bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of optimal empty flushing strategies in a multi-reservoir system
Authors: Chou Frederick N.-F. , Wu Chia-Wen
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Empty flushing is the most effective approach to evacuate the deposited sediments in the reservoir. However, emptying reservoir essentially conflicts with its water supply operation, thus a feasible strategy of empty flushing should prevent significant increase of water shortage risks. This paper presents a framework of performing empty flushing in a multi-reservoir system, where flushing is carried out in a primary reservoir and the other reservoirs provide backup storage for stable water supply during flushing. A network flow programming-based model is employed to simulate daily joint operation of reservoirs. During the simulation, if the storage of each reservoir achieves the predefined conditions, drawdown and empty flushing of the primary reservoir is activated. During the flushing, if the storage of any reservoir reaches the pre-defined thresholds, then the flushing operation is halted and the simulation switches back to the regular joint operation mode. This simulation model is linked with a nonlinear optimization algorithm to calibrate the optimal parameters. The optimized strategy yields a maximum amount of flushed sediments, while the incremental water shortage is controlled within the acceptable threshold.
A fully automated methodology for differentiating rock from snow, clouds and sea in Antarctica from Landsat imagery: A new rock outcrop map and area estimation for the entire Antarctic continent
Authors: Burton-Johnson Alex , Black Martin , Fretwell Peter T. , Kaluza-Gilbert Joseph
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Differentiating exposed rock from snow and ice is a particular problem in Antarctica where extensive cloud cover and widespread shaded regions lead to classification errors. The existing rock outcrop dataset has significant georeferencing issues including overestimation and generalisation of rock exposure areas. The most commonly used method for automated rock and snow differentiation, the Normalised Difference Snow Index (NDSI), has difficulty differentiating rock and snow in Antarctica due to misclassification of shaded pixels and cannot differentiate illuminated rock from clouds. This study presents a new method for identifying rock exposures using Landsat 8 data. This is the first fully automated methodology for snow and rock differentiation that excludes areas of snow (both illuminated and shaded), clouds and liquid water whilst identifying both sunlit and shaded rock, achieving higher and more consistent accuracies than alternative data and methods such as the NDSI. The new methodology has been applied to the whole Antarctic continent (north of 82°40' S) using Landsat 8 data to produce a new rock outcrop dataset for Antarctica. The new data (merged with existing data south of 82°40' S) reveals that exposed rock forms 0.18 % of the total land area of Antarctica; half of previous estimates.
Ancient Wine and Oil Presses from the Bekaa Valley
Authors: Fischer-Genz Bettina
Published: March 2016

In the hinterlands of Heliopolis-Baalbek there are a number of rock-cut pressing installations associated with rural settlements and farmsteads. These were discovered during the survey project described here and date mostly to the Roman period. The geomorphological restrictions of the landscape in the lower foothills of the Anti-Lebanon led to a specialized economy based on fruit trees as well as wine and olive cultivation. Through comparisons with data from Kamid el-Loz and the central Bekaa Valley, we are able to discern the technological and chronological features of these installations. Additionally, some ideas on the economic organization of the region as well as changes in the settlement patterns in the Roman period are discussed.
A Comparison of the Act and Frequency of Plagiarism between Technical and Non-Technical Programme Undergraduates
Authors: BavaHarji Madhubala , Chetty Thiba Naraina , Ismail Zalina Bt , Letchumanan Krishnaveni
Published: March 2016

Concerned with intellectual theft, we decided to examine intellectual theft among undergraduates at a private higher education institution. The aim of this study was to compare the act and frequency of plagiarism, particularly between programmes, gender, year of study and academic performance. This study adopted the quantitative approach, using a questionnaire to gather the students’ background information and the general practice of intellectual theft. It was administered to 120 students, i.e. 30 students undertaking the Engineering, IT, Management and Creative Multimedia programmes. For the purpose of this study, we categorised the programmes into Technical programme (TP), i.e. Engineering and IT programmes (science discipline) and Non-Technical programme (NTP), i.e. Management and Creative Multimedia programmes (non-science discipline). This study found that the act of plagarising was prevalent in both categories of the programmes, however, more prevalent among the technical programme students than the non-technical programme students. We also found that the act of intellectual theft was more evident among the males than female, junior than seniors and average academic achievers than high achievers. A comparison between programmes found significant differences in the act of plagiarism among gender, particularly among the female NTP students, among the Year 3 students and among the high achievers. No significant difference was found in relation to the frequency of plagiarism between programmes and gender, but among the students who sometimes plagiarise by level of study and by academic achievements.
Organizational Silence: A Barrier to Job Engagement in Successful Organizations
Authors: Nafei Wageeh A.
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Although the phenomenon of Organizational Silence (OS) is widely seen in organizations, there is little empirical evidence regarding its nature and components. The purpose of this research is to identify the types of OS and its effects on JE at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach: To assess OS, refer to (OS questionnaire, Schechtman, 2008; Brinsfield, 2009) and JE (JE questionnaire, Rich et al., 2010). Five dimensions of OS are constructed and measured in order to examine their effects on JE at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt. Out of the 338 questionnaires that were distributed to employees, 300 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 88%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.

