bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deadly Cities? Spatial Inequalities in Mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Günther Isabel , Harttgen Kenneth
Published: September 2012

We investigate whether sub‐Saharan African countries are affected by an “urban mortality penalty” repeating the history of industrialized countries during the nineteenth century. We analyze Demographic and Health Surveys from several sub‐Saharan African countries for differences in child and adult mortality between rural and urban areas. For the first decade of the 2000s, our findings indicate that child mortality is higher in rural than in urban areas for all countries. On average, child mortality rates are 13.6 percent in rural areas and 10.8 percent in urban areas. In contrast, average urban adult mortality rates (14.1 percent) have exceeded rural adult mortality rates (12.4 percent). Child mortality rates are on average 65 percent higher in urban slums than in formal settlements. Child mortality rates in slum areas are, however, still lower than or equal to those in rural areas for most countries in our sample.
Dual Diagnosis Public Policy in a Federal System: The Canadian Experience
Authors: Gough Heather , Morris Susan
Published: September 2012

Persons with dual diagnosis, defined as having both mental health needs and developmental disabilities, can have significant problems accessing appropriate and integrated care. It was hypothesized that jurisdictions across Canada would be lacking in legislation and policy regarding care for dual diagnosis. A legislative scan was performed, encompassing statutes and regulations, followed by a search of government ministerial Web sites to identify policy; relevant persons within ministries were contacted for clarification and further information. Findings indicated that no province or territory within Canada currently has legislation regarding dual diagnosis; four have policies addressing dual diagnosis care. Some policies exclude people with disabilities from qualifying as having a psychiatric disorder, and some policies exclude people with certain types of psychiatric disorders. The patchwork of regional legislation and policy in Canada suggests that dual diagnosis care would be better facilitated if rights to such were enshrined within legislation. Ratification by Canada of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a national mental health strategy provide a new policy context that is worth monitoring in relation to rectifying the current situation.
“There is No Black or White”: Scientific Community Views on Ethics in Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research
Authors: McDonald Katherine , Patka Mazna
Published: September 2012

From an ethical standpoint, there are questions about the best ways to include adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in research. Scholarship reflects divergent responses to these enduring questions and values that can be at odds with one another. To deepen our understanding of beliefs in the scientific community about how to conduct ethically strong research with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we examined the views of researchers who conduct this research and ethics review board members on ethical principles and practices. We conducted four focus groups with 17 researchers and ethics review board members. We asked participants to discuss how to ethically conduct research, relevant factors to consider, appropriate ways to address ethical concerns, and the role of ethical and civil rights principles. Findings indicate support for the use of ethical principles and newer models of disability to promote inclusion in research, a focus on researchers' interpersonal skills and relationships to participants, questions about the best approaches to recruitment, consent, and compensation, and strategies to promote participation in research. These findings reflect the socio‐ecological model of disability, civil rights‐based interpretations of ethical principles, the provision of accommodations as an ethical imperative, the potential benefits of promoting relationships between researchers and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the need for dialogue between researchers and ethics review board members.
A Pilot Study of Early Intervention for Families With Children With or at Risk of an Intellectual Disability in Northern Malawi
Authors: Kelly Aine , Ghalaieny Theresa , Devitt Catherine
Published: September 2012

In low‐income rural communities, access to early intervention and support services is restricted and resources needed to support children and families are limited. The aim of this study was to explore the role of local nonprofessional women, recruited as community home visitors (CHVs), to assist trained professionals in supporting parents with educating their child in their home environment. Structured questionnaires were developed and completed by interview. Three Portage staff, four trained CHVs, and a convenience sample of ten parents with children (aged <6 years) participated. An independent researcher conducted the interviews and parent interviews were assisted by a translator. Findings show that the CHVs are satisfied with the training received, are passionate about their job, and engaged parents with ease and as a friend. Challenges encountered include stigma, social exclusion of families, and a lack of community knowledge on how to help. Parents reported satisfaction with the support received, positive views of the home visits, varied progress in their child's development, increased involvement by fathers and siblings in the care of the child but continued lack of neighbor involvement, and some community pressure. Results show the centrality of using local women trained as home visitors in rural communities. Reciprocal respectful and trustful relationships can help to sustain parental compliance with an intervention program. The CHVs' presence in the village places them in a mediating role in efforts to integrate and destigmatize families and children with disabilities. More civic education and targeted anti‐stigma campaigns could provide a more inclusive and positive learning environment.
Heart Rate Control in Patients With Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure
Authors: Silvet Helme , Hawkins Lee Ann , Jacobson Alan K.
Published: September 2012

