bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MC3R gene polymorphisms are associated with early childhood adiposity gain and infant appetite in an Asian population
Authors: Aris I. M. , Tint M. T. , Teh A. L. , Holbrook J. D. , Quah P. L. , Chong M. F.‐F. , Lin X. , Soh S. E. , Saw S.‐M. , Kwek K. , Godfrey K. M. , Gluckman P. D. , Chong Y. S. , Lek N. , Yap F. , Lee Y. S.
Published: December 2015

Background

Polymorphic variants within human melanocortin‐3 receptor gene (MC3R) gene have been associated with obesity. However, its influence on infancy and early childhood adiposity has not been reported before.

Objectives

We assessed associations between genotype at polymorphic sites within MC3R with early childhood adiposity and interaction with early childhood appetitive traits.

Methods

We studied 1090 singletons in an Asian mother–offspring cohort genotyped for MC3R and in a subgroup (n = 422) who had completed Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaires (CEBQ) at 12 months. Children were followed from birth to 48 months, and up to 10 measurements of body mass index and five measures of triceps and subscapular skin‐folds were obtained.

Results

Independent of potential confounders, each additional MC3R minor allele copy was associated with greater body mass index standard deviation score [B{95% confidence interval}: 0.004 units/month {0.001,0.007}; p = 0.007], triceps [0.009 mm/month {0.001,0.02}; p = 0.021] and subscapular skin‐fold [0.008 mm/month {0.002,0.01}; p = 0.011] gain velocity in the first 48 months. Each additional MC3R minor allele copy was also associated with increased odds of overweight [odds ratio {95% confidence interval}: 1.48{1.17–1.88}] and obesity [1.58{1.10–2.28}] in the first 48 months. Every additional copy of MC3R minor allele was positively associated with ‘slowness‐in‐eating’ appetitive trait [0.24{0.06,0.39}, p = 0.006]; however, the relationship between ‘slowness‐in‐eating’ with adiposity gain was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our findings support the role of MC3R genetic variants in adiposity gain during early childhood.
Genetic risk clustering increases children's body weight at 2 years of age – the STEPS Study
Authors: Mäkelä J. , Lagström H. , Pitkänen N. , Kuulasmaa T. , Kaljonen A. , Laakso M. , Niinikoski H.
Published: December 2015

Background

Genetic determinants have an impact on adult weight but the association between genetic determinants and weight at young age is still poorly understood.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the association between genetic risk scores and early growth from birth to 2 years of age.

Methods

Genetic risk scores of 83 adiposity‐related or obesity‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (genetic risk score [GRS]83) were calculated for 1278 children. Specific phenotype score for 16 weight‐related SNPs (weightGRS) was calculated. Anthropometric data were obtained at birth, 13 months and 2 years of age.

Results

The GRS83 was associated with weight at 13 months (β = 0.080, P = 0.015) and 2 years (β = 0.080, P = 0.017) of age and with weight gain from birth to 13 months (β = 0.069, P = 0.036) and to 2 years of age (β = 0.074, P = 0.028). At 2 years of age, the GRS83 was also associated with weight for height (β = 0.065, P = 0.046), weight‐for‐height standard deviation score (SDS) (β = 0.074, P = 0.022) and body mass index SDS (β = 0.068, P = 0.045). WeightGRS was associated with higher body weight at 13 months (β = 0.081, P = 0.014) and 2 years of age (β = 0.086, P = 0.011). The genetic effect on weight varied from 0.69 to 1.89 kg at 2 years of age according to number of risk alleles. Children with high genetic risk for adiposity were heavier than children with low genetic risk at 2 years of age (12.8 vs. 13.4 kg, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

The GRS 83 revealed increased genetic risk for higher weight in children already at 13 months and 2 years of age, which may result in increased obesity risk later in life.
French Public Finances through the Financial Crisis: It's a Long Way to Recovery
Authors: André Mathias , Bozio Antoine , Guillot Malka , Paul‐Delvaux Louise
Published: December 2015

France was modestly hit by the financial crisis compared with its neighbours but the recovery has been particularly slow. The shock to the public finances was nonetheless significant, and came on top of an already weak pre‐crisis fiscal position. Part of this shock is expected to be permanent and the French government has so far mostly used increases in taxation to bring borrowing under control. However, in 2014, spending cuts took over as the main tool for balancing the public finances. Despite the significant fiscal adjustments that have been required, the crisis has not been used as an opportunity for reforms. Some reforms to labour and service markets have been carried out, but there have been no radical changes. While some tax changes, such as cuts to employer social security contributions and an increase in reduced rates of VAT, have improved the efficiency of the tax system, overall the tax and benefit system continues to be plagued by complexity and a sheer lack of transparency. As the remaining effort for balancing the public finances seems likely to rely on spending cuts, the overall efficiency of the policy response to the crisis will depend in large part on how these are done.
Cyberattacks as Casus Belli: A Sovereignty‐Based Account
Authors: Smith Patrick Taylor
Published: December 2015

