bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stereolithography with variable resolutions using optical filter with high-contrast gratings
Authors: Li Yuanrui , Mao Huachao , Liu He , Yao Yuhan , Wang Yifei , Song Boxiang , Chen Yong , Wu Wei
Published: November 2015

A three-dimensional printing approach based on stereolithography with variable printing resolutions was invented to solve the trade-off between throughput and resolution. In this technology, the variable fabrication resolutions are achieved by switching laser wavelength. The key component to enable this technology is an optical filter based on high-contrast gratings. The optical filter has been designed and numerically studied using the finite-difference time-domain method and was fabricated using nanoimprint lithography. The minimum printing resolution of the accordingly constructed stereolithography apparatus is reduced to 37 μm. Variable pixel sizes from 37 to 417 μm have been demonstrated. Using the designed and fabricated optical filter is a promising method to optimize the manufacturing efficiency of the stereolithography process.
Cross sections of photoacid generators at low electron energies
Authors: Grzeskowiak Steven , Narasimhan Amrit , Ostrander Jonathan , Schad Jonathon , Earley William , Brainard Robert L. , Denbeaux Greg , Ocola Leonidas E. , Neisser Mark
Published: November 2015

Optimizing the photochemistry in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresists due to EUV exposures may enable faster, more efficient resists, leading to a greater throughput in manufacturing. Since the fundamental reaction mechanisms in EUV resists are believed to be due to electron interactions after incident 92 eV photons (13.5 nm) generate photoelectrons during ionization events, understanding how these photoelectrons interact with resist components is critical for optimizing the performance of EUV resists and EUV lithography as a whole. The authors will present an experimental method to measure the cross section of incident electron induced decomposition of three different photoacid generators (PAGs). To study the photoelectrons generated by the EUV absorption and measure their effect within resists, photoresists were exposed to electron beams at electron energies between 80 and 250 eV. The reactions between PAG molecules and electrons were measured by using a mass spectrometer to monitor the levels of small molecules produced by PAG decomposition that outgassed from the photoresist. This methodology allowed us to determine the number of PAG molecules decomposed per incident electron. By combining this result with the average penetration depth of an electron at a given energy, the cross sections of PAG molecules were determined for energies ranging between 80 and 250 eV. Comparing the cross sections of PAG molecules can provide insight into the relationship between chemical structure, reactivity to the electrons, and trends in cross section versus electron energy. This research is a part of a larger SEMATECH research program to understand the fundamentals of resist exposures to help in the development of new, better performing EUV resists.
Multiscale simulation of resist pattern shrinkage during scanning electron microscope observations
Authors: Yasuda Masaaki , Furukawa Yuki , Kawata Hiroaki , Hirai Yoshihiko
Published: November 2015

Multiscale simulations were performed to study poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resist pattern shrinkage by electron irradiation. Shrinkage of the patterns, which ranged from several micrometers to sub-10 nm in initial size, was simulated. The decrease in film thickness of a several micrometers-thick PMMA resist during scanning electron microscope observations was evaluated by a Monte Carlo simulation of electron scattering. A simple molecular dynamics simulation was developed to analyze sub-10-nm-wide PMMA resist pattern shrinkage by electron irradiation. The shrinkage of several tens of nanometers-wide PMMA resist patterns was also simulated by combining molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations.
Theory and design of compact hybrid microphone arrays on two-dimensional planes for three-dimensional soundfield analysis
Authors: Chen Hanchi , Abhayapala Thushara D. , Zhang Wen
Published: November 2015

Soundfield analysis based on spherical harmonic decomposition has been widely used in various applications; however, a drawback is the three-dimensional geometry of the microphone arrays. In this paper, a method to design two-dimensional planar microphone arrays that are capable of capturing three-dimensional (3D) spatial soundfields is proposed. Through the utilization of both omni-directional and first order microphones, the proposed microphone array is capable of measuring soundfield components that are undetectable to conventional planar omni-directional microphone arrays, thus providing the same functionality as 3D arrays designed for the same purpose. Simulations show that the accuracy of the planar microphone array is comparable to traditional spherical microphone arrays. Due to its compact shape, the proposed microphone array greatly increases the feasibility of 3D soundfield analysis techniques in real-world applications.
Acoustic property reconstruction of a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) forehead based on computed tomography imaging
Authors: Song Zhongchang , Xu Xiao , Dong Jianchen , Xing Luru , Zhang Meng , Liu Xuecheng , Zhang Yu , Li Songhai , Berggren Per
Published: November 2015

