bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and solution for the ship stowage planning problem of coils in the steel industry
Authors: Tang Lixin , Liu Jiyin , Yang Fei , Li Feng , Li Kun
Published: October 2015

We consider a ship stowage planning problem where steel coils with known destination ports are to be loaded onto a ship. The coils are to be stowed on the ship in rows. Due to their heavy weight and cylindrical shape, coils can be stowed in at most two levels. Different from stowage problems in previous studies, in this problem there are no fixed positions on the ship for the coils due to their different sizes. At a destination port, if a coil to be unloaded is not at a top position, those blocking it need to be shuffled. In addition, the stability of ship has to be maintained after unloading at each destination port. The objective for the stowage planning problem is to minimize a combination of ship instability throughout the entire voyage, the shuffles needed for unloading at the destination ports, and the dispersion of coils to be unloaded at the same destination port. We formulate the problem as a novel mixed integer linear programming model. Several valid inequalities are derived to help reducing solution time. A tabu search (TS) algorithm is developed for the problem with the initial solution generated using a construction heuristic. To evaluate the proposed TS algorithm, numerical experiments are carried out on problem instances of three different scales by comparing it with a model‐based decomposition heuristic, the classic TS algorithm, the particle swarm optimization algorithm, and the manual method used in practice. The results show that for small problems, the proposed algorithm can generate optimal solutions. For medium and large practical problems, the proposed algorithm outperforms other methods. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 564–581, 2015
Partitioned formulation and stability analysis of a fluid interacting with a saturated porous medium by localised Lagrange multipliers
Authors: Zinatbakhsh S. , Koch D. , Park K. C. , Markert B. , Ehlers W.
Published: October 2015

In this work, a partitioned scheme for the numerical simulation of the surface‐coupled problem of a fluid interacting with a saturated porous medium (fluid‐porous‐media interaction) is proposed by adopting the method of localised Lagrange multipliers, which facilitates an automatic spatial partitioning of the problem and a parallel treatment of the interacting components, and allows for using tailored solvers optimised for each subproblem. Moreover, proceeding from the interaction between an incompressible bulk fluid with a saturated biphasic porous medium with intrinsically incompressible and inert constituents, the characteristics of the governing equations are scrutinised, and the various constraints within the subsystems are identified. Following this, the method of perturbed Lagrange multipliers is used to replace the constrained equation systems within each subdomain by unconstrained ones. Furthermore, considering the one‐dimensional (1D) version of the equations, a stability analysis of the proposed solution method is performed, and the unconditional stability of the partitioned solution scheme is shown. Solving 1D and 2D numerical benchmark examples, the applicability of the proposed scheme is demonstrated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing the fracture toughness of glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 composites with the addition of chain extender
Authors: Karsli Nevin Gamze
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study is to improve the fracture toughness of glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 (PA6,6) composites by adding 1,4‐phenylene‐bis‐oxazoline (PBO). Essential work of fracture (EWF) analysis was conducted to analyze the effect of chain extender loading level on the fractural properties of composites. Three different wt% levels of chain extender were used (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt%). Results of EWF analysis revealed that 1.0 wt% PBO addition made a great contribution to the fracture energy of the composites. In addition to this, tensile test results showed that while 1.0 wt% PBO addition resulted in a significant increase in tensile strain of composites, 2.0 wt% PBO addition resulted in a significant increase in tensile strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis test results indicated that 2.0 wt% PBO added composites exhibited the highest storage modulus and the lowest tan delta peak height. Morphological analysis results were also coincided with other test results. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2228–2236, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fundamental investigations into the free‐radical copolymerization of N‐phenylmaleimide and norbornene
Authors: Gmernicki Kevin R. , Cameron Matthew , Long Brian K.
Published: October 2015

A fundamental investigation into the copolymerization of N‐phenylmaleimide and norbornene via conventional free‐radical polymerization techniques was conducted. Reaction conditions were optimized for molecular weight and percent yield by tuning overall concentration and initiator loading. The copolymerization kinetics were monitored using in‐situ, variable temperature nuclear magnetic resonance and first‐order behavior was observed with respect to each monomer. Although the related copolymerization of norbornene and maleic anhydride was well‐known to proceed in a perfectly alternating manner, the copolymerization of norbornene and N‐phenylmaleimide was found to deviate from strictly alternating copolymerization behavior, producing significant amounts of sequentially enchained N‐phenylmaleimide units within the polymeric backbone. This deviation from perfectly alternating behavior was confirmed by analysis of individual monomer conversion rates and by measurement of monomer reactivity ratios using the Mayo–Lewis graphical analysis method. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 985–991
Higher Curvature Supergravity and Cosmology
Authors: Ferrara Sergio , Sagnotti Augusto
Published: October 2015

