bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An appetitive conditioned stimulus enhances fear acquisition and impairs fear extinction
Authors: Leung Hiu T. , Holmes Nathan M. , Westbrook R. Frederick
Published: February 2016

Four experiments used between- and within-subject designs to examine appetitive–aversive interactions in rats. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effect of an excitatory appetitive conditioned stimulus (CS) on acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear. In Experiment 1, a CS shocked in a compound with an appetitive excitor (i.e., a stimulus previously paired with sucrose) underwent greater fear conditioning than a CS shocked in a compound with a neutral stimulus. Conversely, in Experiment 2, a CS extinguished in a compound with an appetitive excitor underwent less extinction than a CS extinguished in a compound with a neutral stimulus. Experiments 3 and 4 compared the amount of fear conditioning to an appetitive excitor and a familiar but neutral target CS when the compound of these stimuli was paired with shock. In each experiment, more fear accrued to the appetitive excitor than to the neutral CS. These results show that an appetitive excitor influences acquisition and extinction of conditioned fear to a neutral CS and itself undergoes a greater associative change than the neutral CS across compound conditioning. They are discussed with respect to the role of motivational information in regulating an associative change in appetitive–aversive interactions.
What–where–when memory and encoding strategies in healthy aging
Authors: Cheke Lucy G.
Published: February 2016

Older adults exhibit disproportionate impairments in memory for item-associations. These impairments may stem from an inability to self-initiate deep encoding strategies. The present study investigates this using the “treasure-hunt task”; a what–where–when style episodic memory test that requires individuals to “hide” items around complex scenes. This task separately assesses memory for item, location, and temporal order, as well as bound what–where–when information. The results suggest that older adults are able to ameliorate integration memory deficits by using self-initiated encoding strategies when these are externally located and therefore place reduced demands on working memory and attentional resources.
Temperature-dependent EXAFS study of the local structure and lattice dynamics in cubic Y2O3
Authors: Jonane Inga , Lazdins Karlis , Timoshenko Janis , Kuzmin Alexei , Purans Juris , Vladimirov Pavel , Gräning Tim , Hoffmann Jan
Published: February 2016

The local structure and lattice dynamics in cubic Y2O3were studied at the YK-edge by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the temperature range from 300 to 1273 K. The temperature dependence of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure was successfully interpreted using classical molecular dynamics and a novel reverse Monte Carlo method, coupled with the evolutionary algorithm. The obtained results allowed the temperature dependence of the yttria atomic structure to be followed up to ∼6 Å and to validate two force-field models.
Analysis and control of the photon beam position at PLS-II
Authors: Ko J. , Kim I.-Y. , Kim C. , Kim D.-T. , Huang J.-Y. , Shin S.
Published: February 2016

At third-generation light sources, the photon beam position stability is a critical issue for user experiments. In general, photon beam position monitors are developed to detect the real photon beam position, and the position is controlled by a feedback system in order to maintain the reference photon beam position. At Pohang Light Source II, a photon beam position stability of less than 1 µm r.m.s. was achieved for a user service period in the beamline, where the photon beam position monitor is installed. Nevertheless, a detailed analysis of the photon beam position data was necessary in order to ensure the performance of the photon beam position monitor, since it can suffer from various unknown types of noise, such as background contamination due to upstream or downstream dipole radiation, and undulator gap dependence. This paper reports the results of a start-to-end study of the photon beam position stability and a singular value decomposition analysis to confirm the reliability of the photon beam position data.
A multi-analytical approach to understand and predict the mobile commerce adoption
Authors: Yadav Rajan , Sharma Sujeet Kumar , Tarhini Ali
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The advent of mobile telephony devices with strong internet capabilities has laid the foundation for mobile commerce (m-commerce) services. The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine predictors of m-commerce adoption using a modification of the widely used technology acceptance model and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data were collected from 213 respondents by means of an online survey. The data were analyzed through multi analytic approach by employing structural equation modeling (SEM) and neural network modeling.

Findings

– The SEM results showed that variety of services, social influence, perceived usefulness, cost and perceived trust have significant influence on consumer’s intention to adopt m-commerce. The only exception was perceived ease of use which observed statistically insignificant influence on adoption of m-commerce. Furthermore, the results obtained from SEM were employed as input to the neural network model and results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived trust and variety of services as most important predictors in adoption of m-commerce.

Practical implications

– The findings of this study give an insight of key determinants that are important to develop suitable strategic framework to enhance the use of m-commerce adoption. In addition, it also provides an opportunity to academicians and researchers to use the framework of this study for further research.

