bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomalous thermal hysteresis of two first order phase transitions in relaxor ferroelectric 0.945 Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.055PbTiO3 crystals studied by Brillouin scattering
Authors: Islam Md. Saidul , Tsukada Shinya , Kojima Seiji
Published: March 2016

The thermal hysteresis has been studied by Brillouin scattering in the relaxor ferroelectric (1 − x)Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 with x = 0.055 (i.e., below the morphotropic phase boundary composition x ∼ 0.08). On heating from room temperature, the first order rhombohedral to tetragonal phase transition occurs at TR-T = 397 K, then the first order tetragonal to cubic transition occurs at TT-C = 425 K. However, on cooling from high temperature, only the diffusive phase transition was observed around TC-R = 401 K. Such anomalous thermal hysteresis is attributed to the metastable non-equilibrium states induced by supercooling due to quenching of nano-domains by the random electric fields of the B-site charge disorder.
Linear ac transport in graphene semiconducting nanosystem with normal-metal electrodes
Authors: Ye En-Jia , Sun Yun-Lei , Lan Jin , Shi Yi-Jian
Published: March 2016

Linear ac transport properties are investigated in a graphene semiconducting nanosystem, with the effect of normal-metal electrodes taken into account. We use a tight-binding approach and ac transport theory to study the dc conductance and ac emittance in normal-metal/graphene (NG) and normal-metal/graphene/normal-metal (NGN) systems with armchair-edge graphene. We find that the resonant and semiconducting behaviors in NG and NGN systems are closely related to the spatial-resolved local density of states. Furthermore, features of the size-dependent emittances in the NGN system are investigated. The results suggest a positive correlation between the width and capacitive response, and the capacitive response is robust as the size of the system increases proportionally.
A low-voltage ride-through capability enhancement scheme of doubly fed induction generator based wind plant considering grid faults
Authors: Gayen P. K. , Chatterjee D. , Goswami S. K.
Published: March 2016

This paper presents an improved low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability scheme of a grid connected doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) during any type of grid fault. In this context, an effective switching strategy based on computation of rotor current components has been suggested for the proposed passive protection circuits of a rotor side converter (RSC). Simultaneously, the RSC will control the fundamental rotor current within its available capacity for providing reactive power to the faulty grid. The proposed passive protection circuits comprise both stator and rotor side series resistor based passive compensators. The stator passive compensator will only be operated at starting and ending instant of fault to restrict rotor inrush current regardless of the type of fault. On the other hand, the rotor passive compensator is conditionally activated at the time of unbalanced fault to keep the overall rotor current under control. During both types of fault, RSC performs dual functions as partially scaled active compensator cum fractional reactive power generation controlling element. Thus, coordinated operation of passive compensator(s) and RSC will improve the LVRT ability of DFIG based wind power plants under any fault scenario. Various simulations are performed on 1.5 MW DFIG to show the advantage of this proposed control strategy.
Rapid mask prototyping for microfluidics
Authors: Maisonneuve B. G. C. , Honegger T. , Cordeiro J. , Lecarme O. , Thiry T. , Fuard D. , Berton K. , Picard E. , Zelsmann M. , Peyrade D.
Published: March 2016

With the rise of microfluidics for the past decade, there has come an ever more pressing need for a low-cost and rapid prototyping technology, especially for research and education purposes. In this article, we report a rapid prototyping process of chromed masks for various microfluidic applications. The process takes place out of a clean room, uses a commercially available video-projector, and can be completed in less than half an hour. We quantify the ranges of fields of view and of resolutions accessible through this video-projection system and report the fabrication of critical microfluidic components (junctions, straight channels, and curved channels). To exemplify the process, three common devices are produced using this method: a droplet generation device, a gradient generation device, and a neuro-engineering oriented device. The neuro-engineering oriented device is a compartmentalized microfluidic chip, and therefore, required the production and the precise alignment of two different masks.
Note: Simple and portable setup for loading high purity liquids in diamond anvil cell
Authors: Olejnik Ella , Deemyad Shanti
Published: March 2016

Here we explain a simple and inexpensive procedure to preserve the original purity of the liquid samples during the loading process in a diamond anvil cell. The idea is to keep the sample in frozen form during the loading process while preventing the condensation of the water or other introduction of contaminants. The system can be quickly and easily assembled in a basic laboratory setup. This process can be used for loading some of the common pressure media in a diamond anvil cell.
Achieving tailorable magneto-caloric effect in the Gd-Co binary amorphous alloys
Authors: Wu C. , Ding D. , Xia L. , Chan K. C.
Published: March 2016

Tailorable magnetic properties and magneto-caloric effect were achieved in the Gd-Co binary amorphous alloys. It was found that the Curie temperature (Tc) of the GdxCo100-x (x=50, 53, 56, 58, 60) metallic glasses can be tuned by changing the concentration of Gd as Tc =708.8-8.83x, and the mechanism involved was investigated. On the other hand, a linear correlation between the peak value of magnetic entropy change (-Δ Smpeak) and Tc-2/3 is found in the amorphous alloys with a linear correlation coefficients of above 0.992. Therefore, the -ΔSmpeak of the Gd-Co binary amorphous alloys under different magnetic fields can be easily tailored by adjusting the composition of the alloy.
Real-time observation of rotational twin formation during molecular-beam epitaxial growth of GaAs on Si (111) by x-ray diffraction
Authors: Suzuki Hidetoshi , Nakata Yuka , Takahasi Masamitu , Ikeda Kazuma , Ohshita Yoshio , Morohara Osamu , Geka Hirotaka , Moriyasu Yoshitaka
Published: March 2016

