bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SHADOW PRICES FOR CONTINUOUS PROCESSES
Authors: Czichowsky Christoph , Schachermayer Walter , Yang Junjian
Published: September 2015

In a financial market with a continuous price process and proportional transaction costs, we investigate the problem of utility maximization of terminal wealth. We give sufficient conditions for the existence of a shadow price process, i.e., a least favorable frictionless market leading to the same optimal strategy and utility as in the original market under transaction costs. The crucial ingredients are the continuity of the price process and the hypothesis of “no unbounded profit with bounded risk.” A counterexample reveals that these hypotheses cannot be relaxed.
Toward a better understanding of the central consequences of intestinal inflammation
Authors: Nyuyki Kewir D. , Pittman Quentin J.
Published: September 2015

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Quality of life for IBD patients is negatively affected by associated pain and gastrointestinal dysfunction, but also by serious behavioral symptoms that include depression, anxiety, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Because these behavioral comorbidities are poorly understood, we have investigated them in a rat model of IBD caused by infusion of a hapten (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)) into the lower colon. TNBS colitis has many similarities to Crohn's disease, and we have found that it is associated with changes in central nervous system function. TNBS‐treated animals have lowered seizure thresholds, which resolve following remission, and hippocampal slices from such animals display increased excitability. There are significant changes in excitatory, AMPA receptor–mediated transmission, in part due to increased numbers of AMPA receptors lacking the GluR2 subunit. Long‐term potentiation and depression are reduced in colitic animals, and the synaptic alterations are reversed if microglial activation and tumor necrosis factor α synthesis within the brain are blocked.
Evaluation of I‐gel™ airway in different head and neck positions in anesthetized paralyzed children
Authors: Jain Divya , Ghai Babita , Bala Indu , Gandhi Komal , Banerjee Gargi
Published: September 2015

Background

Studies that have compared and quantified the oropharynageal leak pressure (OPLP) and adequacy of ventilation with supraglottic airway devices in different head and neck positions have been done in adult populations. The effects of head–neck position changes on the functioning of I‐gel™ in pediatric population still remain unevaluated.

Aim

This study aimed to quantify the influence of different head and neck positions namely neutral, maximum flexion, and maximum extension on OPLP, ventilation scoring, and fiberoptic grading using I‐gel™ in anesthetized, paralyzed children.

Methods

I‐gel™ was inserted in 30 paralyzed, anesthetized children scheduled for elective urological and orthopedic procedures. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane in oxygen. Atracurium was administered intravenously to facilitate neuromuscular relaxation. Recordings of OPLP in neutral, maximum flexion, and maximum extension were taken as primary outcome. Fiberoptic grading, insertion of ryle's tube and ventilation scoring were also measured in different head and neck positions as secondary outcomes.

Results

The OPLP was significantly higher in flexion (27.6 ± 3.3 cm H2O, P = 0.000) and lower in extension (19.6 ± 3.2 cm H2O, P = 0.006) in comparison to the neutral position (23.2 ± 3.2 cm H2O). There was a worsening of the fiberoptic view in flexion compared to neutral position (0/5/19/6 vs 5/21/4/0). The ventilation score was poorer (1 [0–3], P < 0.05) and peak inspiratory pressures higher in flexion (15.2 ± 1.4 cm H2O, P = 0.000) compared to the neutral position (10.4 ± 1.6 cm H2O).

Conclusion

Caution is warranted in pediatric patients while ventilating with I‐gel™ in extreme flexion of head and neck owing to poor ventilation despite increase in OPLP.
Simultaneous expression of regulatory genes associated with specific drought‐adaptive traits improves drought adaptation in peanut
Authors: Ramu Vemanna S. , Swetha Thavarekere N. , Sheela Shekarappa H. , Babitha Chandrashekar K. , Rohini Sreevathsa , Reddy Malireddy K. , Tuteja Narendra , Reddy Chandrashekar P. , Prasad Trichi Ganesh , Udayakumar Makarla
Published: September 2015

Adaptation of crops to drought‐prone rain‐fed conditions can be achieved by improving plant traits such as efficient water mining (by superior root characters) and cellular‐level tolerance mechanisms. Pyramiding these drought‐adaptive traits by simultaneous expression of genes regulating drought‐adaptive mechanisms has phenomenal relevance in improving stress tolerance. In this study, we provide evidence that peanut transgenic plants expressing Alfalfa zinc finger 1 (Alfin1), a root growth‐associated transcription factor gene, Pennisetum glaucum heat‐shock factor (PgHSF4) and Pea DNA helicase (PDH45) involved in protein turnover and protection showed improved tolerance, higher growth and productivity under drought stress conditions. Stable integration of all the transgenes was noticed in transgenic lines. The transgenic lines showed higher root growth, cooler crop canopy air temperature difference (less CCATD) and higher relative water content (RWC) under drought stress. Low proline levels in transgenic lines substantiate the maintenance of higher water status. The survival and recovery of transgenic lines was significantly higher under gradual moisture stress conditions with higher biomass. Transgenic lines also showed significant tolerance to ethrel‐induced senescence and methyl viologen‐induced oxidative stress. Several stress‐responsive genes such as heat‐shock proteins (HSPs), RING box protein‐1 (RBX1), Aldose reductase, late embryogenesis abundant‐5 (LEA5) and proline‐rich protein‐2 (PRP2), a gene involved in root growth, showed enhanced expression under stress in transgenic lines. Thus, the simultaneous expression of regulatory genes contributing for drought‐adaptive traits can improve crop adaptation and productivity under water‐limited conditions.
Excipients in Oral Antihistamines Can Perpetuate Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Authors: Tocci Elizabeth M. , Robinson Amanda , Belazarian Leah , Foley Elizabeth , Wiss Karen , Silvestri Dianne L.
Published: September 2015