Originality/value

– The study is among a very few studies which analyzed m-commerce adoption by applying a linear and non-linear approach. The study offers a multi-analytical model to understand and predict m-commerce adoption in the developing nation like India.
High performance work systems, employee well-being, and job involvement: an empirical study
Authors: Huang Liang-Chih , Ahlstrom David , Lee Amber Yun-Ping , Chen Shu-Yuan , Hsieh Meng-Jung
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Given the importance of high performance work systems (HPWS) with respect to firm competitive advantage, this paper holds that the contribution of HPWS toward the desired outcomes for organizations may depend significantly on employee job involvement. Underpinning the argument of happy workers being productive, the purpose of this paper is to propose the critical mediator of employee well-being to explain the hypothesized multilevel relationship between HPWS and job involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors distributed questionnaires to the target participants. Data collected from 451 employees and 50 HR managers/professionals of 50 firms in the three major industrial categories of manufacturing, finance, and service in Taiwan.

Findings

– This study identifies the significance of employee well-being by incorporating the theories of planned behavior and positive psychology and provides empirical evidence for the cross-level influence of HPWS on employee well-being and job involvement.

Originality/value

– This study incorporates the perspective of positive psychology as an important addition to research on SHRM and performance by highlighting employee well-being as a key mediator of SHRM and job involvement.
The role of privacy invasion and fairness in understanding job applicant reactions to potentially inappropriate/discriminatory interview questions
Authors: Ababneh Khaldoun I. , Al-Waqfi Mohammed A.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Building on organizational justice and privacy literatures, the purpose of this paper is to test a model capturing the impacts of potentially inappropriate/discriminatory interview questions on job applicant perceptions and behavioral intentions in a developing economy context with a multicultural workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experimental design using senior undergraduate students (n=221) seeking or about to seek jobs in the United Arab Emirates was used to examine interviewees’ reactions to inappropriate/discriminatory interview questions. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.

Findings

– This study demonstrates that inappropriate/discriminatory interview questions influence privacy invasion perceptions, which in turn influence job applicants’ fairness perceptions and behavioral intentions. This study also demonstrates that privacy invasion perceptions fully mediate the effect of inappropriate/discriminatory employment interview questions on fairness perceptions. Moreover, the findings show that privacy invasion directly and indirectly, via fairness perceptions, influence litigation intentions. On the other hand, findings of this study indicate that privacy invasion influence organizational attractiveness and recommendation intentions only indirectly, via fairness perceptions.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to examine the impact of inappropriate/discriminatory interview questions on applicant reactions in a developing economy context with social, cultural, and legal environment that is different from those prevailing in developed Western societies. This study demonstrates that privacy invasion is an important mechanism to understand job applicant reactions to inappropriate interview questions.
Role of Fanconi anemia/BRCA pathway genes in hepatocellular carcinoma chemoresistance
Authors: Ferroudj Sana , Yildiz Gokhan , Bouras Mourad , Iscan Evin , Ekin Umut , Ozturk Mehmet
Published: February 2016

Aim

To investigate the expression of DNA repair genes and the impact of the breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1) protein on chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Microarray gene expression datasets were analyzed using the gene set enrichment analysis method. BRCA1 protein was tested by Western blotting. Response of HCC cells to interstrand cross‐links was investigated by cell viability assay following exposure to mitomycin C, cisplatin, and melphalan. Effects of BRCA1 ectopic expression were studied in HepG2 cells with BRCA1‐expression plasmids. Effects of BRCA1 downregulation were studied in SNU449 cells with BRCA1‐specific siRNAs. Response of transfected SNU449 cells to mitomycin C was analyzed by cell viability tests and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry.

Results

Expression of Fanconi anemia and double‐stranded DNA break repair genes was significantly upregulated in HCC tumors. This upregulation displayed a gradual amplification during tumor progression. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were among consistently upregulated genes. Epithelial‐like HCC cells had low BRCA1 expression and low chemoresistance, whereas mesenchymal‐like HCC cells had high BRCA1 expression and increased chemoresistance. Ectopic expression of BRCA1 increased the chemoresistance of epithelial‐like HepG2 cells. Conversely, BRCA1 knockdown chemosensitized mesenchymal‐like SNU449 cells. Chemosensitization of SNU449 cells was due to cell cycle arrest at 4N stage.

Conclusion

Increased expression of Fanconi anemia and double‐stranded DNA repair genes such as BRCA1 is a novel mechanism of HCC chemoresistance. However, functional inactivation of BRCA1 expression is sufficient to reverse such chemoresistance.
Relationship Between Product Aesthetic Subject Preference and Quantified Gestalt Principles in Automobile Wheel Rims
Authors: Lugo José E. , Schmiedeler James P. , Batill Stephen M. , Carlson Laura
Published: February 2016

