bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gesture and body-movement as teaching and learning tools in the classical voice lesson: a survey into current practice
Authors: Nafisi Julia
Published: June 2013

This article discusses the use of gesture and body-movement in the teaching of singing and reports on a survey amongst professional singing teachers in Germany regarding their use of gesture and body movement as pedagogic tools in their teaching. The nomenclature of gestures and movements used in the survey is based on a previous study by the author (Nafisi, 2008, 2010) categorising movements in the teaching of singing according to their pedagogical intent intoPhysiological Gestures, Sensation-related Gestures, Musical GesturesandBody-Movements. The survey demonstrated thatGestureswere used by a significant number of voice teachers to enhance explanation and/or demonstration, that a significant number of voice teachers encouraged their students to carry out similar Gestures whilst singing to enhance their learning experience and that another type of essentially non-expressiveBody-Movementswas also encouraged by a significant number of voice teachers to enhance students’ learning. The paper validates the author's nomenclature and offers some hitherto unpublished insights.
Energy balance and obesity: a UK perspective on the gluttonyv.sloth debate
Authors: Millward D. Joe
Published: June 2013

Obesity in the UK was assumed to have developed against a population decline in physical activity, with health messages focused on diet and exercise prevention strategies. Doubly-labelled water (DLW) studies of energy expenditure have indicated the alternative scenario that the increased obesity prevalence reflects excessive food energy intake with physical activity levels unchanged. This analysis is questionable, deriving in part from a weakness of the DLW methodology in identifying changing physical activity levels within populations of increasing body weight. This has resulted in an underestimation of the reduction in physical activity in the overweight and obese, as revealed by direct studies of such behaviour. Furthermore, a close examination of food energy supply, household food purchases and individual food energy consumption since 1955, in relation to likely estimates of current intakes indicated by simple modelling of predicted energy expenditure, identifies: (a) food energy supply as markedly overestimating energy intakes; (b) individual food energy consumption as markedly underestimating energy intakes; and (c) household food purchase data as the closest match to predicted current food energy intakes. Energy intakes indicated by this latter method have fallen by between 20 to 30 %, suggesting comparable falls in physical activity. Although unequivocal evidence for a matching UK trend in falling physical activity is limited, as is evidence that obesity follows reductions in physical activity, such a link has been recently suggested in a large prospective study in adolescents. Thus, for the UK, obesity has developed within a ‘move less–eat somewhat less but still too much’ scenario. A focus on both diet and exercise should remain the appropriate public health policy.
AN EXPLICIT DESCRIPTION OF THE SIMPLICIAL GROUP
Authors: STAIC MIHAI D.
Published: June 2013

We give an explicit construction for a$K(A, n)$simplicial group and explain its topological interpretation.
Genetic variability of phytic acid phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus in cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Hande Poonam A. , Mondal Suvendu , Badigannavar A. M. , D'Souza S. F.
Published: June 2013

The presence of excessive phytic acids in foods exerts undesirable antinutritional effects while their agricultural product is utilized as food for humans and as fodder for animals. In this study, 40 cultivated groundnut genotypes were grown in two years and used to estimate the phytic acid phosphorus (PAP) and inorganic phosphorus (InP) contents. The PAP content differed significantly (P= 0.01) among the genotypes and ranged from 149.3 to 315.0 mg PAP/100 g seed with an average of 227.6 mg PAP/100 g seed. The genotypes TG 17 and TG 67 had the highest (315 mg) and the lowest (149.3 mg) PAP content, respectively. The InP content ranged from 58.7 mg/100 g seed in the SG 99 genotype to 102.6 mg/100 g seed in the TG 40 genotype, with a mean of 82.6 mg/100 g seed. The ratio of InP to PAP varied from 0.24 to 0.56. A significantly higher InP:PAP ratio was found in the genotypes TKG 19A, TAG 24, TG 37A, TBG 39 (TDG 39), TG 51, TG 67 and GG 7, which was due to either an increase in InP content or a decrease in PAP content.
Promoting Critical Islam: Controversy, Civil Society, Revolution
Authors: Tampio Nicholas
Published: June 2013

Critical Islam is an intellectual orientation that prizes timeliness and broad-mindedness and a political sensibility that tends to honor majority rule, minority rights, and the good of pluralism. This essay considers how an important European Muslim scholar, Tariq Ramadan, promotes critical Islam in his call for a moratorium on stoning, his argument for the reformation offatwacommittees, and his analysis of the Arab Awakening. The essay argues that the art of controversy and the building of civil society—more so than political revolution—can cultivate a critical sensibility among Muslim scholars and publics.
Noninvasive remote activation of the ventral midbrain by transcranial direct current stimulation of prefrontal cortex
Authors: Chib V S , Yun K , Takahashi H , Shimojo S
Published: June 2013

