bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Boldine and Reticuline Isolated from Litsea cubeba through JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Authors: Yang Xinyao , Gao Xiaoli , Cao Yuan , Guo Qiang , Li Shanshan , Zhu Zhixiang , Zhao Yunfang , Tu Pengfei , Chai Xingyun
Published: June 2017

The anti-inflammatory effects of boldine and reticuline isolated from Litsea cubeba were evaluated by using xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice and rats. Our results demonstrated that intragastric administration with boldine and reticuline significantly mitigated ear weight in mice and decreased paw volume in rats. A combination administration of boldine (0.5 mg/kg) + reticuline (0.25 mg/kg) resulted in a potentiated inhibition in these two models. In parallel, boldine or reticuline reduce the infiltration of neutrophil leukocytes in rat paw tissue, respectively, and the combination of the two groups performed a better anti-inflammatory activity as shown in histopathologies. Boldine, reticuline, and their combination notably inhibited mRNA expressions of TNF-α, and IL-6 and reduced the phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Beyond that, their combination also can reduce the phosphorylation levels of p65 and IκBα in the pathological tissues of animals, as observed by real-time PCR and western blot analyses, respectively. These findings indicate for the first time that boldine and reticuline have not only anti-inflammatory activity but also potential synergistic effects in vivo. The underlying mechanism may relate to the inhibition on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, which may be a consequence of JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB pathway involvements. This study provides useful data for further exploration and application of boldine and reticuline as potential anti-inflammatory medicines.
The impact of donors on recombination mechanisms in heavily doped Ge/Si layers
Authors: Barget Michael R. , Virgilio Michele , Capellini Giovanni , Yamamoto Yuji , Schroeder Thomas
Published: June 2017

Heavy n-type doping has been proposed as a route to achieve positive optical gain in germanium layers since it is supposed to enhance the Γc carrier density. Nevertheless, the impact of donor impurities on the excess carrier lifetime in heavy doped epitaxial Ge/Si layers has not yet been addressed in the literature. To elucidate this point, we investigate the optical properties of heavily doped Ge layers selectively grown on silicon by means of photoluminescence (PL) experiments and theoretical modelling. A self-consistent multi-valley effective mass numerical model for simulation of PL spectra has been implemented, taking into account the influence of dopants on the non-radiative recombination dynamics. Upon comparing measurements and modelling, we find a linear increase in the defect-related Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination rate as a function of the donor density. The non-radiative lifetime decreases from ∼30 ns in intrinsic Ge/Si samples to ∼0.1 ns for a doping density in the 1019 cm−3 range. As a consequence, we find that SRH is the dominant non-radiative recombination process up to a donor density of ∼5 × 1019 cm−3. Despite this reduced lifetime, we observe an overall positive impact of doping on the radiative recombination rate for donor densities up to an “optimal” value of ∼3 × 1019 cm−3, with a ×7 intensity enhancement compared to the intrinsic case. A further increase in the donor concentration brings about a worsening of the optical emission.
Opportunistic maintenance optimization for offshore wind turbine electrical and electronic system based on rolling horizon approach
Authors: Lu Yang , Sun Liping , Kang Jichuan , Sun Hai , Zhang Xinyue
Published: June 2017

The reliability analysis of offshore wind turbines is increasingly significant due to the system complexity and negative impacts in harsh operating conditions. Maintenance processes are required to ensure the system safety and performance. In this paper, an opportunistic maintenance strategy for an offshore wind turbine electrical and electronic system is proposed, considering imperfect maintenance and preventive maintenance durations. When one component reaches its reliability threshold, opportunistic preventive maintenance can be implemented for others. Based on the rolling horizon approach, the maintenance planning can be updated to take short-term information into account, which could be changed with time. By selecting the best combination, the maintenance schedule during the mission time is finally determined. Failure information is collected from previous literature studies to accomplish the calculations. The results show that the maintenance cost is significantly reduced by applying opportunistic maintenance and the control is the largest contributor to overall cost savings, followed by sensors.
Plasmonic-enhanced graphene flake counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Kim Hyun-Young , Lee Myung Woo , Song Da Hyun , Yoon Hyeok Jin , Suh Jung Sang
Published: June 2017

A plasmonic-enhanced graphene flake counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was fabricated by immobilization of gold nanoparticles (NPs) on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass and the deposition of a thin layer of graphene flakes. The graphene flakes, fabricated using a thermal plasma jet system, were very thin and pure and had good crystallinity. Even though their average size is larger than 100 nm, they had great dispersibility in common solvents. Their relatively large size and good crystallinity resulted in good conductivity, and their good dispersibility allowed us to fabricate relatively uniform films. The efficiency of the DSSC with a graphene flake/Au NP/FTO counter electrode was as much as 9.78%, which is higher than that with a conventional Pt/FTO (9.08%) or graphene flake/FTO (8.98%) counter electrode. Using cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and by measuring the incident photo-conversion efficiency, we proved that by the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of the Au NPs included between the graphene flakes and FTO, the charge-transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface was decreased. Consequently, the catalytic rate for I− regeneration improved, and the energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC with a graphene flake/Au NP/FTO counter electrode improved.
Chemical independent relaxation in metallic glasses from the nanoindentation experiments
Authors: Ouyang S. , Huo L. S. , Yang Y. , Xu W. , Huo J. T. , Wang J. Q. , Wang X. M. , Li R. W.
Published: June 2017

