bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bartlett correction in the stable second‐order autoregressive model with intercept and trend
Authors: van Giersbergen Noud P.A.
Published: August 2013

This paper derives the Bartlett factors that can be used to obtain higher‐order improvements for testing hypotheses about the autoregressive (AR) parameters in the stable AR(2) model with possible intercept and linear trend. The factors are obtained for testing hypotheses about individual parameters (φ1 and φ2) as well as their sum. Moreover, the effect of deterministic terms on the correction factors is found explicitly. All corrections are non‐decreasing in the AR parameters. Furthermore, the Bartlett corrections for φ1 and φ2 tend to infinity as φ2 approaches 1, whereas the correction for φ1 + φ2 tends to infinity as φ1 + φ2 is close to 1. The effectiveness of these Bartlett corrections in finite samples is evaluated by simulations.
Teaching Quality Control with Chocolate Chip Cookies
Authors: Baker Ardith
Published: August 2013

Chocolate chip cookies are used to illustrate the importance and effectiveness of control charts in Statistical Process Control. By counting the number of chocolate chips, creating the spreadsheet, calculating the control limits and graphing the control charts, the student becomes actively engaged in the learning process. In addition, examining and interpreting the control charts within the context of the cooking making process encourage the student to think critically in order to solve problems.
Involvement of the glutamate receptorAtGLR3.3 in plant defense signaling and resistance toHyaloperonospora arabidopsidis
Authors: Manzoor Hamid , Kelloniemi Jani , Chiltz Annick , Wendehenne David , Pugin Alain , Poinssot Benoit , Garcia‐Brugger Angela
Published: August 2013

Like their animal counterparts, plant glutamate receptor‐like (GLR) homologs are intimately associated withCa2+influx through plasma membrane and participate in various physiological processes. In pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMP)‐/elicitor‐mediated resistance,Ca2+fluxes are necessary for activating downstream signaling events related to plant defense. In this study, oligogalacturonides (OGs), which are endogenous elicitors derived from cell wall degradation, were used to investigate the role ofArabidopsisGLRs in defense signaling. Pharmacological investigations indicated thatGLRs are partly involved in free cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]cyt) variations, nitric oxide (NO) production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and expression of defense‐related genes byOGs. In addition, wild‐typeCol‐0 plants treated with the glutamate‐receptor antagonist 6,7‐dinitriquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (DNQX) had a compromised resistance toBotrytis cinereaandHyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Moreover, we provide genetic evidence that AtGLR3.3 is a key component of resistance againstH. arabidopsidis. In addition, someOGs‐triggered immune events such as defense gene expression,NOandROSproduction are also to different extents dependent on AtGLR3.3. Taken together, these data provide evidence for the involvement ofGLRs in elicitor/pathogen‐mediated plant defense signaling pathways inArabidopsis thaliana.
The impact of a reservoir on the physicochemical properties of water in a mountain river
Authors: Soja Roman , Wiejaczka Łukasz
Published: August 2013

The article presents the changes in the physicochemical properties (temperature, conductivity and pH) of the water in the Ropa River in the Polish Carpathians that were caused by the Klimkówka Reservoir, which was commissioned for operation in 1994. The study uses data mainly from daily measurements of the physicochemical properties of the water in the Ropa River. The measurements were taken during the period prior to the reservoir being built (1982–1993) and from the period after the dam became operational (1994–2006). The measurements were conducted 16 km downriver from the dam. The conducted analysis shows that the Klimkówka Reservoir radically changed the thermal conditions and the annual cycle for water conductivity in the Ropa River. The pH of the water in the Ropa River experienced the smallest changes.
A Novel Elastic Squeeze Film Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Boedo S. , Booker J. F.
Published: August 2013

This paper describes a new approach to the design of total hip replacements with the goal of enhancing lubrication and reducing wear. Elastic elements and ellipsoidal cup surface geometry are incorporated into the new design to promote and enhance ‘squeeze-film’ action over ‘wedge-film’ action employed in conventional artificial hip joints. Employing an established finite element lubrication model with a realistic gait cycle and realistic ball-to-cup clearance specifications, it is found that significantly larger minimum film thicknesses and significantly smaller maximum film pressures are predicted over the stance-phase portion of the gait cycle when compared with conventional designs.
Effects of Voids in Sintered Silver Joint on Thermal and Optoelectronic Performances of High Power Laser Diode
Authors: Yan Yi , Guan Youliang , Chen Xu , Lu Guo-Quan
Published: August 2013

The thermal and the optoelectronic performance of high power gallium arsenide (GaAs) laser diode die-attached with sintered silver joint were investigated. The thermal and mechanical characteristics of the Laser bar packaging were simulated by finite element analysis (FEA). On the basis of prior experimental observations, voids in the bonding layer were intentionally introduced in the FEA model to examine their effect on the laser diode operating in the continuous-wave (CW) mode under different drive currents. The simulation results indicate that the quality of the bonding layer is very important to the heat dissipation capability of the packaging. Any void in the die-attach material would become a hotspot and thus deteriorate the optoelectronic performance of the laser diode. In addition, because of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the laser bar and the copper heat sink, the interfacial thermomechanical stress will cause a noticeable curvature of the laser diode and a blueshift in the wavelength.
Investigation on Laser Direct Welding of Quad Flat Pack Components
Authors: Yuan Jianwen , Huang Chao , Chen Jimin , Liu Furong , Qiu Yi
Published: August 2013

