bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quorum Sensing Influences Burkholderia thailandensis Biofilm Development and Matrix Production
Authors: Tseng Boo Shan , Majerczyk Charlotte D. , Passos da Silva Daniel , Chandler Josephine R. , Greenberg E. Peter , Parsek Matthew R.
Published: April 2016

Members of the genus
Burkholderia
are known to be adept at biofilm formation, which presumably assists in the survival of these organisms in the environment and the host. Biofilm formation has been linked to quorum sensing (QS) in several bacterial species. In this study, we characterized
Burkholderia thailandensis
biofilm development under flow conditions and sought to determine whether QS contributes to this process.
B. thailandensis
biofilm formation exhibited an unusual pattern: the cells formed small aggregates and then proceeded to produce mature biofilms characterized by “dome” structures filled with biofilm matrix material. We showed that this process was dependent on QS.
B. thailandensis
has three acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) QS systems (QS-1, QS-2, and QS-3). An AHL-negative strain produced biofilms consisting of cell aggregates but lacking the matrix-filled dome structures. This phenotype was rescued via exogenous addition of the three AHL signals. Of the three
B. thailandensis
QS systems, we show that QS-1 is required for proper biofilm development, since a
btaR1
mutant, which is defective in QS-1 regulation, forms biofilms without these dome structures. Furthermore, our data show that the wild-type biofilm biomass, as well as the material inside the domes, stains with a fucose-binding lectin. The
btaR1
mutant biofilms, however, are negative for fucose staining. This suggests that the QS-1 system regulates the production of a fucose-containing exopolysaccharide in wild-type biofilms. Finally, we present data showing that QS ability during biofilm development produces a biofilm that is resistant to dispersion under stress conditions.

IMPORTANCE
The saprophyte
Burkholderia thailandensis
is a close relative of the pathogenic bacterium
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, the causative agent of melioidosis, which is contracted from its environmental reservoir. Since most bacteria in the environment reside in biofilms,
B. thailandensis
is an ideal model organism for investigating questions in
Burkholderia
physiology. In this study, we characterized
B. thailandensis
biofilm development and sought to determine if quorum sensing (QS) contributes to this process. Our work shows that
B. thailandensis
produces biofilms with unusual dome structures under flow conditions. Our findings suggest that these dome structures are filled with a QS-regulated, fucose-containing exopolysaccharide that may be involved in the resilience of
B. thailandensis
biofilms against changes in the nutritional environment.
Analysis of the Spore Membrane Proteome in Clostridium perfringens Implicates Cyanophycin in Spore Assembly
Authors: Liu Hualan , Ray W. Keith , Helm Richard F. , Popham David L. , Melville Stephen B.
Published: April 2016

Heat-resistant endospore formation plays an important role in
Clostridium perfringens
-associated foodborne illnesses. The spores allow the bacterium to survive heating during normal cooking processes, followed by germination and outgrowth of the bacterium in contaminated foods. To identify proteins associated with germination and other spore functions, a comparative spore membrane proteome analysis of dormant and germinated spores of
C. perfringens
strain SM101 was performed by using gel-based protein separation and liquid chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–tandem time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry. A total of 494 proteins were identified, and 117 of them were predicted to be integral membrane or membrane-associated proteins. Among these membrane proteins, 16 and 26 were detected only in dormant and germinated spores, respectively. One protein that was detected only in germinated spore membranes was the enzyme cyanophycinase, a protease that cleaves the polymer cyanophycin, which is composed of
l
-arginine-poly(
l
-aspartic acid), to β-Asp-Arg. Genes encoding cyanophycinase and cyanophycin synthetase have been observed in many species of
Clostridium
, but their role has not been defined. To determine the function of cyanophycin in
C. perfringens
, a mutation was introduced into the
cphA
gene, encoding cyanophycin synthetase. In comparison to parent strain SM101, the spores of the mutant strain retained wild-type levels of heat resistance, but fewer spores were made, and they were smaller, suggesting that cyanophycin synthesis plays a role in spore assembly. Although cyanophycin could not be extracted from sporulating
C. perfringens
cells, an
Escherichia coli
strain expressing the
cphA
gene made copious amounts of cyanophycin, confirming that
cphA
encodes a cyanophycin synthetase.

IMPORTANCE
Clostridium perfringens
is a common cause of food poisoning, and germination of spores after cooking is thought to play a significant role in the disease. How
C. perfringens
controls the germination process is still not completely understood. We characterized the proteome of the membranes from dormant and germinated spores and discovered that large-scale changes occur after germination is initiated. One of the proteins that was detected after germination was the enzyme cyanophycinase, which degrades the storage compound cyanophycin, which is found in cyanobacteria and other prokaryotes. A cyanophycin synthetase mutant was constructed and found to make spores with altered morphology but normal heat resistance, suggesting that cyanophycin plays a different role in
C. perfringens
than it does in cyanobacteria.
Takayasu arteritis presenting with total occlusion of the left main coronary artery ostium: an extremely rare occurrence
Authors: Kandoria Arvind , Kandoria Meenakshi , Ganju Neeraj , Mahajan Kunal
Published: April 2016

