bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variable Directivity Acoustical Warning Device (AWD) as an Optimized Locomotive Horn
Authors: Nash Grant S. , Ross Jason C. , Parida Basant K. , Zaouk Abdullatif K. , Punwani Swamidas K. (John)
Published: July 2013

It is estimated that up to 9.3 million people may be impacted by locomotive horn noise and up to 4.6 million of those may be severely impacted.1 In 2009, there were over 1,900 incidents, over 700 injuries, and over 240 fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings.2 Approximately 4,000 times per year, a train and highway vehicle collide at one of over 262,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings in the United States. Compared to a collision between two highway vehicles, a collision with a train is eleven times more likely to result in a fatality, and five and a half times more likely to result in a disabling injury. Approximately half of all collisions occur at grade crossings that are not fully equipped with warning devices. Some of the drivers involved in these collisions may have been unaware of the approaching train.3 The National Academy of Engineering Committee on Technology for a Quieter America has indicated that the public would benefit if a train horn was more directional and has recommended that research and development be undertaken to better understand the effects on safety, with benefits to the public.4

As a part of an ongoing Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-sponsored research and development effort, the authors have developed an Acoustical Warning Device (AWD) prototype with an overall goal of maximizing safety at a grade crossing and minimizing environmental noise pollution (at the wayside and in the cabin of a locomotive in reducing railroad worker occupational hazard noise exposure). An initial prototype was created that consisted of one acoustical element. An advanced prototype is currently being developed with three acoustical elements to provide variable directivity and steering capabilities through beamforming. A digitized horn signal has been created based on characteristics from an analog air-pressure locomotive horn. The initial AWD prototype has been analyzed for detectability and noise impact area and the directivity pattern of its sound emissions have been tested. The expected performance of the advanced three-unit prototype has been evaluated based on the test results of the initial prototype and acoustic simulation modeling.

During development of the initial AW D prototype, spectrograms, polar directivity plots, frequency response plots, 1/3-octave band plots, and LAeq measurements of the AWD propagation were analyzed to ensure proper functionality of the AWD, in accordance with FRA and QinetiQ North America’s (QNA) specifications. Based on acoustic simulation modeling, the advanced AWD prototype is expected to generate sound up to 110 dBA at 100 feet forward of the locomotive. The AWD prototype is expected to improve detectability and reduced environmental noise exposure to the community and locomotive cabin.
Next Generation Locomotive Cab
Authors: DiFiore Amanda , Zaouk Abdullatif , Punwani S. K. (John)
Published: July 2013

This paper discusses the development of a user-centered control stand for the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Next Generation Locomotive Cab (NGLC) demonstration program. A “modified” Association of American Railroads (AAR) 105 side-mounted control stand was used as a starting point to facilitate bidirectional locomotive operation. Researchers applied a variety of qualitative human factor methods, including literature review, naturalistic observation, computer modeling, and heuristic evaluation, to design the improved control stand. The final design included a decluttered side control stand, a short desktop with three-panel front touchscreen displays that can accommodate and integrate current and future locomotive train technologies, and an overhead ceiling panel that replaces, in part, controls and displays traditionally located behind the engineer on the back wall. A mockup of the revised control stand design was fabricated as part of this program to demonstrate the human factors and ergonomic improvements. Researchers conducted structured interviews with locomotive engineers to validate the user-centered design approach. The engineers engaged in interactive scenarios that assessed the functionality of the workspace. The usability results provided the opportunity to improve upon the initial NGLC user-centered design. Changes included minor relocation of controls because they were in the reach path of other controls. Certain frequently accessed controls required relocation to more accessible locations. The LCD displays were redesigned with respect to information groupings and visibility issues. Feedback revealed that the transition from mechanical operations to electronic operations will result in the loss of auditory cues inherent in mechanical operations. The researchers suggest simulating auditory cues to promote personnel transition from mechanical to electronic operations. The results of this usability assessment identify the opportunity for future R&D cab integration efforts and demonstrate the importance of user-centered design and usability assessment in these efforts.
Element-Resolved Corrosion Analysis of Stainless-Type Glass-Forming Steels
Authors: Duarte M. J. , Klemm J. , Klemm S. O. , Mayrhofer K. J. J. , Stratmann M. , Borodin S. , Romero A. H. , Madinehei M. , Crespo D. , Serrano J. , Gerstl S. S. A. , Choi P. P. , Raabe D. , Renner F. U.
Published: July 2013

Rust Resistance

The rusting of iron and steel can be prevented through the addition of 11% or more chromium. The addition of molybdenum can enhance the corrosion resistance, with a complex interplay between the Cr and Mo atoms. However, if chemical variations exist, corrosion can still occur in localized regions or if the surface layer is mechanically abraded.

Duarte
et al.

(p.
372
) studied the corrosive failure of an iron-based glassy alloy. A combination of atom probe tomography, electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction was used to build up a near atomistic picture of local variations in the metal as it was heated and allowed to crystallize, and the impact these processes have on the corrosion resistance.
Reprogramming of Intestinal Glucose Metabolism and Glycemic Control in Rats After Gastric Bypass
Authors: Saeidi Nima , Meoli Luca , Nestoridi Eirini , Gupta Nitin K. , Kvas Stephanie , Kucharczyk John , Bonab Ali A. , Fischman Alan J. , Yarmush Martin L. , Stylopoulos Nicholas
Published: July 2013

Glucose Control Goes Out on a Limb

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a surgical procedure used to induce weight loss in morbidly obese patients, often leads to permanent remission of diabetes, even when patients regain weight. Studying a rat model,

Saeidi
et al.

