bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Ultrasonic Instruments on the Quality of Preparation Margins and Bonding to Dentin
Authors: ELLIS REBECCA , BENNANI VINCENT , PURTON DAVID , CHANDLER NICHOLAS , LOWE BRONWYN
Published: November 2011

Statement of the Problem:  Ultrasonic instruments have recently been developed for finishing crown preparations. They are successful in accessing difficult areas on the preparation margin, but their effects on the dentin surface and on bond strength are contradictory.

Purpose:  The aim was to evaluate the condition of crown preparation margins finished using new ultrasonic instruments and to assess their effects on dentin bond strength.

Methods:  Characteristics of tooth surfaces prepared using two different ultrasonic protocols were compared; Perfect Margin Shoulder (PMS®) (PMS 3, Satelec, Merignac, France) 1, 2, and 3 (complete finishing) versus PMS 1 and 2 (partial finishing). They were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface roughness analysis. Bonding of composite resin to dentin surfaces prepared with the complete PMS kit was compared with dentin surfaces prepared with finishing diamond burs, using micro‐tensile testing.

Results:  SEM images revealed a clear difference between the two preparation sequences (PMS 1, 2 versus PMS 1, 2, and 3). Surfaces finished using the PMS tips 1, 2, and 3 appeared continuous, even, and smooth compared with PMS tips 1 and 2 only. The additional use of the PMS 3 uncoated tip enhanced smear layer removal. There was no significant difference when comparing the surface roughness obtained with the PMS 1, 2, and 3 protocol with the PMS 1 and 2 only (p > 0.05). Micro‐tensile bond strength was not significantly different between the surfaces prepared with the ultrasonic instruments and the surfaces prepared with the diamond burs (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:  The use of the complete PMS finishing kit (PMS 1, 2, and 3) produced better quality finishing lines than PMS 1 and 2. The use of ultrasonic instruments to prepare dentin resulted in comparable bond strengths to the use of diamond burs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The extremely precise preparation margin possible with ultrasonic instruments improves the quality and accuracy of crown preparations, which may lead to better impressions and closer adaptation of restorations. The complete set of three Perfect Margin Shoulder instruments is recommended, which can produce comparable bond strengths to preparations with rotary instruments.

(J Esthet Restor Dent 24:278–285, 2011)
Effects of fermented garlic powder supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs
Authors: YAN Lei , MENG Qin W. , KIM In H.
Published: November 2011

One hundred pigs (BW = 50.7 ± 1.89 kg) were used to investigate the effects of fermented garlic powder (FGP) in growing‐finishing pigs. Pigs were allotted to one of five treatments, included: (i) NC (basal diet); (ii) PC (NC + 44 mg/kg of Tylosin); (iii) FGP1 (NC + 1 g/kg FGP); (iv) FGP2 (NC + 2 g/kg FGP); and (v) FGP4 (NC + 4 g/kg FGP). Supplemental FGP increased average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio compared with those fed NC diet throughout the experiment (P < 0.05, linearly). Dietary PC treatment increased the ADG and average daily feed intake during the first 6 weeks (P < 0.05). The inclusion of FGP2 and FGP4 treatments had higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen (P < 0.05) than those in the NC treatment. Dietary NC treatment exhibited lower (P < 0.05) lymphocyte count (6 and 12 weeks) and immunoglobulin G (12 weeks) than those in the other treatments. Marbling scores were higher (P < 0.05) in FGP treatment groups than the NC treatments. Pigs fed on FGP2 and FGP4 diets evidenced lower 2‐thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value (P < 0.05) than those in the NC and PC treatments. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FGP at a level of 2 or 4 g/kg improved growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality in growing‐finishing pigs.
Predictive mutational bioinformatic analysis of variation in the skin and wool associated corneodesmosin (CDSN) gene in sheep
Authors: SIVA SUBRAMANIAM Nitthiya , MORGAN Eleanor , BOTTOMLEY Steven , TAY Sharon , GREGG Keith , LEE Chee Yang , WETHERALL John , GROTH David
Published: November 2011

Corneodesmosin (CDSN) is an important component of the desmosome in the epidermal cornified stratum and inner root sheath of hair follicles. DNA from a sheep BAC clone previously identified by us to contain CDSN was PCR amplified using cattle‐derived primers and the product sequenced. A region of 4579 bp containing CDSN was shown to contain two exons separated by one intron and spanning 3683 bp. The DNA encodes a predicted protein of 546 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis shows that sheep CDSN falls within a clade containing cattle and other ruminant‐like species. Comparison of sequences generated from 12 unrelated merino sheep and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (ISGC) data identified 58 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 4579 bp region of which 16 are contained within coding sequences (1 in 80 bp). The SNPs identified in this study will add to the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) SNP panel, which will allow extensive haplotyping of the sheep MHC in future studies.
Crystal structure of guaiacol and phenol bound to a heme peroxidase
Authors: Murphy Emma J. , Metcalfe Clive L. , Nnamchi Chukwudi , Moody Peter C. E. , Raven Emma L.
Published: November 2011

