bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alemtuzumab with corticosteroid minimization for pediatric deceased donor renal transplantation: A seven‐yr experience
Authors: Supe‐Markovina Katarina , Melquist Jonathan J. , Connolly Deirdre , DiCarlo Heather N. , Waltzer Wayne C. , Fine Richard N. , Darras Frank S.
Published: April 2014

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD52 receptors on B and T lymphocytes and is an effective induction agent in pediatric renal transplantation. We report a seven‐yr experience using alemtuzumab induction and steroid‐free protocol in the pediatric population as safe and effective. Twenty‐one pediatric deceased donor renal transplants were performed at a single academic institution. All received induction with single‐dose alemtuzumab and were maintained on a steroid‐free protocol using TAC and MMF immunosuppression. There were 15 males and six females in the study whose ages ranged from one to 19 yr. The average follow‐up was 32 months (range from 12 to 78.2 months and median 33.7 ± 23.7 months). All patients had immediate graft function. Graft survival was 95%, and patient survival was 100%. Mean 12 and 36 months eGFR were 63.33 ± 21.01 and 59.90 ± 15.27 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. Three patients developed acute T‐cell‐mediated rejection due to non‐adherence while no recipients developed cytomegalovirus infection, PTLD, or polyoma BK viral nephropathy. Steroid avoidance with single‐dose alemtuzumab induction provides adequate and safe immunosuppression in pediatric deceased donor renal transplant recipients receiving TAC and low‐dose MMF maintenance therapy.
U.S. Pensions in the 2000s: The Lost Decade?
Authors: Wolff Edward N.
Published: April 2014

The last three decades saw a sharp decline in traditional defined benefit (DB) pensions and a corresponding rise in defined contribution (DC) plans. Using the Survey of Consumer Finances from 1983 to 2010, I find that after robust gains in the 1980s and 1990s, pension wealth experienced a marked slowdown in growth from 2001 to 2007 and then fell in absolute terms from 2007 to 2010. Median augmented wealth (the sum of net worth, pensions, and Social Security wealth) advanced slower than median net worth from 1983 to 2007 and its inequality rose more, as DB wealth fell off. However, from 2007 to 2010, the opposite occurred. While median wealth plummeted by 41 percent and inequality spiked by 0.032 Gini points, median augmented wealth fell by only 21 percent and its Gini coefficient rose by only 0.009 points. The differences are due to the moderating influence of Social Security wealth.
Extracorporeal Treatment for Tricyclic Antidepressant Poisoning: Recommendations from the EXTRIP Workgroup
Authors: Yates Christopher , Galvao Tais , Sowinski Kevin M. , Mardini Karine , Botnaru Tudor , Gosselin Sophie , Hoffman Robert S. , Nolin Thomas D. , Lavergne Valéry , Ghannoum Marc ,   the EXTRIP workgroup
Published: April 2014

The Extracorporeal Treatments In Poisoning (EXTRIP) workgroup was formed to provide recommendations on the use of extracorporeal treatments (ECTR) in poisoning. Here, the workgroup presents its results for tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). After an extensive literature search, using a predefined methodology, the subgroup responsible for this poison reviewed the articles, extracted the data, summarized findings, and proposed structured voting statements following a predetermined format. A two‐round modified Delphi method was chosen to reach a consensus on voting statements and RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method to quantify disagreement. Blinded votes were compiled, returned, and discussed in person at a meeting. A second vote determined the final recommendations. Seventy‐seven articles met inclusion criteria. Only case reports, case series, and one poor‐quality observational study were identified yielding a very low quality of evidence for all recommendations. Data on 108 patients, including 12 fatalities, were abstracted. The workgroup concluded that TCAs are not dialyzable and made the following recommendation: ECTR is not recommended in severe TCA poisoning (1D). The workgroup considers that poisoned patients with TCAs are not likely to have a clinical benefit from extracorporeal removal and recommends it NOT to be used in TCA poisoning.
Diverse oxyporine rove beetles from the Early Cretaceous of China (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)
Authors: CAI CHEN‐YANG , HUANG DI‐YING
Published: April 2014

Two new genera and species, Protoxyporus grandis gen. et sp.n. and Cretoxyporus extraneus gen. et sp.n., are described and figured on the basis of two well‐preserved impression fossils from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China. The two genera display a combination of traits that are diagnostic of the extant staphylinid subfamily Oxyporinae: large and prominent mandibles, distinctly separated mesocoxae, abdominal tergites III–VII each with a pair of basolateral ridges, and abdominal intersegmental membranes with ‘brick‐wall’ pattern. Protoxyporus differs from extant Oxyporus in retaining the following plesiomorphic features: an elongate intercoxal process (or longitudinal carina) between metacoxae, relatively narrowly separated mesocoxae, less developed metaventral anterior process, and long infraorbital ridges. Cretoxyporus is morphologically very similar to Oxyporus, but retains distinct elongate infraorbital ridges. The discovery of two new oxyporine genera suggests that the early oxyporines were more diverse and their evolutionary history more complicated than previously documented.