The midbrain lies deep within the brain and has an important role in reward, motivation, movement and the pathophysiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, depression and addiction. To date, the primary means of acting on this region has been with pharmacological interventions or implanted electrodes. Here we introduce a new noninvasive brain stimulation technique that exploits the highly interconnected nature of the midbrain and prefrontal cortex to stimulate deep brain regions. Using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the prefrontal cortex, we were able to remotely activate the interconnected midbrain and cause increases in participants’ appraisals of facial attractiveness. Participants with more enhanced prefrontal/midbrain connectivity following stimulation exhibited greater increases in attractiveness ratings. These results illustrate that noninvasive direct stimulation of prefrontal cortex can induce neural activity in the distally connected midbrain, which directly effects behavior. Furthermore, these results suggest that this tDCS protocol could provide a promising approach to modulate midbrain functions that are disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Fat dipole antenna with broadband balun using CPW‐to‐slotline field transformation
Authors: Hong Y.‐P.
Published: June 2013

Presented is a fat dipole antenna having square radiating elements fed by a broadband balun based on coplanar‐waveguide (CPW)‐to‐slotline field transformation followed by multi‐section slotlines for impedance transformation. The measured results of the broadband balun show a passband of 500 MHz to 5 GH and insertion loss less than 1 dB. The amplitude imbalance is approximately 0.38 dB and the phase imbalance is less than 4.5o over the entire operation range. In this design, by co‐designing the radiating element with the broadband balun, a fat dipole antenna covering from 3 to 5 GHz with an omnidirectional radiation pattern and a maximum gain of 2 dBi is designed, while retaining a size of 38.9 × 80.6 mm.
Microlens‐coupled endoscopic imaging probe without beam expanding spacer
Authors: Han J.‐H. , Kang J.U.
Published: June 2013

Developed is a new form of ball lens onto the tip of an optical fibre for endoscopic imaging and its feasibility is evaluated. This miniaturised fibre‐optic imaging probe extends its working distance without inserting a physical spacer between the cleaved fibre and the microlens as done in conventional probes. The experiment was analysed and showed that the results concur with the simulation results. Finally, this optical probe was tested with a spectral domain optical coherence tomography and the images of thin layers of the phantom specimen are taken for comparison.
Three octave ultra‐wideband 3‐port circulator in 0.11 µm CMOS
Authors: Kim S.M. , Kim Y.H.
Published: June 2013

A three octave ultra‐wideband 3‐port circulator is proposed and implemented using 110 nm CMOS technology. The circulator operates across the frequency range from 0.5 to 4 GHz with supply voltage of 3 and − 3 V. The measured insertion loss is from 1.3 to 4.9 dB, return loss is better than 12 dB and isolation is more than 12 dB.
Dynamic characteristics of the corona discharge during the energised icing process of conductors
Authors: Hu Qin , Li Te , Shu Lichun , Jiang Xingliang , Luo Baosong
Published: June 2013

Considerable differences exist between the energised icing process and the non‐energised icing process of conductors. The main reasons that contribute to these differences are the complex interactions between the icing process and the corona discharge. To reveal these interactions, the dynamic characteristics of the corona discharge in energised icing process have to be studied. The energised icing tests of conductors are carried out in the artificial climate chamber. The short‐term statistical characteristic and the long‐term variance trend of corona properties are obtained by using the Q–V trace method. Experimental results are analysed as well. The results indicate that the distribution of the magnitude and the power of the discharge approximately obeys the normal distribution. Also, with the accumulating of the ice, the mean values of the short‐term discharge power and the magnitude increase initially then saturation appears after the increasing period. The saturation time is related to the icing velocity of the conductor. When the electric field strength is >10 kV/cm, the icing velocity will decrease if the electric field is increased. The standard deviations of the magnitude remain in the same level when the electric field is varying.
High-intensity coherent vacuum ultraviolet source using unfocussed commercial dye lasers
Authors: Albert Daniel R. , Proctor David L. , Floyd Davis H.
Published: June 2013

Using two or three commercial pulsed nanosecond dye lasers pumped by a single 30 Hz Nd:YAG laser, generation of 0.10 mJ pulses at 125 nm (6 × 1013 photons/pulse) has been demonstrated by resonance enhanced four-wave mixing of collimated (unfocussed) laser beams in mercury (Hg) vapor. Phase matching at various vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) wavelengths is achieved by tuning one laser in the vicinity of the 6 1S0 → 6 3P1 resonance near 253.1 nm. A number of different mixing schemes are characterized. Our observations using broadband lasers (∼0.15 cm−1 bandwidths) are compared to previous calculations pertaining to four-wave mixing of low intensity narrowband laser beams. Prospects for further increases in pulse energies are discussed. We find that VUV tuning curves and intensities are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The utility of the VUV light source is demonstrated by “soft universal” single-photon VUV ionization in crossed molecular beam studies and for generation of light at 130.2 nm for oxygen atom Rydberg time-of-flight experiments.
Miscible density-unstable displacement flows in inclined tube
Authors: Alba K. , Taghavi S. M. , Frigaard I. A.
Published: June 2013

