bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-target effects on soil microbial parameters of the synthetic pesticide carbendazim with the biopesticides cantharidin and norcantharidin
Authors: Shao Hainan , Zhang Yalin
Published: July 2017

Considering the fact that biopesticides are increasingly used to replace synthetic pesticides in pest control, it is necessary to assess their ecotoxicity and especially their non-target effects on soil microorganisms, which is largely unknown. In this study, the effects of the synthetic pesticide carbendazim and the biopesticides (cantharidin and norcantharidin) on soil microbial parameters in a silt loam soil were evaluated. By using commercial formulations at the recommended and higher rates, both cantharidin and norcantharidin induced adverse effects on soil invertase, phosphatase activities and fungal gene structure, but these changes were transient. After about two weeks, the harmful effects owing to the application of pesticides phased out and eventually became comparable with non-treated samples. The degradation of cantharidin and norcantharidin was rapid and can be completed within a few days in the soil. None of the three pesticides caused significant shifts in urease activity. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the soil microbial toxicity of these biopesticides for reasonable and efficient usage.
Factors affecting distribution patterns of organic carbon in sediments at regional and national scales in China
Authors: Cao Qingqing , Wang Hui , Zhang Yiran , Lal Rattan , Wang Renqing , Ge Xiuli , Liu Jian
Published: July 2017

Wetlands are an important carbon reservoir pool in terrestrial ecosystems. Light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), heavy fraction organic carbon (HFOC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were fractionated in sediment samples from the four wetlands (ZR: Zhaoniu River; ZRCW: Zhaoniu River Constructed Wetland; XR: Xinxue River; XRCW: Xinxue River Constructed Wetland). Organic carbon (OC) from rivers and coasts of China were retrieved and statistically analyzed. At regional scale, HFOC stably dominates the deposition of OC (95.4%), whereas DOC and LFOC in ZR is significantly higher than in ZRCW. Concentration of DOC is significantly higher in XRCW (30.37 mg/l) than that in XR (13.59 mg/l). DOC and HFOC notably distinguish between two sampling campaigns, and the deposition of carbon fractions are limited by low nitrogen input. At the national scale, OC attains the maximum of 2.29% at precipitation of 800 mm. OC has no significant difference among the three climate zones but significantly higher in river sediments than in coasts. Coastal OC increases from Bohai Sea (0.52%) to South Sea (0.70%) with a decrease in latitude. This study summarizes the factors affecting organic carbon storage in regional and national scale, and have constructive implications for carbon assessment, modelling, and management.
MEN1/Menin regulates milk protein synthesis through mTOR signaling in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Li Honghui , Liu Xue , Wang Zhonghua , Lin Xueyan , Yan Zhengui , Cao Qiaoqiao , Zhao Meng , Shi Kerong
Published: July 2017

The MEN1 gene, which encodes the protein Menin, was investigated for its regulatory role in milk protein synthesis in mammary glands. Menin responds to nutrient and hormone levels via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Bovine mammary epithelial cells and tissues were used as experimental models in this study. The results revealed that the milk protein synthesis capacity of mammary epithelial cells could be regulated by MEN1/Menin. The overexpression of Menin caused significant suppression of factors involved in the mTOR pathway, as well as milk protein κ-casein (CSNK). In contrast, a significant increase in these factors and CSNK was observed upon MEN1/Menin knockdown. The repression of MEN1/Menin on the mTOR pathway was also observed in mammary gland tissues. Additionally, MEN1/Menin was found to elicit a negative response on prolactin (PRL) and/or insulin (INS), which caused a similar downstream impact on mTOR pathway factors and milk proteins. Collectively, our data indicate that MEN1/Menin could play a regulatory role in milk protein synthesis through mTOR signaling in the mammary gland by mediating the effects of hormones and nutrient status. The discovery of Menin’s role in mammary glands suggests Menin could be potential new target for the improvement of milk performance and adjustment of lactation period of dairy cows.
Correction: Corrigendum: Photon-phonon Interaction in a Microfiber Induced by Optical and Electrostrictive Forces
Authors: Shi Yun-chao , Luo Wei , Xu Fei , Lu Yan-qing
Published: July 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 41849; published online: 01 February 2017; updated: 10 July 2017. Experimental and theoretical results of spontaneous Brillouin scattering (SpBS) in solid silica microfibers have been demonstrated 1,2 . Surface acoustic waves and Brillouin scattering self-cancellation were found and discussed in the two papers 1,2 .
Crystal growth and optical properties of a UV nonlinear optical material KSrCO3F
Authors: Zhang W. , Halasyamani P. S.
Published: July 2017

Large UV NLO KSrCO3F crystals were grown by a TSSG method, and their linear and nonlinear optical properties were investigated.
A study on the progress of mutarotation above and below the Tg and the relationship between constant rates and structural relaxation times
Authors: Wolnica K. , Dulski M. , Kaminska E. , Cecotka A. , Tarnacka M. , Wrzalik R. , Kaminski K. , Paluch M.
Published: July 2017

