bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetation Recovery in Slash‐Pile Scars Following Conifer Removal in a Grassland‐Restoration Experiment
Authors: Halpern Charles B. , Antos Joseph A. , Beckman Liam M.
Published: July 2014

A principal challenge to restoring tree‐invaded grasslands is the removal of woody biomass. Burning of slash piles to reduce woody residues from forest restoration practices generates intense, prolonged heating, with adverse effects on soils and vegetation. In this study, we examined vegetation responses to pile burning following tree removal from conifer‐invaded grasslands of the Oregon Cascades. We quantified the longevity and magnitude of fire effects by comparing ground conditions and the cover and richness of plant species in burn‐scar centers (higher‐intensity fire) and edges (lower‐intensity fire) with adjacent unburned vegetation 7 years after treatment. We interpreted patterns of recovery through the responses of species with differing growth forms, habitat affinities, and clonality. Cover of bare ground remained elevated at the centers, but not at the edges of scars; however, much of this effect was due to gopher disturbance. Total plant cover, consisting entirely of native species, was comparable in and adjacent to scars. However, richness remained depressed at the scar centers. Cover of grass, meadow, and non‐clonal species was comparable in and adjacent to scars, but cover of forb, sedge, residual forest, and clonal species was reduced at the centers. Although scar centers had a simpler community structure (fewer but more abundant species) than the adjacent vegetation, they remained free of exotics and recovered quickly, aided by the soil‐disturbing activities of gophers and the regenerative traits of native, disturbance‐adapted species. Pile burning can be a viable and efficient approach to fuel reduction in the absence of exotics.
Keeping Surveys Valid, Reliable, and Useful: A Tutorial
Authors: Greenberg Michael R. , Weiner Marc D.
Published: July 2014

This tutorial focuses on how to produce reliable and generalizable data from random‐digit‐dialing (RDD) landline and cell phone surveys. The article notes that RDD response rates have declined and explores the impact of this pronounced decline. The tutorial addresses order, response mode, and many other biases, sample size, cooperation and response rates, weighting, and hybrid designs‐all using examples from risk analysis to illustrate the key points. The article ends with a brief review of the advantages and disadvantages of major Internet and paper surveys tools, and how these can be molded and sometimes combined in repeated, longitudinal, and other designs to answer questions about risk preferences and perceptions.
US Security Strategy and the Gains from Bilateral Trade
Authors: Bove Vincenzo , Elia Leandro , Sekeris Petros G.
Published: July 2014

We explore the geo‐strategic determinants of bilateral trade flows between the USA and the rest of the world. We develop a three‐party model of security and trade patterns and use data on military assistance and troop deployments over the 1950–2009 period to validate its predictions. We find that security assistance has significant, positive impacts on the shares of bilateral trade between the USA and the recipient country, results that are robust to issues of reverse causality and hold across different sectors.
ASSESSING MULTIREGIONAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF ALASKAN FISHERIES: A COMPUTABLE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS
Authors: Seung Chang K. , Waters Edward C. , Leonard Jerry L.
Published: July 2014

Alaskan industries, including the seafood industry, are characterized by strong linkages with the rest of the United States, including a large leakage of factor income to, and large imports of goods and services from the rest of the US, especially the West Coast region. This study develops a multiregional computable general equilibrium (MRCGE) model of three US economic regions: Alaska (AK), the West Coast (WC), and the rest of the US (RUS). The model is applied to issues affecting Alaskan fisheries, and is used to calculate the multiregional economic effects, including spread effects, of changes in: (i) the volume of fish caught off AK; (ii) the demand for Alaskan seafood by both the US and the rest of the world; and (iii) currency exchange rates.
Endotoxemia in End‐Stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Wong Jonathan , Vilar Enric , Farrington Ken
Published: July 2014

Chronic unexplained inflammation remains a prevalent and clinically significant problem for patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD), especially in the dialysis population. The causes of persistent inflammation are likely to be multifactorial, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Endotoxins are reported to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammation in patients with ESKD. However, blood endotoxin measurement with the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay is difficult with current detection systems. The reported degree and prevalence of endotoxemia varies in the literature. There are questions as to whether endotoxemia is truly present; whether the varied findings are due to methodological issues with the LAL assay and whether any endotoxemia that might be present plays a role in chronic inflammation frequently observed in ESKD patients. This review will discuss the challenges of accurate blood endotoxin detection, the potential source of blood endotoxins, and the significance of endotoxemia to patient with ESKD.
Sugar beet (Beta vulgarisL.) response to diammonium phosphate and potassium sulphate under saline–sodic conditions
Authors: Hussain Z. , Khattak R. A. , Irshad M. , Mahmood Q.
Published: July 2014

