bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Too Weird for Banknotes”: Legitimacy and Identity in the Production of Danish Banknotes 1947–2007
Authors: Sørensen Anders Ravn
Published: August 2014

In this article I argue that questions of banknote design are closely related to ideas of the national collective. Using the Danish banknote design competitions from 1947 to 2007 as an exemplary case I show how the Danish central bank, Nationalbanken, continuously sought to balance banknote iconography between different and evolving perceptions of the national community in an attempt to underpin the legitimacy and authority of Danish banknotes. I suggest that concepts from institutional theory can explain this equipoise relationship and I argue that banknote designers need to somehow reconcile conflicting ideas about the national community. As such, this article contributes to a more detailed understanding of the considerations and challenges facing banknote‐issuing authorities.
The Lord Mayor's Show in Early Modern London
Authors: Trevisan Sara
Published: August 2014

The Lord Mayor's Show – a lavish entertainment organised yearly to celebrate the oath of the new mayor – became a key event in London civic life between the 1580s and the late 1630s, involving such authors as Thomas Middleton, Thomas Heywood, Anthony Munday, John Webster and Thomas Dekker. This essay provides a survey of the most important literature concerning the early modern Lord Mayor's Shows, their historical development as a dramatic form, their ceremonial role, their textual dimension and their symbolic representation of London's political life.
Manuscript, Monument, Memory: the Circulation of Epitaphs in the 17th Century
Authors: Williams Claire Bryony
Published: August 2014

Poetic epitaphs are important texts in any investigation into literary representations of death and memory in early‐modern England. Seventeenth‐century antiquarians such as Stow, Camden and Weever were anxious to preserve these inscriptions for posterity, aware that the engravings were vulnerable both to natural wear and iconoclastic attacks on tombs; they surveyed monuments, transcribing epitaphs and printing them, rightly considering multiple paper copies to be more enduring than a single stone. Epitaphs, some originally copied from tombstones, some composed solely for the page, also appeared in large numbers in printed poetry miscellanies suggesting that 17th‐century readers wanted to read epitaphs alongside other popular forms such as the sonnet and the epigram. Recent studies on early‐modern monuments and literary epitaphs focus on two mediums: the tombstone and the printed page; they tend not to engage with manuscripts. This article examines what might be added to the field by considering the appearance of epitaphs in manuscript miscellanies: do we discover unique texts; can we uncover additional biographical context about printed or monumental inscriptions; what do the choices of texts preserved tell us about attitudes towards epitaphs among 17th‐century readers? To provide some illustrations of the value of such investigation, I consider the circulation of three oft‐copied epitaphs: one devout, one a bawdy jest and the other libellous. Telling stories of adaptive survival with a strong sense of the weaving backwards and forwards between manuscript, monument and memory, they are at once individual case studies but illustrative of broader social and circulation trends.
Heteromeric transposase elements: generators of genomic islands across diverse bacteria
Authors: Peters Joseph E. , Fricker Ashwana D. , Kapili Bennett J. , Petassi Michael T.
Published: August 2014

Horizontally acquired genetic information in bacterial chromosomes accumulates in blocks termed genomic islands. Tn7‐like transposons form genomic islands at a programmed insertion site in bacterial chromosomes, attTn7. Transposition involves five transposon‐encoded genes (tnsABCDE) including an atypical heteromeric transposase. One transposase subunit, TnsB, is from the large family of bacterial transposases, the second, TnsA, is related to endonucleases. A regulator protein, TnsC, functions with different target site selecting proteins to recognize different targets. TnsD directs transposition into attTn7, while TnsE encourages horizontal transmission by targeting mobile plasmids. Recent work suggests that distantly related elements with heteromeric transposases exist with alternate targeting pathways that also facilitate the formation of genomic islands. Tn6230 and related elements can be found at a single position in a gene of unknown function (yhiN) in various bacteria as well as in mobile plasmids. Another group we term Tn6022‐like elements form pathogenicity islands in the Acinetobacter baumannii comM gene. We find that Tn6022‐like elements also appear to have an uncharacterized mechanism for provoking internal transposition and deletion events that serve as a conduit for evolving new elements. As a group, heteromeric transposase elements utilize diverse target site selection mechanisms adapted to the spread and rearrangement of genomic islands.
NPSR1 polymorphisms influence recurrent abdominal pain in children: a population‐based study
Authors: Henström M. , Zucchelli M. , Söderhäll C. , Bergström A. , Kere J. , Melén E. , Olén O. , D'Amato M.
Published: August 2014

Background

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) occurs frequently among children and is one of the cardinal symptoms of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). The mechanisms of visceral pain and RAP are not fully understood. A heritable component has been demonstrated and a few candidate genes proposed. NPSR1 encodes the receptor for neuropeptide S (NPS) and NPS‐NPSR1 signaling is involved in anxiety, inflammation, and nociception. NPSR1 polymorphisms are associated with asthma and chronic inflammatory diseases, but also with IBS‐related intermediate phenotypes such as colonic transit time and rectal sensory ratings. Here, we sought to determine whether genetic variability in the NPSR1 gene influences the presence of RAP in children.

