bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient out‐of‐GPU memory strategies for solving matrix equation generated by method of moments
Authors: Topa T.
Published: September 2015

The numerical solution of the dense linear complex valued system of equations generated by the method of moments (MoMs) generally proceeds by factoring the impedance matrix into LU decomposition. Depending on available hardware resources, the LU algorithm can be executed either on sequential or parallel computers. A straightforward parallel implementation of LU factorisation does not yield a well distributed workload, and therefore it is the computationally most expensive step of the MoMs process, especially when adapting to the GPU technology. Some performance improvement of LU decomposition can be achieved by applying a hybrid approach to the parallel processing model. In this reported work, the problem of accelerating an out‐of‐core‐like LU solver on a heterogeneous low‐cost single GPU/CPU computing platform is addressed. For this, a variable panel‐width tuning scheme combined with a hybrid panel‐based LU decomposition method is employed, which is something of a novelty in the development of dense linear algebra software. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach some numerical results are provided.
Observer‐based direct adaptive fuzzy control for single‐input single‐output non‐linear systems with unknown gain sign
Authors: Shi Wuxi
Published: September 2015

This study presents an observer‐based direct adaptive fuzzy control for a class of uncertain single‐input single‐output non‐linear systems with unknown gain sign. A state observer is designed to estimate the unmeasured state, the direct adaptive fuzzy controller is designed in the presence of only system output is available for measurement, and the parameter adaptive laws are updated by fuzzy basis functions rather than by its filtering. A robust controller is designed to compensate for the lumped errors, and a Nussbaum gain function is incorporated in the robust controller to estimate the unknown gain sign. The proposed scheme guarantees that all of the signals in the resulting closed‐loop systems are bounded and that the tracking errors converge asymptotically to zero. A simulation example is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
High‐performance high dynamic range image generation by inverted local patterns
Authors: Hsia Shih‐Chang , Kuo Ting‐Tseng
Published: September 2015

This study presents an image processing algorithm capable of generating high dynamic range (HDR) images from a single frame. On the basis of liquid crystal display (LCD) backlight theory, the proposed algorithm uses an inverted local pattern approach to adjust the histogram of lighting distribution. To improve processing efficiency, sampled images are classified into three types according to exposure characteristics, which are used to obtain suitable processing factor. The inverting factor is mixed with the original sample to darken the bright areas and brighten the dark areas in the images. Brightness enhancement and auto‐gain control are then added to expand the range of the grey levels. Authors’ results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed HDR algorithm in improving shadow details. In addition, single‐pass processing is used to reduce computational complexity, making the algorithm applicable for low‐power portable cameras and video recorders.
Accuracy improvement of small‐signal model minimising parameter sensitivity based on de‐embedded sub‐model method at W‐band
Authors: Nguyen Tung The‐Lam , Kim Sam‐Dong
Published: September 2015

A highly reliable small‐signal parameter extraction method for parasitic elements of the 0.1‐µm GaAs metamorphic high electron mobility transistors is presented. De‐embedding scheme for the coplanar waveguide (CPW) feeding structure is utilised in this method in a frequency range of 0.5–110 GHz with an enhancement approach to the correction of source inductance parameter sensitivity derived from oscillating measurements. The parasitic extrinsic capacitances are determined by modelling an ∏ equivalent circuit including the interaction between the sub‐model and the CPW feedings. From this method, the authors achieved the most accurate parameter prediction with an effective fitting error of 10.83% among the small‐signal models reported to date.
Comparative performance analysis of subcarrier assignment for real‐time video traffic
Authors: Benita J. , Jayaparvathy R.
Published: September 2015

The ability to transmit video and carry real‐time multimedia applications such as video‐streaming, video conferencing and mobile TV are considered important to support the viability and survivability of next generation mobile wireless networks. High peak transmission rate, spectral efficiency and multiple channel bandwidth requirements influence the design of next generation networks. For efficient usage of resources a number of block assignment strategies are followed based on congestion of traffic and priority of the service. Efficient block assignment schemes such as dynamic channel assignment (DCA) and dynamic packet Assignment (DPA) have been analysed in the literature. The authors propose a block assignment strategy for video traffic which sends video bursts over multiple blocks of orthogonal frequency division multiplexed access subcarriers simultaneously considering the interference characteristics of the channel. They present an analytical model using stochastic petrinets and compute the performance of the system in terms of mean delay and normalised system throughput. The results are validated using simulations. They compare the performance of the proposed sub‐sequence DPA scheme in terms of mean delay and normalised throughput with DPA and DCA. It is observed that with the proposed strategy there is an increase in normalised throughput by 66 and 57% and reduction in mean delay by 74 and 61% for DCA and DPA, respectively.
Wireless Back‐haul: a software defined network enabled wireless Back‐haul network architecture for future 5G networks
Authors: Niephaus Christian , Aliu Osianoh Glenn , Kretschmer Mathias , Hadzic Senka , Ghinea Gheorghita
Published: September 2015

