bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A reliable technique to quantify the individual variability of iridescent coloration in birds
Authors: Van Wijk Sonia , Bélisle Marc , Garant Dany , Pelletier Fanie
Published: September 2015

The study of iridescent coloration in birds emerged only recently, mainly due to the difficulty inherent in quantifying its directionality. Directionality restrains color perception to a limited angle and thereby causes drastic changes in brightness when an animal is in motion. Although a versatile goniometer for quantifying iridescent coloration has been developed recently, so far, it has only been applied to measuring the highly directional iridescent coloration in a hummingbird species. Thus, the reliability of the goniometer for species displaying more common and less directional iridescent coloration has yet to be evaluated. Additionally, two important methodological aspects remain to be assessed before this apparatus can be used confidently: 1) whether directionality, which could be subject to sexual selection, can be quantified in a repeatable way; and 2) whether the apparatus gives more precise and accurate measurements than a less complex traditional method. Using feathers collected from 271 male tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor over two years, we found that the goniometer provided repeatable measurements of directionality across individuals and across three body regions, namely the crown, mantle and rump. The apparatus was also more repeatable than a traditional method involving a bifurcated probe and reduced a brightness bias associated with individual differences in barbule tilt. We strongly encourage researchers to invest in this methodological change considering the multiple advantages demonstrated and to quantify the directionality of iridescent coloration as to unveil its role in signaling and sexual selection.
LCZ696, a First‐in‐Class Angiotensin Receptor‐Neprilysin Inhibitor: The First Clinical Experience in Patients With Severe Hypertension
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Tamaki Yuko , Okino Naoko , Gotou Hiromi , Zhu Min , Zhang Jack
Published: September 2015

The safety of LCZ696, a novel angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor, was evaluated for the first time in patients with severe hypertension in this 8‐week, multicenter, open‐label study. Thirty‐five Japanese patients with either office systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥180 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥110 mm Hg received LCZ696 200 mg. If blood pressure was uncontrolled, the LCZ696 dose was increased to 400 mg after 2 weeks (if there were no safety concerns; n=32), followed by an optional addition of another antihypertensive drug (except angiotensin receptor blocker and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor) after 4 weeks (n=21). Reductions in office SBP/DBP (baseline, 173.4 mm Hg/112.4 mm Hg) and pulse pressure (baseline, 61.0 mm Hg) at week 8 were 35.3/22.1 mm Hg and 13.2 mm Hg, respectively. The overall incidence of adverse events was 48.6% with no reports of dizziness, hypotension, or angioedema. The LCZ696‐based regimen was generally well‐tolerated and could present a treatment option for severe hypertension in Asian patients especially in reducing SBP and pulse pressure.
Dollars and Discomfort: What Will People Be Willing to Give for Better Blood Pressure Assessment?
Authors: Viera Anthony J. , Tuttle Laura , Zeng Jennifer
Published: September 2015

Recently, the US Preventive Services Task Force issued a draft recommendation to utilize 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension after screening. However, ABPM can be inconvenient and has some adverse effects such as pain and bruising from the repeated cuff inflations. In this national survey, we asked adults 30 years and older how much physical discomfort they would be willing to undergo to have the most accurate test available for evaluating possible high BP. We also asked how much they would be willing to pay to have the test. Among 1010 respondents, 95% of participants indicated willingness to undergo at least mild physical discomfort. The median amount people would be willing to pay was $25. These findings suggest that people are willing to undergo a bit of discomfort, and even pay a small amount, for the benefit of accurate BP assessment.
Profiling depression in childhood and adolescence: the role of conduct problems
Authors: Riglin Lucy , Thapar Anita , Shelton Katherine H. , Langley Kate , Frederickson Norah , Rice Frances
Published: September 2015

Background

Depression is typically more common in females and rates rise around puberty. However, studies of children and adolescents suggest that depression accompanied by conduct problems may represent a different subtype not characterised by a female preponderance, with differing risk factors and genetic architecture compared to pure‐depression. This study aimed to identify aetiologically distinct profiles of depressive symptoms, distinguished by the presence or absence of co‐occurring conduct problems.

Methods

Latent profile analysis was conducted on a school sample of 1648 children (11–12 years) and replicated in a sample of 2006 twins (8–17 years).

Results

In both samples pure‐depressive and conduct‐depressive profiles were identified. The pure‐depressive profile was associated with female gender, while the conduct‐depressive profile was associated with lower cognitive ability but not with gender. Twin analyses indicated possible differences in genetic aetiology.

Conclusions

There was evidence for aetiologically heterogeneous depression symptom profiles based on the presence or absence of co‐occurring conduct problems.
Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescriptions identified by Beers and STOPP criteria in co‐morbid older patients at hospital discharge
Authors: Hudhra Klejda , García‐Caballos Marta , Casado‐Fernandez Eloisa , Jucja Besnik , Shabani Driton , Bueno‐Cavanillas Aurora
Published: September 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) and the association with polypharmacy (more than six drugs prescribed) in co‐morbid older patients in a critical moment of care transition such as hospital discharge by means of two explicit criteria (Beers 2012 and STOPP 2008).

