bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic and Functional Portrait of a Highly Virulent, CTX-M-15-Producing
H
30-Rx Subclone of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131
Authors: Ranjan Amit , Shaik Sabiha , Hussain Arif , Nandanwar Nishant , Semmler Torsten , Jadhav Savita , Wieler Lothar H. , Ahmed Niyaz
Published: July 2015

Escherichia coli
sequence type 131 (ST131) is a pandemic clone associated with multidrug-resistant, extraintestinal infections, attributable to the presence of the CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene and mutations entailing fluoroquinolone resistance. Studies on subclones within
E. coli
ST131 are critically required for targeting and implementation of successful control efforts. Our study comprehensively analyzed the genomic and functional attributes of the
H
30-Rx subclonal strains NA097 and NA114, belonging to the ST131 lineage. We carried out whole-genome sequencing, comparative analysis, phenotypic virulence assays, and profiling of the antibacterial responses of THP1 cells infected with these subclones. Phylogenomic analysis suggested that the strains were clonal in nature and confined entirely to a single clade. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the virulence and resistance repertoires were comparable among the
H
30-Rx ST131 strains except for the commensal ST131 strain SE15. Similarly, seven phage-specific regions were found to be strongly associated with the
H
30-Rx strains but were largely absent in the genome of SE15. Phenotypic analysis confirmed the virulence and resistance similarities between the two strains. However, NA097 was found to be more robust than NA114 in terms of virulence gene carriage (
dra
operon), invasion ability (
P
< 0.05), and antimicrobial resistance (streptomycin resistance). RT
2
gene expression profiling revealed generic upregulation of key proinflammatory responses in THP1 cells, irrespective of ST131 lineage status. In conclusion, our study provides comprehensive, genome-inferred insights into the biology and immunological properties of ST131 strains and suggests clonal diversification of genomic and phenotypic features within the
H
30-Rx subclone of
E. coli
ST131.
Dual Zinc Transporter Systems in Vibrio cholerae Promote Competitive Advantages over Gut Microbiome
Authors: Sheng Ying , Fan Fenxia , Jensen Owen , Zhong Zengtao , Kan Biao , Wang Hui , Zhu Jun
Published: July 2015

Zinc is an essential trace metal required for numerous cellular processes in all forms of life. In order to maintain zinc homeostasis, bacteria have developed several transport systems to regulate its uptake. In this study, we investigated zinc transport systems in the enteric pathogen
Vibrio cholerae
, the causative agent of cholera. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that two gene clusters, VC2081 to VC2083 (annotated as zinc utilization genes
znuABC
) and VC2551 to VC2555 (annotated as
z
inc-
r
egulated
g
enes
zrgABCDE
), are regulated by the putative zinc uptake regulator Zur. Using promoter reporter and biochemical assays, we confirmed that Zur represses
znuABC
and
zrgABCDE
promoters in a Zn
2+
-dependent manner. Under Zn
2+
-limiting conditions, we found that mutations in either the
znuABC
or
zrgABCDE
gene cluster affect bacterial growth, with
znuABC
mutants displaying a more severe growth defect, suggesting that both ZnuABC and ZrgABCDE are involved in Zn
2+
uptake and that ZnuABC plays the predominant role. Furthermore, we reveal that ZnuABC and ZrgABCDE are important for
V. cholerae
colonization in both infant and adult mouse models, particularly in the presence of other intestinal microbiota. Collectively, our studies indicate that these two zinc transporter systems play vital roles in maintaining zinc homeostasis during
V. cholerae
growth and pathogenesis.
Unexpected Roles for Toll-Like Receptor 4 and TRIF in Intraocular Infection with Gram-Positive Bacteria
Authors: Parkunan Salai Madhumathi , Randall C. Blake , Coburn Phillip S. , Astley Roger A. , Staats Rachel L. , Callegan Michelle C.
Published: July 2015

Inflammation caused by infection with Gram-positive bacteria is typically initiated by interactions with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). Endophthalmitis, an infection and inflammation of the posterior segment of the eye, can lead to vision loss when initiated by a virulent microbial pathogen. Endophthalmitis caused byBacillus cereusdevelops as acute inflammation with infiltrating neutrophils, and vision loss is potentially catastrophic. Residual inflammation observed duringB. cereusendophthalmitis in TLR2−/−mice led us to investigate additional innate pathways that may trigger intraocular inflammation. We first hypothesized that intraocular inflammation duringB. cereusendophthalmitis would be controlled by MyD88- and TRIF-mediated signaling, since MyD88 and TRIF are the major adaptor molecules for all bacterial TLRs. In MyD88−/−and TRIF−/−mice, we observed significantly less intraocular inflammation than in eyes from infected C57BL/6J mice, suggesting an important role for these TLR adaptors inB. cereusendophthalmitis. These results led to a second hypothesis, that TLR4, the only TLR that signals through both MyD88 and TRIF signaling pathways, contributed to inflammation duringB. cereusendophthalmitis. Surprisingly,B. cereus-infected TLR4−/−eyes also had significantly less intraocular inflammation than infected C57BL/6J eyes, indicating an important role for TLR4 inB. cereusendophthalmitis. Taken together, our results suggest that TLR4, TRIF, and MyD88 are important components of the intraocular inflammatory response observed in experimentalB. cereusendophthalmitis, identifying a novel innate immune interaction forB. cereusand for this disease.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Molecule
N
-(3-Oxododecanoyl)-
l
-Homoserine-Lactone Induces HLA-G Expression in Human Immune Cells
Authors: Bortolotti Daria , LeMaoult Joel , Trapella Claudio , Di Luca Dario , Carosella Edgardo D. , Rizzo Roberta
Published: July 2015