A young 18-year-old female patient with exertional angina and claudication of the upper limbs was subjected to angiography. Bruits were auscultated over the bilateral renal arteries, right subclavian and right common carotid arteries. There was asymmetry of peripheral pulses. Laboratory parameters demonstrated a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein. An aortic angiogram revealed a typical picture of Takayasu arteritis with bilateral subclavian, common carotid and renal involvement. A coronary angiogram was performed which showed total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. There was retrograde filling of the left coronary artery on right coronary artery injection up to the ostium of the left main coronary artery. Since the markers for disease activity were high, the patient was started on steroids and urgent coronary artery bypass grafting was planned. Unfortunately, the patient refused urgent intervention and was later lost to follow-up. This case describes an extremely rare occurrence of total occlusion of the left main coronary artery ostium in a patient with Takayasu arteritis.
Associations between neighbourhood greenness and asthma in preschool children in Kaunas, Lithuania: a case–control study
Authors: Andrusaityte Sandra , Grazuleviciene Regina , Kudzyte Jolanta , Bernotiene Asta , Dedele Audrius , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark J
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between surrounding greenness levels and asthma among children, and to explore a possible change of this association by the distance of the residence to a city park.

Design

A nested case–control study.

Setting

Children aged 4−6 years residing at their current address since birth in Kaunas, Lithuania, whose mothers were recruited in 2007–2009 to the KANC newborns cohort study.

Participants

The participants were 1489 children whose parents in 2012–2013 filled in the questionnaires and agreed to participate in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We estimated clinically diagnosed asthma risk factors. The surrounding greenness was measured as the average of the satellite-based Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within the buffers of 100, 300 and 500 m from each child's home address, and the distance to a city park was defined as the distance to the nearest city park. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to study the relationship between the greenness exposures and asthma adjusted for relevant covariates.

Results

An increase in the NDVI (>median) in buffers of 100, 300 and 500 m was associated with a slightly increased risk of asthma, while an IQR increase in NDVI-100 m statistically significantly increased the risk of asthma (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.85). The stratified analysis by surrounding greenness revealed indications of stronger associations for children with higher surrounding greenness (NDVI-100>median) and those living farther away from parks (>1000 m), compared to NDVI-100≤median and the distance to a city park >1000 m (OR 1.47, 95% CI 0.56 to 3.87).

Conclusions

A higher level of the surrounding greenness was associated with a slightly increased relative risk of asthma in children. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the influence of city parks and neighbourhood greenness levels on asthma.
Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time: cross-sectional and prospective associations with adiposity in the Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Griffiths Lucy J , Sera Francesco , Cortina-Borja Mario , Law Catherine , Ness Andrew , Dezateux Carol
Published: April 2016

Objective

To examine whether physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) in primary school-aged children are associated with adiposity at the start of secondary school, and whether these associations differ by sex or ethnic group.

Design

Nationally representative prospective cohort study.

Setting

Children born across the UK, between 2000 and 2002.

Participants

6497 singleton children.

Outcome measures

Measures of adiposity (body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and fat free mass index (FFMI))—obtained at 7 and 11 years.

Explanatory measures

Total daily PA (mean counts per minute (cpm)); minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA); and ST. All assessed at 7 years using accelerometers.

Results

In cross-sectional analyses, total PA was inversely associated with FMI (3.7% (95% CI 2.7% to 4.7%) reduction per 150 cpm increase), as was MVPA (4.2% (CI 3.2% to 5.2%) reduction per 20 min/day increase). Associations were stronger in black and South Asian ethnic groups. Total PA and MVPA were not associated with FFMI. ST was positively associated with FMI (1.3% (CI 0.2% to 2.3%) increase per 50 min/day increase) and inversely associated with FFMI (0.5% (CI 0.2% to 0.7%) reduction per 50 min/day increase). Longitudinally, MVPA at age 7 years remained inversely associated with FMI at age 11 years (1.5% (CI 0.4% to 2.6%) reduction per 20 min/day increase). No association was found between total PA and ST and any of the later adiposity measures.

Conclusions

7-year-old children who are more physically active are less likely to be obese at that age and at age 11 years. These associations were particularly evident in children from black or South Asian ethnicity at age 7 years and in boys at age 11 years. Measurements of fat mass provide valuable insights into ethnic differences in associations between adiposity and activity.
Hospitalisations at the end of life in four European countries: a population-based study via epidemiological surveillance networks
Authors: Pivodic Lara , Pardon Koen , Miccinesi Guido , Vega Alonso Tomas , Moreels Sarah , Donker Gé A , Arrieta Enrique , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D , Deliens Luc , Van den Block Lieve
Published: April 2016

Background

There is a paucity of cross-national population-based research on hospitalisations of people at the end of life. We aimed to compare, in four European countries, the frequency, time, length of and factors associated with hospitalisations in the last 3 months of life.

Methods

Population-based mortality follow-back study via Sentinel Networks of general practitioners (GPs) in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. Using a standardised form, GPs recorded the care in the last 3 months of life of every deceased practice patient (≥18 years; 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011). Sudden deaths were excluded.