Since cyberattacks are nonphysical, standard theories of casus belli — which typically rely on the violent and forceful nature of military means — appear inapplicable. Yet, some theorists have argued that cyberattacks nonetheless can constitute just causes for war — generating a unilateral right to defensive military action — when they cause significant physical damage through the disruption of the target's computer systems. I show that this view suffers from a serious drawback: it is too permissive concerning the types of actions that generate casus belli since many essentially peaceful and non‐violent mechanisms can nonetheless cause physical damage. I resolve this difficulty by developing a sovereignty‐based account of casus belli and applying it to cyberwarfare. I argue that legitimate states have a constrained right to unilaterally respond with military force to unfriendly actions that bypass or overwhelm the political deliberations of the target state in order to force a change in behaviour contrary to the determinations of the people of the target state. This new account of casus belli avoids the problems of the consequence‐based view by plausibly restricting the types of unfriendly action that give rise to casus belli and yet offers an attractive explanation for why some cyberattacks nonetheless do generate a potential right to a unilateral defensive response.
Criminalising Unknowing Defence
Authors: Uniacke Suzanne
Published: December 2015

Should a legal plea of self‐ or third‐party defence include an ‘awareness component’ that requires that the actor was aware of the justificatory facts at the time of action? Some theorists argue that in cases of so‐called unknowing defence, where an actor in fact averts an otherwise unavoidable danger to himself or another person although unaware at the time of action that this is what he is doing, the objective facts alone should allow a plea of self‐ or third‐party defence. Cases of unknowing defence raise issues that are highly significant to the nature of justification and liability. In this article I reject some common approaches to this issue and I offer an account of why acts of unknowing defence are appropriately subject to criminal liability for the complete offence (e.g. murder).
Comprehensive antibiotic susceptibility profiling of Chilean Piscirickettsia salmonis field isolates
Authors: Henríquez P , Kaiser M , Bohle H , Bustos P , Mancilla M
Published: December 2015

Antibiotics have been extensively used against infections produced by Piscirickettsia salmonis, a fish pathogen and causative agent of piscirickettsiosis and one of the major concerns for the Chilean salmon industry. Therefore, the emergence of resistant phenotypes is to be expected. With the aim of obtaining a landscape of the antimicrobial resistance of P. salmonis in Chile, the susceptibility profiles for quinolones, florfenicol and oxytetracycline (OTC) of 292 field isolates derived from main rearing areas, different hosts and collected over 5 years were assessed. The results allowed for the determination of epidemiological cut‐off values that were used to characterize the pathogen population. This work represents the first large‐scale field study addressing the antimicrobial susceptibility of P. salmonis, providing evidence of the existence of resistant types with a high incidence of resistance to quinolones. Remarkably, despite the amounts and frequency of therapies, our results disclosed that the issue of resistance to florfenicol and OTC is still in the onset.
Effect of Preoperative Transthoracic Echocardiogram on Mortality and Surgical Timing in Elderly Adults with Hip Fracture
Authors: Luttrell Kevin , Nana Arvind
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) on mortality, postoperative complications, surgical timing, and length of stay in individuals with surgically treated hip fracture.

Design

Retrospective chart review of hospital records.

Setting

Level I and II trauma centers.

Participants

Individuals consecutively surgically treated for hip fracture (N = 694).

Measurements

Demographic and injury characteristic, operative timing, preoperative echocardiogram, complications, mortality. Primary outcome measure was in hospital, 30‐day, and 1‐year mortality. Secondary outcome measures were complications (particularly cardiovascular) and time required for medical clearance and operative treatment.

Results

Preoperative TTE was performed on 131 individuals (18.9%). There was no difference between the TTE group and the control group in hospital (3.8% vs 1.8%, P = .18), 30‐day (6.9% vs 6.6%, P = .90), or 1‐year (20.6% versus 20.1%, P = .89) mortality. There was no significant difference in major cardiac complications. Average time from admission to operative treatment was 66.5 hours in the TTE group and 34.8 hours in the control group (P < .001). Average time from admission to medical clearance was 43.2 hours in the TTE group and 12.4 hours in the control group (P < .001). The TTE group also had a significantly longer length of stay (8.68 vs 6.44 days, P < .001).

Conclusion

Preoperative TTE was not associated with lower mortality in elderly adults with hip fracture in the short‐ or long‐term postoperative period. TTE was associated with delayed surgical treatment and longer length of stay and resulted in no cardiac intervention (e.g., cardiac catheterization, stent, stress test).
Nurse Burnout, Nurse‐Reported Quality of Care, and Patient Outcomes in Thai Hospitals
Authors: Nantsupawat Apiradee , Nantsupawat Raymoul , Kunaviktikul Wipada , Turale Sue , Poghosyan Lusine
Published: December 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nurse burnout on nurse‐reported quality of care and patient adverse events and outcomes in Thai hospitals.

