bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excision of a P4-like cryptic prophage leads to Alp protease expression in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kirby J E , Trempy J E , Gottesman S
Published: November 2016

The Escherichia coli K-12 alpA gene product, when overproduced from a multicopy plasmid, leads to suppression of the capsule overproduction and UV sensitivity phenotypes of cells mutant for the Lon ATP-dependent protease. This suppression has previously been shown to correlate with increased in vivo activity of a previously unknown energy-dependent proteolytic activity capable of degrading Lon substrates, the Alp protease. We show in an accompanying paper that alpA, which has homology to a short open reading frame in bacteriophage P4, acts as a positive transcriptional regulator of slpA, a gene linked to alpA and necessary for suppression of lon mutants (J. E. Trempy, J. E. Kirby, and S. Gottesman, J. Bacteriol. 176:2061-2067). The sequence of slpA suggests that it encodes an integrase gene closely related to P4 int and that both alpA and slpA are part of a cryptic P4-like prophage. AlpA expression increases SlpA synthesis. Increased SlpA leads, in turn, to the excision and loss of the cryptic prophage. Excision is dependent on integration host factor as well as on SlpA. Prophage excision is necessary but not sufficient for full expression of the Alp protease. A second function (named AHA) allows full protease expression; this function can be provided by the kanamycin resistance element from Tn903 when the element is present on a multicopy plasmid. Excision and loss of the cryptic prophage apparently allow expression of the Alp protease by inactivating a small stable RNA (10Sa RNA) encoded by the ssrA gene. The precursor of this RNA has its 3' end within the cryptic prophage; the mature 3' end lies within the prophage attL site. Inactivation of ssrA by insertional mutagenesis is sufficient to allow expression of the suppressing Alp protease, even in the presence of the cryptic prophage. Therefore, 10Sa RNA acts as a negative regulator of protease synthesis or activity, and prophage excision must inactivate this inhibitory function of the RNA.
Role for 10Sa RNA in the growth of lambda-P22 hybrid phage
Authors: Retallack D M , Johnson L L , Friedman D I
Published: November 2016

Certain lambda-P22 hybrids, providing that they express the P22 C1 protein, fail to grow in Escherichia coli with the sipB391 mutation. We show that sipB391, previously located to the 57-min region of the E. coli chromosome, is a large deletion that extends into the 3' end of ssrA, a gene encoding the small stable 10Sa RNA. This deletion, apparently created by the excision of a cryptic prophage, CP4-57 (identified by Kirby et al. [J. E. Kirby, J. E. Trempy, and S. Gottesman, J. Bacteriol. 176:2068-2081]), leaves most of ssrA intact but removes the sequence encoding the 3' end of the precursor form of 10Sa RNA. The lack of functional 10Sa RNA, resulting from either the excision of CP4-57 or insertional inactivation of ssrA, appears to be responsible for the inhibition of lambda-P22 growth in E. coli with the sipB391 mutation. We propose that 10Sa RNA acts either directly or indirectly to facilitate removal of C1 protein from its DNA target site.
Transposition of IS2 into the hemB gene of Escherichia coli K-12
Authors: Lewis L A , Lewis D , Persaud V , Gopaul S , Turner B
Published: November 2016

Genetic studies of the hemB gene in Escherichia coli have resulted in the recovery of both stable and unstable mutant strains. The stable strains have been shown to result from large deletions. This study demonstrates that unstable strains result from the insertion of transposable element IS2 primarily into the 5' region of the structural gene; the instability results from precise excision of the element, producing strains with both high and low frequencies of reversion. This first report of IS2 insertion into hemB suggests that this gene may be a preferred target for insertion of this transposable element.
Use of transcriptional fusions to monitor gene expression: a cautionary tale
Authors: Forsberg A J , Pavitt G D , Higgins C F
Published: November 2016

Gene fusions are frequently used to facilitate studies of gene expression and promoter activity. We have found that certain reporter genes can, themselves, influence promoter activity. For example, the commonly used luxAB reporter genes can activate or repress transcription from a subset of promoters, generating data apparently at odds with those obtained with other reporter genes. These effects are probably related to an intrinsically curved DNA segment in the 5' coding sequence of the luxA gene. Thus, caution must be observed when one is interpreting results obtained with a single reporter gene system such as luxAB.
bvg Repression of alcaligin synthesis in Bordetella bronchiseptica is associated with phylogenetic lineage
Authors: Giardina P C , Foster L A , Musser J M , Akerley B J , Miller J F , Dyer D W
Published: November 2016

