bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic utility of somatosensory evoked potentials in chronic polyradiculopathy without electrodiagnostic signs of peripheral demyelination
Authors: Devic Perrine , Petiot Philippe , Mauguiere François
Published: April 2015

Introduction: Diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) remains uncertain when nerve conduction studies (NCS) fail to show demyelination. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who presented with clinical criteria of CIDP in whom electrodiagnostic (EDx) criteria of definite or probable CIDP were missing [axonal sensorimotor neuropathy (n = 23), normal EDx with pure sensory presentation (n = 3)]. All patients received immunomodulatory treatment. Twenty‐six patients were evaluated with somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), MRI of spinal roots, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and/or nerve biopsy. Diagnosis of CIDP was considered to be confirmed in patients who responded to immunotherapy. Results: Twenty‐two of 26 patients (85%) had SSEPs reflecting abnormal proximal conduction in sensory fibers, including 14 who had only clinical and SSEP data in favor of CIDP. SSEPs were abnormal in 16 of 20 responders (80%) to immunotherapy. Conclusion: SSEP recording contributes to the diagnosis of CIDP when nerve conduction studies fail to detect peripheral demyelination. Muscle Nerve 53: 78–83, 2016
Termination criteria for inexact fixed‐point schemes
Authors: Birken Philipp
Published: April 2015

We analyze inexact fixed‐point iterations where the generating function contains an inexact solve of an equation system to answer the question of how tolerances for the inner solves influence the iteration error of the outer fixed‐point iteration. Important applications are the Picard iteration and partitioned fluid‐structure interaction. For the analysis, the iteration is modeled as a perturbed fixed‐point iteration, and existing analysis is extended to the nested casex=F(S(x)). We prove that if the iteration converges, it converges to the exact solution irrespective of the tolerance in the inner systems, provided that a nonstandard relative termination criterion is employed, whereas standard relative and absolute criteria do not have this property. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach with the nonstandard termination criterion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanowire and nanohole silicon solar cells: a thorough optoelectronic evaluation
Authors: Shang Aixue , Zhai Xiongfei , Zhang Cheng , Zhan Yaohui , Wu Shaolong , Li Xiaofeng
Published: April 2015

Photovoltaic devices with nanostructured active layers have attracted considerable attention for their outstanding light‐trapping capability. Although with the promise of an efficient light‐conversion, the realistic performance is still far from expectation. This is because the detailed electrical mechanisms have seldom been included into the design, leading to a substantial discrepancy between prediction and reality. This paper reports a complete optoelectronic simulation for nanowire and nanohole solar cells by addressing electromagnetic and carrier‐transport response in a coupled finite‐element method. The effects of surface/bulk recombination are quantified and compared for nanowire and nanohole solar cells with radial and axial doping profiles. Our results reveal that the axially doped silicon cells are extremely sensitive to surface recombination because of the large surface‐to‐volume ratio and lateral recombination loss, eventually reducing the photocurrent and light‐conversion efficiency. Relatively, radially doped silicon cells with a moderate nanowire length show some improvement relative to axially doped cells, but nevertheless remain very sensitive to recombination losses. Comparison of the light‐trapping and electrical performance between nanowire and nanohole solar cells is also given. The methodology is applicable for nanostructured solar cells based on various semiconductor materials and system configurations, and is expected to play a promising role in accurately predicting the performance of the new‐generation light‐conversion devices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and realization of transparent solar modules based on luminescent solar concentrators integrating nanostructured photonic crystals
Authors: Jiménez‐Solano Alberto , Delgado‐Sánchez José‐Maria , Calvo Mauricio E. , Miranda‐Muñoz José M. , Lozano Gabriel , Sancho Diego , Sánchez‐Cortezón Emilio , Míguez Hernán
Published: April 2015

Herein, we present a prototype of a photovoltaic module that combines a luminescent solar concentrator integrating one‐dimensional photonic crystals and in‐plane CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) solar cells. Highly uniform and wide‐area nanostructured multilayers with photonic crystal properties were deposited by a cost‐efficient and scalable liquid processing amenable to large‐scale fabrication. Their role is to both maximize light absorption in the targeted spectral range, determined by the fluorophore employed, and minimize losses caused by emission at angles within the escape cone of the planar concentrator. From a structural perspective, the porous nature of the layers facilitates the integration with the thermoplastic polymers typically used to encapsulate and seal these modules. Judicious design of the module geometry, as well as of the optical properties of the dielectric mirrors employed, allows optimizing light guiding and hence photovoltaic performance while preserving a great deal of transparency. Optimized in‐plane designs like the one herein proposed are of relevance for building integrated photovoltaics, as ease of fabrication, long‐term stability and improved performance are simultaneously achieved. © 2015 The Authors. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
In Vitro Assessment of the Anticancer Potential of Evodiamine in Human Oral Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Sachita Khadka , Kim Yongsoo , Yu Hyun‐Ju , Cho Sung‐Dae , Lee Jeong‐Sang
Published: April 2015

