bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental research and numerical simulations of thrust vector control nozzle flow
Authors: Zivkovic S. , Milinovic M. , Gligorijevic N. , Pavic M. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTRocket motor nozzle flow geometry is considered through its influence on the thrust vector control (TVC) performances. Extensive research is conducted using theoretical and software simulations and compared with experimental results. Cold and hot flow test equipments are used. The main objective of the research is to establish the methodology of flow geometry optimisation on the TVC hardware system. Several geometry parameters are examined in detail and their effects on the system performances are presented. The discovered effects are used as guidelines in the TVC system design process. A numerical method is presented for the determination of dynamic response time upper limit for the TVC system based on the gas flow dynamics performances.
Personal music systems and hearing
Authors: Kumar U A , Deepashree S R 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectives:To measure the output sound pressure levels of personal music systems and evaluate their effect on hearing.Methods:Output sound pressure levels at preferred volume settings and listening environment were measured using a manikin. Effects of personal music system use on hearing were evaluated using pure tone audiometry (in conventional and extended high frequency ranges), transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, syllable identification in noise, intensity discrimination, frequency discrimination and temporal modulation transfer function.Results:Results showed, alarmingly, that large proportions of young adults are using personal music systems at levels higher than the safety limits set by regulatory bodies. Individuals who listened to personal music systems at levels higher than 80 dB LAeq exhibited poorer extended high frequency thresholds, reduced transient evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes, poorer frequency discrimination, reduced modulation detection thresholds at 32 Hz modulation frequency, and reduced syllable identification in noise at −5 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Listening levels were significantly correlated with extended high frequency thresholds and transient evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes.Conclusion:These results suggest that listening to music through personal music systems at higher volume levels may be hazardous to hearing.
Current status of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors: a public health concern?
Authors: VYTHILINGAM I. , WONG M. L. , WAN-YUSSOF W. S. 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYPlasmodium knowlesi a simian malaria parasite is currently affecting humans in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has reported the most number of cases and P. knowlesi is the predominant species occurring in humans. The vectors of P. knowlesi belong to the Leucosphyrus group of Anopheles mosquitoes. These are generally described as forest-dwelling mosquitoes. With deforestation and changes in land-use, some species have become predominant in farms and villages. However, knowledge on the distribution of these vectors in the country is sparse. From a public health point of view it is important to know the vectors, so that risk factors towards knowlesi malaria can be identified and control measures instituted where possible. Here, we review what is known about the knowlesi malaria vectors and ascertain the gaps in knowledge, so that future studies could concentrate on this paucity of data in-order to address this zoonotic problem.
First finding of Trypanosoma cruzi II in vampire bats from a district free of domestic vector-borne transmission in Northeastern Argentina
Authors: ARGIBAY HERNÁN D. , OROZCO M. MARCELA , CARDINAL M. VICTORIA , RINAS MIGUEL A. , ARNAIZ MARÍA , MENA SEGURA CARLOS , GÜRTLER RICARDO E. 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYEstablishing the putative links between sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, is of public health relevance. We conducted three surveys to assess T. cruzi infection in wild mammals from a rural and a preserved area in Misiones Province, Northeastern Argentina, which had recently been declared free of vector- and blood-borne transmission of human T. cruzi infection. A total of 200 wild mammals were examined by xenodiagnosis (XD) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the hyper-variable region of kinetoplast DNA minicircles of T. cruzi (kDNA-PCR). The overall prevalence of T. cruzi infection was 8%. Nine (16%) of 57 Didelphis albiventris opossums and two (7%) of 29 Desmodus rotundus vampire bats were positive by both XD and kDNA-PCR. Additionally, one D. rotundus positive for T. cruzi by kDNA-PCR tested positive by satellite-DNA-PCR (SAT-DNA-PCR). The T. cruzi-infected bats were captured indoors and in the yard of a vacant dwelling. All D. albiventris were infected with TcI and both XD-positive D. rotundus by TcII. Fifty-five opossum cubs within the marsupium were negative by XD. The mean infectiousness to the vector was 62% in D. albiventris and 50% in D. rotundus. Mice experimentally infected with a parasite isolate from a vampire bat displayed lesions typically caused by T. cruzi. Our study documents the presence of the genotype TcII in a sylvatic host for the first time in Argentina, and the occurrence of two transmission cycles of T. cruzi in a district free of domestic vector-borne transmission.
