bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a structured diabetes education programme in primary care on hospitalizations and emergency department visits among people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: results from the Patient Empowerment Programme
Authors: Wong C. K. H. , Wong W. C. W. , Wan Y. F. , Chan A. K. C. , Chan F. W. K. , Lam C. L. K.
Published: October 2015

Aim

To assess whether a structured diabetes education programme, the Patient Empowerment Programme, was associated with a lower rate of all‐cause hospitalization and emergency department visits in a population‐based cohort of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care.

Methods

A cohort of 24 250 patients was evaluated using a linked administrative database during 2009–2013. We selected 12 125 patients with Type 2 diabetes who had at least one Patient Empowerment Programme session attendance. Patients who did not participate in the Patient Empowerment Programme were matched one‐to‐one with patients who did, using the propensity score method. Hospitalization events and emergency department visits were the events of interest. Cox proportional hazard and negative binomial regressions were performed to estimate the hazard ratios for the initial event, and incidence rate ratios for the number of events.

Results

During a median 30.5 months of follow‐up, participants in the Patient Empowerment Programme had a lower incidence of an initial hospitalization event (22.1 vs 25.2%; hazard ratio 0.879; P < 0.001) and emergency department visit (40.5 vs 44%; hazard ratio 0.901; P < 0.001) than those who did not participate in the Patient Empowerment Programme. Participation in the Patient Empowerment Programme was associated with a significantly lower number of emergency department visits (incidence rate ratio 0.903; P < 0.001): 40.4 visits per 100 patients annually in those who did not participate in the Patient Empowerment Programme vs. 36.2 per 100 patients annually in those who did. There were significantly fewer hospitalization episodes (incidence rate ratio 0.854; P < 0.001): 20.0 hospitalizations per 100 patients annually in those who did not participate in the Patient Empowerment Programme vs. 16.9 hospitalizations per 100 patients annually in those who did.

Conclusions

Among patients with Type 2 diabetes, the Patient Empowerment Programme was shown to be effective in delaying the initial hospitalization event and in reducing their frequency.
Dairy consumption and risk of metabolic syndrome: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Y. , Je Y.
Published: October 2015

Aims

To conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of epidemiological studies in order to assess quantitatively the effect of dairy consumption on risk of metabolic syndrome.

Methods

We searched for eligible studies published up to March 2015 through the PubMed and Embase databases and reviewed the references of relevant articles. Random‐effects models were used to calculate the pooled relative risks with 95%CIs after adjusting for several confounders.

Results

We identified nine prospective cohort studies including a total of 35 379 subjects and 7322 incident cases of metabolic syndrome, and 12 cross‐sectional studies including 37 706 subjects. In the meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies, the pooled relative risk of incidence of metabolic syndrome for the highest vs. the lowest category of dairy consumption was 0.85 (95%CI0.73–0.98), and for a 1‐serving/day increment of dairy consumption, the pooled relative risk was 0.88 (95%CI0.82–0.95). In the meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional studies, the pooled relative risk of prevalence of metabolic syndrome for the highest vs. the lowest category of dairy consumption was 0.73 (95%CI0.63–0.86). The association was not significantly different by geographical region, follow‐up time and adjustment factors.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that dairy consumption is inversely associated with the incidence and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Further well‐designed cohort studies and randomized controlled trials are warranted to provide definitive evidence.
GCKR and PPP1R3B identified as genome‐wide significant loci for plasma lactate: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study
Authors: Tin A. , Balakrishnan P. , Beaty T. H. , Boerwinkle E. , Hoogeveen R. C. , Young J. H. , Kao W. H. L.
Published: October 2015

Aim

To investigate the genetic influence of circulating lactate level, a marker of oxidative capacity associated with diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a genome‐wide association study of log‐transformed plasma lactate levels in 6901 European‐American participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. For regions that achieved genome‐wide significance in European‐American participants, we conducted candidate region analysis in African‐American subjects and tested for interaction between metformin use and the index single nucleotide polymorphisms for plasma lactate in European‐American subjects.

Results

The genome‐wide association study in European‐American subjects identified two genome‐wide significant loci, GCKR (rs1260326, T allele β=0.08; P=1.8×10‐47) and PPP1R3B/LOC157273 (rs9987289, A allele β=0.06; P=1.6×10‐9). The index single nucleotide polymorphisms in these two loci explain 3.3% of the variance in log‐transformed plasma lactate levels among the European‐American subjects. In the African‐American subjects, based on a region‐significant threshold, the index single nucleotide polymorphism at GCKR was associated with plasma lactate but that at PPP1R3B/LOC157273 was not. Metformin use appeared to strengthen the association between the index single nucleotide polymorphism at PPP1R3B/LOC157273 and plasma lactate in European‐American subjects (P for interaction=0.01).

Conclusions

We identified GCKR and PPP1R3B/LOC157273 as two genome‐wide significant loci of plasma lactate. Both loci are associated with other diabetes‐related phenotypes. These findings increase our understanding of the genetic control of lactate metabolism.
Do dogs sense hypoglycaemia?
Authors: Weber K. S. , Roden M. , Müssig K.
Published: October 2015

Aims

To summarize the current knowledge on the phenomenon of dogs, both trained and untrained, sensing hypoglycaemia and alerting their owners to it.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for all types of articles reporting on untrained or trained ‘diabetes alert’ dogs. Articles published up until December 2014 in the English or German language were included.

