bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Setting the Record Straight: Frame Contestation as an Advocacy Tactic
Authors: Boscarino Jessica E.
Published: August 2015

Policy scholars recognize that most policy arenas are characterized by competition among interests advancing different problem frames with conflicting problem definitions and/or solutions. At the same time, there is little research that empirically analyzes the dynamics of such framing contests. Using a case study of energy policy advocacy by the Sierra Club and Environmental Defense Fund across three decades, I examine the tactics that interest groups employ when faced with agenda conflict. Contrary to what most policy research suggests, I find that interest groups do not avoid public clashes with their competitors; rather, they often willingly engage in confrontational framing techniques. I call this activity frame contestation, and it involves attempts at discrediting opponents’ factual claims, policy ideas, and/or group character. The study reveals interesting differences between groups in the specific types of frame contestation employed. In particular, the use of character frames that attack an opponents’ reputation appears to be linked to group ideology and orientation toward the business community. These findings enhance our understanding of advocacy group decision making and focus our attention on the role of frame contestation in agenda setting and policymaking outcomes.
Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis Using Scenario‐Based Input‐Output Modeling: Application to Port Operations
Authors: Thekdi Shital A. , Santos Joost R.
Published: August 2015

Disruptive events such as natural disasters, loss or reduction of resources, work stoppages, and emergent conditions have potential to propagate economic losses across trade networks. In particular, disruptions to the operation of container port activity can be detrimental for international trade and commerce. Risk assessment should anticipate the impact of port operation disruptions with consideration of how priorities change due to uncertain scenarios and guide investments that are effective and feasible for implementation. Priorities for protective measures and continuity of operations planning must consider the economic impact of such disruptions across a variety of scenarios. This article introduces new performance metrics to characterize resiliency in interdependency modeling and also integrates scenario‐based methods to measure economic sensitivity to sudden‐onset disruptions. The methods will be demonstrated on a U.S. port responsible for handling $36.1 billion of cargo annually. The methods will be useful to port management, private industry supply chain planning, and transportation infrastructure management.
Dose–response relationship between light exposure and cycling performance
Authors: Knaier R. , Meister S. , Aeschbacher T. , Gemperle D. , Rossmeissl A. , Cajochen C. , Schmidt‐Trucksäss A.
Published: August 2015

Light has a stimulating effect on physical performance if scheduled according to the chronotype, but dose‐dependent effects on performance have not yet been examined. Three groups of healthy men (25.1 ± 3.1 years) were exposed to light for different durations in a parallel group design before a 40‐min time‐trial. In each group, subjects were exposed to either bright light (BL, 4420 lx) or moderate light (ML, 230 lx) in a randomized order in a crossover design. The durations of light exposure were 120 min prior to and during exercise (2HEX;n = 16), 60 min prior to and during exercise (1HEX;n = 10), or only for 60 min prior to exercise (1H;n = 15). Total work performed during the time‐trial inkJin the2HEXgroup was significantly higher in theBLsetting (527 kJ) than inML(512 kJ) (P = 0.002), but not in1HEX(BL: 485 kJ;ML: 498 kJ) or 1H (BL: 519 kJ;ML: 514 kJ) (P = 0.770;P = 0.485). There was a significant (P = 0.006) positive dose–response relationship between the duration of light exposure and the work performed over the three doses of light exposure. A long duration light exposure is an effective tool to increase total work in a medium length time‐trial in subjects normalized for their individual chronotype.
Open Skies over the Middle East
Authors: Cristea Anca D. , Hillberry Russell , Mattoo Aaditya
Published: August 2015

The dynamism of air traffic markets in the Middle East obscures the persistence of restrictions on international competition. But how important are such restrictions for passenger traffic? This paper uses detailed data on worldwide passenger aviation to estimate the effect of air transport policy on international air traffic. The policy variable is a quantitative measure of the commitments under international agreements. The paper analyses, for the first time, not only bilateral agreements, but also plurilateral agreements such as the one among Arab states. The analysis finds that more liberal policy is associated with greater passenger traffic between countries. Higher traffic levels appear to be driven by larger numbers of city‐pairs being served, as well as by more passengers travelling along given routes. To demonstrate the quantitative implication of the estimates, two liberalisation scenarios in the Middle East are evaluated. Deepening the plurilateral agreement among Arab states would lead to a 30 per cent increase in intraregional passenger traffic. Widening the agreement to include Turkey would generate significantly larger gains because current policy vis‐à‐vis Turkey is much more restrictive.
Effect of 6–8 weeks of oral ursodeoxycholic acid administration on serum concentrations of fasting and postprandial bile acids and biochemical analytes in healthy dogs
Authors: Deitz Krysta L. , Makielski Kelly M. , Williams Jackie M. , Lin Hui , Morrison Jo Ann
Published: August 2015

Background

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is commonly used for the treatment of hepatobiliary disease.UDCAis a bile acid that can be detected in the bile acid assay. Its effect on biochemical analytes is unknown.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 6–8 weeks ofUDCAadministration on fasting and postprandial concentrations of serum bile acids (SBA), cholesterol, triglycerides, bilirubin, and liver enzyme activities in healthy dogs.