Evodiamine, a bioactive alkaloid, has been regarded as having antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticancer properties. In the present study, we explored the effects of evodiamine on cell growth and apoptosis in human oral cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that evodiamine significantly inhibited the proliferation of human oral cancer cells and resulted in the cleavages of PARP (poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase) and caspase‐3, in addition to causing the typical characteristics of apoptosis. Evodiamine also increased Bax protein levels and caused translocation of Bax into mitochondria and Bax oligomerization. In addition, evodiamine decreased expression of myeloid cell leukemia (Mcl‐1) at the transcriptional modification, and knockdown of Mcl‐1 clearly resulted in an increase in expression of Bax and active Bax, resulting in induction of apoptosis. Evodiamine reduced expression of phosphorylated AKT, and LY294002 potentiated evodiamine‐induced apoptosis by regulating Mcl‐1 protein. Our results suggest that evodiamine induces apoptosis in human oral cancer cells through the AKT pathway. These findings provide a rationale for its clinical application in the treatment of oral cancer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved analysis of ultra‐high molecular mass polystyrenes in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry using DCTB matrix and caesium salts
Authors: Gabriel S. J. , Steinhoff R. F. , Pabst M. , Schwarzinger C. , Zenobi R. , Panne U. , Weidner S. M.
Published: April 2015

Rationale

The ionization of polystyrenes in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) is typically achieved by the use of silver salts. Since silver salts can cause severe problems, such as cluster formation, fragmentation of polymer chains and end group cleavage, their substitution by alkali salts is highly desirable.

Methods

The influence of various cations (Ag+, Cs+ and Rb+) on the MALDI process of polystyrene (PS) mixtures and high mass polystyrenes was examined. The sample preparation was kept as straightforward as possible. Consequently, no recrystallization or other cleaning procedures were applied.

Results

The investigation of a polystyrene mixture showed that higher molecular polystyrenes could be more easily ionized using caesium, rather than rubidium or silver salts. In combination with the use of DCTB as matrix a high‐mass polymer analysis could be achieved, which was demonstrated by the detection of a 1.1 MDa PS.

Conclusions

A fast, simple and robust MALDI sample preparation method for the analysis of ultra‐high molecular weight polystyrenes based on the use of DCTB and caesium salts has been presented. The suitability of the presented method has been validated by using different mass spectrometers and detectors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active disturbance rejection control for nonlinear fractional‐order systems
Authors: Gao Zhe
Published: April 2015

This paper investigates active disturbance rejection control involving the fractional‐order tracking differentiator, the fractional‐order PID controller with compensation and the fractional‐order extended state observer for nonlinear fractional‐order systems. Firstly, the fractional‐order optimal‐time control scheme is studied to propose the fractional‐order tracking differentiator by the Hamilton function and fractional‐order optimal conditions. Secondly, the linear fractional‐order extend state observer is offered to acquire the estimated value of the sum of nonlinear functions and disturbances existing in the investigated nonlinear fractional‐order plant. For the disturbance existing in the feedback output, the effect of the disturbance is discussed to choose a reasonable parameter in fractional‐order extended state observer. Thirdly, by this observed value, the nonlinear fractional‐order plant is converted into a linear fractional‐order plant by adding the compensation in the controller. With the aid of real root boundary, complex root boundary, and imaginary boot boundary, the approximate stabilizing boundary with respect to the integral and differential coefficients is determined for the given proportional coefficient, integral order and differential order. By choosing the suitable parameters, the fractional‐order active disturbance rejection control scheme can deal with the unknown nonlinear functions and disturbances. Finally, the illustrative examples are given to verify the effectiveness of fractional‐order active disturbance rejection control scheme. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Delaunay diagram‐based Min–Max CP‐Tree algorithm for Spatial Data Analysis
Authors: Sundaram Venkatesan Meenakshi , Thangavelu Arunkumar
Published: April 2015

Co‐location patterns are the subsets of Boolean spatial features whose instances are often located in close geographic proximity. Neighborhood is a major challenge and a key part of spatial co‐location pattern mining. In existing conventional models, the neighborhood was defined by the user which is not suitable for massive data set. The idea of this paper is to improve the performance of co‐location mining by proposing novel neighborhood model and effective co‐location algorithm for spatial data analysis. The first methodology is to model the neighborhood of spatial data by using Delaunay diagram geometry approach. Delaunay‐based neighborhood model finds the neighborhoods dynamically and avoids user‐based neighborhood. The second methodology is to present novel efficient Min–Max CP‐Tree algorithm to discover precise co‐location patterns from spatial data. The proposed co‐location mining algorithm is effective and efficient for complex landslide spatial data. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2015, 5:142–154. doi: 10.1002/widm.1151

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Application Areas > Data Mining Software Tools

Technologies > Association Rules
Probing stem cell behavior using nanoparticle‐based approaches
Authors: Patel Sahishnu , Lee Ki‐Bum
Published: April 2015