The formation and evolution of rotational twin (TW) domains introduced by a stacking fault during molecular-beam epitaxial growth of GaAs on Si (111) substrates were studied by in situ x-ray diffraction. To modify the volume ratio of TW to total GaAs domains, GaAs was deposited under high and low group V/group III (V/III) flux ratios. For low V/III, there was less nucleation of TW than normal growth (NG) domains, although the NG and TW growth rates were similar. For high V/III, the NG and TW growth rates varied until a few GaAs monolayers were deposited; the mean TW domain size was smaller for all film thicknesses.
Genetic relationships between internal parasite resistance and production traits in Merino sheep
Authors: Brown D. J. , Fogarty N. M.
Published: March 2016

Breeding Merino sheep that are resistant to internal parasites alleviates the high costs associated with treatment of worm infestation and loss of production, as well as mitigating the development of anthelmintic resistance among the major worm species. Faecal worm egg count ((cube root transformation), wec) can be used in sheep as a measure of internal parasite resistance. Accurate estimates of genetic parameters for wec are required for calculation of Australian Sheep Breeding Values and inclusion of worm resistance in sheep breeding programs. This study provides updated estimates of heritability for wec and its genetic correlations with production traits. Data were analysed from a wide range of Australian and New Zealand Merino sheep in the MERINOSELECT database, which included 141 flocks with 801 flock years and up to 217 137 animals with wec recorded in at least one of four ages (W = weaning, P = post weaning, Y = yearling, H = hogget). The heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 ± 0.01 for Ywec to 0.29 ± 0.01 for Wwec, with generally high genetic correlations between the ages. Bivariate analyses estimated genetic correlations between wec at the various ages and growth, carcass quality, reproduction and wool production traits at various ages. These genetic correlations were generally small or close to zero, albeit with some significantly different from zero. The moderate heritability for wec (0.2–0.3) and its high phenotypic variation (coefficient of variation >30%) shows that relatively rapid selection response for worm resistance could be achieved. Inclusion of wec in sheep breeding programs to increase worm resistance would be expected to have little if any impact on other important production traits. These genetic parameters have been incorporated into MERINOSELECT by Sheep Genetics to provide Australian Sheep Breeding Values for wec and appropriate indices for wool and meat production. There is evidence that genotype × environment interactions may be important in some environments by reducing the accuracy of Australian Sheep Breeding Values for wec. Hence it may be prudent for breeders to implement strategies that manage the risk of any impact of genotype × environment on their breeding program.
Emerging threats to biosecurity in Australasia: the need for an integrated management strategy
Authors: Lott M. J. , Rose K.
Published: March 2016

The intersection of numerous global megatrends is driving the emergence of significantly more complex biosecurity challenges in Australasia. Additional legislative and management frameworks, coupled with dedicated funding sources, will be required to protect the region’s native biodiversity and the human activities that depend on it. This review explores how more comprehensive biosecurity initiatives might be implemented through the adoption of robust pre-border and border quarantine practices, the use of emerging technologies to improve border and post-border biosurveillance and monitoring, and the integration of multiple social, economic and ecological objectives into a more holistic management paradigm. This review also discusses the need for a multidisciplinary approach to biosecurity, driven by improved co-operation across government agencies, industry, community and scientific stakeholders, in order to safeguard the unique biological heritage of the Australasia region.
Winter grazing decreases the probability of fire-induced mortality of bunchgrasses and may reduce wildfire size: a response to Smith et al. (this issue)
Authors: Davies Kirk W. , Boyd Chad S. , Bates Jon D. , Hulet April
Published: March 2016

A recent commentary by Smith et al. (2016) argues that our study (Davies et al. 2016) contained methodological errors and lacked data necessary to support our conclusions, in particular that winter grazing may reduce the probability of fire-induced mortality of bunchgrasses. Carefully reading Davies et al. (2016) and relevant literature provides strong evidence that the comments of Smith et al. are unfounded. Most notably, Smith et al. (2016) state that thermocouples placed in the air have no correlation to temperatures experienced by vegetation. However, in our study, thermocouples were placed inside the centre of meristematic crowns of bunchgrasses, as was clearly stated in the methods. Nowhere in the manuscript does it say that thermocouples were placed in the air. Duration of elevated temperatures has been repeatedly linked to an increased risk of fire-induced mortality of vegetation in the literature, contrary to claims by Smith et al. (2016) that no evidence of a relationship exists. The conclusion that winter grazing may decrease the likelihood of perennial bunchgrass mortality was not based solely on data collected in this experiment, but also Davies et al. (2009), where post-fire bunchgrass density and production in ungrazed areas were less than half those of grazed areas.
Using a national dataset to explore sub-groups in Irish immersion education
Authors: Strickland Kait , Hickey Tina M.
Published: March 2016

