bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of the private sector in the provision of antenatal care: a study of Demographic and Health Surveys from 46 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Powell‐Jackson Timothy , Macleod David , Benova Lenka , Lynch Caroline , Campbell Oona M. R.
Published: October 2014

Objective

To examine the role of the private sector in the provision of antenatal care (ANC) across low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Methods

Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 46 countries (representing 2.6 billion people) on components of ANC given to 303 908 women aged 15–49 years for most recent birth were used. We identified 79 unique sources of care which were re‐coded into home, public, private (commercial) and private (not‐for‐profit). Use of ANC and a quality of care index (scaled 0–1) were stratified by type of provider, region and wealth quintile. Linear regressions were used to examine the association between provider type and antenatal quality of care score.

Results

Across all countries, the main source of ANC was public (54%), followed by private commercial (36%) and home (5%), but there were large variations by region. Home‐based ANC was associated with worse quality of care (0.2; 95% CI −0.2 to −0.19) relative to the public sector, while the private not‐for‐profit sector (0.03; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.04) was better. There were no differences in quality of care between public and private commercial providers.

Conclusions

The market for ANC varies considerably between regions. The two largest sectors – public and private commercial – perform similarly in terms of quality of care. Future research should examine the role of the private sector in other health service domains across multiple countries and test what policies and programmes can encourage private providers to contribute to increased coverage, quality and equity of maternal care.
Influence of high altitude on cerebral blood flow and fuel utilization during exercise and recovery
Authors: Smith K. J. , MacLeod D. , Willie C. K. , Lewis N. C. S. , Hoiland R. L. , Ikeda K. , Tymko M. M. , Donnelly J. , Day T. A. , MacLeod N. , Lucas S. J. E. , Ainslie P. N.
Published: October 2014

Key points

This study assessed the dynamic response of global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral fuel utilization during and following incremental supine exercise to exhaustion.

Global CBF increased more during exercise and recovery at high altitude (HA) compared with sea level (SL) such that cerebral oxygen delivery () was maintained.

The increase in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen during maximal exercise at HA was half the increase observed at SL.

Arterial lactate production during exercise at the same absolute intensities was greater at HA compared with SL, but reduced at the same relative intensities.

Cerebral carbohydrate uptake (lactate and glucose) is greater than oxygen uptake at HA compared with SL, indicating a shift towards an increased non‐oxidative metabolic utilization.

These results suggest that CBF increases to maintain during exercise at HA while changes in arterial lactate concentration and exercise intensity augment the oxidative and non‐oxidative pathways to cerebral metabolism at HA.

We examined the hypotheses that: (1) during incremental exercise and recovery following 4–6 days at high altitude (HA) global cerebral blood flow (gCBF) increases to preserve cerebral oxygen delivery () in excess of that required by an increasing cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (); (2) the trans‐cerebral exchange of oxygen vs. carbohydrates (OCI; carbohydrates = glucose + ½lactate) would be similar during exercise and recovery at HA and sea level (SL). Global CBF, intra‐cranial arterial blood velocities, extra‐cranial blood flows, and arterial–jugular venous substrate differences were measured during progressive steady‐state exercise (20, 40, 60, 80, 100% maximum workload (Wmax)) and through 30 min of recovery. Measurements (n = 8) were made at SL and following partial acclimatization to 5050 m. At HA, absolute Wmax was reduced by ∼50%. During submaximal exercise workloads (20–60% Wmax), despite an elevated absolute gCBF (∼20%, P < 0.05) the relative increases in gCBF were not different at HA and SL. In contrast, gCBF was elevated at HA compared with SL during 80 and 100% Wmax and recovery. Notwithstanding a maintained and elevated absolute at HA compared with SL, the relative increase in was similar during 20–80% Wmax but half that of the SL response (i.e. 17 vs. 27%; P < 0.05 vs. SL) at 100% Wmax. The OCI was reduced at HA compared with SL during 20, 40, and 60% Wmax but comparable at 80 and 100% Wmax. At HA, OCI returned almost immediately to baseline values during recovery, whereas at SL it remained below baseline. In conclusion, the elevations in gCBF during exercise and recovery at HA serve to maintain . Despite adequate at HA the brain appears to increase non‐oxidative metabolism during exercise and recovery.
Analytical parametric model used to study the influence of electrostatic force on surface coverage during electrospinning of polymer fibers
Authors: Beisel Joshua D. , Kyeremateng Jerry , Purkett Lance , Andriolo Jessica M. , Skinner Jack L.
Published: October 2014

