bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of gradual/abrupt dynamics of HfO2-based memristive devices
Authors: Brivio S. , Covi E. , Serb A. , Prodromakis T. , Fanciulli M. , Spiga S.
Published: September 2016

The resistance switching dynamics of TiN/HfO2/Pt devices is analyzed in this paper. When biased with a voltage ramp of appropriate polarity, the devices experience SET transitions from high to low resistance states in an abrupt manner, which allows identifying a threshold voltage. However, we find that the stimulation with trains of identical pulses at voltages near the threshold results in a gradual SET transition, whereby the resistive state visits a continuum of intermediate levels as it approaches some low resistance state limit. On the contrary, RESET transitions from low to high resistance states proceed in a gradual way under voltage ramp stimulation, while gradual resistance changes driven by trains of identical spikes cover only a limited resistance window. The results are discussed in terms of the relations among the thermo-electrochemical effects of Joule heating, ion mobility, and resistance change, which provide positive and negative closed loop processes in SET and RESET, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of the competition between opposite tendencies of filament dissolution and formation at opposite metal/HfO2 interfaces is discussed as an additional ingredient affecting the switching dynamics.
Numerical investigation of Savonius wind turbine farms
Authors: Belabes Belkacem , Youcefi Abdelkader , Paraschivoiu Marius
Published: September 2016

The Savonius vertical axis wind turbine is a simple device, easy to manufacture, has good starting characteristics, and rotates with wind from any direction; nevertheless, it has a lower efficiency than the other wind turbines. The aim of this paper is to numerically explore the non-linear unsteady flow over a conventional Savonius using three dimensional computations with emphasis on the placement of these turbines in a linear array and the effect of an obstacle that acts as a wind deflector. First, an infinite array of turbines is used to study the gap distance between the wind turbine axis rotors. This investigation is conducted via numerical simulations based on the computational fluid dynamics computer program Fluent 14.5. It is found that a gap distance L = 1.4R gives a very good performance. Second, four farms with different number of turbines—from 3 to 21 turbines—are studied. The effect on the power coefficient of the number of turbines in each farm is reported and analyzed. Third, a new arrangement that includes an obstacle at one end of the array of turbines is presented. The best configuration explored in this work increases the power coefficient of each Savonius wind turbine by 82% compared to a single turbine. Finally, the effect of the wind direction for the best configuration is presented and the range of wind angles for which the farm outperforms isolated turbines is calculated.
Note: A dual-chip stroboscopic pulsed RADAR for probing passive sensors
Authors: Minary F. , Rabus D. , Martin G. , Friedt J.-M
Published: September 2016

Stroboscopy provides an energy and computationally efficient means of sampling radiofrequency and microwave signals assumed to be reproducible under external excitation. While well known for impulse mode RADAR receivers, we here investigate its use for interrogating surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducers acting as passive cooperative targets. Amongst the originality of the implementation is the need to keep phase coherence between successive pulse generations which last up to tens of the radiofrequency periods to optimally transfer energy to the transducer. A two-chip receiver architecture is demonstrated, with a trigger signal compatible either with single-period avalanche transistor pulse excitation or frequency-agile direct digital synthesizer source.
Investigation on a new inducer of pulsed eddy current thermography
Authors: He Min , Zhang Laibin , Zheng Wenpei , Feng Yijing
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a new inducer of pulsed eddy current thermography (PECT) is presented. The use of the inducer can help avoid the problem of blocking the infrared (IR) camera’s view in eddy current thermography technique. The inducer can also provide even heating of the test specimen. This paper is concerned with the temperature distribution law around the crack on a specimen when utilizing the new inducer. Firstly, relative mathematical models are provided. In the following section, eddy current distribution and temperature distribution around the crack are studied using the numerical simulation method. The best separation distance between the inducer and the specimen is also determined. Then, results of temperature distribution around the crack stimulated by the inducer are gained by experiments. Effect of current value on temperature rise is studied as well in the experiments. Based on temperature data, temperature features of the crack are discussed.
The denning behaviour of dingoes (Canis dingo) living in a human-modified environment
Authors: Smith Bradley , Vague Anne-Louise
Published: September 2016

Little is known about reproduction and den site selection by free-ranging dingoes. We present observations of den sites used by dingoes inhabiting a large-scale mining operation located in the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia. We observed 24 dens concentrated within a 1-km radius. Den sites were generally situated in elevated positions overlooking the surrounding area, were a short distance from food and water resources, required vegetation (particularly spinifex grass) to provide a firm foundation and stable ceiling in the soft sand, and had single den openings that faced away from the rising and daytime sun. Distance to human structures or activity did not appear to influence site selection. Four of the dens were active, containing a total of 37 pups aged between two and four weeks of age. One den contained 18 pups of different ages, indicating that communal denning was also occurring. The high number of breeding females within close proximity suggests that multiple family groups are able to share resources and live in close proximity. Our findings highlight the importance of human-modified areas and abundance of resources in the reproduction and breeding site selection of dingoes.
Half-topping 'A4' macadamia trees has a markedly different effect on yield than full-topping
Authors: Olesen Trevor , Robertson David , Janetzki Alister , Robertson Tina
Published: September 2016

