bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of equine herpesvirus in horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and comparison of three sampling techniques
Authors: Hollingsworth Steven R. , Pusterla Nicola , Kass Philip H. , Good Kathryn L. , Brault Stephanie A. , Maggs David J.
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To determine the role of equine herpesvirus (EHV) in idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis in horses and to determine whether sample collection method affects detection ofEHV DNAby quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Animals studied

Twelve horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and six horses without signs of ophthalmic disease.

Procedures

Conjunctival swabs, corneal scrapings, and conjunctival biopsies were collected from 18 horses: 12 clinical cases with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis and six euthanized controls. In horses with both eyes involved, the samples were taken from the eye judged to be more severely affected. Samples were tested with qPCRforEHV‐1,EHV‐2,EHV‐4, andEHV‐5DNA. Quantity ofEHV DNAand viral replicative activity were compared between the two populations and among the different sampling techniques; relative sensitivities of the sampling techniques were determined.

Results

Prevalence ofEHV DNAas assessed by qPCRdid not differ significantly between control horses and those with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis. Sampling by conjunctival swab was more likely to yield viralDNAas assessed by qPCRthan was conjunctival biopsy. EHV‐1 andEHV‐4DNAwere not detected in either normal orIKC‐affected horses;EHV‐2DNAwas detected in two of 12 affected horses but not in normal horses.EHV‐5DNAwas commonly found in ophthalmically normal horses and horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis.

Conclusions

BecauseEHV‐5DNAwas commonly found in control horses and in horses with idiopathic keratoconjunctivitis, qPCRwas not useful for the etiological diagnosis of equine keratoconjunctivitis. Conjunctival swabs were significantly better at obtaining viralDNAsamples than conjunctival biopsy in horses in whichEHV‐5DNAwas found.
Empowering Nurses With Evidence‐Based Practice Environments: Surveying Magnet®, Pathway to Excellence®, and Non‐Magnet Facilities in One Healthcare System
Authors: Wilson Marian , Sleutel Martha , Newcomb Patricia , Behan Deborah , Walsh Judith , Wells Jo Nell , Baldwin Kathleen M.
Published: January 2015

Background

Nurses have an essential role in implementing evidence‐based practices (EBP) that contribute to high‐quality outcomes. It remains unknown how healthcare facilities can increase nurse engagement in EBP.

Purpose

To determine whether individual or organizational qualities could be identified that were related to registered nurses’ (RNs’) readiness for EBP as measured by their reported EBP barriers, ability, desire, and frequency of behaviors.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional survey was used in which a convenience sample of 2,441 nurses within one United States healthcare system completed a modified version of the Information Literacy for Evidence‐Based Nursing questionnaire. Descriptive statistics,ttests, one‐way ANOVA, and regression modeling were used to analyze the data.

Results

RNs employed by facilities designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as Magnet® or Pathway to Excellence® reported significantly fewer barriers to EBP than those RNs employed by non designated facilities. RNs in Magnet organizations had higher desire for EBP than Pathway to Excellence or non designated facilities. RNs educated at the baccalaureate level or higher reported significantly fewer barriers to EBP than nurses with less education; they also had higher EBP ability, desire, and frequency of behaviors. A predictive model found higher EBP readiness scores among RNs who participated in research, had specialty certifications, and engaged in a clinical career development program.

Linking Evidence to Action

Education, research, and certification standards promoted by the Magnet program may provide a nursing workforce that is better prepared for EBP. Organizations should continue structural supports that increase professional development and research opportunities so nurses are empowered to practice at their full capacity.
An EPQ model with imperfect items using interval grey numbers
Authors: Aydemir Erdal , Bedir Fevzi , Ozdemir Gultekin , Eroglu Abdullah
Published: January 2015

The classic economic production quantity (EPQ) model has been widely used to determine the optimal production quantity. However, the analysis for finding an EPQ model has many weaknesses which lead many researchers and practitioners to make extensions in several aspects on the original EPQ model. The basic assumption of EPQ model is that 100% of manufactured products are non-defective that is not valid for many production processes generally. The purpose of this paper is to develop an EPQ model with grey demand rate and cost values with maximum backorder level allowed with the good quality items in units under an imperfect production process. The imperfect items are considered to be low quality items which are sold to a particular purchaser at a lower price and, the others are reworked and scrapped. A mathematical model is developed and then an industrial example is presented on the wooden chipboard production process for illustration of the proposed model.
Solving multi-objective job shop problem using nature-based algorithms: new Pareto approximation features
Authors: Rudy JarosÅ‚aw , Å»elazny Dominik
Published: January 2015

