bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Bauschinger Effect's Influence on the Stress Intensity Factors of a Semi-Elliptical Crack Emanating From an Erosion at the Bore of a Fully Autofrettaged Pressurized Cylinder
Authors: Ma Q. , Levy C. , Perl M.
Published: November 2014

The benefits of autofrettage for thick-walled cylindrical vessels as a means of improving the vessel's durability and sustainability have been addressed in the published literature. However, the presence of the Bauschinger effect (BE) complicates the overall effect of autofrettage, especially when complex three-dimensional crack geometries emanating from erosions at the cylinder bore are considered. In this paper, the BE's impact on the stress intensity factors (SIFs) on such cracks is investigated. The effect of various erosion geometrical configurations on the mode I SIF distribution along the front of a semi-elliptical crack, emanating from the deepest line of the erosion surface (DLES) at the bore of an autofrettaged, pressurized thick-walled cylinder of outer-to-inner radius ratio, Ro/Ri = 2, is investigated. Both autofrettage with BE (BEDA) and Hill's ideal autofrettage residual stress field (BEIA) are considered and simulated by an equivalent thermal load. The SIFs are determined for the semi-elliptical cracks of various crack depths to wall thickness ratio, a/t = 0.05–0.25, and ellipticities, a/c, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5, emanating from the DLES via Ansys software and the nodal displacement method. Three groups of erosion geometries are considered: (a) arc erosions of constant relative depth, d/t, equal to 5% and with relative radii of curvature, r′/t, between 5% and 30%; (b) semi-elliptic erosions of constant relative depth, d/t, of 5% with erosion ellipticity, d/h, varying from 0.3 to 2.0; and (c) semicircular erosions of relative depth, d/t, between 1% and 10% of the wall thickness. KIP, the SIF due to pressurization, is highly dependent on the stress concentration ahead of the DLES which directly relates to the erosion geometry. It is found that the absolute value of KIA, the SIF due to autofrettage, is just slightly reduced by the presence of the erosion. Its change solely depends on, and is directly proportional to, the erosion depth. Thus, the combined SIFs of deep cracks are found to be significantly enhanced by the presence of autofrettage and might result in a shortening of the vessel's fatigue life by up to an order of magnitude. Counteracting this, the combined SIFs are found to be significantly higher for BEDA cases than for BEIA cases. Therefore, the vessel's fatigue life can be profoundly influenced by the presence of the BE.
Frictional Energy Dissipation in Spherical Contacts Under Presliding: Effect of Elastic Mismatch, Plasticity and Phase Difference in Loading
Authors: Patil Deepak B. , Eriten Melih
Published: November 2014

Behavior of friction at material interfaces is inherently nonlinear causing variations and uncertainties in interfacial energy dissipation. A finite element model (FEM) of an elastic–plastic spherical contact subjected to periodic normal and tangential loads is developed to study fundamental mechanisms contributing to the frictional energy dissipation. Particular attention is devoted to three mechanisms: the elastic mismatch between contacting pairs, plastic deformations, and phase difference between the normal and tangential fluctuations in loading. Small tangential loads simulating mild vibrational environments are applied to the model and resulting friction (hysteresis) loops are used to estimate the energy loss per loading cycle. The energy losses are then correlated against the maximum tangential load as a power-law where the exponents show the degree of nonlinearity. Exponents increase significantly with in-phase loading and increasing plasticity. Although increasing elastic mismatch facilitates more dissipation during normal load fluctuations, it has negligible influence on the power-law exponents in tangential loading. Among all the configurations considered, out-of-phase loading with minimal mismatch and no plasticity lead to the smallest power-law exponents; promising linear frictional dissipation. The duration the contact remains stuck during a loading cycle is found to have a predominant influence on the power-law exponents. Thus, controlling that duration enables tunable degree of nonlinearity and magnitude in frictional energy dissipation.
Development of a Multibody Model to Predict the Settling Point and Interfacial Pressure Distribution in a Seat–Occupant System
Authors: Azizi Yousof , Puri Tarun , Bajaj Anil K. , Davies Patricia
Published: November 2014

The location of the hip-joint (H-Point) of a seat occupant is an important design specification which directly affects the seat static comfort. Most car seats are made of polyurethane foam and so the location of the H-Point is dependent on the quasi-static behavior of foam. In this research, a previously developed model of the seat–occupant system is refined by incorporating an improved foam model which is used to study seat and occupant interactions and the location of occupant’s H-Point. The seat is represented by a series of discrete nonlinear viscoelastic elements that characterize the seating foam behavior. The nonlinear elastic behavior of these elements is expressed by a higher order polynomial while their viscoelastic behavior is described by a hereditary type model with parameters that are functions of the compression rate. The nonlinear elastic and viscoelastic model parameters were estimated previously using data obtained from a series of quasi-static compression tests on a car seat foam sample. The occupant behavior is described by a constrained two-dimensional multibody model with five degrees of freedom. A Lagrangian formulation is used to derive the governing equations for the seat–occupant model. These differential equations are solved numerically to obtain the H-Point location. These results are then used to calculate the force distribution at the seat and occupant interfaces. The force distribution at the seat–occupant interface is also investigated experimentally and is found to match qualitatively with the results obtained using the seat–occupant model.
Conductivity and touch-sensor application for atomic layer deposition ZnO and Al:ZnO on nylon nonwoven fiber mats
Authors: Sweet William J. , Oldham Christopher J. , Parsons Gregory N.
Published: November 2014

