bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient layer stopping technique for layered LDPC decoding
Authors: Lin C.‐H. , Huang T.‐H. , Chen C.‐C. , Lin S.‐Y.
Published: July 2013

Early termination techniques are widely used in low‐density party‐check (LDPC) decoding since the decoding operations can be tremendously reduced. A layer stopping criterion is proposed to reduce further the operations within iterative layered LDPC decoding. The proposed criterion detects the high reliability of the soft log‐likelihood ratio with a threshold in each layer. Then the layer operations can be stopped when the reliable layers are detected. The proposed criterion combined with early termination techniques can efficiently reduce the layer operations by up to 60% with a negligible loss of coding gain at Eb/N0 of 3.2 dB.
Frequency diplexer using multimode bandpass filters with high stopband attenuation level
Authors: Tanii K. , Wada K.
Published: July 2013

Multimode bandpass filters are proposed by using a hairpin resonator and two multimode resonators. The proposed bandpass filter has five‐mode resonance in a passband and transmission zeros at both the lower and higher stopbands near the cutoff frequencies. Because the steep characteristics at the edge of the passband and the high attenuation level at the stopbands can be obtained due to the multimode resonance and transmission zeros, a frequency diplexer with adjacent passbands can be comprised of the proposed bandpass filters by using an open‐matching methodology.
New applications of the wreath product of forest algebras
Authors: Straubing Howard
Published: July 2013

We give several new applications of the wreath product of forest algebras to the study of
logics on trees. These include new simplified proofs of necessary conditions for
definability in CTL and first-order logic with the ancestor relation; a
sequence of identities satisfied by all forest languages definable in
PDL; and new examples of languages outside CTL, along
with an application to the question of what properties are definable in both
CTL and LTL.
Algebras with convergent star products and their representations in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Soloviev M. A.
Published: July 2013

We study star product algebras of analytic functions for which the power series defining the products converge absolutely. Such algebras arise naturally in deformation quantization theory and in noncommutative quantum field theory. We consider different star products in a unifying way and present results on the structure and basic properties of these algebras, which are useful for applications. Special attention is given to the Hilbert space representation of the algebras and to the exact description of their corresponding operator algebras.
The fractional quadratic-form identity and Hamiltonian structure of an integrable coupling of the fractional Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur hierarchy
Authors: Yue Chao , Xia Tiecheng
Published: July 2013

Starting from a general isospectral problem of fractional order, we propose a fractional quadratic-form identity, from which the Hamiltonian structure of an integrable coupling of the fractional Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur hierarchy is derived. The method can be generalized to other fractional integrable couplings.
Improved laser-to-proton conversion efficiency in isolated reduced mass targets
Authors: Morace A. , Bellei C. , Bartal T. , Willingale L. , Kim J. , Maksimchuk A. , Krushelnick K. , Wei M. S. , Patel P. K. , Batani D. , Piovella N. , Stephens R. B. , Beg F. N.
Published: July 2013

We present experimental results of laser-to-proton conversion efficiency as a function of lateral confinement of the refluxing electrons. Experiments were carried out using the T-Cubed laser at the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan. We demonstrate that the laser-to-proton conversion efficiency increases by 50% with increased confinement of the target from surroundings with respect to a flat target of the same thickness. Three-dimensional hybrid particle-in-cell simulations using LSP code agree with the experimental data. The adopted target design is suitable for high repetition rate operation as well as for Inertial Confinement Fusion applications.
Leibniz homology of the Galilei algebra
Authors: Biyogmam Guy Roger
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we compute the Leibniz homology of the Galilei algebra.
Extensional flow of hyaluronic acid solutions in an optimized microfluidic cross-slot device
Authors: Haward S. J. , Jaishankar A. , Oliveira M. S. N. , Alves M. A. , McKinley G. H.
Published: July 2013

We utilize a recently developed microfluidic device, the Optimized Shape Cross-slot Extensional Rheometer (OSCER), to study the elongational flow behavior and rheological properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) solutions representative of the synovial fluid (SF) found in the knee joint. The OSCER geometry is a stagnation point device that imposes a planar extensional flow with a homogenous extension rate over a significant length of the inlet and outlet channel axes. Due to the compressive nature of the flow generated along the inlet channels, and the planar elongational flow along the outlet channels, the flow field in the OSCER device can also be considered as representative of the flow field that arises between compressing articular cartilage layers of the knee joints during running or jumping movements. Full-field birefringence microscopy measurements demonstrate a high degree of localized macromolecular orientation along streamlines passing close to the stagnation point of the OSCER device, while micro-particle image velocimetry is used to quantify the flow kinematics. The stress-optical rule is used to assess the local extensional viscosity in the elongating fluid elements as a function of the measured deformation rate. The large limiting values of the dimensionless Trouton ratio, Tr ∼ O(50), demonstrate that these fluids are highly extensional-thickening, providing a clear mechanism for the load-dampening properties of SF. The results also indicate the potential for utilizing the OSCER in screening of physiological SF samples, which will lead to improved understanding of, and therapies for, disease progression in arthritis sufferers.
Ab initio calculation of the thermodynamic properties of InSb under intense laser irradiation
Authors: Feng ShiQuan , Zhao JianLing , Cheng XinLu , Zhang Hong
Published: July 2013