The feasibility of laser direct welding quad flat pack (QFP) device without solder is analyzed and practiced. The relations between the tensile strength of QFP joints and laser welding parameters are investigated, and the optimized parameters are obtained. Further study of weld microstructure under the optimum parameters indicates the dependable metallurgical bonding has been formed. In accordance with the experimental parameters, the finite-element method is employed to simulate the temperature field of the welding process. The simulation results at optimum parameters of the welding spot's temperature distribution are discussed. The temperature rises linearly with the increment of loaded laser heating time, and the center temperature is rising much faster than other locations. The temperature is similar with actual measured highest temperature in this circumstance. It demonstrates the established model is satisfied, and the simulation result is reliable, which is significant to guide practical application.
Crystallographic Effects on Microscale Machining of Polycrystalline Brittle Materials
Authors: Venkatachalam Siva , Li Xiaoping , Fergani Omar , Guo Yang Jiang , Liang Steven Y.
Published: August 2013

This paper studies the effects of crystallography on the microscale machining characteristics of polycrystalline brittle materials on a quantitative basis. It is believed that during micromachining of brittle materials, plastic deformation can occur at the tool-workpiece interface due to the presence of high compressive stresses which leads to chip formation as opposed to crack propagation. The process parameters for such a machining process are comparable to the size of the grains, and hence crystallography assumes importance. The crystallographic effects include grain size, grain boundaries (GB), and crystallographic orientation (CO) for polycrystalline materials. The size of grains (crystals), whose distribution is analyzed as a log-normal curve, has an effect on the yield stress of a material as described by the Hall–Petch equation. The effects of grain boundary and orientation have been considered using the principles of dislocation theory. The microstructural anisotropy in a deformed polycrystalline material is influenced by geometrically necessary boundaries (GNB) and incidental dislocation boundaries (IDB). The dislocation theory takes both types of dislocations into account and relates the material flow stress to the dislocation density. The proposed analysis is compared with previously reported experimental data on polycrystalline germanium (p-Ge). This paper aims to provide a deeper physical insight into the microstructural aspects of polycrystalline brittle materials during precision microscale machining.
Case studies in surface photochemistry on metal nanoparticles
Authors: Menzel Dietrich , Hyun Kim Ki , Mulugeta Daniel , Watanabe Kazuo
Published: August 2013

The authors give a survey of their work on photochemical processes at silver nanoparticles carried out in Berlin in the past decade. Using well established procedures for the preparation of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) supported on ultrathin alumina layers on NiAl single crystals,they have investigated the photoreactions of adsorbed (NO)2 and of Xe induced by laser pulses. The authors examined the influences of photon energy (2.3, 3.5, and 4.7 eV) and polarization, mean particle size (2–10 nm), and pulse length (5 ns and 100 fs) on yields and cross sections, and on photoreaction mechanisms. Comparison with Ag(111) was made throughout. For the NO dimer layer, the authors find general agreement with known results on bulk Ag(111) in terms of possible reactions (NO desorption and NO monomer formation as well as conversion into adsorbed N2O and O) and predominant mechanism (via transient negative ion formation, TNI); NO desorption is the strongest channel. However, on the NPs, the cross sections show selective enhancement in particular under conditions of excitation of the Mie plasmon due to the field enhancement caused by it, but—more weakly—also under off-resonant conditions which the authors interpret by excitation confinement in the NPs. For ns laser pulses, the desorption yield responds linearly to photon flux so that the cross sections are independent of laser fluence. Using fs laser pulses, nonlinear yield response is found under plasmon excitation which is interpreted as due to re-excitation of hot electrons in the NPs during a single laser pulse. The dynamics of the individual process, however, stay the same under almost all conditions, as indicated by constant energy distributions over translational, rotational, and vibrational energies of the desorbing NO molecules, even in the nonlinear range. Only for the highest photon energy (i.e., off-resonance) and the smallest particles, a new channel is observed with higher translational energy which is believed to proceed via transient positive ions. The branching into the various reaction channels is found to be different on Ag NPs from that on Ag(111) which is ascribed to differing enhancements for the various channels. While these results show that for a typical molecular reaction only the yields are modified on NPs, very different behavior is observed for desorption of adsorbed Xe. Here, low intensity excitation of the Mie plasmon leads to chaotic response which must be due to hot spot formation. As in this case no simple desorption mechanism (via transient negative or positive ions, or direct HOMO–LUMO excitation of the adsorbate)is expected, a direct action of the plasmon excitation is postulated. Some general conclusions are drawn from these case studies.
Quality assurance of proton beams using a multilayer ionization chamber system
Authors: Dhanesar Sandeep , Sahoo Narayan , Kerr Matthew , Taylor M. Brad , Summers Paige , Zhu X. Ronald , Poenisch Falk , Gillin Michael
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

The measurement of percentage depth‐dose (PDD) distributions for the quality assurance of clinical proton beams is most commonly performed with a computerized water tank dosimetry system with ionization chamber, commonly referred to as water tank. Although the accuracy and reproducibility of this method is well established, it can be time‐consuming if a large number of measurements are required. In this work the authors evaluate the linearity, reproducibility, sensitivity to field size, accuracy, and time‐savings of another system: the Zebra, a multilayer ionization chamber system.

