bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of temperature sensitive optical parameters and junction temperature determination of light-emitting diodes
Authors: Lin Yue , Gao Yu-Lin , Lu Yi-Jun , Zhu Li-Hong , Zhang Yong , Chen Zhong
Published: May 2012

We investigate the current and temperature dependence of GaN-based high power blue light-emitting diodes and identify a set of temperature sensitive optical parameters (TSOPs) that can provide a real-time solution for determining the junction temperature (Tj). The relationships among Tj, forward current and TSOPs, “center of mass” wavelength, and, in particular, full width at half maximum (FWHM) have been studied, and the relevant mathematic models have been developed. The analysis indicates that using FWHM may yield higher accuracy than using other parameters as TSOPs.
Optimal signal amplification in weighted scale-free networks
Authors: Liang Xiaoming , Zhao Liang , Liu Zonghua
Published: May 2012

It has been revealed that un-weighted scale-free (SF) networks have an effect of amplifying weak signals [Acebrón et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 128701 (2007)]. Such a property has potential applications in neural networks and artificial signaling devices. However, many real and artificial networks, including the neural networks, are weighted ones with adaptive and plastic couplings. For this reason, here we study how the weak signal can be amplified in weighted SF networks by introducing a parameter to self-tune the coupling weights. We find that the adaptive weights can significantly extend the range of coupling strength for signal amplification, in contrast to the relatively narrow range in un-weighted SF networks. As a consequence, the effect of finite network size occurred in un-weighted SF networks can be overcome. Finally, a theory is provided to confirm the numerical results.
Time-resolved near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy on photo-induced phase transitions using a tabletop soft-x-ray spectrometer
Authors: Grossmann P. , Rajkovic I. , Moré R. , Norpoth J. , Techert S. , Jooss C. , Mann Klaus
Published: May 2012

We present a table-top soft-x-ray spectrometer for the wavelength range λ = 1–5 nm based on a stable laser-driven x-ray source, making use of a gas-puff target. With this setup, optical light-pump/soft-x-ray probe near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) experiments with a temporal resolution of about 230 ps are feasible. Pump-probe NEXAFS measurements were carried out in the “water-window” region (2.28 nm–4.36 nm) on the manganite Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3, investigating diminutive changes of the oxygen K edge that derive from an optically induced phase transition. The results show the practicability of the table-top soft-x-ray spectrometer on demanding investigations so far exclusively conducted at synchrotron radiation sources.
Control of supercurrent in a self-assembled InAs quantum dot Josephson junction by electrical tuning of level overlaps
Authors: Kanai Y. , Deacon R. S. , Oiwa A. , Yoshida K. , Shibata K. , Hirakawa K. , Tarucha S.
Published: May 2012

We study supercurrent in a single InAs self-assembled quantum dot contacted with superconducting leads and demonstrate that for regions where energy level spacing and charging energy are smaller than tunnel coupling, the supercurrent may be controlled by the degree of overlaps between energy levels, which is tunable using a side-gate electrode. In such regions, we find strong correlation between the supercurrent and the normal state conductance when the device parameters are tuned. In a Kondo regime with low Kondo temperature, we find that the scaling of the supercurrent and normal state conductance varies when the side-gate voltage is changed.
Evolution of superhalogen properties in PtCln clusters
Authors: Joseph Jorly , Pradhan Kalpataru , Jena Purusottam , Wang Haopeng , Zhang Xinxing , Jae Ko Yeon , Bowen Kit H.
Published: May 2012

We have systematically calculated the ground state geometries, relative stability, electronic structure, and spectroscopic properties of PtCln (n = 1–7) clusters. The bonding in these clusters is dominated by covalent interaction. In neutral clusters, chlorine atoms are chemically bound to Pt up to n = 5. However, in neutral PtCl6 and PtCl7 clusters, two of the chlorine atoms bind molecularly while the remaining bind as individual atoms. In the negative ions, this happens only in the case of PtCl7 cluster. The geometries of both neutral and anionic clusters can be considered as fragments of an octahedron and are attributed to the stabilization associated with splitting of partially filled d orbitals under the chloride ligand field. The electron affinity of PtCln clusters rises steadily with n, reaching a maximum value of 5.81 eV in PtCl5. PtCln clusters with n ≥ 3 are all superhalogens with electron affinities larger than that of chlorine. The accuracy of our results has been verified by carrying out photoelectron spectroscopy experiments on PtCln− anion clusters.
Numerical investigation of collapsing cavity arrays
Authors: Lauer E. , Hu X. Y. , Hickel S. , Adams N. A.
Published: May 2012

