bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of runaway electrons using dosimetry of hard x-ray radiations in Damavand tokamak
Authors: Rasouli C. , Pourshahab B. , Hosseini Pooya S. M. , Orouji T. , Rasouli H.
Published: May 2014

In this work several studies have been conducted on hard x-ray emissions of Damavand tokamak based on radiation dosimetry using the Thermoluminescence method. The goal was to understand interactions of runaway electrons with plasma particles, vessel wall, and plasma facing components. Total of 354 GR-200 (LiF:Mg,Cu,P) thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) crystals have been placed on 118 points – three TLDs per point – to map hard x-ray radiation doses on the exterior of the vacuum vessel. Results show two distinctive levels of x-ray radiations doses on the exterior of the vessel. The low-dose area on which measured dose is about 0.5 mSv/shot. In the low-dose area there is no particular component inside the vessel. On the contrary, on high-dose area of the vessel, x-ray radiations dose exceeds 30 mSv/shot. The high-dose area coincides with the position of limiters, magnetic probe ducts, and vacuum vessel intersections. Among the high-dose areas, the highest level of dose is measured in the position of the limiter, which could be due to its direct contact with the plasma column and with runaway electrons. Direct collisions of runaway electrons with the vessel wall and plasma facing components make a major contribution for production of hard x-ray photons in Damavand tokamak.
Growth of Au nanoparticle films and the effect of nanoparticle shape on plasmon peak wavelength
Authors: Horikoshi S. , Matsumoto N. , Omata Y. , Kato T.
Published: May 2014

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and thus have potential for use in a wide range of applications. A facile technique for the preparation of NP films using an electron-cyclotron-resonance plasma sputtering method without a dewetting process is described. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observations revealed that the Au NPs grew independently as island-like particles during the first stage of sputtering and then coalesced with one another as sputtering time increased to ultimately form a continuous film. A plasmon absorption peak was observed via optical measurement of absorption efficiency. The LSPR peak shifted toward longer wavelengths (red shift) with an increase in sputtering time. The cause of this plasmon peak shift was theoretically investigated using the finite-difference time-domain calculation method. A realistic statistical distribution of the particle shapes based on FE-SEM observations was applied for the analysis, which has not been previously reported. It was determined that the change in the shape of the NPs from spheroidal to oval or slender due to coalescence with neighbouring NPs caused the LSPR peak shift. These results may enable the design of LSPR devices by controlling the characteristics of the nanoparticles, such as their size, shape, number density, and coverage.
Physically and chemically stable ionic liquid-infused textured surfaces showing excellent dynamic omniphobicity
Authors: Miranda Daniel F. , Urata Chihiro , Masheder Benjamin , Dunderdale Gary J. , Yagihashi Makoto , Hozumi Atsushi
Published: May 2014

A fluorinated and hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide, effectively served as an advantageous lubricating liquid for the preparation of physically and chemically stable omniphobic surfaces based on slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces. Here, we used particulate microstructures as supports, prepared by the chemical vapor deposition of 1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane and subsequent surface modification with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. Confirmed by SEM and contact angle measurements, the resulting IL-infused microtextured surfaces are smooth and not only water but also various low surface tension liquids can easily slide off at low substrate tilt angles of <5°, even after exposure to high temperature, vacuum, and UV irradiation.
Thermodynamic formalism of water uptakes on solid porous adsorbents for adsorption cooling applications
Authors: Sun Baichuan , Chakraborty Anutosh
Published: May 2014

This Letter presents a thermodynamic formulation to calculate the amount of water vapor uptakes on various adsorbents such as zeolites, metal organic frameworks, and silica gel for the development of an advanced adsorption chiller. This formalism is developed from the rigor of the partition distribution function of each water vapor adsorptive site on adsorbents and the condensation approximation of adsorptive water molecules and is validated with experimental data. An interesting and useful finding has been established that the proposed model is thermodynamically connected with the pore structures of adsorbent materials, and the water vapor uptake highly depends on the isosteric heat of adsorption at zero surface coverage and the adsorptive sites of the adsorbent materials. Employing the proposed model, the thermodynamic trends of water vapor uptakes on various adsorbents can be estimated.
A practical dimensionless equation for the thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes and CNT arrays
Authors: Chen Qiang , Huang Yonghua
Published: May 2014

Experimental results reported in the last decade on the thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown a fairly divergent behavior. An underlying intrinsic consistency was believed to exist in spite of the divergence in the thermal conductivity data of various CNTs. A dimenisonless equation that describes the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity was derived by introducing reduced forms relative to a chosen reference point. This equation can serve as a practical approximation to characterize the conductivity of individual CNT with different structural parameters as well as bulk CNT arrays with different bundle configurations. Comparison of predictions by the equation and historical measurements showed good agreements within their uncertainties.
Feasibility study of a novel methodology for solar radiation prediction on an hourly time scale: A case study in Plymouth, United Kingdom
Authors: Anvari-Moghaddam A. , Monsef H. , Rahimi-Kian A. , Nance Helen
Published: May 2014

