bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Soybean Lecithin Supplementation to a Practical Diet Formulation on Juvenile Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus: Growth, Survival, Hematology, Innate Immune Activity, and Lipid Biochemistry
Authors: Sink Todd D. , Lochmann Rebecca T.
Published: April 2014

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of soy lecithin supplementation on production performance of juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (mean ± SE; 5.8 ± 0 g). The basal diet consisted of a practical dietary formulation for channel catfish, containing 4.3% endogenous phospholipids (PL) from dietary ingredients, to which supplemental PL from soybean lecithin were added. The study diets were 1 control and 2 experimental diets to which 0, 2, or 4% supplemental lecithin was added, respectively. Soy lecithin inclusion did not affect survival, growth, feed consumption, whole‐body total lipid, innate immune response, plasma cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations, or hepatosomatic index. Feed conversion (gain/intake) improved in fish fed 4% supplemental lecithin compared with 0% lecithin. Whole‐body crude protein was greater in fish fed 2% supplemental lecithin compared with 0% lecithin, while 4% supplemental lecithin was intermediate. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) content was greater in fish fed 2 or 4% lecithin than 0% lecithin. Plasma concentrations of PC were inversely proportional to dietary concentrations. Liver glycogen was greater in fish fed 0% lecithin compared with 2 or 4% lecithin. Liver lipid and phospholipid were lower in fish fed 0% lecithin than 2 or 4% lecithin. The dietary phospholipid requirement, if any, of juvenile channel catfish for growth and survival is less than or equal to 4.3% (1.5% PC) of the diet. Feed conversion is improved in channel catfish fed diets supplemented with 4% soy lecithin (7.2% phospholipid; 5.1% PC), which might offset additional costs due to phospholipid supplementation. Dietary soy lecithin inclusion altered plasma and liver lipid composition, but it is unknown whether these effects can alter the ability of juvenile catfish to survive and grow under various conditions.
Examination of the Effects of Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on Growth and Stress Tolerance of Juvenile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Hooley Christopher G. , Barrows Frederic T. , Paterson John , Sealey Wendy M.
Published: April 2014

Tilapia is the second most consumed farmed fish after carp and the most widely grown farmed fish. However, significant price increases in ingredients in recent years threaten profitability of the industry because dietary costs are approximately 60% of production costs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to optimize dietary protein and lipid levels of juvenile tilapia cultured in high‐intensity recirculating‐water system and assess dietary effects on stress tolerance. To achieve this objective, a factorial treatment design with diets formulated to contain three levels of dietary protein (28, 32, and 36%) and three levels of dietary lipid (3, 6, and 9%) was employed. Juvenile tilapia (34.5 ± 0.4 g initial weight) were randomly assigned to each of 24 tanks and fed one of the nine diets, three feedings per day to apparent satiation, 6 d/wk for 12 wk. Fish were weighed and counted every 3 wk and feed consumed recorded weekly. Tilapia weight gain, feed conversion, feed intake, and proximate composition were significantly affected by diet. Following the feeding trial, tilapia were subjected to a 24 h simulated live haul where fish were stocked into a static water system at 0.24 kg/L of water. Glucose, lactate, and cortisol measurements were taken at time 0, 24, and 72 h after fish were placed into hauling containers. There was significant effects (P < 0.05) of crude lipid and crude protein on blood chemistry parameters. These data indicate that practical diet formulations can be improved to enhance growth rates, production of tilapia, and stress response during live hauls.
The Efficacy of Copper Sulfate in Controlling Infection of Saprolegnia parasitica
Authors: Sun Qi , Hu Kun , Yang Xian‐Le
Published: April 2014

Saprolegnia parasitica is a severe fish pathogen that causes important economic losses worldwide. Copper is an important additive in the aquaculture industry for control of algal growth, ectoparasites, and fungal disease. However, at present no data is available on the specific interaction of copper sulfate with oomycete. In our study, the efficacy of copper sulfate on the mycelium and zoospore of S. parasitica was assessed in vitro, and S. parasitica infection experiment was conducted to assess its performance in vivo. The results indicated that copper sulfate at ≥0.5 mg/L inhibited the growth of mycelium, no primary zoospores were released at ≥1.0 mg/L. Additionally, 0.5 mg/L copper sulfate could reduce the infection rate of S. parasitica in the grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus. This study demonstrates the good efficacy of copper sulfate on the control of S. parasitica infection in grass carps, and suggests that copper sulfate could be used as a drug additive to control the S. parasitica infection in the aquaculture industry.
Pachyphyllum foreroi and P. idroboi spp. nov. (Orchidaceae, Vandoideae) from Colombia
Authors: Szlachetko Dariusz L. , Kolanowska Marta
Published: April 2014

Two new species of Pachyphyllum (Orchidaceae), P. foreroi and P. idroboi, are described and illustrated based on Colombian material. Information about their habitat is provided and their distribution map is presented. Comparisons of the floral characteristics between the new entities and closely allied species are illustrated.
Exploring Picea glauca aquaporins in the context of needle water uptake and xylem refilling
Authors: Laur Joan , Hacke Uwe G.
Published: April 2014

Conifer needles have been reported to absorb water under certain conditions. Radial water movement across needle tissues is likely influenced by aquaporin (AQP) water channels.