Electrospinning (ES) can readily produce polymer fibers with cross-sectional dimensions ranging from tens of nanometers to tens of microns. Qualitative estimates of surface area coverage are rather intuitive. However, quantitative analytical and numerical methods for predicting surface coverage during ES have not been covered in sufficient depth to be applied in the design of novel materials, surfaces, and devices from ES fibers. This article presents a modeling approach to ES surface coverage where an analytical model is derived for use in quantitative prediction of surface coverage of ES fibers. The analytical model is used to predict the diameter of circular deposition areas of constant field strength and constant electrostatic force. Experimental results of polyvinyl alcohol fibers are reported and compared to numerical models to supplement the analytical model derived. The analytical model provides scientists and engineers a method for estimating surface area coverage. Both applied voltage and capillary-to-collection-plate separation are treated as independent variables for the analysis. The electric field produced by the ES process was modeled using comsol Multiphysics software to determine a correlation between the applied field strength and the size of the deposition area of the ES fibers. matlab scripts were utilized to combine the numerical comsol results with derived analytical equations. Experimental results reinforce the parametric trends produced via modeling and lend credibility to the use of modeling techniques for the qualitative prediction of surface area coverage from ES.
Harmonic analysis for the characterization and correction of geometric distortion in MRI
Authors: Tadic Tony , Jaffray David A. , Stanescu Teodor
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is gaining widespread use in radiation therapy planning, patient setup verification, and real‐time guidance of radiation delivery. Successful implementation of these technologies relies on the development of simple and efficient methods to characterize and monitor the geometric distortions arising due to system imperfections and gradient nonlinearities. To this end, the authors present the theory and validation of a novel harmonic approach to the quantification of system‐related distortions in MRI.

Methods:

The theory of spatial encoding in MRI is applied to demonstrate that the 3D distortion vector field (DVF) is given by the solution of a second‐order boundary value problem (BVP). This BVP is comprised of Laplace's equation and a limited measurement of the distortion on the boundary of a specified region of interest (ROI). An analytical series expansion solving this BVP within a spherical ROI is obtained, and a statistical uncertainty analysis is performed to determine how random errors in the boundary measurements propagate to the ROI interior. This series expansion is then evaluated to obtain volumetric DVF mappings that are compared to reference data obtained on a 3 T full‐body scanner. This validation is performed within two spheres of 20 cm diameter (one centered at the scanner origin and the other offset +3 cm along each of the transverse directions). Initially, a high‐order mapping requiring measurements at 5810 boundary points is used. Then, after exploring the impact of the boundary sampling density and the effect of series truncation, a reduced‐order mapping requiring measurements at 302 boundary points is evaluated.

Results:

The volumetric DVF mappings obtained from the harmonic analysis are in good agreement with the reference data. Following distortion correction using the high‐order mapping, the authors estimate a reduction in the mean distortion magnitude from 0.86 to 0.42 mm and from 0.93 to 0.39 mm within the central and offset ROIs, respectively. In addition, the fraction of points with a distortion magnitude greater than 1 mm is reduced from 35.6% to 2.8% and from 40.4% to 1.5%, respectively. Similarly, following correction using the reduced‐order mapping, the mean distortion magnitude reduces to 0.45–0.42 mm within the central and offset ROIs, and the fraction of points with a distortion magnitude greater than 1 mm is reduced to 2.8% and 1.5%, respectively.

Conclusions:

A novel harmonic approach to the characterization of system‐related distortions in MRI is presented. This method permits a complete and accurate mapping of the DVF within a specified ROI using a limited measurement of the distortion on the ROI boundary. This technique eliminates the requirement to exhaustively sample the DVF at a dense 3D array of points, thereby permitting the design of simple, inexpensive phantoms that may incorporate additional modules for auxiliary quality assurance objectives.
Single-mode laser by parity-time symmetry breaking
Authors: Feng Liang , Wong Zi Jing , Ma Ren-Min , Wang Yuan , Zhang Xiang
Published: October 2014

Effective manipulation of cavity resonant modes is crucial for emission control in laser physics and applications. Using the concept of parity-time symmetry to exploit the interplay between gain and loss (i.e., light amplification and absorption), we demonstrate a parity-time symmetry–breaking laser with resonant modes that can be controlled at will. In contrast to conventional ring cavity lasers with multiple competing modes, our parity-time microring laser exhibits intrinsic single-mode lasing regardless of the gain spectral bandwidth. Thresholdless parity-time symmetry breaking due to the rotationally symmetric structure leads to stable single-mode operation with the selective whispering-gallery mode order. Exploration of parity-time symmetry in laser physics may open a door to next-generation optoelectronic devices for optical communications and computing.
Host genetic diversity enables Ebola hemorrhagic fever pathogenesis and resistance
Authors: Rasmussen Angela L. , Okumura Atsushi , Ferris Martin T. , Green Richard , Feldmann Friederike , Kelly Sara M. , Scott Dana P. , Safronetz David , Haddock Elaine , LaCasse Rachel , Thomas Matthew J. , Sova Pavel , Carter Victoria S. , Weiss Jeffrey M. , Miller Darla R. , Shaw Ginger D. , Korth Marcus J. , Heise Mark T. , Baric Ralph S. , de Villena Fernando Pardo-Manuel , Feldmann Heinz , Katze Michael G.
Published: October 2014

Existing mouse models of lethal Ebola virus infection do not reproduce hallmark symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, neither delayed blood coagulation and disseminated intravascular coagulation nor death from shock, thus restricting pathogenesis studies to nonhuman primates. Here we show that mice from the Collaborative Cross panel of recombinant inbred mice exhibit distinct disease phenotypes after mouse-adapted Ebola virus infection. Phenotypes range from complete resistance to lethal disease to severe hemorrhagic fever characterized by prolonged coagulation times and 100% mortality. Inflammatory signaling was associated with vascular permeability and endothelial activation, and resistance to lethal infection arose by induction of lymphocyte differentiation and cellular adhesion, probably mediated by the susceptibility allele
Tek
. These data indicate that genetic background determines susceptibility to Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
Genome Assembly of Shigella flexneri ATCC 12022, a Quality Control Reference Strain
Authors: Daligault H. E. , Davenport K. W. , Minogue T. D. , Bishop-Lilly K. A. , Broomall S. M. , Bruce D. C. , Chain P. S. , Coyne S. R. , Freitas T. , Frey K. G. , Gibbons H. S. , Jaissle J. , Lo C.-C. , Meincke L. , Munk A. C. , Redden C. L. , Rosenzweig C. N. , Johnson S. L.
Published: October 2014

