bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appearance of cholinergic myenteric neurons during enteric nervous system development: comparison of different ChAT fluorescent mouse reporter lines
Authors: Erickson C. S. , Lee S. J. , Barlow‐Anacker A. J. , Druckenbrod N. R. , Epstein M. L. , Gosain A.
Published: April 2014

Background

Cholinergic neurons have been identified with the acetylcholine synthetic enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). However, ChAT is difficult to localize in newly differentiated peripheral neurons making the study of cholinergic neuronal development problematic. Consequently, researchers have used mouse reporter lines to indicate the presence of ChAT.

Methods

Our objective was to determine which ChAT reporter line was the most sensitive indicator of ChAT expression. We utilized two different fluorescent ChAT reporter lines (ChAT‐GFP and ChAT‐Cre;R26R:floxSTOP:tdTomato) together with immunolocalization of ChAT protein (ChAT‐IR) to characterize the spatial and temporal expression of ChAT in myenteric neurons throughout enteric nervous system (ENS) development.

Key Results

ChAT‐IR cells were first seen in the intestine at E10.5, even within the migration wavefront of neural precursors. Myenteric neurons within the distal small intestine (dSI) and proximal colon were first labeled by ChAT‐IR, then ChAT‐GFP, and finally ChAT‐Cre tdTomato. The percentage of ChAT‐IR neurons is equivalent to adult levels in the dSI by E13.5 and proximal colon by P0. After these stages, the percentages remained relatively constant throughout development despite dramatic changes in neuronal density.

Conclusions & Inferences

These observations indicate that neurotransmitter expression occurs early and there is only a brief gap between neurogenesis and neurotransmitter expression. Our finding that the proportion of ChAT myenteric neurons reached adult levels during embryonic development suggests that the fate of cholinergic neurons is tightly regulated and that their differentiation might influence further neuronal development. ChAT‐GFP is a more accurate indicator of early ENS cholinergic neuronal differentiation than the ChAT‐Cre;R26R:floxSTOP:tdTomato reporter mouse.
A new perspective on the perceptual selectivity of attention under load
Authors: Giesbrecht Barry , Sy Jocelyn , Bundesen Claus , Kyllingsbæk Søren
Published: April 2014

The human attention system helps us cope with a complex environment by supporting the selective processing of information relevant to our current goals. Understanding the perceptual, cognitive, and neural mechanisms that mediate selective attention is a core issue in cognitive neuroscience. One prominent model of selective attention, known as load theory, offers an account of how task demands determine when information is selected and an account of the efficiency of the selection process. However, load theory has several critical weaknesses that suggest that it is time for a new perspective. Here we review the strengths and weaknesses of load theory and offer an alternative biologically plausible computational account that is based on the neural theory of visual attention. We argue that this new perspective provides a detailed computational account of how bottom‐up and top‐down information is integrated to provide efficient attentional selection and allocation of perceptual processing resources.
The power of poison: pesticide poisoning of Africa's wildlife
Authors: Ogada Darcy L.
Published: April 2014

Poisons have long been used to kill wildlife throughout the world. An evolution has occurred from the use of plant‐ and animal‐based toxins to synthetic pesticides to kill wildlife, a method that is silent, cheap, easy, and effective. The use of pesticides to poison wildlife began in southern Africa, and predator populations were widely targeted and eliminated. A steep increase has recently been observed in the intensity of wildlife poisonings, with corresponding population declines. However, the majority of poisonings go unreported. Under national laws, it is illegal to hunt wildlife using poisons in 83% of African countries. Pesticide regulations are inadequate, and enforcement of existing legislation is poor. Few countries have forensic field protocols, and most lack storage and testing facilities. Methods used to poison wildlife include baiting carcasses, soaking grains in pesticide solution, mixing pesticides to form salt licks, and tainting waterholes. Carbofuran is the most widely abused pesticide in Africa. Common reasons for poisoning are control of damage‐causing animals, harvesting fish and bushmeat, harvesting animals for traditional medicine, poaching for wildlife products, and killing wildlife sentinels (e.g., vultures because their aerial circling alerts authorities to poachers’ activities). Populations of scavengers, particularly vultures, have been decimated by poisoning. Recommendations include banning pesticides, improving pesticide regulations and controlling distribution, better enforcement and stiffer penalties for offenders, increasing international support and awareness, and developing regional pesticide centers.
Pre‐treatment attachment anxiety predicts change in depressive symptoms in women who complete day hospital treatment for anorexia and bulimia nervosa
Authors: Keating Leah , Tasca Giorgio A. , Bissada Hany
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Individuals with eating disorders are prone to depressive symptoms. This study examines whether depressive symptoms can change in women who complete intensive day treatment for anorexia and bulimia nervosa (BN), and whether these changes are associated with pre‐treatment attachment insecurity.