Methods

Twenty healthy dogs receivedUDCAfor 6–8 weeks.CBC, biochemistry profile, urinalysis, fasting and postprandialSBA, and hepatobiliary ultrasound examination were performed prior to startingUDCA(timepoint 0) and after 6–8 weeks of therapy, while animals were still receivingUDCA(timepoint 1). Timepoint 0 and timepoint 1 values were compared with a pairedt‐test.SBAwere remeasured 72 hours afterUDCAdiscontinuation.

Results

Only mean fastingSBAat timepoint 1 increased significantly (P = .03) from timepoint 0 (2.26 μmol/L at time 0 and 3.81 μmol/L at time 1) but were not elevated above the normal reference interval (0–9 μmol/L). Two dogs had timepoint 1 fastingSBAabove the reference interval (10 and 11.7 μmol/L). One dog had timepoint 1 postprandialSBAabove the reference interval at 20.1 μmol/L (reference interval 0–17 μmol/L). RepeatSBA72 hours afterUDCAdiscontinuation were normal.

Conclusions

Long‐term administration ofUDCAto healthy dogs may increase fastingSBAabove pretreatment values (typically within the reference interval). Long‐term administration ofUDCAto healthy dogs does not alter liver enzyme activities, and bilirubin, cholesterol, or triglyceride concentrations.
A small‐scale open‐label study of the treatment of canine flea allergy dermatitis with fluralaner
Authors: Fisara Petr , Shipstone Michael , von Berky Andrew , von Berky Janet
Published: August 2015

Background

Fluralaner is an isoxazoline systemic insecticide and acaricide that provides persistent flea‐killing activity on dogs for 12 weeks. European and US field studies have shown that fluralaner treatment alleviates the signs of flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) in client‐owned dogs.

Hypothesis/Objective

To assess the clinical response in FAD affected dogs over the 12‐week period following a single oral fluralaner treatment.

Animals

Twenty client‐owned dogs were diagnosed with FAD on the basis of compatible clinical signs and a positive response in flea antigen tests, using intradermal and or serological methods.

Methods

An open‐label small‐scale study with all dogs receiving a single oral fluralaner treatment. All enrolled dogs were diagnosed with FAD and then clinically monitored at 4‐week intervals for 12 weeks. Twenty dogs completed the study.

Results

All dogs were flea‐free at all post‐treatment assessments except for one dog that had a single flea at the first post‐enrollment assessment at 4 weeks. At the 4‐week post‐treatment assessment active FAD signs had resolved in all dogs; at 8 weeks post‐treatment, two dogs showed mild signs. All clinical signs of FAD had resolved at the final assessment of 12 weeks after treatment.

Conclusions and clinical importance

A single administration of fluralaner alleviated or resolved signs associated with FAD in all treated dogs over the recommended 12‐week treatment period.
Negative experiences and predonation blood pressure at the subsequent donation in blood donors
Authors: Hoogerwerf M. D. , Veldhuizen I. J. T. , van den Hurk K. , de Kort W. L. A. M. , Sluiter J. K. , Frings‐Dresen M. H. W.
Published: August 2015

Background

Negative donation experiences, like being deferred or experiencing an adverse reaction, might upset blood donors, resulting in anticipatory stress responses such as elevated blood pressure at the subsequent visit. We therefore explored associations between blood donors’ negative donation experiences and their blood pressure at the subsequent visit.

Study Design and Methods

Blood pressure of donors with no history of negative experiences in three consecutive donations was compared to the blood pressure of donors with a negative experience during the second of the three donations. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) measured prior to the third donation was compared between the two groups, using linear regression analyses. Two types of negative experiences (adverse reactions and deferral) were analysed, stratifying for donation type and sex, and adjusting for age and predonation blood pressure at baseline.

Results

In total, 248 118 (50% female) donors were included in the analyses. Eleven per cent (26 380 donors, 61% female) had experienced a negative experience. Fainting and dizziness were associated with significant (P < 0·05) increases in systolic blood pressure: in men, 3·0 mmHg (fainting) and 2·0 mmHg (dizziness); in women, 2·0 mmHg (fainting) and 1·4 mmHg (dizziness). Deferral was associated with significant (P < 0·05) increases in both systolic (men: 0·7 mmHg, women: 0·3 mmHg) and diastolic (men: 0·2 mmHg, women: 0·3 mmHg) blood pressure.