Birkhoff proposed that order divided by complexity is a formula for esthetic measurement. In that context, this work proposes to measure order with a method to quantify Gestalt principles in 2D product representations. These principles establish how humans visually group elements of a shape together, and they have been used in architecture, product design and art as guidelines for a good design. A human subject study was conducted to test the hypothesis that if complexity is held constant across different versions of the same basic concept, Gestalt can serve as a direct measurement of the relative esthetics of those candidate designs. In a survey, subjects were asked to evaluate their preferences for multiple individual 2D representations of automotive wheel rims from a variety of styles. The wheel rims within each style were designed in pairs, one pair with lower and one pair with higher Gestalt. Complexity was held constant by only comparing subject ratings within wheel rim styles. The results show that a positive change in Gestalt has a positive effect on aesthetic subject preference and that preferences are not significantly different for designs differing in geometry but having the same Gestalt. The implications of these results for designers and for future work are discussed.
Rough Surface Contact of Curved Conformal Surfaces: An Application to Rotor–Stator Rub
Authors: Varney Philip , Green Itzhak
Published: February 2016

Rotating machines and associated triboelements are ubiquitous in industrial society, playing a central role in power generation, transportation, and manufacturing. Unfortunately, these systems are susceptible to undesirable contact (i.e., rub) between the rotor and stator, which is both costly and dangerous. These adverse effects can be alleviated by properly applying accurate real-time diagnostics. The first step toward accurate diagnostics is developing rotor–stator rub models which appropriately emulate reality. Previous rotor–stator rub models disavow the contact physics by reducing the problem to a single esoteric linear contact stiffness occurring only at the point of maximum rotor radial deflection. Further, the contact stiffness is typically chosen arbitrarily, and as such provides no additional insight into the contacting surfaces. Here, a novel rotor–stator rub model is developed by treating the strongly conformal curved surfaces according to their actual nature: a collection of stochastically distributed asperities. Such an approach is advantageous in that it relies on real surface measurements to quantify the contact force rather than a heuristic choice of linear contact stiffness. Specifically, the elastoplastic Jackson–Green (JG) rough surface contact model is used to obtain the quasistatic contact force versus rotor radial deflection; differences and similarities in contact force between the linear elastic contact model (LECM) and JG model are discussed. Furthermore, the linear elastic model's point contact assumption is assessed and found to be inaccurate for systems with small clearances. Finally, to aid in computational efficiency in future rotordynamic simulation, a simple exponential curve fit is proposed to approximate the JG force–displacement relationship.
Systematic feasibility analysis of a quantitative elasticity estimation for breast anatomy using supine/prone patient postures
Authors: Hasse Katelyn , Neylon John , Sheng Ke , Santhanam Anand P.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

Breast elastography is a critical tool for improving the targeted radiotherapy treatment of breast tumors. Current breast radiotherapy imaging protocols only involve prone and supine CT scans. There is a lack of knowledge on the quantitative accuracy with which breast elasticity can be systematically measured using only prone and supine CT datasets. The purpose of this paper is to describe a quantitative elasticity estimation technique for breast anatomy using only these supine/prone patient postures. Using biomechanical, high‐resolution breast geometry obtained from CT scans, a systematic assessment was performed in order to determine the feasibility of this methodology for clinically relevant elasticity distributions.

Methods:

A model‐guided inverse analysis approach is presented in this paper. A graphics processing unit (GPU)‐based linear elastic biomechanical model was employed as a forward model for the inverse analysis with the breast geometry in a prone position. The elasticity estimation was performed using a gradient‐based iterative optimization scheme and a fast‐simulated annealing (FSA) algorithm. Numerical studies were conducted to systematically analyze the feasibility of elasticity estimation. For simulating gravity‐induced breast deformation, the breast geometry was anchored at its base, resembling the chest‐wall/breast tissue interface. Ground‐truth elasticity distributions were assigned to the model, representing tumor presence within breast tissue. Model geometry resolution was varied to estimate its influence on convergence of the system. A priori information was approximated and utilized to record the effect on time and accuracy of convergence. The role of the FSA process was also recorded. A novel error metric that combined elasticity and displacement error was used to quantify the systematic feasibility study. For the authors' purposes, convergence was set to be obtained when each voxel of tissue was within 1 mm of ground‐truth deformation.

Results:

The authors' analyses showed that a ∼97% model convergence was systematically observed with no‐a priori information. Varying the model geometry resolution showed no significant accuracy improvements. The GPU‐based forward model enabled the inverse analysis to be completed within 10–70 min. Using a priori information about the underlying anatomy, the computation time decreased by as much as 50%, while accuracy improved from 96.81% to 98.26%. The use of FSA was observed to allow the iterative estimation methodology to converge more precisely.

