bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontex en de grenzen van zijn mandaat
Authors: Strik M.H.A.
Published: July 2015

Frontex and the limits of its mandate

As an EU agency operating at the external borders of the EU, Frontex is actively involved in combating illegal migration. Since a rising number of migrants drown in the Mediterranean Sea or are pushed back to unsafe third countries, Frontex is being accused by human rights organizations for violating the fundamental rights of the EU. The Agency however maintains that it can’t be held accountable for human rights violations, as it is only assisting Member States, and not taking over their responsibility. This article analyses if this position is correct in the light of the growing tasks and mandate Frontex is granted by the EU.
De dynamiek van een migratiereis van Afrika naar Europa
Authors: Schapendonk J.
Published: July 2015

The infinite dynamics of a migrant’s journey

In the context of the most recent European policy initiatives towards putting a halt on illegal immigration from Africa, this article discusses the transnational environment of West African migrants and the dynamics of their migration routes. By following one migration story more closely and by relating this route with the experiences of other migrants the article gives a clear insight into the aspirations of migrants, the often intangible way their journeys are facilitated, as well as into the various results of asylum procedures in Europe. The author argues that a European migration policy should go beyond the securitizing of migration through strategies aiming at immobilizing African migrants. This policy will prove to be ineffective since the aspirations of African migrants are constantly fed by political instability and the transnational reality of globalization.
Dublin: blind interstatelijk vertrouwen is een fictie
Authors: Bruin R. , Kok S.G. , Terlouw A.
Published: July 2015

Dublin: blind faith between states is fictional. On granting percentages and allocations

In light of the high numbers of persons entering the EU via the southern borders and the current uneven distribution of asylum seekers (five Member States of the EU currently received in 2014 more than 70% of the total amount of refugees), there is a clear and urgent need for the EU ministers to ensure a fairer distribution of asylum seekers within the EU. The Dublin Regulation’s system of allocating the responsibility for an asylum request does not offer a solution for this challenge, also because Member States cannot have a blind faith in the standards of a number of states for processing asylum requests. There are significant differences in the application of the law and the procedures.
De Arabische Lente en artikel 1F Vluchtelingenverdrag
Authors: Bolhuis M. , van Wijk J.
Published: July 2015

The Arabic Spring and Article 1F Refugee Convention

In this article, the authors discuss in general terms the relevance of Article 1F Refugee Convention in relation to the recent increased asylum influx and the ‘Arab Spring’. More specifically, they answer the question to what extent it can be expected that the application of Article 1F is an appropriate means for identifying potential IS sympathizers and thus possibly for removing the threat of future terrorist attacks. With regard to countries like Syria it is more likely that relatively low-level persons who have been employed as a soldier or officer in a repressive state apparatus are excluded on the basis of Article 1F, than IS sympathizers with future terrorist plans. When the situation in Syria does not improve, it is likely that those 1F-excluded individuals will end up in a limbo situation for a prolonged period of time. This not only has significant negative consequences for the individuals involved, but also means that every 1F-exclusion today creates a political problem for the future.
Improving Quality and Potency Testing for Umbilical Cord Blood: A New Perspective
Authors: Rich Ivan N.
Published: July 2015

This article critically reviews current methods to test and characterize umbilical cord blood (UCB) for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These tests include total nucleated cell (TNC) count, viability, viable CD34-positive content, and the colony-forming unit assay. It is assumed that the data obtained are sufficient to perform a UCB stem cell transplant without actually determining the quality and potency of the stem cells responsible for engraftment. This assumption has led not only to a high graft failure rate attributed to low or lack of potency, but also to noncompliance with present statutes that require UCB stem cells to be of high quality and, indeed, potency for a transplant to be successful. New evidence now calls into question the quality of the data, based on the UCB processed TNC fraction because using this impure fraction masks and significantly underestimates the functionality of the stem cells in both the segment and the unit. It is proposed that UCB units should be processed to the mononuclear cell fraction and that new cost-effective technology that measures the quality and potency of UCB stem cells be implemented to achieve better practices in UCB testing. These changes would provide the transplant physician with the assurance that the stem cells will perform as intended and would reduce risk and increase safety and efficacy for the patient.

Significance

Current stem cell transplantation of umbilical cord blood cells requires testing that includes four basic parameters that do not determine whether the stem cells are of high quality, as required by the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. No cord blood units collected or transplanted so far have been tested for stem cell quality or potency. New scientific evidence calls into question cord blood processing and testing practices required by regulatory agencies and standards organizations. A new perspective is described that includes stem cell quality and potency testing that could reduce graft failure rates.
On Low Treewidth Graphs and Supertrees
Authors: Grigoriev Alexander , Kelk Steven , Lekić Nela
Published: July 2015

