bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorting of chiral active particles driven by rotary obstacles
Authors: Chen Qun , Ai Bao-quan
Published: September 2015

Sorting of microswimmers based on their mobility properties is of utmost importance for various branches of science and engineering. In this paper, we proposed a novel sorting method, where the mixed chiral particles can be separated by applying two opposite rotary obstacles. It is found that when the angular speed of the obstacles, the angular speed of active particles, and the self-propulsion speed satisfy a certain relation, the mixed particles can be completely separated and the capture efficiency takes its maximal value. Our results may have application in capture or sorting of chiral active particles, or even measuring the chirality of active particles.
Scattering theory for the matrix Schrödinger operator on the half line with general boundary conditions
Authors: Weder Ricardo
Published: September 2015

We study the stationary scattering theory for the matrix Schrödinger equation on the half line, with the most general boundary condition at the origin, and with integrable selfadjoint matrix potentials. We prove the limiting absorption principle, we construct the generalized Fourier maps, and we prove that they are partially isometric with initial space, the subspace of absolute continuity of the matrix Schrödinger operator, and final space L2((0, ∞)). We prove the existence and the completeness of the wave operators and we establish that they are given by the stationary formulae. We also construct the spectral shift function and we give its high-energy asymptotics. Furthermore, assuming that the potential also has a finite first moment, we prove a Levinson’s theorem for the spectral shift function.
Effective temperatures and the breakdown of the Stokes-Einstein relation for particle suspensions
Authors: Mendoza Carlos I. , Santamaría-Holek I. , Pérez-Madrid A.
Published: September 2015

The short- and long-time breakdown of the classical Stokes-Einstein relation for colloidal suspensions at arbitrary volume fractions is explained here by examining the role that confinement and attractive interactions play in the intra- and inter-cage dynamics executed by the colloidal particles. We show that the measured short-time diffusion coefficient is larger than the one predicted by the classical Stokes-Einstein relation due to a non-equilibrated energy transfer between kinetic and configuration degrees of freedom. This transfer can be incorporated in an effective kinetic temperature that is higher than the temperature of the heat bath. We propose a Generalized Stokes-Einstein relation (GSER) in which the effective temperature replaces the temperature of the heat bath. This relation then allows to obtain the diffusion coefficient once the viscosity and the effective temperature are known. On the other hand, the temporary cluster formation induced by confinement and attractive interactions of hydrodynamic nature makes the long-time diffusion coefficient to be smaller than the corresponding one obtained from the classical Stokes-Einstein relation. Then, the use of the GSER allows to obtain an effective temperature that is smaller than the temperature of the heat bath. Additionally, we provide a simple expression based on a differential effective medium theory that allows to calculate the diffusion coefficient at short and long times. Comparison of our results with experiments and simulations for suspensions of hard and porous spheres shows an excellent agreement in all cases.
Direct experimental visualization of the global Hamiltonian progression of two-dimensional Lagrangian flow topologies from integrable to chaotic state
Authors: Baskan O. , Speetjens M. F. M. , Metcalfe G. , Clercx H. J. H
Published: September 2015

Countless theoretical/numerical studies on transport and mixing in two-dimensional (2D) unsteady flows lean on the assumption that Hamiltonian mechanisms govern the Lagrangian dynamics of passive tracers. However, experimental studies specifically investigating said mechanisms are rare. Moreover, they typically concern local behavior in specific states (usually far away from the integrable state) and generally expose this indirectly by dye visualization. Laboratory experiments explicitly addressing the global Hamiltonian progression of the Lagrangian flow topology entirely from integrable to chaotic state, i.e., the fundamental route to efficient transport by chaotic advection, appear non-existent. This motivates our study on experimental visualization of this progression by direct measurement of Poincaré sections of passive tracer particles in a representative 2D time-periodic flow. This admits (i) accurate replication of the experimental initial conditions, facilitating true one-to-one comparison of simulated and measured behavior, and (ii) direct experimental investigation of the ensuing Lagrangian dynamics. The analysis reveals a close agreement between computations and observations and thus experimentally validates the full global Hamiltonian progression at a great level of detail.
High precision quantum-chemical treatment of adsorption: Benchmarking physisorption of molecular hydrogen on graphane
Authors: Usvyat Denis
Published: September 2015

A multilevel hierarchical ab initio protocol for calculating adsorption on non-conducting surfaces is presented. It employs fully periodic treatment, which reaches local Møller-Plesset perturbation theory of second order (MP2) with correction for the basis set incompleteness via the local F12 technique. Post-MP2 corrections are calculated using finite clusters. That includes the coupled cluster treatment in the local and canonical frameworks (up to perturbative quadruples) and correlated core (with MP2). Using this protocol, the potential surface of hydrogen molecules adsorbed on graphane was computed. According to the calculations, hydrogen molecules are adsorbed on graphane in a perpendicular to the surface orientation with the minimum of the potential surface of around −3.6 kJ/mol located at the distance of 3.85 Å between the bond center of the hydrogen molecule and the mid-plane of graphane. The adsorption sites along the path from the downward-pointing carbon to the ring center of the graphane are energetically virtually equally preferable, which can enable nearly free translations of hydrogen molecules along these paths. Consequently, the hydrogen molecules on graphane most likely form a non-commensurate monolayer. The analysis of the remaining errors reveals a very high accuracy of the computed potential surface with an error bar of a few tenths of a kJ/mol. The obtained results are a high-precision benchmark for further theoretical and experimental studies of hydrogen molecules interacting with graphane.
Note: A resonating reflector-based optical system for motion measurement in micro-cantilever arrays
Authors: Sathishkumar P. , Punyabrahma P. , Sri Muthu Mrinalini R. , Jayanth G. R.
Published: September 2015

