bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and control of dual stator winding induction motor
Authors: Pieńkowski Krzysztof
Published: September 2012

Analysis and control of dual stator winding induction motor

The paper presents the mathematical models of dual stator squirrel-cage induction motor, formulated in phase coordinate system and in general transformed space vector form. The two types of models of dual stator induction motor are considered. The control systems of field-oriented control (IFOC and DFOC) and direct torque control (DTC) of the dual stator induction motor have been described and discussed.
Editorial
Authors: Kabziński Jacek
Published: September 2012

Editorial
Thermal-hydraulic issues of flow boiling and condensation in organic Rankine cycle heat exchangers
Authors: Mikielewicz Jarosław , Mikielewicz Dariusz
Published: September 2012

Thermal-hydraulic issues of flow boiling and condensation in organic Rankine cycle heat exchangers

In the paper presented are the issues related to the design and operation of micro heat exchangers, where phase changes can occur, applicable to the domestic micro combined heat and power (CHP) unit. Analysed is the stability of the two-phase flow in such unit. A simple hydraulic model presented in the paper enables for the stability analysis of the system and analysis of disturbance propagation caused by a jump change of the flow rate. Equations of the system dynamics as well as properties of the working fluid are strongly non-linear. A proposed model can be applicable in designing the system of flow control in micro heat exchangers operating in the considered CHP unit.
Models for water steam condensing flows
Authors: Wróblewski Włodzimierz , Dykas Sławomir , Chmielniak Tadeusz
Published: September 2012

Models for water steam condensing flows

The paper presents a description of selected models dedicated to steam condensing flow modelling. The models are implemented into an in-house computational fluid dynamics code that has been successfully applied to wet steam flow calculation for many years now. All models use the same condensation model that has been validated against the majority of available experimental data. The state equations for vapour and liquid water, the physical model as well as the numerical techniques of solution to flow governing equations have been presented. For the single-fluid model, the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for vapour/liquid mixture are solved, whereas the two-fluid model solves separate flow governing equations for the compressible, viscous and turbulent vapour phase and for the compressible and inviscid liquid phase. All described models have been compared with relation to the flow through the Laval nozzle.
Pressure drop during condensation of refrigerants in pipe minichannels
Authors: Bohdal Tadeusz , Charun Henryk , Sikora Małgorzata
Published: September 2012

Pressure drop during condensation of refrigerants in pipe minichannels

The present paper describes results of experimental investigations of pressure drop during the condensation of R134a, R404a and R407C refrigerants in pipe minichannels with internal diameter 0.31-3.30 mm. The results concern investigations of the mean and local pressure drop in single minichannels. The results of experimental investigations were compared with the calculations according to the correlations proposed by other authors. A pressure drop during the condensation of refrigerants is described in a satisfactory manner with Friedel and Garimella correlations. On the basis of the experimental investigations, the authors proposed their own correlation for calculation of local pressure drop during condensation in single minichannels.
CFD simulation of DEBORA boiling experiments
Authors: Rzehak Roland , Krepper Eckhard
Published: September 2012

CFD simulation of DEBORA boiling experiments

In this work we investigate the present capabilities of computational fluid dynamics for wall boiling. The computational model used combines the Euler/Euler two-phase flow description with heat flux partitioning. This kind of modeling was previously applied to boiling water under high pressure conditions relevant to nuclear power systems. Similar conditions in terms of the relevant non-dimensional numbers have been realized in the DEBORA tests using dichlorodifluoromethane (R12) as the working fluid. This facilitated measurements of radial profiles for gas volume fraction, gas velocity, bubble size and liquid temperature as well as axial profiles of wall temperature. After reviewing the theoretical and experimental basis of correlations used in the ANSYS CFX model used for the calculations, we give a careful assessment of the necessary recalibrations to describe the DEBORA tests. The basic CFX model is validated by a detailed comparison to the experimental data for two selected test cases. Simulations with a single set of calibrated parameters are found to give reasonable quantitative agreement with the data for several tests within a certain range of conditions and reproduce the observed tendencies correctly. Several model refinements are then presented each of which is designed to improve one of the remaining deviations between simulation and measurements. Specifically we consider a homogeneous MUSIG model for the bubble size, modified bubble forces, a wall function for turbulent boiling flow and a partial slip boundary condition for the liquid phase. Finally, needs for further model developments are identified and promising directions discussed.
Chaotic air pressure fluctuations during departure of air bubbles from two neighbouring nozzles
Authors: Mosdorf Romuald , Wyszkowski Tomasz
Published: September 2012

Chaotic air pressure fluctuations during departure of air bubbles from two neighbouring nozzles

In the experiment, bubbles were generated from two brass nozzles with inner diameters of 1.1 mm. They were submerged in the glass tank filled with distilled water. There have been measured the air pressure fluctuations and the signal from the laser-phototransistor sensor. For analysis of the pressure signal the correlation (the normalized cross - correlation exponent) and non-linear analyses have been used. It has been shown that hydrodynamic interactions between bubbles can lead to bubble departure synchronization. In this case the bubble departures become periodic. The results of calculation of correlation dimension and the largest Lyapunov exponent confirm that hydrodynamic bubble interactions observed for 4 mm spacing between nozzels cause the periodic bubble departures from two neighbouring nozzles.
Target DNA Sequence Directly Regulates the Frequency of Activation-Induced Deaminase-Dependent Mutations
Authors: Chen Zhangguo , Viboolsittiseri Sawanee S. , O’Connor Brian P. , Wang Jing H.
Published: September 2012