Method

Cross‐sectional study carried out in an older patients' population (≥65 years old) discharged from a university hospital in Spain. We recorded patients' information regarding demographics, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and associated pathological conditions and calculated the Charlson co‐morbidity index. Data were obtained from the electronic medical records of hospital discharge. Beers (2012) and STOPP criteria (2008) were applied for PIP detection. The strength of association between polypharmacy and the presence of PIP was assessed by calculating the crude and adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval.

Results

From 1004 patients of a 15% random sample, just 624 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The number of prescribed drugs was a risk factor for PIP according to both criteria, even after adjusting for confounding variables. PIP frequency was higher in patients who received more than 12 medications (Beers: 34.8%, STOPP: 54.4%). Each additional medication increased the risk of PIP by 14 or 15% (Beers or STOPP).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the strategies used for PIP reduction in co‐morbid older patients should focus on the management of polypharmacy. Medication review at hospital discharge is highly recommended for patients taking more than six drugs.
Dermal melanin concentration of yellow perch Perca flavescens in relation to water transparency
Authors: Rheault G. , Langevin M. , Cabana G. , Glémet H.
Published: September 2015

A positive relationship was observed between Secchi disc depth and dermal melanin concentration in yellow perch Perca flavescens sampled from 11 humic lakes located on the Canadian Shield in southern Quebec (Canada). Secchi disc depth explained 23% of the variations of dermal melanin concentration. Secchi disc depth and thus water transparency appear to have a positive influence on melanin production in the dermis of P. flavescens.
Insulinoma as rare cause of severe post‐partum hypoglycemia
Authors: Holstein Andreas , Morgenstern Thomas , Dienst Henry , Hiller Wolfgang
Published: September 2015

Post‐partum hypoglycemia in non‐diabetic women is a rare condition. We report the exceptional case of a 38‐year‐old obese woman who experienced recurrent neuroglycopenia 3 weeks after delivery. Corresponding to severe hypoglycemia with blood glucose levels of <30 mg/dL, there was no suppression of insulin or C‐peptide. Through endoscopic ultrasound we detected a hypoechoic lesion of 8 × 9 mm localized in the head of the pancreas. Thus, the diagnosis of insulinoma was most probable. Complete surgical enucleation of the insulinoma resulted in immediate and permanent resolution of hypoglycemia. The postoperative course was complicated by recurrent episodes of pancreatitis requiring endoscopic ultrasound‐guided punctures of pseudocysts and temporary stenting of the pancreatic duct. In conclusion, insulinoma is a very rare, nonetheless important, differential diagnosis of post‐partum hypoglycemia.
CD44high/ALDH1high head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells exhibit mesenchymal characteristics and GSK3β‐dependent cancer stem cell properties
Authors: Seino Sayaka , Shigeishi Hideo , Hashikata Miho , Higashikawa Koichiro , Tobiume Kei , Uetsuki Ryo , Ishida Yoko , Sasaki Kazuki , Naruse Takako , Rahman Mohammad Zeshaan , Ono Shigehiro , Simasue Hiroshi , Ohta Kouji , Sugiyama Masaru , Takechi Masaaki
Published: September 2015

Background

CD44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) have been shown to be useful markers for identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs). We previously reported that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is involved in regulation of the self‐renewal ability of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) CSCs. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the role of GSK3β in CD44high/ALDH1high HNSCC cells.

Methods

Cells with greater expression of CD44 and higher ALDH1 enzymatic activity were FACS sorted from the OM‐1 HNSCC cell line. The self‐renewal ability of CD44high/ALDH1high cells was then examined using a tumor sphere formation assay. mRNA expressions of the stem cell markers Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog, as well as GSK3β were evaluated by real‐time RT‐PCR.

Results

CD44high/ALDH1high cells exhibited higher tumor sphere forming ability and increased expression of stem cell markers as compared with CD44high/ALDH1low cells. Interestingly, spindle‐shaped cells positive for vimentin were found in the CD44high/ALDH1high but not the CD44high/ALDH1low cell population. In addition, the ALDH1 activity and sphere forming ability of CD44high/ALDH1high cells was significantly inhibited by GSK3β knockdown. On the other hand, CD44high/ALDH1low cells exhibited high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and increased cell growth.