Propylene glycol is a well‐documented causative agent of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). It is also reported to cause systemic dermatitis after ingestion of foods or medicines containing it and after intravenous injection of a medicine with propylene glycol in its base. We describe two adolescents with sensitivity to propylene glycol confirmed by patch testing whose dermatitis improved dramatically after cessation of oral antihistamines containing propylene glycol. We report these cases to alert providers to the potential for worsening of ACD due to systemic exposure to propylene glycol in patients with a cutaneous sensitivity to the allergen.
Endocrine Disruptors in Domestic Animal Reproduction: A Clinical Issue?
Authors: Magnusson Ulf , Persson Sara
Published: September 2015

Contents

The objective of this review was to discuss whether endocrine disruption is a clinical concern in domestic animal reproduction. To that end, we firstly summarize the phenomenon of endocrine disruption, giving examples of the agents of concern and their effects on the mammalian reproductive system. Then there is a brief overview of the literature on endocrine disruptors and domestic animal reproduction. Finally, the clinical implications of endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system of farm animals as well as in dogs and cats are discussed. It is concluded that the evidence for clinical cases of endocrine disruption by chemical pollutants is weak, whereas for phytooestrogens, it is well established. However, there is concern that particular dogs and cats may be exposed to man‐made endocrine disruptors.
Sperm Membrane Behaviour during Cooling and Cryopreservation
Authors: Sieme H , Oldenhof H , Wolkers WF
Published: September 2015

Contents

Native sperm is only marginally stable after collection. Cryopreservation of semen facilitates transport and storage for later use in artificial reproduction technologies, but cryopreservation processing may result in cellular damage compromising sperm function. Membranes are thought to be the primary site of cryopreservation injury. Therefore, insights into the effects of cooling, ice formation and protective agents on sperm membranes may help to rationally design cryopreservation protocols. In this review, we describe membrane phase behaviour of sperm atsupra‐ and subzero temperatures. In addition, factors affecting membrane phase transitions and stability, sperm osmotic tolerance limits and mode of action of cryoprotective agents are discussed. It is shown how cooling only results in minor thermotropic non‐cooperative phase transitions, whereas freezing causes sharp lyotropic fluid‐to‐gel phase transitions. Membrane cholesterol content affects suprazero membrane phase behaviour and osmotic tolerance. The rate and extent of cellular dehydration coinciding with freezing‐induced membrane phase transitions are affected by the cooling rate and ice nucleation temperature and can be modulated by cryoprotective agents. Permeating agents such as glycerol can move across cellular membranes, whereas non‐permeating agents such as sucrose cannot. Both, permeating and non‐permeating protectants preserve biomolecular and cellular structures by forming a protective glassy state during freezing.
Restoring species through reintroductions: strategies for source population selection
Authors: Houde Aimee Lee S. , Garner Shawn R. , Neff Bryan D.
Published: September 2015

Only a quarter of reintroduction programs succeed in restoring a self‐sustaining population of an extirpated species. Optimal source population selection for restoration efforts can increase the fitness of translocated individuals and improve reintroduction success. Here, we describe the support for two strategies for selecting source populations: pre‐existing adaptation and adaptive potential. The pre‐existing adaptation strategy focuses on source populations with a high frequency of genotypes that confer adaptations, and within this strategy we detail the ancestry matching approach and environment matching approach. The adaptive potential strategy focuses on source populations with high heritable genetic variation that confer the potential to adapt, and within this strategy we detail the single source population approach and multiple source population approach. We review empirical tests of the different approaches, and find stronger support for the pre‐existing adaptation strategy than the adaptive potential strategy. We provide a framework for source population selection based on the two strategies, highlighting the importance of gathering information on key environment features in the source and restoration locations, as well as detail the knowledge gaps. Filling these knowledge gaps is important for validating and potentially revising our proposed framework, and ultimately improving the success rate of restoring extirpated populations.
The interaction of genetic determinants in the outcome of HCV infection: evidence for discrete immunological pathways
Authors: Hydes T. J. , Moesker B. , Traherne J. A. , Ashraf S. , Alexander G. J. , Dimitrov B. D. , Woelk C. H. , Trowsdale J. , Khakoo S. I.
Published: September 2015

