bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of male intersex in adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), with a brief discussion of intersex vs. hermaphroditism in lampreys (Petromyzontiformes)
Authors: Clemens Benjamin J. , Sower Stacia A. , van de Wetering Stan , Schreck Carl B.
Published: August 2012

We report the incidence of male intersex in adult Pacific lamprey ( Entosphenus tridentatus (Richardson, 1836)) during their pre-spawning migration in fresh water. Although “hermaphrodites” have been suggested in other adult lampreys, this is the first detailed description and discussion of this phenomenon. A total of 0.5% of our adult Pacific lamprey from Willamette Falls (2 out of 427 adults) were intersex, with oocytes in the testes. This phenomenon was identifiable only by histological examination. The testes of the intersex males were immature, in the beginning stages of meiosis. One intersex male possessed primary growth or perinucleolar stage oocytes loosely interspersed throughout the testes, and the other possessed at least 6 mid-vitellogenic oocytes (0.6 mm, mean long diameter) separate from the testes. Because premetamorphic lamprey can possess both female and male gonial cells, we hypothesize that intersex is a remnant larval trait and that these fish failed to fully develop into males during metamorphosis.
THE ${\mathcal F}$-LANDSCAPE: DYNAMICALLY DETERMINING THE MULTIVERSE
Authors: LI TIANJUN , MAXIN JAMES A. , NANOPOULOS DIMITRI V. , WALKER JOEL W.
Published: August 2012

We evolve our Multiverse Blueprints to characterize our local neighborhood of the String Landscape and the Multiverse of plausible string, M- and F-theory vacua. Building upon the tripodal foundations of (i) the Flipped SU(5) Grand Unified Theory (GUT), (ii) extra TeV-Scale vector-like multiplets derived out of F-theory, and (iii) the dynamics of No-Scale supergravity, together dubbed No-Scale [Formula: see text], we demonstrate the existence of a continuous family of solutions which might adeptly describe the dynamics of distinctive universes. This Multiverse landscape of [Formula: see text] solutions, which we shall refer to as the [Formula: see text]-Landscape, accommodates a subset of universes compatible with the presently known experimental uncertainties of our own universe. We show that by secondarily minimizing the minimum of the scalar Higgs potential of each solution within the [Formula: see text]-Landscape, a continuous hypervolume of distinct minimum minimorum can be engineered which comprise a regional dominion of universes, with our own universe cast as the bellwether. We conjecture that an experimental signal at the LHC of the No-Scale [Formula: see text] framework's applicability to our own universe might sensibly be extrapolated as corroborating evidence for the role of string, M- and F-theory as a master theory of the Multiverse, with No-Scale supergravity as a crucial and pervasive reinforcing structure.
NONSINGULAR CHARGED BLACK HOLES À LA PALATINI
Authors: OLMO GONZALO J. , RUBIERA-GARCÍA DIEGO
Published: August 2012

We argue that the quantum nature of matter and gravity should lead to a discretization of the allowed states of the matter confined in the interior of black holes. To support and illustrate this idea, we consider a quadratic extension of general relativity (GR) formulated à la Palatini and show that nonrotating, electrically charged black holes develop a compact core at the Planck density which is nonsingular if the mass spectrum satisfies a certain discreteness condition. We also find that the area of the core is proportional to the number of charges times the Planck area.
A NATURAL CONNECTION ON A BASIC CLASS OF RIEMANNIAN PRODUCT MANIFOLDS
Authors: GRIBACHEVA DOBRINKA
Published: August 2012

A Riemannian manifold M with an integrable almost product structure P is called a Riemannian product manifold. Our investigations are on the manifolds (M, P, g) of the largest class of Riemannian product manifolds, which is closed with respect to the group of conformal transformations of the metric g. This class is an analogue of the class of locally conformal Kähler manifolds in almost Hermitian geometry. In the present paper we study a natural connection D on (M, P, g) (i.e. DP = Dg = 0). We find necessary and sufficient conditions, the curvature tensor of D to have properties similar to the Kähler tensor in Hermitian geometry. We pay attention to the case when D has a parallel torsion. We establish that the Weyl tensors for the connection D and the Levi-Civita connection coincide as well as the invariance of the curvature tensor of D with respect to the usual conformal transformation. We consider the case when D is a flat connection. We construct an example of the considered manifold by a Lie group where D is a flat connection with non-parallel torsion.
LARGE ELECTROCALORIC EFFECT IN RELAXOR FERROELECTRICS
Authors: LU SHENG-GUO , ZHANG QIMING
Published: August 2012

Organic and inorganic relaxor ferroelectrics used for electrocaloric effect (ECE) applications are introduced. Relaxor ferroelectrics offer several advantages for ECE devices, e.g., infinite states without applying electric field, field-induced large polarization, no-hysteresis of heating and cooling, small-hysteresis polarization loss, room temperature phase transition, and broad temperature range. The ECE in relaxor ferroelectrics under a high electric field can be described using a theory similar to that for first-order phase transition materials. Large ECE was observed directly in high-energy electron irradiated poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF–TrFE)) 68/32 mol% copolymers, P(VDF–TrFE–CFE) (CFE-chlorofluoroethylene) 59.2/33.6/7.2 mol% terpolymers, P(VDF–TrFE–CFE)–P(VDF–CTFE) (CTFE-chlorotrifluoroethylene) 95/5 wt% terpolymer blended films, and (PbLa)(ZrTi)O3 (PLZT) ceramic thin films. ECE reported in Pb(Sc1/2Ta1/2)O3 (PST), Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PMN–PT) thin films is also summarized. Finally, the perspective of ECE devices is illustrated.
THE HYDROSTATIC PIEZOELECTRICITY OF RELAXOR-PbTiO3 FERROELECTRIC CERAMICS AND CRYSTALS
Authors: GAO JUNJIE , XU ZHUO , LI FEI , ZHANG CHONGHUI , LIU YI , LIU GAOMIN , HE HONGLIANG
Published: August 2012

