bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact wideband balanced bandpass filter with high common‐mode suppression based on cascade parallel coupled lines
Authors: Zhou Jiagen G. , Chiang Yi‐Chyun , Che Wenquan
Published: June 2014

A novel differential bandpass filter based on the cascaded parallel coupled lines is proposed, which takes the features of wide passband, high common‐mode suppression and compact size. Six transmission zeros are created and located at the frequency range of 0−2f0 (f0 is centre frequency of the passband), which helps realise the wide passband performances. The balanced bandpass filter consists of the four‐stage parallel coupled lines, and the even‐ and odd‐ mode characteristic impedances can be adjusted to achieve the desired bandwidth of the passband while the positions of four transmission zeros can be conveniently adjusted by changing the impedance ratio of the asymmetrical stepped impedance resonator (SIR) structures in the proposed filter. By applying the differential and common modes analysis method, the two‐port bisections of the filter become a bandpass and all‐stop filter topologies under differential‐ and common‐mode excitations, respectively. For performance demonstration of the proposed differential filter, a prototype operating at the frequency band of 2.15–3.85 GHz (with fractional bandwidth of 56.7%) was designed and fabricated on a commercial printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The insertion loss and return losses of the differential‐mode filter are <2 dB and >15 dB in the passband and the common‐mode suppression is higher than 30 dB. Good agreements between the simulated and measured results have been observed.
Defected ground structure (DGS)‐integrated rectangular microstrip patch for improved polarisation purity with wide impedance bandwidth
Authors: Kumar Chandrakanta , Guha Debatosh
Published: June 2014

Defected ground structure (DGS)‐integrated rectangular microstrip patch has been experimentally investigated with an aim to improve polarisation purity in radiated fields. Width to length ratio (aspect ratio) of a patch attributes different characteristic features. Therefore present experimental studies have been executed for four different aspect ratio values like 1.6, 1.3, 1.0 and 0.8. Folded defects have been employed in H‐plane. Possibility of achieving high polarisation purity (over 25 dB isolation between co‐ to cross‐polarised fields) with improved impedance bandwidth has been demonstrated. The variation in XP fields as a function of the patch aspect ratio has been investigated and a strong physical insight into the modal fields with and without DGS has been developed.
Liquid crystal photonic crystal fibre with high non‐linearity and birefringence
Authors: Abdelghani Amr M. , Hameed Mohamed Farhat O. , Abdelrazzak Maher , Hindy Moataza Abd el Hamid , Obayya Salah S.A.
Published: June 2014

A novel design of highly birefringent tellurite liquid crystal photonic crystal fibres (PCFs) with low confinement loss and high non‐linearity is introduced. The simulation results are obtained by using full‐vectorial finite‐difference method. The analysed parameters are birefringence, hybridness, effective mode area and non‐linearity for the two fundamental polarised modes. Significant improvements of PCFs in terms of birefringence, confinement losses and non‐linearity are demonstrated by careful investigation of the structure geometrical parameters and temperature. The reported design has high birefringence of 0.09094 and high non‐linearity γ of 2502 and 1900 W−1 km−1 for the quasi‐transverse electric and quasi‐transverse magnetic modes, respectively, at the operating wavelength of 1.55 µm with low losses for the two fundamental polarised modes.
Robust fast maximum likelihood with assumed clutter covariance algorithm for adaptive clutter suppression
Authors: Tang Bo , Zhang Yu , Tang Jun
Published: June 2014

The mismatch between the clutter and noise power of the prior knowledge and true interference covariance matrix degrades the performance of fast maximum likelihood with assumed clutter covariance (FMLACC) algorithm significantly. By introducing a scale parameter to flexibly adjust the prior power, the authors propose an algorithm which is more robust to the power mismatch than FMLACC algorithm. They also develop a more straightforward method to derive the maximum likelihood covariance matrix estimator under this scaled knowledge constraint. Moreover, they study the problem of automatically determining the scale parameter. The authors provide two parameter selection methods, the first of which is based on estimating the minimum eigenvalue of the prewhitened sample covariance matrix, and the second is based on cross validation. To reduce the computational complexity, they also develop fast implementations for the parameter selection based on cross validation. Numerical simulations demonstrate the performance enhancement of the proposed algorithm compared with FMLACC algorithm in cases of mismatched prior knowledge.
Pilot study: electrical impedance based tissue classification using support vector machine classifier
Authors: Grewal Parvind Kaur , Golnaraghi Farid
Published: June 2014