This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:11503976‐D577‐45D2‐ACCB‐8226782EF817.
On the Nature of Null Clausal Complements in Japanese
Authors: Kasai Hironobu
Published: April 2014

This paper argues that the null clausal complement in Japanese is not derived via CP ellipsis but is rather an instance of pro. The availability of sloppy interpretation in the construction under investigation apparently argues that ellipsis is involved there, but it is revealed under close scrutiny of the sloppy interpretation in question that the null clausal complement behaves like deep anaphora, not like surface anaphora.
Unsteady Aerodynamics of Low-Pressure Steam Turbines Operating Under Low Volume Flow
Authors: Megerle Benjamin , McBean Ivan , Stephen Rice Timothy , Ott Peter
Published: April 2014

Nonsynchronous excitation under low volume operation is a major risk to the mechanical integrity of last stage moving blades (LSMBs) in low-pressure (LP) steam turbines. These vibrations are often induced by a rotating aerodynamic instability similar to rotating stall in compressors. Currently extensive validation of new blade designs is required to clarify whether they are subjected to the risk of not admissible blade vibration. Such tests are usually performed at the end of a blade development project. If resonance occurs a costly redesign is required, which may also lead to a reduction of performance. It is therefore of great interest to be able to predict correctly the unsteady flow phenomena and their effects. Detailed unsteady pressure measurements have been performed in a single stage model steam turbine operated with air under ventilation conditions. 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been applied to simulate the unsteady flow in the air model turbine. It has been shown that the simulation reproduces well the characteristics of the phenomena observed in the tests. This methodology has been transferred to more realistic steam turbine multistage environment. The numerical results have been validated with measurement data from a multistage model LP steam turbine operated with steam. Measurement and numerical simulation show agreement with respect to the global flow field, the number of stall cells and the intensity of the rotating excitation mechanism. Furthermore, the air model turbine and model steam turbine numerical and measurement results are compared. It is demonstrated that the air model turbine is a suitable vehicle to investigate the unsteady effects found in a steam turbine.
Application of Magnetic Polishing With Ball Nose Shaped Tool for Microchannel Shape
Authors: Takebayashi Yusuke , Hirogaki Toshiki , Aoyama Eiichi , Ogawa Keiji , Melkote Shreyes N.
Published: April 2014

In recent years, high quality and accuracy surface are needed for the microchannels such as to be used as micro-total analysis systems (micro-TAS) chips. On the other hand, we demonstrated that the use of smaller size machine tools is one of the effective methods to improve the environmental impact in small parts manufacturing fields. Then, in the present report, we focus on magnetic polishing for microchannels with a ball nose shaped tool, integrating end milling, and polishing processes with a desktop-sized machine tool. In the case of nonmagnetic material, the method had an effective for the bottom of microchannels.
Effects of Electric Fields on Stabilized Lifted Propane Flames
Authors: Hutchins Andrew R. , Reach William A. , Kribs James D. , Lyons Kevin M.
Published: April 2014

The effects that various charged electrodes, and associated electric fields, have on lifted propane flames have been investigated. Two electrodes were used to provide an electric field with potentials ranging from 0 to 11,000 V. The primary electrode was around the flame and the secondary electrode was the fuel nozzle. Electrode polarity and primary electrode location with various flame field locations (near, mid, far) were varied, resulting in a variety of flame behavior. Results show that the body force resultant from the bulk flow of formed ions, from a positively charged fuel nozzle, and grounded ring electrode, will increase flame liftoff height and, eventually, cause blowout. However, for the opposite polarity (positively charged ring electrode and grounded fuel nozzle), the flame progresses toward reattachment with increasing potentials. Observing the narrow window of flame blowout or reattachment (varying with polarity), it was observed that the lifted flame height fluctuations were increased with the presence of the grounded ring electrode, but reduced when the polarity was shifted to positive configuration (positively charged primary electrode). Flame hysteresis was observed when the ring electrode was positively charged and it was found that the hysteresis regime increased when the potential of the ring electrode was increased to 1500 V but had little changes at lower potentials. While the ring electrode was positively charged, a distinct hole was observed in the center of the flame. Several images are presented that show these flame holes that are present when the electrodes are charged.
Improvement of the Photovoltaic Characteristics of Industrially Fabricated Solar Cells by Chemical Etching of the Si Surface
Authors: Badawy Waheed A. , Elmeniawy Said A. , Hafez Amr N.
Published: April 2014

