bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female‐biased dispersal in a bat with a female‐defence mating strategy
Authors: Nagy Martina , Günther Linus , Knörnschild Mirjam , Mayer Frieder
Published: February 2013

The ultimate causes for predominant male‐biased dispersal (MBD) in mammals and female‐biased dispersal (FBD) in birds are still subject to much debate. Studying exceptions to general patterns of dispersal, for example,FBDin mammals, provides a valuable opportunity to test the validity of proposed evolutionary pressures. We used long‐term behavioural and genetic data on individually banded Proboscis bats (Rhynchonycteris naso) to show that this species is one of the rare mammalian exceptions withFBD. Our results suggest that all females disperse from their natal colonies prior to first reproduction and that a substantial proportion of males are philopatric and reproduce in their natal colonies, although male immigration has also been detected. The age of females at first conception falls below the tenure of males, suggesting that females disperse to avoid father–daughter inbreeding. Male philopatry in this species is intriguing becauseProboscis bats do not share the usual mammalian correlates (i.e. resource‐defence polygyny and/or kin cooperation) of male philopatry. They have a mating strategy based on female defence, where local mate competition between male kin is supposedly severe and should prevent the evolution of male philopatry. However, in contrast to immigrant males, philopatric males may profit from acquaintance with the natal foraging grounds and may be able to attain dominance easier and/or earlier in life. Our results onProboscis bats lent additional support to the importance of inbreeding avoidance in shaping sex‐biased dispersal patterns and suggest that resource defence by males or kin cooperation cannot fully explain the evolution of male philopatry in mammals.
A complex life cycle in a warming planet: gene expression in thermally stressed sponges
Authors: Webster N. , Pantile R. , Botté E. , Abdo D. , Andreakis N. , Whalan S.
Published: February 2013

Sponges are abundant, diverse and functionally important components of aquatic biotopes with crucial associations for many reef fish and invertebrates. Sponges have strict temperature optima, and mass mortality events have occurred after unusually high temperatures. To assess how sponges may adapt to thermal stress associated with a changing climate, we applied gene expression profiling to both stages of their bipartite life cycles. Adult Rhopaloeides odorabile are highly sensitive to thermal stress (32 °C), yet their larvae can withstand temperatures up to 36 °C. Here, we reveal the molecular mechanisms that underpin these contrasting thermal tolerances, which may provide sponges with a means to successfully disperse into cooler waters. Heat shock protein 70 was induced by increasing temperature in adult sponges, and genes involved in important biological functions including cytoskeleton rearrangement, signal transduction, protein synthesis/degradation, oxidative stress and detoxification were all negatively correlated with temperature. Conversely, gene expression in larvae was not significantly affected until 36 °C when a stress response involving extremely rapid activation of heat shock proteins occurred. This study provides the first transcriptomic assessment of thermal stress on both life history stages of a marine invertebrate facilitating better predictions of the long‐term consequences of climate change for sponge population dynamics.
Triton's trident: cryptic Neogene divergences in a marine clam (Lasaea australis) correspond to Australia's three temperate biogeographic provinces
Authors: Li Jingchun , Ó Foighil Diarmaid , Park Joong‐Ki
Published: February 2013

The southern coast of Australia is composed of three distinct biogeographic provinces distinguished primarily by intertidal community composition. Several ecological mechanisms have been proposed to explain their formation and persistence, but no consensus has been reached. The marine clam Lasaea australis is arguably the most common bivalve on southern Australian rocky shores and occurs in all three provinces. Here, we tested if this species exhibits cryptic genetic structuring corresponding to the provinces and if so, what mechanisms potentially drove its divergence. Variation in two mitochondrial genes (16S and COIII) and one nuclear gene (ITS2) was assayed to test for genetic structuring and to reconstruct the clam's phylogenetic history. Our results showed that L. australis is comprised of three cryptic mitochondrial clades, each corresponding almost perfectly to one of the three biogeographic provinces. Divergence time estimates place their cladogenesis in the Neogene. The trident‐like topology and Neogene time frame of L. australis cladogenesis are incongruent with Quaternary vicariance predictions: a two‐clade topology produced by Pleistocene Bass Strait land bridge formation. We hypothesize that the interaction of the Middle Miocene Climate Transition with the specific geography of the southern coastline of Australia was the primary cladogenic driver in this clam lineage. Additional in‐depth studies of the endemic southern Australian marine biota across all three provinces are needed to establish the generality of this proposed older framework for regional cladogenesis.
No evidence for nuclear introgression despite complete mtDNA replacement in the Carpathian newt (Lissotriton montandoni)
Authors: Zieliński P. , Nadachowska‐Brzyska K. , Wielstra B. , Szkotak R. , Covaciu‐Marcov S. D. , Cogălniceanu D. , Babik W.
Published: February 2013