Foliar water uptake and AQP localization in Picea glauca needles were studied using physiological and microscopic methods. AQP expression was measured using quantitative real‐time PCR. Members of the AQP gene family in spruce were identified using homology search tools.

Needles of drought‐stressed plants absorbed water when exposed to high relative humidity (RH). AQPs were present in the endodermis‐like bundle sheath, in phloem cells and in the transfusion parenchyma of needles. Up‐regulation of AQPs in high RH coincided with embolism repair in stem xylem. The present study also provides the most comprehensive functional and phylogenetic analysis of spruce AQPs to date. Thirty putative complete AQP sequences were found.

Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that AQPs facilitate radial water movement from the needle epidermis towards the vascular tissue. Foliar water uptake may occur in late winter when needles are covered by melting snow and may provide a water source for embolism repair before the beginning of the growing season.
High‐throughput fluorescence‐activated cell sorting for lipid hyperaccumulating Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants
Authors: Xie Bo , Stessman Dan , Hart Jason H. , Dong Haili , Wang Yingjun , Wright David A. , Nikolau Basil J. , Spalding Martin H. , Halverson Larry J.
Published: April 2014

The genetically tractable microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has many advantages as a model for renewable bioproducts and/or biofuels production. However, one limitation of C. reinhardtii is its relatively low‐lipid content compared with some other algal species. To overcome this limitation, we combined ethane methyl sulfonate mutagenesis with fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) of cells stained with the lipophilic stain Nile Red to isolate lipid hyperaccumulating mutants of C. reinhardtii. By manipulating the FACS gates, we sorted mutagenized cells with extremely high Nile Red fluorescence signals that were rarely detected in nonmutagenized populations. This strategy successfully isolated several putative lipid hyperaccumulating mutants exhibiting 23% to 58% (dry weight basis) higher fatty acid contents than their progenitor strains. Significantly, for most mutants, nitrogen starvation was not required to attain high‐lipid content nor was there a requirement for a deficiency in starch accumulation. Microscopy of Nile Red stained cells revealed that some mutants exhibit an increase in the number of lipid bodies, which correlated with TLC analysis of triacyglycerol content. Increased lipid content could also arise through increased biomass production. Collectively, our findings highlight the ability to enhance intracellular lipid accumulation in algae using random mutagenesis in conjunction with a robust FACS and lipid yield verification regime. Our lipid hyperaccumulating mutants could serve as a genetic resource for stacking additional desirable traits to further increase lipid production and for identifying genes contributing to lipid hyperaccumulation, without lengthy lipid‐induction periods.
Naturalizing Intentionality: Tracking Theories Versus Phenomenal Intentionality Theories
Authors: Mendelovici Angela , Bourget David
Published: April 2014

This paper compares tracking and phenomenal intentionality theories of intentionality with respect to the issue of naturalism. Tracking theories explicitly aim to naturalize intentionality, while phenomenal intentionality theories generally do not. It might seem that considerations of naturalism count in favor of tracking theories. We survey key considerations relevant to this claim, including some motivations for and objections to the two kinds of theories. We conclude by suggesting that naturalistic considerations may in fact support phenomenal intentionality theories over tracking theories.
The Transparency of Mind
Authors: Paul Sarah K.
Published: April 2014

In philosophical inquiry into the mind, the metaphor of ‘transparency’ has been attractive to many who are otherwise in deep disagreement. It has thereby come to have a variety of different and mutually incompatible connotations. The mind is said to be transparent to itself, our perceptual experiences are said to be transparent to the world, and our beliefs are said to be transparent to – a great many different things. The first goal of this essay is to sort out the different uses of the notion of transparency in the context of the philosophy of mind. The remainder of the essay will then be devoted to examining so‐called Transparency theories of self‐knowledge, or how we know our own minds. This type of theory has attracted a great deal of interest in recent years, but its prospects hinge on answers to unresolved questions concerning the epistemological details of the account and the scope of its ambitions.
The Return of the Organism as a Fundamental Explanatory Concept in Biology
Authors: Nicholson Daniel J.
Published: April 2014

Although it may seem like a truism to assert that biology is the science that studies organisms, during the second half of the twentieth century the organism category disappeared from biological theory. Over the past decade, however, biology has begun to witness the return of the organism as a fundamental explanatory concept. There are three major causes: (a) the realization that the Modern Synthesis does not provide a fully satisfactory understanding of evolution; (b) the growing awareness of the limits of reductionism in molecular biology; and (c) the renewed interest in the nature of life as a genuine scientific problem. This essay examines these recent developments and considers the new epistemological roles being played by the organism in each of them. It also reflects on what the present resurgence of the organism means for the philosophy of biology.
Implicit Knowledge: How it is Understood and Used in Feminist Theory
Authors: Shotwell Alexis
Published: April 2014