In this article, we studied the anelastic properties at low-load nanoindentations of different metallic glasses, including Zr-, Pd-, La-, Mg-, and Au-bases. It is verified that the “two-parameter Kelvin model” is suitable for analyzing the anelastic mechanical behavior. Despite the difference in the chemical composition of these alloys, the energy barrier against the local relaxation is almost equal. The energy barrier is much smaller than that of slow β relaxation, which denotes a faster relaxation mechanism. These findings give insights into the heterogeneous nature of mechanical behavior and relaxation characteristics of metallic glasses.
Modulating the resistivity of MoS2 through low energy phosphorus plasma implantation
Authors: Haynes K. , Murray R. , Weinrich Z. , Zhao X. , Chiappe D. , Sutar S. , Radu I. , Hatem C. , Perry S. S. , Jones K. S.
Published: June 2017

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising potential replacement for Si in future microelectronic devices. Integration in electronic devices will likely involve the growth or transfer of large-area MoS2 films onto substrates and subsequent isolation of devices. In this paper, the effect of ion implantation on the electrical properties of MoS2 is reported. Large-area ∼4 layer MoS2 films were implanted by low energy phosphorus plasma at biases of 100, 200, and 300 V and a dose of 1 × 1014 cm−2. Electrical measurements using patterned Ni/Au contacts show that after implantation, independent of bias, there is greater than a 104 increase in resistivity. TEM and Raman spectroscopy suggest that the film is crystalline prior to and after ion implantation and annealing and that there is no measurable sputtering following implantation. This suggests that the increase in resistivity is likely the result of radiation damage in the MoS2. The thermal stability of the increase in electrical resistivity was assessed by a series of 15 min anneals beginning at 325 °C in a sulfur overpressure and progressing up to 525 °C under an Al2O3 ALD cap. The resistivity increase remained unchanged after annealing. These results suggest that implant isolation could provide a preferable alternative to reactive ion etching or chemical etching for electrical isolation of MoS2.
Effects of dietary selenium-yeast concentrations on growth performance and carcass composition of ducks
Authors: Baltić Milan Ž. , Starčević Marija Dokmanović , Bašić Meho , Zenunović Amir , Ivanović Jelena , Marković Radmila , Janjić Jelena , Mahmutović Hava , Glamočlija Nataša
Published: June 2017

The aim of the present study was to assess effects of selenium (Se)-yeast diet supplementation on performance and carcass composition in ducks. The study was performed on 240 1-day old ducklings of the same origin (Cherry Valley hybrid), during a 49-day period, which were fed diets supplemented with the following four different levels of Se yeast (ALKOSEL® R397): groups with Se at 0 mg/kg of the diet as-fed, 0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg. Growth performance (bodyweight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed-conversion ratio) and carcass characteristics (hot and cold carcass weight, chilling losses, dressing percentage, carcass cut yields, and percentage of tissues in breast and thighs with drumsticks) of the ducks were determined. Animals fed high-Se diets (0.4 mg/kg) had higher (P < 0.05) final bodyweight and daily weight gain (from 15 to 49 days) compared with those fed diets with inadequate (0 mg/kg) or with supranutritional (0.6 mg/kg) Se levels. Ducks fed only with basal diet showed a higher (P < 0.05) feed-conversion ratio (from 15 to 49 days) compared with those supplemented with Se at 0.4 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg. Dressing percentage was higher (P < 0.01) in the control group (69.50%) than in the group with Se added at 0.6 mg/kg (66.85%). The weights of basic cuts from the duck carcasses did not significantly differ among compared groups. Moreover, the percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat in breast and thighs with drumsticks increased in Se-supplemented groups compared with the control group, while the opposite was determined with the percentage of muscle. It was concluded that a diet containing 0.4 mg of added Se per kilogram produced the greatest growth-performance results in ducks.
Regulation of brain insulin signaling: A new function for tau
Authors: Gratuze Maud , Planel Emmanuel
Published: June 2017

In this issue of JEM, Marciniak et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20161731) identify a putative novel function of tau protein as a regulator of insulin signaling in the brain. They find that tau deletion impairs hippocampal response to insulin through IRS-1 and PTEN dysregulation and suggest that, in Alzheimer’s disease, impairment of brain insulin signaling might occur via tau loss of function.
Survival of the Fittest: Export Duration and Failure into United States Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Markets
Authors: Peterson Everett B. , Grant Jason H. , Rudi‐Polloshka Jeta
Published: June 2017