Design

Participants were 141 women with anorexia nervosa restricting type (n = 24), anorexia nervosa binge purge type (n = 30), and BN (n = 87) who completed a day hospital treatment programme for eating disorders. They completed a pre‐treatment self‐report measure of attachment, and a pre‐treatment and post‐treatment self‐report measure of depressive symptoms.

Results

Participants experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms at post‐treatment. Eating disorder diagnosis was not related to these improvements. However, participants lower in attachment anxiety experienced significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms than those who were higher in attachment anxiety.

Conclusions

These results suggest that clinicians may tailor eating disorders treatments to patients' attachment patterns and focus on their pre‐occupation with relationships and affect regulation to improve depressive symptoms.

Practitioner points

That depressive symptoms can decrease in women who complete day hospital treatment for anorexia and BN.

That improvements in depressive symptoms do not vary according to eating disorder diagnosis in these women.

That patients who complete treatment and who have higher attachment anxiety experience less improvements in depressive symptoms compared to those lower in attachment anxiety.

That clinicians may attend to aspects of attachment anxiety, such as need for approval and up‐regulation of emotions, to improve depressive symptoms in female patients with eating disorders.
New clues for a cold case: nitric oxide response to low temperature
Authors: PUYAUBERT JULIETTE , BAUDOUIN EMMANUEL
Published: April 2014

Low temperature is among the most frequent stresses met by plants during their lifespan, and a plant's ability to cold‐acclimate is a determinant for further growth and development. Although intensive research has provided a good picture of the molecular and metabolic changes triggered by cold, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain elusive and are thus being actively sought. Recent studies have shed light on the importance of nitric oxide (NO), a ubiquitous signalling molecule in eukaryotes, for plant tolerance to chilling and freezing. Indeed, NO formation following cold exposure has been reported in a range of plant species, and a series of proteins targeted by NO‐based post‐translational modifications have been identified. Moreover, key cold‐regulated genes have been characterized as NO‐dependent, suggesting the crucial importance of NO signalling for cold‐responsive gene expression. This review provides a picture of our current understanding of the function of NO in the context of plant response to cold. Particular attention is dedicated to the open questions left by the fragmented data currently available concerning NO formation, transduction and biological significance for plant adaptation to low temperature.
Adolescent reactions to maternal responsiveness and internalizing symptomatology: A daily diary investigation
Authors: JOBE‐SHIELDS LISA , BUCKHOLDT KELLY E. , PARRA GILBERT R. , TILLERY RACHEL N.
Published: April 2014

A daily diary methodology was employed to gather teens' perceptions of maternal responsiveness to daily stressful events and teens' reactions to maternal responsiveness in a diverse sample (792 entries from 104 teens; 81% African American, mean age = 13.7 years). Additionally, parents and teens completed baseline reports of internalizing symptoms. Diary findings were congruent with prior studies employing self‐report measures of global maternal responses to emotion (e.g., higher probability of Accepting reactions to supportive responses, higher probabilities of Attack, Avoid‐Withdraw reactions to nonsupportive responses). Elevated baseline internalizing symptoms were related to perception of elevated Punish and Magnify responses during the week, and more Avoidant (Avoid‐Withdraw and Avoid‐Protect) reactions to responsiveness. Results are discussed in the context of reciprocal emotion socialization processes.
Reducing the Fog? Immigrant Regularization and the State
Authors: Duman Yoav H.
Published: April 2014

In recent decades, the number of undocumented immigrants residing in developed countries has grown significantly. Their nebulous presence undermines states' ability to exert control over their populations and territories. In response, most host states have implemented large‐scale regularizations to legalize undocumented immigrants' status. Yet we possess limited understanding of the impact these policies exert on the states themselves. This article examines the relationship between immigrant regularization, state capacity, and sovereignty. I argue that regularizations reveal a contradiction between popular images of state sovereignty and a state's actual capacity to wield authority. On one hand, regularizations facilitate the collection of information, enhancing taxation capacity, immigration control, and the rule of law. On the other, by implementing these policies, states concurrently demonstrate an inability to regulate migration and punish transgressors, thereby undermining perceptions of state sovereignty. Thus regularizations can transform states by revealing the tension between ideal images and concrete practices.

Related Articles

Byrne,Jennifer, andGregory C.Dixon.2013. “.”Politics & Policy41():83‐116.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12002/abstractCorrea‐Cabrera,Guadalupe.2013. “.”Politics & Policy41():65‐82.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12005/abstractBayes,Jane H., andLauraGonzalez.2011. “.”Politics & Policy39():11‐44.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00281.x/abstract

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Papademetriou,Demetrios.2013. “.” . March 12.http://prospect.org/article/fundamentals‐immigration‐reformPapademetriou,Demetrios G., andWillSomerville.2008.Earned Amnesty: Bringing Illegal Workers Out of the Shadows. : .http://www.centreforum.org/assets/pubs/regularisation‐web.pdfLevinson,Amanda.2005.The Regularisation of Unauthorized Migrants Literature Survey and Country Case Studies. : .http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/publications/reports‐and‐other‐publications/regularisation‐of‐unauthorized‐migrants/.2013. .http://www.itep.org/pdf/undocumentedtaxes.pdf
A Preliminary Comparative Study of Policy Making in Two GCC Countries—Qatar and Kuwait: Processes, Politics, and Participants
Authors: Khodr Hiba
Published: April 2014

