bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erythrodermic mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome treated with extracorporeal photopheresis as part of a multimodality regimen: A single‐centre experience
Authors: Atzmony L. , Amitay‐Laish I. , Gurion R. , Shahal‐Zimra Y. , Hodak E.
Published: August 2015

Background

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is recommended for the erythrodermic mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome (SS) alone or in combination with other therapies. The possibility of a differential response in the blood and skin has hardly been addressed in the literature.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical response rate of patients with erythrodermic MF and SS to ECP as part of a multimodality approach and to compare the kinetics of the blood and skin responses in the presence of leukaemic involvement.

Methods

Twenty patients were treated with ECP and other modalities at a tertiary medical centre in 2003–2013. Ten patients had SS, 1 CD8‐positive patch‐stage MF with leukaemic involvement and nine erythrodermic MF. Clinical and outcome data were collected retrospectively from the medical files. Response was evaluated overall and for blood and skin separately.

Results

Adjunctive therapies were interferon‐α, narrow‐band ultraviolet B, psoralen and ultraviolet A, isotretinoin, acitretin, methotrexate, prednisone, topical nitrogen mustard and total skin or localized hands/feet electron beam radiotherapy. Overall response was documented in 13 patients (65%) – complete 30%, partial 35% – and maintained for >2 years in 38.5%. In patients with leukaemic involvement (n = 11), the blood response occurred earlier than skin response (P = 0.008) and was maintained longer (P = 0.03). In three of the patients with a complete blood response, the skin response was partial (n = 2) or absent (n = 1).

Conclusion

Extracorporeal photopheresis as part of a multimodality approach yields a high durable clinical response in patients with erythrodremic MF and SS. The kinetics of the response differ between the blood and skin. The blood response occurs earlier and lasts longer; it does not necessarily predict the clinical skin response. Further studies are needed to determine if there is a survival advantage to a blood response in the absence of a skin response.
Phenotypic plasticity is not affected by experimental evolution in constant, predictable or unpredictable fluctuating thermal environments
Authors: Manenti T. , Loeschcke V. , Moghadam N. N. , Sørensen J. G.
Published: August 2015

The selective past of populations is presumed to affect the levels of phenotypic plasticity. Experimental evolution at constant temperatures is generally expected to lead to a decreased level of plasticity due to presumed costs associated with phenotypic plasticity when not needed. In this study, we investigated the effect of experimental evolution in constant, predictable and unpredictable daily fluctuating temperature regimes on the levels of phenotype plasticity in several life history and stress resistance traits in Drosophila simulans. Contrary to the expectation, evolution in the different regimes did not affect the levels of plasticity in any of the traits investigated even though the populations from the different thermal regimes had evolved different stress resistance and fitness trait means. Although costs associated with phenotypic plasticity are known, our results suggest that the maintenance of phenotypic plasticity might come at low and negligible costs, and thus, the potential of phenotypic plasticity to evolve in populations exposed to different environmental conditions might be limited.
Rapid evolution of elaborate male coloration is driven by visual system in Australian fairy‐wrens (Maluridae)
Authors: Friedman N. R. , Remeš V.
Published: August 2015

The interplay between colour vision and animal signalling is of keen interest to behavioural ecologists and evolutionary biologists alike, but is difficult to address in terrestrial animals. Unlike most avian lineages, in which colour vision is relatively invariant among species, the fairy‐wrens and allies (Maluridae) show a recent gain of ultraviolet sensitivity (UVS). Here, we compare the rates of colour evolution on 11 patches for males and females across Maluridae in the context of their visual system. We measured reflectance spectra for 24 species, estimating five vision‐independent colour metrics as well as metrics of colour contrast among patches and sexual dichromatism in a receiver‐neutral colour space. We fit Brownian motion (BM) and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) models to estimate evolutionary rates for these metrics and to test whether male coloration, female coloration or dichromatism was driven by selective regimes defined by visual system or geography. We found that in general male coloration evolved rapidly in comparison with females. Male colour contrast was strongly correlated with visual system and expanded greatly in UVS lineages, whereas female coloration was weakly associated with geography (Australia vs. Papua New Guinea). These results suggest that dichromatism has evolved in Maluridae as males and females evolve at different rates, and are driven by different selection pressures.
EMPIRICAL POLYCENTRICITY: THE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYMENT CENTERS
Authors: Craig Steven G. , Kohlhase Janet E. , Perdue Adam W.
Published: August 2015

