bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomic vapor as a source of tunable, non-Gaussian self-reconstructing optical modes
Authors: Swaim Jon D. , David Kaitlyn N. , Knutson Erin M. , Rios Christian , Danaci Onur , Glasser Ryan T.
Published: February 2017

In this manuscript, we demonstrate the ability of nonlinear light-atom interactions to produce tunably non-Gaussian, partially self-healing optical modes. Gaussian spatial-mode light tuned near to the atomic resonances in hot rubidium vapor is shown to result in non-Gaussian output mode structures that may be controlled by varying either the input beam power or the temperature of the atomic vapor. We show that the output modes exhibit a degree of self-reconstruction after encountering an obstruction in the beam path. The resultant modes are similar to truncated Bessel-Gauss modes that exhibit the ability to self-reconstruct earlier upon propagation than Gaussian modes. The ability to generate tunable, self-reconstructing beams has potential applications to a variety of imaging and communication scenarios.
Structural basis for redox sensitivity in Corynebacterium glutamicum diaminopimelate epimerase: an enzyme involved in l-lysine biosynthesis
Authors: Sagong Hye-Young , Kim Kyung-Jin
Published: February 2017

Diaminopimelate epimerase (DapF) is one of the crucial enzymes involved in l-lysine biosynthesis, where it converts l,l-diaminopimelate (l,l-DAP) into d,l-DAP. DapF is also considered as an attractive target for the development of antibacterial drugs. Here, we report the crystal structure of DapF from Corynebacterium glutamicum (CgDapF). Structures of CgDapF obtained under both oxidized and reduced conditions reveal that the function of CgDapF is regulated by redox-switch modulation via reversible disulfide bond formation between two catalytic cysteine residues. Under oxidized condition, two catalytic cysteine residues form a disulfide bond; these same cysteine residues exist in reduced form under reduced condition. Disulfide bond formation also induces a subsequent structural change in the dynamic catalytic loop at the active site, which results in open/closed conformational change at the active site. We also determined the crystal structure of CgDapF in complex with its product d,l-DAP, and elucidated how the enzyme recognizes its substrate l,l-DAP as a substrate. Moreover, the structure in complex with the d,l-DAP product reveals that CgDapF undergoes a large open/closed domain movement upon substrate binding, resulting in a completely buried active site with the substrate bound.
Long-term growth of temperate broadleaved forests no longer benefits soil C accumulation
Authors: Ji Yu-he , Guo Ke , Fang Shi-bo , Xu Xiao-niu , Wang Zhi-gao , Wang Shu-dong
Published: February 2017

It is widely recognized that the long-term growth of forests benefits biomass carbon (C) sequestration, but it is not known whether the long-term growth of forests would also benefit soil C sequestration. We selected 79 representative soil profiles and investigated the influence of the forest stand age on the soil C dynamics of three soil layers (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) in temperate broadleaved forests in East China. The results suggest that the soil C density in temperature broadleaved forests significantly changes with the stand age, following a convex parabolic curve. At an early stand age, the soil C density usually increases, reaching its peak value at a pre-mature stand age (approximately 50 years old). At later stand ages, the soil C density usually decreases. Therefore, our results reveal a turning point in the soil C density at a pre-mature stand age. The long-term growth of temperate broadleaved forests after pre-mature stand age no longer benefits soil C accumulation, probably promotes topsoil C loss. In addition, we found that the soil C density in the upper soil layer usually changes with the forest stand development more significantly than that in deeper soil layers.
Laser-plasma-based Space Radiation Reproduction in the Laboratory
Authors: Hidding B. , Karger O. , Königstein T. , Pretzler G. , Manahan G. G. , McKenna P. , Gray R. , Wilson R. , Wiggins S. M. , Welsh G. H. , Beaton A. , Delinikolas P. , Jaroszynski D. A. , Rosenzweig J. B. , Karmakar A. , Ferlet-Cavrois V. , Costantino A. , Muschitiello M. , Daly E.
Published: February 2017

Space radiation is a great danger to electronics and astronauts onboard space vessels. The spectral flux of space electrons, protons and ions for example in the radiation belts is inherently broadband, but this is a feature hard to mimic with conventional radiation sources. Using laser-plasma-accelerators, we reproduced relativistic, broadband radiation belt flux in the laboratory, and used this man-made space radiation to test the radiation hardness of space electronics. Such close mimicking of space radiation in the lab builds on the inherent ability of laser-plasma-accelerators to directly produce broadband Maxwellian-type particle flux, akin to conditions in space. In combination with the established sources, utilisation of the growing number of ever more potent laser-plasma-accelerator facilities worldwide as complementary space radiation sources can help alleviate the shortage of available beamtime and may allow for development of advanced test procedures, paving the way towards higher reliability of space missions.
Integrated Analysis of LncRNA-mRNA Co-Expression Profiles in Patients with Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Wang Wen , Gao Faliang , Zhao Zheng , Wang Haoyuan , Zhang Lu , Zhang Dong , Zhang Yan , Lan Qing , Wang Jiangfei , Zhao Jizong
Published: February 2017

