bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of transverse tension load on the static capacity and fatigue resistance of composite dowels
Authors: Kopp Maik , Pak Daniel , Feldmann Markus
Published: May 2016

Composite dowels are powerful shear connectors in steel‐concrete composite structures, especially for prefabricated composite bridges. The advantages of composite dowels over other shear connectors are their increased strength and sufficient slip capacity even in high‐strength concrete. The National Technical Approval for Germany , from 2013 allows the design of composite structures with composite dowels for hogging and sagging moments under static and cyclic loading. However, the design of structures with cyclic loading in combination with centric tension perpendicular to the composite dowels (transverse tension) is neglected. Therefore, one part of national project P967 ”External reinforcement for composite bridges“, funded by FOSTA, the Research Association for Steel Application, was to determine how transverse tension affects the static capacity and fatigue resistance of composite dowels. To investigate this effect, two test series, each with six push‐out tests, were carried out. The test setup and the results of the static and cyclic shear tests in combination with transverse tension are presented in this paper.
Anchorage of external reinforcement in the case of rigid clamping
Authors: Luo Guoqing , Mensinger Martin
Published: May 2016

In the case of frame bridges with external reinforcement, the reinforcing elements have to be anchored in the abutment wall. Owing to the interaction of negative bending moment and longitudinal shear force in the abutment area, the force transfer between concrete, external steel reinforcement and normal steel reinforcement is complex. Two frame structure tests were carried out to investigate the loadbearing behaviour and rational anchorage length of external reinforcement in abutments. Two different anchorage lengths were tested, and the structural behaviour and failure modes of the two specimens were compared and analysed. The results indicate that the anchorage length has a great influence on the loadbearing capacity, and the pull‐out effect at the end of the external reinforcement should be paid special attention. The detail stress distribution and the M‐V interaction in the anchored external reinforcement were obtained from the tests and the results fit well with the theoretical calculation. Mechanical models are proposed to evaluate the pull‐out effect and optimize the anchorage length of the external reinforcement.
A new ETFE façade creates a landmark for Puebla F.C.
Authors: Aracil Llinares Mónica , Schöne Lutz , Weininger Florian
Published: May 2016

Cuauhtémoc Stadium, a first division football stadium in Puebla, México, with more than 51 000 seats, has recently been completely renovated. The brand‐new façade has become an icon for the club and for the city. The façade is designed as a skin of single‐layer ETFE foil in a combination of three different shades of blue and translucent white. The design and construction of the façade is the result of an international collaboration between local contractor DÜNN Lightweight Architecture, from Zapopan, Mexico, and LEICHT Structural engineering and specialists consulting GmbH, based in Munich, Germany. This paper will elaborate on the boundary conditions of the project and the technical decisions made for the construction of the façade.
Elastic behaviour of the steel part of a shear connection with MCL composite dowels
Authors: Kożuch Maciej , Rowiński Sławomir
Published: May 2016

In this paper the authors present numerical and analytical approaches for establishing rules for dimensioning MCL steel connectors for serviceability and fatigue limit states. Two unit models were adopted for the stress calculations by means of FEM: the first one for taking into account the notch effect of the longitudinal cutting line on the stress pattern in a uniformly tensioned steel plate, the second one for determining the stress pattern in a steel connector due to longitudinal shearing between the steel and concrete parts of the beam. A mathematical approach for establishing an envelope of the connector's resistance is presented. A detailed study of the fatigue behaviour of steel connectors is presented in the second part of the paper. Possible crack patterns and their development mechanisms are described, justified by appropriate FEA and test results.
Addressing the risk of maladaptation to climate change
Authors: Magnan A. K. , Schipper E.L.F. , Burkett M. , Bharwani S. , Burton I. , Eriksen S. , Gemenne F. , Schaar J. , Ziervogel G.
Published: May 2016

This paper reviews the current theoretical scholarship on maladaptation and provides some specific case studies—in the Maldives, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Bangladesh—to advance the field by offering an improved conceptual understanding and more practice‐oriented insights. It notably highlights four main dimensions to assess the risk of maladaptation, that is, process, multiple drivers, temporal scales, and spatial scales. It also describes three examples of frameworks—the Pathways, the Precautionary, and the Assessment frameworks—that can help capture the risk of maladaptation on the ground. Both these conceptual and practical developments support the need for putting the risk of maladaptation at the top of the planning agenda. The paper argues that starting with the intention to avoid mistakes and not lock‐in detrimental effects of adaptation‐labeled initiatives is a first, key step to the wider process of adapting to climate variability and change. It thus advocates for the anticipation of the risk of maladaptation to become a priority for decision makers and stakeholders at large, from the international to the local levels. Such an ex ante approach, however, supposes to get a clearer understanding of what maladaptation is. Ultimately, the paper affirms that a challenge for future research consists in developing context‐specific guidelines that will allow funding bodies to make the best decisions to support adaptation (i.e., by better capturing the risk of maladaptation) and practitioners to design adaptation initiatives with a low risk of maladaptation. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:646–665. doi: 10.1002/wcc.409

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies
Unsupervised learning of indoor localization based on received signal strength
Authors: Li Li , Yang Wang , Alam Bhuiyan Md Zakirul , Wang Guojun
Published: May 2016

