bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species‐specific facilitation, ontogenetic shifts and consequences for plant community succession
Authors: Paterno Gustavo Brant , Siqueira Filho José Alves , Ganade Gislene
Published: January 2016

Aims

Our main aims are to test how: (1) different nurse species modulate the early establishment of multiple beneficiary species in a degraded area; (2) the intensity and direction of species‐specific interactions between nurse and beneficiary species change during beneficiary ontogeny.

Location

A shrubby Caatinga forest at Petrolina, northeast Brazil, degraded by grazing and logging activities in recent decades.

Methods

We conducted a factorial multi‐species experiment in which seeds and seedlings of five beneficiary species were sown in the presence and absence of three pioneer tree species. Beneficiary species performance was monitored for different ontogenetic stages.

Results

We found evidence of species‐specific facilitation in which the intensity and outcome of the interactions between nurse and beneficiary species varied depending on species identity. Additionally, for most combinations of nurse and beneficiary species, ontogenetic shifts from positive to neutral or negative interactions were observed with increasing beneficiary age.

Conclusions

We provide experimental evidence that nurse and beneficiary species identity simultaneously influence the balance between facilitation and competition. Our results suggest that ontogenetic shifts may be a widespread phenomenon in semi‐arid ecosystems. We discuss that a key mechanism explaining these findings is the match between what nurse species offer and what beneficiary species require in terms of resources and conditions. As a consequence, different nurse species tend to favour or inhibit unique sets of beneficiary species beneath their canopies. We argue that species‐specific facilitation is an overlooked mechanism promoting β‐diversity during community succession.
The Global Context of Vaccine Refusal: Insights from a Systematic Comparative Ethnography of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Authors: Closser Svea , Rosenthal Anat , Maes Kenneth , Justice Judith , Cox Kelly , Omidian Patricia A. , Mohammed Ismaila Zango , Dukku Aminu Mohammed , Koon Adam D. , Nyirazinyoye Laetitia
Published: January 2016

Many of medical anthropology's most pressing research questions require an understanding how infections, money, and ideas move around the globe. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a $9 billion project that has delivered 20 billion doses of oral polio vaccine in campaigns across the world. With its array of global activities, it cannot be comprehensively explored by the traditional anthropological method of research at one field site. This article describes an ethnographic study of the GPEI, a collaborative effort between researchers at eight sites in seven countries. We developed a methodology grounded in nuanced understandings of local context but structured to allow analysis of global trends. Here, we examine polio vaccine acceptance and refusal to understand how global phenomena—in this case, policy decisions by donors and global health organizations to support vaccination campaigns rather than building health systems—shape local behavior.
Phylogenomics at the tips: inferring lineages and their demographic history in a tropical lizard, Carlia amax
Authors: Potter Sally , Bragg Jason G. , Peter Benjamin M. , Bi Ke , Moritz Craig
Published: January 2016

High‐throughput sequencing approaches offer opportunities to better understand the evolutionary processes driving diversification, particularly in nonmodel organisms. In particular, the 100–1000's of loci that can now be sequenced are providing unprecedented power in population, speciation and phylogenetic studies. Here, we apply an exon capture approach to generate >99% complete sequence and SNP data across >2000 loci from a tropical skink, Carlia amax, and exploit these data to identify divergent lineages and infer their relationships and demographic histories. This is especially relevant to low‐dispersal tropical taxa that often have cryptic diversity and spatially dynamic histories. For C. amax, clustering of nuclear SNPs and coalescent‐based species delimitation analyses identify four divergent lineages, one fewer than predicted based on geographically coherent mtDNA clades (>9.4% sequence divergence). Three of these lineages are widespread and parapatric on the mainland, whereas the most divergent is restricted to islands off the northeast Northern Territory. Tests for population expansion reject an equilibrium isolation‐by‐distance model for two of the three widespread lineages and infer refugial expansion sources in the relatively mesic northeast Top End and northwest Kimberley. The latter is already recognized as a hotspot of endemism, but our results also suggest that a stronger focus on the northeast Top End, and adjacent islands is warranted. More generally, our results show how genome‐reduction methods such as exon capture can yield insights into the pattern and dynamics of biodiversity across complex landscapes with as yet poorly understood biogeographic history and how exon data can link between population and phylogenetic questions.
Transfer of the methicillin resistance genomic island among staphylococci by conjugation
Authors: Ray M. D. , Boundy S. , Archer G. L.
Published: January 2016

