bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of iron superoxide dismutase‐encoding DNA vaccine on the evolution of the Leishmania amazonensis experimental infection
Authors: Campos B. L. S. , Silva T. N. , Ribeiro S. P. , Carvalho K. I. L. , KallÁs E. G. , Laurenti M. D. , Passero L. F. D.
Published: June 2015

The present work aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of Leishmania amazonensis iron superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐encoding DNA experimental vaccine and the protective properties of this DNA vaccine during infection. The SOD gene was subcloned into the pVAX1 plasmid, and it was used to immunize BALB/c mice. Twenty‐one days after the last immunization, mice were sacrificed (immunogenicity studies) or subcutaneously challenged with L. amazonensis (studies of protection), and alterations in cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated, as well as the course of infection. Mice only immunized with pVAX1‐SOD presented increased frequencies of CD4+IFN‐γ+, CD8+IFN‐γ+ and CD8+IL‐4+ lymphocytes; moreover, high levels of IgG2a were detected. After challenge, mice that were immunized with pVAX1‐SOD had increased frequencies of the CD4+IL‐4+, CD8+IFN‐γ+ and CD8+IL‐4+ T lymphocytes. In addition, the lymph node cells produced high amounts of IFN‐γ and IL‐4 cytokines. Increased IgG2a was also detected. The pattern of immunity induced by pVAX1‐SOD partially protected the BALB/c mice from a challenge with L. amazonensis, as the animals presented reduced parasitism and lesion size when compared to controls. Taken together, these results indicate that leishmanial SOD modulates the lymphocyte response, and that the elevation in IFN‐γ possibly accounted for the decreased skin parasitism observed in immunized animals.
Bronchiectasis and gastro‐oesophageal reflux; some progress but still a long way to go
Authors: Kolbe John
Published: June 2015

See article, page 749
Risk‐Based Sampling: I Don't Want to Weight in Vain
Authors: Powell Mark R.
Published: June 2015

Recently, there has been considerable interest in developing risk‐based sampling for food safety and animal and plant health for efficient allocation of inspection and surveillance resources. The problem of risk‐based sampling allocation presents a challenge similar to financial portfolio analysis. Markowitz (1952) laid the foundation for modern portfolio theory based on mean‐variance optimization. However, a persistent challenge in implementing portfolio optimization is the problem of estimation error, leading to false “optimal” portfolios and unstable asset weights. In some cases, portfolio diversification based on simple heuristics (e.g., equal allocation) has better out‐of‐sample performance than complex portfolio optimization methods due to estimation uncertainty. Even for portfolios with a modest number of assets, the estimation window required for true optimization may imply an implausibly long stationary period. The implications for risk‐based sampling are illustrated by a simple simulation model of lot inspection for a small, heterogeneous group of producers.
Gender disparities in German home‐care arrangements
Authors: Dorin Lena , Krupa Elzbieta , Metzing Sabine , Büscher Andreas
Published: June 2015

An ageing population correlates with rising needs for long‐term care (LTC). Support programmes should consider the specific needs of the various subgroups of care dependents and family caregivers. The objective of this study was to analyse the gender‐specific disparities in home‐care arrangements in Germany, and for this purpose, survey and insurance claims data were used. A survey of 2545 insured care recipients with high‐level care needs was conducted in 2012 with the Barmer GEK, a major German statutory healthcare insurance. Insurance claims data were provided for a follow‐up, focussing on the group aged 60 years and older. For statistical comparison, chi‐squared test and t‐tests were used, and a p‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Most care recipients are female, and they are on average 2 years older than males. Men receive family care mostly from their wives, whereas widows frequently live alone and receive care from daughters, sons, other relatives, neighbours and friends, as well as from professional nursing services. Furthermore, women more often anticipate the need for (further) professional assistance and move in with a relative or to an assisted living facility or a nursing home in good time. The desired rate for relocation to a nursing home was higher than the anticipated, and during the 6‐month follow‐up, the actual rate of relocations was in between both. In summary, the caring situation of men and women is different. Care‐receiving men are most often cared for by their wives. Widowed women need a social network and their children in order to remain in their own home. To provide better home‐care arrangements for women in this situation, the family and social networks need a stronger focus in politics and research. To stabilise the home‐care situation of men with high‐level care needs, their wives need more support.
Patients’ perceptions of participation in nursing care on medical wards
Authors: Tobiano Georgia , Bucknall Tracey , Marshall Andrea , Guinane Jessica , Chaboyer Wendy
Published: June 2015

Background

Patient participation benefits the patient and is a core concept of patient‐centred care. Patients believe in their ability to prevent errors; thus, they may play a vital role in combating adverse event rates in hospitals.

Aims and objectives

To explore hospitalised medical patients’ perceptions of participating in nursing care, including the barriers and facilitators for this activity.

