bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of collisions on parametric instabilities induced by lower hybrid waves in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Castaldo C. , Di Siena A. , Fedele R. , Napoli F. , Amicucci L. , Cesario R. , Schettini G.
Published: November 2015

Parametric instabilities induced at the plasma edge by lower hybrid wave power externally coupled to tokamak plasmas have, via broadening of the antenna spectrum, strong influence on the power deposition and current drive in the core. For modeling the parametric instabilities at the tokamak plasma edge in lower hybrid current drive experiments, the effect of the collisions has been neglected so far. In the present work, a specific collisional parametric dispersion relation, useful to analyze these nonlinear phenomena near the lower hybrid antenna mouth, is derived for the first time, based on a kinetic model. Numerical solutions show that in such cold plasma regions the collisions prevent the onset of the parametric instabilities. This result is important for present lower hybrid current drive experiments, as well as in fusion reactor scenarios.
Dependence of pedestal structure on collisionality at fixed beta in JT-60U
Authors: Urano H. , Aiba N. , Kamiya K. , Kamada Y.
Published: November 2015

The dependence of pedestal structure on collisionality at fixed beta has been investigated in JT-60U. In the ITER-relevant low collisionality regime, the pedestal width does not change with edge collisionality. In the high collisionality regime, the pedestal width broadens with increased edge collisionality. The pedestal pressure gradient and width are not significantly changed when the pedestal is close to an intermediate n peeling-ballooning mode boundary at low collisionality. The experimental result indicates that conventional pedestal models where the pedestal width is independent of collisionality and is determined by

at the pedestal is not a bad assumption in the ITER-relevant low collisionality regime. On the other hand, the pressure gradient decreases and the pedestal width increases at high collisionality. The pedestal broadening becomes significant when the pedestal is marginal to be unstable at the high n ballooning mode in the high collisionality regime.
Topological rigidity and actions on contractible manifolds with discrete singular set
Authors: Connolly Frank , Davis James , Khan Qayum
Published: November 2015

The problem of equivariant rigidity is the

Γ
\Gamma

-homeomorphism classification of

Γ
\Gamma

-actions on manifolds with compact quotient and with contractible fixed sets for all finite subgroups of

Γ
\Gamma

. In other words, this is the classification of cocompact

E

f
i
n

Γ

E_{\mathrm {fin}} \Gamma

-manifolds.

We use surgery theory, algebraic

K
K

-theory, and the Farrell–Jones Conjecture to give this classification for a family of groups which satisfy the property that the normalizers of nontrivial finite subgroups are themselves finite. More generally, we study cocompact proper actions of these groups on contractible manifolds and prove that the

E

f
i
n

E_{\mathrm {fin}}

condition is always satisfied.
Influence of plant size on female-biased sex allocation in a single-flowered, nectarless herb
Authors: Xiong Ying-Ze , Xie Meng , Huang Shuang-Quan
Published: November 2015

Relative allocation to female and male function in hermaphroditic species often departs from strict equisexuality. Increased femaleness with plant size in animal-pollinated species has been proposed in theory and demonstrated in empirical studies. However, such size-dependent sex allocation (SDS) has not been observed in some insect-pollinated species, throwing doubt on the generalization of SDS, that large plants have decelerated male function investment. Himalayan mayapple Podophyllum hexandrum (Berberidaceae) produces a single terminal flower and no nectar, providing a simple system for studying SDS without the confounding effects of flower number and nectar production. To investigate the SDS in P. hexandrum , plant size, biomass of floral organs (stamens, pistils and petals) and gamete production (pollen and ovule number) were measured in four populations in Yunnan Province, northwest China. Isometric allocation to female and male function with plant size was found in two populations, but the prediction of SDS was supported in the other two populations. Using pollen and ovule production as the allocation currency, allocation to female and male function was isometric in all studied populations. Resources allocated to attractive (petals) and sexual (pistils and stamens) structures did not show a significantly disproportionate increase with plant size in three of the four studied populations. The general pattern of isometric allocation to female and male function and to attractive and sexual structures could be attributed to the species being capable of automatic self-pollination, related to low pollen loss, minor deleterious effect of selfing and low importance of attractive structures. However, in further studies, careful consideration should be given to the different currencies used to estimate sex allocation.
Crossing the Boundaries: An Implementation of Two Methods for Projecting Data across Boundary Changes
Authors: Goplerud Max
Published: November 2015

Much of the data used in social science is aggregated into spatial units, even if the analysis itself does not explicitly incorporate that information. A key concern with such aggregation, however, is that changes in the units of aggregation themselves cause difficulty in comparing data gathered on the old boundaries and the new boundaries. Such changes present serious concerns to researchers who may exclude observations or cases due to a lack of comparable units or omit certain key variables. While geographers have long examined this problem and created methods of projecting data from one spatial unit into another, known as areal interpolation, it is telling that a recent article notes the difficulty for researchers in implementing even the most basic solutions without relying heavily on programming skills or proprietary software.
Refugia and the evolutionary epidemiology of drug resistance
Authors: Park Andrew W. , Haven James , Kaplan Ray , Gandon Sylvain
Published: November 2015