Compatibility of unrooted phylogenetic trees is a well studied problem in phylogenetics. It asks to determine whether for a set of k input trees T1,...,Tk there exists a larger tree (called a supertree) that contains the topologies of all k input trees. When any such supertree exists we call the instance compatible and otherwise incompatible. It is known that the problem is NP-hard and FPT, although a constructive FPT algorithm is not known. It has been shown that whenever the treewidth of an auxiliary structure known as the display graph is strictly larger than the number of input trees, the instance is incompatible. Here we show that whenever the treewidth of the display graph is at most 2, the instance is compatible. Furthermore, we give a polynomial-time algorithm to construct a supertree in this case. Finally, we demonstrate both compatible and incompatible instances that have display graphs with treewidth 3, highlighting that the treewidth of the display graph is (on its own) not sufficient to determine compatibility.
Mental Health Utilization Among Diverse Parenting Young Couples
Authors: Albritton Tashuna , Angley Meghan , Gibson Crystal , Sipsma Heather , Kershaw Trace
Published: July 2015

Mental health issues often become apparent as adolescents emerge into young adulthood. The use of mental health services is low among adolescents and young adults, and use is particularly low among minorities. In this study, we examine mental health utilization among diverse young parenting couples. The sample consisted of 296 couples. We used the social–personal framework to examine personal, family, partner relationship, and environmental predictors for using mental health services. We used the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model to assess actor and partner effects on mental health utilization. We also examined moderator effects for gender and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. We found that being female, being White, higher income, more conduct problems, and less anxious romantic attachment predicted mental health utilization. Significant moderator effects included depression × gender, depression × medical insurance, and stress × Latino. Implications for community mental health practice include conducting mental health assessments during medical visits and systematic mental health follow‐up for individuals and couples with identified mental health and support needs. Future research should include married couples and the spouse’s influence on mental health use and examine relevant parenting factors that may also predict mental health utilization among couples.
Phase I study of TAS-102 and irinotecan combination therapy in Japanese patients with advanced colorectal cancer
Authors: Doi Toshihiko , Yoshino Takayuki , Fuse Nozomu , Boku Narikazu , Yamazaki Kentaro , Koizumi Wasaburo , Shimada Ken , Takinishi Yasutaka , Ohtsu Atsushi
Published: July 2015

Background TAS-102 is a nucleoside antitumor agent consisting of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI). We investigated the recommended dose (RD) of TAS-102 plus irinotecan for metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin. Methods This study was used a escalated dose of TAS-102 (40–70 mg/m2/day, for 5 days a week with 2 days rest for 2 weeks, followed by a 14-day rest) with a fixed dose of irinotecan (150 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day schedule). The primary endpoints were determination of RD and assessment of safety. Results Ten patients were enrolled; 7 at the Level 1 (50 mg/m2/day) and 3 at the Level 2 (60 mg/m2/day). One patient at Level 1 was excluded from the analysis of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and efficacy. Five DLTs occurred in 3 patients; 1 patient at Level 1 (Grade 3 febrile neutropenia and Grade 4 neutropenia), and 2 patients at Level 2 (Grade 3 febrile neutropenia in two patients and Grade 4 neutropenia in one). Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia (100 %), leukopenia (70 %), febrile neutropenia (30 %) and lymphopenia, anaemia (20 % each). 2 patients (22 %) achieved partial response with the duration of response were 112 and 799 days. Conclusion The RD was determined to be 50 mg/m2/day of TAS-102 combined with 150 mg/m2 of irinotecan although further investigation to explore optimal regimen is warranted.
Estimation of automotive brake drum-shoe interface friction coefficient under varying conditions of longitudinal forces using Simulink
Authors: Khairnar H. P. , Phalle V. M. , Mantha S. S.
Published: July 2015

The suitable brake torque at the shoe-drum interface is the prerequisite of the active safety control. Estimation of accurate brake torque under varying conditions is predominantly the function of friction coefficient at the shoe-drum interface. The extracted friction coefficient has been used in the antilock braking system (ABS) algorithm to plot the μ-slip curve. The longitudinal forces like Coulomb friction force, contact force and actuating forces at the shoe ends are resolved under the equilibrium condition. The computation of the friction coefficient is presented for the symmetric and asymmetric length of the drum shoes to track the variations in the longitudinal forces. The classical mechanics formulae considering friction are simulated using virtual environment in Matlab/Simulink for the distribution of the Coulomb force. The dual air braking system set up operated at the 8 bar pressure is used to acquire data for the input parameters like distance of Coulomb friction force, distance of pivot point, and contact force applied. The evolved estimation algorithm extracted the maximum friction coefficient of 0.7 for the normal force arrangement of the contact force at the symmetric shoe length, while friction coefficient in the range of 0.3–0.7 is obtained at the asymmetric shoe length.
Traumatic laceration of the portal vein
Authors: Kama Ahmet , Coskun Savas , Yuksel Melih , Yildirim Ali Cihat , Gunal Elnare , Cıgsar Gulsen
Published: July 2015

Despite its relatively protected position, the liver is the most frequently injured solid intra-abdominal organ.1 Most liver injuries can be managed conservatively, but about 5% to 10% require urgent laparotomy, usually when the mechanism of injury involves a vehicle accident and hemodynamic instability persists, in spite of 40 mL/kg of blood transfusion.2,3 In particular, grades IV and V liver injuries may pose a challenge to the surgeon trying to control hemorrhage, the leading cause of mortality.4 Traumatic injuries to the portal vein are rare but devastating. The mortality rate for portal vein injury ranges from 50% to 70%. A recent study of portal triad injuries has highighted the higher mortality rates associated with combination injuries involving multiple portal triad components, especially those that include portal vein injury.5 This case study describes a unique case of relatively minor trauma in a child resulting in portal triad injury, sudden demise, and surgical repair.
Inertia–gravity waves in inertially stable and unstable shear flows
Authors: Lott François , Millet Christophe , Vanneste Jacques
Published: July 2015