Research methods

This interpretive study was conducted on four medical wards, in two hospitals. Purposeful maximum variation sampling was operationalised to recruit patients that differed in areas such as age, gender and mobility status. In‐depth semi‐structured audiotaped interviews were undertaken and analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results

Twenty patients participated in the study. Four categories were uncovered in the data. First, valuing participation showed patients’ willingness to participate, viewing it as a worthwhile task. Second, exchanging intelligence was a way of participating where patients’ knowledge was built and shared with health professionals. Third, on the lookout was a type of participation where patients monitored their care, showing an attentive approach towards their own safety. Fourth, power imbalance was characterised by patients feeling their opportunities for participation were restricted.

Conclusions

Patients were motivated to participate and valued participation. Cultivating this motivation may be crucial to patient empowerment and practices of safety monitoring, a fundamental strategy to addressing patient safety issues in hospitals. Engaging nurse–patient relationships, inclusive of knowledge sharing, is required in practice to empower patients to participate. Educating patients on the consequences of non‐participation may motivate them, while nurses may benefit from training on patient‐centred approaches. Future research should address ways to increase patient motivation and opportunities to participate.
Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Civil Rights Laws
Authors: Lee Catherine
Published: June 2015

The United States passed a number of historic laws in the 1960s to address civil rights and racial equality on matters ranging from employment to voting, housing, and immigration. This special issue commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of these legislations' passage. Articles in the issue assess the historical events, political goals, and consequences of the civil rights era laws.
Was the Civil Rights Movement Successful? Tracking and Understanding Black Views
Authors: Santoro Wayne A.
Published: June 2015

Was the modern civil rights movement successful? I depart from traditional approaches that judge success in terms of political inclusion and policy response and instead ask “ordinary” blacks what they thought. Using 1968 survey data, I find that while a slight majority (58%) believed that the movement successfully reduced racial discrimination, a sizable share (42%) saw failure. It seems most accurate to conclude that both perspectives resonated with large segments of the black population. I next examine who thought the movement a success and uncover that blacks of higher economic standing had the most faith in the movement's achievements. This result supports critics who thought that the poor were left behind by the movement's gains. Finally, while there was overall stability from 1968 to 2000 in opinion, the mid‐1980s represented the nadir in thinking the movement successful. This development appears to have been a reaction to the racially hostile Reagan administration and the worsening economic position of blacks in the 1980s. Views on the civil rights movement, thus, are a living memory that can be altered by contemporary deleterious developments. I conclude by arguing that conceptualizations of success should be grounded in how movements impact the everyday lives of their constituency.
Repression as a Double‐edged Sword: Resilient Monarchs, Repression and Revolution in the Arab World
Authors: Bischof Daniel , Fink Simon
Published: June 2015

The Arab world shows a puzzling variation of political violence. The region's monarchies often remain quiet, while other autocracies witness major upheaval. Institutional explanations of this variation suggest that monarchical rule solves the ruler's credible commitment problems and prevents elite splits. This article argues that institutional explanations neglect the role of repression: increasing the scope of repression raises the costs of rebellion and deters rebels. However, the deterrence effect disappears if repression is used indiscriminately. If remaining peaceful offers no benefits, repression creates new rebels instead of deterring them. A time‐series‐cross‐section analysis of repression and political violence in the Middle East and North Africa corroborates our argument and shows the u‐curve relation between repression and violence. Once we control for repression, monarchies have no special effect anymore. Thus, our article addresses the discussion about monarchical exceptionalism, and offers an explanation why repression deters as well as incites political violence.
A Japanese single‐hospital observational trial with a retrospective case‐control analysis of varicella zoster virus reactivation after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mawatari M. , Isoda A. , Miyazawa Y. , Sawamura M. , Matsumoto M.
Published: June 2015

Background

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is common. To help reduce its incidence and to identify predictive factors for VZV reactivation after autologous SCT (auto‐SCT), we conducted a retrospective analysis in patients with hematologic malignancy at our hospital.

Methods

We conducted a single‐hospital observational trial with a retrospective case‐control analysis of post‐auto‐SCT VZV reactivation in patients with malignant lymphoma (ML) and multiple myeloma (MM) between January 2001 and December 2010, in the Department of Hematology at our hospital. First, we analyzed the cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation during the post‐SCT period. Second, we conducted a case‐control analysis to identify the risk factors for VZV reactivation within 1 year after SCT. Univariate analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. A multivariable model and logistic regression were used to assess the risk factors for VZV reactivation.

Results

We included 97 patients in this study. The median duration of follow‐up was 1027 days. Forty‐two patients experienced VZV reactivation after SCT, while 29 (69.0%) experienced reactivation within 1 year after SCT. The cumulative incidence was 30.7% at 1 year and 51.2% for the total observation period. Multivariate analysis showed that engraftment after day 10 was an independent risk factor for VZV reactivation (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our study showed a high incidence of VZV reactivation in the first year after auto‐SCT in ML and MM patients. Patients with delayed engraftment are at high risk for VZV reactivation and should be considered for prolonged VZV prophylaxis.
Response Dynamics of Recirculation Structures in Coaxial Nonpremixed Swirl-Stabilized Flames Subjected to Acoustic Forcing
Authors: Idahosa Uyi , Santhosh R. , Miglani Ankur , Basu Saptarshi
Published: June 2015