Comprehensive FTIR studies on the progress of mutarotation in d-fructose mixed with maltitol have been carried out over a wide range of temperatures, both above and below the glass transition temperature Tg.
Polypyrrole capacitance characteristics with different doping ions and thicknesses
Authors: Wang Jingping , Wu Chengjun , Wu Peiqi , Li Xiao , Zhang Min , Zhu Jianbo
Published: July 2017

A simple model was suggested for explaining the relation between the electrochemical properties and thickness of the PPy films which were doped by Cl−, SO42− and 4-toluene sulfonic ions, respectively.
Thermodynamic integration network study of electron transfer: from proteins to aggregates
Authors: Na Sehee , Bauß Anna , Langenmaier Michael , Koslowski Thorsten
Published: July 2017

We describe electron transfer through the NrfHA nitrite reductase using a thermodynamic integration scheme. Driving forces are hardly affected by dimerization, but the transport mechanism only emerges simulating the dimer.
Designing effective ‘frustrated Lewis pair’ hydrogenation catalysts
Authors: Scott Daniel J. , Fuchter Matthew J. , Ashley Andrew E.
Published: July 2017

This review offers a rational guide to developing efficient FLP hydrogenation catalysts by considering the key factors governing their effectiveness.
Aggregation and redispersion of silver species on alumina and sulphated alumina supports for soot oxidation
Authors: Gao Yuxi , Wu Xiaodong , Liu Shuang , Ogura Masaru , Liu Minghan , Weng Duan
Published: July 2017

Ag particles anchored on sulfated alumina, while free particles aggregated during soot oxidation, followed by redispersion triggered by O2.
Ecocatalyzed Suzuki cross coupling of heteroaryl compounds
Authors: Clavé Guillaume , Pelissier Franck , Campidelli Stéphane , Grison Claude
Published: July 2017

A bio-based EcoPd was developed for the Suzuki cross coupling of heteroaryl compounds.
An integrated microwell array platform for cell lasing analysis
Authors: Chen Qiushu , Chen Yu-Cheng , Zhang Zhizheng , Wu Biming , Coleman Rhima , Fan Xudong
Published: July 2017

Automated, high-throughput, and long-term cell laser detection was demonstrated by the integration of microwell arrays and Fabry–Pérot cavities.
Quasiclassical trajectory study of the C(1D) + HD reaction
Authors: Zhang Chunfang , Zheng Yujun , Cao Jianwei , Bian Wensheng
Published: July 2017

Isotopic branching ratios are investigated by detailed quasiclassical trajectory calculations on our recent singlet ground and excited potential energy surfaces.
Improved properties of Al–Si3N4 nanocomposites fabricated through a microwave sintering and hot extrusion process
Authors: Matli Penchal Reddy , Ubaid Fareeha , Shakoor Rana Abdul , Parande Gururaj , Manakari Vyasaraj , Yusuf Moinuddin , Amer Mohamed Adel Mohamed , Gupta Manoj
Published: July 2017

In this study, nano-sized Si3N4 (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 vol%)/Al composites were fabricated using a powder metallurgy method involving microwave sintering technique followed by hot extrusion.
Versatile magnetic resonance singlet tags compatible with biological conditions
Authors: Glöggler Stefan , Elliott Stuart J. , Stevanato Gabriele , Brown Richard C. D. , Levitt Malcolm H.
Published: July 2017

The long lifetime of nuclear singlet states holds promise for the development of molecular tracers to study motional processes in proteins with increased precision or to act as imaging contrast agents.
Effects of Co/Ce molar ratio and operating temperature on nanocatalyst performance in the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Taherzadeh Lari Tahereh , Mirzaei Ali Akbar , Atashi Hossein
Published: July 2017

The effect of Co/Ce molar ratios on the catalytic performance in FTS.
Metal-free di- and tri-fluoromethylation of alkenes realized by visible-light-induced perylene photoredox catalysis
Authors: Noto Naoki , Koike Takashi , Akita Munetaka
Published: July 2017

A new electrophilic CF2H reagent and metal-free photocatalytic di- and tri-fluoromethylation by perylene were developed.
New bi-Hamiltonian systems on the plane
Authors: Tsiganov A. V.
Published: July 2017

We discuss several new bi-Hamiltonian integrable systems on the plane with integrals of motion of third, fourth, and sixth orders in momenta. The corresponding variables of separation, separated relations, compatible Poisson brackets, and recursion operators are also presented in the framework of the Jacobi method.
Accurate spectroscopic characterization of the HOC(O)O radical: A route toward its experimental identification
Authors: Puzzarini Cristina , Biczysko Malgorzata , Peterson Kirk A. , Francisco Joseph S. , Linguerri Roberto
Published: July 2017

