bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
15 Gb/s index-coupled distributed-feedback lasers based on 1.3 μm InGaAs quantum dots
Authors: Stubenrauch M. , Stracke G. , Arsenijević D. , Strittmatter A. , Bimberg D.
Published: July 2014

The static properties and large-signal modulation capabilities of directly modulated p-doped quantum-dot distributed-feedback lasers are presented. Based on pure index gratings the devices exhibit a side-mode-suppression ratio of 58 dB and optical output powers up to 34 mW. Assisted by a broad gain spectrum, which is typical for quantum-dot material, emission wavelengths from 1290 nm to 1310 nm are covered by the transversal and longitudinal single-mode lasers fabricated from the same single wafer. Thus, these lasers are ideal devices for on-chip wavelength division multiplexing within the original-band according to the IEEE802.3ba standard. 10 Gb/s data transmission across 30 km of single mode fiber is demonstrated. The maximum error-free data rate is found to be 15 Gb/s.
The effects of optical phonon on the binding energy of bound polaron in a wurtzite ZnO/MgxZn1−xO quantum well
Authors: Zhao Feng-Qi , Guo Zi-Zheng , Zhu Jun
Published: July 2014

An improved Lee-Low-Pines intermediate coupling method is used to study the energies and binding energies of bound polarons in a wurtzite ZnO/MgxZn1−xO quantum well. The contributions from different branches of long-wave optical phonons, i.e., confined optical phonons, interface optical phonons, and half-space optical phonons are considered. In addition to electron-phonon interaction, the impurity-phonon interaction, and the anisotropy of material parameters, such as phonon frequency, electron effective mass, and dielectric constant, are also included in our computation. Ground-state energies, binding energies and detailed phonon contributions from various phonons as functions of well width, impurity position and composition are presented. Our result suggests that total phonon contribution to ground state and binding energies in the studied wurtzite ZnO/Mg0.3Zn0.7O quantum wells varies between 28–23 meV and 62–45 meV, respectively, which are much larger than the corresponding values (about 3.2–1.8 meV and 1.6–0.3 meV) in GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As quantum wells. For a narrower quantum well, the phonon contribution mainly comes from interface and half-space phonons, for a wider quantum well, most of phonon contribution originates from confined phonons. The contribution from all the phonon modes to binding energies increases slowly either when impurity moves far away from the well center in the z direction or with the increase in magnesium composition (x). It is found that different phonons have different influences on the binding energies of bound polarons. Furthermore, the phonon contributions to binding energies as functions of well width, impurity position, and composition are very different from one another. In general, the electron-optical phonon interaction and the impurity center-optical phonon interaction play an important role in electronic states of ZnO-based quantum wells and cannot be neglected.
Plasma etching of superconducting Niobium tips for scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Roychowdhury A. , Dana R. , Dreyer M. , Anderson J. R. , Lobb C. J. , Wellstood F. C.
Published: July 2014

We have developed a reproducible technique for the fabrication of sharp superconducting Nb tips for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy. Sections of Nb wire with 250 μm diameter are dry etched in an SF6 plasma in a Reactive Ion Etcher. The gas pressure, etching time, and applied power are chosen to control the ratio of isotropic to anisotropic etch rates and produce the desired tip shape. The resulting tips are atomically sharp, with radii of less than 100 nm, mechanically stable, and superconducting. They generate good STM images and spectroscopy on single crystal samples of Au(111), Au(100), and Nb(100), as well as a doped topological insulator Bi2Se3 at temperatures ranging from 30 mK to 9 K.
Electrical characterization of silver nanowire-graphene hybrid films from terahertz transmission and reflection measurements
Authors: Dadrasnia Ehsan , Garet Frédéric , Lee Dongmok , Coutaz Jean-Louis , Baik Seunghyun , Lamela Horacio
Published: July 2014

