bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating Free Fatty Acids do not Contribute to the Acute Systemic Inflammatory Response. An Experimental Study in Porcine Endotoxaemia
Authors: Buhl Mads , Gjedsted Jakob , Granfeldt Asger , Larsen Pernille Ø. , Chew Michelle , Møller Niels , Tønnesen Else
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Intensive insulin therapy, aiming for strict normoglycaemia, is associated with increased survival in critically ill patients. Insulin therapy concomitantly reduces plasma‐free fatty acids. Recent studies indicate that free fatty acids mediate inflammation. In addition to plasma glucose and free fatty acid‐lowering effects, insulin also has anti‐inflammatory properties. This study was designed to study the pro‐inflammatory effects of two free fatty acid concentrations during acute endotoxaemia and controlled comparable levels of plasma glucose and insulin. Twenty pigs were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Pigs were randomized to two different, constant Intralipid® infusion rates, throughout observation. All pigs were administered continuous intravenous infusion of endotoxin and subjected to controlled levels of p‐glucose (4.5 mmol/l) and insulin by use of a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp. Changes in circulating tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6, leucocytes, insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, albumin, blood gases, temperature, and, haemodynamic function were monitored. Immediately following killing, biopsies were taken from heart and kidney. Biopsies were analysed for protein content of TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8 and IL‐10. Sustained elevated and significantly different plasma levels of free fatty acids were demonstrated between groups (mean free fatty acid concentrations, 1.62 mM versus 0.58 mM, p < 0.0002). Endotoxaemia induced a steep increase in plasma TNF‐α, IL‐6 and leucocytes, however, without differences between the low‐ and high‐free fatty acid groups. Cytokine content in heart and kidney tissue was not modified by free fatty acids. Compared with the response obtained at lower free fatty acid levels, high free fatty acid levels did not exacerbate the inflammatory response to acute endotoxaemia. Our results do not support the role of free fatty acids as a significant pro‐inflammatory mediator.
Lennard-Jones quark matter and massive quark stars
Authors: Lai X. Y. , Xu R. X.
Published: July 2009

Quark clustering could occur in cold quark matter because of the strong coupling between quarks at realistic baryon densities of compact stars. Although one may still not be able to calculate this conjectured matter from the first principles, the intercluster interaction might be analogized to the interaction between inert molecules. Cold quark matter would then crystallize in a solid state if the intercluster potential is deep enough to trap the clusters in the wells. We apply the Lennard-Jones potential to describe the intercluster potential and derive the equations of state, which are stiffer than those derived in conventional models (e.g. MIT bag model). If quark stars are composed of the Lennard-Jones matter, they could have high maximum masses (>2 M⊙) as well as very low masses (<10−3 M⊙). These features could be tested by observations.
Orexins/hypocretins control bistability of hippocampal long‐term synaptic plasticity through co‐activation of multiple kinases
Authors: Selbach O. , Bohla C. , Barbara A. , Doreulee N. , Eriksson K. S. , Sergeeva O. A. , Haas H. L.
Published: July 2009

Aim:  Orexins/hypocretins (OX/Hcrt) are hypothalamic neuropeptides linking sleep–wakefulness, appetite and neuroendocrine control. Their role and mechanisms of action on higher brain functions, such as learning and memory, are not clear.

Methods:  We used field recordings of excitatory post‐synaptic potentials (fEPSP) in acute mouse brain slice preparations to study the effects of orexins and pharmacological inhibitors of multiple kinases on long‐term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.

Results:  Orexin‐A (OX‐A) but not orexin‐B (OX‐B) induces a state‐dependent long‐term potentiation of synaptic transmission (LTPOX) at Schaffer collateral‐CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices from adult (8‐ to 12‐week‐old) mice. In contrast, OX‐A applied to slices from juvenile (3‐ to 4‐week‐old) animals causes a long‐term depression (LTDOX) in the same pathway. LTPOX is blocked by pharmacological inhibition of orexin receptor‐1 (OX1R) and plasticity‐related kinases, including serine/threonine‐ (CaMKII, PKC, PKA, MAPK), lipid‐ (PI3K), and receptor tyrosine kinases (Trk). Inhibition of OX1R, CaMKII, PKC, PKA and Trk unmasks LTDOX in adult animals.

Conclusion:  Orexins control not only the bistability of arousal states and threshold for appetitive behaviours but, in an age‐ and kinase‐dependent manner, also bidirectional long‐term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, providing a possible link between behavioural state and memory functions.
Usefulness of measuring reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent in the management of haemodialysis patients with iron deficiency
Authors: MIWA N. , AKIBA T. , KIMATA N. , HAMAGUCHI Y. , ARAKAWA Y. , TAMURA T. , NITTA K. , TSUCHIYA K.
Published: July 2009

