bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A planned admission protocol application in intensive care units
Authors: Terzi Banu , Kaya Nurten
Published: July 2015

Background

The process of admission to an ICU may have a negative impact on a patient's physiological parameters and comfort.

Aim

To determine the effect of providing a patient admission protocol on patients' comfort and physiological parameters prior to admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Design

A randomized, controlled experimental study.

Methods

This study included 100 (50 control, 50 experimental) patients who experienced planned admissions to the ICU of a University Hospital. Standard forms were used to record patient information, evaluations and comfort. Data were collected from patients prior to, during and 24 h after admission to the ICU and 24 h after being transferred. The experimental group was admitted to the ICU using the patient admission protocol and the control group underwent routine admittance.

Findings

There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the individual characteristics, physiology and comfort prior to, during or 24 h after admission to the ICU (p > 0·05). However, 24 h after being transferred, the experimental group's comfort was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0·01).

Conclusions

The use of the patient admission protocol does not affect the physiological parameters of patients; however, it does raise the comfort level of patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

The patient admission protocol specific to the institution (in this context, a unit introductory booklet) should be developed in ICUs. We suggest that admission to the ICU should be carried out in accordance with this protocol.
Vagal afferent‐dependent cholecystokinin modulation of visceral pain requires central amygdala NMDA‐NR2B receptors in rats
Authors: Wang E. M. , Li W. T. , Yan X. J. , Chen X. , Liu Q. , Feng C. C. , Cao Z. J. , Fang J. Y. , Chen S. L.
Published: July 2015

Background

Cholecystokinin (CCK), a gut hormone that is released during feeding, exerts gastrointestinal effects in part through vagal pathway. It is reported to be a potential trigger for increased postprandial visceral sensitivity in healthy subjects and, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. NR2B‐containing N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the central amygdala (CeA) participate in pain modulation. Systemically administered CCK activates the CeA‐innervating neurons. Here, we investigated whether CCK modulation of visceral sensitivity is mediated through CeA NMDA‐NR2B receptors and whether this modulation involves vagal pathway.

Methods

We first examined the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention (CRD) following i.p. injection of CCK octapeptide (CCK‐8) in a rat model. Next, the NR2B antagonist ifenprodil and the NR2A antagonist NVP‐AAM077 were microinjected into the CeA before systemic CCK injection. NR2B phosphorylation was detected by Western blot. To down‐regulate NR2B gene expression, NR2B‐specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) was delivered into CeA neurons by electroporation. In addition, the effects of functional deafferentation by perivagal application of capsaicin and pretreatment with the CCK1 receptor antagonist devazepide were investigated.

Key Results

CCK‐8 increased VMR to CRD in a dose‐dependent manner. This effect was blunted by intra‐CeA administration of ifenprodil (but not NVP‐AAM077) and was accompanied by phosphorylation of NR2B subunits in the CeA. CCK failed to increase VMR to CRD in NR2B siRNA‐treated rats. Perivagal capsaicin application and pretreatment with devazepide prevented CCK‐induced pronociception and CeA NR2B phosphorylation.

Conclusions & Inferences

The pronociception induced by systemic CCK, which is vagal afferent‐dependent, requires activation of CeA NMDA‐NR2B receptors.
A vision of graded hemispheric specialization
Authors: Behrmann Marlene , Plaut David C.
Published: July 2015

Understanding the process by which the cerebral hemispheres reach their mature functional organization remains challenging. We propose a theoretical account in which, in the domain of vision, faces and words come to be represented adjacent to retinotopic cortex by virtue of the need to discriminate among homogeneous exemplars. Orthographic representations are further constrained to be proximal to typically left‐lateralized language‐related information to minimize connectivity length between visual and language areas. As reading is acquired, orthography comes to rely more heavily (albeit not exclusively) on the left fusiform region to bridge vision and language. Consequently, due to competition from emerging word representations, face representations that were initially bilateral become lateralized to the right fusiform region (albeit, again, not exclusively). We review recent research that describes constraints that give rise to this graded hemispheric arrangement. We then summarize empirical evidence from a variety of studies (behavioral, evoked response potential, functional imaging) across different populations (children, adolescents, and adults; left handers and individuals with developmental dyslexia) that supports the claims that hemispheric lateralization is graded rather than binary and that this graded organization emerges dynamically over the course of development. Perturbations of this system either during development or in adulthood provide further insights into the principles governing hemispheric organization.
Effects of aging in the expression of NOD‐like receptors and inflammasome‐related genes in oral mucosa
Authors: Ebersole J.L. , Kirakodu S. , Novak M.J. , Exposto C.R. , Stromberg A.J. , Shen S. , Orraca L. , Gonzalez‐Martinez J. , Gonzalez O.A.
Published: July 2015