Results

Several case reports and observational studies provide evidence that animals can perform at a level above that attributable to chance, and may reliably detect low diurnal as well as nocturnal hypoglycaemic episodes. Behavioural changes in untrained dogs were reported during 38–100% of hypoglycaemic events experienced by their owners. The sensitivity and specificity of the performance of trained diabetes alert dogs sensing hypoglycaemia ranged from 22 to 100% and 71 to 90%, respectively. Additionally, 75–81% of patients with diabetes who owned a trained dog reported a subsequent improvement in their quality of life. Nevertheless, the available data are limited and heterogeneous because they rely on low patient numbers and survey‐based studies prone to recall bias.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to confirm the preliminary data on the reliability and mechanism underlying the dogs' abilities to detect hypoglycaemia, and its impact on patient outcomes.
Characterization of the feeding behavior of three Erythroneura species on grapevine by histological and DC‐electrical penetration graph techniques
Authors: Saguez Julien , Lemoyne Pierre , Giordanengo Philippe , Olivier Chrystel , Lasnier Jacques , Mauffette Yves , Vincent Charles
Published: October 2015

Feeding behavior of three leafhopper species – Erythroneura vitis (Harris), Erythroneura ziczac (Walsh), and Erythroneura elegantula (Say) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) – reared on grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Seyval blanc’ (Vitaceae), was investigated using histological techniques and DC‐electrical penetration graphs (DC‐EPG). Histological studies revealed that the Erythroneura species induced white stipples on the leaves and that these leafhoppers produced thin salivary sheaths in grapevine leaf tissues. The DC‐EPG system allowed the characterization of five waveforms associated with stylet penetration and feeding in leaf tissues. These waveforms were characteristic of feeding phases corresponding to epidermis penetration pathway, salivation, and ingestion. We calculated 28 parameters (e.g., number of probes, duration of phases, and time spent in the various tissues) to describe and compare the feeding behavior of the Erythroneura species. We conclude that the three Erythroneura species are mainly mesophyll feeders but may probably also feed in other tissues such as xylem.
Olfactory responses of Rhopalosiphum padi to three maize, potato, and wheat cultivars and the selection of prospective crop border plants
Authors: Schröder Michelle L. , Glinwood Robert , Webster Ben , Ignell Rickard , Krüger Kerstin
Published: October 2015

Understanding host plant volatile – aphid interactions can facilitate the selection of crop border plants as a strategy to reduce plant virus incidence in crops. Crop border plant species with attractive odours could be used to attract aphids into the border crop and away from the main crop. As different cultivars of the same crop can vary in their olfactory attractiveness to aphids, selecting an attractive cultivar as a border crop is important to increase aphid landing rates. This study evaluated olfactory responses of the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), to three cultivars each of maize [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)], potato [Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae)], and wheat [Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae)] with the aim of selecting an attractive crop border plant to reduce the incidence of the non‐persistent Potato virus Y [PVY (Potyviridae)] in seed potatoes. Volatiles emitted by the crop cultivars were collected and identified using coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Quantitative and qualitative differences were found among cultivars. Behavioural responses of alate R. padi to odours of the cultivars and synthetic compounds identified from the plants were determined with a four‐arm olfactometer. Rhopalosiphum padi was attracted to odours emitted from maize cultivar 6Q‐121, but did not respond to odours from the remaining eight crop cultivars. Volatile compounds from maize and wheat cultivars that elicited a behavioural response from R. padi and contributed to differences in plant volatile profiles included (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate (attractant) and α‐farnesene, (E)‐2‐hexenal, indole, and (3E,7E)‐4,8,12‐trimethyltrideca‐1,3,7,11‐tetraene (TMTT) (repellents). We conclude that maize cv. 6Q‐121 is potentially suitable as a crop border plant based on the behavioural response of R. padi to the olfactory cues emitted by this cultivar. The findings provide insight into selecting crop cultivars capable of attracting R. padi to crop border plants.
Contrast and response gain control depend on cortical map architecture
Authors: Hietanen Markus A. , Cloherty Shaun L. , Ibbotson Michael R.
Published: October 2015

Visual cortical neurons are sensitive to visual stimulus contrast and most cells adapt their sensitivity to the prevailing visual environment. Specifically, they match the steepest region of their contrast response function to the prevailing contrast (contrast gain control), and reduce spike rates to limit saturation (response gain control). Most neurons are also tuned for stimulus orientation, and neurons with similar orientation preference are clustered together into iso‐orientation zones arranged around pinwheels, i.e. points where all orientations are represented. Here we investigated the relationship between the contrast adaptation properties of neurons and their location relative to pinwheels in the orientation preference map. We measured orientation preference maps in cat cortex using optical intrinsic signal imaging. We then characterized the contrast adaptation properties of single neurons located close to pinwheels, in iso‐orientation zones, and at regions in between. We found little evidence of differential contrast sensitivity of neurons adapted to zero contrast. However, after adaptation to their preferred orientation at high contrast, changes in both contrast and response gain were greater for neurons near pinwheels compared with other map regions. Therefore, in the adapted state, which is probably typical during natural viewing, there is a spatial map of contrast sensitivity that is associated with the orientation preference map. This differential adaptation revealed a new dimension of cortical functional organization, linking the contrast adaptation of cells with the orientation preference of their nearest neighbours.
Affine‐Structure Models and the Pricing of Energy Commodity Derivatives
Authors: Kyriakou Ioannis , Nomikos Nikos K. , Papapostolou Nikos C. , Pouliasis Panos K.
Published: October 2015