Diversity within the innate and adaptive immune response to hepatitis C is important in determining spontaneous resolution (SR) and treatment response. The aim of this study was to analyze how these variables interact in combination; furthering our understanding of the mechanisms that drive successful immunological clearance. Multivariate analysis was performed on retrospectively collected data for 357 patients previously genotyped for interferon (IFN)‐λ3/4, killer cell immunoglobulin (KIR), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II and tapasin. High resolution KIR genotyping was performed for individuals with chronic infection and haplotypes determined. Outcomes for SR, IFN response and cirrhosis were examined. Statistical analysis included univariate methods, χ2 test for trend, multivariate logistic regression, synergy and principal component analysis (PCA). Although KIR2DL3:HLA‐C1C1 (P = 0.027), IFN‐λ3/4 rs12979860 CC (P = 0.027), tapasin G in individuals with aspartate at residue 114 of HLA‐B (TapG:HLA‐B114D) (P = 0.007) and HLA‐DRB1*04:01 (P = 0.014) were associated with SR with a strong additive influence (χ2 test for trend P < 0.0001); favorable polymorphisms did not interact synergistically, nor did patients cluster by outcome. In the treatment cohort, IFN‐λ3/4 rs12979860 CC was protective in hepatitis C virus (HCV) G1 infection and KIR2DL3:HLA‐C1 in HCV G2/3. In common with SR, variables did not interact synergistically. Polymorphisms predictive of viral clearance did not predict disease progression. In summary, different individuals resolve HCV infection using discrete and non‐interacting immunological pathways. These pathways are influenced by viral genotype. This work provides novel insights into the complexity of the interaction between host and viral factors in determining the outcome of HCV infection.
Toxoplasma gondii Toc75 Functions in Import of Stromal but not Peripheral Apicoplast Proteins
Authors: Sheiner Lilach , Fellows Justin D. , Ovciarikova Jana , Brooks Carrie F. , Agrawal Swati , Holmes Zachary C. , Bietz Irine , Flinner Nadine , Heiny Sabrina , Mirus Oliver , Przyborski Jude M. , Striepen Boris
Published: September 2015

Apicomplexa are unicellular parasites causing important human and animal diseases, including malaria and toxoplasmosis. Most of these pathogens possess a relict but essential plastid, the apicoplast. The apicoplast was acquired by secondary endosymbiosis between a red alga and a flagellated eukaryotic protist. As a result the apicoplast is surrounded by four membranes. This complex structure necessitates a system of transport signals and translocons allowing nuclear encoded proteins to find their way to specific apicoplast sub‐compartments. Previous studies identified translocons traversing two of the four apicoplast membranes. Here we provide functional support for the role of an apicomplexan Toc75 homolog in apicoplast protein transport. We identify two apicomplexan genes encoding Toc75 and Sam50, both members of the Omp85 protein family. We localize the respective proteins to the apicoplast and the mitochondrion of Toxoplasma and Plasmodium. We show that the Toxoplasma Toc75 is essential for parasite growth and that its depletion results in a rapid defect in the import of apicoplast stromal proteins while the import of proteins of the outer compartments is affected only as the secondary consequence of organelle loss. These observations along with the homology to Toc75 suggest a potential role in transport through the second innermost membrane.
Design Considerations of Rotor Cone Angle for Downwind Wind Turbines
Authors: Kress Christian , Chokani Ndaona , Abhari Reza S.
Published: September 2015

Due to their potential to use light, flexible blades, downwind turbines are well suited for offshore floating platforms, for which there is a need to substantially lower the cost of wind-generated electricity. However, downwind rotors must operate in the presence of the tower's wakes with which are associated strong changes in flow incidence, and thus high fatigue loads. In order to guide the development of design rules for multimegawatt downwind turbines, a comprehensive experimental study has been conducted to better understand the characteristics of the unsteady rotor torque on downwind turbines. High-frequency measurements of the unsteady rotor torque on a model turbine that can be configured with rotors of different cone angles and operated either downwind or upwind in well-controlled flow conditions are conducted. The measurements show that in the case of the downwind turbine, the blade's passage through the tower's wake accounts for 56% to 61% of the variance of the rotor torque; the proportion of this unsteadiness is independent of the cone angle. For nonoptimum tip speed ratios (TSRs), the increase in unsteadiness is consistently less for downwind configurations than for upwind configurations. For the 5 deg-cone downwind configuration, the increase in rotor torque unsteadiness is 13–18% of the increase observed for the 5-deg-cone upwind configuration for nonoptimum TSRs. Thus from a design perspective, downwind rotor configurations offer above or below rated wind speed, a smaller increase in unsteadiness of the rotor torque compared to upwind turbine configurations. These characteristics differ from upwind turbines, on which broadband vortex shedding from the blade is the primary source of the unsteadiness, which may be reduced by increasing the rotor-tower clearance. It is suggested that given the strong periodic character of the blade's passage through the tower's wake, the turbine control system may be designed to reduce fatigue loads and there is a broader design space on downwind turbines that can be exploited for peak load mitigation by moderately adjusting the blade's stiffness.
Oil–Water Flow Pattern Transition Prediction in Horizontal Pipes
Authors: Torres Carlos F. , Mohan Ram S. , Gomez Luis E. , Shoham Ovadia
Published: September 2015