Methicillin resistance creates a major obstacle for treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections. The resistance gene, mecA, is carried on a large (20 kb to > 60 kb) genomic island, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), that excises from and inserts site‐specifically into the staphylococcal chromosome. However, although SCCmec has been designated a mobile genetic element, a mechanism for its transfer has not been defined. Here we demonstrate the capture and conjugative transfer of excised SCCmec. SCCmec was captured on pGO400, a mupirocin‐resistant derivative of the pGO1/pSK41 staphylococcal conjugative plasmid lineage, and pGO400::SCCmec (pRM27) was transferred by filter‐mating into both homologous and heterologous S. aureus recipients representing a range of clonal complexes as well as S. epidermidis. The DNA sequence of pRM27 showed that SCCmec had been transferred in its entirety and that its capture had occurred by recombination between IS257/431 elements present on all SCCmec types and pGO1/pSK41 conjugative plasmids. The captured SCCmec excised from the plasmid and inserted site‐specifically into the chromosomal att site of both an isogenic S. aureus and a S. epidermidis recipient. These studies describe a means by which methicillin resistance can be environmentally disseminated and a novel mechanism, IS‐mediated recombination, for the capture and conjugative transfer of genomic islands.
Bone metabolism in epilepsy patients: An analysis of 30 cases taking classic anti‐epileptic drugs
Authors: Yokota Ichiro , Kuga Atsushi , Uenishi Kazuhiro , Ishihara Hiroyuki , Kageyama Yasushi , Fujino Masahiro , Nagao Mitsushiro , Kanda Fumio , Toda Tatsushi
Published: January 2016

Background

The majority of classic anti‐epileptic drugs can decrease bone mineral density through the acceleration of vitamin D metabolism by cytochrome P450.

Aim

We tried to investigate the bone metabolism. in adult patients with epilepsy.

Methods

Bone mineral density was measured in 30 patients (18 men and 12 women, age 24–76 years) treated with classic anti‐epileptic drugs for more than 5 years. Dietary intake of nutrients and laboratory data were assessed in patients, and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls.

Results

Using T‐scores measured at the lumbar spine, seven patients (23%) were diagnosed as osteopenia and two patients (6%) as osteoporosis. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly decreased in patients taking phenytoin, but were unchanged in patients taking valproic acid, compared with those on other prescription anti‐epileptic drugs. Dietary intake of vitamin D, assessed by a nutritionist, did not differ among patients. Bone mineral density score was not correlated with serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, but it was significantly correlated with serum under‐carboxylated osteocalcin and serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase isoform 5b. Serum under‐carboxylated osteocalcin levels were significantly higher in patients with decreased bone mineral density compared with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Dietary intake of vitamin K did not differ between patients and controls.

Conclusion

These results suggest that vitamin D plays a pivotal role in the altered bone metabolism in patients taking classic anti‐epileptic drugs. With the use of bone mineral density scores and biomarkers, neurologists in Japan might be able to evaluate bone health in the management of patients with epilepsy.
Altitude and arteriolar hyalinosis after kidney transplantation
Authors: Cippà Pietro E , Grebe Scott O , Fehr Thomas , Wüthrich Rudolf P , Mueller Thomas F
Published: January 2016

The kidney is very susceptible to hypoxic injury. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) induce vasoconstriction and might reduce renal tissue oxygenation. We aimed to investigate if the synergistic deleterious effects of CNI‐treatment and hypoxia of high altitude living might accelerate the development of arteriolar hyalinosis in kidney allografts. We stratified all patients who received a kidney graft from 2000 to 2010 in our centre (n = 477) in three groups according to the residential elevation (below 400, between 400 to 600 and above 600 m above sea level) and we retrospectively re‐evaluated all transplant biopsies performed during follow‐up, specifically looking at the degree of arteriolar hyalinosis, the hallmark of chronic CNI nephrotoxicity. Living at high altitude was markedly associated with a higher degree of arteriolar hyalinosis (P < 0.001). Haemoglobin levels confirmed the functional relevance of different arterial oxygenation among the groups (P = 0.01). Thus, patients living at high altitude seem to be more susceptible to the development of arteriolar hyalinosis after kidney transplantation.
Pressure topography metrics for high‐resolution pharyngeal‐esophageal manofluorography—a normative study of younger and older adults
Authors: Nativ‐Zeltzer N. , Logemann J. A. , Zecker S. G. , Kahrilas P. J.
Published: January 2016

Background

We aimed to define normative values for novel pressure topography metrics for high‐resolution pharyngeal‐esophageal manofluorography. The effects of age, gender, and bolus properties were examined.

Methods

Concurrent high‐resolution manometry (HRM) and videofluoroscopy data were collected from 22 younger (aged 21–40) and 22 older (aged 60–80) healthy subjects. Pressure topography was analyzed by correlating pressure domains with videofluoroscopic events. Nine pressure topography metrics of the pharyngeal and proximal esophageal swallow were extracted; four of these were also compared with previously obtained esophageal HRM studies to assess the effects of catheter diameter.

Key Results

Older individuals exhibited more vigorous contractility in the pharynx than did younger subjects with all bolus types, but the greatest values for both groups were with effortful swallow and on that measure the age groups were similar. Upper esophageal sphincter (UES) intrabolus pressure during sphincter opening was also greater in the older subjects. Some gender differences were observed, particularly related to proximal esophageal contractile vigor. Bolus consistency had no consistent effect. Studies using the larger catheter diameter resulted in significantly greater contractile vigor in the UES and proximal esophagus.

