bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling two plasmon decay instability in intense femtosecond laser driven plasmas
Authors: Singh Prashant Kumar , Adak Amitava , Lad Amit D. , Chatterjee Gourab , Brijesh P. , Ravindra Kumar G.
Published: November 2015

We investigate the onset of the two-plasmon-decay (TPD) instability in intense femtosecond laser-solid interaction. In particular, this instability, originating at the quarter critical electron density surface in the inhomogeneous plasma, is explored for a wide range of laser parameters-energy, pulse duration, and intensity contrast. By varying these laser parameters, we demonstrate ways to excite and control the growth of the TPD process. The pulse duration scan carried out under a constant laser fluence reveals the pulse width dependent nature of TPD growth. The spectral splitting of the TPD induced three-halves harmonic emission is used to infer the electron temperature near the quarter critical density surface. Moreover, by varying the laser contrast over four orders of magnitude, we find that the intensity threshold of three-halves harmonic emission increases by nearly two orders of magnitude. This contrast dependent intensity threshold for the emission of three-halves harmonic can be a useful diagnostic of the laser contrast.
On the rogue waves propagation in non-Maxwellian complex space plasmas
Authors: El-Tantawy S. A. , El-Awady E. I. , Tribeche M.
Published: November 2015

The implications of the non-Maxwellian electron distributions (nonthermal/or suprathermal/or nonextensive distributions) are examined on the dust-ion acoustic (DIA) rogue/freak waves in a dusty warm plasma. Using a reductive perturbation technique, the basic set of fluid equations is reduced to a nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The latter is used to study the nonlinear evolution of modulationally unstable DIA wavepackets and to describe the rogue waves (RWs) propagation. Rogue waves are large-amplitude short-lived wave groups, routinely observed in space plasmas. The possible region for the rogue waves to exist is defined precisely for typical parameters of space plasmas. It is shown that the RWs strengthen for decreasing plasma nonthermality and increasing superthermality. For nonextensive electrons, the RWs amplitude exhibits a bit more complex behavior, depending on the entropic index q. Moreover, our numerical results reveal that the RWs exist with all values of the ion-to-electron temperature ratio σ for nonthermal and superthermal distributions and there is no limitation for the freak waves to propagate in both two distributions in the present plasma system. But, for nonextensive electron distribution, the bright- and dark-type waves can propagate in this case, which means that there is a limitation for the existence of freak waves. Our systematic investigation should be useful in understanding the properties of DIA solitary waves that may occur in non-Maxwellian space plasmas.
Evolution of E × B shear and coherent fluctuations prior to H-L transitions in DIII-D and control strategies for H-L transitions
Authors: Eldon D. , Boivin R. L. , Chrystal C. , Groebner R. J. , McKee G. R. , Schmitz L. , Tynan G. R. , Yan Z. , Boedo J. A. , Burrell K. H. , King J. D. , Kolemen E. , Luhmann N. C. , Muscatello C. M. , Osborne T. H. , Snyder P. B.
Published: November 2015

While operating a magnetic fusion device in H-mode has many advantages, care must be taken to understand and control the release of energy during the H-L back transition, as the extra energy stored within the H-mode transport barrier will have the potential to cause damage to material components of a large future tokamak such as ITER. Examining a scenario where the H-L back transition sequence begins before the E × B shearing layer decays on its own, we identify a long-lived precursor mode that is tied to the events of the H-L sequence and we develop a robust control strategy for ensuring gradual release of energy during the transition sequence. Back transitions in this scenario commonly begin with a rapid relaxation of the pedestal, which was previously shown to be inconsistent with ideal peeling-ballooning instability as the trigger [Eldon et al., Phys. Plasmas 22, 052109 (2015)], despite being otherwise similar to a large type-I Edge Localized Mode (ELM). This so-called transient occurs when the E × B shearing rate ωE×B is significantly larger than the turbulence decorrelation rate ωT, indicating that this is not the result of runaway turbulence recovery. The transient is always synchronous with amplitude and propagation velocity modulations of the precursor mode, which has been dubbed the Modulating Pedestal Mode (MPM). The MPM is a coherent density fluctuation, which, in our scenario at least, reliably appears in the steep gradient region with f≈70 kHz, kθ≈0.3 cm−1, and it exists for ≳100 ms before the onset of back transitions. The transient may be reliably eliminated by reducing toroidal rotation in the co-current direction by the application of torque from counter-injecting neutral beams. The transient in these “soft” H-L transitions is then replaced by a small type-III ELM, which is also always synchronous with the MPM, and MPM shows the same behavior in both hard and soft cases.
Energy exchange in strongly coupled plasmas with electron drift
Authors: Akbari-Moghanjoughi M. , Ghorbanalilu M.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the generalized viscoelastic collisional quantum hydrodynamic model is employed in order to investigate the linear dielectric response of a quantum plasma in the presence of strong electron-beam plasma interactions. The generalized Chandrasekhar's relativistic degeneracy pressure together with the electron-exchange and Coulomb interaction effects are taken into account in order to extend current research to a wide range of plasma number density relevant to big planetary cores and astrophysical compact objects. The previously calculated shear viscosity and the electron-ion collision frequencies are used for strongly coupled ion fluid. The effect of the electron-beam velocity on complex linear dielectric function is found to be profound. This effect is clearly interpreted in terms of the wave-particle interactions and their energy-exchange according to the sign of the imaginary dielectric function, which is closely related to the wave attenuation coefficient in plasmas. Such kinetic effect is also shown to be in close connection with the stopping power of a charged-particle beam in a quantum plasma. The effect of many independent plasma parameters, such as the ion charge-state, electron beam-velocity, and relativistic degeneracy, is shown to be significant on the growing/damping of plasma instability or energy loss/gain of the electron-beam.
Ion acceleration with a narrow energy spectrum by nanosecond laser-irradiation of solid target
Authors: Altana C. , Lanzalone G. , Mascali D. , Muoio A. , Cirrone G. A. P. , Schillaci F. , Tudisco S.
Published: November 2015