Conclusions:

By utilizing a forward iterative approach to solve the inverse elasticity problem, this work indicates the feasibility and potential of the fast reconstruction of breast tissue elasticity using supine/prone patient postures.
Estimation and simulation of multi-beam sonar noise
Authors: Holmin Arne Johannes , Korneliussen Rolf J. , Tjøstheim Dag
Published: February 2016

Methods for the estimation and modeling of noise present in multi-beam sonar data, including the magnitude, probability distribution, and spatial correlation of the noise, are developed. The methods consider individual acoustic samples and facilitate compensation of highly localized noise as well as subtraction of noise estimates averaged over time. The modeled noise is included in an existing multi-beam sonar simulation model [Holmin, Handegard, Korneliussen, and Tjøstheim, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 3720–3734 (2012)], resulting in an improved model that can be used to strengthen interpretation of data collected in situ at any signal to noise ratio. Two experiments, from the former study in which multi-beam sonar data of herring schools were simulated, are repeated with inclusion of noise. These experiments demonstrate (1) the potentially large effect of changes in fish orientation on the backscatter from a school, and (2) the estimation of behavioral characteristics such as the polarization and packing density of fish schools. The latter is achieved by comparing real data with simulated data for different polarizations and packing densities.
Coaching and Coach Education in Ireland
Authors: Chambers Fiona , Gregg Robin
Published: February 2016

This paper highlights the status of coaching and coach education policy and practice on the island of Ireland. The island of Ireland represents a unique setting as it comprises a hybrid jurisdiction of (a) the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland. A historical and sociopolitical backdrop provides insight into how key agencies develop coaching and coach education policy and practice in a highly complex dual environment. A five-step meta-synthesis process of data collection and analysis revealed key policy and practice issues on the island relating to (a) the coaching workforce and (b) coach education system.
Contribution of Walking to School to Individual and Population Moderate-Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Martin Anne , Kelly Paul , Boyle Jessica , Corlett Fenella , Reilly John J.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

This study estimated the contribution of walking to/from school to objectively measured daily moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in individuals and populations.

Methods:

MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched up to February 2015. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts/full-text articles, and assessed study quality.

Results:

Of 2430 records, 129 were eligible for full-text screening. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria of reporting objectively obtained measures of MVPA (total and while walking to/from school) in children and adolescents. The weighted mean MVPA accumulated in walking to and from school was 17 min/day in primary school pupils (9 samples, n = 3422) and 13 min/day in high school pupils (4 samples, n = 2600). Pooled analysis suggested that walking to and from school contributed 23% and 36% of MVPA on schooldays in primary school age children and high school pupils, respectively. All included studies were of high methodological quality.

Conclusions:

Walking to and from school makes a meaningful contribution to individual schoolday MVPA for active commuters in western countries. Since schooldays represent only around half of all days, and prevalence of walking to school is low in many countries, the contribution of walking to school to population MVPA is probably low.
Deglycosylated bleomycin has the antitumor activity of bleomycin without pulmonary toxicity
Authors: Burgy Olivier , Wettstein Guillaume , Bellaye Pierre S. , Decologne Nathalie , Racoeur Cindy , Goirand Françoise , Beltramo Guillaume , Hernandez Jean-François , Kenani Abderraouf , Camus Philippe , Bettaieb Ali , Garrido Carmen , Bonniaud Philippe
Published: February 2016

Deglycobleomycin retains the antitumor activity of bleomycin but lacks any detectable toxic effects in the lung.
Long noncoding RNA
Chast
promotes cardiac remodeling
Authors: Viereck Janika , Kumarswamy Regalla , Foinquinos Ariana , Xiao Ke , Avramopoulos Petros , Kunz Meik , Dittrich Marcus , Maetzig Tobias , Zimmer Karina , Remke Janet , Just Annette , Fendrich Jasmin , Scherf Kristian , Bolesani Emiliano , Schambach Axel , Weidemann Frank , Zweigerdt Robert , de Windt Leon J. , Engelhardt Stefan , Dandekar Thomas , Batkai Sandor , Thum Thomas
Published: February 2016

Inhibition of the long noncoding RNA
Chast
prevents pressure overload–induced cardiac remodeling in mice.
Clinical and Epidemiological Significance of Carbapenem Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii Infections
Authors: Tal-Jasper Ruthy , Katz David E. , Amrami Nadav , Ravid Dor , Avivi Dori , Zaidenstein Ronit , Lazarovitch Tsilia , Dadon Mor , Kaye Keith S. , Marchaim Dror
Published: February 2016

Carbapenems are considered the treatment of choice for
Acinetobacter baumannii
infections. Many facilities implement preventive measures toward only carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
(CRAB). However, the independent role of the carbapenem resistance determinant on patient outcomes remains controversial. In a 6-year analysis of adults with
A. baumannii
bloodstream infection (BSI), the outcomes of 149 CRAB isolates were compared to those of 91 patients with carbapenem-susceptible
A. baumannii
. In bivariable analyses, CRAB BSIs were significantly associated with worse outcomes and with a delay in the initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy (DAAT). However, in multivariable analyses, carbapenem resistance status was no longer associated with poor outcomes, while DAAT remained an independent predictor. The epidemiological significance of
A. baumannii
should not be determined by its resistance to carbapenems.
A New Antileishmanial Preparation of Combined Solamargine and Solasonine Heals Cutaneous Leishmaniasis through Different Immunochemical Pathways
Authors: Lezama-Dávila C. M. , McChesney J. D. , Bastos J. K. , Miranda M. A. , Tiossi R. F. , da Costa J. de C. , Bentley M. V. , Gaitan-Puch S. E. , Isaac-Márquez A. P.
Published: February 2016