Activation-induced deaminase (AID) catalyses class switch recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM) in B lymphocytes to enhance Ab diversity. CSR involves breaking and rejoining highly repetitive switch (S) regions in the IgH (Igh) locus. S regions appear to be preferential targets of AID. To determine whether S region sequence per se, independent of Igh cis regulatory elements, can influence AID targeting efficiency and mutation frequency, we established a knock-in mouse model by inserting a core Sγ1 region into the first intron of proto-oncogene Bcl6, which is a non-Ig target of SHM. We found that the mutation frequency of the inserted Sγ1 region was dramatically higher than that of the adjacent Bcl6 endogenous sequence. Mechanistically, S region-enhanced SHM was associated with increased recruitment of AID and RNA polymerase II, together with Spt5, albeit to a lesser extent. Our studies demonstrate that target DNA sequences influence mutation frequency via regulating AID recruitment. We propose that the nucleotide sequence preference may serve as an additional layer of AID regulation by restricting its mutagenic activity to specific sequences despite the observation that AID has the potential to access the genome widely.
Dectin-1 and IL-17A Suppress Murine Asthma Induced by Aspergillus versicolor but Not Cladosporium cladosporioides Due to Differences in β-Glucan Surface Exposure
Authors: Mintz-Cole Rachael A. , Gibson Aaron M. , Bass Stacey A. , Budelsky Alison L. , Reponen Tiina , Hershey Gurjit K. Khurana
Published: September 2012

There is considerable evidence supporting a role for mold exposure in the pathogenesis and expression of childhood asthma. Aspergillus versicolor and Cladosporium cladosporioides are common molds that have been implicated in asthma. In a model of mold-induced asthma, mice were repeatedly exposed to either A. versicolor or C. cladosporioides spores. The two molds induced distinct phenotypes, and this effect was observed in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 strains. C. cladosporioides induced robust airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophilia, and a predominately Th2 response, whereas A. versicolor induced a strong Th17 response and neutrophilic inflammation, but very mild AHR. Neutralization of IL-17A resulted in strong AHR and eosinophilic inflammation following A. versicolor exposure. In Dectin-1–deficient mice, A. versicolor exposure resulted in markedly attenuated IL-17A and robust AHR compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, C. cladosporioides induced AHR and eosinophilic inflammation independent of IL-17A and Dectin-1. A. versicolor, but not C. cladosporioides, spores had increased exposure of β-glucans on their surface and were able to bind Dectin-1. Thus, the host response to C. cladosporioides was IL-17A– and Dectin-1–independent, whereas Dectin-1– and IL-17A–dependent pathways were protective against the development of asthma after exposure to A. versicolor.
SB1578, a Novel Inhibitor of JAK2, FLT3, and c-Fms for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Madan Babita , Goh Kee Chuan , Hart Stefan , William Anthony D. , Jayaraman Ramesh , Ethirajulu Kantharaj , Dymock Brian W. , Wood Jeanette M.
Published: September 2012

SB1578 is a novel, orally bioavailable JAK2 inhibitor with specificity for JAK2 within the JAK family and also potent activity against FLT3 and c-Fms. These three tyrosine kinases play a pivotal role in activation of pathways that underlie the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. SB1578 blocks the activation of these kinases and their downstream signaling in pertinent cells, leading to inhibition of pathological cellular responses. The biochemical and cellular activities of SB1578 translate into its high efficacy in two rodent models of arthritis. SB1578 not only prevents the onset of arthritis but is also potent in treating established disease in collagen-induced arthritis mice with beneficial effects on histopathological parameters of bone resorption and cartilage damage. SB1578 abrogates the inflammatory response and prevents the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into affected joints. It also leads to inhibition of Ag-presenting dendritic cells and inhibits the autoimmune component of the disease. In summary, SB1578 has a unique kinase spectrum, and its pharmacological profile provides a strong rationale for the ongoing clinical development in autoimmune diseases.
Hepatic Stellate Cells Undermine the Allostimulatory Function of Liver Myeloid Dendritic Cells via STAT3-Dependent Induction of IDO
Authors: Sumpter Tina L. , Dangi Anil , Matta Benjamin M. , Huang Chao , Stolz Donna B. , Vodovotz Yoram , Thomson Angus W. , Gandhi Chandrashekhar R.
Published: September 2012