We consider a seasonal mean‐reverting model for energy commodity prices with jumps and Heston‐type stochastic volatility, and three nested models for comparison. By exploiting the affine form of the log‐spot models, we develop a general valuation framework for futures and discrete arithmetic Asian options. We investigate five major petroleum commodities from Europe (Brent crude oil, gasoil) and US (light sweet crude oil, gasoline, heating oil) and analyse the effects of the competing fitted spot models in futures pricing, Asian options pricing and hedging. We find evidence that price jumps and stochastic volatility are important features of the petroleum price dynamics.
p62/SQSTM1 functions as a signaling hub and an autophagy adaptor
Authors: Katsuragi Yoshinori , Ichimura Yoshinobu , Komatsu Masaaki
Published: October 2015

p62/SQSTM1 is a stress‐inducible cellular protein that is conserved among metazoans but not in plants and fungi. p62/SQSTM1 has multiple domains that mediate its interactions with various binding partners and it serves as a signaling hub for diverse cellular events such as amino acid sensing and the oxidative stress response. In addition, p62/SQSTM1 functions as a selective autophagy receptor for degradation of ubiqutinated substrates. In the present review, we describe the current knowledge about p62 with regard to mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 activation, the Keap1–Nrf2 pathway and selective autophagy.
The C4 region as a target for HIV entry inhibitors – NMR mapping of the interacting segments of T20 and gp120
Authors: Moseri Adi , Biron Zohar , Arshava Boris , Scherf Tali , Naider Fred , Anglister Jacob
Published: October 2015

The peptide T20, which corresponds to a sequence in the C‐terminal segment of the HIV‐1 transmembrane glycoprotein gp41, is a strong entry inhibitor of HIV‐1. It has been assumed that T20 inhibits HIV‐1 infection by binding to the trimer formed by the N‐terminal helical region (HR1) of gp41, preventing the formation of a six helix bundle by the N‐ and C‐terminal helical regions of gp41. In addition to binding to gp41, T20 was found to bind to gp120 of X4 viruses and this binding was suggested to be responsible for an alternative mechanism of HIV‐1 inhibition by this peptide. In the present study, T20 also was found to bind R5 gp120. Using NMR spectroscopy, the segments of T20 that interact with both gp120 and a gp120/CD4M33 complex were mapped. A peptide corresponding to the fourth constant region of gp120, sC4, was found to partially recapitulate gp120 binding to T20 and the segment of this peptide interacting with T20 was mapped. The present study concludes that an amphiphilic helix on the T20 C‐terminus binds through mostly hydrophobic interactions to a nonpolar gp120 surface formed primarily by the C4 region. The ten‐ to thousand‐fold difference between the EC50 of T20 against viral fusion and the affinity of T20 to gp120 implies that binding to gp120 is not a major factor in T20 inhibition of HIV‐1 fusion. Nevertheless, this hydrophobic gp120 surface could be a target for anti‐HIV therapeutics.
2‐Oxoglutarate levels control adenosine nucleotide binding by Herbaspirillum seropedicae PII proteins
Authors: Oliveira Marco A. S. , Gerhardt Edileusa C. M. , Huergo Luciano F. , Souza Emanuel M. , Pedrosa Fábio O. , Chubatsu Leda S.
Published: October 2015

Nitrogen metabolism in Proteobacteria is controlled by the Ntr system, in which PII proteins play a pivotal role, controlling the activity of target proteins in response to the metabolic state of the cell. Characterization of the binding of molecular effectors to these proteins can provide information about their regulation. Here, the binding of ATP, ADP and 2‐oxoglutarate (2‐OG) to the Herbaspirillum seropedicae PII proteins, GlnB and GlnK, was characterized using isothermal titration calorimetry. Results show that these proteins can bind three molecules of ATP, ADP and 2‐OG with homotropic negative cooperativity, and 2‐OG binding stabilizes the binding of ATP. Results also show that the affinity of uridylylated forms of GlnB and GlnK for nucleotides is significantly lower than that of the nonuridylylated proteins. Furthermore, fluctuations in the intracellular concentration of 2‐OG in response to nitrogen availability are shown. Results suggest that under nitrogen‐limiting conditions, PII proteins tend to bind ATP and 2‐OG. By contrast, after an ammonium shock, a decrease in the 2‐OG concentration is observed causing a decrease in the affinity of PII proteins for ATP. This phenomenon may facilitate the exchange of ATP for ADP on the ligand‐binding pocket of PII proteins, thus it is likely that under low ammonium, low 2‐OG levels would favor the ADP‐bound state.
Velocity of temperature and flowering time in wheat – assisting breeders to keep pace with climate change
Authors: Zheng Bangyou , Chenu Karine , Chapman Scott C.
Published: October 2015

