bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF for Detection of Tuberculosis from Blood Samples of HIV-Infected Adults Confirms Mycobacterium tuberculosis Bacteremia as an Indicator of Poor Prognosis
Authors: Feasey Nicholas A. , Banada Padmapriya P. , Howson William , Sloan Derek J. , Mdolo Aaron , Boehme Catharina , Chipungu Geoffrey A. , Allain Theresa J. , Heyderman Robert S. , Corbett Elizabeth L. , Alland David
Published: May 2013

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death among HIV-infected adults, in part because of delayed diagnosis and therefore delayed initiation of treatment. Recently, the Gene-Xpert platform, a rapid, PCR-based diagnostic platform, has been validated for the diagnosis of TB with sputum. We have evaluated the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the diagnosis of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
bacteremia and investigated its impact on clinical outcomes. Consecutive HIV-infected adults with fever and cough presenting to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi, were recruited and followed up for 2 months. At presentation, three sputum samples were examined by smear, culture, and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the presence of
M. tuberculosis
and blood was drawn for PCR with Xpert, for mycobacterial culture (Myco/F Lytic), and for aerobic culture. One hundred four patients were recruited, and 44 (43%) were sputum culture positive for
M. tuberculosis
. Ten were Xpert blood positive, for a sensitivity of 21% and a specificity of 100%. The 2-week mortality rate was significantly higher among patients who were Xpert blood positive than among those who were negative (40% versus 3%; multivariate odds ratio [OR] for death if positive, 44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3 to 662). This effect persisted on assessment of the mortality rate at 2 months (40% versus 11%; OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.3 to 24.6). When screening uncomplicated patients presenting with a productive cough for pulmonary TB, Xpert blood offers no diagnostic advantage over sputum testing. Despite this, Xpert blood positivity is highly predictive of early death and this test rapidly identifies a group of patients in urgent need of initiation of treatment.
Longitudinal Analysis of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in Healthy Adolescents
Authors: Chen Chih-Jung , Wang Shao-Chung , Chang Hsin-Yu , Huang Yhu-Chering
Published: May 2013

To determine the long-term carriage patterns, strain relatedness, and incidence of subsequent infections among methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) carriers, we screened 154 high school students for nasal carriage of
S. aureus
on 8 occasions over 11 months. Persistent carriage was defined as a positive culture on ≥7 occasions. Two consecutive isolates from the same subject comprised a pair, and strain relatedness was determined for each pair by molecular typing. Of 1,232 nasal swab cultures obtained on 8 occasions, 323 (26.2%) were positive for
S. aureus
. Forty-five isolates (3.7%) were MRSA and 278 isolates (22.6%) were MSSA from 12 and 63 subjects, respectively. Thirty-five (77.8%) MRSA isolates harbored a type IV or V
T
staphylococcal chromosomal cassette
mec
element. Among the 154 subjects, 52 (33.8%) were intermittent (1 to 6 positive swabs) carriers. Persistent carriage was identified in 23 (14.9%) subjects, and the incidence was not significantly different for MRSA and MSSA carriers (3/12 [25%] versus 20/63 [31.7%];
P
= 0.7449). The MRSA and MSSA isolates were composed of 33 and 215 strain pairs, respectively. Of them, an indistinguishable genotype was identified in 33 (100%) MRSA pairs and 173 (80.5%) MSSA pairs (
P
= 0.0053). Five subjects developed cellulitis, and the incidence of this was higher for MRSA carriers (2/12 [16.7%]) than for MSSA carriers (1/63 [1.58%];
P
= 0.0632) and noncarriers (2/79 [2.56%];
P
= 0.0828). In conclusion, the long-term carriage patterns for MRSA and MSSA in healthy individuals were similar. MRSA carriers were more likely to carry a single strain, with a trend toward a higher chance of developing cellulitis than for MSSA carriers.
The L60V Variation in Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Elicits New Epitope-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Enhances Viral Replication
Authors: Zhang Yu , Ren Yulin , Wu Yan , Zhao Bao , Qiu Lipeng , Li Xiaodong , Xu Dongping , Liu Jun , Gao George F. , Meng Songdong
Published: May 2013

Mutations in the core protein (HBc) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are associated with aggressive hepatitis and advanced liver diseases in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In this study, we identified the L60V variation in HBc that generates a new HLA-A2-restricted CD8+T cell epitope by screening an overlapping 9-mer peptide pool covering HBc and its variants. The nonameric epitope V60 was determined by structural and immunogenic analysis. The HBc L60V variation is correlated with hepatic necroinflammation and higher viral levels, and it may be associated with a poor prognosis in CHB patients. Immunization with the defined HBV epitope V60 peptide elicited specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-induced liver injury in HLA-A2+HBV transgenic mice. In addition,in vitroandin vivoexperiments both demonstrated that the HBc L60V variation facilitates viral capsid assembly and increases HBV replication. These data suggest that the HBc L60V variation can impact both HBV replication and HBV-specific T cell responses. Therefore, our work provides further dissection of the impact of the HBc L60V variation, which orchestrates HBV replication, viral persistence, and immunopathogenesis during chronic viral infection.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Induces Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines Mediated by the Cross Talk between Hepatocytes and Stellate Cells
Authors: Nishitsuji Hironori , Funami Kenji , Shimizu Yuko , Ujino Saneyuki , Sugiyama Kazuo , Seya Tsukasa , Takaku Hiroshi , Shimotohno Kunitada
Published: May 2013

Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines play important roles in inflammation during viral infection. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic RNA virus that is closely associated with chronic liver inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. During the progression of HCV-related diseases, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contribute to the inflammatory response triggered by HCV infection. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate HSC-induced chronic inflammation during HCV infection are not fully understood. By coculturing HSCs with HCV-infected hepatocytesin vitro, we found that HSCs stimulated HCV-infected hepatocytes, leading to the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), and MIP-1β. Moreover, we found that this effect was mediated by IL-1α, which was secreted by HSCs. HCV infection enhanced production of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) β mRNA, and HSC-dependent IL-1α production contributed to the stimulation of C/EBPβ target cytokines and chemokines in HCV-infected hepatocytes. Consistent with this result, knockdown of mRNA for C/EBPβ in HCV-infected hepatocytes resulted in decreased production of cytokines and chemokines after the addition of HSC conditioned medium. Induction of cytokines and chemokines in hepatocytes by the HSC conditioned medium required a yet to be identified postentry event during productive HCV infection. The cross talk between HSCs and HCV-infected hepatocytes is a key feature of inflammation-mediated, HCV-related diseases.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Glycoprotein M and the Membrane-Associated Protein UL11 Are Required for Virus-Induced Cell Fusion and Efficient Virus Entry
Authors: Kim In-Joong , Chouljenko Vladimir N. , Walker Jason D. , Kousoulas Konstantin G.
Published: May 2013

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) facilitates virus entry into cells and cell-to-cell spread by mediating fusion of the viral envelope with cellular membranes and fusion of adjacent cellular membranes. Although virus strains isolated from herpetic lesions cause limited cell fusion in cell culture, clinical herpetic lesions typically contain large syncytia, underscoring the importance of cell-to-cell fusion in virus spread in infected tissues. Certain mutations in glycoprotein B (gB), gK, UL20, and other viral genes drastically enhance virus-induced cell fusion
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Recent work has suggested that gB is the sole fusogenic glycoprotein, regulated by interactions with the viral glycoproteins gD, gH/gL, and gK, membrane protein UL20, and cellular receptors. Recombinant viruses were constructed to abolish either gM or UL11 expression in the presence of strong syncytial mutations in either gB or gK. Virus-induced cell fusion caused by deletion of the carboxyl-terminal 28 amino acids of gB or the dominant syncytial mutation in gK (Ala to Val at amino acid 40) was drastically reduced in the absence of gM. Similarly, syncytial mutations in either gB or gK did not cause cell fusion in the absence of UL11. Neither the gM nor UL11 gene deletion substantially affected gB, gC, gD, gE, and gH glycoprotein synthesis and expression on infected cell surfaces. Two-way immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that the membrane protein UL20, which is found as a protein complex with gK, interacted with gM while gM did not interact with other viral glycoproteins. Viruses produced in the absence of gM or UL11 entered into cells more slowly than their parental wild-type virus strain. Collectively, these results indicate that gM and UL11 are required for efficient membrane fusion events during virus entry and virus spread.
Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 2 V Protein Inhibits TRAF6-Mediated Ubiquitination of IRF7 To Prevent TLR7- and TLR9-Dependent Interferon Induction
Authors: Kitagawa Yoshinori , Yamaguchi Mayu , Zhou Min , Nishio Machiko , Itoh Masae , Gotoh Bin
Published: May 2013

Paramyxovirus V proteins block Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)- and TLR9-dependent signaling leading to alpha interferon production. Our recent study has provided evidence that interaction of the V proteins with IRF7 is important for the blockade. However, the detailed mechanisms still remain unclear. Here we reexamined the interaction of the human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) V protein with signaling molecules involved in TLR7/9-dependent signaling. Immunoprecipitation experiments in HEK293T cells transfected with V protein and one of the signaling molecules revealed that the V protein interacted with not only IRF7 but also TRAF6, IKKα, and MyD88. Whereas overexpression of TRAF6 markedly enhanced the level of V protein associating with IRF7, IKKα, and MyD88 in HEK293T cells, the level of V protein associating with TRAF6 was little affected by overexpression of IRF7, IKKα, and MyD88. Moreover, knockdown or knockout of endogenous TRAF6 in HEK293T or mouse embryonic fibroblast cells resulted in dissociation of the V protein from IRF7, IKKα, and MyD88. These results demonstrate that binding of the V protein to IRF7, IKKα, and MyD88 is largely indirect and mediated by endogenous TRAF6. It was found that the V protein inhibited TRAF6-mediated lysine 63 (K63)-linked polyubiquitination of IRF7, which is prerequisite for IRF7 activation. Disruption of the tryptophan-rich motif of the V protein significantly affected its TRAF6-binding efficiency, which correlated well with the magnitude of inhibition of K63-linked polyubiquitination and the resultant activation of IRF7. Taken together, these results suggest that the HPIV2 V protein prevents TLR7/9-dependent interferon induction by inhibiting TRAF6-mediated K63-linked polyubiquitination of IRF7.
Molecular Determinants of Hepatitis B and D Virus Entry Restriction in Mouse Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide
Authors: Yan Huan , Peng Bo , He Wenhui , Zhong Guocai , Qi Yonghe , Ren Bijie , Gao Zhenchao , Jing Zhiyi , Song Mei , Xu Guangwei , Sui Jianhua , Li Wenhui
Published: May 2013

Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its satellite virus, hepatitis D virus (HDV), primarily infect humans, chimpanzees, or tree shrews (
Tupaia belangeri
). Viral infections in other species are known to be mainly restricted at the entry level since viral replication can be achieved in the cells by transfection of the viral genome. Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) is a functional receptor for HBV and HDV, and amino acids 157 to 165 of NTCP are critical for viral entry and likely limit viral infection of macaques. However, the molecular determinants for viral entry restriction in mouse NTCP (mNTCP) remain unclear. In this study, mNTCP was found to be unable to support either HBV or HDV infection, although it can bind to pre-S1 of HBV L protein and is functional in transporting substrate taurocholate; comprehensive swapping and point mutations of human NTCP (hNTCP) and mNTCP revealed molecular determinants restricting mNTCP for viral entry of HBV and HDV. Remarkably, when mNTCP residues 84 to 87 were substituted by human counterparts, mNTCP can effectively support viral infections. In addition, a number of cell lines, regardless of their species or tissue origin, supported HDV infection when transfected with hNTCP or mNTCP with residues 84 to 87 replaced by human counterparts, highlighting the central role of NTCP for viral infections mediated by HBV envelope proteins. These studies advance our understanding of NTCP-mediated viral entry of HBV and HDV and have important implications for developing the mouse model for their infections.
Multilobed cystic dilation of the ventriculus terminalis (CDVT)
Authors: Bellocchi Silvio , Vidale Simone , Casiraghi Paolo , Arnaboldi Marco , Taborelli Angelo
Published: May 2013

The cystic dilation of ventriculus terminalis (CDVT) is a rare anatomical variant in adulthood. In this report we describe a new case of an adult with multilobed CDVT, causing low-back pain and subjective disturbances in walking. A myelotomy with fenestration of the cyst was performed with a good clinical and radiological outcome.
An unusual cause of Grey Turner's sign
Authors: Gosling Oliver Burton , Hunter Alison Emma , Edwards Gray Alexander Dyfan , Squires Benjamin
Published: May 2013

A woman in her late 70s presented to the acute general surgical take with a 3-day history of worsening right leg pain and swelling. She had undergone right revision total hip arthroplasty 20 months previously and reported chronic postoperative right thigh pain attributed to a femoral deep venous thrombosis for which she had been warfarinised. On examination, Grey Turner's sign (bruising of the flanks indicating retroperitoneal haemorrhage) was present, as well as a large tender mass in the right iliac fossa and pitting oedema throughout the right lower limb. Urgent CT scan with intravenous contrast revealed a right retroperitoneal haematoma secondary to a right acetabular screw protruding into the right external iliac vein. The patient was successfully managed with warfarin reversal and surgical removal of the relevant acetabular screw. At 2-month follow-up, the patient's symptoms continue to resolve.
Adrenal gland non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a patient with pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Authors: D’Antonio Antonio , Addesso Maria , Caleo Oliviero , Caleo Alessia
Published: May 2013

Although primary neoplasms of adrenal gland are uncommon, adrenal metastases are frequently encountered in patients with malignancy, and lung is the most common primary tumour site. Among primary tumours of the adrenal gland non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a very rare entity. We describe a case of a 79-year-old man with a previous diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the lung who presented after 2 years with a unilateral adrenal gland mass. A solitary metastasis from pulmonary carcinoma was suspected and a laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed a diffuse large B-cell NHL. The patient was treated with CHOP regimen plus rituximab and a total remission was achieved. After an 8-month follow-up the patient was free of disease. This is the first reported case of a rare non-synchronous tumoral combination involving lung and adrenal gland, emphasising at the incidental discovery of the NHL during a procedure performed for a pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Placing clinical variables on a common linear scale of empirically based risk as a step towards construction of a general patient acuity score from the electronic health record: a modelling study
Authors: Rothman Steven I , Rothman Michael J , Solinger Alan B
Published: May 2013

Objective

To explore the hypothesis that placing clinical variables of differing metrics on a common linear scale of all-cause postdischarge mortality provides risk functions that are directly correlated with in-hospital mortality risk.

Design

Modelling study.

Setting

An 805-bed community hospital in the southeastern USA.

Participants

42302 inpatients admitted for any reason, excluding obstetrics, paediatric and psychiatric patients.

Outcome measures

All-cause in-hospital and postdischarge mortalities, and associated correlations.

Results

Pearson correlation coefficients comparing in-hospital risks with postdischarge risks for creatinine, heart rate and a set of 12 nursing assessments are 0.920, 0.922 and 0.892, respectively. Correlation between postdischarge risk heart rate and the Modified Early Warning System (MEWS) component for heart rate is 0.855. The minimal excess risk values for creatinine and heart rate roughly correspond to the normal reference ranges. We also provide the risks for values outside that range, independent of expert opinion or a regression model. By summing risk functions, a first-approximation patient risk score is created, which correctly ranks 6 discharge categories by average mortality with p<0.001 for differences in category means, and Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference Test confirmed that the means were all different at the 95% confidence level.

