bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New One Dimensional Modeling Method for Complex Oil Passage Coupled With CFD Results
Authors: Higo Hiroshi , Tanaka Kazuhiro , Yamaguchi Takeshi
Published: November 2014

Oil pipes are indispensable to a hydraulic circuit. The linear model of pipe based on the Hagen-Poiseuille law is commonly used and very convenient in the analyses. However, real oil passages, such as in manifolds and oil passages in an automatic transmission in a car, have complex configurations. As they are quite three-dimensional and have various kinds of pressure drops on the inside, it is sometimes unsuitable to represent the real oil passages using the linear model. As the result of applying it to the real oil passage, the equivalent pipe length would sometimes be very long unrealistically. Moreover, the inertia effect of oil column in the passage is sometimes non-negligible.

This study represents a way to model real oil passages into a dynamically-equivalent pipe model using its CAD data and CFD results. The pressure drop is represented by the non-linear model of pipe and the coefficients are calculated from ΔP-Q curve of the passage which is obtained by CFD steady flow analysis. The inertia effect of oil column is calculated by CFD unsteady flow analysis and its coefficient is obtained from the solution of the differential equation which is expressed by a correlation coefficient. As a result, a new model of pipe is successfully obtained with the same effects of resistance and inertia as the real oil passage. The simulation using the new model of pipe agrees well with the experimental results. This modeling way is applicable to all oil passages with any 3-D configuration.
Efficiency Testing of an Adjustable Linkage Triplex Pump
Authors: Wilhelm Shawn R. , Van De Ven James D.
Published: November 2014

Current state of the art variable displacement pumps suffer from poor efficiency at low volumetric displacement. Additionally, their performance is strongly dependent on operating conditions. A new variable displacement linkage pump architecture has been developed which can achieve high efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions. Previous work has described the kinematics, energy loss modeling, and experimental validation of a low power single cylinder prototype as well as the design of a second generation prototype. The second generation pump employs roller element bearings in its joints to minimize friction losses and the three cylinder design reduces the pressure ripple. In this paper, experimental characterization is presented of the new 21 MPa, 6.75 cc/rev pump. High mechanical efficiency is achieved at low volumetric displacements at partial loads as low as 0.6% of maximum power. Poorly performing cartridge check valves result in low volumetric efficiencies at low displacements. Close agreement was obtained between the model and predicted work input using measured cylinder data as an input into the model. This work shows that the presented pump with properly functioning valves can achieve high efficiency across a wide range of operating conditions. Having such versatile pump performance can greatly improve the performance of hydraulic systems as well as expand their potential applications.
An Approach to Digital Distributor Valves in Low Speed Pumps and Motors
Authors: Chapple Peter , Lindholdt Per N. , Larsen Henrik B.
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a novel approach to digital pumps and motors with electronic controlled valves for each working chamber in positive displacement machines. The approach is focused on low speed operation of hydraulic pumps and motors.

When applied to High Torque Low Speed radial piston units with eccentric shaft it offers increased efficiency, increased power capacity, more compact design, displacement control and a number of other control features.

The proposed valve system has out-wards opening poppet-type valves on both the high- and low pressure side. This solution allows for a symmetric valve arrangement, enabling the units to operate as traditional motors/pumps with traditional distributor valves as well as to be used in simplified system layouts where full advantage is taken of the technology.

This is opposed to current solutions having poppet type valves opening inwards on the low-pressure side and outwards on the high-pressure side, requiring dedicated high- and low pressure ports, also on motors.

New opportunities and challenges are discussed, among which are four quadrant operation, displacement variation, start and stop, valve timing, overpressure protection and valve actuators.
Web‐based, GPU‐accelerated, Monte Carlo simulation and visualization of indirect radiation imaging detector performance
Authors: Dong Han , Sharma Diksha , Badano Aldo
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

Monte Carlo simulations play a vital role in the understanding of the fundamental limitations, design, and optimization of existing and emerging medical imaging systems. Efforts in this area have resulted in the development of a wide variety of open‐source software packages. One such package, hybridmantis, uses a novel hybrid concept to model indirect scintillator detectors by balancing the computational load using dual CPU and graphics processing unit (GPU) processors, obtaining computational efficiency with reasonable accuracy. In this work, the authors describe two open‐source visualization interfaces, webmantis and visualmantis to facilitate the setup of computational experiments via hybridmantis.

Methods:

The visualization tools visualmantis and webmantis enable the user to control simulation properties through a user interface. In the case of webmantis, control via a web browser allows access through mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. webmantis acts as a server back‐end and communicates with an NVIDIA GPU computing cluster that can support multiuser environments where users can execute different experiments in parallel.

Results:

The output consists of point response and pulse‐height spectrum, and optical transport statistics generated by hybridmantis. The users can download the output images and statistics through a zip file for future reference. In addition, webmantis provides a visualization window that displays a few selected optical photon path as they get transported through the detector columns and allows the user to trace the history of the optical photons.

