bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing of local structures of thermal and photoinduced phases in rubidium manganese hexacyanoferrate by resonant Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Fukaya Ryo , Asahara Akifumi , Ishige Shun , Nakajima Makoto , Tokoro Hiroko , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Suemoto Tohru
Published: August 2013

Resonant couplings of the electronic states and the stretching vibrations of CN− ligands, which bridges metal ions, is investigated by resonance Raman spectroscopy for Rb0.94Mn[Fe(CN)6]0.98·0.2H2O. Large excitation wavelength dependences over one order of magnitude were found for Raman peaks corresponding to different valence pairs of metal ions in the excitation wavelength range between 350 and 632 nm. In the thermal low-temperature phase, the CN− stretching modes due to the low-temperature-phase configuration (Fe2 +-Mn3 +) and the phase-boundary configuration (Fe3 +-Mn3 +) are coupled to the Fe2 +-to-Mn3 + intervalence transfer band and Jahn-Teller distorted Mn3 + d-d transition band, respectively. In the photoinduced low-temperature phase, the Fe3 +-Mn3 + mode shows strong resonant enhancement with the CN−-to-Fe3 + charge-transfer band, which exists in the high-temperature phase with a cubic structure. From these resonance behaviors, we conclude that the local lattice symmetry of the photoinduced phase is cubic in contrast with the tetragonal symmetry in the thermal low-temperature phase.
Pyroelectric field assisted ion migration induced by ultraviolet laser irradiation and its impact on ferroelectric domain inversion in lithium niobate crystals
Authors: Ying C. Y. J. , Daniell G. J. , Steigerwald H. , Soergel E. , Mailis S.
Published: August 2013

The impact of UV laser irradiation on the distribution of lithium ions in ferroelectric lithium niobate single crystals has been numerically modelled. Strongly absorbed UV radiation at wavelengths of 244–305 nm produces steep temperature gradients which cause lithium ions to migrate and result in a local variation of the lithium concentration. In addition to the diffusion, here the pyroelectric effect is also taken into account which predicts a complex distribution of lithium concentration along the c-axis of the crystal: two separated lithium deficient regions on the surface and in depth. The modelling on the local lithium concentration and the subsequent variation of the coercive field are used to explain experimental results on the domain inversion of such UV treated lithium niobate crystals.
Theory of lubrication due to polyelectrolyte hydrogels with arbitrary salt concentration and degree of compression
Authors: Sokoloff J. B.
Published: August 2013

A Poisson-Boltzmann equation solution is used to determine the thickness of a thin fluid lubricating layer predicted to separate two polyelectrolyte hydrogels in contact for arbitrary salt concentration as a function of applied load and fixed charge and salt concentration. We consider loads ranging from 1 Pa, at which the thin fluid layer thickness is of the order of micron, up to loads of the order of a MPa, at which it is estimated to be of the order of an angstrom. This allows us to predict the thickness of this layer over the wide range of loads that can occur in various applications of hydrogels.
The principle of minimal episteric distortion of the water matrix and its steering role in protein folding
Authors: Fernández Ariel
Published: August 2013

A significant episteric (“around a solid”) distortion of the hydrogen-bond structure of water is promoted by solutes with nanoscale surface detail and physico-chemical complexity, such as soluble natural proteins. These structural distortions defy analysis because the discrete nature of the solvent at the interface is not upheld by the continuous laws of electrostatics. This work derives and validates an electrostatic equation that governs the episteric distortions of the hydrogen-bond matrix. The equation correlates distortions from bulk-like structural patterns with anomalous polarization components that do not align with the electrostatic field of the solute. The result implies that the interfacial energy stored in the orthogonal polarization correlates with the distortion of the water hydrogen-bond network. The result is validated vis-à-vis experimental data on protein interfacial thermodynamics and is interpreted in terms of the interaction energy between the electrostatic field of the solute and the dipole moment induced by the anomalous polarization of interfacial water. Finally, we consider solutes capable of changing their interface through conformational transitions and introduce a principle of minimal episteric distortion (MED) of the water matrix. We assess the importance of the MED principle in the context of protein folding, concluding that the native fold may be identified topologically with the conformation that minimizes the interfacial tension or disruption of the water matrix.
Designing photonic structures of nanosphere arrays on reflectors for total absorption
Authors: Almpanis E. , Papanikolaou N.
Published: August 2013

By means of full electrodynamic simulations, we investigate structures that can totally absorb light minimizing all reflections. Such efficient absorbers of visible and infrared light are useful in photovoltaic and sensor applications. Our study provides a simple and transparent analysis of the optical properties of structures comprising a resonant cavity and a reflector, which are the basic ingredients of a resonant absorber, based on general principles of scattering theory. We concentrate on periodic arrays of metallic or dielectric spherical particles in front of metallic or dielectric mirrors and show that tuning the material absorption could turn resonances in the structures into total absorption bands. Perfect absorption is predicted in metallic sphere arrays but also for Si spheres on a metallic substrate, moreover, by replacing the substrate below the Si spheres with a lossless dielectric Bragg mirror an all-dielectric-perfect-absorber is designed.
Analysis of a new method of measurement and visualization of indoor conditions by infrared thermography
Authors: Djupkep F. B. D. , Maldague X. , Bendada A. , Bison P.
Published: August 2013