Drug resistance is a long-standing economic, veterinary and human health concern in human and animal populations. Efficacy of prophylactic drug treatments targeting a particular pathogen is often short-lived, as drug-resistant pathogens evolve and reach high frequency in a treated population. Methods to combat drug resistance are usually costly, including use of multiple drugs that are applied jointly or sequentially, or development of novel classes of drugs. Alternatively, there is growing interest in exploiting untreated host populations,
refugia
, for the management of drug resistance. Refugia do not experience selection for resistance, and serve as a reservoir for native, drug-susceptible pathogens. The force of infection from refugia may dilute the frequency of resistant pathogens in the treated population, potentially at an acceptable cost in terms of overall disease burden. We examine this concept using a simple mathematical model that captures the core mechanisms of transmission and selection common to many host–pathogen systems. We identify the roles of selection and gene flow in determining the utility of refugia.
Kinematic diversity suggests expanded roles for fly halteres
Authors: Hall Joshua M. , McLoughlin Dane P. , Kathman Nicholas D. , Yarger Alexandra M. , Mureli Shwetha , Fox Jessica L.
Published: November 2015

The halteres of flies are mechanosensory organs that provide information about body rotations during flight. We measured haltere movements in a range of fly taxa during free walking and tethered flight. We find a diversity of wing–haltere phase relationships in flight, with higher variability in more ancient families and less in more derived families. Diverse haltere movements were observed during free walking and were correlated with phylogeny. We predicted that haltere removal might decrease behavioural performance in those flies that move them during walking and provide evidence that this is the case. Our comparative approach reveals previously unknown diversity in haltere movements and opens the possibility of multiple functional roles for halteres in different fly behaviours.
Testing mechanistic models of growth in insects
Authors: Maino James L. , Kearney Michael R.
Published: November 2015

Insects are typified by their small size, large numbers, impressive reproductive output and rapid growth. However, insect growth is not simply rapid; rather, insects follow a qualitatively distinct trajectory to many other animals. Here we present a mechanistic growth model for insects and show that increasing specific assimilation during the growth phase can explain the near-exponential growth trajectory of insects. The presented model is tested against growth data on 50 insects, and compared against other mechanistic growth models. Unlike the other mechanistic models, our growth model predicts energy reserves per biomass to increase with age, which implies a higher production efficiency and energy density of biomass in later instars. These predictions are tested against data compiled from the literature whereby it is confirmed that insects increase their production efficiency (by 24 percentage points) and energy density (by 4 J mg−1) between hatching and the attainment of full size. The model suggests that insects achieve greater production efficiencies and enhanced growth rates by increasing specific assimilation and increasing energy reserves per biomass, which are less costly to maintain than structural biomass. Our findings illustrate how the explanatory and predictive power of mechanistic growth models comes from their grounding in underlying biological processes.
Rapid evolution of the inter-sexual genetic correlation for fitness inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Collet J. M. , Fuentes S. , Hesketh J. , Hill M. S. , Innocenti P. , Morrow E. H. , Fowler K. , Reuter M.
Published: November 2015

Sexual antagonism (SA) arises when male and female phenotypes are under opposing selection, yet genetically correlated. Until resolved, antagonism limits evolution towards optimal sex-specific phenotypes. Despite its importance for sex-specific adaptation and existing theory, the dynamics of SA resolution are not well understood empirically. Here, we present data fromDrosophila melanogaster, compatible with a resolution of SA. We compared two independent replicates of the ‘LHM’ population in which SA had previously been described. Both had been maintained under identical, controlled conditions, and separated for <250 generations. Although heritabilities of male and female fitness were similar, the inter-sexual genetic correlation differed significantly, being negative in one replicate (indicating SA) but close to zero in the other. Using population sequencing, we show that phenotypic differences were associated with population divergence in allele frequencies at non-random loci across the genome. Large frequency changes were more prevalent in the population without SA and were enriched at loci mapping to genes previously shown to have a sexually antagonistic relationships between expression and fitness. Our data suggest that rapid evolution towards SA resolution has occurred in one of the populations and open avenues towards studying the genetics of SA and its resolution.
Analysis of the optimality of the Standard Genetic Code
Authors: Kumar Balaji , Saini Supreet
Published: November 2015