Recent contributions to the theoretical and empirical trade literature emphasize the channels by which exporting occurs and the duration and survival rates of trade relationships. However, for agricultural trade, few studies have considered the factors affecting export survival. This article identifies factors affecting the duration of fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the U.S. market, including U.S. sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) policy regulations. The main findings can be summarized as follows. First, our preferred model with exporter binary variables indicates that changes in U.S. commodity prices and exporter gross domestic product have the largest impact, whereas U.S. production variability and exporter experience have the lowest impacts on the hazard rate of export duration. Second, SPS treatment requirements have persistent impacts on trade duration. Water treatment requirements quadruple the average hazard rate in the first year of a spell of service, and while the hazard rate does diminish over time, it is still nearly three times the average hazard rate, even after the fourth year of the spell of service. Similarly, a combination treatment of fumigation and cold treatment/refrigeration more than triples the average hazard rate in the first year of the spell of service, but this effect diminishes more quickly over time.
Divergent acoustic properties of gelada and baboon vocalizations and their implications for the evolution of human speech
Authors: Gustison Morgan L. , Bergman Thore J.
Published: June 2017

Human speech has many complex spectral and temporal features traditionally thought to be absent in the vocalizations of other primates. Recent explorations of the vocal capabilities of non-human primates are challenging this view. Here, we continue this trend by exploring the spectro-temporal properties of gelada (Theropithecus gelada) vocalizations. First, we made cross-species comparisons of geladas, chacma baboons, and human vowel space area. We found that adult male and female gelada exhaled grunts–a call type shared with baboons—have formant profiles that overlap more with human vowel space than do baboon grunts. These gelada grunts also contained more modulation of fundamental and formant frequencies than did baboon grunts. Second, we compared formant profiles and modulation of exhaled grunts to the derived call types (those not shared with baboons) produced by gelada males. These derived calls contained divergent formant profiles, and a subset of them, notably wobbles and vocalized yawns, were more modulated than grunts. Third, we investigated the rhythmic patterns of wobbles, a call type shown previously to contain cycles that match the 3–8 Hz tempo of speech. We use a larger dataset to show that the wobble rhythm overlaps more with speech rhythm than previously thought. We also found that variation in cycle duration depends on the production modality; specifically, exhaled wobbles were produced at a slower tempo than inhaled wobbles. Moreover, the variability in cycle duration within wobbles aligns with a linguistic property known as ‘Menzerath’s law’ in that there was a negative association between cycle duration and wobble size (i.e. the number of cycles). Taken together, our results add to growing evidence that non-human primates are anatomically capable of producing modulated sounds. Our results also support and expand on current hypotheses of speech evolution, including the ‘neural hypothesis’ and the ‘bimodal speech rhythm hypothesis’.
Synthetic lethality between the cohesin subunitsSTAG1andSTAG2in diverse cancer contexts
Authors: van der Lelij Petra , Lieb Simone , Jude Julian , Wutz Gordana , Santos Catarina P. , Falkenberg Katrina , Schlattl Andreas , Ban Jozef , Schwentner Raphaela , Hoffmann Thomas , Kovar Heinrich , Real Francisco X. , Waldman Todd , Pearson Mark A. , Kraut Norbert , Peters Jan-Michael , Zuber Johannes , Petronczki Mark
Published: June 2017

Recent genome analyses have identified recurrent mutations in the cohesin complex in a wide range of human cancers. Here we demonstrate that the most frequently mutated subunit of the cohesin complex,STAG2, displays a strong synthetic lethal interaction with its paralogSTAG1. Mechanistically, STAG1 loss abrogates sister chromatid cohesion inSTAG2mutated but not in wild-type cells leading to mitotic catastrophe, defective cell division and apoptosis. STAG1 inactivation inhibits the proliferation of STAG2 mutated but not wild-type bladder cancer and Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Restoration of STAG2 expression in a mutated bladder cancer model alleviates the dependency on STAG1. Thus, STAG1 and STAG2 support sister chromatid cohesion to redundantly ensure cell survival. STAG1 represents a vulnerability of cancer cells carrying mutations in the major emerging tumor suppressorSTAG2across different cancer contexts. Exploiting synthetic lethal interactions to target recurrent cohesin mutations in cancer, e.g. by inhibiting STAG1, holds the promise for the development of selective therapeutics.
The landscape of T cell epitope immunogenicity in sequence space
Authors: Ogishi Masato , Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi
Published: June 2017