The evaluation of iron status in dialysis patients provides information essential to the planning of adequate recombinant human erythropoietin treatment. The cellular iron status of the patients can be determined from the recently available measurement of reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET‐He). RET‐He is measured on the basis of automated fluorescent flow cytometry which in the reticulocyte channel, using a polymethine dye, also measures the mean value of the forward light scatter intensity of mature red blood cells and reticulocytes. These values equate with reticulocyte hemoglobin content. In this study, to clarify the accuracy of RET‐He in diagnosing iron deficiency in dialysis patients, we initially compared RET‐He with such iron parameters as serum ferritin levels, transferrin saturation and content of reticulocyte hemoglobin (CHr) which has been established as indicators of functional iron deficiency. Secondly, we investigated the changes in RET‐He during iron supplementation for iron‐deficient patients to determine whether this marker is a prospective and reliable indicator of iron sufficiency. The participants in this study were 217 haemodialysis patients. Iron deficiency was defined as havsing a transferrin saturation (TSAT) < 20% or serum ferritin < 100 ng/ml. Conventional parameters of red blood cells and RET‐He were measured by on a XE‐2100 automated blood cell counter (Sysmex). CHr was measured on an ADVIA120 autoanalyser (Siemens). RET‐He mean value was 32.4 pg and good correlation (r = 0.858) between RET‐He and CHr is obtained in dialysis patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed, values of the area was 0.776 and at a cutoff value of 33.0 pg, a sensitivity of 74.3% and a specificity of 64.9%, were achieved. Iron supplements given to the patients with low TSAT or ferritin, RET‐He responded within 2 weeks, and this seemed to be a potential advantage of using RET‐He in the estimation of iron status. RET‐He is a new parameter, equivalent value to CHr, and is easily measurable on the widely spread and popular blood cell counter and is a sensitive and specific marker of iron status in dialysis patients.
Bone Marrow–Derived Aldehyde Dehydrogenase–Bright Stem and Progenitor Cells for Ischemic Repair
Authors: Keller Laurence H.
Published: July 2009

Adult stem cell populations selected for use in cardiovascular clinical trials typically are mononuclear cell fractions of bone marrow and peripheral blood or cells of specific cell lineages selected by surface markers such as CD34 or CD133. This article describes a potent stem and progenitor cell population identified by an intracellular marker of “stemness” that crosses multiple lineages. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)–bright (ALDHbr) populations isolated from bone marrow contain potent stem and progenitor cells representing all cell types thought to be needed for ischemic repair and include hematopoietic, endothelial, mesenchymal, and neural progenitor cells. An animal model of hindlimb ischemia demonstrated that the ALDHbr population was highly effective in restoring blood flow to ischemic limbs. Based upon the accumulating evidence for a potential therapeutic effect of bone marrow–derived cells in ischemic disease in humans and the vascular regenerative potential of ALDHbr cells in the hindlimb model, clinical trials to investigate the use of autologous bone marrow–derived ALDHbr cells in patients with ischemic heart failure and critical limb ischemia were initiated. Study designs are described. Results of the completed study in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) are encouraging and are summarized. Results of 6‐month follow‐up for the study in ischemic heart failure are pending.
Hepatitis C virus kinetics during the first phase of pegylated interferon‐α‐2b with ribavirin therapy in patients with living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Ichikawa Tatsuki , Nakao Kazuhiko , Miyaaki Hisamitsu , Eguchi Susumu , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Fujimito Masumi , Akiyama Motohisa , Miuma Satoshi , Ozawa Eisuke , Shibata Hidetaka , Takeshita Shigeyuki , Kanematsu Takashi , Eguchi Katsumi
Published: July 2009

Aim:  To identify the problems of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) with ribavirin therapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) patients. HCV kinetics during the PEG IFN with ribavirin therapy were analyzed in LDLT patients, as well as in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

Methods:  The study included 80 consecutive HCV infected patients undergoing PEG IFN with ribavirin therapy (64 CHC and 16 LDLT patients) who attended the Nagasaki University Hospital for an initial visit between January 2005 and December 2007.

Results:  The sustained viral response (VR) rate of the CHC group (80%) was superior to the LDLT group (22%). The viral disappearance rate of the CHC group was also superior to the LDLT group, regardless of the HCV serotype. The HCV core antigen (cAg) titer under treatment in the LDLT group was more than that of the CHC group from day 0 to week 12. The HCV cAg decrease rate of the LDLT group on the first day of treatment was less than that of the CHC group.

Conclusion:  The HCV infection of a transplanted liver is more refractory to treatment than a non‐transplanted liver. The low reduction HCV cAg rate on day 1 is one of the problems of the combination therapy.
Flow cytometric isolation and phenotypic characterization of two subsets of ED2+ (CD163) hepatic macrophages in rats
Authors: He Yao , Sadahiro Tomohito , Noh Sang‐Ik , Wang Hong , Todo Tsuyoshi , Chai Ning‐ning , Klein Andrew S. , Wu Gordon D.
Published: July 2009

Aims:  Macrophages in the liver are well known for their functional heterogeneity. However, subpopulations of the hepatic macrophages are not well defined.

Methods:  Two subsets of hepatic macrophages isolated from rats via FACS with immunolabeling of ED2 (anti‐CD163) antibody were studied for phenotypic and functional characteristics.

Results:  A subset showed an ED2high and autofluorescencehigh (ED2high/AFhigh) phenotype, exhibiting characteristics consistent with the description of the Kupffer cells (KC). A second subset, displaying an ED2dim/AFdim phenotype, was smaller in size, monocyte‐like and weak in phagocytosis. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that both subsets are phagocytes. Quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that in addition to expression of macrophage‐related surface markers such as CD14, ED1 (CD68), fucose receptor, and CD163, the ED2dim/ AFdim cells expressed mRNA encoding for myeloid lineage differentiation markers ERMP12 (PECAM) and ERMP20 (Ly‐6C). These two subsets exhibited differential in gene expression of selected cytokines, extracellular matrix proteinases, and Toll‐like receptor in normal livers, as well as significantly upregulated expression in cholestatic livers induced by bile duct ligation.

