bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plastic responses in the metabolome and functional traits of maize plants to temperature variations
Authors: Sun C. X. , Gao X. X. , Li M. Q. , Fu J. Q. , Zhang Y. L.
Published: August 2015

Environmentally inducible phenotypic plasticity is a major player in plant responses to climate change. However, metabolic responses and their role in determining the phenotypic plasticity of plants that are subjected to temperature variations remain poorly understood. The metabolomic profiles and metabolite levels in the leaves of three maize inbred lines grown in different temperature conditions were examined with a nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic technique. The relationship of functional traits to metabolome profiles and the metabolic mechanism underlying temperature variations were then explored. A comparative analysis showed that during heat and cold stress, maize plants shared common plastic responses in biomass accumulation, carbon, nitrogen, sugars, some amino acids and compatible solutes. We also found that the plastic response of maize plants to heat stress was different from that under cold stress, mainly involving biomass allocation, shikimate and its aromatic amino acid derivatives, and other non‐polar metabolites. The plastic responsiveness of functional traits of maize lines to temperature variations was low, while the metabolic responsiveness in plasticity was high, indicating that functional and metabolic plasticity may play different roles in maize plant adaptation to temperature variations. A linear regression analysis revealed that the maize lines could adapt to growth temperature variations through the interrelation of plastic responses in the metabolomes and functional traits, such as biomass allocation and the status of carbon and nitrogen. We provide valuable insight into the plastic response strategy of maize plants to temperature variations that will permit the optimisation of crop cultivation in an increasingly variable environment.
Astaxanthin Normalizes Epigenetic Modifications of Bovine Somatic Cell Cloned Embryos and Decreases the Generation of Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Li R , Wu H , Zhuo WW , Mao QF , Lan H , Zhang Y , Hua S
Published: August 2015

Contents

Astaxanthin is an extremely common antioxidant scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and blocking lipid peroxidation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oocyte maturation, and development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured in maturation medium with astaxanthin (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/l), respectively. We found that 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation significantly increased the proportion of oocyte maturation. Oocytes cultured in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation were used to construct SCNT embryos and further cultured with 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/l astaxanthin. The results showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin significantly improved the proportions of cleavage and blastulation, as well as the total cell number in blastocysts compared with the control group, yet this influence was not concentration dependent. Chromosomal analyses revealed that more blastomeres showed a normal chromosomal complement in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin treatment group, which was similar to that in IVF embryos. The methylation levels located on the exon 1 of the imprinted gene H19 and IGF2, pluripotent gene OCT4 were normalized, and global DNA methylation, H3K9 and H4K12 acetylation were also improved significantly, which was comparable to that in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Moreover, we also found that astaxanthin supplementation significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation. Our findings showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin to oocyte maturation medium and embryo culture medium improved oocyte maturation, SCNT embryo development, increased chromosomal stability and normalized the epigenetic modifications, as well as inhibited overproduction of lipid peroxidation.
Energy Status Characteristics of Porcine Oocytes During In Vitro Maturation is Influenced by Their Meiotic Competence
Authors: Milakovic I , Jeseta M , Hanulakova S , Knitlova D , Hanzalova K , Hulinska P , Machal L , Kempisty B , Antosik P , Machatkova M
Published: August 2015

Contents

The characteristics of energy status in porcine oocytes as related to their meiotic competence and in vitro maturation were studied. Cycling pubertal gilts in the early luteal to early follicular phases of the ovarian cycle were used as oocyte donors. The oocytes recovered from medium (MF) or small follicles (SF) were considered meiotically more or less competent, respectively. A half of oocytes from each category was matured by the standard protocol. The oocytes were examined before or after maturation by confocal microscopy, a bioluminescent cell assay and Western blotting. Four experiments, each in triplicate, were performed to assess both SF and MF oocytes in terms of metabolic units formed by mitochondria and lipids, ATP and lipid consumption and lipid droplets with adipose differentiation‐related protein (ADRP) expression. The proportion of oocytes with metabolic units, the mean ATP content and the number of lipid droplets per oocyte, and the relative number of lipid droplets with ADRP expression were significantly higher in the MF compared to SF oocytes before maturation. On the other hand, after maturation, there was an increase in the proportion of oocytes with metabolic units and the relative number of lipid droplets with ADRP expression in the SF compared to MF oocytes. In conclusion, specific differences in energy characteristics between porcine oocytes with different meiotic competence were found. Meiotically more competent oocytes are more advanced in terms of energy reserves before maturation, while meiotically less competent oocytes are more active in replenishing energy stores during maturation.
Ingredients of institutional reputations and citizen engagement with regulators
Authors: Capelos Tereza , Provost Colin , Parouti Maria , Barnett Julie , Chenoweth Jonathan , Fife‐Schaw Chris , Kelay Tanika
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the link between the reputational components of efficacy and moral reliability of institutions, and citizens' compliance with institutional recommendations. Research on bureaucratic reputations highlights the significance of positive political reputations based on credibility and legitimacy, but the impact of these components is not systematically isolated and studied. We draw insights from political psychology to move beyond a positive‐negative valence‐based approach of reputation, and highlight the different effect of efficacy and moral reliability components of reputation on citizens' cooperation, engagement in water saving activities, and levels of complaints. We use theCypriotWaterAuthority as a case study and inquire how its institutional reputation influencesCypriot citizens' behavior regarding water use. Our data was collected via a representative national survey administered to a random sample of 800Cypriots in the spring of 2009 and show that favorable perceptions of particular components of institutional reputation shape the levels of satisfaction with specific organizational outputs.
Enhanced growth rate and lipid production of freshwater microalgae by adopting two‐stage cultivation system under diverse light and nutrients conditions
Authors: Rashid Naim , Rehman Muhammad S. U. , Han Jong‐In
Published: August 2015