Results

We studied 4791 deaths that GPs described as non-sudden (66% of all registered deaths). Between 49% (the Netherlands) and 56% (Belgium) of patients were hospitalised at least once in the last 3 months of life. Readmissions were less frequent in the Netherlands (8%) than in the other countries (15–20%, p<0.001). Chances of being hospitalised increased over the last 10 days of life across countries but remained lowest in the Netherlands (Belgium: 21–37%, the Netherlands: 15–29%, Italy: 16–37%, Spain: 14–31%). Hospitalisations in the last week of life were more likely if patients resided at home rather than in a care home (ORs and 95% CIs Belgium: 1.94 (1.28 to 2.94); the Netherlands: 2.61 (1.10 to 6.18); Spain: 4.72 (1.64 to 13.57); non-significant in Italy) and less likely if the GP knew the patient's preferred place of death (ORs and 95% CIs Belgium: 0.52 (0.36 to 0.74); the Netherlands: 0.48 (0.25 to 0.91); Spain: 0.24 (0.13 to 0.44), non-significant in Italy).

Conclusions

The use of hospitals at the end-of-life increased over the last weeks of life of patients in all countries studied, but remained lowest in the Netherlands, as did the rate of readmissions. This may be due to gatekeeping by GPs who are trained and supported in preventing hospital readmissions at the end of life.
Simple criteria for ploughing and runout in post-failure evolution of submarine landslides
Authors: Puzrin Alexander M.
Published: April 2016

This paper extends shear band propagation analysis of slope failures to the investigation of ploughing and runout phenomena in submarine landslides. The ability to predict the two different modes of post-failure landslide evolution is critical for determining the tsunami hazard and type of landslide impact on offshore structures. The proposed analysis is based on the analogy between ploughing and spreading failures. It uses the energy balance approach to develop the criterion for progressive shear band propagation driven by accumulation of sliding material on top of the stable slope. This criterion is then combined with the kinematic passive block mechanism to produce analytical ploughing failure criteria formulated in terms of the critical rise in the seabed level. If the minimum rise of the seabed level at which ploughing can take place is larger than the maximum possible free-standing step in the seabed surface, the first passive failure block will start crumbling over top the stable zone causing the landslide to runout. Application of the derived criteria to the analysis of observed geomorphological features is demonstrated using an example of a paleolandslide complex in the Caspian Sea.
Pain regulation of endokinin A/B or endokinin C/D on chimeric peptide MCRT in mice
Authors: He Chunbo , Gong Junbin , Yang Lixia , Zhang Hongwei , Dong Shouliang , Zhou Lanxia
Published: April 2016

The present study focused on the interactive pain regulation of endokinin A/B (EKA/B, the common C-terminal decapeptide in EKA and EKB) or endokinin C/D (EKC/D, the common C-terminal duodecapeptide in EKC and EKD) on chimeric peptide MCRT (YPFPFRTic-NH2, based on YPFP-NH2 and PFRTic-NH2) at the supraspinal level in mice. Results demonstrated that the co-injection of nanomolar EKA/B and MCRT showed moderate regulation, whereas 30 pmol EKA/B had no effect on MCRT. The combination of EKC/D and MCRT produced enhanced antinociception, which was nearly equal to the sum of the mathematical values of single EKC/D and MCRT. Mechanism studies revealed that pre-injected naloxone attenuated the combination significantly compared with the equivalent analgesic effects of EKC/D alone, suggesting that EKC/D and MCRT might act on two totally independent pathways. Moreover, based on the above results and previous reports, we made two reasonable hypotheses to explain the cocktail-induced analgesia, which may potentially pave the way to explore the respective regulatory mechanisms of EKA/B, EKC/D, and MCRT and to better understand the complicated pain regulation of NK1 and μ opioid receptors, as follows: (1) MCRT and endomorphin-1 possibly activated different μ subtypes; and (2) picomolar EKA/B might motivate the endogenous NPFF system after NK1 activation.
Effects ofRhus tripartitumfruit extract on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Tlili Nizar , Feriani Anouar , Allagui Mohamed Salah , Saadoui Ezzeddine , Khaldi Abdelhamid , Nasri Nizar
Published: April 2016

Rhus tripartitum D.C., Anacardiaceae, has traditionally been used in Tunisia against many illnesses. The present study investigates, for the first time, the protective effects of the methanol extract of Rhus tripartitum fruit (MERT) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicty in Wistar rats. ALT, AST, LDH, GGT, creatinin, urea, and uric acid levels were studied. The changes in antioxidant parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl contents were also determined. The increased levels of MDA (30.97 and 11.50 nmol MDA/mg protein in liver and kidney, respectively) and protein carbonyls (13.4 and 17.95 nmol/mg protein in liver and kidney, respectively) were attenuated by MERT pretreatment (19.35 and 6.1 nmol MDA/mg protein and 9.15 and 12 nmol/mg protein in liver and kidney, respectively). The MERT pretreatment significantly reduced the increased biochemical parameters of liver and kidney caused by CCl4and cisplatin treatment. The histopathologic observation showed that MERT pretreatment restores the altered tissues. The observed results could be due to the high phenolic content and to MERT’s important antioxidant potential. This study supports the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of R. tripartitum.
Assessment of UAV operator workload in a reconfigurable multi-touch ground control station environment
Authors: Haber Jeffrey , Chung Joon
Published: April 2016