In this contribution we describe dual higher–derivative formulations of some cosmological models based on supergravity. Work in this direction started with theStarobinsky model, whose supersymmetric extension was derived in the late 80's and was recently revived in view of new CMB data. Models dual to higher‐derivative theories are subject to more restrictions than their bosonic counterparts or standard supergravity. The three sections are devoted to a brief description ofsupergravity, to a scale invariantR2Supergravity and to theories with a nilpotent curvature, whose duals describe non‐linear realizations (in the form of a Volkov–Akulov constrained superfield) coupled to supergravity.
Evacetrapib: in vitro and clinical disposition, metabolism, excretion, and assessment of drug interaction potential with strong CYP3A and CYP2C8 inhibitors
Authors: Cannady Ellen A. , Wang Ming‐Dauh , Friedrich Stuart , Rehmel Jessica L. F. , Yi Ping , Small David S. , Zhang Wei , Suico Jeffrey G.
Published: October 2015

Evacetrapib is an investigational cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (CETPi) for reduction of risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with high‐risk vascular disease. Understanding evacetrapib disposition, metabolism, and the potential for drug–drug interactions (DDI) may help guide prescribing recommendations. In vitro, evacetrapib metabolism was investigated with a panel of human recombinant cytochromes P450 (CYP). The disposition, metabolism, and excretion of evacetrapib following a single 100‐mg oral dose of 14C‐evacetrapib were determined in healthy subjects, and the pharmacokinetics of evacetrapib were evaluated in the presence of strong CYP3A or CYP2C8 inhibitors. In vitro, CYP3A was responsible for about 90% of evacetrapib's CYP‐associated clearance, while CYP2C8 accounted for about 10%. In the clinical disposition study, only evacetrapib and two minor metabolites circulated in plasma. Evacetrapib metabolism was extensive. A mean of 93.1% and 2.30% of the dose was excreted in feces and urine, respectively. In clinical DDI studies, the ratios of geometric least squares means for evacetrapib with/without the CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole were 2.37 for area under the curve (AUC)(0–∞) and 1.94 for Cmax. There was no significant difference in evacetrapib AUC(0–τ) or Cmax with/without the CYP2C8 inhibitor gemfibrozil, with ratios of 0.996 and 1.02, respectively. Although in vitro results indicated that both CYP3A and CYP2C8 metabolized evacetrapib, clinical studies confirmed that evacetrapib is primarily metabolized by CYP3A. However, given the modest increase in evacetrapib exposure and robust clinical safety profile to date, there is a low likelihood of clinically relevant DDI with concomitant use of strong CYP3A or CYP2C8 inhibitors.
Integrated adaptive robust control for multilateral teleoperation systems under arbitrary time delays
Authors: Chen Zheng , Pan Ya‐Jun , Gu Jason
Published: October 2015

With the increasing industrial requirements such as bigger size object, stable operation, and complex task, multilateral teleoperation systems extended from traditional bilateral teleoperation are widely developed. In this paper, the integrated control design is developed for multilateral teleoperation systems, where n master manipulators are operated by human to remotely control n slave manipulators cooperatively handling a target object. For the first time, the control objectives of multilateral teleoperation including stability, synchronization, transparency, and internal force distribution are clarified systematically. A novel communication architecture is proposed to cope with communication delays, where the estimated environmental parameters are transmitted from the slave side to the master, to replace the traditional environmental force measurement in the communication channel. A kind of nonlinear adaptive robust control technique is used to deal with nonlinearities, unknown parameters, and modeling uncertainties existing in the master, slave, and environmental dynamics, so that the excellent tracking performance is achieved in both master and slave sides. The coordinated motion/force control is designed in the slave side by the optimal internal force distribution among n slave manipulators, and the impedance control is designed in the master side to realize the target transparency behavior. In summary, the proposed control algorithm can achieve the guaranteed robust stability, the excellent synchronization and transparency performance, and the optimal internal force distribution simultaneously for multilateral teleoperation systems under arbitrary time delays and various modeling uncertainties. The simulation is carried out on a 2‐master/2‐slave teleoperation system, and the results show the effectiveness of the proposed control design. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating group model building exercises: a method for comparing externalized mental models and group models
Authors: Scholz Geeske , Austermann Martina , Kaldrack Kai , Pahl‐Wostl Claudia
Published: October 2015

We introduce a systematic method to compare externalized mental models with a group model resulting from a group model building (GMB) process. To this end, we categorize the various concepts included in the models, and propose Venn diagrams and matrices to demonstrate the composition of the group model and identify the overlapping categories. We then suggest a set of metrics to analyze the matrices. We apply our method to a dataset of three GMB processes, finding the suggested method to be helpful for evaluating the extent to which all participants were able to include their perspectives, and whether new ideas emerged from the process, thus constituting innovation. We conclude that our method may be a valuable contribution to the evaluation of GMB processes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the categorization of the concepts is a delicate process and has a significant influence on the results. Copyright © 2015 System Dynamics Society
Enrolling Stakeholders under Conditions of Risk and Uncertainty
Authors: Burns Barclay L. , Barney Jay B. , Angus Ryan W. , Herrick Heidi N.
Published: October 2015

Research summary

Entrepreneurs often need resources controlled by stakeholders to form and exploit opportunities. While many of these resources can be acquired through simple contracts, the acquisition of some may require efforts on the part of stakeholders that go beyond what can be specified contractually. Such efforts—extra‐role behaviors—generally involve the formation of deep psychological bonds between stakeholders and entrepreneurial endeavors. In an entrepreneurial context, the process of creating these bonds can be called stakeholder enrollment. Critical attributes of this process are shown to vary by the informational setting (risky or uncertain) within which entrepreneurship takes place.

