bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reevaluation of confirmatory tests for human T‐cell leukemia virus Type 1 using a luciferase immunoprecipitation system in blood donors
Authors: Furuta Rika A. , Ma Guangyong , Matsuoka Masao , Otani Satoshi , Matsukura Harumichi , Hirayama Fumiya
Published: November 2014

Background

Recently, Japanese Red Cross blood centers have changed the confirmatory test method from an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) technique to Western blotting (WB) for antibodies against human T‐cell leukemia virus Type 1 (HTLV‐1). In this study, these HTLV‐1 tests were assessed using another sensitive method, that is, a luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS), to identify a better confirmatory test for HTLV‐1 infection.

Study Design and Methods

Plasma samples from 54 qualified donors and 114 HTLV‐1 screening–positive donors were tested by LIPS for antibodies against HTLV‐1 Gag, Tax, Env, and HBZ recombinant proteins. The donors were categorized into six groups, namely, (Group I) qualified donors, screening positive; (Group II) IF positive; (Group III) IF negative; (Group IV) WB positive; (Group V) WB negative; and (Group VI) screening positive in the previous blood donation, but WB‐indeterminate during this study period.

Results

In Groups II and IV, all plasma samples tested positive by LIPS for antibodies against Gag and Env proteins. In Group V, all samples tested negative by LIPS, whereas some Group III samples reacted with single or double antigens in LIPS. In Group VI, the LIPS test identified a donor with suspected HTLV‐1 infection. The first case of a blood donor with plasma that reacted with HBZ was identified by LIPS.

Conclusion

Reevaluation of the current HTLV‐1 screening method using the LIPS test showed that both confirmatory tests had similar sensitivity and specificity only when WB indeterminate results were eliminated. LIPS is a promising method for detecting and characterizing HTLV‐1 antibodies.
On Grothendieck–Serre’s conjecture concerning principal -bundles over reductive group schemes: I
Authors: Panin I. , Stavrova A. , Vavilov N.
Published: October 2014

Let$k$be an infinite field. Let$R$be the semi-local ring of a finite family of closed points on a$k$-smooth affine irreducible variety, let$K$be the fraction field of$R$, and let$G$be a reductive simple simply connected$R$-group scheme isotropic over$R$. Our Theorem 1.1 states that for any Noetherian$k$-algebra$A$the kernel of the map$$\begin{eqnarray}H_{\acute{\text{e}}\text{t}}^{1}(R\otimes _{k}A,G)\rightarrow H_{\acute{\text{e}}\text{t}}^{1}(K\otimes _{k}A,G)\end{eqnarray}$$induced by the inclusion of$R$into$K$is trivial. Theorem 1.2 for$A=k$and some other results of the present paper are used significantly in Fedorov and Panin [A proof of Grothendieck–Serre conjecture on principal bundles over a semilocal regular ring containing an infinite field, Preprint (2013),arXiv:1211.2678v2] to prove the Grothendieck–Serre’s conjecture for regular semi-local rings$R$containing an infinite field.
Lyapunov-Based Boundary Control of Strain Gradient Microscale Beams With Exponential Decay Rate
Authors: Vatankhah Ramin , Najafi Ali , Salarieh Hassan , Alasty Aria
Published: November 2014

In nonclassical microbeams, the governing partial differential equation (PDE) of the system and corresponding boundary conditions are obtained based on the nonclassical continuum mechanics. In this study, exponential decay rate of a vibrating nonclassical microscale Euler–Bernoulli beam is investigated using a linear boundary control law and by implementing a proper Lyapunov functional. To illustrate the performance of the designed controllers, the closed-loop PDE model of the system is simulated via finite element method (FEM). To this end, new nonclassical beam element stiffness and mass matrices are developed based on the strain gradient theory and verification of this new beam element is accomplished in this work.
Comparisons of Tribological Properties of Ti(C,N)/SiC in Water and Seawater
Authors: Huang Wei , Liu Haiye , Wang Xiaolei
Published: November 2014

Ti(C,N)-based cermets offer good high temperature strength, perfect chemical stability, excellent wear resistance, and relatively better machinability. In the present work, the tribological behaviors of Ti(C,N)/SiC sliding pairs lubricated in water and seawater were evaluated using a ball-on-disk tribometer. The experimental results show that a relatively low friction coefficient (about 0.025) can be obtained when lubricated with artificial seawater at the sliding speed of 200 mm/s, while the friction coefficient is about 0.2 in purified water. The wear surface profiles and the lubricants collected after running-in process for the high and low friction conditions were compared. In addition, the effects of salt molar concentration of the lubricant on the Ti(C,N)/SiC friction properties were investigated. It was found that the smooth and flat surface is the premise to gain the low friction. At the same time, the proper concentration of silica colloid, which is affected by the salt ions, is also an essential one. Moreover, the high sliding speed (200 mm/s) is beneficial to achieve low friction.
Focus Issue: Signaling in Neuronal Development, Function, and Disease
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Wong Wei
Published: October 2014

New research explores the molecular mechanisms that regulate neuronal development, function, and disease.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 28 October 2014
Authors: Pryor William M. , Subramaniam Srinivasa , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2014

A mutant form of huntingtin associated with early-onset Huntington's disease promotes anabolic signaling that contributes to motor abnormalities and death in mice.
Sex Determination Driven by Community Cooperation
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: October 2014

