bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Force Control Strategies in Hydraulically Actuated Legged Robots
Authors: Montes Hector , Armada Manuel
Published: March 2016

In this contribution, several strategies of force control have been proposed to be implemented and evaluated in ROBOCLIMBER, a quadruped robot of large dimensions. A first group of strategies proposed in this paper is based on impedance control, which is intended to adapt the foot-ground contact forces according to the experimentally specified damping ratio and the undamped natural frequency. A second control strategy of interest for many practical cases is called the parallel force/position control, which has one inner loop position control and two external control loops, one of force and another of position. A third group of control strategies is the posture stabilization for ROBOCLIMBER using the feedback of the ZMP calculation and the position of its legs. Finally, a control strategy for the control of a quasi-static gait using ZMP feedback is proposed and tested by simulation.
Knock-down of ELMO1 in Paediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells by Nanoparticle Mediated siRNA Delivery
Authors: Huang Xinyue , Townley Helen
Published: March 2016

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma that is found in children and has a poor outcome for those with metastatic disease. Two histological groups have been distinguished - embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS) forms. The ARMS subtype has higher rates of metastasis, as well as higher levels of ELMO1, which is thought to be involved in cell migration. Therefore, the knock-down of ELMO1 by targeted siRNA could provide a mechanism to prevent the metastatic behaviour of ARMS cells. However, challenges still lie in the delivery of nucleotides to a tumour site. Herein, we have described the use of a variety of mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a delivery system for siRNA that is specific for ELMO1 and shown the effective reduction in cell invasive behaviour in these cells.
Elektrostatinio filtro efektyvumo tyrimas deginant biokurą mažos galios katile
Authors: Poškas Robertas , Sirvydas Arūnas , Jankauskas Jurgis
Published: March 2016

Lietuvoje pastaruoju metu plečiamas biokuro naudojimas pramoninėse katilinėse, taip pat jis populiarėja ir mažos galios namų katilinėse (populiarios ne tik malkos, įvairūs briketai, bet ir medžio granulės). Pagrindinis šio kuro trūkumas, palyginti su dujiniu arba skystu kurtu, yra gana didelė įvairių dydžių kietųjų dalelių emisija. Ilgalaikis aplinkos užterštumas šiomis dalelėmis sukelia sveikatos problemų. Elektrostatinis įvairių degimo produktų filtravimas yra patikimas būdas sumažinti šias teršalų emisijas. Straipsnyje pateiktas elektrostatinio filtro, skirto valyti 50 kW katilo dūmus, laboratorinis efektyvumo tyrimas. Pasitelkus esamas rekomendacijas, Lietuvos energetikos instituto Branduolinės inžinerijos problemų laboratorijoje buvo suprojektuotas ir pagamintas elektrostatinis filtras. Jis išbandytas naudojant 3-ios klasės 50 kW galios katilą. Tyrimai parodė, kad išlydžio elektrodui esant neigiamam, o surinkimo elektrodui – teigiamam (negative potential), mažiausia įtampa, kuriai esant atsiranda vainikinis išlydis, yra apie 6 kV. Prie šios įtampos gaunamas 77 % filtravimo efektyvumas. Esant 12 kV įtampai, gaunamas apie 99 % efektyvumas. Kai išlydžio elektrodas yra teigiamas (positive potential), vainikinis išlydis įvyksta prie ~10 kV.
Sonic mediatization of the book: affordances of the audiobook
Authors: Have Iben , Pedersen Birgitte Stougaard
Published: March 2016

This article addresses cultural changes resulting from the growing number of audiobook users and changes in audiobook use emerging from digital technological developments of the past decade. The sonification of the written text is inscribed in the general transformation and mediatization of the printed book but offers radically different affordances than do visually perceived e-books. New portable digital audio media change the act of reading, moving it towards fields of practice in which reading has not been common before: the gym, the bicycle ride, gardening, resting in the dark, etc. From being a medium typically associated with children, the visually handicapped, or the dyslexic, the audiobook has developed into a popular phenomenon, which, we argue, has as much in common with other kinds of mediated mobile listening practices, like music and radio listening, as it has with the reading of printed books. Taking an inductive approach from the micro-level of the individual’s use, the term affordances will be used as a methodological tool within the concept of mediatization.
Tactical mediatization and activist ageing: pressures, push-backs, and the story of RECAA
Authors: Sawchuk Kim
Published: March 2016

This case study examines the incorporation of digital media technologies and practices into Respecting Elders: Communities Against elder Abuse (RECAA), an organization of activist elders. By studying RECAA’s specific transition and following the work of Michel de Certeau (1988), I distinguish between tactical mediatization and strategic mediatization. Organizations such as RECAA must negotiate with political, ideological, administrative, and economic agendas that exert pressure and provide incentives for organizations “to mediatize” in order to survive in the current Canadian context. ‘Tactical mediatization’ is used to understand RECAA’s very deliberate and considered response to these pressures. This distinction provides a framework for conceptualizing how activist organizations such as RECAA struggle to exert agency within meta-processes that place mounting and insistent pressure on the organization to incorporate digital media technologies into its mandate and system of values.
Sundhed på tv: fra læge til sundhedsguru
Authors: Christensen Christa Lykke
Published: March 2016

