bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Dental Caries for Dental Materials and their Micromechanical Properties
Authors: Řehounek Luboš , Jíra Aleš , Denk František
Published: February 2016

The presented paper is mainly focused on nanoindentation of damaged human teeth, which have been treated with amalgam filling and describing the micromechanical properties (reduced elastic modulus Er and hardness H). The analysis was carried out on two samples of tooth no. 37, the first from a woman (48 years old) and the second from a man (26 years old). For both teeth was the main cause of the extraction an advanced stage of periodontitis chronica. The provided treatment of the tooth decay has been realized using amalgam filling with a different depth of cavity drilling. Within the analysis, we have made a series of indentation experiments in the transversal sections of the teeth. In these sections, we have measured the mechanical properties in individual dental materials for the sake of determining the influence of the degradation of dentin damaged by tooth decay. The differences of micomechanical parameters occur in the dentin area (Er ≈ 7.6 GPa in the dentin-amalgam interface and Er ≈ 30.2 GPa in the center of the dentin wall). Lesser variance of values is present in the enamel area, where the difference is less than 11 % in the enamel-amalgam interface.
Solid Particle Erosion of Selected HVOF Sprayed Coatings
Authors: Houdková Šárka , Česánek Zdeněk , Polach Pavel
Published: February 2016

The paper involves the subject and the chosen results of up to now solving of work package “Development of advanced surface treatment of components used in parts of turbines working under the condition of operational temperatures of steam using the HP/HVOF technology of thermal spraying” of the Competence Centre project “Centre of Research and Experimental Development of Reliable Energy Production”. The subject belongs to the field of material engineering and results of solving contribute to fulfilling the main project aim, which is a long time safeguarding of safe, reliable and financially available both classical thermal and nuclear sources of electric power, which consists in extending service life of existing and building new turbo generator blocks. The erosion wear resistance is one of the areas, which were observed. The impact of hard particles on the surface under variable impact angles was simulated in laboratory conditions using an in-house equipment. The wear resistance of selected HVOF sprayed hardmetal and super-alloy coatings was measured and the wear mechanism was evaluated. A strong influence of impact angle on both material volume loss and wear mechanism was monitored. The superior erosion wear properties of super-alloy coatings were proved, regardless the higher hardness of hardmetal coatings.
Application of Indentation Method for Quality Control of Processing of Ceramic Details
Authors: Kuzin Valery V. , Grigoriev S.N. , Fedorov Sergey
Published: February 2016

This paper describes approaches developed for the using of indentation method for evaluating the effectiveness of traditional and innovative kinds of ceramic parts manufacturing. Experimental studies revealed relationship between conditions of the grinding and pulse laser machining with the number and length of cracks, as well as local fracture area during indentation. Essential impact of regimes of these technological processes on the nature of cracks and local fracture formation during indentation of oxide-carbide ceramic surface was disclosed. The analysis of effectiveness of different methods of forming the surface of ceramic parts using the revealed effects was done.
Healthy HLA-DQ2.5+ Subjects Lack Regulatory and Memory T Cells Specific for Immunodominant Gluten Epitopes of Celiac Disease
Authors: Christophersen Asbjørn , Risnes Louise F. , Bergseng Elin , Lundin Knut E. A. , Sollid Ludvig M. , Qiao Shuo-Wang
Published: February 2016

Celiac disease (CD) is an HLA-associated disorder characterized by a harmful T cell response to dietary gluten. It is not understood why most individuals who carry CD-associated HLA molecules, such as HLA-DQ2.5, do not develop CD despite continuous gluten exposure. In this study, we have used tetramers of HLA-DQ2.5 bound with immunodominant gluten epitopes to explore whether HLA-DQ2.5+ healthy individuals mount a specific CD4+ T cell response to gluten. We found that gluten tetramer-binding memory cells were rare in blood of healthy individuals. These cells showed lower tetramer-binding intensity and no signs of biased TCR usage compared with gluten tetramer-binding memory T cells from patients. After sorting and in vitro expansion, only 18% of the tetramer-binding memory cells from healthy subjects versus 79% in CD patients were gluten-reactive upon tetramer restaining. Further, T cell clones of tetramer-sorted memory cells of healthy individuals showed lower gluten-specific proliferative responses compared with those of CD patients, indicating that tetramer-binding memory cells in healthy control subjects may be cross-reactive T cells. In duodenal biopsy specimens of healthy control subjects, CD4+ T cells were determined not to be gluten reactive. Finally, gluten tetramer-binding cells of healthy individuals did not coexpress regulatory T cell markers (Foxp3+ CD25+) and cultured T cell clones did not express a cytokine profile that indicated immune-dampening properties. The results demonstrate that healthy HLA-DQ2.5+ individuals do not mount a T cell response to immunodominant gluten epitopes of CD.
Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Chronically Infected Cystic Fibrosis Patients Fail To Activate the Inflammasome during Both Stable Infection and Pulmonary Exacerbation
Authors: Huus Kelsey E. , Joseph Julie , Zhang Li , Wong Alex , Aaron Shawn D. , Mah Thien-Fah , Sad Subash
Published: February 2016

