bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of quantitative traits of aggressiveness in Mycosphaerella graminicola on adult wheat plants
Authors: Suffert F. , Sache I. , Lannou C.
Published: March 2013

Septoria tritici blotch, caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola, is a major foliar disease of wheat. The quantitative traits of pathogenicity are not comprehensively described in this pathosystem. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the most relevant variables to describe traits of aggressiveness. Four wheat cultivars were inoculated in a greenhouse with four isolates. Inoculation was performed on a limited surface of the two uppermost leaves of adult plants. The dynamics of chlorotic, necrotic and sporulating areas were assessed twice a week. Pycnidia were counted at the same time. A Gompertz model was fitted to the resulting curves. Parameter combinations with easily interpreted biological relevance were examined further as descriptors of aggressiveness. Within each category of descriptor, those which were the most pairwise correlated and which explained the largest part of the variance were retained: incubation and latent period, development rate of sporulating area, maximal sporulating area, pycnidial density, and sporulation capacity. Correlations between these variables were discussed, assuming they reflect biological relationships between the corresponding aggressiveness quantitative traits. It is suggested that the selected variables, providing a good measure of M. graminicola fitness, can be used to estimate quantitative resistance of wheat to septoria tritici blotch, to characterize differences among isolates within a pathogen population, and to study quantitative adaptation of the pathogen to its host and to its environment.
The oral health of vulnerable older adults and persons with disabilities
Authors: Douglass Chester W. , Glassman Paul
Published: March 2013

Demographic trends in the United States show that the number of people with one or more disabilities is going to increase dramatically over the coming decades. This paper describes the types of disabilities that make up this increase and documents growth of this population over the next 40 years. Dental care market forces are defined and analyzed as they will influence the ability of vulnerable elders and people with disabilities to purchase dental care. The capacity of the dental profession to deliver appropriate high quality dental services to vulnerable elders and people with disabilities is also discussed. Dental disease trends are presented along with a description of the changing living arrangements characterized by the newly termed “senior industry.” The paper concludes with the disquieting conclusion that the need for dental care among vulnerable elders and people with disabilities will dramatically increase while the capacity of the dental profession will not keep up with the expanding need and demand for dental case across the entire U.S. population. Thus, disparities in oral health and access to dental care are likely to occur for vulnerable able older adults and persons with disabilities.
ADHD symptoms, academic achievement, self‐perception of academic competence and future orientation: A longitudinal study
Authors: Scholtens Sara , Rydell Ann‐Margret , Yang‐Wallentin Fan
Published: March 2013

In the investigation of the effect of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms on school careers there is a need to study the role of adolescent and childhood ADHD symptoms and academic achievement, and to incorporate measures that include the individual's perspective. Our aim was to gain an overview of the long‐term development of school careers in relation to ADHD symptoms. We studied associations between ADHD symptoms and academic achievement at different time‐points and future orientation at the end of high school, and assessed the role of self‐perceptions of academic competence in these associations. Participants were 192 children (47% girls) with a range of ADHD symptoms taken from a community sample. Collecting data at three time points, in 6th, 11th and 12th grade we tested a structural equation model. Results showed that ADHD symptoms in 6th grade negatively affected academic achievement concurrently and longitudinally. ADHD symptoms in 11th grade negatively affected concurrent academic achievement and academic self‐perception and future orientation in 12th grade. Academic achievement had a positive influence on academic self‐perception and future orientation. Given the other factors, self‐perception of academic competence did not contribute to outcomes. We concluded that early ADHD symptoms may cast long shadows on young people's academic progress. This happens mainly by way of stability in symptoms and relations to early low academic achievement.
Development matK Gene as DNA Barcode to Assess Evolutionary Relationship of Important Tropical Forest Tree Genus Mangifera (Anacardiaceae) in Indonesia and Thailand
Authors: Hidayat Topik , Pancoro Adi , Kusumawaty Diah , Eiadthong Wichan
Published: March 2013

MaturaseK (matK) gene of chloroplast DNA has been served as appropriate candidate to be a DNA barcode in angiosperms. Using this DNA marker, 19 species of genus Mangifera, one of ecologically important crop, collected from Indonesia and Thailand were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis using parsimony method revealed that the gene could clasify Mangifera into three major groups, namely group I, II, and III. Moreover, the matK barcode can identify Mangifera species that is originated from Thailand. Although this classification system is different with the previous system, it can provide a new information about Mangifera taxonomy. Results further exhibited that DNA sequences of the matK of two Mangifera species (M. laurina dan M. macrocarpa) are different between Indonesia and Thailand specimens.
Trends and Tips in Protein Engineering, A Review
Authors: Mau Goh Kian , Poh Hong Goh , @ Pearly Ng Ng Han Chyi , Kian Piaw Chai , Raja Abdul Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha
Published: March 2013

