bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel enteric neuron–glia coculture system reveals the role of glia in neuronal development
Authors: Le Berre‐Scoul Catherine , Chevalier Julien , Oleynikova Elena , Cossais François , Talon Sophie , Neunlist Michel , Boudin Hélène
Published: July 2016

Key points

Unlike astrocytes in the brain, the potential role of enteric glial cells (EGCs) in the formation of the enteric neuronal circuit is currently unknown.

To examine the role of EGCs in the formation of the neuronal network, we developed a novel neuron‐enriched culture model from embryonic rat intestine grown in indirect coculture with EGCs.

We found that EGCs shape axonal complexity and synapse density in enteric neurons, through purinergic‐ and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor‐dependent pathways.

Using a novel and valuable culture model to study enteric neuron–glia interactions, our study identified EGCs as a key cellular actor regulating neuronal network maturation.

In the nervous system, the formation of neuronal circuitry results from a complex and coordinated action of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In the CNS, extrinsic mediators derived from astrocytes have been shown to play a key role in neuronal maturation, including dendritic shaping, axon guidance and synaptogenesis. In the enteric nervous system (ENS), the potential role of enteric glial cells (EGCs) in the maturation of developing enteric neuronal circuit is currently unknown. A major obstacle in addressing this question is the difficulty in obtaining a valuable experimental model in which enteric neurons could be isolated and maintained without EGCs. We adapted a cell culture method previously developed for CNS neurons to establish a neuron‐enriched primary culture from embryonic rat intestine which was cultured in indirect coculture with EGCs. We demonstrated that enteric neurons grown in such conditions showed several structural, phenotypic and functional hallmarks of proper development and maturation. However, when neurons were grown without EGCs, the complexity of the axonal arbour and the density of synapses were markedly reduced, suggesting that glial‐derived factors contribute strongly to the formation of the neuronal circuitry. We found that these effects played by EGCs were mediated in part through purinergic P2Y1 receptor‐ and glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor‐dependent pathways. Using a novel and valuable culture model to study enteric neuron–glia interactions, our study identified EGCs as a key cellular actor required for neuronal network maturation.
Metaboreflex activation delays heart rate recovery after aerobic exercise in never‐treated hypertensive men
Authors: Peçanha Tiago , de Brito Leandro Campos , Fecchio Rafael Yokoyama , de Sousa Patricia Nascimento , da Silva Junior Natan Daniel , de Abreu Andrea Pio , da Silva Giovanio Vieira , Mion‐Junior Décio , Forjaz Cláudia Lúcia de Moraes
Published: July 2016

Key points

Recent evidence indicates that metaboreflex regulates heart rate recovery after exercise (HRR).

An increased metaboreflex activity during the post‐exercise period might help to explain the reduced HRR observed in hypertensive subjects.

Using lower limb circulatory occlusion, the present study showed that metaboreflex activation during the post‐exercise period delayed HRR in never‐treated hypertensive men compared to normotensives.

These findings may be relevant for understanding the physiological mechanisms associated with autonomic dysfunction in hypertensive men.

Muscle metaboreflex influences heart rate (HR) regulation after aerobic exercise. Therefore, increased metaboreflex sensitivity may help to explain the delayed HR recovery (HRR) reported in hypertension. The present study assessed and compared the effect of metaboreflex activation after exercise on HRR, cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) in normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) men. Twenty‐three never‐treated HT and 25 NT men randomly underwent two‐cycle ergometer exercise sessions (30 min, 70% ) followed by 5 min of inactive recovery performed with (occlusion) or without (control) leg circulatory occlusion (bilateral thigh cuffs inflated to a suprasystolic pressure). HRR was assessed via HR reduction after 30, 60 and 300 s of recovery (HRR30s, HRR60s and HRR300s), as well as by the analysis of short‐ and long‐term time constants of HRR. cBRS was assessed by sequence technique and HRV by the root mean square residual and the root mean square of successive differences between adjacent RR intervals on subsequent 30 s segments. Data were analysed using two‐ and three‐way ANOVA. HRR60s and cBRS were significant and similarly reduced in both groups in the occlusion compared to the control session (combined values: 20 ± 10 vs. 26 ± 9 beats min–1 and 2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 3.2 ± 2.4 ms mmHg−1, respectively, P < 0.05). HRR300s and HRV were also reduced in the occlusion session, although these reductions were significantly greater in HT compared to NT (−16 ± 11 vs. −8 ± 15 beats min–1 for HRR300s, P < 0.05). The results support the role of metaboreflex in HRR and suggest that increased metaboreflex sensitivity may partially explain the delayed HRR observed in HT men.
Reduced-Order Models for Blisks With Small and Large Mistuning and Friction Dampers
Authors: Tang Weihan , Baek Seunghun , Epureanu Bogdan I.
Published: July 2016