Flow pattern transition prediction models are presented for oil–water flow in horizontal pipes. The transition between stratified and nonstratified flow is predicted using Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) stability analysis for long waves. New, simplified, and more practical physical mechanisms/mechanistic models are proposed for the prediction of the transition boundaries to semidispersed and to fully dispersed flow. The proposed flow pattern classification significantly simplifies the flow pattern map for liquid–liquid flow and agrees well with the experimental data.
Experimental Investigation of the Interblade Flow in a Kaplan Runner at Several Operating Points Using Laser Doppler Anemometry
Authors: Amiri Kaveh , Mulu Berhanu , Cervantes Michel J.
Published: September 2015

This paper presents laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements within the runner blade channels and at the runner outlet of a Kaplan turbine model. The model was investigated at six operating points located on two propeller curves of the turbine to study the flow condition during on-cam and off-cam operations. Main and secondary flows within and after the runner were analyzed, and the effects of the hub and tip clearances on the velocity fields within and after the runner were evaluated. Operation of the turbine at flow rates that are lower than the designed rate for the corresponding propeller curve resulted in vortex breakdown and the formation of a rotating vortex rope (RVR). The RVR formation produced an asymmetrical velocity distribution within and after the runner. The results demonstrated the occurrence of an oscillating flow with the same frequency as the vortex rope within the blade channels located upstream of the RVR. This results in an asymmetric flow through the runner and oscillating forces on the runner blades. The measured velocities indicated that the geometrical asymmetries in the runner manufacturing process resulted in various flow asymmetries at the measured sections. The asymmetries were up to 3% within the runner and 7% at the runner outlet.
Growth and optimization of InxGayAl1−x−ySb buffer layers for electronic and optoelectronic applications
Authors: Magno Richard , Glaser Evan R. , Podpirka Adrian , Culbertson James C.
Published: September 2015

InxGayAl1−x−ySb alloys have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy for use as a buffer layer for growing semiconductors on GaAs substrates with lattice constants beyond that of AlSb. This is an extension of the use of AlxGa1−xSb alloys to accommodate for the lattice mismatch with semi-insulating GaAs substrates. The growth of In0.21Ga0.19Al0.6Sb with a 6.2 Å lattice constant on semi-insulating GaAs substrates is the focus of this work. Several measures of the quality of a 1 μm-thick In0.21Ga0.19Al0.6Sb layer improved when the growth temperature was increased from 460 to 600 °C. Atomic force microscopy root-mean-square values decreased from 2.9 to 1.8 nm and the peak-to-valley values decreased from 17.7 to 9.7 nm. In addition, double crystal x-ray diffraction ω-2Θ spectra linewidths decreased from 568 to 482 arc sec. At the lower growth temperatures, several photoluminescence (PL) peaks associated with radiative recombination from regions with different alloy compositions were found. However, on increasing the growth temperature a single PL line was observed, strongly suggesting a more uniform alloy composition.
Deterministic generation of multiparticle entanglement by quantum Zeno dynamics
Authors: Barontini Giovanni , Hohmann Leander , Haas Florian , Estève Jérôme , Reichel Jakob
Published: September 2015

Entangling atoms by persistent poking

In quantum mechanics, repeated measurements targeting a particular unoccupied state of the system can keep that state from being occupied. Barontini
et al.
used this so-called quantum Zeno effect to restrict the dynamics of an ensemble of 36
87
Rb atoms acting as qubits and residing in an optical cavity. The measurement of the cavity transmission blocked off the collective state in which all qubits were in their ground state. The ensuing dynamics resulted in the entanglement of the atoms, creating a potential resource for quantum information processing.

Science
, this issue p.
1317
Reform forest fire management
Authors: North M. P. , Stephens S. L. , Collins B. M. , Agee J. K. , Aplet G. , Franklin J. F. , Fulé P. Z.
Published: September 2015

Agency incentives undermine policy effectiveness
The cloning controversy
The Recombinant University
Doogab Yi
University of Chicago Press, 2015. 318 pp.
A Biography of Paul Berg
Errol C. Friedberg
World Scientific, 2014. 406 pp.
Authors: Hughes Sally Smith
Published: September 2015

Lessons from the recombinant DNA revolution of the 1970s
An ultrathin invisibility skin cloak for visible light
Authors: Ni Xingjie , Wong Zi Jing , Mrejen Michael , Wang Yuan , Zhang Xiang
Published: September 2015

Wrap-around invisibility cloak

An invisibility cloak can be used to conceal an object from view by guiding light around it. Most cloaks developed so far have bulky structures that are difficult to scale up for hiding large objects. To design a thin invisibility cloak that can be wrapped around an object such as a sheet or skin, Ni
et al.
designed a two-dimensional metamaterial surface. Such flexible, highly reflective materials could be manufactured at large scale to hide large objects.

Science
, this issue p.
1310
King Coal and the queen of subsidies
Authors: Edenhofer Ottmar
Published: September 2015

The window for fossil fuel subsidy reform is closing fast
How minerals dissolve
Authors: Wolthers Mariëtte
Published: September 2015

Local surface processes drive calcite dissolution

[Also see Report by

Laanait
et al.