A set of accurate spectroscopic parameters for the detection of the atmospherically important HOC(O)O radical has been obtained by means of state-of-the-art ab initio computations. These include advanced coupled cluster treatments, involving both standard and explicitly correlated approaches, to correctly account for basis set incompleteness and core-valence effects. Geometric parameters for the X̃2A′ and Ã2A′′ states and, for the ground state only, vibrationally corrected rotational constants including quartic and sextic centrifugal distortion terms are reported. The infrared spectrum of the X̃2A′ state has been simulated in the 4000-400 cm−1 wavenumber interval with an approach based on second order vibrational perturbation theory that allows accounting for anharmonic effects in both energies and intensities. Finally, the vibronic spectrum for the Ã ← X̃ transition has been calculated at three different temperatures in the 9000-3000 cm−1 energy range with a time-independent technique based on the Franck-Condon approximation.
Wavefront manipulation with a dipolar metasurface under coherent control
Authors: Kang Ming , Wang Hui-Tian , Zhu Weiren
Published: July 2017

Full phase manipulation with equal amplitude is critical for optical wavefront engineering in various systems. Here we theoretically explore a general approach for optical wavefront manipulation using dipolar metasurfaces under the coherent control. From the microscopic perspective, we theoretically show that the dispersion of a dipolar metasurface under the coherent control can provide the phase manipulation within a full range of [0, 2π] and retain an equal amplitude simultaneously. As an example, such a dipolar metasurface can be constructed by compensatory H-shaped unit resonators to avoid polarization conversion. Specifically, we confirm the feasibility of designed metasurfaces for achieving the beam bending and the vortex-phase beam by the full-wave simulation. The proposed approach enriches the well-established wavefront engineering for extending the functionality of metasurface under the coherent control.
In situ photocurrent spectra measurements during growth of three-dye-stacked structures by the liquid-phase molecular layer deposition
Authors: Yoshimura Tetsuzo , Bai Shi , Tateno Hiroyuki , Yoshino Chie
Published: July 2017

Three-dye-stacked structures were grown on ZnO surfaces by the liquid-phase molecular layer deposition (LP-MLD) using electron-accepting p-type dyes of rose bengal (RB) and eosine (EO), and an electron-donating n-type dye of crystal violet (CV) as source molecules. It was found that the dye adsorption strength is strong for combinations of p-n, and weak for combinations of p-p and n-n, which satisfies requirements for the source molecules in LP-MLD when dyes are provided with a sequence of p-n-p-n- on n-type ZnO. Surface potential and photoluminescence measurements revealed that monomolecular-step growth is achieved in LP-MLD for growth of the three-dye-stacked structure of [ZnO/RB/CV/EO]. To evaluate the sensitization effects of multi-dye-stacked structures, photocurrent spectra induced in the dye-sensitized ZnO layers were measured in situ in each growth step of the dye molecule adsorption. In step 1, p-type RB was adsorbed onto an n-type ZnO surface to induce a photocurrent spectrum in a range of 400–580 nm. In step 2, n-type CV was provided to connect it to p-type RB. Then, photocurrents attributed to CV were superposed to the photocurrent spectrum attributed to RB, raising photocurrents in the longer wavelength region. In step 3, p-type EO was provided to grow the three-dye-stacked structure of [ZnO/RB/CV/EO]. This structure enhanced the photocurrents and, at the same time, widened the photocurrent spectrum extending from 390 nm to 610 nm, which is regarded as a superposition of RB, CV, and EO spectra, suggesting that the multi-dye-stacked structure acts as a light-harvesting antenna to enhance the sensitization effect on ZnO.
Extraction dynamics of electrons from magneto-optically trapped atoms
Authors: Fedchenko Olena , Chernov Sergii , McCulloch Andrew , Vielle-Grosjean Mélissa , Comparat Daniel , Schönhense Gerd
Published: July 2017

Pulsed photoionization of laser-cooled atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) has the potential to create cold electron beams of few meV bandwidths and few ps pulse lengths. Such a source would be highly attractive for the study of fast low-energy processes like coherent phonon excitation. To study the suitability of MOT-based sources for the production of simultaneously cold and fast electrons, we study the photoionization dynamics of trapped Cs atoms. A momentum-microscope-like setup with a delay-line detector allows for the simultaneous measurement of spatial and temporal electron distributions. The measured patterns are complex, due to the Lorentz force inducing spiral trajectories. Ray-tracing simulations reproduce the main features. We find that the production of electron bunches with bandwidths of a few meV is straightforward; however, pulses in the ps-range are more demanding and require beam blanking or partial blocking.
Fire, ice, water, and dirt: A simple climate model
Authors: Kroll John
Published: July 2017

