement represents a robust proof of the potential models derived from the ab initio calculations, which play the powerful means in obtaining the thermophysical properties of dilute monoatomic gases over wide temperature ranges. In the experiments, the authors observed the occurrence of insufficient preheating existing with the two-capillary viscometer at high temperature.
Three dimensional simulations of plasma filaments in the scrape off layer: A comparison with models of reduced dimensionality
Authors: Easy L. , Militello F. , Omotani J. , Dudson B. , Havlíčková E. , Tamain P. , Naulin V. , Nielsen A. H.
Published: December 2014

This paper presents simulations of isolated 3D filaments in a slab geometry obtained using a newly developed 3D reduced fluid code, written using the BOUT++ framework. First, systematic scans were performed to investigate how the dynamics of a filament are affected by its amplitude, perpendicular size, and parallel extent. The perpendicular size of the filament was found to have a strong influence on its motions, as it determined the relative importance of parallel currents to polarization and viscous currents, whilst drift-wave instabilities were observed if the initial amplitude of the blob was increased sufficiently. Next, the 3D simulations were compared to 2D simulations using different parallel closures; namely, the sheath dissipation closure, which neglects parallel gradients, and the vorticity advection closure, which neglects the influence of parallel currents. The vorticity advection closure was found to not replicate the 3D perpendicular dynamics and overestimated the initial radial acceleration of all the filaments studied. In contrast, a more satisfactory comparison with the sheath dissipation closure was obtained, even in the presence of significant parallel gradients, where the closure is no longer valid. Specifically, it captured the contrasting dynamics of filaments with different perpendicular sizes that were observed in the 3D simulations which the vorticity advection closure failed to replicate. However, neither closure successfully replicated the Boltzmann spinning effects nor the associated poloidal drift of the blob that was observed in the 3D simulations. Although the sheath dissipation closure was concluded to be more successful in replicating the 3D dynamics, it is emphasized that the vorticity advection closure may still be relevant for situations where the parallel current is inhibited from closing through the sheath due to effects such as strong magnetic shear around X points or increased resistivity near the targets.
High spectral uniformity of AlGaN with a high Al content evidenced by scanning near-field photoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Marcinkevičius S. , Jain R. , Shatalov M. , Yang J. , Shur M. , Gaska R.
Published: December 2014

Scanning near-field photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was applied to study spatial variations of emission spectra of AlxGa1−xN epilayers with 0.6≤x≤0.7. PL spectra were found to be spatially uniform with peak wavelength standard deviations of only ∼2 meV and ratios between peak intensity standard deviations and average peak intensity values of 0.06. The observed absence of correlation between the PL peak wavelength and intensity shows that spatial distribution of nonradiative recombination centers is not related to band potential fluctuations. Our results demonstrate that the homogeneous broadening and the random cation distribution primarily determine PL linewidths for layers grown under optimized conditions.
Side-gate modulation effects on high-quality BN-Graphene-BN nanoribbon capacitors
Authors: Wang Yang , Chen Xiaolong , Ye Weiguang , Wu Zefei , Han Yu , Han Tianyi , He Yuheng , Cai Yuan , Wang Ning
Published: December 2014

High-quality BN-Graphene-BN nanoribbon capacitors with double side-gates of graphene have been experimentally realized. The double side-gates can effectively modulate the electronic properties of graphene nanoribbon capacitors. By applying anti-symmetric side-gate voltages, we observed significant upward shifting and flattening of the V-shaped capacitance curve near the charge neutrality point. Symmetric side-gate voltages, however, only resulted in tilted upward shifting along the opposite direction of applied gate voltages. These modulation effects followed the behavior of graphene nanoribbons predicted theoretically for metallic side-gate modulation. The negative quantum capacitance phenomenon predicted by numerical simulations for graphene nanoribbons modulated by graphene side-gates was not observed, possibly due to the weakened interactions between the graphene nanoribbon and side-gate electrodes caused by the Ga+ beam etching process.
Paleoclimate Shaped Bluefish Structure in the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Miralles Laura , Juanes Francis , Pardiñas Antonio F , Garcia-Vazquez Eva
Published: December 2014