Many theories have been proposed attempting to explain the origin of the genetic code. While strong reasons remain to believe that the genetic code evolved as a frozen accident, at least for the first few amino acids, other theories remain viable. In this work, we test the optimality of the standard genetic code against approximately 17 million genetic codes, and locate 18 which outperform the standard genetic code at the following three criteria: (a) robustness to point mutation; (b) robustness to frameshift mutation; and (c) ability to encode additional information in the coding region. We use a genetic algorithm to generate and score codes from different parts of the associated landscape, and are, as a result presumably more representative of the entire landscape. Our results show that while the genetic code is sub-optimal for robustness to frameshift mutation and the ability to encode additional information in the coding region, it is very strongly selected for robustness to point mutation. This coupled with the observation that the different performance indicator scores for a particular genetic code are seemingly negatively correlated, make the standard genetic code nearly optimal for the three criteria tested in this work.
Genetic Associations with Subjective Well-Being Also Implicate Depression and Neuroticism
Authors: Okbay Aysu , Baselmans Bart M. L. , De Neve Jan-Emmanuel , Turley Patrick , Nivard Michel G. , Fontana Mark A. , Meddens Fleur S. W. , Linnér Richard Karlsson , Rietveld Cornelius A. , Derringer Jaime , Gratten Jacob , Lee James J. , Liu Jimmy Z. , de Vlaming Ronald , Conley Dalton C. , Smith George Davey , Hofman Albert , Johannesson Magnus , Laibson David I. , Medland Sarah E. , Meyer Michelle N. , Pickrell Joseph K. , Esko Tonu , Krueger Robert F. , Beauchamp Jonathan P. , Koellinger Philipp D. , Benjamin Daniel J. , Bartels Meike , Cesarini David ,   Social Science Genetic Association Consortium
Published: November 2015

We conducted a genome-wide association study of subjective well-being (SWB) in 298,420 individuals. We also performed auxiliary analyses of depressive symptoms ("DS";N= 161,460) and neuroticism (N= 170,910), both of which have a substantial genetic correlation with SWB (ρ≈-0.8). We identify three SNPs associated with SWB at genome-wide significance. Two of them are significantly associated with DS in an independent sample. In our auxiliary analyses, we identify 13 additional genome-wide-significant associations: two with DS and eleven with neuroticism, including two inversion polymorphisms. Across our phenotypes, loci regulating expression in central nervous system and adrenal/pancreas tissues are enriched. The discovery of genetic loci associated with the three phenotypes we study has proven elusive; our findings illustrate the payoffs from studying them jointly.
Genome-wide cooperation by HAT Gcn5, remodeler SWI/SNF, and chaperone Ydj1 in promoter nucleosome eviction and transcriptional activation
Authors: Qiu Hongfang , Chereji Răzvan V. , Hu Cuihua , Cole Hope A. , Rawal Yashpal , Clark David J. , Hinnebusch Alan G.
Published: November 2015

Chaperones, nucleosome remodeling complexes, and histone acetyltransferases have been implicated in nucleosome disassembly at promoters of particular yeast genes, but whether these cofactors function ubiquitously, as well as the impact of nucleosome eviction on transcription genome-wide, is poorly understood. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation of histone H3 and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in mutants lacking single or multiple cofactors to address these issues for about 200 genes belonging to the Gcn4 transcriptome, of which about 70 exhibit marked reductions in H3 promoter occupancy on induction by amino acid starvation. Examining four target genes in a panel of mutants indicated that SWI/SNF, Gcn5, the Hsp70 cochaperone Ydj1, and chromatin-associated factor Yta7 are required downstream from Gcn4 binding, whereas Asf1/Rtt109, Nap1, RSC, and H2AZ are dispensable for robust H3 eviction in otherwise wild-type cells. Using ChIP-seq to interrogate all 70 exemplar genes in single, double, and triple mutants implicated Gcn5, Snf2, and Ydj1 in H3 eviction at most, but not all, Gcn4 target promoters, with Gcn5 generally playing the greatest role and Ydj1 the least. Remarkably, these three cofactors cooperate similarly in H3 eviction at virtually all yeast promoters. Defective H3 eviction in cofactor mutants was coupled with reduced Pol II occupancies for the Gcn4 transcriptome and the most highly expressed uninduced genes, but the relative Pol II levels at most genes were unaffected or even elevated. These findings indicate that nucleosome eviction is crucial for robust transcription of highly expressed genes but that other steps in gene activation are more rate-limiting for most other yeast genes.
An enzyme captured in two conformational states: crystal structure ofS-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase fromBradyrhizobium elkanii
Authors: Manszewski Tomasz , Singh Kriti , Imiolczyk Barbara , Jaskolski Mariusz
Published: November 2015