The molecular changes underlying the higher risk of chronic inflammatory disorders during aging remain incompletely understood. Molecular variations in the innate immune response related to recognition and interaction with microbes at mucosal surfaces could be involved in aging‐related inflammation. We developed an ontology analysis of 20 nucleotide‐binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptors (NLRs) and seven inflammasome‐related genes (IRGs) in healthy and inflamed/periodontitis oral mucosal tissues from young, adolescent, adult, and aged non‐human primates (Macaca mulatta) using the GeneChip® Rhesus Macaque Genome array. Validation of some of the significant changes was done by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The expression of NLRB/NAIP, NLRP12, and AIM2 increased with aging in healthy mucosa whereas NLRC2/NOD2 expression decreased. Although higher expression levels of some NLRs were generally observed with periodontitis in adult mucosal tissues (e.g. NLRB/NAIP, NLRP5, and NLRX1), various receptors (e.g. NLRC2/NOD2 and NLRP2) and the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC, exhibited a significant reduction in expression in aged periodontitis tissues. Accordingly, the expression of NLR‐activated innate immune genes, such as HBD3 and IFNB1, was impaired in aged but not adult periodontitis tissues. Both adult and aged tissues showed significant increase in interleukin‐1β expression. These findings suggest that the expression of a subset of NLRs appears to change with aging in healthy oral mucosa, and that aging‐related oral mucosal inflammation could involve an impaired regulation of the inflammatory and antimicrobial response associated with downregulation of specific NLRs and IRGs.
Closure of Oroantral Communication (OAC) with AlloDerm (Regenerative Tissue Matrix) – a case report
Authors: Bharadwaj G.
Published: July 2015

Oroantral communication (OAC) is a routine complication in oral surgery. This can lead to nasal regurgitation, sinus infection if not treated quickly. Multiple techniques are used in managing this condition.

Author describes a technique of closing OAC with AlloDerm (regenerative tissue matrix, Biohorizons, USA). The wound healed uneventfully. This technique appears to be a simple and time‐saving technique and can be used by dentists with minimal surgical training.
Urethrocutaneous fistula following hypospadias repair: regional anesthesia and other factors
Authors: Zaidi Raza H. , Casanova Nina F. , Haydar Bishr , Voepel‐Lewis Terri , Wan Julian H.
Published: July 2015

Background

Urethrocutaneous fistula is a well‐known complication of hypospadias surgery. A recent prospective study by Kundra et al. (Pediatr Anesth 2012) has suggested that caudal anesthesia may increase the risk of fistula formation. We sought to evaluate this possible association and determine if any other novel factors may be associated with fistula formation.

Methods

Children who underwent primary hypospadias repair between January 1, 1994 and March 31, 2013 at our tertiary care center were included in this study. Reviewed surgical data included repair type, duration of procedure, use of local anesthetic infiltration, and subcutaneous epinephrine. Analgesic factors included use of caudal and/or penile block, opioid usage, postoperative pain scores, and nausea/vomiting. Postoperative surgical complications and estimates of family household median income by zip code were also reviewed.

Results

Fistula occurrence was not associated with caudal or penile block, severity of postoperative pain, or surgeon experience. A more proximal location of the urethral meatus, longer operating time, and use of subcutaneous epinephrine were significantly more common in patients who developed fistula. As assessed by home address zip code, distance of more than 100 miles and median household income in the bottom 25th percentile of our study population were not associated with fistula, as compared to closer distance or higher income.

Conclusion

In this series, we found no association between the use of caudal regional anesthesia and fistula formation. Location of the starting urethral meatus, prolonged surgical duration, and subcutaneous epinephrine use were associated with fistula formation. Our findings call into question the routine use of epinephrine in hypospadias repair.
A comparison of the postoperative pain experience in children with and without attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Rosander Sondra , Nause‐Osthoff Rebecca , Voepel‐Lewis Terri , Tait Alan R.
Published: July 2015

Background

Children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience pain differently compared to other children, yet the evidence is equivocal regarding whether pain is heightened or dampened. This prospective observational study, therefore, was designed to compare the postoperative pain experiences in children with and without ADHD.

Methods

Children aged 7–17 years with a diagnosis of ADHD (n = 119) who were scheduled for a surgical procedure requiring postoperative pain management and a matched cohort of children without ADHD were recruited (n = 122). Postoperative pain scores and analgesic use were recorded for 1 week, as was parents’ estimate of their child's return to normal activity.