Findings: Results indicate that supervisors’ attitudes to silence, top management attitudes to silence and communication opportunities are associated and predict ES behaviour. The research has found that there is significant relationship between OS and JE. Also, the research has found that OS directly affects JE. In other words, OS is one of the biggest barriers to organizational engagement of the employees at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt.

Practical implications: This research contributes to stimulate scientific research, particularly in terms of testing the model content, as well as studying the research variables and the factors affecting them. In addition, this research pointed to the need for organizations to adopt a culture which encourages and urges employees to speak in the labor issues and the non-silence in order for the administration to be able to realize these issues and try to solve them first hand in order to prevent their aggravation.

Originality/value: Although the phenomenon of silence is expected in organizations, there is little empirical evidence in the literature aimed at defining, analyzing, and coping with it. Silence climate has an impact on the ability of organizations to detect errors and learn. Therefore, organizational effectiveness is negatively affected. This research aims to measure the effect of OS on JE. Based on the findings of this research, some important implications are discussed.
As A Supply Chain Financing Source, Trade Credit and Bank Credit Relationship during Financial Crises from Clustering Point of View
Authors: Sevim Cuneyt , Ekiyor Aykut , Tosyali Ali
Published: March 2016

This paper examines trade credit and bank credit behavior of firms during financial crisis using World Bank Survey dataset that contains detailed data on trade credit utilization of firms. Unlike literature, cluster analysis is used in order to investigate credit behavior of firms during financial crisis. For better clustering results, feature selection method is used to select variables thought to be important on model. When examined the trade and bank credit behavior of clusters that have been formed by using these variables with clustering analysis, it has been found that impact of the crisis on firms in the supply chain is important. It is found that due to demand fall for goods generated by crisis, firms are motivated to give trade credits to their customers in order not to lose them. However, firms need financial support either from the previous link in the supply chain through trade credit or from the financial institutions through bank credit.
Public Management and Strategic Management in Vietnam State-owned Enterprises (SOEs)
Authors: Lan Mai Thanh
Published: March 2016

State owned enterprises (SOEs) play an important role in Vietnam’s economy and therefore always receive care from our Party and State. In the context of economic crisis, to stabilize the business situation and overcome the crisis, the State should have a policy which is correct and conformable to the State economic sector to bring the role of macroeconomic regulation of these enterprises into play. The research analyzes the characteristics of SOEs as well as the actual application of the State management policies to this economic sector, from that to assess the difficulties and shortcomings of Vietnam SOEs against the background of globalization. Based on analyzing the documents collected together with the practical surveys of a number of state-owned corporations, groups, the paper gives an overview of the State economic sector in Vietnam and proposes some effective solutions to improve State management over the national economy.
Women Investors’ Preferences: Case of Jordan
Authors: AL-Amarneh Asma’a
Published: March 2016

Women participation in the Jordanian Security market were recognized to be limited compared to men participation. During the last five years, their holdings increased from (469) million to (524) million shares, with 12% growth rate. This paper is the first empirical study that investigates the factor affecting women security selections by focusing on an emerging country, Jordan. The results show that Jordanian women investors prefer to invest in mature companies with large cap that are using their earning to pay dividend. They also, a value investors seeking undervalued shares for solid companies to invest in, then sell them high when the market derives the prices back up. In general, Jordanian women are risk-averse investors focus on perceived safety and require high rate of return for acquiring a higher level of risk. The findings of this paper could be the first step toward improving the participation of Jordanian women in investment activity and increasing the liquidity and efficiency of Amman stock Exchange.
Post-harvest longevity of ×Heucherella L. leaves after the application of benzyladenine sprayed on maternal plants
Authors: Janowska Beata , Czuchaj Piotr , Rybus-Zając Magdalena
Published: March 2016

Analyses were conducted on leaves of two ×Heucherella L. cultivars: ‘Solar Power’ and ‘Kimono’. Leaves were harvested at two dates: spring (2014-05-22) and summer (2014-07-26). Prior to each leaf harvest day, the maternal plants were sprayed with benzyladenine (BA) at a concentration of 100, 300 and 600 mg dm−3. After being cut, the leaves were placed in containers with distilled water. In the cultivar ‘Solar Power’, BA at a concentration of 100–600 mg dm−3 had an advantageous effect on post-harvest longevity of leaves harvested in summer, improving it by 31.7–98.3%, while in the cultivar ‘Kimono’ BA at the above-mentioned concentrations improved post-harvest longevity of leaves harvested both in spring and summer by almost 2 months. BA at a concentration of 100–600 mg dm−3 inhibited proteolysis in leaves of the tested ×Heucherella cultivars, except for leaves of the cultivars ‘Solar Power’ and ‘Kimono’ harvested in summer from plants sprayed with BA at a concentration of 100 mg dm−3. In these leaves, the protein level was comparable to that in the control leaves. In leaves treated with BA at a concentration of 100–600 mg dm−3, the content of saccharides was higher than in the control plants harvested in the spring and summer.
CAUSAL CHAINING AND THE ACTIVE/PASSIVE RATION IN SCIENCE TEXTS
Authors: Haase Christoph
Published: March 2016

