bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High drama on the high seas
Authors: Fahmy Shahira , Eakin Britain
Published: October 2013

A review of the literature indicates a plethora of studies examining the coverage of Middle Eastern conflicts, but hardly any research has been explicitly framed as being developed from a peace/war journalism perspective. The current study, therefore, represents a substantive effort to remedy this deficiency. It examines the extent to which the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident is framed based on Johan Galtung’s classification of peace/war journalism. A content analysis of 156 online stories from Haaretz , The Guardian, and The New York Times suggests that overall differences exist among the war/peace narratives published in the three newspapers. The validity of few peace indicators used also was noted. The authors strongly advocate for the need to redefine indicators for peace journalism to reflect the concept as distinct from objective, and factual reporting.
Identification of a negative feedback loop between cyclic di-GMP-induced levels of IFI16 and p202 cytosolic DNA sensors and STING
Authors: Panchanathan Ravichandran , Liu Hongzhu , Xin Duan , Choubey Divaker
Published: October 2013

A host type I IFN response is induced by cytosolic sensing of the bacterial second messenger cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) by STING (stimulator of IFN genes). Because the STING, an adaptor protein, links the cytosolic detection of DNA by the cytosolic DNA sensors such as the IFN-inducible human IFI16 and murine p202 proteins to the TBK1/IRF3 axis, we investigated whether c-di-GMP-induced signaling could regulate expression of IFI16 and p202 proteins. Here, we report that activation of c-di-GMP-induced signaling in human and murine cells increased steady-state levels of IFI16 and p202 proteins. The increase was c-di-GMP concentration- and time-dependent. Unexpectedly, treatment of cells with type I IFN decreased levels of the adaptor protein STING. Therefore, we investigated whether the IFI16 or p202 protein could regulate the expression of STING and activation of the TBK1/IRF3 axis. We found that constitutive knockdown of IFI16 or p202 expression in cells increased steady-state levels of STING. Additionally, the knockdown of IFI16 resulted in activation of the TBK1/IRF3 axis. Accordingly, increased levels of the IFI16 or p202 protein in cells decreased STING levels. Together, our observations identify a novel negative feedback loop between c-di-GMP-induced levels of IFI16 and p202 cytosolic DNA sensors and the adaptor protein STING.
Pseudo-Sanger sequencing: massively parallel production of long and near error-free reads using NGS technology
Authors: Ruan Jue , Jiang Lan , Chong Zechen , Gong Qiang , Li Heng , Li Chunyan , Tao Yong , Zheng Caihong , Zhai Weiwei , Turissini David , Cannon Charles H , Lu Xuemei , Wu Chung-I
Published: October 2013

Background

Usually, next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has the property of ultra-high throughput but the read length is remarkably short compared to conventional Sanger sequencing. Paired-end NGS could computationally extend the read length but with a lot of practical inconvenience because of the inherent gaps. Now that Illumina paired-end sequencing has the ability of read both ends from 600 bp or even 800 bp DNA fragments, how to fill in the gaps between paired ends to produce accurate long reads is intriguing but challenging.

Results

We have developed a new technology, referred to as pseudo-Sanger (PS) sequencing. It tries to fill in the gaps between paired ends and could generate near error-free sequences equivalent to the conventional Sanger reads in length but with the high throughput of the Next Generation Sequencing. The major novelty of PS method lies on that the gap filling is based on local assembly of paired-end reads which have overlaps with at either end. Thus, we are able to fill in the gaps in repetitive genomic region correctly. The PS sequencing starts with short reads from NGS platforms, using a series of paired-end libraries of stepwise decreasing insert sizes. A computational method is introduced to transform these special paired-end reads into long and near error-free PS sequences, which correspond in length to those with the largest insert sizes. The PS construction has 3 advantages over untransformed reads: gap filling, error correction and heterozygote tolerance. Among the many applications of the PS construction is de novo genome assembly, which we tested in this study. Assembly of PS reads from a non-isogenic strain of Drosophila melanogaster yields an N50 contig of 190 kb, a 5 fold improvement over the existing de novo assembly methods and a 3 fold advantage over the assembly of long reads from 454 sequencing.

Conclusions

Our method generated near error-free long reads from NGS paired-end sequencing. We demonstrated that de novo assembly could benefit a lot from these Sanger-like reads. Besides, the characteristic of the long reads could be applied to such applications as structural variations detection and metagenomics.
Production of reactive oxygen species and wound-induced resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana against Botrytis cinereaare preceded and depend on a burst of calcium
Authors: Beneloujaephajri Emna , Costa Alex , L’Haridon Floriane , Métraux Jean-Pierre , Binda Matteo
Published: October 2013

Background

Wounded leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) within minutes after wounding and become resistant to the pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea at a local level. This fast response of the plants to the wound is called wound-induced resistance (WIR). However the molecular mechanisms of this response and the signal cascade between the wound and ROS production are still largely unknown. Calcium is a conserved signal and it is involved in many abiotic stress responses in plants, furthermore, calcium pathways act very fast.