Feminist theorists have crafted diverse accounts of implicit knowing that exceed the purview of epistemology conventionally understood. I characterize this field as through examining thematic clusters of feminist work on implicit knowledge: phenomenological and foucauldian theories of embodiment; theories of affect and emotion; other forms of implicit knowledge. Within these areas, the umbrella concept of implicit knowledge (or understanding, depending on how it's framed) names either contingently unspoken or fundamentally nonpropositional but epistemically salient content in our experience. I make a case for distinguishing implicit knowledge from lively conversations about ‘implicit bias’, as well as from the ‘know‐how/know‐that’ debates, and I explore key ways the notion of implicit knowledge is currently formulated in feminist philosophy.
Temperature‐specific acclimation effects on adult locomotor performance of inbred and crossbredDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Kj Ærsgaard Anders , Faurby Søren , Thomsen Hans P. , Loeschcke Volker , Kristensen Torsten N. , Pertoldi Cino
Published: April 2014

Climate change poses a serious threat to the existence of many species. The combination of habitat fragmentation and increasing temperatures is of particular concern because it can alter demographic and population genetic processes, which may ultimately lead to extinction. Locomotion is very important in mitigating the negative impacts of these processes by upholding migration and contributing to random mating within and between populations. In the present study, aT‐maze, constituting a relatively complex laboratory assay, is used to investigate whether inbreeding affects the capacity to reach a food source in maleDrosophila melanogasterMeigen 1830 (Diptera:Drosophilidae) reared at 20, 25 or 30 °C, respectively. The effects of inbreeding and crossbreeding are highly temperature‐specific. Strong heterosis for the ability to reach food in the maze is observed in flies developed and maintained at 30 °C, whereas inbred flies locate the food significantly faster than crossbreds when reared at 25 °C in four of six runs. No clear pattern is evident in flies reared at 20 °C. The results suggest that complex traits such as locomotor performance in a maze are highly informative in the evaluation and detection of inbreeding depression under different thermal conditions. The effect of inbreeding is most pronounced at high temperature, which is a characteristic of the conditions that many natural populations may have to face under climate change.
Effect of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid induced resistance in groundnut on Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: War Abdul R. , Sharma Hari C.
Published: April 2014

Induced resistance in plants affects insect growth and development as a result of the up‐regulation of defence‐related secondary metabolites or enzyme‐binding proteins. In the present study, the effects of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) induced resistance in groundnut on Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) are examined. Larval survival, larval weights and the activities of digestive enzymes (total serine protease and trypsin) and of detoxifying enzymes [glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and esterase (EST)] are studied in insects fed on four groundnut genotypes with moderate levels of resistance to H. armigera (ICGV 86699, ICGV 86031, ICG 2271 and ICG 1697) and a susceptible genotype (JL 24). The plants are pre‐ and/or simultaneously treated with JA and SA, and then infested with H. armigera, which are allowed to feed for 6 days. Significantly lower serine protease and trypsin activities are observed in H. armigera fed on plants treated with JA. Greater GST activity is recorded in insects fed on JA and SA treated plants, whereas EST activity is low in H. armigera larvae fed on plants treated with JA and SA. Serine proteases, trypsin and GST activities and larval weights (r = 0.74–0.95) and larval survival (r = 0.77–0.93) are positively correlated, whereas EST activity and larval weight (r = −0.55) and larval survival (r = −0.65) are negatively correlated. The results suggest that midgut digestive and detoxifying enzymes can be used as indicators of the adverse effects of constitutive and/or induced resistance in crop plants on the insect pests and the role of JA and SA in insect pest management.
Interventionism and Causal Exclusion
Authors: Woodward James
Published: April 2014

A number of writers, myself included, have recently argued that an “interventionist” treatment of causation of the sort defended in Woodward, 2003 can be used to cast light on so‐called “causal exclusion” arguments. This interventionist treatment of causal exclusion has in turn been criticized by other philosophers. This paper responds to these criticisms. It describes an interventionist framework for thinking about causal relationships when supervenience relations are present. I contend that this framework helps us to see that standard arguments for causal exclusion involve mistaken assumptions about what it is appropriate to control for or hold fixed in assessing causal claims. The framework also provides a natural way of capturing the idea that properties that supervene on but that are not identical with realizing properties can be causally efficacious.
Public Support for Policies to Reduce Risk After Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Greenberg Michael R. , Weiner Marc D. , Noland Robert , Herb Jeanne , Kaplan Marjorie , Broccoli Anthony J.
Published: April 2014

A phone survey was conducted in New Jersey in 2013 four months after the second of two major devastating tropical storms (Sandy in 2012 and Irene in 2011). The objective was to estimate public support for restricting land uses in flood zones, requiring housing to be built to resist storm waters, and otherwise increasing mitigation and resilience. Respondents who supported these mitigation and resilience policies disproportionately were concerned about global climate change, trusted climate scientists and the federal government, and were willing to contribute to a redevelopment program through taxes, bonds, and fees. They also tended to have collectivist and egalitarian worldviews. Half of the respondents supported at least four of the seven risk‐reducing policies. How their support translates into public policy remains to be seen. Lack of willingness to personally fund these policies is an obstacle.
A Trait‐Interpersonal Analysis of Suicide Proneness Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community Members
Authors: Cramer Robert J. , Stroud Caroline H. , Fraser Theresa , Graham James
Published: April 2014