HLA-G is a nonclassical class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) involved in mechanisms of immune tolerance. The objective of this study was to determine whether
N
-(3-oxododecanoyl)-
l
-homoserine lactone (3O-C
12
-HSL), a quorum sensing molecule produced by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, could modify HLA-G expression to control the host immune response. We evaluated the ability of 3O-C
12
-HSL to induce HLA-G expression in primary immune cells, monocytes (U937 and THP1), and T-cell lines (Jurkat)
in vitro
and analyzed the cellular pathway responsible for HLA-G expression. We studied the HLA-G promoter with a luciferase assay and interleukin-10 (IL-10) and p38/CREB signaling with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence, respectively. We observed that 3O-C
12
-HSL is able to induce HLA-G expression in human monocytes and T cells. We showed that the induction of HLA-G by 3O-C
12
-HSL is p38/CREB and IL-10 dependent. 3O-C
12
-HSL treatment is able to arrest only the U937 cell cycle, possibly due to the peculiar expression of the ILT2 receptor in the U937 cell line. Our observations suggest HLA-G as a mechanism to create a protected niche for the bacterial reservoir, similar to the role of HLA-G molecules during viral infections.
Enzymatic Synthesis and Functional Characterization of Bioactive Microcin C-Like Compounds with Altered Peptide Sequence and Length
Authors: Bantysh Olga , Serebryakova Marina , Zukher Inna , Kulikovsky Alexey , Tsibulskaya Darya , Dubiley Svetlana , Severinov Konstantin
Published: July 2015

Escherichia coli
microcin C (McC) consists of a ribosomally synthesized heptapeptide attached to a modified adenosine. McC is actively taken up by sensitive
Escherichia coli
strains through the YejABEF transporter. Inside the cell, McC is processed by aminopeptidases, which release nonhydrolyzable aminoacyl adenylate, an inhibitor of aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. McC is synthesized by the MccB enzyme, which terminally adenylates the MccA heptapeptide precursor MRTGNAN. Earlier, McC analogs with shortened peptide lengths were prepared by total chemical synthesis and were shown to have strongly reduced biological activity due to decreased uptake. Variants with longer peptides were difficult to synthesize, however. Here, we used recombinant MccB to prepare and characterize McC-like molecules with altered peptide moieties, including extended peptide lengths. We find that N-terminal extensions of
E. coli
MccA heptapeptide do not affect MccB-catalyzed adenylation and that some extended-peptide-length McC analogs show improved biological activity. When the peptide length reaches 20 amino acids, both YejABEF and SbmA can perform facilitated transport of toxic peptide adenylates inside the cell. A C-terminal fusion of the carrier maltose-binding protein (MBP) with the MccA peptide is also recognized by MccB
in vivo
and
in vitro
, allowing highly specific adenylation and/or radioactive labeling of cellular proteins.

IMPORTANCE
Enzymatic adenylation of chemically synthesized peptides allowed us to generate biologically active derivatives of the peptide-nucleotide antibiotic microcin C with improved bioactivity and altered entry routes into target cells, opening the way for development of various McC-based antibacterial compounds not found in nature.
Transposon Mutagenesis Paired with Deep Sequencing of Caulobacter crescentus under Uranium Stress Reveals Genes Essential for Detoxification and Stress Tolerance
Authors: Yung Mimi C. , Park Dan M. , Overton K. Wesley , Blow Matthew J. , Hoover Cindi A. , Smit John , Murray Sean R. , Ricci Dante P. , Christen Beat , Bowman Grant R. , Jiao Yongqin
Published: July 2015

The ubiquitous aquatic bacterium
Caulobacter crescentus
is highly resistant to uranium (U) and facilitates U biomineralization and thus holds promise as an agent of U bioremediation. To gain an understanding of how
C. crescentus
tolerates U, we employed transposon (Tn) mutagenesis paired with deep sequencing (Tn-seq) in a global screen for genomic elements required for U resistance. Of the 3,879 annotated genes in the
C. crescentus
genome, 37 were found to be specifically associated with fitness under U stress, 15 of which were subsequently tested through mutational analysis. Systematic deletion analysis revealed that mutants lacking outer membrane transporters (

rsaF
a

and

rsaF
b

), a stress-responsive transcription factor (
cztR
), or a ppGpp synthetase/hydrolase (
spoT
) exhibited a significantly lower survival rate under U stress. RsaF
a
and RsaF
b
, which are homologues of TolC in
Escherichia coli
, have previously been shown to mediate S-layer export. Transcriptional analysis revealed upregulation of

rsaF
a

and

rsaF
b

by 4- and 10-fold, respectively, in the presence of U. We additionally show that

rsaF
a

mutants accumulated higher levels of U than the wild type, with no significant increase in oxidative stress levels. Our results suggest a function for RsaF
a
and RsaF
b
in U efflux and/or maintenance of membrane integrity during U stress. In addition, we present data implicating CztR and SpoT in resistance to U stress. Together, our findings reveal novel gene targets that are key to understanding the molecular mechanisms of U resistance in
C. crescentus
.

