bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of facial skin of various Asian populations through visual and non‐invasive instrumental evaluations: influence of seasons
Authors: Galzote C. , Estanislao R. , Suero M. O. , Khaiat A. , Mangubat M. I. , Moideen R. , Tagami H. , Wang X.
Published: March 2014

Background/purpose

This multicenter study assessed the impact of two types of extreme seasons (i.e. summer and winter) on the facial skin of female subjects living in different regions of Asia.

Methods

Facial skin of female subjects of various Asian ethnicities was characterized during summer and winter using dermatological assessments of the cheek and instrumental evaluations of the forehead and cheek. Approximately, 100 female subjects each from five cities in Asia (Harbin and Shanghai in China; New Delhi, India; Seoul, South Korea; and Sendai, Japan) ranging in age from 14 to 75 years were included in this study.

Results

Dermatologist assessments revealed a general decrease in severity of roughness, wrinkles, pigmentation, and lentigines during winter compared with summer. Instrumental assessments revealed significant differences in various parameters in winter vs. summer such as reductions in melanin index and skin surface hydration, and increases in transepidermal water loss, skin pH, redness, and sebum production.

Conclusion

Facial skin in female subjects living in different Asian cities exhibited a wide range of changes and worsening of various biophysical parameters in response to the low temperature and humidity during the winter season as compared with summer.
A novel full‐length KIR3DS1*0130106 allele identified by sequencing
Authors: Wang L. , Zhang Y. H. , Dong T. , Rowland‐Jones S. L. , Yindom L.‐M.
Published: March 2014

The novel KIR3DS1*0130106 differs from KIR3DS1*0130101 with a single point mutation at position 7211 (G>T).
Identification of a new allele HLA‐A*02:463 by sequencing of exons 2, 3 and 4
Authors: Dabin T. , Jue W. , Guojin O. , Hai Z. , Qiang C.
Published: March 2014

HLA‐A*02:463 differs from HLA‐A*02:03:01 by one nucleotide at nt 334 A→G in exon 2.
Biodegradation of chlorpyrifos and 3, 5, 6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol by a novel rhizobial strain Mesorhizobium sp. HN3
Authors: Jabeen Hina , Iqbal Samina , Anwar Samina
Published: March 2014

A chlorpyrifos (CP) and 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol (TCP) degrading bacterial strain, Mesorhizobium sp. HN3, was isolated and characterized. Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 degraded CP efficiently up to 400 mg/L initial concentration at wide range of temperatures (30–40°C) and pH (6.0–8.0). However, optimal degradation of CP was achieved at 37°C and neutral pH (7.0) at an initial inoculum density 2 × 107 colony forming unit/mL of culture medium. Kinetic parameters for CP degradation by Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 were estimated at different initial concentrations. Cultures exhibited significant variation (P ≤ 0.05) in the specific growth rate (μ), cell mass formation rate (QX) and the substrate uptake rate (QS) during degradation of CP. The values of kinetic parameters increased up to 100 mg/L CP and decreased at higher concentration. Investigation of degradation metabolites indicated that CP is converted to diethylthiophosphate and TCP that leads to the formation of 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐methoxypyridine.
Prediction of the Thermoacoustic Combustion Instabilities in Practical Annular Combustors
Authors: Campa Giovanni , Camporeale Sergio Mario
Published: March 2014

A three-dimensional finite element code is used for the eigenvalue analysis of the thermoacoustic combustion instabilities modeled through the Helmholtz equation. A full annular combustion chamber, equipped with several burners, is examined. Spatial distributions for the heat release intensity and for the time delay are used for the linear flame model. Burners, connecting the plenum and the chamber, are modeled by means of the transfer matrix method. The influence of the parameters characterizing the burners and the flame on the stability levels of each mode of the system is investigated. The obtained results show the influence of the 3D distribution of the flame on the modes. Additionally, the results show what types of modes are most likely to yield humming in an annular combustion chamber. The proposed methodology is intended to be a practical tool for the interpretation of the thermoacoustic phenomenon (in terms of modes, frequencies, and stability maps) both in the design stage and in the check stage of gas turbine combustion chambers.
HDPE Matrix Composites Filled With Ca4La6(SiO4)4(PO4)2O2 for Microwave Substrate Applications
Authors: Thomas Dhanesh , Sebastian Mailadil T.
Published: March 2014

Polymer–ceramic composites have been prepared by dispersing Ca4La6(SiO4)4(PO4)2O2 (CLSP) ceramic filler in high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix through melt mixing. Scanning electron micrographs reveal the extent of filler dispersion. The dielectric properties at 1 MHz and 5 GHz have been investigated as a function of filler content. The relative permittivity increases with filler loading, maintaining a low dielectric loss. The composite with highest filler loading of 0.4 volume fraction shows a relative permittivity of 5.1 and dielectric loss of 2.3 × 10−3 at 5 GHz. Experimentally observed values of relative permittivity at 5 GHz have been compared with the values calculated using various theoretical models. Both the coefficient of linear thermal expansion and tensile strength have been observed to decrease with filler loading, reaching a minimum value of 117 ppm/ °C and 20.7 MPa, respectively, at 0.4 volume fraction of filler. The composite with maximum filler loading of 0.4 volume fraction shows the highest thermal conductivity (TC) and is 1.2 W m−1 K−1.
ArF Excimer Laser Micromachining of MEMS Materials: Characterization and Applications
Authors: Liu Kewei , Kim Yoontae , Noh Hongseok (Moses)
Published: March 2014