In this contribution, a number of constructions of the type X CAUSE Y (and its morphosyntactic variants) are investigated under the perspective that the causer and the caused (and perhaps the causee) stand in a causal relationship but also in a relationship of different degrees of agency. The most obvious syntactic signature of this is the difference between active and passive sentences. It also offers the advantage to be quantifi ed and examined statistically. For this end, a corpus of academic texts from the natural sciences was queried and the frequencies and domains analysed. The fi ndings may help to improve understanding the rationale behind causal chaining and facilitate cause-effect comprehension for the reader due to inferencing in the ‘correct’ or reversed order. They further demonstrate that the scientifi c process (which involves the fi nding of natural laws by means of an establishment of cause-effect relationships) is gradually different in ‘softer’ sciences (which often operate on correlation instead of causation).
EXPLORING MODAL VERBS CONVEYING POSSIBILITY IN ACADEMIC DISCOURSE
Authors: Huschová Petra
Published: March 2016

This paper explores the occurrence and use of the English modal verbs CAN/COULD and MAY/MIGHT conveying possibility meanings in academic texts dealing with linguistics and attempts to reveal the contextual factors determining the interpretation of the verbs. The paper discusses the semantic components of the examined modal verbs in relation to syntactic co-occurrence patterns and stylistic variation, focusing on the factors governing the distribution and usage of their epistemic and root possibility readings. Finally, the paper comments on the possibility readings of CAN/COULD and MAY/MIGHT which can be employed as hedging devices.
REFERENTIALITY IN NOUN PHRASES AND RELATIVE PRONOUNS
Authors: Kumamoto Chiaki
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the use of who and which with human antecedents in non-restrictive relative clauses. Apart from the cases where the antecedent is a property NP, the contexts that require which are claimed to be those where the antecedent is a non-specifi c NP (Kuno 1970, Declerck 1991). However, the use of which is not limited to these cases. Moreover, there are cases where which is not allowed even though the antecedent is a non-specifi c NP. I will argue that in order to fully account for the choice between who and which, it is crucial to consider not only the referentiality and the specifi city of the antecedent NP but also the semantic function that the relative pronoun plays in the clause, specifi cally, whether it is a referential NP, a property NP, or an NP involving a variable.
The Romantic Fairy Tale and Surrealism: Marvelous Non-Sense and Dark Apprehensions
Authors: Sanders Karin
Published: March 2016

Romanticism and surrealism shared a fascination with the fairy tale. Yet each was beholden to specific historical moments and particular aesthetic demands. What they wanted were not the same. This article considers  how the romantic fairy tale nevertheless functions as a ‘seed’ for surrealists. Contagions, commonalities, and contrasts between the two movements are briefly outlined. A selection of fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen is used to demonstrate how a host of visual reinterpretations including lithographs, photo-collages, and video art by twentieth-century surrealists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, and twenty-first-century avant-garde artists like Åsa Sjöström, have reinterpreted the latent possibilities of non-sense in the fairy tale: the marvelous, the absurd, and the dream-like. The article demonstrates that by evoking the dark-romantic sides of Andersen’s works these avant-garde reconceptualizations in visual media predominantly point to shock, violence, war, and ecological disasters.
The Inversion of Originality through Design
Authors: Donnelly Brian
Published: March 2016

Si la nouveauté et l’originalité sont au centre de l’autodéfinition de la modernité et des discussions sur son avant-garde critique, nous examinons l’idée de la criticalité pour voir comment, dans le graphisme, c’est au contraire la reproduction, la mimesis, et même la copie fidèle qui ont donné lieu à des pratiques et à des transformations critiques percutantes. Notre discussion d’une nouvelle criticalité (malgré la perte d’originalité) repose entre autres sur la théorie cybernétique, sur la philosophie poststructuraliste et sur des exemples tirés de la première histoire du design : l’origine de l’alphabet abstrait occidental et la production européenne de masse de lettres et d’imprimerie. Concluant avec une lecture de la théorie critique, notamment autour de problématiques posées par Adorno, nous suggérons que la mimesis du design professionnel donne lieu à une transformation sociale critique malgré sa position en dehors de l’avant-garde autonome et grâce à ses racines dans le besoin quotidien.
Hospitalizations among HIV controllers and persons with medically controlled HIV in the U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study
Authors: Crowell Trevor A , Ganesan Anuradha , Berry Stephen A , Deiss Robert G , Agan Brian K , Okulicz Jason F ,   for the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) HIV Working Group
Published: March 2016

Introduction

HIV controllers (HICs) experience relatively low‐level viraemia and CD4 preservation without antiretroviral therapy (ART), but also immune activation that may predispose to adverse clinical events such as cardiovascular disease and hospitalization. The objective of this study was to characterize the rates and reasons for hospitalization among HICs and persons with medically controlled HIV.

Methods

Subjects with consistently well‐controlled HIV were identified in the U.S. Military HIV Natural History Study. ART prescription and HIV‐1 RNA data were used to categorize subjects as HICs or medically controlled as defined by ≥3 HIV‐1 RNA measurements ≤2000 or ≤400 copies/mL, respectively, representing the majority of measurements spanning ≥12 months. Hospitalizations were tallied and assigned diagnostic categories. All‐cause hospitalization rates were compared between groups using negative binomial regression.