Recently both academic and industry worlds have started to define the successor of long term evolution, so‐called 5G networks, which will most likely appear by the end of the decade. It is widely accepted that those 5G networks will have to deal with significantly more challenging requirements in terms of provided bandwidth, latency and supported services. This will lead to not only modifications in the access segment and parts of core networks, but will trigger changes throughout the whole network, including the Back‐haul segment. In this work the authors present their vision of a 5G Back‐haul network and identify the associated challenges. They then describe their wireless Back‐haul architecture, which implements software defined network concepts and further extends them into the wireless domain. Finally the authors present a brief overview of their evaluation results.
Higher-order corrections to broadband electrostatic shock noise in auroral zone
Authors: Abdelwahed H. G.
Published: September 2015

Nonlinear shock wave structures in collisionless unmagnetized viscous plasma comprised of fluid of cold electron and nonisothermal hot electrons obeying superthermal electron distribution and ions in stationary state are examined. For nonlinear electron acoustic shock waves, a reductive perturbation method was applied to deduce the Burger equation in terms of first order potential. When the shock wave amplitude was enlarged, the steepness and the velocity of the wave sidetrack from Burger equation. We have to resume our calculations to obtain the Burger-type equation with higher order dissipation. The collective solution for the resulting equations has been given by the renormalization method. The effects of spectral index κ, the ratio of the initial equilibrium density of cold electron to hot electrons β, and the kinematic viscosity coefficient η on the broadband electrostatic shock noise in aurora are also argued.
A note on the cylindrical solitary waves in an electron-acoustic plasma with vortex electron distribution
Authors: Demiray Hilmi , Bayındır Cihan
Published: September 2015

In the present work, we consider the propagation of nonlinear electron-acoustic non-planar waves in a plasma composed of a cold electron fluid, hot electrons obeying a trapped/vortex-like distribution, and stationary ions. The basic nonlinear equations of the above described plasma are re-examined in the cylindrical coordinates through the use reductive perturbation method in the long-wave approximation. The modified cylindrical Korteweg–de Vries equation with fractional power nonlinearity is obtained as the evolution equation. Due to the nature of nonlinearity, which is fractional, this evolution equation cannot be reduced to the conventional Korteweg–de Vries equation. An analytical solution to the evolution equation, by use of the method developed by Demiray [Appl. Math. Comput. 132, 643 (2002); Comput. Math. Appl. 60, 1747 (2010)] and a numerical solution by employing a spectral scheme are presented and the results are depicted in a figure. The numerical results reveal that both solutions are in good agreement.
Characterisation of the fuel and fire environment in southern Ontario’s tallgrass prairie
Authors: Kidnie Susan , Wotton B. Mike
Published: September 2015

Prescribed burning can be an integral part of tallgrass prairie restoration and management. Understanding fire behaviour in this fuel is critical to conducting safe and effective prescribed burns. Our goal was to quantify important physical characteristics of southern Ontario’s tallgrass fuel complex prior to and during prescribed burns and synthesise our findings into useful applications for the prescribed fire community. We found that the average fuel load in tallgrass communities was 0.70 kg m–2. Fuel loads varied from 0.38 to 0.96 kg m–2. Average heat of combustion did not vary by species and was 17 334 kJ kg–1. A moisture content model was developed for fully cured, matted field grass, which was found to successfully predict moisture content of the surface layers of cured tallgrass in spring. We observed 25 head fires in spring-season prescribed burns with spread rates ranging from 4 to 55 m min–1. Flame front residence time averaged 27 s, varying significantly with fuel load but not fire spread rate. A grassland spread rate model from Australia showed the closest agreement with observed spread rates. These results provide prescribed-burn practitioners in Ontario better information to plan and deliver successful burns.
Evaluation of court interpreting
Authors: Lee Jieun
Published: September 2015

The present paper examines the metadiscourse of court interpreting, with a focus on the evaluative language used in relation to interpreting of expert witness testimony. The study explores interactional resources such as hedges, boosters, attitude markers, self-mentions and engagement markers, employed by participants in the interpreter-mediated South Korean courtroom examinations of three English-speaking expert witnesses. Extracts analysed for this paper, involving a total of four interpreters, are taken from two court cases (four extracts each from a civil case, featuring experienced conference interpreters, and a criminal case, with unskilled interpreters). In courtroom settings, where the interpretation of expert testimony is frequently contested, this study demonstrates metadiscursive representation of stance management during professional communication, which is closely linked with facework and rapport management. The analysis indicates that hedging is far more frequently used than boosters, and that various attitude markers and engagement markers are used in evaluating interpretations and ensuring their accuracy. Legal professionals and interpreters alike display their evaluative, affective and epistemic orientation in the interdisciplinary professional discourse, and personal interaction, of the courtroom examinations analysed here.
Investigating rater severity/leniency in interpreter performance testing
Authors: Han Chao
Published: September 2015