The hydrostatic piezoelectricity of Pb ( Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3)–x PbTiO 3 (PMN–xPT) ceramics and PMN–0.32PT and Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)–Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)–PbTiO3 (PMN–PIN–PT) crystals were investigated through a quasi-static method. The results showed that pressure-induced depolarization occurred in PMN–xPT ceramics when pressure was above about 50 MPa, while there was no obvious pressure-induced depolarization for PMN–0.32PT and PMN–PIN–PT crystals in the whole pressure range (0~530 MPa). The hydrostatic piezoelectric coefficient d h of PMN–0.32PT and PMN–PIN–PT crystals was nearly independent of pressure. The d h of mono-domain orthorhombic and tetragonal phase crystals is slightly larger, on the order of 100 pC/N. In addition, the relationship between the hydrostatic piezoelectric coefficient d h and the longitudinal and transverse piezoelectric coefficients d33 and d31 for different crystal systems was summarized.
Large Defect-Free Synthetic Type IIa Diamond Crystals Synthesized via High Pressure and High Temperature
Authors: Sumiya Hitoshi , Tamasaku Kenji
Published: August 2012

Large high-quality type IIa diamond crystals measuring up to 12 mm in diameter were successfully synthesized by the temperature gradient method at high pressure and high temperature, using high-crystalline-quality (001)-oriented seed crystals, and by controlling the temperature conditions with high precision. The X-ray projection topograph using a synchrotron radiation beam revealed that the large synthetic diamond crystals are characterized by high-crystalline-quality, having no dislocation or stacking fault in the (001) growth sectors in the upper part of the crystals grown on seeds. Diamond crystals containing a large defect free area of 5 ×5 mm2or more were successfully produced by controlling the temperature strictly on the low-temperature side in the synthesis region for growing type IIa diamond crystals to allow the (001) growth sectors to become dominant.
High Priority of Nanocrystalline Diamond as a Biosensing Platform
Authors: Wang Xianfen , Kurihara Shinichiro , Hasegawa Masataka , Ruslinda A. Rahim , Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: August 2012

Here we report the performance of surface functionalized diamond surfaces as biosensing platform for human immunodeficiency virus trans-activator of transcription (HIV-Tat) peptide detection. Comparative investigations were conducted on nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the morphology differences between NCD and PCD films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data showed that functional components and corresponding coverages, demonstrating denser carboxyl acid groups and fluorinated groups on NCD than that PCD films after UV/ozone and fluorine plasma treatment respectively. Contact angle results showed the differences in surface wettability and free energy between functionalized NCD and PCD biosensors. Fluorescence observations confirmed that higher biosensing performance can be obtained on NCD biosensors with high sensitivity selectivity, and stability. The NCD films with denser surface coverages of functionalizations made NCD films much more priority as an effective biosensing candidate than PCD films.
Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance of Polymer Solar Device by Inserting Nanocrystal Titanium Oxide Interlayer
Authors: Sasaki Kenichi , Yamanari Toshihiro , Takano Syogo , Yoshida Yuji , Ueda Yasukiyo
Published: August 2012

To improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of polymer solar devices, we introduced a highly crystalline nanocrystal titanium oxide layer (nc-TiO2 layer) that was formed by spin-coating a dispersed liquid of precrystallized titanium oxide nanoparticles. The nc-TiO2 layer can be formed more easily and with a higher reproducibility than the TiO
x
layer formed by a conventional low-temperature sol–gel method. By inserting the nc-TiO2 layer, the PCE was significantly improved from 2.70 to 3.91%. The nc-TiO2 layer enabled a larger decrease in internal resistance than the TiO
x
layer; thus, the nc-TiO2 layer acts as an effective hole-blocking layer and optical spacer.
Cathode Work Function Dependence of Electron Transport Efficiency through Buffer Layer in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Oida Tatsuya , Harafuji Kenji
Published: August 2012

An electron transport mechanism through a cathode buffer layer of organic solar cells is experimentally investigated. Inverted organic solar cells with the structure of indium–tin oxide (ITO)/thin cathode metal/bathocuproine (BCP)/fullerene (C60)/copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/pentacene/Ag (anode) are examined. A new model, in that electrons are transported across the BCP buffer layer not through defect states but over the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), is proposed. That is, the defect state density in the BCP layer is not important for electron transport, though the hopping transport model via the defect states is widely accepted. The transport efficiency is sensitive to the cathode work function (WF
C). As WF
C decreases, the energy difference between the BCP LUMO and the cathode Fermi level decreases. This introduces a low electronic potential barrier height from the cathode to the acceptor. The low WF
C is thus important to achieve a low series resistance. Furthermore, the dependence of WF
C on barrier height is also confirmed for tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum buffer.
Enhanced Stability of All Solution-Processed Organic Thin-Film Transistors Using Highly Conductive Modified Polymer Electrodes
Authors: Han Jeong In , Kim Yong-Hoon , Park Sung Kyu
Published: August 2012

