bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DETECTION OF FRACTURED AQUIFER USING COMBINATION OF RESISTIVITY AND INDUCED POLARIZATION ANALYSIS
Authors: Mohamed Zawawi Mohamed Azwan , Mat Toridi Noorellimia , Wayayok Aimrun
Published: October 2015

Subsurface geological formation is essential in investigating the groundwater occurrence. The formation can be determined from subsurface resistivity value through electrical survey. However, there is ambiguity in interpreting the subsurface resistivity. Therefore the purpose of this study is to delineate the subsurface geological formation through combination of resistivity and induced polarization analysis. The type of geological formation is determined from resistivity analysis and well lithology. Meanwhile the fracture, water in clayey soil and groundwater occurrence is identified through combination of resistivity and induced polarization analysis.  It has been identified that the study areas consist of fractured aquifer. Possible groundwater fractured area can be indicated by low resistivity ranged from 700 to 2000 Ωm and overlapped with low chargeability ranged from 1 msec to 2 msec. This study provides useful information on nature of groundwater occurrence especially fractured aquifer.
EFFECTS OF WATER PONDING ON DECREASING LEAF AND PANICLE TEMPERATURE IN RICE PADDY FIELDS
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Oue Hiroki , Grifrio Limin Sanz , Laban Sartika
Published: October 2015

Several studies have suggested the spikelet fertility would be significantly damaged if the air temperature (Ta) was high at heading and flowering stage. In this study, we evaluated the effect of water ponding in two paddy fields to decrease leaf temperature (Tl) and panicle temperature (Tp) during the 2014 growing season. Within the first conventionally water managed paddy field (cultivar Akitakomachi), we set 1 m × 1 m experiment plot (Plot A1) from July 8th to August 24th, and water was put in 15 cm depth in the morning at 8:30. For expecting larger difference of leaf and panicle temperature between in and outside the plot, the plot was expended to 2 m × 2 m (Plot A2) from August 25th to September 8th, 2014, and water was put in 15 cm depth at noon. This method was also used in the plot B (2 m ×2 m) which was installed in another conventionally water managed field (cultivar Nikomaru) from September 9th to 30th, 2014. Tl and Tp were measured every two or three hours during daytime in every 10 cm canopy layer in and outside plots. In the first experimental paddy field, at largest, Tl and Tp in the plot were 4.3 ℃, 5.5 ℃ lower than Tl and Tp outside the plot, respectively. Tp was 6.6 ℃ lower than Ta under low relative humidity condition. In the second experimental paddy field, Tl and Tp in the plot were 3.6 ℃, 3.4 ℃ lower than Tl and Tp outside the plot, respectively. It revealed water ponding was a useful method to decrease leaf and panicle temperature under larger solar radiation, higher air temperature and lower relative humidity conditions at heading and flowering stage.
OPTIMIZING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE RATES IN SRI PADDY FIELDS
Authors: Setiawan Budi Indra , Arif Chusnul , Rudiyanto Rudiyanto , Askari Muhamad
Published: October 2015

A quantified study to optimize furrow irrigation and drainage rates for SRI paddy fields has been carried out over three different planting seasons. It is very crucial to maintain soil conditions where the water level sustains soil moisture at around saturation and air-entry values. In the present study we report on a simulator program which applies a saturated water flow equation in one dimension for which boundary conditions at both ends formed water rates (Neumann type). A spreadsheet optimization using an imbedded Solver in MS Excel was employed alongside the simulation. Daily rainfall, evapotranspiration and percolation rates as sink-source functions were incorporated into the equations. Our study shows that optimizing irrigation and drainage rates gives an effective water level for SRI paddy fields within a range of -5 to 0 cm for all planting seasons. The highest value for irrigation rate within the furrow was about 6 mm per day, while the optimizing drainage rate was about 0.5 mm per day. Water table profiles are significantly affected by planting season. Our study confirmed that conserving drained water from one planting season is desirable to provide sufficient irrigation water for the next planting season.
TANAH RUNTUH DI MALAYSIA: “GEOBENCANA” ATAU “GEOBAHAYA”
Authors: Hussin Hamzah , Abdul Ghani Sarah Aziz , Jamaluddin Tajul Anuar , Abdul Razab Mohammad Khairul Azhar
Published: October 2015

Landslide is a natural process that is common in hilly areas, whether natural hills or areas that have been disturbed by human activity. Landslide is a type of geological hazard that become an issue and often gets attention at all levels of society. Increased of landslide cases in Malaysia and generate varies problems of social, economic, technical and legal cause a specific and precise definition of landslide to be accepted by all stakeholders in the country to allow a comprehensive landslide disaster risk management action to be created. Problems arise among scientists, professionals and other stakeholders to use the agreed upon of a geohazard and geodisaster term when translated from English. This paper discusses the acceptable definition and terms of the "geohazard" landslides in the context of Malaysia.
DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT OCCURRENCE IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Authors: Mohd Rohani Jafri , Johari Mohamed Fitri , Wan Hamid Wan Harun , Atan Hood
Published: October 2015