In operation, rotating bladed disks (blisks) are often subject to high levels of dynamic loading, resulting in large amplitudes of forced vibrations especially at resonance. Moreover, variations in structural properties of individual sectors, referred to as mistuning, can lead to strain energy localization and can amplify forced responses. To prevent damages caused by high cycle fatigue, various frictional damping sources are introduced to dissipate vibration energy. Due to the nonlinear behavior of frictional contacts, conventional methods to study the dynamics of the blisk–damper systems are based often on numerical time integration, which is time-consuming and can be computationally prohibitive due to the large sizes of commercial blisk models. Existing techniques for model reduction either rely heavily on cyclic symmetry of the blisk–damper system or are based on component mode synthesis (CMS). However, in the presence of mistuning, cyclic symmetry no longer exists. Also, mistuning is random and best studied statistically. Repetitive CMS condensation for a large amount of random mistuning patterns can lead to a computationally formidable task. This paper presents a reduced-order modeling (ROM) technique to efficiently capture the nonlinear dynamic responses of blisk–damper systems with both small perturbations in blade material properties (small mistuning) and significant changes in the blisk geometries (large mistuning). The ROMs are formed by projecting the blisk–damper systems onto a novel mode basis that mimics the contact behavior. This mode basis contains normal mode shapes of the mistuned blisk–damper systems with either sliding or sticking conditions enforced on the contact surfaces. These mode shapes are computed through the N-PRIME method, a technique recently developed by the authors to efficiently obtain mode shapes for blisks with simultaneous large and small mistuning. The resulting modal nonlinear equations of motion (EOM) are solved by a hybrid frequency/time (HFT) domain method with continuation. In the HFT method, the contact status and friction forces are determined in the time domain by a quasi-two-dimensional contact model at each contact point, whereas the modal EOM are solved in the frequency domain according to a harmonic balance formulation. The forced responses computed by the proposed ROMs are validated for two systems with distinct mistuning patterns. A statistical analysis is performed to study the effectiveness of the frictional dampers under random mistuning patterns.
Engineering Resilience Quantification and System Design Implications: A Literature Survey
Authors: Yodo Nita , Wang Pingfeng
Published: July 2016

A resilient system is a system that possesses the ability to survive and recover from the likelihood of damage due to disruptive events or mishaps. The concept that incorporates resiliency into engineering practices is known as engineering resilience. To date, engineering resilience is still predominantly application-oriented. Despite an increase in the usage of engineering resilience concept, the diversity of its applications in various engineering sectors complicates a universal agreement on its quantification and associated measurement techniques. There is a pressing need to develop a generally applicable engineering resilience analysis framework, which standardizes the modeling, assessment, and improvement of engineering resilience for a broader engineering discipline. This paper provides a literature survey of engineering resilience from the design perspective, with a focus on engineering resilience metrics and their design implications. The currently available engineering resilience quantification metrics are reviewed and summarized, the design implications toward the development of resilient-engineered systems are discussed, and further, the challenges of incorporating resilience into engineering design processes are evaluated. The presented study expects to serve as a building block toward developing a generally applicable engineering resilience analysis framework that can be readily used for system design.
Numerical solutions of reaction-diffusion equations: Application to neural and cardiac models
Authors: Ji Yanyan Claire , Fenton Flavio H.
Published: July 2016

We describe the implementation of the explicit Euler, Crank-Nicolson, and implicit alternating direction methods for solving partial differential equations and apply these methods to obtain numerical solutions of three excitable-media models used to study neurons and cardiomyocyte dynamics. We discuss the implementation, accuracy, speed, and stability of these numerical methods.
Spatial curvature, spacetime curvature, and gravity
Authors: Price Richard H.
Published: July 2016

The belief that curved spacetime gravity cannot be simply and correctly presented results in such misleading presentations as elastic two-dimensional sheets deformed as they support heavy objects. This article attempts to show that the conceptual basis of curved spacetime gravity can be simply and correctly presented, and that the spatial curvature of a deformed elastic sheet is very different from the spacetime curvature underlying gravity. This article introduces the idea of a “splittable” spacetime that has spatial curvature, but is missing most of the manifestations of gravity. A section in which no mathematics is used is directed at students who have studied no more than introductory physics. A separate section, for students who have taken only an introductory course in general relativity, gives mathematical arguments centering on splittable spacetimes.
Surface/interface effects on the effective propagation constants of coherent waves in composites with random parallel nanofibers
Authors: Kong Zhi , Wei Peijun , Jiao Fengyu
Published: July 2016