Salinity and sodicity are prime threats to land resources resulting in huge economic and associated social consequences in several countries. Nutrient deficiencies reduce crop productivity in salt‐affected regions. Soil fertility has not been sustainably managed in salt‐affected arid regions. Few researchers investigated the crop responses to phosphorus and potassium interactions especially in saline–sodic soils. A research study was carried out to explore the effect of diammonium phosphorus (DAP) and potassium sulphate (K2SO4) on sugar beet (Beta vulgarisL.) grown in a saline–sodic field located inKohat district ofPakistan. The crop was irrigated with ground water withECiwvalue of 2.17–3.0 dS/m. Three levels each of K2O (0, 75 and 150 kg/ha) as K2SO4and P2O5(0, 60 and 120 kg/ha) as DAP were applied. The application of P significantly affected fresh beet and shoot yield while K fertilizers had significant effect on fresh beet yield and ratio of beet:shoot, while non‐significant effects on the fresh shoot were observed. The application of K1and K2promoted sugar beet shoot yield by 49.2 and 49.2% at P1and 64.4 and 59.7% at P2, respectively over controls. In comparison with controls, fresh beet yield was increased (%) by 15 and 51, 45 and 84, and 50 and 58 for corresponding K1and K2at P0, P1and P2, respectively. Addition of P1and P2increased beet yield by 37 and 47% over control. The shoot [P] (mmol/kg) were achieved as 55.2, 73.6 and 84.3 at P0, P1and P2, respectively. The shoot [Mg] and [SO4] tended to decrease with increasing P levels, while [SO4] was markedly reduced at P2. The effect of P on leaf [Na] was non‐significant, but increasing levels of K decreased [Na] substantially at P0and P1, but there was no difference in the effect of K level on [Na] at P2. Consequently, K application reduced leaf Na:K ratios. Fresh shoot yield was weakly associated with leaf [P] (R2 = 0.53). The leaf Na:K ratio showed a negative relationship (R2 = 0.90) with leaf [K]. A strongly positive relationship (R2 = 0.75) was observed between leaf [K] and fresh beet yield. The addition of K2SO4also enhanced [SO4] and SO4:P ratios in leaf tissues. The ratio of Na:K in the shoot decreased with increasing K application. These results demonstrated that interactions of K and P could mitigate the adverse effects of salinity and sodicity in soils. This would contribute to the efficient management of soil fertility system in arid‐climate agriculture.
Hypertension and treatment outcomes in Palestine refugees in United Nations Relief and Works Agency primary health care clinics in Jordan
Authors: Khader A. , Farajallah L. , Shahin Y. , Hababeh M. , Abu‐Zayed I. , Zachariah R. , Kochi A. , Kapur A. , Harries A. D. , Shaikh I. , Seita A.
Published: July 2014

Objective

In six United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) primary health care clinics in Jordan serving Palestine refugees diagnosed with hypertension, to determine the number, characteristics, programme outcomes and measures of disease control for those registered up to 30 June, 2013, and in those who attended clinic in the second quarter of 2013, the prevalence of disease‐related complications between those with hypertension only and hypertension combined with diabetes mellitus.

Method

Retrospective cohort study with programme and outcome data collected and analysed using E‐Health.

Results

There were 18 881 patients registered with hypertension with females (64%) and persons aged ≥40 years (87%) predominating. At baseline, cigarette smoking was recorded in 17%, physical inactivity in 48% and obesity in 71% of patients. 77% of all registered patients attended clinic in the second quarter of 2013; of these, 50% had hypertension and diabetes and 50% had hypertension alone; 9% did not attend the clinics and 10% were lost to follow‐up. Amongst those attending clinic, 92% had their blood pressure measured, of whom 83% had blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg. There were significantly more patients with hypertension and diabetes (N = 966, 13%) who had disease‐related complications than patients who had hypertension alone (N = 472, 6%) [OR 2.2, 95% CI 2.0–2.5], and these differences were found for both males [18% vs. 10%, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.6–2.2] and females [11% vs. 5%, OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.1–2.9].

Conclusion

Large numbers of Palestine refugees are being registered and treated for hypertension in UNRWA primary health care clinics in Jordan. Cohort analysis and E‐Health can be used to regularly assess caseload, programme outcomes, clinic performance, blood pressure control and cumulative prevalence of disease‐related complications. Current challenges include the need to increase clinic attendance and attain better control of blood pressure.
Exploring genetic variation in the tomato (Solanum section Lycopersicon) clade by whole‐genome sequencing
Authors:   The 100 Tomato Genome Sequencing Consortium, Aflitos Saulo , Schijlen Elio , de Jong Hans , de Ridder Dick , Smit Sandra , Finkers Richard , Wang Jun , Zhang Gengyun , Li Ning , Mao Likai , Bakker Freek , Dirks Rob , Breit Timo , Gravendeel Barbara , Huits Henk , Struss Darush , Swanson‐Wagner Ruth , van Leeuwen Hans , van Ham Roeland C.H.J. , Fito Laia , Guignier Laëtitia , Sevilla Myrna , Ellul Philippe , Ganko Eric , Kapur Arvind , Reclus Emannuel , de Geus Bernard , van de Geest Henri , te Lintel Hekkert Bas , van Haarst Jan , Smits Lars , Koops Andries , Sanchez‐Perez Gabino , van Heusden Adriaan W. , Visser Richard , Quan Zhiwu , Min Jiumeng , Liao Li , Wang Xiaoli , Wang Guangbiao , Yue Zhen , Yang Xinhua , Xu Na , Schranz Eric , Smets Erik , Vos Rutger , Rauwerda Johan , Ursem Remco , Schuit Cees , Kerns Mike , van den Berg Jan , Vriezen Wim , Janssen Antoine , Datema Erwin , Jahrman Torben , Moquet Frederic , Bonnet Julien , Peters Sander
Published: July 2014