]
Caffeine, the circadian clock, and sleep
Authors: Landolt Hans Peter
Published: September 2015

Why is caffeine intake at bedtime a sleep disrupter?
Successful Treatment of Carbapenemase-Producing Pandrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia
Authors: Camargo Jose F. , Simkins Jacques , Beduschi Thiago , Tekin Akin , Aragon Laura , Pérez-Cardona Armando , Prado Clara E. , Morris Michele I. , Abbo Lilian M. , Cantón Rafael
Published: September 2015

New antibiotic options are urgently needed for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
infections. We report a 64-year-old female with prolonged hospitalization following an intestinal transplant who developed refractory bacteremia due to a serine carbapenemase-producing pandrug-resistant isolate of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. After failing multiple antimicrobial regimens, the patient was successfully treated.
Draft Genome Sequence of the First Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp.
quasipneumoniae
Isolate from a Bloodstream Infection
Authors: Arena Fabio , Henrici De Angelis Lucia , Pieralli Filippo , Di Pilato Vincenzo , Giani Tommaso , Torricelli Francesca , D’Andrea Marco Maria , Rossolini Gian Maria
Published: September 2015

Klebsiella quasipneumoniae
is a recently described species, formerly identified as
K. pneumoniae
phylogroup KpII. Information on pathogenic and virulence potential of this species are lacking. We sequenced the genome of a hypermucoviscous
K. quasipneumoniae
clinical isolate showing a virulence genes content (
allABCDRS
,
kfuABC
, and
mrkABCDFHIJ
) peculiar to hypervirulent
K. pneumoniae
strains.
Draft Genome Sequences of Anaerolinea thermolimosa IMO-1, Bellilinea caldifistulae GOMI-1, Leptolinea tardivitalis YMTK-2, Levilinea saccharolytica KIBI-1, Longilinea arvoryzae KOME-1, Previously Described as Members of the Class
Anaerolineae
(
Chloroflexi
)
Authors: Matsuura Norihisa , Tourlousse Dieter M. , Ohashi Akiko , Hugenholtz Philip , Sekiguchi Yuji
Published: September 2015

Members of the class
Anaerolineae
in the bacterial phylum
Chloroflexi
are widespread in a range of ecosystems but remain poorly understood. We present here the draft genome sequences of the type strains of five
Anaerolineae
species,
Anaerolinea thermolimosa
IMO-1,
Bellilinea caldifistulae
GOMI-1,
Leptolinea tardivitalis
YMTK-2,
Levilinea saccharolytica
KIBI-1, and
Longilinea arvoryzae
KOME-1.
Finished Genome Assembly of Yersinia pestis EV76D and KIM 10v
Authors: Johnson Shannon L. , Minogue Timothy D. , Daligault Hajnalka E. , Wolcott Mark J. , Teshima Hazuki , Coyne Susan R. , Davenport Karen W. , Jaissle James G. , Chain Patrick S.
Published: September 2015

Here, we sequenced the completed genome of
Yersinia pestis
EV76D and KIM 10v, two genomes used as references in assay development, to improved high-quality draft status.
Genome Sequence of Brevibacillus reuszeri NRRL NRS-1206
T
, an
l
-
N
-Carbamoylase-Producing
Bacillus
-Like Bacterium
Authors: Wang Jie-ping , Liu Bo , Liu Guo-hong , Chen De-ju , Ge Ci-bin , Chen Zheng , Che Jian-mei
Published: September 2015

Brevibacillus reuszeri
NRRL NRS-1206
T
is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, and strictly aerobic bacterium. Here, we report the draft 6.98-Mb genome sequence of
B. reuszeri
NRRL NRS-1206
T
, which is the first genome information of
B. reuszeri
and will provide useful information for genomic taxonomy and phylogenomics of
Bacillus
-like bacteria.
Genome Sequence Analysis of
Mycoplasma
sp
.
HU2014, Isolated from Tissue Culture
Authors: Calcutt Michael J. , Szikriszt Bernadett , Póti Ádám , Molnár János , Gervai Judit Z. , Tusnády Gábor E. , Foecking Mark F. , Szüts Dávid
Published: September 2015

The draft genome sequence of a novel
Mycoplasma
strain, designated
Mycoplasma
sp. HU2014, has been determined. The genome comprises 1,084,927 nucleotides and was obtained from a mycoplasma-infected culture of chicken DT40 cells. Phylogenetic analysis places this taxon in a group comprising the closely related species
Mycoplasma yeatsii
and
Mycoplasma cottewii
.
Arteriovenous malformation of the uterus
Authors: Dodia Nazera , George Suku
Published: September 2015

We present the case of a 54-year-old woman with intermittent right-sided abdominal pain. Ultrasound scans showed an unusual vascular appearance of the uterus with a thinned endometrium. Contrast CT led to a strong suspicion of an arteriovenous malformation of the uterus. The patient was successfully treated with a hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy.
BET 1: Which form of aspirin is the fastest to inhibit platelet aggregation in emergency department patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction?
Authors: Morris Niall , Rigg Kaitlynn , Hogg Kerstin
Published: September 2015

