bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐Cartesianism and Anti‐Brentanism: The Problem of Anti‐Representationalist Intentionalism
Authors: Roy Jean‐Michel
Published: September 2015

Despite its internal divisions and the uncertainty surrounding many of its foundations, there is a growing consensus that the on‐going search for an alternative model of the mind finds a minimal theoretical identity in the pursuit of an anti‐Cartesian conception of mental phenomena. Nevertheless, this anti‐Cartesianism remains more or less explicitly committed to the neo‐Brentanian idea that intentionality is an essential feature of the mental—an idea that has prevailed since the advent of modern cognitive science in the 1950s. An issue of compatibility is thereby raised, as neo‐Brentanism arguably sides with cognitive Cartesianism. The main goal of the paper is to put into full light one specific aspect of this largely unperceived problem of compatibility by arguing that the neo‐Brentanian property of intentionality is an essentially representational one that runs counter to the salient anti‐representationalism of anti‐Cartesianism. And, that this representational essence confronts the search for alternative models of the mind of an anti‐Cartesian kind with the following theoretical issue: To what extent is it possible to devise a non‐Brentanian property of intentionality, particularly one that is fully dissociated from the property of representation? This issue is shown to be much deeper and more difficult than it looks once the nature of representation is properly apprehended; it seems to be still waiting for an answer in the current search for an alternative model of the mind, if only because it has not yet be set in fully adequate terms.
The Efficacy of Regional Trade Agreements, 1958–2006: The Effect of Institution Creation on Market Expansion
Authors: Zhou Min
Published: September 2015

This article examines the efficacy of regional trade agreements (RTAs) in promoting bilateral trade through a sociological lens that stresses institutional underpinnings of the market. Most RTAs are driven by economic neoliberalism and mainly focus on “negative integration” (direct removal of trade barriers such as tariffs and other regulations). Not all RTAs incorporate elements of “positive integration” (deliberate establishment of institutions supporting new markets). Using a large data set on international bilateral trade from 1958 through 2006, this study finds that incorporation of positive integration in an RTA increases its actual efficacy in promoting bilateral trade. It further distinguishes two major types of positive integration: (1) establishment of market institutions that directly regulate cross‐border markets and (2) establishment of social institutions that deal with social consequences of market expansion. Both types promote bilateral trade. The higher the level of positive integration, the more effective the RTA is in promoting bilateral trade. Overall, this study lends support to the sociological insight that creation of necessary institutions is essential for market expansion across borders. It also implies that positive integration has the potential to reconcile the seemingly contradictory goals of trade expansion and social protection.
Phylogenetic relationships of nonbiting midges in the subfamilyTanypodinae (Diptera:Chironomidae) inferred from morphology
Authors: SILVA FABIO LAURINDO DA , EKREM TORBJØRN
Published: September 2015

The nonbiting midge subfamily Tanypodinae represents one of the most diverse lineages ofChironomidae. Despite the wide distribution and high diversity of tanypodine chironomids, the evolutionary history of the subfamily remains poorly understood. Here, we present the first phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Tanypodinae based on morphological data. Cladistic analyses were conducted using 86 morphological characters from 115 species belonging to 54 tanypodine genera, including the eight currently recognised tribes:Anatopyniini,Clinotanypodini,Coelopyniini,Macropelopiini,Natarsiini,Pentaneurini,Procladiini andTanypodini. We use characters from fourth‐instar larvae, pupae and adults of both sexes. We examine the effects of implied weighting by reanalysing the data with varying values of concavity constant (k). Our analysis supports the monophyly ofTanypodinae withPodonominae as its sister group. All previously proposed tribes are recovered as monophyletic assemblages under a wide range of weighting factors. Under these conditions, the genusFittkauimyiais the sister group of the remaining Macropelopiini and is erected as a new monobasic tribe,Fittkauimyiinitrib.n. The tribePentaneurini is recovered as monophyletic with some internal relationships resolved. The genusParamerina, recovered as sister ofReomyia + Zavrelimyia, is formally synonymised withZavrelimyiasyn.n., based on morphological similarity in all three life stages and treated as a subgenus of the latter. Finally, the recently suggested synonymies ofGressittiusandGuassutanypuswithAlotanypusand the establishment of the subgeneraConchapelopia(Helopelopia),Macropelopia(Bethbilbeckia),Monopelopia(Cantopelopia),Thienemannimyia(Hayesomyia) andZavrelimyia(ReomyiaandSchineriella) are investigated. Our results support all proposed changes, except for the subgenus‐level status ofHelopelopiaandCantopelopia.We suggest re‐establishment ofHelopelopiaas a genus, but refrain from promoting genus‐level status ofCantopelopiaat present because the apparent sister‐relationship betweenMonopelopia + Nilotanypuslikely is due to wing vein reduction caused by miniaturisation.