Results

The results of this study show that leaves treated with calcium channels inhibitors (verapamil) or calcium chelators (oxalate and EGTA) are impaired in ROS production. Moreover, leaves treated with verapamil, EGTA or oxalate were more susceptible to B. cinerea after wounding. The intracellular measurements of calcium changes indicated quick but transient calcium dynamics taking place few seconds after wounding in cells neighbouring the wound site. This change in the cytosolic calcium was followed in the same region by a more stable ROS burst.

Conclusions

These data further extend our knowledge on the connection between wounding, calcium influx and ROS production. Moreover they provide for the first time the evidence that, following wounding, calcium changes precede a burst in ROS in the same location.
Long-term dominance of Mycobacterium tuberculosisUganda family in peri-urban Kampala-Uganda is not associated with cavitary disease
Authors: Wampande Eddie M , Mupere Ezekiel , Debanne Sara M , Asiimwe Benon B , Nsereko Mary , Mayanja Harriet , Eisenach Kathleen , Kaplan Gilla , Boom Henry W , Gagneux Sebastien , Joloba Moses L
Published: October 2013

Background

Previous studies have shown thatMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) Uganda family, a sub-lineage of the MTB Lineage 4, is the main cause of tuberculosis (TB) in Uganda. Using a well characterized patient population, this study sought to determine whether there are clinical and patient characteristics associated with the success of the MTB Uganda family in Kampala.

Methods

A total of 1,746 MTB clinical isolates collected from1992-2009 in a household contact study were genotyped. Genotyping was performed using Single Nucleotide Polymorphic (SNP) markers specific for the MTB Uganda family, other Lineage 4 strains, and Lineage 3, respectively. Out of 1,746 isolates, 1,213 were from patients with detailed clinical data. These data were used to seek associations between MTB lineage/sub-lineage and patient phenotypes.

Results

Three MTB lineages were found to dominate the MTB population in Kampala during the last two decades. Overall, MTB Uganda accounted for 63% (1,092/1,746) of all cases, followed by other Lineage 4 strains accounting for 22% (394/1,746), and Lineage 3 for 11% (187/1,746) of cases, respectively. Seventy-three (4 %) strains remained unclassified. Our longitudinal data showed that MTB Uganda family occurred at the highest frequency during the whole study period, followed by other Lineage 4 strains and Lineage 3. To explore whether the long-term success of MTB Uganda family was due to increased virulence, we used cavitary disease as a proxy, as this form of TB is the most transmissible. Multivariate analysis revealed that even though cavitary disease was associated with known risk factors such as smoking (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.33-6.84) and low income (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.47-3.01), no association was found between MTB lineage and cavitary TB.

Conclusion

The MTB Uganda family has been dominating in Kampala for the last 18 years, but this long-term success is not due to increased virulence as defined by cavitary disease.
Efficacy and safety of lanthanum carbonate on chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder in dialysis patients: a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Chenglong , Wen Ji , Li Zi , Fan Junming
Published: October 2013

Background

Chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD–MBD) is a common complication in CKD patients, particularly in those with end-stage renal disease that requires dialysis. Lanthanum carbonate (LC) is a potent, non-aluminum, non-calcium phosphate binder. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy and safety of LC in CKD-MBD treatment for maintenance-dialysis patients.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of LC in maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis patients. Analysis was performed using the statistical software Review Manager 5.1.

Results

Sixteen RCTs involving 3789 patients were identified and retained for this review. No statistical difference was found in all-cause mortality. The limited number of trials was insufficient to show the superiority of LC over other treatments in lowering vascular calcification or cardiovascular events and in improving bone morphology, bone metabolism, or bone turn-over parameters. LC decreased the serum phosphorus level and calcium × phosphate product (Ca × P) as compared to placebo. LC, calcium carbonate (CC), and sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) were comparable in terms of controlling the serum phosphorus, Ca × P product, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. However, LC resulted in a lower serum calcium level and a higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase level compared with CC. LC had higher total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared with SH. LC-treated patients appeared to have a higher rate of vomiting and lower risk of hypercalcemia, diarrhea, intradialytic hypotension, cramps or myalgia, and abdominal pain. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in the incidence of other side effects. Accumulation of LC in blood and bone was below toxic levels.

Conclusions

LC has high efficacy in lowering serum phosphorus and iPTH levels without increasing the serum calcium. Current evidence does not show a higher rate of adverse effects for LC compared with other treatments, except for a higher incidence of vomiting. Moreover, LC accumulation in blood and bone was below toxic levels. Well-designed studies should be conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of LC.
Arg972 Insulin receptor substrate-1 is associated with decreased serum angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 levels in acute myocardial infarction patients: in vivo and in vitro evidence
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhou Xinmin , Yu Fenglei , Hu Jianguo , Hu Wen
Published: October 2013

Background

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction (MI) and the development of heart failure. Both angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and insulin/insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) show cardioprotective effects after acute MI. The Arg972 IRS-1 polymorphism is associated with diminished activity of insulin. In the present study, we explored the association among Arg972 IRS-1, acute MI, and serum levels of ACE2.