Mechanically hedging the tops of macadamia trees to control tree size is referred to as topping. Topping the entire upper canopy causes a substantial reduction in yield and is not a recommended industry practice. Here we compare topping just half the upper canopy with full-topping, and with control trees that were not pruned, to test whether half-topping is a more acceptable means of size control, with less of a yield penalty. We used macadamia cultivar ‘A4’ as the subject for the study. The trees were topped horizontally at anthesis. Full-topping reduced yields by 78% in the first year and 63% in the second year compared with the control trees. By the end of the second year the height of the fully-topped trees was approximately the same as that of the control trees. In contrast, topping just the western half of the upper canopy resulted in little yield penalty. Yields were reduced non-significantly by 14% in the first year, and negligibly in the second year, compared with the control trees; and by the end of the second year, the regrowth on the topped halves of the trees was only two-thirds the height of that on the full-topped trees. The results are encouraging because topping is simple and cheap, and would be an attractive tree size control option for growers at the yield penalty described here for the half-topped treatment.
Direct observation of grain rotations during coarsening of a semisolid Al–Cu alloy
Authors: Dake Jules M. , Oddershede Jette , Sørensen Henning O. , Werz Thomas , Shatto J. Cole , Uesugi Kentaro , Schmidt Søren , Krill Carl E.
Published: September 2016

Significance

Computational modeling of materials phenomena promises to reduce the time and cost of developing new materials and processing techniques—a goal made feasible by rapid advances in computer speed and capacity. Validation of such simulations, however, has been hindered by a lack of 3D experimental data of simultaneously high temporal and spatial resolution. In this study, we exploit 3D X-ray diffraction microscopy to capture the evolution of crystallographic orientations during particle coarsening in a semisolid Al–Cu alloy. The data confirm a long-standing hypothesis that particle rotation is driven (in part) by the dependence of grain boundary energy on misorientation. In addition, the results constitute an experimental foundation for testing the predictive power of next-generation computational models for sintering.
Adenosine A
1
receptor antagonist rolofylline alleviates axonopathy caused by human Tau ΔK280
Authors: Dennissen Frank J. A. , Anglada-Huguet Marta , Sydow Astrid , Mandelkow Eckhard , Mandelkow Eva-Maria
Published: September 2016

Significance

Tau-driven neurotoxicity occurs in multiple neurodegenerative diseases that have a severe impact on families and the society at large. However, its mode of toxicity is poorly understood, and therefore no effective drug treatments have been discovered. Here, we show that aggregate-prone Tau accumulates in axons where it causes presynaptic dysfunction and matching neuronal hypoactivity. The adenosine A
1
receptor antagonist rolofylline, a drug developed for patients with acute heart failure and renal dysfunction, normalizes neuronal functioning in vitro and restores cognition in Tau-transgenic mice. We hypothesize that rolofylline could be used as a treatment by increasing bona fide neuronal activity, which is diminished in tauopathy patients. In turn, this should delay the onset or the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases.
Tyrosine phosphorylation stimulates activity of human RAD51 recombinase through altered nucleoprotein filament dynamics
Authors: Subramanyam Shyamal , Ismail Mohammed , Bhattacharya Ipshita , Spies Maria
Published: September 2016

Significance

Homologous recombination provides the most accurate means to repair genotoxic DNA lesions. It depends on the assembly of the RAD51 DNA strand exchange protein into a dynamic nucleoprotein filament. The c-Abl tyrosine kinase and its oncogenic counterpart BCR-ABL control RAD51 by phosphorylating tyrosine residues 54 and 315. A nonnatural phosphotyrosine mimetic was used to represent phosphorylated RAD51 and to parse out the importance of Y54 and Y315 phosphorylation. By combining biochemical and single-molecule analyses, we found that Y54 phosphorylation enhances the RAD51 DNA strand exchange activity by altering the nucleoprotein filament properties. In contrast, Y315 phosphorylation has little effect on the RAD51 activities.
Codon usage is an important determinant of gene expression levels largely through its effects on transcription
Authors: Zhou Zhipeng , Dang Yunkun , Zhou Mian , Li Lin , Yu Chien-hung , Fu Jingjing , Chen She , Liu Yi
Published: September 2016

Significance

Codon usage bias is an essential feature of all genomes. The effects of codon usage biases on gene expression were previously thought to be mainly due to its impacts on translation. Here, we show that codon usage bias strongly correlates with protein and mRNA levels genome-wide in the filamentous fungus
Neurospora
, and codon usage is an important determinant of gene expression. Surprisingly, we found that the impacts of codon usage on gene expression are mainly due to effects on transcription and are largely independent of translation. Together, these results uncovered an unexpected role of codon biases in determining transcription levels by affecting chromatin structures and suggest that codon biases are results of genome adaptation to both transcription and translation machineries.
Threshold-dependent transcriptional discrimination underlies stem cell homeostasis
Authors: Perales Mariano , Rodriguez Kevin , Snipes Stephen , Yadav Ram Kishor , Diaz-Mendoza Mercedes , Reddy G. Venugopala
Published: September 2016