Accurate forecasting of renewable energies provides a suitable means for efficient and secure operation of electricity grids and enables optimal energy market planning. This paper presents a number of novel prediction models for solar radiation prediction; and their performances are compared to those of conventional prediction models such as Neural Networks (NNs). All the developed models are based on linear predictive coding principles and image processing fundamentals using one and two-dimensional (1-D & 2-D) Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters. The studies of highly correlated solar radiations among different hours of a day and also among the identical hours of different days are important parts of the developed prediction models. The meteorological data was collected for the duration of May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012 from the Casella automatic weather station at Plymouth, UK. To prove the efficiency of the proposed prediction models, some similar data are used for all of the comparing predictive algorithms. It was observed that the performance of the 2-D FIR filters were better than that of the 1-D representations and NNs. However, their prediction quality greatly depends on the filter size and their related optimal tap weights.
Unsteady aerodynamics of a twist bladed H-Darrieus rotor in low Reynolds number flow
Authors: Biswas A. , Gupta R.
Published: May 2014

In this paper, an attempt is made to investigate the unsteady aerodynamics of a two-bladed H-Darrieus rotor having blade twist of 30° at the trailing edge when placed in low Reynolds number flow. The effect of low Re flow on the unsteady blade-fluid interactions has been studied in some details to understand the high power coefficient of such twist bladed rotor in low wind speed condition. Two-dimensional unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations are solved using Fluent 6.0 CFD software. The computational domain comprises of a large static domain and a rotating sub-domain, both are connected by a sliding mesh interface. The blade-fluid interactions have been investigated at different rotor azimuthal positions. The effect of low Reynolds number flow from dynamic stall is shown in the velocity profiles, pressure and torque-coefficients distributions. The combination of interactions of vortices on the leading edge and interactions of the same on the trailing edge of the returning blade increases torque coefficient of the rotor during its power stroke compared to untwisted rotor. The present numerical model could be built into a 3D CFD model to investigate the effect of different blade aspect ratios on the stall vortex interactions at trailing edge so as to improve the unsteady performance of such twist bladed rotor in low Re flow.
Isotopically modified silver nanoparticles to assess nanosilver bioavailability and toxicity at environmentally relevant exposures
Authors: Croteau Marie-Noële , Dybowska Agnieszka D. , Luoma Samuel N. , Misra Superb K. , Valsami-Jones Eugenia
Published: May 2014

Environmental context Predicting the environmental implications of nanotechnology is complex in part because of the difficulty in studying nanoparticle uptake in organisms at environmentally realistic exposures. Typically, high exposure concentrations are needed to detect accumulation and effects. We use labelled Ag nanoparticles to determine whether Ag bioaccumulation responses are linear over concentrations likely to occur in the environment, and whether concentration-dependent changes in agglomeration and dissolution affect bioavailability. Abstract A major challenge in understanding the environmental implications of nanotechnology lies in studying nanoparticle uptake in organisms at environmentally realistic exposure concentrations. Typically, high exposure concentrations are needed to trigger measurable effects and to detect accumulation above background. But application of tracer techniques can overcome these limitations. Here we synthesised, for the first time, citrate-coated Ag nanoparticles using Ag that was 99.7% 109Ag. In addition to conducting reactivity and dissolution studies, we assessed the bioavailability and toxicity of these isotopically modified Ag nanoparticles (109Ag NPs) to a freshwater snail under conditions typical of nature. We showed that accumulation of 109Ag from 109Ag NPs is detectable in the tissues of Lymnaea stagnalis after 24-h exposure to aqueous concentrations as low as 6ngL–1 as well as after 3h of dietary exposure to concentrations as low as 0.07μgg–1. Silver uptake from unlabelled Ag NPs would not have been detected under similar exposure conditions. Uptake rates of 109Ag from 109Ag NPs mixed with food or dispersed in water were largely linear over a wide range of concentrations. Particle dissolution was most important at low waterborne concentrations. We estimated that 70% of the bioaccumulated 109Ag concentration in L. stagnalis at exposures <0.1µgL–1 originated from the newly solubilised Ag. Above this concentration, we predicted that 80% of the bioaccumulated 109Ag concentration originated from the 109Ag NPs. It was not clear if agglomeration had a major influence on uptake rates.
Effects of differential habitat warming on complex communities
Authors: Tunney Tyler D. , McCann Kevin S. , Lester Nigel P. , Shuter Brian J.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Organisms may adjust their behavior to stay cool as natural habitats differentially warm with rising air temperature. Undoubtedly, fundamental ecosystem properties will change in turn, but the impact of the dynamic thermal mosaic on food web interactions is not considered in traditional climate change research. To demonstrate differential warming effects on food webs, we use boreal lakes to show that the energy pathways leading to an apex predator shift, according to thermal preference, and the vertical pathway lengthened in warmer climate. Such a fundamental food web restructuring is expected to increase predator contaminant levels and alter community dynamics in ecosystems—a particular concern for conservation of boreal lakes, which house a significant portion of Earth’s freshwater life.
DA-Raf–dependent inhibition of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells controls alveolar formation
Authors: Watanabe-Takano Haruko , Takano Kazunori , Sakamoto Akemi , Matsumoto Kenji , Tokuhisa Takeshi , Endo Takeshi , Hatano Masahiko
Published: May 2014