Flexible electronics and wearable technology represent a novel and growing market for next generation devices. In this work, the authors deposit conductive zinc oxide films by atomic layer deposition onto nylon-6 nonwoven fiber mats and spun-cast films, and quantify the impact that deposition temperature, coating thickness, and aluminum doping have on the conductivity of the coated substrates. The authors produce aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) coated fibers with conductivity of 230 S/cm, which is ∼6× more conductive than ZnO coated fibers. Furthermore, the authors demonstrate AZO coated fibers maintain 62% of their conductivity after being bent around a 3 mm radius cylinder. As an example application, the authors fabricate an “all-fiber” pressure sensor using AZO coated nylon-6 electrodes. The sensor signal scales exponentially under small applied force (<50 g/cm2), yielding a ∼106× current change under 200 g/cm2. This lightweight, flexible, and breathable touch/force sensor could function, for example, as an electronically active nonwoven for personal or engineered system analysis and diagnostics.
Measurement of thermal accommodation coefficients using a simplified system in a concentric sphere shells configuration
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroki , Imai Takamasa , Iwai Tadashi , Kondo Akira , Matsuda Yu , Niimi Tomohide
Published: November 2014

For heat transfer in the microscale, the interaction between the gas and the solid surface is characterized by the thermal accommodation coefficient, and is important owing to the large surface-to-volume ratio existing as a consequence of the small size. However, there are few data of the thermal accommodation coefficients on the nonmetal surfaces often employed in microdevices. In this research, a novel simplified system in a spherically symmetric configuration is proposed, achieving a low-cost measurement of the thermal accommodation coefficient for both metal and nonmetal surfaces. Tiny flat-plate samples on a heater are placed at the center of a spherical vacuum chamber, and the conductive heat flux is measured and analyzed under the assumption of a concentric spherical shells geometry based on the low-pressure method. An approximate relation for the heat flux is also employed to measure under the near free-molecular and the transitional flow regimes. The proposed novel measurement system is validated by measurements of the thermal accommodation coefficient on a platinum surface with helium, argon and xenon. The measured heat fluxes as a function of pressure are well fitted by the approximate relation, and the obtained thermal accommodation coefficients agree well with the data in the literature. Finally, the measurement is demonstrated on a nonmetal surface of glass, showing good feasibility of the measurement system.
Role of the (Ta/Nb)Ox/Al2O3 interface on the flatband voltage shift for Al2O3/(Ta/Nb)Ox/Al2O3 multilayer charge trap capacitors
Authors: Nabatame Toshihide , Ohi Akihiko , Ito Kazuhiro , Takahashi Makoto , Chikyo Toyohiro
Published: November 2014

The authors studied the characteristics of Si/Al2O3/(Ta/Nb)Ox/Al2O3/SiO2/Pt charge trap capacitors fabricated by atomic layer deposition and postmetallization annealing at 400 °C. Al2O3 and (Ta/Nb)Ox films are amorphous and have negligible fixed charges. In program mode, a flatband voltage (Vfb) drastically shifts toward the positive direction at a short program time of 10−4 s. A large Vfb shift of approximately 4 V arises after programming at 1 mC/cm2 because there is a large difference in the conduction band offset between the (Ta/Nb)Ox-charge trapping layer (TNO-CTL) and the Al2O3-blocking layer (AlO-BL) (1.8 eV). In the retention mode, most of the trapped electrons in the TNO-CTL transfers across the Al2O3-tunneling layer (AlO-TL) rather than the AlO-BL. The thickness of the AlO-TL affects the Vfb shift degradation behavior in the retention mode. The injected electrons are dominantly located at the TNO-CTL/ALO-BL interface, determined from the thickness dependence of the TNO-CTL on the Vfb shift.
Integration of molecular-layer-deposited aluminum alkoxide interlayers into inorganic nanolaminate barriers for encapsulation of organic electronics with improved stress resistance
Authors: Hossbach Christoph , Nehm Frederik , Singh Aarti , Klumbies Hannes , Fischer Dustin , Richter Claudia , Schroeder Uwe , Albert Matthias , Müller-Meskamp Lars , Leo Karl , Mikolajick Thomas , Bartha Johann W.
Published: November 2014

Diffusion barrier stacks for the encapsulation of organic electronics made from inorganic nanolaminates of Al2O3 and TiO2 with aluminum alkoxide interlayers have been deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD). As a part of the MLD process development, the deposition of aluminum alkoxide with low a density of about 1.7 g/cm3 was verified. The ALD/MLD diffusion barrier stack is meant to be deposited either on a polymer film, creating a flexible barrier substrate, or on top of a device on glass, creating a thin-film encapsulation. In order to measure the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) through the barrier, the device is replaced by a calcium layer acting as a water sensor in an electrical calcium test. For the barrier stack applied as thin-film encapsulation on glass substrates, high resolution scanning electron microscopy investigations indicate that the inorganic nanolaminates without MLD interlayers are brittle as they crack easily upon the stress induced by the corroding calcium below. The introduction of up to three MLD interlayers of 12 nm each into the 48 nm barrier film laminate successfully mitigates stress issues and prevents the barrier from cracking. Using the three MLD interlayer configurations on glass, WVTRs of as low as 10−5 g/m2/d are measured at 38 °C and 32% relative humidity. On polymer barrier substrates, the calcium is evaporated onto the barrier stack and encapsulated with a cavity glass. In this configuration, the corroding calcium has space for expansion and gas release without affecting the underlying barrier film. In consequence, a WVTR of about 3 × 10−3 g/m2/d is measured for all samples independently of the number of MLD interlayers. In conclusion, a stabilization and preservation of the ALD barrier film against mechanical stress is achieved by the introduction of MLD interlayers into the inorganic nanolaminate.
Visual Feedback of Bilateral Bite Force to Assess Motor Control of the Mandible in Isometric Condition
Authors: Testa Marco , Geri Tommaso , Signori Alessio , Roatta Silvestro
Published: November 2014

