bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmembrane oligomeric form of Vibrio cholerae cytolysin triggers TLR2/TLR6–dependent proinflammatory responses in monocytes and macrophages
Authors: Khilwani Barkha , Mukhopadhaya Arunika , Chattopadhyay Kausik
Published: December 2014

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) kills target eukaryotic cells by forming transmembrane oligomeric β-barrel pores. Once irreversibly converted into the transmembrane oligomeric form, VCC acquires an unusual structural stability and loses its cytotoxic property. It is therefore possible that, on exertion of its cytotoxic activity, the oligomeric form of VCC retained in the disintegrated membrane fractions of the lysed cells would survive within the host cellular milieu for a long period, without causing any further cytotoxicity. Under such circumstances, VCC oligomers may potentially be recognized by the host immune cells. Based on such a hypothesis, in the present study we explored the interaction of the transmembrane oligomeric form of VCC with the monocytes and macrophages of the innate immune system. Our study shows that the VCC oligomers assembled in the liposome membranes elicit potent proinflammatory responses in monocytes and macrophages, via stimulation of the toll-like receptor (TLR)2/TLR6-dependent signalling cascades that involve myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/interleukin-1-receptor-associated kinase (IRAK)1/tumour-necrosis-factor-receptor-associated factor (TRAF)6. VCC oligomer-mediated proinflammatory responses critically depend on the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB. Proinflammatory responses induced by the VCC oligomers also require activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family member c-Jun N-terminal kinase, which presumably acts via stimulation of the transcription factor activator protein-1. Notably, the role of the MAPK p38 could not be documented in the process.
HBx induces the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via AP1 over-expressed as a result of ER stress
Authors: Cho Hyun Kook , Kim So Young , Kyaw Yi Yi , Win Aye Aye , Koo Seung-Hoi , Kim Hyeong-Hoe , Cheong Jaehun
Published: December 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common risk factor for HCC. The HBV proteins can induce oncogenic or synergy effects with a hyperproliferative response on transformation into HCC. CREBH (cAMP-responsive, element-binding protein H), activated by stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is an ER-resident transmembrane bZIP (basic leucine zipper) transcription factor that is specifically expressed in the liver. In the present study, we address the role played by CREBH activated by ER stress in HBV-induced hepatic cell proliferation. We confirmed CREBH activation by ER stress and showed that it occurred as a result of/via hepatitis B virus X (HBx)-induced ER stress. CREBH activated by HBx increased the expression of AP-1 target genes through c-Jun induction. Under pathological conditions such as liver damage or liver regeneration, activated CREBH may have an important role to play in hepatic inflammation and cell proliferation, as an insulin receptor with dual functions under these conditions. We showed that CREBH activated by HBx interacted with HBx protein, leading to a synergistic effect on the expression of AP-1 target genes and the proliferation of HCC cells and mouse primary hepatocytes. In conclusion, in HBV-infected hepatic cells or patients with chronic HBV, CREBH may induce proliferation of hepatic cells in co-operation with HBx, resulting in HCC.
Macrophage CGI-58 deficiency promotes IL-1β transcription by activating the SOCS3–FOXO1 pathway
Authors: Miao Hongming , Ou Juanjuan , Zhang Xuan , Chen Yujuan , Xue Bingzhong , Shi Hang , Gan Lixia , Yu Liqing , Liang Houjie
Published: December 2014

Over-nutrition induces low-grade inflammation that dampens insulin sensitivity, but the underlying molecular mediators are not fully understood. Comparative gene identification-58 (CGI-58) is an intracellular lipolytic activator. In the present study, we show that in mouse visceral fat-derived macrophages or human peripheral blood monocytes, CGI-58 negatively and interleukin (IL)-1β positively correlate with obesity. Saturated non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) suppresses CGI-58 expression in macrophages and this suppression activates FOXO1 (forkhead box-containing protein O subfamily-1) through inhibition of FOXO1 phosphorylation. Activated FOXO1 binds to an insulin-responsive element in IL-1β promoter region to potentiate IL-1β transcription. Gain- and loss-of-function studies demonstrate that NEFA-induced CGI-58 suppression activates FOXO1 to augment IL-1β transcription by dampening insulin signalling through induction of SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signalling 3) expression. CGI-58 deficiency-induced SOCS3 expression is NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome-dependent. Our data thus identified a vicious cycle (IL-1β–SOCS3–FOXO1–IL-1β) that amplifies IL-1β secretion and is initiated by CGI-58 deficiency-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. We further show that blocking this cycle with a FOXO1 inhibitor, an antioxidant that inhibits FOXO1 or IL-1 receptor antagonist alleviates chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Collectively, our data suggest that obesity-associated factors such as NEFA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) probably adopt this vicious cycle to promote inflammation and insulin resistance.
Area‐efficient high‐voltage switch using floating control circuit for 3D ultrasound imaging systems
Authors: Jung Sung‐Jin , Hong Seong‐Kwan , Kwon Oh‐Kyong
Published: December 2014