Conclusions

Our results show that GSK3β plays a major role in maintenance of stemness of CD44high/ALDH1high HNSCC cells. Additionally, they indicate a close relationship between CSC and mesenchymal characteristics in HNSCC.
Patent Litigation Insurance
Authors: Duchêne Anne
Published: September 2015

Empirical studies have found that high litigation costs often discourage small firms from investing in R&D, as they fear their patent will be infringed and they will not be able to afford litigation. As a solution, firms have been encouraged to purchase insurance policies that, by covering legal costs in the event of a trial, serve as a commitment to litigate so that settlement terms are more favorable to the insured, and potential infringement is less likely to occur. However, very few firms are purchasing insurance and the market remains poorly developed throughout the world. I show that firms might be discouraged from buying insurance because of information asymmetries, not only with insurance companies but also with their competitors. I study the situation of a patent holder, who perfectly knows the validity and enforceability (“strength”) of her patent, which has been infringed by a competitor with less information on the patent. The patent holder can purchase insurance to have a credible threat to litigate and increase the infringer's settlement offer. But the decision to buy insurance conveys information about the patent strength to the infringer. As a result the patent holder may prefer not to be insured rather than transmitting this information. This signaling effect can yield different equilibriums, in particular, a pooling equilibrium “no insurance” where no patent holder purchases insurance. I study if this situation might be improved by imposing mandatory insurance or by giving the insurer a share of litigation proceeds.
Risk Management of Policyholder Behavior in Equity‐Linked Life Insurance
Authors: MacKay Anne , Augustyniak Maciej , Bernard Carole , Hardy Mary R.
Published: September 2015

The financial guarantees embedded in variable annuity contracts expose insurers to a wide range of risks, lapse risk being one of them. When policyholders’ lapse behavior differs from the assumptions used to hedge variable annuity contracts, the effectiveness of dynamic hedging strategies can be significantly impaired. By studying how the fee structure and surrender charges affect surrender incentives, we obtain new theoretical results on the optimal surrender region and use them to design a marketable contract that is never optimal to lapse.
Up‐regulation of A20 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure
Authors: Fan Y.‐C. , Sun Y.‐Y. , Wang N. , Xiao X.‐Y. , Wang K.
Published: September 2015

Aberrant immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), and A20 is a newly identified negative regulatory molecule of the immune response. However, no data have been reported for the role of A20 in ACHBLF. This study aimed to investigate A20 mRNA expression in ACHBLF and to determine the potential of A20 as a biomarker for the prognosis of ACHBLF. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression of A20 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 137 ACHBLF patients, 105 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 35 healthy controls (HCs). A secondary cohort with 37 ACHBLF patients was set up as validation data set. The plasma levels of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐10 were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the predictive value of A20 for the prognosis of ACHBLF patients. A20 mRNA expression in ACHBLF was significantly higher compared with CHB and HCs. In ACHBLF patients, A20 mRNA was closely associated with total bilirubin, albumin, international normalized ratio, prothrombin time activity and model for end‐stage liver disease. Furthermore, A20 mRNA was significantly correlated with IL‐6 and IL‐10. An optimal cut‐off value of 12.32 for A20 mRNA had significant power in discriminating survival or death in ACHBLF patients. In conclusion, our results suggest that the up‐regulation of the A20 gene might contribute to the severity of ACHBLF and A20 mRNA level might be a potential predictor for the prognosis of ACHBLF.
Still Not ‘Good’ in Terms of ‘Better’
Authors: Gustafsson Johan E.
Published: September 2015

Erik Carlson puts forward a new way of defining monadic value predicates, such as ‘good’, in terms of dyadic value relations, such as ‘better’. Earlier definitions of this kind have the unwanted feature that they rule out some reasonable axiologies by conceptual fiat. Carlson claims that his definitions do not have this drawback. In this paper, I argue that they do.
Host and virus effects on reversion in cassava affected by cassava brown streak disease
Authors: Mohammed I. U. , Ghosh S. , Maruthi M. N.
Published: September 2015

The phenomenon of virus‐infected plants naturally recovering health is known as ‘reversion’, and is a type of resistance mechanism exploited in some crop plants for disease control. Various parameters were investigated that affect reversion from cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) in three cassava varieties (Albert, Kaleso and Kiroba) that differ in levels of resistance to the disease. Cassava plants were inoculated by grafting with two virus species (Ugandan cassava brown streak virus, UCBSV and Cassava brown streak virus, CBSV) that cause CBSD, and the plants grown from them were subsequently assessed for reversion. The rate of reversion depended on the cassava variety, virus species, and the length and position of the stem cuttings used. A significantly high proportion of progenies were virus‐free (reverted) for the resistant variety Kaleso (64·1% for UCBSV and 54·9% of CBSV), compared to the tolerant variety Kiroba (56·7 and 45·5%) and the susceptible control Albert (38·9 and 35·1%). The highest number of virus‐free plants was generated from short 10 cm long cuttings (e.g. 60·1% for Kaleso for CBSV) compared to 20 cm long stem cuttings (e.g. 21·4% for Albert). Cuttings taken from upper stems of diseased plants produced most virus‐free progenies compared to middle and lower parts. More than 50% virus‐free plants were obtained in the resistant and tolerant varieties. This is a highly valuable finding and could be exploited for developing strategies to control the current CBSD epidemic in eastern and central Africa.
The plasma membrane NADPH oxidase OsRbohA plays a crucial role in developmental regulation and drought‐stress response in rice
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhang Mao‐Mao , Wang Ya‐Jing , Gao Yin‐Tao , Li Ri , Wang Gang‐Feng , Li Wen‐Qiang , Liu Wen‐Ting , Chen Kun‐Ming
Published: September 2015