Our paper empirically demonstrates that employment subcenters in large urban areas have important economic relationships with each other, and not solely with the central business district (CBD). Using data from Houston, Texas, we estimate polycentric density functions and show that “total” gradients differ from gradients using only own‐center coefficients. We model asymmetry by showing density is very different for centers with overlapping areas of influence. We conclude that subcenters have important yet heterogeneous linkages to each other in addition to the CBD, and that therefore the polycentric city is more complex than simply having additional centers mimicking the CBD.
Effects of calcium oxide treatment at varying moisture concentrations on the chemical composition, in situ degradability, in vitro digestibility and gas production kinetics of anaerobically stored corn stover
Authors: Shi H. T. , Cao Z. J. , Wang Y. J. , Li S. L. , Yang H. J. , Bi Y. L. , Doane P. H.
Published: August 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum conditions for calcium oxide (CaO) treatment of anaerobically stored corn stover by in situ and in vitro methods. Four ruminally cannulated, non‐lactating, non‐pregnant Holstein cows were used to determine the in situ effective degradabilities of dry matter (ISDMD), organic matter (ISOMD), neutral detergent fibre (ISNDFD), in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) and gas production in 72 h (GP72h) of corn stover. A completely randomized design involving a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement was adopted. Ground corn stover was treated with different levels of CaO (3%, 5% and 7% of dry stover) at varying moisture contents (40%, 50% and 60%) and stored under anaerobic conditions for 15 days before analysis. Compared with untreated corn stover, the CaO‐treated stover had increased ash and calcium (Ca) contents but decreased aNDF and OM contents. The moisture content, CaO level and their interaction affected (p < 0.01) the content of aNDF, ash and OM, and the ratio of aNDF/OM. The greatest ISDMD, ISOMD and ISNDFD were observed when stover was treated with 7% CaO and 60% moisture, while no differences (p > 0.01) in these in situ degradability parameters were observed between the stover treated with 5% CaO at 60% moisture content and those treated with 7% CaO at 60% moisture content. Corn stover treated with 5% CaO at 50% moisture had the maximum IVOMD and GP72 h among the treatments, and there was no difference (p > 0.01) between 50% and 60% moisture. Results from this study suggested that 5% CaO applied at 60% moisture could be an effective and economical treatment combination.
The influence of urbanization on the behaviour of an Australian lizard and the presence of an activity–exploratory behavioural syndrome
Authors: Moule H. , Michelangeli M. , Thompson M. B. , Chapple D. G.
Published: August 2015

Urbanization is rapidly converting natural landscapes into habitats dominated by man‐made structures. Urbanized areas possess a range of novel stressors such as increased human disturbance, different suites of predators, new food types and altered habitats and complexity. Species may need to adjust aspects of their behaviour to cope with these novel stressors and persist in areas following urbanization. Sydney, Australia's largest city, has undergone rapid population and geographic expansion over two centuries, but remains a mosaic of natural and heavily urbanized habitats. We adopted a behavioural syndrome approach to investigate whether urbanization has influenced the behaviour of the delicate skink Lampropholis delicata in the Sydney region. Lizards from one of the urban populations were more active, and more likely to forage for food, than individuals from the other three populations, but there was no difference in activity or foraging behaviour between urban and non‐urban populations overall. Skinks from urban and non‐urban habitats did not differ in their exploratory or basking behaviours. Activity, exploratory behaviour and foraging behaviour were all repeatable, and a behavioural syndrome linking high activity with increased exploration was evident. Our study documents the impact of urbanization on an understudied taxonomic group in the Southern Hemisphere, where urbanization has occurred relatively recently, and suggests that the influence on behaviour might be related to the degree of urbanization that has occurred.
How Selective Are Real Wage Cuts? A Micro‐analysis Using Linked Employer–Employee Data
Authors: Hirsch Boris , Zwick Thomas
Published: August 2015

Using linked employer–employee panel data for Germany, we investigate whether firms implement real wage reductions in a selective manner. In line with insider–outsider and several strands of efficiency wage theory, we find strong evidence for selective wage cuts with high‐productivity workers being spared even when controlling for permanent differences in firms' wage policies. In contrast to some recent contributions stressing fairness considerations, we also find that wage cuts increase wage dispersion among peers rather than narrowing it. Notably, the same selectivity pattern shows up when restricting our analysis to firms covered by collective agreements or having a works council.
Isolation of oxalotrophic bacteria associated with Varroa destructor mites
Authors: Maddaloni M. , Pascual D.W.
Published: August 2015

Bacteria associated with varroa mites were cultivated and genotyped by 16S RNA. Under our experimental conditions, the cultivable bacteria were few in number, and most of them proved to be fastidious to grow. Cultivation with seven different media under O2/CO2 conditions and selection for colony morphology yielded a panel of species belonging to 13 different genera grouped in two different phyla, proteobacteria and actinobacteria. This study identified one species of actinobacteria that is a known commensal of the honey bee. Some isolates are oxalotrophic, a finding that may carry ramifications into the use of oxalic acid to control the number of phoretic mites in the managed colonies of honey bees.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Oxalic acid, legally or brevi manu, is widely used to control phoretic Varroa destructor mites, a major drive of current honey bees' colony losses. Unsubstantiated by sanctioned research are rumours that in certain instances oxalic acid is losing efficacy, forcing beekeepers to increase the frequency of treatments. This investigation fathoms the hypothesis that V. destructor associates with bacteria capable of degrading oxalic acid. The data show that indeed oxalotrophy, a rare trait among bacteria, is common in bacteria that we isolated from V. destructor mites. This finding may have ramifications in the use of oxalic acid as a control agent.
Conflicting Incentives for Public Support for EMU
Authors: Granville Brigitte , Nagly Dominik
Published: August 2015