Stem cells hold significant clinical potential to treat numerous debilitating diseases and injures that currently have no treatment plan. While several advances have been made in developing stem cell platforms and methods to induce their differentiation, there are two critical aspects need to be addressed: (1) efficient delivery of nucleic acids and small molecules for stem cell differentiation, and (2) effective, noninvasive, and real‐time tracking of transplanted stem cells. To address this, there has been a trend of utilizing various types of nanoparticles to not only deliver biomolecules to targeted site but also track the location of transplanted stem cells in real time. Over the past decade, various types of nanoparticles, including magnetic nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles, have been developed to serve as vehicles for targeted biomolecule delivery. In addition of being biocompatible without causing adverse side effect to stem cells, these nanoparticles have unique chemical and physical properties that allow tracking and imaging in real time using different imaging instruments that are commonly found in hospitals. A summary of the landmark and progressive demonstrations that utilize nanoparticles for stem cell application is described. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:759–778. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1346

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Baker's Yeast Deficient in Storage Lipid Synthesis Uses cis‐Vaccenic Acid to Reduce Unsaturated Fatty Acid Toxicity
Authors: Sec Peter , Garaiova Martina , Gajdos Peter , Certik Milan , Griac Peter , Hapala Ivan , Holic Roman
Published: April 2015

The role of cis‐vaccenic acid (18:1n‐7) in the reduction of unsaturated fatty acids toxicity was investigated in baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The quadruple mutant (QM, dga1Δ lro1Δ are1Δ are2Δ) deficient in enzymes responsible for triacylglycerol and steryl ester synthesis has been previously shown to be highly sensitive to exogenous unsaturated fatty acids. We have found that cis‐vaccenic acid accumulated during cultivation in the QM cells but not in the corresponding wild type strain. This accumulation was accompanied by a reduction in palmitoleic acid (16:1n‐7) content in the QM cells that is consistent with the proposed formation of cis‐vaccenic acid by elongation of palmitoleic acid. Fatty acid analysis of individual lipid classes from the QM strain revealed that cis‐vaccenic acid was highly enriched in the free fatty acid pool. Furthermore, production of cis‐vaccenic acid was arrested if the mechanism of fatty acids release to the medium was activated. We also showed that exogenous cis‐vaccenic acid did not affect viability of the QM strain at concentrations toxic for palmitoleic or oleic acids. Moreover, addition of cis‐vaccenic acid to the growth medium provided partial protection against the lipotoxic effects of exogenous oleic acid. Transformation of palmitoleic acid to cis‐vaccenic acid is thus a rescue mechanism enabling S. cerevisiae cells to survive in the absence of triacylglycerol synthesis as the major mechanism for unsaturated fatty acid detoxification.
Development of PU Coatings from Neem Oil Based Alkyds Prepared by the Monoglyceride Route
Authors: Chaudhari Ashok , Kulkarni Ravindra , Mahulikar Pramod , Sohn Daewon , Gite Vikas
Published: April 2015

This work deals with the preparation of alkyd resins from neem oil and their utilization in preparation of polyurethane coatings. Alkyd resins were synthesized by reaction of neem oil monoglycerides with four different divalent acids like phthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride, itaconic acid, and dimer fatty acid. The alkyds formation was studied by determining the acid number of the reaction mixture at regular intervals of time and the extents of the polyesterification reactions were calculated during the formation of alkyds. The structures of synthesized alkyds were confirmed by FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectroscopic analysis and also by end group analysis such as hydroxyl and acid values. The synthesized alkyds were reacted with TDI to prepare PU coatings and their performance was compared with PU coatings prepared from a commercial alkyd.
Temperate and boreal forest tree phenology: from organ-scale processes to terrestrial ecosystem models
Authors: Delpierre Nicolas , Vitasse Yann , Chuine Isabelle , Guillemot Joannès , Bazot Stéphane , Rutishauser This , Rathgeber Cyrille B. K.
Published: April 2015

Key message

We demonstrate that, beyond leaf phenology, the phenological cycles of wood and fine roots present clear responses to environmental drivers in temperate and boreal trees. These drivers should be included in terrestrial ecosystem models.

Context

In temperate and boreal trees, a dormancy period prevents organ development during adverse climatic conditions. Whereas the phenology of leaves and flowers has received considerable attention, to date, little is known regarding the phenology of other tree organs such as wood, fine roots, fruits, and reserve compounds.

Aims

Here, we review both the role of environmental drivers in determining the phenology of tree organs and the models used to predict the phenology of tree organs in temperate and boreal forest trees.

Results

Temperature is a key driver of the resumption of tree activity in spring, although its specific effects vary among organs. There is no such clear dominant environmental cue involved in the cessation of tree activity in autumn and in the onset of dormancy, but temperature, photoperiod, and water stress appear as prominent factors. The phenology of a given organ is, to a certain extent, influenced by processes in distant organs.