National longitudinal datasets offer opportunities to explore sub-samples of immersion pupils. Here, theGrowing Up in Ireland(GUI) dataset is used to examine a sample (n = 569) of 9-year-olds attending Irish immersion schools, comparing immersion pupils whose families speak at least some target language (Irish) at home (n = 264), with those from English-only homes (n = 305), as well as mainstream school pupils from English-only homes (n = 6,704). The groups are compared on SES, home literacy activities, academic achievement, and attitudes both to school and to Irish. Children in Irish immersion are more likely to be in higher SES households with more home literacy activities, and these advantages appear further amplified among households where some Irish is spoken. It was socioeconomic and home literacy variables which significantly predicted scores in English vocabulary and mathematics, rather than home language or school programme. In attitudes, while Irish immersion pupils were somewhat less likely to look forward to school than mainstream pupils, they had much more positive attitudes toward Irish than them.
An inductive approach to grammar teaching in Grade 5 & 6 Irish immersion classes
Authors: Ó Duibhir Pádraig , Dhiorbháin Aisling Ní , Cosgrove Jude
Published: March 2016

This article describes quantitative findings from a mixed-methods exploratory study of the effectiveness of an explicit-inductive approach to grammar teaching in improving the linguistic accuracy of Grade 5 and 6 (n=274) students in 12 Irish immersion classes. A series of form-focused materials were designed to explicitly draw learners’ attention to the use of the genitive case in Irish over a four-week period. Students engaged in collaborative meta-talk when uncovering rule-based knowledge and they recorded explicit grammatical knowledge in a reflective language-learning journal. Results from a pre-test, post-test, delayed post-test design showed a highly statistically significant increase in the mean achievement of pupils from pre- to post-test, with a levelling off at delayed post-test. Interestingly, students’ increases in achievement were not dependent on initial student competency. This study points to the potential effectiveness of a social-constructivist explicit-inductive approach to improve the linguistic accuracy of students in immersion programmes.
The construction of attitudinal stance
Authors: Pérez Blanco María
Published: March 2016

This paper is a corpus-based contrastive study of the realization of negative attitudinal stance in English and Spanish discourse through the use of evaluative adjectives. The main aim of the study is to analyse and compare the grammatical patterns in which negative evaluative adjectives occur in each language and discuss the observed cross-linguistic differences in terms of the effects that alternative linguistic realizations have in the construction of evaluative discourse. The working procedure follows a contrastive analysis methodology: description of empirical data, juxtaposition and contrast. The descriptive data have been extracted from a large comparable corpus of English and Spanish newspaper opinion discourse. The study has revealed interesting similarities and differences in the construction of Attitude in each language, which are inferred by contrasting its surface structural features.
A morphosemantic investigation of term formation processes in English and Spanish
Authors: Fernández-Domínguez Jesús
Published: March 2016

Driven by a shortage of studies on the morphosemantics of word-formation from a contrastive perspective, this article examines 200 English and Spanish terms from the olive oil industry with the aim of shedding light on their linguistic nature. This is achieved by use of a corpus which makes it possible to retrieve the units and their contexts from specialised texts. Besides considering the derivational features of the relevant terminogenesic processes, this investigation considers their semantic characteristics and connects the terms’ formal and meaning aspects. This, in turn, allows observing the close relationship between morphology and semantics in terminological spheres, which is directly linked with the role of these units as a tool for specialised communication. Once the morphosemantic features of the terms have been fully accounted for in English and Spanish individually, a comparison is drawn between the two languages in order to spot and describe similarities and differences.
When the local becomes international
Authors: Lorés-Sanz Rosa
Published: March 2016

Abstracts play a major role as time-saving and information-managing devices in our globalized world of scientific communication. In many non-Anglophone academic journals the pressure to disseminate results internationally is manifested in the requirement to write an English version of the abstract, usually a requisite for the journal to be included in international databases and citation indexes. In this paper it is my aim to investigate the main lexicogrammatical choices which contribute to the identification of rhetorical moves in research article (RA) abstracts translated into English by Spanish academics, and which are published in prestigious national journals as a requisite for those journals to be included in international databases. To carry out this analysis, three sets of texts have been compiled: (i) Spanish abstracts published in prestigious Spanish journals, (ii) their corresponding English translations published in the same journals; (iii) RA abstracts written in English by Anglophone academics (affiliated to Anglophone institutions) and published in leading international journals whose language of publication is English. I will focus on the discipline of Sociology, an emergent field for Spanish academics in terms of their contribution to the international arena. My ultimate aim is to explore how English translations compare with English L1 abstracts in terms of lexicogrammatical choices.
Dissociating morphological and form priming with novel complex word primes
Authors: Fiorentino Robert , Politzer-Ahles Stephen , Pak Natalie S. , Martínez-García María Teresa , Coughlin Caitlin
Published: March 2016