Significance

Alveoli participating in gas exchange are essential for maintaining life in air-breathing vertebrates. In developing lungs, alveolar myofibroblasts (AMYFs) cause morphological changes of interalveolar walls and consequently generate alveoli. Although the Ras-ERK signaling pathway is known to regulate alveolar formation, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying its role remain largely obscure. Here, we clarified a critical role of DA-Raf1 (DA-Raf)—a dominant-negative antagonist of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway—in alveolar formation. DA-Raf–deficient mice displayed alveolar dysgenesis resulting from defective AMYF differentiation. DA-Raf–dependent MEK1/2 inhibition in type 2 alveolar epithelial cells induces activation of matrix metalloproteinases, which is required for AMYF differentiation. Our findings reveal a pivotal role of DA-Raf–mediated regulation of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway in alveolar formation.
Physiological and ultrastructural features of human induced pluripotent and embryonic stem cell-derived skeletal myocytes in vitro
Authors: Skoglund Gunnar , Lainé Jeanne , Darabi Radbod , Fournier Emmanuel , Perlingeiro Rita , Tabti Nacira
Published: May 2014

Significance

Patients with inherited skeletal muscle diseases are offered little else than symptomatic relief, even when responsible genes have been identified. Access to human skeletal muscle through induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has opened new prospects for basic research and drug discovery. Yet the exact nature of iPS-derived skeletal muscle cells needs to be explored to assess their relevance to pathophysiological studies. We show, for the first time to our knowledge, that human iPS-derived skeletal myocytes acquire functional and ultrastructural landmarks of skeletal muscle and reach, in vitro, the same degree of maturity as their embryonic counterparts. This detailed characterization, besides validating the model, paves the way for exploring the pathophysiology and pharmacology of skeletal muscle diseases using patient-derived iPS cells.
microRNA 28 controls cell proliferation and is down-regulated in B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Schneider Christof , Setty Manu , Holmes Antony B. , Maute Roy L. , Leslie Christina S. , Mussolin Lara , Rosolen Angelo , Dalla-Favera Riccardo , Basso Katia
Published: May 2014

Significance

The majority of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas arise from the malignant transformation of germinal center B cells. The molecular pathogenesis of these malignancies is not fully understood. Although a number of oncogenes and tumor suppressors have been identified among protein-coding genes, the role of microRNAs during lymphomagenesis remains largely unexplored. Our results identify a role for microRNA 28 (miR-28) in normal and malignant germinal center B cells. These data provide new insights on the microRNA-mediated posttranscriptional regulation occurring in normal germinal center B cells as well as during lymphomagenesis. In addition, the identification of a cross talk between miR-28 and v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog extends the relevance of our observations to a wide variety of malignancies.
Cryo-electron microscopy of tubular arrays of HIV-1 Gag resolves structures essential for immature virus assembly
Authors: Bharat Tanmay A. M. , Castillo Menendez Luis R. , Hagen Wim J. H. , Lux Vanda , Igonet Sebastien , Schorb Martin , Schur Florian K. M. , Kräusslich Hans-Georg , Briggs John A. G.
Published: May 2014

Significance

HIV-1 undergoes a two-step assembly process. First, an immature noninfectious particle is assembled, which leaves the infected cell. Second, the structural protein, Gag, is cleaved in the virus by the viral protease, and this leads to formation of the infectious virus. The immature virus particle therefore represents the key intermediate in HIV-1 assembly. There is currently no high-resolution information available on the arrangement of Gag within immature HIV-1. We have assembled part of HIV-1 Gag in vitro to form immature virus-like tubular protein arrays, and have solved a subnanometer-resolution structure of these arrays by using cryo-EM and tomography. This structure reveals interactions of the C-terminal capsid domain of Gag that are critical for HIV-1 assembly.
Loss of the tyrosine phosphatase PTPRD leads to aberrant STAT3 activation and promotes gliomagenesis
Authors: Ortiz Berenice , Fabius Armida W. M. , Wu Wei H. , Pedraza Alicia , Brennan Cameron W. , Schultz Nikolaus , Pitter Kenneth L. , Bromberg Jacqueline F. , Huse Jason T. , Holland Eric C. , Chan Timothy A.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-δ (
PTPRD
) is a frequently inactivated tumor-suppressor gene. We demonstrate that
Ptprd
inactivation in the context of
Cdkn2a/p16

Ink4a

deletion is sufficient to promote tumorigenesis in vivo
.
Our mouse model closely recapitulates the genetic events on chromosome 9p that occur in cancer. We demonstrate that PTPRD is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor and provide a rationale for the high frequency of heterozygous loss of
PTPRD
in human glioblastoma. Finally, this study establishes loss of
PTPRD
, a STAT3 phosphatase, as a cause of STAT3 hyperactivation in gliomas.
Bitter triggers acetylcholine release from polymodal urethral chemosensory cells and bladder reflexes
Authors: Deckmann Klaus , Filipski Katharina , Krasteva-Christ Gabriela , Fronius Martin , Althaus Mike , Rafiq Amir , Papadakis Tamara , Renno Liane , Jurastow Innokentij , Wessels Lars , Wolff Miriam , Schütz Burkhard , Weihe Eberhard , Chubanov Vladimir , Gudermann Thomas , Klein Jochen , Bschleipfer Thomas , Kummer Wolfgang
Published: May 2014