Excimer laser ablation is a versatile technique that can be used for a variety of different materials. Excimer laser ablation overcomes limitations of conventional two-dimensional (2D) microfabrication techniques and facilitates three-dimensional (3D) micromanufacturing. Previously, we have reported a characterization study on 248 nm KrF excimer laser micromachining. This paper extends the study to 193 nm ArF excimer laser micromachining on five representative micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) materials (Si, soda-lime glass, SU-8, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polyimide). Relations between laser parameters (fluence, frequency and number of laser pulses) and etch performances (etch rates, aspect ratio, and surface quality) were investigated. Etch rate per shot was proportional to laser fluence but inversely proportional to number of laser pulses. Laser frequency did not show a notable impact on etch rates. Aspect ratio was also proportional to laser fluence and number of laser pulses but was not affected by laser frequency. Materials absorbance spectrum was found to have important influence on etch rates. Thermal modeling was conducted as well using numerical simulation to investigate how the photothermal ablation mechanism affects the etching results. Thermal properties of material, primarily thermal conductivity, were proved to have significant influence on etching results. Physical deformation in laser machined sites was also investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Element composition of redeposited materials around ablation site was analyzed using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) analysis. Combined with our previous report on KrF excimer laser micromachining, this comprehensive characterization study provides guidelines to identify optimized laser ablation parameters for desired microscale structures on MEMS materials. In order to demonstrate the 3D microfabrication capability of ArF excimer laser, cutting and local removal of insulation for a novel floating braided neural probe made of polyimide and nichrome was conducted successfully using the optimized laser ablation parameters obtained in the current study.
Recommended Practice for the Calibration of Mass Spectrometers
Authors: Basford James A. , Boeckmann Mark D. , Ellefson Robert E. , Filippelli Albert R. , Holkeboer David H. , Lieszkovsky Laslo , Stupak Catherine M.
Published: March 2014

This Recommended Practice addresses issues involved in the use of partial pressure analyzers (PPAs) for quantitative analysis and describes recommended apparatus and procedures for determining resolution and sensitivity of a PPA so that the instrument can be used quantitatively for partial pressure, partial flow and gas composition analysis. This updates previous material in the AVS Standard 2.3-1972 (tentative) by including reference to current pressure transfer standards and computer controlled PPAs. This document presents an introduction to PPAs and how they work, definitions pertinent to the use of PPAs, equipment needed for calibration, instrument setup prior to calibration and the measurement of sensitivity and linearity by various methods. Four methods of calibration of a PPA are described as follows: (1) the direct comparison of the PPA output with a transfer standard pressure gauge, (2) the indirect comparison of PPA readings with readings of a transfer standard pressure gauge separated by a flow restriction (pressure divider method), (3) comparison of the PPA output response to known gas flow rates. The first three methods may be carried out on a test stand of suitable design or in situ. The fourth method requires that the pumping speed during calibration be the same as the pumping speed during use, and normally implies that the PPA is calibrated in situ. Discussion on gas interactions, sources of nonlinearity, stability of sensitivity and quality assurance methods is given.
MO‐E‐204C‐01: Radionuclide Imaging with a CCD‐Based, High‐Resolution X‐Ray Detector in Single Photon Counting Mode
Authors: Panse A , Jain A , Wang W , Yao R , Bednarek D , Rudin S
Published: March 2014

Purpose: To demonstrate use of the high‐resolution Micro‐Angiographic Fluoroscopic (MAF) detector in single‐photon counting (SPC) mode for nuclear medicine imaging. Method and Materials: The MAF uses a CCD camera and fiber‐optic taper, has 1024 × 1024 pixels with effective pixel size of 35 microns and is capable of real‐time imaging. A 300 micron cesium iodide is coupled to a light image intensifier through a fiber optic taper. Large variable gain of the LII provides quantum‐limited operation with essentially no additive instrumentation noise and enables the MAF to operate in both energy‐integrating (EI) and the very‐sensitive low‐exposure SPC modes. To evaluate the MAF in SPC mode, a custom‐made phantom, with hot rods ranging from diameters 0.9mm to 2.3mm, filled with 1mCi of 125I was used as a test object. A medium‐energy, gamma‐camera collimator with 1‐mm diameter parallel holes was placed between the phantom and the MAF. Data was acquired at 20 fps. The collimator was used in two ways: (i) Stationary and (ii) Moving multiple times in random directions during data acquisition to blur the septal pattern with approximately the same number of counts detected per position. Each frame of the two sets was processed using two algorithms to localize events: (i) simple‐threshold and (ii) weighted‐centroid methods. The processed frames were added to give the final image. Results: (i) Stationary collimator: The image showed a grid‐like pattern corresponding to the septa walls of the collimator. All of the hot rods in the phantom can be identified, (ii) Moving collimator: The septal pattern is blurred out, and all of the rods can be clearly identified. Conclusion: The same MAF can be used in both nuclear‐medicine imaging and x‐ray imaging in SPC mode for dual‐mode imaging. Currently we are limited by collimator resolution for radionuclide imaging. Support from: NIH Grants R01EB002873 and R01EB008425.
Dual Energy CT in Clinical Practice
Authors: Yoshizumi Terry
Published: March 2014