Drawing from extensive fieldwork and a rich literature on policy dynamics, I offer a preliminary comparative analysis of the policy process in Qatar and Kuwait focusing mainly on the participants. I assess the broad outlines of politics and power in decision‐making processes in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) while suggesting means of making them more efficient, representative, and responsive to the needs of citizens. This is the first academic article investigating similarities and differences through a systematic analysis of the policy participants in these two countries and their role in the policy‐making process; few studies analyze comparatively the dynamics of policy making in the GCC. Considering the emerging need for governments to develop and implement better processes and increase public participation in government decisions as the result of the Arab revolutions, this article provides recommendations for Qatar and Kuwait, with potential application in the region.
Perceptions of lymphoedema treatment in patients with breast cancer – a patient perspective
Authors: Karlsson Katarina , Biguet Gabriele , Johansson Karin , Nilsson‐Wikmar Lena
Published: April 2014

Lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery is a chronic condition. Lymphoedema treatment consists of information/advice, compression, physical exercise, skin care, and manual lymph drainage. Little is known about how patients experience, adapt, and respond to lymphoedema treatment. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate and describe women's perceptions of lymphoedema treatment after breast cancer surgery. Sixteen women with breast‐cancer‐related lymphoedema, recruited from four hospitals and two rehabilitation clinics, participated in the study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted and analysed using a phenomenographic method. Five qualitatively different categories of description could be identified: uncertainty, disappointment, guilt and shame, safety, and autonomy. The categories could be described based on a two‐dimensional structure: the patients role (internal vs. external locus of control) and an understanding of lymphoedema as a chronic disease or a burden. The study has provided a deeper understanding of different ways in which patients perceive and respond to lymphoedema treatment. The present findings enable the lymphoedema therapist to individualise treatment and counselling based on each patient's approach to the patient role, ability to take responsibility for treatment, and acceptance of lymphoedema as a chronic disease.
Lifestyle advice and lifestyle change: to what degree does lifestyle advice of healthcare professionals reach the population, focusing on gender, age and education?
Authors: Brobeck Elisabeth , Bergh Håkan , Odencrants Sigrid , Hildingh Cathrine
Published: April 2014

Health promotion practice in health care has a high priority in the endeavour to achieve equal opportunities for health and diversity in health among the population. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether there is any connection between the lifestyle advice given by healthcare professionals and the lifestyle change of the population, focusing on age, gender and education level. The study is based on the data from a national population survey in Sweden in which 52 595 patients who had attended health care were interviewed by phone. The participants were asked whether healthcare professionals had raised the subject of lifestyle during the visit and whether the advice they gave had contributed to a lifestyle change. The results indicated that lifestyle issues were raised with 32.2% of those who attended health care, particularly among men, younger patients and those with a high education level. When lifestyle issues were raised, the advice contributed to 39.2% of patients making a lifestyle change, to a higher extent among men, older patients and those with a low education level. The study shows that lifestyle advice given by healthcare professionals, during both emergency and outpatient healthcare visits, is an important contributor to patients' lifestyle change.
Assessment of daily heat pulse regimes on the germination of six Amaranthus species
Authors: Cristaudo A , Gresta F , Catara S , Mingo A
Published: April 2014

In Mediterranean environments, thermal requirements for seed germination of Amaranthus species are met in spring. Nonetheless, seedlings of these species start emerging in the field from late winter, although the theoretical heat sum thresholds required for germination are not likely to be reached under field conditions. We hypothesised that soil thermal fluctuations can reduce the heat requirements of these species. Cardinal temperatures and thermal times of six Amaranthus species (A. albus, A. cruentus, A. deflexus, A. graecizans, A. retroflexus and A. viridis) were determined on non‐dormant seeds at constant temperatures ranging from 10 to 40°C. Subsequently, germination response to heat pulses was studied by imposing a thermal fluctuation regime of 32/8°C with two different thermoperiods of 3/21 and 6/18 h. In the two thermoperiods, exposure to 32°C was imposed for a different number of days: from 1 to 12 and from 1 to 6 heat pulses cycles in the 3/21 and 6/18 h thermoperiods respectively. Cumulative germination, germination rate and mean germination time were evaluated. Heat sum requirements and final germination percentage were affected by thermoperiod and number of thermal cycles. Amaranthus spp. germination was higher and faster when seeds were submitted to 6 h compared with 3 + 3 h of heat pulses. Our data showed that heat sum requirements for germination may change depending on the way in which varying temperatures are imposed on germinating seeds.
Cause, Setting and Ownership Analysis of Dog Bites in Bay County, Florida from 2009 to 2010
Authors: Matthias J. , Templin M. , Jordan M. M. , Stanek D.
Published: April 2014

