bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terror and bliss? Commonalities and distinctions between sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming, and their associations with waking life experiences
Authors: Denis Dan , Poerio Giulia L.
Published: July 2016

Sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming are both dissociated experiences related to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Anecdotal evidence suggests that episodes of sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming are related but different experiences. In this study we test this claim systematically for the first time in an online survey with 1928 participants (age range: 18–82 years; 53% female). Confirming anecdotal evidence, sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming frequency were related positively and this association was most apparent between lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis episodes featuring vestibular‐motor hallucinations. Dissociative experiences were the only common (positive) predictor of both sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming. Both experiences showed different associations with other key variables of interest: sleep paralysis was predicted by sleep quality, anxiety and life stress, whereas lucid dreaming was predicted by a positive constructive daydreaming style and vividness of sensory imagery. Overall, results suggest that dissociative experiences during wakefulness are reflected in dissociative experiences during REM sleep; while sleep paralysis is related primarily to issues of sleep quality and wellbeing, lucid dreaming may reflect a continuation of greater imaginative capacity and positive imagery in waking states.
A preliminary study on the application of natural sweet proteins in agar‐based gels
Authors: Miele Nicoletta A. , Di Monaco Rossella , Dell'Amura Francesca , Rega Michele F. , Picone Delia , Cavella Silvana
Published: July 2016

Natural sweet proteins may be used as sugar replacer in simple liquid food systems but their applicability in more complex matrices has not been investigated yet. Gelling agent nature and texture characteristics as well as type and distribution of a stimulus in a gel could affect taste perception through inhibition or enhancement of tastants migration to the receptors. The mechanical, nonoral texture and time‐intensity sweetness characteristics of sweet proteins MNEI and super sweet Y65R mutant, aspartame and saccharin added at a concentration iso‐sweet to 40 g/L of sucrose in three agar gel concentrations (1%, 1.5%, and 2%) were evaluated. The results have shown that agar concentration and agar sweetener interaction particularly affect mechanical fracture stress and non oral hardness of the sweetened gels. Time intensity results illustrated that unlike in solution, the intensity of sweet taste in a gelled system over time decreases. Indeed, the behavior of the sweet proteins differed greatly in the gelled system compared to when they are in solution.

Practical applications

MNEI has been proved to be a high‐potency sweetener for beverages, but the possibility to use it in semisolid foodstuff was not investigated yet. This study represented a preliminary characterization of two variants of natural sweetener monellin, MNEI and Y65R in semisolid model foodstuff. The data were an important scientific contribution to the knowledge of sweet proteins in agar‐based gels and could be useful in order to extend the possible application of these sweet proteins as low calorie sweeteners in semisolid foodstuffs. Some problems concerning their delivered sweetness in agar gels were underlined and their application should be optimized in order to improve sweetness conveyed.
The genetic architecture of resistance to virus infection in Drosophila
Authors: Cogni Rodrigo , Cao Chuan , Day Jonathan P. , Bridson Calum , Jiggins Francis M.
Published: July 2016

Variation in susceptibility to infection has a substantial genetic component in natural populations, and it has been argued that selection by pathogens may result in it having a simpler genetic architecture than many other quantitative traits. This is important as models of host–pathogen co‐evolution typically assume resistance is controlled by a small number of genes. Using the Drosophila melanogaster multiparent advanced intercross, we investigated the genetic architecture of resistance to two naturally occurring viruses, the sigma virus and DCV (Drosophila C virus). We found extensive genetic variation in resistance to both viruses. For DCV resistance, this variation is largely caused by two major‐effect loci. Sigma virus resistance involves more genes – we mapped five loci, and together these explained less than half the genetic variance. Nonetheless, several of these had a large effect on resistance. Models of co‐evolution typically assume strong epistatic interactions between polymorphisms controlling resistance, but we were only able to detect one locus that altered the effect of the main effect loci we had mapped. Most of the loci we mapped were probably at an intermediate frequency in natural populations. Overall, our results are consistent with major‐effect genes commonly affecting susceptibility to infectious diseases, with DCV resistance being a near‐Mendelian trait.
Democracy and national destinies on Taiwan
Authors: Phillips Steven
Published: July 2016

In the case of Taiwan, experts have debated whether passionate national loyalties (Taiwanese or Chinese) facilitated or stymied democratization. This paper argues that nationalism facilitated political change in Taiwan. In fact, democratization during the 1980s and the 1990s was spurred in part by the pursuit of two conflicting national destinies. The Chinese Nationalist Party legitimized reform as the end of a century‐long process for the reconstruction of the Chinese nation. To many Nationalists, particularly those born on the mainland, Taiwan was the fulfilment of Sun Yat‐sen's vision of China known as the Three Principles of the People. At the same time, many opponents of the regime saw successful reform as one step towards the realization of a Taiwanese nation. Dominated by those who identified themselves as Taiwanese, generally those of Chinese descent whose ancestors had lived on Taiwan prior to 1945, these activists hoped to take power through the ballot box, then implement a series of policies to strengthen an island‐wide identity.
Next‐generation polyploid phylogenetics: rapid resolution of hybrid polyploid complexes using PacBio single‐molecule sequencing
Authors: Rothfels Carl J. , Pryer Kathleen M. , Li Fay‐Wei
Published: July 2016

Difficulties in generating nuclear data for polyploids have impeded phylogenetic study of these groups. We describe a high‐throughput protocol and an associated bioinformatics pipeline (Pipeline for Untangling Reticulate Complexes (Purc)) that is able to generate these data quickly and conveniently, and demonstrate its efficacy on accessions from the fern family Cystopteridaceae. We conclude with a demonstration of the downstream utility of these data by inferring a multi‐labeled species tree for a subset of our accessions.