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), a highly migratory cosmopolitan predator, is the only extant representative of the family Pomatomidae. It has been the subject of many studies due to its commercial and recreational value, but much less research has been conducted on its global population structure. Here we investigate the population structure of this species and the effects of present and past oceanographic barriers to dispersal in its North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Marmara, and Black sea populations. We employed mitochondrial (cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase subunit I genes) and nuclear (eight microsatellite loci) DNA as molecular markers. Three main genetic units of Bluefish were identified: American (West Atlantic waters), Spanish (East Atlantic–Western Mediterranean regions), and Turkish (Eastern Mediterranean, Marmara, and Black seas). Our results suggested that Bluefish is panmictic in the northwest Atlantic Ocean but not in the Mediterranean Sea. The common ancestor of the studied populations was traced back to the interglacial cycle Aftonian II, and the separation between clades was estimated to have occurred during glacial periods, likely due to migrations to refuges and the closure of the Mediterranean Sea. In conclusion, paleoclimate seems to have been fundamental for shaping the present genetic lineages of Pomatomus saltatrix.

RESUMEN

la anjova (Pomatomus saltatrix), un depredador cosmopolita y altamente migratorio, es el único representante vivo de la familia Pomatomidae. Ha sido sujeto de numerosos estudios dado su valor comercial y recreativo, pero poco se sabe acerca de su estructura poblacional a nivel mundial. En este trabajo se investiga la estructura poblacional de esta especie y los efectos que tienen las barreras oceanográficas pasadas y presentes en la dispersión de sus poblaciones hacia el Atlántico Norte, Mediterráneo, Mármara y Mar Negro. Se utilizó ADN mitocondrial (citocromo b y gen citocromo oxidasa subunidad I) y nuclear (ocho loci microsatélites) como marcadores moleculares. Se identificaron tres unidades genéticas principales en la anjova: americana (aguas del Atlántico oeste), española (regiones Atlántico este y Mediterráneo oeste) y turca (Mediterráneo este, Mármara y Mar Negro). Los resultados sugieren que la anjova es panmíctica en el noroeste del Atlántico pero no en el Mar Mediterráneo. El ancestro común de las poblaciones estudiadas se remonta al ciclo interglacial durante el Aftoniano II, y la separación entre clados se estima que ocurrió en periodos glaciales, muy posiblemente debido a las migraciones hacia refugios y al cierre del Mar Mediterráneo. En conclusión, el paleoclima parece haber sido un factor fundamental en cuanto a la determinación de las líneas genéticas actuales de Pomatomus saltatrix.
Legal Basis for the Use of Armed Force
Authors: Corn Geoffrey S.
Published: December 2014

This chapter addresses how the international legal authority for nations to resort to military force to protect their security interests—generally known as the jus ad bellum—impacts use of force against al-Qaeda and associated forces. The chapter explains how traditional notions of national and collective self-defense focused on threats posed by other States evolved to address the threat posed by transnational nonstate groups. The chapter reviews U.S. interpretations of this law and explains how these interpretations frame the legal authority for contemporary counter-terror military operations in various locations around the world. It also discusses the role of the United Nations, specifically its Charter prohibiting the use of force by States and the exceptions to that prohibition.
Trial and Punishment for Battlefield Misconduct
Authors: Brenner-Beck Dru
Published: December 2014

This chapter discusses trial and punishment for battlefield misconduct in the context of the United States “war on terror” since 2001, examining the basis for the use of military commissions to try violations of the law of war, as well as recent commission trials. It traces the development of the U.S. military commissions at Guantanamo, and the two Military Commissions Acts ultimately enacted to authorize them in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Hamdan v. Rumsfeld decision. Although there is nothing controversial in the use of military courts to compel compliance with the laws and customs of war, their use to try operatives captured in the course of the armed struggle against transnational terrorism is subject to considerable controversy. This chapter examines why such use can and should be considered legitimate, but also how this legitimacy is contingent on respecting substantive and procedural limitations that are inherent in the LOAC.
Genetic basis in motor skill and hand preference for tool use in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Hopkins William D. , Reamer Lisa , Mareno Mary Catherine , Schapiro Steven J.
Published: December 2014

Chimpanzees are well known for their tool using abilities. Numerous studies have documented variability in tool use among chimpanzees and the role that social learning and other factors play in their development. There are also findings on hand use in both captive and wild chimpanzees; however, less understood are the potential roles of genetic and non-genetic mechanisms in determining individual differences in tool use skill and laterality. Here, we examined heritability in tool use skill and handedness for a probing task in a sample of 243 captive chimpanzees. Quantitative genetic analysis, based on the extant pedigrees, showed that overall both tool use skill and handedness were significantly heritable. Significant heritability in motor skill was evident in two genetically distinct populations of apes, and between two cohorts that received different early social rearing experiences. We further found that motor skill decreased with age and that males were more commonly left-handed than females. Collectively, these data suggest that though non-genetic factors do influence tool use performance and handedness in chimpanzees, genetic factors also play a significant role, as has been reported in humans.
Geobacillus icigianus sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring
Authors: Bryanskaya Alla V. , Rozanov Alexey S. , Slynko Nikolay M. , Shekhovtsov Sergey V. , Peltek Sergey E.
Published: December 2014