Rater-mediated performance assessment (RMPA) is a critical component of interpreter certification testing systems worldwide. Given
the acknowledged rater variability in RMPA and the high-stakes nature of certification testing, it is crucial to ensure rater
reliability in interpreter certification performance testing (ICPT). However, a review of current ICPT practice indicates that
rigorous research on rater reliability is lacking. Against this background, the present study reports on use of multifaceted Rasch
measurement (MFRM) to identify the degree of severity/leniency in different raters’ assessments of simultaneous interpretations
(SIs) by 32 interpreters in an experimental setting. Nine raters specifically trained for the purpose were asked to evaluate four
English-to-Chinese SIs by each of the interpreters, using three 8-point rating scales (information content, fluency, expression).
The source texts differed in speed and in the speaker’s accent (native vs non-native). Rater-generated scores were then subjected
to MFRM analysis, using the FACETS program. The following general trends emerged: 1) homogeneity statistics showed that not all
raters were equally severe overall; and 2) bias analyses showed that a relatively large proportion of the raters had significantly
biased interactions with the interpreters and the assessment criteria. Implications for practical rating arrangements in ICPT, and
for rater training, are discussed.
From mediatized political discourse toThe Hobbit
Authors: Furkó Bálint Péter
Published: September 2015

The present paper argues that the analysis of the functional spectrum of pragmatic markers (PMs) serves as a heuristic tool for studying the interactional dynamics of dialogues in a variety of genres and discourse types, whether naturally-occurring, scripted or literary. By way of arguing my point I will discuss the results of three of my previous case studies aimed at exploring the role of PMs. The case studies, by virtue of the types of discourse they are based on (mediatised political interviews, dramatised/televised conversations and literary texts) reveal different patterns of dialogicity, and complement the analyses of spontaneous everyday conversations, the type of data most of the current PM research draws on. In the course of my analyses I also hope to illustrate that the cross-fertilization between dialogue analysis, PM research and literary pragmatics has a lot to offer to all three disciplines.
Linguistic alignment in L1–L2 dialogue
Authors: Purmohammad Mehdi
Published: September 2015

The aim of this paper is to investigate alignment in L1–L2 dialogue. More specifically, I examine to what extent alignment in L1–L2 is different from alignment in L1–L1 dialogue. I investigate different variables that may affect linguistic alignment in the course of L1–L2 dialogue. As more variables, such as differences in language proficiency of interlocutors, affect the linguistic alignment in L1–L2 dialogue, it appears that linguistic alignment in L1–L2 dialogue is different from linguistic alignment in L1–L1 dialogue both quantitatively and quantitatively. I also discuss the mechanisms that permit lexical alignment during dialogue. This study interprets the alignment process in terms of the activation threshold hypothesis (Paradis 1993) and a link is made between the activation threshold hypothesis and Pickering and Garrods’ (2013) account that language production and language comprehension are interwoven. Based on Swiss multilingualism, language selection is proposed as the macro-linguistic alignment process.
Enhanced dimerization drives ligand-independent activity of mutant epidermal growth factor receptor in lung cancer
Authors: Valley Christopher C. , Arndt-Jovin Donna J. , Karedla Narain , Steinkamp Mara P. , Chizhik Alexey I. , Hlavacek William S. , Wilson Bridget S. , Lidke Keith A. , Lidke Diane S.
Published: September 2015

Mutations within the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/erbB1/Her1) are often associated with tumorigenesis. In particular, a number of EGFR mutants that demonstrate ligand-independent signaling are common in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including kinase domain mutations L858R (also called L834R) and exon 19 deletions (e.g., ΔL747-P753insS), which collectively make up nearly 90% of mutations in NSCLC. The molecular mechanisms by which these mutations confer constitutive activity remain unresolved. Using multiple subdiffraction-limit imaging modalities, we reveal the altered receptor structure and interaction kinetics of NSCLC-associated EGFR mutants. We applied two-color single quantum dot tracking to quantify receptor dimerization kinetics on living cells and show that, in contrast to wild-type EGFR, mutants are capable of forming stable, ligand-independent dimers. Two-color superresolution localization microscopy confirmed ligand-independent aggregation of EGFR mutants. Live-cell Förster resonance energy transfer measurements revealed that the L858R kinase mutation alters ectodomain structure such that unliganded mutant EGFR adopts an extended, dimerization-competent conformation. Finally, mutation of the putative dimerization arm confirmed a critical role for ectodomain engagement in ligand-independent signaling. These data support a model in which dysregulated activity of NSCLC-associated kinase mutants is driven by coordinated interactions involving both the kinase and extracellular domains that lead to enhanced dimerization.
Dendritic spine geometry can localize GTPase signaling in neurons
Authors: Ramirez Samuel A. , Raghavachari Sridhar , Lew Daniel J.
Published: September 2015