Conclusions:

The visualization tools visualmantis and webmantis provide features such as on the fly generation of pulse‐height spectra and response functions for microcolumnar x‐ray imagers while allowing users to save simulation parameters and results from prior experiments. The graphical interfaces simplify the simulation setup and allow the user to go directly from specifying input parameters to receiving visual feedback for the model predictions.
A GPU‐accelerated and Monte Carlo‐based intensity modulated proton therapy optimization system
Authors: Ma Jiasen , Beltran Chris , Seum Wan Chan Tseung Hok , Herman Michael G.
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

Conventional spot scanning intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) treatment planning systems (TPSs) optimize proton spot weights based on analytical dose calculations. These analytical dose calculations have been shown to have severe limitations in heterogeneous materials. Monte Carlo (MC) methods do not have these limitations; however, MC‐based systems have been of limited clinical use due to the large number of beam spots in IMPT and the extremely long calculation time of traditional MC techniques. In this work, the authors present a clinically applicable IMPT TPS that utilizes a very fast MC calculation.

Methods:

An in‐house graphics processing unit (GPU)‐based MC dose calculation engine was employed to generate the dose influence map for each proton spot. With the MC generated influence map, a modified least‐squares optimization method was used to achieve the desired dose volume histograms (DVHs). The intrinsic CT image resolution was adopted for voxelization in simulation and optimization to preserve spatial resolution. The optimizations were computed on a multi‐GPU framework to mitigate the memory limitation issues for the large dose influence maps that resulted from maintaining the intrinsic CT resolution. The effects of tail cutoff and starting condition were studied and minimized in this work.

Results:

For relatively large and complex three‐field head and neck cases, i.e., >100 000 spots with a target volume of ∼1000 cm3 and multiple surrounding critical structures, the optimization together with the initial MC dose influence map calculation was done in a clinically viable time frame (less than 30 min) on a GPU cluster consisting of 24 Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan cards. The in‐house MC TPS plans were comparable to a commercial TPS plans based on DVH comparisons.

Conclusions:

A MC‐based treatment planning system was developed. The treatment planning can be performed in a clinically viable time frame on a hardware system costing around 45 000 dollars. The fast calculation and optimization make the system easily expandable to robust and multicriteria optimization.
On the consistency of Monte Carlo track structure DNA damage simulations
Authors: Pater Piotr , Seuntjens Jan , El Naqa Issam , Bernal Mario A.
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

Monte Carlo track structures (MCTS) simulations have been recognized as useful tools for radiobiological modeling. However, the authors noticed several issues regarding the consistency of reported data. Therefore, in this work, they analyze the impact of various user defined parameters on simulated direct DNA damage yields. In addition, they draw attention to discrepancies in published literature in DNA strand break (SB) yields and selected methodologies.

Methods:

The MCTS code Geant4‐DNA was used to compare radial dose profiles in a nanometer‐scale region of interest (ROI) for photon sources of varying sizes and energies. Then, electron tracks of 0.28 keV–220 keV were superimposed on a geometric DNA model composed of 2.7 × 106 nucleosomes, and SBs were simulated according to four definitions based on energy deposits or energy transfers in DNA strand targets compared to a threshold energy ETH. The SB frequencies and complexities in nucleosomes as a function of incident electron energies were obtained. SBs were classified into higher order clusters such as single and double strand breaks (SSBs and DSBs) based on inter‐SB distances and on the number of affected strands.

Results:

Comparisons of different nonuniform dose distributions lacking charged particle equilibrium may lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the effect of energy on relative biological effectiveness. The energy transfer‐based SB definitions give similar SB yields as the one based on energy deposit when ETH ≈ 10.79 eV, but deviate significantly for higher ETH values. Between 30 and 40 nucleosomes/Gy show at least one SB in the ROI. The number of nucleosomes that present a complex damage pattern of more than 2 SBs and the degree of complexity of the damage in these nucleosomes diminish as the incident electron energy increases. DNA damage classification into SSB and DSB is highly dependent on the definitions of these higher order structures and their implementations. The authors’ show that, for the four studied models, different yields are expected by up to 54% for SSBs and by up to 32% for DSBs, as a function of the incident electrons energy and of the models being compared.

Conclusions:

MCTS simulations allow to compare direct DNA damage types and complexities induced by ionizing radiation. However, simulation results depend to a large degree on user‐defined parameters, definitions, and algorithms such as: DNA model, dose distribution, SB definition, and the DNA damage clustering algorithm. These interdependencies should be well controlled during the simulations and explicitly reported when comparing results to experiments or calculations.
The Changing Climates of the Sport Management Academic Job Market and Doctoral Students’ Career Expectations
Authors: Geurin-Eagleman Andrea N. , McNary Erin
Published: November 2014

Past research shows that the job market for sport management academic positions was strong, with more job openings than qualified professors to fill the positions. Due to changing global and higher education climates, however, it was necessary to conduct further research to examine how these shifts in the external environment have impacted the sport management job market. Therefore, this study employed a content analysis methodology to examine the faculty job openings in sport management from 2010 to 2011. In addition, current doctoral students were surveyed to determine their preparation and expectations for the academic job market. Results revealed much greater parity between the number of open positions and the number of doctoral student job seekers than ever before. Similarities and differences were discovered between the actual job market and students’ career expectations and goals. Ultimately, the job market has become more competitive and job seekers must take steps to ensure a competitive advantage.
What Becomes of Our Graduates?: New Employee Job Transition and Socialization in Sports Administration
Authors: Barnes John C.
Published: November 2014