Conclusion

Whole blood donations with negative experiences were associated with a statistically significant higher predonation blood pressure at the subsequent visit. This indicates that negative experiences might cause an anticipatory stress reaction in a subsequent donation.
Toward a Unified Design Approach for Both Compliant Mechanisms and Rigid-Body Mechanisms: Module Optimization
Authors: Cao Lin , Dolovich Allan T. , Schwab Arend L. , Herder Just L. , Zhang Wenjun (Chris)
Published: August 2015

Rigid-body mechanisms (RBMs) and compliant mechanisms (CMs) are traditionally treated in significantly different ways. In this paper, we present a synthesis approach that is appropriate for both RBMs and CMs. In this approach, RBMs and CMs are generalized into modularized mechanisms that consist of five basic modules, including compliant links (CLs), rigid links (RLs), pin joints (PJs), compliant joints (CJs), and rigid joints (RJs). The link modules and joint modules are modeled through beam elements and hinge elements, respectively, in a geometrically nonlinear finite-element solver, and subsequently a beam-hinge ground structure model is proposed. Based on this new model, a link and joint determination approach—module optimization—is developed for the type and dimensional synthesis of both RBMs and CMs. In the module optimization approach, the states (both presence or absence and sizes) of joints and links are all design variables, and one may obtain an RBM, a partially CM, or a fully CM for a given mechanical task. Three design examples of path generators are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach to the type and dimensional synthesis of RBMs and CMs.
Investigating the Role of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Ameta Gaurav , Lipman Robert , Moylan Shawn , Witherell Paul
Published: August 2015

Additive manufacturing (AM) has increasingly gained attention in the last decade as a versatile manufacturing process for customized products. AM processes can create complex, freeform shapes while also introducing features, such as internal cavities and lattices. These complex geometries are either not feasible or very costly with traditional manufacturing processes. The geometric freedoms associated with AM create new challenges in maintaining and communicating dimensional and geometric accuracy of parts produced. This paper reviews the implications of AM processes on current geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) practices, including specification standards, such as ASME Y14.5 and ISO 1101, and discusses challenges and possible solutions that lie ahead. Various issues highlighted in this paper are classified as (a) AM-driven specification issues and (b) specification issues highlighted by the capabilities of AM processes. AM-driven specification issues may include build direction, layer thickness, support structure related specification, and scan/track direction. Specification issues highlighted by the capabilities of AM processes may include region-based tolerances for complex freeform surfaces, tolerancing internal functional features, and tolerancing lattice and infills. We introduce methods to address these potential specification issues. Finally, we summarize potential impacts to upstream and downstream tolerancing steps, including tolerance analysis, tolerance transfer, and tolerance evaluation.
Kinematics for an Actuated Flexible n-Manifold
Authors: Medina Oded , Shapiro Amir , Shvalb Nir
Published: August 2015

Recent years show an increasing interest in flexible robots due to their adaptability merits. This paper introduces a novel set of hyper-redundant flexible robots which we call actuated flexible manifold (AFM). The AFM is a two-dimensional hyper-redundant grid surface embedded in ℝ2 or ℝ3. Theoretically, such a mechanism can be manipulated into any continuous smooth function. We introduce the mathematical framework for the kinematics of an AFM. We prove that for a nonsingular configuration, the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) of an AFM is simply the number of its grid segments. We also show that for a planar rectangular grid, every nonsingular configuration that is also energetically stable is isolated. We show how to calculate the forward and inverse kinematics for such a mechanism. Our analysis is also applicable for three-dimensional hyper-redundant structures as well. Finally, we demonstrate our solution on some actuated flexible grid-shaped surfaces.
Creep in Interlaminar Shear of an Oxide/Oxide Ceramic-Matrix Composite at Elevated Temperature1
Authors: Ruggles-Wrenn M. B. , Hilburn S. R.
Published: August 2015

Creep behavior in interlaminar shear of an oxide–oxide ceramic composite was evaluated at 1100 °C in laboratory air and in steam environment. The composite (N720/AS) consists of a porous aluminosilicate matrix reinforced with laminated, woven mullite/alumina (Nextel™720) fibers, has no interface between the fiber and matrix, and relies on the porous matrix for flaw tolerance. The interlaminar shear properties were measured. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was determined as 7.6 MPa. The creep behavior was examined for interlaminar shear stresses in the 2–6 MPa range. Primary and secondary creep regimes were observed in all tests conducted in air and in steam. Tertiary creep was noted in tests performed at 6 MPa. Creep run-out defined as 100 hrs at creep stress was not achieved in any of the tests. Larger creep strains and higher creep strain rates were produced in steam. However, the presence of steam had a beneficial effect on creep lifetimes. Composite microstructure, as well as damage and failure mechanisms, was investigated.
A New Method for Predicting Critical Speeds in Rotordynamics
Authors: Virgin Lawrence N. , Knight Josiah D. , Plaut Raymond H.
Published: August 2015

The prediction of critical speeds of a rotating shaft is a crucial issue in a variety of industrial applications ranging from turbomachinery to disk storage systems. The modeling and analysis of rotordynamic systems is subject to a number of complications, but perhaps the most important characteristic is to pass through a critical speed under spin-up conditions. This is associated with classical resonance phenomena and high amplitudes, and is often a highly undesirable situation. However, given uncertainties in the modeling of such systems, it can be very difficult to predict critical speeds based on purely theoretical considerations. Thus, it is clearly useful to gain knowledge of the critical speeds of rotordynamic systems under in situ conditions. The present study describes a relatively simple method to predict the first critical speed using data from low rotational speeds. The method is shown to work well for two standard rotordynamic models, and with data from experiments conducted during this study.
Comparison of Spar and Semisubmersible Floater Concepts of Offshore Wind Turbines Using Long-Term Analysis
Authors: Bagbanci Hasan , Karmakar D. , Guedes Soares C.
Published: August 2015