Patterns of interspecific introgression may vary geographically, and the distribution of introgressed variants can yield insight into the historical dynamics of genetic interactions between hybridizing species. Urodele amphibians, often characterized by limited mobility, deep intraspecific genetic structuring and vulnerability to climatic changes, constitute suitable models for such historical inferences. Here, we combine an extensive survey of the mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (15 microsatellites) genomes in the Carpathian newt, Lissotriton montandoni (Lm) with species distribution modelling (SDM). Populations of the smooth newt, L. vulgaris (Lv) from the areas surrounding the Lm range were also sampled to test whether gene flow between these hybridizing species extends beyond the area of strict syntopy. The extent of introgression differs dramatically between the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear genome. While multiple, spatially and temporally distinct introgression events from Lv resulted in complete mtDNA replacement in Lm, there was little evidence of recent interspecific nuclear gene flow in the assayed markers. Microsatellite differentiation within Lm defines three units, probably derived from separate glacial refugia, located in the northern, eastern and southern part of the Carpathians. In situ survival and range fragmentation of Lm are supported by SDM, corroborating the role of the Carpathians as a major refugial area. Our results, in combination with previous reports of extensive introgression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, emphasize the complexity of historical gene exchange between Lm and Lv.
Reconstructing paternal genotypes to infer patterns of sperm storage and sexual selection in the hawksbill turtle
Authors: Phillips Karl P. , Jorgensen Tove H. , Jolliffe Kevin G. , Jolliffe San‐Marie , Henwood Jock , Richardson David S.
Published: February 2013

Postcopulatory sperm storage can serve a range of functions, including ensuring fertility, allowing delayed fertilization and facilitating sexual selection. Sperm storage is likely to be particularly important in wide‐ranging animals with low population densities, but its prevalence and importance in such taxa, and its role in promoting sexual selection, are poorly known. Here, we use a powerful microsatellite array and paternal genotype reconstruction to assess the prevalence of sperm storage and test sexual selection hypotheses of genetic biases to paternity in one such species, the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata. In the majority of females (90.7%, N = 43), all offspring were sired by a single male. In the few cases of multiple paternity (9.3%), two males fertilized each female. Importantly, the identity and proportional fertilization success of males were consistent across all sequential nests laid by individual females over the breeding season (up to five nests over 75 days). No males were identified as having fertilized more than one female, suggesting that a large number of males are available to females. No evidence for biases to paternity based on heterozygosity or relatedness was found. These results indicate that female hawksbill turtles are predominantly monogamous within a season, store sperm for the duration of the nesting season and do not re‐mate between nests. Furthermore, females do not appear to be using sperm storage to facilitate sexual selection. Consequently, the primary value of storing sperm in marine turtles may be to uncouple mating and fertilization in time and avoid costly re‐mating.
H2A.Z and H2B.Z double‐variant nucleosomes define intergenic regions and dynamically occupy var gene promoters in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Petter Michaela , Selvarajah Shamista A. , Lee Chin Chin , Chin Wai Hoe , Gupta Archna P. , Bozdech Zbynek , Brown Graham V. , Duffy Michael F.
Published: February 2013

Histone variants are important components of eukaryotic chromatin and can alter chromatin structure to confer specialized functions. H2B variant histones are rare in nature but have evolved independently in the phyla Apicomplexa and Trypanasomatida. Here, we investigate the apicomplexan‐specific Plasmodium falciparum histone variant Pf H2B.Z and show that within nucleosomes Pf H2B.Z dimerizes with the H2A variant Pf H2A.Z and that Pf H2B.Z and Pf H2A.Z occupancy correlates in the subset of genes examined. These double‐variant nucleosomes also carry common markers of euchromatin like H3K4me3 and histone acetylation. Pf H2B.Z levels are elevated in intergenic regions across the genome, except in the var multigene family, where Pf H2A.Z/Pf H2B.Z double‐variant nucleosomes are only enriched in the promoter of the single active var copy and this enrichment is developmentally regulated. Importantly, this pattern seems to be specific for var genes and does not apply to other heterochromatic gene families involved in red blood cell invasion which are also subject to clonal expression. Thus, Pf H2A.Z/Pf H2B.Z double‐variant nucleosomes appear to have a highly specific function in the regulation of P. falciparum virulence.
The development of a foliar fungal pathogen does react to leaf temperature!
Authors: Bernard Frédéric , Sache Ivan , Suffert Frédéric , Chelle Michaël
Published: February 2013

The thermal performance curve is an ecological concept relating the phenotype of organisms and temperature. It requires characterization of the leaf temperature for foliar fungal pathogens. Epidemiologists, however, use air temperature to assess the impacts of temperature on such pathogens. Leaf temperature can differ greatly from air temperature, either in controlled or field conditions. This leads to a misunderstanding of such impacts.

Experiments were carried out in controlled conditions on adult wheat plants to characterize the response of Mycosphaerella graminicola to a wide range of leaf temperatures. Three fungal isolates were used. Lesion development was assessed twice a week, whereas the temperature of each leaf was monitored continuously.

Leaf temperature had an impact on disease dynamics. The latent period of M. graminicola was related to leaf temperature by a quadratic relationship. The establishment of thermal performance curves demonstrated differences among isolates as well as among leaf layers.