The efficiency of industrially fabricated solar cells and hence the power of the solar modules are affected by the surface treatment of the Si-wafers during solar cell fabrication. Surface etching and formation of definite porous structure increase the effective photon flux absorption and lead to higher solar conversion efficiency. Metal-assisted etching of p-Si in aqueous hydrofluoric acid, HF, solutions containing oxidizing agents like potassium bromate, KBrO3, potassium iodate, KIO3, or potassium dichromate, K2Cr2O7, are used for the preparation of well-defined pores. The concentration of both HF and the oxidizing agent and also the time of etching have to be optimized. The electroless deposition of ideal metal nano particles like, Pt or Pd enhances pore formation. The effect of oxidizing agent and its concentration on the main characteristics of the prepared solar cells are investigated and discussed. A comparison with alkali surface treatment with KOH/isopropanol aqueous solution is also considered. In this respect, the manufacturing processes and the tests of the cell are performed in the ARAB INTERNATIONAL OPTRONICS (EGYPT). The morphology of the wafer surfaces is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and I-V characteristics of the fabricated cells are investigated by M54A solar tester.
Unsupported Eyes Closed Sitting and Quiet Standing Share Postural Control Strategies in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Grangeon Murielle , Gauthier Cindy , Duclos Cyril , Lemay Jean-Francois , Gagnon Dany
Published: April 2014

The study aimed to (1) compare postural stability between sitting and standing in healthy individuals and (2) define center-of-pressure (COP) measures during sitting that could also explain standing stability. Fourteen healthy individuals randomly maintained (1) two short-sitting positions with eyes open or closed, with or without hand support, and (2) one standing position with eyes open with both upper limbs resting alongside the body. Thirty-six COP measures based on time and frequency series were computed. Greater COP displacement and velocity along with lower frequency measures were found for almost all directional components during standing compared with both sitting positions. The velocity, 95% confidence ellipse area, and centroidal frequency were found to be correlated between unsupported sitting and standing. Despite evidenced differences between sitting and standing, similarities in postural control were highlighted when sitting stability was the most challenging. These findings support further investigation between dynamic sitting and standing balance.
The Relation of Childhood Physical Activity and Aerobic Fitness to Brain Function and Cognition: A Review
Authors: Khan Naiman A. , Hillman Charles H.
Published: April 2014

Physical inactivity has been shown to increase the risk for several chronic diseases across the lifespan. However, the impact of physical activity and aerobic fitness on childhood cognitive and brain health has only recently gained attention. The purposes of this article are to: 1) highlight the recent emphasis for increasing physical activity and aerobic fitness in children’s lives for cognitive and brain health; 2) present aspects of brain development and cognitive function that are susceptible to physical activity intervention; 3) review neuroimaging studies examining the cross-sectional and experimental relationships between aerobic fitness and executive control function; and 4) make recommendations for future research. Given that the human brain is not fully developed until the third decade of life, preadolescence is characterized by changes in brain structure and function underlying aspects of cognition including executive control and relational memory. Achieving adequate physical activity and maintaining aerobic fitness in childhood may be a critical guideline to follow for physical as well as cognitive and brain health.
Central Cell–Derived Peptides Regulate Early Embryo Patterning in Flowering Plants
Authors: Costa Liliana M. , Marshall Eleanor , Tesfaye Mesfin , Silverstein Kevin A. T. , Mori Masashi , Umetsu Yoshitaka , Otterbach Sophie L. , Papareddy Ranjith , Dickinson Hugh G. , Boutiller Kim , VandenBosch Kathryn A. , Ohki Shinya , Gutierrez-Marcos José F.
Published: April 2014

Tripeptide Maternal Support

In flowering plants, fertilization involves multiple gametes. The diploid zygote, which will form the embryonic plant, is surrounded by the often triploid endosperm, which provides a supportive and nourishing function. Working in
Arabidopsis
,

Costa
et al.

(p.
168
; see the Perspective by

Bayer

) identified a trio of small signaling peptides that derive from the endosperm but that regulate growth of the embryo. RNA interference was used to down-regulate expression of all three peptides. Fertilization was not affected, but seed growth was. The peptides were critical for normal development of the suspensor, which tethers and nourishes the growing embryo.
Acquisition of Germ Plasm Accelerates Vertebrate Evolution
Authors: Evans Teri , Wade Christopher M. , Chapman Frank A. , Johnson Andrew D. , Loose Matthew
Published: April 2014

Tangling Evolutionary Trees

Evolutionary rates tend to vary among taxa and may result in phylogenetic trees that do not reflect the true relationships among taxa, depending on the sequences input into the analysis. Examining vertebrate trees,

Evans
et al.

(p.
200
) demonstrate that differences in evolutionary rates, leading to phylogenetic distortions, are correlated with the mechanisms underlying germ cell formation. Evolutionary rate is faster in cases where germ cells are established by maternal molecules (“preformed”) relative to those that are induced during embryogenesis (“epigenesis”) in slowly evolving and, presumably, ancestral lineages. For example, frogs evolve more rapidly than salamanders, and teleosts more rapidly than ascipenseriform fishes. Thus, epigenesis constrains the ability of gene regulatory networks to change, with the repeated and convergent evolution of preformation eliminating this constraint.
Materials both Tough and Soft
Authors: Gong Jian Ping
Published: April 2014

Tough elastomers are created by adapting an approach previously used for hydrogels.

[Also see Report by

Ducrot
et al.