Recent studies have shown that Bordetella bronchiseptica utilizes a siderophore-mediated transport system for acquisition of iron from the host iron-binding proteins lactoferrin and transferrin. We recently identified the B. bronchiseptica siderophore as alcaligin, which is also produced by B. pertussis. Alcaligin production by B. bronchiseptica is repressed by exogenous iron, a phenotype of other microbes that produce siderophores. In this study, we report that alcaligin production by B. bronchiseptica RB50 and GP1SN was repressed by the Bordetella global virulence regulator, bvg, in addition to being Fe repressed. Modulation of bvg locus expression with 50 mM MgSO4 or inactivation of bvg by deletion allowed strain RB50 to produce alcaligin. In modulated organisms, siderophore production remained Fe repressed. These observations contrasted with our previous data indicating that alcaligin production by B. bronchiseptica MBORD846 and B. pertussis was repressed by Fe but bvg independent. Despite bvg repression of alcaligin production, strain RB50 was still able to acquire Fe from purified alcaligin, suggesting that expression of the bacterial alcaligin receptor was not repressed by bvg. We tested 114 B. bronchiseptica strains and found that bvg repression of alcaligin production was strongly associated with Bordetella phylogenetic lineage and with host species from which the organisms were isolated.
Cloning and characterization of the A-factor receptor gene from Streptomyces griseus
Authors: Onaka H , Ando N , Nihira T , Yamada Y , Beppu T , Horinouchi S
Published: November 2016

A-factor (2-isocapryloyl-3R-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactone) and its specific receptor protein control streptomycin production, streptomycin resistance, and aerial mycelium formation in Streptomyces griseus. The A-factor receptor protein (ArpA) was purified from a cell lysate of S. griseus IFO 13350. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of ArpA and lysyl endopeptidase-generated fragments were determined for the purpose of preparing oligonucleotide primers for cloning arpA by the PCR method. The arpA gene cloned in this way directed the synthesis of a protein having A-factor-specific binding activity when expressed in Escherichia coli under the control of the T7 promoter. The arpA gene was thus concluded to encode a 276-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 29.1 kDa, as determined by nucleotide sequencing. The A-factor-binding activity was observed with a homodimer of ArpA. The NH2-terminal portion of ArpA contained an alpha-helix-turn-alpha-helix DNA-binding motif that showed great similarity to those of many DNA-binding proteins, which suggests that it exerts its regulatory function for the various phenotypes by directly binding to a certain key gene(s). Although a mutant strain deficient in both the ArpA protein and A-factor production overproduces streptomycin and forms aerial mycelium and spores earlier than the wild-type strain because of repressor-like behavior of ArpA, introduction of arpA into this mutant abolished simultaneously its streptomycin production and aerial mycelium formation. All of these data are consistent with the idea that ArpA acts as a repressor-type regulator for secondary metabolite formation and morphogenesis during the early growth phase and A-factor at a certain critical intracellular concentration releases the derepression, thus leading to the onset of secondary metabolism and aerial mycelium formation. The presence of ArpA-like proteins among Streptomyces spp., as revealed by PCR, together with the presence of A-factor-like compounds, suggests that a hormonal control similar to the A-factor system exists in many species of this genus.
Binding affinity and functional significance of NIT2 and NIT4 binding sites in the promoter of the highly regulated nit-3 gene, which encodes nitrate reductase in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Chiang T Y , Marzluf G A
Published: November 2016

In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, both the global-acting regulatory protein NIT2 and the pathway-specific regulatory protein NIT4 are required to turn on the expression of the nit-3 gene, which encodes nitrate reductase, the first enzyme in the nitrate assimilatory pathway. Three NIT2 binding sites and two NIT4 binding sites have been identified in the 1.3-kb nit-3 promoter region via mobility shift and footprinting experiments with NIT2-beta-galactosidase and NIT4-beta-Gactosidase fusion proteins. Quantitative mobility shift assays were used to examine the affinity of individual NIT2 binding sites for the native NIT2 protein present in N. crassa nuclear extracts. In vivo analysis of nit-3 promoter 5' deletion constructs and individual NIT2 and NIT4 binding-site deletions or mutations revealed that all of the NIT2 and NIT4 binding sites are required for the full level of expression of the nit-3 gene. A cluster of two NIT2 and two NIT4 binding sites located more than 1 kb upstream of the translational start site is required for nit-3 expression, and one NIT2 binding site and one NIT4 site, which are immediately adjacent to each other, are of particular functional importance. A significant NIT2-NIT4 protein-protein interaction might occur upon their binding to nearby sites.
Phanerochaete chrysosporium glyoxal oxidase is encoded by two allelic variants: structure, genomic organization, and heterologous expression of glx1 and glx2
Authors: Kersten P J , Witek C , vanden Wymelenberg A , Cullen D
Published: November 2016

A cDNA clone (glx-2c) encoding glyoxal oxidase (GLOX) was isolated from a Phanerochaete chrysosporium lambda gt11 library, and its nucleotide sequence was shown to be distinct from that of the previously described clone glx-1c (P. J. Kersten and D. Cullen, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:7411-7413, 1993). Genomic clones corresponding to both cDNAs were also isolated and sequenced. overall nucleotide sequence identity was 98%, and the predicted proteins differed by a single residue: Lys-308<==>Thr-308. Analyses of parental dikaryotic strain BKM-F-1767 and homokaryotic progeny firmly established allelism for these structural variants. Southern blots of pulsed-field gels localized the GLOX gene (glx) to a dimorphic chromosome separate from the peroxidase and cellobiohydrolase genes of P. chrysosporium. Controlled expression of active GLOX was obtained from Aspergillus nidulans transformants when glx-1c was fused to the promoter and secretion signal of the A. niger glucoamylase gene. The GLOX isozyme corresponding to glx-2c was also efficiently secreted by A. nidulans following site-specific mutagenesis of the expression vector at codon 308 of glx-1c.
A novel nitrite reductase gene from the cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum
Authors: Suzuki I , Kikuchi H , Nakanishi S , Fujita Y , Sugiyama T , Omata T
Published: November 2016

