bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lawyering for the Rule of Law
Authors: Dotan Yoav
Published: June 2014

Lawyering for the Rule of Law introduces a new model of government lawyering in which government lawyers function as an ancillary mechanism that enables the court to expand its influence on policy-making within the political branches by forming out-of-court settlements. It discusses the centrality of government lawyers with regard to judicial mobilization and the enforcement of social reforms through adjudication, and sheds light on particular functions of government lawyers as adjudicators and facilitators of institutional arrangements. It also discusses the ethical and professional dilemmas of government lawyers in judicial review and the relationship between lawyers' professional morality and outcomes in litigation.
Henry James and the Culture of Consumption
Authors: El-Rayess Miranda
Published: June 2014

This book explores Henry James's imaginative engagements with the burgeoning consumer culture of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, focusing on his hitherto neglected fascination with shops and the shopping experience. Examining a wide range of the author's fiction and non-fiction in the context of developments such as the rise of the department store, the growing public presence of women shoppers and shop workers, and the increasing sophistication of commodity display and advertising, the book argues that consumer desire constitutes an integral part of James's understanding of modern subjectivity. It also demonstrates that the structures and strategies of commodity culture are deeply embedded in his style, his aesthetic and his conception of authorship. The study offers new readings of familiar and less familiar texts, and includes a wealth of original historical documentation that has been gleaned from contemporary newspapers, periodicals, advertising manuals, sales catalogues and guidebooks.
Nonlinear resonance in Anaconda
Authors: Mei Chiang C.
Published: June 2014

A nonlinear theory is developed for a recent wave energy converter design inspired by the mechanics of animal arteries. The device is a long and hollow rubber tube immersed beneath the sea surface. Excited by passing water waves outside, pressure waves are resonated inside the tube and advance toward the stern to spin a turbine for power production. To account for significant magnification, the classical linear theory of blood vessels is modified. Diffraction is neglected but nonlinearity and wall friction are included. The spatial evolution of harmonic amplitudes is shown to be governed by a dynamical system similar to that in nonlinear optics. The maximum available power flux is predicted as a function of the tube length and other structural parameters. It is hoped that the theory may assist further development of the novel device.
ON-FARM EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF THE PRINCIPLES AND COMPONENTS OF CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE ON MAIZE YIELD AND WEED BIOMASS IN MALAWI
Authors: NGWIRA A. R. , AUNE JENS B. , THIERFELDER C.
Published: June 2014

An on-farm study was conducted from 2009 to 2012 with communities in the Manjawira, Mpingu and Zidyana Extension Planning Areas in the Ntcheu, Lilongwe and Nkhotakota districts of central Malawi. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the principles (no-tillage and mulching) and components (fertilization and weeding) of conservation agriculture (CA) on crop productivity and weeds, and the interactions between principles and components, and to suggest strategies for introducing CA to smallholder farmers. The treatments consisted of tillage, fertilizer application, residues management and weed control strategies. While combined analysis showed that mulching is as effective as tillage in controlling weeds, the interaction between site and treatment revealed that in the more humid environment of Zidyana, weed dry matter obtained under no-tillage and residues plus fertilizer (NT+F+R) was 0.6 mg ha−1lower than under CP+F. Results suggest that about 6.0 mg ha−1of mulch is required to have a similar effect as tillage in controlling weeds. Fertilizer had an overriding effect on maize yield, regardless of tillage and crop residue management. Mulching was beneficial over tillage in the drier environment of Manjawira, where maize yield obtained under NT+F+R was 1.2 mg ha−1greater than under CP+F. Our results show that the introduction of no tillage has benefits only if it is accompanied by fertilizer application, retention of crop residues as surface mulch, and improved weed control. Increasing availability and accessibility of inputs (fertilizers and herbicides) to farmers is critical for adoption of CA at scale in Malawi.
Iceland on the Rocks: The Mass Political Economy of Sovereign Debt Resettlement
Authors: Curtis K. Amber , Jupille Joseph , Leblang David
Published: June 2014

We undertake an individual-level analysis of mass political behavior toward sovereign debt resettlement by leveraging the unique circumstances of a 2011 referendum on debt repayment in Iceland. This allows us to engage broader questions about mass international political economy. Against the recent thrust of a growing literature, we find evidence of material economic “pocketbook” effects—self-interest—on voting behavior, operating alongside symbolic/sociotropic and partisan/political logics. Contrary to expectations, these self-interest effects are not conditional on voter sophistication. We conclude that conventional sampling frames may be inappropriate for understanding contemporary democratic contestation over international economic policy.
Individual Investors and Broker Types
Authors: Fong Kingsley Y. L. , Gallagher David R. , Lee Adrian D.
Published: June 2014

We study the informativeness of trades via discount and full-service retail brokers. We find that trades via full-service retail brokers are statistically and economically more informative than are trades via discount retail brokers. This finding holds in every year over the 12-year sample period and in various subsamples. We also find that past returns, volatility, and news announcements positively relate to the net volume of discount retail brokers, but these variables are unrelated to the net volume of full-service retail brokers. Our results suggest that broker type selection bias is an important consideration in studying individual investors’ trades.
Multi-symplectic magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Webb G. M. , McKenzie J. F. , Zank G. P.
Published: June 2014