We amplified four c. 1‐kb‐long nuclear loci and sequenced them in a parallel‐tagged amplicon sequencing approach using the PacBio platform. Purc infers the final sequences from the raw reads via an iterative approach that corrects PCR and sequencing errors and removes PCR‐mediated recombinant sequences (chimeras).

We generated data for all gene copies (homeologs, paralogs, and segregating alleles) present in each of three sets of 50 mostly polyploid accessions, for four loci, in three PacBio runs (one run per set). From the raw sequencing reads, Purc was able to accurately infer the underlying sequences.

This approach makes it easy and economical to study the phylogenetics of polyploids, and, in conjunction with recent analytical advances, facilitates investigation of broad patterns of polyploid evolution.
Variation in leaf wettability traits along a tropical montane elevation gradient
Authors: Goldsmith Gregory R. , Bentley Lisa Patrick , Shenkin Alexander , Salinas Norma , Blonder Benjamin , Martin Roberta E. , Castro‐Ccossco Rosa , Chambi‐Porroa Percy , Diaz Sandra , Enquist Brian J. , Asner Gregory P. , Malhi Yadvinder
Published: July 2016

Leaf wetting is often considered to have negative effects on plant function, such that wet environments may select for leaves with certain leaf surface, morphological, and architectural traits that reduce leaf wettability. However, there is growing recognition that leaf wetting can have positive effects.

We measured variation in two traits, leaf drip tips and leaf water repellency, in a series of nine tropical forest communities occurring along a 3300‐m elevation gradient in southern Peru. To extend this climatic gradient, we also assembled published leaf water repellency values from 17 additional sites. We then tested hypotheses for how these traits should vary as a function of climate.

Contrary to expectations, we found that the proportion of species with drip tips did not increase with increasing precipitation. Instead, drip tips increased with increasing temperature. Moreover, leaf water repellency was very low in our sites and the global analysis indicated high repellency only in sites with low precipitation and temperatures.

Our findings suggest that drip tips and repellency may not solely reflect the negative effects of wetting on plant function. Understanding the drivers of leaf wettability traits can provide insight into the effects of leaf wetting on plant, community, and ecosystem function.
Going undercover: increasing canopy cover around a host tree drives associational resistance to an insect pest
Authors: Muiruri Evalyne W. , Koricheva Julia
Published: July 2016

Neighbouring heterospecific plants are often observed to reduce the probability of herbivore attack on a given focal plant. While this pattern of associational resistance is frequently reported, experimental evidence for underlying mechanisms is rare particularly for potential plant species diversity effects on focal host plants and their physical environment. Here, we used an established forest diversity experiment to determine whether tree diversity effects on an important insect pest are driven by concomitant changes in host tree growth or the light environment. We examined the effects of tree species richness, canopy cover and tree growth on the probability of occurrence, the abundance, and volume of galls caused by the pineapple gall adelgid Adelges abietis on Norway spruce. Although tree diversity had no effect on gall abundance, we observed that both the probability of gall presence and gall volume (an indicator of maternal fecundity) decreased with tree species richness and canopy cover around host spruce trees. Structural equation models revealed that effects of tree species richness on gall presence and volume were mediated by concurrent increases in canopy cover rather than changes in tree growth or host tree density. As canopy cover did not influence tree or shoot growth, patterns of associational resistance appear to be driven by improved host tree quality or more favourable microclimatic conditions in monocultures compared to mixed‐stands. Our study therefore demonstrates that changes in forest structure may be critical to understanding the responses of herbivores to plant diversity and may underpin associational effects in forest ecosystems.
Case Note Court of Justice of the European Union Preliminary Ruling – Excise Duty on Certain Beverage Packaging: Case C‐198/14 (Valev Visnapuu)
Authors: de Sadeleer Nicolas
Published: July 2016

Both negative and positive harmonization are likely to restrict Member States' regulatory powers to protect the environment. Given that numerous environmental fiscal measures are likely to restrict one way or another inter‐State trade, even though that may not be their objective, Member States are reluctant to foster green tax policies. Environmental protection measures and the free movement of goods enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union seem thus to be at odds with one another. The case under review raises some critical issues regarding the validity of environmental taxes on certain beverage packaging. The Court of Justice of the European Union has handed down a preliminary ruling that provides important clarifications in that respect.
Off‐Shoring, Specialization and R&D
Authors: Bournakis Ioannis , Vecchi Michela , Venturini Francesco
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates whether off‐shoring promotes technological specialization by reallocating resources towards high‐tech industries and/or stimulating within industry R&D. Using data for the USA, Japan and Europe, our results show that material off‐shoring promotes high‐tech specialization through input reallocation between sectors, while service off‐shoring favors technologically advanced production by increasing within‐industry productivity, mainly via its positive impact on R&D. Conversely, we find that the increasing fragmentation of core production tasks, captured by narrow off‐shoring, has adverse effects on technological specialisation, which suggests that this type of off‐shoring is mainly pursued for cost‐reduction motives.
Bayesian Modelling of Networks in Complex Business Intelligence Problems
Authors: Durante Daniele , Paganin Sally , Scarpa Bruno , Dunson David B.
Published: July 2016