This study aims to investigate the growth behaviour and lipid production of Chlorella vulgaris (a microalga) by manipulating the effect of light and nutrients. In our presumptive two‐staged growth model, C. vulgaris was first grown under low levels of light and nutrients in stage 1 and then in stage 2 under several combinations of light and nutrients, Nt−/Lt− minimum nutrients and minimum light as control; Nt+/Lt+ maximum light and maximum nutrients; Nt+/Lt− maximum nutrients and minimum light, and Nt−/Lt+ minimum nutrients and maximum light. Doubling time reduced from 46.8 ± 02 hours in control (Nt−/Lt−) to 36.1 ± 04 in Nt−/Lt+ and 37.7 ± 0.9 in Nt+/Lt− and further down to 25.2 ± 03 h in Nt+/Lt+. The highest lipid contents were found in Nt−/Lt+ (9.5 ± 0.14%) followed by Nt+/Lt+ (8.6 ± 0.2%), Nt+/Lt− (6.4 ± 0.12%) and Nt−/Lt− (6.1 ± 0.22%), respectively. The maximum biomass (909 mg/L) was found in Nt+/Lt+ likely suggesting that limited growth in control was attributed to the limitation of nutrients and light. Incremental addition of light and nutrients is suggested for enhanced growth rate, biomass and lipid production.
Glutamate cycling may drive organic anion transport on the basal membrane of human placental syncytiotrophoblast
Authors: Lofthouse Emma M. , Brooks Suzanne , Cleal Jane K. , Hanson Mark A. , Poore Kirsten R. , O'Kelly Ita M. , Lewis Rohan M.
Published: August 2015

Key points

The placenta removes waste products, drugs and environmental toxins from the fetal circulation and two of the transport proteins responsible for this are OAT4 and OATP2B1 localised to the basal membrane of placental syncytiotrophoblast.

We provide evidence that OAT4 and OATP2B1 mediate glutamate efflux when expressed in Xenopus oocytes and that in the perfused placenta, bromosulphothalein (an OAT4 and OATP2B1 substrate) stimulates glutamate efflux.

Furthermore the efflux of glutamate can only be seen in the presence of aspartate, which will block glutamate reuptake by the placenta, consistent with cycling of glutamate across the basal membrane.

We propose that glutamate efflux down its transmembrane gradient drives placental uptake via OAT4 and OATP2B1 from the fetal circulation and that reuptake of glutamate maintains this driving gradient.

The organic anion transporter OAT4 (SLC22A11) and organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP2B1 (SLCO2B1) are expressed in the basal membrane of the placental syncytiotrophoblast. These transporters mediate exchange whereby uptake of one organic anion is coupled to efflux of a counter‐ion. In placenta, these exchangers mediate placental uptake of substrates for oestrogen synthesis as well as clearing waste products and xenobiotics from the fetal circulation. However, the identity of the counter‐ion driving this transport in the placenta, and in other tissues, is unclear. While glutamate is not a known OAT4 or OATP2B1 substrate, we propose that its high intracellular concentration has the potential to drive accumulation of substrates from the fetal circulation. In the isolated perfused placenta, glutamate exchange was observed between the placenta and the fetal circulation. This exchange could not be explained by known glutamate exchangers. However, glutamate efflux was trans‐stimulated by an OAT4 and OATP2B1 substrate (bromosulphothalein). Exchange of glutamate for bromosulphothalein was only observed when glutamate reuptake was inhibited (by addition of aspartate). To determine if OAT4 and/or OATP2B1 mediate glutamate exchange, uptake and efflux of glutamate were investigated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Our data demonstrate that in Xenopus oocytes expressing either OAT4 or OATP2B1 efflux of intracellular [14C]glutamate could be stimulated by conditions including extracellular glutamate (OAT4), estrone‐sulphate and bromosulphothalein (both OAT4 and OATP2B1) or pravastatin (OATP2B1). Cycling of glutamate across the placenta involving efflux via OAT4 and OATP2B1 and subsequent reuptake will drive placental uptake of organic anions from the fetal circulation.
Morphological and molecular changes in the murine placenta exposed to normobaric hypoxia throughout pregnancy
Authors: Matheson Hannah , Veerbeek Jan H. W. , Charnock‐Jones D. Stephen , Burton Graham J. , Yung Hong Wa
Published: August 2015

Key points

Exposure of pregnant mice to chronic hypoxia at 13% O2 induces fetal growth restriction but increases placental weight.

