bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 intrinsic Josephson junction stacks with improved cooling: Coherent emission above 1 THz
Authors: Ji M. , Yuan J. , Gross B. , Rudau F. , An D. Y. , Li M. Y. , Zhou X. J. , Huang Y. , Sun H. C. , Zhu Q. , Li J. , Kinev N. , Hatano T. , Koshelets V. P. , Koelle D. , Kleiner R. , Xu W. W. , Jin B. B. , Wang H. B. , Wu P. H.
Published: September 2014

We report on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (BSCCO) intrinsic Josephson junction stacks with improved cooling, allowing for a remarkable increase in emission frequency compared to the previous designs. We started with a BSCCO stack embedded between two gold layers. When mounted in the standard way to a single substrate, the stack emits in the range of 0.43–0.82 THz. We then glued a second, thermally anchored substrate onto the sample surface. The maximum voltage of this better cooled and dimension-unchanged sample was increased and, accordingly, both the emission frequencies and the tunable frequency range were significantly increased up to 1.05 THz and to 0.71 THz, respectively. This double sided cooling may also be useful for other “hot” devices, e.g., quantum cascade lasers.
Effective light concentration in gold short nanosphere chain on platinum mirror for surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Lee Yaerim , Abasaki Minoru , Portela Alejandro , Delaunay Jean-Jacques
Published: September 2014

We studied closely spaced gold nanosphere chains on Pt mirrors exhibiting strong plasmon coupling between both horizontally and vertically oriented modes relative to the chain. Resonance modes originating from the plasmon couplings realized effective light concentration around the short nanosphere chain and showed red shifts with decreasing interparticle gap length, revealing the hybrid nature of the two plasmonic modes. Thanks to the effective light concentration, the short nanosphere chain demonstrated strong surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that was not strongly affected by variations in the length of the gaps or when some of the spheres made contact with each other. Even with large gaps, the short nanosphere chain exhibited consistent SERS under a low excitation power of only 0.4 mW/μm2, owing to the geometrical robustness of the nanospheres and Pt plane supporting enhancement of the electric field in the sphere-plane gaps.
Microwave radar imaging using a solid state spintronic microwave sensor
Authors: Fu L. , Lu W. , Rodriguez Herrera D. , Flores Tapia D. , Gui Y. S. , Pistorius S. , Hu C.-M.
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we demonstrate that spintronic microwave sensors have the capability to perform microwave imaging. The detection of the amplitude and phase of a scattered microwave signal over a wide frequency band allows this technique to determine the time delay of a microwave signal scattered by the target. Combining microwave radar techniques and a wavefront reconstruction algorithm with a spintronic microwave sensor in circular trajectory, the reconstructed images of targets are obtained. The reconstructed images clearly indicate the targets' positions even when the targets were immersed in a liquid to simulate an inhomogeneous tissue environment. Such a technique provides a promising approach for microwave imaging, with the potential for biomedical applications.
Delineation of conservation units in an endangered marsupial, the southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus), in South Australia/western Victoria, Australia
Authors: Li You , Lancaster Melanie L. , Carthew Susan M. , Packer Jasmin G. , Cooper Steven J. B.
Published: September 2014

Conservation programs for threatened species are greatly benefiting from genetic data, for their power in providing knowledge of dispersal/gene flow across fragmented landscapes and for identifying populations of high conservation value. The endangered southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus obesulus) has a disjunct distribution range in South Australia, raising the possibility that populations of the subspecies may represent distinct conservation units. In the current study, we used a combination of 14 microsatellite and two mitochondrial sequence markers to investigate the phylogeography and population structure of I. o. obesulus in South Australia and south-western Victoria, with the aim of identifying any potential evolutionarily significant units and management units relevant to conservation management. Our phylogenetic/population analyses supported the presence of two distinct evolutionary lineages of I. o. obesulus. The first lineage comprised individuals from the Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. A second lineage comprised individuals from the south-east of South Australia and south-western Victoria. We propose that these two lineages represent distinct evolutionarily significant units and should be managed separately for conservation purposes. The findings also raise significant issues for the national conservation status of I. o. obesulus and suggest that the current subspecies classification needs further investigation.
An der Schnittstelle von Translations- und Interkomprehensionsdidaktik
Authors: Ustaszewski Michael
Published: September 2014

Intercomprehension didactics aims at exploiting intercomprehension (or mutual intelligibility) for the time-saving acquisition of receptive skills in a language unfamiliar to an individual by systematically comparing it to cognate languages the individual is already proficient in. As the cognitive processes underlying intercomprehensive language acquisition seem to have much in common with those underlying translation activity, intercomprehension didactics might contribute to developing efficient new methods for multilingual translator training. The paper provides empirical evidence for the feasibility of intercomprehensive language instruction in translator training. It addresses the following questions: Does the exploitation of knowledge of Russian promote the comprehension of Polish texts and the subsequent translation of these texts into learners’ L1? How do translation competence and intercomprehension competence interact? To what extent can interference errors induced by false friends be avoided in the translation of texts decoded through intercomprehension?
Uploading garbage files to the DOI system of a journal: a new type of misconduct
Authors: JUNG Kyu Won , WAGERxyv Elizabeth , HUH Sun
Published: September 2014