Guaiacol is a universal substrate for all peroxidases, and its use in a simple colorimetric assay has wide applications. However, its exact binding location has never been defined. Here we report the crystal structures of guaiacol bound to cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP). A related structure with phenol bound is also presented. The CcP–guaiacol and CcP–phenol crystal structures show that both guaiacol and phenol bind at sites distinct from the cytochrome c binding site and from the δ‐heme edge, which is known to be the binding site for other substrates. Although neither guaiacol nor phenol is seen bound at the δ‐heme edge in the crystal structures, inhibition data and mutagenesis strongly suggest that the catalytic binding site for aromatic compounds is the δ‐heme edge in CcP. The functional implications of these observations are discussed in terms of our existing understanding of substrate binding in peroxidases [Gumiero A et al. (2010) Arch Biochem Biophys500, 13–20].
Distribution, spread and impact of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina in South Korea
Authors: Choi Moon‐Bo , Martin Stephen J. , Lee Jong‐Wook
Published: November 2011

Hornets (Vespa spp) are top insect predators so are beneficial in controlling pests, but their venomous stings and defensive behavior cause numerous human deaths throughout Asia. Normally hornets inhabit rural areas so reducing potential conflict with humans. In 2003 the invasive hornet Vespa velutina arrived in Southern Korea (Yeongdo region), where it became established and is currently spreading northwards at a rate of 10–20 km per year. Despite originating in tropical/subtropical areas of Indo‐China its nesting biology and life cycle in South Korea are similar to that found throughout its native range, with mature colonies containing 1,000–1,200 adults. We found that in seven years V. velutina has become the most abundance hornet species in Southern Korea by displacing other native species such as V. simillima, which has a similar nesting biology. Worryingly we also found a very significant positive correlation between the abundance of V. velutina and degree of urbanization, indicating this invasive species was well adapted to urban environments. This was supported by our finding that 41% of emergency call‐outs (119 Rescue Services) to deal with social wasps/hornet problems were due to V. velutina, which was twice as high as the next species. The rapid spread of V. velutina across France and Southern Korea indicates that this species will continue to spread northwards in Europe and Korean peninsular and become a major problem as more people and beekeepers become into contact by this aggressive invasive hornet.
Cuticle tanning in Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Arakane Yasuyuki , Muthukrishnan Subbaratnam , Beeman Richard W. , Kanost Michael R. , Kramer Karl J.
Published: November 2011

Insect cuticle tanning (sclerotization and pigmentation) is a complex process that involves the production of quinones and quinone methides from catechols, followed by their oxidative conjugation with cuticular proteins, a process that leads to cuticle hardening and darkening. Using RNA interference (RNAi) methodology, we previously demonstrated that laccase 2 is the gene encoding the enzyme catalyzing cuticle tanning in the red flour beetle, T. castaneum. By searching Beetlebase, we identified several genes that are probably involved in the synthesis of catechols that are potential laccase 2 substrates, such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopa decarboxylase (DDC), dopamine N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) and aspartate α‐decarboxylase (ADC/black). To further clarify the metabolic pathway responsible for cuticle tanning and to determine the influence of different catechols on sclerotization and pigmentation, double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) for each of those genes were injected into Tribolium and the resulting phenotypes analyzed in terms of morphology, pigmentation, and mRNA levels.
Designer drugs: a medicinal chemistry perspective
Authors: Carroll F. Ivy , Lewin Anita H. , Mascarella S. Wayne , Seltzman Herbert H. , Reddy P. Anantha
Published: November 2011

There are numerous medicinal chemistry reports in the literature describing the pharmacological properties of thousands of narcotics, stimulants, hallucinogens, sedative‐hypnotic drugs, cannabinoids, and other psychoactive substances as well as synthetic methods for their preparations. This information, while essential for the advancement of science, has been used by clandestine chemists to manufacture and market an endless variety of analogs of so‐called designer drugs. In this review, we describe how clandestine chemists used the principles of medicinal chemistry to design molecules, referred to as designer drugs, that elicit the effects of opioids, amphetamine and analogs, cannabinoids, and phencyclidine analogs while circumventing the law.
The U.S. Flood Control Program at 75: Environmental Issues1
Authors: Black Peter E.
Published: November 2011

Black, Peter E., 2012. The U.S. Flood Control Program at 75: Environmental Issues.Journal of the American Water Resources Association(JAWRA) 48(2): 244‐255. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00609.x

Abstract: Recent, recurring, and increased magnitude floods adversely challenge long‐held and erroneous concepts of flood control. This article focuses on the environmental issues with comprehensively reviewed essentials of the United States (U.S.) riverine Flood Control Program, including news reports, scientific articles, books, and landmark treatises. For the past three‐quarters of a century, U.S. floods have continued (and will continue) to occur, causing increasing property damage with growing fiscal loss. Reasons include inattention to fundamental principles of physics, hydrology, and ecology. There are also important challenges involving environmental policy, economics, and common sense. Measures afforded by the existing program encourage and enable investment in floodplains while violating a variety of natural principles that make the situation worse. This detailed review includes the questionable (actually untrue) justification in the document‐setting policy for the 1936 Omnibus Flood Control Act. The well‐documented evidence is overwhelming. An alternative approach is presented that would enable and celebrate natural floods, managing their ecological and hydrological values, and not attempting to control them.
Evidence for an asteroid–comet continuum from simulations of carbonaceous microxenolith dynamical evolution
Authors: BRIANI Giacomo , MORBIDELLI Alessandro , GOUNELLE Matthieu , NESVORNÝ David
Published: November 2011