Methods

A total of 711 subjects, including 351 subjects with first-time acute MI and 360 subjects without a history of MI were genotyped for Arg972 IRS-1 polymorphism. Serum levels of ACE2 and MI severity scores were determined. Primary human cardiomyocytes with overexpression of wild type IRS-1 or Arg972 IRS-1 or knockdown of endogenous IRS-1 were exposed to normoxia and hypoxia, and the expression levels of ACE2 were determined.

Results

The serum ACE2 level was significantly increased in acute MI patients compared with that of non-MI controls. Compared with wild type IRS-1 carriers, Arg972 IRS-1 carriers exhibited decreased serum ACE2 levels and increased MI severity scores after MI. Our in vitro data demonstrate that impairment of insulin/IRS-1/PI3K signaling by overexpression of Arg972-IRS-1, knockdown of endogenous IRS-1, or PI3K inhibitor can abolish hypoxia-induced IRS-1-associated PI3K activity and ACE2 expression in human cardiomyocytes, which suggests a causal relationship between Arg972-IRS-1 and decreased serum ACE2 levels in acute MI patients. Our in vitro data also indicate that insulin/IRS-1/PI3K signaling is required for ACE2 expression in cardiomyocytes, and that hypoxia can enhance the induction effect of insulin/IRS-1/PI3K signaling on ACE2 expression in cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

This study provides the first evidence of crosstalk between insulin/IRS-1/PI3K signaling and RAS after acute MI, thereby adding fresh insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of acute MI.
Synthesis of cobalt nanoparticles on Si (100) by swift heavy ion irradiation
Authors: Attri Asha , Kumar Ajit , Verma Shammi , Ojha Sunil , Asokan Kandasami , Nair Lekha
Published: October 2013

We report the growth and characterization of uniform-sized nanoparticles of cobalt on n-type silicon (100) substrates by swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation. The Co thin films of 25-nm thicknesses were grown by e-beam evaporation and irradiated with two different types of ions, 45-MeV Li3+ and 100-MeV O7+ ions with fluences ranging from 1 × 1011 to 1 × 1013 ions/cm2. SHI irradiation, with the beam rastered over the area of the film, resulted in the restructuring of the film into a dense array of Co nanostructures. Surface topography studied by atomic force microscopy revealed narrowed size distributions, with particle sizes ranging from 20 to 50 nm, formed through a self-organized process. Ion fluence-dependent changes in crystallinity of the Co nanostructures were determined by glancing angle X-ray diffraction. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy analysis showed the absence of beam-induced mixing in this system. Surface restructuring and beam-induced crystallization are the dominant effects, with the nanoparticle size and density being dependent on the ion fluence. Results are analyzed in the context of molecular dynamics calculations of electron-lattice energy transfer.
Computer-aided diagnosis for diagnostically challenging breast lesions in DCE-MRI based on image registration and integration of morphologic and dynamic characteristics
Authors: Retter Felix , Plant Claudia , Burgeth Bernhard , Botella Guillermo , Schlossbauer Thomas , Meyer-Bäse Anke
Published: October 2013

Diagnostically challenging lesions comprise both foci (small lesions) and non-mass-like enhancing lesions and pose a challenge to current computer-aided diagnosis systems. Motion-based artifacts lead in dynamic contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance to diagnostic misinterpretation; therefore, motion compensation represents an important prerequisite to automatic lesion detection and diagnosis. In addition, the extraction of pertinent kinetic and morphologic features as lesion descriptors is an equally important task. In the present paper, we evaluate the performance of a computer-aided diagnosis system consisting of motion correction, lesion segmentation, and feature extraction and classification. We develop a new feature extractor, the radial Krawtchouk moment, which guarantees rotation invariance. Many novel feature extraction techniques are proposed and tested in conjunction with lesion detection. Our simulation results have shown that motion compensation combined with Minkowski functionals and Bayesian classifier can improve lesion detection and classification.
Anomalous middle turbinate with choanal obstruction and maxillary sinusitis: a case report
Authors: Kim Yong-Wan , Lee Jung-Hoon , Hong Sung-Lyong , Cho Kyu-Sup
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Although several anatomical anomalies in the middle turbinate have been reported, they usually remain asymptomatic. However, complicated aberrant middle turbinate extending through the choana to the contralateral nasopharynx has not been reported.

Case presentation

A 23-year-old Korean woman presented with a 6-month history of nasal obstruction and postnasal discharge refractory to medical treatment. An endoscopic examination revealed an abnormal middle turbinate, and a pedunculated nasal mass covered with normal mucosa that originated from the right lateral nasal wall filled most of the right posterior choana and extended to the left nasopharynx across the posterior free edge of the nasal septum. Computed tomography of the paranasal sinus showed abnormal bony trabeculation from the posterior bony attachment of the right middle turbinate to the left posterior nasopharyngeal wall. In addition, right maxillary sinusitis was observed. From these findings, the lesion was suspected to be an abnormal configuration of the right middle turbinate with secondary maxillary sinusitis and was successfully treated by resection of the malformed middle turbinate and middle meatal antrostomy.