Results

There were no differences in highest pain scores between children with ADHD (3.3 ± 2.5, 0–10 numerical rating scale) and those without (2.8 ± 1.9). Postoperative opioid use was also similar on day 1 following surgery (0.12 ± 0.3 mg·kg−1 vs 0.08 mg·kg−1 ± 0.1 morphine equivalents, respectively). Children with ADHD, however, had a significantly longer return to normal activity (4.9 ± 3.8 vs 3.8 ± 3.0 days; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Results suggest that there were no differences in the postoperative pain experiences of children with and without ADHD. However, the observation that children with ADHD took longer to return to baseline activity will be important in educating parents regarding their child's postoperative experience.
Procedural sedation for MRI in children with ADHD
Authors: Kitt Eimear , Friderici Jennifer , Kleppel Reva , Canarie Michael
Published: July 2015

Background

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood, affecting 5–8% of children. It has been observed that these children have poor sedation experiences; however, to date there is minimal research on procedural sedation in this population.

Aim

To examine whether children with ADHD required larger doses of propofol for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sedation.

Methods

The hospital's administrative billing database was used to identify all billing codes for MRI brain scans (with and without contrast) in children aged between 5 and 12 years over the preceding 5.5 years. The hospital's electronic medical record database provided baseline demographics. The sedation record was reviewed for propofol dose, psychostimulant use, and prescribed dose. All children received a standard weight‐based dose of midazolam prior to receiving the necessary amount of propofol. Primary outcome was the dose of propofol administered (mg·kg−1) to achieve adequate sedation.

Results

A total of 258 procedures met the inclusion criteria. The sample was 52% male, 74% White, 7.8% Black, 7.8% Hispanic, 4.3% Asian, and 6.2% other. ADHD was documented for 49 procedures with a prevalence of 18.5%. Patients with ADHD were older, more likely to be male, Hispanic, or to report race as ‘Refused/Unknown’. Indications for MRI for patients with ADHD varied significantly, with ‘Behavioral’ and ‘Neurocutaneous’ being significantly overrepresented in the ADHD group. The average sedative dose for all patients was 2.8 mg·kg−1 (95% CI 2.62–2.94). Sedative dose was similar among children with and without ADHD diagnosis.

Conclusions

Our study illustrates that children with ADHD do not have higher sedative requirements to achieve a successful brain MRI.
First Dutch Consensus of Pain Quality Indicators for Pain Treatment Facilities
Authors: de Meij Nelleke , van Grotel Marloes , Patijn Jacob , van der Weijden Trudy , van Kleef Maarten
Published: July 2015

Background

There is a general consensus about the need to define and improve the quality of pain treatment facilities. Although guidelines and recommendations to improve the quality of pain practice management have been launched, provision of appropriate pain treatment is inconsistent and the quality of facilities varies widely. The aim of the study was to develop an expert‐agreed list of quality indicators applicable to pain treatment facilities. The list was also intended to be used as the basis for a set of criteria for registered status of pain treatment facilities.

Methods

The University Pain Center Maastricht at the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management of the Maastricht University Medical Center conducted a 3‐round Delphi study in collaboration with the Board of the Pain Section of the Dutch Society of Anesthesiologists (NVA).

Results

Twenty‐five quality indicators were selected as relevant to 2 types of pain treatment facilities, pain clinics and pain centers. The final expert‐agreed list consisted of 22 quality indicators covering 7 quality domains: supervision, availability of care, staffing level and patient load, quality policy, multidisciplinarity, regionalization, and research and education.

Conclusions

This set of quality indicators may facilitate organizational evaluation and improve insight into service quality from the perspectives of patients, pain specialists, and other healthcare professionals. Recommendations for improvements to the current set of quality indicators are made. In 2014 the process of registering pain treatment facilities in the Netherlands started; facilities can register as a pain clinic or pain center.
QTL mapping of adult‐plant resistance to stripe rust in a ‘Lumai 21 × Jingshuang 16’ wheat population
Authors: Ren Yan , Liu Li S. , He Zhong H. , Wu Ling , Bai Bin , Xia Xian C.
Published: July 2015