A robust, compact optical measurement unit for motion measurement in micro-cantilever arrays enables development of portable micro-cantilever sensors. This paper reports on an optical beam deflection-based system to measure the deflection of micro-cantilevers in an array that employs a single laser source, a single detector, and a resonating reflector to scan the measurement laser across the array. A strategy is also proposed to extract the deflection of individual cantilevers from the acquired data. The proposed system and measurement strategy are experimentally evaluated and demonstrated to measure motion of multiple cantilevers in an array.
Gradient induced liquid motion on laser structured black Si surfaces
Authors: Paradisanos I. , Fotakis C. , Anastasiadis S. H. , Stratakis E.
Published: September 2015

This letter reports on the femtosecond laser fabrication of gradient-wettability micro/nano-patterns on Si surfaces. The dynamics of directional droplet spreading on the surface tension gradients developed is systematically investigated and discussed. It is shown that microdroplets on the patterned surfaces spread at a maximum speed of 505 mm/s, which is the highest velocity demonstrated so far for liquid spreading on a surface tension gradient in ambient conditions. The application of the proposed laser patterning technique for the precise fabrication of surface tension gradients for open microfluidic systems, liquid management in fuel cells, and drug delivery is envisaged.
Unsteady Fast Random Particle Mesh method for efficient prediction of tonal and broadband noises of a centrifugal fan unit
Authors: Heo Seung , Cheong Cheolung , Kim Taehoon
Published: September 2015

In this study, efficient numerical method is proposed for predicting tonal and broadband noises of a centrifugal fan unit. The proposed method is based on Hybrid Computational Aero-Acoustic (H-CAA) techniques combined with Unsteady Fast Random Particle Mesh (U-FRPM) method. The U-FRPM method is developed by extending the FRPM method proposed by Ewert et al. and is utilized to synthesize turbulence flow field from unsteady RANS solutions. The H-CAA technique combined with U-FRPM method is applied to predict broadband as well as tonal noises of a centrifugal fan unit in a household refrigerator. Firstly, unsteady flow field driven by a rotating fan is computed by solving the RANS equations with Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) techniques. Main source regions around the rotating fan are identified by examining the computed flow fields. Then, turbulence flow fields in the main source regions are synthesized by applying the U-FRPM method. The acoustic analogy is applied to model acoustic sources in the main source regions. Finally, the centrifugal fan noise is predicted by feeding the modeled acoustic sources into an acoustic solver based on the Boundary Element Method (BEM). The sound spectral levels predicted using the current numerical method show good agreements with the measured spectra at the Blade Pass Frequencies (BPFs) as well as in the high frequency range. On the more, the present method enables quantitative assessment of relative contributions of identified source regions to the sound field by comparing predicted sound pressure spectrum due to modeled sources.
Single-step preparation and consolidation of reduced early-transition-metal oxide/metal n-type thermoelectric composites
Authors: Gaultois Michael W. , Douglas Jason E. , Sparks Taylor D. , Seshadri Ram
Published: September 2015

Reduced early transition metal oxides/metal composites have been identified here as interesting thermoelectric materials. Numerous compositions in the Nb-rich portion of the WO3–Nb2O5 system have been studied, in composite formulations with elemental W. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been employed to achieve rapid preparation and consolidation of composite materials containing W metal precipitates with characteristic length scales that range from under 20 nm to a few microns, that exhibit thermal conductivities that are constant from 300 K to 1000 K, approximately 2.5 W m−1 K−1. Thermoelectric properties of these n-type materials were measured, and the highest-performing compositions were found to reach figure of merit zT values close to 0.1 at 950 K. The measurements point to higher zT values at yet-higher temperatures.
Large enhancement of Blocking temperature by control of interfacial structures in Pt/NiFe/IrMn/MgO/Pt multilayers
Authors: Chen Xi , Wang Shouguo , Han Gang , Jiang Shaolong , Yang Kang , Liu Qianqian , Liu Jialong , Wang Rongming , Yu Guanghua
Published: September 2015