Conclusion:  The data suggest that the ED2high/AFhigh population of the liver cells represent the conventional Kupffer cells. The ED2dim/AFdim cells, however, are small hepatic resident macrophages characteristically different from the conventional Kupffer cells.
Predictive value of suppressor of cytokine signal 3 (SOCS3) in the outcome of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Miyaaki Hisamitsu , Ichikawa Tatsuki , Nakao Kazuhiko , Matsuzaki Toshihisa , Muraoka Toru , Honda Takuya , Takeshita Shigeyuki , Shibata Hidetaka , Ozawa Eisuke , Akiyama Motohisa , Miuma Satoshi , Eguchi Katsumi
Published: July 2009

Aims:  Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) can suppress Janus kinase (JAK)‐signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling by blocking an IFN‐induced protein. In this study, the relationship between SOCS3 and phosphorylation of STAT1 in the liver and outcome of interferon therapy were examined.

Methods:  Prior to interferon treatment, we immunostained for SOCS3 and phosphorylated‐STAT1 (P‐STAT1) in 59 liver specimens from chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) patients and compared the expression of SOCS3 and clinicopathological factors. Fifty‐one patients were receiving peg‐interferon alpha‐2b and ribavirin therapy and also compared interferon therapy effect and the expression of SOCS3.

Results:  Immunostaining for SOCS3 was mainly seen in the periportal area. The concentration of P‐STAT1 nuclei was significantly larger in specimens with < 30% area immunostaining to SOCS3 than those in which this area was ≥ 30% (10.6 ± 8.8 vs. 4.6 ± 6.1, P = 0.004). SOCS3 immunostaining score was significantly correlated with aspartate amino transferase (r = 0.373, P = 0.003), alanine amino transferase (r = 0.337, P = 0.008), platelets (r = −0.273, P = 0.037), and homeostatic model assessment (r = 0.339, P = 0.008). On univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, SOCS3 immunostaining score (0 or 1) and age (<60 years old) were significant predictors of interferon response (odds ratio 10.888; P = 0.010; odds ratio 3.817, P = 0.045 respectively).

Conclusion:  SOCS3 expression in the liver prior to interferon therapy was correlated with increased insulin resistance and might be a useful predictor of HCV clearance by interferon therapy.
Circulating and liver tissue levels of retinol‐binding protein‐4 in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Schina Maria , Koskinas John , Tiniakos Dina , Hadziyannis Emilia , Savvas Savvas , Karamanos Basil , Manesis Emanuel , Archimandritis Athanasios
Published: July 2009

Aim:  Retinol‐binding protein‐4 (RBP4) has been proposed as a new adipokine that regulates insulin action in muscles and the liver, and contributes to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. As non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to insulin resistance, we aimed to evaluate RBP4 levels in the serum and liver of patients with NAFLD.

Methods:  Serum RBP4 was measured in 30 NAFLD patients and 30 matched healthy controls. RBP4 expression in the liver of NAFLD patients was shown by immunohistochemistry.

Results:  Serum RPB4 was significantly lower in NAFLD patients compared with controls (25.15 vs 34.66 µg/mL, P < 0.001) and there was no correlation with metabolic parameters or insulin resistance. RBP4 liver tissue immunostaining was more extensive and intense in NAFLD liver compared with normal liver and the RBP4 immunohistochemical score was positively correlated with the grade of steatosis, grade of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis activity and stage of fibrosis.

Conclusions:  In NAFLD patients, serum RBP4 was significantly lower as compared with controls and did not correlate with insulin resistance. In contrast, RBP4 liver tissue expression was enhanced and correlated with NAFLD histology.
An insight into the protection of rat liver against ischemia/reperfusion injury by 2‐selenium‐bridged β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Lin Ting‐ting , Wang Bing‐mei , Li Xin‐yang , Pan Yu , Wang Wei , Mu Ying , Liu Jun‐qiu , Shen Jia‐cong , Luo Gui‐min
Published: July 2009

Aim:  The reperfusion following liver ischemia results in the damage and apoptosis of hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects and mechanism of a new synthesized glutathione peroxidase (GPX) mimic, 2‐selenium‐bridged β‐cyclodextrin (2‐SeCD), on rat liver ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods:  Male Wistar rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups: I. sham‐operated group, II. I/R group, III. I/R +2‐SeCD group, IV. I/R + Ebselen group. Hepatic I/R was administered by 90 min of ischemia and 12 h of reperfusion. Liver tissues were collected at the end of reperfusion period for measurement of various biochemical parameters.

Results:  The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and tissue malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase levels were increased in I/R group, while the increase was significantly reduced by 2‐SeCD treatment. The glutathione level, depressed by I/R, was elevated back to normal levels by treatment with 2‐SeCD. Severe hepatic damage were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy whilst pretreatment with 2‐SeCD resulted in tissue and cellular preservation. Furthermore, 2‐SeCD reduced cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent DNA fragmentation by regulating Bcl‐2/Bax expression ratio. Results suggested that 2‐SeCD was more effective than ebselen in the reversal of the alteration in tissue structural and biochemical parameters caused by I/R injury.