For the first time, the thermal performance curve of a foliar fungal pathogen has been established using leaf temperature. The experimental setup we propose is applicable, and efficient, for other foliar fungal pathogens. Results have shown the necessity of such an approach, when studying the acclimatization of foliar fungal pathogens.
Aegilops tauschii single nucleotide polymorphisms shed light on the origins of wheat D‐genome genetic diversity and pinpoint the geographic origin of hexaploid wheat
Authors: Wang Jirui , Luo Ming‐Cheng , Chen Zhongxu , You Frank M. , Wei Yuming , Zheng Youliang , Dvorak Jan
Published: February 2013

Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum, genomes AABBDD) originated by hybridization of tetraploid Triticum turgidum (genomes AABB) with Aegilops tauschii (genomes DD). Genetic relationships between A. tauschii and the wheat D genome are of central importance for the understanding of wheat origin and subsequent evolution.

Genetic relationships among 477 A. tauschii and wheat accessions were studied with the A. tauschii 10K Infinium single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array.

Aegilops tauschii consists of two lineages (designated 1 and 2) having little genetic contact. Each lineage consists of two closely related sublineages. A population within lineage 2 in the southwestern and southern Caspian appears to be the main source of the wheat D genome. Lineage 1 contributed as little as 0.8% of the wheat D genome. Triticum aestivum is subdivided into the western and Far Eastern populations. The Far Eastern population conserved the genetic make‐up of the nascent T. aestivum more than the western population. In wheat, diversity is high in chromosomes 1D and 2D and it correlates in all wheat D‐genome and A. tauschii chromosomes with recombination rates.

Gene flow from A. tauschii was an important source of wheat genetic diversity and shaped its distribution along the D‐genome chromosomes.
Differences in Clinical and Echocardiographic Parameters between Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Flutter in the AURUM 8 Study: Targets for Prevention of Persistent Arrhythmia?
Authors: LICKFETT LARS , MITTMANN‐BRAUN ERICA , WEISS CHRISTIAN , SPENCKER SEBASTIAN , JUNG WERNER , HAVERKAMP WILHELM , WILLEMS STEPHAN , DENEKE THOMAS , KAUTZNER JOSEF , WIEDEMANN MICHAEL , SIEBELS JÜRGEN , PITSCHNER HEINZ F. , HOFFMANN ELLEN , HINDRICKS GERD , ZABEL MARKUS , VESTER ERNST , SCHWACKE HARALD , LEYEN JOHANNES V. , MEWIS CHRISTIAN , BAUER WOLFGANG , LEWALTER THORSTEN
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Cavotricuspid isthmus‐dependent atrial flutter (AFL) can occur in a paroxysmal or persistent pattern. The aim of this study was to identify clinical, echocardiographic, and electrophysiological risk factors independently associated with persistence of AFL.

Methods

Patients of the recently published AURUM 8 study with paroxysmal versus persistent AFL were compared with respect to clinical and echocardiographic baseline characteristics as well as procedural parameters. The AURUM 8 study is a randomized, multicenter clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of gold versus platinum‐iridium 8‐mm‐tip ablation. AFL was paroxysmal in 218 patients and persistent in 210 patients.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed that patients with persistent AFL had higher New York Heart Association class (P = 0.002), shorter time since 1st AFL episode (median 0.18 vs 0.34, P = 0.037), a higher prevalence of previous coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (17% vs 9%, P = 0.02), left ventricular hypertrophy (17% vs 8%, P = 0.005), dyspnea during AFL (P < 0.001), mitral regurgitation (P = 0.002), tricuspid regurgitation (P = 0.049), and pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.01). Palpitations during AFL were less frequent in patients with persistent AFL (P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, weight, AFL diagnosis after initiation of class IC or III antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation, history of left ventricular hypertrophy, dyspnea during AFL and mitral regurgitation on echocardiography were significant independent variables associated with persistent AFL. A history of atrial fibrillation and palpitations during AFL were independently associated with paroxysmal AFL.

Conclusions

We were able to identify clinical and echocardiographic risk factors associated with persistence of typical AFL. Treatment of these risk factors can potentially not only prevent the transition from paroxysmal to persistent AFL, but maybe also the development or initiation of AFL in general.
Effects of SEA0400 on Arrhythmogenicity in a Langendorff‐Perfused 1‐Month Myocardial Infarction Rabbit Model
Authors: CHOU CHUNG‐CHUAN , CHANG PO‐CHENG , WEN MING‐SHIEN , LEE HUI‐LING , CHU YEN , BABA AKEMICHI , MATSUDA TOSHIO , YEH SAN‐JOU , WU DELON
Published: February 2013

Background

The effects of SEA0400, a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) blocker, on dynamic factors and arrhythmogenic alternans in 1‐month myocardial infarction (MI) hearts remain unknown.

Methods

Simultaneous voltage and intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) optical mapping was performed in 12 rabbit hearts with MI for 1 month and six normal rabbit hearts as control. Western‐blot studies were performed in both groups in an additional six hearts for each. Action potential duration (APD) restitution was constructed and arrhythmogenic alternans was induced by dynamic pacing. SEA0400 (0.03, 3 μM) was administered after baseline studies.

Results

SEA0400 suppressed pacing‐induced ventricular premature beats in a concentration‐dependent manner. SEA0400 at 0.03 μM steepened APD restitution slopes and enhanced spatially discordant alternans (SDA), which became insignificant at 3 μM. The VF inducibility was seven of nine at baseline, nine of nine at 0.03 μM SEA0400, and five of nine at 3 μM SEA0400 (P = NS). Significant upregulation of NCX in the remote but not periinfarct zone and less degree downregulation of DHP1α in the remote versus periinfarct zone may play a role in enhancing SDA induction by SEA0400 in 1‐month MI hearts.