In laser-driven plasma, ion acceleration of aluminum with the production of a quasi-monoenergetic beam has occurred. A useful device to analyze the ions is the Thomson parabolas spectrometer, a well-known diagnostic that is able to obtain information on charge-to-mass ratio and energy distribution of the charged particles. At the LENS (Laser Energy for Nuclear Science) laboratory of INFN-LNS in Catania, experimental measures were carried out; the features of LENS are: Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with 2 J laser energy, 1064 nm fundamental wavelengths, and 6 ns pulse duration.
Tunable thermal conductivity in carbon allotrope sheets: Role of acetylenic linkages
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhang Ai-Juan , Tang Yuansheng
Published: November 2015

The versatility of carbon in forming the hybridization states allows one to design more carbon allotropes with various fascinating properties by replacing some aromatic bonds with acetylenic linkages. We investigate thermal conductivities of carbon allotrope sheets with different configurations by nonequilibrium molecular dynamic simulations. It is found that the acetylenic linkages not only considerably reduce thermal conductivity but also can effectively tune thermal conductivity through the various bonding methods. We suggest that the structure of stripes of benzene rings transversely bonded with the acetylenic linkages can potentially be one of high thermoelectric materials. We find that the reason for the manipulation of thermal conductivity by the acetylenic linkage can be attributed to the strong localizations of phonon modes that result in the reduced phonon group velocity and the shortened lifetime of phonons. It is also observed that thermal conductivity of graphyne sheet shows a power-law divergence with respect to the length. We propose a new approach to manipulating thermal conductivities in the carbon allotropes through the assembling of acetylenic linkages. Our findings conclusively clarify the role of acetylenic linkages in thermal transport and offer some valuable insights into the exploration of new thermoelectric materials as well as the experimental control of heat flux.
Communication: Probing anomalous diffusion in frequency space
Authors: Stachura Sławomir , Kneller Gerald R.
Published: November 2015

Anomalous diffusion processes are usually detected by analyzing the time-dependent mean square displacement of the diffusing particles. The latter evolves asymptotically as W(t) ∼ 2Dαtα, where Dα is the fractional diffusion constant and 0 < α < 2. In this article we show that both Dα and α can also be extracted from the low-frequency Fourier spectrum of the corresponding velocity autocorrelation function. This offers a simple method for the interpretation of quasielastic neutron scattering spectra from complex (bio)molecular systems, in which subdiffusive transport is frequently encountered. The approach is illustrated and validated by analyzing molecular dynamics simulations of molecular diffusion in a lipid POPC bilayer.
Observations and temporal model of a honeybee's hairy tongue in microfluid transport
Authors: Zhao Chenjia , Wu Jianing , Yan Shaoze
Published: November 2015

Nectarivorous insects are endowed with specific mouthparts, which provide an inspiration for the design of micropumps. We combined the postmortem examination and high-speed imaging to observe the kinematics of the honeybee's tongue. We found an asynchronization between the tongue movement and the glossa hair erection. We propose a physical model to describe the feeding process considering the trade-off between nectar-intake volume and energy consumption. This asynchronization is validated to be effective in maximizing the nectar-intake amount by theoretically figuring out the optimal moment when the glossal hairs began to erect. Our results reveal that the honeybee not only develops a subtle tongue with erectable glossal hairs but also preforms a highly evolved scheduled coordination between tongue movements and hair erection, which could serve as valuable models for developing miniature pumps that are both extendable and have dynamic surfaces.
Hydrodynamic self-focusing in a parallel microfluidic device through cross-filtration
Authors: Torino S. , Iodice M. , Rendina I. , Coppola G. , Schonbrun E.
Published: November 2015

The flow focusing is a fundamental prior step in order to sort, analyze, and detect particles or cells. The standard hydrodynamic approach requires two fluids to be injected into the microfluidic device: one containing the sample and the other one, called the sheath fluid, allows squeezing the sample fluid into a narrow stream. The major drawback of this approach is the high complexity of the layout for microfluidic devices when parallel streams are required. In this work, we present a novel parallelized microfluidic device that enables hydrodynamic focusing in each microchannel using a single feed flow. At each of the parallel channels, a cross-filter region is present that allows removing fluid from the sample fluid. This fluid is used to create local sheath fluids that hydrodynamically pinch the sample fluid. The great advantage of the proposed device is that, since only one inlet is needed, multiple parallel micro-channels can be easily introduced into the design. In the paper, the design method is described and the numerical simulations performed to define the optimal design are summarized. Moreover, the operational functionality of devices tested by using both polystyrene beads and Acute Lymphoid Leukemia cells are shown.
The general dispersion relation of induced streaming instabilities in quantum outflow systems
Authors: Mehdian H. , Hajisharifi K. , Hasanbeigi A.
Published: November 2015