The gene (nirA) for nitrite reductase was cloned from the nonheterocystous, filamentous cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum. The predicted protein consists of 654 amino acids and has a calculated molecular weight of 72,135. The deduced amino acid sequence from positions 1 to 511 is strongly similar to the entire sequence of the ferredoxin-dependent nitrite reductases from other phototrophs, while the remainder of the protein is unique to the Plectonema nitrite reductase. The C-terminal portion of the protein (amino acids 584 to 654) is 30 to 35% identical to [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins from higher plants and cyanobacteria, with all of the four Cys residues involved in binding of the [2Fe-2S] cluster in the ferredoxins being conserved. Immunoblotting analysis of the extracts of P. boryanum cells showed that the NirA polypeptide has an apparent molecular mass of 75 kDa. An insertional mutant of nirA lacked the 75-kDa polypeptide, had no nitrite reductase activity, and failed to grow on nitrate and nitrite, indicating that the novel nirA is the sole nitrite reductase gene in P. boryanum and that the NirA polypeptide with the ferredoxin-like domain is the apoprotein of the functional nitrite reductase. As in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC7942, nirA is the first gene of a large transcription unit (> 7 kb in size) and is repressed by ammonium and derepressed simply by deprivation of ammonium from the medium. The development of nitrite reductase activity was, however, found to require the presence of nitrate in the medium.
Topology analysis of the colicin V export protein CvaA in Escherichia coli
Authors: Skvirsky R C , Reginald S , Shen X
Published: November 2016

The antibacterial protein toxin colicin V is secreted from Escherichia coli cells by a dedicated export system that is a member of the multicomponent ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family. At least three proteins, CvaA, CvaB, and TolC, are required for secretion via this signal sequence-independent pathway. In this study, the subcellular location and transmembrane organization of membrane fusion protein CvaA were investigated. First, a series of CvaA-alkaline phosphatase (AP) protein fusions was constructed. Inner and outer membrane fractionations of cells bearing these fusions indicated that CvaA is inner membrane associated. To localize the fusion junctions, the relative activities of the fusion proteins, i.e., the amounts of phosphatase activity normalized to the rate of synthesis of each protein, as well as the stability of each fusion, were determined. These results indicated that all of the fusion junctions occur on the same side of the inner membrane. In addition, the relative activities were compared with that of native AP, and the protease accessibility of the AP moieties in spheroplasts and whole cells was analyzed. The results of these experiments suggested that the fusion junctions occur within periplasmic regions of CvA. We conclude that CvaA is an inner membrane protein with a single transmembrane domain near its N terminus; the large C-terminal region extends into the periplasm. This study demonstrates the application of AP fusion analysis to elucidate the topology of a membrane-associated protein having only a single transmembrane domain.
A global regulator of secondary metabolite production in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5
Authors: Corbell N , Loper J E
Published: November 2016

Mutations in the apdA (for antibiotic production) gene of the plant root-colonizing bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 pleiotropically abolish the production of an array of antibiotics, including pyrrolnitrin, pyoluteorin, and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, as well as the production of tryptophan side chain oxidase, hydrogen cyanide, and an extracellular protease. The lack of production of secondary metabolites by ApdA- mutants was correlated with the loss of inhibition of the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani in culture. Sequencing of the apdA region identified an open reading frame of 2,751 bp. The predicted amino acid sequence of the apdA gene contains conserved domains of the histidine kinases that serve as sensor components of prokaryotic two-component regulatory systems. The apdA nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences are strikingly similar to the sequences of lemA and repA, genes encoding putative sensor kinases that are required for the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Pseudomonas viridiflava, respectively. Introduction of the cloned apdA+ gene restored the wild-type phenotype to both LemA- mutants of P. syringae and ApdA- mutants of Pf-5. The 101-kDa ApdA protein reacted with an anti-LemA antiserum, further demonstrating the similarity of ApdA to LemA. These results show that apdA encodes a putative sensor kinase component of a classical two-component regulatory system that is required for secondary-metabolite production by P. fluorescens Pf-5.
Adjacent and divergently oriented operons under the control of the sporulation regulatory protein GerE in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Roels S , Losick R
Published: November 2016

The DNA-binding protein GerE is the latest-acting regulatory protein in the mother cell line of gene expression during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. GerE directs the transcription of several genes that encode structural components of the protein coat that encases the mature spore. We report on the identification and characterization of a cluster of additional genes whose transcription is dependent on GerE. These genes, which are located in the replication terminus region of the chromosome (181 degrees on the genetic map), are arranged in adjacent and divergently oriented operons called cgeAB and cgeCDE, which consist of two and at least three genes, respectively. CgeD, the product of the second member of the cgeCDE operon, is strikingly similar to the product of a B. subtilis gene (ipa-63d) of unknown function and is similar at its amino terminus to certain glycosyl transferases involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis. Strains with mutations in the cgeAB and cgeCDE operons produce spores with altered surface properties, on which basis we propose that proteins encoded by these operons influence maturation of the outermost layer of the spore, perhaps by glycosylation of coat proteins at the spore surface.
Immunoelectron microscopic localization of one of the spore germination proteins, GerAB, in Bacillus subtilis spores
Authors: Sakae Y , Yasuda Y , Tochikubo K
Published: November 2016