Abstract– Micrometeoroids with 100 and 200 μm size dominate the zodiacal cloud dust. Such samples can be studied as micrometeorites, after their passage through the Earth atmosphere, or as microxenoliths, i.e., submillimetric meteorite inclusions. Microxenoliths are samples of the zodiacal cloud dust present in the asteroid Main Belt hundreds of millions years ago. Carbonaceous microxenoliths represent the majority of observed microxenoliths. They have been studied in detail in howardites and H chondrites. We investigate the role of carbonaceous asteroids and Jupiter‐family comets as carbonaceous microxenolith parent bodies. The probability of low velocity collisions of asteroidal and cometary micrometeoroids with selected asteroids is computed, starting from the micrometeoroid steady‐state orbital distributions obtained by dynamical simulations. We selected possible parent bodies of howardites (Vesta) and H chondrites (Hebe, Flora, Eunomia, Koronis, Maria) as target asteroids. Estimates of the asteroidal and cometary micrometeoroid mass between 2 and 4 AU from the Sun are used to compute the micrometeoroid mass influx on each target. The results show that all the target asteroids (except Koronis) receive the same amount (within the uncertainties) of asteroidal and cometary micrometeoroids. Therefore, both these populations should be observed among howardite and H chondrite carbonaceous microxenoliths. However, this is not the case: carbonaceous microxenoliths show differences similar to those existing among different groups of carbonaceous chondrites (e.g., CI, CM, CR) but two sharply distinct populations are not observed. Our results and the observations can be reconciled assuming the existence of a continuum of mineralogical and chemical properties between carbonaceous asteroids and comets.
Durable Glass‐Ceramic Coatings for Foam Glass
Authors: Smeacetto Federico , Salvo Milena , Ventrella Andrea , Rizzo Stefano , Ferraris Monica
Published: November 2011

This work describes the design and development of two new silica‐based glass‐ceramic coatings, suitable to be applied as slurries on a foam glass substrate. The coating process was optimized for both compositions, according to their sintering behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) measurements revealed a good thermomechanical compatibility between the foam glass substrate and both coatings. The proposed coatings showed excellent chemical durability: no weight loss was observed after soaking in distilled water at 90°C for 16 days.
Predicting intention to uptake H1N1 influenza vaccine in a university sample
Authors: Byrne Claire , Walsh Jane , Kola Susanna , Sarma Kiran M.
Published: November 2011

Objective. Global pandemic H1N1 was atypical of influenza in that it was associated with high symptom severity among young adults. Higher education institutions were therefore understandably concerned about the potential for high infection rates among students. This study examined intention to uptake H1N1 vaccine between November and December 2009, when the virus was classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being in the pandemic phase.

Design. A cross‐sectional survey design was employed.

Method. Two hundred university students completed a questionnaire battery comprised of health, belief/attitudes, and behavioural intention measures.

Results. Findings suggested that non‐intention to vaccinate is associated with a strong disbelief in its efficacy, in negative attitudes towards vaccinations, and in lack of perceived threat, which is underscored by a disinterest in others’ opinions, including authoritative bodies. Findings also suggested that there is resistance to the idea of vaccinations being mandatory.

Conclusions. Vaccination intent is in some way linked to a range of attitudes and beliefs. The implication for health practitioners is that behaviour intent may be open to influence where psycho‐education can create pro‐vaccine attitudes and beliefs.
Self‐knowledge and knowing other minds: The implicit/explicit distinction as a tool in understanding theory of mind
Authors: Vierkant Tillmann
Published: November 2011

Holding content explicitly requires a form of self‐knowledge. But what does the relevant self‐knowledge look like? Using theory of mind as an example, this paper argues that the correct answer to this question will have to take into account the crucial role of language‐based deliberation but warns against the standard assumption that explicitness is necessary for ascribing awareness. It argues in line with Bayne that intentional action is at least an equally valid criterion for awareness. This leads to a distinction between different levels of implicitness. Postulating these different levels, it is argued, allows us to make better sense of the empirical literature on early false‐belief task abilities.
2.5‐year‐olds succeed at a verbal anticipatory‐looking false‐belief task
Authors: He Zijing , Bolz Matthias , Baillargeon Renée
Published: November 2011

Recent research suggests that infants and toddlers succeed at a wide range of non‐elicited‐response false‐belief tasks (i.e., tasks that do not require children to answer a direct question about a mistaken agent's likely behaviour). However, one exception to this generalization comes from verbal anticipatory‐looking tasks, which have produced inconsistent findings with toddlers. One possible explanation for these findings is that toddlers succeed when they correctly interpret the prompt as a self‐addressed utterance (making the task a non‐elicited‐response task), but fail when they mistakenly interpret the prompt as a direct question (making the task an elicited‐response task). Here, 2.5‐year‐old toddlers were tested in a verbal anticipatory‐looking task that was designed to help them interpret the anticipatory prompt as a self‐addressed utterance: the experimenter looked at the ceiling, chin in hand, during and after the prompt. Children gave evidence of false‐belief understanding in this task, but failed when the experimenter looked at the child during and after the prompt. These results reinforce claims of robust continuity in early false‐belief reasoning and provide additional support for the distinction between non‐elicited‐ and elicited‐response false‐belief tasks. Three accounts of the discrepant results obtained with these tasks – and of early false‐belief understanding more generally – are discussed.
Orthostatic leg blood volume changes assessed by near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Truijen J. , Kim Y. S. , Krediet C. T. P. , Stok W. J. , Kölgen R. S. , Colier W. N. , Secher N. H. , van Lieshout J. J.
Published: November 2011