We present a new tool of measurement and visualization of the indoor ambient parameters (air temperature, air speed, and mean radiant temperature) by infrared thermography. The theoretical fundamentals are discussed. They include a design stage, the mathematical modeling, the measurement procedure, and the performance evaluation through error analysis. The measuring system consists of a set of auxiliary devices (targets) arranged on a measurement grid. An infrared camera measures their temperature histories. From each temperature chronology, the three ambient parameters are locally deduced together by solving an inverse heat transfer problem. The results are then mapped to provide a 2D or 3D visualization. The question of identifiability is addressed leading to a robust parameter estimation algorithm. The robustness of the algorithm is tested for a wide range of noisy data during a numerical experiment. The numerical data are built by varying the air speed from 0 ms−1 to 2 ms−1 with a step of 0.2 ms−1, the air temperature from 15 °C to 30 °C with a step of 3 °C and the mean radiant temperature from 15 °C to 30 °C with a step of 3 °C. It appears that stability and repeatability are guaranteed by the presented method for the range of ambient parameters and accuracy usually found and needed in indoor conditions. Brief illustrative experimental results are given as an initial validation of the method. Since the spatial distributions of these ambient parameters are obtained qualitatively and quantitatively, the method is suitable for indoor microclimate mapping, visualization of air patterns, building inspection, thermal comfort assessment, etc.
Origin of c-axis ultraincompressibility of Zr2InC above 70 GPa via first-principles
Authors: Yang Z. J. , Tang L. , Guo A. M. , Cheng X. L. , Zhu Z. H. , Yang X. D.
Published: August 2013

The elastic and structural properties of nanolaminate Zr2InC are studied by first-principles, and it is shown that, for any used modes, including the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and localized density approximation, there always exists an ultraincompressibility along c axis between 70 GPa and 400 GPa. Such anomalous behavior is originated from the slowdown of core-valence charge transfer. The rapid shift of Zr atom along c axis also contributed much to the ultraincompressibility as it is greatly reduced once the Zr atom shift suspends along c axis above about 400 GPa. Both the elastic constants and the phononic vibrational frequencies investigations confirmed the structural unstable simultaneously. The Poisson's ratio investigations observed a higher ionic or weaker covalent contribution in interatomic bonding and the degree of ionicity increases with pressure.
Temperature dependence of the thermal properties of InSb materials used in data storage
Authors: Cai Xiaolin , Wei Jingsong
Published: August 2013

The temperature evolution of several important thermal properties of crystalline InSb semiconductor is reported systematically. Results show that the specific heat and thermal expansion coefficient remain virtually unchanged upon heating, whereas the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity gradually decrease with increasing temperature. The thermal conductivities from phonons, electrons, and photon radiations are investigated, respectively. Analytical results indicate that thermal conductivity from phonons is dominant when the temperature is between 300 K and 800 K. The commonly used thermal parameters of Sb, Sb2Te3, and InSb at near room temperature are summarized. Compared with other Sb-based phase-change materials, such as Sb2Te3, InSb is markedly more thermally active, i.e., with much higher thermal conductivity. These thermal results offer useful information for the development of InSb-based devices.
Note: Thermal imaging enhancement algorithm for gas turbine aerothermal characterization
Authors: Beer S. K. , Lawson S. A.
Published: August 2013

An algorithm was developed to convert radiation intensity images acquired using a black and white CCD camera to thermal images without requiring knowledge of incident background radiation. This unique infrared (IR) thermography method was developed to determine aerothermal characteristics of advanced cooling concepts for gas turbine cooling application. Compared to IR imaging systems traditionally used for gas turbine temperature monitoring, the system developed for the current study is relatively inexpensive and does not require calibration with surface mounted thermocouples.
Sequence Effects on Properties of the Poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)-based Macroinitiators and their Comb-like Copolymers Grafted by Polystyrene Side Chains
Authors: Du Shuming , Zhang Jie , Guan Yan , Wan Xinhua
Published: August 2013

Two poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA)-based macroinitiators with random and alternate sequences, i.e. poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)-ran-poly[p-phenylene (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy)terephthalamide)] (CPPTA-ran) and poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)-alt-poly[p-phenylene (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy)terephthalamide)] (CPPTA-alt), were prepared via copolycondensation of terephthaloyl chloride, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO)-functionalized terephthaloyl chloride, and p-phenylenediamine. The graft copolymers consisting of rigid PPTA backbones and polystyrene side chains were obtained by nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization. Both macroinitiators and graft copolymers were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy. The regular incorporation of the TEMPO-containing co-unit gives rise to remarkable effects on the thermal stability, lyotropic liquid crystallinity, and macromolecular packing in bulk. CPPTA-alt shows better thermal stability and more ordered intermolecular structure than CPPTA-ran. The former generates a nematic phase at a concentration of 18 wt-% in concentrated sulfuric acid, whereas the latter does so at a concentration of 12 wt-%. For the graft copolymers, the alternative main chains exhibit sharper diffraction than the random ones. However, the sequence change exerts no discernible effect on other properties.
Local and Global Reference Frames for Environmental Spaces
Authors: Meilinger Tobias , Riecke Bernhard E. , Bülthoff Heinrich H.
Published: August 2013