Methods:

The Zebra, consisting of 180 parallel‐plate ionization chambers with 2 mm resolution, was used to measure depth‐dose distributions. The measurements were performed for scattered and scanned proton pencil beams of multiple energies delivered by the Hitachi PROBEAT synchrotron‐based delivery system. For scattered beams, the Zebra‐measured depth‐dose distributions were compared with those measured with the water tank. The principal descriptors extracted for comparisons were: range, the depth of the distal 90% dose; spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) length, the region between the proximal 95% and distal 90% dose; and distal‐dose fall off (DDF), the region between the distal 80% and 20% dose. For scanned beams, the Zebra‐measured ranges were compared with those acquired using a Bragg peak chamber during commissioning.

Results:

The Zebra demonstrated better than 1% reproducibility and monitor unit linearity. The response of the Zebra was found to be sensitive to radiation field sizes greater than 12.5 × 12.5 cm; hence, the measurements used to determine accuracy were performed using a field size of 10 × 10 cm. For the scattered proton beams, PDD distributions showed 1.5% agreement within the SOBP, and 3.8% outside. Range values agreed within −0.1 ± 0.4 mm, with a maximum deviation of 1.2 mm. SOBP length values agreed within 0 ± 2 mm, with a maximum deviation of 6 mm. DDF values agreed within 0.3 ± 0.1 mm, with a maximum deviation of 0.6 mm. For the scanned proton pencil beams, Zebra and Bragg peak chamber range values demonstrated agreement of 0.0 ± 0.3 mm with a maximum deviation of 1.3 mm. The setup and measurement time for all Zebra measurements was 3 and 20 times less, respectively, compared to the water tank measurements.

Conclusions:

Our investigation shows that the Zebra can be useful not only for fast but also for accurate measurements of the depth‐dose distributions of both scattered and scanned proton beams. The analysis of a large set of measurements shows that the commonly assessed beam quality parameters obtained with the Zebra are within the acceptable variations specified by the manufacturer for our delivery system.
Experimentally studied dynamic dose interplay does not meaningfully affect target dose in VMAT SBRT lung treatments
Authors: Stambaugh Cassandra , Nelms Benjamin E. , Dilling Thomas , Stevens Craig , Latifi Kujtim , Zhang Geoffrey , Moros Eduardo , Feygelman Vladimir
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

The effects of respiratory motion on the tumor dose can be divided into the gradient and interplay effects. While the interplay effect is likely to average out over a large number of fractions, it may play a role in hypofractionated [stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)] treatments. This subject has been extensively studied for intensity modulated radiation therapy but less so for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), particularly in application to hypofractionated regimens. Also, no experimental study has provided full four‐dimensional (4D) dose reconstruction in this scenario. The authors demonstrate how a recently described motion perturbation method, with full 4D dose reconstruction, is applied to describe the gradient and interplay effects during VMAT lung SBRT treatments.

Methods:

VMAT dose delivered to a moving target in a patient can be reconstructed by applying perturbations to the treatment planning system‐calculated static 3D dose. Ten SBRT patients treated with 6 MV VMAT beams in five fractions were selected. The target motion (motion kernel) was approximated by 3D rigid body translation, with the tumor centroids defined on the ten phases of the 4DCT. The motion was assumed to be periodic, with the period T being an average from the empirical 4DCT respiratory trace. The real observed tumor motion (total displacement ≤8 mm) was evaluated first. Then, the motion range was artificially increased to 2 or 3 cm. Finally, T was increased to 60 s. While not realistic, making T comparable to the delivery time elucidates if the interplay effect can be observed. For a single fraction, the authors quantified the interplay effect as the maximum difference in the target dosimetric indices, most importantly the near‐minimum dose (D99%), between all possible starting phases. For the three‐ and five‐fractions, statistical simulations were performed when substantial interplay was found.

Results:

For the motion amplitudes and periods obtained from the 4DCT, the interplay effect is negligible (<0.2%). It is also small (0.9% average, 2.2% maximum) when the target excursion increased to 2–3 cm. Only with large motion and increased period (60 s) was a significant interplay effect observed, with D99% ranging from 16% low to 17% high. The interplay effect was statistically significantly lower for the three‐ and five‐fraction statistical simulations. Overall, the gradient effect dominates the clinical situation.

Conclusions:

A novel method was used to reconstruct the volumetric dose to a moving tumor during lung SBRT VMAT deliveries. With the studied planning and treatment technique for realistic motion periods, regardless of the amplitude, the interplay has nearly no impact on the near‐minimum dose. The interplay effect was observed, for study purposes only, with the period comparable to the VMAT delivery time.
A synthetic diamond diode in volumetric modulated arc therapy dosimetry
Authors: Zani Margherita , Bucciolini Marta , Casati Marta , Talamonti Cinzia , Marinelli Marco , Prestopino Giuseppe , Tonnetti Alessia , Verona‐Rinati Gianluca
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

The aim of this work is to investigate the behavior of a single crystal diamond diode (SCDD) for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) dose verifications. This delivery technique is one of the most severe test of a dosimeter performance due to the modulation of the dose rate achieved by simultaneously changing the velocity of the gantry and the position of the collimator leaves. The performed measurements with VMAT photon beams can therefore contribute to an overall global validation of the device to be used in dose distribution verifications.

