bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the intrapatient variability of mycophenolic acid trough levels?
Authors: Todorova Ekaterina K. , Huang Shih‐Han S. , Kobrzynski Marta C. , Filler Guido
Published: July 2015

TDM of MPA, the active compound of MMF, is rarely used despite its substantial intra‐ and interpatient variability. Little is known about the utility of long‐term MPA TDM. Data are expressed as mean (one standard deviation). All available data from 27 renal transplant recipients (mean age at transplantation: 7.7 [5.0] yr) with an average follow‐up of 9.3 (4.6) yr were analyzed. MPA levels were measured using the EMIT. GFR was measured using cystatin C and eGFR was calculated using the Filler formula. Intrapatient CV of the trough level was calculated as the ratio of the mean divided by one standard deviation. Mean cystatin C eGFR was 56.9 (24.4) mL/min/1.73 m2. There was a weak but significant correlation between the MPA trough level and the AUC (Spearman r = 0.6592, p < 0.0001). A total of 1964 MPA trough levels (73 [45]/patient) were measured, as compared to 3462 Tac trough levels (144 [71]/patient). The average MPA trough level was 3.01 (1.26) mg/L and the average trough Tac level was 7.3 (1.8) ng/mL. Intrapatient CV was statistically higher (p = 0.00093) for MPA at 0.68 (0.29) when compared to Tac with a CV of 0.46 (0.12). CV did not correlate with eGFR. Intrapatient MPA trough level CV is significantly higher than for Tac, while CV for both MPA and Tac was high. MPA trough level monitoring may be a feasible monitoring option to improve patient exposure and possibly outcomes.
Performance and responses to competition in two congeneric annual species: does seed heteromorphism matter?
Authors: Sendek A. , Herz K. , Auge H. , Hensen I. , Klotz S.
Published: July 2015

Variations in seed characteristics observed in heteromorphic species may affect various stages of their life cycles, e.g. seed dormancy, germination characteristics or even adult plant performance. Highly specialised seed morphs – described as colonisers and maintainers – exhibit a trade‐off between colonisation capacity and competitive traits. The performance of distinct seed morph progeny under competitive conditions, and especially in multi‐species arrangements, had previously not been given much attention. In this study, we compared performance and response to competition among distinct seed morph progenies in two congeneric, co‐occurring species: the invasive Bidens frondosa and the non‐invasive Bidens tripartita. We hypothesised that maintainer seed morphs of both species would perform better under increased plant densities and within inter‐morphic mixtures, while coloniser morphs would show stronger responses to increased densities and perform relatively poorly in inter‐morphic mixtures. We conducted a growth trial and a greenhouse experiment, which revealed that seed morph progeny differed significantly in plant height when grown without competition, while under competitive conditions such differences became less apparent. The observed pattern was more strongly pronounced in B. frondosa, which showed a general predominance in stature and biomass over its non‐invasive congener. Although seed morphs performed equally well under competitive conditions, increased plant height and more rapid germination can favour the maintainer seed morph on sites where vegetation is already present.
A transcriptome‐wide study on the microRNA‐ and the Argonaute 1‐enriched small RNA‐mediated regulatory networks involved in plant leaf senescence
Authors: Qin J. , Ma X. , Yi Z. , Tang Z. , Meng Y.
Published: July 2015

Leaf senescence is an important physiological process during the plant life cycle. However, systemic studies on the impact of microRNAs (miRNAs) on the expression of senescence‐associated genes (SAGs) are lacking. Besides, whether other Argonaute 1 (AGO1)‐enriched small RNAs (sRNAs) play regulatory roles in leaf senescence remains unclear. In this study, a total of 5,123 and 1,399 AGO1‐enriched sRNAs, excluding miRNAs, were identified in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa), respectively. After retrieving SAGs from the Leaf Senescence Database, all of the AGO1‐enriched sRNAs and the miRBase‐registered miRNAs of these two plants were included for target identification. Supported by degradome signatures, 200 regulatory pairs involving 120 AGO1‐enriched sRNAs and 40 SAGs, and 266 regulatory pairs involving 64 miRNAs and 42 SAGs were discovered in Arabidopsis. Moreover, 13 genes predicted to interact with some of the above‐identified target genes at protein level were validated as regulated by 17 AGO1‐enriched sRNAs and ten miRNAs in Arabidopsis. In rice, only one SAG was targeted by three AGO1‐enriched sRNAs, and one SAG was targeted by miR395. However, five AGO1‐enriched sRNAs were conserved between Arabidopsis and rice. Target genes conserved between the two plants were identified for three of the above five sRNAs, pointing to the conserved roles of these regulatory pairs in leaf senescence or other developmental procedures. Novel targets were discovered for three of the five AGO1‐enriched sRNAs in rice, indicating species‐specific functions of these sRNA–target pairs. These results could advance our understanding of the sRNA‐involved molecular processes modulating leaf senescence.
Detection of a novel variant of HLA‐A*02, HLA‐A*02:570, in a Taiwanese unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang E. K. L. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: July 2015