Tissue classification using computer aided diagnosis can help automated decision making to aid clinical diagnosis. Classification of breast tissue based on spectral features of impedance loci has frequently been done to classify malignant tissue with further requirement of more complex classification methodologies needed to improve the characterisation. In current study, tissue classification is done using in vivo electrical impedance data of 18 human subjects, from four quadrants of breast, palm, nail, arm, bicep and classified using algorithms involving machine learning methodologies, specifically support vector machines (SVMs) that are supervised learning models. They consist of learning algorithms based on the principal of structural risk minimisation. Two methodologies of SVM have been used in this study: with data binning and data pruning and without data binning and data pruning. Data binning and data pruning have improved the sensitivity of the SVM from 76.76 to 89.23%, but the specificity has decreased from 76.23 to 74.15%. This is a pilot study towards testing the reliability of the developed electrical impedance measuring system and developing a data mining‐based decision making system into an electrical impedance spectroscopy system, to help users (physicians) with tissue classification leading to reliable objective decision making.
Artificial neural network methodology for the estimation of ground enhancing compounds resistance
Authors: Androvitsaneas Vasilios P. , Gonos Ioannis F. , Stathopulos Ioannis A.
Published: June 2014

The work presented in this study aims to develop a methodological approach for estimating the ground resistance of several grounding systems, embedded in various ground enhancing compounds, using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The ANN training is based on field measurements that have been performed in Greece during last years. The methodology uses as input variables measurements of soil resistivity within various depths and of rainfall height during some periods of time, like last week and last month and estimates the ground resistance value of the tested rods, based on an ANN. This work comprises two scenarios in which, several ANN training algorithms are applied and an optimisation process is performed regarding the values of parameters, such as the number of neurons, the activation functions combination and so on. Each training algorithm is compared to the others, based on the coefficient of determination between the experimental and estimated values for the test set and the algorithm with the best results is highlighted for the estimation of ground resistance value, formed by the ground enhancing compounds under various weather conditions.
Non‐quadratic exponential stabilisation of non‐linear hyperbolic partial differential equation systems
Authors: Sha Sadeghi Mokhtar , Vafamand Navid , Babaei Mohammad Sadegh
Published: June 2014

In this study, a new systematic approach is proposed to design the fuzzy controller for a class of Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy‐partial differential equation (TS fuzzy‐PDE) systems which describe the non‐linear distributed parameter system formulated by first‐order semi‐linear hyperbolic PDEs. In this study, non‐quadratic Lyapunov function is utilised and some slack matrices are introduced to derive stability conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The proposed approach has three main features. First, stability conditions are not derived in the form of spatial differential LMI. Second, conservativeness of LMI conditions is reduced. Third, there is no restriction on the form of semi‐linear hyperbolic PDE systems and therefore more semi‐linear systems classes can be stabilised. Also, the proposed approach is more suitable for practical implementation compared with the recently published papers.
From Paris to Nuremberg
Authors: Baigorri-Jalón Jesús
Published: June 2014

Conference interpreting is a relatively young profession. Born at the dawn of the 20th century, it hastened the end of the era when diplomatic relations were dominated by a single language, and it played a critical role in the birth of a new multilingual model of diplomacy that continues to this day. In this seminal work on the genesis of conference interpreting, Jesús Baigorri-Jalón provides the profession with a pedigree based on painstaking research and supported by first-hand accounts as well as copious references to original documentation. The author traces the profession’s roots back to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, through its development at the League of Nations and the International Labor Organization, its use by the Allied and Axis powers as they decided the fate of nations in the years prior to and during World War II, and finally its debut on the world stage in 1945, at the Nuremberg Trials. Available for the first time in English, this account will be of interest not only to scholars and students of interpreting but also to any reader interested in the linguistic, social, diplomatic, and political history of the 20th century.
English in Namibia
Authors: Buschfeld Sarah , Kautzsch Alexander
Published: June 2014

Even though Namibia was never under direct British rule, it has been a country with English as thede jureofficial language since 1990, the year of independence from South Africa. Surprisingly, thede factorole of English in Namibia has to date not been systematically and comprehensively investigated within the framework of World Englishes. This is a gap the present paper seeks to address. To this end, part one of our study provides insights drawn from a questionnaire-based inquiry into language use in the different domains of private and public life, questions of linguistic and cultural identity, as well as attitudes towards the different languages spoken in Namibia. Part two tentatively identifies some linguistic features on various linguistic levels as potential candidates for structural nativisation. Taken together, the overall results suggest an ongoing change of the status of English spoken in Namibia from English as a foreign language (EFL) to English as a second language (ESL).
Putting Saban English on the map
Authors: Myrick Caroline
Published: June 2014

Small Caribbean islands offer a unique venue for examining principles of language contact and sociolinguistic variation. Only recently, however, has the use of acoustics-based analysis been incorporated as a tool for the phonological description and analysis of Caribbean varieties. This study offers the first empirical description and analysis of the English spoken on the island of Saba, a Dutch municipality located in the Eastern Caribbean. Data come from 22 sociolinguistic interviews with long-term residents conducted on Saba in 2012. Phonological and morphosyntactic features are analyzed with respect to the interrelationship between effects from community, ethnicity, and generation. Overall, this study contributes to the important process of phonological and morphosyntactic documentation of lesser-known Caribbean varieties, highlighting the usefulness of acoustics-based and statistical analyses in such processes.
Chapter 4. Case assignment, aspect, and (non-)expression of patients
Authors: Dvořák Věra
Published: June 2014