The assessment of the individual ability of modulating and coordinating the right and left bite force is poorly investigated. The present study describes a methodology for the assessment of the bilateral control of the biting force and evaluates the test-retest reliability in a sample of 13 healthy subjects. By modulating the intensity and the left/right balance of the biting force, the subject was able to drive a cursor on the screen to “reach and hold” targets, randomly generated within the physiological “range of force” of the subject. The average motor performance was evaluated by the mean cursor-target distance = 13 ± 5%, the Offset Error = 9 ± 5% and the standard deviation of the force vector = 17.7 ± 6.1% (expressed as % of the target). Mean distance and standard deviation indices had acceptable reliability. This technique improves the characterization of the mandibular motor function and it may have a relevant role for the assessment and rehabilitation of the neuromusculoskeletal disorders affecting the orofacial system.
Genomic structure in Europeans dating back at least 36,200 years
Authors: Seguin-Orlando Andaine , Korneliussen Thorfinn S. , Sikora Martin , Malaspinas Anna-Sapfo , Manica Andrea , Moltke Ida , Albrechtsen Anders , Ko Amy , Margaryan Ashot , Moiseyev Vyacheslav , Goebel Ted , Westaway Michael , Lambert David , Khartanovich Valeri , Wall Jeffrey D. , Nigst Philip R. , Foley Robert A. , Lahr Marta Mirazon , Nielsen Rasmus , Orlando Ludovic , Willerslev Eske
Published: November 2014

The origin of contemporary Europeans remains contentious. We obtained a genome sequence from Kostenki 14 in European Russia dating from 38,700 to 36,200 years ago, one of the oldest fossils of anatomically modern humans from Europe. We find that Kostenki 14 shares a close ancestry with the 24,000-year-old Mal’ta boy from central Siberia, European Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, some contemporary western Siberians, and many Europeans, but not eastern Asians. Additionally, the Kostenki 14 genome shows evidence of shared ancestry with a population basal to all Eurasians that also relates to later European Neolithic farmers. We find that Kostenki 14 contains more Neandertal DNA that is contained in longer tracts than present Europeans. Our findings reveal the timing of divergence of western Eurasians and East Asians to be more than 36,200 years ago and that European genomic structure today dates back to the Upper Paleolithic and derives from a metapopulation that at times stretched from Europe to central Asia.
Draft Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides P45 Isolated from Pulque, a Traditional Mexican Alcoholic Fermented Beverage
Authors: Riveros-Mckay Fernando , Campos Itzia , Giles-Gómez Martha , Bolívar Francisco , Escalante Adelfo
Published: November 2014

Leuconostoc mesenteroides
P45 was isolated from the traditional Mexican pulque beverage. We report its draft genome sequence, assembled in 6 contigs consisting of 1,874,188 bp and no plasmids. Genome annotation predicted a total of 1,800 genes, 1,687 coding sequences, 52 pseudogenes, 9 rRNAs, 51 tRNAs, 1 noncoding RNA, and 44 frameshifted genes.
Comparison of Etest, Disk Diffusion, and Broth Macrodilution for
In Vitro
Susceptibility Testing of Rhodococcus equi
Authors: Berghaus Londa J. , Giguère Steeve , Guldbech Kristen , Warner Eleanor , Ugorji Ukachi , Berghaus Roy D.
Published: November 2014

MICs of erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, rifampin, gentamicin, and doxycycline against 101 isolates of
Rhodococcus equi
were determined by broth macrodilution, disk diffusion, and Etest. Categorical agreement ranged between 85.1 and 100%. Overall, the agreement between Etest and disk diffusion was better than the agreement between broth macrodilution and the agar-based methods.
Neutralization Activity of Patient Sera Collected during the 2008-2009 Chikungunya Outbreak in Thailand
Authors: Kishishita Natsuko , Sasayama Mikiko , Takeda Naokazu , Sa-ngasang Areerat , Anuegoonpipat Atchareeya , Anantapreecha Surapee
Published: November 2014