Suicide remains a concerning issue for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons. The integrated effects of five‐factor model personality traits and interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) constructs on suicide proneness in a community sample of 336 LGB adults were examined. Results supported a model inclusive of all five‐factor model domains predicting IPTS constructs leading to suicide proneness. Effects of neuroticism and extraversion were both mediated by perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Thwarted belongingness mediated the effect of agreeableness on suicide proneness. Identified mediation pathways build on existing trait‐interpersonal theory and may inform clinical services for sexual minority persons.
Left ventricular assist device exchange for persistent infection: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Levy D.T. , Guo Y. , Simkins J. , Puius Y.A. , Muggia V.A. , Goldstein D.J. , D'Alessandro D.A. , Minamoto G.Y.
Published: April 2014

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) exchange for control of infection may be an option for the treatment of persistent and severe infections of the LVAD. Data are limited regarding the indications for device exchange, methods for exchanging infected devices, post‐exchange antimicrobial management, and outcomes of such patients. We report a series of cases in which an exchange was performed for persistent LVAD infection, review the literature on LVAD exchange and surgical techniques for these infectious complications, and suggest management strategies from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Hepatitis due to human herpesvirus 6B after hematopoietic cell transplantation and a review of the literature
Authors: Hill J.A. , Myerson D. , Sedlak R.H. , Jerome K.R. , Zerr D.M.
Published: April 2014

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV‐6B) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with a growing number of complications in immunocompromised patients. Multiple reports of HHV‐6B‐associated hepatitis following primary HHV‐6 infection and liver transplantation have appeared, but this has only been well documented in 1 patient after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This report describes a case of acute hepatitis likely caused by HHV‐6B in an HCT recipient who was successfully treated with ganciclovir. HHV‐6B DNA was demonstrated in plasma and hepatic tissue using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical stains. Chromosomal integration was ruled out. We review the literature reporting HHV‐6B‐associated hepatitis, which may be an underappreciated cause of liver disease after HCT.
The practice and clinical implications of tablet splitting in international health
Authors: Elliott Ivo , Mayxay Mayfong , Yeuichaixong Sengchanh , Lee Sue J. , Newton Paul N.
Published: April 2014

Objective

Tablet splitting is frequently performed to facilitate correct dosing, but the practice and implications in low‐income settings have rarely been discussed.

Methods

We selected eight drugs, with narrow therapeutic indices or critical dosages, frequently divided in the Lao PDR (Laos). These were split, by common techniques used in Laos, by four nurses and four laypersons. The mean percentage deviation from the theoretical expected weight and weight loss of divided tablets/capsules were recorded.

Results

Five of eight study drugs failed, on splitting, to meet European Pharmacopoeia recommendations for tablet weight deviation from the expected weight of tablet/capsule halves with 10% deviating by more than 25%. There was a significant difference in splitting accuracy between nurses and laypersons (P = 0.027). Coated and unscored tablets were less accurately split than uncoated (P = 0.03 and 0.0019 for each half) and scored (0.0001 for both halves) tablets.

Conclusion

These findings have potential clinical implications on treatment outcome and the development of antimicrobial resistance. Investment by drug companies in a wider range of dosage units, particularly for narrow therapeutic index and critical dosage medicines, is strongly recommended.
Tuberculate fruit gene Tu encodes a C2H2 zinc finger protein that is required for the warty fruit phenotype in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Yang Xuqin , Zhang Weiwei , He Huanle , Nie Jingtao , Bie Beibei , Zhao Junlong , Ren Guoliang , Li Yue , Zhang Dabing , Pan Junsong , Cai Run
Published: April 2014

Cucumber fruits that have tubercules and spines (trichomes) are known to possess a warty (Wty) phenotype. In this study, the tuberculate fruit gene Tu was identified by map‐based cloning, and was found to encode a transcription factor (TF) with a single C2H2 zinc finger domain. Tu was identified in all 38 Wty lines examined, and was completely absent from all 56 non‐warty (nWty) lines. Cucumber plants transgenic for Tu (TCP) revealed that Tu was required for the Wty fruit phenotype. Subcellular localization showed that the fusion protein GFP–Tu was localized mainly to the nucleus. Based on analyses of semi‐quantitative and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and mRNA in situ hybridization, we found that Tu was expressed specifically in fruit spine cells during development of fruit tubercules. Moreover, cytokinin (CTK) content measurements and cytological observations in Wty and nWty fruits revealed that the Wty fruit phenotype correlated with high endogenous CTK concentrations. As a result of further analyses on the transcriptomic profile of the nWty fruit epidermis and TCP fruit warts, expression of CTK‐associated genes, and hormone content in nWty fruit epidermis, Wty fruit warts and epidermis, and TCP fruit warts and epidermis, we found that Tu probably promoted CTK biosynthesis in fruit warts. Here we show that Tu could not be expressed in the glabrous and tubercule‐free mutant line gl that contained Tu, this result that futher confirmed the epistatic effect of the trichome (spine) gene Gl over Tu. Taken together, these data led us to propose a genetic pathway for the Wty fruit trait that could guide future mechanistic studies.
The Arabidopsis mitochondrial membrane‐bound ubiquitin protease UBP27 contributes to mitochondrial morphogenesis
Authors: Pan Ronghui , Kaur Navneet , Hu Jianping
Published: April 2014