Artiklen beskæftiger sig med den danske public service-kanal, DR’s, sundhedsprogrammer i perioden fra 1990’erne til 2012. Undersøgelsen baserer sig på en empirisk, kvalitativ indholdsanalyse af udvalgte programmer om sundhed på DR med henblik på en udredning af det diskursive indhold i forestillinger om sundhed. Programmernes formål, genre, seer-henvendelse og vidensformidlende sigte adresseres. Artiklen er informeret af medialiseringsteori og belyser, hvordan tv-mediet fra at have hentet den sundhedsfaglige ekspertise i institutioner uden for mediet selv, i stigende grad anvender know-how eksperter, tilpasset og iscenesat med henblik på at opfylde de krav, tv-mediet stiller til dramatisk vellykket underholdning. Artiklen belyser, hvordan oplysning om sygdom, behandling og pleje, formidlet af lægevidenskabelig ekspertise og lægfolk, spillede en central rolle i de tidlige oplysningsprogrammer, mens nyere programmer fremstiller sundhed som et iværksætterprojekt, møntet på forbedring og hurtig forandring af individuel adfærd og livsstil.
PSB goes personal: The failure of personalised PSB web pages
Authors: Sørensen Jannick Kirk
Published: March 2016

Between 2006 and 2011, a number of European public service broadcasting (PSB) organisations offered their website users the opportunity to create their own PSB homepage. The web customisation was conceived by the editors as a response to developments in commercial web services, particularly social networking and content aggregation services, but the customisation projects revealed tensions between the ideals of customer sovereignty and the editorial agenda-setting. This paper presents an overview of the PSB activities as well as reflections on the failure of the customisable PSB homepages. The analysis is based on interviews with the PSB editors involved in the projects and on studies of the interfaces and user comments. Commercial media customisation is discussed along with the PSB projects to identify similarities and differences.
Politics, pleasure, violence: Swedish defence propaganda in social media
Authors: Stoehrel Rodrigo Ferrada
Published: March 2016

In recent years, the Swedish Armed Forces have produced and distributed highly edited video clips on YouTube that show moving images of military activity. Alongside this development, mobile phone apps have emerged as an important channel through which the user can experience and take an interactive part in the staging of contemporary armed conflict. This article examines the way in which the aesthetic and affective experience of Swedish defence and security policy is socially and (media-)culturally (co-)constructed and how the official representation of Swedish military intervention (re)produces political and economic effects when these activities are distributed through traditional and social media such as YouTube and digital apps. Based on Isabela and Norman Fairclough’s thoughts on political discourse, Michel Foucault’s dialectic idea of power/knowledge, and Sara Ahmed’s concept of the affective, I discuss how the Swedish digital military aesthetic is part of a broader political and economic practice which has consequences beyond the digital, the semiotic and what might at first glance appear to be pure entertainment.
The dark side of online activism: Swedish right-wing extremist video activism on YouTube
Authors: Ekman Mattias
Published: March 2016

In recent years, an emerging body of work, centred on specific communicative forms used in facilitating collective and connective action, have contributed to greater understanding of how digital communication relates to social mobilisation. Plenty of these studies highlight the progressive potentiality of digital communication. However, undemocratic actors also utilise the rapid advancement in digital technology. This article explores the online video activism of extreme right-wing groups in Sweden. It analyses more than 200 clips on YouTube, produced by five right-wing extremist organisations. The study shows that the extreme right deploy video activism as a strategy of visibility to mobilise and strengthen activists. Moreover, the groups attempt to alter the perception of (historically-rooted) socio-political identities of the extreme right. Furthermore, YouTube becomes a political arena in which action repertoires and street politics are adapted to the specific characteristics of online video activism. Finally, video activism could be understood as an aestheticisation of politics.
Linguistics in the digital humanities: (computational) corpus linguistics
Authors: Jensen Kim Ebensgaard
Published: March 2016

Corpus linguistics has been closely intertwined with digital technology since the introduction of university computer mainframes in the 1960s. Making use of both digitized data in the form of the language corpus and computational methods of analysis involving concordancers and statistics software, corpus linguistics arguably has a place in the digital humanities. Still, it remains obscure and fi gures only sporadically in the literature on the digital humanities. Th is article provides an overview of the main principles of corpus linguistics and the role of computer technology in relation to data and method and also off ers a bird's-eye view of the history of corpus linguistics with a focus on its intimate relationship with digital technology and how digital technology has impacted the very core of corpus linguistics and shaped the identity of the corpus linguist. Ultimately, the article is oriented towards an acknowledgment of corpus linguistics' alignment with the digital humanities.
”Den lange rejse …” – metaforiske betydningslag i filmmediet En analyse af Aarhus Universitets vejlednings-, branding- og rekrutteringskampagne 2012
Authors: Petersen Christine , Engerer Volkmar
Published: March 2016

Artiklen tager udgangspunkt i kampagnefilmen ”Tænk. Hvis det er dig”, som var en del af den branding-, vejlednings- og rekrutteringskampagne, som Aarhus Universitet lancerede i 2012, og på baggrund af en analyse af filmens komposition samt billed- og lydside undersøger artiklen, hvordan kampagnefilmen opbygger en handlingsmæssig struktur, som realiserer en grundlæggende metaforisk forståelse af ’uddannelse som en rejse’. Ved hjælp af George Lakoff og Mark Johnsons metaforteori undersøges den anvendte metafors beskaffenhed, struktur og betydning(er), og i artiklen argumenterer vi for en tolkning af den anvendte metafor som ’uddannelse som en moderne dannelsesrejse’. Lakoff og Johnsons metaforteori, som tager udgangspunkt i sproglige tegn, vil i denne artikel blive anvendt på analysen af visuelle tegn, og dermed ønsker vi at demonstrere, at et oprindeligt sproglig-tekstuelt baseret metaforbegreb også kan bidrage til en bedre forst.else af visuel-fi lmiske narrative teknikker.
Dansk mediestøtte 1960-2014: Fra økonomisk kompensation til publicistisk motivation [Danish media subsidies 1960-2014: from economic compensation to publicist motivation]
Authors: Flensburg Sofie
Published: March 2016