Conclusions

Quantitative or categorical clinical variables can be transformed into risk functions that correlate well with in-hospital risk. This methodology provides an empirical way to assess inpatient risk from data available in the Electronic Health Record. With just the variables in this paper, we achieve a risk score that correlates with discharge disposition. This is the first step towards creation of a universal measure of patient condition that reflects a generally applicable set of health-related risks. More importantly, we believe that our approach opens the door to a way of exploring and resolving many issues in patient assessment.
Physical activity and self-reported health status among adolescents: a cross-sectional population-based study
Authors: Galán I , Boix R , Medrano M J , Ramos P , Rivera F , Pastor-Barriuso R , Moreno C
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Little is known about the dose–response relationship between physical activity and health benefits among young people. Our objective was to analyse the association between the frequency of undertaking moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and the self-reported health status of the adolescent population.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

All regions of Spain.

Participants

Students aged 11–18 years participating in the Spanish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey 2006. A total of 375 schools and 21 188 students were selected.

Main outcomes

The frequency of undertaking MVPA was measured by a questionnaire, with the following four health indicators: self-rated health, health complaints, satisfaction with life and health-related quality of life. Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyse the association, adjusting for potential confounding variables and the modelling of the dose–response relationship.

Results

As the frequency of MVPA increased, the association with health benefits was stronger. A linear trend (p<0.05) was found for self-rated health and health complaints in males and females and for satisfaction with life among females; for health-related quality of life this relationship was quadratic for both sexes (p<0.05). For self-reported health and health complaints, the effect was found to be of greater magnitude in males than in females and, in all scales, the benefits were observed from the lowest frequencies of MVPA, especially in males.

Conclusions

A protective effect of MVPA was found in both sexes for the four health indicators studied, and this activity had a gradient effect. Among males, health benefits were detected from very low levels of physical activity and the magnitude of the relationship was greater than that for females.
Individual empowerment in overweight and obese patients: a study protocol
Authors: Struzzo Pierluigi , Fumato Raffaella , Tillati Silvia , Cacitti Anita , Gangi Fabrizio , Stefani Alessia , Torcutti Alessia , Crapesi Lucia , Tubaro Gianni , Balestrieri Matteo
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Obesity is a growing health problem in Europe and it causes many diseases. Many weight-reducing methods are reported in medical literature, but none of them proved to be effective in maintaining the results achieved over time. Self-empowerment can be an important innovative method, but an effectiveness study is necessary. In order to standardise the procedures for a randomised controlled study, a pilot study will be run to observe, measure and evaluate the effects of a period of self-empowerment group treatment on overweight/obese patients.

Methods

and analysis Non-controlled, experimental, pilot study. A selected group of patients with body mass index >25, with no severe psychiatric disorders, with no aesthetic or therapeutic motivation will be included in the study. A set of quantitative and qualitative measures will be utilised to evaluate the effects of a self-empowerment course in a 12 month time. Group therapy and medical examinations will also complete this observational phase. At the end of this pilot study, a set of appropriate measures and procedures to determine the effectiveness of individual empowerment will be identified and agreed among the different professional figures. Results will be recorded and analysed to start a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee of Udine in March 2012. The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, national and international conference presentations and public events involving the local administrations of the towns where the trial participants are resident.

Trial Registration

http://www.clinicalstrials.govidentifierNCT01644708.
State-dependent migratory timing of postspawned Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Halttunen Elina , Jensen Jenny Lovisa Alexandra , Næsje Tor Fredrik , Davidsen Jan Grimsrud , Thorstad Eva Bonsak , Chittenden Cedar Marget , Hamel Sandra , Primicerio Raul , Rikardsen Audun Håvard
Published: May 2013

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) often survive spawning and migrate back to the sea to feed, either shortly after spawning in autumn or the following spring. We conducted a 4-year observational field study using telemetry to evaluate the determinants of migration timing in Atlantic salmon postspawners (kelts). We found that individuals with low energy reserves migrated early to the risky but productive marine habitat, whereas individuals with greater energy reserves stayed in the safe but less productive river habitat until staying became energetically more costly than migrating. For males, the likelihood of overwintering in the river instead of migrating in autumn increased 27-fold with each increase in body condition index, whereas almost all females overwintered in the river. Among spring migrants, body condition was the strongest determinant of migration timing, and females left the river about 5 days later than males. Our study suggests that migration timing in Atlantic salmon kelts is the outcome of adaptive state-dependent habitat use, related to individual and sexual differences in energy allocation during spawning.
The cephalopod specialties: complex nervous system, learning, and cognition
Authors: Mather Jennifer A. , Kuba Michael J.
Published: May 2013

While clearly of molluscan ancestry, the coleoid cephalopods are emergent within the phylum for complexity of brain and behaviour. The brain does not just have centralization of the molluscan ganglia but also contains lobes with “higher order” functions such as storage of learned information, and centres have been compared with the vertebrate cerebellum and frontal lobe. The flexible muscular hydrostat movement system theoretically has unlimited degrees of freedom, and octopuses are models for “soft movement” robots. The decentralized nervous system, particularly in the arms of octopuses, results in decision making at many levels. Free of the molluscan shell and with evolutionary pressure from the bony fishes, coleoids have evolved a specialty in cognition and they may have a simple form of consciousness. Cephalopods also have a skin display system of unmatched complexity and excellence of camouflage, also used for communication with predators and conspecifics. A cephalopod is first and foremost a learning animal, using the display system for deception, having spatial memory, personalities, and motor play. They represent an alternative model to the vertebrates for the evolution of complex brains and high intelligence, which has as yet been only partly explored.
ASYMPTOTIC TIME DECAY IN QUANTUM PHYSICS: A SELECTIVE REVIEW AND SOME NEW RESULTS
Authors: MARCHETTI DOMINGOS H. U. , WRESZINSKI WALTER F.
Published: May 2013