Methods

Cross‐sectional analysis of data from 2,084 registered nurses working in 94 community hospitals across Thailand. Data were collected through survey questionnaire, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which measures of nurse perceived quality of care and patient outcomes. Multiple logistic regression modeling was performed to explore associations between nurse burnout on quality of care and patient outcomes.

Findings

Thirty‐two percent of nurses reported high emotional exhaustion, 18% high depersonalization, and 35% low personal accomplishment. In addition, 16% of nurses rated quality of care on their work unit as fair or poor, 5% reported patient falls, 11% reported medication errors, and 14% reported infections. All three subscales of the MBI were associated with increased reporting of fair or poor quality of care, patient falls, medication errors, and infections. Every unit of increasing emotional exhaustion score was associated with a 2.63 times rise in reporting fair or poor quality of care, a 30% increase in patient falls, a 47% increase in medication errors, and a 32% increase in infection.

Conclusions

Findings clearly indicate that nurse burnout is associated with increased odds of reporting negative patient outcomes. Implementing interventions to reduce nurse burnout is critical to improving patient care in Thai hospitals.

Clinical Relevance

Hospital administrators, nurse managers, and health leaders urgently need to create favorable work environments supporting nursing practice in order to reduce burnout and improve quality of care.
CONTROLS ON RESERVOIR DIAGENESIS IN THE LOWER GORU SANDSTONE FORMATION, LOWER INDUS BASIN, PAKISTAN
Authors: Baig M. Omer , Harris N. B. , Ahmed H. , Baig M. O. A.
Published: December 2015

Sandstones in the Lower Cretaceous Lower Goru Formation in the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, are important reservoir rocks for oil, gas and gas‐condensates. For this study, nine metres of core from depths of more than 3400m from well X‐1 in the north‐central part of the basin were analysed for major variations in porosity and permeability in two Lower Goru sandstone units referred to as the Basal and Massive Sands. The Lower Goru Basal Sand was deposited in lower shoreface to inner shelf settings at the well location, while the Massive Sand was deposited in a middle to lower shoreface setting. In both units, intervals with moderate to good (> 15%) porosities alternate with intervals with very low porosity (<5%), and similar variations in core permeability were observed. In this paper, the reasons for this reservoir quality variation at well X‐1 are investigated. Specifically, the study addresses the influence of different clay types on reservoir porosity and permeability within the Lower Goru sands and the distribution and impact of hard cements such as calcite and quartz. A range of petrographical data is integrated including thin sections, whole rock and clay XRD results and SEM images, which together provide some insights into the causes of reservoir quality variation and into the paragenetic relationships between the authigenic minerals.

Chlorite grain coats are present in the higher‐porosity sandstones and are interpreted to have inhibited the formation of quartz overgrowths. Dissolution of feldspar and volcanic rock fragments in both the Basal and Massive Sands has contributed to an increase in overall porosity at well X‐1. Relatively low porosity intervals in the Massive Sand are associated with the absence of chlorite grain coats and the presence of abundant quartz overgrowths. By contrast, low porosity intervals in the Basal Sand have undergone early poikilotopic calcite cementation.

The formation of authigenic illite resulted in a significant decrease in permeability in both the Basal and Massive Sands. Chlorite and kaolinite also reduced the permeability. The chlorite originated mainly from the dissolution of volcanic rock fragments or from precursor depositional berthierine clay. The transformation of K‐feldspar to illite is suggested to be the main reaction responsible for the formation of both authigenic illite and quartz overgrowths in the two reservoir units; the observed pressure solution will also have contributed to development of quartz overgrowths.
ORGANIC GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND SHALE GAS POTENTIAL OF THE PERMIAN BARREN MEASURES FORMATION, WEST BOKARO SUB‐BASIN, EASTERN INDIA
Authors: Tewari Anuradha , Dutta Suryendu , Sarkar Tanmoy
Published: December 2015

This study investigates the shale gas characteristics of the Permian Barren Measures Formation (Gondwana Supergroup) in the West Bokaro sub‐basin of the Damodar Valley Basin, eastern India. A total of 23 core shale samples collected from a borehole located in the western part of the sub‐basin were analysed using organic geochemical techniques and scanning electron microscopy. The samples are black carbonaceous shales composed chiefly of quartz, mica and clay minerals.

Rock‐Eval pyrolysis data show that the analysed samples contain a mixture of Type II and Type III kerogen with TOC values of 2.7 to 6.2%. Rock‐Eval Tmax values ranging from 443 to 452 °C correspond to calculated vitrinite reflectance of approximately 0.8–0.9%. A cross‐plot of hydrogen index versus Tmax indicates that the samples have reached peak oil to wet gas maturities. A pristane/n‐C17 versus phytane/n‐C18 cross‐plot, together with biomarker parameters such as the dominance of C29 over C27 and C28 steranes and high moretane/hopane ratios (0.22–0.51), demonstrate that the shale samples contain terrigenous organic matter deposited in a suboxic environment.