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are critical for hepatic wound repair and tissue remodeling. They also produce cytokines and chemokines that may contribute to the maintenance of hepatic immune homeostasis and the inherent tolerogenicity of the liver. The functional relationship between HSCs and the professional migratory APCs in the liver, that is, dendritic cells (DCs), has not been evaluated. In this article, we report that murine liver DCs colocalize with HSCs in vivo under normal, steady-state conditions, and cluster with HSCs in vitro. In vitro, HSCs secrete high levels of DC chemoattractants, such as MΙP-1α and MCP-1, as well as cytokines that modulate DC activation, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Culture of HSCs with conventional liver myeloid (m) DCs resulted in increased IL-6 and IL-10 secretion compared with that of either cell population alone. Coculture also resulted in enhanced expression of costimulatory (CD80, CD86) and coinhibitory (B7-H1) molecules on mDCs. HSC-induced mDC maturation required cell–cell contact and could be blocked, in part, by neutralizing MΙP-1α or MCP-1. HSC-induced mDC maturation was dependent on activation of STAT3 in mDCs and, in part, on HSC-secreted IL-6. Despite upregulation of costimulatory molecules, mDCs conditioned by HSCs demonstrated impaired ability to induce allogeneic T cell proliferation, which was independent of B7-H1, but dependent upon HSC-induced STAT3 activation and subsequent upregulation of IDO. In conclusion, by promoting IDO expression, HSCs may act as potent regulators of liver mDCs and function to maintain hepatic homeostasis and tolerogenicity.
Staphylococcus aureus Induces Type I IFN Signaling in Dendritic Cells Via TLR9
Authors: Parker Dane , Prince Alice
Published: September 2012

The importance of type I IFN signaling in the innate immune response to viral and intracellular pathogens is well established, with an increasing literature implicating extracellular bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, in this signaling pathway. Airway epithelial cells and especially dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to the production of type I IFNs in the lung. We were interested in establishing how S. aureus activates the type I IFN cascade in DCs. In vitro studies confirmed the rapid uptake of S. aureus by DCs followed promptly by STAT1 phosphorylation and expression of IFN-β. Signaling occurred using heat-killed organisms and in the absence of PVL and α-toxin. Consistent with the participation of endosomal and not cytosolic receptors, signaling was predominantly mediated by MyD88, TLR9, and IRF1 and blocked by cytochalasin D, dynasore, and chloroquine. To determine the role of TLR9 signaling in the pathogenesis of S. aureus pneumonia, we infected WT and Tlr9−/− mice with MRSA USA300. Tlr9−/− mice had significantly improved clearance of S. aureus from the airways and lung tissue. Ifnar−/− mice also had improved clearance. This enhanced clearance in Tlr9−/− mice was not due to differences in the numbers of recruited neutrophils into the airways, but instead correlated with decreased induction of TNF. Thus, we identified TLR9 as the critical receptor mediating the induction of type I IFN signaling in DCs in response to S. aureus, illustrating an additional mechanism through which S. aureus exploits innate immune signaling to facilitate infection.
Autotaxin through Lysophosphatidic Acid Stimulates Polarization, Motility, and Transendothelial Migration of Naive T Cells
Authors: Zhang Yafeng , Chen Yi-Chun Maria , Krummel Matthew F. , Rosen Steven D.
Published: September 2012

Blood-borne lymphocytes home to lymph nodes by interacting with and crossing high endothelial venules (HEVs). The transendothelial migration (TEM) step is poorly understood. Autotaxin (ATX) is an ectoenzyme that catalyzes the conversion of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive lipid and a close relative of sphingosine 1-phosphate. HEVs produce and secrete ATX into the blood. A prior study implicated ATX in the overall homing process, but the step in which it functions and its mechanism of action have not been defined. In this article, we show that HA130, an inhibitor of the enzymatic activity of ATX, slows T cell migration across lymph node HEVs in vivo. Ex vivo, ATX plus LPC or LPA itself induces the polarization of mouse naive T cells and stimulates their motility on an ICAM-1 substratum. Under physiologic shear conditions in a flow chamber, LPA or ATX/LPC strongly enhances TEM of integrin-arrested T cells across an endothelial monolayer. HA130 blunts the TEM-promoting activity of ATX, paralleling its in vivo effects. T cells possess Mn+2-activatable receptors for ATX, which are localized at the leading edge of polarized cells. ATX must bind to these receptors to elicit a maximal TEM response, providing a mechanism to focus the action of LPA onto arrested lymphocytes in flowing blood. Our results indicate that LPA produced via ATX facilitates T cell entry into lymph nodes by stimulating TEM, substantiating an additional step in the homing cascade. This entry role for LPA complements the efflux function of sphingosine 1-phosphate.
Comparación de gota gruesa y PCR para la detección de infecciones maláricas en Honduras
Authors: López Ana Cecilia , Quan Jorge Coello , Mejía Rosa Elena , Banegas Engels , Fontecha Gustavo
Published: September 2012

El diagnóstico oportuno y efectivo de la malaria es determinante para el tratamiento y control adecuado de la enfermedad; sin embargo, el diagnóstico tradicional basado en microscopía presenta limitaciones en la sensibilidad y en la detección de infecciones mixtas que dificultan el control de la malaria, especialmente en las regiones de baja y moderada endemicidad. Los métodos de detección del parásito basados en la amplificación de ADN son una alternativa a este problema. En este estudio se comparó el diagnóstico microscópico mediante gota gruesa con una técnica de reacción en cadena de polimerasa (PCR). Se analizaron 129 muestras positivas por microscopía procedentes de 24 municipios en 5 Departamentos endémicos de malaria en Honduras. Según el diagnóstico molecular, 10% de las muestras resultaron positivas por Plasmodium falciparum, 86% por Plasmodium vivax, y 2.3% fueron infecciones mixtas. La correlación entre diagnóstico microscópico y PCR fue de un 91.4%. De acuerdo a la PCR, se detectaron diagnósticos incorrectos de la especie del parásito por microscopía y se demostró que las infecciones mixtas son comúnmente desapercibidas. En consecuencia, la PCR mostró ser una herramienta útil para las investigaciones epidemiológicas de malaria y como control de calidad del diagnóstico tradicional. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i9.708 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 9, Diciembre 2011 pp.68-81
Comportamiento de los sedimentos fluviales en Honduras
Authors: Lingán Roberto Fredy Ávalos
Published: September 2012