In this paper the job shop scheduling problem (JSP) with minimizing two criteria simultaneously is considered. JSP is frequently used model in real world applications of combinatorial optimization. Multi-objective job shop problems (MOJSP) were rarely studied. We implement and compare two multi-agent nature-based methods, namely ant colony optimization (ACO) and genetic algorithm (GA) for MOJSP. Both of those methods employ certain technique, taken from the multi-criteria decision analysis in order to establish ranking of solutions. ACO and GA differ in a method of keeping information about previously found solutions and their quality, which affects the course of the search. In result, new features of Pareto approximations provided by said algorithms are observed: aside from the slight superiority of the ACO method the Pareto frontier approximations provided by both methods are disjoint sets. Thus, both methods can be used to search mutually exclusive areas of the Pareto frontier.
Simulating the Effect of Wind on the Performance of Axial Flow Fans in Air-Cooled Steam Condenser Systems
Authors: Fourie Neil , van der Spuy S. J. , von Backström T. W.
Published: January 2015

The use of air-cooled steam condensers (ACSCs) is preferred in the chemical and power industry due to their ability to adhere to stringent environmental and water use regulations. ACSC performance is, however, highly dependent on the prevailing wind conditions. Research has shown that the presence of wind reduces the performance of ACSCs. It has been found that cross-winds (wind perpendicular to the longest side of the ACSC) cause distorted inlet flow conditions, particularly at the upstream peripheral fans near the symmetry plane of the ACSC. These fans are subjected to what is referred to as “two-dimensional” wind conditions, which are characterized by flow separation on the upstream edge of the fan inlets. Experimental investigations into inlet flow distortion have simulated these conditions by varying the fan platform height. Low platform heights resulted in higher levels of inlet flow distortion, as also found to exist with high cross-wind velocities. The similarity between platform height and cross-wind velocity is investigated in this study by conducting experimental and numerical investigations into the effect of distorted inlet flow conditions on the performance of various fan configurations (representative of configurations used in the South-African power industry). A correlation between system volumetric effectiveness, platform height, and cross-wind velocity is derived which provides a means to compare platform height and cross-wind velocity effects.
Effect of the Stator Hub Configuration and Stage Design Parameters on Aerodynamic Loss in Axial Compressors
Authors: Yoon Sungho , Selmeier Rudolf , Cargill Patricia , Wood Peter
Published: January 2015

The choice of the stator hub configuration (i.e., cantilevered versus shrouded) is an important design decision in the preliminary design stage of an axial compressor. Therefore, it is important to understand the effect of the stator hub configuration on the aerodynamic performance. In particular, the stator hub configuration fundamentally affects the leakage flow across the stator. The effect of the stator hub configuration on the leakage flow and its consequent aerodynamic mixing loss with the main flow within the stator row is systematically investigated in this study. In the first part of the paper, a simple model is formulated to estimate the leakage loss across the stator hub as a function of fundamental stage design parameters, such as the flow coefficient, the degree of reaction, and the work coefficient, in combination with some relevant geometric parameters including the clearance/span, the pitch-to-chord ratio, and the number of seals for the shrouded geometry. The model is exercised in order to understand the effect of each of these design parameters on the leakage loss. It is found that, for a given flow coefficient and work coefficient, the leakage loss across the stator is substantially influenced by the degree of reaction. When a cantilevered stator is compared with a shrouded stator with a single seal at the same clearance, it is shown that a shrouded configuration is generally favored as a higher degree of reaction is selected, whereas a cantilevered configuration is desirable for a lower degree of reaction. Further to this, it is demonstrated that, for shrouded stators, an additional aerodynamic benefit can be achieved by using multiple seals. The second part of the paper investigates the effect of the rotating surfaces. Traditionally, only the pressure loss has been considered for stators. However, the current advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) generally includes the leakage path with associated rotating surfaces, which impart energy to the flow. It is shown that the conventional loss coefficient, based on considering only the pressure loss, is misleading when hub leakage flows are modeled in detail, because there is energy addition due to the rotation of the hub or the shroud seals for the cantilevered stator and the shrouded stator, respectively. The calculation of the entropy generation across the stator is a better measure of relative performance when comparing two different stator hub configurations with detailed CFD.
Efficient Methods for Predicting Low Pressure Steam Turbine Exhaust Hood and Diffuser Flows at Design and Off-Design Conditions
Authors: Burton Zoe , Ingram Grant , Hogg Simon
Published: January 2015

The exhaust hood of a steam turbine is an important area of turbomachinery research as its performance strongly influences the power output of the last stage blades (LSB). This paper compares results from 3D simulations using a novel application of the nonlinear harmonic (NLH) method with more computationally demanding predictions obtained using frozen rotor techniques. Accurate simulation of exhausts is only achieved when simulations of LSB are coupled to the exhaust hood to capture the strong interaction. One such method is the NLH method. In this paper, the NLH approach is compared against the current standard for capturing the inlet circumferential asymmetry, the frozen rotor approach. The NLH method is shown to predict a similar exhaust hood static pressure recovery and flow asymmetry compared with the frozen rotor approach using less than half the memory requirement of a full annulus calculation. A second option for reducing the computational demand of the full annulus frozen rotor method is explored where a single stator passage is modeled coupled to the full annulus rotor by a mixing plane. Provided the stage is choked, this was shown to produce very similar results to the full annulus frozen rotor approach but with a computational demand similar to that of the NLH method. In terms of industrial practice, the results show that for a typical well designed exhaust hood at nominal load conditions, the pressure recovery predicted by all methods (including those which do not account for circumferential uniformities) is similar. However, this is not the case at off-design conditions where more complex interfacing methods are required to capture circumferential asymmetry.
A Dispersive Nonlocal Model for In-Plane Wave Propagation in Laminated Composites With Periodic Structures
Authors: Brito-Santana H. , Wang Yue-Sheng , Rodríguez-Ramos R. , Bravo-Castillero J. , Guinovart-Díaz R. , Tita Volnei
Published: January 2015

