bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COX-2-10aa-PGIS Gene Therapy Improves Erectile Function in Rats After Cavernous Nerve Injury
Authors: Lin Haocheng , Yuan Jiuhong , Ruan Ke-He , Yang Wenli , Zhang Junlan , Dai Yutian , Wang Run
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common complication after radical prostatectomy. COX-2-10aa-PGIS is a newly engineered protein with COX-2 and prostacyclin synthase activities that converts arachidonic acid directly to prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2 [PGI2]). PGI2 is a potent smooth muscle relaxant.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of COX-2-10aa-PGIS gene therapy in penile rehabilitation.

Methods

Bilateral cavernous nerve crush (BCNC) in adult Sprague-Dawley rats was used to mimic radical prostatectomy-induced ED. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups: 1. sham surgery; 2. BCNC; 3. BCNC + null control recombinant adenovirus intracavernous injection; and 4. BCNC + Ad-COX2-10aa-PGIS intracavernous injection. Twenty-eight days later, intracavernosal pressure (ICP) was recorded under cavernous nerve stimulation; in the meantime, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored. At the end of the measurement, the penis was harvested and processed for (i) immunohistochemistry analysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1); (ii) Masson's trichrome stain for smooth muscle/collagen ratios; (iii) Western blot of eNOS, α-SMA, TGF-β1, and COX2-10aa-PGIS; and (iv) terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay for apoptosis.

Main Outcome Measures

Erectile function was evaluated by ICP/MAP. Smooth muscle and endothelium functions in corpora cavernosum were assessed by Masson's trichrome stain, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Apoptosis was identified by TUNEL assay.

Results

The results were the following: 1. COX2-10aa-PGIS gene therapy improved erectile function (82%, compared with control) in the BCNC rat model; 2. COX2-10aa-PGIS gene therapy increased eNOS (121%) and α-SMA (118%) expression and decreased TGF-β1 (45%) expression; 3. COX2-10aa-PGIS gene therapy reduced cell apoptosis after cavernous nerve injury (64%); and 4. COX2-10aa-PGIS gene therapy improved smooth muscle/collagen ratios (81%).

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated that COX2-10aa-PGIS improved erectile function after cavernous nerve injury through antifibrotic and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
Dietary Protein Requirement of Juvenile Fuxian Minnow, Anabarilius grahami
Authors: Deng Junming , Zhang Xi , Tao Linli , Rong Hua , Bi Baoliang , Kang Bin
Published: April 2013

A 10‐wk experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein requirement of juvenile Fuxian minnow, Anabarilius grahami (initial average weight 4.14 g). Five isocaloric diets were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (29, 34, 39, 44, and 49%). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish in a recirculating rearing system maintained at 17–21 C. Feed intake of fish fed the 39 and 44% protein diets was significantly higher than that of fish fed the 29, 34, and 49% protein diets (P < 0.05). Weight gain and protein gain significantly increased with increasing dietary protein level up to 39% (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed among fish fed the 39, 44, and 49% protein diets (P > 0.05). In contrast, feed conversion ratio decreased with increasing dietary protein level up to 39%. Protein retention efficiency or protein efficiency ratio generally increased with increasing dietary protein level up to 39%, and then the value gradually decreased thereafter. Broken‐line regression analysis showed that the optimum dietary protein requirement for maximum weight gain of juvenile A. grahami under the experimental conditions was 38.6% (equivalent to ca. 33.0% estimated digestible protein).
Stocking Density Effects on Production Characteristics and Body Composition of Market Size Cobia, Rachycentron canadum, Reared in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Riche Marty A. , Weirich Charles R. , Wills Paul S. , Baptiste Richard M.
Published: April 2013

Culture density in excess of a critical threshold can result in a negative relationship between stocking density and fish production. This study was conducted to evaluate production characteristics of juvenile cobia, Rachycentron canadum, reared to market size in production‐scale recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) at three different densities. Cobia (322 ± 69 g initial weight) were reared for 119 d at densities to attain a final in‐tank biomass of 10, 20, or 30 kg/m3. The specific objective was to determine the effects of in‐tank crowding resulting from higher biomass per unit rearing volume independent of system loading rates. Survival was ≥96% among all treatments. Mean final weight ranged from 2.13 to 2.15 kg with feed conversion efficiencies of 65–66%. No significant differences were detected in growth rate, survival, feed efficiency, or body composition. This study demonstrates that cobia can be reared to >2 kg final weight at densities ≤30 kg/m3 under suitable environmental conditions without detrimental effects on production.
Image analysis of liver collagen using sirius red is more accurate and correlates better with serum fibrosis markers than trichrome
Authors: Huang Yi , de Boer W. Bastiaan , Adams Leon A. , MacQuillan Gerry , Rossi Enrico , Rigby Paul , Raftopoulos Spiro C. , Bulsara Max , Jeffrey Gary P.
Published: April 2013

Background

Collagen proportional area (CPA) determined by quantitative digital image analysis better quantifies liver fibrosis than histological stage; however, its clinical use has been limited by non‐standardized methods.

Aim

This study aimed to compare CPA obtained using different staining methods, magnifications and biopsy sizes.