Plasma membrane NADPH oxidases are major producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant cells under normal growth and stress conditions. In the present study the total activity of rice NADPH oxidases and the transcription of OsRbohA, which encodes an Oryza sativa plasma membrane NADPH oxidase, were stimulated by drought. OsRbohA was expressed in all tissues examined throughout development. Its mRNA was upregulated by a number of factors, including heat, drought, salt, oxidative stress and methyl jasmonate treatment. Compared with wild‐type (WT), the OsRbohA‐knockout mutant osrbohA exhibited upregulated expression of other respiratory burst oxidase homolog genes and multiple abnormal agronomic traits, including reduced biomass, low germination rate and decreased pollen viability and seed fertility. However, OsRbohA‐overexpressing transgenic plants showed no differences in these traits compared with WT. Although osrbohA leaves and roots produced more ROS than WT, the mutant had lesser intracellular ROS. In contrast, OsRbohA‐overexpressing transgenic plants exhibited higher ROS production at the intracellular level and in tissues. Ablation of OsRbohA impaired the tolerance of plants to various water stresses, whereas its overexpression enhanced the tolerance. In addition, a number of genes related to energy supply, substrate transport, stress response and transcriptional regulation were differentially expressed in osrbohA plants even under normal growth conditions, suggesting that OsRbohA has fundamental and broad functions in rice. These results indicate that OsRbohA‐mediated processes are governed by complex signaling pathways that function during the developmental regulation and drought‐stress response in rice.
Prediction and perception: Defensive startle modulation
Authors: Sege Christopher T. , Bradley Margaret M. , Lang Peter J.
Published: September 2015

Previous research indicates that predictive cues can dampen subsequent defensive reactions. The present study investigated whether effects of cuing are specific to aversive stimuli, using modulation of the blink startle reflex as a measure of emotional reactivity. Participants viewed pictures depicting violence, romance/erotica, or mundane content. On half of all trials, a cue (color) predicted the content of the upcoming picture; on the remaining trials, scenes were presented without a cue. Acoustic startle probes were presented during picture viewing on trials with predictive cues and trials without a cue. Replicating previous studies, blink reflexes elicited when viewing violent pictures that had not been preceded by a cue were potentiated compared to uncued mundane scenes, and reflexes were attenuated when viewing scenes of erotica/romance that had not been cued. On the other hand, reflex potentiation when viewing scenes of violence (relative to mundane scenes) was eliminated when these pictures were preceded by a predictive cue, whereas scenes of romance prompted reliable reflex attenuation regardless of whether pictures were cued or not. Taken together, the data suggest that cuing elicits an anticipatory coping process that is specific to aversive stimuli.
Multiple displacement amplification of the DNA from single flow–sorted plant chromosome
Authors: Cápal Petr , Blavet Nicolas , Vrána Jan , Kubaláková Marie , Doležel Jaroslav
Published: September 2015

A protocol is described for production of micrograms of DNA from single copies of flow‐sorted plant chromosomes. Of 183 single copies of wheat chromosome 3B, 118 (64%) were successfully amplified. Sequencing DNA amplification products using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 system to 10× coverage and merging sequences from three separate amplifications resulted in 60% coverage of the chromosome 3B reference, entirely covering 30% of its genes. The merged sequences permitted de novo assembly of 19% of chromosome 3B genes, with 10% of genes contained in a single contig, and 39% of genes covered for at least 80% of their length. The chromosome‐derived sequences allowed identification of missing genic sequences in the chromosome 3B reference and short sequences similar to 3B in survey sequences of other wheat chromosomes. These observations indicate that single‐chromosome sequencing is suitable to identify genic sequences on particular chromosomes, to develop chromosome‐specific DNA markers, to verify assignment of DNA sequence contigs to individual pseudomolecules, and to validate whole‐genome assemblies. The protocol expands the potential of chromosome genomics, which may now be applied to any plant species from which chromosome samples suitable for flow cytometry can be prepared, and opens new avenues for studies on chromosome structural heterozygosity and haplotype phasing in plants.
Efficacy of plasmapheresis for the treatment of pure red blood cell aplasia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Dellacasa Chiara Maria , D'Ardia Stefano , Allione Bernardino , Aydin Semra , Tassi Valter , Francisci Tiziana , Pecoraro Clara , Busca Alessandro
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND

Pure red blood cell aplasia (PRCA) is a complication of ABO major‐incompatible stem cell transplantation, likely due to the persistence of memory B lymphocytes of recipient origin, which produce hemagglutinins against ABO antigens on donor RBCs. At present no standard of care is established for this complication.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of PRCA after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, successfully treated with plasma exchange (PEX) after failing erythropoietin administration.

RESULTS

The patient fully recovered from RBC aplasia.