The existence of population-wide T cell immunity is widely recognized for multiple pathogen-derived immunodominant epitopes, despite the vast diversity and individualized nature of T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. We thus hypothesized that population-wide epitope immunogenicity could be probabilistically defined by exploiting public TCR features. To gain a proof-of-concept, here we describe a machine learning framework yielding probabilistic estimates of immunogenicity, termed “immunogenicity scores”, by utilizing features designed to mimic thermodynamic interactions between peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and TCR repertoire. Immunogenicity score dynamics among observed and computationally simulated single amino acid mutants delineated the landscape of position- and residue-specific mutational impacts, and even quantitatively estimated escaping potentials of known epitopes with remarkable positional specificity. This study illustrates that the population-wide aspect of adaptive immunity is predictable via non-individualized approach, possibly indicating antigen-guided convergence of human T cell reactivity.
Flexible control of speed of cortical dynamics
Authors: Wang Jing , Narain Devika , Hosseini Eghbal A. , Jazayeri Mehrdad
Published: June 2017

Musicians can perform at different tempos, speakers can control the cadence of their speech, and children can flexibly vary their temporal expectations of events. To understand the neural basis of such flexible timing, we recorded from the medial frontal cortex of primates trained to produce different time intervals with different effectors. The activity of neurons was heterogeneous, nonlinear and complex. However, responses were unified under a remarkable form of invariance: firing rate profiles were temporally stretched for longer intervals and compressed for short ones. At the network level, this phenomenon was evident by flexible changes in the speed with which the population activity traced an invariant trajectory. To identify the origin of speed control, we recorded from both downstream caudate neurons and thalamic neurons projecting to the medial frontal cortex. Speed adjustments were a prominent feature in the caudate but not in the thalamus suggesting that this phenomenon originates within cortical networks. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we created recurrent neural network models at different levels of complexity that could explain flexible timing with speed control. Analysis of the models revealed that the key to flexible speed control was the action of an external input upon the nonlinearities of individual neurons whose recurrent interactions set the network’s relaxation dynamics. These findings demonstrate a simple and general mechanism for conferring temporal flexibility upon sensorimotor and cognitive functions.
Peri-Peri Original: the expansion decision in Pakistan
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Mingione Michela , Noori Muhammad Fawad
Published: June 2017

Subject area

Marketing of Services, Brand Management.

Study level/applicability

Graduate (MBA), Services Marketing Course.

Case overview

The case highlights growth challenges faced by a fast food brand named Peri-Peri Original in a developing country context of Pakistan. The major presence of the brand is in two major cities of Pakistan – Karachi and Lahore where mostly youth and families are the target markets of this brand. However, there is no unique element in the minds of the target market because the brand faces a differentiation challenge in the realm of strong global competition from McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The management team at Peri-Peri has several environmental challenges to face as well. Internally, the brand is confused with its close competitor Nando’s as people perceive these two brands as the same. Second, there is growing concern among social activist groups and families in Pakistan that fast food consumption is causing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and obesity among children. On the contrary, the global fast food chains especially McDonald’s and KFC are on top of the mind in the consideration set. With these challenges and concerns in mind, the brand team has two options on the table. One is to geographically extend the brand to other cities whereas the other option is to use the same outlets and dedicate a portion to the kids’ market segment to increase product variety and ultimately the store traffic. It is noticeable that the brand has a reputation of excellence in service quality; the employees are motivated and Peri-Peri have retained their staff over a period of time. Furthermore, the brand is a small scale restaurant with only limited budget and focused product mix which is its core spirit of branding – the chicken grilled in Mozambican sauces and a service attitude which no one can demonstrate; in a way, Peri-Peri is approaching to grow its brand equity.

Expected learning outcomes

To understand the brand positioning of developing countries’ organizations facing a growth challenge in a service environment. To understand the concept and application of Services Tangibility spectrum. To understand the decision-making process managers have to face when dealing with brand extension decisions.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
How much and when to innovate
Authors: Anning-Dorson Thomas
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of market innovation in driving service performance in the context of environmental pressures. This paper argues from the complexity theory that the development and the implementation of market innovation must critically examine the effect of customer demand and competitive intensity in the innovation efforts of service firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from different sub-sectors of the services industry of a growing emerging African economy are used. Structural equation modeling was used in analyzing the interconnection among environmental pressures, market innovation and firm performance.

Findings

The study found that both market demand and competition impact on innovation development positively. However, in terms of the moderation effects, competition negatively moderates the relationship between innovation and performance, while customer demand moderates the relationship positively.

Practical implications

The implications are that the implementation of market innovation must be reduced in low demand periods and high competitive periods in order to maximize financial and non-financial performance benefits for the service firm.

Originality/value

The current study complements the complexity theory by stating that the complex nature of business environment presents both opportunities and threats. However, for effective sense making out of the information provided by environment, service firms must evaluate environmental effect differently. While a factor may promote the development of strategy, same environmental factor may hinder the positive influence such strategy may have on overall firm performance.
Authentic enterprise, organization-employee relationship, and employee-generated managerial assets
Authors: Lee Yeunjae , Kim Jeong-Nam
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of perceived authenticity of organizational behaviors and types of organization-employee relationship (i.e. communal and exchange relationship) on intangible assets of organizations generated by employees’ communicative behaviors (ECBs) (e.g. megaphoning, scouting).