A multi-symplectic formulation of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is developed based on the Clebsch variable variational principle in which the Lagrangian consists of the kinetic minus the potential energy of the MHD fluid modified by constraints using Lagrange multipliers that ensure mass conservation, entropy advection with the flow, the Lin constraint, and Faraday's equation (i.e. the magnetic flux is Lie dragged with the flow). The analysis is also carried out using the magnetic vector potentialÃwhere α=Ã⋅dxis Lie dragged with the flow, andB=∇×Ã. The multi-symplectic conservation laws give rise to the Eulerian momentum and energy conservation laws. The symplecticity or structural conservation laws for the multi-symplectic system corresponds to the conservation of phase space. It corresponds to taking derivatives of the momentum and energy conservation laws and combining them to producen(n−1)/2 extra conservation laws, wherenis the number of independent variables. Noether's theorem for the multi-symplectic MHD system is derived, including the case of non-Cartesian space coordinates, where the metric plays a role in the equations.
Counterpossibles and the ‘terrible’ divine command deity
Authors: DAVIS RICHARD BRIAN , FRANKS W. PAUL
Published: June 2014

In a series of articles in this journal, Wes Morriston has launched what can only be considered a full-scale assault on the divine command theory (DCT) of morality. According to Morriston, proponents of this theory are committed to an alarming counterpossible: that if God did command an annual human sacrifice, it would be morally obligatory. Since only a ‘terrible’ deity would do such a ‘terrible’ thing, we should reject DCT. Indeed, if there were such a deity, the world would be a terrible place – certainly far worse than it is. We argue that Morriston's non-standard method for assessing counterpossibles of this sort is flawed. Not only is the savvy DCT-ist at liberty to reject it, but Morriston's method badly misfires in the face of theistic activism – a metaphysical platform available to DCT-ists, according to which if God didn't exist, neither would anything else.
Designing arm length of a screw drive in-pipe robot for climbing vertically positioned bent pipes
Authors: Kakogawa Atsushi , Nishimura Taiki , Ma Shugen
Published: June 2014

This paper presents a method for designing the arm lengths of a screw drive in-pipe robot with a pathway selection mechanism to pass through bent pipes. The robot comprises a front-rotating unit (rotator), middle-steering unit, and rear-supporting unit (stator). Each unit has elastic arms, which can be elongated by springs and can be pushed against the inner wall of the pipe. The robot can travel and steer not only in straight pipes but also in bent pipes and T-branches. When the robot passes through such pipes, its mobility depends on whether the arms can touch the inner wall because the robot will lose the driving force if one of the arms cannot reach the inner wall. This is especially important in vertically positioned pipes, where the robot will fall down if it is unable to reach. In this paper, we focus on the cross-section of the bent pipes, arm length, spring stiffness, and mass of the robot to clarify the mobility of the robot in these types of pipes. A method for determining the initial arm length on the basis of simple quasi-statics is proposed and experimental verification is conducted.
Cerebral ischaemia after repair of coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Gogou Maria , Keivanidou Anastasia , Giannopoulos Andreas
Published: June 2014

A 9-year-old boy, with a history of repair of severe coarctation of the aorta through balloon angioplasty 2 weeks ago, presented in the emergency paediatric department with symptoms consistent with transient cerebral ischaemia. MRI revealed an area of cerebral infarction in the right frontal lobe. Causes of cerebral ischaemia after aortic coarctation repair are briefly discussed.
Away-from-home eating: nutritional status and dietary intake among Brazilian adults
Authors: Bezerra Ilana Nogueira , Junior Eliseu Verly , Pereira Rosangela Alves , Sichieri Rosely
Published: June 2014

Objective

To evaluate the association between eating away from home and BMI and to examine whether dietary intake differs based on the consumption of away-from-home food (AFHF).

Design

Data were obtained from the first Brazilian National Dietary Survey, using food records. The association between the percentage of energy provided by foods consumed away from home and BMI status was tested using logistic regression models. The mean percentages of energy provided by protein, fat, saturated fat and free sugars were calculated based on the consumption of foods away from home among AFHF consumers.

Setting

Urban areas of Brazil.

Subjects

Adults (n13 736) between 25 and 65 years old.

Results

AFHF was not associated with BMI status. Individuals who consumed AFHF had higher intakes of free sugars away from home than at home and had higher intakes of energy-dense foods than AFHF non-consumers.

Conclusion

Although AFHF consumption was not related to overweight or obesity status, individuals who consumed foods away from home had higher intakes of energy-dense foods. Public health policies should be implemented to help people make healthier food choices away from home.
Genetic and Environmental Risk for Major Depression in African-American and European-American Women
Authors: Duncan Alexis E. , Munn-Chernoff Melissa A. , Hudson Darrell L. , Eschenbacher Michaela A. , Agrawal Arpana , Grant Julia D. , Nelson Elliot C. , Waldron Mary , Glowinski Anne L. , Sartor Carolyn E. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Heath Andrew C.
Published: June 2014