After reviewing various surface realizations of agents, patients and goals in Czech nominalizations, I present a syntactic analysis which straightforwardly accounts for the case form of these arguments, based on the well-known idea in the literature that nouns can share with verbs a substantive part of the extended verbal projection. Moreover, both imperfective verbs and nouns can combine with null existentially interpreted patients while neither perfective verbs nor perfective nouns allow them. I explain this as the interaction of the properties of verbal Aspect/Quantity category and the missing number projection of implicit patients. Finally, I show that only nominals (regardless of their aspectual value) but not verbs can combine with null patients referring to an entity from the previous discourse.
Peripheral Nerve Injury Reduces Analgesic Effectsof Systemic Morphine via Spinal 5-Hydroxytryptamine 3 Receptors
Authors: Kimura Masafumi , Obata Hideaki , Saito Shigeru
Published: June 2014

Background:

Morphine produces powerful analgesic effects against acute pain, but it is not effective against neuropathic pain, and the mechanisms underlying this reduced efficacy remain unclear. Here, the authors compared the efficacy of systemic morphine between normal rats and rats with peripheral nerve injury, with a specific focus on descending serotonergic mechanisms.

Methods:

After L5 spinal nerve ligation injury, male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to behavioral testing, in vivo microdialysis of the spinal dorsal horn to determine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) and noradrenaline release, and immunohistochemistry (n = 6 in each group).

Results:

Intraperitoneal administration of morphine (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) produced analgesic effects in normal and spinal nerve ligation rats, but the effects were greater in normal rats (P < 0.001). Morphine increased 5-HT release (450 to 500% of the baseline), but not noradrenaline release, in the spinal dorsal horn via activation of serotonergic neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla. Intrathecal pretreatment with ondansetron (3 μg), a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine creatinine sulfate (100 μg), a selective neurotoxin for serotonergic terminals, attenuated the analgesic effect of morphine (10 mg/kg) in normal rats but increased the analgesic effect of morphine in spinal nerve ligation rats (both P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Systemic administration of morphine increases 5-HT levels in the spinal cord, and the increase in 5-HT contributes to morphine-induced analgesia in the normal state but attenuates that in neuropathic pain through spinal 5-HT3 receptors. The plasticity of the descending serotonergic system may contribute to the reduced efficacy of systemic morphine in neuropathic pain.
p62/SQSTM1 synergizes with autophagy for tumor growth in vivo
Authors: Wei Huijun , Wang Chenran , Croce Carlo M. , Guan Jun-Lin
Published: June 2014

Autophagy is crucial for cellular homeostasis and plays important roles in tumorigenesis. FIP200 (FAK family-interacting protein of 200 kDa) is an essential autophagy gene required for autophagy induction, functioning in the ULK1–ATG13–FIP200 complex. Our previous studies showed that conditional knockout of FIP200 significantly suppressed mammary tumorigenesis, which was accompanied by accumulation of p62 in tumor cells. However, it is not clear whether FIP200 is also required for maintaining tumor growth and how the increased p62 level affects the growth in autophagy-deficient FIP200-null tumors in vivo. Here, we describe a new system to delete FIP200 in transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts as well as mammary tumor cells following their transplantation and show that ablation of FIP200 significantly reduced growth of established tumors in vivo. Using similar strategies, we further showed that either p62 knockdown or p62 deficiency in established FIP200-null tumors dramatically impaired tumor growth. The stimulation of tumor growth by p62 accumulation in FIP200-null tumors is associated with the up-regulated activation of the NF-κB pathway by p62. Last, we showed that overexpression of the autophagy master regulator TFEBS142A increased the growth of established tumors, which correlated with the increased autophagy of the tumor cells. Together, our studies demonstrate that p62 and autophagy synergize to promote tumor growth, suggesting that inhibition of both pathways could be more effective than targeting either alone for cancer therapy.
Pronounced cohabitation of active immunoglobulin genes from three different chromosomes in transcription factories during maximal antibody synthesis
Authors: Park Sung-Kyun , Xiang Yougui , Feng Xin , Garrard William T.
Published: June 2014

To understand the relationships between nuclear organization and gene expression in a model system, we employed three-dimensional imaging and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-chromosome conformation capture (3C) techniques to investigate the topographies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) genes and transcripts during B-cell development. Remarkably, in plasma cells, when antibody synthesis peaks, active Ig genes residing on three different chromosomes exhibit pronounced colocalizations in transcription factories, often near the nuclear periphery, and display trans-chromosomal enhancer interactions, and their transcripts frequently share interchromatin trafficking channels. Conceptually, these features of nuclear organization maximize coordinated transcriptional and transcript trafficking control for potentiating the optimal cytoplasmic assembly of the resulting translation products into protein multimers.
MZB1 is a GRP94 cochaperone that enables proper immunoglobulin heavy chain biosynthesis upon ER stress
Authors: Rosenbaum Marc , Andreani Virginia , Kapoor Tanya , Herp Simone , Flach Henrik , Duchniewicz Marlena , Grosschedl Rudolf
Published: June 2014