In most technical applications involving cavitation, vapor bubbles occur in clouds, and their collapse is affected by the interaction with neighboring bubbles. One approach to study the influence of these interactions is the investigation of the collapse of cavity arrays in water under shock wave loading. We describe in detail the collapse mechanisms during the collapse of a horizontal cavity array, with particular consideration of maximum pressures. As general trend, we find a pressure amplification in consecutive cavity collapses. However, by increasing the number of cavities, we are able to demonstrate that the amplification is not monotonic. A parameter study of the bubble separation distance in horizontal arrays shows that a smaller distance generally, but not necessarily, results in larger collapse pressure. Exceptions from the general trend are due to the very complex shock and expansion-wave interactions and demonstrate the importance of using state-of-the-art numerical methods. By varying boundary conditions, we illustrate the significance of large test sections in experimental investigations, as the expansion wave emitted at a free surface has a large effect on the collapse dynamics.
Control of a jet-in-cross-flow by periodically oscillating tabs
Authors: Zaman K. B. M. Q. , Milanovic I.
Published: May 2012

A technique for active control of a jet-in-cross-flow (JICF) is explored in this study. Two triangular tabs are placed at the 90° and 270° edges of the jet orifice, relative to the direction of the cross-flow. An asymmetry in the placement of the two tabs is reversed periodically. This causes a profound oscillation of the flow field that persists as far downstream as permitted by the measurements in the facility (100 orifice diameters). Parametric dependence of the unsteadiness and its impact on the flow field is investigated. It is found that the effect becomes more pronounced with increasing value of the momentum flux ratio (J) while there is little or no effect in the range, J < 15. The effective frequencies of oscillation are low – more than an order of magnitude lower than that found with oscillatory blowing technique in previous studies. Flow visualization indicates that the oscillation has no impact on the “wake vortices”. The kidney-shaped cross section of the JICF is seen to tilt side-to-side periodically. The flow mechanism apparently involves a direct perturbation of the counter-rotating streamwise vortex pair of the flow.
Large-scale eddies and their role in entrainment in turbulent jets and wakes
Authors: Philip Jimmy , Marusic Ivan
Published: May 2012

A large-scale or energy-containing eddy model of turbulent axisymmetric jets and wakes is developed, wherein eddies are randomly distributed in the azimuthal and convecting in the axial directions. The mean velocities and second order statistics obtained from the models agree well with the various available experimental data. There is an average inflow into the turbulent jet at the boundary, which is virtually non-existent for wakes. These eddy contributions are used to reconsider the entrainment process, which has to date been largely conceived as either an “engulfment” or “nibbling” process. Here we suggest that entrainment in turbulent jets be viewed as a three-part-process wherein non-turbulent fluid is “induced” and “engulfed” into the turbulent core due to large-scale eddies, which is converted into turbulent motion by the action of small-scale eddies via “nibbling.” However, in wakes there is no induced flow and the primary cause of entrainment is envisaged to be large-scale “engulfment” combined with small-scale “nibbling.”
Electric field effect in graphite crystallites
Authors: Sagar Adarsh , Balasubramanian Kannan , Burghard Marko , Kern Klaus
Published: May 2012

Graphite is a highly anisotropic crystal with a quasi-two-dimensional electronic structure exhibiting high intrinsic charge carrier mobility. Here, we investigate the effect of an electric field on the resistance of individual graphite crystallites with a thickness on the order of 40 nm. Ambipolar field-effect behavior was achieved with the aid of a polymer electrolyte gate. By optimizing the device geometry, devices with an on/off current ratio of up to 4 and carrier mobilities of around 100 cm2/Vs could be attained directly on the crystallites.
Memory effects in electrochemically gated metallic point contacts
Authors: Maul R. , Xie F.-Q. , Obermair Ch. , Schön G. , Schimmel Th. , Wenzel W.
Published: May 2012

Electrochemical gating permits the observation of few-atom processes in contact reconstruction. We monitor the junction conductance during the opening and closing of an atomic-scale metallic contact and use this as an instantaneous probe of the atomic-scale structural switching process. We observe clear correlations in the quantum conductance of a contact in subsequent switching events, demonstrating memory effects at the atomic scale. These experimental observations are supported by numerical simulations which show a conservation of the contact reconstruction process across several switching cycles. These results open a route to electrochemically control few-atom surface reconstruction events with present-day detection capabilities.
Accurate in-situ gas temperature measurements in dielectric barrier discharges at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Wertheimer Michael R. , Ahlawat Meenu , Saoudi Bachir , Kashyap Raman
Published: May 2012

Atmospheric pressure (AP) dielectric barrier discharges are frequently of interest for treating delicate substrates such as polymers or biological materials. In spite of its capital importance, thermometry in AP plasmas is subject to much uncertainty. We report temperature measurements in noble gases, nitrogen, and air using sensitive, accurate fibre-optic instrumentation that is a priori immune towards high voltages and high-frequency electromagnetic fields generally encountered in plasma environments.
Experimental verification of the concept of all-dielectric nanoantennas
Authors: Filonov Dmitry S. , Krasnok Alexander E. , Slobozhanyuk Alexey P. , Kapitanova Polina V. , Nenasheva Elizaveta A. , Kivshar Yuri S. , Belov Pavel A.
Published: May 2012