Emergency room and hospital discharge data have been used to describe the risk factors and public health impact of dog bites. These data sets are based on financial charges for severe bites and underestimates dog bite burdens within communities. This study expands both the source of information and risk factor data collected to provide demographic analysis of dog bite injury risk factors reported in Bay County, Florida in 2009–2010. Extended data for dog bites reported by various sources from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 were collected by Florida Department of Health in Bay County. Data collected included bite victim's age and gender, primary reported cause of bite, setting, dog's restraint status and relationship between the victim and the dog. A total of 799 bites were reported. Most bites (55%) were reported first by healthcare practitioners, particularly bites involving children <6 years. Bites involving unfamiliar dogs and dogs off the owner's property were more likely to be reported by other sources. Boys aged 6–14 years accounted for 2.24 times more bites than same‐aged females (P < 0.001) and had the highest incidence with 424 bites per 100 000 persons per year. Persons 6 years or older were 3.6 times more likely to be bitten by an unfamiliar dog. Inappropriate behaviour management was the most common cause of bites (26%), followed by protective behaviour (24%). Bites of unknown cause were 2.5 times more likely in children <6 years. Separating dog fights was the most common cause of bites for persons 15 years or older (24%); females were significantly more likely to be bit than males (P = 0.01). Bites by unrestrained dogs off the owner's property (32% of all bites) most commonly involved males. Estimates based solely on healthcare discharge data significantly underestimate dog bite burden within a community. Characterizing these risks by age group or gender provides an opportunity to implement targeted interventions to prevent dog bites.
Effects of Unsteady Wakes on the Secondary Flows in the Linear T106 Turbine Cascade
Authors: Ciorciari Roberto , Kirik Ilker , Niehuis Reinhard
Published: April 2014

In modern low pressure turbines the efforts to increase aerodynamic blade loading by increasing blade pitch and optimizing midspan performance in order to reduce weight and complexity can produce increased losses in the endwall region. Airfoils of high flow turning and high pressure gradients between the blades generate strong secondary flows which impair the global aerodynamic performance of the blades. In addition, the unsteady incoming wakes take influence on transition phenomena on the blade surfaces and the inlet boundary layer, and consequently affect the development and the evolution of the secondary flows. In this paper, the T106 cascade is used to identify the effect of unsteady wakes on the development of secondary flows in a turbine cascade. Numerical and experimental results are compared at different flux coefficients and Strouhal numbers, the relative differences and similarities are analyzed.
An Integrated Approach to Information Modeling for the Sustainable Design of Products
Authors: Eddy Douglas , Krishnamurty Sundar , Grosse Ian , Witherell Paul , Wileden Jack , Lewis Kemper
Published: April 2014

The design of more sustainable products can be best accomplished in a tradeoff-based design process that methodically handles conflicting objectives. Such conflicts are often seen between, environmental impact, cost, and product performance. To support such a process, this paper proposes the development of an environment where sustainability considerations are explicitly introduced early into the design process. This explicitness is provided by integrating the requirements information of sustainability standards and regulations directly into the design process. The emergence of the semantic web provides an interoperable environment in which the context and meaning of knowledge about the relationships among various domains can be shared. This work presents an ontological framework designed to represent both the objectives that pertain to sustainable design and the applicable sustainability standards and regulations. This integrated approach not only can ease the adoption of the standards and regulations during a design process but can also influence a design toward sustainability considerations. The usefulness of this model integration is demonstrated by an illustrative brake disk rotor and pads case study. The results show that both the standards and criteria may be considered at early design stages by using this methodology. Furthermore, it can be used to capture, reveal, and propagate the design intent transparently to all design participants.
Evaluation of Nonintrusive Active Infrared Thermography Technique to Detect Hidden Solder Ball Defects on Plastic Ball Grid Array Components
Authors: Giron-Palomares Benjamin , Fu Xin , Hernandez-Guerrero Abel , Ramos-Alvarado Bladimir
Published: April 2014

It is essential for electronics reliability to develop effective methodologies to detect hidden solder joint defects. Active infrared thermography is an alternative to X-ray detection methodologies. The limits of active infrared thermography to detect solder ball defects on plastic ball grid arrays (PBGA) components (missing, open, cracked, and head on pillow defects) are investigated here. A FEM was used to simulate the thermal phenomena during the infrared thermography inspection of a PBGA component. The FEM was proven to be temporal and spatial grids size independent. The average temperature difference (ΔT) amid regions with and without defects was used as a detectability indicator. Defects detectability was found to decrease as the number of blocking objects increases. Missing solder balls were barely detected when blocked by the substrate and moulding compound with detectability numbers close to 1 °C. Head on pillow and cracked defects were impossible to detect with a maximum ΔT = 0.6 °C. Open solder balls were not detected below two objects with a maximum ΔT = 0.3 °C. These results clearly suggest that infrared thermography can be effectively used to detect hidden missing and open solder ball defects on PBGA components composed by a substrate and a die.
Modeling of Reynolds Stress Models for Diffusion Fluxes Inside Shock Waves
Authors: Souffland D. , Soulard O. , Griffond J.
Published: April 2014

