bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a Novel Lysin To Help Control Clostridium difficile Infections
Authors: Wang Qiong , Euler Chad W. , Delaune Aurelia , Fischetti Vincent A.
Published: September 2015

As a consequence of excessive antibiotic therapies in hospitalized patients,
Clostridium difficile
, a Gram-positive anaerobic spore-forming intestinal pathogen, is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea and colitis. Drug treatments for these diseases are often complicated by antibiotic-resistant strains and a high frequency of treatment failures and relapse; therefore, novel nonantibiotic approaches may prove to be more effective. In this study, we recombinantly expressed a prophage lysin identified from a
C. difficile
strain, CD630, which we named PlyCD. PlyCD was found to have lytic activity against specific
C. difficile
strains. However, the recombinantly expressed catalytic domain of this protein, PlyCD
1–174
, displayed significantly greater lytic activity (>4-log kill) and a broader lytic spectrum against
C. difficile
strains while still retaining a high degree of specificity toward
C. difficile
versus commensal clostridia and other bacterial species. Our data also indicated that noneffective doses of vancomycin and PlyCD
1–174
when combined
in vitro
could be significantly more bactericidal against
C. difficile
. In an
ex vivo
treatment model of mouse colon infection, we found that PlyCD
1–174
functioned in the presence of intestinal contents, significantly decreasing colonizing
C. difficile
compared to controls. Together, these data suggest that PlyCD
1–174
has potential as a novel therapeutic for clinical application against
C. difficile
infection, either alone or in combination with other preexisting treatments to improve their efficacy.
Biochemical Evaluation of the Inhibition Properties of Favipiravir and 2′-
C
-Methyl-Cytidine Triphosphates against Human and Mouse Norovirus RNA Polymerases
Authors: Jin Zhinan , Tucker Kathryn , Lin Xiaoyan , Kao C. Cheng , Shaw Ken , Tan Hua , Symons Julian , Behera Ishani , Rajwanshi Vivek K. , Dyatkina Natalia , Wang Guangyi , Beigelman Leo , Deval Jerome
Published: September 2015

Norovirus (NoV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that causes acute gastroenteritis and is responsible for 200,000 deaths per year worldwide. No effective vaccine or treatment is available. Recent studies have shown that the nucleoside analogs favipiravir (T-705) and 2′-
C
-methyl-cytidine (2CM-C) inhibit NoV replication
in vitro
and in animal models, but their precise mechanism of action is unknown. We evaluated the molecular interactions between nucleoside triphosphates and NoV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NoVpol), the enzyme responsible for replication and transcription of NoV genomic RNA. We found that T-705 ribonucleoside triphosphate (RTP) and 2CM-C triphosphate (2CM-CTP) equally inhibited human and mouse NoVpol activities at concentrations resulting in 50% of maximum inhibition (IC
50
s) in the low micromolar range. 2CM-CTP inhibited the viral polymerases by competing directly with natural CTP during primer elongation, whereas T-705 RTP competed mostly with ATP and GTP at the initiation and elongation steps. Incorporation of 2CM-CTP into viral RNA blocked subsequent RNA synthesis, whereas T-705 RTP did not cause immediate chain termination of NoVpol. 2CM-CTP and T-705 RTP displayed low levels of enzyme selectivity, as they were both recognized as substrates by human mitochondrial RNA polymerase. The level of discrimination by the human enzyme was increased with a novel analog of T-705 RTP containing a 2′-
C
-methyl substitution. Collectively, our data suggest that 2CM-C inhibits replication of NoV by acting as a classic chain terminator, while T-705 may inhibit the virus by multiple mechanisms of action. Understanding the precise mechanism of action of anti-NoV compounds could provide a rational basis for optimizing their inhibition potencies and selectivities.
Characterization of Tn
3000
, a Transposon Responsible for
bla
NDM-1
Dissemination among Enterobacteriaceae in Brazil, Nepal, Morocco, and India
Authors: Campos Juliana Coutinho , da Silva Maria José Félix , dos Santos Paulo Roberto Nascimento , Barros Elaine Menezes , Pereira Mayne de Oliveira , Seco Bruna Mara Silva , Magagnin Cibele Massotti , Leiroz Leonardo Kalab , de Oliveira Théo Gremen Mimary , Faria-Júnior Célio de , Cerdeira Louise Teixeira , Barth Afonso Luís , Sampaio Suely Carlos Ferreira , Zavascki Alexandre Prehn , Poirel Laurent , Sampaio Jorge Luiz Mello
Published: September 2015

In
Enterobacteriaceae
, the
bla
NDM
genes have been found in many different genetic contexts, and a wide diversity of plasmid scaffolds bearing those genes has been found. In August 2013, we identified NDM-1-producing
Escherichia coli
and
Enterobacter hormaechei
strains from a single rectal swab sample from a patient hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who had no history of travel abroad. Complete DNA sequencing using the Illumina platform and annotation of the two plasmids harboring the
bla
NDM-1
gene, one from each strain, showed that they belonged to incompatibility groups IncFII
K
and IncX3 and harbored a novel transposon named Tn
3000
. Similar genetic structures have been identified among other isolates in Brazil but also on plasmids from other continents. Our findings suggest that the
bla
NDM-1
gene may be transmitted by Tn
3000
in different parts of the world.
Clinically Available Medicines Demonstrating Anti-Toxoplasma Activity
Authors: Neville Andrew J. , Zach Sydney J. , Wang Xiaofang , Larson Joshua J. , Judge Abigail K. , Davis Lisa A. , Vennerstrom Jonathan L. , Davis Paul H.
Published: September 2015