Conclusion

Inferring past trends and predicting future trends of tree phenology in a changing climate requires specific phenological models developed for each organ to consider the phenological cycle as an ensemble in which the environmental cues that trigger each phase are also indirectly involved in the subsequent phases. Incorporating such models into terrestrial ecosystem models (TEMs) would likely improve the accuracy of their predictions. The extent to which the coordination of the phenologies of tree organs will be affected in a changing climate deserves further research.
Why Can't This Patient Look Up? Bilateral Vertical Gaze Palsy
Authors: Surapaneni Krishna , Ferguson Lisa , Altschuler Eric L.
Published: April 2015

We report a case of a patient with profound bilateral vertical gaze palsy resulting from a unilateral thalamic lesion—one of only a handful of such cases ever reported. The patient had significant symptomatic vertical diplopia that was disabling functionally and vocationally. We discuss pathways whereby a unilateral lesion can cause bilateral gaze palsy. We also report on the successful functional and vocational rehabilitation of the patient's vertical diplopia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful rehabilitation of a patient with bilateral vertical diplopia due to a central lesion.
Humour in Power-Differentiated Intergroup Wage Negotiation
Authors: Teng-Calleja Mendiola , Montiel Cristina Jayme , Baquiano Marshaley Jaum
Published: April 2015

This research examined the role of humour in power-differentiated wage bargaining conversations. We collected transcripts of wage bargaining between the local labour union and management negotiators of a multinational beverage company operating in the Philippines. Through conversation analysis, we determined how both parties utilised humor to challenge or maintain power relations even as both labour and management worked towards a wage bargaining agreement. Findings show that humour was used to maintain intergroup harmony, subvert authority and control the negotiation. Our findings may be useful for labour organisations and multinational corporations that operate in Southeast Asian countries with historically tumultuous labour relations such as the Philippines. Studies have shown how humour can play a significant role in various social interactions, such as business meetings (Rogerson-Revell, 2007 ), conversations between friends (Hay, 2000 ) and co-workers (Holmes, 2000 ), problem solving (Dunbar, Banas, Rodriguez, Liu, & Abra, 2012 ), conflict negotiations (Maemura & Horita, 2012 ) and price haggling (O’Quin & Aronoff, 1981 ). We note, however, that humour analysis rarely considers asymmetric features of social interactions occurring within the context of negotiation.
Persistent Policy Pathways: Inferring Diffusion Networks in the American States
Authors: DESMARAIS BRUCE A. , HARDEN JEFFREY J. , BOEHMKE FREDERICK J.
Published: April 2015

The transmission of ideas, information, and resources forms the core of many issues studied in political science, including collective action, cooperation, and development. While these processes imply dynamic connections among political actors, researchers often cannot observe such interdependence. One example is public policy diffusion, which has long been a focus of multiple subfields. In the American state politics context, diffusion is commonly conceptualized as a dyadic process whereby states adopt policies (in part) because other states have adopted them. This implies apolicy diffusion networkconnecting the states. Using a dataset of 187 policies, we introduce and apply an algorithm that infers this network from persistent diffusion patterns. The results contribute to knowledge on state policy diffusion in several respects. Additionally, in introducing network inference to political science, we provide scholars across the discipline with a general framework for empirically recovering the latent and dynamic interdependence among political actors.
Informal Institutions, Collective Action, and Public Investment in Rural China
Authors: XU YIQING , YAO YANG
Published: April 2015

Do informal institutions, rules, and norms created and enforced by social groups promote good local governance in environments of weak democratic or bureaucratic institutions? This question is difficult to answer because of challenges in defining and measuring informal institutions and identifying their causal effects. In the article, we investigate the effect of lineage groups, one of the most important vehicles of informal institutions in rural China, on local public goods expenditure. Using a panel dataset of 220 Chinese villages from 1986 to 2005, we find that village leaders from the two largest family clans in a village increased local public investment considerably. This association is stronger when the clans appeared to be more cohesive. We also find that clans helped local leaders overcome the collective action problem of financing public goods, but there is little evidence suggesting that they held local leaders accountable.
Low whole grain intake in the UK: results from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme 2008–11
Authors: Mann Kay D. , Pearce Mark S. , McKevith Brigid , Thielecke Frank , Seal Chris J.
Published: April 2015

Increased whole grain intake has been shown to reduce the risk of many non-communicable diseases. Countries including the USA, Canada, Denmark and Australia have specific dietary guidelines on whole grain intake but others, including the UK, do not. Data from 1986/87 and 2000/01 have shown that whole grain intake is low and declining in British adults. The aim of the present study was to describe whole grain intakes in the most current dietary assessment of UK households using data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme 2008–11. In the present study, 4 d diet diaries were completed by 3073 individuals between 2008 and 2011, along with details of socio-economic status (SES). The median daily whole grain intake, calculated for each individual on a dry weight basis, was 20 g/d for adults and 13 g/d for children/teenagers. The corresponding energy-adjusted whole grain intake was 27 g/10 MJ per d for adults and 20 g/10 MJ per d for children/teenagers. Whole grain intake (absolute and energy-adjusted) increased with age, but was lowest in teenagers (13–17 years) and younger adults up to the age of 34 years. Of the total study population, 18 % of adults and 15 % of children/teenagers did not consume any whole-grain foods. Individuals from lower SES groups had a significantly lower whole grain intake than those from more advantaged classifications. The whole grain intake in the UK, although higher than in 2000/01, remains low and below that in the US and Danish recommendations in all age classes. Favourable pricing with increased availability of whole-grain foods and education may help to increase whole grain intake in countries without whole-grain recommendations. Teenagers and younger adults may need targeting to help increase whole grain consumption.
Structure of microbial communities in phosphorus-limited estuaries along the eastern Adriatic coast
Authors: Šolić Mladen , Krstulović Nada , Šantić Danijela , Šestanović Stefanija , Ordulj Marin , Bojanić Natalia , Kušpilić Grozdan
Published: April 2015