This paper reports the time-mean and phase-locked response of nonreacting as well as reacting flow field in a coaxial swirling jet/flame (nonpremixed). Two distinct swirl intensities plus two different central pipe flow rates at each swirl setting are investigated. The maximum response is observed at the 105 Hz mode in the range of excitation frequencies (0–315 Hz). The flow/flame exhibited minimal response beyond 300 Hz. It is seen that the aspect ratio change of inner recirculation zone (IRZ) under nonreacting conditions (at responsive modes) manifests as a corresponding increase in the time-mean flame aspect ratio. This is corroborated by ∼25% decrease in the IRZ transverse width in both flame and cold flow states. In addition, 105 Hz excited states are found to shed high energy regions (eddies) asymmetrically when compared to dormant 315 Hz pulsing frequency. The kinetic energy (KE) of the flow field is subsequently reduced due to acoustic excitation and a corresponding increase (∼O (1)) in fluctuation intensity is witnessed. The lower swirl intensity case is found to be more responsive than the high swirl case as in the former flow state the resistance offered by IRZ to incoming acoustic perturbations is lower due to inherently low inertia. Next, the phase-locked analysis of flow and flame structure is employed to further investigate the phase dependence of flow/flame response. It is found that the asymmetric shifting of IRZ mainly results at 270 deg acoustic forcing. The 90 deg phase angle forcing is observed to convect the IRZ farther downstream in both swirl cases as compared to other phase angles. The present work aims primarily at providing a fluid dynamic view point to the observed nonpremixed flame response without considering the confinement effects.
Comparison of Convective and Radiative Heating Modes on the Thermophysical Changes of a Cerium Nitrate Droplet
Authors: Pathak Binita , Basu Saptarshi
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we try to establish the equivalence or similarity in the thermal and physiochemical changes in precursor droplets (cerium nitrate) in convective and radiative fields. The radiative field is created through careful heating of the droplet using a monochromatic light source (CO2 laser). The equivalence is also established for different modes of convection like droplet injected into a high-speed flow and droplet experiencing a convective flow due to acoustic streaming (levitated) only. The thermophysical changes are studied in an aqueous cerium nitrate droplet, and the dissociation of cerium nitrate to ceria is modeled using modified Kramers' reaction rate formulation. It is observed that vaporization, species accumulation, and chemical characteristics obtained in a convectively heated droplet are retained in a radiatively heated droplet by careful adjustment of the laser intensity. The timescales and ceria yield match reasonably well for both the cases. It is also noted that similar conclusions are drawn in both levitated droplet and a nonlevitated droplet.
Thermal Analysis of Irradiated Fuel Subassemblies and Fuel Pins During Storage in Concrete Pits of Head-End Facility
Authors: Rajendrakumar M. , Velusamy K. , Selvaraj P. , Chellapandi P.
Published: June 2015

Irradiated fuel subassembly (SA)/fuel pins, with significant decay heat are transported from reactor and stored in hot cells (HCs) before reprocessing. During transportation they are heavily shielded and no forced cooling is provided. The HCs are made of concrete structures, the outer surfaces of which are force cooled. During these processes, the fuel pin clad temperature and concrete temperatures are to be limited within specific safety limits. These temperatures are function of the decay power and geometric details of surrounding structures. To predict these temperatures, three-dimensional conjugate conduction–convection–radiation heat transfer analysis has been carried out. For this purpose, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code STAR-CD has been utilized, wherein individual fuel pins, steel cans, hexagonal wrapper, lead shielding blocks, and concrete structures have been considered in detail. Based on parametric studies pertaining to fuel pin transportation, it is established that for a decay power of 150 W, natural convection is adequate with maximum clad temperature of 686 K. From the studies related to storage in HCs, it is seen that nine fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) SA can stored in hot cell-1 (HC-1), with a decay power of 31.3 W per SA, to respect the temperature limits. For 3 prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) cans and 2 FBTR cans stored in hot cell-3 (HC-3), a decay power of 12.5 W per FBTR can and 44 W per PFBR can, can be handled without exceeding temperature limits.
Effect of Prediffuser Angle on the Static Pressure Recovery in Flow Through Casing-Liner Annulus of a Gas Turbine Combustor at Various Swirl Levels
Authors: Ghose Prakash , Datta Amitava , Mukhopadhyay Achintya
Published: June 2015

A numerical study has been performed in an axisymmetric diffuser followed by a casing-liner annulus of a typical gas turbine combustor to analyze the flow structure and pressure recovery in the geometry. Static pressure recovery in a gas turbine combustor is important to ensure high pressure of air around the liner. However, the irreversible pressure losses reduce the static pressure recovery from the ideal value. The presence of swirl in the flow from compressor and prediffuser geometry before the dump diffuser influences the flow pattern significantly. In this study, flow structures are numerically predicted with different prediffuser angles and inlet swirl levels for different dump gaps. Streamline distributions and pressure plots on the casing and liner walls are analyzed. Static pressure recovery coefficients are obtained from the pressure distributions across the combustor. The effect of dump gap on the static pressure recovery has also been evaluated. It is observed that the best static pressure recovery can be obtained at optimum values of inlet swirl level and prediffuser angle. Dump gap is found to have significant influence on the static pressure recovery only at small prediffuser angle.
The role of ciliary trafficking in Hedgehog receptor signaling
Authors: Kim Jynho , C. Hsia Elaine Y. , Brigui Amira , Plessis Anne , Beachy Philip A. , Zheng Xiaoyan
Published: June 2015

