bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agreement of Direct Antifungal Susceptibility Testing from Positive Blood Culture Bottles with the Conventional Method for Candida Species
Authors: Jabeen Kauser , Kumar Haresh , Farooqi Joveria , Mehboob Raunaq , Brandt Mary E. , Zafar Afia
Published: November 2015

Early availability of antifungal susceptibilities can ensure timely institution of targeted therapy in candidemia, which can improve patient outcomes. This study prospectively determines the agreement between the results of direct testing of antifungal susceptibilities from blood culture bottles by disk diffusion and Etest and the results of standardized susceptibility testing methods; direct testing would allow susceptibility results to be available 1 to 2 days earlier. A total of 104 blood cultures with different
Candida
species (28%
C. albicans
, 27%
C. parapsilosis
, 26%
C. tropicalis
, etc.) were evaluated between January 2012 and May 2013 for agreement of fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B susceptibility results by disk diffusion. Agreement in MICs obtained by Etest was determined for fluconazole (21 isolates), voriconazole (28 isolates), amphotericin (29 isolates), and caspofungin (29 isolates). The kappa scores for categorical agreement were highest for fluconazole by disk diffusion (0.902, standard error [SE] = 0.076) and Etest (1.00, SE = 0.218) and for amphotericin B by disk diffusion (1.00, SE = 0.098). The Pearson correlation (
r
) of zone diameters was strongest for fluconazole (0.69) and amphotericin (0.70) and moderate for voriconazole (0.60), and the Pearson correlation of MICs was strongest for fluconazole (0.94) and caspofungin (0.88). However, the moderate correlation of amphotericin MICs with zone diameters (−0.42) precludes the use of amphotericin B disk diffusion for susceptibility testing. There were no very major errors; however, there were 1 (1%) major and 5 (4.8%) minor errors with disk diffusion and 4 (13.3%) minor errors with Etest. Thus, antifungal disk diffusion directly from blood culture bottles is a rapid and easy method for fluconazole and voriconazole susceptibility testing for timely tailoring of candidemia therapy.
Evaluation of an Immunochromatographic Lateral Flow Assay (OXA-48
K
-SeT) for Rapid Detection of OXA-48-Like Carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Wareham David W. , Shah Rishita , Betts Jonathan W. , Phee Lynette M. , Momin Muhd Haziq F. Abdul
Published: November 2015

We evaluated an immunochromatographic lateral flow assay to detect OXA-48-like carbapenemases (OXA-48
K
-SeT) in
Enterobacteriaceae
(
n
= 82). One hundred percent sensitivity and specificity were observed using bacteria recovered from both solid medium and spiked blood culture bottles, and the results were obtained in <10 min.
Mumps Virus Nucleoprotein Enhances Phosphorylation of the Phosphoprotein by Polo-Like Kinase 1
Authors: Pickar Adrian , Zengel James , Xu Pei , Li Zhuo , He Biao
Published: November 2015

The viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (vRdRps) of nonsegmented, negative-sense viruses (NNSVs) consist of the enzymatic large protein (L) and the phosphoprotein (P). P is heavily phosphorylated, and its phosphorylation plays a critical role in viral RNA synthesis. Since NNSVs do not encode kinases, P is phosphorylated by host kinases. In this study, we investigate the roles that viral proteins play in the phosphorylation of mumps virus (MuV) P. We found that nucleoprotein (NP) enhances the phosphorylation of P. We have identified the serine/threonine kinase Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a host kinase that phosphorylates P and have found that phosphorylation of P by PLK1 is enhanced by NP. The PLK1 binding site in MuV P was mapped to residues 146 to 148 within the S(pS/T)P motif, and the phosphorylation site was identified as residues S292 and S294.

IMPORTANCE
It has previously been shown that P acts as a chaperone for NP, which encapsidates viral genomic RNA to form the NP-RNA complex, the functional template for viral RNA synthesis. Thus, it is assumed that phosphorylation of P may regulate NP's ability to form the NP-RNA complex, thereby regulating viral RNA synthesis. Our work demonstrates that MuV NP affects phosphorylation of P, suggesting that NP can regulate viral RNA synthesis by regulating phosphorylation of P.
High-Throughput Single-Cell Kinetics of Virus Infections in the Presence of Defective Interfering Particles
Authors: Akpinar Fulya , Timm Andrea , Yin John
Published: November 2015

Defective interfering particles (DIPs) are virus mutants that lack essential genes for growth. In coinfections with helper virus, the diversion of viral proteins to the replication and packaging of DIP genomes can interfere with virus production. Mounting cases of DIPs and DIP-like genomes in clinical and natural isolates, as well as growing interest in DIP-based therapies, underscore a need to better elucidate how DIPs work. DIP activity is primarily measured by its inhibition of virus infection yield, an endpoint that masks the dynamic and potentially diverse individual cell behaviors. Using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a model, we coinfected BHK cells with VSV DIPs and recombinant helper virus carrying a gene encoding a red fluorescent protein (RFP) whose expression correlates with the timing and level of virus release. For single cells within a monolayer, 10 DIPs per cell suppressed the reporter expression in only 1.2% of the cells. In most cells, it slowed and reduced viral gene expression, manifested as a shift in mean latent time from 4 to 6 h and reduced virus yields by 10-fold. For single cells isolated in microwells, DIP effects were more pronounced, reducing virus yields by 100-fold and extending latent times to 12 h, including individual instances above 20 h. Together, these results suggest that direct or indirect cell-cell interactions prevent most coinfected cells from being completely suppressed by DIPs. Finally, a gamma distribution model captures well how the infection kinetics quantitatively depends on the DIP dose. Such models will be useful for advancing a predictive biology of DIP-associated virus growth and infection spread.