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection typically causes fever, rash, myalgia, and arthralgia and sometimes results in recurrent joint pain or, in severe cases, neurological disorders or death. How CHIKV infection leads to prolonged or severe symptoms is still not well understood. In this study, we examined the neutralization (NT) titer of 98 serum samples collected from patients during the 2008-2009 chikungunya outbreak in Thailand. While all serum samples showed neutralizing activity, virus was detected in 58% of the serum samples. When we analyzed a possible association between virus and antibody titers and the presence of typical symptoms of CHIKV infection, fever and joint pain, there was no significant association except that the number of patients with fever was over three times more than the number of those without fever when CHIKV was detectable in serum. This study indicates that although neutralizing antibody is critical to eliminate CHIKV, it appears not to be the main factor associated with clinical symptoms in some cases, so that other aspects of immune responses, such as those involving proinflammatory mediators and adaptive immune cells, should be considered altogether.
Prevention of Measles Virus Infection by Intranasal Delivery of Fusion Inhibitor Peptides
Authors: Mathieu C. , Huey D. , Jurgens E. , Welsch J. C. , DeVito I. , Talekar A. , Horvat B. , Niewiesk S. , Moscona A. , Porotto M.
Published: November 2014

Measles virus (MV) infection is undergoing resurgence and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide despite the availability of an effective measles vaccine. MV infects its target cells by coordinated action of the MV H and the fusion (F) envelope glycoprotein; upon receptor engagement by H, the prefusion F undergoes a structural transition, extending and inserting into the target cell membrane and then refolding into a postfusion structure that fuses the viral and cell membranes. By interfering with this structural transition of F, peptides derived from the heptad-repeat (HR) regions of F can potently inhibit MV infection at the entry stage. We show here that specific features of H's interaction with its receptors modulate the susceptibility of MV F to peptide fusion inhibitors. A higher concentration of inhibitory peptides is required to inhibit F-mediated fusion when H is engaged to its nectin-4 receptor than when H is engaged to its CD150 receptor. Peptide inhibition of F may be subverted by continued engagement of receptor by H, a finding that highlights the ongoing role of H-receptor interaction after F has been activated and that helps guide the design of more potent inhibitory peptides. Intranasal administration of these peptides results in peptide accumulation in the airway epithelium with minimal systemic levels of peptide and efficiently prevents MV infectionin vivoin animal models. The results suggest an antiviral strategy for prophylaxis in vulnerable and/or immunocompromised hosts.

IMPORTANCEMeasles virus (MV) infection causes an acute illness that may be associated with infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and severe neurological disease. No specific treatment is available. We have shown that parenterally delivered fusion-inhibitory peptides protect mice from lethal CNS MV disease. Here we show, using established small-animal models of MV infection, that fusion-inhibitory peptides delivered intranasally provide effective prophylaxis against MV infection. Since the fusion inhibitors are stable at room temperature, this intranasal strategy is feasible even outside health care settings, could be used to protect individuals and communities in case of MV outbreaks, and could complement global efforts to control measles.
Three-Dimensional Structure of a Protozoal Double-Stranded RNA Virus That Infects the Enteric Pathogen Giardia lamblia
Authors: Janssen Mandy E. W. , Takagi Yuko , Parent Kristin N. , Cardone Giovanni , Nibert Max L. , Baker Timothy S.
Published: November 2014

Giardia lamblia
virus (GLV) is a small, nonenveloped, nonsegmented double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus infecting
Giardia lamblia
, the most common protozoan pathogen of the human intestine and a major agent of waterborne diarrheal disease worldwide. GLV (genus
Giardiavirus
) is a member of family
Totiviridae
, along with several other groups of protozoal or fungal viruses, including
Leishmania
RNA viruses and
Trichomonas vaginalis
viruses. Interestingly, GLV is more closely related than other
Totiviridae
members to a group of recently discovered metazoan viruses that includes penaeid shrimp infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). Moreover, GLV is the only known protozoal dsRNA virus that can transmit efficiently by extracellular means, also like IMNV. In this study, we used transmission electron cryomicroscopy and icosahedral image reconstruction to examine the GLV virion at an estimated resolution of 6.0 Å. Its outermost diameter is 485 Å, making it the largest totivirus capsid analyzed to date. Structural comparisons of GLV and other totiviruses highlighted a related “T=2” capsid organization and a conserved helix-rich fold in the capsid subunits. In agreement with its unique capacity as a protozoal dsRNA virus to survive and transmit through extracellular environments, GLV was found to be more thermoresistant than
Trichomonas vaginalis
virus 1, but no specific protein machinery to mediate cell entry, such as the fiber complexes in IMNV, could be localized. These and other structural and biochemical findings provide a basis for future work to dissect the cell entry mechanism of GLV into a “primitive” (early-branching) eukaryotic host and an important enteric pathogen of humans.

IMPORTANCE
Numerous pathogenic bacteria, including
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
,
Salmonella enterica
, and
Vibrio cholerae
, are infected with lysogenic bacteriophages that contribute significantly to bacterial virulence. In line with this phenomenon, several pathogenic protozoa, including
Giardia lamblia
,
Leishmania
species, and
Trichomonas vaginalis
are persistently infected with dsRNA viruses, and growing evidence indicates that at least some of these protozoal viruses can likewise enhance the pathogenicity of their hosts. Understanding of these protozoal viruses, however, lags far behind that of many bacteriophages. Here, we investigated the dsRNA virus that infects the widespread enteric parasite
Giardia lamblia
. Using electron cryomicroscopy and icosahedral image reconstruction, we determined the virion structure of Giardia lamblia virus, obtaining new information relating to its assembly, stability, functions in cell entry and transcription, and similarities and differences with other dsRNA viruses. The results of our study set the stage for further mechanistic work on the roles of these viruses in protozoal virulence.
Public Health Microbiology of Shiga Toxin-Producing
Escherichia coli
Authors: Caprioli Alfredo , Scavia Gaia , Morabito Stefano
Published: November 2014