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether, in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes presenting to the emergency department, what form of aspirin has the most rapid onset of action. Papers comparing the speed of onset of chewable aspirin, or soluble aspirin or solid aspirin were included. This summarises all three parts of a combined best evidence topic report (BET). The clinical bottom line is that chewable aspirin may be faster than soluble aspirin at decreasing the amount of time to achieve platelet inhibition in a patient. Soluble aspirin is faster than whole solid aspirin, which is faster than enteric-coated aspirin.
Offering hospice care for pets
Authors: Cooney Kathleen
Published: September 2015

Shortly after qualifying as a vet, Kathleen Cooney had to say goodbye to her family's labrador so she understood why some pet owners like to say goodbye to their pet at home. She later set up an at‐home euthanasia service and a hospice and euthanasia centre, and is currently president of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarians in the USA
New limits on tanβ for 2HDMs with Z2 symmetry
Authors: Das Dipankar
Published: September 2015

In two-Higgs-doublet models with exact [Formula: see text] symmetry, putting [Formula: see text] at the alignment limit, the following limits on the heavy scalar masses are obtained from the conditions of unitarity and stability of the scalar potential: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The constraints from [Formula: see text] and neutral meson mass differences, when superimposed on the unitarity constraints, put a tighter lower limit on [Formula: see text] depending on [Formula: see text]. It has also been shown that larger values of [Formula: see text] can be allowed by introducing soft breaking term in the potential at the expense of a correlation between [Formula: see text] and the soft breaking parameter.
A Topology of Step-Down Resonant Switched-Capacitor-Based AC–DC Converter for High-Frequency AC Distribution
Authors: Xu C. D. , Cheng K. W. E. , Ye Y. M.
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes a switched-capacitor (SC)-based step-down AC–DC power converter with high-frequency feed without rectifier or transformer. The operational principle of the circuits and the design considerations are described. The main advantage of the circuit is that step-down voltage can be achieved in the circuit by simply configuring with cascaded stages, which will be much more convenient to be modular development and easy for replacement and maintenance; the voltage and current stresses of most components are smaller than the conventional converter. Using buffer capacitor to reserve energy, there are no magnetic energy storage elements in the circuits. Weight and size can be further reduced due to high-frequency-power line operation. Zero current switching (ZCS) is achieved by introducing small resonant inductors. Therefore, higher efficiency and power density can be achieved. The performance of the converter has been demonstrated by an experiment with 50 kHz 50 V power feed which is emulated by a signal generator and high-frequency amplifier to prove the concept.
EFSM-Based Test Case Generation: Sequence, Data, and Oracle
Authors: Yang Rui , Chen Zhenyu , Zhang Zhiyi , Xu Baowen
Published: September 2015

Model-based testing has been intensively and extensively studied in the past decades. Extended Finite State Machine (EFSM) is a widely used model of software testing in both academy and industry. This paper provides a survey on EFSM-based test case generation techniques in the last two decades. All techniques in EFSM-based test case generation are mainly classified into three parts: test sequence generation, test data generation, and test oracle construction. The key challenges, such as coverage criterion and feasibility analysis in EFSM-based test case generation are discussed. Finally, we summarize the research work and present several possible research areas in the future.
Reusable Solutions for Implementing Usability Functionalities
Authors: Rodríguez Francy D. , Acuña Silvia T. , Juristo Natalia
Published: September 2015

Usability is a software system quality attribute. Although software engineers originally considered usability to be related exclusively to the user interface, it was later found to affect the core functionality of software applications. As of then, proposals for addressing usability at different stages of the software development cycle were researched. The objective of this paper is to present three reusable solutions at detailed design and programming level in order to effectively implement the Abort Operation, Progress Feedback and Preferences usability functionalities in web applications. To do this, an inductive research method was applied. We developed three web applications including the above usability functionalities as case studies. We looked for commonalities across the implementations in order to induce a general solution. The elements common to all three developed applications include: application scenarios, functionalities, responsibilities, classes, methods, attributes and code snippets. The findings were specified as an implementation-oriented design pattern and as programming patterns in three languages. Additional case studies were conducted in order to validate the proposed solution. The independent developers used the patterns to implement different applications for each case study. As a result, we found that solutions specified as patterns can be reused to develop web applications.
Change Propagation Analysis and Prediction in Process Choreographies
Authors: Fdhila Walid , Rinderle-Ma Stefanie , Indiono Conrad
Published: September 2015

Business process collaborations among multiple partners require particular considerations regarding flexibility and change management. Indeed, each change or process redesign originated by a partner may cause ripple effects on other partners participating in the choreography. Consequently, a change request could spread over partners in an unexpected way with relevant costs due to its transitivity (e.g. in supply chains). In order to avoid costly negotiations or propagation failures, understanding this behavior becomes critical. This paper focuses on analyzing the behavior of change requests in process choreographies, i.e. the change propagation behavior. The input data might be available in two different formats, i.e. as change logs or change propagation logs (CPs). In order to understand the data and to explore potential analysis models and techniques, we employ exploratory data analysis as well as analysis techniques from process mining and change management to simulation data. The results yield the requirements for designing a mining algorithm that derives the propagation behavior behind change logs. This algorithm is a memetic algorithm that is based on different heuristics. Its feasibility is shown based on a comparison with the other mining techniques.
Noise Pollution in Irbid City — Jordan
Authors: Odat Sana’a
Published: September 2015