The article describes the historical development of Danish press subsidies from the 1960s until the passing of the 2013 Law on Media Subsidies. By mapping the changes in legislation, the political discussions and parliamentary processes it is shown that the media political discourse has changed over the last 50 years. State subsidies for the private press have gone from being a controversial political issue in the beginning of the period to becoming a legitimate tool for regulation of the media. This development suggests a growing resemblance between the Danish media policy and the traditions in the neighbouring Scandinavian countries, where direct press subsidies and a higher degree of state regulation have prevailed since the 1970s. In a media system perspective (Hallin and Mancini, 2004) the increasing legitimacy of press subsidies can be seen as a political ‘brake pad’ limiting the convergence with the liberal model and strengthening the corporate-democratic structures of the Danish media system.
Keeping cool, staying virtuous: Social media and the composite habitus of young Muslim women in Copenhagen
Authors: Waltorp Karen
Published: March 2016

This article builds on long-term anthropological fieldwork among young Muslim women in a social housing area in Copenhagen. It explores how morality, modesty, and gender- and generational relations become reconfigured in the ways in which young women use the Smartphone and social media to navigate their everyday lives. I focus on love and marriage, the imperatives of appearing cool among peers, and keeping the family’s honour intact through the display of virtuous behaviour. Building on Bourdieu’s writings on the split habitus, I introduce the term composite habitus, as it underscores the aspect of a habitus that is split between (sometimes contradictory) composite parts. The composite habitus of the young women is more than a hysteresis effect (where disposition and field are in mismatch and the habitus misfires), as the composite habitus also opens up to a range of possible strategies. I present examples of how intimate and secret uses of Smartphones have played out and show how social media have allowed for multiple versions of the self through managing public and secret relationships locally and across long distances.
Framing: Til afklaring af et spredt paradigme
Authors: Entman Robert M
Published: March 2016

I denne klassiske artikel om framing-begrebet giver Robert M. Entman en udfoldet definition af framing, ligesom han argumenterer for, at frames findes i hele kommunikationsprocessen, dvs. hos afsenderen, i teksten, hos modtageren og i kulturen. Framing-begrebet har været anvendt i mange discipliner, men kommunikationsforskningen kan med fordel være den centrale overdisciplin, der samler spredte bidrag til en konsistent definition af begrebet. Kommunikationsforskningen kan på denne måde dels styrke sin egen teoretiske stringens og dels bidrage til afklaring af en række problemer i en række andre discipliner vedr. teksters betydning og indflydelse. Artiklen er oprindeligt publiceret i Journal of Communication i 1993. Artiklen er oversat af Stig Hjarvard.
Field theory approaches to new media practices: An introduction and some theoretical considerations
Authors: Willig Ida , Waltorp Karen , Hartley Jannie Møller
Published: March 2016

In this article introducing the theme of the special issue we argue that studies of new media practices might benefit from especially Pierre Bourdieu’s research on cultural production. We introduce some of the literature, which deals with the use of digital media, and which have taken steps to develop field theory in this context. Secondly, we present the four thematic articles in this issue and the articles outside the theme, which includes two translations of classic texts within communication and media research. This introduction article concludes by encouraging media scholars to embark on more studies within a field theory framework, as the ability of the comprehensive theoretical work and the ideas of a reflexive sociology is able to trigger the good questions, more than it claims to offer a complete and self-sufficient sociology of media and inherent here also new media.
Sociale medier og ulovlige netværk i gymnasieskolen
Authors: Tække Jesper , Paulsen Michael
Published: March 2016

Artiklen handler om spændingen mellem det lærerledede undervisningsfællesskab og kvasi-hemmelige netværk i en gymnasieklasse. Omdrejningspunktet er deling af resultater og opgaver i netværkene gennem hemmelige lukkede Facebook-grupper. Artiklen argumenterer for at denne praksis, hvis ikke den var forbudt, ville komme længere frem i lyset og at lærerne herved ville kunne hjælpe eleverne med trække grænsen mellem snyd, plagiat, inspiration, applikation og appopriation. Hertil ville lærerne kunne hjælpe eleverne med, hvordan man søger og netværker sig til opgaver og trækker på dem i arbejdet med egne opgaver. Til at kvalificere vores analyse og argumentation vil vi primært udgå fra netværksteori. Dette vil navnlig komme til udtryk gennem en løbende diskussion om negativ social arv, der lever videre i netværk og om positiv social arv, der omvendt udraderes i gymnasiets forbudte og derfor hemmelige netværk. Empirisk trækker artiklen på aktionsforskningsprojektet Socio Media Education.
Beyond the Bubble: Three empirical reasons for re-conceptualizing online visibility
Authors: Madsen Anders Koed
Published: March 2016