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is a devastating fungal disease in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Chinese wheat cultivars ‘Lumai 21’ and ‘Jingshuang 16’ show moderate levels of adult‐plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust in the field, and they showed a mean maximum disease severity (MDS) ranging from 24 to 56.7% and 26 to 59%, respectively, across different environments. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to stripe rust in an F3 population of 199 lines derived from ‘Lumai 21’ × ‘Jingshuang 16’. The F3 lines were evaluated for MDS in Qingshui, Gansu province, and Chengdu, Sichuan province, in the 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 cropping seasons. Five QTL for APR were detected on chromosomes 2B (2 QTL), 2DS, 4DL and 5DS based on mean MDS in each environment and averaged values from all three environments. These QTL were designated QYr.caas‐2BS.2, QYr.caas‐2BL.2, QYr.caas‐2DS.2, QYr.caas‐4DL.2 and QYr.caas‐5DS, respectively. QYr.caas‐2DS.2 and QYr.caas‐5DS were detected in all three environments, explaining 2.3–18.2% and 5.1–18.0% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. In addition, QYr.caas‐2BS.2 and QYr.caas‐2BL.2 colocated with QTL for powdery mildew resistance reported in a previous study. These APR genes and their linked molecular markers are potentially useful for improving stripe rust and powdery mildew resistances in wheat breeding.
Allelic variation and differential expression of VRN‐A1 in durum wheat genotypes varying in the vernalization response
Authors: Basualdo Jessica , Díaz Marina Lucía , Cuppari Selva , Cardone Susana , Soresi Daniela , Camargo Gladys Pérez , Carrera Alicia
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of vernalization on flowering time in thirty accessions of Triticum turgidum spp. durum. To this end, screening of allelic variation at VRN‐1 loci was carried out using PCR‐based markers and DNA sequencing, and gene expression analysis was performed in two and four developmental stages, with and without cold treatment. In non‐vernalized plants, average days to flowering ranged from 34 to 99 days and only one accession was observed to remain at the vegetative stage. Three accessions were found to accelerate flowering after cold treatment. At VRN‐A1 locus, three alleles previously characterized, Vrn‐A1b, Vrn‐A1c and vrn‐A1, were detected. No polymorphisms at VRN‐B1 locus were observed. The differences in vernalization response among the genotypes studied could be explained by allelic variation and VRN‐A1 transcript levels. Variability in flowering time and sensitivity to vernalization in a collection of durum wheat, both potentially useful to the development of new varieties, were observed. This information is key to directing breeding cultivars for adaptation.
Under slow flow conditions, daily rates of canopy photosynthesis of marine macrophytes were insensitive to model choice and flow‐rate
Authors: Nishihara Gregory N. , Yamada Chizuru , Kimura Ryutaro , Terada Ryuta
Published: July 2015

Water motion drives the flux of suspended and dissolved material (e.g., nutrients, gametes, and dissolved oxygen) to and from macrophyte canopies, and is one of the most important mechanisms that can regulate the growth, survival, and persistence of marine macrophytes populations. At small spatial scales (e.g., lamina or leaves and individuals), increasing flow‐rates have been demonstrated to enhance physiological processes, especially photosynthesis rates, and we expected a similar response at the canopy scale. We conducted seven experiments over 25 days using a pair of open‐air flow‐chambers under natural light, temperature, and seawater conditions. In the four marine macrophyte (Sargassum piluliferum, S. siliquastrum, S. thunbergii, and Zostera marina) canopies examined, an increase in flow‐rate did not enhance photosynthesis rates. The odds that daily gross photosynthesis rates increase with a decrease in flow‐rates was 1.77 to 1. We also examined if two non‐linear equations and one linear equation, often used to describe the relationship between photosynthesis to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), biased estimates of the daily rates of photosynthesis and respiration. It was revealed that the functional form of the equation strongly influenced photosynthesis and respiration rate estimates at short time scales (i.e., minutes), however, daily rates were insensitive to the type of equation used to model the relationship between photosynthesis and PPFD. We suggest that the predominance of photosynthesis rates occurring in under‐saturating PPFD conditions (> 40 % of daylight hours) may be one of the reasons for this insensitivity.
Undervaluation of Real Estate Properties in Disadvantaged Areas in the City of Johannesburg
Authors: Mohale Mahlape , Geyer Hermanus Stephanus , Geyer Hermanus Stephanus
Published: July 2015

Since the end of apartheid, the growth of the real estate market in the historically disadvantaged residential areas of South African cities has been quite remarkable. Transactions in this property market, which can take on several forms of exchange of ownership or occupation, in many respects defy de Soto's definition of dead capital. Yet, despite this booming market, large parts of these residential areas are still regarded by local government as having no capital value. Although the titling of properties cannot be regarded as the only or even the main immediate solution to alleviating poverty within these communities, it certainly presents a real and immediate potential opportunity to many of them. This paper attempts to determine the potential size of this market. It starts with perspectives on land values, the property market and the titling of informal properties and examines different methods used in the evaluation of properties both in the formal and informal residential sectors. Drawing on empirical literature and research findings, the paper makes an attempt at establishing the form and value of what is regarded as the degree of undervaluation of real estate capital by the local authority.
Private Sector Participation in the Provision of Quality Drinking Water in Urban Areas of Ghana: What Do Households Want and Can Afford?
Authors: Vondolia Godwin K. , Asenso‐Boadi Francis Mensah
Published: July 2015

This study conducts a survey among households in three cities in Ghana on how water delivery should be managed. The contingent valuation method was used to estimate the willingness to pay for improved water delivery under private sector participation. Results indicate that most households will remain connected to their current water supplies if private sector is engaged to improve water delivery at higher monthly water bills. Given that the mean household monthly water bill of GH¢10.82, the results indicate that there is demand for water quality improvement, and private sector engagement is likely to provide these services. However, this policy measure marginalises the poor in terms of access to water. Therefore, private sector participation in water delivery may require a complementary programme to promote access to water.
Increased frequencies of the killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor genes KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2 are associated with neuroblastoma
Authors: Keating S. E. , Ní Chorcora C. , Dring M. M. , Stallings R. L. , O'Meara A. , Gardiner C. M.
Published: July 2015