Decay of various quantities (return or survival probability, correlation functions) in time are the basis of a multitude of important and interesting phenomena in quantum physics, ranging from spectral properties, resonances, return and approach to equilibrium, to dynamical stability properties and irreversibility and the "arrow of time" in [Asymptotic Time Decay in Quantum Physics (World Scientific, 2013)].

In this review, we study several types of decay — decay in the average, decay in the Lp-sense, and pointwise decay — of the Fourier–Stieltjes transform of a measure, usually identified with the spectral measure, which appear naturally in different mathematical and physical settings. In particular, decay in the Lp-sense is related both to pointwise decay and to decay in the average and, from a physical standpoint, relates to a rigorous form of the time-energy uncertainty relation. Both decay on the average and in the Lp-sense are related to spectral properties, in particular, absolute continuity of the spectral measure. The study of pointwise decay for singular continuous measures (Rajchman measures) provides a bridge between ergodic theory, number theory and analysis, including the method of stationary phase. The theory is illustrated by some new results in the theory of sparse models.
THE LARGE HADRON ELECTRON COLLIDER
Authors: BRÜNING OLIVER , KLEIN MAX
Published: May 2013

An overview is given on key physics, detector and accelerator aspects of the LHeC including its further development with emphasis to its role as the cleanest microscope of parton dynamics and a precision Higgs facility.
UPSILON PRODUCTION IN pp COLLISIONS FOR FORWARD RAPIDITIES AT LHC
Authors: KISSLINGER LEONARD S. , DAS DEBASISH
Published: May 2013

This is a continuation of recent studies of ϒ(nS) production at the LHC in pp collisions. Our previous studies were for rapidity y = -1 to 1 for the CMS detector, while the present study is for y = 2.5 to 4.0 at the LHC.
FILM THICKNESS INFLUENCES ON THE THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF NiCr/NiSi THIN FILM THERMOCOUPLES
Authors: CHEN Y. Z. , JIANG H. C. , ZHANG W. L. , LIU X. Z. , JIANG S. W.
Published: May 2013

NiCr / NiSi thin film thermocouples (TFTCs) with a multi-layer structure were fabricated on Ni -based superalloy substrates (95 mm × 35 mm × 2 mm) by magnetron sputtering and electron beam evaporation. The five-layer structure is composed of NiCrAlY buffer layer (2 μm), thermally grown Al 2 O 3 bond layer (200 nm), Al 2 O 3 insulating layer (10 μm), NiCr / NiSi TFTCs (1 μm), and Al 2 O 3 protective layer (500 nm). Influences of thermocouple layer thickness on thermoelectric properties were investigated. Seebeck coefficient of the samples with the increase in thermocouple layer thickness from 0.5 μm to 1 μm increased from 27.8 μV/°C to 33.8 μV/°C, but exhibited almost no change with further increase in thermocouple layer thickness from 1 μm to 2 μm. Dependence on temperature of the thermal electromotive force of the samples almost followed standard thermocouple characteristic curves when the thickness of the thermocouple layer was 1 μm and 2 μm. Sensitive coefficient K of the samples increased greatly with the increase in thickness of the thermocouple layer from 0.5 μm to 1 μm, but decreased insignificantly with the increase in thermocouple layer thickness from 1 μm to 2 μm, and continuously decreased with the increase in temperature. The sensitive coefficient and the stability of NiCr / NiSi TFTCs were both improved after annealing at 600°C.
THE USE OF WEAK ESTIMATORS TO ACHIEVE LANGUAGE DETECTION AND TRACKING IN MULTILINGUAL DOCUMENTS
Authors: STENSBY ALEKSANDER , OOMMEN B. JOHN , GRANMO OLE-CHRISTOFFER
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with the problems of language detection and tracking in multilingual online short word-of-mouth (WoM) discussions. This problem is particularly unusual and difficult from a pattern recognition perspective because, in these discussions, the participants and content involve the opinions of users from all over the world. The nature of these discussions, consisting of multiple topics in different languages, presents us with a problem of finding training and classification strategies when the class-conditional distributions are nonstationary. The difficulties in solving the problem are many-fold. First of all, the analyst has no knowledge of when one language stops and when the next starts. Further, the features which one uses for any one language (for example, the n-grams) will not be valid to recognize another. Finally, and most importantly, in most real-life applications, such as in WoM, the fragments of text available before the switching, are so small that it renders any meaningful classification using traditional estimation methods almost futile. Earlier, the authors [B. J. Oommen and L. Rueda, Patt. Recogn.39(1) (2006) 328–341.] had recommended that for a variety of problems, the use of strong estimators (i.e. estimators that converge with probability 1) is sub-optimal. In this vein, we propose to solve the current problem using novel estimators that are pertinent for nonstationary environments. The classification results obtained for various data sets which involve as many as eight languages demonstrates that our proposed methodology is both powerful and efficient.
AN INFINITE FAMILY OF KNOTS WHOSE MOSAIC NUMBER IS REALIZED IN NON-REDUCED PROJECTIONS
Authors: LUDWIG LEWIS D. , EVANS ERICA L. , PAAT JOSEPH S.
Published: May 2013