The objective of this paper is to analyze the demography aspect of occupational accident occurrence in Malaysia for manufacturing industry. High accident rate would give an adverse effect not only to the victims and their family but also to the organization as well. This study analyses various type of occupational accidents which limited to temporary disability with more than one day sick leave and cases recorded range between 2008 and 2013. The data is gathered from six different sectors within manufacturing industry by using local specific approach.  Information related to each accident is obtained by checking past occupational accident record and interviewing site safety officer in charge, human resource representative, site supervisor and fellow workers. There are 342 cases in total have been gathered during data collection process before data analysis phase took place. This study provides a better perspective regarding to occupational accident occurrence to interested stakeholder such as enforcement body, occupational health and safety practitioner and company management itself. The findings from this study can be used to draft necessary preventive measures in order to provide safe working environment which can give significant impact through reduction of occupational accidents in the future.
DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF POWER GENERATION AND DESALINATION APPLICATION IN MALAYSIA UTILIZING OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY
Authors: Tambi Chik Mohd Alshafiq , Othman Nor 'azizi , Sarip Shamsul , Ikegami Yasuyuki , MY Amyra , Othman Norazli , Yacob Ridzuan , Hara Hirofumi , Zakaria Zuriati , Izzuan Harmi
Published: October 2015

Sources of electricity in Malaysia are highly depending on fuel, natural gas and coal and desalination plant as for brackish water consume high electricity to produce freshwater. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant is one of the mediums that will reduce these problems. This paper presents a simulation of the OTEC plant, LTTD plant and the Integrated OTEC plant using temperature and topographic characteristic information in Malaysia. The design optimization was also preferable in this study which affected and influenced the maximum output of power generation and freshwater production at maximum net power generation based on tropical data in Malaysia. A model for calculation and optimization is presented in this paper.
EFFECT OF SPRAY DEPOSITION TIME ON OPTICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF P3HT: PCBM THIN FILMS
Authors: Aziz Farhana , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi
Published: October 2015

This paper investigated the effect of spray deposition time on optical and morphological properties of P3HT: PCBM thin films. The effects of spray deposition time on the optical and morphological properties of thin films were investigated using optical microscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The AFM spectra show that the thin films prepared at 10s spray deposition time are more uniform while the 15s and 20s samples presented coffee ring shapes with inhomogeneous surface formation. The ridge-like features can be observed in the surface for all samples and become more pronounced with increasing spray deposition time. The root mean square (RMS) roughness of the samples increased with increasing spray deposition time. Based on the absorption results, it is concluded that higher spray coating times result in lower crystallinity of the thin film. The 10 s spray deposition time is the most suitable deposition time for producing thin films with good morphology and crystallinity for polymer solar cells (PSCs) with improved power conversion efficiency (PCE).
Factors Influencing Computational Predictability of Aerodynamic Losses in a Turbine Nozzle Guide Vane Flow
Authors: Turgut Özhan H. , Camci Cengiz
Published: October 2015

This paper deals with the computational predictability of aerodynamic losses in a turbine nozzle guide vane (NGV) flow. The paper shows that three-dimensional (3D) computations of Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations have the ability to adequately represent viscous losses in the presence of laminar flows, transitional regions, and fully turbulent flow areas in the NGV of an high pressure (HP) turbine stage. The Axial Flow Turbine Research Facility (AFTRF) used for the present experimental results has an annular NGV assembly and a 29-bladed HP turbine rotor spinning at 1330 rpm. The NGV inlet and exit Reynolds numbers based on midspan axial chord are around 300,000 and 900,000, respectively. A general purpose finite-volume 3D flow solver with a shear stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model is employed. The current computational study benefits from these carefully executed aerodynamic experiments in the NGV of the AFTRF. The grid independence study is performed with static pressure coefficient distribution at the midspan of the vane and the total pressure coefficient at the NGV exit. The effect of grid structure on aerodynamic loss generation is emphasized. The flow transition effect and the influence of corner fillets at the vane–endwall junction are also studied. The velocity distributions and the total pressure coefficient at the NGV exit plane are in very good agreement with the experimental data. This validation study shows that the effect of future geometrical modifications on the turbine endwall surfaces will be predicted reasonably accurately. The current study also indicates that an accurately defined turbine stage geometry, a properly prepared block-structured/body-fitted grid, a state-of-the-art transitional flow implementation, inclusion of fillets, and realistic boundary conditions coming from high-resolution turbine experiments are all essential ingredients of a successful turbine NGV aerodynamic loss quantification via computations. This validation study forms the basis for the successful future generation of nonaxisymmetric endwall surface modifications in AFTRF research efforts.
Simulation and Experimental Study of Nanosecond Laser Micromachining of Commercially Pure Titanium
Authors: Williams E. , Brousseau E. B.
Published: October 2015