Absence of haemoparasite infection in the fossorial amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni
Authors: MARTÍN JOSÉ , GARRIDO MARIO , ORTEGA JESÚS , GARCÍA-ROA ROBERTO , IBÁÑEZ ALEJANDRO , MARZAL ALFONSO 
Published: May 2016

SUMMARYBlood parasites such as haemogregarines and haemosporidians have been identified in almost all groups of vertebrates. However, very little is known about biodiversity of these parasites and their effects on some major groups of reptiles such as amphisbaenians, a distinctive group with many morphological and ecological adaptations to fossorial life. Conditions of the fossorial environment might also affect host–parasite relationships. We investigated the presence and the potential prevalence of three genera of haemoparasitic aplicomplexan blood parasites (Hepatozoon, Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni, a fossorial worm lizard species from North West Africa. Blood parasite infection was not detected in T. wiegmanni, both in visual surveys of blood smears and using molecular methods to detect DNA of such parasites in the blood of the potential amphisbaenian hosts. We discuss how conditions of the fossorial environment might affect blood parasitaemias in amphisbaenians as well as in other fossorial reptiles.
Boarding and lodging practices in early twentieth-century Scotland
Authors: MEEK JEFF 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe social and economic position of lodgers in Europe and North America has attracted considerable scholarship, yet the financial and interpersonal relationships between lodgers and boarders and their hosts in working-class homes is somewhat underdeveloped. This article examines patterns of lodging and boarding in working-class homes in Scotland between 1861 and 1911, focusing upon multiple layers of connection between paying guests and householders. This article demonstrates that connections had national and ethnic roots, and that taking in lodgers and boarders was of prime cultural and economic importance for many. The ability to offer space played a crucial role in the social and economic status of single, separated and widowed women, and this article offers an insight into the sometimes troubled relationships between landladies and their tenants.
The lodger population in the traditional world of the mid-eighteenth-century Carpathian Basin
Authors: FARAGÓ TAMÁS 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis article examines households containing lodgers in the Carpathian Basin during the eighteenth century, using thestatus animarum, lists of inhabitants made by the Roman Catholic Church. The author argues that lodgers had special demographic and household characteristics. Evidence is provided to show that the majority of lodger households consisted of both families fragmented by family catastrophe and young couples at the beginning of their life-career. It is further argued that it would be worthwhile to extend the work on lodgers with comparative analyses, particularly because such work would shed light on this stratum of society, which is so often missing from micro-level demographic histories.
Normalization of Neglect: A Grounded Theory of RNs’ Experiences as Family Caregivers of Hospitalized Seniors
Authors: Taverner Tarnia , Baumbusch Jennifer , Taipale Priscilla 
Published: May 2016

RÉSUMÉSouvent le personnes plus âgées, tout en maintenant un certain niveau d’indépendance, comptent sur les membres de leur famille de fournir des soins et de l’assistance. Les aidants naturels qui sont aussi des infirmières autorisées (IA) peuvent fournir une perspective différente de ce qui est vécu quand leur parent âgé est admis aux soins aigus. Le but de notre recherche était d’étudier et de développer une théorie relative à la prestation de soins infirmiers, comme décrit par les IA, qui étaient les aidants naturels pour les adultes plus âgés, lorsque cette personne âgée a été admis aux soins actifs. Pendant une période de six mois en 2011, les infirmières autorisées qui ont satisfait ce critère (n = 12) ont été interrogées individuellement. Nous avons identifié deux categories centrales: “Culture de la negligence” et “Veille par le chevet.” La catégorie de base “de la Normalisation de la Négligence» a été identifié comme la théorie, fondée sur les données que les participants ont fournies qui décrivaient une culture de la négligence qui a normalisé les soins infirmiers de qualité inférieure. Ces résultats mettent en évidence la question de la négligence et de l’abus, et une enquête plus approfondie est justifiée.