Results and discussion

Of 3106 subjects followed from 2000 to 2013, 221 were HICs, including 33 elite (1.1%) and 188 viraemic (6.0%) controllers, who contributed 882 person‐years (PY) of observation time. An additional 870 subjects with medically controlled HIV contributed 4217 PY. Mean hospitalization rates were 9.4/100 PY among HICs and 8.8/100 PY among medically controlled subjects. Non‐AIDS‐defining infections were the most common reason for hospitalization (2.95/100 PY and 2.70/100 PY, respectively) and rates of cardiovascular hospitalization were similar in both groups (0.45/100 PY and 0.76/100 PY). There was no difference in hospitalization rate for HICs compared with subjects with medically controlled HIV (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.15 [95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.65]).

Conclusions

All‐cause and cardiovascular hospitalization rates did not differ between HICs and persons with medically controlled HIV. Non‐AIDS defining infections were common in this young, healthy, predominantly male cohort of military personnel and beneficiaries.
SOX2 O-GlcNAcylation alters its protein-protein interactions and genomic occupancy to modulate gene expression in pluripotent cells
Authors: Myers Samuel A , Peddada Sailaja , Chatterjee Nilanjana , Friedrich Tara , Tomoda Kiichrio , Krings Gregor , Thomas Sean , Maynard Jason , Broeker Michael , Thomson Matthew , Pollard Katherine , Yamanaka Shinya , Burlingame Alma L , Panning Barbara
Published: March 2016

The transcription factor SOX2 is central in establishing and maintaining pluripotency. The processes that modulate SOX2 activity to promote pluripotency are not well understood. Here, we show SOX2 is O-GlcNAc modified in its transactivation domain during reprogramming and in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Upon induction of differentiation SOX2 O-GlcNAcylation at serine 248 is decreased. Replacing wild type with an O-GlcNAc-deficient SOX2 (S248A) increases reprogramming efficiency. ESCs with O-GlcNAc-deficient SOX2 exhibit alterations in gene expression. This change correlates with altered protein-protein interactions and genomic occupancy of the O-GlcNAc-deficient SOX2 compared to wild type. In addition, SOX2 O-GlcNAcylation impairs the SOX2-PARP1 interaction, which has been shown to regulate ESC self-renewal. These findings show that SOX2 activity is modulated by O-GlcNAc, and provide a novel regulatory mechanism for this crucial pluripotency transcription factor.
Acquisition of exogenous haem is essential for tick reproduction
Authors: Perner Jan , Sobotka Roman , Sima Radek , Konvickova Jitka , Sojka Daniel , Oliveira Pedro Lagerblad de , Hajdusek Ondrej , Kopacek Petr
Published: March 2016

Haem and iron homeostasis in most eukaryotic cells is based on a balanced flux between haem biosynthesis and haem oxygenase-mediated degradation. Unlike most eukaryotes, ticks possess an incomplete haem biosynthetic pathway and, together with other (non-haematophagous) mites, lack a gene encoding haem oxygenase. We demonstrated, by membrane feeding, that ticks do not acquire bioavailable iron from haemoglobin-derived haem. However, ticks require dietary haemoglobin as an exogenous source of haem since, feeding with haemoglobin-depleted serum led to aborted embryogenesis. Supplementation of serum with haemoglobin fully restored egg fertility. Surprisingly, haemoglobin could be completely substituted by serum proteins for the provision of amino-acids in vitellogenesis. Acquired haem is distributed by haemolymph carrier protein(s) and sequestered by vitellins in the developing oocytes. This work extends, substantially, current knowledge of haem auxotrophy in ticks and underscores the importance of haem and iron metabolism as rational targets for anti-tick interventions.
Resistome diversity in cattle and the environment decreases during beef production
Authors: Noyes Noelle R , Yang Xiang , Linke Lyndsey M , Magnuson Roberta J , Dettenwanger Adam , Cook Shaun , Geornaras Ifigenia , Woerner Dale E , Gow Sheryl P , McAllister Tim A , Yang Hua , Ruiz Jaime , Jones Kenneth L , Boucher Christina A , Morley Paul S , Belk Keith E
Published: March 2016

Antimicrobial resistant determinants (ARDs) can be transmitted from livestock systems through meat products or environmental effluents. The public health risk posed by these two routes is not well understood, particularly in non-pathogenic bacteria. We collected pooled samples from 8 groups of 1741 commercial cattle as they moved through the process of beef production from feedlot entry through slaughter. We recorded antimicrobial drug exposures and interrogated the resistome at points in production when management procedures could potentially influence ARD abundance and/or transmission. Over 300 unique ARDs were identified. Resistome diversity decreased while cattle were in the feedlot, indicating selective pressure. ARDs were not identified in beef products, suggesting that slaughter interventions may reduce the risk of transmission of ARDs to beef consumers. This report highlights the utility and limitations of metagenomics for assessing public health risks regarding antimicrobial resistance, and demonstrates that environmental pathways may represent a greater risk than the food supply.
Molecular mechanism of activation-triggered subunit exchange in Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II
Authors: Bhattacharyya Moitrayee , Stratton Margaret M , Going Catherine C , McSpadden Ethan D , Huang Yongjian , Susa Anna C , Elleman Anna , Cao Yumeng Melody , Pappireddi Nishant , Burkhardt Pawel , Gee Christine L , Barros Tiago , Schulman Howard , Williams Evan R , Kuriyan John
Published: March 2016