IMPORTANCE
Caulobacter crescentus
is an aerobic bacterium that is highly resistant to uranium (U) and has great potential to be used in U bioremediation, but its mechanisms of U resistance are poorly understood. We conducted a Tn-seq screen to identify genes specifically required for U resistance in
C. crescentus
. The genes that we identified have previously remained elusive using other omics approaches and thus provide significant insight into the mechanisms of U resistance by
C. crescentus
. In particular, we show that outer membrane transporters RsaF
a
and RsaF
b
, previously known as part of the S-layer export machinery, may confer U resistance by U efflux and/or by maintaining membrane integrity during U stress.
Regulation Mechanism of the
ald
Gene Encoding Alanine Dehydrogenase in Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the Lrp/AsnC Family Regulator AldR
Authors: Jeong Ji-A , Hyun Jaekyung , Oh Jeong-Il
Published: July 2015

In the presence of alanine, AldR, which belongs to the Lrp/AsnC family of transcriptional regulators and regulates
ald
encoding alanine dehydrogenase in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
, changes its quaternary structure from a homodimer to an octamer with an open-ring conformation. Four AldR-binding sites (O2, O1, O4, and O3) with a consensus sequence of GA/T-N
2
-NWW/WWN-N
2
-A/TC were identified upstream of the
M. smegmatis
ald
gene by means of DNase I footprinting analysis. O2, O1, and O4 are required for the induction of
ald
expression by alanine, while O3 is directly involved in the repression of
ald
expression. In addition to O3, both O1 and O4 are also necessary for full repression of
ald
expression in the absence of alanine, due to cooperative binding of AldR dimers to O1, O4, and O3. Binding of a molecule of the AldR octamer to the
ald
control region was demonstrated to require two AldR-binding sites separated by three helical turns between their centers and one additional binding site that is in phase with the two AldR-binding sites. The cooperative binding of AldR dimers to DNA requires three AldR-binding sites that are aligned with a periodicity of three helical turns. The
aldR
gene is negatively autoregulated independently of alanine. Comparative analysis of
ald
expression of
M. smegmatis
and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in conjunction with sequence analysis of both
ald
control regions led us to suggest that the expression of the
ald
genes in both mycobacterial species is regulated by the same mechanism.

IMPORTANCE
In mycobacteria, alanine dehydrogenase (Ald) is the enzyme required both to utilize alanine as a nitrogen source and to grow under hypoxic conditions by maintaining the redox state of the NADH/NAD
+
pool. Expression of the
ald
gene was reported to be regulated by the AldR regulator that belongs to the Lrp/AsnC (feast/famine) family, but the underlying mechanism was unknown. This study revealed the regulation mechanism of
ald
in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
and
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Furthermore, a generalized arrangement pattern of
cis
-acting regulatory sites for Lrp/AsnC (feast/famine) family regulators is suggested in this study.
Binding of Cyclic Di-AMP to the Staphylococcus aureus Sensor Kinase KdpD Occurs via the Universal Stress Protein Domain and Downregulates the Expression of the Kdp Potassium Transporter
Authors: Moscoso Joana A. , Schramke Hannah , Zhang Yong , Tosi Tommaso , Dehbi Amina , Jung Kirsten , Gründling Angelika
Published: July 2015

Nucleotide signaling molecules are important intracellular messengers that regulate a wide range of biological functions. The human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
produces the signaling nucleotide cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP). This molecule is common among Gram-positive bacteria and in many organisms is essential for survival under standard laboratory growth conditions. In this study, we investigated the interaction of c-di-AMP with the
S. aureus
KdpD protein. The sensor kinase KdpD forms a two-component signaling system with the response regulator KdpE and regulates the expression of the
kdpDE
genes and the
kdpFABC
operon coding for the Kdp potassium transporter components. Here we show that the
S. aureus
KdpD protein binds c-di-AMP specifically and with an affinity in the micromolar range through its universal stress protein (USP) domain. This domain is located within the N-terminal cytoplasmic region of KdpD, and amino acids of a conserved SXS-X
20
-FTAXY motif are important for this binding. We further show that KdpD2, a second KdpD protein found in some
S. aureus
strains, also binds c-di-AMP, and our bioinformatics analysis indicates that a subclass of KdpD proteins in c-di-AMP-producing bacteria has evolved to bind this signaling nucleotide. Finally, we show that c-di-AMP binding to KdpD inhibits the upregulation of the
kdpFABC
operon under salt stress, thus indicating that c-di-AMP is a negative regulator of potassium uptake in
S. aureus
.