An inertia–gravity wave (IGW) propagating in a vertically sheared, rotating stratified fluid interacts with the pair of inertial levels that surround the critical level. An exact expression for the form of the IGW is derived here in the case of a linear shear and used to examine this interaction in detail. This expression recovers the classical values of the transmission and reflection coefficients $|T|=\text{e}^{-{\rm\pi}{\it\mu}}$ and $|R|=0$, where ${\it\mu}^{2}=J(1+{\it\nu}^{2})-1/4$, $J$ is the Richardson number and ${\it\nu}$ the ratio between the horizontal transverse and along-shear wavenumbers. For large $J$, a WKB analysis provides an interpretation of this result in term of tunnelling: an IGW incident on the lower inertial level becomes evanescent between the inertial levels, returning to an oscillatory behaviour above the upper inertial level. The amplitude of the transmitted wave is directly related to the decay of the evanescent solution between the inertial levels. In the immediate vicinity of the critical level, the evanescent IGW is well represented by the quasi-geostrophic approximation, so that the process can be interpreted as resulting from the coupling between balanced and unbalanced motion. The exact and WKB solutions describe the so-called valve effect, a dependence of the behaviour in the region between the inertial levels on the direction of wave propagation. For $J<1$ this is shown to lead to an amplification of the wave between the inertial levels. Since the flow is inertially unstable for $J<1$, this establishes a correspondence between the inertial-level interaction and the condition for inertial instability.
Early-time periodic injection and extraction in an inclined confined aquifer
Authors: Dudfield Peter , Woods Andrew W.
Published: July 2015

We consider the periodic injection and extraction of fluid from a horizontal line well in an inclined saturated aquifer of finite thickness, $H$, as part of an aquifer thermal energy storage system. We focus on the case in which the injected fluid is dense relative to the original fluid in the aquifer and hence tends to run off downslope, so that during the extraction cycle a mixture of original aquifer fluid and injected fluid is produced. We study the controls on the composition of the extracted fluid, distinguishing between the cases where there is an open boundary downslope or upslope of the source, with the other boundary being sealed. We find that initially the fraction of original aquifer fluid recovered during an extracted cycle decreases from cycle to cycle, and at long times this fraction asymptotes to a value, $\mathscr{F}>0$, that depends on ${\it\Gamma}=H(S\cos ({\it\theta}){\it\phi}^{2}/{\it\tau}Q^{2})^{1/3}$ and ${\it\Pi}=HS\sin ({\it\theta}){\it\phi}/Q$, where ${\it\tau}$ is the time period of injection, ${\it\phi}$ is the porosity of the aquifer, $Q$ is the injection rate, $S$ is the speed of the buoyancy driven flow and ${\it\theta}$ is the angle of inclination to the horizontal. At long times the flow asymptotes to a quasi-steady exchange flow solution that develops in an inclined saturated porous layer of thickness $H$ in contact with a stratified fluid reservoir, filled to thickness $h_{0}({\it\Gamma},{\it\Pi})<H$ with relatively dense fluid. This enables us to calculate the average composition of the extracted fluid, which is of concern if the original aquifer fluid contains contaminants. Since the produced aquifer fluid is driven by this quasi-steady exchange flow, we show that contaminants downslope of the well will be produced after a finite time, whereas contaminants upslope of the well typically remain in the aquifer, irrespective of the far-field boundary conditions. We successfully test the models with a series of analogue experiments of both the injection extraction flow and the exchange flow using a Hele-Shaw cell.
Mixing by bubble-induced turbulence
Authors: Alméras Elise , Risso Frédéric , Roig Véronique , Cazin Sébastien , Plais Cécile , Augier Frédéric
Published: July 2015

This work reports an experimental investigation of the dispersion of a low-diffusive dye within a homogeneous swarm of high-Reynolds-number rising bubbles at gas volume fractions${\it\alpha}$ranging from 1 % to 13 %. The capture and transport of dye within bubble wakes is found to be negligible and the mixing turns out to result from the bubble-induced turbulence. It is described well by a regular diffusion process. The diffusion coefficient corresponding to the vertical direction is larger than that corresponding to the horizontal direction, owing to the larger intensity of the liquid fluctuations in the vertical direction. Two regimes of diffusion have been identified. At low gas volume fraction, the diffusion time scale is given by the correlation time of the bubble-induced turbulence and the diffusion coefficients increase roughly as${\it\alpha}^{0.4}$. At large gas volume fraction, the diffusion time scale is imposed by the time interval between two bubbles and the diffusion coefficients become almost independent of ${\it\alpha}$. The transition between the two regimes occurs sooner in the horizontal direction ($1\,\%\leqslant {\it\alpha}\leqslant 3\,\%$) than in the vertical direction ($3\,\%\leqslant {\it\alpha}\leqslant 6\,\%$). Physical models based on the hydrodynamic properties of the bubble swarm are introduced and guidelines for practical applications are suggested.
Epidemiology of echinococcosis in Kazakhstan: an update
Authors: Abdybekova A. , Sultanov A. , Karatayev B. , Zhumabayeva A. , Shapiyeva Z. , Yeshmuratov T. , Toksanbayev D. , Shalkeev R. , Torgerson P.R.
Published: July 2015