The long-term probability distributions of a spar-type and a semisubmersible-type offshore floating wind turbine response are calculated for surge, heave, and pitch motions along with the side-to-side, fore–aft, and yaw tower base bending moments. The transfer functions for surge, heave, and pitch motions for both spar-type and semisubmersible-type floaters are obtained using the fast code and the results are also compared with the results obtained in an experimental study. The long-term predictions of the most probable maximum values of motion amplitudes are used for design purposes, so as to guarantee the safety of the floating wind turbines against overturning in high waves and wind speed. The long-term distribution is carried out using North Atlantic wave data and the short-term floating wind turbine responses are represented using Rayleigh distributions. The transfer functions are used in the procedure to calculate the variances of the short-term responses. The results obtained for both spar-type and semisubmersible-type offshore floating wind turbine are compared, and the study will be helpful in the assessments of the long-term availability and economic performance of the spar-type and semisubmersible-type offshore floating wind turbine.
Closed-Form Vibration Response of a Special Class of Spinning, Cyclic Symmetric Rotor-Bearing-Housing Systems
Authors: Tai W. C. , Shen I. Y.
Published: August 2015

Vibration of a spinning, cyclic symmetric rotor supported by flexible bearings and housing is governed by a set of ordinary differential equations with periodic coefficients. As a result, analytical solutions of such systems are generally not available. This paper is to prove that closed-form solutions are available for such systems if the following two conditions are met. First, the rotor has a rigid hub and the rest of the rotor is flexible. Second, elastic mode shapes of the rotor's flexible part only present axial displacement. Under these two conditions, the periodic coefficients will only appear between repeated modes of the spinning rotor and vibration modes of the stationary housing. This unique structure enables a coordinate transformation to convert the governing ordinary differential equations with periodic coefficients into a set of ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients, whose closed-form solution is readily available. Moreover, the coordinate transformation can be derived explicitly. Finally, we demonstrate the closed-form solution through a benchmark numerical model that consists of a spinning rotor, a stationary housing, and two elastic bearings. In particular, the rotor is a circular disk with four evenly spaced radial slots and a central rigid hub. The housing is a square plate with a central rigid shaft and is fixed at four corners. The two elastic bearings connect the rotor and the housing between the hub and shaft. Numerical results confirm that the original equation of motion with periodic coefficients and the closed-form solutions predict the same vibration response.
Technical Note: On the calculation of stopping‐power ratio for stoichiometric calibration in proton therapy
Authors: Ödén Jakob , Zimmerman Jens , Bujila Robert , Nowik Patrik , Poludniowski Gavin
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

The quantitative effects of assumptions made in the calculation of stopping‐power ratios (SPRs) are investigated, for stoichiometric CT calibration in proton therapy. The assumptions investigated include the use of the Bethe formula without correction terms, Bragg additivity, the choice of I‐value for water, and the data source for elemental I‐values.

Methods:

The predictions of the Bethe formula for SPR (no correction terms) were validated against more sophisticated calculations using the srim software package for 72 human tissues. A stoichiometric calibration was then performed at our hospital. SPR was calculated for the human tissues using either the assumption of simple Bragg additivity or the Seltzer‐Berger rule (as used in ICRU Reports 37 and 49). In each case, the calculation was performed twice: First, by assuming the I‐value of water was an experimentally based value of 78 eV (value proposed in Errata and Addenda for ICRU Report 73) and second, by recalculating the I‐value theoretically. The discrepancy between predictions using ICRU elemental I‐values and the commonly used tables of Janni was also investigated.

Results:

Errors due to neglecting the correction terms to the Bethe formula were calculated at less than 0.1% for biological tissues. Discrepancies greater than 1%, however, were estimated due to departures from simple Bragg additivity when a fixed I‐value for water was imposed. When the I‐value for water was calculated in a consistent manner to that for tissue, this disagreement was substantially reduced. The difference between SPR predictions when using Janni's or ICRU tables for I‐values was up to 1.6%. Experimental data used for materials of relevance to proton therapy suggest that the ICRU‐derived values provide somewhat more accurate results (root‐mean‐square‐error: 0.8% versus 1.6%).

Conclusions:

The conclusions from this study are that (1) the Bethe formula can be safely used for SPR calculations without correction terms; (2) simple Bragg additivity can be reasonably assumed for compound materials; (3) if simple Bragg additivity is assumed, then the I‐value for water should be calculated in a consistent manner to that of the tissue of interest (rather than using an experimentally derived value); (4) the ICRU Report 37 I‐values may provide a better agreement with experiment than Janni's tables.
An investigation of kV CBCT image quality and dose reduction for volume‐of‐interest imaging using dynamic collimation
Authors: Parsons David , Robar James L.
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

The focus of this work was to investigate the improvements in image quality and dose reduction for volume‐of‐interest (VOI) kilovoltage‐cone beam CT (CBCT) using dynamic collimation.