Being motivated by the recent theoretical proposal of nanoantennas based on high-permittivity dielectric spheres [A. E. Krasnok et al., JETP Lett. 94, 22113 (2011)], we suggest and verify experimentally the concept of all-dielectric antennas in the microwave frequency range. In addition to the electric resonance, each sphere exhibits a very strong magnetic resonance, resulting in a narrow radiation pattern and overall high directivity of such antennas. We find an excellent agreement between the experimental data and numerical results and verify directly high-performance characteristics of such all-dielectric antennas potentially scalable to the nanoscale and operation at the optical frequency range.
Note: Innovative demodulation scheme for coherent detectors in cosmic microwave background experiments
Authors: Ishidoshiro K. , Chinone Y. , Hasegawa M. , Hazumi M. , Nagai M. , Tajima O.
Published: May 2012

We propose an innovative demodulation scheme for coherent detectors used in cosmic microwave background polarization experiments. Removal of non-white noise, e.g., narrow-band noise, in detectors is one of the key requirements for the experiments. A combination of modulation and demodulation is used to extract polarization signals as well as to suppress such noise. Traditional demodulation, which is based on the two-point numerical differentiation, works as a first-order high pass filter for the noise. The proposed demodulation is based on the three-point numerical differentiation. It works as a second-order high pass filter. By using a real detector, we confirmed significant improvements of suppression power for the narrow-band noise. We also found improvement of the noise floor.
Improved performance of non-volatile memory with Au-Al2O3 core-shell nanocrystals embedded in HfO2 matrix
Authors: Xu Zhongguang , Zhu Chenxin , Huo Zongliang , Cui Yanxiang , Wang Yumei , Li Fanghua , Liu Ming
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we demonstrate a charge trapping memory with Au-Al2O3 core-shell nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in HfO2 high-k dielectric. Transmission electron microscopy images clearly show the Au NCs surrounded by Al2O3 shells in the HfO2 matrix. Electrical measurements show a considerable memory window (3.6 V at ±8 V), low program/erase operation voltages, and good endurance. Particularly, data retention is improved both at room temperature and high temperature compared to the NC structure without shell. An energy band model is given for the improved retention characteristic. This Au-Al2O3 core-shell NCs memory device has a strong potential for future high-performance nonvolatile memory application.
Effects of the covalent linker groups on the spin transport properties of single nickelocene molecules attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Wei Peng , Sun Lili , Benassi Enrico , Shen Ziyong , Sanvito Stefano , Hou Shimin
Published: May 2012

The understanding of how the spin moment of a magnetic molecule transfers to a carbon nanotube, when the molecule is attached to it, is crucial for designing novel supramolecular spin devices. Here we explore such an issue by modeling the spin transport of a single-walled carbon nanotube grafted with one nickelocene molecule. In particular we investigate how the electron transport becomes spin-polarized depending on the specific linking group bonding nickelocene to the nanotube. We consider as linkers both aziridine and pyrrolidine rings and the amide group. Our calculations show that, at variance with aziridine, both pyrrolidine and amide, do alter the sp2 character of the binding site of the nanotube and thus affect the transmission around the Fermi level. However, only aziridine allows transferring the spin polarization of the nickelocene to the nanotube, whose conductance at the Fermi level becomes spin-polarized. This suggests the superiority of aziridine as a linker for grafting magnetic molecules onto carbon nanotubes with efficient spin filtering functionality.
Aurora B kinase phosphorylates and instigates degradation of p53
Authors: Gully Chris P. , Velazquez-Torres Guermarie , Shin Ji-Hyun , Fuentes-Mattei Enrique , Wang Edward , Carlock Colin , Chen Jian , Rothenberg Daniel , Adams Henry P. , Choi Hyun Ho , Guma Sergei , Phan Liem , Chou Ping-Chieh , Su Chun-Hui , Zhang Fanmao , Chen Jiun-Sheng , Yang Tsung-Ying , Yeung Sai-Ching J. , Lee Mong-Hong
Published: May 2012

Aurora B is a mitotic checkpoint kinase that plays a pivotal role in the cell cycle, ensuring correct chromosome segregation and normal progression through mitosis. Aurora B is overexpressed in many types of human cancers, which has made it an attractive target for cancer therapies. Tumor suppressor p53 is a genome guardian and important negative regulator of the cell cycle. Whether Aurora B and p53 are coordinately regulated during the cell cycle is not known. We report that Aurora B directly interacts with p53 at different subcellular localizations and during different phases of the cell cycle (for instance, at the nucleus in interphase and the centromeres in prometaphase of mitosis). We show that Aurora B phosphorylates p53 at S183, T211, and S215 to accelerate the degradation of p53 through the polyubiquitination–proteasome pathway, thus functionally suppressing the expression of p53 target genes involved in cell cycle inhibition and apoptosis (e.g., p21 and PUMA). Pharmacologic inhibition of Aurora B in cancer cells with WT p53 increased p53 protein level and expression of p53 target genes to inhibit tumor growth. Together, these results define a mechanism of p53 inactivation during the cell cycle and imply that oncogenic hyperactivation or overexpression of Aurora B may compromise the tumor suppressor function of p53. We have elucidated the antineoplastic mechanism for Aurora B kinase inhibitors in cancer cells with WT p53.
Cleavage of Toll-like receptor 3 by cathepsins B and H is essential for signaling
Authors: Garcia-Cattaneo Alejandra , Gobert François-Xavier , Müller Mélanie , Toscano Florent , Flores Marcella , Lescure Aurianne , Del Nery Elaine , Benaroch Philippe
Published: May 2012

