bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial resourcefulness in unstable institutional contexts: The example of European Union borderlands
Authors: Welter Friederike , Xheneti Mirela , Smallbone David
Published: September 2017

Research Summary: This article advances our understanding of entrepreneurial resourcefulness in unstable institutional contexts, which are characterized by resource constraints and institutional changes but are rich in intangible resources of a sociocultural nature. Drawing on qualitative data of individuals engaged in informal cross‐border activities in EU borderlands, we theorize resourcefulness along two core dimensions: continuity and change in relation to sociocultural, spatial, and institutional conditions and development and coping as outcomes. We identify six configurations of resourcefulness patterns and outcomes that extend current understandings of the variations in how individuals interact with their contexts, offering a nuanced view of resourcefulness.

Managerial Summary: This article aims to understand entrepreneurial resourceful behavior in contexts characterized by difficult economic conditions and institutional changes. We use qualitative data of individuals involved in informal cross‐border activities in EU borderlands that have undergone the collapse of communism and EU enlargement rounds. The data shows that resourcefulness relies on continuity, reflected in previous skills and networks, family and friends, or common cultural understandings and change, as resourcefulness where individuals implicitly or explicitly challenge the new border regulations. Individuals' resourcefulness translates into “coping” outcomes, as in achieving a minimal income to maintain the current way of life and/or to sustain social relationships and “development” outcomes, whereby individuals earn more income and improve their business activities.
Rock‐Salt‐Templated Mn3O4 Nanoparticles Encapsulated in a Mesoporous 2D Carbon Matrix: A High Rate 2 V Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries with Extraordinary Cycling Stability
Authors: Pramanik Atin , Maiti Sandipan , Sreemany Monjoy , Mahanty Sourindra
Published: September 2017

Metal oxide conversion electrodes suffer from low power density and cycling stability desired for high rate lithium‐ion battery (LIB). Herein, we present a method of integrating nanoscale discrete Mn3O4 particles (20 nm) into a two‐dimensional sheet‐like N‐incorporated mesoporous carbon by a simple synthetic protocol using NaCl crystallites as an exo‐template. The encapsulated structure of Mn3O4@C greatly supresses the mechanical stress induced by repeated volumetric expansion/contraction and at the same time, N‐incorporation in the carbon matrix facilitates charge transport. When tested as a 2.0 V LIB anode, Mn3O4@C showed an excellent rate performance (406 mAh g‐1 at 2.5 A g‐1 and 188 mAh g‐1 at 12.5 A g‐1) and outstanding cycling stability (capacity retention of 90% after 10000 cycles at 2.5 A g‐1). Such remarkable performance could be linked to fast charge transportation through the 2D carbon sheets and also, to the encapsulated structure avoiding direct contact with the electrolyte precluding growth of SEI layer upon cycling. Furthermore, a LiFePO4//Mn3O4@C full cell delivers specific capacities of 136 mAh g‐1 and 92 mAh g‐1 (with respect to the mass of cathode) at current densities of 0.25 and 0.5 mA g‐1. The cell shows excellent cycling stability with 76% retention of capacity after 350 cycles demonstrating the practical viability.
Antibacterial and Antibiofouling Polymeric Membranes through Immobilization of Pyridine Derivative Leading to ROS Generation and Loss in Bacterial Membrane Integrity
Authors: Samantaray Paresh Kumar , Madras Giridhar , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: September 2017

Porous, antibacterial and antibiofouling membranes were obtained from immiscible polymer blends using non‐solvent induced phase separation. Both antibacterial and antibiofouling was mediated by immobilizing quaternized pyridine derivative on the porous membranes. This was manifested by assessing the metabolic content leakage (K+ ions and nucleic acid) monitored at different time intervals when the membranes were in contact with E.coli (gram negative) and S.aureus (gram positive). Further, the hydrophilic nature of the pyridine derivative led to antibiofouling nature. The hierarchical porous ‘finger‐like’ morphology was confirmed by Scanning electron Microscopy. The trans‐membrane flux was measured using a cross‐flow flux setup. A quantitative study of the antibacterial activity was carried out using a standard plate count method. The modified membranes showed 3‐log and 2‐log reduction in E. coli and S. aureus respectively in 2 h and 7‐log fold reduction in both bacterial strains in 24 h. The oxidative stress generated by the pyridine derivative on both the bacterial strains was assessed by measuring the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The ROS was significantly higher in case of modified membranes which supported the biocidal nature of the pyridine derivative. The antifouling study was carried out by using BSA (Bovine serum albumin) as a model biofoulant. The flux recovery ratio was significantly higher in case of modified membranes.
Fostering Socially Responsible Leadership in College Students: Insights From the Multi‐Institutional Study of Leadership
Authors: Johnson Matthew R. , Mincer Gretta
Published: September 2017

This chapter examines how to understand, utilize, and leverage data from the Multi‐Institutional Study of Leadership to transform and deepen student leadership development on campus.
Adapting to hurricanes. A historical perspective on New Orleans from its foundation to Hurricane Katrina, 1718–2005
Authors: Rohland Eleonora
Published: September 2017