We analyse how government policy can exert a positive influence on public attitudes towards the Economic and Monetary Union given the existing fiscal policy framework and thus increase the likelihood of survival of the Eurozone. Results from applying the Brender and Drazen (‘Consolidation of New Democracy, Mass Attitudes, and Clientelism’, The American Economic Review, Vol. 99, No. 2, pp. 304–309) political economy model indicate the extent of the difficulty of maintaining public support for the monetary union.
Leverage Constraints and Real Interest Rates
Authors: Isohätälä Jukka , Kusmartsev Feodor , Milne Alistair , Robertson Donald
Published: August 2015

This paper investigates the macroeconomic dynamics of consumption and real interest rates when there are constraints on debt finance, used both for insurance against income shocks and transferability of resources over time. We amend a standard continuous‐time deterministic model, with patient and impatient household sectors, introducing sector level income shocks. Shocks that push the impatient sector towards its leverage limit increase precautionary saving and result in a substantial but transient decline of the real interest rate relative to the deterministic benchmark. We discuss the resulting dynamics of consumption, leverage and interest rates, and implications for macroeconomic modelling and policy.
Visible‐IR and Raman microspectroscopic investigation of three Itokawa particles collected by Hayabusa: Mineralogy and degree of space weathering based on nondestructive analyses
Authors: Bonal L. , Brunetto R. , Beck P. , Dartois E. , Dionnet Z. , Djouadi Z. , Duprat J. , Füri E. , Kakazu Y. , Montagnac G. , Oudayer P. , Quirico E. , Engrand C.
Published: August 2015

Hayabusa‐returned samples offer a unique perspective for understanding the link between asteroids and cosmomaterials available in the laboratory, and provide insights on the early stages of surface space weathering. This study characterizes the mineralogy and the extent of space weathering of the three Itokawa particles RA‐QD02‐0163, RA‐QD02‐0174, and RA‐QD02‐0213 provided by JAXA to our consortium. We report here a series of results based on nondestructive analyses through visible‐near‐infrared reflectance and Raman spectroscopy. Results were obtained on the raw particles, both in their original containers and deposited on diamond windows. Identification of the minerals, characterization of their elemental compositions, and measurements of their relative abundances were led through Raman spectroscopy in punctual and automatic mode. Reflectance spectra in the visible and near‐IR wavelengths constrain the mineralogy of the grains and allow direct comparison with the surface of Itokawa. The spectra reflect the extent of space weathering experienced by the three particles. Particle RA‐QD02‐0163 consists of a heterogeneous mixture of minerals: olivine (Fo76) dominates an assemblage with both Ca‐rich (En50, Wo50) and Ca‐poor (En85) pyroxenes. The elemental compositions of the silicates are consistent with those previously reported for distinct Hayabusa particles. Particles RA‐QD‐0174 and RA‐QD02‐0213 are solely composed of olivine, whose chemical composition is similar to that observed in RA‐QD02‐0163. It has been previously shown that the S‐type asteroid 25143 Itokawa is a breccia of poorly equilibrated LL4 and highly equilibrated LL5 and LL6 materials. The three particles studied here can be related to the least metamorphosed lithology (LL4) based on the high forsterite content of the olivine. Neither carbonaceous matter nor hydrated minerals were detected through Raman on the three allocated particles. The NIR‐VIS reflectance (incidence = 45°, light collection at e = 0°) spectra of the three particles, in particular the 1 μm band, are consistent with the presence of both olivine and pyroxene detected via Raman. The spectra of particles RA‐QD02‐0163 and RA‐QD02‐0213 are also fully compatible with the ground‐based observations of asteroid (25143) Itokawa in terms of both spectral features and slope. By contrast, particle RA‐QD02‐0174 has a similar 1 μm band depth but higher (redder) spectral slope than the surface of Itokawa. This probably reveals a variable extent of space weathering among the regolith particles. RA‐QD02‐0174 may contain a higher amount of nanophase metallic iron and nanophase FeS. Such phases are products by space weathering induced by solar wind, previously detected on other Itokawa particles.
Types of fruits and vegetables used in commercial baby foods and their contribution to sugar content
Authors: Garcia Ada Lizbeth , McLean Kimberley , Wright Charlotte M.
Published: August 2015

Fruits and vegetables (F&V) are often featured in names of commercial baby foods (CBFs). We aimed to survey all available CBFs in the UK market with F&V included in the food name in order to describe the amount and types of F&V used in CBF and their contribution to total sugar content. Food labels were used to identify F&V and total sugar content. Fruits were more common than vegetables in names of the 329 CBFs identified. The six most common F&V in the names were all relatively sweet: apple, banana, tomato, mango, carrot and sweet potato. The percentage of F&V in the foods ranged from a median of 94% for sweet‐spoonable to 13% for dry‐savoury products. Fruit content of sweet foods (n = 177) was higher than vegetable content of savoury foods (n = 152) with a median (IQR) of 64.0 g/100 g (33.0–100.0) vs. 46.0 g/100 g (33–56.7). Fruit juice was added to 18% of products. The proportion of F&V in CBF correlated significantly with sugar content for all the food types except dry‐savoury food (sweet‐spoonable r = 0.24, P = 0.006; savoury‐spoonable r = 0.65, P < 0.001; sweet‐dry r = 0.81, P < 0.001; savoury‐dry r = 0.51, P = 0.06) and explained up to two‐thirds of the variation in sugar content. The F&V content of CBFs mainly consists of fruits and relatively sweet vegetables which are unlikely to encourage preferences for bitter‐tasting vegetables or other non‐sweet foods. F&V contribute significantly to the total sugar content, particularly of savoury foods.
Positive selection underlies the species‐specific binding of Plasmodium falciparum RH5 to human basigin
Authors: Forni Diego , Pontremoli Chiara , Cagliani Rachele , Pozzoli Uberto , Clerici Mario , Sironi Manuela
Published: August 2015