(p.
406
; see Perspective by

Berthoud

) found that the surgically reconfigured intestinal segment (the Roux limb) underwent an adaptive response characterized by increased glucose uptake and utilization, apparently triggered by exposure to undigested nutrients. As a result of this change, the intestine provided a major tissue for whole-body glucose control. Whether the same adaptive response occurs in the human intestine remains to be examined.
Lucid Experiences of Altered Reality
Hallucinations.
Oliver Sacks. Knopf, New York, 2012. 343 pp. $26.95. ISBN 9780307957245. Picador, London. £18.99. ISBN 9781447208259.
Authors: DiPerna Lauren
Published: July 2013

Through considerations of the effects of various medical conditions, Sacks details the range of apparitions experienced by completely sane people.
Bellwether Tissue
Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History.
Florence Williams. Norton, New York, 2012. 350 pp. $25.95, C$27,50, £15.99. ISBN 9780393063189. Paper, 2013. $15.95, C$17, £9.99. ISBN 9780393345070.
Authors: Hogan Kelly A.
Published: July 2013

Weaving together biological, anthropological, and medical perspectives on breasts, Williams explores their susceptibility to environmental toxicants.
A Path to Complex Carbohydrates
Authors: Kiessling Laura L. , Kraft Matthew B.
Published: July 2013

A general strategy for synthesizing asymmetrically branched carbohydrates will help to elucidate their biological functions.

[Also see Report by

Wang
et al.

]
Clinical Trials Paused as India Adopts New Rules
Authors: Bhattacharjee Yudhijit
Published: July 2013

India suspends new clinical trials as it tightens ethics and safety rules.
Fragile Wetland Will Test Turkey's Resolve in Protecting Biodiversity
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: July 2013

Scientists are racing to document the biodiversity of Turkey's Aras River Bird Paradise before construction starts on a dam that will flood the wetlands.
Indispensable Outsider
Authors: Finkbeiner Ann
Published: July 2013

Richard Garwin has helped advise U.S. presidents, IBM, and secret agencies on how to make things work.
Variation of the Virus-Related Elements within Syntenic Genomes of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Aeropyrum
Authors: Daifuku Takashi , Yoshida Takashi , Kitamura Takayuki , Kawaichi Satoshi , Inoue Takahiro , Nomura Keigo , Yoshida Yui , Kuno Sotaro , Sako Yoshihiko
Published: July 2013

The increasing number of genome sequences of archaea and bacteria show their adaptation to different environmental conditions at the genomic level.
Aeropyrum
spp. are aerobic and hyperthermophilic archaea.
Aeropyrum camini
was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent, and
Aeropyrum pernix
was isolated from a coastal solfataric vent. To investigate the adaptation strategy in each habitat, we compared the genomes of the two species. Shared genome features were a small genome size, a high GC content, and a large portion of orthologous genes (86 to 88%). The genomes also showed high synteny. These shared features may have been derived from the small number of mobile genetic elements and the lack of a RecBCD system, a recombinational enzyme complex. In addition, the specialized physiology (aerobic and hyperthermophilic) of
Aeropyrum
spp. may also contribute to the entire-genome similarity. Despite having stable genomes, interference of synteny occurred with two proviruses,
A. pernix
spindle-shaped virus 1 (APSV1) and
A. pernix
ovoid virus 1 (APOV1), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) elements. Spacer sequences derived from the
A. camini
CRISPR showed significant matches with protospacers of the two proviruses infecting
A. pernix
, indicating that
A. camini
interacted with viruses closely related to APSV1 and APOV1. Furthermore, a significant fraction of the nonorthologous genes (41 to 45%) were proviral genes or ORFans probably originating from viruses. Although the genomes of
A. camini
and
A. pernix
were conserved, we observed nonsynteny that was attributed primarily to virus-related elements. Our findings indicated that the genomic diversification of
Aeropyrum
spp. is substantially caused by viruses.
Differential Regulation of White-Opaque Switching by Individual Subunits of Candida albicans Mediator
Authors: Zhang Anda , Liu Zhongle , Myers Lawrence C.
Published: July 2013