Conclusions

Although this case illustrates a very rare developmental anomaly of the middle turbinate, thorough knowledge of the development of and anatomical anomalies associated with the middle turbinate is of utmost importance to perform proper sinus surgery and avoid complications. Therefore, these findings should be considered by otolaryngologists, and careful examination of the nasal cavity is necessary to determine the existence of this rare anomaly.
Metabolic cost and mechanics of walking in women with fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: MacPhee Renée S , McFall Kristen , Perry Stephen D , Tiidus Peter M
Published: October 2013

Background

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is characterized by the presence of widespread pain, fatigue, muscle weakness and reduced work capacity. Previous research has demonstrated that women with fibromyalgia have altered walking (gait) patterns, which may be a consequence of muscular pain. This altered gait is characterized by greater reliance on hip flexors rather than ankle plantar flexors and resembles gait patterns seen in normal individuals walking at higher speeds, suggesting that gait of individuals with fibromyalgia may be less efficient.

This study compared rates of energy expenditure of 6 females with FS relative to 6 normal, age and weight matched controls, at various walking speeds on a motorized treadmill. Metabolic measurements including V02 (ml/kg/min), respirations, heart rate and calculated energy expenditures as well as the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion scale ratings were determined at baseline and for 10 min while walking at each of 2, 4 and 5 km/hour on 1% grade. Kinematic recordings of limb and body movements while treadmill walking and separate measurements of ground reaction forces while walking over ground were also determined. In addition, all subjects completed the RAND 36-Item Health Survey (1.0).

Findings

Gait analysis results were similar to previous reports of altered gait patterns in FS females. Despite noticeable differences in gait patterns, no significant differences (p > 0.05) existed between the FS and control subjects on any metabolic measures at any walking speed. Total number of steps taken was also similar between groups. Ratings on the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion, the RAND and self-reported levels of pain indicated significantly greater (p < 0.05) perceived effort and pain in FS subjects relative to control subjects during walking and daily activities.

Conclusions

The altered gait patterns and greater perceptions of effort and pain did not significantly increase the metabolic costs of walking in women with FS and hence, increased sensations of fatigue in FS women may not be related to alteration in metabolic cost of ambulation.
Experimental measurement of tympanic membrane response for finite element model validation of a human middle ear
Authors: Ahn Tae-Soo , Baek Moo-Jin , Lee Dooho
Published: October 2013

The middle ear consists of a tympanic membrane, ligaments, tendons, and three ossicles. An important function of the tympanic membrane is to deliver exterior sound stimulus to the ossicles and inner ear. In this study, the responses of the tympanic membrane in a human ear were measured and compared with those of a finite element model of the middle ear. A laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) was used to measure the dynamic responses of the tympanic membrane, which had the measurement point on the cone of light of the tympanic membrane. The measured subjects were five Korean male adults and a cadaver. The tympanic membranes were stimulated using pure-tone sine waves at 18 center frequencies of one-third octave band over a frequency range of 200 Hz ~10 kHz with 60 and 80 dB sound pressure levels. The measured responses were converted into the umbo displacement transfer function (UDTF) with a linearity assumption. The measured UDTFs were compared with the calculated UDTFs using a finite element model for the Korean human middle ear. The finite element model of the middle ear consists of three ossicles, a tympanic membrane, ligaments, and tendons. In the finite element model, the umbo displacements were calculated under a unit sound pressure on the tympanic membrane. The UDTF of the finite element model exhibited good agreement with that of the experimental one in low frequency range, whereas in higher frequency band, the two response functions deviated from each other, which demonstrates that the finite element model should be updated with more accurate material properties and/or a frequency dependent material model.
Commercial versus synthesized polymers for soil erosion control and growth of Chinese cabbage
Authors: Lee Sang Soo , Chang Scott X , Chang Yoon-Young , Ok Yong Sik
Published: October 2013