S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHase) is involved in the enzymatic regulation ofS-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methylation reactions. After methyl-group transfer from SAM,S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) is formed as a byproduct, which in turn is hydrolyzed to adenosine (Ado) and homocysteine (Hcy) by SAHase. The crystal structure of BeSAHase, an SAHase fromBradyrhizobium elkanii, which is a nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbiont of legume plants, was determined at 1.7 Å resolution, showing the domain organization (substrate-binding domain, NAD+cofactor-binding domain and dimerization domain) of the subunits. The protein crystallized in its biologically relevant tetrameric form, with three subunits in a closed conformation enforced by complex formation with the Ado product of the enzymatic reaction. The fourth subunit is ligand-free and has an open conformation. The BeSAHase structure therefore provides a unique snapshot of the domain movement of the enzyme induced by the binding of its natural ligands.
Sequence-dependent structural changes in a self-assembling DNA oligonucleotide
Authors: Saoji Maithili , Paukstelis Paul J.
Published: November 2015

DNA has proved to be a remarkable molecule for the construction of sophisticated two-dimensional and three-dimensional architectures because of its programmability and structural predictability provided by complementary Watson–Crick base pairing. DNA oligonucleotides can, however, exhibit a great deal of local structural diversity. DNA conformation is strongly linked to both environmental conditions and the nucleobase identities inherent in the oligonucleotide sequence, but the exact relationship between sequence and local structure is not completely understood. This study examines how a single-nucleotide addition to a class of self-assembling DNA 13-mers leads to a significantly different overall structure under identical crystallization conditions. The DNA 13-mers self-assemble in the presence of Mg2+through a combination of Watson–Crick and noncanonical base-pairing interactions. The crystal structures described here show that all of the predicted Watson–Crick base pairs are present, with the major difference being a significant rearrangement of noncanonical base pairs. This includes the formation of a sheared A–G base pair, a junction of strands formed from base-triple interactions, and tertiary interactions that generate structural features similar to tandem sheared G–A base pairs. The adoption of this alternate noncanonical structure is dependent in part on the sequence in the Watson–Crick duplex region. These results provide important new insights into the sequence–structure relationship of short DNA oligonucleotides and demonstrate a unique interplay between Watson–Crick and noncanonical base pairs that is responsible for crystallization fate.
A zwitterion produced by a strong intramolecular N→B interaction in 1-hydroxy-2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbonyl)benzo[d][1,2,3]diazaborinine
Authors: Sarina Evan A. , Olmstead Marilyn M. , Kanichar Divya , Groziak Michael P.
Published: November 2015

2-Acylated 2,3,1-benzodiazaborines can display unusual structures and reactivities. The crystal structure analysis of the boron heterocycle obtained by condensing 2-formylphenylboronic acid and picolinohydrazide reveals it to be an N→B-chelated zwitterionic tetracycle (systematic name: 1-hydroxy-11-oxo-9,10,17λ5-triaza-1λ4-boratetracyclo[8.7.0.02,7.012,17]heptadeca-3,5,7,12,14,16-hexaen-17-ylium-1-uide), C13H10BN3O2, produced by the intramolecular addition of the Lewis basic picolinoyl N atom of 1-hydroxy-2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbonyl)benzo[d][1,2,3]diazaborinine to the boron heterocycle B atom acting as a Lewis acid. Neither of the other two pyridinylcarbonyl isomers (viz. nicotinoyl and isonicotinoyl) are able to adopt such a structure for geometric reasons. A favored yet reversible chelation equilibrium provides an explanation for the slow D2O exchange observed for the OH resonance in the1H NMR spectrum, as well as for its unusual upfield chemical shift. Deuterium exchange may take place solely in the minor open (unchelated) species present in solution.
Teaching poetry to Chinese English majors: a review of articles from 2000-2013
Authors: Cui Lifang , Hubbard Gillian , Gleeson Margaret
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to survey and consider the implications of the literature justifying the value of teaching poetry. There has been a long tradition of literature education in the English departments of Chinese universities. English Poetry courses are offered within optional literature modules in senior stages of a BA in English language and literature. In 2000, the new national syllabus for tertiary English majors was issued. This syllabus has brought the teaching of English into line with the perceived practical needs of society. As a result, poetry courses have been under threat within the degree. A substantial number of university teachers have responded to this threat with articles arguing the value of teaching of poetry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the largest database of academic journals in China, reveals that from 2000 to 2013, 102 articles about teaching English poetry to Chinese people learning English as a foreign language were published in Chinese academic journals, of which 67 are concerned with English majors. This literature examines these 67 articles.

Findings

– These articles justify the purpose of teaching English poetry, evaluate the content of poetry courses and share pedagogical strategies. The issues within this discussion fall into three categories: why teach poetry; what to teach in poetry courses; and how to teach poetry. Because the commitment of Chinese teachers to sharing their beliefs about teaching English poetry is positioned in the context of increased advocacy for the creation of inter-disciplinary market-orientated graduates, discomfort, uncertainty and the desire for change emerge in this discussion. On the other hand, teachers looking for change express caution about the costs of changing pedagogical approaches on the development of the skills of close reading and analysis of poetical texts.