Dual Energy CT in Clinical Practice, Johnson, T., Fink, C., Schönberg, S. O., Reiser, M. F., Springer‐Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2011. Hardcover, 219 pp. Price: $239.00. ISBN: 978‐3‐642‐01739‐1
SU‐GG‐T‐204: Feasibility Study of On‐Site IMRT Audit in Japan
Authors: Tohyama N , Kojima T , Kawachi T , Kurooka M , Kitou S , Okamoto H , Kumazaki Y , Hashimoto S , Fujita Y , Hayashi N , Hatano K , Saitoh H
Published: March 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish on‐site IMRT audit in Japan. Method and materials: We developed IMRT audit system using specialized water phantom. The phantom can be used to calibrate dose of reference condition and to validate monitor unit of conventional and IMRT field. In the specialized water phantom, detector can be set up at various positions, and various detectors can be used by replacing sleeves. The protocol of IMRT plan referred to shape and dose constraints of NCI “IMRT benchmark”. The planned IMRT dose was verified according to own QA protocol at each site. Then, audit items were evaluated by visit. The audit items were TPR20,10 for kQ determination, dose at reference condition (10 cm depth, 10×10 cm2 field), output factor (5×5, 10×10, 20×20 cm2 field), dose linearity (0.5, 1.0, 5.0 Gy) to evaluate basic commissioning status of RTP. Furthermore IMRT point dose at isocenter and geometrical arrangement of axial plane were evaluated with an ionization chamber and EDR2 verification films. The on‐site IMRT audit was done for 9 beams at 8 sites in 2009. Results: For reference condition, dose monitor unit (cGy/MU) was well adjusted within 1% at all sites. For IMRT point dose, difference between self and audit evaluation agreed within 1% at all sites. However dose difference between calculated and measured exceeded 3%, lack of commissioning was consequently pointed out at 2 sites. The reproducibility of geometrical arrangement was less than 3 mm at all sites. Conclusion: Feasibility study of on‐site IMRT audit was performed using specialized water phantom to reduce measurement uncertainty. It is confirmed that the on‐site IMRT audit combined reference and IMRT condition is reliable. To establish IMRT on‐site audit in Japan, visit site will be increased in 2010.
TH‐C‐204B‐08: Energy Dependency and Dosimetric Modeling in Small Animal Stereotactic Irradiaton
Authors: Pidikiti R , Stojadinovic S , Speiser M , Song K , Solberg T
Published: March 2014

Purpose: Small animal irradiation provides an invaluable tool for preclinical studies to assess and optimize new treatment strategies such as SBRT. However dosimetric accuracy for beams that are clinically and geometrically scaled for the small animal model is uniquely challenged by low energies and minute field sizes. Recent experiences with GafChromic film have evinced energy dependencies that preclude standard methods of dosimetric calibration with MV beams. Characterization of such dependencies has led to comprehensive recommissioning of the small animal stereotactic beam model based on the AAPM TG‐61 protocol to maximize the accuracy required by preclinical foundational research. Method and Materials: The irradiator couples a commercial x‐ray device (XRAD 320 Precision X‐Ray Inc. N. Branford CT) with a custom collimation system to produce 1–10 mm diameter beams and a 50 mm reference beam. Absolute calibrations were performed using TG‐61 methodology. Beam HVL's and timer error were measured with an ionization chamber. PDD output factors (OF) and OAR were measured using EBT‐2 a radiochromic film from ISP diode and pinpoint ionization chamber at 19.76 and 24.76 cm SSD. Results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Results: Absolute calibration for irradiator reference conditions were measured as 19.95 and 19.79 Gy/min for in‐air and in‐water methods respectively agreeing within 0.8%. Beam quality at 250 kVp and 15 mAs was measured to be 0.45 mm Cu. PDD data demonstrate typical increased penetration with increasing field size. For collimators >5 mm output factors measured using film chamber and diode were within 3% agreement. For smaller collimators output factors measured with film agree well with Monte Carlo simulation results. Conclusion: Careful application of TG‐61 methodology is essential for both commissioning small animal treatment beams and mitigating Gafchromic film energy dependencies. This enables beam modeling and subsequent small animal treatment planning with the accuracy required of preclinical studies.
The influence of informational masking on speech perception and pupil response in adults with hearing impairment
Authors: Koelewijn Thomas , Zekveld Adriana A. , Festen Joost M. , Kramer Sophia E.
Published: March 2014