Methods

Twenty‐eight single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPSR1 gene region were successfully genotyped in 1744 children from the Swedish birth cohort BAMSE. Questionnaire information was used to define RAP as episodes of abdominal pain occurring at least once a month in 12‐year‐olds.

Key Results

The prevalence of RAP was 9% in BAMSE. Association with RAP was observed for seven NPSR1 SNPs, five of which withstood false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple testing (best p = 0.00054, OR: 1.55 for SNP rs2530566). The associated SNPs all map in a putative regulatory region upstream NPSR1, where they may exert their genetic effects through the modulation of gene expression.

Conclusions & Inferences

Genetic variation at the NPSR1 locus impacts children's predisposition to RAP episodes in a Swedish population.
A cold‐induced myo‐inositol transporter‐like gene confers tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in transgenic tobacco plants
Authors: Sambe Mame Abdou Nahr , He Xueying , Tu Qinghua , Guo Zhenfei
Published: August 2014

A full length cDNA encoding a myo‐inositol transporter‐like protein, named as MfINT‐like, was cloned from Medicago sativa subsp. falcata (herein falcata), a species with greater cold tolerance than alfalfa (M. sativa subsp. sativa). MfINT‐like is located on plasma membranes. MfINT‐like transcript was induced 2–4 h after exogenous myo‐inositol treatment, 24–96 h with cold, and 96 h by salinity. Given that myo‐inositol accumulates higher in falcata after 24 h of cold treatment, myo‐inositol is proposed to be involved in cold‐induced expression of MfINT‐like. Higher levels of myo‐inositol was observed in leaves of transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing MfINT‐like than the wild‐type but not in the roots of plants grown on myo‐inositol containing medium, suggesting that transgenic plants had higher myo‐inositol transport activity than the wild‐type. Transgenic plants survived better to freezing temperature, and had lower ion leakage and higher maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) after chilling treatment. In addition, greater plant fresh weight was observed in transgenic plants as compared with the wild‐type when plants were grown under drought or salinity stress. The results suggest that MfINT‐like mediated transport of myo‐inositol is associated with plant tolerance to abiotic stresses.
Keeping the Farm in the Family Name: Patrimonial Narratives and Negotiations among German‐Heritage Farmers
Authors: McMillan Lequieu Amanda
Published: August 2014

Sociologists tend to view rural culture as an inertial force, committing members to past cultural patterns which, in turn, inform their present courses of action. By emphasizing such cultural stasis, we obscure how members of cultural enclaves negotiate, recommit to, or revise certain cultural traditions. This article explores how rural culture is in dialogue with changing external contexts. Drawing on interviews I conducted among a small group of German‐heritage farmers in southern Wisconsin, I find that farmers select legal arrangements, entrepreneurial actions, and traditional male succession in order to fulfill the “yeoman” goal of keeping the farm in the family name. I explore how the narratives farmers develop about the cultural priority of transferring the home‐farm to a new generation allow sociological insight into their creative negotiations between cultural traditions and a greatly altered context of agricultural production. I argue that this dialogue between a historically persistent cultural tradition and very present pressures of agricultural production makes a significant contribution to the dynamics of modern rural life.
Dynamic stratigraphy of composite peripheral unconformity in a foredeep basin
Authors: Leszczyński Stanisław , Nemec Wojciech
Published: August 2014

This study employs facies analysis and basic principles of sequence stratigraphy to correlate isolated outcrop sections and reveal the depositional history of the Chmielnik Formation – a prominent mid‐Serravalian clastic wedge formed on the basinward forebulge flank of the Polish Carpathian Foredeep. The coarse‐grained clastic wedge, up to 30 m thick and spanningca1·1 Ma within biozoneNN6, consists of fluvio‐deltaic, foreshore and shoreface deposits with a range of large littoral sand bars, all enveloped in muddy offshore‐transition deposits. Its dynamic stratigraphy indicates rapid shoreline shifts and environmental changes due to the interplay of forebulge tectonism, sediment supply and third‐order eustatic cycles. A similar interplay of tectonism and eustasy is recognizable in the whole middle Miocene sedimentary succession deposited on the forebulge flank, demonstrating an extreme case of an accommodation‐controlled shelf and indicating tectonic cycles of the forebulge uplift and subsidence spanningca800 to 900 ka. The episodes of forebulge uplift correlate with the main pulses of orogen thrusting. The resulting composite peripheral unconformity differs markedly from the idealized model of a ‘steady‐state’ stepwise onlap driven by forebulge continuous retreat. It is concluded that the foredeep peripheral unconformities, instead of being simplified in accordance with this idealized model, should rather be studied in detail because they bear a valuable high‐resolution record of regional events and give unique insights into the local role of tectonics, eustasy and sediment supply.
A novel FY*A allele with the 265T and 298A SNPs formerly associated exclusively with the FY*B allele and weak Fyb antigen expression: implication for genotyping interpretative algorithms
Authors: Lopez G. H. , Condon J. A. , Wilson B. , Martin J. R. , Liew Y.‐W. , Flower R. L. , Hyland C. A.
Published: August 2014

Background and Objectives

An Australian Caucasian blood donor consistently presented a serology profile for the Duffy blood group as Fy(a+b+) with Fya antigen expression weaker than other examples of Fy(a+b+) red cells. Molecular typing studies were performed to investigate the reason for the observed serology profile.