Managerial summary

Entrepreneurs often need to gain access to resources controlled by other stakeholders to be successful. In some cases, entrepreneurs must induce these stakeholders to form deep psychological bonds in order to obtain the required resources. The process of creating these bonds is called stakeholder enrollment. This article notes that entrepreneurs can use information about the nature of the opportunity they are pursuing, information about themselves (i.e., the entrepreneurs' charisma, trustworthiness, and reputation), or both, to enroll stakeholders. This article suggests that the more uncertain a particular opportunity is, the less entrepreneurs can use information about the opportunity and the more they must rely on information about themselves to successfully enroll stakeholders.
Microgrid protection based on principle of fault location
Authors: Mu Longhua , Han Haijuan , Jiang Bin , Guo Wenming
Published: October 2015

Island‐capable microgrids can potentially enhance the efficiency of distributed generations. In general, protection schemes in traditional distribution network cannot meet the requirements of microgrid internal protection. In order to solve the problem, this paper proposes the positive‐sequence fault component of current as the starting criterion. And a graph model describing the overall structure of a microgrid is established. The information about fault currents, including amplitude and direction, is acquired to locate fault branch. Furthermore, a new matrix algorithm is used to locate the fault point, so that the fault can be isolated. Finally, a microgrid model is simulated in the PSCAD/EMTDC software environment to illustrate the validity of fault location principle in microgrid protection. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Discrete wavelet transform and support vector machine‐based parallel transmission line faults classification
Authors: Saber Ahmed , Emam Ahmed , Amer Rabah
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a scheme for classification of faults on double circuit parallel transmission lines using combination of discrete wavelet transform and support vector machine (SVM). Only one cycle post fault of the phase currents was employed to predict the fault type. Two features for each phase current were extracted using discrete wavelet transform. Thus, a total of 12 features were extracted for the six phase currents. The training data were collected, and SVM was employed to establish the fault classification unit. After that, the fault classification unit was tested for different fault states. The power system simulation was conducted using the MATLAB/Simulink program. The proposed technique took into account the mutual coupling between the parallel transmission lines and the randomness of the faults on transmission line considering time of occurrence, fault location, fault type, fault resistance, and loading conditions. The results show that the proposed technique can classify all the faults on the parallel transmission lines correctly. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Clinical evaluation of the IONA test: a non‐invasive prenatal screening test for trisomies 21, 18 and 13
Authors: Papageorghiou A. T. , Khalil A. , Forman M. , Hulme R. , Mazey R. , Mousa H. A. , Johnstone E. D. , McKelvey A. , Cohen K. E. , Risley M. , Denman W. , Kelly B.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To evaluate the clinical accuracy of the IONA® test for aneuploidy screening.

Methods

This was a multicenter blinded study in which plasma samples from pregnant women at increased risk of trisomy 21 underwent cell‐free DNA analysis utilizing the IONA test. For each sample, the IONA software generated a likelihood ratio and a maternal age‐adjusted probability risk score for trisomies 21, 18 and 13. All results from the IONA test were compared against accepted diagnostic karyotyping.

Results

A total of 442 maternal samples were obtained, of which 437 had test results available for analysis and assessment of clinical accuracy. The IONA test had a detection rate of 100% for trisomies 21 (n = 43; 95% CI, 87.98–100%), 18 (n = 10; 95% CI, 58.72–100%) and 13 (n = 5; 95% CI, 35.88–100%) with cut‐offs applied to likelihood ratio (cut‐off > 1 considered high risk for trisomy) and probability risk score incorporating adjustment for maternal age (cut‐off ≥ 1/150 considered high risk for trisomy). The false‐positive rate (FPR) was 0% for trisomies 18 and 13 with both analysis outputs. For trisomy 21, a FPR of 0.3% was observed for the likelihood ratio, but became 0% with adjustment for maternal age.

Conclusion

This study indicates that the IONA test is suitable for trisomy screening in a high‐risk screening population. The result‐interpretation feature of the IONA software should facilitate wider implementation, particularly in local laboratories, and should be a useful addition to the current screening methods for trisomies 21, 18 and 13. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Is assessment good for learning or learning good for assessment? A. Both? B. Neither? C. It depends?
Authors: Cilliers Francois J
Published: October 2015

None
Computer mouse movement patterns: A potential marker of mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Seelye Adriana , Hagler Stuart , Mattek Nora , Howieson Diane B. , Wild Katherine , Dodge Hiroko H. , Kaye Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Subtle changes in cognitively demanding activities occur in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) but are difficult to assess with conventional methods. In an exploratory study, we examined whether patterns of computer mouse movements obtained from routine home computer use discriminated between older adults with and without MCI.

Methods

Participants were 42 cognitively intact and 20 older adults with MCI enrolled in a longitudinal study of in‐home monitoring technologies. Mouse pointer movement variables were computed during one week of routine home computer use using algorithms that identified and characterized mouse movements within each computer use session.