In this paper, phonon spectra of InSb at different electronic temperatures are presented. Based on the phonon dispersion relationship, we further perform a theoretical investigation of the thermodynamic properties of InSb under intense laser irradiation. The phonon entropy, phonon heat capacity, and phonon contribution to Helmholtz free energy and internal energy of InSb are calculated as functions of temperature at different electronic temperatures. The abrupt change in the phonon entropy- temperature curve from Te = 0.75 to 1.0 eV provides an indication of InSb undergoing a phase transition from solid to liquid. It can be considered as a collateral evidence of non-thermal melting for InSb under intense electronic excitation effect.
Frequency dependence of critical switching asteroid of CoCrPt–SiO2 granular film under 50-ns microwave impulse
Authors: Ishida N. , Soeno Y. , Sekiguchi K. , Nozaki Y.
Published: July 2013

Understanding the dynamic process of microwave-assisted magnetization reversal (MAMR) in a dipole–dipole coupled granular perpendicular medium is essential for its application to future magnetic storage devices. We experimentally investigated the magnetization reversal process in CoCrPt–SiO2 granular films in terms of the dependence of the switching field on the strength of an applied in-plane radio-frequency magnetic field. The reversal process changed from non-uniform rotation to uniform rotation when the frequency increased toward the ferromagnetic resonance frequency. In the resonant condition, the switching field agreed well with a model assuming uniform rotation of the magnetization in each grain. The agreement suggests that the decoherence of ferromagnetic resonance due to a dynamic dipolar field is weak in adequately exchange-coupled granular films with a saturation magnetization of 415 emu/cm3. This finding is significant for the development of the practical medium necessary for MAMR writing.
An explanation of the crystallization of amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 films induced by a short Gaussian laser pulse
Authors: Liu F. R. , Bai N. , Zhao J. J. , Han X. X. , Zhou W. P. , Lin X. , Sun N. X.
Published: July 2013

Three-dimensional finite element method simulation and experimental investigation were employed to study the fast crystallization mechanism of Ge2Sb2Te5 phase-change alloy films induced by a short Gaussian laser pulse. A crystallization mechanism was proposed which took into account the roles of heating and cooling rates on crystallization of the phase-change materials. Microstructure characteristics of crystallization, primarily attributed to inherent material properties and temperature field, were discussed. The present study not only unveils the crystallization mechanism induced by laser radiance but also distinguishes the roles of the ultrahigh heating/cooling rate for the phase transition.
Detection of interfacial Pb centers in Si/SiO2 metal-oxide-semiconducting field-effect transistors via zero-field spin dependent recombination with observation of precursor pair spin-spin interactions
Authors: Cochrane C. J. , Lenahan P. M.
Published: July 2013

We report on the detection of a zero-field spin dependent current response in Si based metal-oxide-semiconducting field-effect transistors. We argue that this phenomenon results from spin dependent recombination (SDR) due to the mixing of the energy levels involved in the singlet and triplet pairs which form prior to recombination involving Pb centers at the Si/SiO2 interface. We demonstrate a very strong correlation between the zero-field response, the low-field magnetic resonant response, and electrical gated current interface trap measurement. Our results provide strong evidence that previous magnetoresistance measurements made in silicon devices arise from deep level defects that cause SDR.
Structural stability of thermoelectric diffusion barriers: Experimental results and first principles calculations
Authors: Hsu Hsiao-Hsuan , Cheng Chun-Hu , Lin Yu-Li , Chiou Shan-Haw , Huang Chiung-Hui , Cheng Chin-Pao
Published: July 2013

This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing a tantalum nitride (TaN) thin film as a diffusion barrier and buffer layer for p-type bismuth telluride [(Bi,Sb)2Te3] thermoelectric devices. A network of TaN with nitrogen (N) incorporation is structurally more stable on (Bi,Sb)2Te3 than the conventional Ni diffusion barrier because of less inter-diffusion and a greater likelihood of stoichiometry in the TaN/(Bi,Sb)2Te3 interface. The atomic inter-diffusion between the barrier layers and (Bi,Sb)2Te3 was evaluated in terms of interface adhesion energy using nanoscratching, and proved with first-principles calculations.
A Snapshot of Ionic-Liquid-Tagged Proline-Based Organocatalysts
Authors: Brozinski Hannah L. , Delaney Joshua P. , Henderson Luke C.
Published: July 2013

This highlight focuses on the developments in ionic-liquid (IL)-tagged proline-based organocatalysts. An overview of catalyst structure and application to asymmetric transformations is provided, and a representative synthesis of an IL-tagged organocatalyst is also discussed.
Mod5 protein binds to tRNA gene complexes and affects local transcriptional silencing
Authors: Pratt-Hyatt Matthew , Pai Dave A. , Haeusler Rebecca A. , Wozniak Glenn G. , Good Paul D. , Miller Erin L. , McLeod Ian X. , Yates John R. , Hopper Anita K. , Engelke David R.
Published: July 2013