Google is a powerful player in deciding how the world is represented to information-seeking citizens in a digitized knowledge-society. Eli Pariser has been influential in arguing that the company’s algorithm leave its users trapped in a biased ‘filter bubble’ where information about the world is tailored to their preferences by algorithms. This paper proposes a move away from the metaphor of the ‘bubble’ when trying to understand how ‘real world representations’ are shaped by dynamics of online visibility. Instead of a mono-causal focus on the algorithm, it suggests focusing on the distributed set of selection mechanisms that enable web-users to navigate a world of ‘big data’. The paper suggests a conceptual move from ‘bubbles’ to ‘visions’ when understanding online visibility. It motivates this suggestion through three empirical analyses of the selection mechanisms involved in making the issue of synthetic biology visible to British Google’s users from February 2011 – February 2012. The paper uses the findings of these analyses as a basis from which to suggest theoretical, empirical and practical implications for future studies on the impact of the digital on ‘real world representation’.
Sous les yeux du père, lire le Cahier comme une proposition de retour sur l’énigme « Laferrière »
Authors: Parisot Yolaine
Published: March 2016

Dany Laferrière publie L’énigme du retour (2009) après Je suis un écrivain japonais, paradigme, s’il en est, de la « littérature-monde en français ». Le titre renvoie à L’énigme de l’arrivée de V. S. Naipaul, mais l’hypotexte principal est le Cahier d’un retour au pays natal du poète martiniquais Aimé Césaire. La mort du père, qui établit une relation d’intratextualité avec Le cri des oiseaux fous et Pays sans chapeau, et l’expérience personnelle de trente années d’exil permettent de relire le manifeste poétique de la négritude ; les textes cités et la mort du poète, de comprendre la folie de l’exilé. L’écriture du voyage et l’écriture du deuil procèdent d’une poétique de la perception, mise en exergue par la multiplication des figures de peintres. Ni retour en arrière ni réécriture, L’énigme du retour marque un tournant dans l’oeuvre de Dany Laferrière. La mort du père, mort réelle mise en récit et mort symbolique mise en fiction, devient le principe d’une théorie de la fiction romanesque qui prend place entre les pères fondateurs (Aimé Césaire, Jacques Roumain et Jacques Stephen Alexis) et la fratrie-monde (Alain Mabanckou, Yanick Lahens, Edwidge Danticat et Dany Charles, le neveu).
Paternités sans frontières dans quelques romans haïtiens contemporains
Authors: Ndiaye Christiane
Published: March 2016

La perception générale du personnage du père dans le roman des Caraïbes est qu’il est surtout absent, sinon de caractère autoritaire ou irresponsable. S’agit-il d’une image peu fondée, faute d’études d’envergure ou l’imaginaire littéraire du père est-il en voie de transformation ? L’étude porte sur trois romans haïtiens récents où la figure du père prend des contours autres qui semblent signaler un renouveau dans l’imaginaire romanesque du père. En effet, dans Kool-Klub de Kettly Mars, les comportements « classiques » du père sont disqualifiés au profit d’un père moderne, attentif, attentionné et responsable. Chez Évelyne Trouillot, dans Absences sans frontières, un personnage analogue apparaît qui, malgré son absence, se consacre entièrement à veiller au bien-être de sa fille. Personnage plus insolite, l’inspecteur Azémar des polars de Gary Victor s’avère néanmoins être un père animé par des principes profondément humains. Ainsi, nous assistons à ce qui semble être une transformation du paysage social dans l’imaginaire romanesque haïtien : ce sont les mères qui sont absentes et les pères qui font l’objet d’une idéalisation aux accents didactiques.
Écrire vers l’Algérie : Camus, Cixous, Derrida1
Authors: Wei Keling
Published: March 2016

L’Algérie constitue, pour les trois auteurs étudiés dans cet article, un lieu de la nostalgie, de l’aporie et de la déconstruction. Le premier homme de Camus évoque ce pays plein de contradictions et de blessures et, ce faisant, tend à une réconciliation littéraire. Hélène Cixous travaille le souvenir d’enfance comme elle travaille la langue française, en essayant une arrivance sans fin vers l’Algérie. Derrida, avec Circonfession, signe un texte secret, de prières et de larmes, de vie et de mort. Ainsi, relire leurs textes tissés de mémoires et de phantasmes méditerranéens, c’est repenser l’Algérie dans sa dimension profondément métaphorique. C’est aussi essayer de comprendre comment, dans leurs textes, l’Algérie devient une inspiration, une aspiration, une destinerrance de l’écriture.
Inactivation of the ATMIN/ATM pathway protects against glioblastoma formation
Authors: Blake Sophia M , Stricker Stefan H , Halavach Hanna , Poetsch Anna R , Cresswell George , Kelly Gavin , Kanu Nnennaya , Marino Silvia , Luscombe Nicholas M , Pollard Steven M , Behrens Axel
Published: March 2016