Soil erosion leads to environmental degradation and reduces soil productivity. The use of anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) and synthesized biopolymer (BP) using lignin, corn starch, acrylamide, and acrylic acid were tested to evaluate soil erosion, water quality, and growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L.). Each treatment of PAM and BP was applied at 200 kg ha-1 to loamy sand soil and subjected to a slope of 36% with a 20 mm h-1 simulated rainfall. Application of BP decreased soil pH compared to the untreated check (CK); however, the soil pH was not altered with PAM. The decrease in pH might most likely be due to availability of anionic sites to be protonated on soils having pH >6 and soil buffering capacity. Both PAM and BP applications may not induce eutrophication with stable levels of total contents of N and P. With PAM and BP, the average values of suspended soil (SS) and turbidity were reduced by up to 96.0 and 99.9%, respectively, compared to CK. Reduction of SS can be attributed to increasing soil stability and shear strength by clay flocculation. There was no toxicity effects resulting from germination tests and the dry weight was increased by 17.7% (vs. CK) when PAM and BP were applied. These results are attributed to increases in water retention and plant-available water. The use of polymeric soil amendments is an environmentally friendly way to mitigate soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution.
Retrograde endoscopic lithotripsy using the innovative nanosecond electropulse method
Authors: Gudkov Alexander , Boshchenko Vacheslav , Petlin Alexander , Afonin Vladimir , Diamant Valery , Lerner Marat
Published: October 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this clinical study is to assess the safety and efficiency of a novel lithotripsy method for endoscopic treatment of urinary stones throughout the urinary tract via semi-rigid and flexible endoscopes. This new method is based on the transfer of nanosecond high voltage electric pulses to the stones through flexible probes of various sizes.

Methods

The study involved 879 patients aged 19-88 with renal, ureter and bladder calculi. Gender distribution: 46.3% female and 53.7% male. The prospective single-arm study took place at three centers. The goal of the clinical study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel lithotripsy method. All treatments were performed retrograde transurethrally. A variety of probes were used for stone fragmentation at different locations. Auxiliary treatments and adverse events were recorded as per protocol. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software.

Results

Nanosecond electropulse lithotripsy (NEPL) was found to be technically feasible for all patients with stones located in the kidney, UPJ, ureter and bladder. It requires only a few dozen pulses to disintegrate stones while causing only minor stone migration. The overall stone-free rate in the study was 96%. The average time required for executing the entire procedure was 45±28 min. The overwhelming majority of intraoperative complications occurred due to endoscopic manipulation when using a rigid ureterorenoscope and not due to lithotripsy impact.

Conclusions

NEPL is a new, efficient and safe method for urinary stone disintegration that can be used throughout the urinary tract using rigid and flexible endoscopes. Intraoperative complications of the NEPL procedure do not exceed the percentage of adverse effects observed in other lithotripsy methods. The main advantages of relatively low-cost NEPL are fast stone fragmentation requiring only a few dozen pulses to disintegrate stones, tissue safety and availability of highly flexible probes for treating stones in the lower pole through a flexible ureterorenoscope.
Long-period long-duration seismic events during hydraulic stimulation of shale and tight-gas reservoirs — Part 2: Location and mechanisms
Authors: Das Indrajit , Zoback Mark D.
Published: October 2013

Long-period long-duration (LPLD) seismic events that have been observed during hydraulic stimulation of shale-gas and tight-gas reservoirs appear to represent slow shear slip on relatively large faults. Within the limitations of the recording geometry, we determine the areas in the reservoirs where the events are located in two case studies in the Barnett shale. In one data set, LPLD events appear to occur in the region where the density of natural fractures as well as the fluid pressure during pumping were highest. In the other data set, the LPLD events are observed to occur between two wells and seem to establish a hydraulic connection between them. In both data sets, the LPLD events occur in areas with very few located microearthquakes. A combination of factors such as high fluid pressure and/or high clay content is potentially responsible for the slowly slipping faults. The LPLD events appear to be occurring only on faults large enough to produce a sequence of slow slip events. We suggest that these slowly slipping faults contribute appreciably to the stimulation of these extremely low-permeability reservoirs and hence mapping the distribution of faults and fractures and areas with rock properties that favor slow, sustained slip, can help in optimizing production.
Design Ground Motion Library: An Interactive Tool for Selecting Earthquake Ground Motions
Authors: Wang Gang , Youngs Robert , Power Maurice , Li Zhihua
Published: October 2013

The Design Ground Motion Library (DGML) is an interactive tool for selecting earthquake ground motion time histories based on contemporary knowledge and engineering practice. It was created from a ground motion database that consists of 3,182 records from shallow crustal earthquakes in active tectonic regions rotated to fault-normal and fault-parallel directions. The DGML enables users to construct design response spectra based on Next-Generation Attenuation (NGA) relationships, including conditional mean spectra, code spectra, and user-specified spectra. It has the broad capability of searching for time history record sets in the database on the basis of the similarity of a record's response spectral shape to a design response spectrum over a user-defined period range. Selection criteria considering other ground motion characteristics and user needs are also provided. The DGML has been adapted for online application by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) and incorporated as a beta version on the PEER database website.
Creek Indian Globetrotter: Tomochichi's Trans-Atlantic Quest for Traditional Power in the Colonial Southeast
Authors: Peach Steven J.
Published: October 2013

This essay reinterprets the life of a famous Muscogee Creek leader and examines the relationship between chiefly power and foreign travel in American Indian studies and Atlantic world studies. In spring 1734, the Creek headman Tomochichi and British imperialist James Edward Oglethorpe traveled to London to ratify a treaty that established the British colony of Georgia in the neighborhood of the Creek Confederacy. During his five-month sojourn, Tomochichi forged alliances with the Georgia trustees and the British royal family that resulted in a unique trans-Atlantic network of patronage. Upon return home, he leveraged his ocean-going imperial connections to craft an authoritative chieftainship that dated to the seventeenth-century Mississippian era.
Regulation of maternal Wnt mRNA translation inC. elegansembryos
Authors: Oldenbroek Marieke , Robertson Scott M. , Guven-Ozkan Tugba , Spike Caroline , Greenstein David , Lin Rueyling
Published: October 2013