Ultrastructural localization of GerAB, one of the proteins of Bacillus subtilis spores related to L-alanine-initiated germination, was investigated by immunoelectron microscopy with antipeptide (residues 61 to 80 of GerAB) antiserum and a colloidal gold-immunoglobulin G complex. Immunogold particles were visualized in the boundary region between the cortex and coat of dormant spores, and they were broadly dispersed into the cortex region after germination.
Persistent spontaneous fungal peritonitis secondary toCandida albicansin a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis and review of the literature
Authors: Majeed Aneela , Ullah Waqas , Zahid Umar , Al Mohajer Mayar
Published: November 2016

Candida albicansis a common human pathogen. Occasionally, it can cause peritonitis in immunocompromised and postsurgical patients. We report a case of a male patient who presented with abdominal pain and distention. He had a history of end-stage liver disease secondary to alcoholism. His peritoneal fluid culture revealedC albicans, and (1–3)-β-dglucan (BDG) level was elevated. His hospital course was complicated by sepsis and renal failure. He was treated with antifungals for spontaneous fungal peritonitis. Fungal peritonitis should be suspected in patients with chronic liver disease particularly with elevated BDG levels.
Role of peer support workers in improving patient experience in Tower Hamlets Specialist Addiction Unit
Authors: Kulik Wiktor , Shah Amar
Published: November 2016

The aim of the project was to improve patient experience for people in Tower Hamlets Specialist Addictions Unit in order to increase satisfaction by 25% in 12 months starting in August 2014.

The team used the model for improvement as part of ELFT's quality improvement programme to support iterative cycles of testing and learning. This involved support from the Trust's quality improvement team. The theory of change was visualised through a driver diagram. A number of outcomes were measured and plotted over time - patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and attendance to peer support groups. The impact of changes was then observed using the plan, do, study, act (PDSA) cycles. The changes that positively influenced the outcomes were continued and ones without such impact were discontinued.

The most successful intervention to improve patient satisfaction so far was the introduction of peer support facilitation for the “Breakfast club” - recovery orientated meeting of patients with less emphasis on the medical aspects of treatment. Staff satisfaction is proven to be one of the best determinants of patient experience, so this is also measured and plotted over time together with patient's satisfaction and attendance.

Service user satisfaction improves attendance and outcomes in this difficult-to-engage group of patients (people with both substance misuse and mental health problems). Patient perspectives and priorities might be quite different to that of the clinical team, further supporting the importance of involving and engaging them in any quality improvement work. Involving peer support workers in improving engagement of people with substance misuse related problems appears essential.
Absconding: reducing failure to return in adult mental health wards
Authors: Bailey Jill , Page Bethan , Ndimande Nokuthula , Connell Julie , Vincent Charles
Published: November 2016

Failing to return from leave from acute psychiatric wards can have a range of negative consequences for patients, relatives and staff. This study used quality improvement methodology to improve the processes around patient leave and time away from the ward. The aim of this study was to improve rates of on-time return from leave by detained and informal patients by 50%.

Following a baseline period, four interventions were implemented and refined using PDSA cycles. The main outcome measure was the proportion of periods of leave where the patient returned on time. Late return was defined as failure to return to the ward within 10 minutes of the agreed time.

At baseline, the rate for on-time return was 56.0%; this increased to 87.1% post-intervention, a statistically significant increase of 55.5%. SPC charts show that the interventions were associated with improvements. The improvements have been sustained and the interventions are fully embedded into daily practice. The project was refined to local context and trialled on six additional wards: four of the six wards have successfully implemented the interventions and have on-time return rates of over 90%.

This project produced a marked and sustained improvement in patients returning on-time from leave, facilitating a more open discussion between staff and patients about the purpose and value of periods away from the ward. Quality improvement approaches can be effectively applied in mental health settings.
Large scale implementation of a medicines reconciliation care bundle in NHS GGC GP practices
Authors: Bruce Rachel
Published: November 2016

