bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le télétravail, un objet sans désir ?
Authors: Aguilera Anne , Lethiais Virginie , Rallet Alain , Proulhac Laurent
Published: February 2016

L’objectif de cet article est d’expliquer les écarts entre les fortes attentes sociétales attachées au télétravail et la faiblesse de sa pratique en France. Sur la base de trois enquêtes, nous montrons que le télétravail est non seulement un phénomène limité, mais qu’il est principalement lié à des arrangements informels, et enfin qu’il n’est plébiscité ni par les salariés ni par les entreprises. Les principales raisons concernent ses avantages incertains et ses coûts immédiats. La conclusion discute les éléments de contexte qui pourraient modifier les choix des différents agents.
Analysis of Subsea Inductive Power Transfer Performances Using Planar Coils
Authors: Vittal Doss Prakash , Arunachalam Umapathy , Narayanaswamy Vedachalam , Arumugam Vadivelan , Raju Ramesh , Ramadass Gidugu Ananda , Atmanand Malayath Aravindakshan
Published: February 2016

AbstractSubsea inductive power transfer is one of the reliable and efficient methods for limited electric power transfer between closely located subsea systems. A planar coiled system is modeled using the electromagnetic finite element analysis software MagNet, and the simulation
results are compared with those of a developed prototype; it is found that 75‐125 kHz is the optimum frequency for electrical power transfer in sea water conditions. The power transfer performance for various water gaps and offsets is identified. The results indicate that the power
transfer efficiencies vary from 63.4% to 0.9% for water gaps ranging from 50 to 500 mm at an operating frequency of 125 kHz. The model is also extrapolated to flux concentrated designs, and the coil dimensions required for higher power transfer applications are identified.
Path-Following Control of an AUV: Fully Actuated Versus Under-actuated Configuration
Authors: Xiang Xianbo , Yu Caoyang , Zhang Qin , Xu Guohua
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe problem of motion control of underwater vehicles in both the fully actuated and under-actuated configurations is often confronted by the marine technology community. This paper presents a nonlinear control method for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) traveling
along a planned planar path in both actuation configurations. The common objectives of path-following control for both fully actuated and under-actuated vehicles are described, and the differences in the necessary path-following control designs are analyzed, showing that the side-slip angle
of the vehicle plays an important role in the evolution of the dynamics of AUVs with different actuation configurations. Based on the presented analysis, nonlinear controllers for the two types of AUV configurations are proposed, and the inherent characteristics of under-actuation and full
actuation are revealed by a dedicated analysis of numerical simulation paradigms, the results of which will be instrumental in guiding marine technology engineers in the practical design and control of AUVs.
Methods to Resist Water Current Disturbances for Underwater Walking Robots
Authors: Chen Gang , Chen Jiawang , Jin Bo , Chen Ying
Published: February 2016

AbstractUnderwater robots play an increasingly significant role in helping humans explore or accomplish various tasks in the underwater environment. Underwater walking robots are members of a large group of underwater robots. With the support of multiple legs, underwater
walking robots can walk continuously on underwater ground and have good capability to resist water current disturbances. These robots are qualified to perform the tasks that autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles are unable to or cannot efficiently accomplish, particularly
exploration, observation, detection, and operation on underwater ground. This paper provides a brief introduction to the development of underwater walking robots and the methods to address water current disturbances acting on underwater walking robots in underwater environments. This study
also presents future directions in the methods to resist water current disturbances for underwater walking robots.
Reevaluation of Design Waves Off the Western Indian Coast Considering Climate Change
Authors: Satyavathi Pentapati , Deo Makarand C. , Kerkar Jyoti , Vethamony Ponnumony
Published: February 2016

AbstractKnowledge of design waves with long return periods forms an essential input to many engineering applications, including structural design and analysis. Such extreme or long-term waves are conventionally evaluated using observed or hindcast historical wave data. Globally,
waves are expected to undergo future changes in magnitude and behavior as a result of climate change induced by global warming. Considering future climate change, this study attempts to reevaluate significant wave height (Hs) as well as average spectral wave period (Tz) with a return period
of 100 years for a series of locations along the western Indian coastline. Historical waves are simulated using a numerical wave model forced by wind data extracted from the archives of the National Center for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, while
future wave data are generated by a state-of-the-art Canadian general circulation model. A statistical extreme value analysis of past and projected wave data carried out with the help of the generalized Pareto distribution showed an increase in 100-year Hs and Tz along the Indian coastline,
pointing out the necessity to reconsider the safety of offshore structures in the light of global warming.
Numerical Analysis of Drag Reduction Performance of Different Shaped Riblet Surfaces
Authors: Bai Xiuqin , Zhang Xuan , Yuan Chengqing
Published: February 2016