Multi-touch computer inputs allow users to interact with a virtual environment through the use of gesture commands on a monitor instead of a mouse and keyboard. This style of input is easy for the human mind to adapt to because gestures directly reflect how one interacts with the natural environment. This paper presents and assesses a personal-computer-based unmanned aerial vehicle ground control station that utilizes multi-touch gesture inputs and system reconfigurability to enhance operator performance. The system was developed at Ryerson University’s Mixed-Reality Immersive Motion Simulation Laboratory using commercial-off-the-shelf Presagis software. The ground control station was then evaluated using NASA’s task load index to determine if the inclusion of multi-touch gestures and reconfigurability provided an improvement in operator workload over the more traditional style of mouse and keyboard inputs. To conduct this assessment, participants were tasked with flying a simulated aircraft through a specified number of waypoints, and had to utilize a payload controller within a predetermined area. The task load index results from these flight tests have initially shown that the developed touch-capable ground control station improved operator workload while reducing the impact of all six related human factors.
Pyranocoumarin Tissue Distribution, Plasma Metabolome and Prostate Transcriptome Impacts of Sub-Chronic Exposure to KoreanAngelicaSupplement in Mice
Authors: Zhang Jinhui , Li Li , Tang Suni , Zhang Yong , Markiewski Maciej , Xing Chengguo , Jiang Cheng , Lü Junxuan
Published: April 2016

Herbal products containing Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract are marketed as dietary supplements for memory enhancement, pain killing, and female menopausal symptom relief. We have shown the anticancer activities of AGN supplements in mouse models. To facilitate human anticancer translational research, we characterized the tissue distribution of AGN marker pyranocoumarin compounds decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA) ([Formula: see text]% in AGN) and their metabolite decursinol (DOH), assessed the safety of sub-chronic AGN dietary exposure in mice, and explored its impact on plasma aqueous metabolites and the prostate transcriptome. The data show that after a gavage dose, plasma contained readily detectable DOH, but little D and DA, mirroring patterns in the liver. Extra-hepatic tissues retained greater levels of DA and D than the liver did. For sub-chronic exposures, male mice were provided ad libitum AIN93M-pellet diets with 0.5 and 1% AGN for six weeks. No adverse effects were observed on the plasma biochemistry markers of liver and kidney integrity in spite of their enlargement. Histopathological examinations of the liver, kidney and other visceral organs did not reveal tissue abnormalities. Metabolomic assessment of plasma from mice fed the 1%-AGN diet suggested metabolic shifts of key amino acids especially in the methionine-cysteine cycle, purine cycle, and glycolysis-citrate cycle. Prostate transcriptomic profiling identified gene signature changes in the metabolisms of drugs, lipids and cellular energetics, neuro-muscular features, immunity and inflammation, and tumor suppressor/oncogene balance. The safety profile was corroborated with a daily [Formula: see text] injection of AGN extract (100–300[Formula: see text]mg/kg) for four weeks, which resulted in much greater systemic pyranocoumarin exposure than the dietary route did.
Anions (N,S) mono-doping and co-doping influences on electronic structures and optical properties of InNbO4
Authors: Shi Haifeng , Zhou Changping , Zhang Chengliang , Ye Enjia
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the electronic structures and optical properties of N-doped, S-doped and N/S-codoped InNbO4 were systematically investigated by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). As for N-doped InNbO4, the acceptor N-[Formula: see text] states would introduce on the upper edge of the valence band (O-[Formula: see text]). While S-[Formula: see text] states would mix with O-[Formula: see text] states when O atom was replaced by S atom in InNbO4. As for N/S-codoped InNbO4, N-[Formula: see text] states mixed with S-[Formula: see text] states above the valence band, resulting in the energy bandgap further narrower in contrast to those of the individual N(S)-doped InNbO4. The optical absorption edge of N/S-codoped InNbO4 displayed an obvious redshift and was successfully extended to visible light region due to the synergistic effect of N/S co-doping. This research proposed that N/S co-doping was a promising method to improve the photocatalytic properties of InNbO4.
Multi-Scale Overlapping Domain Decomposition to Consider Elasto-Plastic Local Buckling Effects in the Analysis of Pipes
Authors: Erkmen R. Emre , Mohareb Magdi , Afnani Ashkan
Published: April 2016

