bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Timer‐based power management for infrastructure IEEE 802.11 WLAN with unreliable wireless links
Authors: Luan Shenji , Zhu Yi‐hua , Lv Hangyu , Hu Hua
Published: December 2014

Efficient power management is a critical requirement for the battery‐operated portable electronic devices incorporating wireless transceivers to have a longer runtime. The existing timer‐based power management (TPM) is able to balance energy saving and quality of service requirements by tuning the values of its idle and doze timers. In this paper, the TPM applied in the infrastructure IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network with unreliable wireless links, referred to as TPM‐UWL, is presented. A novel stochastic analysis model is developed for TPM‐UWL, based on which the probabilities that a mobile station (STA) is at active, dozing, and idle states are obtained. Additionally, the number of buffered frames at the access point and the sleeping STA, the STA's average power consumption, and a frame's average delay under TPM‐UWL are derived. Further, the optimization problem that minimizes power consumption under the constraints of delay and buffer size is presented, which enables an STA to set its maximum number of retransmissions and the values of the idle and doze timers in the medium access control layer such that power consumption is minimized, while the constraints of delay and buffer size are satisfied. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermo‐mechanical extrusion and sodium hydroxide pretreatments for ethanol production from destarched corn fiber
Authors: Myat Lin , Ryu Gi‐Hyung
Published: December 2014

The effect of thermo‐mechanical extrusion and sodium hydroxide pretreatments on ethanol production from destarched corn fiber (DCF) was investigated. DCF was extruded at screw speed of 300 rpm, feed moisture content of 30%, and melt temperature of 140°C and then pretreated by 0.75, 1.50, 2.25, and 3.00% of sodium hydroxide solution in the autoclave at 121°C for 1 h. After sodium hydroxide pretreatment, the liquid and solid fractions were separated by centrifugation. The dry solid fraction was used for the determination of composition, characterization (crystallinity index, microstructure, degree of polymerization), enzymatic saccharification and fermentation process. Extruded DCF pretreated by 0.75% sodium hydroxide significantly decreased lignin content, crystallinity index and degree of polymerization for efficient enzymatic saccharification and gave significant increase in ethanol yield (35.13 g L−1). Therefore, thermo‐mechanical extrusion followed by 0.75% of sodium hydroxide pretreatment was a good pretreatment for ethanol production from DCF. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 823–831, 2015
Modelling long‐term (300 ka) upland catchment response to multiple lava damming events
Authors: van Gorp W. , Temme A. J. A. M. , Veldkamp A. , Schoorl J. M.
Published: December 2014

Landscapes respond in complex ways to external drivers such as base level change due to damming events. In this study, landscape evolution modelling was used to understand and analyse long‐term catchment response to lava damming events. PalaeoDEM reconstruction of a small Turkish catchment (45 km2) that endured multiple lava damming events in the past 300 ka, was used to derive long‐term net erosion rates. These erosion rates were used for parameter calibration and led to a best fit parameter set. This optimal parameter set was used to compare net erosion landscape time series of four scenarios: (i) no uplift and no damming events; (ii) no uplift and three damming events; (iii) uplift and no damming events; and (iv) uplift and three damming events. Spatial evolution of net erosion and sediment storage of scenario (iii) and (iv) were compared. Simulation results demonstrate net erosion differences after 250 000 years between scenarios with and without dams. Initially, trunk gullies show less net erosion in the scenario with damming events compared with the scenario without damming events. This effect of dampened erosion migrates upstream to smaller gullies and local slopes. Finally, an intrinsic incision pulse in the dam scenario results in a higher net erosion of trunk gullies while decoupled local slopes are still responding to the pre‐incision landscape conditions. Sediment storage differences also occur on a 100 ka scale. These differences behaved in a complex manner owing to different timings of the migration of erosion and sediment waves along the gullies for each scenario. Although the specific spatial and temporal sequence of erosion and deposition events is sensitive to local parameters, this model study shows the manner in which past short‐lived events like lava dams have long‐lasting effects on catchment evolution. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective omission of level V nodal coverage for patients with oropharyngeal cancer: Clinical validation of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy experience and dosimetric significance
Authors: Mohindra Pranshu , Urban Erich , Pagan Jonathan D. , Geye Heather M. , Patel Vatsal B. , Bayliss R. Adam A. , Bender Edward T. , Harari Paul M.
Published: December 2014

Background

We sought to validate the consensus recommendation and assess dosimetric significance of selective omission of nodal level V from intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) clinical target volume (CTV) for oropharyngeal cancer.

Methods

IMRT plans and clinical outcomes for 112 patients with oropharyngeal cancer (nodal classification N0–N2b) were analyzed for coverage of ipsilateral and contralateral nodal level V. Additionally, new IMRT plans were generated in 6 randomly selected patients to assess its dosimetric impact.

Results

With median follow‐up of 3.4 years, there were no failures identified in nodal level V with or without nodal level V omission. Upon dosimetric evaluation, significant reduction in integral dose, V10 Gy, V20 Gy, V30 Gy, V40 Gy, and V50 Gy was observed by excluding unilateral and bilateral level V from the CTV.