Kazakhstan is highly endemic for echinococcosis. Both Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are widely distributed in the country. Official records of human cystic echinococcosis over the past 5–10 years suggest a stable incidence of approximately 800–1000 cases per year, which is 5 cases per 100,000 per year. This followed a rapid increase in the incidence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Between 2007 and 2013, 5949 cases were reported in the national surveillance data. The prevalence in sheep, based on slaughterhouse studies, suggests that between 30 and 50% of sheep are infected with hydatid cysts, while cattle have a prevalence of approximately 7%. Rural dogs have a high prevalence of infection of between 5 and 10%, with shepherd dogs having prevalences of over 20%. G1 and G6/7 strains of E. granulosus have been isolated from dogs in Kazakhstan. Wolves are also infected, with one prevalence estimate of approximately 20%. The incidence of human alveolar echinococcosis is less clear, although estimates from Kazakhstani expatriates living in Germany and the hospital records of a single referral centre in Almaty suggest 34 or 130 cases per year (or an annual incidence of 0.20 or 0.76 cases per 100,000), respectively, could be occurring in Kazakhstan. Studies suggest that in some rural dog populations the prevalence may be about 5%. The parasite is widely distributed in foxes and small mammals through much of Kazakhstan.
Method or madness? Sociolatry in international thought
Authors: OWENS PATRICIA
Published: July 2015

International theory has a social problem. Twenty years after the so-called ‘social turn’, the historical origins of distinctly social forms of thought are not subject to scrutiny, let alone well understood. Indeed, the problem of the ahistorical social is an issue not only for predominant liberal, realist, and constructivist appropriations of social theory, but also the broad spectrum of critical and Marxist modes of theorising. In contrast to practicing sociolatry, the worship of things ‘socio’, this article addresses the historicity of the social as both a mode of thought – primarily in social theories and sociology – against the background of the emergence of the social realm as a concrete historical formation. It highlights problems with the social theoretic underpinnings of liberalism, social constructivism, and Marxism and advances an original claim for why the rise of the social was accompanied by attacks on things understood (often erroneously) as political. To fully understand these phenomena demands a closer examination of the more fundamental governance form the modern social realm was purported to replace, but which it scaled up and transformed.
Converging and competing cues in the acquisition of syntactic structures: the conjoined agent intransitive
Authors: NOBLE CLAIRE , IQBAL FARIA , LIEVEN ELENA , THEAKSTON ANNA
Published: July 2015

In two studies we use a pointing task to explore developmentally the nature of the knowledge that underlies three- and four-year-old children's ability to assign meaning to the intransitive structure. The results suggest that early in development children are sensitive to a first-noun-as-causal-agent cue and animacy cues when interpreting conjoined agent intransitives. The same children, however, do not appear to rely exclusively on the number of nouns as a cue to structure meaning. The pattern of results indicates that children are processing a number of cues when inferring the meaning of the conjoined agent intransitive. These cues appear to be in competition with each other and the cue that receives the most activation is used to infer the meaning of the construction. Critically, these studies suggest that children's knowledge of syntactic structures forms a network of organization, such that knowledge of one structure can impact on interpretation of other structures.
Socioeconomic burden of hand, foot and mouth disease in children in Shanghai, China
Authors: WANG Z. L. , XIA A. M. , LI Y. F. , SU H. L. , ZHAN L. W. , CHEN Y. P. , XI Y. , ZHAO L. F. , LIU L. J. , XU Z. Y. , ZENG M.
Published: July 2015

In the near future, the inactivated enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine is expected to become available on the market in China. Since EV71 is a major cause of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), the vaccine is expected to significantly reduce the number of cases, as well as the detrimental economic effect of the disease. However, for a national vaccination strategy to be developed, policy-makers need more information on the socioeconomic burden of EV71 HFMD infection. Based on the 2011 population data, we estimated the clinical and economic effect of EV71 HFMD infection in children aged 0–9 years in Shanghai, China. The annual cost related to HFMD is >US$7.66 million for a population of 1·42 million children aged 0–9 years with an average cost of US$208.2/case. The extrapolated cost for EV71 HFMD infection was US$3.53 million, comprising 46·1% of the overall cost associated with HFMD. Around 97% of all of the HFMD-related expenses were paid for by the families creating a considerable economic burden. Our findings could provide the necessary recommendations on the most effective national EV71 vaccine implementation, as well as a baseline data for assessing the cost-effectiveness of the vaccine in China.
A Hitting Time Formula for the Discrete Green's Function
Authors: BEVERIDGE ANDREW
Published: July 2015

The discrete Green's function (without boundary)$\mathbb{G}$is a pseudo-inverse of the combinatorial Laplace operator of a graphG= (V, E). We reveal the intimate connection between Green's function and the theory of exact stopping rules for random walks on graphs. We give an elementary formula for Green's function in terms of state-to-state hitting times of the underlying graph. Namely,$\mathbb{G}(i,j) = \pi_j \bigl( H(\pi,j) - H(i,j) \bigr),$where πiis the stationary distribution at vertexi,H(i, j) is the expected hitting time for a random walk starting from vertexito first reach vertexj, andH(π,j) = ∑k∈VπkH(k, j). This formula also holds for the digraph Laplace operator.