Little has been done during the past 100 years to develop new antileishmanial drugs. Most infected individuals live in poor countries and have a low cash income to be attractive targets to pharmaceutical corporations. Two heterosidic steroids, solamargine and solasonine, initially identified as major components of the Brazilian plant
Solanum lycocarpum
, were tested for leishmanicidal activity. Both alkaloids killed intracellular and extracellular
Leishmania mexicana
parasites more efficiently than the reference drug sodium stibogluconate. A total of 10 μM each individual alkaloid significantly reduced parasite counts in infected macrophages and dendritic cells.
In vivo
treatment of C57BL/6 mice with a standardized topical preparation containing solamargine (45.1%) and solasonine (44.4%) gave significant reductions in lesion sizes and parasite counts recovered from lesions. Alkaloids present different immunochemical pathways in macrophages and dendritic cells. We conclude that this topical preparation is effective and a potential new and inexpensive treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Experimental Models of Vaginal Candidiasis and Their Relevance to Human Candidiasis
Authors: Cassone Antonio , Sobel Jack D.
Published: February 2016

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a high-incidence disease seriously affecting the quality of life of women worldwide, particularly in its chronic, recurrent forms (RVVC), and with no definitive cure or preventive measure. Experimental studies in currently used rat and mouse models of vaginal candidiasis have generated a large mass of data on pathogenicity determinants and inflammation and immune responses of potential importance for the control of human pathology. However, reflection is necessary about the relevance of these rodent models to RVVC. Here we examine the chemical, biochemical, and biological factors that determine or contrast the forms of the disease in rodent models and in women and highlight the differences between them. We also appeal for approaches to improve or replace the current models in order to enhance their relevance to human infection.
A Functional Core of IncA Is Required for Chlamydia trachomatis Inclusion Fusion
Authors: Weber Mary M. , Noriea Nicholas F. , Bauler Laura D. , Lam Jennifer L. , Sager Janet , Wesolowski Jordan , Paumet Fabienne , Hackstadt Ted
Published: February 2016

Chlamydia trachomatis
is an obligate intracellular pathogen that is the etiological agent of a variety of human diseases, including blinding trachoma and sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydiae replicate within a membrane-bound compartment, termed an inclusion, which they extensively modify by the insertion of type III secreted proteins called Inc proteins. IncA is an inclusion membrane protein that encodes two coiled-coil domains that are homologous to eukaryotic SNARE (soluble
N
-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor) motifs. Recent biochemical evidence suggests that a functional core, composed of SNARE-like domain 1 (SLD-1) and part of SNARE-like domain 2 (SLD-2), is required for the characteristic homotypic fusion of
C. trachomatis
inclusions in multiply infected cells. To verify the importance of IncA in homotypic fusion in
Chlamydia
, we generated an
incA
::
bla
mutant. Insertional inactivation of
incA
resulted in the formation of nonfusogenic inclusions, a phenotype that was completely rescued by complementation with full-length IncA. Rescue of homotypic inclusion fusion was dependent on the presence of the functional core consisting of SLD-1 and part of SLD-2. Collectively, these results confirm
in vitro
membrane fusion assays identifying functional domains of IncA and expand the genetic tools available for identification of chlamydia with a method for complementation of site-specific mutants.

IMPORTANCE
Chlamydia trachomatis
replicates within a parasitophorous vacuole termed an inclusion. The chlamydial inclusions are nonfusogenic with vesicles in the endocytic pathway but, in multiply infected cells, fuse with each other to form a single large inclusion. This homotypic fusion is dependent upon the presence of a chlamydial inclusion membrane-localized protein, IncA. Specificity of membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells is regulated by SNARE (soluble
N
-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment receptor) proteins on the cytosolic face of vesicles and target membranes. IncA contains two SNARE-like domains. Newly developed genetic tools for the complementation of targeted mutants in
C. trachomatis
are used to confirm the minimal requirement of SNARE-like motifs necessary to promote the homotypic fusion of inclusions.
Immune Homeostatic Macrophages Programmed by the Bacterial Surface Protein NhhA Potentiate Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Wang Xiao , Sjölinder Mikael , Gao Yumin , Wan Yi , Sjölinder Hong
Published: February 2016