A biosynthetic pathway split between young and old individual ferns controls hormonal signaling that regulates sex determination.
Yap Inhibits Axon Migration
Authors: Berndt Jason D.
Published: October 2014

Proteins involved in Hippo signaling control differentiation of cells involved in axon guidance in the developing brain.
Signaling from the Surface and the Nucleus
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: October 2014

Angiogenic signals from retinal ganglion cells depend on a G protein–coupled receptor that signals at the plasma membrane and the nucleus.
Rosettes Mark the Branch Point
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: October 2014

Vascular branching requires structures called podosome rosettes, which form in a α
6
β
1
integrin-dependent manner.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analyses for BC-3781 Using Phase 2 Data from Patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Authors: Rubino C. M. , Xue B. , Bhavnani S. M. , Prince W. T. , Ivezic-Schoenfeld Z. , Wicha W. W. , Ambrose P. G.
Published: October 2014

BC-3781, a pleuromutilin antimicrobial agent, is being developed for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Data from a phase 2 study of patients with ABSSSI were used to refine a previous population pharmacokinetic (PK) model and explore potential predictors of PK variability. The previously derived population PK model based on data from three phase 1 studies was applied to sparse sampling data from a phase 2 ABSSSI study and modified as necessary. Covariate analyses were conducted to identify descriptors (e.g., body size, renal function, age) associated with interindividual variability in PK. All population PK analyses were conducted by using Monte Carlo parametric expectation maximization implemented in S-ADAPT 1.5.6. The population PK data set contained 1,167 concentrations from 129 patients; 95% of the patients had 5 or more PK samples (median, 11). The previous population PK model (three-compartment model with first-order elimination and nonlinear protein binding) provided an acceptable and unbiased fit to the data from the 129 patients. Population PK parameters were estimated with acceptable precision; individual clearance values were particularly well estimated (median individual precision of 9.15%). Graphical covariate evaluations showed no relationships between PK and age or renal function but modest relationships between body size and clearance and volume of distribution, which were not statistically significant when included in the population PK model. This population PK model will be useful for subsequent PK-pharmacodynamic analyses and simulations conducted to support phase 3 dose selection. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01119105.)
Association of Class 1 and 2 Integrons with Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii International Clones and Acinetobacter nosocomialis Isolates
Authors: Martins Natacha , Picão Renata Cristina , Adams-Sapper Sheila , Riley Lee W. , Moreira Beatriz Meurer
Published: October 2014

The
Acinetobacter baumannii
clonal complex 113/79 (CC113/79) and class 2 integrons predominate in Latin America; a relationship between these characteristics was explored. The presence of integrases was determined in successive hospital
Acinetobacter
isolates (163
A. baumannii
isolates and 72
Acinetobacter nosocomialis
isolates). Most isolates had integrons, but class 1 and 2 integrons were present significantly more often in CC109/1 and CC113/79, respectively. The high prevalence of CC113/79 in Latin America may account for the predominance of class 2 integrons.
Human Cytomegalovirus Resistance to Deoxyribosylindole Nucleosides Maps to a Transversion Mutation in the Terminase Subunit-Encoding Gene
UL89
Authors: Gentry Brian G. , Phan Quang , Hall Ellie D. , Breitenbach Julie M. , Borysko Katherine Z. , Kamil Jeremy P. , Townsend Leroy B. , Drach John C.
Published: October 2014

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can cause severe illnesses, including encephalopathy and mental retardation, in immunocompromised and immunologically immature patients. Current pharmacotherapies for treating systemic HCMV infections include ganciclovir, cidofovir, and foscarnet. However, long-term administration of these agents can result in serious adverse effects (myelosuppression and/or nephrotoxicity) and the development of viral strains with reduced susceptibility to drugs. The deoxyribosylindole (indole) nucleosides demonstrate a 20-fold greater activity
in vitro
(the drug concentration at which 50% of the number of plaques was reduced with the presence of drug compared to the number in the absence of drug [EC
50
] = 0.34 μM) than ganciclovir (EC
50
= 7.4 μM) without any observed increase in cytotoxicity. Based on structural similarity to the benzimidazole nucleosides, we hypothesize that the indole nucleosides target the HCMV terminase, an enzyme responsible for packaging viral DNA into capsids and cleaving the DNA into genome-length units. To test this hypothesis, an indole nucleoside-resistant HCMV strain was isolated, the open reading frames of the genes that encode the viral terminase were sequenced, and a G766C mutation in exon 1 of
UL89
was identified; this mutation resulted in an E256Q change in the amino acid sequence of the corresponding protein. An HCMV wild-type strain, engineered with this mutation to confirm resistance, demonstrated an 18-fold decrease in susceptibility to the indole nucleosides (EC
50
= 3.1 ± 0.7 μM) compared to that of wild-type virus (EC
50
= 0.17 ± 0.04 μM). Interestingly, this mutation did not confer resistance to the benzimidazole nucleosides (EC
50
for wild-type HCMV = 0.25 ± 0.04 μM, EC
50
for HCMV pUL89 E256Q = 0.23 ± 0.04 μM). We conclude, therefore, that the G766C mutation that results in the E256Q substitution is unique for indole nucleoside resistance and distinct from previously discovered substitutions that confer both indole and benzimidazole nucleoside resistance (D344E and A355T).
Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Resident Glucosidases Impairs Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus and Human Coronavirus NL63 Spike Protein-Mediated Entry by Altering the Glycan Processing of Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme 2
Authors: Zhao Xuesen , Guo Fang , Comunale Mary Ann , Mehta Anand , Sehgal Mohit , Jain Pooja , Cuconati Andrea , Lin Hanxin , Block Timothy M. , Chang Jinhong , Guo Ju-Tao
Published: October 2014