Dendritic spines are the postsynaptic terminals of most excitatory synapses in the mammalian brain. Learning and memory are associated with long-lasting structural remodeling of dendritic spines through an actin-mediated process regulated by the Rho-family GTPases RhoA, Rac, and Cdc42. These GTPases undergo sustained activation after synaptic stimulation, but whereas Rho activity can spread from the stimulated spine, Cdc42 activity remains localized to the stimulated spine. Because Cdc42 itself diffuses rapidly in and out of the spine, the basis for the retention of Cdc42 activity in the stimulated spine long after synaptic stimulation has ceased is unclear. Here we model the spread of Cdc42 activation at dendritic spines by means of reaction-diffusion equations solved on spine-like geometries. Excitable behavior arising from positive feedback in Cdc42 activation leads to spreading waves of Cdc42 activity. However, because of the very narrow neck of the dendritic spine, wave propagation is halted through a phenomenon we term geometrical wave-pinning. We show that this can account for the localization of Cdc42 activity in the stimulated spine, and, of interest, retention is enhanced by high diffusivity of Cdc42. Our findings are broadly applicable to other instances of signaling in extreme geometries, including filopodia and primary cilia.
Microenvironment rigidity modulates responses to the HER2 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib via YAP and TAZ transcription factors
Authors: Lin Chun-Han , Pelissier Fanny A. , Zhang Hui , Lakins Jon , Weaver Valerie M. , Park Catherine , LaBarge Mark A.
Published: September 2015

Stiffness is a biophysical property of the extracellular matrix that modulates cellular functions, including proliferation, invasion, and differentiation, and it also may affect therapeutic responses. Therapeutic durability in cancer treatments remains a problem for both chemotherapies and pathway-targeted drugs, but the reasons for this are not well understood. Tumor progression is accompanied by changes in the biophysical properties of the tissue, and we asked whether matrix rigidity modulated the sensitive versus resistant states in HER2-amplified breast cancer cell responses to the HER2-targeted kinase inhibitor lapatinib. The antiproliferative effect of lapatinib was inversely proportional to the elastic modulus of the adhesive substrata. Down-regulation of the mechanosensitive transcription coactivators YAP and TAZ, either by siRNA or with the small-molecule YAP/TEAD inhibitor verteporfin, eliminated modulus-dependent lapatinib resistance. Reduction of YAP in vivo in mice also slowed the growth of implanted HER2-amplified tumors, showing a trend of increasing sensitivity to lapatinib as YAP decreased. Thus we address the role of stiffness in resistance to and efficacy of a HER2 pathway–targeted therapeutic via the mechanotransduction arm of the Hippo pathway.
Salibacterium halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from a salt pan, reclassification of Bacillus qingdaonensis as Salibacterium qingdaonense comb. nov. and Bacillus halochares as Salibacterium halochares comb. nov.
Authors: Vishnuvardhan Reddy Sultanpuram , Thirumala Mothe , Sasikala Chintalapati , Venkata Ramana Chintalapati
Published: September 2015

Two novel Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-endospore-forming bacterial strains, S7T and IB5, were isolated from Khavda, India. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis they were identified as belonging to the class Bacilli, order Bacillales, family Bacillaceae, and were most closely related to Bacillus qingdaonensis CGMCC 1.6134T (97.3 %, sequence similarity), Bacillus halochares LMG 24571T (96.9 %), Bacillus salarius KCTC 3912T (95.6 %) and Bacillus aidingensis DSM 18341T (95.3 %). However, these strains shared only 88.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis DSM 10T, indicating that strains S7T and IB5 might not be members of the genus Bacillus. The DNA–DNA relatedness of these strains with B. qingdaonensis CGMCC 1.6134T was 42.9 ± 0.8. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strains S7T and IB5 contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, while the polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a phospholipid and three unknown lipids. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. anteiso-C15 : 0 was the predominant fatty acid. The results of the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and biochemical tests allowed a clear differentiation of strains S7T and IB5, suggesting that they represent a novel member of the family Bacillaceae, for which the name Salibacterium halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Salibacterium halotolerans is S7T ( = KCTC 33658T = CGMCC 1.15324T). Based on the results of the present study, it is also suggested that B. qingdaonensis and B. halochares should be transferred to this novel genus, as Salibacterium qingdaonense comb. nov. and Salibacterium halochares comb. nov., respectively.
Brain Transcriptional Profiles of Male Alternative Reproductive Tactics and Females in Bluegill Sunfish
Authors: Partridge Charlyn G. , MacManes Matthew D. , Knapp Rosemary , Neff Bryan D.
Published: September 2015