Neuroblastoma is the most common extra‐cranial solid tumour in children. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that are known to mediate the direct cytotoxicity of neuroblastoma tumour cells. Natural variation in the highly polymorphic killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR) and their cognate human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands results in considerable diversity in NK cell function. As the early onset of neuroblastoma suggests the contribution of genetic factors, we investigated if individual KIR genes, combined KIR gene haplotypes or compound KIR‐HLA ligand genotypes could influence susceptibility to neuroblastoma. Genotype analysis of the KIR genes as well as their three major HLA class I ligand groups, HLA‐C1, HLA‐C2 and HLA‐Bw4, was carried out in a cohort of 201 neuroblastoma patients compared with 240 healthy control subjects using polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers. We found a significant increase in the frequency of KIR2DL2 (P = 0.019) as well as KIR2DS2 (P = 0.008) in patients with neuroblastoma compared with the healthy control group. While the incidence of the least inhibitory compound KIR‐HLA‐C genotype, KIR2DL3 in the presence of HLA‐C1 was slightly reduced in neuroblastoma patients, this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.069). In summary, while KIR‐HLA compound genotypes have previously been implicated in predicting treatment outcomes in neuroblastoma, here we show that the presence of the individual KIR genes, KIR2DL2 and KIR2DS2, irrespective of HLA‐C genotype is associated with the onset of this embryonal malignancy.
KIR3DS1*0130109: a novel activating three‐domain KIR identified using sequence‐based typing
Authors: Wang L. , Zhang Y. , Dong T. , Rowland‐Jones S. L. , Yindom L.‐M.
Published: July 2015

KIR3DS1*0130109 is similar to KIR3DS1*0130101 except for a A > G change in intron 4.
Detection of a novel KIR3DL1*0150210 allele by sequencing
Authors: Wang L. , Zhang Y. , Dong T. , Rowland‐Jones S. L. , Yindom L.‐M.
Published: July 2015

KIR3DL1*0150210 has seven point mutations compared to the common Asian allele KIR3DL1*0150201.
Full‐length sequence of KIR3DL1*0310102 detected in DNA samples from West Africa
Authors: Yindom L.‐M. , de Silva T. I. , Rowland‐Jones S. L.
Published: July 2015

KIR3DL1*0310102 differs from KIR3DL1*0150101 with 11 nucleotide substitutions.
Detection of a novel variant of HLA‐B*07, HLA‐B*07:249, in a Taiwanese unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: July 2015

One nucleotide replacement at residue 398 of HLA‐B*07:05:01 or HLA‐B*07:06 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*07:249.
The Performance of Trading Firms in the Services Sectors – Comparable Evidence from Four EU Countries
Authors: Damijan Jože , Haller Stefanie A. , Kaitila Ville , Kostevc Črt , Maliranta Mika , Milet Emmanuel , Mirza Daniel , Rojec Matija
Published: July 2015

We examine trade complexity and the implications of adding additional dimensions of trade for firm performance among services producers. We use unique firm‐level data to compare these patterns across four EU countries. Overall, services firms are relatively less engaged in trade than manufacturing firms; they mostly trade goods and are more likely to import than to export. Trade in services is quite rare; services are more likely to be traded by firms already trading goods. Trading firms in the services sectors are significantly larger, more productive and pay higher wages than non‐traders. Two‐way traders outperform one‐way traders. Changes in trading status by either adding another dimension of trade (imports, exports) or another type of product (goods, services) are infrequent and are associated with significant preswitching premia. In contrast, learning effects from switching trading status are uncommon. This points to significant fixed cost of being engaged in trade and confirms some previous findings that trading services firms have similar traits as their manufacturing counterparts. Apart from greater trade participation in smaller countries, we do not observe systematic differences in terms of trade or switching premia between the four countries that might be attributable to differences in country characteristics.
Quantitative and Qualitative Comparison of Light Water and Advanced Small Modular Reactors
Authors: Aydogan Fatih , Black Geoffrey , Taylor Black Meredith A. , Solan David
Published: July 2015