Conclusions

In 1‐month MI hearts, SEA0400 suppresses pacing‐induced ventricular premature beats, but also is proarrhythmic by steepening APD restitution and enhancing SDA via NCX inhibition. Heterogeneous upregulation of NCX and downregulation of DHP1α may contribute to SDA augmentation by SEA0400 in this model. The insignificant effect of SEA0400 on VF inducibility suggests that suppression of both reentry and triggered activity is required to suppress VF induction in this model.
Pediatric allergy and immunology in Israel
Authors: Geller‐Bernstein Carmi , Etzioni Amos
Published: February 2013

After the geographic and sociodemographic settings as well as the health care in Israel are briefly described, the scope of pediatric allergy and immunology in Israel is presented. This includes specific disorders commonly encountered, the environment that induces symptoms, the specialists who treat them, and the common challenges of patients, parents, doctors, and allied health personnel who collaborate to manage the maladies and patient care. Allergies usually affect some overall 15–20% of the pediatric population. The main allergens are inhaled, ingested, or injected (insects stings). Generally, the incidence of the various allergens affecting children in Israel, is similar to other parts of the Western world. Owing to the high consanguinity rate in the Israeli population, the prevalence of the various immunodeficiency conditions (in the adaptive as well as the innate system) is higher than that reported worldwide. Pediatric allergists/immunologists also treat autoimmune disorders affecting the pediatric group. Pediatric allergy and clinical immunology are not separate specialties. The 25 specialists who treat children with allergic/immunologic diseases have undergone a basic training in Pediatrics. They also received an additional 2‐yr training in allergy and clinical immunology and then have to pass the board examinations. They work mainly in pediatric allergy units, in several hospitals that are affiliated to the five medical schools in the country. Aside from clinical work, most of the centers are also heavily involved in clinical and basic research in allergy and immunology.
The Social Significance of Human Biomonitoring
Authors: Washburn Rachel
Published: February 2013

Over the past few decades, developments in analytical chemistry have made it possible to measure low‐level chemical exposures in human fluids and tissues through a process called human biomonitoring. Recent biomonitoring data suggest that humans are exposed to a wide variety of naturally occurring and synthetic environmental chemicals ranging from pesticides and plasticizers to flame‐retardants. These data have provoked new questions about the safety of many environmental chemicals and the adequacy of environmental regulations. Biomonitoring has also attracted the attention of social scientists and scholars in the humanities, resulting in a small but growing body of literature that examines the social impacts of this technique in the contexts of environmental advocacy and environmental justice efforts, chemical regulation and toxic torts, and studies that provide research participants with personal exposure data. Some work also addresses how biomonitoring data are reshaping notions of the body and its ties to historic and contemporary economic and political processes. This paper shows that while there is agreement that biomonitoring data provide novel information about the relationships between bodies and environments, there is debate about the extent to which this information will be used to advance environmental justice and the adoption of more precautionary chemical policies.
Flexicurity: A New Paradigm for the Analysis of Labor Markets and Policies Challenging the Trade‐Off Between Flexibility and Security
Authors: Muffels Ruud , Wilthagen Ton
Published: February 2013

The aim of the article is to discuss the concept of flexicurity presented as a new paradigm for analyzing modern labor markets (analytical perspective) and as a metaphor for policies striving for a better balance between flexibility and security (normative perspective). The purpose is to clarify these analytical and normative meanings of the flexicurity concept from a theoretical and empirical perspective. Flexicurity has been a policy strategy since 2005/2006 endorsed by the European Commission and put on top of the political agenda for the European Employment Strategy and EU 2020, the 10‐year strategy of the EU. We briefly sketch the tenets of the flexicurity approach by discussing the main issues in the European academic and policy debate. We subsequently present empirical evidence based on the definition of dynamic outcome indicators for assessing the performance of 26 countries in the EU in balancing flexibility and security. The findings challenge the conventionally presumed trade‐off between flexibility and security.
Subordinating Myth: Latino/a Immigration, Crime, and Exclusion
Authors: Longazel Jamie
Published: February 2013

Rhetoric about “crime‐prone immigrants” has contributed to increased enforcement of the U.S.‐Mexico border, the passage of punitive immigration laws, and state and local efforts to make life difficult for new arrivals. Yet scholarly research refutes the notion that immigrants commit more crime. How do we explain this glaring contradiction? By reviewing recent research on immigration, crime, and social control in the context of racial stratification, this article describes the criminalization of Latino/a immigrants in the U.S. as asubordinating myth; that is, a falsity used as part of a larger effort to misallocate material, political, and cultural resources. Four ways in which the criminalization of immigrants contributes to racial exclusion are discussed: the profiting from immigration detention; the political scapegoating of racialized immigrants; the degrading of racialized bodies in enforcement efforts; and the literal control of exploitable populations. The article concludes with a call to develop further our understanding of the relationship between immigration and crime from this critical perspective in order tosubordinate the mythof immigrant criminality.
Region, Social Identities, and Disclosure Practices as Predictors of Heterosexist Discrimination Against Sexual Minorities in the United States
Authors: Swank Eric , Fahs Breanne , Frost David M.
Published: February 2013