Conclusion

We clinically validate the consensus recommendation for selective omission of level V nodal coverage in IMRT planning of patients with oropharyngeal cancer and demonstrate significant dosimetric advantages. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 499–505, 2016
Electrosynthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and CO2 using potassium methoxide and the ionic liquid [bmim][Br] in a filter‐press cell: a study of the influence of cell configuration
Authors: Garcia‐Herrero Isabel , Alvarez‐Guerra Manuel , Irabien Angel
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

The valorization of CO2 into added‐value products appears to be a promising strategy for reducing CO2 emissions. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is an environmentally friendly valuable product, with multiple applications, suggested as a potential gasoline additive. However, DMC has traditionally been produced from hazardous phosgene and CO routes, which encourages the interest in developing new processes. The purpose of this work is to study the influence of the membrane in a filter‐press electrochemical cell for the valorization of CO2 by the electrosynthesis of DMC from methanol in the presence of the ionic liquid [bmim][Br] and CH3OK and avoiding the addition of carcinogens.

RESULTS

The performance of the process has been studied using six different anion exchange membranes in comparison with an undivided configuration and our previous study using a cationic exchange membrane. A significant increase in the initial reaction rate is achieved when no membrane is employed. Regardless of which membrane is used, an additional resistance seems to be introduced. A final concentration of 85 mmol L−1 was obtained up to 48 h without membrane, which is a 6‐fold increase over our previous work.

CONCLUSIONS

Although better results were obtained when no membrane was used, study of the divided cell has provided experimental evidence that can serve as a reference for the evaluation of future improvements in this electrosynthesis. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Removal of Arsenic (III) from groundwater applying a reusable Mg‐Fe‐Cl layered double hydroxide
Authors: Jiang Jia‐Qian , Ashekuzzaman S.M. , Hargreaves Justin S. J. , McFarlane Andrew R. , Badruzzaman A Borhan M , Tarek Mehedi Hasan
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

Layered double hydroxide compounds (LDHs) have been applied for the removal of oxyanions including arsenate (As(V)). However, the aim of this present research is to develop a LDH to treat arsenite (As(III)). Both batch and column sorption studies were conducted to assess the effect of LDH dosage, contact time, solution pH and initial As(III) concentrations on the As(III) removal performance. The potential re‐use of this sorbent was also investigated.

RESULTS

For 2 g L−1 of Mg‐Fe‐Cl LDH, As(III) in test solution can be reduced from 400 µg L−1 to <10 µg L−1 after a contact time of 2 h. High As(III) concentration in Bangladesh groundwater can be reduced to meet the national drinking water standards (<50 µg L−1). The maximum adsorption capacity of As(III) by Mg‐Fe‐Cl LDH is 14.6 mg g−1‐LDH. Further, reusability of this sorbent was at least 20 cycles of regeneration with effective As(III) removal between 93.0 and 98.5%. Moreover, As(III) removal was unaffected by the solution pH but affected by the co‐existing competing anions and concentration of As(III). Finally, the main mechanism of As(III) removal by Mg‐Fe‐Cl LDH was suggested to be chemical sorption together with anion and ligand exchange with interlayer Cl− and OH− ions.

CONCLUSION

High efficiency of sorption of As(III) by the developed Mg‐Fe‐Cl LDH was demonstrated in this study which is generally not the case for most other sorbent materials. Pilot‐scale trials are needed to explore the suitability of full application of the developed Mg‐Fe‐Cl LDH for the removal of As(III). © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Dual optical modality endoscopic imaging of cancer development in the mouse colon
Authors: Keenan Molly R. , Leung Sarah J. , Rice Photini S. , Wall R. Andrew , Barton Jennifer K.
Published: December 2014

Background and Objective

We utilize a miniature, dual‐modality endoscope that combines fluorescence‐based surface magnifying chromoendoscopy (SMC) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to follow the anatomical changes that occur during adenoma development in the mouse colon.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐five mice were treated with the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) to induce tumor development in the distal colon, or were treated with saline as control, and were imaged over six months. OCT detects adenoma number with high sensitivity and specificity and can measure lesion size. In methylene blue‐lavaged colons, SMC detects changes in the colonic crypts. SMC images of control mouse colons exhibit reticulated patterns of crypts of equal size, forming either a dot or honeycomb pattern.

Results

Images of AOM‐treated colons show mild crypt irregularities even in grossly normal tissue. Images of small to medium adenoma exhibit larger crypts, more intense signal, and irregular spacing whereas those of large adenoma have heterogeneous, intense signal and loss of crypt structure.