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is an idiopathic disease associated with recurrent stroke. However, the pathogenesis of MMD remains unknown. Therefore, we performed long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles in blood samples from MMD patients (N = 15) and healthy controls (N = 10). A total of 880 differentially expressed lncRNAs (3649 probes) and 2624 differentially expressed mRNAs (2880 probes) were obtained from the microarrays of MMD patients and healthy controls (P < 0.05; Fold Change >2.0). Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analyses showed that upregulated mRNAs were enriched for inflammatory response, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway among others, while the downregulated mRNAs were enriched for neurological system process, digestion, drug metabolism, retinol metabolism and others. Our results showed that the integrated analysis of lncRNA-mRNA co-expression networks were linked to inflammatory response, Toll-like signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and MAPK signaling pathway. These findings may elucidate the pathogenesis of MMD, and the differentially expressed genes could provide clues to find key components in the MMD pathway.
Heterobimetallic complexes of palladium and platinum containing a redox-active W[SNS]2 metalloligand
Authors: Rosenkoetter Kyle E. , Ziller Joseph W. , Heyduk Alan F.
Published: February 2017

Heterobimetallic W–Pd and W–Pt complexes have been prepared using the redox-active W(SNS)2 metalloligand.
Mass spectrometry for the discovery of biomarkers of sepsis
Authors: Ludwig Katelyn R. , Hummon Amanda B.
Published: February 2017

Sepsis is a serious medical condition that occurs in 30% of patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
Post-synthetic conversion of 5-pivaloyloxymethyluridine present in a support-bound RNA oligomer into biologically relevant derivatives of 5-methyluridine
Authors: Bartosik Karolina , Sochacka Elzbieta , Leszczynska Grazyna
Published: February 2017

A reliable post-synthetic method to access the modified RNA oligomers containing biologically important 5-methyluridines: mnm5U, cmnm5U, τm5U, nm5U, inm5U and cnm5U.
The effect of Rashba spin–orbit coupling on the spin- and valley-dependent electronic heat capacity of silicene
Authors: Yarmohammadi Mohsen
Published: February 2017

In this work, we have investigated the effect of an electric field and Rashba spin–orbit coupling on the electronic band structure and electronic heat capacity of a ferromagnetic silicene material in three phases at Dirac points.
Synthesis and physical properties of triphenylamine-functionalized twistacenes: blue-emitting fluorophores
Authors: Duan Jingdan , Pan Huahang , Wei Changting , Xiao Jinchong , Zhai Guixia , Su Wenming
Published: February 2017

Two novel triphenylamine-decorated twistacenes SNPy and DNPy have been synthesized and characterized.
Facile stir-dried preparation of g-C3N4/TiO2homogeneous composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Qiu Jianhao , Feng Yi , Zhang Xiongfei , Zhang Xingguang , Jia Mingmin , Yao Jianfeng
Published: February 2017

g-C3N4/TiO2composites with homogeneous well-combined structures were prepared by a simple stir-dried method, using dicyandiamide (DICY) and tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT) as the precursors, followed by high-temperature calcination.
Structured beamforming designs for spectral efficiency and energy efficiency in a three‐node amplify‐and‐forward relay network
Authors: Dong Quan , Li Jiandong
Published: February 2017

The amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relay system with consideration of the weak direct link is studied. As different data streams are transmitted by the source, there is interference between the different data links. In order to decode the data reliably, the source beamforming for the direct link is designed to make the interference of the source–destination link as low as possible. In the first stage, in order to avoid the interference being amplified by the relay, the source beamforming for the relay link is designed to cancel the inter‐link interference. In the second stage, beamforming of the relay is designed to maximise the spectral efficiency (SE). Two types of source beamformings are proposed by combining the null space vectors of useful signal and by combining the orthogonal subspace vectors of the interference signal, respectively. The obtained beamforming structures are not only used for the SE optimisation problem, but also the energy efficiency (EE) optimisation problem. Simulation results show that the proposed beamforming design algorithms can obtain higher SE or higher EE compared with existing methods.
Smooth controller design for non‐linear systems using multiple fixed models
Authors: Chen Jie , Chen Wei , Sun Jian
Published: February 2017

Multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) with second‐level adaptation is a recently proposed methodology for dealing with systems where the parametric uncertainty is large. Compared with the multiple model switching scheme, the new scheme can lead to significant improvements in performance. Some research has been conducted using the new scheme, but all of the results concern linear systems with an adaptive identification model set. In this study, MMAC with second‐level adaptation scheme is extended to non‐linear systems in strict feedback form, and the fixed identification model set is under consideration. This is motivated by the fact that a smooth controller can lead to smooth performance and the fixed identification model set gains potential advantages over the adaptive identification model set, especially for the case that the parameters of the system change over the time. Design details are presented and the stability of MMAC with second‐level adaptation using a fixed identification model set for non‐linear systems is given, which has not been discussed before. Finally, two simulations are performed to show that this scheme performs much better than conventional schemes, including adaptive control and multiple‐model switching schemes, in terms of convergence speed and transient performance.
Sensor layout strategy and sensitivity analysis for macroscopic traffic flow parameter acquisition
Authors: Li Haijian , Qin Lingqiao , Chang Xin , Rong Jian , Ran Bin , Jia Limin
Published: February 2017