©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The goal of this study was to determine whether aggressive heart rate (HR) control in patients with both chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) is associated with improved outcomes. HR control is one of the mainstays in management of patients with AF. However, rate control can be challenging in patients with HF. This study was designed as an interventional clinical trial, using patients with chronic AF and left ventricular systolic dysfunction with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% (n=20) as their own controls. Intervention consisted of increasing doses of metoprolol succinate to achieve target resting HR <70 beats per minute. Clinical data were collected at baseline and after intervention, with paired t test used to evaluate statistically significant change. After 3 months of intervention, average resting HR decreased from 94±14 beats per minute to 85±12 beats per minute. Average metoprolol succinate dose at the end of the study was 121 mg. None of the outcomes improved significantly after the intervention, including exercise tolerance (meters walked on 6‐minute walk test 326±83 vs 330±86), quality of life (Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire score of 42.5±19 vs 38±21), and brain natriuretic peptide (242±306 pg/mL vs 279±395 pg/mL). Aggressive HR control was difficult in this group of patients with chronic AF and HF due to patient intolerance of increasing doses of β‐blockade, and not associated with improved outcomes. Further studies are needed to establish guidelines for target HR in patients with chronic AF who also have significant HF.
The relationship between energy consumption, energy prices and economic growth: case study (OPEC countries)
Authors: Hossein Abbasinejad , Yazdan Gudarzi Farahani , Ehsan Asghari Ghara
Published: September 2012

This paper studies the causal relationships between energy consumption and economic growth for OPEC countries using cointegration and error‐correction modelling techniques. The results indicate that in the short run, the Granger causality runs from income to energy consumption for Iran, Iraq, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, while for the rest of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries, the reverse is true, i.e. the Granger causality runs from energy consumption to income. However, in the long run, there is not any Granger causality relationship for all the OPEC countries. In the case of Qatar and the Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, energy, economic growth and prices are not mutually causal. Results show, that even for these countries, which the energy consumption has an effect on economic growth, the effect is very minimal. The direction of causation between energy consumption and economic growth has significant policy implications. If there exists unidirectional Granger causality running from income to energy, it may be implied that energy conservation policies may be implemented with little adverse or no effects on economic growth. In the case of negative causality running from economic growth to energy, economic growth could rise if energy conservation policy were to be implemented. In other words, if unidirectional causality runs from energy consumption to income, reducing energy consumption could lead to a fall in economic growth. One can conclude that for all of the OPEC countries, the theory of resource curse holds. Hence, substantial energy consumption is not likely to bring about significant economic growth but an increase in CO2 emissions. In this regard, it is very important for those low‐income OPEC countries to adopt appropriate energy policies in order to promote their economic growth.
Adaptive radiotherapy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: Optimisation of plan sizes
Authors: Kuyumcian Arman , Pham Daniel , Thomas Jessica M , Law Alastair , Willis David , Kron Tomas , Foroudi Farshad
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Plan‐of‐the‐day adaptive radiotherapy (ART) that has not been optimally designed may result in inefficient plan sizes. This can lead to unused plans, which may potentially reduce overall conformality. We compared two methods of individualising ART plan sizes for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer to determine which provides a more balanced distribution of plan selections.

Methods

Twenty‐seven previously treated patients had small, medium and large ART plans generated from CTV contours on the simulation CT and initial cone beam CTs (CBCT). In the original clinical method, the smallest plan was based on the smallest CTV, while the experimental method used the Boolean summation of the two smallest CTVs. The large plan was identical in both methods. The medium plans were created midway between small and large CTVs. Credentialed treatment staff performed plan selection clinically for the original plans and retrospectively for the experimental plans.

Results

A total of 646 CBCTs from 26 patients were included. The small, medium and large adaptive CTVs, and the conventional CTV, were used 29.7%, 45.4%, 22.0% and 2.9% of the time, respectively, compared to the previous 9.8%, 49.2%, 39.5% and 1.5%. The differences were significant between previous and new CTV (small), and CTV (large).

Conclusions

The new design method resulted in the three adaptive CTV choices being selected more evenly, however, a reduction in a surrogate for normal tissue irradiation was not observed.
Conflicts Associated with Exempt Wells: A Spaghetti Western Water War
Authors: Vinett Megan A. , Jarvis Todd
Published: September 2012

The saga over exempt wells in the western United States and Canada epitomizes a new type of water conflict – a spaghetti‐western water war. The political melodrama stars local governments to serve as sheriff of water‐supply planning duties. Exempt wells number in the millions, and herding the growing numbers is testing the mettle of the states and provinces responsible for the management, allocation, and protection of natural resources. The separation of laws governing ground water and surface water, coupled with changes in geography and geology within a jurisdiction, compound the administrative riddle and give rise to a broad spectrum of conflicts, from differing interpretations of hydrogeologic data, economic impacts associated with increasing the herd, to differing identities associated with the use of ground water from the exempt wells. Despite the political melodrama of exempt wells, there is room and willingness for other trails and paths to keep the herd intact. This paper describes the different breeds of conflicts associated with exempt wells and gives examples of how the mysterious stranger of collaborative decision making processes and water governance systems can ride into town and lead to successful water management and conflict resolution.
The Implications of Bounds v. State of New Mexico
Authors: Richardson Jesse J. , Dowell Tiffany
Published: September 2012