The restricted spatiotemporal translation of maternal mRNAs, which is crucial for correct cell fate specification in early C. elegans embryos, is regulated primarily through the 3′UTR. Although genetic screens have identified many maternally expressed cell fate-controlling RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), their in vivo targets and the mechanism(s) by which they regulate these targets are less clear. These RBPs are translated in oocytes and localize to one or a few blastomeres in a spatially and temporally dynamic fashion unique for each protein and each blastomere. Here, we characterize the translational regulation of maternally supplied mom-2 mRNA, which encodes a Wnt ligand essential for two separate cell-cell interactions in early embryos. A GFP reporter that includes only the mom-2 3′UTR is translationally repressed properly in oocytes and early embryos, and then correctly translated only in the known Wnt signaling cells. We show that the spatiotemporal translation pattern of this reporter is regulated combinatorially by a set of nine maternally supplied RBPs. These nine proteins all directly bind the mom-2 3′UTR in vitro and function as positive or negative regulators of mom-2 translation in vivo. The net translational readout for the mom-2 3′UTR reporter is determined by competitive binding between positive- and negative-acting RBPs for the 3′UTR, along with the distinct spatiotemporal localization patterns of these regulators. We propose that the 3′UTR of maternal mRNAs contains a combinatorial code that determines the topography of associated RBPs, integrating positive and negative translational inputs.
Cesium-adsorbent Geopolymer Foams Based on Silica from Rice Husk and Metakaolin
Authors: López Francisco J , Sugita Satoshi , Kobayashi Takaomi
Published: October 2013

Geopolymer foam materials could function as adsorbents for cesium ions. Geopolymer foams showing cesium adsorption were prepared by condensing a mixture of metakaolin and alkali solution at 100 °C in the presence of silica from rice husk powder, and they showed effective adsorption of cesium.
Excess CD40L does not rescue anti-DNA B cells from clonal anergy
Authors: Aslam Mohammad , Kishi Yusuke , Tsubata Takeshi
Published: October 2013

CD40L, a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family, is overexpressed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and in lupus mouse models. Previously, we demonstrated that B cells producing pathogenic anti-Sm/RNP antibodies are deleted in the splenic marginal zone (MZ), and that MZ deletion of these self-reactive B cells is reversed by excess CD40L, leading to autoantibody production. To address whether excess CD40L also perturbs clonal anergy, another self-tolerance mechanism of B cells whereby B cells are functionally inactivated and excluded from follicles in the peripheral lymphoid tissue, we crossed CD40L-transgenic mice with the anti-DNA H chain transgenic mouse line 3H9, in which Ig λ1+ anti-DNA B cells are anergized. However, the percentage and localization of Ig λ1+ B cells in CD40L/3H9 double transgenic mice were no different from those in 3H9 mice. This result indicates that excess CD40L does not perturb clonal anergy, including follicular exclusion. Thus, MZ deletion is distinct from clonal anergy, and is more liable to tolerance break.
Does excitatory fronto-extracephalic tDCS lead to improved working memory performance?
Authors: Lally Níall , Nord Camilla L. , Walsh Vincent , Roiser Jonathan P.
Published: October 2013

Evidence suggests that excitatory transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may improve performance on a wide variety of cognitive tasks. Due to the non-invasive and inexpensive nature of the method, harnessing its potential could be particularly useful for the treatment of neuropsychiatric illnesses involving cognitive dysfunction. However, questions remain regarding the efficacious stimulation parameters. Here, using a double-blind between-subjects design, we explored whether 1 mA excitatory (anodal) left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation with a contralateral extracephalic reference electrode, leads to enhanced working memory performance across two days, relative to sham stimulation. Participants performed the 3-back, a test of working memory, at baseline, and during and immediately following stimulation on two days, separated by 24-48 hours. Active stimulation did not significantly enhance performance versus sham over the course of the experiment. However, exploratory comparisons did reveal a significant effect of stimulation group on performance during the first stimulation phase only, with active stimulation recipients performing better than sham. While these results do not support the hypothesis that dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tDCS boosts working memory, they raise the possibility that its effects may be greatest during early learning stages.
Editorial
Authors: Farré Jordi , Barnett Julie
Published: October 2013