By accelerating crop development, warming climates may result in mismatches between key sensitive growth stages and extreme climate events, with severe consequences for crop yield and food security. Using recent estimates of gene responses to vernalization and photoperiod in wheat, we modelled the flowering times of all ‘potential’ genotypes as influenced by the velocity of climate change across the Australian wheatbelt. In the period 1957–2010, seasonal increases in temperature of 0.012 °C yr−1 were recorded and changed flowering time of a mid‐season wheat genotype by an average −0.074 day yr−1, with flowering ‘velocity’ of up to 0.95 km yr−1 towards the coastal edges of the wheatbelt; this is an estimate of how quickly the given genotype would have to be ‘moved’ across the landscape to maintain its original flowering time. By 2030, these national changes are projected to accelerate by up to 3‐fold for seasonal temperature and by up to 5‐fold for flowering time between now and 2030, with average national shifts in flowering time of 0.33 and 0.41 day yr−1 between baseline and the worst climate scenario tested for 2030 and 2050, respectively. Without new flowering alleles in commercial germplasm, the life cycle of wheat crops is predicted to shorten by 2 weeks by 2030 across the wheatbelt for the most pessimistic climate scenario. While current cultivars may be otherwise suitable for future conditions, they will flower earlier due to warmer temperatures. To allow earlier sowing to escape frost, heat and terminal drought, and to maintain current growing period of early‐sown wheat crops in the future, breeders will need to develop and/or introduce new genetic sources for later flowering, more so in the eastern part of the wheatbelt.
Genotypic diversity effects on biomass production in native perennial bioenergy cropping systems
Authors: Morris Geoffrey P. , Hu Zhenbin , Grabowski Paul P. , Borevitz Justin O. , de Graaff Marie‐Anne , Miller R. Michael , Jastrow Julie D.
Published: October 2015

The perennial grass species that are being developed as biomass feedstock crops harbor extensive genotypic diversity, but the effects of this diversity on biomass production are not well understood. We investigated the effects of genotypic diversity in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) on perennial biomass cropping systems in two experiments conducted over 2008–2014 at a 5.4‐ha fertile field site in northeastern Illinois, USA. We varied levels of switchgrass and big bluestem genotypic diversity using various local and nonlocal cultivars – under low or high species diversity, with or without nitrogen inputs – and quantified establishment, biomass yield, and biomass composition. In one experiment (‘agronomic trial’), we compared three switchgrass cultivars in monoculture to a switchgrass cultivar mixture and three different species mixtures, with or without N fertilization. In another experiment (‘diversity gradient’), we varied diversity levels in switchgrass and big bluestem (1, 2, 4, or 6 cultivars per plot), with one or two species per plot. In both experiments, cultivar mixtures produced yields equivalent to or greater than the best cultivars. In the agronomic trial, the three switchgrass mixture showed the highest production overall, though not significantly different than best cultivar monoculture. In the diversity gradient, genotypic mixtures had one‐third higher biomass production than the average monoculture, and none of the monocultures were significantly higher yielding than the average mixture. Year‐to‐year variation in yields was lowest in the three‐cultivar switchgrass mixtures and Cave‐In‐Rock (the southern Illinois cultivar) and also reduced in the mixture of switchgrass and big bluestem relative to the species monocultures. The effects of genotypic diversity on biomass composition were modest relative to the differences among species and genotypes. Our findings suggest that local genotypes can be included in biomass cropping systems without compromising yields and that genotypic mixtures could help provide high, stable yields of high‐quality biomass feedstocks.
Extending understanding of latitudinal patterns in parasitoid wasp diversity
Authors: Timms Laura L. , Schwarzfeld Marla , Sääksjärvi Ilari E.
Published: October 2015

While the diversity of most taxa increases from temperate to tropical regions, the parasitoid wasp family Ichneumonidae has often been cited as an example of an anomalous diversity pattern with their highest diversity at mid‐latitudes. A rich body of literature has attempted to explain this pattern and provide hypothesised mechanisms, and recent studies have suggested that the pattern may result from biases in the data.

Previous studies of patterns in ichneumonid diversity have mined catalogue data or have compared collections from tropical and temperate areas across a limited range of latitudes. Few studies are available that include species richness for all subfamilies, and none have been from regions above 60°N.

To increase the number of datasets available to address these patterns, we first tested the assumption that subfamily abundance can be a strong predictor of species richness. We then compared abundances of ichneumonid subfamilies in field collections from a wide range of latitudes (25°S–81°N), and used generalised additive models to evaluate characteristics of the subfamilies as predictors of the observed patterns.

We demonstrate a wide variety of latitudinal patterns, reflecting the ecological variation between subfamilies. In addition, our models show that host taxon and subfamily identities are better predictors of the shape of the relationship between subfamily abundance and latitude than other characteristics that have been previously hypothesised to be important, including parasitoid life history strategy and body size.
Enhancing Toughness in Boron Carbide with Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Liu Lixin , Wang Yuan , Li Xuhai , Xu Liang , Cao Xiuxia , Wang Yuhang , Wang Zhigang , Meng Chuanmin , Zhu Wenjun , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: October 2015

Ceramics typically have very high hardness, but suffer from poor toughness. Here, we use graphene to enhance the toughness of bulk boron carbide ceramics. The reduced graphene oxide (rGO) platelets are homogenously dispersed with boron carbide particles after sintering at 1350°C, under high pressure of 4.5 GPa with a multi‐anvil apparatus. Fracture toughness of the composites is increased ~131% (from ~3.79 to ~8.76 MPa·m1/2) at 1.5 vol% rGO platelets as a result of a toughing effect of graphene along with a little sacrificing of the hardness and elastic modulus, compared with those of pure boron carbide. The remarkably enhanced fracture toughness in the boron carbide ceramics is associated with graphene sheets crack bridging and graphene interface sliding effect. This study holds much significance for the understanding and development of high‐performance graphene reinforcing ceramics.
Microstructure Evolution of In Situ Pulsed‐Laser Crystallized Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 Thin Films
Authors: Rajashekhar Adarsh , Zhang Huai‐Ruo , Srowthi Bharadwaja , Reaney Ian M. , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan
Published: October 2015