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident glucosidases I and II sequentially trim the three terminal glucose moieties on the N-linked glycans attached to nascent glycoproteins. These reactions are the first steps of N-linked glycan processing and are essential for proper folding and function of many glycoproteins. Because most of the viral envelope glycoproteins contain N-linked glycans, inhibition of ER glucosidases with derivatives of 1-deoxynojirimycin, i.e., iminosugars, efficiently disrupts the morphogenesis of a broad spectrum of enveloped viruses. However, like viral envelope proteins, the cellular receptors of many viruses are also glycoproteins. It is therefore possible that inhibition of ER glucosidases not only compromises virion production but also disrupts expression and function of viral receptors and thus inhibits virus entry into host cells. Indeed, we demonstrate here that iminosugar treatment altered the N-linked glycan structure of angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which did not affect its expression on the cell surface or its binding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) spike glycoprotein. However, alteration of N-linked glycans of ACE2 impaired its ability to support the transduction of SARS-CoV and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) spike glycoprotein-pseudotyped lentiviral particles by disruption of the viral envelope protein-triggered membrane fusion. Hence, in addition to reducing the production of infectious virions, inhibition of ER glucosidases also impairs the entry of selected viruses via a post-receptor-binding mechanism.
Baseline Activity of Telavancin against Gram-Positive Clinical Isolates Responsible for Documented Infections in U.S. Hospitals (2011-2012) as Determined by the Revised Susceptibility Testing Method
Authors: Mendes Rodrigo E. , Farrell David J. , Sader Helio S. , Flamm Robert K. , Jones Ronald N.
Published: October 2014

Telavancin had MIC
50
and MIC
90
values of 0.03 and 0.06 μg/ml (100.0% susceptible), respectively, against methicillin-resistant and -susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
. Telavancin was active against vancomycin-susceptible
Enterococcus faecalis
(MIC
50/90
, 0.12/0.12 μg/ml; 100% susceptible) and
Enterococcus faecium
(MIC
50/90
, 0.03/0.06 μg/ml), while higher MIC values were obtained against vancomycin-resistant
E. faecium
(MIC
50/90
, 1/2 μg/ml) and
E. faecalis
(MIC
50/90
, >2/>2 μg/ml). Streptococci showed telavancin modal MIC results of ≤0.015 μg/ml, except against
Streptococcus agalactiae
(i.e., 0.03 μg/ml). This study reestablishes the telavancin spectrum of activity against isolates recovered from the United States (2011-2012) using the revised broth microdilution method.
Bordetella pertussis Naturally Occurring Isolates with Altered Lipooligosaccharide Structure Fail To Fully Mature Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Brummelman Jolanda , Veerman Rosanne E. , Hamstra Hendrik Jan , Deuss Anna J. M. , Schuijt Tim J. , Sloots Arjen , Kuipers Betsy , van Els Cécile A. C. M. , van der Ley Peter , Mooi Frits R. , Han Wanda G. H. , Pinelli Elena
Published: October 2014

Bordetella pertussis
is a Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of whooping cough. Despite high vaccination coverage, outbreaks are being increasingly reported worldwide. Possible explanations include adaptation of this pathogen, which may interfere with recognition by the innate immune system. Here, we describe innate immune recognition and responses to different
B. pertussis
clinical isolates. By using HEK-Blue cells transfected with different pattern recognition receptors, we found that 3 out of 19 clinical isolates failed to activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). These findings were confirmed by using the monocytic MM6 cell line. Although incubation with high concentrations of these 3 strains resulted in significant activation of the MM6 cells, it was found to occur mainly through interaction with TLR2 and not through TLR4. When using live bacteria, these 3 strains also failed to activate TLR4 on HEK-Blue cells, and activation of MM6 cells or human monocyte-derived dendritic cells was significantly lower than activation induced by the other 16 strains. Mass spectrum analysis of the lipid A moieties from these 3 strains indicated an altered structure of this molecule. Gene sequence analysis revealed mutations in genes involved in lipid A synthesis. Findings from this study indicate that
B. pertussis
isolates that do not activate TLR4 occur naturally and that this phenotype may give this bacterium an advantage in tempering the innate immune response and establishing infection. Knowledge on the strategies used by this pathogen in evading the host immune response is essential for the improvement of current vaccines or for the development of new ones.
Peroxiredoxin-Glutaredoxin and Catalase Promote Resistance of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae 86-028NP to Oxidants and Survival within Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
Authors: Juneau Richard A. , Pang Bing , Armbruster Chelsie E. , Murrah Kyle A. , Perez Antonia C. , Swords W. Edward
Published: October 2014

Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHI) is a common commensal and opportunistic pathogen of the human airways. For example, NTHI is a leading cause of otitis media and is the most common cause of airway infections associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These infections are often chronic/recurrent in nature and involve bacterial persistence within biofilm communities that are highly resistant to host clearance. Our previous work has shown that NTHI within biofilms has increased expression of factors associated with oxidative stress responses. The goal of this study was to define the roles of catalase (encoded by
hktE
) and a bifunctional peroxiredoxin-glutaredoxin (encoded by
pdgX
) in resistance of NTHI to oxidants and persistence
in vivo
. Isogenic NTHI strain 86-028NP mutants lacking
hktE
and
pdgX
had increased susceptibility to peroxide. Moreover, these strains had persistence defects in the chinchilla infection model for otitis media, as well as in a murine model for COPD. Additional work showed that
pdgX
and
hktE
were important determinants of NTHI survival within neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which we have shown to be an integral part of NTHI biofilms
in vivo
. Based on these data, we conclude that catalase and peroxiredoxin-glutaredoxin are determinants of bacterial persistence during chronic/recurrent NTHI infections that promote bacterial survival within NETs.
Enantioselective Regulation of Lactate Racemization by LarR in Lactobacillus plantarum
Authors: Desguin Benoît , Goffin Philippe , Bakouche Nordine , Diman Aurélie , Viaene Eric , Dandoy Damien , Fontaine Laetitia , Hallet Bernard , Hols Pascal
Published: October 2014

Lactobacillus plantarum
is a lactic acid bacterium that produces a racemic mixture of
l
- and
d
-lactate from sugar fermentation. The interconversion of lactate isomers is performed by a lactate racemase (Lar) that is transcriptionally controlled by the
l
-/
d
-lactate ratio and maximally induced in the presence of
l
-lactate. We previously reported that the Lar activity depends on the expression of two divergently oriented operons: (i) the
larABCDE
operon encodes the nickel-dependent lactate racemase (LarA), its maturases (LarBCE), and a lactic acid channel (LarD), and (ii) the
larR
(
MN
)
QO
operon encodes a transcriptional regulator (LarR) and a four-component ABC-type nickel transporter [Lar(MN), in which the M and N components are fused, LarQ, and LarO]. LarR is a novel regulator of the Crp-Fnr family (PrfA group). Here, the role of LarR was further characterized
in vivo
and
in vitro
. We show that LarR is a positive regulator that is absolutely required for the expression of Lar activity. Using gel retardation experiments, we demonstrate that LarR binds to a 16-bp palindromic sequence (Lar box motif) that is present in the
larR-larA
intergenic region. Mutations in the Lar box strongly affect LarR binding and completely abolish transcription from the
larA
promoter (P

larA

). Two half-Lar boxes located between the Lar box and the −35 box of P

larA

promote LarR multimerization on DNA, and point mutations within one or both half-Lar boxes inhibit P

larA

induction by
l
-lactate. Gel retardation and footprinting experiments indicate that
l
-lactate has a positive effect on the binding and multimerization of LarR, while
d
-lactate antagonizes the positive effect of
l
-lactate. A possible mechanism of LarR regulation by lactate enantiomers is proposed.
Onset of recent exertional dyspnoea in a firefighter with left bundle-branch block
Authors: De Rosa Roberto , Ratti Gennaro , Lamberti Monica
Published: October 2014

Background

The presence of a left bundle-branch block (LBBB) among firefighters raises questions about stratifying risk of subsequent cardiovascular events as this conduction disorder may mask underlying coronary artery disease. This report describes the case of a firefighter with a history LBBB with exertional dyspnoea of recent onset after work activity.

Case report

A 39-year-old male firefighter with LBBB developed exertional dyspnoea after a prolonged session of work. ECG and treadmill test only showed a permanent LBBB; echocardiography and myocardial scintigraphy did not add to this. However, multislice CT (MSCT) showed a significant stenosis in the mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD). Coronary angiography confirmed the stenosis with subsequent placement of a coronary stent.

Conclusions

An occupational physician should take into account that factors such as age and low cardiovascular risk do not always exclude heart disease, especially when there are conduction system abnormalities that can mask possible coronary artery disease.
A cystic, septated lesion in the liver with unusual diagnosis
Authors: van Seventer Iteke , Verheij Joanne , Phoa Saffire , van Gulik Thomas M
Published: October 2014

A 51-year-old male patient from Iraq presented with symptoms of right upper-quadrant abdominal pain. Imaging showed a 9 cm, lobulated cystic lesion in the right liver lobe with thin septations, suggestive of a hydatid cyst. Although serology for hydatid disease was negative, the cystic lesion was treated by percutaneous drainage. Owing to persisting symptoms, he was re-evaluated showing the same cystic lesion unchanged. On the presumptive diagnosis of a cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma, patient underwent laparotomy. A solitary, cystic lesion was found that was removed by local excision. Macroscopical examination revealed a multilocular, septated tumour. Histopathological assessment showed lining of the cysts with epithelioid cells that showed immunohistochemical features consistent with a mesothelial origin; the pathology findings are consistent with an adenomatid tumour; in the differential diagnosis a benign multicystic mesthelioma was also considered. These are rare cystic lesions in the liver of which only few cases have been described in literature.
Continued high rates of antibiotic prescribing to adults with respiratory tract infection: survey of 568 UK general practices
Authors: Gulliford Martin C , Dregan Alex , Moore Michael V , Ashworth Mark , Staa Tjeerd van , McCann Gerard , Charlton Judith , Yardley Lucy , Little Paul , McDermott Lisa
Published: October 2014

Objectives

Overutilisation of antibiotics may contribute to the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance, a growing international concern. This study aimed to analyse the performance of UK general practices with respect to antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) among young and middle-aged adults.