Conclusion:  2‐selenium‐bridged β‐cyclodextrin playes an important role in the protection of liver against I/R injury and this treatment may be a novel pharmacological agent for liver surgery.
Investigations on the
Discharge and Total Temperature Increase Characteristics of the Labyrinth Seals With Honeycomb and
Smooth Lands
Authors: Yan Xin , Li Jun , Song Liming , Feng Zhenping
Published: July 2009

The viscous work generated by the rotating components of a seal not only represents a direct loss of power but also causes an increase in the total temperature of fluid (windage effect). In order to study the discharge and total temperature increase characteristics of the stepped labyrinth seals with smooth and honeycomb lands, 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solutions from CFX is used in this work. At first, the influences of the inlet preswirl, leakage flow rate, and rotational speed on the total temperature increase in the convergent and divergent stepped labyrinth seals with smooth and honeycomb lands are conducted. The obtained 3D numerical results are well in agreement with the referenced experimental data. It shows that the utilized numerical approach has sufficient precision to predict the total temperature increase in seals. Then, a range of pressure ratios and four sizes of sealing clearance are performed to investigate the effects of sealing clearances and pressure ratio impact on the discharge and total temperature increase of the stepped labyrinth seals with honeycomb and smooth liners.
Prediction of Film Cooling and Heat Transfer on a Rotating Blade Platform With Stator-Rotor Purge and Discrete Film-Hole Flows in a 1-12 Turbine Stage
Authors: Yang H. , Gao Z. , Chen H. C. , Han J. C. , Schobeir M. T.
Published: July 2009

Numerical simulations were performed to predict the film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer coefficient distributions on a rotating blade platform with stator-rotor purge flow and downstream discrete film-hole flows in a 1-12 turbine stage using a Reynolds stress turbulence model together with a nonequilibrium wall function. Simulations were carried out with sliding mesh for the rotor under three rotating speeds (2000 rpm, 2550 rpm, and 3000 rpm) to investigate the effects of rotation and stator-rotor interaction on the rotor blade-platform purge flow cooling and discrete-hole film cooling and heat transfer. The adiabatic film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer coefficients were calculated using the adiabatic wall temperatures with and without coolant to examine the true coolant protection excluding the effect of turbine work process. The stator-rotor interaction strongly impacts the purge slot film cooling and heat transfer at the platform leading portion while only slightly affects the downstream discrete-hole film cooling near the platform trailing portion. In addition, the effect of turbine work process on the film cooling effectiveness and the associated heat transfer coefficients have been reported.
Heat Transfer Coefficients of Film Cooling on a Rotating Turbine Blade Model—Part I: Effect of Blowing Ratio
Authors: Tao Zhi , Zhao Zhenming , Ding Shuiting , Xu Guoqiang , Yang Bin , Wu Hongwei
Published: July 2009

Experimental investigations were performed to measure the local heat transfer coefficient (hg) distributions of film cooling over a flat blade under both stationary and rotating conditions. Film cooling was via a straight circular hole of 4 mm in diameter located in the middle section of the blade angled 30 deg along the streamwise direction and 90 deg along the spanwise direction. The Reynolds (ReD) number based on the mainstream velocity and the film hole diameter was fixed at 3191, and the rotating speed (ω) was either 0 rpm or 800 rpm; the film cooling blowing ratios ranged from 0.4 to 2.0, and two averaged density ratios of 1.02 and 1.53 were employed with air and carbon dioxide (CO2) as the coolant, respectively. Thermochromic liquid crystal was used to measure the solid surface temperature distributions. Experimental results showed the following: (1) In the stationary case, the blowing ratio has a significant influence on the nondimensional heat transfer coefficient (hg/h0) especially in the near hole region. (2) The film trajectory in rotation had an obvious deflection in the spanwise direction, and the deflection angles on the suction surface are larger than those on the pressure surface. This was attributed to the combined action of the Coriolis force and centrifugal force. (3) In the rotating case, for CO2 injection, the magnitude of heat transfer coefficient on the pressure surface is reduced compared with the stationary case, and the blowing ratio has smaller effects on hg/h0 distribution. However, on the suction surface, the heat transfer coefficient at x/D<1.0 is enhanced and then rapidly reduced to be also below the stationary values. For air injection, rotation also depresses the hg/h0 for both the pressure and the suction surface. (4) The density ratio shows a considerable effect on the streamwise heat transfer coefficient distributions especially for the rotating cases.
Sensitization of the SST Turbulence Model to Rotation and Curvature by Applying the Spalart–Shur Correction Term
Authors: Smirnov Pavel E. , Menter Florian R.
Published: July 2009

A rotation-curvature correction suggested earlier by Spalart and Shur (1997, “On the Sensitization of Turbulence Models to Rotation and Curvature,” Aerosp. Sci. Technol., 1(5), pp. 297–302) for the one-equation Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model is adapted to the shear stress transport model. This new version of the model (SST-CC) has been extensively tested on a wide range of both wall-bounded and free shear turbulent flows with system rotation and/or streamline curvature. Predictions of the SST-CC model are compared with available experimental and direct numerical simulations (DNS) data, on the one hand, and with the corresponding results of the original SST model and advanced Reynolds stress transport model (RSM), on the other hand. It is found that in terms of accuracy the proposed model significantly improves the original SST model and is quite competitive with the RSM, whereas its computational cost is significantly less than that of the RSM.
Effect of Unsteadiness on the Performance of a Transonic Centrifugal Compressor Stage
Authors: Trébinjac Isabelle , Kulisa Pascale , Bulot Nicolas , Rochuon Nicolas
Published: July 2009