Mitochondria are essential organelles with dynamic morphology and function. Post‐translational modifications (PTMs), which include protein ubiquitination, are critically involved in animal and yeast mitochondrial dynamics. How PTMs contribute to plant mitochondrial dynamics is just beginning to be elucidated, and mitochondrial enzymes involved in ubiquitination have not been reported from plants. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis mitochondrial localized ubiquitin protease, UBP27, through a screen that combined bioinformatics and fluorescent fusion protein targeting analysis. We characterized UBP27 with respect to its membrane topology and enzymatic activities, and analysed the mitochondrial morphological changes in UBP27T‐DNA insertion mutants and overexpression lines. We have shown that UBP27 is embedded in the mitochondrial outer membrane with an Nin–Cout orientation and possesses ubiquitin protease activities in vitro. UBP27 demonstrates similar sub‐cellular localization, domain structure, membrane topology and enzymatic activities with two mitochondrial deubiquitinases, yeast ScUBP16 and human HsUSP30, which indicated that these proteins are functional orthologues in eukaryotes. Although loss‐of‐function mutants of UBP27 do not show obvious phenotypes in plant growth and mitochondrial morphology, UBP27 overexpression can change mitochondrial morphology from rod to spherical shape and reduce the mitochondrial association of dynamin‐related protein 3 (DRP3) proteins, large GTPases that serve as the main mitochondrial fission factors. Thus, our study has uncovered a plant ubiquitin protease that plays a role in mitochondrial morphogenesis possibly through modulation of the function of organelle division proteins.
Molecular and morphometric systematics of Diapterus (Perciformes, Gerreidae)
Authors: Vergara‐Solana Francisco Javier , García‐Rodriguez Francisco Javier , Tavera José Julián , De Luna Efraín , De La Cruz‐Agüero José
Published: April 2014

The fish belonging to Gerreidae are common representatives of the coastal ichthyofauna of the tropics and subtropics of the world. The genus Diapterus has a neotropical distribution and currently includes four species: two in the Atlantic Ocean [Irish mojarra D. auratus Ranzani 1842 and rhombic mojarra D. rhombeus (Cuvier 1829)] and two in the Pacific Ocean [short‐beaked mojarra D. brevirostris (Sauvage 1879) and golden mojarra D. aureolus (Jordan & Gilbert 1882)]. This genus has uncertain taxonomy based on the remarkable and dissimilar morphology of D. aureolus. We evaluated the taxonomy and phylogeny of Diapterus with statistical (canonical discriminant analysis) and phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) of geometric morphometric data (relative warps) and molecular data (12Sr RNA, 16Sr RNA, COI and RAG1 sequences). Our results indicate that the genus Diapterus as we currently conceive it is a polyphyletic group: [(Gerres cinereus – Eucinostomus spp. (D. aureolus – (Eugerres spp. (D. auratus – (D. brevirostris – D. rhombeus)))))]. Therefore, a taxonomic rearrangement is needed. To preserve the monophyly of the group, our proposal is to remove D. aureolus and place it in a new monotypic genus. A neotype is designated for D. aureolus as well as an artificial identification key for the genera and the species treated in this article.
Window shifts, flop equivalences and Grassmannian twists
Authors: Donovan Will , Segal Ed
Published: April 2014

We introduce a new class of autoequivalences that act on the derived categories of certain vector bundles over Grassmannians. These autoequivalences arise from Grassmannian flops: they generalize Seidel–Thomas spherical twists, which can be seen as arising from standard flops. We first give a simple algebraic construction, which is well suited to explicit computations. We then give a geometric construction using spherical functors which we prove is equivalent.
Free Convection in Shallow and Slender Porous Cavities Filled by a Nanofluid Using Buongiorno's Model
Authors: Sheremet M. A. , Groşan T. , Pop I.
Published: April 2014

A numerical study of the steady free convection flow in shallow and slender porous cavities filled by a nanofluid is presented. The nanofluid model takes into account the Brownian diffusion and the thermophoresis effects. The governing dimensional partial differential equations are transformed into a dimensionless form before being solved numerically using a finite difference method. Effort has been focused on the effects of four types of influential factors such as the aspect ratio, the Rayleigh and Lewis numbers, and the buoyancy-ratio parameter on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics.
Optimization of Aero Gas Turbine Maintenance Using Advanced Simulation and Diagnostic Methods
Authors: Kraft Joern , Sethi Vishal , Singh Riti
Published: April 2014