The multisubunit eukaryotic Mediator complex integrates diverse positive and negative gene regulatory signals and transmits them to the core transcription machinery. Mutations in individual subunits within the complex can lead to decreased or increased transcription of certain subsets of genes, which are highly specific to the mutated subunit. Recent studies suggest a role for Mediator in epigenetic silencing. Using white-opaque morphological switching in
Candida albicans
as a model, we have shown that Mediator is required for the stability of both the epigenetic silenced (white) and active (opaque) states of the bistable transcription circuit driven by the master regulator Wor1. Individual deletions of eight
C. albicans
Mediator subunits have shown that different Mediator subunits have dramatically diverse effects on the directionality, frequency, and environmental induction of epigenetic switching. Among the Mediator deletion mutants analyzed, only Med12 has a steady-state transcriptional effect on the components of the Wor1 circuit that clearly corresponds to its effect on switching. The
MED16
and
MED9
genes have been found to be among a small subset of genes that are required for the stability of both the white and opaque states. Deletion of the Med3 subunit completely destabilizes the opaque state, even though the Wor1 transcription circuit is intact and can be driven by ectopic expression of Wor1. The highly impaired ability of the
med3
deletion mutant to mate, even when Wor1 expression is ectopically induced, reveals that the activation of the Wor1 circuit can be decoupled from the opaque state and one of its primary biological consequences.
Effects of Low PBP2b Levels on Cell Morphology and Peptidoglycan Composition in Streptococcus pneumoniae R6
Authors: Berg Kari Helene , Stamsås Gro Anita , Straume Daniel , Håvarstein Leiv Sigve
Published: July 2013

Streptococcus pneumoniae
produces two class B penicillin-binding proteins, PBP2x and PBP2b, both of which are essential. It is generally assumed that PBP2x is specifically involved in septum formation, while PBP2b is dedicated to peripheral cell wall synthesis. However, little experimental evidence exists to substantiate this belief. In the present study, we obtained evidence that strongly supports the view that PBP2b is essential for peripheral peptidoglycan synthesis. Depletion of PBP2b expression gave rise to long chains of cells in which individual cells were compressed in the direction of the long axis and looked lentil shaped. This morphological change is consistent with a role for pneumococcal PBP2b in the synthesis of the lateral cell wall. Depletion of PBP2x, on the other hand, resulted in lemon-shaped and some elongated cells with a thickened midcell region. Low PBP2b levels gave rise to changes in the peptidoglycan layer that made pneumococci sensitive to exogenously added LytA during logarithmic growth and refractory to chain dispersion upon addition of LytB. Interestingly, analysis of the cell wall composition of PBP2b-depleted pneumococci revealed that they had a larger proportion of branched stem peptides in their peptidoglycan than the corresponding undepleted cells. Furthermore, MurM-deficient mutants, i.e., mutants lacking the ability to synthesize branched muropeptides, were found to require much higher levels of PBP2b to sustain growth than those required by MurM-proficient strains. These findings might help to explain why increased incorporation of branched muropeptides is required for high-level beta-lactam resistance in
S. pneumoniae
.
Evaluation of the Alfred 60/AST Device as a Screening Test for Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Lahanas Sophie , Stathopoulos George , Chan Raymond C. , van Hal Sebastiaan J.
Published: July 2013

The performance of the Alfred 60/AST device, an automated bacterial culture device which uses laser nephelometry to detect and quantify bacterial growth, was evaluated. The instrument is effective at screening negative samples and is more reliable at detecting bacteria than yeasts. Microscopy can be used to reduce the false-negative numbers.
Activation of Human Herpesvirus Replication by Apoptosis
Authors: Prasad Alka , Remick Jill , Zeichner Steven L.
Published: July 2013

A central feature of herpesvirus biology is the ability of herpesviruses to remain latent within host cells. Classically, exposure to inducing agents, like activating cytokines or phorbol esters that stimulate host cell signal transduction events, and epigenetic agents (e.g., butyrate) was thought to end latency. We recently showed that Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, or human herpesvirus-8 [HHV-8]) has another, alternative emergency escape replication pathway that is triggered when KSHV's host cell undergoes apoptosis, characterized by the lack of a requirement for the replication and transcription activator (RTA) protein, accelerated late gene kinetics, and production of virus with decreased infectivity. Caspase-3 is necessary and sufficient to initiate the alternative replication program. HSV-1 was also recently shown to initiate replication in response to host cell apoptosis. These observations suggested that an alternative apoptosis-triggered replication program might be a general feature of herpesvirus biology and that apoptosis-initiated herpesvirus replication may have clinical implications, particularly for herpesviruses that almost universally infect humans. To explore whether an alternative apoptosis-initiated replication program is a common feature of herpesvirus biology, we studied cell lines latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus/HHV-4, HHV-6A, HHV-6B, HHV-7, and KSHV. We found that apoptosis triggers replication for each HHV studied, with caspase-3 being necessary and sufficient for HHV replication. An alternative apoptosis-initiated replication program appears to be a common feature of HHV biology. We also found that commonly used cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents activate HHV replication, which suggests that treatments that promote apoptosis may lead to activation of latent herpesviruses, with potential clinical significance.
Detection of Proton Movement Directly across Viral Membranes To Identify Novel Influenza Virus M2 Inhibitors
Authors: Sulli Chidananda , Banik Soma S. R. , Schilling Justin , Moser Allan , Xiang Xiaoxiao , Payne Riley , Wanless Antony , Willis Sharon H. , Paes Cheryl , Rucker Joseph B. , Doranz Benjamin J.
Published: July 2013