El Ministerio de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente hasta 1984 manejaba una fuerte campaña de medición de sedimento en suspensión en sus principales estaciones hidrométricas. Por otra parte la Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE) manejaba también hasta los años 90 una fuerte medición de sedimento en las cuencas de su interés. La ENEE retomo en el 2000 dichas mediciones. Toda la información recolectada a la fecha presenta mucha discontinuidad en el tiempo y en frecuencia de medición. La información rescatable ha sido pocas veces investigada, al grado que los estudios sedimentológicos de los proyectos hidroeléctricos se basan en criterio de rendimiento y pérdida de suelo, según la experiencia de los consultores. De lo mencionado se creyó necesario investigar, con la información disponible, los rendimientos y pérdida de suelo para la zona central y oriental del país. Esto permitirá disponer de alguna base científica para evaluar los valores utilizados por los consultores. La hipótesis que en el rango de rendimiento se encuentra entre 500 y 1000 (Ton/año/km²) es aceptada como resultado de la presente investigación. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i9.711 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 9, Diciembre 2011 pp.110-125
Pattern of Maternal Complications and Low Birth Weight: Associated Risk Factors among Highly Endogamous Women
Authors: Bener Abdulbari , Salameh Khalil M. K. , Yousafzai Mohammad T. , Saleh Najah M.
Published: September 2012

Objective. The objective of the study was to examine the pattern of low birth weight LBW, maternal complications, and its related factors among Arab women in Qatar. Design. This is a prospective hospital-based study. Setting. The study was carried out in Women’s Hospital, Doha. Subjects and Methods. Pregnant women in their third trimester were identified in the log book of Women’s Hospital and recruited into the study during first week of January 2010 to July 2011. Only 1674 (out of 2238) Arab women (74.7%) consented to participate in this study. Data on clinical and biochemistry parameters were retrieved from medical records. Follow-up data on neonatal outcome was obtained from labor room register.
Results. The incidence of LBW (<2500 g) was 6.7% among Arab women during 2010 in Qatar. Distribution of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), antepartum hemorrhage (APH), maternal anemia, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), maternal occupation, parity, sheesha smoking, and parental consanguinity were significantly different (P<0.05) between mothers of LBW and normal birth weight NBW (≥2500 g) babies. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that previous LBW, consanguinity, parity, smoking shesha, GDM, APH, anemia, PROM, maternal occupation, and housing condition were significantly associated with LBW adjusting for gestational age.
Conclusion. Maternal complications such as GDM, APH, anemia, PROM, and smoking shesha during pregnancy are significantly increasing the risk of LBW outcome. Screening and prompt treatment for maternal complications and health education for smoking cessation during routine antenatal visits will help in substantial reduction of LBW outcome.
The Multifaceted Granulosa Cell Tumours—Myths and Realities: A Review
Authors: Kanthan Rani , Senger Jenna-Lynn , Kanthan Selliah
Published: September 2012

Background. Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs), representing ~2% of ovarian tumours, are poorly understood neoplasms with unpredictable and undetermined biological behaviour.Design. 5 unusual presentations of GCT and a retrospective 14-year (1997–2011) surgical pathology review based on patient sex, age, tumour type and concurrent pathology findings are presented to discuss the “myths and realities” of GCTs in the context of relevant evidence-based literature.Results. The 5 index cases included (1) a 5 month-old boy with a left testicular mass, (2) a 7-day-old neonate with a large complex cystic mass in the abdomen, (3) a 76-year-old woman with an umbilical mass, (4) a 64-year-old woman with a complex solid-cystic pelvic mass, and (5) a 45 year-old woman with an acute abdomen. Pathological analysis confirmed the final diagnosis as (1) juvenile GCT, (2) macrofollicular GCT, (3) recurrent GCT 32 years later, (4) collision tumour: colonic adenocarcinoma and GCT, and (5) ruptured GCT.Conclusion. GCT is best considered as an unusual indolent neoplasm of low malignant potential with late recurrences that can arise in the ovaries and testicles in both the young and the old. Multifaceted clinical presentations coupled with the unpredictable biological behaviour with late relapses are diagnostic pitfalls necessitating a high degree of suspicion for accurate clinical and pathological diagnosis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Regional Cardiac Remodeling Following Ovine Infarction
Authors: Zhao Yunshan , Li Tieluo , Wei Xufeng , Bianchi Giacomo , Hu Jingping , Sanchez Pablo G. , Xu Kai , Zhang Pei , Pittenger Mark F. , Wu Zhongjun J. , Griffith Bartley P.
Published: September 2012