IMPORTANCEDuring the last century, basic studies in virology have focused on developing a molecular mechanistic understanding of how infectious viruses reproduce in their living host cells. However, over the last 10 years, the advent of deep sequencing and other powerful technologies has revealed in natural and patient infections that viruses do not act alone. Instead, viruses are often accompanied by defective virus-like particles that carry large deletions in their genomes and fail to replicate on their own. Coinfections of viable and defective viruses behave in unpredictable ways, but they often interfere with normal virus growth, potentially enabling infections to evade host immune surveillance. In the current study, controlled levels of defective viruses are coinfected with viable viruses that have been engineered to express a fluorescent reporter protein during infection. Unique profiles of reporter expression acquired from thousands of coinfected cells reveal how interference acts at multiple stages of infection.
Cholesterol Flux Is Required for Endosomal Progression of African Swine Fever Virions during the Initial Establishment of Infection
Authors: Cuesta-Geijo Miguel Ángel , Chiappi Michele , Galindo Inmaculada , Barrado-Gil Lucía , Muñoz-Moreno Raquel , Carrascosa José L. , Alonso Covadonga
Published: November 2015

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a major threat for porcine production that has been slowly spreading in Eastern Europe since its first appearance in the Caucasus in 2007. ASFV enters the cell by endocytosis and gains access to the cytosol to start replication from late endosomes and multivesicular bodies. Cholesterol associated with low-density lipoproteins entering the cell by endocytosis also follows a trafficking pathway similar to that of ASFV. Here we show that cholesterol plays an essential role in the establishment of infection as the virus traffics through the endocytic pathway. In contrast to the case for other DNA viruses, such as vaccinia virus or adenovirus 5, cholesterol efflux from endosomes is required for ASFV release/entry to the cytosol. Accumulation of cholesterol in endosomes impairs fusion, resulting in retention of virions inside endosomes. ASFV also remodels intracellular cholesterol by increasing its cellular uptake and redistributes free cholesterol to viral replication sites. Our analysis reveals that ASFV manipulates cholesterol dynamics to ensure an appropriate lipid flux to establish productive infection.

IMPORTANCE
Since its appearance in the Caucasus in 2007, African swine fever (ASF) has been spreading westwards to neighboring European countries, threatening porcine production. Due to the lack of an effective vaccine, ASF control relies on early diagnosis and widespread culling of infected animals. We investigated early stages of ASFV infection to identify potential cellular targets for therapeutic intervention against ASF. The virus enters the cell by endocytosis, and soon thereafter, viral decapsidation occurs in the acid pH of late endosomes. We found that ASFV infection requires and reorganizes the cellular lipid cholesterol. ASFV requires cholesterol to exit the endosome to gain access to the cytoplasm to establish productive replication. Our results indicate that there is a differential requirement for cholesterol efflux for vaccinia virus or adenovirus 5 compared to ASFV.
In SilicoConstraint-Based Strain Optimization Methods: the Quest for Optimal Cell Factories
Authors: Maia Paulo , Rocha Miguel , Rocha Isabel
Published: November 2015

Shifting from chemical to biotechnological processes is one of the cornerstones of 21st century industry. The production of a great range of chemicals via biotechnological means is a key challenge on the way toward a bio-based economy. However, this shift is occurring at a pace slower than initially expected. The development of efficient cell factories that allow for competitive production yields is of paramount importance for this leap to happen. Constraint-based models of metabolism, together within silicostrain design algorithms, promise to reveal insights into the best genetic design strategies, a step further toward achieving that goal. In this work, a thorough analysis of the mainin silicoconstraint-based strain design strategies and algorithms is presented, their application in real-world case studies is analyzed, and a path for the future is discussed.
Generalised reversible encephalopathy syndrome: a variant of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
Authors: Kunzmann Julia , Wolf Hubert , Oberndorfer Stefan
Published: November 2015

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiological syndrome characterised by headache, visual disturbance, seizures and altered consciousness. Radiological findings show hyperintense T2-lesions on MRI, predominantly located in the subcortical white matter of the posterior occipital and parietal lobes. We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia who developed severe neurological signs and symptoms. MRI of the brain showed atypical generalised hyperintense lesions on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. Under symptomatic treatment, the radiological changes as well as neurological signs and symptoms improved. Several potential risk factors for PRES, such as hypertensive crisis, blood transfusions, infection and cancer, were identified in our patient, whereby perhaps the coexistence of these risk factors led to the unusual radiological and clinical manifestation of a generalised PRES variant.
Acute compartment syndrome risk in fracture fixation with regional blocks
Authors: Marappa Ganeshan Raghavendra , Mamoowala Neville , Ward Mathew , Sochart David
Published: November 2015