The influenza virus M2 protein is a well-validated yet underexploited proton-selective ion channel essential for influenza virus infectivity. Because M2 is a toxic viral ion channel, existing M2 inhibitors have been discovered through live virus inhibition or medicinal chemistry rather than M2-targeted high-throughput screening (HTS), and direct measurement of its activity has been limited to live cells or reconstituted lipid bilayers. Here, we describe a cell-free ion channel assay in which M2 ion channels are incorporated into virus-like particles (VLPs) and proton conductance is measured directly across the viral lipid bilayer, detecting changes in membrane potential, ion permeability, and ion channel function. Using this approach in high-throughput screening of over 100,000 compounds, we identified 19 M2-specific inhibitors, including two novel chemical scaffolds that inhibit both M2 function and influenza virus infectivity. Counterscreening for nonspecific disruption of viral bilayer ion permeability also identified a broad-spectrum antiviral compound that acts by disrupting the integrity of the viral membrane. In addition to its application to M2 and potentially other ion channels, this technology enables direct measurement of the electrochemical and biophysical characteristics of viral membranes.
Interactions of the Vaccinia Virus A19 Protein
Authors: Satheshkumar P. S. , Olano L. Renee , Hammer Carl H. , Zhao Ming , Moss Bernard
Published: July 2013

The A19 protein of vaccinia virus (VACV) is conserved among chordopoxviruses, expressed late in infection, packaged in the virus core, and required for a late step in morphogenesis. Multiple-sequence alignments of A19 homologs indicated conservation of a series of lysines and arginines, which could represent a nuclear localization or nucleic acid binding motif, and a pair of CXXC motifs that suggested a zinc finger or redox active sites. The importance of the CXXC motif was confirmed by cysteine-to-serine substitutions, which rendered the altered protein unable to
trans
-complement infectivity of a null mutant. Nevertheless, the cysteines were not required for function of the poxvirus-specific redox pathway. Epitope-tagged A19 proteins were detected in the nucleus and cytoplasm in both infected and uninfected cells, but this distribution was unaffected by alanine substitutions of the arginine residues, which only partially reduced the ability of the mutated protein to
trans
-complement infectivity. Viral proteins specifically associated with affinity-purified A19 were identified by mass spectrometry as components of the transcription complex, including RNA polymerase subunits, RAP94 (RNA polymerase-associated protein 94), early transcription factors, capping enzyme, and nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase I, and two core proteins required for morphogenesis. Further studies suggested that the interaction of A19 with the RNA polymerase did not require RAP94 or other intermediate or late viral proteins but was reduced by mutation of cysteines in the putative zinc finger domain. Although A19 was not required for incorporation of the transcription complex in virus particles, the transcriptional activity of A19-deficient virus particles was severely reduced.
Construction of a
Sonchus Yellow Net Virus
Minireplicon: a Step toward Reverse Genetic Analysis of Plant Negative-Strand RNA Viruses
Authors: Ganesan Uma , Bragg Jennifer N. , Deng Min , Marr Sharon , Lee Mi Yeon , Qian ShaSha , Shi Manling , Kappel Justin , Peters Cole , Lee Yeon , Goodin Michael M. , Dietzgen Ralf G. , Li Zhenghe , Jackson Andrew O.
Published: July 2013

Reverse genetic analyses of negative-strand RNA (NSR) viruses have provided enormous advances in our understanding of animal viruses over the past 20 years, but technical difficulties have hampered application to plant NSR viruses. To develop a reverse genetic approach for analysis of plant NSR viruses, we have engineered
Sonchus yellow net nucleorhabdovirus
(SYNV) minireplicon (MR) reporter cassettes for
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
expression in
Nicotiana benthamiana
leaves. Fluorescent reporter genes substituted for the SYNV N and P protein open reading frames (ORFs) exhibited intense single-cell foci throughout regions of infiltrated leaves expressing the SYNV MR derivatives and the SYNV nucleocapsid (N), phosphoprotein (P), and polymerase (L) proteins. Genomic RNA and mRNA transcription was detected for reporter genes substituted for both the SYNV N and P ORFs. These activities required expression of the N, P, and L core proteins in
trans
and were enhanced by codelivery of viral suppressor proteins that interfere with host RNA silencing. As is the case with other members of the
Mononegavirales
, we detected polar expression of fluorescent proteins and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase substitutions for the N and P protein ORFs. We also demonstrated the utility of the SYNV MR system for functional analysis of SYNV core proteins in
trans
and the
cis
-acting leader and trailer sequence requirements for transcription and replication. This work provides a platform for construction of more complex SYNV reverse genetic derivatives and presents a general strategy for reverse genetic applications with other plant NSR viruses.
Circulating Dendritic Cells Isolated from Healthy Seropositive Donors Are Sites of Human Cytomegalovirus Reactivation
In Vivo
Authors: Reeves Matthew B. , Sinclair John H.
Published: July 2013