Sex dimorphism induces differential responses in placental weight to hypoxia. The male placenta is heavier than the female and is associated with less severe fetal growth restriction.

Increases in maternal arterial/venous blood spaces and higher protein kinase B (Akt)‐mechanistic target of rapamycin growth signalling could contribute to the heavier hypoxic placenta.

Placental endoplasmic reticulum stress is elevated equally in both sexes in response to hypoxia. In comparison, oxidative stress is only apparent in female placentas.

Chronic hypoxia induces down‐regulation of placental mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes protein subunits but does not cause intracellular energy depletion.

Chronic hypoxia is a common complication of pregnancy, arising through malperfusion of the placenta or pregnancy at high altitude. The present study investigated the effects of hypoxia on the growth of the placenta, which is the organ that interfaces between the mother and her fetus. Mice were housed in an hypoxic environment for the whole of gestation. An atmosphere of 13% oxygen induced fetal growth restriction (1182 ± 9 mg, n = 90 vs. 1044 ± 11 mg, n = 62, P < 0.05) but enhanced placental weight (907 ± 11 mg, n = 90 vs. 998 ± 15 mg, n = 62,P < 0.05). Stereological analyses revealed an increase in the volume of maternal blood spaces in the placenta, consistent with increased flow. At the molecular level, we observed activation of the protein kinase B (Akt)‐mechanistic target of rapamycin growth and proliferation pathway. Chronic hypoxia also triggered mild endoplasmic reticulum stress, a conserved homeostatic response that mediates translational arrest through phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit α. Surprisingly, although subunits of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes were reduced at the protein level, there was no evidence of intracellular energy depletion. Finally, we demonstrated sex‐specific placental responses to chronic hypoxia. Placentas from male fetuses were heavier (1082 ± 2 mg, n = 30 vs. 928 ± 2 mg, n = 34, P < 0.05) and less susceptible to hypoxia‐induced oxidative stress than those from females. Their capacity to adapt may explain why male fetuses were significantly less growth restricted at embryonic day 18.5 than their female counterparts. These findings are consistent with the concept that male fetuses are more aggressive with respect to their nutrient demands, which may place them at greater risk of adverse outcomes under limiting conditions.
A Validation of Flare Combustion Efficiency Predictions From Large Eddy Simulations
Authors: Jatale Anchal , Smith Philip J. , Thornock Jeremy N. , Smith Sean T. , Hradisky Michal
Published: August 2015

Societal concerns about the widespread use of flaring of waste gases have motivated methods for predicting combustion efficiency from industrial flare systems under high crosswind conditions. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate, with a quantified degree of accuracy, a prediction procedure for the combustion efficiency of industrial flares in crosswind by using large eddy simulations (LES). LES is shown to resolve the important mixing between fuel and entrained air governing the extent of reaction to within less than a percent of combustion efficiency. The experimental data from the 4-in. flare tests performed at the CanmetENERGY wind tunnel flare facility were used as experimentally measured metrics to validate the simulation with quantified uncertainty. The approach used prior information about the models and experimental data and the associated likelihood functions to determine informative posterior distributions. The model values were subjected to a consistency constraint, which requires that all experiments and simulations be bounded by their individual experimental uncertainty. The final result was a predictive capability (in the nearby regime) for flare combustion efficiency where no/sparse experimental data are available, but the validation process produces error bars for the predicted combustion efficiency.
An Annular Pulsed Detonation Combustor Mockup: System Identification and Misfiring Detection
Authors: Wolff Sascha , King Rudibert
Published: August 2015

An annular pulsed detonation combustor (PDC) basically consists of a number of detonation tubes which are firing in a predetermined sequence into a common downstream annular plenum. Fluctuating initial conditions and fluctuating environmental parameters strongly affect the detonation. Operating such a setup without misfiring is delicate. Misfiring of individual combustion tubes will significantly lower performance or even stop the engine. Hence, an operation of such an engine requires a misfiring detection. Here, a model-based approach is used which exploits the innovation sequence calculated by a Kalman filter. The model necessary for the Kalman filter is determined based on a modal identification technique. A surrogate, nonreacting experimental setup is considered in order to develop and test these methods.
Synthesis of Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Pneumatic Hammer Instability in an Aerostatic Bearing
Authors: Arghir Mihai , Hassini Mohamed-Amine , Balducchi Franck , Gauthier Romain
Published: August 2015