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that most commonly occurs after trauma or reperfusion after prolonged arterial occlusion. It is caused by a build-up of blood and oedema fluid within a closed muscle compartment, and can be limb and life-threatening. It is therefore imperative that a prompt diagnosis is made. The risk of developing this condition is <1% in patients with distal radius fractures and 4–5% in those with tibial diaphyseal fractures. Pain management is an important aspect of treatment following any fracture. Regional anaesthesia can be used during surgical fixation of the fracture and has the potential to reduce the need for specialist postoperative care and analgesia, as well as to shorten the length of hospitalisation. With this case report, we hope to highlight the potential risk of masking symptoms of compartment syndrome while using regional blocks, as this can cause a delay in diagnosis and treatment, leading to associated complications.
Metastatic pancreatic cancer: abdominal pain in a 22-year-old woman
Authors: Roy Bakul T , Roy Roshan B
Published: November 2015

Pancreatic cancer remains fourth among cancer-related deaths. Its diagnosis is often missed, owing to its vague abdominal symptoms, leading to a diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer. FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy was administered to the patient in this report, resulting in significant improvement based on tests of biological markers as well as radiographic resolution of the metastatic disease. A keen awareness of this condition along with appropriate diagnostic tests can allow for an earlier diagnosis and may impact its high mortality.
Bardet-Biedl syndrome: multiple fingers with multiple defects!
Authors: Madireddi Jagadesh , Acharya Vasuveda , Suryanarayana Jandhyala , Hande Handattu Manjunath , Shetty Ranjan
Published: November 2015

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare congenital ciliopathy characterised by rod-cone dystrophy, postaxial polydactyly, central obesity, mental retardation, hypogonadism and renal dysfunction. A 45-year-old Indian man presented with New York Heart Association class 2 dyspnoea of 3 months duration. He was blind since childhood. He was obese, cyanosed, and had clubbing and polydactyly. Systemic examination revealed presence of wide and fixed split second heart sound with systolic murmur in the left parasternal area. Work up unmasked the presence of secondary polycythaemia, atypical retinitis pigmentosa and partial atrioventricular defect. He was diagnosed to have BBS based on clinical and radiological features. This case is interesting for its rarity and also for the peculiarity of its cardiovascular association. Polydactyly with a suspicious clinical background is the clue and by itself warrants the clinician to search for occult anomalies. Clinicians must be aware of this syndrome, for which an early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach will significantly improve mortality and morbidity in patients.
Proteusendocarditis in an intravenous drug user
Authors: Goel Rohan , Sekar Baskar , Payne Mark N
Published: November 2015

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition with adverse consequences and increased mortality, despite improvements in treatment options. Diagnosed patients usually require a prolonged course of antibiotics, with up to 40–50% requiring surgery during initial hospital admission. We report a case of a 42-year-old intravenous drug user who presented feeling generally unwell, with lethargy, rigours, confusion and a painful swollen right leg. He was subsequently diagnosed withProteus mirabilisendocarditis (fulfilling modified Duke criteria for possible IE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He was successfully treated with single antibiotic therapy without needing surgical intervention or requiring anticoagulation for his DVT.Proteusendocarditis is extremely uncommon, with a limited number of case reports available in the literature. This case illustrates how blood cultures are invaluable in the diagnosis of IE, especially that due to unusual microorganisms. Our case also highlights how single antibiotic therapy can be effective in treatingProteusendocarditis.
The disciplined healthcare professional: a qualitative interview study on the impact of the disciplinary process and imposed measures in the Netherlands
Authors: Verhoef Lise M , Weenink Jan-Willem , Winters Sjenny , Robben Paul B M , Westert Gert P , Kool Rudolf B
Published: November 2015

Objective

It is known that doctors who receive complaints may have feelings of anger, guilt, shame and depression, both in the short and in the long term. This might lead to functional impairment. Less is known about the impact of the disciplinary process and imposed measures. Previous studies of disciplinary proceedings have mainly focused on identifying characteristics of disciplined doctors and on sentencing policies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore what impact the disciplinary process and imposed measures have on healthcare professionals.

Design

Semistructured interview study, with purposive sampling and inductive qualitative content analysis.

Participants

16 healthcare professionals (9 medical specialists, 3 general practitioners, 2 physiotherapists and 2 psychologists) that were sanctioned by the disciplinary tribunal.

Setting

The Netherlands.

Results

Professionals described feelings of misery and insecurity both during the process as in its aftermath. Furthermore, they reported to fear receiving new complaints and provide care more cautiously after the imposed measure. Factors that may enhance psychological and professional impact are the publication of measures online and in newspapers, media coverage, the feeling of treated as guilty before any verdict has been reached, and the long duration of the process.