Material and Methods

Blood group genotyping was performed using a commercial SNP microarray platform. Sanger sequencing was performed using primer sets to amplify across exons 1 and 2 of the FY gene and using allele‐specific primers.

Results

The propositus was genotyped as FY*A/B, FY*X heterozygote that predicted the Fy(a+b+w) phenotype. Sequencing identified the 265T and 298A variants on the FY*A allele. This link between FY*A allele and 265T was confirmed by allele‐specific PCR.

Conclusion

The reduced Fya antigen reactivity is attributed to a FY*A allele‐carrying 265T and 298A variants previously defined in combination only with the FY*B allele and associated with weak Fyb antigen expression. This novel allele should be considered in genotyping interpretative algorithms for generating a predicted phenotype.
A sieve algorithm based on overlattices
Authors: Becker Anja , Gama Nicolas , Joux Antoine
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we present a heuristic algorithm for solving exact, as well as approximate, shortest vector and closest vector problems on lattices. The algorithm can be seen as a modified sieving algorithm for which the vectors of the intermediate sets lie in overlattices or translated cosets of overlattices. The key idea is hence no longer to work with a single lattice but to move the problems around in a tower of related lattices. We initiate the algorithm by sampling very short vectors in an overlattice of the original lattice that admits a quasi-orthonormal basis and hence an efficient enumeration of vectors of bounded norm. Taking sums of vectors in the sample, we construct short vectors in the next lattice. Finally, we obtain solution vector(s) in the initial lattice as a sum of vectors of an overlattice. The complexity analysis relies on the Gaussian heuristic. This heuristic is backed by experiments in low and high dimensions that closely reflect these estimates when solving hard lattice problems in the average case.

This new approach allows us to solve not only shortest vector problems, but also closest vector problems, in lattices of dimension$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}n$in time$2^{0.3774\, n}$using memory$2^{0.2925\, n}$. Moreover, the algorithm is straightforward to parallelize on most computer architectures.
Traps to the BGJT-algorithm for discrete logarithms
Authors: Cheng Qi , Wan Daqing , Zhuang Jincheng
Published: August 2014

In the recent breakthrough paper by Barbulescu, Gaudry, Joux and Thomé, a quasi-polynomial time algorithm is proposed for the discrete logarithm problem over finite fields of small characteristic. The time complexity analysis of the algorithm is based on several heuristics presented in their paper. We show that some of the heuristics are problematic in their original forms, in particular when the field is not a Kummer extension. We propose a fix to the algorithm in non-Kummer cases, without altering the heuristic quasi-polynomial time complexity. Further study is required in order to fully understand the effectiveness of the new approach.
Subexponential class group and unit group computation in large degree number fields
Authors: Biasse Jean-François , Fieker Claus
Published: August 2014

We describe how to compute the ideal class group and the unit group of an order in a number field in subexponential time. Our method relies on the generalized Riemann hypothesis and other usual heuristics concerning the smoothness of ideals. It applies to arbitrary classes of number fields, including those for which the degree goes to infinity.
The multiple number field sieve for medium- and high-characteristic finite fields
Authors: Barbulescu Razvan , Pierrot Cécile
Published: August 2014

In this paper we study the discrete logarithm problem in medium- and high-characteristic finite fields. We propose a variant of the number field sieve (NFS) based on numerous number fields. Our improved algorithm computes discrete logarithms in $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\mathbb{F}_{p^n}$ for the whole range of applicability of the NFS and lowers the asymptotic complexity from $L_{p^n}({1/3},({128/9})^{1/3})$ to $L_{p^n}({1/3},(2^{13}/3^6)^{1/3})$ in the medium-characteristic case, and from $L_{p^n}({1/3},({64/9})^{1/3})$ to $L_{p^n}({1/3},((92 + 26 \sqrt{13})/27)^{1/3})$ in the high-characteristic case.
Hyper-and-elliptic-curve cryptography
Authors: Bernstein Daniel J. , Lange Tanja
Published: August 2014

This paper introduces ‘hyper-and-elliptic-curve cryptography’, in which a single high-security group supports fast genus-2-hyperelliptic-curve formulas for variable-base-point single-scalar multiplication (for example, Diffie–Hellman shared-secret computation) and at the same time supports fast elliptic-curve formulas for fixed-base-point scalar multiplication (for example, key generation) and multi-scalar multiplication (for example, signature verification).
Synthesis of copper nitride films doped with Fe, Co, or Ni by reactive magnetron sputtering
Authors: Yang Jianbo , Huang Saijia , Wang Zhijiao , Hou Yuxuan , Shi Yuyu , Zhang Jian , Yang Jianping , Li Xing'ao
Published: August 2014

