bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stall, Surge, and 75 Years of Research
Authors: Day I. J.
Published: August 2015

Work on rotating stall and its related disturbances have been in progress since the Second World War. During this period, certain “hot topics” have come to the fore—mostly in response to pressing problems associated with new engine designs. This paper will take a semihistorical look at some of these fields of study (stall, surge, active control, rotating instabilities, etc.) and will examine the ideas which underpin each topic. Good progress can be reported, but the paper will not be an unrestricted celebration of our successes because, after 75 years of research, we are still unable to predict the stalling behavior of a new compressor or to contribute much to the design of a more stall-resistant machine. Looking forward from where we are today, it is clear that future developments will come from CFD in the form of better performance predictions, better flow modeling, and improved interpretation of experimental results. It is also clear that future experimental work will be most effective when focussed on real compressors with real problems—such as stage matching, large tip clearances, eccentricity, and service life degradation. Today’s topics of interest are mostly associated with compressible effects and so further research will require more high-speed testing.
Experimental Investigation on the Wake Characteristics and Aeromechanics of Dual-Rotor Wind Turbines
Authors: Ozbay Ahmet , Tian Wei , Hu Hui
Published: August 2015

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the aeromechanics and wake characteristics of dual-rotor wind turbines (DRWTs) in either co-rotating or counter-rotating configuration, in comparison to those of a conventional single-rotor wind turbine (SRWT). The experiments were performed in a large-scale aerodynamic/atmospheric boundary layer (AABL) wind tunnel, available at Iowa State University with the oncoming atmospheric boundary-layer (ABL) airflows under neutral stability conditions. In addition to measuring the power output performance of DRWT and SRWT models, static and dynamic wind loads acting on those turbine models were also investigated. Furthermore, a high-resolution digital particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used to quantify the flow characteristics in the near wakes of the DRWT and SRWT models. The detailed wake-flow measurements were correlated with the power outputs and wind-load measurement results of the wind-turbine models to elucidate the underlying physics to explore/optimize design of wind turbines for higher power yield and better durability.
Axial vibrations of brass wind instrument bells and their acoustical influence: Experiments
Authors: Moore Thomas R. , Gorman Britta R. , Rokni Michelle , Kausel Wilfried , Chatziioannou Vasileios
Published: August 2015

It has recently been proposed that the effects of structural vibrations on the radiated sound of brass wind instruments may be attributable to axial modes of vibration with mode shapes that contain no radial nodes [Kausel, Chatziioannou, Moore, Gorman, and Rokni, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137, 3149–3162 (2015)]. Results of experiments are reported that support this theory. Mechanical measurements of a trumpet bell demonstrate that these axial modes do exist in brass wind instruments. The quality factor of the mechanical resonances can be on the order of 10 or less, making them broad enough to encompass the frequency range of previously reported effects attributed to bell vibrations. Measurements of the input impedance show that damping bell vibrations can result in impedance changes of up to 5%, in agreement with theory. Measurements of the acoustic transfer function demonstrate that the axial vibrations couple to the internal sound field as proposed, resulting in changes in the transfer function of approximately 1 dB. In agreement with theory, a change in the sign of the effect is observed at the frequency of the structural resonance.
Blurred Lines: An Examination of High School Football Recruits’ Self-Presentation on Twitter
Authors: Frederick Evan L. , Clavio Galen
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to explore self-presentation among highly ranked high school football recruits on Twitter. The top 10 athletes in the ESPN 300 were selected for analysis. Specifically, an inductive thematic analysis of the athletes’ tweets was conducted using grounded theory and constant-comparative methodology. Tweets were analyzed from the beginning of the football season through national signing day on February 5. Five self-presentation categories emerged from the data analysis including the personalist, interactivist, promotionalist, culturalist, and vocationalist. Overall, the high school athletes in this study were more likely to use Twitter to engage in backstage (i.e., candid) self-presentation than front-stage (i.e., calculated) self-presentation. While these athletes did use front-stage self-presentation, the performances were characterized by a highly personalized approach to communicating. The candid nature of these athletes’ use of Twitter suggests that proactive education of how to properly use social-media platforms is essential.
How Do You “Like” My Style? Examining How Communication Style Influences Facebook Behaviors
Authors: Hodge Courtney , Pederson Joseph A. , Walker Matthew
Published: August 2015

Given the increasing popularity of social-networking sites, it is extremely important for brand managers involved with Internet-based communication platforms to evaluate whether their communication strategies are positively influencing user attitudes and behaviors toward their brands. This article aims to address this need by investigating how sports fans respond to various marketing communication styles via Facebook posts. Using a case-manipulation design, this study empirically examines the relation among communication styles and individual willingness to engage in 4 common Facebook behaviors (i.e., “comment,” “like,” “share,” and “RSVP”). The results indicate that a personal communication style enhanced individual willingness to “comment” on Facebook posts, while the colorful style enhanced individual willingness to “like” and “RSVP” to Facebook events.
Communicating the Athlete as a Brand: An Examination of LPGA Star Suzann Pettersen
Authors: Kristiansen Elsa , Williams Antonio S.
Published: August 2015