Protein engineering is widespread approach in the branch of protein science. It is a useful tool for elucidating function of a single or a stretch of amino acids. Some protein engineers use it to improve the properties of a protein. Despite protein engineering is a powerful tool; it remains an unexplored field in Southeast Asia, specifically in the developing countries. Therefore, this chapter aims to provide a basic overview on the tips, methods, applications, common problems and solutions, as well as the progress of protein engineering in Southeast Asia.
Improvement of Shoot Regeneration of Potentially Medicinal Plant Melaleuca alternifolia Via Axillary Shoot
Authors: Mohd Tasrib Nadia , Wagiran Alina , Rahmat Zaidah
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study is to establish an improved shoot regeneration of potential medicinal plants, Melaleuca alternifolia. The essential oil of these plants is useful in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Despite the importance of this species, in vitro regeneration was limited. Therefore, the present study use various concentrations of plant growth regulators to improve shoot regeneration of these plants. The present study shows that axillary shoot gave the best response to the treatment containing 0.5mg/L BAP and 0.1mg/L NAA. The average number of shoots is 23 with 77% of shooting. For rooting experiment, 35% of axillary shoot were rooted when cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.5mg/L IBA. In vitro plantlet was later developed after 3 months.
Pretreatment of Cocoa Waste for Bioethanol Production Using Ionic Liquid
Authors: Idi Ahmad , Md. Salleh Madihah , Ibrahim Zaharah , Mohamad Shaza Eva
Published: March 2013

One of the major advantages of biofuel over fossil fuel is that it is environmentally friendly but unfortunately most of the chemicals used in the pretreatment of lignocelluloses biomass to produce biofuel can cause adverse effects to the environment. In this study, ionic liquid was used for the pretreatment of cocoa waste. Its effectiveness in the treatment process was compared to the alkalis and acids used in the conventional pretreatment media. The effectiveness of pretreatment using ionic liquid, H2SO4 and NaOH was based on the reduction of biomass, production of reducing sugar and also bioethanol. Ionic liquid pretreatment was found to show minimal biomass loss of only 31% after pretreatment compared to H2SO4 and NaOH which showed loss of 61% and 79% respectively. The untreated biomass has 10% amount of cellulose but upon pretreatment with ionic liquid, H2SO4 and NaOH, significant amount of cellulose was detected compared to NaOH which produced only 7% of cellulose. Two types of yeasts were also isolated from Malaysian local fermented food, the tapai ubi which were tested for the abilities to ferment the reducing sugar produced. Using the DNS method for determining reducing sugar, ionic liquid pretreatment was shown to produce 6.3×10–2g/L of reducing sugar while the untreated, H2SO4 and NaOH pretreatment produced 2.87×10–2g/L, 7.4×10–2g/L and 3.37×10–2g/L respectively at the end of 24 hours of incubation. Bioethanol produced during the fermentation was analysed using gas chromatography. Ionic liquid produced a total of 7.885g/L, H2SO4 produced 7.911g/L NaOH produced 6.824g/L and untreated cocoa waste produced 5.116g/L of ethanol at the end of 24 hours incubation.
Purification and Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) with Antimicrobial Properties from s Marine Epibiotic Pseudoalteromonas sp.
Authors: Ismail Ainul Masliana , Wan Azemin Wan Nur Atirah , Rani Azmi , Shamsir Mohd Shahir
Published: March 2013

We present a study to purify and characterize the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by Pseudoalteromonas sp.isolated from fish epidermal surface. The purified EPS was recovered from the culture supernatant by using cold ethanol precipitation and dialysis method. Colorimetric analysis of EPS revealed that it was primarily composed of proteins, 0.0251g/L, carbohydrates, 0.0561g/L and uronic acid, 0.0217 g/L. The EPS also exhibited high emulsification activity when being tested with hydrophobic substances such as paraffin oil, (94.5 % and 79.4%), kerosene, (56.1% and 37.2%) and Tween 80 (46.6% and 32.9%). In addition, the EPS demonstrated discernible antimicrobial activity against Gram–negative bacteria like E.coli, P.aeruginosa and E.aerogenes. The SDS–PAGE profile revealed up to eight types of unknown proteins were detected within the EPS, with the molecular weight ranging from 15.486 kDa to 113.058 kDa. The results of the study would contribute to the elucidation of antimicrobial components and its mechanism inPseudoalteromonas sp.
Phylogeny of Subtribe Aeridinae (Orchidaceae) Inferred from DNA Sequences Data : Advanced Analyses Including Australasian Genera
Authors: Hidayat Topik , H. Weston Peter , Yukawa Tomohisa , Ito Motomi , Rice Rod
Published: March 2013

Advanced phylogenetic analyses of the orchid subtribe Aeridinae has been conducted using DNA sequences of ITS region of nrDNA andmatK of cpDNA. In the preliminary work, we only involved the most representative Asian genera of the subtribe. Further, to establish more robust relationships in the Aeridinae, in this study we have extended the sampling to include Australasian specimens. Our analyses revealed that: (1) the subtribe is reorganised by four major groups with 11 subgroups (This is inconsistent with previous classification systems of the subtribe); (2) the Australasian region is a secondary center of diversification of the subtribe; (3) vegetative features have shown to have greater value than reproductive one in determining major groups in the subtribe; and (4) at genus level, some genera, i.e. Phalaenopsis,Cleisostoma, Sarcochilus, and Aerides are shown to be non-monophyletic. This study also resolved the taxonomic status ofAerides flabellata Rolve ex Downie, a species with a debatable generic position.
Antibiotics as Microbial Secondary Metabolites: Production and Application
Authors: M. Awad Hassan , Y. I. ELâ€“Shahed Kamal , Aziz Ramlan , Sarmidi Mohamed Roji , A. Elâ€“Enshasy Hesham
Published: March 2013