Complex network data problems are increasingly common in many fields of application. Our motivation is drawn from strategic marketing studies monitoring customer choices of specific products, along with co-subscription networks encoding multiple-purchasing behaviour. Data are available for several agencies within the same insurance company, and our goal is to exploit co-subscription networks efficiently to inform targeted advertising of cross-sell strategies to currently monoproduct customers. We address this goal by developing a Bayesian hierarchical model, which clusters agencies according to common monoproduct customer choices and co-subscription networks. Within each cluster, we efficiently model customer behaviour via a cluster-dependent mixture of latent eigenmodels. This formulation provides key information on monoproduct customer choices and multiple-purchasing behaviour within each cluster, informing targeted cross-sell strategies. We develop simple algorithms for tractable inference and assess performance in simulations and an application to business intelligence.
Psychometric properties of the Affect Phobia Test
Authors: Frankl My , Philips Björn , Berggraf Lene , Ulvenes Pål , Johansson Robert , Wennberg Peter
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study was to make the first evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Affect Phobia Test, using the Swedish translation – a test developed to screen the ability to experience, express and regulate emotions. Data was collected from a clinical sample (N = 82) of patients with depression and/or anxiety participating in randomized controlled trial of Internet‐based affect‐focused treatment, and a university student sample (N = 197). The internal consistency for the total score was satisfactory (Clinical sample α = 0.88/Student sample α = 0.84) as well as for all the affective domains, except Anger/Assertion (α = 0.44/0.36), Sadness/Grief (α = 0.24/0.46) and Attachment/Closeness (α = 0.67/0.69). Test retest reliability was satisfactory (ICC > 0.77) for the total score and for all the affective domains except for Sadness/Grief (ICC = 0.04). The exploratory factor analysis resulted in a six‐factor solution and did only moderately match the test's original affective domains. An empirical cut‐off between the clinical and the university student sample were calculated and yielded a cut‐off of 72 points. As expected, the Affect Phobia test showed negative significant correlations in the clinical group with measures on depression (rxy = −0.229; p < 0.01) and anxiety (rxy = −0.315; p < 0.05). The conclusion is that the psychometric properties are satisfactory for the total score of the Affect Phobia Test but not for some of the test's affective domains. Consequently the domains should not be used as subscales. The test can discriminate between individuals who seek help for psychological problems and those who do not.
Effects of drop height and surface instability on neuromuscular activation during drop jumps
Authors: Lesinski M. , Prieske O. , Beurskens R. , Behm D. G. , Granacher U.
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine whether drop height‐induced changes in leg muscle activity during drop jumps (DJ) are additionally modulated by surface condition. Twenty‐four healthy participants (23.7 ± 1.8 years) performed DJs on a force plate on stable, unstable, and highly unstable surfaces using different drop heights (i.e., 20 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm). Electromyographic (EMG) activity of soleus (SOL), gastrocnemius (GM), tibialis anterior (TA) muscles and coactivation of TA/SOL and TA/GM were analyzed for time intervals 100 ms prior to ground contact (preactivation) and 30–60 ms after ground contact [short latency response (SLR)]. Increasing drop heights resulted in progressively increased SOL and GM activity during preactivation and SLR (P < 0.01; 1.01 ≤ d ≤ 5.34) while TA/SOL coactivation decreased (P < 0.05; 0.51 ≤ d ≤ 3.01). Increasing surface instability produced decreased activities during preactivation (GM) and SLR (GM, SOL) (P < 0.05; 1.36 ≤ d ≤ 4.30). Coactivation increased during SLR (P < 0.05; 1.50 ≤ d ≤ 2.58). A significant drop height × surface interaction was observed for SOL during SLR. Lower SOL activity was found on unstable compared to stable surfaces for drop heights ≥40 cm (P < 0.05; 1.25 ≤ d ≤ 2.12). Findings revealed that instability‐related changes in activity of selected leg muscles are minimally affected by drop height.
Early changes of gene activity in developing seedlings of Arabidopsis hybrids relative to parents may contribute to hybrid vigour
Authors: Zhu Anyu , Greaves Ian K. , Liu Pei‐Chuan , Wu Limin , Dennis Elizabeth S. , Peacock W. James
Published: July 2016