Two experiments examined how locations in environmental spaces, which cannot be overseen from one location, are represented in memory: by global reference frames, multiple local reference frames, or orientation-free representations. After learning an immersive virtual environment by repeatedly walking a closed multisegment route, participants pointed to seven previously learned targets from different locations. Contrary to many conceptions of survey knowledge, local reference frames played an important role: Participants performed better when their body or pointing targets were aligned with the local reference frame (corridor). Moreover, most participants turned their head to align it with local reference frames. However, indications for global reference frames were also found: Participants performed better when their body or current corridor was parallel/orthogonal to a global reference frame instead of oblique. Participants showing this pattern performed comparatively better. We conclude that survey tasks can be solved based on interconnected local reference frames. Participants who pointed more accurately or quickly additionally used global reference frames.
Automaticity and Conscious Control in Single and Choice Response Time Versions of the Perruchet Effect
Authors: Livesey Evan J. , Costa Daniel S. J.
Published: August 2013

The Perruchet effect refers to a dissociation between conscious expectation of an event and the strength or speed of the response elicited by that event, which is revealed through sequential analyses of consecutive trials. For instance in a cued go/no-go task, over a run of consecutive go responses, participants perform the go task with increasing speed but display decreasing expectancy of the go response when asked to rate the likelihood of its occurrence, in line with a gambler's fallacy. The effect has conventionally been shown in procedures that measure expectancy and responding in separate blocks of trials (separate measurement) or measure both on the same trial (concurrent measurement). Here we directly compared the trends produced in separate and concurrent measurement procedures, using single response and two-choice response procedures. While the single response showed the same trends regardless of measurement style, the Perruchet dissociation disappeared when concurrent measurement was used with the choice response task. Furthermore, in the concurrent measurement versions of both tasks, those participants who produced a consistent gambler's fallacy did not show the standard effects of positive recency that underpin the Perruchet effect in response time. The results suggest that explicit expectation of events and facilitation based on recent trial history have dissociable but competing effects on response performance.
Correspondence Effects with Torches: Grasping Affordance or Visual Feature Asymmetry?
Authors: Song Xiaolei , Chen Jing , Proctor Robert W.
Published: August 2013

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether an object-based correspondence effect for torch (flashlight) stimuli reported by Pellicano et al. [(2010). Simon-like and functional affordance effects with tools: The effects of object perceptual discrimination and object action state. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 63, 2190–2201] is due to a grasping affordance provided by the handle or asymmetry of feature markings on the torch. In Experiment 1 the stimuli were the same as those from Pellicano et al.'s Experiment 2, whereas in Experiments 2 and 3 the stimuli were modified versions with the graspable handle removed. Participants in all experiments performed upright/inverted orientation judgements on the torch stimuli. The results of Experiment 1 replicated those of Pellicano et al.: A small but significant object-based correspondence effect was evident, mainly when the torch was in an active state. With the handle of the torch removed in Experiment 2, making the barrel markings more asymmetric in the display, the correspondence effect was larger. Experiment 3 directly demonstrated an effect of barrel-marking asymmetry on the correspondence effect: When only the half of the markings nearest the light end of the torch was included, the correspondence effect reversed to favour the light end. The results are in agreement with a visual feature-asymmetry account and are difficult to reconcile with a grasping-affordance account.
Is it Relevant? Influence of Trial Manipulations of Prospective Memory Context on Task Interference
Authors: Lourenço Joana S. , Maylor Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2013

Prospective memory (PM) research has often investigated if having an intention interferes with ongoing activities, but rarely by linking the intention to a particular context. We examined effects of trial-by-trial changes in whether the context (defined by colour) was relevant for the nonfocal PM task. The ongoing task involved speeded decisions about the position (left/right) of the upper-case letter in a pair, and the PM task consisted of pressing an additional key if the upper-case and lower-case letters were in a specified colour and the same letter. Trials switched between two colours either randomly or predictably in eight-trial blocks. We also manipulated the presence/absence of occasional same-letter pairs in the irrelevant context. Results showed higher cost of having a nonfocal PM task when ongoing stimuli matched than when they mismatched the target's colour. Moreover, cost for intention-irrelevant stimuli was minimized, though never eliminated, by blocking match/mismatch trials. These findings highlight the role that local changes in intention-related context play in task interference and support a view of monitoring as a flexible mechanism. Additionally, the study introduced a novel way of embedding intention-related events in the irrelevant context shortly before the occurrence of PM targets, with results tentatively suggesting that such events might impair target detection.
Lexical Quality and Eye Movements: Individual Differences in the Perceptual Span of Skilled Adult Readers
Authors: Veldre Aaron , Andrews Sally
Published: August 2013