Integration of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films with temperature‐sensitive substrates (CMOS, polymers) would benefit from growth at substrate temperatures below 400°C. In this work, in situ pulsed‐laser annealing [Rajashekhar et al. (2013) Appl. Phys. Lett., 103 [3] 032908] was used to grow crystalline lead zirconate titanate (PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3) thin films at a substrate temperature of ~370°C on PbZr0.30Ti0.70O3‐buffered platinized silicon substrates. Transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that the films were well crystallized into columnar grains, but with pores segregated at the grain boundaries. Lateral densification of the grain columns was significantly improved by reducing the partial pressure of oxygen from 120 to 50 mTorr, presumably due to enhanced adatom mobility at the surface accompanying increased bombardment. It was found that varying the fractional annealing duration with respect to the deposition duration produced little effect on lateral grain growth. However, increasing the fractional annealing duration led to shift of 111 PZT X‐ray diffraction peaks to higher 2θ values, suggesting residual in‐plane tensile stresses in the films. Thermal simulations were used to understand the annealing process. Evolution of the film microstructure is described in terms of transient heating from the pulsed laser determining the nucleation events, while the energy of the arriving species dictates grain growth/coarsening.
Microtexture Analysis of the Alumina Scale in Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Bai Mingwen , Sarakinou Eleni , Chen Ying , Chandio Ali Daad , Zhao Xiaofeng , Preuss Michael , Xiao Ping
Published: October 2015

Transmission electron microscopy‐based grain orientation mapping method was employed to investigate the microtexture of the alumina scale formed in commercial thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) with two standard types of Pt‐enriched bond coats. Reliable orientation/phase maps with a spatial resolution down to 2 nm were acquired on the alumina grains. It was observed that the alumina scale on the Pt‐aluminide β‐phase bond coat has a stronger c‐axis texture normal to the bond coat surface, in comparison with that on the Pt‐diffused γ/γ′‐phase bond coat. The microtexture of the alumina scale could affect its effective coefficient of thermal expansion, which is a contributor to the severity of the bond coat rumpling mechanism of TBCs failure.
Electrical and Optical Properties of Transparent Conducting p‐Type SrTiO3 Thin Films
Authors: Huang Wei , Nechache Riad , Li Shun , Chaker Mohamed , Rosei Federico
Published: October 2015

We report a systematic study of the electrical and optical properties of epitaxial perovskite p‐type In‐doped SrTiO3 thin films (SrInxTi1−xO3, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) grown on single‐crystal (100)‐oriented LaAlO3 substrates using a hybrid method which combines pulsed laser deposition and molecular beam epitaxy in a range of deposition conditions. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the epitaxial growth of high crystal quality films. Four‐point probe and Hall Effect measurements demonstrate that the films are p‐type semiconductors with a low resistivity of ~10−2 Ω·cm and a high carrier concentration of ~1019 cm−3. The optical transmittance spectra reveal that the films are highly transparent (˃70%) in the visible region.
Investigation on the Electric‐Induced Light Scattering of PLZT Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Yu Huizhu , Ruan Wei , Zeng Huarong , Zhao Kunyu , Zeng Jiangtao , Zheng Liaoying , Li Guorong
Published: October 2015

Transparent ceramics of Pb1−xLax(Zr1−yTiy)1−x/4O3 (PLZT) were fabricated by the two‐stage sintering method. The electric‐induced light scattering phenomenon for two compositions of PLZT ceramics was investigated. It was found that the composition with relatively bigger ferroelectric domains exhibits a relatively smaller light scattering driving field, but simultaneously a lower transparency in the original state. The dielectric properties, ferroelectric hysteresis loops, and ferroelectric domain structures of the two compositions were studied which are consistent with the electric‐induced light scattering results.
Li2SrSiO4:Ce3+, Pr3+ Phosphor with Blue, Red, and Near‐Infrared Emissions Used for Plant Growth LED
Authors: Chen Jiayu , Guo Chongfeng , Yang Zheng , Li Ting , Zhao Jin
Published: October 2015

Ce3+/Pr3+ codoped Li2SrSiO4 (LSS) phosphors with blue, red, and near‐infrared (NIR) tri‐emission have been prepared via a high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method. Under the excitation of 200 to 400 nm near‐ultraviolet (n‐UV), the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of phosphors are composed of visible and NIR two parts. The former exhibits blue and red emission bands centered at around 428 nm from 5d–4f transition of Ce3+ and 611 nm from 1D2 → 3H4 transition of Pr3+, those overlap with photosynthesis action spectra of plants and absorption spectra of chlorophylls and carotenoids. While the later presents a broad NIR emission band peaking near 1039 nm caused by the 1G4 → 3H4 of Pr3+, matching with the absorption of bacteriochlorophyll. Their emission intensity ratios (B: R: NIR) could be tuned by altering the relative ratios of Ce3+ and Pr3+ concentration in the phosphors to meet the requirements of multifarious plants and bacteria. The efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Pr3+ takes place in the LSS host, which ascribed to an exchange interaction according to PL spectra and decay curves of phosphors. Results suggest that the present LSS: Ce3+, Pr3+ phosphors have great potential applications in plant growth n‐UV LED.
Enhanced Dielectric Properties of Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3/MgO Composites Prepared by Coprecipitation Derived Core–Shell Powders
Authors: Zhang Jingji , Ji Ludong , Xu Yu , Gao Yafeng , Pan Yani , Wang Jiangying
Published: October 2015

Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3/MgO (BST/MgO) composite ceramics have been prepared in situ by using an oxalate precipitation process. SEM and TEM images show that oleic acid modified BST/MgO nanocomposite exhibits helminth‐like particles consisting of BST core and MgO shell. Results reveal that oleic acid modification is chemisorbed on MgO particles as a carboxylate to form MgO shell, which connects to interparticles. Accordingly, the BST particles are well surrounded naturally by a thin MgO layer in the composite ceramics. As a result, the oleic acid modified BST/MgO composite ceramics shows better dielectric properties, with permittivity of 203, loss tangent of 0.0025 (at 2.4 GHz), and tunability of 10.2%.
Effects of Y2O3–RE2O3 (RE = Sm, Gd, Lu) Additives on Electrical and Thermal Properties of Silicon Carbide Ceramics
Authors: Jang Seung Hoon , Kim Young‐Wook , Kim Kwang Joo , Lee Seoung‐Jae , Lim Kwang‐Young
Published: October 2015

In this study, we investigated the electrical and thermal properties of SiC ceramics with 2 vol% equimolar Y2O3–RE2O3 (RE = Sm, Gd, Lu) additives. The three SiC ceramics with 2 vol% equimolar Y2O3–RE2O3 additives showed electrical conductivities on the order of ~103 (Ω·m)−1, which is one order of magnitude higher than that of the SiC ceramics sintered with 2 vol% Y2O3 only. The increase in electrical conductivity is attributed to the growth of heavily nitrogen‐doped SiC grains during sintering and the confinement of oxide additives in the junction area. The thermal conductivities of the SiC ceramics were in the 176–198 W·(m·K)−1 range at room temperature. The new additive systems, equimolar Y2O3–RE2O3, are beneficial for achieving both high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity in SiC ceramics.
Broadband Near‐Infrared Down‐Shifting by Yb–O Charge‐Transfer Band in Yb3+ Singly Doped Tellurite Glasses
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Zhou Xianju , Shen Jun , Zhao Xiaoqi , Wu Bing , Jiang Sha , Li Li
Published: October 2015

Yb3+ singly doped tellurite as‐prepared glasses and glass ceramics were synthesized by high‐temperature melt‐quenching method. The excitation and emission spectra have shown that there is an efficient near‐infrared (NIR) down‐shifting due to the sensitization of a novel Yb3+–O2− charge‐transfer (CT) band. The CT band in the present host is located at around 320 nm at room temperature, which is much lower than that in other oxide hosts reported before. The possible energy‐transfer mechanism from the Yb3+–O2− CT band to the 2F5/2 multiplet of Yb3+ ions is discussed in detail. The concentration quenching is not observed even when the Yb3+‐doped concentration is increased up to 40 mol%. The excitation of this strong broad CT band causes intense NIR emission of Yb3+:2F5/2→2F7/2 from 920 to 1120 nm, making the tellurite glasses suitable for efficient photovoltaic (PV) application as a spectral conversion material for the crystalline Si (c‐Si) solar cells.
Elucidating the Crack Resistance of Alkali‐Activated Slag Mortars Using Coupled Fracture Tests and Image Correlation
Authors: Dakhane Akash , Das Sumanta , Kailas Siva , Neithalath Narayanan
Published: October 2015

The resistance of alkali silicate‐activated slag mortars to crack propagation is explored. With increasing SiO2‐to‐alkali oxide ratio (Ms) of the activating solution (between 1.0 and 2.0), the flexural strengths, fracture energies, and the strain energy release rates (crack resistance, GR) are noted to increase. The GR values, especially of the systems with Ms of 1.5 and 2.0, are higher than that of ordinary portland cement (OPC) mortar. In contrast, the fracture process zone (FPZ) was observed to be smaller for the alkali‐activated slag mortars, with higher localized strains. Similarly, the FPZs also shrink with increasing Ms. These responses are related to the differences in the reaction products in these systems. The fundamental differences in the fracture response of these binder systems are elucidated through tracking the FPZ development. The crack extension‐crack tip opening displacement relations and its relationship with the inelastic strain energy release rates are also used to bring out the differences between the binder systems.
Dispersal in the desert: ephemeral water drives connectivity and phylogeography of an arid‐adapted fish
Authors: Mossop Krystina D. , Adams Mark , Unmack Peter J. , Smith Date Katie L. , Wong Bob B. M. , Chapple David G.
Published: October 2015

Aim

We examine landscape processes shaping the range‐wide phylogeography of a dispersal‐limited, desert‐dwelling fish (the desert goby, Chlamydogobius eremius) in arid Australia.

Location

South‐western Lake Eyre Basin, central Australia.