Significance

We report the presence of a previously unidentified cholinergic, polymodal chemosensory cell in the mammalian urethra, the potential portal of entry for bacteria and harmful substances into the urogenital system. These cells exhibit structural markers of respiratory chemosensory cells (“brush cells”). They use the classical taste transduction cascade to detect potential hazardous compounds (bitter, umami, uropathogenic bacteria) and release acetylcholine in response. They lie next to sensory nerve fibers that carry acetylcholine receptors, and placing a bitter compound in the urethra enhances activity of the bladder detrusor muscle. Thus, monitoring of urethral content is linked to bladder control via a previously unrecognized cell type.
Climate change and forest fires synergistically drive widespread melt events of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Keegan Kaitlin M. , Albert Mary R. , McConnell Joseph R. , Baker Ian
Published: May 2014

Significance

Through an examination of shallow ice cores covering a wide area of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GIS), we show that the same mechanism drove two widespread melt events that occurred over 100 years apart, in 1889 and 2012. We found that black carbon from forest fires and rising temperatures combined to cause both of these events, and that continued climate change may result in nearly annual melting of the surface of the GIS by the year 2100. In addition, a positive feedback mechanism may be set in motion whereby melt water is retained as refrozen ice layers within the snow pack, causing lower albedo and leaving the ice sheet surface even more susceptible to future melting.
Two-photon imaging of remyelination of spinal cord axons by engrafted neural precursor cells in a viral model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Greenberg Milton L. , Weinger Jason G. , Matheu Melanie P. , Carbajal Kevin S. , Parker Ian , Macklin Wendy B. , Lane Thomas E. , Cahalan Michael D.
Published: May 2014

Significance

Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising cell-based therapy for the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). This study provides the first real-time imaging of transplanted stem cell-mediated remyelination in a mouse model of MS. Whereas current treatments solely delay disease progression, transplanted stem cells actively reverse clinical disease in animal models. Using two-photon microscopy and viral-induced demyelination, we describe a technique to visualize cellular migration and remyelination in the mouse spinal cord. Transplanted neural precursor cells physically wrap damaged axons with newly formed myelin, preserving axonal health.
Deoxypolypeptides bind and cleave RNA
Authors: Cheng Liang , Mahendran Adaickapillai , Gonzalez Ruben L. , Breslow Ronald
Published: May 2014

Significance

This paper describes an important new example of our previously described class of compounds, deoxygenated polypeptides (DOPPs), in which polypeptides are converted into polyamines by changing carbonyl groups into methylene groups. Of particular interest, the conversion does not interfere with the chirality or functional groups of the polypeptides, so they become stereospecific species that differentially bind and cleave RNA. This class of polyamines made from polypeptides has great potential as medicinally important binders and selective catalysts, because the polyamine backbone is hydrolytically stable and not cleaved by enzymes, and carries well-defined chirality and potential polyfunctionality in defined places along the chain. They are single species, not polymeric mixtures, just as synthetic polypeptides are.
Differential roles of the dopamine 1-class receptors, D1R and D5R, in hippocampal dependent memory
Authors: Sariñana Joshua , Kitamura Takashi , Künzler Patrik , Sultzman Lisa , Tonegawa Susumu
Published: May 2014

Significance

Pharmacological and global KO studies have worked to elucidate the function of dopamine 1-class receptors (D1Rs and D5Rs) in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Yet, these manipulations are unable to restrict D1R from D5R activity within hippocampal subregions. We generated mice that lack D1Rs or D5Rs in dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells of the hippocampus. This allowed us to characterize the precise role of D1Rs and D5Rs in modulating c-Fos activity in the hippocampus and in Pavlovian fear conditioning. We demonstrate that DG D1R deletion, but not D5R deletion, increases DG granule cell baseline c-Fos activity, decreases DG and CA3 c-Fos activity in response to contextual exposure and to contextual fear conditioning, impairs contextual memory formation, and enhances generalization of the conditioned fear response.
If rendaku isn’t a rule, what in the world is it?
Authors: Vance Timothy J.
Published: May 2014

The morphophonemic voicing phenomenon in Japanese known as rendaku is highly irregular, but several factors are believed to make rendaku more or less likely. This paper reviews some experiments intended to test the psychological reality of three such factors: Lyman’s Law, the semantic relationship between the two elements in noun + verb compound nouns, and salient semantic or phonological resemblances between novel compounds and existing compounds. The evidence suggests that each of these factors has at least a detectable effect on responses in experimental situations. Any realistic overall account of rendaku will have to incorporate a signiﬁcant degree of intractable irregularity, but it will also have to be consistent with the intuition of naïve native speakers that rendaku is predictable.
Coordinating and implementing multiple systems for forest management: implications of the regulatory framework for sustainable forestry in Sweden
Authors: Johansson Johanna , H. Keskitalo E. Carina
Published: May 2014