Hybrid vigour (heterosis) has been used for decades in crop industries, especially in the production of maize and rice. Hybrid varieties usually exceed their parents in plant biomass and seed yield. But the molecular basis of hybrid vigour is not fully understood. In this project, we studied heterosis at early stages of seedling development in Arabidopsis hybrids derived from crossing Ler and C24 accessions. We found that early heterosis is associated with non‐additive gene expression that resulted from earlier changes in gene expression in the hybrids relative to the parents. The non‐additively expressed genes are involved in metabolic pathways, including photosynthesis, critical for plant growth. The early increased expression levels of genes involved in energy production in hybrids is associated with heterosis in the young seedlings that could be essential for biomass heterosis at later developmental stages of the plant.
Differences in the geographic distribution of lymphoma subtypes in Golden retrievers in the USA
Authors: Ruple A. , Avery A. C. , Morley P. S.
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to examine differences in the geographic distribution of two distinct subtypes of canine lymphoma (CL), B‐cell lymphoma (BCL) and T‐zone lymphoma (TZL), in the USA while accounting for heritable risks associated with the outcome of disease through inclusion of only one breed of dog. This study included 454 Golden retrievers and associations between geographic areas of the USA and the phenotypic variant of lymphoma were examined using multivariable logistic regression. There was a detectable difference in the geographic distribution of BCL and TZL with dogs in the Northeast [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6–7.0] and East North Central regions (OR = 12.1, 95%CI = 3.6–40.5) being more likely to be diagnosed with TZL as compared to dogs in the Mountain region of the USA. The finding of non‐random geographic distribution of lymphoma subtypes suggest that environmental risk factors may contribute to the development of different types of CL.
Systematics and origin of moths in the subfamily Arctiinae (Lepidoptera, Erebidae) in the Neotropical region
Authors: Zenker Mauricio M. , Wahlberg Niklas , Brehm Gunnar , Teston José A. , Przybylowicz Lukasz , Pie Marcio R. , Freitas André V.L.
Published: July 2016

The availability of standard protocols to obtain DNA sequences has allowed the inference of phylogenetic Hypotheses for many taxa, including moths. We here have inferred a phylogeny using maximum‐Likelihood and Bayesian approaches for a species‐rich group of moths (Erebidae, Arctiinae), with strong emphasis on Neotropical genera collected in different field campaigns in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, eastern Amazon and southern Ecuador. A total of 277 species belonging to 246 genera were included in the analysis. Our main objectives were to shed light on the relationships between suprageneric groups, especially subtribes, and hypothesize colonization events in and out of the Neotropics. The monophyly of Arctiinae and its four tribes (Lithosiini, Amerilini, Syntomini and Arctiini) was recovered in the ML and Bayesian trees. Three Lithosiini subtribes previously found and two additional species groups were recovered monophyletic in both phylogenetic estimation methods. In Arctiini, the monophyly of Spilosomina and Arctiina was highly supported in the ML and Bayesian trees, but the monophyly of Ctenuchina and Echromiina was weakly supported in the ML tree and absent in the Bayesian tree; the remaining subtribes were paraphyletic and, in the case of Phageopterina, formed several species groups. The mapping of species occurrence in our ML tree suggests that Arctiinae have an Old World origin and that the Neotropical region was colonized at least six times independently. Our analysis also suggests that a number of species that occur in Neotropical and other zoogeographic regions may have originated in the Neotropics, although further taxon sampling is required to support this hypothesis. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a highly speciose group of tropical moths is well covered in a phylogeny, and it seems plausible that the results reported here may be extendable to other species‐rich tropical undersampled moth taxa.
Online Monitoring of Thermoacoustic Eigenmodes in Annular Combustion Systems Based on a State-Space Model
Authors: Rouwenhorst D. , Hermann J. , Polifke W.
Published: July 2016

Thermoacoustic instabilities have the potential to restrict the operability window of annular combustion systems, primarily as a result of azimuthal modes. Azimuthal acoustic modes are composed of counter-rotating wave pairs, which form traveling modes, standing modes, or combinations thereof. In this work, a monitoring strategy is proposed for annular combustors, which accounts for azimuthal mode shapes. Output-only modal identification has been adapted to retrieve azimuthal eigenmodes from surrogate data, resembling acoustic measurements on an industrial gas turbine. Online monitoring of decay rate estimates can serve as a thermoacoustic stability margin, while the recovered mode shapes contain information that can be useful for control strategies. A low-order thermoacoustic model is described, requiring multiple sensors around the circumference of the combustor annulus to assess the dynamics. This model leads to a second-order state-space representation with stochastic forcing, which is used as the model structure for the identification process. Four different identification approaches are evaluated under different assumptions, concerning noise characteristics and preprocessing of the signals. Additionally, recursive algorithms for online parameter identification are tested.
Temperature Created by a Moving Heat Source That Heats and Melts the Metal Plate (Plasma Arc Cutting)
Authors: Nemchinsky Valerian
Published: July 2016

Heat transfer in a metal cut by a moving arc jet is considered using the method of superposition of heat sources and sinks. The heat sources are located at the plasma–liquid metal boundary, heat sinks—at the melting front. Special attention is paid to the influence of the molten metal layer that separates the plasma and not yet molten metal. It is shown that this layer hampers heat transfer to the melting front. Neglecting its heat resistance could lead to a very substantial errors especially at high cutting speeds. The thicker the layer and/or the higher the cutting speed, the more power is necessary to perform the cut and the higher the average temperature of the melt. Estimations show that power carried out by the removed melt could reach half of the total power necessary to make the cut. The suggested method allows one to include the heat of heterogeneous reaction of oxidation at the melting front. The method could be applied to describe other types of metal cutting with a moving concentrated heat source.
Electrical transport and magnetic properties of cobalt telluride nanostructures
Authors: Dahal Bishnu R. , Dulal Rajendra P. , Pegg Ian L. , Philip John
Published: July 2016