Shigella flexneri
causes shigellosis, severe and potentially life-threatening diarrhea, and accounts for 18% of shigellosis cases in the United States. Here, we present the 4.51-Mbp genome assembly of
S. flexneri
ATCC 12022, a quality control and reference strain, in 10 scaffolds.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Plant-Pathogenic Soil Fungus Rhizoctonia solani Anastomosis Group 3 Strain Rhs1AP
Authors: Cubeta Marc A. , Thomas Elizabeth , Dean Ralph A. , Jabaji Suha , Neate Stephen M. , Tavantzis Stellos , Toda Takeshi , Vilgalys Rytas , Bharathan Narayanaswamy , Fedorova-Abrams Natalie , Pakala Suman B. , Pakala Suchitra M. , Zafar Nikhat , Joardar Vinita , Losada Liliana , Nierman William C.
Published: October 2014

The soil fungus
Rhizoctonia solani
is a pathogen of agricultural crops. Here, we report on the 51,705,945 bp draft consensus genome sequence of
R. solani
strain Rhs1AP. A comprehensive understanding of the heterokaryotic genome complexity and organization of
R. solani
may provide insight into the plant disease ecology and adaptive behavior of the fungus.
Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequence of Bacillus mojavensis Strain RRC101, an Endophytic Bacterium Antagonistic to the Mycotoxigenic Endophytic Fungus
Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Gold S. E. , Blacutt A. A. , Meinersmann R. J. , Bacon C. W.
Published: October 2014

Here, we report the whole-genome shotgun sequence of
Bacillus mojavensis
strain RRC101, isolated from a maize kernel. This strain is antagonistic to the mycotoxigenic plant pathogen
Fusarium verticillioides
and grows within maize tissue, suggesting potential as an endophytic biocontrol agent.
Draft Genome Sequence of Colistin-Only-Susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain ST235, a Hypervirulent High-Risk Clone in Spain
Authors: Viedma Esther , Villa Jenifer , Juan Carlos , Oliver Antonio , Chaves Fernando
Published: October 2014

We report the genome of colistin-only-susceptible
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strain ST235 (PA_ST235). This isolate was obtained in the setting of an outbreak in a tertiary hospital in Spain. This clone was apparently associated with a significantly higher mortality rate. The ST235 clone also appears to be associated with greater virulence.
Successful use of Alteplase during cardiopulmonary resuscitation following massive PE in a patient presenting with ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic transformation
Authors: Middleton Robert , Neumann Juliane , Ward Simon Michael
Published: October 2014

The management of patients with acute stroke regarding treatment of thromboembolism is supported by a limited evidence base. We present the case of a 55-year-old female patient who initially presented with an ischaemic cerebral infarct with haemorrhagic transformation. Her clinical recovery was complicated by cardiac arrest secondary to massive pulmonary embolism. This was successfully treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and thrombolysis using Alteplase, which led to a full recovery to the pre-arrest state with no evidence of haemorrhagic complication. The patient was successfully discharged to a specialist centre for on-going stroke rehabilitation with no additional neurological impact. Despite the limited evidence base we believe this case highlights that thrombolysis can be used in select patients with haemorrhagic transformation of stroke and serious thromboembolic complications to achieve a positive outcome.
Isolated medial head of triceps rupture
Authors: Marappa Ganeshan Raghavendra , Keerthi Naveen
Published: October 2014

Triceps ruptures are less common injuries presenting to the orthopaedic or emergency department setting compared with other musculoskeletal injuries. This to some extent reduces the level of index of suspicion or chances of considering the triceps rupture as one of the differential diagnosis while examining a patient following upper limb injury. The literature search shows that a significant proportion of patient diagnosis has been missed during initial presentation, leading to a delay in diagnosis and in providing definitive treatment, ranging from 6 to 18 months. The triceps are the primary extensor of the elbow and are supplied with the radial nerve. Any injury to the triceps can adversely affect the functioning of the limb and influence the ability to work and return to employment. We share our experience of treating a patient with a triceps rupture, in whom the diagnosis was made 6 months after injury; the patient was able to return to manual work 3 months after surgical repair.
A case of nearly mistaken AB para-Bombay blood group donor transplanted to a group ‘O’ recipient
Authors: Townamchai Natavudh , Watanaboonyongcharoen Phandee , Chancharoenthana Wiwat , Avihingsanon Yingyos
Published: October 2014