Bluegill sunfish are one of the classic systems for studying male alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) in teleost fishes. In this species, there are two distinct life histories: parental and cuckolder, encompassing three reproductive tactics, parental, satellite, and sneaker. The parental life history is fixed, whereas individuals who enter the cuckolder life history transition from the sneaker to the satellite tactic as they grow. For this study, we used RNAseq to characterize the brain transcriptome of the three male tactics and females during spawning to identify gene categories associated with each tactic and identify potential candidate genes influencing their different spawning behaviors. We found that sneaker males had higher levels of gene differentiation compared to the other two male tactics. Sneaker males also had high expression in ionotropic glutamate receptor genes, specifically AMPA receptors, which may be important for increased working spatial memory while attempting to cuckold parental males at their nests. Larger differences in gene expression also occurred among male tactics than between males and females. We found significant expression differences in several candidate genes that were previously identified in other species with ARTs and suggest a previously undescribed role for cAMP-responsive element modulator (crem) in influencing parental male behaviors during spawning.
U.S. oil company stock returns and currency fluctuations
Authors: Mollick Andre , Nguyen Khoa H
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this is paper is to pay a closer look at the 2008-2009 financial crisis (and its aftermath) and analyzes stock returns of nine major US oil companies as well as the oil and gas sector under daily data from January 1992 to April 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors adopt the arbitrage pricing theory model to examine the relationship between stock returns and their influences including oil price return, yield spreads, and US dollar index return. The authors also provide a test for structural changes in each regression model of return series to capture for multiple breaks. To examine the asymmetric effect of oil price returns on stock returns, the authors separate oil price returns series into two series: positive changes in oil price and negative changes in oil price.

Findings

– The authors find stock returns of oil companies as well as the oil and gas sector are positively affected by oil prices and have stronger effects in the downward direction. Interestingly, The authors find the effects of oil price movements on stock returns increase over time. The authors examine the possibility that investors wishing to hedge against a weakening USD invest in US oil companies and find that more than half of these companies benefit from a weaker USD against the JPY, while all strongly benefit from a weaker USD against major currencies.

Originality/value

– The authors employ daily data for two-decade period including the last global financial crisis. Due to the long-term period covered in this study, sequential Bai-Perron tests are used to detect structural breaks of stock return series. In addition, the data-dependent procedures result in good specifications throughout with white-noise processes in almost all cases.
The effects of reward system on bank credit losses – an agent-based model
Authors: Jonsson Sara
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the design of loan officer reward systems affects bank credit losses caused by commercial clients.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper uses an agent-based model to investigate how the design of reward systems affects bank credit losses. Two different systems are compared: competitive and a cooperative. The model is designed according to the theoretically derived assumption that a cooperative reward system will make agents more likely to share knowledge with each other in the processes of granting and monitoring credit.

Findings

– The results show that a cooperative reward system have potential to reduce bank credit losses. The reduction of errors in evaluating company’s probability of default thus mitigates variations induced by variations in industry, region, and firm-specific returns.

Practical implications

– The findings imply that reward system design should be considered in credit risk management. Further, managerial issues (e.g. reward systems) should be considered in risk modeling.

Originality/value

– The results presented in this paper provide evidence to the value of considering the downside (e.g. loss) when designing reward systems in banks.
Stock returns in Chinese markets and lucky numbered days
Authors: Haggard K. Stephen
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the stock return impact of “lucky” numbered days in markets dominated by Chinese participants. The existence of such patterns might present arbitrage opportunities for investors who do not share a belief in the Chinese system of “lucky” numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

– In univariate and multivariate analyses, the author examines the statistical significance of return differences between “lucky” numbered days and other days. The author examines samples which only consider single digit days and months, and the author also considers samples based on the last digit of the day or month. Based on the findings in these tests, the author designs and tests a trading strategy on the Shenzhen Exchange that produces significant risk-adjusted returns in excess of the buy-and-hold return on the Shenzhen Composite Index.

Findings

– The author shows that “lucky” numbered dates impact stock returns in Chinese markets and demonstrate a “lucky” number date trading strategy for the Shenzhen market that produces risk-adjusted returns in excess of the market return.

Originality/value

– Prior research on home address numbers and stock trading codes shows that, in markets dominated by Chinese participants, assets with identifiers containing numbers defined byFeng Shuias “lucky” sell at a premium and assets with identifiers containing “unlucky” numbers sell at a discount. In such markets, prices are more likely to end in a “lucky” number than an “unlucky” number. Chinese firms also tend to price their shares at IPO using “lucky” numbers and avoiding “unlucky” numbers. The author extends this literature to examine whether dates containing “lucky” and “unlucky” numbers experience stock returns significantly different than other days on Chinese stock exchanges.
Molecular evolution of aquaporins and silicon influx in plants
Authors: Deshmukh Rupesh , Bélanger Richard R.
Published: September 2015

Silicon (Si), although mostly ignored by plant nutritionists and ecologists, is now gaining more attention because of its beneficial role in plant fitness under stress environment imposed by a diverse range of biotic and abiotic factors. Si appears to systematically confer benefits to plants as long as a given species can absorb the element. Here, we review recent developments regarding the molecular mechanisms, evolution, regulation and structural specificity of influx transporter proteins involved in Si uptake by plants.