Medicines reconciliation (MR) is an essential process for patient safety, promoting safer use of medicines with effective communication at the interface, particularly when patients are admitted and discharged from hospital. Much of the work on MR has been focussed in secondary care, however, the principles are equally important in primary care. The aim of the work was to test the Scottish Patient Safety in Primary Care (SPSP-PC) MR care bundle and consider scale up and spread across all NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) GP practices. Care bundles are a quality improvement tool which can drive improvement by standardising processes to deliver optimum care. Pilot work and testing began with 5 GP practices in 2011 and was spread to over 200 practices by 2015/16. A care bundle compliance process measure was measured monthly, with practices sampling 10 patients per month. Practices could view their run charts in real time and identify which measures resulted in “non-compliance” and PDSA cycles were promoted to test and implement improvements. Data was collated at NHS GGC level with an aim of 95% compliance with the care bundle by March 2016. MR care bundle compliance started at 40% (5 practices reporting) in 2011 with final data in March 2016 demonstrating 92% compliance (192 practices reporting). A sustained “reliability” of 92-93% across >200 practices has been observed since January 2015. In conclusion, the bundle was implemented by 97% of NHS GGC GP practices and resulted in process improvements.
Associations between genetics, medical status, physical exercise and psychological well-being in adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Backström-Eriksson Lena , Bergsten-Brucefors Agneta , Hjelte Lena , Melin Bo , Sorjonen Kimmo
Published: November 2016

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive, life-shortening disease among people of European origin. Type of genetic mutation and regular physical exercise has an impact on clinical outcome. This cross-sectional study explores the associations between genetics, medical status, physical exercise and psychological well-being in adult patients with CF.

Methods

Adult patients with CF (N=68; mean age: 32.2; range 18–67 years; 46% women) completed the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Measures about lung function/forced expiratory volume in 1 s per cent predicted, body mass index, physical working capacity, immunoglobulin G, CF Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) mutations, and physical exercise were obtained. structural equation modelling was used to fit models to data.

Results

Acftrgene mutation×age interaction effect indicates a psychological disadvantage increasing with age of having more severe CFTR mutations; >65% of the effect is mediated by medical status. Physical exercise has a positive effect on psychological well-being, but >75% of the effect is mediated by medical status.

Conclusions

Psychological well-being decreases with age in patients with more severecftrmutations, to a large extent due to a parallel deterioration of medical status. Physical exercise has a positive effect on psychological well-being if resulting in better health only. To manage the complexity of these patients' needs, the CF-care should emphasise a holistic approach and offer individualised exercise/treatment programmes and psychological competence.
The dual microcatheter technique for transvenous embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulae
Authors: Abecassis Isaac Josh , Nerva John D , Ghodke Basavaraj V , Sekhar Laligam N , Levitt Michael R , Kim Louis J
Published: November 2016

Background

Dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVFs) comprise 10–15% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations. The goal of surgical or endovascular intervention is complete obliteration of the fistulous connection(s). In cases where dAVF venous drainage is separate from normal cortical drainage, transvenous embolization can provide fast and effective fistula obliteration.

Objective

To describe a new method of efficient transvenous embolization (the ‘dual microcatheter technique’) for the treatment of dAVFs.

Methods

Three patients with dAVFs were treated using the dual microcatheter technique for transvenous embolization. Two microcatheters were placed in the distal aspect of the dAVF venous pouch, after which coil embolization reduced fistula flow, and liquid embolic agent injection with reflux into arterial feeders completed the obliteration of the fistula.

Results

Lesion grade ranged from Borden–Shucart grades 2 through 3. In all cases, dAVF venous drainage was isolated from the normal cerebral venous drainage. Dual microcatheter transvenous embolization was successful in all patients, with non-target embolization and no new postoperative deficits. At the last follow-up, all three patients were symptom-free without evidence of radiographic recurrence.

Conclusions

The dual microcatheter technique of transvenous dAVF embolization is safe and feasible in cases where dAVF venous outflow is isolated from normal cerebral venous drainage.
P–V criticality in the extended phase–space of charged accelerating AdS black holes
Authors: Liu Hang , Meng Xin-He
Published: November 2016

In this paper, we investigate the P–V criticality and phase transition of charged accelerating AdS black holes in the extended thermodynamic phase–space in analogy between black hole system and van der Waals liquid–gas system, where the cosmological constant [Formula: see text] is treated as a thermodynamical variable interpreted as dynamic pressure and its conjugate quantity is the thermodynamic volume of the black holes. When the electric charge vanishes, we find that no P–V criticality will appear but the Hawking–Page-like phase transition will be present, just as what Schwarzschild-AdS black holes behave like. For the charged case, the P–V criticality appears and the accelerating black holes will undergo a small black hole/large phase transition under the condition that the acceleration parameter A and the horizon radius rh meet a certain simple relation Arh = a, where a is a constant in our discussion. To make P–V criticality appear, there exists an upper bounds for constant a. When P–V criticality appears, we calculate the critical pressure P[Formula: see text], critical temperature T[Formula: see text] and critical specific volume r[Formula: see text], and we find that [Formula: see text] is an universal number.
Dynamical role of Polyakov loops in the QCD thermodynamics
Authors: Agasian Nikita O. , Lukashov Mikhail S. , Simonov Yuri A.
Published: November 2016

Polyakov loops [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] are shown to give the most important non-perturbative (np) contribution to the thermodynamic potentials. Derived from the gluonic field correlators (FCs), they enter as factors into free energy. It is shown in the SU(3) case that [Formula: see text] define to a large extent the behavior of the free energy and the trace anomaly [Formula: see text], most sensitive to np effects.
Structural, mechanical, thermal and electronic properties of novel ternary carbide Al4Si2C5 under high pressure by DFT calculation
Authors: Sun Liang , Gao Yimin , Yoshida Katsumi , Yano Toyohiko , Li Yefei , Liu Yangzhen
Published: November 2016