In Reynolds stress models (RSM), the use of first gradient closures to model diffusion fluxes may lead to a nonconvergence with mesh refinement, especially if the flow experiences episodes of dominant compressibility effects like during interactions with shock waves. In our turbulence mixing model, we have implemented two methods to prevent the divergence of these fluxes inside shocks. They are based on the use of Schwarz inequalities and on the detection of zones where compressibility effects are the dominant source of turbulence. The necessity of a specific adjustment and the efficiency of the method are demonstrated in the case of shock interaction with homogeneous turbulence. The sensitivity of the results in the more practical case of mixing zones generated in shock tubes is illustrated.
Numerical and Experimental Study of a Ventilated Supercavitating Vehicle
Authors: Rashidi I. , Pasandideh-Fard Ma. , Passandideh-Fard Mo. , Nouri N. M.
Published: April 2014

In this paper, the ventilated supercavities are studied both numerically and experimentally. A slender rod is considered as the solid body which has a sharp edged disk at the nose as a cavitator and special ports for air ventilation. The experiments are conducted in a recirculating water tunnel. The simulations are provided for two different algorithms in free-surface treatment, both using the VOF method but one using Youngs' algorithm in the advection of the free-surface and the other without. The comparison between numerical simulations and experiments show that the numerical method using Youngs' algorithm accurately simulates the physics of ventilated cavitation phenomena such as the cavity shape, the gas leakage and the re-entrant jet.
An Investigation Into the Thermal Behavior of the Grooved Dry Friction Clutch
Authors: Abdullah Oday I. , Schlattmann Josef
Published: April 2014

The heat generated during the sliding period at the initiation of engagement in friction clutches is considered to be one of the main reasons for the failure of the friction material. One way to reduce the risk of this problem is to increase the rate of heat transfer by convection or, in other words, reduce the heat content of the friction material (internal energy) and thereby increase the lifecycle of the friction clutch. In this paper, the finite element technique has been used to study the effect of radial circumferential grooves on the temperature distribution and the amount of energy transferred by convection for a dry friction clutch disk during a single engagement, assuming a uniform distribution for the thermal load between the contact surfaces (i.e., uniform wear on clutch surfaces). Three-dimensional transient simulations are conducted to study the thermoelastic coupling of the problem. The effect of the groove area ratio (GR, defined as the groove area divided by the nominal contact area) is investigated. Furthermore, this paper presents the equations for energy considerations and energy balance at any time for the friction clutch system. The numerical results show that the amount of energy transferred by convection from the friction material can be controlled (within a limitation) by adjusting the value of the groove area ratio. Commercial ANSYS13 software has been used to perform the numerical computations in this paper.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of an Inclined Impinging Jet on a Curved Surface in Crossflow
Authors: Wang X. L. , Yan H. B. , Lu T. J. , Song S. J. , Kim T.
Published: April 2014

This study reports on heat transfer characteristics on a curved surface subject to an inclined circular impinging jet whose impinging angle varies from a normal position θ = 0 deg to θ = 45 deg at a fixed jet Reynolds number of Rej = 20,000. Three curved surfaces having a diameter ratio (D/Dj) of 5.0, 10.0, and infinity (i.e., a flat plate) were selected, each positioned systematically inside and outside the potential core of jet flow where Dj is the circular jet diameter. Present results clarify similar and dissimilar local heat transfer characteristics on a target surface due to the convexity. The role of the potential core is identified to cause the transitional response of the stagnation heat transfer to the inclination of the circular jet. The inclination and convexity are demonstrated to thicken the boundary layer, reducing the local heat transfer (second peaks) as opposed to the enhanced local heat transfer on a flat plate resulting from the increased local Reynolds number.
Robotic Arm for Automated Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks
Authors: Williams Michael , Tignor Kenneth , Sigler Luke , Rajagopal Chitra , Gurau Vladimir
Published: April 2014

We present an innovative, inexpensive end-effector, the robot workcell, and the fuel cell components used to demonstrate the automated assembly process of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack. The end-effector is capable of handling a variety of fuel cell components including membrane electrode assemblies, bipolar plates and gaskets using vacuum cups mounted on level compensators and connected to a miniature vacuum pump. The end-effector and the fuel cell components are designed with features that allow an accurate component alignment during the assembly process within a tolerance of 0.02 in. and avoiding component overlapping which represents a major cause of overboard gas leaks during the fuel cell operation. The accurate component alignment in the stack is achieved with electrically nonconductive alignment pins permanently mounted on one fuel cell endplate and positioning holes machined on the fuel cell components and on the end-effector. The alignment pins feature a conical tip which eases the engagement between them and the positioning holes. A passive compliance system consisting of two perpendicularly mounted miniature linear blocks and rails allow compensating for the robot's limitations in accuracy and repeatability.
Lubrication Performance of Nanoparticles-Laden Gas Film in Thrust Bearing Under Noncontact and Contact Conditions
Authors: Fan Hongyan , Fan Xue , Yang Zhiru , Diao Dongfeng
Published: April 2014