Noise defined as any sound that annoys or disturbs humans or that causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological and physiological effect on humans. Irbid is one of the most populated cities in Jordan. It is environmentally noise polluted due to the rapid and widespread introduction of mechanical methods for production and for their transportation. L10, L50, L90 and LAeq noise levels were measured during the day time and night time to assess and evaluate the noise levels from mosques, schools, celebration halls, streets, building works, industrial areas and commercial areas. The results of the investigation showed that the measured noise levels from all the selected sources were high during the day time and the noise problem is not only limited to day time, but continues in night time in this city. These noise levels were higher than those set by Jordanian limits during day time and night time. A significant correlation between the measured statistical noise levels L10, L50 and L90 and equivalent continuous noise level LAeq were also detected. The mean value of industrial noise source was motors of large vehicles and engines. Whereas the presence of slow moving vehicles, low speed and honking of horns during traffic ingestion periods lead to an increase in noise levels in commercial areas. The noise from building machines and equipment (dredges, concrete mixers, concrete pumps and jackhammers) is quite different from that of traditional equipment. The construction machines have engines that produce a loud, fluctuating noise with varying frequencies that can propagate the sound for a long distance. The noise produced by these engines is particularly disturbing due to the wide variations in frequency and volume.
Are Agencies Turning a Blind Eye to Public Access to Environmental Assessment Information?
Authors: Odparlik Lisa Friederike
Published: September 2015

For environmental assessments (strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA)) a wide range of data and documents is gathered, processed, and produced. In planning theory, this information is viewed to have a transformative function: It can affect perceptions in advance of a decision, thereby impacting the planning process at all levels and stages. The role of this information in supporting transparent public participation is often neglected. This paper analyses the current implementation of legal requirements providing access to information on environmental assessments (EAs) in Germany's electricity grid expansion and federal road planning sectors, using a criteria based case study analysis of agency websites. The 92 analysed websites primarily provide general planning information, technical information, and final decisions. One third of the websites provided EA documents, and show a clear need for improvement in information provision about and in support of public participation.
On the boundedness of the Dunkl spherical maximal operator
Authors: Deleaval Luc
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we introduce a Dunkl-type spherical maximal operator associated with a finite reflection group and study its boundedness. In view of this study, we give some results on suitable square functions and maximal multiplier operators in the Dunkl setting.
Bilirubin prevents acute DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting leukocyte infiltration and suppressing upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Zucker Stephen D. , Vogel Megan E. , Kindel Tammy L. , Smith Darcey L. H. , Idelman Gila , Avissar Uri , Kakarlapudi Ganesh , Masnovi Michelle E.
Published: September 2015

Bilirubin is thought to exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)-dependent leukocyte migration and by suppressing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). As VCAM-1 and iNOS are important mediators of tissue injury in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) murine model of inflammatory colitis, we examined whether bilirubin prevents colonic injury in DSS-treated mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered 2.5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days, while simultaneously receiving intraperitoneal injections of bilirubin (30 mg/kg) or potassium phosphate vehicle. Disease activity was monitored, peripheral blood counts and serum nitrate levels were determined, and intestinal specimens were analyzed for histological injury, leukocyte infiltration, and iNOS expression. The effect of bilirubin on IL-5 production by HSB-2 cells and on Jurkat cell transendothelial migration also was determined. DSS-treated mice that simultaneously received bilirubin lost less body weight, had lower serum nitrate levels, and exhibited reduced disease severity than vehicle-treated animals. Concordantly, histopathological analyses revealed that bilirubin-treated mice manifested significantly less colonic injury, including reduced infiltration of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and diminished iNOS expression. Bilirubin administration also was associated with decreased eosinophil and monocyte infiltration into the small intestine, with a corresponding increase in peripheral blood eosinophilia. Bilirubin prevented Jurkat migration but did not alter IL-5 production. In conclusion, bilirubin prevents DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting the migration of leukocytes across the vascular endothelium and by suppressing iNOS expression.
Xenobiotic pulmonary exposure and systemic cardiovascular response via neurological links
Authors: Stapleton Phoebe A. , Abukabda Alaeddin B. , Hardy Steven L. , Nurkiewicz Timothy R.
Published: September 2015

The cardiovascular response to xenobiotic particle exposure has been increasingly studied over the last two decades, producing an extraordinary scope and depth of research findings. With the flourishing of nanotechnology, the term “xenobiotic particles” has expanded to encompass not only air pollution particulate matter (PM) but also anthropogenic particles, such as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Historically, the majority of research in these fields has focused on pulmonary exposure and the adverse physiological effects associated with a host inflammatory response or direct particle-tissue interactions. Because these hypotheses can neither account entirely for the deleterious cardiovascular effects of xenobiotic particle exposure nor their time course, the case for substantial neurological involvement is apparent. Indeed, considerable evidence suggests that not only is neural involvement a significant contributor but also a reality that needs to be investigated more thoroughly when assessing xenobiotic particle toxicities. Therefore, the scope of this review is several-fold. First, we provide a brief overview of the major anatomical components of the central and peripheral nervous systems, giving consideration to the potential biologic targets affected by inhaled particles. Second, the autonomic arcs and mechanisms that may be involved are reviewed. Third, the cardiovascular outcomes following neurological responses are discussed. Lastly, unique problems, future risks, and hurdles associated with xenobiotic particle exposure are discussed. A better understanding of these neural issues may facilitate research that in conjunction with existing research, will ultimately prevent the untoward cardiovascular outcomes associated with PM exposures and/or identify safe ENMs for the advancement of human health.
Sodium bicarbonate ingestion augments the increase in PGC-1α mRNA expression during recovery from intense interval exercise in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Percival Michael E. , Martin Brian J. , Gillen Jenna B. , Skelly Lauren E. , MacInnis Martin J. , Green Alex E. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: September 2015