Results

MCI was associated with making significantly fewer total mouse moves (P < .01) and making mouse movements that were more variable, less efficient, and with longer pauses between movements (P < .05). Mouse movement measures were significantly associated with several cognitive domains (P values <.01–.05).

Discussion

Remotely monitored computer mouse movement patterns are a potential early marker of real‐world cognitive changes in MCI.
Agonist mobility on supported lipid bilayers affects Fas mediated death response
Authors: Sánchez M. Florencia , Levi Valeria , Weidemann Thomas , Carrer Dolores C.
Published: October 2015

Extrinsic apoptosis is initiated by recognition and clustering of the single‐pass transmembrane proteins Fas ligand and Fas expressed at the surface of closely apposed lymphocytes and target cells, respectively. Since Fas‐mediated death response was mainly studied with soluble antibodies, the mobility constraints for receptor activation by a membrane embedded agonist is not well understood. We explored this influence by stimulating apoptosis on functionalized supported lipid bilayers, where we quantified agonist mobility by z‐scan fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Using different lipid compositions, we show that the apoptotic response correlates with increased lateral mobility of the agonist in the lipid bilayer.
Structural stability of amyloid fibrils depends on the existence of the peripheral sequence near the core cross‐β region
Authors: Saiki Masatoshi , Shiba Kohei , Okumura Masaki
Published: October 2015

Amyloid fibrils are fibrous protein assemblies with distinctive cross‐β structures. For amyloidosis, there are disease‐associated mutations outside of the cross‐β structures. Thus, it is necessary to elucidate the role of peripheral sequences outside the cross‐β structure. Amyloid fibrils are generally 10 nm in width; however, the amyloid fibrils of truncated barnase M1 peptides missing the C‐terminal sequence outside the cross‐β structure are 20 nm in width. In this study, we performed comparative analysis of the structural stability of amyloids formed by the respective peptides. We found that the C‐terminal amino acids dramatically affect the conformational instability in the presence of a denaturing reagent.
Locomotor response to acute nicotine in adolescent mice is altered by maternal undernutrition during lactation
Authors: Dutra‐Tavares Ana C. , Manhães Alex C. , Silva Juliana O. , Nunes‐Freitas André L. , Conceição Ellen P.S. , Moura Egberto G. , Lisboa Patrícia C. , Filgueiras Cláudio C. , Abreu‐Villaça Yael , Ribeiro‐Carvalho Anderson
Published: October 2015

Undernutrition during brain development causes long lasting alterations in different neurotransmitter systems that may alter responses to psychoactive drugs. Despite the recognized effects of early undernutrition on the cholinergic system, no evidence that demonstrates the influence of this insult on nicotine susceptibility has been reported. We investigated the effects of protein/calorie restriction during lactation on the susceptibility to nicotine in adolescent mice. Dams were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Control (C, 20 litters)—free access to standard laboratory diet (23% protein); Protein Restricted (PR, 12 litters)—free access to a isoenergetic, 8% protein diet; Calorie Restricted (CR, 12 litters)—access to standard laboratory diet in restricted quantities (mean ingestion of PR: pair‐fed group). Undernutrition extended from postnatal day 2 (PN2) to weaning (PN21). At PN30, animals either received an i.p. injection of nicotine (0.5 mg/Kg) or saline and were immediately placed in open field (OF). After the OF, adrenal glands and serum were collected for the analyses of stress‐related endocrine parameters and leptin concentration. PR and CR offspring showed less body mass gain and visceral fat mass. PR offspring presented reduced serum leptin concentration. In the OF, nicotine increased locomotor activity of C and PR, but not of CR. CR and PR offspring showed decreased adrenal catecholamine content, which was not dependent on nicotine exposure. Our results indicate that early undernutrition interferes with nicotine‐elicited locomotor effects in adolescent mice and suggest that endocrine parameters alterations in malnourished animals do not influence the behavioral response to nicotine.
Exploring disparities in prenatal care between refugees and local South African women
Authors: Kibiribiri Edith T. , Moodley Dhayendre , Groves Allison K. , Sebitloane Motshedisi H.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To explore possible disparities in prenatal care between refugees and South African women attending public health facilities in an urban setting in South Africa.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, mixed methods study was conducted at four public health clinics providing prenatal services in Durban between January 29, 2013, and June 15, 2013. Pretested client‐satisfaction questionnaires were administered to 200 women attending immunization services at the clinics whose infants were aged 6 months or younger. An additional 16 refugees participated in in‐depth interviews. Finally, a maternity chart audit was conducted to compare the quality of basic prenatal care.

Results

Among the women enrolled, 78 (39.0%) were refugees and 122 (61.0%) were South African citizens. Dissatisfaction was reported by 23 (19.3%) of 119 citizens and 32 (43.2%) of 74 refugees (P < 0.001). However, the maternity chart audit of 68 participants (31 refugees, 37 citizens) did not reveal significant disparities in the quality of prenatal care. The most recurring categories arising in the in‐depth interviews were linguistic barriers and the challenges faced when using informal interpreters.