The complexity of multi-level governance is well illustrated by forest management in one of Europe's large forested states, Sweden. Deregulated government policies emphasize ‘freedom with responsibility’, largely expecting the forest sector to determine ways in which policy goals and legal requirements are reached. In relation to this, Sweden has become one of the countries with the largest share of forests certified by third-party organizations, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), in accordance with specific environmental and social criteria. This multi-level case study draws on official documents and semi-structured interviews to analyze Swedish forest governance; specifically, the impact of multiplicity and complexity of environmental considerations on agreement over goal coordination, implementation, and evaluation for feedback and accountability. This contributes to previous research by analyzing interactions between state regulation and certification at multiple levels.
The late endosomal p14–MP1 (LAMTOR2/3) complex regulates focal adhesion dynamics during cell migration
Authors: Schiefermeier Natalia , Scheffler Julia M. , de Araujo Mariana E.G. , Stasyk Taras , Yordanov Teodor , Ebner Hannes L. , Offterdinger Martin , Munck Sebastian , Hess Michael W. , Wickström Sara A. , Lange Anika , Wunderlich Winfried , Fässler Reinhard , Teis David , Huber Lukas A.
Published: May 2014

Cell migration is mediated by the dynamic remodeling of focal adhesions (FAs). Recently, an important role of endosomal signaling in regulation of cell migration was recognized. Here, we show an essential function for late endosomes carrying the p14–MP1 (LAMTOR2/3) complex in FA dynamics. p14–MP1-positive endosomes move to the cell periphery along microtubules (MTs) in a kinesin1- and Arl8b-dependent manner. There they specifically target FAs to regulate FA turnover, which is required for cell migration. Using genetically modified fibroblasts from p14-deficient mice and Arl8b-depleted cells, we demonstrate that MT plus end–directed traffic of p14–MP1-positive endosomes triggered IQGAP1 disassociation from FAs. The release of IQGAP was required for FA dynamics. Taken together, our results suggest that late endosomes contribute to the regulation of cell migration by transporting the p14–MP1 scaffold complex to the vicinity of FAs.
Co-inhibition of NF-κB and JNK is synergistic in TNF-expressing human AML
Authors: Volk Andrew , Li Jing , Xin Junping , You Dewen , Zhang Jun , Liu Xinli , Xiao Yechen , Breslin Peter , Li Zejuan , Wei Wei , Schmidt Rachel , Li Xingyu , Zhang Zhou , Kuo Paul C. , Nand Sucha , Zhang Jianke , Chen Jianjun , Zhang Jiwang
Published: May 2014

Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) isolated from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients are more sensitive to nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) inhibition-induced cell death when compared with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in in vitro culture. However, inadequate anti-leukemic activity of NF-κB inhibition in vivo suggests the presence of additional survival/proliferative signals that can compensate for NF-κB inhibition. AML subtypes M3, M4, and M5 cells produce endogenous tumor necrosis factor α (TNF). Although stimulating HSPC with TNF promotes necroptosis and apoptosis, similar treatment with AML cells (leukemic cells, LCs) results in an increase in survival and proliferation. We determined that TNF stimulation drives the JNK–AP1 pathway in a manner parallel to NF-κB, leading to the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes in LC. We found that we can significantly sensitize LC to NF-κB inhibitor treatment by blocking the TNF–JNK–AP1 signaling pathway. Our data suggest that co-inhibition of both TNF–JNK–AP1 and NF-κB signals may provide a more comprehensive treatment paradigm for AML patients with TNF-expressing LC.
Efficacy of a Washer-Disinfector in Eliminating Healthcare-Associated Pathogens from Surgical Instruments
Authors: Rutala William A. , Gergen Maria F. , Weber David J.
Published: May 2014

This study was designed to test the efficacy of a washer-disinfector in eliminating selected healthcare-associated pathogens from surgical instruments. Our results showed that a washer-disinfector was extremely effective in eliminating microorganisms (>7-log10 reduction), including vegetative and spore-forming bacteria, from experimentally contaminated instruments. The washer-disinfector remained effective in eliminating microorganisms in the absence of enzymatic cleaners and detergents.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(7):883–885
The Prediction of Complicated Clostridium difficile Infections in Children
Authors: Tschudin-Sutter Sarah , Tamma Pranita D. , Milstone Aaron M. , Perl Trish M.
Published: May 2014

We validated proposed definitions for severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in adults for prediction of complicated CDI in children. Complicated CDI occurred in 9 of 202 cases. Definitions for severe CDI in adults showed poor measures for discrimination of complicated CDI in children, which calls into question the usefulness of such definitions in pediatric cohorts.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(7):901–903
Influenza Hospitalizations Among American Indian/Alaska Native People and in the United States General Population
Authors: Gounder Prabhu P. , Callinan Laura S. , Holman Robert C. , Cheng Po-Yung , Bruce Michael G. , Redd John T. , Steiner Claudia A. , Bresee Joseph , Hennessy Thomas W.
Published: May 2014

Background.  Historically, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people have experienced a disproportionate burden of infectious disease morbidity compared with the general US population. We evaluated whether a disparity in influenza hospitalizations exists between AI/AN people and the general US population.

Methods.  We used Indian Health Service hospital discharge data (2001–2011) for AI/AN people and 13 State Inpatient Databases (2001–2008) to provide a comparison to the US population. Hospitalization rates were calculated by respiratory year (July–June). Influenza-specific hospitalizations were defined as discharges with any influenza diagnoses. Influenza-associated hospitalizations were calculated using negative binomial regression models that incorporated hospitalization and influenza laboratory surveillance data.