Nanosecond laser machining of titanium has gained increased interest in recent years for a number of potential applications where part functionalities depend on features or surface structures with microscale dimensions. In particular, titanium is one of the materials of choice to sustain the demand for advanced and miniaturized components in the biomedical and aerospace sectors for instance. This is due to its inherent properties of high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, in the nanosecond laser processing regime, the resolidification and deposition of material expelled from the generated craters can be detrimental to the achieved machined quality at such small scale. Thus, this paper focuses on the investigation of the laser–material interaction process in this pulse length regime as a function of both the delivered laser beam energy and the pulse duration in order to optimize machining quality and throughput. To achieve this, a simple theoretical model for simulating single pulse processing was developed and validated first. The model was then used to relate (1) the temperature evolution inside commercially pure titanium targets with (2) the morphology of the obtained craters. Using a single fiber laser system with a wavelength of 1064 nm, this analysis was conducted for pulse durations comprised between 25 ns and 220 ns and a range of fluence values from 14 J cm−2 and 56 J cm−2. One of the main conclusions from the study is that the generation of relatively clean single craters could be best achieved with a pulse length in the range of 85–140 ns when the delivered fluence leads to the maximum crater temperature being above but still relatively close to the vaporization threshold of the cpTi substrate. In addition, the lowest surface roughness in the case of laser milling operations could be obtained when the delivered single pulses did not lead to the vaporization threshold being reached.
A Micromechanically Based Constitutive Model for the Inelastic and Swelling Behaviors in Double Network Hydrogels
Authors: Liu Yin , Zhang Hongwu , Zheng Yonggang
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a micromechanically based constitutive model within the framework of the continuum mechanics to characterize the inelastic elastomeric and swelling behaviors of double network (DN) hydrogels, such as the stress-softening, necking instability, hardening, and stretch-induced anisotropy. The strain-energy density function of the material is decomposed into two independent contributions from the tight and brittle first network and the soft and loose second network, each of which is obtained by integrating the strain energy of one-dimensional (1D) polymer chains in each direction of a unit sphere. The damage process is derived from the irreversible breakages of sacrificial chains in the first network and characterized by the directional stretch-dependent evolution laws for the equivalent modulus and the locking stretch in the non-Gauss statistical model of a single polymer chain. The constitutive model with the optimized-material evolution law predicts stress–stretch curves in a good agreement with the experimental results during loading, unloading, and reloading paths for both ionic and covalent DN hydrogels. The deformation-induced anisotropy is investigated and demonstrated by the constitutive model for the free swelling of damaged specimen. The constitutive model is embedded into the finite-element (FE) procedure and proved to be efficient to model the necking and neck propagation in the plane-strain uniaxial elongation. Based on the procedure, the effects of imperfection and boundary conditions on the loading path and the material evolution during different stages of deformation are investigated.
Interpretation of temperature-programmed desorption data with multivariate curve resolution: Distinguishing sample and background desorption mathematically
Authors: Zhao Jing , Lin Jia-Ming , Rodríguez-Reyes Juan Carlos F. , Teplyakov Andrew V.
Published: October 2015

Efficient interpretation of thermal desorption data for complex surface processes is often complicated further by species desorbing from heating elements, support materials, and sample holder parts. Multivariate curve resolution (MCR) can be utilized as an unbiased method to assign specific temperature-dependent profiles for evolution of different species from the target surface itself as opposed to traces evolving from the surroundings. Analysis of thermal desorption data for iodoethane, where relatively low exposures are needed to form a complete monolayer on a clean Si(100)-2 × 1 surface in vacuum, provides convenient benchmarks for a comparison with the chemistry of chloroethane on the same surface. In the latter set of measurements, very high exposures are required to form the same type of species as for iodoethane, and the detection and analysis process is complicated by both the desorption from the apparatus and by the presence of impurities, which are essentially undetectable during experiments with iodoethane because of low exposures required to form a monolayer. Thus, MCR can be used to distinguish desorption from the sample and from the apparatus without the need to perform complicated and multiple additional desorption experiments.
Three-dimensional tracking of Cuvier's beaked whales' echolocation sounds using nested hydrophone arrays
Authors: Gassmann Martin , Wiggins Sean M. , Hildebrand John A.
Published: October 2015

Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) were tracked using two volumetric small-aperture (∼1 m element spacing) hydrophone arrays, embedded into a large-aperture (∼1 km element spacing) seafloor hydrophone array of five nodes. This array design can reduce the minimum number of nodes that are needed to record the arrival of a strongly directional echolocation sound from 5 to 2, while providing enough time-differences of arrivals for a three-dimensional localization without depending on any additional information such as multipath arrivals. To illustrate the capabilities of this technique, six encounters of up to three Cuvier's beaked whales were tracked over a two-month recording period within an area of 20 km2 in the Southern California Bight. Encounter periods ranged from 11 min to 33 min. Cuvier's beaked whales were found to reduce the time interval between echolocation clicks while alternating between two inter-click-interval regimes during their descent towards the seafloor. Maximum peak-to-peak source levels of 179 and 224 dB re 1 μPa @ 1 m were estimated for buzz sounds and on-axis echolocation clicks (directivity index = 30 dB), respectively. Source energy spectra of the on-axis clicks show significant frequency components between 70 and 90 kHz, in addition to their typically noted FM upsweep at 40–60 kHz.
Underwater sound transmission through arrays of disk cavities in a soft elastic medium
Authors: Calvo David C. , Thangawng Abel L. , Layman Christopher N. , Casalini Riccardo , Othman Shadi F.
Published: October 2015