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains are the only pathogenic group of
E. coli
that has a definite zoonotic origin, with ruminants and, in particular, cattle being recognized as the major reservoir. Most human STEC infections are food borne, but the routes of transmission include direct contact with animals and a variety of environment-related exposures. Therefore, STEC public health microbiology spans the fields of medical, veterinary, food, water, and environmental microbiology, requiring a “One Health” perspective and laboratory scientists with the ability to work effectively across disciplines. Public health microbiology laboratories play a central role in the surveillance of STEC infections, as well as in the preparedness for responding to outbreaks and in providing scientific evidence for the implementation of prevention and control measures. This article reviews (i) how the integration of surveillance of STEC infections and monitoring of these pathogens in animal reservoirs and potential food vehicles may contribute to their control; (ii) the role of reference laboratories, in both the public health and veterinary and food sectors; and (iii) the public health perspectives, including those related to regulatory issues in both the European Union and the United States.
Clinical Studies of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 Conjugate Vaccines in Adults and Young Children
Authors: Szu Shousun Chen , Ahmed Amina
Published: November 2014

Pediatric immunization has been the most effective measure to prevent and reduce the burden of infectious diseases in children. The recent inclusion of pneumococcal and meningococcal polysaccharide conjugates in infant immunization further reinforces their importance. Currently there is no human vaccine against enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) infections. This review focuses on the human EHEC vaccine that has been studied clinically, in particular, the polysaccharide conjugate against
E. coli O
157. The surface polysaccharide antigen, O-specific polysaccharide, was linked to rEPA, recombinant exotoxin A of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. In adults and children 2 to 5 years old, O157-rEPA conjugates, shown to be safe, induced high levels of antilipopolysaccharide immunoglobulin G with bactericidal activities against
E. coli
O157, a functional bioassay that mimics the killing of inoculum in vivo. A similar construct using the B subunit of Shiga toxin (Stx) 1 as the carrier protein elicited both bactericidal and toxin-neutralizing antibodies in mice.

So far there is no clinical study of Stx-based human vaccine. Passive immunization of Stx-specific antibodies with humanized, chimeric, or human monoclonal antibodies, produced in transgenic mice, showed promising data in animal models and offered high prospects. Demonstrations of their safety and effectiveness in treating hemolytic-uremic syndrome or patients with EHEC infections are under way, and results are much anticipated.

For future development, other virulence factors such as the nontoxic Stx B subunit or intimin should be included, either as carrier protein in conjugates or as independent components. The additional antigens from O157 may provide broader coverage to non-O157 Stx-producing
E. coli
and facilitate both preventive and therapeutic treatment.
The association of statin use with reduced incidence of venous thromboembolism: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Lassila Riitta , Jula Antti , Pitkäniemi Janne , Haukka Jari
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) continues to be a frequent medical emergency requiring rapid recognition so as to reach diagnosis and initiate anticoagulation therapy. The use of statins in addition to reducing the incidence of arterial thrombosis for decreasing the incidence and reoccurrence of VTE is reported. The aim of our study was to explore the association between statin usage and the incidence of new VTE at the population level during a 10-year follow-up.

Design

Population-based historic cohort.

Setting

The Health 2000 Survey was based on a nationally representative sample.

Participants

8028 individuals aged 30 years or over in Finland.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary end point event was the first ever hospitalisation due to one of the following causes: pulmonary embolism (International Classification of Diseases-10 I26), cerebral venous non-pyogenic thrombosis (I63.6), or venous thrombosis (I80.9–189).

Results

The preselected explanatory variables applied to the Poisson regression model were statin usage (no/yes) during follow-up (2000–2011) and several baseline data (age, sex; usage of blood glucose lowering drugs, vitamin K antagonists and antiplatelet agents). We observed 136 VTE events, the incidence of 1.72 (95% CI 1.44 to 2.04) per 1000 person-years. Current statin usage did not associate with the incidence of VTE according to the univariate model (rate ratio (RR) 0.93, 0.56 to 1.52), but when adjusted with baseline variables (age, sex, medications) the RR declined to 0.60 (0.36 to 1.00, p=0.04).

Conclusions

Statin use offers protection against first ever VTE events and appears as a primary prevention tool in patients without anticoagulation or antiplatelet medication.
Thinking regionally: narrative, the medical humanities and region
Authors: Waddington Keir
Published: November 2014

Drawing on multiple literatures from history, geography, anthropology, sociology and literature, this essay asks questions about what we mean by region and why narratives of region should matter to the medical humanities. The essay surveys how region can be used as a lens of analysis, exploring the various academic approaches to region and their limitations. It argues that regions are dynamic but also unstable as a category of analysis and are often used uncritically by scholars. In encouraging scholars working in the medical humanities to be aware that regions are not simple objective or analytical boxes, the essay shows how an awareness of region helps challenge metropolitan whiggism and ideas of core and periphery to give a more prominent place to hinterlands, market towns and rural environments. Furthermore, the essay considers how incorporating region into our understanding of illness can offer new insights. It demonstrates the need for scholars to be attuned to the narratives constructed around regions, suggesting that regions can be viewed as discursive formations that provide a frame for understanding both collective and personal ideas of, and responses to, health and illness, disease and healing, to create what Megan Davies calls a more nuanced ‘intellectual cartography’.
Increasing antimicrobial resistance in clinical isolates ofStaphylococcus intermediusgroup bacteria and emergence of MRSP in the UK
Authors: Beever L. , Bond R. , Graham P. A. , Jackson B. , Lloyd D. H. , Loeffler A.
Published: November 2014