Standing up shifts blood to dependent parts of the body, and blood vessels in the leg become filled. The orthostatic blood volume accumulation in the small vessels is relatively unknown, although these may contribute significantly. We hypothesized that in healthy humans exposed to the upright posture, volume accumulation in small blood vessels contributes significantly to the total fluid volume accumulated in the legs. Considering that near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) tracks postural blood volume changes within the small blood vessels of the lower leg, we evaluated the NIRS‐determined changes in oxygenated (Δ[O2Hb]), deoxygenated (Δ[HHb]) and total haemoglobin tissue concentration (Δ[tHb]) and in total leg volume by strain‐gauge plethysmography during 70 deg head‐up tilt (HUT; n= 7). In a second experiment, spatial and temporal reproducibility were evaluated with three NIRS probes applied on two separate days (n= 8). In response to HUT, an initially fast increase in [O2Hb] was followed by a gradual decline, while [HHb] increased continuously. The increase in [tHb] during HUT was closely related to the increase in total leg volume (r2= 0.95 ± 0.03). After tilt back, [O2Hb] declined below and [HHb] remained above baseline, whereas all NIRS signals gradually returned to baseline. Spatial heterogeneity was observed, and for two probes [tHb] was highly correlated between days (r2= 0.92 ± 0.09 and 0.91 ± 0.12), but less for the third probe (r2= 0.44 ± 0.36). The results suggest a non‐linear accumulation of blood volume in the small vessels of the leg, with an initial fast phase followed by a more gradual increase at least partly contributing to the relocation of fluid during orthostatic stress.
Nanomachining with a focused neon beam: A preliminary investigation for semiconductor circuit editing and failure analysis
Authors: Tan Shida , Livengood Richard , Hack Paul , Hallstein Roy , Shima Darryl , Notte John , McVey Shawn
Published: November 2011

As the semiconductor device scaling trend continues, advancement in both focused ion beam source development and application innovations are needed to retain failure analysis and nanomachining application capabilities. In this work, a neon gas field ionization source was studied for its nanomachining properties. The authors have analyzed neon’s nanomachining precision at 10 and 20 keV on blank Cu and SiO2 thin films. Subsurface material amorphization from neon and its correlation with beam current distribution are characterized by TEM. In addition, some preliminary nanomachining work was performed on a 32 nm test chip and successfully demonstrated end-pointing on various device layers.
Extension of the angular spectrum method to calculate pressure from a spherically curved acoustic source
Authors: Vyas Urvi , Christensen Douglas A.
Published: November 2011

The angular spectrum method is an accurate and computationally efficient method for modeling acoustic wave propagation. The use of the typical 2D fast Fourier transform algorithm makes this a fast technique but it requires that the source pressure (or velocity) be specified on a plane. Here the angular spectrum method is extended to calculate pressure from a spherical transducer—as used extensively in applications such as magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery—to a plane. The approach, called the Ring–Bessel technique, decomposes the curved source into circular rings of increasing radii, each ring a different distance from the intermediate plane, and calculates the angular spectrum of each ring using a Fourier series. Each angular spectrum is then propagated to the intermediate plane where all the propagated angular spectra are summed to obtain the pressure on the plane; subsequent plane-to-plane propagation can be achieved using the traditional angular spectrum method. Since the Ring–Bessel calculations are carried out in the frequency domain, it reduces calculation times by a factor of approximately 24 compared to the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld method and about 82 compared to the Field II technique, while maintaining accuracies of better than 96% as judged by those methods for cases of both solid and phased-array transducers.
The use of an air bubble curtain to reduce the received sound levels for harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)
Authors: Lucke Klaus , Lepper Paul A. , Blanchet Marie-Anne , Siebert Ursula
Published: November 2011

In December 2005 construction work was started to replace a harbor wall in Kerteminde harbor, Denmark. A total of 175 wooden piles were piled into the ground at the waters edge over a period of 3 months. During the same period three harbor porpoises were housed in a marine mammal facility on the opposite side of the harbor. All animals showed strong avoidance reactions after the start of the piling activities. As a measure to reduce the sound exposure for the animals an air bubble curtain was constructed and operated in a direct path between the piling site and the opening of the animals’ semi-natural pool. The sound attenuation effect achieved with this system was determined by quantitative comparison of pile driving impulses simultaneously measured in front of and behind the active air bubble curtain. Mean levels of sound attenuation over a sequence of 95 consecutive pile strikes were 14 dB (standard deviation (s.d.) 3.4 dB) for peak to peak values and 13 dB (s.d. 2.5 dB) for SEL values. As soon as the air bubble curtain was installed and operated, no further avoidance reactions of the animals to the piling activities were apparent.
The effect of wind-generated bubbles on sea-surface backscattering at 940 Hz
Authors: van Vossen Robbert , Ainslie Michael A.
Published: November 2011