Two nucleotide changes at residue 142 (G → A) and residue 144 (A → C) of HLA‐A*02:01:01:01 result in a novel allele, HLA‐A*02:570.
Three new HLA‐DQB1 alleles – DQB1*03:113, DQB1*06:02:15 and DQB1*06:129
Authors: Street J. , Harvey C. , Cook E. , Johnson J. , Darke C.
Published: July 2015

Three novel HLA‐DQB1 alleles were found after sequence‐based typing of 3558 random UK European routine blood donors.
A NOVEL SUPPORT DEVICE FOR HEAD IMMOBILIZATION DURING RADIATION THERAPY THAT IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH CATS AND DOGS
Authors: Nemoto Yuki , Maruo Takuya , Fukuyama Yasuhiro , Kawarai Shinpei , Shida Takuo , Nakayama Tomohiro
Published: July 2015

Repeatable head immobilization is important for minimizing positioning error during radiation therapy for veterinary patients with head neoplasms. The purpose of this retrospective cross‐sectional study was to describe a novel technique for head immobilization (Device II) and compare this technique with a previously described technique (Device I). Device II provided additional support by incorporating three teeth (vs. two teeth with Device I). Between 2011 and 2013, both devices were applied in clinically affected cats (Device I, n = 17; Device II, n = 11) and dogs (Device I, n = 85; Device II, n = 22) of various breeds and sizes. The following data were recorded for each included patient: variability in the angle of the skull (roll, yaw, and pitch), coordinates of the isocenter, and distance from the reference mark to the tumor. Devices I and II differed for skull angle variability during the treatment of dogs (roll, P = 0.0007; yaw, P = 0.0018; pitch, P = 0.0384) and for yaw of during the treatment of cats (P < 0.0001). In each case, Device II was superior to Device I. The distance from the reference mark to the center of the tumor was significantly decreased for Device II vs. Device I (dogs, P < 0.0001; cats, P = 0.0002). Device II also provided more accurate coordinates for the isocenter. Authors recommend the use of, Device II for future clinical patients.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, RADIOGRAPHIC, AND ENDOSCOPIC TRACHEAL DIMENSIONS IN ENGLISH BULLDOGS WITH GRADE 1 CLINICAL SIGNS OF BRACHYCEPHALIC AIRWAY SYNDROME
Authors: Kaye Benjamin M. , Boroffka Susanne A. E. B. , Haagsman Annika N. , Haar Gert Ter
Published: July 2015

Tracheal hypoplasia is commonly seen in English Bulldogs affected with brachycephalic airway syndrome. Previously published diagnostic criteria for tracheal hypoplasia in this breed have been a radiographic tracheal diameter:tracheal inlet ratio (TD:TI) < 0.12 or a tracheal diameter:third rib diameter ratio (TD:3R) < 2.0. Computed tomography has become increasingly used for airway evaluation, however published information is lacking regarding CT tracheal dimensions in English Bulldogs. Objectives of this prospective cross‐sectional study were to describe radiographic and CT tracheal dimensions in a sample of clinically normal English Bulldogs and compare these values with tracheoscopy scores. Computed tomography (n= 40), radiography (n= 38), and tracheoscopy (n= 40) studies were performed during a single general anesthesia session for each included dog. Tracheal measurements were recorded at three locations: cervical, thoracic inlet, and thorax. Tracheal diameters were narrowest at the thoracic inlet with all techniques. Computed tomographic measurements averaged 19% greater than radiographic measurements. All included dogs had radiographic tracheal measurements greater than the previously published criteria for tracheal hypoplasia. Mean CT TD:TI was 0.26 (± 0.03, 0.20–0.33), and mean CT TT:3R was 2.27 (± 0.24, 1.71–2.74). Radiographic TD:TI and CT TD:TI were significantly correlated (P= 0.00); however radiographic TT:3R and CT TT:3R were not significantly correlated (P= 0.25). Tracheoscopy identified hypoplastic changes in all dogs and tracheoscopy scores were not correlated with CT or radiography diameter measurements. In conclusion, findings indicated that some CT and radiographic tracheal diameter measurements were comparable in English Bulldogs however diameters for both imaging techniques were not comparable with tracheoscopy scores.
Fibrosis impairs the formation of new myofibers in the soft palate after injury
Authors: Carvajal Monroy Paola L. , Grefte Sander , Kuijpers‐Jagtman Anne Marie , Helmich Maria P.A.C. , Wagener Frank A.D.T.G. , Von den Hoff Johannes W.
Published: July 2015

Muscle repair is a crucial component of palatoplasty but little is known about muscle regeneration after cleft palate repair. We hypothesized that the formation of new myofibers is hampered by collagen accumulation after experimental injury of the soft palate of rats. One‐millimeter excisional defects were made in the soft palates of 32 rats. The wound area was evaluated after 3, 7, 28, and 56 days using azocarmine G and aniline blue to stain for collagen and immunohistochemistry to identify myofibroblasts and to monitor skeletal muscle differentiation. To evaluate age effects, 16 unwounded animals were evaluated at 3 and 56 days. Staining was quantified by image analysis, and one‐way ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis. At day 56, the area percentage of collagen‐rich tissue was higher in the injured palatal muscles (46.7 ± 6.9%) than in nonwounded controls (15.9 ± 1.0%, p < 0.05). Myofibroblasts were present in the injured muscles at days 3 and 7 only. The numbers of proliferating and differentiating myoblasts within the wound area were greater at day 7 (p < 0.05), but only a few new myofibers had formed by 56 days. No age effects were found. The results indicate that surgical wounding of the soft palate results in muscle fibrosis. Although activated satellite cells migrated into the wound area, no new myofibers formed. Thus, regeneration and function of the soft palate muscles after injury may be improved by regenerative medicine approaches.
Modeling of a Rolling Flexible Circular Ring
Authors: Robert Hogan François , Richard Forbes James
Published: July 2015