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 is an endosomal TLR that mediates immune responses against viral infections upon activation by its ligand double-stranded RNA, a replication intermediate of most viruses. TLR3 is expressed widely in the body and activates both the innate and adaptive immune systems. However, little is known about how TLR3 intracellular trafficking and maturation are regulated. Here we show that newly synthesized endogenous TLR3 is transported through the ER and Golgi apparatus to endosomes, where it is rapidly cleaved. TLR3 protein expression is up-regulated by its own ligand, leading to the accumulation of its cleaved form. In agreement with its proposed role as a transporter, UNC93B1 expression is required for TLR3 cleavage and signaling. Furthermore, TLR3 signaling and cleavage are sensitive to cathepsin inhibition. Cleavage occurs between aa 252 and 346, and results in a functional receptor that signals upon activation. A truncated form of TLR3 lacking the N-terminal 345 aa also signals from acidic compartments in response to ligand activation. Screening of the human cathepsin family by RNA interference identified cathepsins B and H as key mediators of TLR3 processing. Taken together, our data indicate that TLR3 proteolytic processing is essential for its function, and suggest a mechanism of tight control of TLR3 signaling and thus immunity.
Assessment of ground-based atmospheric observations for verification of greenhouse gas emissions from an urban region
Authors: McKain Kathryn , Wofsy Steven C. , Nehrkorn Thomas , Eluszkiewicz Janusz , Ehleringer James R. , Stephens Britton B.
Published: May 2012

International agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions require verification to ensure that they are effective and fair. Verification based on direct observation of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations will be necessary to demonstrate that estimated emission reductions have been actualized in the atmosphere. Here we assess the capability of ground-based observations and a high-resolution (1.3 km) mesoscale atmospheric transport model to determine a change in greenhouse gas emissions over time from a metropolitan region. We test the method with observations from a network of CO
2
surface monitors in Salt Lake City. Many features of the CO
2
data were simulated with excellent fidelity, although data-model mismatches occurred on hourly timescales due to inadequate simulation of shallow circulations and the precise timing of boundary-layer stratification and destratification. Using two optimization procedures, monthly regional fluxes were constrained to sufficient precision to detect an increase or decrease in emissions of approximately 15% at the 95% confidence level. We argue that integrated column measurements of the urban dome of CO
2
from the ground and/or space are less sensitive than surface point measurements to the redistribution of emitted CO
2
by small-scale processes and thus may allow for more precise trend detection of emissions from urban regions.
Addressing counterterrorism
Authors: Müller Kurt E.
Published: May 2012

The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington, DC, have caused a significant review of US capacity to conduct intelligence analysis to predict such attacks. A key component of the ability to analyze intelligence is the matter of competence in languages appropriate to areas of current emphasis in national defense. Language capacity is not a new topic to national defense, but this article looks at the link between government needs for language capacity and the availability of languages in formal education. Despite previous links between education and defense and the availability of federal funding to subsidize languages in schools, the predominant pattern of language enrollment appears to be in response to domestic concerns rather than to international affairs.
Direct vs. indirect attitude measurement and the planning of Catalan in Mallorca
Authors: Pieras-Guasp Felipe
Published: May 2012

Studies of the sociolinguistic situation of Catalan have generally concentrated on Catalonia and have disregarded other territories where Catalan is also native, namely the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands. Although the three territories share a common history of linguistic oppression, different approaches with respect to language planning on the part of the respective autonomous governments have produced different patterns of sociolinguistic evolution. In this article, the specifics of the island of Mallorca and in particular the sociolinguistic situation of its capital city, Palma, are reviewed. Research on attitudes in the Balearic Islands has made use of direct questionnaires as a tool of analysis. This paper explores the differences between the answers to direct questionnaires and the responses to a matched-guise experiment by way of the traditional distinction between the parameters of status-instrumentality and solidarity-integrativeness. It also proposes that a combination of methods is needed to obtain a clearer picture of the problems still to overcome.
Predicting challenges to English as a global language in the 21st century
Authors: Bruthiaux Paul
Published: May 2012