Scattering from a cavity in a soft elastic medium, such as silicone rubber, resembles scattering from an underwater bubble in that low-frequency monopole resonance is obtainable in both cases. Arrays of cavities can therefore be used to reduce underwater sound transmission using thin layers and low void fractions. This article examines the role of cavity shape by microfabricating arrays of disk-shaped air cavities into single and multiple layers of polydimethylsiloxane. Comparison is made with the case of equivalent volume cylinders which approximate spheres. Measurements of ultrasonic underwater sound transmission are compared with finite element modeling predictions. The disks provide a deeper transmission minimum at a lower frequency owing to the drum-type breathing resonance. The resonance of a single disk cavity in an unbounded medium is also calculated and compared with a derived estimate of the natural frequency of the drum mode. Variation of transmission is determined as a function of disk tilt angle, lattice constant, and layer thickness. A modeled transmission loss of 18 dB can be obtained at a wavelength about 20 times the three-layer thickness, and thinner results (wavelength/thickness ∼ 240) are possible for the same loss with a single layer depending on allowable hydrostatic pressure.
Spinner dolphin whistle in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean: Is there a geographic variation?
Authors: Moron Juliana Rodrigues , Simões Amorim Thiago Orion , Sucunza Federico , de Castro Franciele Rezende , Rossi-Santos Marcos , Andriolo Artur
Published: October 2015

Acoustic parameters for the spinner dolphins' bioacoustic sounds have previously been described. However, the dolphins in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean were only recently studied near the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. Therefore, to contribute to additional knowledge of this cosmopolitan species, this study compares previous results with a Brazilian recording. Despite statistically significant differences, the mean value comparison indicated that Hawaiian and Southwest Atlantic Ocean spinners emit similar whistles. The fact that geographical isolation does not lead the dissemblance nor the similarity of the acoustic variations in this species raises the possibility of other factors influencing those emissions. Here those differences and similarities are discussed, thereby contributing to an understanding of how distinct populations and/or species communicate through different ocean basins.
Characterization of material properties of soft solid thin layers with acoustic radiation force and wave propagation
Authors: Urban Matthew W. , Nenadic Ivan Z. , Qiang Bo , Bernal Miguel , Chen Shigao , Greenleaf James F.
Published: October 2015

Evaluation of tissue engineering constructs is performed by a series of different tests. In many cases it is important to match the mechanical properties of these constructs to those of native tissues. However, many mechanical testing methods are destructive in nature which increases cost for evaluation because of the need for additional samples reserved for these assessments. A wave propagation method is proposed for characterizing the shear elasticity of thin layers bounded by a rigid substrate and fluid-loading, similar to the configuration for many tissue engineering applications. An analytic wave propagation model was derived for this configuration and compared against finite element model simulations and numerical solutions from the software package Disperse. The results from the different models found very good agreement. Experiments were performed in tissue-mimicking gelatin phantoms with thicknesses of 1 and 4 mm and found that the wave propagation method could resolve the shear modulus with very good accuracy, no more than 4.10% error. This method could be used in tissue engineering applications to monitor tissue engineering construct maturation with a nondestructive wave propagation method to evaluate the shear modulus of a material.
Neuroscience Neurotransmitter-tailored dendritic trees
Authors: Spitzer Nicholas C.
Published: October 2015

GABA is both transmitter and morphogen, stimulating neuronal branching in the brain

[Also see Report by
Chen and Kriegstein
]
Sensing H
2
O
2
with Syk and Lyn
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: October 2015

A mitochondrial pool of the tyrosine kinases Syk and Lyn mediates signaling responses to H
2
O
2
in hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells.
Identification of type 2 diabetes subgroups through topological analysis of patient similarity
Authors: Li Li , Cheng Wei-Yi , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Gottesman Omri , Tamler Ronald , Chen Rong , Bottinger Erwin P. , Dudley Joel T.
Published: October 2015

Patient networks constructed from genotype data and electronic medical records pinpointed three type 2 diabetes subtypes.
Preventing friendly fire in the war on microbes
Authors: Sullivan William J. , Gilk Stacey D.
Published: October 2015

Lung injury induced by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infection might be subverted by targeting a chromatin-remodeling protein (Zou
et al
., this issue).
Neonatal analytics in the cloud
Authors: Bhatti Pamela
Published: October 2015

A cloud computing platform can perform analytical modeling of large-scale patient data from newborn babies.
Conserved Role of an N-Linked Glycan on the Surface Antigen of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Modulating Virus Sensitivity to Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies against the Receptor and Coreceptor Binding Sites
Authors: Townsley Samantha , Li Yun , Kozyrev Yury , Cleveland Brad , Hu Shiu-Lok
Published: October 2015