Methods:

The SCDD response to 6 MVRX has been tested and compared with reference ionization chambers and treatment planning system (TPS) calculations in different experiments: (a) measurements of output factors for small field sizes (square fields of side ranging between 8 mm and 104 mm) by SCDD and A1SL ionization chamber; (b) angular dependence evaluation of the entire experimental set‐up by SCDD, A1SL, and Farmer ionization chambers; and (c) acquisition of dose profiles for a VMAT treatment of a pulmonary disease in latero‐lateral and gantry‐target directions by SCDD and A1SL ionization chamber.

Results:

The output factors measured by SCDD favorably compare with the ones obtained by A1SL, whose response is affected by the lack of charged particle equilibrium and by averaging effect when small fields are involved. From the experiment on angular dependence, a good agreement is observed among the diamond diode, the ion chambers, and the TPS. In VMAT profiles, the absorbed doses measured by SCDD and A1SL compare well with the TPS calculated ones. An overall better agreement is observed in the case of the diamond dosimeter, which is also showing a better accuracy in terms of distance to agreement in the high gradient regions.

Conclusions:

Synthetic diamond diodes, whose performance were previously studied for conformal and IMRT radiotherapy techniques, were found to be suitable detectors also for dosimetric measurements in volumetric arc therapy treatments.
Noncontiguous Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium septicum Strain DSM 44393
T
Authors: Sassi Mohamed , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , Drancourt Michel
Published: August 2013

The rapidly growing
Mycobacterium septicum
rarely causes pulmonary infections. We report here the draft genome sequence of
M. septicum
strain DSM 44393
T
, isolated from catheter-related bacteremia and initially identified as a member of
Mycobacterium fortuitum
.
Genome Sequence of Klebsiella oxytoca SA2, an Endophytic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium Isolated from the Pioneer Grass
Psammochloa villosa
Authors: Chen Mingyue , Lin Li , Zhang Yanming , Sun Li , An Qianli
Published: August 2013

Klebsiella oxytoca
strain SA2 is an endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from the pioneer grass
Psammochloa villosa
, which grows in the moving sand dunes of Ordos Plateau, China. The SA2 genome sequence provides the genetic background for understanding its endophytic lifestyle and survival in association with grass in nitrogen-poor environments.
Complete Genome Sequence of an MLB2 Astrovirus from a Turkish Child with Diarrhea
Authors: Mitui Marcelo Takahiro , Bozdayi Gulendam , Matsumoto Takashi , Dalgic Buket , Nishizono Akira , Ahmed Kamruddin
Published: August 2013

Only two complete genome sequences of MLB2 astroviruses are available, one from an Indian child with diarrhea and another from plasma of an American child. Here we report the complete MLB2 genome sequence from a Turkish child with diarrhea. This MLB2 astrovirus genome sequence shows high nucleotide identity with the American MLB2.
Management of post-treatment exacerbated temperomandibular disorder
Authors: Haralur Satheesh B , Alsubaiy Ebrahim Fihaid
Published: August 2013

The patient returning to the clinic with a restricted mouth opening after dental treatment is common in dental practice. An extended, wide mouth opening during the dental treatment is known to exacerbate the underlying temperomandibular disorders (TMDs). Subclinical TMD is prevalent among a large number of people in the society. It is advisable in the interest of patients as well as the treating dentist for routine examination of temperomandibular joint and recording TMD history before initiating dental treatment. Adequate knowledge and skill of the dentist is required to identify the causative factors and initiate appropriate treatment. This case report explains the stabilising occlusal splint therapy to treat the restricted mouth opening in chronic centrally mediated myalgia flared up due to extended dental treatment.
Republished: Novel insights into immune and inflammatory responses to respiratory viruses
Authors: Schwarze Jürgen , Mackenzie Karen J
Published: August 2013

Viral lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) can lead to severe disease at all ages, but with the exception of influenza vaccination, prevention is not available for most respiratory viruses, hence, effective, disease-limiting therapy is urgently required. To enable the development of novel effective therapeutic approaches, we need to improve understanding of the pathological mechanisms of viral LRTI. Here, we will discuss recently gained new insight into early, innate immune and inflammatory responses to respiratory viruses by airway epithelial cells and mucosal immune cells. Following virus recognition, these cells generate a range of mediators, including innate interferons, proinflammatory cytokines, and growth and differentiation factors which have pivotal roles in effective virus control, and the development of inflammation and disease in viral LRTI.
Encouraging vets to report surgery on pedigree dogs
Authors: Llewellyn Aimée
Published: August 2013

The Kennel Club encourages veterinary surgeons to let it know about any surgical procedures that they may perform that alter the conformation of a KC‐registered dog. It also encourages them to report caesarean operations. Aimée Llewellyn, health information manager at the Kennel Club, explains why such reports are useful and how they are being used to improve dog health and welfare
MOTIONS OF CARTAN CURVES IN n-DIMENSIONAL MINKOWSKI SPACE
Authors: LI YAN-YAN
Published: August 2013