Enhanced stability of all solution-processed organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) has been achieved by replacing metallic electrodes with glycerol-modified poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) polymer electrodes. The modified PEDOT:PSS showed a substantially low electrical resistivity of 6.4×10-3Ω cm with improved environmental stability and water-resistant characteristics, which are crucial for highly reliable applications. Additionally, the modified PEDOT:PSS electrodes were highly stable under intense mechanical stress, allowing their application to flexible electronics. Particularly, all solution-processed flexible and transparent OTFTs with the modified PEDOT:PSS electrodes showed a field-effect mobility decrease of only 2.7% after a tensile mode mechanical fatigue test, while OTFTs with metallic electrodes showed a mobility decrease of 56.6% under identical test conditions.
Plasmon-Based Optical Trapping of Polymer Nano-Spheres as Explored by Confocal Fluorescence Microspectroscopy: A Possible Mechanism of a Resonant Excitation Effect
Authors: Shoji Tatsuya , Mizumoto Yoshihiko , Ishihara Hajime , Kitamura Noboru , Takase Mai , Murakoshi Kei , Tsuboi Yasuyuki
Published: August 2012

In optical trapping using photon force much enhanced by localized surface plasmon (LSP) in solution, we found that a resonant excitation effect can further enhance photon force. In this LSP-based optical trapping under a resonant excitation condition, an incident laser beam excites both LSP and electronic resonant transition of a target object simultaneously. Fluorescence microspectroscopy clearly showed that nanospheres under the resonant condition were much more efficiently trapped as compared to that under a non-resonant condition. The resonant LSP-based trapping mechanism was further reinforced by theoretical calculations taking the resonant excitation effect into account. Such resonant LSP-based trapping methodology will provide a novel approach for efficient trapping of small molecules.
CoB/Ni-Based Multilayer Nanowire with High-Speed Domain Wall Motion under Low Current Control
Authors: Ngo Duc-The , Watanabe Norihito , Awano Hiroyuki
Published: August 2012

The spin-transfer torque motion of magnetic domain walls (DWs) in a CoB/Ni-based nanowire driven by a low current density of (1.12±0.8)×1011A m-2has been observed indirectly by magnetotransport measurements. A high DW velocity of 85±4 m/s at zero field was measured at the threshold current density. Upon increasing the current density to 2.6×1011A m-2, the DW velocity increases to 197±16 m/s before decreasing quickly in the high-current-density regime attributed to nonadiabatic spin-transfer torque at a low damping factor and weak pinning. The addition of B atoms to the Co layers decreased the magnitude of saturation magnetization, Gilbert damping factor, and density of pinning sites, making the CoB/Ni multilayer nanowire favorable for practical applications.
Fabrication of Fully Epitaxial CoFe/MgO/CoFe Magnetic Tunnel Junctions on Ge(001) Substrates via a MgO Interlayer
Authors: Li Gui-fang , Taira Tomoyuki , Liu Hong-xi , Matsuda Ken-ichi , Uemura Tetsuya , Yamamoto Masafumi
Published: August 2012

Fully epitaxial magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with Co50Fe50 (CoFe) electrodes and a MgO barrier were fabricated on Ge(001) single-crystal substrates via a MgO interlayer. Microfabricated CoFe/MgO/CoFe MTJs with a 10-nm-thick MgO interlayer showed a high tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) ratio of 218% at 293 K, which is encouraging for monolithic integration of MTJs and Ge field-effect transistors for constructing future-generation nonvolatile logic circuits featuring ultralow-power consumption. Furthermore, MTJs with even a decreased MgO interlayer thickness of 1.0 nm showed a relatively high TMR ratio of 110% at 293 K, suggesting the promise of heterostructures consisting of MTJ/MgO interlayer/Ge(001) as a key device structure for spin injection into a Ge channel from an MTJ.
Hydrogenation Effects of Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Detected by X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure and Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Ray Sekhar C. , Erasmus Rudolph M. , Tsai H. M. , Pao C. W. , Lin I.-N. , Pong W. F.
Published: August 2012

Nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) thin films functionalized with H2 are significantly affected by the sp2 hybridized carbon defects that are detected and analyzed using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and Raman spectroscopy using two different excitation wavelengths. The XANES and Raman results provide evidence for the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons and sp2 amorphous matrix in the grain boundaries when UNCD films are functionalized with H2. These hydrocarbons increase on hydrogenation leading to a decrease of the sp2-carbon defects (π* C=C bond) and an increase of sp3-carbon (σ* C–C bond). This sp3-carbon (σ* C–C bond) is evidently responsible for UNCD crystallites existence in the film structure and hence change the structural integrity, electronic structure, electrical and bonding properties.
Magneto-Optical Enhancement in Cavity Structure Consisted of Perpendicular Antiferromagnetically Coupled CoPt Layers
Authors: Yamane Haruki
Published: August 2012

Magneto-optical properties of a stacked-layer structure with perpendicular antiferromagnetically coupled CoPt layers have been investigated under the polar Kerr measurement condition. The stacked layer included an optical cavity that was basically composed of a [CoPt/ZnO/CoPt] trilayer inside the film. It also acted as a magneto-optical cavity under the residual magnetization condition. The enhancement of the residual Kerr rotation was observed by the antiparallel magnetization alignment of the CoPt layers. The enhanced residual rotation angle in the AF sample was greater than the saturation angle of a 5-nm-thick CoPt single film. Moreover, by the finite-difference time-domain simulation, in this system, we demonstrated that a large enhancement of the magneto-optical effect can be anticipated by adopting a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure.
Fabrication of a Touch Sensor for Flat Panel Displays Using Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate) with Dimethylsulfoxide by Soft Lithography
Authors: Lim Seung-Kyu , Park Eun-Mi , Kim Jin-Soo , Na Seong-Hoon , Park Ho-Jun , Oh Yong-Soo , Suh Su-Jeong
Published: August 2012