Progressive cardiac remodeling, including the myopathic process in the adjacent zone following myocardial infarction (MI), contributes greatly to the development of cardiac failure. Cardiomyoplasty using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been demonstrated to protect cardiomyocytes and/or repair damaged myocardium, leading to improved cardiac performance, but the therapeutic effects on cardiac remodeling are still under investigation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MSCs could improve the pathological remodeling of the adjacent myocardium abutting the infarct. Allogeneic ovine MSCs were transplanted into the adjacent zone by intracardiac injection 4 hours after infarction. Results showed that remodeling and contractile strain alteration were reduced in the adjacent zone of the MSC-treated group. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was significantly attenuated with the normalization of the hypertrophy-related signaling proteins phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase α (PI3Kα), PI3Kγ, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) in the adjacent zone of the MSC-treated group versus the MI-alone group. Moreover, the imbalance of the calcium-handling proteins sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase (SERCA2a), phospholamban (PLB), and sodium/calcium exchanger type 1 (NCX-1) induced by MI was prevented by MSC transplantation, and more strikingly, the activity of SERCA2a and uptake of calcium were improved. In addition, the upregulation of the proapoptotic protein Bcl-xL/Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) was normalized, as was phospho-Akt expression; there was less fibrosis, as revealed by staining for collagen; and the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was significantly inhibited in the adjacent zone by MSC transplantation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that MSC implantation improved the remodeling in the region adjacent to the infarct after cardiac infarction in the ovine infarction model.
Variability in the Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Importance for Disease Modeling
Authors: Vitale Alejandra M. , Matigian Nicholas A. , Ravishankar Sugandha , Bellette Bernadette , Wood Stephen A. , Wolvetang Ernst J. , Mackay-Sim Alan
Published: September 2012

In the field of disease modeling, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have become an appealing choice, especially for diseases that do not have an animal model. They can be generated from patients with known clinical features and compared with cells from healthy controls to identify the biological bases of disease. This study was undertaken to determine the variability in iPSC lines derived from different individuals, with the aim of determining criteria for selecting iPSC lines for disease models. We generated and characterized 18 iPSC lines from eight donors and considered variability at three levels: (a) variability in the criteria that define iPSC lines as pluripotent cells, (b) variability in cell lines from different donors, and (c) variability in cell lines from the same donor. We found that variability in transgene expression and pluripotency marker levels did not prevent iPSCs from fulfilling all other criteria for pluripotency, including teratoma formation. We found low interindividual and interclonal variability in iPSCs that fulfilled the most stringent criteria for pluripotency, with very high correlation in their gene expression profiles. Interestingly, some cell lines exhibited reprogramming instability, spontaneously regressing from a fully to a partially reprogrammed state. This was associated with a low percentage of cells expressing the pluripotency marker stage-specific embryonic antigen-4. Our study shows that it is possible to define a similar “ground state” for each cell line as the basis for making patient versus control comparisons, an essential step in order to identify disease-associated variability above individual and cell line variability.
Concise Review: Fertility Preservation: An Update
Authors: González Clara , Boada Montserrat , Devesa Marta , Veiga Anna
Published: September 2012

Fertility preservation is an emerging field in medicine that enables men, women, and children to maintain reproductive health when it is threatened by gonadotoxic treatment. Patients affected by other nononcologic malignancies that can impair spermatogenesis and ovogenesis can also benefit from fertility preservation treatments. Age-related infertility can also be overcome by cryopreserving gametes or embryos. The only established methods for fertility preservation in male patients are sperm cryopreservation in postpubertal age and experimental testicular tissue cryopreservation in prepubertal age. In adult women, oocyte cryopreservation is the preferred option, whereas ovarian tissue cryopreservation is the only possibility for prepubertal girls. Fertility preservation treatments must be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach that involves gynecologists, urologists, oncologists, pediatricians, and professionals in the field of medically assisted reproduction to work in coordination to provide patients with counseling and comprehensive information about fertility issues.
“We don't exist”: a qualitative study of marginalization experienced by HIV‐positive lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender women in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Logie Carmen H , James LLana , Tharao Wangari , Loutfy Mona R
Published: September 2012

Background

Lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender (LBQT) women living with HIV have been described as invisible and understudied. Yet, social and structural contexts of violence and discrimination exacerbate the risk of HIV infection among LBQT women. The study objective was to explore challenges in daily life and experiences of accessing HIV services among HIV‐positive LBQT women in Toronto, Canada.

Methods

We used a community‐based qualitative approach guided by an intersectional theoretical framework. We conducted two focus groups; one focus group was conducted with HIV‐positive lesbian, bisexual and queer women (n=7) and the second with HIV‐positive transgender women (n=16). Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used for analyzing data to enhance understanding of factors that influence the wellbeing of HIV‐positive LBQT women.

Results

Participant narratives revealed a trajectory of marginalization. Structural factors such as social exclusion and violence elevated the risk for HIV infection; this risk was exacerbated by inadequate HIV prevention information. Participants described multiple barriers to HIV care and support, including pervasive HIV‐related stigma, heteronormative assumptions in HIV‐positive women's services and discriminatory and incompetent treatment by health professionals. Underrepresentation of LBQT women in HIV research further contributed to marginalization and exclusion. Participants expressed a willingness to participate in HIV research that would be translated into action.