Integrable systems satisfied by the curvatures of Cartan curves in Minkowski space under inextensible motions are identified. It is shown that motions of Cartan curves in three-, four- and n-dimensional (n > 4) Minkowski space are related to the KdV hierarchy, a coupled KdV system and a multi-component generalization of the coupled KdV system.
SINGLE BOSON AND INVERSION BOSON REALIZATIONS OF MULTI-PARAMETER NONLINEARLY DEFORMED ANGULAR MOMENTUM ALGEBRA
Authors: RUAN DONG , HUANG HUA-JUN , LI YOU-NING
Published: August 2013

Explicit, analytic and closed expressions for boson realizations of the (m+3)-parameter nonlinearly deformed angular momentum algebra [Formula: see text] with its highest power m of polynomial function being arbitrary, which combines and generalizes Witten's two deformation schemes, are investigated in terms of the single boson and the single inversion boson, respectively. For each kind, the unitary Holstein–Primakoff-like realization, the non-unitary Dyson–Maléev-like realization and their connections are respectively discussed. Using these realizations, the corresponding representations of [Formula: see text] as well as their respective acting spaces in the Fock space are obtained.
PRECISE DETERMINATIONS OF THE CHARM AND BOTTOM QUARK MASSES
Authors: BODENSTEIN SEBASTIAN
Published: August 2013

A finite-energy sum-rule is presented that allows for the use of combinations of both positive- and inverse-moment integration kernels. The freedom afforded from being able to employ this large class of integration kernels in our sum-rule is then exploited to obtain the values of the charm and bottom masses with minimum total uncertainty. We obtain as our final results [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], which are amongst the most precise values of these parameters obtained by any method.
SUPPRESSION OF BOTTOMONIA STATES IN FINITE SIZE QUARK–GLUON PLASMA IN PbPb COLLISIONS AT LARGE HADRON COLLIDER
Authors: ABDULSALAM ABDULLA , SHUKLA PRASHANT
Published: August 2013

The bottomonium states due to their varying binding energies dissolve at different temperatures and thus their nuclear modification factors and relative yields have potential to map the properties of Quark–Gluon Plasma (QGP). We estimate the suppression of bottomonia states due to color screening in an expanding QGP of finite lifetime and size with the conditions relevant for PbPb collisions at Large Hadron Collider. The properties of ϒ states and recent results on their dissociation temperatures have been used as ingredients in the study. The nuclear modification factors and the ratios of yields of ϒ states are then obtained as a function of transverse momentum and centrality. We compare our theoretical calculations with the bottomonia yields measured with CMS in PbPb collisions at [Formula: see text]. The model calculations explain the data very well.
DECOHERENCE DYNAMICS OF A FLUX QUBIT RESPECTIVELY COUPLED TO A BOSON BATH AND A SPIN BATH
Authors: LIANG BAO-LONG , WANG JI-SUO , MENG XIANG-GUO , YANG QIN-YING
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical evolution and the decoherence of a single flux qubit due to its coupling with the external environment bath. We consider two typical baths: boson bath and spin bath. It is shown that, at low but finite temperature, if the two typical baths have smooth and continuous spectrum, the dynamics of the system is in general non-Markovian though of finite memory time. Most important of all, affected by the external environment bath, the flux qubit exhibits resonance of the coherence of the qubit. Comparing with the spin bath, the boson bath's destruction of the coherence is more serious.
Antenatal betamethasone exposure is associated with lower ANG-(1–7) and increased ACE in the CSF of adult sheep
Authors: Marshall Allyson C. , Shaltout Hossam A. , Pirro Nancy T. , Rose James C. , Diz Debra I. , Chappell Mark C.
Published: August 2013

Antenatal betamethasone (BM) therapy accelerates lung development in preterm infants but may induce early programming events with long-term cardiovascular consequences. To elucidate these events, we developed a model of programming whereby pregnant ewes are administered BM (2 doses of 0.17 mg/kg) or vehicle at the 80th day of gestation and offspring are delivered at term. BM-exposed (BMX) offspring develop elevated blood pressure; decreased baroreflex sensitivity; and alterations in the circulating, renal, and brain renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) by 6 mo of age. We compared components of the choroid plexus fourth ventricle (ChP4) and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) RAS between control and BMX male offspring at 6 mo of age. In the choroid plexus, high-molecular-weight renin protein and ANG I-intact angiotensinogen were unchanged between BMX and control animals. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity was threefold higher than either neprilysin (NEP) or angiotensin 1-converting enzyme (ACE) in control and BMX animals. Moreover, all three enzymes were equally enriched by approximately 2.5-fold in ChP4 brush-border membrane preparations. CSF ANG-(1–7) levels were significantly lower in BMX animals (351.8 ± 76.8 vs. 77.5 ± 29.7 fmol/mg; P < 0.05) and ACE activity was significantly higher (6.6 ± 0.5 vs. 8.9 ± 0.5 fmol·min−1·ml−1; P < 0.05), whereas ACE2 and NEP activities were below measurable limits. A thiol-sensitive peptidase contributed to the majority of ANG-(1–7) metabolism in the CSF, with higher activity in BMX animals. We conclude that in utero BM exposure alters CSF but not ChP RAS components, resulting in lower ANG-(1–7) levels in exposed animals.
Recombinant Lectin-Like Domain of Thrombomodulin Suppresses Vascular Inflammation by Reducing Leukocyte Recruitment via Interacting With Lewis Y on Endothelial Cells
Authors: Lin Wei-Ling , Chang Chuan-Fa , Shi Chung-Sheng , Shi Guey-Yueh , Wu Hua-Lin
Published: August 2013