Conclusions & Inferences

Older adults exhibited more vigorous pharyngeal contractions than young adults, albeit within a similar range of capacity, perhaps reflecting a compensatory response to other age‐related physiological changes. Greater UES intrabolus pressures observed during bolus transit in the older group likely reflect reduced UES compliance with age. Normative data on novel HRM metrics collected in this study can serve as a reference for future clinical studies.
Various competitive interactions explain niche separation in crop‐dwelling web spiders
Authors: Opatovsky Itai , Gavish‐Regev Efrat , Weintraub Phyllis G. , Lubin Yael
Published: January 2016

Competition for resources is a major organizing principle in communities of organisms that share similar ecological niches. Niche separation by means of exploitation or interference competition was investigated in two taxa of crop‐inhabiting spiders that overlap in microhabitat use and have similar web design. Competition for prey and web sites was tested in microcosm experiments with the most common species that build sheet‐webs: Enoplognatha gemina (Theridiidae) and Alioranus pastoralis (Linyphiidae). A field survey over the crop season provided data on spatial and temporal dispersion of Enoplognatha spp. (Theridiidae) and linyphiid spiders (Linyphiidae) and on availability of prey over the season. In the microcosm experiments, both taxa took springtails as prey, but only Enoplognatha fed on aphids. Differences in diet, however, could not be attributed to either exploitative or interference competition. Spatial separation of websites was attained by vertical displacement of webs in the vegetation (Enoplognatha) and by avoidance of patches occupied by conspecific or heterospecific individuals (linyphiids). In the field, densities of linyphiids and Enoplognatha were correlated negatively and webs were over‐dispersed relative to a random distribution. Both taxa colonized the field at the start of the season; linyphiids colonized as adults, quickly reproduced, and had a second adult peak; Enoplognatha matured in the middle of the season and their numbers remained fairly constant over the season. The combined experimental manipulations and field data suggest that niche separation occurs at different scales. The hypothesis of competition for websites was partially supported, while prey preference (or tolerance) and temporal differences in life history stages also may explain the negative correlations between densities of the two taxa.
Shaped by the past, acting in the present: transgenerational plasticity of anti‐predatory traits
Authors: Beaty Lynne E. , Wormington Jillian D. , Kensinger Bart J. , Bayley Kristen N. , Goeppner Scott R. , Gustafson Kyle D. , Luttbeg Barney
Published: January 2016

Phenotypic expression can be altered by direct perception of environmental cues (within‐generation phenotypic plasticity) and by the environmental cues experienced by previous generations (transgenerational plasticity). Few studies, however, have investigated how the characteristics of phenotypic traits affect their propensity to exhibit plasticity within and across generations. We tested whether plasticity differed within and across generations between morphological and behavioral anti‐predator traits of Physa acuta, a freshwater snail. We reared 18 maternal lineages of P. acuta snails over two generations using a full factorial design of exposure to predator or control cues and quantified adult F2 shell size, shape, crush resistance, and anti‐predator behavior – all traits which potentially affect their ability to avoid or survive predation attempts. We found that most morphological traits exhibited transgenerational plasticity, with parental exposure to predator cues resulting in larger and more crush‐resistant offspring, but shell shape demonstrated within‐generation plasticity. In contrast, we found that anti‐predator behavior expressed only within‐generation plasticity such that offspring reared in predator cues responded less to the threat of predation than control offspring. We discuss the consequences of this variation in plasticity for trait evolution and ecological dynamics. Overall, our study suggests that further empirical and theoretical investigation is needed in what types of traits are more likely to be affected by within‐generational and transgenerational plasticity.
Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Neonate with a Delayed Second Eruption
Authors: Thomas Justyn M. , Bhandari Jasjit , Rytina Ed , Gass Julia K. , Williams Rachel M. , Burrows Nigel P.
Published: January 2016

Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) of the neonate is a rare panniculitis of early life that occurs in association with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, as well as perinatal asphyxia, hypothermia, and trauma. A characteristic feature of this condition is its self‐limiting and monophasic nature. We report a highly unusual case of delayed SCFN in a male neonate involving an anatomically discrete eruption, reminiscent of erythema nodosum, occurring many weeks after his original eruption had resolved.
Low serum biotin in Japanese children fed with hydrolysate formula
Authors: Sato Yasuhiro , Wakabayashi Kenji , Ogawa Eishin , Kodama Hiroko , Mimaki Masakazu
Published: January 2016

Background

Given that nutritional biotin deficiency in Japanese infants has been reported, a straightforward method for estimating biotin level is needed. The biotin content in infant formula, breast milk, and the sera of infants fed with various types of formula were measured using avidin‐binding assay.

Methods

A commercially available ELISA kit was used for the measurement of biotin in 54 types of formula, including hydrolysate formulas for milk allergy, as well as in breast milk and in the sera of 27 infants fed with these formulas.

Results

The biotin content reached the recommended value in only five formulas. All of the hydrolysate formulas and more than half of the special formulas contained biotin <0.1 μg/dL. Serum biotin was low in infants fed only with the hydrolysate formulas, and one of them had alopecia related to biotin deficiency.