Scanning electron microscopy images of shale samples show the presence of a complex, mostly intergranular pore network. Both micropores (>0.75μm) and nanopores (<0.75μm) were observed. Some pores are elongated and are associated with layer‐spaces in sheet silicate minerals; others are non‐elongated and irregular in shape. The organic geochemical parameters and the observed pore attributes suggest that the Barren Measures Formation has good shale gas potential.
Short‐term effects of povidone iodine and sodium fluoride therapy on plaque levels and microbiome diversity
Authors: Reilly C , Goettl M , Steinmetz M , Nikrad J , Jones RS
Published: December 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of short‐term changes in the oral microbial ecology of dental plaque and plaque levels after topical treatment of a combination of 10% povidone iodine (PI) and 5% sodium fluoride varnish (FV).

Materials and Methods

A single group design intervention study on 12 pediatric patients, who underwent two baseline plaques samplings before the intervention, were enrolled in the study. A modified mixed dentition Silness‐Löe plaque index score was used to assess plaque accumulation and microbial composition was assessed by amplicon sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA V4 region.

Results

Dental plaque accumulation (P = 0.0424) was reduced after 1 week using PI/FV application. This reduction was not observed between the two double‐baseline visits. 16S rRNA analysis showed that the single PI/FV therapy did not have dramatic shifts in the plaque microbiome community depicted by hierarchical cluster and principle component analysis. More subtle changes were found when analyzing the Shannon diversity index after the application of PI/FV vs two baselines prior to combination therapy.

Conclusions

The bacteria within the dental biofilms showed resilience in maintaining the overall community diversity but reduced biofilm accumulation following PI/FV therapy. Repeated uses of PI/FV may augment plaque control during dental rehabilitation in children.
Boundaryless LMX: Examining LMX's Impact on External Career Outcomes and Alumni Goodwill
Authors: Raghuram Sumita , Gajendran Ravi Shanker , Liu Xiangmin , Somaya Deepak
Published: December 2015

Research has convincingly shown that leader–member exchange (LMX) is associated with a range of beneficial outcomes for employees within organizations. As employees increasingly pursue boundaryless careers that straddle multiple organizations, it is important to ask: Do advantages from LMX extend beyond the current organization and persist even after employees have left it? We propose that employees in higher quality LMX relationships with their managers benefit from stronger professional development, which can pay off in the form of better career outcomes on the external job market. Further, after leaving, whether or not ex‐employees (i.e., alumni) harbor goodwill toward their former organizations is likely to depend on their LMX quality prior to leaving. Alumni goodwill matters because organizations can potentially reap important strategic benefits from their alumni. Using time separated data including alumni interviews conducted by third‐party consultants, we find that, among employees who quit, pre‐turnover LMX is positively related to higher salaries and greater responsibility in their next jobs and is also positively related to alumni goodwill. Moreover, the strength of the LMX–alumni goodwill relationship depends on whether managers made robust retention efforts after employees communicated their decisions to quit.
Analysis on the development and current situation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farming in Mexico
Authors: Ortega César , Valladares Benjamín
Published: December 2015

The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), originally from North America, was introduced to Mexico in 1888 and gradually distributed to various areas of the country. Currently, rainbow trout are cultivated in Mexico under a number of production systems, but this sector has grown less than 1% annually for the last 10 years. The present review analysed the production status of rainbow trout in Mexico, describing the key situations and actors that have influenced the establishment and current level of aquaculture development. Since its beginnings, rainbow trout cultivation in Mexico has depended on egg import due to insufficient egg and fry production by national hatcheries. Moreover, the industry is deficient in regard to a number of aspects in the production and management processes, with a notable necessity for specialists in the areas of production, health and sanitary diagnosis to rapidly and efficiently respond to situations such as low productivity or the presence of diseases. With such specialists, appropriate control and prevention decisions could be taken and acted upon. Likewise, the Mexican rainbow trout industry has high development potential and market expectations, but sector growth will require the active participation and commitment of competent authorities, in compliance with established Mexican regulations and laws, which are oriented towards advancing and protecting the fish farming industry.
Authority and Incentives in Organizations
Authors: Kräkel Matthias
Published: December 2015

I consider a corporation that consists of an owner, a manager, and two divisions. There exist externalities between the divisions: if a division behaves cooperatively, its success will increase the performance of the other division. The owner creates monetary effort incentives and allocates decision authority over the divisions. I characterize how externalities and benefits of control determine the corporation's optimal organization. The introduction of endogenous incentives changes the major findings of the existing literature, because then concentrated delegation of authority over both divisions to one of the division heads will be optimal if cooperation is important and divisions are difficult to incentivize.
Electoral Thresholds as Coordination Devices
Authors: Núñez Matías , Xefteris Dimitrios
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we study one‐person–one‐vote parliamentary elections where voters care both about the winner of elections and about the composition of the parliament. Parties enter the parliament if and only if their vote share exceeds some predetermined threshold. We show that equilibria generically exist in which all parties obtain a non‐degenerate vote‐share and, perhaps more importantly, we show that the size of the electoral threshold acts as a coordination device, which crucially affects the win prospects of the Condorcet winner party. In particular, we argue that the win prospects of the Condorcet winner party decrease with the size of the entry threshold.
The cytokinin response factors modulate root and shoot growth and promote leaf senescence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Raines Tracy , Shanks Carly , Cheng Chia‐Yi , McPherson Duncan , Argueso Cristiana T. , Kim Hyo J. , Franco‐Zorrilla José M. , López‐Vidriero Irene , Solano Roberto , Vaňková Radomíra , Schaller G. Eric , Kieber Joseph J.
Published: December 2015