A simple paleoclimate model was developed as a modeling exercise. The model is a lumped parameter system consisting of an ocean (water), land (dirt), glacier, and sea ice (ice) and driven by the sun (fire). In comparison with other such models, its uniqueness lies in its relative simplicity yet yielding good results. For nominal values of parameters, the system is very sensitive to small changes in the parameters, yielding equilibrium, steady oscillations, and catastrophes such as freezing or boiling oceans. However, stable solutions can be found, especially naturally oscillating solutions. For nominally realistic conditions, natural periods of order 100kyrs are obtained, and chaos ensues if the Milankovitch orbital forcing is applied. An analysis of a truncated system shows that the naturally oscillating solution is a limit cycle with the characteristics of a relaxation oscillation in the two major dependent variables, the ocean temperature and the glacier ice extent. The key to getting oscillations is having the effective emissivity decreasing with temperature and, at the same time, the effective ocean albedo decreases with increasing glacier extent. Results of the original model compare favorably to the proxy data for ice mass variation, but not for temperature variation. However, modifications to the effective emissivity and albedo can be made to yield much more realistic results. The primary conclusion is that the opinion of Saltzman [Clim. Dyn. 5, 67–78 (1990)] is plausible that the external Milankovitch orbital forcing is not sufficient to explain the dominant 100kyr period in the data.
Band-to-band tunneling in Γ valley for Ge source lateral tunnel field effect transistor: Thickness scaling
Authors: Jain Prateek , Rastogi Priyank , Yadav Chandan , Agarwal Amit , Chauhan Yogesh Singh
Published: July 2017

The direct and indirect valleys in Germanium (Ge) are separated by a very small offset, which opens up the prospect of direct tunneling in the Γ valley of an extended Ge source tunnel field effect transistor (TFET). We explore the impact of thickness scaling of extended Ge source lateral TFET on the band to band tunneling (BTBT) current. The Ge source is extended inside the gate by 2 nm to confine the tunneling in Ge only. We observe that as the thickness is scaled, the band alignment at the Si/Ge heterojunction changes significantly, which results in an increase in Ge to Si BTBT current. Based on density functional calculations, we first obtain the band structure parameters (bandgap, effective masses, etc.) for the Ge and Si slabs of varying thickness, and these are then used to obtain the thickness dependent Kane's BTBT tunneling parameters. We find that electrostatics improves as the thickness is reduced in the ultra-thin Ge film (≤10 nm). The ON current degrades as we scale down in thickness; however, the subthreshold slope (SSAVG) improves remarkably with thickness scaling due to subsurface BTBT. We predict that 8 nm thin devices offer the best option for optimized ON current and SSAVG.
Charge carrier dynamics in PMMA–LiClO4 based polymer electrolytes plasticized with different plasticizers
Authors: Pal P. , Ghosh A.
Published: July 2017

We have studied the charge carrier dynamics in poly(methylmethacrylate)-LiClO4 polymer electrolytes plasticized with different plasticizers such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). We have measured the broadband complex conductivity spectra of these electrolytes in the frequency range of 0.01 Hz–3 GHz and in the temperature range of 203 K–363 K and analyzed the conductivity spectra in the framework of the random barrier model by taking into account the contribution of the electrode polarization observed at low frequencies and/or at high temperatures. It is observed that the temperature dependences of the ionic conductivity and relaxation time follow the Vogel-Tammann-Fulcher relation for all plasticized electrolytes. We have also performed the scaling of the conductivity spectra, which indicates that the charge carrier dynamics is almost independent of temperature and plasticizers in a limited frequency range. The existence of nearly constant loss in these electrolytes has been observed at low temperatures and/or high frequencies. We have studied the dielectric relaxation in these electrolytes using electric modulus formalism and obtained the stretched exponent and the decay function. We have observed less cooperative ion dynamics in electrolytes plasticized with DMC compared to electrolytes plasticized with EC, PC, and PEG.
Revealing the role of heat treatment in enhancement of electrical properties of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Kim Sangwook , Khanal Gopal Prasad , Ueno Shintaro , Moriyoshi Chikako , Kuroiwa Yoshihiro , Wada Satoshi
Published: July 2017

The structural and electrical properties of the virgin, annealed, and quenched samples of 0.80BiFeO3–0.20BaTiO3 lead-free ceramics were investigated. The crystal structures investigated with the structure refinement method exhibited a rhombohedral structure for all the samples. The significant enhancement of ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties is ascribed to the relaxation of the lattice strain induced in the samples after the heat treatment. The bond-length calculated from the final structure refinement results revealed the increment of the A-O bond-length after the heat treatment, while the B-O bond-length was maintained in all the virgin, annealed, and quenched samples suggesting the specific influence of the lattice strain at the A-site of the material system.
Mode stability on the real axis
Authors: Andersson Lars , Ma Siyuan , Paganini Claudio , Whiting Bernard F.
Published: July 2017

A generalization of the mode stability result of Whiting [J. Math. Phys. 30, 1301–1305 (1989)] for the Teukolsky equation is proved for the case of real frequencies. The main result of the paper states that a separated solution of the Teukolsky equation governing massless test fields on the Kerr spacetime, which is purely outgoing at infinity, and purely ingoing at the horizon, must vanish. This has the consequence that for real frequencies, there are linearly independent fundamental solutions of the radial Teukolsky equation Rhor,Rout, which are purely ingoing at the horizon and purely outgoing at infinity, respectively. This fact yields a representation formula for solutions of the inhomogeneous Teukolsky equation and was recently used by Shlapentokh-Rothman [Ann. Henri Poincaré 16, 289–345 (2015)] for the scalar wave equation.
Thermodynamic equilibration of the carbon vacancy in 4H-SiC: A lifetime limiting defect
Authors: Ayedh H. M. , Nipoti R. , Hallén A. , Svensson B. G.
Published: July 2017