Immune recognition of pathogen-associated ligands leads to assembly and activation of inflammasomes, resulting in the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and an inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. Inflammasomes are important for protection against many pathogens, but their role during chronic infectious disease is poorly understood. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that persists in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and may be responsible for the repeated episodes of pulmonary exacerbation characteristic of CF. P. aeruginosa is capable of inducing potent inflammasome activation during acute infection. We hypothesized that to persist within the host during chronic infection, P. aeruginosa must evade inflammasome activation, and pulmonary exacerbations may be the result of restoration of inflammasome activation. We therefore isolated P. aeruginosa from chronically infected CF patients during stable infection and exacerbation and evaluated the impact of these isolates on inflammasome activation in macrophages and neutrophils. P. aeruginosa isolates from CF patients failed to induce inflammasome activation, as measured by the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and by pyroptotic cell death, during both stable infection and exacerbation. Inflammasome evasion likely was due to reduced expression of inflammasome ligands and reduced motility and was not observed in environmental isolates or isolates from acute, non-CF infection. These results reveal a novel mechanism of pathogen adaptation by P. aeruginosa to avoid detection by inflammasomes in CF patients and indicate that P. aeruginosa–activated inflammasomes are not involved in CF pulmonary exacerbations.
Type I IFN Does Not Promote Susceptibility to Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Pitts Michelle G. , Myers-Morales Tanya , D’Orazio Sarah E. F.
Published: February 2016

Type I IFN (IFN-α/β) is thought to enhance growth of the foodborne intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by promoting mechanisms that dampen innate immunity to infection. However, the type I IFN response has been studied primarily using methods that bypass the stomach and, therefore, fail to replicate the natural course of L. monocytogenes infection. In this study, we compared i.v. and foodborne transmission of L. monocytogenes in mice lacking the common type I IFN receptor (IFNAR1−/−). Contrary to what was observed using i.v. infection, IFNAR1−/− and wild-type mice had similar bacterial burdens in the liver and spleen following foodborne infection. Splenocytes from wild-type mice infected i.v. produced significantly more IFN-β than did those infected by the foodborne route. Consequently, the immunosuppressive effects of type I IFN signaling, which included T cell death, increased IL-10 secretion, and repression of neutrophil recruitment to the spleen, were all observed following i.v. but not foodborne transmission of L. monocytogenes. Type I IFN was also previously shown to cause a loss of responsiveness to IFN-γ through downregulation of the IFN-γ receptor α-chain on macrophages and dendritic cells. However, we detected a decrease in surface expression of IFN-γ receptor α-chain even in the absence of IFN-α/β signaling, suggesting that in vivo, this infection-induced phenotype is not type I IFN–dependent. These results highlight the importance of using the natural route of infection for studies of host–pathogen interactions and suggest that the detrimental effects of IFN-α/β signaling on the innate immune response to L. monocytogenes may be an artifact of the i.v. infection model.
Ice nucleation efficiency of AgI: review and new insights
Authors: Marcolli Claudia , Nagare Baban , Welti André , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: February 2016

Abstract. AgI is one of the best investigated ice nuclei. It has relevance for the atmosphere since it is used for glaciogenic cloud seeding. Theoretical and experimental studies over the last sixty years provide a complex picture of silver iodide as ice nucleating agent with conflicting and inconsistent results. This review compares experimental ice nucleation studies in order to analyse the factors that influence the ice nucleation ability of AgI. We have performed experiments to compare contact and immersion freezing by AgI. This is one of three papers that describe and analyse contact and immersion freezing experiments with AgI. In Nagare et al. (Nagare, B., Marcolli, C., Stetzer, O., and Lohmann, U.: Comparison of measured and calculated collision efficiencies at low temperatures, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 13759–13776, doi:10.5194/acp-15-13759-2015, 2015) collision efficiencies based on contact freezing experiments with AgI are determined and compared with theoretical formulations. In a companion paper, contact freezing experiments are compared with immersion freezing experiments conducted with AgI, kaolinite, and ATD as ice nuclei. The following picture emerges from this analysis: The ice nucleation ability of AgI seems to be enhanced when the AgI particle is on the surface of a droplet, which is indeed the position that a particle takes when it can freely move in a droplet. Ice nucleation by particles with surfaces exposed to air, depends on water adsorption. AgI surfaces seem to be most efficient as ice nuclei when they are exposed to relative humidity at or even above water saturation. For AgI particles that are totally immersed in water, the freezing temperature increases with increasing AgI surface area. Higher threshold freezing temperature seem to correlate with improved lattice matches as can be seen for AgI-AgCl solid solutions and 3AgI•NH4I•6H2O, which have slightly better lattice matches with ice than AgI and also higher threshold freezing temperatures. However, the effect of a good lattice match is annihilated when the surfaces have charges. Also, the ice nucleation ability seems to decrease during dissolution of AgI particles. This introduces an additional history and time dependence of ice nucleation in cloud chambers with short residence times.
The organic sea-surface microlayer in the upwelling region off the coast of Peru and potential implications for air–sea exchange processes
Authors: Engel Anja , Galgani Luisa
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The sea-surface microlayer (SML) is at the uppermost surface of the ocean, linking the hydrosphere with the atmosphere. The presence and enrichment of organic compounds in the SML have been suggested to influence air–sea gas exchange processes as well as the emission of primary organic aerosols. Here, we report on organic matter components collected from an approximately 50 µm thick SML and from the underlying water (ULW),  ∼  20 cm below the SML, in December 2012 during the SOPRAN METEOR 91 cruise to the highly productive, coastal upwelling regime off the coast of Peru. Samples were collected at 37 stations including coastal upwelling sites and off-shore stations with less organic matter and were analyzed for total and dissolved high molecular weight (> 1 kDa) combined carbohydrates (TCCHO, DCCHO), free amino acids (FAA), total and dissolved hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA, DHAA), transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), Coomassie stainable particles (CSPs), total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC, DOC), total and dissolved nitrogen (TN, TDN), as well as bacterial and phytoplankton abundance. Our results showed a close coupling between organic matter concentrations in the water column and in the SML for almost all components except for FAA and DHAA that showed highest enrichment in the SML on average. Accumulation of gel particles (i.e., TEP and CSP) in the SML differed spatially. While CSP abundance in the SML was not related to wind speed, TEP abundance decreased with wind speed, leading to a depletion of TEP in the SML at about 5 m s−1. Our study provides insight to the physical and biological control of organic matter enrichment in the SML, and discusses the potential role of organic matter in the SML for air–sea exchange processes.
Greenhouse gas emissions from fen soils used for forage production in northern Germany
Authors: Poyda Arne , Reinsch Thorsten , Kluß Christof , Loges Ralf , Taube Friedhelm
Published: February 2016