Conclusion

There were no significant disparities in prenatal care; however, refugees unable to communicate in the local languages reported that they were not provided with relevant health information and occasionally faced restricted access to prenatal services.
Ultrasound‐Guided Intercostobrachial Nerve Block for Intercostobrachial Neuralgia in Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Wisotzky Eric M. , Saini Vikramjeet , Kao Cyrus
Published: October 2015

This case series describes 3 cases in which ultrasound‐guided intercostobrachial perineural injection was used for intercostobrachial neuralgia, a common cause of postmastectomy pain syndrome. All cases had undergone modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Two cases developed axillary and unilateral chest wall pain. The third case initially presented with axillary pain and lateral shoulder pain 1 year out from radical mastectomy. After a cervical epidural steroid injection, her lateral shoulder pain resolved, but she continued to have residual chest wall paresthesia. It was at this time, we decided to treat with an intercostobrachial nerve perineural injection. Injury to the intercostobrachial nerve is thought to be a common cause of postmastectomy pain. In our case series, all patients had pain relief after the intercostobrachial perineural injection. There is a relative dearth of published information on the treatment of postmastectomy pain and more specifically intercostobrachial neuralgia. We review the anatomy of the intercostobrachial nerve and its variants, etiologies of intercostobrachial neuralgia, and current indications and methods of an intercostobrachial perineural injection.
Intrathecal Versus Oral Baclofen: A Matched Cohort Study of Spasticity, Pain, Sleep, Fatigue, and Quality of Life
Authors: McCormick Zachary L. , Chu Samuel K. , Binler Danielle , Neudorf Daniel , Mathur Sunjay N. , Lee Jungwha , Marciniak Christina
Published: October 2015

Background

Baclofen commonly is used to manage spasticity caused by central nervous system lesions or dysfunction. Although both intrathecal and oral delivery routes are possible, no study has directly compared clinical outcomes associated with these 2 routes of treatment.

Objective

To compare spasticity levels, pain, sleep, fatigue, and quality of life between individuals receiving treatment with intrathecal versus oral baclofen.

Design

Cross‐sectional matched cohort survey study.

Setting

Urban academic rehabilitation outpatient clinics.

Participants

Adult patients with spasticity, treated with intrathecal or oral baclofen for at least 1 year, matched 1:1 for age, gender, and diagnosis.

Methods

Standardized surveys were administered during clinic appointments or by telephone.

Main Outcome Measures

Surveys included the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Diener Satisfaction with Life Scale.

Results

A total of 62 matched subjects were enrolled. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 46 (11) years with a mean duration of intrathecal baclofen or oral baclofen treatment of 11 (6) and 13 (11) years, respectively. There were 40 (64%) male and 22 (36%) female subjects. Primary diagnoses included spinal cord injury (n = 38), cerebral palsy (n = 10), stroke (n = 10), and multiple sclerosis (n = 4). The mean (SD) dose of intrathecal and oral baclofen at the time of survey were 577 (1429) μg/day and 86 (50) mg/day, respectively. Patients receiving intrathecal compared with oral baclofen experienced significantly fewer (1.44 [0.92] versus 2.37 [1.12]) and less severe (1.44 [0.92] versus 2.16 [0.83]) spasms, respectively as measured by the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (P < .01; P < .01). There were no significant differences in pain, sleep, fatigue, and quality of life between groups. Subanalysis of patients with SCI mirrored results of the entire study sample, with significant decreases in spasm frequency and severity associated with intrathecal compared to oral baclofen (P < .01; P < .01), but no other between group differences. The mean (SD) percent change in dose of oral (21% [33%]) compared with intrathecal (3% [28%]) baclofen was significantly larger two years prior to the date of survey (P = .02).

Conclusions

Long‐term treatment with intrathecal compared with oral baclofen is associated with reduced spasm frequency and severity as well as greater dose stability. These benefits must be weighed against the risks of internal pump and catheter placement in patients considering intrathecal baclofen therapy.
Using LiF crystals for high-performance neutron imaging with micron-scale
resolution
Authors: Faenov A. , Matsubayashi M. , Pikuz T. , Fukuda Y. , Kando M. , Yasuda R. , Iikura H. , Nojima T. , Sakai T. , Shiozawa M. , Kodama R. , Kato Y.
Published: October 2015

This paper describes an overview of our recent discovery – clear
demonstration that LiF crystals can be efficiently used as a high-performance neutron
imaging detector based on optically stimulated luminescence of color centers
generated by neutron irradiation. It is shown that the neutron images we have
obtained are almost free from granular noise, have a spatial resolution of

${\sim}5.4~{\rm\mu}\text{m}$

and a linear response with a dynamic range of at least

$10^{3}$

. The high contrast and good sensitivity of LiF crystals allow us to
distinguish two holes with less than 2% transmittance difference. We propose to use
such detectors in areas where high spatial resolution with high image gradation
resolution is needed, including diagnostics of different plasma sources such as laser
and z-pinch produced plasmas.
Fatty acid component in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus from different tissues and habitats
Authors: Xu Qinzeng , Xu Qiang , Zhang Xuelei , Peng Quancai , Yang Hongsheng
Published: October 2015