The effective propagation constants of elastic waves in an inhomogeneous medium with randomly distributed parallel cylindrical nanofibers are studied. First, the surface energy theory proposed by Huang and Wang (Handbook of Micromechanics and Nanomechanics, 2013) is used to derive the nontraditional boundary conditions on the surfaces of the nanoholes and the interfaces between the nanofibers and the host. Then, the scattering matrix of individual scatterer (cylindrical hole or nanofiber) is derived from the nontraditional boundary condition. The total wave field is obtained by considering the multiple scattering processes among the dispersive scatterers. The configuration average of the total wave field results in the coherent waves or the averaged waves. By using the corrected Linton-Martin formula, the effective propagation constants (effective speed and effective attenuation) of the coherent waves are estimated. The in-plane waves (P and SV waves) and the anti-plane waves (SH wave) are considered, respectively, and the numerical results are shown graphically. Apart from the effects of surface elasticity, the effects of inertia of surface/interface and the effects of residual surface tension (which are often ignored in the previous literature) are also considered. Moreover, the influences of the nonsymmetric parts of in-plane surface stress and the out-of-plane parts of the surface stress are both discussed first based on the numerical examples. These investigations show the underestimation and overestimation of effective propagation constants caused by various simplifications.
Whistle source levels of free-ranging beluga whales in Saguenay-St. Lawrence marine park
Authors: Le Bot Olivier , Simard Yvan , Roy Nathalie , Mars Jérôme I. , Gervaise Cédric
Published: July 2016

Wild beluga whistle source levels (SLs) are estimated from 52 three-dimensional (3D) localized calls using a 4-hydrophone array. The probability distribution functions of the root-mean-square (rms) SL in the time domain, and the peak, the strongest 3-dB, and 10-dB SLs from the spectrogram, were non-Gaussian. The average rms SL was 143.8 ± 6.7 dB re 1 μPa at 1 m. SL spectral metrics were, respectively, 145.8 ± 8 dB, 143.2 ± 7.1 dB, and 138.5 ± 6.9 dB re 1 μPa2·Hz−1 at 1 m.
Epigenetic activation of the drug transporter OCT2 sensitizes renal cell carcinoma to oxaliplatin
Authors: Liu Yanqing , Zheng Xiaoli , Yu Qinqin , Wang Hua , Tan Fuqing , Zhu Qianying , Yuan Lingmin , Jiang Huidi , Yu Lushan , Zeng Su
Published: July 2016

The expression of drug transporter OCT2 is suppressed in renal cell carcinoma, and targeting this pathway sensitizes the tumor to oxaliplatin.
Aerococcus urinae, a rare cause of infective endocarditis
Authors: Melnick Stephen , Nazir Salik , Hingorani Rittu , Wexler Philip
Published: July 2016

We present the case of an elderly male who was initially seen in our hospital for a urinary tract infection that was treated with oral ciprofloxacin. He was admitted 2 weeks later with altered mental status and fever, and was found to have bacteraemia withAerococcus urinae. Owing to altered mental status a brain MRI was performed which showed evidence of embolic stroke. Following this, a transesophageal echocardiogram showed severe mitral regurgitation and a vegetation >1 cm involving the mitral valve with associated destruction of posterior valve leaflets. The patient was started on antibiotics intravenous penicillin G and intravenous gentamicin for a total duration of 6 weeks. He underwent mitral valve replacement on day 4 of hospitalisation. The postoperative course was complicated by ventilator-dependent respiratory failure, requiring tracheostomy and eventual transfer to a skilled nursing facility. Unfortunately, he died after 2 weeks of stay at the facility.
Job satisfaction and associated factors among healthcare staff: a cross-sectional study in Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Lu Yong , Hu Xiao-Min , Huang Xiao-Liang , Zhuang Xiao-Dong , Guo Pi , Feng Li-Fen , Hu Wei , Chen Long , Hao Yuan-Tao
Published: July 2016

Objectives

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore job satisfaction among healthcare staff in Guangdong following the health system reforms in 2009, and to investigate the association between job satisfaction and work stress, work–family conflict and doctor–patient relationship.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

The Fifth National Health Service Survey was carried out in Guangdong, China.

Participants

All participants in this study were healthcare staff including physicians, nurses and public health staff from hospitals, health service centres and health clinics. A total of 6583 questionnaires were distributed and collected. After excluding the incomplete questionnaires, 5845 questionnaires were included for the analysis.

Outcome measures

Sociodemographic information and scores for evaluating job satisfaction, work stress, work–family conflict and doctor–patient relationship were obtained using the questionnaire developed by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China. To assess the significantly associated factors on job satisfaction of the healthcare staff in Guangdong, a binary logistic regression model was used.

Results

Based on the 5845 valid responses of the healthcare staff who worked in Guangdong, the mean score of overall perception of job satisfaction was 3.99 on a scale of 1–6. Among the sociodemographic variables, occupation, educational background, professional status, years of service, annual income and night shift frequency significantly influenced the level of job satisfaction. Work stress, work–family conflict and doctor–patient relationship also had significant effect on job satisfaction.