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the deadliest form of malaria, is a member of the Laverania subgenus, which includes ape‐infecting parasites. P. falciparum is thought to have originated in gorillas, although infection is now restricted to humans. Laverania parasites display remarkable host‐specificity, which is partially mediated by the interaction between parasite ligands and host receptors. We analyse the evolution of BSG (basigin) and GYPA (glycophorin A) in primates/hominins, as well as of their Plasmodium‐encoded ligands, PfRH5 and PfEBA175. We show that, in primates, positive selection targeted two sites in BSG (F27 and H102), both involved in PfRH5 binding. A population genetics–phylogenetics approach detected the strongest selection for the gorilla lineage: one of the positively selected sites (K191) is a major determinant of PfRH5 binding affinity. Analysis of RH5 genes indicated episodic selection on the P. falciparum branch; the positively selected W447 site is known to stabilize the interaction with human basigin. Conversely, we detect no selection in the receptor‐binding region of EBA175 in the P. falciparum lineage. Its host receptor, GYPA, shows evidence of positive selection in all hominid lineages; selected codons include glycosylation sites that modulate PfEBA175 binding affinity. Data herein provide an evolutionary explanation for species‐specific binding of the PfRH5‐BSG ligand–receptor pair and support the hypothesis that positive selection at these genes drove the host shift leading to the emergence of P. falciparum as a human pathogen.
Maintenance of species boundaries in a Neotropical radiation of Begonia
Authors: Twyford Alex D. , Kidner Catherine A. , Ennos Richard A.
Published: August 2015

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to determine the mechanisms generating biodiversity. In Begonia, one of the largest plant genera (1900+ species), it has been postulated that the high number of endemic species is a by‐product of low gene flow among populations, which predisposes the group to speciation. However, this model of divergence requires that reproductive barriers accumulate rapidly among diverging species that overlap in their geographic ranges, otherwise speciation will be opposed by homogenizing gene flow in zones of secondary contact. Here, we test the outcomes of secondary contact in Begonia by genotyping multiple sympatric sites with 12 nuclear and seven plastid loci. We show that three sites of secondary contact between B. heracleifolia and B. nelumbiifolia are highly structured, mostly containing parental genotypes, with few F1 hybrids. A sympatric site between B. heracleifolia and B. sericoneura contains a higher proportion of F1s, but little evidence of introgression. The lack of later‐generation hybrids contrasts with that documented in many other plant taxa, where introgression is extensive. Our results, in conjunction with previous genetic work, show that Begonia demonstrate properties making them exceptionally prone to speciation, at multiple stages along the divergence continuum. Not only are populations weakly connected by gene flow, promoting allopatric speciation, but species often show strong reproductive barriers in secondary contact. Whether similar mechanisms contribute to diversification in other large genera remains to be tested.
Evolution of complex symbiotic relationships in a morphologically derived family of lichen‐forming fungi
Authors: Divakar Pradeep K. , Crespo Ana , Wedin Mats , Leavitt Steven D. , Hawksworth David L. , Myllys Leena , McCune Bruce , Randlane Tiina , Bjerke Jarle W. , Ohmura Yoshihito , Schmitt Imke , Boluda Carlos G. , Alors David , Roca‐Valiente Beatriz , Del‐Prado Ruth , Ruibal Constantino , Buaruang Kawinnat , Núñez‐Zapata Jano , Amo de Paz Guillermo , Rico Víctor J. , Molina M. Carmen , Elix John A. , Esslinger Theodore L. , Tronstad Inger Kristin K. , Lindgren Hanna , Ertz Damien , Gueidan Cécile , Saag Lauri , Mark Kristiina , Singh Garima , Dal Grande Francesco , Parnmen Sittiporn , Beck Andreas , Benatti Michel Navarro , Blanchon Dan , Candan Mehmet , Clerc Philippe , Goward Trevor , Grube Martin , Hodkinson Brendan P. , Hur Jae‐Seoun , Kantvilas Gintaras , Kirika Paul M. , Lendemer James , Mattsson Jan‐Eric , Messuti María Inés , Miadlikowska Jolanta , Nelsen Matthew , Ohlson Jan I. , Pérez‐Ortega Sergio , Saag Andres , Sipman Harrie J. M. , Sohrabi Mohammad , Thell Arne , Thor Göran , Truong Camille , Yahr Rebecca , Upreti Dalip K. , Cubas Paloma , Lumbsch H. Thorsten
Published: August 2015

We studied the evolutionary history of the Parmeliaceae (Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota), one of the largest families of lichen‐forming fungi with complex and variable morphologies, also including several lichenicolous fungi.