It is important for sports administration programs to prepare students for career entry and transition into productive roles within their new jobs upon graduation. However, even the best academic curricula for those entering a profession may be inadequate for preparing students for early success in their careers. Not only do academic curricula lack the ability to train students for problem solving and independent thinking, they lack the ability to provide context, reducing transfer of knowledge to practice. The purpose of this article is to provide instructors in sports administration programs background information related to the transition graduates may face when entering the job market. The underlying assumption is that if instructors better understand the process of job entry and transition, they can better prepare students to embark on their careers. Included are discussions of professional preparation programs, the expectation gap held by new employees, job role transition, and organizational socialization.
Applying Intergroup Contact Theory to the Sport Management Classroom
Authors: Bruening Jennifer , Fuller Rhema D. , Cotrufo Raymond J. , Madsen Rachel M. , Evanovich Justin , Wilson-Hill Devon E.
Published: November 2014

Allport’s (1954) intergroup contact hypothesis states that interactions with members of an out-group, particularly of a different racial and/or ethnic group, are effective in changing attitudes about diversity (Allport, 1954; Pettigrew, 1998). In this study, the intergroup contact hypothesis was applied to the design of a sport management course. The classroom component focused the role of sport in education, health, and leadership development, and the application was structured sport and physical activity programming with school-age children at several urban sites. Data were gathered from 91 college students over 3 years about course-related experiences and how the students’ backgrounds influenced their social identities and understanding of out-group members. Results showed that intergroup contact effectively assisted in developing understanding and cooperation and reducing negative attitudes between groups. The participants received diversity education, via intergroup contact, both inside and outside the classroom, which will potentially equip them to take proactive strategies when managing organizational diversity in the sport industry.
Potential Contribution of Anammox to Nitrogen Loss from Paddy Soils in Southern China
Authors: Yang Xiao-Ru , Li Hu , Nie San-An , Su Jian-Qiang , Weng Bo-Sen , Zhu Gui-Bing , Yao Huai-Ying , Gilbert Jack A. , Zhu Yong-Guan
Published: November 2014

The anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (anammox) process has been observed in diverse terrestrial ecosystems, while the contribution of anammox to N
2
production in paddy soils is not well documented. In this study, the anammox activity and the abundance and diversity of anammox bacteria were investigated to assess the anammox potential of 12 typical paddy soils collected in southern China. Anammox bacteria related to “
Candidatus
Brocadia” and “
Candidatus
Kuenenia” and two novel unidentified clusters were detected, with “
Candidatus
Brocadia” comprising 50% of the anammox population. The prevalence of the anammox was confirmed by the quantitative PCR results based on hydrazine synthase (
hzsB
) genes, which showed that the abundance ranged from 1.16 × 10
4
to 9.65 × 10
4
copies per gram of dry weight. The anammox rates measured by the isotope-pairing technique ranged from 0.27 to 5.25 nmol N per gram of soil per hour in these paddy soils, which contributed 0.6 to 15% to soil N
2
production. It is estimated that a total loss of 2.50 × 10
6
Mg N per year is linked to anammox in the paddy fields in southern China, which implied that ca. 10% of the applied ammonia fertilizers is lost via the anammox process. Anammox activity was significantly correlated with the abundance of
hzsB
genes, soil nitrate concentration, and C/N ratio. Additionally, ammonia concentration and pH were found to be significantly correlated with the anammox bacterial structure.
Interactions between Head Blight Pathogens: Consequences for Disease Development and Toxin Production in Wheat Spikes
Authors: Siou Dorothée , Gélisse Sandrine , Laval Valérie , Elbelt Sonia , Repinçay Cédric , Bourdat-Deschamps Marjolaine , Suffert Frédéric , Lannou Christian
Published: November 2014

Head blight (HB) is one of the most damaging diseases on wheat, inducing significant yield losses and toxin accumulation in grains. Fungal pathogens responsible for HB include the genus
Microdochium
, with two species, and the toxin producer genus
Fusarium
, with several species. Field studies and surveys show that two or more species can coexist within a same field and coinfect the same plant or the same spike. In the current study, we investigated how the concomitant presence of
F. graminearum
and another of the HB complex species influences the spike colonization and the toxin production by the fungi. To study these interactions, 17 well-characterized isolates representing five species were inoculated alone or in pairs on wheat spikes in greenhouse and field experiments. The fungal DNA in the grains was estimated by quantitative PCR and toxin contents (deoxynivalenol and nivalenol) by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-UV detection-tandem mass spectrometry. The responses of the different isolates to the presence of a competitor were variable and isolate specific more than species specific. The development of the most aggressive isolates was either unchanged or a slightly increased, while the development of the less aggressive isolates was reduced. The main outcome of the study was that no trend of increased toxin production was observed in coinoculations compared to single inoculations. On the contrary, the amount of toxin produced was often lower than expected in coinoculations. We thus conclude against the hypothesis that the co-occurrence of several HB-causing species in the same field might aggravate the risk linked to fusarium toxins in wheat production.
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Two Pseudomonas plecoglossicida Phages, Potential Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Kawato Yasuhiko , Yasuike Motoshige , Nakamura Yoji , Shigenobu Yuya , Fujiwara Atushi , Sano Motohiko , Nakai Toshihiro
Published: November 2014