Fatty acids (FA) are a non-protein energy source and can act as trophic biomarkers in benthic food webs. We analysed the FA profiles of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, comparing tissues of body wall, gut sediment and ovaries in two habitats. Rongcheng Bay: kelp raft cultivation area with high organic matter in sediment; Laoshan Bay: strong current with low sediment organic matter. The results showed that body wall and ovary tissues were rich in long chain polyunsaturated FA (LC-PUFA), which contributed ~31% to the FA dissimilarity between the two tissues. SIMPER (similarity percentages routine) results showed that C20:5ω3 (EPA), C18:1ω7, C20:4ω6 (AA), C16:0, C14:1 and C20:1ω11 contributed to dissimilarity between the body wall and ovary tissues, while 16:1ω7, 20:5ω3, C16:0, C18:1ω7, C18:0 and C14:1 contributed more to the dissimilarity of body wall tissues between the two habitats. FA biomarkers showed that sea cucumbers from the two habitats had different food sources, with brown kelp and vascular plants being the main food for sea cucumbers in Rongcheng and diatoms for those in Laoshan. To better understand differences in FA composition in sea cucumbers, more research is needed examining a wider diversity of tissue types and habitats.
Sexual reproduction of the potentially cultivable sponge Mycale phyllophila (Porifera, Demospongiae)
Authors: Huang Dan , Ou Huilong , Wang Dexiang , Chen Jun , Ding Shaoxiong
Published: October 2015

Sponges of the Mycale genus are an important source of several bioactive metabolites. The raw materials for studies on this genus mainly come from the wild populations. However, the scarce biomass of sponges in the wild has become an obstacle to the better investigation of the active substances. To establish aquaculture methods based on the sexual reproduction of the demosponge Mycale phyllophila and solve the sponge shortage problems, the sexual reproductive cycle of this species was studied. Our investigation is the first to report the sexual reproduction of the Mycale species in the coastal waters of China. We collected the sponge specimens from Dongshan Bay (Fujian, China) monthly from June 2012 to January 2014. Small samples of approximately 8 cm3 in volume were cut from 15 sponges (10 tagged individuals and five random individuals) with surgical scissors for histological analysis. The results indicated that M. phyllophila is a hermaphroditic and viviparous species. The primary oocytes measured 30–50 μm in diameter, while mature oocytes reached 300–400 µm by engulfing nearby nurse cells. Spermatic cysts containing asynchronous cells were found throughout the mesohyl, especially adjacent to the oscula. Macromeres in the middle and micromeres in the periphery were observed as the cleavage progressed. The reproductive activity of M. phyllophila lasted for 5–6 months and peaked when the average water temperature was above 25°C. This suggests that water temperature is an important environmental factor influencing the sexual reproduction cycle.
Implications of co-infection ofLeptomonasin visceral leishmaniasis in India
Authors: SELVAPANDIYAN ANGAMUTHU , AHUJA KAVITA , PURI NITI , KRISHNAN ANUJA
Published: October 2015

Protozoan parasitesLeishmania donovani(family: Trypanosomatidae) cause fatal visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and the infection relapses in apparently cured population as post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the Indian subcontinent. In recent years co-infection of another Trypanosomatid parasiteLeptomonaswithL. donovaniduring VL/PKDL in this region has become prominent. The observation of clinically lesser-known insect parasite,Leptomonasin leishmaniasis is intriguing to researchers. The presence of Leishmania look alikeLeptomonasin the cultures of clinical isolates ofLeishmaniahas been worrisome to those, who prefer to work with pureLeishmaniacultures for drug and vaccine development or immune response studies. The exact implications of such a co-habitation, which might lead to a delay in the diagnostics of VL and elevate mortality, need a thorough investigation. Also whetherLeptomonasis involved in leishmaniasis manifestation needs to be ascertained. Thus we are currently witnessing a new paradigm of a parasitic co-infection in VL/PKDL cases in India and this review outlines various opportunities for further research in understanding such emerging co-infection.
Anxiety and anxious-depression in Parkinson's disease over a 4-year period: a latent transition analysis
Authors: Landau S. , Harris V. , Burn D. J. , Hindle J. V. , Hurt C. S. , Samuel M. , Wilson K. C. , Brown R. G.
Published: October 2015

Background

Depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease are common and frequently co-morbid, with significant impact on health outcome. Nevertheless, management is complex and often suboptimal. The existence of clinical subtypes would support stratified approaches in both research and treatment.

Method

Five hundred and thirteen patients with Parkinson's disease were assessed annually for up to 4 years. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was used to identify classes that may conform to clinically meaningful subgroups, transitions between those classes over time, and baseline clinical and demographic features that predict common trajectories.

Results

In total, 64.1% of the sample remained in the study at year 4. LTA identified four classes, a ‘Psychologically healthy’ class (approximately 50%), and three classes associated with psychological distress: one with moderate anxiety alone (approximately 20%), and two with moderate levels of depression plus moderate or severe anxiety. Class membership tended to be stable across years, with only about 15% of individuals transitioning between the healthy class and one of the distress classes. Stable distress was predicted by higher baseline depression and psychiatric history and younger age of onset of Parkinson's disease. Those with younger age of onset were also more likely to become distressed over the course of the study.