It is unknown whether there are racial differences in the heritability of major depressive disorder (MDD) because most psychiatric genetic studies have been conducted in samples comprised largely of white non-Hispanics. To examine potential differences between African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) young adult women in (1) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) MDD prevalence, symptomatology, and risk factors, and (2) genetic and/or environmental liability to MDD, we analyzed data from a large population-representative sample of twins ascertained from birth records (n = 550 AA and n = 3226 EA female twins) aged 18–28 years at the time of MDD assessment by semi-structured psychiatric interview. AA women were more likely to have MDD risk factors; however, there were no significant differences in lifetime MDD prevalence between AA and EA women after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–1.15). Most MDD risk factors identified among AA women were also associated with MDD at similar magnitudes among EA women. Although the MDD heritability point estimate was higher among AA women than EA women in a model with paths estimated separately by race (56%, 95% CI: 29–78% vs. 41%, 95% CI: 29–52%), the best fitting model was one in which additive genetic and non-shared environmental paths for AA and EA women were constrained to be equal (A = 43%, 33–53% and E = 57%, 47–67%). In spite of a marked elevation in the prevalence of environmental risk exposures related to MDD among AA women, there were no significant differences in lifetime prevalence or heritability of MDD between AA and EA young women.
Restricted VH/VL usage and limited mutations in gluten-specific IgA of coeliac disease lesion plasma cells
Authors: Steinsbø Øyvind , Dunand Carole J. Henry , Huang Min , Mesin Luka , Salgado-Ferrer Marlene , Lundin Knut E. A. , Jahnsen Jørgen , Wilson Patrick C. , Sollid Ludvig M.
Published: June 2014

Coeliac disease (CD), an enteropathy caused by cereal gluten ingestion, is characterized by CD4+ T cells recognizing deamidated gluten and by antibodies reactive to gluten or the self-antigen transglutaminase 2 (TG2). TG2-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) of plasma cells (PCs) from CD lesions have limited somatic hypermutation (SHM). Here we report that gluten-specific IgA of lesion-resident PCs share this feature. Monoclonal antibodies were expression cloned from single PCs of patients either isolated from cultures with reactivity to complex deamidated gluten antigen or by sorting with gluten peptide tetramers. Typically, the antibodies bind gluten peptides related to T-cell epitopes and many have higher reactivity to deamidated peptides. There is restricted VH and VL combination and usage among the antibodies. Limited SHM suggests that a common factor governs the mutation level in PCs producing TG2- and gluten-specific IgA. The antibodies have potential use for diagnosis of CD and for detection of gluten.
Quasi-specific access of the potassium channel inactivation gate
Authors: Venkataraman Gaurav , Srikumar Deepa , Holmgren Miguel
Published: June 2014

Many voltage-gated potassium channels open in response to membrane depolarization and then inactivate within milliseconds. Neurons use these channels to tune their excitability. In Shaker K+ channels, inactivation is caused by the cytoplasmic amino terminus, termed the inactivation gate. Despite having four such gates, inactivation is caused by the movement of a single gate into a position that occludes ion permeation. The pathway that this single inactivation gate takes into its inactivating position remains unknown. Here we show that a single gate threads through the intracellular entryway of its own subunit, but the tip of the gate has sufficient freedom to interact with all four subunits deep in the pore, and does so with equal probability. This pathway demonstrates that flexibility afforded by the inactivation peptide segment at the tip of the N-terminus is used to mediate function.
Guanine- 5-carboxylcytosine base pairs mimic mismatches during DNA replication
Authors: Shibutani Toshihiro , Ito Shinsuke , Toda Mariko , Kanao Rie , Collins Leonard B. , Shibata Marika , Urabe Miho , Koseki Haruhiko , Masuda Yuji , Swenberg James A. , Masutani Chikahide , Hanaoka Fumio , Iwai Shigenori , Kuraoka Isao
Published: June 2014

The genetic information encoded in genomes must be faithfully replicated and transmitted to daughter cells. The recent discovery of consecutive DNA conversions by TET family proteins of 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) suggests these modified cytosines act as DNA lesions, which could threaten genome integrity. Here, we have shown that although 5caC pairs with guanine during DNA replication in vitro, G·5caC pairs stimulated DNA polymerase exonuclease activity and were recognized by the mismatch repair (MMR) proteins. Knockdown of thymine DNA glycosylase increased 5caC in genome, affected cell proliferation via MMR, indicating MMR is a novel reader for 5caC. These results suggest the epigenetic modification products of 5caC behave as DNA lesions.
Two modes of photoinduced twisted intramolecular charge transfer in meso-arylaminated subporphyrins
Authors: Cha Won-Young , Lim Jong Min , Park Kyu Hyung , Kitano Masaaki , Osuka Atsuhiro , Kim Dongho
Published: June 2014

Photoinduced twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) of meso-(4-dimethylamino)phenylamino subporphyrin 2 and meso-(4-nitro)phenylamino subporphyrin 3 has been revealed by steady-state and time-resolved absorption/fluorescence experiments and quantum calculations.
Sodium-cutting: a new top-down approach to cut open nanostructures on nonplanar surfaces on a large scale
Authors: Chen Wei , Deng Da
Published: June 2014

A new, low-cost and simple top-down approach, “sodium-cutting”, was demonstrated which could eventually lead to the development of “sodium lithography”.
Systematic synthesis of sulfated oligofucosides and their effect on breast cancer MCF-7 cells
Authors: Arafuka Shinsuke , Koshiba Nozomi , Takahashi Daisuke , Toshima Kazunobu
Published: June 2014

A designed and synthesized sulfated tetrafucoside effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through activation of caspase-8.
Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of inorganic–organic hybrids constructed from Keggin-type polyoxometalates and silver coordination compounds
Authors: Zhou Wei-Li , Liang Jun , Qin Chao , Shao Kui-Zhan , Wang Fang-Ming , Su Zhong-Min
Published: June 2014