Methods

We obtained sequence data for the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (n = 513 individuals) and nuclear genetic markers (51 allozyme loci; n ≥ 128 individuals) to investigate the phylogeographic relationships among 51 populations. Sampling spanned multiple habitat types (permanent desert springs, ephemeral rivers) and sub‐catchments, and the entire distribution of C. eremius and representatives of its sister species, Chlamydogobius japalpa. Phylogeographic analyses (genetic diversity, AMOVA, Tajima's D, WST, mismatch distribution) were used to explore the distribution and partitioning of mtDNA variation; principal coordinates analysis and neighbour‐joining tree networks were used to explore allozyme variation.

Results

Three main genetic groups exist across C. eremius/C. japalpa populations. The geographical distributions of these groups reflected the historical and current confluence point of major rivers in the region. Surprisingly, permanent desert springs did not contain higher genetic diversity than ephemeral rivers.

Main conclusions

Genetic structuring of Chlamydogobius populations revealed unanticipated levels of connectivity, indicating that the ephemeral waters of Lake Eyre have allowed gene flow across drainage boundaries and large distances. Phylogeographic breaks reveal that connectivity relies on temporary surface water, while rapid temporal changes in diversity highlight flood‐driven dispersal as the main means of gene flow between localities and habitats. Dispersal pathways reveal that ecological context (life history and tolerance of extreme conditions) has played a key role in shaping observed patterns.
Evolutionary genetic consequences of facultative sex and outcrossing
Authors: Hartfield M.
Published: October 2015

Explaining the selective forces that underlie different reproductive modes forms a major part of evolution research. Many organisms are facultative sexuals, with the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Reduced sequencing costs means it is now possible to start investigating genome sequences of a wider number of these organisms in depth, but teasing apart the genetic forces underlying the maintenance of facultative sexual reproduction remains a challenge. An analogous problem exists when determining the genetic consequences of a degree of outcrossing (and recombination) in otherwise self‐fertilizing organisms. Here, I provide an overview of existing research on the evolutionary basis behind different reproductive modes, with a focus on explaining the population genetic effects favouring low outcrossing rates in either partially selfing or asexual species. I review the outcomes that both self‐fertilization and asexuality have on either purging deleterious mutations or fixing beneficial alleles, and what empirical data exist to support these theories. In particular, a greater application of mathematical models to genomic data has provided insight into the numerous effects that transitions to self‐fertilization from outcrossing have on genetic architecture. Similar modelling approaches could be used to determine the forces shaping genetic diversity of facultative sexual species. Hence, a further unification of mathematical models with next‐generation sequence data will prove important in exploring the genetic influences on reproductive system evolution.
The constant philopater hypothesis: a new life history invariant for dispersal evolution
Authors: Rodrigues A. M. M. , Gardner A.
Published: October 2015

Surprising invariance relationships have emerged from the study of social interaction, whereby a cancelling‐out of multiple partial effects of genetic, ecological or demographic parameters means that they have no net impact upon the evolution of a social behaviour. Such invariants play a pivotal role in the study of social adaptation: on the one hand, they provide theoretical hypotheses that can be empirically tested; and, on the other hand, they provide benchmark frameworks against which new theoretical developments can be understood. Here we derive a novel invariant for dispersal evolution: the ‘constant philopater hypothesis’ (CPH). Specifically, we find that, irrespective of variation in maternal fecundity, all mothers are favoured to produce exactly the same number of philopatric offspring, with high‐fecundity mothers investing proportionally more, and low‐fecundity mothers investing proportionally less, into dispersing offspring. This result holds for female and male dispersal, under haploid, diploid and haplodiploid modes of inheritance, irrespective of the sex ratio, local resource availability and whether mother or offspring controls the latter's dispersal propensity. We explore the implications of this result for evolutionary conflict of interests – and the exchange and withholding of contextual information – both within and between families, and we show that the CPH is the fundamental invariant that underpins and explains a wider family of invariance relationships that emerge from the study of social evolution.
Gingival epithelial cells support osteoclastogenesis by producing receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand via protein kinase A signaling
Authors: Usui M. , Sato T. , Yamamoto G. , Okamatsu Y. , Hanatani T. , Moritani Y. , Sano K. , Yamamoto M. , Nakashima K.
Published: October 2015

Background and Objective

Periodontal disease is dental plaque‐induced inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissues that results in bone loss in the affected teeth. During bone resorption, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is an essential factor that regulates osteoclastogenesis. Recently, we found that gingival epithelial cells (GECs) in periodontal tissue produce RANKL, the expression of which is regulated by tumor necrosis factor‐α and protein kinase A signaling. In this study, we asked whether RANKL‐producing GECs induce bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) to form osteoclasts in a co‐culture system.

Material and Methods

Ca9‐22 GECs and osteoclast precursor BMMs were co‐cultured with or without the protein kinase A signaling activator forskolin or inhibitor H89 to examine whether the RANKL‐producing GECs could be induced to form osteoclasts, as determined using a pit formation assay.

Results

Osteoclasts formed spontaneously in co‐cultures of Ca9‐22 cells and BMMs, even in the absence of RANKL. The cells were cultured on bone slices for 14 d, at which time resorption pits were observed. Forskolin treatment significantly increased osteoclast numbers in these co‐cultures, but forskolin alone did not induce osteoclast formation by BMMs.