AbstractAiming to investigate the drag reduction performance of an antifouling shell rough surface, six different geometries of shell surface texture are simplified as V-shaped riblet, U-shaped riblet, space-V-shaped riblet, blunt-V-shaped riblet, L-shaped riblet, and ∩-shaped
riblet. Five kinds of riblets have the same geometric features: groove height and grooved spacing. SST-k-ω model is adopted for the turbulence model. The flow field structure above the different shaped riblet surfaces as well as shear stress and turbulent kinetic
energy are analyzed. Moreover, how the flow is influenced by different shapes of riblets is discussed. The knowledge gained in this study can provide theoretical reference for optimal groove surface design of a ship hull with drag reduction performance.
Design and Validation of a Novel Generic Platform for the Production of Tetravalent IgG1-like Bispecific Antibodies
Authors: Golay Josée , Choblet Sylvie , Iwaszkiewicz Justyna , Cérutti Pierre , Ozil Annick , Loisel Séverine , Pugnière Martine , Ubiali Greta , Zoete Vincent , Michielin Olivier , Berthou Christian , Kadouche Jean , Mach Jean-Pierre , Duonor-Cérutti Martine
Published: February 2016

We have designed and validated a novel generic platform for production of tetravalent IgG1-like chimeric bispecific Abs. The VH-CH1-hinge domains of mAb2 are fused through a peptidic linker to the N terminus of mAb1 H chain, and paired mutations at the CH1-CL interface mAb1 are introduced that force the correct pairing of the two different free L chains. Two different sets of these CH1-CL interface mutations, called CR3 and MUT4, were designed and tested, and prototypic bispecific Abs directed against CD5 and HLA-DR were produced (CD5xDR). Two different hinge sequences between mAb1 and mAb2 were also tested in the CD5xDR-CR3 or -MUT4 background, leading to bispecific Ab (BsAbs) with a more rigid or flexible structure. All four Abs produced bound with good specificity and affinity to CD5 and HLA-DR present either on the same target or on different cells. Indeed, the BsAbs were able to efficiently redirect killing of HLA-DR+ leukemic cells by human CD5+ cytokine-induced killer T cells. Finally, all BsAbs had a functional Fc, as shown by their capacity to activate human complement and NK cells and to mediate phagocytosis. CD5xDR-CR3 was chosen as the best format because it had overall the highest functional activity and was very stable in vitro in both neutral buffer and in serum. In vivo, CD5xDR-CR3 was shown to have significant therapeutic activity in a xenograft model of human leukemia.
Mincle Activation and the Syk/Card9 Signaling Axis Are Central to the Development of Autoimmune Disease of the Eye
Authors: Lee Ellen J. , Brown Brieanna R. , Vance Emily E. , Snow Paige E. , Silver Phyllis B. , Heinrichs David , Lin Xin , Iwakura Yoichiro , Wells Christine A. , Caspi Rachel R. , Rosenzweig Holly L.
Published: February 2016

Uveitis, which occurs in association with systemic immunological diseases, presents a considerable medical challenge because of incomplete understanding of its pathogenesis. The signals that initiate T cells to target the eye, which may be of infectious or noninfectious origin, are poorly understood. Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) develops in mice immunized with the endogenous retinal protein interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein in the presence of the adjuvant CFA. EAU manifests as posterior ocular inflammation consisting of vasculitis, granulomas, retinal damage, and invasion of self-reactive T cells, which are key clinical features of human uveitis. Our studies uncover Card9 as a critical genetic determinant for EAU. Card9 was responsible for Th17 polarization and Th17-associated Ag-specific responses, but not Th1-associated responses. Nonetheless, Card9 expression was essential for accumulation of both lineages within the eye. Consistent with its recently identified role as an intracellular signaling mediator for C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), a Card9-dependent transcriptional response in the neuroretina was observed involving genes encoding the CLRs Dectin-1, Dectin-2, and Mincle. Genetic deletion of these individual CLRs revealed an essential role for Mincle. Mincle activation was sufficient to generate the EAU phenotype, and this required activation of both Syk and Card9. In contrast, Dectin-1 contributed minimally and a possible repressive role was shown for Dectin-2. These findings extend our understanding of CLRs in autoimmune uveitis. The newly identified role of Mincle and Syk/Card9-coupled signaling axis in autoimmune uveitis could provide novel targets for treatment of patients with ocular inflammatory disease.
Academic Institutions as Change Agents for Territorial Development
Authors: Aranguren Mari Jose , Guibert José María , Valdaliso Jesús M. , Wilson James R.
Published: February 2016

There is increasing interest in the role academic institutions can play as catalysts of change within the territories in which they are located, by contributing proactively to shaping socio-economic development processes. This role for universities takes us beyond the typical focus on knowledge transfer activities or broad economic impacts. It highlights in particular the contributions of ‘softer’ disciplines such as management, economics, the humanities and public policy. This paper explores this proactive strategic role for academia in regional development by means of an analysis of a particular case of institutional entrepreneurship in the Basque Country region of Spain. The telling of such stories is critical if we are to reach a better understanding of the impact universities can have in their regions beyond a quantitative, market-focused analysis.
Open Innovation, Triple Helix and Regional Innovation Systems
Authors: Kerry Christopher , Danson Michael
Published: February 2016