National attention has turned to a case currently pending before the New Mexico Supreme Court. Bounds v. State of New Mexico involves a facial constitutional challenge to New Mexico's domestic well statute. The Plaintiff, Horace Bounds, claims that the statute, which requires the State Engineer to issue permits to any applicants for domestic purposes, violates the constitutional provision known as the Prior Appropriation Doctrine. The decision of the Court will likely have impacts across the country and beyond the legal realm. This decision could impact the well drilling industry, economic development, and administrative agencies. Numerous other western states have similar exempt well provisions, and the decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court could well lead to litigation or pushes for changes in legislation on other states as well.
PAST AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF A COLLAPSED FISHERY: THE BAY OF BISCAY ANCHOVY
Authors: LAZKANO ITZIAR , NØSTBAKKEN LINDA , PRELLEZO RAÚL
Published: September 2012

Abstract We analyze the efficiency of the international management of the Bay of Biscay anchovy. While a sharing agreement between France and Spain has been in place since 1992, the fish stock collapsed in 2005 and the fishery closed from 2005 to spring 2010. We consider differences in production technologies between both countries and calibrate our model using data from 1987 to 2009. Our results suggest two sources of rent dissipation under the existing sharing agreement: inefficient quota allocation and production inefficiencies due to inflexible national regulations. We discuss several alternatives to improve management.
Relocating from out‐of‐area treatments: service users' perspective
Authors: RAMBARRAN D. D.
Published: September 2012

Accessible summary

In the UK, there are growing concerns about the impact of ‘out‐of‐area treatments’ (OATs) on mental health service users, both clinically and financially. In addition to being costly to the National Health Service (NHS) and local social care authorities, service users placed out of area have been socially dislocated and in some cases over supported.

Prompted by these concerns, a project was set up in one inner London Borough, to review and where appropriate repatriate mental health service users they had placed outside the local area. This study explored the experiences and impact of these relocations from service users' perspectives.

Increased autonomy was the most commonly reported positive outcome, which was welcomed by all; however, many service users also reported feeling lonely in their new local placements. Five out of seven were pleased with their increased contact with family and most concluded that generally, relocation enhanced their quality of life.

A number of NHS Trusts are considering the implementation of similar approaches to review their ‘OATs’ clients; hence the favourable outcomes reported here and elsewhere are likely to encourage this. However, it is essential that these be considered alongside the support required for service users to reconnect positively with their families, in addition to adjusting to more independent living.

Asylum closures over recent decades resulted in mental health services being increasingly sited in the community. However, under provision of highly supported accommodation led to service users being placed away from their local area in ‘out‐of‐area treatments’ (OATs). OATs have raised major concerns in relation to enabling service users' recovery, owing to limitations in promoting autonomy, social dislocation and costs. In 2004, an OATs project was set up in a London Borough to address these concerns. In the first 4 years, the project succeeded in relocating 22 service users to less restrictive environments locally. This study aims to explore the outcome of relocation from service users' perspective. A qualitative methodology was utilized. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with seven service users who relocated. All seven service users shared a strong aspiration for independent living but there was associated loneliness. Five welcomed increased contact with family and friends, but lacked social confidence, inhibiting social inclusion. Service users with long‐term and consistent care managers were more able to address fears. Five out of seven service users concluded that relocation increased their autonomy thus enhanced their quality of life.
The genes of all seven CYP3A isoenzymes identified in the equine genome are expressed in the airways of horses
Authors: Tydén E. , Löfgren M. , Hakhverdyan M. , Tjälve H. , Larsson P.
Published: September 2012

In the present study, we examined the gene expression of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) isoenzymes in the tracheal and bronchial mucosa and in the lung of equines using TaqMan probes. The results show that all seven CYP3A isoforms identified in the equine genome, that is, CYP3A89, CYP3A93, CYP3A94, CYP3A95, CYP3A96, CYP3A97 and CYP3A129, are expressed in the airways of the investigated horses. Though in previous studies, CYP3A129 was found to be absent in equine intestinal mucosa and liver, this CYP3A isoform is expressed in the airways of horses. The gene expression of the CYP3A isoenzymes varied considerably between the individual horses studied. However, in most of the horses CYP3A89, CYP3A93, CYP3A96, CYP3A97 and CYP3A129 were expressed to a high extent, while CYP3A94 and CYP3A95 were expressed to a low extent in the different parts of the airways. The CYP3A isoenzymes present in the airways may play a role in the metabolic degradation of inhaled xenobiotics. In some instances, the metabolism may, however, result in bioactivation of the xenobiotics and subsequent tissue injury.
Love the one you're with: proximity determines paternity success in the barnacle Tetraclita rubescens
Authors: Kelly Morgan W. , Grosberg Richard K. , Sanford Eric
Published: September 2012