Conclusions

This study shows that the disciplinary process and imposed measures can have a profound psychological and professional impact on healthcare professionals. Although a disciplinary measure is meant to have a corrective effect, our results suggest that the impact that is experienced by professionals might hamper optimal rehabilitation afterwards. Therefore, organising emotional support should be considered during the disciplinary process and in the period after the verdict.
Neighbourhood urban form and individual-level correlates of leisure-based screen time in Canadian adults
Authors: McCormack Gavin R , Mardinger Cynthia
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Despite evidence for an association between the built environment and physical activity, less evidence exists regarding relations between the built environment and sedentary behaviour. This study investigated the extent to which objectively assessed and self-reported neighbourhood walkability, in addition to individual-level characteristics, were associated with leisure-based screen time in adults. We hypothesised that leisure-based screen time would be lower among adults residing in objectively assessed and self-reported ‘high walkable’ versus ‘low walkable’ neighbourhoods.

Setting

The study was undertaken in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 2007/2008.

Participants

A random cross-section of adults who provided complete telephone interview and postal survey data (n=1906) was included. Captured information included leisure-based screen time, moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity, perceived neighbourhood walkability, sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health status, and self-reported height and weight. Based on objectively assessed built characteristics, participant's neighbourhoods were identified as being low, medium or high walkable.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Using multiple linear regression, hours of leisure-based screen time per day was regressed on self-reported and objectively assessed walkability adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates.

Results

Compared to others, residing in an objectively assessed high walkable neighbourhood, women, having a college education, at least one child at home, a household income ≥$120 000/year, and a registered motor vehicle at home, reporting very good-to-excellent health and healthy weight, and achieving 60 min/week of vigorous-intensity physical activity were associated (p<0.05) with less leisure-based screen time. Marital status, dog ownership, season, self-reported walkability and achieving 210 min of moderate-intensity physical activity were not significantly associated with leisure-based screen time.

Conclusions

Improving neighbourhood walkability could decrease leisure-based television and computer screen time. Programmes aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour may want to consider an individual's sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity level, health status and weight status, in addition to the walkability of their neighbourhood as these factors were found to be important independent correlates of leisure-based screen time.
Rapid cycle development of a multifactorial intervention achieved sustained reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections in haematology oncology units at a children’s hospital: a time series analysis
Authors: Dandoy Christopher E , Hausfeld Jackie , Flesch Laura , Hawkins Deanna , Demmel Kathy , Best Deanna , Osterkamp Erin , Bracke Tracey , Nagarajan Rajaram , Jodele Sonata , Holt Julie , Giaccone Mary Jo , Davies Stella M , Kotagal Uma , Simmons Jeffrey
Published: November 2015

Background

Immunocompromised children are at high risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and its associated morbidity and mortality. Prevention of CLABSIs depends on highly reliable care.

Purpose

Since the summer of 2013, we saw an increase in patient volume and acuity in our centre. Additionally, CLABSIs rates more than tripled during this period. The purpose of this initiative was to rapidly identify and mitigate potential underlying drivers to the increased CLABSI rate.

Methods

Through small tests of change, we implemented a standard process for daily hygiene; increased awareness of high-risk patients with CLABSI; improved education/assistance for nurses performing high-risk central venous catheter procedures; and developed a system to improve allocation of resources to de-escalate system stress.

Results

The CLABSI rate from June 2013 to May 2014 was 2.03 CLABSIs/1000 line days. After implementation of our interventions, we saw a significant decrease in the CLABSI rate to 0.39 CLABSIs/1000 line days (p=0.008). Key processes have become more reliable: 100% of dressing changes are completed with the new two-person standard; daily hygiene adherence has increased from 25% to 70%; 100% of nurses are approached daily by senior nursing for assistance with high-risk procedures; and patients at risk for a CLABSI are identified daily.

Conclusions

Stress to a complex system caring for high-risk patients can challenge CLABSI rates. Identifying key processes and executing them reliably can stabilise outcomes during times of system stress.
Influence of muscle fibre composition on muscle oxygenation during maximal running
Authors: Kitada Tomoharu , Machida Shuichi , Naito Hisashi
Published: November 2015

Aims

To investigate the relationship between muscle oxygenation (specifically, the levels of oxygenated haemoglobin and myoglobin [oxyHb/Mb]) during maximal running and muscle fibre composition, and to determine whether muscle fibre composition can be non-invasively estimated from oxyHb/Mb levels during maximal running.

Methods

Eight male runners (, 60.9± 4.6 mL·kg−1·min−1) performed an incremental running test on a treadmill. OxyHb/Mb levels of the vastus lateralis during maximal running were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Muscle fibre composition of the vastus lateralis was determined from muscle biopsy samples from the same region measured by NIRS, and the fibre types were classified as type I, type IIa, or type IIb fibres using traditional pH-sensitive ATPase staining. Type I and type IIa fibres together were defined as oxidative fibres.