We study the displacement flow of two Newtonian fluids in an inclined pipe. The fluids have the same viscosity but different densities. The displacing fluid is denser than the displaced fluid and is placed above the displaced fluid (i.e., a density-unstable configuration). Three dimensionless groups describe these flows: a densimetric Froude number Fr, a Reynolds number Re, and the pipe inclination β. Our experiments cover fairly broad ranges of these parameters: 0 ⩽ Fr ⩽ 9; 0 ⩽ Re ⪅ 2400; 0 ⩽ β ⩽ 85°. Phenomenologically, our experimental flow observations vary from well mixed fully diffusive regimes, through buoyancy-dominated inertial exchange regimes, to laminar viscous flows, all with varying degrees of stability. We characterize the different flow regimes observed in terms of the three dimensionless groups and provide leading order approximations to the velocity of the displacement front and the macroscopic diffusion in each regime.
Fusion of visual and infrared thermography images for advanced assessment in non-destructive testing
Authors: Eisler K. , Homma C. , Goldammer M. , Rothenfusser M. , Arnold W.
Published: June 2013

For better evaluation of infrared measurements in non-destructive testing, especially for objects with complex geometry or small dimensions, it is beneficial to combine with the same viewing angle an image of a camera in the visible range with the image of an infrared camera. In the hybrid camera developed by us, a beam splitter is used which combines the visible and the infrared wavelength regions under the same viewing angle to form a hybrid image. The applications of this new technique range from the localization and the verification of false indications in non-destructive testing applications to the retrieval of 3D surface information with a hybrid picture as texture with defect indications and the filtering of laser markings displayed in the IR image to area and process monitoring.
Microcantilever dynamics in tapping mode atomic force microscopy via higher eigenmodes analysis
Authors: Andreaus Ugo , Placidi Luca , Rega Giuseppe
Published: June 2013

Microcantilever dynamics in tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) is addressed via a multimode approximation, which allows to consider external excitation at primary or secondary resonance and to highlight the effect of higher order eigenmodes. Upon presenting the AFM model and its multimode discretization, the dynamic response is investigated via numerical simulation of single- and three-mode models by considering different bifurcation parameters. Typical features of tapping mode AFM response as nonlinear hysteresis, bistability, higher harmonics contribution, impact velocity, and contact force are addressed. The analysis is conducted by evaluating damping of higher modes according to the Rayleigh criterion, which basically accounts for structural damping representative of the behavior of AFMs in air. Nominal damping situations more typical of AFMs in liquids are also investigated, by considering sets of modal Q-factors with different patterns and ranges of values. Variable attractive-repulsive effects are highlighted, along with the possible presence of a coexisting multi-periodic orbit when the system is excited at second resonance.
Methanol clusters (CH3OH)n: Putative global minimum-energy structures from model potentials and dispersion-corrected density functional theory
Authors: Kazachenko Sergey , Bulusu Satya , Thakkar Ajit J.
Published: June 2013

Putative global minima are reported for methanol clusters (CH3OH)n with n ⩽ 15. The predictions are based on global optimization of three intermolecular potential energy models followed by local optimization and single-point energy calculations using two variants of dispersion-corrected density functional theory. Recurring structural motifs include folded and/or twisted rings, folded rings with a short branch, and stacked rings. Many of the larger structures are stabilized by weak C–H⋯O bonds.
Heterodyne measurement of resonant elastic scattering from epitaxial quantum dots
Authors: Metcalfe Michael , Solomon Glenn S. , Lawall John
Published: June 2013

Resonant elastic scattering from InAs quantum dots (QDs) is studied by heterodyne spectroscopy. We show theoretically that heterodyne spectroscopy of a two-level quantum emitter is not sensitive to the inelastic fluorescence component. In practice, we easily measure the elastic emission even when the fluorescence is dominated by inelastic scattering. We are able to distinguish the resonant elastic fluorescence from a large background of scattered pump light by modulating the QD transition frequency with a surface acoustic wave. The signal linewidth is 250 Hz, limited by vibration-induced phase noise in the optical fibers used for resonant optical drive and fluorescence collection.
An effective route to produce few-layer graphene using combinatorial ball milling and strong aqueous exfoliants
Authors: Aparna R. , Sivakumar N. , Balakrishnan A. , Sreekumar Nair A. , Nair Shantikumar V. , Subramanian K. R. V.
Published: June 2013

In this paper, a simple, cost effective, and scalable process for production of few-layer graphene is reported by combining ball milling with exfoliants. The graphene was derived from low-cost graphite, which was subjected to high-energy ball milling in an aqueous medium containing a strong exfoliant (1-pyrenecarboxylic acid) and a common solvent methanol. Such a combinatorial approach has not been used before. At a fixed concentration of 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid, the extent of exfoliation was found to be strongly dependent upon the energy input from the ball milling process (expressed as number of hours of milling) and the solvent used. The graphene produced had the distinctive Raman signature, x-ray diffraction crystallinity, scanning electron microscopic image features, transmission electron microscopic images, and high conductivity values (6.7 × 103 S m−1) in 4-probe electrical measurements all of which compared reasonably with typical values achieved for few-layer graphene. Application of the few-layer graphene was investigated as an electrode for supercapacitors. The graphene-coated electrode showed good specific capacitance and area capacitance (∼176 F g−1 and 1.6 F cm−2), superior to conventionally processed graphene. Also demonstrated is good stability in multiple cyclic voltammetric cycles as also a low fade in capacitance after 100 cycles. Based on the obtained characteristics, which show high degree of fidelity when compared to commercial graphene, the few-layer graphene was considered to be a good cost-effective and scalable alternative for applications in energy and other fields.
Electron bunch energy and phase feed-forward stabilization system for the Mark V RF-linac free-electron laser
Authors: Hadmack M. R. , Jacobson B. T. , Kowalczyk J. M. D. , Lienert B. R. , Madey J. M. J. , Szarmes E. B.
Published: June 2013