Conclusion

GECs producing RANKL are able to support osteoclastogenesis in an in vitro co‐culture system using GECs and BMMs, in a process promoted by forskolin.
DNA barcoding of the main cultivated yams and selected wild species in the genusDioscorea
Authors: Girma Gezahegn , Spillane Charles , Gedil Melaku
Published: October 2015

Distinguishing yam species based on morphological traits is extremely difficult and unreliable, posing a challenge to breeders and genebank curators. Development of a molecular assay based on DNA barcoding can facilitate rapid and accurate identification of importantDioscoreaspecies. To develop a DNA barcoding system forDioscoreaspecies identification, therbcLandmatKloci (in unison and in combination), the non‐coding intergenic spacertrnH‐psbAof the chloroplast genome, and the nuclear ITS regions were investigated using criteria for developing candidate DNA barcodes. All DNA barcoding sequences were assessed for ease of PCR amplification, sequence quality and species discriminatory power. Amongst the markers investigated, thematKlocus performed well in terms of species identification (63.2%), in addition to detecting high interspecific variation with mean divergence of 0.0196 (SD=0.0209). The combination of the two coding regions (rbcL + matK) was determined to be the optimal (76.2%) DNA barcoding approach as 16 out of 21 species could be defined. While therbcLexhibited good PCR amplification efficiency and sequence quality, its species discriminatory power was relatively poor with 47.6% identification. Similarly, thetrnH‐psbAregion had a weak discrimination efficiency of only 36.8%. While the development of more robust DNA barcoding systems is an ongoing challenge, our results indicate that therbcL + matKcombination can be utilized as multi‐locus DNA barcode regions forDioscoreaspecies identification.
Organic Carbon and Dissolved Oxygen Budgets for a Commercial‐Size, In‐pond Raceway System
Authors: Brown Travis W. , Boyd Claude E. , Chappell Jesse A.
Published: October 2015

Intensive production of ictalurid catfish in the USA has increased over the past several years, and a better understanding of the amount of organic carbon (OC) and dissolved oxygen (DO) in these culture environments is needed. Budgets for OC and DO were estimated over a production season (March to November) for an in‐pond raceway system for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and hybrid catfish (channel catfish × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus), with co‐culture of paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Feed input ranged from 45 to 263 kg/ha/d with an overall average of 80 kg/ha/d. Production of each kilogram of live catfish required 1.5 kg of feed and released into the water 0.70 kg of OC, and led to the synthesis of an additional 3.36 kg of OC by photosynthesis. Consequently, production of 1 kg of live catfish resulted in 4.06 kg OC, and harvest of catfish accounted for only 29.5% of OC applied from the feed. Removal of OC increased to 34.3% with the additional harvest of paddlefish and tilapia. OC was consumed in respiration, and some OC accumulated in sediment. Total respiration within the system exceeded the DO produced by photosynthesis, while diffusion and mechanical aeration aided in maintaining suitable DO levels for fish production.
Vitamin D3 Requirement in Practical Diet of White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, at Low Salinity Rearing Conditions
Authors: Wen Ming , Liu Yong‐jian , Tian Li‐xia , Wang Sheng
Published: October 2015

A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the requirements of vitamin D3 in juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity rearing conditions. The basal practical diet contained 685 IU vitamin D3 per kg diet, Diets 2–6 contained 1960, 3240, 4220, 5630, and 7550 IU vitamin D3 per kg diet, respectively. Diets were fed twice daily to triplicate groups of L. vannamei (initial average weight 0.39 ± 0.01 g). Growth performance and alkaline phosphatase activity in hepatosomatic were not affected by the supplementation of vitamin D3. Hepatosomatic index of shrimp fed diets containing vitamin D3 at 685, 1960, and 3240 IU/kg was lower than the diet containing vitamin D3 at 7550 IU. Whole‐body moisture and zinc content were significantly decreased with increasing vitamin D3. Similarly, higher value was also observed on whole‐body protein, ash content, calcium, and phosphorus and magnesium concentration with increasing vitamin D3. Results of the current study indicated that vitamin D3 from ingredients could meet the growth requirement but not for whole‐body mineral deposition. Broken‐line regression analysis based on maximum whole‐body ash indicated that vitamin D3 requirement was recommended to be 6366 IU/kg for juvenile L. vannamei at low salinity rearing conditions.
Effect of Temperature on Acute Toxicity of Nitrite to Meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)
Authors: Kir Mehmet , Topuz Havva , Sunar Murat Can , Topuz Mustafa
Published: October 2015

Meagre, Argyrosomus regius, is a candidate marine fish species for aquaculture diversification, presenting a high economic value in the Mediterranean. Tolerance of juvenile meagre to nitrite (NO2‐N) was determined relating to temperature. Fish (3.2 ± 0.6 g and 5.4 ± 0.9 cm) were exposed to different NO2‐N concentrations in a series of acute toxicity tests by the static renewal method at three temperatures (18, 22, and 26 C) at a pH of 8.0. Low temperature clearly increased tolerance to NO2‐N (P < 0.05). The 96‐h median lethal concentration (LC50) values of NO2‐N were 177.63, 139.55, and 49.61 mg/L, at 18, 22, and 26 C, respectively. The safe levels of NO2‐N for juvenile meagre were estimated to be 17.7, 13.9, and 4.9 mg/L at 18, 22, and 26 C, respectively (P < 0.05). This study indicates A. regius is more sensitive to nitrite than other marine fish species cultured in the Mediterranean.