Results

OxyHb/Mb levels during running were lowest at exhaustion in all participants. OxyHb/Mb levels at exhaustion were positively correlated with the percentages of type I fibres (r=0.755, p<0.05) and oxidative fibres (r=0.944, p<0.01).

Conclusions

We conclude that higher oxyHb/Mb levels at exhaustion during maximal running are correlated with a higher percentage of oxidative fibres, indicating the potential importance of oxidative fibres in the maintenance of oxyHb/Mb levels during maximal running. Additionally, muscle fibre composition could be non-invasively estimated from oxyHb/Mb levels during maximal running tests in runners.
Prevalence factors associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 infection in equids with upper respiratory tract infection and/or acute onset of neurological signs from 2008 to 2014
Authors: Pusterla N. , Mapes S. , Akana N. , Barnett C. , MacKenzie C. , Gaughan E. , Craig B. , Chappell D. , Vaala W.
Published: November 2015

The objective of the present case‐control study was to determine prevalence factors associated with the detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in horses presented to veterinarians with clinical signs related to an upper respiratory tract infection and/or acute onset of neurological disease from March 2008 to December 2014. Nasal secretions and whole blood from 4228 equids with acute onset of fever, respiratory signs and/or neurological deficits were tested by qPCR for EHV‐1. Categorical analyses were performed to determine the association between observations and EHV‐1. A total of 117/4228 (2.7 per cent) equids tested qPCR‐positive for EHV‐1, with most of the isolates belonging to the non‐neuropathogenic genotype (N752). EHV‐1 PCR‐positive equids were over‐represented in racing horses. Depression, anorexia, nasal discharge and coughing were significantly less frequently reported in the EHV‐1 qPCR‐positive equids compared with the EHV‐1 qPCR‐negative cases. Neurological deficits were more frequently reported in the EHV‐1 qPCR‐positive cases. This study provides contemporary information on the frequency of EHV‐1 detection by qPCR in blood and nasal secretions from horses with fever, respiratory signs and neurological deficits.
Clinical research: developing an appropriate career structure
Authors: Mellanby R. J. , Price J. , Wooldridge L. , Jonsson N. N. , Clegg P. D. , Emes R. D. , England G. , Corr S. A. , Piercy R. J. , Mulcahy G. , Wood J. L. , Walker B. R. , Argyle D. J.
Published: November 2015

The veterinary profession needs to become more successful in producing the next generation of clinician scientists, say Richard Mellanby and others, who set out a roadmap for future academic postgraduate clinical training.
Evolutionary impact assessment of the North Sea plaice fishery
Authors: Mollet Fabian M. , Poos Jan Jaap , Dieckmann Ulf , Rijnsdorp Adriaan D.
Published: November 2015

There is growing evidence that fishing causes evolution in life-history traits that affect the productivity of fish stocks. Here we explore the impact of fisheries-induced evolution (FIE) on the productivity of North Sea plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) using an ecogenetic, individual-based model by comparing management scenarios with and without an evolutionary response. Under status-quo management, plaice evolve towards smaller size at age, earlier maturation, and higher reproductive investment. Current reference points of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and corresponding fishing-mortality rate (FMSY) that ignore FIE will decrease and cannot be considered sustainable. The nature and extent of the change through FIE depend on fishing effort and selectivity. The adverse evolutionary effects can be reduced — and even reversed — by implementing a dome-shaped exploitation pattern protecting the large fish. The evolutionarily sustainable maximum yield can be obtained by combining such a dome-shaped exploitation pattern with a reduction in fishing mortality and an increase in mesh size; it is similar to the MSY that would apply if life-history traits were static. Fisheries managers will need to trade off the short-term loss in yield associated with evolutionarily informed management with the long-term loss in yield FIE causes under evolutionarily uninformed management.
Photodetachment spectrum of hydrogen negative ion near a spherical surface
Authors: Afaq A. , Iqbal A. , Iftikhar A. , Asif M.
Published: November 2015

The semi-classical closed orbit theory is applied to study photodetachment of H− near an elastic spherical surface for a z-polarized laser light. It is assumed that similar to the outgoing detached-electron waves from the source, waves propagate from an image of the source behind the surface. We then calculate the classical action for those trajectories that are perpendicular to the surface. The spherical effects in total photodetachment cross section are controlled by curvature κ of the surface. For zero curvature, our results match with the plane wall case while for a large curvature the results become the asymptotic value of the cross section recently published.
Soil sample preparation for PIXE analysis
Authors: Goto S. , Hosokawa T. , Saitoh Y. , Sera K.
Published: November 2015