Conclusions

The combination of OCT and SMC permits the detection of neoplastic events from the earliest stages of crypt irregularities before gross tissue changes are noted, through to measuring the growth of protruding adenoma. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:30–39, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Some remarks on a class of inverse problems related to the parabolic approximation to the Maxwell equations: a controllability approach
Authors: Stratis I. G. , Yannacopoulos A. N.
Published: December 2014

We consider a class of inverse source problems for the parabolic approximation to the Maxwell equations.We relate this to an exact controllability problem; the regularisation of the considered source problems is studied with an optimal control method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A priori error estimates for a time‐dependent boundary element method for the acoustic wave equation in a half‐space
Authors: Gimperlein Heiko , Nezhi Zouhair , Stephan Ernst P.
Published: December 2014

We investigate a time‐domain Galerkin boundary element method for the wave equation outside a Lipschitz obstacle in an absorbing half‐space. A priori estimates are presented for both closed surfaces and screens, and we discuss the relevant properties of anisotropic Sobolev spaces and the boundary integral operators between them. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An overview of network virtualization and cloud network as a service
Authors: Alshaer Hamada
Published: December 2014

Cloud computing services delivery and consumption model is based on communication infrastructure (network). The network serves as a linkage between the end‐users consuming cloud services and the providers of data centers providing the cloud services. In addition, in large‐scale cloud data centers, tens of thousands of compute and storage nodes are connected by a data center network to deliver a single‐purpose cloud service. To this end, some questions could be raised, such as the following: How do network architectures affect cloud computing? How will network architecture evolve to support better cloud computing and cloud‐based service delivery? What is the network's role in reliability, performance, scalability, and security of cloud computing? Should the network be a dumb transport pipe or an intelligent stack that is cloud workload aware? This paper focuses on the networking aspect in cloud computing and shall provide insights to these questions. Researchers can use this paper to accelerate their research on devising mechanisms for the following: (i) provisioning cloud network as a service and (ii) engineering network of data centers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Elucidation of the O‐Antigen Polysaccharide from Escherichia coli O181
Authors: Fontana Carolina , Weintraub Andrej , Widmalm Göran
Published: December 2014

Shiga‐toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important pathogen associated to food‐borne infection in humans; strains of E. coli O181, isolated from human cases of diarrhea, have been classified as belonging to this pathotype. Herein, the structure of the O‐antigen polysaccharide (PS) from E. coli O181 has been investigated. The sugar analysis showed quinovosamine (QuiN), glucosamine (GlcN), galactosamine (GalN), and glucose (Glc) as major components. Analysis of the high‐resolution mass spectrum of the oligosaccharide (OS), obtained by dephosphorylation of the O‐deacetylated PS with aqueous 48 % hydrofluoric acid, revealed a pentasaccharide composed of two QuiNAc, one GlcNAc, one GalNAc, and one Glc residue. The 1H and 13C NMR chemical shift assignments of the OS were carried out using 1 D and 2 D NMR experiments, and the OS was sequenced using a combination of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data and NMR 13C NMR glycosylation shifts. The structure of the native PS was determined using NMR spectroscopy, and it consists of branched pentasaccharide repeating units joined by phosphodiester linkages: →4)[α‐l‐QuipNAc‐(1→3)]‐α‐d‐GalpNAc6Ac‐(1→6)‐α‐d‐Glcp‐(1→P‐4)‐α‐l‐QuipNAc‐(1→3)‐β‐d‐GlcpNAc‐(1→; the O‐acetyl groups represent 0.4 equivalents per repeating unit. Both the OS and PSs exhibit rare conformational behavior since two of the five anomeric proton resonances could only be observed at an elevated temperature.
Synthesis and performances for treating oily wastewater produced from polymer flooding of new demulsifiers based on polyoxyalkylated N,N‐dimethylethanolamine
Authors: Zhang Jian , Jing Bo , Fang Shenwen , Duan Ming , Ma Yongzhang
Published: December 2014

Usually, oily wastewater produced from polymer flooding (OWPF) was treated by cationic polymer in oilfield. In this paper, six block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide were prepared by using N,N‐dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) as the acceptor (DMEA‐mnp and DMEA‐mnpq, n:m:p:q represented the weight ratio of different blocks). Most of DMEA products could perform well for treating OWPF, especially DMEA1231. Their performances were mainly affected by temperature. The reason of increasing oil removal performance of DMEA1231 with temperature was the decrease of interfacial dilational modulus (ε) with increasing temperature. When temperature raised up to 55°C, the ε of DMEA1231 had the minimum (1.5 l mN/m). Therefore, the OiW had the minimum (90 mg/l). Because DMEA1231 had the best performance, its flocculation kinetics was studied systemically. The results showed that the optimum condition for DMEA1231 was as follows: dosage was 300 mg/l, temperature was 55°C, stirring speed was 200 rpm and stirring time was 5 min. At last, the offshore oil field test was carried out to check the DMEA1231 performance. The result showed that at the optimum condition, DMEA1231 could perform as well as the cationic polymer. The most important thing was that flocs of DMEA1231 were not viscous and floated on the surface of the water. The results obtained by this paper provide a good choice for the treatment of OWPF in offshore oilfield to avoid the formation of viscous flocs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heavy metal (Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Ni2+) adsorption in aqueous solutions by oxidized starches
Authors: Soto Diana , Urdaneta José , Pernía Kelly , León Orietta , Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra , Fernández‐García Marta
Published: December 2014