Lomonaco and Kauffman [Quantum knots and mosaics, Quantum Inf. Process. 7(2–3) (2008) 85–115] introduced the notion of knot mosaics in their work on quantum knots. It is conjectured that knot mosaic type is a complete invariant of tame knots. In this paper, we answer a question of C. Adams by constructing an infinite family of knots whose mosaic number can be realized only when the crossing number is not. That is, there is an infinite family of non-minimal knots whose mosaic numbers are known.
REVISIT OF CORRELATION ANALYSIS BETWEEN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI AND ULTRA-HIGH ENERGY COSMIC RAYS
Authors: KIM HANG BAE , KIM JIHYUN
Published: May 2013

We update the previous analysis of correlation between ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) and active galactic nuclei (AGN), using 69 UHECR events with energy E ≥ 55 EeV released in 2010 by Pierre Auger observatory and 862 AGN within the distance d ≤ 100 Mpc listed in the 13th edition of Véron-Cetty and Véron AGN catalog. To make the test hypothesis definite, we use the simple AGN source model in which UHECR are originated both from AGN, with the fraction fA, and from the isotropic background. We treat all AGN as equal sources of UHECR, and introduce the smearing angle θs to incorporate the effects of intervening magnetic fields. We compare the arrival direction distributions observed by Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) and expected from the model by the correlational angular distance distribution (CADD) method. CADD method rules out the AGN dominance model with a small smearing angle (fA ≳ 0.7 and θs ≲ 6°). Concerning the isotropy, CADD shows that the distribution of PAO data is marginally consistent with isotropy. The best fit model lies around the AGN fraction fA = 0.4 and the moderate smearing angle θs = 10°. For the fiducial value fA = 0.7, the best probability of CADD was obtained at a rather large smearing angle θs = 46°. Our results imply that for the whole AGN to be viable sources of UHECR, either an appreciable amount of additional isotropic background or the large smearing effect is required. Thus, we try to bin the distance range of AGN to narrow down the UHECR sources and found that the AGN residing in the distance range 60–80 Mpc have good correlation with the updated PAO data. It is an indication that further study on the subclass of AGN as the UHECR source may be quite interesting.
DERIVATION OF THERMAL RADIATION FROM APPARENT HORIZON IN FRW UNIVERSE VIA CHIRAL COVARIANT EFFECTIVE ACTION APPROACH
Authors: LIANG JUN , ZHANG FANG-HUI , ZHANG JING , ZHANG WEI
Published: May 2013

Based on the chiral effective action method, we derive the thermal radiation from the apparent horizon in a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe. The dimension reduction technique plays a crucial role in the derivation. The result further confirms the thermal properties of the apparent horizon in a FRW universe.
NONLINEAR INDICES OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY FOR DIFFERENTIATING ARRHYTHMIAS
Authors: ASHA N. D. , JOSEPH K. PAUL
Published: May 2013

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the temporal variation between sequences of consecutive heartbeats. Chaos and fractal-based measurements have been widely used for quantifying the HRV for cardiac risk stratification purposes. In this paper, five different sets of HRVs, viz., normal sinus rhythm (NSR), congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmia suppression trial (CAST), supra ventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVTA) and atrial fibrillation (AF), have been analysed using nonlinear parameters to fix the ranges of each parameter. Data were downloaded from the PhysioNet database with 15 sets in each case. The parameters used for analysis were Poincare plot measures: SD1, SD2 and SD12, largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE), correlation dimension (CD); recurrence plot measures: recurrence rate (REC), determinism (DET), mean diagonal length (L mean ), maximal diagonal length (L max ) and entropy (ENTR); detrended fluctuation analysis measures: scaling exponent (α) and fractal dimension (FD); sample entropy (SampEn); and approximate entropy (ApEn). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done for confirming the differences in parameter values between various cases. All parameters except LLE showed a significant statistical difference for different cases.
SHAPE CONTROL OF AN ANTHROPOMORPHIC TAILORING ROBOT MANNEQUIN
Authors: ABELS ARTUR , KRUUSMAA MAARJA
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we describe a new type of humanoid robot designed for made-to-measure garment industry — a shape-changing robotic mannequin. This mannequin is designed to imitate body shapes of different people. The main emphasis of this paper is on modeling and shape-optimization algorithm used to adjust mannequins shape to resemble the shape of any given person. We represent the whole procedure of adjusting the mannequin to the body shapes of real people. Finally, we provide the estimate of the mannequin's model precision and suitability of the proposed solutions for made-to-measure tailoring application. The results show that the mannequin and the optimization methods are sufficiently precise for the requirements in tailoring industry.
ALMOST PARACONTACT STRUCTURES ON TANGENT SPHERE BUNDLE
Authors: PEYGHAN E. , NADERIFARD A. , TAYEBI A.
Published: May 2013