We determined the electrical sheet conductivity of silver nanowire-graphene hybrid films from transmission and reflection terahertz time-domain spectroscopy measurements. The sheet resistance extracted from noncontact terahertz measurement is in good agreement with one measured with a classical 4-point-probe technique. The conductivity is well described by a Drude-Smith model and is calculated to peak around 10 THz.
Bioengineering T cells to target carbohydrate to treat opportunistic fungal infection
Authors: Kumaresan Pappanaicken R. , Manuri Pallavi R. , Albert Nathaniel D. , Maiti Sourindra , Singh Harjeet , Mi Tiejuan , Roszik Jason , Rabinovich Brian , Olivares Simon , Krishnamurthy Janani , Zhang Ling , Najjar Amer M. , Huls M. Helen , Lee Dean A. , Champlin Richard E. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Cooper Laurence J. N.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Patients with compromised T-cell function are at risk for opportunistic fungal infections. We have developed a novel approach to restore immunity by using a fungal pattern-recognition receptor Dectin-1 to redirect T-cell specificity to carbohydrate antigen in the fungal cell wall. We did so by genetically modifying T cells using the nonviral
Sleeping Beauty
gene-transfer system to enforce expression of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that recapitulates the specificity of Dectin-1 (D-CAR). The D-CAR
+
T cells can be electroporated and propagated on artificial activating and propagating cells in a manner suitable for human application, enabling this immunology to be translated into immunotherapy. This approach has implications for genetically modifying T cells to express CARs with specificity for carbohydrate and thus broadening their application in the investigational treatment of pathogens and malignancies.
Astrocyte activation is suppressed in both normal and injured brain by FGF signaling
Authors: Kang Wenfei , Balordi Francesca , Su Nan , Chen Lin , Fishell Gordon , Hébert Jean M.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Most if not all types of insults to the brain, including trauma, stroke, tumor growth, and neurodegeneration, for example, are believed to elicit a complex response involving several cell types. Central to this response is the activation of astrocytes. Although many proinflammatory molecules activate astrocytes, few factors are known to suppress their activation. Here we show that disrupting one particular signal specifically in adult astrocytes in the normal or injured neocortex leads to an increase in astrocyte activation. Conversely, increasing this signal after injury suppresses their activation. Therefore, at least one suppressor of astrocyte activation exists. Of potential therapeutic interest, disrupting this suppressor in astrocytes after injury results in smaller scars without affecting neuron survival.
Intramuscular injection of α-synuclein induces CNS α-synuclein pathology and a rapid-onset motor phenotype in transgenic mice
Authors: Sacino Amanda N. , Brooks Mieu , Thomas Michael A. , McKinney Alex B. , Lee Sooyeon , Regenhardt Robert W. , McGarvey Nicholas H. , Ayers Jacob I. , Notterpek Lucia , Borchelt David R. , Golde Todd E. , Giasson Benoit I.
Published: July 2014

Significance

α-Synuclein (αS) inclusions are a hallmark of many progressive neurodegenerative disorders. Previously, intracerebral injection of exogenous preformed fibrillar αS in mouse models was shown to induce neuronal αS aggregation—a finding that has been interpreted as a prion-like mechanism. We now show that αS inclusion pathology can be induced in the brain and spinal cord of αS transgenic mice by a single peripheral intramuscular injection of αS. The formation of αS inclusions occurred concurrently with the presentation of a motor impairment in mice expressing mutant Ala53Thr human αS. This new model of robust and predictable induction of αS pathology will be especially valuable to further study the pathogenic mechanisms and assessment of therapeutic interventions.
Functional regionalization of the teleost cerebellum analyzed in vivo
Authors: Matsui Hideaki , Namikawa Kazuhiko , Babaryka Andreas , Köster Reinhard W.
Published: July 2014

Significance

We have resolved an efferent connection map of the zebrafish cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), showing that the PC efferents represent one of the highest conserved circuitries throughout vertebrates. Moreover, by physiological characterization and functional interrogation using optogenetics in freely moving zebrafish, we have identified distinct PC regions responsible for controlling specific but different stereotypic behaviors. This finding indicates that the output of the cerebellar PC layer is topographically organized and shows that zebrafish can serve to unveil the highly sought structure–physiology–function relationships in the vertebrate brain directly in vivo.
Unusual kinetics of thermal decay of dim-light photoreceptors in vertebrate vision
Authors: Guo Ying , Sekharan Sivakumar , Liu Jian , Batista Victor S. , Tully John C. , Yan Elsa C. Y.
Published: July 2014

Significance

For vertebrates to have sensitive vision in dim light, any background signals in the dark must be minimal, i.e., thermal reactions of the visual pigment rhodopsin must be very slow. Through discovery of an unprecedented temperature dependence of the thermal reactions of rhodopsin, with associated theoretical modeling, this study has provided a quantitative measure of the contribution to the thermal stability of rhodopsin from the rigid hydrogen bond-stabilized structure of the native protein. These findings may have implications to progressive retinal degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and to molecular evolution of vertebrate visual pigments. The added stabilization provided by the hydrogen bonding network may prove to be a general feature in a wide variety of proteins.
Ancient translation factor is essential for tRNA-dependent cysteine biosynthesis in methanogenic archaea
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Nakamura Akiyoshi , Nakazawa Yuto , Asano Nozomi , Ford Kara A. , Hohn Michael J. , Tanaka Isao , Yao Min , Söll Dieter
Published: July 2014

Significance

Translation requires aminoacyl-tRNAs that are mainly formed by acylating tRNAs with the corresponding amino acids. Methanogenic archaea synthesize Cys-tRNA in an unusual indirect fashion. They attach a precursor amino acid, phosphoserine, to tRNA
Cys
, which is then converted to cysteine. This study shows that the indirect Cys-tRNA formation is carried out in a multienzyme complex assembled by a translation factor. Complex formation markedly promotes reaction efficiency. Because the indirect Cys-tRNA formation is the ancestral pathway of Cys biosynthesis in archaea, this complex may represent a remnant of a primordial machinery for Cys coding.
Food Safety
Authors: Chassy Bruce M.
Published: July 2014