Of all the microbial products manufactured commercially, antibiotics are the most important.Hundreds of antibiotics, a fraction of about 7000 antibiotics known so far, are commercially manufactured using microbial fermentation. In history, the first antibiotic discovered was used for controlling infections, but today more antibiotics are being used for other therapeutic applications. Being the most studied secondary metabolites through the history, antibiotics possess other pharmacological characteristics useful in the medical field. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present a review on antibiotics that include antibiotics definition, classification, mode of actions, uses, antibiotic resistance, side effects, type of antibiotics, metabolisms and determination methods of antibiotics.
Mass detection in reconstructed digital breast tomosynthesis volumes with a computer‐aided detection system trained on 2D mammograms
Authors: van Schie Guido , Wallis Matthew G. , Leifland Karin , Danielsson Mats , Karssemeijer Nico
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

To develop a computer‐aided detection (CAD) system for masses in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) which can make use of an existing CAD system for detection of breast masses in full‐field digital mammography (FFDM). This approach has the advantage that large digital screening databases that are becoming available can be used for training. DBT is currently not used for screening which makes it hard to obtain sufficient data for training.

Methods:

The proposed CAD system is applied to reconstructed DBT volumes and consists of two stages. In the first stage, an existing 2D CAD system is applied to slabs composed of multiple DBT slices, after processing the slabs to a representation similar to that of the FFDM training data. In the second stage, the authors group detections obtained in the slabs that detect the same object and determine the 3D location of the grouped findings using one of three different approaches, including one that uses a set of features extracted from the DBT slabs. Experiments were conducted to determine performance of the CAD system, the optimal slab thickness for this approach and the best method to establish the 3D location. Experiments were performed using a database of 192 patients (752 DBT volumes). In 49 patients, one or more malignancies were present which were described as a mass, architectural distortion, or asymmetry. Free response receiver operating characteristic analysis and bootstrapping were used for statistical evaluation.

Results:

Best performance was obtained when slab thickness was in the range of 1–2 cm. Using the feature based 3D localization procedure developed in the study, accurate 3D localization could be obtained in most cases. Case sensitivities of 80% and 90% were achieved at 0.35 and 0.99 false positives per volume, respectively.

Conclusions:

This study indicates that there may be a large benefit in using 2D mammograms for the development of CAD for DBT and that there is no need to exclusively limit development to DBT data.
Proteoglycan 4 Expression Protects Against the Development of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ruan Merry Z. C. , Erez Ayelet , Guse Kilian , Dawson Brian , Bertin Terry , Chen Yuqing , Jiang Ming-Ming , Yustein Jason , Gannon Francis , Lee Brendan H. L.
Published: March 2013

Proteoglycan 4 protects from age-related and posttraumatic osteoarthritis development.
Type III Secretion of ExoU Is Critical during Early Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia
Authors: Howell Heather A. , Logan Latania K. , Hauser Alan R.
Published: March 2013

The
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
type III secretion system has been associated with poor outcomes in both animal models and human patients. Despite a large number of studies exploring the regulation of type III secretion
in vitro
, little is known about the timing of secretion during mammalian infection. Here we demonstrate that the
exoU
gene, which encodes the highly cytotoxic type III effector ExoU, is induced early during acute
P. aeruginosa
pneumonia. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that the amount of ExoU protein in the lung also increased over time. The importance of early expression was examined using a strain of
P. aeruginosa
with inducible production of ExoU. Delays in expression as short as 3 h led to reduced bacterial burdens in the lungs of mice and improved survival. Our results demonstrate that early expression of
exoU
is critical to bacterial survival during pneumonia and suggest that therapeutic interventions that delay ExoU secretion for even short periods of time may be efficacious.

IMPORTANCE
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a major contributor to the large numbers of health care-associated infections occurring annually, particularly for immunocompromised patients. Although this organism possesses many virulence factors, the type III secretion system plays an especially important role in both animal models and humans. This system forms a needle-like apparatus that injects toxins directly into eukaryotic cells. The most toxic protein secreted by this molecular machine is ExoU, which causes rapid cell death. In this study, we demonstrated that
exoU
was expressed and ExoU was produced early during acute pneumonia in a mouse model. Delaying expression of
exoU
by as little as 3 h enhanced clearance of bacteria and survival of infected mice. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the regulation of virulence factor expression during infection when designing therapeutic strategies to inhibit the toxic effects of these proteins.
Metabolites Associated with Adaptation of Microorganisms to an Acidophilic, Metal-Rich Environment Identified by Stable-Isotope-Enabled Metabolomics
Authors: Mosier Annika C. , Justice Nicholas B. , Bowen Benjamin P. , Baran Richard , Thomas Brian C. , Northen Trent R. , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: March 2013