Abstract. A large share of peatlands in northwest Germany is drained for agricultural purposes, thereby emitting high amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG). In order to quantify the climatic impact of fen soils in dairy farming systems of northern Germany, GHG exchange and forage yield were determined on four experimental sites which differed in terms of management and drainage intensity: a) rewetted and unutilized grassland (UG), b) intensive and 'wet' grassland (GW), c) intensive and 'moist' grassland (GM) and d) arable forage cropping (AR). Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 and fluxes of CH4 and N2O were measured using closed manual chambers. CH4 fluxes were significantly affected by groundwater level (GWL) and soil temperature, whereas N2O fluxes showed a significant relation to the amount of nitrate in top soil. Annual balances of all three gases, as well as the global warming potential (GWP), were significantly correlated to mean annual GWL. Two-year mean GWP, combined from C2-C-equivalents of NEE, CH4 and N2O emissions, as well as C input (slurry) and C output (harvest), was 3.8, 11.7, 17.7 and 17.3 Mg CO2-C-eq ha−1 a−1 for sites UG, GW, GM and AR, respectively (standard error (SE) 2.8, 1.2, 1.8, 2.6). Yield related emissions for the three agricultural sites were 201, 248 and 269 kg CO2-C-eq (GJ net energy lactation (NEL))−1 for sites GW, GM and AR, respectively (SE 17, 9, 19). The carbon footprint of agricultural commodities grown on fen soils depended on long-term drainage intensity rather than type of management, but management and climate strongly influenced interannual on-site variability. However, arable forage production revealed a high uncertainty of yield and therefore was an unsuitable land use option. Lowest yield related GHG emissions were achieved by a three-cut system of productive grassland swards in combination with a high GWL (long-term mean ≤ 20 cm below the surface).
Coastal-ocean uptake of anthropogenic carbon
Authors: Bourgeois Timothée , Orr James C. , Resplandy Laure , Ethé Christian , Gehlen Marion , Bopp Laurent
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Anthropogenic changes in atmosphere-ocean and atmosphere-land CO2 fluxes have been quantified extensively, but few studies have addressed the connection between land and ocean. In this transition zone, the coastal ocean, spatial and temporal data coverage is inadequate to assess its global budget. Thus we use a global ocean biogeochemical model to assess the coastal ocean's global inventory of anthropogenic CO2 and its spatial variability. We used an intermediate resolution, eddying version of the NEMO-PISCES model (ORCA05), varying from 20 to 50 km horizontally, i.e., coarse enough to allow multiple century-scale simulations but finer than coarse resolution models (~ 200 km), to begin to better resolve coastal bathymetry. Simulated results indicated that the global ocean absorbed 2.3 Pg C yr−1 of anthropogenic carbon during 1993–2012, consistent with previous estimates. Yet only 4.5 % of that (0.10 Pg C yr−1) is absorbed by the global coastal ocean, i.e., less than its 7.5 % proportion of the global ocean surface area. Coastal uptake is weakened due to a bottleneck in offshore transport, which is inadequate to reduce the mean anthropogenic carbon concentration of coastal waters to the mean level found in the open-ocean mixed layer.
Atmospheric circulation patterns, cloud-to-ground lightning, and locally intense convective rainfall associated with debris flow initiation in the Dolomite Alps of northeastern Italy
Authors: Underwood S. Jeffrey , Schultz Michael D. , Berti Metteo , Gregoretti Carlo , Simoni Alessandro , Mote Thomas L. , Saylor Anthony M.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The Dolomite Alps of northeastern Italy experience debris flows with great frequency during the summer months. An ample supply of unconsolidated material on steep slopes and a summer season climate regime characterized by recurrent thunderstorms combine to produce an abundance of these destructive hydro-geologic events. In the past, debris flow events have been studied primarily in the context of their geologic and geomorphic characteristics. The atmospheric contribution to these mass-wasting events has been limited to recording rainfall and developing intensity thresholds for debris mobilization. This study aims to expand the examination of atmospheric processes that preceded both locally intense convective rainfall (LICR) and debris flows in the Dolomite region. 500 hPa pressure level plots of geopotential heights were constructed for a period of 3 days prior to debris flow events to gain insight into the synoptic-scale processes which provide an environment conducive to LICR in the Dolomites. Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning flash data recorded at the meso-scale were incorporated to assess the convective environment proximal to debris flow source regions. Twelve events were analyzed and from this analysis three common synoptic-scale circulation patterns were identified. Evaluation of CG flashes at smaller spatial and temporal scales illustrated that convective processes vary in their production of CF flashes (total number) and the spatial distribution of flashes can also be quite different between events over longer periods. During the 60 min interval immediately preceding debris flow a majority of cases exhibited spatial and temporal colocation of LICR and CG flashes. Also a number of CG flash parameters were found to be significantly correlated to rainfall intensity prior to debris flow initiation.
Structural geology and geophysics as a key to build a hydrogeologic model of granite rock to support a mine
Authors: Martinez Landa L. , Carrera J. , Perez-Estaún A. , Gomez P. , Bajos C.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. A methodology developed for low permeability fractured media has been applied to understand the hydrogeology of a mine excavated in a granitic pluton. This methodology consists of (1) identifying the main ground water conducting features of the medium, such as the mine, dykes and large fractures, (2) implementing them as discrete elements into a three-dimensional numerical model, and (3) calibrating them against hydraulic data (Martínez-Landa and Carrera, 2005b). The key question is how to identify preferential flow paths in the first step. Here, we propose a combination of several techniques. Structural geology, together with borehole samples, geophysics, hydrogeochemistry and local hydraulic tests aided in locating all structures. Integrating these data yields a conceptual model of the site. A preliminary calibration of the model was performed against short-term (less than a day) pumping tests, which helped in the characterization of some fractures. Their hydraulic properties were then used for other fractures that, according to geophysics and structural geology, belonged to the same families. Model validity was tested by blind prediction of a long-term (4 months) large-scale (1 km) pumping test from the mine, which yielded an excellent agreement with observations. Model results confirm the sparsely fractured nature of the pluton, which has not been subjected to glacial loading-unloading cycles and whose waters are of Na-HCO3 type.
Phoning it in? Examining Pre-Employment Phone Interview Procedure in Higher Education
Authors: Antonellis Paul James , Flam Danielle
Published: February 2016