Recent research suggests that visually-presented words are initially morphologically segmented whenever the letter-string can be exhaustively assigned to existing morphological representations, but not when an exhaustive parse is unavailable; e.g., priming is observed for both hunter → HUNT and brother → BROTH, but not for brothel → BROTH. Few studies have investigated whether this pattern extends to novel complex words, and the results to date (all from novel suffixed words) are mixed. In the current study, we examine whether novel compounds (drugrack → RACK) yield morphological priming which is dissociable from that in novel pseudoembedded words (slegrack → RACK). Using masked priming, we find significant and comparable priming in reaction times for word-final elements of both novel compounds and novel pseudoembedded words. Using overt priming, however, we find greater priming effects (in both reaction times and N400 amplitudes) for novel compounds compared to novel pseudoembedded words. These results are consistent with models assuming across-the-board activation of putative constituents, while also suggesting that morpheme activation may persevere despite the lack of an exhaustive morpheme-based parse when an exhaustive monomorphemic analysis is also unavailable. These findings highlight the critical role of the lexical status of the pseudoembedded prime in dissociating morphological and orthographic priming.
“Ele boute son doi en son con…”
Authors: Burrows Daron
Published: March 2016

Across the Middle Ages, Continental French texts satirised the French spoken by Englishmen, with particular comic value attached to their alleged tendency unwittingly to use foutre and other obscene terms. Since the Anglophones’ jargon relies on grotesque parody of attested morpho-syntactical and phonological features of Insular French, this article assesses whether there may also be a lexical kernel of truth underlying the satire by exploring the frequency and context of occurrence of specific items of sexual vocabulary in Anglo-Norman texts, including fabliaux, comic monologues and dialogues, courtly narratives, manières de langage, word-lists and glosses, legal records, and medical writing.
“Je ne crois que ce que je vois”
Authors: Corbellari Alain
Published: March 2016

Pour illustrer l’idée que les fabliaux développent une vision matérialisme du monde en lutte ouverte contre l’idéalisme dominant de la littérature chevaleresque du Moyen Âge central, on prend ici l’exemple du célèbre fabliau du Prestre qui abevete, dans lequel la pulsion scopique est utilisée dans le but de discréditer l’idée que le monde serait autre que ce qu’il semble être: le fait que le prêtre apparaît exceptionnellement comme le héros triomphant et non ridiculisé de l’aventure est précisément au service d’une dénonciation des faux-semblants de l’idéologie idéaliste.
L’éléphant en Inde et en Afrique dans les écrits de voyage occidentaux, du XIIIe au début du XVIe siècle
Authors: Gauthey Thomas
Published: March 2016

Le sens du mot “éléphant” ne semble, a priori, guère problématique pour les clercs médiévaux. Pourtant, jusqu’au début du XIIIème siècle, la réalité qu’il recouvre n’est connue que par des héritages antiques et le passage d’un unique éléphant dans la ménagerie de Charlemagne. La paix mongole et l’ouverture de la route de l’Inde permettent l’essor d’une littérature qui lui laisse une part majeure: la littérature de voyage. L’éléphant est d’une certaine manière une incarnation animalière de la démesure orientale, comme le sous-entend le vocabulaire emphatique qui lui est associé; certains auteurs se montrent ainsi particulièrement admiratifs de cet animal, qualifié de “mirabile” par Jordan Catala de Séverac, qui sert à la fois d’instrument militaire et de force de travail. Mais l’animal, si singulier, est difficile à décrire, surtout à un public qui n’en a vraisemblablement jamais vu. Il convient de relever, également, l’importance que revêt la couleur de l’animal et surtout le fait qu’il est décrit à la fois comme un animal domestique et sauvage. Ces écrits, de fait, précisent les connaissances scientifiques rapportées depuis l’Antiquité, et même les infirment: l’éléphant cesse d’être considéré comme exclusivement asiatique (ce qui était le cas depuis Isidore de Séville), on rapporte que ses pattes sont bel et bien flexibles (alors que le Physiologus affirmait le contraire), et, enfin, la chasteté exemplaire qui lui était prêté dans les écrits paléochrétiens est mise à mal par les récits de capture de l’animal.
Fedro e le favole latine dello pseudo-Dositeo (ms. Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 6503)
Authors: Mordeglia Caterina
Published: March 2016

Gli Hermeneumata Pseudodositheana, a partire dal XVI secolo falsamente attribuiti al grammatico tardoantico Dositeo, sono un manuale scolastico bilingue greco-latino databile al IV secolo e di origine incerta, che nel Medioevo si diffonde in tutta Europa in nove redazioni. Due codici riconducibili a due di esse, il ms. Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, lat. 6503 (Corbie, sec. IX3/4 = P) e il ms. Leiden, Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit, Voss. Gr. Q. 7, (Köln, sec. X = L), riportano tra i testi di esercizio per gli studenti 18 favole esopiche, che si rivelano particolarmente importanti per tracciare l’evoluzione del genere nella tarda latinità. Il presente saggio rivaluta la versione di tali favole tramandata da P e pubblica, per la prima volta con traduzione italiana, il testo aggiornato delle quattro favole per cui si registra un corrispettivo in Fedro, con l’obiettivo di indagare sulla base delle acquisizioni critiche recenti la diffusione dell’opera del favolista latino in età tardoantica e altomedievale, anche alla luce dei suoi rapporti con il Romulus.
On the Reception of Vaughan Williams's Symphonies in New York, 1920/1–2014/15
Authors: Atlas Allan W.
Published: March 2016