The Blocking temperature (TB) of Pt/NiFe/IrMn/MgO/Pt multilayers was greatly enhanced from far below room temperature (RT) to above RT by inserting 1 nm thick Mg layer at IrMn/MgO interface. Furthermore, the exchange bias field (Heb) was increased as well by the control of interfacial structures. The evidence for a significant fraction of Mn-O bonding at IrMn/MgO interface without Mg insertion layer was provided by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The bonding between Mn and O can decrease the antiferromagnetism of IrMn film, leading to lower value of TB in Pt/NiFe/IrMn/MgO/Pt multilayers. Ultrathin Mg film inserted at IrMn/MgO interface acting as an oxygen sinking layer can suppress the oxidation reactions between Mn and O and reduce the formation of Mn-O bonding greatly. The oxidation suppression results in the recovery of the antiferromagnetism of IrMn film, which can enhance TB and Heb. Furthermore, the high resolution transmission electron microscopy demonstrates that the Mg insertion layer can efficiently promote a high-quality MgO (200) texture. This study will enhance the understanding of physics in antiferromagnet-based spintronic devices.
Uncatalyzed CO2Li-Mediated SNAr Reaction of Unprotected Benzoic Acids via Silicon Trickery
Authors: Belaud-Rotureau Mickael , Castanet Anne-Sophie , Nguyen Thi Huu , Mortier Jacques
Published: September 2015

The alkyl and aryllithium nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) displacement of a fluoro or methoxy group from unprotected 2-fluoro/methoxybenzoic acids is discussed. It was discovered that a TMS group located at the C6-position ortho to the carboxyl group shields effectively the carboxylate against nucleophilic attack, thus reducing dramatically ketone formation, and reorients nucleophilic substitution to the C2-position. The reactions with fluoro-substituted substrate 7 proceed efficiently; in contrast, the use of methoxy-functionalized benzoic acid 8 only affords moderate yields with s-BuLi and PhLi. This uncatalyzed coupling reaction, which provides a direct access to biaryl compounds, presumably proceeds by an addition–elimination sequence via intermediate formation of a resonance-stabilized pentavalent silalactone-Meisenheimer complex.
The transformation of urban space
Authors: Martín Rojo Luisa , Portillo Cristina
Published: September 2015

This paper draws attention to the ways in which spatial configurations operate as constitutive dimensions of sociolinguistic phenomena and vice versa; that is, the way in which communicative practices frame daily life and the broader urban reality. The paper presents an approach which integrates the study of Linguistic Landscapes, the dynamics of deterritorialisation/reterritorialisation, proposed by Deleuze and Guattari (1987), and Bourdieu’s concept of social field. The paper shows that whilst there are possibilities of agency in urban space transformation, such opportunities are restricted by social agents’ positioning in the different social fields (e.g. tourism vs. local commerce), and by their positioning in relation to the social processes of assimilation, integration, segregation or marginalization.
Longitudinal changes in academic learner Finnish
Authors: Ivaska Ilmari
Published: September 2015

This paper studies longitudinal changes that occur in academic learner Finnish. The approach is data-driven, and it shares the usage-based view of language. The data are part of theCorpus of Advanced Learner Finnishand the studied features are determined statistically by tracing the morphological forms that show the clearest changes in their frequency during the observation period of 16 months. Features found to depict such changes are then studied in greater detail to find out the constructional nature and possible reason for the observed change. The results show that the use of the preterite tense constructions decreases while the present tense constructions increases and that the change is not due to any single lexical unit. The use also becomes quantitatively more native-like. The change is likely due to emergence of a new linguistic register — academic Finnish — and the results thus support the usage-based theory of language acquisition.
Effects of listener factors and stimulus properties on the intelligibility, comprehensibility and accentedness of L2 speech
Authors: Jułkowska Izabela Anna , Cebrian Juli
Published: September 2015

The intelligibility, comprehensibility and foreign accentedness of native and Polish-accented English sentences were evaluated by six Polish, six Spanish and six English speakers. The nonnative data were also analyzed for segmental and word stress errors. Results indicated that the three measures were partially independent of one another, supporting earlier findings that accented speech can be intelligible and comprehensible. An interlanguage speech intelligibility detriment was observed for Spanish listeners, but no clear evidence of an interlanguage speech intelligibility benefit was found, as nonnative listeners never outperformed native listeners. The number of segmental errors, rather than lexical stress errors, was found to correlate with comprehensibility and accentedness ratings of nonnative speech, but not with intelligibility scores. In general, the results point to a greater effect of stimulus properties than of listeners’ L1s in the perception of nonnative speech.
Overt and covert contrast in L2 phonology
Authors: Eckman Fred , Iverson Gregory , Song Jae Yung
Published: September 2015