In the United States, the employment screening process for hiring full-time faculty in higher education involves the vetting of curricula vitae, phone interview(s), and/or campus visits (Cardeiro, 2010; Shively, Woodward, & Stanly, 1999). The purpose of this research was to examine the phone interview procedure at one institute of higher education, and from there, formulate a systematic phone interviewing procedure that could be put to use at this particular university.            After conducting a review of relevant literature, the researchers engaged in action research that utilized qualitative data of 10 participants who took part in the pre-interview, professional development intervention, and the post-interviews for this research project. The action research protocol involved identifying the problem to bring about a positive organizational change, selecting the needed change, implementing the proposed change, and evaluating the results of the change. Upon completion of which, three emerging themes from the collected data were determined:  a) phone interview procedure and structure, b) assessment and screening procedures, c) organizational fit.            This research proves to be significant because it expands the current knowledge on the topic of conducting employment phone interviews in higher education for tenure track faculty. How higher educational institution conduct faculty screening is often considered a trade secrete, resulting in other institutions unwillingness to provide information on how they conducting faculty screening (Trower, 2012).  By sharing this protocol with the field, places of higher learning can begin to assess and measure their own hiring procedures, and correct practices that may be flawed, inequitable, or possibly illegal.
Investigating and Comparing Primary, Secondary, and High School Principals’ and Teachers’ Attitudes in the City of Isfahan towards In-Service Training Courses
Authors: Foroutan Masoud , Rajaeepour Saeed , Siadat Seyed Ali
Published: February 2016