Results.  The mean influenza-specific hospitalization rate/100 000 persons/year during the 2001–2002 to 2007–2008 respiratory years was 18.6 for AI/AN people and 15.6 for the comparison US population. The age-adjusted influenza-associated hospitalization rate for AI/AN people (98.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 51.6–317.8) was similar to the comparison US population (58.2; CI, 34.7–172.2). By age, influenza-associated hospitalization rates were significantly higher among AI/AN infants (<1 year) (1070.7; CI, 640.7–2969.5) than the comparison US infant population (210.2; CI, 153.5–478.5).

Conclusions.  American Indian/Alaska Native people had higher influenza-specific hospitalization rates than the comparison US population; a significant influenza-associated hospitalization rate disparity was detected only among AI/AN infants because of the wide CIs inherent to the model. Taken together, the influenza-specific and influenza-associated hospitalization rates suggest that AI/AN people might suffer disproportionately from influenza illness compared with the general US population.
Multi-object and long-slit spectroscopy of very low mass brown dwarfs in the Orion Nebular Cluster
Authors: Suenaga Takuya , Tamura Motohide , Kuzuhara Masayuki , Yanagisawa Kenshi , Ishii Miki , Lucas Philip W.
Published: May 2014

We present the results of an H- and K-band multi-object and long-slit spectroscopic survey of substellar mass candidates in the outer regions of the Orion Nebula Cluster. The spectra were obtained using MOIRCS on the 8.2 m Subaru telescope and ISLE on the 1.88 m telescope of Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. Eight out of twelve spectra show strong water absorption and we confirm that their effective temperatures are ≤ 3000 K (spectral type ≥ M6) from a chi-square fit to synthetic spectra. We plot our sources on an HR diagram overlaid with theoretical isochrones of low-mass objects and identify three new young brown dwarf candidates. One of the three new candidates is a cool object near the brown dwarf and planetary mass boundary. Based on our observations and those of previous studies, we determine the stellar (0.08 < M/M⊙ < 1) to substellar (0.03 < M/M⊙ < 0.08) mass number ratio in the outer regions of the Orion Nebular Cluster to be 3.5 ± 0.8. In combination with the number ratio reported for the central region ($3.3^{+0.8} _{-0.7}$), this result suggests the number ratio does not simply change with the distance from the center of the Orion Nebular Cluster.
Need for Immunization Against Hepatotropic Viruses in Children With Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Srivastava Anshu , Mathias Amrita , Yachha Surender Kumar , Agarwal Jaya , Aggarwal Rakesh
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Infection with hepatotropic viruses is a common cause of acute deterioration and adverse outcome in children with chronic liver disease (CLD). Such superimposed infections may be preventable through vaccination. The present study aimed to evaluate the exposure rates of hepatitis A, B, and E viruses in children with CLD and suggest an optimal vaccination strategy.

Methods:

Children with CLD were prospectively evaluated with a demographic, clinical, and investigative proforma. Hepatitis B surface antigen positive cases were labeled as hepatitis B virus–CLD, and all other etiologies as non–HBV‐related CLD. Patients were tested for exposure to hepatitis A (total anti–hepatitis A virus [HAV], immunoglobulin M anti‐HAV), hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen, total anti‐hepatitis B core, anti–hepatitis B surface), and hepatitis E (IgG anti–hepatitis E virus).

Results:

A total of 142 children with CLD (age 9.1 ± 3.7 years, 83 [58.5%] boys) were enrolled. A total of 3.5% (5/142) and 38.7% (55/142) had received HAV and HBV vaccines, respectively. A total of 134 (94.4%) were total anti‐HAV positive including 5 postimmunization patients, with higher positivity in those older than 5 years (19/25 vs 115/117; P = 0.001). Of the 115 patients with non–HBV‐related CLD, 45 (39.1%) had exposure to HBV (40 total anti–hepatitis B core positive and 5 anti‐HBs positive without immunization). Only 28 of 142 (19.7%) patients were IgG anti‐HEV positive, with no difference across age.

Conclusions:

A total of 90.8%, 39.1%, and 19.7% of children with CLD from the developing world are exposed to hepatitis A, B, and E infections, respectively. Selective hepatitis A vaccination (patients younger than 5 years of age) and universal hepatitis B vaccination are required to protect children with CLD. Sanitation improvement and HEV vaccine trial are needed for prevention against HEV.
Effects of Term Infant Formulas Containing High sn‐2 Palmitate With and Without Oligofructose on Stool Composition, Stool Characteristics, and Bifidogenicity
Authors: Yao Manjiang , Lien Eric L. , Capeding Maria R.Z. , Fitzgerald Margaret , Ramanujam Kalathur , Yuhas Rebecca , Northington Robert , Lebumfacil Jowena , Wang Lin , DeRusso Patricia A.
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Levels of stool fatty acid soaps and beneficial bacteria differ between formula‐fed and breast‐fed infants; addition of specific formula ingredients may reduce these differences. This study evaluated the effects of a term infant formula containing high sn‐2 palmitate term infant formula (sn‐2) or an identical formula supplemented with oligofructose (OF) at 2 concentrations (sn‐2+3 g/L OF, sn‐2+5 g/L OF) on stool composition, stool characteristics, and fecal bifidobacteria.