The carbon vacancy (VC) is a prominent defect in as-grown 4H-SiC epitaxial layers for high power bipolar devices. VC is electrically active with several deep levels in the bandgap, and it is an efficient “killer” of the minority carrier lifetime in n-type layers, limiting device performance. In this study, we provide new insight into the equilibration kinetics of the thermodynamic processes governing the VC concentration and how these processes can be tailored. A slow cooling rate after heat treatment at ∼2000 °C, typically employed to activate dopants in 4H-SiC, is shown to yield a strong reduction of the VC concentration relative to that for a fast rate. Further, post-growth heat treatment of epitaxial layers has been conducted over a wide temperature range (800–1600 °C) under C-rich surface conditions. It is found that the thermodynamic equilibration of VC at 1500 °C requires a duration less than 1 h resulting in a VC concentration of only ∼1011 cm−3, which is, indeed, beneficial for high voltage devices. In order to elucidate the physical processes controlling the equilibration of VC, a defect kinetics model is put forward. The model assumes Frenkel pair generation, injection of carbon interstitials (Ci's) from the C-rich surface (followed by recombination with VC's), and diffusion of VC's towards the surface as the major processes during the equilibration, and it exhibits good quantitative agreement with experiment.
Spectral characteristics of (111) silicon with Raman selections under different states of stress
Authors: Qiu Wei , Ma Lu-lu , Xing Hua-Dan , Cheng Cui-Li , Huang Gan-yun
Published: July 2017

(111) silicon is widely used in current microstructures. In this study, theoretical analysis shows that different states of elastic stress may result in different eigenvalues and their respective eigenvectors of the lattice dynamics secular equation. The key point in determining the spectral character is to obtain the Raman tensor corresponding to each eigenvector whose eigenvalue can be represented by a function of the stress tensor components. As examples, the wavenumber–stress factors under some specific states of stress at typical polarization configurations were determined. Finally, a calibration experiment was performed to validate the theoretical prediction.
A flexible graphene terahertz detector
Authors: Yang Xinxin , Vorobiev Andrei , Generalov Andrey , Andersson Michael A. , Stake Jan
Published: July 2017

We present a flexible terahertz (THz) detector based on a graphene field-effect transistor fabricated on a plastic substrate. At room temperature, this detector reveals voltage responsivity above 2 V/W and estimated noise equivalent power (NEP) below 3 nW/Hz at 487 GHz. We have investigated the effects of bending strain on DC characteristics, voltage responsivity, and NEP of the detector, and the results reveal its robust performance. Our findings have shown that graphene is a promising material for the development of THz flexible technology.
Gallium kinetics on m-plane GaN
Authors: Lim C. B. , Ajay A. , Monroy E.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we study the adsorption/desorption kinetics of gallium on (1-100) m-GaN during molecular-beam epitaxy on bulk substrates. We demonstrate the stabilization of a laterally contracted biatomic layer of Ga containing up to ≈2.5 times the (0001) surface atom density, on top of the GaN(1-100) surface. By assessing the surface morphology of m-GaN layers grown under different Ga/N flux ratios, we show that the presence of the Ga bilayer allows the growth of atomically smooth m-GaN without accumulation of Ga droplets and in conditions (substrate temperature and Ga/N ratio) that are compatible with the growth of c-GaN.
Mercury evidence for pulsed volcanism during the end-Triassic mass extinction
Authors: Percival Lawrence M. E. , Ruhl Micha , Hesselbo Stephen P. , Jenkyns Hugh C. , Mather Tamsin A. , Whiteside Jessica H.
Published: July 2017

Significance

The end of the Triassic Period (∼201.5 million years ago) witnessed one of the largest mass extinctions of animal life known from Earth history. This extinction is suggested to have coincided with and been caused by one of the largest known episodes of volcanic activity in Earth’s history. This study examines mercury concentrations of sediments from around the world that record this extinction. Mercury is emitted in gaseous form during volcanism, and subsequently deposited in sediments. We find numerous pulsed elevations of mercury concentrations in end-Triassic sediments. These peaks show that the mass extinction coincided with large-scale, episodic, volcanism. Such episodic volcanism likely perturbed the global environment over a long period of time and strongly delayed ecological recovery.
UCP1 deficiency causes brown fat respiratory chain depletion and sensitizes mitochondria to calcium overload-induced dysfunction
Authors: Kazak Lawrence , Chouchani Edward T. , Stavrovskaya Irina G. , Lu Gina Z. , Jedrychowski Mark P. , Egan Daniel F. , Kumari Manju , Kong Xingxing , Erickson Brian K. , Szpyt John , Rosen Evan D. , Murphy Michael P. , Kristal Bruce S. , Gygi Steven P. , Spiegelman Bruce M.
Published: July 2017