Most indoor wireless sensor network localization methods require costly site surveys to collect fingerprint information for later comparison. Moreover, due to the dynamic nature of fingerprint information in indoor wireless environments, the need for site surveys may be ongoing. In this work, indoor localization is addressed with an unsupervised learning algorithm. Our novel algorithm based on received signal strength combines the information conveyed by both range‐based and range‐free localization with state‐of‐art optimization techniques. A specially designed hierarchical Bayesian hidden Markov model coupled with a particle filter helps mitigate non‐line‐of‐sight and multipath errors. This grid‐based data sample process, derived from the theory of Dirichlet processes, simplifies the global optimization problem of unsupervised learning by employing a single initial hyper‐parameter. Meanwhile, for obtaining accurate coordinates of mobile nodes, a unique semidefinite programming method is used to provide feedback to the radio propagation model. This feedback step can enable the grid‐based algorithms not only to establish the coordinates of a mobile node, but also to optimize the accuracy iteratively. Theoretical and experimental analyses indicate that the proposed algorithm can achieve better localization accuracy than conventional range‐based algorithms without adding computation cost. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preliminary Lichenometric Studies in Eastern and North-Western Himalaya
Authors: Bajpai Rajesh , Singh C. P. , Shukla Preeti , Upreti D. K.
Published: May 2016

Lichenometry is an extremely useful technique in dating moraine ridge and recent glacier retreat in polar and alpine regions. The study relates the size of the lichen thallus to the minimum age of the exposure of the surface on which it grows which consequently helps in assessment of the age of the boulders. The Lichenometric studies are carried out in Kupup and Thangu area of eastern Himalaya in Sikkim and Thajiwas glacier in Ganderbal district of north western Himalaya of Jammu and Kashmir with the help of diameters of a common crustose lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum growing luxuriantly on exposed boulder. The Thajiwas glacier showed retreat of 200 m in 279 years while in Thangu and Kupup area of eastern Himalaya the retreat was estimated as 200 m in 100 and 91 years respectively. The rate of retreat was slightly more faster in eastern Himalayan (20 mm/century) than the north-western Himalaya region (18.5mm/century).
Estimation of Dolomite Formation: Dolomite Precipitation and Dolomitization
Authors: Banerjee Amlan
Published: May 2016

Reactive-transport models are developed here that produce dolomite via two scenarios: primary dolomite (no CaCO3 dissolution involved) versus secondary dolomite (dolomitization, involving CaCO3 dissolution). Using the available dolomite precipitation rate kinetics, calculations suggest that tens of meters of thick dolomite deposits cannot form at near room temperature (25-35°C) by inorganic precipitation mechanism, though this mechanism will provide dolomite aggregates that can act as the nuclei for dolomite crystallization during later dolomitization stage. Increase in supersaturation, Mg+2/Ca+2 ratio and CO3−2 on the formation of dolomite at near room temperature are subtle except for temperature. This study suggests that microbial mediation is needed for appreciable amount of primary dolomite formation. On the other hand, reactive-transport models depicting dolomitization (temperature range of 40 to 200°C) predicts the formation of two adjacent moving coupled reaction zones (calcite dissolution and dolomite precipitation) with sharp dolomitization front, and generation of >20% of secondary porosity. Due to elevated temperature of formation, dolomitization mechanism is efficient in converting existing calcite into dolomite at a much faster rate compared to primary dolomite formation.
Evaluation of Groundwater Potential Zones Using Electrical Resistivity and GIS in Noyyal River Basin, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Selvarani A. Geetha , Elangovan K. , Kumar C. Siva
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the groundwater potential zones in Noyyal river basin using GIS and electrical resistivity. River Noyyal was perennial with good flow till early seventies. In recent years, the scene has changed drastically and the river has become practically seasonal and receives copious water during northeast monsoon from September to November. The rest of the years it remains more or less dry. Since the surface water resources in the area are inadequate to meet the local needs it is necessary to explore groundwater resources which has not been done properly. Hence various thematic maps have been used for the preparation of groundwater prospective map by integrating geology, geomorphology, slope, drainage and lineament of the study area. Electrical resistivity survey was conducted at 52 locations by using Schlumberger configuration. From this weathered thickness and depth to basement have been taken and overlaid for identifying groundwater potential sites and finally this result was compared with yield data. The interpretation shows that the entire study area has moderate to good category of groundwater potential.
Microfacies Analysis and Cyclostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene Succession of Bir Dakhl Section, North Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Youssef Mohamed , Hefny Mahmoud , El Sorogy Abdelbaset
Published: May 2016

The Bir Dakhl section which is located in the southern Galala plateau, north eastern desert was sampled for microfacies analysis of the upper Cretaceous–lower Paleogene succession. Microfacies analysis led to the recognition of eight mixed clastic-carbonate facies types (black shale lithofacies MF-1, pure shale lithofacies MF-2, sandy shale lithofacies MF-3, marly shale lithofacies MF-4, mudstone microfacies MF-5, foraminiferal wackestone microfacies MF-6, bioclastic wackestone microfacies MF-7, and bioclastic packstone microfacies MF-8) of the studied interval. These microfacies can be grouped into three depositional environments: inner, middle and outer ramp. The interpreted depositional environments have been suggested to range from neritic to middle bathyal (∼ 700 m). Based on cyclostratigraphy, five deepening upward cycles and three shallowing upward cycles have been differentiated in Bir Dakhl section.
RETRACTED: Hsp90‐binding immunophilin FKBP51 forms complexes with hTERT enhancing telomerase activity
Authors: Lagadari Mariana , Zgajnar Nadia R. , Gallo Luciana I. , Galigniana Mario D.
Published: May 2016