Activation triggers the exchange of subunits in Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), an oligomeric enzyme that is critical for learning, memory, and cardiac function. The mechanism by which subunit exchange occurs remains elusive. We show that the human CaMKII holoenzyme exists in dodecameric and tetradecameric forms, and that the calmodulin (CaM)-binding element of CaMKII can bind to the hub of the holoenzyme and destabilize it to release dimers. The structures of CaMKII from two distantly diverged organisms suggest that the CaM-binding element of activated CaMKII acts as a wedge by docking at intersubunit interfaces in the hub. This converts the hub into a spiral form that can release or gain CaMKII dimers. Our data reveal a three-way competition for the CaM-binding element, whereby phosphorylation biases it towards the hub interface, away from the kinase domain and calmodulin, thus unlocking the ability of activated CaMKII holoenzymes to exchange dimers with unactivated ones.
Midbrain dopamine neurons compute inferred and cached value prediction errors in a common framework
Authors: Sadacca Brian F , Jones Joshua L , Schoenbaum Geoffrey
Published: March 2016

Midbrain dopamine neurons have been proposed to signal reward prediction errors as defined in temporal difference (TD) learning algorithms. While these models have been extremely powerful in interpreting dopamine activity, they typically do not use value derived through inference in computing errors. This is important because much real world behavior – and thus many opportunities for error-driven learning – is based on such predictions. Here, we show that error-signaling rat dopamine neurons respond to the inferred, model-based value of cues that have not been paired with reward and do so in the same framework as they track the putative cached value of cues previously paired with reward. This suggests that dopamine neurons access a wider variety of information than contemplated by standard TD models and that, while their firing conforms to predictions of TD models in some cases, they may not be restricted to signaling errors from TD predictions.
The cell proliferation antigen Ki-67 organises heterochromatin
Authors: Sobecki Michal , Mrouj Karim , Camasses Alain , Parisis Nikolaos , Nicolas Emilien , Llères David , Gerbe François , Prieto Susana , Krasinska Liliana , David Alexandre , Eguren Manuel , Birling Marie-Christine , Urbach Serge , Hem Sonia , Déjardin Jérôme , Malumbres Marcos , Jay Philippe , Dulic Vjekoslav , Lafontaine Denis LJ , Feil Robert , Fisher Daniel
Published: March 2016

Antigen Ki-67 is a nuclear protein expressed in proliferating mammalian cells. It is widely used in cancer histopathology but its functions remain unclear. Here, we show that Ki-67 controls heterochromatin organisation. Altering Ki-67 expression levels did not significantly affect cell proliferation in vivo. Ki-67 mutant mice developed normally and cells lacking Ki-67 proliferated efficiently. Conversely, upregulation of Ki-67 expression in differentiated tissues did not prevent cell cycle arrest. Ki-67 interactors included proteins involved in nucleolar processes and chromatin regulators. Ki-67 depletion disrupted nucleologenesis but did not inhibit pre-rRNA processing. In contrast, it altered gene expression. Ki-67 silencing also had wide-ranging effects on chromatin organisation, disrupting heterochromatin compaction and long-range genomic interactions. Trimethylation of histone H3K9 and H4K20 was relocalised within the nucleus. Finally, overexpression of human or Xenopus Ki-67 induced ectopic heterochromatin formation. Altogether, our results suggest that Ki-67 expression in proliferating cells spatially organises heterochromatin, thereby controlling gene expression.
Further support for aneuploidy tolerance in wild yeast and effects of dosage compensation on gene copy-number evolution
Authors: Gasch Audrey P , Hose James , Newton Michael A , Sardi Maria , Yong Mun , Wang Zhishi
Published: March 2016

In our prior work by Hose et al., we performed a genome-sequencing survey and reported that aneuploidy was frequently observed in wild strains of S. cerevisiae. We also profiled transcriptome abundance in naturally aneuploid isolates compared to isogenic euploid controls and found that 10–30% of amplified genes, depending on the strain and affected chromosome, show lower-than-expected expression compared to gene copy number. In Hose et al., we argued that this gene group is enriched for genes subject to one or more modes of dosage compensation, where mRNA abundance is decreased in response to higher dosage of that gene. A recent manuscript by Torres et al. refutes our prior work. Here, we provide a response to Torres et al., along with additional analysis and controls to support our original conclusions. We maintain that aneuploidy is well tolerated in the wild strains of S. cerevisiae that we studied and that the group of genes enriched for those subject to dosage compensation show unique evolutionary signatures.
Changing our minds about changes of mind
Authors: Fleming Stephen M.
Published: March 2016

Two theories that attempt to explain why we sometimes reverse a decision shortly after making it may both be correct.
Threshold-voltage bias-temperature instability in commercially-available SiC MOSFETs
Authors: Green Ron , Lelis Aivars , Habersat Daniel
Published: March 2016

This work reports on three important aspects of threshold-voltage instability in SiC power MOSFETs: (1) the threshold-voltage bias-temperature instability observed in commercial devices from two leading manufacturers, (2) a summary of the basic mechanisms driving this instability, and (3) the need for an improved test method for evaluating these devices. Even under significant overstress conditions, no negative threshold-voltage shift was observed in the most-recent-vintage commercial devices from one of the manufacturers during a −15 V, 175 °C negative-bias temperature stress lasting 120 h.
High-performance MOS-capacitor-type Si optical modulator and surface-illumination-type Ge photodetector for optical interconnection
Authors: Fujikata Junichi , Takahashi Shigeki , Takahashi Masashi , Noguchi Masataka , Nakamura Takahiro , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: March 2016