In this study, a transparent conductive-polymer-based sensor array designed for use in a touch screen panel was fabricated using soft lithography. One of the most promising conductive polymers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), was used as the conductive material, and the secondary dopant dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used to increase the conductivity. The experiments were conducted using various DMSO concentrations in PEDOT:PSS in order to identify the optimum conditions to achieve high conductivity and transmittance. The electrical properties of PEDOT:PSS thin films were investigated using a four-point probe, and their transmittance was determined using an UV–vis spectrometer. The surface morphology was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A stable conductivity in the range of 110–204 S/cm was obtained at 0–30% DMSO concentrations, and the transmittances were greater than 92% in the visible range.
Selective Removal of Dry-Etching Residue Derived from Polymer Sacrificial Layer for Microelectromechanical-System Device Fabrication
Authors: Takagahara Kazuhiko , Kuwabara Kei , Sakata Tomomi , Ishii Hiromu , Sato Yasuhiro , Jin Yoshito
Published: August 2012

A selective removal of dry-etching residue using hydrofluoric acid (HF) vapor is described in relation to the fabrication of microelectromechanical-system (MEMS) devices. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analysis of residue after dry etching of polymer sacrificial layers reveals that the residue is mainly composed of silicon oxides. HF vapor removes the dry-etching residue, and raising the vapor temperature enables the selective removal of the residue without damaging silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is often used as the insulator for MEMS devices. Direct-contact-type MEMS switches with SiO2 insulators fabricated using polymer sacrificial layers demonstrate the effectiveness of removing the dry-etching residue selectively.
Mechanical Vibration Characteristics for the Driving Part in Array of Microelectromechanical Systems Vibratory Gyroscopes
Authors: Miyake Yoshinori , Hirata Masaki , Suzuki Kenichiro
Published: August 2012

Over the past ten years, much effort to develop microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes with the “tactical” and “inertial” grade has been made. Although several techniques are proposed to increase the sensitivity, each of them has serious tradeoffs with other characteristics. We propose a new approach to accomplish the increase in sensitivity. The overall gyroscope consists of gyroscope elements arrayed in an X–Y matrix. Each gyroscope element is connected with two types of beams, coupling and connecting beams, and is excited in the antiphase vibration mode. First, this array configuration takes the advantage of the large scale factor of N
2, the square of the number of elements, for the sensitivity over a simply large chip (the sensitivity is proportional to N). Second, the vibrational characteristics are not changed from those for a single element irrespective of the number of elements. Therefore, much effort in design can be saved. 1×2 and 2×2 arrays with the resonant frequency of approximately 5 kHz were fabricated and evaluated in terms of the resonant frequency and amplitude for each element. They agreed well with those of a single gyroscope. This indicates that the proposed array helps to reduce the task of frequency tuning, which is needed for conventional 1×2 gyroscope arrays. It is also useful to fabricate a highly resonant gyroscope, which is immune to environmental noise.
The Namibian and Brazilian southern South Atlantic petroleum systems: are they comparable analogues?
Authors: Mello Marcio Rocha , De Azambuja Filho Nilo C. , Bender André A. , Barbanti Silvana Maria , Mohriak Webster , Schmitt Priscila , De Jesus Carlos Luciano C.
Published: August 2012

Tectonic reconstructions made across the southern South Atlantic Ocean indicate a diversity of rift and drift basin characteristics on the conjugate margins that define them as different stratigraphic and structural entities. In terms of petroleum systems, the basins are not as unlike as some characteristics suggest. Given the lack of significant hydrocarbon discoveries to date south of the Walvis Ridge, doubts have been cast on the presence in this area of the prolific Lower Cretaceous lacustrine and marine source rock systems, which are well known in the Greater Campos Basin and offshore Angola. Oils and condensates from the basins south and north of the Walvis Ridge exhibit geochemical similarities suggesting that comparable source rock systems are present in both areas. The condensate geochemical analysis results from the Kudu Field in Namibia are compared with oils from marine and lacustrine sources in Brazil, indicating that the Kudu condensates are derived from at least two different source rocks. These results suggest that the underexplored basins offshore Namibia contain thermally mature Lower Cretaceous lacustrine and marine source rocks, offering a new frontier for petroleum exploration in Africa's southern South Atlantic.
Pyrrhotite remagnetizations in the Himalaya: a review
Authors: Appel E. , Crouzet C. , Schill E.
Published: August 2012