A Gram-reaction-positive, motile, thermophilic spore-forming strain, G1w1T, was isolated from a hot spring of the Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka (Russia). Based on data from the present polyphasic taxonomic study, including phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and spo0A gene sequences, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Geobacillus

, for which the name Geobacillus icigianus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G1w1T ( = VKM B-2853T = DSM 28325T).
Electron diffraction patterns from scroll nanotubes: interpretation peculiarities
Authors: Khalitov Zufar , Khadiev Azat , Pashin Dmitry
Published: December 2014

This article describes the structure of scroll nanotubes and associated diffraction effects in the context of electron diffraction from a single nanotube. It is suggested that the effect of multiple equidistant splitting of diffuse reflections into cone series be used as a diffraction criterion for conical scroll structure identification. For cylindrical scroll structure determination, the effect of the azimuthal dependence of the intensity of basal diffraction spots is proposed as a characteristic sign. Good agreement between specific oscillations in both theoretical and experimental profiles of basal diffraction spots was achieved. It was also established that there are special values of chiral angles in cylindrical scroll nanotubes that lead to order enhancement in their structure along the tube axis, whereas even a small deviation from these angles results in degradation of diffraction conditions for some diffraction spots in the diffraction pattern.
Crystalline characteristics and superconducting properties of Bi2212 thin films prepared by the Pechini sol–gel method: the effect of different substrates on the film growth
Authors: Lu Xiaoming , Miao Xuejiao , Sun Dalu , Shahzad M. Babar , Qi Yang
Published: December 2014

Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ(Bi2212) superconducting thin films were prepared by the Pechini sol–gel method using nitrates as reactants. The precursor sol was deposited on LaAlO3(100) and MgO(100) single-crystal substratesviathe spin-coating method. The results revealed that the phase formation temperature region of the pure Bi2212 phase and perfectly epitaxial Bi2212 films deposited on LaAlO3substrates was significantly expanded to 8 K, indicating an improvement in crystallization of Bi2212 films. In addition, the phase formation temperature region of the pure phase andc-axis-grown Bi2212 films deposited on MgO substrates was reduced to 5 K because of the deterioration of epitaxy of Bi2212 films sintered at higher temperature. According to the investigation, theTc,onsetvalues of Bi2212 films grown on MgO substrates were about 92 K. Meanwhile, the optimalTc,onsetvalue of Bi2212 superconducting films grown on LaAlO3substrates rose to 96 K.
X-ray diffraction grazing-incidence methods applied for gradient-free residual stress profile measurements in electrodeposited Ni coatings
Authors: Kania Bogusz , Indyka Paulina , Tarkowski Leszek , Beltowska-Lehman Ewa
Published: December 2014

The present work investigates the possibility of bias introduced in grazing-incidence-angle X-ray diffraction techniques applied to residual stress measurements. In these studies, monotextured nanocrystalline nickel coatings obtained by electrodeposition were examined as the model reference samples. Selected Ni coatings exhibited well developed and simple gradient-free residual stress states that were visible using conventional sin2ψ measurements with varying X-ray penetration depths. These results were verified against the stress state picture obtained by two variants of grazing-incidence X-ray methods: multi-reflection (differenthkl) and constant angle of incidence (singlehkl). The outcome of both grazing techniques consistently excluded stress gradients in the samples, which agreed with conventional sin2ψ measurement results. However, only the results of the constant angle of incidence technique agreed with those obtained by the sin2ψ method in terms of calculated residual stress level, suggesting this approach could be applied in further studies of graded material coatings. All analysed coatings yielded uniformly distributed tensile residual stress related to gradual structure development in electrodeposited Ni coatings studied by electron microscopy techniques.
Precession electron diffraction – a topical review
Authors: Midgley Paul A. , Eggeman Alexander S.
Published: December 2014