We developed a high-speed and high efficiency MOS-capacitor-type Si optical modulator (Si-MOD). We designed the optimum structure and demonstrated a very high modulation efficiency (V
π
L) of 0.28–0.30 V cm at 1.3 µm wavelength. We also demonstrated a high speed of 25 Gbps for the Si-MOD integrated with a Si-waveguide-coupled Ge photodetector (Ge-PD), and also high-speed operation of 15 Gbps with a CMOS driver. We further demonstrated a high modulation efficiency of 0.16 V cm with a low optical loss (α) of 3.5 dB/mm, using a carrier accumulation mode. In this case, the figure of merit (FOM) of αV
π
L is less than 7 dBV. We demonstrated a high-speed operation of 25 Gbps for the Si-MOD with a short phase shifter of 60 µm length. We also demonstrated a surface-illumination-type pin Ge-PD, which shows both a high bandwidth of 24 GHz and a high-efficiency of 0.8–0.9 A/W in the case of 30 µm Ge diameter.
Au induced low-temperature formation of preferentially (111)-oriented crystalline Ge on insulator
Authors: Okamoto Hayato , Kudo Kohei , Nomitsu Tatsushi , Mochii Ryosuke , Moto Kenta , Takakura Kenichiro , Tsunoda Isao
Published: March 2016

The effects of Au insertion in solid-phase crystallization for amorphous Ge films on SiO2/Si substrates were investigated to achieve oriented crystalline Ge. After high-temperature annealing above 300 °C, Au atoms were highly diffused in the amorphous Ge layer. The resulting crystalline Ge consisted of random grains formed by crystal nucleation in the entire Ge region. However, when annealing temperature was decreased to below 250 °C, Au atoms were localized at their initial position even after a long annealing (20 h). Moreover, formation of preferentially (111)-oriented crystalline Ge was achieved without using the metal-induced layer-exchange crystallization method. These results suggest that crystal nucleation preferentially occurs at the amorphous Ge/Au interface, and subsequently the nucleus growth progresses into the Ge layer.
Controlled functionalization of a double-junction n+/n−/n+ polysilicon nanobelt for hydrogen sensing application
Authors: Tran Nhan Ai , Sang Chen-Hsiang , Pan Fu-Ming , Sheu Jeng-Tzong
Published: March 2016

In this paper, a double-junction n+/n−/n+ polysilicon nanobelt selectively functionalized with platinum has been studied for hydrogen sensing application. The selective modification of the devices is performed by the combination of localized ablation of a resist and a lift-off process of e-beam evaporation of a catalyst material. The coverage of a Pt layer on the n− region is precisely controlled by adjusting Joule heating bias and pulse length. The Pt-functionalized devices show a rapid response to hydrogen with a limit of detection of only 5 ppm. The device with fully Pt-covered n− region is optimum for obtaining the best response to hydrogen.
The miRNA biogenesis in marine bivalves
Authors: Rosani Umberto , Pallavicini Alberto , Venier Paola
Published: March 2016

Small non-coding RNAs include powerful regulators of gene expression, transposon mobility and virus activity. Among the various categories, mature microRNAs (miRNAs) guide the translational repression and decay of several targeted mRNAs. The biogenesis of miRNAs depends on few gene products, essentially conserved from basal to higher metazoans, whose protein domains allow specific interactions with dsRNA. Here, we report the identification of key genes responsible of the miRNA biogenesis in 32 bivalves, with particular attention to the aquaculture speciesMytilus galloprovincialisandCrassostrea gigas. In detail, we have identified and phylogenetically compared eight evolutionary conserved proteins: DROSHA, DGCR8, EXP5, RAN, DICER TARBP2, AGO and PIWI. In mussels, we recognized several other proteins participating in the miRNA biogenesis or in the subsequent RNA silencing. According to digital expression analysis, these genes display low and not inducible expression levels in adult mussels and oysters whereas they are considerably expressed during development. As miRNAs play an important role also in the antiviral responses, knowledge on their production and regulative effects can shed light on essential molecular processes and provide new hints for disease prevention in bivalves.
NuclearDrosophilaCerS Schlank regulates lipid homeostasis via the homeodomain, independent of the lag1p motif
Authors: Voelzmann André , Wulf Anna‐Lena , Eckardt Franka , Thielisch Melanie , Brondolin Mirco , Pesch Yanina‐Yasmin , Sociale Mariangela , Bauer Reinhard , Hoch Michael
Published: March 2016

DrosophilaCeramide Synthase (CerS) Schlank regulates both ceramide synthesis and fat metabolism. Schlank contains a catalytic lag1p motif and, like many CerS in other species, a homeodomain of unknown function. Here, we show that theDrosophilaCerS Schlank is imported into the nucleus and requires two nuclear localization signals (NLSs) within its homeodomain and functional Importin‐β import machinery. Expression of Schlank variants containing the homeodomain without functional lag1p motif rescued the fat metabolism phenotype ofschlankmutants whereas a variant with a mutatedNLSsite did not rescue. Thus, the homeodomain of Schlank is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism independent of the catalytic lag1p motif.
Nature of the seismic lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary within normal oceanic mantle from high‐resolution receiver functions
Authors: Olugboji Tolulope Morayo , Park Jeffrey , Karato Shun‐ichiro , Shinohara Masanao
Published: March 2016