A high‐voltage (HV) switch is proposed which adopts the floating control circuit to reduce area by removing the passive components and reducing the number of laterally diffused metal–oxide semiconductor field effects (LDMOSFETs). The proposed HV switch consists of three LDMOSFETs and three MOSFETs without any passive components. In addition, the routing complexity of the control signals is greatly reduced by sharing all control signals in the array of switches. The proposed HV switch is fabricated using a 0.18 μm CMOS process with 50 V devices and occupies 85 × 65 μm2. The measured off‐isolation is −53 dB.
Wideband absorber at X‐band adopting trumpet‐shaped structures
Authors: Kim Beom‐Kyu , Lee Bomson
Published: December 2014

A wideband single‐layer absorber at X‐band adopting trumpet structures is presented. One unit of the proposed absorber is composed of a trumpet‐shaped resonator loading four chip resistors, a metallic backplane and an FR‐4 (εr = 4.4‐j0.02) substrate between them. The absorption is 99% at 10.9 GHz. The full width at half maximum is 95% at 12.7 GHz (6.7–18.7 GHz). The 90% absorption bandwidth is 65% at 12.75 GHz (8.6–16.9 GHz). The size of the unit cell is 5.6 × 5.6 × 2.4 mm3. The proposed absorber is almost insensitive to polarisations of incident waves due to the symmetry of the structure. The results of EM simulation and measurements are in good agreement.
Improved transmission scheme for reliable communication in cell boundary
Authors: Kwon Bit‐Na , Song Hyoung‐Kyu
Published: December 2014

In a wireless communication system, the performance of the system is degraded due to the attenuation of the signal by path loss when a user is distant from the base station. For improvement of the system in this case, a new scheme is proposed. In conventional schemes, the source can transmit to the destination belonging to own cell coverage. In the proposed scheme, the destination can receive the additional signal from another base station through multiple relays. Therefore, the proposed scheme provides higher diversity gain and better performance than the conventional scheme.
Image segmentation based on anisotropic diffusion and graph cuts optimisation
Authors: Liu Liman , Li Kunqian , Tao Wenbing , Liu Haihua
Published: December 2014

An image segmentation approach, which is based on heat diffusion and graph cuts optimisation, is proposed. The prior segmentation result is obtained by temperature maximisation on the heat diffusion system. In the random walk‐based label‐assigning process, due to lack of spatial dependencies of neighbouring pixels, the segmentation may deteriorate notably when pixels from disconnected regions of an image show similar features. To overcome this problem, a multilayer graph‐based model is presented and image segmentation is considered as an energy minimisation problem. The parameters in the model are learned from the results of temperature maximisation on the heat diffusion system. It is shown that the presented variational model can be discretely optimised by the graph cuts method efficiently. Therefore, the spatial dependences of the neighbouring pixels can be integrated to obtain better segmentation results. A number of comparison experiments demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method.
Fault‐ride‐through requirements for wind power plants in the ENTSO‐E network code on requirements for generators
Authors: Fortmann Jens , Pfeiffer Ralph , Haesen Edwin , van Hulle Frans , Martin Frank , Urdal Helge , Wachtel Stephan
Published: December 2014

The need for European Network Codes (NCs) was identified during the course of developing the third legislative package for an internal EU gas and electricity market. The first NC that was initiated by the European Commission covers ‘Requirements for Generators’ (NC RfG) (ENTSO‐E, 2013). After an extensive debate and drafting process across TSOs, DSOs, manufacturers, generation owners, industrial consumers, NRAs and policy makers, ENTSO‐E finalised drafting the NC RfG in March 2013 (Further changes, especially with respect to the fault‐current injection by wind power plant (WPP) were introduced during the process of transferring NC RfG to a EU Regulation as result of the ongoing discussions between the European Commission and relevant stakeholders. See the remark in Section 3 ‘Outlook and Conclusion’.). European wind turbine manufacturers represented by EWEA participated strongly in the dialog with ENTSO‐E and the stakeholder consultation. A delicate exercise in developing the NC RfG was the appropriate balance between those aspects that need to be defined exhaustively at European level, and the non‐exhaustive connection requirements where further specifications are needed at regional level to cover local system needs. Although improvements were seen, significant concerns still remain with the current document, largely focused on the uncertainty from the many non‐exhaustive requirements and therefore having to wait for the national Grid Code processes for many parameters. This study explores the need for fault‐ride‐through capability from a power system security point of view. The requirements stated in the NC RfG, capabilities of WPPs and challenges related to the non‐exhaustive requirements of the NC RfG are presented and discussed with the intention to provide technical background information, which may support the national implementation of these requirements.
Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array with single‐layer graphene membrane
Authors: Chong Po‐Fat , Shi Xiaomei , Cheng Ching‐Hsiang
Published: December 2014