CONCLUSION

This case suggests a role for PEX in the treatment of PRCA after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
The Chowla–Selberg formula for abelian CM fields and Faltings heights
Authors: Barquero-Sanchez Adrian , Masri Riad
Published: September 2015

In this paper we establish a Chowla–Selberg formula for abelian CM fields. This is an identity which relates values of a Hilbert modular function at CM points to values of Euler’s gamma function ${\rm\Gamma}$ and an analogous function ${\rm\Gamma}_{2}$ at rational numbers. We combine this identity with work of Colmez to relate the CM values of the Hilbert modular function to Faltings heights of CM abelian varieties. We also give explicit formulas for products of exponentials of Faltings heights, allowing us to study some of their arithmetic properties using the Lang–Rohrlich conjecture.
Scaling of Gas Turbine From Air to Refrigerants for Organic Rankine Cycle Using Similarity Concept
Authors: Seng Wong Choon , Krumdieck Susan
Published: September 2015

Similitude, or similarity concept, is an essential concept in turbomachinery to allow the designer to scale a turbine design to different sizes or different working fluids without repeating the whole design and development process. Similarity concept allows the testing of a turbomachine in a simple air test bench instead of a full-scale organic Rankine cycle (ORC) test bench. The concept can be further applied to adapt an existing gas turbine as an ORC turbine using different working fluids. This paper aims to scale an industrial gas turbine to different working fluids, other than the fluid the turbine was originally designed for. The turbine performance map for air was generated using the 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis tools. Three different approaches using the similarity concept were applied to scale the turbine performance map using air and generate the performance map for two refrigerants: R134a and R245fa. The scaled performance curves derived from the air performance data were compared to the performance map generated using CFD analysis tools for R134a and R245fa. The three approaches were compared in terms of the accuracy of the performance estimation, and the most feasible approach was selected. The result shows that complete similarity cannot be achieved for the same turbomachine with two different working fluids, even at the best efficiency point for particular expansion ratio. If the constant pressure ratio is imposed, the location of the optimal velocity ratio and optimal specific speed would be underestimated with calculation error over 20%. Constant Δh0s/a012 was found to provide the highest accuracy in the performance estimation, but the expansion ratio (or pressure ratio) is varying using different working fluids due to the variation of sound speed. The differences in the fluid properties and the expansion ratio lead to the deviation in turbine performance parameters, velocity diagram, turbine's exit swirl angle, and entropy generation. The use of Δh0s/a012 further limits the application of the gas turbine for refrigerants with heavier molecular weight to a pressure ratio less than the designed pressure ratio using air. The specific speed at the best efficiency point was shifted to a higher value if higher expansion ratio was imposed. A correction chart for R245fa was attempted to estimate the turbine's performance at higher expansion ratio as a function of volumetric flow ratio.
Differential Expansion Sensitivity Studies During Steam Turbine Startup
Authors: Topel Monika , Jöcker Markus , Paul Sayantan , Laumert Björn
Published: September 2015

In order to improve the startup flexibility of steam turbines, it becomes relevant to analyze their dynamic thermal behavior. In this work, the relative expansion between rotor and casing was studied during cold-start conditions. This is an important property to monitor during startup given that clearances between rotating and stationary components must be controlled in order to avoid rubbing. The investigation was performed using a turbine thermal simplified model from previous work by the authors. The first step during the investigation was to extend and refine the modeling tool in order to include thermomechanical properties. Then, the range of applicability of the model was validated by a twofold comparison with a higher order finite element (FE) numerical model and measured data of a cold start from an installed turbine. Finally, sensitivity studies were conducted with the aim of identifying the modeling assumptions that have the largest influence in capturing the correct thermal behavior of the turbine. It was found that the assumptions for the bearing oil and intercasing cavity temperatures have a large influence ranging between ±25% from the measured values. In addition, the sensitivity studies also involved increasing the initial temperature of the casing in order to reduce the peak of differential expansion. Improvements of up to 30% were accounted to this measure. The studies performed serve as a base toward further understanding the differential expansion during start and establishing future clearance control strategies during turbine transient operation.
Heat Transfer Impact of Synthetic Jets for Air-Cooled Array of Fins
Authors: Li Ri , Gerstler William D. , Arik Mehmet , Vanderploeg Benjamin
Published: September 2015