Superabsorbent materials based on natural products have been synthesized by free radical oxidation of corn starch using a redox system consisting of potassium permanganate and sodium bisulfite. The resulting oxidized starches were characterized by analyzing the variation of carbonyl and carboxyl contents. The swelling ability of these samples has been determined by gravimetric method in water and in saline solutions. The effect of oxidant concentration and bleaching procedure on the water absorption capacity has been studied. The ability to remove heavy metals in water solution has been tested against Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions, showing higher percentage of remotion for the unbleached oxidized starches, in particular against nickel ions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of bio‐based monomers on the scratch resistance of acrylate photopolymerizable coatings
Authors: Prandato Emeline , Livi Sébastien , Melas Michel , Auclair Justine , Verney Vincent , Fleury Etienne , Méchin Françoise
Published: December 2014

Photopolymerizable clear coatings based on bio‐sourced acrylates, dedicated to the protection of polycarbonate substrates, were studied. The bio‐sourced compounds were not based on triglycerides but were smaller, industrially available molecules similar to classical petro‐based monomers. Their polymerization kinetics was studied by photo‐DSC and was shown to allow high acrylate conversions even at 25 °C. Closely related coatings enriched in alkyl segments, or in monoacrylates to decrease the crosslinking density, were compared. The material composition affects its nanomorphology deduced from X‐ray diffraction. Although these changes in composition can slightly shift the mechanical relaxation, it remains wide, and the elastic modulus remains high (>108 Pa) for all the tested materials. Microscratch experiments highlighted the efficiency of all the new coatings in terms of protection against scratches. Incorporating a monoacrylate, particularly isobornyl acrylate, can improve the scratch resistance especially in terms of critical load (up to 175% increase compared with a classical petro‐based coating). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 379–388
Quantal cumulant dynamics for real‐time simulations of quantum many‐body systems
Authors: Shigeta Yasuteru , Harada Ryuhei , Kayanuma Megumi , Shoji Mitsuo
Published: November 2014

With recent progress in theoretical and computational developments, real‐time quantum many‐body dynamics has become feasible. We first review the quantum dynamics researches including semiclassical treatments by quantum chemists. As one of the latest topics, we introduce the quantal cumulant dynamics (QCD) method, which solves hierarchical equations of motion for cumulant variables together with classical coordinates and momenta, as a natural extension of classical mechanics. We then demonstrate the applications of real‐time QCD for molecular vibrations, dynamic isotope effects on proton transfer reactions, and quantum effects on dynamic structures of a quantum Morse cluster. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Current Concepts in Penetrating and Blast Injury to the Central Nervous System
Authors: Rosenfeld Jeffrey V. , Bell Randy S. , Armonda Rocco
Published: December 2014

Aim

To review the current management, prognostic factors and outcomes of penetrating and blast injuries to the central nervous system and highlight the differences between gunshot wound, blast injury and stabbing.

Methods

A review of the current literature was performed.

Results

Of patients with craniocerebral GSW, 66–90 % die before reaching hospital. Of those who are admitted to hospital, up to 51 % survive. The patient age, GCS, pupil size and reaction, ballistics and CT features are important factors in the decision to operate and in prognostication. Blast injury to the brain is a component of multisystem polytrauma and has become a common injury encountered in war zones and following urban terrorist events. GSW to the spine account for 13–17 % of all gunshot injuries.

Conclusions

Urgent resuscitation, correction of coagulopathy and early surgery with wide cranial decompression may improve the outcome in selected patients with severe craniocerebral GSW. More limited surgery is undertaken for focal brain injury due to GSW. A non‐operative approach may be taken if the clinical status is very poor (GCS 3, fixed dilated pupils) or GCS 4–5 with adverse CT findings or where there is a high likelihood of death or poor outcome. Civilian spinal GSWs are usually stable neurologically and biomechanically and do not require exploration. The indications for exploration are as follows: (1) compressive lesions with partial spinal cord or cauda equina injury, (2) mechanical instability and (3) complications. The principles of management of blast injury to the head and spine are the same as for GSW. Multidisciplinary specialist management is required for these complex injuries.
Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of the Open Abdomen and Temporary Abdominal Closure Techniques in Non‐trauma Patients
Authors: Atema J. J. , Gans S. L. , Boermeester M. A.
Published: December 2014

Background

Several challenging clinical situations in patients with peritonitis can result in an open abdomen (OA) and subsequent temporary abdominal closure (TAC). Indications and treatment choices differ among surgeons. The risk of fistula development and the possibility to achieve delayed fascial closure differ between techniques. The aim of this study was to review the literature on the OA and TAC in peritonitis patients, to analyze indications and to assess delayed fascial closure, enteroatmospheric fistula and mortality rate, overall and per TAC technique.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for studies describing the OA in patients of whom 50 % or more had peritonitis of a non‐traumatic origin.