In the 20 years since precession electron diffraction (PED) was introduced, it has grown from a little-known niche technique to one that is seen as a cornerstone of electron crystallography. It is now used primarily in two ways. The first is to determine crystal structures, to identify lattice parameters and symmetry, and ultimately to solve the atomic structureab initio. The second is, through connection with the microscope scanning system, to map the local orientation of the specimen to investigate crystal texture, rotation and strain at the nanometre scale. This topical review brings the reader up to date, highlighting recent successes using PED and providing some pointers to the future in terms of method development and how the technique can meet some of the needs of the X-ray crystallography community. Complementary electron techniques are also discussed, together with how a synergy of methods may provide the best approach to electron-based structure analysis.
Characterization of the autoimmune response against the nerve tissue S100β in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Gómez-Touriño I , Simón-Vázquez R , Alonso-Lorenzo J , Arif S , Calviño-Sampedro C , González-Fernández Á , Pena-González E , Rodríguez J , Viñuela-Roldán J , Verdaguer J , Cordero O J , Peakman M , Varela-Calvino R
Published: December 2014

Type 1 diabetes results from destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in pancreatic islets and is characterized by islet cell autoimmunity. Autoreactivity against non-beta cell-specific antigens has also been reported, including targeting of the calcium-binding protein S100β. In preclinical models, reactivity of this type is a key component of the early development of insulitis. To examine the nature of this response in type 1 diabetes, we identified naturally processed and presented peptide epitopes derived from S100β, determined their affinity for the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*04:01 molecule and studied T cell responses in patients, together with healthy donors. We found that S100β reactivity, characterized by interferon (IFN)-γ secretion, is a characteristic of type 1 diabetes of varying duration. Our results confirm S100β as a target of the cellular autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes with the identification of new peptide epitopes targeted during the development of the disease, and support the preclinical findings that autoreactivity against non-beta cell-specific autoantigens may have a role in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.
Controversies in the management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: an evidence‐based review
Authors: Lawrence R. , Thevasagayam R.
Published: December 2014

Background

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is considered an otological emergency. It may present as an isolated condition or be the presenting feature of a systemic disease process. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is diagnosed when an underlying cause or condition cannot be identified.

Objective of review

To review the current literature on SSNHL and propose a treatment algorithm based on the highest quality evidence.

Search strategy and type of review

An evidence‐based literature review using medline (search terms ‘sudden sensorineural hearing loss’ and ‘acute sensorineural hearing loss’).

Results

(i) Baseline Investigations: All patients should be assessed with a thorough history and examination. This should include a pure tone audiogram (PTA) where possible. Baseline and targeted laboratory tests should be carried out to diagnose specific conditions. (ii) Imaging: MRI should be carried out in all cases of ISSNHL. If MRI imaging is contraindicated either CT or auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing should be performed. (iii) Medical Management: If a specific cause for a SSNHL is found, the patient should be managed accordingly. If idiopathic in nature, patients may be offered a course of oral steroid. If systemic steroids are contraindicated and/or there is no improvement with initial oral therapy, intratympanic steroids (IT) as either primary or salvage therapy may be considered. (iv) Further Management: There is no evidence to support the routine use of antiviral therapy. The cost, limited availability and lack of strong evidence for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) make it impractical at present. Due to the variability in the vasodilator and vasoactive agents used, there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of these agents. Consideration should be given to both temporary and permanent hearing amplification when required.

Conclusions

SSNHL is an important condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life. Some patients respond spontaneously without intervention; however, evidence tells us that certain interventions such as corticosteroid treatment may improve outcomes. Further high‐quality research is required. Meanwhile, an interim indicative treatment algorithm for SSNHL based on the current best evidence available is outlined.
Difference in factors explaining growth rate variability inEuropean eel subpopulations: the possible role of habitat carrying capacity
Authors: Boulenger Clarisse , Crivelli Alain J. , Charrier Fabien , Roussel Jean‐Marc , Feunteun Eric , Acou Anthony
Published: December 2014

As a key parameter in the management of fish populations, individual growth rate (GR) variations were examined in theEuropean eel (Anguilla anguilla; > 150 mm) using extensive mark–recapture surveys in the lotic habitats of two small rivers of westernFrance: theFrémur, supposed to be saturated, and at the same latitude, theOir with densities fivefold lower than those of theFrémur. In both systems, generalised linear models were used to test whether spatiotemporal factors such as dominant habitat type or local density affectGRvariability. In the presumed unsaturated system, theOir,GRvariability is mainly explained by a set of habitat suitability drivers (density, dominant habitat type). In theFrémur,GRs appear independent of differences in habitat density or productivity. Below saturation, an increase in density will decrease theGRthrough intraspecific competition. At saturation, intraspecific competition reaches such high levels that regardless of eel density and productivity, the resources available by individual are similar throughout the system. In these circumstances, the effect of density on growth was presumed undetectable. Despite these contrasted results, meanGRs observed in both catchments were closed (~20 mm·year−1). This is an unexpected result asGRis expected to be higher in unsaturated systems. This similarity could be explained by the difference between the two systems in terms of: (i) sex ratio (the Frémur is dominated by male, whereas the female is dominant in theOir), (ii) habitat type distribution or (iii) possible interspecific competition (important salmonid populations in theOir).
The influence of induced hypocapnia and sleep on the endogenous respiratory rhythm in humans.
Authors: Datta A K , Shea S A , Horner R L , Guz A
Published: December 2014