This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DF012C17‐AFB3‐4904‐83DC‐30DD94D0B376.
HLA‐DRB1*14:84 may have been derived from HLA‐DRB1*14:05 and HLA‐DRB1*04:58 via a genetic recombination event
Authors: Yang K. L. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: September 2015

Derivation of HLA‐DRB1*14:84 via a genetic recombination event.
Non‐canonical roles for caveolin in regulation of membrane repair and mitochondria: implications for stress adaptation with age
Authors: Schilling Jan M. , Patel Hemal H.
Published: September 2015

Many different theories of ageing have been proposed but none has served the unifying purpose of defining a molecular target that can limit the structural and functional decline associated with age that ultimately leads to the demise of the organism. We propose that the search for a molecule with these unique properties must account for regulation of the signalling efficiency of multiple cellular functions that degrade with age due to a loss of a particular protein. We suggest caveolin as one such molecule that serves as a regulator of key processes in signal transduction. We define a particular distinction between cellular senescence and ageing and propose that caveolin plays a distinct role in each of these processes. Caveolin is traditionally thought of as a membrane‐localized protein regulating signal transduction via membrane enrichment of specific signalling molecules. Ultimately we focus on two non‐canonical roles for caveolin – membrane repair and regulation of mitochondrial function – which may be novel features of stress adaptation, especially in the setting of ageing. The end result of preserving membrane structure and mitochondrial function is maintenance of homeostatic signalling, preserving barrier function, and regulating energy production for cell survival and resilient ageing.

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On the Static and Dynamic Contact Problem of an Inflated Spherical Viscoelastic Membrane
Authors: Kumar Nirmal , DasGupta Anirvan
Published: September 2015

Inflated membrane structures, useful in vibration/shock isolation devices, terrestrial and space structures, etc., rely on the internal dissipation in the membrane for vibration attenuation. In this work, using the Christensen viscoelastic material model, we study the contact mechanics, displacement-controlled relaxation response, force-controlled creep response, dynamic contact, and energy dissipation due to oscillatory contact in an inflated spherical nonlinear viscoelastic membrane. We consider an inflated spherical membrane squeezed between two large rigid, frictionless, parallel plates. The effective stiffness and damping in the membrane–plate assembly are determined, and a phenomenological model is developed. Under oscillatory contact condition, the energy dissipation per cycle is determined. Further, using the free-vibration test, the damped natural frequency of the membrane–plate system is calculated.
Trajectory Generation for Three-Degree-of-Freedom Cable-Suspended Parallel Robots Based on Analytical Integration of the Dynamic Equations
Authors: Jiang Xiaoling , Gosselin Clément
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes a trajectory generation technique for three degree-of-freedom (3-dof) planar cable-suspended parallel robots. Based on the kinematic and dynamic modeling of the robot, positive constant ratios between cable tensions and cable lengths are assumed. This assumption allows the transformation of the dynamic equations into linear differential equations with constant coefficients for the positioning part, while the orientation equation becomes a pendulum-like differential equation for which accurate solutions can be found in the literature. The integration of the differential equations is shown to yield families of translational trajectories and associated special frequencies. This result generalizes the special cases previously identified in the literature. Combining the results obtained with translational trajectories and rotational trajectories, more general combined motions are analyzed. Examples are given in order to demonstrate the results. Because of the initial assumption on which the proposed method is based, the ratio between cable forces and cable lengths is constant and hence always positive, which ensures that all cables remain under tension. Therefore, the acceleration vector remains in the column space of the Jacobian matrix, which means that the mechanism can smoothly pass through kinematic singularities. The proposed trajectory planning approach can be used to plan dynamic trajectories that extend beyond the static workspace of the mechanism.
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells persist and induce sustained remissions in relapsed refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Porter David L. , Hwang Wei-Ting , Frey Noelle V. , Lacey Simon F. , Shaw Pamela A. , Loren Alison W. , Bagg Adam , Marcucci Katherine T. , Shen Angela , Gonzalez Vanessa , Ambrose David , Grupp Stephan A. , Chew Anne , Zheng Zhaohui , Milone Michael C. , Levine Bruce L. , Melenhorst Jan J. , June Carl H.
Published: September 2015

CAR T cells persist and sustain remissions in advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Association of Human Papillomavirus 31 DNA Load with Risk of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grades 2 and 3
Authors: Liu Xia , Schiffman Mark , Hulbert Ayaka , He Zhonghu , Shen Zhenping , Koutsky Laura A. , Xi Long Fu
Published: September 2015

The association between human papillomavirus 31 (HPV31) DNA loads and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 (CIN2–3) was evaluated among women enrolled in the atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) triage study (ALTS), who were monitored semiannually over 2 years and who had HPV31 infections detected at ≥1 visit. HPV31 DNA loads in the first HPV31-positive samples and in a random set of the last positive samples from women with ≥2 HPV31-positive visits were measured by a real-time PCR assay. CIN2–3 was histologically confirmed at the same time as the first detection of HPV31 for 88 (16.6%) of 530 women. After adjustment for HPV31 lineages, coinfection with other oncogenic types, and the timing of the first positive detection, the odds ratio (OR) per 1-log-unit increase in viral loads for the risk of a concurrent diagnosis of CIN2–3 was 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 1.9). Of 373 women without CIN2–3 at the first positive visit who had ≥1 later visit, 44 had subsequent diagnoses of CIN2–3. The initial viral loads were associated with CIN2–3 diagnosed within 6 months after the first positive visit (adjusted OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.0 to 2.4]) but were unrelated to CIN2–3 diagnosed later. For a random set of 49 women who were tested for viral loads at the first and last positive visits, changes in viral loads were upward and downward among women with and without follow-up CIN2–3 diagnoses, respectively, although the difference was not statistically significant. Results suggest that HPV31 DNA load levels at the first positive visit signal a short-term but not long-term risk of CIN2–3.
Blood Volume Required for Detection of Low Levels and Ultralow Levels of Organisms Responsible for Neonatal Bacteremia by Use of Bactec Peds Plus/F, Plus Aerobic/F Medium, and the BD Bactec FX System: anIn VitroStudy
Authors: Lancaster Diana P. , Friedman David F. , Chiotos Kathleen , Sullivan Kaede V.
Published: September 2015