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
is a lethal pathogen of ayu (
Plecoglossus altivelis
) in Japan and is responsible for substantial economic costs to ayu culture. Previously, we demonstrated the efficacy of phage therapy against
P. plecoglossicida
infection using two lytic phages (PPpW-3 and PPpW-4) (S. C. Park, I. Shimamura, M. Fukunaga, K. Mori, and T. Nakai, Appl Environ Microbiol 66:1416–1422, 2000,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.66.4.1416-1422.2000
; S. C. Park and T. Nakai, Dis Aquat Org 53:33–39, 2003,
http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao053033
). In the present study, the complete genome sequences of these therapeutic
P. plecoglossicida
phages were determined and analyzed for deleterious factors as therapeutic agents. The genome of PPpW-3 (myovirus) consisted of 43,564 bp with a GC content of 61.1% and 66 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Approximately half of the genes were similar to the genes of the
Escherichia coli
phage vB_EcoM_ECO1230-10 (myovirus). The genome of PPpW-4 (podovirus) consisted of 41,386 bp with a GC content of 56.8% and 50 predicted ORFs. More than 70% of the genes were similar to the genes of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
phage ϕIBB-PF7A and
Pseudomonas putida
phage ϕ15 (podoviruses). The whole-genome analysis revealed that no known virulence genes were present in PPpW-3 and PPpW-4. An integrase gene was found in PPpW-3, but other factors used for lysogeny were not confirmed. The PCR detection of phage genes in phage-resistant variants provided no evidence of lysogenic activity in PPpW-3 and PPpW-4. We conclude that these two lytic phages qualify as therapeutic agents.
Effects of Eliminating Pyruvate Node Pathways and of Coexpression of Heterogeneous Carboxylation Enzymes on Succinate Production by Enterobacter aerogenes
Authors: Tajima Yoshinori , Yamamoto Yoko , Fukui Keita , Nishio Yousuke , Hashiguchi Kenichi , Usuda Yoshihiro , Sode Koji
Published: November 2014

Lowering the pH in bacterium-based succinate fermentation is considered a feasible approach to reduce total production costs. Newly isolated
Enterobacter aerogenes
strain AJ110637, a rapid carbon source assimilator under weakly acidic (pH 5.0) conditions, was selected as a platform for succinate production. Our previous work showed that the Δ
adhE/
PCK strain, developed from AJ110637 with inactivated ethanol dehydrogenase and introduced
Actinobacillus succinogenes
phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK), generated succinate as a major product of anaerobic mixed-acid fermentation from glucose under weakly acidic conditions (pH <6.2). To further improve the production of succinate by the Δ
adhE
/PCK strain, metabolically engineered strains were designed based on the elimination of pathways that produced undesirable products and the introduction of two carboxylation pathways from phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate to oxaloacetate. The highest production of succinate was observed with strain ES04/PCK+PYC, which had inactivated ethanol, lactate, acetate, and 2,3-butanediol pathways and coexpressed PCK and
Corynebacterium glutamicum
pyruvate carboxylase (PYC). This strain produced succinate from glucose with over 70% yield (gram per gram) without any measurable formation of ethanol, lactate, or 2,3-butanediol under weakly acidic conditions. The impact of lowering the pH from 7.0 to 5.5 on succinate production in this strain was evaluated under pH-controlled batch culture conditions and showed that the lower pH decreased the succinate titer but increased its yield. These findings can be applied to identify additional engineering targets to increase succinate production.
The differential diagnosis of spastic diplegia
Authors: Huntsman Richard , Lemire Edmond , Norton Jonathon , Dzus Anne , Blakley Patricia , Hasal Simona
Published: November 2014

Spastic diplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy worldwide. Many disorders mimic spastic diplegia, which can result in misdiagnosis for the child with resultant negative treatment and family counselling implications. In this paper, the authors provide a brief review of spastic diplegia and the various disorders in the differential diagnosis. We also provide a diagnostic algorithm to assist physicians in making the correct diagnosis.
Traumatic rupture of sternocleidomastoid muscle following an epileptic seizure
Authors: Wooles Nicola Rachel , Bell Philip Robert , Korda Marian
Published: November 2014

A 29-year-old man, a known epileptic, presented to an accident and emergency department following a tonic–clonic seizure, suffering a second seizure in the department. Subsequently, he reported neck pain, swelling and stiffness. An otorhinolaryngology neck examination revealed a tender left side with two palpable masses and a reduced range of movement. Ultrasound confirmed a ruptured middle third of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle, which was successfully treated non-surgically with analgaesia and intensive physiotherapy. Uncommonly, sternocleidomastoid muscle rupture has been reported following high-velocity trauma, but to the best of our knowledge this is the first case described in the literature following an epileptic seizure.
Guidelines for chest drain insertion may not prevent damage to abdominal viscera
Authors: Bowness J , Kilgour P M , Whiten S , Parkin I , Mooney J , Driscoll P
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Guidelines to improve the ease and safety of chest drain insertion recommend using the fifth intercostal space, around the midaxillary line (MAL). This study aimed to assess whether compliance with published guidelines reliably ensured such placement and avoided the potentially serious complications of subdiaphragmatic insertion and peripheral nerve injury.