A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) with a graphene membrane is reported. The CMUT membranes were commonly made from very thin silicon nitride or metal material. To date, no graphene CMUT has been successfully used. In this reported work, a photomask were used for the cavity pattern to make a 1μm layer EPON SU‐8 photoresist on the silicon substrate. Then a single‐layer graphene were tranferred directly to be attached to the EPON SU‐8 cavity layer to form the CMUT with a graphene membrane. The resonance frequency was measured to be 95 MHz in air.
The existence of positive solutions with prescribed L2-norm for nonlinear Choquard equations
Authors: Li Gong-Bao , Ye Hong-Yu
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we study the existence of positive solutions with prescribed L2-norm to a class of nonlinear Choquard equation −Δu − λu = (Iα∗F(u)) F′(u) in ℝN, where λ ∈ ℝ, N ≥ 3, α ∈ (0, N), Iα:ℝN → ℝ is the Riesz potential. Under some conditions imposed on F, by using a minimax procedure and the concentration compactness of P. L. Lions, we show that for any c > 0, the equation possesses at least a couple (uc, λc) ∈ H1(ℝN) × ℝ− of weak solution such that ‖u‖L2(RN)2=c.
Controlling plasma stimulated media in cancer treatment application
Authors: Yan Dayun , Sherman Jonathan H. , Cheng Xiaoqian , Ratovitski Edward , Canady Jerome , Keidar Michael
Published: December 2014

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) constitutes a “cocktail” of various reactive species. Accumulating evidence shows the effectiveness of CAP in killing cancer cells and decreasing the tumor size, which provides a solid basis for its potential use in cancer treatment. Currently, CAP is mainly used to directly treat cancer cells and trigger the death of cancer cells via apoptosis or necrosis. By altering the concentration of fetal bovine serum in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and the temperature to store CAP stimulated media, we demonstrated controllable strategies to harness the stimulated media to kill glioblastoma cells in vitro. This study demonstrated the significant role of media in killing cancer cells via the CAP treatment.
Molybdenum-rhenium alloy based high-Q superconducting microwave resonators
Authors: Singh Vibhor , Schneider Ben H. , Bosman Sal J. , Merkx Evert P. J. , Steele Gary A.
Published: December 2014

Superconducting microwave resonators (SMRs) with high quality factors have become an important technology in a wide range of applications. Molybdenum-Rhenium (MoRe) is a disordered superconducting alloy with a noble surface chemistry and a relatively high transition temperature. These properties make it attractive for SMR applications, but characterization of MoRe SMR has not yet been reported. Here, we present the fabrication and characterization of SMR fabricated with a MoRe 60–40 alloy. At low drive powers, we observe internal quality-factors as high as 700 000. Temperature and power dependence of the internal quality-factors suggest the presence of the two level systems from the dielectric substrate dominating the internal loss at low temperatures. We further test the compatibility of these resonators with high temperature processes, such as for carbon nanotube chemical vapor deposition growth, and their performance in the magnetic field, an important characterization for hybrid systems.
G-band harmonic multiplying gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier with a mode-selective circuit
Authors: Yeh Y. S. , Chen Chang-Hong , Wang Z. W. , Kao B. H. , Chen Chien-Hsiang , Lin T. Y. , Guo Y. W.
Published: December 2014

Harmonic multiplying gyrotron traveling-wave amplifiers (gyro-TWAs) permit for magnetic field reduction and frequency multiplication. A high-order-mode harmonic multiplying gyro-TWA with large circuit dimensions and low ohmic loss can achieve a high average power. By amplifying a fundamental harmonic TE01 drive wave, the second harmonic component of the beam current initiates a TE02 wave to be amplified. Wall losses can suppress some competing modes because they act as an effective sink of the energy of the modes. However, such wall losses do not suppress all competing modes as the fields are contracted in the copper section in the gyro-TWA. An improved mode-selective circuit, using circular waveguides with the specified radii, can provide the rejection points within the frequency range to suppress the competing modes. The simulated results reveal that the mode-selective circuit can provide an attenuation of more than 10 dB to suppress the competing modes (TE21, TE51, TE22, and TE03). A G-band second harmonic multiplying gyro-TWA with the mode-selective circuit is predicted to yield a peak output power of 50 kW at 198.8 GHz, corresponding to a saturated gain of 55 dB at an interaction efficiency of 10%. The full width at half maximum bandwidth is 5 GHz.
Ultrafast terahertz Faraday rotation in graphene
Authors: Heyman J. N. , Foo Kune R. F. , Alebachew B. A. , Nguyen M. D. , Robinson J. T.
Published: December 2014

Terahertz (THz) Faraday rotation measurements were performed to investigate carrier dynamics in p-type Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene. We used static and time-resolved polarization-sensitive THz transmission measurements in a magnetic field to probe free carriers in GaAs, InP, and Graphene. Static measurements probe the equilibrium carrier density and momentum scattering rate. Time-resolved (optical pump/THz probe) measurements probe the change in these quantities following photoexcitation. In a typical CVD graphene sample, we found that 0.5 ps following photoexcitation with 1 × 1013 photons/cm2 pulses at 800 nm the effective hole scattering time decreased from 37 fs to 34.5 fs, while the carrier concentration increased from 2.0 × 1012 cm−2 to 2.04 × 1012 cm−2, leading to a transient decrease in the conductivity of the film.
Emphasis on short-term gains worries Australia’s science community
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: December 2014