Conclusions

The overall job satisfaction exceeded slightly dissatisfied (score 3) and approached slightly satisfied (score 4). Measures to enhance job satisfaction include the reduction of workload, increase of welfare, maintaining moderate stress and balancing work–family conflict. Moreover, relevant laws should be issued to protect the healthcare staff from violent acts.
Person-centred rehabilitation: what exactly does it mean? Protocol for a scoping review with thematic analysis towards framing the concept and practice of person-centred rehabilitation
Authors: Jesus Tiago S , Bright Felicity , Kayes Nicola , Cott Cheryl A
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Person-centredness is a philosophy for organising and delivering healthcare based on patients’ needs, preferences and experiences. Although widely endorsed, the concept suffers from a lack of detail and clarification, in turn accounting for ambiguous implementation and outcomes. While a conceptual framework based on a systematic review defines person/patient-centred care components (Schollet al, 2014), it applies across healthcare contexts and may not be sensitive to the nuances of the rehabilitation of adults with physical impairments. Accordingly, this study aims to build a conceptual framework, based on existing literature, of what person-centredness means in the rehabilitation of adults with physical impairments in the clinical encounter and broader health service delivery.

Methods and analysis

We will use a scoping review methodology. Searches on relevant databases will be conducted first, combining keywords for ‘rehabilitation’, ‘person-centered’ and associated terms (including patient preferences/experiences). Next, snowball searches (citation tracking, references lists) will be performed. Papers will be included if they fall within predefined selection categories (seen as most likely informative on elements pertaining to person-centred rehabilitation) and are written in English, regardless of design (conceptual, qualitative, quantitative). Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, followed by screening of the full text to determine inclusion. Experts will then be consulted to identify relevant missing papers. This can include elements other than the peer-reviewed literature (eg, book chapters, policy/legal papers). Finally, information that helps to build the concept and practice of person-centred rehabilitation will be abstracted independently by two reviewers and analysed by inductive thematic analysis to build the conceptual framework.

Dissemination

The resulting framework will aid clarification regarding person-centred rehabilitation, which in turn is expected to conceptually ground and inform its operationalisation (eg, measurement, implementation, improvement). Findings will be disseminated through local, national and international stakeholders, both at the clinical and service organisation levels.
Operationalising emergency care delivery in sub-Saharan Africa: consensus-based recommendations for healthcare facilities
Authors: Calvello Emilie J B , Tenner Andrea G , Broccoli Morgan C , Skog Alexander P , Muck Andrew E , Tupesis Janis P , Brysiewicz Petra , Teklu Sisay , Wallis Lee , Reynolds Teri
Published: July 2016

A major barrier to successful integration of acute care into health systems is the lack of consensus on the essential components of emergency care within resource-limited environments. The 2013 African Federation of Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference was convened to address the growing need for practical solutions to further implementation of emergency care in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 40 participants from 15 countries participated in the working group that focused on emergency care delivery at health facilities. Using the well-established approach developed in the WHO'sMonitoring Emergency Obstetric Care, the workgroup identified the essential services delivered—signal functions—associated with each emergency care sentinel condition. Levels of emergency care were assigned based on the expected capacity of the facility to perform signal functions, and the necessary human, equipment and infrastructure resources identified. These consensus-based recommendations provide the foundation for objective facility capacity assessment in developing emergency health systems that can bolster strategic planning as well as facilitate monitoring and evaluation of service delivery.
Does emergency physician empathy reduce thoughts of litigation? A randomised trial
Authors: Smith Dustin D , Kellar Jesse , Walters Elizabeth L , Reibling Ellen T , Phan Tammy , Green Steven M
Published: July 2016

Background

We hypothesised the addition of brief empathetic statements to physician–patient interaction might decrease thoughts regarding litigation.

Methods

We enrolled a convenience sample of adults in our emergency department (ED) waiting room into a randomised, double-blind controlled trial. Subjects watched videos of simulated discharge conversations between physicians and patient actors; half of the videos differed only by the inclusion of two brief empathetic statements: verbalisations that (1) the physician recognises that the patient is concerned about their symptoms and (2) the patient knows their typical state of health better than a physician seeing them for the first time and did the right thing by seeking evaluation. After watching the video subjects were asked to score a five-point Likert scale their thoughts regarding suing this physician in the event of a missed outcome leading to lost work (primary outcome), and four measures of satisfaction with the physician encounter (secondary outcomes).

Results

We enrolled and randomised 437 subjects. 213 in the empathy group and 208 in the non-empathy group completed the trial. Sixteen subjects did not complete the trial due to computer malfunction or incomplete data sheets. Empathy group subjects reported statistically significant less thoughts of litigation than the non-empathy group (mean Likert scale 2.66 vs 2.95, difference −0.29, 95% CI −0.04 to −0.54, p=0.0176). All four secondary measures of satisfaction with the physician encounter were better in the empathy group.

Conclusions

In this study, the addition of brief empathetic statements to ED discharge scenarios was associated with a statistically significant reduction in thoughts regarding litigation.