Setting

Data are reported for 568 UK general practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Participants

Participants were adults aged 18–59 years. Consultations were identified for acute upper RTIs including colds, cough, otitis-media, rhino-sinusitis and sore throat.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

For each consultation, we identified whether an antibiotic was prescribed. The proportion of RTI consultations with antibiotics prescribed was estimated.

Results

There were 568 general practices analysed. The median general practice prescribed antibiotics at 54% of RTI consultations. At the highest prescribing 10% of practices, antibiotics were prescribed at 69% of RTI consultations. At the lowest prescribing 10% of practices, antibiotics were prescribed at 39% RTI consultations. The median practice prescribed antibiotics at 38% of consultations for ‘colds and upper RTIs’, 48% for ‘cough and bronchitis’, 60% for ‘sore throat’, 60% for ‘otitis-media’ and 91% for ‘rhino-sinusitis’. The highest prescribing 10% of practices issued antibiotic prescriptions at 72% of consultations for ‘colds’, 67% for ‘cough’, 78% for ‘sore throat’, 90% for ‘otitis-media’ and 100% for ‘rhino-sinusitis’.

Conclusions

Most UK general practices prescribe antibiotics to young and middle-aged adults with respiratory infections at rates that are considerably in excess of what is clinically justified. This will fuel antibiotic resistance.
Hormonal contraception and regulation of menstruation: a study of young women's attitudes towards ‘having a period’
Authors: Newton Victoria Louise , Hoggart Lesley
Published: October 2014

Background

Irregular bleeding is one of the most common side effects of hormonal contraception and a key reason for the discontinuation of hormonal methods.

Study design

A qualitative study in which 12 young women volunteered to be interviewed in depth, along with six focus group discussions (23 participants). The study had two main research objectives: to document and investigate what young women think and feel about menstruation and contraception, and to explore young women's preferences regarding the intersection of contraceptives and bleeding patterns.

Results

Although participants held a broad view that menstruation can be an inconvenience, they did ascribe positive values to having a regular bleed. Bleeding was seen as a signifier of non-pregnancy and also an innate part of being a woman. A preference for a ‘natural’ menstruating body was a strong theme, and the idea of selecting a hormonal contraceptive that might stop the bleeding was not overly popular, unless the young woman suffered with painful natural menstruation. Contraceptives that mimicked the menstrual cycle were acceptable to most, suggesting that cyclic bleeding still holds a symbolic function for women.

Conclusions

When counselling young women about the effect of different contraceptive modalities on their bleeding, practitioners should explore how the women feel about their bleeding, including how they might feel if their bleeding stopped or if they experienced erratic bleeding patterns. Practitioners also need to recognise the subjective understanding of the ‘natural body’ as held by some women, and in these cases to support them in their seeking out of non-hormonal methods of contraception.
Diary of a parliamentary intern
Authors: Jordan VeHannah
Published: October 2014

The summer recess at the House of Lords is lengthy and allowed Hannah Jordan, parliamentary intern to Lord Trees, to return to practice to build her skills and confidence.
Immersed in ethics
Authors: Whiting Martin
Published: October 2014

Martin Whiting is a lecturer in veterinary ethics and law at the Royal Veterinary College, and has submitted a PhD on the concept of justice within the profession. He is also interested in the ways in which vets and veterinary nurses behave in practice, including elements of the ethics of evidence‐based veterinary medicine and informed consent
Postgraduate business education: putting theory into practice
Authors: Yeates Hannah , Abraham Sarah
Published: October 2014

Since its inception in November 2011, the University of Liverpool's certificate in veterinary business management has graduated six students and, with 35 currently enrolled in the programme, it says that the demand for postgraduate business management education is growing. Here, two of the programme's recent graduates, Hannah Yeates and Sarah Abraham, explain what they got out of the programme
Research, development, and deployment needs for short-rotation plantation and agroforestry systems: an experts’ assessment of landowners’ perceptions
Authors: Masse Sylvain , Marchand Pierre P. , Bernier-Cardou Michèle , Delisle Claude
Published: October 2014

A survey was conducted among 126 experts to assess a comprehensive array of 44 research, development, and deployment (RD&D) needs previously identified by landowners (Marchand and Masse 2008) for four short-rotation plantation or agroforestry systems based on willow or hybrid poplar in Canada. Among the 44 initial needs, the study identified 16 needs that a significant majority of the experts who commented on them considered relevant to address in the short term (0–5 years), of which 11 needs applied to at least two of the four systems, half pertained to research and development, half to deployment, and most were related to economic or technical issues. The relevance of addressing these needs was expected to either remain stable or increase over the medium term (6–10 years). The needs identified in this study give a comprehensive overview of RD&D priorities for each of the four systems in Canada. As such, they should be useful for determining research directions and deployment policies and for designing broad program components. An updated list of needs is provided to facilitate the examination of potential need–system combinations other than those assessed as relevant.
Comparisons between experimental and morphometric water vapor conductance in the eggs of extant birds and crocodiles: implications for predicting nest type in dinosaurs
Authors: Tanaka K. , Zelenitsky D.K.
Published: October 2014