MZB1 (pERp1) is a B-cell-specific and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized protein implicated in antibody secretion and integrin-mediated cell adhesion. Here, we examine the role of MZB1 in vivo by conditional gene inactivation in the mouse germline and at different stages of B lymphopoiesis. Deletion of MZB1 impairs humoral immune responses and antibody secretion in plasma cells that naturally undergo ER stress. In addition, we found that experimental induction of ER stress by tunicamycin injections in mice results in a block of pro-B-cell to pre-B-cell differentiation specifically inMzb1−/−mice. A similar developmental block was observed inMzb1fl/flmb1Cremice, whereby a Cre recombinase-induced genotoxic stress unmasks a role for MZB1 in the surface expression of immunoglobulin µ heavy chains (µHCs). MZB1 associates directly with the substrate-specific chaperone GRP94 (also called HSP90B1 or gp96) in an ATP-sensitive manner and is required for the interaction of GRP94 with µHCs upon ER stress. Thus, MZB1 seems to act as a substrate-specific cochaperone of GRP94 that enables proper biosynthesis of µHCs under conditions of ER stress.
Measuring Endogenous ICRAC and ORAI Currents with the Patch-Clamp Technique
Authors: Alansary Dalia , Kilch Tatiana , Holzmann Christian , Peinelt Christine , Hoth Markus , Lis Annette
Published: June 2014

Although ICRAC and other store-operated currents are often analyzed by Ca2+ imaging, whole-cell patch clamp, described here, is the preferred technique to analyze ICRAC whenever possible. The whole-cell patch-clamp protocol can even be used to record endogenous ICRAC in primary cells. The small endogenous current size of ICRAC requires some precautions: First, it is important to inhibit potential interferences from other channels in the cell by carefully choosing the combination of pipette and bath solutions. Second, the noise should be <150 fA root mean square (RMS) when the pipette holder (with its wire) with or without a patch pipette is adjusted over (but not in!) the solution using a high amplification gain (50 mV/pA or higher) of the patch-clamp amplifier. In addition, this protocol draws attention to measures that should be considered when recording ICRAC currents from an overexpression system. This protocol also suggests sets of solutions that can be used for distinguishing ICRAC from potentially interfering currents. In addition to the solutions, the identity of ICRAC can be confirmed by the characteristic inward rectification, its high Ca2+ selectivity, and the reversal potential of more than +50 mV. A few (mostly nonspecific) CRAC channel blockers are known, which can also be applied for characterization purposes.
Manual Immunohistochemistry Staining of Mouse Tissues Using the Avidin–Biotin Complex (ABC) Technique
Authors: Cardiff Robert D. , Miller Claramae H. , Munn Robert J.
Published: June 2014

There are many variations on the immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedure, but all are based on attachment of a primary antibody to a unique epitope on or within the cell. This step is followed by incubation of the cell/primary antibody complex with another, secondary antibody that recognizes the species in which the primary antibody was produced. The secondary antibody has an indicator molecule attached to it. The indicator produces a colored reaction product at the site of original epitope, allowing visualization. This basic two-antibody “sandwich” procedure has many modifications that include other layers of antibodies and numerous indicators, but all variations depend upon the unique ability of antibodies to recognize specific epitopes or antigenic determinants. The procedure described here is called the ABC (avidin–biotin complex) technique. The method utilizes the high avidity of biotin for avidin, which allows formation of a strong bond. The reagents described in this technique produce a gold/brown reaction product that identifies the epitope of interest.
A High-Throughput, Multiplex Cell Death Assay Using an RNAi Screening Approach
Authors: Falkenberg Katrina J. , Saunders Darren N. , Simpson Kaylene J.
Published: June 2014

This protocol outlines a high-throughput, multiplex cell death assay and its use in conjunction with a genome-scale siRNA screen to identify genes that cooperate with a drug to induce apoptosis. The assay, ApoLive-Glo (Promega), measures viability of drug-treated, reverse-transfected cells via the fluorescent CellTiter-Fluor reagent, which includes a substrate that is cleaved by a live cell protease. ApoLive-Glo also quantitates cell death by the amount of cleaved caspases 3 and 7 using a luminescent Caspase-Glo 3/7 caspase activation assay. The advantage of the multiplex assay is that it distinguishes rapid cell death from the slower activation of caspase activity, permitting measurement of different stages of cell death in the same sample at a single time point. In parallel, a high-content imaging protocol involving 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole-stained nuclei is used as a cost-effective way to quantitate viability of vehicle-treated control cells. Automation and robotic liquid handling are built into the protocol to increase speed of workflow and improve reproducibility. A screen using these assays will identify gene targets that are essential for viability irrespective of drug treatment and gene targets that cause a synergistic enhancement of cell death in the presence of drug. Candidate target activity can then be validated by conventional flow cytometry-based assays.
3′-End Labeling of RNA with Yeast Poly(A) Polymerase and 3′-Deoxyadenosine 5′-[α-32P]Triphosphate
Authors: Rio Donald C.
Published: June 2014