Originality/value

– This investigation of the local Chinese context resonates with and contributes to the wider discussion of the challenges faced by English literature teachers in both second- (L2) and first-language (L1) contexts and warrants examination. It is difficult to say in advance how far such knowledge could contribute to any policy decisions that may be made in the future, but it is important that the voice of teachers contributes to the larger international debate about the value of humanities in tertiary-level education.
Student perceptions of the benefits of drama projects in university EFL
Authors: Park Heebon
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to address the situation that although the theoretical benefits of using drama projects in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) have been described in a number of studies, researchers have identified a lack of literature on their practical use, particularly in terms of different institutional settings, teaching styles, learning styles and proficiency levels. This paper therefore describes three case studies in universities in Korea, showing that the use of drama projects can be successfully used in different teaching situations and is an effective means of promoting meaningful language learning in students often demotivated by traditional methods and the test-driven classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

– In these adult-learner EFL settings, a process approach to drama projects aimed to promote meaningful language acquisition and holistic learning in students of different proficiencies and majors. Drama projects were used as: syllabus supplementation by an individual teacher in a Korean-mediated English program (Case Study 1); core content on an English-mediated pre-service teacher training course (Case Study 2); and syllabus content on a Freshman English program taught by 25 native-speaking instructors (Case Study 3). Data were collected from pre/post-course questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and students’ evaluations. These were then triangulated to identify trends in participant perceptions.

Findings

– Results indicated positive attitude change and promotion of cognition, positive affect and social skills in all three case studies, confirming earlier research findings and showing that the drama project is a viable and effective educational tool for the foreign language teacher, from individual syllabus supplementation to incorporation into a language program curriculum. Rather than resisting the innovation presented by drama projects, the adult learners involved welcomed the opportunities for creativity, autonomy, group work and performance.

Originality/value

– The practical confirmation of the theoretical benefits of EFL drama projects across individual and institutional settings indicates the potential value of including them in university language programs and teacher-training EFL curricula, enabling and encouraging language teachers to promote holistic, meaningful language learning.
Reading against and writing back
Authors: Sligo Frank
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how student learning materials, such as textbooks, are becoming more oriented toward multi-modal approaches using visuality and orality. While such approaches may help students to understand and then to reproduce taught materials, the objective of this paper is to question whether they are serving to promote students’ critical literacy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper assesses the character of current textbooks and other means of student support, such as online learning management systems, and assesses how well they seem able to promote the critical literacy that requires ability in “reading against” and “writing back”. The paper goes on to identify ways in which some parts of the university see orality as preliminary and subordinate to literacy-focused communication, but elsewhere, the pinnacle of students’ work is artistic or creative attainments with lesser need to write complexly literate textual works.

Findings

– As a means of trying to resolve inherent tensions between differing pedagogical assumptions and methods in the university, the paper proposes ways in which Ong’s (1982, p. 36) nine communication characteristics of “orally based thought and expression” may be able to offer insights into challenges of improving students’ critical literacy.

Research limitations/implications

– The inherent academic tensions within the university still remain insufficiently theorized. For example, the humanities and social sciences (still) place much store on developing students’ abilities in critical writing, while disciplines such as design or creative arts are much more focused on students’ creative outputs. The paper contributes to a better understanding of such scholars talking past one another.

Practical implications

– Scholars in different academic camps often note the discrepancies in how their relative pedagogical tasks are to be understood, but typically, it is not clear to them how they might better relate to other parts of the university. The paper aims to elucidate the nature of academic differences that often appear to exist to provide insights into possibly new ways of seeing everyday teaching and learning.

Social implications

– Ong’s insights into literacy and orality when viewed through a prism of tertiary teaching and learning provide a practical means whereby students and other university stakeholders can develop a better appreciation of the character of the modern university.

Originality/value

– The novel use of Walter Ong’s model of literacy and orality provides fresh ways of seeing challenges and disputes within the academic community and suggests new ways of seeing students’ work and their teachers’ expectations of them.
Virtual sensors for SHM using isogeometric piezoelectric finite elements
Authors: Szewieczek Artur , Willberg Christian , Schmidt Daniel , Sinapius Michael
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– A design of sensor networks for structural health monitoring (SHM) with guided waves poses a hard challenge. Therefore different approaches are possible. A known one is the usage of probability of detection (POD) criteria. Here, areas of potential impact sensitivity are calculated for every sensor which leads to a POD. The number of sensors is increased until a demanded POD is reached. However, these calculations are usually based on finite element methods and underlie different assumptions and approximations which can cause different inaccuracies. These limitations are avoided by using an experimental data basis for virtual sensors in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– An air-coupled ultrasound scanning technique is used for guided wave investigations. Recorded displacements of a structure surface are used as stimulation of virtual sensors which can be designed by software and positioned within available data field. For the calculation of sensor signals an isogeometric finite element model is used. The virtually bonded layer of the virtual piezoceramic sensor interpolates with non-uniform rational B-Splines (NURBS) the measured nodal data for each time step. This interpolation corresponds to a displacement boundary condition and is used to calculate the electrical potential at the free surface of the sensor.