FK506‐binding proteins are members of the immunophilin family of proteins. Those immunophilins associated to the 90‐kDa‐heat‐shock protein, Hsp90, have been proposed as potential modulators of signalling cascade factors chaperoned by Hsp90. FKBP51 and FKBP52 are the best characterized Hsp90‐bound immunophilins first described associated to steroid‐receptors. The reverse transcriptase subunit of telomerase, hTERT, is also an Hsp90 client‐protein and is highly expressed in cancer cells, where it is required to compensate the loss of telomeric DNA after each successive cell division. Because FKBP51 is also a highly expressed protein in cancer tissues, we analyzed its potential association with hTERT·Hsp90 complexes and its possible biological role. In this study it is demonstrated that both immunophilins, FKBP51 and FKBP52, co‐immunoprecipitate with hTERT. The Hsp90 inhibitor radicicol disrupts the heterocomplex and favors the partial cytoplasmic relocalization of hTERT in similar manner as the overexpression of the TPR‐domain peptide of the immunophilin. While confocal microscopy images show that FKBP51 is primarily localized in mitochondria and hTERT is totally nuclear, upon the onset of oxidative stress, FKBP51 (but not FKBP52) becomes mostly nuclear colocalizing with hTERT, and longer exposure times to peroxide favors hTERT export to mitochondria. Importantly, telomerase activity of hTERT is significantly enhanced by FKBP51. These observations support the emerging role assigned to FKBP51 as antiapoptotic factor in cancer development and progression, and describe for the first time the potential role of this immunophilin favoring the clonal expansion by enhancing telomerase activity.
Why do companies issue sukuk?
Authors: Klein Paul‐Olivier , Weill Laurent
Published: May 2016

This paper investigates the determinants for firms to choose sukuk over conventional bond. We investigate the potential impact of information asymmetries through moral hazard and adverse selection to explain why firms prefer using sukuk. We perform logit regressions of the choice of debt type to determine which characteristics lead a firm to issue a sukuk rather than a bond. We use a dataset of sukuk and conventional bond issuances in Malaysia from 2004 to 2013. We find evidence of the influence of information asymmetries and adverse selection on the choice of the sukuk market.
Excess cost burden of diabetes in Southern India: a clinic-based, comparative cost-of-illness study
Authors: Sharma K. M. , Ranjani H. , Zabetian A. , Datta M. , Deepa M. , Moses C. R. Anand , Narayan K. M. V. , Mohan V. , Ali M. K.
Published: May 2016

Background

There are few data on excess direct and indirect costs of diabetes in India and limited data on rural costs of diabetes. We aimed to further explore these aspects of diabetes burdens using a clinic-based, comparative cost-of-illness study.

Methods

Persons with diabetes (n = 606) were recruited from government, private, and rural clinics and compared to persons without diabetes matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (n = 356). We used interviewer-administered questionnaires to estimate direct costs (outpatient, inpatient, medication, laboratory, and procedures) and indirect costs [absence from (absenteeism) or low productivity at (presenteeism) work]. Excess costs were calculated as the difference between costs reported by persons with and without diabetes and compared across settings. Regression analyses were used to separately identify factors associated with total direct and indirect costs.

Results

Annual excess direct costs were highest amongst private clinic attendees (INR 19 552, US$425) and lowest amongst government clinic attendees (INR 1204, US$26.17). Private clinic attendees had the lowest excess absenteeism (2.36 work days/year) and highest presenteeism (0.06 work days/year) due to diabetes. Government clinic attendees reported the highest absenteeism (7.48 work days/year) and lowest presenteeism (−0.31 work days/year). Ten additional years of diabetes duration was associated with 11% higher direct costs (p < 0.001). Older age (p = 0.02) and longer duration of diabetes (p < 0.001) were associated with higher total lost work days.

Conclusions

Excess health expenditures and lost productivity amongst individuals with diabetes are substantial and different across care settings. Innovative solutions are needed to cope with diabetes and its associated cost burdens in India.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Rhode Island Long-Term Care Facilities: Current Standings and Future Opportunities
Authors: Morrill Haley J. , Mermel Leonard A. , Baier Rosa R. , Alexander-Scott Nicole , Dosa David , Kavoosifar Sara , Reece Rebecca , LaPlante Kerry L.
Published: May 2016

Our survey of antimicrobial stewardship practices among Rhode Island long-term care facilities demonstrated opportunities to develop formal programs. Results suggest infection preventionists are largely responsible for ensuring appropriate antibiotic use in long-term care facilities and there is a need for increased interdisciplinary access to individuals with antimicrobial stewardship expertise.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:979–982
Ecomorphological diversifications of Mesozoic marine reptiles: the roles of ecological opportunity and extinction
Authors: Stubbs Thomas L. , Benton Michael J.
Published: May 2016

