bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REVISITING THEKANKŌ CHŌSAVILLAGES: A REVIEW OF CHINESE AND JAPANESE STUDIES OF NORTH CHINA RURAL SOCIETY
Authors: Grove Linda
Published: January 2014

During the late 1930s and early 1940s Japanese researchers carried out a large and well-funded study of customary law in rural North China. The results of that research, published in the 1950s, have been one of the major sources for theories about prewar Chinese rural society. In the last twenty years Japanese and Chinese researchers have undertaken follow-up studies of the same villages. This review article introduces Chinese and Japanese follow-up studies on the kankō chōsa villages, the new materials and approaches they have used, and their contributions to on-going debates about Chinese rural society and social change.
Rapid identification of black peanut seeds by confocal micro-Raman and near-infrared FT-Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Xiao , Liu Hongxing , Liu Hanping , Zeng Changchun
Published: January 2014

Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy and near-infrared (NIR) FT-Raman spectroscopy were used to analyse and identify cotyledons and the skins of black, white, red and ordinary pink peanut seeds.
Rational hopping of a peptidic scaffold into non-peptidic scaffolds: structurally novel potent proteasome inhibitors derived from a natural product, belactosin A
Authors: Kawamura Shuhei , Unno Yuka , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Asai Akira , Arisawa Mitsuhiro , Shuto Satoshi
Published: January 2014

Rational scaffold hopping of a natural product belactosin A derivative based on the pharmacophore model constructed resulted in the identification of the significantly simplified highly potent non-peptide derivatives.
Conversion of fructose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural catalyzed by recyclable sulfonic acid-functionalized metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Chen Jinzhu , Li Kegui , Chen Limin , Liu Ruliang , Huang Xing , Ye Daiqi
Published: January 2014

Sulfonic acid-functionalized metal–organic frameworks are efficiently used as recyclable solid acid catalysts for the fructose-to-HMF transformation.
Arsinous acid as a thiol binding group: potential cysteine peptide tagging functionality that binds a single thiol
Authors: Liang Xiaofei , Drueckhammer Dale G.
Published: January 2014

A simple aryl arsinous acid (ArAs(CH3)OH) was prepared byorthomercuration ofp-cresol followed by Pd-catalyzed reaction with methylarsenic dibromide, purification as the mercaptoethanol adduct, and deprotection using a silver salt.
Regional heritability advanced complex trait analysis for GPU and traditional parallel architectures
Authors: Cebamanos L. , Gray A. , Stewart I. , Tenesa A.
Published: January 2014

Motivation: Quantification of the contribution of genetic variation to phenotypic variation for complex traits becomes increasingly computationally demanding with increasing numbers of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and individuals. To meet the challenges in making feasible large-scale studies, we present the REgional heritability advanced complex trait analysis software. Adapted from advanced complex trait analysis (and, in turn, genome-wide complex trait analysis), it is tailored to exploit the parallelism present in modern traditional and graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated machines, from workstations to supercomputers.

Results: We adapt the genetic relationship matrix estimation algorithm to remove limitations on memory, allowing the analysis of large datasets. We build on this to develop a version of the code able to efficiently exploit GPU-accelerated systems for both the genetic relationship matrix and REstricted maximum likelihood (REML) parts of the analysis, offering substantial speedup over the traditional central processing unit version. We develop the ability to analyze multiple small regions of the genome across multiple compute nodes in parallel, following the ‘regional heritability’ approach. We demonstrate the new software using 1024 GPUs in parallel on one of the world’s fastest supercomputers.

Availability: The code is freely available at http://www.epcc.ed.ac.uk/software-products

Contact:  a.gray@ed.ac.uk
The correct name of the taxon that contains the type strain of Rhodococcus equi
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: January 2014

Based on a nomenclatural point of view, the name

Rhodococcus equi

is associated, as required by the Bacteriological Code, with a defined position, rank and circumscription. A search of the literature indicates that the name

Rhodococcus equi

(Magnusson 1923) Goodfellow and Alderson 1977 has also been shown to be a synonym of

Corynebacterium equi

Magnusson 1923,

Corynebacterium hoagii

(Morse 1912) Eberson 1918 and

Nocardia restricta

(Turfitt 1944) McClung 1974. Application of the rules of the Bacteriological Code together with the currently inferred taxonomic concept associated with the species bearing the name

Rhodococcus equi

indicates that this is not the correct name of this taxon and the use of that name in the context of a circumscription that includes the type strain of the species

Corynebacterium hoagii

is contrary to the Rules of the Code.
A statistical mechanics model for the collective epigenetic histone modification dynamics
Authors: Zhang Hang , TIAN XIAO-JUN , Mukhopadhyay Abhishek , Kim Kenneth S , Xing Jianhua
Published: January 2014

Epigenetic histone modifications play an important role in the maintenance of different cell phenotypes. The exact molecular mechanism for inheritance of the modification patterns over cell generations remains elusive. We construct a Potts-type model based on experimentally observed nearest-neighbor enzyme lateral interactions and nucleosome covalent modification state biased enzyme recruitment. The model can lead to effective nonlocal interactions among nucleosomes suggested in previous theoretical studies, and epigenetic memory is robustly inheritable against stochastic cellular processes.
Unintentional Wildlife Poisoning and Proposals for Sustainable Management of Rodents
Authors: COEURDASSIER MICHAEL , RIOLS ROMAIN , DECORS ANOUK , MIONNET AYMERIC , DAVID FABIENNE , QUINTAINE THOMAS , TRUCHETET DENIS , SCHEIFLER RENAUD , GIRAUDOUX PATRICK
Published: January 2014