An increased number of sensors used in traffic networks to obtain more information will lead to higher costs. This study proposes a minimum investment model for optimal traffic network sensor layout, which considers the spatial distribution characteristics of traffic information, homogeneity of various link locations, and total project costs. The model divides a road network into link sections and network nodes and determines the key points. Through segmentation, the model simplifies the network optimisation problem into a multi‐section optimisation problem, and the model is tested and validated in a field test for a typical road network consisting of an expressway and several arterial roads in Beijing. It is shown that the proposed model effectively solves the network sensor location problem for traffic information acquisition. While comprehensive and reliable traffic information is obtained at any given location in the road network to meet the practical engineering requirements, this model produces sensor layout strategies with minimum cost, and provides guidance for engineering applications in the field. Finally, by analysing the sensitivity of model parameters, some recommended sensor layout strategies are proposed to reduce the investment cost and provide a decision‐making basis for traffic information acquisition implementation and fine traffic management.
Anleitung für ein Leben ohne Jammern und Klagen
Authors: Stachel Kerstin
Published: February 2017

Ein Buch, dass mein Leben verändert hat ist „Einwandfrei – A complaint free World“ von Will Bowen.
Klinik Unternehmen: Auf-/Absteiger des Monast
Authors: Schmidt Hartmut
Published: February 2017

Börsenexperte Hartmut Schmidt analysiert für kma die Jahresabschlüsse* ausgewählter Kliniken
Porträt Wulf-Dietrich Leber: Der GKV-Entertainer
Authors: Mau Jens
Published: February 2017

Wulf-Dietrich Leber ist einer der mächtigsten Männer der Selbstverwaltung. „Leber-Papiere“ sind in der Klinikszene gefürchtet. Seine Sternstunden erlebte der Kassenlobbyist jedoch als Komödiant auf großer Bühne.
Niedrigzinspolitik: Der neue Klinikhorror
Authors: Schmidt Hartmut
Published: February 2017

FDA, Lohnkostensteigerung, ausbleibende Investitionsfinanzierung – als hätten die Krankenhäuser nicht genug zu kämpfen. Jetzt zeigt auch noch die Niedrigzinspolitik ihre Fratze: In den Pensionsrückstellungen von Kliniken, die noch nach deutschem Recht (HGB) bilanzieren, stecken stille Belastungen in Milliardenhöhe.
Klinikausstattung: Gestiegene Ansprüche
Authors: Mewis Dirk
Published: February 2017

Der Aufenthalt in einem Krankenhaus erzeugt bei den meisten Menschen Unbehagen. Immer häufiger investieren Kliniken deshalb in neue Möbel, schicke Bäder, Entertainmentsysteme und Lichtdesign.
Licht: „Die typische Krankenhaus-Flur-Atmosphäre vermeiden“
Authors: Dirk Mewis
Published: February 2017

Joachim Straub, Projektmanager bei Trilux für den Bereich Health über intelligente HCL-Lösungen und flankierende nichtmedikamentöse Maßnahmen.
Reliability and Validity of a Mobile Device Application for Use in Sports-Related Concussion Balance Assessment
Authors: Burghart Mark , Craig Jordan , Radel Jeff , Huisinga Jessie
Published: February 2017

Background Balance assessment is necessary when evaluating athletes after a concussion. We investigated a mobile device application (app) for providing valid, reliable, and objective measures of static balance.

Objectives The mobile device app would demonstrate similar test–retest reliability to force platform center of pressure (COP) sway variables and that SWAY scores and force platform COP sway variables would demonstrate good correlation coefficients.

Methods Twenty-six healthy adults performed balance stances on a force platform while holding a mobile device equipped with SWAY (Sway Medical LLC) to measure postural sway based on acceleration changes detected by the mobile device's accelerometer. Participants completed four series of three 10-second stances (feet together, tandem, and single leg), twice with eyes open and twice with eyes closed. Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Concurrent validity of SWAY scores and COP sway variables were determined with Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results Reliability of SWAY scores was comparable to force platform results for the same test condition (ICC = 0.21–0.57). Validity showed moderate associations between SWAY scores and COP sway variables during tandem stance (r = –0.430 to –0.493). Lower SWAY scores, indicating instability, were associated with greater COP sway.

Discussion The SWAY app is a valid and reliable tool when measuring balance of healthy individuals in tandem stance. Further study of clinical populations is needed prior to assessment use.