The most important characteristics of a stopping rule are its exit frequencies, which are the expected number of exits of a given vertex before the rule halts the walk. We show that Green's function is, in fact, a matrix of exit frequencies plus a rank one matrix. In the undirected case, we derive spectral formulas for Green's function and for some mixing measures arising from stopping rules. Finally, we further explore the exit frequency matrix point of view, and discuss a natural generalization of Green's function for any distribution τ defined on the vertex set of the graph.
Effect of temperature on embryonic development of Melanotaenia boesemani (Allen and Cross, 1982)
Authors: Radael Marcella Costa , Cardoso Leonardo Demier , de Andrade Dalcio Ricardo , Ferreira André Veloso , da Cruz Mattos Douglas , Vidal Manuel Vazquez
Published: July 2015

The present study aimed to provide data on the time required for Melanotaenia boesemani to complete embryonic development, and to investigate the influence that incubation at different temperatures caused in this species. The effects of temperature on the time and hatching rate are presented, as well as information related to embryonic development stages. After fertilization, the eggs were kept in incubators at 23, 26, 29 or 32°C and observed at predetermined times until the moment of hatching. Stages of development were identified and classified according to morphological and physiological characteristics. Oil droplets were visualized inside the eggs as well as filament adhesion present at the chorion. Embryonic development was similar to that observed in other species of the genus Melanotaenia with hatching and faster development in higher temperatures.
Does functional health status predict health-related quality of life in children after Fontan operation?
Authors: Dulfer Karolijn , Bossers Sjoerd S. M. , Utens Elisabeth M. W. J. , Duppen Nienke , Kuipers Irene M. , Kapusta Livia , van Iperen Gabrielle , Schokking Michiel , ten Harkel Arend D. J. , Takken Tim , Helbing Willem A.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

It is important to identify those children with a Fontan circulation who are at risk for impaired health-related quality of life. We aimed to determine the predictive value of functional health status – medical history and present medical status – on both physical and psychosocial domains of health-related quality of life, as reported by patients themselves and their parents.

Methods

We carried out a prospective cross-sectional multi-centre study in Fontan patients aged between 8 and 15, who had undergone staged completion of total cavopulmonary connection according to a current technique before the age of 7 years.

Functional health status was assessed as medical history – that is, age at Fontan, type of Fontan, ventricular dominance, and number of cardiac surgical procedures – and present medical status – assessed with magnetic resonance imaging, exercise testing, and rhythm assessment. Health-related quality of life was assessed with The TNO/AZL Child Questionnaire Child Form and Parent Form.

Results

In multivariate prediction models, several medical history variables, such as more operations post-Fontan completion, lower age at Fontan completion, and dominant right ventricle, and present medical status variables, such as smaller end-diastolic volume, a higher score for ventilatory efficiency, and the presence of sinus node dysfunction, predicted worse outcomes on several parent-reported and self-reportedphysicalas well aspsychosocialhealth-related quality of life domains.

Conclusions

Medical history and worse present medical status not only predicted worse physical parent-reported and self-reported health-related quality of life but also worse psychosocial health-related quality of life and subjective cognitive functioning. These findings will help in identifying patients who are at risk for developing impaired health-related quality of life.
Churches, Communities and Society
Authors: Scott Peter Manley
Published: July 2015

Four articles based on presentations from the Lincoln Theological Institute’s 2013 Conference on ‘Churches, Communities and Society’ deal with issues facing the Church of England and other faith communities in the UK, and reflect the legacy of the Institute and the previous Lincoln Theological College.
Ubinuclein-1 confers histone H3.3-specific-binding by the HIRA histone chaperone complex
Authors: Daniel Ricketts M , Frederick Brian , Hoff Henry , Tang Yong , Schultz David C. , Singh Rai Taranjit , Grazia Vizioli Maria , Adams Peter D. , Marmorstein Ronen
Published: July 2015

Histone chaperones bind specific histones to mediate their storage, eviction or deposition from/or into chromatin. The HIRA histone chaperone complex, composed of HIRA, ubinuclein-1 (UBN1) and CABIN1, cooperates with the histone chaperone ASF1a to mediate H3.3-specific binding and chromatin deposition. Here we demonstrate that the conserved UBN1 Hpc2-related domain (HRD) is a novel H3.3-specific-binding domain. Biochemical and biophysical studies show the UBN1-HRD preferentially binds H3.3/H4 over H3.1/H4. X-ray crystallographic and mutational studies reveal that conserved residues within the UBN1-HRD and H3.3 G90 as key determinants of UBN1–H3.3-binding specificity. Comparison of the structure with the unrelated H3.3-specific chaperone DAXX reveals nearly identical points of contact between the chaperone and histone in the proximity of H3.3 G90, although the mechanism for H3.3 G90 recognition appears to be distinct. This study points to UBN1 as the determinant of H3.3-specific binding and deposition by the HIRA complex.
Hunting for dark matter with ultra-stable fibre as frequency delay system
Authors: Yang Wanpeng , Li Dawei , Zhang Shuangyou , Zhao Jianye
Published: July 2015