Free convection air cooling from a vertically placed heat sink is enhanced by upward concurrent pulsated air flow generated by mesoscale synthetic jets. The cooling enhancement is experimentally studied. An enhancement factor is introduced and defined as the ratio of convection heat transfer coefficients for jet-on (enhanced convection) to jet-off (natural convection) cooling conditions. To obtain the two coefficients, heat transfer by radiation is excluded. A high-resolution infrared (IR) camera is used to capture detailed local temperature distribution on the heat sink surface under both cooling conditions. Analysis is carried out to obtain local convection heat transfer coefficients based on measured local surface temperatures. The enhancement of convectional cooling by synthetic jets can be then quantified both locally and globally for the entire heat sink. Two categories of thermal tests are conducted. First, tests are conducted with a single jet to investigate the effects of jet placement and orifice size on cooling enhancement, while multiple jets are tested to understand how cooling performance changes with the number of jets. It is found that the cooling enhancement is considerably sensitive to jet placement. Jet flow directly blowing on fins provides more significant enhancement than blowing through the channel between fins. When using one jet, the enhancement ranges from 1.6 to 1.9 times. When multiple jets are used, the heat transfer enhancement increases from 3.3 times for using three jets to 4.8 times for using five jets. However, for practical thermal designs, increasing the number of jets increases the power consumption. Hence, a new parameter, “jet impact factor (JIF),” is defined to quantify the enhancement contribution per jet. JIF is found to change with the number of jets. For example, the four-jet configuration shows higher JIF due to higher contribution per jet than both three-jet and five-jet configurations.
Mechanistic Considerations for Enhancing Flow Boiling Heat Transfer in Microchannels
Authors: Kandlikar Satish G.
Published: September 2015

Research efforts on flow boiling in microchannels were focused on stabilizing the flow during the early part of the last decade. After achieving that goal through inlet restrictors and distributed nucleation sites, the focus has now shifted on improving its performance for high heat flux dissipation. The recent worldwide efforts described in this paper are aimed at increasing the critical heat flux (CHF) and reducing the pressure drop, with an implicit goal of dissipating 1 kW/cm2 for meeting the high-end target in electronics cooling application. The underlying mechanisms in these studies are identified and critically evaluated for their potential in meeting the high heat flux dissipation goals. Future need to simultaneously increase the CHF and the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) has been identified and hierarchical integration of nanoscale and microscale technologies is deemed necessary for developing integrated pathways toward meeting this objective.
Proposed architecture of a multicolumn electron-beam wafer inspection system for high-volume manufacturing
Authors: Meisburger Dan , Spallas James , Werder Kurt , Muray Lawrence
Published: September 2015

While optical patterned wafer inspection systems have been successfully used for many years to both improve and control yield during wafer fabrication, their sensitivity is no longer adequate to meet advanced device manufacturing requirements. An alternative is to use wafer inspection systems based on electron-beam technology, which have been commercially available for many years. However, the relatively low throughput of these single-beam systems has kept them from being used to support high-volume manufacturing. One possible way to improve the throughput would be to use multiple columns. However, it has proven difficult in the past to build columns small enough to fit many on a 300 mm wafer and also have the performance of a large single column. Recently, a commercially available scanning electron microscope that utilizes a miniature field-emission column was shown to have adequate resolution to locate defects in a test pattern provided by SEMATECH. The column is all electrostatic and the lenses and deflectors are made of silicon using micro-electro-mechanical systems techniques. This technology can be used to build very small columns optimized for the high speed and high current requirements of electron-beam inspection.
Advances in 3D neuronal cell culture
Authors: Frimat Jean-Philippe , Xie Sijia , Bastiaens Alex , Schurink Bart , Wolbers Floor , den Toonder Jaap , Luttge Regina
Published: September 2015

In this contribution, the authors present our advances in three-dimensional (3D) neuronal cell culture platform technology contributing to controlled environments for microtissue engineering and analysis of cellular physiological and pathological responses. First, a micromachined silicon sieving structure is presented as key parameter for a modified version of a planar tissue culture, allowing seeding of single neurons in pyramidal shaped pores by a hydrodynamic sieve flow. Second, a nanogroove–hydrogel interface is presented as a more biomimetic in vivo representation of neuronal tissues, where 3D culturing is required to reproduce the layered tissue organization, which is observed in the microenvironment of the brain. To further our understanding of uniquely nanopatterned interfaces, the authors evaluated 3D neuronal outgrowth into Matrigel atop of primary cortical cell (CTX) cultured on nanogrooves. The interface facilitates conformation of cell somas and aligned outgrowth in 3D with outgrowth alignment preserved in Matrigel up to 6 μm above the nanogrooved substrate, which has a pattern height of just 108 nm. Finally, with the view to incorporate these guided culture interfaces in our previously designed hybrid Polydimethylsiloxane bioreactor, the authors have also explored 3D cellular culture matrix as a variable in such systems. By analyzing the effect of different gel matrices (Matrigel, PuraMatrix, and collagen-I) on the neuron model cell line SH-SY5Y, the authors bring together the ability to guide neuronal growth in spatially standardized patterns and within a bioreactor potentially coupled to an array of single cells that could facilitate readout of such complex cultures by integration with existing technologies (e.g., microelectrode arrays). Various combinations of these novel techniques can be made and help to design experimental studies to investigate how changes in cell morphology translate to changes in function but also how changes in connectivity relate to changes in electrophysiology. These latest advancements will lead to the development of improved, highly organized in vitro assays to understand, mimic, and treat brain disorders.
An integral equation method for calculating sound field diffracted by a rigid barrier on an impedance ground
Authors: Zhao Sipei , Qiu Xiaojun , Cheng Jianchun
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes a different method for calculating a sound field diffracted by a rigid barrier based on the integral equation method, where a virtual boundary is assumed above the rigid barrier to divide the whole space into two subspaces. Based on the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz equation, the sound field in each subspace is determined with the source inside and the boundary conditions on the surface, and then the diffracted sound field is obtained by using the continuation conditions on the virtual boundary. Simulations are carried out to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. Compared to the MacDonald method and other existing methods, the proposed method is a rigorous solution for whole space and is also much easier to understand.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Struck Christopher J.
Published: September 2015

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes a catalog of Acoustical American National Standards. To receive a copy of the latest Standards catalog, please contact Susan B. Blaeser.

Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.

This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the National Catalog of Acoustical Standards and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
Sleuthing sheds light on STAP cell fiasco
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: September 2015

Researchers describe artifacts that could have misled authors and prompted sensational reprogramming claims.
The Martian's
ode to science
Authors: Sachdev Meghna
Published: September 2015

The director, author, and a NASA expert on how they balanced realism and movie magic.
Who has your DNA—or wants it
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: September 2015

Science
compiled a list of the growing number of research databases that contain DNA from up to a million volunteers.
Arrested replication forks guide retrotransposon integration
Authors: Jacobs Jake Z. , Rosado-Lugo Jesus D. , Cranz-Mileva Susanne , Ciccaglione Keith M. , Tournier Vincent , Zaratiegui Mikel
Published: September 2015

Parasitic DNA targets a genomic home

Long-terminal-repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are a form of parasitic DNA that can jump around within the host's genome. To avoid damaging resident genes, they have been selected to integrate away from protein-coding sequences. For instance, the fission yeast LTR retrotransposon Tf1 inserts at nucleosome-free regions in gene promoters. Jacobs
et al.
show that Tf1 is directed to these insertion sites by a specific DNA binding protein, Sap1, which forms DNA replication–fork barriers.

Science
, this issue p.
1549
The DNA damage response induces inflammation and senescence by inhibiting autophagy of GATA4
Authors: Kang Chanhee , Xu Qikai , Martin Timothy D. , Li Mamie Z. , Demaria Marco , Aron Liviu , Lu Tao , Yankner Bruce A. , Campisi Judith , Elledge Stephen J.
Published: September 2015

Transcriptional control of cell senescence

Senescent cells that have stopped proliferating secrete molecules that influence the cells around them. Prevention of this senescence-activated secretory phenotype seems to slow organismal aging. Kang
et al.
explored the regulatory process behind cell senescence and found that DNA damage led to stabilization of the transcription factor GATA4 (see the Perspective by Cassidy and Narita). Increased activity of GATA4 in senescent cells stimulated genes encoding secreted factors. GATA4 also accumulates in the brains of aging mice or humans.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.aaa5612
; see also p.
1448
Visualizing edge states with an atomic Bose gas in the quantum Hall regime
Authors: Stuhl B. K. , Lu H.-I. , Aycock L. M. , Genkina D. , Spielman I. B.
Published: September 2015

Visualizing edge states in atomic systems

Visualizing edge states in atomic systems Simulating the solid state using ultracold atoms is an appealing research approach. In solids, however, the charged electrons are susceptible to an external magnetic field, which curves their trajectories and makes them skip along the edge of the sample. To observe this phenomenon with cold atoms requires an artificial magnetic field to have a similar effect on the neutral atoms (see the Perspective by Celi and Tarruell). Stuhl
et al.
obtained skipping orbits with bosonic atoms using a lattice that consisted of an array of atoms in one direction and three internal atomic spin states in the other. In a complementary experiment, Mancini
et al.
observed similar physics with fermionic atoms.

Science
, this issue pp.
1514
and
1510
; see also p.
1450
Functional mismatch in a bumble bee pollination mutualism under climate change
Authors: Miller-Struttmann Nicole E. , Geib Jennifer C. , Franklin James D. , Kevan Peter G. , Holdo Ricardo M. , Ebert-May Diane , Lynn Austin M. , Kettenbach Jessica A. , Hedrick Elizabeth , Galen Candace
Published: September 2015

Climate change decoupling mutualism

Many coevolved species have precisely matched traits. For example, long-tongued bumblebees are well adapted for obtaining nectar from flowers with long petal tubes. Working at high altitude in Colorado, Miller-Struttmann
et al.
found that long-tongued bumblebees have decreased in number significantly over the past 40 years. Short-tongued species, which are able to feed on many types of flowers, are replacing them. This shift seems to be a direct result of warming summers reducing flower availability, making generalist bumblebees more successful than specialists and resulting in the disruption of long-held mutualisms.