A species' mating system sets limits on the strength of sexual selection. Sexual selection is widespread in dioecious species, but is less well documented in hermaphrodites, and may be less important. We used four highly polymorphic microsatellite markers to assign paternity to broods of the hermaphroditic eastern Pacific volcano barnacle Tetraclita rubescens. These data were used to describe the species' mating system and to examine factors affecting male reproductive success. Tetraclita can sire broods over distances of 11.2 cm, but proximity to the sperm recipient had a highly significant effect on the probability of siring success. There was no effect of body size or the mass of male reproductive tissues on siring success. Broods showed relatively low frequencies of multiple paternity; even at high densities, 75% of broods had only one father. High frequencies of single‐paternity broods imply either that this species does not compete via sperm displacement, or that sperm displacement is extremely effective, potentially explaining the lack of a positive relationship between male investment and paternity. In addition, there was low variance in siring success among individuals, suggesting a lack of strong sexual selection on male traits. Low variance among sires and the strong effect of proximity are probably driven by the unusual biology of a sessile copulating species.
Immunoglobulin G profile in hyperacute rejection after multivisceral xenotransplantation
Authors: Galvao Flavio H. F. , Soler Wangles , Pompeu Eduardo , Waisberg Daniel R. , Mello Evandro S. D. , Costa Anderson C. L. , Teodoro Walcy , Velosa Ana P. , Capelozzi Vera L. , Antonangelo Leila , Catanozi Sergio , Martins Alessandro , Malbouisson Luiz M. S. , Cruz Ruy J. , Figueira Estela R. , Filho Joel A. R. , Chaib Eleazar , D′Albuquerque Luiz A. C.
Published: September 2012

Galvao FHF, Soler W, Pompeu E, Waisberg DR, Mello ES, Costa ACL, Teodoro W, Velosa AP, Capelozzi VL, Antonangelo L, Catanozi S, Martins A, Malbouisson LMS, Cruz RJ, Figueira ER, Filho JAR, Chaib E, D′Albuquerque LAC. Immunoglobulin G profile in hyperacute rejection after multivisceral xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 298–304. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Introduction:  Xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the high mortality of patients on the waiting list for multivisceral transplantation; nevertheless, hyperacute rejection (HAR) hampers this practice and motivates innovative research. In this report, we describe a model of multivisceral xenotransplantation in which we observed immunoglobulin G (IgG) involvement in HAR.

Methods:  We recovered en bloc multivisceral grafts (distal esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and kidneys) from rabbits (n = 20) and implanted them in the swine (n = 15) or rabbits (n = 5, control). Three hours after graft reperfusion, we collected samples from all graft organs for histological study and to assess IgG fixation by immunofluorescence. Histopathologic findings were graded according to previously described methods.

Results:  No histopathological features of rejection were seen in the rabbit allografts. In the swine‐to‐rabbit grafts, features of HAR were moderate in the liver and severe in esophagus, stomach, intestines, spleen, pancreas, and kidney. Xenograft vessels were the central target of HAR. The main lesions included edema, hemorrhage, thrombosis, myosites, fibrinoid degeneration, and necrosis. IgG deposition was intense on cell membranes, mainly in the vascular endothelium.

Conclusions:  Rabbit‐to‐swine multivisceral xenotransplants undergo moderate HAR in the liver and severe HAR in the other organs. Moderate HAR in the liver suggests a degree of resistance to the humoral immune response in this organ. Strong IgG fixation in cell membranes, including vascular endothelium, confirms HAR characterized by a primary humoral immune response. This model allows appraisal of HAR in multiple organs and investigation of the liver’s relative resistance to this immune response.
Computing Hall subgroups of finite groups
Authors: Eick Bettina , Hulpke Alexander
Published: September 2012

We describe an effective algorithm to compute a set of representatives for the conjugacy classes of Hall subgroups of a finite permutation or matrix group. Our algorithm uses the general approach of the so-called ‘trivial Fitting model’.
Displacement of Multiple, Coupled Timoshenko Beams in Discontinuous Nonlinear Elastic Contact, With Application to Rolling Mills
Authors: Malik Arif S. , Hinton Jantzen L.
Published: September 2012