This protocol is used to label RNA molecules (in vitro–synthesized or in vivo–purified RNA molecules) that have free 3′-hydroxyl termini. The reaction is performed in 10 min using yeast poly(A) polymerase and 3′-deoxyadenosine 5′-[α-32P]triphosphate (cordycepin 5′-[α-32P]triphosphate), a chain-terminating nucleotide. At the end of the procedure, the reaction is desalted by gel filtration to remove any unincorporated nucleotides.
Monitoring Membrane Potential with Second-Harmonic Generation
Authors: Wilson Stacy A. , Millard Andrew , Lewis Aaron , Loew Leslie M.
Published: June 2014

This protocol describes the nonlinear optical phenomenon known as second-harmonic generation (SHG) and discusses its special attributes for imaging membrane-potential changes in single cells and multicellular preparations. Undifferentiated N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells are used as a model cellular system for membrane electrophysiology. Styryl and naphthylstyryl dyes, also known as hemicyanines, are a class of electrochromic membrane-staining probes that have been used to monitor membrane potential by fluorescence; they also produce SHG images of cell membranes with SHG intensities that are sensitive to voltage. These experiments allow for the precise characterization of the voltage sensitivity of SHG and identification of the optimal wavelength for the incident laser fundamental light. This protocol presents the steps for the culture, staining, patching, and imaging of cells. The details of the imaging system and the measurements obtained are discussed, as are the prospects of this technology for imaging membrane potential changes in neuronal preparations.
Nitrophenyl-Based Caged Neurotransmitters
Authors: Ellis-Davies Graham C.R.
Published: June 2014

Nitroaromatic photochemical protecting groups were developed for organic synthesis in 1966. Since the early 1990s, this type of chromophore has been used by neuroscientists to liberate a wide variety of amino acid neurotransmitters such as ACh, glutamate, GABA, and glycine, among others. Since 2001, several laboratories have used two-photon excitation of nitroaromatic cages for highly localized uncaging of glutamate in acute brain slices.
Modulation of the inflammation–coagulation interaction during pneumococcal pneumonia by immunobiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505: Role of Toll‐like receptor 2
Authors: Zelaya Hortensia , Villena Julio , Lopez Andres Gramajo , Alvarez Susana , Agüero Graciela
Published: June 2014

The present study evaluated the effect of nasally given Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 on the immunocoagulative response during pneumococcal infection in immunocompetent mice. In addition, we aimed to gain insight into the mechanism involved in the immunomodulatory effect of the L. rhamnosus CRL1505 strain by evaluating the role of TLR2. Results showed that nasally given L. rhamnosus CRL1505 effectively regulates inflammation and hemostatic alterations during the pneumococcal infection. Immunobiotic treatment significantly reduced permeability of the bronchoalveolar–capillary barrier, and general cytotoxicity, decreasing lung tissue damage. The CRL1505 strain improved the production of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, and IL‐10 after pneumococcal challenge. In addition, increased TM and TF expressions were found in lungs of L. rhamnosus CRL1505‐treated mice. Moreover, we demonstrated, for the first time, that the TLR2 signaling pathway has a role in the induction of IFN‐γ and IL‐10 and in the reduction of TF. The results also allow us to speculate that a PRR, other than TLR2, may mediate the immunobiotic activity of L. rhamnosus CRL1505 and could explain changes in TNF‐α and TM.
Ecological divergence among colour morphs mediated by changes in spatial network structure associated with disturbance
Authors: Lattanzio Matthew S. , Miles Donald B.
Published: June 2014

Differences in individual behaviour affect social interactions and contribute to the spatial structuring of animal populations. However, disturbance should also affect spatial networks by altering habitat heterogeneity and resource availability. Variation in resource availability should perturb the frequency and nature of social and ecological interactions within a population by affecting the spatial distribution of individuals.

In disturbed habitats where resources are limiting, spatial relationships should reflect behavioural differences among individuals, with higher‐quality resources controlled by dominant individuals. In contrast, all individuals may exploit preferred resources in resource‐rich habitats. Environmental variation and population reorganization may also result in variation in morphological, behavioural and ecological traits, which ultimately affect fitness.

We addressed these considerations for male tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) at three sites that differ in levels of disturbance. The habitats at these localities differed in the availability of live trees, the preferred microhabitat of U. ornatus. In addition, male U. ornatus exhibits a polymorphism in dewlap colour linked with differences in aggression, which should influence their position in a network and access to resources. We applied a network framework to characterize the spatial organization of male morphs at each site and quantified male aggressive behaviour in the laboratory. We also compared body size, body condition, number of bite marks, parasite load and the microhabitat use and diet, of males among the sites.