Four high-dimensional AgI/POM-based hybrids have been synthesized and their optical band gaps and electrochemical and fluorescence properties have been investigated.
Synthesis and formation mechanism of CuInS2 nanocrystals with a tunable phase
Authors: Yu Chao , Zhang Linlin , Tian Long , Liu Dan , Chen Fanglin , Wang Cheng
Published: June 2014

Monodisperse chalcopyrite and wurtzite CuInS2 nanocrystals are produced and their crystal phases are controlled by varying the In precursors.
Amyloid-β (1–40) restores adhesion properties of pulmonary surfactant, counteracting the effect of cholesterol
Authors: Hane F. T. , Drolle E. , Leonenko Z.
Published: June 2014

Adhesion properties of pulmonary surfactant (PS) film, required for PS folding at the air/water interface and its function, are improved by the addition of A-β, which counteracts the effect of cholesterol.
Enhanced photoluminescence and photoactivity of plasmon sensitized nSiNWs/TiO2 heterostructures
Authors: Yenchalwar Sandeep G. , Azhagan Vedi Kuyil , Shelke Manjusha V.
Published: June 2014

nSiNWs/TiO2 exhibit improved optical properties due to the surface plasmons of AuNPs, where band gap emission increases at the expense of defect radiation and higher photocurrent as a result of the near field effect combined with subsequent plasmonic energy transfer.
Intermediate metallic phase in VO2observed with scanning tunneling spectroscopy
Authors: Hatch John Byron , Whittaker-Brooks Luisa , Wu Tai-Lung , Long Gen , Zeng Hao , Sambandamurthy G. , Banerjee Sarbajit , Luo Hong
Published: June 2014

An intermediate metallic phase of VO2has been observed in differential tunnelling conductance spectra and images obtained during the MIT with STS.
Information and complexity measures in molecular reactivity studies
Authors: Welearegay Meressa A. , Balawender Robert , Holas Andrzej
Published: June 2014

The usefulness of the information and complexity measure in molecular reactivity studies.
Analysis of parahydrogen polarized spin system in low magnetic fields
Authors: Türschmann P. , Colell J. , Theis T. , Blümich B. , Appelt S.
Published: June 2014

Parahydrogen polarized spin systems allow for structure determination even in low magnetic fields of a few millitesla and enable efficient polarization transfer to rare heteronuclei.
The bending machine: CO2activation and hydrogenation on δ-MoC(001) and β-Mo2C(001) surfaces
Authors: Posada-Pérez Sergio , Viñes Francesc , Ramirez Pedro J. , Vidal Alba B. , Rodriguez José A. , Illas Francesc
Published: June 2014

The adsorption and activation of a CO2molecule on cubic δ-MoC(001) and orthorhombic β-Mo2C(001) surfaces have been investigated by means of periodic density functional theory based calculations using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof exchange–correlation functional and explicitly accounting for (or neglecting) the dispersive force term description as proposed by Grimme.
Ferrocene analogues of sandwich M(CrB6H6)2: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Li Lifen , Xu Chang , Jin Baokang , Cheng Longjiu
Published: June 2014

Ferrocene analogues of a new sandwich compound Cr(CrB6H6)2following the 18-electron principle: the spd–π interaction.
Dimethylsilyl bis(amidinate)actinide complexes: synthesis and reactivity towards oxygen containing substrates
Authors: Karmel Isabell S. R. , Elkin Tatyana , Fridman Natalia , Eisen Moris S.
Published: June 2014

Ligand1reacts with ThCl4and UCl4yielding complexes2and4, respectively. Complex3is obtained from complex2displaying extremely short Th–OH bond distances.
Thin film microfluidic synthesis of fluorescent highly substituted pyridines
Authors: Yasmin Lyzu , Eggers Paul K. , Skelton Brian W. , Stubbs Keith A. , Raston Colin L.
Published: June 2014

Fluorescent polysubstituted pyridines are readily accessible as a single process using a thin film vortex fluidic device, with the compounds obtained in good yield following simple purification procedures.
Metabolites and metals in Metazoa – what role do phytochelatins play in animals?
Authors: Bundy J. G. , Kille P.
Published: June 2014

The occurrence of phytochelatins in animals is reviewed, and the relevance to metal ion detoxification discussed.
Biosynthesized Ag/α-Al2O3 catalyst for ethylene epoxidation: the influence of silver precursors
Authors: Jing Xiaolian , Wang Huixuan , Chen Huimei , Huang Jiale , Li Qingbiao , Sun Daohua
Published: June 2014

The catalytic performance of biosynthesized Ag/α-Al2O3 catalysts was strongly affected by silver precursors. Ag catalyst prepared from silver–ethylenediamine complex showed a better activity for ethylene epoxidation than catalysts from AgNO3 and silver–ammonia complex. The influence of silver precursors on the structure, surface state, oxidation property of the catalysts was investigated.
Focusing of mammalian cells under an ultrahigh pH gradient created by unidirectional electropulsation in a confined microchamber
Authors: Loufakis Despina Nelie , Cao Zhenning , Ma Sai , Mittelman David , Lu Chang
Published: June 2014

A new method is demonstrated for focusing mammalian cells in free solution in a closed microfluidic chamber by applying unidirectional electric pulses.
Equilibrium phases of one-patch colloids with short-range attractions
Authors: Preisler Zdeněk , Vissers Teun , Munaò Gianmarco , Smallenburg Frank , Sciortino Francesco
Published: June 2014