We report an unusual case in which garbage files were uploaded to the DOI system of a Korean scholarly journal (Journal of Educational Evaluation of Health Professions). This was a deliberate attack to disrupt the journal so that the DOI pages were directed to an invalid page. It was a mysterious type of attack that had never previously occurred in the DOI system. This behaviour can therefore be considered as a new type of misconduct. From the legal viewpoint, this action may be considered a criminal offence, under Korean law, to disrupt a national institute which publishes a journal on the basis of its constituting interference with a government office in the execution of its duties. We report this strange case so that publishers and editors can be alert to this new type of cyber‐crime and to help them prevent any reoccurrence.
HTSeq—a Python framework to work with high-throughput sequencing data
Authors: Anders Simon , Pyl Paul Theodor , Huber Wolfgang
Published: September 2014

Motivation: A large choice of tools exists for many standard tasks in the analysis of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) data. However, once a project deviates from standard workflows, custom scripts are needed.

Results: We present HTSeq, a Python library to facilitate the rapid development of such scripts. HTSeq offers parsers for many common data formats in HTS projects, as well as classes to represent data, such as genomic coordinates, sequences, sequencing reads, alignments, gene model information and variant calls, and provides data structures that allow for querying via genomic coordinates. We also present htseq-count, a tool developed with HTSeq that preprocesses RNA-Seq data for differential expression analysis by counting the overlap of reads with genes.

Availability and implementation: HTSeq is released as an open-source software under the GNU General Public Licence and available from http://www-huber.embl.de/HTSeq or from the Python Package Index at https://pypi.python.org/pypi/HTSeq .

Contact:  sanders@fs.tum.de
A Multiplex PCR Assay to Detect and Differentiate Select Agent Strains of Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Stulberg Michael J. , Shao Jonathan , Huang Qi
Published: September 2014

Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 strains are considered select agents by the U.S. government because they are not endemic to the United States and have the potential to cause brown rot in our potato production fields. Simple and accurate methods are needed for quick identification prior to more discriminating but time-consuming verification methods. We developed a multiplex PCR assay that identifies R. solanacearum species complex strains, signals whether the strain detected is a select agent, and controls for false negatives associated with PCR inhibition or unsuccessful DNA extractions in one reaction. We identified unique sequences of non-phage-related DNA for the R. solanacearum species complex strains, and for select agent strains, using in silico genome subtraction. We also designed and included an internal plant DNA control assay. Our multiplex PCR assay correctly identified 90 R. solanacearum species complex strains and 34 select agent strains, while not recognizing five out-group bacterial species. Additionally, the multiplex PCR assay facilitated the detection of plant DNA and R. solanacearum from infected tomato, potato, geranium, and tobacco plants. Our rapid, accurate, and reliable detection assay can help government officials make timely and appropriate recommendations to exclude this bacterium from the United States.
Human insulin analogues modified at the B26 site reveal a hormone conformation that is undetected in the receptor complex
Authors: Žáková Lenka , Kletvíková Emília , Lepšík Martin , Collinsová Michaela , Watson Christopher J. , Turkenburg Johan P. , Jiráček Jiří , Brzozowski Andrzej M.
Published: September 2014

The structural characterization of the insulin–insulin receptor (IR) interaction still lacks the conformation of the crucial B21–B30 insulin region, which must be different from that in its storage forms to ensure effective receptor binding. Here, it is shown that insulin analogues modified by natural amino acids at the TyrB26 site can represent an active form of this hormone. In particular, [AsnB26]-insulin and [GlyB26]-insulin attain a B26-turn-like conformation that differs from that in all known structures of the native hormone. It also matches the receptor interface, avoiding substantial steric clashes. This indicates that insulin may attain a B26-turn-like conformation upon IR binding. Moreover, there is an unexpected, but significant, binding specificity of the AsnB26 mutant for predominantly the metabolic B isoform of the receptor. As it is correlated with the B26 bend of the B-chain of the hormone, the structures of AsnB26 analogues may provide the first structural insight into the structural origins of differential insulin signalling through insulin receptor A and B isoforms.
Crystal structure of 2-bromo-1,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone
Authors: Furukawa Wataru , Takehara Munenori , Inoue Yoshinori , Kitamura Chitoshi
Published: September 2014

In an attempt to brominate 1,4-dipropoxy-9,10-anthraquinone, a mixture of products, including the title compound, C14H7BrO4, was obtained. The molecule is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.029 Å) and two intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds occur. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, Br...O contacts [3.240 (5) Å], and π–π stacking interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.562 (4) Å], generating a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of 4-aminopyridinium 5-(5-chloro-2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-olate hemihydrate
Authors: Vaduganathan Manickkam , Doraisamyraja Kalaivani
Published: September 2014