This article explored how a renowned LPGA golfer, Suzann Pettersen, has built and leveraged her personal brand. Using the athlete brand-equity model as the theoretical framework, a qualitative case study was built by means of interviews and document analyses. Specifically, this case detailed how Pettersen and her management team endeavored to build and manage her personal brand equity through organization-produced and -controlled brand-communications strategies. The findings of this case shed light on the challenges and opportunities that athletes and their constituents face when managing human brands. Moreover, the findings of this case support the use of previously proposed sport-branding conceptualizations in a real-world setting.
Masters Swimmers Use More Dietary Supplements Than a Large National Comparison Population in the United States
Authors: Guthrie Sally K. , Erickson Steven R.
Published: August 2015

The use of dietary supplements was compared between a cohort of committed exercisers, U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) members (n = 1,042), and the general U.S. population, exemplified by respondents to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2010 (n = 6,209). USMS swimmers were significantly more likely to take dietary supplements (62%) than the general U.S. adult population, as represented by the NHANES population (37%). Those taking dietary supplements were older, more likely to be female and Caucasian, and more highly educated and affluent than those not taking supplements (p < .001 for all). When adjusted for age, race, gender, annual income, and education, masters swimmers were still more likely (p < .001) to use dietary supplements than the NHANES cohort. In addition, masters swimmers were significantly more likely (p < .001) to use either creatine or dehydroepiandrosterone or testosterone than those in the NHANES cohort.
Effect of Exercise Intensity on Subsequent Gastric Emptying Rate in Humans
Authors: Evans Gethin H. , Watson Phillip , Shirreffs Susan M. , Maughan Ronald J.
Published: August 2015

Previous investigations have suggested that exercise at intensities greater than 70% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) reduces gastric emptying rate during exercise, but little is known about the effect of exercise intensity on gastric emptying in the postexercise period. To examine this, 8 healthy participants completed 3 experimental trials that included 30 min of rest (R), low-intensity (L; 33% of peak power output) exercise, or high-intensity (H; 10 × 1 min at peak power output followed by 2 min rest) exercise. Thirty minutes after completion of exercise, participants ingested 595 ml of a 5% glucose solution, and gastric emptying rate was assessed via the double-sampling gastric aspiration method for 60 min. No differences (p > .05) were observed in emptying characteristics for total stomach volume or test meal volume between the trials, and the quantity of glucose delivered to the intestine did not differ between trials (p > .05). Half-emptying times did not differ (p = .902) between trials and amounted to 22 ± 9, 22 ± 9, and 22 ± 7 min (M ± SD) during the R, L, and H trials, respectively. These results suggest that exercise has little effect on postexercise gastric emptying rate of a glucose solution.
Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2 Rep68 Can Bind to Consensus Rep-Binding Sites on the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Genome
Authors: Seyffert Michael , Glauser Daniel L. , Tobler Kurt , Georgiev Oleg , Vogel Rebecca , Vogt Bernd , Agúndez Leticia , Linden Michael , Büning Hildegard , Ackermann Mathias , Fraefel Cornel
Published: August 2015

Adeno-associated virus type 2 is known to inhibit replication of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). This activity has been linked to the helicase- and DNA-binding domains of the Rep68/Rep78 proteins. Here, we show that Rep68 can bind to consensus Rep-binding sites on the HSV-1 genome and that the Rep helicase activity can inhibit replication of any DNA if binding is facilitated. Therefore, we hypothesize that inhibition of HSV-1 replication involves direct binding of Rep68/Rep78 to the HSV-1 genome.
Intracellular Signaling and Desmoglein 2 Shedding Triggered by Human Adenoviruses Ad3, Ad14, and Ad14P1
Authors: Wang Hongjie , Ducournau Corinne , Saydaminova Kamola , Richter Maximilian , Yumul Roma , Ho Martin , Carter Darrick , Zubieta Chloé , Fender Pascal , Lieber André
Published: August 2015

We recently discovered that desmoglein 2 (DSG2) is a receptor for human adenovirus species B serotypes Ad3, Ad7, Ad11, and Ad14. Ad3 is considered to be a widely distributed human pathogen. Ad3 binding to DSG2 triggers the transient opening of epithelial junctions. Here, we further delineate the mechanism that leads to DSG2-mediated epithelial junction opening in cells exposed to Ad3 and recombinant Ad3 fiber proteins. We identified an Ad3 fiber knob-dependent pathway that involves the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases triggering the activation of the matrix-metalloproteinase ADAM17. ADAM17, in turn, cleaves the extracellular domain of DSG2 that links epithelial cells together. The shed DSG2 domain can be detected in cell culture supernatant and also in serum of mice with established human xenograft tumors. We then extended our studies to Ad14 and Ad14P1. Ad14 is an important research and clinical object because of the recent appearance of a new, more pathogenic strain (Ad14P1). In a human epithelial cancer xenograft model, Ad14P1 showed more efficient viral spread and oncolysis than Ad14. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a mutation in the Ad14P1 fiber knob could account for the differences between the two strains. While our X-ray crystallography studies suggested an altered three-dimensional (3D) structure of the Ad14P1 fiber knob in the F-G loop region, this did not significantly change the fiber knob affinity to DSG2 or the intracellular signaling and DSG2 shedding in epithelial cancer cells.