Two experiments used the gaze-contingent moving-window paradigm to investigate whether reading comprehension and spelling ability modulate the perceptual span of skilled adult readers during sentence reading. Highly proficient reading and spelling were both associated with increased use information to the right of fixation, but did not systematically modulate the extraction of information to the left of fixation. Individuals who were high in both reading and spelling ability showed the greatest benefit from window sizes larger than 11 characters, primarily because of increases in forward saccade length. They were also significantly more disrupted by being denied close parafoveal information than those poor in reading and/or spelling. These results suggest that, in addition to supporting rapid lexical retrieval of fixated words, the high quality lexical representations indexed by the combination of high reading and spelling ability support efficient processing of parafoveal information and effective saccadic targeting.
Subverting sterols: rerouting an oxysterol-signaling pathway to promote tumor growth
Authors: York Autumn G. , Bensinger Steven J.
Published: August 2013

Oxysterols are oxidized derivatives of cholesterol that are generated enzymatically or through autoxidation. Initially identified as important lipid signaling molecules in the context of atherosclerosis and inflammation, accumulated evidence indicates that these lipid-signaling molecules can have pleiotropic effects on the fate and function of the immune system. These effects range from the regulation of immune cell survival and proliferation to chemotaxis and antiviral immunity. New studies now indicate that tumor-derived oxysterols can serve to subvert the immune system by recruiting protumorigenic neutrophils into the tumor microenvironment. The consequence of this recruitment is the generation of proangiogenic factors and matrix metalloproteinase proteins that provide a tumor a significant growth and survival advantage. In combination with other recent studies, these data highlight the ongoing cross talk between sterol metabolism and the immune system, and they raise the intriguing possibility that targeting oxysterol pathways could serve as a novel therapeutic approach in the war on cancer.
Fcγ receptors enable anticancer action of proapoptotic and immune-modulatory antibodies
Authors: Kim Jeong M. , Ashkenazi Avi
Published: August 2013

Antibodies have important roles in controlling cellular immunity through interaction with activating or inhibitory Fcγ receptors (FcγRs). FcγR engagement can facilitate receptor cross-linking on target cells, or induce retrograde FcγR signals to stimulate or suppress antibody-dependent, cell-mediated depletion of antigen-bearing target cells. Recent studies uncover unexpectedly important roles for FcγRs in the anticancer action of antibodies designed to trigger tumor cell apoptosis or enhance antitumor immunity. Here, we outline a conceptual framework for understanding these findings and discuss their mechanistic and translational implications.
Functional contributions of HCN channels in the primary auditory neurons of the mouse inner ear
Authors: Kim Ye-Hyun , Holt Jeffrey R.
Published: August 2013

The hyperpolarization-activated current, Ih, is carried by members of the Hcn channel family and contributes to resting potential and firing properties in excitable cells of various systems, including the auditory system. Ih has been identified in spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs); however, its molecular correlates and their functional contributions have not been well characterized. To investigate the molecular composition of the channels that carry Ih in SGNs, we examined Hcn mRNA harvested from spiral ganglia of neonatal and adult mice using quantitative RT-PCR. The data indicate expression of Hcn1, Hcn2, and Hcn4 subunits in SGNs, with Hcn1 being the most highly expressed at both stages. To investigate the functional contributions of HCN subunits, we used the whole-cell, tight-seal technique to record from wild-type SGNs and those deficient in Hcn1, Hcn2, or both. We found that HCN1 is the most prominent subunit contributing to Ih in SGNs. Deletion of Hcn1 resulted in reduced conductance (Gh), slower activation kinetics (τfast), and hyperpolarized half-activation (V1/2) potentials. We demonstrate that Ih contributes to SGN function with depolarized resting potentials, depolarized sag and rebound potentials, accelerated rebound spikes after hyperpolarization, and minimized jitter in spike latency for small depolarizing stimuli. Auditory brainstem responses of Hcn1-deficient mice showed longer latencies, suggesting that HCN1-mediated Ih is critical for synchronized spike timing in SGNs. Together, our data indicate that Ih contributes to SGN membrane properties and plays a role in temporal aspects of signal transmission between the cochlea and the brain, which are critical for normal auditory function.
Life and death of a cardiac calcium spark
Authors: Stern Michael D. , Ríos Eduardo , Maltsev Victor A.
Published: August 2013