Recent policy debates on climate change have started highlighting the importance of adaptation of societies to new conditions projected by climate scientists. Previously, mitigation had been almost the sole focus of policy‐makers for fear of creating a moral hazard when concentrating more strongly on adaptation. Yet, with many of the climatic changes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projected occurring faster than scientists predicted, adaptation has re‐entered the debate as an imperative. In this context, in which adaptation—a process often unfolding on deep timescales—becomes prescriptive, it is crucial to look at the historical development of adaptive practices over the long term in order to appreciate the complexity of their evolution. This paper is a hybrid between a summary of a research project and a review of the most crucial literature on which it was based. The point of departure of this study was Hurricane Katrina, which, after it had flooded New Orleans on August 29, 2005, raised the question, how such a disaster could have happened in one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world. I then rewind to the foundation of the city in 1718 and work my way along case studies through three centuries of hurricane history in New Orleans. The red thread is the concept of adaptation. I review the definition of adaptation provided by the Fifth Assessment Report of theIPCCfrom a historian's point of view and suggest a slight change of perspective. Knowledge as a precondition for adaptation, contingency, path‐dependence, political vulnerability, and the interplay of cultural, legal, and political factors emerge as crucial characteristics in the historical evolution of adaptive practices throughout the almost 300‐year period of study.WIREs Clim Change2018, 9:e488. doi: 10.1002/wcc.488

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > World Historical Perspectives
Effects of surgically implanted transmitters on reproduction and survival in mallards
Authors: Sheppard Jennifer L. , Arnold Todd W. , Amundson Courtney L. , Klee David
Published: September 2017

Abdominally implanted radiotransmitters have been widely used in studies of waterbird ecology; however, the longer handling times and invasiveness of surgical implantation raise important concerns about animal welfare and potential effects on data quality. Although it is difficult to assess effects of handling and marking wild animals by comparing them with unmarked controls, insights can often be obtained by evaluating variation in handling or marking techniques. Here, we used data from 243 female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and mallard–grey duck hybrids (A. platyrhynchos × A. superciliosa) equipped with fully encapsulated abdominally implanted radiotransmitters from 2 study sites in New Zealand during 2014–2015 to assess potential marking effects. We evaluated survival, dispersal, and reproductive effort (e.g., breeding propensity, nest initiation date, clutch size) in response to 3 different attributes of handling duration and procedures: 1) processing time, including presurgery banding, measurements, and blood sampling of unanaesthetized birds; 2) surgery time from initiation to cessation of anesthetic; and 3) total holding time from first capture until release. We found no evidence that female survival, dispersal probability, or reproductive effort were negatively affected by holding, processing, or surgery time and concluded that we collected reliable data without compromising animal welfare. Our results support previous research that techniques using fully encapsulated abdominal‐implant radiotransmitters are suitable to enable researchers to obtain reliable estimates of reproductive performance and survival. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Boundary observability of gravity water waves
Authors: Alazard Thomas
Published: September 2017

Consider a three-dimensional fluid in a rectangular tank, bounded by a flat bottom, vertical walls and a free surface evolving under the influence of gravity. We prove that one can estimate its energy by looking only at the motion of the points of contact between the free surface and the vertical walls. The proof relies on the multiplier technique, the Craig–Sulem–Zakharov formulation of the water-wave problem, a Pohozaev identity for the Dirichlet to Neumann operator, previous results about the Cauchy problem and computations inspired by the analysis done by Benjamin and Olver of the conservation laws for water waves.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy via transvenous approach in a 2‐year‐old boy with a complete atrioventricular block after a tetralogy of Fallot repair
Authors: Aoki Hisaaki , Emi Misugi , Inamura Noboru , Iwai Shigemitsu , Kayatani Futoshi
Published: September 2017

Cardiac resychronization therapy (CRT) was performed via transvenous approach in a 2‐year‐old boy with a tetralogy of Fallot and postoperative severe heart failure, and complete atrioventricular block treated with a dual‐chamber pacemaker. Epicardial leads were unavailable because of mediastinitis and the presence of severe bilateral pleural effusions requiring continuous drainage. There were no procedural complications. Biventricular pacing was significantly effective and both mediastinitis and pleural effusions recurred. The transvenous CRT was exchanged for an epicardial CRT after 4 months because of the possibility of a venous obstruction.
Global linear stability analysis of jets in cross-flow
Authors: Regan Marc A. , Mahesh Krishnan
Published: September 2017

The stability of low-speed jets in cross-flow (JICF) is studied using tri-global linear stability analysis (GLSA). Simulations are performed at a Reynolds number of 2000, based on the jet exit diameter and the average velocity. A time stepper method is used in conjunction with the implicitly restarted Arnoldi iteration method. GLSA results are shown to capture the complex upstream shear-layer instabilities. The Strouhal numbers from GLSA match upstream shear-layer vertical velocity spectra and dynamic mode decomposition from simulation (Iyer & Mahesh, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 790, 2016, pp. 275–307) and experiment (Megerian et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 593, 2007, pp. 93–129). Additionally, the GLSA results are shown to be consistent with the transition from absolute to convective instability that the upstream shear layer of JICFs undergoes between $R=2$ to $R=4$ observed by Megerian et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 593, 2007, pp. 93–129), where $R=\overline{v}_{jet}/u_{\infty }$ is the jet to cross-flow velocity ratio. The upstream shear-layer instability is shown to dominate when $R=2$, whereas downstream shear-layer instabilities are shown to dominate when $R=4$.
Rule of Objects: On the De-Peopling of Safe Havens
Authors: Carruthers William
Published: September 2017