HIV-1 establishes persistent infection in part due to its ability to evade host immune responses. Occlusion by glycans contributes to masking conserved sites that are targets for some broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Previous work has shown that removal of a highly conserved potential N-linked glycan (PNLG) site at amino acid residue 197 (N7) on the surface antigen gp120 of HIV-1 increases neutralization sensitivity of the mutant virus to CD4 binding site (CD4bs)-directed antibodies compared to its wild-type (WT) counterpart. However, it is not clear if the role of the N7 glycan is conserved among diverse HIV-1 isolates and if other glycans in the conserved regions of HIV-1 Env display similar functions. In this work, we examined the role of PNLGs in the conserved region of HIV-1 Env, particularly the role of the N7 glycan in a panel of HIV-1 strains representing different clades, tissue origins, coreceptor usages, and neutralization sensitivities. We demonstrate that the absence of the N7 glycan increases the sensitivity of diverse HIV-1 isolates to CD4bs- and V3 loop-directed antibodies, indicating that the N7 glycan plays a conserved role masking these conserved epitopes. However, the effect of the N7 glycan on virus sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies directed against the V2 loop epitope is isolate dependent. These findings indicate that the N7 glycan plays an important and conserved role modulating the structure, stability, or accessibility of bNAb epitopes in the CD4bs and coreceptor binding region, thus representing a potential target for the design of immunogens and therapeutics.

IMPORTANCEN-linked glycans on the HIV-1 envelope protein have been postulated to contribute to viral escape from host immune responses. However, the role of specific glycans in the conserved regions of HIV-1 Env in modulating epitope recognition by broadly neutralizing antibodies has not been well defined. We show here that a single N-linked glycan plays a unique and conserved role among conserved glycans on HIV-1 gp120 in modulating the exposure or the stability of the receptor and coreceptor binding site without affecting the integrity of the Env in mediating viral infection or the ability of the mutant gp120 to bind to CD4. The observation that the antigenicity of the receptor and coreceptor binding sites can be modulated by a single glycan indicates that select glycan modification offers a potential strategy for the design of HIV-1 vaccine candidates.
VP24 Is a Chitin-Binding Protein Involved in White Spot Syndrome Virus Infection
Authors: Li Zaipeng , Li Fang , Han Yali , Xu Limei , Yang Feng
Published: October 2015

Oral ingestion is the major route of infection for the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). However, the mechanism by which virus particles in the digestive tract invade host cells is unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that WSSV virions can bind to chitin through one of the major envelope proteins (VP24). Mutagenesis analysis indicated that amino acids (aa) 186 to 200 in the C terminus of VP24 were required for chitin binding. Moreover, the P-VP24
186–200
peptide derived from the VP24 chitin binding region significantly inhibited the VP24-chitin interaction and the WSSV-chitin interaction, implying that VP24 participates in WSSV binding to chitin. Oral inoculation experiments showed that P-VP24
186–200
treatment reduced the number of virus particles remaining in the digestive tract during the early stage of infection and greatly hindered WSSV proliferation in shrimp. These data indicate that binding of WSSV to chitin through the viral envelope protein VP24 is essential for WSSV
per os
infection and provide new ideas for preventing WSSV infection in shrimp farms.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we show that WSSV can bind to chitin through the envelope protein VP24. The chitin-binding domain of VP24 maps to amino acids 186 to 200 in the C terminus. Binding of WSSV to chitin through the viral envelope protein VP24 is essential for WSSV
per os
infection. These findings not only extend our knowledge of WSSV infection but also provide new insights into strategies to prevent WSSV infection in shrimp farms.
HIV-1 Adapts To Replicate in Cells Expressing Common Marmoset APOBEC3G and BST2
Authors: Fernández-Oliva Alberto , Finzi Andrés , Haim Hillel , Menéndez-Arias Luis , Sodroski Joseph , Pacheco Beatriz
Published: October 2015

Previous studies have shown that a major block to HIV-1 replication in common marmosets operates at the level of viral entry and that this block can be overcome by adaptation of the virus in tissue-cultured cells. However, our current studies indicate that HIV-1 encounters additional postentry blocks in common marmoset peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Here, we show that the common marmoset APOBEC3G (A3G) and BST2 proteins block HIV-1 in cell cultures. Using a directed-evolution method that takes advantage of the natural ability of HIV-1 to mutate during replication, we have been able to overcome these blocks in tissue-cultured cells. In the adapted viruses, specific changes were observed in
gag
,
vif
,
env
, and
nef
. The contribution of these changes to virus replication in the presence of the A3G and BST2 restriction factors was studied. We found that certain amino acid changes in Vif and Env that arise during adaptation to marmoset A3G and BST2 allow the virus to replicate in the presence of these restriction factors. The changes in Vif reduce expression levels and encapsidation of marmoset APOBEC3G, while the changes in Env increase viral fitness and discretely favor cell-to-cell transmission of the virus, allowing viral escape from these restriction factors.