One of the factors of improving teaching and learning as well as realization of aims of educational institutes depends on improving the quality of teachers’ and principals’ in-service educational courses. The present study aims at investigating principals’ and teachers’ attitudes towards in-service course in Isfahan City. The research method employed in the study was descriptive and the data collection method was the survey research. The population includes all teachers and principals in the City of Isfahan. Participants were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling method. The sample size included 284 participants. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire including 46 close-end questions designed based on the five-point Likert scale. Its reliability was obtained as 95% based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient in the pilot study. Comparing male and female participants’ attitudes regarding professors and lecturers of in-service educational courses indicated significant differences. In other words, female participants evaluated the degree of lecturers’ skills as higher than male ones did.  But, no significant difference was observed regarding educational needs, textbook contents, assessment methods, environment and equipment, time of holding courses, and the increase in capabilities between male and female participants. No significant difference can be indicated the comparison of participants’ attitudes regarding their educational sections (primary, secondary, and high schools) in relation with educational environment and equipment as well as the time of holding courses, but the attitudes of the same participants regarding educational needs, textbook content, assessment methods of professors and lecturers, the increase in their professional and scientific capabilities indicate no significant difference. In addition, participants’ attitudes regarding educational sections and in terms of the increase in professors and lecturers’ scientific and professional capabilities indicate a significant differences. In other words, primary school participants considered the increase in their own scientific and professional capabilities higher than those of high school participants.
Public Administration and the Development of Africa: A Critical Assessment
Authors: Nhema Alfred G.
Published: February 2016

This article explores Africa’s development challenges from a public administration service delivery capacity perspective. The paper contends that African countries lack a well-coordinated central policy making machinery of government which has the capacity to set major development objectives of government and ensure service delivery consistency. The paper further notes that an efficient public sector is a prerequisite to any meaningful development in Africa. Public bureaucracies are viewed as the vehicles through which the struggle toward development and national building can be achieved. The paper has relied on documentary sources and the contribution represents a modest attempt to shed some light on the ongoing debate on the efficacy of Africa's public management institutions.
Impact of new health care policies on the quality of acute myocardial infarction treatment in Swiss hospitals: A before and after observational study
Authors: Mouton Dorey Corine , Puhan Milo Alan , Biller-Andorno Nikola
Published: February 2016

Objective: Following a revision of the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act, the regional hospital planning structure was modified and the hospital financing organized at a national level with the use of diagnosis related groups (SwissDRGs). The aim of this observational study was to determine in an independent way the initial impact of these changes on the quality of hospital treatment, with patients hospitalized for Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) being the chosen study group.Methods: We used prospective data from a Swiss clinical registry for AMI. The quality was measured based on the adherence to 10 evidence-based performance indicators for AMI treatment, and on the evaluation of in-hospital outcomes (mortality, complications, length of hospital stay [LOS]) globally and for seven pre-defined vulnerable subgroups. The study compared patient-based data before (2011) and after (2012) the implementation of the reform.Results: The study included 33 matched hospitals, and compared the AMI treatment of 2,491 patients in 2011 (before) and 2,544 in 2012 (after the hospital reform). No significant changes in the evidence-based performance indicators were observed, but an on average one day reduction in the LOS and worse outcomes in one of the pre-defined group of patients were found. The issue of how the clinical team achieved these results was not directly explored due to the underlying registry’s unalterable structure.Conclusions: One year after the implementation of a new hospital financing system in Switzerland, the quality of treatment delivered to patients hospitalized for AMI was maintained overall. The worse in-hospital mortality in one pre-defined vulnerable subgroup could reflect the emergence of difficulties for clinical teams to cope with patients demanding extra care and time. Further investigation is warranted.
Expulsion of Plasma in A Gravitational Field
Authors: Dmitriev A. L. , Nikushchenko E. M.
Published: February 2016

It is shown that a characteristic shape of the arc discharge in the air with a pressure of 0.1 atm is mostly caused not by action of forces of buoyancy, but expulsion of plasma in a gravitational field.
A Needs Analysis for a Discipline-Specific Reading Intervention
Authors: Boakye Naomi Adjoa Nana Yeboah , Mbong Magdaline
Published: February 2016

This paper reports on a needs analysis that sought to explore students’ reading challenges as an initial step in designing an appropriate reading intervention programme for first-year Sociology students. The aim of the paper is to suggest conditions for the production of an effective reading intervention programme by determining the needs of the students in the first-year Sociology class. A survey using an open-ended questionnaire was used to explore students’ reading challenges. The responses were analysed using content analysis. The analysis showed a variety of learner needs and revealed that most of the students have difficulty in reading their first-year Sociology texts. Comprehension was the main challenge, but other specific areas such as vocabulary, length of texts, language, and affective issues such as motivation and interest were also mentioned. The findings show that this cohort of first-year Sociology students had reading challenges that involve cognitive, language and affective issues. Based on the results of the needs analysis an intervention programme that addresses cognitive, language and affective issues is recommended for this cohort of students.
Pseudocyst of the auricle in patients with movement disorders: report of two patients with ataxia-associated auricular pseudocysts
Authors: Beutler Bryce D. , Cohen Philip R.
Published: February 2016

Background: Pseudocyst of the auricle is a benign condition of the ear characterized by an asymptomatic, noninflammatory swelling on the lateral or anterior surface of the auricle. It typically presents as a 1 to 5 centimeter cystic lesion located within the scaphoid or triangular fossa. In most patients, the lesion develops spontaneously. However, pseudocyst of the auricle has also been associated with trauma to the ear.