Frequencies of antimicrobial resistance were determined amongst 14,555 clinicalStaphylococcus intermediusgroup (SIG) isolates from UK dogs and cats to estimate resistance trends and quantify the occurrence of meticillin‐resistantStaphylococcus pseudintermedius(MRSP). Reports from two diagnostic laboratories (13,313 general submissions, 1242 referral centre only submissions) were analysed retrospectively (2003/2006–2012). MRSP were defined by phenotypic resistance to meticillin and concurrent broad β‐lactam resistance; a subset was confirmed genetically (SIG‐specificnucandmecA). Trends were analysed by Cochran‐Armitage test. Resistance remained below 10 per cent for cefalexin, amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid and the fluoroquinolones. Increasing resistance trends were seen in both laboratories for ampicillin/amoxicillin (both P<0.001), cefovecin (both P<0.046) and enrofloxacin (both P<0.02). Resistance to cefalexin increased over time in referral hospital isolates (P<0.001) to clindamycin (P=0.01) and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (P=0.001) amongst general laboratory submissions. Overall, 106 MRSP were isolated (0.7 per cent of submissions) including 32 (2.6 per cent of submissions, all genetically confirmed) from the referral centre population (inter‐laboratory difference P<0.001). Against a background of widely susceptible SIG isolates, a new trend of increasing resistance to important antimicrobials was identified overtime and the emergence of MRSP from UK clinical cases was confirmed. Attention to responsible use of antibacterial therapy in small animal practice is urgently needed.
Opening the door to a new world of study
Authors: Compston Polly
Published: November 2014

Volunteer veterinary work abroad stimulated Polly Compston to enrol on a Masters in epidemiology and public health while doing a residency in clinical research in Newmarket. Here, she shares some of the adventures that led her away from the career in mixed practice that she had envisaged
Oral neutrophil responses to acute prolonged exercise may not be representative of blood neutrophil responses
Authors: Davison Glen , Jones Arwel Wyn
Published: November 2014

Neutrophil numbers and function (oxidative burst) were assessed in peripheral blood and oral samples before and after prolonged exercise. Blood neutrophil count increased (∼3.5-fold, P < 0.001) and function decreased (30% ± 19% decrease, P = 0.005) postexercise. Oral neutrophil count (P = 0.392) and function (P = 0.334) were unchanged. Agreement between oral and blood neutrophil function responses to exercise was poor. These findings highlight the importance of studying neutrophils within various compartments/sample types.
ADAPTATION-DEPENDENT SYNCHRONIZATION TRANSITIONS AND BURST GENERATIONS IN ELECTRICALLY COUPLED NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: WANG LEI , LIANG PEI-JI , ZHANG PU-MING , QIU YI-HONG
Published: November 2014

A typical feature of neurons is their ability to encode neural information dynamically through spike frequency adaptation (SFA). Previous studies of SFA on neuronal synchronization were mainly concentrated on the correlated firing between neuron pairs, while the synchronization of neuron populations in the presence of SFA is still unclear. In this study, the influence of SFA on the population synchronization of neurons was numerically explored in electrically coupled networks, with regular, small-world, and random connectivity, respectively. The simulation results indicate that cross-correlation indices decrease significantly when the neurons have adaptation compared with those of nonadapting neurons, similar to previous experimental observations. However, the synchronous activity of population neurons exhibits a rather complex adaptation-dependent manner. Specifically, synchronization strength of neuron populations changes nonmonotonically, depending on the degree of adaptation. In addition, single neurons in the networks can switch from regular spiking to bursting with the increase of adaptation degree. Furthermore, the connection probability among neurons exhibits significant influence on the population synchronous activity, but has little effect on the burst generation of single neurons. Accordingly, the results may suggest that synchronous activity and burst firing of population neurons are both adaptation-dependent.
On diagrammatic technique for nonlinear dynamical systems
Authors: Semenyakin Mykola
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we investigate phase flows over ℂn and ℝn generated by vector fields V = ∑ Pi∂i where Pi are finite degree polynomials. With the convenient diagrammatic technique, we get expressions for evolution operators ev {V|t} : x(0) ↦ x(t) through the series in powers of x(0) and t, represented as sum over all trees of a particular type. Estimates are made for the radius of convergence in some particular cases. The phase flows behavior in the neighborhood of vector field fixed points are examined. Resonance cases are considered separately.
Implantable CPW Fed Circular Slot Antennas at 2.45 GHz ISM Band for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Kumar S. Ashok , Shanmuganantham T.
Published: November 2014