A recent pupillometry study on adults with normal hearing indicates that the pupil response during speech perception (cognitive processing load) is strongly affected by the type of speech masker. The current study extends these results by recording the pupil response in 32 participants with hearing impairment (mean age 59 yr) while they were listening to sentences masked by fluctuating noise or a single-talker. Efforts were made to improve audibility of all sounds by means of spectral shaping. Additionally, participants performed tests measuring verbal working memory capacity, inhibition of interfering information in working memory, and linguistic closure. The results showed worse speech reception thresholds for speech masked by single-talker speech compared to fluctuating noise. In line with previous results for participants with normal hearing, the pupil response was larger when listening to speech masked by a single-talker compared to fluctuating noise. Regression analysis revealed that larger working memory capacity and better inhibition of interfering information related to better speech reception thresholds, but these variables did not account for inter-individual differences in the pupil response. In conclusion, people with hearing impairment show more cognitive load during speech processing when there is interfering speech compared to fluctuating noise.
Characterization of the shock pulse-induced cavitation bubble activities recorded by an optical fiber hydrophone
Authors: Kang Gwansuk , Chan Cho Sung , John Coleman Andrew , Joo Choi Min
Published: March 2014

A shock pressure pulse used in an extracorporeal shock wave treatment has a large negative pressure (<−5 MPa) which can produce cavitation. Cavitation cannot be measured easily, but may have known therapeutic effects. This study considers the signal recorded for several hundred microseconds using an optical hydrophone submerged in water at the focus of shock pressure field. The signal is characterized by shock pulse followed by a long tail after several microseconds; this signal is regarded as a cavitation-related signal (CRS). An experimental investigation of the CRS was conducted in the shock pressure field produced in water using an optical hydrophone (FOPH2000, RP Acoustics, Germany). The CRS was found to contain characteristic information about the shock pulse-induced cavitation. The first and second collapse times (t1 and t2) were identified in the CRS. The collapse time delay (tc = t2 – t1) increased with the driving shock pressures. The signal amplitude integrated for time from t1 to t2 was highly correlated with tc (adjusted R2 = 0.990). This finding suggests that a single optical hydrophone can be used to measure shock pulse and to characterize shock pulse-induced cavitation.
Long term estimations of low frequency noise levels over water from an off-shore wind farm
Authors: Bolin Karl , Almgren Martin , Ohlsson Esbjörn , Karasalo Ilkka
Published: March 2014

This article focuses on computations of low frequency sound propagation from an off-shore wind farm. Two different methods for sound propagation calculations are combined with meteorological data for every 3 hours in the year 2010 to examine the varying noise levels at a reception point at 13 km distance. It is shown that sound propagation conditions play a vital role in the noise impact from the off-shore wind farm and ordinary assessment methods can become inaccurate at longer propagation distances over water. Therefore, this paper suggests that methodologies to calculate noise immission with realistic sound speed profiles need to be combined with meteorological data over extended time periods to evaluate the impact of low frequency noise from modern off-shore wind farms.
Evaluation of disfluent speech by means of automatic acoustic measurements
Authors: Lustyk Tomas , Bergl Petr , Cmejla Roman
Published: March 2014

An experiment was carried out to determine whether the level of the speech fluency disorder can be estimated by means of automatic acoustic measurements. These measures analyze, for example, the amount of silence in a recording or the number of abrupt spectral changes in a speech signal. All the measures were designed to take into account symptoms of stuttering. In the experiment, 118 audio recordings of read speech by Czech native speakers were employed. The results indicate that the human-made rating of the speech fluency disorder in read speech can be predicted on the basis of automatic measurements. The number of abrupt spectral changes in the speech segments turns out to be the most appropriate measure to describe the overall speech performance. The results also imply that there are measures with good results describing partial symptoms (especially fixed postures without audible airflow).
Importance of envelope modulations during consonants and vowels in segmentally interrupted sentences
Authors: Fogerty Daniel
Published: March 2014

The present study investigated the importance of overall segment amplitude and intrinsic segment amplitude modulation of consonants and vowels to sentence intelligibility. Sentences were processed according to three conditions that replaced consonant or vowel segments with noise matched to the long-term average speech spectrum. Segments were replaced with (1) low-level noise that distorted the overall sentence envelope, (2) segment-level noise that restored the overall syllabic amplitude modulation of the sentence, and (3) segment-modulated noise that further restored faster temporal envelope modulations during the vowel. Results from the first experiment demonstrated an incremental benefit with increasing resolution of the vowel temporal envelope. However, amplitude modulations of replaced consonant segments had a comparatively minimal effect on overall sentence intelligibility scores. A second experiment selectively noise-masked preserved vowel segments in order to equate overall performance of consonant-replaced sentences to that of the vowel-replaced sentences. Results demonstrated no significant effect of restoring consonant modulations during the interrupting noise when existing vowel cues were degraded. A third experiment demonstrated greater perceived sentence continuity with the preservation or addition of vowel envelope modulations. Overall, results support previous investigations demonstrating the importance of vowel envelope modulations to the intelligibility of interrupted sentences.
A method for measuring the intelligibility of uninterrupted, continuous speech
Authors: MacPherson Alexandra , Akeroyd Michael A.
Published: March 2014