1. Ventilation has been studied during hypocapnia produced by passive mechanical ventilation in ten normal human subjects. 2. During wakefulness, disconnection of the ventilator led to inconsistent apnoea of only brief duration. During sleep, at a similar degree of hypocapnia, disconnection of the ventilator led more consistently to apnoea which was also of much longer duration; the deeper the sleep stage, the longer the apnoea. 3. The resumption of breathing during sleep could precede or follow arousal or be unaccompanied by arousal; in the absence of prior arousal, the evidence suggests that a starting end‐tidal CO2 pressure (PET, CO2) less than 41 mmHg could result in an apnoea during sleep stages I and II. 4. Subjects did not report any common sensation which led them to breathe following an apnoea whilst awake. 5. Prior hyperoxia in one subject prolonged the apnoea duration in both slow‐wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep. 6. The results are interpreted as showing that even during light sleep, the maintenance of the respiratory rhythm is critically dependent on the arterial CO2 and O2 tensions. During wakefulness, other behavioural drives, which may not reach consciousness, supervene.
Potentiation by cyclic GMP of beta‐adrenergic effect on Ca2+ current in guinea‐pig ventricular cells.
Authors: Ono K , Trautwein W
Published: December 2014

1. Effects of cyclic GMP on L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa) were investigated in myocytes isolated from guinea‐pig ventricles using the patch clamp method in the whole‐cell configuration combined with intracellular perfusion. 2. When ICa was increased by bath application of isoprenaline (0.001‐0.1 microM) or forskolin (0.5‐1 microM), or by intracellular dialysis with cyclic AMP (50‐100 microM), dialysis with 10 microM‐cyclic GMP resulted in an additional stimulation of ICa. Without these pre‐treatments, cyclic GMP (1‐100 microM) had no effect on the basal ICa. 5'‐GMP was without effect. 3. The stimulatory effect of cyclic GMP was observed at concentrations higher than 0.1 microM with a maximum at around 10 microM in the pipette. The dose‐response relation between isoprenaline and ICa was shifted to the left by (10 microM) cyclic GMP; the half‐maximum isoprenaline concentration shifted from 16 to 4.6 nM. 4. The increase of ICa on dialysing 50 microM‐cyclic AMP varied from cell to cell, probably due to a difference in phosphodiesterase activity. The cells responding weakly to cyclic AMP showed a greater response to cyclic GMP, and vice versa. In cells dialysed with hydrolysis‐resistant derivatives (10‐50 microM‐8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)‐cyclic AMP or 50 microM‐8‐bromo‐cyclic AMP), additional dialysis with cyclic GMP failed to modify ICa. Dialysis with cyclic GMP abolished the stimulatory effect of milrinone, a specific inhibitor of cyclic GMP‐inhibited phosphodiesterase. These findings suggested that inhibition of cyclic GMP‐sensitive phosphodiesterase was responsible for the stimulatory effect of cyclic GMP. 5. In the presence of isoprenaline, direct application of an active fragment of cyclic GMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG) failed to modify ICa in most cells. Activation of native PKG by intracellular dialysis with 8‐bromo‐cyclic GMP, or higher concentrations of cyclic GMP (100‐1000 microM), depressed ICa in about 25% of the cells. Furthermore, dialysis of cyclic GMP reversed the increase of ICa by the non‐specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methyl‐xanthine (IBMX). These findings suggested the presence of antagonistic mechanisms of cyclic GMP, which are independent from the above synergistic action. PKG may be involved in this antagonistic effect.
Characterization of large‐conductance chloride channels in rabbit colonic smooth muscle.
Authors: Sun X P , Supplisson S , Torres R , Sachs G , Mayer E
Published: December 2014