Neisseria meningitidiscolonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa of healthy populations asymptomatically, although the bacterial surface is rich in motifs that activate the host innate immunity. What determines the tolerant host response to this bacterium in asymptomatic carriers is poorly understood. We demonstrated that the conserved meningococcal surface protein NhhA orchestrates monocyte (Mo) differentiation specifically into macrophage-like cells with a CD200Rhiphenotype (NhhA-Mφ). In response to meningococcal stimulation, NhhA-Mφ failed to produce proinflammatory mediators. Instead, they upregulated interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Th2/regulatory T cell (Treg)-attracting chemokines, such as CCL17, CCL18, and CCL22. Moreover, NhhA-Mφ were highly efficient in eliminating bacteria. Thein vivovalidity of these findings was corroborated using a murine model challenged withN. meningitidissystematically or intranasally. The NhhA-modulated immune response protected mice from septic shock; Mo/Mφ depletion abolished this protective effect. Intranasal administration of NhhA induced an anti-inflammatory response, which was associated withN. meningitidispersistence at the nasopharynx.In vitrostudies demonstrated that NhhA-triggered Mo differentiation occurred upon engaged Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1)/TLR2 signaling and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation and required endogenously produced IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Our findings reveal a strategy that might be adopted byN. meningitidisto maintain asymptomatic nasopharyngeal colonization.

IMPORTANCENeisseria meningitidisis an opportunistic human-specific pathogen that colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa asymptomatically in approximately 10% of individuals. Very little is known about how this bacterium evades immune activation during the carriage stage. Here, we observed thatN. meningitidis, via the conserved surface protein NhhA, skewed monocyte differentiation into macrophages with a CD200Rhiphenotype. Bothin vivoandin vitrodata demonstrated that these macrophages, upon meningococcal infection, played an important role in forming a homeostatic immune microenvironment through their capacity to eliminate invading bacteria and to generate anti-inflammatory mediators. This work provides novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the commensal persistence ofN. meningitidis.
Low Energy Accelerators for Cargo Inspection
Authors: Tang Chuanxiang
Published: February 2016

Cargo inspection by X-rays has become essential for seaports and airports. With the emphasis on homeland security issues, the identification of dangerous things, such as explosive items and nuclear materials, is the key feature of a cargo inspection system. And new technologies based on dual energy X-rays, neutrons and monoenergetic X-rays have been studied to achieve sufficiently good material identification. An interpretation of the principle of X-ray cargo inspection technology and the features of X-ray sources are presented in this article. As most of the X-ray sources are based on RF electron linear accelerators (linacs), we give a relatively detailed description of the principle and characteristics of linacs. Cargo inspection technologies based on neutron imaging, neutron analysis, nuclear resonance fluorescence and computer tomography are also mentioned here. The main vendors and their products are summarized at the end of the article.
Accelerator Science and Technology in Canada — From the Microtron to TRIUMF, Superconducting Cyclotrons and the Canadian Light Source
Authors: Craddock M. K. , Laxdal R. E.
Published: February 2016

As elsewhere, accelerators in Canada have evolved from modest beginnings to major facilities such as TRIUMF (currently with the highest-power driver for rare isotope beam production) and the third generation Canadian Light Source. Highlights along the way include construction of the first microtron, the first racetrack microtron and the first superconducting cyclotron (to which list might have been added the first pulse stretcher ring, had it been funded sooner). This article will summarize the history of accelerators in Canada, documenting both the successes and the near-misses. Besides the research accelerators, a thriving commercial sector has developed, manufacturing small cyclotrons and linacs, beam line components and superconducting rf cavities.
Evaluation of Factors Associated with Night Pain in Women Undergoing Carpal Tunnel Release
Authors: Kim Jeong Hwan , Gong Hyun Sik , Cho Hoyune Esther , Park Jin Woo , Kim Jihyeung , Baek Goo Hyun
Published: February 2016

Background: Night pain has important diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We aimed to determine whether night pain is associated with certain patient characteristics in female patients undergoing carpal tunnel release.

Methods: We recruited 75 women with the mean age of 54 years who were scheduled for carpal tunnel release. Diagnosis of CTS was made based on both the clinical symptoms and the results of electrophysiologic studies. Patient characteristics investigated as factors potentially associated with night pain were: age, body mass index (BMI), symptom duration, comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid disease, electrophysiologic severity of CTS, and sleep position. We conducted a logistic regression analysis to examine the relationships between the presence of night pain and the different patients' demographic and clinical variables.

Results: Absence of night pain was associated with increased age (odds ratio (OR), 0.918, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.851 to 0.99) and presence of DM (OR, 0.196; 95% CI, 0.046 to 0.835). The other variables assessed were not found to be associated with presence or absence of night pain.