Using the almost product structure given by Druta, we introduce a metrical framed f(3, -1)-structure on the tangent bundle of a Riemannian manifold. Then by restricting this metrical framed f(3, -1)-structure to the tangent sphere bundle, we obtain an almost metrical paracontact structure on the tangent sphere bundle.
FIELD EQUATIONS FOR SPACE–TIME–MATTER THEORY
Authors: BEJANCU AUREL
Published: May 2013

In the present paper we obtain, in a covariant form, and in their full generality, the field equations in a relativistic general Kaluza–Klein space. This is done by using the Riemannian horizontal connection defined in [3], and some 4D horizontal tensor fields, as for instance: horizontal Ricci tensor, horizontal Einstein gravitational tensor field, horizontal electromagnetic energy–momentum tensor field, etc. Also, we present some inter-relations between STM theory and brane-world theory. This enables us to introduce in brane theory some electromagnetic potentials constructed by means of the warp function.
BUNDLES OF LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: DALI BÉCHIR
Published: May 2013

In this paper, a complete classification of completely irreducible closed linear bundles of Lie algebras is given. We also apply the so-called "Raïs formula" to compute the index of each of the Lie bundles of square matrices.
A new approach for the synthesis of 18F-radiolabelled phthalocyanines and porphyrins as potential bimodal/theranostic agents
Authors: Ranyuk Elena , Ali Hasrat , Guérin Brigitte , van Lier Johan E.
Published: May 2013

The synthesis of a series of new fluorinated phthalocyanines and porphyrins as potential bimodal probes is evaluated. In these complexes, zinc phthalocyanine functions as a fluorescence imaging moiety while attachment of an aliphatic chain of different lengths bearing a tosylate group permits introduction of fluorine via nucleophilic substitution of the tosylate group. Using short-lived [18F]fluoride gives the analogous 18 F -radiolabelled tracer rendering the bimodal probe suitable for both fluorescence and PET imaging.
EXPERIMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION, MODELING AND PARAMETRIC IDENTIFICATION OF THE HYSTERETIC FRICTION BEHAVIOR OF VISCOELASTIC JOINTS
Authors: JRAD HANEN , RENAUD FRANCK , DION JEAN LUC , TAWFIQ IMAD , HADDAR MOHAMED
Published: May 2013

Viscoelastic joints connecting solids are essential components of mechanical systems. Viscoelastic components have inherent damping in their structure. Moreover, energy losses in structural vibrations are strongly linked to the friction properties of joints. In this work, a new visco-tribological model was developed by coupling the rheological linear generalized Maxwell model and Dahl friction model. A method for parametric identification is proposed. Parameters of the model are identified from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests for different excitation frequencies. Comparison between measurements and simulations is performed and the validity of the proposed model is discussed.
MAGNETIC ALIGNMENT OF THE Fe3O4-COATED CARBON NANOTUBES HYBRIDS IN EPOXY NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: ZHENG YA-PING , CHEN WEI , WU FEI , ZHENG GUO-BIN , XU YA-HONG , ZHANG TAO
Published: May 2013

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), which were coated with magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, were cured and aligned in epoxy resin under magnetic field. They were aligned end-to-up under 0.6 T magnetic field. When the Fe 3 O 4-MWNTs hybrids content was 0.3%, the electric conductivity were 4.2 S/cm. Frequency and Fe 3 O 4-MWNTs hybrids content are the key roles for electric conductivity.
Tectonic controls on sedimentation in an intermontane hinterland basin adjacent to inversion structures: the Nuevo Mundo syncline, Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia
Authors: Caballero Víctor , Mora Andrés , Quintero Isaid , Blanco Vladimir , Parra Mauricio , Rojas Luis Ernesto , Lopez Cristina , Sánchez Nelson , Horton Brian K. , Stockli Daniel , Duddy Ian
Published: May 2013

A combination of new surface and subsurface structural data, new stratigraphic data on conventional provenance, facies and palaeocurrents, low-temperature thermochronology and detrital zircon U–Pb provenance data provides a comprehensive account of the timing of deformation in the intermountane Middle Magdalena basin of the Central Colombian Andes, and allows evaluation of the style of foreland basin deformation associated with tectonic inversion. This robust dataset enabled documentation of focused tectonic activity in two competing low-relief basement structures to the east and west of the present Middle Magdalena Valley during the Palaeogene, earlier than previously recognized. Cenozoic sediment accumulation of a sedimentary pile up to 7 km thick in the Middle Magdalena Basin created a large original taper angle in this part of the north Andes. At that time, when the detachment rocks were deeply buried, the original larger taper angle facilitated the forelandward advance of deformation instead of promoting its stagnation.