The motion equations of a rolling flexible circular ring are derived using a Lagrangian formulation. The in-plane flexural and out-of-plane twist-bending free vibrations are modeled using the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The motion equations of a flexible circular ring translating and rotating in space are first developed and then constrained to roll on a flat surface by introducing Lagrange multipliers. The motion equations developed capture the nonholonomic nature of the circular ring rolling without slip on a flat surface. Numerical simulations are performed to validate the dynamic model developed and to investigate the effect of the flexibility of the circular ring on its trajectory. The vibrations of the circular ring are observed to impact the ring's motion.
Taxation and Transparency: How Policy Decisions Impact Product Quality and Sustainability
Authors: Hoffenson Steven , Söderberg Rikard
Published: July 2015

Product markets can be modeled as complex systems that account for a diverse set of stakeholders and interactions. Decisions by all of the stakeholders in these systems can affect the design of new products, not only from design teams but also from consumers, producers, and policymakers. Studies of market systems have shown how producers can make profit-optimal decisions on product design and pricing, and how those decisions influence a number of different factors including the quality, environmental impact, production costs, and ultimately consumer demand for the product. This study presents and demonstrates the use of a framework for modeling the ways that policies and consumer demand influence optimal product design and, in particular, product quality and environmental sustainability. Employing this model for the tolerance and material design decisions for a mobile phone case shows how different environmental impact scales, taxation levels, and information available to consumers will influence producer profits and overall environmental impacts. This demonstrates how different policies can be evaluated for their impacts on economic success for producers and reduced environmental impacts for society, and a “win–win” scenario is found for the mobile phone case.
Computational Design of Stephenson II Six-Bar Function Generators for 11 Accuracy Points
Authors: Plecnik Mark M. , Michael McCarthy J.
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a design methodology for Stephenson II six-bar function generators that coordinate 11 input and output angles. A complex number formulation of the loop equations yields 70 quadratic equations in 70 unknowns, which is reduced to a system of ten eighth degree polynomial equations of total degree 810=1.07×109. These equations have a monomial structure which yields a multihomogeneous degree of 264,241,152. A sequence of polynomial homotopies was used to solve these equations and obtain 1,521,037 nonsingular solutions. Contained in these solutions are linkage design candidates which are evaluated to identify cognates, and then analyzed to determine their input–output angles in each assembly. The result is a set of feasible linkage designs that reach the required accuracy points in a single assembly. As an example, three Stephenson II function generators are designed, which provide the input–output functions for the hip, knee, and ankle of a humanoid walking gait.
Combined Effect of Irradiation, Temperature, and Water Coolant Flow on Corrosion of Zr-, Ni–Cr-, and Fe–Cr-Based Alloys
Authors: Bakai O. S. , Boriskin V. M. , Dovbnya A. M. , Dyuldya S. V. , Guzonas D. A.
Published: July 2015

Investigation of the role of irradiation on the corrosion resistance of structural alloys is of vital importance for selection of supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) materials. Gamma heating under SCWR conditions, which induces enhancement of radiolysis and corrosion kinetics at interfaces, can be efficiently simulated by electron beam irradiation over a wide range of deposited dose and temperature. The NSC KIPT-sited Canada–Ukraine Electron Irradiation Test Facility (CU-EITF) still remains the only operating facility capable of in situ irradiation of specimens in a supercritical water (SCW) natural circulation loop. This paper reports the results of postirradiation studies of Zr–1%Nb and Ni–Cr Inconel 690/52MSS alloys after a ~500-h-long exposure in the CU-EITF in the near-critical (23.5 MPa/360–385°C) regime. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the sample microstructure are presented along with those of the electron-irradiated loop piping, SS X18H10T. The results of corrosion tests under electron-irradiation are correlated to the calculated three-dimensional (3D) fields of absorbed dose and temperature and to the reference data obtained in-pile for topical materials. The paper also discusses the prospects for the use of the CU-EITF facility within a cooperative SCWR program and presents an outlook of the facility development.
Analysis of the Heat Transfer Driving Parameters in Tight Rotor Blade Tip Clearances
Authors: Lavagnoli Sergio , De Maesschalck Cis , Paniagua Guillermo
Published: July 2015