Through the lens of UK CATAPULT Centres this conceptual paper presents an examination of the links between open innovation, the Triple Helix model and regional innovation systems. Highlighting the importance of boundary-spanning intermediaries, the combined role of these concepts is explored in detail. A conceptual model is then proposed which shows how the Triple Helix model of innovation occurs within regional innovation systems, and how it is underpinned by open innovation principles. Finally, areas requiring further research are discussed, with a call for further emphasis on and exploration of the overlapping nature of the concepts.
Special Issue: Regional Dimensions of the Triple Helix Model
Authors: Todeva Emanuela , Danson Mike
Published: February 2016

This paper introduces the rationale for the special issue and its contributions, which bridge the literature on regional development and the Triple Helix model. The concept of the Triple Helix at the sub-national, and specifically regional, level is established and examined, with special regard to regional economic development founded on innovation and research activities. The discussion on regional competitiveness lays the foundations for the exploration of contrasting environments, sectors and administrations. The authors offer a framework that captures the array of institutions, driving factors, players and powers active at the regional level. This introductory paper presents and summarizes the articles that follow, emphasizing their contribution to the literature. It shows how the various contributions exploit the Triple Helix model to analyse policy delivery at a regional level, and describes how other models and characterizations of interactions and collaborations between institutions are being associated with the Triple Helix concept, highlighting both their shortcomings and the way they enrich its application.
Marketing Research of Motorcycle Industry in Taiwan—Personality Traits as Confounding Variable
Authors: Lee Chien Chung
Published: February 2016

The two main motorcycle user groups are office workers and students in Taiwan. The popular transportations in metropolis are cars and motorcycles. Since riding a motorcycle is more agile, convenient and easy-parking compared to driving a car, it is welcomed by those two main groups. Taiwan is an important motorcycle consuming market and has become motorcycle kingdom of the world.

In the motorcycle industry of Taiwan, sales of the four main firms accounts for 96.56% of the overall market with the sales quantity of 623,194 motorcycles, according to statistics of Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers Association in 2013. With 4Ps and purchasing decision as independent variables, personality traits as confounding variables, re-purchase intention as dependent Variable, this study is to learn about the major concerns for customers while purchasing motorcycles.

The findings of this study are as follows. Firstly, 138 samples are divided into three groups through Cluster analysis. Weaker try-out-new-things personality traits accounted for 15.22%, neutral try-out-new-things personality traits accounted 31.88% and stronger try-out-new-things personality traits accounted for 52.90%.

Secondly, two main factors to influence purchasing decision for weaker try-out-new-things personality traits are revealed. One is the preference for cleanliness of the sales environment on “place” aspect. The other is acting in information for purchasing; the recommendation of friends and relatives is more accepted.

Thirdly, one major factor to influence purchasing decision for neutral try-out-new-things personality traits is that customers of this type expect up-to-date electronic locks can be bundled in for promotion, and it will rise their purchasing intention.
Lastly, as for stronger try-out-new-things personality traits, there are more factors that affect purchasing decisions, including comparing the prices of different brands and making comparison by Internet search on “promotion” aspect, tending to go to hypermarket for one-stand-shopping and expecting a service personnel with higher quality on “place” aspect, hoping vendors providing micro-film as main reference for selecting the product on “information for purchasing” aspect.
Innovation in Financial Services: A Challenge for Start-Ups Growth
Authors: Formisano Vincenzo , Fedele Maria , Antonucci Emanuela
Published: February 2016

Innovative services offered by a medium-sized bank, deeply rooted in the territory, generate benefits for the local start-ups and consequently for the local context. The present work aims to verify such research hypothesis, focusing on the analysis of economic-financial implications as well as social ones generated by start-ups projects whose initiatives have been considered deserving of funding and then admitted to micro-credit disbursement by Banca Popolare del Cassinate (BPC).

The methodology implemented has a dual nature. The work firstly detects literature contributes about innovative services for business growth such allocation of financial resources for company survival. Secondly, the empirical part of the paper explores the results produces by the project "First Idea", financially supporting the creation and growth of new businesses that present innovative projects and are supposed to generate worth. Reasonably, the research is based on the qualitative approach, using the multi-method layout for data collection, whose validation is performed through the triangulation method.
As result, the analysis confirms the benefits generated by the BPC initiatives at different levels, and that without innovation there is not economic growth nor local community development.
Analysis of Constraints and Opportunities in Dairy Production in Botswana: Producer’s Perspectives
Authors: Baliyan Som Pal , Stephen Gosalamang Dikgang
Published: February 2016