We used anin vitrotechnique to investigate blood volumes required to detect bacteremia and fungemia with low concentrations of an organism. At 1 to 10 CFU/ml,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus epidermidis,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeria monocytogenes,Candida albicans, andCandida parapsilosisisolates were detected in volumes as low as 0.5 ml. Detection ofStreptococcus agalactiaeand detection of bacteremia at <1 CFU/ml were unreliable.
M-Protein Analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes Isolates Associated with Acute Rheumatic Fever in New Zealand
Authors: Williamson Deborah A. , Smeesters Pierre R. , Steer Andrew C. , Steemson John D. , Ng Adrian C. H. , Proft Thomas , Fraser John D. , Baker Michael G. , Morgan Julie , Carter Philip E. , Moreland Nicole J.
Published: September 2015

We applied an
emm
cluster typing system to group A
Streptococcus
strains in New Zealand, including those associated with acute rheumatic fever (ARF). We observed few so-called rheumatogenic
emm
types but found a high proportion of
emm
types previously associated with pyoderma, further suggesting a role for skin infection in ARF.
A Stewardship Approach To Optimize Antimicrobial Therapy through Use of a Rapid Microarray Assay on Blood Cultures Positive for Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Sothoron Conner , Ferreira Jason , Guzman Nilmarie , Aldridge Petra , McCarter Yvette S. , Jankowski Christopher A.
Published: September 2015

A Gram-negative (GN) blood culture microarray assay with an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) intervention was evaluated in 126 patients with GN bacteremia. The median time to optimal therapy was shorter in the postintervention group than in the preintervention group (49.3 h versus 38.5 h, respectively;
P
= 0.0199). ASP can utilize microarray technology to decrease the time to optimal antimicrobial therapy.
Synthetic Fatty Acids Prevent Plasmid-Mediated Horizontal Gene Transfer
Authors: Getino María , Sanabria-Ríos David J. , Fernández-López Raúl , Campos-Gómez Javier , Sánchez-López José M. , Fernández Antonio , Carballeira Néstor M. , de la Cruz Fernando
Published: September 2015

Bacterial conjugation constitutes a major horizontal gene transfer mechanism for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes among human pathogens. Antibiotic resistance spread could be halted or diminished by molecules that interfere with the conjugation process. In this work, synthetic 2-alkynoic fatty acids were identified as a novel class of conjugation inhibitors. Their chemical properties were investigated by using the prototype 2-hexadecynoic acid and its derivatives. Essential features of effective inhibitors were the carboxylic group, an optimal long aliphatic chain of 16 carbon atoms, and one unsaturation. Chemical modification of these groups led to inactive or less-active derivatives. Conjugation inhibitors were found to act on the donor cell, affecting a wide number of pathogenic bacterial hosts, including
Escherichia
,
Salmonella
,
Pseudomonas
, and
Acinetobacter
spp. Conjugation inhibitors were active in inhibiting transfer of IncF, IncW, and IncH plasmids, moderately active against IncI, IncL/M, and IncX plasmids, and inactive against IncP and IncN plasmids. Importantly, the use of 2-hexadecynoic acid avoided the spread of a derepressed IncF plasmid into a recipient population, demonstrating the feasibility of abolishing the dissemination of antimicrobial resistances by blocking bacterial conjugation.

IMPORTANCE
Diseases caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are taking an important toll with respect to human morbidity and mortality. The most relevant antibiotic resistance genes come to human pathogens carried by plasmids, mainly using conjugation as a transmission mechanism. Here, we identified and characterized a series of compounds that were active against several plasmid groups of clinical relevance, in a wide variety of bacterial hosts. These inhibitors might be used for fighting antibiotic-resistance dissemination by inhibiting conjugation. Potential inhibitors could be used in specific settings (e.g., farm, fish factory, or even clinical settings) to investigate their effect in the eradication of undesired resistances.
Appendicitis following capsule endoscopy
Authors: Yee Kenny
Published: September 2015

A 19-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain 10 h after ingesting a capsule endoscope. The pain subsequently localised to the right iliac fossa with guarding and cough/percussion tenderness. Follow-up pelvic ultrasound showed a tender non-compressible appendix consistent with appendicitis. The patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy with good recovery. This report describes an unusual presentation of appendicitis following ingestion of a capsule endoscope.
A newborn with massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage
Authors: Majjiga Venkata Sasidhar , Bhatt Nidhi , Kavianian Ali , Batton Beau
Published: September 2015