What does it mean to be “safe,” and what does it mean to be “endangered”? Who defines these terms, why, and what does this act of definition allow them to do? In December 2016, a conference entitled Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage took place in Abu Dhabi, organized jointly by the governments of the United Arab Emirates and France, and held under the patronage of UNESCO. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Shaykh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was in attendance, as was French President François Hollande and the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; many other dignitaries joined them. The diplomatic spectacle was a sight to behold. The assembled, distinctly elite, group seemed to have given itself sole authority to speak for and about cultural heritage around the world.
New activity of yamamarin, an insect pentapeptide, on immune system of mealworm,Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Walkowiak-Nowicka K. , Nowicki G. , Kuczer M. , Rosiński G.
Published: September 2017

In insects, two types of the immune responses, cellular and humoral, constitute a defensive barrier against various parasites and pathogens. In response to pathogens, insects produce a wide range of immune agents that act on pathogens directly, such as cecropins or lysozyme, or indirectly by the stimulation of hemocyte migration or by increasing phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Recently, many new immunologically active substances from insects, such as peptides and polypeptides, have been identified. Nevertheless, in the most cases, their physiological functions are not fully known. One such substance is yamamarin – a pentapeptide isolated from the silk mothAntheraea yamamai. This yamamarin possesses strong antiproliferative properties and is probably involved in diapause regulation. Here, we examined the immunotropic activity of yamamarin by testing its impact on selected functions of the immune system in heterologous bioassays with the beetleTenebrio molitor, commonly known as a stored grains pest. Our results indicate that the pentapeptide affects the activity of immune processes in the beetle. We show that yamamarin induces changes in both humoral and cellular responses. The yamamarin increases the activity of PO, as well as causes changes in the hemocyte cytoskeleton and stimulates phagocytic activity. We detected an increased number of apoptotic hemocytes, however after the yamamarin injection, no significant variations in the antibacterial activity in the hemolymph were observed. The obtained data suggest that yamamarin could be an important controller of the immune system inT. molitor.
Gaius the Roman Guest
Authors: Kloppenborg John S.
Published: September 2017

The usual understanding of Gaius in Rom 16.23 as a ‘host’ of the Corinthian Christ group (or the host of travellers to Corinth) is fraught with several difficulties: it implausibly renders ξένος as ‘host’ rather than the much more common ‘guest’; it fails to explain why a ‘host’ would have been named so far down Paul's list of those sending greetings; and it fails to explain why Paul refers to this person by hispraenomeninstead of the more commoncognomen. Gaius is not a Corinthian ‘host’, but a Roman ‘guest’ of the Christ group in Corinth. This also implies that Gaius is not a wealthy patron of the Christ group at Corinth.
The Fetishization of FemaleExempla: Mary, Thecla, Perpetua and Felicitas
Authors: Parkhouse Sarah
Published: September 2017

Mary, Thecla, Perpetua and Felicitas are often seen as femaleexemplaboth in the early Christian world and in their modern reception. They are considered model teachers, martyrs and apostles, and counter-cultural as they surpass the normative gender hierarchy. Yet, the texts that tell their stories are not so clear-cut. In characterising their protagonists, they repeatedly place them in sexualized or subordinate roles – they are condescended to, distrusted and exhibited. In the end, the women are favoured by the divine but hold little power over their male peers. Even as these texts appear to challenge the patriarchal society from which they stem, they reinscribe it.
THE WRITINGS OF BOETHIUS AND THE COGITATIONS OF JACOBUS DE ISPANIA ON MUSICAL PROPORTIONS
Authors: Crossley John N.
Published: September 2017

Thirteenth-century music theory, which followed the ideas of Boethius, was very largely concerned with the numerical proportions associated with musical intervals. Numbers provided an intellectual foundation that did not suffer from the vagaries of the senses. In general neither Boethius nor his greatest exponent, Jacobus (writing c. 1320), explained how they obtained the numbers they used. In this essay I attempt to reconstruct their methods and show how they developed ideas from the first-century Nicomachus to achieve their aims. Jacobus is explicit in saying that the use of the relatively newly introduced methods of algorism – calculating with Arabic numerals – made his cogitations easier. I shall argue that the manuscripts we have of hisSpeculum musicaeshow that Jacobus did indeed use algorism in his work.
HOCKETS BROKEN AND INTEGRATED IN EARLY MENSURAL THEORY AND AN EARLY MOTET
Authors: Curran Sean
Published: September 2017

Though recent discoveries have improved our understanding of big, melismatic hockets from the late thirteenth century, there remains a pervasive uncertainty as to how hockets should be defined and identified on the small scale at which they characteristically manifest in thirteenth-century motets. In revisiting the mensural theorists up to Franco of Cologne, it was found that only Franco defines hockets as multi-voice phenomena: earlier texts define the hocket at the level of a single perfection, and as it reveals itself in the breaking of a single performing voice. Under a revised definition, 138 motet texts that use hockets have been identified in theArs antiquarepertory. It was also found that another way of hearing the hocket, compatible with the first, is implied by Lambertus and pursued at length by the St. Emmeram Anonymous. These writers acknowledge but depart from the consensus that the hocket is sonically fragmented, also hearing it as a promise of the coordination achievable when musical time is measured. For St. Emmeram especially, the hocket has a dual character: its sonic fragmentation is contrived through integrated planning. To hear hockets integratively is difficult, and requires an effort of will that for this theorist has moral stakes.