Dairy enterprise has been a major source of employment and income generation in most of the economies worldwide. Botswana government has also identified dairy as one of the agricultural sub-sectors towards diversification of the mineral dependent economy of the country. Despite the government’s efforts, dairy sector in Botswana has not grown satisfactorily and therefore the local demand of milk and milk products is met by imports which increase the import bill of the country by millions per annum. The huge gap between local demand and production of milk and milk products clearly indicated that there are not only constraints but also; opportunities exist in this sub sector of agriculture. Therefore, this study was an attempt to identify constraints and opportunities in dairy production in Botswana. The possible strategies to mitigate the constraints were also identified. This quantitative study adopted an exploratory survey research design. A pilot survey followed by a final survey was conducted for data collection. Based on the information from pilot survey, a four point likert’s scale type questionnaire was constructed, validated and tested for its reliability to be used in final survey. The data for the final survey was collected from purposively selected twenty five dairy farmers in Botswana. The statistical analytical tools of mean, standard deviation and Chi Square test were employed to analyze data. Among the twelve constraints identified; high feed costs, feed shortage and unavailability, lack of technical support, lack of skilled manpower, high prevalence of pests and diseases and, lack of dairy related technologies were the major constraints in dairy production. Grain feed production, roughage feed production, manufacturing of dairy feed, establishment of milk processing industry and, development of transportation systems were the major opportunities among the eight opportunities identified. Increasing production of animal feed locally, increasing roughage feed production locally, provision of subsidy on animal feed, easy access to sufficient financial support, training of the farmers and, effective control of pests and diseases were identified as the major strategies to mitigate the constraints. Moreover, the opportunities can be realised by adopting the strategies to mitigate the constraints in the dairy production. It was recommended that the identified constraints and opportunities as well as the strategies to mitigate the constraints need to be carefully considered by the stakeholders especially, policy makers during the formulation and implementation of the policies for the sustainable growth and development of dairy sector in Botswana.
Adoption of Information Systems (IS): The Factors that Influencing IS Usage and Its Effect on Employee in Jordan Telecom Sector (JTS): A Conceptual Integrated Model
Authors: Zabadi Abdelrahim M.
Published: February 2016

Based on IS adoption theories and models, this research suggested a conceptual model to the adoption and use of information systems (IS) in the Jordanian Telecommunications Sector (JTS). The framework specifies some of contextual variables such as technological, organizational, and individual characteristics as primary factors influencing on IS adoption in JTS. This study is a significant contribution to managerial practices and academic literature in the future. The study also makes a conclusion followed by recommendations for future research.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 11 No. 3
Authors: Lee Stephen
Published: February 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 11 No. 3
CEO Risk Incentives and Real Earnings Management
Authors: Fabrizi Michele , Parbonetti Antonio
Published: February 2016

Previous research shows that companies use option compensation to motivate managers to accept risk (Jensen & Meckling, 1976). Indeed, risk adverse CEOs are likely to accept less risk than that accepted by diversified shareholders (Fama & French, 1992). Nonetheless, not all risks produce the expected benefits and risk has an intrinsic cost, such as potential large losses, that cannot be eliminated. Therefore, given CEO risk incentives, real earnings management can be viewed as a mechanism used to avoid the undesirable consequences of risk on reported earnings. However, engaging in real earnings management requires cutting investments, such as R&D, that have a well-documented association with firm’s future risk profile (Comin & Philippon, 2005). As a consequence, the use of real earnings management by CEOs with high-risk incentives as a tool for mitigating the intrinsic costs of risk is an empirical question that we tackle in this paper. Using a sample of quarterly observations from US firms over the period 2003-2010, and an instrumental variable approach to overcome endogeneity concerns, we show that CEOs with high risk-related incentives engage less in real activity manipulations that encompass cutting discretionary expenditures than do executives with low incentives. These findings are consistent with the idea that CEOs incentivized on risk avoid engaging in real management activities that can decrease firm’s future risk profile.
Engineering Consultancy Practice (ECP) Business Model in Malaysia: A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Approach
Authors: Lai Justin , Khairulzan Yahya Rosli Zin , Chang Saar Chai
Published: February 2016

The implementation of liberalization in Malaysia has offered opportunities to the Malaysian to expand business. The salient point of liberalization of Engineering Consultancy Practices (ECP) is the opening of the flood gate for non-professionals (including foreigners) to register and operates consultancy practices. This would create an excessive competitive environment to the Malaysian ECP. The aim of this study is to identify the successful business model to be adopted by Engineering Consultancy Practice (ECP) for building its capacity and competitiveness. This study is important in the sense that it serves as one of the pioneer studies, focusing on the engineering consultancy practices, from the perspective of business model. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is employed to analyze data from a quantitative survey. Three components are extracted through PCA approach: (1) Profit Structure factor, (2) Management Capability factor and (3) Stakeholder Relationship factor. Consequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is utilized to perform analysis on the data extracted from PCA. Two (2) Business Model Indices are formed to examine the business performance in terms of business model criteria and business performance. Through the data validation, it is found that ECP Business Performance Index is best to evaluate the business performance. Understanding the core values related to the Engineering Consultancy Practices could help the local stakeholders to have better preparation and planning to face a greater challenge lies as a result of the liberalization.
The Players in the Accountancy Profession and Their Roles: The Case of Jordan
Authors: Atmeh Muhannad Ahmed
Published: February 2016