Most consumers expect the food they eat to be safe. This concern is not lost on governments around the world, which explains why there are numerous laws and regulations intended to ensure food safety. There are many misconceptions about food safety, such as the belief that organic foods are safer than conventional food products. This article examines food safety, first by considering the factors that explain why genetically modified (GM) crops as well as the foods and feeds produced from them, are assumed to be as safe as any other food. It provides an overview of the history of the use of recombinant DNA in food crops and the production of transgenic crops. It then looks at the scientific food-safety risk assessment of crops produced using biotechnology. It also discusses food safety in relation to proteins in food, as well as food allergy and allergens. Finally, it reviews the results of animal studies designed to demonstrate the safety of GM crops and the politics underlying such studies.
Colonial and Post-colonial Archaeologies
Authors: Hingley Richard
Published: July 2014

This chapter explores the colonial contexts in which the theories and practices of archaeology emerged. It explores how archaeology has contributed to the intellectualization of colonialism and the transformation in academic traditions that have occurred over the past 30 years. A number of problems with the idea that archaeology is now ‘post-colonial’ are raised—issues that relate to the economics and politics of the contemporary world. The chapter explore how issues of theory, funding, and academic networking continue pre-existing relations of inequality that are inherited from former colonial situations. It is difficult to resolve these issues without first changing the geopolitics of the world. As a result, it is argued that archaeologists need to maintain a critical focus on the theories, methods, and practices that they adopt in creating knowledge about the past.
The History of Historical-Comparative Methods in Sociology
Authors: Demetriou Chares , Roudometof Victor
Published: July 2014

This chapter offers an overview of the historical trajectory of comparative-historical sociology while focusing on the issue of development of specific methodological approaches. The legacy of sociology’s founding fathers is discussed first, followed by an overview of the post-World War II US-based academic research program that led to the institutional organization and academic acceptance of the specialty. The chapter then offers an assessment of effect of the cultural turn to historical sociology by addressing the themes of temporality and narrative. It argues that today the field displays a variety of different methodological strategies or perspectives and that this tolerance toward varied methodologies is likely to be a permanent feature. It concludes with an assessment of those new or emerging areas that seem to offer room for further research.
Apocalypse and Empire
Authors: Friesen Steven J.
Published: July 2014

The book of Revelation is believed to be infused with anti-Roman sentiment, and the politics of Revelation has been discussed in a variety of ways by specialists for nearly 2,000 years. During the late twentieth century, “empire” emerged as a crucial term in the interpretation of John’s Apocalypse. This chapter explores the relationship between apocalypse and empire, with reference to imperial Rome. After discussing several important trends in Revelation studies in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, it considers the ways in which empire functioned within recent interpretations. It examines whether Revelation was a response to Roman imperialism and persecution as well as the experience of harassment, torture, and execution, and whether Revelation was subversive.
Deconstructing Apocalyptic Literalist Allegory
Authors: Runions Erin
Published: July 2014

Drawing on deconstructive literary theory, this chapter explores how apocalyptic allegories suppress their literary production; it focuses on the emergence of an increasingly popular form of “literalist allegory” whereby the transcendent truth of present political events are allegorically provided by apocalyptic texts. As an example, it explores the connection made between Osama bin Laden and the Whore of Babylon at the time of his death. Turning back to the literary features of Revelation 17–18, the Whore’s evil is shown to be constructed through the juxtaposition of incompatible social roles and affects, including those of the intended audience; like the empire the figure is meant to criticize, both self and other are subsumed by it. The same subreptive structure is shown to be at work in the literalist allegory that equates bin Laden and the Whore.
Apocalypticism and Radicalism
Authors: Rowland Christopher
Published: July 2014

This chapter looks at several historical examples of apocalyptic radicalism in relation to apocalyptic literature, including the trial of Anne Hutchinson in New England in 1637 and Gerrard Winstanley’s interpretation of Daniel 7. Other examples include apocalypticism in the English Revolution involving Mary Cary, Anna Trapnel, and Winstanley. The chapter also focuses on Joachim of Fiore, one of the most significant figures in the history of apocalypticism; Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican preacher, Sandro Botticelli, an early Renaissance painter; German theologian Thomas Müntzer; Joanna Southcott, Richard Brothers, and William Blake. Finally, it considers the apostle Paul in relation to apocalypticism and radical theology in recent theology and philosophy.
Apocalypse and Trauma
Authors: Daschke Dereck
Published: July 2014

As a remarkably mutable cultural form, apocalypticism raises a number of questions about what apocalypse is and why it has affected people throughout the ages. Taking root in the ancient Near East, apocalyptic literature was promulgated in the scripture of Jews and Christians. Apocalypticism extends the implications and expectations of the genre of apocalypse into social, psychological, and cultural areas. In particular, it is linked to remaking a world shattered by unexpected, unexplained pain and disillusionment, also known as trauma. This chapter examines the relationship between traumatic experience and apocalyptic thought, as well as the relationship between apocalypses and nostalgia. It discusses the connection between national disaster and trauma in the context of the death of one’s nation or community, and how trauma relates to apocalyptic violence.
Efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy on alcohol use disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dieperink Eric , Fuller Bret , Isenhart Carl , McMaken Kelly , Lenox Rebecca , Pocha Christine , Thuras Paul , Hauser Peter
Published: July 2014

Aims

To determine the efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) on alcohol use in patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Design

Randomized, single‐blind, controlled trial comparing MET to a control education condition with 6‐month follow‐up.