Unintentional ABO mismatch kidney transplantation can cause detrimental hyperacute rejection. We report the first successful ABO incompatible kidney transplantation from an AB para-Bombay donor to O recipient. At the initial evaluation, the donor's ABO type was discordance on the cell typing and serum typing, which typed to be ‘O’ as cell typing and ‘AB’ as serum typing. At the second investigation, it was confirmed that the donor had a unique, rare but not uncommon blood type AB para-Bombay which was incompatible with the recipient's blood group. The kidney transplantation was successfully performed by an ABO incompatible preconditioning, double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) and rituximab. The serum creatinine at 12 months post-transplantation was 1.3 mg/dL. The pathology of the kidney biopsy showed no signs of rejection.
Peripheral ulcerative keratitis as a complication of acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Morjaria Rupal , Barge Tom , Mordant David , Elston John
Published: October 2014

We report a rare presentation of acute bilateral peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) in a patient with a new diagnosis of untreated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of PUK associated with untreated AML and we stress the importance of a rapid and thorough testing to exclude other diagnoses. The patient lost his vision within 10 days to counting fingers. Rapid diagnosis allowed a good visual recovery following prompt treatment with oral steroids and systemic chemotherapy treatment for the AML.
Understanding the impacts of care farms on health and well-being of disadvantaged populations: a protocol of the Evaluating Community Orders (ECO) pilot study
Authors: Elsey H , Bragg R , Elings M , Cade J E , Brennan C , Farragher T , Tubeuf S , Gold R , Shickle D , Wickramasekera N , Richardson Z , Murray J
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Care farms, where all or part of the farm is used for therapeutic purposes, show much potential for improving the health and well-being of a range of disadvantaged groups. Studies to date have been qualitative or observational, with limited empirical evidence of the effectiveness of care farms in improving health and well-being. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that lead to improvements for different disadvantaged groups is a further gap in the evidence. Participants in this study are offenders serving community orders. Their low socioeconomic status and poor health outcomes relative to the general population exemplifies disadvantage.

Methods and analysis

This paper describes the protocol of a study to understand the impacts of care farms and to pilot the design and tools for a study to assess cost-effectiveness of care farms in improving the quality of life of offenders. As a pilot study, no power calculation has been conducted. However, 150 offenders serving community sentences on care farms and 150 on other probation locations (eg, litter picking, painting) will be recruited over a 1-year period. Changes in quality of life, measured by Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure, health and reconvictions of offenders at care farms compared to other probation locations will be analysed to inform the sample size calculation for the follow on study. The feasibility of recruitment, retention, collecting cost data and modelling cost-effectiveness will also be assessed. The study will use qualitative methods to explore the experiences of offenders attending care farms and perceptions of probation and care farm staff on the processes and impacts of the intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

Findings will be published and inform development of a natural experiment and will be disseminated to probation services, care farms and academics. University of Leeds Ethical Review Board approved: SoMREC/13/014. National Offender Management Service (NOMS) approved: 2013-257.
The influence of aortoseptal angulation on provocable left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Critoph Christopher Howell , Pantazis Antonios , Tome Esteban Maria Teresa , Salazar-Mendiguchía Joel , Pagourelias Efstathios D , Moon James C , Elliott Perry Mark
Published: October 2014

Objectives

Aortoseptal angulation (AoSA) can predict provocable left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in patients with symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Lack of a standardised measurement technique in HCM without the need for complex three-dimensional (3D) imaging limits its usefulness in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to validate a simple measurement of AoSA using 2D echocardiography and cardiac MR (CMR) imaging as a predictor of LVOTO.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed 160 patients with non-obstructive HCM, referred for exercise stress echocardiography. AoSA was measured using resting 2D echocardiography in all patients, and CMR in 29. Twenty-five controls with normal echocardiograms were used for comparison.

Results

Patients with HCM had a reduced AoSA compared with controls (113°±12 vs 126°±6), p<0.0001. Sixty (38%) patients had provocable LVOTO, with smaller angles than non-obstructive patients (108°±12 vs 116°±12, p<0.0001). AoSA, degree of mitral valvular regurgitation and incomplete systolic anterior motion (SAM) were associated with peak left ventricular outflow tract gradient (r=0.508, p<0.0001). An angle ≤100° had 27% sensitivity, 91% specificity and 59% positive predictive value for predicting provocable LVOTO. When combined with SAM, specificity was 99% and positive predictive value 88%. Intraclass correlation coefficient of AoSA measured by two observers was 0.901 (p<0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis of echocardiographic AoSA showed good agreement with the CMR-derived angle.

Conclusions

Measurement of AoSA using echocardiography in HCM is easy, reproducible and comparable to CMR. Patients with provocable LVOTO have reduced angles compared with non-obstructive patients. AoSA is highly specific for provocable LVOTO and should prompt further evaluation in symptomatic patients without resting obstruction.
A better estimator of mortality rate from age-frequency data
Authors: Millar Russell B.
Published: October 2014

The Chapman–Robson and weighted-regression estimators are currently the two preferred methods for estimation of instantaneous mortality, z, from a cross-sectional sample of age-frequency data. They are derived under the assumption of steady-state population dynamics. Here, a new estimator is developed from a population model that explicitly includes annual variability in recruitment. The new estimator is trivial to implement using existing generalized linear mixed model software. It is vastly superior to both the Chapman–Robson and weighted-regression estimators under a wide range of simulation scenarios in which sources of variability include partial recruitment to the fishery, autocorrelated annual recruitment, variability in annual survival, ageing error, and sampling randomness. All estimators produced confidence intervals that had lower actual coverage than their nominal 95% coverage. Nonetheless, the new estimator had the highest actual coverage, and under some scenarios this was achieved with a narrowest confidence interval.
Indeterminate body growth and lack of gonadal decline in the brown ghost knifefish (Apteronotusleptorhynchus), an organism exhibiting negligible brain senescence
Authors: Ilieş Iulian , Sîrbulescu Ruxandra F. , Zupanc Günther K.H.
Published: October 2014