In this manuscript the dispersion relations of streaming instabilities, by using the unique property (neutralized in charge and current by default) of plasma shells colliding, have been generalized and studied. This interesting property for interpenetrating beams enables one to find the general dispersion relations without any restrictions used in the previous works in this area. In our previous work [H. Mehdian et al., ApJ. 801, 89 (2015)], employing the plasma shell concept and boost frame method, the general dispersion relation for filamentation instability has been derived in the relativistic classical regime. But in this paper, using the above mentioned concepts, the general dispersion relations (for each of streaming instabilities, filamentation, two-stream and multi-stream) in the non-relativistic quantum regime have been derived by employing the quantum fluid equations together with Maxwell equations. The derived dispersion relations enable to describe any arbitrary system of interacting two and three beams, justified neutralization condition, by choosing the inertial reference frame embedded on the one of the beams. Furthermore, by the numerical and analytical study of these dispersion relations, many new features of streaming instabilities (E.g. their cut-off wave numbers and growth rates) in terms of all involved parameters have been illustrated. The obtained results in this paper can be used to describe many astrophysical systems and laboratory astrophysics setting, such as collision of non-parallel plasma shells over a background plasma or the collision of three neutralized plasma slabs, and justifying the many plasma phenomena such as particle accelerations and induced fields.
First principles study of electronic structure for cubane-like and ring-shaped structures of M4O4, M4S4 clusters (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu)
Authors: Datta Soumendu , Rahaman Badiur
Published: November 2015

Spin-polarized DFT has been used to perform a comparative study of the geometric structures and electronic properties for isolated M4X4 nano clusters between their two stable isomers - a planar rhombus-like 2D structure and a cubane-like 3D structure with M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu ; X = O, S. These two structural patterns of the M4X4 clusters are commonly found as building blocks in several poly-nuclear transition metal complexes in inorganic chemistry. The effects of the van der Waals corrections to the physical properties have been considered in the electronic structure calculations employing the empirical Grimme’s correction (DFT+D2). We report here an interesting trend in their relative structural stability - the isolated M4O4 clusters prefer to stabilize more in the planar structure, while the cubane-like 3D structure is more favorable for most of the isolated M4S4 clusters than their planar 2D counterparts. Our study reveals that this contrasting trend in the relative structural stability is expected to be driven by an interesting interplay between the s-d and p-d hybridization effects of the constituents’ valence electrons.
Fabrication and evaluation of series-triple quantum dots by thermal oxidation of silicon nanowire
Authors: Uchida Takafumi , Jo Mingyu , Tsurumaki-Fukuchi Atsushi , Arita Masashi , Fujiwara Akira , Takahashi Yasuo
Published: November 2015

Series-connected triple quantum dots were fabricated by a simple two-step oxidation technique using the pattern-dependent oxidation of a silicon nanowire and an additional oxidation of the nanowire through the gap of the fine gates attached to the nanowire. The characteristics of multi-dot single-electron devices are obtained. The formation of each quantum dot beneath an attached gate is confirmed by analyzing the electrical characteristics and by evaluating the gate capacitances between all pairings of gates and quantum dots. Because the gate electrode is automatically attached to each dot, the device structure benefits from scalability. This technique promises integrability of multiple quantum dots with individual control gates.
Saying the unsayable
Authors: Belleflamme Valérie-Anne
Published: November 2015

In her novel Sorry (2007), Australian novelist and essayist Gail Jones engages in a reflection on the ethics of reconciliation. Written in response to her wish to acknowledge the debt to the Stolen Generations, Sorry offers new possibilities of ethical mourning, allowing the dead to return and the voiceless to speak. This article explores the ways in which Jones not only fashions a narrative that bypasses the unsayable dimension of Australia’s history and the representational difficulties inherent in trauma but also fosters the empathetic imagination through a metadiscursive discussion of the act of reading. Self-referentiality and self-reflexivity are also examined, as they allow Jones to draw attention to her novel’s writerly elaborations and offer an alternative to standard reconciliation practices.
Survivals
Authors: Pietrzak Wit
Published: November 2015

I trace Paul Muldoon’s borrowing from Yeats’s “A Prayer for My Daughter” along with some other intertextual references in “At the Sign of the Black Horse, September 1999” (Moy Sand and Gravel) with a view to demonstrating that Muldoon’s poem represents both a challenge to Yeats’s political ideas and acceptance of his aesthetics of vacillation. Subscribing to the idea that poetry may be a sort of protective charm against the evils of the world, Muldoon discovers a reassuring strength in the moments when Yeats sheds his mask of a lofty mage.
Individual differences predict sensitivity to the uncanny valley
Authors: MacDorman Karl F. , Entezari Steven O.
Published: November 2015