Design/methodology/approach

A web-based survey was conducted with full-time 528 employees working in medium- and large-sized companies in the USA.

Findings

Results showed that an organization’s authentic behaviors are positively related with employees’ perceived communal relationships, but not with exchange relationships. However, both communal and exchange relationships turned out to increase ECBs: positive megaphoning, negative megaphoning, and scouting. The existence of both communal and exchange relationships was more significant than having only communal relationships in terms of encouraging employees’ active communicative actions.

Research limitations/implications

By building links between employees’ communicative actions and its antecedents, perceived authenticity, types of relationship; this study contributed to the body of knowledge on exchange and communal relationship in the context of employee communication and extended the understanding of motivations of ECBs.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that employees’ communicative actions are highly facilitated by organizations’ authentic behavioral efforts and perceived relationship. To encourage employees’ information seeking and sharing behaviors, for organizational effectiveness, organizations should behave in authentic ways – be trustful, transparent, and consistent – and build both communal and exchange relationship.

Originality/value

This study first attempted to demonstrate the impacts of both communal and exchange relationships for organizations empirically in internal communication and relationship building practices.
Immediate versus delayed initiation of the levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system following medical termination of pregnancy – 1 year continuation rates: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Korjamo R , Mentula M , Heikinheimo O
Published: June 2017

Objective

To assess the 1‐year continuation rates and new pregnancies following immediate versus delayed insertion of the levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) after medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) up to 20 weeks of gestation.

Design

A randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, January 2013 to December 2014.

Population

A total of 267 women requesting MTOP and planning LNG‐IUS for post‐MTOP contraception.

Methods

Insertion of LNG‐IUS occurred immediately (0–3 days) or after a delay (2–4 weeks) following MTOP. Follow‐up visits were at 3 months and 1 year after MTOP.

Main outcome measures

LNG‐IUS use at 1 year after MTOP.

Results

Women were randomised to immediate (n = 134) or delayed (n = 133) insertion of the LNG‐IUS, and 133 and 131 were analysed; 127 (95.5%) women received immediate insertion and 111 (84.7%) women had delayed insertion of the LNG‐IUS (risk ratio [RR] 1.13, 95% CI 1.04–1.22). The verified numbers of women continuing the LNG‐IUS use at 1 year were 83 (62.4%) and 52 (39.7%) (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.23–2.02). The numbers of new pregnancies were 6 (4.5%) and 16 (12.2%) (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15–0.91), and numbers of subsequent TOPs were 4 (3.0%) and 5 (3.8%) (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.22–2.87).

Conclusions

Immediate insertion of the LNG‐IUS following MTOP resulted in higher 1‐year continuation rates compared with delayed insertion. In addition, those receiving immediate insertion demonstrated a decreased new pregnancy rate, but no difference in the numbers of another TOP.

Tweetable abstract

Immediate LNG‐IUS insertion after MTOP results in a higher 1‐year continuation compared with delayed insertion.
Cross‐platform compatibility of de novo‐aligned SNPs in a nonmodel butterfly genus
Authors: Campbell Erin O. , Davis Corey S. , Dupuis Julian R. , Muirhead Kevin , Sperling Felix A. H.
Published: June 2017

High‐throughput sequencing methods for genotyping genome‐wide markers are being rapidly adopted for phylogenetics of nonmodel organisms in conservation and biodiversity studies. However, the reproducibility of SNP genotyping and degree of marker overlap or compatibility between datasets from different methodologies have not been tested in nonmodel systems. Using double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, we sequenced a common set of 22 specimens from the butterfly genus Speyeria on two different Illumina platforms, using two variations of library preparation. We then used a de novo approach to bioinformatic locus assembly and SNP discovery for subsequent phylogenetic analyses. We found a high rate of locus recovery despite differences in library preparation and sequencing platforms, as well as overall high levels of data compatibility after data processing and filtering. These results provide the first application of NGS methods for phylogenetic reconstruction in Speyeria and support the use and long‐term viability of SNP genotyping applications in nonmodel systems.
Dynamic Holocene glacial history of St. Jonsfjorden, Svalbard
Authors: Farnsworth Wesley R. , Ingólfsson Ólafur , Noormets Riko , Allaart Lis , Alexanderson Helena , Henriksen Mona , Schomacker Anders
Published: June 2017