Ion-induced nucleation of pure biogenic particles
Authors: Kirkby Jasper , Duplissy Jonathan , Sengupta Kamalika , Frege Carla , Gordon Hamish , Williamson Christina , Heinritzi Martin , Simon Mario , Yan Chao , Almeida João , Tröstl Jasmin , Nieminen Tuomo , Ortega Ismael K. , Wagner Robert , Adamov Alexey , Amorim Antonio , Bernhammer Anne-Kathrin , Bianchi Federico , Breitenlechner Martin , Brilke Sophia , Chen Xuemeng , Craven Jill , Dias Antonio , Ehrhart Sebastian , Flagan Richard C. , Franchin Alessandro , Fuchs Claudia , Guida Roberto , Hakala Jani , Hoyle Christopher R. , Jokinen Tuija , Junninen Heikki , Kangasluoma Juha , Kim Jaeseok , Krapf Manuel , Kürten Andreas , Laaksonen Ari , Lehtipalo Katrianne , Makhmutov Vladimir , Mathot Serge , Molteni Ugo , Onnela Antti , Peräkylä Otso , Piel Felix , Petäjä Tuukka , Praplan Arnaud P. , Pringle Kirsty , Rap Alexandru , Richards Nigel A. D. , Riipinen Ilona , Rissanen Matti P. , Rondo Linda , Sarnela Nina , Schobesberger Siegfried , Scott Catherine E. , Seinfeld John H. , Sipilä Mikko , Steiner Gerhard , Stozhkov Yuri , Stratmann Frank , Tomé Antonio , Virtanen Annele , Vogel Alexander L. , Wagner Andrea C. , Wagner Paul E. , Weingartner Ernest , Wimmer Daniela , Winkler Paul M. , Ye Penglin , Zhang Xuan , Hansel Armin , Dommen Josef , Donahue Neil M. , Worsnop Douglas R. , Baltensperger Urs , Kulmala Markku , Carslaw Kenneth S. , Curtius Joachim 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAtmospheric aerosols and their effect on clouds are thought to be important for anthropogenic radiative forcing of the climate, yet remain poorly understood1. Globally, around half of cloud condensation nuclei originate from nucleation of atmospheric vapours2. It is thought that sulfuric acid is essential to initiate most particle formation in the atmosphere3,4, and that ions have a relatively minor role5. Some laboratory studies, however, have reported organic particle formation without the intentional addition of sulfuric acid, although contamination could not be excluded6,7. Here we present evidence for the formation of aerosol particles from highly oxidized biogenic vapours in the absence of sulfuric acid in a large chamber under atmospheric conditions. The highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) are produced by ozonolysis of α-pinene. We find that ions from Galactic cosmic rays increase the nucleation rate by one to two orders of magnitude compared with neutral nucleation. Our experimental findings are supported by quantum chemical calculations of the cluster binding energies of representative HOMs. Ion-induced nucleation of pure organic particles constitutes a potentially widespread source of aerosol particles in terrestrial environments with low sulfuric acid pollution.
Phylogenomic approaches to determine the zoonotic potential of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolated from Zambian dairy cattle
Authors: Mainda Geoffrey , Lupolova Nadejda , Sikakwa Linda , Bessell Paul R. , Muma John B. , Hoyle Deborah V. , McAteer Sean P. , Gibbs Kirsty , Williams Nicola J. , Sheppard Samuel K. , La Ragione Roberto M. , Cordoni Guido , Argyle Sally A. , Wagner Sam , Chase-Topping Margo E. , Dallman Timothy J. , Stevens Mark P. , Bronsvoort Barend M. deC. , Gally David L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis study assessed the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) sampled from 104 dairy units in the central region of Zambia and compared these with isolates from patients presenting with diarrhoea in the same region. A subset of 297 E. coli strains were sequenced allowing in silico analyses of phylo- and sero-groups. The majority of the bovine strains clustered in the B1 ‘commensal’ phylogroup (67%) and included a diverse array of serogroups. 11% (41/371) of the isolates from Zambian dairy cattle contained Shiga toxin genes (stx) while none (0/73) of the human isolates were positive. While the toxicity of a subset of these isolates was demonstrated, none of the randomly selected STEC belonged to key serogroups associated with human disease and none encoded a type 3 secretion system synonymous with typical enterohaemorrhagic strains. Positive selection for E. coli O157:H7 across the farms identified only one positive isolate again indicating this serotype is rare in these animals. In summary, while Stx-encoding E. coli strains are common in this dairy population, the majority of these strains are unlikely to cause disease in humans. However, the threat remains of the emergence of strains virulent to humans from this reservoir.