The cytokinin response factors (CRFs) are a group of related AP2/ERF transcription factors that are transcriptionally induced by cytokinin. Here we explore the role of the CRFs in Arabidopsis thaliana growth and development by analyzing lines with decreased and increased CRF function. While single crf mutations have no appreciable phenotypes, disruption of multiple CRFs results in larger rosettes, delayed leaf senescence, a smaller root apical meristem (RAM), reduced primary and lateral root growth, and, in etiolated seedlings, shorter hypocotyls. In contrast, overexpression of CRFs generally results in the opposite phenotypes. The crf1,2,5,6 quadruple mutant is embryo lethal, indicating that CRF function is essential for embryo development. Disruption of the CRFs results in partially insensitivity to cytokinin in a root elongation assay and affects the basal expression of a significant number of cytokinin‐regulated genes, including the type‐A ARRs, although it does not impair the cytokinin induction of the type‐A ARRs. Genes encoding homeobox transcription factors are mis‐expressed in the crf1,3,5,6 mutant, including STIMPY/WOX9 that is required for root and shoot apical meristem maintenance roots and which has previously been linked to cytokinin. These results indicate that the CRF transcription factors play important roles in multiple aspects of plant growth and development, in part through a complex interaction with cytokinin signaling.
Improving cardiomyocyte model fidelity and utility via dynamic electrophysiology protocols and optimization algorithms
Authors: Krogh‐Madsen Trine , Sobie Eric A. , Christini David J.
Published: December 2015

Mathematical models of cardiac electrophysiology are instrumental in determining mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias. However, the foundation of a realistic multiscale heart model is only as strong as the underlying cell model. While there have been myriad advances in the improvement of cellular‐level models, the identification of model parameters, such as ion channel conductances and rate constants, remains a challenging problem. The primary limitations to this process include: (1) such parameters are usually estimated from data recorded using standard electrophysiology voltage‐clamp protocols that have not been developed with model building in mind, and (2) model parameters are typically tuned manually to subjectively match a desired output. Over the last decade, methods aimed at overcoming these disadvantages have emerged. These approaches include the use of optimization or fitting tools for parameter estimation and incorporating more extensive data for output matching. Here, we review recent advances in parameter estimation for cardiomyocyte models, focusing on the use of more complex electrophysiology protocols and global search heuristics. We also discuss future applications of such parameter identification, including development of cell‐specific and patient‐specific mathematical models to investigate arrhythmia mechanisms and predict therapy strategies.

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Modeling and Simulation of the Steady-State and Transient Performance of a Three-Way Pressure Reducing Valve
Authors: Gad Osama
Published: December 2015

This paper deals with modeling and simulation of a class of three-way pressure reducing valves. The study aims to point out the peculiarities of function and operation of this class of valves in the steady-state and transient modes of operation. A comprehensive nonlinear mathematical model is deduced in order to predict the performance of the studied valve in both modes. The proposed model takes into consideration most nonlinearities of the studied valve. A computer simulation, based on the proposed model, is performed to predict the steady-state and transient performance. During the simulation study, it was found that nonlinearity occurs due to the following factors: the transient change in the valve operating pressures and the change in the throttling areas of the valve restrictions and their discharge coefficients. The transient change in the valve operating pressures causes nonlinear velocity changes of the fluid flow passing through the throttling areas of the valve restrictions. These throttling areas usually have nonlinear mathematical formulas. The discharge coefficients of these throttling areas are assumed constant independent of the flow rates, Reynolds number, and dimensions of these areas. However, these parameters affect the discharge coefficient in a complicated manner. The validity of the proposed model is assessed experimentally in the steady-state and transient modes of operation. The results show good agreement between simulation and experiment in both modes. The study shows that the geometry of the throttling orifice, which connects the upstream port to the downstream port, plays an important role in the studied valve steady-state and transient performance. This result implies the need for further investigation of the effect of the dimensions of the throttling orifices on the steady-state and transient performance of hydraulic control valves.
Investigation of an Energy Efficient Hydraulic Propulsion System for a Railway Machine
Authors: Padovani Damiano , Ivantysynova Monika
Published: December 2015