Results

The search identified 74 studies describing 78 patient series, comprising 4,358 patients of which 3,461 (79 %) had peritonitis. The overall quality of the included studies was low and the indications for open abdominal management differed considerably. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was the most frequent described TAC technique (38 of 78 series). The highest weighted fascial closure rate was found in series describing NPWT with continuous mesh or suture mediated fascial traction (6 series, 463 patients: 73.1 %, 95 % confidence interval 63.3–81.0 %) and dynamic retention sutures (5 series, 77 patients: 73.6 %, 51.1–88.1 %). Weighted rates of fistula varied from 5.7 % after NPWT with fascial traction (2.2–14.1 %), 14.6 % (12.1–17.6 %) for NPWT only, and 17.2 % after mesh inlay (17.2–29.5 %).

Conclusion

Although the best results in terms of achieving delayed fascial closure and risk of enteroatmospheric fistula were shown for NPWT with continuous fascial traction, the overall quality of the available evidence was poor, and uniform recommendations cannot be made.
Laparoscopic Anterior Versus Posterior Fundoplication for Gastro‐esophageal Reflux Disease: A Meta‐analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Memon Muhammed Ashraf , Subramanya Manjunath S. , Hossain Md Belal , Yunus Rossita Mohamad , Khan Shahjahan , Memon Breda
Published: December 2014

Objectives

Although laparoscopic posterior fundoplication (LPF) i.e., Nissen or Toupet have the proven efficacy for controlling gastro‐esophageal reflux surgically, there remain problems with postoperative dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome. To decrease some of these postoperative complications, laparoscopic anterior fundoplication (LAF) was introduced. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta‐analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the merits and drawbacks of LPF versus LAF for the treatment of gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Data Sources, Study Selection, and Review Methods

A search of Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, Current Contents, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database identified all RCTs comparing different types of LPF and LAF published in the English Language between 1990 and 2013. The meta‐analysis was prepared in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) statement. Data was extracted and analyzed on ten variables which include dysphagia score, heartburn rate, redo operative rate, operative time, overall complications, rate of conversion to open, Visick grading of satisfaction, overall satisfaction, length of hospital stay, and postoperative 24‐h pH scores.

Data Synthesis

Nine trials totaling 840 patients (anterior = 425, posterior = 415) were analyzed. There was a significant reduction in the odds ratio for dysphagia in the LAF group compared to the LPF group. Conversely, significant reduction in the odds ratio for heartburn was observed for LPF compared to LAF. Comparable effects were noted for both groups for other variables which include redo surgery, operating time, overall complications, conversion rate, Visick’s grading, patients’ satisfaction, length of hospital stay, and postoperative 24‐h pH scores.

Conclusions

Based on this meta‐analysis, LPF compared to LAF is associated with significant reduction in heartburn at the expense of higher dysphagia rate on a short‐ and medium‐term basis. We therefore conclude that LPF is a better alternative to LAF for controlling GERD symptoms.
Recent advances in the metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for the production of lactate and succinate from renewable resources
Authors: Tsuge Yota , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Kondo Akihiko
Published: December 2014

Recent increasing attention to environmental issues and the shortage of oil resources have spurred political and industrial interest in the development of environmental friendly and cost-effective processes for the production of bio-based chemicals from renewable resources. Thus, microbial production of commercially important chemicals is viewed as a desirable way to replace current petrochemical production. Corynebacterium glutamicum, a Gram-positive soil bacterium, is one of the most important industrial microorganisms as a platform for the production of various amino acids. Recent research has explored the use of C. glutamicum as a potential cell factory for producing organic acids such as lactate and succinate, both of which are commercially important bulk chemicals. Here, we summarize current understanding in this field and recent metabolic engineering efforts to develop C. glutamicum strains that efficiently produce l- and d-lactate, and succinate from renewable resources.
Complex lipid trafficking in Niemann‐Pick disease type C
Authors: Vanier Marie T.
Published: December 2014

Niemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC) is an atypical lysosomal storage disease resulting from mutations in one of two genes, either NPC1 or NPC2. Although a neurovisceral disorder, it is above all a neurodegenerative disease in the vast majority of patients. Not an enzyme deficiency, it is currently conceived as a lipid trafficking disorder. Impaired egress of cholesterol from the late endosomal/lysosomal (LE/L) compartment is a specific and key element of the pathogenesis, but other lipids, more specially sphingolipids, are also involved, and there are indications for further abnormalities. The full function of the NPC1 and NPC2 proteins is still unclear. This review provides a reappraisal of lipid storage and lysosomal enzymes activities in tissues/cells from NPC patients and animal models. It summarizes the current knowledge on the NPC1 and NPC2 proteins and their function in transport of cholesterol within the late endosomal‐lysosomal compartment, with emphasis on differences between systemic organs and the brain; it also discusses regulation by membrane lipids of the NPC2‐mediated cholesterol trafficking, interplay between cholesterol and sphingomyelin, the metabolic origin of glycosphingolipids stored in brain, and the putative role of free sphingoid bases in pathogenesis. Brief mention is finally made of diseases affecting other genes that were very recently shown to impact the “NPC pathway”.
Climate uncertainty and economic development: evaluating the case of Mozambique to 2050
Authors: Arndt Channing , Thurlow James
Published: December 2014