The accountancy profession in Jordan has been criticized for failing to achieve its goals to society, with the main players in the profession constantly exchanging accusations in this regard. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the roles and the relationships between the players in the accountancy profession in Jordan (regulators, academics and practitioners), and to provide recommendations in order to improve the quality of the accountancy profession. Results indicate that the regulators are to be blamed for the insufficient monitoring and control of the profession, as they have failed to oversee the auditors and to take disciplinary actions against the wrongdoers. Additionally, regulators jeopardized the profession by adopting IFRS as a sole framework for financial reporting for all companies. Academics have allegedly provided low quality education and inadequate teaching programs, as teaching focuses on theoretical issues with minimal consideration for the current business environment and new technicalities. Hence, graduates are not equipped with necessary skills. It is concluded that the academics have become increasingly detached from practice, instead focusing on conducting academic research at the expense of activities that may improve the quality of teaching. With regards to practitioners, findings suggest that they act on the ground of self-interest rather than public interest, in addition to not complying with quality control standards when performing their tasks.
Quality of Working Life in the Emergency Department: Physicians’ and Nurses’ Perspective
Authors: Saif Naser Ibrahim
Published: February 2016

This descriptive phenomenological qualitative case study aimed to examine the perceptions of emergency department (ED) workers regarding quality of working life (QWL). Nine QWL dimensions were investigated. Two rounds of individual semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were held with 5 physicians and 11 nurses. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s process. The findings indicate that most negative QWL issues centered on high workload and poor salary. EDs should deploy additional resources to improve the QWL of ED workers.
Determinants of Internet Banking Adoption among Customers of Commercial Banks: An Empirical Study in the Jordanian Banking Sector
Authors: Alwan Hussain Ahmad , Al-Zubi Abedlhalim Issa
Published: February 2016

The study aimed at investigating the adoption of Internet banking by customers of Jordanian commercial banks, the barriers restraining its growth, and the solutions to some of the main hindrances that face this innovative technology. A sample of 476 customers having accounts in thirteen local commercial banks and using Internet banking was randomly selected. The self-administered questionnaire relying on a 5-point scale was used to solicit the primary data. The factor analysis-varimax rotation was used to determine the dimensions of the study items whereas the simple regression was employed to determine the relative influence of perceived privacy and security, perceived ease of use, service quality, customer trust, and customer feedback on Internet banking adoption. All the independent variables have significant impacts on Internet banking adoption whilst the best predictor of the adoption is accounted for the website quality followed by customer trust.  However, the adoption rate is low and is tracked mainly by customers of high education levels and high ability in using computer applications and internet experiences. Also, the study provides some recommendations and future research to resolve the obstacles facing Internet banking adoption by customers of commercial banks in Jordan.
Tumor microenvironment derived exosomes pleiotropically modulate cancer cell metabolism
Authors: Zhao Hongyun , Yang Lifeng , Baddour Joelle , Achreja Abhinav , Bernard Vincent , Moss Tyler , Marini Juan C , Tudawe Thavisha , Seviour Elena G , San Lucas F Anthony , Alvarez Hector , Gupta Sonal , Maiti Sourindra N , Cooper Laurence , Peehl Donna , Ram Prahlad T , Maitra Anirban , Nagrath Deepak
Published: February 2016

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major cellular component of tumor microenvironment in most solid cancers. Altered cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and much of the published literature has focused on neoplastic cell-autonomous processes for these adaptations. We demonstrate that exosomes secreted by patient-derived CAFs can strikingly reprogram the metabolic machinery following their uptake by cancer cells. We find that CAF-derived exosomes (CDEs) inhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, thereby increasing glycolysis and glutamine-dependent reductive carboxylation in cancer cells. Through 13C-labeled isotope labeling experiments we elucidate that exosomes supply amino acids to nutrient-deprived cancer cells in a mechanism similar to macropinocytosis, albeit without the previously described dependence on oncogenic-Kras signaling. Using intra-exosomal metabolomics, we provide compelling evidence that CDEs contain intact metabolites, including amino acids, lipids, and TCA-cycle intermediates that are avidly utilized by cancer cells for central carbon metabolism and promoting tumor growth under nutrient deprivation or nutrient stressed conditions.
The MAP kinase pathway coordinates crossover designation with disassembly of synaptonemal complex proteins during meiosis
Authors: Nadarajan Saravanapriah , Mohideen Firaz , Tzur Yonatan B , Ferrandiz Nuria , Crawley Oliver , Montoya Alex , Faull Peter , Snijders Ambrosius P , Cutillas Pedro R , Jambhekar Ashwini , Blower Michael D , Martinez-Perez Enrique , Harper J Wade , Colaiacovo Monica P
Published: February 2016