We explored genetic variation by sequencing a selection of 84 tomato accessions and related wild species representative of the Lycopersicon, Arcanum, Eriopersicon and Neolycopersicon groups, which has yielded a huge amount of precious data on sequence diversity in the tomato clade. Three new reference genomes were reconstructed to support our comparative genome analyses. Comparative sequence alignment revealed group‐, species‐ and accession‐specific polymorphisms, explaining characteristic fruit traits and growth habits in the various cultivars. Using gene models from the annotated Heinz 1706 reference genome, we observed differences in the ratio between non‐synonymous and synonymous SNPs (dN/dS) in fruit diversification and plant growth genes compared to a random set of genes, indicating positive selection and differences in selection pressure between crop accessions and wild species. In wild species, the number of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) exceeds 10 million, i.e. 20‐fold higher than found in most of the crop accessions, indicating dramatic genetic erosion of crop and heirloom tomatoes. In addition, the highest levels of heterozygosity were found for allogamous self‐incompatible wild species, while facultative and autogamous self‐compatible species display a lower heterozygosity level. Using whole‐genome SNP information for maximum‐likelihood analysis, we achieved complete tree resolution, whereas maximum‐likelihood trees based on SNPs from ten fruit and growth genes show incomplete resolution for the crop accessions, partly due to the effect of heterozygous SNPs. Finally, results suggest that phylogenetic relationships are correlated with habitat, indicating the occurrence of geographical races within these groups, which is of practical importance for Solanum genome evolution studies.
What is land? Assembling a resource for global investment
Authors: Li Tania Murray
Published: July 2014

The so‐called global land rush has drawn new attention to land, its uses and value. But land is a strange object. Although it is often treated as a thing and sometimes as a commodity, it is not like a mat: you cannot roll it up and take it away. To turn it to productive use requires regimes of exclusion that distinguish legitimate from illegitimate uses and users, and the inscribing of boundaries through devices such as fences, title deeds, laws, zones, regulations, landmarks and story‐lines. Its very ‘resourceness’ is not an intrinsic or natural quality. It is an assemblage of materialities, relations, technologies and discourses that have to be pulled together and made to align. To render it investible, more work is needed. This Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers Plenary Lecture uses an analytic of assemblage to examine the practices that make up land as a resource. It focuses especially on the ‘statistical picturing’ devices and other graphic forms that make large‐scale investments in land thinkable, and the practices through which relevant actors (experts, investors, villagers, governments) are enrolled. It also considers some of the risks that follow when these large‐scale investments land in particular places, as land they must.
Exchange Rate, External Orientation of Firms and Wage Adjustment
Authors: Nucci Francesco , Pozzolo Alberto Franco
Published: July 2014

We estimate the effect of exchange rate movements on firm‐level wages, using a representative panel of Italian manufacturing firms. We show that the direction and size of wage adjustment is shaped by the international exposure of each firm on both the sale and cost side of the balance sheet, similar to the response of employment documented in (Nucci and Pozzolo, Journal of International Economics 2010; 82: 112.). Through the revenue side, wages tend to rise after a currency depreciation and the effect is more pronounced the higher is the firm's exposure to sales from exports. Through the expenditure side, a depreciation induces a cut in the firm's wages, and the effect is larger the higher is the incidence of imported inputs in total production costs. For a given degree of external orientation, both these effects are larger for firms with a lower market power. Moreover, we document that the effect of exchange rates on wages is shaped by the extent of sectoral import penetration in the domestic market.
Parallel testing of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations to detect systemic inflammation in hospitalized horses
Authors: Corradini Ignacio , Armengou Lara , Viu Judit , Rodríguez‐Pozo Maria L. , Cesarini Carla , Jose‐Cunilleras Eduard
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To determine if plasma iron concentration is different between horses with and without systemic inflammation (SI) and to assess the accuracy for the detection of SI by assaying plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations, individually or combined. To assess the prognostic value of plasma iron concentration and to describe the progression of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations during hospital follow‐up, and its relation to SI and survival.

Design

Prospective observational study evaluating plasma iron and fibrinogen.

Setting

University veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Equine patients greater than 30 days of age.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Plasma iron and fibrinogen concentration was prospectively determined in hospitalized horses. Horses were classified into 2 groups: SI and non‐SI. Horses were also classified according to clinical outcome. A group of control healthy horses was also included. A total of 135 horses were included in the study. Plasma iron concentration was significantly lower and fibrinogen concentration was higher in the SI group. Nonsurvivors had a mean plasma fibrinogen concentration significantly higher than survivors. The combination of plasma iron and fibrinogen has a high degree of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy for the detection of SI in horses. Follow‐up measurements were obtained in 48 horses. Surviving horses normalized plasma iron concentration during follow‐up examination whereas nonsurviving horses had persistently low plasma iron concentrations.