The final sections of the article analyse the musicopoetic games of the motetDame de valour(71)/Dame vostre douz regart(72)/Manere(M5). Similarly to the St. Emmeram theorist, the piece self-consciously highlights the difficulty and worth of close listening (a theme inspired by its tenor’s scriptural source), and does so with a hocket that marks a complementarity of breaking and integration, of a formal sort, several decades before Lambertus and St. Emmeram would reflect on the hocket’s dual character theoretically. The motet poses artfully some of the same questions about the audibility of form that preoccupy modern scholarship. These voices from the thirteenth century might remind us that ethical debates about correct listening are much older than current disciplinary concerns. But recognising the longevity of the debates does not force us to agree with old positions.
Optimization of Three-Dimensional (3D) Chemical Imaging by Soft X-Ray Spectro-Tomography Using a Compressed Sensing Algorithm
Authors: Wu Juan , Lerotic Mirna , Collins Sean , Leary Rowan , Saghi Zineb , Midgley Paul , Berejnov Slava , Susac Darija , Stumper Juergen , Singh Gurvinder , Hitchcock Adam P.
Published: September 2017

Soft X-ray spectro-tomography provides three-dimensional (3D) chemical mapping based on natural X-ray absorption properties. Since radiation damage is intrinsic to X-ray absorption, it is important to find ways to maximize signal within a given dose. For tomography, using the smallest number of tilt series images that gives a faithful reconstruction is one such method. Compressed sensing (CS) methods have relatively recently been applied to tomographic reconstruction algorithms, providing faithful 3D reconstructions with a much smaller number of projection images than when conventional reconstruction methods are used. Here, CS is applied in the context of scanning transmission X-ray microscopy tomography. Reconstructions by weighted back-projection, the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique, and CS are compared. The effects of varying tilt angle increment and angular range for the tomographic reconstructions are examined. Optimization of the regularization parameter in the CS reconstruction is explored and discussed. The comparisons show that CS can provide improved reconstruction fidelity relative to weighted back-projection and simultaneous iterative reconstruction techniques, with increasingly pronounced advantages as the angular sampling is reduced. In particular, missing wedge artifacts are significantly reduced and there is enhanced recovery of sharp edges. Examples of using CS for low-dose scanning transmission X-ray microscopy spectroscopic tomography are presented.
Solar ALMA predictions: tutorial
Authors: Rutten R. J.
Published: September 2017

I have proposed that long Hα fibrils are caused by heating events of which the tracks are afterwards outlined by contrails of cooling gas with extraordinary Hα opacity and yet larger opacity at the ALMA wavelengths. Here I detail the radiative transfer background.
The Suppression and Promotion of Magnetic Flux Emergence in Fully Convective Stars
Authors: Weber Maria A. , Browning Matthew K. , Boardman Suzannah , Clarke Joshua , Pugsley Samuel , Townsend Edward
Published: September 2017

Evidence of surface magnetism is now observed on an increasing number of cool stars. The detailed manner by which dynamo-generated magnetic fields giving rise to starspots traverse the convection zone still remains unclear. Some insight into this flux emergence mechanism has been gained by assuming bundles of magnetic field can be represented by idealized thin flux tubes (TFTs). Weber & Browning (2016) have recently investigated how individual flux tubes might evolve in a 0.3M⊙ M dwarf by effectively embedding TFTs in time-dependent flows representative of a fully convective star. We expand upon this work by initiating flux tubes at various depths in the upper ~50-75% of the star in order to sample the differing convective flow pattern and differential rotation across this region. Specifically, we comment on the role of differential rotation and time-varying flows in both the suppression and promotion of the magnetic flux emergence process.
Using planetary transits to estimate magnetic cycles lengths in Kepler stars
Authors: Estrela Raissa , Valio Adriana
Published: September 2017

Observations of various solar-type stars along decades showed that they could have magnetic cycles, just like our Sun. These observations yield a relation between the rotation period Prot and the cycle length Pcycle of these stars. Two distinct branches for the cycling stars were identified: active and inactive, classified according to stellar activity level and rotation rate. In this work, we determined the magnetic activity cycle for 6 active stars observed by the Kepler telescope. The method adopted here estimates the activity from the excess in the residuals of the transit light curves. This excess is obtained by subtracting a spotless model transit from the light curve, and then integrating over all the residuals during the transit. The presence of long term periodicity is estimated from the analysis of a Lomb-Scargle periodogram of the complete time series. Finally, we investigate the rotation-cycle period relation for the stars analysed here.
A Framework for Finding and Interpreting Stellar CMEs
Authors: Osten Rachel A. , Wolk Scott J.
Published: September 2017

