bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gamma-ray source through inverse Compton scattering in a thermal hohlraum
Authors: Ping Y.L. , He X.T. , Zhang H. , Qiao B. , Cai H.B. , Chen S.Y. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA new inverse Compton scattering scheme for production of high-energy Gamma-ray sources is proposed in which a Giga-electronvolt (GeV) electron beam is injected into a thermal hohlraum. It is found that by increasing the hohlraum background temperature, the scattered photons experience kinematic pileup, resulting in more monochromatic spectrum and smaller scattering angle. When a relativistic electron beam with energy 1 GeV and charge 10nC is injected into a 0.5 keV hohlraum, 80% of the scattered photons have energy above 0.5 GeV.
Influence of the initial size of the proton layer in sheath field proton acceleration
Authors: Yu Jinqing , Jin Xiaolin , Zhou Weimin , Zhang Bo , Zhao Zongqing , Cao Leifeng , Li Bin , Gu Yuqiu , Zhan Rongxin , Najmudin Z. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe investigate the influence of the initial size of the proton layer on proton acceleration in the interaction of high intensity laser pulses with double-layer targets by using two-dimensional particle-in-cell code. We discuss the influence of proton layer initial sizes on the cut-off energy, energy spread, and divergence angle of proton beam. It is found that Coulomb explosion plays an important role on the proton cut-off energy. This causes the cut-off energy to increase for increasing proton layer thickness, at the expense of energy spread. The proton divergence angle reaches a peak value and then falls again with increasing the width. Proton divergence angle grows with target thickness. It is found that there is an optimal thickness to obtain the narrowest energy spread, which may provide an effective method (change the size of proton layer) to obtain high quality proton beams. This work may serve to improve the understanding of sheath field proton acceleration.
Dynamic modeling and control design for a parallel-mechanism-based meso-milling machine tool
Authors: Le Adam Y. , Mills James K. , Benhabib Beno 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYA novel rigid-body control design methodology for 6-degree-of-freedom (dof) parallel kinematic mechanisms (PKMs) is proposed. The synchronous control of PKM joints is addressed through a novel formulation of contour and lag errors. Robust performance as a control specification is addressed. A convex combination controller design approach is applied to address the problem of simultaneously satisfying multiple closed-loop specifications. The applied dynamic modeling approach allows the design methodology to be extended to 6-dof spatial PKMs. The methodology is applied to the design of a 6-dof PKM-based meso-milling machine tool and simulations are conducted.
Soil modification by termites in a sandy-soil vegetation in the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest
Authors: Sarcinelli Tathiane Santi , Schaefer Carlos Ernesto Gonçalves Reynaud , Fernandes Filho Elpídio Inácio , Mafia Reginaldo Gonçalves , Neri Andreza Viana 
Published: August 2013

Abstract:Termites play a critical role in the regulation of soil processes, for example, water retention, nutrient cycling, and the formation and maintenance of soil structure. There is a consensus that mound-building termites modify physical and chemical soil properties in clay soils, but there is limited investigation into their influence for sandy soils in the Brazilian Atlantic rain forest. We tested the hypotheses that the termitosphere effectively improves properties of sandy soil, and that the role of termite soil particle selection is of greater importance in soils with higher sand concentration and lower nutrient status. The work was conducted in three vegetation physiognomies: woodland, savanna and grassland. In the woodland physiognomy we sampled in the border and in the interior, totalling four studied areas. We described a soil profile and collected five samples of termitaria and surface soil in each area. Also, in three 100-m2plots allotted in each area, termite-mound density and volume were estimated, and termites were collected for taxonomic identification. Soil samples were submitted to physical and chemical analysis, and regression models were employed to analyse termite particle selection ability in different soil conditions. In most areas, the concentrations of nutrients, organic carbon and clay-size particles were significantly higher in termite mounds than in surface soils. On a weight basis, termite mounds had up to 32 times more nutrients, 12 times more organic carbon, and five times more clay than surrounding soils, however, aluminium toxicity was lower in termite mounds. Regression models demonstrated that the role of termites in soil particle selection is of greater ecological importance with decreasing soil nutrient status and increasing sand concentration. Therefore, termites greatly improve soil properties, representing truly ecosystem engineers in sandy soils, with an average soil turnover by mound-building activity reaching 10.5 m3ha−1.
Ontology evolution: a process-centric survey
Authors: Zablith Fouad , Antoniou Grigoris , d'Aquin Mathieu , Flouris Giorgos , Kondylakis Haridimos , Motta Enrico , Plexousakis Dimitris , Sabou Marta 
Published: August 2013