Conclusions: This study found that in women undergoing carpal tunnel release, older patients or those having DM are slightly less likely to have night pain. As night pain is an important prognostic factor for CTS, further studies are warranted to determine whether the absence of night pain could affect outcome assessment of CTS in the elderly or patients with DM.
Microbial wrinkle structures in Lower Devonian shales, Wormit, Fife
Authors: Batchelor Richard A.
Published: February 2016

This report describes the first recorded occurrence of microbial wrinkle structures in Lower Devonian sediments in Scotland. A shale horizon at Wormit, NE Fife, has yielded a distinctive puckered surface that is interpreted as the product of microbial mats on a soft sediment substrate. This assemblage reflects a shallow-water lacustrine or sub-tidal environment.
Pulsatile delivery of a leucine supplement during long-term continuous enteral feeding enhances lean growth in term neonatal pigs
Authors: Boutry Claire , El-Kadi Samer W. , Suryawan Agus , Steinhoff-Wagner Julia , Stoll Barbara , Orellana Renán A. , Nguyen Hanh V. , Kimball Scot R. , Fiorotto Marta L. , Davis Teresa A.
Published: February 2016

Neonatal pigs are used as a model to study and optimize the clinical treatment of infants who are unable to maintain oral feeding. Using this model, we have shown previously that pulsatile administration of leucine during continuous feeding over 24 h via orogastric tube enhanced protein synthesis in skeletal muscle compared with continuous feeding alone. To determine the long-term effects of leucine pulses, neonatal piglets ( n = 11–12/group) were continuously fed formula via orogastric tube for 21 days, with an additional parenteral infusion of either leucine (CON + LEU; 800 μmol·kg−1·h−1) or alanine (CON + ALA) for 1 h every 4 h. The results show that body and muscle weights and lean gain were ∼25% greater, and fat gain was 48% lower in CON + LEU than CON + ALA; weights of other tissues were unaffected by treatment. Fractional protein synthesis rates in longissimus dorsi, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were ∼30% higher in CON + LEU compared with CON + ALA and were associated with decreased Deptor abundance and increased mTORC1, mTORC2, 4E-BP1, and S6K1 phosphorylation, SNAT2 abundance, and association of eIF4E with eIF4G and RagC with mTOR. There were no treatment effects on PKB, eIF2α, eEF2, or PRAS40 phosphorylation, Rheb, SLC38A9, v-ATPase, LAMTOR1, LAMTOR2, RagA, RagC, and LAT1 abundance, the proportion of polysomes to nonpolysomes, or the proportion of mRNAs encoding rpS4 or rpS8 associated with polysomes. Our results demonstrate that pulsatile delivery of a leucine supplement during 21 days of continuous enteral feeding enhances lean growth by stimulating the mTORC1-dependent translation initiation pathway, leading to protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonates.
Development and Validation of HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Five Food Additives and Caffeine in Soft Drinks
Authors: Aşçı Bürge , Dinç Zor Şule , Aksu Dönmez Özlem
Published: February 2016

Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) conditions for the simultaneous determination of potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, carmoisine, allura red, ponceau 4R, and caffeine in commercial soft drinks. The experimental variables chosen were pH (6.0–7.0), flow rate (1.0–1.4 mL/min), and mobile phase ratio (85–95% acetate buffer). Resolution values of all peak pairs were used as a response. Stationary phase was Inertsil OctaDecylSilane- (ODS-) 3V reverse phase column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) dimensions. The detection was performed at 230 nm. Optimal values were found 6.0 pH, 1.0 mL/min flow rate, and 95% mobile phase ratio for the method which was validated by calculating the linearity (r2>0.9962), accuracy (recoveries ≥ 95.75%), precision (intraday variation ≤ 1.923%, interday variation ≤ 1.950%), limits of detection (LODs), and limits of quantification (LOQs) parameters. LODs and LOQs for analytes were in the range of 0.10–0.19 μg/mL and 0.33–0.63 μg/mL, respectively. The proposed method was applied successfully for the simultaneous determination of the mixtures of five food additives and caffeine in soft drinks.
Herpetic Stromal Keratitis following Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Authors: Chadha Nisha , Belyea David A. , Grewal Sanjeev
Published: February 2016

This is a case report describing two cases of disciform corneal edema following uncomplicated selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) thought to be secondary to herpes simplex virus (HSV) given the presence of a dendrite, decreased corneal sensation, corneal thinning, and response to therapy with oral and topical antivirals. Corneal edema after SLT treatment has been reported before, but the etiology has been unclear. Our cases highlight HSV as a likely etiology, which may help with prevention and better management of such cases in the future.
Influence of Type 2 Diabetes on Prevalence of Key Periodontal Pathogens, Salivary Matrix Metalloproteinases, and Bone Remodeling Markers in Sudanese Adults with and without Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Mohamed Hasaan Gassim , Idris Shaza Bushra , Mustafa Manal , Ahmed Mutaz Faisal , Åstrøm Anne Nordrehaug , Mustafa Kamal , Ibrahim Salah Osman
Published: February 2016