Reliable predictions of sea-surface backscattering strength are required for sonar performance modeling. These are, however, difficult to obtain as measurements of sea-surface backscattering are not available at small grazing angles relevant to low-frequency active sonar (1–3 kHz). Accurate theoretical predictions of scattering strength require a good understanding of physical mechanisms giving rise to the scattering and the relative importance of these. In this paper, scattering from individual resonant bubbles is introduced as a potential mechanism and a scattering model is derived that incorporates the contribution from these together with that of rough surface scattering. The model results are fitted to Critical Sea Test (CST) measurements at a frequency of 940 Hz, treating the number of large bubbles, parameterized through the spectral slope of the size spectrum for bubbles whose radii exceed 1 mm, as a free parameter. This procedure illustrates that the CST data can be explained by scattering from a small number of large resonant bubbles, indicating that these provide an alternative mechanism to that of scattering from bubble clouds.
Dynamics of tandem bubble interaction in a microfluidic channel
Authors: Yuan Fang , Sankin Georgy , Zhong Pei
Published: November 2011

The dynamics of tandem bubble interaction in a microfluidic channel (800 × 21 μm, W × H) have been investigated using high-speed photography, with resultant fluid motion characterized by particle imaging velocimetry. A single or tandem bubble is produced reliably via laser absorption by micron-sized gold dots (6 μm in diameter with 40 μm in separation distance) coated on a glass surface of the microfluidic channel. Using two pulsed Nd:YAG lasers at λ = 1064 nm and ∼10 μJ/pulse, the dynamics of tandem bubble interaction (individual maximum bubble diameter of 50 μm with a corresponding collapse time of 5.7 μs) are examined at different phase delays. In close proximity (i.e., interbubble distance = 40 μm or γ = 0.8), the tandem bubbles interact strongly with each other, leading to asymmetric deformation of the bubble walls and jet formation, as well as the production of two pairs of vortices in the surrounding fluid rotating in opposite directions. The direction and speed of the jet (up to 95 m/s), as well as the orientation and strength of the vortices can be varied by adjusting the phase delay.
Passive cavitation mapping with temporal sparsity constraint
Authors: Gyöngy Miklós , Coviello Christian M.
Published: November 2011

The spatial resolution of cavitation maps generated from passive recordings of cavitation emissions is compromised by the bandlimited nature of the recordings. Deconvolution based on the assumption that cavitation consists of a sparse series of discrete events allows the recovery of frequency components that are not only outside the frequency band of the receivers, but may also have been attenuated by the medium before being detectable. In the current work, two sparse deconvolution techniques, matching pursuit and basis pursuit, were applied to simulated and experimental cavitation recordings before they were beamformed to provide passive maps of cavitation activity. Matching pursuit was shown to reduce the maximal diameter of the point spread function by almost a third, at the cost of greater susceptibility to inter-source interference. In contrast, although basis pursuit causes an almost 20% increase in the maximal diameter of the point spread function, its application to experimental data appears to enhance the ability of passive mapping to resolve multiple sources.
Sound propagation in water containing large tethered spherical encapsulated gas bubbles with resonance frequencies in the 50 Hz to 100 Hz range
Authors: Lee Kevin M. , Hinojosa Kevin T. , Wochner Mark S. , Argo Theodore F. , Wilson Preston S. , Mercier Richard S.
Published: November 2011

The efficacy of large tethered encapsulated gas bubbles for the mitigation of low frequency underwater noise was investigated with an acoustic resonator technique. Tethered latex balloons were used as the bubbles, which had radii of approximately 5 cm. Phase speeds were inferred from the resonances of a water and balloon-filled waveguide approximately 1.8 m in length. The Commander and Prosperetti effective-medium model [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 85, 732–746 (1989)] quantitatively described the observed dispersion from well below to just below the individual bubble resonance frequency, and it qualitatively predicted the frequency range of high attenuation for void fractions between 2% and 5% for collections of stationary balloons within the waveguide. A finite-element model was used to investigate the sensitivity of the waveguide resonance frequencies, and hence the inferred phase speeds, to changes in individual bubble size and position. The results indicate that large tethered encapsulated bubbles could be used mitigate low frequency underwater noise and that the Commander and Prosperetti model would be useful in the design of such a system.
The effect of hearing loss on the resolution of partials and fundamental frequency discrimination
Authors: Moore Brian C. J. , Glasberg Brian R.
Published: November 2011

The relationship between the ability to hear out partials in complex tones, discrimination of the fundamental frequency (F0) of complex tones, and frequency selectivity was examined for subjects with mild-to-moderate cochlear hearing loss. The ability to hear out partials was measured using a two-interval task. Each interval included a sinusoid followed by a complex tone; one complex contained a partial with the same frequency as the sinusoid, whereas in the other complex that partial was missing. Subjects had to indicate the interval in which the partial was present in the complex. The components in the complex were uniformly spaced on the ERBN-number scale. Performance was generally good for the two “edge” partials, but poorer for the inner partials. Performance for the latter improved with increasing spacing. F0 discrimination was measured for a bandpass-filtered complex tone containing low harmonics. The equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB) of the auditory filter was estimated using the notched-noise method for center frequencies of 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz. Significant correlations were found between the ability to hear out inner partials, F0 discrimination, and the ERB. The results support the idea that F0 discrimination of tones with low harmonics depends on the ability to resolve the harmonics.
Segmentation of expiratory and inspiratory sounds in baby cry audio recordings using hidden Markov models
Authors: Aucouturier Jean-Julien , Nonaka Yulri , Katahira Kentaro , Okanoya Kazuo
Published: November 2011