Findings

– Experimental data based on air-coupled ultrasound scanning technique can be used for elimination of disadvantages in numerical simulations by developing sensor networks for SHM. In combination with a transfer matrix method (TM) a three-dimensional displacement of specimen surface for complex composites can be calculated. To obtain the sensor signal a surface-bonded sensor is modeled by an isogeometric finite element approach. A good accordance is found between calculated virtual sensor signal and its experimental verification.

Research limitations/implications

– Some deviations between calculated signal and its experimental verification are mainly justified by different spectral transfer functions between wave field scanning technique and signal recording of applied sensors. Furthermore, sensor influence on wave propagation is neglected in the presented method.

Originality/value

– In this paper, the principle of virtual sensors is applied on anisotropic multilayered lamina by using isogeometric finite elements for piezoelectric sensors. This enables any sensor dimension, layout and position on complex composites. Furthermore a bonding layer between specimen and sensor is considered. The method allows a detailed analysis of sensor behavior on a specimen surface and the design and optimization of entire sensor networks for SHM.
Usefulness of docetaxel as first‐line chemotherapy for metastatic extramammary Paget's disease
Authors: Yoshino Koji , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Kiyohara Yoshio , Kadono Takafumi , Murata Yozo , Uhara Hisashi , Hatta Naohito , Uchi Hiroshi , Matsushita Shigeto , Takenouchi Tatsuya , Hayashi Toshihiko , Ohara Kuniaki
Published: November 2015

In invasive extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD), distant metastases may develop and the condition may become fatal; however, no standardized treatment has been established. Although based on only a few cases, several chemotherapy regimens were reported to be promising. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel for metastatic EMPD. We retrospectively collected data on 18 metastatic EMPD patients treated using docetaxel from 1998 to 2012 in 12 institutes in Japan. The following clinical data were collected: tumor response, time to progression, overall survival and adverse effects. Of those, three patients treated combined with S‐1, one patient treated with weekly schedule and one patient treated combined with radiotherapy were excluded from the further analysis. All 13 patients received monthly docetaxel as the first‐line treatment. The average number of treatment cycles was 9.1. Among the 12 patients with a confirmed response, seven (58%) showed a partial response, three (25%) stable disease and two (17%) progressive disease. The disease control rate (partial response + stable disease) was as high as 83%. The time to progression and median overall survival were 7.1 and 16.6 months, respectively. The 1‐year overall survival rate determined by the Kaplan–Meier method was 75.0%. All adverse effects were manageable and no treatment‐related deaths were observed. The high disease control rate and overall survival shown by this study suggest that first‐line use of docetaxel may be a promising treatment for metastatic EMPD. A prospective clinical trial is required to confirm our results.
‘An Honour to the Place’: Reading Associations and Improvement
Authors: Ford Christy
Published: November 2015

This article considers the values and purposes of reading associations, using textual records of their meetings and activities. Minutes and printed materials show the kinds of improvement that association members wished to facilitate. Alongside the pursuit of politeness and intellectual development, associations also paid attention to posterity, by commemorating the philanthropy and service of key members. Reading associations' philosophies of improvement were extrapolated to include their localities, which they believed would be improved by their presence. Their local environment was central to their self‐identity, epitomising their belief in improvement as a community process.
Establishing a community‐wideDNAbarcode library as a new tool for arctic research
Authors: Wirta H. , Várkonyi G. , Rasmussen C. , Kaartinen R. , Schmidt N. M. , Hebert P. D. N. , Barták M. , Blagoev G. , Disney H. , Ertl S. , Gjelstrup P. , Gwiazdowicz D. J. , Huldén L. , Ilmonen J. , Jakovlev J. , Jaschhof M. , Kahanpää J. , Kankaanpää T. , Krogh P. H. , Labbee R. , Lettner C. , Michelsen V. , Nielsen S. A. , Nielsen T. R. , Paasivirta L. , Pedersen S. , Pohjoismäki J. , Salmela J. , Vilkamaa P. , Väre H. , von Tschirnhaus M. , Roslin T.
Published: November 2015