In recent years, several small modular reactor (SMR) designs have been developed. These nuclear power plants (NPPs) not only offer a small power size (less than 300 MWe), a reduced spatial footprint, and modularized compact designs fabricated in factories and transported to the intended sites, but also passive safety features. Some light water (LW)-SMRs have already been granted by Department of Energy: NuScale and mPower. New LW-SMRs are mainly inspired by the early LW-SMRs (such as process-inherent ultimate safety (PIUS), international reactor innovative and secure (IRIS), and safe integral reactor (SIR)). LW-SMRs employ significantly fewer components to decrease costs and increase simplicity of design. However, new physical challenges have appeared with these changes. At the same time, advanced SMR (ADV-SMR) designs (such as PBMR, MHR Antares, Prism, 4S, and Hyperion) are being developed that have improved passive safety and other features. This paper quantitatively and qualitatively compares most of the LW- and ADV-SMRs with respect to reactors, nuclear fuel, containment, reactor coolant systems, refueling, and emergency coolant systems. Economic and financing evaluations are also included in the paper. The detailed comparisons in this paper elucidate that one reactor is not superior to the others analyzed in this study, as each reactor is designed to meet different needs.
Simulation of Multiliquid-Layer Sloshing With Vessel Motion by Using Moving Particle Semi-Implicit Method
Authors: Sung Kim Kyung , Kim Moo-Hyun , Park Jong-Chun
Published: July 2015

For oil/gas production/processing platforms, multiple liquid layers can exist and their respective sloshing motions can also affect operational effectiveness or platform performance. To numerically simulate those problems, a new multiliquid moving particle simulation (MPS) method is developed. In particular, to better simulate the relevant physics, robust self-buoyancy model, interface searching model, and surface-tension model are developed. The developed multiliquid MPS method is validated by comparisons against experiment in which three-liquid-sloshing experiment and the corresponding linear potential theory are given. The validated multiliquid MPS program is subsequently coupled with a vessel-motion program in time domain to investigate their dynamic-coupling effects. In case of multiple liquid layers, there exists a variety of sloshing natural frequencies for respective interfaces, so the relevant physics can be much more complicated compared with the single-liquid-tank case. The simulation program can also reproduce the detailed small-scale interface phenomenon called Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. The numerical simulations also show that properly designed liquid cargo tank can also function as a beneficial antirolling device.
The Role of the Shear Work in Microtube Convective Heat Transfer: A Comparative Study
Authors: Ramadan K.
Published: July 2015

Convective heat transfer of a thermally developing rarefied gas flow in a microtube with boundary shear work, viscous dissipation, and axial conduction is analyzed numerically for both constant wall temperature (CWT) and constant wall heat flux (CHF) boundary conditions. Analytical solutions for the fully developed flow conditions including the boundary shear work are also derived. The proper thermal boundary condition considering the sliding friction at the wall for the CHF case is implemented. The sliding friction is also included in the calculation of the wall heat flux for the CWT case. A comparative study is performed to quantify the effect of the shear work on heat transfer in the entrance—and the fully developed—regions for both gas cooling and heating. Results are presented in both graphical and tabular forms for a range of problem parameters. The results show that the effect of shear work on heat transfer is considerable and it increases with increasing both the Knudsen number and Brinkman number. Neglecting the shear work in a microtube slip flow leads to over- or underestimating the Nusselt number considerably. In particular, for the CWT case with fully developed conditions, the contribution of the shear work to heat transfer can be around 45% in the vicinity of the upper limit of the slip flow regime, regardless of how small the nonzero Brinkman number can be.
Influence of a Magnetic Obstacle on Forced Convection in a Three-Dimensional Duct With a Circular Cylinder
Authors: Zhang Xidong , Huang Hulin , Zhang Yin , Wang Hongyan
Published: July 2015

The predictions of flow structure, vortex shedding, and drag force around a circular cylinder are promoted by both academic interest and a wide range of practical situations. To control the flow around a circular cylinder, a magnetic obstacle is set upstream of the circular cylinder in this study for active controlling the separated flow behind bluff obstacle. Moreover, the changing of position, size, and intensity of magnetic obstacle is easy. The governing parameters are the magnetic obstacle width (d/D = 0.0333, 0.1, and 0.333) selected on cylinder diameter, D, and position (L/D) ranging from 2 to 11.667 at fixed Reynolds number Rel (based on the half-height of the duct) of 300 and the relative magnetic effect given by the Hartmann number Ha of 52. Results are presented in terms of instantaneous contours of vorticity, streamlines, drag coefficient, Strouhal number, pressure drop penalty, and local and average Nusselt numbers for various magnetic obstacle widths and positions. The computed results show that there are two flow patterns, one with vortex shedding from the magnetic obstacle and one without vortex shedding. The optimum conditions for drag reduction are L/D = 2 and d/D = 0.0333–0.333, and under these conditions, the pressure drop penalty is acceptable. However, the maximum value of the mean Nusselt number of the downstream cylinder is about 93% of that for a single cylinder.
Two-Phase Convective Cooling for Ultrahigh Power Dissipation in Microprocessors
Authors: Kottke Peter A. , Yun Thomas M. , Green Craig E. , Joshi Yogendra K. , Fedorov Andrei G.
Published: July 2015