In Europe, bromadiolone, an anticoagulant rodenticide authorized for plant protection, may be applied intensively in fields to control rodents. The high level of poisoning of wildlife that follows such treatments over large areas has been frequently reported. In France, bromadiolone has been used to control water voles (Arvicola terrestris) since the 1980s. Both regulation and practices of rodent control have evolved during the last 15 years to restrict the quantity of poisoned bait used by farmers. This has led to a drastic reduction of the number of cases of poisoned wildlife reported by the French surveillance network SAGIR. During the autumn and winter 2011, favorable weather conditions and high vole densities led to the staging of several hundreds of Red Kites (Milvus milvus) in the Puy‐de‐Dôme department (central France). At the same time, intensive treatments with bromadiolone were performed in this area. Although no misuse has been mentioned by the authorities following controls, 28 Red Kites and 16 Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) were found dead during surveys in November and December 2011. For all these birds, poisoning by bromadiolone as the main cause of death was either confirmed or highly suspected. Other observations suggest a possible impact of bromadiolone on the breeding population of Red Kites in this area during the spring 2011. French regulation of vole control for plant protection is currently under revision, and we believe this event calls for more sustainable management of rodent outbreaks. Based on large‐scale experiments undertaken in eastern France, we propose that direct control of voles at low density (with trapping or limited chemical treatments) and mechanical destruction of vole tunnels, mole control, landscape management, and predator fostering be included in future regulation because such practices could help resolve conservation and agricultural issues.

Envenenamiento No Intencional de Fauna Silvestre y Propuestas para un Manejo Sustentable de Roedores.
Shaming and Sanitation in Indonesia: A Return to Colonial Public Health Practices?
Authors: Engel Susan , Susilo Anggun
Published: January 2014

Adequate sanitation is vital to human health, yet progress on the Millennium Development Goal for sanitation has been slow and the target is likely to be missed by one billion people. Indonesia has the third highest number of people of any country in the world without access to sanitation and, like most developing countries, it is devoting insufficient resources to the issue. In rural areas, rather than providing additional funding, the government — with support of the World Bank — has promoted the Community‐Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach, which uses social mobilization to encourage people to construct their own latrines. In Indonesia as elsewhere, CLTS involves more than just education and encouragement; it uses social shaming and punishments. The authors argue that this is not only an inadequate approach but one which echoes coercive, race‐based colonial public health practices. This article thus integrates extant historiography on Indonesian colonial medicine with contemporary scholarly literature and field research on CLTS using case studies of a 1920s hookworm‐eradication programme funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and the current World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, both in Java.
Effect of genotype on pulmonary hypertension risk in patients with thalassemia
Authors: Teawtrakul Nattiya , Ungprasert Phuangpaka , Pussadhamma Burabha , Prayalaw Patcharawadee , Fucharoen Supan , Jetsrisuparb Arunee , Pongudom Saranya , Sirijerachai Chittima , Chansung Kanchana , Wanitpongpun Chinadol , Chuncharunee Suporn
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Pulmonary hypertension is one of the major complications in patients with non‐transfusion‐dependent thalassemia (NTDT). Patients with NTDT have distinct genetic subgroups. Therefore, the effects of different genotype groups on pulmonary hypertension risk in patients with NTDT were assessed.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in patients with NTDT aged ≥ 10 yr old at Srinagarind University Hospital and Udonthani Hospital, Thailand. Pulmonary hypertension risk was defined as peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity > 2.9 m/s by trans‐thoracic echocardiography. Clinical characteristics and laboratory data that literature has indicated as risk factors for pulmonary hypertension were collected. The effect of genotype group on pulmonary hypertension risk was evaluated by using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of 219 patients, pulmonary hypertension risk was found in 24 patients (10.96%). All patients were categorized into two groups according to genetic data that included: (i) β‐thalassemia (139, 63.5%), (ii) α‐thalassemia and combined α and β‐thalassemia (80, 36.5%). Genotype groups were statistically and significantly associated with pulmonary hypertension risk based on the adjusted odds ratios after adjustment for other factors. Patients with β‐thalassemia had a statistically significant higher risk for pulmonary hypertension risk (odds ratio = 9.47, P = 0.036) compared to patients with α‐thalassemia and patients with combined α and β‐thalassemia.