Mesozoic marine ecosystems were dominated by several clades of reptiles, including sauropterygians, ichthyosaurs, crocodylomorphs, turtles, and mosasaurs, that repeatedly invaded ocean ecosystems. Previous research has shown that marine reptiles achieved great taxonomic diversity in the Middle Triassic, as they broadly diversified into many feeding modes in the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic mass extinction, but it is not known whether this initial phase of evolution was exceptional in the context of the entire Mesozoic. Here, we use a broad array of disparity, morphospace, and comparative phylogenetic analyses to test this. Metrics of ecomorphology, including functional disparity in the jaws and dentition and skull-size diversity, show that the Middle to early Late Triassic represented a time of pronounced phenotypic diversification in marine reptile evolution. Following the Late Triassic extinctions, diversity recovered, but disparity did not, and it took over 100 Myr for comparable variation to recover in the Campanian and Maastrichtian. Jurassic marine reptiles generally failed to radiate into vacated functional roles. The signatures of adaptive radiation are not seen in all marine reptile groups. Clades that diversified during the Triassic biotic recovery, the sauropterygians and ichthyosauromorphs, do show early diversifications, early high disparity, and early burst, while less support for these models is found in thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs and mosasaurs. Overall, the Triassic represented a special interval in marine reptile evolution, as a number of groups radiated into new adaptive zones.
Spectral Calibration Requirements of Radio Interferometers for Epoch of Reionisation Science with the SKA
Authors: Trott Cathryn M. , Wayth Randall B.
Published: May 2016

Spectral features introduced by instrumental chromaticity of radio interferometers have the potential to negatively impact the ability to perform Epoch of Reionisation and Cosmic Dawn (EoR/CD) science. We describe instrument calibration choices that influence the spectral characteristics of the science data, and assess their impact on EoR/CD statistical and tomographic experiments. Principally, we consider the intrinsic spectral response of the antennas, embedded within a complete frequency-dependent primary beam response, and instrument sampling. The analysis is applied to the proposed SKA1-Low EoR/CD experiments. We provide tolerances on the smoothness of the SKA station primary beam bandpass, to meet the scientific goals of statistical and tomographic (imaging) of EoR/CD programs. Two calibration strategies are tested: (1) fitting of each fine channel independently, and (2) fitting of annth-order polynomial for each ~ 1 MHz coarse channel with (n+1)th-order residuals (n= 2, 3, 4). Strategy (1) leads to uncorrelated power in the 2D power spectrum proportional to the thermal noise power, thereby reducing the overall sensitivity. Strategy (2) leads to correlated residuals from the fitting, and residual signal power with (n+1)th-order curvature. For the residual power to be less than the thermal noise, the fractional amplitude of a fourth-order term in the bandpass across a single coarse channel must be < 2.5% (50 MHz), < 0.5% (150 MHz), < 0.8% (200 MHz). The tomographic experiment places constraints on phase residuals in the bandpass. We find that the root-mean-square variability over all stations of the change in phase across any fine channel (4.578 kHz) should not exceed 0.2 degrees.
A Large-Scale, Low-Frequency Murchison Widefield Array Survey of Galactic H ii Regions between 260 < l < 340
Authors: Hindson L. , Johnston-Hollitt M. , Hurley-Walker N. , Callingham J. R. , Su H. , Morgan J. , Bell M. , Bernardi G. , Bowman J. D. , Briggs F. , Cappallo R. J. , Deshpande A. A. , Dwarakanath K. S. , For B.-Q , Gaensler B. M. , Greenhill L. J. , Hancock P. , Hazelton B. J. , Kapińska A. D. , Kaplan D. L. , Lenc E. , Lonsdale C. J. , Mckinley B. , McWhirter S. R. , Mitchell D. A. , Morales M. F. , Morgan E. , Oberoi D. , Offringa A. , Ord S. M. , Procopio P. , Prabu T. , Shankar N. Udaya , Srivani K. S. , Staveley-Smith L. , Subrahmanyan R. , Tingay S. J. , Wayth R. B. , Webster R. L. , Williams A. , Williams C. L. , Wu C. , Zheng Q.
Published: May 2016

We have compiled a catalogue of H ii regions detected with the Murchison Widefield Array between 72 and 231 MHz. The multiple frequency bands provided by the Murchison Widefield Array allow us identify the characteristic spectrum generated by the thermal Bremsstrahlung process in H ii regions. We detect 306 H ii regions between 260° < l < 340° and report on the positions, sizes, peak, integrated flux density, and spectral indices of these H ii regions. By identifying the point at which H ii regions transition from the optically thin to thick regime, we derive the physical properties including the electron density, ionised gas mass, and ionising photon flux, towards 61 H ii regions. This catalogue of H ii regions represents the most extensive and uniform low frequency survey of H ii regions in the Galaxy to date.
Bomb Radiocarbon and the Hawaiian Archipelago: Coral, Otoliths, and Seawater
Authors: Andrews Allen H , Siciliano Daria , Potts Donald C , DeMartini Edward E , Covarrubias Stephannie
Published: May 2016