We assembled a six‐locus data set including nuclear, mitochondrial and low‐copy protein‐coding genes from 293 operational taxonomic units (OTUs).

The lichenicolous lifestyle originated independently three times in lichenized ancestors within Parmeliaceae, and a new generic name is introduced for one of these fungi. In all cases, the independent origins occurred c. 24 million yr ago. Further, we show that the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene were key periods when diversification of major lineages within Parmeliaceae occurred, with subsequent radiations occurring primarily during the Oligocene and Miocene.

Our phylogenetic hypothesis supports the independent origin of lichenicolous fungi associated with climatic shifts at the Oligocene–Miocene boundary. Moreover, diversification bursts at different times may be crucial factors driving the diversification of Parmeliaceae. Additionally, our study provides novel insight into evolutionary relationships in this large and diverse family of lichen‐forming ascomycetes.
Molecular insight and pharmacological approaches targeting mitochondrial dynamics in skeletal muscle during obesity
Authors: Jheng Huei‐Fen , Huang Shin‐Han , Kuo Hsueh‐Maio , Hughes Michael W. , Tsai Yau‐Sheng
Published: August 2015

Obesity‐associated insulin resistance is the major characteristic of the early stage of metabolic syndrome. A decline in mitochondrial function plays a role in the development of insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Accumulating data reveal that mitochondrial dynamics, the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission, are an important factor in the maintenance of mitochondrial function. Thus, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in obesity deserve further investigation. This review describes an overview of mitochondrial fusion and fission machineries, and discusses the mechanistic and functional aspects of mitochondrial dynamics, with a focus on skeletal muscle in obesity. Finally, we discuss current pharmacological approaches of targeting mitochondrial dynamics. Elucidating the role of mitochondrial dynamics in skeletal muscle afflicted by obesity may provide not only important clues in understanding muscle insulin resistance, but also new therapeutic targets.
Estrogen receptor‐β in mitochondria: implications for mitochondrial bioenergetics and tumorigenesis
Authors: Liao Tien‐Ling , Tzeng Chii‐Ruey , Yu Chao‐Lan , Wang Yi‐Pei , Kao Shu‐Huei
Published: August 2015

Estrogen enhances mitochondrial function by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and sustaining mitochondrial energy–transducing capacity. Shifts in mitochondrial bioenergetic pathways from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis have been hypothesized to be involved in estrogen‐induced tumorigenesis. Studies have shown that mitochondria are an important target of estrogen. Estrogen receptor‐β (ERβ) has been shown to localize to mitochondria in a ligand‐dependent or ‐independent manner and can affect mitochondrial bioenergetics and anti‐apoptotic signaling. However, the functional role of mitochondrial ERβ in tumorigenesis remains unclear. Clinical studies of ERβ‐related tumorigenesis have shown that ERβ stimulates mitochondrial metabolism to meet the high energy demands of processes such as cell proliferation, cell survival, and transformation. Thus, in elucidating the precise role of mitochondrial ERβ in cell transformation and tumorigenesis, it will be particularly valuable to explore new approaches for the development of medical treatments targeting mitochondrial ERβ–mediated mitochondrial function and preventing apoptosis.
The functional relevance of somatic synonymous mutations in melanoma and other cancers
Authors: Gotea Valer , Gartner Jared J. , Qutob Nouar , Elnitski Laura , Samuels Yardena
Published: August 2015

Recent technological advances in sequencing have flooded the field of cancer research with knowledge about somatic mutations for many different cancer types. Most cancer genomics studies focus on mutations that alter the amino acid sequence, ignoring the potential impact of synonymous mutations. However, accumulating experimental evidence has demonstrated clear consequences for gene function, leading to a widespread recognition of the functional role of synonymous mutations and their causal connection to various diseases. Here, we review the evidence supporting the direct impact of synonymous mutations on gene function via gene splicing; mRNA stability, folding, and translation; protein folding; and miRNA‐based regulation of expression. These results highlight the functional contribution of synonymous mutations to oncogenesis and the need to further investigate their detection and prioritization for experimental assessment.
Putting laughter in context: Shared laughter as behavioral indicator of relationship well‐being
Authors: KURTZ LAURA E. , ALGOE SARA B.
Published: August 2015

Laughter is a pervasive human behavior that most frequently happens in a social context. However, data linking the behavior of laughter with psychological or social outcomes are exceptionally rare. Here, the authors draw attention toshared laughteras a useful objective marker of relationship well‐being. Spontaneously generated laughs of 71 heterosexual romantic couples were coded from a videorecorded conversation about how the couple first met. Multilevel models revealed that while controlling for all other laughter present, the proportion of the conversation spent laughing simultaneously with the romantic partner was uniquely positively associated with global evaluations of relationship quality, closeness, and social support. Results are discussed with respect to methodological considerations and theoretical implications for relationships and behavioral research more broadly.
Host‐induced gene silencing in the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Andrade C. M. , Tinoco M. L. P. , Rieth A. F. , Maia F. C. O. , Aragão F. J. L.
Published: August 2015