Computed tomography (CT) imaging and sound experimental measurements were used to reconstruct the acoustic properties (density, velocity, and impedance) of the forehead tissues of a deceased pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps). The forehead was segmented along the body axis and sectioned into cross section slices, which were further cut into sample pieces for measurements. Hounsfield units (HUs) of the corresponding measured pieces were obtained from CT scans, and regression analyses were conducted to investigate the linear relationships between the tissues' HUs and velocity, and HUs and density. The distributions of the acoustic properties of the head at axial, coronal, and sagittal cross sections were reconstructed, revealing that the nasal passage system was asymmetric and the cornucopia-shaped spermaceti organ was in the right nasal passage, surrounded by tissues and airsacs. A distinct dense theca was discovered in the posterior-dorsal area of the melon, which was characterized by low velocity in the inner core and high velocity in the outer region. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in density, velocity, and acoustic impedance between all four structures, melon, spermaceti organ, muscle, and connective tissue (p < 0.001). The obtained acoustic properties of the forehead tissues provide important information for understanding the species' bioacoustic characteristics.
Inflammasome activation to protect against colorectal cancer metastasis?
Authors: Beswick Ellen J.
Published: November 2015

Inflammasome activation promotes NK cell responses to prevent colorectal cancer metastasis.
A new recipe for serotonergic neurons
Authors: Brennand Kristen
Published: November 2015

Serotonergic neurons derived directly from human skin fibroblasts may be useful for in vitro modeling of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Polypharmacy repercussions
Authors: Wang Taia T.
Published: November 2015

The effect of statins on flu vaccine responses reminds us that such hidden interactions can skew the interpretation of clinical data.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 18 November 2015
Authors: Welham Nathan V. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: November 2015

Nathan Welham describes an engineered vocal fold mucosa that shows promise for restoring voice to patients with some types of dysphonia.
The Complete Genome Sequence of the Emerging Pathogen Mycobacterium haemophilum Explains Its Unique Culture Requirements
Authors: Tufariello JoAnn M. , Kerantzas Christopher A. , Vilchèze Catherine , Calder R. Brent , Nordberg Eric K. , Fischer Jack A. , Hartman Travis E. , Yang Eva , Driscoll Timothy , Cole Laura E. , Sebra Robert , Maqbool Shahina B. , Wattam Alice R. , Jacobs William R.
Published: November 2015

Mycobacterium haemophilum
is an emerging pathogen associated with a variety of clinical syndromes, most commonly skin infections in immunocompromised individuals.
M. haemophilum
exhibits a unique requirement for iron supplementation to support its growth in culture, but the basis for this property and how it may shape pathogenesis is unclear. Using a combination of Illumina, PacBio, and Sanger sequencing, the complete genome sequence of
M. haemophilum
was determined. Guided by this sequence, experiments were performed to define the basis for the unique growth requirements of
M. haemophilum
. We found that
M. haemophilum
, unlike many other mycobacteria, is unable to synthesize iron-binding siderophores known as mycobactins or to utilize ferri-mycobactins to support growth. These differences correlate with the absence of genes associated with mycobactin synthesis, secretion, and uptake. In agreement with the ability of heme to promote growth, we identified genes encoding heme uptake machinery. Consistent with its propensity to infect the skin, we show at the whole-genome level the genetic closeness of
M. haemophilum
with
Mycobacterium leprae
, an organism which cannot be cultivated
in vitro
, and we identify genes uniquely shared by these organisms. Finally, we identify means to express foreign genes in
M. haemophilum
. These data explain the unique culture requirements for this important pathogen, provide a foundation upon which the genome sequence can be exploited to improve diagnostics and therapeutics, and suggest use of
M. haemophilum
as a tool to elucidate functions of genes shared with
M. leprae
.

IMPORTANCE
Mycobacterium haemophilum
is an emerging pathogen with an unknown natural reservoir that exhibits unique requirements for iron supplementation to grow
in vitro
. Understanding the basis for this iron requirement is important because it is fundamental to isolation of the organism from clinical samples and environmental sources. Defining the molecular basis for
M. haemophilium
's growth requirements will also shed new light on mycobacterial strategies to acquire iron and can be exploited to define how differences in such strategies influence pathogenesis. Here, through a combination of sequencing and experimental approaches, we explain the basis for the iron requirement. We further demonstrate the genetic closeness of
M. haemophilum
and
Mycobacterium leprae
, the causative agent of leprosy which cannot be cultured
in vitro
, and we demonstrate methods to genetically manipulate
M. haemophilum
. These findings pave the way for the use of
M. haemophilum
as a model to elucidate functions of genes shared with
M. leprae
.
Experimental Infection of Snakes with
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola
Causes Pathological Changes That Typify Snake Fungal Disease
Authors: Lorch Jeffrey M. , Lankton Julia , Werner Katrien , Falendysz Elizabeth A. , McCurley Kevin , Blehert David S.
Published: November 2015

Snake fungal disease (SFD) is an emerging skin infection of wild snakes in eastern North America. The fungus
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola
is frequently associated with the skin lesions that are characteristic of SFD, but a causal relationship between the fungus and the disease has not been established. We experimentally infected captive-bred corn snakes (
Pantherophis guttatus
) in the laboratory with pure cultures of
O. ophiodiicola
. All snakes in the infected group (
n
= 8) developed gross and microscopic lesions identical to those observed in wild snakes with SFD; snakes in the control group (
n
= 7) did not develop skin infections. Furthermore, the same strain of
O. ophiodiicola
used to inoculate snakes was recovered from lesions of all animals in the infected group, but no fungi were isolated from individuals in the control group. Monitoring progression of lesions throughout the experiment captured a range of presentations of SFD that have been described in wild snakes. The host response to the infection included marked recruitment of granulocytes to sites of fungal invasion, increased frequency of molting, and abnormal behaviors, such as anorexia and resting in conspicuous areas of enclosures. While these responses may help snakes to fight infection, they could also impact host fitness and may contribute to mortality in wild snakes with chronic
O. ophiodiicola
infection. This work provides a basis for understanding the pathogenicity of
O. ophiodiicola
and the ecology of SFD by using a model system that incorporates a host species that is easy to procure and maintain in the laboratory.