Significance

We describe a physiological role for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the regulation of reactive oxygen species. Notably, the molecular differences between brown fat mitochondria from wild-type and UCP1 knockout (UCP1-KO) mice extend substantially beyond the deletion of UCP1 itself. Thus, caution must be taken when attributing a brown fat phenotype solely to UCP1 deletion when these animals are used. Given the wide utilization of the UCP1-KO mouse model, these data are of critical importance for the scientific communities studying obesity, thermogenesis and energy metabolism, and mitochondrial biology.
Inner speech in action
Authors: Castro Víctor Fernández
Published: July 2017

This paper assesses two different approaches to inner speech that can be found in the literature. One of them regards inner speech as a vehicle of conscious thought. The other holds that inner speech is better characterised as an activity derived from social uses of its outer counterpart. In this paper I focus on the explanatory power of each approach to account for the control of attention and behaviour in the context of executive tasks. I will argue that the vehicle view cannot capture some central cases of inner speech in executive tasks because they cannot be described as cases of bringing thought into consciousness. Then I will offer a revised version of the activity view and I will apply it to some examples so as to show that it is better posited to account for them. I end by considering two objections to the activity view and a possible way to address them.
Metaphors and Metonyms ofNsa, ‘the Hand’ in Akan
Authors: Aygekum Kofi
Published: July 2017

This paper looks at the metaphorical and metonymic expressions derived fromnsa, ‘hand’. I will analyse and discuss hand metaphoric and metonymic expressions in relation with the universal concept of the agility and versatility of the hand as an important aspect of the human being. The paper projects the concept of the hand in the Akan cultural system and looks at how it has expanded into compound words, idioms and proverbs. We will look at the cognitive, semantics, sociolinguistics and pragmatics ofnsa, ‘hand’. The paper is discussed under the theory of conceptual metaphor as expounded by Lakoff and Johnson (1980) and followed by many scholars in the western world, Asia and Africa.
Marcelo Dascal’s Theory of Controversies
Authors: Sariel Aviram
Published: July 2017

In his Theory of Controversies, Marcelo Dascal proposed three types of polemic exchange, in whichControversywas added to the classic types ofDiscussionandDispute. For example, in Dascal’s lights, logic is associated with polemic discussions, power manipulations with disputes, and ‘soft logic’ with controversies. The theory was remarkably successful in providing a realist framework for polemic exchanges. In this paper, I provide a conceptually independent substantiation and expansion of the theory, by associating it with meta-ethical analysis of thick and thin concepts, indebted to Michael Walzer, Menachem Fisch and Yitzhak Benbaji.
Controversies on Body
Authors: Scarafile Giovanni
Published: July 2017

My paper is related to applied ethics with special reference to the ethics of communication. The task of this discipline is to defend otherness in the various contexts where it exists. The departure point for my paper is the observation that the physician–patient relationship, instead of being the place of therapeutic alliance, is increasingly becoming a source of conflict, as is shown by the statistics on legal actions between doctors and patients, lack of communication skills identified amongst patients, and cases of burnout amongst doctors. This situation calls on ethics to take two steps simultaneously. Firstly, it must not forego the duty of indicating the rules. Secondly, it must be capable of suggesting directions where those same rules can be applied. Succeeding in this task is decisive not only in domains where the ethical approach may be welcomed, but also for ethics as such, otherwise destined to be a disembodied specialization.
Uses and abuses of the body in the postmodern era
Authors: Garasic Mirko D.
Published: July 2017

This paper will focus on two controversial cases relating to the [mis]use of the notion of autonomy in situations of life and death. While in one case the patient’s will to die was not respected, in the other there was no attempt to save the life of the individual. I have chosen to put these two specific cases in parallel for the fact that in both instances the presence of some kind of mental impairment is not given at all. Yet, in both situations there is substantial reference to some type of temporary competence -as this is the key element that, allegedly, should function as decisive to assess the moral and legal justification behind the decision to enforce -or not- medical treatment upon the protagonists of these two very sad stories. Following on from the objective of this paper thus, the contraposition of these two cases will provide us with a vivid image of the practical implications of using the notion of autonomy (here presented under the form of a more psychiatric-oriented term: competence) in an inconsistent manner within the Western world (US and EU). Raising many doubts over its appropriateness.
ClpXP-Dependent RpoS Degradation Enables Full Activation of Type III Secretion System, Amylovoran Production, and Motility in Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Lee Jae Hoon , Zhao Youfu
Published: July 2017

Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight disease of apple and pear, employs intracellular proteases, including Lon and ClpXP, for posttranslational regulation of various cellular proteins. It has been shown that Lon plays a critical role in E. amylovora virulence by directly targeting type III secretion system (T3SS) proteins and the Rcs phosphorelay system. In this study, we genetically examined the role of ClpXP and its potential interaction with Lon in E. amylovora. Mutation in clpXP diminished the expression of the T3SS, reduced exopolysaccharide amylovoran production and motility, and resulted in delayed disease progress. Western blot analyses showed highly accumulated RpoS proteins in the clpXP mutant. Moreover, mutation of rpoS in the clpXP mutant background rescued the expression of the T3SS and amylovoran production, suggesting that ClpXP-dependent RpoS degradation positively affects virulence traits. Interestingly, lack of both ClpXP and Lon resulted in significantly reduced virulence but increased expression of the T3SS and amylovoran production. However, this phenomenon was independent of RpoS accumulation, suggesting that ClpXP and Lon are indispensable for full virulence in E. amylovora.
Development and molecular characterization of wheat-Aegilops peregrinaIntrogression Lines with resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust
Authors: Narang Deepika , Kaur Satinder , Saini Jyoti , Chhuneja Parveen
Published: July 2017