Turbine rotor tips and casings are vulnerable to mechanical failures due to the extreme thermal loads they undergo during engine service. In addition to the heat flux variations during the engine transient operation, periodic unsteadiness occurs at every rotor passage, with amplitude dependent on the tip gap. The development of appropriate predictive tools and cooling schemes requires the precise understanding of the heat transfer mechanisms. The present paper analyses the nature of the overtip flow in transonic turbine rotors running at tight clearances and explores a methodology to determine the relevant flow parameters that model the heat transfer. Steady-state three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) calculations were performed to simulate engine-like conditions considering two rotor tip gaps, 0.1% and 1%, of the blade span. At tight tip clearance, the adiabatic wall temperature is no longer independent of the solid thermal boundary conditions. The adiabatic wall temperature predicted with the linear Newton's cooling law was observed to rise to unphysical levels in certain regions within the rotor tip gap, resulting in unreliable convective heat transfer coefficients (HTCs). This paper investigates different approaches to estimate the relevant flow parameters that drive the heat transfer. A novel four-coefficient nonlinear cooling law is proposed to model the effects of temperature-dependent gas properties and of the heat transfer history. The four-parameter correlation provided reliable estimates of the convective heat transfer descriptors for the 1% tip clearance case, but failed to model the tip heat transfer of the 0.1% tip gap rotor. The present study allows experimentalists to retrieve information on the gap flow temperature and convective HTC based on the use of wall heat flux measurements. The use of nonlinear cooling laws is sought to improve the evaluation of the rotor heat transfer data while enhancing the understanding of tight-clearance overtip flows.
Coordinated Active Thermal Management and Selective Catalytic Reduction Control for Simultaneous Fuel Economy Improvement and Emissions Reduction During Low-Temperature Operations
Authors: Chen Pingen , Wang Junmin
Published: July 2015

The low-temperature operations of diesel engines and aftertreatment systems have attracted increasing attention over the past decade due to the stringent diesel emission regulations and excessive tailpipe emissions at low temperatures. The removal of NOx emissions using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems during low-temperature operations remains a significant challenge. One of the popular techniques for alleviating this issue is to employ active thermal management via in-cylinder postinjection to promote aftertreatment system temperatures. Meanwhile, numerous studies have focused on ammonia coverage ratio controls with the aim to maintain high NOx conversion efficiency and low tailpipe ammonia slip. However, most of the active thermal management and SCR controls in the existing literatures were separately and conservatively designed, which can lead to higher cost of SCR operation than needed including diesel fuel consumption through active thermal management and urea solution consumption. The main purpose of this study is to design and coordinate active thermal management and SCR control using nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) approach to minimize the total cost of SCR operation while obtaining high NOx conversion efficiency and low tailpipe ammonia slip. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to the baseline control which consists of separated active thermal management and SCR control, the coordinated control is capable of reducing the total cost of SCR operation by 25.6% while maintaining the tailpipe NOx emissions and ammonia slip at comparable levels. Such an innovative coordinated control design concept shows its promise in achieving low tailpipe emissions during low-temperature operations in a cost-effective fashion.
Vortex-Induced Vibration and Frequency Lock-In of an Airfoil at High Angles of Attack
Authors: Besem Fanny M. , Kamrass Joshua D. , Thomas Jeffrey P. , Tang Deman , Kielb Robert E.
Published: July 2015

Vortex-induced vibration is a fluid instability where vortices due to secondary flows exert a periodic unsteady force on the elastic structure. Under certain circumstances, the shedding frequency can lock into the structure natural frequency and lead to limit cycle oscillations. These vibrations may cause material fatigue and are a common source of structural failure. This work uses a frequency domain, harmonic balance (HB) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to predict the natural shedding frequency and lock-in region of an airfoil at very high angles of attack. The numerical results are then successfully compared to experimental data from wind tunnel testings.
Graphene Oxide Colloidal Suspensions as Cutting Fluids for Micromachining—Part II: Droplet Dynamics and Film Formation
Authors: Chu Bryan , Samuel Johnson
Published: July 2015

Part II of this paper is focused on studying the droplet spreading and the subsequent evaporation/film-formation characteristics of the graphene oxide colloidal solutions that were benchmarked in Part I. A high-speed imaging investigation was conducted to study the impingement dynamics of the colloidal solutions on a heated substrate. The spreading and evaporation characteristics of the fluids were then correlated with the corresponding temperature profiles and the subsequent formation of the residual graphene oxide film on the substrate. The findings reveal that the most important criterion dictating the machining performance of these colloidal solutions is the ability to form uniform, submicron thick films of graphene oxide upon evaporation of the carrier fluid. Colloidal suspensions of ultrasonically exfoliated graphene oxide at concentrations < 0.5 wt.% are best suited for micromachining applications since they are seen to produce such films. The use of thermally reduced (TR) graphene oxide suspensions at concentrations < 0.5 wt.% results in nonuniform films with thickness variations in the 0–5 μm range, which are responsible for the fluctuations seen in the cutting force and temperatures. At concentrations ≥ 0.5 wt.%, both the TR and ultrasonically exfoliated graphene oxide solutions result in thicker and nonuniform films that are detrimental for machining results. The findings of this study reveal that the characterization of the residual graphene oxide film left behind on a heated substrate may be an efficient technique to evaluate different graphene oxide colloidal solutions for cutting fluids applications in micromachining.
An Adsorption Model for Hydraulic Motor Lubrication
Authors: Michael Paul W. , Mettakadapa Shreya , Shahahmadi Shima
Published: July 2015