We tested the hypothesis that ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) prior to an acute session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would augment signaling cascades and gene expression linked to mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle. On two occasions separated by ∼1 wk, nine men (mean ± SD: age 22 ± 2 yr, weight 78 ± 13 kg, V̇o2 peak 48 ± 8 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed 10 × 60-s cycling efforts at an intensity eliciting ∼90% of maximal heart rate (263 ± 40 W), interspersed with 60 s of recovery. In a double-blind, crossover manner, subjects ingested a total of 0.4 g/kg body weight NaHCO3 before exercise (BICARB) or an equimolar amount of a placebo, sodium chloride (PLAC). Venous blood bicarbonate and pH were elevated at all time points after ingestion ( P < 0.05) in BICARB vs. PLAC. During exercise, muscle glycogen utilization (126 ± 47 vs. 53 ± 38 mmol/kg dry weight, P < 0.05) and blood lactate accumulation (12.8 ± 2.6 vs. 10.5 ± 2.8 mmol/liter, P < 0.05) were greater in BICARB vs. PLAC. The acute exercise-induced increase in the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, a downstream marker of AMP-activated protein kinase activity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were similar between treatments ( P > 0.05). However, the increase in PGC-1α mRNA expression after 3 h of recovery was higher in BICARB vs. PLAC (approximately sevenfold vs. fivefold compared with rest, P < 0.05). We conclude that NaHCO3 before HIIT alters the mRNA expression of this key regulatory protein associated with mitochondrial biogenesis. The elevated PGC-1α mRNA response provides a putative mechanism to explain the enhanced mitochondrial adaptation observed after chronic HIIT supplemented with NaHCO3 in rats.
Oxygen tension, H2S, and NO bioavailability: is there an interaction?
Authors: Kolluru Gopi K. , Prasai Priya K. , Kaskas Amir M. , Letchuman Vijay , Pattillo Christopher B.
Published: September 2015

Molecular oxygen (O2) is an essential component for survival and development. Variation in O2levels leads to changes in molecular signaling and ultimately affects the physiological functions of many organisms. Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are two gaseous cellular signaling molecules that play key roles in several physiological functions involved in maintaining vascular homeostasis including vasodilation, anti-inflammation, and vascular growth. Apart from the aforementioned functions, NO and H2S are believed to mediate hypoxic responses and serve as O2chemosensors in biological systems. In this literature review, we briefly discuss NO and H2S and their roles during hypoxia.
Research on the Transient Characteristics of Microgrid with Pulsed Load
Authors: Li Jianke , Wang Jinquan , Xu Ye , Zhang Haitao , Wang Chunming , Hou Pengfei , Yan Jun
Published: September 2015

Unlike traditional load, pulsed load typically features small average power and large peak power. In this paper, the mathematic models of microgrid consisting of synchronous generator and pulsed load are established. Average Magnitude Difference Compensate Function (AMDCF) is proposed to calculate the frequency of synchronous generator, and, based on AMDCF, relative deviation rate (RDR) which characterizes the impact of pulsed load on the AC side of grid is firstly defined and this paper describes calculation process in detail. Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) is used as DC switch to control the on/off state of resistive load for simulating pulsed load, the period and duty-cycle of the pulsed load are simulated by setting the gate signal of IGBT, and the peak power of the pulsed load is simulated by setting the resistance. The system dynamic characteristics under pulsed load are analyzed in detail, and the influence of duty-cycle, period, peak power, and filter capacitance of the pulsed load on system dynamic indicators is studied and validated experimentally.
Adverse Psychiatric Effects Associated with Herbal Weight-Loss Products
Authors: Bersani F. Saverio , Coviello Marialuce , Imperatori Claudio , Francesconi Marta , Hough Christina M. , Valeriani Giuseppe , De Stefano Gianfranco , Bolzan Mariotti Posocco Flaminia , Santacroce Rita , Minichino Amedeo , Corazza Ornella
Published: September 2015

Obesity and overeating are among the most prevalent health concerns worldwide and individuals are increasingly using performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) as an easy and fast way to control their weight. Among these, herbal weight-loss products (HWLPs) often attract users due to their health claims, assumed safety, easy availability, affordable price, extensive marketing, and the perceived lack of need for professional oversight. Reports suggest that certain HWLPs may lead to onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disturbances. Here we review the available evidence on psychiatric adverse effects of HWLPs due to their intrinsic toxicity and potential for interaction with psychiatric medications.