A wild non-progenitor species from wheat tertiary gene poolAegilops peregrinaaccession pau3519 (UUSS) was used for introgression of leaf rust and stripe rust resistance in bread wheat. It was crossed and backcrossed with hexaploid wheat line Chinese SpringPhIto develop two homozygous BC2F6wheat-Ae. peregrinaintrogression lines (ILs) viz. IL pau16058 and IL pau16061 through induced homoeologous recombination. Homozygous lines were screened against sixPuccinia triticinaand twoPuccinia striiformisf. sp.triticipathotypes at the seedling stage and a mixture of prevalent pathotypes of both rust pathogens at the adult plant stage. IL pau16061 showed resistance to leaf rust only while IL pau16058 was resistant to both leaf and stripe rust pathotypes throughout plant life. Molecular characterization of these ILs aided in defining the introgressed regions. Identification of linked markers with advance genomic technologies will aid in marker assisted pyramiding of alien genes in cultivated wheat background.
Investigating termite nest thermodynamics using a quick-look method and the heat equation
Authors: Gouttefarde Rémi , Bon Richard , Fourcassié Vincent , Arrufat Patrick , Haifig Ives , Baehr Christophe , Jost Christian
Published: July 2017

Termite mounds are often cited as an example of efficient thermoregulated structures. Nest thermal stability can be critical for insects that are particularly sensitive to heat and desiccation. Few studies have measured internal temperature of termite nests with respect to environmental parameters, especially in Neotropical species. In this study, we analyzed the thermal profiles of different parts ofProcornitermes araujoinests, a neotropical mound-building termite of the Braziliancerrado. To read into our dataset we first used rasterization, a method that allows a quick-look assessment of time-series. Our results show that nest architecture efficiently buffers against environmental temperature fluctuations while at the same time maintaining a relatively high internal temperature in the core. This rather stable internal climate follows nevertheless the external temperature long-term averages. Using a novel numerical scheme, we further show that the heat transfer dynamics are well described by the classical heat equation, with an additional heat source whose origin is discussed.
Automated Parameterization of Predictive Kinetic Metabolic Models from Sparse Datasets for Efficient Optimization of Many-Enzyme Heterologous Pathways
Authors: Halper Sean M. , Farasat Iman , Salis Howard M.
Published: July 2017

Engineered heterologous metabolic pathways can convert low-cost feedstock into high-value products, though it remains a significant challenge to reliably and efficiently maximize end-product biosynthesis, particularly when many enzymes must be co-expressed together. When current approaches are applied to many-enzyme pathways, the construction and characterization process is highly iterative and laborious, while generating high-dimensional datasets that remain difficult to analyze for forward engineering efforts. To overcome these challenges, we developed a new algorithm that determines the highly non-linear and high-dimensional relationship between a pathway’s enzyme expression levels and its end-product productivity from common characterization of a small number of heterologous pathway variants. We combined kinetic metabolic modeling, elementary mode analysis, model reduction, de-dimensionalization, and genetic algorithm optimization into an automated procedure that parameterizes accurate kinetic metabolic models from sparsely characterized pathway variant libraries with varied enzyme expression levels. The resulting Pathway Maps are used to determine rate-limiting steps, predict optimal expression levels, identify allosteric interactions, rank-order enzyme kinetics, and prioritize protein engineering efforts. We demonstrate the Pathway Map Calculator algorithm on two experimental datasets, a 3-enzyme carotenoid biosynthesis pathway and a 9-enzyme limonene biosynthesis pathway, as well as a series ofin silicopathway examples to rigorously demonstrate the algorithm’s accuracy, linear scaling, and high tolerance to measurement noise. By greatly reducing experimental efforts and providing quantitative forward engineering predictions, the Pathway Map Calculator has the potential to dramatically accelerate the engineering of many-enzyme heterologous metabolic pathways.

Highlights

We developed an automated algorithm that uses a small number of characterized pathway variants to determine the pathway’s expression-productivity relationship.

The Pathway Map Calculator is accurate, scales linearly on many-enzyme pathways, distinguishes allosteric interactions, and tolerates substantial measurement noise.

Pathway Maps are used to predict optimal enzyme expression levels, identify rate-limiting steps, and prioritize protein engineering efforts
Understanding the relationship between the economy and crime: Canadian provinces, 1981-2009
Authors: Jalles Joao Tovar , Andresen Martin A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of multiple measures of the economy while investigating the role of the economy with crime, as well as the sensitivity of those results.

Design/methodology/approach

Provincial-level data, 1981-2009, and a series of statistical specifications.

Findings

The authors find overall support for the Cantor and Land’s (1985) model of unemployment and crime. The authors are also able to show the importance of considering multiple measures of economic activity and multiple statistical methods of analysis for the sensitivity of results.