Pathway activation by Hedgehog can occur without ciliary exit of the receptor Patched.
Innate lymphoid cells keep gut T cells in check
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: June 2015

Innate lymphoid cells delete commensal bacteria–specific CD4
+
T cells from the intestine in mice.
Toward personalized medicine for the tiniest patients
Authors: Heldt Thomas
Published: June 2015

Continuous monitoring of cerebrovascular reactivity may guide hemodynamic management in preterm infants.
Repetitive Manual Acupuncture Increases Markers of Innate Immunity in Mice Subjected to Restraint Stress
Authors: Watanabe Mayumi , Kainuma Eisuke , Tomiyama Chikako
Published: June 2015

Objective

To study the effects of repetitive manual acupuncture treatment on acute stress in mice and to explore its impact on the immune system.

Methods

Thirty-six mice were randomly allocated to one of four groups: control, acupuncture, stress and acupuncture+stress (n=9 each). Mice in the two acupuncture groups were given daily acupuncture treatment superficially (to skin depth) at CV6, CV12 and bilateral ST25, LR14, GB20, GB21, BL10, BL11, BL13, BL14, BL19, BL23 and BL25 for 7 days. On the eighth day mice in the stress and acupuncture+stress groups were exposed to acute stress for 2 h by confinement in a 50 mL centrifuge tube. Body temperature, blood glucose, the number and subpopulation ratios of leucocytes in the liver, spleen and thymus, natural killer (NK) cell percentage cytotoxicity and serum corticosterone and interferon gamma IFNγ were quantified.

Results

Mice exposed to stress (irrespective of acupuncture treatment) exhibited hypothermia and hyperglycaemia. However, the increase in glucose level was mitigated by repetitive acupuncture treatment (p<0.05). Percentage cytotoxicity and the level of corticosterone were significantly increased after stress but were unaffected by acupuncture. IFNγ levels did not differ between the groups. Hepatic innate immunity in the liver appeared to be stimulated by repetitive acupuncture treatment as proportions of extrathymic T cells, NK cells and NKT cells in the liver were greatest in the acupuncture+stress group and significantly increased relative to the control group.

Conclusions

Repetitive manual acupuncture mitigated stress-induced hyperglycaemia and enhanced markers of innate immunity in the liver within the range of normal homoeostasis. As long as acupuncture stimuli were appropriately applied, they did not appear to be stressful to the mice.
A chemical mixer with dark-green nails
Authors: Leung Lawrence K , Harding John
Published: June 2015

Nails are integral extensions of the skin and they together form the largest organ of the human body. Changes in nail appearance can be due to external insults or internal pathologies, and nail signs have to be interpreted in light of a good history. We present an interesting case of a man who developed dark-green discolouration of his nails over a short period of time. His work as a chemical mixer rendered him susceptible to hazardous chemical exposure. A notification was filed and the local Occupational Health Department discovered insufficient protective gear and lack of protocols regarding hazards of isocyanate-based resin. The patient also reported washing utensils with bare hands. Based on the meniscal demarcation borders between the discoloured and normal areas, plus a positive bacterial culture from nail clippings, the final diagnosis of isocyanate-resin-induced onycholysis with secondaryPseudomonasinfection remained as the most likely clinical diagnosis.
Successful treatment of a giant pediatric fusiform basilar trunk aneurysm with surpass flow diverter
Authors: Kan Peter , Mokin Maxim , Puri Ajit S , Wakhloo Ajay K
Published: June 2015

Fusiform aneurysms present a unique challenge to traditional microsurgical and endovascular treatment because of the lack of a discernible neck and the involvement of parent vessel. Flow diversion has increasingly become the treatment of choice for fusiform aneurysms in the anterior circulation, but its results in the posterior circulation are variable. We report successful treatment of a giant fusiform upper basilar trunk aneurysm with the Surpass flow diverter in an adolescent, and discuss the potential advantages of this emerging technology in the treatment of fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms.
Paediatric splenic and rectovesical pouch abscesses caused byEggerthella lenta
Authors: Kondo Sonoko , Okada Hitoshi , Shimono Ryuichi , Kusaka Takashi
Published: June 2015

Paediatric splenic abscesses are rare, but can be fatal. An 8-year-old boy developed recurrent fever and abdominal pain 5 months after undergoing an appendectomy. A CT scan showed splenic and rectovesical pouch abscesses. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics, and laparoscopic drainage and debridement of pus from the rectovesical pouch abscess.Eggerthella lentawas cultured from the latter lesion. Early diagnosis and treatment resulted in the satisfactory resolution of the infection.
Economic evaluation favours physiotherapy but not corticosteroid injection as a first-line intervention for chronic lateral epicondylalgia: evidence from a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Coombes Brooke K , Connelly Luke , Bisset Leanne , Vicenzino Bill
Published: June 2015

Aim

To determine the cost-effectiveness of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy and a combination of these interventions, compared to a reference group receiving a blinded placebo injection.