Significance

This study provides new insight into the requirements for observed silencing of RNA polymerase II transcription near tRNA genes. Mod5 is a conserved tRNA modification enzyme found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, although it only modifies tRNAs in the cytoplasm. Mod5 is required for silencing near tRNA genes, and it is bound to both nuclear tRNA gene complexes and nuclear pre-tRNA transcripts. Possible mechanisms for this form of RNA-mediated transcriptional silencing are discussed.
Seismic constraints on rotation of Sun-like star and mass of exoplanet
Authors: Gizon Laurent , Ballot Jérome , Michel Eric , Stahn Thorsten , Vauclair Gérard , Bruntt Hans , Quirion Pierre-Olivier , Benomar Othman , Vauclair Sylvie , Appourchaux Thierry , Auvergne Michel , Baglin Annie , Barban Caroline , Baudin Fréderic , Bazot Michaël , Campante Tiago , Catala Claude , Chaplin William , Creevey Orlagh , Deheuvels Sébastien , Dolez Noël , Elsworth Yvonne , García Rafael , Gaulme Patrick , Mathis Stéphane , Mathur Savita , Mosser Benoît , Régulo Clara , Roxburgh Ian , Salabert David , Samadi Réza , Sato Kumiko , Verner Graham , Hanasoge Shravan , Sreenivasan Katepalli R.
Published: July 2013

Rotation is thought to drive cyclic magnetic activity in the Sun and Sun-like stars. Stellar dynamos, however, are poorly understood owing to the scarcity of observations of rotation and magnetic fields in stars. Here, inferences are drawn on the internal rotation of a distant Sun-like star by studying its global modes of oscillation. We report asteroseismic constraints imposed on the rotation rate and the inclination of the spin axis of the Sun-like star HD 52265, a principal target observed by the CoRoT satellite that is known to host a planetary companion. These seismic inferences are remarkably consistent with an independent spectroscopic observation (rotational line broadening) and with the observed rotation period of star spots. Furthermore, asteroseismology constrains the mass of exoplanet HD 52265b. Under the standard assumption that the stellar spin axis and the axis of the planetary orbit coincide, the minimum spectroscopic mass of the planet can be converted into a true mass of

, which implies that it is a planet, not a brown dwarf.
Genomic evolution and transmission of
Helicobacter pylori
in two South African families
Authors: Didelot Xavier , Nell Sandra , Yang Ines , Woltemate Sabrina , van der Merwe Schalk , Suerbaum Sebastian
Published: July 2013

Helicobacter pylori
infects the stomachs of one in two humans and can cause sequelae that include ulcers and cancer. Here we sequenced the genomes of 97
H. pylori
isolates from 52 members of two families living in rural conditions in South Africa. From each of 45 individuals, two
H. pylori
strains were isolated from the antrum and corpus parts of the stomach, and comparisons of their genomes enabled us to study within-host evolution. In 5 of these 45 hosts, the two genomes were too distantly related to be derived from each other and therefore represented evidence of multiple infections. From the remaining 40 genome pairs, we estimated that the synonymous mutation rate was 1.38 × 10
−5
per site per year, with a low effective population size within host probably reflecting population bottlenecks and immune selection. Some individuals showed very little evidence for recombination, whereas in others, recombination introduced up to 100-times more substitutions than mutation. These differences may reflect unequal opportunities for recombination depending on the presence or absence of multiple infections. Comparing the genomes carried by distinct individuals enabled us to establish probable transmission links. Transmission events were found significantly more frequently between close relatives, and between individuals living in the same house. We found, however, that a majority of individuals (27/52) were not linked by transmission to other individuals. Our results suggest that transmission does not always occur within families, and that coinfection with multiple strains is frequent and evolutionarily important despite a fast turnover of the infecting strains within-host.
Archaeological, radiological, and biological evidence offer insight into Inca child sacrifice
Authors: Wilson Andrew S. , Brown Emma L. , Villa Chiara , Lynnerup Niels , Healey Andrew , Ceruti Maria Constanza , Reinhard Johan , Previgliano Carlos H. , Araoz Facundo Arias , Gonzalez Diez Josefina , Taylor Timothy
Published: July 2013

Examination of three frozen bodies, a 13-y-old girl and a girl and boy aged 4 to 5 y, separately entombed near the Andean summit of Volcán Llullaillaco, Argentina, sheds new light on human sacrifice as a central part of the Imperial Inca
capacocha
rite, described by chroniclers writing after the Spanish conquest. The high-resolution diachronic data presented here, obtained directly from scalp hair, implies escalating coca and alcohol ingestion in the lead-up to death. These data, combined with archaeological and radiological evidence, deepen our understanding of the circumstances and context of final placement on the mountain top. We argue that the individuals were treated differently according to their age, status, and ritual role. Finally, we relate our findings to questions of consent, coercion, and/or compliance, and the controversial issues of ideological justification and strategies of social control and political legitimation pursued by the expansionist Inca state before European contact.
Speed-invariant encoding of looming object distance requires power law spike rate adaptation
Authors: Clarke Stephen E. , Naud Richard , Longtin André , Maler Leonard
Published: July 2013