The worldwide dominance of English is such that only catastrophic upheaval could seemingly threaten it in the near future. In the longer term, an emerging power (eg, China) may come to challenge American supremacy and with it the dominant position of English. However, even in the event of such a realignment, the language of that emerging power (eg, Chinese) may not succeed in arresting the advantage English already derives from critical mass. To have any chance of global spread, a challenger would need to possess structural characteristics — namely, minimal inflectional morphology, non-tonal phonology, and a non-logographic script — that would facilitate its acquisition by individuals with largely utilitarian motivations. Alternatively, to evolve these characteristics, a challenger would need to be subjected to minimal standardization and be allowed the freedom to accommodate user-driven change, including indigenization. Finally, it would need to be perceived as a vehicle for modernizing values. While hypothetical challengers (eg, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, or Esperanto) all exhibit some of these characteristics, only English exhibits all of them at present and for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, the worldwide dominance of English is likely to survive even a hypothetical passing of the American Era.
Why English dominates the central economy
Authors: Wright Laurence
Published: May 2012

This paper sets out to formulate some of the economic reasons for the continuing dominance of English in the boardrooms, government forums, parastatals and laboratories of South Africa, to consider whether this situation is likely to change, and to assess the extent to which such a state of affairs is at odds with South Africa’s new language policy. The historical reasons for the dominance of English in this sphere are well known: the language’s imperial history, its status as a world language, its role as a medium for political opposition during the apartheid conflict, and the accumulation of capital and economic influence by English-speakers from the mid-nineteenth century onward. However, the day-to-day economic basis for the continuing dominance of English at the apex of South African society has hardly been considered.
Diglossic past and present lexicographical practices
Authors: Tseronis Assimakis
Published: May 2012

The publication of a dictionary is a means to describe, codify and ultimately standardise a language. This process is complicated by the lexicographer’s own attitude towards the language and the public’s sensitivity on language matters. The recent publication of the two most authoritative dictionaries of Modern Greek and their respective lexical coverage reveals the continuing survival of the underlying ideologies of the two sponsoring institutions concerning the history of the Greek language, as well as their opposing standpoints on the language question over the past decades, some 25 years after the constitutional resolution of the Greek diglossia, affecting the way they describe the synchronic state of language. The two dictionaries proceed from opposing starting points in attempting to influence and set a pace for the standardisation of Modern Greek by presenting two different aspects of the synchronic state of Greek, one of which focuses on the long history of the language and thus takes the present state to be only a link in an uninterrupted chain dating from antiquity, and the other of which focuses on the present state of Greek and thus takes this fully developed autonomous code to be the outcome of past linguistic processes and socio-cultural changes in response to the linguistic community’s present needs. The absence of a sufficiently representative corpus has restrained the descriptive capacity of the two dictionaries and has given space for ideology to come into play, despite the fact that both dictionaries have made concessions in order to account for the present-day Greek language.
Corpus planning and codification in the Hebrew Revival
Authors: Nahir Moshe
Published: May 2012

The study of the unprecedented revival of Hebrew in (pre-Israel) Palestine (approx. 1890–1914) has focused on the status of the language, because the revival has been rightly viewed as resulting from status planning. However, corpus planning, or codification, also served as a critical component of the Revival. Though Hebrew had been used for almost two millennia in written form, mainly as a language of religion, codification was needed in several areas — selection and harmonization of pronunciation, unification of spelling, etc. Still, the greatest task was adapting the language lexically to the modern world. Codification went on in Hebrew, in fact, for over a millennium by generations of writers and translators of various types of texts, culminating in the formation of a modern literature, probably the most instrumental factor enabling the Revival. Lexicalization in the Revival itself was partly done by the Hebrew Language Committee, but mostly by individuals. Ben-Yehuda drew words from old texts and created his own as a scholarly activity and to meet his lexical needs as a newspaper publisher and the first Hebrew dictionary compiler. Others included the writer and journalist Ben-Avi and the national poet Bialik, who drew words from earlier texts or created their own only when they needed them. Other individuals coined countless words to meet their communication needs — writers, journalists, educators, translators, publishers, editors, and language-conscious political leaders. Apart from drawing words from old texts with their original or new meanings, methods included: coining new words from old roots; using old, dormant words as different parts of speech; reducing expressions into single words; borrowing; loan translation; popular etymology; adding prefixes, suffixes or infixes to existing words; and merging pairs of words into single ones.
regSNPs: a strategy for prioritizing regulatory single nucleotide substitutions
Authors: Teng Mingxiang , Ichikawa Shoji , Padgett Leah R. , Wang Yadong , Mort Matthew , Cooper David N. , Koller Daniel L. , Foroud Tatiana , Edenberg Howard J. , Econs Michael J. , Liu Yunlong
Published: May 2012

Motivation: One of the fundamental questions in genetics study is to identify functional DNA variants that are responsible to a disease or phenotype of interest. Results from large-scale genetics studies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and the availability of high-throughput sequencing technologies provide opportunities in identifying causal variants. Despite the technical advances, informatics methodologies need to be developed to prioritize thousands of variants for potential causative effects.