IMPORTANCE
Skin infections in snakes, referred to as snake fungal disease (SFD), have been reported with increasing frequency in wild snakes in the eastern United States. While most of these infections are associated with the fungus
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola
, there has been no conclusive evidence to implicate this fungus as a primary pathogen. Furthermore, it is not understood why the infections affect different host populations differently. Our experiment demonstrates that
O. ophiodiicola
is the causative agent of SFD and can elicit pathological changes that likely impact fitness of wild snakes. This information, and the laboratory model we describe, will be essential in addressing unresolved questions regarding disease ecology and outcomes of
O. ophiodiicola
infection and helping to conserve snake populations threatened by the disease. The SFD model of infection also offers utility for exploring larger concepts related to comparative fungal virulence, host response, and host-pathogen evolution.
Simultaneous presentation of pancreatic cancer in a genetically unrelated couple
Authors: Yellu Mahender R , Olowokure Olugbenga
Published: November 2015

Patients with pancreatic cancer tend to have a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment, and their 5-year overall survival rate remains dismal. Several risk factors could potentially trigger the development of pancreatic cancer but many of them identified so far have been only weakly linked. Occurrence of pancreatic cancer in a husband and wife around the same time in the same household even when exposed to similar environmental factors is rare. Although familial pancreatic cancer is a known entity, pancreatic cancer in genetically unrelated married couples has not been studied. Here we present such a scenario involving one couple. In this case report, we discuss the chronological events leading to pancreatic cancer in a genetically unrelated married couple and the risk factors that may have led to cancer, in addition to exploring the possible links.
Acute myeloid leucaemia presenting as a rapidly progressive polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Hirst Claire L , Willis Mark , Hussain Hussain , Powell Rob
Published: November 2015

Neurological involvement at onset in acute myeloid leucaemia (AML) is rare, with only a few isolated case reports. We present the case of a 46-year-old man with rapidly progressive polyradiculoneuropathy as the presenting feature of AML. The proposed mechanism for this is postulated to be direct intraneural infiltration, although a paraneoplastic, autoimmune-related phenomenon could be possible. Despite chemotherapeutic intervention, the patient died 1 month after initial presentation. Although rare, neurological manifestations of AML do occur and it is important to include haematological malignancies in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with neurological symptoms.
Radium-223 dichloride therapy in breast cancer with osseous metastases
Authors: Takalkar Amol , Paryani Bhavna , Adams Scott , Subbiah Vivek
Published: November 2015

Osseous metastases occur frequently in patients with breast cancer. Few options exist for bone targeted therapy for hormone refractory patients with breast cancer with progressive bone metastases. We present a case of breast cancer with osseous metastases but no visceral metastases. The patient had been treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy, but still had extensive symptomatic osseous metastases. She received radium-223 dichloride, a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for castration resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases. She tolerated the therapy well with no significant adverse effects. She had an excellent response with significant pain relief obviating need for regular analgaesics. Her tumour markers also dropped significantly. Osseous metastases assessed with F-18 fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) and F-18 sodium fluoride (NaF) bone PET/CT) scans at baseline, after two and six cycles, also showed interval improvement in the lesions. Radium-223 dichloride could potentially be a safe and useful therapeutic option in this setting.
Observational, longitudinal study of delirium in consecutive unselected acute medical admissions: age-specific rates and associated factors, mortality and re-admission
Authors: Pendlebury ST , Lovett NG , Smith SC , Dutta N , Bendon C , Lloyd-Lavery A , Mehta Z , Rothwell PM
Published: November 2015

Objectives

We aimed to determine age-specific rates of delirium and associated factors in acute medicine, and the impact of delirium on mortality and re-admission on long-term follow-up.

Design

Observational study. Consecutive patients over two 8-week periods (2010, 2012) were screened for delirium on admission, using the confusion assessment method (CAM), and reviewed daily thereafter. Delirium diagnosis was made using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM IV) criteria. For patients aged ≥65 years, potentially important covariables identified in previous studies were collected with follow-up for death and re-admission until January 2014.

Participants

503 consecutive patients (age median=72, range 16–99 years, 236 (48%) male).

Setting

Acute general medicine.