This paper describes an investigation of the effects of fluid properties on hydraulic motor efficiency through experimentation and modeling. Synthetic ester, straight-grade mineral oil, and VI improved hydraulic fluids were evaluated. Fluid properties, including viscosity, shear-stability, density, and traction coefficients, were characterized. A model for relating motor mechanical efficiency to fluid properties was developed. This model combines the viscosity parameter of Stribeck with the surface adsorption model of Michaelis–Menten. The results revealed that fluids with a low traction coefficient improved the low-speed efficiency of motors by transitioning out of the boundary lubrication region at a lower Stribeck number.
Two-phonon absorption in LiF and NiO from infrared ellipsometry
Authors: Willett-Gies Travis I. , Nelson Cayla M. , Abdallah Lina S. , Zollner Stefan
Published: July 2015

Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry, the infrared lattice absorption of LiF and NiO was studied in the reststrahlen region. The transverse optical (TO) and longitudinal optical phonon energies, broadenings, and amplitudes were determined. Both materials also show a weak two-phonon absorption, which modifies the shape of the reststrahlen bands. The authors did not find any evidence of a splitting of the TO phonon in NiO due to antiferromagnetic ordering and place an upper limit of 17 cm−1 on this splitting.
Microstructure of vapor deposited coatings on curved substrates
Authors: Rodgers Theron M. , Zhao Hengbei , Wadley Haydn N. G.
Published: July 2015

Thermal barrier coating systems consisting of a metallic bond coat and ceramic over layer are widely used to extend the life of gas turbine engine components. They are applied using either high-vacuum physical vapor deposition techniques in which vapor atoms rarely experience scattering collisions during propagation to a substrate, or by gas jet assisted (low-vacuum) vapor deposition techniques that utilize scattering from streamlines to enable non-line-of-sight deposition. Both approaches require substrate motion to coat a substrate of complex shape. Here, direct simulation Monte Carlo and kinetic Monte Carlo simulation methods are combined to simulate the deposition of a nickel coating over the concave and convex surfaces of a model airfoil, and the simulation results are compared with those from experimental depositions. The simulation method successfully predicted variations in coating thickness, columnar growth angle, and porosity during both stationary and substrate rotated deposition. It was then used to investigate a wide range of vapor deposition conditions spanning high-vacuum physical vapor deposition to low-vacuum gas jet assisted vapor deposition. The average coating thickness was found to increase initially with gas pressure reaching a maximum at a chamber pressure of 8–10 Pa, but the best coating thickness uniformity was achieved under high vacuum deposition conditions. However, high vacuum conditions increased the variation in the coatings pore volume fraction over the surface of the airfoil. The simulation approach was combined with an optimization algorithm and used to investigate novel deposition concepts to tailor the local coating thickness.
Flexible nonvolatile memory transistors using indium gallium zinc oxide-channel and ferroelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) fabricated on elastomer substrate
Authors: Jung Soon-Won , Koo Jae Bon , Park Chan Woo , Na Bock Soon , Oh Ji-Young , Lee Sang Seok , Koo Kyung-Wan
Published: July 2015

The authors demonstrated flexible memory thin-film transistors (MTFTs) with organic ferroelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) and an amorphous oxide semiconducting indium gallium zinc oxide channel on the elastomer substrates. The carrier mobility, memory on/off ratio, and subthreshold swing of the flexible MTFTs showed 21 cm2V−1s−1, 107, and 0.5–1 V/decade, respectively. The memory window of 13 V at ±20 V programming was confirmed for the device without any interface layer. These obtained values did not significantly change when the substrate was bent with a radius of curvature of 10 mm. The memory on/off ratio was initially 5 × 104 and maintained at 102 even after a lapse of 3600 s. The fabricated MTFTs exhibited encouraging characteristics on the elastomer that are sufficient to realize mechanically flexible nonvolatile memory devices.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Struck Christopher J.
Published: July 2015

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes a catalog of Acoustical American National Standards. To receive a copy of the latest Standards catalog, please contact Susan B. Blaeser.

Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.

This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the National Catalog of Acoustical Standards and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
Adherence to a Yoga Program in Older Women with Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Cheung Corjena , Wyman Jean F. , Savik Kay
Published: July 2015

Yoga is beneficial for osteoarthritis (OA) management in older adults; however, adherence to yoga practice is unknown. The purposes of this secondary analysis were to examine: (1) yoga adherence during the intervention and follow-up periods; (2) the relationship between social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs and adherence; and (3) the impact of adherence on OA-related symptoms in 36 community-dwelling older women with knee OA. SCT was used as a framework to promote adherence to a yoga intervention program that included both group/home-based practices. Adherence to yoga was high during the intervention period but decreased over time. Although SCT was a useful framework for reducing attrition during the intervention, self-efficacy was the only construct that correlated with class attendance. Higher yoga adherence was correlated with improved symptoms, physical function, sleep quality, and quality of life. Yoga adherers were likely to be older, less educated, and had a lower body mass index than nonadherers.
Breakers and blockers—miRNAs at work
Authors: Izaurralde Elisa
Published: July 2015

MicroRNAs mediate silencing through messenger RNA degradation and translation repression
Coherent coupling of a single spin to microwave cavity photons
Authors: Viennot J. J. , Dartiailh M. C. , Cottet A. , Kontos T.
Published: July 2015

Making hybrid quantum information systems

Different physical implementations of qubits—quantum bits—each have their pros and cons. An appealing idea is to combine them into hybrid architectures, taking advantage of their respective strengths. Tabuchi
et al.
placed a ferromagnetic sphere and a superconducting qubit in a cavity and used an electromagnetic mode of the cavity as the mediator between the two. They achieved strong coupling between a collective magnetic mode of the sphere and the qubit. Viennot
et al.
coupled a single spin in a double quantum dot to photons in a cavity. Both approaches hold promise for future applications.