Si absorption is facilitated by specific nodulin 26‐like intrinsic proteins (NIPs). The Si transporter NIPs have evolved a unique amino acid selective filter (SF), which is one of the required features to regulate the influx of Si. While Si accumulation in plants requires the dual action of both an influx transporter and an efflux transporter, it appears that the presence of the former is the indispensable key for a plant to be able to absorb Si.

Based on sequence analyses and comparisons, influx transporters appear to have conserved features across all species that allow to discriminate between plants that are Si competent or not. While it is unclear how and why plants have acquired or lost this trait, genomic data now offer a reliable tool to predict with accuracy which plant species are predisposed to benefit from Si. This will undoubtedly result in a better understanding of Si role in many fundamental aspects of ecology regarding plant fitness under stress.
The functional significance of complex floral colour pattern in a food‐deceptive orchid
Authors: Ma Xiaokai , Shi Jun , Bänziger Hans , Sun Yangna , Guo Yanyan , Liu Zhongjian , Johnson Steven D. , Luo Yibo
Published: September 2015

Many non‐rewarding orchid species mimic the signals of co‐occurring food flowers and thereby attract food‐seeking animal pollinators. These signals are often visually complex with a colour pattern that contrasts between outer and central parts. The significance of this colour complexity for the pollination success of flowers of deceptive orchids has scarcely been investigated.

We tested the effects of the colour patterns of the food‐deceptive orchid Paphiopedilum micranthum on bumblebee visitation choices and pollination success using behavioural experiments in a community context. Using comparative phylogenetic analysis and a bee vision model, we also compared the colour patterns of P. micranthum with those of its congeners and sympatric food flowers.

The probability of both long‐range approach and close‐up choice by bumblebees to orchids was all enhanced in communities with food flowers similar in colour pattern to the orchid. Probability of long‐range approach and close‐up choice was negatively correlated with colour distance between orchid and food flowers in floral outer and centre, respectively. Flowers of P. micranthum that were manipulated to reduce visual complexity had reduced male and female pollination success.

Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the outer floral colour of P. micranthum is apomorphic and thus likely represents an evolutionary innovation, whereas the central colour is plesiomorphic and thus likely to function in the bumblebee pollination system as an exaptation. The contrast between the inner and outer colours appears to exploit visual preferences of bumblebees acquired during foraging on local food plants with similar colour patterns.

This study highlights the adaptive significance of colour patterns in successful food deception and the importance of complex signals in facilitating interspecific interactions.
Intra‐individual polymorphism in chloroplasts from NGS data: where does it come from and how to handle it?
Authors: Scarcelli N. , Mariac C. , Couvreur T. L. P. , Faye A. , Richard D. , Sabot F. , Berthouly‐Salazar C. , Vigouroux Y.
Published: September 2015

Next‐generation sequencing allows access to a large quantity of genomic data. In plants, several studies used whole chloroplast genome sequences for inferring phylogeography or phylogeny. Even though the chloroplast is a haploid organelle, NGS plastome data identified a nonnegligible number of intra‐individual polymorphic SNPs. Such observations could have several causes such as sequencing errors, the presence of heteroplasmy or transfer of chloroplast sequences in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The occurrence of allelic diversity has practical important impacts on the identification of diversity, the analysis of the chloroplast data and beyond that, significant evolutionary questions. In this study, we show that the observed intra‐individual polymorphism of chloroplast sequence data is probably the result of plastid DNA transferred into the mitochondrial and/or the nuclear genomes. We further assess nine different bioinformatics pipelines’ error rates for SNP and genotypes calling using SNPs identified in Sanger sequencing. Specific pipelines are adequate to deal with this issue, optimizing both specificity and sensitivity. Our results will allow a proper use of whole chloroplast NGS sequence and will allow a better handling of NGS chloroplast sequence diversity.
Evaluating the long‐term impacts of promoting “green” agriculture in the Amazon
Authors: Sills Erin O. , Caviglia‐Harris Jill L.
Published: September 2015

Frontier development in the Brazilian Amazon has created vast areas of largely deforested landscapes. Conservation efforts in these post‐frontier zones seek to protect the remaining forest fragments and promote sustainable agricultural practices that absorb labor, meet market demand, and generate ecosystem services. Assessments of these efforts often find that rates of sustained uptake are disappointingly low and that impacts are difficult to discern, but this could be due to the short‐time frames of both the efforts themselves and their evaluation. We investigate the impacts of participation in an internationally sponsored farmer association that for 15 years promoted sustainable agricultural practices in the heavily deforested state of Rondônia, Brazil. Using data from a georeferenced four‐period panel survey of farmers in combination with remote sensing data on land use spanning the life of the association, we apply matching methods to estimate the impacts of participation. We find that membership resulted in more diversified production systems, including more land allocated to agroforestry. Members also deforested less of their farms, but this difference is not statistically significant after we control for selection bias in membership.
A randomized DBPC trial to determine the optimal effective and safe dose of a SLIT‐birch pollen extract for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: results of a phase II study
Authors: Pfaar O. , van Twuijver E. , Boot J. D. , Opstelten D. J. E. , Klimek L. , van Ree R. , Diamant Z. , Kuna P. , Panzner P.
Published: September 2015

Background

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a potential efficacious and safe treatment option for patients with respiratory, IgE‐mediated allergic diseases. A combined tolerability, dose‐finding study with a sublingual liquid birch pollen preparation (SB) was conducted.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty‐nine adults with birch‐pollen‐induced AR were randomized to placebo, SB: 3333, 10 000, 20 000 or 40 000 AUN/ml. Differences in symptom scores following a titrated nasal provocation test (TNPT) at baseline and after 5 months of treatment were determined. Safety, tolerability, birch‐pollen‐specific immunoglobulin levels and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were also measured (all measures determined outside the birch pollen season).