Results

Delirium occurred in 101/503 (20%) (71 on admission, 30 during admission, 17 both), with risk increasing from 3% (6/195) at <65 years to 14% (10/74) for 65–74 years and 36% (85/234) at ≥75 years (p<0.0001). Among 308 patients aged>65 years, after adjustment for age, delirium was associated with previous falls (OR=2.47, 95% CI 1.45 to 4.22, p=0.001), prior dementia (2.08, 1.10 to 3.93, p=0.024), dependency (2.58, 1.48 to 4.48, p=0.001), low cognitive score (5.00, 2.50 to 9.99, p<0.0001), dehydration (3.53, 1.91 to 6.53, p<0.0001), severe illness (1.98, 1.17 to 3.38, p=0.011), pressure sore risk (5.56, 2.60 to 11.88, p<0.0001) and infection (4.88, 2.85 to 8.36, p<0.0001). Patients with delirium were more likely to fall (OR=4.55, 1.47 to 14.05, p=0.008), be incontinent of urine (3.76, 2.15 to 6.58, p<0.0001) or faeces (3.49, 1.81–6.73, p=0.0002) and be catheterised (5.08, 2.44 to 10.54, p<0.0001); and delirium was associated with stay >7 days (2.82, 1.68 to 4.75, p<0.0001), death (4.56, 1.71 to 12.17, p=0.003) and an increase in dependency among survivors (2.56, 1.37 to 4.76, p=0.003) with excess mortality still evident at 2-year follow-up. Patients with delirium had fewer re-admissions within 30-days (OR=0.32, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.1, p=0.07) and in total (median, IQR total re-admissions=0, 0–1 vs 1, 0–2, p=0.01).

Conclusions

Delirium affected a fifth of acute medical admissions and a third of those aged ≥75 years, and was associated with increased mortality, institutionalisation and dependency, but not with increased risk of re-admission on follow-up.
‘Klar bleiben’: a school-based alcohol prevention programme for German adolescents—study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tomczyk Samuel , Hanewinkel Reiner , Isensee Barbara
Published: November 2015

Introduction

There is a noticeable increase in hazardous alcohol use during adolescence, which is significantly associated with adverse consequences. In Germany, up to 30% of adolescents report regular heavy episodic drinking. However, only a few German prevention programmes target adolescents of legal drinking age (16 years and above); thus, this trial aims to develop, implement and evaluate ‘Klar bleiben’ (‘Stay clearheaded’), a school-based prevention programme for grade 10 students.

Methods and analysis

‘Klar bleiben’ consists of a class commitment to drink responsibly and refrain from hazardous consumption patterns for 9 weeks. The commitment is accompanied by educational lessons on alcohol-related cognitions and consequences. It will be evaluated in a sample of approximately 3000 students (150 classes) from two German federal states (Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony) via a two-armed cluster randomised controlled trial with baseline and postassessment 6 months apart. The intervention group (75 classes) will participate in ‘Klar bleiben’, whereas the control group (75 classes) will receive education as usual. ‘Klar bleiben’ addresses classes, individuals, teachers and parents. It is based on a social norms approach and aims to reduce hazardous drinking and drinking-related consequences in adolescents. Secondary outcomes include general drinking behaviour, use of other substances, alcohol-related cognitions and social factors. Covariates include sociodemographic characteristics, environmental and individual (vulnerability) factors.

Ethics and dissemination

‘Klar bleiben’ provides a multicomponent school-based programme that bridges a gap in alcohol prevention. Similar class-level and social norms-based prevention programmes have already been proven to be successful for other substances among adolescents. Thus, dissemination to other federal states as well as longer term follow-up testing of the robustness of effects is to be anticipated. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the German Psychological Society (RH_0620152), and study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00009424.
Coordination chemistry of oxygen difluoride — an ETS-NOCV analysis
Authors: Jacobsen Heiko
Published: November 2015

Oxygen difluoride most likely does not form stable complexes with transition metal fragments but initiates formation of halides, oxides, and oxyhalides. This conclusion is drawn as the result of density functional calculations (BP86/TZVP). The interaction between OF2 as potential ligand and the transition metal fragment Cr(CO)5 provides the model scenario. A combined charge and energy decomposition scheme (ETS-NOCV) for bond analysis illustrates the difference in bond behavior between typical donor ligands and oxygen difluoride.
On molecular topological properties of dendrimers
Authors: Bokhary Syed Ahtsham Ul Haq , Imran Muhammad , Manzoor Sadia
Published: November 2015

Topological indices are numerical parameters of a graph that characterize its topology and are usually graph invariant. In a QSAR/QSPR study, physicochemical properties and topological indices such as the Randić, atom–bond connectivity (ABC), and geometric–arithmetic (GA) indices are used to predict the bioactivity of different chemical compounds. Graph theory has found a considerable use in this area of research. In this paper, we study the degree-based molecular topological indices such as ABC4 and GA5 for certain families of dendrimers. We derive the analytical closed formulae for these classes of dendrimers.
A comprehensive collapse fragility assessment of moment resisting steel frames considering various sources of uncertainties
Authors: Beheshti-Aval S.B. , Khojastehfar E. , Noori M. , Zolfaghari M.R.
Published: November 2015