Asymmetric disassembly of the synaptonemal complex (SC) is crucial for proper meiotic chromosome segregation. However, the signaling mechanisms that directly regulate this process are poorly understood. Here we show that the mammalian Rho GEF homolog, ECT-2, functions through the conserved RAS/ERK MAP kinase signaling pathway in the C. elegans germline to regulate the disassembly of SC proteins. We find that SYP-2, a SC central region component, is a potential target for MPK-1-mediated phosphorylation and that constitutively phosphorylated SYP-2 impairs the disassembly of SC proteins from chromosomal domains referred to as the long arms of the bivalents. Inactivation of MAP kinase at late pachytene is critical for timely disassembly of the SC proteins from the long arms, and is dependent on the crossover (CO) promoting factors ZHP-3/RNF212/Zip3 and COSA-1/CNTD1. We propose that the conserved MAP kinase pathway coordinates CO designation with the disassembly of SC proteins to ensure accurate chromosome segregation.
Conditioned respiratory threat in the subdivisions of the human periaqueductal gray
Authors: Faull Olivia K , Jenkinson Mark , Ezra Martyn , Pattinson Kyle TS
Published: February 2016

The sensation of breathlessness is the most threatening symptom of respiratory disease. The different subdivisions of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) are intricately (and differentially) involved in integrating behavioural responses to threat in animals, while the PAG has previously only been considered as a single entity in human research. Here we investigate how these individual PAG columns are differently involved with respiratory threat. Eighteen healthy subjects were conditioned to associate shapes with certain or uncertain impending respiratory load, and scanned the following day during anticipation and application of inspiratory loading using 7 T functional MRI. We showed activity in the ventrolateral PAG (vlPAG) during anticipation of resistive loading, with activity in the lateral PAG (lPAG) during resistive loading, revealing spatially and temporally distinct functions within this structure. We propose that lPAG is involved with sensorimotor responses to breathlessness, while the vlPAG operates within the threat perception network for impending breathlessness.
Endocannabinoid dynamics gate spike-timing dependent depression and potentiation
Authors: Cui Yihui , Prokin Ilya , Xu Hao , Delord Bruno , Genet Stephane , Venance Laurent , Berry Hugues
Published: February 2016

Synaptic plasticity is a cardinal cellular mechanism for learning and memory. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has emerged as a pivotal pathway for synaptic plasticity because of its widely characterized ability to depress synaptic transmission on short- and long-term scales. Recent reports indicate that eCBs also mediate potentiation of the synapse. However, it is not known how eCB signaling may support bidirectionality. Here, we combined electrophysiology experiments with mathematical modeling to question the mechanisms of eCB bidirectionality in spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP) at corticostriatal synapses. We demonstrate that STDP outcome is controlled by eCB levels and dynamics: prolonged and moderate levels of eCB lead to eCB-mediated long-term depression (eCB-tLTD) while short and large eCB transients produce eCB-mediated long-term potentiation (eCB-tLTP). Moreover, we show that eCB-tLTD requires active calcineurin whereas eCB-tLTP necessitates the activity of presynaptic PKA. Therefore, just like glutamate or GABA, eCB form a bidirectional system to encode learning and memory.
Downregulation of TAP38/PPH1 enables LHCII hyperphosphorylation in Arabidopsis mutant lacking LHCII docking site in PSI
Authors: Rantala Marjaana , Lehtimäki Nina , Aro Eva‐Mari , Suorsa Marjaana
Published: February 2016

Redox‐regulated reversible phosphorylation of the light‐harvesting complex II (LHCII) controls the excitation energy distribution between photosystem (PS) II and PSI. The PsaL and PsaH subunits of PSI enable the association of pLHCII to PSI. Here, we show that the failure of the psal mutant to dock pLHCII to PSI induces excessive phosphorylation of LHCII, primarily due to a marked downregulation of the TAP38/PPH1 phosphatase occurring at post‐transcriptional level. TAP38/PPH1 is shown to be associated with megacomplex that contains both photosystems in a light‐ and LHCII‐PSII core‐phosphorylation‐dependent manner. It is suggested that proper megacomplex‐related association of TAP38/PPH1 protects it against degradation.
Concerning reconnection‐induction balance at the magnetopause of Mercury
Authors: Heyner Daniel , Nabert Christian , Liebert Evelyn , Glassmeier Karl‐Heinz
Published: February 2016

Mercury's weak internal dipole field is subject to an intense solar wind; and thus, only a small magnetospheric cavity is created. The location of the outer boundary, the magnetopause, is mainly controlled by a pressure balance between the solar wind pressure outside and magnetic pressure inside, but during times of intense dayside reconnection the standoff distance may be reduced due to erosion. For the Hermean magnetosphere, different erosion mechanisms such as direct flux transport, neutral current sheet enhancement, field‐aligned currents, and interplanetary magnetic field penetration are compared. As any of these erosion mechanisms change the external field experienced by the planet, currents are induced within the electrically conductive planetary interior. Secondary magnetic fields from these induced currents counteract their source by temporarily increasing the planetary magnetic moment. The amplitude of this compensation depends on the interior electrical conductivity structure. Using a magnetospheric model, that is based on in situ MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging data, as well as a simple conductivity model for the planetary interior, we give an estimate of the induced magnetic field range possible for various internal conductivity structures and external forcings. Considering the planetary response to the magnetospheric field changes opens a possibility to probe the planetary interior—a method especially suited for the upcoming BepiColombo mission to Mercury.
Climatic effects of irrigation over the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain in China simulated by the weather research and forecasting model
Authors: Yang Ben , Zhang Yaocun , Qian Yun , Tang Jian , Liu Dongqing
Published: February 2016