Estimates of water vapor conductance for the eggs (i.e., diffusive capacity of eggshell; Gh2o, mg H2O·day−1·Torr−1) of extinct archosaur species have been used to infer their nest type (i.e., covered vs. open) because experimental Gh2o values for living archosaur species appear to reflect nest type. The methods used to derive Gh2o for fossil eggs (eggshell morphometrics) differs from that for extant eggs (experimental measurements), and it remains unknown if these two methods are comparable or if morphometric Gh2o values correspond to nest type. Although previous studies assumed that Gh2o values derived from the two methods were comparable, this assumption has not been statistically evaluated in a large sample size that includes both crocodiles and birds. Here, Gh2o values for over 100 species of living archosaurs for both morphometric and experimental methods were compiled and compared using statistical analyses. Results showed that although experimental and morphometric Gh2o values are significantly correlated, there is disagreement between the methods particularly apparent in small eggs, likely due to systematic errors. These results suggest that morphometric and experimental Gh2o of living species are not necessarily comparable, although the reason for the discrepancy remains uncertain. Thus, direct comparisons between morphometric Gh2o of dinosaurs and experimental Gh2o of living species should be avoided when inferring the nest type for dinosaurs.
NEW WORST-CASE UPPER BOUND FOR COUNTING EXACT SATISFIABILITY
Authors: ZHOU JUNPING , SU WEIHUA , WANG JIANAN
Published: October 2014

The counting exact satisfiablity problem (#XSAT) is a problem that computes the number of truth assignments satisfying only one literal in each clause. This paper presents an algorithm that solves the #XSAT problem in O(1.1995n), which is faster than the best algorithm running in O(1.2190n), where n denotes the number of variables. To increase the efficiency of the algorithm, a new principle, called common literals principle, is addressed to simplify formulae. This allows us to further eliminate literals. In addition, we firstly apply the resolution principles into solving #XSAT problem, and therefore it improves the efficiency of the algorithm further.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF GRID ARCHITECTURE VIA QUEUEING THEORY
Authors: YANG HAIJUN , LI MINQIANG , ZHENG QINGHUA
Published: October 2014

With the remarkable development of grid technologies, many grid architectures have been proposed which have evolved greatly in recent years. One of the major challenges for grid technologies is to build the scientific and technological base for share, collaboration, large-scale distributed systems. Theories and models of grid architectures are crucial to this attempt as well as to underpinning the foundations for constructing grid systems working effectively. On the basis of a coarse-grain classification of grid applications, we present a novel taxonomy of grid architectures: interaction-intensive architecture and computation-intensive architecture. In this paper, two new grid performance metrics are proposed to measure performance of grid systems. Then, we model grid architectures mathematically via queueing system M/M/1 and M/M/1/K; mean waiting time and total spending time are given. Furthermore, we investigate the performance of two grid architectures and compare them with each other; meanwhile a series of simulations are carried out to demonstrate the analysis results. Finally, we obtain some scientific principles guiding the grid architecture design and optimization.
Impact of Multi-Layer Carbon-Doped/Undoped GaN Buffer on Suppression of Current Collapse in AlGaN/GaN HFETs
Authors: Kang Hee-Sung , Kim Dong-Seok , Won Chul-Ho , Kim Young-Jo , Yoon Young Jun , Kim Do-Kywn , Lee Jung-Hee , Bae YoungHo , Cristoloveanu Sorin
Published: November 2014

We present a new semi-insulating GaN buffer layer, which consists of multiple carbon-doped and undoped GaN layers, suitable for AlGaN / AlN / GaN heterojunction field effect transistors. The proposed buffer structure was designed to minimize the total carbon incorporation into the buffer layer because carbon atoms in GaN are a possible cause of deterioration in structural quality and device characteristics such as current collapse. With this new buffer structure, current collapse in GaN MISHFET is drastically reduced while maintaining high breakdown characteristics. We argue that electron transfer from the undoped GaN to the carbon-doped GaN layer leads to total depletion of the undoped GaN layer and effectively compensates the deep-acceptor states in the carbon-doped GaN layer. This mechanism results in high-insulating buffer characteristic and opens the avenue for current collapse suppression in AlGaN / AlN / GaN MISHFET.
Fano schemes of generic intersections and machine learning
Authors: Larsen Paul , Király Franz
Published: October 2014

We investigate Fano schemes of conditionally generic intersections, i.e. of hypersurfaces in projective space chosen generically up to additional conditions. Via a correspondence between generic properties of algebraic varieties and events in probability spaces that occur with probability one, we use the obtained results on Fano schemes to solve a problem in machine learning.
How general relativity and Lorentz covariance arise from the spatially-covariant effective field theory of the transverse, traceless graviton
Authors: Khoury Justin , Miller Godfrey E. J. , Tolley Andrew J.
Published: October 2014

Traditional derivations of general relativity (GR) from the graviton degrees of freedom assume spacetime Lorentz covariance as an axiom. In this paper, we survey recent evidence that GR is the unique spatially-covariant effective field theory of the transverse, traceless graviton degrees of freedom. The Lorentz covariance of GR, having not been assumed in our analysis, is thus plausibly interpreted as an accidental or emergent symmetry of the gravitational sector. From this point of view, Lorentz covariance is a necessary feature of low-energy graviton dynamics, not a property of spacetime. This result has revolutionary implications for fundamental physics.
From continuum mechanics to general relativity
Authors: Böhmer Christian G. , Downes Robert J.
Published: October 2014