Corals of the Hawaiian Archipelago are well situated in the North Pacific Gyre (NPG) to record how bomb-produced radiocarbon has been sequestered and transported by the sea. While this signal can be traced accurately through time in reef-building corals and used to infer oceanographic processes and determine the ages of marine organisms, a comprehensive and validated record has been lacking for the Hawaiian Archipelago. In this study, a coral core from Kure Atoll in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands was used to create a high-resolution bomb 14C record for the years 1939–2002, and was then used with other 14C measurements in fish otoliths and seawater to explore differences and similarities in the bomb 14C signal throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago. The Kure Atoll sample series produced a well-defined bomb 14C curve that, with some exceptions, was similar to other coral 14C records from the Hawaiian Archipelago. Subtle differences in the coral 14C records across the region may be explained by the large-scale ocean circulation patterns and decadal cycles of the NPG. The most rapid increase of 14C, in the 1950s and 1960s, showed similar timing across the Hawaiian Archipelago and provides a robust basis for use of bomb 14C dating to obtain high-precision age determinations of marine organisms. Reference otoliths of juvenile fish demonstrated the use of the post-peak 14C decline period as a viable reference in the age validation of younger and more recently collected fishes, and effectively extended the utility of bomb 14C dating to the latest 30 yr.
Glutamate ameliorates copper-induced oxidative injury by regulating antioxidant defences in fish intestine
Authors: Jiang Jun , Wu Xiao-Yun , Zhou Xiao-Qiu , Feng Lin , Liu Yang , Jiang Wei-Dan , Wu Pei , Zhao Ye
Published: May 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the protective effect of glutamate (Glu) in Cu-induced oxidative injury in fish intestine in vivo and enterocytes in vitro. The results indicated that exposure to 6 mg/l Cu for 72 h induced the production of reactive oxygen species, thereby increasing protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in enterocytes of grass carp in vitro. Cells exposed to Cu alone resulted in a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase release, which is accompanied by depletions of antioxidants, including total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), anti-superoxide anion (ASA), anti-hydroxy radical (AHR) activities and GSH content. Pre-treatment with Glu remarkably prevented the toxic effects of Cu on the T-SOD, GST, GR, AHR, and ASA activities and GSH content in enterocytes. However, Cu induced an adaptive increase in the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Glu supplementation further increased GPx activity in enterocytes. Interestingly, the experiment in vivo showed that Glu pre-supplementation significantly elevated SOD, GPx, GST, GR, ASA and AHR activities, as well as GSH content. Further results showed that pre-treatment with Glu could alleviate Cu-induced oxidative injury by elevating antioxidant enzyme activities through regulating the expression of NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA. Together, these results indicated that Glu could attenuate Cu-induced cellular oxidative damage in fish intestine, likely mediated through Nrf2 signalling pathways regulating mRNA expressions of antioxidant enzyme genes and synthesis of GSH.
Effect of vitamin D supplementation, directly or via breast milk for term infants, on serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D and related biochemistry, and propensity to infection: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Chandy David D. , Kare Jahnavi , Singh Shakal N. , Agarwal Anjoo , Das Vinita , Singh Urmila , Ramesh V. , Bhatia Vijayalakshmi
Published: May 2016

We assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on related biochemistry, infection and dentition of the infant. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Lucknow, India (latitude 26°N), 230 mother –newborn pairs were randomised to receive, for 9 months, 3000µg/month oral vitamin D3 by the mother (group A) or 10µg/d by the infant (group B) or double placebo (group C). All babies received 15 min of sun exposure (unclothed) during massage. Infants’ median 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was lower in group C (median 45·3; interquartile range (IQR) 22–59·5 nmol/l) than in groups A (median 60·8; IQR 41·3–80·5 nmol/l (P<0·01)) and B (median 61·3; IQR 41·3–75·3 nmol/l (P<0·05)) at 3·5 months. Infant 25(OH)D correlated negatively with infant parathyroid hormone (r −0·46, P<0·01). Elevated alkaline phosphatase (>7.5µkat/l) was significantly more frequent in group C babies (16 %) than in group A (4 %) or group B (0 %) babies. The number of days with respiratory or diarrhoeal infection by 9 months of age was higher in group C (median 46·5; IQR 14·8–73·3 d) than in group A (median 18·5; IQR 8·8–31·0 d (P<0·01)) or group B (median 13·0; IQR 7·0–28·5 (P<0·05)). We conclude that monthly maternal or daily infant supplementation with vitamin D along with sun exposure is superior to sun exposure alone in maintaining normal infant 25(OH)D at 3·5 months, and provide protection from elevated alkaline phosphatase and infectious morbidity.
Skeletal effect of casein and whey protein intake during catch-up growth in young male Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: Masarwi Majdi , Gabet Yankel , Dolkart Oleg , Brosh Tamar , Shamir Raanan , Phillip Moshe , Gat-Yablonski Galia
Published: May 2016

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the type of protein ingested influences the efficiency of catch-up (CU) growth and bone quality in fast-growing male rats. Young male Sprague–Dawley rats were either fed ad libitum (controls) or subjected to 36 d of 40 % food restriction followed by 24 or 40 d of re-feeding with either standard rat chow or iso-energetic, iso-protein diets containing milk proteins – casein or whey. In terms of body weight, CU growth was incomplete in all study groups. Despite their similar food consumption, casein-re-fed rats had a significantly higher body weight and longer humerus than whey-re-fed rats in the long term. The height of the epiphyseal growth plate (EGP) in both casein and whey groups was greater than that of rats re-fed normal chow. Microcomputed tomography yielded significant differences in bone microstructure between the casein and whey groups, with the casein-re-fed animals having greater cortical thickness in both the short and long term in addition to a higher trabecular bone fraction in the short term, although this difference disappeared in the long term. Mechanical testing confirmed the greater bone strength in rats re-fed casein. Bone quality during CU growth significantly depends on the type of protein ingested. The higher EGP in the casein- and whey-re-fed rats suggests a better growth potential with milk-based diets. These results suggest that whey may lead to slower bone growth with reduced weight gain and, as such, may serve to circumvent long-term complications of CU growth.
Immigration and the Canadian Earnings Distribution in the First Half of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Green Alan G. , Green David A.
Published: May 2016