IMPORTANCEA number of widely distributed adenoviruses use the epithelial junction protein DSG2 as a receptor for infection and lateral spread. Interaction with DSG2 allows the virus not only to enter cells but also to open epithelial junctions which form a physical barrier to virus spread. Our study elucidates the mechanism beyond virus-triggered junction opening with a focus on adenovirus serotype 3. Ad3 binds to DSG2 with its fiber knob domain and triggers intracellular signaling that culminates in the cleavage of the extracellular domain of DSG2, thereby disrupting DSG2 homodimers between epithelial cells. We confirmed this pathway with a second DSG2-interacting serotype, Ad14, and its recently emerged strain Ad14P1. These new insights in basic adenovirus biology can be employed to develop novel drugs to treat adenovirus infection as well as be used as tools for gene delivery into epithelial tissues or epithelial tumors.
Unique Determinants of Neuraminidase Inhibitor Resistance among N3, N7, and N9 Avian Influenza Viruses
Authors: Song Min-Suk , Marathe Bindumadhav M. , Kumar Gyanendra , Wong Sook-San , Rubrum Adam , Zanin Mark , Choi Young-Ki , Webster Robert G. , Govorkova Elena A. , Webby Richard J.
Published: August 2015

Human infections with avian influenza viruses are a serious public health concern. The neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs) are the frontline anti-influenza drugs and are the major option for treatment of newly emerging influenza. Therefore, it is essential to identify the molecular markers of NAI resistance among specific NA subtypes of avian influenza viruses to help guide clinical management. NAI-resistant substitutions in NA subtypes other than N1 and N2 have been poorly studied. Here, we identified NA amino acid substitutions associated with NAI resistance among influenza viruses of N3, N7, and N9 subtypes which have been associated with zoonotic transmission. We applied random mutagenesis and generated recombinant influenza viruses carrying single or double NA substitution(s) with seven internal genes from A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) virus. In a fluorescence-based NA inhibition assay, we identified three categories of NA substitutions associated with reduced inhibition by NAIs (oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir): (i) novel subtype-specific substitutions in or near the enzyme catalytic site (R152W, A246T, and D293N, N2 numbering), (ii) subtype-independent substitutions (E119G/V and/or D and R292K), and (iii) substitutions previously reported in other subtypes (Q136K, I222M, and E276D). Our data show that although some markers of resistance are present across NA subtypes, other subtype-specific markers can only be determined empirically.

IMPORTANCEThe number of humans infected with avian influenza viruses is increasing, raising concerns of the emergence of avian influenza viruses resistant to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs). Since most studies have focused on NAI-resistance in human influenza viruses, we investigated the molecular changes in NA that could confer NAI resistance in avian viruses grown in immortalized monolayer cells, especially those of the N3, N7, and N9 subtypes, which have caused human infections. We identified not only numerous NAI-resistant substitutions previously reported in other NA subtypes but also several novel changes conferring reduced susceptibility to NAIs, which are subtype specific. The findings indicate that some resistance markers are common across NA subtypes, but other markers need to be determined empirically for each subtype. The study also implies that antiviral surveillance monitoring could play a critical role in the clinical management of influenza virus infection and an essential component of pandemic preparedness.
Type I Interferons Triggered through the Toll-Like Receptor 3–TRIF Pathway Control Coxsackievirus A16 Infection in Young Mice
Authors: Yang Juhao , Yang Chunfu , Guo Nining , Zhu Kai , Luo Kaiming , Zhang Na , Zhao Hui , Cui Ying , Chen Lei , Wang Hongyang , Gu Jun , Ge Baoxue , Qin Cheng-Feng , Leng Qibin
Published: August 2015

Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is one of the major etiological agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in children. The host defense mechanisms against CVA16 infection remain almost entirely unknown. Unlike previous observations with enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, here we show that gamma interferon (IFN-γ) or invariant NK T cell deficiency does not affect disease development or the survival of CVA16-infected mice. In contrast, type I interferon receptor deficiency resulted in the development of more severe disease in mice, and the mice had a lower survival rate than wild-type mice. Similarly, a deficiency of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TRIF, but not other pattern recognition receptors, led to the decreased survival of CVA16-infected mice. TLR3-TRIF signaling was indispensable for the induction of type I interferons during CVA16 infection in mice and protected young mice from disease caused by the infection. In particular, TRIF-mediated immunity was critical for preventing CVA16 replication in the neuronal system before disease occurred. IFN-β treatment was also found to compensate for TRIF deficiency in mice and decreased the disease severity in and mortality of CVA16-infected mice. Altogether, type I interferons induced by TLR3-TRIF signaling mediate protective immunity against CVA16 infection. These findings may shed light on therapeutic strategies to combat HFMD caused by CVA16 infection.