This paper reports results on the acquisition of the English /p/–/b/ contrast by native speakers of Arabic. This contrast does not exist in the participants’ native language (NL). The central finding of this study is that some of the research participants exhibited a covert contrast between these segments in their interlanguage productions. That is, two of the five Arabic-speaking participants who were transcribed as having no contrast between [p] and [b] did, in fact, produce a statistically reliable distinction in voice onset time lags between the two target segments. The existence of such an intermediate stage of covert contrast in the learning of L2 phonology is eminently plausible, in view of the progressive nature of phonological acquisition. Our results help bring the learning of second-language contrasts into conformity with findings of the same phenomenon in the areas of L1 acquisition and phonologically disordered speech.
Monitoring of in‐season neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue in youth rugby players
Authors: Oliver Jonathan L. , Lloyd Rhodri S. , Whitney Adam
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine both short‐ and long‐term neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue in youth rugby players during a seven‐week in‐season mesocycle. Eleven male youth rugby players (age 16.9 ± 0.8 years) were assessed for countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI) and leg stiffness to monitor neuromuscular performance, together with a well‐being questionnaire to monitor perceptual fatigue. Players trained and competed throughout a seven‐week block with test variables measured at baseline and 24 h pre‐ and post‐matches played in weeks 1, 4 and 7. Players trained on average 9.7 ± 1.1 h per week and competed in 10.5 ± 1.9 games over the seven‐week block. Pre‐ to post‐match reductions were significant across all games for CMJ, RSI and well‐being (all P < 0.05), ranging from likely to almost certain negative reductions. Well‐being and RSI demonstrated non‐significant (P < 0.05) unclear or inconsistent changes when comparing pre‐match scores to baseline. Significant reductions to baseline were observed pre‐match for CMJ (weeks 4 and 7) and stiffness (week 7), representing very likely to almost certain negative long‐term decrements. CMJ, RSI and well‐being were all sensitive to detecting post‐match fatigue. Importantly, CMJ and stiffness were sensitive to detecting accumulated fatigue over a seven‐week period, whereas RSI and well‐being were not. Consequently, either a CMJ or leg stiffness should be monitored to detect long‐term, accumulated fatigue in academy rugby players.
Prosaposin facilitates sortilin-independent lysosomal trafficking of progranulin
Authors: Zhou Xiaolai , Sun Lirong , Bastos de Oliveira Francisco , Qi Xiaoyang , Brown William J. , Smolka Marcus B. , Sun Ying , Hu Fenghua
Published: September 2015

Mutations in the progranulin (PGRN) gene have been linked to two distinct neurodegenerative diseases, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Accumulating evidence suggests a critical role of PGRN in lysosomes. However, how PGRN is trafficked to lysosomes is still not clear. Here we report a novel pathway for lysosomal delivery of PGRN. We found that prosaposin (PSAP) interacts with PGRN and facilitates its lysosomal targeting in both biosynthetic and endocytic pathways via the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1. PSAP deficiency in mice leads to severe PGRN trafficking defects and a drastic increase in serum PGRN levels. We further showed that this PSAP pathway is independent of, but complementary to, the previously identified PGRN lysosomal trafficking mediated by sortilin. Collectively, our results provide new understanding on PGRN trafficking and shed light on the molecular mechanisms behind FTLD and NCL caused by PGRN mutations.
Asymmetric cell division during T cell development controls downstream fate
Authors: Pham Kim , Shimoni Raz , Charnley Mirren , Ludford-Menting Mandy J. , Hawkins Edwin D. , Ramsbottom Kelly , Oliaro Jane , Izon David , Ting Stephen B. , Reynolds Joseph , Lythe Grant , Molina-Paris Carmen , Melichar Heather , Robey Ellen , Humbert Patrick O. , Gu Min , Russell Sarah M.
Published: September 2015

During mammalian T cell development, the requirement for expansion of many individual T cell clones, rather than merely expansion of the entire T cell population, suggests a possible role for asymmetric cell division (ACD). We show that ACD of developing T cells controls cell fate through differential inheritance of cell fate determinants Numb and α-Adaptin. ACD occurs specifically during the β-selection stage of T cell development, and subsequent divisions are predominantly symmetric. ACD is controlled by interaction with stromal cells and chemokine receptor signaling and uses a conserved network of polarity regulators. The disruption of polarity by deletion of the polarity regulator, Scribble, or the altered inheritance of fate determinants impacts subsequent fate decisions to influence the numbers of DN4 cells arising after the β-selection checkpoint. These findings indicate that ACD enables the thymic microenvironment to orchestrate fate decisions related to differentiation and self-renewal.
Structures of the yeast dynamin-like GTPase Sey1p provide insight into homotypic ER fusion
Authors: Yan Liming , Sun Sha , Wang Wei , Shi Juanming , Hu Xiaoyu , Wang Shiyan , Su Dan , Rao Zihe , Hu Junjie , Lou Zhiyong
Published: September 2015

Homotypic membrane fusion of the endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by dynamin-like guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), which include atlastin (ATL) in metazoans and Sey1p in yeast. In this paper, we determined the crystal structures of the cytosolic domain of Sey1p derived from Candida albicans. The structures reveal a stalk-like, helical bundle domain following the GTPase, which represents a previously unidentified configuration of the dynamin superfamily. This domain is significantly longer than that of ATL and critical for fusion. Sey1p forms a side-by-side dimer in complex with GMP-PNP or GDP/AlF4− but is monomeric with GDP. Surprisingly, Sey1p could mediate fusion without GTP hydrolysis, even though fusion was much more efficient with GTP. Sey1p was able to replace ATL in mammalian cells, and the punctate localization of Sey1p was dependent on its GTPase activity. Despite the common function of fusogenic GTPases, our results reveal unique features of Sey1p.
Asymptotic estimates of viscoelastic Green’s functions near the wavefront
Authors: Hanyga Andrzej
Published: September 2015