We detected no significant differences in spatial network structure between unburned and infrequently burned sites. However, at a frequently burned site, the network shifted towards geographically closer, heteromorphic male neighbour associations. Males at this site were also larger, more aggressive and had more bite marks but fewer parasites than males at the other sites. Moreover, we detected divergence in microhabitat use and diet among the morphs at the frequently burned site that reflected the shift in spatial network structure and differences in morph behaviour. That is, only more aggressive morphs usurped trees and consumed prey from higher trophic levels.

We conclude that environmental variation may influence animal spatial network structure. Jointly, behavioural and environmental variation may promote despotic social dynamics and ecological divergence in resource‐limited habitats.
UKIP and the rise of populist politics (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Martin Keir , Smith Katherine
Published: June 2014

This editorial looks at the underlying factors of the ‘earth quake’ victory of UKIP in the British local and European elections, the first time a party other than the Conservatives or Labour has topped a UK nationwide elections in 108 years.
The ‘invisible scars’ of breast cancer treatments (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Porroche‐Escudero Ana
Published: June 2014

Drawing on 38 fieldwork interviews with women living with breast cancer conducted in Spain between 2006 and 2008, I draw attention to the significance of what Ludica (2013) refers to as the “invisible scars of cancer” for a holistic understanding of women's experiences. I highlight two under acknowledged thematic concerns that emerged during our conversations: (1) the impact of treatments on women's ability to experience sexual pleasure; (2) the pain caused by axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or armpit surgery. The present article is a timely reminder of the fact that for a shockingly high number of women diagnosed, the experience of breast cancer is emotionally and physically painful and quite often disabling. An understanding of women's experiences is essential to provide resources more sensitive to women's needs.
Performing the Egyptian Revolution: Origins of Collective Restraint Action in the Midan
Authors: Saouli Adham
Published: June 2014

In January/February 2011, the world watched with admiration the Egyptian revolution that toppled President Housni Mubarak. The demonstration in Midan al-Tahrir (Liberation Square in central Cairo), which was the nucleus of the revolution, highlighted a largely spontaneous, civil and peaceful political performance. However, this performance was temporary, contradicting subsequent bloody conflicts in post-revolutionary Egypt. This article examines the socio-political origins of the Midan performance. It argues that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint, which was temporary but necessary, in order to topple Mubarak. Building on Norbert Elias’ civilising process theory and social movements literature, it is argued that the origins of this performance are found in a collective knowledge of regime strategy and narrative, Egyptian socio-political values and existing repertoires of contention. Drawing on primary sources and semi-structured interviews, the article contends that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint to reframe regime narrative and draw public support for the revolution.
Ownership by Agreement
Authors: Lindsay Peter
Published: June 2014

This article proposes a way of looking at ownership in which the central conceptual feature is the agreement that brings ownership into existence. On this understanding, ownership is a social fact, and as such derives its legitimacy from the extent to which people living under it give it their uncoerced consent. While any particular system's substantive features can certainly be judged according to independent moral considerations, these considerations would necessarily be secondary to the facts surrounding the agreement. In rooting legitimacy to consent, the argument runs parallel to both contractualist moral philosophy and ‘externalist’ rights claims, but, as is demonstrated in this article, differs from both in its emphasis on the conceptual centrality of agreement. The latter half of the article explores how this understanding of ownership shifts the grounds for what counts as a legitimate right of property, and then offers a few substantive conclusions regarding particular property rights and the nature of the moral obligations that systems of ownership (so conceived) both create and nullify.
Equity Markets and Economic Development: Does the Primary Market Matter?
Authors: Andriansyah Andriansyah , Messinis George
Published: June 2014

This article examines the role played by primary and secondary equity markets in economic growth. It departs from standard literature to integrate both markets and to explicitly acknowledge the primary equity market. By employing a variety of dynamic panel estimators for 54 countries over the period 1995‐2010, we show that the primary equity market is not an important determinant of economic growth, although it facilitates the development of the secondary market. This study also confirms the importance of liquidity provided by the secondary market. The evidence here calls for further investigation into the capital‐raising function of equity markets.
The Sources of Risk Spillovers among U.S. REITs: Financial Characteristics and Regional Proximity
Authors: Adams Zeno , Füss Roland , Schindler Felix
Published: June 2014

In this article, we estimate the risk spillovers among 74 U.S. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) using the state‐dependent sensitivity value‐at‐risk approach. This methodology allows for the quantification of the spillover size as a function of a company's financial condition. We show that the size of risk spillovers is more than twice as large when REITs are in financial distress and find evidence for the impact of geographical proximity. Our results provide new insights concerning the relevance of geographical diversification for REITs and have important implications for the investment and risk management decisions of real estate investors, mortgage lenders, home suppliers and policy makers.
Essential Oils: Extraction, Bioactivities, and Their Uses for Food Preservation
Authors: Tongnuanchan Phakawat , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: June 2014