The present work is focused on the pneumatic hammer instability in an aerostatic bearing with shallow recesses and orifices of four different diameters. Operating conditions were zero rotation speed, zero load, and different supply pressures. The diameters of the tested orifices were large compared to the usual practice and correspond to a combined inherent and orifice restriction. The theoretical analysis was based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) evaluation of the ratio between the recess and the feeding pressure and on the “bulk flow” calculation of the rotordynamic coefficients of the aerostatic bearing. Calculations showed an increase of the direct stiffness with decreasing the orifice diameter and increasing the supply pressure and, on the other hand, a decrease toward negative values of the direct damping with decreasing the orifice diameter. These negative values of the direct damping coefficient indicate pneumatic hammer instabilities. In parallel, experiments were performed on a floating bearing test rig. Direct stiffness and damping coefficients were identified from multiple frequency excitations applied by a single shaker. Experiments were performed only for the three largest orifices and confirmed the decrease of the direct damping with the orifice diameter and the supply pressure. The identification of the rotordynamic coefficients was not possible for the smallest available orifice because the aerostatic bearing showed self-sustained vibrations for all feeding pressures. These self-sustained vibrations are considered the signature of the pneumatic hammer instability. The paper demonstrates that aerostatic bearings with shallow recesses and free of pneumatic hammer instabilities can be designed by adopting orifice restrictors of large size diameter.
Field emission characteristics of pristine and lithium-doped boron nanotubes: A theoretical study
Authors: Xu Shunfu , Liu Weihui , Zhu Ziliang , Meng Yan , Wang Jiesheng , Li Chun , Yuan Guang
Published: August 2015

First-principles calculations are used in order to investigate the electronic and field emission properties of capped (5, 5) and (9, 0) boron nanotubes (BNTs), which indicate that the electric currents of the (5, 5) and (9, 0) BNTs under an applied electric field are very close to those of carbon nanotubes, and pentagons and hexagons on the tips of the BNTs are the most possible spots for emitting tunneling electrons under an external electric field. In addition, the work functions of the (5, 5) and (9, 0) BNTs decrease linearly with applied electric fields. The significant influence of lithium adsorption on field emission characteristics of BNTs is also studied. The work functions of BNTs decrease distinctly after lithium adsorption, while the emission currents increase by a large margin. Moreover, the lithium adsorption can improve the electric conductivity of a mixture of BNTs.
Image‐guided spatial localization of heterogeneous compartments for magnetic resonance
Authors: An Li , Shen Jun
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

Image‐guided localization SPectral Localization Achieved by Sensitivity Heterogeneity (SPLASH) allows rapid measurement of signals from irregularly shaped anatomical compartments without using phase encoding gradients. Here, the authors propose a novel method to address the issue of heterogeneous signal distribution within the localized compartments.

Methods:

Each compartment was subdivided into multiple subcompartments and their spectra were solved by Tikhonov regularization to enforce smoothness within each compartment. The spectrum of a given compartment was generated by combining the spectra of the components of that compartment. The proposed method was first tested using Monte Carlo simulations and then applied to reconstructing in vivo spectra from irregularly shaped ischemic stroke and normal tissue compartments.

Results:

Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the proposed regularized SPLASH method significantly reduces localization and metabolite quantification errors. In vivo results show that the intracompartment regularization results in ∼40% reduction of error in metabolite quantification.

Conclusions:

The proposed method significantly reduces localization errors and metabolite quantification errors caused by intracompartment heterogeneous signal distribution.
The effect of phonetic production training with visual feedback on the perception and production of foreign speech sounds
Authors: Kartushina Natalia , Hervais-Adelman Alexis , Frauenfelder Ulrich Hans , Golestani Narly
Published: August 2015

Second-language learners often experience major difficulties in producing non-native speech sounds. This paper introduces a training method that uses a real-time analysis of the acoustic properties of vowels produced by non-native speakers to provide them with immediate, trial-by-trial visual feedback about their articulation alongside that of the same vowels produced by native speakers. The Mahalanobis acoustic distance between non-native productions and target native acoustic spaces was used to assess L2 production accuracy. The experiment shows that 1 h of training per vowel improves the production of four non-native Danish vowels: the learners' productions were closer to the corresponding Danish target vowels after training. The production performance of a control group remained unchanged. Comparisons of pre- and post-training vowel discrimination performance in the experimental group showed improvements in perception. Correlational analyses of training-related changes in production and perception revealed no relationship. These results suggest, first, that this training method is effective in improving non-native vowel production. Second, training purely on production improves perception. Finally, it appears that improvements in production and perception do not systematically progress at equal rates within individuals.
The feasibility of unmanned aerial vehicle-based acoustic atmospheric tomography
Authors: Finn Anthony , Rogers Kevin
Published: August 2015