Conclusion

While many were asymptomatic, infants fed with formulas lacking biotin are at risk of developing symptomatic disease. The addition of biotin to breast milk substitutes was finally approved in the middle of 2014, however pediatricians in Japan should still be vigilant with regard to nutritional biotin deficiency in infants for the time being.
Three‐dimensional organization of flagellar basal apparatus inEctocarpusgametes
Authors: Kinoshita Nana , Fu Gang , Ito Toshiaki , Motomura Taizo
Published: January 2016

The flagellar basal apparatus of the brown algaEctocarpus siliculosuswas re‐investigated in details using transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography. As a result, three‐dimensional structures with spatial arrangement of bands and microtubular flagellar rootlets were observed. Fibrous structures linking the anterior flagellar basal body to the major anterior rootlet (R3) or the bypassing rootlet was newly discovered in this study. A direct attachment from the minor anterior rootlet (R4) to the anterior and posterior basal bodies was also discovered, as were attachments from the minor posterior rootlet (R1) to the deltoid striated band and from the major posterior rootlet (R2) to the posterior fibrous band. The microtubular flagellar rootlets were connected to the bands and to the anterior or posterior basal body. These bands may have a role in maintaining the spatial arrangement of the anterior and posterior flagellar basal bodies and the microtubular flagellar rootlets. A numbering system of the basal body triplets was established by tracing axonemal doublets in the serial sections. From these observations, the precise position of two flagellar basal bodies, bands, and flagellar rootlets was determined.
China's Labor Market Integration and the Effect of Economic Openness
Authors: Yi Miao , Zhou Shen
Published: January 2016

This research theoretically and empirically studies China's labor market integration and the effect of economic openness. We introduce an open parameter to the previous theoretical framework and, based on that, we carry out an empirical study of China's labor market integration measurement from 1987 to 2006, and focus on the impact of economic openness. Research indicates that economic openness has an obvious effect on promoting China's labor market integration. The labor market integration progress differs between regions, with labor markets of coastal areas such as North China, East China and South China, which have one or two labor market centers, being better integrated than those of other interior areas.
Current understanding of learning psychomotor skills and the impact on teaching laparoscopic surgical skills
Authors: White Colette , Rodger Matthew WM , Tang Thomas
Published: January 2016

Key content

Trainees face many challenges in learning the skill set required to perform laparoscopic surgery.

The time spent in the operating room has been detrimentally impacted upon since the implementation of the European Working Time Directive. In order to address the deficit, surgical educators have looked to the benefits enjoyed in the aviation and sports industries in using simulation training.

Learning objectives

To summarise the current understanding of the neuropsychological basis of learning a psychomotor skill.

To clarify factors that influence the acquisition of these skills.

To summarise how this information can be used in teaching and assessment of laparoscopic skills.

Ethical issues

The use of virtual reality simulators may be able to form a part of the aptitude assessment in the selection process, in order to identify trainees with the desired attributes to progress into the training programmes. However, as skill improves with practice, is it ethical to exclude novices with poor initial performance assessment before allowing them the opportunities to improve?
Donor compensation and remuneration – is there really a difference?
Authors: Folléa G.
Published: January 2016

Opposing voluntary non‐remunerated donations (VNRD) to compensated or paid donations is still a matter of debate, particularly for donors supplying plasma collected for plasma‐derived products. In this context, the aim of this review, based on a search of the literature and discussions with all involved stakeholders in Europe and North America, was to present and discuss the (i) definitions for non‐remuneration, compensation and remuneration of blood and blood component (BC) donors; (ii) ethical principles which should guide transactions regarding donated human blood and BC; and (iii) an analysis of the ethical acceptability of the different modes of donations, including compensation. According to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCB), recompense means payment to a person in recognition of losses they have incurred. This may take the form of either reimbursement of direct financial expenses incurred in donating or compensation for non‐financial losses (e.g. inconvenience, time). To protect donors’ and patients’ safety, transactions of human bodily materials should comply with well‐acknowledged principles of biomedical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, non‐maleficence and justice. Dignity also applies to donors in the sense of prohibition of making the human body as a source of financial gain. The NCB intervention ladder has been recognised as a useful tool for analysing the ethical acceptability of different forms of encouragement for donating bodily material. Awareness of ethical principles for blood and BC donations and the NCB intervention ladder appears as indispensable means to help to identify the non‐altruist‐focused forms of compensation of blood and BC donors and to replace them by altruist‐focused forms of compensation.
Managing donors and donation sessions to improve donor service and session productivity
Authors: Nyberg‐Oksanen E. , Morgan S. , Sydenham V. , Georgsen J. , Jansen E. ,   the EBA Benchmarking Group
Published: January 2016

Background and Objectives

The European Blood Alliance's Benchmarking group (EBA BMG) has facilitated three collection productivity workshops (2008–15). Productivity improvements are evident in some European blood services, but fewer than anticipated. European blood services sometimes lack data, experience and state of the art technology to implement opportunities to improve productivity. With the decline in red cell demand across the developed world alongside constrained healthcare budgets and the changing expectations of the evolving donor base, as countries see a need to recruit younger donors, the challenge is balancing increasing donor expectations with higher productivity targets.

Materials and Methods

Against each identified key element, we have collected key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarked them across European blood services. We have also identified technologies, which we call enablers that could help blood services improve performance.