Numerical and experimental investigations were conducted in a transonic centrifugal compressor stage composed of a backswept splittered unshrouded impeller and a vaned diffuser. The characteristic curves of the compressor stage resulting from the unsteady simulations and the experiments show a good agreement over the whole operating range. On the contrary, the total pressure ratio resulting from the steady simulations is clearly overestimated. A detailed analysis of the flow field at design operating point led to identify the physical mechanisms involved in the blade row interaction that underlie the observed shift in performance. Attention was focused on the deformation in shape of the vane bow shock wave due its interaction with the jet and wake flow structure emerging from the impeller. An analytical model is proposed to quantify the time-averaged effects of the associated entropy increase. The model is based on the calculation of the losses across a shock wave at various inlet Mach numbers corresponding to the moving of the jet and wake flow in front of the shock wave. The model was applied to the compressor stage performance calculated with the steady simulations. The resulting curve of the overall pressure ratio as a function of the mass flow is clearly shifted toward the unsteady results. The model, in particular, enhances the prediction of the choked mass flow.
Effect of Wakes and Secondary Flow on Re-attachment of Turbine Exit Annular Diffuser Flow
Authors: Kluß David , Stoff Horst , Wiedermann Alexander
Published: July 2009

In this paper numerical results of wake and secondary flow interaction in diffuser flow fields are discussed. The wake and secondary flow are generated by a rotating wheel equipped with 30 cylindrical spokes with a diameter of 10 mm as a first approach to the turbine exit flow environment. The apex angle of the diffuser is chosen such that the flow is strongly separated according to the well-known performance charts of Sovran and Klomp (1967, “Experimentally Determined Optimum Geometries for Rectilinear Diffusers With Rectangular, Conical or Annular Cross-Section,” in Fluid Mechanics of Internal Flow, Elsevier, New York, pp. 272–319). This configuration has been tested in an experimental test rig at the Leibniz University Hannover (Sieker and Seume 2007, “Influence of Rotating Wakes on Separation in Turbine Exhaust Diffusers,” Paper No. ISAIF8-54). According to these experiments, the flow in the diffuser separates as free jet for low rotational speeds of the spoke-wheel, as expected by theory. However, if the 30 spokes of the upstream wheel rotate beyond the value of 500 rpm the measurements indicate that the flow remains attached to the outer diffuser wall. It will be shown by the present numerical analysis with the commercial solver ANSYS CFX-10.0 that only an unsteady approach using the elaborate scale adaptive simulation with the shear stress transport turbulence model is capable of predicting the stabilizing effect of the rotating wheel to the diffuser flow at larger rotational speeds. The favorable comparison with the experimental data suggests that the mixing effect of wakes and secondary flow pattern is responsible for the reattachment. As a result of our studies, it can be stated that the considerably higher numerical costs associated with unsteady calculations must be accepted in order to increase the understanding of the physical flow phenomena in turbine exit flow and its interaction with the downstream diffuser.
Shorten the Intermediate Turbine Duct Length by Applying an Integrated Concept
Authors: Marn A. , Göttlich E. , Cadrecha D. , Pirker H. P.
Published: July 2009

The demand of further increased bypass ratio of aero engines will lead to low pressure turbines with larger diameters, which rotate at lower speed. Therefore, it is necessary to guide the flow leaving the high pressure turbine to the low pressure turbine at larger diameters minimizing the losses and providing an adequate flow at the low pressure (LP)-turbine inlet. Due to costs and weight, this intermediate turbine duct has to be as short as possible. This would lead to an aggressive (high diffusion) s-shaped duct geometry. It is possible to shorten the duct simply by reducing the length but the risk of separation is rising and losses increase. Another approach to shorten the duct and thus the engine length is to apply a so called integrated concept. These are novel concepts where the struts, mounted in the transition duct, replace the usually following LP-vane row. This configuration should replace the first LP-vane row from a front bearing engine architecture where the vane needs a big area to hold bearing services. That means the rotor is located directly downstream of the strut. This means that the struts have to provide the downstream blade row with undisturbed inflow with suitable flow angle and Mach number. Therefore, the (lifting) strut has a distinct three-dimensional design in the more downstream part, while in the more upstream part, it has to be cylindrical to be able to lead through supply lines. In spite of the longer chord compared with the base design, this struts have a thickness to chord ratio of 18%. To apply this concept, a compromise must be found between the number of struts (weight), vibration, noise, and occurring flow disturbances due to the secondary flows and losses. The struts and the outer duct wall have been designed by Industria de Turbopropulsores. The inner duct was kept the same as for the base line configuration (designed by Motoren und Turbinen Union). The aim of the design was to have similar duct outflow conditions (exit flow angle and radial mass flow distribution) as the base design with which it is compared in this paper. This base design consists of a single transonic high pressure (HP)-turbine stage, an aggressive s-shaped intermediate turbine duct, and a LP-vane row. Both designs used the same HP-turbine and were run in the continuously operating Transonic Test Turbine Facility at Graz University of Technology under the same engine representative inlet conditions. The flow field upstream and downstream the LP-vane and the strut, respectively, has been investigated by means of five hole probes. A rough estimation of the overall duct loss is given as well as the upper and lower weight reduction limit for the integrated concept.
Observation of standing light wave by using fluorescence from a polymer thin film and diffuse reflection from a glass surface: Revisiting Wiener’s experiment
Authors: Kim Min Sung , Kim Byeong Joo , Lim Hwan Hong , Cha Myoungsik
Published: July 2009