A technique for remotely monitoring the near-surface air temperature and wind fields up to altitudes of 1 km is presented and examined. The technique proposes the measurement of sound spectra emitted by the engine of a small unmanned aerial vehicle using sensors located on the aircraft and the ground. By relating projected and observed Doppler shifts in frequency and converting them into effective sound speed values, two- and three-dimensional spatially varying atmospheric temperature and wind velocity fields may be reconstructed using tomography. The feasibility and usefulness of the technique relative to existing unmanned aerial vehicle-based meteorological techniques using simulation and trials is examined.
The relation between the waveguide invariant and array invariant
Authors: Song H. C. , Cho Chomgun
Published: August 2015

The waveguide invariant β is based on the dependence of group speed on phase speed and summarizes the robust interference phenomenon in the range-frequency plane. Over the last decade the elegant approach has been utilized for various applications including passive source ranging. Separately, the array invariant approach [Lee and Makris, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 336–351 (2006)] has been proposed for a robust source-range estimator from beam-time intensity data using either a horizontal or vertical array. In this paper, it is shown that the array invariant can be derived from the waveguide invariant theory assuming β=1.
Fatigue crack localization using noncontact laser ultrasonics and state space attractors
Authors: Liu Peipei , Sohn Hoon , Yang Suyoung , Kundu Tribikram
Published: August 2015

A fatigue crack and its precursor often serves as a source of nonlinear mechanism for ultrasonic waves, and the resulting nonlinear features are often much more sensitive to the fatigue crack than their linear counterparts. Among various nonlinear ultrasonic techniques, the proposed laser nonlinear wave modulation spectroscopy (LNWMS) is unique in that (1) it utilizes a pulse laser to exert a single broadband input instead of conventional two distinctive sinusoidal waves, and (2) a complete noncontact measurement can be realized based on LNWMS. Under a broadband excitation, a nonlinear source exhibits modulations due to interactions among various input frequency components. These modulations are often weak and can be hardly directly detected. In this paper, a damage feature called Bhattacharyya distance is extracted from the ultrasonic time signal corresponding to a pulse laser input and used to quantify the degree of damage-induced nonlinearity and localize the crack. This feature is a measure of a statistical distance used to detect the geometrical changes between state space attractors reconstructed before and after damage formation. It has been successfully used for localizing fatigue cracks in metallic plates.
Effect of a resistive load on the starting performance of a standing wave thermoacoustic engine: A numerical study
Authors: Ma Lin , Weisman Catherine , Baltean-Carlès Diana , Delbende Ivan , Bauwens Luc
Published: August 2015

The influence of a resistive load on the starting performance of a standing-wave thermoacoustic engine is investigated numerically. The model used is based upon a low Mach number assumption; it couples the two-dimensional nonlinear flow and heat exchange within the thermoacoustic active cell with one-dimensional linear acoustics in the loaded resonator. For a given engine geometry, prescribed temperatures at the heat exchangers, prescribed mean pressure, and prescribed load, results from a simulation in the time domain include the evolution of the acoustic pressure in the active cell. That signal is then analyzed, extracting growth rate and frequency of the dominant modes. For a given load, the temperature difference between the two sides is then varied; the most unstable mode is identified and so is the corresponding critical temperature ratio between heater and cooler. Next, varying the load, a stability diagram is obtained, potentially with a predictive value. Results are compared with those derived from Rott's linear theory as well as with experimental results found in the literature.
One Guy Named Mo: Race, Nation and the London 2012 Olympic Games
Authors: Burdsey Daniel
Published: August 2015

The triumphal track and field performances of British distance runner, Mo Farah, at the London 2012 Olympic Games were lauded both for their athletic endeavor and for their perceived validation of the rhetoric of ethnic and cultural diversity and inclusion in which the Games were ensconced. By analyzing coverage of the athlete’s achievements in mainstream British newspapers, this article presents a more complicated and critical reading of the relationship between Britishness, multiculture, the politics of inclusion and the London Games. Employing a Critical Discourse Analysis approach, the article shows that Farah was constructed and represented by the media using narratives that are familiar, palatable and reassuring to the public; and that sustain hegemonic models of racialised nationhood and dominant ideologies around sport.
Shooting for Lithuania: Migration, National Identity and Men’s Basketball in the East of England
Authors: Evans Adam B. , Piggott David
Published: August 2015

The accession of the ‘A8 states’ into the European Union initiated considerable migration into Western Europe. The impact upon local communities has seen significant attention, yet little research exists that focuses upon migrant experiences and identity specifically in sport. This study used a figurational framework to investigate the lived experiences of basketball among male Lithuanian migrants in the rural east of England. Semistructured interviews highlighted participants’ motivations to migrate, their acculturation experiences and the role that basketball played during their sojourn. Participants considered basketball a significant means for the expression of national identity and as a focus for their resistance to local racializing processes. Conversely, conflict with established local basketball communities and perceptions of marginalization among migrants were common, creating divisions in local basketball competitions.
The Shrinking Presence of Black Female Student-Athletes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Authors: Theune Felecia
Published: August 2015

Despite the tremendous growth in female sports participation opportunities under Title IX, black females have not benefited to the same degree as their white female counterparts. While gender complaints about female athletes still lagging behind males in participatory opportunities, scholarships, facilities and equipment are being discussed, larger structural inequities associated with being black and female remain absent from the Title IX conversation, demonstrating the dual invisibility of black females. Not only is this true at predominantly white institutions, it’s also true at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), academic institutions which have been sources of educational and athletic opportunities for black females long before the passage of Title IX prohibited sex discrimination in any federally funded educational programs and activities.