Researchers maintain that excellence in science requires a long-term strategy, money, and closer interactions with the commercial sector.
Big data goes high-speed across the Atlantic
Authors: Kramer David
Published: December 2014

The expansion of the Department of Energy’s high-bandwidth linkage is a step toward a global network for the transfer of scientific information.
Water-skipping stones and spheres
Authors: Truscott Tadd , Belden Jesse , Hurd Randy
Published: December 2014

A highly deformable elastic sphere may bounce poorly on land, but it will skip spectacularly on water.
What's up with Witch Rings?
Authors: Heard Priscilla , Phillips David
Published: December 2014

‘Witch rings’ are well-known novelty rings that show a size-change illusion when rotated. We have replicated the illusion of expansion of the reflections in the rings in a variety of contexts with animations, though not as yet so successfully imitated the sense that the whole ring expands and contracts.
The reflexes of the Proto-Jingpho glides in modern Jingpho dialects
Authors: Kurabe Keita
Published: December 2014

The aim of this paper is two-fold: (i) to investigate the reflexes of the Proto-Jingpho initial glides in modern Jingpho dialects based on sound correspondences between them; and (ii) to discuss vowel developments conditioned by proto-glides. The main findings of this paper can be summarized as follows: (a) the proto-initial *w- has developed into y- in Standard Jingpho and Nkhum before proto-front vowels; (b) the proto-initial *ʔw- before proto-front vowels became ʔy- in Standard Jingpho, Nkhum and Gauri, but disappeared in Duleng, Dingga, Numphuk and Turung; (c) the proto-initial *ʔw- and *ʔy- before non-front vowels have developed into w- and y-, respectively, in Duleng, Dingga, Numphuk and Turung; (d) the proto-bilabial glides, *w- and *ʔw-, sporadically raised the following vowel *-a to -o in Gauri; (e) the proto-palatal glides, *y- and *ʔy-, raised and fronted the following vowel *-a to -e in Gauri and partially in Numphuk and Turung; (f) the proto-medial *-y- raised the following vowel *-e to -i in Dingga.
Ethnolinguistic survey of westernmost Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Bodt Timotheus Adrianus
Published: December 2014

The area between Bhutan in the west, Tibet in the north, the Kameng river in the east and Assam in the south is home to at least six distinct phyla of the Trans-Himalayan (Tibeto-Burman, Sino-Tibetan) language family. These phyla encompass a minimum of 11, but probably 15 or even more mutually unintelligible languages, all showing considerable internal dialect variation. Previous literature provided largely incomplete or incorrect accounts of these phyla. Based on recent field research, this article discusses in detail the several languages of four phyla whose speakers are included in the Monpa Scheduled Tribe, providing the most accurate speaker data, geographical distribution, internal variation and degree of endangerment. The article also provides some insights into the historical background of the area and the impact this has had on the distribution of the ethnolinguistic groups.
Towards a new approach to evidentiality
Authors: Tournadre Nicolas , LaPolla Randy J.
Published: December 2014

Evidentiality is often defined as the grammatical means of expressing informationsource. This paper argues for a broader definition of evidentials, as close work documenting languages has shown that simply saying evidentials mark source of information does not capture all of the actual uses of evidential marking. The paper discusses other aspects that need to be taken account of in any full discussion of the use of evidential marking, in particular the speaker’s access to information (not just source), plus the subjective strategy or perspective of the speaker in representing a particular state of affairs. The notion of ‘source’ in this paper is used in a restricted sense to mean primarily a verbal source of information (reported information) and is distinguished from ‘access’, which refers to the non-verbal access to information (sensory, inferential, etc., including the sensory access to verbal source) available to the speaker, though marking of source and access may appear together. Given this distinction the paper proposes a new definition of evidential marking: the representation of source and access to information according to the speaker’s perspective and strategy.
Clause linking in Japhug
Authors: Jacques Guillaume
Published: December 2014

This paper presents a detailed description of clause linking in Japhug, based on a corpus of traditional narratives and conversations. It follows the methodology used in Dixon and Aikhenvald’s (2009) collective book on this topic, to ease crosslinguistic comparisons. Although Japhug has a very rich system of converbs, there is not a single meaning that requires a non-finite form: all subtypes of clause linking can be expressed exclusively with finite verb forms, and these indeed predominate in our corpus.
Pre-mRNA splicing is facilitated by an optimal RNA polymerase II elongation rate
Authors: Fong Nova , Kim Hyunmin , Zhou Yu , Ji Xiong , Qiu Jinsong , Saldi Tassa , Diener Katrina , Jones Ken , Fu Xiang-Dong , Bentley David L.
Published: December 2014