We investigate particles with one attractive patch (blue) interacting with a Kern–Frenkel potential in computer simulations. In particular, we study the effect of the patch coverage on the possible crystal structures and the equilibrium phase diagram.
Highly compacted pH-responsive DNA nanoparticles mediate transgene silencing in experimental glioma
Authors: Kim Anthony J. , Woodworth Graeme F. , Boylan Nicholas J. , Suk Jung Soo , Hanes Justin
Published: June 2014

Complex genetic mutations are common in brain cancer, making gene therapy an attractive approach to repair or modulate altered genes and cellular pathways.
Template-free synthesis of vertically aligned crystalline indium oxide nanotube arrays by pulsed argon flow in a tube-in-tube chemical vapor deposition system
Authors: Yadav Kavita , Mehta B. R. , Singh J. P.
Published: June 2014

Vertically aligned crystalline indium oxide (IO) nanotube arrays without using any special templates or expensive epitaxial substrates were synthesized on Si (100) substrates by using a tube-in-tube horizontal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system.
Key elements of the RNAi pathway are regulated by hepatitis B virus replication and HBx acts as a viral suppressor of RNA silencing
Authors: Chinnappan Mahendran , Singh Avishek Kumar , Kakumani Pavan Kumar , Kumar Gautam , Rooge Sheetalnath Babasaheb , Kumari Anupama , Varshney Aditi , Rastogi Archana , Singh Ashok Kumar , Sarin Shiv Kumar , Malhotra Pawan , Mukherjee Sunil Kumar , Bhatnagar Raj Kamal
Published: June 2014

The host-mediated RNAi pathways restrict replication of viruses in plant, invertebrate and vertebrate systems. However, comparatively little is known about the interplay between RNAi and various viral infections in mammalian hosts. We show in the present study that the siRNA-mediated silencing of Drosha, Dicer and Ago2 [argonaute RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) catalytic component 2] transcripts in Huh7 cells resulted in elevated levels of HBV (hepatitis B virus)-specific RNAs and, conversely, we observed a decrease in mRNA and protein levels of same RNAi components in HepG2 cells infected with HBV. Similar reductions were also detectable in CHB (chronic hepatitis B) patients. Analysis of CHB liver biopsy samples, with high serum HBV DNA load (>log108 IU/ml), revealed a reduced mRNA and protein levels of Drosha, Dicer and Ago2. The low expression levels of key RNAi pathway components in CHB patient samples as well as hepatic cells established a link between HBV replication and RNAi components. The HBV proteins were also examined for RSS (RNA-silencing suppressor) properties. Using GFP-based reversion of silencing assays, in the present study we found that HBx is an RSS protein. Through a series of deletions and substitution mutants, we found that the full-length HBx protein is required for optimum RSS activity. The in vitro dicing assays revealed that the HBx protein inhibited the human Dicer-mediated processing of dsRNAs into siRNAs. Together, our results suggest that the HBx protein might function as RSS to manipulate host RNAi defence, in particular by abrogating the function of Dicer. The present study may have implications in the development of newer strategies to combat HBV infection.
Complete pyridine-nucleotide-specific conversion of an NADH-dependent ferredoxin reductase
Authors: Nishizawa Akito , Harada Ayaka , Senda Miki , Tachihara Yuka , Muramatsu Daisuke , Kishigami Shinya , Mori Shigemasa , Sugiyama Keisuke , Senda Toshiya , Kimura Shigenobu
Published: June 2014

The coenzyme specificity of enzymes is one of the critical parameters for the engineered production of biological compounds using bacteria. Since NADPH is produced abundantly in photosynthetic organisms, conversion of an NADH-specific enzyme into an NADPH-specific one is a useful approach for the efficient carbon-neutral production of biological compounds in photosynthetic organisms. In the present study, an NADH-specific ferredoxin reductase component, BphA4 of biphenyl dioxygenase BphA from Acidovorax sp. strain KKS102, was changed to an NADPH-dependent form using a method combining structure-based systematic mutations and site-directed random mutagenesis. The resultant CRG mutant, in which Glu175-Thr176-Gln177 of an NADH-recognition loop in the wild-type BphA4 was replaced with Cys175-Arg176-Gly177, was highly specific and active for NADPH, and its biochemical and structural properties for NADPH were nearly the same as those of the wild-type BphA4 for NADH. In addition, this mutation project was assessed by a semi-empirical prediction method of mutation effects, and the results suggested that the CRG mutant was one of the best NADPH-specific mutants.
An enhanced coupling nonlinear control method for bridge cranes
Authors: Sun Ning , Fang Yongchun , Wu Xianqing
Published: June 2014

The present study suggests an enhanced coupling non‐linear control approach for both cart positioning and load swing elimination control of underactuated bridge cranes. The significant feature of the proposed method is its superior control performance as well as its strong robustness over different/uncertain cable lengths that are the major factor influencing load swing. Owing to the underactuated nature, the load swing can merely be damped out by the cart motion. Inspired by this inherent mechanism and also motivated by the desire to achieve an improved control performance, we enhance the coupling behaviour between the cart movement and the load swing by introducing a new composite signal, and on this basis, propose a non‐linear control law. Lyapunov‐based mathematical analysis is implemented to support the theoretical derivations. To verify its control performance, both numerical simulation and hardware experiment results are included to illustrate that the proposed method can achieve superior control results and admit strong robustness with respect to different/uncertain cable lengths and external disturbances.
ℓ2 –ℓ∞ reliable control for discrete time‐delay systems with fractional uncertainties and saturated package losses
Authors: Li Zhen'na , Shu Huisheng , Kan Xiu
Published: June 2014