Significance

Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain dose-dependent transcriptional regulation mediated by morphogen gradients in animal development. In plant development, on the other hand, transcriptional mechanisms that underlie dose-dependent modulation of gene expression have not been discovered, despite the well-documented importance of positional signals in cell-fate specification. Here we show that the stem cell-promoting transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) regulates transcription in a concentration-dependent manner, activating transcription at a lower level and repressing transcription at a higher level, thus leading to the transcriptional control of its own negative regulator. Our work also shows that WUS binds a group of tightly clustered
cis
elements, each with different affinities; this binding suggests a buffering mechanism in maintaining a stable
CLAVATA3
(
CLV3
) expression.
DNA-dependent homodimerization, sub-cellular partitioning, and protein destabilization control WUSCHEL levels and spatial patterning
Authors: Rodriguez Kevin , Perales Mariano , Snipes Stephen , Yadav Ram Kishor , Diaz-Mendoza Mercedes , Reddy G. Venugopala
Published: September 2016

Significance

The growing tips of plants maintain a constant number of stem cells in shoot apical meristems despite a continuous differentiation of stem cell descendants. The levels of homeodomain transcription factor WUSCHEL (WUS) determine the number of stem cells. Although WUSCHEL has been demonstrated to move across cells, the protein signatures that control nuclear levels and spatial patterning have remained elusive. We show that transcriptional regulatory domains also influence nuclear levels of WUS through nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning and determine the spatial distribution of WUS through DNA binding and homodimerization. Our data also suggest that maintenance of WUSCHEL levels involves protein destabilization. Utilization of the same protein domains to regulate transcription and protein concentration may provide robustness to the spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression.
Shape-programmable magnetic soft matter
Authors: Lum Guo Zhan , Ye Zhou , Dong Xiaoguang , Marvi Hamid , Erin Onder , Hu Wenqi , Sitti Metin
Published: September 2016

Significance

At small scales, shape-programmable magnetic materials have significant potential to achieve mechanical functionalities that are unattainable by traditional miniature machines. Unfortunately, these materials have only been programmed for a small number of specific applications, as previous work can only rely on human intuition to approximate the required magnetization profile and actuating magnetic fields for such materials. Here, we propose a universal programming methodology that can automatically generate the desired magnetization profile and actuating fields for soft materials to achieve new time-varying shapes. The proposed method can enable other researchers to fully capitalize the potential of shape-programming technologies, allowing them to create a wide range of novel soft active surfaces and devices that are critical in robotics, material science, and medicine.
Humans, water, and the colonization of Australia
Authors: Bird Michael I. , O’Grady Damien , Ulm Sean
Published: September 2016

Significance

Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth, but humans dispersed rapidly through much of the arid continental interior after their arrival more than 47,000 y ago. The distribution and connectedness of water across the continent, and particularly in its arid core, played a pivotal role in facilitating and focusing early human dispersal throughout the continent. We analyze the distribution and connectedness of modern permanent water across Australia. The modelled least-cost pathways between permanent water sources indicate that the observed rapid occupation of the continental interior was possible along multiple, well-watered routes and likely was driven by the depletion of high-ranked resources in each newly occupied area over time.
Limited role for methane in the mid-Proterozoic greenhouse
Authors: Olson Stephanie L. , Reinhard Christopher T. , Lyons Timothy W.
Published: September 2016

Significance

Proterozoic climate dynamics, including both remarkable climate stability during the mid-Proterozoic and extreme low-latitude glaciation in the Neoproterozoic, must be understood in the framework of evolving oxidant reservoirs throughout the Precambrian. We present Earth system model simulations showing that recent constraints on atmospheric oxygen and oceanic sulfate during Proterozoic time have profound implications for marine methane cycling and the accumulation of methane in the atmosphere. Our model results challenge the paradigm of persistently elevated methane during the Precambrian, thus extending the relevance of the faint young Sun paradox throughout the Proterozoic. In light of the possibility of low methane during the mid-Proterozoic, we also suggest a conceptual model for the relationship between oxygenation, methane, and Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth events.
Follicular dendritic cell disruption as a novel mechanism of virus-induced immunosuppression
Authors: Melzi Eleonora , Caporale Marco , Rocchi Mara , Martín Verónica , Gamino Virginia , di Provvido Andrea , Marruchella Giuseppe , Entrican Gary , Sevilla Noemí , Palmarini Massimo
Published: September 2016