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011, we have seen a rapid increase of requests for soil analysis by PIXE. In the Nishina Memorial Cyclotron Center (NMCC), a powdered internal standard method with palladium on carbon powder has been adopted for soil sample preparation. However, the method can be heavily laborious when many samples need to be handled in a limited time. Here, we report an alternative to the method which takes a standard in the liquid form with a few drops of acetone to be homogenized with soil sample in an agate mortar. The applicability of the moist method was examined using some standard reference materials by comparing the analyzed results with those from the conventional method and with the certified values. The results were generally satisfactory, although further examination is needed to improve the accuracy and reliability of the new method.
Development of a method for analyzing the composition of ambient PM2.5 floating dust particles by micro-PIXE
Authors: Oshikawa S. , Itoh S. , Matsuyama S. , Ishii K. , Terakawa A. , Koshio S. , Watanabe K. , Toyama S. , Kasahara K. , Ma C.-J.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we developed a technique for analyzing individual PM2.5 particles using micro-PIXE. PM2.5, a designation for extremely small particulate matter (PM) in the air, has recently become the center of attention because high levels of PM2.5 were recorded in parts of western Japan, especially Fukuoka Prefecture, in January 2013. For a better understanding of their formation mechanism, analysis of individual particles is indispensable. We collected PM2.5 on a [Formula: see text] thick Prolene foil using a multi-nozzle cascade impactor at Fukuoka Women’s University, Fukuoka, Japan. Its elemental analysis was carried out using a micro-PIXE system at Tohoku University. Although elemental concentration ratios of scanned areas were similar, those of individual particles were quite different from each other. Elemental concentration ratios for individual particles were categorized into five groups, indicating that the PM2.5 particles came from at least five different sources. Although elemental concentrations obtained by averaging over single particles formed in different processes will lose detailed information, we were able to derive comprehensive elemental compositions of individual PM2.5 particles using our novel technique. The individual particle analysis technique for PM2.5 will provide important information to identify pollution sources and particle formation mechanisms.
Accumulation and localization of alkali elements in Lentinula edodes studied by PIXE analysis
Authors: Terakawa A. , Ishii K. , Matsuyama S. , Hirakata H. , Fujita A. , Kikuchi K. , Matsuyama T. , Toyama S. , Watabe K. , Koshio S. , Nagakubo K. , Sakurada T. , Sera K.
Published: November 2015

The spatial distributions of potassium and rubidium in Lentinula edodes mushrooms contaminated with radioactive cesium were measured using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis by a beam scanning technique with a submillimeter sized proton beam to study relationships in elemental concentration in the mushrooms between radioactive cesium and other alkali elements. The results of PIXE analysis were compared with the spatial distribution of radioactive cesium in the samples measured by an autoradiographic method. Radioactive cesium was not uniformly distributed and strongly concentrated in the peripheral region of pileus of the mushroom while the elemental maps evaluated from PIXE analysis showed that potassium and rubidium are highly accumulated in the same area as radioactive cesium. The present results suggest a common mechanism of the accumulation of alkali elements including radioactive cesium in Lentinula edodes mushrooms.
Iterative learning control algorithm for spiking behavior of neuron model
Authors: Li Shunan , Li Donghui , Wang Jiang , Yu Haitao
Published: November 2015

Controlling neurons to generate a desired or normal spiking behavior is the fundamental building block of the treatment of many neurologic diseases. The objective of this work is to develop a novel control method–closed-loop proportional integral (PI)-type iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm to control the spiking behavior in model neurons. In order to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method, two single-compartment standard models of different neuronal excitability are specifically considered: Hodgkin–Huxley (HH) model for class 1 neural excitability and Morris–Lecar (ML) model for class 2 neural excitability. ILC has remarkable advantages for the repetitive processes in nature. To further highlight the superiority of the proposed method, the performances of the iterative learning controller are compared to those of classical PI controller. Either in the classical PI control or in the PI control combined with ILC, appropriate background noises are added in neuron models to approach the problem under more realistic biophysical conditions. Simulation results show that the controller performances are more favorable when ILC is considered, no matter which neuronal excitability the neuron belongs to and no matter what kind of firing pattern the desired trajectory belongs to. The error between real and desired output is much smaller under ILC control signal, which suggests ILC of neuron’s spiking behavior is more accurate.
Lie dimension subrings
Authors: Bartholdi Laurent , Passi Inder Bir S.
Published: November 2015

We compare, for [Formula: see text] a Lie ring over the integers, its lower central series [Formula: see text] and its dimension series defined by [Formula: see text] in the universal enveloping algebra of [Formula: see text]. We show that [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], but give an example showing that they may differ if [Formula: see text]. We introduce simplicial methods to describe these results, and to serve as a possible tool for further study of the dimension series.
Separability properties of automorphisms of graph products of groups
Authors: Ferov Michal
Published: November 2015