]
Visualizing Cell Signaling: Current Trends and New Technologies
Authors: Hollywood Mark , Bengtson C. Peter , Coates Colin
Published: April 2014

Techniques for the study of intracellular ions are used widely in biology, including for the tracking of calcium waves or ions affecting pH within living cells. The ability to monitor changes in intracellular ion concentrations over time is vital for our understanding of signaling and functional pathways in cellular systems. These pathways are central to many fundamental processes such as muscle contraction and synaptic nerve signal transmission. Ion channels that span the outer cell membrane open or close in response to extracellular and intracellular signals, potentially altering how the cell behaves. These fluctuations can be visualized and quantified using ratiometric microscopy and special fluorescent dyes designed to bind specific ions, such as the FURA-2 indicator dye specific to calcium ions. Changes in the photophysics of the dye as it binds to its target ion allows for quantitation of the bound and unbound ratio, and thus the concentration of the ion under investigation. This webinar will introduce the viewer to the current state of technology in this important field as well as cover the latest advances in microscopy for ion signaling research.
Submicroscopic Infections with Plasmodium falciparum during Pregnancy and Their Association with Circulating Cytokine, Chemokine, and Cellular Profiles
Authors: Ibitokou Samad A. , Boström Stéphanie , Brutus Laurent , Tuikue Ndam Nicaise , Vianou Bertin , Agbowaï Carine , Amadoudji Zin Martin , Huynh Bich Tram , Massougbodji Achille , Deloron Philippe , Troye-Blomberg Marita , Fievet Nadine , Luty Adrian J. F.
Published: April 2014

The immunological consequences of pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) due toPlasmodium falciparumhave been extensively investigated in cross-sectional studies conducted at delivery, but there have been very few longitudinal studies of changes due to PAM during pregnancy. We conducted a prospective study in Benin to investigate the changes associated with PAM in groups of 131 and 111 women at inclusion in the second trimester and at delivery, respectively. Infected women were identified by standard microscopic examinations of blood smears and by quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays and were matched to uninfected control women by age, gestational age, and gravidity. We quantified plasma levels of a panel of soluble immunological mediators and other mediators, as well as the frequencies of peripheral blood mononuclear cell types. Comparisons of these variables in infected and uninfected women used multivariate analyses, and we also assessed the predictive value of variables measured at inclusion for pregnancy outcomes at delivery. In multivariate analyses, peripheral plasma interleukin 10 (IL-10) and gamma interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) levels were associated with PAM at inclusion and at delivery, while higher IL-10 levels distinguished qPCR-detectable submicroscopic infections at inclusion but not at delivery. Maternal anemia at delivery was associated with markers of proinflammatory (increased frequency of monocytes) and anti-inflammatory (increased IL-10 levels and increased activation of regulatory T cells) activity measured at inclusion. Elevated concentrations of IL-10 are associated with the majority ofP. falciparuminfections during pregnancy, but this marker alone does not identify all submicroscopic infections. Reliably identifying such occult infections will require more sensitive and specific methods.
Clinical Evaluation of the Cartridge-Based GeneXpert Human Papillomavirus Assay in Women Referred for Colposcopy
Authors: Einstein Mark H. , Smith Katherine M. , Davis Thomas E. , Schmeler Kathleen M. , Ferris Daron G. , Savage Ashlyn H. , Gray Jermaine E. , Stoler Mark H. , Wright Thomas C. , Ferenczy Alex , Castle Philip E.
Published: April 2014

High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing is now being introduced as a potential primary screening test for improved detection of cervical precancer and cancer. Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved tests are batch tests that take several hours to complete. A rapid, non-batch test might permit point-of-care (POC) testing, which can facilitate same-day screen and management strategies. For a non-batch, random-access platform (GeneXpert; Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA), a prototype hrHPV assay (Xpert) has been developed where testing for 14 hrHPV types can be completed in 1 h. In the first clinical evaluation, Xpert was compared to two validated hrHPV tests, the cobas HPV test (cobas, Roche Molecular Systems) and Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2, Qiagen), and to histologic outcomes using specimens from colposcopy referral populations at 7 clinical sites in the United States (
n
= 697). The sensitivity of Xpert for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) (
n
= 141) was equal to that of cobas (90.8% versus 90.8%,
P
= 1) and greater than that of hc2 (90.8% versus 81.6%,
P
= 0.004). Xpert was more specific than cobas (42.6% versus 39.6%,
P
= 0.02) and less specific than hc2 (42.6% versus 47.7%,
P
< 0.001). Similar results were observed for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or higher (CIN3+) (
n
= 91). HPV16 detection by Xpert identified 41.8% of the CIN2+ specimens with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 54.6%. By comparison, HPV16 detection by cobas identified 42.6% of the CIN2+ specimens with a PPV of 55.0%. hrHPV detection by the Xpert demonstrated excellent clinical performance for identifying women with CIN2+ and CIN3+ that was comparable to that of currently available clinically validated tests.
Viral and Cellular FLICE-Inhibitory Proteins: a Comparison of Their Roles in Regulating Intrinsic Immune Responses
Authors: Shisler Joanna L.
Published: April 2014