Conclusions

Plasma iron concentration alone is an accurate marker of SI in hospitalized horses. Alteration of both plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations improves the specificity and positive predictive value for diagnosis of SI. Alteration of either one of both increases sensitivity and negative predictive value. Surviving horses normalized plasma iron concentrations during follow‐up period. The combination of plasma iron and fibrinogen concentrations may help in the detection of SI. Follow‐up of plasma iron concentrations may provide useful prognostic information.
Exhaust Pressure Estimation Using a Diesel Particulate Filter Mass Flow Model in a Light-Duty Diesel Engine Operated With Dual-Loop Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Variable Geometry Turbocharger Systems
Authors: Lee Hyunjun , Han Manbae , Sohn Jeongwon , Sunwoo Myoungho
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a novel method to estimate an exhaust pressure at 357 different steady-state engine operating conditions using a diesel particulate filter (DPF) mass flow model to precisely control the air quantity for a light-duty diesel engine operated with dual-loop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) systems. This model was implemented on a 32 bit real-time embedded system and evaluated through a processor-in-the-loop-simulation (PILS) at two transient engine operating conditions. And the proposed model was validated in a vehicle. By applying Darcy's law, the DPF mass flow model was developed and shows a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.7 g/s in the wide range of the DPF mass flow and above 99% linear correlation with actual values. With such reasonable uncertainties of the DPF mass flow model, the exhaust pressure was estimated via the application of a nonlinear coordinate transformation to the VGT model. The DPF mass flow based exhaust pressure estimation exhibits below 6% error of the exhaust pressure under steady-state conditions. The method was also validated through the PILS and the vehicle test under transient conditions. The results show a reasonable accuracy within 10% error of the exhaust pressure.
Convective Heat Transfer and Contact Resistances Effects on Performance of Conventional and Composite Thermoelectric Devices
Authors: Reddy B. V. K. , Barry Matthew , Li John , Chyu Minking K.
Published: July 2014

The performance of Π shaped conventional and composite thermoelectric devices (TEDs) applied to waste heat recovery by taking the Fourier heat conduction, Joule heating, and the Peltier and Thomson effects in TE materials is investigated using analytical solutions. The TE legs built with semiconductor materials bonded onto a highly conductive interconnector material in a segmented fashion is treated as the composite TED, whereas the legs merely made from semiconductors is treated as the conventional TED. The top and bottom surfaces of TEDs are subjected to convective heat transfer conditions while the remaining surfaces exposed to ambient are kept adiabatic. The effects of contact resistances, convective heat transfer coefficients, and TE leg heights L on TEDs' performance are studied. An increase in electrical and/or thermal contact resistance and a decrease in heat transfer coefficients are resulted in a decrease in power output P0 and conversion efficiency η. Depending on the contact resistances and convective heat transfer loads, the optimum L where a maximum Po occurs is obtained typically in the range of 1–4 mm. For TE leg size greater than optimum L and TED operating under higher convective heat transfer conditions, the composite design exhibited better power output and lower conversion efficiency compared to conventional design. The effects of interconnector lengths and cross-sectional area on the composite TED's characteristics are also investigated. An increase in a length and a decrease in a cross-sectional area of the interconnector decreases the composite TED's performance. However, based on the increase of the interconnector's electrical resistance in relation to the device's total internal resistance, the composite TED exhibited both negligible and significant change behavior in P0.
Shower Head and Trailing Edge Cooling Influence on Transonic Vane Aero Performance
Authors: Saha Ranjan , Fridh Jens , Fransson Torsten H. , Mamaev Boris I. , Annerfeldt Mats , Utriainen Esa
Published: July 2014

An experimental investigation on a cooled nozzle guide vane (NGV) has been conducted in an annular sector to quantify aerodynamic influences of shower head (SH) and trailing edge (TE) cooling. The investigated vane is a typical high pressure gas turbine vane, geometrically similar to a real engine component, operated at a reference exit Mach number of 0.89. The investigations have been performed for various coolant-to-mainstream mass–flux ratios. New loss equations are derived and implemented regarding coolant aerodynamic losses. Results lead to a conclusion that both TE cooling and SH film cooling increase the aerodynamic loss compared to an uncooled case. In addition, the TE cooling has higher aerodynamic loss compared to the SH cooling. Secondary losses decrease with inserting SH film cooling compared to the uncooled case. The TE cooling appears to have less impact on the secondary loss compared to the SH cooling. Area-averaged exit flow angles around midspan increase for the TE cooling.
Focused ion beam direct patterning of hardmask layers
Authors: Waid Simon , Wanzenboeck Heinz D. , Muehlberger Michael , Gavagnin Marco , Bertagnolli Emmerich
Published: July 2014