Neural representations of a moving object’s distance and approach speed are essential for determining appropriate orienting responses, such as those observed in the localization behaviors of the weakly electric fish,
Apteronotus leptorhynchus
. We demonstrate that a power law form of spike rate adaptation transforms an electroreceptor afferent’s response to “looming” object motion, effectively parsing information about distance and approach speed into distinct measures of the firing rate. Neurons with dynamics characterized by fixed time scales are shown to confound estimates of object distance and speed. Conversely, power law adaptation modifies an electroreceptor afferent’s response according to the time scales present in the stimulus, generating a rate code for looming object distance that is invariant to speed and acceleration. Consequently, estimates of both object distance and approach speed can be uniquely determined from an electroreceptor afferent’s firing rate, a multiplexed neural code operating over the extended time scales associated with behaviorally relevant stimuli.
Protective effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants in an acute bacterial infection
Authors: Plotnikov Egor Y. , Morosanova Maria A. , Pevzner Irina B. , Zorova Ljubava D. , Manskikh Vasily N. , Pulkova Natalya V. , Galkina Svetlana I. , Skulachev Vladimir P. , Zorov Dmitry B.
Published: July 2013

Significance

The main approach to treat acute pyelonephritis is antibiotic therapy. However, the pathology is accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress phenomena that can also be a target for intervention when direct antibacterial measures are impossible or inefficient. In our study, in vitro and in vivo models of experimental pyelonephritis were used to define the role of mitochondria in this pathology and to find a way to alleviate the kidney damage. The majority of the deleterious effects of pyelonephritis, including animal mortality in extreme cases, were prevented by the treatment with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, pointing to mitochondria as a therapeutic target.
Epoxyeicosanoids promote organ and tissue regeneration
Authors: Panigrahy Dipak , Kalish Brian T. , Huang Sui , Bielenberg Diane R. , Le Hau D. , Yang Jun , Edin Matthew L. , Lee Craig R. , Benny Ofra , Mudge Dayna K. , Butterfield Catherine E. , Mammoto Akiko , Mammoto Tadanori , Inceoglu Bora , Jenkins Roger L. , Simpson Mary A. , Akino Tomoshige , Lih Fred B. , Tomer Kenneth B. , Ingber Donald E. , Hammock Bruce D. , Falck John R. , Manthati Vijaya L. , Kaipainen Arja , D’Amore Patricia A. , Puder Mark , Zeldin Darryl C. , Kieran Mark W.
Published: July 2013

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), lipid mediators produced by cytochrome P450 epoxygenases, regulate inflammation, angiogenesis, and vascular tone. Despite pleiotropic effects on cells, the role of these epoxyeicosanoids in normal organ and tissue regeneration remains unknown. EETs are produced predominantly in the endothelium. Normal organ and tissue regeneration require an active paracrine role of the microvascular endothelium, which in turn depends on angiogenic growth factors. Thus, we hypothesize that endothelial cells stimulate organ and tissue regeneration via production of bioactive EETs. To determine whether endothelial-derived EETs affect physiologic tissue growth in vivo, we used genetic and pharmacological tools to manipulate endogenous EET levels. We show that endothelial-derived EETs play a critical role in accelerating tissue growth in vivo, including liver regeneration, kidney compensatory growth, lung compensatory growth, wound healing, corneal neovascularization, and retinal vascularization. Administration of synthetic EETs recapitulated these results, whereas lowering EET levels, either genetically or pharmacologically, delayed tissue regeneration, demonstrating that pharmacological modulation of EETs can affect normal organ and tissue growth. We also show that soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors, which elevate endogenous EET levels, promote liver and lung regeneration. Thus, our observations indicate a central role for EETs in organ and tissue regeneration and their contribution to tissue homeostasis.
Lipid bilayer and cytoskeletal interactions in a red blood cell
Authors: Peng Zhangli , Li Xuejin , Pivkin Igor V. , Dao Ming , Karniadakis George E. , Suresh Subra
Published: July 2013

We study the biomechanical interactions between the lipid bilayer and the cytoskeleton in a red blood cell (RBC) by developing a general framework for mesoscopic simulations. We treated the lipid bilayer and the cytoskeleton as two distinct components and developed a unique whole-cell model of the RBC, using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). The model is validated by comparing the predicted results with measurements from four different and independent experiments. First, we simulated the micropipette aspiration and quantified the cytoskeletal deformation. Second, we studied the membrane fluctuations of healthy RBCs and RBCs parasitized to different intraerythrocytic stages by the malaria-inducing parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
. Third, we subjected the RBC to shear flow and investigated the dependence of its tank-treading frequency on shear rate. Finally, we simulated the bilayer–cytoskeletal detachment in channel flow to quantify the strength of such interactions when the corresponding bonds break. Taken together, these experiments and corresponding systematic DPD simulations probe the governing constitutive response of the cytoskeleton, elastic stiffness, viscous friction, and strength of bilayer–cytoskeletal interactions as well as membrane viscosities. Hence, the DPD simulations and comparisons with available independent experiments serve as validation of the unique two-component model and lead to useful insights into the biomechanical interactions between the lipid bilayer and the cytoskeleton of the RBC. Furthermore, they provide a basis for further studies to probe cell mechanistic processes in health and disease in a manner that guides the design and interpretation of experiments and to develop simulations of phenomena that cannot be studied systematically by experiments alone.
Metabolic niche of a prominent sulfate-reducing human gut bacterium
Authors: Rey Federico E. , Gonzalez Mark D. , Cheng Jiye , Wu Meng , Ahern Philip P. , Gordon Jeffrey I.
Published: July 2013