Setting

Patients were recruited from hepatitis clinics at the Minneapolis, Minnesota and Portland, Oregon Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, USA.

Participants and Intervention

Patients with HCV, an AUD and continued alcohol use (n = 139) were randomized to receive either MET (n = 70) or a control education condition (n = 69) over 3 months.

Measurements

Data were self‐reported percentage of days abstinent from alcohol and number of standard alcohol drinks per week 6 months after randomization.

Findings

At baseline, subjects in MET had 34.98% days abstinent, which increased to 73.15% at 6 months compared to 34.63 and 59.49% for the control condition. Multi‐level models examined changes in alcohol consumption between MET and control groups. Results showed a significant increase in percentage of days abstinent overall (F(1120.4) = 28.04, P < 0.001) and a significant group × time effect (F(1119.9) = 5.23, P = 0.024) with the MET group showing a greater increase in percentage of days abstinent at 6 months compared with the education control condition. There were no significant differences between groups for drinks per week. The effect size of the MET intervention was moderate (0.45) for percentage of days abstinent.

Conclusion

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) appears to increase the percentage of days abstinent in patients with chronic hepatitis C, alcohol use disorders and ongoing alcohol use.
Adolescent alcohol use: a reflection of national drinking patterns and policy?
Authors: Bendtsen Pernille , Damsgaard Mogens Trab , Huckle Taisia , Casswell Sally , Kuntsche Emmanuel , Arnold Petra , de Looze Margreet E. , Hofmann Felix , Hublet Anne , Simons‐Morton Bruce , ter Bogt Tom , Holstein Bjørn E.
Published: July 2014

Aims

To analyse how adolescent drunkenness and frequency of drinking were associated with adult drinking patterns and alcohol control policies.

Design, Setting and Participants

Cross‐sectional survey data on 13‐ and 15‐year‐olds in 37 countries who participated in the Health Behaviour in School‐Aged Children (HBSC) Study in 2010 (n = 144 788) were linked to national‐level indicators on alcohol control policies and adult drinking patterns.

Measurements

Outcome measures were self‐reported weekly drinking and life‐time drunkenness (drunk once or more). Data were analysed using multi‐level logistic regression models.

Findings

In the mutually adjusted models, adolescent drunkenness was associated significantly with high adult alcohol consumption [odds ratio (OR) = 3.15 among boys, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.13–4.64, OR girls = 2.44, CI = 1.57–3.80] and risky drinking patterns in the adult population (OR boys = 2.02, CI = 1.33–3.05, OR girls = 1.61, CI = 1.18–2.18). The level of abstainers in the adult population was also associated significantly with girls' drunkenness; a 10% increase in the number of abstainers in a country reduced the odds of drunkenness with 21% (OR = 0.79, CI = 0.68–0.90). Weekly drinking was associated significantly with weak restrictions on availability (OR boys = 2.82, CI = 1.74–4.54, OR girls = 2.00, CI = 1.15–3.46) and advertising (OR boys = 1.56, CI = 1.02–2.40, OR girls = 1.79, CI = 1.10–2.94).

Conclusions

Comparing data cross‐nationally, high levels of adult alcohol consumption and limited alcohol control policies are associated with high levels of alcohol use among adolescents.
Colour difference of subcutaneous fat and palmar fat pad in open carpal tunnel release
Authors: Ling Ferraby , Paul Eldho , Furzer Russell
Published: July 2014

Background

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression neuropathy of the extremity. The most frequent occurring post‐operative complication of open carpal tunnel release is the incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament. A constant pad of palmar fat pad has been found to provide a reliable indicator of the distal extent of the surgical decompression of the transverse carpal ligament. We investigated the colour difference between subcutaneous fat and palmar fat pad.