The structure of the microbial food web was studied in six estuary areas along the eastern Adriatic coast during March, July and October 2012. Limitation by phosphorus, not nitrogen, was a common feature for all studied estuaries. Heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic picoplankton (APP) (particularly picoeukaryotes andSynechococcus) can reach notable abundances and biomasses, suggesting potential importance of the picoplankton community in P-limited estuarine environments. The main features of the microbial community structure in these environments included: (1) higher heterotrophic biomass in comparison to autotrophic biomass within the picoplankton community; (2) general domination of picoeukaryotes within the APP community, and increase of absolute and relative biomass of prokaryotic autotrophs (ProchlorococcusandSynechococcus) in the total APP in P-limited conditions; (3) domination ofSynechococcusoverProchlorococcusbiomass in all studied conditions, and common spatial distribution of these two groups of cyanobacteria, which was mostly determined by concentration of phosphorus; (4) relatively high contribution (about 50%) of LNA bacteria in the total bacterial abundance; and (5) relatively high contribution (about 33%) of heterotrophic pico-flagellates in the total flagellate abundance.
Performingextracomunitari: Mocking migrants in Venetobarzellette
Authors: Perrino Sabina
Published: April 2015

In Italy,barzelletteare short funny stories that speakers perform in various social events with large groups of friends, relatives, or colleagues. In Northern Italy, where a strong anti-immigration platform has been implemented by two influential political parties of the Veneto region,barzelletteare performed to represent certain immigrant groups, especially the so-calledextracomunitari. In this article, I examine the performative power of multidialectal language play in race-based humor through an analysis of two such joking events. I show how Veneto speakers performbarzellettein their local language, Veneto dialect, to mock immigrant voices, using approaches that purport, not necessarily in a deliberate fashion, to ‘contain’ or ‘conceal’ their racist remarks in their local code. In this way, they sharpen an exclusionary divide between an ‘us’, as insiders, as the local speakers of this language, and a ‘them’, as outsiders, or the immigrant ‘others’, who do not share this code. I thus examine issues of covert racist discourse within an ‘unmarked’ framework in which race and racializing discourses are embedded in social and cultural patterns. (Code-shifting, jokes,Lega Nord, migration, race, racialized discourse, Veneto dialect)*
Staging language on Corsica: Stance, improvisation, play, and heteroglossia
Authors: Jaffe Alexandra
Published: April 2015

This article uses the concept of stance to examine a series of activities and plurilingual heteroglossic performances and improvisations in a Corsican language-planning event. It focuses on how stances taken by performers attribute stances to the audience, as well as how stance objects (language, community, heritage) are construed in performance. This analysis is used to examine how these language-planning events mediate ideological tensions in Corsican language planning, specifically between traditional monolingual/purist ideologies and plurilingual, polynomic ones. (Stance, Corsica, performance, ideology, heteroglossia)*
Performing and evaluating (non)modernities of Portuguese migrant figures on YouTube: The case of Antonio de Carglouch
Authors: Koven Michèle , Simões Marques Isabelle
Published: April 2015

We analyze how France-based YouTube comedic performers Ro et Cut enact the stylized figure of a Portuguese migrant in France, Antonio, in their most popular video,Carglouch. We then examine how commenters respond to the enactment. Specifically, we apply Irvine and Gal's notion of semiotic differentiation to study how participants use language to construct and apply polycentric notions of modernity/nonmodernity. This allows us to analyze how YouTube performers and commenters produce their own and Antonio's relative (non)modernity, as they orient to different versions of a modern/nonmodern axis of differentiation, situated in multiple ‘centers’: France, Portugal, or Europe. That is, participants either interpret Antonio as a nonmodern immigrant in France, a nonmodern emigrant from Portugal, or an international representative of Portugal, spreading nonmodern images of Portugal abroad. We then consider how participants bring these differently centered images of the nonmodern Other into dialogue with each Other, with different outcomes for variously positioned participants. (Migration, heteroglossia, YouTube, transnationalism, Luso-descendants, (non)modernity, France, Portugal)*
Electron acceleration in underdense plasmas described with a classical effective theory
Authors: Pocsai M. A. , Varró S. , Barna I. F.
Published: April 2015