Identification of Leishmania donovani Topoisomerase 1 inhibitors via intuitive scaffold hopping and bioisosteric modification of known Top 1 inhibitors
Authors: Mamidala Rajinikanth , Majumdar Papiya , Jha Kunal Kumar , Bathula Chandramohan , Agarwal Rahul , Chary M. Thirumala , Majumder Hemanta K. , Munshi Parthapratim , Sen Subhabrata 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA library of arylidenefuropyridinediones was discovered as potent inhibitors ofLeishmania donovaniTopoisomerase 1 (LdTop1) where the active molecules displayed considerable inhibition with single digit micromolar EC50values. This molecular library was designedviaintuitive scaffold hopping and bioisosteric modification of known topoisomerase 1 inhibitors such as camptothecin, edotecarin and etc. The design was rationalized by molecular docking analysis of the compound prototype with human topoisomerase 1 (HTop1) andLeishmania donovanitopoisomerase 1(LdTop1). The most active compound4displayed no cytotoxicity against normal mammalian COS7 cell line (~100 fold less inhibition at the EC50). Similar to camptothecin,4interacted with free LdTop1 as observed in the preincubation DNA relaxation inhibition experiment. It also displayed anti-protozoal activity againstLeishmania donovanipromastigote. Crystal structure investigation of4and its molecular modelling with LdTop1 revealed putative binding sites in the enzyme that could be harnessed to generate molecules with better potency.
Genomic features of uncultured methylotrophs in activated-sludge microbiomes grown under different enrichment procedures
Authors: Fujinawa Kazuki , Asai Yusuke , Miyahara Morio , Kouzuma Atsushi , Abe Takashi , Watanabe Kazuya 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMethylotrophs are organisms that are able to grow on C1 compounds as carbon and energy sources. They play important roles in the global carbon cycle and contribute largely to industrial wastewater treatment. To identify and characterize methylotrophs that are involved in methanol degradation in wastewater-treatment plants, methanol-fed activated-sludge (MAS) microbiomes were subjected to phylogenetic and metagenomic analyses and genomic features of dominant methylotrophs in MAS were compared with those preferentially grown in laboratory enrichment cultures (LECs). These analyses consistently indicate that Hyphomicrobium plays important roles in MAS, while Methylophilus occurred predominantly in LECs. Comparative analyses of bin genomes reconstructed for the Hyphomicrobium and Methylophilus methylotrophs suggest that they have different C1-assimilation pathways. In addition, function-module analyses suggest that their cell-surface structures are different. Comparison of the MAS bin genome with genomes of closely related Hyphomicrobium isolates suggests that genes unnecessary in MAS (for instance, genes for anaerobic respiration) have been lost from the genome of the dominant methylotroph. We suggest that genomic features and coded functions in the MAS bin genome provide us with insights into how this methylotroph adapts to activated-sludge ecosystems.
Abnormal intrinsic dynamics of dendritic spines in a fragile X syndrome mouse model in vivo
Authors: Nagaoka Akira , Takehara Hiroaki , Hayashi-Takagi Akiko , Noguchi Jun , Ishii Kazuhiko , Shirai Fukutoshi , Yagishita Sho , Akagi Takanori , Ichiki Takanori , Kasai Haruo 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDendritic spine generation and elimination play an important role in learning and memory, the dynamics of which have been examined within the neocortex in vivo. Spine turnover has also been detected in the absence of specific learning tasks, and is frequently exaggerated in animal models of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study aimed to examine whether the baseline rate of spine turnover was activity-dependent. This was achieved using a microfluidic brain interface and open-dura surgery, with the goal of abolishing neuronal Ca2+ signaling in the visual cortex of wild-type mice and rodent models of fragile X syndrome (Fmr1 knockout [KO]). In wild-type and Fmr1 KO mice, the majority of baseline turnover was found to be activity-independent. Accordingly, the application of matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibitors selectively restored the abnormal spine dynamics observed in Fmr1 KO mice, without affecting the intrinsic dynamics of spine turnover in wild-type mice. Such findings indicate that the baseline turnover of dendritic spines is mediated by activity-independent intrinsic dynamics. Furthermore, these results suggest that the targeting of abnormal intrinsic dynamics might pose a novel therapy for ASD.