Structural, electronic, elastic and thermal properties of Al4Si2C5 under constant pressure were investigated by using first-principles theory. The total volume of the cell decreased by almost 15.7% under 40 GPa which is smaller than that of Al4SiC4 (16%), while the linear compressibility along [Formula: see text]- or [Formula: see text]-axis direction showed better anti-deformation behavior than that of along [Formula: see text]-axis direction. The peak heights of total density of state (TDOS) and partial density of state (PDOS) curves of Al4Si2C5 are slightly lowered with forced high pressure. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of Al4Si2C5-like elastic constants and elastic moduli accelerate with the pressure increasing from 0 GPa to 40 GPa; the thermal expansion coefficient [Formula: see text] increases rapidly at lower temperature and this tendency gradually approaches a linear increase when the temperature is above 1000 K. At particular temperature, [Formula: see text] decreases continuously with the pressure accelerating. Heat capacity at constant volume ([Formula: see text] with pressure was also evaluated, the results displayed that [Formula: see text] is sensitive with the temperature rather than the pressure. The elastic anisotropy and Debye temperature with pressure were successfully obtained and discussed.
Magnetization of disclinated graphene in nonuniform magnetic field
Authors: Roshanzamir-Nikou M. , Goudarzi H.
Published: November 2016

Two-dimensional disclinated atomic graphene layer in curved space–time is exactly discussed, and the explicit dependence of Landau levels on the topological defect and external magnetic field are obtained in the presence of nonuniform magnetic field. It is worth mentioning that the presence of topological defect reduces the degeneracy of energy levels. The persistent current, magnetization, susceptibility and the magnetoresistance of structure are investigated. It can be shown that the curvature of the conical surface affects the pattern of oscillations of persistent current and, of course, corresponding magnetoresistance. The behavior of the above physical quantities as a function of magnetic flux is explicitly found for various defects. We observe that increasing magnetic field leads to a aperiodic oscillation. The large Aharonov–Bohm flux gives rise to vanish the magnetization oscillations.
MODELING AND PRICING PRECIPITATION DERIVATIVES UNDER WEATHER FORECASTS
Authors: HESS MARKUS
Published: November 2016

We propose a pure jump precipitation model embedded in an enlarged filtration framework accounting for weather forecasts. Under different anticipative approaches, we define precipitation swap/futures prices and also introduce the notion of an “information premium”. In contrast to some other models in the literature, our forward-looking swap price representations admit time-varying stochastic dynamics. In these setups, swap price processes under the physical and risk-neutral measure turn out to be indistinguishable. We also consider an extended multi-location model measuring precipitation in several locations. In order to price options on precipitation derivatives under weather forecasts modeled by enlarged filtrations, we develop customized approximation procedures involving complex power series expansions and wavelet transform techniques.
Fluxon-controlled quantum computer
Authors: Fujii Toshiyuki , Matsuo Shigemasa , Hatakenaka Noriyuki
Published: November 2016

We propose a fluxon-controlled quantum computer incorporated with three-qubit quantum error correction using special gate operations, i.e. joint-phase and SWAP gate operations, inherent in capacitively coupled superconducting flux qubits. The proposed quantum computer acts exactly like a knitting machine at home.
Nonadditive Topological Pressure of Proper Systems
Authors: Li Zhiming , Zhang Xiufen
Published: November 2016

We introduce a natural extension of nonadditive topological pressure for a proper map of locally compact metric spaces and properties of this new quantity are deeply and elaborately explored. In particular, a corresponding variational principle is presented.
Pediatric Balint’s Syndrome Variant: A Possible Diagnosis in Children
Authors: Philip Swetha Sara , Mani Sunithi Elizabeth , Dutton Gordon N.
Published: November 2016

Balint’s syndrome is well described in adults, but not in children. It is caused by bilateral posterior parietal lobe damage and comprises a triad of simultanagnosia (inability to simultaneously see more than a small number of items), optic ataxia (impaired visual guidance of movement of the limbs and body), and apraxia of gaze (inability to volitionally direct gaze despite the requisite motor substrate) often associated with homonymous lower visual field loss. We, here, describe five children (four males, one female; mean age 7.4 years, [range 4−11 years]; birth weight ≤ 2.5 kg; four were born ≤ 36 weeks of gestational age and one at 40 weeks) who presented to the Cerebral Visual Impairment Clinic at a tertiary care center in South India with clinical features remarkably consistent with the above description. In all children neuroimaging showed bilateral parietooccipital gliosis with regional white matter volume loss and focal callosal thinning, consistent with perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and possible neonatal hypoglycemia.
Congenital Renal Fusion and Ectopia in the Trauma Patient
Authors: Rosenthal Andrew A. , Ditchek Jordan J. , Lee Seong K. , Sanchez Rafael , Kiffin Chauniqua , Davare Dafney L. , Carrillo Eddy H.
Published: November 2016