This article considers the reception of Ralph Vaughan Williams's nine symphonies (and a few non-symphonic works) in New York City (and, occasionally, its suburban environs), from the American premiere of A London Symphony on 30 December 1920 to a performance of Symphony No. 6 on 10 December 2014. The author argues that the reception rolls out across five distinct periods: (1) 1920/1–1922/3: the New York premieres of A London Symphony, A Sea Symphony and A Pastoral Symphony (in that order), all to greetings that were lukewarm at best; (2) 1923/4–1934/5: Vaughan Williams's reputation grew meteorically, and A London Symphony became something of a staple; during this period Olin Downes of the New York Times became Vaughan Williams's most ardent champion among New York's music critics; (3) 1935/6–1944/5: Symphonies 4 and 5 made their New York debuts, and a rift opened between the pro-Vaughan Williams New York Times and the negative criticism of the New York Herald Tribune, one that would follow Vaughan Williams to the grave and beyond; (4) 1945/6–1958/9: premieres of Symphonies 6, 8 and 9, as Vaughan Williams's reputation in New York reached its honours- and awards-filled zenith; and (5) the long period from 1959/60 to the present day, which can be described as 20 years of decline (1960s–1970s), another 20 in which his reputation reached rock bottom (1980s–1990s) and, since the beginning of the new millennium, something of a reassessment, one that is seemingly unencumbered by the ideologically driven criticism of the past. Finally, Appendix I provides a chronological inventory of all New York Philharmonic programmes (along with those of the New York Symphony prior to the two orchestras' merger in 1928) that include any music (not just the symphonies) by Vaughan Williams. Appendix II then reorganizes the information of the chronological list according to work, conductor, venue and premieres.
Nonmuscle Myosin Light Chain Kinase Activity Modulates Radiation‐Induced Lung Injury
Authors: Wang Ting , Mathew Biji , Wu Xiaomin , Shimizu Yuka , Rizzo Alicia N. , Dudek Steven M. , Weichselbaum Ralph R. , Jacobson Jeffrey R. , Hecker Louise , Garcia Joe G. N.
Published: March 2016

Radiotherapy as a primary treatment for thoracic malignancies induces deleterious effects, such as acute or subacute radiation‐induced lung injury (RILI). Although the molecular etiology of RILI is controversial and likely multifactorial, a potentially important cellular target is the lung endothelial cytoskeleton that regulates paracellular gap formation and the influx of macromolecules and fluid to the alveolar space. Here we investigate the central role of a key endothelial cytoskeletal regulatory protein, the nonmuscle isoform of myosin light chain kinase (nmMLCK), in an established murine RILI model. Our results indicate that thoracic irradiation significantly augmented nmMLCK protein expression and enzymatic activity in murine lungs. Furthermore, genetically engineered mice harboring a deletion of the nmMLCK gene (nmMLCK−/− mice) exhibited protection from RILI, as assessed by attenuated vascular leakage and leukocyte infiltration. In addition, irradiated wild‐type mice treated with two distinct MLCK enzymatic inhibitors, ML‐7 and PIK (peptide inhibitor of kinase), also demonstrated attenuated RILI. Taken together, these data suggests a key role for nmMLCK in vascular barrier regulation in RILI and warrants further examination of RILI strategies that target nmMLCK.
A degree theory framework for semilinear elliptic systems
Authors: Li Congming , Villavert John
Published: March 2016

This paper establishes the existence of positive entire solutions to some systems of semilinear elliptic systems including those related to the Lane-Emden and stationary Schrödinger systems. The primary technique for generating these results employs a degree theoretic approach for the classical shooting method.
The far C-terminus of MCAK regulates its conformation and spindle pole focusing
Authors: Zong Hailing , Carnes Stephanie K. , Moe Christina , Walczak Claire E. , Ems-McClung Stephanie C.
Published: March 2016

To ensure proper spindle assembly, microtubule (MT) dynamics needs to be spatially regulated within the cell. The kinesin-13 MCAK is a potent MT depolymerase with a complex subcellular localization, yet how MCAK spatial regulation contributes to spindle assembly is not understood. Here we show that the far C-terminus of MCAK plays a critical role in regulating MCAK conformation, subspindle localization, and spindle assembly in Xenopus egg extracts. Alteration of MCAK conformation by the point mutation E715A/E716A in the far C-terminus increased MCAK targeting to the poles and reduced MT lifetimes, which induced spindles with unfocused poles. These effects were phenocopied by the Aurora A phosphomimetic mutation, S719E. Furthermore, addition of the kinesin-14 XCTK2 to spindle assembly reactions rescued the unfocused-pole phenotype. Collectively our work shows how the regional targeting of MCAK regulates MT dynamics, highlighting the idea that multiple phosphorylation pathways of MCAK cooperate to spatially control MT dynamics to maintain spindle architecture.
Unique epigenetic influence of H2AX phosphorylation and H3K56 acetylation on normal stem cell radioresponses
Authors: Jacobs Keith M. , Misri Sandeep , Meyer Barbara , Raj Suyash , Zobel Cheri L. , Sleckman Barry P. , Hallahan Dennis E. , Sharma Girdhar G.
Published: March 2016