Speech-in-noise tests commonly use short, discrete sentences as representative samples of everyday speech. These tests cannot, however, fully represent the added demands of understanding ongoing, linguistically complex speech. Using a new monitoring method to measure the intelligibility of continuous speech and a standard trial-by-trial, speech-in-noise test the effects of target duration and linguistic complexity were examined. For a group of older hearing-impaired listeners, significantly higher speech reception thresholds were found for continuous, complex speech targets than for syntactically simple sentences. The results highlight the need to sample speech intelligibility in a variety of everyday speech-in-noise scenarios.
Spatial filtering in ambient noise interferometry
Authors: Carrière Olivier , Gerstoft Peter , Hodgkiss William S.
Published: March 2014

Theoretically, the empirical Green's function between a pair of receivers can be extracted from the cross correlation of the received diffuse noise. The diffuse noise condition rarely is met in the ocean and directional sources may bias the Green's function. Here matrix-based spatial filters are used for removing unwanted contributions in the cross correlations. Two methods are used for solving the matrix filter design problem. First a matrix least-square problem is solved with a low-rank approximation of the pseudo-inverse, here, derived for linear and planar arrays. Second, a convex optimization approach is used to solve the design problem reformulated with ad hoc constraints. The spatial filter is applied to real-data cross correlations of elements from a linear array to attenuate the contribution of a discrete interferer. In the case of a planar array and simulated data, a spatial filter enables a passive upgoing/downgoing wavefield separation along with an efficient rejection of horizontally propagating noise. The impact of array size and frequency band on the filtered cross correlations is discussed.
Comment on “Anomalous wave propagation in a one-dimensional acoustic metamaterial having simultaneously negative mass density and Young's modulus” [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 2887–2895 (2012)]
Authors: Marston Philip L.
Published: March 2014

The phase and group velocities of elastic guided waves are important in the physical interpretation of high frequency scattering by fluid-loaded elastic shells. Outside the context of scattering, those properties are also important for understanding the energy flow in acoustic metamaterials. In a recent investigation of acoustic metamaterials exhibiting anomalous wave propagation [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 132, 2887–2895 (2012)] criticism of negative group velocity terminology was generalized to elastic waves guided on ordinary materials. Some context and justification for retaining the identification of negative group velocities associated with a type of backscattering enhancement for shells are explained here. The phase evolution direction is determined by the boundary conditions.
Exact series model of Langevin transducers with internal losses
Authors: Nishamol P. A. , Ebenezer D. D.
Published: March 2014

An exact series method is presented to analyze classical Langevin transducers with arbitrary boundary conditions. The transducers consist of an axially polarized piezoelectric solid cylinder sandwiched between two elastic solid cylinders. All three cylinders are of the same diameter. The length to diameter ratio is arbitrary. Complex piezoelectric and elastic coefficients are used to model internal losses. Solutions to the exact linearized governing equations for each cylinder include four series. Each term in each series is an exact solution to the governing equations. Bessel and trigonometric functions that form complete and orthogonal sets in the radial and axial directions, respectively, are used in the series. Asymmetric transducers and boundary conditions are modeled by using axially symmetric and anti-symmetric sets of functions. All interface and boundary conditions are satisfied in a weighted-average sense. The computed input electrical admittance, displacement, and stress in transducers are presented in tables and figures, and are in very good agreement with those obtained using atila—a finite element package for the analysis of sonar transducers. For all the transducers considered in the analysis, the maximum difference between the first three resonance frequencies calculated using the present method and atila is less than 0.03%.
Perception of pitch height in lexical and musical tones by English-speaking musicians and nonmusicians
Authors: Lee Chao-Yang , Lekich Allison , Zhang Yu
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to explore the music-speech relationship by examining pitch height perception in lexical and musical tones. English-speaking musicians and nonmusicians identified multispeaker Taiwanese level tones without typical cues for speaker normalization. The musicians also identified note names of piano, viola, and pure tones without a reference pitch. In the Taiwanese task, both the musicians and nonmusicians were able to identify tone height above chance, but only for tones at the extremes of the speakers' overall vocal range. The musicians only had a slight advantage over the nonmusicians. In the music task, none of the musicians met the criterion for absolute pitch. Timbre did not affect how accurately the musical tones were identified. No correlations were found between performance in the Taiwanese task and that in the music task. It was concluded that musicians' advantage in lexical tone perception arose from the ability to track F0 contours. The ability to identify pitch height in lexical tones appears to involve calibrating acoustic input according to gender-specific, internally stored pitch templates.
Sound speed estimation and source localization with linearization and particle filtering
Authors: Lin Tao , Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni
Published: March 2014