Inorganic hardmasks are routinely employed in reactive ion etching (RIE) processes due to their excellent etch resistance. However, since pattern definition is commonly performed using organic resist materials, the enhanced etch resistance provided by the inorganic hardmasks comes at the expense of added process complexity. In this work, the authors introduce the method of direct patterning of hard masks (DPHM) utilizing milling and gas assisted deposition (GAD) with a focused ion beam (FIB). DPHM by FIB allows to structure hardmask materials, which are otherwise not accessible with standard processes. Further, it reduces the high number of (typically seven) processing steps required for resist based patterning down to only three using FIB milling of hardmasks or even two using FIB GAD for patterning. The authors found that by FIB milled hard masks made of oxide such as aluminum zinc oxide exhibited excellent pattern clarity. For other materials, effects such as ion beam induced dewetting were found to affect the patterning result and must be considered in the choice of hardmask materials. Comparing DPHM and RIE to pure FIB milling of bulk material a speed enhancement of at least 755 times has been achieved. DPHM by FIB milling offers the highest versatility in material choice while FIB GAD enables faster patterning of selected hardmask materials.
Investigation of the effective aperture area of sliding and hinged doors between coupled spaces
Authors: Luizard Paul , Katz Brian F. G.
Published: July 2014

Acoustical coupling between architectural spaces can be implemented by sliding or hinged doors. This study compares the effects of these variable coupling area designs on the sound field using temporal energy decay curve analysis. Varying the aperture size alters the multi-slope decay curve properties such as the decay rate of each slope and their point of intersection (time and level). A predictive model is proposed, based on a geometrical approach and statistical theory for coupled volumes. Differences between scale model measurements and analytical predictions are quantified by means of deviations of acoustical parameters; reasonable agreement is found.
Quantifying the Contributions of the Flexor Digitorum Brevis Muscle on Postural Stability
Authors: Okai Liria Akie , Kohn André Fabio
Published: July 2014

Surprisingly little attention has been devoted to the role played by the intrinsic muscles of the human foot. The aim of this study was to quantify the capabilities of the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle to contribute to upright postural control. The approaches consisted of analysis of the effects of FDB contraction elicited by external electrical stimulation and quantification of the magnitude of FDB torque generation. The results showed the FDB can produce significant changes in static posture by itself as shown by changes in the center of pressure. Moreover, the FDB contribution to counterbalance the gravity’s toppling force was estimated at around 14.5% of the total required active torque at the ankle to keep the subject from falling. A posteriori functional analysis during horizontal perturbations showed high and self-sustained activity of FDB. These results demonstrated that the FDB has a significant capability of contributing to postural control.
Characterization of a Melamino Nitroheterocycle as a Potential Lead for the Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis
Authors: Giordani Federica , Buschini Annamaria , Baliani Alessandro , Kaiser Marcel , Brun Reto , Barrett Michael P. , Pellacani Claudia , Poli Paola , Gilbert Ian H.
Published: July 2014

This paper reports an evaluation of a melamino nitroheterocycle, a potential lead for further development as an agent against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Studies on its efficacy, physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties, and potential for toxicity are described. The compound previously had been shown to possess exceptional activity against
Trypanosoma brucei
in
in vitro
assays comparable to that of melarsoprol. Here, we demonstrate that the compound also was curative in the stringent acute mouse model
T. brucei rhodesiense
STIB 900 when given intraperitoneally at 40 mg/kg of body weight. Nevertheless, activity was only moderate when the oral route was used, and no cure was obtained when the compound was tested in a stage 2 rodent model of infection. Genotoxic profiling revealed that the compound induces DNA damage by a mechanism apparently independent from nitroreduction and involving the introduction of base pair substitutions (Ames test), possibly caused by oxidative damage of the DNA (comet test). No significant genotoxicity was observed at the chromosome level (micronucleus assay). The lack of suitable properties for oral and central nervous system uptake and the genotoxic liabilities prevent the progression of this melamine nitroheterocycle as a drug candidate for HAT. Further modification of the compound is required to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of the molecule and to separate the trypanocidal activity from the toxic potential.
Synergistic Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides and Antibiotics against Clostridium difficile
Authors: Nuding Sabine , Frasch Tina , Schaller Martin , Stange Eduard F. , Zabel Lutz T.
Published: July 2014

Accelerating rates of health care-associated infections caused by
Clostridium difficile
, with increasing recurrence and rising antibiotic resistance rates, have become a serious problem in recent years. This study was conducted to explore whether a combination of antibiotics with human antimicrobial peptides may lead to an increase in antibacterial activity. The
in vitro
activities of the antimicrobial peptides HBD1 to HBD3, HNP1, HD5, and LL-37 and the antibiotics tigecycline, moxifloxacin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and meropenem alone or in combination against 10 toxinogenic and 10 nontoxinogenic
C. difficile
strains were investigated. Bacterial viability was determined by flow cytometry and toxin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). When combined at subinhibitory concentrations, antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics generally led to an additive killing effect against toxinogenic and nontoxinogenic
C. difficile
strains. However, LL-37 and HBD3 acted in synergism with all the antibiotics that were tested. Electron microscopy revealed membrane perturbation in bacterial cell walls by HBD3. In 3 out of 10 toxinogenic strains, HBD3, LL-37, piperacillin-tazobactam, and meropenem administration led to an increased toxin release which was not neutralized by the addition of HNP1. Antimicrobial peptides increase the bacterial killing of antibiotics against
C. difficile
regardless of the antibiotics' mode of action. Membrane perturbation in or pore formation on the bacterial cell wall may enhance the uptake of antibiotics and increase their antibacterial effect. Therefore, a combination of antibiotics with antimicrobial peptides may represent a promising novel approach to the treatment of
C. difficile
infections.
Musculoskeletal Safety Outcomes of Patients Receiving Daptomycin with HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Authors: Bland Christopher M. , Bookstaver P. Brandon , Lu Z. Kevin , Dunn Brianne L. , Rumley Kathey Fulton
Published: July 2014