In this paper, the problem of in-plane wave propagation with oblique incidence of the wave in an isotropic bilaminated composite under perfect contact between the layers and periodic distribution between them is studied. Based on an asymptotic dispersive method for the description of the dynamic processes, the dispersion equations were derived analytically from the average model. Numerical examples show that the dispersion curves obtained from the present model agree with the exact solutions for a range of wavelengths. Detailed numerical simulations are provided to illustrate graphically the phase and group velocities. Such illustrations allow the identification and comparison of the effects of the unit cell size, wave number and incident angle. It was observed that, as the incident angle increases, the dimensionless quasi-longitudinal phase velocity increases, and the dimensionless quasi-shear phase velocity decreases. In addition, the phase and group velocities decrease as the size of the unit cell increases. The frequency band structure, as a function of the wave-vector components is calculated.
Instabilities of the von Kármán Boundary Layer
Authors: Lingwood R. J. , Henrik Alfredsson P.
Published: January 2015

Research on the von Kármán boundary layer extends back almost 100 years but remains a topic of active study, which continues to reveal new results; it is only now that fully nonlinear direct numerical simulations (DNS) have been conducted of the flow to compare with theoretical and experimental results. The von Kármán boundary layer, or rotating-disk boundary layer, provides, in some senses, a simple three-dimensional boundary-layer model with which to compare other more complex flow configurations but we will show that in fact the rotating-disk boundary layer itself exhibits a wealth of complex instability behaviors that are not yet fully understood.
Nonlocal Effect on Stiffness Measurements of a Collagen Molecule
Authors: Birman Victor
Published: January 2015

Accurate modeling of collagen molecules including their stiffness is essential for our understanding of mechanics of collagen fibers and tissues where these fibers play a prominent role. Studies of mechanical properties of collagen molecules employing various experimental methods and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations yield a broad range of values of the modulus of elasticity. The effect of nonlocal elasticity on the molecule stiffness derived from experiments and simulations is assessed in this brief. The estimate of the correction accounting for the nonlocal effect utilizes the exact solution of the nonlocal elasticity theory for one-dimensional elastic bars. It is demonstrated that the effect of nonlocal elasticity on the stiffness of collagen molecules can be neglected.
Defect-mediated transport and electronic irradiation effect in individual domains of CVD-grown monolayer MoS2
Authors: Durand Corentin , Zhang Xiaoguang , Fowlkes Jason , Najmaei Sina , Lou Jun , Li An-Ping
Published: January 2015

The authors study the electrical transport properties of atomically thin individual crystalline grains of MoS2 with four-probe scanning tunneling microscopy. The monolayer MoS2 domains are synthesized by chemical vapor deposition on SiO2/Si substrate. Temperature dependent measurements on conductance and mobility show that transport is dominated by an electron charge trapping and thermal release process with very low carrier density and mobility. The effects of electronic irradiation are examined by exposing the film to electron beam in the scanning electron microscope in an ultrahigh vacuum environment. The irradiation process is found to significantly affect the mobility and the carrier density of the material, with the conductance showing a peculiar time-dependent relaxation behavior. It is suggested that the presence of defects in active MoS2 layer and dielectric layer create charge trapping sites, and a multiple trapping and thermal release process dictates the transport and mobility characteristics. The electron beam irradiation promotes the formation of defects and impact the electrical properties of MoS2. Our study reveals the important roles of defects and the electron beam irradiation effects in the electronic properties of atomic layers of MoS2.
Automated planning of breast radiotherapy using cone beam CT imaging
Authors: Amit Guy , Purdie Thomas G.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

Develop and clinically validate a methodology for using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging in an automated treatment planning framework for breast IMRT.

Methods:

A technique for intensity correction of CBCT images was developed and evaluated. The technique is based on histogram matching of CBCT image sets, using information from “similar” planning CT image sets from a database of paired CBCT and CT image sets (n = 38). Automated treatment plans were generated for a testing subset (n = 15) on the planning CT and the corrected CBCT. The plans generated on the corrected CBCT were compared to the CT‐based plans in terms of beam parameters, dosimetric indices, and dose distributions.

Results:

The corrected CBCT images showed considerable similarity to their corresponding planning CTs (average mutual information 1.0±0.1, average sum of absolute differences 185 ± 38). The automated CBCT‐based plans were clinically acceptable, as well as equivalent to the CT‐based plans with average gantry angle difference of 0.99°±1.1°, target volume overlap index (Dice) of 0.89±0.04 although with slightly higher maximum target doses (4482±90 vs 4560±84, P < 0.05). Gamma index analysis (3%, 3 mm) showed that the CBCT‐based plans had the same dose distribution as plans calculated with the same beams on the registered planning CTs (average gamma index 0.12±0.04, gamma <1 in 99.4%±0.3%).