Receiver function observations in the oceanic upper mantle can test causal mechanisms for the depth, sharpness, and age dependence of the seismic wave speed decrease thought to mark the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB). We use a combination of frequency‐dependent harmonic decomposition of receiver functions and synthetic forward modeling to provide new seismological constraints on this “seismic LAB” from 17 ocean‐bottom stations and 2 borehole stations in the Philippine Sea and northwest Pacific Ocean. Underneath young oceanic crust, the seismic LAB depth follows the ∼1300 K isotherm but a lower isotherm (∼1000 K) is suggested in the Daito ridge, the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana trench, and the northern Shikoku basin. Underneath old oceanic crust, the seismic LAB lies at a constant depth ∼70 km. The age dependence of the seismic LAB depth is consistent with either a transition to partial‐melt conditions or a subsolidus rheological change as the causative factor. The age dependence of interface sharpness provides critical information to distinguish these two models. Underneath young oceanic crust, the velocity gradient is gradational, while for old oceanic crust, a sharper velocity gradient is suggested by the receiver functions. This behavior is consistent with the prediction of the subsolidus model invoking anelastic relaxation mediated by temperature and water content, but is not readily explained by a partial‐melt model. The Ps conversions display negligible two‐lobed or four‐lobed back azimuth dependence in harmonic stacks, suggesting that a sharp change in azimuthal anisotropy with depth is not responsible for them. We conclude that these ocean‐bottom observations indicate a subsolidus elastically accommodated grain‐boundary sliding (EAGBS) model for the seismic LAB. Because EAGBS does not facilitate long‐term ductile deformation, the seismic LAB may not coincide with the conventional transition from lithosphere to asthenosphere corresponding to a change in the long‐term rheological properties.
World Wildlife Fund
Authors: Wapner Paul
Published: March 2016

Created in Britain in 1961 to serve as a funding mechanism to protect endangered species, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has grown to be one of the largest, well‐funded, and effective transnational environmental nongovernmental groups working to protect the global environment. WWF has over 5 million members and concentrates on six principal issue areas: forests, oceans, freshwater, climate, food, and wildlife. It works to influence governments, corporations, and civil society actors to care about and take action to protect the environment, and undertakes direct projects to safeguard environmental wellbeing.
Undernutrition
Authors: Serra‐Majem Luis
Published: March 2016

Undernutrition is a term that comprises stunting, underweight, wasting, and being deficient in essential vitamins and minerals (also called micronutrients), and, as such, it is the category of malnutrition that represents nutrient deficits. The other form of malnutrition is associated with excessive energy and nutrient intakes, leading to obesity and other diet‐related noncommunicable diseases (i.e., diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc.). Maternal and child undernutrition continue to be persistent issues in low‐income and middle‐income countries, resulting in important increases in mortality and an overall disease burden such as poor fetal growth, low birth weight, xerophthalmia, anemia, goiter, impaired cognitive development, and increased risk of diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria, among others. Undernutrition exacerbates the detrimental effects of other pathologies and thus is directly or indirectly associated with nearly 35 percent of all child deaths worldwide. Even mildly underweight children have nearly double the risk of death when compared to their well‐nourished counterparts.
Hydrazine Sensor Based on Co3O4/rGO/Carbon Cloth Electrochemical Electrode
Authors: Wang Qian , Wu Meiyan , Meng Shangjun , Zang Xiaoxian , Dai Ziyang , Si Weili , Huang Wei , Dong Xiaochen
Published: March 2016

Porous cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanosheets, vertically aligned on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified 3D carbon cloth (CC), are synthesized by using a facile diffusion method at room temperature following a thermal annealing process (named as Co3O4/rGO/CC). Employed as freestanding electrochemical electrode, the detection behaviors of the Co3O4/rGO/CC toward hydrazine have been systematically investigated. It exhibits a high sensitivity (1306.7 μA mM−1 cm−2), good stability, and excellent selectivity. The detection limit for hydrazine can reach to 0.141 × 10−6 M with a linear response range of 5–470 × 10−6 M. The outstanding sensing properties of the Co3O4/rGO/CC electrode can be attributed to the electrocatalytic activity of porous Co3O4 nanosheets, the good conductivity of carbon cloth, and the large surface area of the 3D structure. It presents potential applications in the field of environment protection, food analysis, medicine, and so on.
Epileptic encephalopathy de novo GABRB mutations impair γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptor function
Authors: Janve Vaishali S. , Hernandez Ciria C. , Verdier Kelienne M. , Hu Ningning , Macdonald Robert L.
Published: March 2016

Objective

The Epi4K Consortium recently identified 4 de novo mutations in the γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor β3 subunit gene GABRB3 and 1 in the β1 subunit gene GABRB1 in children with one of the epileptic encephalopathies (EEs) Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and infantile spasms (IS). Because the etiology of EEs is often unknown, we determined the impact of GABRB mutations on GABAA receptor function and biogenesis.