Methods:

Healthy, term formula‐fed infants 7 to 14 days old (n = 300) were randomized in a double‐blind manner to receive standard formula (control), sn‐2, sn‐2+3 g/L OF, or sn‐2+5 g/L OF for 8 weeks. Human milk (HM)–fed infants (n = 75) were studied in parallel. Stool samples were collected from all subjects at week 8 for fatty acid soaps and mineral content, and from a subset at baseline and week 8 for bifidobacteria. Stool characteristics were assessed via 3‐day diary.

Results:

The sn‐2 group had 46% less stool soap palmitate (P < 0.001) and softer stools than control (20% more mushy soft stools, P = 0.026; 50% fewer formed stools, P = 0.003). Addition of OF resulted in even fewer formed stools versus control (65% fewer for sn‐2+3 g/L OF, 79% fewer for sn‐2+5 g/L OF), with 5 g/L OF more closely resembling that of HM‐fed infants. Both sn‐2 (P < 0.05) and sn‐2 with OF groups (P < 0.01) had significantly higher fecal bifidobacteria concentrations than control at week 8, not differing from HM‐fed infants.

Conclusions:

High sn‐2‐palmitate formulas led to reduced stool soaps, softer stools, and increased bifidobacteria, whereas addition of OF further improved stool consistency. Those modifications brought outcomes in formula‐fed infants closer to that in HM‐fed infants.
On the use of inexact, pruned hardware in atmospheric modelling
Authors: Düben Peter D. , Joven Jaume , Lingamneni Avinash , McNamara Hugh , De Micheli Giovanni , Palem Krishna V. , Palmer T. N.
Published: May 2014

Inexact hardware design, which advocates trading the accuracy of computations in exchange for significant savings in area, power and/or performance of computing hardware, has received increasing prominence in several error-tolerant application domains, particularly those involving perceptual or statistical end-users. In this paper, we evaluate inexact hardware for its applicability in weather and climate modelling. We expand previous studies on inexact techniques, in particular
probabilistic pruning
, to floating point arithmetic units and derive several simulated set-ups of pruned hardware with reasonable levels of error for applications in atmospheric modelling. The set-up is tested on the Lorenz ‘96 model, a toy model for atmospheric dynamics, using software emulation for the proposed hardware. The results show that large parts of the computation tolerate the use of pruned hardware blocks without major changes in the quality of short- and long-time diagnostics, such as forecast errors and probability density functions. This could open the door to significant savings in computational cost and to higher resolution simulations with weather and climate models.
Changing computing paradigms towards power efficiency
Authors: Klavík Pavel , Malossi A. Cristiano I. , Bekas Costas , Curioni Alessandro
Published: May 2014

Power awareness is fast becoming immensely important in computing, ranging from the traditional high-performance computing applications to the new generation of data centric workloads. In this work, we describe our efforts towards a power-efficient computing paradigm that combines low- and high-precision arithmetic. We showcase our ideas for the widely used kernel of solving systems of linear equations that finds numerous applications in scientific and engineering disciplines as well as in large-scale data analytics, statistics and machine learning. Towards this goal, we developed tools for the seamless power profiling of applications at a fine-grain level. In addition, we verify here previous work on post-FLOPS/W metrics and show that these can shed much more light in the power/energy profile of important applications.
Improving the energy efficiency of sparse linear system solvers on multicore and manycore systems
Authors: Anzt H. , Quintana-Ortí E. S.
Published: May 2014

While most recent breakthroughs in scientific research rely on complex simulations carried out in large-scale supercomputers, the power draft and energy spent for this purpose is increasingly becoming a limiting factor to this trend. In this paper, we provide an overview of the current status in energy-efficient scientific computing by reviewing different technologies used to monitor power draft as well as power- and energy-saving mechanisms available in commodity hardware. For the particular domain of sparse linear algebra, we analyse the energy efficiency of a broad collection of hardware architectures and investigate how algorithmic and implementation modifications can improve the energy performance of sparse linear system solvers, without negatively impacting their performance.
More reliable forecasts with less precise computations: a fast-track route to cloud-resolved weather and climate simulators?
Authors: Palmer T. N.
Published: May 2014

This paper sets out a new methodological approach to solving the equations for simulating and predicting weather and climate. In this approach, the conventionally hard boundary between the dynamical core and the sub-grid parametrizations is blurred. This approach is motivated by the relatively shallow power-law spectrum for atmospheric energy on scales of hundreds of kilometres and less. It is first argued that, because of this, the closure schemes for weather and climate simulators should be based on stochastic–dynamic systems rather than deterministic formulae. Second, as high-wavenumber elements of the dynamical core will necessarily inherit this stochasticity during time integration, it is argued that the dynamical core will be significantly over-engineered if all computations, regardless of scale, are performed completely deterministically and if all variables are represented with maximum numerical precision (in practice using double-precision floating-point numbers). As the era of exascale computing is approached, an energy- and computationally efficient approach to cloud-resolved weather and climate simulation is described where determinism and numerical precision are focused on the largest scales only.
Adaptation to a novel predator inDrosophila melanogaster: How well are we able to predict evolutionary responses?
Authors: DeNieu Michael , Pitchers William , Dworkin Ian
Published: May 2014