We study properties of automorphisms of graph products of groups. We show that graph product [Formula: see text] has nontrivial pointwise inner automorphisms if and only if some vertex group corresponding to a central vertex has nontrivial pointwise inner automorphisms. We use this result to study residual finiteness of [Formula: see text]. We show that if all vertex groups are finitely generated residually finite and the vertex groups corresponding to central vertices satisfy certain technical (yet natural) condition, then [Formula: see text] is residually finite. Finally, we generalize this result to graph products of residually [Formula: see text]-finite groups to show that if [Formula: see text] is a graph product of finitely generated residually [Formula: see text]-finite groups such that the vertex groups corresponding to central vertices satisfy the [Formula: see text]-version of the technical condition then [Formula: see text] is virtually residually [Formula: see text]-finite. We use this result to prove bi-orderability of Torreli groups of some graph products of finitely generated residually torsion-free nilpotent groups.
Comparison of Constant and Discontinuous Quadratic Boundary Elements for Exterior Axisymmetric Acoustic-Wave Propagation Problems
Authors: Ramesh Sai Sudha , Lim Kian-Meng , Khoo Boo Cheong
Published: November 2015

The present study involves numerical assessment of two types of boundary elements, namely constant and discontinuous quadratic elements based on a hypersingular Burton and Miller boundary integral formulation to tackle spurious frequencies manifesting in exterior problems. Convergence trends of the two types of boundary element with/without the inclusion of hypersingular formulation were studied for various combinations of boundary conditions and over a wide range of frequencies. The results indicate that discontinuous quadratic elements and constant elements give comparable results, with the quadratic elements being computationally more efficient as they take lesser computational time. Nevertheless, the constant element formulation is easier to implement, and it may be used for solving exterior wave propagation problems.
BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS OF CREDIT AND DEBT NETWORKS
Authors: GARRIDO PAULO , CAMPOS PEDRO , DIAS ANDRÉ
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we present a computing procedure to analyze a network of credit and debt among agents (nodes) from a standpoint of balance sheet dependencies. The aim is to develop a method to assess thoroughly the sensitivity of the network to potential individual insolvencies. For this purpose, given a state of the network, the insolvency of an agent is assumed and the cascade of provoked insolvencies is simulated. Exploring the matrix definition of the network, this is made systematically for all agents. Therefore, in only one run of the procedure, all the possible trajectories of insolvencies, each beginning in a different agent, are calculated. This allows spotting at a glance which agents are “systemically riskier”. Determination of adequate capital levels can be made on a case basis by running the procedure repeatedly. This work contributes with two new aspects to the existing literature. First, given a known situation of a credit and debt network, a computing procedure is presented that allows to assess the network sensitivity to the exogenous insolvency of any of its nodes. Second, continued monitoring of a credit and debt network is computationally feasible. This “proof of concept” software can be extended into a tool useful for research and regulation, if the relevant information is made available.
Euler-Lagrange equations for high energy effective actions in QCD and in gravity
Authors: Lipatov Lev N.
Published: November 2015

We review the theory of the high energy scattering in QCD and gravity based on effective actions local in rapidities of usual and reggeized particles. The Euler-Lagrange equations are constructed with a variational approach for these actions and by using the invariance under the gauge and general coordinate transformations.
Scalar and tensor ππ resonances in dispersive analysis
Authors: Kamiński Robert
Published: November 2015

Role of the dispersive method in analysis of the [Formula: see text] amplitudes in all important partial waves: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is presented. Widely discussed is the role of new (GKPY) and old (Roy) dispersion relations with imposed crossing symmetry condition. Example of a successful application of the GKPY and Roy’s equations in test of [Formula: see text] amplitudes fitted to both experimental data and dispersion relations is presented. Short and purely mathematical proof of the uniqueness and correctness of the dispersive method used to precise determination of [Formula: see text] interaction parameters is presented.
Heavy baryons with strangeness in soliton models
Authors: Weigel H. , Blanckenberg J. P.
Published: November 2015

We present some recent results from soliton model calculations for the spectrum of baryons with a single heavy quark. The model comprises chiral symmetry for light flavors and (approximate) heavy spin–flavor symmetry for the heavy quarks. We focus on flavor symmetry breaking for strangeness degrees of freedom.
Latest Higgs physics results with the ATLAS detector
Authors: Orestano Domizia
Published: November 2015

This report presents the investigations on the recently discovered scalar boson by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The latest results fully exploit the data collected during LHC Run 1 to measure the properties of the new boson and within the current sensitivity confirm the identification of this particle with the Higgs boson of the Standard Model.
Top quark studies with the ATLAS detector
Authors: Capua Marcella
Published: November 2015

The latest top quark studies in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 and 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector are reported. We present recent results on the top pair production inclusive cross-sections, top pair production differential cross-section in the resolved and boosted regimes, single top-quark production cross-sections measured in the t-channel, s-channel and W-boson associated processes, as well as the determination of the CKM matrix element [Formula: see text]. The results are compared with theoretical expectations. Latest ATLAS results on top properties will be also shown in terms of direct and pole mass, spin correlations and charge asymmetry.
Heavy flavour studies with the ATLAS detector
Authors: Chalupkova Ina
Published: November 2015

We present a selection of recent heavy-flavour measurements by the ATLAS experiment using data collected during 2011 and 2012. The results include first analysis of associated production of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] boson, measurement of asymmetry parameter and helicity amplitudes in [Formula: see text] decay and a study of [Formula: see text] decays. Moreover, the first observation of an excited [Formula: see text] meson state and results of a search for the [Formula: see text] and other hidden-beauty states are also shown.
Searches for exotic phenomena with the ATLAS detector
Authors: Czodrowski Patrick
Published: November 2015

Recent results of searches for exotic phenomena (new phenomena other than Supersymmetry) with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider conducted with proton–proton collision data at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TeV taken 2012 were presented.
Compressed baryonic matter at FAIR: JINR participation
Authors: Kurilkin P. , Ladygin V. , Malakhov A. , Senger P.
Published: November 2015

The scientific mission of the Compressed Baryonic Matter(CBM) experiment is the study of the nuclear matter properties at the high baryon densities in heavy ion collisions at the Facility of Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt.