Toxoplasma gondiiis an apicomplexan parasite of humans and other mammals, including livestock and companion animals. While chemotherapeutic regimens, including pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine regimens, ameliorate acute or recrudescent disease such as toxoplasmic encephalitis or ocular toxoplasmosis, these drugs are often toxic to the host. Moreover, no approved options are available to treat infected women who are pregnant. Lastly, no drug regimen has shown the ability to eradicate the chronic stage of infection, which is characterized by chemoresistant intracellular cysts that persist for the life of the host. In an effort to promote additional chemotherapeutic options, we now evaluate clinically available drugs that have shown efficacy in disease models but which lack clinical case reports. Ideally, less-toxic treatments for the acute disease can be identified and developed, with an additional goal of cyst clearance from human and animal hosts.
Reduced
In Vitro
Activity of Ceftaroline by Etest among Clonal Complex 239 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Strains from Australia
Authors: Abbott I. J. , Jenney A. W. J. , Jeremiah C. J. , Mirčeta M. , Kandiah J. P. , Holt D. C. , Tong S. Y. C. , Spelman D. W.
Published: September 2015

A total of 421 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) clinical isolates were tested for ceftaroline susceptibility by Etest (bioMérieux). A multidrug resistant phenotype was found in 40.9%, and clonal complex 239 (CC239) was found in 33.5%. Ceftaroline nonsusceptibility (MIC, >1.0 μg/ml) was 16.9% overall. Nonsusceptibility was significantly higher in CC239 (41.1%, 58/141) and in isolates with a multidrug resistant phenotype (35.5%, 61/172) compared with comparators (
P
< 0.0001). Nonsusceptibility of common multidrug resistant MRSA clones limits the empirical use of ceftaroline for these infections.
In Vitro
Activities of Ceftazidime-Avibactam, Aztreonam-Avibactam, and a Panel of Older and Contemporary Antimicrobial Agents against Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacilli
Authors: Vasoo Shawn , Cunningham Scott A. , Cole Nicolynn C. , Kohner Peggy C. , Menon Sanjay R. , Krause Kevin M. , Harris Kelly A. , De Partha P. , Koh Tse Hsien , Patel Robin
Published: September 2015

Among 177 carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (108 KPC, 32 NDM, 11 IMP, 8 OXA-48, 4 OXA-181, 2 OXA-232, 5 IMI, 4 VIM, and 3 SME producers), aztreonam-avibactam was active against all isolates except two NDM producers with elevated MICs of 8/4 and 16/4 mg/liter; ceftazidime-avibactam was active against all KPC-, IMI-, SME-, and most OXA-48 group-producing isolates (93%) but not metallo-β-lactamase producers. Among older and contemporary antimicrobials, the most active were colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin, with overall susceptibilities of 88%, 79%, and 78%, respectively.
The Essential Role of Cholesterol Metabolism in the Intracellular Survival of Mycobacterium leprae Is Not Coupled to Central Carbon Metabolism and Energy Production
Authors: Marques Maria Angela M. , Berrêdo-Pinho Marcia , Rosa Thabatta L. S. A. , Pujari Venugopal , Lemes Robertha M. R. , Lery Leticia M. S. , Silva Carlos Adriano M. , Guimarães Ana Carolina R. , Atella Georgia C. , Wheat William H. , Brennan Patrick J. , Crick Dean C. , Belisle John T. , Pessolani Maria Cristina V.
Published: September 2015

Mycobacterium leprae
induces the formation of lipid droplets, which are recruited to pathogen-containing phagosomes in infected macrophages and Schwann cells. Cholesterol is among the lipids with increased abundance in
M. leprae
-infected cells, and intracellular survival relies on cholesterol accumulation. The present study investigated the capacity of
M. leprae
to acquire and metabolize cholesterol.
In silico
analyses showed that oxidation of cholesterol to cholest-4-en-3-one (cholestenone), the first step of cholesterol degradation catalyzed by the enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), is apparently the only portion of the cholesterol catabolic pathway seen in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
preserved by
M. leprae
. Incubation of bacteria with radiolabeled cholesterol confirmed the
in silico
predictions. Radiorespirometry and lipid analyses performed after incubating
M. leprae
with [4-
14
C]cholesterol or [26-
14
C]cholesterol showed the inability of this pathogen to metabolize the sterol rings or the side chain of cholesterol as a source of energy and carbon. However, the bacteria avidly incorporated cholesterol and, as expected, converted it to cholestenone both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Our data indicate that
M. leprae
has lost the capacity to degrade and utilize cholesterol as a nutritional source but retains the enzyme responsible for its oxidation to cholestenone. Thus, the essential role of cholesterol metabolism in the intracellular survival of
M. leprae
is uncoupled from central carbon metabolism and energy production. Further elucidation of cholesterol metabolism in the host cell during
M. leprae
infection will establish the mechanism by which this lipid supports
M. leprae
intracellular survival and will open new avenues for novel leprosy therapies.