We present results of modeling for the design of microgaps for the removal of high heat fluxes via a strategy of high mass flux, high quality, and two-phase forced convection. Modeling includes (1) thermodynamic analysis to obtain performance trends across a wide range of candidate coolants, (2) evaluation of worst-case pressure drop due to contraction and expansion in inlet/outlet manifolds, and (3) 1D reduced-order simulations to obtain realistic estimates of different contributions to the pressure drops. The main result is the identification of a general trend of improved heat transfer performance at higher system pressure.
Tracking the radiation reaction energy when charged bodies accelerate
Authors: Steane Andrew M.
Published: July 2015

We consider radiation reaction and energy conservation in classical electromagnetism. We first treat the well-known problem of energy accounting during radiation from a uniformly accelerating particle. This gives rise to the following paradox: when the self-force vanishes, the system providing the applied force does only enough work to give the particle its kinetic energy—so where does the energy that is eventually radiated away come from? We answer this question using a modern treatment of radiation reaction and self-force, as it appears in the expression due to Eliezer and Ford and O'Connell. We clarify the influence of the Schott force, and we find that the radiated power is 2q2a0·f0/(3mc3), which differs from Larmor's formula. Finally, we present a simple and highly visual argument that enables one to track the radiated energy without the need to appeal to the far field in the distant future (the “wave zone”).
How fast do living organisms move: Maximum speeds from bacteria to elephants and whales
Authors: Meyer-Vernet Nicole , Rospars Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2015

Despite their variety and complexity, living organisms obey simple scaling laws due to the universality of the laws of physics. In the present paper, we study the scaling between maximum speed and size, from bacteria to the largest mammals. While the preferred speed has been widely studied in the framework of Newtonian mechanics, the maximum speed has rarely attracted the interest of physicists, despite its remarkable scaling property; it is roughly proportional to length throughout nearly the whole range of running and swimming organisms. We propose a simple order-of-magnitude interpretation of this ubiquitous relationship, based on physical properties shared by life forms of very different body structure and varying by more than 20 orders of magnitude in body mass.
Resource Letter SOP-1: Self-Organizing Physics
Authors: Jacobs Donald T.
Published: July 2015

This Resource Letter introduces the reader to an area of physics where systems can self-organize to a particular shape or behavior that, while dynamically changing, is surprisingly robust. The self-organization is due to the complex interactions that typically preclude explanation from just the forces among adjacent molecules or objects. How one recognizes such systems and explains their behavior is the topic of this Resource Letter. Some systems exhibit universal behavior that is well documented and understood, but other systems are just now being investigated.
Millikan award lecture: Students of physics—Listeners, observers, or collaborative participants in physics scientific practices?
Authors: Etkina Eugenia
Published: July 2015

This article is a written version of my acceptance speech upon receiving the Millikan Medal at the 2014 Summer AAPT meeting. In the talk I shared an approach to learning and teaching physics that engages students learning introductory physics in the processes that physicists use to construct physics concepts, physical quantities, and equations, as well as to solve problems. This article describes the origins of the method, its characteristic features, research on its implementation, and available resources.
An assessment of individualized technical ear training for audio production
Authors: Kim Sungyoung
Published: July 2015

An individualized technical ear training method is compared to a non-individualized method. The efficacy of the individualized method is assessed using a standardized test conducted before and after the training period. Participants who received individualized training improved better than the control group on the test. Results indicate the importance of individualized training for acquisition of spectrum-identification and spectrum-matching skills. Individualized training, therefore, should be implemented by default into technical ear training programs used in audio production industry and education.
Vocal classification of vocalizations of a pair of Asian Small-Clawed otters to determine stress
Authors: Scheifele Peter M. , Johnson Michael T. , Fry Michelle , Hamel Benjamin , Laclede Kathryn
Published: July 2015

Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinerea) are a small, protected but threatened species living in freshwater. They are gregarious and live in monogamous pairs for their lifetimes, communicating via scent and acoustic vocalizations. This study utilized a hidden Markov model (HMM) to classify stress versus non-stress calls from a sibling pair under professional care. Vocalizations were expertly annotated by keepers into seven contextual categories. Four of these—aggression, separation anxiety, pain, and prefeeding—were identified as stressful contexts, and three of them—feeding, training, and play—were identified as non-stressful contexts. The vocalizations were segmented, manually categorized into broad vocal type call types, and analyzed to determine signal to noise ratios. From this information, vocalizations from the most common contextual categories were used to implement HMM-based automatic classification experiments, which included individual identification, stress vs non-stress, and individual context classification. Results indicate that both individual identity and stress vs non-stress were distinguishable, with accuracies above 90%, but that individual contexts within the stress category were not easily separable.
App-enabled trial participation: Tectonic shift or tepid rumble?
Authors: Friend Stephen H.
Published: July 2015