IMPORTANCE
Staphylococcus aureus
is an important human pathogen and a major cause of food poisoning in Western countries. A common method for food preservation is the use of salt to drive dehydration. This study sheds light on the regulation of potassium uptake in
Staphylococcus aureus
, an important aspect of this bacterium's ability to tolerate high levels of salt. We show that the signaling nucleotide c-di-AMP binds to a regulatory component of the Kdp potassium uptake system and that this binding has an inhibitory effect on the expression of the
kdp
genes encoding a potassium transporter. c-di-AMP binds to the USP domain of KdpD, thus providing for the first time evidence for the ability of such a domain to bind a cyclic dinucleotide.
Quorum Sensing Protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa against Cheating by Other Species in a Laboratory Coculture Model
Authors: Smalley Nicole E. , An Dingding , Parsek Matthew R. , Chandler Josephine R. , Dandekar Ajai A.
Published: July 2015

Many species of bacteria use a cell-cell communication system called quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate group activities. QS systems frequently regulate the production of exoproducts. Some of these products, such as proteases, are “public goods” that are shared among the population and vulnerable to cheating by nonproducing members of the population. Because the QS system of the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
regulates several public goods, it can serve as a model for studying cooperation. Bacteria also commonly regulate antimicrobial production through QS. In this study, we focused on the hypothesis that QS-regulated antimicrobials may be important for
P. aeruginosa
to protect against cheating by another bacterial species,
Burkholderia multivorans.
We assessed laboratory cocultures of
P. aeruginosa
and
B. multivorans
and investigated the importance of three
P. aeruginosa
QS-regulated antimicrobials, hydrogen cyanide, rhamnolipids, and phenazines, for competition. We found that
P. aeruginosa
dominates cocultures with
B. multivorans
and that the three antimicrobials together promote
P. aeruginosa
competitiveness, with hydrogen cyanide contributing the greatest effect. We show that these QS-regulated antimicrobials are also critical for
P. aeruginosa
to prevent
B. multivorans
from cheating under nutrient conditions where both species require a
P. aeruginosa
quorum-regulated protease for growth. Together our results highlight the importance of antimicrobials in protecting cooperating populations from exploitation by other species that can act as cheaters.

IMPORTANCE
Cooperative behaviors are threatened by social cheating, wherein individuals do not produce but nonetheless benefit from shared public goods. Bacteria have been shown to use several genetic mechanisms to restrain the emergence of cheaters from within the population, but public goods might also be used by other bacterial species in the vicinity. We demonstrate that a public good produced by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
can be used by another species,
Burkholderia multivorans
, to obtain carbon and energy. We also show that
P. aeruginosa
antimicrobials that are coregulated with the public good prevent invasion by the cheating species. Our results demonstrate that cross-species cheating can occur and that coregulation of public goods with antimicrobials may stabilize cooperative behavior in mixed microbial communities.
Treatment of a dissecting vertebral artery aneurysm with angioplasty and the pipeline embolisation device
Authors: Shah Veer A , Leonard Patrik , Sessions Jordan , Holloway William E
Published: July 2015

A 49-year-old woman was admitted with Hunt and Hess grade 1 subarachnoid haemorrhage. A cerebral aneurysm of the intracranial left vertebral artery (VA) distal to the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) was found and treated using parent vessel occlusion with coils. The PICA was preserved. Angiography at three time points during her hospitalisation showed a normal right VA. Eight months later, angiography demonstrated a new 14 mm right VA dissecting aneurysm with 90% outflow stenosis and recurrence of the left VA aneurysm distal to the coils. A Marksman microcatheter would not traverse the stenosis despite the use of two intraluminal wires. Following Gateway balloon (1.5 mm×9 mm) angioplasty, the Marksman passed easily. The pipeline embolisation device (PED) was successfully deployed across the aneurysm and 11 coils placed through a trapped microcatheter. The patient was discharged home 2 days later. Eighteen-month follow-up has revealed complete resolution of both aneurysms.
Skull base injury with extensive pneumocephalus after transnasal endotracheal intubation
Authors: Schwarz David , Beutner Dirk , Gostian Antoniu-Oreste , Anagiotos Andreas
Published: July 2015

Iatrogenic injuries of the frontal skull base commonly occur during endoscopic sinus surgery. In this paper, we present a rare case of cranial base injury after transnasal endotracheal intubation for dental surgery. A 61-year-old otherwise healthy man presented at the emergency department with headache, right leg weakness and watery nasal discharge on the left side. He underwent a dental surgery under general anaesthesia with transnasal endotracheal intubation 2 days earlier. A CT of the head showed a bone defect of the left skull base with a bifrontal pneumocephalus. Urgent endoscopic sinus surgery with exposure of the skull base was performed. The anterior part of the middle nasal turbinate was found dislocated and resulted in an injury of the lateral lamella of the cribriform plate. After endoscopic reconstruction of the bone defect, the patient showed a rapid improvement of symptoms. Two years after surgery the patient is free of symptoms.
Determining Surgical Complications in the Overweight (DISCOVER): a multicentre observational cohort study to evaluate the role of obesity as a risk factor for postoperative complications in general surgery
Authors: Nepogodiev Dmitri , Chapman Stephen J , Glasbey James , Kelly Michael , Khatri Chetan , Drake Thomas M , Kong Chia Yew , Mitchell Harriet , Harrison Ewen M , Fitzgerald J Edward , Bhangu Aneel
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Obesity is increasingly prevalent among patients undergoing surgery. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of obesity on postoperative complications. This multicentre study aims to determine whether obesity is associated with increased postoperative complications following general surgery.