IMPORTANCE
Our study focused on the obligate intracellular pathogen
Mycobacterium leprae
and its capacity to metabolize cholesterol. The data make an important contribution for those interested in understanding the mechanisms of mycobacterial pathogenesis, since they indicate that the essential role of cholesterol for
M. leprae
intracellular survival does not rely on its utilization as a nutritional source. Our findings reinforce the complexity of cholesterol's role in sustaining
M. leprae
infection. Further elucidation of cholesterol metabolism in the host cell during
M. leprae
infection will establish the mechanism by which this lipid supports
M. leprae
intracellular survival and will open new avenues for novel leprosy therapies.
Neurological symptoms from a brain metastasis as the first presentation of colorectal cancer
Authors: Chu Christina , Navalkissoor Shaunak , Gillmore Roopinder
Published: September 2015

A 63-year-old man, a wheelchair user, from primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), presented with an episode of expressive dysphasia and confusion. Cerebral imaging revealed a solitary cerebral mass that was radiologically felt to be a primary brain tumour, but a brain biopsy demonstrated an adenocarcinoma in keeping with brain metastasis. Further immunohistochemistry suggested a probable colorectal primary. Subsequent staging confirmed a primary cancer within the caecum/terminal ileum, with extensive bilobar unresectable liver metastases. Unfortunately, as a consequence of the heavy tumour burden and rapid disease progression, the patient deteriorated rapidly and, due to his poor performance status, palliative chemotherapy was not deemed suitable. He was offered palliative whole brain radiotherapy to help control his symptoms, but he declined. He subsequently died at home a few weeks later, as per his wishes.
Interventions to improve screening and appropriate referral of patients with cancer for distress: systematic review protocol
Authors: McCarter Kristen , Britton Ben , Baker Amanda , Halpin Sean , Beck Alison , Carter Gregory , Wratten Chris , Bauer Judy , Booth Debbie , Forbes Erin , Wolfenden Luke
Published: September 2015

Introduction

It is estimated that 35–40% of patients with cancer experience distress at some stage during their illness. Distress may affect functioning, capacity to cope, treatment compliance, quality of life and survival of patients with cancer. Best practice clinical guidelines recommend routine psychosocial distress screening and referral for further assessment and/or psychosocial support for patients with cancer. However, evidence suggests this care is not provided consistently.

Methods and analysis

We developed our methods following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. The review is registered with PROSPERO and any amendments to the protocol will be tracked. The primary aim of this systematic review is to examine the impact of interventions delivered in healthcare settings that are aimed at (1) improving routine screening of patients for psychosocial distress and (2) referral of distressed patients with cancer for further assessment and/or psychosocial support. The effectiveness of such interventions in reducing psychosocial distress, and any unintended adverse effect of the intervention will also be assessed in patients with cancer. Data sources will include the bibliographic databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL. Eligible studies must compare an intervention (or two or more interventions) in a healthcare setting to improve the rate of screening for psychosocial distress and/or referral for further assessment and/or psychosocial support for patients with cancer with no intervention or ‘usual’ practice. Two investigators will independently review titles and abstracts, followed by full article reviews and data extraction. Disagreements will be resolved by consensus and if necessary, a third reviewer. Where studies are sufficiently homogenous, trial data will be pooled and meta-analyses performed.

Ethics and dissemination

No ethical issues are foreseen. The findings of this study will be disseminated widely via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration number CRD4 2015017518.
Gendering psychosis: the illness of Zelda Fitzgerald
Authors: Seeman Mary V
Published: September 2015

Psychiatric textbooks tend to describe psychosis as it is experienced by men. The well-documented illness of Zelda Fitzgerald illustrates the feminine side of psychosis. The distinctive features of Zelda's illness—its specific precipitants, the timing of its onset, the discontinuities in its course, the pronounced mood swings, the preservation of intellect and of agency, the maintenance of human ties, the association of flare-ups with immune and hormonal changes, the responsiveness to treatment, the lifelong creativity and productivity—show the female side of psychotic illness, one that is rarely described in diagnostic manuals. This paper relies on Nancy Milford's biography of Zelda, as well as on several other biographical sources and, using Zelda's own words and the words of her husband and friends, allows entry into a feminine world of psychosis, not encountered in textbooks. The expression of psychotic illness varies from person to person, its exact shape depending on many factors, most of them still undetermined, but gender is a critically important core component of variance.
Final results of the US humanitarian device exemption study of the low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device
Authors: Fiorella David , Arthur Adam , Boulos Alan , Diaz Orlando , Jabbour Pascal , Pride Lee , Turk Aquilla S , Woo Henry H , Derdeyn Colin , Millar John , Clifton Andrew
Published: September 2015

Introduction

The low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device is a new, braided, intracranial microstent designed for stent-assisted coiling.

Objective

To present the results of a single-arm, prospective, multicenter trial of the LVIS for treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

31 patients with unruptured, wide-necked (neck ≥4 mm or dome:neck ratio ≤2) intracranial aneurysms were treated with the LVIS device and bare platinum coils at six US centers (investigational device exemption G110014). Clinical follow-up was conducted at 30 days and 6 months. Angiographic follow-up was performed at 6 months. The primary safety endpoint was any major stroke or death within 30 days or major ipsilateral stroke or neurological death within 6 months. ‘Probable benefit’ was defined as ≥90% angiographic occlusion at 6 months. An independent core laboratory adjudicated the angiographic results. An independent clinical events committee adjudicated the clinical endpoints.