Conclusion

The genotype group is an independent risk factor for pulmonary hypertension in patients with NTDT. Echocardiography should be routinely recommended for all patients with β‐thalassemia. Routine screening in patients with α‐thalassemia and combined α and β‐thalassemia, however, may not be necessary or should focus on the older population.
A visual or tactile signal makes auditory speech detection more efficient by reducing uncertainty
Authors: Tjan Bosco S. , Chao Ewen , Bernstein Lynne E.
Published: January 2014

Acoustic speech is easier to detect in noise when the talker can be seen. This finding could be explained by integration of multisensory inputs or refinement of auditory processing from visual guidance. In two experiments, we studied two‐interval forced‐choice detection of an auditory ‘ba’ in acoustic noise, paired with various visual and tactile stimuli that were identically presented in the two observation intervals. Detection thresholds were reduced under the multisensory conditions vs. the auditory‐only condition, even though the visual and/or tactile stimuli alone could not inform the correct response. Results were analysed relative to an ideal observer for which intrinsic (internal) noise and efficiency were independent contributors to detection sensitivity. Across experiments, intrinsic noise was unaffected by the multisensory stimuli, arguing against the merging (integrating) of multisensory inputs into a unitary speech signal, but sampling efficiency was increased to varying degrees, supporting refinement of knowledge about the auditory stimulus. The steepness of the psychometric functions decreased with increasing sampling efficiency, suggesting that the ‘task‐irrelevant’ visual and tactile stimuli reduced uncertainty about the acoustic signal. Visible speech was not superior for enhancing auditory speech detection. Our results reject multisensory neuronal integration and speech‐specific neural processing as explanations for the enhanced auditory speech detection under noisy conditions. Instead, they support a more rudimentary form of multisensory interaction: the otherwise task‐irrelevant sensory systems inform the auditory system about when to listen.
Effect of ellagic acid on some haematological, immunological and antioxidant parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Mişe Yonar S. , Yonar M. E. , Yöntürk Y. , Pala A.
Published: January 2014

In this study, effect of ellagic acid on some haematological, immunological and antioxidant parameters in the blood and various tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined. Four groups of rainbow trout were fed experimental diets containing either no ellagic acid (control) or supplemented with ellagic acid at 50 mg/kg diet (EA‐50), 100 mg/kg diet (EA‐100) or 150 mg/kg diet (EA‐150) for 21 days. Samples of the blood and tissue (liver, kidney and spleen) were collected at the end of the experiment and analysed for their haematological profile (the red blood cell count, the haemoglobin concentration and the haematocrit level), immune response (the white blood cell count, the oxidative radical production (NBT activity), the total plasma protein and total immunoglobulin level) and oxidant/antioxidant status (the malondialdehyde level, the superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity as well as the reduced glutathione concentration). The findings of this study demonstrated that ellagic acid had a positive effect on the haematological parameters, the immune response and the antioxidant enzyme activities of the fish.
Oral Iron for Patients Receiving Dialysis: What is the Evidence?
Authors: Hodson Elisabeth M. , Craig Jonathan C.
Published: January 2014

This review aims to summarize the available evidence of the effectiveness of oral iron in patients receiving dialysis. Four small randomized controlled trials (105 evaluated patients) compared oral iron supplements with placebo or no treatment; hemoglobin and ferritin levels did not differ significantly between groups at the end of the studies, while transferrin saturation levels fell in the placebo group in two studies. One trial (46 evaluated patients), comparing different ferrous iron preparations, found that hemoglobin levels and iron indices were maintained, but not increased. Another trial (54 evaluated patients) compared heme iron polypeptide with ferrous sulfate; hemoglobin and transferrin saturation levels remained stable with both agents, but ferritin levels fell with heme iron polypeptide, but not ferrous sulfate. Two observational studies found that iron supplements can maintain hemoglobin and iron indices. Oral iron supplements were poorly tolerated. These sparse data suggest that oral iron is of little or no benefit in raising hemoglobin and iron indices in patients receiving dialysis. Further data are required to determine if oral iron can maintain adequate iron indices following iron replenishment using intravenous iron supplements.
Physiological Differences Between Sprint- and Distance-Specialized Cross-Country Skiers
Authors: Losnegard Thomas , Hallén Jostein
Published: January 2014

Purpose:

Sprint- (≤1.8 km) and distance-skiing (≥15 km) performance rely heavily on aerobic capacity. However, in sprint skiing, due to the ~20% higher speed, anaerobic capacity contributes significantly. This study aimed to identify the possible anthropometric and physiological differences between elite male sprint and distance skiers.

Methods:

Six sprint and 7 distance international-level cross-country skiers completed testing using the V2 skating technique on a roller-ski treadmill. Measurements included submaximal O2 cost (5°, 3 m/s) and a 1000-m time trial (6°, >3.25 m/s) to assess VO2peak and accumulated oxygen (ΣO2) deficit.

Results:

The groups displayed similar O2 cost during the submaximal load. The sprint skiers had a higher ΣO2 deficit (79.0 ± 11.3 vs 65.7 ± 7.5 mL/kg, P = .03, ES = 1.27) and VO2peak in absolute values (6.6 ± 0.5 vs 6.0 ± 0.5 L/min, P = .04, ES =1.23), while VO2peak relative to body mass was lower than in the distance skiers (76.4 ± 4.4 vs 83.0 ± 3.2 mL · kg−1 · min−1, P = .009, ES = 1.59). The sprint skiers were heavier than the distance skiers (86.6 ± 6.1 vs 71.8 ± 7.2 kg, P = .002, ES = 2.07), taller (186 ± 5 vs 178 ± 7 cm, P = .04, ES = 1.25), and had a higher body-mass index (24.9 ± 0.8 vs 22.5 ± 1.3 kg/m2, P = .003, ES = 2.05).