The title molecular salt, C5H7N2+·C12H8ClN4O7−·0.5H2O, crystallizes as a hemihydrate. The two rings in the barbiturate anion are not coplanar but make a dihedral angle of 43.17 (16)°. The two nitro groups deviate from the ring to which they are attached; the nitro grouporthowith respect to the ring junction is more deviated [39.3 (4)°] than that in theparaposition [4.2 (5)°], probably to overcome steric hindrance. As a result of this, the latter nitro group is more involved in delocalizing the negative charge of the anion than the former nitro group. In the crystal, the cations and anions are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds forming zigzag chains along [10-1]. The chains are linked by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming slabs lying parallel to (10-1). Further C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the slabs, forming a three-dimensional structure.
Franchisee satisfaction of goal attainment: a discovery of hierarcy of entrepreneur goals
Authors: Hizam-Hanafiah Mohd , Li Jun
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the extent to which franchisees are satisfied with the attainment of their personal goals in business. Although franchising continues to be exploited in the business sector, research and studies of franchising were scarcely mentioned in the organizational literature. Obviously, franchising as a body of knowledge has been studied mostly from the franchisor’s perspective than on franchisees. Within franchisee literature, studies on people’s motivation to become a franchisee have received some attention and provided little understanding, but no study has ever measured to what extent franchisees are satisfied with their personal goals in the business.

Design/methodology/approach

– To investigate the hypotheses, a positivist approach is chosen as the philosophical foundation of this study, and all methodological aspects related with this approach are used in this study. A total of 204 franchisee entrepreneurs in Malaysia were surveyed and answered self-administered questionnaires.

Findings

– In general, statistical analysis suggests franchisees were satisfied with their goals attainments. However, further analysis shows that franchisees were mostly satisfied with intrinsic rewards goals, followed by perceived autonomy goals and family concern goals. Surprisingly, franchisees have less satisfaction with economic gain goals comparatively with other goals. Moreover, based on the conceptual analysis and empirical evidence, hierarchy of economic goals and hierarchy of family goals are discovered. Besides, this study does suggest that franchisees’ sustainability in the business may be affected by attainment of their personal goals.

Originality/value

– This paper studies franchising from a franchisee’s perspective and from a non-Western perspective. It investigates whether franchisee entrepreneurs share similar goals compared with other types of entrepreneurs and to what extent franchisees are satisfied with their personal goal attainment in the business.
Taming travel for work-life balance in global careers
Authors: Lirio Pamela
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand how global managers from the generation born 1965 to 1980 (“Generation X”) manage demands of international business travel with desires for family involvement. A portrait evolves of how travel within a global career might be optimized for both business and family life.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative methodology was used as little research has focussed on alternative forms of global work or work-family issues in a global context. The author conducted in-depth interviews with 25 Gen X global managers in dual-career families (“Global Gen Xers”) pursuing global careers from the USA and Canada.

Findings

– The author uncovered how Global Gen Xers experienced “work-life balance” through executing personal discretion over travel and substituting in technology. The construct of travel discretion reveals these approaches. Mutual flexibility on the part of global managers and organizations tamed the demanding nature of work spanning divergent locations and time zones.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings represent experiences from a self-select group of global Gen X managers interviewed at one point in their careers. The author did not obtain reflections from their families on work-family functioning.

Practical implications

– The findings encourage companies to foster flexibility among their global managers around travel decisions. The author can consider how and when international travel can be replaced through technology in order to control costs and sustain global workforces.

Originality/value

– This study provides one of the first examinations of work-life balance among younger global managers. It also highlights experiences of those not on expatriate assignments, but performing global work through international travel and technology.
Herbivory and the evolution of divaricate plants: Structural defences lost on an offshore island
Authors: Kavanagh Patrick H.
Published: September 2014

Many island plants are characterized by unique morphology. For example, the high branching angles and small leaves of divaricate plants are a common feature of the New Zealand flora. The divaricate growth form may be an adaptation to deter browsing by extinct avian herbivores (moa); alternatively aspects of the insular climate may be responsible. However, our understanding of the selective pressures responsible for the high branching angles and small leaves of divaricate plants is incomplete. Here, I tested for differences in traits associated with the divaricate growth form between plants from Chatham Island and the New Zealand mainland. Moa never reached the Chatham Islands and its flora is derived from plants on mainland New Zealand. Therefore, I predicted Chatham Island plants to have lost morphological adaptations that may have deterred moa herbivory. Traits were quantified on 316 individuals in the field, allowing for 12 island‐mainland taxonomic comparisons. Chatham Island plants consistently produced smaller branching angles, larger leaves, shorter internodes and larger stems than related mainland plants. Results are therefore consistent with the hypothesis that selection for small leaves and high angled branching may be relaxed on the Chatham Islands due to an absence of moa. Smaller branching angles and larger leaves may offer a competitive advantage to Chatham Island plants.
Efficacy of a buccal meloxicam formulation for pain relief in Merino lambs undergoing knife castration and tail docking in a randomised field trial
Authors: Small AH , Belson S , Holm M , Colditz IG
Published: September 2014

Objective

To assess the efficacy of oral transmucosal meloxicam for pain relief in lambs at marking.