We describe an unusual case of an intra-abdominal teratoma with massive bleeding presenting as sudden cardiovascular collapse immediately after birth. The infant required massive volume and blood product transfusion, alongside emergent tumour resection, in order to obtain haemostasis and haemodynamic stabilisation. Haemorrhage of a sacrococcygeal teratoma is a known entity, but we are not aware of a previous report of massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage due to a teratoma, immediately after birth. This case emphasises the need to consider intra-abdominal pathology, including a teratoma, in the differential diagnosis of any newborn with early hypovolaemic shock and abdominal distention.
Patterns of seroprevalence of feline viruses among domestic cats (Felis catus) and Pallas’ cats (Otocolobus manul) in Daursky Reserve, Russia
Authors: Pavlova Ekaterina V. , Kirilyuk Vadim E. , Naidenko Sergey V.
Published: September 2015

Few data are available on the prevalence of feline viruses in the wild and little is known about natural sources of infections. The aim of this study was to estimate patterns of seroprevalence to feline viruses (feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline herpesvirus (FHV), and feline leukemia virus (FeLV)) in two cat species, domestic cats (Felis catus L., 1758) (n = 61) and Pallas’ cats (Otocolobus manul (Pallas, 1776)) (n = 24), living in the same area, in Daursky Reserve, Russia. Our results indicate that four of five viruses are circulating in the study area, with the exception of FHV. The pattern of FCV and FPV prevalence differed from FIV and FeLV. FCV and FPV seroprevalence did not depend on the sex and predominated in the group of cats living in the village (76% and 55%, respectively). No Pallas’ cats were seropositive to these viruses. The prevalence of FIV and FeLV were similar in areas with different cat densities (at the stations (16% for both viruses) and in the village (16% for both viruses)). The patterns of seroprevalence between species testify to the low rate of interspecific contacts. In Pallas’ cats, we found the presence of antibodies to FIV to be 5% and antigens of FeLV to be 5%, pathogens for which transmission demand close direct contacts between animals (mainly aggressive and (or) sexual contact), which is typical in the breeding season. Arid climate may also reduce patterns of viral prevalence in the study area, decreasing the risk of infection for both cat species.
On vector dominance
Authors: Petrov V. A.
Published: August 2015

We argue that a Regge-pole modification of the VDM puts on equal footing the asymptotic behavior of electromagnetic and neutral vector meson currents.
Spin accumulation in the parallel-coupled double quantum dots with Rashba spin-orbit interaction connected with ferromagnetic and superconducting electrodes
Authors: Ye Cheng-Zhi , Lu Wei-Tao , Xu Chang-Tan
Published: September 2015

Using the standard nonequilibrium Green’s function techniques, we investigate the effect of Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) and ferromagnetic electrode on the spin accumulation in the parallel-coupled double quantum dots coupled with a ferromagnetic and a superconducting electrode. It is demonstrated that FM electrode cannot induce the spin polarization of Andreev reflection (AR) current, but can induce the spin accumulation in the QDs. However, RSOI can lead to the spin polarization of AR current as well as the spin accumulation in the QDs. In the existence of RSOI, complete spin-polarized QD can be achieved with negative bias voltage [Formula: see text], which is the most significant advantage of our device. When energy levels [Formula: see text] and the interdot coupling strength [Formula: see text], the maximum value of spin accumulation in this paper is obtained as 0.7. The results may be useful on the design of spintronic devices.
Evolution of Fortune Brand Communications of Adani Wilmar
Authors: Vyas Preeta , Bhatt Falgun
Published: September 2015

In early 2011, CEO of Adani Wilmar Ltd. (AWL) arranged a meeting with COO (Chief Operating Officer) and his team to review Fortune brand communication strategy. The multimedia campaign, designed and proposed by its advertising agency, was a major shift from past communications. With a tagline “Joy of Eating”, the company wanted to craft a unique value proposition for the brand. Earlier the “Thoda aur chalega” (little more will do) campaign was continued since its introduction for the variants under the brand “Fortune”.

The case describes the taglines and product portfolio of the “Fortune” brand as well as the characteristics of the edible oil industry and competition within the industry. It featured the proposed brand portfolio and communication strategy for the “Fortune” brand. The brand had maintained its market leadership for last 7 years in organized (packaged edible refined oil) market and hoped to further strengthen its market share with this repositioning. The team was to analyze the market and chart out the future road map for communications of the brand in a competitive edible oil market in India.
Key Performance Indicators of Tubes and Foam-Filled Tubes Used as Energy Absorbers
Authors: Xiang Yanfei , Wang Min , Yu Tongxi , Yang Liming
Published: August 2015

Based on a systematic investigation on the experimental, theoretical and numerical results on various tubes under axial compression/impact including our own tests, a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for assessing and comparing the energy absorbing performance of tubular structures with various configurations is proposed, so as to guide the design of energy absorbers whilst to facilitate parameter optimization. The five KPIs proposed on the basis of mechanical analyses are effective stroke ratio (ESR), nondimensional load-carrying capacity (NLC), specific energy absorption (SEA), effectiveness of energy absorption (EEA) and undulation of load-carrying capacity (ULC). Moreover, by considering the influence of foam filling, these five KPIs are also modified and extended to the foam-filled tubes.