Copper nitride (Cu3N) and Fe-, Co-, and Ni-doped Cu3N films were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering. The films were deposited on silicon substrates at room temperature using pure Cu target and metal chips. The molar ratio of Cu to N atoms in the as-prepared Cu3N film was 2.7:1, which is comparable with the stoichiometry ratio 3:1. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the films were composed of Cu3N crystallites with anti-ReO3 structure and adopted different preferred orientations. The reflectance of the four samples decreased in the wavelength range of 400–830 nm, but increased rapidly within wavelength range of 830–1200 nm. Compared with the Cu3N films, the resistivity of the doped Cu3N films decreased by three orders of magnitude. These changes have great application potential in optical and electrical devices based on Cu3N films.
Field enhancement for fiber emitters in linear and rectangular arrays
Authors: Tang Wilkin , Shiffler Don , Golby Ken , LaCour Matthew , Knowles Tim
Published: August 2014

One of the key issues for understanding the emission physics of field emitters is the determination of the field enhancement factor β. Quantifying β is complicated by determining accurate values for the work function and emission area. In this article, the authors consider two and four carbon fiber emitters in linear and square arrays in which the geometry, hence β, can be carefully controlled, while computational methods allow an estimate of the emission area. In order to reduce the effects of work function variation between different fibers, all the carbon fiber cathodes the authors use are made with the same materials and underwent the same manufacturing process. This approach reduces the influence of work function and emission area on experimental results. While single emitter tips and large arrays of emitters (∼1000 s) have been studied in the past, this article addresses the emission of low numbers (<10) of field emitters in carefully controlled geometries. Studying such configurations allows us to develop a model that leads to greater physical insight for β and the emission process.
High breakdown voltage in AlN/GaN metal–insulator–semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors
Authors: Hwang Ya-Hsi , Ahn Shihyun , Dong Chen , Ren Fan , Gila Brent P. , Hays David , Pearton Stephen J. , Lo Chien-Fong , Johnson Jerry W.
Published: August 2014

The breakdown characteristics of AlGaN/GaN based metal–insulator–semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MISHEMTs) using a 10 nm thick AlN gate insulator and passivation layer deposited plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition. The AlN was effective in significantly reducing gate leakage current relative to Schottky gate devices and showed only small decreases in drain current during gate lag measurements. The devices exhibited a strong dependence of gate breakdown voltage on source–drain distance, reaching a value of 2000 V for a source–drain distance of 40 μm limited by the measurement instrument. The specific on-state resistance was 1.3 and 10.9 mΩ cm2 for the devices with the gate–drain distance of 7.5 and 37.5 μm, respectively. The saturation drain current was inversely dependent on source–drain distance and the on–off ratios were in excess of 108 due to the low gate leakage current in the MISHEMTs.
Sensitivity to pulse phase duration in cochlear implant listeners: Effects of stimulation mode
Authors: Chatterjee Monita , Kulkarni Aditya M.
Published: August 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate charge-integration at threshold by cochlear implant listeners using pulse train stimuli in different stimulation modes (monopolar, bipolar, tripolar). The results partially confirmed and extended the findings of previous studies conducted in animal models showing that charge-integration depends on the stimulation mode. The primary overall finding was that threshold vs pulse phase duration functions had steeper slopes in monopolar mode and shallower slopes in more spatially restricted modes. While the result was clear-cut in eight users of the Cochlear CorporationTM device, the findings with the six user of the Advanced BionicsTM device who participated were less consistent. It is likely that different stimulation modes excite different neuronal populations and/or sites of excitation on the same neuron (e.g., peripheral process vs central axon). These differences may influence not only charge integration but possibly also temporal dynamics at suprathreshold levels and with more speech-relevant stimuli. Given the present interest in focused stimulation modes, these results have implications for cochlear implant speech processor design and protocols used to map acoustic amplitude to electric stimulation parameters.
A nonuniform sampling technique based on inflection point detection and its application to speech coding
Authors: Iem Byeong-Gwan
Published: August 2014

In order to reduce the data amount, the nonuniform sampling (NUS) method detects samples of a signal, such as local maxima and minima. To overcome the sparseness problem of the NUS method, an inflection point detection (IPD) method is proposed to sample a signal nonuniformly. The IPD samples a signal not only at the local maxima and minima, but also at the inflection points where the slope of the signal changes. To show its usefulness, the IPD is applied to speech coding. The encoder transmits the time instants and sample amplitude values of the inflection points. At the receiver, the decoder estimates the sample amplitude values at the noninflection points by interpolating the received information. Simulation results show that the IPD method produces 7% mean square error improvement over the NUS method. With a small threshold to detect inflection points, the proposed coding method shows 0.38−8.72 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and 0.5−1.3 mean opinion score improvement, compared to the continuously variable slope delta modulation algorithm (CVSDM). The IPD method produces up to 8.5 dB improvement in SNR over the CVSDM at bit error rates (BER) below 5 × 10−5, while the IPD method becomes worse than the CVSDM at BER above 5 × 10−5.
High-purity thermoacoustic isotope enrichment
Authors: Swift G. W. , Geller D. A. , Backhaus S. N.
Published: August 2014