It can be creepy to notice that something human-looking is not real. But can sensitivity to this phenomenon, known as the uncanny valley, be predicted from superficially unrelated traits? Based on results from at least 489 participants, this study examines the relation between nine theoretically motivated trait indices and uncanny valley sensitivity, operationalized as increased eerie ratings and decreased warmth ratings for androids presented in videos. Animal Reminder Sensitivity, Neuroticism, its Anxiety facet, and Religious Fundamentalism significantly predicted uncanny valley sensitivity. In addition, Concern over Mistakes and Personal Distress significantly predicted android eerie ratings but not warmth. The structural equation model indicated that Religious Fundamentalism operates indirectly, through robot-related attitudes, to heighten uncanny valley sensitivity, while Animal Reminder Sensitivity increases eerie ratings directly. These results suggest that the uncanny valley phenomenon may operate through both sociocultural constructions and biological adaptations for threat avoidance, such as the fear and disgust systems. Trait indices that predict uncanny valley sensitivity warrant investigation by experimental methods to explicate the processes underlying the uncanny valley phenomenon.
Autistic traits and sensitivity to human-like features of robot behavior
Authors: Wykowska Agnieszka , Kajopoulos Jasmin , Ramirez-Amaro Karinne , Cheng Gordon
Published: November 2015

This study examined individual differences in sensitivity to human-like features of a robot’s behavior. The paradigm comprised a non-verbal Turing test with a humanoid robot. A “programmed” condition differed from a “human-controlled” condition by onset times of the robot’s eye movements, which were either fixed across trials or modeled after prerecorded human reaction times, respectively. Participants judged whether the robot behavior was programmed or human-controlled, with no information regarding the differences between respective conditions. Autistic traits were measured with the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) questionnaire in healthy adults. We found that the fewer autistic traits participants had, the more sensitive they were to the difference between the conditions, without explicit awareness of the nature of the difference. We conclude that although sensitivity to fine behavioral characteristics of others varies with social aptitude, humans are in general capable of detecting human-like behavior based on very subtle cues.
Follow your heart
Authors: Liu Hao , Hu Jun , Rauterberg Matthias
Published: November 2015

Long distance travel is an unusual activity for humans. The economical cabin environment (low air circulation, limited space, low humidity, etc.) during the long haul flights causes discomfort and even stress for many passengers. In-flight video and music systems are commonly available to improve the comfort level of the passengers. However, current in-flight music systems do not explore how the content can be used to reduce passengers stress. Most of these systems are designed and implemented assuming a homogeneous passenger group that has similar tastes and desires. In this paper, we present a heart rate controlled in-flight music recommendation system for reducing the stress during air travel. The system recommends personalized music playlists to the passengers and attempts to keep their heart rate in a normal range with these playlists. Experiments in a simulated long haul flight cabin environment find that the passengers’ stress can indeed be significantly reduced through listening to the recommended music playlists.
Endpoint bounds for the bilinear Hilbert transform
Authors: Di Plinio Francesco , Thiele Christoph
Published: November 2015

We study the behavior of the bilinear Hilbert transform

(

B
H
T

)

(\mathrm {BHT})

at the boundary of the known boundedness region

H

\mathcal H

. A sample of our results is the estimate
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="StartAbsoluteValue mathematical left-angle normal upper B normal upper H normal upper T left-parenthesis f 1 comma f 2 right-parenthesis comma f 3 mathematical right-angle EndAbsoluteValue less-than-or-equal-to upper C StartAbsoluteValue upper F 1 EndAbsoluteValue Superscript three fourths Baseline StartAbsoluteValue upper F 2 EndAbsoluteValue Superscript three fourths Baseline StartAbsoluteValue upper F 3 EndAbsoluteValue Superscript negative one half Baseline log log left-parenthesis normal e Superscript normal e Baseline plus StartFraction StartAbsoluteValue upper F 3 EndAbsoluteValue Over min left-brace right-brace comma vertical-bar vertical-bar upper F 1 comma vertical-bar vertical-bar upper F 2 EndFraction right-parenthesis comma">

|

⟨

B
H
T

(

f
1

,

f
2

)
,

f
3

⟩

|

≤

C

|

F
1

|

3
4

|

F
2

|

3
4

|

F
3

|

−

1
2

log
⁡
log
⁡

(

e

e

+

|

F
3

|

min
{

|

F
1

|

,

|

F
2

|

}

)

,

\begin{equation*} |\langle \mathrm {BHT}(f_1,f_2),f_3 \rangle | \leq \textstyle C |F_1|^{\frac 34}|F_2| ^{\frac 34} |F_3|^{-\frac 12} \log \log \Big (\mathrm {e}^{\mathrm {e}} +\textstyle \frac {|F_3|}{\min \{|F_1|,|F_2|\}} \Big ),\end{equation*}

valid for all tuples of sets

F
j

⊂

R

F_j\subset \mathbb {R}

of finite measure and functions

f
j

f_j

such that

|

f
j

|

≤

1

F
j

|f_j| \leq \boldsymbol {1}_{F_j}

,

j
=
1
,
2
,
3

j=1,2,3

, with the additional restriction that

f
3

f_3

be supported on a major subset

F
3
′

F_3’

of

F
3

F_3

that depends on

{

F
j

:
j
=
1
,
2
,
3
}

\{F_j:j=1,2,3\}

. The use of subindicator functions in this fashion is standard in the given context. The double logarithmic term improves over the single logarithmic term obtained by D. Bilyk and L. Grafakos. Whether the double logarithmic term can be removed entirely, as is the case for the quartile operator, remains open.