Essential oils are concentrated liquids of complex mixtures of volatile compounds and can be extracted from several plant organs. Essential oils are a good source of several bioactive compounds, which possess antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. In addition, some essential oils have been used as medicine. Furthermore, the uses of essential oils have received increasing attention as the natural additives for the shelf‐life extension of food products, due to the risk in using synthetic preservatives. Essential oils can be incorporated into packaging, in which they can provide multifunctions termed “active or smart packaging.” Those essential oils are able to modify the matrix of packaging materials, thereby rendering the improved properties. This review covers up‐to‐date literatures on essential oils including sources, chemical composition, extraction methods, bioactivities, and their applications, particularly with the emphasis on preservation and the shelf‐life extension of food products.
A review of the scope and measurement of postoperative quality of recovery
Authors: Bowyer A. , Jakobsson J. , Ljungqvist O. , Royse C.
Published: June 2014

To date, postoperative quality of recovery lacks a universally accepted definition and assessment technique. Current quality of recovery assessment tools vary in their development, breadth of assessment, validation, use of continuous vs dichotomous outcomes and focus on individual vs group recovery. They have progressed from identifying pure restitution of physiological parameters to multidimensional assessments of postoperative function and patient‐focused outcomes. This review focuses on the progression of these tools towards an as yet unreached ideal that would provide multidimensional assessment of recovery over time at the individual and group level. A literature search identified 11 unique recovery assessment tools. The Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale assesses recovery in multiple domains, including physiological, nociceptive, emotive, activities of daily living, cognition and patient satisfaction. It addresses recovery over time and compares individual patient data with base line, thus describing resumption of capacities and is an acceptable method for identification of individual patient recovery.
Neoliberal Capitalism and Conservation in the Post‐crisis Era: The Dialectics of “Green” and “Un‐green” Grabbing in Greece and the UK
Authors: Apostolopoulou Evangelia , Adams William M.
Published: June 2014

“Green‐grabbing”, in which environmental arguments support expropriation of land and resources, is a recognized element in neoliberal conservation. However, capitalism's strategic interest in promoting the neoliberalization of conservation is accompanied by attempts to exploit hitherto protected natures without any pretence at “greenness”. In this paper we explore the dialectics between “green” and “un‐green” grabbing as neoliberal strategies in the reconstruction of nature conservation policies after the 2008 financial “crash” in Greece and the UK. In both countries, accelerated neoliberalization is manifested in diverse ways, including initiatives to roll back conservation regulation, market‐based approaches to “saving” nature and the privatization of public nature assets. The intensification of “green” and “un‐green” grabbing reflects capitalism's strategic interest in both promoting and obstructing nature conservation, ultimately leaving for “protected natures” two choices: either to be further degraded to boost growth or to be “saved” through their deeper inclusion as commodities visible to the market.
Testes of fed and unfed Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). First morphological data
Authors: Anholeto Luís A. , Nunes Pablo H. , Remédio Rafael N. , Camargo‐Mathias Maria I.
Published: June 2014

The tick species Amblyomma cajennense is of great medical importance, as it is the vector of the Rickettsia rickettsii, agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The objective of this study was to perform a morphological and histological analysis of the male reproductive system of fed and unfed A. cajennense. The male reproductive system is formed by a pair of tubular testes dorsolaterally arranged in opisthosoma. They were divided into three regions: proximal region (next to vas deferens), median region and distal region (nearest to the blind ending of testis). Proximal regions are connected to the seminal vesicles by the deferent ducts and to accessory glands, similar to what was observed for other Ixodidae. Feeding plays a fundamental role in the development of the reproductive system, as in unfed individuals, the testes, the seminal vesicles and the accessory glands were smaller comparing with the fed individuals. In addition, the prospermia, precursors of the spermatozoa, were only observed in fed individuals. The germ cells were organized in spermatocysts, enveloped by a connective tissue. The cells in more advanced stages of spermatogenesis were localized in the distal region, in accord with studies in other ticks, but opposite to what was observed for other arthropods.
Fine structure of male genital tracts of some Acrididae and Tettigoniidae (Insecta: Orthoptera)
Authors: Viscuso Renata , Brundo Maria V. , Marletta Alessandro , Vitale Danilo G. M.
Published: June 2014

A morphological, histological and ultrastructural study was carried out on the spermiducts and seminal vesicles of some species of Acrididae and Tettigoniidae. In all the species examined, the spermiducts and seminal vesicles have a monolayered secretory epithelium. Only the species of Acrididae have the sac with a flattened epithelium. Furthermore, in the most distal tubule region of the seminal vesicles of Eyprepocnemis plorans plorans, a rather characteristic secretory mechanism was found: the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells contained a large vesicle delimited by tightly packed microvilli. Numerous small vesicles open into this large vesicle which gradually dilates to merge with the apical plasma membrane releasing its contents into the lumen. Spermiophagic activity was found in all the species investigated. In the Tettigoniidae, this activity was found only in some epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle wall; in the species of the Acrididae the spermiophagic activity was carried out in the spermiduct lumen by an epithelial‐type cellular group. Spermiophagic activity is discussed as well as its role in the reproduction of these insects.
An argument for ethical physical geography research on Indigenous landscapes in Canada
Authors: Kershaw Geoffrey G. L. , Castleden Heather , Laroque Colin P.
Published: June 2014