Design

A blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomised, block design field study of 60 Merino lambs aged 7–10 weeks allocated to placebo and meloxicam treatments and studied in two cohorts of 30. Placebo‐treated lambs received 1 mL/10 kg of drug vehicle and meloxicam‐treated lambs received 1 mg/kg meloxicam at 10 mg/mL. Treatments were administered into the buccal cavity immediately before knife castration and hot‐iron tail docking. Lambs were then released into a grassed paddock (0.34 ha). Time to mother‐up was recorded and behaviours were observed every 15 min for 8 h and again for 45 min at 24 h. The sequence in which lambs exited the paddock with their mothers was then recorded. Weight change and wound scores were recorded 4 and 7 days after marking.

Results

Meloxicam did not affect mothering‐up. In the 8 h following marking, meloxicam led to a 7‐fold reduction (P < 0.001) in combined abnormal behaviours (hunched standing, standing with a stretched posture, walking stiffly). The meloxicam group spent significantly less time in standing postures and tended to spend more time grazing, suckling and in normal lying postures. At 24 h, the meloxicam group spent more time lying and less time standing. There was no effect of treatments on the sequence in which lambs moved into a fresh paddock or on weight change.

Conclusions

The buccal meloxicam formulation provided substantial analgesia to lambs on the day of marking. Slight benefits were evident the following morning.
Randomized Phase II Cancer Clinical Trials by JUNG, SIN‐HO
Authors: Lee Jae Won
Published: September 2014

EDITOR: TAESUNG PARK

Randomized Phase II Cancer Clinical Trials

(Sin‐Ho Jung)

Jae Won Lee

Statistical Methods for Handling Incomplete Data

(Jae Kwang Kim and Jun Shao)

Myunghee Cho Paik

Biosimilars: Design and Analysis of Follow‐on Biologics

(Shein‐Chung Chow)

Hyungjin An
Are cannabidiol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin negative modulators of the endocannabinoid system? A systematic review
Authors: McPartland John M , Duncan Marnie , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Pertwee Roger G
Published: September 2014

Based upon evidence that the therapeutic properties of Cannabis preparations are not solely dependent upon the presence of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), pharmacological studies have been recently carried out with other plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids), particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). Results from some of these studies have fostered the view that CBD and THCV modulate the effects of THC via direct blockade of cannabinoid CB1 receptors, thus behaving like first‐generation CB1 receptor inverse agonists, such as rimonabant. Here, we review in vitro and ex vivo mechanistic studies of CBD and THCV, and synthesize data from these studies in a meta‐analysis. Synthesized data regarding mechanisms are then used to interpret results from recent pre‐clinical animal studies and clinical trials. The evidence indicates that CBD and THCV are not rimonabant‐like in their action and thus appear very unlikely to produce unwanted CNS effects. They exhibit markedly disparate pharmacological profiles particularly at CB1 receptors: CBD is a very low‐affinity CB1 ligand that can nevertheless affect CB1 receptor activity in vivo in an indirect manner, while THCV is a high‐affinity CB1 receptor ligand and potent antagonist in vitro and yet only occasionally produces effects in vivo resulting from CB1 receptor antagonism. THCV has also high affinity for CB2 receptors and signals as a partial agonist, differing from both CBD and rimonabant. These cannabinoids illustrate how in vitro mechanistic studies do not always predict in vivo pharmacology and underlie the necessity of testing compounds in vivo before drawing any conclusion on their functional activity at a given target.
Crumbs, Thieves, and Relics: Translation and Alien Humanism
Authors: McAlhany Joseph
Published: September 2014

Terence's famous humanistic motto, “homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto,” was transmitted from antiquity to modernity as an isolated fragment of a surviving play, and was subjected to various forms of translation and interpretation. In this essay, Joseph McAlhany argues that fragments and translation, by their nature, resist completion and wholeness, and it is this quality that makes them paradigmatically humanistic. After a history of the uses and abuses of this line, in particular the unsuccessful scholarly attempts to provide it with an authoritative meaning and a definitive translation, a close reading of the line reveals the humanistic ironies already present in the line itself. The translations of this fragment demonstrate not only the resistance to completion and the recognition of loss that are essential to humanism, but also how, and why, this crumb of classical antiquity continues to nourish the discourse of humanism.
The MEK/ERK signalling cascade is required for sonic hedgehog signalling pathway‐mediated enhancement of proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in normal keratinocytes
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Jian Qiang , Xue Ke , Ma Cuiling , Xie Fang , Wang Rui , Liao Wenjun , Liu Yufeng , Chi Sumin , Li Chengxin
Published: September 2014