Conclusions:

The proposed method demonstrates the potential for a clinically feasible and efficient online adaptive breast IMRT planning method based on CBCT imaging, integrating automation.
A Graphical Proof of the Positive Entropy Change in Heat Transfer Between Two Objects
Authors: Kiatgamolchai Somchai
Published: January 2015

It is well known that heat transfer between two objects results in a positive change in the total entropy of the two-object system. The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy change of a naturally irreversible process is positive. In other words, if the entropy change of any process is positive, it can be inferred that such a process is irreversible. Analytic examples such as ice melting,1 free expansion of gas,2 and thermal conduction between two fixed-temperature reservoirs3 are often demonstrated in the introductory classroom, providing convincing evidence of this law. Specific numeric examples can be helpful, but they may not convince talented students wholeheartedly. In this paper, we show graphically via a ln T‒T curve that the total entropy change due to heat transfer within a two-object system is positive even in the case of unequal masses.
Photorefraction of the Eye
Authors: Colicchia Giuseppe , Wiesner Hartmut , Zollman Dean
Published: January 2015

Photorefraction is a method to easily estimate the refractive state of the eye. The principle of photorefraction involves projecting light into the eye during flash photography and then examining the paths of light that emerge from the pupil after scattering on the back portion of the interior of the eyeball (fundus). We will explain the optical principles underlying the method for eccentric photorefraction and describe how students can perform it using current digital cameras. Our purpose is not to diagnose refractive errors reliably, but to use devices popular among young people that, in combination with an important ophthalmic context, may be successful in improving students' interest for learning optical concepts.
A New Way to Demonstrate the Radiometer as a Heat Engine
Authors: Hladkouski V. I. , Pinchuk A. I.
Published: January 2015

While the radiometer is readily available as a toy, A. E. Woodruff notes that it is also a very useful tool to help us understand how to resolve certain scientific problems. Many physicists think they know how the radiometer works, but only a few actually understand it.1 Here we present a demonstration that shows that a radiometer can be thought of as a heat engine.
Measurement of sound velocity made easy using harmonic resonant frequencies with everyday mobile technology
Authors: Hirth Michael , Kuhn Jochen , Müller Andreas
Published: January 2015

Recent articles about smartphone experiments have described their applications as experimental tools in different physical contexts.1–4 They have established that smartphones facilitate experimental setups, thanks to the small size and diverse functions of mobile devices, in comparison to setups with computer-based measurements. In the experiment described in this article, the experimental setup is reduced to a minimum. The objective of the experiment is to determine the speed of sound with a high degree of accuracy using everyday tools. An article published recently proposes a time-of-flight method where sound or acoustic pulses are reflected at the ends of an open tube.5 In contrast, the following experiment idea is based on the harmonic resonant frequencies of such a tube, simultaneously triggered by a noise signal.
Scale height — A parameter for characterizing atmosphere
Authors: Lee Kevin M. , Ryan Dominic M.
Published: January 2015

Scale height is a parameter used to describe how something fades away with increasing distance. It is exclusively applied to atmospheres1 of terrestrial planets and moons in this paper, but it is used in many other contexts, e.g., describing the distances of various types of stars from the galactic disk.2 It brings together diverse concepts such as hydrostatic equilibrium, the ideal gas law, and the acceleration due to gravity to describe the extent to which an atmosphere hugs its parent body.
Effects of Active Versus Passive Recovery in Sprint Cross-Country Skiing
Authors: Losnegard Thomas , Andersen Martin , Spencer Matt , Hallén Jostein
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of an active and a passive recovery protocol on physiological responses and performance between 2 heats in sprint cross-country skiing.

Methods:

Ten elite male skiers (22 ± 3 y, 184 ± 4 cm, 79 ± 7 kg) undertook 2 experimental test sessions that both consisted of 2 heats with 25 min between start of the first and second heats. The heats were conducted as an 800-m time trial (6°, >3.5 m/s, ~205 s) and included measurements of oxygen uptake (VO2) and accumulated oxygen deficit. The active recovery trial involved 2 min standing/walking, 16 min jogging (58% ± 5% of VO2peak), and 3 min standing/walking. The passive recovery trial involved 15 min sitting, 3 min walk/jog (~ 30% of VO2peak), and 3 min standing/walking. Blood lactate concentration and heart rate were monitored throughout the recovery periods.

Results:

The increased 800-m time between heat 1 and heat 2 was trivial after active recovery (effect size [ES] = 0.1, P = .64) and small after passive recovery (ES = 0.4, P = .14). The 1.2% ± 2.1% (mean ± 90% CL) difference between protocols was not significant (ES = 0.3, P = .3). In heat 2, peak and average VO2 was increased after the active recovery protocol.