Evolutionary theory is sufficiently well developed to allow for short-term prediction of evolutionary trajectories. In addition to the presence of heritable variation, prediction requires knowledge of the form of natural selection on relevant traits. While many studies estimate the form of natural selection, few examine the degree to which traits evolve in the predicted direction. In this study we examine the form of natural selection imposed by mantid predation on wing size and shape in the fruitfly,Drosophila melanogaster. We then evolve populations ofD. melanogasterunder predation pressure, and examine the extent to which wing size and shape have responded in the predicted direction. We demonstrate that wing form partially evolves along the predicted vector from selection, more so than for control lineages. Furthermore, we re-examined phenotypic selection after ∼30 generations of experimental evolution. We observed that the magnitude of selection on wing size and shape was diminished in populations evolving with mantid predators, while the direction of the selection vector differed from that of the ancestral population for shape. We discuss these findings in the context of the predictability of evolutionary responses, and the need for fully multivariate approaches.
Bis[tris(propane-1,3-diamine-κ2N,N′)nickel(II)] diaquabis(propane-1,3-diamine-κ2N,N′)nickel(II) hexabromide dihydrate
Authors: Yangui Aymen , Rekik Walid , Elleuch Slim , Abid Younes
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, [Ni(C3H10N2)3]2[Ni(C3H10N2)2(H2O)2]Br6·2H2O, one Ni2+cation, located on an inversion centre, is coordinated by four N atoms from two ligands and by two water O atoms. The other Ni2+cation, located in a general position, is coordinated by six N atoms from three ligands. In both cases, the Ni2+cation has an octahedral coordination environment. The overall structural cohesion is ensured by three types of hydrogen bonds, N—H...Br, O—H...Br and O—H...O, which connect the two types of complex cations, the bromide counter-anions and the lattice water molecules into a three-dimensional network.
1,1,1-Tris(dimethylamino)-2-[tris(dimethylamino)phosphoranylidene]diphosphinium tetraphenylborate tetrahydrofuran monosolvate
Authors: Ellis Bobby D. , Morasset Erica V. , Macdonald Charles L. B.
Published: May 2014

In the tetrahydrofuran solvate of the title salt, C12H36N6P3+·C24H20B−·C4H8O, the cation features short P—P bond lengths [2.1111 (11) and 2.1364 (10) Å] and a distinctly bent P—P—P angle [104.67 (4)°] that confirm that the molecule is not allene-like. In the crystal, the solvent molecule is linked to the cationviaa weak C—H...O hydrogen bond.
New Labour, New Narrative? Political Strategy and the Discourse of Globalisation
Authors: Dye Daniel T.
Published: May 2014

Research Highlights and Abstract

Contrary to conventional analyses, the British Labour Party most closely pursued a ‘median voter’ strategy before 1994, to little success. ‘Globalisation-as-inevitability’ was a key organising trope of ‘New Labour’ discourse across the subsequent Blair and Brown eras. Globalisation was represented in public texts in a way that buttressed New Labour's new strategic agenda of emphasising economic competence and pragmatism over ideology. The globalisation discourse also changed over time, containing greater emphases on the constraining effect of globalisation after Labour came to power in 1997. New Labour's risky rhetorical support for the EU was linked to globalisation claims and further served to distinguish Labour modernisation from Tory dogmatism.

At the Labour Party conference in 2005, Tony Blair declared that debating globalisation would be like debating ‘whether autumn should follow summer’. This articulation of the imperatives of a newly-globalised world was central to the creation of ‘New’ Labour. How should we understand this turn from the autonomous socialism promised a generation earlier? In this article, I propose that Labour's discourse was produced in response to strategic demands of political competition. Synthesising Riker's concept of heresthetics with insights from discourse analysis, the article proposes parties as discursive-herestheticians who constructively use rhetorical tropes to achieve concrete ends. This approach is applied to Labour through qualitative textual analysis of speeches and documents, read in the context of electoral strategy. The analysis produces an alternative interpretation of New Labour strategy that serves as a corrective to the ‘cartel party’ account of Labour having abandoned real political competition in favour of the centre ground.
Training teaching staff to facilitate spontaneous communication in children with autism: Adult Interactive Style Intervention (AISI)
Authors: Kossyvaki Lila , Jones Glenys , Guldberg Karen
Published: May 2014

Previous research has demonstrated that the way adults interact with children with autism can have a great impact on their spontaneous communication. However, to date, few studies have focused on modifying adults' behaviour and even fewer have been conducted in school settings which actively involve teaching staff in designing the intervention. The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to explore the extent to which staff were able to build on their good practice and alter their interactive style and (2) to then assess the effects of this change on children's communication. The study used an action research methodology and involved three members of staff and six children with autism. The staff and the researcher developed an Adult Interactive Style Intervention (AISI) in partnership. This was based on two theoretical models of child development and disability. Data were collected pre‐ and post‐intervention and at follow‐up (12 months after the end of the main study) to measure change. The results showed that staff considerably increased the number of times they used AISI principles post‐intervention and that this change had a significant impact on the children's spontaneous communication. All three staff took an active participatory role in the study which was considered a very positive and empowering experience.