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive human primary brain cancer. Using a Trp53-deficient mouse model of GBM, we show that genetic inactivation of the Atm cofactor Atmin, which is dispensable for embryonic and adult neural development, strongly suppresses GBM formation. Mechanistically, expression of several GBM-associated genes, including Pdgfra, was normalized by Atmin deletion in the Trp53-null background. Pharmacological ATM inhibition also reduced Pdgfra expression, and reduced the proliferation of Trp53-deficient primary glioma cells from murine and human tumors, while normal neural stem cells were unaffected. Analysis of GBM datasets showed that PDGFRA expression is also significantly increased in human TP53-mutant compared with TP53-wild-type tumors. Moreover, combined treatment with ATM and PDGFRA inhibitors efficiently killed TP53-mutant primary human GBM cells, but not untransformed neural stem cells. These results reveal a new requirement for ATMIN-dependent ATM signaling in TP53-deficient GBM, indicating a pro-tumorigenic role for ATM in the context of these tumors.
Molecular shifts in limb identity underlie development of feathered feet in two domestic avian species
Authors: Domyan Eric T , Kronenberg Zev , Infante Carlos R , Vickrey Anna I , Stringham Sydney A , Bruders Rebecca , Guernsey Michael W , Park Sungdae , Payne Jason , Beckstead Robert B , Kardon Gabrielle , Menke Douglas B , Yandell Mark , Shapiro Michael D
Published: March 2016

Birds display remarkable diversity in the distribution and morphology of scales and feathers on their feet, yet the genetic and developmental mechanisms governing this diversity remain unknown. Domestic pigeons have striking variation in foot feathering within a single species, providing a tractable model to investigate the molecular basis of skin appendage differences. We found that feathered feet in pigeons result from a partial transformation from hindlimb to forelimb identity mediated by cis-regulatory changes in the genes encoding the hindlimb-specific transcription factor Pitx1 and forelimb-specific transcription factor Tbx5. We also found that ectopic expression of Tbx5 is associated with foot feathers in chickens, suggesting similar molecular pathways underlie phenotypic convergence between these two species. These results show how changes in expression of regional patterning genes can generate localized changes in organ fate and morphology, and provide viable molecular mechanisms for diversity in hindlimb scale and feather distribution.
Ring finger protein 10 is a novel synaptonuclear messenger encoding activation of NMDA receptors in hippocampus
Authors: Dinamarca Margarita C , Guzzetti Francesca , Karpova Anna , Lim Dmitry , Mitro Nico , Musardo Stefano , Mellone Manuela , Marcello Elena , Stanic Jennifer , Samaddar Tanmoy , Burguière Adeline , Caldarelli Antonio , Genazzani Armando A , Perroy Julie , Fagni Laurent , Canonico Pier Luigi , Kreutz Michael R , Gardoni Fabrizio , Luca Monica Di
Published: March 2016

Synapses and nuclei are connected by bidirectional communication mechanisms that enable information transfer encoded by macromolecules. Here, we identified RNF10 as a novel synaptonuclear protein messenger. RNF10 is activated by calcium signals at the postsynaptic compartment and elicits discrete changes at the transcriptional level. RNF10 is enriched at the excitatory synapse where it associates with the GluN2A subunit of NMDA receptors (NMDARs). Activation of synaptic GluN2A-containing NMDARs and induction of long term potentiation (LTP) lead to the translocation of RNF10 from dendritic segments and dendritic spines to the nucleus. In particular, we provide evidence for importin-dependent long-distance transport from synapto-dendritic compartments to the nucleus. Notably, RNF10 silencing prevents the maintenance of LTP as well as LTP-dependent structural modifications of dendritic spines.
A bacteriophage endolysin that eliminates intracellular streptococci
Authors: Shen Yang , Barros Marilia , Vennemann Tarek , Gallagher D Travis , Yin Yizhou , Linden Sara B , Heselpoth Ryan D , Spencer Dennis J , Donovan David M , Moult John , Fischetti Vincent A , Heinrich Frank , Lösche Mathias , Nelson Daniel C
Published: March 2016

PlyC, a bacteriophage-encoded endolysin, lyses Streptococcus pyogenes (Spy) on contact. Here, we demonstrate that PlyC is a potent agent for controlling intracellular Spy that often underlies refractory infections. We show that the PlyC holoenzyme, mediated by its PlyCB subunit, crosses epithelial cell membranes and clears intracellular Spy in a dose-dependent manner. Quantitative studies using model membranes establish that PlyCB interacts strongly with phosphatidylserine (PS), whereas its interaction with other lipids is weak, suggesting specificity for PS as its cellular receptor. Neutron reflection further substantiates that PlyC penetrates bilayers above a PS threshold concentration. Crystallography and docking studies identify key residues that mediate PlyCB–PS interactions, which are validated by site-directed mutagenesis. This is the first report that a native endolysin can traverse epithelial membranes, thus substantiating the potential of PlyC as an antimicrobial for Spy in the extracellular and intracellular milieu and as a scaffold for engineering other functionalities.
Lineage mapping identifies molecular and architectural similarities between the larval and adult Drosophila central nervous system
Authors: Lacin Haluk , Truman James W
Published: March 2016

Neurogenesis in Drosophila occurs in two phases, embryonic and post-embryonic, in which the same set of neuroblasts give rise to the distinct larval and adult nervous systems, respectively. Here, we identified the embryonic neuroblast origin of the adult neuronal lineages in the ventral nervous system via lineage-specific GAL4 lines and molecular markers. Our lineage mapping revealed that neurons born late in the embryonic phase show axonal morphology and transcription factor profiles that are similar to the neurons born post-embryonically from the same neuroblast. Moreover, we identified three thorax-specific neuroblasts not previously characterized and show that HOX genes confine them to the thoracic segments. Two of these, NB2-3 and NB3-4, generate leg motor neurons. The other neuroblast is novel and appears to have arisen recently during insect evolution. Our findings provide a comprehensive view of neurogenesis and show how proliferation of individual neuroblasts is dictated by temporal and spatial cues.
Hypoxia-induced metabolic stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells is sufficient to induce photoreceptor degeneration
Authors: Kurihara Toshihide , Westenskow Peter D , Gantner Marin L , Usui Yoshihiko , Schultz Andrew , Bravo Stephen , Aguilar Edith , Wittgrove Carli , Friedlander Mollie SH , Paris Liliana P , Chew Emily , Siuzdak Gary , Friedlander Martin
Published: March 2016