IMPORTANCEHand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a major threat to public health in the Asia-Pacific region. Both CVA16 and EV71 are major pathogens that are responsible for HFMD. The majority of research efforts have focused on the more virulent EV71, but little has been done with CVA16. Thus far, host immune responses to CVA16 infection have not yet been elucidated. The present study discovered an initial molecular mechanism underlying host protective immunity against CVA16 infection, providing the first explanation for why CVA16 and EV71 cause different clinical outcomes upon infection of humans. Therefore, different therapeutic strategies should be developed to treat HFMD cases caused by these two viruses.
Site-Specific Recombination by SSV2 Integrase: Substrate Requirement and Domain Functions
Authors: Zhan Zhengyan , Zhou Ju , Huang Li
Published: August 2015

SSV-type integrases, encoded by fuselloviruses which infect the hyperthermophilic archaea of the
Sulfolobales
, are archaeal members of the tyrosine recombinase family. These integrases catalyze viral integration into and excision from a specific site on the host genome. In the present study, we have established an
in vitro
integration/excision assay for SSV2 integrase (Int
SSV2
). Int
SSV2
alone was able to catalyze both integration and excision reactions
in vitro
. A 27-bp specific DNA sequence is minimally required for the activity of the enzyme, and its flanking sequences influence the efficiency of integration by the enzyme in a sequence-nonspecific manner. The enzyme forms a tetramer through interactions in the N-terminal part (residues 1 to 80), interacts nonspecifically with DNA and performs chemical catalysis in the C-terminal part (residues 165 to 328), and appears to recognize and bind the specific site of recombination in the middle portion (residues 81 to 164). It is worth noting that an N-terminally truncated mutant of Int
SSV2
(residues 81 to 328), which corresponded to the putative product of the 3′-end sequence of the Int
SSV2
gene of the integrated SSV2 genome, was unable to form tetramers but possessed all the catalytic properties of full-length Int
SSV2
except for the slightly reduced recombination activity. Our results suggest that, unlike λ integrase, SSV-type integrases alone are capable of catalyzing viral DNA recombination with the host genome in a simple and reversible fashion.

IMPORTANCE
Archaea are host to a variety of viruses. A number of archaeal viruses are able to integrate their genome into the host genome. Many known archaeal viral integrases belong to a unique type, or the SSV type, of tyrosine recombinases. SSV-type integrases catalyze viral integration into and excision from a specific site on the host genome. However, the molecular details of the recombination process have yet to be fully understood because of the lack of an established
in vitro
recombination assay system. Here we report an
in vitro
assay for integration and excision by SSV2 integrase, a member of the SSV-type integrases. We show that SSV2 integrase alone is able to catalyze both integration and excision and reveal how different parts of the target DNA and the enzyme serve their roles in these processes. Therefore, our results provide mechanistic insights into a simple recombination process catalyzed by an archaeal integrase.
Breast Milk of HIV-Positive Mothers Has Potent and Species-Specific
In Vivo
HIV-Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Wahl Angela , Baker Caroline , Spagnuolo Rae Ann , Stamper Lisa W. , Fouda Genevieve G. , Permar Sallie R. , Hinde Katie , Kuhn Louise , Bode Lars , Aldrovandi Grace M. , Garcia J. Victor
Published: August 2015

Despite the nutritional and health benefits of breast milk, breast milk can serve as a vector for mother-to-child HIV transmission. Most HIV-infected infants acquire HIV through breastfeeding. Paradoxically, most infants breastfed by HIV-positive women do not become infected. This is potentially attributed to anti-HIV factors in breast milk. Breast milk of HIV-negative women can inhibit HIV infection. However, the HIV-inhibitory activity of breast milk from HIV-positive mothers has not been evaluated. In addition, while significant differences in breast milk composition between transmitting and nontransmitting HIV-positive mothers have been correlated with transmission risk, the HIV-inhibitory activity of their breast milk has not been compared. This knowledge may significantly impact the design of prevention approaches in resource-limited settings that do not deny infants of HIV-positive women the health benefits of breast milk. Here, we utilized bone marrow/liver/thymus humanized mice to evaluate the
in vivo
HIV-inhibitory activity of breast milk obtained from HIV-positive transmitting and nontransmitting mothers. We also assessed the species specificity and biochemical characteristics of milk's
in vivo
HIV-inhibitory activity and its ability to inhibit other modes of HIV infection. Our results demonstrate that breast milk of HIV-positive mothers has potent HIV-inhibitory activity and indicate that breast milk can prevent multiple routes of infection. Most importantly, this activity is unique to human milk. Our results also suggest multiple factors in breast milk may contribute to its HIV-inhibitory activity. Collectively, our results support current recommendations that HIV-positive mothers in resource-limited settings exclusively breastfeed in combination with antiretroviral therapy.