Science
, this issue pp.
405
and
408
Exploring deep microbial life in coal-bearing sediment down to ~2.5 km below the ocean floor
Authors: Inagaki F. , Hinrichs K.-U. , Kubo Y. , Bowles M. W. , Heuer V. B. , Hong W.-L. , Hoshino T. , Ijiri A. , Imachi H. , Ito M. , Kaneko M. , Lever M. A. , Lin Y.-S. , Methé B. A. , Morita S. , Morono Y. , Tanikawa W. , Bihan M. , Bowden S. A. , Elvert M. , Glombitza C. , Gross D. , Harrington G. J. , Hori T. , Li K. , Limmer D. , Liu C.-H. , Murayama M. , Ohkouchi N. , Ono S. , Park Y.-S. , Phillips S. C. , Prieto-Mollar X. , Purkey M. , Riedinger N. , Sanada Y. , Sauvage J. , Snyder G. , Susilawati R. , Takano Y. , Tasumi E. , Terada T. , Tomaru H. , Trembath-Reichert E. , Wang D. T. , Yamada Y.
Published: July 2015

A deep sleep in coal beds

Deep below the ocean floor, microorganisms from forest soils continue to thrive. Inagaki
et al.
analyzed the microbial communities in several drill cores off the coast of Japan, some sampling more than 2 km below the seafloor (see the Perspective by Huber). Although cell counts decreased with depth, deep coal beds harbored active communities of methanogenic bacteria. These communities were more similar to those found in forest soils than in other deep marine sediments.

Science
, this issue p.
420
; see also p.
376
Hierarchically buckled sheath-core fibers for superelastic electronics, sensors, and muscles
Authors: Liu Z. F. , Fang S. , Moura F. A. , Ding J. N. , Jiang N. , Di J. , Zhang M. , Lepró X. , Galvão D. S. , Haines C. S. , Yuan N. Y. , Yin S. G. , Lee D. W. , Wang R. , Wang H. Y. , Lv W. , Dong C. , Zhang R. C. , Chen M. J. , Yin Q. , Chong Y. T. , Zhang R. , Wang X. , Lima M. D. , Ovalle-Robles R. , Qian D. , Lu H. , Baughman R. H.
Published: July 2015

Composite stretchable conducting wires

Think how useful a stretchable electronic “skin” could be. For example you could place it over an aircraft fuselage or a body to create a network of sensors, processors, energy stores, or artificial muscles. But it is difficult to make electronic interconnects and strain sensors that can stretch over such surfaces. Liu
et al.
created superelastic conducting fibers by depositing carbon nanotube sheets onto a prestretched rubber core (see the Perspective by Ghosh). The nanotubes buckled on relaxation of the core, but continued to coat it fully and could stretch enormously, with relatively little change in resistance.

Science
, this issue p.
400
; see also p.
382
Response to Comment on “Expectations of brilliance underlie gender distributions across academic disciplines”
Authors: Cimpian Andrei , Leslie Sarah-Jane
Published: July 2015

Ginther and Kahn claim that academics’ beliefs about the importance of brilliance do not predict gender gaps in Ph.D. attainment beyond mathematics and verbal test scores. However, Ginther and Kahn’s analyses are problematic, exhibiting more than 100 times the recommended collinearity thresholds. Multiple analyses that avoid this problem suggest that academics’ beliefs are in fact uniquely predictive of gender gaps across academia.
PI4P/phosphatidylserine countertransport at ORP5- and ORP8-mediated ER–plasma membrane contacts
Authors: Chung Jeeyun , Torta Federico , Masai Kaori , Lucast Louise , Czapla Heather , Tanner Lukas B. , Narayanaswamy Pradeep , Wenk Markus R. , Nakatsu Fubito , De Camilli Pietro
Published: July 2015

Membrane contact sites promote lipid exchange

Most membrane lipids are manufactured in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Different organelles and the plasma membrane (PM) have distinct phospholipid compositions. Chung
et al.
, working in mammalian cells, and Moser von Filseck
et al.
, working in yeast, both describe how a family of proteins is important in maintaining the balance of lipids within the cell. These special proteins accumulate at and tether contact sites between the ER and the PM and promote the exchange of specific phospholipids, which helps to maintain the PM's distinct identity.