Photoreceptors are the most numerous and metabolically demanding cells in the retina. Their primary nutrient source is the choriocapillaris, and both the choriocapillaris and photoreceptors require trophic and functional support from retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Defects in RPE, photoreceptors, and the choriocapillaris are characteristic of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common vision-threatening disease. RPE dysfunction or death is a primary event in AMD, but the combination(s) of cellular stresses that affect the function and survival of RPE are incompletely understood. Here, using mouse models in which hypoxia can be genetically triggered in RPE, we show that hypoxia-induced metabolic stress alone leads to photoreceptor atrophy. Glucose and lipid metabolism are radically altered in hypoxic RPE cells; these changes impact nutrient availability for the sensory retina and promote progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Understanding the molecular pathways that control these responses may provide important clues about AMD pathogenesis and inform future therapies.
Spin-polarized annihilation lifetime of positron of d0 ferromagnetism in gallium nitride: A two-component density functional theory simulation
Authors: Hagiwara Satoshi , Suzuki Yasumitsu , Watanabe Kazuyuki
Published: March 2016

The spin-polarized annihilation lifetime of a positron (SPALP) trapped by the Ga vacancies in GaN was investigated using two-component density functional theory calculations with geometry optimization. SPALP clearly depends on the charged states of the Ga vacancies and the induced magnetization. This dependence is attributed to the overlap between the positron and electron densities around the defect. Thus, the present study proves the useful role of SPALP for probing and revealing the mechanism of d0 ferromagnetism.
Introduction of SiGe/Si heterojunction into novel multilayer tunnel FinFET
Authors: Morita Yukinori , Fukuda Koichi , Mori Takahiro , Mizubayashi Wataru , Migita Shinji , Endo Kazuhiko , O’uchi Shin-ichi , Liu Yongxun , Masahara Meishoku , Matsukawa Takashi , Ota Hiroyuki
Published: March 2016

A novel tunnel FinFET equipped with a SiGe/Si heterojunction and a multilayer fin-channel has been experimentally demonstrated. A high-quality SiGe layer is epitaxially grown on a heavily doped Si source as a tunnel junction. A FinFET-like hetero-multilayer channel with a trigate configuration significantly increases the drain current compared with conventional SiGe/Si heterojunction parallel-plate tunnel FETs.
Low-temperature liquid-phase epitaxy of YBa2Cu3Oy films by the molten KOH method
Authors: Funaki Shuhei , Yamada Yasuji , Okunishi Ryota , Miyachi Yugo
Published: March 2016

We fabricated high-performance YBa2Cu3O
y
(Y123) films by the liquid-phase epitaxy method using molten KOH flux at low temperatures. The Y123 films fabricated in N2 atmosphere showed biaxial orientation above 500 °C; moreover, the surface morphology of the Y123 films fabricated above 650 °C suggested spiral growth. The Y123 films fabricated above 650 °C showed a sharp transition with a

of 90 K.
Miniband formulation in Ge/Si quantum dot array
Authors: Tsai Yi-Chia , Lee Ming-Yi , Li Yiming , Samukawa Seiji
Published: March 2016

In this work, we estimate the coupling effect of miniband structure and density of states (DoS) resulting from different qunatum-dot physical parameters in a well-aligned Ge/Si quantum dot (QD) array fabricated by neutral beam etching technology. The density of QDs dominates the coupling effect and miniband’s bandwidth, the radius of QDs affects the magnitude of energy levels and miniband bandwidth, and the thickness of QDs has a great impact on the magnitude of energy levels. Among the different shapes of Ge/Si QDs, discoid QDs exhibit the most band crossing and broadest bandwith under the same physical parameters.
Flower color preferences of insects and livestock: effects onGentiana luteareproductive success
Authors: Sobral Mar , Losada María , Veiga Tania , Guitián Javier , Guitián José , Guitián Pablo
Published: March 2016

Angiosperms diversification was primarily driven by pollinator agents, but non-pollinator agents also promoted floral evolution.Gentiana luteashows pollinator driven flower color variation in NW Spain. We test whether insect herbivores and livestock, which frequently feed inG.lutea, play a role inG. luteaflower color variation, by answering the following questions: (i) Do insect herbivores and grazing livestock show flower color preferences when feeding onG. lutea? (ii) Do mutualists (pollinators) and antagonists (seed predators, insect herbivores and livestock) jointly affectG. luteareproductive success? Insect herbivores fed more often on yellow flowering individuals but they did not affect seed production, whereas livestock affected seed production but did not show clear color preferences. Our data indicate that flower color variation ofG. luteais not affected by insect herbivores or grazing livestock.
Taxonomic reassessment ofHydralmosaurusasStyxosaurus: new insights on the elasmosaurid neck evolution throughout the Cretaceous
Authors: Otero Rodrigo A.
Published: March 2016