Using ideas from continuum mechanics we construct a theory of gravity. We show that this theory is equivalent to Einstein's theory of general relativity; it is also a much faster way of reaching general relativity than the conventional route. Our approach is simple and natural: we form a very general model and then apply two physical assumptions supported by experimental evidence. This easily reduces our construction to a model equivalent to general relativity. Finally, we suggest a simple way of modifying our theory to investigate nonstandard spacetime symmetries.
The large-scale structure of vacuum
Authors: Albareti Franco D. , Cembranos Jose A. R. , Maroto Antonio L.
Published: October 2014

The vacuum state in quantum field theory is known to exhibit an important number of fundamental physical features. In this work we explore the possibility that this state could also present a nontrivial spacetime structure on large scales. In particular, we will show that by imposing the renormalized vacuum energy–momentum tensor to be conserved and compatible with cosmological observations, the vacuum energy of sufficiently heavy fields behaves at late times as nonrelativistic matter rather than as a cosmological constant. In this limit, the vacuum state supports perturbations whose speed of sound is negligible and accordingly allows the growth of structures in the vacuum energy itself. This large-scale structure of vacuum could seed the formation of galaxies and clusters very much in the same way as cold dark matter does.
Mutiny at the white-hole district
Authors: Barceló Carlos , Carballo-Rubio Raúl , Garay Luis J.
Published: October 2014

The white-hole sector of Kruskal's solution is almost never used in physical applications. However, it might contain the solution to many of the problems associated with gravitational collapse and evaporation. This paper tries to draw attention to some bouncing geometries that make a democratic use of the black- and white-hole sectors. We will argue that these types of behavior could be perfectly natural in some approaches to the next physical level beyond classical general relativity.
LOWER LIMB REHABILITATION ROBOT FOR GAIT TRAINING
Authors: GUO SHUAI , JI JIANCHENG , MA GUANGWEI , SONG TAO , WANG JING
Published: October 2014

After analyzing the rehabilitation needs of stroke patients and the previous studies on lower limb rehabilitation robot, our lower limb rehabilitation robot is designed for stroke patients' gait and balance training. The robot consists of the mobile chassis, the support column and the pelvis mechanism and it is described in detail. As the pelvis mechanism allows most of the patient's motion degrees of freedom (DOFs), the kinematics model of the mechanism is set up, and kinematics simulation is carried out to study the motion characteristics of the mechanism. After analyzing the calculation and simulation results, the pelvis mechanism is proven to measure up to the movement needs of the paralytic's waist and pelvis in walking rehabilitation process.
Framework for Interaction Among Human–Robot-Environment in DigiLog Space
Authors: Lee Youngho , Ryoo Young Jae , Choi Jongmyung
Published: October 2014

With the development of computing technology, robots are now popular in our daily life. Human–robot interaction is not restricted to a direct communication between them. The communication could include various different human to human interactions. In this paper, we present a framework for enhancing the interaction among human–robot-environments. The proposed framework is composed of a robot part, a user part, and the DigiLog space. To evaluate the proposed framework, we applied the framework into a real-time remote robot-control platform in the smart DigiLog space. We are implementing real time controlling and monitoring of a robot by using one smart phone as the robot brain and the other smart phone as the remote controller.
Bi-Directional Optical-EtherCAT Communication for Motion Network Control of Humanoid Robot
Authors: Kim Yong-Jin , Kim Kwang-Heon , Moon Yong-Seon , Bae Young-Chul
Published: October 2014

Currently, most industrial automation systems and robotic systems require the high-speed transmission of data and highly precise control. We introduce a new communication protocol that is immune to the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) effect, and is able to reduce the space used in internal robots with limited space. In this paper, we present a novel optical-EtherCAT communication method to reduce EMC, to provide high-speed communication between each module, and to offer real-time control and flexible topology in the internal robot. Then, we verify the communication performance between the proposed optical-EtherCAT communication and previously established EtherCAT communication method. We use the transmission speed, frame size, usage rates of bandwidth, update speed, and cycle time of transmission as evaluation criteria.
Principalization of 2-class groups of type (2, 2, 2) of biquadratic fields ${\mathbb Q}(\sqrt{p_1p_2q}, \sqrt{-1})$
Authors: Azizi Abdelmalek , Zekhnini Abdelkader , Taous Mohammed , Mayer Daniel C.
Published: October 2014

Let p1 ≡ p2≡ -q ≡ 1 (mod 4) be different primes such that [Formula: see text]. Put d = p1p2q and [Formula: see text], then the bicyclic biquadratic field [Formula: see text] has an elementary abelian 2-class group, Cl2(𝕜), of rank 3. In this paper, we study the principalization of the 2-classes of 𝕜 in its 14 unramified abelian extensions 𝕂j and 𝕃j within [Formula: see text], that is the Hilbert 2-class field of 𝕜. We determine the nilpotency class, the coclass, generators and the structure of the metabelian Galois group [Formula: see text] of the second Hilbert 2-class field [Formula: see text] of 𝕂. Additionally, the abelian type invariants of the groups Cl2(𝕂j) and Cl2(𝕃j) and the length of the 2-class tower of 𝕜 are given.
Controllable Preparation of Silver Orthophosphate@Carbon Layer Core/Shell Heterostructure with Enhanced Visible Photocatalytic Properties and Stability
Authors: Xie Yangcun , Wang Xiuwen , Wen Xu
Published: October 2014