Science
, this issue pp.
428
and
432
Readily processed protonic ceramic fuel cells with high performance at low temperatures
Authors: Duan Chuancheng , Tong Jianhua , Shang Meng , Nikodemski Stefan , Sanders Michael , Ricote Sandrine , Almansoori Ali , O’Hayre Ryan
Published: July 2015

Cooler ceramic fuel cells

Ceramic ion conductors can be used as electrolytes in fuel cells using natural gas. One drawback of such solid-oxide fuel cells that conduct oxygen ions is their high operating temperatures (at least 600°C). Duan
et al.
have made a proton-conducting ceramic fuel cell with a modified cathode material that exhibits high performance on methane fuel at 500°C (see the Perspective by Gorte).

Science
, this issue p.
1321
; see also p.
1290
Catalysts by Platonic design
Authors: Strasser Peter
Published: July 2015

Sophisticated shape-controlled design is yielding ever more active nanocatalysts

[Also see Report by

Zhang
et al.

]
Rethinking graduate education
Authors: Leshner Alan I.
Published: July 2015

All available evidence suggests that over 60% of new Ph.D.s in science in the United States will not have careers in academic research, yet graduate training in science has followed the same basic format for almost 100 years, heavily focused on producing academic researchers. Given that so many students will not join that community, the system is failing to meet the needs of the majority of its students. Many academic, governmental, and professional leaders and organizations have lamented this disconnect and have suggested worthwhile adjustments, but most of these have been minor changes in graduate course offerings. It is time for the scientific and education communities to take a more fundamental look at how graduate education in science is structured and consider, given the current environment, whether a major reconfiguration of the entire system is needed.
Diversity and ecology of oak forests in SW Poland (Sudetes Mts.)
Authors: Reczyńska Kamila
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a typology of oak forest communities in SW Poland. Numerical classification and ordination methods were applied to distinguish the main vegetation units and to identify the environmental gradients affecting their composition. The ecological preferences of the studied
communities were analysed using both measured variables and Ellenberg indicator values combined with a modified permutation test. Six vegetation units were distinguished: the association Viscario vulgaris-Quercetum petraeae mainly occurs on shallow, skeletal soils on nutrient-poor substrates
in dry habitats, the association Luzulo luzuloidis-Quercetum petraeae in oligotrophic, dry-mesic habitats on moderately steep slopes and plateaux, the association Calamagrostio arundinaceae-Quercetum petraeae in mesic, oligo- and mesotrophic habitats on gentle slopes and plateaux,
the community Galium verum-Quercus petraea on ultrabasic substrates of serpentine monadnocks, the association Sorbo torminalis-Quercetum in dry-mesic, mesotrophic habitats on steep, sunny slopes with initial, but relatively mineral-rich soils, and the association Melico pictae-Quercetum
roboris in mesic, mesotrophic habitats with deep soils and mineral-rich substrates on gentle slopes and plateaux. The species composition of the syntaxa identified here is mainly influenced by the type of bedrock (particularly its base-richness), soil reaction and nutrients. If there are
no differences in base-richness, the second most important factors are those associated with land relief (especially slope inclination) affecting light availability and moisture.
Forest structure and regeneration of the Tertiary relict Taiwania cryptomerioides in the Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan, southwestern China
Authors: He Long-Yuan , Tang Cindy Q. , Wu Zhao-Lu , Wang Huan-Chong , Ohsawa Masahiko , Yan Kai
Published: July 2015

We studied forests containing Taiwania cryptomerioides of various ages and habitats on the eastern slopes of the Gaoligong Mountains in terms of forest structure and composition, population structure (size, age), regeneration patterns, and persistence of the species in relation
to their favored habitats. Taiwania thrives in unstable habitats on riverbanks in deep valleys, on steep slopes, on cliffs, on roadsides and by mountain paths at the altitudes of 1175-2500 m a.s.l. All these locations were subject to frequent landslides, whereas Taiwania was
very rare at similar altitudes on stable gentle slopes or on mountain ridges free of major disturbances. The maximum age of Taiwania was calculated to be c. 1,872 yr, with 358 cm DBH (diameter at a height of 1.3 m) and 70 m high. The size and age classes of Taiwania in old-growth
forests were multimodal, indicating that the regeneration varied by chance, depending on disturbances. In the old-growth forests where above-ground competition for light was intense, shade-intolerant and long-lived coniferous Taiwania became emergent (40–70 m), rising above a
forest canopy comprised of more shade-tolerant evergreen broad-leaved trees. The reproduction of the species was mainly by means of minute wind-dispersed seeds falling into rock crevices on cliffs or a rocky forest floor, or on disturbed sites. These populations depended on disturbances or
gap regeneration to survive. Taiwania gave way to evergreen broad-leaved tree species of Lithocarpus, Cyclobalanopsis, and Manglietia, and to other conifers such as Tsuga dumosa, where landslides were infrequent. Our results provide insights into the ecological
characteristics and survival mechanisms of this East Asian paleoendemic conifer, and contribute to our understanding of the differentiation of forests.
Ultradeep Sequencing for Detection of Quasispecies Variants in the Major Hydrophilic Region of Hepatitis B Virus in Indonesian Patients
Authors: Yamani Laura Navika , Yano Yoshihiko , Utsumi Takako , Juniastuti  , Wandono Hadi , Widjanarko Doddy , Triantanoe Ari , Wasityastuti Widya , Liang Yujiao , Okada Rina , Tanahashi Toshihito , Murakami Yoshiki , Azuma Takeshi , Soetjipto  , Lusida Maria Inge , Hayashi Yoshitake
Published: July 2015