Elevated pipelines are commonly encountered in petro-chemical and industrial applications. Within these applications, pipelines normally span hundreds of meters and are thus analyzed using one-dimensional (1D) beam-type finite elements when the global behavior of the pipeline is sought at a reasonably low computational cost. Standard beam-type elements, while computationaly economic, are based on the assumption of rigid cross-section. Thus, they are unable to capture the effects of cross-sectional localized deformations. Such effects can be captured through shell-type finite element models. For long pipelines, shell models become prohibitively expensive. Within this context, the present study formulates an efficient numerical modeling which effectively combines the efficiency of beam-type solutions while retaining the accuracy of shell-type solutions. An appealing feature of the model is that it is able to split the global analysis based on simple beam-type elements from the local analysis based on shell-type elements. This is achieved through domain-decomposition procedure within the framework of the Bridging multi-scale method of analysis. Solutions based on the present model are compared to those based on full shell-type analysis. The comparison demonstrates the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
LINKING LEADERS’ EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMPETENCIES AND EMPLOYEES’ CREATIVE PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOUR: EVIDENCE FROM DIFFERENT NATIONS
Authors: KHALILI ASHKAN
Published: April 2016

In today’s fast changing and extremely competitive business environment, organisations can only survive by realising their employees’ creative and innovative potential. Existing research has demonstrated that there is a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and creativity. To extend our knowledge of this link, this paper investigates whether leaders’ emotional intelligence competencies may enhance and nurture employees’ creative performance and innovative behaviour. The sample comprised 1102 leaders working in different industries throughout Australia, Iran and Malaysia. Findings indicated that leaders’ emotional intelligence competencies positively and significantly affect employees’ creative performance and innovative behaviour in all three nations. The results are discussed and suggestions are made based upon the data analysis and conclusion. Also, the implications of the results are highlighted. Eventually, limitations of the study and possible directions for future research are discussed.
THE ROLE OF INNOVATION CAPABILITY IN THE AUSTRALIAN COURIER INDUSTRY
Authors: WANG MICHAEL
Published: April 2016

The purpose of the paper is to present the empirical evidence of the innovation capability influencing the operation capability and logistics performance in the Australian courier industry. According to resource-based view, firm capabilities including dynamic capabilities and ordinary capabilities play a vital role in a firm to generate competitive advantages. It is important to understand the role of firm capabilities in order to achieve better performance results. Further, innovation capability is one of the dynamic capabilities, which can be deployed to extend, modify or create the ordinary capability in a firm; operation capability is an ordinary capability in the paper. In addition, the logistics performance is critical for courier firms to deliver value and service to customers. This paper, therefore, gives an attempt to investigate the relationships among innovation capability, operation capability and logistics performance. The results show how innovation capability can coordinate with operation capability in order to influence logistics performance. This provides a starting point for understanding of the role of innovation capability in the Australian courier industry. This has important implications for both managers and academics to improve the logistics performance in the logistics and transport firms. Moreover, the paper makes a contribution to strategic management and innovation management literature.
Normal smoothings for Charney–Davis strict hyperbolizations
Authors: Ontaneda Pedro
Published: April 2016

We prove that the Charney–Davis Strict Hyperbolization of a smoothly cubulated manifold admits a normal smooth structure. We also prove that this normal smooth structure is diffeomorphic to a smooth structure that has good tangential properties.

The results in this paper are key ingredients in problem of smoothing the metric of a strictly hyperbolized manifold (see [3, 8]).
Negotiating Premium Peering Prices
Authors: Courcoubetis Costas , Gyarmati Laszlo , Laoutaris Nikolaos , Rodriguez Pablo , Sdrolias Kostas
Published: April 2016

We have developed a novel methodology for deriving bandwidth prices for premium direct peering between Access ISPs (A-ISPs) and Content and Service Providers (CSPs) that want to deliver content and services in premium quality. Our methodology establishes a direct link between service profitability, for example, from advertising, user and subscriber loyalty, interconnection costs, and finally bandwidth price for peering. Unlike existing work in both the networking and economics literature, our resulting computational model, built around Nash bargaining, can be used for deriving quantitative results comparable to actual market prices. We analyze the U.S. market and derive prices for video, that compare favorably with existing prices for transit and paid peering. We also observe that the fair prices returned by the model for high-profit/low-volume services such as search, are orders of magnitude higher than current bandwidth prices. This implies that resolving existing (fierce) interconnection tussles may require per service, instead of wholesale, peering between A-ISPs and CSPs. Our model can be used for deriving initial benchmark prices for such negotiations.
Bangla Handwritten Character Segmentation Using Structural Features
Authors: Bhowmik Tapan Kumar , Parui Swapan Kumar , Roy Utpal , Schomaker Lambert
Published: April 2016

In this article, we propose a new framework for segmentation of Bangla handwritten word images into meaningful individual symbols or pseudo-characters. Existing segmentation algorithms are not usually treated as a classification problem. However, in the present study, the segmentation algorithm is looked upon as a two-class supervised classification problem. The method employs an SVM classifier to select the segmentation points on the word image on the basis of various structural features. For training of the SVM classifier, an unannotated training set is prepared first using candidate segmenting points. The training set is then clustered, and each cluster is labeled manually with minimal manual intervention. A semi-automatic bootstrapping technique is also employed to enlarge the training set from new samples. The overall architecture describes a basic step toward building an annotation system for the segmentation problem, which has not so far been investigated. The experimental results show that our segmentation method is quite efficient in segmenting not only word images but also handwritten texts. As a part of this work, a database of Bangla handwritten word images has also been developed. Considering our data collection method and a statistical analysis of our lexicon set, we claim that the relevant characteristics of an ideal lexicon set are present in our handwritten word image database.
Interview with Dick Bulterman
Authors: Atzenbeck Claus
Published: April 2016

Dick Bulterman is a professor of computer science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a senior researcher at CWI: Centrum Wiskunde en Informatica, also in Amsterdam, where he has worked since 1988. From 2013--2015 he was President and CEO of FX Palo Alto Laboratories in California. From 1988--2013, he was head of the group Distributed and Interactive Systems. Between 1997 and 2002, Bulterman was the Managing Director of Oratrix Development bv, a CWI spin-off technology company. Before joining CWI, he was a professor of computer engineering at Brown University in Providence, RI.