Conclusion The SWAY app has potential for objective clinical and sideline evaluations of concussed athletes, although continued evaluation is needed.
Einfluss des Überlappungsbereichs zwischen akustischer und elektrischer Stimulation
Authors: Baumann Uwe , Mocka Moritz
Published: February 2017

Patienten mit residualem Tieftonhörvermögen sowie Hochtonsteilabfall mit an Taubheit grenzendem Hörvermögen bei mittleren und hohen Frequenzen werden durch Cochlea-Implantate mit elektrisch-akustischer Stimulation (EAS, „hybride“ Stimulation) versorgt. Im Grenzbereich zwischen elektrischer und akustischer Stimulation kann es zu einer Überlagerung der beiden Reizformen kommen. Die Überlagerung wird bestimmt durch die Einführtiefe der Reizelektrode und der oberen Grenze des akustisch stimulierbaren Bereichs, sowie der Festlegung der Übertragungsbereiche (akustisch/elektrisch) durch den CI-Sprachprozessor. Die Studie untersuchte den Einfluss der Variation des elektrisch-akustischen Überlagerungsbereichs auf das Sprachverstehen im Störgeräusch, wobei die Breite der „Übertragungslücke“ zwischen den beiden verschiedenen Reizmodalitäten durch 2 unterschiedliche Verfahren variiert wurde. Die an 9 erfahrenen Nutzern des MED-EL Duet 2 Prozessors ermittelten Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der elektrisch-akustische Übertragungsbereich und mit ihm die Trennfrequenz zwischen Akustik-Teil und CI individuell angepasst werden sollten. Weitere Studien müssen zeigen, ob allgemeingültige Aussagen zur Auswirkung der Überlagerung zwischen elektrischer und akustischer Stimulation möglich sind, wobei eine Vergrößerung des Probandenkollektivs sowie eine längere Eingewöhnungszeit vor Durchführung der Hörtests notwendig erscheinen.
Methamphetamine Consumption during Pregnancy – Effects on Child Health
Authors: Dinger Jürgen , Hinner Patricia , Reichert Jörg , Rüdiger Mario
Published: February 2017

Methamphetamine abuse during pregnancy represents an emerging health care problem. The consequences are not only of relevance to the pregnant women, but also their unborn child. It is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and hypertension, fetal demise, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction. The deleterious effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on the developing fetal brain may lead to long-term neuro-developmental and behavioral problems.

Given the current evidence, abuse of methamphetamine during pregnancy must be of utmost concern to health care professionals and to policy-makers. As it has been described for neonatal abstinence syndrome, a multi-professional team is required to improve care of affected women and families. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed, including good prenatal care of pregnant women, perinatal care by specialized obstetricians and neonatologists, and psychiatric treatment by an addiction specialist. Furthermore, families should be integrated into appropriate social support networks.

For the development of a structured support program for pregnant women with methamphetamine consumption, methamphetamine use disorder should be considered as a disease that requires medical treatment as well as psychological and social support. The pregnancy should be considered as a window of opportunity to provide the required help.
Spin Seebeck effect in nanometer-thick YIG micro-fabricated strips
Authors: Collet Martin , Soumah Lucile , Bortolotti Paolo , Muñoz Manuel , Cros Vincent , Anane Abdelmadjid
Published: February 2017

We have investigated the spin Seebeck effect (SSE) generated by current induced-heating in ultra-thin yttrium iron garnet film (20 nm) covered by an 8 nm thick Pt layer. By passing current in the Pt layer, an out-of-plane temperature gradient is established that, in turn, generates an out-of-equilibrium magnons population. The resulting pure spin current is detected using the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) measured in the Pt electrode. A lock-in detection scheme is used to separate the SSE signal from other magneto-galvanic effect. Indeed, the SSE signal is obtained as the second harmonic voltage response, while spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) is measured as the first harmonic response to the ac excitation current. Interestingly, the amplitude of the SSE in such thin YIG film is comparable to what has been reported for much thicker films.
In vitro addition of docosahexaenoic acid improves the quality of cooled but not frozen–thawed stallion semen
Authors: Silva D. M. , Holden S. A. , Lyons A. , Souza J. C. , Fair S.
Published: February 2017

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of the addition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the in vitro quality of cooled and frozen–thawed stallion semen. In Experiment 1, semen from 10 stallions was collected (three ejaculates per stallion). Semen was diluted to 100 × 106 spermatozoa mL–1 with 0.02 mM vitamin E (VE) and 0, 1, 10 or 20 ng mL–1 DHA and frozen. Semen was thawed and total motility (TM), rapid progressive motility (PM), acrosome integrity, membrane fluidity and morphology were assessed. In Experiment 2, semen from three stallions was collected (three ejaculates per stallion) and frozen as in Experiment 1, but VE and DHA were added after thawing. TM and PM were assessed at 30, 60 and 120 min and viability, acrosome integrity and membrane fluidity were evaluated at 30 min. In Experiment 3, semen from five stallions was collected (one to three ejaculates per stallion), diluted to 20 × 106 spermatozoa mL–1 and stored at 4°C. After 1, 24, 48 and 72 h, TM, PM, viability, membrane fluidity and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The addition of DHA had no effect on frozen semen (Experiments 1 and 2) but improved TM, PM and membrane fluidity in cooled stallion semen.
Quercetin inhibits advanced glycation end product formation via chelating metal ions, trapping methylglyoxal, and trapping reactive oxygen species
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammad Nazrul Islam , Mitsuhashi Shinya , Sigetomi Kengo , Ubukata Makoto
Published: February 2017