The brown ghost knifefish (Apteronotus leptorhynchus (Ellis in Eigenmann, 1912)) is the only vertebrate organism identified thus far that exhibits negligible brain senescence. The present study examines the basic growth patterns of this species, testing the hypothesis that indeterminate growth and lack of reproductive senescence correlate with negligible senescence. Analysis of length–mass relationships revealed negative allometric growth in males and isometric growth in females. Total length at first sexual maturity was 13.5 cm in males and 12.0 cm in females, whereas gonadal mass was 0.02 g in males and 0.2 g in females. Modelling of total length as a function of the number of otolith rings using attenuating growth equations revealed that lengths of up to 26.8 cm in males and 20.2 cm in females can be reached, indicating that the fish continue to grow throughout life. Gonadal mass increased significantly with age in sexually immature individuals of both sexes. In sexually mature fish, gonadal mass showed a marginal increase with age in males and no change in females. The demonstration of indeterminate growth of the fish and of the lack of gonadal regression with age has important implications for the characterization of brown ghost knifefish as a model of negligible senescence.
Response of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) proteome to Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) infection
Authors: Michaud Sarah , Boncristiani Humberto F. , Gouw Joost W. , Strand Micheline K. , Pettis Jeffrey , Rueppell Olav , Foster Leonard J.
Published: October 2014

Recent declines in honey bee (Apis mellifera L., 1758) populations worldwide have spurred significant research into the impact of pathogens on colony health. The role of the Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) on hive mortality has become of particular concern since being correlated with colony losses. However, the molecular interactions between IAPV and its host remain largely unknown. To investigate changes in host protein expression during IAPV infection, mass-spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics was used to compare IAPV-infected and healthy pupae. Proteins whose expression levels changed significantly during infection were identified and functional analysis was performed to determine host systems and pathways perturbed by IAPV infection. Among the A. mellifera proteins most affected by IAPV, those involving translation and the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway were most highly enriched and future investigation of these pathways will be useful in identifying host proteins required for infection. This analysis represents an important first step towards understanding the honey bee host response to IAPV infection through the systems-level analysis of protein expression.
Genetic diversity and association mapping of iron and zinc concentrations in chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.)
Authors: Diapari Marwan , Sindhu Anoop , Bett Kirstin , Deokar Amit , Warkentin Thomas D. , Tar’an Bunyamin
Published: October 2014

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the world’s second most important pulse crop after common bean. Chickpea has historically been an important daily staple in the diet of millions of people, especially in the developing countries. Current chickpea breeding programs have mainly been directed toward high yield, biotic and abiotic stress resilience that has increased global production, but less attention has been directed toward improving micronutrient concentrations in seeds. In an effort to develop micronutrient-dense chickpea lines, a study to examine the variability and to identify SNP alleles associated with seed iron and zinc concentrations was conducted using 94 diverse accessions of chickpea. The results indicated that there is substantial variability present in chickpea germplasm for seed iron and zinc concentrations. In the current set of germplasm, zinc is negatively correlated with grain yield across all locations and years; whereas the negative correlation between iron and grain yield was only significant at the Elrose locality. Eight SNP loci associated with iron and (or) zinc concentrations in chickpea seeds were identified. One SNP located on chromosome 1 (chr1) is associated with both iron and zinc concentrations. On chr4, three SNPs associated with zinc concentration and two SNPs for iron concentration were identified. Two additional SNP loci, one on chr6 and the other on chr7, were also found to be associated with iron and zinc concentrations, respectively. The results show potential opportunity for molecular breeding for improvement of seed iron and zinc concentrations in chickpea.
Study of anomalous WWγγ coupling sensitivity at the compact linear collider
Authors: Köksal M.
Published: October 2014

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is one of the most popular linear colliders, planned to realize e-e+collisions in three energy stages of 0.5, 1.5 and 3 TeV. It has an energy scale never reached by any existing lepton collider. In this study, we present the sensitivity studies of the WWγγ anomalous quartic gauge boson coupling (aQGC) in the three different processes e+e-→W-W+γ, e+e-→e+γ*e-→e+W-γνeand e+e-→e+γ*γ* e-→e+W-W+e-at the CLIC. We obtained 95% confidence level limits on the aQGC parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at various integrated luminosities and center-of-mass energies. The best limits obtained on the aQGCs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in these processes are at the order of 10-2TeV-2and 10-1TeV-2, respectively.
Standing Swells Surveyed Showing Surprisingly Stable Solutions for the Lorenz '96 Model
Authors: Frank Morgan R. , Mitchell Lewis , Dodds Peter Sheridan , Danforth Christopher M.
Published: October 2014