The climatic effects of irrigation over the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Plain (3HP) in China are investigated by using the weather research and forecasting model coupled with an operational‐like irrigation scheme. Multiple numerical experiments with irrigation off/on during spring, summer, and both spring and summer are conducted. Results show that the warm bias in surface temperature and dry bias in soil moisture are reduced over the 3HP region during the growing seasons by considering the irrigation in the model. The air temperature during nongrowing seasons is also affected by irrigation because of the persistent effects of soil moisture on land‐air energy exchanges and ground heat storage. Irrigation can induce significant cooling in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) during the growing seasons and lead to a relatively wet PBL with increased low‐level clouds during spring but a relatively dry condition in summer. Further analyses indicate that irrigation leads to increased summer precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin and decreased summer precipitation in southern and northern China. These responses are associated with the changes in the large‐scale circulation induced by irrigation. Irrigation tends to cool the atmosphere and forces a possible southward shift of the upper level jet that can further affect the precipitation distribution. Our model results suggest that in addition to local‐scale processes, large‐scale impacts should also be considered when studying the precipitation response to irrigation over East Asia.
Multidecadal fluctuations of the North Atlantic Ocean and feedback on the winter climate in CMIP5 control simulations
Authors: Peings Yannick , Simpkins Graham , Magnusdottir Gudrun
Published: February 2016

This study examines the relationship between the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) and the wintertime atmospheric circulation of the North Atlantic in simulations of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Comparisons of internal (using preindustrial control simulations) and externally forced (using historical and Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5 simulations) simulated AMV with observations suggest that the CMIP5 models lack internally generated AMV, except for two models (GFDL‐ESM2G and HadGEM2‐ES). A long‐term influence of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the AMV is identified, but no consistent feedback of the AMV onto the atmospheric circulation is found among the models. However, GFDL‐ESM2G and HadGEM2‐ES show a small lagged NAO signal that suggests a driving role of the ocean on decadal fluctuations of the atmosphere, with two different potential mechanisms. HadGEM2‐ES exhibits a latitudinal shift of the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone that can modulate the NAO through a Rossby wave train emanating from the tropics. In GFDL‐ESM2G, the AMV is associated with a decrease in storm track activity and a shift of the intraseasonal weather regimes toward the negative NAO regime. These results raise hope that some long‐term predictability of the winter climate over the North Atlantic and surrounding continents could be extracted from long‐term oceanic fluctuations of the North Atlantic Ocean, provided that the AMV is correctly represented in coupled ocean‐atmosphere models.
Antarctic station‐based seasonal pressure reconstructions since 1905: 1. Reconstruction evaluation
Authors: Fogt Ryan L. , Goergens Chad A. , Jones Megan E. , Witte Grant A. , Lee Ming Yueng , Jones Julie M.
Published: February 2016

Seasonal mean Antarctic pressures at 17 stations are reconstructed based on the method of principal component regression, employing midlatitude pressure data as predictors. Several reconstruction methods were performed in order to assess the stability and reliability of the reconstructions obtained, including performing the reconstructions over a shorter 30 year window and withholding the remaining data for an independent validation. Generally, there were small differences between the various approaches, but typically reconstructions conducted on data with the trends still present and over the full period of observations achieved the highest skill. Seasonally, reconstruction skill was high in austral summer across the entire Antarctic continent. Reconstructions that employed gridded pressure data over oceans as well as the observations (here termed “pseudoreconstructions”) also performed remarkably well in austral winter. Spatially, the reconstruction skill was highest near the Antarctic Peninsula in all seasons, and weakest in coastal East Antarctica and the Antarctic Interior during austral spring and autumn; the spatial variability of the skill in part reflects the distance to the nearest midlatitude predictor. Nonetheless, for nearly all seasons and locations the observed trends since 1957 were well captured by the reconstructions, as was the low‐frequency decadal‐scale variability. These results suggest Antarctic pressure observations can be extended throughout the twentieth century with high confidence, especially in summer, allowing for a more precise understanding of the role and magnitude of natural atmospheric circulation variability across Antarctica.
Tidal river dynamics: Implications for deltas
Authors: Hoitink A. J. F. , Jay D. A.
Published: February 2016