Conclusions

Structural factors elevate HIV risk among LBQT women, limit access to HIV prevention and present barriers to HIV care and support. This study's conceptualization of a trajectory of marginalization enriches the discussion of structural factors implicated in the wellbeing of LBQT women and highlights the necessity of addressing LBQT women's needs in HIV prevention, care and research. Interventions that address intersecting forms of marginalization (e.g. sexual stigma, transphobia, HIV‐related stigma) in community and social norms, HIV programming and research are required to promote health equity among LBQT women.
Discovery of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by Docking into an Inactive Kinase Conformation Generated by Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Zhao Hongtao , Huang Danzhi , Caflisch Amedeo
Published: September 2012

Several small molecules that bind to the inactive DFG‐out conformation of tyrosine kinases (called type II inhibitors) have shown a good selectivity profile over other kinase targets. To obtain a set of DFG‐out structures, we performed an explicit solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the complex of the catalytic domain of a tyrosine kinase receptor, ephrin type‐A receptor 3 (EphA3), and a manually docked type II inhibitor. Automatic docking of four previously reported type II inhibitors was used to select a single snapshot from the MD trajectory for virtual screening. High‐throughput docking of a pharmacophore‐tailored library of 175 000 molecules resulted in about 4 million poses, which were further filtered by van der Waals efficiency and ranked according to a force‐field‐based energy function. Notably, around 20 % of the compounds with predicted binding energy smaller than −10 kcal mol−1 are known type II inhibitors. Moreover, a series of 5‐(piperazine‐1‐yl)isoquinoline derivatives was identified as a novel class of low‐micromolar inhibitors of EphA3 and unphosphorylated Abelson tyrosine kinase (Abl1). The in silico predicted binding mode of the new inhibitors suggested a similar affinity to the gatekeeper mutant T315I of Abl1, which was verified in vitro by using a competition binding assay. Additional evidence for the type II binding mode was obtained by two 300 ns MD simulations of the complex between N‐(3‐chloro‐4‐(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)‐2‐(4‐(8‐nitroisoquinolin‐5‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl)acetamide and EphA3.
Responsiveness to Reform Values: The Influence of the Environment on Performance Information Use
Authors: Moynihan Donald P. , Hawes Daniel P.
Published: September 2012

Administrative reforms encode a set of behavioral expectations for bureaucrats to follow. The authors argue that scholars can usefully contribute to understanding accountability by studying whether bureaucrats follow these expectations and what factors encourage such responsiveness to reform values. To demonstrate this approach, the authors examine performance infor‐mation use as a behavioral measure of responsiveness to results‐based reforms. Using a sample of Texas school superintendents, they find that general openness to the environment goes hand in hand with responsiveness to reform values. The authors propose that such a pattern will hold when reform values align with environmental preferences. The perceived influence of stakeholders, networking with stakeholders, and reliance on partnerships all positively predict performance information use. Environments marked by student diversity and stakeholder conflict also correlate with higher use of performance data, while capacity, less managerial experience, and a unified organizational culture correlate positively with higher reported performance information use.
Comment on “Climate Sensitivity Estimated from Temperature Reconstructions of the Last Glacial Maximum”
Authors: Fyke J. , Eby M.
Published: September 2012

Schmittner
et al
. (Reports, 9 December 2011, p. 1385) report a new, low estimate of equilibrium climate sensitivity based on a comparison of Last Glacial Maximum climate model simulations and paleoproxy data. Here, we show that exclusion of questionable comparison points and constructive changes to model design are both likely capable of altering the most probable value of equilibrium climate sensitivity suggested in Schmittner
et al
.
Federal Laboratory–Business Commercialization Partnerships
Authors: Walejko Gina K. , Hughes Mary E. , Howieson Susannah V. , Shipp Stephanie S.
Published: September 2012

U.S. federal laboratories face challenges to partnerships that result in commercial technologies.
Before the Dinosaurs' Demise, a Clambake Extinction?
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: September 2012

New evidence from the sea floor just off Antarctica points to a major extinction there a geologic moment before the huge cosmic impact 65.5 million years ago that killed the dinosaurs.
Charges Fly, Confusion Reigns Over Golden Rice Study in Chinese Children
Authors: Hvistendahl Mara , Enserink Martin
Published: September 2012

A U.S.-funded study in which Chinese schoolchildren were fed genetically modified rice 4 years ago has triggered a firestorm in the Chinese media.
Why the 'Higgs'?
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: September 2012

Mistaken citations could be the reason the Higgs boson is named after Peter Higgs even though others reported the physics behind it first.
Dens Evaginatus in Proximal Surface of Mandibular Premolar: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Viswanathan Shanthi , Nagaraj Vezhavendhan , Adimoulame Sanguida , Kumar Sathish , Khemaria Gaurav
Published: September 2012