The Lorenz '96 model is an adjustable dimension system of ODEs exhibiting chaotic behavior representative of the dynamics observed in the Earth's atmosphere. In the present study, we characterize statistical properties of the chaotic dynamics while varying the degrees of freedom and the forcing. Tuning the dimensionality of the system, we find regions of parameter space with surprising stability in the form of standing waves traveling amongst the slow oscillators. The boundaries of these stable regions fluctuate regularly with the number of slow oscillators. These results demonstrate hidden order in the Lorenz '96 system, strengthening the evidence for its role as a hallmark representative of nonlinear dynamical behavior.
Geometry of Basins of Attraction and Heteroclinic Connections in Coupled Bistable Systems
Authors: Lyons Daniel , Mahaffy Joseph M. , Wang Sara , Palacios Antonio , In Visarath
Published: October 2014

The fundamental principle of bistability is widely used across various disciplines, including biology, chemistry, mechanics, physics, electronics and materials science. As the need for more powerful, efficient and sensitive complex-engineered systems grow, networks of coupled bistable systems have gained significant attention in recent years. Modeling and analysis of such higher-dimensional systems is usually focused on finding conditions for the existence and stability of typical invariant sets, i.e. steady states, periodic solutions and chaotic sets. High-dimensionality leads to complex patterns of collective behavior. Which type of behavior is exhibited by a network depends greatly on the initial conditions. Thus, it is also important to study the geometric structure and evolution of the basins of attraction of such patterns. In this manuscript, a complete study of the basins of attraction of a ring of bistable systems, coupled unidirectionally, is presented. 3D visualizations are included to aid the discussion of the changes in the basins of attraction as the coupling parameter varies. The results are broad enough that they can be applied to a wide range of systems with similar coupling topologies.
On Weak Lyapunov Exponent and Sensitive Dependence of Interval Maps
Authors: Wu Xinxing , Chen Guanrong , Zhu Peiyong
Published: October 2014

By using weak Lyapunov exponent, some sufficient conditions ensuring a system ([a, b], f) to be sensitively dependent on the initial value x0 ∈ [a, b] are obtained.
Codimension-1 Sliding Bifurcations of a Filippov Pest Growth Model with Threshold Policy
Authors: Tang Sanyi , Tang Guangyao , Qin Wenjie
Published: October 2014

A Filippov system is proposed to describe the stage structured nonsmooth pest growth with threshold policy control (TPC). The TPC measure is represented by the total density of both juveniles and adults being chosen as an index for decisions on when to implement chemical control strategies. The proposed Filippov system can have three pieces of sliding segments and three pseudo-equilibria, which result in rich sliding mode bifurcations and local sliding bifurcations including boundary node (boundary focus, or boundary saddle) and tangency bifurcations. As the threshold density varies the model exhibits the interesting global sliding bifurcations sequentially: touching → buckling → crossing → sliding homoclinic orbit to a pseudo-saddle → crossing → touching bifurcations. In particular, bifurcation of a homoclinic orbit to a pseudo-saddle with a figure of eight shape, to a pseudo-saddle-node or to a standard saddle-node have been observed for some parameter sets. This implies that control outcomes are sensitive to the threshold level, and hence it is crucial to choose the threshold level to initiate control strategy. One more sliding segment (or pseudo-equilibrium) is induced by the total density of a population guided switching policy, compared to only the juvenile density guided policy, implying that this control policy is more effective in terms of preventing multiple pest outbreaks or causing the density of pests to stabilize at a desired level such as an economic threshold.
Random Attractors on Lattice of Stochastic FitzHugh–Nagumo Systems Driven by α-Stable Lévy Noises
Authors: Gu Anhui , Li Yangrong , Li Jia
Published: October 2014

The present paper is devoted to studying the existence of a random attractor on a lattice of stochastic FitzHugh–Nagumo systems driven by α-stable Lévy noises under some dissipative conditions.
Theoretical Design and Circuit Implementation of Integer Domain Chaotic Systems
Authors: Wang Qianxue , Yu Simin , Guyeux Christophe , Bahi Jacques M. , Fang Xiaole
Published: October 2014

In this paper, a new approach for constructing integer domain chaotic systems (IDCS) is proposed, and its chaotic behavior is mathematically proven according to Devaney's definition of chaos. Furthermore, an analog-digital hybrid circuit is also developed for realizing the designed basic IDCS. In the IDCS circuit design, chaos generation strategy is realized through a sample-hold circuit and a decoder circuit so as to convert the uniform noise signal into a random sequence, which plays a key role in circuit implementation. The experimental observations further validate the proposed systematic methodology for the first time.
Stochastic Response of a Vibro-Impact System by Path Integration Based on Generalized Cell Mapping Method
Authors: Li Chao , Xu Wei , Yue Xiaole
Published: October 2014

The generalized cell mapping method is extended to study the response of a vibro-impact system with white noise excitation. The transient and steady-state responses of a Duffing–van der Pol vibro-impact system under white noise excitation are obtained by using this method. The accuracy of the method is verified by comparison with Monte Carlo simulation results. In addition, stochastic P-bifurcation for different parameters is considered, and several special forms are observed in this paper.
The Generation of a Series of Multiwing Chaotic Attractors Using Integer and Fractional Order Differential Equation Systems
Authors: Xu Fei
Published: October 2014