Microorganisms grow under a remarkable range of extreme conditions. Environmental transcriptomic and proteomic studies have highlighted metabolic pathways active in extremophilic communities. However, metabolites directly linked to their physiology are less well defined because metabolomics methods lag behind other
omics
technologies due to a wide range of experimental complexities often associated with the environmental matrix. We identified key metabolites associated with acidophilic and metal-tolerant microorganisms using stable isotope labeling coupled with untargeted, high-resolution mass spectrometry. We observed >3,500 metabolic features in biofilms growing in pH ~0.9 acid mine drainage solutions containing millimolar concentrations of iron, sulfate, zinc, copper, and arsenic. Stable isotope labeling improved chemical formula prediction by >50% for larger metabolites (>250 atomic mass units), many of which were unrepresented in metabolic databases and may represent novel compounds. Taurine and hydroxyectoine were identified and likely provide protection from osmotic stress in the biofilms. Community genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data implicate fungi in taurine metabolism.
Leptospirillum
group II bacteria decrease production of ectoine and hydroxyectoine as biofilms mature, suggesting that biofilm structure provides some resistance to high metal and proton concentrations. The combination of taurine, ectoine, and hydroxyectoine may also constitute a sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon currency in the communities.

IMPORTANCE
Microbial communities are central to many critical global processes and yet remain enigmatic largely due to their complex and distributed metabolic interactions. Metabolomics has the possibility of providing mechanistic insights into the function and ecology of microbial communities. However, our limited knowledge of microbial metabolites, the difficulty of identifying metabolites from complex samples, and the inability to link metabolites directly to community members have proven to be major limitations in developing advances in systems interactions. Here, we show that combining stable-isotope-enabled metabolomics with genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics can illuminate the ecology of microorganisms at the community scale.
When Is a Microbial Culture “Pure”? Persistent Cryptic Contaminant Escapes Detection Even with Deep Genome Sequencing
Authors: Shrestha Pravin Malla , Nevin Kelly P. , Shrestha Minita , Lovley Derek R.
Published: March 2013

Geobacter sulfurreducens
strain KN400 was recovered in previous studies in which a culture of the DL1 strain of
G. sulfurreducens
served as the inoculum in investigations of microbial current production at low anode potentials (−400 mV versus Ag/AgCl). Differences in the genome sequences of KN400 and DL1 were too great to have arisen from adaptive evolution during growth on the anode. Previous deep sequencing (80-fold coverage) of the DL1 culture failed to detect sequences specific to KN400, suggesting that KN400 was an external contaminant inadvertently introduced into the anode culturing system. In order to evaluate this further, a portion of the gene for OmcS, a
c
-type cytochrome that both KN400 and DL1 possess, was amplified from the DL1 culture. HiSeq-2000 Illumina sequencing of the PCR product detected the KN400 sequence, which differs from the DL1 sequence at 14 bp, at a frequency of ca. 1 in 10
5
copies of the DL1 sequence. A similar low frequency of KN400 was detected with quantitative PCR of a KN400-specific gene. KN400 persisted at this frequency after intensive restreaking of isolated colonies from the DL1 culture. However, a culture in which KN400 could no longer be detected was obtained by serial dilution to extinction in liquid medium. The KN400-free culture could not grow on an anode poised at −400 mV. Thus, KN400 cryptically persisted in the culture dominated by DL1 for more than a decade, undetected by even deep whole-genome sequencing, and was only fortuitously uncovered by the unnatural selection pressure of growth on a low-potential electrode.

IMPORTANCE
Repeated streaking of isolated colonies on solidified medium remains a common strategy for obtaining pure cultures, especially of difficult-to-cultivate microorganisms such as strict anaerobes. The results presented here demonstrate that verifying the purity of cultures obtained in this manner may be difficult because extremely rare variants can persist, undetectable with even deep genomic DNA sequencing. The only way to ensure that a culture is pure is to cultivate it from an initial single cell, which may be technically difficult for many environmentally significant microbes.
The clinical implications of elevated blood metal ion concentrations in asymptomatic patients with MoM hip resurfacings: a cohort study
Authors: Langton David J , Sidaginamale Raghavendra P , Joyce Thomas J , Natu Shonali , Blain Peter , Jefferson Robert Drysdale , Rushton Stephen , Nargol Antoni V F
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine whether elevated blood cobalt (Co) concentrations are associated with early failure of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacings secondary to adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD).

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Single centre orthopaedic unit.

Participants

Following the identification of complications potentially related to metal wear debris, a blood metal ion screening programme was instigated at our unit in 2007 for all patients with Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) and Birmingham MoM hip resurfacings. Patients were followed annually unless symptoms presented earlier. Symptomatic patients were investigated with ultrasound scan and joint aspiration. The clinical course of all 278 patients with ‘no pain’ or ‘slight/occasional’ pain and a Harris Hip Score greater than or equal to 95 at the time of venesection were documented. A retrospective analysis was subsequently conducted using mixed effect modelling to investigate the temporal pattern of blood Co levels in the patients and survival analysis to investigate the potential role of case demographics and blood Co levels as risk factors for subsequent failure secondary to ARMD.