An effective theory of laser–plasma-based particle acceleration is presented. Here we treated the plasma as a continuous medium with an index of refraction nm in which a single electron propagates. Because of the simplicity of this model, we did not perform particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations in order to study the properties of the electron acceleration. We studied the properties of the electron motion due to the Lorentz force and the relativistic equations of motion were numerically solved and analyzed. We compared our results with PIC simulations and experimental data.
Mobility analysis and structural synthesis of a class of spatial mechanisms with coupling chains
Authors: Cao Wen-ao , Ding Huafeng , Chen Ziming , Zhao Shipei
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a systematic method for dealing with mobility analysis and structural synthesis of a class of important spatial mechanisms with coupling chains, which involve more complex coupling relations than spatial parallel mechanisms. First, an approach to the establishment of the motion screw equation of the class of mechanisms is derived. Then, a general methodology for mobility analysis along with detection of rigid substructures is proposed based on the motion screw equation. Third, the principle of structural synthesis of the class of mechanisms is established on the basis of the method of mobility analysis. Finally, some novel spatial mechanisms with coupling chains are synthesized, illustrating the effectiveness of the method. The study of the paper will benefit structural analysis and synthesis of more complex spatial mechanisms with coupling chains.
Seed predation, pathogens and germination in primary vs. secondary cloud forest at Maquipucuna Reserve, Ecuador
Authors: Myster Randall W.
Published: April 2015

Because the fate of the seed rain has long been shown to be critical to understanding forest recruitment and regeneration, seed predation, seed pathogens and germination among different species was examined in primary (closed-canopy vs. tree-fall gap) and in secondary (banana vs. sugarcane vs. seeded pasture) cloud forest at Maquipucuna Reserve, Ecuador. I found (1) seed predation took more seeds than either seed pathogenic disease or germination for all tree seed species and in both forests, where the level of seed loss to predation was greatest in the closed-canopy primary forest, second largest in the tree-fall gaps and less in recovering banana, sugarcane and pasture; (2) for pathogens these trends were reversed; and (3) most seeds, that were not taken by predators or pathogens, germinated. Cecropia sp. seeds in the tree-fall gaps and Otoba gordoniifolia seeds in both closed-canopy forest and tree-fall gaps were the most significantly different among all treatments in primary forest and Solanum ovalifolia seeds in banana fields and Piper aduncum in all fields were the most significantly different among all treatments in secondary forest. I conclude that forests may recover faster after human disturbance (here agriculture) than after natural disturbances (here tree-fall).
The prevalence of mutations in the major hydrophilic region of the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus varies with subgenotype
Authors: WANG X. Y. , HARRISON T. J. , HE X. , CHEN Q. Y. , LI G. J. , LIU M. H. , LI H. , YANG J. Y. , FANG Z. L.
Published: April 2015

Mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) may result in vaccine escape, failure of immunotherapy and antiviral resistance. These mutants may be transmitted and constitute a public health threat. We aimed to determine the prevalence of MHR mutations of HBV in areas of high endemicity in Guangxi, China. HBV surface gene was analysed from 278 HBsAg-positive asymptomatic individuals recruited from Guangxi using cluster sampling. Three genotypes, B, C and I, were identified. The overall prevalence of MHR mutations is 17·6%. The prevalence of MHR mutations in genotype B (15·1%) is not significantly different from that in genotype C (16·4%). However, the prevalence in subgenotype C5 (31·1%) is significantly higher than in subgenotype C2 (13·0%) (χ2= 6·997,P< 0·05). The prevalence of escape mutations and overlapping polymerase substitutions in subgenotype C5 is significantly higher than in subgenotypes B2 and C2. In total, 7·9% of MHR mutants are escape mutations and 72·1% of MHR mutations produced amino-acid changes in the overlapping polymerase, including resistance mutations to entecavir. Our results suggest that the prevalence of MHR mutations varies with subgenotype. The prevalence of escape mutations and polymerase mutations may be associated with subgenotype.
Movement, Power and Place: The Biography of a Wagon Road in a Contested First Nations Landscape
Authors: Gibson Erin
Published: April 2015

This paper explores the biography of a wagon road located in the First Nations (indigenous) territory of the Stl'atl'imx of the lower Lillooet River Valley in southern British Columbia, Canada. While the road is best known as a route to the Fraser Canyon during the Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858, here I investigate its multiple lives. Adopting themes from symmetrical archaeology, I show that the wagon road was not a passive outcome of colonial action but instead shifted in form and meaning as it interacted with the human and non-human world. I draw on archival documents from the Royal Engineers and oral accounts from the Stl'atl'imx of the lower Lillooet River Valley to illustrate how people, places and things were woven into the landscape through bodily engagement with the road. This paper thus highlights the complexity of the colonial encounter and the importance of movement and the materiality of movement (roads) in understanding the diversity of interaction in tensioned landscapes.
Cautious Democrats: Religious Actors and Democratization Processes in Senegal
Authors: Villalón Leonardo A.
Published: April 2015

This article analyzes the role of religious actors at different stages in the long and gradual processes of democratization in Senegal. It examines the transformations in their political influence from pillars of the stable (but non-democratic) post-independence state, to a more ambiguous posture in the decade of democratic opening. A discussion of the interactive relationship between religious change and the transition to democracy over the course of the 1990s leads us to an analysis of the role of religious actors in debating the substantive content of Senegalese democracy in the decade that followed. The article concludes that whileprocedurallyreligious actors are playing an important role in the development of the democratic system in Senegal,substantivelythey are doing so in part by calling into question some understandings of what democracy entails. The ultimate evaluation of their contribution to the consolidation of democracy hinges at least in part on our conceptualization of democracy itself.
Humans Greatly Increase Mercury Levels in the Ocean
Authors: Palus Shannon
Published: April 2015