FLICE-inhibitory proteins (FLIPs) are a family of viral (poxvirus and herpesvirus) and cellular proteins. The hallmark of this family is the presence of tandem death-effector domains (DEDs). Despite this shared motif, each protein possesses different abilities to modulate apoptosis, NF-κB, and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). These similarities and differences are discussed and highlighted here. The comparative study of FLIPs provides a unique basis to understand virus-host interactions, viral pathogenesis, and cellular regulation of immune system signal transduction pathways.
Conserved Neutralizing Epitope at Globular Head of Hemagglutinin in H3N2 Influenza Viruses
Authors: Iba Yoshitaka , Fujii Yoshifumi , Ohshima Nobuko , Sumida Tomomi , Kubota-Koketsu Ritsuko , Ikeda Mariko , Wakiyama Motoaki , Shirouzu Mikako , Okada Jun , Okuno Yoshinobu , Kurosawa Yoshikazu , Yokoyama Shigeyuki
Published: April 2014

Neutralizing antibodies that target the hemagglutinin of influenza virus either inhibit binding of hemagglutinin to cellular receptors or prevent the low-pH-induced conformational change in hemagglutinin required for membrane fusion. In general, the former type of antibody binds to the globular head formed by HA1 and has narrow strain specificity, while the latter type binds to the stem mainly formed by HA2 and has broad strain specificity. In the present study, we analyzed the epitope and function of a broadly neutralizing human antibody against H3N2 viruses, F005-126. The crystal structure of F005-126 Fab in complex with hemagglutinin revealed that the antibody binds to the globular head, spans a cleft formed by two hemagglutinin monomers in a hemagglutinin trimer, and cross-links them. It recognizes two peptide portions (sites L and R) and a glycan linked to asparagine at residue 285 using three complementarity-determining regions and framework 3 in the heavy chain. Binding of the antibody to sites L (residues 171 to 173, 239, and 240) and R (residues 91, 92, 270 to 273, 284, and 285) is mediated mainly by van der Waals contacts with the main chains of the peptides in these sites and secondarily by hydrogen bonds with a few side chains of conserved sequences in HA1. Furthermore, the glycan recognized by F005-126 is conserved among H3N2 viruses. F005-126 has the ability to prevent low-pH-induced conformational changes in hemagglutinin. The newly identified conserved epitope, including the glycan, should be immunogenic in humans and may induce production of broadly neutralizing antibodies against H3 viruses.

IMPORTANCE
Antibodies play an important role in protection against influenza virus, and hemagglutinin is the major target for virus neutralizing antibodies. It has long been believed that all effective neutralizing antibodies bind to the surrounding regions of the sialic acid-binding pocket and inhibit the binding of hemagglutinin to the cellular receptor. Since mutations are readily introduced into such epitopes, this type of antibody shows narrow strain specificity. Recently, however, broadly neutralizing antibodies have been isolated. Most of these bind either to conserved sites in the stem region or to the sialic acid-binding pocket itself. In the present study, we identified a new neutralizing epitope in the head region recognized by a broadly neutralizing human antibody against H3N2. This epitope may be useful for design of vaccines.
Evolution of thermal and mechanical properties of mine tailings and fly ash mixtures during curing period
Authors: Lee Joon Kyu , Shang Julie Q.
Published: April 2014

Fly ash is often used as a binder for modifying the properties of geomaterials, such as organic and expansive soils, sludge from water treatment, dredged sediments, mine tailings, etc. Changes in thermal and mechanical properties of compacted mixtures of mine tailings and fly ash are studied over a curing period of 120 h. The study includes the measurement of thermal conductivity, temperature, unconfined compressive strength, and elastic modulus. Effects of the amount of fly ash added to mine tailings, molding water content, and compaction energy on these properties are investigated. Pore-size distribution and surface texture are analyzed to characterize the microstructures of fly ash treated–mine tailings. Relationships between the thermal conductivity and properties that capture packing and mechanical characteristics of mine tailings and fly ash mixtures are established. These observations provide enhanced understanding of thermal, mechanical, and structural properties of fly ash–treated mine tailings, which is associated with the hydration process at the early stage of the mixtures.
The effects of temperature and predator densities on the consumption of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) by three groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Thompson Kevin A. , Heppell Selina S. , Thompson Grant G.
Published: April 2014

Many multispecies models have assumed that prey density determines per-capita predator consumption rates, following a functional response relationship. However, empirical evidence suggests that a predator’s diet can also be influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including interactions with other predators. We used diet and abundance data from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) bottom trawl surveys for three groundfish predators (Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), and sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)) in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to determine whether temperature or other species influence the consumption of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus). Using an information-theoretic approach, we tested for relationships between walleye pollock observed in predator stomachs and predator length, bottom temperature, prey availability (walleye pollock catch per unit effort (CPUE) scaled by observed prey lengths), and CPUE of the three predators and arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias). Predator length was positively related to walleye pollock presence and proportion of total diet mass in all predators. Increased temperatures negatively affected consumption of walleye pollock by Pacific halibut, but not the other predators. We found evidence for a number of interpredator effects of co-occurring predators, both positive (facultative) and negative (competitive). Surprisingly, observed prey density was not statistically significant with respect to consumption for these predators, suggesting that trawls sample the environment far differently than walleye pollock predators or species interactions are more complex than those used in previous multispecies models. These factors should be considered for future models contributing to ecosystem-based management.
Involvement of hexokinase1 in plant growth promotion as mediated byBurkholderia phytofirmans
Authors: Park Jae Min , Lazarovits George
Published: April 2014