We present two separate cases of young male patients with congenital kidney anomalies (horseshoe and crossed fused renal ectopia) identified following blunt abdominal trauma. Despite being rare, ectopic and fusion anomalies of the kidneys are occasionally noted in a trauma patient during imaging or upon exploration of the abdomen. Incidental renal findings may influence the management of traumatic injuries to preserve and protect the patient’s renal function. Renal anomalies may be asymptomatic or present with hematuria, flank or abdominal pain, hypotension, or shock, even following minor blunt trauma or low velocity impact. It is important for the trauma clinician to recognize that this group of congenital anomalies may contribute to unusual symptoms such as gross hematuria after minor trauma, are readily identifiable during CT imaging, and may affect operative management. These patients should be informed of their anatomical findings and encouraged to return for long-term follow-up.
Adult Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver: Management of a Massive Liver Tumor
Authors: Treitl Daniela , Roudenko Alexandra , El Hussein Siba , Rizer Magda , Bao Philip
Published: November 2016

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcomas of the liver are extremely rare cases in adults. We report the case of a 30-year-old male who presented with early satiety and abdominal pain due to a massive tumor originating from the left liver and occupying the entire epigastrium. The patient underwent bland embolization in an attempt to decrease the size of the tumor. He then underwent a formal left hepatectomy with resection of liver segments 2, 3, and 4. Extrahepatic inflow control of the portal vein and hepatic artery was performed prior to parenchymal transection. No Pringle maneuver was required. Pathology analysis showed a 45 cm tumor consistent with an undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma and negative microscopic margins. The epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis of this unusual cancer presentation are reviewed.
Malaria, Moderate to Severe Anaemia, and Malarial Anaemia in Children at Presentation to Hospital in the Mount Cameroon Area: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sumbele Irene Ule Ngole , Sama Sharon Odmia , Kimbi Helen Kuokuo , Taiwe Germain Sotoing
Published: November 2016

Background. Malaria remains a major killer of children in Sub-Saharan Africa, while anaemia is a public health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. Examining the factors associated with moderate to severe anaemia (MdSA) and malarial anaemia as well as the haematological characteristics is essential.Methodology. Children (1–14 years) at presentation at the Regional Hospital Annex-Buea were examined clinically and blood samples were collected for malaria parasite detection and full blood count evaluation.Results.Plasmodium falciparum, anaemia, and malarial anaemia occurred in 33.8%, 62.0%, and 23.6% of the 216 children, respectively. Anaemia prevalence was significantly higher in malaria parasite positive children and those with fever than their respective counterparts. MdSA and moderate to severe malarial anaemia (MdSMA) were detected in 38.0% and 15.3% of the participants, respectively. The prevalence of MdSA was significantly higher in children whose household head had no formal education, resided in the lowland, or was febrile, while MdSMA was significantly higher in febrile children only. Children with MdSMA had significantly lower mean white blood cell, lymphocyte, and platelet counts while the mean granulocyte count was significantly higher.Conclusion. Being febrile was the only predictor of both MdSA and MdSMA. More haematological insult occurred in children with MdSMA compared to MdSA.
An Improved Version of Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization for Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem with Fuzzy Processing Time
Authors: Huang Song , Tian Na , Wang Yan , Ji Zhicheng
Published: November 2016

The fuzzy processing time occasionally exists in job shop scheduling problem of flexible manufacturing system. To deal with fuzzy processing time, fuzzy flexible job shop model was established in several papers and has attracted numerous researchers’ attention recently. In our research, an improved version of discrete particle swarm optimization (IDPSO) is designed to solve flexible job shop scheduling problem with fuzzy processing time (FJSPF). In IDPSO, heuristic initial methods based on triangular fuzzy number are developed, and a combination of six initial methods is applied to initialize machine assignment and random method is used to initialize operation sequence. Then, some simple and effective discrete operators are employed to update particle’s position and generate new particles. In order to guide the particles effectively, we extend global best position to a set with several global best positions. Finally, experiments are designed to investigate the impact of four parameters in IDPSO by Taguchi method, and IDPSO is tested on five instances and compared with some state-of-the-art algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain better solutions for FJSPF and is more competitive than the compared algorithms.
Experiments on Hybrid Precast Concrete Shear Walls Emulating Monolithic Construction with Different Amounts of Posttensioned Strands and Different Debond Lengths of Grouted Reinforcements
Authors: Zhu Zhangfeng , Guo Zhengxing
Published: November 2016

This paper proposed a hybrid precast concrete shear wall emulating monolithic construction (HPWEM) that utilized grouted vertical connecting reinforcements and unbonded posttensioned high-strength strands across the horizontal joint for the lateral resistance. The grouted reinforcements with predetermined debond length were used to provide strength by tension and energy dissipation by yielding. The posttensioned strands were mainly employed to offer the restoring force to reduce the residual displacement by elastic extension. The overlapping welded closed stirrups improved the confinement property of the restrained concrete, avoiding the brittle failure. Six HPWEM specimens, considering variables including the amounts of strands and the debond lengths of grouted reinforcements, as well as one referenced cast-in-place monolithic wall specimen, were tested under the low-cycle reversed lateral load. The HPWEM specimens were capable of providing strength, stiffness, ductility, and energy dissipation equivalent to that of the monolithic wall specimen under certain variable condition.
Orderly Discharging Strategy for Electric Vehicles at Workplace Based on Time-of-Use Price
Authors: Chen Lixing , Zhang Hong
Published: November 2016