The paper presents a series of diagrams to compare the energy absorbing performance of various tubes in terms of the five KPIs as described above. It transpires that the energy absorption performance of circular tubes is superior to that of square tubes. It is also confirmed that the mass of foam fillers results in reductions of SEA and EEA, though foam fillers will greatly improve the NLC of empty tubes.

The novelty of the present study is displayed on the following aspects: (1) uniquely defining the effective stroke by the maximum point of "energy efficiency" f so as to avoid ambiguity which appeared in the literature; (2) instead of a single indicator such as SEA, proposing a set of five KPIs to comprehensively assess the performance of energy absorbers and (3) validating the usefulness of the proposed KPIs by comparing the performance of various tubular structures used as energy absorbers.
Coupled Effect of Surface Energy and Size Effect on the Static and Dynamic Pull-In Instability of Narrow Nano-Switches
Authors: Koochi Ali , Hosseini-Toudeshky Hossein
Published: August 2015

In this paper, the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method is employed to investigate the static and dynamic pull-in instability of nano-switches with small width/height ratio. For nano-switches with slender narrow-width beam elements, the corrections due to surface layer, external forces and size effect are crucial. So the couple-stress theory combined with the Gurtin–Murdoch surface elasticity is employed to incorporate the coupled effects of size phenomena and surface energy. In addition, the model accounts for the external force corrections by incorporating the impact of narrow width on the distribution of Casimir attraction, van der Waals force and the fringing field. The effects of the above-mentioned corrections on the static and dynamic pull-in parameters are demonstrated. The results from the modified model are compared with those from conventional parallel beam-plate models in the literature. It is shown that the corrections significantly affect the pull-in parameters of the narrow-width switches and hence, cannot be ignored in theoretical models. For wide switches, the results of the proposed model approach to those of the conventional models.
Soil Biodiversity and the Environment
Authors: Nielsen Uffe N. , Wall Diana H. , Six Johan
Published: September 2015

Soils represent a significant reservoir of biological diversity that underpins a broad range of key processes and moderate ecosystem service provision. Our understanding of the role that soil organisms play in ecosystems is still developing, but the increased investigation into biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in soils over the past couple of decades has provided insights that have greatly enhanced our ability to sustainably manage soil biodiversity. In this review, we synthesize emerging knowledge of soil biodiversity as a natural resource that supports the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and their delivery of ecosystem services. We explore how environmental changes alter soil biodiversity and how this in turn can affect ecosystem processes as well as resistance and resilience to environmental changes. We then discuss ways to include soil biodiversity in management strategies for sustainable production and biodiversity conservation. We conclude by highlighting key research challenges to further improve our knowledge of soil biodiversity and its management.
Oral Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy
Authors: Anagnostou Katherine , Clark Andrew
Published: September 2015

Peanut allergy is a common disease and the cause of severe, life-threatening allergic reactions and death. It is rarely outgrown; most pediatric patients carry the disease into adulthood. Peanut allergy poses a significant burden on the quality of life of sufferers and their families, which results mainly from the fear of accidental peanut ingestion but is also due to dietary and social restrictions. Current standard management involves avoidance advice, patient education, and provision of emergency rescue medication. Immunotherapy, commonly used to treat other allergic diseases, has shown promise as a disease-modifying therapy for peanut allergy. Results from studies of oral immunotherapy show high efficacy rates, improvement in quality of life, and a good safety profile. Treatment may result in sustained unresponsiveness in a proportion of patients, whereas others require ongoing treatment.
Innate and Adaptive Immune Regulation During Chronic Viral Infections
Authors: Zuniga Elina I. , Macal Monica , Lewis Gavin M. , Harker James A.
Published: September 2015

Chronic viral infections represent a unique challenge to the infected host. Persistently replicating viruses outcompete or subvert the initial antiviral response, allowing the establishment of chronic infections that result in continuous stimulation of both the innate and adaptive immune compartments. This causes a profound reprogramming of the host immune system, including attenuation and persistent low levels of type I interferons, progressive loss (or exhaustion) of CD8+T cell functions, and specialization of CD4+T cells to produce interleukin-21 and promote antibody-mediated immunity and immune regulation. Epigenetic, transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and metabolic changes underlie this adaptation or recalibration of immune cells to the emerging new environment in order to strike an often imperfect balance between the host and the infectious pathogen. In this review we discuss the common immunological hallmarks observed across a range of different persistently replicating viruses and host species, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and the biological and clinical implications.
Catecholaminergic neurons in the comissural region of the nucleus of the solitary tract modulate hyperosmolality-induced responses
Authors: Freiria-Oliveira Andre H. , Blanch Graziela T. , Pedrino Gustavo R. , Cravo Sergio L. , Murphy David , Menani José V. , Colombari Débora S. A.
Published: September 2015