Normal tissue injury resulting from cancer radiotherapy is often associated with diminished regenerative capacity. We examined the relative radiosensitivity of normal stem cell populations compared with non–stem cells within several radiosensitive tissue niches and culture models. We found that these stem cells are highly radiosensitive, in contrast to their isogenic differentiated progeny. Of interest, they also exhibited a uniquely attenuated DNA damage response (DDR) and muted DNA repair. Whereas stem cells exhibit reduced ATM activation and ionizing radiation–induced foci, they display apoptotic pannuclear H2AX-S139 phosphorylation (γH2AX), indicating unique radioresponses. We also observed persistent phosphorylation of H2AX-Y142 along the DNA breaks in stem cells, which promotes apoptosis while inhibiting DDR signaling. In addition, down-regulation of constitutively elevated histone-3 lysine-56 acetylation (H3K56ac) in stem cells significantly decreased their radiosensitivity, restored DDR function, and increased survival, signifying its role as a key contributor to stem cell radiosensitivity. These results establish that unique epigenetic landscapes affect cellular heterogeneity in radiosensitivity and demonstrate the nonubiquitous nature of radiation responses. We thus elucidate novel epigenetic rheostats that promote ionizing radiation hypersensitivity in various normal stem cell populations, identifying potential molecular targets for pharmacological radioprotection of stem cells and hopefully improving the efficacy of future cancer treatment.
Combined effects of alpha particles and depleted uranium on Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos
Authors: Ng Candy Y.P. , Pereira Sandrine , Cheng Shuk Han , Adam-Guillermin Christelle , Garnier-Laplace Jacqueline , Yu Kwan Ngok
Published: March 2016

The combined effects of low-dose or high-dose alpha particles and depleted uranium (DU) in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos were studied. Three schemes were examined—(i) [I L U L ]: 0.44 mGy alpha-particle dose + 10 µg/l DU exposure, (ii) [I H U H ]: 4.4 mGy alpha-particle dose + 100 µg/l DU exposure and (iii) [I H U L ]: 4.4 mGy alpha-particle dose + 10 µg/l DU exposure—in which Zebrafish embryos were irradiated with alpha particles at 5 h post fertilization (hpf) and/or exposed to uranium at 5–6 hpf. The results were also compared with our previous work, which studied the effects of [I L U H ]: 0.44 mGy alpha-particle dose + 100 µg/l DU exposure. When the Zebrafish embryos developed to 24 hpf, the apoptotic signals in the entire embryos, used as the biological endpoint for this study, were quantified. Our results showed that [I L U L ] and [I H U L ] led to antagonistic effects, whereas [I H U H ] led to an additive effect. The effect found for the previously studied case of [I L U H ] was difficult to define because it was synergistic with reference to the 100 µg/l DU exposure, but it was antagonistic with reference to the 0.44 mGy alpha-particle dose. All the findings regarding the four different schemes showed that the combined effects critically depended on the dose response to each individual stressor. We also qualitatively explained these findings in terms of promotion of early death of cells predisposed to spontaneous transformation by alpha particles, interacting with the delay in cell death resulting from various concentrations of DU exposure.
A soft X-ray lag detected in Centaurus A
Authors: Tachibana Yutaro , Kawamuro Taiki , Ueda Yoshihiro , Shidatsu Megumi , Arimoto Makoto , Yoshii Taketoshi , Yatsu Yoichi , Saito Yoshihiko , Pike Sean , Kawai Nobuyuki
Published: March 2016

We performed time-lag analysis on the X-ray light curves of Centaurus A (Cen A) obtained by the Gas Slit Camera (GSC) aboard the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) in three energy bands (2–4 keV, 4–10 keV, and 10–20 keV). We discovered a soft X-ray lag relative to higher energies (soft lag) on a timescale of days in a flaring episode by employing the discrete correlation function (DCF) and the z-transformed discrete correlation function (ZDCF) method. In the episode, a peak and a centroid in the DCF and the ZDCF was observed at a soft lag of ∼ 5 d in 2–4 keV versus 4–10 keV and in 4–10 keV versus 10–20 keV, and ∼ 10 d in 2–4 keV versus 10–20 keV. We found it difficult to explain the observed X-ray variation by a single energy injection with the one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model, in which the soft lags in these three energy bands reflect the different cooling times of the relativistic electrons, by assuming the magnetic field and minimum Lorentz factor estimated from a broad-band spectral energy distribution. Alternatively, if the phenomenon is interpreted as cooling of Comptonizing electrons in a corona covering the accretion disk, the temperature of the corona producing the variable X-rays should be ∼ 10 keV for reconciliation with the soft lag in the energy range of 2–20 keV.
Transfusion of 35-Day Stored RBCs in the Presence of Endotoxemia Does Not Result in Lung Injury in Humans*
Authors: Peters Anna L. , van Hezel Maike E. , Cortjens Bart , Tuip-de Boer Anita M. , van Bruggen Robin , de Korte Dirk , Jonkers René E. , Bonta Peter I. , Zeerleder Sacha S. , Lutter Rene , Juffermans Nicole P. , Vlaar Alexander P. J.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Transfusion-related acute lung injury is the leading cause of transfusion-related mortality. Preclinical studies have shown that aged RBCs can induce transfusion-related acute lung injury in the presence of a “first hit” (e.g., sepsis). Clinical studies, however, show conflicting results on this matter. We tested whether maximally stored RBCs are able to induce lung injury in the presence of a “first hit” in humans (Dutch Trial Register: NTR4455).