In a tube many wavelengths long, thermoacoustic separation of a gas mixture can produce very high purities. A flexible wall allows a spatially continuous supply of acoustic power into such a long tube. Coiling the tube and immersing it in a fluid lets a single-wavelength, circulating, traveling pressure wave in the fluid drive all the wavelengths in the tube wall and gas. Preliminary measurements confirm many aspects of the concept with neon (20Ne and 22Ne) and highlight some challenges of practical implementation.
Development of a test battery for evaluating speech perception in complex listening environments
Authors: Brungart Douglas S. , Sheffield Benjamin M. , Kubli Lina R.
Published: August 2014

In the real world, spoken communication occurs in complex environments that involve audiovisual speech cues, spatially separated sound sources, reverberant listening spaces, and other complicating factors that influence speech understanding. However, most clinical tools for assessing speech perception are based on simplified listening environments that do not reflect the complexities of real-world listening. In this study, speech materials from the QuickSIN speech-in-noise test by Killion, Niquette, Gudmundsen, Revit, and Banerjee [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 116, 2395–2405 (2004)] were modified to simulate eight listening conditions spanning the range of auditory environments listeners encounter in everyday life. The standard QuickSIN test method was used to estimate 50% speech reception thresholds (SRT50) in each condition. A method of adjustment procedure was also used to obtain subjective estimates of the lowest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) where the listeners were able to understand 100% of the speech (SRT100) and the highest SNR where they could detect the speech but could not understand any of the words (SRT0). The results show that the modified materials maintained most of the efficiency of the QuickSIN test procedure while capturing performance differences across listening conditions comparable to those reported in previous studies that have examined the effects of audiovisual cues, binaural cues, room reverberation, and time compression on the intelligibility of speech.
Comparison of temporal and spectral scattering methods using acoustically large breast models derived from magnetic resonance images
Authors: Hesford Andrew J. , Tillett Jason C. , Astheimer Jeffrey P. , Waag Robert C.
Published: August 2014

Accurate and efficient modeling of ultrasound propagation through realistic tissue models is important to many aspects of clinical ultrasound imaging. Simplified problems with known solutions are often used to study and validate numerical methods. Greater confidence in a time-domain k-space method and a frequency-domain fast multipole method is established in this paper by analyzing results for realistic models of the human breast. Models of breast tissue were produced by segmenting magnetic resonance images of ex vivo specimens into seven distinct tissue types. After confirming with histologic analysis by pathologists that the model structures mimicked in vivo breast, the tissue types were mapped to variations in sound speed and acoustic absorption. Calculations of acoustic scattering by the resulting model were performed on massively parallel supercomputer clusters using parallel implementations of the k-space method and the fast multipole method. The efficient use of these resources was confirmed by parallel efficiency and scalability studies using large-scale, realistic tissue models. Comparisons between the temporal and spectral results were performed in representative planes by Fourier transforming the temporal results. An RMS field error less than 3% throughout the model volume confirms the accuracy of the methods for modeling ultrasound propagation through human breast.
Stimulus and listener factors affecting age-related changes in competing speech perception
Authors: Helfer Karen S. , Freyman Richard L.
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine associations among hearing thresholds, cognitive ability, and speech understanding in adverse listening conditions within and between groups of younger, middle-aged, and older adults. Participants repeated back sentences played in the presence of several types of maskers (syntactically similar and syntactically different competing speech from one or two other talkers, and steady-state speech-shaped noise). They also completed tests of auditory short-term/working memory, processing speed, and inhibitory ability. Results showed that group differences in accuracy of word identification and in error patterns differed depending upon the number of masking voices; specifically, older and middle-aged individuals had particular difficulty, relative to younger subjects, in the presence of a single competing message. However, the effect of syntactic similarity was consistent across subject groups. Hearing loss, short-term memory, processing speed, and inhibitory ability were each related to some aspects of performance by the middle-aged and older participants. Notably, substantial age-related changes in speech recognition were apparent within the group of middle-aged listeners.
Influence of vibrotactile feedback on some perceptual features of violins
Authors: Wollman Indiana , Fritz Claudia , Poitevineau Jacques
Published: August 2014

This paper investigated how auditory and vibrotactile feedback information is integrated within the context of violin quality evaluation. Fifteen violinists evaluated three violins on four criteria—“Rich Sound,” “Loud and Powerful,” “Alive and Responsive,” and “Pleasure”—during a perceptual experiment. Violinists first evaluated the violins one at a time under three experimental conditions: (1) playing, (2) listening to it (played by a professional player) in an active way by fingering the score on an isolated neck, (3) same as (2) with vibrotactile feedback provided at the isolated neck. Violinists were then asked to evaluate the violins through pairwise comparisons under condition (3): Each violin was paired with itself while the level of vibrations of the isolated neck was either the original one or divided by two. The first part of the experiment demonstrated that Loud and Powerful judgments were affected by the presence of vibrations given that violins were rated louder in condition (3) than in (2). In the second part, violins were rated more positively with original vibration level at the isolated neck than with half the level, for all criteria but Alive and Responsive. Consistently with sensory interaction, the magnitude of the enhancement remained relatively constant across violins.
The average specific forced radiation wave impedance of a finite rectangular panel
Authors: Davy John L. , Larner David J. , Wareing Robin R. , Pearse John R.
Published: August 2014