Keratinocytes (KCs) play a critical role in maintaining the cutaneous structure and are involved in various physiological and pathologic processes of the skin. Many inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancers result from excessive proliferation and insufficient apoptosis of KCs. Recent data suggested that the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway plays an essential role in the proliferation and apoptosis of normal KCs. However, the mechanism remains poorly defined. Here, we provide evidence that Shh signalling induces proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in normal KCs via cyclin D1 and Bcl2 in an extracellular signal‐regulatedkinase (MEK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐dependent manner. In addition, the effect is independent of phosphoinositide‐3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT or Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) 1/3 pathways. Furthermore, we observed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling modulates the activity of Shh signalling pathway; besides, Shh and EGFR signalling act additively to induce the ERK activation and the increases in cyclin D1 and Bcl2 thereby affecting proliferation and apoptosis in KCs in vitro. The present study suggests that the MEK/ERK1/2 activation is part of the mechanism of Shh signal‐mediated proliferation and apoptosis in normal KCs. Our results may help to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of the Shh pathway in normal KCs and the pathogenesis of related skin disorders.
CXCR7 expression correlates with tumor depth in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma skin lesions and promotes tumor cell survival through ERK activation
Authors: Hu Stephen Chu‐Sung , Yu Hsin‐Su , Yen Feng‐Lin , Chen Gwo‐Shing , Lan Cheng‐Che E.
Published: September 2014

The chemokine receptor CXCR7 has been demonstrated to be involved in the development of certain cancers, but its role in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has not been previously investigated. We seek to determine whether CXCR7 is expressed in human cutaneous SCC skin lesions and SCC cell lines. In addition, we evaluate whether CXCR7 plays a role in SCC cell proliferation, survival and migration and which signalling pathways are involved. Using quantitative RT‐PCR to analyse the mRNA expression of 19 different chemokine receptors, we found that CXCR7 was much more highly expressed compared to other chemokine receptors in cutaneous SCC cell lines (HSC‐1 and HSC‐5). On immunohistochemical staining, CXCR7 was found to be expressed in 70% (28 of 40) of human cutaneous SCC tissue specimens, and its expression correlated with tumor depth >4 mm and cancer stage ≥II. CXCR7 but not CXCR4 protein was expressed on the surface of HSC‐1 and HSC‐5 cells by flow cytometry. Activation of the CXCR7 receptor by CXCL12 promoted survival of HSC‐1 and HSC‐5 cells through the ERK pathway, but had no significant effect on cell proliferation or migration. In summary, our findings indicate that CXCR7 is frequently expressed in cutaneous SCC skin lesions and its expression correlates with tumor depth and cancer stage. CXCR7 is the predominant chemokine receptor expressed in SCC cell lines, and activation of CXCR7 by CXCL12 promotes survival of SCC cells through the ERK pathway. These findings provide new insights into the significance of CXCR7 in the pathophysiology of SCC.
The interaction network of rhodopsin involving the heterotrimeric G‐protein transducin and the monomeric GTPase Rac1 is determined by distinct binding processes
Authors: Köster Maike , Dell'Orco Daniele , Koch Karl‐Wilhelm
Published: September 2014

The monomeric G‐protein Rac1, a member of the family of Rho/Rac/Cdc42 GTPases, is involved in light‐induced photoreceptor degeneration, but its specific role remains elusive. In particular, reports on Rac1 interacting with the visual pigment rhodopsin are puzzling and need a more quantitative examination. We probed the presence of Rac1 in rod outer segments by immunohistochemical staining of bovine retinae and western blot analysis of isolated rod outer segments. Rac1 was present throughout the whole retina except in the outer and inner nuclear layers, but was strongly expressed in photoreceptor cells. Rac1 was distributed in three different fractions of rod outer segments: one fraction was soluble in detergents, a second fraction cosegregated with lipid rafts, and a third fraction was associated with lipid bilayer free axonemal/cytoskeletal structures. We also investigated the interaction between rhodopsin and Rac1 by using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy under dark and light conditions. Biophysical interaction studies revealed that Rac1 could interact with rhodopsin, but in a light‐independent manner, and kinetic analysis indicated that binding of Rac1 occurred with lower affinity and speed than the association of transducin and rhodopsin. Thus, in dark‐adapted rod cells, Rac1 cannot compete with transducin for binding to rhodopsin, and signalling can proceed normally. Instead, the concentration of transducin has to drop significantly so that Rac1 can bind to rhodopsin; in the outer segment, this occurs only under intense illumination, when transducin is translocated to the inner segment.

Structured digital abstract

Rac1  binds rhodopsin to  by surface plasmon resonance (View interaction)
Gender differences in older adults with chronic migraine in Turkey
Authors: Özge Aynur , Uluduz Derya , Selekler Macit , Öztürk Musa , Baykan Betül , Çınar Nilgün , Domaç Füsun M , Zarifoğlu Mehmet , Inan Levent E , Akyol Ali , Bolay Hayrunnisa , Uzuner Gülnur T , Erdemoğlu Ali K , Oksuz Nevra , Temel Gulhan O
Published: September 2014

Aim

Chronic migraine is a growing and disabling subtype of migraine with different risk factors and clinical features, even in older adults. We sought to define and differentiate clinical features of chronic migraine in older adults. We also aimed to compare major clinical features of chronic migraine in older adults with those in younger people of both sexes.