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) colonize the guts of ∼50% of humans. We used genome-wide transposon mutagenesis and insertion-site sequencing, RNA-Seq, plus mass spectrometry to characterize genetic and environmental factors that impact the niche of
Desulfovibrio piger
, the most common SRB in a surveyed cohort of healthy US adults. Gnotobiotic mice were colonized with an assemblage of sequenced human gut bacterial species with or without
D. piger
and fed diets with different levels and types of carbohydrates and sulfur sources. Diet was a major determinant of functions expressed by this artificial nine-member community and of the genes that impact
D. piger
fitness; the latter includes high- and low-affinity systems for using ammonia, a limiting resource for
D. piger
in mice consuming a polysaccharide-rich diet. Although genes involved in hydrogen consumption and sulfate reduction are necessary for its colonization, varying dietary-free sulfate levels did not significantly alter levels of
D. piger
, which can obtain sulfate from the host in part via cross-feeding mediated by
Bacteroides
-encoded sulfatases. Chondroitin sulfate, a common dietary supplement, increased
D. piger
and H
2
S levels without compromising gut barrier integrity. A chondroitin sulfate-supplemented diet together with
D. piger
impacted the assemblage’s substrate utilization preferences, allowing consumption of more reduced carbon sources and increasing the abundance of the H
2
-producing Actinobacterium,
Collinsella aerofaciens
. Our findings provide genetic and metabolic details of how this H
2
-consuming SRB shapes the responses of a microbiota to diet ingredients and a framework for examining how individuals lacking
D. piger
differ from those who harbor it.
An ESCRT–spastin interaction promotes fission of recycling tubules from the endosome
Authors: Allison Rachel , Lumb Jennifer H. , Fassier Coralie , Connell James W. , Ten Martin Daniel , Seaman Matthew N.J. , Hazan Jamilé , Reid Evan
Published: July 2013

Mechanisms coordinating endosomal degradation and recycling are poorly understood, as are the cellular roles of microtubule (MT) severing. We show that cells lacking the MT-severing protein spastin had increased tubulation of and defective receptor sorting through endosomal tubular recycling compartments. Spastin required the ability to sever MTs and to interact with ESCRT-III (a complex controlling cargo degradation) proteins to regulate endosomal tubulation. Cells lacking IST1 (increased sodium tolerance 1), an endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) component to which spastin binds, also had increased endosomal tubulation. Our results suggest that inclusion of IST1 into the ESCRT complex allows recruitment of spastin to promote fission of recycling tubules from the endosome. Thus, we reveal a novel cellular role for MT severing and identify a mechanism by which endosomal recycling can be coordinated with the degradative machinery. Spastin is mutated in the axonopathy hereditary spastic paraplegia. Zebrafish spinal motor axons depleted of spastin or IST1 also had abnormal endosomal tubulation, so we propose this phenotype is important for axonal degeneration.
Identification of a novel CD40 ligand for targeted imaging of inflammatory plaques by phage display
Authors: Yu Haixiang , Segers Filip , Sliedregt‐Bol Karen , Bot Ilze , Woltman Andrea M. , Boross Peter , Verbeek Sjef , Overkleeft Herman , van der Marel Gijs A. , van Kooten Cees , van Berkel Theo J. C. , Biessen Erik A. L.
Published: July 2013

The CD40/CD40L dyad is deemed to play a central role in several inflammatory processes, including atherosclerosis. As CD40 is overexpressed in atherosclerotic lesions, it constitutes a promising candidate for targeted imaging approaches. Here we describe the design of a novel, selective peptide ligand for CD40 by phage display. A synthetic peptide corresponding with the phage insert NP31 displayed nanomolar affinity for CD40. Affinity was further enhanced by mutimeric presentation of NP31. An essential 11‐mer peptide motif was identified by truncation and alanine scan studies. Enriched phage selectively bound human CD40 and homed to inflammatory joints in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis. NP31 ablated VEGF and IL‐6 transcriptional activation and partially inhibited IL‐6 production by CD40L‐activated endothelial cells. Notably, NP31 did not only alter the biodistribution profile of a streptavidin scaffold but also markedly increased accumulation of the carrier in atherosclerotic aortic lesions of aged ApoE–/– mice in a CD40‐dependent manner. This potent and selective peptide ligand has potential for targeted imaging and drug delivery approaches in CD40‐dependent inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis.—Yu, H., Segers, F., Sliedregt‐Bol, K., Bot, I., Woltman, A. M. Boross, P., Verbeek, S., Overkleeft, H., van der Marel, G. A., van Kooten, C., van Berkel, T J. C., Biessen, E. A. L. Identification of a novel CD40 ligand for targeted imaging of inflammatory plaques by phage display. FASEBJ. 27, 4136‐4146 (2013). www.fasebj.org
Calcium and Reactive Oxygen Species Rule the Waves of Signaling
Authors: Steinhorst Leonie , Kudla Jörg
Published: July 2013

Calcium signaling and reactive oxygen species signaling are directly connected, and both contribute to cell-to-cell signal propagation in plants.
Reflection and transmission of attenuated waves at the boundary between two dissimilar poroelastic solids saturated with two immiscible viscous fluids
Authors: Kumar M. , Sharma M.D.
Published: July 2013