The average specific forced radiation wave impedance of a finite rectangular panel is of importance for the prediction of both sound insulation and sound absorption. In 1982, Thomasson published numerical calculations of the average specific forced radiation wave impedance of a square of side length 2e for wave number k in half octave steps of ke from 0.25 to 64. Thomasson's calculations were for the case when the forced bending wave number kb was less than or equal to k. Thomasson also published approximate formulas for values of ke above and below the published results. This paper combines Thomasson's high and low frequency formulas and compares this combined formula with Thomasson's numerical calculations. The real part of the approximate formula is between 0.7 dB higher and −1 dB lower than the numerical calculations. The imaginary part of the approximate formula is between 2.3 dB higher and −2.6 dB lower than the numerical calculations. This paper also gives approximate formulas for the case when kb is greater than or equal to k. The differences are between 0.8 and −1.2 dB for the imaginary part and between 6.2 and −2.4 dB for the real part.
The Hippo signal transduction network in skeletal and cardiac muscle
Authors: Wackerhage Henning , Del Re Dominic P. , Judson Robert N. , Sudol Marius , Sadoshima Junichi
Published: August 2014

The Hippo pathway plays a role in muscle and heart development, regeneration, and disease.
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of a Two-Day Regimen of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine for Malaria Prevention Halted for Concern over Prolonged Corrected QT Interval
Authors: Manning Jessica , Vanachayangkul Pattaraporn , Lon Chanthap , Spring Michele , So Mary , Sea Darapiseth , Se Youry , Somethy Sok , Phann Sut-Thang , Chann Soklyda , Sriwichai Sabaithip , Buathong Nillawan , Kuntawunginn Worachet , Mitprasat Mashamon , Siripokasupkul Raveewan , Teja-Isavadharm Paktiya , Soh Eugene , Timmermans Ans , Lanteri Charlotte , Kaewkungwal Jaranit , Auayporn Montida , Tang Douglas , Chour Char Meng , Prom Satharath , Haigney Mark , Cantilena Louis , Saunders David
Published: August 2014

Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, the current first-line drug for uncomplicated malaria caused by
Plasmodium falciparum
and
Plasmodium vivax
in Cambodia, was previously shown to be of benefit as malaria chemoprophylaxis when administered as a monthly 3-day regimen. We sought to evaluate the protective efficacy of a compressed monthly 2-day treatment course in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. The safety and efficacy of a monthly 2-day dosing regimen of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine were evaluated in a two-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cohort study with 2:1 treatment allocation. Healthy military volunteers in areas along the Thai-Cambodian border where there is a high risk of malaria were administered two consecutive daily doses of 180 mg dihydroartemisinin and 1,440 mg piperaquine within 30 min to 3 h of a meal once per month for a planned 4-month period with periodic electrocardiographic and pharmacokinetic assessment. The study was halted after only 6 weeks (69 of 231 projected volunteers enrolled) when four volunteers met a prespecified cardiac safety endpoint of QTcF (Fridericia's formula for correct QT interval) prolongation of >500 ms. The pharmacodynamic effect on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) peaked approximately 4 h after piperaquine dosing and lasted 4 to 8 h. Unblinded review by the data safety monitoring board revealed mean QTcF prolongation of 46 ms over placebo at the maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
) on day 2. Given that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is one of the few remaining effective antimalarial agents in Cambodia, compressed 2-day treatment courses of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine are best avoided until the clinical significance of these findings are more thoroughly evaluated. Because ECG monitoring is often unavailable in areas where malaria is endemic, repolarization risk could be mitigated by using conventional 3-day regimens, fasting, and avoidance of repeated dosing or coadministration with other QT-prolonging medications. (This study has been registered at
ClinicalTrials.gov
under registration no. NCT01624337.)
Kinetic Study of the Effect of Histidines 240 and 164 on TEM-149 Enzyme Probed by β-Lactam Inhibitors
Authors: Perilli Mariagrazia , Mancini Alisia , Celenza Giuseppe , Bottoni Carlo , Bellio Pierangelo , Sabatini Alessia , Di Pietro Letizia , Brisdelli Fabrizia , Segatore Bernardetta , Amicosante Gianfranco
Published: August 2014

In the present study, we performed a detailed kinetic analysis of the enzymes TEM-149, TEM-149
H240
, and TEM-149
H164-H240
versus a large panel of inhibitors/inactivators, including penicillins, penems, carbapenems, monobactams, cephamycin, and carbacephem. These compounds behaved as poor substrates versus TEM-149, TEM-149
H240
, and TEM-149
H164-H240
β-lactamases, and the

K
i

(inhibition constant),
K
(dissociation constant of the Henri-Michaelis complex),
k
+2
and
k
+3
(first-order acylation and deacylation constants, respectively), and
k
+2
/
K
values were calculated.
A Conserved Apicomplexan Microneme Protein Contributes to Toxoplasma gondii Invasion and Virulence
Authors: Huynh My-Hang , Boulanger Martin J. , Carruthers Vern B.
Published: August 2014