Methods

Three international guidelines were assessed by identifying the intercostal space for chest drain insertion using 16 cadavers (32 sides) at a point 1 cm anterior to MAL. The European Trauma Course method was compared with the British Thoracic Society's ‘safe triangle’ and the ATLS course technique.

Results

The level most commonly found was the sixth intercostal space (43%; 41 of 96 sides). Overall the sixth space or below was found in 83% of insertions (80 of 96 sides). In the fifth intercostal space, the long thoracic nerve ran posterior to the marker placed in all cases and the lateral cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves arose anteriorly to the marker in all but one case.

Conclusions

The results suggest these guidelines may result in insertion of chest drains below the fifth intercostal space, potentially risking injury to subdiaphragmatic structures. Peripheral nerves of the lateral thoracic wall appear safe from incisions 1 cm anterior to MAL.
Causal analysis of H1N1pdm09 influenza infection risk in a household cohort
Authors: Mansiaux Yohann , Salez Nicolas , Lapidus Nathanael , Setbon Michel , Andreoletti Laurent , Leruez-Ville Marianne , Cauchemez Simon , Gougeon Marie-Lise , Vély Frédéric , Schwarzinger Michael , Abel Laurent , Delabre Rosemary Markovic , Flahault Antoine , de Lamballerie Xavier , Carrat Fabrice
Published: November 2014

Background

Obtaining a comprehensive quantitative figure of the determinants of influenza infection will help identify priority targets for future influenza mitigation interventions. We developed an original causal model integrating highly diverse factors and their dependencies, to identify the most critical determinants of pandemic influenza infection (H1N1pdm09) during the 2010–2011 influenza season.

Methods

We used data from 601 households (1450 participants) included in a dedicated cohort. Structural equations were used to model direct and indirect relationships between infection and risk perception, compliance with preventive behaviours, social contacts, indoor and outdoor environment, sociodemographic factors and pre-epidemic host susceptibility. Standardised estimates (βstd) were used to assess the strength of associations (ranging from −1 for a completely negative association to 1 for a completely positive association).

Results

Host susceptibility to H1N1pdm09 and compliance with preventive behaviours were the only two factors directly associated with the infection risk (βstd=0.31 and βstd=−0.21). Compliance with preventive behaviours was influenced by risk perception and preventive measures perception (βstd=0.14 and βstd=0.27). The number and duration of social contacts were not associated with H1N1pdm09 infection.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that influenza vaccination in addition to public health communication campaigns focusing on personal preventive measures should be prioritised as potentially efficient interventions to mitigate influenza epidemics.
Mechanical thrombectomy for acute stroke in childhood: how much does restricted diffusion matter?
Authors: Ladner Travis R , He Lucy , Jordan Lori C , Cooper Calvin , Froehler Michael T , Mocco J
Published: November 2014

Mechanical thrombectomy holds promise for children with large cerebral arterial occlusions, although there are few reports in this population. We report a case of retrievable stent-assisted mechanical thrombectomy in a 5-year-old with basilar artery occlusion, despite late presentation and extensive initial diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) restriction. This resulted in successful Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2B reperfusion and excellent clinical outcome. At 6-week follow-up he was completely back to baseline with no residual deficits (pediatric stroke outcome measure=0, modified Rankin scale=0). At 3-month follow-up the patient has not had any recurrent stroke or concern for stroke-like symptoms. We review the literature on mechanical thrombectomy and DWI changes in acute stroke in early to middle childhood (<12 years old).
Managing wolves (Canis lupus) to recover threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Alberta
Authors: Hervieux Dave , Hebblewhite Mark , Stepnisky Dave , Bacon Michelle , Boutin Stan
Published: November 2014

Across Canada, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)) populations are declining because of human-induced changes to food webs that are resulting in apparent competition-induced increases in predator-caused caribou mortality. We tested the hypothesis that wolf (Canis lupus L., 1758) population reduction could reverse declines in a woodland caribou population following a BACI (before-after-control-impact) design conducted over a 12-year period in west-central Alberta, Canada. We monitored annual survival for 172 adult female caribou and calf recruitment from 2000 through 2012 and conducted a provincial government delivered wolf population reduction program annually during the winters of 2005–2006 to 2012 (inclusive) in an area centered on the Little Smoky range. Wolf removal translated to a 4.6% increase in mean population growth rate of the Little Smoky population mostly through improvements in calf recruitment. In contrast, the Red Rock Prairie Creek control population exhibited a 4.7% decline. Although the wolf population reduction program appeared to stabilize the Little Smoky population, it did not lead to population increase, however, with λ remaining approximately equal to 1. Therefore, we recommend, if required, predation management be combined with effective habitat conservation and long-term planning to effect the recovery of species, such as woodland caribou, which are declining as a result of habitat-mediated apparent competition.
A brief review of Badger–Bauer rule and its validation from a first-principles approach
Authors: Bhatta Ram S. , Iyer Prasad P. , Dhinojwala Ali , Tsige Mesfin
Published: November 2014