In 1892 Drude and Nernst reported the first observation of a standing light wave by using a fluorescent thin film, which is a real-time version of Wiener’s first experiment on standing light wave. We reproduce the experiment by Drude and Nernst with improved efficiency using modern laser technology and a highly fluorescent π-conjugated polymer. We also used a glass plate scratched slightly on one surface to visualize the same phenomenon using diffuse reflection instead of fluorescence. This method has the advantage of being a wavelength-independent observation compared to the fluorescence method.
The field concept in Ampère’s magnetostatics
Authors: Davis Artice M.
Published: July 2009

We update Ampère’s theory using vector notation and derive his expression for the force between two current elements. We assume that the two elements are in different current loops and integrate over one to obtain the force on a differential element in the second. This procedure allows us to define the magnetic field in a natural manner and to derive the Lorentz force for a current segment. We equate the magnetic moments of current and permanent magnet dipoles and show that Biot and Savart could have performed their experiment using a small current loop, thus establishing the Biot-Savart law as a consequence of Ampère’s theory.
Particle in a box with a δ-function potential: Strong and weak coupling limits
Authors: Joglekar Yogesh N.
Published: July 2009

A particle in a box with the δ-function potential Vλ(x)=λδ(x−x0) has been recently explored. We show that this example is solvable in the weak (λ→0±) and the strong (1∕λ→0±) coupling limits. In either limit the attractive and repulsive potentials lead to identical spectra, with the possible exception of a single negative-energy state that is present when 1∕λ→0−. We numerically obtain the spectra near the strong-coupling limit and discuss the consequences of the degeneracy that arises when 1∕λ→0±.
Nonconvergence of the Ehrenfest thought experiment
Authors: MacCluer C. R.
Published: July 2009

The classical Ehrenfest thought experiment does not converge. A slight modification yields a more appealing and convergent experiment.
Analysis of standing sound waves using holographic interferometry
Authors: Russell Daniel A. , Parker David E. , Hughes Russell S.
Published: July 2009

Optical holographic interferometry was used to study standing sound waves in air inside a resonance tube driven by a small loudspeaker at one end. The front face of the resonance tube was constructed with plexiglass, allowing optical interrogation of the tube interior. The object beam of the holographic setup was directed through the plexiglass and reflected off the back wall of the resonator. When driven at resonance, the fluctuations in the air density at the antinodes altered the refractive index of the air in the tube, causing interference patterns in the resulting holographic images. Real-time holography was used to determine resonance frequencies and to measure the wavelengths of the standing waves. Time-average holography was used to observe the effect of increasing the sound pressure level on the resulting fringe pattern. A simple theory was developed to successfully predict the fringe pattern.
Antibiotic Treatment of Animals Infected withBorrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Wormser Gary P. , Schwartz Ira
Published: July 2009

Despite resolution of the objective manifestations of Lyme disease after antibiotic treatment, a minority of patients have fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and/or difficulties with concentration or short-term memory of uncertain etiology; these are called post-Lyme disease symptoms or, in more severe cases, post-Lyme disease syndrome or “chronic Lyme disease.” Several recent studies in whichBorrelia burgdorferi-infected animals were treated with antibiotic therapy have demonstrated the presence of PCR positivity forB. burgdorferiDNA in the absence of culture positivity. In mice that were treated with antibiotic therapy, residual spirochetes could be taken up by ticks during a blood meal and could be transmitted to SCID mice. These spirochetes are attenuated; their presence is not associated with either inflammation or disease. In this review the methodology and findings of these studies are critically analyzed, and the significance of the results with regard to human Lyme disease is evaluated, with special emphasis on whether these studies provide useful insights into post-Lyme disease syndrome. A serious methodological concern is the failure to consider the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic properties of the antibiotic in choosing the dosage regimen used. We conclude that there is no scientific evidence to support the hypothesis that such spirochetes, should they exist in humans, are the cause of post-Lyme disease syndrome.
Food-Borne Trematodiases
Authors: Keiser Jennifer , Utzinger Jürg
Published: July 2009

An estimated 750 million people are at risk of infections with food-borne trematodes, which comprise liver flukes (
Clonorchis sinensis
,
Fasciola gigantica
,
Fasciola hepatica
,
Opisthorchis felineus
, and
Opisthorchis viverrini
), lung flukes (
Paragonimus
spp.), and intestinal flukes (e.g.,
Echinostoma
spp.,
Fasciolopsis buski
, and the heterophyids). Food-borne trematodiases pose a significant public health and economic problem, yet these diseases are often neglected. In this review, we summarize the taxonomy, morphology, and life cycle of food-borne trematodes. Estimates of the at-risk population and number of infections, geographic distribution, history, and ecological features of the major food-borne trematodes are reviewed. We summarize clinical manifestations, patterns of infection, and current means of diagnosis, treatment, and other control options. The changing epidemiological pattern and the rapid growth of aquaculture and food distribution networks are highlighted, as these developments might be associated with an elevated risk of transmission of food-borne trematodiases. Current research needs are emphasized.
FERMIONS TUNNELING OF DYONIC PARTICLES FROM THE CHARGED AND MAGNETIZED BLACK HOLES
Authors: ZENG XIAOXIONG
Published: July 2009