The astrophysical study of mass loss, both steady-state and transient, on the cool half of the HR diagram has implications both for the star itself and the conditions created around the star that can be hospitable or inimical to supporting life. Stellar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) have not been conclusively detected, despite the ubiquity with which their radiative counterparts in an eruptive event (flares) have been. I will review some of the different observational methods which have been used and possibly could be used in the future in the stellar case, emphasizing some of the difficulties inherent in such attempts. I will provide a framework for interpreting potential transient stellar mass loss in light of the properties of flares known to occur on magnetically active stars. This uses a physically motivated way to connect the properties of flares and coronal mass ejections and provides a testable hypothesis for observing or constraining transient stellar mass loss. Finally I will describe recent results using observations at low radio frequencies to detect stellar coronal mass ejections, and give updates on prospects using future facilities to make headway in this important area.
Hunting for hot Jupiters around young stars
Authors: Yu Louise ,   the MaTYSSE collaboration
Published: September 2017

This conference paper reports the recent discoveries of two hot Jupiters (hJs) around weak-line T Tauri stars (wTTS) V830 Tau and TAP 26, through the analysis of spectropolarimetric data gathered within the Magnetic Topologies of Young Stars and the Survival of massive close-in Exoplanets (MaTYSSE) observation programme. HJs are thought to form in the outskirts of protoplanetary discs, then migrate inwards close to their host stars as a result of either planet-disc type II migration or planet-planet scattering. Looking for hJs around young forming stars provides key information on the nature and time scale of such migration processes, as well as how their migration impacts the subsequent architecture of their planetary system. Young stars are however extremely active, to the point that their radial velocity (RV) jitter is around an order of magnitude larger than the potential signatures of close-in gas giants, making them difficult to detect with velocimetry. Three techniques to filter out this activity jitter are presented here, two using Zeeman Doppler Imaging (ZDI) and one using Gaussian Process Regression (GPR).
Dynamo action and magnetic activity during the pre-main sequence: Influence of rotation and structural changes
Authors: Emeriau-Viard Constance , Brun Allan Sacha
Published: September 2017

During the PMS, structure and rotation rate of stars evolve significantly. We wish to assess the consequences of these drastic changes on stellar dynamo, internal magnetic field topology and activity level by mean of HPC simulations with the ASH code. To answer this question, we develop 3D MHD simulations that represent specific stages of stellar evolution along the PMS. We choose five different models characterized by the radius of their radiative zone following an evolutionary track, from 1 Myr to 50 Myr, computed by a 1D stellar evolution code. We introduce a seed magnetic field in the youngest model and then we spread it through all simulations. First of all, we study the consequences that the increase of rotation rate and the change of geometry of the convective zone have on the dynamo field that exists in the convective envelop. The magnetic energy increases, the topology of the magnetic field becomes more complex and the axisymmetric magnetic field becomes less predominant as the star ages. The computation of the fully convective MHD model shows that a strong dynamo develops with a ratio of magnetic to kinetic energy reaching equipartition and even super-equipartition states in the faster rotating cases. Magnetic fields resulting from our MHD simulations possess a mixed poloidal-toroidal topology with no obvious dominant component. We also study the relaxation of the vestige dynamo magnetic field within the radiative core and found that it satisfies stability criteria. Hence it does not experience a global reconfiguration and instead slowly relaxes by retaining its mixed poloidal-toroidal topology.
Monitoring Ocean Change in the 21st Century
Authors: Neuer Susanne , Benway Heather , Bates Nicholas , Carlson Craig , Church Matthew , DeGrandpre Michael , Dunne John , Letelier Ricardo , Lomas Michael , Lorenzoni Laura , Muller-Karger Frank , Perry Mary , Quay Paul
Published: September 2017

Time series data sets, which contain measurements repeated over a span of decades, yield important insights into our oceans’ vital signs.
Ancient Maya May Have Foreseen Meteor Showers
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: September 2017

Modern astronomical techniques have uncovered clues to a possible facet of Mayan astronomy from nearly 2 millennia ago not found in surviving records.
Largest Flare of Past 9 Years Erupts from Sun
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: September 2017

A massive flare and blast of charged particles toward Earth may disrupt satellites and communications and push auroras toward lower latitudes through tomorrow, according to space weather experts.
Infused-liquid-switchable porous nanofibrous membranes for multiphase liquid separation
Authors: Wang Yang , Di Jiancheng , Wang Li , Li Xu , Wang Ning , Wang Baixian , Tian Ye , Jiang Lei , Yu Jihong
Published: September 2017