Conclusions:

Neither passive recovery nor running at ~58% of VO2peak between 2 heats changed performance significantly.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Quorum-Sensing and Biofilm-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain Pae221, Belonging to the Epidemic High-Risk Clone Sequence Type 274
Authors: Ocampo-Sosa Alain A. , Fernández-Martínez Marta , Cabot Gabriel , Peña Carmen , Tubau Fé , Oliver Antonio , Martínez-Martínez Luis
Published: January 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pae221 is a clinical isolate from blood culture. Pae221 was found to be a strong quorum-sensing and biofilm-producing strain and also demonstrates a notable production of phenazines. This strain belongs to sequence type 274 (ST274), an epidemic high-risk clone. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
P. aeruginosa
Pae221.
Genome Sequence of the Heteropolysaccharide-Producing Strain Lactobacillus mucosae DPC 6426
Authors: Ryan Paul M. , Guinane Caitriona M. , London Lis E. E. , Kelleher Philip R. , Fitzgerald Gerald F. , Caplice Noel M. , Ross R. Paul , Stanton Catherine
Published: January 2015

Exopolysaccharide-synthesizing
Lactobacillus mucosae
DPC 6426 is a heterofermentative strain, which has demonstrated cholesterol-lowering properties in an animal model of lipid-driven atherosclerosis. The genome revealed a plethora of homologues linked to carbohydrate metabolism and mucin binding.
Draft Genome Sequences of Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Type Strain ATCC 13883 and Three Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolates
Authors: Arivett Brock A. , Ream David C. , Fiester Steven E. , Mende Katrin , Murray Clinton K. , Thompson Mitchell G. , Kanduru Shrinidhi , Summers Amy M. , Roth Amanda L. , Zurawski Daniel V. , Actis Luis A.
Published: January 2015

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is a Gram-negative human pathogen capable of causing hospital-acquired infections with an increasing risk to human health. The total DNA from four clinically relevant strains was sequenced to >100× coverage, providing high-quality genome assemblies for
K. pneumoniae
strains ATCC 13883, KP4640, 101488, and 101712.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae Strain 2012/KM1/D3, Isolated from the Curonian Lagoon (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Šulčius Sigitas , Alzbutas Gediminas , Kvederavičiūtė Kotryna , Koreivienė Judita , Zakrys Linas , Lubys Arvydas , Paškauskas Ričardas
Published: January 2015

We report here the
de novo
genome assembly of a cyanobacterium, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae strain 2012/KM1/D3, a harmful bloom-forming species in temperate aquatic ecosystems. The genome is 5.7 Mb with a G+C content of 38.2%, and it is enriched mostly with genes involved in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism.
Complete Genome Sequence of Listeria monocytogenes NTSN, a Serovar 4b and Animal Source Strain
Authors: Tan Weijun , Wang Guoliang , Pan Zhiming , Yin Yuelan , Jiao Xin’an
Published: January 2015

Listeria monocytogenes
is an important foodborne pathogen that causes infections in humans and animals and has a high mortality rate. The complete genome sequence of
L. monocytogenes
strain NTSN, a highly virulent and serovar 4b strain isolated from the brains of sheep in Jiangsu Province, China, is presented here.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Newcastle Disease Virus Isolate from an Outbreak in Central India
Authors: Gogoi Polakshee , Morla Sudhir , Kaore Megha , Kurkure Nitin Vasantrao , Kumar Sachin
Published: January 2015

The complete genome sequence of a Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain NDV/Chicken/Nagpur/01/12 was isolated from vaccinated chicken farms in India during outbreaks in 2012. The genome is 15,192 nucleotides in length and is classified as genotype VII in class II.
Draft Genome Sequence of Robinsoniella peoriensis Strain WTD, Isolated from the Fecal Material of a Wood Turtle
Authors: Braasch Jeanna L. , Lapin Carly N. , Dowd Scot E. , McLaughlin Richard W.
Published: January 2015

Here, we report the draft genome of
Robinsoniella peoriensis
strain WTD, which was isolated from the fecal material of a wood turtle. The genome size was 7,391,415 bp with 41.1 mol% G+C.
Amyloidosis of the renal pelvis: a harbinger of mammary carcinoma?
Authors: Grigor Thomas , Munro Nicolas
Published: January 2015

We describe a rare case of light chain immunoglobulin amyloid (AL) accumulation in the central and lower pole renal calyces. Our patient, a woman aged 60, presented with several episodes of gross haematuria. Radiological imaging detected a filling defect in the left renal pelvis. Rigid ureteroscopy showed a corresponding mucosal abnormality resembling transitional cell carcinoma. A definitive preoperative tissue diagnosis could not be reached. Laparoscopic-assisted left nephroureterectomy was indicated. Histopathological examination excluded malignancy, revealing congophilic deposits of submucosal amyloid. A constellation of findings confirmed localised or primary amyloidosis with an AL immunophenotype but no evidence of clonal B-cell disease in the amyloid-associated lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltrate. Investigation for systemic plasma cell dyscrasia and echocardiography and scintigraphy for visceral amyloid deposits were negative for systemic disease. At a follow-up period of 30 months, there is no recurrence. However, our patient was diagnosed with breast cancer 21 months ago.
Real-time queue estimation model development for uninterrupted freeway flow based on shockwave analysis
Authors: Cao Jing , Hadiuzzaman Md. , Qiu Tony Z. , Hu Dawei
Published: January 2015