Methods:

A prototype iris aperture was used to track a VOI during a CBCT acquisition. The current aperture design is capable of 1D translation as a function of gantry angle and dynamic adjustment of the iris radius. The aperture occupies the location of the bow‐tie filter on a Varian On‐Board Imager system. CBCT and planar image quality were investigated as a function of aperture radius, while maintaining the same dose to the VOI, for a 20 cm diameter cylindrical water phantom with a 9 mm diameter bone insert centered on isocenter. Corresponding scatter‐to‐primary ratios (SPR) were determined at the detector plane with Monte Carlo simulation using EGSnrc. Dose distributions for various sizes VOI were modeled using a dynamic BEAMnrc library and DOSXYZnrc. The resulting VOI dose distributions were compared to full‐field distributions.

Results:

SPR was reduced by a factor of 8.4 when decreasing iris diameter from 21.2 to 2.4 cm (at isocenter). Depending upon VOI location and size, dose was reduced to 16%–90% of the full‐field value along the central axis plane and down to 4% along the axis of rotation, while maintaining the same dose to the VOI compared to full‐field techniques. When maintaining constant dose to the VOI, this change in iris diameter corresponds to a factor increase of approximately 1.6 in image contrast and a factor decrease in image noise of approximately 1.2. This results in a measured gain in contrast‐to‐noise ratio by a factor of approximately 2.0.

Conclusions:

The presented VOI technique offers improved image quality for image‐guided radiotherapy while sparing the surrounding volume of unnecessary dose compared to full‐field techniques.
Complete biosynthesis of opioids in yeast
Authors: Galanie Stephanie , Thodey Kate , Trenchard Isis J. , Filsinger Interrante Maria , Smolke Christina D.
Published: August 2015

Toward opioids without poppy fields

Producing opioids without having to depend on field-grown poppies would be of great benefit. Synthetic production could potentially produce more-effective drugs with fewer side effects. Now, Galanie
et al.
have engineered yeast to produce the opioid compounds thebaine and hydrocodone, starting from sugar (see the Perspective by Nielsen). The amounts produced so far are tiny compared with what would be needed commercially. Future optimization and scaleup are the next challenge.

Science
, this issue p.
1095
; see also p.
1050
Draft Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Hepatoplasma crinochetorum” Ps, a Bacterial Symbiont in the Hepatopancreas of the Terrestrial Isopod
Porcellio scaber
Authors: Collingro Astrid , Kostanjšek Rok , Toenshoff Elena R. , Schulz Frederik , Schuster Lisa , Domann Daryl , Horn Matthias
Published: August 2015

“
Candidatus
Hepatoplasma crinochetorum” Ps is an extracellular symbiont residing in the hepatopancreas of the terrestrial isopod
Porcellio scaber
. Its genome is highly similar to that of the close relative “
Ca.
Hepatoplasma crinochetorum” Av from
Armadillidium vulgare
. However, instead of a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas system, it encodes a type I restriction modification system.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain Co1-6, a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium of
Calendula officinalis
Authors: Köberl Martina , White Richard A. , Erschen Sabine , Spanberger Nora , El-Arabi Tarek F. , Jansson Janet K. , Berg Gabriele
Published: August 2015

The genome sequence of
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
strain Co1-6, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) with broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against plant-pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and nematodes, consists of a single 3.9-Mb circular chromosome. The genome reveals genes putatively responsible for its promising biocontrol and PGP properties.
Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of Phyllosphere-Persisting Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serovar Livingstone Strain CKY-S4, Isolated from an Urban Lake in Regina, Canada
Authors: Tambalo Dinah D. , Perry Benjamin J. , Fitzgerald Stephen F. , Cameron Andrew D. S. , Yost Christopher K.
Published: August 2015

Here, we report the first draft genome sequence of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Livingstone. This
S
. Livingstone strain CKY-S4 displayed biofilm formation and cellulose production and could persist on lettuce. This genome may help the study of mechanisms by which enteric pathogens colonize food crops.
Genome Sequence and Annotation of
Trichoderma parareesei
, the Ancestor of the Cellulase Producer
Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Yang Dongqing , Pomraning Kyle , Kopchinskiy Alexey , Karimi Aghcheh Razieh , Atanasova Lea , Chenthamara Komal , Baker Scott E. , Zhang Ruifu , Shen Qirong , Freitag Michael , Kubicek Christian P. , Druzhinina Irina S.
Published: August 2015

The filamentous fungus
Trichoderma parareesei
is the asexually reproducing ancestor of
Trichoderma reesei
, the holomorphic industrial producer of cellulase and hemicellulase. Here, we present the genome sequence of the
T. parareesei
type strain CBS 125925, which contains genes for 9,318 proteins.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Paenibacillus
sp. Strain VT 400, Isolated from the Saliva of a Child with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Tetz George , Tetz Victor , Vecherkovskaya Maria
Published: August 2015

We report here the complete genome sequence of spore-forming
Paenibacillus
sp. strain VT 400, isolated from the saliva of a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The genome consists of 6,986,122 bp, with a G+C content of 45.8%. It possesses 5,777 predicted protein-coding genes encoding multidrug resistance transporters, virulence factors, and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Genome Sequence of
Anaerobacillus macyae
JMM-4
T
(DSM 16346), the First Genomic Information of the Newly Established Genus
Anaerobacillus
Authors: Wang Jie-ping , Liu Bo , Liu Guo-hong , Ge Ci-bin , Chen Qian-qian , Zhu Yu-jing , Chen Zheng
Published: August 2015