This paper reviews results on the nature and thermo-tectonic interpretation of widespread pyrrhotite remagnetizations in the Himalaya. Throughout the last two decades a large dataset has been acquired, in particular from low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Tethyan Sedimentary Series (TSS). The nature of this magnetization is a thermoremanence when the peak metamorphic temperature
T
max
exceeded the Curie temperature (
T
c
c.
325 °C) of pyrrhotite; in this case the remanence age can be related to last metamorphic cooling. For
T
max
<
T
c
, the remanence can be of chemical, thermochemical or thermoremanent origin. Cooling ages show a systematic trend of
c.
50–20 Ma from the western to the eastern Himalaya. The pyrrhotite remagnetizations post-date main Himalayan folding and record late orogenic long-wavelength rotations and tiltings around vertical and horizontal axes. Remanence directions in the western Himalaya are well matching with large-scale deformations of rotational shortening and oroclinal bending, while in the central and eastern Himalaya they are predominantly controlled by meso-scale effects due to crustal doming. Stable pyrrhotite remanences are especially typical for low-grade marly limestones in the TSS, but were also found in medium-grade rocks of the Lesser Himalaya, highly metamorphic rocks of the Higher Himalayan Crystalline and diorite dykes intruding into the TSS.
Palaeomagnetism of the Mississippian Barnett Shale, Fort Worth Basin, Texas
Authors: Dennie Devin , Elmore R. D. , Deng John , Manning Earl , Pannalal Johari
Published: August 2012

A palaeomagnetic study of four oriented cores was conducted to better understand the timing of diagenetic events in the Mississippian Barnett Shale, a primary source rock and the unconventional gas reservoir in the Fort Worth Basin, Texas. Thermal demagnetization removes a present-field modern viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) as well as a chemical remanent magnetization (CRM) that has shallow inclinations and streaked south–SE-directed declinations. The VRM was used to orient the CRM data for one well and it produced a similar streak of directions. The streaking of directions could represent a mixing trend between two or more CRMs. Specimens from bedding-parallel and NE subvertical mineralized fractures contain a CRM that is interpreted to be of Pennsylvanian age and to have formed in response to burial diagenetic processes. NE- and NW-oriented vertical fractures are common to rocks that contain late Permian to Triassic CRMs. Sr and sulphur isotope results from vein minerals around NE fractures suggest the CRM could be related to fluids sourced from the Ouachita front. The SE directions in the streak could be explained if the northern part of the basin experienced a component of anticlockwise rotation of up to 20° in the Pennsylvanian.
A multidisciplinary investigation of multiple remagnetizations within the Southern Canadian Cordillera, SW Alberta and SE British Columbia
Authors: Zechmeister M. S. , Pannalal S. , Elmore R. D.
Published: August 2012

An integrated palaeomagnetic, geochemical and petrographic study was conducted on two folds in the Front Range of the Southern Canadian Cordillera in order to better understand the timing and origin of chemical remanent magnetizations (CRMs) relative to orogenesis. The folds are contained within Mississippian carbonates (330–335 Ma) which contain a pervasive pre-tilting to early syn-tilting Early Cretaceous, high-temperature CRM residing in magnetite. An intermediate-temperature CRM is a late syn-tilting to post-tilting, possibly Tertiary remagnetization, residing in pyrrhotite. A fluid conduit test (FCT) conducted on bedding-parallel veins shows that they are associated with the magnetite CRM, whereas late-stage tensile veins show a relationship to a pyrrhotite CRM. Elevated
87
Sr /
86
Sr data indicate alteration by fluids with a radiogenic signature; along with the FCT results, these data are consistent with the interpretation that the magnetite CRM formed as a result of hydrocarbons and/or evolved basinal fluids that migrated ahead of the deformation front. Based on the presence of sulphur-enriched bitumen, barite and sphalerite, common by-products of thermal sulphate reduction (TSR), the pyrrhotite CRM is interpreted to be the result of late-stage TSR caused by warm basement fluids which moved along faults and fractures.
Episodic Remagnetizations related to tectonic events and their consequences for the South America Polar Wander Path
Authors: Font E. , Rapalini A. E. , Tomezzoli R. N. , Trindade R. I. F. , Tohver E.
Published: August 2012

The South American record of remagnetizations is linked to specific events of its tectonic history stretching back to Precambrian times. At the Ediacaran–Cambrian time interval (570–500 Ma), the final stages of the western Gondwana assemblage led to remagnetization of Neoproterozoic carbonates within the São Francisco–Congo Craton and at the border of the Amazon Craton, along the Araguaia–Paraguay–Pampean Belt. From the late Permian to early Triassic, the San Rafaelic orogeny and the emplacement of the Choiyoi magmatic province was responsible for widespread remagnetizations in Argentina and Uruguay. Cretaceous remagnetization has also been documented in Brazil and interpreted to result from magmatism and fault reactivations linked to the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean. We present a review of these widespread remagnetization events principally based on palaeomagnetic data and, when available, on rock magnetic and radiogenic isotope age data. This study gives an overview of the geographical distribution of the remagnetization events in South America, and provides important clues to better understand the geodynamic evolution of the South American plate at these times. In addition, magnetic mineralogy data for the different case studies presented here constrain the physical–chemical mechanisms that led to partial or total resetting of magnetic remanences in sedimentary rocks.
Remagnetization of the Alamo Breccia, Nevada
Authors: Evans Stacey C. , Elmore R. Douglas , Dennie Devin , Dulin Shannon A.
Published: August 2012