We use newly available micro-data from the 1911 to 1941 Canadian Censuses to investigate the impact of immigration on the Canadian earnings distribution in the first half of the twentieth century. We show that Canadian inequality rose sharply in the inter-war years, particularly in the 1920s, coinciding with two of the largest immigration decades in Canadian history. We find that immigration was not the main force driving changes in the earnings distribution. This results from a combination of self-selection by immigrants, occupational adjustments after arrival, and general equilibrium adjustments in the economy.
Nonlinear magnetosonic solitary and shock waves in strongly coupled quantum electron–positron–ion plasmas
Authors: Wang Xiaodan , Wang Yunliang , Liu Tielu , Zhang Fan
Published: May 2016

Two-dimensional nonlinear magnetosonic solitary and shock waves propagating perpendicular to the applied magnetic field are presented in quantum electron–positron–ion plasmas with strongly coupled classical ions and weakly coupled quantum electrons and positrons. The generalized viscoelastic hydrodynamic model is used for the ions and a quantum hydrodynamic model is introduced for the electrons and positrons. In the weakly nonlinear limit, a modified Kadomstev–Petviashvili (KP) equation with a damping term and a KP–Burgers equation have been derived in the kinetic regime and hydrodynamic regime, respectively. The analytical and numerical solutions of the modified KP and KP–Burgers equations are also presented and analysed with the typical parameters of a white dwarf star and pulsar magnetosphere, which show that the quantum plasma beta and the variation of positron number density have remarkable effects on the propagation of magnetosonic solitary and shock waves.
Individual differences in the distribution of sperm acrosome-associated 1 proteins among male patients of infertile couples; their possible impact on outcomes of conventional in vitro fertilization
Authors: Kishida K. , Harayama H. , Kimura F. , Murakami T.
Published: May 2016

The aims of this study were to show the existence of individual differences in the distribution of sperm acrosome-associated 1 (SPACA1) among male patients of infertile couples and to examine their possible impact on the outcomes of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF). The spermatozoa were collected from male patients of infertile couples, washed by centrifugation, collected by the swim-up method, and then used for clinical treatments of conventional IVF. The surplus sperm samples were fixed and stained with an anti-SPACA1 polyclonal antibody for the immunocytochemistry. In the clinical IVF treatments, fertilization rates and blastocyst development rates were evaluated. The immunocytochemical observations revealed that SPACA1 were localized definitely in the acrosomal equatorial segment and variedly in the acrosomal principal segment. Specifically, the detection patterns of SPACA1 in the acrosomal principal segment could be classified into three categories: (A) strong, (B) intermediate or faint, and (C) almost no immunofluorescence. The SPACA1 indexes were largely different among male patients with the wide range from 13 to 199 points. The SPACA1 indexes were significantly correlated with developmental rates of embryos to blastocysts (r = 0.829, P = 0.00162), although they were barely associated with fertilization rates at 19 h after insemination (r = 0.289, P = 0.389). These results suggest that the distribution of SPACA1 in sperm affects the outcomes of conventional IVF. In conclusion, this study provides initial data to promote large-scale clinical investigation to demonstrate that the SPACA1 indexes are valid as molecular biomarkers that can predict the effectiveness of conventional IVF of infertile couples.
Terminal alpha-d-mannosides are critical during sea urchin gastrulation
Authors: Aleksanyan Heghush , Liang Jing , Metzenberg Stan , Oppenheimer Steven B.
Published: May 2016

The sea urchin embryo is a United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) designated model system to study mechanisms that may be involved in human health and disease. In order to examine the importance of high-mannose glycans and polysaccharides in gastrulation,Lytechinus pictusembryos were incubated with Jack bean α-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24), an enzyme that cleaves terminal mannose residues that have α1–2-, α1–3-, or α1–6-glycosidic linkages. The enzyme treatment caused a variety of morphological deformations in living embryos, even with α-mannosidase activities as low as 0.06 U/ml. Additionally, formaldehyde-fixed, 48-hour-oldL. pictusembryos were microdissected and it was demonstrated that the adhesion of the tip of the archenteron to the roof of the blastocoelin vitrois abrogated by treatment with α-mannosidase. These results suggest that terminal mannose residues are involved in the adhesion between the archenteron and blastocoel roof, perhaps through a lectin-like activity that is not sensitive to fixation.
Comparison of image-based three-dimensional treatment planning using AcurosTM BV and AAPM TG-43 algorithm for intracavitary brachytherapy of carcinoma cervix
Authors: Sinnatamby Mourougan , Nagarajan Vivekanandan , Reddy K S. , Karunanidhi Gunaseelan , Singhavajala Vivekanandam
Published: May 2016

Aim

To compare the image-based three-dimensional treatment planning using AcurosTM BV and AAPM TG-43 algorithm for intracavitary brachytherapy of carcinoma cervix.