Results

The analysis performed by the EBA BMG identifies the key elements associated with efficient management of donors and donation sessions.

Conclusions

With these best practices and KPIs, it is possible for blood services to increase session productivity and donor satisfaction through low deferrals, low end‐to‐end donation time and smooth, consistent, yet ‘tailored’ individual service inside the session.
Accreditation and regulations in cell therapy
Authors: Chabannon C. , Caunday‐Rigot O. , Faucher C. , Slaper‐Cortenbach I. , Calmels B. , Lemarie C. , Mahalatchimy A. , McGrath E. , Rial‐Sebbag E.
Published: January 2016

Advances in stem cell biology and immunology raise hopes for new developments in regenerative medicine as well as cell‐based immune intervention, with potential applications in many medical disciplines. Emerging from the medical practices of organ, tissue and cell transplantations over several decades, the development of cellular therapies nowadays enter a new era in which the industry may take cell manufacturing activities away from academic facilities, using complex procedures for cell engineering and large‐scale production at centralized facilities. Recent changes in regulations push towards this historical transition; however, a pragmatic analysis of met and unmet clinical needs, as well as of specific procedural and organizational aspects that govern human cell procurement and processing suggest that a significant role will remain for academic facilities in the near future. Taking advantage of the large experience in the field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, we here review actual and potential consequences of regulatory changes in these medical practices, with a focus on the unique system for quality management that has been established in Europe and the United States of America to address specific risks associated with these therapeutic procedures.
Powerful tools for resolving antibody problems
Authors: Hamilton J. R.
Published: January 2016

Background

Identifying the specificity of antibodies in a patient's plasma can be as straightforward as testing selected reagent red cells on the basis of the antibody detection results. Many investigations, however, require the use of additional methods or supplemental tests for resolution.

Aims

Specifics related to performance of these procedures, their interpretations and their limitations were reviewed.

Discussion

Gel microcolumn or solid phase methods, polyethylene glycol or low‐ionic strength saline enhancement media or unenhanced tests have appropriate uses for detecting or avoiding antibody reactivity. Useful red cell treatments include enzymes or thiol compounds to destroy antigens or enhance the antigen–antibody interaction and EDTA–glycine acid or chloroquine diphosphate to remove bound IgG from autologous cells. Separating autologous red cells from transfused donor cells for phenotyping or testing with plasma or eluate is critical. Alloantibodies or autoantibodies can be removed or separated by appropriate adsorption tests. Inhibition of antibody reactivity by a known soluble blood group substance confirms specificity or neutralizes interfering reactivity.

Conclusion

Combined into a logical investigation, these additional tests will aid in resolution of most antibody‐containing samples.
Transfusion therapy for sickle cell disease
Authors: Howard J. , Robinson S. E.
Published: January 2016

The clinical presentations of sickle cell disease include acute pain, acute chest syndrome, stroke and acute anaemia and blood transfusion therapy can be used effectively in the emergency setting for the treatment of many of these complications. Long‐term blood transfusion therapy is also used for the prevention of disease complications with most evidence for its use in primary stroke prevention. Transfusion can be given as a simple or top‐up transfusion or as an exchange transfusion and donor red cells should be haemoglobin S negative and as a minimum matched for ABO, full Rh and Kell type. Repeated transfusions lead to iron overload and appropriate monitoring and treatment should be provided. Alloimmunization is also a common complication of transfusion and can lead to haemolytic transfusion reactions.
A new approach to the discrete logarithm problem with auxiliary inputs
Authors: Cheon Jung Hee , Kim Taechan
Published: January 2016

The aim of the discrete logarithm problem with auxiliary inputs is to solve for ${\it\alpha}$, given the elements $g,g^{{\it\alpha}},\ldots ,g^{{\it\alpha}^{d}}$ of a cyclic group $G=\langle g\rangle$, of prime order $p$. The best-known algorithm, proposed by Cheon in 2006, solves for ${\it\alpha}$ in the case where $d\mid (p\pm 1)$, with a running time of $O(\sqrt{p/d}+d^{i})$ group exponentiations ($i=1$ or $1/2$ depending on the sign). There have been several attempts to generalize this algorithm to the case of ${\rm\Phi}_{k}(p)$ where $k\geqslant 3$. However, it has been shown by Kim, Cheon and Lee that a better complexity cannot be achieved than that of the usual square root algorithms.

We propose a new algorithm for solving the DLPwAI. We show that this algorithm has a running time of $\widetilde{O}(\sqrt{p/{\it\tau}_{f}}+d)$ group exponentiations, where ${\it\tau}_{f}$ is the number of absolutely irreducible factors of $f(x)-f(y)$. We note that this number is always smaller than $\widetilde{O}(p^{1/2})$.