The paper describes an application of machine learning techniques to identify expiratory and inspiration phases from the audio recording of human baby cries. Crying episodes were recorded from 14 infants, spanning four vocalization contexts in their first 12 months of age; recordings from three individuals were annotated manually to identify expiratory and inspiratory sounds and used as training examples to segment automatically the recordings of the other 11 individuals. The proposed algorithm uses a hidden Markov model architecture, in which state likelihoods are estimated either with Gaussian mixture models or by converting the classification decisions of a support vector machine. The algorithm yields up to 95% classification precision (86% average), and its ability generalizes over different babies, different ages, and vocalization contexts. The technique offers an opportunity to quantify expiration duration, count the crying rate, and other time-related characteristics of baby crying for screening, diagnosis, and research purposes over large populations of infants.
Combined spectral and temporal enhancement to improve cochlear-implant speech perception
Authors: Bhattacharya Aparajita , Vandali Andrew , Zeng Fan-Gang
Published: November 2011

The present study examined the effect of combined spectral and temporal enhancement on speech recognition by cochlear-implant (CI) users in quiet and in noise. The spectral enhancement was achieved by expanding the short-term Fourier amplitudes in the input signal. Additionally, a variation of the Transient Emphasis Spectral Maxima (TESM) strategy was applied to enhance the short-duration consonant cues that are otherwise suppressed when processed with spectral expansion. Nine CI users were tested on phoneme recognition tasks and ten CI users were tested on sentence recognition tasks both in quiet and in steady, speech-spectrum-shaped noise. Vowel and consonant recognition in noise were significantly improved with spectral expansion combined with TESM. Sentence recognition improved with both spectral expansion and spectral expansion combined with TESM. The amount of improvement varied with individual CI users. Overall the present results suggest that customized processing is needed to optimize performance according to not only individual users but also listening conditions.
The influence of actual and imputed talker gender on fricative perception, revisited (L)
Authors: Munson Benjamin
Published: November 2011

To examine the role of perceived gender on fricative identification, a study was conducted in which listeners identified /s/-/∫/ and /s/-/θ/ continua combined with vowels produced by a man and a woman. These were acoustically modified to be consistent with different-sized vocal tracts (VT), and were presented with pictures of men or women. Listeners identified more tokens of /s/ in the /s/-/∫/ and more tokens of /θ/ in the /s/-/θ/ continuum when these sounds were combined with men’s vowels, with vowels consistent with a 17 cm VT, and with pictures of men. Results support the hypothesis that listeners incorporate information about talker gender during fricative perception.
Effects of noise levels and call types on the source levels of killer whale calls
Authors: Holt Marla M. , Noren Dawn P. , Emmons Candice K.
Published: November 2011

Accurate parameter estimates relevant to the vocal behavior of marine mammals are needed to assess potential effects of anthropogenic sound exposure including how masking noise reduces the active space of sounds used for communication. Information about how these animals modify their vocal behavior in response to noise exposure is also needed for such assessment. Prior studies have reported variations in the source levels of killer whale sounds, and a more recent study reported that killer whales compensate for vessel masking noise by increasing their call amplitude. The objectives of the current study were to investigate the source levels of a variety of call types in southern resident killer whales while also considering background noise level as a likely factor related to call source level variability. The source levels of 763 discrete calls along with corresponding background noise were measured over three summer field seasons in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands, WA. Both noise level and call type were significant factors on call source levels (1–40 kHz band, range of 135.0–175.7 dBrms re 1 µPa at 1 m). These factors should be considered in models that predict how anthropogenic masking noise reduces vocal communication space in marine mammals.
The effect of temporal asymmetry on amplitude modulation detection using pure-tone carriers (L)
Authors: Shen Yi , Lentz Jennifer J.
Published: November 2011

The effect of temporal asymmetry on amplitude modulation detection was studied using sawtooth modulators with rising (ramped) or falling (damped) temporal envelopes within each period of modulation. For pure-tone carriers, damped modulation was more detectable than ramped modulation for a 5-kHz carrier (by a threshold difference of 3.2 dB on average) but not for a 1-kHz carrier. The threshold difference obtained at 5 kHz between the ramped and damped modulators was consistent across modulation rates (8–128 Hz). This carrier frequency dependence suggests that the effect of temporally asymmetry on modulation detection originates from envelope-based, within-channel mechanisms.
Study of acoustic field modulation in the regenerator by double loudspeakers method
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Xie Xiujuan , Li Qing
Published: November 2011