Calcium sparks in cardiac myocytes are brief, localized calcium releases from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) believed to be caused by locally regenerative calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) via couplons, clusters of ryanodine receptors (RyRs). How such regeneration is terminated is uncertain. We performed numerical simulations of an idealized stochastic model of spark production, assuming a RyR gating scheme with only two states (open and closed). Local depletion of calcium in the SR was inevitable during a spark, and this could terminate sparks by interrupting CICR, with or without assumed modulation of RyR gating by SR lumenal calcium. Spark termination by local SR depletion was not robust: under some conditions, sparks could be greatly and variably prolonged, terminating by stochastic attrition–a phenomenon we dub “spark metastability.” Spark fluorescence rise time was not a good surrogate for the duration of calcium release. Using a highly simplified, deterministic model of the dynamics of a couplon, we show that spark metastability depends on the kinetic relationship of RyR gating and junctional SR refilling rates. The conditions for spark metastability resemble those produced by known mutations of RyR2 and CASQ2 that cause life-threatening triggered arrhythmias, and spark metastability may be mitigated by altering the kinetics of the RyR in a manner similar to the effects of drugs known to prevent those arrhythmias. The model was unable to explain the distributions of spark amplitudes and rise times seen in chemically skinned cat atrial myocytes, suggesting that such sparks may be more complex events involving heterogeneity of couplons or local propagation among sub-clusters of RyRs.
Are hospitalized or ambulatory patients with heart failure treated in accordance with European Society of Cardiology guidelines? Evidence from 12 440 patients of the ESC Heart Failure Long‐Term Registry
Authors: Maggioni Aldo P. , Anker Stefan D. , Dahlström Ulf , Filippatos Gerasimos , Ponikowski Piotr , Zannad Faiez , Amir Offer , Chioncel Ovidiu , Leiro Marisa Crespo , Drozdz Jaroslaw , Erglis Andrejs , Fazlibegovic Emir , Fonseca Candida , Fruhwald Friedrich , Gatzov Plamen , Goncalvesova Eva , Hassanein Mahmoud , Hradec Jaromir , Kavoliuniene Ausra , Lainscak Mitja , Logeart Damien , Merkely Bela , Metra Marco , Persson Hans , Seferovic Petar , Temizhan Ahmet , Tousoulis Dimitris , Tavazzi Luigi ,   on behalf of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC (HFA)
Published: August 2013

Aims

To evaluate how recommendations of European guidelines regarding pharmacological and non‐pharmacological treatments for heart failure (HF) are adopted in clinical practice.

Methods and results

The ESC‐HF Long‐Term Registry is a prospective, observational study conducted in 211 Cardiology Centres of 21 European and Mediterranean countries, members of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). From May 2011 to April 2013, a total of 12 440 patients were enrolled, 40.5% with acute HF and 59.5% with chronic HF. Intravenous treatments for acute HF were heterogeneously administered, irrespective of guideline recommendations. In chronic HF, with reduced EF, renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, beta‐blockers, and mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) were used in 92.2, 92.7, and 67.0% of patients, respectively. When reasons for non‐adherence were considered, the real rate of undertreatment accounted for 3.2, 2.3, and 5.4% of the cases, respectively. About 30% of patients received the target dosage of these drugs, but a documented reason for not achieving the target dosage was reported in almost two‐thirds of them. The more relevant reasons for non‐implantation of a device, when clinically indicated, were related to doctor uncertainties on the indication, patient refusal, or logistical/cost issues.

Conclusion

This pan‐European registry shows that, while in patients with acute HF, a large heterogeneity of treatments exists, drug treatment of chronic HF can be considered largely adherent to recommendations of current guidelines, when the reasons for non‐adherence are taken into account. Observations regarding the real possibility to adhere fully to current guidelines in daily clinical practice should be seriously considered when clinical practice guidelines have to be written.
Improvement of an aquaculture site-selection model for Japanese kelp (Saccharinajaponica) in southern Hokkaido, Japan: an application for the impacts of climate events
Authors: Liu Yang , Saitoh Sei-Ichi , Radiarta I. Nyoman , Isada Tomonori , Hirawake Toru , Mizuta Hiroyuki , Yasui Hajime
Published: August 2013

Liu, Y., Saitoh, S-I., Radiarta, I. N., Isada, T., Hirawake, T., Mizuta, H., and Yasui, H. 2013. Improvement of an aquaculture site-selection model for Japanese kelp (Saccharinajaponica) in southern Hokkaido, Japan: an application for the impacts of climate events. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . Japanese kelp (Saccharinajaponica) is one of the most valuable cultured and harvested kelp species in Japan. In this study, we added a physical parameter, sea surface nitrate (SSN) estimated from satellite remote sensing data, to develop a suitable aquaculture site-selection model (SASSM) for hanging cultures of Japanese kelp in southern Hokkaido, Japan. The local algorithm to estimate SSN was developed using satellite measurements of sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a. We found a high correlation between satellite- and ship-measured data (r2 = 0.87, RMSE = 1.39). Multi-criteria evaluation was adapted to the SASSM to rank sites on a scale of 1 (least suitable) to 8 (most suitable). We found that 64.4% of the areas were suitable (score above 7). Minamikayabe was identified as the most suitable area, and Funka Bay also contained potential aquaculture sites. In addition, we examined the impact of El Niño/La Niña–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on Japanese kelp aquaculture and site suitability from 2003–2010. During El Niño events, the number of suitable areas (scores 7 and 8) decreased significantly, indicating that climatic conditions should be considered for future development of marine aquaculture.
Measurements of natural mortality for Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax)
Authors: Zwolinski Juan P. , Demer David A.
Published: August 2013