Conclusion:

The elite male sprint skiers showed different anthropometric and physiological qualities than the distance skiers, with these differences being directly related to body mass.
People Flocking to China's Cities
China's Urban Billion:
The Story Behind the Biggest Migration in Human History

by Tom Miller

Zed, London, 2012. 200 pp. $125.95, £70. ISBN 9781780321424. Paper, $29.95, £16.99. ISBN 9781780321417.
Authors: Meng Xin
Published: January 2014

Miller considers why China has not reaped many of the economic and social benefits of urbanization.
EMBO at 50
Authors: Nurse Paul
Published: January 2014

50 years ago, in 1964, The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) was founded by leading scientists who wished to create a network of cooperation in molecular biology. Since then, EMBO has had a major influence on the life sciences in Europe through important but often quite modest objectives and a clear mission to help scientists do their best research. We should celebrate half a century of EMBO's achievements and ensure that it gets the visibility and support it deserves. In this respect, EMBO scientists are an important resource to promote the value of the organization and speak up for why we need to strengthen discovery research in the life sciences for the benefit of society.
Enabling Optical Analog Computing with Metamaterials
Authors: Sihvola Ari
Published: January 2014

The manipulation of light with structured materials could allow mathematical operations to be performed with compact optics.

[Also see Report by

Silva
et al.

]
Once Failing Biology Society Thrives as It Nurtures New Disciplines
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: January 2014

By fostering new fields, such as ecoimmunology and evo-devo, the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology has been able to grow and keep its budget balanced, even as other science societies struggle.
Identification of Past and Recent Parvovirus B19 Infection in Immunocompetent Individuals by Quantitative PCR and Enzyme Immunoassays: a Dual-Laboratory Study
Authors: Maple Peter A. C. , Hedman Lea , Dhanilall Pravesh , Kantola Kalle , Nurmi Visa , Söderlund-Venermo Maria , Brown Kevin E. , Hedman Klaus
Published: January 2014

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a member of the family
Parvoviridae
, genus
Erythrovirus
. B19V-specific IgG and IgM react differently against conformational and linear epitopes of VP1 and VP2 antigens, leading to the development of IgG avidity and epitope type specificity (ETS) enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for distinguishing past from recent infection. Additionally, B19V viral load determination (by quantitative PCR [qPCR]) is increasingly used in the staging of B19V infection. In this study, the utility of these methods is compared. A panel of 78 sera was jointly tested by the Virus Reference Department (VRD), London, United Kingdom, and the Haartman Institute (HI), Helsinki, Finland, using a number of EIAs, e.g., B19V-specific IgG and IgM, IgG avidity, and ETS EIAs. At VRD, the sera were also tested by a B19V viral load PCR (qPCR). By consensus analysis, 43 (55.1%) sera represented past infection, 28 (35.9%) sera represented recent infection, and 7 (9.0%) sera were indeterminate. Both VRD B19V qPCR and HI B19V VP2 IgM EIA gave the highest agreement with consensus interpretation for past or recent infection, with an overall agreement of 99% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92 to 100) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% (95% CI, 87 to 100). Nine sera designated as representing past infection by consensus analysis were B19V IgM positive by a commercial VRD B19V IgM EIA and B19V IgM negative by a new HI in-house B19V VP2 IgM EIA. A new VRD B19V IgG avidity EIA showed good (>95%) agreement (excluding equivocal results) with consensus interpretations for past or recent infection. Correct discrimination of past from recent B19V infection was achieved through application of qPCR or by appropriate selection of EIAs.
Real-Time PCR Threshold Cycle Cutoffs Help To Identify Agents Causing Acute Childhood Diarrhea in Zanzibar
Authors: Elfving Kristina , Andersson Maria , Msellem Mwinyi I. , Welinder-Olsson Christina , Petzold Max , Björkman Anders , Trollfors Birger , Mårtensson Andreas , Lindh Magnus
Published: January 2014

Molecular assays might improve the identification of causes of acute diarrheal disease but might lead to more frequent detection of asymptomatic infections. In the present study, real-time PCR targeting 14 pathogens was applied to rectal swabs from 330 children aged 2 to 59 months in Zanzibar, including 165 patients with acute diarrhea and 165 asymptomatic control subjects. At least one pathogen was detected for 94% of the patients and 84% of the controls, with higher rates among patients for norovirus genogroup II (20% versus 2.4%;
P
< 0.0001), rotavirus (10% versus 1.8%;
P
= 0.003), and
Cryptosporidium
(30% versus 11%;
P
< 0.0001). Detection rates did not differ significantly for enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC)-
estA
(33% versus 24%), ETEC-
eltB
(44% versus 46%),
Shigella
(35% versus 33%), and
Campylobacter
(35% versus 33%), but for these agents threshold cycle (

C
T

) values were lower (pathogen loads were higher) in sick children than in controls. In a multivariate analysis,

C
T

values for norovirus genogroup II, rotavirus,
Cryptosporidium
, ETEC-
estA
, and
Shigella
were independently associated with diarrhea. We conclude that this real-time PCR allows convenient detection of essentially all diarrheagenic agents and provides