Understanding the acid-base interactions is important in chemistry, biology and material science as it helps to rationalize materials properties such as interfacial properties, wetting, adhesion and adsorption. Quantitative relation between changes in enthalpy (ΔH) and frequency shift (Δν) during the acid-base complexation is particularly important. We investigate ΔH and Δν of twenty-five complexes of acids (methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and phenol) with bases (benzene, pyridine, DMSO, Et 2 O and THF) in CCl 4 using intermolecular perturbation theory calculations. ΔH and Δν of complexes of all alcohols with bases except benzene fall in the range from -14 kJ mol-1 to -30 kJ mol-1 and 215 cm-1 to 523 cm-1, respectively. Smaller values of ΔH (-2 kJ mol-1 to -6 kJ mol-1) and Δν (23 cm-1 to 70 cm-1) are estimated for benzene. Linear correlations are found between theoretical and experimental values of ΔH as well as Δν. For all the studied complexes, ΔH varies linearly (R2 ≥ 0.97) with Δν concurrent with the Badger–Bauer rule yielding the average slope and intercept of 0.053(± 0.002) kJ mol-1 cm and 2.15(± 0.56) kJ mol-1, respectively.
Ab initio investigation of the structural and electronic properties of the MgFBrxCl1-x quaternary alloy
Authors: Mokhtari Ali , Alidoosti Mohammad
Published: November 2014

In the present work, we have performed first principles calculations to study the structural and electronic properties of the MgFBr x Cl 1-x quaternary alloys using the pseudo-potential plane wave approach within the framework of density functional theory. By using the optimized initial parameters, we have obtained the physical quantities such as equilibrium lattice constants a and c, cohesive energy and band gap and then fitted the results by a quadratic expression for all x compositions. The results of bulk modulus exhibit nearly linear concentration dependence (LCD) but other quantities show nonlinear dependence. Finally, we have calculated the total and angular momentum decomposed (partial) density of states and determined the contributions of different orbitals of each atoms.
Investigations of the coupling of spin-orbital in MgTi2O4 by the magnetic entropy measurements
Authors: Zhu Yuanyuan , Wang Rongjun , Wang Li , Liu Yong , Xiong Rui , Shi Jing
Published: November 2014

Single phase MgTi 2 O 4 compound was synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and specific heat measurements show that MgTi 2 O 4 takes place in phase transition at 258 K. Magnetic entropy measurements show that the change of magnetic entropy ΔSM is positive and ΔSM increases more quickly than H2/3 near the transition; while ΔSM is negative and |ΔSM| (the absolute value) increases slowly with applied field increasing at lower temperature. The change of ΔSM at different temperature range is suggested to be related not only to spin entropy change, but also orbital entropy change. The magnetic phases of MgTi 2 O 4 are suggested to be Pauli paramagnetic, collinear antiferromagnetic and non-collinear antiferromagnetic order with temperature decrease.
Essential spectrum of a fermionic quantum field model
Authors: Takaesu Toshimitsu
Published: November 2014

An interaction system of a fermionic quantum field is considered. The state space is defined by a tensor product space of a fermion Fock space and a Hilbert space. It is assumed that the total Hamiltonian is a self-adjoint operator on the state space and bounded from below. Then it is proven that a subset of real numbers is the essential spectrum of the total Hamiltonian. It is applied to a Yukawa interaction system, which is a system of a Dirac field coupled to a Klein–Gordon, and the HVZ theorem is obtained.
Elliptic stochastic partial differential equations with two reflecting walls
Authors: Yue Wen , Zhang Tusheng
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we study elliptic stochastic partial differential equations with two reflecting walls h1 and h2, driven by multiplicative noise. The existence and uniqueness of the solutions are established.
CAR flows on type III factors and their extendability
Authors: Bikram Panchugopal
Published: November 2014

In this paper we prove that the CAR flows on type III factors arising from a large class of quasi-free states are not extendable, in the sense of Bikram, Izumi, Srinivasan and Sunder.8As a consequence, CAR flows and CCR flows on type III factors are not cocycle conjugate. This is in sharp contrast with the situation for the type I∞factor, for which CAR and CCR flows are in fact conjugate. In addition, we also compute the super-product systems associated to CAR flows.
Renormalized-generalized solutions for the KPZ equation
Authors: Catuogno Pedro , Olivera Christian
Published: November 2014

This work introduces a new notion of solution for the KPZ equation, in particular, our approach encompasses the Cole–Hopf solution. We set in the context of the distribution theory the proposed results by Bertini and Giacomin from the mid '90s.