Purpose: We describe the clinical findings of two men who developed pseudocyst of the auricle associated with ataxia-induced trauma to their ear. We also summarize the differential diagnosis, the postulated pathogenesis, and the treatment options for this condition.

Materials and methods: The features of two men with pseudocyst of the auricle are presented. Using PubMed, the following terms were searched and relevant citations assessed: ataxia, auricle, dyskinesia, ear, Friedreich’s, neurological, pinna, pseudocyst, spasticity, spinocerebellar, and trauma. In addition, the literature on pseudocyst of the auricle is reviewed.

Results: Pseudocyst of the auricle was observed in two men with neurological disorders: a 33-year-old Asian man with spinocerebellar ataxia and a 47-year-old Caucasian man with Friedreich’s ataxia. Each patient had a history of ataxia-induced head and ear trauma. The clinical features of the lesions were sufficient to establish a diagnosis of pseudocyst of the auricle. Neither patient desired treatment.

Conclusion: Pseudocyst of the auricle is a benign cystic lesion that is occasionally precipitated by trauma to the affected ear. Patients with neurological disorders, particularly those associated with ataxia and/or dyskinesias, may have an increased risk of developing the traumatic variant of the condition. Diagnosis can usually be established by clinical presentation. However, in some patients, a tissue specimen may be secured for microscopic evaluation to exclude infection or during surgical repair. Various treatment options exist for pseudocyst of the auricle, including: (1) needle aspiration—with or without subsequent injection of an irritant substance—followed by a pressure dressing and (2) surgical deroofing. Alternatively, reassurance of the benign nature of the condition and observation is a reasonable management alternative.
Diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma associated with monoclonal gammopathy
Authors: Cohen Yoon K. , Elpern David J.
Published: February 2016

Diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma (DNPX) was first described by Altman and Winkelmann in 1962. It is a rare and non-inherited form of xanthomatosis. Clinically, the dermatosis is characterized by the presence of symmetric yellowish-orange plaques that favor the neck, upper trunk, flexural folds and periorbital region. It has been recognized to be associated with hematological diseases, especially with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy. We present a patient with diffuse plane xanthoma, normal lipid level, and monoclonal gammopathy.
Histiocytoid Sweet’s syndrome in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: report and review of the literature
Authors: Shalaby Michael M. , Riahl Ryan R. , Rosen Les B. , Soine Erik J.
Published: February 2016

The neutrophilic dermatoses are a group of disorders characterized by skin lesions for which histological examination reveals intense epidermal and/or dermal inflammatory infiltrates composed primarily of neutrophils without evidence of infection. The myelodysplastic syndromes consist of a heterogeneous group of malignant hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by dysplastic and inadequate blood cell production with a variable risk of transformation to acute leukemia. Rarely, histiocytoid Sweet’s syndrome occurring in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome has been described. We present a case of a 66-year-old woman with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome who developed histiocytoid Sweet’s syndrome. We also review the literature and characterize patients with myelodysplastic syndrome who have developed histiocytoid Sweet’s syndrome.
A Rational Deconstruction of Landin's SECD Machine
Authors: Danvy Olivier
Published: February 2016

Landin's SECD machine was the first abstract machine for the lambda-calculus viewed as a programming language. Both theoretically as a model of computation and practically as an idealized implementation, it has set the tone for the subsequent development of abstract machines for functional programming languages. However, and even though variants of the SECD machine have been presented, derived, and invented, the precise rationale for its architecture and modus operandi has remained elusive. In this article, we deconstruct the SECD machine into a lambda-interpreter, i.e., an evaluation function, and we reconstruct lambda-interpreters into a variety of SECD-like machines. The deconstruction and reconstructions are transformational: they are based on equational reasoning and on a combination of simple program transformations--mainly closure conversion, transformation into continuation-passing style, and defunctionalization.

The evaluation function underlying the SECD machine provides a precise rationale for its architecture: it is an environment-based eval-apply evaluator with a callee-save strategy for the environment, a data stack of intermediate results, and a control delimiter. Each of the components of the SECD machine (stack, environment, control, and dump) is therefore rationalized and so are its transitions.

The deconstruction and reconstruction method also applies to other abstract machines and other evaluation functions. It makes it possible to systematically extract the denotational content of an abstract machine in the form of a compositional evaluation function, and the (small-step) operational content of an evaluation function in the form of an abstract machine.
The I/O-Complexity of Ordered Binary-Decision Diagram Manipulation
Authors: Arge Lars
Published: February 2016

Ordered Binary-Decision Diagrams (OBDD) are the state-of-the art
data structure for boolean function manipulation and there exist
several software packages for OBDD manipulation. OBDDs have
been successfully used to solve problems in e.g. digital-systems design, verification and testing, in mathematical logic, concurrent system design and in artificial intelligence. The OBDDs used in many of these applications quickly get larger than the available main memory and it becomes essential to consider the problem of minimizing the Input/Output (I/O) communication. In this paper we analyze why existing OBDD manipulation algorithms perform poorly in an I/O environment and develop new I/O-efficient algorithms.
Partial Evaluation for Constraint-Based Program Analyses
Authors: Amtoft Torben
Published: February 2016