DNAsequences offer powerful tools for describing the members and interactions of natural communities. In this study, we establish the to‐date most comprehensive library ofDNAbarcodes for a terrestrial site, including all known macroscopic animals and vascular plants of an intensively studied area of the High Arctic, the Zackenberg Valley in Northeast Greenland. To demonstrate its utility, we apply the library to identify nearly 20 000 arthropod individuals from two Malaise traps, each operated for two summers. Drawing on this material, we estimate the coverage of previous morphology‐based species inventories, derive a snapshot of faunal turnover in space and time and describe the abundance and phenology of species in the rapidly changing arctic environment. Overall, 403 terrestrial animal and 160 vascular plant species were recorded by morphology‐based techniques.DNAbarcodes (CO1) offered high resolution in discriminating among the local animal taxa, with 92% of morphologically distinguishable taxa assigned to unique Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) and 93% to monophyletic clusters. For vascular plants, resolution was lower, with 54% of species forming monophyletic clusters based on barcode regionsrbcLaandITS2. Malaise catches revealed 122BINs not detected by previous sampling andDNAbarcoding. The insect community was dominated by a few highly abundant taxa. Even closely related taxa differed in phenology, emphasizing the need for species‐level resolution when describing ongoing shifts in arctic communities and ecosystems. TheDNAbarcode library now established for Zackenberg offers new scope for such explorations, and for the detailed dissection of interspecific interactions throughout the community.
Quantitative DNA metabarcoding: improved estimates of species proportional biomass using correction factors derived from control material
Authors: Thomas Austen C. , Deagle Bruce E. , Eveson J. Paige , Harsch Corie H. , Trites Andrew W.
Published: November 2015

DNA metabarcoding is a powerful new tool allowing characterization of species assemblages using high‐throughput amplicon sequencing. The utility of DNA metabarcoding for quantifying relative species abundances is currently limited by both biological and technical biases which influence sequence read counts. We tested the idea of sequencing 50/50 mixtures of target species and a control species in order to generate relative correction factors (RCFs) that account for multiple sources of bias and are applicable to field studies. RCFs will be most effective if they are not affected by input mass ratio or co‐occurring species. In a model experiment involving three target fish species and a fixed control, we found RCFs did vary with input ratio but in a consistent fashion, and that 50/50 RCFs applied to DNA sequence counts from various mixtures of the target species still greatly improved relative abundance estimates (e.g. average per species error of 19 ± 8% for uncorrected vs. 3 ± 1% for corrected estimates). To demonstrate the use of correction factors in a field setting, we calculated 50/50 RCFs for 18 harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) prey species (RCFs ranging from 0.68 to 3.68). Applying these corrections to field‐collected seal scats affected species percentages from individual samples (Δ 6.7 ± 6.6%) more than population‐level species estimates (Δ 1.7 ± 1.2%). Our results indicate that the 50/50 RCF approach is an effective tool for evaluating and correcting biases in DNA metabarcoding studies. The decision to apply correction factors will be influenced by the feasibility of creating tissue mixtures for the target species, and the level of accuracy needed to meet research objectives.
Temporal dynamics of woodpecker predation on emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in the northeastern U.S.A.
Authors: Jennings David E. , Duan Jian J. , Bauer Leah S. , Schmude Jonathan M. , Wetherington Miles T. , Shrewsbury Paula M.
Published: November 2015

Woodpeckers (Picidae) are important natural enemies attacking emerald ash borer (EAB) Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire in North America. There can be considerable variation in predation levels within and between sites, and among different times of year; therefore, understanding what causes these differences is necessary for effectively predicting EAB population dynamics.

We examined the temporal dynamics of woodpecker predation on EAB in Michigan and Maryland, as well as how they were affected by season, region, resource availability, tree size and crown condition. In Michigan, we quantified predation in association with EAB developmental stages on different trees over 2 years, whereas, in Maryland, we recorded woodpecker attacks on the same trees for 1 year.

Season was a significant predictor of woodpecker predation, with most occurring in winter when late‐instar larvae were abundant. Predation also was affected by crown condition and tree size. Additionally, predation levels were similar throughout the year in a region where generations are considered to be less synchronized, representing a more consistent resource for woodpeckers.

The present study highlights the various factors affecting woodpecker predation over time. The results demonstrate the importance of multi‐season studies of interactions between invasive species and native natural enemies when aiming to fully understand their dynamics.
Interventional management of necrotizing pancreatitis: an Australian experience
Authors: Woo Shanan , Walklin Ryan , Wewelwala Chandika , Berry Roger , Devonshire David , Croagh Daniel
Published: November 2015

Background

The interventional management of necrotizing pancreatitis has evolved from early open surgery to delayed endoscopic or percutaneous intervention. However, few studies have directly compared the three treatment modalities. We aim to compare the outcomes of patients who had endoscopic, percutaneous or surgical interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis at our institution.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who had interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis at our institution from 2005 to 2014. Primary outcome was length of stay (LOS); secondary outcomes were complication rate and number of procedures required for resolution of necrosis.