Evidence of a dynamic Holocene glacial history is preserved in the terrestrial and marine archives of St. Jonsfjorden, a small fjord‐system on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. High‐resolution, remotely sensed imagery from marine and terrestrial environments was used to construct geomorphological maps that highlight an intricate glacial history of the entire fjord‐system. The geomorphology and stratigraphy indicate an early Holocene local glacier advance constrained to the Lateglacial–early Holocene transition. Identification and 14C dating of the thermophilous bivalve mollusc Modiolus modiolus to 10.0±0.12 cal. ka BP suggest a rapid northward migration of the species shortly after deglaciation. Further evidence enhances the understanding of the onset and subsequent climax of the Neoglacial‐Little Ice Age in inner St. Jonsfjorden. The present‐day terminus of Osbornebreen, the dominating glacier system in St. Jonsfjorden, is located over 8.5 km up‐fjord from its Neoglacial maximum extent. Cross‐cutting relationships suggest subsequent advances of all the smaller glaciers in the area following the break‐up of Osbornebreen. Glacial deposits, landforms and their cross‐cutting relationships observed in both terrestrial and marine settings imply a complex and highly dynamic environment through the later part of the Holocene.
Visual Complexity and Its Effects on Referring Expression Generation
Authors: Elsner Micha , Clarke Alasdair , Rohde Hannah
Published: June 2017

Speakers’ perception of a visual scene influences the language they use to describe it—which objects they choose to mention and how they characterize the relationships between them. We show that visual complexity can either delay or facilitate description generation, depending on how much disambiguating information is required and how useful the scene's complexity can be in providing, for example, helpful landmarks. To do so, we measure speech onset times, eye gaze, and utterance content in a reference production experiment in which the target object is either unique or non‐unique in a visual scene of varying size and complexity. Speakers delay speech onset if the target object is non‐unique and requires disambiguation, and we argue that this reflects the cost of deciding on a high‐level strategy for describing it. The eye‐tracking data demonstrate that these delays increase when speakers are able to conduct an extensive early visual search, implying that when speakers scan too little of the scene early on, they may decide to begin speaking before becoming aware that their description is underspecified. Speakers’ content choices reflect the visual makeup of the scene—the number of distractors present and the availability of useful landmarks. Our results highlight the complex role of visual perception in reference production, showing that speakers can make good use of complexity in ways that reflect their visual processing of the scene.
Bioactivity and biomineralization ability of calcium silicate‐based pulp‐capping materials after subcutaneous implantation
Authors: Hinata G. , Yoshiba K. , Han L. , Edanami N. , Yoshiba N. , Okiji T.
Published: June 2017

Aim

To evaluate the abilities of three calcium silicate‐based pulp‐capping materials (ProRoot MTA, TheraCal LC and a prototype tricalcium silicate cement) to produce apatite‐like precipitates after being subcutaneously implanted into rats.

Methodology

Polytetrafluoroethylene tubes containing each material were subcutaneously implanted into the backs of Wistar rats. At 7, 14 and 28 days post‐implantation, the implants were removed together with the surrounding connective tissue, and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in cacodylate buffer. The chemical compositions of the surface precipitates formed on the implants were analysed with scanning electron microscopy–electron probe microanalysis (SEM‐EPMA). The distributions of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) at the material–tissue interface were also analysed with SEM‐EPMA. Comparisons of the thicknesses of the Ca‐ and P‐rich areas were performed using the Friedman test followed by Scheffe's test at a significant level of 5%.

Results

All three materials produced apatite‐like surface precipitates containing Ca and P. For each material, elemental mapping detected a region of connective tissue in which the concentrations of Ca and P were higher than those in the surrounding connective tissue. The thickness of this Ca‐ and P‐rich region exhibited the following pattern: ProRoot MTA > prototype tricalcium silicate cement ≥ TheraCal LC. ProRoot MTA had a significantly thicker layer of Ca and P than the other materials at all time‐points (P < 0.05), and a significant difference was detected between the prototype cement and TheraCal LC at 28 days (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

After being subcutaneously implanted, all of the materials produced Ca‐ and P‐containing surface precipitates and a Ca‐ and P‐rich layer within the surrounding tissue. The thickness of the Ca‐ and P‐rich layer of ProRoot MTA was significantly thicker than that of the other materials.
Vasopressin: physiology, assessment and osmosensation
Authors: Bankir L. , Bichet D. G. , Morgenthaler N. G.
Published: June 2017

Vasopressin (AVP) plays a major role in the regulation of water and sodium homeostasis by its antidiuretic action on the kidney, mediated by V2 receptors. AVP secretion is stimulated by a rise in plasma osmolality, a decline in blood volume or stress. V1a receptors are expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, but the role of vasopressin in blood pressure regulation is still a matter of debate. AVP may also play a role in some metabolic pathways, including gluconeogenesis, through its action on V1a receptors expressed in the liver.

It is now understood that thirst and arginine vasopressin (AVP) release are regulated not only by the classical homeostatic, intero‐sensory plasma osmolality negative feedback, but also by novel, extero‐sensory, anticipatory signals.