Transition metal telluride CoTe nanostructures have been synthesized using a wet-chemical method. These nanostructures exhibit NiAs-type hexagonal crystal structure with a space group of P63/mmc. The magnetic measurements show spontaneous magnetization and hysteresis, and the coercivity increases with a decrease in temperature. The saturation magnetization was calculated to be around 0.2 μB/Co atom. The magnetic transition temperature was found to be above room temperature similar to that of the bulk CoTe. The measured bandgap of the nanostructures is 2.15 eV and they exhibit p-type semiconducting behavior.
Sediment sound speed inversion with time-frequency analysis and modal arrival time probability density functions
Authors: Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni , Pole Andrew
Published: July 2016

The dispersion pattern of a received signal is critical for understanding physical properties of the propagation medium. The objective of this work is to estimate accurately sediment sound speed using modal arrival times obtained from dispersion curves extracted via time-frequency analysis of acoustic signals. A particle filter is used that estimates probability density functions of modal frequencies arriving at specific times. Employing this information, probability density functions of arrival times for modal frequencies are constructed. Samples of arrival time differences are then obtained and are propagated backwards through an inverse acoustic model. As a result, probability density functions of sediment sound speed are estimated. Maximum a posteriori estimates indicate that inversion is successful. It is also demonstrated that multiple frequency processing offers an advantage over inversion at a single frequency, producing results with reduced variance.
A numerical study of nonlinear infrasound propagation in a windy atmosphere
Authors: Sabatini R. , Marsden O. , Bailly C. , Bogey C.
Published: July 2016

Direct numerical simulations of the two-dimensional unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations are performed to study the acoustic field generated by an infrasonic source in a realistic atmosphere. Some of the main phenomena affecting the propagation of infrasonic waves at large distances from the source are investigated. The effects of thermal and wind-related refraction on the signals recorded at ground level are highlighted, with particular emphasis on the phase shift induced by the presence of caustics in the acoustic field. Nonlinear waveform steepening associated with harmonic generation, and period lengthening, both of which are typical of large source amplitudes, are illustrated, and the importance of thermoviscous absorption in the upper atmosphere is clearly demonstrated. The role of diffraction in the shadow zone, around caustics and at stratospheric altitudes is also pointed out. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved using high-order finite-differences and a Runge-Kutta time integration method both originally developed for aeroacoustic applications, along with an adaptive shock-capturing algorithm which allows high-intensity acoustic fields to be examined. An improvement to the shock detection procedure is also proposed in order to meet the specificities of nonlinear propagation at long range. The modeling as well as the numerical results are reported in detail and discussed.
Estimating temperature and current using a pair of transceivers in a harbor environment
Authors: Huang Chen-Fen , Taniguchi Naokazu , Chen Yen-Hsiang , Liu Jin-Yuan
Published: July 2016

Obtaining the horizontal variation of temperature and current fields of a water column usually requires travel-time measurements of acoustic signals traveling along different paths between several horizontally distributed transceivers. This study explores the possibility of using a pair of transceivers deployed in a highly-reverberant harbor environment to extract spatial information of the water. Multipath acoustic propagation of two main arrival groups, i.e., direct arrivals and arrivals reflecting off the harbor side, was observed in the pulse responses measured in the harbor environment during the flood tide. Compared with the direct point measurements of temperature and current, the path-averaged measurements show a similar temporal variation during the experiment, demonstrating the possibility of estimating the spatial variation of the currents and temperatures using the multipath acoustic propagation.
Huge statue suggests early rise for Buddhism
Authors: Lawler Andrew
Published: July 2016

Reclining sage in Pakistan may be world's oldest monumental Buddha.
Comment on “A histone acetylation switch regulates H2A.Z deposition by the SWR-C remodeling enzyme”
Authors: Wang Feng , Ranjan Anand , Wei Debbie , Wu Carl
Published: July 2016

Watanabe
et al
. (Reports, 12 April 2013, p. 195) study the yeast SWR1/SWR-C complex responsible for depositing the histone variant H2A.Z by replacing nucleosomal H2A with H2A.Z. They report that reversal of H2A.Z replacement is mediated by SWR1 and related INO80 on an H2A.Z nucleosome carrying H3K56Q. Using multiple assays and reaction conditions, we find no evidence of such reversal of H2A.Z exchange.
Response to Comment on “A histone acetylation switch regulates H2A.Z deposition by the SWR-C remodeling enzyme”
Authors: Watanabe Shinya , Peterson Craig L.
Published: July 2016