Introduced is an efficient numerical method to calculate the displacements of structures involving multiple, shear-deformable beams in lengthwise nonlinear elastic contact. Applicability of the method is general, and includes structures such as stacked beams, pipes, or machine components. A particularly relevant application, which is discussed and demonstrated in this paper, is the prediction of deflections and contact conditions between the rolls and strip in rolling mills used to process flat metals. The presented nonlinear displacement calculation method involves iteration using an efficient, simplified mixed finite element formulation. Nonlinearities in the general coupled beam problem can arise either from changing contact conditions between the lengthwise-coupled shear-deformable beams (opening/closing of gaps) or from nonlinear elastic coupling-stiffness between the beams. Unlike the conventional problem of end-connected beams resting on elastic foundations, this work presents an element stiffness matrix formulation and sample nonlinear solution techniques for the problem involving multiple beams that are mutually coupled along their lengths by intervening, nonlinear elastic foundations. Important practical examples of the method are given, based on production cold rolling mill data for type 301 stainless steel on a four-high mill. The examples demonstrate efficiency and value of the nonlinear coupled beam formulation in identifying appropriate machined roll profiles to produce desired strip flatness quality. The cold rolling applications presented are characterized by nonlinear Hertz foundations with stiffness-hardening, and by discontinuous contact conditions arising from nonuniform, machined roll diameter profiles. Solution efficiencies for the new formulation are compared using modified Newton–Raphson, average stiffness, and direct substitution techniques. While the average stiffness method is relatively slower, its characteristics may make it beneficial for transfer function development in flatness control systems. Application of the method to cold rolling mills illustrates the importance of including discontinuous contact nonlinearities, and enables reduced trial and error to determine suitable roll profiles. Presented is a new efficient variational formulation for computing displacements in structures involving multiple beams laterally coupled with nonlinear elastic foundations and changing contact conditions. Practical value of the method is demonstrated for identification of machined roll profiles in cold rolling mills in order to achieve desirable flatness of rolled products.
Effect of Substrate Flexibility on the Pressure Distribution and Lifting Force Generated by a Bernoulli Gripper
Authors: Brun X. , Melkote S. N.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents the modeling and analysis of the pressure distribution and lifting force generated by a Bernoulli gripper when handling flexible substrates such as thin silicon wafers. A Bernoulli gripper is essentially a radial airflow nozzle used to handle large and small, rigid and nonrigid materials by creating a low pressure region or vacuum between the gripper and material. Previous studies on Bernoulli gripping have analyzed the pressure distribution and lifting force for handling thick substrates that undergo negligible deformation. Since the lifting force produced by the gripper is a function of the gap between the handled object and the gripper, any deformation of the substrate will influence the gap and consequently the pressure distribution and lifting force. In this paper, the effect of substrate (thin silicon wafer) flexibility on the equilibrium wafer deformation, radial pressure distribution and lifting force is modeled and analyzed using a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and finite element analysis. The equilibrium wafer deformation for different air flow rates is compared with experimental data and is shown to be in good agreement. In addition, the effect of wafer deformation on the pressure and lifting force are shown to be significant at higher volumetric airflow rates. The modeling and analysis approach presented in this paper is particularly useful for evaluating the effect of gripper variables on the handling stresses generated in thin silicon wafers and for gripper design optimization.
A Fast Mask Projection Stereolithography Process for Fabricating Digital Models in Minutes
Authors: Pan Yayue , Zhou Chi , Chen Yong
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this paper is to present a direct digital manufacturing (DDM) process that is an order of magnitude faster than other DDM processes that are currently available. The developed process is based on a mask-image-projection-based stereolithography (MIP-SL) process, in which a digital micromirror device (DMD) controls projection light to selectively cure liquid photopolymer resin. In order to achieve high-speed fabrication, we investigate the bottom-up projection system in the MIP-SL process. A two-way linear motion approach has been developed for the quick spreading of liquid resin into uniform thin layers. The system design and related settings for achieving a fabrication speed of a few seconds per layer are presented. Additionally, the hardware, software, and material setups for fabricating three-dimensional (3D) digital models are presented. Experimental studies using the developed testbed have been performed to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the presented fast MIP-SL process. The test results illustrate that the newly developed process can build a moderately sized part within minutes instead of hours that are typically required.
Detailed high‐accuracy megavoltage transmission measurements: A sensitive experimental benchmark of EGSnrc
Authors: Ali E. S. M. , McEwen M. R. , Rogers D. W. O.
Published: September 2012

Purpose:

There are three goals for this study: (a) to perform detailed megavoltage transmission measurements in order to identify the factors that affect the measurement accuracy, (b) to use the measured data as a benchmark for theEGSnrc system in order to identify the computational limiting factors, and (c) to provide data for others to benchmark Monte Carlo codes.

Methods:

Transmission measurements are performed at the National Research Council Canada on a research linac whose incident electron parameters are independently known. Automated transmission measurements are made on‐axis, down to a transmission value of ∼1.7%, for eight beams between 10 MV (the lowest stable MV beam on the linac) and 30 MV, using fully stopping Be, Al, and Pb bremsstrahlung targets and no fattening filters. To diversify energy differentiation, data are acquired for each beam using low‐Z and high‐Z attenuators (C and Pb) and Farmer chambers with low‐Z and high‐Z buildup caps. Experimental corrections are applied for beam drifts (2%), polarity (2.5% typical maximum, 6% extreme), ion recombination (0.2%), leakage (0.3%), and room scatter (0.8%)—the values in parentheses are the largest corrections applied. The experimental setup and the detectors are modeled using EGSnrc, with the newly added photonuclear attenuation included (up to a 5.6% effect). A detailed sensitivity analysis is carried out for the measured and calculated transmission data.

Results:

The developed experimental protocol allows for transmission measurements with 0.4% uncertainty on the smallest signals. Suggestions for accurate transmission measurements are provided. Measurements andEGSnrc calculations agree typically within 0.2% for the sensitivity of the transmission values to the detector details, to the bremsstrahlung target material, and to the incident electron energy. Direct comparison of the measured and calculated transmission data shows agreement better than 2% for C (3.4% for the 10 MV beam) and typically better than 1% for Pb. The differences can be explained by acceptable photon cross section changes of ⩽0.4%.