Zwolinski, J. P., and Demer, D. A. 2013. Measurements of natural mortality for Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . The northern stock of Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the California Current Ecosystem is periodically assessed to provide harvest guidelines for the United States and Canadian fisheries. The assessment model incorporates the estimates of abundance from acoustic-trawl method (ATM) and other surveys and many parameters including a constant value for the instantaneous natural mortality coefficient (M). Here, the ATM-estimated length-structured sardine abundances for 2006–2011 are combined to directly estimate M. The stock was dominated by the 2003, 2004, and 2005 year classes (2003–2005 cohort) from 2006 to 2010 and by the 2009 and 2010 year classes in 2011. Insignificant recruitments during 2006–2010 allowed the 2003–2005 cohort to be tracked and M to be estimated. The bootstrap distributions of estimated M encompass the assessment-assumed value of 0.4−year. The measurements suggest that M is high for a new cohort, declines during mid-life, then increases as the fish approach their longevity. The mean M for the entire period, 0.52, is 30% higher than the one currently assumed for the assessment, reflecting the steeper decline in the ATM-estimated biomass versus that in the assessment model.
Irruptive prey dynamics following the groundfish collapse in the Northwest Atlantic: an illusion?
Authors: Frank Kenneth T. , Leggett William C. , Petrie Brian D. , Fisher Jonathan A. D. , Shackell Nancy L. , Taggart Christopher T.
Published: August 2013

Frank, K. T., Leggett, W. C., Petrie, B., Fisher, J. A. D., Shackell, N. L., and Taggart, C. T. 2013. Pelagic fish outbreak in the Northwest Atlantic - reality or illusion? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . The collapse of Northwest Atlantic groundfish in the early 1990s yielded a “natural experiment” within which to explore responses of ecosystems to a major perturbation. The “Pelagic Outburst” hypothesis was developed to explain an up to 900% increase in the abundance of small-bodied forage fishes and macroinvertebrates following this collapse and a subsequent trophic cascade extending across four trophic levels. Recently, this theory has been challenged and an alternative “Suprabenthic Habitat Occupation” (SHO) hypothesis has been advanced; it proposes the prey outburst associated with the forage fish component was an illusion created by changes in the vertical distribution of small pelagic fishes after the cod collapse in favour of a more bottom-oriented distribution that increased their vulnerability to bottom trawls. We evaluated the SHO hypothesis as it applied to the relationship between changes in the biomass of cod and the vertical distribution of herring and sand lance, the major small pelagic species of the Scotian Shelf ecosystem off eastern Nova Scotia. Contrary to predictions of the SHO hypothesis our initial conclusion that a pelagic outburst occurred in that ecosystem was confirmed and we found no evidence of a predator effect on vertical distributions of these species. We also explored the acoustic survey design and execution that generated the data that form the cornerstone of the SHO hypothesis, and the coherence between the behaviour depicted in these data and catch rates in the surface-oriented purse-seine fishery for herring operating at the time of these surveys. In combination, the results of our re-analysis of the population dynamics and behaviour of herring on the eastern Scotian Shelf, lead us to conclude that the SHO hypothesis, at least as it relates to the post-cod collapse dynamics of the affected Northwest Atlantic ecosystems, is not supported.
Socio-economic and institutional incentives influencing fishers' behaviour in relation to fishing practices and discard
Authors: Eliasen Søren Q. , Papadopoulou K.-Nadia , Vassilopoulou Vassiliki , Catchpole Tom L.
Published: August 2013

Discard of unwanted catches are common in European fisheries, but reducing or banning this has been given high priority in the proposal for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. Although many technical regulations have been introduced to limit unwanted catches, there is little understanding of the underlying socio-economic and institutional incentives causing discard at the fisher level. The paper presents an approach which views discards as a result of decisions made both on deck and at earlier stages of the fishing planning and implementation process. Decisions made by fishers resulting in a more selective fishery are considered “selective behaviour”. It is argued that fishing practices are institutionally embedded within three institutional spheres: “state”, “market”, and “community”, which together with “natural conditions” create incentives and frameworks for discard and selective behaviour. A comprehensive list of factors which may influence discards and selective behaviour is developed and applied to three case studies—all trawl fisheries—in Denmark, Greece, and England. The paper discusses cross-case findings of how the identified factors may create drivers for discard. Finally, a refined list of factors is presented in a tree structure and the usefulness of the list as a tool for analysing drivers for discard and selective behaviour, in a context of developing mitigating measures, is discussed.
Is size-dependent pricing prevalent in fisheries? The case of Norwegian demersal and pelagic fisheries
Authors: Zimmermann Fabian , Heino Mikko
Published: August 2013