AVP measurement is time‐consuming, and AVP level in the blood in the physiological range is often below the detection limit of the assays. Recently, an immunoassay has been developed for the measurement of copeptin, a fragment of the pre‐provasopressin molecule that is easier to measure. It has been shown to be a good surrogate marker of AVP.
Contrasting species boundaries between sections Alternaria and Porri of the genus Alternaria
Authors: Ozkilinc H. , Rotondo F. , Pryor B. M. , Peever T. L.
Published: June 2017

The fungal genus Alternaria comprises a large number of asexual taxa with diverse ecological, morphological and biological modes ranging from saprophytes to plant pathogens. Understanding the speciation processes affecting asexual fungi is important for estimating biological diversity, which in turn affects plant disease management and quarantine enforcement. This study included 106 isolates of Alternaria representing five phylogenetically defined clades in two sister sub‐generic groups: section Porri (A. dauci, A. solani and A. limicola) and section Alternaria (A. alternata/tenuissima and A. arborescens). Species in section Porri are host‐specific while species in section Alternaria have wider host ranges. For each isolate, DNA sequences of three genes (Alt a1, ATPase, Calmodulin) were used to estimate phylogenies at the population and species levels. Three multilocus haplotypes were distinguished among A. dauci isolates and only one haplotype among A. solani and A. limicola isolates, revealing low or no differentiation within each taxon and strong clonal structure for taxa in this section. In contrast, 37 multilocus haplotypes were found among A. alternata/tenuissima isolates and 21 multilocus haplotypes among A. arborescens isolates, revealing much higher genotypic diversity and multiple clonal lineages within taxa, which is not typical of asexual reproducing lineages. A species tree was inferred using a Yule Speciation model and a strict molecular clock assumption. Species boundaries were well defined within section Porri. However, species boundaries within section Alternaria were only partially resolved with no well‐defined species boundaries, possibly due to incomplete lineage sorting. Significant association with host specificity seems a driving force for speciation.
Tracking the effect of emotional distraction in working memory brain networks: Evidence from an MEG study
Authors: García‐Pacios Javier , Garcés Pilar , del Río David , Maestú Fernando
Published: June 2017

The active maintenance of information in visual working memory (WM) is known to rely on the sustained activity over functional networks including frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal cortices. Previous studies have described interference‐based disturbances in the functional coupling between prefrontal and posterior cortices, and that such disturbances can be restored for a successful WM performance after the presentation of the interfering stimulus. However, very few studies have applied functional connectivity measures to the analysis of the brain dynamics involved in overriding emotional distraction, and all of them have limited their analysis to the particular connections between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. In this study, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to characterize the mutual information–based functional connectivity dynamics among regions of interest located over the prefrontal, the parietal, the temporal, and the occipital cortex. Our results show that the detection of emotional distraction at early latencies (50–150 ms) induces a reduction of functional connectivity involving parietal and temporal cortices that are part of the frontoposterior WM network, while functional coupling among prefrontal areas and between them and posterior cortices is strengthened during the detection of emotional distractors. Later in the processing of the distractor (250–350 and 360–460 ms), the frontoposterior coupling is reestablished for a successful performance, while the orbitofrontal and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex become strongly connected to posterior cortices as a mechanism to cope with emotional distractors.
Grammatical Constructions as Relational Categories
Authors: Goldwater Micah B.
Published: June 2017

This paper argues that grammatical constructions, specifically argument structure constructions that determine the “who did what to whom” part of sentence meaning and how this meaning is expressed syntactically, can be considered a kind of relational category. That is, grammatical constructions are represented as the abstraction of the syntactic and semantic relations of the exemplar utterances that are expressed in that construction, and it enables the generation of novel exemplars. To support this argument, I review evidence that there are parallel behavioral patterns between how children learn relational categories generally and how they learn grammatical constructions specifically. Then, I discuss computational simulations of how grammatical constructions are abstracted from exemplar sentences using a domain‐general relational cognitive architecture. Last, I review evidence from adult language processing that shows parallel behavioral patterns with expert behavior from other cognitive domains. After reviewing the evidence, I consider how to integrate this account with other theories of language development.
Weak amenability is stable under graph products
Authors: Reckwerdt Eric
Published: June 2017

Weak amenability of discrete groups was introduced by Haagerup and co‐authors in the 1980s. In particular, weak amenability in known to be stable under taking direct products and free products. In this paper we show that weak amenability (with Cowling–Haagerup constant 1) is stable under taking graph products of discrete groups. Along the way we will construct a wall space associated to the word length structure of a graph product and also give a method of extending completely bounded functions on discrete groups to a completely bounded function on their graph product.
p‐adic heights of Heegner points and Beilinson–Flach classes
Authors: Castella Francesc
Published: June 2017