The Devonian Alamo Breccia is a thick (<30–130 m) unit, interpreted as a bolide impact deposit, which is bracketed by marine carbonates. Samples were collected within the breccia and above/below the breccia for a contact test to determine if the breccia acted as a conduit for fluids that could have caused the widespread chemical remanent magnetizations (CRMs) present in Palaeozoic Era rocks in Nevada. The carbonates above, below and in the breccia contain a Cretaceous Period syn-tilting CRM that resides in pyrrhotite and a pre-tilting late Palaeozoic Era CRM that resides in magnetite. The contact test is negative. Despite these results, diagenetic alteration by externally derived fluids is interpreted as the most likely mechanism of remagnetization. This hypothesis is supported by
87
Sr/
86
Sr values in the breccia and surrounding rocks that suggest alteration by fluids with a radiogenic signature. The fluids were not localized in the breccia but are interpreted to have moved pervasively through the rocks. The results differ from some other studies that found that fluids caused localized CRMs around fluid conduits.
Late Pleistocene and Holocene uplift history of Cyprus: implications for active tectonics along the southern margin of the Anatolian microplate
Authors: Harrison R. W. , Tsiolakis E. , Stone B. D. , Lord A. , McGeehin J. P. , Mahan S. A. , Chirico P.
Published: August 2012

The nature of the southern margin of the Anatolian microplate during the Neogene is complex, controversial and fundamental in understanding active plate-margin tectonics and natural hazards in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Our investigation provides new insights into the Late Pleistocene uplift history of Cyprus and the Troodos Ophiolite. We provide isotopic (
14
C) and radiogenic (luminescence) dates of outcropping marine sediments in eastern Cyprus that identify periods of deposition during marine isotope stages (MIS) 3, 4, 5 and 6. Past sea-levels indicated by these deposits are
c.
95±25 m higher in elevation than estimates of worldwide eustatic sea-level. An uplift rate of
c.
1.8 mm/year and possibly as much as
c.
4.1 mm/year in the past
c.
26–40 ka is indicated. Holocene marine deposits also occur at elevations higher than those expected for past SL and suggest uplift rates of
c.
1.2–2.1 mm/year. MIS-3 marine deposits that crop out in southern and western Cyprus indicate uniform island-wide uplift. We propose a model of tectonic wedging at a plate-bounding restraining bend as a mechanism for Late Pleistocene to Holocene uplift of Cyprus; uplift is accommodated by deformation and seismicity along the margins of the Troodos Ophiolite and re-activation of its low-angle, basal shear zone.

Supplementary material:

An expanded description of the procedures used in determining OSL ages for samples given in Table
2
is available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18533
.
Receptor Kinase Signaling Pathways in Plant-Microbe Interactions
Authors: Antolín-Llovera Meritxell , Ried Martina K. , Binder Andreas , Parniske Martin
Published: August 2012

Plant receptor-like kinases (RLKs) function in diverse signaling pathways, including the responses to microbial signals in symbiosis and defense. This versatility is achieved with a common overall structure: an extracytoplasmic domain (ectodomain) and an intracellular protein kinase domain involved in downstream signal transduction. Various surfaces of the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) ectodomain superstructure are utilized for interaction with the cognate ligand in both plant and animal receptors. RLKs with lysin-motif (LysM) ectodomains confer recognitional specificity toward N-acetylglucosamine-containing signaling molecules, such as chitin, peptidoglycan (PGN), and rhizobial nodulation factor (NF), that induce immune or symbiotic responses. Signaling downstream of RLKs does not follow a single pattern; instead, the detailed analysis of brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, innate immunity, and symbiosis revealed at least three largely nonoverlapping pathways. In this review, we focus on RLKs involved in plant-microbe interactions and contrast the signaling pathways leading to symbiosis and defense.
The ly-6 protein, lynx1, is an endogenous inhibitor of nicotinic signaling in airway epithelium
Authors: Fu Xiao Wen , Rekow Stephen S. , Spindel Eliot R.
Published: August 2012

Our laboratory has previously reported that bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) express a regulatory cascade of classic neurotransmitters and receptors that communicate in an almost neuronal-like manner to achieve physiological regulation. In this paper we show that the similarity between neurotransmitter signaling in neurons and BEC extends to the level of transmitter receptor allosteric modulators. Lynx1 is a member of the ly-6/three-finger superfamily of proteins, many of which modulate receptor signaling activity. Lynx1 specifically has been shown to modulate nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function in neurons by altering receptor sensitivity and desensitization. We now report that lynx1 forms a complex with α7 nAChR in BEC and serves to negatively regulate α7 downstream signaling events. Treatment of primary cultures of BEC with nicotine increased levels of nAChR subunits and that increase was potentiated by lynx1 knockdown. Lynx1 knockdown also potentiated the nicotine-induced increase in GABAA receptors (GABAAR) and MUC5AC mRNA expression, and that effect was blocked by α7 antagonists and α7 knockdown. In parallel with the increases in nAChR, GABAAR, and mucin mRNA levels, lynx1 knockdown also increased levels of p-Src. Consistent with this, inhibition of Src signaling blocked the ability of the lynx1 knockdown to increase basal and nicotine-stimulated GABAAR and mucin mRNA expression. Thus lynx1 appears to act as a negative modulator of α7 nAChR-induced events by inhibiting Src activation. This suggests that lynx1 agonists or mimetics are a potentially important therapeutic target to develop new therapies for smoking-related diseases characterized by increased mucin expression.
Forskolin stimulation promotes urea transporter UT-A1 ubiquitination, endocytosis, and degradation in MDCK cells
Authors: Su Hua , Carter Conner B. , Laur Oskar , Sands Jeff M. , Chen Guangping
Published: August 2012