Methods

This is a prospective case series of 15 patients undergoing open carpal tunnel release. Digital images of the patients' subcutaneous and palmar fat were taken. The colour of each type of fat was described in a device independent, objective manner using the CIELab colour space. The colour difference was measured using ΔE, the Euclidean distance between the CIELab coordinates of the colours. Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to compare colour character differences between subcutaneous and palmar fat. The colour difference, ΔE, was assessed and reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

There is a visually detectable colour difference between subcutaneous and palmar fat. The minimum ΔE was 4.45. The mean ΔE was 13.03 (95% CI 9.79–16.27). The palmar fat pad is more yellow than the subcutaneous fat (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Our findings can assist in the identification of the palmar fat pad to ensure safer and a complete release of the transverse carpal ligament in carpal tunnel release.
Valnoctamide, a non‐teratogenic amide derivative of valproic acid, inhibits arachidonic acid activationin vitroby recombinant acyl‐CoA synthetase‐4
Authors: Modi Hiren R , Basselin Mireille , Rapoport Stanley I
Published: July 2014

Objective

Valproic acid (VPA), a mood stabilizer used for treating bipolar disorder (BD), uncompetitively inhibits acylation of arachidonic acid (AA) by recombinant AA‐selective acyl‐CoA synthetase 4 (Acsl4) at an enzyme inhibition constant (Ki) of 25 mM. Inhibition may account for VPA's ability to reduce AA turnover in brain phospholipids of unanesthetized rats and to be therapeutic in BD. However, VPA is teratogenic. We tested whether valnoctamide (VCD), a non‐teratogenic amide derivative of a VPA chiral isomer, which had antimanic potency in a phase III BD trial, also inhibits recombinant Acsl4.

Methods

Rat Acsl4‐flag protein was expressed inEscherichia coli. We used Michaelis–Menten kinetics to characterize and quantify the ability of VCD to inhibit conversion of AA to AA‐CoA by recombinant Acsl4in vitro.

Results

Acsl4‐mediated activation of AA to AA‐CoA by Acsl4 was inhibited uncompetitively by VCD, with aKiof 6.38 mM.

Conclusions

VCD's ability to uncompetitively inhibit AA activation to AA‐CoA by Acsl4, at a lowerKithan VPA, suggests that, like VPA, VCD may reduce AA turnover in rat brain phospholipids. If so, VCD and other non‐teratogenic Acsl4 inhibitors might be considered further for treating BD.
Region‐specific dysregulation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β and β‐catenin in the postmortem brains of subjects with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Pandey Ghanshyam N , Rizavi Hooriyah S , Tripathi Madhulika , Ren Xinguo
Published: July 2014

Objectives

There is both direct and indirect evidence suggesting abnormalities of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β and β‐catenin, two important components of the Wingless‐type (Wnt) signaling pathway, in the pathophysiology of bipolar illness and possibly schizophrenia (SZ). In order to further clarify the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BP) and SZ, we studied GSK‐3β and β‐catenin in the postmortem brains of subjects with these disorders.

Methods

We determined the protein expression of GSK‐3β, phosphorylated form at serine 9 position (pGSK‐3‐ser‐9), and β‐catenin using the western blot technique, and mRNA using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method, in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cingulate gyrus (CG), and temporal cortex (TEMP) obtained from 19 subjects with BP, 20 subjects with SZ, and 20 normal control (NC) subjects.

Results

We found that the protein expression of GSK‐3β, pGSK‐3β‐ser‐9, and β‐catenin was significantly decreased in the DLPFC and TEMP, but not in the CG, of subjects with BP compared with NC subjects. The mRNA expression of GSK‐3β and β‐catenin was significantly decreased in the DLPFC and TEMP, but not in the CG, of subjects with BP compared with NC subjects. There were no significant differences in the protein or mRNA expression of GSK‐3β, pGSK‐3β‐ser‐9, or β‐catenin between subjects with SZ and NC subjects in any of the brain areas studied.

Conclusions

These studies show region‐specific abnormalities of both protein and mRNA expression of GSK‐3β and β‐catenin in postmortem brains of subjects with BP but not subjects with SZ. Thus, abnormalities of the Wnt signaling pathway may be associated with the pathophysiology of bipolar illness.
The growth of larval cod and haddock in the Irish Sea: a model with temperature, prey size and turbulence forcing
Authors: Pitois Sophie G. , Armstrong Mike
Published: July 2014

We applied a physiological individual‐based model for the foraging and growth of cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) larvae, using observed temperature and prey fields data from the Irish Sea, collected during the 2006 spawning season. We used the model to estimate larval growth and survival and explore the different productivities of the cod and haddock stocks encountered in the Irish Sea. The larvae of both species showed similar responses to changes in environmental conditions (temperature, wind, prey availability, daylight hours) and better survival was predicted in the western Irish Sea, covering the spawning ground for haddock and about half of that for cod. Larval growth was predicted to be mostly prey‐limited, but exploration of stock recruitment data suggests that other factors are important to ensure successful recruitment. We suggest that the presence of a cyclonic gyre in the western Irish Sea, influencing the retention and/or dispersal of larvae from their spawning grounds, and the increasing abundance of clupeids adding predatory pressure on the eggs and larvae; both may play a key role. These two processes deserve more attention if we want to understand the mechanisms behind the recruitment of cod and haddock in the Irish Sea. For the ecosystem‐based management approach, there is a need to achieve a greater understanding of the interactions between species on the scale a fish stock is managed, and to work toward integrated fisheries management in particular when considering the effects of advection from spawning grounds and prey–predator reversal on the recovery of depleted stocks.
Benign glandular downgrowth in gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms: a potential mimic of composite tumour
Authors: Ramineni Maheshwari , Taggart Melissa W , Rashid Asif , Abraham Susan C
Published: July 2014

Aims

We have observed glandular downgrowth in some gastric neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), in which nonneoplastic appearing gastric glands are admixed with submucosal neuroendocrine nests, that could potentially be confused with composite tumours.