According to the parking features of electric vehicles (EVs) and load of production unit, a power supply system including EVs charging station was established, and an orderly discharging strategy for EVs was proposed as well to reduce the basic tariff of producer and improve the total benefits of EV discharging. Based on the target of maximizing the annual income of producer, considering the total benefits of EV discharging, the electric vehicle aggregator (EVA) and time-of-use (TOU) price were introduced to establish the optimization scheduling model of EVs discharging. Furthermore, an improved artificial fish swarm algorithm (IAFSA) combined with the penalty function methods was applied to solve the model. It can be shown from the simulation results that the optimal solution obtained by IAFSA is regarded as the orderly discharging strategy for EVs, which could reduce the basic tariff of producer and improve the total benefits of EV discharging.
Study of the Electromagnetic Waves Propagation over the Improved Fractal Sea Surface Based on Parabolic Equation Method
Authors: Ding Wenwan , Wang Kun , Long Yunliang
Published: November 2016

An improved fractal sea surface model, which can describe the capillary waves very well, is introduced to simulate the one-dimension rough sea surface. In this model, the propagation of electromagnetic waves (EWs) is computed by the parabolic equation (PE) method using the finite-difference (FD) algorithm. The numerical simulation results of the introduced model are compared with those of the Miller-Brown model and the Elfouhaily spectrum inversion model. It has been shown that the effects of the fine structure of the sea surface on the EWs propagation in the introduced model are more apparent than those in the other two models.
Suppression of Type I IFN Signaling in Tumors Mediates Resistance to Anti-PD-1 Treatment That Can Be Overcome by Radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Schoenhals Jonathan E. , Li Ailin , Valdecanas David R. , Ye Huiping , Zang Fenglin , Tang Chad , Tang Ming , Liu Chang-Gong , Liu Xiuping , Krishnan Sunil , Allison James P. , Sharma Padmanee , Hwu Patrick , Komaki Ritsuko , Overwijk Willem W. , Gomez Daniel R. , Chang Joe Y. , Hahn Stephen M. , Cortez Maria Angelica , Welsh James W.
Published: November 2016

Immune checkpoint therapies exhibit impressive efficacy in some patients with melanoma or lung cancer, but the lack of response in most cases presses the question of how general efficacy can be improved. In addressing this question, we generated a preclinical tumor model to study anti-PD-1 resistance by in vivo passaging of Kras-mutated, p53-deficient murine lung cancer cells (p53R172HΔg/+K-rasLA1/+) in a syngeneic host exposed to repetitive dosing with anti-mouse PD-1 antibodies. PD-L1 (CD274) expression did not differ between the resistant and parental tumor cells. However, the expression of important molecules in the antigen presentation pathway, including MHC class I and II, as well as β2-microglobulin, were significantly downregulated in the anti-PD-1–resistant tumors compared with parental tumors. Resistant tumors also contained fewer CD8+ (CD8α) and CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and reduced production of IFNγ. Localized radiotherapy induced IFNβ production, thereby elevating MHC class I expression on both parental and resistant tumor cells and restoring the responsiveness of resistant tumors to anti-PD-1 therapy. Conversely, blockade of type I IFN signaling abolished the effect of radiosensitization in this setting. Collectively, these results identify a mechanism of PD-1 resistance and demonstrate that adjuvant radiotherapy can overcome resistance. These findings have immediate clinical implications for extending the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint therapy in patients. Cancer Res; 77(4); 839–50. ©2016 AACR.
Circadian Clock Gene Bmal1 Inhibits Tumorigenesis and Increases Paclitaxel Sensitivity in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Tang Qingming , Cheng Bo , Xie Mengru , Chen Yatao , Zhao Jiajia , Zhou Xin , Chen Lili
Published: November 2016

Circadian clock genes regulate cancer development and chemotherapy susceptibility. Accordingly, chronotherapy based on circadian phenotypes might be applied to improve therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we investigated whether the circadian clock gene Bmal1 inhibited tumor development and increased paclitaxel sensitivity in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Bmal1 expression was downregulated and its rhythmic pattern of expression was affected in TSCC samples and cell lines. Ectopic Bmal1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and tumor growth in mouse xenograft models of TSCC. After exposure to paclitaxel, Bmal1-overexpressing cells displayed a relative increase in apoptosis and were more susceptible to paclitaxel treatment in vivo. Mechanistic investigations suggested a regulatory connection between Bmal1, TERT, and the oncogenic transcriptional repressor EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2), the recruitment of which to the TERT promoter increased paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and cell growth inhibition. Clinically, paclitaxel efficacy correlated positively with Bmal1 expression levels in TSCC. Overall, our results identified Bmal1 as a novel tumor suppressor gene that elevates the sensitivity of cancer cells to paclitaxel, with potential implications as a chronotherapy timing biomarker in TSCC. Cancer Res; 77(2); 532–44. ©2016 AACR.