Many railway construction and maintenance machines have large masses and perform repetitive working cycles with frequent stops that require precise positioning. For these reasons, a hydraulic propulsion system is a convenient choice. Common existing solutions make use of valve-controlled hydraulic circuits where inefficient fluid throttling takes place. Most of the time, dissipative braking is realized resulting in a remarkable quantity of available energy being wasted (up to 36 kJ of kinetic energy is available in the reference application). Additionally, the machine's automated positioning is a critical aspect. On some commercialized solutions, an overshoot of the desired final position is commonplace requiring a reverse motion in order to match the location of the desired working point. This is a negative characteristic as it introduces unnecessary fuel consumption and slows down productivity. Moreover, consideration of the limited adhesion in the wheel/rail interface is of critical importance. The propulsion system needs to be capable of differentiating the tractive or the braking torques between the driven axles. To this end, the paper proposes and analyzes a displacement-controlled (DC) propulsion system for a railway maintenance machine. The target is the removal of the fluid throttling mentioned above by defining an efficient hydraulic system. The ability to recover energy via regenerative breaking becomes a key process in improving the global machine efficiency. Simultaneously, an implementable control strategy is required for the proposed architecture to prevent overshoot of the desired position while stopping. To that end, this paper presents the mathematical model of the proposed layout used to simulate the system's behavior in order to confirm proper functioning. This work concludes with a discussion and definition of future improvements.
Enhancing of catalytic properties of vanadia via surface doping with phosphorus using atomic layer deposition
Authors: Strempel Verena E. , Löffler Daniel , Kröhnert Jutta , Skorupska Katarzyna , Johnson Benjamin , d'Alnoncourt Raoul Naumann , Driess Matthias , Rosowski Frank
Published: December 2015

Atomic layer deposition is mainly used to deposit thin films on flat substrates. Here, the authors deposit a submonolayer of phosphorus on V2O5 in the form of catalyst powder. The goal is to prepare a model catalyst related to the vanadyl pyrophosphate catalyst (VO)2P2O7 industrially used for the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. The oxidation state of vanadium in vanadyl pyrophosphate is 4+. In literature, it was shown that the surface of vanadyl pyrophosphate contains V5+ and is enriched in phosphorus under reaction conditions. On account of this, V2O5 with the oxidation state of 5+ for vanadium partially covered with phosphorus can be regarded as a suitable model catalyst. The catalytic performance of the model catalyst prepared via atomic layer deposition was measured and compared to the performance of catalysts prepared via incipient wetness impregnation and the original V2O5 substrate. It could be clearly shown that the dedicated deposition of phosphorus by atomic layer deposition enhances the catalytic performance of V2O5 by suppression of total oxidation reactions, thereby increasing the selectivity to maleic anhydride.
Compositional mantle layering revealed by slab stagnation at ~1000-km depth
Authors: Ballmer Maxim D. , Schmerr Nicholas C. , Nakagawa Takashi , Ritsema Jeroen
Published: December 2015

The stagnation of ~1000-km deep slabs indicates that dense basalt may be more abundant in the lower mantle than in the upper mantle.
Comment on “One health, one literature: Weaving together veterinary and medical research”
Authors: Lloyd K. C. Kent , McKerlie Colin , Seong Je Kyung , Neff Frauke
Published: December 2015

The research community can have confidence in data from well-executed phenotyping projects.
Pecking order
Authors: Bhatti Pamela
Published: December 2015

Pigeons distinguish clinically relevant features on breast screening pathology slides but not x-ray images.
Press pause to fast forward
Authors: Parekkadan Biju
Published: December 2015

A novel RNA-based device controlling key proteins can effectively and reversibly arrest human cell cycles.
SNaPBceBcon
: a Practical Tool for Identification and Genotyping of Burkholderia cepacia and Burkholderia contaminans
Authors: Araujo Ricardo , Caramalho Rita , Coutinho Carla , Sá-Correia Isabel
Published: December 2015

We propose an optimized protocol for an extensive population analysis of
Burkholderia cepacia
and
Burkholderia contaminans
. Seven new polymorphisms were added to the recently proposed
SNaPBcen
assay, and a total of 18 markers ensured the clear identification and distinction of
B. cepacia
and
B. contaminans
isolates and high genotypic discrimination (Simpson index of 0.94) compared to those for multilocus sequence typing.
Evolution of Newcastle Disease Virus Quasispecies Diversity and Enhanced Virulence after Passage through Chicken Air Sacs
Authors: Meng Chunchun , Qiu Xusheng , Yu Shengqing , Li Chuanfeng , Sun Yingjie , Chen Zongyan , Liu Kaichun , Zhang Xiangle , Tan Lei , Song Cuiping , Liu Guangqing , Ding Chan
Published: December 2015

It has been reported that lentogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates have the potential to become velogenic after their transmission and circulation in chickens, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, a highly velogenic NDV variant, JS10-A10, was generated from the duck-origin lentogenic isolate JS10 through 10 consecutive passages in chicken air sacs. The velogenic properties of this selected variant were determined using mean death time (MDT) assays, intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), the intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI), histopathology, and the analysis of host tissue tropism. In contrast, JS10 remained lentogenic after 20 serial passages in chicken eggs (JS10-E20). The JS10, JS10-A10, and JS10-E20 genomes were sequenced and found to be nearly identical, suggesting that both JS10-A10 and JS10-E20 were directly generated from JS10. To investigate the mechanism for virulence enhancement, the partial genome covering the F0 cleavage site of JS10 and its variants were analyzed using ultradeep pyrosequencing (UDPS) and the proportions of virulence-related genomes in the quasispecies were calculated. Velogenic NDV genomes accumulated as a function of JS10 passaging through chicken air sacs. Our data suggest that lentogenic NDV strains circulating among poultry might be a risk factor to future potential velogenic NDV outbreaks in chickens.