An amplitude and phase compensation system has been developed and tested at the University of Hawai‘i for the optimization of the RF drive system to the Mark V free-electron laser. Temporal uniformity of the RF drive is essential to the generation of an electron beam suitable for optimal free-electron laser performance and the operation of an inverse Compton scattering x-ray source. The design of the RF measurement and compensation system is described in detail and the results of RF phase compensation are presented. Performance of the free-electron laser was evaluated by comparing the measured effects of phase compensation with the results of a computer simulation. Finally, preliminary results are presented for the effects of amplitude compensation on the performance of the complete system.
Effect of dislocation walls on the polarization switching of a ferroelectric single crystal
Authors: Wu H. H. , Wang J. , Cao S. G. , Zhang T. Y.
Published: June 2013

Phase field simulations were conducted to study the influence of dislocation walls on the domain configuration and polarization switching behavior of a ferroelectric single crystal. The simulation results show that the domain configuration and polarization switching behavior depend highly on the dislocation spacing in the dislocation wall. The ferroelectric properties can be greatly improved by reducing the coercive field and meanwhile enhancing the remanent polarization if an appropriate density of dislocations is introduced at high temperature. The phase field simulations also put insights into the mechanism of polarization switching.
X-ray spectroscopic study of SrTiOx films with different interlayers
Authors: Filatova E. O. , Sokolov A. A. , Egorova Yu. V. , Konashuk A. S. , Vilkov O. Yu. , Gorgoi M. , Pavlychev A. A.
Published: June 2013

Air-exposed systems SrTiOx/B/Si with different film thickness (7 nm and 15 nm) and different interlayers (ILs) (B: SiO2, Si3N4, and HfO2) grown by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique were studied using near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), soft x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). It was established that the material of the IL influences strongly the lowest unoccupied bands and local atomic structure of the SrTiO3 film. In the case of SiO2 IL, the SrTiO3 film is characterized by nearly ideal cubic structure. The Si3N4 IL supports the Sr-enrichment of the air-exposed film. Presumably the enrichment of Sr occurs predominantly in the near surface range of the film. The HfO2 IL promotes the violation of the structure creating numerous defects inside the film. The surfaces of all the investigated SrTiOx films are carbonate-rich surfaces in the form of SrCO3. The SrCO3 content is minimal/maximal in the film grown on the SiO2/HfO2 IL.
Piezoelectric anisotropy of orthorhombic ferroelectric single crystals
Authors: Aleshin V. I. , Raevski I. P.
Published: June 2013

In the frame of thermodynamic approach, it is shown that all the admissible values of the d33, d32, and d31 piezoelectric moduli of any orthorhombic (mm2) single crystal in the 3-dimensional (d33, d32, d31) space lie within a restricted area having the form of ellipsoid. The main parameters of this ellipsoid (the aspect ratios and the angles characterizing its orientation) depend only on the elastic constants of the crystal. Using the developed approach, the areas of the allowable values of piezoelectric moduli have been determined for six crystals: single-domain KNbO3 and 0.27Pb(In0.5Nb0.5)O3-0.40Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.33PbTiO3 crystals possessing true orthorhombic symmetry and four polydomain macroscopically pseudoorthorhombic crystals—tetragonal BaTiO3 and PbTiO3 crystals with laminate 90° domain structure as well as rhombohedral 0.72Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.28PbTiO3 and 0.93Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.07PbTiO3 crystals, poled along the [011] direction of the prototype cubic cell. Four crystals from this set possess negative values of the longitudinal Poisson's ratio and are thus partially auxetics.
Spontaneous autophoretic motion of isotropic particles
Authors: Michelin Sébastien , Lauga Eric , Bartolo Denis
Published: June 2013

Suspended colloidal particles interacting chemically with a solute can self-propel by autophoretic motion when they are asymmetrically patterned (Janus colloids). Here we demonstrate theoretically that such anisotropy is not necessary for locomotion and that the nonlinear interplay between surface osmotic flows and solute advection can produce spontaneous and self-sustained motion of isotropic particles. Solving the classical autophoretic framework for isotropic particles, we show that, for given material properties, there exists a critical particle size (or Péclet number) above which spontaneous symmetry-breaking and autophoretic motion occur. A hierarchy of instabilities is further identified for quantized critical Péclet numbers.
Luminescence of Cu2ZnSnS4 polycrystals described by the fluctuating potential model
Authors: Halliday D. P. , Claridge R. , Goodman M. C. J. , Mendis B. G. , Durose K. , Major J. D.
Published: June 2013