IMPORTANCE
HIV-1 can infect only humans and chimpanzees. The main reason for this narrow tropism is the presence in many species of dominant-acting factors, known as restriction factors, that block viral replication in a species-specific way. We have been exploring the blocks to HIV-1 in common marmosets, with the ultimate goal of developing a new animal model of HIV-1 infection in these monkeys. In this study, we observed that common marmoset APOBEC3G and BST2, two known restriction factors, are able to block HIV-1 in cell cultures. We have adapted HIV-1 to replicate in the presence of these restriction factors and have characterized the mechanisms of escape. These studies can help in the development of a novel animal model for
in vivo
infection of marmosets with HIV-1-like viruses.
The challenging diagnosis of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an HIV-infected patient
Authors: Azevedo Luísa , Gerivaz Rita , Simões Joana , Germano Isabel
Published: October 2015

The differential diagnosis of febrile pancytopenia in the setting of HIV infection can be challenging. The authors report a case of a 34-year-old man with advanced HIV infection (TCD4=8 cells/mm3) and a 2-month history of fever, weight loss and asthaenia. On observation, he was emaciated, hyperthermic and pale, with a haemorrhagic oropharyngeal lesion, penile violaceous lesions and palpable hepatosplenomegaly. Blood tests showed pancytopenia, hyperferritinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia; imaging confirmed hepatosplenomegaly and a bone marrow biopsy revealed HIV-associated dyshematopoiesis. Biopsy of the aforementioned lesions displayed Kaposi sarcoma; extensive investigation was negative for other opportunistic infections or lymphoproliferative disease. Despite only a posteriori histological documentation, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was considered; chemotherapy and antiretrovirals were started, with excellent response. There was, however, disease relapse requiring an intensification course, with sustained remission at 18-month follow-up. HLH is a rare disease, with non-specific presentation, requiring a high index of suspicion since treatment delay can be fatal.
Field study of residual forces developed in pre-stressed high-strength concrete (PHC) pipe piles
Authors: Kou Hai-lei , Chu Jian , Guo Wei , Zhang Ming-yi
Published: October 2015

A large-scale field testing program for the study of residual forces in pre-stressed high-strength concrete (PHC) pipe piles is presented in this paper. Five open-ended PHC pipe piles with 13 or 18 m in embedded length were installed and used for static loading tests at a building site in Hangzhou, China. All the piles were instrumented with fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain gauges. The residual forces in these piles were recorded during and after installation. The measured load transfer data along a pile during the static loading tests are reported. The effect of the residual force on the interpretation of the load transfer behavior is discussed. The field data show that residual force along the installed pile increases approximately exponentially to the neutral plane and then reduces towards the toe. The residual force decreases with time to a stable value after pile jacking due to the secondary interaction between the pile and the disturbed soil around the pile and other factors. The large residual forces along the PHC pipe piles significantly affect the evaluation of the pile load distributions, and thus the shaft and toe resistances. The conventional bearing capacity theory tends to overestimate the shaft resistance at positions above the neutral plane and underestimate the shaft resistance at positions below the neutral plane, and the toe resistance for an open-ended PHC pipe piles founded in stratified soils.
Linearized stability of cylindrical thin-shell wormholes
Authors: Sharif M. , Mumtaz Saadia
Published: October 2015

The objective of this paper is to investigate the stability of cylindrical thin-shell wormholes. We follow the Visser’s cut and paste approach for the construction of thin-shell. The Darmois–Israel formalism is used to determine the stress–energy tensor. The null and weak energy conditions as well as attractive and repulsive characteristics of thin-shell wormholes are analyzed. We find both stable and unstable solutions by taking dark energy, generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas, and modified cosmic Chaplygin gas models as exotic matter at the wormhole throat. Finally, we compare our results with those for modified generalized Chaplygin gas model.
Advances in the biological removal of sulphides from aqueous phase in anaerobic processes: A review
Authors: Guerrero Lorna , Montalvo Silvio , Huiliñir César , Campos Jose Luis , Barahona Andrea , Borja Rafael
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we review the latest developments in biological methods used in the removal of hydrogen sulphide, present in the liquid phase in anaerobic reactors. The toxicity of H2S to methane-forming microorganisms and the problems caused by the presence of this compound in the biogas generated during this process, as well as the main causes of hydrogen sulphide generation in anaerobic processes of wastes are also reviewed. We especially discuss the fundamentals in applying micro-aerobic conditions to remove dissolved hydrogen sulphide from the aqueous phase of an anaerobic reactor. The alternative technology of simultaneous removal of sulphide, nitrate, and organic matter is under recent investigation. Therefore, this review paper includes a study and analysis of the microbiological basis of this technology, the physical and chemical factors that influence the process and the potential application of this technology on different types of wastewaters and situations. Also considered are the fundamentals of both biofilm reactors and microbial fuel cells desulphurization. Because relatively few studies on modeling desulphurisation processes are available, we discuss the advances made in that area.
Massive fermions interacting via a harmonic oscillator in the presence of a minimal length uncertainty relation
Authors: Falaye B. J. , Dong Shi-Hai , Oyewumi K. J. , Ilaiwi K. F. , Ikhdair S. M.
Published: October 2015