Objective—

The N-terminal lectin-like domain (domain 1 [D1]) of thrombomodulin (TM) is known to have an anti-inflammatory function. We previously showed that recombinant TM domain 1 (rTMD1) interacts with a carbohydrate molecule, Lewis Y (Le
y
), which is found to be expressed on adhesion molecules and involved in cell adhesion. Here, we tested the effect of rTMD1/Le
y
interaction on leukocyte recruitment in inflammation.

Approach and Results—

The expression of Le
y
on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was increased by tumor necrosis factor-α stimulation. Direct binding of rTMD1 to Le
y
on the cell surface was observed. rTMD1 inhibited Le
y
-mediated leukocyte adhesion on the Le
y
-immobilized flow chamber and activated endothelium under a shear flow. The following leukocyte transmigration to endothelium was also reduced by rTMD1 through binding Le
y
. In vivo, treatment of rTMD1 reduced leukocyte recruitment to the inflammatory sites in carotid ligation injury and thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. rTMD1 administration in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice effectively suppressed atherosclerotic plaque formation and macrophage infiltration in atherosclerotic lesions. Increased Le
y
expression, as well as administered rTMD1, was observed in inflamed vessels.

Conclusions—

rTMD1 suppresses vascular inflammation by inhibiting leukocyte recruitment to endothelium through attenuating Le
y
-mediated adhesion and further protects against atherosclerosis progression. The present study provides a mechanism showing that rTMD1 can inhibit inflammation by binding to its carbohydrate ligand Le
y
.
Immunosuppressive Drug Azathioprine Reduces Aneurysm Progression Through Inhibition of Rac1 and c-Jun-Terminal-N-Kinase in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Marinković Goran , Hibender Stijntje , Hoogenboezem Mark , van Broekhoven Amber , Girigorie Arginell F. , Bleeker Natascha , Hamers Anouk A.J. , Stap Jan , van Buul Jaap D. , de Vries Carlie J.M. , de Waard Vivian
Published: August 2013

Objective—

In aortic aneurysms the arterial vessel wall is dilated because of destruction of its integrity, which may lead to lethal vessel rupture. Chronic infiltration of inflammatory cells into the vessel wall is fundamental to aneurysm pathology. We aim to limit aneurysm growth by inhibition of inflammation and reducing endothelial cell (EC) activation with immunosuppressive drug azathioprine (Aza).

Approach and Results—

Aza and its metabolite 6-mercaptopurine have anti-inflammatory effects on leukocytes. We here demonstrate that treatment of ECs with 6-mercaptopurine inhibits cell activation as illustrated by reduced expression of interleukin-12, CCL5, CCL2, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and inhibition of monocyte–EC adhesion. The underlying mechanism of 6-mercaptopurine involves suppression of GTPase Rac1 activation, resulting in reduced phosphorylation of c-Jun-terminal-N-kinase and c-Jun. Subsequently, the effect of Aza was investigated in aneurysm formation in the angiotensin II aneurysm mouse model in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. We demonstrated that Aza decreases de novo aortic aneurysm formation from an average aneurysm severity score of 2.1 (control group) to 0.6 (Aza group), and that Aza effectively delays aorta pathology in a progression experiment, resulting in a reduced severity score from 2.8 to 1.7 in Aza-treated mice. In line with the in vitro observations, Aza-treated mice showed less c-Jun-terminal-N-kinase activation in ECs and reduced leukocyte influx in the aortic wall.

Conclusions—

The immunosuppressive drug Aza has an anti-inflammatory effect and in ECs inhibits Rac1 and c-Jun-terminal-N-kinase activation, which may explain the protective effect of Aza in aneurysm development and, most importantly for clinical implications, aneurysm severity.
On the Modification of Man-Made Clouds: The Factory Cloud
Authors:   HeHe, Evans Helen , Hansen Heiko
Published: August 2013

The following article discusses anthropological clouds and in particular industrial clouds, which are exemplary for modalities of art-science collaboration. It was written for the “Water Is in the Air” workshop and is part of the forthcoming book Man Made Clouds.
A new species of Euselasia Hübner from Meso-America and Mexico with notes on the eurypus group (Lepidoptera, Riodinidae)
Authors: CALLAGHAN CURTIS J. , LLORENTE-BOUSQUETS JORGE , LUIS-MARTÍNEZ ARMANDO
Published: August 2013