Methods

We used electronic dataset (Turkish Headache Database) from 13 tertiary headache centers in Turkey. Electronic dataset included detailed headache‐defining features according to ICHD‐II criteria based on face‐to‐face interviews and examination by a headache specialist. Using statistical methods, clinical variables of chronic migraine in older adults were compared with those of younger adults. We included 915 patients with chronic migraine (mean age 43.80 ± 13.95 years); 83.3% were females. In total, 301 patients (32.9%) with chronic migraine aged >50 years were compared with 614 patients aged <50 years.

Results

There was no significant change in men with increasing age. However, duration of headache history, severity of attacks, previous histories of motion sickness and positive family history of headaches were significantly different in women with increasing age. Further sex‐related differences have been shown in parameters such as attack duration, quality and associated nausea.

Conclusion

Chronic migraine is an infrequent type of migraine and shows age‐related changes in some phenotypic characteristics, such as severity of attacks, especially in women aged older than 50 years. Furthermore, positive family history of headaches and history of motion sickness increase the likelihood of developing chronic migraine in older women, indicating involvement of some gender‐related, but as‐yet unknown, genetic factors. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 652–658.
Aging‐related changes in swallowing, and in the coordination of swallowing and respiration determined by novel non‐invasive measurement techniques
Authors: Wang Chin‐Man , Chen Ji‐Yih , Chuang Chiung‐Cheng , Tseng Wen‐Chun , Wong Alice MK , Pei Yu‐Cheng
Published: September 2014

Aim

Previous studies have shown that the process of swallowing changes with aging, a phenomenon known as presbyphagia. These subtle and subclinical age‐related changes make older adults more vulnerable to dysphagia during disease insults. However, there are limited studies of the swallowing process in older adults, because measurements are typically invasive or require exposure to X‐rays. In the present study, we used integrated non‐invasive measurements to determine aging‐related changes of swallowing, and in the coordination of swallowing and respiration for a population of healthy participants.

Methods

The non‐invasive system provided measurements of larynx movement with piezoelectric sensors, submental muscle activity with surface electromyography and respiration–swallowing coordination by measurement of nasal airflow. We recruited 112 healthy participants from the community, 35 in a young‐age group (age 20–30 years), 38 in a middle‐age group (age 31–50 years) and 39 in an old‐age group (age 51–70 years).

Results

The oropharyngeal swallowing parameters of the old‐age group had delayed onset latency and longer swallowing apnea duration relative to the other groups, and these differences were greater for larger boluses. The middle‐ and old‐age groups had less expiratory–expiratory respiratory phase pattern than the young‐age group. The probability of piecemeal deglutition was highest in the old‐age group and lowest in the young‐age group. These results show that the phases of oropharyngeal swallowing and the coordination of swallowing with respiration gradually change with aging.

Conclusions

We used integrated non‐invasive measurements to document age‐related changes in swallowing, and in the coordination of swallowing and respiration in healthy adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 736–744.
Consultations with Interest Groups and the Empowerment of Executives: Evidence from theEuropeanUnion
Authors: Bunea Adriana , Thomson Robert
Published: September 2014

We examine how an executive's consultations with interest groups during the formative stage of the policy process affect its bargaining success during the decision‐making stage after it has proposed new policies to legislative actors. Our theory sets out how consultations with interest groups strengthen the executive by bolstering its formal and informal agenda‐setting power. The empirical testing ground for our theory is theEuropeanUnion (EU), and in particular the consultations held by theEuropeanCommission. The analysis assesses the effects of these consultations on the congruence between theCommission's legislative proposals on controversial issues andEUlaws. Our analysis incorporates detailed information on the type and scope of each consultation. In line with our theory, we find that theCommission had more success during the decision‐making stage after conducting open consultations with large numbers of interest groups during the policy formation stage.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of ductal carcinoma in situ with virtual slides
Authors: Booth Mary E , Treanor Darren , Roberts Nicholas , Magee Derek R , Speirs Valerie , Hanby Andrew M
Published: September 2014

Aims

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using virtual slides to create 3D histopathological reconstructions to aid in the study of the biology of DCIS.

Methods

Four μm thick serial sections of formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue from three cases were cut and mounted onto glass slides, stained with haematoxylin and eosin, then scanned. The three image stacks comprised 30, 115 and 100 scanned sections creating a similar number of virtual slides. The virtual slides were registered using custom 3D software to create 3D tissue volumes. The volumes were annotated to highlight distinct features and 3D visualisations (segmentations) were created to study these features in 3D.

Results

The most time‐intensive step was the manual annotation of virtual slides 3D histopathological reconstructions were created of (i) DCIS surrounded by adjacent invasion; (ii) pure DCIS and (iii) a ‘normal’ lobule.