Wang
et al
. report a failure to reproduce our biochemical observation that the INO80C and SWR1C/SWR1/SWR-C chromatin remodeling enzymes catalyze replacement of nucleosomal H2A.Z with H2A when the substrate contains H3-K56Q. They point to technical problems with our dimer exchange assay. In response, we have recapitulated our findings using a mobility shift assay that was developed and employed by Wang and colleagues.
Competition between engrams influences fear memory formation and recall
Authors: Rashid Asim J. , Yan Chen , Mercaldo Valentina , Hsiang Hwa-Lin (Liz) , Park Sungmo , Cole Christina J. , De Cristofaro Antonietta , Yu Julia , Ramakrishnan Charu , Lee Soo Yeun , Deisseroth Karl , Frankland Paul W. , Josselyn Sheena A.
Published: July 2016

How to link and separate memories

Engrams are the changes in brain tissue that store single memories. Neuroscientists can localize and manipulate them, but until now, little was known about how multiple engrams interact to influence memories. Rashid
et al.
examined how neural assemblies in an area called the lateral amygdala interact. If two frightening events occurred within 6 hours, the same set of neurons was used to express fear memories for both events. However, if the events were separated by 24 hours, distinct memory traces were formed.

Science
, this issue p.
383
Observation of the Efimovian expansion in scale-invariant Fermi gases
Authors: Deng Shujin , Shi Zhe-Yu , Diao Pengpeng , Yu Qianli , Zhai Hui , Qi Ran , Wu Haibin
Published: July 2016

Steps to ultracold gas expansion

Cold atomic gases are often studied while confined in parabolic traps, with the largest atomic density at the center of the trap. When the trap is made shallower, the gas radially expands as the energy cost for atoms that are farther from the trap center decreases. Deng
et al.
observed an interesting effect when they reduced the characteristic frequency of the parabolic trap so that it was at any moment inversely proportional to the elapsed time. Instead of expanding continuously, a strongly interacting Fermi gas held in such a trap stalled at certain time points. These time points formed a geometric progression, a consequence of scale invariance in the strongly interacting limit.

Science
, this issue p.
371
Connections between groundwater flow and transpiration partitioning
Authors: Maxwell Reed M. , Condon Laura E.
Published: July 2016

Groundwater flow drives partitioning

Soil evaporation and plant transpiration together contribute a substantial proportion of terrestrial freshwater fluxes. Land surface models are used to understand the partitioning of these fluxes on a continental scale; however, model outputs are often inconsistent with stable isotope observations. Maxwell and Condon incorporated dynamic groundwater flow into an integrated hydrologic model simulation for the entire United States. The model showed that water table depth and lateral flow strongly affect transpiration partitioning, thus explaining the inconsistencies between observations and models.

Science
, this issue p.
377
Accurate design of megadalton-scale two-component icosahedral protein complexes
Authors: Bale Jacob B. , Gonen Shane , Liu Yuxi , Sheffler William , Ellis Daniel , Thomas Chantz , Cascio Duilio , Yeates Todd O. , Gonen Tamir , King Neil P. , Baker David
Published: July 2016

Designed to assemble

Symmetric macromolecular structures that form cages, such as viral capsids, have inspired protein engineering. Bale
et al.
used pairwise combinations of dimeric, trimeric, or pentameric building blocks to design two-component, 120-subunit protein complexes with three distinct icosahedral architectures. The capsid-like nanostructures are large enough to hold nucleic acids or other proteins, and because they have two components, the assembly of cargoes such as drugs and vaccines can be done in a controlled way.

Science
, this issue p.
389
The GDP and its discontents
The Great Invention The Story of GDP and the Making (and Unmaking) of the Modern World
Ehsan Masood
Pegasus Books, 2016. 255 pp.
Authors: Mankiw N. Gregory
Published: July 2016

Can a single number ever really capture all of what matters about a society?
Discordant relationship between Essure microinsert position and tubal occlusion
Authors: Hou Melody Y
Published: July 2016

Hysteroscopic sterilisation with Essure requires confirmation of tubal occlusion by hysterosalpingogram or microinsert position by transvaginal sonography 3 months after placement before women can rely on the method for pregnancy prevention. A 39-year-old woman underwent hysteroscopic sterilisation via Essure, with successful bilateral tubal occlusion documented on hysterosalpingogram. She had a subsequent unintended pregnancy and termination, and presented with persistent pelvic pain and other non-specific symptoms. She underwent a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy, with complete resolution of her symptoms. Pathological evaluation demonstrated a perforated Essure microinsert and ipsilateral tubal occlusion, and a correctly placed Essure microinsert with ipsilateral tubal patency. Clinicians should be cautious about the assumption that correctly placed microinserts based on ultrasonography, hysterosalpingogram or laparoscopic evaluation assures occlusion success.
Biogrouting coarse materials using soil-lift treatment strategy
Authors: Mahawish Aamir , Bouazza Abdelmalek , Gates Will P.
Published: July 2016