Significance

Arboviruses cause increasingly important human and veterinary diseases. Currently, there is a critical lack of understanding about the nature of arbovirus–host interactions in the lymph nodes (LNs), where the adaptive immune response initiates. We used a hemorrhagic arbovirus of sheep, bluetongue virus (BTV), to unveil the early phases of infection in the natural host. We discovered that BTV modulates the humoral immune response by rapidly infecting and destroying follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in the host LNs. FDC destruction impairs B-cell activation and antibody production, inducing an immunosuppressive phase associated with virus spread in the animal’s tissues. The novel virus evasion strategy described here provides key insights on the initiation of the immune response and the pathogenesis of arboviral diseases.
Neural correlate of the construction of sentence meaning
Authors: Fedorenko Evelina , Scott Terri L. , Brunner Peter , Coon William G. , Pritchett Brianna , Schalk Gerwin , Kanwisher Nancy
Published: September 2016

Significance

How do circuits of neurons in your brain extract and hold the meaning of a sentence? To start to address this unanswered question, we measured neural activity from the surface of the human brain in patients being mapped out before neurosurgery, as they read sentences. In many electrodes, neural activity increased steadily over the course of the sentence, but the same was not found when participants read lists of words or pronounceable nonwords, or grammatical nonword strings (“Jabberwocky”). This build-up of neural activity appears to reflect neither word meaning nor syntax alone, but the representation of complex meanings.
Pallidal spiking activity reflects learning dynamics and predicts performance
Authors: Schechtman Eitan , Noblejas Maria Imelda , Mizrahi Aviv D. , Dauber Omer , Bergman Hagai
Published: September 2016

Significance

The basal ganglia (BG) are a set of interconnected nuclei deeply buried within the brain that are involved in action selection and habit formation. Classically considered motor nuclei, their role in cognitive performance has become widely appreciated over time. Current models of learning in the BG focus on striatal neurons and the neurotransmitter dopamine, but these do not fully account for observed behaviors. In this paper, we considered the learning-related activity of the external globus pallidus (GPe), a downstream BG nucleus. We show that GPe spiking activity predicts future performance, corresponds with learning dynamics, and decreases as performance becomes more automatic. Taken together, our data reveal the role of GPe in learning and open new avenues for research.
Flow-dependent YAP/TAZ activities regulate endothelial phenotypes and atherosclerosis
Authors: Wang Kuei-Chun , Yeh Yi-Ting , Nguyen Phu , Limqueco Elaine , Lopez Jocelyn , Thorossian Satenick , Guan Kun-Liang , Li Yi-Shuan J. , Chien Shu
Published: September 2016

Significance

Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are emerging as key regulators of cell fate in response to biochemical and biophysical cues, but their role in modulating vascular homeostasis in health and disease is not clearly understood. In studying the flow regulation of YAP/TAZ activities in vascular endothelial cells, we find that disturbed flow (without a clear direction), but not laminar flow (with a clear direction), activates YAP/TAZ to promote the atheroprone phenotypes (proliferation and inflammation). We also demonstrate that inhibition of YAP/TAZ attenuates the atheroprone phenotypes and lesion progression in atherosclerotic mice. These findings indicate that YAP/TAZ serve as important mechanotransducers in the disturbed flow-induced atherogenesis and provide insights to the development of therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases.
Arid5a exacerbates IFN-γ–mediated septic shock by stabilizing T-bet mRNA
Authors: Zaman Mohammad Mahabub-Uz , Masuda Kazuya , Nyati Kishan Kumar , Dubey Praveen Kumar , Ripley Barry , Wang Kai , Chalise Jaya Prakash , Higa Mitsuru , Hanieh Hamza , Kishimoto Tadamitsu
Published: September 2016

Significance

Septic shock is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Despite extensive efforts, septic shock remains a major medical challenge. In this study, using Arid5a-deficient mice, we demonstrated a critical role of this protein in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced shock through regulation of IFN-γ expression in T cells by preventing the mRNA degradation of its major transcription factor T-bet. Further, we identified the conserved stem loop structure at 3′UTR of T-bet mRNA required for binding Arid5a during its action. Our study indicates the therapeutic potential of anti-agonistic agents for Arid5a in the prevention of pathological conditions of septic shock.
24-Hydroxycholesterol participates in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor development
Authors: Soncini Matias , Corna Gianfranca , Moresco Marta , Coltella Nadia , Restuccia Umberto , Maggioni Daniela , Raccosta Laura , Lin Chin-Yo , Invernizzi Francesca , Crocchiolo Roberto , Doglioni Claudio , Traversari Catia , Bachi Angela , Bernardi Rosa , Bordignon Claudio , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Russo Vincenzo
Published: September 2016

Significance

Oxysterols promote tumor growth directly or through the dampening of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Whether oxysterols contribute to pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) development and how they are generated within the pNET microenvironment are currently unknown. Here, we show that the 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC) oxysterol-generating enzyme Cyp46a1 is overexpressed during the angiogenic switch in rat insulin promoter 1–T-antigen 2 (RIP1-Tag2) pNET formation. Moreover, we report that Cyp46a1 overexpression requires hypoxia inducible factor-1a (HIF-1α). Importantly, we show that pharmacologic blockade and genetic inactivation of 24S-HC delays angiogenic switch and therefore tumor formation in RIP1-Tag2. Overexpression of Cyp46a1 transcripts in some human pNET samples suggests that targeting this axis in patients affected by pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors may be an effective therapeutic strategy.
Culture-independent study of bacterial communities in tropical river sediment
Authors: Thoetkiattikul Honglada , Mhuantong Wuttichai , Pinyakong Onruthai , Wisawapipat Worachart , Yamazoe Atsushi , Fujita Nobuyuki , Eurwilaichitr Lily , Champreda Verawat
Published: September 2016