This new approach provides a pathwise notion of solution as well as a structured approximation theory. The developments are based on regularization arguments from the theory of distributions.
Meso-dichlorophenyl substitutedCo(III) corrole: A selective electrocatalyst for the two-electron reduction of dioxygen in acid media, X-ray crystal structure analysis and electrochemistry
Authors: Tang Jijun , Ou Zhongping , Ye Lina , Yuan Minzhu , Fang Yuanyuan , Xue Zhaoli , Kadish Karl M.
Published: November 2014

A cobalt(III) corrole, represented as ( Cl2Ph )3CorCo ( PPh3), where ( Cl2Ph )3Cor is the trianion of 5,10,15-tri(2,4-dichlorophenyl)corrole, was synthesized and characterized as to its electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties. Single-crystal structure analysis showed the corrole to be monoclinic and have a space group P21/c with α = 13.441(3), b = 28.058(6), c = 27.584(6) Å, α = 90, β = 92.75(3), γ = 90°, Mr= 1144.38, V = 1039.1(4) Å3, Z = 8, Dc= 1.463 mg/cm3, μ = 0.816, F(000) = 4644, Rint= 0.0447, R(I > 4σ(I)) = 0.0769, wR(I > 4σ(I)) = 0.2104, R( all data ) = 0.1214 and wR( all data ) = 0.2705. The compound was also examined as a catalyst for the electroreduction of dioxygen when coated on an edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode in 1.0 M HClO4. Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry with a rotating disk electrode (RDE) or a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) were utilized to evaluate the catalytic activity of the corrole and elucidate the products of reduction, H2O or H2O2. Analysis of the data shows exclusively a two-electron transfer process to give 100% H2O2as the product and no H2O was detectable.
TIRSPEC: TIFR Near Infrared Spectrometer and Imager
Authors: Ninan J. P. , Ojha D. K. , Ghosh S. K. , D'Costa S. L. A. , Naik M. B. , Poojary S. S. , Sandimani P. R. , Meshram G. S. , Jadhav R. B. , Bhagat S. B. , Gharat S. M. , Bakalkar C. B. , Prabhu T. P. , Anupama G. C. , Toomey D. W.
Published: November 2014

We describe the TIFR Near Infrared Spectrometer and Imager (TIRSPEC) designed and built in collaboration with M/s. Mauna Kea Infrared LLC, Hawaii, USA, now in operation on the side port of the 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT), Hanle (Ladakh), India at an altitude of 4500 meters above mean sea level (amsl). The TIRSPEC provides for various modes of operation which include photometry with broad and narrow band filters, spectrometry in single order mode with long slits of 300″ length and different widths, with order sorter filters in the Y, J, H and K bands and a grism as the dispersing element as well as a cross dispersed mode to give a coverage of 1.0 to 2.5 μm at a resolving power R of ~1200. The TIRSPEC uses a Teledyne 1024 × 1024 pixel Hawaii-1 PACE array detector with a cutoff wavelength of 2.5 μm and on HCT, provides a field of view of 307″ × 307″ with a plate scale of 0.3″/pixel. The TIRSPEC was successfully commissioned in June 2013 and the subsequent characterization and astronomical observations are presented here. The TIRSPEC has been made available to the worldwide astronomical community for science observations from May 2014.
Role of homocysteinylation of ACE in endothelial dysfunction of arteries
Authors: Huang An , Pinto John T. , Froogh Ghezal , Kandhi Sharath , Qin Jun , Wolin Michael S. , Hintze Thomas H. , Sun Dong
Published: November 2014

The direct impact of de novo synthesis of homocysteine (Hcy) and its reactive metabolites, Hcy-S-S-Hcy and Hcy thiolactone (HCTL), on vascular function has not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that Hcy synthesized within endothelial cells affects activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by direct homocysteinylation of its amino- and/or sulfhydryl moieties. This covalent modification enhances ACE reactivity toward angiotensin II (ANG II)-NADPH oxidase-superoxide-dependent endothelial dysfunction. Mesenteric and coronary arteries isolated from normal rats were incubated for 3 days with or without exogenous methionine (Met, 0.1–0.3 mM), a precursor to Hcy. Incubation of arteries in Met-free media resulted in time-dependent decreases in vascular Hcy formation. By contrast, vessels incubated with Met produced Hcy in a dose-dependent manner. There was a notably greater de novo synthesis of Hcy from endothelial than from smooth muscle cells. Enhanced levels of Hcy production significantly impaired shear stress-induced dilation and release of nitric oxide, events that are associated with elevated production of vascular superoxide. Each of these processes was attenuated by ANG II type I receptor blocker or ACE and NADPH oxidase inhibitors. In addition, in vitro exposure of purified ACE to Hcy-S-S-Hcy/HCTL resulted in formation of homocysteinylated ACE and an enhanced ACE activity. The enhanced ACE activity was confirmed in isolated coronary and mesenteric arteries that had been exposed directly to Hcy-S-S-Hcy/HCTL or after Met incubation. In conclusion, vasculature-derived Hcy initiates endothelial dysfunction that, in part, may be mediated by ANG II-dependent activation of NADPH oxidase in association with homocysteinylation of ACE.
Interval exercise, but not endurance exercise, prevents endothelial ischemia-reperfusion injury in healthy subjects
Authors: Seeger Joost P. H. , Lenting Charlotte J. , Schreuder Tim H. A. , Landman Thijs R. J. , Timothy Cable N. , Hopman Maria T. E. , Thijssen Dick H. J.
Published: November 2014