We derive the relativistic energy spectrum for the modified Dirac equation by adding a harmonic oscillator potential where the coordinates and momenta are assumed to obey the commutation relation [Formula: see text]. In the nonrelativistic (NR) limit, our results are in agreement with the ones obtained previously. Furthermore, the extension to the construction of creation and annihilation operators for the harmonic oscillators with minimal length uncertainty relation is presented. Finally, we show that the commutation relation of the [Formula: see text] algebra is satisfied by the operators [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Gondwana break-up related magmatism in the Falkland Islands
Authors: Hole M. J. , Ellam R. M. , Macdonald D. I. M. , Kelley S. P.
Published: October 2015

Jurassic dykes (
c
. 182 Ma) are widespread across the Falkland Islands and exhibit considerable geochemical variability. Orthopyroxene-bearing NW–SE-oriented quartz-tholeiite dykes underwent fractional crystallization at >1 GPa, and major element constraints suggest that they were derived by melting of a pyroxenite-rich source. They have εNd
182
in the range −6 to −11 and
87
Sr/
86
Sr
182
>0.710 and therefore require an old lithospheric component in their source. A suite of basaltic-andesites and andesites exhibit geochemical compositions transitional between Ferrar and Karoo magma types, and are similar to those seen in the KwaZulu-Natal region of southern Africa and the Theron Mountains of Antarctica. Olivine-phyric intrusions equilibrated at <0.5 GPa, and have isotopic compositions (εNd
182
1.6–3.6 and
87
Sr/
86
Sr
182
0.7036–0.7058) that require limited interaction with old continental lithosphere. A suite of plagioclase-phyric intrusions with
87
Sr/
86
Sr
182
c
. 0.7035 and εNd
182
c
. +4, and low Th/Ta and La/Ta ratios (
c
. 1 and
c
. 15, respectively) also largely escaped interaction with the lithosphere. These isotopically depleted intrusions were probably emplaced synchronously with Gondwana fragmentation and the formation of new oceanic lithosphere. Estimates of mantle potential temperature from olivine equilibration temperatures do not provide unequivocal evidence for the presence of a plume thermal anomaly beneath the Falkland Islands at 182 Ma.

Supplementary materials:

Mineralogical data, XRF major and trace element data and Ar-Ar results for Falkland Islands intrusions are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/sup18873
.
The geology and tectonics of central Bhutan
Authors: Greenwood Lucy V. , Argles Tom W. , Parrish Randall R. , Harris Nigel B. W. , Warren Clare
Published: October 2015

Lithotectonic mapping, metamorphic observations and U–Pb zircon ages underpin a substantial revision of central Bhutan geology, notably a more extensive and continuous outcrop of the Tethyan Sedimentary Series (TSS) than previously mapped. Metamorphic grade in the TSS increases downward towards a basal north-vergent tectonic contact with the underlying Greater Himalayan Series (GHS), interpreted as a southward continuation of the South Tibetan Detachment (STD). Miocene (
c
. 17–20 Ma) leucogranite sheets are associated with the STD in this region but appear to diminish southwards. Two leucogranite dykes that cross-cut TSS structures yield ages of 17.8 ± 0.2 and 17.9 ± 0.5 Ma. A 500 ± 4 Ma (U–Pb zircon) metamorphosed ash bed in the Pele La Group within the psammite-dominated lower TSS yields the first direct isotopic age for the TSS in the eastern Himalaya, confirming existing age constraints from detrital zircon and fossil studies. A continuation of the Paro metasedimentary unit underlying the GHS was mapped near Wangdue Phodrang. Our observations, notably the exposure of a wholly ductile STD so far south and the significance of large nappe-like structures in the TSS, prompt a major revision to the geological map of the Bhutan Himalaya and require a reassessment of tectonic interpretations of the Bhutan Himalaya.

Supplementary materials:

Zircon U–Pb geochronological data, sample locations and descriptions, features of analysed zircons, sample processing method and detailed analytical conditions are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18876
.
The habit and form of gypsum crystals in Irish mudstone aggregate affected by pyrite-induced swelling
Authors: Matheson George D. , Jones Gareth Ll.
Published: October 2015

In a recent court case in Ireland, pyrite-induced swelling of a mudstone aggregate backfill has been proven to have occurred and to have arisen from the growth of gypsum crystals in and around the aggregate fragments. There is a lack of published information on the subject and considerable debate exists regarding features associated with forceful crystallization. This paper describes the form and habit of gypsum crystals from petrological and SEM evaluations presented during the court case. Features associated with both forceful and passive crystallization of gypsum are illustrated. These illustrations should serve as a guide to the morphology of gypsum crystals where forceful crystallization under near-surface conditions has occurred. The paper is unique in that it describes a case of proven forceful crystallization of gypsum rather than attempting to infer forceful crystallization from theoretical concepts of crystal growth. This paper does not go into the detailed evidence and arguments put forward in the court case or attempt to explain the mechanisms involved in pyrite-induced swelling.
Local tomography model of the northeastern Black Sea: intra-plate crustal underthrusting
Authors: Gobarenko Valentina , Yegorova Tamara , Stephenson Randell
Published: October 2015