The fermions tunneling formulism of Kerner and Mann is extended to the case of black holes with electric and magnetic charges. As the electric and magnetic fields would couple with gravity field, we introduce the Dirac equation of charged and magnetized particles. We study the spin-up particles from the Reissner–Nordström black hole with magnetic charges and spin-down particles from the Kerr–Newman–Kasuya black hole and obtain the corresponding emission temperatures. In particular, we also provide a simplified method by defining an equivalent charge and gauge potential to further discuss tunneling of charged and magnetized fermions, which reproduces the same results as obtained above.
LEGENDRE POLYNOMIALS AS THE NORMALIZATION OF PHOTON-SUBTRACTED SQUEEZED STATES
Authors: FAN HONG-YI , HU LI-YUN , XU XUE-XIANG
Published: July 2009

By converting the photon-subtracted squeezed state (PSSS) to a squeezed Hermite-polynomial excitation state we find that the normalization factor of PSSS is an m-order Legendre polynomial of the squeezing parameter, where m is the number of subtracted photons. Some new relations about the Legendre polynomials are obtained by this analysis. We also show that the PSSS can also be treated as a Hermite-polynomial excitation on squeezed vacuum state.
A NON-STANDARD STRING EMBEDDING OF E8
Authors: OBOUSY RICHARD , ROBINSON MATTHEW , CLEAVER GERALD B.
Published: July 2009

An algorithm to systematically and efficiently generate free fermionic heterotic string models was recently introduced.1 This algorithm has been adopted by the Free Fermionic Model Construction (FFMC) program at Baylor University. As its first application, the algorithm is being applied to systematically generate the complete set of free fermionic heterotic string models with untwisted left-moving (worldsheet supersymmetric) sectors, up to continually advancing Layer and Order. Statistical analysis of this study will be reported in the near future. However, in a series of separate notes we will be reporting some of the more interesting models that appear along the way. In this, our first such note, we reveal a different string embedding of E8 than is standard. That is, rather than realize E8 via an SO (16) embedding, 248 = 120 + 128, we realize it via an SU (9) embedding, [Formula: see text]. This is obtained in a Layer 1, Order 6 model for which modular invariance itself dictates a gravitino sector accompany the gauge sector.
ON VIRTUAL CROSSING NUMBER ESTIMATES FOR VIRTUAL LINKS
Authors: AFANASIEV DENIS MIKHAILOVICH , MANTUROV VASSILY OLEGOVICH
Published: July 2009

Considering extremal properties of one polynomial of virtual knots, we establish estimates for virtual crossing numbers of virtual knots from a given class. This yields minimality of certain diagrams of virtual knots with respect to the virtual crossing number. Infinite series of pairwise distinct minimal virtual knot diagrams are constructed and their properties are discussed.
INTRODUCTION TO GRAPH-LINK THEORY
Authors: ILYUTKO DENIS PETROVICH , MANTUROV VASSILY OLEGOVICH
Published: July 2009

The present paper is an introduction to a combinatorial theory arising as a natural generalization of classical and virtual knot theory. There is a way to encode links by a class of "realizable" graphs. When passing to generic graphs with the same equivalence relations we get "graph-links". On one hand graph-links generalize the notion of virtual link, on the other hand they do not detect link mutations. We define the Jones polynomial for graph-links and prove its invariance. We also prove some a generalization of the Kauffman–Murasugi–Thistlethwaite theorem on "minimal diagrams" for graph-links.
REVISION METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT REPLACEMENT 30 YEARS AFTER PRIMARY SWANSON FLEXIBLE SILICONE IMPLANT ARTHROPLASTY IN A RHEUMATOID PATIENT: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Arai Katsumitsu , Ishikawa Hajime , Murai Takehiro , Fujisawa Junichi , Endo Naoto
Published: July 2009

We report a case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing revision surgery 30 years after primary metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty using a Swanson implant. Removal and replacement of the implant were successfully performed, and the patient was satisfied with the revision surgery.
FINGERTIP REPLANTATIONS: IMPORTANCE OF VENOUS ANASTOMOSIS AND THE CLINICAL RESULTS
Authors: Hasuo Takaaki , Nishi Genzaburo , Tsuchiya Daiji , Otsuka Takanobu
Published: July 2009

Overall survival rate for 143 digits with complete amputation of the distal phalanx was 78%. Replanted digits that underwent venous anastomosis showed a very high survival rate of 93%. Loss of the distal interphalangeal joint function in subzone IV was significantly inferior to that in subzones II and III. Protective sensation was achieved in 96% of replanted digits. Sensory recovery in the absence of nerve repair was significantly worse for avulsion injury than for crush injury. Nail deformity tended to be increased for replanted digits in subzone III or with crush-type injury. Successful venous anastomosis appears to offer the best way to promote survival of replanted digits. If venous anastomosis is infeasible, a replanted digit can survive with any methods for venous drainage in subzones II and III, but does not survive in subzone IV. To minimise nail deformity, repair of the germinal matrix is necessary.
THE μ-DEFORMED SEGAL–BARGMANN TRANSFORM IS A HALL TYPE TRANSFORM
Authors: SONTZ STEPHEN BRUCE
Published: July 2009