We report on a case study in the application of partial evaluation, initiated
by the desire to speed up a constraint-based algorithm for control-flow
 analysis. We designed and implemented a dedicated partial evaluator,
able to specialize the analysis wrt. a given constraint graph and thus
remove the interpretive overhead, and measured it with Feeley's Scheme
benchmarks. Even though the gain turned out to be rather limited, our
investigation yielded valuable feed back in that it provided a better understanding
of the analysis, leading us to (re)invent an incremental version.
We believe this phenomenon to be a quite frequent spinoff from using
partial evaluation, since the removal of interpretive overhead makes the flow
of control more explicit and hence pinpoints sources of inefficiency.
 Finally, we observed that partial evaluation in our case yields such regular,
low-level specialized programs that it begs for run-time code generation.
Minimum-Cost Reachability for Priced Timed Automata
Authors: Behrmann Gerd , Fehnker Ansgar , Hune Thomas S. , Larsen Kim G. , Pettersson Paul , Romijn Judi , Vaandrager Frits W.
Published: February 2016

This paper introduces the model of linearly priced timed automata as an extension of timed automata, with prices on both transitions and locations. For this model we consider the minimum-cost reachability problem: i.e. given a linearly priced timed automaton and a target
state, determine the minimum cost of executions from the initial state to the target state. This problem generalizes the minimum-time reachability problem for ordinary timed automata. We prove decidability of this problem by offering an algorithmic solution, which is based on a combination of branch-and-bound techniques and a new notion of priced regions. The latter allows symbolic representation and manipulation of reachable states together with the cost of reaching them.

Keywords: Timed Automata, Verification, Data Structures, Algorithms,
Optimization.
Linearity in Process Languages
Authors: Nygaard Mikkel , Winskel Glynn
Published: February 2016

The meaning and mathematical consequences of linearity (managing without a presumed ability to copy) are studied for a path-based model of processes which is also a model of affine-linear logic. This connection yields an affine-linear language for processes, automatically respecting open-map bisimulation, in which a range of process operations can be expressed. An operational semantics is provided for the tensor fragment of the language. Different ways to make assemblies of processes lead to different choices of exponential, some of which respect bisimulation.
A genome-wide resource for the analysis of protein localisation in Drosophila
Authors: Sarov Mihail , Barz Christiane , Jambor Helena , Hein Marco Y , Schmied Christopher , Suchold Dana , Stender Bettina , Janosch Stephan , KJ Vinay Vikas , Krishnan RT , Krishnamoorthy Aishwarya , Ferreira Irene RS , Ejsmont Radoslaw K , Finkl Katja , Hasse Susanne , Kämpfer Philipp , Plewka Nicole , Vinis Elisabeth , Schloissnig Siegfried , Knust Elisabeth , Hartenstein Volker , Mann Matthias , Ramaswami Mani , VijayRaghavan K , Tomancak Pavel , Schnorrer Frank
Published: February 2016

The Drosophila genome contains >13000 protein-coding genes, the majority of which remain poorly investigated. Important reasons include the lack of antibodies or reporter constructs to visualise these proteins. Here, we present a genome-wide fosmid library of 10000 GFP-tagged clones, comprising tagged genes and most of their regulatory information. For 880 tagged proteins, we created transgenic lines, and for a total of 207 lines, we assessed protein expression and localisation in ovaries, embryos, pupae or adults by stainings and live imaging approaches. Importantly, we visualised many proteins at endogenous expression levels and found a large fraction of them localising to subcellular compartments. By applying genetic complementation tests, we estimate that about two-thirds of the tagged proteins are functional. Moreover, these tagged proteins enable interaction proteomics from developing pupae and adult flies. Taken together, this resource will boost systematic analysis of protein expression and localisation in various cellular and developmental contexts.
Understanding the high p-type conductivity in Cu-excess CuAlS2: A first-principles study
Authors: Huang Dan , Zhao Yujun , Tang Wenjuan , Liang Xianqing , Zhou Wenzheng , Li Changsheng , Yao Chunmei , Guo Jin
Published: February 2016

The high p-type conductivity in Cu-excess CuAlS2 reported from a recent experimental paper is not well understood as it is not supported by earlier theoretical studies. We found that Cu can be heavily doped at the Al site and can form compensated defect bands to shift up the valence band, leading to shallow acceptor levels under a Cu-excess condition. In particular, Zn doping at the Al site in Cu-excess CuAlS2 has been suggested as a promising approach to improving the p-type conductivity in Cu-excess CuAlS2.
Lysosomal glycosphingolipid catabolism by acid ceramidase: formation of glycosphingoid bases during deficiency of glycosidases
Authors: Ferraz Maria J. , Marques André R. A. , Appelman Monique D. , Verhoek Marri , Strijland Anneke , Mirzaian Mina , Scheij Saskia , Ouairy Cécile M. , Lahav Daniel , Wisse Patrick , Overkleeft Herman S. , Boot Rolf G. , Aerts Johannes M.
Published: February 2016