1. A large‐conductance Cl‐ channel was characterized in cell‐free membrane patches from the rabbit longitudinal colonic smooth muscle using the patch clamp technique. In addition, the regulation of these channels by neurokinin‐1 (NK‐1) receptor agonists and G proteins was studied. 2. No spontaneous channel activity was observed in cell‐attached patches at the cell resting potential, or in excised patches at pipette potentials (Vp) between ‐20 and 20 mV. In excised patches, channel activity could be induced in thirty‐six out of ninety‐six patches by holding the patch at Vp values more negative than ‐60 mV or more positive than 60 mV. Once induced, the channel showed a bell‐shaped voltage activation curve in high symmetric [Cl‐], with maximal open probability between 20 and ‐5 mV. Varying cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) between 5 x 10(‐8) M and 1.0 mM had no effect on the voltage activation of the channel. 3. In inside‐out and outside‐out patches, when pipette and bath solutions contained equal [Cl‐] (130 mM), the anion channel showed a linear current‐voltage (I‐V) relationship between ‐60 and 60 mV with a slope conductance of 309 +/‐ 20 pS (n = 13). Reversal potential measurements indicated that the channel was selective for Cl‐ over Na+ and K+ (PCl/PNa = 6:1). 4. Channel openings from the closed state to the full open state as well as transitions through smaller conductance states were observed. The smallest detectable substate had a conductance of 15.6 pS. Based on the similarities in selectivity and linearity of the I‐V curve of the smaller conductances with the full open state, and kinetic analysis of channel activity, it is concluded that the large conductance channel is composed of multiple substates which can either open and close independently, or simultaneously via a main gate. 5. The stilbene derivative diiso‐thiocyanato‐stilbene‐disulphonic acid (DIDS) and the diphenylamine‐2‐carboxylate analogue 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)‐benzoate (NPPB) caused a dose‐dependent, reversible flicker block of the small conductance and significantly reduced the macroscopic current flow through the channel. 6. In quiescent outside‐out patches, when the pipette contained a 140 mM‐CsCl solution with 10(‐6) M‐CaCl2, 1.2 mM‐MgCl2 and 1 mM‐GTP, and the bath contained Ringer solution, addition of the NK‐1 receptor antagonists substance P methylester resulted in activation of the full conductance state and of smaller substates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ankle stiffness of standing humans in response to imperceptible perturbation: reflex and task‐dependent components.
Authors: Fitzpatrick R C , Taylor J L , McCloskey D I
Published: December 2014

1. It has been demonstrated that subjects can alter the reflex stiffness of the elbow and wrist in response to imperceptibly slow perturbations applied through a complaint coupling. We used this technique to measure ankle stiffness in standing subjects as a means of examining reflex activity. 2. During unperturbed stance, a linear relationship between ankle torque and ankle angle is expressed as a load stiffness. The load stiffness predicted from a subject's measured physical dimensions corresponds closely with the value measured by standing the subject on a force platform. 3. Slow perturbations were applied at waist level, through a spring, to standing subjects. The perturbations caused sway similar in magnitude and rate to the sway of normal stance. Ankle stiffness was measured during the period when the perturbations were unperceived. The contribution to ankle stiffness of reflexes that use visual information was assessed by eye closure. The ability of reflexes based on sensory information from the legs to maintain upright posture was assessed when subjects balanced a load equivalent to their own body, in a situation where neither visual nor vestibular information could assist. Ankle stiffness was measured while the load was perturbed. 4. The results show that a simple mechanical model of stance predicts the torque‐angle relationship at the ankle. This relationship determines the minimal ankle stiffness required to stand, and reflex muscle stiffness is a necessary component of this ankle stiffness. Visual, vestibular and lower limb sensorimotor reflexes each contribute to ankle stiffness; however, the local sensory reflexes alone are sufficient to stand. For responses to unperceived perturbations, standing subjects can alter their reflex ankle stiffness according to intentional set.
Potential‐dependent inward currents in single isolated smooth muscle cells of the rat ileum.
Authors: Smirnov S V , Zholos A V , Shuba M F
Published: December 2014