This study deals with the ℓ2 –ℓ∞ reliable control problem for a class of discrete time‐delay systems. The considered system involves fractional uncertainties, saturated package losses and stochastic non‐linearities as well as possible actuator failures. A sensor model is proposed to depict the phenomenon of saturated package losses which better reflect the reality in a networked environment. In addition, stochastic non‐linearities with statistical characteristics cover several well‐studied non‐linear functions as special cases. The focus of this study is placed upon the design of a reliable controller such that the closed‐loop system satisfies a prescribed noise attenuation level in an ℓ2 –ℓ∞ sense. By utilising stochastic analysis methods, some sufficient conditions are established to guarantee both the exponentially mean‐square stability and the ℓ2 –ℓ∞ performance. Owing to the obtained conditions with a non‐linear equality constraint, the cone complementary linearisation method is exploited to cast them into a convex optimisation problem, which can be readily solved by using standard numerical software. Finally, a simulation example is exploited to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed design approach.
Robust finite‐time H∞ control for uncertain discrete‐time singular systems with Markovian jumps
Authors: Zhang Yingqi , Shi Peng , Nguang Sing Kiong , Song Yongduan
Published: June 2014

This study is concerned with the finite‐time H∞ control problem for uncertain discrete‐time Markovian jump singular systems with time‐varying norm‐bounded disturbance. Firstly, the concepts of singular finite‐time stability, singular finite‐time boundedness and singular H∞ finite‐time stabilisation are given. Then, sufficient conditions of singular finite‐time boundedness and singular H∞ finite‐time stability are derived for the class of discrete‐time Markovian jump singular systems. The main contribution of the study is to propose a numerical efficient and reliable controller design process for state feedback finite‐time H∞ control of discrete‐time Markovian jump singular systems. By applying the descriptor system technique presented by Fridman and Shaked, sufficient criteria are presented for the solvability of the problems, which can be reduced to feasibility problems in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, numerical examples are included to illustrate the validity of the presented results.
Multiple switching tables direct power control of active front‐end rectifiers
Authors: Norniella Joaquín G. , Cano José M. , Orcajo Gonzalo A. , Rojas Carlos H. , Pedrayes Joaquín F. , Cabanas Manés F. , G. Melero Manuel
Published: June 2014

Direct power control (DPC) is one of the best well‐known methods used in three‐phase active rectifiers interfacing regenerative loads to the ac grid. The DPC strategy is based on a straightforward regulation of instantaneous real and reactive powers. A switching table (ST) is used to track the real and reactive power references by selecting an appropriate switching state as a function of the estimated position of the grid voltage space vector in the α–β plane. Certain advantages are observed if different STs are used during the rectifier and inverter (regenerative operation) modes or according to the sequence of the ac grid. Furthermore, the STs can be designed to achieve a fast transient behaviour or to improve the efficiency of the converter by minimising the switching losses. Thus, the use of a single table, as stated in traditional proposals, is far from the optimal solution when the full duty cycle of the device is considered. This study introduces the multiple STs DPC as a simple unified control strategy intended to attain the best performance of the DPC method at any operation point. This strategy is demonstrated by means of simulation and experimental tests.
Phase‐shifted pulse‐width‐amplitude modulation for quasi‐Z‐source cascade multilevel inverter‐based photovoltaic power system
Authors: Liu Yushan , Ge Baoming , Abu‐Rub Haitham , Peng Fang Zheng
Published: June 2014

A phase‐shifted pulse‐width‐amplitude modulation (PS‐PWAM) is proposed for a quasi‐Z‐source cascade multilevel inverter (qZS‐CMI)‐based photovoltaic power system. The switching actions of each power device of the qZS‐CMI in the PS‐PWAM technique are greatly reduced when compared with that in the phase‐shifted sinewave pulsewidth modulation, so the qZS‐CMI's power loss is reduced when using the PS‐PWAM. The PS‐PWAM principle and the qZS‐CMI's loss analysis are presented. The simulation and experimental results verify the proposed PS‐PWAM and the resultant efficiency improvement.
Age-Related Changes in Cervical Sagittal Range of Motion and Alignment
Authors: Park Moon Soo , Moon Seong-Hwan , Lee Hwan-Mo , Kim Tae-Hwan , Oh Jae Keun , Nam Ji Hoon , Riew K. Daniel
Published: June 2014

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective

To compare sagittal cervical range of motion (ROM) and alignment in young versus middle-aged adults.

Methods

One hundred four asymptomatic adults were selected randomly out of 791 subjects who underwent lateral cervical radiographs in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. They were divided into two groups: young (age 20 to 29, 52 people) and middle-aged adults (age 50 to 59, 52 people). We determined the ROMs of upper cervical (occipital–C2 angle), midcervical (C2–C7 angle), and cervicothoracic spine (cervicosternal angle). We compared the alignment differences of the two groups by calculating the distances between C2 and C7 plumb lines, and C2 central-offset distance.