Physiological concentration of Mg2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ accelerated AGE formation only in glucose-mediated conditions, which was effectively inhibited by chelating ligands. Only quercetin (10) inhibited MGO-mediated AGE formation as well as glucose- and ribose-mediated AGE formation among 10 polyphenols (1–10) tested. We performed an additional structure-activity relationship (SAR) study on flavanols (10, 11, 12, 13, and 14). Morin (12) and kaempherol (14) showed inhibitory activity against MGO-mediated AGE formation, whereas rutin (11) and fisetin (13) did not. These observations indicate that 3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy and 4-keto groups of 10 are important to yield newly revised mono-MGO adducts (16 and 17) and di-MGO adduct (18) having cyclic hemiacetals, while 3′-hydroxy group is not essential. We propose here a comprehensive inhibitory mechanism of 10 against AGE formation including chelation effect, trapping of MGO, and trapping of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to oxidative degradation of 18 to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (15) and other fragments.
Distribution Pattern, Age, and Growth of Blue Sharks in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Joung Shoou-Jeng , Lyu Guann-Tyng , Su Kuang-Yu , Hsu Hua-Hsun , Liu Kwang-Ming
Published: February 2017

The distribution pattern and the age and growth of Blue Sharks Prionace glauca were described based on 44,092 and 785 specimens, respectively, that were collected by scientific observers onboard Taiwanese longline fleets in the South Atlantic Ocean between December 2004 and December 2013. Size segregation was found, and the mean length of Blue Sharks was significantly larger in the equatorial–tropical area (0–15°S) than in the subtropical–temperate area (south of 15°S) during all seasons. Males predominated in both areas and during all seasons; the exceptions were seasons 2 (April–June) and 3 (July–September) in the equatorial–tropical area and season 2 in the subtropical–temperate area. The sex ratio increased with shark size in the equatorial–tropical area but decreased with size in the subtropical–temperate area. Growth band pairs (including translucent and opaque bands) were counted on images photographed from X-ray films of vertebrae from the caudal peduncle region. The centrum edge analysis indicated that a growth band pair was formed on the vertebral centrum once per year. Corrected Akaike's information criterion values indicated that the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) provided the best fit to the observed TL-at-age data. The likelihood ratio test indicated that the VBGF equations were not significantly different between the sexes. For both sexes combined, VBGF parameters were estimated as follows: asymptotic length was 352.1 cm TL, the Brody growth coefficient was 0.13/year, and the theoretical age at zero length was –1.31 years. Age at first maturity was estimated as 6.5 years for males and 6.7 years for females; theoretical longevity was estimated to be at least 21.4 years.
Nielsen equivalence in Gupta-Sidki groups
Authors: Myropolska Aglaia
Published: February 2017

For a group

G
G

generated by

k
k

elements, the Nielsen equivalence classes are defined as orbits of the action of

Aut

F
k

\textrm {Aut} F_k

, the automorphism group of the free group of rank

k
k

, on the set of generating

k
k

-tuples of

G
G

.

Let

p
≥
3

p\geq 3

be prime and

G
p

G_p

the Gupta-Sidki

p
p

-group. We prove that there are infinitely many Nielsen equivalence classes on generating pairs of

G
p

G_p

.
A quantitative Riemann-Lebesgue lemma with application to equations with memory
Authors: Dell’Oro Filippo , Laeng Enrico , Pata Vittorino
Published: February 2017

An elementary proof of a quantitative version of the Riemann-Lebesgue lemma for functions supported on the half line is given. Applications to differential models with memory are discussed.
Pinned algebraic distances determined by Cartesian products in 𝔽_{𝕡}²
Authors: Petridis Giorgis
Published: February 2017

Let

p
p

be an odd prime and

A
⊆

F

p

A \subseteq \mathbb {F}_p

be a subset of the finite field with

p
p

elements. We show that

A
×
A
⊆

F

p
2

A \times A \subseteq \mathbb {F}_p^2

determines at least a constant multiple of

min
{
p
,

|

A

|

3

/

2

}

\min \{p, |A|^{3/2}\}

distinct pinned algebraic distances.
Gaps in dimer systems on doubly periodic planar bipartite graphs
Authors: Ciucu Mihai
Published: February 2017

In previous work we showed that gaps in dimer systems on the hexagonal and square lattices interact according to two dimensional electrostatics. In this paper we show that this holds for all weighted doubly periodic planar bipartite graphs in the generic liquid phase of the Kenyon-Okounkov-Sheffield classification of dimer models.
Topological stability and pseudo-orbit tracing property of group actions
Authors: Chung Nhan-Phu , Lee Keonhee
Published: February 2017

In this paper we extend the concept of topological stability from homeomorphisms to group actions on compact metric spaces and prove that if an action of a finitely generated group is expansive and has the pseudo-orbit tracing property, then it is topologicaly stable. This represents a group action version of P. Walter’s stability theorem [Lecture Notes in Math., vol. 668, Springer, 1978, pp. 231–244]. Moreover we give a class of group actions with topological stability or pseudo-orbit tracing property. In particular, we establish a characterization of subshifts of finite type over finitely generated groups in terms of the pseudo-orbit tracing property.
The genome of the Antarctic-endemic copepod, Tigriopus kingsejongensis
Authors: Kang Seunghyun , Ahn Do-Hwan , Lee Jun Hyuck , Lee Sung Gu , Shin Seung Chul , Lee Jungeun , Min Gi-Sik , Lee Hyoungseok , Kim Hyun-Woo , Kim Sanghee , Park Hyun
Published: February 2017

Background: The Antarctic intertidal zone is continuously subjected to extremely fluctuating biotic and abiotic stressors. The West Antarctic Peninsula is the most rapidly warming region on Earth. Organisms living in Antarctic intertidal pools are therefore interesting for research into evolutionary adaptation to extreme environments and the effects of climate change.