The adenylyl cyclase stimulator forskolin (FSK) stimulates UT-A1 phosphorylation, membrane trafficking, and urea transport activity. Here, we found that FSK stimulation induces UT-A1 ubiquitination in UT-A1 Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. This suggests that phosphorylation by FSK also triggers the protein degradation machinery for UT-A1. UT-A1-MDCK cells were treated with 100 μg/ml cycloheximide to inhibit protein synthesis, with or without 10 μM FSK. Total UT-A1 protein abundance was significantly reduced after FSK treatment, concomitantly ubiquitinated UT-A1 was increased. We then specifically investigated the effect of FSK on UT-A1 expressed on the cell plasma membrane. FSK treatment accelerated UT-A1 removal from the cell plasma membrane by increasing UT-A1 endocytosis as judged by biotinylation/MesNa treatment and confocal microscopy. We further found that inhibition of the clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway, but not the caveolin-mediated endocytic pathway, significantly blocks FSK-stimulated UT-A1 endocytosis. The PKA inhibitor H89 and the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin reduced FSK-induced membrane UT-A1 reduction. Our study shows that FSK activates the UT-A1 urea transporter and the activation/phosphorylation subsequently triggers the downregulation of UT-A1, which represents an important mechanism for the cell to return to the basal conditions after vasopressin stimulation.
Effects of aging, TNF-α, and exercise training on angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction of rat skeletal muscle arterioles
Authors: Park Yoonjung , Prisby Rhonda D. , Behnke Brad J. , Dominguez James M. , Lesniewski Lisa A. , Donato Anthony J. , Muller-Delp Judy , Delp Michael D.
Published: August 2012

Skeletal muscle vascular resistance during physical exertion is higher with old age. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 1) aging enhances angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vasoconstriction; 2) the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α contributes to alterations in ANG II-mediated vasoconstriction with aging; 3) exercise training attenuates putative age-associated increases in ANG II-mediated vasoconstriction; and 4) the mechanism(s) through which aging and exercise training alters ANG II-induced vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle arterioles. Male Fischer 344 rats were assigned to four groups: young sedentary (4 mo), old sedentary (24 mo), young trained, and old trained. In a separate group of young sedentary and old sedentary animals, a TNF type 1 receptor inhibitor was administered subcutaneously for 10 wk. First-order arterioles were isolated from soleus and gastrocnemius muscles for in vitro experimentation. Old age augmented ANG II-induced vasoconstriction in both soleus (young: 27 ± 3%; old: 38 ± 4%) and gastrocnemius (young: 42 ± 6%; old: 64 ± 9%) muscle arterioles; this augmented vasoconstriction was abolished with the removal of the endothelium, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, and chronic inhibition of TNF-α. In addition, exercise training ameliorated the age-induced increase in ANG II vasoconstriction. These findings demonstrate that old age enhances and exercise training diminishes ANG II-induced vasoconstrictor responses in skeletal muscle arterioles through an endothelium-dependent nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway. In addition, the enhancement of ANG II vasoconstriction with old age appears to be related to a proinflammatory state.
Functional adaptations in the skeletal muscle microvasculature to endurance and interval sprint training in the type 2 diabetic OLETF rat
Authors: Martin Jeffrey S. , Padilla Jaume , Jenkins Nathan T. , Crissey Jacqueline M. , Bender Shawn B. , Rector R. Scott , Thyfault John P. , Laughlin M. Harold
Published: August 2012

Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes includes recommendation to perform aerobic exercise, but evidence indicates that high-intensity exercise training may confer greater benefit. Unique motor recruitment patterns during exercise elicit spatially focused increases in blood flow and subsequent adaptations. Therefore, using 20-wk-old Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats with advanced insulin resistance, we examined whether 12 wk of exercise protocols that elicit different motor unit recruitment patterns, endurance exercise (EndEx), and interval sprint training (IST) induce spatially differential effects on endothelial-dependent dilation to acetylcholine (ACh; 1 nM–100 μM) and vasoreactivity to insulin (1–1,000 μIU/ml) in isolated, pressurized skeletal muscle resistance arterioles. Compared with sedentary OLETF rats, EndEx enhanced sensitivity to ACh in second-order arterioles perfusing the “red” (G2A-R) and “white” (G2A-W) portions of the gastrocnemius (EC50: +36.0 and +31.7%, respectively), whereas IST only increased sensitivity to ACh in the G2A-R (+35.5%). Significant heterogeneity in the vasomotor response to insulin was observed between EndEx and IST as mean endothelin-1 contribution in EndEx was 27.3 ± 7.6 and 25.9 ± 11.0% lower in the G2A-R and G2A-W, respectively. These microvascular effects of exercise were observed in conjunction with training-related improvements in glycemic control (HbA1c: 6.84 ± 0.23, 5.39 ± 0.06, and 5.30 ± 0.14% in sedentary, EndEx, and IST, respectively). In summary, this study provides novel evidence that treatment of advanced insulin resistance in the OLETF rat with exercise paradigms that elicit diverse motor recruitment patterns produce differential adaptive responses in endothelial-dependent dilation and in the complex vascular actions of insulin.
55th Bowditch Lecture: Effects of chronic hypoxia on the pulmonary circulation: Role of HIF-1
Authors: Shimoda Larissa A.
Published: August 2012

When exposed to chronic hypoxia (CH), the pulmonary circulation responds with enhanced contraction and vascular remodeling, resulting in elevated pulmonary arterial pressures. Our work has identified CH-induced alterations in the expression and activity of several ion channels and transporters in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle that contribute to the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and uncovered a critical role for the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in mediating these responses. Current work is focused on the regulation of HIF in the chronically hypoxic lung and evaluation of the potential for pharmacological inhibitors of HIF to prevent, reverse, or slow the progression of pulmonary hypertension.
Service-Oriented Radio Architecture: A Novel M2M Network Architecture for Cognitive Radio Systems
Authors: Dong Xu , Wei Shengqun , Li Ying , Wang Lifeng , Bai Lin
Published: August 2012