Primary infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is generally asymptomatic in healthy individuals and results in a lifelong infection of the host. In contrast, in immunosuppressed transplant recipients and late-stage AIDS patients, HCMV infection and reactivation can result in severe disease or death.
In vivo
, latency is established in bone marrow CD34
+
progenitor cells with reactivation linked with their differentiation to macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). However, previous analyses have relied on
ex vivo
differentiation of myeloid progenitor cells to DCs in culture. Here, we now report on the isolation and analysis of circulating blood myeloid DCs, resulting from natural differentiation
in vivo
, from healthy HCMV-seropositive carriers. We show that these
in vivo
-differentiated circulating DCs are fully permissive for HCMV and exhibit a phenotype similar to that of monocyte-derived DCs routinely used for
in vitro
studies of HCMV. Importantly, we also show that these DCs from healthy HCMV-seropositive donors carry HCMV genomes and, significantly, are typically positive for viral immediate-early (IE) gene expression, in contrast to circulating monocytes, which carry genomes with an absence of IE expression. Finally, we show that HCMV reactivation from these circulating DCs is enhanced by inflammatory stimuli. Overall, these data argue that the differentiation
in vivo
of myeloid progenitors to circulating DCs promotes the reactivation of HCMV lytic gene expression in healthy individuals, thereby providing valuable confirmation of studies performed using
in vitro
generation of DCs from myeloid precursors to study HCMV reactivation.
Proximity to terror and post-traumatic stress: a follow-up survey of governmental employees after the 2011 Oslo bombing attack
Authors: Hansen Marianne B , Nissen Alexander , Heir Trond
Published: July 2013

Objective

To assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among governmental employees after the 2011 Oslo bombing attack targeted towards the Norwegian Ministries, and to explore the importance of proximity to the bomb explosion as a predictor of PTSD.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data were collected from a survey 10 months after the Oslo bombing on 22 July 2011.

Participants

A total of 3520 employees were invited to the study. Net samples comprised 1927 employees in 14 of the 17 Norwegian Ministries.

Outcome measures

The employees reported where they were at the time of the explosion. PTSD was assessed with the Norwegian version of the PTSD checklist (PCL).

Results

A total of 207 of the 1881 (11%) ministerial employees who completed the survey were present at work when the bomb exploded. Of these, a quarter (24%, 95% CI 18.4 to 30.0) had symptom levels equivalent to PTSD, while the prevalence was approximately 4% among those not present at work. In the latter group the prevalence was similar irrespective of whether their location was in Oslo, other places in Norway or abroad. Leadership responsibility was associated with lower risk for PTSD.

Conclusions

The risk of PTSD is mainly associated with being present at work at the time of a terror attack. For those not present at work, the risk of PTSD is low and independent of proximity to the terror scene. The findings may have implications for planning and priority of healthcare services after a work place terror attack.
High blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with future cardiovascular disease: an observational cohort study
Authors: Tooher Jane , Chiu Christine L , Yeung Kristen , Lupton Samantha J , Thornton Charlene , Makris Angela , O'Loughlin Aiden , Hennessy Annemarie , Lind Joanne M
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The study aimed to determine if having a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) is a risk factor for future cardiovascular disease (CVD), independent of age and body mass index (BMI).

Design

Data were sourced from the baseline questionnaire of the45 and Up Study, Australia, an observational cohort study.

Setting

Participants were randomly selected from the Australian Medicare Database within New South Wales.

Participants

A total of 84 619 women were eligible for this study, of which 71 819 were included. These women had given birth between the ages of 18 and 45 years, had an intact uterus and ovaries, and had not been diagnosed with high blood pressure prior to their first pregnancy.

Results

HDP was associated with higher odds of having high blood pressure (<58 years: adjusted OR 3.79, 99% CI 3.38 to 4.24; p<0.001 and ≥58 years: 2.83, 2.58 to 3.12; p<0.001) and stroke (<58 years: 1.69, 1.02 to 2.82; p=0.008 and ≥58 years: 1.46, 1.13 to 1.88; p<0.001) in later life. Women with HDP had a younger age of onset of high blood pressure (45.6 vs 54.8 years, p<0.001) and stroke (58 vs 62.5 years, p<0.001). Women who had HDP and whose present day BMI was <25 had significantly higher odds of having high blood pressure, compared with women who were normotensive during pregnancy (<58 years: 4.55, 3.63 to 5.71; p<0.001 and ≥58 years, 2.94, 2.49 to 3.47; p<0.001). Women who had HDP and a present day BMI≥25 had significantly increased odds of high blood pressure (<58 years: 12.48, 10.63 to 14.66; p<0.001 and ≥58 years, 5.16, 4.54 to 5.86; p<0.001), compared with healthy weight women with a normotensive pregnancy.

Conclusions

HDP is an independent risk factor for future CVD, and this risk is further exacerbated by the presence of overweight or obesity in later life.
Transient neurological symptoms in the older population: report of a prospective cohort study—the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS)
Authors: Mavaddat Nahal , Savva George M , Lasserson Daniel S , Giles Matthew F , Brayne Carol , Mant Jonathan
Published: July 2013

Objective

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a recognised risk factor for stroke in the older population requiring timely assessment and treatment by a specialist. The need for such TIA services is driven by the epidemiology of transient neurological symptoms, which may not be caused by TIA. We report prevalence and incidence of transient neurological symptoms in a large UK cohort study of older people.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study

Setting

The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Aging Study (CFAS) is a population representative study based on six centres across England and Wales.

Participants

Random samples of people in their 65th year were obtained from Family Health Service Authority lists. The participation rate was 80% (n=13 004). Interview at baseline included questions about stroke and three transient neurological symptoms, repeated in a subsample after 2 years. Patients were flagged for mortality.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence and 2-year incidence of transient neurological symptoms.