Methods and analysis

This prospective, multicentre cohort study will be performed utilising a collaborative methodology. Consecutive adults undergoing open or laparoscopic, elective or emergency, gastrointestinal, bariatric or hepatobiliary surgery will be included. Day case patients will be excluded. The primary end point will be the overall 30-day major complication rate (Clavien-Dindo grade III–V complications). Data will be collected to risk-adjust outcomes for potential confounding factors, such as preoperative cardiac risk. This study will be disseminated through structured medical student networks using established collaborative methodology. The study will be powered to detect a two-percentage point increase in the major postoperative complication rate in obese versus non-obese patients.

Ethics and dissemination

Following appropriate assessment, an exemption from full ethics committee review has been received, and the study will be registered as a clinical audit or service evaluation at each participating hospital. Dissemination will take place through national and local research collaborative networks.
Genome-wide analysis of esterase-like genes in the striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Wang Baoju , Wang Ying , Zhang Yang , Han Ping , Li Fei , Han Zhaojun
Published: July 2015

The striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, a destructive pest of rice, has developed high levels of resistance to certain insecticides. Esterases are reported to be involved in insecticide resistance in several insects. Therefore, this study systematically analyzed esterase-like genes in C. suppressalis. Fifty-one esterase-like genes were identified in the draft genomic sequences of the species, and 20 cDNA sequences were derived which encoded full- or nearly full-length proteins. The putative esterase proteins derived from these full-length genes are overall highly diversified. However, key residues that are functionally important including the serine residue in the active site are conserved in 18 out of the 20 proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of these genes have homologues in other lepidoptera insects. Genes CsuEst6, CsuEst10, CsuEst11, and CsuEst51 were induced by the insecticide triazophos, and genes CsuEst9, CsuEst11, CsuEst14, and CsuEst51 were induced by the insecticide chlorantraniliprole. Our results provide a foundation for future studies of insecticide resistance in C. suppressalis and for comparative research with esterase genes from other insect species.
Far-Field Reflector Problem Under Design Constraints
Authors: André Julien , Attali Dominique , Mérigot Quentin , Thibert Boris
Published: July 2015

The far-field reflector problem is a well-known inverse problem arising in geometric optics. It consists in creating a mirror that reflects a given point light source to a prescribed target light at infinity. In this article, we study this problem under the common design constraint that the mirror is convex and is the graph of a polynomial over a given plane. We propose a method that iteratively improves the optical properties of the mirror surface while strictly fulfilling the design constraints. At each iteration, we first create an initial reflector by solving an optimal transport problem on the sphere. We then parameterize this reflector by the graph of a function over the plane. We test our algorithm with classical target lights at infinity and also show that our approach allows to create reflectors with more complex target lights.
Modeling of smart materials with thermal effects: Dynamic and quasi-static evolution
Authors: Bonaldi Francesco , Geymonat Giuseppe , Krasucki Françoise
Published: July 2015

We present a mathematical model for linear magneto-electro-thermo-elastic continua, as sensors and actuators can be thought of, and prove the well-posedness of the dynamic and quasi-static problems. The two proofs are accomplished, respectively, by means of the Hille–Yosida theory and of the Faedo–Galerkin method. A validation of the quasi-static hypothesis is provided by a nondimensionalization of the dynamic problem equations. We also hint at the study of the convergence of the solution to the dynamic problem to that to the quasi-static problem as a small parameter — the ratio of the largest propagation speed for an elastic wave in the body to the speed of light — tends to zero.
Two-dimensional subsonic flows with self-gravitation in bounded domain
Authors: Bae Myoungjean , Duan Ben , Xie Chunjing
Published: July 2015

We investigate two-dimensional steady Euler–Poisson system which describes the motion of compressible self-gravitating flows. The unique existence and stability of subsonic flows in a duct of finite length are obtained when prescribing the entropy at the entrance and the pressure at the exit. After introducing the stream function, the Euler–Poisson system can be decomposed into several transport equations and a second-order nonlinear elliptic system. We discover an energy estimate for the associated elliptic system which is a key ingredient to prove the unique existence and stability of subsonic flow.
Semidualizing DG modules over tensor products
Authors: Altmann Hannah
Published: July 2015

We study the existence of nontrivial semidualizing DG modules over tensor products of DG algebras over a field. In particular, this gives a lower bound on the number of semidualizing DG modules over the tensor product.
Cotorsion dimensions relative to semidualizing modules
Authors: Chen Xiuli , Chen Jianlong
Published: July 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a semidualizing [Formula: see text]-module, where [Formula: see text] is a commutative ring. We first introduce the definition of [Formula: see text]-cotorsion modules, and obtain the properties of [Formula: see text]-cotorsion modules. As applications, we give some new characterizations for perfect rings. Second, we study the Foxby equivalences between the subclasses of the Auslander class and that of the Bass class with respect to [Formula: see text]. Finally, we discuss [Formula: see text]-cotorsion dimensions and investigate the transfer properties of strongly [Formula: see text]-cotorsion dimensions under almost excellent extensions.
Toric ideals of series and parallel connections of matroids
Authors: Shibata Kazuki
Published: July 2015