Clinical trial registration

NCT01837706.
BET 3: Bedside lung ultrasound for the diagnosis of pneumonia in children
Authors: Audette Louis-David , Parent Marc-Charles
Published: July 2016

A short cut review was carried to examine the evidence for the use of ultrasound in diagnosing pneumonia in paediatric patients. A literature search was performed that found one systematic review and meta-analysis based on eight papers and a further five relevant papers. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that lung ultrasound appears to have an acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pneumonia in children when performed by an experienced sonographer.
Relationship of 18F-Fdg Pet/Ct Metabolic, Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix
Authors: Xu Weina , Yu Shupeng , Xin Jun , Guo Qiyong
Published: July 2016

The objectives of this retrospective study were to use preoperative 18fluoro-d-glucose (18FDG) PET/CT in patients with primary cervical squamous cell carcinoma to explore the relationship between clinical, pathological and metabolic characteristics. Eighty consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of cervix received 18FDG PET/CT scan before treatment. Metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and the peak standardized uptake value (SUVpeak) of the cervical tumors were calculated by an iterative adaptive algorithm. The association of these metabolic markers with serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-ag), International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, maximum tumor size and depth of cervical stromal invasion of the tumor was determined by the multivariate analysis. MTV and TLG were significantly higher in subjects with serum SCC-ag levels ≥3.95, with FIGO stage 1b2 and with a maximum tumor size of ≥4 cm (p≤0.009). Higher SUVpeak levels were associated with a maximum tumor size of ≥4 cm and with a cervical stromal invasion depth of ≥1/2 (p≤0.003). Multivariate analysis indicated that MTV was independently associated with FIGO stage Ib2 (p=0.041) and depth of cervical stromal invasion (p=0.020). TLG and SUVpeak were independently associated with maximum tumor size (p≤0.004) and depth of cervical stromal invasion (p≤0.013). Significant linear correlation was found between SUVpeak and tumor size; the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.34 (p=0.002). Metabolic parameters such as MTV, TLG and SUVpeak are able to predict clinical and pathological status in preoperative cervical cancer.
Efficacy of a two-test protocol for achieving a therapeutic response to clopidogrel prior to elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment and an ‘induced’ postoperative hyper-response
Authors: Kayan Yasha , Delgado Almandoz Josser E , Fease Jennifer L , Milner Anna M , Scholz Jill M , Mulder Maximilian
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Variable response to clopidogrel can impact perioperative risk in elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment. The present study aims to determine the efficacy of a two-test protocol in reaching in-range preoperative P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) of 60–240 and the rate of postoperative conversion to hyper-response.

Methods

A 17-day two-test protocol (with tests on days 10 and 17) for patients starting clopidogrel in anticipation of elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment was introduced in February 2013 at our institution. Records for patients started on this protocol through December 2014 were reviewed for preoperative and postoperative PRUs, patient and procedural data, and thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events within 30 days. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of postoperative hyper-response (p<0.05 considered significant).

Results

103 patients (80 women) of mean age 57 years were included. 74 patients (71.8%) were in range at the first test and 92 patients (89.3%) were in range at the second test. A postoperative test was performed in 82 patients (79.6%) at a median of 9 days. 51 patients (62.2%) converted into hyper-responders. There were five non-disabling strokes and one intracranial hemorrhage within 30 days. There were no major strokes (modified Rankin Scale score >2) or deaths. There was no association between out-of-range PRU and thromboembolic or hemorrhagic neurological complications.

Conclusions

The protocol achieves in-range preoperative PRU by the second test in almost nine of 10 patients. Nearly two-thirds of patients exhibited postoperative hyper-response to clopidogrel. Out-of-range PRU was not associated with thromboembolic or hemorrhagic neurological complications in this cohort of patients with actively managed P2Y12 inhibition.
Prevalence ofcry2-type genes inBacillus thuringiensisisolates recovered from diverse habitats in India and isolation of a novelcry2Af2gene toxic toHelicoverpa armigera(cotton boll worm)
Authors: Katara Jawahar Lal , Kaur Sarvjeet , Kumari Gouthami Krishna , Singh Nagendra Kumar
Published: July 2016

Insecticidal cry and vip genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been used for control of lepidopteran insects in transgenic crops. However, novel genes are required for gene pyramiding to delay evolution of resistance to the currently deployed genes. Two PCR-based techniques were employed for screening of cry2-type genes in 129 Bt isolates from diverse habitats in India and 27 known Bt strains. cry2Ab-type genes were more prevalent than cry2Aa- and cry2Ac-type genes. Correlation between source of isolates and abundance of cry2-type genes was not observed. Full-length cry2A-type genes were amplified by PCR from 9 Bt isolates and 4 Bt strains. The genes from Bt isolates SK-758 from Sorghum grain dust and SK-793 from Chilli seeds warehouse, Andhra Pradesh, were cloned and sequenced. The gene from SK-758 (NCBI GenBank accession No. GQ866915) was novel, while that from SK-793 (NCBI GenBank accession No. GQ866914) was identical to the cry2Ab1 gene. The Bacillus thuringiensis Nomenclature Committee ( http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/toxins2.html ) named these genes cry2Af2 and cry2Ab16, respectively. The cry2Af2 gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and found to be toxic towards Helicoverpa armigera. The cry2Af2 gene will be useful for pyramiding in transgenic crops.
Graphene in turbine blades
Authors: Das D. K. , Swain P. K. , Sahoo S.
Published: July 2016