A method is developed for the estimation of source location and sound speed in the water column relying on linearization. The Jacobian matrix, necessary for the proposed linearization approach, includes derivatives with respect to empirical orthogonal function coefficients instead of sound speed directly. First, the inversion technique is tested on synthetic arrival times, using Gaussian distributions for the errors in the considered arrival times. The approach is efficient, requiring a few iterations, and produces accurate results. Probability densities of the estimates are calculated for different levels of noise in the arrival times. Subsequently, particle filtering is employed for the estimation of arrival times from signals recorded during the Shallow Water 06 experiment. It has been shown in the past that particle filtering can be employed for the successful estimation of multipath arrival times from short-range data and, consequently, in geometry, bathymetry, and sound speed inversion. Here probability density functions of arrival times computed via particle filtering are propagated backward through the proposed inversion process. Inversion estimates are consistent with values reported in the literature for the same quantities. Last it is shown that results are consistent with estimates resulting from fast simulated annealing applied to the same data.
A study of infrasound propagation based on high-order finite difference solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations
Authors: Marsden O. , Bogey C. , Bailly C.
Published: March 2014

The feasibility of using numerical simulation of fluid dynamics equations for the detailed description of long-range infrasound propagation in the atmosphere is investigated. The two dimensional (2D) Navier Stokes equations are solved via high fidelity spatial finite differences and Runge-Kutta time integration, coupled with a shock-capturing filter procedure allowing large amplitudes to be studied. The accuracy of acoustic prediction over long distances with this approach is first assessed in the linear regime thanks to two test cases featuring an acoustic source placed above a reflective ground in a homogeneous and weakly inhomogeneous medium, solved for a range of grid resolutions. An atmospheric model which can account for realistic features affecting acoustic propagation is then described. A 2D study of the effect of source amplitude on signals recorded at ground level at varying distances from the source is carried out. Modifications both in terms of waveforms and arrival times are described.
Common Genetic Variants Modulate Pathogen-Sensing Responses in Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Lee Mark N. , Ye Chun , Villani Alexandra-Chloé , Raj Towfique , Li Weibo , Eisenhaure Thomas M. , Imboywa Selina H. , Chipendo Portia I. , Ran F. Ann , Slowikowski Kamil , Ward Lucas D. , Raddassi Khadir , McCabe Cristin , Lee Michelle H. , Frohlich Irene Y. , Hafler David A. , Kellis Manolis , Raychaudhuri Soumya , Zhang Feng , Stranger Barbara E. , Benoist Christophe O. , De Jager Philip L. , Regev Aviv , Hacohen Nir
Published: March 2014

Immune Variation

It is difficult to determine the mechanistic consequences of context-dependent genetic variants, some of which may be related to disease (see the Perspective by

Gregersen

). Two studies now report on the effects of stimulating immunological monocytes and dendritic cells with proteins that can elicit a response to bacterial or viral infection and assess the functional links between genetic variants and profiles of gene expression.

M. N. Lee
et al.

(
10.1126/science.1246980
) analyzed the expression of more than 400 genes, in dendritic cells from 534 healthy subjects, which revealed how expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) affect gene expression within the interferon-β and the Toll-like receptor 3 and 4 pathways.

Fairfax
et al.

(
10.1126/science.1246949
) performed a genome-wide analysis to show that many eQTLs affected monocyte gene expression in a stimulus- or time-specific manner.
Developments in X-ray Crystallographic Structure Determination of Biological Macromolecules
Authors: Garman Elspeth F.
Published: March 2014

The three-dimensional structures of large biomolecules important in the function and mechanistic pathways of all living systems and viruses can be determined by x-ray diffraction from crystals of these molecules and their complexes. This area of crystallography is continually expanding and evolving, and the introduction of new methods that use the latest technology is allowing the elucidation of ever larger and more complex biological systems, which are now becoming tractable to structure solution. This review looks back at what has been achieved and forward at how current and future developments may allow technical challenges to be overcome.
Mechanism of the C5 Stereoinversion Reaction in the Biosynthesis of Carbapenem Antibiotics
Authors: Chang Wei-chen , Guo Yisong , Wang Chen , Butch Susan E. , Rosenzweig Amy C. , Boal Amie K. , Krebs Carsten , Bollinger J. Martin
Published: March 2014

Carbapenems Through the Looking Glass

The carbapenem class of antibiotics is a critical weapon in the ongoing fight against drug-resistant bacteria. Microbial biosynthesis of these compounds, which contain a strained β-lactam ring motif, proceeds via a precursor that has the wrong configuration at one of the ring carbons.

Chang
et al.

(p.
1140
) combined x-ray crystallography with multiple spectroscopic probes to map out the mechanism by which the CarC enzyme inverts the precursor configuration to its mirror image.
Europe's Copernicus Offers a Daily Dose of Earth Data
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: March 2014

Early in April, Europe will launch the first satellite in its Copernicus program: a fleet of a dozen environmental monitoring spacecraft designed to study Earth's oceans, changes in land use, and atmosphere.
Structural Biology Scales Down
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: March 2014

The United States is winding down a $1 billion project to churn out protein structures. What will that mean for the field?
The Sequencing Continuum for Clinical Research: From Sanger to Next Gen
Authors: Quiñones-Mateu Miguel E. , Endris Volker
Published: March 2014