Methods

Two hundred and forty‐nine patients with chronic hepatitis C who had a liver biopsy and serum fibrosis markers performed were included. CPA was measured either using a sirius red (CPAs) or a trichrome (CPAt) stain.

Results

CPAs measured at 20× and 40× magnifications generated similar outcomes with interclass correlation (ICC) coefficient of 0.98. Compared with trichrome, sirius red staining had much less variation with an ICC coefficient of 0.99 for slides stained in the same batch and 0.92 in different batches. Mean CPAs was higher than mean CPAt by 3.53%, P < 0.001. Morphological analysis found that sirius red detected delicate fibrous septa and spurs better than trichrome. Both CPAs and CPAt correlated well with Metavir stage, whereas CPAs had better ability to detect cirrhosis with the area under ROC curve of 0.95. Overall CPA had superior correlation with serum markers of fibrosis in Metavir F2–F4 than that in F0–F1 and CPAs correlated better with serum fibrosis markers than CPAt in Metavir F0–F1. Multivairate analysis found that HA, α2‐macroglobulin, platelet count and albumin were independently correlated with CPAs and only HA was independently correlated with CPAt.

Conclusions

Sirius red staining for CPA determination was more accurate and reliable for quantifying hepatic collagen compared with trichrome staining.
The effect of coffee consumption on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus endemic area
Authors: Jang Eun Sun , Jeong Sook‐Hyang , Lee Sang Hyub , Hwang Sung Ho , Ahn So Yeon , Lee Jaebong , Park Young Soo , Hwang Jin Hyoek , Kim Jin‐Wook , Kim Nayoung , Lee Dong Ho , Kim Hyun Young
Published: April 2013

Background & Aims

Coffee consumption is inversely related to the risk of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the protective effect of coffee drinking against the risk of HCC was not established in HBV‐prevalent region. To elucidate the relationship between lifetime coffee consumption and the risk of HCC development under the consideration of replication status of HBV.

Methods

A hospital‐based case–control study was performed in 1364 subjects. A total of 258 HCC patients, 480 health‐check examinees (control 1, HCE) and 626 patients with chronic liver disease other than HCC (control 2, CLD) were interviewed on smoking, alcohol and coffee drinking using a standardized questionnaire. HBV e‐antigen (HBeAg) status and serum HBV DNA levels were measured in patients infected with HBV.

Results

After adjustment for age, gender, obesity, DM, presence of hepatitis virus (except for HCE) and lifetime alcohol drinking/smoking, a high lifetime coffee consumption (≥20 000 cups) was an independent protective factor against HCC, in each analyses using healthy and risky control groups respectively (HCE group, OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33–0.95; CLD group, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.85). However, the high coffee consumption did not affect the HCC risk in patients with HBV (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.36–1.14) after adjustment for HBeAg status, serum HBV DNA level and antiviral therapy.

Conclusions

A high lifetime coffee consumption was negatively associated with a HCC development. However, this difference of coffee exposure with the HCC group was reduced in chronic hepatitis B patients by the dominant role of viral replication.
Justifying Desires
Authors: Kriegel Uriah
Published: April 2013

According to an influential conception of reasons for action, the presence of a desire or some other conative state in the agent is a necessary condition for the agent's having a reason for action. This is sometimes known as internalism. This article presents a case for the considerably stronger thesis, which we may call hyper‐internalism, that the presence of a desire is a sufficient condition for the agent's having a (prima facie) reason for action.
ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 regulates abscisic acid‐responsive gene expression with the nuclear factor Y complex through the ACTT‐core element in Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Yotsui Izumi , Saruhashi Masashi , Kawato Takahiro , Taji Teruaki , Hayashi Takahisa , Quatrano Ralph S. , Sakata Yoichi
Published: April 2013

The phytohormone ABA and the transcription factor ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 3 (ABI3)/VIVIPAROUS 1 (VP1) function in protecting embryos during the desiccation stage of seed development. In a similar signaling pathway, vegetative tissue of the moss Physcomitrella patens survives desiccation by activating downstream genes (e.g. LEA1) in response to ABA and ABI3.

We show that the PpLEA1 promoter responds to PpABI3 primarily through the ACTT‐core element (5′‐TCCACTTGTC‐3′), while the ACGT‐core ABA‐responsive element (ABRE) appears to respond to ABA alone. We also found by yeast‐two‐hybrid screening that PpABI3A interacts with PpNF‐YC1, a subunit of CCAAT box binding factor (CBF)/nuclear factor Y (NF‐Y). PpNF‐YC1 increased the activation of the PpLEA1 promoter when incubated with PpABI3A, as did NF‐YB, NF‐YC, and ABI3 from Arabidopsis.

This new response element (ACTT) is responsible for activating the ABI3‐dependent ABA response pathway cooperatively with the nuclear factor Y (NF‐Y) complex. These results further define the regulatory interactions at the transcriptional level for the expression of this network of genes required for drought/desiccation tolerance.