C
T

values that may be critical for the interpretation of results for pathogens with similar detection rates in patients and controls. The results indicate that the assessment of pathogen loads may improve the identification of agents causing gastroenteritis in children.
Unconventional Sequence Requirement for Viral Late Gene Core Promoters of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68
Authors: Wong-Ho Elaine , Wu Ting-Ting , Davis Zoe H. , Zhang Bingqing , Huang Jian , Gong Hao , Deng Hongyu , Liu Fenyong , Glaunsinger Britt , Sun Ren
Published: January 2014

Infection with the human gammaherpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is associated with several cancers. During lytic replication of herpesviruses, viral genes are expressed in an ordered cascade. However, the mechanism by which late gene expression is regulated has not been well characterized in gammaherpesviruses. In this study, we have investigated the
cis
element that mediates late gene expression during
de novo
lytic infection with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68). A reporter system was established and used to assess the activity of viral late gene promoters upon infection with MHV-68. It was found that the viral origin of lytic replication,
orilyt
, must be on the reporter plasmid to support activation of the late gene promoter. Furthermore, the DNA sequence required for the activation of late gene promoters was mapped to a core element containing a distinct TATT box and its neighboring sequences. The critical nucleotides of the TATT box region were determined by systematic mutagenesis in the reporter system, and the significance of these nucleotides was confirmed in the context of the viral genome. In addition, EBV and KSHV late gene core promoters could be activated by MHV-68 lytic replication, indicating that the mechanisms controlling late gene expression are conserved among gammaherpesviruses. Therefore, our results on MHV-68 establish a solid foundation for mechanistic studies of late gene regulation.
Virulence Factor NSs of Rift Valley Fever Virus Recruits the F-Box Protein FBXO3 To Degrade Subunit p62 of General Transcription Factor TFIIH
Authors: Kainulainen Markus , Habjan Matthias , Hubel Philipp , Busch Laura , Lau Simone , Colinge Jacques , Superti-Furga Giulio , Pichlmair Andreas , Weber Friedemann
Published: January 2014

The nonstructural protein NSs is the main virulence factor of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV; family
Bunyaviridae
, genus
Phlebovirus
), a serious pathogen of livestock and humans in Africa. RVFV NSs blocks transcriptional upregulation of antiviral type I interferons (IFN) and destroys the general transcription factor TFIIH subunit p62 via the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway. Here, we identified a subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligases, F-box protein FBXO3, as a host cell interactor of NSs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of FBXO3 rescued p62 protein levels in RVFV-infected cells and elevated IFN transcription by 1 order of magnitude. NSs interacts with the full-length FBXO3 protein as well as with a truncated isoform that lacks the C-terminal acidic and poly(R)-rich domains. These isoforms are present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. NSs exclusively removes the nuclear pool of full-length FBXO3, likely due to consumption during the degradation process. F-box proteins form the variable substrate recognition subunit of the so-called SCF ubiquitin ligases, which also contain the constant components Skp1, cullin 1 (or cullin 7), and Rbx1. siRNA knockdown of Skp1 also protected p62 from degradation, suggesting involvement in NSs action. However, knockdown of cullin 1, cullin 7, or Rbx1 could not rescue p62 degradation by NSs. Our data show that the enzymatic removal of p62 via the host cell factor FBXO3 is a major mechanism of IFN suppression by RVFV.

IMPORTANCE
Rift Valley fever virus is a serious emerging pathogen of animals and humans. Its main virulence factor, NSs, enables unhindered virus replication by suppressing the antiviral innate immune system. We identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO3 as a novel host cell interactor of NSs. NSs recruits FBXO3 to destroy the general host cell transcription factor TFIIH-p62, resulting in suppression of the transcriptional upregulation of innate immunity.
HIV DNA Subspecies Persist in both Activated and Resting Memory CD4
+
T Cells during Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Murray John M. , Zaunders John J. , McBride Kristin L. , Xu Yin , Bailey Michelle , Suzuki Kazuo , Cooper David A. , Emery Sean , Kelleher Anthony D. , Koelsch Kersten K.
Published: January 2014

The latent HIV reservoir is a major impediment to curing HIV infection. The contribution of CD4
+
T cell activation status to the establishment and maintenance of the latent reservoir was investigated by enumerating viral DNA components in a cohort of 12 individuals commencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) containing raltegravir, an integrase inhibitor. Prior to ART, the levels of total HIV DNA were similar across HLA-DR
+
and HLA-DR
−
(HLA-DR
±
) CD38
±
memory CD4
+
T cell phenotypes; episomal two-long terminal repeat (2-LTR) HIV DNA levels were higher in resting (HLA-DR
−
CD38
−
) cells, and this phenotype exhibited a significantly higher ratio of 2-LTR to integrated HIV DNA (
P
= 0.002). After 1 year of ART, there were no significant differences across each of the memory phenotypes of any HIV DNA component. The decay dynamics of integrated HIV DNA were slow within each subset, and integrated HIV DNA in the resting HLA-DR
−
CD38
−
subset per mm
3
of peripheral blood exhibited no significant decay (half-life of 25 years). Episomal 2-LTR HIV DNA decayed relative to integrated HIV DNA in resting cells with a half-life of 134 days. Surprisingly, from week 12 on, the decay rates of both total and episomal HIV DNA were lower in activated CD38
+
cells. By weeks 24 and 52, HIV RNA levels in plasma were most significantly correlated with the numbers of resting cells containing integrated HIV DNA. On the other hand, total HIV DNA levels in all subsets were significantly correlated with the numbers of HLA-DR
+
CD38
−
cells containing integrated HIV DNA. These results provide insights into the interrelatedness of cell activation and reservoir maintenance, with implications for the design of therapeutic strategies targeting HIV persistence.