Bulterman has been active in the interactive television systems area for many years and has done work together with his CWI colleagues on a wide range of user interface topics (including early work on the use of secondary screens for personalizing media content).

Bulterman has been active in the multimedia community since 1993 and has served in various roles on ACM MM organizing committees. He was Vice-Chair of ACM SIGWEB before becoming Chair in 2015. He was a founding editorial board member of ACM TOMCCAP and ACM/Springer Multimedia Tools and Applications, and is associate editor of Springer Multimedia Systems. He is past chair of W3C's Synchronized Multimedia working group.

Bulterman received a Ph.D. in computer science from Brown University in 1981.
Complex Fluids and Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Barbati Alexander C. , Desroches Jean , Robisson Agathe , McKinley Gareth H.
Published: April 2016

Nearly 70 years old, hydraulic fracturing is a core technique for stimulating hydrocarbon production in a majority of oil and gas reservoirs. Complex fluids are implemented in nearly every step of the fracturing process, most significantly to generate and sustain fractures and transport and distribute proppant particles during and following fluid injection. An extremely wide range of complex fluids are used: naturally occurring polysaccharide and synthetic polymer solutions, aqueous physical and chemical gels, organic gels, micellar surfactant solutions, emulsions, and foams. These fluids are loaded over a wide range of concentrations with particles of varying sizes and aspect ratios and are subjected to extreme mechanical and environmental conditions. We describe the settings of hydraulic fracturing (framed by geology), fracturing mechanics and physics, and the critical role that non-Newtonian fluid dynamics and complex fluids play in the hydraulic fracturing process.
Comparison of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Parasternal Block for Postoperative Pain Management after Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Ozturk Nilgun Kavrut , Baki Elif Dogan , Kavakli Ali Sait , Sahin Ayca Sultan , Ayoglu Raif Umut , Karaveli Arzu , Emmiler Mustafa , Inanoglu Kerem , Karsli Bilge
Published: April 2016

Background. Parasternal block and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have been demonstrated to produce effective analgesia and reduce postoperative opioid requirements in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of TENS and parasternal block on early postoperative pain after cardiac surgery.Methods. One hundred twenty patients undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled in the present randomized, controlled prospective study. Patients were assigned to three treatment groups: parasternal block, intermittent TENS application, or a control group.Results. Pain scores recorded 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 7 h, and 8 h postoperatively were lower in the parasternal block group than in the TENS and control groups. Total morphine consumption was also lower in the parasternal block group than in the TENS and control groups. It was also significantly lower in the TENS group than in the control group. There were no statistical differences among the groups regarding the extubation time, rescue analgesic medication, length of intensive care unit stay, or length of hospital stay.Conclusions. Parasternal block was more effective than TENS in the management of early postoperative pain and the reduction of opioid requirements in patients who underwent cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov numberNCT02725229.
Are Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Ideal Candidates for Oocyte Donation?
Authors: Vaz George Queiroz , Evangelista Alessandra Viviane , Sartorio Cassio Alessandro Paganoti , Cardoso Maria Cecilia Almeida , Erthal Maria Cecilia , Gallo Paulo , Oliveira Marco Aurelio Pinho
Published: April 2016

Background.The use of donated oocytes for in vitro fertilization treatment in patients with ovarian failure is universally recognized. But would patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) be a good choice for egg donation programs?Objective.Comparing the pregnancy rates of egg receptors from donor patients diagnosed with PCOS to receptors from donors without PCOS.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Methods.A total of 234 patients who had undergone egg reception program were separated into two groups: Group I, receptors from PCOS donors (n=36); Group II, receptors from donors without PCOS (n=198). Medical records were reviewed and the fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy rates were calculated.Results.PCOS patients had an average of 3.23 more oocytes retrieved, but there were no differences in the number of mature oocytes that were used for donation between the groups. We also observed that the number of transferred embryos was also not significantly different, as well as the fertilization and implantation rates. The clinical pregnancy rates were not significantly different: 28% and 26% in Group I and Group II, respectively.Conclusions.Women with PCOS should not be excluded from egg donation programs.
Power Frequency Oscillation Suppression Using Two-Stage Optimized Fuzzy Logic Controller for Multigeneration System
Authors: Bhateshvar Y. K. , Mathur H. D.
Published: April 2016