Malgré l’importante croissance d’opportunités de participation en sport féminin grâce à Title IX, les femmes noires n’ont pas bénéficié autant que les femmes blanches. Alors que les plaintes au sujet des femmes athlètes étaient encore à la traîne des hommes en ce qui concerne les opportunités de participation, les bourses, les installations et l’équipement font l’objet de discussions, les plus grandes injustices structurales associées au fait d’être noire et d’être une femme demeurent absentes de la conversation au sujet de Title IX, démontrant la double invisibilité des femmes noires. Non seulement estce vrai dans les établissements à prédominance blanche, cela est également vrai dans les collèges et universités historiquement noirs, des établissements scolaires qui ont été des sources d’opportunités éducationnelles et athlétiques bien avant que Title IX ne vienne interdire la discrimination en fonction du sexe dans tous les programmes et activités éducationnels financés par le gouvernement fédéral.
Undiagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as complete heart block and ventricular arrhythmia
Authors: Mcbeath Kyle , Honarbakhsh Shohreh , Chowdhury Mohammad , Farooqi Fahad
Published: August 2015

Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis has been reported to be as high as 50% of cases and it is well documented that it is associated with a poorer prognosis. Early recognition and treatment is key to reducing the risk of fatal arrhythmias and heart failure. We report a case of undiagnosed systemic sarcoidosis in a young man who initially presented to the emergency department with complete heart block in the context of preserved biventricular systolic function, and then again with ventricular tachycardia and moderately impaired left ventricular systolic function. We discuss how 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with CT was used for accurate diagnosis and how its role in the management of sarcoidosis has expanded with recent evidence suggesting it to be a mainstay of management and disease monitoring in cardiac sarcoidosis.
Property changes of reactive magnesia–stabilized soil subjected to forced carbonation
Authors: Yi Yaolin , Lu Kaiwen , Liu Songyu , Al-Tabbaa Abir
Published: August 2015

A reactive magnesia (MgO) was used to stabilize a natural soil; the MgO-stabilized soil was subjected to forced carbonation with pressurized gaseous CO2 in a triaxial cell set-up. The change of physical properties, including bulk density, moisture content, dry density, specific gravity, and porosity, of the stabilized soil during carbonation was studied. The mechanical and microstructural properties of the carbonated MgO-stabilized soil were also investigated through unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The results indicated that the carbonation of MgO-stabilized soil consumed CO2 and water, and produced expansive carbonation products; this consequently increased the dry density, and reduced the moisture content, specific gravity, and porosity of the stabilized soil. After being carbonated for only 1.5 h, the MgO-stabilized soil yielded remarkable strength, with UCS higher than that of the 28 day ambient cured Portland cement–stabilized soil, mainly due to the high binding effect of carbonation products and the low porosity of carbonated MgO-stabilized soil. The carbonated MgO-stabilized soil achieved a high degree of carbonation in a few hours (≤12 h), with the maximum CO2/MgO ratio in a range of 0.76–1.07.
Multilevel performance management framework for small to medium sized water utilities in Canada
Authors: Haider Husnain , Sadiq Rehan , Tesfamariam Solomon
Published: August 2015

In Canada, small to medium sized water utilities (SMWU) do not often participate in National Water and Wastewater Benchmarking Initiative due to lesser economies of scale, lack of resources, and data limitations. Consequently, such SMWU are managing their functional components (i.e., environmental, personnel, operational, physical assets, customer satisfaction, public health, and financial) without quantitatively assessing and knowing if they are meeting their performance objectives. A multilevel performance management framework, consisting of five modules has been developed and implemented for SMWU in BC, Canada. The framework provides an approach to identify and select the suitable performance indicators for SMWU, and to use them for inter-utility performance benchmarking under limited data. The subsequent modules can be used for detailed performance management at utility, system, and sub-component levels. The utility managers can effectively employ this framework to identify the underperforming functional components and can rationally take corrective actions, and address customer satisfaction with efficient inventory management and data analyses.
The spatially flat Friedmann equation for early rainbow universe
Authors: Ch’ng Han Siong , Gopir Geri , Radiman Shahidan
Published: August 2015