This editorial address is intended as an opening reflection on food research dynamics at European level where the issues to be faced and the approaches to doing so are increasingly complex. Our proposal here is to consider these issues and the activities within which they are embedded as a series of communicative processes. We will seek to provide an overview of some of the intense and controversial debates around food, health and communication that open up a range of topics for research in Europe. These debates involve negotiations within and between public institutions, private organizations, a multiplicity of stakeholder groups, traditional and social media and consumers. Controversial processes of sense making span across corporate communications, social movements’ insights, and an increasingly visible and established rhetoric around individual choices and responsibilities. These processes result in a fertile and productive terrain both for food and health campaigns across Europe and an associated wide ranging research agenda. Our networked era, moving beyond traditional media is thus changing and challenging organizational and institutional forms of communication. This becomes visible in the hard struggle for constituting and imposing claims about food and its meanings.
Communication, media and genetically modified food: A politicized reading
Authors: Maeseele Pieter
Published: October 2013

The recent horsemeat scandal raises many important questions about technological developments in food production. First discussed is why food production and consumption practices should be recognized as late modern risks and which analytical perspective in the domain of media and science is called for to study related food communication and media practices. However, since many democratic challenges arise, a perspective is put forward that draws on several studies of genetically modified food and enables an evaluation of public and media discourses and the extent to which they contribute to democratic debate. More specifically, discussed is how a politicized reading illustrates the extent to which there is a struggle between politicization and de-politicization processes in these discourses, illustrating the ideological nature of communication practices on food. Particular attention will be devoted to the role of arguments about science in discursive practices and the strategies that characterize these discourses.
Food Trend Trotters: A new approach to communicating food trends and innovations
Authors: Riesco Sonia
Published: October 2013

This article describes the Food Trend Trotters initiative of the AZTI-Tecnalia Food Research Centre and Trend Trotters, which uses travel to generate innovation in the field of scientific research and improve the dissemination of scientific achievements. The text offers some experience-based reflections on food surveillance and communication.
Walter Ong as teacher: The conversation continues
Authors: Zlatic Thomas D.
Published: October 2013

This article examines how the qualities that Walter Ong admired in excellent teachers interrelate with themes from his many publications, as teaching and scholarship converge into conversation that deals ‘with the core of human experience’. In his teaching and his scholarship, Ong’s conversation was rooted in personalist, evolutionary and ecological thinking. One focus of Ong’s scholarship was how communications technology influences interpersonal relationships and our concept of what constitutes knowing. He called attention to the fact that new technologies can obscure the inherently dialogic nature of thinking and was motivated in his media ecology work to identify how visualist models of noetics might be supplemented by auditory models, including an ‘oral hermeneutic’ that situates knowing within holistic dialogue. The traits that Ong admired in his teachers were ones that he emulated in his own teaching. In particular, his description of Marshall McLuhan is particularly apt for himself: his ‘probes’ were ‘a way of teaching, if teaching means getting people to think’.
Creep and Fatigue Behavior in Micro-alloyed Steels – A Review
Authors: Raj A. , Goswami B. , Ray A.K.
Published: October 2013

This is a study of microalloyed steels for power plants and reactors. Components operate at coal dust fire temperature or thermal states of reactors, prone to creep during its service. This is to assess remaining life after passage of valuable life by variation in microstructure, e.g. cavity formation. Precipitation at the sub-grain boundaries and grain interior has increased high temperature strength. Coarsening of these appears at the end of life. Variation of heat treatment like spheroidising in place of solutionizing has been responsive to deteriorate performance. Dislocation interplay with precipitate has been acceptable while interaction among dislocations to forest dislocation has been unacceptable. Dislocation assisted nucleation of precipitates of fine size has been found to strengthen steel by thermo-mechanical control process with in greater heating temperature and lower finish rolling temperature. High temperature performance of materials has been assessed by creep, accelerated creep, creep-fatigue and fatigue performances. Increasing temperature for increasing efficiency has correlated the phase transformation of steel. Fatigue performances have been included in creep properties of materials when intermittent shut down–shut up schedules are operated, e.g. peaking power plants.
How adaptive and maladaptive humor influence well-being at work: A diary study
Authors: Guenter Hannes , Schreurs Bert , Van Emmerik IJ. Hetty , Gijsbers Wout , Van Iterson Ad
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we investigate how adaptive and maladaptive humor influence well-being in the workplace. In particular, this study examines the extent to which reactions from others (i.e., humor targets) can moderate the relationship between humor and well-being. Unlike prior research, we adopted a
Eavesdropping at the Well
Authors: Rabinowitz Richard
Published: October 2013

Tracing the history of northern slavery in a narrative exhibition at the New-York Historical Society required overcoming the silence of archival and museum collections. Despite the centrality of slavery to the colonial city, the first two centuries of black lives left few traces. In the archival record, African voices were unheard and never registered. A careful deployment of interpretive media—display techniques, audio-visual programs, graphic annotations, commissioned art objects, and architectural design—aimed to bring visitors physically and emotionally ever closer to the experience of New York blacks, while staying rooted in primary sources. The sequence of media elements thus itself paralleled the historical narrative.
Fabrication of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells by printing and high-pressure sintering process
Authors: Gao Feng , Maeda Tsuyoshi , Wada Takahiro
Published: October 2013