The protein PprI provides protection against radiation injury in human and mouse cells
Authors: Shi Yi , Wu Wei , Qiao Huiping , Yue Ling , Ren Lili , Zhang Shuyu , Yang Wei , Yang Zhanshan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSevere acute radiation injuries are both very lethal and exceptionally difficult to treat. Though the radioresistant bacterium D. radiodurans was first characterized in 1956, genes and proteins key to its radioprotection have not yet to be applied in radiation injury therapy for humans. In this work, we express the D. radiodurans protein PprI in Pichia pastoris yeast cells transfected with the designed vector plasmid pHBM905A-pprI. We then treat human umbilical endothelial vein cells and BALB/c mouse cells with the yeast-derived PprI and elucidate the radioprotective effects the protein provides upon gamma irradiation. We see that PprI significantly increases the survival rate, antioxidant viability and DNA-repair capacity in irradiated cells and decreases concomitant apoptosis rates and counts of damage-indicative γH2AX foci. Furthermore, we find that PprI reduces mortality and enhances bone marrow cell clone formation and white blood cell and platelet counts in irradiated mice. PprI also seems to alleviate pathological injuries to multiple organs and improve antioxidant viability in some tissues. Our results thus suggest that PprI has crucial radioprotective effects on irradiated human and mouse cells.
Local atomic arrangements and lattice distortions in layered Ge-Sb-Te crystal structures
Authors: Lotnyk Andriy , Ross Ulrich , Bernütz Sabine , Thelander Erik , Rauschenbach Bernd 
Published: May 2016

AbstractInsights into the local atomic arrangements of layered Ge-Sb-Te compounds are of particular importance from a fundamental point of view and for data storage applications. In this view, a detailed knowledge of the atomic structure in such alloys is central to understanding the functional properties both in the more commonly utilized amorphous–crystalline transition and in recently proposed interfacial phase change memory based on the transition between two crystalline structures. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy allows direct imaging of local arrangement in the crystalline lattice with atomic resolution. However, due to the non-trivial influence of thermal diffuse scattering on the high-angle scattering signal, a detailed examination of the image contrast requires comparison with theoretical image simulations. This work reveals the local atomic structure of trigonal Ge-Sb-Te thin films by using a combination of direct imaging of the atomic columns and theoretical image simulation approaches. The results show that the thin films are prone to the formation of stacking disorder with individual building blocks of the Ge2Sb2Te5, Ge1Sb2Te4 and Ge3Sb2Te6 crystal structures intercalated within randomly oriented grains. The comparison with image simulations based on various theoretical models reveals intermixed cation layers with pronounced local lattice distortions, exceeding those reported in literature.
Towards monitoring dysplastic progression in the oral cavity using a hybrid fiber-bundle imaging and spectroscopy probe
Authors: Greening Gage J. , James Haley M. , Dierks Mary K. , Vongkittiargorn Nontapoth , Osterholm Samantha M. , Rajaram Narasimhan , Muldoon Timothy J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntraepithelial dysplasia of the oral mucosa typically originates in the proliferative cell layer at the basement membrane and extends to the upper epithelial layers as the disease progresses. Detection of malignancies typically occurs upon visual inspection by non-specialists at a late-stage. In this manuscript, we validate a quantitative hybrid imaging and spectroscopy microendoscope to monitor dysplastic progression within the oral cavity microenvironment in a phantom and pre-clinical study. We use an empirical model to quantify optical properties and sampling depth from sub-diffuse reflectance spectra (450–750 nm) at two source-detector separations (374 and 730 μm). Average errors in recovering reduced scattering (5–26 cm−1) and absorption coefficients (0–10 cm−1) in hemoglobin-based phantoms were approximately 2% and 6%, respectively. Next, a 300 μm-thick phantom tumor model was used to validate the probe’s ability to monitor progression of a proliferating optical heterogeneity. Finally, the technique was demonstrated on 13 healthy volunteers and volume-averaged optical coefficients, scattering exponent, hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation and sampling depth are presented alongside a high-resolution microendoscopy image of oral mucosa from one volunteer. This multimodal microendoscopy approach encompasses both structural and spectroscopic reporters of perfusion within the tissue microenvironment and can potentially be used to monitor tumor response to therapy.