Results

Blood Co concentration was a positive and significant risk factor (z=8.44, p=2×10–16) for joint failure, as was the device, where the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing posed a significantly reduced risk for revision by 89% (z=−3.445, p=0.00005 (95% CI on risk 62 to 97)). Analysis using Cox-proportional hazards models indicated that men had a 66% lower risk of joint failure than women (z=−2.29419, p=0.0218, (95% CI on risk reduction 23 to 89)).

Conclusions

The results suggest that elevated blood metal ion concentrations are associated with early failure of MoM devices secondary to adverse reactions to metal debris. Co concentrations greater than 20 µg/l are frequently associated with metal staining of tissues and the development of osteolysis. Development of soft tissue damage appears to be more complex with females and patients with ASR devices seemingly more at risk when exposed to equivalent doses of metal debris.
Dispersal of wild and escapee farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in Newfoundland
Authors: Zimmermann Emily W. , Purchase Craig F. , Fleming Ian A. , Brattey John
Published: March 2013

Inherent trait differences and changes that arise through domestication could be maladaptive and lead to negative ecological consequences when non-native individuals escape from aquaculture cages and interact with wild populations. We used acoustic telemetry to map the spatiotemporal distribution of local wild (n = 29) and “escapee” farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) (n = 52) through experimental releases off eastern Newfoundland to determine the potential for interaction. Dispersal from the cage (>600 m) was rapid (50% dispersal: 12 h for farmed; 5 h for wild) and nonrandom. Most cod (85% farmed, 55% wild) moved northward, remaining close to shore. Although recaptures of escapees during small-scale recreational and commercial fisheries was high (11% farmed; 10% wild), our results suggest that directed efforts to recapture escapees would be logistically challenging. Cod migrated a considerable distance (maximum 256 km for wild; 157 km for farmed), and some returned to the bay the following year. The similarity of the distribution of escapee farmed and wild cod suggests the potential for interactions between farmed and wild fish, highlighting the importance of minimizing escapes.
SPECTRAL ANALYSIS AND TIME-DEPENDENT SCATTERING THEORY ON MANIFOLDS WITH ASYMPTOTICALLY CYLINDRICAL ENDS
Authors: RICHARD S. , TIEDRA DE ALDECOA R.
Published: March 2013

We review the spectral analysis and the time-dependent approach of scattering theory for manifolds with asymptotically cylindrical ends. For the spectral analysis, higher order resolvent estimates are obtained via Mourre theory for both short-range and long-range behaviors of the metric and the perturbation at infinity. For the scattering theory, the existence and asymptotic completeness of the wave operators is proved in a two-Hilbert spaces setting. A stationary formula as well as mapping properties for the scattering operator are derived. The existence of time delay and its equality with the Eisenbud–Wigner time delay is finally presented. Our analysis mainly differs from the existing literature on the choice of a simpler comparison dynamics as well as on the complementary use of time-dependent and stationary scattering theories.
IMPACT SIMULATIONS USING SMOOTHED FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: KUMAR V. , METHA R.
Published: March 2013

We present impact simulations with the Smoothed Finite Element Method (SFEM). Therefore, we develop the SFEM in the context of explicit dynamic applications based on diagonalized mass matrix. Since SFEM is not based on the isoparametric concept and is based on line integration rather than domain integration, it is very promising for events involving large deformations and severe element distortion as they occur in high dynamic events such as impacts. For some benchmark problems, we show that SFEM is superior to standard FEM for impact events. To our best knowledge, this is the first time SFEM is applied in the context of impact analysis based on explicit time integration.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF HUMAN HEAD IMPACT USING THE MATERIAL POINT METHOD
Authors: ZHOU SHUANGZHEN , ZHANG XIONG , MA HONGLEI
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a three-dimensional material point human head model is constructed from the computed tomography (CT) scanned images of an adult male volunteer, and used to study the dynamic response of human head under the impact of a three-dimensional cylindrical lead projectile with a speed of 6.4 m/s. The model consists of skull bone, brain tissue and membrane of human head, which is close to the real one. The skull and membrane are modeled by an elastic constitutive model, and the brain tissue is modeled by an anisotropic viscoelastic constitutive model. These constitutive models have been implemented in our three-dimensional explicit material point method code, MPM3D, and is verified by comparing its numerical results for a ball impact problem with those obtained by LS-DYNA. The simulation results help illustrate the response of skull bone, membrane and brain tissues subjected to impact, which contributes to the understanding of the biomechanics and mechanisms of head injury.
Scale-dependent influence of pre-existing basement shear zones on rift faulting: a case study from NE Brazil
Authors: Kirkpatrick J. D. , Bezerra F. H. R. , Shipton Z. K. , Do Nascimento A. F. , Pytharouli S. I. , Lunn R. J. , Soden A. M.
Published: March 2013