In this study, the authors developed a time-space discrete macroscopic model based on the shockwave theory for real-time queue estimation in uninterrupted freeway flow, using fixed-location loop detector data. After investigating the queue characteristics both at an active bottleneck and within a variable speed limit control case, the proposed model was applied to these two cases on Whitemud Drive, a major freeway corridor in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Modified Highway Capacity Manual–based methods were used to determine queue density in uninterrupted freeway flow. The effect of time interval size on queue estimation was studied, as loop detector data acquisition frequencies may differ. It was found that the proposed model accurately estimates real-time queue length independent of the time interval. Multiple single queues were implemented in a calibrated VISSIM 5.3 micro-simulation model to perform the validation task. The study is a helpful foundation for future active traffic management strategy development and improvement.
A new tribotherian (Mammalia, Boreosphenida) from the late Santonian to early Campanian upper Milk River Formation, Alberta
Authors: Montellano-Ballesteros Marisol , Fox Richard C.
Published: January 2015

A new tribotherian mammal, Tirotherium aptum gen. et sp. nov., is described from the late Santonian to early Campanian upper Milk River Formation of Verdigris Coulee, southern Alberta, Canada. The new mammal is known only from isolated teeth, five upper and three lower molars. The upper molars represent two or possibly three pre-ultimate loci and are marked by reduction and loss of the stylar shelf anteriorly, loss of the stylocone, a paracone that is larger than the metacone, weakly developed conules, a low, small protocone, and specialized postvallum single-rank shear. The lower molars probably represent two pre-ultimate loci and are characterized by an anteriorly positioned paraconid, trenchant paracristid, small, posterolingual metaconid, a distal metacristid, broadly open trigonid angle, and a short, basined talonid in which the hypoconulid is closer to the entoconid than to the hypoconid. The molars of Tirotherium most closely resemble those of Picopsis Fox, 1980, a tribotherian that also occurs in the upper Milk River Formation, but the molars of Tirotherium are significantly larger than those of Picopsis. Nonetheless, Tirotherium aptum is best classified in the Picopsidae, a boreosphenidan family of tiny mammalian faunivores of uncertain relationships to other tribotherians, and displaying a unique mosaic of primitive and derived characters.
Relationship between clinical site of isolation and ability to form biofilms in vitro in nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Obaid Najla A. , Jacobson Glenn A. , Tristram Stephen
Published: January 2015

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with a range of infections, including various lower respiratory infections, otitis media, and conjunctivitis. There is some debate as to whether or not NTHi produces biofilms and, if so, whether or not this is relevant to pathogenesis. Although many studies have examined the association between in vitro biofilm formation and isolates from a specific infection type, few have made comparisons from isolates from a broad range of isolates grouped by clinical source. In our study 50 NTHi from different clinical sources, otitis media, conjunctivitis, lower respiratory tract infections in both cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis patients, and nasopharyngeal carriage, plus 10 nasopharyngeal isolates of the commensal Haemophilus haemolyticus were tested for the ability to form biofilm by using a static microtitre plate crystal violet assay. A high degree of variation in biofilm forming ability was observed across all isolates, with no statistically significant differences observed between the groups, with the exception of the isolates from conjunctivitis. These isolates had uniformly lower biofilm forming ability compared with isolates from the other groups (p < 0.005).
Matrix Perturbation and Optimal Partition Invariancy in Linear Optimization
Authors: Ghaffari-Hadigheh Alireza , Mehanfar Nayyer
Published: January 2015

Understanding the effect of variation of the coefficient matrix in linear optimization problem on the optimal solution and the optimal value function has its own importance in practice. However, most of the published results are on the effect of this variation when the current optimal solution is a basic one. There is only a study of the problem for special perturbation on the coefficient matrix, when the given optimal solution is strictly complementary and the optimal partition (in some sense) is known. Here, we consider an arbitrary direction for perturbation of the coefficient matrix and present an effective method based on generalized inverse and singular values to detect invariancy intervals and corresponding transition points.
Renormalization and unitarity in higher derivative and nonlocal gravity theories
Authors: Tomboulis E. T.
Published: January 2015

We review and discuss higher derivative and nonlocal theories of quantum gravity focusing on their UV and unitarity properties. We first consider the general fourth-order gravitational action, then actions containing derivatives up to any given fixed order, and discuss their UV divergences, fixed points and concomitant unitarity issues. This leads to a more general discussion of "asymptotic safety" and unitarity, which motivates the introduction of nonlocal theories containing derivatives to all orders arising from the expansion of entire functions. For such theories good UV behavior is visible at any finite truncation, but unitarity emerges only when derivatives to all orders are included.
Comments on initial conditions for the Abraham–Lorentz(–Dirac) equation
Authors: Birnholtz Ofek
Published: January 2015