In Canadian physical geography, the ethical implications of research occurring in Indigenous spaces and places have historically been overlooked. Physical geographers, particularly those working in northern Canada, are beginning to recognize that our research takes place in a sensitive social space and the knowledge we pursue has ethical and moral implications. The Canadian Geographer recently published a special issue (56:2) that documents the many challenges and opportunities of community‐based participatory research involving Indigenous peoples in Canada. Throughout that issue, the 2010 Tri‐Council Policy Statement, Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2), was referenced as important in directing a shift towards ethical interactions with Indigenous peoples in research. Drawing on material from the special issue and the TCPS2, this article gives an overview of the authors' experiences in attempting to execute an ethically sound physical geography study in traditional Dene territory in northern Saskatchewan. The viewpoint concludes with thoughts on what bridges and barriers exist when attempting physical geography research that is sensitive to the ethical responsibilities of working in Indigenous spaces. From our perspective, physical geographers can strengthen the ethical defensibility and overall quality of their research by enhancing involvement with indigenous communities that are potentially impacted by their research findings.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of 7H‐thiazolo‐[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐7‐one Derivatives as Dual Binding Site Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Liu Sijie , Shang Ruofeng , Shi Lanxiang , Zhou Ran , He Jingyu , Wan David Chi‐Cheong
Published: June 2014

New dual binding site acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors have been designed and synthesized as a new drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through the binding to both catalytic and peripheral sites of the enzyme. Therefore, a series of 7H‐thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐7‐one derivatives 6a–j were synthesized and investigated for their ability to inhibit the activity of human AChE (hAChE) in comparison with huperzine‐A. All the compounds were found to inhibit AChE activity, especially compounds 6c and 6i with the inhibition value of 76.10% and 77.82%, respectively. The molecular docking study indicated that they were nicely accommodated by AChE. The molecular docking study revealed that 6c and 6i possessed a more optimal binding conformation than 6a and can perfectly fit into the active and peripheral site of hAChE, and consequently exhibited highly improved inhibitor potency to hAChE.
Familial adult onset hyperinsulinism due to an activating glucokinase mutation: implications for pharmacological glucokinase activation
Authors: Challis Benjamin G. , Harris Julie , Sleigh Alison , Isaac Iona , Orme Steve M. , Seevaratnam Nandini , Dhatariya Ketan , Simpson Helen L. , Semple Robert K.
Published: June 2014

Context

Glucokinase (GCK) phosphorylates and thereby “traps” glucose in cells, thus serving as a gatekeeper for cellular glucose metabolism, particularly in hepatocytes and pancreatic beta cells. In humans, activating GCK mutations cause familial hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (GCK‐HH), leading to keen interest in the potential of small‐molecule glucokinase activators (GKAs) as treatments for diabetes mellitus. Many such agents have been developed; however, observation of side effects including hypertriglyceridaemia and hepatic steatosis has delayed their clinical development.

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation and metabolic profiles of affected family members in a kindred with familial hyperinsulinism of adult presentation due to a known activating mutation in GCK.

Design

Clinical, biochemical and metabolic assessment, and GCK sequencing in affected family members.

Results

In the 60‐year‐old female proband, hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (blood glucose 2·1 mmol/mol, insulin 18 pm) was confirmed following 34 h of fasting; however, abdominal computed tomography (CT), pancreatic MRI, endoscopic ultrasound, octreotide scintigraphy and selective arterial calcium stimulation failed to localize an insulinoma. A prolonged OGTT revealed fasting hypoglycaemia that was exacerbated after glucose challenge, consistent with dysregulated glucose‐stimulated insulin release. A heterozygous activating mutation, p.Val389Leu, in the glucokinase gene (GCK) was found in the proband and four other family members. Of these, two had been investigated elsewhere for recurrent hypoglycaemia in adulthood, while the other two adult relatives were asymptomatic despite profound hypoglycaemia. All three of the available family members with the p.Val389Leu mutation had normal serum lipid profiles, normal rates of fasting hepatic de novo lipogenesis and had hepatic triglyceride levels commensurate with their degree of adiposity.

Conclusion

Activating GCK mutations may present in late adulthood with hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia and should be considered even in older patients being investigated for insulinoma. Normal circulating lipids, rates of hepatic de novo lipogenesis and appropriate hepatic triglyceride content for degree of adiposity in the patients we describe suggest that even lifelong GCK activation in isolation is insufficient to produce fatty liver and metabolic dyslipidaemia.