IMPORTANCE
Approximately 240,000 children become infected with HIV annually, the majority via breastfeeding. Despite daily exposure to virus in breast milk, most infants breastfed by HIV-positive women do not acquire HIV. The low risk of breastfeeding-associated HIV transmission is likely due to antiviral factors in breast milk. It is well documented that breast milk of HIV-negative women can inhibit HIV infection. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that breast milk of HIV-positive mothers (nontransmitters and transmitters) inhibits HIV transmission. We also demonstrate that breast milk can prevent multiple routes of HIV acquisition and that this activity is unique to human milk. Collectively, our results support current guidelines which recommend that HIV-positive women in resource-limited settings exclusively breastfeed in combination with infant or maternal antiretroviral therapy.
Functional Comparison of Mx1 from Two Different Mouse Species Reveals the Involvement of Loop L4 in the Antiviral Activity against Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Verhelst Judith , Spitaels Jan , Nürnberger Cindy , De Vlieger Dorien , Ysenbaert Tine , Staeheli Peter , Fiers Walter , Saelens Xavier
Published: August 2015

The interferon-inducedMx1gene is an important part of the mammalian defense against influenza viruses.Mus musculusMx1 inhibits influenza A virus replication and transcription by suppressing the polymerase activity of viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). Here, we compared the anti-influenza virus activity of Mx1 fromMus musculusA2G with that of its ortholog fromMus spretus. We found that the antiviral activity ofM. spretusMx1 was less potent than that ofM. musculusMx1. Comparison of theM. musculusMx1 sequence with theM. spretusMx1 sequence revealed 25 amino acid differences, over half of which were present in the GTPase domain and 2 of which were present in loop L4. However, thein vitroGTPase activity of Mx1 from the two mouse species was similar. Replacement of one of the residues in loop L4 inM. spretusMx1 by the corresponding residue of A2G Mx1 increased its antiviral activity. We also show that deletion of loop L4 prevented the binding of Mx1 to influenza A virus nucleoprotein and, hence, abolished the antiviral activity of mouse Mx1. These results indicate that loop L4 of mouse Mx1 is a determinant of antiviral activity. Our findings suggest that Mx proteins from different mammals use a common mechanism to inhibit influenza A viruses.

IMPORTANCEMx proteins are evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates and inhibit a wide range of viruses. Still, the exact details of their antiviral mechanisms remain largely unknown. Functional comparison of theMxgenes from two species that diverged relatively recently in evolution can provide novel insights into these mechanisms. We show that bothMus musculusA2G Mx1 andMus spretusMx1 target the influenza virus nucleoprotein. We also found that loop L4 in mouse Mx1 is crucial for its antiviral activity, as was recently reported for primate MxA. This indicates that human and mouse Mx proteins, which have diverged by 75 million years of evolution, recognize and inhibit influenza A viruses by a common mechanism.
Novel presentation of a cricket ball-related intra-abdominal injury: genitofemoral nerve referred pain
Authors: Philipoff Adam C , Rowcroft Alistair , Weber Dieter G
Published: August 2015

Serious intra-abdominal injuries are very uncommon in cricket; traumatic cricket injuries are traditionally musculoskeletal, soft tissue or maxillofacial in origin. The cause of such cricket injuries can be broadly divided into collision type injuries (a result of direct contact with the ball or bat, another player, the ground or boundary) or overuse injuries (due to running, throwing, batting, bowling, repetitive movements and overexertion). This case report describes a rare cause of small bowel perforation and suspected genitofemoral nerve injury secondary to the direct impact of a cricket ball, and includes a brief review of blunt abdominal injuries resulting in isolated small bowel perforations.
An unusual cause of fetomaternal distress at term: uterine vessel rupture in pregnancy
Authors: Calcott Guy Anthony , Gaber Mohammed , Freedman Jonathan , Patni Shalini
Published: August 2015

This report describes a case of spontaneous bleeding from uterine vessels presenting as hyperstimulation and fetomaternal distress at term. A 40-week primigravid woman underwent an emergency caesarean section for fetal distress, which unexpectedly revealed a spontaneous haemoperitoneum. Clinical assessment and investigations postoperatively gave a diagnosis of a right-sided uterine artery aneurysm that, it was believed, had ruptured, causing the haemoperitoneum. This was successfully treated postnatally using interventional radiological techniques leading to expeditious maternal recovery and discharge home.
Successful immunoadsorption of life-threatening bleeding in factor VIII inhibitor disease, but no long-term remission with anti-CD20 treatment
Authors: Grahammer Florian , Fischer Karl-Georg
Published: August 2015

A 62-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman presented to our institution with acquired haemophilia A. They both developed life-threatening bleeding. Immunoadsorption using protein A columns was used to rapidly lower factor VIII inhibitor levels. Immunosuppression with steroids and the anti-CD20 antibody, rituximab, was instituted. Yet their effects were either partial or complicated by an early relapse. Repetitive cyclophosphamide administration led to a sustained immunological response. While immunoadsorption appears effective and safe to lower factor VIII inhibitor levels, it seems that further preferably randomised controlled trials are needed to establish the value of rituximab versus the standard immunosuppressive regime comprising cyclophosphamide.
Oral polyp as the presenting feature of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in a child
Authors: Kujan Omar , Raheel Syed Ahmed , King David , Iqbal Fareed
Published: August 2015

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a congenital growth disorder characterised by abdominal wall defects, macroglossia and somatic gigantism. A number of associated features, including gastrointestinal and urinary tract polyps, have been described, but there are no previous reports of oral polyps occurring in this syndrome. We describe the first case of BWS presenting with an oral polyp. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of BWS if other features of the syndrome are present, in children with oral polyps.
Adrenaline rush: an unusual presentation of phaeochromocytoma
Authors: Lindsey Benjamin , Eisner Mark David , Mitchell Hannah Katherine , Clesham Gerald
Published: August 2015