Different sources of uncertainties contribute to the collapse and safety assessment of structures. In this paper, impact of construction quality (CQ) is considered in developing analytical collapse fragility curves for moment resisting steel frames. Furthermore, the interaction of this source of uncertainty with epistemic uncertainty inherent in modeling parameters, due to lack of knowledge and inaccuracy of predictor equations, is investigated. Beam strength, column strength, beam ductility, and column ductility meta-variables are defined as modeling parameters which are being suffered by informal uncertainty. Quadratic equations for the mean and the standard deviation of collapse fragility curves are derived by utilizing response surfaces, which are interpolated to analytically-derived values considering realizations for modeling variables and for various levels of construction quality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, interaction of modeling and CQ uncertainty in analytical collapse fragility curve has not been considered in previous investigations. A fuzzy rule-based method is applied to employ the effects of uncertainty due to CQ. Using Monte Carlo simulation for the modeling variables and the construction quality index, and subsequently computing response surface coefficients via a fuzzy inference system, and finally deriving collapse fragility curve parameters through response surfaces, result in collapse fragility curves of structures. In developing these curves, different sources of uncertainties are involved, ranging from lexical to informal and stochastic types. It is concluded that neglecting the effects of these sources leads to the underestimation of collapse fragility probability. This shows the importance of considering modeling and construction quality uncertainty effects on collapse fragility curves. It is shown that for a sample moment resisting steel frame collapse probability is increased 53% and 60% for 10% and 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years seismic hazard levels, respectively, while interaction of CQ and modeling uncertainties are considered in comparison with neglecting them. Otherwise, if only modeling uncertainty is involved, this increment is evaluated at 42% and 16%, respectively for the aforementioned probabilities of exceedance.
Local scour around bridge abutments including effects of relative bed coarseness and blockage ratio
Authors: Wu Peng , Balachandar Ram
Published: November 2015

Based on laboratory scale experiments, the role of relative bed coarseness, approach flow depth, and blockage ratio on local scour around semi-circular bridge abutments are discussed. The results reveal that the approach flow depth and relative bed coarseness have a very strong influence on the scour geometry. With the increase of relative bed coarseness, the scour width and scour depth decrease correspondingly. Larger blockage ratios result in larger scour but the relative effects is the smallest compared to the approach flow depth and relative bed coarseness. An empirical equation is developed based on the experimental results. The study provides additional support for considering relative bed coarseness, flow depth, and blockage ratio in scour prediction formulae.
Salmon carcasses influence genetic linkages between forests and streams
Authors: LeRoy Carri J. , Fischer Dylan G. , Andrews Walton M. , Belleveau Lisa , Barlow Clyde H. , Schweitzer Jennifer A. , Bailey Joseph K. , Marks Jane C. , Kallestad Jeff C.
Published: November 2015

Biodiversity at many scales (functional group, species, genetic) can result in emergent ecological patterns. Here we explore the influence of tree genotypic variation and diversity on in-stream ecosystem processes and aquatic communities. We test whether genetically diverse inputs of leaf litter interact with a keystone organism, anadromous salmon, to influence in-stream ecosystem function. We used reach-level manipulation of salmon carcasses and leaf litter bags to examine how nutrient inputs interact with genetic variation in leaf litter decomposition. Genotypic variation in black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) significantly influenced leaf litter chemistry, litter mass loss, and fungal biomass, but these variables were only weakly influenced by salmon carcass presence or a genotype × salmon (G × E) interaction. Mixtures of genotypes tended to demonstrate antagonistic effects (slower than expected decomposition) in the absence of salmon, but synergistic effects (faster than expected decomposition) when salmon were present. Our findings suggest that the influence of plant genotypic variation in linking aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems may be altered and in some cases intensified in the presence of a keystone vertebrate species.
Simultaneous conduction mapping and intracellular membrane potential recording in isolated atria
Authors: Neo Melissa , Morris David G. , Kuklik Pawel , Lau Dennis H. , Dimitri Hany , Lim Wei-Wen , Sanders Prashanthan , Saint David A.
Published: November 2015

We describe a novel approach for simultaneously determining regional differences in action potential (AP) morphology and tissue electrophysiological properties in isolated atria. The epicardial surface of rat atrial preparations was placed in contact with a multi-electrode array (9 × 10 silver chloride electrodes, 0.1 mm diameter and 0.1 mm pitch). A glass microelectrode (100 MΩ) was simultaneously inserted into the endocardial surface to record intracellular AP from either of 2 regions (A, B) during pacing from 2 opposite corners of the tissue. AP duration at 80% of repolarisation and its restitution curve was significantly different only in region A (p < 0.01) when AP was initiated at different stimulation sites. Alternans in AP duration and AP amplitude, and in conduction velocity were observed during 2 separate arrhythmic episodes. This approach of combining microelectrode array and intracellular membrane potential recording may provide new insights into arrhythmogenic mechanisms in animal models of cardiovascular disease.
FISH and AgNor mapping of the 45S and 5S rRNA genes in wild and cultivated species of Capsicum(Solananceae)
Authors: Scaldaferro Marisel A. , da Cruz M. Victoria Romero , Cecchini Nicolás M. , Moscone Eduardo A.
Published: November 2015