Methods

165 adults with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia of longer than 6 weeks duration from Brisbane, Australia, were randomised for concealed allocation to saline injection (placebo), corticosteroid injection, saline injection plus physiotherapy (eight sessions of elbow manipulation and exercise) or corticosteroid injection plus physiotherapy. Costs to society and health-related quality of life (estimated by EuroQol-5D) over the 1 year follow-up were used to generate incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) ratios for each intervention relative to placebo.

Results

Intention-to-treat analysis was possible for 154 (93%) of trial participants. Physiotherapy was more costly, but was the only intervention that produced a statistically significant improvement in quality of life relative to placebo (MD, 95% CI 0.035, 0.003 to 0.068). Similar cost/QALY ratios were found for physiotherapy ($A29 343; GBP18 962) and corticosteroid injection ($A31 750; GBP20 518); however, the probability of being more cost-effective than placebo at values above $A50 000 per quality-adjusted life year was 81% for physiotherapy and 53% for corticosteroid injection. Cost/QALY was far greater for a combination of corticosteroid injection and physiotherapy ($A228 000; GBP147 340).

Physiotherapy was a cost-effective treatment for lateral epicondylalgia. Corticosteroid injection was associated with greater variability, and a lower probability of being cost-effective if a willingness to pay threshold of $A50 000 is assumed. A combination of corticosteroid injection and physiotherapy was ineffective and cost-ineffective. Physiotherapy, not corticosteroid injection, should be considered as a first-line intervention for lateral epicondylalgia.

Trial registration number

anzctr.org Trial identifier: ACTRN12609000051246.
Trends in dietary cholesterol intake among Chinese adults: a longitudinal study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 1991–2011
Authors: Su Chang , Jia Xiaofang , Wang Zhihong , Wang Huijun , Zhang Bing
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Dietary cholesterol is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases. Changes in dietary patterns in China recently might have an impact on the trends of diet-related risk factors of chronic diseases. This study aims to monitor the changes in daily cholesterol intake and its food sources in Chinese adults.

Design

A longitudinal study using demographic and dietary data of adults younger than 60 years from eight waves (1991–2011) of the China Health and Nutrition Surveys was conducted. Mixed-effect models were used in this study.

Setting

The data were derived from urban and rural communities in nine provinces (autonomous regions) in China.

Participants

There were 21 273 participants (10 091 males and 11 182 females) in this study.

Outcomes

The major outcome is daily cholesterol intake amount, which was calculated by using the Chinese Food Composition Table, based on dietary data.

Results

The mean daily cholesterol intake in Chinese adults increased from 165.8 mg/day in 1991 to 266.3 mg/day in 2011. Cholesterol consumed by participants in different age (18–39 and 40–59 years), sex and urbanisation groups steadily elevated over time (p<0.0001), as did the proportions of participants with greater than 300 mg/day cholesterol consumption. In each subgroup, cholesterol originating from most of the food groups showed increasing trends over time (p<0.0001), except for animal fat and organ meats. Eggs, pork, fish and shellfish in that order remained the top three sources in 1991, 2000 and 2011, whereas milks were a negligible contributor. Cholesterol from animal fat declined and was insignificant in 2011 in most of the subgroups, while cholesterol being of poultry origin increased and became considerable in 2011.

Conclusions

Adults in China consumed increasingly high cholesterol and deviated from the recommended intake level over the past two decades. Adults need to pay more attention to intakes of eggs, pork, fish and shellfish.
Capillary-based effective stress formulation for predicting shear strength of unsaturated soils
Authors: Konrad Jean-Marie , Lebeau Marc
Published: June 2015

A number of investigations have shown that the shear strength of unsaturated soils can be defined in terms of effective stress. The difficulty in this approach lies in quantifying the effective stress parameter, or Bishop’s parameter. Although often set equal to the degree of saturation, it has recently been suggested that the effective stress parameter should be related to an effective degree of saturation, which defines the fraction of water that contributes to soil strength. A problematic element in this approach resides in differentiating the water that contributes to soil strength from that which does not contribute to soil strength. To address this difficulty, the paper uses theoretical considerations and experimental observations to partition the water retention function into capillary and adsorptive components. Given that the thin liquid films of adsorbed water should not contribute to effective stress, the effective stress parameter is solely related to the capillary component of water retention. In sample calculations, this alternative effective stress parameter provided very good agreement with experimental data of shear strength for a variety of soil types.
Q-switched mode locking of a fiber laser resonantly pumped Er:YAG ceramic laser at 1645 nm using graphene as saturable absorber
Authors: Huang Haitao , Shen Deyuan , Zhang Jian , Tang Dingyuan
Published: June 2015