Conclusions:

Accurate transmission measurements require accounting for a number of influence quantities which, if ignored, can collectively introduce errors larger than 10%. Accurate transmission calculations require the use of the most accurate data and physics options available inEGSnrc, particularly the more accurate bremsstrahlung angular sampling option and the newly added modeling of photonuclear attenuation. Comparison between measurements and calculations implies that EGSnrc is accurate within 0.2% for relative ion chamber response calculations. Photon cross section uncertainties are the ultimate limiting factor for the accuracy of the calculated transmission data (Monte Carlo or analytical).
Onset- and offset-specific effects in interaural level difference discrimination
Authors: Christopher Stecker G. , Brown Andrew D.
Published: September 2012

The relative sensitivity of human listeners to interaural level differences (ILDs) carried by the onsets, offsets, and interior portions of brief sounds was examined. Stimuli consisted of single 4000-Hz Gabor clicks (Gaussian-windowed tone bursts) or trains of 16 such clicks repeating at an interclick interval (ICI) of 2 or 5 ms. In separate conditions, ILDs favored the right ear by a constant amount for all clicks (condition RRRR) or a changing amount that was maximal at sound onset (condition R000), offset (condition 000R), both onset and offset (condition R00R), or at the temporal midpoint of the stimulus (condition 0RR0). ILD increases and decreases were implemented as linear decibel sweeps across four clicks to minimize transient distortion. Threshold ILDs were determined adaptively for each of these conditions and for single clicks. Thresholds were similar for ILDs presented near sound onset or offset (condition R000 vs 000R) but lower when ILDs were carried by both onset and offset clicks (condition R00R) than for ILDs carried by interior clicks alone (condition 0RR0). The results suggest that similar sensitivity to onset and offset ILD does not reflect uniform temporal weighting; instead, ILD sensitivity favors onsets and offsets over the interior portions of sounds.
Aperiodicity effects on sound transmission through arrays of identical cylinders perpendicular to the ground
Authors: Taherzadeh Shahram , Bashir Imran , Attenborough Keith
Published: September 2012

Results of laboratory measurements of sound transmission through 5 × 10 arrays of meter long polyvinyl chloride pipes with lattice constants of 5 and 10 cm with filling fractions of 13% and 50% located either on medium density fibreboard or a layer of felt are reported. Ground effects and sonic crystal effects are found to be additive. Measurements and predictions show that, while there is little broadband advantage in a periodic configuration compared with a random one, a quasi-periodic arrangement in which the perturbation has a standard deviation equal to the scatterer diameter gives the best overall attenuation.
Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequence of Rhodococcus Species Strain JVH1
Authors: Brooks Shannon L. , Van Hamme Jonathan D.
Published: September 2012

Here we present a whole-genome shotgun sequence ofRhodococcusspecies strain JVH1, an organism capable of degrading a variety of organosulfur compounds. In particular, JVH1 is able to selectively cleave carbon-sulfur bonds within alkyl chains. A large number of oxygenases were identified, consistent with other members of the genus.
Genomic Insights into the Emerging Human Pathogen Mycobacterium massiliense
Authors: Tettelin Hervé , Sampaio Elizabeth P. , Daugherty Sean C. , Hine Erin , Riley David R. , Sadzewicz Lisa , Sengamalay Naomi , Shefchek Kent , Su Qi , Tallon Luke J. , Conville Patricia , Olivier Kenneth N. , Holland Steven M. , Fraser Claire M. , Zelazny Adrian M.
Published: September 2012

Mycobacterium massiliense
(
Mycobacterium abscessus
group) is an emerging pathogen causing pulmonary disease and skin and soft tissue infections. We report the genome sequence of the type strain CCUG 48898.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma wenyonii Strain Massachusetts
Authors: dos Santos Andrea P. , Guimaraes Ana M. S. , do Nascimento Naíla C. , SanMiguel Phillip J. , Messick Joanne B.
Published: September 2012

Mycoplasma wenyoniiis a hemotrophic mycoplasma that causes acute and chronic infections in cattle. Here, we announce the first complete genome sequence of this organism. The genome is a single circular chromosome with 650,228 bp and G+C% of 33.9. Analyses ofM. wenyoniigenome will provide insights into its biology.
Draft Genome Sequence of Flavobacterium sp. Strain F52, Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Maccabi)
Authors: Kolton Max , Green Stefan J. , Harel Yael Meller , Sela Noa , Elad Yigal , Cytryn Eddie
Published: September 2012

Here we report the draft genome sequence of
Flavobacterium
sp. strain F52, isolated from the rhizosphere of bell pepper (
Capsicum annuum
L. cv. Maccabi).
Flavobacterium
spp. are ubiquitous in the rhizospheres of agricultural crops; however, little is known about their physiology. To our knowledge, this is the first published genome of a root-associated
Flavobacterium
strain.
Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas stutzeri Strain JM300 (DSM 10701), a Soil Isolate and Model Organism for Natural Transformation
Authors: Busquets Antonio , Peña Arantxa , Gomila Margarita , Bosch Rafael , Nogales Balbina , García-Valdés Elena , Lalucat Jorge , Bennasar Antoni
Published: September 2012