Anaerobacillus macyae
JMM-4
T
(DSM 16346) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, strictly anaerobic, and arsenate-respiring bacterium. Here, we report the 4.26-Mb genome sequence of
A. macyae
JMM-4
T
, which is the first genome information of the newly established genus
Anaerobacillus
.
Why do young children die in the UK? A comparison with Sweden
Authors: Tambe Parag , Sammons Helen M , Choonara Imti
Published: August 2015

Background

The UK has a high child mortality rate, whereas Sweden's is lower (under-five mortality rates of five and three, respectively, in 2011).We therefore wished to compare causes of death in young children aged <5 years in the two countries.

Methods

Under-five mortality data were obtained from the Office of National Statistics for each of the individual countries within the UK for 3 years (2006–2008). Data for Sweden for the same period were obtained from the National Board of Health and Welfare. Causes of death were compared statistically using χ2 test.

Results

There were a total of 14 104 and 1036 deaths aged <5 years in the UK and Sweden, respectively, between 2006 and 2008. The total numbers of live births during the same period were 2 295 964 and 315 884, respectively. The overall mortality rate in the UK was 614 per 100 000 children which was significantly higher than that in Sweden (328; p<0.001). The mortality rates for the three main causes of death in the UK (prematurity, congenital malformations and infections) were 138.5, 112.1 and 63.9, respectively, per 100 000 children. The mortality rates for the same three conditions in Sweden were 10.1, 88.6 and 34.8, respectively. They were all significantly more frequent in the UK than in Sweden (p<0.001), as were the majority of the disorders. Treatable infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia, in both neonates and young children had significantly higher mortality rates in the UK than in Sweden (p<0.001).

Conclusions

In order to reduce the mortality rate in the UK, we need to try and reduce the causes of prematurity. Additionally, the care of children with treatable infections should be reviewed to understand ways in which to reduce the differences in mortality seen.
Trends in admission and death rates due to paediatric head injury in England, 2000–2011
Authors: Marlow Robin , Mytton Julie , Maconochie Ian K , Taylor Hazel , Lyttle Mark D
Published: August 2015

Background

The number of children admitted to hospital is increasing year on year, with very short-stay admissions doubling in the last decade. Childhood head injury accounts for half a million emergency department attendances in the UK every year. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued three iterations of evidence-based national guidance for head injury since 2003.

Objectives

To assess if any changes in the rates of admission, death or causes of head injury could be temporally associated with the introduction of sequential national guidelines by longitudinal analysis of the epidemiology of paediatric head injury admissions in England from 2000 to 2011.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of English Hospital Episode Statistics data of children under the age of 16 years old admitted to hospital with the discharge diagnosis of head injury.

Results

The number of hospital admissions with paediatric head injury in England rose by 10% from 34 150 in 2000 to 37 430 in 2011, with the proportion admitted for less than 1 day rising from 38% to 57%. The main cause of head injury was falls (42–47%). Deaths due to head injury decreased by 52% from 76 in 2000 to 40 in 2011. Road traffic accidents were the main cause of death in the year 2000 (67%) but fell to 40% by 2011. In 2000, children who were admitted or died from head injuries were more than twice as likely to come from the most deprived homes compared with least deprived homes. By 2011, the disparity for risk of admission had narrowed, but no change was seen for risk of death.

Conclusions

Temporal relationships exist between implementation of NICE head injury guidance and increased admissions, shorter hospital stay and reduced mortality. The underlying cause of this association is likely to be multifactorial.
After the diabetes care trial ends, now what? A 1-year follow-up of the RxING study
Authors: Al Hamarneh Yazid N , Sauriol Luc , Tsuyuki Ross T
Published: August 2015

Introduction

There is strong evidence that pharmacist care improves patients’ glycaemic control. However, the sustainability and durability of such interventions beyond the research period is not known. RxING was the first trial of pharmacist prescribing in diabetes and it showed an improvement in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 1.8% over 6 months.

Objective

1° objective: To evaluate glycaemic control in the RxING study patients 12 months after the end of the formal study follow-up. 2° objective: To assess the patients’ risk of cardiovascular events in the next 10 years.

Methods

We contacted the participating pharmacists to check if the patients who participated in the RxING study are still taking insulin, the dose of insulin they are taking, and their HbA1c. There were no mandated follow-up visits with the pharmacist after the study completion.

Results

A total of 100 patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the original RxING study; 93 of them completed the study, while 83 participated in the 12-month follow-up. Seventy-five patients were still taking insulin, with the average dose increasing from 31.1 units (SD 18.4) at study completion to 37.4 units (SD 30.8) (95% CI −13.3 to 0.88, p=0.085). HbA1c was reduced from 9.1% (SD 1) at baseline to 7.3% (SD 0.9) at study completion (95% CI 1.4 to 2, p <0.001), and increased to 8.1% (SD 1.3) 12 months later (95% CI −1.1 to −0.5, p <0.001 vs study completion).