A 44-year-old man presented to the accident and emergency department with chest pain and shortness of breath. Admission ECG revealed ischaemic changes. He had markedly elevated troponin T and a severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction with regional motion wall abnormalities. He was initially treated in intensive care for acute myocardial infarction. When his renal function improved, an angiogram was performed, which showed unobstructed coronary arteries. He was later found to have a phaeochromocytoma. This case illustrates a rare diagnosis presenting with common symptoms that could easily have been missed. On admission to hospital, patients can easily be labelled with a diagnosis and put on a treatment pathway, such as acute coronary syndrome. It is important for clinicians to keep an open mind and be prepared to review the diagnosis if the history does not fit.
Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome with a novel mutation
Authors: Knipe Megan , Stanbury Rowan , Unger Sheila , Chakraborty Mallinath
Published: August 2015

We describe a female infant born at term to consanguineous parents, with a suspicion of skeletal dysplasia in utero. At birth, she had short limbs, camptodactyly, dysphagia leading to nasogastric tube feeds, and skeletal survey demonstrating dysplasia of long bones and spine. During infancy, she also developed episodes of respiratory failure necessitating admission to intensive care, and periods of hyperhidrosis managed at home. A basic genetic screen did not reveal any abnormalities. Contact was made with the European Skeletal Dysplasia Network, and a provisional diagnosis of Stuve-Wiedemann syndrome was suggested based on this review. Specific genetic tests showed a previously unreported homozygous mutation of leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor gene, confirming the diagnosis. This is the first case with a novel mutation, reported from the UK. For paediatricians and neonatologists, the European Skeletal Dysplasia Network is a valuable resource to reach a specific diagnosis.
F2 storage by confinement inside carbon nanotubes
Authors: Felah Gtari Wiem , Tangour Bahoueddine
Published: August 2015

Theoretical calculations have been achieved to study the interaction between the confined F2 molecule along the nanotube axis and perpendicular to it and armchair (n,n) single-walled carbon nanotubes with n = 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and the zig-ag nanotube (9,0) using the density functional theory method with the CAM-B3LYP functional and both cc-pVQZ and STO-3G basis sets. The interaction of the F2 molecule with the nanotube is different according to the molecular orientation, the chirality of the carbon nanotube, and the confinement space extension. These results interpreted by means of van der Waals interactions reveal anisotropic and competitive behavior at the nanometric level. The π electrons of the nanotube interact with the lone pairs of F2 highlighting its lateral polarizability. The encapsulated F2 molecule is stable along and perpendicular to the nanotube (5,5) and (6,6) axis. The best stabilization energy is obtained fornanotube (5,5) at the perpendicular position using the cc-pVQZ basis set.
Piston-cylinder based micro liquid–liquid extraction with GC–qMS for trace analysis of targeted chlorinated organic compounds in water
Authors: Luong J. , Gras R. , Gras K. , Shellie R.A.
Published: August 2015

A fast and reliable approach for the measurement of sub parts-per-billion levels of targeted chlorinated compounds like tetrachloroethane, hexachloroethane, hexachlorobutadiene, pentachlorobenzene, and hexachlorobenzene in various water matrices such as waste water is described. The method employed a novel piston-cylinder-based micro liquid–liquid extraction technique using hexane as an extraction solvent. The device, known commercially as the MIXXOR, substantially accelerates extraction time by a factor of more than 100 times and reduces solvent consumption by a factor of 25 times when compared with the solvent extraction technique using wrist-action mechanical agitation. A recently introduced 6% cyanopropylphenyl –94% dimethylpolysiloxane capillary column offering a high degree of inertness was used for the separation of the analytes. A quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with a triple-axis detector was also employed to enhance the instrument detection limit. With this technique, a complete separation for the analytes in water can be conducted in less than 10 min using a three-port SilFlow planar microfluidic device for back-flushing. Repeatability of retention times for all compounds were found to be less than 0.04% (n = 10). The compounds cited can be analyzed from 1 ng/mL to 10 μg/mL, with a detection limit and correlation coefficient of at least 0.5 ng/mL and 0.999, respectively. A relative precision of less than 1.2% relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 20) at the 50 ng/mL level, with analyte recovery of greater than 99% (n = 3) from 10 ng/mL to 10 μg/mL, was obtained.
First principles investigation on how site preference and entropy affect the stability of (EuxM1–x)2Ge2Pb (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) polar intermetallics
Authors: Terpstra Tyson , Hooper James , Zurek Eva
Published: August 2015

Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to analyze the factors contributing to the stabilities of a set of recently synthesized quaternary polar intermetallic compounds, (EuxM1–x)2Ge2Pb with M = Ca, Sr, and Ba. Experiments showed that these preferentially crystallized with Pbam (M = Ca) or Cmmm (M = Sr, Ba) symmetry. We systematically explored how the electronic energies of these structures depended on how they were “colored” by the europium/M ions for a wide composition range. It was found that whereas there was very little site preference in the Cmmm structure, the “B” site in the Pbam structure strongly preferred smaller cations. The configurational entropy was also found to play a role in determining which structures might be preferred. However, the experimentally obtained product ratios could only be fully rationalized by the Gibbs free energies of structures containing M:Eu ratios resembling those that were synthesized experimentally. Our results highlight the importance of calculating vibrational contributions to the entropy for realistic structure models (in terms of coloring and composition) to explain product ratios for syntheses carried out at high temperatures.
Assessing effects of change in land use on size-related variables of fish in subtropical streams
Authors: Benejam Lluís , Teixeira-de Mello Franco , Meerhoff Mariana , Loureiro Marcelo , Jeppesen Erik , Brucet Sandra
Published: August 2015

Transformation of the natural land cover is one of the most important global changes. Changes in land use may strongly affect ecosystem functions and biodiversity by directly or indirectly modifying key structural properties. Here, we examined the effects of land use on the size structure of fish communities in subtropical Uruguayan streams. We analysed the suitability of non-taxonomic, size-related variables as a tool to elucidate shifts in stream fish assemblages along a gradient in land use change. We also tested some taxonomic variables (e.g., species richness and species diversity) to compare their response with size-related variables. In the more anthropogenic disturbed basins (i.e., dominance of urban and agricultural land use), we found higher size diversity, slope of size spectrum (flatter slopes) and total range of fish length, whereas higher species richness, fish abundance and species diversity were detected in more pristine stream basins (i.e., dominance of rangelands). In combination with traditional taxonomic variables, size-related variables of fish communities in streams may be effective tools in evaluating the changes occurring in freshwater ecosystems associated with anthropogenic changes in land use.
Estimating the mortality caused by great cormorant predation on fish stocks: pikeperch in the Archipelago Sea, northern Baltic Sea, as an example
Authors: Heikinheimo Outi , Rusanen Pekka , Korhonen Katja
Published: August 2015

Estimates of the mortality rates caused by cormorants are needed to assess the impact on fish stock dynamics and fisheries. In this study, we calculated the annual instantaneous mortality caused by great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) on young pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), using data from Archipelago Sea, southwestern coast of Finland. The pikeperch are vulnerable to cormorant predation mainly at the ages 2–4. The annual instantaneous mortality caused by cormorants was between 0.04 and 0.13, and the estimated effect on the pikeperch stock size at recruitment to the fishery ranged from 4% to 23%, respectively. The average annual cormorant-induced mortality accounted for 5%–34% of the total mortality in these age groups. The sensitivity analyses proved that the rates of mortality from other sources largely affect the estimated mortality from cormorant predation. In cases with strong fluctuations in the abundance of the prey fish stocks, ignoring the size and density dependence of the natural mortality may lead to overestimation of the importance of cormorants as competitors of fisheries.
Survey of compound microsatellites in multiple Lactobacillus genomes
Authors: Basharat Zarrin , Yasmin Azra
Published: August 2015

Distinct simple sequence repeats with 2 or more individual microsatellites joined together or lying adjacent to each other are identified as compound microsatellites. Investigation of such composite microsatellites in the genomes of genus Lactobacillus was the aim of this study. In silico inspection of microsatellite clustering in genomes of 14 Lactobacillus species revealed a wealth of compound microsatellites. All of the mined compound microsatellites were imperfect, were composed of variant motifs, and increased in all genomes, with maximum distance (dMAX) increments of 10 to 50. The majority of these repeats were present in the coding regions. A correlation of microsatellite to compound microsatellite density was detected. The difference established in compound microsatellite division among eukaryotes, Escherichia coli, and lactobacilli is suggestive of diverse genomic features and elementary distinction between creation and fixation methods of compound microsatellites among these organisms.
Two Boolean Functions with Five-Valued Walsh Spectra and High Nonlinearity
Authors: Cao Xiwang , Hu Lei
Published: August 2015

For cryptographic systems the method of confusion and diffusion is used as a fundamental technique to achieve security. Confusion is reflected in nonlinearity of certain Boolean functions describing the cryptographic transformation. In this paper, we present two Boolean functions which have low Walsh spectra and high nonlinearity. In the proof of the nonlinearity, a new method for evaluating some exponential sums over finite fields is provided.
Complement, Complexity, and Symmetric Representation
Authors: O'Neil Thomas E.
Published: August 2015

A representation for a set is defined to be symmetric if the space required for the representation of the set is the same as the space required for representation of the set's complement. The use of symmetric representation is shown to be important when studying the time complexity of algorithms. A symmetric data structure called a flip list is defined, and it is employed for the Clique, Independent Set, and Vertex Cover problems in a case study. The classic reductions among these problems require the complement of either a graph's edge set or a subset of its vertices. Flip lists can be complemented in constant time with no increase in space. When a flip list is used to represent the edge set of a graph, Clique, Independent Set, and Vertex Cover are shown to have identical (and strongly exponential) time complexity when the classical complexity parameter of input length is used. On the other hand, when a flip list is used to represent a set of numbers as input for the Partition problem, an algorithm can be built that retains strongly sub-exponential time complexity. This provides new evidence with respect to which NP- complete problems should be classified as sub-exponential. Symmetric representation has the advantage of space efficiency, at most linear-time and space complement operations, and symmetry in representing sparse and dense sets. These features can have a significant impact on complexity studies.
Asynchronous Parallel Communicating Systems of Pushdown Automata
Authors: Otto Friedrich
Published: August 2015