We apply a probabilistic approach to the evaluation of climate change impacts in Mozambique. We pass a distribution of climate shocks through a series of structural biophysical models. The resulting joint distributions of biophysical outcomes are then imposed on a dynamic economywide model. This framework produces distributions of economic impacts of climate change thus identifying an explicit range of potential economic outcomes and associating probability levels with given sets of outcomes. For example, we find that the economy of Mozambique may be up to 13 % smaller in 2050 compared with a fictional no climate change scenario (and assuming global policy fails to constrain emissions growth). The probability of gross domestic product (GDP) declines of greater than 10 % is relatively small at 2.5 %. These large declines are principally the result of dramatic reductions in flood return periods. To 2050, about 70 % of future climates result in GDP losses of between zero and five percent. In about 9 % of cases, climate change shocks result in higher GDP outcomes. We conclude that, relative to current practice, this structural probabilistic approach provides (i) significantly more information to decision-makers, (ii) more detailed insight into the importance of various impact channels, and (iii) a more holistic and comprehensive approach for evaluating adaptation options.
Rising air and stream-water temperatures in Chesapeake Bay region, USA
Authors: Rice Karen C. , Jastram John D.
Published: December 2014

Monthly mean air temperature (AT) at 85 sites and instantaneous stream-water temperature (WT) at 129 sites for 1960–2010 are examined for the mid-Atlantic region, USA. Temperature anomalies for two periods, 1961–1985 and 1985–2010, relative to the climate normal period of 1971–2000, indicate that the latter period was statistically significantly warmer than the former for both mean AT and WT. Statistically significant temporal trends across the region of 0.023 °C per year for AT and 0.028 °C per year for WT are detected using simple linear regression. Sensitivity analyses show that the irregularly sampled WT data are appropriate for trend analyses, resulting in conservative estimates of trend magnitude. Relations between 190 landscape factors and significant trends in AT-WT relations are examined using principal components analysis. Measures of major dams and deciduous forest are correlated with WT increasing slower than AT, whereas agriculture in the absence of major dams is correlated with WT increasing faster than AT. Increasing WT trends are detected despite increasing trends in streamflow in the northern part of the study area. Continued warming of contributing streams to Chesapeake Bay likely will result in shifts in distributions of aquatic biota and contribute to worsened eutrophic conditions in the bay and its estuaries.
Extraction of natural radionuclides from aqueous solutions by novel maltolate-based task-specific ionic liquids
Authors: Platzer Sonja , Sap Orhan , Leyma Raphlin , Wallner Gabriele , Jirsa Franz , Kandioller Wolfgang , Krachler Regina , Keppler Bernhard K.
Published: December 2014

Two novel maltol-based ionic liquids, namely [A336][Mal] and [C101][Mal], were synthesized as potential extracting agents for radionuclides from water. These two room temperature task-specific ionic liquids could be easily prepared by anion metathesis starting from commercially available materials. The isolated compounds were characterized by standard analytical methods. Their application as extraction agent for Unat., 234Th, 210Pb, 210Bi, 210Po and 226Ra was elucidated by liquid–liquid extraction and scintillation counting. Uranium was totally extracted by both ionic liquids over a broad pH range (2–8), while the other radionuclides were removed with differing efficacies depending on the respective pH value.
Phenology of leaf morphological, photosynthetic, and nitrogen use characteristics of canopy trees in a cool‐temperate deciduous broadleaf forest at Takayama, central Japan
Authors: Noda Hibiki M. , Muraoka Hiroyuki , Nasahara Kenlo Nishida , Saigusa Nobuko , Murayama Shohei , Koizumi Hiroshi
Published: December 2014

We studied interannual variations in single‐leaf phenology, i.e., temporal changes in leaf ecophysiological parameters that are responsible for forest canopy function, in a cool‐temperate deciduous broadleaf forest at Takayama, central Japan. We conducted long‐term in situ research from 2003 to 2010 (excluding 2008). We measured leaf mass per unit area (LMA), leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen contents, and leaf photosynthetic and respiratory characteristics [dark respiration, light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Amax), maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), and electron transport rate (Jmax)] of leaves of mature canopy trees of Betula ermanii Cham. and Quercus crispula Blume, from leaf expansion to senescence. All leaf characteristics changed markedly from leaf expansion (late May) through senescence (mid–late October). The photosynthetic capacity of B. ermanii leaves rapidly increased during leaf expansion and decreased during senescence, while that of Q. crispula leaves changed gradually. The relationships among LMA, photosynthetic capacity, and nitrogen content changed throughout the season. The timings (calendar dates) of leaf expansion, maturity, and senescence differed among the 7 years, indicating that interannual variations in micrometeorological conditions strongly affected leaf phenological events. We examined the seasonal changes as a function of the date or cumulative air temperatures. From leaf expansion to maturity, the increases in chlorophyll content, Amax, Vcmax, Jmax, and LMA were explained well by the growing‐degree days, and their decreases in autumn were explained well by chilling‐degree days. Our findings will be useful for predicting the effects of current variations in climatic conditions and future climate change on forest canopy structure and function.
Programmed electrical stimulation for risk stratification of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Danon Asaf , Schliamser Jorge E. , Lavi Idit , Militianu Arie
Published: December 2014

Background

Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) are at an increased risk for sudden death. Although earlier trials used programmed electrical stimulation (PES) for risk stratification, more recent data demonstrate the benefit of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) in selected patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) without performing PES. However, little is known about the outcome of non‐inducible patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PES for mortality risk stratification in patients with ICM.