Ubiquitous microbial communities in river sediments actively govern organic matter decomposition, nutrient recycling, and remediation of toxic compounds. In this study, prokaryotic diversity in two major rivers in central Thailand, the Chao Phraya (CP) and the Tha Chin (TC) distributary was investigated. Significant differences in sediment physicochemical properties, particularly silt content, were noted between the two rivers. Tagged 16S rRNA sequencing on a 454 platform showed that the sediment microbiomes were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria and sulfur/sulfate reducing Deltaproteobacteria, represented by orders Desulfobacteriales and Desulfluromonadales together with organic degraders Betaproteobacteria (orders Burkholderiales and Rhodocyclales) together with the co-existence of Bacteroidetes predominated by Sphingobacteriales. Enrichment of specific bacterial orders was found in the clayey CP and silt-rich TC sediments, including various genera with known metabolic capability on decomposition of organic matter and xenobiotic compounds. The data represent one of the pioneered works revealing heterogeneity of bacteria in river sediments in the tropics.
Runaway electrons and Bremsstrahlung
Authors: Helander Per
Published: September 2016

If an electric field is applied to a plasma, it causes ‘runaway’ acceleration of some electrons—a phenomenon that has been known for almost a century. A paper by Embréus et al (2016 New J. Phys.

18 093023) calculates how the emission of Bremsstrahlung affects the upper end of the energy spectrum of these electrons, and finds that it is important to carefully account for finite energy of the emitted photons.
Local base change via Tate cohomology
Authors: Ronchetti Niccolò
Published: September 2016

We propose a new way to realize cyclic base change (a special case of Langlands functoriality) for prime degree extensions of characteristic zero local fields. Let

F

/

E

F / E

be a prime degree

l
l

extension of local fields of residue characteristic

p
≠
l

p \neq l

. Let

π
\pi

be an irreducible cuspidal

l
l

-adic representation of

G
L

n

(
E
)

\mathrm {GL}_n(E)

and let

ρ
\rho

be an irreducible cuspidal

l
l

-adic representation of

G
L

n

(
F
)

\mathrm {GL}_n(F)

which is Galois-invariant. Under some minor technical conditions on

π
\pi

and

ρ
\rho

(for instance, we assume that both are level zero) we prove that the

mod

l

\bmod \,l

-reductions

r
l

(
π
)

r_l(\pi )

and

r
l

(
ρ
)

r_l(\rho )

are in base change if and only if the Tate cohomology of

ρ
\rho

with respect to the Galois action is isomorphic, as a modular representation of

G
L

n

(
E
)

\mathrm {GL}_n(E)

, to the Frobenius twist of

r
l

(
π
)

r_l(\pi )

. This proves a special case of a conjecture of Treumann and Venkatesh as they investigate the relationship between linkage and Langlands functoriality.
Trait coordination, mechanical behaviour and growth form plasticity of Amborella trichopoda under variation in canopy openness
Authors: Trueba Santiago , Isnard Sandrine , Barthélémy Daniel , Olson Mark E.
Published: September 2016

Understanding the distribution of traits across the angiosperm phylogeny helps map the nested hierarchy of features that characterize key nodes. Finding that Amborella is sister to the rest of the angiosperms has raised the question of whether it shares certain key functional trait characteristics, and plastic responses apparently widespread within the angiosperms at large. With this in mind, we test the hypothesis that local canopy openness induces plastic responses. We used this variation in morphological and functional traits to estimate the pervasiveness of trait scaling and leaf and stem economics. We studied the architecture of Amborella and how it varies under different degrees of canopy openness. We analyzed the coordination of 12 leaf and stem structural and functional traits, and the association of this covariation with differing morphologies. The Amborella habit is made up of a series of sympodial modules that vary in size and branching pattern under different canopy openness. Amborella stems vary from self-supporting to semi-scandent. Changes in stem elongation and leaf size in Amborella produce distinct morphologies under different light environments. Correlations were found between most leaf and stem functional traits. Stem tissue rigidity decreased with increasing canopy openness. Despite substantial modulation of leaf size and leaf mass per area by light availability, branches in different light environments had similar leaf area-stem size scaling. The sympodial growth observed in Amborella could point to an angiosperm synapomorphy. Our study provides evidence of intraspecific coordination between leaf and stem economic spectra. Trait variation along these spectra is likely adaptive under different light environments and is consistent with these plastic responses having been present in the angiosperm common ancestor.
DNA damage response induces structural alterations in histone H3–H4
Authors: Izumi Yudai , Fujii Kentaro , Yamamoto Satoshi , Matsuo Koichi , Namatame Hirofumi , Taniguchi Masaki , Yokoya Akinari
Published: September 2016