IMPORTANCE
It is generally believed that HIV is not cleared by extensive antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to the difficulty in eradicating the latent reservoir in resting CD4
+
T cells. New therapies that attempt to activate this reservoir so that immune or viral cytopathic mechanisms can remove those infected cells are currently being investigated. However, results obtained in this research indicate that activation, at least on some level, already occurs within this reservoir. Furthermore, we are the first to describe the dynamics of different HIV DNA species in resting and activated memory CD4+ T cell subsets that point to the role different levels of activation play in maintaining the HIV reservoir.
A method for integrating occupational indoor air quality with building information modeling for scheduling construction activities
Authors: Altaf Mohammed Sadiq , Hashisho Zaher , Al-Hussein Mohamed
Published: January 2014

The occupational indoor air quality during construction plays a role in determining workers’ health as construction activities frequently generate airborne pollutants. This paper presents a methodology to predict the concentration of air pollutants during construction activities using building information modeling (BIM) and schedule the activities to limit the pollutant concentration within acceptable limits. This method allows the stakeholders to determine and predict the indoor air quality at the construction site before actual construction work. The proposed method was applied to predict the concentration of PM10 during dry wall sanding in a new residence as a case study. Using BIM technology PM10 concentration was predicted during drywall sanding, which ranged from 12.8 to 29.5 mg/m3. Also the hourly PM10 concentration level and the production rate of the drywall activity was adjusted to reduce the concentration level from 20 mg/m3 to the applicable standard of 10 mg/m3. The unique contribution of this research compared to previous research on indoor air quality and BIM is the development of a new method that integrates occupational indoor air quality with building information modeling for the assessment of the occupational environment for construction workers. More specifically, this paper uses BIM to assess the occupational indoor air quality and schedule construction activities to limit the exposure of workers to prescribed guidelines.
IA-automorphisms of finitely generated nilpotent groups
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Gumber Deepak , Kalra Hemant
Published: January 2014

An automorphism of a group G is called an IA-automorphism if it induces the identity automorphism on the abelianized group G/G′. Let IA (G) denote the group of all IA-automorphisms of G. We classify all finitely generated nilpotent groups G of class 2 for which IA (G) ≃ Inn (G). In particular, we classify all finite nilpotent groups of class 2 for which each IA-automorphism is inner.
The branching problem for generalized Verma modules, with application to the pair (so(7), LieG2)
Authors: Milev Todor , Somberg Petr
Published: January 2014

We consider the branching problem for generalized Verma modules Mλ(𝔤, 𝔭) applied to couples of reductive Lie algebras [Formula: see text]. Our analysis of the problem is based on projecting character formulas to quantify the branching, and on the action of the center of [Formula: see text] to construct explicitly singular vectors realizing the [Formula: see text]-top level of the branching. We compute explicitly the top part of the branching for the pair [Formula: see text] for both strongly and weakly compatible with i( Lie G2) parabolic subalgebras and a large class of inducing representations.
Synthesis and characterization of bis-[PcRu(CO)][Ru2(ap)4(C≡CC5H4N)2]
Authors: Manowong Machima , Van Caemelbecke Eric , Rodríguez-Morgade M. Salomé , Bear John L. , Kadish Karl M. , Torres Tomás
Published: January 2014

A tetra-ruthenium complex containing two ruthenium(II) phthalocyanines and one metal–metal bonded diruthenium(III,III) unit was synthesized and investigated as to its electrochemical and spectroscopic properties in non-aqueous media. The title compound, represented as bis-[ PcRu ( CO )]-[ Ru 2( ap )4( C ≡ CC 5 H 4 N )2], where ap = 2-anilinopyridinate anion and Pc = the dianion of tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanine, was assembled by axial coordination of two PcRu ( CO ) macrocycles to pyridine groups of the complex which were themselves linked to the diruthenium(III,III) unit via alkyne groups. The tetra-ruthenium complex was characterized in solution and in the solid state by 1 H NMR, UV-visible and IR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry while thin-layer UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry was used to study the site of electron transfer. Eight redox processes occur in CH 2 Cl 2 or benzonitrile, four of which can be assigned to the macrocycles of PcRu ( CO ) and four to the central diruthenium unit of the molecule. The electrochemical and spectroscopic data suggest a weak electronic interaction between the diruthenium unit of [ Ru 2( ap )4( C ≡ CC 5 H 4 N )2] and the two externally linked Ru ( II ) phthalocyanines of the title compound.
SUBMODELING SIMULATIONS IN FUSION WELDS
Authors: BONIFAZ E. A.
Published: January 2014