Design:

Open-label, randomized controlled trial.

Patients:

Healthy male volunteers.

Interventions:

Eighteen healthy male volunteers donated one unit of autologous RBCs 2 or 35 days before the experiment. The experiment was started by infusion of 2 ng/kg lipopolysaccharide (“first hit”). After 2 hours, volunteers received normal saline (n = 6), 2-day stored transfusion (n = 6), or 35-day stored transfusion (n = 6) (“second hit”). Blood was sampled hourly. Six hours after transfusion, the diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide was tested and volunteers underwent spirometry, chest x-ray study, and a bronchoalveolar lavage.

Measurements and Main Results:

All volunteers fulfilled sepsis criteria after lipopolysaccharide injection. The stored blood transfusion did not result in significant changes in either hemodynamic or respiratory variables compared with the control groups. Furthermore, chest x-rays, lung function, and Pao
2/Fio
2 ratios did not differ between groups. Transfusion of stored autologous RBCs did not result in an increased level of protein in the lungs or neutrophil influx.

Conclusions:

Transfusion of 35-day stored autologous RBCs in the presence of endotoxemia does not result in lung injury in humans.
Evaluation of Noninvasive Hemoglobin Monitoring in Surgical Critical Care Patients*
Authors: Xu Tim , Yang Ting , Kim Joseph B. , Romig Mark C. , Sapirstein Adam , Winters Bradford D.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

To assess the clinical utility of noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring based on pulse cooximetry in the ICU setting.

Design and Setting:

A total of 358 surgical patients from a large urban, academic hospital had the noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring pulse cooximeter placed at admission to the ICU. Core and stat laboratory hemoglobin measurements were taken at the discretion of the clinicians, who were blinded to noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring values.

Measurement and Main Results:

There was a poor correlation between the 2,465 time-matched noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring and laboratory hemoglobin measurements (r
2 = 0.29). Bland-Altman analysis showed a positive bias of 1.0 g/dL and limits of agreement of –2.5 to 4.6 g/dL. Accuracy was best at laboratory values of 10.5–14.5 g/dL and least at laboratory values of 6.5–8 g/dL. At hemoglobin values that would ordinarily identify a patient as requiring a transfusion (< 8 g/dL), noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring consistently overestimated the patient’s true hemoglobin. When sequential laboratory values declined below 8 g/dL (n = 102) and 7 g/dL (n = 13), the sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring at identifying these events were 27% and 7%, respectively. At a threshold of 8 g/dL, continuous noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring values reached the threshold before the labs in 45 of 102 instances (44%) and at 7 g/dL, noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring did so in three of 13 instances (23%). Noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring minus laboratory hemoglobin differences showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.47 within individual patients. Longer length of stay and higher All Patient Refined Diagnostic-Related Groups severity of illness were associated with poor noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring accuracy.

Conclusions:

Although noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring technology holds promise, it is not yet an acceptable substitute for laboratory hemoglobin measurements. Noninvasive hemoglobin monitoring performs most poorly in the lower hemoglobin ranges that include commonly used transfusion trigger thresholds and is not consistent within individual patients. Further refinement of the signal acquisition and analysis algorithms and clinical reevaluation are needed.
Occurrence, Management, and Risk Factors for Adverse Drug Reactions in Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Ahmad Nafees , Javaid Arshad , Syed Sulaiman Syed Azhar , Afridi Afsar Khan , Zainab  , Khan Amer Hayat
Published: March 2016

Although Pakistan has a high burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), little is known about prevalence, management, and risk factors for adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in MDR-TB patients in Pakistan. To evaluate occurrence, management, and risk factors for ADRs in MDR-TB patients, and its impact on treatment outcomes, this observational cohort study was conducted at programmatic management unit for drug resistant TB of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 181 MDR-TB patients enrolled at the study site from January 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013 were included. Patients with drug resistant TB other than MDR-TB, transferred out patients and those who were still on treatment at the end of study duration (January 31, 2015) were excluded. Patients were followed until treatment outcomes were reported. ADRs were determined by laboratory data and/or clinical criteria. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis. A total of 131 patients (72.4%) experienced at least 1 ADR. Gastrointestinal disturbance was the most commonly observed adverse event (42%), followed by psychiatric disturbance (29.3%), arthralgia (24.3%), and ototoxicity (21%). Potentially life-threatening ADRs, such as nephrotoxicity (2.7%) and hypokalemia (2.8%) were relatively less prevalent. Owing to ADRs, treatment regimen was modified in 20 (11%) patients. On multivariate analysis, the only risk factor for ADRs was baseline body weight ≥ 40 kg (OR = 2.321, P-value = 0.013). ADRs neither led to permanent discontinuation of treatment nor adversely affected treatment outcomes. Adverse effects were prevalent in current cohort, but caused minimal modification of treatment regimen, and did not negatively impact treatment outcomes. Patient with baseline body weight ≥ 40 kg should be closely monitored.
Combined Tolterodine and Vaginal Estradiol Cream for Overactive Bladder Symptoms After Randomized Single-Therapy Treatment
Authors: Ellington David Rich , Szychowski Jeffery Michael , Malek Joseph Michael , Gerten Kimberly Anne , Burgio Kathryn Larsen , Richter Holly Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The aims of this study were to compare 12-week outcomes of single-therapy tolterodine (Detrol LA) extended release to intravaginal estrogen (Estrace) for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and characterize 24- and 52-week outcomes in women undergoing combined therapy.