An accelerating electric charge coupled to its own electromagnetic field both emits radiation and experiences the radiation's reaction as a (self-)force. Considering the system from an Effective Field Theory perspective, and using the physical initial conditions of no incoming radiation can help resolve many of the problems associated with the often considered "notorious" Abraham–Lorentz/Abraham–Lorentz–Dirac equations.
Hints of NSIs from $D_{s}^{+}\rightarrow K^{+}\upsilon\bar{\upsilon}$, $D^{0}\rightarrow\pi^{0}\upsilon\bar{\upsilon}$ and $D_{s}^{+}\rightarrow D^{+}\upsilon\bar{\upsilon}$
Authors: Mahmood Shakeel , Tahir Farida , Mir Azeem
Published: January 2015

We study rare decays [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in NSIs. We calculate the NSIs branching ratios of these decays. There is a strong dependence of these on new physics parameter. We include second and third generation of quarks in the loop for these decays. We show that these provide stringent constraints on [Formula: see text], where Q = u, c, t, and [Formula: see text], where q = d, s, b. It is also pointed out that [Formula: see text] for α, β = e, μ.
Average Case and Distributional Analysis of Dual-Pivot Quicksort
Authors: Wild Sebastian , Nebel Markus E. , Neininger Ralph
Published: January 2015

In 2009, Oracle replaced the long-serving sorting algorithm in its Java 7 runtime library by a new dual-pivot Quicksort variant due to Vladimir Yaroslavskiy. The decision was based on the strikingly good performance of Yaroslavskiy's implementation in running time experiments. At that time, no precise investigations of the algorithm were available to explain its superior performance—on the contrary: previous theoretical studies of other dual-pivot Quicksort variants even discouraged the use of two pivots. In 2012, two of the authors gave an average case analysis of a simplified version of Yaroslavskiy's algorithm, proving that savings in the number of comparisons are possible. However, Yaroslavskiy's algorithm needs more swaps, which renders the analysis inconclusive.

To force the issue, we herein extend our analysis to the fully detailed style of Knuth: we determine the exact number of executed Java Bytecode instructions. Surprisingly, Yaroslavskiy's algorithm needs sightly more Bytecode instructions than a simple implementation of classic Quicksort—contradicting observed running times. As in Oracle's library implementation, we incorporate the use of Insertionsort on small subproblems and show that it indeed speeds up Yaroslavskiy's Quicksort in terms of Bytecodes; but even with optimal Insertionsort thresholds, the new Quicksort variant needs slightly more Bytecode instructions on average.

Finally, we show that the (suitably normalized) costs of Yaroslavskiy's algorithm converge to a random variable whose distribution is characterized by a fixed-point equation. From that, we compute variances of costs and show that for large
n
, costs are concentrated around their mean.
Min
st
-Cut Oracle for Planar Graphs with Near-Linear Preprocessing Time
Authors: Borradaile Glencora , Sankowski Piotr , Wulff-Nilsen Christian
Published: January 2015

For an undirected
n
-vertex planar graph
G
with nonnegative edge weights, we consider the following type of query: given two vertices
s
and
t
in
G
, what is the weight of a min
st
-cut in
G
? We show how to answer such queries in constant time with
O
(
n
log
4
n
) preprocessing time and
O
(
n
log
n
) space. We use a Gomory-Hu tree to represent all the pairwise min cuts implicitly. Previously, no subquadratic time algorithm was known for this problem. Since all-pairs min cut and the minimum-cycle basis are dual problems in planar graphs, we also obtain an implicit representation of a minimum-cycle basis in
O
(
n
log
4
n
) time and
O
(
n
log
n
) space. Additionally, an explicit representation can be obtained in
O
(
C
) time and space where
C
is the size of the basis.

These results require that shortest paths are unique. This can be guaranteed either by using randomization without overhead or deterministically with an additional log
2
n
factor in the preprocessing times.
Understanding Gesture Expressivity through Muscle Sensing
Authors: Caramiaux Baptiste , Donnarumma Marco , Tanaka Atau
Published: January 2015

Expressivity is a visceral capacity of the human body. To understand what makes a gesture expressive, we need to consider not only its spatial placement and orientation but also its dynamics and the mechanisms enacting them. We start by defining gesture and gesture expressivity, and then we present fundamental aspects of muscle activity and ways to capture information through electromyography and mechanomyography. We present pilot studies that inspect the ability of users to control spatial and temporal variations of 2D shapes and that use muscle sensing to assess expressive information in gesture execution beyond space and time. This leads us to the design of a study that explores the notion of gesture power in terms of control and sensing. Results give insights to interaction designers to go beyond simplistic gestural interaction, towards the design of interactions that draw on nuances of expressive gesture.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Physiological Computing for Human-Computer Interaction
Authors: Silva Hugo Plácido Da , Fairclough Stephen , Holzinger Andreas , Jacob Robert , Tan Desney
Published: January 2015