The technological properties of fusion welds are formed due to the simultaneous effects of different physical phenomena which occur on different length scales. Correspondingly, the simulation of technological properties of fusion welds requires the multiscale approach. By performing three-dimensional transient nonlinear sub-modeling heat transfer simulations, thermal histories and thermal cycles that occur during the welding process were numerically investigated at the meso and microscales. The sub-modeling technique (a separate analysis that can be used to any number of levels) proposed to be used in coupling phase-field codes with finite element codes, was used to mesh a local part of the model with a refined mesh based on interpolation of the solution from an initial, relatively coarse, macro global model. The meso-sub-model is the global model for the subsequent micro sub-model. Microstructure evolution using the phase field method can be easily predicted at these sub-level scales by using the calculated numerical thermal results. The objective of this research was to initiate the development of microstructural models (ABAQUS code) to identify fusion welding process parameters for preserving the single crystal nature of gas turbine blades during repair procedures. The multiscale submodeling approach can be used to capture weld pool features at the macro-meso scale level, and secondary dendrite arm spacing features at the microscale level. The strategy is very flexible to be used to any number of levels.
Enhanced ventricular pump function and decreased reservoir backflow sustain rise in pulmonary blood flow after reduction of lung liquid volume in fetal lambs
Authors: Smolich Joseph J.
Published: January 2014

Although a reduction in lung liquid volume increases fetal pulmonary blood flow, the changes in central flow patterns that sustain this increased pulmonary perfusion are unknown. To address this issue, eight anesthetized late-gestation fetal sheep were instrumented with pulmonary trunk (PT), ductus arteriosus (DA), and left pulmonary artery (PA) micromanometer catheters and transit-time flow probes, with blood flow profile and wave intensity analyses performed at baseline and after withdrawal of lung liquid via an endotracheal tube. Reducing lung liquid volume by 19 ± 6 ml/kg (mean ± SD) augmented right ventricular power by 34% ( P < 0.001), with distribution of an accompanying increase in mean PT blood flow (245 ± 63 ml/min, P < 0.001) to the lungs (169 ± 91 ml/min, P = 0.001) and across the DA (77 ± 92 ml/min, P = 0.04). However, although PT and DA flow increments were confined to systole and were related to an increased magnitude of flow-increasing, forward-running compression waves, the rise in PA flow spanned both systole (108 ± 66 ml/min) and diastole (61 ± 32 ml/min). Flow profile analysis showed that the step-up in PA diastolic flow was associated with diminished PA diastolic backflow and accompanied by a lesser degree of diastolic right-to-left DA shunting. These data suggest that an increased pulmonary blood flow after reduction of lung liquid volume is associated with substantial changes in PT-DA-PA interactions and underpinned by two main factors: 1) enhanced right ventricular pump function that increases PA systolic inflow and 2) decreased PA diastolic backflow that arises from a fundamental change in PA reservoir function, thereby resulting in greater passage of systolic inflow through the lungs.
Intersegmental dynamics shape joint coordination during catching in typically developing children but not in children with developmental coordination disorder
Authors: Asmussen Michael J. , Przysucha Eryk P. , Dounskaia Natalia
Published: January 2014

Factors shaping joint coordination during multijoint movements were studied using a one-handed ball-catching task. Typically developing (TD) boys between 9 and 12 yr of age, at which catching becomes consistently successful, and boys with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) of the same age participated in the study. The arm was initially stretched down. Catching was performed by flexing the shoulder and elbow and extending the wrist in the parasagittal plane. Catching success rate was substantially lower in children with DCD. Amplitudes and directions of joint motions were similar in both groups. Group differences were found in shoulder and elbow coordination patterns. TD children performed the movement predominantly by actively accelerating into flexion, one joint at a time—first the elbow and then the shoulder—and allowing passive interaction torque (IT) to accelerate the other joint into extension. Children with DCD tended to accelerate both joints into flexion simultaneously, suppressing IT. The results suggest that the TD joint coordination was shaped by the tendency to minimize active control of IT despite the complexity of the emergent joint kinematics. The inefficient control of IT in children with DCD points to deficiency of the internal model of intersegmental dynamics. Together, the findings advocate that joint coordination throughout a multijoint movement is a by-product of the control strategy that benefits from movement dynamics by actively accelerating a single joint and using IT for rotation of the other joint. Reduction of control-dependent noise is discussed as a possible advantage of this control strategy.
Limit Cycles and Isochronous Centers in a Class of Ninth Degree System
Authors: Hongwei Li , Feng Li , Chaoxiong Du
Published: January 2014

A class of ninth degree system is studied and the conditions ensuring that its five singular points can be centers and isochronous centers (or linearizable centers) at the same time by exact calculation and strict proof are obtained. What is more, the expressions of Lyapunov constants and periodic constants are simplified, and 21 limit circles could be bifurcated at least.
Computer-Aided Modelling and Analysis of PV Systems: A Comparative Study
Authors: Koukouvaos Charalambos , Kandris Dionisis , Samarakou Maria
Published: January 2014