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a necrotrophic fungus that causes a devastating disease called white mould, infecting more than 450 plant species worldwide. Control of this disease with fungicides is limited, so host plant resistance is the preferred alternative for disease management. However, due to the nature of the disease, breeding programmes have had limited success. A potential alternative to developing necrotrophic fungal resistance is the use of host‐induced gene silencing (HIGS) methods, which involves host expression of dsRNA‐generating constructs directed against genes in the pathogen. In this study, the target gene chosen was chitin synthase (chs), which commands the synthesis of chitin, the polysaccharide that is a crucial structural component of the cell walls of many fungi. Tobacco plants were transformed with an interfering intron‐containing hairpin RNA construct for silencing the fungal chs gene. Seventy‐two hours after inoculation, five transgenic lines showed a reduction in disease severity ranging from 55·5 to 86·7% compared with the non‐transgenic lines. The lesion area did not show extensive progress over this time (up to 120 h). Disease resistance and silencing of the fungal chs gene was positively correlated with the presence of detectable siRNA in the transgenic lines. It was demonstrated that expression of endogenous genes from the very aggressive necrotrophic fungus S. sclerotiorum could be prevented by host induced silencing. HIGS of the fungal chitin synthase gene can generate white mould‐tolerant plants. From a biotechnological perspective, these results open new prospects for the development of transgenic plants resistant to necrotrophic fungal pathogens.
Post‐radiotherapy hypothyroidism in dogs treated for thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Amores‐Fuster I. , Cripps P. , Blackwood L.
Published: August 2015

Hypothyroidism is a common adverse event after head and neck radiotherapy in human medicine, but uncommonly reported in canine patients. Records of 21 dogs with histologically or cytologically confirmed thyroid carcinoma receiving definitive or hypofractionated radiotherapy were reviewed. Nine cases received48 Gyin 12 fractions, 10 received36 Gyin 4 fractions and 2 received32 Gyin 4 fractions. Seventeen cases had radiotherapy in a post‐operative setting. Ten cases developed hypothyroidism (47.6%) after radiotherapy. The development of hypothyroidism was not associated with the radiotherapy protocol used. Median time to diagnosis of hypothyroidism was 6 months (range, 1–13 months). Hypothyroidism is a common side effect following radiotherapy for thyroid carcinomas. Monitoring of thyroid function following radiotherapy is recommended. No specific risk factors have been identified.
Negative pressure and nanocrystalline silver dressings for nonhealing ulcer: A randomized pilot study
Authors: Sáez‐Martín Luis C. , García‐Martínez Lourdes , Román‐Curto Concepción , Sánchez‐Hernández Miguel V. , Suárez‐Fernández Ricardo M.
Published: August 2015

Chronic wounds have a high prevalence and wound care, treatment, and prevention consume large quantities of resources. Chronic wounds are a growing challenge for clinicians. A prospective randomized pilot study was conducted to assess the effectiveness in terms of reduction in area and safety of the combined use of negative‐pressure wound therapy and nanocrystalline silver dressings as compared to negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) alone in the management of outpatients with chronic wounds. A total of 17 patients were included in the study, 10 were treated with the combined method and 7 with NPWT. Patients were followed for 6 weeks, with a final assessment at 3 months. Clinical improvement, microbiologic data, and toxicity of silver were evaluated. The antibacterial effects of ionic silver together with the development of granulation tissue promoted by NPWT reduced significantly the median extension of the wound between weeks 3 and 6 of treatment. The combination with silver also reduced bacterial colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the bacterial load on the surface of the wound. The silver levels correlated positively with the extension of the wound, although in none of the patients’ toxic levels were reached. The combination of NPWT with nanocrystalline silver dressings was safe and as effective as NPWT alone.
An Efficient Quasi-Three-Dimensional Model of Tilting Pad Journal Bearing for Turbomachinery Applications
Authors: Rindi Andrea , Rossin Stefano , Conti R. , Frilli A. , Galardi E. , Meli E. , Nocciolini D. , Pugi L.
Published: August 2015

The constant increase of turbomachinery rotational speed has brought the design and the use of journal bearings to their very limits: tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) have been introduced for high-speed/high-load applications due to their intrinsic stability properties and can be used both in transient and steady-state operations obtaining superior performances. An accurate analysis of the TPJBs behavior is essential for a successful design and operation of the system; however, it is necessary to reach a compromise between the accuracy of the results provided by the TPJB model and its computational cost. This research paper exposes the development of an innovative and efficient quasi-3D TPJB modeling approach that allows the simultaneous analysis of the system rotordynamics and the supply plant behavior; the majority of existing models describe these aspects separately but their complex interaction must be taken into account to obtain a more accurate characterization of the system. Furthermore, the proposed model is characterized by a high numerical efficiency and modularity, allowing for complex transient simulations of the complete plant and for the representation of different kind of bearings. The TPJB model has been developed and experimentally validated in collaboration with an industrial partner which provided the technical data of the system and the results of experimental tests.
Broadband Energy Harvesting From Vibrations Using Magnetic Transduction
Authors: Caruso Giovanni
Published: August 2015