Results

Thirty patients were included. Mortality rate was 13% (four patients). Median LOS and time to intervention was 88 and 28 days, respectively. There were no significant differences in the computed tomography severity indices and 48‐h C‐reactive protein levels among the three groups. Initial endoscopic intervention was associated with a median LOS of 62 days compared with 101 days in the percutaneous group and 91 days in the surgical group (P = 0.04). There were higher rates of pancreatic fistulae (40%) (P = 0.012) and new onset diabetes (30%) (P = 0.046) in the surgical group. Median number of procedures was similar among the three groups. Median LOS for patients with delayed intervention (fourth to sixth week of pancreatitis) was 66 days, compared with 137 days in patients with early intervention (first to third week) and 104 days in patients with late intervention (seventh week onwards) (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

A delayed, endoscopy first approach appears to be a reasonable strategy as it is associated with decreased LOS and low complication rate.
Transanal natural orifice specimen extraction in colorectal surgery: bacteriological and oncological concerns
Authors: Ngu James , Wong Andrew Siang Yih
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Natural orifice techniques have been developed to reduce incision‐related morbidity in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. We describe our method of performing transanal specimen extraction in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, addressing bacteriological and oncological concerns in its implementation.

Methods

Data of consecutive patients undergoing natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) laparoscopic colorectal surgery in our institution were retrospectively analysed. All specimens were extracted transanally via a wound protector, followed by intracorporeal end‐to‐end colorectal anastomosis. Perioperative details, microbiological and oncological findings were reviewed.

Results

Between November 2014 and February 2015, five patients underwent NOSE laparoscopic colorectal procedures in our institution. All cases were completed laparoscopically and specimens were extracted transanally via a wound protector. There were no cases of post‐operative anastomotic leaks, wound infections, intra‐abdominal sepsis or faecal incontinence. Oncological margins and lymph node harvest were adequate for malignant cases. Transanal specimen extraction did not result in a malignant yield on peritoneal fluid cytology.

Conclusions

Early bacteriological, oncological and functional results show that NOSE is safe and feasible. Follow‐up is required to establish that long‐term oncological outcome is not compromised.
Orbital implants in retinoblastoma patients: 23 years of experience and a review of the literature
Authors: Mourits Daphne L. , Moll Annette C. , Bosscha Machteld I. , Tan H. Stevie , Hartong Dyonne T.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To evaluate complications of different types of orbital implants following enucleation for retinoblastoma.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart study of all patients that underwent enucleation as treatment of retinoblastoma between April 1991 and June 2013. Events of implant exposure, extrusion (defined as a complete loss of the implant, or a major exposure that could not be closed) and socket abnormalities were analysed for association with implant type and influence of additional external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and/or chemotherapy.

Results

A total of 224 enucleations in 216 patients (eight bilateral) were identified. Mean age at surgery was 1.9 (median 1.5) years. Of the 219 included enucleated eyes, 20 were not replaced by a primary implant and 18 were replaced by an Allen implant. Scleral wrapped hydroxyapatite (HA) and acrylic implants (polymethylmethacrylate) were inserted in, respectively, 79 and 102 cases. In the total population, 29 treatment or implant‐specific events (13.2%) were registered. Main complications were implant exposure n = 10 (4.6%) and extrusion n = 6 (2.7%). The acrylic/sclera group had less exposures or extrusions (5 of 102, 4.9%) compared to the HA/sclera group (10 of 79, 12.7%), although this difference did not quite reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). Additional treatment (chemotherapy and/or EBRT for the fellow eye) was administered in 78 cases (35.8%). The overall complication rate in the entire study population was significantly higher (16.7% versus 5.7%) in the group exposed to additional therapy (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.30–8.36 p = 0.008). This negative effect of additional therapy was also significant in the combined acrylic/HA group (OR 2.9; 95% CI 0.97–8.46 p = 0.048).

Conclusion

Our results suggest a favourable outcome for acrylic implants compared to the HA implant. Additional treatment with chemotherapy and/or EBRT is associated with an increased risk of complications.
Functional roles of angiogenic factors and receptors on non‐endothelial cells in the oropharyngeal cavity of the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)
Authors: Sağsöz Hakan , Saruhan Berna G. , Erdoğan Serkan
Published: November 2015

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family belong to the platelet‐derived growth factor supergene family and is involved in angiogenesis and mitogenesis. The VEGF–VEGFR system regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration, vascular permeability, secretion and other non‐endothelial cells functions. To clarify the possible role of endothelial and non‐endothelial cells, VEGF and its receptors, vascular endothelial cell growth inhibitor (VEGI) were immunohistochemically examined in oropharyngeal organs. Ten adult partridges were used in this study and the pharynx and larynx were dissected together with the palate and tongue. VEGI, VEGF and its receptor were highly expressed in luminal epithelial and stromal cells, when compared to glandular epithelial and muscle cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, VEGF, its receptors and VEGI were expressed rather strongly in the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries and in both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the large and small blood vessels. In conclusion, VEGF and its receptors (flt1/fms, flk1/KDR and flt4) and VEGI were expressed by various cell groups at varying intensity in the oropharyngeal organs. This demonstrates that they play a critical role in the regulation and maintenance of the functions in cells different from endothelial ones as well as in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and angiogenesis.