Modern scientific advances have enabled remarkable efficacy for photovoltaic systems with regard to the exploitation of solar energy, boosting them into having a rapidly growing position among the systems developed for the production of renewable energy. However, in many cases the design, analysis, and control of photovoltaic systems are tasks which are quite complex and thus difficult to be carried out. In order to cope with this kind of problems, appropriate software tools have been developed either as standalone products or parts of general purpose software platforms used to model and simulate the generation, transmission, and distribution of solar energy. The utilization of this kind of software tools may be extremely helpful to the successful performance evaluation of energy systems with maximum accuracy and minimum cost in time and effort. The work presented in this paper aims on a first level at the performance analysis of various configurations of photovoltaic systems through computer-aided modelling. On a second level, it provides a comparative evaluation of the credibility of two of the most advanced graphical programming environments, namely, Simulink and LabVIEW, with regard to their application in photovoltaic systems.
Reliability Evaluation of Service-Oriented Architecture Systems Considering Fault-Tolerance Designs
Authors: Peng Kuan-Li , Huang Chin-Yu
Published: January 2014

Service-oriented architecture (SOA) provides an elastic and automatic way to discover, publish, and compose individual services. SOA enables faster integration of existing software components from different parties, makes fault tolerance (FT) feasible, and is also one of the fundamentals of cloud computing. However, the unpredictable nature of SOA systems introduces new challenges for reliability evaluation, while reliability and dependability have become the basic requirements of enterprise systems. This paper proposes an SOA system reliability model which incorporates three common fault-tolerance strategies. Sensitivity analysis of SOA at both coarse and fine grain levels is also studied, which can be used to efficiently identify the critical parts within the system. Two SOA system scenarios based on real industrial practices are studied. Experimental results show that the proposed SOA model can be used to accurately depict the behavior of SOA systems. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis that quantizes the effects of system structure as well as fault tolerance on the overall reliability is also studied. On the whole, the proposed reliability modeling and analysis framework may help the SOA system service provider to evaluate the overall system reliability effectively and also make smarter improvement plans by focusing resources on enhancing reliability-sensitive parts within the system.
Coplanar Waveguide-Fed Broadband Microwave Devices with (or without) a Thin Dielectric Substrate for Use in Flexible Electronic Systems
Authors: Lech Rafal , Marynowski Wojciech , Kusiek Adam , Mazur Jerzy
Published: January 2014

Two examples of microwave devices, fed by a coplanar waveguide and realized on a thin substrate (or without such a substrate), are employed to investigate the influence of devices’ curvatures and the proximity of different materials on their parameters. To perform the tests, a broadband antenna and a low-pass filter are chosen. A feeding coplanar waveguide is realized on a dielectric material brick attached to an SMA connector and the main device structure is placed in the air or on a thin substrate. The utilization of a thin substrate or its removal from the structure gives rise to the possibility of placing the devices on curved surfaces. The investigated devices are redesigned and manufactured. The antenna has a total size of 46 mm × 44 mm and covers a frequency range of 2.4–35 GHz which gives a 174% fractional bandwidth. The filter has a total size of 50 mm × 80 mm and its bandwidth has a cutoff frequency of 3.4 GHz. The obtained results are verified by measurements and good agreement is achieved.
Uveitis and Gender: The Course of Uveitis in Pregnancy
Authors: Chiam Nathalie P. Y. , Lim Lyndell L. P.
Published: January 2014

The hormonal and immunological changes in pregnancy have a key role in maintaining maternal tolerance of the semiallogeneic foetus. These pregnancy-associated changes may also influence the course of maternal autoimmune diseases. Noninfectious uveitis tends to improve during pregnancy. Specifically, uveitis activity tends to ameliorate from the second trimester onwards, with the third trimester being associated with the lowest disease activity. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is likely to be multifactorial and complex. Possible mechanisms include Th1/Th2 immunomodulation, regulatory T-cell phenotype plasticity, and immunosuppressive cytokines. This clearly has management implications for patients with chronic sight threatening disease requiring systemic treatment, as most medications are not recommended during pregnancy due to lack of safety data or proven teratogenicity. Given that uveitis activity is expected to decrease in pregnancy, systemic immunosuppressants could be tapered during pregnancy in these patients, with flare-ups being managed with local corticosteroids till delivery. In the postpartum period, as uveitis activity is expected to rebound, patients should be reviewed closely and systemic medications recommenced, depending on uveitis activity and the patient’s breastfeeding status. This review highlights the current understanding of the course of uveitis in pregnancy and its management to help guide clinicians in managing their uveitis patients during this special time in life.
Electroluminescent Devices Based on Junctions of Indium Doped Zinc Oxide and Porous Silicon
Authors: Severiano F. , García G. , Castañeda L. , Gracia-Jiménez J. M. , Gómez-Pozos Heberto , Luna-López J. A.
Published: January 2014

Electroluminescent devices (ELD) based on junctions of indium doped zinc oxide (ZnO:In) and porous silicon layers (PSL) are presented in this work. PSL with different thicknesses and photoluminescent emission, around 680 nm, were obtained by anodic etching. PSL were coated with a ZnO:In film which was obtained by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. Once obtained, this structure was optically and electrically characterized. When the devices were electrically polarized they showed stable electroluminescence (EL) which was presented as dots scattered over the surface. These dots can be seen with the naked eye. The observed EL goes from the 410 to 1100 nm, which is formed by different emission bands. The EL emission in the visible region was around 400 to 750 nm, and the emission corresponding to the infrared part covers the 750 to 1150 nm. The electrical characterization was carried out by current‐voltage curves (I-V) which show a rectifying behavior of the devices. Observed electroluminescent dots are associated with the electron‐hole injection into quantized states in PS as well as the emission from the ZnO:In film.