In this article, we present a systematic approach to design chaos generators using integer order and fractional order differential equation systems. A series of multiwing chaotic attractors and grid multiwing chaotic attractors are obtained using linear integer order differential equation systems with switching controls. The existence of chaotic attractors in the corresponding fractional order differential equation systems is also investigated. We show that, using the nonlinear fractional order differential equation system, or linear fractional order differential equation systems with switching controls, a series of multiwing chaotic attractors can be obtained.
Realization of a new permutative gate library using controlled-kth-root-of-NOT quantum gates for exact minimization of quantum circuits
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Song Xiaoyu , Perkowski Marek , Chen Hanwu , Feng Xiaoxia
Published: October 2014

Since non-permutative quantum gates have more complex rules than permutative quantum gates, it is very hard to synthesize quantum logic circuits using non-permutative quantum gates, such as controlled-square-root-of-NOT gates (CV∕CV+ gates). In the efficient synthesis algorithm, direct use of quantum non-permutative gates should be avoided. Rather, the key method is to use quantum gates to create new permutative quantum gates that then replace non-permutative quantum gates. This method assumes the library of quantum gate primitives are constructed so as to have the lowest possible quantum cost. In this paper, we first propose some new CV∕CV+-like gates, i.e. controlled-kth-root-of-NOT gates where k = 2,4,8,…, and give all corresponding matrixes. Further, we also present a novel generic method to quickly and directly construct this new optimal quantum logic gate library using CNOT and these non-permutative quantum gates. Our method introduces new means to find permutative quantum gates with lower quantum cost.
Fall Detection and Damage Reduction in Biped Humanoid Robots
Authors: Moya Javier , Ruiz-del-Solar Javier , Orchard Marcos , Parra-Tsunekawa Isao
Published: October 2014

The appropriate management of fall situations, i.e., fast instability detection, avoidance of unintentional falls, falling without damaging the body, fast recovery of the standing position after a fall-is an essential ability for biped humanoid robots. This issue is especially important for biped humanoid robots carrying out demanding movements such as walking on irregular surfaces, running, or playing a given sport. In this paper, we tackle the detection of instability, and the management of falls in biped humanoids using an integrated framework. In this framework, after instability is detected, a fall can be avoided, or at the very least, low-damage falling sequences can be triggered, depending on the degree of the detected instability. The proposed fall detection and fall avoidance methodologies have been validated in real-world experiments with biped humanoid robots (525 collision experiments were carried out). The obtained results show the robustness of the fall detection methodology. In addition, they show under which conditions falls can be avoided, and the reduction of the fall damage when a fall occurs. Besides, results also suggest that the proposed fall avoidance methodology still needs improvements. Moreover, the methodology is more suitable for small-sized and light-weight robots which are more mechanically robust to falling and can bear the required tests.
Quadruple-decker phthalocyanines — one additional layer for a molecule, one giant leap for phthalocyanine chemistry
Authors: Fukuda Takamitsu , Ishikawa Naoto
Published: October 2014

The synthesis, and spectroscopic and magnetic properties of quadruple-decker phthalocyanines (Pcs) have been reviewed. While the presence of stacked mercury Pc oligomers was proposed as early as 1992, the isolation of a quadruple-decker Pc was first achieved in 2010. Herein, we review how the synthetic strategy for quadruple-decker Pcs has come to be conceived from the recent development of cadmium Pc oligomers, which will be followed by illustration of unique physicochemical properties originating from the structure of the quadruple-decker frameworks. In the spectroscopy section, the electronic structures of the quadruple-decker Pc are discussed based on the theoretical and experimental results. A simple molecular orbital (MO) method predicts that energy gaps among the occupied frontier MOs of the quadruple-decker Pc become smaller than those of double- or triple-decker Pcs, leading to the observation of exceptionally low-lying electronic transitions for the oxidized quadruple-decker Pcs. It has been confirmed that the corresponding lowest π–π* electronic transitions reach the infrared region for the one-electron oxidized quadruple-decker Pcs. In the magnetic property section, a clear evidence of the long-range magnetic dipole–dipole f–f interactions between two f-electronic centers of diterbium quadruple-decker Pc is provided, and its magnetic relaxation phenomena arising mainly from quantum tunneling magnetizations (QTMs) will be discussed by using the alternate current (ac) magnetic susceptibility data, and the numerically calculated Zeeman diagram of the f-electronic centers in the quadruple-decker Pc.
Structural characterization of imidazole adducts of heme-DNA complexes
Authors: Suzuki Yasuhito , Tai Hulin , Saito Kaori , Shibata Tomokazu , Kinoshita Masashi , Suzuki Akihiro , Yamamoto Yasuhiko
Published: October 2014