Researchers today have a many choices when deciding which sequencing technology to use for their clinical research. Sanger sequencing, long the "gold standard" in clinical research sequencing technology, has met significant competition with the advent of next generation sequencing (NGS). NGS technologies are now commonplace in clinical research laboratories where they have enabled rapid advances in the gathering and analysis of genetic information. However, with these advances have come additional challenges involving validation as these technologies become more widespread and move closer to future clinical application. In this webinar, our expert speakers will discuss the relative benefits of Sanger and NGS technologies and their application in different fields of clinical research.
Draft Genome Sequence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Strain M0605, Which Causes Severe Mortalities of Shrimps in Mexico
Authors: Gomez-Gil Bruno , Soto-Rodríguez Sonia , Lozano Rodolfo , Betancourt-Lozano Miguel
Published: March 2014

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), also known as early mortality syndrome (EMS), causes high mortalities in cultured shrimps in Asia (L. Tran et al., Dis. Aquat. Organ. 105:45–55, 2013,
http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao02621
). Here, we report the draft genome sequence of one Mexican strain of
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
that causes similar clinical signs in diseased shrimps.
Comparative Genomic Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates VRFPA06 and VRFPA08 with VRFPA07
Authors: Murugan Nandagopal , Malathi Jambulingam , Umashankar Vetrivel , Madhavan Hajib Narahari Rao
Published: March 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates harboring acquired drug-resistant genes lead to increased mortality. Here, we have sequenced and annotated the genomes of two multidrug-resistant (MDR)
P. aeruginosa
isolates and a susceptible
P. aeruginosa
clinical isolate evidencing divergent antibiotic susceptibilities. Genomic analysis showed insight on the different genomic strategies adapted by
P. aeruginosa
to combat antimicrobial effects.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Carrageenan-Degrading Bacterium
Cellulophaga
sp. Strain KL-A, Isolated from Decaying Marine Algae
Authors: Shan Dapeng , Ying Jianxi , Li Xu , Gao Zheng , Wei Guangshan , Shao Zongze
Published: March 2014

Cellulophaga
sp. strain KL-A, isolated from decaying marine algae, is able to degrade iota-carrageenan. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Cellulophaga
sp. strain KL-A.
Genome Sequence of
Luteimonas huabeiensis
HB-2, a Novel Species of
Luteimonas
with High Oil Displacement Efficiency
Authors: Liu Yang , Yao Su , Liu Yong , Xu Youqiang , Cheng Chi
Published: March 2014

Luteimonas huabeiensis
HB-2 is a novel and newly isolated strain, which shows a superior property of oil displacement. Here, we present a 4.3-Mb assembly of its genome. The key genes for phospholipid and fatty acid metabolism were annotated, which are crucial for crude oil emulsification and recovery.
Genome Sequence of a Xylella fastidiosa Strain Causing Mulberry Leaf Scorch Disease in Maryland
Authors: Guan Wei , Shao Jonathan , Zhao Tingchang , Huang Qi
Published: March 2014

Xylella fastidiosa
causes bacterial leaf scorch in landscape trees, including mulberry. We determined the draft genome of the mulberry strain Mul-MD in order to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of strain divergence, host specificity, nutrient requirements, and pathogenicity, as well as to develop genome-based specific detection methods.
Sustained improvement in nutritional outcomes at two paediatric cystic fibrosis centres after quality improvement collaboratives
Authors: Savant Adrienne P , Britton LaCrecia J , Petren Kristofer , McColley Susanna A , Gutierrez Hector H
Published: March 2014

Objective

To describe the characteristics of sustained improved nutritional outcomes through the use of quality improvement (QI) methodology.

Design

Retrospective analysis of a QI intervention in two institutions, implemented as part of larger national collaboratives.

Setting

Paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) programmes in academic centres in Alabama and Illinois.

Participants

All paediatric patients enrolled in the CF Foundation (CFF) Patient Data Registry were included.

Interventions

Improved and sustained nutrition outcomes occurred through implementation of the CFF practice guidelines for CF nutrition management via care delivery processes, nutritional interventions, team engagement and data display.

Measurement

Mean body mass index (BMI) percentile, percentage of patients less than 50th percentile and percentage less than 10th percentile for all patients aged 2–20 years were tracked through run charts and statistical process control charts. Mann–Whitney U and χ2tests were used to determine significance between each centre and national outcomes.

Results

Each centre achieved rapid improvement in mean BMI percentile in patients, one centre rising from the 40th percentile in 2001 to the 49th percentile in 2003, the other rising from the 37th percentile in 2003 to the 45th percentile in 2004. These centres have also maintained improved nutritional outcomes, so that they were at the 60th and 55th percentiles, respectively, in 2011. Sustained improvement was accomplished through QI methodology, use of data as a driver for improvement and a change in culture.

Conclusions

Participation in collaboratives led to improved nutrition outcomes while a strong culture of QI facilitated sustained improvement.
Improving inpatient cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation care: two success stories
Authors: Antos Nicholas J , Quintero Diana R , Walsh-Kelly Christine M , Noe Julie E , Schechter Michael S
Published: March 2014

Background

Pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in cystic fibrosis (CF) are a frequent cause of hospitalisations and lead to long-term decline in pulmonary function. Successful CF inpatient care requires the coordination of multiple providers and complex therapies. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHoA) independently identified PEx inpatient care for focused improvements, with emphasis on improving care coordination and patient outcomes.