In this study, silver orthophosphate@carbon layer ( Ag 3 PO 4@ C ) core/shell heterostructure photocatalyst was prepared for the first time. The results showed that a uniform carbon layer was formed around the Ag 3 PO 4. By adjusting the hydrothermal fabrication parameters, the thickness of carbon layer could be easily controlled. Furthermore, the Ag 3 PO 4@ C had remarkable light absorption in the visible region. Photocatalytic tests displayed that the Ag 3 PO 4@ C heterostructures possessed a much higher degradation rate of phenol than pure Ag 3 PO 4 under visible light. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to high separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes based on the synergistic effect between carbon as a sensitizer and Ag 3 PO 4. Recycle tests showed that the Ag 3 PO 4@ C core/shell heterostructures maintained high stability over several cycles. The good stability could be attributed to the protection of insoluble carbon layer on the surfaces of Ag 3 PO 4 crystals in aqueous solution.
Improving the Precision of AUVs Localization in a Hybrid Interval-Probabilistic Approach Using a Set-Inversion Strategy
Authors: Neuland Renata , Maffei Renan , Jaulin Luc , Prestes Edson , Kolberg Mariana
Published: October 2014

One of the fundamental tasks of robotics is to solve the localization problem, in which a robot must determine its true pose without any knowledge on its initial location. In underwater environments, this is specially hard due to sensors restrictions. For instance, many times, the localization process must rely on information from acoustic sensors, such as transponders. We propose a method to deal with this scenario, that consists in a hybridization of probabilistic and interval approaches, aiming to overcome the weaknesses found in each approach and improve the precision of results. In this paper, we use the set inversion via interval analysis (SIVIA) technique to reduce the region of uncertainty about robot localization, and a particle filter to refine the estimates. With the information provided by SIVIA, the distribution of particles can be concentrated in regions of higher interest. We compare this approach with a previous hybrid approach using contractors instead of SIVIA. Experiments with simulated data show that our hybrid method using SIVIA provides more accurate results than the method using contractors.
Depth Control with Moving Weight for a Mini Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Li Qingmei , Xie Shaorong , Luo Jun , Gu Jason , Wu Peng , Chen Jiqing
Published: October 2014

A new kind of depth control mechanism (DCM), which applies a moving weight (MW) to adjust its output torque, is designed for a mini underwater vehicle to overcome its problem of insufficient vertical thrust. Motion of the mechanism and underwater vehicle are analyzed. Dynamic terminal sliding mode controller is used to control the displacement of the MW and the depth. Simulations show that the proposed DCM and its controller are effective and the system can reach the predefined depth.
Weighted Congestion Games
Authors: Bhawalkar Kshipra , Gairing Martin , Roughgarden Tim
Published: October 2014

We characterize the Price of Anarchy (POA) in weighted congestion games, as a function of the allowable resource cost functions. Our results provide as thorough an understanding of this quantity as is already known for nonatomic and unweighted congestion games, and take the form of universal (cost function-independent) worst-case examples. One noteworthy by-product of our proofs is the fact that weighted congestion games are “tight,” which implies that the worst-case price of anarchy with respect to pure Nash equilibria, mixed Nash equilibria, correlated equilibria, and coarse correlated equilibria are always equal (under mild conditions on the allowable cost functions). Another is the fact that, like nonatomic but unlike atomic (unweighted) congestion games, weighted congestion games with trivial structure already realize the worst-case POA, at least for polynomial cost functions.

We also prove a new result about unweighted congestion games: the worst-case price of anarchy in symmetric games is as large as in their more general asymmetric counterparts.
Scenario-Based Programming, Usability-Oriented Perception
Authors: Alexandron Giora , Armoni Michal , Gordon Michal , Harel David
Published: October 2014

In this article, we discuss the possible connection between the programming language and the paradigm behind it, and programmers’ tendency to adopt an external or internal perspective of the system they develop. Based on a qualitative analysis, we found that when working with the visual, interobject language of live sequence charts (LSC), programmers tend to adopt an external and usability-oriented view of the system, whereas when working with an intraobject language, they tend to adopt an internal and implementation-oriented viewpoint. This is explained by first discussing the possible effect of the programming paradigm on programmers’ perception and then offering a more comprehensive explanation. The latter is based on a cognitive model of programming with LSC, which is an interpretation and a projection of the model suggested by Adelson and Soloway [1985] onto LSC and scenario-based programming, the new paradigm on which LSC is based. Our model suggests that LSC fosters a kind of programming that enables iterative refinement of the artifact with fewer entries into the solution domain. Thus, the programmer can make less context switching between the solution domain and the problem domain, and consequently spend more time in the latter. We believe that these findings are interesting mainly in two ways. First, they characterize an aspect of problem-solving behavior that to the best of our knowledge has not been studied before—the programmer’s perspective. The perspective can potentially affect the outcome of the problem-solving process, such as by leading the programmer to focus on different parts of the problem. Second, relating the structure of the language to the change in perspective sheds light on one of the ways in which the programming language can affect the programmer’s behavior.