Synchrotron-radiation circular-dichroism spectroscopy was used to reveal that the DNA damage response induces a decrement of α-helix and an increment of β-strand contents of histone H3–H4 extracted from X-ray–irradiated human HeLa cells. The trend of the structural alteration was qualitatively opposite to that of our previously reported results for histone H2A–H2B. These results strongly suggest that histones share roles in DNA damage responses, particularly in DNA repair processes and chromatin remodeling, via a specific structural alteration of each histone.
The Galactic fountain as an origin for the Smith Cloud
Authors: Marasco A. , Fraternali F.
Published: September 2016

The recent discovery of an enriched metallicity for the Smith high-velocity H i Cloud (SC) lends support to a Galactic origin for this system. We use a dynamical model of the galactic fountain to reproduce the observed properties of the SC. In our model, fountain clouds are ejected from the region of the disc spiral arms and move through the halo interacting with a pre-existing hot corona. We find that a simple model where cold gas outflows vertically from the Perseus spiral arm reproduces the kinematics and the distance of the SC, but is in disagreement with the cloud's cometary morphology, if this is produced by ram-pressure stripping by the ambient gas. To explain the cloud morphology, we explore two scenarios: (i) the outflow is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and (ii) the cloud is entrained by a fast wind that escapes an underlying superbubble. Solutions in agreement with all observational constraints can be found for both cases, the former requires outflow angles >40° while the latter requires ≳1000 km s−1 winds. All scenarios predict that the SC is in the ascending phase of its trajectory and has large – but not implausible – energy requirements.
The distribution of mean and fluctuating magnetic fields in the multiphase interstellar medium
Authors: Evirgen C. C. , Gent F. A. , Shukurov A. , Fletcher A. , Bushby P.
Published: September 2016

We explore the effects of the multiphase structure of the interstellar medium (ISM) on galactic magnetic fields. Basing our analysis on compressible magnetohydrodynamic simulations of supernova-driven turbulence in the ISM, we investigate the properties of both the mean and fluctuating components of the magnetic field. We find that the mean magnetic field preferentially resides in the warm phase and is generally absent from the hot phase. The fluctuating magnetic field does not show such pronounced sensitivity to the multiphase structure.
Optical frequency divider with division uncertainty at the 10−21 level
Authors: Yao Yuan , Jiang Yanyi , Yu Hongfu , Bi Zhiyi , Ma Longsheng
Published: September 2016

Optical clocks with unprecedented accuracy of 10−18 promise innovations in many research areas. Their applications rely to a large extent on the ability of precisely converting the frequency from one optical clock to another, or particularly to the frequencies in the fiber telecom band for long-distance transmission. This report demonstrates a low-noise, high-precision optical frequency divider, which realizes accurate optical frequency conversion and enables precise measurement of optical frequency ratios. By measuring against the frequency ratio between the fundamental and the second harmonic of a 1064-nm laser instead of a second copy of the same system, we demonstrate that the optical frequency divider has a fractional frequency division instability of 6 × 10−19 at 1 s and a fractional frequency division uncertainty of 1.4 × 10−21. The remarkable numbers can support frequency division of the best optical clocks in the world without frequency-conversion-caused degradation of their performance.
Evaluation of Cooking Time in Pulses: A Review
Authors: Wood Jennifer A.
Published: September 2016

Pulses are most commonly consumed after cooking. Those that require long cooking times are less convenient, more energy consuming, and, therefore, less desirable for consumers and processors. Pulse breeding programs are interested in breeding for quicker‐cooking pulse varieties but, there is no standard method for the evaluation of cooking time. The major direct measures used to evaluate cooking time include sensory analysis, tactile method, spread area ratio, Mattson bean cooker, white core method, and glass slides method. However, each method has limitations, and methodology parameters were found to vary greatly between studies. Cooking time is also affected by the seed coat and whether the seed was presoaked. Authors’ definitions of “cooked” and the percentage of seeds required to attain this designation also varied. Within‐sample variability of pulse samples creates additional complexity in the evaluation of whole seeds. Several indirect predictive estimators of relative cooking time from the literature are also outlined and discussed. The biggest limitation of these potential predictive methods is the lack of a reliable reference method for validation. This review critically examines each direct cooking time methodology, potential predictive methods, and the scientific challenges in determining the cooking time of pulse samples.
Cooking Quality, Antioxidant Properties, and Starch Digestibility of Wheat Noodles Substituted with Extruded Brown Rice Flour
Authors: Wu Na‐Na , Tan Bin , Li Sha‐Sha , Tian Xiao‐Hong , Liu Ming , Liu Yan‐Xiang , Wang Li‐Ping , Zhai Xiao‐Tong
Published: September 2016