The growth of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) polycrystals from solid state reaction over a range of compositions, including the regions which produce the highest efficiency photovoltaic devices, is reported. X-ray measurements confirm the growth of crystalline CZTS. Temperature and intensity dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements show an increase in the energy of the main CZTS luminescence peak with both increasing laser power and increasing temperature. Analysis of the PL peak positions and intensity behavior demonstrates that the results are consistent with the model of fluctuating potentials. This confirms that the polycrystals are heavily doped with the presence of a large concentration of intrinsic defects. The behavior of the main luminescence feature is shown to be qualitatively similar over a broad range of compositions although the nature and amount of secondary phases vary significantly. The implications for thin-film photovoltaic devices are discussed.
Note: Atmospheric point discharge current measurements using a temperature-compensated logarithmic current amplifier
Authors: Marlton G. J. , Harrison R. G. , Nicoll K. A.
Published: June 2013

Measurements of atmospheric corona currents have been made for over 100 years to indicate the atmospheric electric field. Corona currents vary substantially, in polarity and in magnitude. The instrument described here uses a sharp point sensor connected to a temperature compensated bi-polar logarithmic current amplifier. Calibrations over a range of currents from ±10 fA to ±3 μA and across ±20 °C show it has an excellent logarithmic response over six orders of magnitude from 1 pA to 1 μA in both polarities for the range of atmospheric temperatures likely to be encountered in the southern UK. Comparison with atmospheric electric field measurements during disturbed weather confirms that bipolar electric fields induce corona currents of corresponding sign, with magnitudes ∼0.5 μA.
The effect of vacancies on the microwave surface resistance of niobium revealed by positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Romanenko A. , Edwardson C. J. , Coleman P. G. , Simpson P. J.
Published: June 2013

Using variable-energy positron annihilation spectroscopy, we demonstrate that a different near-surface vacancy concentration accompanies drastic differences in surface resistance of superconducting niobium cavities for particle acceleration. Our data suggest that vacuum baking at 120 °C leads to the doping of a near-surface layer with vacancy-hydrogen complexes, and that higher vacancy-type defect concentration distinguishes electropolished from chemically etched cavities. Our findings may help to explain a strong dependence of cavity performance on heat and chemical treatments, and may be of interest to other physics fields including cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), microresonators, and single photon detectors.
Upconversion multicolor tuning: Red to green emission from Y2O3:Er, Yb nanoparticles by calcination
Authors: Lu Qipeng , Hou Yanbing , Tang Aiwei , Wu Huaihao , Teng Feng
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we report the color tuning of Er and Yb codoped Y2O3 upconversion materials by calcination within a fixed doping concentration under the excitation of 980 nm semiconductor laser diode. By introducing the defects through use of a surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) and removing the defects by changing the calcination temperature, the green emission (2H11/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2) and red emission (4F9/2→4I15/2) of Er ions were enhanced selectively, thus the color output could be tuned from red to green. It is expected that these color-tuned materials have great potential for applications in multiplexed labeling.
Formation of Ternary Complexes of Iron(III) Cations in Solution and Gas Phase
Authors: Liu Xing Xin , Melman Artem
Published: June 2013

Formation of labile 1 : 1 : 1 ternary mononuclear complexes of iron(iii) cation with η3-terdentate meridional binders was studied using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) titration and UV-Vis titration in solution phase. Low selectivities towards formation of ternary heteroleptic complexes in the solution phase vs. symmetric 2 : 1 complexes were obtained with combinations of dianionic 2,6-bis[hydroxy(methyl)amino]-1,3,5-triazine (BHT) ligands with monoanionic terdentate ligands such as 2-[(2-pyridinylmethylene)amino]phenol. Moderate selectivities were observed in formation of ternary iron(iii) complexes of iron(iii) between BHT ligands and neutral terdentate ligands such as pyridin-2-ylmethylpyridin-2-ylmethyleneamine. Results obtained by MS titrations were in a reasonable agreement with UV titration data indicating that quantitative ESI MS spectrometry can be applied to these labile iron(iii) complexes.
Synthesis of Aromatic Hyperbranched Polyester (HBPE) and its Use as a Nonmigrating Plasticiser
Authors: Yue Lipei , Cao Yingjie , Huang Tong , Huang Lei , Bai Yongping , Zhou Yongfeng
Published: June 2013

A series of aromatic hyperbranched polyesters (HBPEs) were synthesised through one-pot reaction of benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic anhydride, diethylene glycol, and methanol. The molecular structure of HBPEs was characterised by 1H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis. HBPE was used as plasticiser for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and compared with traditional plasticiser bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DOP). When the plasticiser concentration in PVC was below 40 wt-%, HBPE showed better plasticisation efficiency than DOP, with enhanced impact strength and ultimate elongation. Volatility and extractability tests for PVC films indicated that there was no migration if HBPE was used as plasticiser, even under very harsh conditions, while the migration in PVC films plasticised by DOP was much greater, indicating that HBPE could be used as a substitution for DOP to lower the potential health risk from migrating phthalates during the use of PVC products.
Brushtail possums: do present law, policy and management approaches meet the needs of this species in all its contexts?
Authors: Russell Tracey Catherine , Geraghty Ellen , Wilks Sarah
Published: June 2013

Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) have been variously described as endangered, pests, prized native wildlife and, recently, as a potential meat export. This article reports information on the increasing decline of the brushtail possum and on attitudes towards these animals. The ‘fit’ between values and attitudes and prevailing governance arrangements is assessed. While the range of this animal is certainly shrinking, areas do exist where the brushtail possum is present at high or very high densities. It is in these areas of high possum density (some urban areas and certain agricultural regions) that conflicts arise, both over the ‘identity’ of the brushtail possum and as to what would be appropriate management. It is argued that although brushtail possums enjoy significant legal protection, these provisions are treated as a nuisance to be circumvented by many residents in areas where possums are in high abundance. Existing policies on possum management somewhat unhelpfully focus attention on situations where possums are overabundant, thus overshadowing situations where active management of declining possum populations would be appropriate.
Distributed cortical adaptation during learning of a brain–computer interface task
Authors: Wander Jeremiah D. , Blakely Timothy , Miller Kai J. , Weaver Kurt E. , Johnson Lise A. , Olson Jared D. , Fetz Eberhard E. , Rao Rajesh P. N. , Ojemann Jeffrey G.
Published: June 2013

The majority of subjects who attempt to learn control of a brain–computer interface (BCI) can do so with adequate training. Much like when one learns to type or ride a bicycle, BCI users report transitioning from a deliberate, cognitively focused mindset to near automatic control as training progresses. What are the neural correlates of this process of BCI skill acquisition? Seven subjects were implanted with electrocorticography (ECoG) electrodes and had multiple opportunities to practice a 1D BCI task. As subjects became proficient, strong initial task-related activation was followed by lessening of activation in prefrontal cortex, premotor cortex, and posterior parietal cortex, areas that have previously been implicated in the cognitive phase of motor sequence learning and abstract task learning. These results demonstrate that, although the use of a BCI only requires modulation of a local population of neurons, a distributed network of cortical areas is involved in the acquisition of BCI proficiency.
Chemical and cytokine features of innate immunity characterize serum and tissue profiles in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Knutson Charles G. , Mangerich Aswin , Zeng Yu , Raczynski Arkadiusz R. , Liberman Rosa G. , Kang Pilsoo , Ye Wenjie , Prestwich Erin G. , Lu Kun , Wishnok John S. , Korzenik Joshua R. , Wogan Gerald N. , Fox James G. , Dedon Peter C. , Tannenbaum Steven R.
Published: June 2013

Significance

Our study investigates chemical damage associated with chronic inflammation and relates these macromolecular damage products to inflammatory bowel disease activity. Using mice as a model system, we show that chronic inflammatory responses that are common to mice and humans produce similar types and quantities of damage products in both species. Additional analysis of signaling molecules in the serum and tissue of diseased samples highlights the role of the innate immune response in the overall pathology of inflammatory bowel disease.
Inflammatory monocytes and Fcγ receptor IV on osteoclasts are critical for bone destruction during inflammatory arthritis in mice
Authors: Seeling Michaela , Hillenhoff Ulrike , David Jean Pierre , Schett Georg , Tuckermann Jan , Lux Anja , Nimmerjahn Falk
Published: June 2013

Destruction of bone tissue by osteoclasts represents a severe pathological phenotype during inflammatory arthritis and results in joint pain and bone malformations. Previous studies have established the essential role of cytokines including TNFα and receptor–ligand interactions, such as the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B–receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand interaction for osteoclast formation during joint inflammation. Moreover, autoantibodies contribute to joint inflammation in inflammatory arthritis by triggering cellular fragment crystallizable (Fc)γ receptors (FcγR), resulting in the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines essential for recruitment and activation of innate immune effector cells. In contrast, little is known about the expression pattern and function of different FcγRs during osteoclast differentiation. This would allow osteoclasts to directly interact with autoantibody immune complexes, rather than being influenced indirectly via proinflammatory cytokines released upon immune complex binding to other FcγR-expressing innate immune cells. To address this question, we studied FcγR expression and function on osteoclasts during the steady state and during acute joint inflammation in a model of inflammatory arthritis. Our results suggest that osteoclastogenesis is directly influenced by IgG autoantibody binding to select activating FcγRs on immature osteoclasts, resulting in enhanced osteoclast generation and, ultimately, bone destruction.
Theory of mind and Darwin’s legacy
Authors: Searle John
Published: June 2013