Endothelial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury importantly contributes to the poor prognosis during ischemic (myocardial) events. Preconditioning, i.e., repeated exposure to short periods of ischemia, effectively reduces endothelial I/R injury. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that exercise has preconditioning effects on endothelial I/R injury. Therefore, we studied whether an acute bout of endurance or interval exercise is able to protect against endothelial I/R injury. In 17 healthy young subjects, we examined changes in brachial artery endothelial function using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) before and after a bout of high-intensity interval exercise, moderate-intensity endurance exercise, or a control intervention. Subsequently, I/R injury was induced by inflation of a blood pressure cuff around the upper arm to 220 mmHg for 20 min and 20 min of reperfusion followed by another FMD measurement. Near-infrared spectrometry was used to examine local tissue oxygenation during exercise. No differences in brachial artery FMD were found at baseline for the three conditions. I/R induced a significant decline in FMD (7.1 ± 2.3 to 4.3 ± 2.3, P < 0.001). When preceded by the interval exercise bout, no change in FMD was present after I/R (7.7 ± 3.1 to 7.2 ± 3.1, P = 0.56), whereas the decrease in FMD after I/R could not be prevented by the endurance exercise bout (7.8 ± 3.1 to 3.8 ± 1.7, P < 0.001). In conclusion, a single bout of lower limb interval exercise, but not moderate-intensity endurance exercise, effectively prevents brachial artery endothelial I/R injury. This indicates the presence of a remote preconditioning effect of exercise, which is selectively present after short-term interval but not continuous exercise in healthy young subjects.
Serotonin 5-HT2receptor activation prevents allergic asthma in a mouse model
Authors: Nau Felix , Miller Justin , Saravia Jordy , Ahlert Terry , Yu Bangning , Happel Kyle I. , Cormier Stephania A. , Nichols Charles D.
Published: November 2014

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lung characterized by airways hyper-responsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and mucus hyperproduction. Current mainstream therapies include bronchodilators that relieve bronchoconstriction and inhaled glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation. The small molecule hormone and neurotransmitter serotonin has long been known to be involved in inflammatory processes; however, its precise role in asthma is unknown. We have previously established that activation of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2Areceptors has potent anti-inflammatory activity in primary cultures of vascular tissues and in the whole animal in vasculature and gut tissues. The 5-HT2Areceptor agonist, ( R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [( R)-DOI] is especially potent. In this work, we have examined the effect of ( R)-DOI in an established mouse model of allergic asthma. In the ovalbumin mouse model of allergic inflammation, we demonstrate that inhalation of ( R)-DOI prevents the development of many key features of allergic asthma, including AHR, mucus hyperproduction, airways inflammation, and pulmonary eosinophil recruitment. Our results highlight a likely role of the 5-HT2receptors in allergic airways disease and suggest that 5-HT2receptor agonists may represent an effective and novel small molecule-based therapy for asthma.
Deficiency of Akt1, but not Akt2, attenuates the development of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Tang Haiyang , Chen Jiwang , Fraidenburg Dustin R. , Song Shanshan , Sysol Justin R. , Drennan Abigail R. , Offermanns Stefan , Ye Richard D. , Bonini Marcelo G. , Minshall Richard D. , Garcia Joe G. N. , Machado Roberto F. , Makino Ayako , Yuan Jason X.-J.
Published: November 2014

Pulmonary vascular remodeling, mainly attributable to enhanced pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, is a major cause for elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The signaling cascade through Akt, comprised of three isoforms (Akt1–3) with distinct but overlapping functions, is involved in regulating cell proliferation and migration. This study aims to investigate whether the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and particularly which Akt isoform, contributes to the development and progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Compared with the wild-type littermates, Akt1 −/− mice were protected against the development and progression of chronic HPH, whereas Akt2 −/− mice did not demonstrate any significant protection against the development of HPH. Furthermore, pulmonary vascular remodeling was significantly attenuated in the Akt1 −/− mice, with no significant effect noted in the Akt2 −/− mice after chronic exposure to normobaric hypoxia (10% O2). Overexpression of the upstream repressor of Akt signaling, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), and conditional and inducible knockout of mTOR in smooth muscle cells were also shown to attenuate the rise in right ventricular systolic pressure and the development of right ventricular hypertrophy. In conclusion, Akt isoforms appear to have a unique function within the pulmonary vasculature, with the Akt1 isoform having a dominant role in pulmonary vascular remodeling associated with HPH. The PTEN/Akt1/mTOR signaling pathway will continue to be a critical area of study in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, and specific Akt isoforms may help specify therapeutic targets for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.