Findings: We report the whole genome sequence of the Antarctic-endemic harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus kingsejongensi. The 37 Gb raw DNA sequence was generated using the Illumina Miseq platform. Libraries were prepared with 65-fold coverage and a total length of 295 Mb. The final assembly consists of 48 368 contigs with an N50 contig length of 17.5 kb, and 27 823 scaffolds with an N50 contig length of 159.2 kb. A total of 12 772 coding genes were inferred using the MAKER annotation pipeline. Comparative genome analysis revealed that T. kingsejongensis-specific genes are enriched in transport and metabolism processes. Furthermore, rapidly evolving genes related to energy metabolism showed positive selection signatures.

Conclusions: The T. kingsejongensis genome provides an interesting example of an evolutionary strategy for Antarctic cold adaptation, and offers new genetic insights into Antarctic intertidal biota.
Constitutional Change
Authors: Rajagopalan Shruti
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the patterns of amendments to the Indian Constitution, especially to the fundamental rights, throughout the country’s constitutional history. Instead of resorting to conventional doctrinal analysis, the discussion focuses on the issue of constitutional design by highlighting the costs and benefits imposed by different constitutional rules. It presents an analytical framework for constitutional amendments in order to elucidate the interaction of constitutional rules, along with the increase in the relative price of seeking formal amendments to the Constitution and how this has incentivised interest groups to seek rule changes through the judiciary. It explains how revisions in substantive and procedural rules changed the costs and benefits of amending the Indian Constitution, forcing interest groups to shift the form and forum while seeking rule change.
International Law and the Constitutional Schema
Authors: Rajamani Lavanya
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the Indian constitutional scheme with regard to international law. It begins with an overview of the doctrinal debates surrounding key constitutional provisions relating to international law, with particular emphasis on Article 51(c) of the Indian Constitution. It then considers how Indian courts have viewed norms of international law with respect to the constitutional guidance to ‘foster respect for international law and treaty obligations’, along with the courts’ development of domestic rights jurisprudence in dialogue with international law. It also explores how the constitutional schema has become an instrument for a usurpation of power by the executive and the judiciary, while limiting the role of Parliament and ‘people power’ in relation to international law.
The Administrative and Regulatory State
Authors: Somanathan T. V.
Published: February 2017

This chapter explores how India’s constitutional law has addressed the administrative and regulatory State as it has evolved outside the traditional branches of government, and how judicial review is exercised over it. It begins by providing a background on constitutional issues relating to the administrative State as it functions within the executive branch, before turning to a discussion of the major regulatory bodies that either are explicitly called ‘regulatory’ or exercise regulatory functions. It then considers the constitutional position of the administrative and regulatory State based on judicial decisions and on the Indian Constitution. It also examines the conceptual underpinnings of, and justification for, the regulatory State, along with some specific concerns arising from the regulatory State such as legal uncertainty and excessive delegation. The chapter concludes by analysing some of the issues associated with the emerging constitutional jurisprudence on the regulatory State.
The Federal Scheme
Authors: Singh Mahendra Pal
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the Indian Constitution’s federal scheme. It begins with an overview of the basic features of the federal framework, with particular emphasis on distribution of powers—legislative, executive, and judicial—between the Central Government and the regional governments (that is, States), the supremacy of the Constitution, and dispute resolution mechanisms for evaluating the competence of the two governments for exercising their powers or functions. It then considers the centralised character of Indian federalism by focusing on the identity of States, legislative competence, and regional emergencies. The chapter concludes by reflecting on how the federal arrangement should be understood and judged.
Asymmetric Federalism
Authors: Tillin Louise
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the legal status and consequences of the asymmetrically federal provisions included in the Indian Constitution. In particular, it considers constitutional amendments relating to autonomy arrangements in India’s North-eastern region, along with the ‘special status’ of Jammu and Kashmir. After providing an overview of the significance of asymmetric federalism in India, the article discusses the administration of tribal areas under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. It also explores provisions aimed at mitigating intra-State inequalities in the States of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka; the Indian Supreme Court’s rulings on the asymmetric features of the Constitution; and the role of the courts in upholding asymmetrical provisions and protecting the rights of territorially concentrated minorities in the context of democratic politics.
Reservations
Authors: Sitapati Vinay
Published: February 2017