A model to modulate acoustic field in a regenerator of a thermoacoustic system by the double loudspeakers method is presented in this paper. The equations are derived for acoustic field modulation. They represent the relations among acoustic field (complex pressure p0, complex velocity u0, and acoustic impedance Z0), driving parameters of loudspeakers (voltage amplitude and its phase difference), and operating parameters involved in a matrix H (frequency, temperature of regenerator). The range of acoustic field is adjustable and limited by the maximal driving voltages of loudspeakers according to driving parameters. The range is simulated and analyzed in the amplitude-phase and complex coordinate planes for a given or variable H. The simulated results indicate that the range has its intrinsic characteristics. The expected acoustic field in a regenerator can be obtained feasibly by the modulation.
Discrimination of the spectral density of multitone complexes
Authors: Stoelinga Christophe N. J. , Lutfi Robert A.
Published: November 2011

Spectral density (D), defined as the number of partials comprising a sound divided by its bandwidth, has been suggested as cue for the identification of the size and shape of sound sources. Few data are available, however, on the ability of listeners to discriminate differences in spectral density. In a cue-comparison, forced-choice procedure with feedback, three highly practiced listeners discriminated differences in the spectral density of multitone complexes varying in bandwidth (W = 500–1500 Hz), center frequency (fc = 500–2000 Hz), and number of tones (N = 6–31). To reduce extraneous cues for discrimination, the overall level of the complexes was roved, and the frequencies were drawn at random uniformly over a fixed bandwidth and center frequency for each presentation. Psychometric functions were obtained relating percent correct discrimination to ΔD in each condition. For D < 0.02 Hz−1, the steepness of the functions remained constant across conditions, but for D > 0.02 Hz−1, they increased with D. The increase, moreover, was accompanied by a reduction in the upper asymptote of the functions. The data were well fit by a model in which spectral density discrimination is determined by the frequency separation of components on an equivalent rectangular bandwidth scale, yielding a roughly constant Weber fraction of ΔD/D = 0.3.
Theoretical and experimental study of the nonlinear resonance vibration of cementitious materials with an application to damage characterization
Authors: Chen Jun , Kim Jin-Yeon , Kurtis Kimberly E. , Jacobs Laurence J.
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a theoretical and experimental study of the nonlinear flexural vibration of a cement-based material with distributed microcracks caused by an important deterioration mechanism, alkali-silica reaction (ASR). The general equation of motion is derived for the flexural vibration of a slender beam with the nonlinear hysteretic constitutive relationship for consolidated materials, and then an approximate formula for excitation-dependent resonance frequency is obtained. A downward shift of the resonance frequency is related to the nonlinearity parameters defined in the constitutive relationship. Vibration experiments are conducted on standard mortar bar samples undergoing progressive ASR damage. The absolute nonlinearity parameters are determined from these experimental results using the theoretical solution in order to investigate their dependence on the damage state of the material. With the progress of the ASR damage, the absolute value of the hysteresis nonlinearity parameter increases by as much as six times from the intact (undamaged) state in the sample with highly reactive aggregate; this is in contrast to a change of about 16% in the linear resonance frequency. It is demonstrated that the combined theoretical and experimental approach developed in this research can be used to quantitatively characterize ASR damage in mortar samples and other cement-based materials.
Investigation of noninertial cavitation produced by an ultrasonic horn
Authors: Birkin Peter R. , Offin Douglas G. , Vian Christopher J. B. , Leighton Timothy G. , Maksimov Alexey O.
Published: November 2011

This paper reports on noninertial cavitation that occurs beyond the zone close to the horn tip to which the inertial cavitation is confined. The noninertial cavitation is characterized by collating the data from a range of measurements of bubbles trapped on a solid surface in this noninertial zone. Specifically, the electrochemical measurement of mass transfer to an electrode is compared with high-speed video of the bubble oscillation. This gas bubble is shown to be a “noninertial” event by electrochemical surface erosion measurements and “ring-down” experiments showing the activity and motion of the bubble as the sound excitation was terminated. These measurements enable characterization of the complex environment produced below an operating ultrasonic horn outside of the region where inertial collapse can be detected. The extent to which solid boundaries in the liquid cause the frequencies and shapes of oscillatory modes on the bubble wall to differ from their free field values is discussed.
Lowering the Temperature of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Wachsman Eric D. , Lee Kang Taek
Published: November 2011

Fuel cells are uniquely capable of overcoming combustion efficiency limitations (e.g., the Carnot cycle). However, the linking of fuel cells (an energy conversion device) and hydrogen (an energy carrier) has emphasized investment in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells as part of a larger hydrogen economy and thus relegated fuel cells to a future technology. In contrast, solid oxide fuel cells are capable of operating on conventional fuels (as well as hydrogen) today. The main issue for solid oxide fuel cells is high operating temperature (about 800°C) and the resulting materials and cost limitations and operating complexities (e.g., thermal cycling). Recent solid oxide fuel cells results have demonstrated extremely high power densities of about 2 watts per square centimeter at 650°C along with flexible fueling, thus enabling higher efficiency within the current fuel infrastructure. Newly developed, high-conductivity electrolytes and nanostructured electrode designs provide a path for further performance improvement at much lower temperatures, down to ~350°C, thus providing opportunity to transform the way we convert and store energy.
X-ray Emission Spectroscopy Evidences a Central Carbon in the Nitrogenase Iron-Molybdenum Cofactor
Authors: Lancaster Kyle M. , Roemelt Michael , Ettenhuber Patrick , Hu Yilin , Ribbe Markus W. , Neese Frank , Bergmann Uwe , DeBeer Serena
Published: November 2011