A new species of Riodinidae, Euselasia oaxacensis Callaghan, Llorente-Bousquets & Luis-Martínez, sp. nov. from Oaxaca State in Mexico and Costa Rica is described, including its habitat, behavior and differences with other members of the eurypus group of the genus Euselasia. Notes are included in the taxonomic position, distribution and behavior of three other species of the eurypus group: Euselasia eurypus (Hewitson, 1856), Euselasia angulata (Bates, 1868); and Euselasia clesa (Hewitson, 1856).
A new genus of the tribe Parahiraciini from China, with notes on the tribe (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Issidae)
Authors: CHE YANLI , ZHANG YALIN , WANG YINGLUN
Published: August 2013

The new issid taxon, Folifemurum duplicatum gen. et sp. nov. from China is described and illustrated. This description includes external morphology of the adult, and structures of the male and female genitalia. The genus is placed in the tribe Parahiraciini. A diagnosis of Folifemurum gen.nov. is given and is compared to the related genus Neodurium Fennah. In addition, a key to all genera of the tribe is provided.
Pontarachnid mites from marine interstitial, with a description of three new species from South Korea (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Pontarachnidae)
Authors: PEŠIĆ VLADIMIR
Published: August 2013

Most of the known pontarachnid species (Acari, Hydrachnidia) live in the marine littoral zone; a few species have been described from freshwaters, but these species were found to occur in estuaries or locations near the sea. Occasionally some specimens of the surface dwelling species were taken from marine interstitial. During a recent survey on marine interstitial fauna along the coast of South Korea, some pontarachnid mites were collected. Three species, i.e., Pontarachna ivonae sp. nov. (Yellow Sea and East Sea), Litarachna lukai sp. nov. (Yellow Sea) and L. gracilis sp. nov. (East Sea) are described as new to science. Two latter species have reduced eye pigmentation indicating that they can be the first representatives of the interstitial pontarachnid mites.
Description of a new species of the cardinalfish genus Pseudamiops (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from the Red Sea
Authors: GON OFER , BOGORODSKY SERGEY V. , MAL AHMAD O.
Published: August 2013

A new species of pseudamine cardinalfish, Pseudamiops springeri, is described from five specimens collected in the Red Sea. It may be distinguished from the four known species of Pseudamiops in having 13 pectoral-fin rays, pseudobranch with 2–4 filaments, no canine teeth on the vomer, anterior nostril with a conspicuous skin flap and genital opening flanked by two slender papillae. Pseudamiops springeri is closest to its Western Indian Ocean congener P. pellucidus Smith.
Future Changes in Structures of Extremely Intense Tropical Cyclones Using a 2-km Mesh Nonhydrostatic Model
Authors: Kanada Sachie , Wada Akiyoshi , Sugi Masato
Published: August 2013

Recent studies have projected that global warming may lead to an increase in the number of extremely intense tropical cyclones. However, how global warming affects the structure of extremely intense tropical cyclones has not been thoroughly examined. This study defines extremely intense tropical cyclones as having a minimum central pressure below 900 hPa and investigates structural changes in the inner core and thereby changes in the intensity in the future climate. A 2-km mesh nonhydrostatic model (NHM2) is used to downscale the 20-km mesh atmospheric general circulation model projection forced with a control scenario and a scenario of twenty-first-century climate change. The eyewall region of extremely intense tropical cyclones simulated by NHM2 becomes relatively smaller and taller in the future climate. The intense near-surface inflow intrudes more inward toward the eye. The heights and the radii of the maximum wind speed significantly decrease and an intense updraft area extends from the lower level around the leading edge of thinner near-surface inflows, where the equivalent potential temperature substantially increases in the future climate. Emanuel’s potential intensity theory suggests that about half of the intensification (increase in central pressure fall) is explained by the changes in the atmospheric environments and sea surface temperature, while the remaining half needs to be explained by other processes. It is suggested that the structural change projected by NHM2, which is significant within a radius of 50 km, is playing an important role in the intensification of extremely intense tropical cyclones in simulations of the future climate.
Overflow Waters at the Iceland–Faroe Ridge Observed in Multiyear Seaglider Surveys
Authors: Beaird N. L. , Rhines P. B. , Eriksen C. C.
Published: August 2013

This paper presents new observations of the overflow waters downstream of the Faroe Bank Channel (FBC) and the Iceland–Faroe Ridge (IFR). Between 2006 and 2009, over 17 400 hydrographic profiles were collected during quarterly deployments in the region by autonomous gliders, providing previously unrealized spatial resolution to observations downstream of the FBC. Observations show that the second sill of the FBC coincides with the largest changes in the overflow plume, including significant thinning, widening, and entrainment. Between the second sill and a topographic feature 75 km downstream, the plume bifurcates with the densest portion (65% of the transport), descending below 1000 m. On the IFR, near-bottom velocities are directed alongslope with speeds averaging 21.5 cm s−1. Observations indicate that 80% of baroclinic velocities associated with mesoscale variability of the overflow plume are smaller than the alongslope topographically induced circulation. Evidence of overflow is found at all locations on the Atlantic flank of the IFR. However, the meridionally oriented portion at 13°W has anomalously warm bottom water and divides FBC and eastern IFR overflow from overflow found in the Western Valley. Individual Seaglider sections identify IFR overflow in a narrow current (8–14 km wide) along the Iceland shelf with a mean transport of 0.43 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) with significant variability from days to weeks. A lower-bound estimate of 0.8 Sv of total IFR overflow is presented. These results provide constraints on regional models that inform the representation of this crucial, yet underresolved, region in large-scale ocean and climate models.
Divergent Eddy Heat Fluxes in the Kuroshio Extension at 144°–148°E. Part II: Spatiotemporal Variability
Authors: Bishop Stuart P.
Published: August 2013

The Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS) provided 16 months of observations to quantify divergent eddy heat flux (DEHF) from a mesoscale-resolving array of current- and pressure-equipped inverted echo sounders. KESS observations captured a regime shift from a stable to unstable state. There is a distinct difference in the spatial structure of DEHFs between the two regimes. The stable regime had weak downgradient DEHFs. The unstable regime exhibited asymmetry along the mean path with strong downgradient DEHFs upstream of a mean trough at ~147°E. The spatial structure of DEHFs resulted from episodic mesoscale processes. The first 6 months were during the stable regime in which fluxes were associated with eastward-propagating 10–15-day upper meanders. After 6 months, the Kuroshio Extension underwent a regime shift from a stable to unstable state. This regime shift corresponded with a red shift in mesoscale phenomena with the prevalence of ~40-day deep externally generated eddies. DEHF amplitudes more than quadrupled during the unstable regime. Cold-core ring (CCR) formation, CCR–jet interaction, and coupling between ~40-day deep eddies were responsible for asymmetry in downgradient fluxes in the mean maps not observed during the stable regime. The Kuroshio Extension has prominent deep energy associated with externally generated eddies that interact with the jet to drive some of the biggest DEHF events. These eddies play an important role in the variability of the jet through eddy–mean flow interactions. The DEHFs that result from vertical coupling act in accordance with baroclinic instability. The interaction is not growth from an infinitesimal perturbation, but from the start is a finite-amplitude interaction.
Learning about Climate: An Exploration of the Socialization of Climate Change
Authors: Hopkins Debbie
Published: August 2013

While the term “climate change” is highly recognized by the nonscientific general public, understandings of its manifestations are varied, contrasting, and complex. It is argued that this is because climate change has become simultaneously a physical and a social phenomenon. Thus, climate change is becoming socialized through nonscientific interpretation. Research has considered the roles of independent sources of information used to inform these communities, ranging from media sources to personal experiences. However, little consideration has been made of the interplay between information sources and how these sources are perceived by nonscientific communities in terms of trust. This paper presents a qualitative study of 52 ski industry stakeholders in Queenstown, New Zealand. It explores the sources of information used by these communities to construct understandings about climate change, their perceptions of these sources, the dominant interpretive factors, and the interactions between the information sources. It finds that personal experiences of weather are used to interpret other sources of information and are drawn upon to corroborate and reject the existence of climate change and its relevance for their locality. This paper concludes that locally relevant information on climate change is required to ensure that it is applicable to nonscientific realities and lived experiences.
Solutions to the problem of thermo-mechanical yielding in functionally graded material cylindrical vessels
Authors: Sadeghian Mojtaba , Toussi Hamid Ekhteraei
Published: August 2013

Generally, in functionally graded material structures, a ceramic material as reinforcing part is distributed in a metallic matrix. These structures benefit the merits of both their metallic and ceramic parts such as the mechanical strength and thermal resistance. An important aspect in the function and study of functionally graded material structures is the effect of temperature. Usually, the resulted thermal stresses are so high that partial failure of structure is inevitable. In this paper, by using of different exact and approximate mathematical models and solution techniques, the yielding of a functionally graded material cylindrical pressure vessel is studied. Different solution techniques such as closed form solution, FE solution of ABAQUS and semi-analytical solution of variable material properties are used. Based on the von Mises and Tresca’s yield criteria, the shape of plastic zone are obtained and compared. The influences of different structural parameters as well as the effect of failure criterion upon the results are studied. Accordingly, some justifications are made regarding the selection of different material parameters or failure models.
An inverse approach to characterize anisotropic thermal conductivities of a dry fibrous preform composite
Authors: Ma Liangkai , Srivastava Rakesh , Barpanda Dev , Fowler Tammy , Theophanous Theo , Verghese Nikhil
Published: August 2013

Fiber-reinforced composites play an important role in enabling the industrial composites industry including automotive, pressure vessels etc. to meet ever increasingly aggressive fuel efficiency requirements. Modeling and analysis is often employed in composite development as a tool to achieve faster and more cost-effective solutions to both product and process designs. Thermal conductivity measurements play a critical role in enhancing the fidelity of these models, especially in scenarios involving non-isothermal processing. Accurate characterizations of anisotropic thermal conductivities that are typical of dry fibrous preforms are especially challenging because of their highly porous and complex structures. In this article, an inverse approach is developed to estimate the anisotropic thermal conductivities of a dry preform made of biaxial [0°/90°] stitched glass-fiber mats based on the measurements of thermal conductivities of cured epoxy-matrix composites. This method is found to not only yield more accurate results than direct preform measurements but also provide the capability to characterize preforms in multiple directions rather than only through-thickness direction. The estimated thermal conductivities are used in preform heating simulation that is validated against experiments.