Potato plantlets inoculated with strain PsJN of the bacterium Burkholderia phytofirmans exhibit consistent and significant increases in plant growth under in vitro conditions, when compared with uninoculated plants. The greatest influence on the degree and type of growth enhancement that develops has been shown to be mediated by the sugar concentration in the agar media. Bacterial growth promotion has been suggested in other studies to be regulated by the sugar sensor enzyme hexokinase1, the role of which is activation of glucose phosphorylation. In this present study, we examined the co-relationship between root and stem development in potato plants treated with PsJN and the activity of hexokinase1. Plants grown in the presence of 1.5% and 3% sucrose showed increased levels of hexokinase1 activity only in the roots of inoculated plants, suggesting that the increased enzyme levels may be associated with root growth. Analysis for mRNA using reverse transcriptase did not reveal any significant differences in transcription levels of the gene between inoculated and uninoculated plants. When PsJN-inoculated plants were grown in 1.5% and 3% concentrations of glucose and fructose, stem height and mass, leaf number, root mass, and overall biomass increased. No growth promotion occurred when PsJN-inoculated plants were grown in 3% maltose. Subsequently, a hexokinase1 activity assay showed that PsJN-induced growth of potato plants was found to only occur when plants were grown in the presence of sugars that are recognized by the plant hexokinase1. The results suggest that PsJN may enhance sugar uptake in plants by direct or indirect stimulation of hexokinase1 activity in roots and this results in enhanced overall plant growth.
Node influence identification via resource allocation dynamics
Authors: Ma Shu-Jiao , Ren Zhuo-Ming , Ye Chun-Ming , Guo Qiang , Liu Jian-Guo
Published: April 2014

Identifying the node influence in complex networks is an important task to optimally use the network structure and ensure the more efficient spreading in information. In this paper, by taking into account the resource allocation dynamics (RAD) and the k-shell decomposition method, we present an improved method namely RAD to generate the ranking list to evaluate the node influence. First, comparing with the epidemic process results for four real networks, the RAD method could identify the node influence more accurate than the ones generated by the topology-based measures including the degree, k-shell, closeness and the betweenness. Then, a growing scale-free network model with tunable assortative coefficient is introduced to analyze the effect of the assortative coefficient on the accuracy of the RAD method. Finally, the positive correlation is found between the RAD method and the k-shell values which display an exponential form. This work would be helpful for deeply understanding the node influence of a network.
Reply to "Comment on 'Cosmic-ray-driven reaction and greenhouse effect of halogenated molecules: Culprits for atmospheric ozone depletion and global climate change' by Rolf Müller and Jens-Uwe Grooß"
Authors: Lu Q.-B.
Published: April 2014

In their Comment, Müller and Grooß continuously use problematic "observed data" and misleading arguments to make a case against our CRE mechanism of the ozone hole and CFC-warming mechanism of global climate change. They make the groundless assertion that the CRE theory cannot be considered as an independent process for ozone loss in the polar stratosphere. Their claim that the impact of the CRE mechanism on polar chlorine activation and ozone loss in the stratosphere would be limited does not agree with the observed data over the past decades. They also make many contradictory and fact-distorting arguments that "There is no polar ozone loss in darkness, there is no apparent 11-year periodicity in polar total ozone measurements, the age of air in the polar lower stratosphere is much older than 1–2 years, and the reported detection of a pronounced recovery (by about 20–25%) in Antarctic total ozone measurements by the year 2010 is in error." These assertions ignore and contradict a great deal of robust observed data from both laboratory and field measurements reported in the literature including their own publications. Their new argument for the photodissociation of CFCs on PSCs also contradicts their previous extraordinary efforts including the use of fabricated "ACE-FTS satellite data" to argue for no physical/chemical loss of CFCs in the winter lower polar stratosphere. Finally, they do not provide any scientific evidence to support their criticism for the no physical basis of the CFC-warming theory and its conclusions. In summary, their misleading arguments and false "data" do not change the convincing conclusion reached by robust observations in my recent paper that both the CRE mechanism and the CFC-warming mechanism not only provide new fundamental understandings of the O 3 hole and global climate change but have superior predictive capabilities, compared with the conventional models.
Reply to "Comment on 'Cosmic-ray-driven reaction and greenhouse effect of halogenated molecules: Culprits for atmospheric ozone depletion and global climate change' by Dana Nuccitelli et al."
Authors: Lu Q.-B.
Published: April 2014