Results

In all treatment groups, an improvement in symptom scores after treatment compared to baseline was observed, with an additional stepwise improvement in the active groups compared to placebo, which was significant in high‐dose groups (P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively). For this primary endpoint, a significant linear dose–response curve was observed: the higher the dose, the better the improvement observed. Likewise, active treatment resulted in an increase in PNIF and serum IgG levels compared to placebo. The highest improvements were found in the 40 000 AUN/ml group. All active dosages resulted in more adverse reactions than placebo, which were mainly mild and well‐controlled.

Conclusions

A multicentre trial evaluated the dose–response and tolerability of SB. All active treatment groups showed better responses than placebo for both primary and secondary parameters. The results indicate that, within the studied dose range, SB 40 000 AUN/ml is the most optimal effective and safe dose (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01639768).
PDK1/Akt/PDE4D axis identified as a target for asthma remedy synergistic with β2AR agonists by a natural agent arctigenin
Authors: Fang R. , Cui Q. , Sun J. , Duan X. , Ma X. , Wang W. , Cheng B. , Liu Y. , Hou Y. , Bai G.
Published: September 2015

Background

Asthma is a heterogenetic disorder characterized by chronic inflammation with variable airflow obstruction and airway hyper‐responsiveness. As the most potent and popular bronchodilators, β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists bind to the β2ARs that are coupled via a stimulatory G protein to adenylyl cyclase, thereby improving cAMP accumulation and resulting in airway smooth muscle relaxation. We previously demonstrated arctigenin had a synergistic function with the β2AR agonist, but the target for this remained elusive.

Method

Chemical proteomics capturing was used to enrich and uncover the target of arctigenin in human bronchial smooth muscle cells, and reverse docking and molecular dynamic stimulation were performed to evaluate the binding of arctigenin and its target. In vitro enzyme activities and protein levels were demonstrated with special kits and Western blotting. Finally, guinea pig tracheal muscle segregation and ex vivo function were analysed.

Results

Arctigenin bound to PDK1 with an ideal binding free energy −25.45 kcal/mol and inhibited PDK1 kinase activity without changing its protein level. Additionally, arctigenin reduced PKB/Akt‐induced phosphorylation of PDE4D, which was first identified in this study. Attenuation of PDE4D resulted in cAMP accumulation in human bronchial smooth muscle. The inhibition of PDK1 showed a synergistic function with β2AR agonists and relaxed the constriction of segregated guinea pig tracheal muscle.

Conclusions

The PDK1/Akt/PDE4D axis serves as a novel asthma target, which may benefit airflow obstruction.
Successful Treatment of Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Hassanian‐Moghaddam Hossein , Zamani Nasim , Rahimi Mitra , Hajesmaeili Mohammadreza , Taherkhani Maryam , Sadeghi Roxana
Published: September 2015

Aluminium phosphide (ALP) is one of the most commonly used pesticides worldwide with high mortality rates. Cellular damage and cardiorespiratory failure are the most common causes of mortality and morbidity after poisoning. It is supposed that giving enough time to the patient to survive, the most critical hours after exposure may help the cardiovascular system to recover itself and save the patient's life. During a training workshop for medical extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a 28‐year‐old ALP‐poisoned male was referred to us. Fifty minutes after admission, he developed hypotension and bradycardia and was transferred to ICU. On the second venous blood gas, he had severe metabolic acidosis. After starting the patient on the routine treatment of ALP poisoning, he was a candidate for veno‐arterial (VA) ECMO. After three days, lactate level decreased and his general condition improved. On day four, the patient was completely separated from the ECMO machine with acceptable echocardiography and ejection fraction of 40%. One day later, he was extubated, sent to the ward and subsequently discharged in good condition. We suggest this method of treatment for severe ALP poisoning as well as any other poisoning that causes cell toxicity and abrupt cardiovascular or respiratory failure.
Two pathways through adversity: Predicting well‐being and housing outcomes among homeless service users
Authors: Walter Zoe C. , Jetten Jolanda , Dingle Genevieve A. , Parsell Cameron , Johnstone Melissa
Published: September 2015