Dens evaginatus is a developmental anomaly that is characterized by occurrence of an extra cusp-like structure projecting from the crown portion of the tooth. Unusual extension of enamel has been found in posterior teeth as enamel pearl or as cervical enamel extensions from the cementoenamel junction or at the furcation areas. We hitherto report a case of extra enamel formation from the proximal surface of the crown in a mandibular premolar, a finding that has previously not been reported.
Accuracy and Coordination of Spatial Frames of Reference during the Exploration of Virtual Maps: Interest for Orientation and Mobility of Blind People?
Authors: Simonnet Mathieu , Vieilledent Stéphane
Published: September 2012

Even if their spatial reasoning capabilities remain quite similar to those of sighted people, blind people encounter difficulties in getting distant information from their surroundings. Thus, whole body displacements, tactile map consultations, or auditory solutions are needed to establish physical contacts with their environment. Therefore, the accuracy of nonvisual spatial representations heavily relies upon the efficiency of exploration strategies and the ability to coordinate egocentric and allocentric spatial frames of reference. This study aims to better understand the mechanisms of this coordination without vision by analyzing cartographic exploration strategies and assessing their influence on mental spatial representations. Six blind sailors were immersed within a virtual haptic and auditory maritime environment. They were required to learn the layout of the map. Their movements were recorded and we identified some exploration strategies. Then they had to estimate the directions of six particular seamarks in aligned and misaligned situations. Better accuracy and coordination were obtained when participants used the “central point of reference” strategy. Our discussion relative to the articulation between geometric enduring representations and salient transient perceptions provides implications on map reading techniques and on mobility and orientation programs for blind people.
Pediatric-Isolated Auricular Erythromelalgia: A Case Report
Authors: Grandy Kelly , Corsten Gerard , Hong Paul
Published: September 2012

Erythromelalgia is a rare disorder that typically affects the skin of the feet, hands, or both, that is characterized by red skin, warmth, and a burning quality of pain. It usually affects both sides of the body, but may manifest unilaterally. Cooling of the affected areas usually results in symptom relief. We report a case of a young boy with erythromelalgia of the ears.
Daily Energy Expenditure and Water-Turnover Rate of Adult European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during the Nesting Cycle
Authors: Ricklefs Robert E. , Williams Joseph B.
Published: September 2012

We measured rates of carbon-dioxide production and water turnover in adult starlings by the doubly-labeled water technique. CO2 production of females was 4.23 cm3·g−1·h−1 during the incubation period, 4.86 cm3·g−1·h−1 during the early part of the nestling period, and 6.86 cm3·g−1·h−1 during the middle of the nestling period, the time of greatest food requirement by the brood. During the last period, the rate of CO2 production by males was 5.50 cm3·g−1·h−1. CO2 production was independent of brood size (3-7, approximately a two-fold range of brood mass) during both the early and middle parts of the nestling period. Water-turnover rates paralleled CO2 production over the nesting cycle, the average values for each sample varying between 0.048 and 0.070 per h. Within each of the samples, water-turnover rates were independent of CO2 production but appeared to be influenced by weather conditions. During the middle of the nestling period, water-turnover rates were higher on 2 cold, rainy days than on 2 milder days. The maximum daily energy expenditure for females was about four times predicted BMR, similar to values reported in other studies.
Partitioning of Food and Niche Characteristics of Coexisting Accipiter During Breeding
Authors: Reynolds Richard T. , Meslow E. Charles
Published: September 2012

The abundance of resources and their use by Accipiter in two areas within Oregon from 1969 through 1974 are presented. In the coastal mountains of northwestern Oregon only Sharp-shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) and Cooper's Hawks (A. cooperii) nested. In the remainder of the state, A. striatus, A. cooperii, and Northern Goshawks (A. gentilis) were syntopic during the nesting season. The number of species and the total density of birds in eastern Oregon were about one-half those in northwestern Oregon. Mean prey size of A. striatus in northwestern Oregon (12.8 g) was significantly smaller than that of the same species in eastern Oregon (28.4 g). Accipiter striatus diets in both areas were composed almost entirely of birds (<5% mammals). Mean prey size of A. cooperii in both areas was nearly the same (134.7 g vs. 136.3 g) and was significantly larger than mean prey size of A. striatus. The frequency of occurrence and the size of prey taxa in A. cooperii diets, however, varied between areas: 74% birds (x̄ = 79.2 g) and 25% mammals (x̄ = 296.4 g) in northwestern Oregon versus 47% birds (x̄ = 123.7 g) and 53% mammals (x̄ = 147.5 g) in eastern Oregon. Mean prey size of A. gentilis in eastern Oregon (306.6 g) was significantly larger than that of A. cooperii and consisted of 55% birds (x̄ = 195.5 g) and 45% mammals (x̄ = 445.2 g). An analysis of prey sizes, prey taxa, and foraging heights indicated that, in general, food was partitioned in both areas primarily according to prey size. In eastern Oregon, however, where A. cooperii and A. gentilis overlapped broadly in prey size, these species tended to take different prey taxa. Both A. cooperii and A. gentilis foraged primarily in the lower zones (ground-shrub and shrub-canopy), whereas A. striatus foraged in the upper canopy.
Clutch Initiation Dates, Clutch Size, and Egg Size of the American Oystercatcher in Virginia
Authors: Nol Erica , Baker Allan J. , Cadman Michael D.
Published: September 2012