In 1980, White conjectured that the toric ideal associated to a matroid is generated by binomials corresponding to a symmetric exchange. In this paper, we prove that classes of matroids for which the toric ideal is generated by quadrics and that has quadratic Gröbner bases, are closed under series and parallel extensions, series and parallel connections, and 2-sums.
Constructing the hereditary crossed product order containing a given weak crossed product order and a criterion for weakness
Authors: Wilson Christopher James
Published: July 2015

Consider a weak crossed product order [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the integral closure of a discrete valuation ring [Formula: see text] in a tamely ramified Galois extension [Formula: see text] of the field of fractions of [Formula: see text]. Assume that [Formula: see text] is local. In this paper, we show that [Formula: see text] is hereditary if and only if it is maximal among the weak crossed product orders in [Formula: see text]. We also give an algorithm that constructs, in terms of the basis elements [Formula: see text] and the cocycle [Formula: see text], the unique hereditary weak crossed product order in [Formula: see text] that contains a given [Formula: see text], and we give a criterion for determining whether that hereditary order will have a cocycle that takes nonunit values in [Formula: see text].
Derivation double Lie algebras
Authors: Burde Dietrich
Published: July 2015

We study classical [Formula: see text]-matrices [Formula: see text] for Lie algebras [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is also a derivation of [Formula: see text]. This yields derivation double Lie algebras [Formula: see text]. The motivation comes from recent work on post-Lie algebra structures on pairs of Lie algebras arising in the study of nil-affine actions of Lie groups. We prove that there are no nontrivial simple derivation double Lie algebras, and study related Lie algebra identities for arbitrary Lie algebras.
Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity and Segre–Veronese transform
Authors: Morales Marcel , Dung Nguyen Thi
Published: July 2015

In this paper we give a nice formula for the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of the Segre product of modules, under some suitable hypotheses. This extends recent results of David A. Cox, and Evgeny Materov (2009).
Non-conformal harmonic maps into the 3-sphere
Authors: Dioos Bart
Published: July 2015

We present two transforms of non-conformal harmonic maps from a surface into the 3-sphere. With these transforms one can construct from one non-conformal harmonic map a sequence of non-conformal harmonic maps. We also discuss the correspondence between non-conformal harmonic maps into the 3-sphere, H-surfaces in Euclidean 3-space and almost complex surfaces in the nearly Kähler manifold S3 × S3.
Quartic residuacity and the quadratic character of certain quadratic irrationalities
Authors: Evans Ronald J. , Williams Kenneth S.
Published: July 2015

We prove a general theorem that evaluates the Legendre symbol [Formula: see text] under certain conditions on the integers A, B, m and the prime p. The evaluation is in terms of parameters appearing in a binary quadratic form representing p. The theorem has applications to quartic residuacity.
Experimental Justice Reform: Lessons from the World Bank and Beyond
Authors: Desai Deval , Woolcock Michael
Published: July 2015

Rule of law orthodoxy—legal transplants from high- to low-income countries—has endured despite persistent critiques. A key reason for this, we argue, is the absence of positive theories of praxis that can instantiate essentially contested concepts such as rule of law. We discuss the emergence of one nascent alternative, the World Bank's Justice for the Poor program, locating it within broader turns to experimental approaches to development. In doing so, we argue that rule of law reform must be understood in the context of the politics of the relationship between development experts and the domestic political forums in and through which rules systems emerge. As such, a primary task of external agencies is to help forge and sustain such forums, to recognize the deep imbrication between the process norms of these forums and the nature of the rule of law being produced, and to ensure that the empirical foundations on which ensuing deliberations rest are both sound and accessible. We conclude with an exploration of the challenges of this approach, from methodological challenges in building an empirical foundation to political accountability concerns with respect to rule of law reformers themselves.
Behavioral Ethics Meets Legal Ethics
Authors: Robbennolt Jennifer K.
Published: July 2015

Research on behavioral ethics is flourishing, providing new insight into the cognitive, situational, and social factors that influence ethical decisions. Although many common approaches to dealing with legal ethics assume that unethical behavior is a result of conscious decision making driven by economic self-interest, the psychology of behavioral ethics makes clear that ethical decision making is far more complex than bad actors making conscious decisions to act unethically for their own economic advancement. This article reviews recent work on behavioral ethics, bringing together research findings about cognitive and social factors that influence ethical decision making and focusing on those with particular application to the legal context. The ethical issues faced by lawyers provide a rich context within which to apply the findings of existing research and to conduct new research that explores both the unexceptional and unique structures and pressures on ethical decision making in legal practice.
The Gut Microbiota of Termites: Digesting the Diversity in the Light of Ecology and Evolution
Authors: Brune Andreas , Dietrich Carsten
Published: July 2015

Termite guts harbor a dense and diverse microbiota that is essential for symbiotic digestion. The major players in lower termites are unique lineages of cellulolytic flagellates, whereas higher termites harbor only bacteria and archaea. The functions of the mostly uncultivated lineages and their distribution in different diet groups are slowly emerging. Patterns in community structure match changes in the biology of different host groups and reflect the availability of microbial habitats provided by flagellates, wood fibers, and the increasing differentiation of the intestinal tract, which also creates new niches for microbial symbionts. Whereas the intestinal communities in the closely related cockroaches seem to be shaped primarily by the selective forces of microhabitat and functional niche, the social behavior of termites reduces the stochastic element of community assembly, which facilitates coevolution and may ultimately result in cospeciation.
Antitrust Developments in Food and Pharma
Authors: Connor John M.
Published: July 2015