The nanoparticles-laden gas film (NLGF), which is formed by adding nanoparticles into the gas film, has a potential to increase the load capacity of the gas film and to protect the surfaces of the bearing from severe contact damage. In order to explore the lubrication performance of NLGF, the load capacity in the noncontact state and the friction coefficient in the contact state were studied experimentally by a novel NLGF thrust bearing apparatus. The effects of nanoparticles concentration on the load capacity and the friction coefficient were investigated, respectively. The lubrication performance of NLGF in a 200 start-stop cyclic test was evaluated. The contact surfaces were analyzed by the surface profilometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that NLGF had the enhancement of the load capacity in the noncontact state and possessed the properties of friction reduction and surface protection in the contact state. An optimal nanoparticles concentration of 60 g/m3 was found, making NLGF have a relative high load capacity in the noncontact state and the lowest friction coefficient in the contact state. With the optimal concentration, the friction coefficient with NLGF kept a low value during the 200 start-stop cyclic test. Then the friction reduction mechanism of NLGF was discussed, and it was inferred that the surface of the disk was covered with a protective film formed by nanoparticles, leading to a lower shear force. This study opens new perspectives of adding nanoparticles into gas bearings to improve the lubrication performance.
Nonplanar Vibration of a Vertical Fluid-Conveying Pipe (Effect of Horizontal Excitation at the Upper End)
Authors: Yamashita Kiyotaka , Furuya Hiroaki , Yabuno Hiroshi , Yoshizawa Masatsugu
Published: April 2014

Nonlinear and nonplanar lateral vibration of a self-excited vertical cantilevered pipe conveying fluid is studied for the case that the upper end of the pipe is periodically excited in the horizontal direction. The modulation equations, which are coupled with nonlinear terms and govern the amplitudes and phases of nonplanar vibration, are analytically derived. When the excitation frequency is near the nonplanar limit cycle frequency, the nonplanar self-excited vibration is quenched to the excitation, and the amplitude of lateral vibration in the direction perpendicular to the horizontal excitation is decreased. Experiments were conducted and spatial pipe behaviors were observed using two CCD cameras. The theoretically predicted effects of horizontal excitation were confirmed qualitatively.
Transmission Loss of Variable Cross Section Apertures
Authors: Li J. , Zhou L. , Hua X. , Herrin D. W.
Published: April 2014

Openings in enclosures or walls are frequently the dominant path for sound propagation. In the current work, a transfer matrix method is used to predict the transmission loss of apertures assuming that the cross-sectional dimensions are small compared with an acoustic wavelength. Results are compared with good agreement to an acoustic finite element approach in which the loading on the source side of the finite element model (FEM) is a diffuse acoustic field applied by determining the cross-spectral force matrix of the excitation. The radiation impedance for both the source and termination is determined using a wavelet algorithm. Both approaches can be applied to leaks of any shape and special consideration is given to apertures with varying cross section. Specifically, cones and abrupt area changes are considered, and it is shown that the transmission loss can be increased by greater than 10 dB at many frequencies.
A Protocol for Measuring Pull-off Stress of Wound-Treatment Polymers
Authors: Kheyfets Vitaly O. , Thornton Rita C. , Kowal Mikala , Finol Ender A.
Published: April 2014

Skin wounds and burns compromise the body's natural barrier to bacteria and other pathogens. While many forms of wound dressings are available, polymeric films are advantageous for various reasons, ranging from the ease of application to durability. One common drawback of using polymeric films for a wound bandage is that the films tend to adhere to common inanimate objects. Patients spend hours in contact with soft and hard materials pressed against their skin, which, if the skin was dressed with a polymeric film, would inflict further wound damage upon body movement. In this work, we present a novel technique that allowed for measuring polymeric tackiness, after a long incubation period, with materials regularly encountered in a hospital or home setting, and soft fabrics. The polymers were exposed to an environment intended to simulate daily conditions and the technique is designed to perform multiple experiments simultaneously with ease. Four commercially available polymers (new-skin, no-sting skin-prep, skin shield, and Silesse) were tested as proof-of-concept to gather preliminary data for an overall assessment of wound treatment efficacy, resulting in the estimation of pull-off stress of the polymers from a specimen of porcine skin. Silesse did not reveal a measurable tackiness, no-sting skin-prep had the highest mean tackiness (13.8 kPa), while the mean tackiness between new-skin and skin shield was approximately equal (9.8 kPa vs. 10.1 kPa, respectively), p = 0.05. Future work on polymeric fluids for wound dressing applications should include tensile stress and dynamic viscosity estimations.
Influence of Emotion on the Biomechanical Organization of Backward and Forward Step Initiation
Authors: Yiou Eric , Gendre Manon , Deroche Thomas , Bozec Serge Le
Published: April 2014