We give a new proof of Howard's ‐adic Gross–Zagier formula Compos. Math. 141 (2005) 811–846. MR 2148200 (2006f:11074)], which we extend to the context of indefinite Shimura curves over attached to nonsplit quaternion algebras. This formula relates the cyclotomic derivative of a two‐variable ‐adic ‐function restricted to the anticyclotomic line to the cyclotomic ‐adic heights of Heegner points over the anticyclotomic tower, and our proof, rather than inspired by the influential approaches of Gross–Zagier [Invent. Math. 84 (1986) 225–320. MR 833192 (87j:11057)] and Perrin‐Riou [Invent. Math. 89 (1987) 455–510. MR 903381 (89d:11034)], is via Iwasawa theory, based on the connection between Heegner points, Beilinson–Flach elements, and their explicit reciprocity laws.
Modelling of optimal training load patterns during the 11 weeks preceding major competition in elite swimmers
Authors: Hellard Philippe , Scordia Charlotte , Avalos Marta , Mujika Inigo , Pyne David B.
Published: June 2017

Periodization of swim training in the final training phases prior to competition and its effect on performance have been poorly described. We modeled the relationships between the final 11 weeks of training and competition performance in 138 elite sprint, middle-distance, and long-distance swimmers over 20 competitive seasons. Total training load (TTL), strength training (ST), and low- to medium-intensity and high-intensity training variables were monitored. Training loads were scaled as a percentage of the maximal volume measured at each intensity level. Four training periods (meso-cycles) were defined: the taper (weeks 1 to 2 before competition), short-term (weeks 3 to 5), medium-term (weeks 6 to 8), and long-term (weeks 9 to 11). Mixed-effects models were used to analyze the association between training loads in each training meso-cycle and end-of-season major competition performance. For sprinters, a 10% increase between ∼20% and 70% of the TTL in medium- and long-term meso-cycles was associated with 0.07 s and 0.20 s faster performance in the 50 m and 100 m events, respectively (p < 0.01). For middle-distance swimmers, a higher TTL in short-, medium-, and long-term training yielded faster competition performance (e.g., a 10% increase in TTL was associated with improvements of 0.1–1.0 s in 200 m events and 0.3–1.6 s in 400 m freestyle, p < 0.01). For sprinters, a 60%–70% maximal ST load 6–8 weeks before competition induced the largest positive effects on performance (p < 0.01). An increase in TTL during the medium- and long-term preparation (6–11 weeks to competition) was associated with improved performance. Periodization plans should be adapted to the specialty of swimmers.
Declining patterns of Pacific Northwest steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) adult abundance and smolt survival in the ocean
Authors: Kendall Neala W. , Marston Gary W. , Klungle Matthew M.
Published: June 2017

Examination of population abundance and survival trends over space and time can guide management and conservation actions with information about the spatial and temporal scale of factors affecting them. Here, we analyzed steelhead trout (anadromous Oncorhynchus mykiss) adult abundance time series from 35 coastal British Columbia and Washington populations along with smolt-to-adult return (smolt survival) time series from 48 populations from Washington, Oregon, and the Keogh River in British Columbia. Over 80% of the populations have declined in abundance since 1980. A multivariate autoregressive state-space model revealed smolt survival four groupings: Washington and Oregon coast, lower Columbia River, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound – Keogh River populations. Declines in smolt survival rates were seen for three of the four groupings. Puget Sound and Keogh River populations have experienced low rates since the early 1990s. Correlations between population pairs’ time series and distance apart illustrated that smolt survival rates were more positively correlated for proximate populations, suggesting that important processes, including those related to ocean survival, occur early in the marine life of steelhead.
Suburbanization alters small pond ecosystems: shifts in nitrogen and food web dynamics
Authors: Holgerson Meredith A. , Lambert Max R. , Freidenburg L. Kealoha , Skelly David K.
Published: June 2017

Small ponds often survive the transition from forested to suburban land cover and provide habitat for many species, yet little is known about how suburbanization affects pond ecosystems. We surveyed 18 small ponds across a forest-to-suburban land cover gradient and compared how physical and chemical changes altered biological and ecosystem properties, such as nutrient and food web dynamics. Suburbanization decreased canopy cover, increased water temperatures, and increased periphyton chlorophyll a, but was associated with only weak increases in total nutrients. Yet, stable isotope analysis indicated that suburbanization altered nitrogen dynamics and resource use in the food web. We observed increases in δ15N in algae, biofilm, and frog larvae across the suburban gradient, indicative of wastewater intrusion. Suburbanization also shifted the energy and nutrient source of a dominant consumer (Rana sylvatica; = Lithobates sylvaticus) from leaf litter to algae. Overall, we identified cryptic changes to suburban pond ecosystems, highlighting that suburbanization can profoundly impact nutrients and food web resources. As residential land use increases globally, we may expect substantial shifts in nutrient dynamics and food web pathways.