Methods and results

We reviewed 68 gastric NETs with at least submucosal invasion, and evaluated associations between glandular downgrowth, clinical parameters (age, gender, NET setting) and tumour characteristics (size, depth of invasion, grade). Controls included 45 duodenal NETs. Glandular downgrowth was present in 28 (41%) gastric NETs but only 2 (4.4%) duodenal NETs (P < 0.0001). It was not related to age, gender, hypergastrinemia (downgrowth present in 43% of NETs arising in autoimmune gastritis, 41% of Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, 36% of sporadic NETs), tumour size, depth of invasion, or grade. Glandular downgrowth was confined to the submucosa even though 12 (18%) gastric NETs invaded muscularis propria. Submucosal gastric glands (pyloric type in 79%, intestinal in 50%, fundic in 29%) showed metaplastic changes similar to overlying mucosa, were usually mitotically inactive (64% of cases lacked mitotic figures), were geographically restricted to the NET, and never metastasized.

Conclusions

Our findings support the frequent occurrence and nonneoplastic nature of glandular downgrowth in gastric NETs, which should not be mistaken for composite tumours.
Prophylactic antibiotic regimen and dental implant failure: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Chrcanovic B. R. , Albrektsson T. , Wennerberg A.
Published: July 2014

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to investigate whether there are any positive effects of prophylactic antibiotic regimen on implant failure rates and post‐operative infection when performing dental implant treatment in healthy individuals. An electronic search without time or language restrictions was undertaken in March 2014. Eligibility criteria included clinical human studies, either randomised or not. The search strategy resulted in 14 publications. The I2 statistic was used to express the percentage of the total variation across studies due to heterogeneity. The inverse variance method was used with a fixed‐ or random‐effects model, depending on the heterogeneity. The estimates of relative effect were expressed in risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval. Six studies were judged to be at high risk of bias, whereas one study was considered at moderate risk, and six studies were considered at low risk of bias. The test for overall effect showed that the difference between the procedures (use versus non‐use of antibiotics) significantly affected the implant failure rates (P = 0·0002), with a RR of 0·55 (95% CI 0·41–0·75). The number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one patient having an implant failure was 50 (95% CI 33–100). There were no apparent significant effects of prophylactic antibiotics on the occurrence of post‐operative infections in healthy patients receiving implants (P = 0·520). A sensitivity analysis did not reveal difference when studies judged as having high risk of bias were not considered. The results have to be interpreted with caution due to the presence of several confounding factors in the included studies.
Retrospective review of dog bite injuries in children presenting to a South Australian tertiary children's hospital emergency department
Authors: Chiam Su C , Solanki Nicholas S , Lodge Michelle , Higgins Malcolm , Sparnon Anthony L
Published: July 2014

Aim

To describe the characteristics, circumstances and consequences of dog bite injuries in children in order to inform the discourse concerning preventative approaches.

Method

A retrospective review of children presenting to the emergency department (ED) of the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) in South Australia between the years 2009 and 2011 was performed.

Results

A total of 277 children presented to the WCH with dog bite injuries between 2009 and 2011. Of those, 141(51.0%) were referred for admission. Injury rates were highest in those aged 0–4, declining thereafter with age. In the 0–4 year age group, 89.5% of children presented after being bitten by a familiar dog with 92.5% occurring at home. The head/neck region constituted the most common location for injuries. We found that 67.5% of dog bite injuries were provoked and occurred between the child and a familiar dog (78.0%). Dogs from the bull terrier group (20.0%) and Jack Russell Terriers (11.0%) were the two most documented breeds. Almost half of the children presenting during the specified timeframe required at least one operation under a general anaesthetic. Two children were referred to a psychologist for management of post‐traumatic stress.

Conclusion

Dog bite injuries are common in children and often require admission for inpatient care. This presents as a significant public health burden. For this reason, prevention initiatives need to be implemented on an ongoing basis.
Increased levels of UCHL1 are a compensatory response to disrupted ubiquitin homeostasis in spinal muscular atrophy and do not represent a viable therapeutic target
Authors: Powis Rachael A. , Mutsaers Chantal A. , Wishart Thomas. M. , Hunter Gillian , Wirth Brunhilde , Gillingwater Thomas H.
Published: July 2014

Aim

Levels of ubiquitin carboxyl‐terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) are robustly increased in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patient fibroblasts and mouse models. We therefore wanted to establish whether changes in UCHL1 contribute directly to disease pathogenesis, and to assess whether pharmacological inhibition of UCHL1 represents a viable therapeutic option for SMA.