IMPORTANCE
An avirulent isolate, JS10, was passaged through chicken air sacs and embryos, and the pathogenicity of the variants was assessed. A virulent variant, JS10-A10, was generated from consecutive passage in air sacs. We developed a deep-sequencing approach to detect low-frequency viral variants across the NDV genome. We observed that virulence enhancement of JS10 was due to the selective accumulation of velogenic quasispecies and the concomitant disappearance of lentogenic quasispecies. Our results suggest that because it is difficult to avoid contact between natural waterfowl reservoirs and sensitive poultry operations, circulating lentogenic NDV strains may represent a potential reservoir for emergent velogenic NDV strains that could cause outbreaks in chickens.
Molecular Evolution and Intraclade Recombination of Enterovirus D68 during the 2014 Outbreak in the United States
Authors: Tan Yi , Hassan Ferdaus , Schuster Jennifer E. , Simenauer Ari , Selvarangan Rangaraj , Halpin Rebecca A. , Lin Xudong , Fedorova Nadia , Stockwell Timothy B. , Lam Tommy Tsan-Yuk , Chappell James D. , Hartert Tina V. , Holmes Edward C. , Das Suman R.
Published: December 2015

In August 2014, an outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) occurred in North America, causing severe respiratory disease in children. Due to a lack of complete genome sequence data, there is only a limited understanding of the molecular evolution and epidemiology of EV-D68 during this outbreak, and it is uncertain whether the differing clinical manifestations of EV-D68 infection are associated with specific viral lineages. We developed a high-throughput complete genome sequencing pipeline for EV-D68 that produced a total of 59 complete genomes from respiratory samples with a 95% success rate, including 57 genomes from Kansas City, MO, collected during the 2014 outbreak. With these data in hand, we performed phylogenetic analyses of complete genome and VP1 capsid protein sequences. Notably, we observed considerable genetic diversity among EV-D68 isolates in Kansas City, manifest as phylogenetically distinct lineages, indicative of multiple introductions of this virus into the city. In addition, we identified an intersubclade recombination event within EV-D68, the first recombinant in this virus reported to date. Finally, we found no significant association between EV-D68 genetic variation, either lineages or individual mutations, and a variety of demographic and clinical variables, suggesting that host factors likely play a major role in determining disease severity. Overall, our study revealed the complex pattern of viral evolution within a single geographic locality during a single outbreak, which has implications for the design of effective intervention and prevention strategies.

IMPORTANCE
Until recently, EV-D68 was considered to be an uncommon human pathogen, associated with mild respiratory illness. However, in 2014 EV-D68 was responsible for more than 1,000 disease cases in North America, including severe respiratory illness in children and acute flaccid myelitis, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health. Despite the emergence of EV-D68, a lack of full-length genome sequences means that little is known about the molecular evolution of this virus within a single geographic locality during a single outbreak. Here, we doubled the number of publicly available complete genome sequences of EV-D68 by performing high-throughput next-generation sequencing, characterized the evolutionary history of this outbreak in detail, identified a recombination event, and investigated whether there was any correlation between the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and the viral variant that infected them. Overall, these results will help inform the design of intervention strategies for EV-D68.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency Locus Compensates for Interleukin-6 in Initial B Cell Activation
Authors: Sin Sang-Hoon , Kang Sun Ah , Kim Yongbaek , Eason Anthony , Tan Kelly , An Hyowon , Dittmer Dirk P.
Published: December 2015

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is considered a proliferation and survival factor for B cells. To assess the role of IL-6 in Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latency, KSHV latency locus-transgenic mice (referred to as latency mice) lacking IL-6 were evaluated. IL-6−/−latency mice had the same phenotypes as the latency mice, i.e., increased frequency of marginal zone B cells, hyperplasia, and hyperglobulinemia, indicating that the KSHV latency locus, which includes all viral microRNAs (miRNAs), can compensate for lack of IL-6 in premalignant B cell activation.
Deletion of a Predicted β-Sheet Domain within the Amino Terminus of Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein K Conserved among Alphaherpesviruses Prevents Virus Entry into Neuronal Axons
Authors: Jambunathan Nithya , Charles Anu-Susan , Subramanian Ramesh , Saied Ahmad A. , Naderi Misagh , Rider Paul , Brylinski Michal , Chouljenko Vladimir N. , Kousoulas Konstantin G.
Published: December 2015