Methods

All consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria (history of coronary artery disease, LVEF≤35%, and absence of documented spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia or aborted sudden cardiac death) were included in the study. The stimulation protocol involved up to three extrastimuli from two different sites in the right ventricle, with 180 ms as the shortest coupling interval. The primary endpoint was overall survival.

Results

A total of 198 patients were included in the study; of these, 60 exhibited negative (−)PES, and 138 had positive (+)PES and also underwent ICD implantation. The mean follow‐up duration was 4.5 years. There was no difference in age or LVEF between the patient groups. We found a trend towards an increased 5‐year survival rate in the (+)PES group in whom ICD implantation had been performed (p=0.058). Survival was significantly better in patients under 68 year olds in the (+)PES group in whom ICD implantation was performed (hazard ratio=0.3, p=0.01). The survival rate of patients ≥68 years old was similar in both groups (p=0.95).

Conclusions

Non‐inducibility during PES does not predict the prognosis of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Key considerations for facilitating employment of female Sudanese refugees in Australia
Authors: Gaillard Desireé , Hughes Kate
Published: December 2014

This research is a pilot study on identifying the social initiatives that could potentially provide employment opportunities for female Sudanese refugees settled in western Sydney, Australia. An interpretative ethnographic approach was employed to analyse academic literature, government information and data gathered through in-depth interviews with a not-for-profit organisation working with this community. The outcome of this research emphasises three fundamental questions that relate to community value, customer need and opportunity risk that need to be considered with respect to the limitations that are framed by the social initiatives identified in relation to reducing unemployment for these women. This study revealed an interesting observation: programs that make use of existing skills create new opportunities in the employment market, whereas programmes that provide new skills or a combination of new and existing skills, were more inclined to link to existing opportunities in the employment market.
Modulation of the faecal microbiome of healthy adult dogs by inclusion of potato fibre in the diet
Authors: Panasevich Matthew R. , Kerr Katherine R. , Dilger Ryan N. , Fahey George C. , Guérin-Deremaux Laetitia , Lynch Gary L. , Wils Daniel , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steer Jörg M , Dowd Scot E. , Swanson Kelly S.
Published: November 2014

Inclusion of fermentable fibres in the diet can have an impact on the hindgut microbiome and provide numerous health benefits to the host. Potato fibre (PF), a co-product of potato starch isolation, has a favourable chemical composition of pectins, resistant and digestible starch, cellulose, and hemicelluloses. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary PF concentrations on the faecal microbiome of healthy adult dogs. Fresh faecal samples were collected from ten female dogs with hound bloodlines (6·13 (sem 0·17) years; 22·0 (sem 2·1) kg) fed five test diets containing graded concentrations of PF (0, 1·5, 3, 4·5 or 6 % as-fed; Roquette Frères) in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square design. Extraction of DNA was followed by amplification of the V4–V6 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene using barcoded primers. Sequences were classified into taxonomic levels using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLASTn) against a curated GreenGenes database. Inclusion of PF increased (P< 0·05) the faecal proportions of Firmicutes, while those of Fusobacteria decreased (P< 0·05). Similar shifts were observed at the genus level and were confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. With increasing concentrations of PF, faecal proportions of Faecalibacterium increased (P< 0·05). Post hoc Pearson's correlation analysis showed positive (P< 0·05) correlations with Bifidobacterium spp. and butyrate production and Lactobacillus spp. concentrations. Overall, increases in the proportion of Faecalibacterium (not Lactobacillus/Bifidobacterium, as confirmed by qPCR analysis) and faecal SCFA concentrations with increasing dietary PF concentrations suggest that PF is a possible prebiotic fibre.
The Political Conditioning of Subjective Economic Evaluations: The Role of Party Discourse
Authors: Pardos-Prado Sergi , Sagarzazu Iñaki
Published: December 2014

Classic and revisionist perspectives on economic voting have thoroughly analyzed the role of macroeconomic indicators and individual partisanship as determinants of subjective evaluations of the national economy. Surprisingly, however, top-down analysis of parties’ capacity to cue and persuade voters about national economic conditions is absent in the debate. This study uses a novel dataset containing monthly economic salience in party parliamentary speeches, macroeconomic indicators and individual survey data covering the four last electoral cycles in Spain (1996–2011). The results show that the salience of economic issues in the challenger’s discourse substantially increases negative evaluations of performance when this challenger is the owner of the economic issue. While a challenger’s conditioning of public economic evaluations is independent of the state of the economy (and can affect citizens with different ideological orientations), incumbent parties are more constrained by the true state of the economy in their ability to persuade the electorate on this issue.
Impact of harmful algal blooms (Dinophysis acuminata) on the immune system of oysters and mussels from Santa Catarina, Brazil
Authors: Simões Erik , Vieira Renato Campos , Schramm Mathias Alberto , Mello Danielle Ferraz , De Almeida Pontinha Vitor , da Silva Patrícia Mirella , Barracco Margherita Anna
Published: December 2014