Exposure to heterosexist discrimination may vary by a person's place of residency. Utilizing a minority stress perspective, an online survey of self‐identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals (n = 285) examined whether rural and small town inhabitants experienced greater exposure to six types of enacted stigma. After comparing the frequency of enacted stigma by community type, findings demonstrated that rural LGBs reported experiencing more homophobic statements, property damage, and employment discrimination than urban LGBs. Small town LGBs also encountered additional amounts of housing discrimination and were more often chased by strangers compared with urban sexual minorities. Finally, disclosure practices and hierarchies based on race and social class also influenced exposure to discrimination. The importance of spatial factors often intensified when respondents disclosed their sexual identity more publicly. When exploring racial and class differences, affluent sexual minorities experienced less employment discrimination and white sexual minorities were less likely to experience several forms of heterosexist events (especially being punched and kicked).
Anterior uveal spindle cell tumor in a blue‐eyed mixed‐breed dog
Authors: Olbertz Letícia , Langohr Ingeborg , Werner Juliana , Pessoa Lenita , Kiupel Matti , Agnew Dalen , Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano
Published: February 2013

A female, eight‐year‐old, mixed‐breed blue‐eyed dog was presented for ophthalmic evaluation because its left eye had “changed color” one year previously. The before left eye was enucleated and submitted for evaluation. Histopathological analysis revealed an invasive neoplastic mass effacing most of the ventral aspect of the iris stroma. A diagnosis of an anterior uveal spindle cell tumor was made. Immunohistochemical results were strongly suggestive of a schwannoma, but some smooth muscle differentiation was also observed. Two and a half years after therapeutic enucleation there was no evidence of neoplasm recurrence or metastasis.
Integration of hydrological and habitat simulation methods to define minimum environmental flows at the basin scale
Authors: Peñas Francisco Jesús , Juanes José Antonio , Álvarez‐Cabria Mario , Álvarez Cesar , García Andrés , Puente Araceli , Barquín Jose
Published: February 2013

New environmental policies establish the need to maintain the ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems. The hydrologic regime is a key element in determining river processes and therefore the definition of environmental flow regimes (EFR) is essential to achieve this goal. The EFR can be broadly defined as the water required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, and the human livelihood that depend on these ecosystems. Nevertheless, the role of the EFR and the methods to calculate them has not been clearly stated in many countries. This paper sets out a procedure to calculate EFRs, which includes not only a minimum flow, but also a temporal variability of this flow. The procedure integrates the results of hydrologic and habitat simulation methods in a temporal scale that takes into consideration the natural hydrologic seasonality while providing a certain level of flexibility to regulate water resources still meeting the requirements of the Spanish Water Planning legislation. The results highlighted the advantages of using different methodological approaches to calculate EFRs. Therefore, this study concludes the validity of a relatively simple hydrologic method for defining minimum environmental flows at a period of maximum hydrologic stress, but also the need to consider different approaches to take into account as many ecosystem elements as possible.
Spatiotemporal variations in euphotic depth and their correlation with influencing factors in a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Zhou Hong , Fang Fang , Li Zhe , Guo Jing‐song , de Koning Jaap , van der Graaf J. H. J. M.
Published: February 2013

After the initial impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), most of its tributaries have been influenced because of the backwater and the input of nutrients. The spatiotemporal variability in euphotic depth and its major influencing factors were investigated in the Xiaojiang River Basin of the TGR to reveal this change. Analyses were based on the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and water quality indices in five sampling sites of the Xiaojiang River from May 2007 to April 2009. Results showed only slight spatial variation in the average euphotic depth while significant temporal variation was taken place. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that the diffuse attenuation coefficients for PAR (Kd(PAR)) was significantly correlated to the total suspended solids (TSS) (R2 = 0.6794), but not to chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) (R2 = 0.045). The unique hydrological conditions of the TGR might be the determinants of the spatiotemporal variability.
Integrating morphisms of Lie 2-algebras
Authors: Noohi Behrang
Published: February 2013

Given two Lie 2-groups, we study the problem of integrating a weak morphism between the corresponding Lie 2-algebras to a weak morphism between the Lie 2-groups. To do so, we develop a theory of butterflies for 2-term L∞-algebras. In particular, we obtain a new description of the bicategory of 2-term L∞-algebras. An interesting observation here is that the role played by 1-connected Lie groups in Lie theory is now played by 2-connected Lie 2-groups. Using butterflies, we also give a functorial construction of 2-connected covers of Lie 2 -groups. Based on our results, we expect that a similar pattern generalizes to Lie n-groups and Lie n-algebras.
Zero-Energy Active Suspension System for Automobiles With Adaptive Sky-Hook Damping
Authors: Singal Kalpesh , Rajamani Rajesh
Published: February 2013