Methods

SMA mice and control littermates received a pharmacological UCHL1 inhibitor (LDN‐57444) or DMSO vehicle. Survival and weight were monitored daily, a righting test of motor performance was performed, and motor neurone loss, muscle fibre atrophy and neuromuscular junction pathology were all quantified. Ubiquitin‐like modifier activating enzyme 1 (Uba1) was then pharmacologically inhibited in neurones in vitro to examine the relationship between Uba1 levels and UCHL1 in SMA.

Results

Pharmacological inhibition of UCHL1 failed to improve survival, motor symptoms or neuromuscular pathology in SMA mice and actually precipitated the onset of weight loss. LDN‐57444 treatment significantly decreased spinal cord mono‐ubiquitin levels, further exacerbating ubiquitination defects in SMA mice. Pharmacological inhibition of Uba1, levels of which are robustly reduced in SMA, was sufficient to induce accumulation of UCHL1 in primary neuronal cultures.

Conclusion

Pharmacological inhibition of UCHL1 exacerbates rather than ameliorates disease symptoms in a mouse model of SMA. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of UCHL1 is not a viable therapeutic target for SMA. Moreover, increased levels of UCHL1 in SMA likely represent a downstream consequence of decreased Uba1 levels, indicative of an attempted supportive compensatory response to defects in ubiquitin homeostasis caused by low levels of SMN protein.
Gate control: guard cell regulation by microbial stress
Authors: McLachlan Deirdre H. , Kopischke Michaela , Robatzek Silke
Published: July 2014

Terrestrial plants rely on stomata, small pores in the leaf surface, for photosynthetic gas exchange and transpiration of water. The stomata, formed by a pair of guard cells, dynamically increase and decrease their volume to control the pore size in response to environmental cues. Stresses can trigger similar or opposing movements: for example, drought induces closure of stomata, whereas many pathogens exploit stomata and cause them to open to facilitate entry into plant tissues. The latter is an active process as stomatal closure is part of the plant's immune response. Stomatal research has contributed much to clarify the signalling pathways of abiotic stress, but guard cell signalling in response to microbes is a relatively new area of research. In this article, we discuss present knowledge of stomatal regulation in response to microbes and highlight common points of convergence, and differences, compared to stomatal regulation by abiotic stresses. We also expand on the mechanisms by which pathogens manipulate these processes to promote disease, for example by delivering effectors to inhibit closure or trigger opening of stomata. The study of pathogen effectors in stomatal manipulation will aid our understanding of guard cell signalling.

Contents

Summary
1049

I.
Introduction
1049

II.
Stimulus‐induced closure
1050

III.
Pathogen interference with stomatal control
1055

IV.
Membrane dynamics during stomatal responses
1057

V.
Conclusions and outlook
1058

Acknowledgements
1059

References
1059
How does solar ultraviolet‐B radiation improve drought tolerance of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) seedlings?
Authors: ROBSON T. MATTHEW , HARTIKAINEN SAARA M. , APHALO PEDRO J.
Published: July 2014

We hypothesized that solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation would protect silver birch seedlings from the detrimental effects of water stress through a coordinated suite of trait responses, including morphological acclimation, improved control of water loss through gas exchange and hydraulic sufficiency. To better understand how this synergetic interaction works, plants were grown in an experiment under nine treatment combinations attenuating ultraviolet‐A and ultraviolet‐B (UVB) from solar radiation together with differential watering to create water‐deficit conditions. In seedlings under water deficit, UV attenuation reduced height growth, leaf production and leaf length compared with seedlings receiving the full spectrum of solar radiation, whereas the growth and morphology of well‐watered seedlings was largely unaffected by UV attenuation. There was an interactive effect of the treatment combination on water relations, which was more apparent as a change in the water potential at which leaves wilted or plants died than through differences in gas exchange. This suggests that changes occur in the cell wall elastic modulus or accumulation of osmolites in cells under UVB. Overall, the strong negative effects of water deficit are partially ameliorated by solar UV radiation, whereas well‐watered silver birch seedlings are slightly disadvantaged by the solar UV radiation they receive.
Usability Elements as Benchmarking Criteria for Enterprise Architecture Methodologies
Authors: Bijarchian Amir , Ali Rosmah
Published: July 2014

An Enterprise Architecture (EA) serves as a blueprint to deal with the complexity within an organisation. Information Technology architects implement EA by utilizing the EA methodologies and frameworks. Although there are many methodologies and frameworks in enterprise architecture, each of them does not completely address all enterprise issues. The qualitative characteristics of the EA methodologies should be evaluated before implementing the EA in the organization, otherwise the organization might fail to achieve the organizational goals, cause confusion in the business process, and waste a lot of resources. One of the qualitative characteristics is usability, which should be evaluated in EA frameworks as an essential element of the whole system. The purpose of this study is to detail out the usability elements in EA methodologies.
Generalized Chebyshev Highpass Filter based on Suspended Stripline Structure (SSS) for Wideband Applications
Authors: Zakaria Z. , Mutalib M. A. , Isa M. S. M. , Haron N. Z. , Latiff A. A. , Zainuddin N. A. , Sam W. Y.
Published: July 2014