Results

Average aneurysm size was 7.2 mm (SD 3.8) and average neck width was 4.6 mm (SD 1.8). 68% of patients had a dome:neck ratio ≤2. LVIS placement was technically successful in 29/31 patients (93.5%). No primary safety endpoints occurred during the study (0%). No patient had a higher modified Rankin Score at 6 months than at baseline. 26/28 (92.9%) treated aneurysms with 6-month angiographic follow-up demonstrated ≥90% angiographic occlusion. 21/28 (75%) were completely occluded at follow-up.

Conclusions

The LVIS device facilitated the coil embolization of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms with high rates of technical success, an excellent safety profile, and very high rates of complete and near-complete occlusion at follow-up.

Trial registration number

NCT01541254.
Bicyclol attenuates tetracycline-induced fatty liver associated with inhibition of hepatic ER stress and apoptosis in mice
Authors: Yao Xiao-Min , Li Yue , Li Hong-Wei , Cheng Xiao-Yan , Lin Ai-Bin , Qu Jun-Ge
Published: September 2015

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is known to be involved in the development of several metabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Tetracycline can cause hepatic steatosis, and ER stress may be involved in tetracycline-induced fatty liver. Our previous study showed that bicyclol has been proven to protect against tetracycline-induced fatty liver in mice, and ER stress may also be involved in bicyclol’s hepatoprotective effect. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms associated with ER stress and apoptosis, by which bicyclol attenuated tetracycline-induced fatty liver in mice. Bicyclol (300 mg/kg) was given to mice by gavage 3 times. Tetracycline (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was injected at 1 h after the last dose of bicyclol. At 6 h and 24 h after single dose of tetracycline injection, serum ALT, AST, TG, CHO and hepatic histopathological examinations were performed to evaluate liver injuries. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by the accumulation of hepatic TG and CHO. Moreover, hepatic apoptosis and ER stress related markers were determined by TUNEL, real-time PCR, and western blot. As a result, bicyclol significantly protected against tetracycline-induced fatty liver as evidenced by the decrease of elevated serum transaminases and hepatic triglyceride, and the attenuation of histopathological changes in mice. In addition, bicyclol remarkably alleviated hepatic apoptosis and the gene expression of caspase–3, and increased the gene expression of XIAP. The gene expressions of ER stress-related markers, including CHOP, GRP78, IRE-1α, and ATF6, which were downregulated by bicyclol pretreatment in tetracycline-injected mice. These results suggested that bicyclol protected tetracycline-induced fatty liver partly due to its ability of anti-apoptosis associated with ER stress.
Carnosic acid attenuates acute ethanol-induced liver injury via a SIRT1/p66Shc-mediated mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Tian Xinyao , Hu Yan , Li Mingzhu , Xia Kun , Yin Jiye , Chen Juan , Liu Zhaoqian
Published: September 2015

Ethanol-induced liver injury is associated with oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis. We previously demonstrated that SIRT1/p66Shc pathway activation attenuates hepatocyte apoptosis in liver ischemia/reperfusion. The current study aimed to investigate whether carnosic acid (CA), a natural antioxidant, can inhibit acute ethanol-induced apoptosis of hepatocytes and to determine the effect of SIRT1/p66Shc on this process. Our results showed that CA pretreatment significantly reduced ethanol-induced histologic damage, serum aminotransferase activity, and oxidative stress in rats. Importantly, CA pretreatment increased SIRT1 expression following ethanol exposure. Furthermore, p66Shc expression was negatively correlated with SIRT1 expression. Consistent with the results demonstrating p66Shc inhibition, CA pretreatment inhibited the release of cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria. After exposing L02 cells to ethanol, the increased SIRT1 expression induced by CA was abrogated by pharmacologic SIRT1 inhibition or the use of siRNA against SIRT1. Additionally, SIRT1 inhibition significantly abrogated the suppression of p66Shc expression and mitochondrial translocation induced by CA. Accordingly, CA-induced decreases in the release of cytochrome C and AIF and in mitochondrial apoptosis were nearly abolished by SIRT1 knockdown. These data indicated that CA-activated SIRT1 is protective against ethanol treatment. In summary, CA attenuates acute ethanol-induced liver injury via a SIRT1/p66Shc-mediated mitochondrial pathway.
Eta-mesic nuclei: Past, present, future
Authors: Haider Q. , Liu Lon-Chang
Published: September 2015

Eta-mesic nucleus or the quasibound nuclear state of an eta (η) meson in a nucleus is caused by strong interaction force alone. This new type of nuclear species, which extends the landscape of nuclear physics, has been extensively studied since its prediction in 1986. In this paper, we review and analyze in great detail the models of the fundamental η–nucleon interaction leading to the formation of an η–mesic nucleus, the methods used in calculating the properties of a bound η, and the approaches employed in the interpretation of the pertinent experimental data. In view of the successful observation of the η–mesic nucleus 25 Mg η and other promising experimental results, future direction in searching for more η–mesic nuclei is suggested.
Early thermalization, hydrodynamics and energy loss in AdS/CFT
Authors: Chesler Paul M. , van der Schee Wilke
Published: September 2015