Previous research has shown that a semiactive automotive suspension system can provide significant benefits compared to a passive suspension but cannot quite match the performance of a fully active system. The advantage of the semiactive system over an active system is that it consumes almost zero energy by utilizing a variable damper whose damping coefficient is changed in real time, while a fully active suspension consumes significant power for its operation. This paper explores a new zero-energy active suspension system that combines the advantages of semiactive and active suspensions by providing the performance of the active system at zero energy cost. Unlike a semiactive system in which the energy is always dissipated, the proposed system harvests and recycles energy to achieve active operation. An electrical motor-generator is used as the zero-energy actuator and a controller and energy management system are developed. An energy adaptive sky-hook gain is proposed to prevent the system from running out of energy, thereby eliminating the need to switch between passive and active systems. The results show that the system performs at least as well as a passive system for all frequencies, and is equivalent to an active system for a broad range of frequencies including both resonant frequencies.
Component Mode Synthesis Method Applied to Two-Dimensional Acoustic Analysis in Ducts
Authors: Araújo Nunes Maria Alzira de , Viana Duarte Marcus Antônio
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a modal approach to calculate the acoustic normal modes in complex ducts. In this study, the component modal synthesis (CMS) method in two dimensions for application in large duct with acoustic propagation in order to obtain a reduced acoustic model will be developed. The proposed technique is based on division of the acoustic system in well-known modal model subdomains and uses a CMS procedure to obtain a reduced acoustic modal model of the large system. In this paper, the applicability of the CMS Craig-Chang's method was adapted for acoustics CMS, considering only acoustic fluid interaction. In the modal synthesis technique developed originally for structural purpose, displacements and forces were coupled at the boundary of the substructures by dynamic constraint equations. The methodology developed here is based on residual flexibility, using residual inertia relief attachment modes in place of simply residual attachment modes to couple sound pressure and flow rates at the substructures interfaces. The approach leads to a versatile method with a low computational cost. To validate the proposed CMS approach, comparison with acoustic ducts models using finite element methodology (FEM) and analytical solutions were made. The differences between the analytical and numerical results as well as the limitations and advantages of each method were discussed.
Free Vibration Analysis of Laminated Soft Core Sandwich Plates
Authors: Chalak H. D. , Chakrabarti Anupam , Iqbal Mohd. Ashraf , Sheikh Abdul Hamid
Published: February 2013

Free vibration behavior of laminated soft core sandwich plates with stiff laminated face sheets is investigated using a new C0 finite element (FE) model based on higher order zigzag theory (HOZT) in this paper. The in-plane displacement variations are considered to be cubic for both the face sheets and the core, while the transverse displacement is assumed to vary quadratically within the core and remains constant in the faces beyond the core. The plate theory ensures a shear stress-free condition at the top and bottom surfaces of the plate. Thus, the plate theory has all of the features required for an accurate modeling of laminated sandwich plates. As very few elements based on this plate theory (HOZT) exist and they possess certain disadvantages, an attempt has been made to develop this new element. The nodal field variables are chosen in such a manner to overcome the problem of continuity requirement of the derivatives of transverse displacements, i.e., no need to impose any penalty stiffness in the formulation. A nine node C0 quadratic plate finite element is implemented to model the HOZT for the present analysis. A new C0 element has been utilized to study some interesting problems on free vibration analysis of laminated sandwich plates. Many new results are also presented which should be useful for future research.
A Novel Method of Designing Quiet Zones in Diffuse Fields
Authors: Tseng Wen-Kung
Published: February 2013

This paper presents the analysis of quiet zones in broadband diffuse fields using two- and three-channel systems. An optimization method combining a neural network with a search algorithm has been used to design quiet zones in broadband diffuse fields. Simulation results using the proposed method are presented. Experiments are also carried out to validate the simulation results. The results show that a good attenuation in the desired zone of quiet over space and frequency is achieved using a two-channel system. However, a better performance could be achieved using a three-channel system. Also, the shape and location of quiet zones over space and frequency could be controlled by using the proposed method. The results also show that the shape and size of 10-dB quiet zones are both similar in simulations and experiments. The main contributions of the paper are that a novel method of designing quiet zones in broadband diffuse fields is proposed and the performance of the active systems is analyzed through computer simulations and experiments.
Nonlinear Transient Dynamics of Pendulum Torsional Vibration Absorbers—Part I: Theory
Authors: Monroe Ryan J. , Shaw Steven W.
Published: February 2013

Transient dynamics of centrifugal pendulum vibration absorbers, which are used for reducing torsional vibrations in rotating machines, are investigated using analysis and simulations of a dynamical model. These absorbers are being implemented in automotive engines to smooth vibrations and aid with fuel saving technologies, such as cylinder deactivation and torque converter lockup. In order for the absorbers to operate effectively with minimal mass, they must be designed to accommodate large amplitude, nonlinear responses, and in automotive engines they will experience a variety of transient environments. Here we consider the most severe transient environment, that of sudden activation near resonance, which leads to beating behavior of a nonlinear oscillator coupled to a driven rotor. An approximate method for predicting the percent overshoot of the beating transient response is derived, based on perturbation analysis of the system equations of motion. The main result is expressed in terms of the system and excitation parameters, and is found to accurately predict results from direct simulations of the model equations of motion. It is shown that absorbers with near-tautochronic paths behave much like linear absorbers, and when lightly damped and start from small initial conditions, they have an overshoot close to 100%. For absorbers with softening paths, such as the commonly used circular path absorbers, the overshoot can reach up to 173%, depending on system and input parameters, far exceeding predictions from linear analysis. These results provide a useful tool for design of absorbers to meet transient response specifications. In the following companion paper an experimental investigation is used to verify the analytical predictions.
Complete Genome Analysis of Canine Respiratory Coronavirus
Authors: Lim Seong-in , Choi Sarah , Lim Ji-Ae , Jeoung Hye-Young , Song Jae-Young , dela Pena R. C. , An Dong-Jun
Published: February 2013

The canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) K37 strain of the family
Coronaviridae
, group 2, was isolated in South Korea. Its genome was analyzed by nucleotide sequencing and was determined to have 31,029 bp. The small open reading frames situated between the spike and envelope genes of most of the CRCoV strains (except the CRCoV 4180 strain) were found to encode three nonstructural proteins (4.9 kDa, 2.7 kDa, and 12.8 kDa), while those of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) encode another three nonstructural proteins (4.9 kDa, 4.8 kDa, and 12.7 kDa) and those of a recently isolated bovine respiratory coronavirus (BRCoV) were found to encode only two nonstructural proteins (4.9 kDa and 12.7 kDa). The differences in the genes encoding these small nonstructural proteins may be associated with the emergence of highly similar viruses in different hosts.
II1 FACTORS AND EQUIVALENCE RELATIONS WITH DISTINCT FUNDAMENTAL GROUPS
Authors: KEERSMAEKERS J. , SPEELMAN A.
Published: February 2013

We construct a group measure space II1 factor that has two nonconjugate Cartan subalgebras. We show that the fundamental group of the II1 factor is trivial, while the fundamental group of the equivalence relation associated with the second Cartan subalgebra is nontrivial. This is not absurd as the second Cartan inclusion is twisted by a 2-cocycle.
(3+1)-DIMENSIONAL EXPANDING UNIVERSE FROM A LORENTZIAN MATRIX MODEL FOR SUPERSTRING THEORY IN (9+1)-DIMENSIONS
Authors: NISHIMURA JUN
Published: February 2013

We study the Lorentzian version of the type IIB matrix model as a nonperturbative formulation of superstring theory in (9+1)-dimensions. Monte Carlo results show that not only space but also time emerges dynamically in this model. Furthermore, the real-time dynamics extracted from the matrices turns out to be remarkable: 3 out of 9 spatial directions start to expand at some critical time. This can be interpreted as the birth of our Universe.
CONSTRUCTIVE WALL-CROSSING AND SEIBERG–WITTEN
Authors: YI PILJIN
Published: February 2013

We outline a comprehensive and first-principle solution to the wall-crossing problem in D = 4N = 2 Seiberg–Witten theories. We start with a brief review of the multi-centered nature of the typical BPS states and of how this allows them to disappear abruptly as parameters or vacuum moduli are continuously changed. This means that the wall-crossing problem is really a bound state formation/dissociation problem. A low energy dynamics for arbitrary collections of dyons is derived, with the proximity to the so-called marginal stability wall playing the role of the small expansion parameter. We discover that the low energy dynamics of such BPS dyons cannot be reduced to one on the classical moduli space, [Formula: see text], yet the index can be phrased in terms of [Formula: see text]. The so-called rational invariant, first seen in Kontsevich–Soibelman formalism of wall-crossing, is shown to incorporate Bose/Fermi statistics automatically. Furthermore, an equivariant version of the index is shown to compute the protected spin character of the underlying D = 4N = 2 theory, where [Formula: see text] isometry of [Formula: see text] is identified as a diagonal subgroup of rotation SU(2)L and R-symmetry SU(2)R.
FIRST PRINCIPLES DERIVATION OF NLS EQUATION FOR BEC WITH CUBIC AND QUINTIC NONLINEARITIES AT NONZERO TEMPERATURE: DISPERSION OF LINEAR WAVES
Authors: ANDREEV P. A.
Published: February 2013

We present a derivation of the quantum hydrodynamic (QHD) equations for neutral bosons. We consider the short-range interaction between particles. This interaction consist of a binary interaction U( ri, rj) and a three-particle interaction (TPI) U( ri, rj, rk) and the last one does not include binary interaction between particles. From QHD equations for Bose–Einstein condensate we derive a nonlinear Schrödinger equation. This equation was derived for zero temperature and contains the nonlinearities of the third and the fifth degree. Explicit form of the constant of the TPI is obtained. First of all, developed method we used for studying of dispersion of the linear waves. Dispersion characteristics of the linear waves are compared for different particular cases. We make comparison of the two-particle interaction in the third order by the interaction radius (TOIR) and TPI at the zero temperature. We consider influence of the temperature on the dispersion of the elementary excitations. For this aim we derive a system of the QHD equations at nonzero temperature. Obtained system of equation is an analog of the well-known two-fluid hydrodynamics. Moreover, it is generalization of the two-fluid hydrodynamics equations due to TPI. Explicit expressions of the velocities for the first and the second sound via the concentration of superfluid and noncondensate components is calculated.
INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF DIATOMIC MOLECULES — A FRACTIONAL CALCULUS APPROACH
Authors: HERRMANN RICHARD
Published: February 2013