The effect of extruded brown rice flour (EBR) contents (0–50%) on antioxidant activity, phenolics, in vitro digestibility, color, and cooking quality of noodles containing mixtures of wheat and EBR was investigated. The antioxidant activity and phenolic content increased, especially ferulic and coumaric acids in bound forms, whereas the in vitro glycemic index, optimal cooking time, water absorption, hardness, and color were diminished in noodles with the addition of EBR; cooking loss increased as a function of the EBR percentage. The partial replacement of wheat flour with EBR can be favorably used in the wheat noodle formulation. The results provide the basis for the development of staple foods with nutritional characteristics for today's functional food markets.
Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi Apothecial Development Associated With Mulch Depth and Timing of Application
Authors: Florence Jade , Pscheidt Jay
Published: September 2016

Pseudosclerotia of Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi overwinter on the soil surface and develop apothecia in early spring, supplying primary inoculum for mummy berry disease of blueberry. Burial of pseudosclerotia in soil and incubation in the dark have previously been identified as critical factors inhibiting M. vaccinii-corymbosi apothecial development. Mulches of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) sawdust at 2.5 or 5 cm depths, blueberry leaves (Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Bluetta) at a 2.5 cm depth, and a bare ground (no mulch) control were assessed for an effect on apothecial development in the spring for 2 years. Mulches were applied corresponding to pseudosclerotial overwintering stages. Loss of mulch depth was also assessed throughout the overwintering season. A 5 cm depth of Douglas-fir sawdust was associated with greater apothecial suppression in comparison with bare ground. Douglas-fir sawdust at a 2.5 cm depth varied in effectiveness, while 2.5 cm of blueberry leaves was not more effective at suppressing apothecial development than the bare ground treatment. Application timing did not affect apothecial development, but mulches lost significantly more depth when applied at the beginning of the overwintering season as compared with late winter mulches. Therefore, loss of mulch thickness due to weathering and/or decomposition may also affect apothecial development.
Mapping the A Genome for QTL Conditioning Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in a Wheat Population withTriticum timopheeviiBackground
Authors: Malihipour Ali , Gilbert Jeannie , Fedak George , Brûlé-Babel Anita , Cao Wenguang
Published: September 2016

Development and use of resistant wheat cultivars is the most practical and economical approach for the control of Fusarium head blight (FHB). In the present study, a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross between ‘AC Brio’ (a Canadian bread wheat cultivar moderately susceptible to FHB) and ‘TC 67’ (an FHB-resistant cultivar derived from Triticum timopheevii) was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for FHB resistance using microsatellite molecular markers. Multiple interval mapping detected several QTL for FHB resistance on the chromosomes 5AL and 6A. The QTL detected in the marker interval of cfd6.1-barc48 on chromosome 5AL explained 10.9, 5.2, and 7.8% of phenotypic variation for disease incidence (type I resistance), disease severity (a combination of type I and type II resistance), and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) (type IV resistance) under field conditions, respectively. The second QTL mapped to 5AL, in the marker interval of cfd39-cfa2185, explained 19.4 and 20.6% of phenotypic variation for FDK under field conditions and disease severity in the greenhouse (type II resistance), respectively. The QTL located on chromosome 6A conferred resistance to disease incidence and severity under field conditions and to disease severity in the greenhouse, explaining 6.8 to 11.8% of phenotypic variation for these traits. Several QTL for agronomic traits were also mapped in this study, including one and two QTL to the chromosomes 2A and 5AL, respectively, all for plant height, and two QTL to chromosome 6A for plant height and flowering date, respectively. The 5AL QTL for FHB resistance mapped in the marker interval of cfd39-cfa2185 in the present study is a novel QTL that originated from T. timopheevii and is reported here for the first time. Further validation of this QTL is required for wheat breeding programs to enhance resistance levels to FHB.
Yr58: A New Stripe Rust Resistance Gene and Its Interaction with Yr46 for Enhanced Resistance
Authors: Chhetri Mumta , Bariana Harbans , Kandiah Pakeerathan , Bansal Urmil
Published: September 2016

The quantitative trait loci QYr.sun-3BS and QYr.sun-4DL were identified in the W195/BTSS recombinant inbred line (RIL) population in a previous study. QYr.sun-3BS explained 34 to 59% phenotypic variation in stripe rust response. We evaluated parental genotypes at different growth stages and temperature regimes to detect the critical stage for expression of QYr.sun-3BS. W195 expressed low infection type (IT) ;1C at the fourth leaf stage, when incubated at 21 ± 2°C and the alternate parent BTSS was susceptible (IT 3+). Monogenic segregation for stripe rust response was observed among the RIL population at the fourth leaf stage and the underlying locus was temporarily named YrW195. YrW195 corresponded to QYr.sun-3BS. Since no previously designated stripe rust resistance genes that expresses at and after the fourth leaf stage was mapped in this region, YrW195 was formally named Yr58. Genotyping with Yr46-linked markers indicated the presence of Yr46 in W195, which corresponded to QYr.sun-4DL. The RILs carrying Yr58 and Yr46 singly produced IT 23C and IT 3+, respectively, and those carrying both genes produced IT ;1C indicating the enhancement of Yr58 expression by Yr46. The absence of Yr58-linked alleles of markers sun533 and sun476 in 74 of the 76 wheat cultivars demonstrated their usefulness for marker-assisted selection.
Sodium Bicarbonate for Control of ICP: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zeiler Frederick A. , Sader Nicholas , West Michael , Gillman Lawrence M.
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Our goal was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of intravenous sodium bicarbonate for intracranial pressure (ICP) reduction in patients with neurologic illness.