A study of the natural cycle of mercury reveals that humans are to blame for a five- to sixfold increase in the oceanic concentrations of the potentially toxic element.
A novel role of PRR14 in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis
Authors: Yang M , Yuan Z-M
Published: April 2015

Dysregulation of genes involved in organizing and maintaining nuclear structures, such as SYNE1, SYNE2, TREM43, EMD and LMNA is frequently associated with diverse diseases termed laminopathies, which often affect the muscle tissue. The PRR14 protein was recently reported to tether heterochromatin to nuclear lamina but its function remains largely unknown. Here, we present several lines of evidence demonstrating a critical role of PRR14 in regulation of myoblast differentiation. We found that Prr14 expression was upregulated during skeletal myogenesis. Knockdown of Prr14 impeded, whereas overexpression of PRR14 enhanced C2C12 differentiation. The pro-myogenesis activity of PRR14 seemed to correlate with its ability to support cell survival and to maintain the stability and structure of lamin A/C. In addition, PRR14 stimulated the activity of MyoD via binding to heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1α). The results altogether support a model in which PRR14 promotes skeletal myogenesis via supporting nuclear lamina structure and enhancing the activity of MyoD.
Bid chimeras indicate that most BH3-only proteins can directly activate Bak and Bax, and show no preference for Bak versus Bax
Authors: Hockings C , Anwari K , Ninnis R L , Brouwer J , O'Hely M , Evangelista M , Hinds M G , Czabotar P E , Lee E F , Fairlie W D , Dewson G , Kluck R M
Published: April 2015

The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis is initiated by Bcl-2 homology region 3 (BH3)-only members of the Bcl-2 protein family. On upregulation or activation, certain BH3-only proteins can directly bind and activate Bak and Bax to induce conformation change, oligomerization and pore formation in mitochondria. BH3-only proteins, with the exception of Bid, are intrinsically disordered and therefore, functional studies often utilize peptides based on just their BH3 domains. However, these reagents do not possess the hydrophobic membrane targeting domains found on the native BH3-only molecule. To generate each BH3-only protein as a recombinant protein that could efficiently target mitochondria, we developed recombinant Bid chimeras in which the BH3 domain was replaced with that of other BH3-only proteins (Bim, Puma, Noxa, Bad, Bmf, Bik and Hrk). The chimeras were stable following purification, and each immunoprecipitated with full-length Bcl-xL according to the specificity reported for the related BH3 peptide. When tested for activation of Bak and Bax in mitochondrial permeabilization assays, Bid chimeras were ~1000-fold more effective than the related BH3 peptides. BH3 sequences from Bid and Bim were the strongest activators, followed by Puma, Hrk, Bmf and Bik, while Bad and Noxa were not activators. Notably, chimeras and peptides showed no apparent preference for activating Bak or Bax. In addition, within the BH3 domain, the h0 position recently found to be important for Bax activation, was important also for Bak activation. Together, our data with full-length proteins indicate that most BH3-only proteins can directly activate both Bak and Bax.
Characterization of adipocytes derived from fibro/adipogenic progenitors resident in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Arrighi N , Moratal C , Clément N , Giorgetti-Peraldi S , Peraldi P , Loubat A , Kurzenne J-Y , Dani C , Chopard A , Dechesne C A
Published: April 2015

A population of fibro/adipogenic but non-myogenic progenitors located between skeletal muscle fibers was recently discovered. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which these progenitors differentiate into fully functional adipocytes. The characterization of muscle progenitor-derived adipocytes is a central issue in understanding muscle homeostasis. They are considered as being the cellular origin of intermuscular adipose tissue that develops in several pathophysiological situations. Here fibro/adipogenic progenitors were isolated from a panel of 15 human muscle biopsies on the basis of the specific cell-surface immunophenotype CD15+/PDGFRα+CD56−. This allowed investigations of their differentiation into adipocytes and the cellular functions of terminally differentiated adipocytes. Adipogenic differentiation was found to be regulated by the same effectors as those regulating differentiation of progenitors derived from white subcutaneous adipose tissue. Similarly, basic adipocyte functions, such as triglyceride synthesis and lipolysis occurred at levels similar to those observed with subcutaneous adipose tissue progenitor-derived adipocytes. However, muscle progenitor-derived adipocytes were found to be insensitive to insulin-induced glucose uptake, in association with the impairment of phosphorylation of key insulin-signaling effectors. Our findings indicate that muscle adipogenic progenitors give rise to bona fide white adipocytes that have the unexpected feature of being insulin-resistant.
Observation of finite-wavelength screening in high-energy-density matter
Authors: Chapman D. A. , Vorberger J. , Fletcher L. B. , Baggott R. A. , Divol L. , Döppner T. , Falcone R. W. , Glenzer S. H. , Gregori G. , Guymer T. M. , Kritcher A. L. , Landen O. L. , Ma T. , Pak A. E. , Gericke D. O.
Published: April 2015