Rifting of continental crust initiates faults that are commonly influenced by pre-existing structures. We document newly identified faults cutting Precambrian units in the interior of the NE Brazilian margin to assess the effects of structural inheritance on both rift geometry and fault architecture. Stratigraphic and structural data indicate that the faults were active in the main phase of rifting of Gondwana. The influence of pre-existing structures on the Mesozoic rift faulting is scale dependent. Regionally, the faults trend parallel to subvertical, crustal-scale Brasiliano (
c
. 750–540 Ma) shear zones. Mylonitic foliations and broadly distributed low strain in the lower crust indicated by shear-wave splitting controlled the overall orientation and kinematics of the rift faults. However, outcrop observations of the faults show that at scales up to hundreds of metres, mylonitic foliations have little influence on fault architectures. Faults cross-cut shear zones and do not commonly utilize foliation planes as shear fractures. Instead, slip zones and fractures have a range of orientations that form acute angles to the local foliation orientation. This observation explains the range of focal mechanisms associated with seismicity that coincides with ancient shear zones in intra-continental areas.
Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd dating of metamorphic garnet: evidence for multiple accretion events during the Caledonian orogeny in Scotland
Authors: Bird A. F. , Thirlwall M. F. , Strachan R. A. , Manning C. J.
Published: March 2013

Caledonian orogenesis in Scotland is currently interpreted in terms of a Mid-Ordovician arc–continent collision (Grampian event) followed by the Silurian collision of Laurentia with Baltica (Scandian event). Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd garnet ages of
c
. 475–460 Ma obtained from prograde garnets in metasedimentary successions and metabasic intrusions within the Northern Highland and Grampian terranes confirm that the Mid-Ordovician Grampian orogenic event was approximately synchronous in the two terranes. Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages of
c
. 450 Ma obtained from prograde garnets within the Moine Nappe of the Northern Highland terrane provide evidence for a hitherto unrecognized Late Ordovician regional metamorphic event. The existing two-stage Grampian–Scandian model for Caledonian orogenesis in northern Scotland is thus an oversimplification, and the new ages imply a more complex structural evolution. The restriction of the Late Ordovician and Silurian events to the Northern Highland terrane reinforces the suggestion that it was far removed from the Grampian terrane until juxtaposition following major end-Caledonian (Devonian) sinistral displacement along the Great Glen Fault. A similar record of Mid- and Late Ordovician metamorphic events within the Laurentian-derived Uppermost Allochthons of Norway has been attributed to episodic accretion significantly prior to Silurian continent–continent collision and closure of the Iapetus Ocean.

Supplementary materials:

Results of trace element analysis of the garnets by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18583
.
Did lingering ice sheets moderate anoxia in the Early Palaeozoic of Libya?
Authors: Le Heron Daniel Paul , Meinhold Guido , Page Alex , Whitham Andrew
Published: March 2013

The Hirnantian glaciation of West Gondwana produced a glacially sculpted topography, which is draped by organic-rich latest Ordovician and early Silurian ‘hot shales’. Although these are the most important Early Palaeozoic source rock in North Africa, organic enrichment is distributed unevenly. For example, in Al Kufrah Basin, Libya, ‘hot shales’ are elusive, but outcrop analysis at the western basin demonstrates why this is the case. The topmost Mamuniyat Formation, of Hirnantian age, comprises glaciogenic sandstones, passing upward into mixed facies of the Tanezzuft Formation, which has a latest Ordovician–early Silurian age. The basal Tanezzuft Formation contains a shelly carbonate (cool-water deposits accumulated under oxygenating conditions) and bioturbated sandstone succession. Above, hummocky cross-bedded and graded sandstone intervals are intercalated with shale and siltstone (storm influx onto a muddy shelf). These are interrupted by several lonestone-bearing intervals (ice-rafted debris), a striated pavement (of subglacial origin), and manganese oxide crusts and concretions. The concretions and bioturbation imply oxygenation of the sea floor during transgression. These putative glacial deposits were deposited following the main phase of the Hirnantian glaciation, at the same stratigraphic level as ‘hot shales’ elsewhere in northern Gondwana. Lingering ice caps may have produced well-oxygenated marine waters precluding ‘hot shale’ deposition.
QC2: A QoS Control Scheme with Quick Convergence in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Hao-Li , Hung Wei-Lun
Published: March 2013

In wireless sensor networks, too many or too few power-on sensors may cause the waste of resources or poor sensing efficiency; thus, controlling the number of active sensors to meet the predicted target number is the purpose of this research. However, the total number of sensors may be unstable because of the increment and damage to the sensors. It is difficult to control the number of active sensors to meet the predicted target in this condition. Previous studies proposed the Gur Game algorithm to solve this problem. However, the convergence time of the Gur Game algorithm is too long, which causes sensors to consume excessive power and waste resources. Therefore, this paper proposed the QoS Control with Quick Convergence (QC2). This method utilizes total virtual value to accelerate the convergence operation from the number of sensors to the target number. The experiment result shows that the QC2 method can cause the number of sensors to converge rapidly with the target value and that QC2 can be over a hundred times faster than the Gur Game algorithm with regard to convergence.
Pattern Formation in Spatially Extended Tritrophic Food Chain Model Systems: Generalist versus Specialist Top Predator
Authors: Kumari Nitu
Published: March 2013