Results: We present regSNPs, an informatics strategy that integrates several established bioinformatics tools, for prioritizing regulatory SNPs, i.e. the SNPs in the promoter regions that potentially affect phenotype through changing transcription of downstream genes. Comparing to existing tools, regSNPs has two distinct features. It considers degenerative features of binding motifs by calculating the differences on the binding affinity caused by the candidate variants and integrates potential phenotypic effects of various transcription factors. When tested by using the disease-causing variants documented in the Human Gene Mutation Database, regSNPs showed mixed performance on various diseases. regSNPs predicted three SNPs that can potentially affect bone density in a region detected in an earlier linkage study. Potential effects of one of the variants were validated using luciferase reporter assay.

Contact:  yunliu@iupui.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
Eplerenone and new‐onset diabetes in patients with mild heart failure: results from the Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure (EMPHASIS‐HF)
Authors: Preiss David , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Sattar Naveed , Krum Henry , Swedberg Karl , Shi Harry , Vincent John , Pocock Stuart J. , Pitt Bertram , Zannad Faiez , McMurray John J.V.
Published: May 2012

Aims

No studies have examined the effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist therapy on new‐onset diabetes. In addition, though the combination of diabetes and chronic heart failure (CHF) carries a poor prognosis, few studies have examined predictors of new‐onset diabetes in those with CHF.

Methods and results

In patients with symptomatically mild CHF who participated in the placebo‐controlled Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure, we examined the effect of the aldosterone antagonist, eplerenone, on physician‐diagnosed diabetes using univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. To identify predictors of new‐onset diabetes (measures of glycaemia were not available), data from trial arms were combined and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were conducted. At baseline, the mean age of 1846 initially non‐diabetic patients was 69 years and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 26%. Over 21 months, 69 (3.7%) developed diabetes (33 on eplerenone, 36 on placebo). Eplerenone had no effect on new‐onset diabetes [hazard ratio (HR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–1.52] and no effect on the composite of new‐onset diabetes or mortality (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64–1.01). Independent predictors of new‐onset diabetes included digoxin therapy, higher serum alanine aminotransferase, longer duration of heart failure, current or previous smoker, higher waist circumference, lower age, and higher systolic blood pressure with a combined c‐statistic of 0.74.

Conclusions

Eplerenone had no effect on new‐onset diabetes in patients with CHF, but further large‐scale studies are required to address this question comprehensively. Commonly recorded parameters provided useful information for predicting new‐onset diabetes.
Ecosystem structure in the Iceland Sea and recent changes to the capelin (Mallotus villosus) population
Authors: Pálsson Ólafur K. , Gislason Astthor , Guðfinnsson Hafsteinn G. , Gunnarsson Björn , Ólafsdóttir Sólveig R. , Petursdottir Hildur , Sveinbjörnsson Sveinn , Thorisson Konrad , Valdimarsson Héðinn
Published: May 2012

Pálsson, Ó. K., Gislason, A., Guðfinnsson,  H. G., Gunnarsson, B., Ólafsdóttir, S. R., Petursdottir, H., Sveinbjörnsson, S., Thorisson, K., and Valdimarsson, H. 2012. Ecosystem structure in the Iceland Sea and recent changes to the capelin (Mallotus villosus) population. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: . The objective of the Iceland Sea Ecosystem Project was to analyse principal ecosystem patterns, including the life history of capelin. Ten surveys were conducted for this purpose between 2006 and 2008, and hydrographic data from 1970 to 2011 were analysed. Long-term temporal patterns indicate an increase in the temperature of surface and intermediate waters during recent years in the Iceland Sea. The phytoplankton consisted mainly of diatoms in spring, with flagellates and dinoflagellates appearing later in the year. Zooplankton and fish were dominated by a few species. In late summer, the pelagic foodweb ranged between trophic levels 2.4 and 3.6. Trends in nutrients and primary production showed a clear seasonal pattern with a spring bloom in late May, followed by a peak in secondary production in July/August. The spatial structure of the lower ecosystem levels in summer was stable across the 3 years, determined mainly by the structure of the water masses. The pelagic fish fauna consisted primarily of adult pelagic fish and transient numbers of larval species. The spatial pattern of capelin indicated northward displacement of 0-group capelin and westward displacement of older capelin in recent years. The annual biomass was estimated at 3.8 million tonnes of phytoplankton, ∼21 million tonnes of zooplankton, and 1.0 million tonnes of fish.
The Porcupine Abyssal Plain fixed-point sustained observatory (PAP-SO): variations and trends from the Northeast Atlantic fixed-point time-series
Authors: Hartman Susan E. , Lampitt Richard S. , Larkin Kate E. , Pagnani Maureen , Campbell Jon , Gkritzalis Thanos , Jiang Zong-Pei , Pebody Corinne A. , Ruhl Henry A. , Gooday Andrew J. , Bett Brian J. , Billett David S. M. , Provost Paul , McLachlan Rob , Turton Jon D. , Lankester Steven
Published: May 2012