In addition, we present an analysis of a non-uniform birthday problem.
Modeling and Computer Simulation of Centrifugal CO2 Compressors at Supercritical Pressures
Authors: Behafarid Farhad , Podowski Michael Z.
Published: January 2016

The use of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) as a working fluid in energy conversion systems has many benefits, including high efficiency, compact turbomachinery, and the abundance of CO2. A very important issue for design optimization and performance analysis of future SC Brayton cycles is concerned with the SC-CO2 flow inside high-speed compressors and turbines. The objective of this paper is to present a novel modeling approach to, and its use in numerical simulations of, SC-CO2 flow inside a high-speed compact compressor. The proposed approach capitalizes on using three different physical and mathematical formulations of one-dimensional (1D) models, i.e., compressible and incompressible flow models using actual properties of SC-CO2 and a compressible ideal gas model, as a reference to verify the predictive capabilities of a three-dimensional (3D) incompressible flow model. The incompressible model has been used to perform simulations for a complete detailed multidimensional model of an SC-CO2 high-speed compact compressor. The advantages of the new model include numerical stability, computational efficiency, and physical accuracy. In particular, it has been shown that the model's predictions are consistent with selected published technical data.
Information Models for Processing Product Lifecycle Functionalities and Interfaces for Sustainable Manufacturing
Authors: Roy Utpal , Sarigecili Mehmet I.
Published: January 2016

There is a dire need for the development of an integrated information model for organizing and managing material and manufacturing related information, required for any product realization. In this paper, such an information framework for product, process, and material modeling has been proposed to support the product's form, function and behavior, its physical and functional decompositions, its design requirements and design rationale, and its material and process needs. A detailed, real-life case study of the waterjet intensifier design system has been presented to show how this proposed framework could support, capture, and utilize all necessary information required for the selection of the intensifier's high-pressure cylinder material. The framework will also be able to provide sufficient information to quantify the ecocompatibility of products.
Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Experiments and Modeling Study of Jets in Crossflow
Authors: Thompson Luke , Natsui Greg , Velez Carlos , Kapat Jayanta , Vasu Subith S.
Published: January 2016

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) with acetone seeding was applied to measure the scalar fields of an axisymmetric freejet and an inclined jet in crossflow as applicable to film cooling. From the scalar fields, jet-mixing and trajectory characteristics were obtained. In order to validate the technique, the canonical example of a nonreacting freejet of Reynolds numbers 900–9000 was investigated. Desired structural characteristics were observed and showed strong agreement with computational modeling. After validating the technique with the axisymmetric jet, the jet in crossflow was tested with various velocity ratios and jet injection angles. Results indicated the degree of wall separation for different injection angles and demonstrated both the time-averaged trajectories as well as select near-wall concentration results for varying jet momentum fluxes. Consistent with literature findings, the orthogonal jet trajectory for varying blowing ratios collapsed when scaled by the jet-to-freestream velocity ratio and hole diameter, rd. Similar collapsing was demonstrated in the cases of a nonorthogonal jets. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations using the openfoam software were used to compare predictions with select experimental cases and yielded reasonable agreement. Insight into the importance and structure of the counter-rotating vortex pair (CVP) and general flow field turbulence was highlighted by cross validation between CFD and experimental results.
Stability of Milling Operations With Asymmetric Cutter Dynamics in Rotating Coordinates
Authors: Comak Alptunc , Ozsahin Orkun , Altintas Yusuf
Published: January 2016

High-speed machine tools have parts with both stationary and rotating dynamics. While spindle housing, column, and table have stationary dynamics, rotating parts may have both symmetric (i.e., spindle shaft and tool holder) and asymmetric dynamics (i.e., two-fluted end mill) due to uneven geometry in two principal directions. This paper presents a stability model of dynamic milling operations with combined stationary and rotating dynamics. The stationary modes are superposed to two orthogonal directions in rotating frame by considering the time- and speed-dependent, periodic dynamic milling system. The stability of the system is solved in both frequency and semidiscrete time domain. It is shown that the stability pockets differ significantly when the rotating dynamics of the asymmetric tools are considered. The proposed stability model has been experimentally validated in high-speed milling of an aluminum alloy with a two-fluted, asymmetric helical end mill.
Inductive Sensing to Detect Tissue Thickness Between Magnets for Potential Application in Magnetic Compression Based Anastomosis
Authors: Arun Anupama , Gaston Brandon , Kwiat Dillon , Imamura-Ching Jill , Fechter Richard , Chen Shijie , Jiang Hao , Harrison Michael , Roy Shuvo
Published: January 2016

Magnetic compression based anastomoses use magnetic force to necrose tissue between two magnets to create an anastomosis. Nickel-plated neodymium–iron–boron magnets are used in our study. The compression pressure between the magnets depends on the distance between the magnets, which is determined by the thickness of the compressed tissue and depends on bowel wall thickness and elasticity. It is critical to know the distance between the magnets once the tissue is compressed because the magnets must be within a critical distance of each other in order to create enough compressive force to necrose the tissue. We have developed an inductance sensor to detect the distance (tissue thickness) between the two magnets after the surgeon has deployed them. Inductance sensing is a contact-less sensing method that enables precise short-range detection of conducting surfaces. The inductor coil mounted on one magnet detects the second magnet by measuring the change in inductance due to eddy current induced on the nickel-plated surface of the second magnet. The change in the inductance is proportional to the change in distance between the magnets. The sensor was first calibrated by using polycarbonate sheets to simulate the intestine tissue. We are able to detect up to 6 mm of spacing between the magnets. Pig intestine from Yorkshire pigs was used to characterize the sensor. We are able to distinguish up to five distinct layers of the intestine from the large intestine. This sensing mechanism can indicate the operating surgeon the exact thickness of the tissue compressed between the two magnets. The surgeon can thus be sure of formation of a clean anastomosis and avoid the likelihood of the magnets sliding away or uncoupling.
Controlling Geometrical Variation Caused by Assembly Fixtures
Authors: Wärmefjord Kristina , Carlson Johan S. , Söderberg Rikard
Published: January 2016