This gene regulatory set is in large part conserved between vegetative tissue of bryophytes and seeds of angiosperms and will shed light on the evolution of this pathway in the green plant lineage.
Community health workers – a resource for identification and referral of sick newborns in rural Uganda
Authors: Kayemba Nalwadda Christine , Guwatudde David , Waiswa Peter , Kiguli Juliet , Namazzi Gertrude , Namutumba Sarah , Tomson Göran , Peterson Stefan
Published: April 2013

Objective

To determine community health workers' (CHWs) competence in identifying and referring sick newborns in Uganda.

Methods

Case‐vignettes, observations of role‐plays and interviews were employed to collect data using checklists and semistructured questionnaires, from 57 trained CHWs participating in a community health facility–linked cluster randomised trial. Competence to identify and refer sick newborns was measured by knowledge of newborn danger signs, skills to identify sick newborns and effective communication to mothers. Proportions and median scores were computed for each attribute with a pre‐defined pass mark of 100% for knowledge and 90% for skill and communication.

Results

For knowledge, 68% of the CHWs attained the pass mark. The median percentage score was 100 (IQR 94 100). 74% mentioned the required five newborn danger signs unprompted. ‘Red umbilicus/cord with pus’ was mentioned by all CHWs (100%), but none mentioned chest in‐drawing and grunting as newborn danger signs. 63% attained the pass mark for both skill and communication. The median percentage scores were 91 (IQR 82 100) for skills and 94 (IQR 89, 94) for effective communication. 98% correctly identified the four case‐vignettes as sick or not sick newborn. ‘Preterm birth’ was the least identified danger sign from the case‐vignettes, by 51% of the CHWs.

Conclusion

CHWs trained for a short period but effectively supervised are competent in identifying and referring sick newborns in a poor resource setting.
Postsynaptic Kainate Receptor Recycling and Surface Expression Are Regulated by Metabotropic Autoreceptor Signalling
Authors: González‐González Inmaculada M. , Henley Jeremy M.
Published: April 2013

Kainate receptors (KARs) play fundamentally important roles in controlling synaptic function and regulating neuronal excitability. Postsynaptic KARs contribute to excitatory neurotransmission but the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity‐dependent surface expression are not well understood. Strong activation of KARs in cultured hippocampal neurons leads to the downregulation of postsynaptic KARs via endocytosis and degradation. In contrast, low‐level activation augments postsynaptic KAR surface expression. Here, we show that this increase in KARs is due to enhanced recycling via the recruitment of Rab11‐dependent, transferrin‐positive endosomes into spines. Dominant‐negative Rab11 or the recycling inhibitor primaquine prevents the kainate‐evoked increase in surface KARs. Moreover, we show that the increase in surface expression is mediated via a metabotropic KAR signalling pathway, which is blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine, the calcium chelator BAPTA and the G‐protein inhibitor pertussis toxin. Thus, we report a previously uncharacterized positive feedback system that increases postsynaptic KARs in response to low‐ or moderate‐level agonist activation and can provide additional flexibility to synaptic regulation.
Fabrication of large dimension aluminum air-bridges for superconducting quantum circuits
Authors: Abuwasib Mohammad , Krantz Philip , Delsing Per
Published: April 2013

Proper grounding between different ground planes in coplanar superconducting qubit circuits is important to avoid spurious resonances which increase decoherence. Here, the authors present a possible solution to suppress such undesired modes using superconducting aluminum air-bridges which have been fabricated on top of aluminum coplanar waveguide transmission lines. 3D electromagnetic simulations were done to guide the design of the air-bridges such that the input reflection (S11) of the bridges was kept at a minimum level. A fabrication method based on optical lithography techniques was developed and it resulted in air-bridges with a height of approximately 10 μm and lengths of up to 500 μm. The method can be generalized to arbitrary length air-bridge with heights even exceeding 15 μm.
High performance long-wave type-II superlattice infrared detectors
Authors: Khoshakhlagh Arezou , Höglund Linda , Ting David Z. , Hill Cory J. , Keo Sam A. , Soibel Alexander , Nguyen Jean , Gunapala Sarath D.
Published: April 2013

The authors report on growth, material characterization, and device performance of infrared photodetectors based on type II InAs/GaSb superlattices using the complementary barrier infrared detector (CBIRD) design. In this paper, control steps for improvement of material quality in terms of surface, structural, and optical properties of infrared detectors grown at Jet Propulsion Laboratory are described. For a specific CBIRD studied, these quality control steps indicate high structural and optical quality of the grown material. Furthermore, single-element detector from the optimized growth conditions exhibit dark current density less than 1 × 10−5 A/cm2 at applied biases up to Vb = 0.36 V (T = 77 K), so this material can be utilized for focal plane arrays development.
A method of measuring gold nanoparticle concentrations by x‐ray fluorescence for biomedical applications
Authors: Wu Di , Li Yuhua , Wong Molly D. , Liu Hong
Published: April 2013

Purpose:

This paper reports a technique that enables the quantitative determination of the concentration of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) through the accurate detection of their fluorescence radiation in the diagnostic x‐ray spectrum.