A fiber laser resonantly pumped Q-switched mode locked Er :YAG ceramic 1645 nm laser using graphene as the saturable absorber is realized. The mode-locked pulses with average output power of 320 mW, Q-switching envelope temporal width of 10 μs and mode-locking repetition rate of 83 MHz can readily be generated from the laser. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the graphene-based Q-switching mode locked Er :YAG ceramic laser emitting around 1645 nm.
Multi-lobed double-clad Erbium-Ytterbium co-doped Q-switched fiber laser based on nonlinear polarisation rotation technique
Authors: Babar I. M. , Sabran M. B. S. , Rahman A. A. , Manaf M. , Ahmad H. , Harun S. W.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate a stable passive Q-switched fiber laser operating at 1543.5 nm using a double clad Erbium-Ytterbium co-doped fiber (EYDF) as the gain medium in conjunction with nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique. An isolator is used in conjunction with a highly nonlinear EYDF to induce intensity dependent loss in a sufficiently-high loss ring cavity to achieve Q-switched operation with a low pump threshold of 300 mW. At 980 nm multimode pump power of 500 mW, the EYDF laser generates an optical pulse train with a repetition rate of 46.95 kHz, pulse width of 5.3 μs and pulse energy of 75.6 nJ. The simple and inexpensive Q-switched NPR-based laser has a big potential for applications in metrology, environmental sensing and biomedical diagnostics.
Measurement of the nonlinear refractive index of 2, 5-dimethylaniline by a new technique using Mach–Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Tasnim M. M. , Chakrabarty K. , Biswas M. K. , Hoque E. , Sharafuddin S. M. , Haque Y.
Published: June 2015

Mach–Zehnder interferometric technique has been used to calculate the nonlinear refractive index (n2) of 2, 5-dimethylaniline (DMA) dissolved in methanol. The technique uses the ratio of the measured input powers to the corresponding output powers to estimate the nonlinear phase shift of DMA. Calculated value of the nonlinear refractive index of DMA was fund to be of the order of 10-6 cm2/W.
Third-order optical nonlinearity effect of DNA- and polyvinylpyrrolidone-functionalized carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhang Liangmin , Steckling Benjamin , Lucero Adrian , Schmitt-Sody Andreas , White William , Shiffler Donald
Published: June 2015

We have used single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in water solution through sonication and centrifuge procedures. The advantage of these two polymers is that they do not need toxic organic solvents to distribute the carbon nanotubes. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique has been used to investigate the interaction between polymer molecules and MWNTs. The images show that MWNTs can be distributed effectively into the two polymer solutions. The third-order optical susceptibility, nonlinear optical absorption coefficient and optical power limiting of these dispersions have been characterized experimentally using a femtosecond laser system with a tunable range of 750–850 nm. The imaginary part of the third-order optical susceptibility has also been computed.
Output characteristics of a singly-resonant optical parametric oscillator: Dependence on the variation of the signal and idler output coupling
Authors: Lee Seungmin , Rhee Bum Ku
Published: June 2015

Output characteristics of a double-pass singly-resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO) resonant for both signal and idler waves are investigated as a function of reflectivity of the output coupler based on periodically poled Mg -doped stoichiometric LiTaO 3( PPMgSLT ) with a period of 32.7 μm. A configuration of plane-parallel two-mirror cavity is employed and the crystal surfaces are not coated. The SRO was pumped by a Nd :YAG laser which provides 85 ns-long-pulses with a repetition rate of 10 kHz. In our experiment, the wavelengths of signal and idler are 1.98 and 2.3 μm and the maximum available pump power is ~ 21 W. Maximum average powers (conversion efficiency) of the total, the signal and the idler are 12.2 W (59%), 7 W (34%) and 5.6 W (27%), respectively.
Solitary vortices in two-dimensional waveguide matrix
Authors: Chen Guihua , Huang Hongcheng , Wu Muying
Published: June 2015

We consider the nonlinear propagation of an optical beam in a two-dimensional waveguide matrix, which is described by the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a self-focusing nonlinearity. Our study focuses on the stability domain of the discrete vortex solitons with its topological invariant S equal to 1. Such domain is identified with the propagation constant k and the coupling constant C. Our simulations show that there is a critical value C cr for any fixed value of k. At C ≤ C cr , the stable domain is continuous. However, at C > C cr , the stable domain becomes discontinuous and fuzzy. The distribution of the continuous stable regions is identified and plotted. Moreover, we give the relation of the total power P to C and k, which enable us to figure out the continuous stability area through the (P, C) plane.
Autocratic Mechanisms: A Form of Dictatorship in Constrained Combinatorial Auctions
Authors: Lerner Anat , Gonen Rica
Published: June 2015

We characterize the space of deterministic, dominant-strategy incentive compatible, individually rational, and Pareto-optimal combinatorial auctions where efficiency is not required. We examine a model with two players and k nonidentical items (2k outcomes), multidimensional types, private values, non-negative prices, and quasilinear preferences for the players with one relaxation — the players are subject to publicly-known budget constraints. We show that if it is publicly known that the players value the bundles more than the smaller of their budgets then the studied space includes one type of mechanism: autocratic mechanisms (a form of dictatorship). Furthermore, we prove that there are families of autocratic mechanisms that uniquely fulfill the basic properties of deterministic, dominant-strategy incentive compatible, individually rational, and Pareto-optimal. Interestingly the above basic properties are a weaker requirement than it may initially appear, as the property of Pareto optimality in our model of budget-constrained players and non-negative prices do not coincide with welfare maximization, i.e., efficiency as such is a much weaker requirement.
On Energyaware Allocation and Execution for Batch and Interactive MapReduce
Authors: Ying Yijun , Birke Robert , Wang Cheng , Chen Lydia Y. , Natarajan Gautam
Published: June 2015