Results

In 11 903 participants without a history of stroke, 271 (2.3%) reported transient problems with speech, 872 (7.6%) with sight and 596 (5.1%) weakness in a limb with 1456 (12.7%) reporting at least one symptom. Of those reinterviewed (n=6748), 675 (9.8%) reported at least one symptom over 2 years.

Conclusions

Lifetime prevalence and incidence of transient neurological symptoms in people aged 65 years and over is high and is substantially greater than the incidence of TIA in hospital-based and population-based studies. These high rates of transient neurological symptoms in the community in the older population should be considered when planning TIA services.
A parallel-group, randomised controlled trial of a multimedia, self-directed, coping skills training intervention for patients with cancer and their partners: design and rationale
Authors: Lambert Sylvie D , Girgis Afaf , McElduff Patrick , Turner Jane , Levesque Janelle V , Kayser Karen , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Shih Sophy T F , Barker Daniel
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Coping skills training interventions have been found to be efficacious in helping both patients and their partners manage the physical and emotional challenges they face following a cancer diagnosis. However, many of these interventions are costly and not sustainable. To overcome these issues, a self-directed format is increasingly used. The efficacy of self-directed interventions for patients has been supported; however, no study has reported on the outcomes for their partners. This study will test the efficacy ofCoping-Together—a multimedia, self-directed, coping skills training intervention for patients with cancer and their partners.

Methods and analysis

The proposed three-group, parallel, randomised controlled trial will recruit patients diagnosed in the past 4 months with breast, prostate, colorectal cancer or melanoma through their treating clinician. Patients and their partners will be randomised to (1) a minimal ethical care (MEC) condition—selected Cancer Council New South Wales booklets and a brochure for the Cancer Council Helpline, (2)Coping-Togethergeneric—MEC materials, the sixCoping-Togetherbooklets and DVD, the Cancer Council Queensland relaxation audio CD and login to theCoping-Togetherwebsite or (3)Coping-Togethertailored—MEC materials, theCoping-TogetherDVD, the login to the website and only thoseCoping-Togetherbooklet sections that pertain to their direct concerns. Anxiety (primary outcome), distress, depression, dyadic adjustment, quality of life, illness or caregiving appraisal, self-efficacy and dyadic and individual coping will be assessed before receiving the study material (ie, baseline) and again at 3, 6 and 12 months postbaseline. Intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis will be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the relevant local area health and University ethics committees. Study findings will be disseminated not only through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations but also through educational outreach visits, publication of lay research summaries in consumer newsletters and publications targeting clinicians.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12613000491763 (03/05/2013)
Selecting the right candidates
Authors: Frewin Helen
Published: July 2013

Employers looking to hire new recruits are often disappointed by the candidates they see and can ultimately end up hiring the wrong person for the job. Helen Frewin explains why it is important for employers to prioritise exactly what they are looking for in applicants and discusses some useful selection tools and approaches for hiring the best possible candidate for a practice.
Protein losing enteropathy: causes, clinical signs and diagnosis
Authors: Littler Rebecca
Published: July 2013

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) is a syndrome associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in dogs and, less commonly, in cats. The condition varies in severity from mild to severe, with sometimes life‐threatening complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism. This article discusses the causes, clinical signs and methods of diagnosis of PLE. Treatments of the more common causes are also considered, along with prognoses.
Undifferentiated febrile illnesses in military personnel
Authors: Burns Daniel S , Bailey Mark S
Published: July 2013

Undifferentiated febrile illnesses (UFIs) present with acute symptoms, objective fever and no specific organ focus on clinical assessment. The term is mostly used in developing and tropical countries where a wide range of infections may be responsible. Laboratory diagnosis often requires specialist microbiology investigations that are not widely available, and serology tests that only become positive during convalescence. Optimal clinical management requires a good travel history, awareness of local endemic diseases, an understanding of the features that may help distinguish different causes and appropriate use of empirical antibiotics. This review describes the most common examples of UFI in military personnel on overseas deployments, and provides a practical approach to their initial management.
Spatial and temporal variation in size at maturity for female American lobster in Nova Scotia
Authors: Watson Fiona L. , Miller Robert J. , Stewart Samuel Alan
Published: July 2013

Using the development stage of cement glands to predict spawning, maturity ogives were constructed for six fishing ports in eastern Nova Scotia. The size at which 50% of females attained maturity (L50) and the ogive slopes were compared between locations and years. Among ports within years, 21 of 25 L50 pairs were significantly different, while only 5 of 24 slope pairs were different. These results fill a geographic gap and indicate that most of the areas should not be grouped when calculating egg production. Comparing among years within ports, most significant differences were again for L50 rather than slopes. In two ports, the change in the ogive among years gave a 2- or 2.4-fold change in eggs per recruit and a 2.9- or 5-fold change in the percentage of females that reach maturity by the legal minimum size. On a larger scale, L50 was intermediate in Newfoundland, consistently low throughout the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, abruptly increased on the outer coast of Nova Scotia into the Bay of Fundy, and again intermediate inshore and offshore New England.
Seasonal distribution, abundance, and growth of larval capelin (Mallotus villosus) and the role of the Lower Estuary (Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada) as a nursery area
Authors: Ouellet Patrick , Bui Alice Olga Victoria , Lavoie Diane , Chassé Joël , Lambert Nicolas , Ménard Nadia , Sirois Pascal
Published: July 2013