Alternative splicing modulates expression of most human genes. The kinetic model of cotranscriptional splicing suggests that slow elongation expands and that fast elongation compresses the “window of opportunity” for recognition of upstream splice sites, thereby increasing or decreasing inclusion of alternative exons. We tested the model using RNA polymerase II mutants that change average elongation rates genome-wide. Slow and fast elongation affected constitutive and alternative splicing, frequently altering exon inclusion and intron retention in ways not predicted by the model. Cassette exons included by slow and excluded by fast elongation (type I) have weaker splice sites, shorter flanking introns, and distinct sequence motifs relative to “slow-excluded” and “fast-included” exons (type II). Many rate-sensitive exons are misspliced in tumors. Unexpectedly, slow and fast elongation often both increased or both decreased inclusion of a particular exon or retained intron. These results suggest that an optimal rate of transcriptional elongation is required for normal cotranscriptional pre-mRNA splicing.
Isolating Phagosomes from Tissue Culture Cells
Authors: Pryor Paul R. , Rofe Adam P.
Published: December 2014

Phagocytosis is the process by which receptors at the plasma membrane are used to engulf a particle such as a bacterium, parasite, or dead cell. Phagosomes can be isolated from tissue culture cells by various centrifugation methods, including the use of differential density gradients or sucrose step gradients, but these methods are time-consuming or otherwise difficult. We describe here a protocol that avoids centrifugation and relies instead on the uptake of magnetic beads to rapidly isolate the phagosomal compartment from tissue culture cells.
An Optimized Protocol for High-Throughput In Situ Hybridization of Zebra Finch Brain
Authors: Carleton Julia B. , Lovell Peter V. , McHugh Anne , Marzulla Tessa , Horback Katy L. , Mello Claudio V.
Published: December 2014

In situ hybridization (ISH) is a sensitive technique for documenting the tissue distribution of mRNAs. Advanced nonradioactive ISH methods that are based on the use of digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled probes and chromogenic detection have better spatial resolution than emulsion autoradiography techniques and, when paired with high-resolution digital imaging, allow for large-scale profiling of gene expression at cellular resolution within a histological context. However, technical challenges restrict the number of genes that can be investigated in a small laboratory setting. This protocol describes an optimized, low-cost, small-footprint, high-throughput ISH procedure to detect gene expression patterns in 10-µm brain sections from zebra finches. It uses DIG-labeled riboprobes synthesized from cDNA templates available through the Songbird Neurogenomics Consortium. The method is compatible with high-resolution digital imaging; it produces images with low background and a resolution approaching that of immunohistochemical methods. Approximately 180 slides can be processed each week using this protocol, but it can be scaled to accommodate a broad range of tissues from which cryosections can be obtained.
A Method for Exploring Adult Neurogenesis in the Songbird Brain
Authors: Asik Kemal , Rao Jiang Liu , Kirn John R.
Published: December 2014

The avian brain is a valuable model for exploring adult neurogenesis. Here we use immunohistochemical methods to detect cell division and the incorporation of new neurons in the adult zebra finch brain. The nonradioactive, relatively inexpensive thymidine analog bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is used to label replicating DNA in dividing cells. The brain is harvested, fixed, and dehydrated before being embedded in polyethylene glycol (PEG), which results in superior histology compared to frozen specimens. After the PEG-embedded brain tissue is sectioned and mounted on slides, standard immunohistochemical procedures are used to detect both BrdU and the neuron-specific marker Hu.
In Vivo Detection of Fluctuating Brain Steroid Levels in Zebra Finches
Authors: Ikeda Maaya , Rensel Michelle A. , Schlinger Barney A. , Remage-Healey Luke
Published: December 2014

This protocol describes a method for the in vivo measurement of steroid hormones in brain circuits of the zebra finch. A guide cannula is surgically implanted into the skull, microdilysate is collected through a microdialysis probe that is inserted into the cannula, and steroid concentrations in the microdialysate are determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In some cases, the steroids measured are derived locally (e.g., neural estrogens in males), whereas in other cases, the steroids measured reflect systemic circulating levels and/or central conversion (e.g., the primary androgen testosterone and the primary glucocorticoid corticosterone). A reverse-microdialysis (“retrodialysis”) method that can be used to deliver pharmacological agents into the brain to influence local steroid neurochemistry as well as behavior is also discussed.
In Vivo Recording of Single-Unit Activity during Singing in Zebra Finches
Authors: Okubo Tatsuo S. , Mackevicius Emily L. , Fee Michale S.
Published: December 2014

The zebra finch is an important model for investigating the neural mechanisms that underlie vocal production and learning. Previous anatomical and gene expression studies have identified an interconnected set of brain areas in this organism that are important for singing. To advance our understanding of how these various brain areas act together to learn and produce a highly stereotyped song, it is necessary to record the activity of individual neurons during singing. Here, we present a protocol for recording single-unit activity in freely moving zebra finches during singing using a miniature, motorized microdrive. It includes procedures for both the microdrive implant surgery and the electrophysiological recordings. There are several advantages of this technique: (1) high-impedance electrodes can be used in the microdrive to obtain well-isolated single units; (2) a motorized microdrive is used to remotely control the electrode position, allowing neurons to be isolated without handling the bird, and (3) a lateral positioner is used to move electrodes into fresh tissue before each penetration, allowing recordings from well-isolated neurons over the course of several weeks. We also describe the application of the antidromic stimulation and the spike collision test to identify neurons based on the axonal projection patterns.
Simultaneous X-ray diffraction and phase-contrast imaging for investigating material deformation mechanisms during high-rate loading
Authors: Hudspeth M. , Sun T. , Parab N. , Guo Z. , Fezzaa K. , Luo S. , Chen W.
Published: December 2014