We do not have an adequate theory of consciousness. Both dualism and materialism are mistaken because they deny consciousness is part of the physical world. False claims include (
i
) behaviorism, (
ii
) computationalism, (
iii
) epiphenomenalism, (
iv
) the readiness potential, (
v
) subjectivity, and (
vi
) materialism. Ontological subjectivity does not preclude epistemic objectivity. Observer relative phenomena are created by consciousness, but consciousness is not itself observer relative. Consciousness consists of feeling, sentience, or awareness with (
i
) qualitativeness, (
ii
) ontological subjectivity, (
iii
) unified conscious field, (
iv
) intentionality, and (
v
) intentional causation. All conscious states are caused by lower level neurobiological processes in the brain, and they are realized in the brain as higher level features. Efforts to get a detailed scientific account of how brain processes cause consciousness are disappointing. The Darwinian revolution gave us a new form of explanation; two levels were substituted: a causal level, where we specify the mechanism by which the phenotype functions, and a functional level, where we specify the selectional advantage that the phenotype provides. Sociobiology attempted to explain general features of human society, ethics, etc. It failed. For the incest taboo, it confuses inhibition with prohibition. It did not explain the moral force of the taboo. To explain the function of consciousness we cannot ask, “What would be subtracted if we subtracted consciousness but left everything else the same?” We cannot leave everything else the same because consciousness is necessary for higher functions of human and animal life. The unified conscious field gives the organism vastly increased power.
Single dose of
l
-dopa makes extinction memories context-independent and prevents the return of fear
Authors: Haaker Jan , Gaburro Stefano , Sah Anupam , Gartmann Nina , Lonsdorf Tina B. , Meier Kolja , Singewald Nicolas , Pape Hans-Christian , Morellini Fabio , Kalisch Raffael
Published: June 2013

Significance

Traumatic events can engender persistent excessive fear responses to trauma reminders that may return even after successful treatment. In the psychotherapy of fear or anxiety disorders, patients make safety experiences that generate fear-inhibitory safety memories. Fear, however, frequently returns because safety memory retrieval fails. We find that safety memories can be strengthened and are more easily retrieved when adding a standard anti-Parkinson drug that augments brain levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine directly after a safety experience. In mice and humans, this treatment up-regulates an anti-fear area in the frontal cortex. Our findings open a unique avenue for improving psychotherapy.
Directing exocrine secretory vesicles to the apical membrane by actin cables generated by the formin mDia1
Authors: Geron Erez , Schejter Eyal D. , Shilo Ben-Zion
Published: June 2013

The final stage in exocrine secretion involves translocation of vesicles from their storage areas to the apical membrane. We show that actin-coated secretory vesicles of the exocrine pancreas travel this distance over bundles of specialized actin cables emanating from the apical plasma membrane. These bundles are stable structures that require constant G-actin incorporation and are distinct from the actin web that surrounds the exocrine lumen. The murine mammalian Diaphanous-related formin 1 (mDia1) was identified as a generator of these cables. The active form of mDia1 localized to the apical membrane, and introduction of an active form of mDia1 led to a marked increase in bundle density along the lumen perimeter. Compromising formation of the cables does not prevent secretion, but results in disorganized trafficking and fusion between secretory vesicles. Similar apical secretory tracks were also found in the submandibular salivary glands. Together with previous results that identified a role for Diaphanous in apical secretion in tubular organs of
Drosophila
, the role of Diaphanous formins at the final stages of secretion appears to be highly conserved.
Molecular architecture of the uncleaved HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer
Authors: Mao Youdong , Wang Liping , Gu Christopher , Herschhorn Alon , Désormeaux Anik , Finzi Andrés , Xiang Shi-Hua , Sodroski Joseph G.
Published: June 2013

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer, a membrane-fusing machine, mediates virus entry into host cells and is the sole virus-specific target for neutralizing antibodies. Binding the receptors, CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4, triggers Env conformational changes from the metastable unliganded state to the fusion-active state. We used cryo-electron microscopy to obtain a 6-Å structure of the membrane-bound, heavily glycosylated HIV-1 Env trimer in its uncleaved and unliganded state. The spatial organization of secondary structure elements reveals that the unliganded conformations of both glycoprotein (gp)120 and gp41 subunits differ from those induced by receptor binding. The gp120 trimer association domains, which contribute to interprotomer contacts in the unliganded Env trimer, undergo rearrangement upon CD4 binding. In the unliganded Env, intersubunit interactions maintain the gp41 ectodomain helical bundles in a “spring-loaded” conformation distinct from the extended helical coils of the fusion-active state. Quaternary structure regulates the virus-neutralizing potency of antibodies targeting the conserved CD4-binding site on gp120. The Env trimer architecture provides mechanistic insights into the metastability of the unliganded state, receptor-induced conformational changes, and quaternary structure-based strategies for immune evasion.
Metabolic signatures of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis reveal insights into disease pathogenesis
Authors: Dodge James C. , Treleaven Christopher M. , Fidler Jonathan A. , Tamsett Thomas J. , Bao Channa , Searles Michelle , Taksir Tatyana V. , Misra Kuma , Sidman Richard L. , Cheng Seng H. , Shihabuddin Lamya S.
Published: June 2013

Metabolic dysfunction is an important modulator of disease course in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We report here that a familial mouse model (transgenic mice over-expressing the G93A mutation of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 gene) of ALS enters a progressive state of acidosis that is associated with several metabolic (hormonal) alternations that favor lipolysis. Extensive investigation of the major determinants of H
+
concentration (i.e., the strong ion difference and the strong ion gap) suggests that acidosis is also due in part to the presence of an unknown anion. Consistent with a compensatory response to avert pathological acidosis, ALS mice harbor increased accumulation of glycogen in CNS and visceral tissues. The altered glycogen is associated with fluctuations in lysosomal and neutral α-glucosidase activities. Disease-related changes in glycogen, glucose, and α-glucosidase activity are also found in spinal cord tissue samples of autopsied patients with ALS. Collectively, these data provide insights into the pathogenesis of ALS as well as potential targets for drug development.
Use of mutant
125
I-Perfringolysin O to probe transport and organization of cholesterol in membranes of animal cells
Authors: Das Akash , Goldstein Joseph L. , Anderson Donald D. , Brown Michael S. , Radhakrishnan Arun
Published: June 2013