A novel coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed circular slot antennas are proposed for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band (2.4–2.48 GHz) applications. To make the designed antenna suitable for implantation, it is embedded in biocompatible Al2O3 ceramic substrate. The antenna was simulated by immersing it in a phantom liquid, imitating the electrical properties of the human muscle tissue. A study of the sensitivity of the antenna performance as a function of the dielectric parameters of the environment in which it is immersed was performed. Simulations in various dimensions state demonstrate that the antenna covers the complete ISM band. The demonstration among the design EM characteristics of the antenna is presented by current distributions.
ICAT: Engine to Perform Range Analysis and Allocate Bit-Widths for Arithmetic Datapaths
Authors: Pang Yu , Yan Yafeng , Lin Jinzhao , Li Guoquan , Huang Huawei , Shi Lei , Radecka Katarzyna
Published: November 2014

Range analysis determines allocation of fixed-point integer bit-widths, which is critical for arithmetic on fixed-point representations. The traditional methods, either simulation-based or static, can be time-consuming and produce coarse bounds, potentially leading to large error bounds and unnecessary bits. In this paper, we propose a new static method to perform fixed-point range analysis towards obtaining the tighter ranges efficiently. The hybrid method, ICAT, combines four techniques, including Interval arithmetic, consistency checking, affine arithmetic and arithmetic transform and is the only method that is aware how far it is from the exact solution. For the benchmarks available with comparable methods, we show that the bit-width allocation can be obtained with better results, and in shorter execution time.
Some properties of generalized local cohomology modules with respect to a pair of ideals
Authors: Nam Tran Tuan , Tri Nguyen Minh , Dong Nguyen Viet
Published: November 2014

We introduce a notion of generalized local cohomology modules with respect to a pair of ideals (I, J) which is a generalization of the concept of local cohomology modules with respect to (I, J). We show that generalized local cohomology modules [Formula: see text] can be computed by the Čech cohomology modules. We also study the artinianness of generalized local cohomology modules [Formula: see text].
Resonance scattering and the passage to bound states in the field of near-black-hole objects
Authors: Gossel G. H. , Flambaum V. V. , Berengut J. C.
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we examine the spectrum of a massive scalar particle interacting with the strong gravitational field of a static, spherically symmetric object which is not quite massive enough to be a black hole. As was found in the case of massless particles, there exists a dense spectrum of long lived resonances (meta-stable states), which leads to an energy-averaged cross-section for particle capture which approaches the absorption cross-section for a Schwarzschild black hole. However, the generalization to nonzero mass introduces new phenomena, along with important qualitative changes to the scattering properties. In contrast to the massless case, there exists a spectrum of bound states with almost identical structure to that of the resonances, allowing for the possibility of radiative transitions and particle capture. The resonance lifetimes for elastic processes are parametrically larger than for massless particles, meaning the absorption cross-section approaches the black hole case faster than for massless scalars.
A cosmographic analysis of holographic dark energy models
Authors: Pan Supriya , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: November 2014

The present work deals with a detailed study of interacting holographic dark energy model for three common choices of the interaction term. Also, two standard choices of IR cut-off, namely, Ricci length scale and radius of the event horizon are considered here. Finally, the cosmographic parameters are presented both analytically and graphically.
DFT STUDY OFCOANDNOADSORPTION ON BORON NITRIDE (BN)n = 3 - 5NANOCLUSTERS
Authors: ZAHEDI EHSAN , PANGH ABDOLHAKIM , GHORBANPOUR HAMED
Published: November 2014

Interaction of CO and NO molecules by different orientations on ( BN )n=3-5clusters have been studied at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory. Total electronic energies have been corrected for geometrical counterpoise (gCP) and dispersion (D3) energies at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Formation of a new sigma bond between the gas and ( BN )3cluster, atom in molecules (AIM) results, density of states spectrums (DOS), molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, and visualization of wave function of molecular orbitals in the nearest bonding regions to the Fermi level have confirmed that adsorption of CO by carbon end atom, and NO by nitrogen end atom is covalent in nature, so that the charge transfer is occurred from gas molecule to the cluster.
THE INFLUENCE OF SYNTHESIZING TEMPERATURES ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE Cu/Sn/ZnS PRECURSOR THIN FILMS
Authors: SUN YA MING , LONG DONG , MENG XIANG CHENG , HUA ZHONG , LI BO , YAO BIN
Published: November 2014

Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 thin films were prepared on soda-lime glass by sulfurization of the Cu / Sn / ZnS precursors. The microstructure, morphology and optical properties of the films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman scattering (Raman), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis). The SEM images of the precursor and the thin films annealed at different temperatures are very different due to their different surface products. The absorption spectrum shifts to high-wave band region with increasing annealing temperatures. The precursor thin film annealed at 500°C for 2 h forms a single CZTS phase with kesterite structure and the bandgap is estimated to be 1.54 eV.
Linear entropy of two-qubit gates and majorization
Authors: Balakrishnan S.
Published: November 2014

Linear entropy is widely used as a measure of operator entanglement of two-qubit gates. In this paper, we characterize the two-qubit gates of same linear entropy using the majorization criteria of the Schmidt coefficients of the gates. It is found that the gates with same linear entropy must have set of same Schmidt coefficients or set of different Schmidt coefficients which are not ordered according to the majorization relation.
Synthesis and electronic properties of acetylene- and butadiyne-linked 3,3′-porphycene dimers
Authors: Okabe Takuya , Kuzuhara Daiki , Aratani Naoki , Yamada Hiroko
Published: November 2014