Quasispecies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with variations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) can evolve during infection, allowing HBV to evade neutralizing antibodies. These escape variants may contribute to chronic infections. In this study, we looked for MHR variants in HBV quasispecies using ultradeep sequencing and evaluated the relationship between these variants and clinical manifestations in infected patients. We enrolled 30 Indonesian patients with hepatitis B infection (11 with chronic hepatitis and 19 with advanced liver disease). The most common subgenotype/subtype of HBV was B3/adw (97%). The HBsAg titer was lower in patients with advanced liver disease than that in patients with chronic hepatitis. The MHR variants were grouped based on the percentage of the viral population affected: major, ≥20% of the total population; intermediate, 5% to <20%; and minor, 1% to <5%. The rates of MHR variation that were present in the major and intermediate viral population were significantly greater in patients with advanced liver disease than those in chronic patients. The most frequent MHR variants related to immune evasion in the major and intermediate populations were P120Q/T, T123A, P127T, Q129H/R, M133L/T, and G145R. The major population of MHR variants causing impaired of HBsAg secretion (e.g., G119R, Q129R, T140I, and G145R) was detected only in advanced liver disease patients. This is the first study to use ultradeep sequencing for the detection of MHR variants of HBV quasispecies in Indonesian patients. We found that a greater number of MHR variations was related to disease severity and reduced likelihood of HBsAg titer.
Commentary: Outbreak of Colistin-Resistant, Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: Are We at the End of the Road?
Authors: van Duin David , Doi Yohei
Published: July 2015

Carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains that produce
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) have spread globally in the last decade. Colistin is a key agent in treating infections caused by this pathogen. In this issue of the
Journal of Clinical Microbiolog
y, Giani et al. (T. Giani, F. Arena, G. Vaggelli, V. Conte, A Chiarell, L. H. De Angelis, R. Fornaini, M. Grazzini, F. Niccolini, P. Pecile, and G. M. Rossolini, J Clin Microbiol 53:3341–3344, 2015,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01017-15
) describe a sustained outbreak of colistin-resistant KPC-producing
K. pneumoniae
.
Transmission of H7N9 Influenza Viruses with a Polymorphism at PB2 Residue 627 in Chickens and Ferrets
Authors: Luk Geraldine S. M. , Leung Connie Y. H. , Sia Sin Fun , Choy Ka-Tim , Zhou Jie , Ho Candy C. K. , Cheung Peter P. H. , Lee Elaine F. , Wai Chris K. L. , Li Pamela C. H. , Ip Sin-Ming , Poon Leo L. M. , Lindsley William G. , Peiris Malik , Yen Hui-Ling
Published: July 2015

Poultry exposure is a major risk factor for human H7N9 zoonotic infections, for which the mode of transmission remains unclear. We studied the transmission of genetically related poultry and human H7N9 influenza viruses differing by four amino acids, including the host determinant PB2 residue 627. A/Silkie chicken/HK/1772/2014 (SCk1772) and A/HK/3263/14 (HK3263) replicated to comparable titers in chickens, with superior oropharyngeal over cloacal shedding; both viruses transmitted efficiently among chickens via direct contact but inefficiently via the airborne route. Interspecies transmission via the airborne route was observed for ferrets exposed to the SCk1772- or HK3263-infected chickens, while low numbers of copies of influenza viral genome were detected in the air, predominantly at particle sizes larger than 4 μm. In ferrets, the human isolate HK3263 replicated to higher titers and transmitted more efficiently via direct contact than SCk1772. We monitored “intrahost” and “interhost” adaptive changes at PB2 residue 627 during infection and transmission of the Sck1772 that carried E627 and HK3263 that carried V/K/E polymorphism at 60%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. For SCk1772, positive selection for K627 over E627 was observed in ferrets during the chicken-to-ferret or ferret-to-ferret transmission. For HK3263 that contained V/K/E polymorphism, mixed V627 and E627 genotypes were transmitted among chickens while either V627 or K627 was transmitted to ferrets with a narrow transmission bottleneck. Overall, our results suggest direct contact as the main mode for H7N9 transmission and identify the PB2-V627 genotype with uncompromised fitness and transmissibility in both avian and mammalian species.

IMPORTANCE
We studied the modes of H7N9 transmission, as this information is crucial for developing effective control measures for prevention. Using chicken (SCk1772) and human (HK3263) H7N9 isolates that differed by four amino acids, including the host determinant PB2 residue 627, we observed that both viruses transmitted efficiently among chickens via direct contact but inefficiently via the airborne route. Chicken-to-ferret transmission via the airborne route was observed, along with the detection of viral genome in the air at low copy numbers. In ferrets, HK3263 transmitted more efficiently than SCk1772 via direct contact. During the transmission of SCk1772 that contained E and HK3263 that contained V/K/E polymorphism at PB2 residue 627, positive selections of E627 and K627 were observed in chickens and ferrets, respectively. In addition, PB2-V627 was transmitted and stably maintained in both avian and mammalian species. Our results support applying intervention strategies that minimize direct and indirect contact at the poultry markets during epidemics.