Chromosome number and position of rDNA were studied in 12 wild and cultivated species of the genus Capsicum with chromosome numbers x = 12 and x = 13 (22 samples). For the first time in these species, the 5S and 45S rRNA loci were localized and physically mapped using two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization and AgNOR banding. We focused on the comparison of the results obtained with both methods with the aim of accurately revealing the real functional rRNA genes. The analyzes were based on a previous work that reported that the 18S–5.8S–25S loci mostly coincide with GC-rich heterochromatic regions and likely have given rise to satellite DNAs, which are not active genes. These data show the variability of rDNA within karyotypes of the genus Capsicum, providing anchor points for (comparative) genetic maps. In addition, the obtained information might be useful for studies on evolution of repetitive DNA.
LONG-RUN EFFECT OF A DISASTER: CASE STUDY ON THE KOBE EARTHQUAKE
Authors: OKUYAMA YASUHIDE
Published: November 2015

In 1995, the Kobe earthquake occurred in the second largest economic region of Japan, and its economic damages were accounted around 10 trillion yen. This paper presents an empirical investigation of long-run economic effects of the event based on a time-series data. The results indicate that the event had created statistically significant deviations from the pre-earthquake growth path of Kobe. In addition, the comparison with the projected pre-event growth path revealed that the long-run effects have resulted in a steady decline of per capita GRP, while the short-run impacts led to some positive impacts from recovery and reconstruction during the first several years.
Exotic mesons with hidden charm as diquark–antidiquark states
Authors: Anisovich V. V. , Matveev M. A. , Sarantsev A. V. , Semenova A. N.
Published: November 2015

Exotic mesons with hidden strange [Formula: see text] and heavy quark pairs [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], are considered as diquark–antidiquark systems, [Formula: see text]. Taking into account that these states can recombinate into two-meson ones, we study the interplay of these states in terms of the dispersion relation [Formula: see text]-function technique. The classification of exotic mesons is discussed, coefficients for decay modes are given, predictions for new states are presented. The nonet structure for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-states [Formula: see text] is suggested.
Double Pendulum Induced Stability
Authors: Nikolai Bezdenejnykh , Gabin Andres Mateo , Jimenez Raul Zazo
Published: November 2015

In this work, a study of the relative equilibrium of a double pendulum whose point of suspension performs high frequency harmonic vibrations is presented. In order to determine the induced positions of equilibrium of the double pendulum at different gravity and vibration configurations, a set of experiments has been conducted. The theoretical analysis of the problem has been developed using Kapitsa’s method and numerical method. The method of Kapitsa allows to analyze the potential energy of a system in general and to find the values of the parameters of the problem that correspond to the relative extreme of energy — positions of stable or unstable equilibrium. The results of numerical and theoretical analysis of Hamilton equations are in good agreement with the results of the experiments.
Optimal Partitioning for Dual-Pivot Quicksort
Authors: Aumüller Martin , Dietzfelbinger Martin
Published: November 2015

Dual-pivot quicksort
refers to variants of classical quicksort where in the partitioning step two pivots are used to split the input into three segments. This can be done in different ways, giving rise to different algorithms. Recently, a dual-pivot algorithm due to Yaroslavskiy received much attention, because it replaced the well-engineered quicksort algorithm in Oracle’s Java 7 runtime library. Nebel and Wild (ESA 2012) analyzed this algorithm and showed that on average it uses 1.9
n
ln
n
+
O
(
n
) comparisons to sort an input of size
n
, beating standard quicksort, which uses 2
n
ln
n
+
O
(
n
) comparisons. We introduce a model that captures all dual-pivot algorithms, give a unified analysis, and identify new dual-pivot algorithms that minimize the average number of key comparisons among all possible algorithms up to a linear term. This minimum is 1.8
n
ln
n
+
O
(
n
). For the case that the pivots are chosen from a small sample, we include a comparison of dual-pivot quicksort and classical quicksort. Specifically, we show that dual-pivot quicksort benefits from a skewed choice of pivots. We experimentally evaluate our algorithms and compare them to Yaroslavskiy’s algorithm and the recently described 3-pivot quicksort algorithm of Kushagra et al. (ALENEX 2014).
How Hard are Steady-State Queueing Simulations?
Authors: Ni Eric C. , Henderson Shane G.
Published: November 2015

Some queueing systems require tremendously long simulation runlengths to obtain accurate estimators of certain steady-state performance measures when the servers are heavily utilized. However, this is not uniformly the case. We analyze a number of single-station Markovian queueing models, demonstrating that several steady-state performance measures can be accurately estimated with modest runlengths. Our analysis reinforces the meta result that if the queue is “well dimensioned,” then simulation runlengths will be modest. Queueing systems can be well dimensioned because customers abandon if they are forced to wait in line too long, or because the queue is operated in the “quality- and efficiency-driven regime” in which servers are heavily utilized but wait times are short. The results are based on computing or bounding the asymptotic variance and bias for several standard single-station queueing models and performance measures.
Audio-Based Feedback Techniques for Teaching Touchscreen Gestures
Authors: Oh Uran , Branham Stacy , Findlater Leah , Kane Shaun K.
Published: November 2015