A key component for the description of charged particle systems is the screening of the Coulomb interaction between charge carriers. First investigated in the 1920s by Debye and Hückel for electrolytes, charge screening is important for determining the structural and transport properties of matter as diverse as astrophysical and laboratory plasmas, nuclear matter such as quark-gluon plasmas, electrons in solids, planetary cores and charged macromolecules. For systems with negligible dynamics, screening is still mostly described using a Debye–Hückel-type approach. Here, we report the novel observation of a significant departure from the Debye–Hückel-type model in high-energy-density matter by probing laser-driven, shock-compressed plastic with high-energy X-rays. We use spectrally resolved X-ray scattering in a geometry that enables direct investigation of the screening cloud, and demonstrate that the observed elastic scattering amplitude is only well described within a more general approach.
Nkx2.1-derived astrocytes and neurons together with Slit2 are indispensable for anterior commissure formation
Authors: Minocha Shilpi , Valloton Delphine , Ypsilanti Athena R. , Fiumelli Hubert , Allen Elizabeth A. , Yanagawa Yuchio , Marin Oscar , Chédotal Alain , Hornung Jean-Pierre , Lebrand Cécile
Published: April 2015

Guidepost cells present at and surrounding the midline provide guidance cues that orient the growing axons through commissures. Here we show that the transcription factor Nkx2.1 known to control the specification of GABAergic interneurons also regulates the differentiation of astroglia and polydendrocytes within the mouse anterior commissure (AC). Nkx2.1-positive glia were found to originate from three germinal regions of the ventral telencephalon. Nkx2.1-derived glia were observed in and around the AC region by E14.5. Thereafter, a selective cell ablation strategy showed a synergistic role of Nkx2.1-derived cells, both GABAergic interneurons and astroglia, towards the proper formation of the AC. Finally, our results reveal that the Nkx2.1-regulated cells mediate AC axon guidance through the expression of the repellent cue, Slit2. These results bring forth interesting insights about the spatial and temporal origin of midline telencephalic glia, and highlight the importance of neurons and astroglia towards the formation of midline commissures.
Leaf onset in the northern hemisphere triggered by daytime temperature
Authors: Piao Shilong , Tan Jianguang , Chen Anping , Fu Yongshuo H. , Ciais Philippe , Liu Qiang , Janssens Ivan A. , Vicca Sara , Zeng Zhenzhong , Jeong Su-Jong , Li Yue , Myneni Ranga B. , Peng Shushi , Shen Miaogen , Peñuelas Josep
Published: April 2015

Recent warming significantly advanced leaf onset in the northern hemisphere. This signal cannot be accurately reproduced by current models parameterized by daily mean temperature (Tmean). Here using in situ observations of leaf unfolding dates (LUDs) in Europe and the United States, we show that the interannual anomalies of LUD during 1982–2011 are triggered by daytime (Tmax) more than by nighttime temperature (Tmin). Furthermore, an increase of 1 °C in Tmax would advance LUD by 4.7 days in Europe and 4.3 days in the United States, more than the conventional temperature sensitivity estimated from Tmean. The triggering role of Tmax, rather than the Tmin or Tmean variable, is also supported by analysis of the large-scale patterns of satellite-derived vegetation green-up in spring in the northern hemisphere (>30°N). Our results suggest a new conceptual framework of leaf onset using daytime temperature to improve the performance of phenology modules in current Earth system models.
Exploring the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on diabetes control in diabetes patients: a prospective observational study in general practice
Authors: Luijks Hilde D , de Grauw Wim JC , Bor Jacobus HJ , van Weel Chris , Lagro-Janssen Antoine LM , Biermans Marion CJ , Schermer Tjard R
Published: April 2015

Background:

Little is known about the association between COPD and diabetes control parameters.

Aims:

To explore the association between comorbid COPD and longitudinal glycaemic control (HbA1C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in a primary care cohort of diabetes patients.

Methods:

This is a prospective cohort study of type 2 diabetes patients in the Netherlands. In a mixed model analysis, we tested differences in the 5-year longitudinal development of HbA1C and SBP according to COPD comorbidity (present/absent). We corrected for relevant covariates. In subgroup effect analyses, we tested whether potential differences between diabetes patients with/without COPD were modified by age, sex, socio-economic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI).

Results:

We analysed 610 diabetes patients. A total of 63 patients (10.3%) had comorbid COPD. The presence of COPD was not significantly associated with the longitudinal development of HbA1C (P=0.54) or SBP (P=0.33), but subgroup effect analyses showed significant effect modification by SES (P<0.01) and BMI (P=0.03) on SBP. Diabetes patients without COPD had a flat SBP trend over time, with higher values in patients with a high BMI. For diabetes patients with COPD, SBP gradually increased over time in the middle- and high-SES groups, and it decreased over time in those in the low-SES group.

Conclusions:

The longitudinal development of HbA1C was not significantly associated with comorbid COPD in diabetes patients. The course of SBP in diabetes patients with COPD is significantly associated with SES (not BMI) in contrast to those without COPD. Comorbid COPD was associated with longitudinal diabetes control parameters, but it has complex interactions with other patient characteristics. Further research is needed.