In the auto body assembly process, fixtures position parts during assembly and inspection. Variation in the positioning process propagates to the final assembly. To control the assembly fixtures, repeatability studies are used. Those studies are, however, usually done with long intervals and the fixtures might be afflicted with variation between studies. There are also other sources of variation in the final assembly, such as variation in parts due to previous manufacturing steps. To separate variation caused by fixtures and the variation caused by previous manufacturing processes, a multivariate fixture failure subspace control chart is proposed.
Can Germany engineer a coal exit?
Authors: Schrader Christopher
Published: January 2016

Debate grows over whether nation could eliminate a key but dirty fuel by 2040.
Tibet's primeval ice
Authors: Qiu Jane
Published: January 2016

The quest for the world's oldest ice could yield a Rosetta Stone for how Asia responds to a changing climate.
How ecosystems change
Authors: Magurran Anne E.
Published: January 2016

Conservation planning must accommodate changes in ecosystem composition to protect biodiversity
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Acute and Mild Strains of Classical Swine Fever Virus Subgenotype 3.2
Authors: Lim Seong-In , Han Song-Hee , Hyun HyeSook , Lim Ji-Ae , Song Jae-Young , Cho In-Soo , An Dong-Jun
Published: January 2016

We report the complete genome sequences of two classical swine fever virus strains (JJ9811 and YI9908). Both belong to subgenotype 3.2. Strain JJ9811 causes mild symptoms and strain YI9908 causes acute symptoms. The sequences were 95.7% homologous at the nucleotide level and 95.6% homologous at the amino acid level.
Draft Genome Assembly of a Filamentous Euendolithic (True Boring) Cyanobacterium,
Mastigocoleus testarum
Strain BC008
Authors: Guida Brandon S. , Garcia-Pichel Ferran
Published: January 2016

Mastigocoleus testarum
strain BC008 is a model organism used to study marine photoautotrophic carbonate dissolution. It is a multicellular, filamentous, diazotrophic, euendolithic cyanobacterium ubiquitously found in marine benthic environments. We present an accurate draft genome assembly of 172 contigs spanning 12,700,239 bp with 9,131 annotated genes with an average G+C% of 37.3.
Complete Genome Sequence of Nonhemolytic Streptococcus agalactiae Serotype V Strain 1, Isolated from the Buccal Cavity of a Canine
Authors: Harden Leeanne K. , Morales Karina M. , Hughey Jeffery R.
Published: January 2016

The complete genome sequence from a nonhemolytic strain of
Streptococcus agalactiae
from the oral cavity of a canine was assembled. The genome is 2,165,968 bp, contains 2,055 genes, and is classified as group B streptococcus (GBS) serotype V, strain 1. A comparison to other
S. agalactiae
sequences shows high gene synteny with human and bovine strains.
Draft Genome Sequence of Probiotic Enterococcus faecium Strain L-3
Authors: Karaseva Alena , Tsapieva Anna , Pachebat Justin , Suvorov Alexander
Published: January 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of the bacteriocin producer
Enterococcus faecium
strain L-3, isolated from a probiotic preparation, Laminolact, which is widely used in the Russian Federation. The draft genome sequence is composed of 74 contigs for a total of 2,643,001 bp, with 2,646 coding genes. Five clusters for bacteriocin production were found.
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Parvovirus 2 Recovered from Swine Sera
Authors: Campos F. S. , Kluge M. , Franco A. C. , Giongo A. , Valdez F. P. , Saddi T. M. , Brito W. M. E. D. , Roehe P. M.
Published: January 2016

A complete genomic sequence of porcine parvovirus 2 (PPV-2) was detected by viral metagenome analysis on swine sera. A phylogenetic analysis of this genome reveals that it is highly similar to previously reported North American PPV-2 genomes. The complete PPV-2 sequence is 5,426 nucleotides long.
Complete Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Viscerotropic Strain N1
Authors: Loureiro Dan , Portela Ricardo W. , Sousa Thiago J. , Rocha Flávia , Pereira Felipe L. , Dorella Fernanda A. , Carvalho Alex F. , Menezes Nildo , Macedo Eduardo S. , Moura-Costa Lilia F. , Meyer Roberto , Leal Carlos A. G. , Figueiredo Henrique C. , Azevedo Vasco
Published: January 2016

We present the complete genome sequence of
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
strain N1. The sequencing was performed with the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine system. The genome is a circular chromosome with 2,337,845 bp, a G+C content of 52.85%, and a total of 2,045 coding sequences, 12 rRNAs, 49 tRNAs, and 58 pseudogenes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pannonibacter phragmitetus Strain CGMCC9175, a Halotolerant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacterium
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Jin Decai , Zhou Lisha , Zhang Zhuo
Published: January 2016