Asymptotic behavior of viscoelastic Green’s functions near the wavefront is expressed in terms of a causal function

g
(
t
)

g(t)

defined in Hanyga and Seredyńska (2012) in connection with the Kramers-Kronig dispersion relations. Viscoelastic Green’s functions exhibit a discontinuity at the wavefront if

g
(
0
)
>
∞

g(0) > \infty

. Estimates of continuous and discontinuous viscoelastic Green’s functions near the wavefront are obtained.
The double trouble of metabolic diseases: the diabetes–cancer link
Authors: Tudzarova Slavica , Osman Mahasin A.
Published: September 2015

The recent recognition of the clinical association between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and several types of human cancer has been further highlighted by reports of antidiabetic drugs treating or promoting cancer. At the cellular level, a plethora of molecules operating within distinct signaling pathways suggests cross-talk between the multiple pathways at the interface of the diabetes–cancer link. Additionally, a growing body of emerging evidence implicates homeostatic pathways that may become imbalanced during the pathogenesis of T2D or cancer or that become chronically deregulated by prolonged drug administration, leading to the development of cancer in diabetes and vice versa. This notion underscores the importance of combining clinical and basic mechanistic studies not only to unravel mechanisms of disease development but also to understand mechanisms of drug action. In turn, this may help the development of personalized strategies in which drug doses and administration durations are tailored to individual cases at different stages of the disease progression to achieve more efficacious treatments that undermine the diabetes–cancer association.
Variation in Resistance of Populus nigra to Sphaerulina musiva in the North-Central United States
Authors: Dunnell Kelsey L. , Berguson Bill , McMahon Bernard , LeBoldus Jared M.
Published: September 2015

Populus nigra, commonly used in hybrid poplar breeding programs in the north-central United States, is susceptible to Septoria stem canker, caused by Sphaerulina musiva. In this study, two experiments were conducted to (i) characterize the variation in resistance of 47 genotypes of P. nigra collected from seven locations in Europe in terms of cankers per centimeter and disease severity score; (ii) determine whether location, isolate, genotype, or their interactions significantly affect cankers per centimeter and disease severity score; and (iii) examine the correlation of disease severity score between single-isolate and bulk-isolate inoculations. The majority of the variation in resistance for cankers per centimeter was explained by location (72%; P < 0.001) followed by genotype(location) (28%; P < 0.001). In contrast, the majority of the variation in disease severity score was explained by genotype–location (51%; P < 0.001) followed by location (26%; P = 0.025). The disease severity score model also indicated the presence of a significant isolate effect (P = 0.034) and genotype(location) × isolate interaction (P = 0.004). The correlation coefficients for disease severity score indicated a significant range of correlations (r = 0.871 to r = 0.952) when correlating single-isolate to bulk-isolate inoculations.
Characterization of Phytophthora spp. Isolated from Ornamental Plants in Florida
Authors: Patel Jaimin S. , Vitoreli Anne , Palmateer Aaron J. , El-Sayed Ashraf , Norman David J. , Goss Erica M. , Brennan Mary S. , Ali Gul Shad
Published: September 2015

This report investigates population structure and genetic variability of Phytophthora spp. isolated from botanically diverse plants in Florida. Internal transcribed spacer-based molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that Phytophthora isolates recovered from ornamental plants in Florida represent a genetically diverse population and that a majority of the isolates belong to Phytophthora nicotianae (73.2%), P. palmivora (18.7%), P. tropicalis (4.9%), P. katsurae (2.4%), and P. cinnamomi (0.8%). Mating type analyses revealed that most isolates were heterothallic, consisting of both mating type A1 (25.2%) and mating type A2 (39.0%), and suggesting that they could outcross. Fungicide sensitivity assays determined that several isolates were moderate to completely insensitive to mefenoxam. In addition, several isolates were also moderately insensitive to additional fungicides with different modes of action. However, correlation analyses did not reveal occurrence of fungicide cross-resistance. These studies suggest that a genetically diverse Phytophthora population infects ornamental crops and the occurrence of mefenoxam-insensitive Phytophthora populations raises concerns about disease management in ornamentals. Mitigating fungicide resistance will require prudent management strategies, including tank mixes and rotation of chemicals with different modes of actions.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioidessensu stricto Is a Pathogen of Leaf Anthracnose on Evergreen Spindle Tree (Euonymus japonicus)
Authors: Huang Lin , Li Qiu-Cheng , Zhang Ya , Li De-Wei , Ye Jian-Ren
Published: September 2015

The genus Colletotrichum is considered the eighth most important group of plant-pathogenic fungi in the world due to its scientific and economic importance. Colletotrichum spp. cause anthracnose disease in a wide range of economically important plants. Euonymus japonicus Thunb. (Celastraceae) is a broad-leaved evergreen tree that is widely planted in the parks and landscapes of China. An anthracnose occurs on E. japonicus in China but there has been a disagreement on the identity of the fungal pathogen. In this study, the fungal isolate HYCG2-3 was determined by Koch’s postulates to be a pathogen on E. japonicus. Based on the morphological and molecular methods, isolate HYCG2-3 was identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu stricto within the C. gloeosporioides species complex.
Racial and Gender Disparities in the Physician Assistant Profession
Authors: Smith Darron T. , Jacobson Cardell K.
Published: September 2015

Objective

To examine whether racial, gender, and ethnic salary disparities exist in the physician assistant (PA) profession and what factors, if any, are associated with the differentials.