Conclusions

Psychopathology was characterized by relatively stable anxiety or anxious-depression over the 4-year period. Anxiety, with or without depression, appears to be the prominent psychopathological phenotype in Parkinson's disease suggesting a pressing need to understanding its mechanisms and improve management.
The title of Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana
Authors: Boter Gerard
Published: October 2015

The title of Philostratus’ Life of Apollonius of Tyana as it stands in all editions since Kayser’s 1844 edition, Tὰ ὲç τòν Tυανέα Ἀπολλώνιοώ is not correct. The genuine title of the work is Eἰç τòν Tυανέα Ἀπολλώνιον. The suggestion by Ewen Bowie, that the title of the work characterizes it as a novel, must therefore be dismissed. The meaning of the title is ambiguous: it means both ‘About Apollonius of Tyana’ and ‘In honour of Apollonius of Tyana’. This ambiguity may very well have been intended by Philostratus.
Personal religion: a productive category for the study of ancient Greek religion?
Authors: Kindt Julia
Published: October 2015

This article investigates the scope and meaning of ancient Greek personal religion as an additional dimension - besides official (polis) religion - in which the ancient Greek religious experience articulates itself. I show how ‘personal religion’ is a rather broad and amorphous scholarly category for a number of religious beliefs and practices that, in reflecting individual engagement with the supernatural, do not fit into our conception of polis religion. At the same time, I argue that personal religion should not be seen simply as that which is not official Greek religion. Nor is personal religion simply ‘private’ religion, oikos religion or the religion of those who had no voice in the sphere of politics (metics, women). Rather, ‘personal religion’ combines aspects of public and private. It is a productive category of scholarly research insofar as it helps us to appreciate the whole spectrum of ways individuals in the ancient Greek city received and (if necessary) altered culturally given religious beliefs and practices. Indeed, the examples discussed in this paper reveal a very Greek conversation about the question of what should count as a religious sign and who was to determine its meaning.
The ‘Ϝhεδιέστας’ inscription from Archaic Argos (SEG 11:314): a reconsideration
Authors: Probert Philomen , Dickey Eleanor
Published: October 2015

This article offers a re-edition of SEG 11:314, Argos inventory number E274, based on re-examination of the stone and of recently rediscovered squeezes preserving material now lost from the stone; these allow improved readings in numerous places. We also offer a reinterpretation of the disputed syntax of the last three lines, which we translate ‘As for the things with which a δαμιοργóς is to compel (him to make amends), the ἀμφίπολος is to give thought to these things’.
The end of the ancient Olympics and other contests: why the agonistic circuit collapsed in late antiquity
Authors: Remijsen Sofie
Published: October 2015

In the second and third centuries AD, many of the cities in the eastern Mediterranean could boast about having their own athletic games. In the fourth century, however, these games quickly declined. In recent years, the traditional explanations for the end of athletic games, most prominently the supposed ban by Theodosius, have been proven unfounded. This paper proposes an alternative explanation: institutional and financial changes hindered the successful organization of athletic contests by the cities in the fourth and fifth centuries. In order to show the effect of these changes, this paper first offers a detailed analysis of how athletic contests were founded and funded in the early imperial period. It then examines how and to what extent these procedures and funds were affected by changes in late antiquity. The decline was not caused by a general financial crisis - in fact the estates (partially) funding the games remained a stable form of financing. Instead the shift of power to a centralized bureaucracy limited the cities in their administration of the games: they could no longer independently meet deficits in the agonistic budget from the city treasury and had to rely increasingly on elite sponsors, whose ambitions focused mainly on the provincial capitals and who gradually lost their interest in athletics.
Outbreak of hospital-acquired gastroenteritis and invasive infection caused byListeria monocytogenes, Finland, 2012
Authors: JACKS A. , PIHLAJASAARI A. , VAHE M. , MYNTTI A. , KAUKORANTA S.-S. , ELOMAA N. , SALMENLINNA S. , RANTALA L. , LAHTI K. , HUUSKO S. , KUUSI M. , SIITONEN A. , RIMHANEN-FINNE R.
Published: October 2015

During one week in July 2012, two patients from the same ward at the municipal hospital in Vaasa, Finland, were diagnosed with septicaemia caused byListeria monocytogenes. An outbreak investigation revealed eight concomitant cases of febrile gastroenteritis caused byL. monocytogeneson the same ward. Median age of the cases was 82 years and median incubation time for listerial gastroenteritis was 21 h (range 9–107). An additional 10 cases of invasive listeriosis caused by the same outbreak strain were identified across the whole country during the summer of 2012. Environmental investigation at the affected municipal hospital ward revealed ready-sliced meat jelly as the suspected source of the infection. During inspection of the meat jelly production plant, one pooled sample taken from a floor drain and a trolley wheel in the food processing environment was positive for the outbreak strain ofL. monocytogenes. After the producer stopped the production of meat jelly, no further cases of listeriosis with the outbreak strain were identified via nationwide surveillance.
Observational signatures of self-destructive civilizations
Authors: Stevens Adam , Forgan Duncan , James Jack O'Malley
Published: October 2015