Zimmermann, F., and Heino, M. 2013. Is size-dependent pricing prevalent in fisheries? The case of Norwegian demersal and pelagic fisheries. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: . It is commonly acknowledged that body weight of fish is a key factor in determining market value of landed catch, thus influencing optimal harvest strategies. However, in management strategy evaluations and bioeconomic modelling, body size is often an overlooked economic parameter, and there are no systematic studies on the prevalence of size-dependent pricing. Here we assess the presence and magnitude of size-dependent pricing in ex-vessel prices of fish in Norwegian fisheries. The data encompass landings of four pelagic and four demersal stocks in Norway in 2000–2010. Linear mixed models and generalized additive models were used to determine the dependence of unit price on weight class as well as on total yield and time (year). The results show a significant positive relationship between weight class and price for seven out of the eight examined fish stocks. The relative effect of body weight on price was the strongest for cod, Greenland halibut, Norwegian spring-spawning herring and mackerel, lesser for North Sea herring and saithe, and negligible for horse mackerel. These findings demonstrate that size-dependent pricing is common in Norwegian fisheries, and is therefore of high relevance for resource economics and fisheries management.
Towards a comprehensive strategy to recover river herring on the Atlantic seaboard: lessons from Pacific salmon
Authors: Bowden Alison A.
Published: August 2013

River herring (alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, and blueback herring, Alosa aestivalis) are anadromous alosines that play important ecological roles and comprised major US fisheries in the past. Stocks are at historically low levels Atlantic coast-wide and river herring are being considered for listing as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. A comprehensive, linked freshwater and marine approach to restoring these important species is proposed, informed by a “life cycle” strategy for the recovery of an Endangered Pacific salmon species. The California coho salmon strategy entails identifying core populations stratified by biological units, assessing threats and developing site-specific and range-wide recovery actions to restore habitat and abate threats to all life stages. Protecting and strengthening core populations, combined with marine strategies, is likely key to the recovery of the species at scale. A case study is presented from the Taunton River, a ∼1300-km2 watershed in Massachusetts (USA) that hosts one of the largest river herring runs in New England. This watershed and its river herring populations possess multiple characteristics that indicate resilience and thus it could be an example of a river herring core habitat, critical for the recovery of the species at scale. A watershed-wide protection and restoration initiative is underway. Site-based strategies including dam removal, low impact development retrofits, and land protection are linked to policy efforts such as establishing streamflow standards and easing permitting of restoration projects to protect and improve connectivity, flow, and water quality. These watershed-based strategies are linked to regional scale research and fisheries management to set sustainable directed harvest targets and reduce the bycatch of river herring in ocean fisheries. Core habitats for river herring need to be identified range-wide and investments in those places prioritized to secure resilient source populations.
A fused [3.3.0]-neoglycoside lactone derived from glucuronic acid
Authors: Schombs Matthew W. , Davis Ryan A. , Fettinger James C. , Gervay-Hague Jacquelyn
Published: August 2013

The bridged next-generation aminoglycoside (neoglycoside), 1-deoxy-1-[(methoxy)methylamino)]-2,5-di-O-triethylsilyl-β-D-glucofuranurono-γ-lactone {systematic name: (3S,3aS,5R,6R,6aS)-5-[methoxy(methyl)amino]-3,6-bis[(triethylsilyl)oxy]-2,3,3a,5,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,2-b]furan-2-one}, C20H41NO6Si2, was synthesized in a one-pot manner from commercially available D-glucuronic acid. This structure supports the properties associated with the anomeric effect for furanosides and can be employed to provide insight into the mechanisms by which alkoxyamine-appended natural products derive their enhanced biological activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published crystal structure of a bicyclic neoglycoside and is the first neoglycoside to be completely and unambiguously characterized.
Growth forms of Leymus chinesis (Poaceae) at the different developmental stages of the natural population
Authors: Zhang Ji‐Tao , Li Xiu‐Jun , Liu Zhuang , Li Xiao‐Yu , Gao Zhan‐Wu , Mu Chun‐Sheng
Published: August 2013