Engine maintenance costs are a major contributor to the direct operating costs of aircraft. Therefore, the minimization of engine maintenance costs per flight-hour is a key aspect for airlines to operate successfully under challenging market conditions. Minimization can be achieved by increasing the on-wing time or by reducing the shop-visit costs. Combining both provides optimum results and can only be achieved by thorough understanding of the engine. In the past, maintenance optimization was mainly an experience-based process. In this work, a novel analytical approach is presented to optimize the maintenance of commercial turbofan engines. A real engine fleet of more than 100 long-haul engines is used to demonstrate the application. The combination of advanced diagnostic and simulation methods with classical hardware-based failure analysis enables linking of overall engine performance with detailed hardware condition and, thus, an effective optimization of the overall maintenance process.
Phenomena of Foreign Object Damage by Spherical Projectiles in EB-PVD Thermal Barrier Coatings of Turbine Airfoils
Authors: Choi Sung R. , Wright Jennifer M. , Faucett D. Calvin , Ayre Matthew
Published: April 2014

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), attributed to their inherent brittleness, are vulnerable to damage by impacting foreign objects when kinetic energy of the objects surpasses certain limits. The damage is termed foreign object damage (FOD) and results in various issues to coatings as well as to substrates, from plastic impression to delamination to spallation to cracking, depending on the severity of impact. The FOD experiments were conducted utilizing a ballistic impact gun for vane airfoil components coated with 220 μm-thick, 7% yttria–stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) by electron beam physical vapor deposit (EB-PVD). The testing was performed with impact velocities ranging from 150 m/s to Mach 1 using 1.6-mm hardened chrome-steel ball projectiles. The resulting FOD was in the forms of impact impressions, cone cracking, and delamination of the coatings/substrates. Prediction of delamination crack size as a function of impact velocity was made based on an energy-balance approach through a quasistatic, first-order approximation. The prediction was in reasonable agreement with experimental data considering a presumable compaction of the TBCs upon impact.
Diesel Engine Combustion Sensing Methodology Based on Vibration Analysis
Authors: Fabrizio Ponti , Vittorio Ravaglioli , Nicolò Cavina , Matteo De Cesare
Published: April 2014

The increasing request for pollutant emissions reduction spawned a great deal of research in the field of combustion control and monitoring. As a matter of fact, newly developed low temperature combustion strategies for diesel engines allow obtaining a significant reduction both in particulate matter and NOx emissions, combining the use of high EGR rates with a proper injection strategy. Unfortunately, due to their nature, these innovative combustion strategies are very sensitive to in-cylinder thermal conditions. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable combustion, a closed-loop combustion control methodology is needed. Many works demonstrate that a closed-loop combustion control strategy can be based on real-time analysis of in-cylinder pressure trace that provides important information about the combustion process, such as start of combustion, center of combustion and torque delivered by each cylinder. Nevertheless, cylinder pressure sensors on-board installation is still uncommon, due to problems related to unsatisfactory measurement long term reliability and cost. This paper presents a newly developed approach that allows extracting information about combustion effectiveness through the analysis of engine vibrations. In particular, the developed methodology can be used to obtain an accurate estimation of the indicated quantities of interest combining the information provided by engine speed fluctuations measurement and by the signals coming from acceleration transducers mounted on the engine. This paper also reports the results obtained applying the whole methodology to a light-duty turbocharged common rail diesel engine.
An Investigation Into Nonlinear Growth Rate of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Single-Mode Richtmyer–Meshkov Instability Using an Arbitrary-Lagrangian–Eulerian Algorithm
Authors: Probyn Mike , Thornber Ben , Drikakis Dimitris , Youngs David , Williams Robin
Published: April 2014

This paper presents an investigation into the use of a moving mesh algorithm for solving unsteady turbulent mixing problems. The growth of a shock induced mixing zone following reshock, using an initial setup comparable to that of existing experimental work, is used to evaluate the behavior of the numerical scheme for single-mode Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (SM-RMI). Subsequently the code is used to evaluate the growth rate for a range of different initial conditions. The initial growth rate for three-dimensional (3D) SM Richtmyer–Meshkov is also presented for a number of different initial conditions. This numerical study details the development of the mixing layer width both prior to and after reshock. The numerical scheme used includes an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian grid motion which is successfully used to reduce the mesh size and computational time while retaining the accuracy of the simulation results. Varying initial conditions shows that the growth rate after reshock is independent of the initial conditions for a SM provided that the initial growth remains in the linear regime.
Adaptive Tracking in Mobile Robots With Input-Output Linearization
Authors: Raimúndez Cesáreo , Villaverde Alejandro F. , Barreiro Antonio
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a neural network adaptive controller for trajectory tracking of nonholonomic mobile robots. By defining a point to follow (look-ahead control), the path-following problem is solved with input-output linearization. A computed torque plus derivative (PD) controller and a dynamic inversion neural network controller are responsible for reducing tracking error and adapting to unmodeled external perturbations. The adaptive controller is implemented through a hidden layer feed-forward neural network, with weights updated in real time. The stability of the whole system is analyzed using Lyapunov theory, and control errors are proven to be bounded. Simulation results demonstrate the good performance of the proposed controller for trajectory tracking under external perturbations.
Sudden multiple fractures in a patient with sarcoidosis in multiple organs
Authors: Sada Mitsuru , Saraya Takeshi , Ishii Haruyuki , Goto Hajime
Published: April 2014