While sighted users may learn to perform touchscreen gestures through observation (e.g., of other users or video tutorials), such mechanisms are inaccessible for users with visual impairments. As a result, learning to perform gestures without visual feedback can be challenging. We propose and evaluate two techniques to teach touchscreen gestures to users with visual impairments: (1)
gesture sonification
to generate sound based on finger touches, creating an audio representation of a gesture; and (2)
corrective verbal feedback
that combined automatic analysis of the user's drawn gesture with speech feedback. To refine and evaluate the techniques, we conducted three controlled laboratory studies. The first study, with 12 sighted participants, compared parameters for sonifying gestures in an eyes-free scenario. We identified pitch+stereo panning as the best combination. In the second study, ten blind and low-vision participants completed gesture replication tasks for single-stroke, multistroke, and multitouch gestures using the gesture sonification feedback. We found that multistroke gestures were more difficult to understand in sonification, but that playing each finger sound serially may improve understanding. In the third study, six blind and low-vision participants completed gesture replication tasks with both the sonification and corrective verbal feedback techniques. Subjective data and preliminary performance findings indicated that the techniques offer complementary advantages: although verbal feedback was preferred overall primarily due to the precision of its instructions, almost all participants appreciated the sonification for certain situations (e.g., to convey speed). This article extends our previous publication on gesture sonification by extending these techniques to multistroke and multitouch gestures. These findings provide a foundation for nonvisual training systems for touchscreen gestures.
Low-Cost Real-Time 3D Reconstruction of Large-Scale Excavation Sites
Authors: Zollhöfer M. , Siegl C. , Vetter M. , Dreyer B. , Stamminger M. , Aybek Serdar , Bauer F.
Published: November 2015

The 3D reconstruction of archeological sites is still an expensive and time-consuming task. In this article, we present a novel interactive, low-cost approach to 3D reconstruction and compare it to a standard photogrammetry pipeline based on high-resolution photographs.

Our novel real-time reconstruction pipeline is based on a low-cost, consumer-level hand-held RGB-D sensor. While scanning, the user sees a live view of the current reconstruction, allowing the user to intervene immediately and adapt the sensor path to the current scanning result. After a raw reconstruction has been acquired, the digital model is interactively warped to fit a geo-referenced map using a handle-based deformation paradigm. Even large sites can be scanned within a few minutes, and no costly postprocessing is required. The quality of the acquired digitized raw 3D models is evaluated by comparing them to actual imagery, a geo-referenced map of the excavation site, and a photogrammetry-based reconstruction.

We made extensive tests under real-world conditions on an archeological excavation in Metropolis, Ionia, Turkey. We found that the reconstruction quality of our approach is comparable to that of photogrammetry. Yet, both approaches have advantages and shortcomings in specific setups, which we analyze and discuss.
Evaluating Intelligibility and Battery Drain of Mobile Sign Language Video Transmitted at Low Frame Rates and Bit Rates
Authors: Tran Jessica J. , Riskin Eve A. , Ladner Richard E. , Wobbrock Jacob O.
Published: November 2015

Mobile sign language video conversations can become unintelligible if high video transmission rates cause network congestion and delayed video. In an effort to understand the perceived lower limits of intelligible sign language video intended for mobile communication, we evaluated sign language video transmitted at four low frame rates (1, 5, 10, and 15 frames per second [fps]) and four low fixed bit rates (15, 30, 60, and 120 kilobits per second [kbps]) at a constant spatial resolution of 320 × 240 pixels. We discovered an “intelligibility ceiling effect,” in which increasing the frame rate above 10fps did not improve perceived intelligibility, and increasing the bit rate above 60kbps produced diminishing returns. Given the study parameters, our findings suggest that relaxing the recommended frame rate and bit rate to 10fps at 60kbps will provide intelligible video conversations while reducing total bandwidth consumption to 25% of the ITU-T standard (at least 25fps and 100kbps). As part of this work, we developed the
Human Signal Intelligibility Model
, a new conceptual model useful for informing evaluations of video intelligibility and our methodology for creating linguistically accessible web surveys for deaf people. We also conducted a battery-savings experiment quantifying battery drain when sign language video is transmitted at the lower frame rates and bit rates. Results confirmed that increasing the transmission rates monotonically decreased the battery life.
MINIME-GPU
Authors: Deniz Etem , Sen Alper
Published: November 2015