Methods:

Experimentally, x‐ray fluorescence spectra of 1.9 and 15 nm GNP solutions are measured using an x‐ray spectrometer, individually and within chicken breast tissue samples. An optimal combination of excitation and emission filters is determined to segregate the fluorescence spectra at 66.99 and 68.80 keV from the background scattering. A roadmap method is developed that subtracts the scattered radiation (acquired before the insertion of GNP solutions) from the signal radiation acquired after the GNP solutions are inserted.

Results:

The methods effectively minimize the background scattering in the spectrum measurements, showing linear relationships between GNP solutions from 0.1% to 10% weight concentration and from 0.1% to 1.0% weight concentration inside a chicken breast tissue sample.

Conclusions:

The investigation demonstrated the potential of imaging gold nanoparticles quantitativelyin vivo for in‐tissue studies, but future studies will be needed to investigate the ability to apply this method to clinical applications.
Nusselt numbers of laminar, oscillating flows in stacks and regenerators with pores of arbitrary cross-sectional geometry
Authors: Brady John F.
Published: April 2013

Though widely used in steady-flow heat transfer applications, the Nusselt number—a dimensionless heat transfer coefficient—has not been studied as thoroughly in oscillating flows and is therefore not generally used in thermoacoustic applications. This paper presents expressions for the Nusselt numbers of laminar oscillating flows within the pores of stacks and regenerators, derived from thermoacoustic theory developed by Rott and Swift. These expressions are based on bulk (velocity-weighted, cross-sectionally averaged) temperature, rather than the cross-sectionally averaged temperature. Results are shown for parallel plates, circular pores, rectangular pores, and within the boundary layer limit. It is shown that bulk temperature does not become infinite during an acoustic cycle and that the Nusselt number is a complex constant at all times. In addition, steady-flow Nusselt numbers are recovered when velocity and temperature profiles are like those in steady flows.
Inner-ear sound pressures near the base of the cochlea in chinchilla: Further investigation
Authors: Ravicz Michael E. , Rosowski John J.
Published: April 2013

The middle-ear pressure gain GMEP, the ratio of sound pressure in the cochlear vestibule PV to sound pressure at the tympanic membrane PTM, is a descriptor of middle-ear sound transfer and the cochlear input for a given stimulus in the ear canal. GMEP and the cochlear partition differential pressure near the cochlear base ΔPCP, which determines the stimulus for cochlear partition motion and has been linked to hearing ability, were computed from simultaneous measurements of PV, PTM, and the sound pressure in scala tympani near the round window PST in chinchilla. GMEP magnitude was approximately 30 dB between 0.1 and 10 kHz and decreased sharply above 20 kHz, which is not consistent with an ideal transformer or a lossless transmission line. The GMEP phase was consistent with a roughly 50-μs delay between PV and PTM. GMEP was little affected by the inner-ear modifications necessary to measure PST. GMEP is a good predictor of ΔPCP at low and moderate frequencies where PV ⪢ PST but overestimates ΔPCP above a few kilohertz where PV ≈ PST. The ratio of PST to PV provides insight into the distribution of sound pressure within the cochlear scalae.
Acoustic observations of internal tides and tidal currents in shallow water
Authors: Turgut Altan , Mignerey Peter C. , Goldstein David J. , Schindall Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2013

Significant acoustic travel-time variability and frequency shifts of acoustic intensity level curves in broadband signal spectrograms were measured in the East China Sea during the summer of 2008. The broadband pulses (270–330 Hz) were transmitted from a fixed source and received at a bottomed horizontal array, located at the 33 km range. The acoustic intensity level curves of the received signals indicate regular frequency shifts that are well correlated with the measured internal tides. Similarly, regular travel-time shifts of the acoustic mode arrivals correlate well with the barotropic tides and can be explained by tidal currents along the acoustic propagation track. These observations indicate the potential of monitoring internal tides and tidal currents using low-frequency acoustic signals propagating at long ranges.
Recognition of speech in noise after application of time-frequency masks: Dependence on frequency and threshold parameters
Authors: Sinex Donal G.
Published: April 2013

Binary time-frequency (TF) masks can be applied to separate speech from noise. Previous studies have shown that with appropriate parameters, ideal TF masks can extract highly intelligible speech even at very low speech-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Two psychophysical experiments provided additional information about the dependence of intelligibility on the frequency resolution and threshold criteria that define the ideal TF mask. Listeners identified AzBio Sentences in noise, before and after application of TF masks. Masks generated with 8 or 16 frequency bands per octave supported nearly-perfect identification. Word recognition accuracy was slightly lower and more variable with 4 bands per octave. When TF masks were generated with a local threshold criterion of 0 dB SNR, the mean speech reception threshold was −9.5 dB SNR, compared to −5.7 dB for unprocessed sentences in noise. Speech reception thresholds decreased by about 1 dB per dB of additional decrease in the local threshold criterion. Information reported here about the dependence of speech intelligibility on frequency and level parameters has relevance for the development of non-ideal TF masks for clinical applications such as speech processing for hearing aids.
Refined acoustic modeling and analysis of shotgun microphones
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Lo Yi-Yang
Published: April 2013