Glycosphingoid bases are elevated in inherited lysosomal storage disorders with deficient activity of glycosphingolipid catabolizing glycosidases. We investigated the molecular basis of the formation of glucosylsphingosine and globotriaosylsphingosine during deficiency of glucocerebrosidase (Gaucher disease) and α‐galactosidase A (Fabry disease). Independent genetic and pharmacological evidence is presented pointing to an active role of acid ceramidase in both processes through deacylation of lysosomal glycosphingolipids. The potential pathophysiological relevance of elevated glycosphingoid bases generated through this alternative metabolism in patients suffering from lysosomal glycosidase defects is discussed.
Prolonged multiple excitation of large‐scale Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances (TADs) by successive and interacting coronal mass ejections
Authors: Guo Jianpeng , Wei Fengsi , Feng Xueshang , Forbes Jeffrey M. , Wang Yuming , Liu Huixin , Wan Weixing , Yang Zhiliang , Liu Chaoxu
Published: February 2016

Successive and interacting coronal mass ejections (CMEs) directed earthward can have significant impacts throughout geospace. While considerable progress has been made in understanding their geomagnetic consequences over the past decade, elucidation of their atmospheric consequences remains a challenge. During 17–19 January 2005, a compound stream formed due to interaction of six successive halo CMEs impacted Earth's magnetosphere. In this paper, we report one atmospheric consequence of this impact, namely, the prolonged multiple excitation of large‐scale (>∼1000 km) traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs). The TADs were effectively excited in auroral regions by sudden injections of energy due to the intermittent southward magnetic fields within the stream. They propagated toward the equator at speeds near 800 m/s and produced long‐duration (∼2.5 days) continuous large‐scale density disturbances of order up ± 40% in the global thermosphere.
Solar cycle variations in the ionosphere of Mars as seen by multiple Mars Express data sets
Authors: Sánchez‐Cano B. , Lester M. , Witasse O. , Milan S. E. , Hall B. E. S. , Cartacci M. , Peter K. , Morgan D. D. , Blelly P.‐L. , Radicella S. , Cicchetti A. , Noschese R. , Orosei R. , Pätzold M.
Published: February 2016

The response of the Martian ionosphere to solar activity is analyzed by taking into account variations in a range of parameters during four phases of the solar cycle throughout 2005–2012. Multiple Mars Express data sets have been used (such as Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) in Active Ionospheric Sounding, MARSIS subsurface, and MaRS Radio Science), which currently cover more than 10 years of solar activity. The topside of the main ionospheric layer behavior is empirically modeled through the neutral scale height parameter, which describes the density distribution in altitude, and can be used as a dynamic monitor of the solar wind‐Martian plasma interaction, as well as of the medium's temperature. The main peak, the total electron content, and the relationship between the solar wind dynamic pressure and the maximum thermal pressure of the ionosphere with the solar cycle are assessed. We conclude that the neutral scale height was different in each phase of the solar cycle, having a large variation with solar zenith angle during the moderate‐ascending and high phases, while there is almost no variation during the moderate‐descending and low phases. Between end‐2007 and end‐2009, an almost permanent absence of secondary layer resulted because of the low level of solar X‐rays. Also, the ionosphere was more likely to be found in a more continuously magnetized state. The induced magnetic field from the solar wind, even if weak, could be strong enough to penetrate more than at other solar cycle phases.
Ca2+‐binding protein centrin 4 is a novel binding partner of rat Eag1 K+ channels
Authors: Hsu Po‐Hao , Chiu Yi‐Chih , Lin Ting‐Feng , Jeng Chung‐Jiuan
Published: February 2016

Eag1 is neuron‐specific K+ channel abundantly expressed in the brain and retina. Subcellular localization and physiological analyses in neurons reveal that Eag1 may participate in Ca2+‐signaling processes in the synapse. Here, we searched for rat Eag1 (rEag1)‐binding proteins that may contribute to Ca2+ regulation of the K+ channel. Yeast two‐hybrid screening identified centrin 4, a member of the centrin family of Ca2+‐binding proteins. GST pull‐down and immunoprecipitation assays in brain and retina lysates confirm the interaction of centrin with rEag1 in neurons. Centrin 4 binds to rEag1 in the absence of Ca2+. Raising Ca2+ concentration enhances the association efficiency of centrin 4 and rEag1, and is required for the suppression of rEag1 currents by centrin 4. Altogether, our data suggest that centrin 4 is a novel binding partner that may contribute to Ca2+ regulation of rEag1 in neurons.
Recent Advances in the High‐Temperature Chemical Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Mendoza‐Garcia Adriana , Sun Shouheng
Published: February 2016

One of the most active research areas in functional materials is the chemical synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. Their potential in biomedical and technological applications has motivated the search for new forms of magnetic nanoparticles with additional chemical and physical functionalities. This review highlights recent advances in the high temperature solution‐phase synthesis of monodisperse, multicomponent magnetic nanoparticles. Particular emphasis is put on iron‐based metal, oxide, alloy and composite nanoparticles and their biomedical applications.