This study examined how pleasant and unpleasant emotional states influence the biomechanical organization of both forward and backward step initiation (SI). Participants (N = 31) purposely took a single step toward or away from a screen following the presentation of a pleasant (erotic), unpleasant (mutilation) or neutral (objects and landscapes) image. The main results showed that the reaction time for forward SI was shortened when individuals were exposed to pleasant pictures as compared with unpleasant pictures. The anticipatory whole-body center-ofmass velocity associated with backward SI, as well as the peak of center-of-mass velocity associated with forward SI both reached lower values when individuals were exposed to pleasant pictures as compared with neutral pictures. In contrast, unpleasant pictures did not significantly induce any change in the forward or backward SI parameters. Overall, these results obtained for whole-body approach/avoidance-like behaviors provided mitigated support for the so-called “motivational direction hypothesis.”
Factors Affecting Time-to-Contact Calculations During Quiet Standing
Authors: DiDomenico Angela , McGorry Raymond W. , Banks Jacob J.
Published: April 2014

Time-to-contact (TtC) is an alternative measure of postural stability to center of pressure (CoP) velocity. TtC is based on both spatial and temporal aspects of CoP displacement, definition of the boundary shape, and quantity of minima analyzed. Three boundary shapes and three minima selection methods were used to compute TtC during bipedal quiet standing. The results suggest that there is a strong correlation between TtC values obtained using each of the calculation methods (r ≥.73) and mean CoP velocity (r ≥ −.70). TtC was significantly affected by boundary shape and minima selection method. This limits the ability to compare absolute values, but relative levels of stability computed using TtC can be compared due to strong correlations. Given the task parameters studied, mean CoP velocity may even be adequate to assess levels of stability. Future studies are needed to examine the generalizability of these findings for different groups and task parameters.
Equifinality and Its Violations in a Redundant System: Control With Referent Configurations in a Multi-Joint Positional Task
Authors: Zhou Tao , Solnik Stanislaw , Wu Yen-Hsun , Latash Mark L.
Published: April 2014

We tested a prediction that equifinality at the task level may be accompanied by violations of equifinality within the redundant set of elemental variables. Seated subjects grasped a handle, and occupied an initial arm configuration against a bias force produced by a robot. The robot applied a smooth, transient change in the force (perturbation). The subjects were instructed “not to intervene voluntarily” with hand deviations. After the robot force returned to the bias value, the hand returned close to the original position and orientation. Analysis of across-trials variance in the joint configuration space confirmed that most variance of the difference between the initial and final states was compatible with unchanged values of both hand position and orientation. These results provide direct support for the theoretical scheme that combines the ideas of synergies and control with referent configurations.
Immunological Visibility: Posttranscriptional Regulation of Human NKG2D Ligands by the EGF Receptor Pathway
Authors: Vantourout Pierre , Willcox Carrie , Turner Andrea , Swanson Chad M. , Haque Yasmin , Sobolev Olga , Grigoriadis Anita , Tutt Andrew , Hayday Adrian
Published: April 2014

Environmental changes induce human NKG2D ligand expression—immunological visibility—through the EGFR stress response.
A Marker for Concussion?
Authors: Nishijima Daniel K.
Published: April 2014

Total tau protein concentrations in blood correlate with clinical symptoms of concussion in ice hockey players.
The Chicken or the Egg? Checkpoint Markers Identify Tumor-Specific T Cells in Melanoma
Authors: Maus Marcela V.
Published: April 2014

Surface expression of inhibitory receptors such as PD-1 identifies the tumor antigen-specific CD8
+
T cells that infiltrate melanoma.
Triclosan Promotes Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization
Authors: Syed Adnan K. , Ghosh Sudeshna , Love Nancy G. , Boles Blaise R.
Published: April 2014

The biocide triclosan is used in many personal care products, including toothpastes, soaps, clothing, and medical equipment. Consequently, it is present as a contaminant in the environment and has been detected in some human fluids, including serum, urine, and milk.
Staphylococcus aureus
is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the noses and throats of approximately 30% of the population. Colonization with
S. aureus
is known to be a risk factor for several types of infection. Here we demonstrate that triclosan is commonly found in the nasal secretions of healthy adults and the presence of triclosan trends positively with nasal colonization by
S. aureus
. We demonstrate that triclosan can promote the binding of
S. aureus
to host proteins such as collagen, fibronectin, and keratin, as well as inanimate surfaces such as plastic and glass. Lastly, triclosan-exposed rats are more susceptible to nasal colonization with
S. aureus
. These data reveal a novel factor that influences the ability of
S. aureus
to bind surfaces and alters
S. aureus
nasal colonization.