In the Comment by Nuccitelli et al., they make many false and invalid criticisms of the CFC-warming theory in my recent paper, and claim that their anthropogenic forcings including CO2 would provide a better explanation of the observed global mean surface temperature (GMST) data over the past 50 years. First, their arguments for no significant discrepancy between modeled and observed GMST changes and for no pause in recent global warming contradict the widely accepted fact and conclusion that were reported in the recent literature extensively. Second, their criticism that the key data used in my recent paper would be "outdated" and "flawed" is untrue as these data are still used in the recent or current literature including the newest (2013) IPCC Report and there is no considerable difference between the UK Met Office HadRCUT3 and HadRCUT4 GMST datasets. The use of even more recently computer-reconstructed total solar irradiance data (whatever have large uncertainties) for the period prior to 1976 would not change any of the conclusions in my paper, where quantitative analyses were emphasized on the influences of humans and the Sun on global surface temperature after 1970 when direct measurements became available. For the latter, the solar effect has been well shown to play only a negligible role in global surface temperature change since 1970, which is identical to the conclusion made in the 2013 IPCC Report. Third, their argument that the solar effect would not play a major role in the GMST rise of 0.2°C during 1850–1970 even contradicts the data and conclusion presented in a recent paper published in their Skeptical Science by Nuccitelli himself. Fourth, their comments also indicate their lack of understandings of the basic radiation physics of the Earth system as well as of the efficacies of different greenhouse gases in affecting global surface temperature. Their listed "methodological errors" are either trivial or non-existing. Fifth, their assertion that "the climate system takes centuries to millennia to fully equilibrate" is lack of scientific basis. Finally, their model calculations including an additional fitting parameter do not reduce the discrepancy with observed GMST data even after their adjustments. Instead, their modeled results give a sharp GMST rise over the past 16 years, which obviously disagrees with the observed data.
Ab initio study of the anion vacancy on anatase TiO2 (101) surface
Authors: Wang M. , Feng M. , Lu Y.
Published: April 2014

In this study, we have studied the electronic structure and magnetic properties of oxygen vacancy on anatase TiO 2 (101) surface using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results show that only the vacancy of threefold-coordinated oxygen ( O 3c ) can introduce the magnetism on (101) surface. The spins induced by the O 3c vacancy will form a stable ferromagnetic state, and it can introduce a magnetic moment of 1.05 μ B . Moreover, the magnetic moment mainly results from the d orbitals of three low-charge-state Ti ions adjacent to the O 3c vacancy. The O 3c vacancy on (101) surface can also result in a localized state of spin polarization in the bandgap, which is about 0.22 eV below the Fermi energy. Our findings imply that the oxygen vacancy on the surface may be responsible for the unexpected ferromagnetism in pristine TiO 2 film. The experimentally observed d0-ferromagnetism behavior in TiO 2 system is in good agreement with our calculated results.
The state numbers of a virtual knot
Authors: Nakamura Takuji , Nakanishi Yasutaka , Satoh Shin , Tomiyama Yumi
Published: April 2014

A state of a virtual knot diagram D is a disjoint union of circles obtained from D by splicing all real crossings. For each integer n > 0, we denote by sn(D) the number of states of D consisting of n circles. The state number of a virtual knot K is the minimal number of sn(D) for all diagrams D of K and denoted by s n(K). The aim of this paper is to study sn(D) and s n(K).
A SURVEY ON 3D HUMAN BODY MODELING FOR INTERACTIVE FASHION DESIGN
Authors: YANG JIA , CHAN CHEE KOOI , LUXIMON AMEERSING
Published: April 2014

With the advancement in computer technology, the use of 3D virtual mannequin has mostly replaced the use of physical mannequin in the fashion industry. This paper reviews current interaction frameworks of 3D human body modeling for interactive fashion design and an optimized interaction framework is provided. Four methods are used in this study to collect the human body data to create the 3D body model: photograph-based method, laser scan method, feature curve method and combined method. The crafted garment modeling could be used for garment fitting and 2D pattern flattening.
Finite p-groups all of whose maximal subgroups, except one, have cyclic derived subgroups
Authors: Janko Zvonimir
Published: April 2014

Let G be a finite p-group which has exactly one maximal subgroup H such that its derived subgroup H' is noncyclic. Then we must have p = 2, G′ is abelian of rank 2, |G′ : H′| = 2 and d (G) = 2 or 3 (Theorems 6 and 8). This solves the problem No. 2248 stated by Berkovich in [Groups of Prime Power Order, Vol. 3 (Walter de Gruyter, Berlin, 2011)].
Electrical characterization of Bi1.50-xYxZn0.92Nb1.5O6.92 varactors
Authors: Qasrawi A. F. , Muis Khalil O. Abu , Rob Osama H. Abu Al , Mergen A.
Published: April 2014