In this paper, an adaptive electromagnetic energy harvester is proposed and analyzed. It is composed of an oscillating mass equipped with an electromagnetic transducer, whose pins are connected to a resonant resistive–inductive–capacitive electric circuit in order to increase its effective bandwidth. Closed-form expressions for the optimal circuit parameters are presented, which maximize the power harvested by the device under harmonic excitation. The harvesting efficiency, defined as the ratio between the harvested power and the power absorbed by the oscillating device, is also reported. It is used as an alternative objective function for the optimization of the harvester circuit parameters.
Effect of Hydration on Healthy Intervertebral Disk Mechanical Stiffness
Authors: Bezci Semih E. , Nandy Aditya , O'Connell Grace D.
Published: August 2015

The intervertebral disk has an excellent swelling capacity to absorb water, which is thought to be largely due to the high proteoglycan composition. Injury, aging, degeneration, and diurnal loading are all noted by a significant decrease in water content and tissue hydration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydration, through osmotic loading, on tissue swelling and compressive stiffness of healthy intervertebral disks. The wet weight of nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) explants following swelling was 50% or greater, demonstrating significant ability to absorb water under all osmotic loading conditions (0.015 M–3.0 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS)). Estimated NP residual strains, calculated from the swelling ratio, were approximately 1.5 × greater than AF residual strains. Compressive stiffness increased with hyperosmotic loading, which is thought to be due to material compaction from osmotic-loading and the nonlinear mechanical behavior. Importantly, this study demonstrated that residual strains and material properties are greatly dependent on osmotic loading. The findings of this study support the notion that swelling properties from osmotic loading will be important for accurately describing the effect of degeneration and injury on disk mechanics. Furthermore, the tissue swelling will be an important consideration for developing biological repair strategies aimed at restoring mechanical behavior toward a healthy disk.
Finite-Element Extrapolation of Myocardial Structure Alterations Across the Cardiac Cycle in Rats
Authors: David Gomez Arnold , Bull David A. , Hsu Edward W.
Published: August 2015

Myocardial microstructures are responsible for key aspects of cardiac mechanical function. Natural myocardial deformation across the cardiac cycle induces measurable structural alteration, which varies across disease states. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) has become the tool of choice for myocardial structural analysis. Yet, obtaining the comprehensive structural information of the whole organ, in 3D and time, for subject-specific examination is fundamentally limited by scan time. Therefore, subject-specific finite-element (FE) analysis of a group of rat hearts was implemented for extrapolating a set of initial DT-MRI to the rest of the cardiac cycle. The effect of material symmetry (isotropy, transverse isotropy, and orthotropy), structural input, and warping approach was observed by comparing simulated predictions against in vivo MRI displacement measurements and DT-MRI of an isolated heart preparation at relaxed, inflated, and contracture states. Overall, the results indicate that, while ventricular volume and circumferential strain are largely independent of the simulation strategy, structural alteration predictions are generally improved with the sophistication of the material model, which also enhances torsion and radial strain predictions. Moreover, whereas subject-specific transversely isotropic models produced the most accurate descriptions of fiber structural alterations, the orthotropic models best captured changes in sheet structure. These findings underscore the need for subject-specific input data, including structure, to extrapolate DT-MRI measurements across the cardiac cycle.
Parameter Estimation Algorithms for Hammerstein–Wiener Systems With Autoregressive Moving Average Noise
Authors: Wang Yanjiao , Ding Feng
Published: August 2015

Hammerstein–Wiener (H–W) systems are a class of typical nonlinear systems. This paper studies the gradient-based parameter estimation algorithms for H–W nonlinear systems based on the multi-innovation identification theory and the data filtering technique. The proposed methods include a generalized extended stochastic gradient (GESG) algorithm, a multi-innovation GESG (MI-GESG) algorithm, a data filtering based GESG (F-GESG) algorithm and a data filtering based MI-GESG algorithm. Finally, the computational efficiency of the proposed algorithms are analyzed and compared. The simulation example verifies the theoretical results.
Inflow Turbulence Generation for Eddy-Resolving Simulations of Turbomachinery Flows
Authors: Arolla Sunil K.
Published: August 2015

A simple variant of recycling and rescaling method to generate inflow turbulence using unstructured grid computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes is presented. The method has been validated on large eddy simulation (LES) of spatially developing flat plate turbulent boundary layer. The proposed rescaling algorithm is based on the momentum thickness which is more robust and essentially obviates the need of finding the edge of the turbulent boundary layer in unstructured grid codes. Extension of this algorithm to hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) LES type of approaches and for wall-bounded turbomachinery flows is also discussed. Results from annular diffuser with different inflow boundary layer characteristics are presented as an example application to show the utility of such an algorithm.
Electroosmotic Flow in Hydrophobic Microchannels of General Cross Section
Authors: Sadeghi Morteza , Sadeghi Arman , Saidi Mohammad Hassan
Published: August 2015