We present an explanation of how the μ-deformed Segal–Bargmann spaces, that are studied in various articles of the author in collaboration with Angulo, Echavarría and Pita, can be viewed as deserving their name, that is, how they should be considered as a part of Segal–Bargmann analysis. This explanation relates the μ-deformed Segal–Bargmann transforms to the generalized Segal–Bargmann transforms introduced by B. Hall using heat kernel analysis. All the versions of the μ-deformed Segal–Bargmann transform can be understood as Hall type transforms. In particular, we define a μ-deformation of Hall's "Version C" generalized Segal–Bargmann transform which is then shown to be a μ-deformed convolution with a μ-deformed heat kernel followed by analytic continuation. Our results are generalizations and analogues of the results of Hall.
COHOMOLOGY OF THE VIRASORO–ZAMOLODCHIKOV AND RENORMALIZED HIGHER POWERS OF WHITE NOISE *-LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: ACCARDI LUIGI , BOUKAS ANDREAS
Published: July 2009

We prove the triviality of the second cohomology group of the Virasoro–Zamolodchikov and Renormalized Higher Powers of White Noise *-Lie algebras. It follows that these algebras admit only trivial central extensions. We also prove that the Heisenberg–Weyl *-Lie algebra admits nontrivial central extensions which are parametrized in a 1-to-1 way by ℂ\{0}. Explicit unitary *-representations of these extensions and their implications for our renormalization program are discussed in Ref. 8.
AN ERGODIC THEOREM FOR QUANTUM DIAGONAL MEASURES
Authors: FIDALEO FRANCESCO
Published: July 2009

We prove the quantum version of an ergodic result of H. Furstenberg relative to noninvariant measures. The natural setting will be the case of the "quantum diagonal measure" relative to the product measure. Even if in all the interesting situations such diagonal measures are neither invariant nor normal with respect to the corresponding product ones, we still provide an ergodic theorem for them, generalizing the classical case. As a natural application, we are able to prove the entangled ergodic theorem in some interesting situations out of the known ones, that is when the unitary is not almost periodic, or when the involved operators are not compact.
A NEW SHALLOW SEMANTIC PARSER FOR DESCRIBING THE CONCEPT STRUCTURE OF TEXT
Authors: YAN YULAN , MATSUO YUTAKA , ISHIZUKA MITSURU
Published: July 2009

Recently, Semantic Role Labeling (SRL) systems have been used to examine a semantic predicate-argument structure for natural occurring texts. Facing the challenge of extracting a universal set of semantic or thematic relations covering various types of semantic relationships between entities, based on the Concept Description Language for Natural Language (CDL.nl) which defines a set of semantic relations to describe the concept structure of text, we develop a shallow semantic parser to add a new layer of semantic annotation of natural language sentences as an extension of SRL. The parsing task is a relation extraction process with two steps: relation detection and relation classification. Firstly, based on dependency analysis, a rule-based algorithm is presented to detect all entity pairs between each pair for which there exists a relationship; secondly, we use a kernel-based method to assign CDL.nl relations to detected entity pairs by leveraging diverse features. Preliminary evaluation on a manual dataset shows that CDL.nl relations can be extracted with good performance.
Nanoscale Gate Stacks: From Atomic Defects to Device Performance
Authors: Bersuker Gennadi , Park CS , Price J. , Lysaght P. , Kirsch P. , Jammy R.
Published: July 2009

Concerted physical and electrical characterization of the gate stacks, which includes high dielectric constant materials and metal electrodes, has been performed in order to link atomic defects to the specific device electrical characteristics. It has been shown that defects in the SiO2 layer formed at the interface of the dielectric stack and the substrate plays a critical role in defining both performance and reliability of the high-k devices.
Defect Aspects of Ge-on-Si Materials and Devices
Authors: Claeys Cor , Eneman Geert , Wang Gang , Souriau Laurent , Loo Roger , Simoen Eddy
Published: July 2009

An overview is given of the defect aspects with respect to Ge-on-Si materials and devices, with emphasis on the impact of post-growth thermal budget on the structural and electrical epi-layer characteristics. The observations on annealed thick and thin epitaxial layers on Si can be explained based on a thermodynamic model for the minimum density of threading dislocations (TDs). It is also demonstrated that for the present processing conditions, the leakage current of Ge CMOS compatible p+n junctions becomes independent of the TD density at about 10E7/cm2.
16kb Phase Change Memory Test Chip with 0.18-μm Process
Authors: Ding Sheng , Song Zhitang , Liu Bo , Cai Daolin , Chen Xiaogang , Chen Yifeng , Zhong Min , Feng Gaoming , Xu Chen , Feng Songlin , Xie Zhifeng , Yang Zuoya , Wan Xudong , Zhang Fuxiong , Wu Guanpin , Xiang Yanghui
Published: July 2009

A 16kb phase change memory with standard CMOS 0.18-μm test chip has been demonstrated. The critical integration technology of the phase change material fabrication and the standard CMOS process has been improved. Full integration of PCRAM, including memory cell, array structure, critical circuit module, and physical layout, has been designed and verified. Test results about PCM cell and circuit module has been generated.