Data Sources/Study Setting

We use a nationally representative survey of 15,105 PAs from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).

Study Design

We use bivariate and multivariate statistics to analyze pay differentials from the 2009 AAPA survey.

Principle Findings

Women represent nearly two‐thirds of the profession but receive approximately $18,000 less in primary compensation. The differential reduces to just over $9,500 when the analysis includes a variety of other variables. According to AAPA survey, minority PAs tend to make slightly higher salaries than White PAs nationally, although the differences are not statistically significant once the control variables are included in the analysis.

Conclusions

Despite the rough parity in primary salary, PAs of color are vastly underrepresented in the profession. The salaries of women lag in comparison to their male counterparts.
Involvement of lateral septum in alcohol's dopamine‐elevating effect in the rat
Authors: Jonsson Susanne , Morud Julia , Stomberg Rosita , Ericson Mia , Söderpalm Bo
Published: September 2015

Drugs of abuse share the ability to increase extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the mesolimbic DA system. This effect has been linked to positive and reinforcing experiences of drug consumption and is presumed to be of importance for continued use, as well as for the development of dependence and addiction. Previous rat studies from our lab have implicated a neuronal circuitry involving glycine receptors in nucleus accumbens (nAc) and, secondarily, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in ethanol's (EtOH) DA‐elevating effect. The work presented here, performed in male Wistar rats, suggests that the lateral septum (LS), which has previously been associated with different aspects of EtOH‐related behaviour, is involved as well. In vivo microdialysis methodology demonstrated that blocking the generation of action potentials in LS using tetrodotoxin prevented a DA increase in nAc after accumbal EtOH perfusion. Retrograde tracing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to identify and characterize cells projecting to VTA from nAc/LS and from LS to nAc. Based on the PCR results, cells projecting from both LS/nAc to anterior VTA and from LS to nAc were mainly GABAergic neurons expressing glycine receptors, and these cells are presumed to be involved in mediating the DA‐elevating effect of EtOH. These results provide further evidence implicating LS in the reinforcing effects of EtOH. Additional studies are needed to investigate LS involvement in EtOH consumption behaviour and its potential role in the development of dependence and addiction.
Global transcriptional profiling of longissimus thoracis muscle tissue in fetal and juvenile domestic goat using RNA sequencing
Authors: Wang Y. H. , Zhang C. L. , Plath M. , Fang X. T. , Lan X. Y. , Zhou Y. , Chen H.
Published: September 2015

Domestic goats are important meat production animals; however, data from transcriptional profiling of skeletal muscle tissue in goat have thus far been scarce. We used comparative transcriptional profiling based on RNA sequencing of longissimus thoracis muscle tissue obtained from fetal goat muscle tissue (27 512 850 clean cDNA reads) and 6‐month‐old goat muscle tissue (27 582 908 reads) to identify genes that are differentially expressed, novel transcript units and alternative splicing events. Gene annotation revealed that 15 960 and 14 981 genes were expressed in the fetal and juvenile libraries respectively. We detected 6432 differentially expressed genes and, when considering GO terms, found 34, 27 and 55 terms to be significantly enriched in molecular function, cellular component and biological process categories respectively. Pathway analysis revealed that larger numbers of differentially expressed genes were enriched in fetal myogenesis or cell proliferation and differentiation‐related pathways (such as Wnt), genes involved in the cell cycle and the Notch signaling pathway, and most of the differentially expressed genes involved in these pathways were downregulated in the juvenile goat library. These genes may be involved in various regulation mechanisms during muscle tissue differentiation between the two development stages examined herein. The identified novel transcript units, including both non‐coding and coding RNA, as well as alternative splicing events increase the level of complexity of regulation mechanisms during muscle tissue formation and differentiation. Our study provides a comparative transcriptome analysis on goat muscle tissue, which will provide a valuable genomic resource for future studies investigating the molecular basis of skeletal muscle development.
Unmet demand for training among mature age Australians: Prevalence, differentials and perceived causes
Authors: Adair Tim , Lourey Emma , Taylor Philip
Published: September 2015

Aim

To explore the prevalence of unmet demand for training by mature age Australians and to identify the main barriers to accessing training.

Methods

A total of 3007 Australians aged 45–74 years were surveyed using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. The sample frame was randomly selected and stratified based on the capital city and the rest of the state, and data were weighted to be nationally representative.

Results

Over one‐third (37%) of respondents who had worked in the past five years reported wanting to attend some form of training but were unable to; these were most likely women and those aged 45–54 year. Commonly cited reasons for not being able to attend training included not being able to fit it in with work commitments, affordability and employer reluctance.

Conclusion

Reduction of these barriers to workplace training can improve mature age people's ability to remain engaged in the workforce.
Is delirium being detected in emergency?
Authors: Traynor Victoria , Cordato Nicholas , Burns Pippa , Xu Yun , Britten Nicole , Duncan Kim , DeVries Loren , McKinnon Colleen
Published: September 2015

Objective

To report on the use of Delirium Care Pathways to screen for and recognise delirium by Aged Care Services in Emergency Teams (ASETs) at five metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Knowledge of delirium and the use of Delirium Care Pathways are vital to ensure that older people presenting with delirium receive best practice care.