1. Calcium (ICa) and sodium (INa) currents were studied in single smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from both the newborn (1‐3 days old) and adult rat ileum, using the patch‐clamp technique (whole‐cell configuration). 2. Under conditions when INa was blocked, two components of ICa, low‐voltage activated or ICa,low and high‐voltage activated or ICa,high, were observed in the newborn rat ileal cells. ICa,high and ICa,low have differing voltage ranges of activation and steady‐state inactivation and time courses of recovery from inactivation. Potential dependence of ICa,low was much steeper and shifted toward negative membrane potential than that for ICa,high (slope factors and the potential of half‐maximal inactivation were 13.6 and ‐60.6 and 8.8 and ‐49 mV for ICa,low and ICa,high, correspondingly). 3. Nifedipine at the high concentration of 30 microM exerted no effect on ICa,low and only slightly suppressed ICa,high, decreasing its peak to 0.81 +/‐ 0.04 (n = 7) at the holding potential of ‐80 mV and to 0.66 +/‐ 0.05 (n = 3) at ‐50 mV. ICa,high was suppressed significantly by Cd2+ ions, while ICa,low was more sensitive to Ni2+ ions. 4. Results presented here suggest that the properties of high‐voltage‐activated (HVA) Ca2+ channels in the rat small intestine are quite different to those described for L‐type Ca2+ channels found in other smooth muscles. It is proposed that HVA Ca2+ channels are similar to N‐type Ca2+ channels. 5. Comparison of Ca2+ currents in newborn and adult rat ileal cells showed that the contribution of ICa,low to the net Ca2+ current was negligible in adults, whereas the properties of HVA Ca2+ channels were similar in the neonatal and adult animals. 6. INa, studied in nominally Ca(2+)‐free physiological salt solution, activated in the voltage range between ‐50 and ‐40 mV and reached its peak at ‐10 mV. INa was blocked in a dose‐dependent manner by TTX with an apparent dissociation constant of 4.5 nM. 7. INa decay was monoexponential in the voltage range studied and its time constant decreased monotonically with membrane depolarization from 4.7 +/‐ 0.2 ms (n = 6) at ‐30 mV to 0.51 +/‐ 0.03 ms (n = 7) at 20 mV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Matching between motoneurone and muscle unit properties in rat medial gastrocnemius.
Authors: Bakels R , Kernell D
Published: December 2014

1. Electrical and contractile (isometric) properties were studied for sixty‐six motoneurone‐muscle unit combinations from rat medial gastrocnemius (MG). The animals were anaesthetized with pentobarbitone. 2. The muscle units were classified into S (slow) and F (fast) on the basis of measurements of speed and fatigue resistance: the 'slow' category comprised units with an initial twitch contraction time exceeding those found among fatigue‐sensitive units (border value 20 ms). 3. Twitch speed was assessed by three different measures: (i) contraction time (time to peak, range 11.4‐28.0 ms), (ii) half‐relaxation time (8.4‐56.5 ms), and (iii) total twitch duration (34‐116 ms). All three measures were mutually highly correlated and their respective values showed a continuous and unimodal distribution across the unit population. 4. The motoneurones were investigated with regard to their time course and amplitude of post‐spike after‐hyperpolarization (AHP; range of total durations 30‐116 ms, amplitudes 0.9‐8.0 mV), rheobase (0.8‐17.1 nA), input resistance (0.8‐5.1 M omega) and axonal conduction velocity (33‐85 m/s). 5. Motoneurones of slow‐twitch muscle units (type S) had, on average, a significantly slower time course of AHP, a smaller rheobase, a higher input resistance and more slowly conducting axons than those innervating fast‐twitch muscle units. 6. Across the whole neuronal sample, input conductance (reciprocal of input resistance) correlated well with rheobase (r = 0.74). However, the differences in rheobase did not seem to be caused exclusively by the associated differences in input conductance. 7. Throughout the sampled population, the relative slowness of AHP showed a continuous and highly significant correlation with the relative slowness of the corresponding unit twitch. The absolute duration of AHP was close to that of the twitch. In the Discussion it is argued that this 'speed match' between motoneurone and muscle unit would help ensure that barely recruited motoneurones start firing at a frequency that is optimally suited for the subsequent rate gradation of force. 8. AHP amplitude was, on average, significantly smaller for fast‐twitch than for slow‐twitch motoneurones. Calculations indicated that these differences were almost completely caused by the associated differences in input resistance; the computed value for the conductance change underlying the AHP was nearly the same for fast‐ and slow‐twitch motoneurones. 9. A simple neurone model was used to calculate the consequences of the differences in AHP amplitude and duration for repetitive discharge properties of fast and slow cell categories.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effects of activin A on ionic channels in human FSH‐secreting tumour cells.
Authors: Takano K , Ogata E , Yamashita N
Published: December 2014