Graphene, the two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial, draws interest of several researchers due to its many superior properties. It has extensive applications in numerous fields. A turbine is a hydraulic machine which extracts energy from a fluid and converts it into useful work. Recently, Gudukeya and Madanhire have tried to increase the efficiency of Pelton turbine. Beucher et al. have also tried the same by reducing friction between fluid and turbine blades. In this paper, we study the advantages of using graphene as a coating on Pelton turbine blades. It is found that the efficiency of turbines increases, running and maintenance cost is reduced with more power output. By the application of graphene in pipes, cavitation will be reduced, durability of pipes will increase, operation and maintenance cost of water power plants will be less.
Vertical self-organization of Ge1−xMnx nanocolumn multilayers grown on Ge(001) substrates
Authors: Le Thi Giang , Dau Minh Tuan
Published: July 2016

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) has been used to investigate the structural properties of GeMn/Ge nanocolumns multilayer samples grown on Ge(001) substrates by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system. Four bilayers with the spacer thickness in the range between 6 nm and 15 nm and 10 periods of bilayers of Ge[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]/Ge nanocolumn are presented. A simplified 2D model based on the theory of elastic constant interactions has been used to provide reasonable explanations to the vertical self-organization of GeMn nanocolumns in multilayers.
Texture Detection for Letter Carving Segmentation of Ancient Copper Inscriptions
Authors: Rasmana Susijanto T. , Suprapto Yoyon K. , Purnama I. Ketut Eddy , Uchimura Keiichi , Koutaki Gou
Published: July 2016

As relics of history, ancient copper inscriptions are found in many countries. Information in the image or letter forms contained on copper ancient inscription has a very high value. The age and environmental factors caused damage to the surface of the inscription and also reduced the appearances of the image and letter. In this paper, we describe a novel segmentation methodology based on multi-texture features for ancient copper inscriptions which were severely damaged. The segmentation results of letters on ancient copper inscriptions by using the proposed method have an average accuracy of 90%. Based on these results, the proposed method is suitable for letter segmentation of the ancient copper inscriptions.
Fuzzy Logic-Based DSE Engine: Reconfiguration for Optimization of Multicore Architectures
Authors: Farhat Iqra , Qadri Muhammad Yasir , Qadri Nadia N. , Ahmed Jameel
Published: July 2016

Moore’s law has been one of the reason behind the evolution of multicore architectures. Modern multicore architectures offer great amount of parallelism and on-chip resources that remain underutilized. This is partly due to inefficient resource allocation by operating system or application being executed. Consequently the poor resource utilization results in greater energy consumption and less throughput. This paper presents a fuzzy logic-based design space exploration (DSE) approach to reconfigure a multicore architecture according to workload requirements. The target design space is explored for L1 and L2 cache size and associativity, operating frequency, and number of cores, while the impact of various configurations of these parameters is analyzed on throughput, miss ratios for L1 and L2 cache and energy consumption. MARSSx86, a cycle accurate simulator, running various SPALSH-2 benchmark applications has been used to evaluate the architecture. The proposed fuzzy logic-based DSE approach resulted in reduction in energy consumption along with an overall improved throughput of the system.
Bulk supertranslation memories: A concept reshaping the vacua and black holes of general relativity
Authors: Compère Geoffrey
Published: July 2016

The memory effect is a prediction of general relativity on the same footing as the existence of gravitational waves. The memory effect is understood at future null infinity as a transition induced by null radiation from a Poincaré vacuum to another vacuum. Those are related by a supertranslation, which is a fundamental symmetry of asymptotically flat spacetimes. In this paper, I argue that finite supertranslation diffeomorphisms should be extended into the bulk spacetime consistently with canonical charge conservation. It then leads to fascinating geometrical features of gravitational Poincaré vacua. I then argue that in the process of black hole merger or gravitational collapse, dramatic but computable memory effects occur. They lead to a final stationary metric which qualitatively deviates from the Schwarzschild metric.
Direct dark matter searches and the CDEX research program
Authors: Wong Henry T. , Yue Qian , Kang Kejun
Published: July 2016

We sketch the landscape which gives rise to the missing energy density problem and highlight the direct experimental searches of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) dark matter. An overview of the China Jinping underground laboratory as well as the China dark matter experiment (CDEX) dark matter program based on germanium detectors with sub-keV sensitivities is presented. The achieved results, status as well as the R&D and technology acquisition efforts towards a ton-scale experiment are reported.
Design and implementation of the TAROGE experiment
Authors: Nam J. W. , Chen C.-C. , Chen C.-H. , Chen C.-W. , Chen P. , Chen Y.-C. , Hsu S.-Y. , Huang J.-J. , Huang M.-H. A. , Liu T.-C. , Řípa J. , Shiao Y.-S. , Wang M.-Z. , Wang S.-H.
Published: July 2016