Two extremely-long necked elasmosaurids, AMNH 1495, holotype ofHydralmosaurus serpentinus, and AMNH 5835, previously referred toH. serpentinus, are here reviewed in detail. Unique features of the cervical vertebrae, which are only present on elasmosaurids from the Western Interior Seaway, are recognized based on these specimens and by comparison with penecontemporaneous taxa with biogeographic affinities. Phylogenetic analysis, bivariate graphic analysis of cervical vertebrae proportions, comparisons of different cervical vertebral types, paleobiogeographic distribution and study of the elasmosaurid axial evolution throughout the Cretaceous are here integrated. As a result, at least two separate lineages within the Elasmosauridae are identified by independently acquired extremely-long necks (over 60 cervical vertebrae). First, a still scarcely known lineage is so far represented by the lower CenomanianThalassomedon haningtoni, the TuronianLibonectes morganiand close relatives. A second lineage is here defined as a new clade, the Styxosaurinae, which groups the Campanian generaTerminonatator,Styxosaurus(=‘Hydralmosaurus’),AlbertonectesandElasmosaurus, the two latter forming a derived branch that includes the most extreme amniote necks known to date (more than 70 cervical vertebrae). Phylogenetic analysis supports AMNH 1495 and AMNH 5835 as being closely related toStyxosaurus snowii. Therefore, the speciesStyxosaurus browniis re-validated, while AMNH 1495 is here referred toStyxosaurussp. This research also recognizes the ‘Cimoliasauridae’ (nomen dubium) as a paraphyletic group but informative of a plesiomorphic cervical vertebral morphology of elasmosaurids which was persistent throughout the whole Cretaceous and from whom aristonectines, styxosaurines andThalassomedonand close relatives are derived. The genusHydralmosaurusis recommended for being abandoned.
Molecular evidence ofBurkholderia pseudomalleigenotypes based on geographical distribution
Authors: Zulkefli Noorfatin Jihan , Mariappan Vanitha , Vellasamy Kumutha Malar , Chong Chun Wie , Thong Kwai Lin , Ponnampalavanar Sasheela , Vadivelu Jamuna , Teh Cindy Shuan Ju
Published: March 2016

Background.Central intermediary metabolism (CIM) in bacteria is defined as a set of metabolic biochemical reactions within a cell, which is essential for the cell to survive and respond to environmental perturbations. The genes associated with CIM are commonly found in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains. As these genes are involved in vital metabolic processes of bacteria, we explored the efficiency of the genes in genotypic characterization ofBurkholderia pseudomalleiisolates, compared with the established pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) schemes.

Methods.Nine previously sequencedB. pseudomalleiisolates from Malaysia were characterized by PFGE, MLST and CIM genes. The isolates were later compared to the other 39B. pseudomalleistrains, retrieved from GenBank using both MLST and sequence analysis of CIM genes. UniFrac and hierachical clustering analyses were performed using the results generated by both MLST and sequence analysis of CIM genes.

Results.Genetic relatedness of nine MalaysianB. pseudomalleiisolates and the other 39 strains was investigated. The nine Malaysian isolates were subtyped into six PFGE profiles, four MLST profiles and five sequence types based on CIM genes alignment. All methods demonstrated the clonality of OB and CB as well as CMS and THE. However, PFGE showed less than 70% similarity between a pair of morphology variants, OS and OB. In contrast, OS was identical to the soil isolate, MARAN. To have a better understanding of the genetic diversity ofB. pseudomalleiworldwide, we further aligned the sequences of genes used in MLST and genes associated with CIM for the nine Malaysian isolates and 39B. pseudomalleistrains from NCBI database. Overall, based on the CIM genes, the strains were subtyped into 33 profiles where majority of the strains from Asian countries were clustered together. On the other hand, MLST resolved the isolates into 31 profiles which formed three clusters. Hierarchical clustering using UniFrac distance suggested that the isolates from Australia were genetically distinct from the Asian isolates. Nevertheless, statistical significant differences were detected between isolates from Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

Discussion.Overall, PFGE showed higher discriminative power in clustering the nine MalaysianB. pseudomalleiisolates and indicated its suitability for localized epidemiological study. Compared to MLST, CIM genes showed higher resolution in distinguishing those non-related strains and better clustering of strains from different geographical regions. A closer genetic relatedness of Malaysian isolates with all Asian strains in comparison to Australian strains was observed. This finding was supported by UniFrac analysis which resulted in geographical segregation between Australia and the Asian countries.
Pre- and post-experimental manipulation assessments confirm the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes
Authors: Cuatianquiz Lima Cecilia , Macías Garcia Constantino
Published: March 2016

Secondary cavity nesting (SCN) birds breed in holes that they do not excavate themselves. This is possible where there are large trees whose size and age permit the digging of holes by primary excavators and only rarely happens in forest plantations, where we expected a deficit of both breeding holes and SCN species. We assessed whether the availability of tree cavities influenced the number of SCNs in two temperate forest types, and evaluated the change in number of SCNs after adding nest boxes. First, we counted all cavities within each of our 25-m radius sampling points in mature and young forest plots during 2009. We then added nest boxes at standardised locations during 2010 and 2011 and conducted fortnightly bird counts (January–October 2009–2011). In 2011 we added two extra plots of each forest type, where we also conducted bird counts. Prior to adding nest boxes, counts revealed more SCNs in mature than in young forest. Following the addition of nest boxes, the number of SCNs increased significantly in the points with nest boxes in both types of forest. Counts in 2011 confirmed the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes. Given the likely benefits associated with a richer bird community we propose that, as is routinely done in some countries, forest management programs preserve old tree stumps and add nest boxes to forest plantations in order to increase bird numbers and bird community diversity.
Functional assessment of chronic illness therapy—the fatigue scale exhibits stronger associations with clinical parameters in chronic dialysis patients compared to other fatigue-assessing instruments
Authors: Chao Chia-Ter , Huang Jenq-Wen , Chiang Chih-Kang ,   COGENT (COhort of GEriatric Nephrology in NTUH) study group
Published: March 2016

Background.Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a high symptom burden, among which fatigue is highly prevalent. Many fatigue-assessing instruments exist, but comparisons among instruments in this patient population have yet to be investigated.