Gauge/gravity duality has provided unprecedented opportunities to study dynamics in certain strongly coupled gauge theories. This review aims to highlight several applications to heavy ion collisions including far-from-equilibrium dynamics, hydrodynamics and jet energy loss at strong coupling.
A NEW DYNAMICAL MODELING OF XENOPUS LAEVIS DURING FAST SWIMMING BASED ON REAL KINEMATICAL AND GEOMETRICAL DATA
Authors: SABOOHI MOBIN , JAMSHIDI NIMA , POURSINA MEHRDAD
Published: September 2015

The dynamic study of frog’s swimming style contributes to the modeling of the nature-inspired robots. To study the torque matrix produced in the joints during continuous modeling, the dynamic model of the Xenopus laevis swimming is reproduced in the coronal plane. The necessary kinematic data for the modeling is extracted from the frog movement graphs and diagrams during swimming. In the dynamic model, legs are considered as a group of rigid links. In order to verify this method, the generated forward force in half a cycle is studied. Unlike the previous studies, the role of geometry, dimensions and mechanical properties of the legs’ fundamental links in generating thrust force is modeled in this study, leading to finding the most proper form for this mechanism design.
Synthesis of phthalonitrile derivatives by photoinduced reactions. New unsymmetrical substituted zinc phthalocyanines
Authors: Tempesti Tomas C. , Baumgartner María T.
Published: September 2015

The synthesis of new phthalonitrile derivatives by photoinduced reaction is described. Novel unsymmetrically substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanine bearing an aryl alcohol group (ArZnPc) was synthesized by the ring expansion reaction of boron(III) subphthalocyanine chloride with an appropriated phthalonitrile. The spectroscopic and photodynamic properties of these ArZnPc were studied.
Haar wavelet method for the numerical solution of Klein–Gordan equations
Authors: Shiralashetti S. C. , Angadi L. M. , Deshi A. B. , Kantli M. H.
Published: September 2015

Wavelets have become a powerful tool for having applications in almost all the areas of engineering and science such as numerical simulation of partial differential equations. In this paper, we present the Haar wavelet method (HWM) to solve the linear and nonlinear Klein–Gordon equations which occur in several applied physics fields such as, quantum field theory, fluid dynamics, etc. The fundamental idea of HWM is to convert the Klein–Gordon equations into a group of algebraic equations, which involve a finite number of variables. The examples are given to demonstrate the numerical results obtained by HWM, are compared with already existing numerical method i.e. finite difference method (FDM) and exact solution to confirm the good accuracy of the presented scheme.
Crystal structure, dielectric, ferroelectric and energy storage properties of La-doped BaTiO3 semiconducting ceramics
Authors: Puli Venkata Sreenivas , Li Patrick , Adireddy Shiva , Chrisey Douglas B.
Published: September 2015

Polycrystalline La-doped [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [[Formula: see text]] ceramics (denoted as BTO,BLT1,BLT2,BLT3) were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. XRD and Raman spectra revealed single-phase tetragonal perovskite crystalline structure. Well-saturated polarization–electric field ([Formula: see text]) hysteresis loops were observed with the measurement frequency of 50 Hz at room temperature and confirmed ferroelectric nature of these ceramics and a high recoverable electrical energy storage density of 0.350 J/cm3 with energy efficiency [Formula: see text], which is useful in energy storage capacitor applications. Dielectric studies revealed anomalies around 415–420 K and near the Curie temperature. The latter is attributed to the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. Better dielectric performances were obtained for La-doped samples sintered at 1350°C for 4 h. Grain growth is inhibited with lanthanum (La) incorporation into the BTO lattice. Room temperature semiconducting behavior with positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) behavior at [Formula: see text] is attributed to electron compensation mechanism.
Modelling for comfort?
Authors: Bentley Mark
Published: September 2015

Reservoir modelling studies are widespread and are often built into a formal gated process used for decision-making. Now ubiquitous, it is easy for the models to simply become tools for verification of a decision that has partially or wholly been made – ‘modelling for comfort’. This is particularly the case in mature fields, when the presence of an inherited model already anchors the view of the field, and the volume of production data discourages the practitioner from exploring uncertainties with multiple models. It is proposed that reservoir modelling offers most value when used to create some
discomfort
– a stress test for decision-making that can identify upsides and secure against loss. This requires an awareness of the biases at work in model design and a conscious choice to move away from the default of a single, detailed, full-field model. This ideally means moving away from base-case-led modelling altogether, and typically involves multi-scale model design and multiple models for uncertainty handling, based either on stochastic modelling or multi-deterministic, scenario-based approaches.
The Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous alluvial-fan deposits of the Kalaza Formation (Central Asia): tectonic pulse or increased aridity?
Authors: Jolivet Marc , Bourquin Sylvie , Heilbronn Gloria , Robin Cecile , Barrier Laurie , Dabard Marie-Pierre , Jia Yingying , De Pelsmaeker Elien , Fu Bihong
Published: September 2015