Capelin (Mallotus villosus) spawning in the St. Lawrence Estuary is concentrated in the Upper Estuary (UE). The northwest Gulf of St. Lawrence (NW GSL) was presented as the principal nursery for capelin originating from the estuary. In 2009 and 2010, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and size structure of capelin larvae in this system, and a particle tracking model was used to simulate larval dispersion. There was evidence of retention and larval growth in the Lower Estuary (LE), and older larvae were found in the LE by the end of summer. In October 2009, it was possible to link the cohorts of large larvae to emergence events in the UE in spring. Capelin larvae were more abundant or bigger (mean length) in the LE relative to the NW GSL in fall 2006, 2008, and 2009. We conclude that the LE is the habitat of a unit of the GSL capelin population composed of individuals that are retained in this region following hatching in the UE and that there is limited mixing with larvae originating in the NW GSL.
EFFECT OF THE VIBRATION PARAMETERS ON THE ULTRA-FINE PARTICLES PREPARATION IN A DRY ROLLER VIBRATION MILL
Authors: XU BO , WANG SHULIN , LI LAIQIANG
Published: July 2013

The motion equations of the filling layers are established to study the motion traces of the filler in the chamber of vibration mill. The research results indicate that the filler does the rotary motion relative to the body center on the suitable vibration intensity, in the region of the center forms a steady circle motion, but in other regions forms a cascade motion, which makes up for the lack of the energy in the chamber's center and edge. Afterward, under a specific parameters combination, the single crystalline, transparent, uniform, randomly oriented, almost equiaxed Zn nanostructures are obtained in the roller vibration mill grinded 11 h, in order to test the simulation experiment.
THERMALLY OXIDIZED C, N CO-DOPED ANATASE-TiO2 COATINGS ON STAINLESS STEEL FOR TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: WANG HEFENG , SHU XUEFENG , LI XIUYAN , TANG BIN , LIN NAIMING
Published: July 2013

Ti ( C , N ) coatings were prepared on stainless steel (SS) substrates by plasma surface alloying technique. Carbon–nitrogen co-doped titanium dioxide ( C - N - TiO 2) coatings were fabricated by oxidative of the Ti ( C , N ) coatings in air. The prepared C - N - TiO 2 coatings were characterized by SEM, XPS and XRD. Results reveal that the SS substrates were entirely shielded by the C - N - TiO 2 coatings. The C - N - TiO 2 coatings are anatase in structure as characterized by X-ray diffraction. The tribological behavior of the coatings was tested with ball-on-disc sliding wear and compared with substrate. Such a C - N - TiO 2 coatings showed good adhesion with the substrate and tribological properties of the SS in terms of much reduced friction coefficient and increased wear resistance.
GRAIN TEXTURE, Nd CONTENT AND PROCESSING CONDITION EFFECTS ON MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF NdFeB COMPOSITE MAGNETS
Authors: LIU XIAOYA , HU LIANXI , LI YUPING , DENG TAIQING
Published: July 2013

The effects of grain texture, Nd content, processing conditions on magnetic properties and behavior of NdFeB nanocomposite magnet were investigated. The results demonstrate that mechanically activated disproportionation and desorption–recombination combined with plastic deformation process (M-HDDR & D) is an effective way to produce anisotropic NdFeB -type magnet. Magnetic anisotropy significantly enhances the magnetic properties of Nd 16 Fe 76 B 8 nanocomposite magnet, with the intrinsic coercivity (H ci ), magnetic induction (Br), and the energy product (BH) max achieving 0.88 T, 676.8 kA/m, and 135.2 kJ/m3, respectively. Decrease in Nd content improves the remanence but deteriorates the coercivity of NdFeB ternary composites. A low annealing temperature or short annealing time leads to an incomplete recombination, while a high temperature or long annealing time may result in grain overgrowth, and the optimum processing condition is found to be 780°C × 30 min. Pinning mechanism dominates in the magnetic hardening mechanism of Nd 16 Fe 76 B 8 composites prepared by both complete and incomplete recombination process, and particularly reversal nucleation process is also responsible for the latter case.
ULTRASONIC FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF A Fe-BASED WARM-COMPACTED POWDER METALLURGY MATERIAL
Authors: LU YU-HENG , YE XUAN , HU LEI , LUO FEI , XIAO ZHI-YU
Published: July 2013

Fe -2 Cu -2 Ni -1 Mo -1 C powder metallurgy material was fabricated by die-wall lubricated warm compaction and ultrasonic fatigue test was carried out for as-sintered and heat treatment samples. Material fatigue strength reaches 249 MPa under axial fatigue testing. The sintered material consists of acicular martensite, pearlite, bainite and retained austenite. Tempered martensite is the major phases after heat-treatment. Cleavage plane and dimples is mixed fracture for sample after axial fatigue test. Mechanical properties of after heat treatment materials are improved and fatigue strength reaches 382 MPa under 107 cycles in bending ultrasonic fatigue test. The fatigue strength increases significantly in high cycles range.
STUDY ON FRICTION AND WEAR PROPERTIES OF SILVER MATRIX BRUSH MATERIAL WITH DIFFERENT ADDITIVES
Authors: CHEN XIAOLI , WANG WENFANG , HONG YU , WU YUCHENG
Published: July 2013