A 30-year-old man who incidentally fractured his right olecranon and other multiple phalanges was admitted to our hospital. He had a 2-year history of uveitis and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), and pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed from transbronchial lung biopsy. Right elbow arthrodesis was performed, and biopsied specimens showed non-caseating epithelioid cell granuloma, suggesting osseous sarcoidosis. He was discharged uneventfully without further treatment, but BHL had progressed with the appearance of lung parenchymal lesions 3 months later. At that time, involvement of other organs was also noted on Gallium-67 scintigraphy, showing accumulations in BHL, axillary and inguinal lymph nodes, enlarged liver and spleen and subcutaneous areas. After initiation of steroid therapy, multiple organ involvement improved, and no further bone involvement has been recognised to date. Osseous sarcoidosis complicated by bone fracture is an extremely rare presentation, but should be considered in patients with sarcoidosis, especially when multiple organs are involved.
An adhesion-related small bowel obstruction occurring within 36 h of a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
Authors: Shah Neha , Shah Sonya Pratik , Thakrar Amit , Rozati Hamoun
Published: April 2014

We present a case of adhesion-related small bowel obstruction occurring within only 36 h of a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. There has been no previously reported case where there has been such a short interval between surgery and adhesion-related small bowel obstruction. This is important to note, as it ensures that adhesion-related small bowel obstruction is on the list of differential diagnoses for patients who present very soon after surgery with symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting. It is also important as it allows the pathogenesis of adhesion formation to be reviewed in light of this rapid onset of adhesion formation and its complications.
Invasive rhinosinusitis byExserohilum rostratumin an immunocompetent child
Authors: Gupta Ayush , Xess Immaculata , Sharma S C , Mallick Saumyaranjan
Published: April 2014

Exserohilumis a saprophytic fungal pathogen responsible for a wide spectrum of infections in humans. It causes life-threatening acute invasive infections in the immunocompromised individuals, particularly those having haematological disorders. We report a proven case of chronic invasive rhinosinusitis with orbital involvement byExserohilum rostratumin an immunocompetent child. The patient responded well to endoscopic sinus surgery followed by oral itraconazole. An aggressive surgical approach is required for improving the outcome of patients with invasive infections. A microbiological diagnosis may help in deciding the systemic antifungal agent in fungal rhinosinusitis.
Multiple ring-enhancing lesions: diagnostic dilemma between neurocysticercosis and tuberculoma
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Gupta Rahul
Published: April 2014

Multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the brain often raise many questions about the true diagnosis. The aetiologies are many neoplastic, infectious, vascular, inflammatory and demyelinating conditions and also depend on the geographical location of the patient. The two important causes of multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the cranium are multiple neurocysticercosis and multiple tuberculomas in developing countries like India. This case report illustrates how multiple ring-enhancing lesions cause a diagnostic dilemma between neurocysticercosis and tuberculoma. A young girl with a typical presentation of neurocysticercosis finally turned out to be a case of tuberculoma. A high index of suspicion is required in appropriate clinical settings to have best clinical outcome.
An infant with chronic severe neutropenia
Authors: Bhat Ramesh Y , Varma Chaitanya P V , Bhatt Sonia
Published: April 2014

Neutropenia in infancy and childhood poses a diagnostic challenge as the aetiology ranges from acute life-threatening conditions to chronic benign diseases. Chronic benign neutropenia of infancy is a rare disorder occurring in 1:100 000. The neutrophil count continues to be low for a prolonged period until spontaneous resolution by the age of 3–4 years. Such infants are having higher incidences of minor infections requiring treatment with antibiotics and rare incidences of meningitis and sepsis. The authors describe an infant presenting with fever and cervical lymphadenitis, who was found to have isolated severe neutropenia and its persistence posing a diagnostic challenge. The prolonged course with minor infections and absence of serious underlying conditions finally confirmed chronic benign neutropenia of infancy.
Investigation of the swelling behaviour of compacted bentonite–sand mixture by mock-up tests
Authors: Saba Simona , Cui Yu-Jun , Tang Anh Minh , Barnichon Jean-Dominique
Published: April 2014

Two small-scale mock-up tests were carried out on a compacted mixture of bentonite and sand, one with saturation from the bottom only and the other with saturation from the top and bottom. Swelling pressure was monitored at different positions of the soil sample in both axial and radial directions. Results showed that the two-side saturation accelerates the swelling pressure kinetics by a factor of 4. The radial swelling pressure kinetics depends on the soil swelling, soil collapse, and interaction between the soil layers. Further analysis based on the relative humidity measurements in an infiltration test performed previously showed that the variations of swelling pressure with suction are similar to those found in literature, and that threshold points exist indicating the initiation of soil collapse. These threshold points appeared at higher suction when the soil was farther from the wetting face. The failure of the axial confining elements in the storage galleries was also simulated by releasing the piston and allowing a limited axial swelling of 20%. The radial swelling pressures decreased sharply upon the piston release and during the free axial swelling. A swelling pressure gradient was found from the bottom to the top with a higher value at the bottom. The density gradient was estimated based on the swelling pressure profile.
Inter-year variation in selfing, background pollination, and paternal contribution in a Norway spruce clonal seed orchard
Authors: Dering Monika , Misiorny Andrzej , Chałupka Władysław
Published: April 2014