Methods

An audit of 205 randomly selected medical records of clients over 65 years presenting to an ASET was conducted.

Results

Delirium was recorded in the medical records notes of four clients (2%). However, the auditors identified another 27 clients with symptoms of delirium.

Conclusions

Delirium is still frequently undiagnosed and misdiagnosed in older people presenting to emergency departments. This indicates a need for further education and professional development for and by health‐care practitioners. Only with greater awareness of delirium will the care and health outcomes of older adults presenting with delirium in acute care settings improve.
The Application of Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valves in the Polish Ventricular Assist Device: Physical and Numerical Study and First Clinical Usage
Authors: Malota Zbigniew , Sadowski Wojciech , Krzyskow Marek , Stolarzewicz Bogdan
Published: September 2015

The Polish ventricular assist device (Polvad) has been used successfully in clinical contexts for many years. The device contains two single‐disc valves, one at the inlet and one at the outlet connector of the pneumatic pump. Unfortunately, in recent years, a problem has occurred with the availability of single‐disc valves. This article presents the possibility of using bileaflet mechanical heart valve prostheses in the Polvad to avoid a discontinuity in clinical use. The study is based on experimental and numerical simulations and comparison of the distribution of flow, pressure, and stress (wall, shear, and turbulent) inside the Polvad chamber and the inlet/outlet connectors fitted with Sorin Monodisc and Sorin Bicarbon Fitline valves. The type and orientation of the inlet valve affects valve performance and flow distribution inside the chamber. Near‐wall flow is observed for single‐disc valves. In the case of bileaflet valves, the main jet is directed more centrally, with lower shear stress but higher turbulent stress in comparison with single‐disc valves. For clinical usage, a 45° orientation of the bileaflet inlet valve was chosen, as this achieves good washing of the inlet area near the membrane paste surface. The Polvad with bileaflet valves has now been used successfully in our clinic for over a year and will continue to be used until new assist devices for heart support are developed.
Intra‐Aortic Balloon Pump Malposition Reduces Visceral Artery Perfusion in an Acute Animal Model
Authors: Vondran Maximilian , Rastan Ardawan J. , Tillmann Eugen , Seeburger Jörg , Schröter Thomas , Dhein Stefan , Bakhtiary Farhad , Mohr Friedrich‐Wilhelm
Published: September 2015

Visceral artery perfusion can be potentially affected by intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) catheters. We utilized an animal model to quantify the acute impact of a low balloon position on mesenteric artery perfusion. In six pigs (78 ± 7 kg), a 30‐cc IABP was placed in the descending aorta in a transfemoral procedure. The celiac artery (CA) and the cranial mesenteric artery (CMA) were surgically dissected. Transit time blood flow was measured for (i) baseline, (ii) 1:1 augmentation with the balloon proximal to the visceral arteries, and (iii) 1:1 augmentation with the balloon covering the visceral arteries. Blood flow in the CMA and CA was reduced by 17 and 24%, respectively, when the balloon compromised visceral arteries compared with a position above the visceral arteries (flow in mL/min: CMA: (i) 1281 ± 512, (ii) 1389 ± 287, (iii) 1064 ± 276, P < 0.05 for 3 vs. 1 and 3 vs. 2; CA: (i) 885 ± 370, (ii) 819 ± 297, (iii) 673 ± 315; P < 0.05 for 3 vs. 1). The covering of visceral arteries by an IABP balloon causes a significant reduction of visceral artery perfusion; thus, the positioning of this device during implantation is critical for obtaining a satisfactory outcome.
Do Broad‐based Employee Ownership, Profit Sharing and Stock Options Help the Best Firms Do Even Better?
Authors: Blasi Joseph , Freeman Richard , Kruse Douglas
Published: September 2015

This article analyses the linkages among group incentive methods of compensation (broad‐based employee ownership, profit sharing and stock options), labour practices, worker assessments of workplace culture, turnover and firm performance in firms that applied to the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For in America’ competition from 2005 to 2007. Although employers with good labour practices self‐select into the 100 Best Companies firms sample, which should bias the analysis against finding strong associations among modes of compensation, labour policies and outcomes, we find that employees in the firms that use group incentive pay more extensively participate more in decisions, have greater information sharing, trust supervisors more and report a more positive workplace culture than in other companies. The combination of group incentive pay with policies that empower employees and create a positive workplace culture reduces voluntary turnover and increases employee intent to stay and raises return on equity.
The flip side of the other‐race coin: They all look different to me
Authors: Laurence Sarah , Zhou Xiaomei , Mondloch Catherine J.
Published: September 2015