The energy-performance optimization of datacenters becomes ever challenging, due to heterogeneous workloads featuring different performance constraints. In addition to conventional web service, MapReduce presents another important workload class, whose performance highly depends on data availability/locality and shows different degrees of delay sensitivities, such as batch vs. interactive MapReduce. However, current energy optimization solutions are mainly designed for a subset of these workloads and their key features. Here, we present an energy minimization framework, in particular, a concave minimization problem, that specifically considers time variability, data locality, and delay sensitivity of web, batch-, and interactive-MapReduce. We aim to maximize the usage of MapReduce servers by using their spare capacity to run non-MapReduce workloads, while controlling the workload delays through the execution of MapReduce tasks, in particular batch ones. We develop an optimal algorithm with complexity O(T2) in case of perfect workload information, T being the length of the time horizon in number of control windows, and derive the structure of optimal policy for the case of uncertain workload information. Using extensive simulation results, we show that the proposed methodology can efficiently minimize the datacenter energy cost while fulfilling the delay constraints of workloads.
Minimizing Interference and Maximizing Progress for Hadoop Virtual Machines
Authors: Zhang Wei , Rajasekaran Sundaresan , Duan Shaohua , Wood Timothy , Zhuy Mingfa
Published: June 2015

Virtualization promised to dramatically increase server utilization levels, yet many data centers are still only lightly loaded. In some ways, big data applications are an ideal fit for using this residual capacity to perform meaningful work, but the high level of interference between interactive and batch processing workloads currently prevents this from being a practical solution in virtualized environments. Further, the variable nature of spare capacity may make it difficult to meet big data application deadlines. In this work we propose two schedulers: one in the virtualization layer designed to minimize interference on high priority interactive services, and one in the Hadoop framework that helps batch processing jobs meet their own performance deadlines. Our approach uses performance models to match Hadoop tasks to the servers that will benefit them the most, and deadline-aware scheduling to effectively order incoming jobs. We use admission control to meet deadlines even when resources are overloaded. The combination of these schedulers allows data center administrators to safely mix resource intensive Hadoop jobs with latency sensitive web applications, and still achieve predictable performance for both. We have implemented our system using Xen and Hadoop, and our evaluation shows that our schedulers allow a mixed cluster to reduce web response times by more than ten fold compared to the existing Xen Credit Scheduler, while meeting more Hadoop deadlines and lowering total task execution times by 6.5%.
The mitochondrial side of epigenetics
Authors: Castegna Alessandra , Iacobazzi Vito , Infantino Vittoria
Published: June 2015

The bidirectional cross talk between nuclear and mitochondrial DNA is essential for cellular homeostasis and proper functioning. Mitochondria depend on nuclear contribution for much of their functionality, but their activities have been recently recognized to control nuclear gene expression as well as cell function in many different ways. Epigenetic mechanisms, which tune gene expression in response to environmental stimuli, are key regulatory events at the interplay between mitochondrial and nuclear interactions. Emerging findings indicate that epigenetic factors can be targets or instruments of mitochondrial-nuclear cross talk. Additionally, the growing interest into mtDNA epigenetic modifications opens new avenues into the interaction mechanisms between mitochondria and nucleus. In this review we summarize the points of mitochondrial and nuclear reciprocal control involving epigenetic factors, focusing on the role of mitochondrial genome and metabolism in shaping epigenetic modulation of gene expression. The relevance of the new findings on the methylation of mtDNA is also highlighted as a new frontier in the complex scenario of mitochondrial-nuclear communication.
Improving Biomethane Production and Mass Bioconversion of Corn Stover Anaerobic Digestion by Adding NaOH Pretreatment and Trace Elements
Authors: Liu ChunMei , Yuan HaiRong , Zou DeXun , Liu YanPing , Zhu BaoNing , Li XiuJin
Published: June 2015

This research applied sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pretreatment and trace elements to improve biomethane production when using corn stover for anaerobic digestion. Full-factor experimental tests identified the best combination of trace elements with the NaOH pretreatment, indicating that the best combination was with 1.0, 0.4, and 0.4 mg·L−1·d−1of elements Fe, Co, and Ni, respectively. The cumulative biomethane production adding NaOH pretreatment and trace elements was 11,367 mL; total solid bioconversion rate was 55.7%, which was 41.8%–62.2% higher than with NaOH-pretreatment alone and 22.2%–56.3% higher than with untreated corn stover. The best combination was obtained 5–9 days shorter than T90and maintained good system operation stability. Only a fraction of the trace elements in the best combination was present in the resulting solution; more than 85% of the total amounts added were transferred into the solid fraction. Adding 0.897 g of Fe, 0.389 g of Co, and 0.349 g of Ni satisfied anaerobic digestion needs and enhanced biological activity at the beginning of the operation. The results showed that NaOH pretreatment and adding trace elements improve corn stover biodegradability and enhance biomethane production.
Thyroidectomy for Painful Thyroiditis Resistant to Steroid Treatment: Three New Cases with Review of the Literature
Authors: Mazza Enrico , Quaglino Francesco , Suriani Adolfo , Palestini Nicola , Gottero Cristina , Leli Renzo , Taraglio Stefano
Published: June 2015