The topographical evolution of tectonic systems, as well as the sedimentation pattern and depositional environments in the associated basins, are controlled by both tectonics and climate. In the region of the Tien Shan (Central Asia), the Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous period was marked by complex, low-intensity tectonic deformation and major climate changes from humid to arid conditions (Jurassic) to semi-arid conditions (Cretaceous). Using the sediment record in the Junggar, Tarim and Fergana basins to describe the tectonic evolution of the Tien Shan area during the Mesozoic thus requires differentiation between the tectonic and climatic influences on sedimentation. The conglomerates of the Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Kalaza Formation were commonly associated with renewed tectonic activity resulting from the docking of the Lhasa block along the southern margin of Asia. From sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy analyses of several sections in the Junggar, Tarim and Fergana basins, we reassess the main factors controlling the deposition of this formation. We show that, while some tectonic activity persisted throughout the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition, the switch from the sandy deposits of the Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation to the coarse deposits of the Kalaza Formation is largely linked to the development of an arid climate.
Spike-Time-Dependent Encoding for Neuromorphic Processors
Authors: Zhao Chenyuan , Wysocki Bryant T. , Liu Yifang , Thiem Clare D. , McDonald Nathan R. , Yi Yang
Published: September 2015

This article presents our research towards developing novel and fundamental methodologies for data representation using spike-timing-dependent encoding. Time encoding efficiently maps a signal's amplitude information into a spike time sequence that represents the input data and offers perfect recovery for band-limited stimuli. In this article, we pattern the neural activities across multiple timescales and encode the sensory information using time-dependent temporal scales. The spike encoding methodologies for autonomous classification of time-series signatures are explored using near-chaotic reservoir computing. The proposed spiking neuron is compact, low power, and robust. A hardware implementation of these results is expected to produce an agile hardware implementation of time encoding as a signal conditioner for dynamical neural processor designs.
REDELF
Authors: Lee Jinho , Kang Kyungsu , Choi Kiyoung
Published: September 2015

3D
integrated circuits
(3D ICs) using
through-silicon vias
(TSVs) allow to envision the stacking of dies with different functions and technologies, using as an interconnect backbone a 3D
network-on-chip
(NoC). However, partial vertical connection in 3D NoCs seems unavoidable because of the large overhead of TSV itself (e.g., large footprint, low fabrication yield, additional fabrication processes) as well as the heterogeneity in dimension. This article proposes an energy-efficient deadlock-free routing algorithm for 3D mesh topologies where vertical connections partially exist. By introducing some rules for selecting elevators (i.e., vertical links between dies), the routing algorithm can eliminate the dedicated virtual channel requirement. In this article, the rules themselves as well as the proof of deadlock freedom are given. By eliminating the virtual channels for deadlock avoidance, the proposed routing algorithm reduces the energy consumption by 38.9% compared to a conventional routing algorithm. When the virtual channel is used for reducing the head-of-line blocking, the proposed routing algorithm increases performance by up to 23.1% and 6.9% on average.
Modeling DVFS and Power-Gating Actuators for Cycle-Accurate NoC-Based Simulators
Authors: Zoni Davide , Fornaciari William
Published: September 2015

Networks-on-chip
(NoCs) are a widely recognized viable interconnection paradigm to support the multi-core revolution. One of the major design issues of multicore architectures is still the power, which can no longer be considered mainly due to the cores, since the NoC contribution to the overall energy budget is relevant. To face both static and dynamic power while balancing NoC performance, different actuators have been exploited in literature, mainly
dynamic voltage frequency scaling
(DVFS) and power gating. Typically, simulation-based tools are employed to explore the huge design space by adopting simplified models of the components. As a consequence, the majority of state-of-the-art on NoC power-performance optimization do not accurately consider timing and power overheads of actuators, or (even worse) do not consider them at all, with the risk of overestimating the benefits of the proposed methodologies.

This article presents a simulation framework for power-performance analysis of multicore architectures with specific focus on the NoC. It integrates accurate power gating and DVFS models encompassing also their timing and power overheads. The value added of our proposal is manyfold: (i) DVFS and power gating actuators are modeled starting from SPICE-level simulations; (ii) such models have been integrated in the simulation environment; (iii) policy analysis support is plugged into the framework to enable assessment of different policies; (iv) a flexible GALS (
globally asynchronous locally synchronous
) support is provided, covering both handshake and FIFO re-synchronization schemas. To demonstrate both the flexibility and extensibility of our proposal, two simple policies exploiting the modeled actuators are discussed in the article.
ProWATCh
Authors: Patnaik Milan , R Chidhambaranathan , Garg Chirag , Roy Arnab , Devanathan V. R. , Balachandran Shankar , Kamakoti V.
Published: September 2015