A shotgun microphone is a highly directional pickup device widely used in noisy environments. The key element that leads to its superior directivity is a tube with multiple slot openings along its length. One traditional way to model the directional response of a shotgun is to assume plane waves traveling in the tube as if it is in the free field. However, the frequency response and directivity predicted by this traveling wave model can differ drastically from practical measurements. In this paper, an in-depth electroacoustic analysis was conducted to examine the problem by considering the standing waves inside the tube with an analogous circuit containing phased pressure sources and T-networks of tube segments. A further refinement is to model the housing diffraction effect with the aid of the equivalent source method (ESM). The on-axis frequency response and directivity pattern predicted by the proposed model are in close agreement with the measurements. From the results, a peculiar bifurcation phenomenon of directivity pattern at the Helmholtz frequency was also noted. While the shotgun behaves like an endfire array above the Helmholtz frequency, it becomes a broadside array below the Helmholtz frequency. The standing wave effect can be mitigated by covering the slot openings with mesh screen, which was found to alter the shotgun response to be closer to that of the traveling wave model above a critical frequency predicted by the half-wavelength rule. A mode-switching model was developed to predict the directional responses of mesh-treated shotguns.
Evaluating a linearized Euler equations model for strong turbulence effects on sound propagation
Authors: Ehrhardt Loïc , Cheinet Sylvain , Juvé Daniel , Blanc-Benon Philippe
Published: April 2013

Sound propagation outdoors is strongly affected by atmospheric turbulence. Under strongly perturbed conditions or long propagation paths, the sound fluctuations reach their asymptotic behavior, e.g., the intensity variance progressively saturates. The present study evaluates the ability of a numerical propagation model based on the finite-difference time-domain solving of the linearized Euler equations in quantitatively reproducing the wave statistics under strong and saturated intensity fluctuations. It is the continuation of a previous study where weak intensity fluctuations were considered. The numerical propagation model is presented and tested with two-dimensional harmonic sound propagation over long paths and strong atmospheric perturbations. The results are compared to quantitative theoretical or numerical predictions available on the wave statistics, including the log-amplitude variance and the probability density functions of the complex acoustic pressure. The match is excellent for the evaluated source frequencies and all sound fluctuations strengths. Hence, this model captures these many aspects of strong atmospheric turbulence effects on sound propagation. Finally, the model results for the intensity probability density function are compared with a standard fit by a generalized gamma function.
Underwater sound scattering and absorption by a coated infinite plate with a distributed inhomogeneity
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Pan Jie
Published: April 2013

This paper concerns itself with the scattering and absorption of underwater incident sound by a coated infinite plate with an attached distributed inhomogeneity. Its objective is to determine if the distributed inhomogeneity can provide additional local reflection, such that it only increases the signal-to-noise ratio for a hydrophone detector placed on the inhomogeneity without significantly decreasing the overall sound absorption of the coated plate.
Analyzing sound speed fluctuations in shallow water from group-velocity versus phase-velocity data representation
Authors: Roux Philippe , Kuperman W. A. , Cornuelle Bruce D. , Aulanier Florian , Hodgkiss W. S. , Chun Song Hee
Published: April 2013

Data collected over more than eight consecutive hours between two source–receiver arrays in a shallow water environment are analyzed through the physics of the waveguide invariant. In particular, the use of vertical arrays on both the source and receiver sides provides source and receiver angles in addition to travel-times associated with a set of eigenray paths in the waveguide. From the travel-times and the source–receiver angles, the eigenrays are projected into a group-velocity versus phase-velocity (Vg-Vp) plot for each acquisition. The time evolution of the Vg-Vp representation over the 8.5-h long experiment is discussed. Group speed fluctuations observed for a set of eigenrays with turning points at different depths in the water column are compared to the Brunt-Väisälä frequency.
Sound localization in individualized and non-individualized crosstalk cancellation systems
Authors: Majdak Piotr , Masiero Bruno , Fels Janina
Published: April 2013

The sound-source localization provided by a crosstalk cancellation (CTC) system depends on the head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) used for the CTC filter calculation. In this study, the horizontal- and sagittal-plane localization performance was investigated in humans listening to individualized matched, individualized but mismatched, and non-individualized CTC systems. The systems were simulated via headphones in a binaural virtual environment with two virtual loudspeakers spatialized in front of the listener. The individualized mismatched system was based on two different sets of listener-individual HRTFs. Both sets provided similar binaural localization performance in terms of quadrant, polar, and lateral errors. The individualized matched systems provided performance similar to that from the binaural listening. For the individualized mismatched systems, the performance deteriorated, and for the non-individualized mismatched systems (based on HRTFs from other listeners), the performance deteriorated even more. The direction-dependent analysis showed that mismatch and lack of individualization yielded a substantially degraded performance for targets placed outside of the loudspeaker span and behind the listeners, showing relevance of individualized CTC systems for those targets. Further, channel separation was calculated for different frequency ranges and is discussed in the light of its use as a predictor for the localization performance provided by a CTC system.
Focusing the lens of language experience: Perception of Ma'di stops by Greek and English bilinguals and monolinguals
Authors: Antoniou Mark , Best Catherine T. , Tyler Michael D.
Published: April 2013