Blooms of the harmful alga Dinophysis acuminata, which produces okadaic acid (OA), are becoming recurrent in Santa Catarina coast, where most of the shellfish marine farms in Brazil are located. We evaluated the impact of D. acuminata blooms on various haemato-immunological parameters and on tissue integrity of cultivated oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and mussels (Perna perna). Animals were sampled during two natural algal blooms, one at Praia Alegre (PA: 2950 cells l−1) and the other at Praia de Zimbros (PZ: 4150 cells l−1). Control animals were sampled at the same sites, 30 days after the end of the bloom. The assayed parameters were: total (THC) and differential (DHC) haemocyte counts, percentage of apoptotic haemocytes (AH), phenoloxidase activity (PO), agglutinating titre (AT) and total protein concentration in haemolymph (PC). Histological analyses were carried out in oysters from PZ. The results showed that some immune parameters were modulated during the toxic blooms, but not in a consistent manner, especially in mussels that accumulated more OA (10×) than oysters. For example, mussel THC decreased significantly (54%) during the bloom at PA, whereas it augmented markedly (64%) at PZ. PO activity was significantly altered by the algal blooms in both bivalve species, while PC increased significantly (66%) only in mussels from PZ bloom. The other parameters (DHC, AH and AT) did not vary in both bivalve species. Histological analyses showed an intense haemocytic infiltration throughout the oyster digestive epithelium, particularly into the stomach lumen during the algal bloom.
Peasant women and inheritance of land in fourteenth-century England
Authors: BARDSLEY SANDY
Published: December 2014

This study argues that women's ownership of land – an important component of their status – changed little, if at all, after the Black Death of the mid-fourteenth century. Using rentals and obit data from court rolls, a new formula for measuring female inheritance is devised which shows that daughters received even less of their expected due during the plague years. While high death rates might predict that brotherless daughters would be more likely to inherit land, inheritance practices shifted so that women continued to hold much the same total area as before. The article considers several reasons for this continuity, concluding that women found it especially hard to compete in an era of acute labour shortage.
Continuity equations and ODE flows with non-smooth velocity
Authors: Ambrosio Luigi , Crippa Gianluca
Published: December 2014

In this paper we review many aspects of the well-posedness theory for the Cauchy problem for the continuity and transport equations and for the ordinary differential equation (ODE). In this framework, we deal with velocity fields that are not smooth, but enjoy suitable ‘weak differentiability’ assumptions. We first explore the connection between the partial differential equation (PDE) and the ODE in a very general non-smooth setting. Then we address the renormalization property for the PDE and prove that such a property holds for Sobolev velocity fields and for bounded variation velocity fields. Finally, we present an approach to the ODE theory based on quantitative estimates.
Agnon's Conversation with Jeremiah inA Guest for the Night:‘Aginutin an Age of National Modernization
Authors: Halevi-Wise Yael
Published: December 2014

ApproachingA Guest for the Nightfrom the point of view of the Book of Jeremiah––from which this novel draws its title––leads us to revisit two central components of Agnon's theology and stylized identity. First, his majestic evocation of a deity (Jeremiah's “guest”) who abandoned his “wife” (the people of Israel); and concomitantly, Agnon's lifelong preoccupation with the “‘agunahproblem” as a metaphor for national rupture, in ways that for Agnon were linked to his vocational identity as a modern writer dedicated to the project of national repair. Through his conversation with the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations traditionally attributed to this prophet, Agnon adjusts and reduces the diasporic weight assigned to the‘agunahmetaphor. In his midlife masterpiece, he enlists the midrashic concept of‘aginutto explore, among other things, his own composite identity as a traditional Jew and modern Jerusalemite, lover of texts and absent-minded husband.
BRD control: tying it all together to deliver value to the industry
Authors: Miles Delbert G. , Rogers Karen C.
Published: November 2014

Pasteur described an organism causing fowl cholera in 1880. In 134 years we have progressed from crude vaccines for Pasteurella, to some refined vaccines, to a name change (Mannheimia), to autogenous vaccines (back to crude). In the last 25–30 years, we have attempted to mitigate the problem of bovine respiratory disease with antimicrobials and subsequently have a high incidence of multi-drug resistance. All of these attempts have resulted in little if any improvement in morbidity/mortality. Is it time to focus on the animal's response or lack of response to infectious pressure? Instead of focusing on the 10–50% morbid cattle should we focus on the 50–90% that are not compromised and determine why they stay healthy under the same environmental conditions?