With the increase in process variations and diversity in workloads, it is imperative to holistically explore optimization techniques for power and temperature from the circuit layer right up to the compiler/
operating system
(OS) layer. This article proposes one such holistic technique, called
proactive workload aware temperature management framework for low-power chip multi-processors
(ProWATCh). At the compiler level ProWATCh includes two techniques: (1) a novel compiler design for estimating the architectural parameters of a task at compile time; and (2) a model-based technique for dynamic estimation of architectural parameters at runtime. At the OS level ProWATCh integrates two techniques: (1) a workload- and temperature-aware process manager for dynamic distribution of tasks to different cores; and (2) a model predictive control-based task scheduler for generating the efficient sequence of task execution. At the circuit level ProWATCh implements either of two techniques: (1) a workload-aware voltage manager for dynamic supply and body bias voltage assignment for a given frequency in processors that support
adaptive body bias
(ABB); or (2) a workload-aware frequency governor for efficient assignment of upper and lower frequency bounds for frequency scaling in processors that do not support an ABB. Employing ProWATCh (with voltage manager) on an ABB-compatible 3D OpenSPARC architecture using
MiBench
benchmarks resulted in an average
18%
(
19ˆC
) reduction in peak temperature. Evaluating ProWATCh on an existing quad-core Intel Corei7 processor with frequency governor alone (as the processor does not support an ABB interface) resulted in
10%
(
8ˆC
) reduction in peak temperature when compared to what was obtained using the native Linux 3.0
completely fair scheduler
(CFS). To study the effectiveness of the proposed framework across benchmark suites, ProWATCh was evaluated on a quad-core Intel Corei7 processor using
CPU SPEC 2006
benchmarks which resulted in
7ˆC
reduction in peak temperature as compared to the native Linux 3.0 CFS.
Relationships Among Minimum Requirements, Facebook Likes, and Groupon Deal Outcomes
Authors: Bai Xue , Marsden James R. , Ross William T. , Wang Gang
Published: September 2015

Daily deal coupons have gained a prominent foothold on the web. The earliest and largest player is Groupon. Originally, Groupon deals were a mix of deals with a minimum requirement (
MR
) of coupon sales before a deal became effective and of deals without a minimum requirement (
NMR
). Eventually, Groupon stopped using
MR
deals. For Groupon and its retailer customers, might this decision have actually resulted in negative impacts for both parties (fewer coupons sold and lower revenue)? The structure of Groupon deals (including a “Facebook like” option) together with electronic access to the necessary data offered the opportunity to empirically investigate these questions. We analyzed relationships among
MR
, Facebook likes (
FL
), quantity of coupons sold, and total revenue, performing the analysis across the four largest retail categories. Using timestamped empirical data, we completed a propensity score analysis of causal effects. We find that the presence of
MR
increases Facebook likes, quantity of coupons sold, and total revenue at the time point when the
MR
is met and at subsequent 2-hour intervals over the horizon of deals. A key finding is that the initial differences observed when
MR
is met not only continue but also actually increase over the life of the deals.
Łukasiewicz Games
Authors: Marchioni Enrico , Wooldridge Michael
Published: September 2015

Boolean games provide a simple, compact, and theoretically attractive abstract model for studying multiagent interactions in settings where players will act strategically in an attempt to achieve individual goals. A standard critique of Boolean games, however, is that the strictly dichotomous nature of the preference relations induced by Boolean goals inevitably trivialises the nature of such strategic interactions: a player is assumed to be indifferent between all outcomes that satisfy her goal, and indifferent between all outcomes that do not satisfy her goal. While various proposals have been made to overcome this limitation, many of these proposals require the inclusion of nonlogical structures into games to capture nondichotomous preferences. In this article, we introduce Łukasiewicz games, which overcome this limitation by allowing goals to be specified using
Łukasiewicz logics
. By expressing goals as formulae of Łukasiewicz logics, we can express a much richer class of utility functions for players than is possible using classical Boolean logic: we can express every continuous piecewise linear polynomial function with rational coefficients over [0, 1]

n

as well as their finite-valued restrictions over {0, 1/
k
, …, (
k
− 1)/
k
, 1}

n

. We thus obtain a representation of nondichotomous preference structures within a purely logical framework. After introducing the formal framework of Łukasiewicz games, we present a number of detailed worked examples to illustrate the framework, and then investigate some of their theoretical properties. In particular, we present a logical characterisation of the existence of Nash equilibria in finite and infinite Łukasiewicz games. We conclude by briefly discussing issues of computational complexity.
P-DONAS
Authors: Danielis Peter , Altmann Vlado , Skodzik Jan , Wegner Tim , Koerner Achim , Timmermann Dirk
Published: September 2015

The domain name system (DNS) includes infrastructures deployed by Internet service providers (ISPs) and third-party suppliers to ensure high responsiveness, resilience, and load sharing. This equipment implies high effort and energy for 24/7 operation. To facilitate cost reductions in this regard, P-DONAS—a peer-to-peer (P2P)-based DNS—organizes access nodes (ANs) of an ISP’s access network, which possess available resources, into a decentralized, self-organizing distributed hash table--based P2P network. Each AN acts as traditional DNS server and solely stores a piece of DNS data. DNS requests issued to an AN are resolved via P2P lookups while maintaining full compatibility with traditional DNS. The article discusses the application of P-DONAS as both a complement and an alternative to traditional DNS. Results from both simulations and a practical test arrangement prove P-DONAS’ high scalability and its performance comparable to that of a commercial DNS name server relieving this name server by 53% to 75% of DNS traffic.
Gradient bandwidth allocations
Authors: Jonckheere Matthieu , Shneer Seva
Published: September 2015

We look at bandwidth-sharing networks where bandwidth allocations are not known to maximize a priori any utility function. Instead, we only require the allocation functions to be 0-homogeneous and concave, which are desirable properties in many situations.