Poorer recognition of other‐race faces than own‐races faces has been attributed to a problem of discrimination (i.e., telling faces apart). The conclusion that ‘they all look the same to me' is based on studies measuring the perception/memory of highly controlled stimuli, typically involving only one or two images of each identity. We hypothesized that such studies underestimate the challenge involved in recognizing other‐race faces because in the real world, an individual's appearance varies in a number of ways (e.g., lighting, expression, hairstyle), reducing the utility of relying on pictorial cues to identity. In two experiments, Caucasian and East Asian participants completed a perceptual sorting task in which they were asked to sort 40 photographs of two unfamiliar identities into piles such that each pile contained all photographs of a single identity. Participants perceived more identities when sorting other‐race faces than own‐race faces, both when sorting celebrity (Experiment 1) and non‐celebrity (Experiment 2) faces, suggesting that in the real world, ‘they all look different to me'. We discuss these results in the light of models in which each identity is represented as a region in a multidimensional face space; we argue that this region is smaller for other‐race than own‐race faces.
Increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among patients with Helicobacter pylori infection: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Peng Yi‐Hao , Chen Cheng‐Kuo , Su Ching‐Hua , Liao Wei‐Chih , Muo Chih‐Hsin , Hsia Te‐Chun , Sung Fung‐Chang , Lai Chih‐Ho , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: September 2015

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) may have extragastric manifestations, including the respiratory system. This study investigated the role of HPI in increasing the subsequent risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a nationwide population.

Methods

We conducted this retrospective cohort study using data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, which is derived from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 5941 adults who were newly diagnosed with HPI between 2005 and 2006 were selected. Healthy patients without HPI were selected from the general population and frequency matched as a ratio of 4:1, according to age, sex, and index years. Both cohorts were followed up from the index date to the end of 2011 to measure the incidence of COPD. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to assess the hazard ratio (HR) of COPD between the HPI cohort and non‐HPI cohorts.

Results

The overall HR of COPD was 1.84 (95% confidence intervals = 1.57–2.17) for the HPI cohort, compared with the non‐HPI cohort, after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. Although the incidence of COPD was substantially higher in the elderly participants (age, ≥ 65 years) than that in younger participants, the highest HR (4.05, 95% confidence intervals = 1.39–11.8) of COPD was observed in the youngest (age, 20–49 years) participants.

Conclusion

In this study, the patients with HPI exhibited a significantly higher risk of COPD than those without HPI did.
Evaluation of factors that influence anxiety and satisfaction in patients undergoing bronchofiberoscopy with analgosedation
Authors: Andrychiewicz Anna , Konarska Katarzyna , Gorka Karolina , Bartyzel Sylwia , Salek Marta , Biedron Grzegorz , Surowiec Aleksandra , Sladek Krzysztof , Soja Jerzy , Szczeklik Wojciech
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Bronchofiberoscopy (BF) is a key tool used in the management of patients with respiratory diseases. Describing factors that contribute to patient anxiety surrounding BF has the potential to influence patient management and willingness to undergo the procedure again in the future if needed.

Objectives

This study sought to understand what factors influence anxiety and satisfaction experienced by patients undergoing BF under conscious sedation.

Methods

This study had a prospective observational character and evaluated 463 consecutive patients undergoing BF. Participants were divided into two groups, those undergoing BF for the first time and those who had undergone the procedure at least once in the past. Data were collected from three questionnaires prepared by the research team.

Results

Patients who had undergone multiple bronchoscopies were more satisfied with their physician's explanation of the procedure (P < 0.0001), had a better understanding of the indications (P < 0.0001) and potential complications (P < 0.0001) of BF and knew what specific procedure was planned (P < 0.001). Patients undergoing BF for the first time experienced anxiety before the procedure more frequently (P < 0.001). No significant difference in satisfaction was observed between patient groups and 89% would agree to BF in the future.

Conclusions

Patients who had previously undergone BF were better prepared for their procedure; however, satisfaction levels after the procedure were similar in both groups. Results suggest that medical staff should target patients who have not undergone BF previously to relieve anxiety.
Smoking habits are an independent prognostic factor in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Avci Nilufer , Hayar Murat , Altmisdortoglu Ozgur , Tanriverdi Ozgur , Deligonul Adem , Ordu Cetin , Evrensel Turkkan
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The role of tobacco in the pathogenesis of lung cancer (LC) has been clearly established. Based on the epidemiological evidence that smoking may influence LC progression, we investigated the idea that smoking behavior could be associated with overall survival (OS) in this group of patients.

Methods

A total of 351 patients with LC (311 men and 40 women) were reviewed. Smoking status was assessed as tobacco users or non‐users. To calculate pack‐years of smoking, the average of number of cigarettes smoked per day was divided by 20 to give packs per day, and then multiplied by the total number of years of smoking. OS was the main outcome measure.

Results

The mean follow‐up was 3.3 ± 1.2 years. Kaplan–Meier plots of OS by use of tobacco revealed significant differences by smoking status (log‐rank = 5.44, P < 0.01), indicating a reduced survival rate in tobacco users. The effect on OS of the amount of cigarette smoking was also evident when we subdivided the former and current smokers into ≤7 (mean value) pack‐years and >7 pack‐years groups (log‐rank = 4.27, P < 0.05). After adjusting for all potential confounders, tobacco smoking retained its independent prognostic significance for OS (hazard ratio = 1.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.19–2.17, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our data indicate that cigarette smoking is significantly associated with a poor prognosis among patients diagnosed with LC in a dose‐dependent manner.