The phenomenon of reflection and transmission of plane harmonic waves at the plane interface between two dissimilar poroelastic solids saturated with two immiscible viscous fluids is investigated. Both porous media are considered dissipative due to the presence of viscosity in pore‐fluids. Four attenuated (three dilatational and one shear) waves propagate in such a dissipative porous medium. A finite non‐dimensional parameter is used to define the effective connections between the surface‐pores of two media at their common interface. Another finite parameter represents the gas‐share in the saturation of pores. An attenuated wave in a dissipative medium is described through the specification of directions of propagation and maximum attenuation. A general representation of an attenuated wave is defined through its inhomogeneous propagation, i.e., different directions for propagation and attenuation. Incidence of an inhomogeneous wave is considered at the interface between two dissipative porous solids. This results in four reflected and four transmitted inhomogeneous waves. Expressions are derived for the partition of incident energy among the reflected and transmitted waves. Numerical examples are studied to determine the effects of saturating pore fluid, frequency, surface‐pore connections and wave inhomogeneity on the strengths of reflected and transmitted waves. Interaction energy due to the interference of different (inhomogeneous) waves is calculated in both the dissipative porous media to verify the conservation of incident energy.
Application of randomized sampling schemes to curvelet‐based sparsity‐promoting seismic data recovery
Authors: Shahidi Reza , Tang Gang , Ma Jianwei , Herrmann Felix J.
Published: July 2013

Reconstruction of seismic data is routinely used to improve the quality and resolution of seismic data from incomplete acquired seismic recordings. Curvelet‐based Recovery by Sparsity‐promoting Inversion, adapted from the recently‐developed theory of compressive sensing, is one such kind of reconstruction, especially good for recovery of undersampled seismic data. Like traditional Fourier‐based methods, it performs best when used in conjunction with randomized subsampling, which converts aliases from the usual regular periodic subsampling into easy‐to‐eliminate noise. By virtue of its ability to control gap size, along with the random and irregular nature of its sampling pattern, jittered (sub)sampling is one proven method that has been used successfully for the determination of geophone positions along a seismic line. In this paper, we extend jittered sampling to two‐dimensional acquisition design, a more difficult problem, with both underlying Cartesian and hexagonal grids. We also study what we term separable and non‐separable two‐dimensional jittered samplings. We find hexagonal jittered sampling performs better than Cartesian jittered sampling, while fully non‐separable jittered sampling performs better than separable jittered sampling. Two other 2D randomized sampling methods, Poisson Disk sampling and Farthest Point sampling, both known to possess blue‐noise spectra, are also shown to perform well.
Two co‐occurring invasive woody shrubs alter soil properties and promote subdominant invasive species
Authors: Kuebbing Sara E. , Classen Aimée T. , Simberloff Daniel
Published: July 2013

Though co‐occurrence of invasive plant species is common, few studies have compared the community and ecosystem impacts of invaders when they occur alone and when they co‐occur. Prioritization of invasive species management efforts requires sufficient knowledge of impacts – both among individual invasive species and among different sets of co‐occurring invaders – to target resources towards management of sites expected to undergo the largest change.

Here, we observed differences in above‐ and below‐ground impacts of two invasive woody shrubs, Lonicera maackii and Ligustrum sinense, among plots containing both shrubs (mixed), each species singly or lacking both species (control).

We found additive and non‐additive effects of these co‐occurring invasives on plant communities and soil processes. Mixed plots contained two times more subdominant invasive plant species than L. maackii or L. sinense plots. Compared to control plots, mixed plots had three times the potential activity of β‐glucosidase, a carbon‐degrading extracellular soil enzyme. L. maackii plots and mixed plots had less acidic soils, while L. sinense plots had higher soil moisture than control plot soils. Differences in soil properties among plots explained plant‐ and ground‐dwelling arthropod community composition as well as the potential microbial function in soils.

Synthesis and applications. Our study highlights the importance of explicitly studying the impacts of co‐occurring invasive plant species singly and together. Though Lonicera maackii and Ligustrum sinense have similar effects on ecosystem structure and function when growing alone, our data show that two functionally similar invaders can have non‐additive impacts on ecosystems. These results suggest that sites with both species should be prioritized for invasive plant management over sites containing only one of these species. Furthermore, this study provides a valuable template for future studies exploring how and when invasion by co‐occurring species alters above‐ and below‐ground function in ecosystems with different traits.
Lessons Learned from Community Organizations: Inclusion of People with Disabilities and Others
Authors: Fujimoto Yuka , Rentschler Ruth , Le Huong , Edwards David , Härtel Charmine E. J.
Published: July 2013

Workforce diversity requires broader vision and scope in managing diversity so that there is greater inclusion inside and outside organizations. This paper provides this vision by extending the stream of workforce diversity research to community‐oriented inclusion and its processes. The authors interviewed 34 people with disabilities and 40 people without disabilities who were stakeholders of community arts and sports organizations. The participants with disabilities were mainly arts audiences, artists and sports athletes, and the participants without disabilities were mainly managers and government officials. The key findings report the importance of inclusion through common interest groups being facilitated by (1) non‐minority specific communal activities, (2) listening to minority voices, (3) multidimensional accessibility, (4) availability of organizational and natural champions and (5) cross‐boundary networks and collaborations. In order to create more inclusive organizations, the authors suggest that private organizations need more community‐oriented values, goals and strategies that foster boundaryless inclusion of people with disabilities and other minority groups in organizations and society.
The Antisaccade Task Performance Deficit and Specific CNV Abnormalities in Patients with Stereotyped Paraphilia and Schizophrenia,
Authors: Kirenskaya Anna V. , Kamenskov Maxim Y. , Myamlin Vadim V. , Novototsky‐Vlasov Vladimir Y. , Tkachenko Andrey A.
Published: July 2013