Noradrenergic A2 neurons of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) have been suggested to contribute to body fluid homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of lesions of A2 neurons of the commissural NTS (cNTS) on the c-Fos expression in neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, arterial pressure, water intake, and urinary excretion in rats with plasma hyperosmolality produced by intragastric 2 M NaCl (2 ml/rat). Male Holtzman rats (280–320 g) received an injection of anti-dopamine-β-hydroxylase-saporin (12.6 ng/60 nl; cNTS/A2-lesion, n = 28) or immunoglobulin G (IgG)-saporin (12.6 ng/60 nl; sham, n = 24) into the cNTS. The cNTS/A2 lesions increased the number of neurons expressing c-Fos in the magnocellular PVN in rats treated with hypertonic NaCl (90 ± 13, vs. sham: 47 ± 20; n = 4), without changing the number of neurons expressing c-Fos in the parvocellular PVN or in the SON. Contrary to sham rats, intragastric 2 M NaCl also increased arterial pressure in cNTS/A2-lesioned rats (16 ± 3, vs. sham: 2 ± 2 mmHg 60 min after the intragastric load; n = 9), an effect blocked by the pretreatment with the vasopressin antagonist Manning compound (0 ± 3 mmHg; n = 10). In addition, cNTS/A2 lesions enhanced hyperosmolality-induced water intake (10.5 ± 1.4, vs. sham: 7.7 ± 0.8 ml/60 min; n = 8–10), without changing renal responses to hyperosmolality. The results suggest that inhibitory mechanisms dependent on cNTS/A2 neurons reduce water intake and vasopressin-dependent pressor response to an acute increase in plasma osmolality.
Peripheral sounds rapidly activate visual cortex: evidence from electrocorticography
Authors: Brang David , Towle Vernon L. , Suzuki Satoru , Hillyard Steven A. , Di Tusa Senneca , Dai Zhongtian , Tao James , Wu Shasha , Grabowecky Marcia
Published: September 2015

Neurophysiological studies with animals suggest that sounds modulate activity in primary visual cortex in the presence of concurrent visual stimulation. Noninvasive neuroimaging studies in humans have similarly shown that sounds modulate activity in visual areas even in the absence of visual stimuli or visual task demands. However, the spatial and temporal limitations of these noninvasive methods prevent the determination of how rapidly sounds activate early visual cortex and what information about the sounds is relayed there. Using spatially and temporally precise measures of local synaptic activity acquired from depth electrodes in humans, we demonstrate that peripherally presented sounds evoke activity in the anterior portion of the contralateral, but not ipsilateral, calcarine sulcus within 28 ms of sound onset. These results suggest that auditory stimuli rapidly evoke spatially specific activity in visual cortex even in the absence of concurrent visual stimulation or visual task demands. This rapid auditory-evoked activation of primary visual cortex is likely to be mediated by subcortical pathways or direct cortical projections from auditory to visual areas.
Effect of Dopant Compensation on the Behavior of Dissolved Iron and Iron-Boron Related Complexes in Silicon
Authors: Zhu Xiaodong , Yu Xuegong , Chen Peng , Liu Yong , Vanhellemont Jan , Yang Deren
Published: August 2015

The behavior of iron, iron-boron (FeB) pairs, and iron-boron-phosphorus (FeB-P) complexes has been studied in B-doped Czochralski silicon with phosphorus (P) compensation and compared with that in uncompensated material. The interstitial iron concentration has been measured at temperatures from 50 to 270°C. The apparent binding energy (Eb) of FeB in compensated silicon is (0.25 ± 0.03) eV, significantly lower than the (0.53 ± 0.02) eV in uncompensated silicon. Possible reasons for this reduction in binding energy are discussed by experimental and calculation methods. The results are important for understanding and controlling the behavior of Fe in compensated silicon.
An Infrared Spectroscopy Study of the Conformational Evolution of the Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide Ion in the Liquid and in the Glass State
Authors: Palumbo Oriele , Trequattrini Francesco , Vitucci Francesco Maria , Navarra Maria Assunta , Panero Stefania , Paolone Annalisa
Published: August 2015

We measure the far-infrared spectrum of N,N-Dimethyl-N-ethyl-N-benzylammonium (DEBA) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI) ionic liquid (IL) in the temperature range between 160 and 307 K. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicate that such IL undergoes a glass transition around 210 K. DFT calculations allow us to assign all the experimental absorptions to specific vibrations of the DEBA cation or of the two conformers of the TFSI anion. We find that the vibration frequencies calculated by means of the PBE0 functional are in better agreement with the experimental ones than those calculated at the B3LYP level, largely used for the attribution of vibration lines of ionic liquids. Experimentally we show that, in the liquid state, the relative concentrations of the two conformers of TFSI depend on temperature through the Boltzmann factor and the energy separation,ΔH, is found to be≈2 kJ/mol, in agreement with previous calculations and literature. However, in the glassy state, the concentrations of the cis-TFSI and trans-TFSI remain fixed, witnessing the frozen state of this phase.
Correction for Eddy Current-Induced Echo-Shifting Effect in Partial-Fourier Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Authors: Truong Trong-Kha , Song Allen W. , Chen Nan-kuei
Published: August 2015