In future cognitive radio networks, a number of spectrum sensors can be distributedly deployed to monitor the surrounding wireless environment, where the machine-to-machine (M2M) technology is considered to provide the interactions among sensors, cognitive engines, and other system modules. Thus, a flexible M2M network architecture is desired to develop cognitive radio networks. As a distributed system framework, service-oriented architecture (SOA) has been well studied to provide the loose coupling, reusability, and scalability, where various system function modules are encapsulated into web services to build a virtual system. In this paper, based on SOA, we propose a flexible M2M architecture, namely, the service-oriented radio architecture (SORA), to develop the cognitive radio systems. It shows that our proposed architecture provides coordinated implementation of cognitive radio systems based on different development platforms. Furthermore, an SORA-based cognitive radio testbed is implemented, where the standard web service technologies and open source software tools are used to support the characteristics of SORA.
In Vivo Regulation of TGF-β by R-Ras2 Revealed through Loss of the RasGAP Protein NF1
Authors: Patmore Deanna M. , Welch Sara , Fulkerson Patricia C. , Wu Jianqiang , Choi Kwangmin , Eaves David , Kordich Jennifer J. , Collins Margaret H. , Cripe Timothy P. , Ratner Nancy
Published: August 2012

Ras superfamily proteins participate in TGF-β—mediated developmental pathways that promote either tumor suppression or progression. However, the specific Ras proteins, which integrate in vivo with TGF-β signaling pathways, are unknown. As a general approach to this question, we activated all Ras proteins in vivo by genetic deletion of the RasGAP protein Nf1 and examined mice doubly deficient in a Ras protein to determine its requirement in formation of TGF-β—dependent neurofibromas that arise in Nf1-deficient mice. Animals lacking Nf1 and the Ras-related protein R-Ras2/TC21 displayed a delay in formation of neurofibromas but an acceleration in formation of brain tumors and sarcomas. Loss of R-Ras2 was associated with elevated expression of TGF-β in Nf1-deficient Schwann cell precursors, blockade of a Nf1/TGFβRII/AKT-dependent autocrine survival loop in tumor precursor cells, and decreased precursor cell numbers. Furthermore, the increase in size of sarcomas from xenografts doubly deficient in these genes was also found to be TGF-β—dependent, in this case resulting from cell nonautonomous effects on endothelial cells and myofibroblasts. Extending these findings in clinical specimens, we documented an increase in TGF-β ligands and an absence of TGF-β receptor II in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, which correspond to tumors in the Nf1-deficient mouse model. Together, our findings reveal R-Ras2 as a critical regulator of TGF-β signaling in vivo. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5317–27. ©2012 AACR.
Identifying and Targeting ROS1 Gene Fusions in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Davies Kurtis D. , Le Anh T. , Theodoro Mariana F. , Skokan Margaret C. , Aisner Dara L. , Berge Eamon M. , Terracciano Luigi M. , Cappuzzo Federico , Incarbone Matteo , Roncalli Massimo , Alloisio Marco , Santoro Armando , Camidge D. Ross , Varella-Garcia Marileila , Doebele Robert C.
Published: August 2012

Purpose: Oncogenic gene fusions involving the 3′ region of ROS1 kinase have been identified in various human cancers. In this study, we sought to characterize ROS1 fusion genes in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and establish the fusion proteins as drug targets.

Experimental Design: An NSCLC tissue microarray (TMA) panel containing 447 samples was screened for ROS1 rearrangement by FISH. This assay was also used to screen patients with NSCLC. In positive samples, the identity of the fusion partner was determined through inverse PCR and reverse transcriptase PCR. In addition, the clinical efficacy of ROS1 inhibition was assessed by treating a ROS1-positive patient with crizotinib. The HCC78 cell line, which expresses the SLC34A2–ROS1 fusion, was treated with kinase inhibitors that have activity against ROS1. The effects of ROS1 inhibition on proliferation, cell-cycle progression, and cell signaling pathways were analyzed by MTS assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.

Results: In the TMA panel, 5 of 428 (1.2%) evaluable samples were found to be positive for ROS1 rearrangement. In addition, 1 of 48 patients tested positive for rearrangement, and this patient showed tumor shrinkage upon treatment with crizotinib. The patient and one TMA sample displayed expression of the recently identified SDC4–ROS1 fusion, whereas two TMA samples expressed the CD74–ROS1 fusion and two others expressed the SLC34A2–ROS1 fusion. In HCC78 cells, treatment with ROS1 inhibitors was antiproliferative and downregulated signaling pathways that are critical for growth and survival.

Conclusions: ROS1 inhibition may be an effective treatment strategy for the subset of patients with NSCLC whose tumors express ROS1 fusion genes. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4570–9. ©2012 AACR.
MicroRNA Dissects Out Dangerous Pancreatic Cysts from All the Rest
Authors: Thomas Ryan M. , Fleming Jason B.
Published: August 2012

Malignant transformation of pancreatic cysts occurs in only a fraction of patients. The diagnostic dilemma is identifying which cysts pose a cancerous threat. Cyst fluid has been analyzed in a variety of ways to answer this question but the microRNA (miRNA) profile of the fluid may finally hold the answer. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4482–4. ©2012 AACR.