Methods

GABAA receptor α1 and γ2L subunits were coexpressed with wild‐type and/or mutant β3 or β1 subunits in HEK 293T cells. Currents were measured using whole cell and single channel patch clamp techniques. Surface and total expression levels were measured using flow cytometry. Potential structural perturbations in mutant GABAA receptors were explored using structural modeling.

Results

LGS‐associated GABRB3(D120N, E180G, Y302C) mutations located at β+ subunit interfaces reduced whole cell currents by decreasing single channel open probability without loss of surface receptors. In contrast, IS‐associated GABRB3(N110D) and GABRB1(F246S) mutations at β− subunit interfaces produced minor changes in whole cell current peak amplitude but altered current deactivation by decreasing or increasing single channel burst duration, respectively. GABRB3(E180G) and GABRB1(F246S) mutations also produced spontaneous channel openings.

Interpretation

All 5 de novo GABRB mutations impaired GABAA receptor function by rearranging conserved structural domains, supporting their role in EEs. The primary effect of LGS‐associated mutations was reduced GABA‐evoked peak current amplitudes, whereas the major impact of IS‐associated mutations was on current kinetic properties. Despite lack of association with epilepsy syndromes, our results suggest GABRB1 as a candidate human epilepsy gene. Ann Neurol 2016;79:806–825
Synthesis of Arylazide‐ and Diazirine‐Containing CrAsH‐EDT2 Photoaffinity Probes
Authors: Syeda Shameem S. , Rice Daren , Hook Derek J. , Heckert Leslie L. , Georg Gunda I.
Published: March 2016

Two photo‐crosslinking biarsenical (CrAsH‐EDT2)‐modified probes were synthesized that are expected to be useful tools for tetracysteine‐labeled proteins to facilitate the co‐affinity purification of their DNA binding sequences and interacting proteins. In addition, improvements for the synthesis of CrAsH‐EDT2 and N1‐(4‐azido‐2‐nitrophenyl)hexane‐1,6‐diamine are reported. Both photoprobes effectively entered HeLa cells (and the nucleus) and were dependent on the tetracysteine motif in recombinant DMRT1 (doublesex and Mab3‐related transcription factor) to induce fluorescence, suggesting that their crosslinking abilities can be exploited for the identification of nucleic acids and proteins associated with a protein of interest.
Learning anatomy via mobile augmented reality: Effects on achievement and cognitive load
Authors: Küçük Sevda , Kapakin Samet , Göktaş Yüksel
Published: March 2016

Augmented reality (AR), a new generation of technology, has attracted the attention of educators in recent years. In this study, a MagicBook was developed for a neuroanatomy topic by using mobile augmented reality (mAR) technology. This technology integrates virtual learning objects into the real world and allow users to interact with the environment using mobile devices. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of learning anatomy via mAR on medical students' academic achievement and cognitive load. The mixed method was applied in the study. The random sample consisted of 70 second‐year undergraduate medical students: 34 in an experimental group and 36 in a control group. Academic achievement test and cognitive load scale were used as data collection tool. A one‐way MANOVA test was used for analysis. The experimental group, which used mAR applications, reported higher achievement and lower cognitive load. The use of mAR applications in anatomy education contributed to the formation of an effective and productive learning environment. Student cognitive load decreased as abstract information became concrete in printed books via multimedia materials in mAR applications. Additionally, students were able to access the materials in the MagicBook anytime and anywhere they wanted. The mobile learning approach helped students learn better by exerting less cognitive effort. Moreover, the sensory experience and real time interaction with environment may provide learning satisfaction and enable students to structure their knowledge to complete the learning tasks. Anat Sci Educ 9: 411–421. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.
Shared values, new vision: Collaboration and communities of practice in virtual reference and SQA
Authors: Radford Marie L. , Connaway Lynn Silipigni , Mikitish Stephanie , Alpert Mark , Shah Chirag , Cooke Nicole A.
Published: March 2016

This investigation of new approaches to improving collaboration, user/librarian experiences, and sustainability for virtual reference services (VRS) reports findings from a grant project titled “Cyber Synergy: Seeking Sustainability between Virtual Reference and Social Q&A Sites” (Radford, Connaway, & Shah, –2014). In‐depth telephone interviews with 50 VRS librarians included questions on collaboration, referral practices, and attitudes toward Social Question and Answer (SQA) services using the Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, ). The Community of Practice (CoP) (Wenger, ; Davies, ) framework was found to be a useful conceptualization for understanding VRS professionals' approaches to their work. Findings indicate that participants usually refer questions from outside of their area of expertise to other librarians, but occasionally refer them to nonlibrarian experts. These referrals are made possible because participants believe that other VRS librarians are qualified and willing collaborators. Barriers to collaboration include not knowing appropriate librarians/experts for referral, inability to verify credentials, and perceived unwillingness to collaborate. Facilitators to collaboration include knowledge of appropriate collaborators who are qualified and willingness to refer. Answers from SQA services were perceived as less objective and authoritative, but participants were open to collaborating with nonlibrarian experts with confirmation of professional expertise or extensive knowledge.
ChemInform Abstract: STRUKTURUMWANDLUNGEN VON CU2SE
Authors: ASADOV YU. G. , DZHABRAILOVA G. A. , NASIROV V. I.
Published: March 2016

An Cu2Se ‐Einkristallen werden die polymorphen α ⇌ β‐Umwandlungen röntgenographisch und mikroskopisch untersucht.