1. Effects of activin A on ionic channels were examined in human FSH‐secreting tumour cells using electrophysiological techniques. 2. Under voltage clamp with the conventional whole‐cell clamp technique, the voltage‐gated Na+ channel, the T‐ and L‐type Ca2+ channels, the delayed K+ channel and the A‐channel were observed. 3. With the nystatin‐perforated whole‐cell clamp technique, the same voltage‐gated channels were recorded. Activin A (10(‐7) M) increased the amplitude of the L‐type Ca2+ current, whereas it decreased the amplitude of the delayed K+ current. 4. Under current clamp with the perforated whole‐cell clamp technique, more than 80% of the cells exhibited spontaneous action potentials. Application of 10(‐7) M activin A depolarized the membrane with a conductance increase and augmented action potential frequency. The reversal potential of the activin A‐induced current was ‐20 to 0 mV. The activin A‐induced current was abolished in a Na(+)‐free extracellular solution, indicating that the membrane depolarization caused by activin A was due to the conductance increase to Na+ ions through non‐selective cation channels.
Evidence for bilateral innervation of certain homologous motoneurone pools in man.
Authors: Carr L J , Harrison L M , Stephens J A
Published: December 2014

1. Surface EMG recordings were made from left and right homologous muscle pairs in healthy adults. During each recording session subjects were requested to maintain a weak isometric contraction of both the left and right muscle. 2. Cross‐correlation analysis of the two multiunit EMG recordings from each pair of muscles was performed. Central peaks of short duration (mean durations, 11.3‐13.0 ms) were seen in correlograms constructed from multiunit EMG recordings obtained from left and right diaphragm, rectus abdominis and masseter muscles. No central peaks were seen in correlograms constructed from the multiunit EMG recordings from left and right upper limb muscles. 3. To investigate descending pathways to the homologous muscle pairs, the dominant motor cortex was stimulated using a focal magnetic brain stimulator whilst recording from homologous muscle pairs. 4. Following magnetic stimulation of the dominant motor cortex, a response was recorded from both right and left diaphragm, rectus abdominis and masseter muscles. In contrast, when recording from homologous upper limb muscles, a response was only seen contralateral to the side of stimulation. 5. The finding of short duration central peaks in the cross‐correlograms constructed from multiunit recordings from left and right diaphragm, rectus abdominis and masseter, suggests that muscles such as these, that are normally co‐activated, share a common drive. The mechanism is discussed and it is argued that the time course of the central correlogram peaks is consistent with the hypothesis that they could be produced by a common drive that arises from activity in last‐order branched presynaptic fibres although presynaptic synchronization of last‐order inputs is also likely to be involved. 6. The results of the magnetic stimulation experiments suggest that this common drive may involve the corticospinal tract. 7. We saw no evidence for a common drive to left and right homologous muscle pairs that may be voluntarily co‐activated but often act independently.
Effects of hypoxia on membrane potential and intracellular calcium in rat neonatal carotid body type I cells.
Authors: Buckler K J , Vaughan‐Jones R D
Published: December 2014

1. We have studied the effects of hypoxia on membrane potential and [Ca2+]i in enzymically isolated type I cells of the neonatal rat carotid body (the principal respiratory O2 chemosensor). Isolated cells were maintained in short term culture (3‐36 h) before use. [Ca2+]i was measured using the Ca(2+)‐sensitive fluoroprobe indo‐1. Indo‐1 was loaded into cells using the esterified form indo‐1 AM. Membrane potential was measured (and clamped) in single isolated type I cells using the perforated‐patch (amphotericin B) whole‐cell recording technique. 2. Graded reductions in PO2 from 160 Torr to 38, 19, 8, 5 and 0 Torr induced a graded rise of [Ca2+]i in both single and clumps of type I cells. 3. The rise of [Ca2+]i in response to anoxia was 98% inhibited by removal of external Ca2+ (+1 mM EGTA), indicating the probable involvement of Ca2+ influx from the external medium in mediating the anoxic [Ca2+]i response. 4. The L‐type Ca2+ channel antagonist nicardipine (10 microM) inhibited the anoxic [Ca2+]i response by 67%, and the non‐selective Ca2+ channel antagonist Ni2+ (2 mM) inhibited the response by 77%. 5. Under voltage recording conditions, anoxia induced a reversible membrane depolarization (or receptor potential) accompanied, in many cases, by trains of action potentials. These electrical events were coincident with a rapid rise of [Ca2+]i. When cells were voltage clamped close to their resting potential (‐40 to ‐60 mV), the [Ca2+]i response to anoxia was greatly reduced and its onset was much slower.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)