We employ our endpoint results to describe the blow-up rate of weak-type and strong-type estimates for

B
H
T

\mathrm {BHT}

as the tuple

α
→

\vec \alpha

approaches the boundary of

H

\mathcal H

. We also discuss bounds on Lorentz-Orlicz spaces near

L

2
3

L^{\frac 23}

, improving on results of M. Carro et al. The main technical novelty in our article is an enhanced version of the multi-frequency Calderón-Zygmund decomposition.
Lack of Association between Blood Pressure Management by Anesthesia Residents and Competence Committee Evaluations or In-training Exam Performance
Authors: Sessler Daniel I. , Makarova Natalya , Riveros-Perez Ricardo , Brown David L. , Kimatian Stephen
Published: November 2015

AbstractAbstract

In a cohort of 70 anesthesia residents, there was no association between five measures of blood pressure control obtained from electronic anesthesia records and either faculty evaluations of clinical competence or quantitative knowledge testing. While negative, this study provides a novel and important initial attempt to use electronic anesthesia records to evaluate the clinical performance.

Background

Prompt treatment of severe blood pressure instability requires both cognitive and technical skill. The ability to anticipate and respond to episodes of hemodynamic instability should improve with training. The authors tested the hypothesis that the duration of severe hypotension during anesthesia administered by residents correlates with concurrent adjusted overall performance evaluations by the Clinical Competence Committee and subsequent in-training exam scores.

Methods

The authors obtained data on 70 first- and second-year anesthesia residents at the Cleveland Clinic. Analysis was restricted to adults having noncardiac surgery with general anesthesia. Outcome variables were in-training exam scores and subjective evaluations of resident performance ranked in quintiles. The primary predictor was cumulative systolic arterial pressure less than 70 mmHg. Secondary predictors were administration of vasopressors, frequency of hypotension, average duration of hypotensive episodes, and blood pressure variability.

Results

The primary statistical approach was mixed-effects modeling, adjusted for potential confounders. The authors considered 15,216 anesthesia care episodes. A total of 1,807 hypotensive episodes were observed, lasting an average of 32 ± 20 min (SD) per 100 h of anesthesia, with 68% being followed by vasopressor administration. The duration of severe hypotension (systolic pressure less than 70 mmHg) was associated with neither Competence Committee evaluations nor in-training exam scores. There was also no association between secondary blood pressure predictors and either Competence Committee evaluations or in-training exam results.

Conclusions

There was no association between any of the five blood pressure management characteristics and either in-training exam scores or clinical competence evaluations. However, it remains possible that the measures of physiologic control, as assessed from electronic anesthesia records, evaluate useful but different aspects of anesthesiologist performance.
Efficacy of Calcium Channel Blockers Versus Other Classes of Antihypertensive Medication in the Treatment of Hypertensive Patients With Previous Stroke and/or Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jeffers Barrett W. , Robbins Jeffery , Bhambri Rahul
Published: November 2015

Hypertensive patients, such as those with established coronary artery disease (CAD) or those who have suffered a stroke, are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis assesses the long-term effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) compared with other classes of antihypertensive medications on major cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in these high-risk subgroups of hypertensive patients. Randomized, active controlled parallel group trials were included if they compared CCBs with α-blockers, β-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or diuretics, had a follow-up of ≥6 months, and had assessments of blood pressure (BP) and CV events [all-cause death, CV death, major CV events (myocardial infarction, MI; congestive heart failure, CHF; stroke; and CV death), MI, stroke, or CHF] in patients with baseline systolic/diastolic BP ≥140/≥90 mm Hg with either concomitant previous stroke and/or CAD. The final dataset included 19 publications reporting on 7 unique trials. In hypertensive patients with previous stroke, there was no difference between CCBs and comparators for any CV outcome. In those with CAD, there was no difference for all-cause death, CV death, major CV events, and MI for CCBs relative to comparators; however, a reduction in the risk of stroke and an increase in the risk of CHF were seen. For BP lowering, CCBs were at least as efficacious as comparators. The findings of our systematic review and analysis add to the body of evidence for the use of CCBs for the long-term treatment of hypertension in difficult-to-treat high CV risk populations.
Liver Disease in Pediatric Patients With Ataxia Telangiectasia
Authors: Weiss Batia , Krauthammer Alexander , Soudack Michalle , Lahad Avishay , Sarouk Ifat , Somech Raz , Heimer Gali , Ben‐Zeev Bruria , Nissenkorn Andreea
Published: November 2015

Objective:

Ataxia telangiectasia (A‐T) is a rare genetic multiorgan disease. Although gastrointestinal involvement is known, hepatic involvement in A‐T has not been investigated. We aimed to study the hepatic involvement in a large cohort of patients with A‐T.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients, studied from January 1986 to January 2015 at a National A‐T Center. Clinical data including demographic, genetic, laboratory, nutritional, radiographic, and histological data were retrieved.