This study compared the influence of type 2 diabetes on the occurrence of six periodontal pathogens in plaque samples of patients with and without chronic periodontitis. Levels of salivary MMP-8, MMP-9, RANKL, and OPG were also investigated. The study enrolled 31 patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis (DM + CP), 29 with chronic periodontitis (CP), and 20 with type 2 diabetes (DM). Questionnaire-guided interviews were conducted and plaque index, bleeding on probing, and pocket depth were recorded. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was utilized to determine the prevalence of the bacteria. The levels of salivary molecules were determined by enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The CP group had the highest prevalence ofP. gingivalis(81.5%), followed by the DM + CP (59.3%) and DM (55.0%) groups (P>0.05). Similar trends were observed forP. intermediaandT. denticola. The prevalence ofT. forsythiawas 100% in both periodontitis groups compared to 90% in the DM group. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the concentrations of MMP-8, MMP-9, or OPG. RANKL concentrations were below the detection limit. Our data show that type 2 diabetes has no significant influence on the prevalence of the investigated periodontal pathogens, or the levels of salivary MMP-8, MMP-9, and OPG.
An Analysis of Nanoparticle Settling Times in Liquids
Authors: Liyanage D. D. , Thamali Rajika J. K. A. , Kumbalatara A. A. K. , Weliwita J. A. , Witharana S.
Published: February 2016

Aggregation and settling are crucial phenomena involving particle suspensions. For suspensions with larger than millimeter-size particles, there are fairly accurate tools to predict settling rates. However for smaller particles, in particular micro-to-nanosizes, there is a gap in knowledge. This paper develops an analytical method to predict the settling rates of micro-to-nanosized particle suspensions. The method is a combination of classical equations and graphical methods. Validated using the experimental data in literature, it was found that the new method shows an order of magnitude accuracy. A remarkable feature of this method is its ability to accommodate aggregates of nonspherical shapes and of different fractal dimensions.
Optimization of Alkali Catalyzed Transesterification of Safflower Oil for Production of Biodiesel
Authors: Math M. C. , Chandrashekhara K. N.
Published: February 2016

The Central Composite Design is used for the optimization of alkaline catalyzed transesterification parameters such as methanol quantity, catalytic concentration, and rotational speed by keeping the temperature and reaction time constant. The Central Composite Design method is employed to get the maximum safflower oil methyl ester yield. The combined effects of catalyst concentration, rotational speed, and molar ratio of alcohol to oil were investigated and optimized using response surface methodology. A statistical model has predicted the maximum yield of safflower oil methyl ester (94.69% volume of oil) parameters such as catalyst concentration (0.6 grams), methanol amount (30 mL), rotational speed (600 rpm), and keeping constant reaction temperature (55°C to 65°C) and reaction time (60 minutes). Experimental maximum yield of 91.66% was obtained at above parameters. XLSTAT is used to generate a linear model to predict the methyl ester yield as a function of methanol quantity, catalyst concentration, and rotational speed by keeping constant reaction temperature (55°C to 65°C) and reaction time (60 minutes). MINITAB is used to draw the 3D response surface plot and 2D contour plot to predict the maximum biodiesel yield.
Aircraft Combat Survivability Calculation Based on Combination Weighting and Multiattribute Intelligent Grey Target Decision Model
Authors: Jia Lintong , Tong Zhongxiang , Wang Chaozhe , Li Shenbo
Published: February 2016

Aircraft combat survivability is defined as the capability of an aircraft to avoid or withstand a man-made hostile environment, which has been increasingly important. In order to give a rational calculation of aircraft combat survivability, an integrated method based on combination weighting and multiattribute intelligent grey target decision model is proposed. Firstly, an evaluation index system containing susceptibility index and vulnerability index as well as their subindexes is established. Then a multiattribute intelligent grey target decision model is introduced. A combination weighting method is brought up based on a modified AHP (analytic hierarchy process) method and the entropy method, offering a rational weight for various indexes. Finally, utilize the multiattribute intelligent grey target decision model to assess the aircraft combat survivability of aircraft, verified by a practical case of five aircraft. The results show that the proposed method is effective and has a great value in engineering application, which will provide useful references for other projects’ evaluation.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Cytomegalovirus, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses in Multitransfused Thalassemic Children in Upper Egypt
Authors: Mahmoud Ramadan A. , El-Mazary Abdel-Azeem M. , Khodeary Ashraf
Published: February 2016

Background. Frequent blood transfusions in thalassemia major children expose them to the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in thalassemic children attending the Pediatrics Departments of both Sohag and Minia Universities of Upper Egypt, during the period from May 2014 to May 2015.Methods. Serum samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-CMV, and anti-HIV type 1 and type 2 using the Vitek Immunodiagnostic Assay System.Results. The frequencies of anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-CMV, and anti-HIV type 1 and type 2 were found to be 37.11%, 4.12%, 4.12%, 0.00%, and 0.00%, respectively. Seropositivity for anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-CMV increased with increasing age of the patients, duration of the disease, serum ferritin level (ng/mL), and liver enzymes (U/L), while it was not significantly associated with gender, frequency of blood transfusion, or the status of splenectomy operation (P>0.05).Conclusion. The frequency of TTIs, especially HCV, is considerably high among Egyptian children with thalassemia major. It is therefore important to implement measures to improve blood transfusion screening, such as polymerase chain reaction, in order to reduce TTIs from blood donor units.