Results

In neutral position, there was no significant difference between young and middle-aged adults. However, in flexion, C2–C7 angle, distance between C2–C7 plumb lines, and C2 central-offset distance decreased with age. In extension, C2–C7 angle and C2 central-offset distance decreased with age. During flexion and extension, midcervical ROM and the range of C2 central-offset distance decreased in the middle-aged group. However, there was no difference between the two age groups in the ROM of the upper cervical and the cervicothoracic regions during flexion and extension.

Conclusion

We found that, despite of the presence of age-related cervical alignment changes, the only difference between the two groups was in the sagittal ROM of the midcervical spine during flexion and extension. Only the ROM of the midcervical spine appears to change significantly, consistent with findings that these levels are most likely to develop both symptomatic and asymptomatic degenerative changes.
Ceramic-Based Bone Grafts as a Bone Grafts Extender for Lumbar Spine Arthrodesis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nickoli Michael S. , Hsu Wellington K.
Published: June 2014

Study Design

Systematic review.

Objective

Ceramic-based bone grafts have been widely utilized to reduce the need for iliac crest bone grafting given the complications associated with the harvest of iliac crest autograft. As a family, ceramics vary widely based on differences in composition, manufacturing, porosity, and structure, which may ultimately affect their efficacy. This article reviews the current data of ceramics used in different environments in the lumbar spine to achieve arthrodesis.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for publications from 1980 to 2013 involving ceramic-based bone grafts in the lumbar spine. Variables such as age of patients, volume of ceramic, procedure, time to evaluation, method of evaluation, specific composition of ceramic, adjuncts used with ceramic products, type of fusion, and fusion rate were compared using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

Thirty studies with 1,332 patients met the final inclusion criteria. The overall fusion rate for all ceramic products as a bone graft extender in the lumbar spine was 86.4%. Age, gender, method of evaluation (plain radiographs, computed tomography, or combination), or specific ceramic product did not significantly affect fusion rate. Ceramics used in combination with local autograft resulted in significantly higher fusion rates compared with all other adjuncts, and bone marrow aspirate and platelet concentrates resulted in significantly lower fusion rates.

Conclusions

Ceramic-based bone grafts represent a promising bone graft extender in lumbar spine fusion when an osteoinductive stimulus, such as local bone graft is available.
Records of vagrant fur seals (family Otariidae) in South Australia
Authors: Shaughnessy Peter D. , Kemper Catherine M. , Stemmer David , McKenzie Jane
Published: June 2014

Two fur seal species breed on the southern coast of Australia: the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and the New Zealand fur seal (A. forsteri). Two other species are vagrants: the subantarctic fur seal (A. tropicalis) and the Antarctic fur seal (A. gazella). We document records of vagrant fur seals in South Australia from 1982 to 2012 based primarily on records from the South Australian Museum. There were 86 subantarctic fur seals: 49 specimens and 37 sightings. Most (77%) were recorded from July to October and 83% of all records were juveniles. All but two specimens were collected between July and November. Sightings were prevalent during the same period, but there were also nine sightings during summer (December–February), several of healthy-looking adults. Notable concentrations were near Victor Harbor, on Kangaroo Island and Eyre Peninsula. Likely sources of subantarctic fur seals seen in South Australia are Macquarie and Amsterdam Islands in the South Indian Ocean, ~2700 km south-east and 5200 km west of SA, respectively. There were two sightings of Antarctic fur seals, both of adults, on Kangaroo Island at New Zealand fur seal breeding colonies. Records of this species for continental Australia and nearby islands are infrequent.
Complete saccharification of β-glucan using hyperthermophilic endocellulase and β-glucosidase from Pyrococcus furiosus
Authors: Kataoka Misumi , Ishikawa Kazuhiko
Published: June 2014

Hyperthermophilic cellulase is an industrially important enzyme for biomass saccharification at high temperature. Two hyperthermophilic cellulases from the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, endocellulase (EGPf) and β-glucosidase (BGLPf), exhibit optimal activity at 90–105 °C and a combination of two enzymes can hydrolyze a wide range of β-linked substrates. EGPf cleaves the β(1→4) bond of various substrates containing either only the β(1→4) linkage or β(1→3),(1→4) mixed-linkages. In contrast, BGLPf preferentially hydrolyzes the β(1→3) linkage over the β(1→4) linkage of disaccharides. β-Glucans are polysaccharides of D-glucose monomers formed by β(1→3),(1→4) mixed-linkage bonds. They occur most commonly as cellulose in plants, in the bran of cereal grains, the cell wall of baker’s yeast, and in certain fungi, mushrooms, and bacteria. We reveal that β-glucan can be completely degraded to glucose at high temperature with a combination of EGPf and BGLPf.
Expression, purification, and crystal structure of N-terminal domains of human ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1)
Authors: Xie Shu-Tao
Published: June 2014

Ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) is a key regulator in protein ubiquitination, which lies on the upstream of the ubiquitin-related pathways and determines the activation of the downstream enzyme cascade. Thus far, no structural information about the human ubiquitin-activating enzyme has been reported. We expressed and purified the N-terminal domains of human E1 and determined their crystal structures, which contain inactive adenylation domain (IAD) and the first catalytic cysteine half-domain (FCCH). This study presents the crystal structure of human E1 fragment for the first time. The main structure of both IAD and FCCH superimposed well with their corresponding domains in yeast Uba1, but their relative positions vary significantly. This work provides new structural insights in understanding the mechanisms of ubiquitin activation in humans.
A selfish DNA element engages a meiosis-specific motor and telomeres for germ-line propagation
Authors: Sau Soumitra , Conrad Michael N. , Lee Chih-Ying , Kaback David B. , Dresser Michael E. , Jayaram Makkuni
Published: June 2014