Daptomycin, a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are commonly administered in the inpatient setting and are associated with creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevations, myalgias, and muscle weakness. Safety data for coadministration of daptomycin with statins are limited. To determine the safety of coadministration of daptomycin with statin therapy, a multicenter, retrospective, observational study was performed at 13 institutions in the Southeastern United States. Forty-nine adult patients receiving statins concurrently with daptomycin were compared with 171 patients receiving daptomycin without statin therapy. Detailed information, including treatment indication and duration, infecting pathogen, baseline and subsequent CPK levels, and presence of myalgias or muscle complaints, was collected. Myalgias were noted in 3/49 (6.1%) patients receiving combination therapy compared with 5/171 (2.9%) of patients receiving daptomycin alone (
P
= 0.38). CPK elevations of >1,000 U/liter occurred in 5/49 (10.2%) patients receiving combination therapy compared to 9/171 (5.3%) patients receiving daptomycin alone (
P
= 0.32). Two of five patients experiencing CPK elevations of >1,000 U/liter in the combination group had symptoms of myopathy. Three patients (6.1%) discontinued therapy due to CPK elevations with concurrent myalgias in the combination group versus 6 patients (3.5%) in the daptomycin-alone group (
P
= 0.42). CPK levels and myalgias reversed upon discontinuation of daptomycin therapy. Overall musculoskeletal toxicity was numerically higher in the combination group but this result was not statistically significant. Further prospective study is warranted in a larger population.
Antistaphylococcal Activity of Oritavancin and Its Synergistic Effect in Combination with Other Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Lin Gengrong , Pankuch Glenn , Appelbaum Peter C. , Kosowska-Shick Klaudia
Published: July 2014

Oritavancin exhibited
in vitro
activity against 169 strains of vancomycin-susceptible, methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) with MICs ranging from 0.03 to 1 μg/ml and against vancomycin-intermediate MRSA (VISA;
n
= 29), heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate MRSA (hVISA;
n
= 5), and vancomycin-resistant MRSA (
n
= 5) strains, with MICs ranging from 0.12 to 4 μg/ml. For 10 MRSA isolates comprising 5 VISA and 5 hVISA strains, synergy between oritavancin and gentamicin, linezolid, or rifampin was observed against most of the strains tested using a time-kill method.
Protection against Mycobacterium leprae Infection by the ID83/GLA-SE and ID93/GLA-SE Vaccines Developed for Tuberculosis
Authors: Duthie Malcolm S. , Coler Rhea N. , Laurance John D. , Sampaio Lucas H. , Oliveira Regiane M. , Sousa Ana Lucia M. , Stefani Mariane M. A. , Maeda Yumi , Matsuoka Masanori , Makino Masahiko , Reed Steven G.
Published: July 2014

Despite the dramatic reduction in the number of leprosy cases worldwide in the 1990s, transmission of the causative agent,
Mycobacterium leprae
, is still occurring, and new cases continue to appear. New strategies are required in the pursuit of leprosy elimination. The cross-application of vaccines in development for tuberculosis may lead to tools applicable to elimination of leprosy. In this report, we demonstrate that the chimeric fusion proteins ID83 and ID93, developed as antigens for tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidates, elicited gamma interferon (IFN-γ) responses from both TB and paucibacillary (PB) leprosy patients and from healthy household contacts of multibacillary (MB) patients (HHC) but not from nonexposed healthy controls. Immunization of mice with either protein formulated with a Toll-like receptor 4 ligand (TLR4L)-containing adjuvant (glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant in a stable emulsion [GLA-SE]) stimulated antigen-specific IFN-γ secretion from pluripotent Th1 cells. When immunized mice were experimentally infected with
M. leprae
, both cellular infiltration into the local lymph node and bacterial growth at the site were reduced relative to those of unimmunized mice. Thus, the use of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
candidate vaccines ID83/GLA-SE and ID93/GLA-SE may confer cross-protection against
M. leprae
infection. Our data suggest these vaccines could potentially be used as an additional control measure for leprosy.
Laryngopyocoele presenting with acute airway obstruction
Authors: Raine J I , Allin D , Golding-Wood D
Published: July 2014