Methods

A single-site randomized, open-label trial in women with urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, and/or urgency urinary incontinence symptoms was performed. Fifty-eight participants were randomized to oral tolterodine extended release daily or intravaginal estradiol cream nightly for 6 weeks then twice per week. The primary outcome was change in Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q) symptom bother score at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (HRQL) of the OAB-q and a 3-day bladder diary. At 12 weeks, subjects were offered addition of the alternative therapy with follow-up at 24 and 52 weeks.

Results

There was no difference in symptom bother score improvement between the tolterodine and intravaginal estradiol groups baseline to 12 weeks (20.6 ± 21.7, −15.8 ± 23.3, respectively, P = 0.45). There was a significant within-group decrease in symptom bother score from baseline to 12 weeks (tolterodine, P < 0.0001, and intravaginal estradiol, P = 0.002). Secondary outcome improvement within groups was noted in the HRQL total, urinary incontinence episodes, and median voiding frequency (all P ≤ 0.03) in the tolterodine group and in the HRQL total score (P = 0.03) in the intravaginal estradiol group, with no differences between groups. Combined therapy outcomes at 24 and 52 weeks compared with single therapy at 12 weeks revealed significant improvement in symptom bother score in the intravaginal estradiol + tolterodine group at 24 and 52 weeks (20.0 ± 23.9, P = 0.008; −16.7 ± 23.3, P = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

Significant within-group improvement in OAB-q symptom bother was noted in both the intravaginal estradiol and tolterodine groups for OAB symptoms, with no difference between groups. Greater improvement from 12-week single therapy to 24 and 52 weeks of combined therapy was noted in the group originally assigned to intravaginal estradiol. The role of combined medical therapy for OAB symptoms needs further investigation.
Evolution in Eggs and Phases: experimental evolution of fecundity and reproductive timing inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Alicea Bradly
Published: March 2016

To examine the role of natural selection on fecundity in a variety ofCaenorhabditis elegansgenetic backgrounds, we used an experimental evolution protocol to evolve 14 distinct genetic strains over 15-20 generations. Beginning with three founder worms for each strain, we were able to generate 790 distinct genealogies, which provided information on both the effects of natural selection and the evolvability of each strain. Among these genotypes are a wildtype (N2) and a collection of mutants with targeted mutations in thedaf-c,daf-d, and AMPK pathways. The overarching goal of our analysis is two-fold: to observe differences in reproductive fitness and observe related changes in reproductive timing. This yields two outcomes. The first is that the majority of selective effects on fecundity occur during the first few generations of evolution, while the negative selection for reproductive timing occurs on longer timescales. The second finding reveals that positive selection on fecundity results in positive and negative selection on reproductive timing, both of which are strain-dependent. Using a derivative of population size per generation called the reproductive carry-over (RCO) measure, it is found that the fluctuation and shape of the probability distribution may be informative in terms of developmental selection. While these consist of general patterns that transcend mutations in a specific gene, changes in the RCO measure may nevertheless be products of selection. In conclusion, we discuss the broader implications of these findings, particularly in the context of genotype-fitness maps and the role of uncharacterized mutations in individual variation and evolvability.
Complexity in mentoring in a pre-service teacher practicum: a case study approach
Authors: Arshavskaya Ekaterina
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– Significant effort has been made to support pre-service and novice teacher learning in the K-12 context. Less attention has been paid to promoting pre-service and novice second language teacher learning via collaboration with peers and more expert educators at the university level. In order to facilitate this type of teacher collaboration, a mentoring project was incorporated into the existing practicum of a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) program at a US University. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of the mentoring experiences of four ESL mentor-pre-service teacher pairs in the US University context.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this research project, eight teachers – four mentor-pre-service teacher pairs – participated as pairs in mentoring sessions focussed on activities such as co-planning, co-teaching, and co-reflecting on teaching. Informed by a sociocultural perspective on teacher learning (Vygotsky, 1978), this study presents case studies of all four pairs in order to demonstrate the complex nature of mentoring. The data analysis focussed on the content of the teachers’ interactions and their perceptions of the mentoring experience.

Findings

– The study traced the developmental trajectories of the participating teachers over one 15-week academic semester. The study uncovered some critical contradictions that the participants encountered during the mentoring experience, thus pointing to its complexity. The study also uncovered the varied nature of mentoring: whereas in one pair the mentor acted as a more expert other (Vygotsky, 1978), in another pair, the mentoring relationship was more reciprocal.

Practical implications

– This study showed that pre-service teachers can develop further through mentoring. Such mentoring can help teachers gain confidence and share teaching strategies. At the same time, the study revealed certain challenges associated with introducing a mentoring project in a pre-service teacher practicum. It is recommended that program faculty as a whole read the rich dialogues produced by participating teachers engaged in relationships focussed on collaborative learning, thereby discovering a foundation for revisions that go beyond individual teaching practices to the programmatic level.

Originality/value

– This study’s principal contribution to the field is that it showcases the complex nature of mentoring experiences and the ways in which they differ from each other.