Closing the loopholes of downstream application of the Capper-Volstead exemption in the food system and pay for delay in pharmaceuticals is an important advance in US and EU antitrust norms. First, pay-for-delay conduct has been harmful for pharmaceuticals customers. After ten years of litigation that divided circuit courts, the Supreme Court decreed that payments to generic drug sellers by the patent holders of the brand equivalent that are aimed at delaying entry are illegal, but did so under a structured rule-of-reason approach. EU competition authorities treat such payments as per se civil infractions. Second, until court decisions made in 2011–2014, the reach of the Capper-Volstead Act and the legality of pay-for-delay conduct in the drug industry were in doubt. In 2015, most federal circuits now clearly agree that, at a minimum, acreage restrictions by marketing cooperatives are per se illegal. Moreover, any manipulation by farmers’ cooperatives of upstream supply is also likely to be illegal.
A Multiple Feature-Based Image-Switching Strategy in Visual Sensor Networks
Authors: Jang Seok-Woo , Kim Gye-Young
Published: July 2015

Generally, one fixed camera is used to take still or dynamic images and extract proper information from the captured images. However, the process of analyzing images through the use of one camera is very sensitive to neighboring environmental factors, such as illumination, background, and noise; thus, it is hard to guarantee precision. To extract proper information from images more precisely in visual sensor networks, this paper proposes an image-switching strategy where, among different types of installed cameras, the one camera best suited to neighboring circumstances is chosen. The proposed strategy is to first receive initial images as input data and then extract multiple features representing neighboring circumstances from the input images. Subsequently, it is to define the neighboring circumstances metric, which is the weighted sum of the extracted features, and to dynamically switch cameras to obtain images in accordance with the neighboring circumstances. The results of the experiment show that the proposed dynamic switching strategy reliably chooses, from among different cameras, the one camera that is best suited to the neighboring circumstances.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Tumoral Calcinosis
Authors: Inui Atsuyuki , Suzuki Takahiro , Kokubu Takeshi , Sakata Ryosuke , Mifune Yutaka , Kurosaka Masahiro
Published: July 2015

We present a case of carpal tunnel syndrome caused by systemic tumoral calcinosis. A 54-year-old woman experienced hand numbness that persisted for nine months. She had no family history or medical problem. A plain radiograph of her right wrist showed a calcified mass on the volar side of the wrist joint. The patient also experienced pain in her contralateral wrist joint and both right and left shoulders, which had calcification on radiography around the joint. Her condition was diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome caused by systemic tumoral calcinosis and a resection biopsy was performed. Histopathological analysis of the biopsied specimen showed basophile deposition inside the fibrous connective tissue. At 14 months after the treatment, she no longer had pain or numbness in her fingers and there was no recurrence of the mass. This patient’s condition is considered as a case of nonfamilial, systemic primary tumoral calcinosis. Since incomplete resection leads to a recurrence of the lesion, a follow-up radiography examination is needed to monitor symptom recurrence.
A Novel Noninvasive Method for Measuring Fatigability of the Quadriceps Muscle in Noncooperating Healthy Subjects
Authors: Poulsen Jesper B. , Rose Martin H. , Møller Kirsten , Perner Anders , Jensen Bente R.
Published: July 2015

Background. Critical illness is associated with muscle weakness leading to long-term functional limitations.Objectives. To assess the reliability of a novel method for evaluating fatigability of the quadriceps muscle in noncooperating healthy subjects.Methods. On two occasions, separated by seven days, nonvoluntary isometric contractions (twitch and tetanic) of the quadriceps femoris muscle evoked by transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation were recorded in twelve healthy adults. For tetanic contractions, the Fatigue Index (ratio of peak torque values) and the slope of the regression line of peak torque values were primary outcome measures. For twitch contractions, maximum peak torque and rise time were calculated. Relative (intraclass correlation, ICC3.1) and absolute (standard error of measurement, SEM) reliability were assessed and minimum detectable change was calculated using a 95% confidence interval (MDC95%).Results. The Fatigue Index (ICC3.1, 0.84; MDC95%, 0.12) and the slope of the regression line (ICC3.1, 0.99; MDC95%, 0.03) showed substantial relative and absolute reliability during the first 15 and 30 contractions, respectively.Conclusion. This method for assessing fatigability of the quadriceps muscle produces reliable results in healthy subjects and may provide valuable data on quantitative changes in muscle working capacity and treatment effects in patients who are incapable of producing voluntary muscle contractions.
Demodexsp. as a Potential Cause of the Abandonment of Soft Contact Lenses by Their Existing Users
Authors: Tarkowski Witold , Moneta-Wielgoś Joanna , Młocicki Daniel
Published: July 2015