Hartman, S. E., Lampitt, R. S., Larkin, K. E., Pagnani, M., Campbell, J., Gkritzalis, T., Jiang, Z.-P., Pebody, C. A., Ruhl, H. A., Gooday, A. J., Bett, B. J., Billett, D. S. M., Provost, P., McLachlan, R., Turton, J. D., and Lankester, S. 2012. The Porcupine Abyssal Plain fixed-point sustained observatory (PAP-SO): variations and trends from the Northeast Atlantic fixed-point time-series. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 776–783. The Porcupine Abyssal Plain sustained observatory (PAP-SO) in the Northeast Atlantic (49°N 16.5°W; 4800 m) is the longest running open-ocean multidisciplinary observatory in the oceans around Europe. The site has produced high-resolution datasets integrating environmental and ecologically relevant variables from the surface to the seabed for >20 years. Since 2002, a full-depth mooring has been in place with autonomous sensors measuring temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a fluorescence, nitrate, and pCO2. These complement ongoing mesopelagic and seabed observations on downward particle flux and benthic ecosystem structure and function. With national and European funding, the observatory infrastructure has been advanced steadily, with the latest development in 2010 involving collaboration between the UK's Meteorological Office and Natural Environment Research Council. This resulted in the first simultaneous atmospheric and ocean datasets at the site. All PAP-SO datasets are open access in near real time through websites and as quality-controlled datasets for a range of remote users using ftp sites and uploaded daily to MyOcean and the global telecommunications system for use in modelling activities. The combined datasets capture short-term variation (daily–seasonal), longer term trends (climate-driven), and episodic events (e.g. spring-bloom events), and the data contribute to the Europe-wide move towards good environmental status of our seas, driven by the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/marine).
Ornithinibacillus halophilus sp. nov., a moderately halophilic, Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming bacterium from a hypersaline lake
Authors: Bagheri Maryam , Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Schumann Peter , Didari Maryam , Mehrshad Malihe , Spröer Cathrin , Sánchez-Porro Cristina , Ventosa Antonio
Published: May 2012

A novel Gram-stain-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain G8BT, was isolated from water of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain G8BT were rod-shaped, motile and produced oval endospores at a terminal position in swollen sporangia. Strain G8BT was strictly aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The strain was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–12.5 % (w/v), with optimum growth occurring at 5–7.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 35–40 °C and pH 7.5–8.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain G8BT was shown to belong to the genus

Ornithinibacillus

within the phylum

Firmicutes

and showed closest phylogenetic similarity with

Ornithinibacillus bavariensis

WSBC 24001T (97.6 %). The DNA G+C content of strain G8BT was 36.9 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain G8BT were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, four unknown phospholipids and an unknown aminolipid. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-7 (98 %) and MK-8 (2 %). Strain G8BT contained a peptidoglycan of type A4β, l-Orn–d-Asp. All these features confirmed the placement of isolate G8BT within the genus

Ornithinibacillus

. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low level of relatedness (6 %) between strain G8BT and

Ornithinibacillus bavariensis

DSM 15681T. On the basis of evidence from this study, a novel species of the genus

Ornithinibacillus

, Ornithinibacillus halophilus sp. nov., is proposed, with strain G8BT ( = IBRC-M 10683T = KCTC 13822T) as the type strain.
Pseudorhodobacter antarcticus sp. nov., isolated from Antarctic intertidal sandy sediment, and emended description of the genus

Pseudorhodobacter

Uchino et al. 2002 emend. Jung et al. 2012
Authors: Chen Chun-Xiao , Zhang Xi-Ying , Liu Chang , Yu Yong , Liu Ang , Li Guo-Wei , Li Hai , Chen Xiu-Lan , Chen Bo , Zhou Bai-Cheng , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: May 2012

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, pink-pigmented and rod-shaped strain, designated ZS3-33T, was isolated from Antarctic intertidal sandy sediment. The strain grew optimally at 15 °C and with 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. It reduced nitrate to nitrite and hydrolysed Tween 20. It could not produce bacteriochlorophyll a. The predominant cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c and the predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified aminophospholipids and an unidentified aminolipid. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZS3-33T belonged to the genus

Pseudorhodobacter

, showing 97.4 % similarity to the type strain of

Pseudorhodobacter ferrugineus

and 95.3 % similarity to the type strain of

Pseudorhodobacter aquimaris

. Levels of gyrB gene sequence similarity between strain ZS3-33T and the type strains of

P. ferrugineus

and

P. aquimaris

were 87.6 and 81.7 %, respectively. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain ZS3-33T and

P. ferrugineus

DSM 5888T was 56.6 %. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain ZS3-33T was 57.1 mol%. Based on data from this polyphasic study, strain ZS3-33T represents a novel species of the genus

Pseudorhodobacter

, for which the name Pseudorhodobacter antarcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZS3-33T ( = CGMCC 1.10836T = KCTC 23700T). An emended description of the genus

Pseudorhodobacter

Uchino et al. 2002 emend. Jung et al. 2012 is also proposed.
RDS‐SUMO: from lofting to physics‐based grids
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Rizzi Arthur
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The goal for this paper is to bring the easy‐to‐use geometry drawing software RDS to a “solid” mesh, which could be analyzed and simulated in CEASIOM, to enhance both CEASIOM and RDS's capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The RDS‐SUMO interface is developed based on the feature that both RDS and SUMO define their geometric model using cross‐sectional information, i.e. their “universe” shapes are close to each other.