Pseudomonas stutzeri
strain JM300 (DSM 10701) is a denitrifying soil isolate and a model organism for natural transformation in bacteria. Here we report the first complete genome sequence of JM300, the reference strain of genomovar 8 for the species.
Draft Genome Sequence of Citreicella aestuarii Strain 357, a Member of the Roseobacter Clade Isolated without Xenobiotic Pressure from a Petroleum-Polluted Beach
Authors: Suarez-Suarez L. Y. , Brunet-Galmes I. , Piña-Villalonga J. M. , Christie-Oleza J. A. , Peña A. , Bennasar A. , Armengaud J. , Nogales B. , Bosch R.
Published: September 2012

Citreicella aestuarii
357 is a member of the
Roseobacter
clade that was isolated without xenobiotic pressure from an oil-polluted sand sample from the Galician coast (Spain). Its genome sequence suggests an organoheterotrophic metabolism, including a wide catabolic potential for aromatic hydrocarbons.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes M1 476, Isolated from a Patient with Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome
Authors: Miyoshi-Akiyama Tohru , Watanabe Shinya , Kirikae Teruo
Published: September 2012

Here, we report the completely annotated genome sequence of
Streptococcus pyogenes
M1 476 isolated from a patient with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) during pregnancy. The genome sequence will provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying STSS.
Draft Genome Sequences of Enterobacter sp. Isolate Ag1 from the Midgut of the Malaria Mosquito Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Jiang Jinjin , Alvarez Celeste , Kukutla Phanidhar , Yu Wanqin , Xu Jiannong
Published: September 2012

An isolate of
Enterobacter
sp. was obtained from the microbial community within the gut of the
Anopheles gambiae
mosquito, a major malaria vector in Africa. This genome was sequenced and annotated. The genome sequences will facilitate subsequent efforts to characterize the mosquito gut microbiome.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Porcine Isolate Enterococcus faecalis D32
Authors: Zischka Melanie , Kuenne Carsten , Blom Jochen , Dabrowski Piotr W. , Linke Burkhard , Hain Torsten , Nitsche Andreas , Goesmann Alexander , Larsen Jesper , Jensen Lars B. , Witte Wolfgang , Werner Guido
Published: September 2012

The complete and annotated genome sequence of
Enterococcus faecalis
D32, a commensal strain isolated from a Danish pig, suggests putative adaptation to the porcine host and absence of distinct virulence-associated traits.
Complete Genome Sequence of Avian Tembusu-Related Virus Strain WR Isolated from White Kaiya Ducks in Fujian, China
Authors: Wan Chunhe , Huang Yu , Fu Guanghua , Shi Shaohua , Cheng Longfei , Chen Hongmei
Published: September 2012

Avian tembusu-related virus, which was first identified in China, is an emerging virus causing serious economic loss to the Chinese poultry industry. We report here the complete genome sequences of avian tembusu-related virus strain WR, isolated from a White Kaiya duck with disease characterized by an abrupt decrease in egg laying with ovarian hemorrhage, which will help in further understanding the molecular and evolutionary characteristics and pathogenesis of avian tembusu-related virus, the new flavivirus affecting ducks in Southern China.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Tenth Human Polyomavirus
Authors: Buck Christopher B. , Phan Giao Q. , Raiji Manish T. , Murphy Philip M. , McDermott David H. , McBride Alison A.
Published: September 2012

Nine polyomavirus (PyV) species are known to productively infect humans. The circular DNA genomes of PyVs are readily detectable using rolling circle amplification (RCA). RCA-based analysis of condyloma specimens from a patient with
w
arts,
h
ypogammaglobulinemia,
i
nfections, and
m
yelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome demonstrated the presence of a tenth apparently human-tropic polyomavirus species, which we name HPyV10.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Street Rabies Virus from Mexico
Authors: Zhang Guoqing , Fu Zhen F.
Published: September 2012

A canine rabies virus (RABV) has been used as a street rabies virus in laboratory investigations. Its entire genome was sequenced and found to be closely related to that of canine RABV circulating in Mexico. Sequence comparison indicates that the virus is closely related to those in the “cosmopolitan” group, with high homology (89 to 93%) to clade I of rabies viruses. The virus is now termed dog rabies virus-Mexico (DRV-Mexico).
Complete Genome Sequence of Aeromonas hydrophila Phage CC2
Authors: Shen Chan-juan , Liu Yong-jie , Lu Cheng-ping
Published: September 2012