Using a high-speed camera and an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD), a simultaneous X-ray imaging and diffraction technique has been developed for studying dynamic material behaviors during high-rate tensile loading. A Kolsky tension bar has been used to pull samples at 1000 s−1and 5000 s−1strain-rates for super-elastic equiatomic NiTi and 1100-O series aluminium, respectively. By altering the ICCD gating time, temporal resolutions of 100 ps and 3.37 µs have been achieved in capturing the diffraction patterns of interest, thus equating to single-pulse and 22-pulse X-ray exposure. Furthermore, the sample through-thickness deformation process has been simultaneously imagedviaphase-contrast imaging. It is also shown that adequate signal-to-noise ratios are achieved for the detected white-beam diffraction patterns, thereby allowing sufficient information to perform quantitative data analysis diffractionviain-house software (WBXRD_GUI). Of current interest is the ability to evaluate crystald-spacing, texture evolution and material phase transitions, all of which will be established from experiments performed at the aforementioned elevated strain-rates.
Enantiopure and racemic alanine as bridging ligands in Ca and Mn chain polymers
Authors: Lamberts Kevin , Möller Andreas , Englert Ulli
Published: December 2014

Under accelerated and controlled evaporation, chain polymers crystallize from aqueous solutions of CaIIand MnIIhalides with enantiopure L-alanine or racemic DL-alanine. In all ten solids thus obtained zwitterionic amino acid ligands bridge neighbouring cations. The exclusively O-donor-based coordination sphere around the metal cations is completed by aqua ligands; the halides remain uncoordinated and act as counter-anions for the cationic strands. Despite the differences in ionic radii and electronic structure between the main group and the transition metal cation, their derivatives with L-alanine share a common structure type. In contrast, the solids derived from DL-alanine differ and adopt structures depending on the metal cation and the halide. Homochiral chains of either chirality or heterochiral chains with different arrangements of crystallographic inversion centres along the polymer strands are encountered. On average, the six-coordinated CaIIcations, devoid of any ligand field effect, show more pronounced deviation from idealized octahedral geometry than thed-block cation MnII.
Atomic structure solution of the complex quasicrystal approximant Al77Rh15Ru8from electron diffraction data
Authors: Samuha Shmuel , Mugnaioli Enrico , Grushko Benjamin , Kolb Ute , Meshi Louisa
Published: December 2014

The crystal structure of the novel Al77Rh15Ru8phase (which is an approximant of decagonal quasicrystals) was determined using modern direct methods (MDM) applied to automated electron diffraction tomography (ADT) data. The Al77Rh15Ru8E-phase is orthorhombic [Pbma,a= 23.40 (5),b= 16.20 (4) andc= 20.00 (5) Å] and has one of the most complicated intermetallic structures solved solely by electron diffraction methods. Its structural model consists of 78 unique atomic positions in the unit cell (19 Rh/Ru and 59 Al). Precession electron diffraction (PED) patterns and high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) images were used for the validation of the proposed atomic model. The structure of the E-phase is described using hierarchical packing of polyhedra and a single type of tiling in the form of a parallelogram. Based on this description, the structure of the E-phase is compared with that of the ε6-phase formed in Al–Rh–Ru at close compositions.
Sharp spatially constrained inversion with applications to transient electromagnetic data
Authors: Vignoli Giulio , Fiandaca Gianluca , Christiansen Anders Vest , Kirkegaard Casper , Auken Esben
Published: December 2014

Time‐domain electromagnetic data are conveniently inverted by using smoothly varying 1D models with fixed vertical discretization. The vertical smoothness of the obtained models stems from the application of Occam‐type regularization constraints, which are meant to address the ill‐posedness of the problem. An important side effect of such regularization, however, is that horizontal layer boundaries can no longer be accurately reproduced as the model is required to be smooth. This issue can be overcome by inverting for fewer layers with variable thicknesses; nevertheless, to decide on a particular and constant number of layers for the parameterization of a large survey inversion can be equally problematic.

Here, we present a focusing regularization technique to obtain the best of both methodologies. The new focusing approach allows for accurate reconstruction of resistivity distributions using a fixed vertical discretization while preserving the capability to reproduce horizontal boundaries. The formulation is flexible and can be coupled with traditional lateral/spatial smoothness constraints in order to resolve interfaces in stratified soils with no additional hypothesis about the number of layers. The method relies on minimizing the number of layers of non‐vanishing resistivity gradient, instead of minimizing the norm of the model variation itself. This approach ensures that the results are consistent with the measured data while favouring, at the same time, the retrieval of horizontal abrupt changes. In addition, the focusing regularization can also be applied in the horizontal direction in order to promote the reconstruction of lateral boundaries such as faults.