Materials and methods

Twenty-seven patients with cancer cervix, stage IIB or IIIB with vaginal involvement limited to the upper third of the vagina was included into the study. Intracavitary treatments with the patient in this study done with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging compatible ring applicator. Groupe European de Curietherapie and European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology recommended doses to target volumes and organs at risk compared using dose volume histogram.

Results

The mean value of Point ‘A’ dose was compared between AcurosTM BV and TG-43, which indicates 0·13% difference. The differences in the mean dose to gross tumour volume for various volumes are V100% 0·28%, V150% 1·22% and V200% 1·03%; all volumes showed small difference but statistical significant (p<0·05). The mean dose of high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) D90 using AcurosTM BV was 8·47 Gy, which was 1·63% less compared with TG-43. The mean point A dose using AcurosTM BV is 1·04 times the dose to D90 of mean HRCTV. The same difference was observed in comparison with TG43. D2cc and D0·1cc of the bladder, rectum and sigmoid showed a statistically significant difference (p<0·05) in comparison with TG-43.

Conclusion

The differences in dosimetric parameters between the AcurosTM BV and TG-43 proved to be statistically significant. The difference is very small, and they are clinically insignificant.
Biological and physical controls in the Southern Ocean on past millennial-scale atmospheric CO2 changes
Authors: Gottschalk Julia , Skinner Luke C. , Lippold Jörg , Vogel Hendrik , Frank Norbert , Jaccard Samuel L. , Waelbroeck Claire
Published: May 2016

Millennial-scale climate changes during the last glacial period and deglaciation were accompanied by rapid changes in atmospheric CO2 that remain unexplained. While the role of the Southern Ocean as a 'control valve' on ocean–atmosphere CO2 exchange has been emphasized, the exact nature of this role, in particular the relative contributions of physical (for example, ocean dynamics and air–sea gas exchange) versus biological processes (for example, export productivity), remains poorly constrained. Here we combine reconstructions of bottom-water [O2], export production and 14C ventilation ages in the sub-Antarctic Atlantic, and show that atmospheric CO2 pulses during the last glacial- and deglacial periods were consistently accompanied by decreases in the biological export of carbon and increases in deep-ocean ventilation via southern-sourced water masses. These findings demonstrate how the Southern Ocean's 'organic carbon pump' has exerted a tight control on atmospheric CO2, and thus global climate, specifically via a synergy of both physical and biological processes.
Efficient and mechanically robust stretchable organic light-emitting devices by a laser-programmable buckling process
Authors: Yin Da , Feng Jing , Ma Rui , Liu Yue-Feng , Zhang Yong-Lai , Zhang Xu-Lin , Bi Yan-Gang , Chen Qi-Dai , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: May 2016

Stretchable organic light-emitting devices are becoming increasingly important in the fast-growing fields of wearable displays, biomedical devices and health-monitoring technology. Although highly stretchable devices have been demonstrated, their luminous efficiency and mechanical stability remain impractical for the purposes of real-life applications. This is due to significant challenges arising from the high strain-induced limitations on the structure design of the device, the materials used and the difficulty of controlling the stretch-release process. Here we have developed a laser-programmable buckling process to overcome these obstacles and realize a highly stretchable organic light-emitting diode with unprecedented efficiency and mechanical robustness. The strained device luminous efficiency −70 cd A−1 under 70% strain - is the largest to date and the device can accommodate 100% strain while exhibiting only small fluctuations in performance over 15,000 stretch-release cycles. This work paves the way towards fully stretchable organic light-emitting diodes that can be used in wearable electronic devices.
Analytical validation of a standardized scoring protocol for Ki67: phase 3 of an international multicenter collaboration
Authors: Leung Samuel C Y , Nielsen Torsten O , Zabaglo Lila , Arun Indu , Badve Sunil S , Bane Anita L , Bartlett John M S , Borgquist Signe , Chang Martin C , Dodson Andrew , Enos Rebecca A , Fineberg Susan , Focke Cornelia M , Gao Dongxia , Gown Allen M , Grabau Dorthe , Gutierrez Carolina , Hugh Judith C , Kos Zuzana , Lænkholm Anne-Vibeke , Lin Ming-Gang , Mastropasqua Mauro G , Moriya Takuya , Nofech-Mozes Sharon , Osborne C Kent , Penault-Llorca Frédérique M , Piper Tammy , Sakatani Takashi , Salgado Roberto , Starczynski Jane , Viale Giuseppe , Hayes Daniel F , McShane Lisa M , Dowsett Mitch ,   on behalf of the International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working Group of the Breast International Group and North American Breast Cancer Group (BIG-NABCG)
Published: May 2016