People who experience homelessness face many challenges and disadvantages that negatively impact health and well‐being and form barriers to achieving stable housing. Further, people who are homeless often have limited social connections and support. Building on previous research that has shown the beneficial effect of group identification on health and well‐being, the current study explores the relationship between two social identity processes – multiple group memberships and service identification – and well‐being and positive housing outcomes. Measures were collected from 76 participants while they were residing in a homeless accommodation service (T1) and again 2–4 weeks after leaving the service (or 3 months afterT1 if participants had not left the service). Mediation analyses revealed that multiple group memberships and service identification atT1 independently predicted well‐being atT2 indirectly, via social support. Further, both social identity processes also indirectly predicted housing outcomes via social support. The implications of these findings are twofold. First, while belonging to multiple social groups may provide a pathway to gaining social support and well‐being, group belonging may not necessarily be beneficial to achieve stable housing. Second, fostering identification with homeless services may be particularly important as a source of support that contributes to well‐being.
The Antecedents of Exploitation‐Exploration and Their Relationship with Innovation: A Study of Managers' Cognitive Maps
Authors: Marín‐Idárraga Diego Armando , Hurtado González José Manuel , Cabello Medina Carmen
Published: September 2015

Based on the resource‐based view (RBV) and the dynamic capabilities (DC) approach, in this work we carry out a thorough literature review in order to identify which organizational actions and resources act as the main antecedents of exploration and exploitation. Also, by using the cognitive maps technique, we analyse to what extent these antecedents are present in managers' cognitive maps when they develop exploration or exploitation strategies, as well as when they try to develop radical and incremental innovations. Our results show that, firstly, managers develop cognitive maps that match our theoretical proposals about the organizational resources and capabilities that can lead to exploitation and exploration. Secondly, regarding innovation, although the antecedents of exploitation are used by managers as the way towards incremental innovation, some antecedents of exploration are expected to facilitate not only radical but also incremental innovations. These results provide interesting points for reflection on the topics addressed and lead us to conclude that the antecedents of exploration and exploitation should not be seen as separate ways towards different types of innovation, but as sets of resources on which to build configurations that facilitate radical or incremental innovation.
General anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis: impact of allergy testing on subsequent anaesthesia
Authors: Trautmann A. , Seidl C. , Stoevesandt J. , Seitz C. S.
Published: September 2015

Background

Immunoglobulin E‐mediated allergy to drugs and substances used during general anaesthesia as well as non‐allergic drug hypersensitivity reactions may account for anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis. As IgE‐mediated anaphylaxis is a potentially life‐threatening reaction, identification of the culprit allergen is essential to avoid anaphylaxis recurrence during subsequent general anaesthesia.

Objective

To study whether preventive recommendations derived from allergy testing after intraoperative anaphylaxis were followed in subsequent general anaesthesia.

Methods

Results of standardized allergy testing after anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis and outcome of subsequent general anaesthesia were analysed retrospectively.

Results

Fifty‐three of 107 patients were diagnosed with IgE‐mediated allergy to a drug or substance used during general anaesthesia, and 54 patients were test negative. Twenty‐eight of 29 allergy patients tolerated subsequent general anaesthesia uneventfully. One patient with cefazolin allergy suffered from anaphylaxis recurrence due to accidental reapplication of cefazolin. Twenty‐two of 24 test‐negative patients tolerated subsequent general anaesthesia, whereas two patients again developed anaphylaxis despite pre‐medication regimens.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Our results confirm the practical impact of allergy testing in general anaesthesia‐induced anaphylaxis. By identification of the allergen, it is possible to avoid allergic anaphylaxis during subsequent anaesthesia. In most cases, recommended pre‐medication seems to prevent the recurrence of non‐allergic drug hypersensitivity reactions.
Family‐based genome scan for age at onset of late‐onset Alzheimer's disease in whole exome sequencing data
Authors: Saad M. , Brkanac Z. , Wijsman E. M.
Published: September 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common and complex neurodegenerative disease. Age at onset (AAO) of AD is an important component phenotype with a genetic basis, and identification of genes in which variation affects AAO would contribute to identification of factors that affect timing of onset. Increase in AAO through prevention or therapeutic measures would have enormous benefits by delaying AD and its associated morbidities. In this paper, we performed a family‐based genome‐wide association study for AAO of late‐onset AD in whole exome sequence data generated in multigenerational families with multiple AD cases. We conducted single marker and gene‐based burden tests for common and rare variants, respectively. We combined association analyses with variance component linkage analysis, and with reference to prior studies, in order to enhance evidence of the identified genes. For variants and genes implicated by the association study, we performed a gene‐set enrichment analysis to identify potential novel pathways associated with AAO of AD. We found statistically significant association with AAO for three genes (WRN, NTN4 and LAMC3) with common associated variants, and for four genes (SLC8A3, SLC19A3, MADD and LRRK2) with multiple rare‐associated variants that have a plausible biological function related to AD. The genes we have identified are in pathways that are strong candidates for involvement in the development of AD pathology and may lead to a better understanding of AD pathogenesis.