We show that a certain gradient condition is necessary and sufficient for such allocations to solve an optimization problem leading to important corollaries such as deriving the stability set of these 0-homogeneous concave allocation.
Analysis of the Energy-Response Time Tradeoff for Delayed Mobile Cloud Offloading
Authors: Wu Huaming , Sun Yi , Wolter Katinka
Published: September 2015

We develop a delayed offloading model to leverage the complementary strength of WiFi and cellular networks when choosing heterogeneous wireless interfaces for offloading. Optimality analysis of the energy-delay tradeoff is carried out by using a queueing model with impatient jobs and service interruptions, which captures both energy and performance metrics and also intermittently available access links.
Proactive Serving Decreases User Delay Exponentially
Authors: Zhang Shaoquan , Huang Longbo , Chen Minghua , Liu Xin
Published: September 2015

In online service systems, the delay experienced by a user from the service request to the service completion is one of the most critical performance metrics. To improve user delay experience, recent industrial practice suggests a modern system design mechanism: proactive serving, where the system predicts future user requests and allocates its capacity to serve these upcoming requests proactively. In this paper, we investigate the fundamentals of proactive serving from a theoretical perspective. In particular, we show that proactive serving decreases average delay exponentially (as a function of the prediction window size). Our results provide theoretical foundations for proactive serving and shed light on its application in practical systems.
Speculation-aware Cluster Scheduling
Authors: Ren Xiaoqi , Ananthanarayanan Ganesh , Wierman Adam , Yu Minlan
Published: September 2015

Stragglers are a crucial roadblock to achieving predictable performance in today's clusters. Speculation has been widelyadopted in order to mitigate the impact of stragglers; however speculation mechanisms are designed and operated independently of job scheduling when, in fact, scheduling a speculative copy of a task has a direct impact on the resources available for other jobs. In this work, based on a simple model and its analysis, we design Hopper, a job scheduler that is speculation-aware, i.e., that integrates the tradeoffs associated with speculation into job scheduling decisions.
Deployment of a large-scale soil monitoring geosensor network
Authors: Mulukutla Gopal K. , Godbois Brian T. , Frey Serita
Published: September 2015

We provide an overview of our practical experience with developing a distributed sensor network to monitor soil response to climate change and increase our understanding of the complex interactions of the surrounding ecological, biogeochemical and meteorological processes. The network consists of seven sites with unique topographical, and land-use characteristics, spread across a large area in the state of New Hampshire (US). The system was designed to measure soil moisture, soil CO
2
efflux and make other ancillary measurements (air temperature, precipitation, wind speed etc.). The system design encompasses sensor and hardware selection, customization and the overcoming design constraints such as the need to operate a power hungry sensing system at remote locations with access only to solar power. The data we collect streams to the web as an outreach and teaching resource, provides input to ecosystem models used to predict how ecosystems in the region will respond to climate and land-use change, and directly monitors soil properties and processes in a changing climate.
Fusing human and technical sensor data
Authors: Resch Bernd , Blaschke Thomas
Published: September 2015

As geo-sensor webs have not grown as quickly as expected, new, alternative data sources have to be found for near real-time analysis in areas like emergency management, environmental monitoring, public health, or urban planning. This paper assesses the ability of human sensors, i.e., user-generated observations in a wide range of social networks, the mobile phone network, or micro-blogs, to complement geo-sensor networks. We clearly delineate the concepts of People as Sensors, Collective Sensing and Citizen Science. Furthermore, we point out current challenges in fusing data from technical and human sensors, and sketch future research areas in this field.
Designing public communication about doulas
Authors: Kuehl Rebecca A. , Anderson Jenn
Published: September 2015

Expectant parents use health communication messaging to make decisions about their childbirth plans. Recently, women have increasingly chosen to use doulas, or people who provide non-medical support during childbirth. This essay analyzes how a hospital designed public communication through promotional efforts regarding their no-cost, volunteer doula program. We use rhetorical analysis to analyze 19 promotional texts. By analyzing these materials through the rhetorical method of presence and absence, we found that the health discourse related to the doula program gave presence to expectant mothers. Additionally, the benefits of doulas, especially in relation to fathers or partners, remained absent in promoting the volunteer doula program. Through specific communication design recommendations, we focus on how to improve this communication to increase the use of doulas in our community, and in other communities. We conclude with implications and limitations of the study.
Assessing the accuracy of trauma patient prioritization
Authors: Avtgis Theodore A. , Kappel David , Polack E. Phillips , Wilson Alison , Knight Jennifer
Published: September 2015

This study sought to investigate the effectiveness of an information exchange protocol (M.I.S.E.R) designed to increase the effectiveness of messages pertaining to rural trauma patients and triage prioritization. Trained coders were randomly assigned to three conditions; audio, transcript, and transcript and audio. Participants coded several hundred actual information exchanges between first responders and medical command operators. Findings confirm the effectiveness of the M.I.S.E.R. information exchange protocol as well as the effectiveness of exchanging crisis messages via two-way radio as compared to having a transcript of the call or both audio recordings and transcripts. Implications for communication design, healthcare practitioners, and effective modes for exchanging crisis communication messages are presented.