We aimed to investigate inter-year variability in mating system and paternity in an experimental Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) clonal seed orchard that was established with five geographically distinct populations. Using five nuclear microsatellite markers, we analysed 1396 progeny of five mother trees representing each of the populations in three successive mast-years. Selfing varied among mother trees, ranging from 0% to 18.3% with a mean of 13.9% in 1994, 10.1% in 2004, and 7.6% in 2006. Considerable background pollination was observed in each of the three studied mast-years and reached ca. 58%. The paternity assignment conducted showed an uneven male contribution to the seed crop, what was partly related to the number of ramets per paternal clone. All provenances contributed to the seed crop, but with different input, and two provenances dominated. Effective pollen dispersal was significantly determined by distance, with 72.2% of the seed crop resulting from crosses at a distance of up to 15 m. Our study indicated that despite considerable differences in the geographic origin of populations, inter-mating between clones from each population was possible, which generally agrees with the expectations related to the establishment of this seed orchard.
Differential expression of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant status in Indian patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Bhargava Seema , Ali Arif , Kankra Mamta , Das Sabari , Manocha Anjali , Gupta Flora , Srivastava Lalit Mohan
Published: April 2014

Data from studies examining lipid peroxidation as a mechanism involved with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-induced vascular remodeling in patients with occlusive vascular disease have been contradictory. It has not yet been studied in Indians within the context of atherogenesis. Therefore, we measured the levels of homocysteine (Hcy), malondialdehyde (MDA) as a measure of lipid peroxides (LPOs), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of 167 patients with occlusive vascular disease [coronary artery disease (CAD) = 43; cerebrovascular disease (CVD) = 82; peripheral vascular disease (PVD) = 42]. Each of these groups was further divided into groups of individuals with or without HHcy. In the case of CAD and CVD, patients with HHcy had significantly higher LPOs than those without HHcy (p = 0.009, 0.001, respectively). TAS was significantly lower in CVD patients with HHcy than in those without (p = 0.014). In patients with CAD or CVD, Hcy directly correlated with LPOs (p = 0.002, 0.001, respectively). Lipid peroxidation is a significant mechanism in HHcy-induced vascular remodeling in CAD and CVD, but not in PVD, probably because it is not relevant in thrombosis (38 of 42 patients of PVD had deep-vein thrombosis). To explain the significantly lower TAS in CVD, we hypothesized that CVD patients present very early with grave symptoms, whereas CAD and PVD occur over a longer period of time. Therefore, when CVD presents, TAS is still overwhelmed by HHcy-induced oxidative stress. Hence, adjuvant therapy with antioxidants would benefit patients with CVD.
Mercury photochemistry in snow and implications for Arctic ecosystems
Authors: Mann Erin , Ziegler Susan , Mallory Mark , O’Driscoll Nelson
Published: April 2014

Mercury is a toxic and bioaccumulative environmental contaminant, which may be transported to remote regions around the world, such as the Arctic. Snowmelt is a major source of mercury to many surface water environments, but the amount of mercury in snow varies considerably. This variation is due to the balance of mercury retention and losses from snow, which is largely controlled by photochemical mechanisms controlling speciation. As such, quantifying these photochemical reaction rates and the factors affecting them will allow for the prediction of mercury speciation and movement into receiving water bodies. This will consequently improve our ability to predict exposure of aquatic organisms to mercury. This review highlights knowledge gaps in the quantification of mercury photochemical kinetics and the specific research required to advance the science of mercury photochemistry in snow, while examining the physical and chemical snowpack variables that influence snowpack mercury reactions. At present, our lack of mechanistic and kinetic knowledge of mercury reactions in snow is one of the greatest gaps preventing accurate predictions of mercury fate in regions containing seasonal snowpacks.
Conformally Schwarzschild black holes in an accelerating universe
Authors: Riazi N. , Moradpour H. , Sheykhi A.
Published: April 2014

We investigate the physical properties of conformally Schwarzschild black holes (BHs) in a background of accelerating universe. We discuss the effect of the cosmic expansion on the principal quantities of the BH such as mass, temperature, entropy and horizon radius. In particular, we investigate the quasi-static thermodynamics of the BH by considering the fact that the cosmic expansion is very slow on local time scales. We show that, by imposing a condition on Ricci scalar, one can describe time-dependent, spherically symmetric solutions of Einstein gravity in an accelerating universe background in a unified way. A generalization of cosmological horizon, its temperature and other properties of conformally Schwarzschild BHs in a background of accelerating universe is addressed.