The obligate intracellular parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
critically relies on host cell invasion during infection. Proteins secreted from the apical micronemes are central components for host cell recognition, invasion, egress, and virulence. Although previous work established that the sporozoite protein with an altered thrombospondin repeat (SPATR) is a micronemal protein conserved in other apicomplexan parasites, including
Plasmodium
,
Neospora
, and
Eimeria
, no genetic evidence of its contribution to invasion has been reported. SPATR contains a predicted epidermal growth factor domain and two thrombospondin type 1 repeats, implying a role in host cell recognition. In this study, we assess the contribution of
T. gondii
SPATR (TgSPATR) to
T. gondii
invasion by genetically ablating it and restoring its expression by genetic complementation. Δ
spatr
parasites were ∼50% reduced in invasion compared to parental strains, a defect that was reversed in the complemented strain. In mouse virulence assays, Δ
spatr
parasites were significantly attenuated, with ∼20% of mice surviving infection. Given the conservation of this protein among the Apicomplexa, we assessed whether the
Plasmodium falciparum
SPATR ortholog (PfSPATR) could complement the absence of the TgSPATR. Although PfSPATR showed correct micronemal localization, it did not reverse the invasion deficiency of Δ
spatr
parasites, because of an apparent failure in secretion. Overall, the results suggest that TgSPATR contributes to invasion and virulence, findings that have implications for the many genera and life stages of apicomplexans that express SPATR.
Baculovirus-Vectored Multistage Plasmodium vivax Vaccine Induces Both Protective and Transmission-Blocking Immunities against Transgenic Rodent Malaria Parasites
Authors: Mizutani Masanori , Iyori Mitsuhiro , Blagborough Andrew M. , Fukumoto Shinya , Funatsu Tomohiro , Sinden Robert E. , Yoshida Shigeto
Published: August 2014

A multistage malaria vaccine targeting the pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages of
Plasmodium
could effectively protect individuals against infection from mosquito bites and provide transmission-blocking (TB) activity against the sexual stages of the parasite, respectively. This strategy could help prevent malaria infections in individuals and, on a larger scale, prevent malaria transmission in communities of endemicity. Here, we describe the development of a multistage
Plasmodium vivax
vaccine which simultaneously expresses
P. vivax
circumsporozoite protein (PvCSP) and P25 (Pvs25) protein of this species as a fusion protein, thereby acting as a pre-erythrocytic vaccine and a TB vaccine, respectively. A new-concept vaccine platform based on the baculovirus dual-expression system (BDES) was evaluated. The BDES-Pvs25-PvCSP vaccine displayed correct folding of the Pvs25-PvCSP fusion protein on the viral envelope and was highly expressed upon transduction of mammalian cells
in vitro
. This vaccine induced high levels of antibodies to Pvs25 and PvCSP and elicited protective (43%) and TB (82%) efficacies against transgenic
P. berghei
parasites expressing the corresponding
P. vivax
antigens in mice. Our data indicate that our BDES, which functions as both a subunit and DNA vaccine, can offer a promising multistage vaccine capable of delivering a potent antimalarial pre-erythrocytic and TB response via a single immunization regimen.
Acquired von Willebrand's disease associated with epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid salivary gland
Authors: Chilvers Geoffrey Spencer , Porter Graham
Published: August 2014

This is the first case report of a patient with acquired von Willebrand's disease (AvWD) secondary to epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the parotid salivary gland. This patient presented to haematology following an abnormal bleeding episode with von Willebrand factor Ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo) <5% and VWF:Ag 13%. He was diagnosed with AvWD. At the same time he was found to have a left parotid lump which was excised following a multidisciplinary team meeting. This was histologically reported as an EMC. Following excision, unusually this patient's AvWD did not resolve. Extensive investigation looking for other causes of the AvWD did not reveal any other potential cause; therefore, due to the similar timing of onset of both pathologies it is felt that the AvWD in this case is secondary to the EMC. This case report highlights the presentation, investigation and management of AvWD and parotid lumps as well as discussing proposed pathophysiological mechanisms for AvWD.
Development of automated quantification methodologies of immunohistochemical markers to determine patterns of immune response in breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: López Carlos , Callau Cristina , Bosch Ramon , Korzynska Anna , Jaén Joaquín , García-Rojo Marcial , Bueno Gloria , Salvadó Mª Teresa , Álvaro Tomás , Oños Montse , Fernández-Carrobles María del Milagro , Llobera Montserrat , Baucells Jordi , Orero Guifré , Lejeune Marylène
Published: August 2014

Introduction

Lymph nodes are one of the main sites where an effective immune response develops. Normally, axillary nodes are the first place where breast cancer produces metastases. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of immune cells, especially dendritic cells, in the evolution of breast cancer. The goal of the project is to identify differences in the patterns of immune infiltrates, with particular emphasis on dendritic cells, in tumour and axillary node biopsies between patients with and without metastases in the axillary nodes at the time of diagnosis. It is expected that these differences will be able to explain differences in survival, relapse and clinicopathological variables between the two groups.