This chapter explores the constitutional provisions, cases, legislation, and parliamentary debates on reservations in India. It begins with a discussion of three main beneficiary groups of reservation policy recognised by the Indian Constitution: Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and a third group called ‘Other’ Backward Classes (OBCs). In particular, it considers the legal construction of these categories and some other beneficiary groups recognised in the Constitution, such as women, Muslims, and other religious groups. It also highlights the confusion about the social location of OBCs and focuses on four constitutional nuances regarding OBCs. Finally, it examines the extension of reservations in public education, public employment, private sector, and Central and State legislatures; how reservations work in practice; and the politics that surrounds them.
Due Process
Authors: Chandrachud Abhinav
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the guarantee of ‘due process of law’ in the Indian Constitution. After providing an account of Constituent Assembly Debates and the historical intent behind this guarantee, the Chapter explores how substantive due process came to become a part of Indian constitutional law. Through a reading of important cases, it demonstrates the shift from substantive due process to procedural due process before turning to a third kind of due process presently seen in Indian constitutional law that is distinct from these two standard forms. It examines this third form of ‘pure form’ due process, as well as provides some reflections upon the concepts of arbitrariness and reasonableness and their relationship with this guarantee.
Movement and Residence
Authors: Burman Anirudh
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the relevant provisions of the Indian Constitution with respect to rights to free movement and residence. It considers the debate over restrictions to free movement and residence that may be imposed to preserve law and order, as well as the balance between laws in public employment and education that discriminate against non-residents and curtail the rights of movement and residence. In particular, it discusses three broad classifications of the judicial approach to free movement and residence. It also tackles the question of whether the Constitution effectively enables a principle of sub-citizenship, and whether or not it enables a labour market at the national level.
Profession, Occupation, Trade, or Business
Authors: Khanna Vikramaditya S.
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines the right to practice any profession or to engage in any occupation, trade, or business as embodied in the Indian Constitution. In particular, it considers Article 19(1)(g) and certain limitations on the right, and how this right interacts with India’s political economy. Three important questions are discussed. When is an activity treated as a profession, occupation, trade or business (POTB)? When are the restrictions upon this activity considered to be ‘reasonable’ with regard to Article 19(1)(6)? How does Article 19(1)(g) apply to the development of private educational institutions? These three inquiries help us see the nature of the jurisprudence under Article 19(1)(g) and the way in which it has developed.
Secularism and Religious Freedom
Authors: Sen Ronojoy
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines tensions arising from the constitutional provisions with regard to secularism and freedom of religion in India. In particular, it considers Articles 25, 26, and 28 of the Indian Constitution and how the Indian Supreme Court has dealt with cases relating to these Articles. After providing an overview of the Essential Practices doctrine as used by the Supreme Court to distinguish between the secular and religious, especially in the case of Hinduism, the chapter considers the Court’s position on the right to teach religion in educational institutions. It argues that Indian secularism, as interpreted by the courts, has failed to entirely live up to what the framers of the Constitution envisioned it to be.
Public Employment and Service Law
Authors: Ramachandran Raju
Published: February 2017

This chapter examines relevant provisions of the Indian Constitution with respect to public employment and service law. In particular, it considers the Indian Constitution’s regulation of civil servants and the constitutional controversies surrounding the often-competing ideals of bureaucratic independence and bureaucratic responsiveness. After providing a historical overview of the Indian bureaucratic structure, the chapter turns to the debates in the Indian Constituent Assembly over the place for an independent civil service in a modern, democratic nation such as India. It then considers the constitutional status of the civil service, paying special attention to provisions relating to terms of service and constitutional protections for civil servants. It also explores the question of administrative reforms and their implications for the civil service in India.
The tangential velocity excess of the Milky Way satellites
Authors: Cautun Marius , Frenk Carlos S.
Published: February 2017

We estimate the systemic orbital kinematics of the Milky Way classical satellites and compare them with predictions from the Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) model derived from a semi-analytical galaxy formation model applied to high-resolution cosmological N-body simulations. We find that the Galactic satellite system is atypical of ΛCDM systems. The subset of 10 Galactic satellites with proper motion measurements has a velocity anisotropy, β = −2.2 ± 0.4, which lies in the 2.9 per cent tail of the ΛCDM distribution. Individually, the Milky Way satellites have radial velocities that are lower than expected for their proper motions, with 9 out of the 10 having at most 20 per cent of their orbital kinetic energy invested in radial motion. Such extreme values are expected in only 1.5 per cent of ΛCDM satellites systems. In the standard cosmological model, this tangential motion excess is unrelated to the existence of a Galactic ‘disc of satellites’. We present theoretical predictions for larger satellite samples that may become available as more proper motion measurements are obtained.
The Impact of Intracranial Tumor Proximity to White Matter Tracts on Morbidity and Mortality: A Retrospective Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study
Authors: Meyer Erin J. , Gaggl Wolfgang , Gilloon Benjamin , Swan Benjamin , Greenstein Max , Voss Jed , Hussain Namath , Holdsworth Ryan L. , Nair Veena A. , Meyerand M. Elizabeth , Kuo John S. , Baskaya Mustafa K. , Field Aaron S. , Prabhakaran Vivek
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in neurosurgical planning
allows identification of white matter tracts and has been associated with a reduction in
postoperative functional deficits.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the relationship between the lesion-to-tract
distance (LTD) and postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with brain tumors in
order to evaluate the role of DTI in predicting postoperative outcomes.