Methods:

Data sources: articles from MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Global Health, Scopus, Cochrane Library, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (inception to April 2015), reference lists of relevant articles, and gray literature were searched.

Data extraction: 2 reviewers independently extracted data including population characteristics and treatment characteristics. The strength of evidence was adjudicated using both the Oxford and Grading of Recommendation Assessment Development and Education methodology.

Results:

Our search strategy produced a total 559 citations. Three original articles were included in the review. There were 2 prospective studies, 1 randomized control trial and 1 single arm, and 1 retrospective case report.

Across all studies there were a total of 19 patients studied, with 31 episodes of elevated ICP being treated. Twenty-one of those episodes were treated with sodium bicarbonate infusion, with the remaining 10 treated with hypertonic saline in a control model. All elevated ICP episodes treated with sodium bicarbonate solution demonstrated a significant drop in ICP, without an elevation of serum partial pressure of carbon dioxide. No significant complications were described.

Conclusions:

There currently exists Oxford level 4, Grading of Recommendation Assessment Development and Education D evidence to support an ICP reduction effect with intravenous sodium bicarbonate in TBI. No comments on its impact in other neuropathologic states, or on patient outcomes, can be made at this time.
Ultra–low-dose Naloxone as an Adjuvant to Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) With Morphine for Postoperative Pain Relief Following Lumber Discectomy: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial
Authors: Firouzian Abolfazl , Gholipour Baradari Afshin , Alipour Abbas , Emami Zeydi Amir , Zamani Kiasari Alieh , Emadi Seyed Abdollah , Kheradmand Behrooz , Hadadi Kaveh
Published: September 2016

Background:

Lumbar discectomy is one of the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures. Many patients experience postoperative pain after lumbar discectomy. This study evaluated the effect of ultra–low-dose naloxone infusion on pain intensity after lumbar discectomy in individuals receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine.

Materials and Methods:

In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, a total of 80 patients scheduled for open discectomy was randomly assigned to receive naloxone (group N) or placebo (group P). After surgery, all patients were connected to a morphine PCA pump. Both groups received 500 mL of normal saline using a continuous infusion pump through a separate intravenous line for 24 hours. However, group N received a total dose of 0.25 μg/kg/h naloxone, which was added to the normal saline infusion. All patients were asked to grade the intensity of their pain, severity of nausea, vomiting, and pruritus on a 0 to 10 visual analog scale before being discharged from the postanesthesia care unit and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively.

Results:

It was observed that both groups had a statistically significant (P<0.01) time trend difference for pain, nausea, and pruritus scores. A significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of intensity of pain, nausea, and pruritus, with the naloxone group experiencing a lower level in comparison with the placebo group. Moreover, the median (interquartile range) of morphine consumption after surgery for patients who received naloxone was 26 (24.25 to 28) mg, which is significantly (P<0.001) lower than for the placebo group, which had a median (interquartile range) of 34 (32 to 36) mg.

Conclusions:

It is concluded that infusion of ultra–low-dose naloxone (0.25 μg/kg/h) along with morphine PCA can significantly reduce pain intensity, morphine consumption, and opioid-induced nausea and pruritus after lumbar discectomy.
Extremely Preterm Infant Skin Care
Authors: Johnson Deanna E.
Published: September 2016

Background:

The skin of extremely preterm infants is underdeveloped and has poor barrier function. Skin maintenance interventions initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have immediate and lifelong implications when the potential for infection, allergen sensitization, and altered aesthetic outcomes are considered. In addition, the high-level medical needs of extremely preterm infants demand skin-level medical interventions that too often result in unintended skin harm.

Purpose:

We describe the use of a harm prevention, or consequence-centered, approach to skin care, which facilitates safer practice for extremely premature infants.

Method:

Neonatal and pediatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) came together for monthly meetings to review the evidence around best skin care practices for extremely preterm infants, with an emphasis on reduction of skin harm. Findings were focused on the population of interest and clinical implementation strategies.

Findings:

Skin care for extremely preterm infants remains overlooked by current literature. However, clinical practice pearls were extracted and applied in a manner that promotes safer skin care practices in the NICU.

Implications for Practice:

Gentle adhesives, such as silicone tapes and hydrogel-backed electrodes, can help to reduce medical adhesive-related skin injuries. Diaper wipes are not appropriate for use among extremely preterm infants, as many ingredients may contain potential allergens. Skin cleansers should be pH neutral to the skin and the prophylactic use of petrolatum-based emollients should be avoided.

Implications for Research:

Further exploration and understanding of skin care practices that examine issues of true risk versus hypothetical risk of harm.