IMPORTANCE
Triclosan has been used as a biocide for over 40 years, but the broader effects that it has on the human microbiome have not been investigated. We demonstrate that triclosan is present in nasal secretions of a large portion of a test population and its presence correlates with
Staphylococcus aureus
nasal colonization. Triclosan also promotes the binding of
S. aureus
to human proteins and increases the susceptibility of rats to nasal colonization by
S. aureus
. These findings are significant because
S. aureus
colonization is a known risk factor for the development of several types of infections. Our data demonstrate the unintended consequences of unregulated triclosan use and contribute to the growing body of research demonstrating inadvertent effects of triclosan on the environment and human health.
Acardiac anceps: a rare congenital anomaly
Authors: Nigam Aruna , Agarwal Rohini , Saxena Pikee , Barla Jaya
Published: April 2014

Acardiac twin is a rare congenital anomaly and is exclusively associated with monochorionic twin pregnancies. The abnormalities occur due to abnormal communication between the two fetuses in the form of arterioarterial and venovenous communications, resulting in a grossly abnormal acardiac twin with reduction anomalies mainly of the upper body and gross oedema. Since no two acardiac twins are alike, this case report will add to the acardiac twin anomaly spectrum.
Isolated non-hereditary angioneurotic oedema of uvula (Quincke's disease) in an adolescent
Authors: Patel Ramnik V , Cho Cho , Medd Christopher , Cresswell Janet
Published: April 2014

A 19-year-old primipara woman was admitted in labour with positive vaginal swab for group BStreptococcusand given benzylpenicillin and ranitidine. She used Entonox for pain relief. She received bupivacaine in the epidural catheter and shortly after developed sensation of foreign body in her throat with muffled voice and isolated angioneurotic oedema of the uvula. She responded well to H1 and H2 histamine blockers and steroids and epinephrine were kept as standby. She recovered well soon after delivery. Penicillin, Entonox or bupivacaine seemed possible cause of the Quincke's disease. Hereditary form was ruled out by normal creatine kinase and reaction to bupivacaine by C1 esterase inhibitor assay. It can be associated with spectrum of anaphylactic reactions and the resuscitation team should be alerted. Airway maintenance should be the primary management strategy. Most cases respond to observation, oxygen therapy and antihistamines with or without steroids. Epinephrine may be required occasionally.
Positron emission tomography findings in a patient with multiple myeloma of polymyalgia rheumatica-like symptoms caused by paraneoplastic syndrome
Authors: Suzuki Shingo , Ikusaka Masatomi , Miyahara Masahito , Shikino Kiyoshi
Published: April 2014

A 50-year-old Japanese man was referred to our department with pain in his limb joints persisting for 3 months. Although his joints showed no redness, swelling or tenderness, he had a limited range of motion of his hip and shoulder joints, suggesting a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). However, his relatively young age and subacute course along with the absence of morning stiffness made the diagnosis uncertain. We performed positron emission tomography/CT, which revealed 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in bilateral upper and lower joints, consistent with PMR. There was also uptake by a sacral tumour, suggesting a diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndrome. Immunoglobulin A-κ type M protein was detected in serum and bone marrow aspiration/biopsy identified diffuse proliferation of atypical plasma cells, confirming a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. The patient received chemotherapy, which alleviated his limb pain, and achieved stringent complete remission after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting with atypical cystic brain lesions
Authors: Costa Ricardo , Costa Rubens B , Bacchi Carlos , Sarinho Filipe
Published: April 2014

Brain metastases occur in up to 10–30% of patients with cancer. Metastatic lesions are usually diagnosed as multiple mass lesions at the junction of the grey and white matter with associated perilesional vasogenic oedema. Cysticercosis is an endemic disease in underdeveloped countries of Africa, Central and South America and is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. The classical radiological finding of neurocysticercosis is cystic lesions showing the scolex in the brain parenchyma. We report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting with cystic brain lesions mimicking neurocysticercosis.
Aspergillus and mucormycosis presenting with normal chest X-ray in an immunocompromised host
Authors: Gupta Vipin , Rajagopalan Natarajan , Patil Mahantesh , C Shivaprasad
Published: April 2014

Invasive aspergillus and mucormycosis infection are not uncommon in immunocompromised individuals. Endobronchial fungal infections have been reported in the literature, especially in patient's with diabetes complicated by diabetic ketoacidosis, but end bronchial coinfection with aspergillus and mucormycosis without pulmonary involvement has not been described in the literature. We report the case of a woman with diabetes who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, ketoacidosis and respiratory distress, with an apparently normal chest X-ray. Investigations revealed a cavitatory lesion in the left lower lobe of the lungs on CT scan. Bronchoscopy revealed intense mucosal oedema and whitish plaques at the lower end of the trachea and right main stem bronchus with a normal left bronchial tree. Microbiological and pathological results confirmed aspergillus and mucormycosis. Despite aggressive medical management, the patient deteriorated and died of respiratory failure. Strong suspicion of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients with respiratory failure and minimal chest infiltrates, early fibreoptic bronchoscopy and early aggressive treatment is crucial for the patient's survival.