The timing of egg laying, clutch size, and egg size of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) were studied over six consecutive breeding seasons in Virginia. Synchrony of laying dates occurred in each of five localities of the study area in at least one year. Mean clutch size was 2.8 eggs (mode = 3) in first clutches and 2.4 eggs (mode = 2) in replacement clutches. Individual females laid replacement clutches of the same size and laid eggs of similar average volume in all years. A change in mate had little effect on the date on which females initiated their first clutches in successive years. The average egg size in a clutch was correlated with the size of the laying female. Egg-size ordering occurred within clutches, the first-laid egg being smaller than the second egg and about equal in volume to the third. We propose that the second egg is largest because it has the highest probability of hatching, and the resulting sibling hierarchy reduces the frequency of sibling competition.
Taking Social Networks to the Next Level
Authors: Dingli Alexiei , Seychell Dylan
Published: September 2012

The success of social networking sites has led people to require the use of multiple accounts on different platforms which effectively increases the risks in managing them. Following and finding information about friends and family has become an issue too. Guided by these observations and by careful research of existing adaptive web technologies, the authors’ team worked on the development of SNAP - an adaptive social network integrator which aimed to amalgamate various social networks (Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr) in one adaptive environment, which unobtrusively sorts the users’ feed according to his/her preference. To achieve data transfer and authorisation, SNAP uses the newest version of the OAuth protocol. Adaptivity was achieved through statistical filtering. The initial field tests show that the system works, however there is definitely room for improvement in terms of Social Network Integration, and testers generally expressed an interest in the idea of using an adaptive social integrator such as SNAP. On top of this, the authors will be suggesting a number of improvements which will change the way society uses social networks forever.
Informal Education of Energy Conservation
Authors: Chen Wang-Kun , Juang Yih-Ruey , Chang Sheng-Hua , Wang Ping
Published: September 2012

Since there is about seventy percent of population in Taiwan acquiring knowledge of energy conservation through informal education, the non-school based energy education is growing more important. In this paper a brief survey of informal education of energy conservation in Taiwan is conducted. First of all, a variety of instructional scenarios available for informal education are reviewed, including museums, communities, and many others. Secondly, the strategies to promote informal education, such as TV ads, print media advertising, network communication, speaking tour, leaflet distribution, workshop, demonstrations, eco-tour, community colleges, and prize events, are discussed based on cost-benefit analysis. Furthermore, the influence of each strategy on the population’s knowledge of energy conservation is estimated statistically. The effectiveness of different types of informal education is compared based on their economic cost, learning outcome, and acceptance rate. As a conclusion, a suggestion to improve the energy education policy is proposed. This study has been devoted to finding the curriculum theories and strategies applicable in designing curriculum for informal education, and to providing a theoretical basis on which environmental protection education curriculum can be developed.
El uso de los sistemas tradicionales de organización del conocimiento en las bibliotecas peruanas
Authors: Dorival Córdova Rosa , Rojas Lazaro Carlos Javier
Published: September 2012

Se describe y analiza el uso de los sistemas tradicionales de organización del conocimiento, como por ejemplo, los sistemas de clasificación decimal Dewey (SCDD) y de la Library of Congress (LC), las listas de encabezamientos de materia (LEMB) y los tesauros; en las unidades de información peruanas. Asimismo, se identifican los tesauros elaborados en el Perú desde la década de los años 70 del siglo pasado a la fecha.
Virus and Antibody Diagnostics for Swine Samples of the Dominican Republic Collected in Regions Near the Border to Haiti
Authors: Ventura A. , Gonzalez W. , Barrette R. , Swenson S. , Bracht A. , Rowland J. , Fabian A. , Moran K. , Mohamed F. , O'Hearn E. , Jenkins-Moore M. , Toms D. , Shaw J. , Morales P. , Pyburn D. , Carrillo C. , Mayr G. , McIntosh M. , Deng M.
Published: September 2012

The Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola, and reportable transboundary animal diseases have been introduced between the two countries historically. Outbreaks of severe teschovirus encephalomyelitis in pigs began occurring in Haiti in February 2009, and a field and laboratort study in April 2010 indicated that the teschovirus disease is prevalent in many regions in Haiti including areas near the border with DR and that other viral disease agents, including CSF virus (CSFV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and swine influenza virus (SIV), are present in the swine population in these regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the introduction of teschovirus encephalomyelitis from Haiti to DR and to identify the other viral disease agents present in the swine population in regions of DR near the border with Haiti. Six of 7 brains and 6 of 7 spinal cords collected from pigs with central nervous system (CNS) signs were positive in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for PTV. Genome sequencing on the Dominican PTV and phylogenetic analysis on the polyprotein of PTV strains indicate that the sequence of the Dominican PTV is 99.1% identical to the Haitian isolate and closely related to other PTV-1 strains in the world. Among 109 serum samples tested, 65 (59.6%) were positive for antibodies to PCV-2, and 51 (46.8%) were positive for antibodies to CSFV. Fifty-four of the 109 serum samples were tested for antibodies to other agents. Among the 54 samples, 20 (37.0%) were seropositive to PTV-1, 17 (31.5%) tested seropositive to SIV H3N2, 12 (22.2%) were seropositive to SIV H1N1, and 1 (1.9%) was seropositive to PRRSV.