Many cosmological observations point towards the existence of dark-matter(DM) particles and consider them as the main component of the matter content of the universe. The goal of revealing the nature of dark-matter has triggered the development of new, extremely sensitive detectors. It has been demonstrated that the frequencies and phases of optical clock have a transient shift during the DMs’ arrival due to the DM-SM(Standard Model) coupling. A simple, reliable and feasible experimental scheme is firstly proposed in this paper, based on “frequency-delay system” to search dark-matter by “self-frequency comparison” of an optical clock. During the arrival of a dark-matter, frequency discrepancy is expected between two signals with a short time difference(~ms) of the same optical clock to exhibit the interaction between atoms and dark-matter. Furthermore, this process can determine the exact position of dark-matter when it is crossing the optical clocks, therefore a network of detecting stations located in different places is recommended to reduce the misjudgment risk to an acceptable level.
Conformational thermostabilisation of corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1
Authors: Kean James , Bortolato Andrea , Hollenstein Kaspar , Marshall Fiona H. , Jazayeri Ali
Published: July 2015

Recent technical advances have greatly facilitated G-protein coupled receptors crystallography as evidenced by the number of successful x-ray structures that have been reported recently. These technical advances include novel detergents, specialised crystallography techniques as well as protein engineering solutions such as fusions and conformational thermostabilisation. Using conformational thermostabilisation, it is possible to generate variants of GPCRs that exhibit significantly increased stability in detergent micelles whilst preferentially occupying a single conformation. In this paper we describe for the first time the application of this technique to a member of a class B GPCR, the corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1R). Mutational screening in the presence of the inverse agonist, CP-376395, resulted in the identification of a construct with twelve point mutations that exhibited significantly increased thermal stability in a range of detergents. We further describe the subsequent construct engineering steps that eventually yielded a crystallisation-ready construct which recently led to the solution of the first x-ray structure of a class B receptor. Finally, we have used molecular dynamic simulation to provide structural insight into CRF1R instability as well as the stabilising effects of the mutants, which may be extended to other class B receptors considering the high degree of structural conservation.
Explosive or Continuous: Incoherent state determines the route to synchronization
Authors: Xu Can , Gao Jian , Sun Yuting , Huang Xia , Zheng Zhigang
Published: July 2015

Abrupt and continuous spontaneous emergence of collective synchronization of coupled oscillators have attracted much attention. In this paper, we propose a dynamical ensemble order parameter equation that enables us to grasp the essential low-dimensional dynamical mechanism of synchronization in networks of coupled oscillators. Different solutions of the dynamical ensemble order parameter equation build correspondences with diverse collective states and different bifurcations reveal various transitions among these collective states. The structural relationship between the incoherent state and the synchronous state leads to different routes of transitions to synchronization, either continuous or discontinuous. The explosive synchronization is determined by the bistable state where the measure of each state and the critical points are obtained analytically by using the dynamical ensemble order parameter equation. Our method and results hold for heterogeneous networks with star graph motifs such as scale-free networks and hence, provide an effective approach in understanding the routes to synchronization in more general complex networks.
Differential protein folding and chemical changes in lung tissues exposed to asbestos or particulates
Authors: Pascolo Lorella , Borelli Violetta , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Birarda Giovanni , Bedolla Diana E. , Salomé Murielle , Vaccari Lisa , Calligaro Carla , Cotte Marine , Hesse Bernhard , Luisi Fernando , Zabucchi Giuliano , Melato Mauro , Rizzardi Clara
Published: July 2015

Environmental and occupational inhalants may induce a large number of pulmonary diseases, with asbestos exposure being the most risky. The mechanisms are clearly related to chemical composition and physical and surface properties of materials. A combination of X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) and Fourier Transform InfraRed (μFTIR) microscopy was used to chemically characterize and compare asbestos bodies versus environmental particulates (anthracosis) in lung tissues from asbestos exposed and control patients. μXRF analyses revealed heterogeneously aggregated particles in the anthracotic structures, containing mainly Si, K, Al and Fe. Both asbestos and particulates alter lung iron homeostasis, with a more marked effect in asbestos exposure. μFTIR analyses revealed abundant proteins on asbestos bodies but not on anthracotic particles. Most importantly, the analyses demonstrated that the asbestos coating proteins contain high levels of β-sheet structures. The occurrence of conformational changes in the proteic component of the asbestos coating provides new insights into long-term asbestos effects.
Rapid detection of aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients using DIMS and chemometric analysis
Authors: de Francisco Thais M. G. , Zaramella Isabela F. , Gasparetto João C. , Cerqueira Letícia B. , Piantavini Mario S. , Pontarolo Roberto , Campos Francinete R.
Published: July 2015