Supplementary material:

Raw data results from geochronometrial analyses are available at:
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18627
Carbon isotopes, rare-earth elements and mercury geochemistry across the K–T transition of the Paraíba Basin, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Maria Valberlândia Nascimento , Sial Alcides Nóbrega , Barbosa José Antonio , Ferreira Valderez Pinto , Neumann Virgínio Henrique , De Lacerda Luiz Drude
Published: May 2013

The Paraíba Basin, northeastern Brazil, is divided into three sub-basins: Olinda, Alhandra and Miriri, which encompass the formations Beberibe (Coniacian–Santonian), Itamaracá (Campanian) and Gramame and Maria Farinha (Maastrichtian to Danian, respectively). In the Olinda sub-basin, the Cretaceous–Palaeogene transition (KTB) has been recorded by the carbonates of the Gramame and Maria Farinha formations. This study focus on the behaviour of C and O isotopes, major and rare-earth elements and mercury in carbonates from three drill holes in the Olinda sub-basin. The climate was fairly cold during the marine transgression in which carbonates of the Itamaracá Formation were deposited. A temperature and bioproductivity increase has been registered in the Early Maastrichtian (Gramame Formation), with a gradual fall during the rest of this period. A positive δ
13
C (+2‰) excursion near the KTB is followed by a drop to values around +1‰ immediately after this transition. In one drill hole, several negative δ
13
C anomalies predate the KTB, possibly related to either multiple impacts or volcanic activity that preceded this transition. In two of the three drill holes, the total mercury increases immediately after the KTB and, in two of them, mercury spikes (four of them in one case) precede this transition, which has been interpreted as an indication that volcanic activity predated the transition. Rare earth element patterns support a marine origin for the carbonates in the Campanian–Maastrichtian transition and KTB in the Olinda sub-basin. In carbonates from one of the drill holes, absent to weakly positive Ce anomalies (−0.1 and 0.002) in the KTB coincide with a fall in δ
13
C values, followed by an increase (from 2.3 to 1.8‰ and back to 2.3‰) and in increment in mercury values (from 0.4 to 2.7 ng g
−1
). The presence of pyrite nodules associated with a weakly negative Eu anomaly point to slightly reducing conditions around the KTB.
Analysis of geological trace evidence in a case of criminal damage to graves
Authors: Di Maggio Rosa Maria , Nuccetelli Leonardo
Published: May 2013

Limestone and travertine headstones of Jewish graves in the Verano Monumental Cemetery in Rome were discovered severely damaged. Police investigators suspected a group of gardeners who worked illegally in the cemetery. Tools, and other items belonging to the gardeners, were seized by the police. Traces of a white substance, and soil, were analysed using a variety of methods. The trace evidence from the graves was very similar to that retrieved from the gardeners’ tools. Evidence from several independent analytical methods strongly suggested that the gardeners’ tools had been involved in the offence.
Superior Colliculus and Visual Spatial Attention
Authors: Krauzlis Richard J. , Lovejoy Lee P. , Zénon Alexandre
Published: May 2013

The superior colliculus (SC) has long been known to be part of the network of brain areas involved in spatial attention, but recent findings have dramatically refined our understanding of its functional role. The SC both implements the motor consequences of attention and plays a crucial role in the process of target selection that precedes movement. Moreover, even in the absence of overt orienting movements, SC activity is related to shifts of covert attention and is necessary for the normal control of spatial attention during perceptual judgments. The neuronal circuits that link the SC to spatial attention may include attention-related areas of the cerebral cortex, but recent results show that the SC's contribution involves mechanisms that operate independently of the established signatures of attention in visual cortex. These findings raise new issues and suggest novel possibilities for understanding the brain mechanisms that enable spatial attention.
Diversity and Evolution of Root-Knot Nematodes, Genus Meloidogyne: New Insights from the Genomic Era
Authors: Castagnone-Sereno Philippe , Danchin Etienne G.J. , Perfus-Barbeoch Laetitia , Abad Pierre
Published: May 2013

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are obligate endoparasites of major worldwide economic importance. They exhibit a wide continuum of variation in their reproductive strategies, ranging from amphimixis to obligatory mitotic parthenogenesis. Molecular phylogenetic studies have highlighted divergence between mitotic and meiotic parthenogenetic RKN species and probable interspecific hybridization as critical steps in their speciation and diversification process. The recent completion of the genomes of two RKNs, Meloidogyne hapla and Meloidogyne incognita, that exhibit striking differences in their mode of reproduction (with and without sex, respectively), their geographic distribution, and their host range has opened the way for deciphering the evolutionary significance of (a)sexual reproduction in these parasites. Accumulating evidence suggests that whole-genome duplication (in M. incognita) and horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) represent major forces that have shaped the genome of current RKN species and may account for the extreme adaptive capacities and parasitic success of these nematodes.
Quiescent and Necrotrophic Lifestyle Choice During Postharvest Disease Development
Authors: Prusky Dov , Alkan Noam , Mengiste Tesfaye , Fluhr Robert
Published: May 2013

Insidious fungal infections by postharvest pathogens remain quiescent during fruit growth until, at a particular phase during fruit ripening and senescence, the pathogens switch to the necrotrophic lifestyle and cause decay. During ripening, fruits undergo physiological processes, such as activation of ethylene biosynthesis, cuticular changes, and cell-wall loosening—changes that are accompanied by a decline of antifungal compounds, both those that are preformed and those that are inducible secondary metabolites. Pathogen infection of the unripe host fruit initiates defensive signal-transduction cascades, culminating in accumulation of antifungal proteins that limit fungal growth and development. In contrast, development of the same pathogens during fruit ripening and storage activates a substantially different signaling network, one that facilitates aggressive fungal colonization. This review focuses on responses induced by the quiescent pathogens of postharvest diseases in unripe host fruits. New genome-scale experimental approaches have begun to delineate the complex and multiple networks of host and pathogen responses activated to maintain or to facilitate the transition from the quiescent to the necrotrophic lifestyle.