Taiwan astroparticle radiowave observatory for geo-synchrotron emissions (TAROGE) is an antenna array on the high mountains of Taiwan’s east coast for the detection of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) in an energy above [Formula: see text] eV. The antennas point toward the ocean to detect radiowave signals emitted by the UHECR-induced air-shower as a result of its interaction with the geomagnetic field. Looking down from the coastal mountain, the effective area is enhanced by collecting both direct-emission as well as the ocean-reflected signals. This instrument also provides the capability of detecting earth-skimming tau-neutrino through its subsequent tau-decay induced shower. In order to prove the detection concept, initial two stations were successfully built at 1000 m elevation near Heping township, Taiwan, in 2014–2015. Each station consists of 12 log-periodic dipole array antennas for 110–300 MHz. The stations have been operating smoothly for radio survey and optimization of instrumental parameters. In this report, we discuss the design of TAROGE, the performance of the prototype station and the future prospect.
A geomorphological reconstruction of the deglaciation of Loch Etive during the Loch Lomond Stadial
Authors: Audsley Allan , Arosio Riccardo , Howe John A.
Published: July 2016

The Loch Lomond Stadial (LLS) (12.9 – 11.7 ka BP) was the last climatic episode in which Scotland possessed a significant ice mass. Loch and Glen Etive represent one of the best-preserved glacial landsystems in western Scotland, having formed a conduit for ice draining from high on Rannoch Moor. Loch Etive is a glacially over-deepened trough 6 km north of Oban, now a sea loch 30 km long and up to 1.5 km wide, extending from the Firth of Lorn NE towards Rannoch Moor. It is a key site in which to understand the glacial processes that shaped the Western Highlands during the LLS, leading to full glacial retreat by 11.4 ka BP. Based on a comprehensive high-resolution multibeam bathymetric sonar survey, the morphology of the seabed was analysed using ArcGIS to create a series of detailed geomorphological maps. Morphological interpretations, backscatter and seismic reflection data from the loch were combined to reconstruct the deglaciation of Loch Etive. The presence of transverse ridges interpreted as recessional moraines and submarine eskers indicates a dynamic glacial retreat from the maximum seaward extent west of the present-day coastline. At its maximum extent, the glacier formed a proglacial delta generating large volumes of meltwater that flowed over the rock sill of the present-day Falls of Lora. The confluence of glacial ice masses, flowing from the Pass of Brander and tributary corrie glaciers, created a complex glaciofluvial environment in the outer basin of Loch Etive. This is reflected in the formation of a large submarine esker. In the inner loch basin, the presence of recessional moraines at intervals suggests a dynamic glacier, responding to seasonal temperature fluctuations, possibly subsequently retreating northeastwards
c.
50 m annually as the LLS ended.
Cretaceous tectonostratigraphy of the Faroe–Shetland region
Authors: Stoker Martyn S.
Published: July 2016

This study presents an appraisal of the Cretaceous tectonostratigraphical development of the Faroe–Shetland region. It combines details of the rock record with seismic stratigraphical information, and the resulting stratigraphic framework provides constraints on the timing and nature of sedimentary basin development in the Faroe–Shetland region, with implications for the Late Mesozoic development of the NE Atlantic Rift Zone. The division of the Cretaceous succession into two megasequences (K1 and K2) provides a first-order analysis of basin development. The components of the K1 megasequence represent the rift initiation and early syn-rift phases that span the late Berriasian–Turonian, whereas the K2 megasequence represents the rift climax incorporating basin enlargement and increased subsidence during the Coniacian–Maastrichtian. A higher resolution (second- to third-order) analysis of the component depositional packages highlights a sedimentary succession that is punctuated by episodes of uplift, erosion and contractional deformation. This pattern of coeval extension and compression is consistent with intra-plate strike-slip tectonic activity linked to the development of the NE Atlantic Rift Zone, and modulated by plate boundary processes, including Atlantic spreading and Alpine orogenic activity. There is no evidence for a substantive through-going marine connection in the Faroe–Shetland region until the Late Cretaceous.
Control Law Design for Twin Rotor MIMO System with Nonlinear Control Strategy
Authors: Ilyas M. , Abbas N. , UbaidUllah M. , Imtiaz Waqas A. , Shah M. A. Q. , Mahmood K.
Published: July 2016

Modeling of complex air vehicles is a challenging task due to high nonlinear behavior and significant coupling effect between rotors. Twin rotor multi-input multioutput system (TRMS) is a laboratory setup designed for control experiments, which resembles a helicopter with unstable, nonlinear, and coupled dynamics. This paper focuses on the design and analysis of sliding mode control (SMC) and backstepping controller for pitch and yaw angle control of main and tail rotor of the TRMS under parametric uncertainty. The proposed control strategy with SMC and backstepping achieves all mentioned limitations of TRMS. Result analysis of SMC and backstepping control schemes elucidates that backstepping provides efficient behavior with the parametric uncertainty for twin rotor system. Chattering and oscillating behaviors of SMC are removed with the backstepping control scheme considering the pitch and yaw angle for TRMS.
A Way to Improve Luminescent Efficiency of Bis-Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Tay Meng Guan , Tiong Mee Hing , Chia Ying Ying , Kuan Suzie Hui Chin , Liu Zhi-Qiang
Published: July 2016