DIMS and chemometric analysis was able to efficiently distinguish patients with and without aspergillosis and predict the presence or absence of aspergillosis in unknown samples.
Photocatalytic reduction of CO2coupled with selective alcohol oxidation under ambient conditions
Authors: Wang Liujie , Zhang Xiaoliang , Yang Longhua , Wang Chao , Wang Hongming
Published: July 2015

A new method for the reduction of CO2to CH3OH coupled with selective alcohol oxidation using a photocatalytic method has been developed in the present paper.
Preparation of M/γ-Al2O3 sorbents and their desulfurization performance in hydrocarbons
Authors: Liao Junjie , Wang Yashan , Chang Liping , Bao Weiren
Published: July 2015

Ag/γ-Al2O3 sorbent can deeply remove thiophene from benzene. There exist π-complexation and S–Ag bond between thiophene and Ag/γ-Al2O3. The competitive adsorption of benzene with thiophene on sorbent is due to π-complexation.
Adsorption behavior of one-dimensional coordination polymers [Cu(bipy)X]n (X = 2Cl− and SO42−) toward acid orange 7 and methyl orange
Authors: Xiao Liang , Xiong Ya , Wen Zhanhao , Tian Shuanghong
Published: July 2015

A kind of one-dimensional coordination polymer, [Cu(bipy)X]n (X = 2Cl− or SO42−), was prepared by Cu2+ and 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy) through a facile method, and used as the adsorbent for removal of acid orange 7 (AO7) and methyl orange (MO) from water.
Extracellularly synthesized ZnO nanoparticles interact with DNA and augment gamma radiation induced DNA damage through reactive oxygen species
Authors: Preedia Babu E. , Subastri A. , Suyavaran A. , Lokeshwara Rao P. , Suresh Kumar M. , Jeevaratnam K. , Thirunavukkarasu C.
Published: July 2015

ZnONPs were synthesized using ferulic acid as the reductant and the intricate twofold role as DNA binders and radio sensitizers was revealed, which can pave the way for anticancer therapy.
PEG–PLGA–PLL nanoparticles in combination with gambogic acid for reversing multidrug resistance of K562/A02 cells to daunorubicin
Authors: Xu Peipei , Wang Ruju , Li Jian , Ouyang Jian , Chen Bing
Published: July 2015

The present chemotherapy in malignancy treatment, including leukaemia, is plagued by one main problem: multidrug resistance (MDR) which is often related to excessive expression of adenosine triphosphate-dependent efflux pump.
Shape evolution of parallelogrammic magnesium oxalate controlled by phosphate species
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Zheng Yajun , Yang Haijun , Wang Qian , Zhang Zhiping
Published: July 2015

The shape evolution of magnesium oxalate dihydrate to parallelogrammic micro-particles is closely related to the amount of Na5P3O10 participating in the self-assembly of the layer-like parallelogram.
Electrophoretic deposition of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles with a novel additive for Li-ion microbatteries
Authors: Kyeremateng Nana Amponsah , Dinh Ty Mai , Pech David
Published: July 2015

This work underscores electrophoretic deposition as a suitable alternative to prepare self-supported micro- or nano-structured Li4Ti5O12 for 3D Li-ion microbatteries.
On-water, catalyst-free and room-temperature construction of 2-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives from 1,1-dichloro-2-nitroethene and hydrazides
Authors: Zhu Fengjuan , Zou Minming , Shao Xusheng , Li Zhong
Published: July 2015

The image of construction of 2-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives from 1,1-dichloro-2-nitroethene and hydrazides.
Flexible metal–organic frameworks as superior cathodes for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Nie Ping , Shen Laifa , Pang Gang , Zhu Yaoyao , Xu Guiyin , Qing Yunhua , Dou Hui , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: July 2015

Flexible metal–organic frameworks composed of Prussian blue analogues on a highly conductive carbonfiber paper have been synthesized and utilized as attractive hosts for sodium ion storage at ambient temperature.
A flexible fiber-shaped supercapacitor utilizing hierarchical NiCo2O4@polypyrrole core–shell nanowires on hemp-derived carbon
Authors: Xiong Wei , Hu Xuan , Wu Xu , Zeng Yan , Wang Bo , He Guanhong , Zhu Zhihong
Published: July 2015

A flexible supercapacitor is assembled based on NiCo2O4@polypyrrole core–shell nanowires on hemp-derived carbon and the as-synthesized electrode exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance and mechanical stability.
Boundary effects on Bose-Einstein condensation in ultra-static space-times
Authors: Akant Levent , Ertuğrul Emine , Gül Yusuf , Turgut O. Teoman
Published: July 2015

The boundary effects on the Bose-Einstein condensation with a nonvanishing chemical potential on an ultra-static space-time are studied. High temperature regime, which is the relevant regime for the relativistic gas, is studied through the heat kernel expansion for both Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. The high temperature expansion in the presence of a chemical potential is generated via the Mellin transform method as applied to the harmonic sums representing the free energy and the depletion coefficient. The effects of boundary conditions on the relation between the depletion coefficient and the temperature are analyzed. Both charged and neutral bosons are considered.
Analytical modelling for ultrasonic surface mechanical attrition treatment
Authors: Huang Guan-Rong , Tsai W. Y. , Huang J. C. , Hu Chin-Kun
Published: July 2015