The electrical properties of yttrium doped bismuth zinc niobium oxide (BZN) pyrochlore ceramics are explored by means of temperature dependent electrical conductivity dielectric constant and capacitance spectra in the frequency range of 0–3 GHz. It is observed that the doped BZN exhibit a conductivity type conversion from intrinsic to extrinsic as the doping content increased from 0.04 to 0.06. The thermal energy bandgap of the intrinsic type is 3.45 eV. The pyrochlore is observed to exhibit a dielectric breakdown at 395 K. In addition, a negative capacitance (NC) spectrum with main resonance peak position of 23.2 MHz is detected. The NC effect is ascribed to the increased polarization and the availability of more free carriers in the device. When the NC signal amplitude is attenuated in the range of 0–20 dBm at 50 MHz and 150 MHz, wide tunability is monitored. Such characteristics of the Y-doped BZN are attractive for using them to cancel the positive parasitic capacitance of electronic circuits. The canceling of parasitic capacitance improves the high frequency performance of filter inductors and reduces the common mode noise of the resonance signal.
Reconstruction of the evolution of the Niger River and implications for sediment supply to the Equatorial Atlantic margin of Africa during the Cretaceous and the Cenozoic
Authors: Bonne Kathelijne P. M.
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a reconstruction of the palaeodrainage evolution of the Niger River in West Africa in order to contribute to the understanding of sediment supply to the Niger Delta. It has been covered extensively in literature that the Niger River has undergone changes along its course in the Holocene, as implied by the large bend it makes in Mali. However, other enigmatic bends further downstream are indicative of an older and more complicated history that has yet to be understood, and is the focus of this paper. Until now, sediment supply from the Niger River has been considered as being negligible compared to that of the Benue River. The results of this study imply that the contribution from the Niger River was more important than previously thought. The Niger River obtained its present-day geometry in three phases: a Bida Basin phase (Maastrichtian–Miocene); a Iullemmeden Basin phase (Miocene–Pleistocene); and a present-day Niger River phase (Holocene). In the Miocene, an important capture event occurred, increasing the incipient drainage basin by 10
6
km
2
, thereby changing the provenance of the sediment supplied to the Niger Delta from mainly crystalline basement to mixed lithologies including sandstone, shale, limestone and volcanic outcrops.
Individuality of the plasma sodium concentration
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Duckart Jonathan , Slatore Christopher G. , Fu Yi , Petrik Amanda F. , Thorp Micah L. , Cohen David M.
Published: April 2014

Older literature has suggested that the plasma sodium concentration is not individual, that it is neither intrinsic to an individual nor reproducible, longitudinally. We recently observed that the plasma sodium concentration is heritable. Because demonstrable heritability requires individuality of the relevant phenotype, we hypothesized that the plasma sodium concentration was substantially individual. In two large health plan-based cohorts, we demonstrated individuality of the plasma sodium concentration over a 10-yr interval; the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) averaged 0.4–0.5. The individuality of plasma sodium increased significantly with age. Plasma sodium individuality was equal to or only slightly less than that for plasma glucose but was less than the individuality for creatinine. The individuality of plasma sodium was further confirmed by comparing the Pearson correlation coefficient for within-individual versus between-individual pairs of sodium determinations and via application of the agreement index. Furthermore, the distribution of all sodium determinations for all participants within a population was similar to the distribution for the mean sodium concentration for individuals within that population. Therefore, the near-normal distribution of plasma sodium measurements within a population is likely not attributable to assay-specific factors but rather to genuine and durable biological variability in the osmotic set point. In aggregate, these data strongly support the individuality of the plasma sodium concentration. They further indicate that serial plasma sodium values for any given individual tend to cluster around a patient-specific set point and that these set points vary among individuals.
Selective modulation of GABAergic tonic current by dopamine in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-dependent rats
Authors: Liang Jing , Marty Vincent N. , Mulpuri Yatendra , Olsen Richard W. , Spigelman Igor
Published: April 2014

The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is a key structure of the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward system and plays an important role in mediating alcohol-seeking behaviors. Alterations in glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling were recently demonstrated in the NAcc of rats after chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) treatment, a model of alcohol dependence. Here we studied dopamine (DA) modulation of GABAergic signaling and how this modulation might be altered by CIE treatment. We show that the tonic current ( Itonic) mediated by extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAcc core is differentially modulated by DA at concentrations in the range of those measured in vivo (0.01–1 μM), without affecting the postsynaptic kinetics of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). Use of selective D1 receptor (D1R) and D2 receptor (D2R) ligands revealed that Itonic potentiation by DA (10 nM) is mediated by D1Rs while Itonic depression by DA (0.03–1 μM) is mediated by D2Rs in the same MSNs. Addition of guanosine 5′- O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDPβS) to the recording pipettes eliminated Itonic decrease by the selective D2R agonist quinpirole (5 nM), leaving intact the quinpirole effect on mIPSC frequency. Recordings from CIE and vehicle control (CIV) MSNs during application of D1R agonist (SKF 38393, 100 nM) or D2R agonist (quinpirole, 2 nM) revealed that SKF 38393 potentiated Itonic to the same extent, while quinpirole reduced Itonic to a similar extent, in both groups of rats. Our data suggest that the selective modulatory effects of DA on Itonic are unaltered by CIE treatment and withdrawal.