Friction and wear processes of AgCuX ( G , CF and AlN ) composites- CuAgV alloy friction pair and effects of different additive content in silver based composite on friction and wear behavior are studied in this paper. The microstructure of the brush wear surface is observed by SEM. The results show that when graphite content is up to 9 wt.%, Ag - Cu - CF - G composite exhibits the best wear properties; when the content of aluminum nitride is up to 0.5 wt.%, Ag - Cu - AlN - G composites has the most comprehensive performance. The wear loss of both composites arises with the increase of both pressure and speed, but when speed reaches a critical value, the increased amplitude of wear loss tends to be steady.
EVERY COUNTABLE MODEL OF SET THEORY EMBEDS INTO ITS OWN CONSTRUCTIBLE UNIVERSE
Authors: HAMKINS JOEL DAVID
Published: July 2013

The main theorem of this article is that every countable model of set theory 〈M, ∈M〉, including every well-founded model, is isomorphic to a submodel of its own constructible universe 〈LM, ∈M〉 by means of an embedding j : M → LM. It follows from the proof that the countable models of set theory are linearly pre-ordered by embeddability: if 〈M, ∈M〉 and 〈N, ∈N〉 are countable models of set theory, then either M is isomorphic to a submodel of N or conversely. Indeed, these models are pre-well-ordered by embeddability in order-type exactly ω1+ 1. Specifically, the countable well-founded models are ordered under embeddability exactly in accordance with the heights of their ordinals; every shorter model embeds into every taller model; every model of set theory M is universal for all countable well-founded binary relations of rank at most OrdM; and every ill-founded model of set theory is universal for all countable acyclic binary relations. Finally, strengthening a classical theorem of Ressayre, the proof method shows that if M is any nonstandard model of PA, then every countable model of set theory — in particular, every model of ZFC plus large cardinals — is isomorphic to a submodel of the hereditarily finite sets 〈 HFM, ∈M〉 of M. Indeed, 〈 HFM, ∈M〉 is universal for all countable acyclic binary relations.
COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF TYPE OF DENSITY FUNCTIONAL IN THE DETERMINATION OF GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS IN ACuCOMPLEX
Authors: SARDROODI JABER JAHANBIN , RASTKAR ALIREZA , YOUSEFNIA NEGAR RAD , AZAMAT JAFAR
Published: July 2013

The effects of short-range electron correlation, long-range electron exchange, local and nonlocal parts of density, higher order gradients of density, and adding some percentage of Hartree–Fock exchange to the functional on the prediction of geometrical parameters were investigated. A copper complex namely 1,2-bis(1,4,7-triaza-1-cyclononyl) ethane copper (II) with Jahn–Teller distortion in octahedral geometry was used to evaluate the performance of 50 commonly available density functionals. The standard 3-21G basis set was used for all light elements, while pseudo potential LANL2DZ was used for the copper atom. The best bond lengths and bond angles were obtained using M05-2x and OP functionals respectively. Also in order to more accurate survey the performance of B3LYP, we used this functional with two all-electron basis sets (6-31G and 3-21G) and three basis sets involving effective core potentials (LANL2DZ/3-21G, LANL2DZ, and LACVP).
A ROBUST HIGH-ORDER COMPACT METHOD FOR THE THREE DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR BIHARMONIC EQUATIONS
Authors: ZHAI SHUYING , FENG XINLONG , HE YINNIAN
Published: July 2013

In this paper, a new family of fourth-order compact finite difference schemes are considered using coupled approach for numerical solutions of the three-dimensional (3D) linear biharmonic problems. A new fourth-order accurate algorithm is developed through the different composition of these schemes for 3D nonlinear biharmonic equations. And an optimal combination is found in numerical experiments. The main advantage of this algorithm is that it avoids the difficulties of constructing high order compact difference schemes for 3D nonlinear biharmonic equations. The numerical solutions of unknown variable and its first derivative and Laplacian are obtained. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to show the solution accuracy and verify the validity of our new method, including the steady Navier–Stokes equation and Cahn–Hilliard equation.
A COMPUTING PERSPECTIVE ON SCIENTIFIC CHINESE TRINITY
Authors: SUN ZHAOHAO , WANG PAUL P.
Published: July 2013

The unprecedented and rapid development of the Chinese economy has been vividly displayed in front of the whole world to see. The attention has been particularly acute for the academic community and career politician alike. Ironically, this rapid economic miracle of China has been built on an unsound and often even questionable foundation of Chinese words, language and culture, of which we call them "Chinese trinity". This paper deals with the Chinese trinity from a computing science perspective. This paper argues the reform in scientific Chinese trinity with an emphasis of the word "scientific" ought to play a key role for further Chinese economic development and to launch a much improved contemporary Chinese society on a solid foundation. In addition, this paper proposes specifically ten computing paradigms and examines critically their potential impacts on scientific Chinese trinity. Finally, we feel the very focused approaches as proposed here might inspire as well as provide a much needed road map toward the goal of the scientific Chinese trinity. Judiciously chosen vigorous research projects appear to be indispensable. The unfortunate well known and long overdue reform has finally been rescued by the pressure of the information revolution coming of age.