Conclusion

3D in silico reconstructions of DCIS were created and more extensive studies can now be done within a realistic timescale. We have identified structural similarities between a benign lobule and DCIS which support the view that much DCIS, apparently in a ‘duct’ is contained within and expanded lobule. This method has the potential to provide insights into the biology of DCIS.
Hertzian Indentation Stress Field Equations
Authors: Louapre David , Breder Kristin
Published: September 2014

Indentation with hard spherical indenters (so called Hertzian indentation) is a well‐known technique to probe the mechanical properties of ceramics and other brittle materials. Using contact mechanics, it is possible to calculate the stress distribution in the sample and use it to express maximum tensile or compressive stresses as a function of load and contact radius. The equations describing the full stress distribution are not usually mentioned in the literature, and surprisingly most of the classical references disclosing them are either mistaken or incomplete. We recovered the full and detailed equations for the stress field distribution and numerically implemented them using the computer language Python. We point out the relationships between the different expressions that have been published, check the consistency with existing results, and discuss the sources of confusion.
Association of the tumor necrosis factor ‐308 A/G promoter polymorphism with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Keszler G. , Kruk E. , Kenezloi E. , Tarnok Z. , Sasvari‐Szekely M. , Nemoda Z.
Published: September 2014

Several lines of evidence suggest that certain subtypes of obsessive‐compulsive and tic disorders might be paediatric manifestations of post‐streptococcal autoimmunity caused by cross‐reactive autoantibodies. As tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is known to play a seminal role in coordinating the humoral immune response, TNF gene polymorphisms have been proposed as genetic risk factors both in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS). The aim of this study was to investigate two TNF promoter polymorphisms (‐238 A/G: rs361525 and ‐308 A/G: rs1800629) on the genetic susceptibility to OCD and TS in a child psychiatric sample (102 patients with OCD and 117 patients with TS). In the case–control set‐up, the genotype and allele frequencies were compared to a control group from the general population (n = 405). As a control child psychiatric sample, 194 children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder were also genotyped. Our results revealed that the TNF ‐308 G‐allele was more frequent in children with TS compared to controls (90.2% vs 84.8%, P = 0.037). For confirmation of this genetic association, a family‐based analysis, the transmission disequilibrium test was used, which showed preferential transmission of the G‐allele to patients with TS (nominal P‐value 0.011). Moreover, this allele was also transmitted more frequently to children with tic symptoms (nominal P‐value 0.039). No association was found between OCD or obsessive‐compulsive symptoms and the studied TNF polymorphisms. Based on these findings, the TNF ‐308 G‐allele can be associated with Tourette syndrome, highlighting the potential pathophysiological role of TNF dysregulation.
Let States Nominate Immigrants? Reconsidering US Immigrant Entry Policymaking
Authors: Thangasamy Andrew
Published: September 2014

The American model of immigration policy making with sole central government authority over the entry of immigrants without direct subnational input has not served subnational US interests well. In particular such a model has been inefficient in meeting labour and population needs in the US states. This article considers the problem of sole central government immigrant entry policy making in the US and examines alternative models from Canada and Australia for adoption in the US context.
Attitudes Toward Economic Risk and Occupational Choice
Authors: Le Anh T. , Miller Paul W. , Slutske Wendy S. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: September 2014

This paper examines the effects of attitudes toward economic risk on occupational choice. Workers with a more favourable disposition toward economic risk have a higher probability of being employed in the more prestigious, high‐paying Professional and Administrative occupations. Potential biases associated with omitted genetic and family background factors are considered. The marked differential in attitudes toward economic risk between males and females, however, makes only a minor contribution to the considerable occupational segregation on the basis of gender in the contemporary Australian labor market.
The Political Economy of Policy Volatility in Latin America
Authors: Doyle David
Published: September 2014

Why are some Latin American states plagued by persistent policy volatility while the policies of others remain relatively stable? This article explores the political economy of natural resource rents and policy volatility across Latin America. It argues that, all else equal, resource rents will create incentives for political leaders, which will result in repeated episodes of policy volatility. This effect, however, will depend on the structure of political institutions. Where political institutions fail to provide a forum for intertemporal exchange among political actors, natural resource rents will result in increased levels of policy volatility. Alternatively, where political institutions facilitate agreement among actors, resource rents will be conducive to policy stability. This argument is tested on a measure of policy volatility for 18 Latin American economies between 1993 and 2008. The statistical tests provide support for the argument.
Influence of Ca/Al Ratio on Properties of Amorphous/Nanocrystalline Cu–Al–Ca–O Thin Films
Authors: Huang Bo‐Wei , Wen Cheng‐Yen , Lin Guan‐Wei , Chen Po‐Yuan , Jiang Yu‐Hao , Kao Peng‐Kai , Chi Chu‐Te , Chang Hung , Cheng I‐Chun , Chen Jian‐Zhang
Published: September 2014

This article reports the characterization of thin films sputtered from CuAl1−xCaxO targets (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) at room temperature. All films exhibit amorphous/nanocrystalline structures. Their transparency increases slightly with the addition of Ca. Furthermore, the resistivity decreases as the Ca/Al atomic ratio increases. Transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping indicates that the composition is uniform throughout the films deposited from the highest Ca doping concentration target. Some nanocrystals are present at the top surface of the CuAl0.8Ca0.2O thin film as well as the interface region between the CuAl0.8Ca0.2O thin film and the glass substrate, whereas the interior of the film is pretty amorphous with some embedded nanocrystals. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the Cu2+/Cu+ atomic ratio increases with the Ca/Al atomic ratio, indicating the enhancement of p‐type conductivity from the nonisovalent Cu–O alloying.
In Situ Diffraction Study of the High‐Temperature Decomposition of t′‐Zirconia
Authors: Krogstad Jessica A. , Gao Yan , Bai Jianming , Wang Jun , Lipkin Don M. , Levi Carlos G.
Published: September 2014