A 66-year-old woman was transferred to the emergency department with a left-sided neck lump and fever. She was stridulous with reduced consciousness level and required immediate intubation to protect her airway. CT imaging showed a fluid-filled and air-filled lesion in the left side of the neck; the diagnosis was later confirmed as an infected laryngocoele. She underwent ultrasound guided drainage of the lesion with successful reduction of the neck lump. Following elective tracheostomy she was weaned from ventilation. Subsequent direct endoscopy and biopsy showed no evidence of malignancy or other lesion. She was discharged with permanent tracheostomy to be sustained until definitive surgical resection of the laryngocoele.
Conservative management of persistent facial cutaneous sinus tract with a dental origin
Authors: Kumar Umesh , Dharmani Charankamal Kaur , George Binu Johnson , Abraham Sathish
Published: July 2014

Facial and cervical area sinus tracts can be odontogenic or non-odontogenic, and so clinicians should be aware that lesions with a dental origin can be confused with dermatological lesions. We describe three cases of cutaneous lesions of dental origin that were initially misdiagnosed as being dermatological in origin. Multiple unsuccessful treatments were attempted but the lesions failed to heal. However, conservative endodontic intervention resulted in complete resolution of the causative periapical lesions within a short period, making surgery unnecessary. Dental aetiology, as part of a differential diagnosis, must be considered in such oro-facial lesions.
Postnatal epigenetic modification of glucocorticoid receptor gene in preterm infants: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kantake Masato , Yoshitake Hiroshi , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Araki Yoshihiko , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: July 2014

Objective

To examine the environmental effects on cytosine methylation of preterm infant's DNA, because early life experiences are considered to influence the physiological and mental health of an individual through epigenetic modification of DNA.

Design

A prospective cohort study, comparison of epigenetic differences in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene between healthy term and preterm infants.

Setting

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a Japanese University Hospital.

Participants

A cohort of 40 (20 term and 20 preterm) infants was recruited on the day of birth, and peripheral blood was obtained from each infant at birth and on postnatal day 4.

Main outcome measures

The methylation rates in the 1-F promoter region of the GR gene using the Mquant method.

Results

The methylation rate increased significantly between postnatal days 0 and 4 in preterm infants but remained stable in term infants. Thus, the methylation rate was significantly higher in preterm than in term infants at postnatal day 4. Several perinatal parameters were significantly correlated with this change in the methylation rate. Logistic regression analysis revealed that methylation rates at postnatal day 4 predicted the occurrence of later complications that required glucocorticoid administration during the neonatal period. No gene polymorphism was detected within the GR promoter region analysed.

Conclusions

Although further large-scale studies are needed to detect the environmental factors that explain the difference in epigenetic modification among infants after birth, our data show that the postnatal environment influences epigenetic programming of GR expression through methylation of the GR gene promoter in premature infants, which may result in relative glucocorticoid insufficiency during the postnatal period.
Economic contraction, alcohol intoxication and suicide: analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System
Authors: Kaplan M S , Huguet N , Caetano R , Giesbrecht N , Kerr W C , McFarland B H
Published: July 2014

Objectives

Although there is a large and growing body of evidence concerning the impact of contracting economies on suicide mortality risk, far less is known about the role alcohol consumption plays in the complex relationship between economic conditions and suicide. The aims were to compare the postmortem alcohol intoxication rates among male and female suicide decedents before (2005–2007), during (2008–2009) and after (2010–2011) the economic contraction in the USA.

Methods

Data from the restricted National Violent Death Reporting System (2005–2011) for male and female suicide decedents aged 20 years and older were analysed by Poisson regression analysis to test whether there was significant change in the fractions of suicide decedents who were acutely intoxicated at the time of death (defined as blood alcohol content ≥0.08 g/dL) prior, during and after the downturn.

Results

The fraction of all suicide decedents with alcohol intoxication increased by 7% after the onset of the recession from 22.2% in 2005–2007 to 23.9% in 2008–2011. Compared with the years prior to the recession, male suicide decedents showed a 1.09-fold increased risk of alcohol intoxication within the first 2 years of the recession. Surprisingly, there was evidence of a lag effect among female suicide decedents, who had a 1.14-fold (95% CI 1.02 to 1.27) increased risk of intoxication in 2010–2011 compared with 2005–2007.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that acute alcohol intoxication in suicide interacts with economic conditions, becoming more prevalent during contractions.
Search for dark matter with the bolometric technique
Authors: Giuliani Andrea
Published: July 2014

After a concise introduction about the dark matter issue and a discussion of the problematics related to its direct detection, the bolometric technique is presented in this context, with a special focus on double-readout devices. The bolometric experiments for the search for dark matter are then described and reviewed. Their present and future roles are discussed, arguing about pros and cons of this technology.
Semiclassical tight-binding dynamics in rapidly oscillating fields plus a static arbitrary potential
Authors: Martínez L. A. , Sanjinés D. , Gallinar J.-P.
Published: July 2014

We investigate a semiclassical dynamics driven by a high-frequency ω inhomogeneous field, plus a static arbitrary potential on a one-dimensional tight-binding lattice. We find — in the approach of Kapitza's pendulum — an effective, time independent potential that describes the average of the electronic motion to order ω-2. This effective potential depends on the static external potential, on the lattice constant and on the applied high frequency field. Remarkably, we find that the dynamic correction of rapidly oscillating fields is formally identical to that associated to Kapitza's usual continuum result. Finally, applications are made to: the harmonic oscillator on the lattice, the Bloch oscillation effect and "dynamical localization" in arrays of optical waveguides (wherein an experimental prediction is made).
Enhancement of thermoelectric power factor bySi:Baddition to higher manganese silicide film
Authors: Hou Q. R. , Gu B. F. , Chen Y. B.
Published: July 2014