METHODS: Adult patients with brain tumors (n = 60) underwent preoperative
DTI. Three major white matter pathways (superior longitudinal fasciculi [SLF], cingulum,
and corticospinal tract) were identified using DTI images, and the shortest LTD was
measured for each tract. Postoperative morbidity and mortality information was collected
from electronic medical records.

RESULTS: The ipsilesional corticospinal tract LTD and left SLF LTD were
significantly associated with the occurrence rate of total postoperative motor
(P = .018) and language (P < .001)
deficits, respectively. The left SLF LTD was also significantly associated with the
occurrence rate of new postoperative language deficits
(P = .003), and the LTD threshold that best predicted this
occurrence was 1 cm (P < .001).
Kaplan–Meier log-rank survival analyses in patients having high-grade tumors
demonstrated a significantly higher mortality for patients with a left SLF LTD
<1 cm (P = .01).

CONCLUSION: Measuring tumor proximity to major white matter tracts using DTI
can inform clinicians of the likelihood of postoperative functional deficits. A distance
of 1 cm or less from eloquent white matter structures most significantly predicts the
occurrence of new deficits with current surgical and imaging techniques.
Spatio-temporal environmental variation mediates geographical differences in phenotypic responses to ocean acidification
Authors: Gaitán-Espitia Juan Diego , Villanueva Paola A. , Lopez Jorge , Torres Rodrigo , Navarro Jorge M. , Bacigalupe Leonardo D.
Published: February 2017

Phenotypic plasticity is expected to play a major adaptive role in the response of species to ocean acidification (OA), by providing broader tolerances to changes in
p
CO
2
conditions. However, tolerances and sensitivities to future OA may differ among populations within a species because of their particular environmental context and genetic backgrounds. Here, using the climatic variability hypothesis (CVH), we explored this conceptual framework in populations of the sea urchin
Loxechinus albus
across natural fluctuating
p
CO
2
/pH environments. Although elevated
p
CO
2
affected the morphology, physiology, development and survival of sea urchin larvae, the magnitude of these effects differed among populations. These differences were consistent with the predictions of the CVH showing greater tolerance to OA in populations experiencing greater local variation in seawater
p
CO
2
/pH. Considering geographical differences in plasticity, tolerances and sensitivities to increased
p
CO
2
will provide more accurate predictions for species responses to future OA.
The coupon collector urn model with unequal probabilities in ecology and evolution
Authors: Zoroa N. , Lesigne E. , Fernández-Sáez M. J. , Zoroa P. , Casas J.
Published: February 2017

The sequential sampling of populations with unequal probabilities and with replacement in a closed population is a recurrent problem in ecology and evolution. Examples range from biodiversity sampling, epidemiology to the estimation of signal repertoire in animal communication. Many of these questions can be reformulated as urn problems, often as special cases of the coupon collector problem, most simply expressed as the number of coupons that must be collected to have a complete set. We aimed to apply the coupon collector model in a comprehensive manner to one example—hosts (balls) being searched (draws) and parasitized (ball colour change) by parasitic wasps—to evaluate the influence of differences in sampling probabilities between items on collection speed. Based on the model of a complete multinomial process over time, we define the distribution, distribution function, expectation and variance of the number of hosts parasitized after a given time, as well as the inverse problem, estimating the sampling effort. We develop the relationship between the risk distribution on the set of hosts and the speed of parasitization and propose a more elegant proof of the weak stochastic dominance among speeds of parasitization, using the concept of Schur convexity and the ‘Robin Hood transfer’ numerical operation. Numerical examples are provided and a conjecture about strong dominance—an ordering characteristic of random variables—is proposed. The speed at which new items are discovered is a function of the entire shape of the sampling probability distribution. The sole comparison of values of variances is not sufficient to compare speeds associated with different distributions, as generally assumed in ecological studies.
Long-term tracking of budding yeast cells in brightfield microscopy: CellStar and the Evaluation Platform
Authors: Versari Cristian , Stoma Szymon , Batmanov Kirill , Llamosi Artémis , Mroz Filip , Kaczmarek Adam , Deyell Matt , Lhoussaine Cédric , Hersen Pascal , Batt Gregory
Published: February 2017

With the continuous expansion of single cell biology, the observation of the behaviour of individual cells over extended durations and with high accuracy has become a problem of central importance. Surprisingly, even for yeast cells that have relatively regular shapes, no solution has been proposed that reaches the high quality required for long-term experiments for segmentation and tracking (S&T) based on brightfield images. Here, we presentCellStar, a tool chain designed to achieve good performance in long-term experiments. The key features are the use of a new variant of parametrized active rays for segmentation, a neighbourhood-preserving criterion for tracking, and the use of an iterative approach that incrementally improves S&T quality. A graphical user interface enables manual corrections of S&T errors and their use for the automated correction of other, related errors and for parameter learning. We created a benchmark dataset with manually analysed images and comparedCellStarwith six other tools, showing its high performance, notably in long-term tracking. As a community effort, we set up a website, the Yeast Image Toolkit, with the benchmark and theEvaluation Platformto gather this and additional information provided by others.