This paper attempts to develop a linearized model of automatic generation control (AGC) for an interconnected two-area reheat type thermal power system in deregulated environment. A comparison between genetic algorithm optimized PID controller (GA-PID), particle swarm optimized PID controller (PSO-PID), and proposed two-stage based PSO optimized fuzzy logic controller (TSO-FLC) is presented. The proposed fuzzy based controller is optimized at two stages: one is rule base optimization and other is scaling factor and gain factor optimization. This shows the best dynamic response following a step load change with different cases of bilateral contracts in deregulated environment. In addition, performance of proposed TSO-FLC is also examined for±30%changes in system parameters with different type of contractual demands between control areas and compared with GA-PID and PSO-PID. MATLAB/Simulink® is used for all simulations.
TALEN-Mediated Inactivation of PD-1 in Tumor-Reactive Lymphocytes Promotes Intratumoral T-cell Persistence and Rejection of Established Tumors
Authors: Menger Laurie , Sledzinska Anna , Bergerhoff Katharina , Vargas Frederick Arce , Smith Julianne , Poirot Laurent , Pule Martin , Herrero Javier , Peggs Karl S. , Quezada Sergio A.
Published: April 2016

Despite the promising efficacy of adoptive cell therapies (ACT) in melanoma, complete response rates remain relatively low and outcomes in other cancers are less impressive. The immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment and the expression of immune-inhibitory ligands, such as PD-L1/CD274 by the tumor and stroma are considered key factors limiting efficacy. The addition of checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) to ACT protocols bypasses some mechanisms of immunosuppression, but associated toxicities remain a significant concern. To overcome PD-L1–mediated immunosuppression and reduce CPI-associated toxicities, we used TALEN technology to render tumor-reactive T cells resistant to PD-1 signaling. Here, we demonstrate that inactivation of the PD-1 gene in melanoma-reactive CD8+ T cells and in fibrosarcoma-reactive polyclonal T cells enhanced the persistence of PD-1 gene-modified T cells at the tumor site and increased tumor control. These results illustrate the feasibility and potency of approaches incorporating advanced gene-editing technologies into ACT protocols to silence immune checkpoints as a strategy to overcome locally active immune escape pathways. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2087–93. ©2016 AACR.
Actinomycosis Mimicking Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome in a 6-Year-Old Boy: Case Report
Authors: Douleh Diana G. , Morone Peter J. , Johnson Joyce E. , Paueksakon Paisit , Wellons III John C.
Published: April 2016

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is an idiopathic inflammatory process of the cavernous sinus or orbit manifesting as painful ophthalmoplegia. In this report, we detail the case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with several weeks of unilateral headache and diplopia. He was found to have an infiltrative process involving the bilateral cavernous sinuses and pituitary gland on MRI. Given a progressing infiltrative central nervous system process on repeat MRI and the development of cerebral salt wasting, a biopsy was performed revealing actinomycosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of actinomycosis masquerading as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome in a child.
Trajectories of Psychological Adaptation to Marital Breakup after a Long-Term Marriage
Authors: Knöpfli Bina , Morselli Davide , Perrig-Chiello Pasqualina
Published: April 2016

Background: Marital dissolution is known to be among the most stressful life events with long-reaching negative consequences on individuals' lives. A limitation in research to date is that most studies have focused on the impact of marital disruption on well-being outcomes in younger adults. Furthermore, although population-based studies on divorce document a broad range of negative effects, more fine-grained analyses reveal a large heterogeneity in people's adjustment, which is still not well understood. Objective: The aim was to explore trajectories of psychological adaptation to marital breakup after a long-term marriage, and to examine variables accounting for recovery or chronicity in terms of intrapersonal resources (personality, trait resilience, and personal growth), relationship variables (satisfaction with ex-relationship, length of marriage, and time since divorce), and sociodemographic variables (age, gender, and financial situation). Methods: Latent transition analysis is used to examine the course of psychological adaptation (i.e., depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, hopelessness, mourning, and subjective health) to divorce over 2 years among 5 profiles of 308 divorcees (mean age: 55.6 years; average duration of former marriage: 23.62 years). We present two larger groups of individuals, one of which adapted very well (‘resilients', 29%) and the other quite well (‘average copers', 49%), as well as three groups with major difficulties (‘vulnerables', 6%; ‘malcontents', 12%, and ‘resigned', 4%). In a second step, the differences between transition patterns were explored on the basis of the distal variables (i.e., intrapersonal resources, relationship variables, and sociodemographics). Results: Although the probability of upward changes was higher for those individuals with lower adaptation at time point 1, only a small number of individuals made an upward change from the maladapted to the well-adapted groups throughout the 2 years. The groups of copers and resilients remained stable in their psychological adaptation. The most consistent results related to upward changes were intrapersonal resources, namely the NEO personality traits and trait resilience. Conclusion: The majority of individuals divorcing after a long-term marriage adapt successfully over time. Adaptation trajectories depend primarily on intrapersonal resources. However, a minority of divorcees exhibit enduring difficulties. Knowledge about the diversity of these trajectories of vulnerability could be of great help for designing psychological interventions to better tackle this critical life event.
Comparing Percutaneous Treatments of Trigeminal Neuralgia: 19 Years of Experience in a Single Centre
Authors: Noorani Imran , Lodge Amanda , Vajramani Girish , Sparrow Owen
Published: April 2016