The eigenvalue spectrum of the fractional quantum harmonic oscillator is calculated numerically, solving the fractional Schrödinger equation based on the Riemann and Caputo definition of a fractional derivative. The fractional approach allows a smooth transition between vibrational and rotational type spectra, which is shown to be an appropriate tool to analyze IR spectra of diatomic molecules.
COMPLETE AND APPROXIMATE METHODS FOR OFF-LINE PLACEMENT OF HARDWARE TASKS ON RECONFIGURABLE DEVICES
Authors: BELAID IKBEL , OUNI BASSEM , MULLER FABRICE , BENJEMAA MAHER
Published: February 2013

With the advent of run-time partial reconfiguration, the most recent reconfigurable devices support reconfiguring hardware tasks individually, without interrupting the remaining tasks running on the same device. While the concept of run-time partial reconfiguration increases performance and resource utilization, it also leads to resource wastage, high configuration overhead and complex allocation situations of hardware tasks on reconfigurable devices. Many on-line and off-line methods for hardware task placement have been proposed for such reconfigurable devices to enhance placement quality expressed by fragmentation rate, the amount of task rejection and a few of them also estimate configuration overhead. However, these works treat each criterion individually and therefore do not reflect the overall metrics of placement quality. Hardware task placement is a multi-objective combinatory optimization problem. In this paper, we investigate the problem of off-line placement of hardware tasks in partially reconfigurable devices and we present a new three-level resource management that is based on two methods, i.e., a complete analytic method: the formulation into mixed integer programming, and an approximate iterative method: the Bees algorithm. For both methods, the placement quality is measured by the rate of resource efficiency and by the amount of configuration overhead. Experiments demonstrate that the analytic method provides better resource efficiency than the Bees Algorithm by 33% and attains 15% of gain in configuration overhead.
THE CLOSURES OF SURFACE BRAIDS OBTAINED FROM MINIMAL n-CHARTS WITH FOUR WHITE VERTICES
Authors: NAGASE TERUO , SHIMA AKIKO , TSUJI HIROSHI
Published: February 2013

In this paper, we investigate surface braids obtained from minimal charts with exactly four white vertices.
DECIGO PATHFINDER
Authors: ANDO MASAKI , the DECIGO WORKING GROUP
Published: February 2013

DECIGO Pathfinder (DPF) is a small (~350 kg) satellite orbiting the Earth. DPF was originally proposed as the first milestone mission for a future space gravitational-wave (GW) antenna, DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO). In addition to the purpose of space demonstrations for DECIGO, DPF has scientific objectives: observation of GWs from black-hole mergers and monitor of Earth's gravity, as well as establishment of space technologies for high-precision measurements. In this paper, we review the conceptual design, scientific outcomes and the current status of DPF.
DERIVED CATEGORIES WITH RESPECT TO DING MODULES
Authors: REN WEI , LIU ZHONGKUI , YANG GANG
Published: February 2013

We introduce the relative derived categories with respect to Ding modules, and give the relation with derived and Gorenstein derived categories. Especially, a triangle-equivalence of Ding derived categories over Ding–Chen rings and some applications are obtained. Generalized Tate cohomology with respect to Ding projective and Ding injective modules and related balance are discussed.
DOUBLE LOOP QUANTUM ENVELOPING ALGEBRAS
Authors: WU ZHIXIANG
Published: February 2013

In this paper we describe certain homological properties and representations of a two-parameter quantum enveloping algebra Ug, h of 𝔰𝔩(2), where g, h are group-like elements.
STUDY ON NEW ICE SLURRY GENERATOR USING NaCl AQUEOUS SOLUTION AT LOW CONCENTRATION
Authors: FUMOTO KOJI , KAWANAMI TSUYOSHI , INAMURA TAKAO
Published: February 2013

A cold thermal energy storage system has been developed for HVAC. There are many ice-based cooling systems operating around the world. Ice slurry, which is a mixture of fine ice crystals and liquid water, is utilized in ice storage systems owing to its good flowability and large latent heat of fusion. For slurry ice production techniques, there are presently a number of commercially available ice slurry generators (e.g., Supercooled slurry ice generator, Scraper type generator, and Vacuum type generator, etc.). In the present study, a new method was developed to generate ice slurry without the deposition of an ice layer on a cooled surface. The basic components of the experimental apparatus is a cooling brine circulating loop, a high pressure pump, a valve, an aqueous solution flow loop containing the test section, which is made of transparent acrylic, and the associated instrumentation. This new method is based on freezing-point depression of the aqueous solution, which is maintained under high-pressure conditions. To control the timing for solidification and to generate ice slurry, we investigated the relationships among the pressure and temperature of the aqueous solution. The freezing phenomenon of the aqueous solution in the test section was observed in detail. As a result, we developed a new ice slurry generator based on the new method that controls the pressure and temperature of the aqueous solution. Experimental results showed that the characteristics of the ice slurry generation were closely related to the pressure and initial stage temperature of the test fluid. Finally, the optimum operation condition of the ice slurry generator based on visualization experiment was discussed.