Antisaccade task performance and mean amplitudes of slow cortical potentials (contingent negative variation—CNV) were investigated in 19 healthy volunteers, 16 schizophrenic patients (SP), and 12 patients with stereotyped form of paraphilia (PP). Compared with healthy subjects, schizophrenic and paraphilic patients committed significantly more erroneous saccades. The clear between‐group CNV differences were observed during the early CNV stage that is associated with cognitive aspects of preparatory set. In SP, as compared to controls, the significant decline of CNV amplitude was found at frontal‐central area. PP have demonstrated the lack of CNV over central and parietal regions, but their CNV amplitudes in frontal area did not differ from values of control group. Thus, two distinct types of CNV abnormalities have been found. The SP results have been interpreted as support for frontal dysfunction in schizophrenia. The disconnection between prefrontal cortex, sensorimotor cortex, and related subcortical structures is hypothesized in paraphilia group.
Establishing Correspondence in Wood: The Challenge and Some Solutions?
Authors: Courtin Gerard M. , Fairgrieve Scott I.
Published: July 2013

Establishing correspondence between the upper portion of a white birch sapling, a suspected weapon, and a potential source from a stand of trees was posed to one of us (GMC). A bending force shattered the sapling, precluding physical matching. Three white birch saplings were taken from the same stand of trees in a similar manner. Correspondence was achieved by measuring the width of the annual rings along four radii from a disk cut above and below the break. The regression coefficient of the data from the two disks from the same sapling wasr2 = 0.95. Regressing the upper disk against the lower disk of two other saplings resulted inr2values of 0.26 and 0.17, respectively. The various characteristics that are confined to a wood stem as part of its normal process of growth can be used to eliminate candidate saplings and establish correspondence between two pieces of wood.
The Effect of Image Alterations on Identification Using Palmar Flexion Creases
Authors: Cook Tom , Sutton Raul , Buckley Kevan
Published: July 2013

Palmprints are identified using matching of minutia points, which can be time consuming for fingerprint experts and in database searches. This article analyzes the operational characteristics of a palmar flexion crease (PFC) identification software tool, using a dataset of 10 replicates of 100 palms, where the user can label and match palmar line features. Results show that 100 palmprint images modified 10 times each using rotation, translation, and additive noise, mimicking some of the characteristics found in crime scene palmar marks, can be identified with a 99.2% genuine acceptance rate and 0% false acceptance rate when labeled within 3.5 mm of the PFC. Partial palmprint images can also be identified using the same method to filter the dataset prior to traditional matching, while maintaining an effective genuine acceptance rate. The work shows that identification using PFCs can improve palmprint identification through integration with existing systems, and through dedicated palmprint identification applications.
Sepsis patients do not differ in health‐related quality of life compared with other ICU patients
Authors: ORWELIUS L. , LOBO C. , TEIXEIRA PINTO A. , CARNEIRO A. , COSTA‐PEREIRA A. , GRANJA C.
Published: July 2013

Introduction

The aim of the present multicentre study is to assess health‐related quality of life in patients with community‐acquired sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock (CAS) 6 months after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU) and to compare the health‐related quality of life of the ICU survivors with CAS with ICU survivors with other ICU diagnoses.

Methods

Prospective, multicentre study in nine combined medical and surgical ICUs in Portugal. Health‐related quality of life was assessed 6 months after ICU stay, using EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D) mailed to patients. ICU‐related factors were obtained from the local ICU database and the local database for the SACiUCI follow‐up study.

Results

A total of 313 (52%) surviving patients answered the questionnaire, and of these 91 (29%) were admitted for CAS. There were no significant differences in health‐related quality of life between the two study groups.

Conclusion

Patients admitted to ICU for CAS did not perceived different health‐related quality of life compared with ICU patients admitted for other diagnoses.
Knowledge gaps in protected area effectiveness
Authors: Cabeza M.
Published: July 2013

Read the Feature Paper: Protected areas and insect conservation: questioning the effectiveness of Natura 2000 network for saproxylic beetles in Italy

Other Commentaries on this paper: Institutional vertebratism hampers insect conservation generally; not just saproxylic beetle conservation

Response from the authors: Possible directions in the protection of the neglected invertebrate biodiversity
Possible directions in the protection of the neglected invertebrate biodiversity
Authors: D'Amen M. , Bombi P. , Campanaro A. , Zapponi L. , Bologna M. A. , Mason F.
Published: July 2013

Read the Feature Paper: Protected areas and insect conservation: questioning the effectiveness of Natura 2000 network for saproxylic beetles in Italy

Commentaries on this Feature Paper: Institutional vertebratism hampers insect conservation generally; not just saproxylic beetle conservation; Knowledge gaps in protected area effectiveness
U Wave Features in Body Surface Potential Mapping in Post–Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Wang Bei , Korhonen Petri , Tierala Ilkka , Hänninen Helena , Väänänen Heikki , Toivonen Lauri
Published: July 2013

Background

The data on U wave features in post–myocardial infarction (MI) remain sparse. We employed 120‐lead body surface potential mapping (BSPM) to explore the U wave in patients with remote MI.