We present the theoretical framework of our regularization methodology and illustrate its capabilities by means of both synthetic and field data sets. We further demonstrate how the concept has been integrated in our existing spatially constrained inversion formalism and show its application to large‐scale time‐domain electromagnetic data inversions.
Improving the gradient of the image‐domain objective function using quantitative migration for a more robust migration velocity analysis
Authors: Lameloise Charles‐Antoine , Chauris Hervé , Noble Mark
Published: December 2014

Migration velocity analysis aims at determining the background velocity model. Classical artefacts, such as migration smiles, are observed on subsurface offset common image gathers, due to spatial and frequency data limitations. We analyse their impact on the differential semblance functional and on its gradient with respect to the model. In particular, the differential semblance functional is not necessarily minimum at the expected value. Tapers are classically applied on common image gathers to partly reduce these artefacts. Here, we first observe that the migrated image can be defined as the first gradient of an objective function formulated in the data‐domain. For an automatic and more robust formulation, we introduce a weight in the original data‐domain objective function. The weight is determined such that the Hessian resembles a Dirac function. In that way, we extend quantitative migration to the subsurface‐offset domain. This is an automatic way to compensate for illumination. We analyse the modified scheme on a very simple 2D case and on a more complex velocity model to show how migration velocity analysis becomes more robust.
Early human impact (5000–3000 BC) affects mountain forest dynamics in the Alps
Authors: Schwörer Christoph , Colombaroli Daniele , Kaltenrieder Petra , Rey Fabian , Tinner Willy
Published: December 2014

The resilience, diversity and stability of mountain ecosystems are threatened by climatic as well as land‐use changes, but the combined effects of these drivers are only poorly understood.

We combine two high‐resolution sediment records from Iffigsee (2065 m a.s.l.) and Lauenensee (1382 m a.s.l.) at different elevations in the Northern Swiss Alps to provide a detailed history of vegetational changes during the period of first pastoralism (ca. 7000–5000 cal. BP, 5000–3000 BC) in order to understand ongoing and future changes in mountain ecosystems.

We use palaeoecological methods (fossil pollen, spore, microscopic charcoal and macrofossil analysis) as well as ecological ordination techniques and time‐series analysis to quantify the impact of fire and grazing on natural mountain vegetation at Iffigsee.

Fire was used by Neolithic people to create pastures at timberline and clear forests for arable farming in the valley. This had a significant, long‐term effect on the mountain vegetation and a negative impact on keystone forest species such as Abies alba, Larix decidua and Pinus cembra.

The mass expansion of Picea abies at ca. 5500 cal. BP (ca. 3500 BC) was facilitated by anthropogenic disturbance (fire, grazing and logging) causing an irreversible decline in Abies alba. Temperate Abies alba forests, which existed under warmer‐than‐today conditions, might be better adapted to projected climate change than today's drought‐sensitive Picea abies forests, especially under low anthropogenic disturbance following land abandonment.

Synthesis. Human impact for millennia has shaped mountain vegetation in the Alps and still continues to have a large effect on today's species composition and distribution. Fire and traditional pastoralism have the potential to mitigate the effects of climate change, maintain species‐rich high‐alpine meadows and prevent biodiversity losses.
Vegetation patterns in small boreal streams relate to ice and winter floods
Authors: Lind Lovisa , Nilsson Christer
Published: December 2014

In‐stream and riparian vegetation are species rich, productive and dynamic. Their patterns in small boreal streams are largely driven by seasonal flow regimes. Traditionally, flow‐related processes during the growing season, particularly the spring flood, have been seen as the most important, whereas vegetation has been viewed as being dormant and ‘less affected' during winter.

Riparian and in‐stream vegetation were inventoried during the summers 2011–2013 in eight reaches of northern Swedish streams. Along each reach, the ice formation was surveyed during winter by visual inspections and with permanently placed cameras. We then evaluated the potential effects of ice regimes and winter flooding on riparian and in‐stream vegetation during 3 years by relating the abundance of winter floods caused by anchor ice to the cover, composition and biomass of vegetation.

We found that the numbers of winter floods were higher along reaches with anchor‐ice formation than in reaches without. We also found that species diversity of riparian vegetation was higher in the reaches with anchor ice. This resulted from a lower cover of riparian dwarf shrubs and a higher cover of graminoids and forbs along reaches with anchor ice. We also found a lower cover of in‐stream algae but a higher cover of bryophytes in anchor‐ice reaches. These patterns were consistent throughout the study period although there were interannual differences in temperature, water levels and ice cover.

During our study period, we encountered an average of 20 shifts per winter between freezing and thawing, while there was an average of 10 shifts per winter during 1960–1990. This indicates a warming climate in high latitudes. Higher temperatures and more shifts between freezing and thawing may initially increase ice dynamics. However, with further increases in mean temperature, ice production should eventually decrease.