Monolingual listeners are constrained by native language experience when categorizing and discriminating unfamiliar non-native contrasts. Are early bilinguals constrained in the same way by their two languages, or do they possess an advantage? Greek–English bilinguals in either Greek or English language mode were compared to monolinguals on categorization and discrimination of Ma'di stop-voicing distinctions that are non-native to both languages. As predicted, English monolinguals categorized Ma'di prevoiced plosive and implosive stops and the coronal voiceless stop as English voiced stops. The Greek monolinguals categorized the Ma'di short-lag voiceless stops as Greek voiceless stops, and the prevoiced implosive stops and the coronal prevoiced stop as Greek voiced stops. Ma'di prenasalized stops were uncategorized. Greek monolinguals discriminated the non-native voiced-voiceless contrasts very well, whereas the English monolinguals did poorly. Bilinguals were given all oral and written instructions either in English or in Greek (language mode manipulation). Each language mode subgroup categorized Ma'di stop-voicing comparably to the corresponding monolingual group. However, the bilinguals’ discrimination was unaffected by language mode: both subgroups performed intermediate to the monolinguals for the prevoiced-voiceless contrast. Thus, bilinguals do not possess an advantage for unfamiliar non-native contrasts, but are nonetheless uniquely configured language users, differing from either monolingual group.
Vector intensity reconstruction using the data completion method
Authors: Langrenne Christophe , Garcia Alexandre
Published: April 2013

This paper presents an application of the data completion method (DCM) for vector intensity reconstructions. A mobile array of 36 pressure-pressure probes (72 microphones) is used to perform measurements near a planar surface. Nevertheless, since the proposed method is based on integral formulations, DCM can be applied with any kind of geometry. This method requires the knowledge of Cauchy data (pressure and velocity) on a part of the boundary of an empty domain in order to evaluate pressure and velocity on the remaining part of the boundary. Intensity vectors are calculated in the interior domain surrounded by the measurement array. This inverse acoustic problem requires the use of a regularization method to obtain a realistic solution. An experiment in a closed wooden car trunk mock-up excited by a shaker and two loudspeakers is presented. In this case, where the volume of the mock-up is small (0.61 m3), standing-waves and fluid structure interactions appear and show that DCM is a powerful tool to identify sources in a confined space.
Experimental validation of sound field control with a circular double-layer array of loudspeakers
Authors: Chang Ji-Ho , Jacobsen Finn
Published: April 2013

This paper is concerned with experimental validation of a recently proposed method of controlling sound fields with a circular double-layer array of loudspeakers [Chang and Jacobsen, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 131(6), 4518–4525 (2012)]. The double-layer of loudspeakers is realized with 20 pairs of closed-box loudspeakers mounted back-to-back. Source strengths are obtained with several solution methods by modeling loudspeakers as a weighted combination of monopoles and dipoles. Sound pressure levels of the controlled sound fields are measured inside and outside the array in an anechoic room, and performance indices are calculated. The experimental results show that a method of combining pure contrast maximization with a pressure matching technique provides only a small error in the listening zone between the desired and the reproduced fields, and at the same time reduces the sound level in the quiet zone as expected in the simulation studies well above the spatial Nyquist frequency except at a few frequencies. It is also shown that errors in the positions of the loudspeakers can be critical to the results at frequencies where the distance between the inner and the outer array is close to half a wavelength.
Detection of shouted speech in noise: Human and machine
Authors: Pohjalainen Jouni , Raitio Tuomo , Yrttiaho Santeri , Alku Paavo
Published: April 2013

High vocal effort has characteristic acoustic effects on speech. This study focuses on the utilization of this information by human listeners and a machine-based detection system in the task of detecting shouted speech in the presence of noise. Both female and male speakers read Finnish sentences using normal and shouted voice in controlled conditions, with the sound pressure level recorded. The speech material was artificially corrupted by noise and supplemented with pure noise. The human performance level was statistically evaluated by a listening test, where the subjects labeled noisy samples according to whether shouting was heard or not. A Bayesian detection system was constructed and statistically evaluated. Its performance was compared against that of human listeners, substituting different spectrum analysis methods in the feature extraction stage. Using features capable of taking into account the spectral fine structure (i.e., the fundamental frequency and its harmonics), the machine reached the detection level of humans even in the noisiest conditions. In the listening test, male listeners detected shouted speech significantly better than female listeners, especially with speakers making a smaller vocal effort increase for shouting.
Modeling the Solar Dynamo
Authors: Charbonneau Paul , Smolarkiewicz Piotr K.
Published: April 2013

Numerical simulations are changing our views on the dynamo process underlying the solar magnetic activity cycle.
Anthracene-Polyamine Conjugates Inhibit
In Vitro
Proliferation of Intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum Parasites
Authors: Niemand Jandeli , Burger Pieter , Verlinden Bianca K. , Reader Janette , Joubert Annie M. , Kaiser Annette , Louw Abraham I. , Kirk Kiaran , Phanstiel Otto , Birkholtz Lyn-Marie
Published: April 2013