We derive the spatially flat rainbow-Friedmann equation from de Broglie–Bohm interpretation in canonical quantum cosmology. Our result shows that the spatially flat rainbow-Friedmann equations of early and late-time universe are having different forms. The spatially flat rainbow-Friedmann equation of early universe which is obtained in this paper is quite different from the one which was initially derived by Magueijo and Smolin [Class. Quantum Grav. 21, 1725 (2004)]. However, the spatially flat rainbow-Friedmann equation for late-time universe obtained in this paper is found to be the same as the one derived by Magueijo and Smolin (for the case [Formula: see text] and Newton’s gravitational constant [Formula: see text]. The new spatially flat rainbow-Friedmann equation obtained in this paper could provide an alternative way in understanding the evolution of the early rainbow universe.
Region unknotting number of 2-bridge knots
Authors: Siwach V. , Madeti P.
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we discuss the region unknotting number of different classes of 2-bridge knots. In particular, we provide region unknotting number for the classes of 2-bridge knots whose Conway notations are C(m, n), C(m, 2, m), C(m, 2, m ± 1) and C(2, m, 2, n). By generalizing, we also provide a sharp upper bound for all the remaining classes of 2-bridge knots.
A THEORETICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF DISTRIBUTED DELAY ON THE TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS OF HEPATITIS B
Authors: TCHINDA P. MOUOFO , TEWA JEAN JULES , MEWOLI BOULECHARD , BOWONG SAMUEL
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we investigate the global dynamics of a system of delay differential equations which describes the interaction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with both liver and blood cells. The model has two distributed time delays describing the time needed for infection of cell and virus replication. We also include the efficiency of drug therapy in inhibiting viral production and the efficiency of drug therapy in blocking new infection. We compute the basic reproduction number and find that increasing delays will decrease the value of the basic reproduction number. We study the sensitivity analysis on the key parameters that drive the disease dynamics in order to determine their relative importance to disease transmission and prevalence. Our analysis reveals that the model exhibits the phenomenon of backward bifurcation (where a stable disease-free equilibrium (DFE) co-exists with a stable endemic equilibrium when the basic reproduction number is less than unity). Numerical simulations are presented to evaluate the impact of time-delays on the prevalence of the disease.
SPATIO-TEMPORAL PATTERNS IN A CHOLERA TRANSMISSION MODEL
Authors: MISRA A. K. , TIWARI MILAN , SHARMA ANUPAMA
Published: August 2015

Cholera has been a public health threat for centuries. Unlike the biological characteristics, relatively less effort has been paid to comprehend the spatial dynamics of this disease. Therefore, in this paper, we have proposed a cholera epidemic model for variable population size and studied the spatial patterns in two-dimensional space. First, we have performed the equilibrium and local stability analysis of steady states obtained for temporal system. Afterwards, the local and global stability behavior of the endemic steady state in a spatially extended setting has been investigated. The numerical simulations have been done to investigate the spatial patterns. They show that dynamics of the cholera epidemic varies with time and space.
Deciding Optimal Noise Monitoring Sites with Matrix Gray Absolute Relation Degree Theory
Authors: Gao Zhihua , Li Yadan , Zhao Limin , Wang Shuangwei
Published: August 2015

Noise maps are applied to assess noise level in cities all around the world. There are mainly two ways of producing noise maps: one way is producing noise maps through theoretical simulations with the surrounding conditions, such as traffic flow, building distribution, etc.; the other one is calculating noise level with actual measurement data from noise monitors. Currently literature mainly focuses on considering more factors that affect sound traveling during theoretical simulations and interpolation methods in producing noise maps based on measurements of noise. Although many factors were considered during simulation, noise maps have to be calibrated by actual noise measurements. Therefore, the way of obtaining noise data is significant to both producing and calibrating a noise map. However, there is little literature mentioned about rules of deciding the right monitoring sites when placed the specified number of noise sensors and given the deviation of a noise map produced with data from them. In this work, by utilizing matrix Gray Absolute Relation Degree Theory, we calculated the relation degrees between the most precise noise surface and those interpolated with different combinations of noise data with specified number. We found that surfaces plotted with different combinations of noise data produced different relation degrees with the most precise one. Then we decided the least significant one among the total and calculated the corresponding deviation when it was excluded in making a noise surface. Processing the left noise data in the same way, we found out the least significant datum among the left data one by one. With this method, we optimized the noise sensor’s distribution in an area about 2[Formula: see text]km2. And we also calculated the bias of surfaces with the least significant data removed. Our practice provides an optimistic solution to the situation faced by most governments that there is limited financial budget available for noise monitoring, especially in the undeveloped regions.
Regularity and uniqueness for a class of solutions to the hydrodynamic flow of nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Huang Tao
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we establish an [Formula: see text]-regularity criterion for any weak solution [Formula: see text] to the nematic liquid crystal flow (1.1) such that [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] satisfying the condition (1.2). As consequences, we prove the interior smoothness of any such a solution when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We also show that uniqueness holds for the class of weak solutions [Formula: see text] the Cauchy problem of the nematic liquid crystal flow (1.1) that satisfy [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] satisfying (1.2).
Generalization analysis of multi-modal metric learning
Authors: Lei Yunwen , Ying Yiming
Published: August 2015