In most diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies, images are acquired with either a partial-Fourier or a parallel partial-Fourier echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence, in order to shorten the echo time and increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). However, eddy currents induced by the diffusion-sensitizing gradients can often lead to a shift of the echo ink-space, resulting in three distinct types of artifacts in partial-Fourier DTI. Here, we present an improved DTI acquisition and reconstruction scheme, capable of generating high-quality and high-SNR DTI data without eddy current-induced artifacts. This new scheme consists of three components, respectively, addressing the three distinct types of artifacts. First, ak-space energy-anchored DTI sequence is designed to recover eddy current-induced signal loss (i.e., Type 1 artifact). Second, a multischeme partial-Fourier reconstruction is used to eliminate artificial signal elevation (i.e., Type 2 artifact) associated with the conventional partial-Fourier reconstruction. Third, a signal intensity correction is applied to remove artificial signal modulations due to eddy current-induced erroneousT2*-weighting (i.e., Type 3 artifact). These systematic improvements will greatly increase the consistency and accuracy of DTI measurements, expanding the utility of DTI in translational applications where quantitative robustness is much needed.
Occupational Hepatitis B Exposure: A Peek into Indian Dental Students’ Knowledge, Opinion, and Preventive Practices
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Basak Debashish , Kumar Amit , Dasar Pralhad , Mishra Prashant , Kumar Arunoday , Kumar Singh Siddharth , Debnath Nitai , Gupta Anjali
Published: August 2015

Objective. To determine the level of knowledge, opinions, and preventive practices followed by dental students against Hepatitis B. The study also explored if any correlation existed between knowledge, opinion, and preventive practices score.Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a dental teaching institution. The subjects comprised 216 dental students. The study was conducted using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was prepared to assess knowledge, opinion, and preventive practices against Hepatitis B. Kruskal-Wallis and Kendall Tau test were performed.Results. The study found that only 44.4% of the students were vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine. 59.3% of the students reported washing their hands after contact with patient’s body fluids. 63.9% used personal protective measures like facemask, aprons, head cap, eye shields, and so forth, while treating patients. Median knowledge, opinion, and practice scores were found to be 5.00, 3.00, and 3.00, respectively. Significant correlation was obtained between knowledge and preventive practices score (r=0.385,pvalue<0.0001).Conclusion. Effective measures need to be taken to improve preventive practices of the students to prevent them from risk of Hepatitis transmission. Mandatory vaccination against Hepatitis B needs to be implemented.
Acupuncture Affects Autonomic and Endocrine but Not Behavioural Responses Induced by Startle in Horses
Authors: Villas-Boas Julia Dias , Dias Daniel Penteado Martins , Trigo Pablo Ignacio , Almeida Norma Aparecida dos Santos , de Almeida Fernando Queiroz , de Medeiros Magda Alves
Published: August 2015

Startle is a fast response elicited by sudden acoustic, tactile, or visual stimuli in a variety of animals and in humans. As the magnitude of startle response can be modulated by external and internal variables, it can be a useful tool to study reaction to stress. Our study evaluated whether acupuncture can change cardiac autonomic modulation (heart rate variability); and behavioural (reactivity) and endocrine (cortisol levels) parameters in response to startle. Brazilian Sport horses(n=6)were subjected to a model of startle in which an umbrella was abruptly opened near the horse. Before startle, the horses were subjected to a 20-minute session of acupuncture in acupoints GV1, HT7, GV20, and BL52 (ACUP) and in nonpoints (NP) or left undisturbed (CTL). For analysis of the heart rate variability, ultrashort-term (64 s) heart rate series were interpolated (4 Hz) and divided into 256-point segments and the spectra integrated into low (LF; 0.01–0.07 Hz; index of sympathetic modulation) and high (HF; 0.07–0.50 Hz; index of parasympathetic modulation) frequency bands. Acupuncture (ACUP) changed the sympathovagal balance with a shift towards parasympathetic modulation, reducing the prompt startle-induced increase in LF/HF and reducing cortisol levels 30 min after startle. However, acupuncture elicited no changes in behavioural parameters.
New Benchmarking Methodology and Programming Model for Big Data Processing
Authors: Kos Anton , Tomažič Sašo , Salom Jakob , Trifunovic Nemanja , Valero Mateo , Milutinovic Veljko
Published: August 2015

Big data processing is becoming a reality in numerous real-world applications. With the emergence of new data intensive technologies and increasing amounts of data, new computing concepts are needed. The integration of big data producing technologies, such as wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things, and cloud computing, into cyber-physical systems is reducing the available time to find the appropriate solutions. This paper presents one possible solution for the coming exascale big data processing: a data flow computing concept. The performance of data flow systems that are processing big data should not be measured with the measures defined for the prevailing control flow systems. A new benchmarking methodology is proposed, which integrates the performance issues of speed, area, and power needed to execute the task. The computer ranking would look different if the new benchmarking methodologies were used; data flow systems would outperform control flow systems. This statement is backed by the recent results gained from implementations of specialized algorithms and applications in data flow systems. They show considerable factors of speedup, space savings, and power reductions regarding the implementations of the same in control flow computers. In our view, the next step of data flow computing development should be a move from specialized to more general algorithms and applications.
Gold Nanoparticles Size Design and Control by Poly(N,N′‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)
Authors: Cortez-Lemus Norma A. , Licea-Claverie Angel , Paraguay-Delgado Francisco , Alonso-Nuñez Gabriel
Published: August 2015