Background: Glycerol rhizolysis, thermocoagulation, and balloon compression are well established in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Objective: To compare the outcome profile of these 3 percutaneous procedures in a single centre over a long follow-up period. Methods: Over 19 years, 393 procedures were performed on 210 trigeminal neuralgia patients. Patient records and telephone follow-up were used to determine demographic and operative details and surgical outcomes. The length of follow-up extended to over 17 years. Results: The initial rates of complete pain relief with or without medication were 72% for glycerol, 80% for thermocoagulation, and 86% for balloon compression. Kaplan-Meier analysis of recurrence times showed that balloon compression provides significantly longer relief than the other 2 procedures. Complication rates for glycerol, thermocoagulation, and balloon compression were 30.3, 27.1, and 43.5%, respectively. Analysis of repeat procedures showed no difference in recurrence times for balloon compression or thermocoagulation compared with primary procedures, but repeat glycerol procedures gave shorter recurrence times. Conclusion: Balloon compression provides longer pain relief than glycerol and thermocoagulation. Although balloon compression is more likely to give numbness and complications, the complications are largely minor and transitory. Moreover, balloon compression following previous percutaneous procedures remains highly effective.
5α-Reductase-2 Deficiency: Clinical Findings, Endocrine Pitfalls, and Genetic Features in a Large Italian Cohort
Authors: Bertelloni Silvano , Baldinotti Fulvia , Russo Gianni , Ghirri Paolo , Dati Eleonora , Michelucci Angela , Moscuzza Francesca , Meroni Silvia , Colombo Ilaria , Sessa Maria R. , Baroncelli Giampiero I.
Published: April 2016

Clinical records (n = 24) with an established diagnosis of 5α-reductase-2 deficiency were reviewed. A previous misdiagnosis was present in about 70% (period from first observation to definitive diagnosis: 9.1 ± 10.8 years), and in 8 children gonadal removal was performed before certain diagnosis. Initial sex assignment was female in 16/24 (67%) and male in 8/24 (33%) cases. After diagnosis, sex re-assignment was performed in 5 babies (4 girls to male sex; 1 boy to female sex). Baseline testosterone/DHT ratio was diagnostic in 6/12 subjects (first months of life n = 4; puberty n = 2), while post-hCG testosterone/DHT ratio was diagnostic in all tested individuals (choosing both the cut-off value 15 or 10). Eighteen different mutations in the steroid-5α-reductase-2 (SRD5A2) gene were identified, 5 of which have never been reported. In conclusion, a time lag exists before the diagnosis of 5α-reductase-2 deficiency is established; sex assignment and gonadal removal may be performed before certain diagnosis. Sex re-assignment is usually female to male, but the contrary may occur. A large variability in clinical phenotypes and genetic mutations was present in this cohort. Accurate endocrine evaluation is recommended in babies possibly affected by 5α-reductase-2 deficiency, since the use of appropriate cut-off values of testosterone/DHT ratio after hCG stimulation may permit to select individuals for SRD5A2 gene analysis. A genotype-phenotype correlation was not found in this study.
Personality Profiles, Values and Empathy: Differences between Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarians and Vegans
Authors: Kessler Christian S. , Holler Sophie , Joy Sebastian , Dhruva Anand , Michalsen Andreas , Dobos Gustav , Cramer Holger
Published: April 2016

Background: Vegetarian nutrition is gaining increasing public attention worldwide. While some studies have examined differences in motivations and personality traits between vegetarians and omnivores, only few studies have considered differences in motivations and personality traits between the 2 largest vegetarian subgroups: lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans. Objectives: To examine differences between lacto-ovo-vegetarians and vegans in the distribution patterns of motives, values, empathy, and personality profiles. Methods: An anonymous online survey was performed in January 2014. Group differences between vegetarians and vegans in their initial motives for the choice of nutritional approaches, health-related quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)), personality traits (Big Five Inventory-SOEP (BFI-S)), values (Portraits Value Questionnaire (PVQ)), and empathy (Empathizing Scale) were analyzed by univariate analyses of covariance; P values were adjusted for multiple testing. Results: 10,184 individuals completed the survey; 4,427 (43.5%) were vegetarians and 4,822 (47.3%) were vegans. Regarding the initial motives for the choice of nutritional approaches, vegans rated food taste, love of animals, and global/humanitarian reasons as more important, and the influence of their social environment as less important than did vegetarians. Compared to vegetarians, vegans had higher values on physical, psychological, and social quality of life on the WHOQOL-BREF, and scored lower on neuroticism and higher on openness on the BFI-S. In the PVQ, vegans scored lower than vegetarians on power/might, achievement, safety, conformity, and tradition and higher on self-determination and universalism. Vegans had higher empathy than vegetarians (all p < 0.001). Discussion: This survey suggests that vegans have more open and compatible personality traits, are more universalistic, empathic, and ethically oriented, and have a slightly higher quality of life when compared to vegetarians. Given the small absolute size of these differences, further research is needed to evaluate whether these group differences are relevant in everyday life and can be confirmed in other populations.