Anthracene-polyamine conjugates inhibit the
in vitro
proliferation of the intraerythrocytic human malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
s) in the nM to μM range. The compounds are taken up into the intraerythrocytic parasite, where they arrest the parasite cell cycle. Both the anthracene and polyamine components of the conjugates play a role in their antiplasmodial effect.
Sensitive and Specific Serodiagnosis of Leishmania infantum Infection in Dogs by Using Peptides Selected from Hypothetical Proteins Identified by an Immunoproteomic Approach
Authors: Chávez-Fumagalli Miguel A. , Martins Vivian T. , Testasicca Miriam C. S. , Lage Daniela P. , Costa Lourena E. , Lage Paula S. , Duarte Mariana C. , Ker Henrique G. , Ribeiro Tatiana G. , Carvalho Fernando A. A. , Régis Wiliam C. B. , dos Reis Alexandre B. , Tavares Carlos A. P. , Soto Manuel , Fernandes Ana Paula , Coelho Eduardo A. F.
Published: April 2013

In Brazil, the percentage of infected dogs living in areas where canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is endemic ranges from 10 to 62%; however, the prevalence of infection in dogs is probably higher than figures reported from serological studies. In addition, problems with the occurrence of false-positive or false-negative results in the serodiagnosis of CVL have been reported. The present work analyzed the potential of synthetic peptides mapped from hypothetical proteins for improvement of the serodiagnosis ofLeishmania infantuminfection in dogs. From 26 identified leishmanial proteins, eight were selected, considering that no homologies between these proteins and others from trypanosomatide sequence databases were encountered. The sequences of these proteins were mapped to identify linear B-cell epitopes, and 17 peptides were synthesized and tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the serodiagnosis ofL. infantuminfection in dogs. Of these, three exhibited sensitivity and specificity values higher than 75% and 90%, respectively, to differentiateL. infantum-infected animals fromTrypanosoma cruzi-infected animals and healthy animals. SolubleLeishmaniaantigen (SLA) showed poor sensitivity (4%) and specificity (36%) to differentiateL. infantum-infected dogs from healthy andT. cruzi-infected dogs. Lastly, the three selected peptides were combined in different mixtures and higher sensitivity and specificity values were obtained, even when sera fromT. cruzi-infected dogs were used. The study's findings suggest that these three peptides can constitute a potential tool for more sensitive and specific serodiagnosis ofL. infantuminfection in dogs.
Development of Doxycycline MIC and Disk Diffusion Interpretive Breakpoints and Revision of Tetracycline Breakpoints for Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Dallas Steven D. , McGee Lesley , Limbago Brandi , Patel Jean B. , McElmeel M. Leticia , Fulcher Letitia C. , Lonsway David R. , Jorgensen James H.
Published: April 2013

A study was performed to derive susceptibility testing interpretive breakpoints for doxycycline with
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and to reassess breakpoints for tetracycline using the requirements defined in Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M23-A3. Tetracycline and doxycycline MICs and disk diffusion zone sizes were determined on 189 isolates selected from the 2009-2010 CDC Active Bacterial Core surveillance strain collection according to the testing methods described in CLSI documents M07-A8 and M02-A10. Tetracycline and doxycycline MICs and zones were compared to each other directly, and the reproducibility of MICs and zone diameters for both drugs was determined. Scattergrams of tetracycline MICs versus corresponding zone diameters and doxycycline MICs versus zones were prepared, and analysis indicated that the present CLSI tetracycline MIC and disk breakpoints did not fit the susceptibility data for doxycycline. Doxycycline was 1 to 3 dilutions more potent than tetracycline, especially in strains harboring the
tetM
resistance determinant.
tetM
was detected in ≥90% of isolates having tetracycline MICs of ≥4 μg/ml and in ≥90% with doxycycline MICs of ≥1. Limited pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data coupled with application of the error-rate bounded method of analysis suggested doxycycline-susceptible breakpoints of either ≤0.25 μg/ml or ≤0.5 μg/ml, with intermediate and resistant breakpoints 1 and 2 dilutions higher, respectively. The disk diffusion zone diameter correlates were susceptible at ≥28 mm, intermediate at 25 to 27 mm, and resistant at ≤24 mm. Revised lower tetracycline MIC breakpoints were suggested as susceptible at ≤1 μg/ml, intermediate at 2 μg/ml, and resistant at ≥4 μg/ml. Suggested tetracycline disk diffusion zones were identical to those of doxycycline.
Impact of Routine Real-Time PCR Testing of Imported Malaria over 4 Years of Implementation in a Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Shokoples Sandra , Mukhi Shamir N. , Scott Allison N. , Yanow Stephanie K.
Published: April 2013

In clinical laboratories, diagnosis of imported malaria is commonly performed by microscopy. However, the volume of specimens is generally low and maintaining proficiency in reading blood smears, particularly at the species level, is challenging in this setting. To address this problem, the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (ProvLab) in Alberta, Canada, implemented real-time PCR for routine confirmation of all smear-positive samples in the province. Here we report our experience over a 4-year period (2008 to 2012) with this new diagnostic algorithm. While detection of
Plasmodium falciparum
by microscopy alone was accurate, real-time PCR served as an important adjunct to microscopy for the identification of non-
falciparum
species. In 18% of cases, the result was reported as non-
falciparum
or the species could not be identified by microscopy alone, and in all cases, the species was resolved by real-time PCR. In another 4% of cases, the species was misidentified by microscopy. To enhance surveillance for malaria, we integrated our demographic, clinical, and laboratory data into a new system developed by the Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence, called the Malaria System for Online Surveillance (SOS). Using this application, we characterized our patient populations and travel history to identify risk factors associated with malaria infection abroad.
Epidemic Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Marais Ben J. , Mlambo Charmaine K. , Rastogi Nalin , Zozio Thierry , Duse Adriano G. , Victor Thomas C. , Marais Else , Warren Robin M.
Published: April 2013