Methods

Both centres began by forming multidisciplinary workgroups, including patient and family representatives. CHW's specific aim was to eliminate delays in the time to initial intravenous antibiotics. A written handoff tool was developed to allow more efficient ordering. Efforts at CHoA focused on coordination and consistent care delivery. A written schedule and patient incentive programme were devised to ensure proper administration of treatments and promote patient adherence.

Results

At CHW, interventions decreased the mean antibiotic order time by 59% with resultant decrease in administration time by 25%. At CHoA, improvements led to a 42% decrease in the proportion of hospitalisations unsuccessful in returning lung function back to within 90% of baseline.

Conclusions

Inpatient CF PEx care is complex and requires multiple competing activities and treatments. Consistent and timely delivery of these treatments is challenging. Our improvements used the skills and insights of providers and patients to improve, standardise and synchronise care, and to develop tools to coordinate hand offs. With these improvements, applicable to hospital treatment of many other conditions, both centres were successfully able to deliver treatments in a more consistent and timely manner with improved outcomes.
Healthcare improvement is incomplete until it is published: the cystic fibrosis initiative to support scholarly publication
Authors: Stevens David P , Marshall Bruce C
Published: March 2014

Objective

Preparation of this supplement,Ten years of improvement innovation in cystic fibrosis care, tested a strategy to support writing and scholarly publication by cystic fibrosis (CF) healthcare improvement professionals.

Intervention

Critical elements of the writing initiative included: a request for abstracts that was distributed to over 2000 professionals in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-supported improvement community to identify promising work; continuous peer review of manuscripts by co-authors and writing tutors; three webinars and a 2-day face-to-face writing retreat that addressed the challenges of successful scholarly healthcare improvement writing and publication; and finally, journal submission and formal external peer review. The SQUIRE Publication Guidelines provided content framework for manuscripts.

Results

47 abstracts were submitted from which reviewers selected nine for participation. The 28 co-authors of these abstracts took part in the writing initiative. Authors’ self-assessment showed that half had previously published fewer than five papers, while 80% considered themselves insufficiently prepared to write for the scholarly improvement literature. Eventually all of the nine abstracts led to full manuscripts, which were submitted to the journal for formal peer review. Of these, seven were accepted for publication and are included in this supplement.

Conclusions

A formal initiative to develop and support scholarly writing—while resource-intensive—offers opportunities for wider publication by healthcare improvement professionals.
Antimicrobial resistance patterns and characterization of integrons in clinical isolates of Shigella from China
Authors: Yang Haifei , Pan Yachao , Hu Lifen , Liu Yanyan , Ye Ying , Cheng Jun , Li Jiabin
Published: March 2014

One hundred fifty-three Shigella isolates were examined for multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes and prevalence of class 1 and class 2 integron sequences. The gene cassettes dfrA17-aadA5, dfrA12-orfF-aadA2, and arr-3-aacA4 were found in typical class 1 integrons. The gene cassettes blaOXA-1-aadA1 and dfrA1-sat1-aadA1 were detected in atypical class 1 integrons and in class 2 integrons, respectively. This is the first report of arr-3-aacA4 cassette detected in typical class 1 integrons among Shigella isolates. Rates of antibiotic resistance were different between integron-positive and integron-negative strains (P < 0.05), and all integron-positive isolates were resistant to at least 3 different antimicrobial agents. Typical class 1 integron-positive isolates showed higher resistance rates to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin than did integron-negative ones (P < 0.05). Typical class 1 integrons and β-lactamase genes were found in conjugative plasmids, otherwise class 2 and atypical class 1 integrons were located on chromosome. This study demonstrated the wide distribution of class 1 integrons in Shigella spp., which may lead resistance to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin in China.
Nobiletin, a flavone from Citrus depressa, induces gene expression and increases the protein level and activity of neprilysin in SK-N-SH cells
Authors: Fujiwara Hironori , Kimura Junko , Sakamoto Masahiro , Yokosuka Akihito , Mimaki Yoshihiro , Murata Kiyoshi , Yamaguchi Kikuji , Ohizumi Yasushi
Published: March 2014

Neprilysin (NEP) is one of the candidate amyloid β protein (Aβ) degrading enzymes affecting brain Aβ clearance. This enzyme declines in the brain with age, which leads to the increased Aβ deposition in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Pharmacological activation of NEP during the aging process, therefore, represents a potential strategy to prevent the development of AD. To examine the influence of nobiletin on neprilysin activity, we measured cellular NEP activity in SK-N-SH cells. Moreover, NEP expression was examined by using reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Measurement of cellular NEP activity showed that nobiletin stimulated this in a dose- and time-dependent manner in SK-N-SH cells. Moreover, nobiletin increased the expression of NEP mRNA, and then the levels of NEP protein, also in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Our findings showed that nobiletin promoted NEP gene and protein expression, resulting in enhancement of cellular NEP activity in SK-N-SH cells. This compound could be a novel Aβ-degrading compound for use in the development of disease-modifying drugs to prevent and (or) cure AD.