AbstractOntology evolution aims at maintaining an ontology up to date with respect to changes in the domain that it models or novel requirements of information systems that it enables. The recent industrial adoption of Semantic Web techniques, which rely on ontologies, has led to the increased importance of the ontology evolution research. Typical approaches to ontology evolution are designed as multiple-stage processes combining techniques from a variety of fields (e.g., natural language processing and reasoning). However, the few existing surveys on this topic lack an in-depth analysis of the various stages of the ontology evolution process. This survey extends the literature by adopting a process-centric view of ontology evolution. Accordingly, we first provide an overall process model synthesized from an overview of the existing models in the literature. Then we survey the major approaches to each of the steps in this process and conclude on future challenges for techniques aiming to solve that particular stage.
Children's perception of dialect variation
Authors: WAGNER LAURA , CLOPPER CYNTHIA G. , PATE JOHN K. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTA speaker's regional dialect is a rich source of information about that person. Two studies examined five- to six-year-old children's perception of regional dialect: Can they perceive differences among dialects? Have they made meaningful social connections to specific dialects? Experiment 1 asked children to categorize speakers into groups based on their accent; Experiment 2 asked them to match speakers to (un)familiar cultural items. Each child was tested with two of the following: the child's Home dialect, a Regional variant of that dialect, and a Second-Language variant. Results showed that children could successfully categorize only with a Home vs. Second-Language dialect contrast, but could reliably link cultural items with either a Home vs. Second-Language or a Regional vs. Second-Language dialect contrast. These results demonstrate five- to six-year-old children's developing perceptual skill with dialect, and suggest that they have a gradient representation of dialect variation.
Complex atrial arrhythmias as first manifestation of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: an unusual course in a patient with a new mutation in ryanodine receptor type 2 gene
Authors: Lawrenz Wolfgang , Krogmann Otto N. , Wieczorek Marcus 
Published: August 2013

AbstractCatecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a rare life-threatening arrhythmogenic disorder. An association with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and other atrial arrhythmias has been described, but in all published cases the initial manifestation of the disease was ventricular arrhythmia. This is the first report about a patient who presented with complex atrial tachycardia and sinus node dysfunction about 1 year before the typical ventricular arrhythmias were observed, leading to the diagnosis of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. In this girl, a mutation of the ryanodine receptor type 2 gene, which has not been described so far, was discovered.
Suffolk Show 2011: Prehospital Medical Coverage in a Mass-gathering Event
Authors: Pakravan Amir H. , West Richard J. , Hodgkinson David W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroductionDespite their popularity and unique characteristics, county shows, also known as agricultural fairs, are amongst the least-studied mass-gathering events. Suffolk Show is one of the biggest such events in the UK, attracting tens of thousands of people annually over a 2-day period. In addition to trade stands and livestock displays, the 2011 show included top international show jumping and other sport activities.ProblemDue to the range of activities and large number of attendees of different ages and medical backgrounds, combined with a lack of objective data about medical contacts made during these events, medical officers and local emergency services find planning an appropriate level of medical coverage for county shows particularly challenging. This study involved analyzing the characteristics of medical contacts during a major county show and assessing the level of medical coverage provided.MethodsData collected from St John Ambulance (SJA) and British Red Cross standard medical records of all contacts on the show ground over the two days were analyzed in terms of demographics, presenting complaints, medical history, and discharge destination. The Event Safety Guide by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was the agreed standard for the level of medical coverage.ResultsMore than 90,000 people visited the show, with a total of 180 medical contacts recorded. Patient presentation rate (per 1,000 attendees) was 2.0 and the transport to hospital rate (per 1,000 attendees) was 0.1.Of the 112 cases handled by SJA, 74 (66%) were women and 49 (44%) were 18-64 years of age. Wounds, lacerations and abrasions made up 26 (23.2%) of all presentations to SJA, followed by foot and lower limb blisters at 20 (17.8%). Hypertension was the most common medical history in presentations to SJA (11 cases, 10%), followed by asthma in 7 (6%).ConclusionThe majority of presentations were due to minor injuries or ailments. An understanding of the event characteristics, demographics, and nature of medical contacts will provide organizers, medical officers, and local emergency services with information about the level of coverage and resources required. This data can further help advance knowledge of mass-gathering medicine across the various types of events.PakravanAH, WestRJ, HodgkinsonDW. Suffolk Show 2011: prehospital medical coverage in a mass-gathering event. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(5):1-4.
Comparison of Rescue and Relief Activities Within 72 Hours of the Atomic Bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Authors: Matsunari Yuko , Yoshimoto Nao 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPurposeTo clarify the factors and reasons for the differences in the outcomes of rescue and relief efforts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, mainly focusing on the numbers of rescue/relief staffs and casualties in the period within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in August 1945.MethodsBy retrieving the data and information from the records and reports concerning the disasters in the two cities, together with other publications as to the damages by the atomic bombings and subsequent rescue-relief activities, and restoration activities.Results and ConclusionsIt seems that there was less damage in Nagasaki, where a stronger atomic bomb was used than in Hiroshima. There were crucial geographic factors that led to the different effects in terms of the numbers of victims; however, systematic organization and mobilization of rescue and relief staffs, maintenance of functional transportation, and advanced medical knowledge and public warning with regard to disaster all may have contributed to a lower death toll and increase in survivors in Nagasaki.MatsunariY, YoshimotoN. Comparison of rescue and relief activities within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):1-7.
Three-Dimensional Chemical Mapping by EFTEM-TomoJ Including Improvement of SNR by PCA and ART Reconstruction of Volume by Noise Suppression
Authors: Messaoudi Cédric , Aschman Nicolas , Cunha Marcel , Oikawa Tetsuo , Sorzano Carlos O. Sanchez , Marco Sergio 
Published: August 2013

AbstractElectron tomography is becoming one of the most used methods for structural analysis at nanometric scale in biological and materials sciences. Combined with chemical mapping, it provides qualitative and semiquantitative information on the distribution of chemical elements on a given sample. Due to the current difficulties in obtaining three-dimensional (3D) maps by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM), the use of 3D chemical mapping has not been widely adopted by the electron microscopy community. The lack of specialized software further complicates the issue, especially in the case of data with a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Moreover, data interpretation is rendered difficult by the absence of efficient segmentation tools. Thus, specialized software for the computation of 3D maps by EFTEM needs to include optimized methods for image series alignment, algorithms to improve SNR, different background subtraction models, and methods to facilitate map segmentation. Here we present a software package (EFTEM-TomoJ, which can be downloaded from http://u759.curie.fr/fr/download/softwares/EFTEM-TomoJ), specifically dedicated to computation of EFTEM 3D chemical maps including noise filtering by image reconstitution based on multivariate statistical analysis. We also present an algorithm named BgART (for background removing algebraic reconstruction technique) allowing the discrimination between background and signal and improving the reconstructed volume in an iterative way.
Identification of FDA-approved Drugs Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Along With Biomarkers of Sensitivity
Authors: Bhat-Nakshatri Poornima , Goswami Chirayu P. , Badve Sunil , Sledge George W. , Nakshatri Harikrishna 
Published: August 2013