The complex dynamics of two types of tritrophic food chain model systems when the species undergo spatial movements, modeling two real situations of marine ecosystem, are investigated in this study analytically and using numerical simulations. The study has been carried out with the objective to explore and compare the competitive effects of fish and molluscs species being the top predators, when phytoplankton and zooplankton species are undergoing spatial movements in the subsurface water. Reaction diffusion systems have been used to represent temporal evolution and spatial interaction among the species. The two model systems differ in an essential way that the top predators are generalist and specialist, respectively, in two models. “Wave of Chaos” mechanism is found to be the responsible factor for the pattern (non-Turing) formation in one dimension seen in the food chain ending with top generalist predator. In the present work we have reported WOC phenomenon, for the first time in the literature, in a three-species spatially extended food chain model system. The numerical simulation leads to spontaneous and interesting pattern formation in two dimensions. Constraints on different parameters under which Turing and non-Turing patterns may be observed are obtained analytically. Diffusion-driven analysis is carried out, and the effect of diffusion on the chaotic dynamics of the model systems is studied. The existence of chaotic attractor and long-term chaotic behavior demonstrate the effect of diffusion on the dynamics of the model systems. It is observed from numerical study that food chain model system with top predator as generalist has very rich dynamics and shows very interesting patterns. An ecosystem having top predator as specialist leads to the stability of the system.
The Role of Cell Surface Architecture of Lactobacilli in Host-Microbe Interactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Sengupta Ranjita , Altermann Eric , Anderson Rachel C. , McNabb Warren C. , Moughan Paul J. , Roy Nicole C.
Published: March 2013

Lactobacillusspecies can exert health promoting effects in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) through many mechanisms, which include pathogen inhibition, maintenance of microbial balance, immunomodulation, and enhancement of the epithelial barrier function. Different species of the genusLactobacilluscan evoke different responses in the host, and not all strains of the same species can be considered beneficial. Strain variations may be related to diversity of the cell surface architecture of lactobacilli and the bacteria's ability to express certain surface components or secrete specific compounds in response to the host environment. Lactobacilli are known to modify their surface structures in response to stress factors such as bile and low pH, and these adaptations may help their survival in the face of harsh environmental conditions encountered in the GIT. In recent years, multiple cell surface-associated molecules have been implicated in the adherence of lactobacilli to the GIT lining, immunomodulation, and protective effects on intestinal epithelial barrier function. Identification of the relevant bacterial ligands and their host receptors is imperative for a better understanding of the mechanisms through which lactobacilli exert their beneficial effects on human health.
Teacher Design Using Online Learning Resources: A Comparative Case Study of Science and Mathematics Teachers
Authors: Recker Mimi , Sellers Linda , Ye Lei
Published: March 2013

Using a comparative case study design, this paper explores the impacts of a technology-related professional development (TTPD) design aimed at helping science and mathematics teachers design classroom activities using the wealth of resources available on the Internet. Using the lens of curricular adaption and the notion of teachers’ varyingpedagogical design capacity, we analyzed the experiences of four teachers in terms of the kinds of instructional activities teachers designed, how these were supported with online resources, and teachers’ perceptions of impacts on student learning. Findings suggested that participants used a variety of personally relevant design strategies when applying TTPD concepts to their contexts. In particular, the teachers discussed how they tailored instruction to fit their students’ needs and interests, and how they incorporated instructional games, simulations, and interactive resources to enhance motivation and provide self-paced instruction.
LoCoBoard: Low-Cost Interactive Whiteboard Using Computer Vision Algorithms
Authors: Soares Christophe , Moreira Rui S. , Torres José M. , Sobral Pedro
Published: March 2013

In the current digital age, the adoption of natural interfaces between humans and machines is increasingly important. This trend is particularly significant in the education sector where interactive tools and applications can ease the presentation and comprehension of complex concepts, stimulate collaborative work, and improve teaching practices. An important step towards this vision, interactive whiteboards are gaining widespread adoption in various levels of education. Nevertheless, these solutions are usually expensive, making their acceptance slow, especially in countries with more fragile economies. In this context, we present the low-cost interactive whiteboard (LoCoBoard) project, an open-source interactive whiteboard with low-cost hardware requirements, usually accessible in our daily lives, for an easy installation: a webcam-equipped computer, a video projector, and an infrared pointing device. The detection software framework offers five different Pointer Location algorithms with support for the Tangible User Interface Object protocol and also adapts to support multiple operating systems. We discuss the detailed physical and logical structure of LoCoBoard and compare its performance with that of similar systems. We believe that the proposed solution may represent a valuable contribution to ease the access to interactive whiteboards and increase widespread use with obvious benefits.
Resolution of Angina Pectoris and Improvement of the Coronary Flow Reserve after Ranolazine Treatment in a Woman with Isolated Impaired Coronary Microcirculation
Authors: Santoro Alessandro , Schiano Lomoriello Vincenzo , Santoro Ciro , Muscariello Riccardo , Galderisi Maurizio
Published: March 2013