Materials with selective wettabilities are widely used for effective liquid separation in environmental protection and the chemical industry. Current liquid separation strategies are primarily based on covalent modification to control the membranes’ surface energy, or are based on gating mechanisms to accurately tune the gating threshold of the transport substance. Herein, we demonstrate a simple and universal polarity-based protocol to regulate the wetting behavior of superamphiphilic porous nanofibrous membranes by infusing a high polar component of surface energy liquid into the membranes, forming a relatively stable liquid-infusion-interface to repel the immiscible low polar component of surface energy liquid. Even immiscible liquids with a surface energy difference as small as 2 mJ m−2, or emulsions stabilized by emulsifiers can be effectively separated. Furthermore, the infused liquid can be substituted by another immiscible liquid with a higher polar component of surface energy, affording successive separation of multiphase liquids.
A DNA aptamer efficiently inhibits the infectivity of Bovine herpesvirus 1 by blocking viral entry
Authors: Xu Jian , Zhang Xixi , Zhou Shuanghai , Shen Junjun , Yang Dawei , Wu Jing , Li Xiaoyang , Li Meiling , Huang Xiufen , Sealy Joshua E. , Iqbal Munir , Li Yongqing
Published: September 2017

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is an important pathogen of domestic and wild cattle responsible for major economic losses in dairy and beef industries throughout the world. Inhibition of viral entry plays a crucial role in the control of BoHV-1 infection and aptamers have been reported to inhibit viral replication. In this study, nine DNA aptamers that target BoHV-1 were generated using systemic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. Of the nine candidates, aptamer IBRV-A4 exhibited the highest affinity and specificity for BoHV-1, which bound to BoHV-1 with a Kd value of 3.519 nM and demonstrated the greatest virus binding as shown by fluorescence imaging. The neutralizing ability of aptamer IBRV-A4 was determined using neutralization assays and real time PCR in BoHV-1 infected Madin-darby bovine kidney cells. Virus titration, immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed virus replication significantly decreased when aptamer IBRV-A4 was added to BoHV-1 infected MDBK cells at 0 and 0.5 hours post-infection, whereas no change was seen when IBRV-A4 was added 2 hours post-infection. This concludes that aptamer IBRV-A4 efficiently inhibits viral entry of BoHV-1 in MDBK cells and is therefore a novel tool for diagnosis and treatment of BoHV-1 infection in cattle.
Population genomics of virulence genes of Plasmodium falciparum in clinical isolates from Uganda
Authors: Ruybal-Pesántez Shazia , Tiedje Kathryn E. , Tonkin-Hill Gerry , Rask Thomas S. , Kamya Moses R. , Greenhouse Bryan , Dorsey Grant , Duffy Michael F. , Day Karen P.
Published: September 2017

Plasmodium falciparum causes a spectrum of malarial disease from asymptomatic to uncomplicated through to severe. Investigations of parasite virulence have associated the expression of distinct variants of the major surface antigen of the blood stages known as Pf EMP1 encoded by up to 60 var genes per genome. Looking at the population genomics of var genes in cases of uncomplicated malaria, we set out to determine if there was any evidence of a selective sweep of specific var genes or clonal epidemic structure related to the incidence of uncomplicated disease in children. By sequencing the conserved DBLα domain of var genes from six sentinel sites in Uganda we found that the parasites causing uncomplicated P. falciparum disease in children were highly diverse and that every child had a unique var DBLα repertoire. Despite extensive var DBLα diversity and minimal overlap between repertoires, specific DBLα types and groups were conserved at the population level across Uganda. This pattern was the same regardless of the geographic distance or malaria transmission intensity. These data lead us to propose that any parasite can cause uncomplicated malarial disease and that these diverse parasite repertoires are composed of both upsA and non-upsA var gene groups.
Palladin is a novel microtubule-associated protein responsible for spindle orientation
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Chen Xinlei , Liu Jing , Xu Xin , Zhang Yuanliang , Ruan Zheng , Xie Yinyin , Huang Qiuhua , Yin Tong , Chen Zhu , Chen Saijuan
Published: September 2017

Mitotic spindles, which consist of microtubules (MTs) and associated proteins, play critical roles in controlling cell division and maintaining tissue homeostasis. The orientation of the mitotic spindle is closely related with the duration of mitosis. However, the molecular mechanism in regulating the orientation of the mitotic spindles is largely undefined. In this study, we found that Palladin is a novel MT-associated protein and regulator of spindle orientation, which maintains proper spindle orientation by stabilizing astral MTs. Palladin depletion distorted spindle orientation, prolonged the metaphase, and impaired proliferation of HeLa cells. Results showed that Palladin depletion-induced spindle misorientation and astral MT instability could be rescued by constitutively active AKT1 or dominant negative GSK3β. Our findings revealed that Palladin regulates spindle orientation and mitotic progression mainly through the AKT1–GSK3β pathway.
Gene expression meta-analysis in diffuse low-grade glioma and the corresponding histological subtypes
Authors: Wang Siqi , Jin Feng , Fan Wenliang , Liu Fang , Zou Yan , Hu Xuehan , Xu Haibo , Han Ping
Published: September 2017