The Greater Caucasus and southern Crimean Mountains form part of a fold–thrust belt located on the northern margin of the Black Sea, south of the Precambrian craton of eastern Europe. Its southern limit is approximated by the Main Caucasus Thrust, which runs to the west from onshore Russia and Georgia along the whole of the northern margin of the Black Sea. The Main Caucasus Thrust is related to a zone of present-day seismicity along the southern Crimea–Caucasus coast of the Black Sea called the Crimea–Caucasus Seismic Zone. Thick continental crust north of the Main Caucasus Thrust lies adjacent to the thin ‘suboceanic' or transitional crust of the Black Sea Basin. A local seismic tomography study of this area in the vicinity of the Kerch and Taman peninsulas, which lie between the Azov Sea and the Black Sea, has been carried out based on 195 weak (m
b
≤3) earthquakes occurring from 1975 to 2010 and recorded at four permanent and three temporary seismological stations on the Kerch and Taman peninsulas. The results, for a volume of about 200×100 km (east–west and north–south, respectively) and a depth of about 40 km, provide evidence for significant heterogeneity in the P-wave and S-wave velocities. Velocities inferred in the northern part of the model suggest that the continental crust underlying the Crimea–Azov region north of the Main Caucasus Thrust is of different tectonic affinity (cratonic) than that underlying the northeastern part of the Black Sea, south of the Main Caucasus Thrust (Neoproterozoic–Palaeozoic accretionary domain). In the southern part of the model, at depths of 25–40 km, the uppermost mantle below the thin quasi-oceanic crust of the Black Sea has anomalous low P-wave velocities with high P- to S-wave velocity ratios. This is tentatively interpreted as representing serpentinized upper mantle of continental lithosphere exhumed during Cretaceous rifting and lithospheric hyperextension of the eastern Black Sea. The transition between the continental domains and the crust underlain by anomalous upper mantle is closely related to the Crimea–Caucasus Seismic Zone, where earthquake foci deepen northwards, suggesting that the latter is being thrust under the former in this intra-plate setting.
Vision is superior to touch in shape perception even with equivalent peripheral input
Authors: Cho Yoonju , Craig J. C. , Hsiao S. S. , Bensmaia S. J.
Published: October 2015

Results from previous studies suggest that two-dimensional spatial patterns are processed similarly in vision and touch when the patterns are equated for effective size or when visual stimuli are blurred to mimic the spatial filtering of the skin. In the present study, we measured subjects' ability to perceive the shape of familiar and unfamiliar visual and tactile patterns to compare form processing in the two modalities. As had been previously done, the two-dimensional tactile and visual patterns were adjusted in size to stimulate an equivalent number of receptors in the two modalities. We also distorted the visual patterns, using a filter that accurately mimics the spatial filtering effected by the skin to further equate the peripheral images in the two modalities. We found that vision consistently outperformed touch regardless of the precise perceptual task and of how familiar the patterns were. Based on an examination of both the earlier and present data, we conclude that visual processing of both familiar and unfamiliar two-dimensional patterns is superior to its tactile counterpart except under very restricted conditions.
Presynaptic GluN2D receptors detect glutamate spillover and regulate cerebellar GABA release
Authors: Dubois Christophe J. , Lachamp Philippe M. , Sun Lu , Mishina Masayoshi , Liu Siqiong June
Published: October 2015

Glutamate directly activates N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors on presynaptic inhibitory interneurons and enhances GABA release, altering the excitatory-inhibitory balance within a neuronal circuit. However, which class of NMDA receptors is involved in the detection of glutamate spillover is not known. GluN2D subunit-containing NMDA receptors are ideal candidates as they exhibit a high affinity for glutamate. We now show that cerebellar stellate cells express both GluN2B and GluN2D NMDA receptor subunits. Genetic deletion of GluN2D subunits prevented a physiologically relevant, stimulation-induced, lasting increase in GABA release from stellate cells [long-term potentiation of inhibitory transmission (I-LTP)]. NMDA receptors are tetramers composed of two GluN1 subunits associated to either two identical subunits (di-heteromeric receptors) or to two different subunits (tri-heteromeric receptors). To determine whether tri-heteromeric GluN2B/2D NMDA receptors mediate I-LTP, we tested the prediction that deletion of GluN2D converts tri-heteromeric GluN2B/2D to di-heteromeric GluN2B NMDA receptors. We find that prolonged stimulation rescued I-LTP in GluN2D knockout mice, and this was abolished by GluN2B receptor blockers that failed to prevent I-LTP in wild-type mice. Therefore, NMDA receptors that contain both GluN2D and GluN2B mediate the induction of I-LTP. Because these receptors are not present in the soma and dendrites, presynaptic tri-heteromeric GluN2B/2D NMDA receptors in inhibitory interneurons are likely to mediate the cross talk between excitatory and inhibitory transmission.