We introduce MINIME-GPU, a novel automated benchmark synthesis framework for graphics processing units (GPUs) that serves to speed up architectural simulation of modern GPU architectures. Our framework captures important characteristics of original GPU applications and generates synthetic GPU benchmarks using the Open Computing Language (OpenCL) library from those applications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time synthetic OpenCL benchmarks for GPUs are generated from existing applications. We use several characteristics, including instruction throughput, compute unit occupancy, and memory efficiency, to compare the similarity of original applications and their corresponding synthetic benchmarks. The experimental results show that our synthetic benchmark generation framework is capable of generating synthetic benchmarks that have similar characteristics with the original applications from which they are generated. On average, the similarity (accuracy) is 96% and the speedup is 541 ×. In addition, our synthetic benchmarks use the OpenCL library, which allows us to obtain portable human readable benchmarks as opposed to using assembly-level code, and they are faster and smaller than the original applications from which they are generated. We experimentally validated that our synthetic benchmarks preserve the characteristics of the original applications across different architectures.
Quasi-Polynomial Local Search for Restricted Max-Min Fair Allocation
Authors: Poláček Lukáš , Svensson Ola
Published: November 2015

The restricted max-min fair allocation problem (also known as the restricted Santa Claus problem) is one of few problems that enjoys the intriguing status of having a better estimation algorithm than approximation algorithm. Indeed, Asadpour et al. [2012] proved that a certain configuration LP can be used to estimate the optimal value within a factor of 1/(4 + ϵ), for any ϵ > 0, but at the same time it is not known how to efficiently find a solution with a comparable performance guarantee.

A natural question that arises from their work is if the difference between these guarantees is inherent or results from a lack of suitable techniques. We address this problem by giving a quasi-polynomial approximation algorithm with the mentioned performance guarantee. More specifically, we modify the local search of Asadpour et al. [2012] and provide a novel analysis that lets us significantly improve the bound on its running time: from 2

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)

to
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)

. Our techniques also have the interesting property that although we use the rather complex configuration LP in the analysis, we never actually solve it and therefore the resulting algorithm is purely combinatorial.
Managing Mismatches in Voltage Stacking with CoreUnfolding
Authors: Ardestani Ehsan K. , Possignolo Rafael Trapani , Briz Jose Luis , Renau Jose
Published: November 2015

Five percent to 25% of power could be wasted before it is delivered to the computational resources on a die, due to inefficiencies of voltage regulators and resistive loss. The power delivery could benefit if, at the same power, the delivered voltage increases and the current decreases. This article presents
CoreUnfolding
, a technique that leverages voltage Stacking to improve power delivery efficiency. Our experiments show that about 10% system-wide power can be saved, the voltage regulator area can be reduced by 30%,
di
/
dt
improves 49%, and the power pin count is reduced by 40% (≈ 20% reduction in packaging costs), with negligible performance degradation.
Neuronal Mechanisms of Visual Attention
Authors: Maunsell John H.R.
Published: November 2015

Advances on several fronts have refined our understanding of the neuronal mechanisms of attention. This review focuses on recent progress in understanding visual attention through single-neuron recordings made in behaving subjects. Simultaneous recordings from populations of individual cells have shown that attention is associated with changes in the correlated firing of neurons that can enhance the quality of sensory representations. Other work has shown that sensory normalization mechanisms are important for explaining many aspects of how visual representations change with attention, and these mechanisms must be taken into account when evaluating attention-related neuronal modulations. Studies comparing different brain structures suggest that attention is composed of several cognitive processes, which might be controlled by different brain regions. Collectively, these and other recent findings provide a clearer picture of how representations in the visual system change when attention shifts from one target to another.
Contributions of Retinal Ganglion Cells to Subcortical Visual Processing and Behaviors
Authors: Dhande Onkar S. , Stafford Benjamin K. , Lim Jung-Hwan A. , Huberman Andrew D.
Published: November 2015

Every aspect of visual perception and behavior is built from the neural activity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the output neurons of the eye. Here, we review progress toward understanding the many types of RGCs that communicate visual signals to the brain, along with the subcortical brain regions that use those signals to build and respond to representations of the outside world. We emphasize recent progress in the use of mouse genetics, viral circuit tracing, and behavioral psychophysics to define and map the various RGCs and their associated networks. We also address questions about the homology of RGC types in mice and other species including nonhuman primates and humans. Finally, we propose a framework for understanding RGC typology and for highlighting the relationship between RGC type-specific circuitry and the processing stations in the brain that support and give rise to the perception of sight.
Ribbon Synapses and Visual Processing in the Retina
Authors: Lagnado Leon , Schmitz Frank
Published: November 2015

The first synapses transmitting visual information contain an unusual organelle, the ribbon, which is involved in the transport and priming of vesicles to be released at the active zone. The ribbon is one of many design features that allow efficient refilling of the active zone, which in turn enables graded changes in membrane potential to be transmitted using a continuous mode of neurotransmitter release. The ribbon also plays a key role in supplying vesicles for rapid and transient bursts of release that signal fast changes, such as the onset of light. We increasingly understand how the physiological properties of ribbon synapses determine basic transformations of the visual signal and, in particular, how the process of refilling the active zone regulates the gain and adaptive properties of the retinal circuit. The molecular basis of ribbon function is, however, far from clear.