Pathological analysis of the nuclear proliferation biomarker Ki67 has multiple potential roles in breast and other cancers. However, clinical utility of the immunohistochemical (IHC) assay for Ki67 immunohistochemistry has been hampered by unacceptable between-laboratory analytical variability. The International Ki67 Working Group has conducted a series of studies aiming to decrease this variability and improve the evaluation of Ki67. This study tries to assess whether acceptable performance can be achieved on prestained core-cut biopsies using a standardized scoring method. Sections from 30 primary ER+ breast cancer core biopsies were centrally stained for Ki67 and circulated among 22 laboratories in 11 countries. Each laboratory scored Ki67 using three methods: (1) global (4 fields of 100 cells each); (2) weighted global (same as global but weighted by estimated percentages of total area); and (3) hot-spot (single field of 500 cells). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), a measure of interlaboratory agreement, for the unweighted global method (0.87; 95% credible interval (CI): 0.81–0.93) met the prespecified success criterion for scoring reproducibility, whereas that for the weighted global (0.87; 95% CI: 0.7999–0.93) and hot-spot methods (0.84; 95% CI: 0.77–0.92) marginally failed to do so. The unweighted global assessment of Ki67 IHC analysis on core biopsies met the prespecified criterion of success for scoring reproducibility. A few cases still showed large scoring discrepancies. Establishment of external quality assessment schemes is likely to improve the agreement between laboratories further. Additional evaluations are needed to assess staining variability and clinical validity in appropriate cohorts of samples.
Reduced levels of dopamine and altered metabolism in brains of HPRT knock-out rats: a new rodent model of Lesch-Nyhan Disease
Authors: Meek Stephen , Thomson Alison J. , Sutherland Linda , Sharp Matthew G. F. , Thomson Julie , Bishop Valerie , Meddle Simone L. , Gloaguen Yoann , Weidt Stefan , Singh-Dolt Karamjit , Buehr Mia , Brown Helen K. , Gill Andrew C. , Burdon Tom
Published: May 2016

Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is a severe neurological disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), an enzyme required for efficient recycling of purine nucleotides. Although this biochemical defect reconfigures purine metabolism and leads to elevated levels of the breakdown product urea, it remains unclear exactly how loss of HPRT activity disrupts brain function. As the rat is the preferred rodent experimental model for studying neurobiology and diseases of the brain, we used genetically-modified embryonic stem cells to generate an HPRT knock-out rat. Male HPRT-deficient rats were viable, fertile and displayed normal caged behaviour. However, metabolomic analysis revealed changes in brain biochemistry consistent with disruption of purine recycling and nucleotide metabolism. Broader changes in brain biochemistry were also indicated by increased levels of the core metabolite citrate and reduced levels of lipids and fatty acids. Targeted MS/MS analysis identified reduced levels of dopamine in the brains of HPRT-deficient animals, consistent with deficits noted previously in human LND patients and HPRT knock-out mice. The HPRT-deficient rat therefore provides a new experimental platform for future investigation of how HPRT activity and disruption of purine metabolism affects neural function and behaviour.
Computational quantum-classical boundary of noisy commuting quantum circuits
Authors: Fujii Keisuke , Tamate Shuhei
Published: May 2016

It is often said that the transition from quantum to classical worlds is caused by decoherence originated from an interaction between a system of interest and its surrounding environment. Here we establish a computational quantum-classical boundary from the viewpoint of classical simulatability of a quantum system under decoherence. Specifically, we consider commuting quantum circuits being subject to decoherence. Or equivalently, we can regard them as measurement-based quantum computation on decohered weighted graph states. To show intractability of classical simulation in the quantum side, we utilize the postselection argument and crucially strengthen it by taking noise effect into account. Classical simulatability in the classical side is also shown constructively by using both separable criteria in a projected-entangled-pair-state picture and the Gottesman-Knill theorem for mixed state Clifford circuits. We found that when each qubit is subject to a single-qubit complete-positive-trace-preserving noise, the computational quantum-classical boundary is sharply given by the noise rate required for the distillability of a magic state. The obtained quantum-classical boundary of noisy quantum dynamics reveals a complexity landscape of controlled quantum systems. This paves a way to an experimentally feasible verification of quantum mechanics in a high complexity limit beyond classically simulatable region.
Hierarchical Porous LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Nano-/Micro Spherical Cathode Material: Minimized Cation Mixing and Improved Li+ Mobility for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Chen Zhen , Wang Jin , Chao Dongliang , Baikie Tom , Bai Linyi , Chen Shi , Zhao Yanli , Sum Tze Chien , Lin Jianyi , Shen Zexiang
Published: May 2016

Although being considered as one of the most promising cathode materials for Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM) is currently limited by its poor rate performance and cycle stability resulting from the thermodynamically favorable Li+/Ni2+ cation mixing which depresses the Li+ mobility. In this study, we developed a two-step method using fluffy MnO2 as template to prepare hierarchical porous nano-/microsphere NCM (PNM-NCM). Specifically, PNM-NCM microspheres achieves a high reversible specific capacity of 207.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C with excellent rate capability (163.6 and 148.9 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 2 C), and the reversible capacity retention can be well-maintained as high as 90.3% after 50 cycles. This excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to unique hierarchical porous nano-/microsphere structure which can increase the contact area with electrolyte, shorten Li+ diffusion path and thus improve the Li+ mobility. Moreover, as revealed by XRD Rietveld refinement analysis, a negligible cation mixing (1.9%) and high crystallinity with a well-formed layered structure also contribute to the enhanced C-rates performance and cycle stability. On the basis of our study, an effective strategy can be established to reveal the fundamental relationship between the structure/chemistry of these materials and their properties.