Methods and analysis

The study will involve 100 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2000 and 2007, 50% of whom have metastases in the axillary lymph node at diagnosis. In selected patients, two cylinders from biopsies of representative areas of tumour and axillary nodes (with and without metastasis) will be selected and organised in tissue microarrays. Samples will be stained using immunohistochemical techniques for different markers of immune response and dendritic cells. Two images of each cylinder will be captured under standardised conditions for each marker. Each marker will be quantified automatically by digital image procedures using Image-Pro Plus and Image-J software. Associations of survival, relapse and other clinicopathological variables with the automatically quantified levels of immune infiltrates in patients with and without axillary node metastasis will be sought.

Ethics and dissemination

The present project has been approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII (Ref: 22p/2011). Those patients whose biopsies and clinical data are to be used will give their signed informed consent. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
Some observations on pyloric gland adenoma: an uncommon and long ignored entity!
Authors: Vieth Michael , Montgomery Elizabeth Anne
Published: August 2014

Pyloric gland adenomas (PGAs) are uncommon to rare and are found mostly in the stomach but in a number of other anatomical sites as well. They were recognised years ago by European and Japanese colleagues whereas North American pathologists learned to diagnose them more recently. They are associated with conditions that result in pyloric metaplasia, the prototype of which is autoimmune gastritis. Since the latter is more common in women and men, gastric PGA has a striking female predominance. There appear to be differences in the distribution of PGA in various populations. Herein we review PGA and note similarities and differences in their distribution in our institutions in Germany and the USA and review their morphological appearance, immunolabelling profile, and preliminary genetic data on these unusual lesions.
Pegmatite mylonites: origin and significance
Authors: Gapais Denis , Laouan Brem Boundi Awa
Published: August 2014

Pegmatites generally behave as resistant objects compared to their host rocks during solid-state deformation. They usually show folding or boudinage within their host rocks, features observed from low-grade to high-grade deformations, up to upper-amphibolite metamorphic conditions. Here we describe mylonitic pegmatite veins emplaced within S-C fabric-bearing two-mica granites. Pegmatites consist mainly of feldspar and quartz ribbons, with remnants of coarse-grained Kfs phenocrysts. Quartz ribbons are made of large grains elongated in the shearing direction, with evidence of dynamic recrystallization involving grain boundary migration. Ribbons show very strong lattice-preferred orientations of c-axes at low angles to the stretching lineation. From these, we propose that quartz ribbons are formed by oriented growth during syn-shearing crystallization of the pegmatite. Subsequent syn-shearing solid-state deformation involved grain size reduction accompanied by prism  slip. The occurrence of pegmatite mylonites within granitoid intrusions should be considered as a univocal argument for synkinematic emplacement.
Autophagy in HCV Infection: Keeping Fat and Inflammation at Bay
Authors: Vescovo Tiziana , Refolo Giulia , Romagnoli Alessandra , Ciccosanti Fabiola , Corazzari Marco , Alonzi Tonino , Fimia Gian Maria
Published: August 2014

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease. Viral persistence and pathogenesis rely mainly on the ability of HCV to deregulate specific host processes, including lipid metabolism and innate immunity. Recently, autophagy has emerged as a cellular pathway, playing a role in several aspects of HCV infection. This review summarizes current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that link the HCV life cycle with autophagy machinery. In particular, we discuss the role of HCV/autophagy interaction in dysregulating inflammation and lipid homeostasis and its potential for translational applications in the treatment of HCV-infected patients.
Effective Photodegradation of Methyl Orange Using Fluidized Bed Reactor Loaded with Cross-Linked Chitosan Embedded Nano-CdS Photocatalyst
Authors: Szeto Wai , Kan Chi Wai , Yuen C. W. M. , Chan Shun-Wan , Lam Kim Hung
Published: August 2014

Chitosan-based photocatalyst composites containing CdS nanocrystals with and without glutaraldehyde or epichlorohydrin cross-linking treatments were investigated and the catalyzed photodegradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution was examined. In addition, the effects of catalyst dosage, initial dye concentration, and initial pH of the dye solution on the photodegradation kinetics were investigated. In this study, the effect of initial solution pH was more important than other factors. The photocatalyst composite could remove 99% dye in 80 minutes at pH 4. The catalyst composite was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and visible reflectance spectroscopy. The dye removal mechanism of methyl orange involved an initial sorption process followed by photodegradation. The sorption process underwent the pseudo-second order kinetics, while photodegradation followed the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics. Although the glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan enhanced the initial dye sorption, the epichlorohydrin cross-linked catalyst composite demonstrated a better overall dye removal performance, especially in the photodegradation step. Both chitosan encapsulated catalyst with and without epichlorohydrin cross-linking demonstrated the same pseudo-first order photodegradation kinetic constant of 0.026 min−1and the same dye removal capacity. The catalyst composite could be reused but the photocatalytic activity dropped successively in each cycle.
Various Constructions of Qudit SWAP Gate
Authors: Balakrishnan S.
Published: August 2014

It is known that SWAP operation for quantum systems of arbitrary dimension can be implemented using various qudit gates. In this paper, equivalence of some important qudit operations is demonstrated. Equivalence of the qudit operations is exploited to minimize the circuit complexity in the previously proposed qudit SWAP gate constructions. Further, constructions of qudit SWAP operation with minimum number of qudit gates are also proposed. Importantly, these circuit constructions of SWAP retain its properties like symmetry and simplicity.