This paper presents the method to transform generalized Chebyshev lowpass filter prototype to highpass filter based on Suspended Stripline Structure (SSS) technology. The study involves circuit analysis to determine generalized Chebyshev responses with a transmission zero at finite frequency. The transformation of the highpass filter from the lowpass filter prototype produces a cutoff frequency of 3.1 GHz with a return loss better than -20 dB. The design is simulated and measured on a Roger Duroid RO4350 with a dielectric constant, ɛr of 3.48 and a thickness of 0.508 mm. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulated results. This class of generalized Chebyshev highpass filter with finite transmission zero would be useful in any RF/ microwave communication systems particularly in wideband applications where the reduction of overall physical volume and weight as well as cost very important, while maintaining its excellent performance.
Electrospun Conditions of Poly(vinyl chloride) Nanofibrous Membrane Plasticized with Polyurethane
Authors: Phatcharasit Kritsada , Taweepreda Wirach , Boonkerd Kanoktip , Kim Jin-Kuk
Published: July 2014

Electrospun poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanofibrous were prepared by electrospinning. Various concentration of polyurethane (PU) were added to PVC solution for plasticization of the electrospun nanofibrous. The pristine and plasticized nanofibrous were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), differencial thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), respectively. Thermal properties form DTA and TGA results indicated that the addition of PU decreased glass transition temperature (Tg) of PVC and increased heat resistance of PVC nanofiber. The dielectric constant of plasticized nanofibrous measured using precision LCR meter indicated that the membrane were dense.
Competitive Performance by a New Non-Transitions Metal Doped Cathodic Material LiCo0.7Ni0.2Al0.09Mg0.01O2 for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: V. Sethuprakhash , R. Mustapha, , H. R. Shaari,
Published: July 2014

Lithium cobalt nickel oxide cathodes had been doped with various metals in recent years to obtain a competitive high performance cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Cathodes doped with Al and Mg were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. Structural investigation of this material was done using XRD.  Galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry were studied in order to outline the electrical performance of LiCo0.7Ni0.2Al0.09Mg0.01O2, LiCo0.7Ni0.2Al0.06Mg0.04O2 and LiCo0.7Ni0.2Al0.03Mg0.07O2 materials in lithium-ion batteries. Electrical impedance was done on all the materials and it gave decreasing conductivities with increasing temperature. The activation energies had negative values with increased magnesium content of the material. Larger conductivity variation with temperature was seen in the material with the higher magnesium content. Voltammographs of these materials showed good oxidation and reduction loops. Charge/discharge curve for LiCo0.7Ni0.2Al0.09Mg0.01O2 material showed about 96 mAh/g of discharge capacity for the first cycle.
Analytical Model to Establish the Thermal Conductivity of Porous Structure
Authors: Mao C. H. , Othuman Mydin M. A. , Que X. B.
Published: July 2014

The presented research paper deals with analytical method to determine the thermal conductivity of porous material (intumescent coating) where the main objective is to assess whether it is possible to treat the voids in intumescent coating as having a uniform diameter. Considering the nature of intumescent coating, the mechanisms of its fire retardant properties are expansion and heat absorption. A predictive model should therefore include prediction of expansion behaviour, energy and mass conservation based on both physical and chemical behaviour, and also thermal conductivity of the coating. A 3-D analytical model will be developed to determine the thermal conductivity of intumescent coating. Finite Element simulations using ABAQUS also will be performed to assess the influence of different pore size distributions. The results of this numerical study indicate that, given the same porosity, the overall thermal conductivity of the porous structure is very close to that with uniform distribution of pores of the dominant size. This strongly suggests that, given the difficulty of obtaining precise pore size distribution, it is reasonable to treat an intumescent coating as having a uniform distribution of pores of the same size.
Reviewing the Role of Technology Change Management in Implementing Advance Manufacturing Technology: Automating the Shop Floor
Authors: Andrabi Syed Shamim , Alhalki Marwan , Ghazali Mohd Zulkifli
Published: July 2014

The industrial manufacturing revolution has shown a rapid growth in past two decades and the future is expected to be characterized by more innovative and advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) growth. The advanced manufacturing technology did not only change manufacturing process techniques but also changed the role of engineers and management in an automated shop floor. The automation has improved the quality and productivity by reducing man power intervention. This paper will discuss some important trends in industrial manufacturing and the role of AMT. Furthermore, this paper will present a conceptual framework to link shop floor automation directly to the different operational departments of the firm. The concept is helpful to take immediate action for occurring of any criticality or error in the advance manufacturing technology. To achieve high manufacturing prosperity, active and proper intervention of management is quite important and if the management is linked well to the shop floor, it makes the shop floor fully automated.