This paper investigates the feasibility of using a soil-lift biogrouting treatment strategy to improve the mechanical properties of coarse sand with the view of applying it to stone columns – sand piles and rammed earth columns type of applications. A two-phase percolation approach was adopted in this study that included percolating a bacterial suspension Sporosarcina pasteurii in the first phase and a cementation solution in the second phase. This process was repeated every two treatments. The study reveals that an increase in the number of soil lifts negatively influenced the mechanical properties of the biocemented coarse sand. However, the minimum strength and stiffness achieved (2.8 MPa) in this study was sufficient to mitigate slumping of a soil column that may occur during installation or excessive radial expansion. Furthermore, it is shown that a single lift treatment can lead to a very high increase in strength and stiffness (up to 8.9 MPa and 2.3 GPa, respectively). However, calcite distributions within biocemented soil columns piles were quite heterogeneous with increasing number of soil-lift treatments. Soil-lift treatment can be seen as a practical strategy that can be used to inject treatment liquids in deeper depths, such as in soil columns piles.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Fresh Leaf Extract of Centella asiatica and Their Applications
Authors: Vuong Le Dai , Luan Nguyen Dinh Tung , Ngoc Dao Duy Hong , Anh Phan Tuan , Bao Vo-Van Quoc
Published: July 2016

The synthesis, characterization and application of biologically synthesized nanomaterials have become an important branch of nanotechnology. In the present study, we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from fresh leaf extract of Centella asiatica (LEC). UV-Vis spectrum for silver colloids contains a strong plasmon band near 425[Formula: see text]nm, which confirms the formation of nanoparticles. The experimental results show that the silver nanoparticles are formed easily in the extract at ambient temperature. The resulting silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were in the spherical form and the average size of the nanoparticles was in the range from 3[Formula: see text]nm to 30[Formula: see text]nm. From the above silver nanoparticles, we were taken up to investigate the effects of various concentrations of AgNPs on growth, development and yield of peanut plants. The results of the present experiment showed that the optimized concentration of AgNPs of the good germination, growth and pod yield of peanut plant is 5[Formula: see text]ppm.
Synthesis of low melting point porphyrins: A quest for new materials
Authors: Henriques César A. , Pinto Sara M. A. , Canotilho João , Ermelinda M. , Eusébio S. , Calvete Mário J. F.
Published: July 2016

Preparation of porphyrins which do not aggregate, possessing low melting points is an endearing challenge for several applications in materials science. In this contribution a viewpoint regarding the synthesis of low melting point porphyrins, is presented. Herein we review the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical substituted porphyrins that hold the possibility to be used in several materials science applications and present new results on the spectroscopic and thermal characterization of some low melting point meso-tetrasubstituted porphyrins.
Design of a Reconfigurable Robotic System for Flexoextension Fitted to Hand Fingers Size
Authors: Aguilar-Pereyra J. Felipe , Castillo-Castaneda Eduardo
Published: July 2016

Due to the growing demand for assistance in rehabilitation therapies for hand movements, a robotic system is proposed to mobilize the hand fingers in flexion and extension exercises. The robotic system is composed by four, type slider-crank, mechanisms that have the ability to fit the user fingers length from the index to the little finger, through the adjustment of only one link for each mechanism. The trajectory developed by each mechanism corresponds to the natural flexoextension path of each finger. The amplitude of the rotations for metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) varies from 0 to 90° and the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) varies from 0 to 60°; the joint rotations are coordinated naturally. The four R-RRT mechanisms orientation allows a 15° abduction movement for index, ring, and little fingers. The kinematic analysis of this mechanism was developed in order to assure that the displacement speed and smooth acceleration into the desired range of motion and the simulation results are presented. The reconfiguration of mechanisms covers about 95% of hand sizes of a group of Mexican adult population. Maximum trajectory tracking error is less than 3% in full range of movement and it can be compensated by the additional rotation of finger joints without injury to the user.
PMSM Rotor Position Detection Based on Hybrid Optical Encoder and R-Signal Zero-Setting Scheme
Authors: Wang Yaoqiang , Ma Xiaoyong , Wang Mingdong , Cao Chong
Published: July 2016

Rotor position detection is a prerequisite for achieving good control performance of PMSM. For a PMSM control system based on an optical encoder, it is a difficulty to detect rotor position and achieve R-Signal zero-setting. To solve the problem, a hybrid optical encoder is used in the paper by which a scheme for rotor position detection and R-Signal zero-setting is proposed. This encoder can do absolute and incremental rotor position detection simultaneously; here, the former is used for acquiring imprecise rotor position and the latter is for precise rotor position. Firstly, two detection methods of the encoder are analyzed, and a scheme for rotor position detection is proposed: absolute rotor position is used for motor starting before achieving R-Signal zero-setting; once achieving R-Signal zero-setting, incremental rotor position detection that has high precision is adopted. Then a novel scheme for R-Signal zero-setting is emphatically proposed. Finally, the simulation is conducted. Results show that rotor position detection and R-Signal zero-setting can be achieved by the proposed scheme.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura with Adalimumab Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: LaConti Joseph J. , Donet Jean A. , Cho-Vega Jeong Hee , Sussman Daniel A. , Ascherman Dana , Deshpande Amar R.
Published: July 2016