Methods

Sixty post‐MI patients and 46 healthy controls were examined. After signal averaging, the polarity changes of U wave related to the T wave were analyzed, and the spatial and temporal U wave parameters were computed.

Results

Four types of patterns based on T and U polarity were recognized. A pattern with positive T and U waves was related to better ventricular function. The study groups did not differ as regards to Tend‐Uapex and Tapex‐Uapex intervals whereas Uapex‐Uend was significantly longer in MI patients (110 ± 20 ms vs. 100 ± 13 ms, P = 0.004). MI patients had significantly higher U wave maximum amplitude (70 ± 30 μV vs. 50 ± 20 μV, P < 0.001), and U integral area (3.96 ± 1.50 μV·s vs. 3.17 ± 0.99 μV·s, P = 0.002), but lower corresponding T wave parameter values, thus resulting into higher U/T maximum amplitude and area ratios (0.16 ± 0.10 vs. 0.09 ± 0.04, P < 0.001; and 0.13 ± 0.06 vs. 0.09 ± 0.03, P < 0.001). In comparison to 12‐lead ECG, BSPM covering the entire thorax enhanced the detection of U waves.

Conclusion

MI tends to increase the U amplitude and prolong the later part of U wave duration thus augmenting the U wave. The size and location of infarction were associated with specific T and U wave polarity patterns.
Very Early Recurrence of Takotsubo Syndrome
Authors: Xu Zhaolong , Li Qiang , Liu Renguang , Li Yuhong
Published: July 2013

An 82‐year‐old female presented lasting chest pain for stimulation and the ECG revealed ventricular fibrillation and ST segment elevation, so we considered acute myocardial infarction. However, after the clinical condition of the patient improved, symptoms recurred for stimulation again on day 4. An echocardiogram showed left ventricular apical ballooning, so, we diagnosed her as Takotsubo syndrome.
Effect of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in the neural control of intrarenal haemodynamics in anaesthetized normotensive rats
Authors: Ahmeda A. F. , Rae M. G. , Johns E. J.
Published: July 2013

Aims

This study examined the interaction between reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide (NO) in mediating the decrease in renal blood flow (RBF) evoked by sympathetic renal nerve stimulation (RNS).

Methods

Groups of male Wistar rats were subjected to RNS at different frequencies prior to, and following, an infusion of: (i) tempol, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic, (ii) tempol plus the hydrogen peroxide‐degrading enzyme catalase (tem + cat), (iii) diethyldithiocarbamic acid (DETC), a SOD inhibitor, (iv) the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L‐nitro‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) alone, or (v) L‐NAME followed by tempol, into the kidney cortico‐medullary border (CMB). Blood perfusion within the cortical (CBP) and medullary (MBP) regions of the kidney was measured using Laser‐Doppler flowmetry.

Results

Infusion of tempol CMB significantly attenuated RNS‐evoked reductions in CBP (by 22% at 8 Hz; P < 0.05), but not MBP. When tempol and catalase were co‐infused to reduce both ROS and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), respectively, there was a significantly greater attenuation of the RNS‐evoked reduction in CBP compared with that of tempol alone. Infusion of either DETC or L‐NAME alone did not significantly affect the CBP or MBP responses to RNS. Similarly, RNS following tempol infusion with L‐NAME also had no effect on CBP and MBP over and above the group that received tempol alone.

Conclusion

These results suggest that reactive oxygen species such as superoxide and H2O2 have a direct role in reducing renal vascular compliance in response to RNS, rather than indirectly through scavenging NO.
Genome‐wide genotype‐based risk model for survival in acute myeloid leukaemia patients with normal karyotype
Authors: Choi Hangseok , Jung Chulwon , Sohn Sang Kyun , Kim Seonwoo , Kim Hyeoung‐Joon , Kim Yeo‐Kyeoung , Kim TaeHyung , Zhang Zhaolei , Shin Eun‐Soon , Lee Jong‐Eun , Moon Joon Ho , Kim Sung Hyun , Kim Kyoung Ha , Mun Yeung‐Chul , Kim Hawk , Park Jinny , Kim Jhingook , Kim Dennis (D. H.)
Published: July 2013

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are inter‐individual genetic variations that could explain inter‐individual differences of response/survival to chemotherapy. The present study was performed to build up a risk model for survival in 247 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with normal karyotype (AML‐NK). Genome‐wide Affymetrix SNP array 6.0 was used for genotyping in discovery set (n = 118). After identifying significant SNPs for overall survival (OS) in single SNP analysis, a risk model was constructed. Out of 632 957 autosomal SNPs analysed, finally four SNPs (rs2826063, rs12791420, rs11623492 and rs2575369) were introduced into the risk model. The model could stratify the patients according to their OS in discovery set (P = 1·053656 × 10−4). Replication was performed using Sequenom platform for genotyping in the validation cohort (n = 129). The model incorporated with clinical and four SNP risk score was successfully replicated in a validation set (P = 5·38206 × 10−3). The integration of four SNPs and clinical factors into the risk model showed higher area under the curve (AUC) reults than in the model incorporating only clinical or only four SNPs, suggesting improved prognostic stratification power by combination of four SNPs and clinical factors. In conclusion, a genome‐wide SNP‐based risk model in 247 patients with AML‐NK can identify a group of high risk patients with poor survival.