Demodexmites may be a potential etiological factor in the development of various eye and skin disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence ofDemodexin the hair follicles of eyelashes and their potential influence on abandoning soft contact lenses which had been previously well tolerated by their users. A group of 62 users of contact lenses (28 with emerging discomfort and 34 without discomfort) were examined. There is a need to check the existence of a relationship betweenD. folliculorumor/andD. brevisinfestation and the emergence of intolerance to the presence of soft contact lenses. The removed lashes were examined under light microscopy, applying standard parasitological methods if demodicosis is suspected. A positive result was assumed if at least one adult stage, larva, protonymph/nymph, or egg ofD. folliculorumand/orD. breviswas present. A positive correlation was observed between the presence ofDemodexand intolerance to contact lenses by their existing usersp<0.05, andDemodexsp. infections were observed in 92.86% of patients with intolerance to contact lenses. Our results provide further evidence for the pathogenic role played by the mites in the development of eye diseases.
A Novel Endoscopic Method to Relieve Food Impaction Using an Inflatable Balloon
Authors: Anand Rohit , Garg Shashank , Dubin Ethan , Dutta Sudhir
Published: July 2015

Food impaction in the esophagus is a relatively common medical emergency. Most of these food impactions are relieved spontaneously. But for complete esophageal food impactions or impactions not relieved spontaneously, traditional endoscopic methods like using a Roth net, polypectomy snare, or rat or alligator tooth forceps are used to gently manipulate the food material into the stomach. However, these methods may not work in certain circumstances. We present a case of proximal esophageal food impaction that was relieved using an inflatable balloon after the conventional methods proved unsuccessful.
Pain Sensitisation in Women with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Vladimirova Nora , Jespersen Anders , Bartels Else Marie , Christensen Anton W. , Bliddal Henning , Danneskiold-Samsøe Bente
Published: July 2015

Objectives. In some rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, joint pain persists without signs of inflammation. This indicates that central pain sensitisation may play a role in the generation of chronic pain in a subgroup of RA. Our aim was to assess the degree of peripheral and central pain sensitisation in women with active RA compared to healthy controls (HC). Methods. 38 women with active RA (DAS28>2.6) and 38 female HC were included in, and completed, the study. Exclusion criteria were polyneuropathy, pregnancy, and no Danish language. Cuff Pressure Algometry measurements were carried out on the dominant lower leg. Pain threshold, pain tolerance, and pain sensitivity during tonic painful stimulation were recorded. Results. Women with active RA had significantly lower pain threshold (p<0.01) and pain tolerance (p<0.01) than HC. The mean temporal summation- (TS-) index in RA patients was 0.98 (SEM: 0.09) and 0.71 (SEM: 0.04) in HC (p<0.01). Conclusion. Patients with active RA showed decreased pressure-pain threshold compared to HC. In addition, temporal summation of pressure-pain was increased, indicating central pain sensitization, at least in some patients. Defining this subgroup of patients may be of importance when considering treatment strategies.
Endoscopic Transnasal Approach for Cholesterol Granuloma of the Petrous Apex
Authors: Samadian Mohammad , Akbari Dilmaghani Nader , Ahmady Roozbahany Navid , Farzin Navid , Bahadoram Mohammad
Published: July 2015

Cholesterol granulomas are rare round or ovoid cysts. They contain cholesterol crystals surrounded by foreign bodies of giant cells and are characterized by chronic inflammation. Large cholesterol granuloma can compress surrounding tissue especially cranial nerves. There are several types of surgery for the resection of cholesterol granuloma. We describe 4 cases of cholesterol granuloma operated on via transnasal endoscopic approach. In this report, we describe radiologic and pathologic features of this lesion and explain the advantages and disadvantages of transsphenoidal endoscopic approach for these rare lesions.
Fullerenol-Capped Porous Silica Nanoparticles for pH-Responsive Drug Delivery
Authors: Knežević Nikola Ž. , Milenković Sanja , Jović Danica , Lazarevic Slavica , Mrdjanović Jasminka , Djordjevic Aleksandar
Published: July 2015

Novel nanocomposite containing fullerenol nanoparticles (FNP) and porous silica nanoparticles (PSNs) was constructed and characterized. The capability of FNP to serve as a pore-capping agent and for entrapping 9-aminoacridine (9-AA) inside the pores of the PSN material was also demonstrated. Nitrogen sorption measurements evidence the successful capping of the silica pores while thermogravimetric analysis of FNP loaded PSN indicates the existence of pore-loaded fullerenol molecules. Higher amount of the drug release was noted by exposing the material to weakly acidic conditions in comparison to physiological pH, which may find application in targeted treatment of weakly acidic tumor tissues.
Effects of the Interest Rate and Reserve Requirement Ratio on Bank Risk in China: A Panel Smooth Transition Regression Approach
Authors: Geng Zhongyuan , Zhai Xue
Published: July 2015

This paper applies the Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model to simulate the effects of the interest rate and reserve requirement ratio on bank risk in China. The results reveal the nonlinearity embedded in the interest rate, reserve requirement ratio, and bank risk nexus. Both the interest rate and reserve requirement ratio exert a positive impact on bank risk for the low regime and a negative impact for the high regime. The interest rate performs a significant effect while the reserve requirement ratio shows an insignificant effect on bank risk on a statistical basis for both the high and low regimes.