Results:

Fifty‐three patients, 27 (49%) boys, age 14.6 ± 5.2 years (range 5.9–26.1 years), were included. Twenty‐three patients (43.4%), age 9.9 ± 5.1 years, had consistently abnormal liver enzymes. The mean enzyme levels were alanine aminotransferase 76.8 ± 73.8 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase 70 ± 50 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase 331 ± 134 IU/L, and gamma glutamyl transferase 114.7 ± 8 IU/L. Evaluation of other etiology of liver disease was negative. Ultrasonography revealed fatty liver in 9 of them (39%). Liver biopsy was performed in 2 patients, revealing mild‐to‐moderate steatosis in both, and fibrosis in 1 patient. Progression to advanced liver disease occurred in 2 of 23 (9%) patients within 2 to 5 years. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with abnormal liver enzymes: 3 of 30 (10%) patients without abnormal liver enzymes versus 10 of 23 (45.5%) patients with abnormal liver enzymes, respectively (P < 0.05, Fisher exact test). No correlation was found between hepatic involvement and HbA1C, sex, presence of malignancy, or type of mutation.

Conclusions:

Abnormal liver enzymes and fatty liver are common in patients with A‐T and may progress to advanced liver disease at a young age. These findings are novel and implicate that patients with A‐T with abnormal liver enzymes should be evaluated for the presence of liver disease.
Home‐Based Screening for Biliary Atresia Using Infant Stool Color Cards in Canada
Authors: Morinville Véronique , Ahmed Najma , Ibberson Cindy , Kovacs Lajos , Kaczorowski Janusz , Bryan Stirling , Collet Jean‐Paul , Schreiber Richard
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

Biliary atresia (BA) is a leading cause of liver failure and liver transplantation in pediatrics. BA manifests by 3 weeks of life with jaundice and pale stools. Delayed diagnosis and surgical intervention with Kasai portoenterostomy after 3 months of age is significantly associated with poor prognosis for native liver survival. A national Taiwan infant stool color card (SCC) screening program has entirely eliminated late Kasai portoenterostomy >90 days of age and improved native liver survival. A recent large‐scale prospective cohort study in British Columbia, Canada, indicated that distribution of SCC on the maternity ward was feasible, led to high utilization rate, and was cost‐effective. The aim of the present study was to assess the generalizability of this screening strategy in another Canadian jurisdiction with a different sociodemographic profile.

Methods:

An SCC was distributed to families of newborns discharged at St Mary's Hospital Center, Montreal, Quebec. Families were instructed to monitor their infant's stool color for 21 days and then complete and mail the SCC to the study center. Phone surveys to families who did not return cards were used to estimate total card utilization rate.

Results:

Two thousand two hundred forty‐six infants were eligible for inclusion; 99.9% were enrolled. Mail SCC return rate was 63.3%. No cases of BA were identified. All of the 118 families who completed the phone survey reported that they had utilized the SCC. Conservative and optimistic estimates for total card utilization rates were 82% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions:

The high enrollment and utilization rates in this screening study strongly support the feasibility of implementing a Canadian SCC screening program to improve outcomes of children with BA.
DISC1 regulates astrogenesis in the embryonic brain via modulation of RAS/MEK/ERK signaling through RASSF7
Authors: Wang Shukun , Liang Qingli , Qiao Huimin , Li Hong , Shen Tianjin , Ji Fen , Jiao Jianwei
Published: November 2015

Disrupted in Schizophrenia1 (DISC1) is known as a high susceptibility gene of schizophrenia. More recent studies have connected schizophrenia with glia defects and dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether there is connection between DISC1 and gliogenesis defect. Thus, a precise understanding of DISC1 (a ubiquitously expressed brain protein) on astrogenesis in the late stage of embryonic mouse brain development needs to be deeply investigated. Here, we show that suppression of DISC1 expression represses astrogenesisin vitroandin vivo, whereas DISC1 overexpression substantially enhances the process. Furthermore, mouse and human DISC1 overexpression rescued astrogenesis defects caused by DISC1 knowndown. Mechanistically, DISC1 activates downstream RAS/MEK/ERK signaling pathway via directly associating with the C terminal domain of RASSF7, a RAS association protein. Also, the pERK complex undergoes nuclear translocation and influences the expression of genes related to astrogenesis. Briefly, our results demonstrate that DISC1 regulates astrogenesis by modulating RAS/MEK/ERK signaling via RASSF7 and provide a framework for understanding how DISC1 dysfunction leads to neuropsychiatric diseases.
In plantaexpression screens of candidate effector proteins from the wheat yellow rust fungus reveal processing bodies as a pathogen-targeted plant cell compartment
Authors: Petre Benjamin , Saunders Diane G.O. , Sklenar Jan , Lorrain Cécile , Krasileva Ksenia V. , Win Joe , Duplessis Sébastien , Kamoun Sophien
Published: November 2015