The chromosome-like mitotic stability of the yeast 2 micron plasmid is conferred by the plasmid proteins Rep1-Rep2 and the cis-acting locus STB, likely by promoting plasmid-chromosome association and segregation by hitchhiking. Our analysis reveals that stable plasmid segregation during meiosis requires the bouquet proteins Ndj1 and Csm4. Plasmid relocalization from the nuclear interior in mitotic cells to the periphery at or proximal to telomeres rises from early meiosis to pachytene. Analogous to chromosomes, the plasmid undergoes Csm4- and Ndj1-dependent rapid prophase movements with speeds comparable to those of telomeres. Lack of Ndj1 partially disrupts plasmid–telomere association without affecting plasmid colocalization with the telomere-binding protein Rap1. The plasmid appears to engage a meiosis-specific motor that orchestrates telomere-led chromosome movements for its telomere-associated segregation during meiosis I. This hitherto uncharacterized mode of germ-line transmission by a selfish genetic element signifies a mechanistic variation within the shared theme of chromosome-coupled plasmid segregation during mitosis and meiosis.
Metaphor, Cure, and Conversion in Early Modern England*
Authors: Smith Helen
Published: June 2014

One of the most prevalent metaphors for conversion in early modern England was the cure of a diseased soul. This article draws together religious controversy, medical manuals, and individual accounts of conversion to chart the variety of sources that inform this metaphor, from the practical experience of the sickbed to the typological traditions of biblical interpretation. It explores the varied language of spiritual sickness in order to reevaluate both the operations of religious feeling and recent accounts of metaphor as embodied, and suggests instead that conversionary cures open up the category of imagined sensation and the complex connections between bodily and spiritual feeling in this period.
First Report in China of Soft Rot of Ginger Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum
Authors: Li Y. , Mao L. G. , Yan D. D. , Liu X. M. , Ma T. T. , Shen J. , Liu P. F. , Li Z. , Wang Q. X. , Ouyang C. B. , Guo M. X. , Cao A. C.
Published: June 2014

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is an important commercial crop planted on more than 13,000 ha annually in Anqiu city, Shandong Province, China. From 2010 to 2011, the incidence of Pythium soft rot disease on cv. Laiwu Big Ginger reached 40 to 75% in Anqiu and yield losses of up to 60% were observed. The disease symptoms included brown spots on ginger rhizomes followed by soft rot, stems and leaves above ground becoming withered and yellow, and water soaking on the collar region. The soft rot did not produce offensive odors, which is different from bacterial rots (2). Forty symptomatic rhizomes were sampled from eight farms. Martin's method (1) was used to isolate the pathogen. Ten pieces from each rhizome were washed with sterile distilled water for 30 s and plated on Martin's selective medium at 26°C in a chamber without light. Colonies grew with cottony aerial mycelium. Main hyphae were 5.7 to 9.6 μm wide. Globose sporangia consisting of terminal complexes of swollen hyphal branches were 11.4 to 18.3 μm wide. The average diameter of zoospores was 9.2 μm. The oogonia were globose and smooth, with a diameter of 21 to 33 μm. The sequences of the rRNA gene internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions 1 and 2 and the 5.8S gene of five isolates were amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4 (4), and the nucleotide sequence was the same as isolate No. 2, which was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KC594034). A BLAST search showed 99% identity with Pythium aphanidermatum strain 11-R-8 (Accession No. JQ898455.1). Pathogenicity tests of five isolates were carried out in a greenhouse. Sixty plants (cv. Laiwu Big Ginger) were grown for 30 days in plastic pots (diameter 20 cm) in sandy soil (pH 5.48) and inoculated. Ten plants were used as untreated controls. Five isolates were grown on Martin's liquid medium for 72 h and the spores were harvested in sterile distilled water. Aqueous spore suspensions of the five isolates were adjusted with deionized water to 1 × 108 CFU/ml and injected with a syringe into the soil around the rhizome of the plants. Plants were then placed in the greenhouse at 24 to 26°C and assessed for rhizome rot on the 14th day after inoculation. The inoculated isolates were recovered from the diseased rhizomes, confirming their pathogenicity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ginger Pythium soft rot caused by P. aphanidermatum in China. Ginger Pythium soft rot caused by P. myriotylum is reported in Taiwan (3).

References: (1) F. N. Martin. Page 39 in: The Genus Pythium. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1992. (2) E. E. Trujillo. Diseases of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Hawaii, Circular 62, Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Hawaii, December 1964. (3) P. H. Wang. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 36:116, 2003. (4) T. J. White. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.
Notification that new names of prokaryotes, new combinations and new taxonomic opinions have appeared in volume 64, part 3, of the IJSEM
Authors: Oren Aharon , Garrity George M.
Published: June 2014

This listing of names of prokaryotes published in a previous issue of the IJSEM is provided as a service to bacteriology to assist in the recognition of new names and new combinations. This procedure was proposed by the Judicial Commission [Minute 11(ii), Int J Syst Bacteriol
41 (1991), p. 185]. The names given herein are listed according to the Rules of priority (i.e. page number and order of valid publication of names in the original articles).