Diffuse low-grade glioma (DLGG) is a well-differentiated, slow-growing tumour with an inherent tendency to progress to high-grade glioma. The potential roles of genetic alterations in DLGG development have not yet been fully delineated. Therefore, the current study performed an integrated gene expression meta-analysis of eight independent, publicly available microarray datasets including 291 DLGGs and 83 non-glioma (NG) samples to identify gene expression signatures associated with DLGG. Using INMEX, 708 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (385 upregulated and 323 downregulated genes) were identified in DLGG compared to NG. Furthermore, 497 DEGs (222 upregulated and 275 downregulated genes) corresponding to two histological types were identified. Of these, high expression of HIP1R significantly correlated with increased overall survival, whereas high expression of TBXAS1 significantly correlated with decreased overall survival. Additionally, network-based meta-analysis identified FN1 and APP as the key hub genes in DLGG compared with NG. PTPN6 and CUL3 were the key hub genes identified in the astrocytoma relative to the oligodendroglioma. Further immunohistochemical validation revealed that MTHFD2 and SPARC were positively expressed in DLGG, whereas RBP4 was positively expressed in NG. These findings reveal potential molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy in patients with DLGG and provide a rich and novel candidate reservoir for future studies.
The coupling of leaf, litter, and soil nutrients in warm temperate forests in northwestern China
Authors: Zhang Guangqi , Zhang Ping , Peng Shouzhang , Chen Yunming , Cao Yang
Published: September 2017

The nutrient ecological stoichiometry of plants and soil is important for the growth and dynamics of species, but the stoichiometric relationships among leaf, litter, and soil remain poorly understood. We analyzed the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry of the leaves, litter, and soil for 31 species at 140 sites in warm temperate forests in northwestern China to document the patterns of nutrient traits and their relationships with climatic factors. The average concentrations of C, N, and P in the combined forests were 462.97, 18.04, and 1.32 g kg−1 for leaves, 365.12, 12.34, and 0.87 g kg−1 for litter, and 15.72, 1.29, and 0.54 g kg−1 for soil, respectively. The concentrations differed significantly among the leaves, litter, and soil. Leaf and soil nutrients were not significantly correlated, whereas leaf and litter nutrients and litter and soil nutrients were significantly correlated, indicating that litter provided a link between leaves and soil and demonstrating the nutrient associations among leaves, litter, and soil. Soil nutrients were strongly correlated with climatic factors, and precipitation had a larger impact than temperature on the plants and soil. This study will help to predict the growth and dynamics of species under environmental changes.
Loss of MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 enables potent dendritic cell-driven anti-tumour T cell response
Authors: Soukup Klara , Halfmann Angela , Dillinger Barbara , Poyer Fiona , Martin Katharina , Blauensteiner Bernadette , Kauer Maximilian , Kuttke Mario , Schabbauer Gernot , Dohnal Alexander M.
Published: September 2017

Maintaining dendritic cells (DC) in a state of dysfunction represents a key mechanism by which tumour cells evade recognition and elimination by the immune system. Limited knowledge about the intracellular mediators of DC dysfunction restricts success of therapies aimed at reactivating a DC-driven anti-tumour immune response. Using a cell type-specific murine knock-out model, we have identified MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) as a major guardian of a suppressive DC phenotype in the melanoma tumour microenvironment. MK2 deletion in CD11c+ cells led to an expansion of stimulatory CD103+ DCs, mounting a potent CD8+ T cell response that resulted in elimination of highly aggressive B16-F10 tumours upon toll-like receptor (TLR) activation in the presence of tumour antigen. Moreover, tumour infiltration by suppressive myeloid cells was strongly diminished. These insights into the regulation of DC functionality reveal MK2 as a targetable pathway for DC-centred immunomodulatory cancer therapies.
Analytic model for the complex effective index of the leaky modes of tube-type anti-resonant hollow core fibers
Authors: Zeisberger Matthias , Schmidt Markus A.
Published: September 2017

Due to their promising applications, hollow-core fibers, in particular, their anti-resonant versions, have recently attracted the attention of the photonics community. Here, we introduce a model that approximates, using the reflection of a wave on a single planar film, modal guidance in tube-type anti-resonant waveguides whose core diameters are large compared to the wavelength. The model yields analytic expressions for the real and imaginary parts of the complex effective index of the leaky modes supported, and is valid in all practically relevant situations, excellently matching all the important dispersion and loss parameters. Essential principles such as the fourth power dependence of the modal loss on the core radius at all wavelengths and the geometry-independent transition refractive index, below which modal discrimination favors the fundamental mode are discussed. As application examples, we use our model for understanding higher-order mode suppression in revolver-type fibers and for uncovering the tuning capabilities associated with nonlinear pulse propagation.
Effects of morphology on the mechanical properties of heterogeneous polymer-grafted nanoparticle networks
Authors: Zhang Tao , Mbanga Badel L. , Yashin Victor V. , Balazs Anna C.
Published: September 2017

The layered binary nanoparticle networks exhibit superior tensile properties and remarkable resilience in comparison with the random binary mixtures.
Structural characterization at the atomic level and optical properties of the ZnkIn2Ok+3(3 ≤ k ≤ 13) system
Authors: García-Fernández J. , Bartolomé J. , Torres-Pardo A. , Peche-Herrero A. , Moreno J. , Ramírez-Castellanos J. , Cremades A. , González-Calbet J. M. , Piqueras J.
Published: September 2017