Synthesis. Ice and winter floods caused by anchor ice appear to be important disturbance agents that allow less competitive species to establish along small boreal streams. If ice dynamics is reduced, the composition and production of riparian and in‐stream vegetation may be changed, with possible consequences for the entire stream ecosystem.
The Variant Effect of Decentralization on Trust in National and Local Governments in Asia
Authors: Tang Min , Huhe Narisong
Published: December 2014

This research responds to the need to study trust in the national government (national trust) and in local government (local trust) simultaneously and investigates how decentralization reshapes political attitudes toward different layers of government. The argument is that decentralization contributes to variant patterns of political trust, defined by the relative strength of national trust and local trust, across countries. A multilevel analysis of East Asian countries shows that decentralization nurtures local trust in democracies, but decreases local trust in autocracies. Further, decentralization boosts national trust in autocracies, but not in democracies. Such a variant effect of decentralization sheds light on regime stability and viability in democratic and authoritarian countries.
A New Anti‐forensic Scheme—Hiding the Single JPEG Compression Trace for Digital Image
Authors: Cao Yanjun , Gao Tiegang , Sheng Guorui , Fan Li , Gao Lin
Published: December 2014

To prevent image forgeries, a number of forensic techniques for digital image have been developed that can detect an image's origin, trace its processing history, and can also locate the position of tampering. Especially, the statistical footprint left by JPEG compression operation can be a valuable source of information for the forensic analyst, and some image forensic algorithm have been raised based on the image statistics in the DCT domain. Recently, it has been shown that footprints can be removed by adding a suitable anti‐forensic dithering signal to the image in the DCT domain, this results in invalid for some image forensic algorithms. In this paper, a novel anti‐forensic algorithm is proposed, which is capable of concealing the quantization artifacts that left in the single JPEG compressed image. In the scheme, a chaos‐based dither is added to an image's DCT coefficients to remove such artifacts. Effectiveness of both the scheme and the loss of image quality are evaluated through the experiments. The simulation results show that the proposed anti‐forensic scheme can verify the reliability of the JPEG forensic tools.
Management of traumatic haemorrhage – the US perspective
Authors: Dutton R. P.
Published: December 2014

As compared with European practice, the American approach to resuscitation from traumatic haemorrhage de‐emphasises pre‐hospital interventions in favour of rapid transport to definitive care; limits initial surgical interventions under the damage control model; uses crystalloid as the initial fluid of choice; and follows an empiric 1:1:1 approach to transfusion with red cells, plasma and platelets in hemodynamically unstable and actively bleeding patients. The use of bedside visco‐elastic testing to guide coagulation support is not as widespread as in Europe, while the early administration of tranexamic acid is more selective.
The management of abnormal haemostasis in the ICU
Authors: Retter A. , Barrett N. A.
Published: December 2014

The aetiology and management of haemostatic abnormalities in critical care patients are considered in this narrative review. The mechanisms of normal haemostasis and derangements that occur as a result of sepsis and organ dysfunction are discussed. Finally, the management of haemostatic abnormalities as they relate to critical care practice are considered, including the management of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia.
Practical management of major blood loss
Authors: Gill R.
Published: December 2014

The pathophysiology of bleeding, regardless of cause, is complex and ill understood. For traumatic or sudden unexpected haemorrhage, the use of transfusion packs with red cells, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate and platelets being given in ratios of between 1:1 and 1:3 seems reasonable. This removes the requirement for ‘wait and see tests’ and should be part of an overall resuscitation and stabilisation plan that may improve outcome following sudden haemorrhage. The replacement of fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate with low‐volume, targeted concentrates is attractive. There is increasing evidence for the efficacy and safety of fibrinogen concentrates as a single agent. The combination of fibrinogen and prothrombin complex concentrates could be powerful and has the possibility to the management of bleeding and improve outcome in patients but, as yet, remains unproven.
Effects of dietary energy level on lipid metabolism‐related gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of Yellow breed × Simmental cattle
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Zhang Xiangfei , Wang ZhiSheng , Dong Xianwen , Tan Cui , Zou Huawei , Peng Quanhui , Xue Bai , Wang Lizhi , Dong Guozhong
Published: December 2014

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of dietary energy level on lipid metabolism‐related gene expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue in Yellow breed × Simmental cattle. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. The results showed that final weight, average daily gain, average backfat thickness, (testicles + kidney + pelvic) fat percentage and subcutaneous fat percentage in the high and medium energy groups were significantly higher than in the low‐energy group but that the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein in the high‐energy group were significantly higher than in the low‐energy group. With dietary energy increasing the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) significantly increased, whereas hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1 (CPT‐1) significantly diminished. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), LPL, FAS, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1), ACC, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) and adipocyte‐fatty acid binding proteins (A‐FABP) gene expression were significantly increased by dietary energy increasing, and HSL and CPT‐1 gene expression were significantly decreased. These results indicated that with dietary energy increasing, the subcutaneous fat accumulation mainly increased due to adipose tissue lipogenic gene expression and decreased lipolytic gene expression.