A central light atom in a cofactor at the nitrogenase active site is identified as a carbon.
Giant Piezoelectricity on Si for Hyperactive MEMS
Authors: Baek S. H. , Park J. , Kim D. M. , Aksyuk V. A. , Das R. R. , Bu S. D. , Felker D. A. , Lettieri J. , Vaithyanathan V. , Bharadwaja S. S. N. , Bassiri-Gharb N. , Chen Y. B. , Sun H. P. , Folkman C. M. , Jang H. W. , Kreft D. J. , Streiffer S. K. , Ramesh R. , Pan X. Q. , Trolier-McKinstry S. , Schlom D. G. , Rzchowski M. S. , Blick R. H. , Eom C. B.
Published: November 2011

High-quality piezoelectric thin films are grown and exhibit superior properties for microelectromechanical systems.
H
2
S: A Universal Defense Against Antibiotics in Bacteria
Authors: Shatalin Konstantin , Shatalina Elena , Mironov Alexander , Nudler Evgeny
Published: November 2011

Sulfide formation helps to protect various bacteria from antibiotic toxicity.
Locomotor Primitives in Newborn Babies and Their Development
Authors: Dominici Nadia , Ivanenko Yuri P. , Cappellini Germana , d’Avella Andrea , Mondì Vito , Cicchese Marika , Fabiano Adele , Silei Tiziana , Di Paolo Ambrogio , Giannini Carlo , Poppele Richard E. , Lacquaniti Francesco
Published: November 2011

Mammalian locomotion patterns share common roots.
Active Starvation Responses Mediate Antibiotic Tolerance in Biofilms and Nutrient-Limited Bacteria
Authors: Nguyen Dao , Joshi-Datar Amruta , Lepine Francois , Bauerle Elizabeth , Olakanmi Oyebode , Beer Karlyn , McKay Geoffrey , Siehnel Richard , Schafhauser James , Wang Yun , Britigan Bradley E. , Singh Pradeep K.
Published: November 2011

During growth arrest, bacteria tolerate the presence of antibiotics, thanks to mechanisms that protect against oxidant stress.
Ultralight Metallic Microlattices
Authors: Schaedler T. A. , Jacobsen A. J. , Torrents A. , Sorensen A. E. , Lian J. , Greer J. R. , Valdevit L. , Carter W. B.
Published: November 2011

A route is developed for fabricating extremely low-density, hollow-strut metallic lattices.
Evidence for Interstitial Carbon in Nitrogenase FeMo Cofactor
Authors: Spatzal Thomas , Aksoyoglu Müge , Zhang Limei , Andrade Susana L. A. , Schleicher Erik , Weber Stefan , Rees Douglas C. , Einsle Oliver
Published: November 2011

Structural data show that the light atom at the center of the nitrogenase active site cofactor is a carbon.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Vaccination Using Dendritic Cells Primed with Peptide 10 Derived from the 43-Kilodalton Glycoprotein of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Authors: Magalhães A. , Ferreira K. S. , Almeida S. R. , Nosanchuk J. D. , Travassos L. R. , Taborda C. P.
Published: November 2011

Vaccination with peptide 10 (P10), derived from theParacoccidioides brasiliensisglycoprotein 43 (gp43), induces a Th1 response that protects mice in an intratrachealP. brasiliensisinfection model. Combining P10 with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or other adjuvants further increases the peptide's antifungal effect. Since dendritic cells (DCs) are up to 1,000-fold more efficient at activating T cells than CFA, we examined the impact of P10-primed bone-marrow-derived DC vaccination in mice. Splenocytes from mice immunized with P10 were stimulatedin vitrowith P10 or P10-primed DCs. T cell proliferation was significantly increased in the presence of P10-primed DCs compared to the peptide. The protective efficacy of P10-primed DCs was studied in an intratrachealP. brasiliensismodel in BALB/c mice. Administration of P10-primed DCs prior to (via subcutaneous vaccination) or weeks after (via either subcutaneous or intravenous injection)P. brasiliensisinfection decreased pulmonary damage and significantly reduced fungal burdens. The protective response mediated by the injection of primed DCs was characterized mainly by an increased production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) and a reduction in IL-10 and IL-4 compared to those of infected mice that received saline or unprimed DCs. Hence, our data demonstrate the potential of P10-primed DCs as a vaccine capable of both the rapid protection against the development of serious paracoccidioidomycosis or the treatment of establishedP. brasiliensisdisease.
Acquired Omenn-Like Syndrome, a Novel Posttransplant Autoaggression Syndrome Reversed by Rapamycin
Authors: Vinh Donald C. , Bin Dhuban Khalid , Mason Helen , Lejtenyi Duncan , Jung SungMi , Sheppard Donald C. , Faury Damien , Jabado Nada , Piccirillo Ciriaco A.
Published: November 2011

Graft-versus-host disease is uncommon in autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and is typically brief and mild. We report unusual, protracted, and severe Omenn syndrome-like autoaggression following autologous HCT. We identified a profound FOXP3
+
regulatory T cell defect that coincided with hyperinflammatory T cell responses which were reversible with rapamycin
in vitro
.