Rust fungal pathogens of wheat (Triticumspp.) affect crop yields worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying the virulence of these pathogens remain elusive, due to the limited availability of suitable molecular genetic research tools. Notably, the inability to perform high-throughput analyses of candidate virulence proteins (also known as effectors) impairs progress. We previously established a pipeline for the fast-forward screens of rust fungal effectors in the model plantNicotiana benthamiana. This pipeline involves selecting candidate effectorsin silicoand performing cell biology and protein-protein interaction assaysin plantato gain insight into the putative functions of candidate effectors. In this study, we used this pipeline to identify and characterize sixteen candidate effectors from the wheat yellow rust fungal pathogenPuccinia striiformisf sptritici. Nine candidate effectors targeted a specific plant subcellular compartment or protein complex, providing valuable information on their putative functions in plant cells. One candidate effector, PST02549, accumulated in processing bodies (P-bodies), protein complexes involved in mRNA decapping, degradation, and storage. PST02549 also associates with the P-body-resident ENHANCER OF mRNA DECAPPING PROTEIN 4 (EDC4) fromN. benthamianaand wheat. Our work identifies P-bodies as a novel plant cell compartment targeted by pathogen effectors.
NLK phosphorylates Raptor to mediate stress-induced mTORC1 inhibition
Authors: Yuan Hai-Xin , Wang Zhen , Yu Fa-Xing , Li Fulong , Russell Ryan C. , Jewell Jenna L. , Guan Kun-Liang
Published: November 2015

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central cell growth controller and forms two distinct complexes: mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTORC1 integrates a wide range of upstream signals, both positive and negative, to regulate cell growth. Although mTORC1 activation by positive signals, such as growth factors and nutrients, has been extensively investigated, the mechanism of mTORC1 regulation by stress signals is less understood. In this study, we identified the Nemo-like kinase (NLK) as an mTORC1 regulator in mediating the osmotic and oxidative stress signals. NLK inhibits mTORC1 lysosomal localization and thereby suppresses mTORC1 activation. Mechanistically, NLK phosphorylates Raptor on S863 to disrupt its interaction with the Rag GTPase, which is important for mTORC1 lysosomal recruitment. Cells with Nlk deletion or knock-in of the Raptor S863 phosphorylation mutants are defective in the rapid mTORC1 inhibition upon osmotic stress. Our study reveals a function of NLK in stress-induced mTORC1 modulation and the underlying biochemical mechanism of NLK in mTORC1 inhibition in stress response.
Alternate wiring of a KNOXI genetic network underlies differences in leaf development of A. thaliana and C. hirsuta
Authors: Rast-Somssich Madlen I. , Broholm Suvi , Jenkins Huw , Canales Claudia , Vlad Daniela , Kwantes Michiel , Bilsborough Gemma , Dello Ioio Raffaele , Ewing Rob M. , Laufs Patrick , Huijser Peter , Ohno Carolyn , Heisler Marcus G. , Hay Angela , Tsiantis Miltos
Published: November 2015

Two interrelated problems in biology are understanding the regulatory logic and predictability of morphological evolution. Here, we studied these problems by comparing Arabidopsis thaliana, which has simple leaves, and its relative, Cardamine hirsuta, which has dissected leaves comprising leaflets. By transferring genes between the two species, we provide evidence for an inverse relationship between the pleiotropy of SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM) and BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) homeobox genes and their ability to modify leaf form. We further show that cis-regulatory divergence of BP results in two alternative configurations of the genetic networks controlling leaf development. In C. hirsuta, ChBP is repressed by the microRNA164A (MIR164A)/ChCUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON (ChCUC) module and ChASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 (ChAS1), thus creating cross-talk between MIR164A/CUC and AS1 that does not occur in A. thaliana. These different genetic architectures lead to divergent interactions of network components and growth regulation in each species. We suggest that certain regulatory genes with low pleiotropy are predisposed to readily integrate into or disengage from conserved genetic networks influencing organ geometry, thus rapidly altering their properties and contributing to morphological divergence.
Crystal structures of two 2,9-dithia-13-azadispiro[4.1.47.35]tetradecan-6-ones
Authors: Viswanathan Vijayan , Bharkavi Shanmugavel , Perumal Subbu , Velmurugan Devadasan
Published: November 2015

In the title compounds 4,11-dihydroxy-13-methyl-1,8-di-p-tolyl-2,9-dithia-13- azadispiro[4.1.47.35]tetradecan-6-one, C26H31NO3S2, (I), and 13-benzyl-4,11-dihydroxy-1,8-bis(4-methylphenyl)-2,9-dithia-13-azadispiro[4.1.47.35]tetradecan-6-one, C32H35NO3S2, (II), the piperidine rings adopt distorted chair conformations. The thiophene rings in (I) have envelope conformations, with the spiro C atoms as the flaps. In (II), one thiophene ring (D) has an envelope conformation, with the hydroxy-substituted C atom as the flap, while the other thiophene ring (E) has a twisted conformation on the C—C bond involving the spiro C atom and the toluyl-substituted C atom. In (I), the mean plane of the piperidine ring makes dihedral angles of 75.16 (9) and 73.33 (8)° with the mean planes of the thiophene rings (DandE), respectively. In (II), the corresponding dihedral angles are 70.95 (11) and 77.43 (12)°. In both compounds, there is an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond forming anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal of (I), molecules are linkedviaO—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [010]. There are also π–π interactions present involving inversion-related benzene rings, linking the chains to form slabs parallel to (100). In the crystal of (II), molecules are linkedviaO—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR44(8) ring motif. The dimers are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming slabs parallel to (001).
Crystal structure of 2-butylsulfanyl-4,6-bis[(E)-4-(dimethylamino)styryl]pyrimidine
Authors: Song Jingbao , Zhou Qiang , Wang Aijian
Published: November 2015