We present the results on JINR participation in the CBM experiment. JINR teams are responsible on the design, the coordination of superconducting(SC) magnet manufacture, its testing and installation in CBM cave. Together with Silicon Tracker System it will provide the momentum resolution better 1[Formula: see text] for different configuration of CBM setup. The characteristics and technical aspects of the magnet are discussed. JINR plays also a significant role in the manufacture of two straw tracker station for the muon detection system. JINR team takes part in the development of new method for simulation, processing and analysis experimental data for different basic detectors of CBM.
Standard model measurements with ATLAS (+CMS) detector(s)
Authors: Li Shu
Published: November 2015

We present a broad range of Standard Model measurements performed in proton-proton collisions at the LHC on a variety of topics [Formula: see text]jets production and ratios, the electroweak multi-boson production, [Formula: see text] heavy flavor decay production, jet production, photon physics, the Standard Model soft QCD and diffractive physics. The latest public results from ATLAS experiment are obtained at the center-of-mass energy of both 7 TeV and 8 TeV, which covers total cross sections, fiducial cross sections, differential cross sections wherever available and comparison with Leading-Order/Next-to-Leading-Order/Next-to-Next-to-Leading-Order theory predictions. These measurements provide important tests for perturbative QCD, electroweak multi-boson interactions, Electroweak Symmetry Breaking over a broad kinematic range and constraints for PDFs. Model-independent new physics searches are also performed by probing anomalous gauge bosons couplings using effective Lagrangian or effective field theory formalism.
Past, present and future of the muon g-2
Authors: Dorokhov A. E. , Radzhabov A. E. , Zhevlakov A. S.
Published: November 2015

The electron and muon anomalous magnetic moments (AMM) are measured in experiments and studied in the Standard Model (SM) with the highest precision accessible in particle physics. The comparison of the measured quantity with the SM prediction for the electron AMM provides the best determination of the fine structure constant. The muon AMM is more sensitive to the appearance of New Physics effects and, at present, there appears to be a three- to four-standard deviation between the SM and experiment. The lepton AMMs are pure relativistic quantum correction effects and therefore test the foundations of relativistic quantum field theory in general, and of quantum electrodynamics (QED) and SM in particular, with highest sensitivity. Special attention is paid to the studies of the hadronic contributions to the muon AMM which constitute the main source of theoretical uncertainties of the SM.
Energy dependence of hadron yields in pp and AA collisions
Authors: Artemenkov D. A. , Lykasov G. I. , Malakhov A. I.
Published: November 2015

To describe the data on hadron production at high energies in the midarapidity region and not large transverse momenta [Formula: see text], we modify the simple exponential form of the [Formula: see text]-spectrum. The hadron [Formula: see text]-spectrum is presented in two parts due to the contributions of quarks and gluons, each of them has different energy dependence. The suggested approach alows us to describe rather satisfactorily the inclusive spectra of hadrons produced in [Formula: see text] collisions at energies from the AGS up to LHC.
Cumulative hadron production in pA collisions in the framework of z-scaling
Authors: Alexey Aparin , Mikhail Tokarev
Published: November 2015

Data on cumulative particle production in pA collisions with momentum [Formula: see text] are analyzed in the [Formula: see text]-scaling approach. Scaling function [Formula: see text] is constructed for different types of target nuclei and inclusive particle angle. The function is expressed via respective inclusive cross section and average multiplicity density of charged particles. This regime corresponds to low [Formula: see text] (low transverse momentum [Formula: see text]). Validity of the concept was verified for this data. A-dependence of the scaling function is studied for low-[Formula: see text] region. Self-similarity of hadron production in pA collisions is confirmed over a wide kinematic range.
Internal structure modification and decay of hadrons in strong magnetic field
Authors: Filip Peter
Published: November 2015

We discuss the influence of external magnetic field on strong decays of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons. Due to increasing energy of [Formula: see text] Landau level of charged decay products, particular decay channels may become suppressed and isospin rules for strong decays can be violated. In the case of [Formula: see text] meson, enhanced production of photons and dileptons (with modified invariant mass) may occur. Similar considerations are applied to decays of [Formula: see text] baryon. We also suggest that static electromagnetic field of sufficient strength can modify the internal structure (wavefunction) of [Formula: see text] J/[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons, and specific decay channels (e.g. CP — violating [Formula: see text]) can become enhanced.