We introduce asynchronous variants of the parallel communicating systems of pushdown automata of Csuhaj-Varjú et al. These are obtained by using a response symbol in addition to the usual query symbols. Our main result states that centralized asynchronous parallel communicating systems of pushdown automata of degree n that work in returning mode have exactly the same expressive power as n-head pushdown automata. This holds in the nondeterministic as well as in the deterministic case. In addition, it is shown that the class of binary relations that is computed by centralized asynchronous parallel communicating systems of pushdown automata of degree two that are working in returning mode coincides with the class of pushdown relations.
A Kernel Two-Phase Test Sample Sparse Representation for Face Recognition
Authors: Liu Zhonghua , Pu Jiexin , Qiu Yong , Zhang Moli , Zhang Xiaoli , Huang Guangjun
Published: August 2015

Sparse representation is a new hot technique in recent years. The two-phase test sample sparse representation method (TPTSSR) achieved an excellent performance in face recognition. In this paper, a kernel two-phase test sample sparse representation method (KTPTSSR) is proposed. Firstly, the input data are mapped into an implicit high-dimensional feature space by a nonlinear mapping function. Secondly, the data are analyzed by means of the TPTSSR method in the feature space. If an appropriate kernel function and the corresponding kernel parameter are selected, a test sample can be accurately represented as the linear combination of the training data with the same label information of the test sample. Therefore, the proposed method could have better recognition performance than TPTSSR. Experiments on the face databases demonstrate the effectiveness of our methods.
Robust Personalized Ranking from Implicit Feedback
Authors: Li Gai , Wang Liyang , Ou Weihua
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we investigate the problem of personalized ranking from implicit feedback (PRIF). It is a more common scenario (e.g. purchase history, click log and page visitation) in recommender systems. The training data are only binary in these problems, reflecting the users’ actions or inactions. One shortcoming of previous PRIF algorithms is noise sensitivity: outliers in training data might bring significant fluctuations in the training process and lead to inaccuracy of the algorithm. In this paper, we propose two robust PRIF algorithms to solve the noise sensitivity problem of existing PRIF algorithms by using the pairwise sigmoid and pairwise fidelity loss functions. These two pairwise loss functions are flexible and can easily be adopted by popular collaborative filtering models such as the matrix factorization (MF) model and the K-nearest-neighbor (KNN) model. A learning process based on stochastic gradient descent with bootstrap sampling is utilized for the optimization. Experiments are conducted on practical datasets containing noisy data points or outliers. Results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms outperform several state-of-the-art one class collaborative filtering (OCCF) algorithms on both the MF and KNN models over different evaluation metrics.
Software-Controlled Instruction Prefetch Buffering for Low-End Processors
Authors: Qadri Muhammad Yasir , Qadri Nadia N. , Fleury Martin , McDonald-Maier Klaus D.
Published: August 2015

This paper proposes a method of buffering instructions by software-based prefetching. The method allows low-end processors to improve their instruction throughput with a minimum of additional logic and power consumption. Low-end embedded processors do not employ caches for mainly two reasons. The first reason is that the overhead of cache implementation in terms of energy and area is considerable. The second reason is that, because a cache's performance primarily depends on the number of hits, an increasing number of misses could cause a processor to remain in stall mode for a longer duration. As a result, a cache may become more of a liability than an advantage. In contrast, the benchmarked results for the proposed software-based prefetch buffering without a cache show a 5–10% improvement in execution time. They also show a 4% or more reduction in the energy-delay-square-product (ED2P) with a maximum reduction of 40%. The results additionally demonstrate that the performance and efficiency of the proposed architecture scales with the number of multicycle instructions. The benchmarked routines tested to arrive at these results are widely deployed components of embedded applications.
Low Energy Metric Content Addressable Memory (CAM) with Multi Voltage Matchline Segments
Authors: Zackriya Mohammed V. , Kittur Harish M.
Published: August 2015

Content addressable memory (CAM) is a hardware implementation of lookup table which performs high speed search operation within a single clock cycle. Search data is compared in parallel with all the stored data and this increases switching activities as well as charging and discharging of capacitive matchlines (MLs). Here, we divide a wordline and ML into segments. For the first reported time the ML segments are precharged to different voltage levels to achieve improved energy metric. One of the segments associated with sub-ML is precharged with a low level of voltage source to reduce the power associated with ML activities. The main ML will discharge only when all the three segments match. Voltage scaling is done carefully in MLs where the switching activity is high to reduce the power consumption without degrading the search speed. A 256 [Formula: see text] 144 bit CAM is implemented with novel CAM cells in 45-nm technology node and the post-layout simulation is performed. The averaged energy metric is 0.12 fJ/search/bit for 625 Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with process variations.