Aeromonas hydrophila
is one of the major pathogenic bacteria for fish and people. To develop an effective antimicrobial agent, we isolated a bacteriophage from sewage, named CC2, and sequenced its genome. Comparative genome analysis of phage CC2 with its relatives revealed that phage CC2 has higher sequence homology to
A. salmonicida
phage 65 than to
A. hydrophila
phage Aeh1. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of CC2 and report major findings from the genomic analysis.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Avian Leukosis Virus Isolate Associated with Hemangioma and Myeloid Leukosis in Egg-Type and Meat-Type Chickens
Authors: Ji Jun , Li Hongxin , Zhang Huanmin , Xie Qingmei , Chang Shuang , Shang Huiqin , Ma Jingyun , Bi Yingzuo
Published: September 2012

Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) was first isolated from meat-type chickens that developed myeloid leukosis (ML). In recent years, field cases of hemangioma (HE) or HE and ML, rather than ML alone, have been reported in commercial layer flocks exposed to ALV-J with a high incidence in China. Here we report the complete genomic sequence of an ALV-J isolate that caused both HE and ML in egg-type and meat-type chickens in China. These findings will provide additional insights into the molecular characteristics in genomes, host range, and pathogenicity of ALV-J.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Monosense Densovirus Infecting the Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Xu Pengjun , Cheng Peng , Liu Zhongfang , Li Yi , Murphy Robert W. , Wu Kongming
Published: September 2012

Densoviruses (DNVs) infecting arthropods are members of the family
Parvoviridae
. Here we report the complete genome sequence of a novel DNV with a monosense genome that infects cotton bollworms (
Helicoverpa armigera
), named HaDNV-1. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that HaDNV-1 showed high identity with the genus
Iteravirus
.
SPECTRA ANALYSIS IN DETECTION OF TRACES OF EXPLOSIVES
Authors: LÓPEZ-CABECEIRA M. M. , DIEZ-MACHIO H. , TROBAJO M. T. , CARRIEGOS M. V.
Published: September 2012

We focus the problem of classification of Raman spectra by using different techniques: Statistic models, neural networks and expert systems. We point out some results for the concrete problem of identification of explosive substances.
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF COLORED SOLAR SELECTIVE ABSORBING FILMS WITH THREE-LAYER STRUCTURE
Authors: ZHENG MINGZHI , WU YANGWEI , LIN LIMEI , ZHENG WEIFENG , QU YAN , LAI FACHUN
Published: September 2012

Using glasses with 200-nm Cu films as substrates, the colored solar energy selective absorbing films with three-layer structure had been designed by optical multilayer design software. The three layers materials were Fe doped AlN and AlN . The optical constants of Fe doped AlN films with different Fe volume fractions were calculated by the effective medium theories. The color of the absorbing films includes orange yellow, purplish pink, pink, purple, and green. The solar absorptance of each colored film is between 0.89 and 0.96. The thermal emittance is lower than 0.1. The green film has the highest brightness. The purplish pink film has the highest absorptance, while the orange yellow and purple films have the lowest emittance. The color, absorptance, emittance, and brightness of the green film at different angles of light incidence had been analyzed. When the incident angle increases from 0° to 50°, the color of the green film changes from green to blue, and its absorptance and emittance decrease.
EPOXY COMPOSITE BASED ON KENAF FIBERS FOR TRIBOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS UNDER WET CONTACT CONDITIONS
Authors: YOUSIF B. F. , CHIN C. W.
Published: September 2012

In the current work, kenaf fibers reinforced epoxy (KFRE) composite was developed. Adhesive wear and frictional characteristics of KFRE were investigated under wet contact conditions at different fiber orientations, considering different applied loads (50–200 N) and sliding distances (0–30 km). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the damages on the worn surfaces. The results revealed that fiber orientation plays a main role in determining the wear and frictional performance of the composites. Kenaf fibers, in normal orientation (N-O), enhanced the wear performance of the composite by about 35%–57%. It appears that the damages on the surface of the composite (N-O) were less than the other orientations (P-O and AP-O). Compared to previous work, KFRE has good potential of replacing glass fibers in tribological applications.
UNITARY TRANSFORMATION IN PROBABILISTIC TELEPORTATION
Authors: TIAN XIU-LAO , ZHANG WEI , ZHAO MEI-XIA , XI XIAO-QIANG
Published: September 2012

We proposed a general transformation in probabilistic teleportation, which is based on different entanglement matching coefficients K corresponding to different unitary evolution which provides one with more flexible evolution method experimentally. Through analysis based on the Bell basis and generalized Bell basis measurement for two probabilistic teleportation, we suggested a general probability of successful teleportation, which is not only determined by the entanglement degree of transmission channels and measurement methods, but also related to the unitary transformation in the teleportation process.
Massive multiplayer human computation for fun, money, and survival
Authors: Biewald Lukas
Published: September 2012

Labor-on-demand---it's like cloud computing but with human workers.
An introduction to human-guided search
Authors: Mitzenmacher Michael
Published: September 2012

Can people help computers solve challenging optimization problems?
Interactive analysis of big data
Authors: Heer Jeffrey , Kandel Sean
Published: September 2012

New user interfaces can transform how we work with big data, and raise exciting research problems that span human-computer interaction, machine learning, and distributed systems.