In the title compound, C28H34N4S, the dihedral angles between the pyrimidine ring and the pendant 4-(dimethylamino)benzene rings are 14.20 (5) and 14.56 (4)°. The butyl side chain adopts ananticonformation [C—C—C—C = −171.53 (13)°]. No directional interactions beyond van der Waals contacts occur in the crystal structure The title molecule has aD–A–Dstructure, in which the pyrimidine ring is the electron-withdrawing part and the 4-(dimethylamino)benzene rings are the electron-donating parts.
Crystal structure of 1,2,3,4-di-O-methylene-α-D-galactopyranose
Authors: Tiritiris Ioannis , Tussetschläger Stefan , Kantlehner Willi
Published: November 2015

The title compound, C8H12O6, was synthesized by deacetylation of 6-acetyl-1,2,3,4-di-O-methylene-α-D-galactose with sodium methoxide. The central part of the molecule consists of a six-membered C5O pyranose ring with a twist-boat conformation. Both fused dioxolane rings adopt an envelope conformation with C and O atoms as the flap. In the crystal, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds are present between adjacent molecules, generating a three-dimensional network.
How salespersons induce trust between consumers and retailers
Authors: Abbes Molka , Goudey Alain
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Although there is existing research investigating trust itself, there is a need for research on the concept of trust, specifically in retail environments. The purpose of this paper is to identify specific the dimensions of the concept of trust with retailing and to note impactful antecedents as activators for managers to secure long-term business.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors propose a multi-dimensional measurement scale of trust that is examined through a structural equation modeling the connections between the determinants of the concept and its various features.

Findings

– This research has identified two new key dimensions for trust, specific to the well-being retailing context: customer/salesperson relationship and customer/sales environment relationship. Hence, this research primarily highlights the role of the salesperson and advice in establishing and sustaining the customer-retailer trust relationship.

Practical implications

– On the managerial level, this research helps further an advanced relational approach in the area of consumer product distribution by paying particular attention to building and developing a trust-based relationship. This research may serve as a “handbook” for any retailer looking to establish and sustain a durable relationship with their customers.

Originality/value

– The paper adapts the concept of trust in the specific context of brick-and-mortar retailing and tests it thanks to a quantitative study in the field of well-being retailing. The paper uses empirical data to establish original indications regarding: new relevant dimensions for trust in a retailing context that could be used by shop managers to develop a better comprehension of trust and impactful antecedents of trust in a retailing context that could be activated by shop managers to enhance trust regarding their shops.
User analysis in the Borrow Direct marketplace
Authors: Collins Peter D.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– This paper is an analysis of user demographics in the Borrow Direct resource sharing service. The paper looks to determine who uses the service and to what extent.

Design/methodology/approach

– Five years of user data was culled from the system and analysed by user status and number of transactions.

Findings

– Borrow Direct is a core service for supporting graduate level research across the twelve partner institutions.

Originality/value

– This analysis indicates that resource sharing remains a vital resource, particularly for graduate level research, even at top-tier academic libraries.
Developing responsive Resource Sharing services at an Australian regional university: University of Wollongong Library
Authors: Daly Rebecca
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an update of Resource Sharing services at the University of Wollongong (UOW) Library two years after a complete review was undertaken to provide a financially viable service relevant to the research support needs of University clients. This paper provides an update of the service two years on.

Design/methodology/approach

– The UOW Library has been attentive to global changes in the resource sharing industry and document supply services. Unmediated resource sharing options are growing and assuming an increasing portion of requests received from clients. UOW’s involvement in new services has focused attention on the value of its collection, particularly the last national copy of a publication. By ensuring these unique titles remain in the collection indefinitely, they can be shared with other libraries through resource sharing arrangements. Ensuring staff workplace health and safety during the ongoing transformation in the delivery of services is an important element in the continued viability of resource sharing at UOW.

Findings

– The 2011-2013 review of UOW Library Resource Sharing services has resulted in a viable and relevant service that is adaptable to the changing needs of UOW clients and institutional directions into the near future. Unmediated requesting continues to assume a greater share of the requesting workload, though staff expertise is equally important in supporting this service. A future challenge for the UOW Library is the rising cost of postage for the sharing of loans across institutions.

Originality/value

– This case study demonstrates how an academic library can transform its resource sharing service for ongoing relevance and cost-effectiveness. Taking a holistic view of the service, in terms of people, costs and services, is important to ensure the overall viability of the service.
Sacred cows and the known unknowns
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a methodology to identify potential reputation threats systematically before they become full-blown crises.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is based on using the filter of four forces for change – demographics, technology, economics and future – to identify impending points of collision between an organization’s business and changing popular sentiment.

Findings

– The methodology, if applied retrospectively, could have identified such reputation damaging events as the emergence of data breaches through the loss of laptops, for example, in advance enabling companies with customer data to take precautions such as advanced encryption.

Practical implications

– Applied rigorously, the issues mapping process can help organizations predict and potentially avoid reputation-threatening crises.

Originality/value

– The paper is based on the personal experience, research and analytical work of the author, and while there may be similar frameworks in use by other practitioners, the authors do not believe they have been described publicly before.