Science
, this issue p.
1541
Response to Comment on “Whole-genome analyses resolve early branches in the tree of life of modern birds”
Authors: Cracraft Joel , Houde Peter , Ho Simon Y. W. , Mindell David P. , Fjeldså Jon , Lindow Bent , Edwards Scott V. , Rahbek Carsten , Mirarab Siavash , Warnow Tandy , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Zhang Guojie , Braun Edward L. , Jarvis Erich D.
Published: September 2015

Mitchell
et al
. argue that divergence-time estimates for our avian phylogeny were too young because of an “inappropriate” maximum age constraint for the most recent common ancestor of modern birds and that, as a result, most modern bird orders diverged before the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event 66 million years ago instead of after. However, their interpretations of the fossil record and timetrees are incorrect.
Alkaline quinone flow battery
Authors: Lin Kaixiang , Chen Qing , Gerhardt Michael R. , Tong Liuchuan , Kim Sang Bok , Eisenach Louise , Valle Alvaro W. , Hardee David , Gordon Roy G. , Aziz Michael J. , Marshak Michael P.
Published: September 2015

A solution for scalable-flow batteries

Flow batteries, in which the redox active components are held in tanks separate from the active part of the cell, offer a scalable route for storing large quantities of energy. A challenge for their large-scale development is to avoid formulations that depend on toxic transition metal ions. Lin
et al.
show that quinones can be dissolved in alkaline solutions and coupled with ferricyanides to make a flow cell battery (see the Perspective by Perry). This gives scope for developing flow cells with very low costs, high efficiencies at practical power densities, simplicity of operation, and inherent safety.

Science
, this issue p.
1529
; see also p.
1452
Somatic mutation in cancer and normal cells
Authors: Martincorena Iñigo , Campbell Peter J.
Published: September 2015

Spontaneously occurring mutations accumulate in somatic cells throughout a person’s lifetime. The majority of these mutations do not have a noticeable effect, but some can alter key cellular functions. Early somatic mutations can cause developmental disorders, whereas the progressive accumulation of mutations throughout life can lead to cancer and contribute to aging. Genome sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of somatic mutation in cancer, providing a detailed view of the mutational processes and genes that drive cancer. Yet, fundamental gaps remain in our knowledge of how normal cells evolve into cancer cells. We briefly summarize a number of the lessons learned over 5 years of cancer genome sequencing and discuss their implications for our understanding of cancer progression and aging.
Mitochondrial-nuclear DNA mismatch matters
Authors: Dunham-Snary Kimberly J. , Ballinger Scott W.
Published: September 2015

Could different nuclear DNA–mitochondrial DNA combinations affect disease severity?
Mutations causing mitochondrial disease: What is new and what challenges remain?
Authors: Lightowlers Robert N. , Taylor Robert W. , Turnbull Doug M.
Published: September 2015

Mitochondrial diseases are among the most common and most complex of all inherited genetic diseases. The involvement of both the mitochondrial and nuclear genome presents unique challenges, but despite this there have been some remarkable advances in our knowledge of mitochondrial diseases over the past few years. A greater understanding of mitochondrial genetics has led to improved diagnosis as well as novel ways to prevent transmission of severe mitochondrial disease. These and other advances have had a major impact on patient care, but considerable challenges remain, particularly in the areas of therapies for those patients manifesting clinical symptoms associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and the tissue specificity seen in many mitochondrial disorders. This review highlights some important recent advances in mitochondrial disease but also stresses the areas where progress is essential.
Atomically thin two-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites
Authors: Dou Letian , Wong Andrew B. , Yu Yi , Lai Minliang , Kornienko Nikolay , Eaton Samuel W. , Fu Anthony , Bischak Connor G. , Ma Jie , Ding Tina , Ginsberg Naomi S. , Wang Lin-Wang , Alivisatos A. Paul , Yang Peidong
Published: September 2015

Flat perovskite crystals

Bulk crystals and thick films of inorganic-organic perovskite materials such as CH
3
NH
3
PbI
3
have shown promise as active material for solar cells. Dou
et al.
show that thin films—a single unit cell or a few unit cells thick—of a related composition, (C
4
H
9
NH
3
)
2
PbBr
4
, form squares with edges several micrometers long. These materials exhibit strong and tunable blue photoluminescence.

Science
, this issue p.
1518
The future of health care
Genomic Messages How the Evolving Science of Genetics Af ects Our Health, Families, and Future
George Annas and Sherman Elias
Harper One, 2015. 303 pp.
Authors: Greely Henry T.
Published: September 2015

Making informed decisions in the age of genomic medicine.
Expanding the chemical space for redox flow batteries
Authors: Perry Mike L.
Published: September 2015

Flow batteries offer low-cost electricity storage for grid-scale renewable power sources

[Also see Report by

Lin
et al.

]
Extreme weather, made by us?
Authors: Solow Andrew R.
Published: September 2015

Individual climate events cannot be attributed to anthropogenic climate change
Preimplantation genetic screens
Authors: Beaudet Arthur L.
Published: September 2015

Although our knowledge of genetic abnormalities that cause health disorders is expanding, the pace of discovering cures for genetic diseases is not nearly as fast. However, technologies applicable to preventing heritable genetic diseases have been developing, among them so-called “next-generation sequencing.” This efficient and inexpensive means to sequence DNA has revolutionized the study of genomics and could play a major role in future preimplantation genetic screening approaches. It may even improve screening during early pregnancy.