Poly(N,N′‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDEAEM) with different molecular weights was used to stabilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) obtained by in situ reduction of tetrachloroauric acid using citrates under acidic conditions and in organic/alcoholic medium. The influence of the pH value on gold nanoparticle size in the presence of PDEAEM was investigated. Results show that the pH of the reacting mixture has a dramatic effect on the size, polydispersity, and morphology of the resulting AuNPs. Moreover, the size of the nanoparticles (NPs) may be modified by changing the solution’s pH or by changing the solvent type. Electron microscope images showed that the sizes of AuNPs coated with PDEAEM were not sensitive to the variation of the polymer molecular weight in the range between 9000 and 29300 g/mol; however their aggregation behavior depended strongly on the polymer molecular weight as revealed by dynamic light scattering studies. AuNPs stabilized with PDEAEM (AuNP@PDEAEM) are stable in water at acidic pH and in organic polar solvents.
Handling Interservice Time Constraints in Wireless Networks
Authors: Zheng Xu , Li Jianzhong , Gao Hong
Published: August 2015

Cyber physical systems collect plenty of information from physical world. This information must be transmitted to the base station immediately to support the making of controlling orders since the physical world keeps transforming rapidly. Such a fact needs the support of real-time transmitting in CPS. Real-time traffic often has some extra QoS requirements. For example, regulating the interservice time, which is the time between two consecutive transmissions of a link, is essential for the real-time traffic in wireless networks. A guarantee of the interservice time of a single user is a precondition to support the normal operating of a system. As far as we know, none of previous work can guarantee the performance on the interservice time. Motivated by this, we design a framework for interservice time guaranteed scheduling. We first define a new capacity region of networks with a strict interservice time guarantee. It is an extension of the well-accepted definition on basic capacity region. Then we propose a novel scheduling policy that is both throughput-optimal and interservice time guaranteed. Simulation results show the policy performs well in interservice time and throughput.
Leaky Modes of Waveguides as a Classical Optics Analogy of Quantum Resonances
Authors: Cruz y Cruz Sara , Rosas-Ortiz Oscar
Published: August 2015

A classical optics waveguide structure is proposed to simulate resonances of short range one-dimensional potentials in quantum mechanics. The analogy is based on the well-known resemblance between the guided and radiation modes of a waveguide with the bound and scattering states of a quantum well. As resonances are scattering states that spend some time in the zone of influence of the scatterer, we associate them with the leaky modes of a waveguide, the latter characterized by suffering attenuation in the direction of propagation but increasing exponentially in the transverse directions. The resemblance is complete because resonances (leaky modes) can be interpreted as bound states (guided modes) with definite lifetime (longitudinal shift). As an immediate application we calculate the leaky modes (resonances) associated with a dielectric homogeneous slab (square well potential) and show that these modes are attenuated as they propagate.
A Case of Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis in a Young Patient with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Cohen Ronny , Lysenko Alla , Mallet Thierry , Mirrer Brooks , Gale Michael , Loarte Pablo , McCue Robert
Published: August 2015

We present a case of drug-induced myocarditis manifesting as acute heart failure in a young patient with bipolar disorder being treated for depression. The case describes a 20-year-old man being treated in the psychiatry ward for worsening depression when he started complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. His list of medications included clozapine, lithium, lorazepam, and haloperidol. The main findings on physical examination were tachycardia, low-grade fever, crackles in both lung bases on auscultation, and the absence of any notable edema. Abnormal labs included a troponin of 0.9, with a CK of 245 and CK-MB of 3.1. An ECG revealed sinus tachycardia and left anterior fascicular block (LAFB). An echocardiogram revealed global hypokinesis, severe left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction estimated at 20%. The patient had an admitting diagnosis of acute left ventricular systolic dysfunction likely secondary to drug-induced myocarditis (suspect clozapine) versus acute coronary syndrome. He was managed conservatively and transferred to another facility for endomyocardial biopsy confirming myocarditis. This case is an example of one of the most typical presentations of suspected drug-induced acute myocarditis and will hopefully prompt the reader to think of this underdiagnosed entity in the right clinical setting.
A Reliable Broadcast Protocol in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Fan Xiumei , Wang Chao , Yu Jiguo , Xing Kai , Chen Yingwen , Liang Jiawei
Published: August 2015

Periodical broadcasts of individual vehicle's safety information such as velocity and acceleration are critical in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). However, current contention-based media access control (MAC) protocols cannot guarantee high performance in high density VANETs. In this paper, we propose a MAC protocol based on s-disjunct code to achieve reliable and real-time broadcasts via assigning a channel to each vehicle as the vehicle enters the network. Our protocol is adaptive as vehicles are required to adjust their communication ranges according to the network density in order to avert the interference among them. We conduct an extensive simulation study, and our results indicate that the proposed scheme can successfully achieve the requirements of the dedicated short range communication (DSRC) standard, that is, to broadcast safety information 10 times per second. Even at a high vehicle density, our scheme still guarantees that the success rates of both transmission and reception are greater than 95%, and the collision rates of access collision and merging collision are lower than 10 collisions/period.