Several terms of the homologous series ZnkIn2Ok+3(3 ≤k≤ 13) have been synthesized following solid-state reactions with an exhaustive control of the synthesis parameters.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of high-quality “all-inorganic” CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals and their application in light emitting diodes
Authors: Pan Qi , Hu Huicheng , Zou Yatao , Chen Min , Wu Linzhong , Yang Di , Yuan Xiaolei , Fan Jian , Sun Baoquan , Zhang Qiao
Published: September 2017

A fast and efficient microwave-assisted strategy is developed to prepare high-quality CsPbX3 nanocrystals with controllable morphologies (nanoplate, nanocube, and nanorod).
The functions of Reelin in membrane trafficking and cytoskeletal dynamics: implications for neuronal migration, polarization and differentiation
Authors: Santana Jessica , Marzolo María-Paz
Published: September 2017

Reelin is a large extracellular matrix protein with relevant roles in mammalian central nervous system including neurogenesis, neuronal polarization and migration during development; and synaptic plasticity with its implications in learning and memory, in the adult. Dysfunctions in reelin signaling are associated with brain lamination defects such as lissencephaly, but also with neuropsychiatric diseases like autism, schizophrenia and depression as well with neurodegeneration. Reelin signaling involves a core pathway that activates upon reelin binding to its receptors, particularly ApoER2 (apolipoprotein E receptor 2)/LRP8 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8) and very low-density lipoprotein receptor, followed by Src/Fyn-mediated phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Dab1 (Disabled-1). Phosphorylated Dab1 (pDab1) is a hub in the signaling cascade, from which several other downstream pathways diverge reflecting the different roles of reelin. Many of these pathways affect the dynamics of the actin and microtubular cytoskeleton, as well as membrane trafficking through the regulation of the activity of small GTPases, including the Rho and Rap families and molecules involved in cell polarity. The complexity of reelin functions is reflected by the fact that, even now, the precise mode of action of this signaling cascade in vivo at the cellular and molecular levels remains unclear. This review addresses and discusses in detail the participation of reelin in the processes underlying neurogenesis, neuronal migration in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus; and the polarization, differentiation and maturation processes that neurons experiment in order to be functional in the adult brain. In vivo and in vitro evidence is presented in order to facilitate a better understanding of this fascinating system.
Experimental evolution in photoautotrophic microorganisms as a means of enhancing chloroplast functions
Authors: Leister Dario
Published: September 2017

The term ‘experimental evolution’ refers to short-term evolutionary experiments with microorganisms under controlled conditions in which selection is expected to occur. In combination with whole-genome sequencing and genetic engineering, the method has become a powerful tool to study evolutionary mechanisms and engineer new microbial variants. It has been most extensively used in the model species Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but more recently photosynthetic microorganisms have been subjected to experimental evolution. In such assays, strains were generated that had become more tolerant to certain abiotic environmental factors or evolved new traits during co-propagation with other organisms. These strains were viable under conditions that were lethal to the non-adapted progenitor and in a few cases, the causative mutations were identified. Because cyanobacteria like Synechocystis or green algae like Chlamydomonas reinhardtii share many features with crop plants – which are not amenable to such experiments – experimental evolution with photosynthetic microorganisms has the potential to identify novel targets for improving the capacity of plants to acclimate to environmental change. Here, I provide a survey of the experiments performed so far in cyanobacteria and green algae, focusing on Synechocystis and C. reinhardtii, and discuss the promise and the challenges of such approaches.
SVCV: segmentation volume combined with cost volume for stereo matching
Authors: Zhu Hongmei , Yin Jihao , Yuan Ding
Published: September 2017

Stereo matching between binocular stereo images is fundamental to many computer vision tasks, such as three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction and robot navigation. Various structures of real 3D scenes lead stereo matching to be an old yet still challenging problem. In this study, the authors proposed a novel adaptive support weights technique which exploits the hierarchical information provided by multilevel segmentation to preserve the robustness to imaging conditions and spatial proximity in cost aggregation. Besides, a generalisable cost refinement strategy is designed to remove the matching ambiguity in large weakly textured regions. The proposed strategy utilises both the fluctuation of the filtered cost volume and the colour information to further improve the matching accuracy. Experimental results of 50 stereo images demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation is developed to assess the conventional steps in local stereo methods and then reliable suggestions are given to the beginners and researchers outside the stereo matching field.
Laplace transform current density convolution finite‐difference time‐domain formulation for the modelling of 1D graphene
Authors: Ahmad Mohaira , Yang Lixia
Published: September 2017

This study proposes a method for modelling of the graphene sheets using a finite‐difference time‐domain method based on Laplace transform current density convolution. The modelling of the graphene sheets is achieved by using their effective conductivity when placed in a finite‐difference time‐domain lattice and applying Laplace transform for obtaining tangential current density on the graphene sheet and associated recursive Maxwell's equations of the tangential electric field components on the graphene sheet. The proposed numerical formulation is validated by comparing it with the analytical results. A design example of the periodic structure is developed to investigate the behaviour of the graphene sheets and its application is proposed for the reconfigurable terahertz graphene antennas.