The mechanisms of phase destabilization upon aging of the metastable t′ phase of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) are poorly understood, despite its broad application in thermal barrier coatings. To provide insight, synchrotron X‐ray diffraction (XRD) with a quadrupole lamp furnace is used to examine the temperature response, including thermal expansion and phase evolution, of a 9 mol% (8 wt%) YO1.5 t′‐8YSZ. The thermal expansion of equilibrated YSZ powders ranging from 0 to 18.4 mol% YO1.5 is also investigated to better understand the effect of composition on the thermal expansion anisotropy. The T0(c/t) temperature for t′‐8YSZ is estimated to be 1640°C. Full decomposition of the t′ phase into a coherent mixture of a Y‐lean tetragonal phase (t) and a Y‐rich cubic phase (c) that coarsen over time is observed at elevated temperatures; however, upon quenching, the t′ phase reappears in the diffraction profile. This supports our evolving understanding that the t′ phase observed by XRD in aged samples is a microstructural artifact due to the coherency strain between the t and c phases.
Building research initiative group: chronic illness management and adherence in transplantation (BRIGHT) study: study protocol
Authors: Berben Lut , Denhaerynck Kris , Dobbels Fabienne , Engberg Sandra , Vanhaecke Johan , Crespo‐Leiro Maria G. , Russell Cynthia L. , De Geest Sabina ,   the BRIGHT study consortium
Published: September 2014

Aim

This article describes the rationale, design and methodology of the Building research initiative group: chronic illness management and adherence in transplantation (BRIGHT) study. This study of heart transplant patients will: (1) describe practice patterns relating to chronic illness management; (2) assess prevalence and variability of non‐adherence to the treatment regimen; (3) determine the multi‐level factors related to immunosuppressive medication non‐adherence.

Background

The unaltered long‐term prognosis after heart transplantation underscores an urgent need to identify and improve factors related to survival outcomes. The healthcare system (e.g. level of chronic illness management implemented) and patient self‐management are major drivers of outcome improvement.

Design

The study uses a survey design in 40 heart transplant centres covering 11 countries in four continents.

Methods

Theoretical frameworks informed variable selection, which are measured by established and investigator‐developed instruments. Heart transplant recipients, outpatient clinicians and programme's directors complete a survey. A staged convenience sampling strategy is implemented in heart transplant centres, countries and continents. Depending on the centre's size, a random sample of 25–60 patients is selected (N estimated 1680 heart transplant recipients). Five randomly selected clinicians and the medical director from each centre will be invited to participate.

Conclusion

This is the first multi‐centre, multi‐continental study examining healthcare system and heart transplant centres chronic illness management practice patterns and potential correlates of immunosuppressive medication non‐adherence. The knowledge gained will inform clinicians, researchers and healthcare policy makers at which level(s) interventions need to be implemented to improve long‐term outcomes for transplant recipients.
Shifting seas: the impacts of Pleistocene sea‐level fluctuations on the evolution of tropical marine taxa
Authors: Ludt William B. , Rocha Luiz A.
Published: September 2014

Aim

Pleistocene glacial cycles reduced global sea level by up to 130 m below present levels. These changes had profound impacts on coastal marine life, including a reduction of habitable area, changes in ocean currents, and shifts in water column thermal dynamics. We provide a comprehensive review of the impact of glacial sea‐level changes during the Pleistocene on tropical coastal marine life and a set of maps showing how coastlines worldwide changed during periods of low sea levels.

Location

We focused on coastal marine taxa within tropical latitudes, with deeper coverage of the world's major coral reef biogeographical provinces.

Methods

We examined recent and historical literature that alluded to the effects of Pleistocene sea‐level fluctuations in a variety of common marine clades. Data for shelf habitat area and map construction were obtained from the NOAA ETOPO1 database, with final manipulations carried out in Adobe Illustrator CS6.

Results

Drops in sea level led to a decrease in available coastal habitat and fragmented populations in many taxa, potentially resulting in high population genetic structuring. Habitable shelf area during sea‐level lows was reduced as much as 92% from present‐day values in some regions. Genetic evidence of population bottlenecks can be seen in many coastal marine taxa worldwide.

Main conclusions

Pleistocene sea‐level fluctuations seem to be linked to population bottlenecks worldwide, and influenced connections among populations separated by barriers that are affected by sea levels. Despite decreased habitat availability, very few species became extinct, and several species may have been formed due to restrictions in water (and consequently larval) flow between regions that are now connected. A variety of interdisciplinary studies have significantly increased our understanding of how Pleistocene sea‐level changes have shaped the marine landscape that we see today.