The grain refinement, gradient structure, fatigue limit, hardness, and tensile strength of metallic materials can be effectively enhanced by ultrasonic surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT), however, never before has SMAT been treated with rigorous analytical modelling such as the connection among the input energy and power and resultant temperature of metallic materials subjected to SMAT. Therefore, a systematic SMAT model is actually needed. In this article, we have calculated the averaged speed, duration time of a cycle, kinetic energy and kinetic energy loss of flying balls in SMAT for structural metallic materials. The connection among the quantities such as the frequency and amplitude of attrition ultrasonic vibration motor, the diameter, mass and density of balls, the sample mass, and the height of chamber have been considered and modelled in details. And we have introduced the one-dimensional heat equation with heat source within uniform-distributed depth in estimating the temperature distribution and heat energy of sample. In this approach, there exists a condition for the frequency of flying balls reaching a steady speed. With these known quantities, we can estimate the strain rate, hardness, and grain size of sample.
High pressure Raman spectroscopic studies of the relaxor ferroelectric 0.85Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.15PbTiO3
Authors: Mishra K. K. , Ravindran T. R.
Published: July 2015

In situ Raman spectroscopic measurements have been carried out at high pressure up to 33 GPa using a diamond anvil cell to investigate the structural transitions in relaxor ferroelectric 0.85Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.15PbTiO3. Raman modes are found to be broad due to substitutional disorder at the B-site of the perovskite. Evolution of spectra with pressure gives evidence for structural instabilities around 2.2, 6.3, and 14.6 GPa. New modes at 343 and 376 cm−1 appear across the transition at 6.3 GPa, characteristic of the high pressure antiferrodistortive rhombohedral phase (PII). The pressure dependence of mode frequency, width of the Raman bands, and integrated intensity of structurally sensitive A1(TO) mode at 272 cm−1 are obtained; their effect on polar ordering and structural transitions are discussed. The disappearance of the mode around 200 cm−1 and the appearance of a new one around 120 cm−1 are evident around 14.6 GPa, and these are attributed to a possible new phase PIII. The reported pressure-induced suppression of diffuse x-ray scattering on Pb-based relaxors is consistent with the observed Raman features.
The Location morpheme-demonstrative cycle in Wu dialects
Authors: Sheng Yimin
Published: July 2015

This article focuses on the Location morpheme-Demonstrative Cycle in Wu dialects. Wu dialects have a set of locational demonstratives that are formed from two morphemes, one denoting deixis and the other location. The demonstrative morpheme can often be dropped, in which case the location morpheme per se has to bear the function of the whole complex locational demonstrative. Further, the existence of ‘locational demonstratives + classifier + noun’ construction encoding locational possessive relation in Wu dialects provides an ideal context where the location morpheme can evolve into a basic demonstrative, thus forming a cycle of grammaticalization. The conclusion part further discusses various types of lexical renewal in different languages from the typological perspective.
Syntactic restructuring in heritage grammars
Authors: Hopp Holger , Putnam Michael T.
Published: July 2015

In order to elucidate the structure of heritage grammars, this paper presents an analysis of word order variation in Moundridge Schweitzer German (MSG), a moribund heritage variety of German spoken in South Central Kansas. Based on elicited production data and an acceptability judgment task, we show that the current state of the MSG grammar maintains the asymmetric German verb-second (V2) and verb-final (V-final) word-ordering closely tied to specific pragmatic information associated with clause-types and complementizers. Extensive contact with English does not lead to adoption of English word order; rather, it occasions restructuring of German word order within the constraints of German syntax. We model these findings in a syntactic analysis following recent proposals byPutnam & Sánchez (2013)andPolinsky (2011)that challenge the notion of ‘incomplete acquisition’ as a way to conceptualize heritage language acquisition.
A “bright blue ball”, “brushed with clouds” or “parched, scorched, and washed away”?
Authors: Ritchie L. David , Thomas Mariko
Published: July 2015

This paper examines President Barack Obama’s use of contrasting metaphors and metaphorical stories to frame the issue of climate change and the associated political controversies in a major policy speech at Georgetown University in 2013. One major theme in the speech contrasted a series of metaphors based on violence and destruction with a series of metaphors based on peace, tranquility, and health, all within an overall framing story about the Apollo 8 astronauts and the picture they took of the Earth from lunar orbit. Another major theme is the contrast between metaphors of passivity or obstruction and metaphors of movement and dynamic activity. Within these two sets of thematic contrasts are more subtle contrasts between metaphors associated with the effects of climate change and metaphors associated with ameliorative actions to counteract climate change. All of these themes are presented in a way that fails to acknowledge — and implicitly discredits — possible alternative frames. This, plus the obstruction / movement contrast, effectively aggravates the frame conflicts that have stymied fruitful discussion of these issues throughout the Obama administration. We close the analysis with some specific recommendations for increasing the potential for empathetic understanding through explicit awareness of the framing effects of language.