The butadiyne- and acetylene-linked 3,3′-porphycene dimers 1 and 2 were synthesized from the common intermediate, 3-ethynyl-2,7,12,17-tetrahexylporphycene 4. The butadiyne-linked dimer 1 was prepared from 4 by copper mediated Glaser-type homo-coupling. The acetylene-linked dimer 2 was synthesized by Sonogashira coupling of 4 and 2,7,12,17-tetrahexyl-3-iodoporphycene 5. These porphycene dimers were characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopies, mass spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Crystal structure of 1showed a coplanar structure of two porphycene units. The absorption spectra in CH 2 Cl 2 indicated the small interaction between the porphycene units through the linkage at 3,3′-positions. The electrochemical measurement showed two one-electron oxidation potentials and four one-electron reduction potentials indicating the electric interaction between the porphycene units.
Red-emittingAlN:Mn2+phosphors prepared by combustion synthesis
Authors: Shi Zhongqi , Zou Yongyong , Jing Ruifeng , Zhang Kuo , Qiao Guanjun , Wang Hongjie
Published: November 2014

Red-emitting Mn2+-doped AlN ( AlN:Mn2+) phosphors were successfully prepared by a highly effective combustion synthesis method. The phase purity, morphology, element-composition and luminescence properties of the synthesized phosphors were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the Mn2+-doped into the AlN host did not induce a second phase and distort the structure significantly. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images display that the phosphors have an irregular shape with a particle size in the range of 1–5 μm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum indicates that Mn ions are divalent state. The synthesized AlN:Mn2+phosphors exhibit a strong red emission centered at ~ 600 nm, which is ascribe to the4T1(4G)–6A1(6S) transition of Mn2+under ultraviolet excitation. The emission intensity reaches its maximum when Mn2+-doped concentration is 3 mol%.
Oxygen- and temperature-dependent expression of survival protein kinases in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) heart and brain
Authors: Nilsson Göran E. , Vaage Jarle , Stensløkken Kåre-Olav
Published: November 2014

Living without oxygen is limited to very few vertebrates, one species being the fresh water fish crucian carp ( Carassius carassius), which can survive months of anoxia at low temperatures. Mammalian heart and brain are particularly intolerant to oxygen deprivation, yet these organs can be conditioned to display increased resistance, possibly due to activation of several protein kinases. We hypothesized increased phosphorylation status of these kinases in hypoxic and anoxic crucian carp heart and brain. Moreover, we wanted to investigate whether the kinases showing the strongest phosphorylation during hypoxia/anoxia, ERK 1/2, p38-MAPK, JNK, PKCε, and PKCδ, also had increased expression and phosphorylation at cold temperatures, to better cope with the anoxic periods during winter. We found small differences in the phosphorylation status of ERK 1/2, p38-MAPK, JNK, PKCε, and PKCδ during 10 days of severe hypoxia in both heart and brain (0.3 mg O2/l) and varying responses to reoxygenation. In contrast, 7 days of anoxia (<0.01 mg O2/l) markedly increased phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, p38-MAPK, JNK in the heart, and p38-MAPK and PKCε in the brain. Similarly, varying acclimation temperature between 4, 10 and 20°C induced large changes in phosphorylation status. Total protein expression in heart and brain neither changed during different oxygen regimes nor with different acclimation temperatures, except for ERK 1/2, which slightly decreased in the heart at 4°C compared with 20°C. A phylogenetic analysis confirmed that these protein kinases are evolutionarily conserved across a wide range of vertebrate species. Our findings indicate important roles of several protein kinases during oxygen deprivation.
Mesenchymal stem cells and their secretome partially restore nerve and urethral function in a dual muscle and nerve injury stress urinary incontinence model
Authors: Deng Kangli , Lin Dan Li , Hanzlicek Brett , Balog Brian , Penn Marc S. , Kiedrowski Matthew J. , Hu Zhiquan , Ye Zhangqun , Zhu Hui , Damaser Margot S.
Published: November 2014

Childbirth injures muscles and nerves responsible for urinary continence. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or their secretome given systemically could provide therapeutic benefit for this complex multisite injury. We investigated whether MSCs or their secretome, as collected from cell culture, facilitate recovery from simulated childbirth injury. Age-matched female Sprague-Dawley rats received pudendal nerve crush and vaginal distension (PNC+VD) and a single intravenous (iv) injection of 2 million MSCs or saline. Controls received sham injury and iv saline. Additional rats received PNC+VD and a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of concentrated media conditioned by MSCs (CCM) or concentrated control media (CM). Controls received a sham injury and ip CM. Urethral and nerve function were assessed with leak point pressure (LPP) and pudendal nerve sensory branch potential (PNSBP) recordings 3 wk after injury. Urethral and pudendal nerve anatomy were assessed qualitatively by blinded investigators. Quantitative data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Holm-Sidak post hoc tests with P < 0.05 indicating significant differences. Both LPP and PNSBP were significantly decreased 3 wk after PNC+VD with saline or CM compared with sham-injured rats, but not with MSC or CCM. Elastic fiber density in the urethra increased and changed in orientation after PNC+VD, with a greater increase in elastic fibers with MSC or CCM. Pudendal nerve fascicles were less dense and irregularly shaped after PNC+VD and had reduced pathology with MSC or CCM. MSC and CCM provide similar protective effects after PNC+VD, suggesting that MSCs act via their secretions in this dual muscle and nerve injury.