Animal cells strictly control the distribution of cholesterol in their organelle membranes. This regulation requires an efficient machinery to transport insoluble cholesterol between organelles. In the present study, we generate an
125
I-labeled mutant version of Perfringolysin O (PFO), a cholesterol-binding protein, and use it to measure cholesterol in the plasma membrane of intact cells. We also purify plasma membranes from the same cells, which allows us to directly relate cholesterol concentration to
125
I-PFO binding. We show that cholesterol is organized in the plasma membrane in a manner that makes it inaccessible to PFO until its concentration exceeds a threshold of 35 mol% of total lipids. This 35% threshold is in striking contrast to the 5% threshold previously found for PFO binding to endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The
125
I-PFO probe also proved useful in monitoring the movement of LDL-derived cholesterol from lysosomes to plasma membranes. Using three different mutant cell lines, we show that this transport requires receptor-mediated uptake of LDL, hydrolysis of LDL-cholesteryl esters in lysosomes, and transfer of the liberated cholesterol to the plasma membrane.
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is a critical resistance mechanism in antitumor T cell immunotherapy targeting CTLA-4
Authors: Holmgaard Rikke B. , Zamarin Dmitriy , Munn David H. , Wolchok Jedd D. , Allison James P.
Published: June 2013

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4)–blocking antibody ipilimumab results in durable responses in metastatic melanoma, though therapeutic benefit has been limited to a fraction of patients. This calls for identification of resistance mechanisms and development of combinatorial strategies. Here, we examine the inhibitory role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) on the antitumor efficacy of CTLA-4 blockade. In IDO knockout mice treated with anti–CTLA-4 antibody, we demonstrate a striking delay in B16 melanoma tumor growth and increased overall survival when compared with wild-type mice. This was also observed with antibodies targeting PD-1–PD-L1 and GITR. To highlight the therapeutic relevance of these findings, we show that CTLA-4 blockade strongly synergizes with IDO inhibitors to mediate rejection of both IDO-expressing and nonexpressing poorly immunogenic tumors, emphasizing the importance of the inhibitory role of both tumor- and host-derived IDO. This effect was T cell dependent, leading to enhanced infiltration of tumor-specific effector T cells and a marked increase in the effector-to-regulatory T cell ratios in the tumors. Overall, these data demonstrate the immunosuppressive role of IDO in the context of immunotherapies targeting immune checkpoints and provide a strong incentive to clinically explore combination therapies using IDO inhibitors irrespective of IDO expression by the tumor cells.
Open access metadata: current practices and proposed solutions
Authors: HUTCHENS Chad
Published: June 2013

Nearly every major publisher offers open access content of some sort, but open access metadata standards are non‐existent amongst content providers. Users, librarians, content providers, and technology vendors who offer OpenURL resolvers and discovery services all stand to benefit from standardized ways to indicate what content is open access and what is not. Additionally, all stakeholders would benefit from a standardized method by which one can ascertain what form of open access any content may be; indeed, there are many definitions of open access. There is ample evidence that every publisher handles their content metadata differently and this creates inefficiencies in the scholarly information supply chain and leads to user confusion. Many initiatives are currently working on solutions to these problems including the NISO KBART workgroup, NISO's Open Discovery Initiative, and NISO's very recently created Open Access Initiative. There are also pre‐existing concepts based on services, such as CrossRef's CrossMark service and discovery systems that hold promise with respect to open access content and metadata.
Beyond online preprints: formalization of open initiatives in China
Authors: REN Xiang
Published: June 2013

A growing number of online journals and academic platforms are adopting light peer review or ‘publish then filter’ models of scholarly communication. These approaches have the advantage of enabling instant exchanges of knowledge between academics and are part of a wider search for alternatives to traditional peer review and certification processes in scholarly publishing. However, establishing credibility and identifying the correct balance between communication and scholarly rigour remains an important challenge for digital communication platforms targeting academic communities. This paper looks at a highly influential, government‐backed, open publishing platform in China: Science Paper Online, which is using transparent post‐publication peer‐review processes to encourage innovation and address systemic problems in China's traditional academic publishing system. There can be little doubt that the Chinese academic publishing landscape differs in important ways from counterparts in the United States and Western Europe. However, this article suggests that developments in China also provide important lessons about the potential of digital technology and government policy to facilitate a large‐scale shift towards more open and networked models of scholarly communication.
Vocabulary extraction in foreign‐language journals: how natural language processing can help readers
Authors: Sun JILAN
Published: June 2013

Digital publishing enables new features beyond simple electronic availability and searching. One of these can be helping readers understand articles that are not in their native language by providing word extraction services using natural language processing on publishers' platforms. This would help in both electronic and paper formats. This paper analyzes the feasibility of vocabulary extraction and gives corresponding extraction strategies for ‘normal’ words as well as technical terms.