Ternary complexes composed of protoheme (heme( Fe3+)) or 13,17-bis(2-carboxylatoethyl)-3,7-diethyl-12,18-trimethyl-2,8-ditrifluoromethylporphyrinatoiron(III) (2,8-DPF( Fe3+)), a parallel G-quadruplex DNA formed from a single repeat sequence of the human telomere, d(TTAGGG), and imidazole (Im), in a ratio of 1:1:1, were prepared and their structures were characterized using optical, circular dichroism, and NMR spectroscopies. The study revealed that heme( Fe3+) and 2,8-DPF( Fe3+) stack onto the 3′-terminal G-quartet of the G-quadruplex DNA, ~0.4 nm apart, and that Im is coordinated to the Fe atom on the side of the heme opposite to the G-quartet in the complex. The stacking of the pseudo-C2symmetric heme( Fe3+) onto the C4symmetric G-quartet in the complex resulted in the formation of two isomers with heme orientations differing by 180° about the pseudo-C2axis, with respect to the DNA. The Im affinity of the 2,8-DPF( Fe3+)-DNA complex was higher by a factor of ~2 than that of the heme( Fe3+)-DNA one, which is possibly due to the stronger ligand-to-metal π donation in the 2,8-DPF( Fe3+) as a result of a decrease in the electron density of the heme Fe atom caused by substitution of the two strongly electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups.
Electronic structure of low-spin six-coordinate iron(III)meso-tetrapropylchlorin complexes
Authors: Ikezaki Akira , Ono Jyunpei , Ohgo Yoshiki , Fukagawa Mari , Ikeue Takahisa , Nakamura Mikio
Published: October 2014

Low-spin iron(III) tetrapropylchlorins [ Fe ( TnPrC ) L2]±(L = HIm, 1-MeIm, DMAP, CN-, 4-CNPy,tBuNC) adopt the dxy-type ground state regardless of the nature of axial ligands. Among the complexes examined, [ Fe ( TnPrC )(tBuNC )2]+has shown quite unique spectroscopic properties as described below. (1)1H NMR signals were extremely broad as compared with those of other complexes. In particular, 5,20- CH2(α) signal was too broad to detect. (2) No signals except Cγwere observed in13C NMR spectra. (3) Tetragonal splitting parameter (|Δ|) estimated by the EPR g values at 4.2 K reached as much as 12.4 λ, which is the largest |Δ| value among all the low-spin iron(III) porphyrins and porphyrinoids reported previously. On the basis of these results, we have concluded that [ Fe ( TnPrC )(tBuNC )2]+adopts the low-spin iron(III) with (dxz, dyz)4(dxy)1electronic ground state at 4.2–30 K where the EPR spectra are taken, while it should be expressed as the low-spin Fe ( II ) chlorin π-radical cation [ FeII( TnPrC.)(tBuNC )2]+at ambient temperature where the NMR spectra are taken.
Sedimentary provenance, age and possible correlation of the Iona Group SW Scotland
Authors: McAteer Claire A. , Daly J. Stephen , Flowerdew Michael J. , Whitehouse Martin J. , Monaghan Niamh M.
Published: October 2014

Synopsis

Most clast lithologies within the basal conglomerate of the Iona Group, exposed on Iona, Inner Hebrides, SW Scotland, resemble the adjacent Archaean–Palaeoproterozoic Lewisian Gneiss Complex, supporting the hypothesis that the Iona Group unconformably overlies Lewisian gneisses on Iona. Moreover, a whole-rock Sm–Nd t
DM
age of 2512 Ma from one of these clasts supports its lithological correlation with granitic pegmatites in the underlying gneisses, while a second quartz-rich paragneiss clast with a Sm–Nd t
DM
age of 2745 Ma, is similar to Lewisian paragneisses on Coll. However, whole-rock t
DM
ages of 1755–2060 Ma and pronounced
c
. 1780–1800 Ma peaks in U–Pb detrital zircon and titanite data for Iona Group metasediments suggest additional distal sources of Laurentian affinity including the Rhinns Complex as well as Labradorian, Pinwarian and Archaean detritus. The Iona Group was deposited and deformed after
c
. 1490 Ma and before
c
. 422 Ma, constrained by the youngest detrital zircon and titanite and the intrusion of the Ross of Mull Granite, respectively. The detrital data permit correlation of the Iona Group with the Colonsay Group and the Glenshirra Subgroup of the Dalradian Grampian Group, although correlation with parts of the Torridonian cannot be excluded.

Supplementary material:

Full analytical results areavailable at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18768
.
Deterministic Network Exploration by Anonymous Silent Agents with Local Traffic Reports
Authors: Dieudonné Yoann , Pelc Andrzej
Published: October 2014

A team consisting of an unknown number of mobile agents starting from different nodes of an unknown network, possibly at different times, have to explore the network: Every node must be visited by at least one agent, and all agents must eventually stop. Agents are anonymous (identical), execute the same deterministic algorithm, and move in synchronous rounds along links of the network. They are silent: They cannot send any messages to other agents or mark visited nodes in any way. In the absence of any additional information, exploration with termination of an arbitrary network in this model, devoid of any means of communication between agents, is impossible. Our aim is to solve the exploration problem by giving to agents very restricted
local traffic reports
. Specifically, an agent that is at a node
v
in a given round is provided with three bits of information answering the following questions: Am I alone at
v
? Did any agent enter
v
in this round? Did any agent exit
v
in this round? We show that this small amount of information permits us to solve the exploration problem in arbitrary networks. More precisely, we give a deterministic terminating exploration algorithm working in arbitrary networks for all initial configurations that are not
perfectly symmetric
; that is, in which there are agents with different
views
of the network. The algorithm works in polynomial time in the (unknown) size of the network. A deterministic terminating exploration algorithm working for all initial configurations in arbitrary networks does not exist.