Originality/value

Previous research has shown the importance of multiple measures of the economy but not multiple statistical methods as a sensitivity analysis. The authors provide such a sensitivity analysis and show that the Cantor and Land’s (1985) model has significant support.
A multi-agent-based online opinion dissemination model for China’s crisis information release policy during hazardous chemical leakage emergencies into rivers
Authors: Yu Lean , Li Ling , Tang Ling , Dai Wei , Hanachi Chihab
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multi-agent-based simulation model for the online opinion dissemination during hazardous chemical leakage emergencies into rivers in China, to explore an appropriate crisis information release policy of China’s government for controlling public panic.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed model, two fundamental attributes of crisis information, i.e., truthfulness (for true or false news) and attitude (for positive, neutral or negative opinion), are considered. Four major agents in the online community system, i.e., citizens, the government, media and opinion leaders, are included. Using four typical accidents of hazardous chemical leakage into rivers in China as case studies, insightful policy implications can be obtained for crisis management and panic control.

Findings

The news about the terrible potential damages from such a type of accidents will instantly arise wide-ranging public panic; therefore, the corresponding crisis information release policy should be carefully designed. It is strongly advised against publishing false news to temporarily conceal the accidents, which will seriously hurt the government’s reputation and agitate much larger-scale public panic in terms of degree and duration. To mitigate public panic, the true news especially about treatment measurements should be published immediately. If the government does nothing and releases no crisis information, the public panic will go out of control.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only focuses on the crisis information release policies from the perspectives of the government. Furthermore, this study especially focuses on the cases in China, and extending the proposed model study for general contexts is an important direction to improve this study. Finally, the proposed model should be extended to other types of emergencies to further justify its generalization and universality, especially various natural catastrophes like storms, floods, tsunamis, etc.

Originality/value

This paper develops a multi-agent-based model for online public opinion dissemination in emergency to explore an appropriate crisis information release policy for controlling public panic stemming from hazardous chemicals leakage accidents into rivers. The proposed model makes major contributions to the literature from two perspectives. First, the crisis information about emergency accidents are divided into true and false news based on the truthfulness attribute, and into neutral, positive and negative emotions based on the attitude attribute. Second, the proposed model covers the main agents in the online virtual community.
Leveraging cross-media analytics to detect events and mine opinions for emergency management
Authors: Xu Wei , Liu Lingyu , Shang Wei
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Timely detection of emergency events and effective tracking of corresponding public opinions are critical in emergency management. As media are immediate sources of information on emergencies, the purpose of this paper is to propose cross-media analytics to detect and track emergency events and provide decision support for government and emergency management departments.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a novel emergency event detection and opinion mining method is proposed for emergency management using cross-media analytics. In the proposed approach, an event detection module is constructed to discover emergency events based on cross-media analytics, and after the detected event is confirmed as an emergency event, an opinion mining module is used to analyze public sentiments and then generate public sentiment time series for early warning via a semantic expansion technique.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that a specific emergency can be detected and that public opinion can be tracked effectively and efficiently using cross-media analytics. In addition, the proposed system can be used for decision support and real-time response for government and emergency management departments.

Research limitations/implications

This paper takes full advantage of cross-media information and proposes novel emergency event detection and opinion mining methods for emergency management using cross-media analytics. The empirical analysis results illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.

Practical implications

The proposed method can be applied for detection of emergency events and tracking of public opinions for emergency decision support and governmental real-time response.

Originality/value

This research work contributes to the design of a decision support system for emergency event detection and opinion mining. In the proposed approaches, emergency events are detected by leveraging cross-media analytics, and public sentiments are measured using an auto-expansion of the domain dictionary in the field of emergency management to eliminate the misclassification of the general dictionary and to make the quantization more accurate.
Modelling hysteresis effect in Scintrex CG‐3M gravity readings
Authors: Repanić Marija , Kuhar Miran
Published: July 2017

Significant hysteresis effects after transport in the upright position are found during measurement for the purpose of calibration of Scintrex CG‐3M gravimeters serial numbers 4372 and 4373. The effects amount to 0.60 and 0.15 μms−2 during the first 10 minutes and an additional 0.35 and 0.10 μms−2 during the next 10 minutes after transport for gravimeters 4372 and 4373, respectively. Such significant and not completely homogenous effects do not completely cancel out when forming gravity differences. An iterative MATLAB algorithm has been developed that models hysteresis effects using exponential functions that account for shifts in time and eliminates the hysteresis effects from the measurements. The method facilitates determination of an exponential function of hysteresis from multiple observation series with different unknown offsets and significant noise that prevents the application of conventional methods. Hysteresis elimination from measurements for the purpose of calibration resulted in (mostly significant) increases in the precision of adjusted calibration constants for both gravimeters. It is shown that, in order to obtain reasonable results, modelling the hysteresis effects should be based on approximately 30 minutes of readings. Finally, one can conclude that hysteresis effects surely do build up during transport, contrary to statements by Scintrex.