Methods.ESRD patients under chronic hemodialysis were prospectively enrolled and seven types of fatigue instruments were administered: Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Lee Fatigue Scale (LFS), Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ), Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI), and Short-Form 36-Vitality (SF36-V). Using these instruments, we investigated the correlation between fatigue severity and clinical/biochemical parameters, including demographic/comorbidity profile, dialysis-related complications, and frailty severity. We used regression analysis with serum albumin and frailty severity as the dependent variables to investigate the independent correlations.

Results.A total of 46 ESRD patients were enrolled (average age of 67 ± 11.6 years), and 50% of them had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results from the seven tested instruments showed high correlation with each other. We found that the fatigue severity by FACIT-F was significantly associated with age (p= 0.03), serum albumin (p= 0.003) and creatinine (p= 0.02) levels, while SF36-V scores were also significantly associated with age (p= 0.02) and serum creatinine levels (p= 0.04). However, the fatigue severity measured by the FSS, FSI, FQ, BFI, and LFS did not exhibit these associations. Moreover, regression analysis showed that only FACIT-F scores were independently associated with serum albumin levels and frailty severity in ESRD patients.

Conclusion.Among the seven fatigue-assessing instruments, only the FACIT-F yielded results that demonstrated significant and independent associations with important outcome-related features in ESRD patients.
Molecular Modeling
Authors: Profeta Salvatore
Published: March 2016

The article provides an overview of the origins, development, and applications of molecular modeling techniques. Due to the development of computational chemistry and faster and accessible computing hardware, modeling and simulation of molecular systems assist researchers by providing consistent data and explanations for observed chemical or biological behavior. These methods facilitate the elaboration of predictive models, critical to computer‐assisted drug, and materials design.

From their roots in modern quantum theory, in the early 1900s, through the evolution of empirical, semiempirical, nonempirical (orab initio) and density functional methods, molecular modeling techniques, including computer graphics, have grown to become must have techniques in the chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, and structural biology/biotechnology industries.
Oil Recycling
Authors: Parry Barbara J.
Published: March 2016

Recycling of used petroleum oils to regain useful products depends on the original source of the used oil, the level of contamination, the available recycling technology, and the requirements for the end product. Recycling technologies are briefly described herein: reclaiming, reprocessing, and re‐refining. Characteristics of used oils, regulations, and specifications, as well as production, uses, and economic aspects are also discussed.
Powder Coating Technology
Authors: Janardhanan Subadhra , Zvonkina Irina , Soucek Mark D.
Published: March 2016

Powder coating technology is an environmentally friendly, nonpolluting coating process, providing coatings with improved performance for functional or decorative purposes. The commercial importance of the technology has been growing in mature as well as growing markets. The principles of powder coating technology, from the materials used through their processing to application of the coating on a substrate, are discussed.
Quinones
Authors: Finley K. Thomas
Published: March 2016

Quinones, possessing two α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl groups usually in a six‐carbon atom ring, represent a unique structural unit. Their centrality in the synthesis of such important commercial substances as dyes and pharmaceuticals has resulted in extensive studies. In living matter, they are ubiquitous and vital to human metabolism.

Quinones are of special interest to biochemists and to both synthetic and theoretical organic chemists. The types of reactions most often reported are nucleophilic addition, photochemistry, cycloaddition, electrophilic addition, radical alkylation, electrochemical, oxidation, and nucleophilic substitution. The synthesis of quinones is usually accomplished through oxidation of phenols or anilines.
Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Curran Mary Ann
Published: March 2016

Life cycle assessment (LCA) of consumer products and industrial processes has become an important tool for assessing their potential cradle‐to‐grave environmental impacts. The key benefit of conducting an LCA is to get the full picture of the impacts of a product, process, or activity in order to find the best solutions for their improvement. LCA has become a core topic in the field of environmental management and is considered essential for achieving sustainability goals.

In this article, an overview of LCA methodology is given along with brief descriptions of the four methodological phases: goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, and interpretation. Relevant examples are provided, and aspects of data, software, and procedures are discussed. Finally, LCA applications and future outlook are addressed.
Low TemplateDNAAnalysis and Interpretation
Authors: Puch‐Solis Roberto , Hopwood Andy , Pope Susan , Tully Gillian
Published: March 2016

The capability of the forensic practitioner to process samples using low template DNA (LTDNA) methodologies is becoming more widespread. In a properly validated system, LTDNA analysis provides the practitioner with a valuable tool for the robust profiling of trace‐level DNA samples. Here, we provide an introduction to the technical processes used for the analytical and interpretive processes for LTDNA analysis and an understanding of the surrounding precautions and protocols used to increase the robustness of the technique.