We address the possibility that intelligent civilizations that destroy themselves could present signatures observable by humanity. Placing limits on the number of self-destroyed civilizations in the Milky Way has strong implications for the final three terms in Drake's Equation, and would allow us to identify which classes of solution to Fermi's Paradox fit with the evidence (or lack thereof). Using the Earth as an example, we consider a variety of scenarios in which humans could extinguish their own technological civilization. Each scenario presents some form of observable signature that could be probed by astronomical campaigns to detect and characterize extrasolar planetary systems. Some observables are unlikely to be detected at interstellar distances, but some scenarios are likely to produce significant changes in atmospheric composition that could be detected serendipitously with next-generation telescopes. In some cases, the timing of the observation would prove crucial to detection, as the decay of signatures is rapid compared with humanity's communication lifetime. In others, the signatures persist on far longer timescales.
First record of the crowned jellyfish Netrostoma coerulescens (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) from Pakistani waters
Authors: Gul Shahnawaz , Morandini André C. , Moazzam Mohammad
Published: October 2015

This report presents the first record of the crowned jellyfishNetrostoma coerulescensfrom Pakistani waters and establishes its first confirmed record from the Arabian Sea. The jellyfish is briefly described and compared with its congeners. In the region, this is the second record of the genus; the first wasNetrostoma setouchianum.
Microbiome shifts and the inhibition of quorum sensing by Black Band Disease cyanobacteria
Authors: Meyer Julie L , Gunasekera Sarath P , Scott Raymond M , Paul Valerie J , Teplitski Max
Published: October 2015

Disruption of the microbiome often correlates with the appearance of disease symptoms in metaorganisms such as corals. In Black Band Disease (BBD), a polymicrobial disease consortium dominated by the filamentous cyanobacterium Roseofilum reptotaenium displaces members of the epibiotic microbiome. We examined both normal surface microbiomes and BBD consortia on Caribbean corals and found that the microbiomes of healthy corals were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, in particular Halomonas spp., and were remarkably stable across spatial and temporal scales. In contrast, the microbial community structure in black band consortia was more variable and more diverse. Nevertheless, deep sequencing revealed that members of the disease consortium were present in every sampled surface microbiome of Montastraea, Orbicella and Pseudodiploria corals, regardless of the health status. Within the BBD consortium, we identified lyngbic acid, a cyanobacterial secondary metabolite. It strongly inhibited quorum sensing (QS) in the Vibrio harveyi QS reporters. The effects of lyngbic acid on the QS reporters depended on the presence of the CAI-1 receptor CqsS. Lyngbic acid inhibited luminescence in native coral Vibrio spp. that also possess the CAI-1-mediated QS. The effects of this naturally occurring QS inhibitor on bacterial regulatory networks potentially contribute to the structuring of the interactions within BBD consortia.
Designing bioinspired composite reinforcement architectures via 3D magnetic printing
Authors: Martin Joshua J. , Fiore Brad E. , Erb Randall M.
Published: October 2015

Discontinuous fibre composites represent a class of materials that are strong, lightweight and have remarkable fracture toughness. These advantages partially explain the abundance and variety of discontinuous fibre composites that have evolved in the natural world. Many natural structures out-perform the conventional synthetic counterparts due, in part, to the more elaborate reinforcement architectures that occur in natural composites. Here we present an additive manufacturing approach that combines real-time colloidal assembly with existing additive manufacturing technologies to create highly programmable discontinuous fibre composites. This technology, termed as ‘3D magnetic printing’, has enabled us to recreate complex bioinspired reinforcement architectures that deliver enhanced material performance compared with monolithic structures. Further, we demonstrate that we can now design and evolve elaborate reinforcement architectures that are not found in nature, demonstrating a high level of possible customization in discontinuous fibre composites with arbitrary geometries.
MHC variation sculpts individualized microbial communities that control susceptibility to enteric infection
Authors: Kubinak Jason L. , Stephens W. Zac , Soto Ray , Petersen Charisse , Chiaro Tyson , Gogokhia Lasha , Bell Rickesha , Ajami Nadim J. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Morrison Linda , Potts Wayne K. , Jensen Peter E. , O’Connell Ryan M. , Round June L.
Published: October 2015

The presentation of protein antigens on the cell surface by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules coordinates vertebrate adaptive immune responses, thereby mediating susceptibility to a variety of autoimmune and infectious diseases. The composition of symbiotic microbial communities (the microbiota) is influenced by host immunity and can have a profound impact on host physiology. Here we use an MHC congenic mouse model to test the hypothesis that genetic variation at MHC genes among individuals mediates susceptibility to disease by controlling microbiota composition. We find that MHC genotype significantly influences antibody responses against commensals in the gut, and that these responses are correlated with the establishment of unique microbial communities. Transplantation experiments in germfree mice indicate that MHC-mediated differences in microbiota composition are sufficient to explain susceptibility to enteric infection. Our findings indicate that MHC polymorphisms contribute to defining an individual’s unique microbial fingerprint that influences health.