Conclusions

Twelve months after completing the intervention, approximately half of the glycaemic control gains were lost. This highlights the importance of structured follow-up with the pharmacist in this patient population.

Trial registration number

clinicaltrials.gov; Identifier:NCT01335763.
Safe staffing for nursing in emergency departments: evidence review
Authors: Recio-Saucedo Alejandra , Pope Catherine , Dall'Ora Chiara , Griffiths Peter , Jones Jeremy , Crouch Robert , Drennan Jonathan
Published: August 2015

Objective

Getting staffing levels wrong in hospitals is linked to excess mortality and poor patient experiences but establishing the safe nurse staffing levels in the emergency department (ED) is challenging because patient demand is so variable. This paper reports a review conducted for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) which sought to identify the research evidence to inform UK nursing workforce planning.

Design

We searched 10 electronic databases and relevant websites for English language studies published from 1994. Studies included reported a direct measure of nurse staffing relative to an activity measure (eg, attendances, patient throughput) or an estimate of nurse staffing requirements. Randomised or non-randomised trials, prospective or retrospective observational, cross-sectional or correlational studies, interrupted time-series, and controlled before and after studies were considered.

Results

We identified 16 132 items via databases and 2193 items through manual and other searching. After title/abstract screening (by one reviewer, checked by a second) 55 studies underwent full assessment by the review team. 18 studies met the inclusion criteria for the NICE review, however 3 simulation studies that reported simulated rather than measured outcomes are not reported here.

Conclusions

The evidence is weak but indicates that levels of nurse staffing in the ED are associated with patients leaving without being seen, ED care time and patient satisfaction. Lower staffing is associated with worse outcomes. There remain significant gaps and in particular a lack of evidence on the impact of staffing on direct patient outcomes and adequate economic analyses to inform decisions about nurse staffing. Given that an association between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes on inpatient wards has been demonstrated, this gap in the evidence about nurse staffing in EDs needs to be addressed.
Surgical narrowing of the preputial orifice for treatment of recurrent penile prolapse in a degu (Octodon degus)
Authors: Calvo Carrasco Daniel , Abou‐Zahr Tariq
Published: August 2015

Paraphimosis and penile prolapse have been described in hystricomorph rodents. Commonly the cause is a ring of fur or debris, found at the base of the penis, especially in chinchillas. Other causes described include infection, trauma and irritation. In dogs, preputial reconstruction is used to narrow the preputial orifice. In this case, a degu was seen for recurrent penile prolapse. An excessively wide preputial orifice was the presumptive aetiology. A simple surgical technique for prevention of persistent penile prolapse is described. The technique involves narrowing the preputial orifice without risking iatrogenic damage to the penis or urethra with a simple suture to approximate both sides of the mucosa on the ventral aspect of the distal preputial orifice. No recurrence or micturition problems were seen 18 months following surgery.
Muscle sympathetic activity in resting and exercising humans with and without heart failure
Authors: Notarius Catherine F. , Millar Philip J. , Floras John S.
Published: August 2015

The sympathetic nervous system is critical for coordinating the cardiovascular response to various types of physical exercise. In a number of disease states, including human heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), this regulation can be disturbed and adversely affect outcome. The purpose of this review is to describe sympathetic activity at rest and during exercise in both healthy humans and those with HFrEF and outline factors, which influence these responses. We focus predominately on studies that report direct measurements of efferent sympathetic nerve traffic to skeletal muscle (muscle sympathetic nerve activity; MSNA) using intraneural microneurographic recordings. Differences in MSNA discharge between subjects with and without HFrEF both at rest and during exercise and the influence of exercise training on the sympathetic response to exercise will be discussed. In contrast to healthy controls, MSNA increases during mild to moderate dynamic exercise in the presence of HFrEF. This increase may contribute to the exercise intolerance characteristic of HFrEF by limiting muscle blood flow and may be attenuated by exercise training. Future investigations are needed to clarify the neural afferent mechanisms that contribute to efferent sympathetic activation at rest and during exercise in HFrEF.
Proof-of-concept for methodological framework to evaluate operational strategies with travel demand models
Authors: Ma Jiaqi , Lee Changju , Demetsky Michael J.
Published: August 2015

Recently, limited available resources for physical capacity expansion have generated supports for short-term operational improvements. Yet, only a few studies have dealt with evaluating these operational strategies effectively within the traditional transportation planning process even though suitable operational strategies impact to not only specific corridors or regions but also the whole transportation network. This is because it is generally perceived that integrating travel demand models with operational analysis approaches is quite difficult due to different constraints, modeling structures, and required data sets. In this regard, the concept of methodological framework to evaluate operational strategies with travel demand models is developed and validated by the proper case study (i.e., high occupancy toll lanes deployment in the Hampton Roads area in Virginia, US) in this research. The proposed framework consists of three major components: (i) the selection of an appropriate operational analysis approach, (ii) the disaggregation of daily traffic volumes to peak period volumes, and (iii) the alignment of modeling elements between the travel demand model and operational tool. Key contributions from this research are that (i) the proposed methodology enables the evaluation of travel behavioral changes without microscopic simulation, especially in terms of capturing network flow pattern changes caused by behavioral shifts after operational strategy deployment, (ii) the proposed framework eliminates assumptions required when only operational tools are used to evaluate operational strategies, (iii) the disaggregation method of a daily trip distribution matrix into peak period matrices by using survey data are developed, (iv) specific details influencing integration in terms of data types, peak period link capacity, volume-delay functions, and link impedance are identified. Consequently, even though this research still has some limitations (e.g., inherent weakness of travel demand models), this can be a starting point to develop more detailed guidelines as well as a good reference for practitioners and researchers who wish to evaluate operation strategies within transportation planning process.
Competition and time-dependent behavior in spatial iterated prisoner’s dilemma incorporating adaptive zero-determinant strategies
Authors: Li Yong , Xu Chen , Liu Jie , Hui Pak Ming
Published: August 2015