Physiological data in its different dimensions—bioelectrical, biomechanical, biochemical, or biophysical—and collected through existing sensors or specialized biomedical devices, image capture, or other sources is pushing the boundaries of physiological computing for human-computer interaction (HCI). Although physiological computing shows the potential to enhance the way in which people interact with digital content, systems remain challenging to design and build. The aim of this special issue is to present outstanding work related to use of physiological data in HCI, setting additional bases for next-generation computer interfaces and interaction experiences. Topics covered in this issue include methods and methodologies, human factors, the use of devices, and applications for supporting the development of emerging interfaces.
The Complexity of the Nucleolus in Compact Games
Authors: Greco Gianluigi , Malizia Enrico , Palopoli Luigi , Scarcello Francesco
Published: January 2015

The nucleolus is a well-known solution concept for coalitional games to fairly distribute the total available worth among the players. The nucleolus is known to be
NP
-hard to compute over compact coalitional games, that is, over games whose functions specifying the worth associated with each coalition are encoded in terms of polynomially computable functions over combinatorial structures. In particular, hardness results have been exhibited over minimum spanning tree games, threshold games, and flow games. However, due to its intricate definition involving reasoning over exponentially many coalitions, a nontrivial upper bound on its complexity was missing in the literature and looked for.

This article faces this question and precisely characterizes the complexity of the nucleolus, by exhibiting an upper bound that holds on any class of compact games, and by showing that this bound is tight even on the (structurally simple) class of graph games. The upper bound is established by proposing a variant of the standard linear-programming based algorithm for nucleolus computation and by studying a framework for reasoning about succinctly specified linear programs, which are contributions of interest in their own. The hardness result is based on an elaborate combinatorial reduction, which is conceptually relevant for it provides a “measure” of the computational cost to be paid for guaranteeing voluntary participation to the distribution process. In fact, the pre-nucleolus is known to be efficiently computable over graph games, with this solution concept being defined as the nucleolus but without guaranteeing that each player is granted with it at least the worth she can get alone, that is, without collaborating with the other players.

Finally, this article identifies relevant tractable classes of coalitional games, based on the notion of type of a player. Indeed, in most applications where many players are involved, it is often the case that such players do belong in fact to a limited number of classes, which is known in advance and may be exploited for computing the nucleolus in a fast way.
The emergence of content strategy work and recommended resources
Authors: Andersen Rebekka
Published: January 2015

In my last column, I wrote about the need for a more integrated view of the field of technical communication. I suggested that the more our field is able to collaborate and integrate with other fields that have a stake in content management (CM), the more our field's unique perspectives, knowledge, and strategies will be recognized for the value they add to the CM discourse. This discourse, which includes a collective of industry conferences, publications, blogs, online discussions and workshops and Webinars, focuses a great deal on how best to integrate organizational and user generated content as well as disciplines and departments, expertise and roles, and business processes and tools.
Knowledge work, knowledge play
Authors: McNely Brian J.
Published: January 2015

Everyday spaces and places are increasingly experienced as hybrid---as a confluence of material and informatic possibility---thanks to the ubiquity of always connected mobile devices and robust sociotechnical networks. For example, the interiors of many contemporary vehicles are personal area networks that move with drivers through daily commutes, connecting them to their phone's text messages and social networks in and through the material space of their car. In such cases, communication flows strongly mediate people's experiences in, movements through, and perceptions toward spaces of work, learning, and leisure. This article explores such hybrid spaces from the perspective of communication design, offering a heuristic approach to user experience in a world where spaces are often crosshatched and multiple. This exploration focuses on the kinds of tools and practices common to knowledge work and its recent extensions into forms of knowledge play, where the means of knowledge work are coordinated and transformed for non-work pursuits. This article, then, presents a practical, persona driven perspective on the relationships between communication flows and hybrid spaces, challenging design of communication researchers and user experience professionals to rethink the everyday combinations of symbolic action, knowledge work tools and networks, and mundane locations and movements.
Bundle Protocol Header Compression
Authors: Wegner Martin , Pöttner Wolf-Bastian , Wolf Lars
Published: January 2015

Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs), especially the Bundle Protocol (BP), transmit data in self-contained bundles each of which carrying all necessary information to process it and route it to its destination. While this allows for long delays, link disruptions and higher loss rates and makes the BP well-suited for networks such as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), it imposes a significant overhead in terms of the header sizes, as e. g. node addresses are denoted as full URIs, called Endpoint Identifiers (EIDs). While the Compressed Bundle Header Encoding introduces a special naming scheme to eradicate these URIs which reduces the header size to some extent, in this paper we present a novel, full-fledged header compression for the BP that can be applied stateless or stateful, i. e. without or with storing part of the bundle headers on forwarding nodes. The gains achievable with this approach are extensively evaluated with the simulation of bundles carefully generated from real-world network traffic on the one hand, and of realistically moving public transport vehicles with a traffic pattern often found in such Delay Tolerant Wireless Sensor Networks (DTWSNs) on the other hand.