Pannonibacter phragmitetus
CGMCC9175 is a halotolerant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading bacterium isolated from PAH-contaminated intertidal zone sediment. Here, we report the 5.7-Mb draft genome sequence of this strain, which will provide insights into the diversity of
Pannonibacter
and the mechanism of PAH degradation in sediments.
Draft Genome Sequences of Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Harboring the
bla
NDM-1
Gene Isolated in Lebanon from Civilians Wounded during the Syrian Civil War
Authors: Tokajian Sima , Eisen Jonathan A. , Jospin Guillaume , Hamze Monzer , Rafei Rayane , Salloum Tamara , Ibrahim Joe , Coil David A.
Published: January 2016

We present here the draft genome sequences of multidrug-resistant
bla
NDM-1
-positive
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains ACMH-6200 and ACMH-6201, isolated in north Lebanon from civilians wounded during the Syrian civil war. The draft genomes were contained in 217 contigs for ACMH-6200 and 83 contigs for ACMH-6201, including a combined 3,997,237 bases for ACMH-6200 and 3,983,110 bases for ACMH-6201, with 39% and 38.9% G+C content, respectively.
Characterization of a Pathogenic Full-Length cDNA Clone and Transmission Model for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strain PC22A
Authors: Beall Anne , Yount Boyd , Lin Chun-Ming , Hou Yixuan , Wang Qiuhong , Saif Linda , Baric Ralph
Published: January 2016

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly pathogenic alphacoronavirus. In the United States, highly virulent PEDV strains cause between 80 and 100% mortality in suckling piglets and are rapidly transmitted between animals and farms. To study the genetic factors that regulate pathogenesis and transmission, we developed a molecular clone of PEDV strain PC22A. The infectious-clone-derived PEDV (icPEDV) replicated as efficiently as the parental virus in cell culture and in pigs, resulting in lethal disease
in vivo
. Importantly, recombinant PEDV was rapidly transmitted to uninoculated pigs via indirect contact, demonstrating virulence and efficient transmission while replicating phenotypes seen in the wild-type virus. Using reverse genetics, we removed open reading frame 3 (ORF3) and replaced this region with a red fluorescent protein (RFP) gene to generate icPEDV-ΔORF3-RFP. icPEDV-ΔORF3-RFP replicated efficiently
in vitro
and
in vivo
, was efficiently transmitted among pigs, and produced lethal disease outcomes. However, the diarrheic scores in icPEDV-ΔORF3-RFP-infected pigs were lower than those in wild-type-virus- or icPEDV-infected pigs, and the virus formed smaller plaques than those of PC22A. Together, these data describe the development of a robust reverse-genetics platform for identifying genetic factors that regulate pathogenic outcomes and transmission efficiency
in vivo
, providing key infrastructural developments for developing and evaluating the efficacy of live attenuated vaccines and therapeutics in a clinical setting.

IMPORTANCE
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) emerged in the United States in 2013 and has since killed 10% of U.S. farm pigs. Though the disease has been circulating internationally for decades, the lack of a rapid reverse-genetics platform for manipulating PEDV and identifying genetic factors that impact transmission and virulence has hindered the study of this important agricultural disease. Here, we present a DNA-based infectious-clone system that replicates the pathogenesis of circulating U.S. strain PC22A both
in vitro
and in piglets. This infectious clone can be used both to study the genetics, virulence, and transmission of PEDV coronavirus and to inform the creation of a live attenuated PEDV vaccine.
Signs of deterioration in infants discharged home following congenital heart surgery in the first year of life: a qualitative study
Authors: Tregay Jenifer , Brown Katherine L , Crowe Sonya , Bull Catherine , Knowles Rachel L , Smith Liz , Wray Jo
Published: January 2016

Aims

To describe the ways in which parents recognise and make decisions about their child's symptoms following discharge home after congenital heart interventions in the first year of life and their experiences of seeking help.

Methods

This was a qualitative study involving semistructured interviews with parents. Twenty-one parents were recruited to the study. Parents all had a child who had congenital heart surgery in their first year of life between September 2009 and October 2013 at one of three UK cardiac centres; the children had either died or were readmitted as an emergency following initial discharge.

Results

Some parents were unable to identify any early warning signs. Others described symptoms of deterioration including changes in feeding and appearance, respiratory distress and subtle behavioural changes that may not be routinely highlighted to parents at discharge. Several barriers to accessing prompt medical assistance were identified including parents feeling that their concerns were not taken seriously, long wait times and lack of protocols at A&E.

Conclusions

Our study highlights behavioural symptoms as being a potentially underemphasised sign of deterioration and identifies a number of barriers to parents accessing support when they are concerned. It is important that parents are encouraged to seek advice at the earliest opportunity and that those health professionals at the front line have access to the information they need in order to respond in an appropriate and timely way. A role for home monitoring was also noted as potentially useful in identifying at risk children who appear clinically well.