Tidal rivers are a vital and little studied nexus between physical oceanography and hydrology. It is only in the last few decades that substantial research efforts have been focused on the interactions of river discharge with tidal waves and storm surges into regions beyond the limit of salinity intrusion, a realm that can extend inland hundreds of kilometers. One key phenomenon resulting from this interaction is the emergence of large fortnightly tides, which are forced long waves with amplitudes that may increase beyond the point where astronomical tides have become extinct. These can be larger than the linear tide itself at more landward locations, and they greatly influence tidal river water levels and wetland inundation. Exploration of the spectral redistribution and attenuation of tidal energy in rivers has led to new appreciation of a wide range of consequences for fluvial and coastal sedimentology, delta evolution, wetland conservation, and salinity intrusion under the influence of sea level rise and delta subsidence. Modern research aims at unifying traditional harmonic tidal analysis, nonparametric regression techniques, and the existing understanding of tidal hydrodynamics to better predict and model tidal river dynamics both in single‐thread channels and in branching channel networks. In this context, this review summarizes results from field observations and modeling studies set in tidal river environments as diverse as the Amazon in Brazil, the Columbia, Fraser and Saint Lawrence in North America, the Yangtze and Pearl in China, and the Berau and Mahakam in Indonesia. A description of state‐of‐the‐art methods for a comprehensive analysis of water levels, wave propagation, discharges, and inundation extent in tidal rivers is provided. Implications for lowland river deltas are also discussed in terms of sedimentary deposits, channel bifurcation, avulsion, and salinity intrusion, addressing contemporary research challenges.
Differential magnetometer method applied to measurement of geomagnetically induced currents in Southern African power networks
Authors: Matandirotya Electdom , Cilliers Pierre. J. , Van Zyl Robert R , Oyedokun David T. , de Villiers Jean
Published: February 2016

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in conductors connected to the Earth are driven by an electric field produced by a time‐varying magnetic field linked to magnetospheric‐ionospheric current perturbations during geomagnetic storms. The GIC measurements are traditionally done on the neutral‐to‐ground connections of power transformers. A method of inferring the characteristics of GIC in power lines using differential magnetic field measurements is presented. Measurements of the GIC in the power lines connected to a particular power transformer are valuable in the verification of the modeling of GIC in the power transmission network. The differential magnetometer method (DMM) is an indirect method used to estimate the GIC in a power line. With the DMM, low‐frequency GIC in the power line is estimated from the difference between magnetic field recordings made directly underneath the power line and at some distance away, where the magnetic field of the GIC in the transmission line has negligible effect. Results of the first application of the DMM to two selected sites of the Southern African power transmission network are presented. The results show that good quality GIC measurements are achieved through the DMM using Commercially‐Off‐The‐Shelf magnetometers.
Core–Shelled Low‐Oxidation State Oxides@Reduced Graphene Oxides Cubes via Pressurized Reduction for Highly Stable Lithium Ion Storage
Authors: Zhang Kan , Li Ping , Ma Ming , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: February 2016

Metal oxides have been regarded as promising next‐generation anode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries; however, their poor stability, which is caused by large volume changes during repeated lithiation/delithiation, remains a challenge. Here, conformally encapsulated low‐oxidation state oxide cubes with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) obtained via a new pressurized reduction consisting of external mechanical compression and internal thermokinetic reduction from highly porous metal oxides/RGO aerogel (RGOA) are reported. Using single crystalline (SC) cobalt oxides and iron oxide cubes as model systems, the SC‐Co3O4 or Fe2O3 cube/RGOA are pressurized into compacted xerogel along with a uniform thermokinetic reduction, which result in topotactic transformation to core‐shelled CoO/RGO or Fe3O4@RGO cubes. The SC‐CoO and SC‐Fe3O4 cubes isolated perfectly in the RGO shells have dramatically improved their cycling stabilities for lithium ion storage to hundreds of times.
Silica–Polymer Hybrid with Self‐Assembled PEG Corona Excreted Rapidly via a Hepatobiliary Route
Authors: Zhao Lingzhi , Yuan Wei , Ang Chung Yen , Qu Qiuyu , Dai Yu , Gao Yilin , Luo Zhong , Wang Jingui , Chen Hongzhong , Li Menghuan , Li Fuyou , Zhao Yanli
Published: February 2016

Nanotechnology‐based diagnostics and therapeutics usually suffer from long‐term retention of nanosized devices in the major organs, which may cause unwanted side effects. Herein, we describe the development of ultra‐small silica‐polymer hybrid dots (Sdots) through the self‐assembly between a polyethylene oxide‐poly(propylene oxide)‐polyethylene oxide (PEO‐PPO‐PEO) triblock copolymer and a silica precursor. Sdots feature a silica particle size of 4.2 nm and a hydrated size of 14 nm. The larger hydrated size is related to their polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface ligands, which evolve from the PEO blocks in the copolymer. The densely packed PEG corona can effectively shield the hybrid from reticuloendothelial uptake, which gives rise to rapid and thorough hepatobiliary clearance. In vivo experiments demonstrated that, upon intravenous injection, almost complete clearance of Sdots from mouse bodies could be realized through hepatobiliary excretion within only 5 days. Compared to renal clearable nanoparticles with short blood‐circulation times, the proposed Sdots have a prolonged blood‐circulation half‐life of 19 h, so that the Sdots could effectively accumulate at a subcutaneous transplanted tumor through enhanced penetration and retention. As the PPO core of the Sdots can be utilized to accommodate hydrophobic guest molecules, such as anticancer drugs, these Sdots can prospectively serve as fast‐clearable drug carriers for targeted cancer treatment.