In a 61-year-old woman with well controlled arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and smoke and suffering from recurrent angina pectoris despite angiographically normal epicardial coronary vessels and maximal therapy, the replacement of nitrates with novel antiangina drug ranolazine, after 6-month therapy, induced a complete relief of angina and a relevant rising of the transthoracic Doppler-derived coronary flow reserve (CFR). The present clinical case underlines therefore how in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease without epicardial coronary stenosis ranolazine can induce an improvement till the complete solution of the angina symptoms and a substantial increase of CFR as expression of the enhancement of the microvascular coronary function. The improvement of both symptoms and coronary microvascular function is strictly linked to the mechanism of action of the drug. Ranolazine induces in fact a reduction of the intracellular late sodium current that leads to a reduction of the intracellular calcium concentration thus producing a better myocardial diastolic relaxation process which in its turns enhances the myocardial perfusion. The ranolazine acts therefore as a lusitropic drug that improves the diastolic dysfunction and the segmental ischemia thus affecting one of the first steps of the ischemic cascade.
The Upwind Finite Volume Element Method for Two-Dimensional Burgers Equation
Authors: Yang Qing
Published: March 2013

A finite volume element method for approximating the solution to two-dimensional Burgers equation is presented. Upwind technique is applied to handle the nonlinear convection term. We present the semi-discrete scheme and fully discrete scheme, respectively. We show that the schemes are convergent to order one in space inL2-norm. Numerical experiment is presented finally to validate the theoretical analysis.
Existence for Singular Periodic Problems: A Survey of Recent Results
Authors: Chu Jifeng , Sun Juntao , Wong Patricia J. Y.
Published: March 2013

We present a survey on the existence of periodic solutions of singular differential equations. In particular, we pay our attention to singular scalar differential equations, singular damped differential equations, singular impulsive differential equations, and singular differential systems.
Cat Scratch Disease Presenting as Breast Cancer: A Report of an Unusual Case
Authors: Iannace Carlo , Lo Conte Domenico , Di Libero Lorenzo , Varricchio Antonio , Testa Antonio , Vigorito Raffaella , Gagliardi Giuliano , Lepore Maria , Caracciolo Francesco
Published: March 2013

Benign lymphoreticulosis (cat scratch disease, CSD) may have a clinical course that varies from the most common lymphadenitis localized in the site of inoculation, preceded by the typical “primary lesion,” to a context of severe systemic involvement. Among these uncommon clinical aspects, there is mammarian granulomatous lymphadenitis which may appear as a mastitis or a solitary intraparenchymal mass, giving the impression of a breast tumor. In these cases, intensive clinical, instrumental, and laboratory investigations are necessary to exclude malignancy. Because of its rarity, in equivocal cases, it is reasonable to use surgical excision for accurate histological examination. We report a case of CSD of the breast in a 59-year-old woman, analyzing the clinical, histopathological, and instrumental appearance and also performing a literature review.
New Application of the(G′/G)-Expansion Method for Thin Film Equations
Authors: Taha Wafaa M. , Noorani M. S. M. , Hashim I.
Published: March 2013

The(G′/G)-expansion method is used for the first time to find traveling wave solutions for thin film equations, where it is found that the related balance numbers are not the usual positive integers. The closed-form solution obtained via this method is in good agreement with the previously obtained solutions of other researchers. It is also noted that, for appropriate parameters, new solitary waves solutions are found.
On a Generalized Laguerre Operational Matrix of Fractional Integration
Authors: Bhrawy A. H. , Baleanu D. , Assas L. M. , Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: March 2013

A new operational matrix of fractional integration of arbitrary order for generalized Laguerre polynomials is derived. The fractional integration is described in the Riemann-Liouville sense. This operational matrix is applied together with generalized Laguerre tau method for solving general linear multiterm fractional differential equations (FDEs). The method has the advantage of obtaining the solution in terms of the generalized Laguerre parameter. In addition, only a small dimension of generalized Laguerre operational matrix is needed to obtain a satisfactory result. Illustrative examples reveal that the proposed method is very effective and convenient for linear multiterm FDEs on a semi-infinite interval.
Pharmacotherapy of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Clinical Review
Authors: Antus Balazs
Published: March 2013

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In addition to generating high healthcare costs, COPD imposes a significant burden in terms of disability and impaired quality of life. Unlike many leading causes of death and disability, COPD is projected to increase in many regions of the world as the frequency of smoking is rising and the population is aging. The pharmacological treatment of COPD includes bronchodilators to relax smooth muscle, such asβ2-agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline, and fenoterol, short-actingβ2-agonists as well as salmeterol, formoterol, and indacaterol, and long-actingβ2-agonists) and anticholinergics, such as ipratropium, oxitropium (short-acting anticholinergic), and tiotropium (long-acting anticholinergic). Although airway inflammation in COPD poorly responds to steroids, several inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone, budesonide, and beclomethasone) are in use in combination with long-actingβ2-agonists. Other medications include theophylline (both a bronchodilator and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and the phosphodiesterase-4 antagonists, such as roflumilast. Finally, a number of novel long-acting anticholinergics andβ2-agonists with once- or twice-daily profiles are in development and clinical testing.