We have shown previously that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) lacking expression of the entire glycoprotein K (gK) or expressing gK with a 38-amino-acid deletion (gKΔ31–68 mutation) failed to infect ganglionic neurons after ocular infection of mice. We constructed a new model for the predicted three-dimensional structure of gK, revealing that the gKΔ31–68 mutation spans a well-defined β-sheet structure within the amino terminus of gK, which is conserved among alphaherpesviruses. The HSV-1(McKrae) gKΔ31–68 virus was tested for the ability to enter into ganglionic neuronal axons in cell culture of explanted rat ganglia using a novel virus entry proximity ligation assay (VEPLA). In this assay, cell surface-bound virions were detected by the colocalization of gD and its cognate receptor nectin-1 on infected neuronal surfaces. Capsids that have entered into the cytoplasm were detected by the colocalization of the virion tegument protein UL37, with dynein required for loading of virion capsids onto microtubules for retrograde transport to the nucleus. HSV-1(McKrae) gKΔ31–68 attached to cell surfaces of Vero cells and ganglionic axons in cell culture as efficiently as wild-type HSV-1(McKrae). However, unlike the wild-type virus, the mutant virus failed to enter into the axoplasm of ganglionic neurons. This work suggests that the amino terminus of gK is a critical determinant for entry into neuronal axons and may serve similar conserved functions for other alphaherpesviruses.

IMPORTANCE
Alphaherpesviruses, unlike beta- and gammaherpesviruses, have the unique ability to infect and establish latency in neurons. Glycoprotein K (gK) and the membrane protein UL20 are conserved among all alphaherpesviruses. We show here that a predicted β-sheet domain, which is conserved among alphaherpesviruses, functions in HSV-1 entry into neuronal axons, suggesting that it may serve similar functions for other herpesviruses. These results are in agreement with our previous observations that deletion of this gK domain prevents the virus from successfully infecting ganglionic neurons after ocular infection of mice.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus 3C-Like Protease Regulates Its Interferon Antagonism by Cleaving NEMO
Authors: Wang Dang , Fang Liurong , Shi Yanling , Zhang Huan , Gao Li , Peng Guiqing , Chen Huanchun , Li Kui , Xiao Shaobo
Published: December 2015

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an enteropathogenic coronavirus causing lethal watery diarrhea in piglets. Since 2010, a PEDV variant has spread rapidly in China, and it emerged in the United States in 2013, posing significant economic and public health concerns. The ability to circumvent the interferon (IFN) antiviral response, as suggested for PEDV, promotes viral survival and regulates pathogenesis of PEDV infections, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we show that PEDV-encoded 3C-like protease, nsp5, is an IFN antagonist that proteolytically cleaves the nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) essential modulator (NEMO), an essential adaptor bridging interferon-regulatory factor and NF-κB activation. NEMO is cleaved at glutamine 231 (Q231) by PEDV, and this cleavage impaired the ability of NEMO to activate downstream IFN production and to act as a signaling adaptor of the RIG-I/MDA5 pathway. Mutations specifically disrupting the cysteine protease activity of PEDV nsp5 abrogated NEMO cleavage and the inhibition of IFN induction. Structural analysis suggests that several key residues outside the catalytic sites of PEDV nsp5 probably impact NEMO cleavage by modulating potential interactions of nsp5 with their substrates. These data show that PEDV nsp5 disrupts type I IFN signaling by cleaving NEMO. Previously, we and others demonstrated that NEMO is also cleaved by 3C or 3C-like proteinases of picornavirus and artertivirus. Thus, NEMO probably represents a prime target for 3C or 3C-like proteinases of different viruses.

IMPORTANCE
The continued emergence and reemergence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) underscore the importance of studying how this virus manipulates the immune responses of its hosts. During coevolution with its hosts, PEDV has acquired mechanisms to subvert host innate immune responses for its survival advantage. At least two proteins encoded by PEDV have been identified as interferon (IFN) antagonists, papain-like protease (PLP) and N protein. Here, we report that the PEDV nsp5 gene, which encodes the 3C-like protease of PEDV, is another IFN antagonist. Mechanistically, the cysteine protease activity of PEDV nsp5 mediates proteolysis of NEMO, the key adaptor for IFN synthesis, and NEMO is cleaved at glutamine 231 (Q231). The new molecular details and determinants impacting NEMO scission by PEDV nsp5 delineated in this study are fundamental to our understanding of critical virus-host interactions that determine PEDV pathogenesis.
Suppression of NYVAC Infection in HeLa Cells Requires RNase L but Is Independent of Protein Kinase R Activity
Authors: Fernández-Escobar Mercedes , Nájera José Luis , Baldanta Sara , Rodriguez Dolores , Way Michael , Esteban Mariano , Guerra Susana
Published: December 2015

Protein kinase R (PKR) and RNase L are host cell components that function to contain viral spread after infections. In this study, we analyzed the role of both proteins in the abortive infection of human HeLa cells with the poxvirus strain NYVAC, for which an inhibition of viral
A27L
and
B5R
gene expression is described. Specifically, the translation of these viral genes is independent of PKR activation, but their expression is dependent on the RNase L activity.