Numerous reports have documented isolated transmission events or clonal outbreaks of multidrug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains, but knowledge of their epidemic spread remains limited. In this study, we evaluated drug resistance, strain diversity, and clustering rates in patients diagnosed with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Central TB Laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa, between March 2004 and December 2007. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing was done using the indirect proportion method, while each isolate was genotyped using a combination of spoligotyping and 12-MIRU typing (12-locus multiple interspersed repetitive unit typing). Isolates from 434 MDR-TB patients were evaluated, of which 238 (54.8%) were resistant to four first-line drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and streptomycin). Spoligotyping identified 56 different strains and 28 clusters of variable size (2 to 71 cases per cluster) with a clustering rate of 87.1%. Ten clusters included 337 (77.6%) of all cases, with strains of the Beijing genotype being most prevalent (16.4%). Combined analysis of spoligotyping and 12-MIRU typing increased the discriminatory power (Hunter Gaston discriminatory index [HGDI] = 0.962) and reduced the clustering rate to 66.8%. Resolution of Beijing genotype strains was further enhanced with the 24-MIRU-VNTR (variable-number tandem repeat) typing method by identifying 15 subclusters and 19 unique strains from twelve 12-MIRU clusters. High levels of clustering among a variety of strains suggest a true epidemic spread of MDR-TB in the study setting, emphasizing the urgency of early diagnosis and effective treatment to reduce transmission within this community.
First Case of Pulmonary Disease Caused by a Mycobacterium avium Complex Strain of Presumed Veterinary Origin in an Adult Human Patient
Authors: Kim Su-Young , Shin Sung Jae , Lee Nam Yong , Koh Won-Jung
Published: April 2013

We report the first case of pulmonary disease caused by a strain of
Mycobacterium avium
complex of presumed veterinary origin in an elderly patient. All serial isolates were identified by multilocus sequence analysis based on
rpoB
,
hsp65
, and 16S rRNA fragments. Disease persisted despite macrolide-based combination antibiotic therapy.
Fifty Percent Tissue Culture Infective Dose Assay for Determining the Titer of Infectious Human Herpesvirus 8
Authors: Nadgir Sagar V. , Hensler Heather R. , Knowlton Emilee R. , Rinaldo Charles R. , Rappocciolo Giovanna , Jenkins Frank J.
Published: April 2013

We have developed a human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID
50
) assay using the T1H6-DC-SIGN cell line. Infection of T1H6-DC-SIGN cells with HHV-8 induces expression of β-galactosidase, which was used to determine TCID
50
levels. Validation of TCID
50
values was performed by immunofluorescence assay of HHV-8 infection of immature dendritic cells at various TCID
50
doses.
Mobile Digital Fluorescence Microscopy for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Tapley Asa , Switz Neil , Reber Clay , Davis J. Lucian , Miller Cecily , Matovu John Baptist , Worodria William , Huang Laurence , Fletcher Daniel A. , Cattamanchi Adithya
Published: April 2013

Access to sputum smear microscopy in high-tuberculosis (TB)-burden regions is limited by a scarcity of microscopes and experienced technicians. We evaluated the accuracy of CellScope, a novel digital fluorescence microscope that may expand access to microscopy. The study utilized smear microscopy slides prepared from sputum specimens submitted by consecutive adults with ≥2 weeks of cough who were admitted to Mulago Hospital (Kampala, Uganda). Conventional light-emitting diode (LED) fluorescence microscopy (FM) and mycobacterial culture were performed by experienced technicians. Two U.S.-based postgraduate researchers without prior microscopy experience restained, imaged, and interpreted the slides using CellScope. We assessed whether sensitivity and specificity of CellScope-based LED FM was noninferior to conventional LED FM by using a preselected margin of inferiority of 15%. Of 525 patients included, 72% were HIV seropositive and 39% had culture-confirmed TB. The proportions of positive results were similar with CellScope and conventional LED FM (34% versus 32%, respectively;
P
= 0.32), and agreement was substantial. CellScope accuracy was within the noninferiority margin for both sensitivity (63% versus 70%; difference, −7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −13% to −1%) and specificity (85% versus 92%; difference, −7%; 95% CI, −12% to −3%). A subanalysis of 43 slides evaluated by each CellScope reader found substantial interreader reliability (custom-weighted kappa, 0.65) and variable intrareader reliability (custom-weighted kappa, 0.11 versus 0.48). CellScope offers promise for expanding microscopy services. Future studies should evaluate the device when operated by health workers in low-resource settings, the feasibility of image transmission and analysis by experienced microscopists, and the accuracy of automated image analysis algorithms.