Chalcone related compounds have been reported as a poor luminescence molecule due to the quenching processes from the intramolecular torsional motions andcis-transisomerization in theα,β-unsaturated ketone moiety. Despite this limitation, we found a way to improve the luminescent efficiency of our bis-chalcone derivative. In this project, two series of bis-chalcone compounds have been synthesized through Claisen-Schmidt condensation by reacting terephthaldehyde or 2,5-dimethoxyterephthaldehyde with the respective R-acetophenone [where R = H (1aand2a) andortho-hydroxy (1band2b)] in 1 : 2 mole ratio. The presence of a methoxy (OMe) substituent on the central phenyl ring of bis-chalcone has weakened the C=C bond at theα,β-unsaturated ketone moiety of2aand2b. Interestingly, the OMe group has improved the emission efficiency of the bis-chalcone; that is, the quantum yield of1ain DCM solution was not able to be determined due to poor luminescence, but the quantum yield of2ain DCM solution was improved to 0.57. In addition, compound2aalso shows solvatochromism effect where theλmaxemission shifted from 499 nm in nonpolar solvents (benzene) to 523 nm in polar solvents (acetonitrile). This work provides another way to improve the emission efficiency of chalcone related compounds apart from using the complexation method which has been reported before.
The Isosteroid Alkaloid Imperialine from Bulbs ofFritillaria cirrhosaMitigates Pulmonary Functional and Structural Impairment and Suppresses Inflammatory Response in a COPD-Like Rat Model
Authors: Wang Dongdong , Du Qingdan , Li Houcong , Wang Shu
Published: July 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the world. Present therapies for COPD have limited effect on reducing the progression of COPD and suppressing the inflammatory response in the lung. Bulbs ofFritillaria cirrhosaD. Don (BFC) have been used in many Asian countries for a long time to treat pulmonary diseases, such as cough, expectoration, and asthma. Steroidal alkaloids are the major biological active constituents in BFC, whereby imperialine is one of the important steroidal alkaloids. So far, there are no studies reporting the effect of imperialine on COPD. In this study, we investigated the effect of imperialine on pulmonary function and structure and inflammation in a COPD-like rat model which was induced by the combination of exposure to CS and intratracheal administration of LPS. Our data show that imperialine mitigates pulmonary functional and structural impairment and suppressed inflammatory response in a COPD-like rat model by mediating expression of related cytokines in lung tissues of the COPD-like rats, such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, NF-κB, TGF-β1, MMP-9, and TIMP-1.
Prevalence of Different Combinations of Antiepileptic Drugs and CNS Drugs in Elderly Home Care Service and Nursing Home Patients in Norway
Authors: Halvorsen Kjell H. , Johannessen Landmark Cecilie , Granas Anne Gerd
Published: July 2016

Introduction. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to treat different conditions in elderly patients and are among the drug classes most susceptible to be involved in drug-drug interactions (DDI). The aim of the study was to describe and compare use of AEDs between home care service and nursing home patients, as these patients are not included in nationwide databases of drug utilization. In the combined population, we investigate DDI of AEDs with other central nervous system- (CNS-) active drugs and DDIs involving AEDs in general. Materials and Methods. Point-prevalence study of Norwegian patients in home care services and nursing homes in 2009. At the patient level, we screened for different DDIs involving AEDs. Results. In total, 882 patients (7.8%) of 11,254 patients used AEDs and number of users did not differ between home care services and nursing homes (8.2% versus 7.7%). In the combined population, we identified 436 potential DDIs in 45% of the patients. Conclusions. In a large population of elderly, home care service and nursing home patients do not differ with respect to exposure of AEDs but use more AEDs as compared to the general population of similar age. The risk of DDIs with AEDs and other CNS-active drugs should be taken into consideration and individual clinical evaluations are assessed in this population.
Pains and Gains from China’s Experiences with Emerging Epidemics: From SARS to H7N9
Authors: Wei Pengfei , Cai Zelang , Hua Jinwen , Yu Weijia , Chen Jiajie , Kang Kang , Qiu Congling , Ye Lanlan , Hu Jiayun , Ji Kunmei
Published: July 2016

Over the recent decades, China experienced several emerging virus outbreaks including those caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome- (SARS-) coronavirus (Cov), H5N1 virus, and H7N9 virus. The SARS tragedy revealed faults in China’s infectious disease prevention system, propelling the Chinese government to enact reforms that enabled better combating of the subsequent H1N1 and H7N9 avian flu epidemics. The system is buttressed by three fundamental, mutually reinforcing components: (1) enduring government administration reforms, including legislation establishing a unified public health emergency management system; (2) prioritized funding for biotechnology and biomedicine industrialization, especially in the areas of pathogen identification, drug production, and the development of vaccines and diagnostics; and (3) increasing investment for public health and establishment of a rapid-response infectious diseases prevention and control system. China is now using its hard-gained experience to support the fight against Ebola in Africa and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in its own country.