We propose and study the competitiveness of a class of adaptive zero-determinant strategies (ZDSs) in a population with spatial structure against four classic strategies in iterated prisoner’s dilemma. Besides strategy updating via a probabilistic mechanism by imitating the strategy of a better performing opponent, players using the ZDSs can also adapt their strategies to take advantage of their local competing environment with another probability. The adapted ZDSs could be extortionate-like to avoid being continually cheated by defectors or to take advantage of unconditional cooperators. The adapted ZDSs could also be a compliance strategy so as to cooperate with the conditionally cooperative players. This flexibility makes adaptive ZDSs more competitive than nonadaptive ZDSs. Results show that adaptive ZDSs can either dominate over other strategies or at least coexist with them when the ZDSs are allowed to adapt more readily than to imitate other strategies. The effectiveness of the adaptive ZDSs relies on how fast they can adapt to the competing environment before they are replaced by other strategies. The adaptive ZDSs generally work well as they could adapt gradually and make use of other strategies for suppressing their enemies. When adaptation happens more readily than imitation for the ZDSs, they outperform other strategies over a wide range of cost-to-benefit ratios.
Influence from cosmological uncertainties on galaxy number count at faint limit
Authors: Shen Keji , Zhang Qiang , Meng Xin-He
Published: August 2015

Counting galaxy number density with wide range sky surveys has been well adopted in researches focusing on revealing evolution pattern of different types of galaxies. As understood intuitively the astrophysics environment physics is intimately affected by cosmology priors with theoretical estimation or vice versa, or simply stating that the astrophysics effect couples the corresponding cosmology observations or the way backwards. In this paper, we try to quantify the influence on galaxy number density prediction at faint luminosity limit from the uncertainties in cosmology, and how much the uncertainties blur the detection of galaxy evolution, with the hope that this trying may indeed help for precise and physical cosmology study in near future or vice versa.
The effects of the barrier and δ-doping on the electron tunneling in a nonmagnetic heterostructure
Authors: Lu Jian-Duo , Liu Hong-Yu , Dai Hou-Mei , Wang Hong-Jun , Xu Bin
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we investigated the spin-dependent electron transport in a nonmagnetic nanostructure under the influence of the [Formula: see text]-doping which can be experimentally doped in the nanostructure with metal-organic chemical vapor deposition or molecular beam epitaxy. The numerical results indicate that the large spin polarization nearly 100% can be achieved in such a structure without the external magnetic field due to spin–orbit interactions and it can be controlled not only by the barrier, but also by the [Formula: see text]-doping. These interesting finds are very valuable for designing the [Formula: see text]-doping-tunable spintronic device based on the nonmagnetic nanostructure.
A chord diagram of a ribbon surface-link
Authors: Kawauchi Akio
Published: August 2015

A ribbon chord diagram, or simply a chord diagram, of a ribbon surface-link in the 4-space is introduced. Links, virtual links and welded virtual links can be described naturally by chord diagrams with the corresponding moves, respectively. Some moves on chord diagrams are introduced by overseeing these special moves. Then the faithful equivalence on ribbon surface-links is stated in terms of the moves on chord diagrams. This answers questions by Nakanishi and Marumoto affirmatively. The faithful TOP-equivalence on ribbon surface-links derives the same result. By combining a previous result on TOP-triviality of a surface-knot, a ribbon surface-knot is DIFF-trivial if and only if the fundamental group is an infinite cyclic group. This corrects an erroneous proof in Yanagawa's old paper.
Computations of quandle cocycle invariants of surface-links using marked graph diagrams
Authors: Kamada Seiichi , Kim Jieon , Lee Sang Youl
Published: August 2015

By using the cohomology theory of quandles, quandle cocycle invariants and shadow quandle cocycle invariants are defined for oriented links and surface-links via broken surface diagrams. By using symmetric quandles, symmetric quandle cocycle invariants are also defined for unoriented links and surface-links via broken surface diagrams. A marked graph diagram is a link diagram possibly with 4-valent vertices equipped with markers. Lomonaco, Jr. and Yoshikawa introduced a method of describing surface-links by using marked graph diagrams. In this paper, we give interpretations of these quandle cocycle invariants in terms of marked graph diagrams, and introduce a method of computing them from marked graph diagrams.