Findings

The translation is automated and allows the engineer to easily modify and augment the geometry in the process. Two test cases are shown, with their high quality Euler mesh and CFD computations. The A321‐look‐alike test case tests the mesh quality for transonic aerodynamics, such as high‐speed trim and drag divergence; the twin‐prop asymmetric aircraft is a “diffi+cult” non‐conventional configuration analyzed for yaw stability in one‐engine out mode.

Practical implications

This paper shows that the CFD solutions based on solid grids could be obtained once the design is proposed and the RDS wire‐frame model is available. The aerodynamic properties can then be predicted in early design stage, which is very efficient for preliminary aircraft design.

Originality/value

This fast meshing tool could obtain “working” grids of a new design within hours.
Development and validation of on‐board systems control laws
Authors: Medici Giovanni , Viola Nicole , Corpino Sabrina , Fioriti Marco
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the tool and procedure developed in order to design the control laws of several UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) sub‐systems. The authors designed and developed the logics governing: landing gear, nose wheel steering, wheel braking, and fuel system.

Design/methodology/approach

This procedure is based on a general purpose, object‐oriented, simulation tool. The development method used is based on three‐steps. The main structure of the control laws is defined through flow charts; then the logics are ported to ANSI‐C programming language; finally the code is implemented inside the status model. The status model is a Matlab‐Simulink model, which uses an embedded Matlab‐function to model the FCC (Flight Control Computer). The core block is linked with the components, but cannot access their internal model. Interfaces between FCCs and system components in the model reflect real system ones.

Findings

The user verifies systems' reactions in real time, through the status model. Using block‐oriented approach, development of the control laws and integration of several systems is faster.

Practical implications

The tool aims to test and validate the control laws dynamically, helping specialists to find out odd logics or undesired responses, during the pre‐design.

Originality/value

The development team can test and verify the control laws in various failure scenarios. This tool allows more reliable and effective logics to be produced, which can be directly used on the system.
Aircraft design using a variable density model
Authors: Komarov Valeriy A. , Boldyrev Andrey V. , Kuznetsov Anton S. , Lapteva Marina Yu.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the aircraft design problems which can be efficiently solved using a special solid finite‐element model of variable density.

Design/methodology/approach

Optimization algorithms based on fully‐stressed design philosophy, sensitivity coefficients, and employing material density as a design variable provide means to generate optimal topology layouts, subject to a wide range of design constraints. A novel non‐dimensional criterion is used for assessment of load‐carrying efficiency of structures and knowledge accumulation.

Findings

Variable density model, together with non‐dimensional criterion of structural efficiency, yields a new versatile approach to a structural weight estimation at early design stages. New weight equations are used. The approach is a powerful tool for addressing complex multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) problems such as aerodynamic load prediction taking aeroelastic deformations into account and aerodynamic‐structural design optimization of unconventional aircraft configurations.

Research limitations/implications

For accurate estimation of wing weight and deflections, the method should be tuned by regression analysis of existing aircraft to properly account for secondary structural weight.

Practical implications

The developed software tools for aeroelastic behaviour prediction and coupled aerodynamic‐structural design optimization are ready for integration into the complex MDO framework.

Originality/value

The variable density model is shown to have broad predictive opportunities for design problems at early stages of a product development.
Significance of modifications for development of passenger airplanes
Authors: Zhuravlev Pavel , Zhuravlev Vladimir
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the design experience of creation of passenger airplane families. Methods of taking into account future modifications for family creation during the design of the basic airplane are proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Trend analysis of airplane data was based on available statistics and previous research results by using a systematic approach. Proposed methods are based on practical experience and aircraft design theory.

Findings

The paper provides the results of analysis of creation of passenger airplane families. It suggests that reserves should be allocated during design of the first family member to ensure successful creation of other members. A method based on aircraft fleet optimization is suggested for determining these reserves.

Research limitations/implications

The field of research connected to aircraft fleet creation methods still remains largely unexplored. The paper presents a systematic general concept, which the researchers are encouraged to develop further (e.g. for aircraft of different types and purpose than presented in the paper).

Practical implications

The paper proposes transferring from “point optimization” of aircraft during early design stages to inclusion of reserves into the project, which would be used for aircraft family creation.

Originality/value

The paper studies the problem of taking into account the necessity for airplane family creation during the early stages of airplane design and offers an approach to its solution. It could be of interest to aircraft design specialists.