Thyroidal pain is usually due to subacute thyroiditis (SAT). In more severe forms prednisone doses up to 40 mg daily for 2-3 weeks are recommended. Recurrences occur rarely and restoration of steroid treatment cures the disease. Rarely, patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) have thyroidal pain (painful HT, PHT). Differently from SAT, occasional PHT patients showed no benefit from medical treatment so that thyroidectomy was necessary. We report three patients who did not show clinical response to prolonged high dose prednisone treatment: a 50-year-old man, a 35-year-old woman, and a 33-year-old woman. Thyroidectomy was necessary, respectively, after nine-month treatment with 50 mg daily, two-month treatment with 75 mg daily, and one-month treatment with 50 mg daily. The two women were typical cases of PHT. Conversely, in the first patient, thyroid histology showed features of granulomatous thyroiditis, typical of SAT, without fibrosis or lymphocytic infiltration, typical of HT/PHT, coupled to undetectable serum anti-thyroid antibodies. Our data (1) suggest that not only PHT but also SAT may show resistance to steroid treatment and (2) confirm a previous observation in a single PHT patient that increasing prednisone doses above conventional maximal dosages may not be useful in these patients.
Observer-Based Robust Passive Control for a Class of Uncertain Neutral Systems: An Integral Sliding Mode Approach
Authors: Xu Ruiping , Liu Zhen , Gao Cunchen , Xiao Huimin
Published: June 2015

The problem of integral sliding mode control (ISMC) with passivity is investigated for a class of uncertain neutral systems with time-varying delay (NTSTD) and external disturbance. The system states are unavailable. An ISMC strategy is proposed based on the state estimate. By employing a novel sliding functional, a new sufficient criterion of robust asymptotic stability and passivity for both the error system and the sliding mode (SM) dynamic system is derived via linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique. Then, a SM controller is synthesized to guarantee the reachability of the sliding surface predefined in the state estimate space. Finally, a numerical example shows the feasibility and superiority of the obtained result.
Automatic Evaluation of Voice Quality Using Text-Based Laryngograph Measurements and Prosodic Analysis
Authors: Haderlein Tino , Schwemmle Cornelia , Döllinger Michael , Matoušek Václav , Ptok Martin , Nöth Elmar
Published: June 2015

Due to low intra- and interrater reliability, perceptual voice evaluation should be supported by objective, automatic methods. In this study, text-based, computer-aided prosodic analysis and measurements of connected speech were combined in order to model perceptual evaluation of the German Roughness-Breathiness-Hoarseness (RBH) scheme. 58 connected speech samples (43 women and 15 men;48.7±17.8years) containing the German version of the text “The North Wind and the Sun” were evaluated perceptually by 19 speech and voice therapy students according to the RBH scale. For the human-machine correlation, Support Vector Regression with measurements of the vocal fold cycle irregularities (CFx) and the closed phases of vocal fold vibration (CQx) of the Laryngograph and 33 features from a prosodic analysis module were used to model the listeners’ ratings. The best human-machine results for roughness were obtained from a combination of six prosodic features and CFx (r=0.71,ρ=0.57). These correlations were approximately the same as the interrater agreement among human raters (r=0.65,ρ=0.61). CQx was one of the substantial features of the hoarseness model. For hoarseness and breathiness, the human-machine agreement was substantially lower. Nevertheless, the automatic analysis method can serve as the basis for a meaningful objective support for perceptual analysis.
Structural Design and Sealing Performance Analysis of Biomimetic Sealing Ring
Authors: Han Chuanjun , Zhang Han , Zhang Jie
Published: June 2015

In order to reduce the failure probability of rubber sealing rings in reciprocating dynamic seal, a new structure of sealing ring based on bionics was designed. The biomimetic ring has three concave ridges and convex bulges on each side which are very similar to earthworms. Bulges were circularly designed and sealing performances of the biomimetic ring in both static seal and dynamic seal were simulated by FEM. In addition, effects of precompression, medium pressure, speed, friction coefficient, and material parameters on sealing performances were discussed. The results show that von Mises stress of the biomimetic sealing ring distributed symmetrically in no-pressure static sealing. The maximum von Mises stress appears on the second bulge of the inner side. High contact stress concentrates on left bulges. Von Mises stress distribution becomes uneven under medium pressure. Both von Mises stress and contact stress increase when precompression, medium pressure, and rubber hardness increase in static sealing. Biomimetic ring can avoid rolling and distortion in reciprocating dynamic seal, and its working life is much longer than O-ring and rectangular ring. The maximum von Mises stress and contact stress increase with the precompression, medium pressure, rubber hardness, and friction coefficient in reciprocating dynamic seal.