AbstractRecently developed genomics-based tools are allowing repositioning of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs as cancer treatments, which were employed to identify drugs that target cancer stem cells (CSCs) of breast cancer. Gene expression datasets of CSCs from six studies were subjected to connectivity map to identify drugs that may ameliorate gene expression patterns unique to CSCs. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was negatively connected with gene expression in CSCs. ATRA reduced mammosphere-forming ability of a subset of breast cancer cells, which correlated with induction of apoptosis, reduced expression of SOX2 but elevated expression of its antagonist CDX2. SOX2/CDX2 ratio had prognostic relevance in CSC-enriched breast cancers. K-ras mutant breast cancer cell line enriched for CSCs was resistant to ATRA, which was reversed by MAP kinase inhibitors. Thus, ATRA alone or in combination can be tested for efficacy using SOX2, CDX2 and K-ras mutation/MAPK activation status as biomarkers of response.
Understanding the interactions between bacteria in the human gut through metabolic modeling
Authors: Shoaie Saeed , Karlsson Fredrik , Mardinoglu Adil , Nookaew Intawat , Bordel Sergio , Nielsen Jens 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe human gut microbiome plays an influential role in maintaining human health and it is a potential target for prevention and treatment of disease. Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) can provide an increased understanding of the mechanisms behind the effects of diet, the genotype-phenotype relationship and microbial robustness. Here we reconstructed GEMs for three key species, (Bacteroidesthetaiotamicron, Eubacteriumrectale and Methanobrevibactersmithii) as relevant representatives of three main phyla in the human gut (Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Euryarchaeota). We simulated the interactions between these three bacteria in different combinations of gut ecosystems and compared the predictions with the experimental results obtained from colonization of germ free mice. Furthermore, we used our GEMs for analyzing the contribution of each species to the overall metabolism of the gut microbiota based on transcriptome data and demonstrated that these models can be used as a scaffold for understanding bacterial interactions in the gut.
Chemical library screening for WNK signalling inhibitors using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Mori Takayasu , Kikuchi Eriko , Watanabe Yuko , Fujii Shinya , Ishigami-Yuasa Mari , Kagechika Hiroyuki , Sohara Eisei , Rai Tatemitsu , Sasaki Sei , Uchida Shinichi 
Published: August 2013

WNKs (with-no-lysine kinases) are the causative genes of a hereditary hypertensive disease, PHAII (pseudohypoaldosteronism type II), and form a signal cascade with OSR1 (oxidative stress-responsive 1)/SPAK (STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich protein kinase) and Slc12a (solute carrier family 12) transporters. We have shown that this signal cascade regulates blood pressure by controlling vascular tone as well as renal NaCl excretion. Therefore agents that inhibit this signal cascade could be a new class of antihypertensive drugs. Since the binding of WNK to OSR1/SPAK kinases was postulated to be important for signal transduction, we sought to discover inhibitors of WNK/SPAK binding by screening chemical compounds that disrupt the binding. For this purpose, we developed a high-throughput screening method using fluorescent correlation spectroscopy. As a result of screening 17000 compounds, we discovered two novel compounds that reproducibly disrupted the binding of WNK to SPAK. Both compounds mediated dose-dependent inhibition of hypotonicity-induced activation of WNK, namely the phosphorylation of SPAK and its downstream transporters NKCC1 (Na/K/Cl cotransporter 1) and NCC (NaCl cotransporter) in cultured cell lines. The two compounds could be the promising seeds of new types of antihypertensive drugs, and the method that we developed could be applied as a general screening method to identify compounds that disrupt the binding of two molecules.
Investigating the function of [2Fe–2S] cluster N1a, the off-pathway cluster in complex I, by manipulating its reduction potential
Authors: Birrell James A. , Morina Klaudia , Bridges Hannah R. , Friedrich Thorsten , Hirst Judy 
Published: August 2013

NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) couples NADH oxidation and quinone reduction to proton translocation across an energy-transducing membrane. All complexes I contain a flavin to oxidize NADH, seven iron–sulfur clusters to transfer electrons from the flavin to quinone and an eighth cluster (N1a) on the opposite side of the flavin. The role of cluster N1a is unknown, but Escherichia coli complex I has an unusually high-potential cluster N1a and its reduced flavin produces H2O2, not superoxide, suggesting that cluster N1a may affect reactive oxygen species production. In the present study, we combine protein film voltammetry with mutagenesis in overproduced N1a-binding subunits to identify two residues that switch N1a between its high- (E. coli, valine and asparagine) and low- (Bos taurus and Yarrowia lipolytica, proline and methionine) potential forms. The mutations were incorporated into E. coli complex I: cluster N1a could no longer be reduced by NADH, but H2O2 and superoxide production were unaffected. The reverse mutations (that increase the potential by ~0.16 V) were incorporated into Y. lipolytica complex I, but N1a was still not reduced by NADH. We conclude that cluster N1a does not affect reactive oxygen species production by the complex I flavin; it is probably required for enzyme assembly or stability.
A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of the vascular effects of midodrine in neuropathic compared with hyperadrenergic postural tachycardia syndrome
Authors: Ross Amanda J. , Ocon Anthony J. , Medow Marvin S. , Stewart Julian M. 
Published: August 2013

POTS (postural tachycardia syndrome) is a chronic form of OI (orthostatic intolerance). Neuropathic POTS is characterized by decreased adrenergic vasoconstriction, whereas hyperadrenergic POTS exhibits increased adrenergic vasoconstriction. We hypothesized that midodrine, an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, would increase CVR (calf vascular resistance), decrease Cv (calf venous capacitance) and decrease orthostatic tachycardia in neuropathic POTS, but not alter haemodynamics in hyperadrenergic POTS. A total of 20 POTS patients (12 neuropathic and eight hyperadrenergic), ages 12–20 years, participated in this randomized placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study. Of these subjects, 15 were female. POTS subjects received 2 weeks of treatment with midodrine or placebo, with increased dosing from 2.5 to 10 mg three times daily. Following a 7-day drug-washout period, subjects received the cross-over treatment. HR (heart rate), MAP (mean arterial pressure), Q̇calf (calf blood flow) and CVR were measured supine and during 35° HUT (head-up tilt). Cv was measured supine. In neuropathic POTS, midodrine decreased supine HR, Q̇calf and Cv, while increasing MAP and CVR compared with placebo. During HUT, in neuropathic POTS, midodrine decreased HR, Q̇calf and Cv, while increasing MAP and CVR. In hyperadrenergic POTS, placebo and midodrine both decreased upright HR and increased supine CVR. Placebo also increased supine Cv, compared with midodrine in hyperadrenergic POTS. Therefore midodrine improved postural tachycardia in neuropathic POTS by increasing CVR and decreasing Q̇calf and Cv, whereas these effects were not seen in hyperadrenergic POTS patients who experienced a placebo effect. This suggests that midodrine is probably an effective treatment for neuropathic POTS, but not for hyperadrenergic POTS.
Femtogram aerosol nanoparticle mass sensing utilising vertical silicon nanowire resonators
Authors: Wasisto Hutomo Suryo , Merzsch Stephan , Stranz Andrej , Waag Andreas , Uhde Erik , Salthammer Tunga , Peiner Erwin 
Published: August 2013

Vertically aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW)‐based resonators were fabricated and utilised to detect aerosol nanoparticles (NPs) by measuring their resonant frequency shifts caused by the additional mass of trapped NPs. Inductively coupled plasma cryogenic dry etching and multiple thermal oxidations are used in the fabrication of silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays. The SiNWs were coated with gold for contacting to the homebuilt electrostatic NP sampler to collect the flowing NPs. In order to have a dynamic resonance operation in the frequency measurement system, a piezoelectric shear actuator was mounted onto the SiNWs. Examined in a TiO2 aerosol sampling with a total concentration of ∼8500 NP/cm3, the fabricated sensor exhibited its feasibility as a nanobalance to measure aerosol NP mass at the femtogram level with a mass sensitivity of 7.1 Hz/fg and a mass resolution of 31.6 fg. The NP sampling efficiency of the developed miniaturised NP sampler was found to be three times higher than that of the commercial nanometer aerosol sampler (NAS, TSI 3089). An ultrasonic removal method was used to detach the adhered NPs and further extend the operating life of the sensor.