Higher manganese silicide film ( HMS , MnSix, x = 1.73–1.75) with addition of Si : B has been prepared on quartz substrate ( SiO2) by magnetron sputtering of MnSi2and Si : B (1 at.% B content) targets. It is found that the Si : B -added HMS film has a much lower electrical resistivity (R) but maintains its high Seebeck coefficient (S). As a result, the thermoelectric power factor, PF= S2/R, is greatly enhanced. It is also found that the metal In together with Ag -paste can be used as ohmic contact materials for measuring the electrical properties of the HMS film. The thermoelectric power factor can reach 1255 μW/m-K2at 733 K for the Si : B -added HMS film, which is about two times higher than that of the pure HMS film.
Electronic structure, elastic and thermal properties of semiconductor GaX (X = N, P, As, Sb) with zinc blende from first-principles calculation
Authors: Luo Bingcheng , Wu Xiaowen , Li Guowu
Published: July 2014

The band structure, density of states, elastic properties and thermal properties of semiconductor GaX (X = N , P , As , Sb ) with zinc blende were calculated by using the first principle plane-wave pseudo-potential methods based on density functional theory (DFT). The band structure and density of states for GaN , GaP , GaAs and GaSb show that GaX compounds are semiconductors with a direct band gap of 1.542, 1.445, 0.34 and 0.257 eV, respectively. The elastic constants and modulus are calculated showing that GaX are mechanically stable and GaN has the largest modulus. The anisotropy factor, internal-strain parameter, shear to bulk modulus and Poisson's ratio are also calculated indicating that GaX exhibit a brittle, anisotropic and plastic character. The dependencies of the Debye temperature, heat capacity, enthalpy, the entropy and free energy on temperature are also investigated. Comparisons with the available experiment and other theoretical calculation show reasonable agreement.
EXTENDED COMPATIBILITY PATH BASED HARDWARE BINDING: AN ADAPTIVE ALGORITHM FOR HIGH LEVEL SYNTHESIS OF AREA-TIME EFFICIENT DESIGNS
Authors: SINHA SHARAD , DHAWAN UDIT , SRIKANTHAN THAMBIPILLAI
Published: July 2014

Hardware binding is an important step in high level synthesis (HLS). The quality of hardware binding affects the area-time efficiency of a design. The goal of a synthesis process is to produce a design which meets the area-time requirements. In this paper, we present a new hardware binding algorithm with focus on area reduction. It is called extended compatibility path-based (ECPB) hardware binding and extends the compatibility path-based (CPB) hardware binding method by exploiting inter-operation flow dependencies, non-overlapping lifetimes of variables and modifying the weight relation in order to make it application aware and thus adaptive in nature. The presented methodology also takes into account bit width of functional units (FUs) and multi mode FUs. It performs simultaneous FU and register binding. Implemented within a C to register transfer level (RTL) framework, it produces binding results which are better than those produced by weighted bipartite matching (WBM) and CPB algorithms. The use of ECPB algorithm results in an average reduction of 34% and 17.44% in area-time product over WBM and CPB methods, respectively.
Borel degenerations of arithmetically Cohen–Macaulay curves in ℙ3
Authors: Fløystad Gunnar , Roggero Margherita
Published: July 2014

We investigate Borel ideals on the Hilbert scheme components of arithmetically Cohen–Macaulay (ACM) codimension two schemes in ℙn. We give a basic necessary criterion for a Borel ideal to be on such a component. Then considering ACM curves in ℙ3 on a quadric we compute in several examples all the Borel ideals on their Hilbert scheme component. Based on this we conjecture which Borel ideals are on such a component, and for a range of Borel ideals we prove that they are on the component.
Damping Effect of Pendulum Tuned Mass Damper on Vibration of Two-Dimensional Rigid Body
Authors: Wang Yi-Ren , Hung Ko-En
Published: July 2014

This study investigated the effect of a pendulum tuned mass damper (PTMD) on the vibration of a slender two-dimensional (2D) rigid body with 1:2 internal resonance. Focus is placed on the damping effect of various parameters of the PTMD on preventing the internal resonance of the system. The instruments used include fixed points plots, time response and Poincaré maps, which were compared for confirmation of accuracy. The Lagrange's equation is employed to derive the equations of motion for the system. The method of multiple scales (MOMS) is applied to analyzing this nonlinear vibration model. The internal resonance conditions of the rigid body in vibration are obtained by the eigen-analysis. Moreover, a 3D internal resonance contour plot (3D-IRCP) aided by various amplitude analysis tables is proposed for identification of the parameter combinations of the PTMD for preventing internal resonance. This approach enables the designers to evaluate the effectiveness of various parameter combinations of the PTMD prior to the design process. The present study indicates that without changing the main configuration, the vibration amplitudes in the main body can be greatly reduced under certain parameter combinations of the PTMD.