We fabricated Cu2ZnSn(SxSe1-x)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells by a printing and high-pressure sintering (PHS) process. First, the CZTSSe solid solution powders were synthesized by heating the elemental mixtures at 550oC for 5 h in an N2 gas atmosphere. We fabricated CZTSSe films by a printing and high-pressure sintering (PHS) process. The obtained dense CZTSSe film was post-annealed at 550oC for 10 min under an N2 +5% H2S gas atmosphere. We fabricated CZTSSe solar cells with the device structure of Ag/ITO/i-ZnO/CdS/CZTSSe/Mo/soda-lime glass. The CZTSSe solar cell showed an efficiency of 2.1%, with Voc of 272 mV, Jsc of 18.0 mA/cm2 and FF of 0.44.
Spectral Calibrated and Confocal Photoluminescence of Cu2S Thin-Film Absorber
Authors: Sträter Hendrik , Brüggemann Rudolf , Siol Sebastian , Klein Andreas , Jaegermann Wolfram , Bauer Gottfried H.
Published: October 2013

We have studied Cu2S absorber layers prepared by physical vapor deposition (PVD) by calibrated spectral photoluminescence (PL) and by confocal PL as function of temperature T and excitation fluxes to obtain the absolute PL-yield at an excitation flux equivalent to the AM1.5 spectrum and to calculate the splitting of the quasi-Fermi levels (QFL) µ = Ef,n-Ef,p and the absorption coefficient α(E), both in the temperature range 20 K ≤ T ≤ 400 K. The PL-spectra reveal two peaks at E1 = 1.17 eV and E2 = 1.3 eV, of which the low energy peak is only detectable at temperatures T < 200 K. The samples show an impressive QFL-splitting of µ > 700 meV at 300 K associated with a pseudo band gap of Eg = 1.25 eV. The high energy peak shows an unexpected temperature behavior, namely an increase of the PL-yield with rising temperature at variance with the behavior of QFL-splitting that decreases with rising T from extrapolated T = 0K value of µ = 1.3 eV. The PL-yield versus temperature will be discussed in terms of different defect states in the band gap. Our observations indicate that, contrary to common believe, it is not the PL-yield, but rather the QFL-splitting that is the comprehensive indicator of the quality of the excited state in an illuminated semiconductor. A further examination of the lateral variation of the opto-electronic properties by confocal PL shows a strong correlation between the QFL-splitting, the Urbach energy EU and the optical band gap Eopt, respectively.
Formation of Ga2O3 barrier layer in Cu(InGa)Se2 superstrate devices with ZnO buffer layer
Authors: Larsen Jes K. , Xin Peipei , Shafarman William N.
Published: October 2013

The junction formation when Cu(InGa)Se2 is deposited onto ZnO in a superstrate configuration (glass/window/buffer/Cu(InGa)Se2/contact) is investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and analysis of device behavior. When Cu(InGa)Se2 is deposited on ZnO, a Ga2O3 layer is formed at the interface. Approaches to avoid the formation of this unfavorable interlayer are investigated. This includes modifications of the process to reduce the thermal load during deposition and improvement of the thermal stability of the ZnO buffer layer. It was demonstrated that both lowering of the substrate deposition temperature and deposition of the ZnO buffer layer at elevated temperature limits the Ga2O3 formation. The presence of Ga2O3 at the junction does affect the device behavior, resulting in a kink in JV curves measured under illumination. This behavior is absent in devices with limited Ga2O3 formation.
A low temperature, single step, pulsed d.c magnetron sputtering technique for copper indium gallium diselenide photovoltaic absorber layers
Authors: Karthikeyan Sreejith , Nagaich Kushagra , Hill Arthur E , Pilkington Richard D , Campbell Stephen A
Published: October 2013

Pulsed d.c Magnetron Sputtering (PdcMS) has been investigated for the first time to study the deposition of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin films for photovoltaic applications. Pulsing the d.c. in the mid frequency region enhances the ion intensity and enables long term arc-free operation for the deposition of high resistivity materials such as CIGS. It has the potential to produce films with good crystallinity, even at low substrate temperatures. However, the technique has not generally been applied to the absorber layers for photovoltaic applications. The growth of stoichiometric p-type CIGS with the desired electro-optical properties has always been a challenge, particularly over large areas, and has involved multiple steps often including a dangerous selenization process to compensate for selenium vacancies. The films deposited by PdcMS had a nearly ideal composition (Cu0.75In0.88Ga0.12Se2) as deposited at substrate temperatures ranging from no intentional heating to 400 °C. The films were found to be very dense and pin-hole free. The stoichiometry was independent of heating during the deposition, but the grain size increased with substrate temperature, reaching about ∼ 150 nm at 400 °C. Hot probe analysis showed that the layers were p-type. The physical, structural and optical properties of these films were analyzed using SEM, EDX, XRD, and UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. The material characteristics suggest that these films can be used for solar cell applications. This novel ion enhanced single step low temperature deposition technique may have a critical role in flexible and tandem solar cell applications compared to other conventional techniques which require higher temperatures.