Tumor necrosis factor-α(TNFα) inhibitor therapy has signified an important milestone in the fight against many rheumatological disorders and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cutaneous adverse events caused by this class of medications are well known but relatively uncommon. Most reactions are mild and rarely warrant treatment withdrawal. Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a disease with cutaneous vasculitis, arthritis, and gastrointestinal and renal involvement that is usually seen in children, though the worst complications are typically seen in adults. We present a case of HSP complicating adalimumab treatment in a patient with ulcerative colitis who had achieved endoscopic remission. We review similar cases reported in the literature and discuss the consequences of these autoimmune diseases.
Bounding Regions to Plane Steepest Descent Curves of Quasiconvex Families
Authors: Longinetti Marco , Manselli Paolo , Venturi Adriana
Published: July 2016

Two-dimensional steepest descent curves (SDC) for a quasiconvex family are considered; the problem of their extensions (with constraints) outside of a convex bodyKis studied. It is shown that possible extensions are constrained to lie inside of suitable bounding regions depending onK. These regions are bounded by arcs of involutes of∂Kand satisfy many inclusions properties. The involutes of the boundary of an arbitrary plane convex body are defined and written by their support function. Extensions SDC of minimal length are constructed. Self-contracting sets (with opposite orientation) are considered: necessary and/or sufficient conditions for them to be subsets of SDC are proved.
The Plant-DerivedBauhinia bauhinioidesKallikrein Proteinase Inhibitor (rBbKI) Attenuates Elastase-Induced Emphysema in Mice
Authors: Martins-Olivera Bruno Tadeu , Almeida-Reis Rafael , Theodoro-Júnior Osmar Aparecido , Oliva Leandro Vilela , Neto dos Santos Nunes Natalia , Olivo Clarice Rosa , Vilela de Brito Marlon , Prado Carla Máximo , Leick Edna Aparecida , Martins Mílton de Arruda , Oliva Maria Luiza Vilela , Righetti Renato Fraga , Tibério Iolanda de Fátima Lopes Calvo
Published: July 2016

Background. Elastase mediates important oxidative actions during the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few resources for the inhibition of elastase have been investigated. Our study evaluated the ability of the recombinant plant derivedBauhinia bauhinioidesKallikrein proteinase Inhibitor (rBbKI) to modulate elastase-induced pulmonary inflammation.Methods. C57Bl/6 mice were given intratracheal elastase (ELA group) or saline (SAL group) and were treated intraperitoneally with rBbKI (ELA-rBbKI and SAL-rBbKI groups). At day 28, the following analyses were performed: (I) lung mechanics, (II) exhaled nitric oxide (ENO), (III) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and (IV) lung immunohistochemical staining.Results. In addition to decreasing mechanical alterations and alveolar septum disruption, rBbKI reduced the number of cells in the BALF and decreased the cellular expression of TNF-α, MMP-9, MMP-12, TIMP-1, eNOS, and iNOS in airways and alveolar walls compared with the ELA group. rBbKI decreased the volume proportion of 8-iso-PGF2α, collagen, and elastic fibers in the airways and alveolar walls compared with the ELA group. A reduction in the number of MUC-5-positive cells in the airway walls was also observed.Conclusion. rBbKI reduced elastase-induced pulmonary inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling. rBbKI may be a potential pharmacological tool for COPD treatment.
Electroacupuncture Alleviates Depressive‐Like Symptoms and Modulates BDNF Signaling in 6‐Hydroxydopamine Rats
Authors: Sun Min , Wang Ke , Yu Yan , Su Wen-Ting , Jiang Xin-Xin , Yang Jian , Jia Jun , Wang Xiao-Min
Published: July 2016

Previous studies have identified the beneficial effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on motor behaviors in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the role and potential mechanisms of EA in PD‐associated depression remain unclear. In the present study, a rat model of PD with unilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesions in the medial forebrain bundle was treated using EA for 4 weeks. We found that 100 Hz EA improved several motor phenotypes. In addition, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemical analysis showed that EA had a minimal impact on the TH‐positive profiles of the ipsilateral ventral tegmental area. Compared with the 6‐OHDA group, long‐term EA stimulation significantly increased sucrose solution consumption and decreased immobility time in the forced swim test. EA treatment did not alter dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels in the striatum and hippocampus. Noticeably, EA treatment reversed the 6‐OHDA‐induced abnormal expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin‐related kinase B (TrkB) in the midbrain and hippocampus. These results demonstrate that EA at 100‐Hz possesses the ability to improve depressive‐like symptoms in PD rats, which is, at least in part, due to the distinct effect of EA on the mesostriatal and mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic pathways. Moreover, BDNF seems to participate in the effect of EA in PD.
The Effects of Matched Filter on Stable Performance of Semistrapdown Inertially Stabilized Platform
Authors: Liu Feng , Wang Hua
Published: July 2016

To enhance the optimization performance of matched filter and further improve line of sight (LOS) stability of platform in inertial space, the proposed matched filter algorithm is conducted by adjusting matched filter coefficients of first-order low pass filter utilizing the regional search method based on invariance principle. The coefficients of the fraction molecule and denominator of proposed regional search algorithm are altered instead of denominator coefficients only being modified. Simulations are performed to verify the validity of inside factors performed with stabilization control model and quartz rate sensor (QRS) mathematical model. The stable angular error is sharply alleviated, so the decoupling accuracy of airborne semistrapdown inertially stabilized platform is largely promoted. The optimization matched filter can effectively increase stability of LOS in inertial space.