The manner in which the density of Leymus chinensis increases from a single plant to a dominant population can be understood by tracing the development of a population from early to late stages. Parent shoot density, above‐ground dry weight, spike density, heading rate and spike dry weight, density of spreading shoots (buds/daughter shoots in apical/axillary rhizomes) and clumping shoots (buds/daughter shoots in axillary parent shoots), and young rhizome length and weight were investigated in the same quadrats for a low density/early stage (LE) population and a high density/late stage (HL) population. Clonal growth (buds/daughter shoots formation) and sexual reproduction (spikes formation) increased while rhizome storage (young rhizome weight) decreased during the transition from LE to HL. In a LE population an outward occupation strategy was employed, with a high proportion of spreading shoots. As the population density gradually increased until HL, an inward consolidation strategy increasing shoot amount in previously occupied areas, was adopted. This was characterized by a high proportion of clumping shoots. Interestingly, the trade‐off between spreading and clumping shoots can be adjusted by the duration of young rhizome elongation during a growth season. In other words, compared with a HL population, a LE population shortened the duration of young rhizome elongation during the growth season, which resulted in more time for the production of axillary spreading shoots along the rhizomes, and high amounts and proportions of total spreading shoots. The special growth patterns, that is, trade‐offs among growth forms, allow L. chinensis to establish dominant populations throughout the eastern Eurasian Steppe.
Semi‐parametric Forecasting of Spikes in Electricity Prices
Authors: Clements Adam , Fuller Joanne , Hurn Stan
Published: August 2013

The occurrence of extreme movements in the spot price of electricity represents a significant source of risk to retailers. A range of approaches have been considered with respect to modelling electricity prices; these models, however, have relied on time‐series approaches, which typically use restrictive decay schemes placing greater weight on more recent observations. This study develops an alternative, semi‐parametric method for forecasting, which uses state‐dependent weights derived from a kernel function. The forecasts that are obtained using this method are accurate and therefore potentially useful to electricity retailers in terms of risk management.
Th17 Cells in Immunopathogenesis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Azizi Gholamreza , Jadidi‐Niaragh Farhad , Mirshafiey Abbas
Published: August 2013

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the sequestration of various leukocyte subpopulations within both the developing pannus and synovial space. The chronic nature of this disease results in inflammation of multiple joints, with subsequent destruction of the joint cartilage and erosion of bone. Identification of T helper (Th)17 cells led to breaking the dichotomy of the Th1/Th2 axis in immunopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as RA, and its experimental model, collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Th17 cells produce cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐17, IL‐6, IL‐21, IL‐22 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, with pro‐inflammatory effects, which appear to have a role in immunopathogenesis of RA. Regarding the wide ranging production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by Th17 cells, it is expected that Th17 cell could be a potent pathogenic factor in disease immunopathophysiology. Thus the identification of effector mechanisms used by Th17 cells in induction of disease lesions may open new prospects for designing a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of RA.
Association of N‐terminal domain polymorphisms of the porcine glucocorticoid receptor with carcass composition and meat quality traits
Authors: Reyer Henry , Ponsuksili Siriluck , Wimmers Klaus , Murani Eduard
Published: August 2013

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a ubiquitously acting transcription factor that is responsible for mediating the physiological response to stress and adaptation to environmental conditions. Genetic variation of a GR gene (NR3C1) may therefore contribute to multiple phenotypic alterations and influence relevant traits of animal production. Here, we examined effects of two non‐synonymous mutations of the porcine NR3C1, leading to amino acid exchanges p.Glu13Asp (c.39A>C) and p.Val19Leu (c.55G>C) in the N‐terminal domain of the GR, on meat quality and carcass composition. In addition, we explored their influence on transcriptional activity of GR in vitro. A commercial crossbreed Pietrain × (German Large White × German Landrace) herd (n = 545) in which genotypes and relevant traits had been collected was used to perform the association analysis. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) c.55G>C was significantly associated with conductivity and meat color scores. These effects were highly consistent considering the physiological relationship between these traits. Association analysis of SNP c.39A>C also revealed significant effects on closely connected meat quality traits. In addition, SNP c.55G>C showed association with carcass traits, mainly those related to muscle deposition. The molecular mechanism of action of both amino acid substitutions remains obscure because neither showed significant influence on transcriptional activity of GR. Our study emphasizes NR3C1 as an important candidate gene for muscle‐related traits in pigs, but further work is necessary to clarify the molecular background of the identified associations.
Genome‐wide association with delayed puberty in swine
Authors: Nonneman D. , Lents C. , Rohrer G. , Rempel L. , Vallet J.
Published: August 2013

An improvement in the proportion of gilts entering the herd that farrow a litter would increase overall herd performance and profitability. A significant proportion (10–30%) of gilts that enter the herd never farrow a litter; reproductive reasons account for approximately a third of gilt removals, with anestrous and failure to conceive the most common reasons for culling. Tools to select gilts for reproductive longevity through genomics or alternative phenotypes would be of great benefit to the producer. Ninety‐one gilts that failed to display behavioral estrus by 240 days (cases) and 127 pubertal littermates (controls) were genotyped with the Illumina Porcine SNP60 Beadchip. One hundred and seventy‐four SNPs with the most significant associations were genotyped in an additional 86 cases and 103 controls. Twelve of these associations were significant in the final analysis. The most significant (P < 1.5 × 10−14) region associated with failure to attain puberty was on chromosome 4 surrounding the NHLH2 gene. Delayed pubertal development and age at first estrus have been associated with NHLH2 in mice. Because attainment of puberty is a complex trait, identifying genes that affect pubertal age would greatly contribute to our knowledge of reproductive development as well as overall fertility.