Adopting the Navier slip conditions, we analyze the fully developed electroosmotic flow in hydrophobic microducts of general cross section under the Debye–Hückel approximation. The method of analysis includes series solutions which their coefficients are obtained by applying the wall boundary conditions using the least-squares matching method. Although the procedure is general enough to be applied to almost any arbitrary cross section, eight microgeometries including trapezoidal, double-trapezoidal, isosceles triangular, rhombic, elliptical, semi-elliptical, rectangular, and isotropically etched profiles are selected for presentation. We find that the flow rate is a linear increasing function of the slip length with thinner electric double layers (EDLs) providing higher slip effects. We also discover that, unlike the no-slip conditions, there is not a limit for the electroosmotic velocity when EDL extent is reduced. In fact, utilizing an analysis valid for very thin EDLs, it is shown that the maximum electroosmotic velocity in the presence of surface hydrophobicity is by a factor of slip length to Debye length higher than the Helmholtz–Smoluchowski velocity. This approximate procedure also provides an expression for the flow rate which is almost exact when the ratio of the channel hydraulic diameter to the Debye length is equal to or higher than 50.
Effect of Slot Injection and Effusion Array on the Liner Heat Transfer Coefficient of a Scaled Lean-Burn Combustor With Representative Swirling Flow
Authors: Andreini Antonio , Facchini Bruno , Becchi Riccardo , Picchi Alessio , Turrini Fabio
Published: August 2015

International standards regarding polluting emissions from civil aircraft engines are becoming gradually even more stringent. Nowadays, the most prominent way to meet the target of reducing NOx emissions in modern aero-engine combustors is represented by lean-burn technology. Swirl injectors are usually employed to provide the dominant flame stabilization mechanism coupled to high-efficiency fuel atomization solutions. These systems generate very complex flow structures, such as recirculations, vortex breakdown, and processing vortex core, which affect the distribution and therefore the estimation of heat loads on the gas side of the liner as well as the interaction with the cooling system flows. The main purpose of the present work is to provide detailed measurements of heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the gas side of a scaled combustor liner highlighting the impact of the cooling flows injected through a slot system and an effusion array. Furthermore, for a deeper understanding of the interaction phenomena between gas and cooling flows, a standard two-dimensional (2D) particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique has been employed to characterize the combustor flow field. The experimental arrangement has been developed within EU project LEMCOTEC and consists of a nonreactive three sectors planar rig installed in an open-loop wind tunnel. Three swirlers, replicating the real geometry of a GE Avio partially evaporated and rapid mixing (PERM) injector technology, are used to achieve representative swirled flow conditions in the test section. The effusion geometry is composed by a staggered array of 1236 circular holes with an inclination of 30 deg, while the slot exit has a constant height of 5 mm. The experimental campaign has been carried out using a thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs) steady-state technique with a thin Inconel heating foil and imposing several cooling flow conditions in terms of slot coolant consumption and effusion pressure drop. A data reduction procedure has been developed to take into account the nonuniform heat generation and the heat loss across the liner plate. Results in terms of 2D maps and averaged distributions of HTC have been supported by flow field measurements with 2D PIV technique focussed on the corner recirculation region.
Parametric Instability of Face-Gear Drives Meshing With Multiple Spur Pinions
Authors: Peng Meng , DeSmidt Hans A. , Zhao Jie
Published: August 2015

This paper studies the dynamic behaviors for face-gear drives meshing with multiple spur pinions by using the model of a spinning disk with time-varying mesh loads that result from the unique face-gear meshing kinematics and nonunity contact-ratio. The system stability is assessed with respect to intersecting pinion shaft angles and pinion gear properties. The results provide information about parametric instability for dynamic-based design of multipinion/face-gear drives. This investigation also provides stabilization methods for pre-installed systems via gear radii and tooth numbers for a given intersecting pinion shaft angle.
Strength of 316FR Joints Welded by Type 316FR/16-8-2 Filler Metals
Authors: Yamashita Takuya , Nagae Yuji , Satoh Kenichiro , Yamamoto Kenji
Published: August 2015

Type 316 stainless steel with low-carbon and medium-nitrogen contents called 316FR stainless steel is a candidate structural material for reactor vessels and internals of future-generation fast breeder reactors (FBRs). The reactor vessel cannot be manufactured from rolled or forged steel, but can be built at reasonable cost by welding rolled steel plates. In this manufacture approach, the reliability of the welded joint must be indicated. Two types of filler metals are candidates for 316FR welded joints: types 316FR and 16-8-2 filler metals. The chemical composition of type 316FR filler metal is close to that of the stainless steel; type 16-8-2 filler metal contains lower amounts of Ni, Cr, and Mo than that of the stainless steel. This study evaluated the need to consider the welded joint strength reduction factors in 316FR welded joints under design of future-generation FBRs. To this end, the tensile and creep strengths of types 316FR and 16-8-2 weld metals were measured, and the effect of δ-ferrite in weld metals was evaluated in creep strength tests of 316FR welded joints. In tensile and creep strengths of 316FR welded joints welded by both metal types, the welded joint strength reduction factors were immaterial. The creep strength of 316FR welded joints was negligibly affected by δ-ferrite levels from 4.1 to 7.0 ferrite number (FN) in the Welding Research Council-1992 diagram. Furthermore, the tensile and creep strengths of 316FR welded joints by two methods (gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)) were the same. Therefore, the tensile and creep strengths of 316FR welded joints in above condition are ensured the reliability of similar to 316FR stainless steels.