Multi-modal metric learning has recently received considerable attention since many real-world applications involve multi-modal data. However, there is relatively little study on the generalization analysis of the associated learning algorithms. In this paper, we bridge this theoretical gap by deriving its generalization bounds using Rademacher complexities. In particular, we establish a general Rademacher complexity result by systematically analyzing the behavior of the resulting models with various regularizers, e.g., [Formula: see text]-regularizer on the modality level with either a mixed [Formula: see text]-norm or a Schatten norm on each modality. Our results and the discussion followed help to understand how the prior knowledge can be exploited by selecting an appropriate regularizer.
The resurgence properties of the incomplete gamma function, I
Authors: Nemes Gergő
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we derive new representations for the incomplete gamma function, exploiting the reformulation of the method of steepest descents by C. J. Howls [Hyperasymptotics for integrals with finite endpoints, Proc. Roy. Soc. London Ser. A 439 (1992) 373–396]. Using these representations, we obtain a number of properties of the asymptotic expansions of the incomplete gamma function with large arguments, including explicit and realistic error bounds, asymptotics for the late coefficients, exponentially improved asymptotic expansions, and the smooth transition of the Stokes discontinuities.
Refined pointwise estimates for the Navier–Stokes–Poisson equations
Authors: Wu Zhigang , Wang Weike
Published: August 2015

The Cauchy problem of the Navier–Stokes–Poisson equations in [Formula: see text] dimensions ([Formula: see text]) is considered. Based on some new observations on the system and a detailed analysis of Green’s function for linearized system, a refined pointwise result of the solution [Formula: see text] is given when it is a small perturbation of the constant state [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. In particular, we show that [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we obtain optimal [Formula: see text]-decay rates of the solution: [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text].
Uniform asymptotics for discrete orthogonal polynomials on infinite nodes with an accumulation point
Authors: Wu Xiao-Bo , Lin Yu , Xu Shuai-Xia , Zhao Yu-Qiu
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we develop the Riemann–Hilbert method to study the asymptotics of discrete orthogonal polynomials on infinite nodes with an accumulation point. To illustrate our method, we consider the Tricomi–Carlitz polynomials [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a positive parameter. Uniform Plancherel–Rotach type asymptotic formulas are obtained in the entire complex plane including a neighborhood of the origin, and our results agree with the ones obtained earlier in [W. M. Y. Goh and J. Wimp, On the asymptotics of the Tricomi–Carlitz polynomials and their zero distribution. I, SIAM J. Math. Anal. 25 (1994) 420–428] and in [K. F. Lee and R. Wong, Uniform asymptotic expansions of the Tricomi–Carlitz polynomials, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 138 (2010) 2513–2519].
Periodicity of solutions to the Cauchy problem for nonautonomous impulsive delay evolution equations in Banach spaces
Authors: Liang Jin , Liu James H. , Xiao Ti-Jun , Xu Hong-Kun
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we are concerned with the periodicity of solutions to the Cauchy problem for nonautonomous impulsive delay evolution equations with periodic inhomogenous terms in Banach spaces, where the operators in the linear part (possibly unbounded) depend on the time [Formula: see text] and generate an evolution family of linear operators. We first establish two new Gronwall–Bellman-type inequalities, and then prove a new and general existence theorem for periodic mild solutions to the nonautonomous impulsive delay evolution equations, which extends essentially some existing results even for the autonomous case as well as for the case when impulsive perturbations or delays are absent.
The order of binary quadratic forms from representation numbers
Authors: Earnest A. G. , Fitzgerald Robert W.
Published: August 2015

We investigate the relationship between the numbers of representations of certain integers by a primitive integral binary quadratic form [Formula: see text] of discriminant [Formula: see text] and the order of the class of [Formula: see text] in the form class group of discriminant [Formula: see text], in the case when this order is even. The explicit form of the solutions obtained is used to give a partial answer to a question regarding which multiples of [Formula: see text] can be parameterized in a particular way.
Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery
Authors: Weitzer Ronald
Published: August 2015

The article begins with a discussion of definitional issues regarding human trafficking and modern slavery and then briefly critiques some popular claims regarding each problem. Examples of macro-level research are critically evaluated, followed by a review of micro-level studies that illustrate tremendous variation and complexity in structural arrangements and individuals' lived experiences. These studies suggest that in this field micro-level research has at least three advantages over grand, macro-level meta-analyses—advantages that are quantitative (i.e., estimating the magnitude of the problem within a measurable universe), qualitative (i.e., documenting complexities in lived experiences), and well suited to formulating contextually appropriate policy and enforcement responses.