App-enabled clinical trials can transform our view of health, disease, and translational research.
The prodrug DHED selectively delivers 17β-estradiol to the brain for treating estrogen-responsive disorders
Authors: Prokai Laszlo , Nguyen Vien , Szarka Szabolcs , Garg Puja , Sabnis Gauri , Bimonte-Nelson Heather A. , McLaughlin Katie J. , Talboom Joshua S. , Conrad Cheryl D. , Shughrue Paul J. , Gould Todd D. , Brodie Angela , Merchenthaler Istvan , Koulen Peter , Prokai-Tatrai Katalin
Published: July 2015

The bioprecursor prodrug 10β, 17β-dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED) allows 17β-estradiol to form in the female brain for neuroprotection and to treat neurological and psychiatric symptoms of menopause.
Comment on “Tracking donor-reactive T cells: Evidence for clonal deletion in tolerant kidney transplant patients”
Authors: Gorochov Guy , Larsen Martin , Parizot Christophe , Brisson Hélène , Nienen Mikalai , Kuchenbecker Leon , Babel Nina , Neumann Avidan U.
Published: July 2015

Difficulties in tracking of bona fide alloreactive clones may limit understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous tolerance.
Inspirational genes
Authors: Henriques-Forsythe Marshaleen
Published: July 2015

This study investigated the impact of nebulized nonviral gene therapy on lung function in cystic fibrosis patients.
Add ARBs to injury?
Authors: Ju Yo-El
Published: July 2015

With an experimental design that mimics the dose and timing possible in patients, angiotensin receptor blockers improve recovery after traumatic brain injury in mice.
Fresh AIRE for autoimmune disease genetics
Authors: Marson Alexander
Published: July 2015

New evidence highlights heterozygous mutations in
AIRE
, with dominant negative effects causing loss of tolerance and organ-specific autoimmunity.
Author response to comment on “Tracking donor-reactive T cells: Evidence for clonal deletion in tolerant kidney transplant patients”
Authors: DeWolf Susan , Morris Heather , Shen Yufeng , Sykes Megan
Published: July 2015

Difficulties in tracking of bona fide alloreactive clones may limit understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous tolerance.
VegPáramo, a flora and vegetation database for the Andean páramo
Authors: Peyre Gwendolyn , Balslev Henrik , Martí David , Sklenář Petr , Ramsay Paul , Lozano Pablo , Cuello Nidia , Bussmann Rainer , Cabrera Omar , Font Xavier
Published: July 2015

The páramo region in the northern Andes is very biodiverse, presents high endemism and provides many ecosystem services. Unfortunately, the páramo is critically threatened by anthropogenic activities and climate change. Further research and development of efficient conservation
strategies are therefore needed for the region, but they are often limited by the lack of consistent biological data-sources. Here we present VegPáramo (GIVD ID: SA-00-002, http://www.givd.info/ID/SA-00-002), a flora and vegetation database for the páramo based on phytosociological
vegetation plots. VegPáramo contains data from 3,000 georeferenced vegetation plots with updated nomenclature. The database is accessible through the webportal http://www.vegparamo.com, from which floristic and vegetation data can be freely consulted and downloaded. This new tool should
make future botanical and ecological páramo studies easier. VegPáramo is already geographically and floristically representative for the páramo region, but we hope it will continue to grow in scientific significance via new data addition and revision.
A New Way of Sensing: Need-Based Activation of Antibiotic Resistance by a Flux-Sensing Mechanism
Authors: Fritz Georg , Dintner Sebastian , Treichel Nicole Simone , Radeck Jara , Gerland Ulrich , Mascher Thorsten , Gebhard Susanne
Published: July 2015

Sensing of and responding to environmental changes are of vital importance for microbial cells. Consequently, bacteria have evolved a plethora of signaling systems that usually sense biochemical cues either via direct ligand binding, thereby acting as “concentration sensors,” or by responding to downstream effects on bacterial physiology, such as structural damage to the cell. Here, we describe a novel, alternative signaling mechanism that effectively implements a “flux sensor” to regulate antibiotic resistance. It relies on a sensory complex consisting of a histidine kinase and an ABC transporter, in which the transporter fulfills the dual role of both the sensor of the antibiotic and the mediator of resistance against it. Combining systems biological modeling with
in vivo
experimentation, we show that these systems in fact respond to changes in activity of individual resistance transporters rather than to changes in the antibiotic concentration. Our model shows that the cell thereby adjusts the rate of
de novo
transporter synthesis to precisely the level needed for protection. Such a flux-sensing mechanism may serve as a cost-efficient produce-to-demand strategy, controlling a widely conserved class of antibiotic resistance systems.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria have to be able to accurately perceive their environment to allow adaptation to changing conditions. This is usually accomplished by sensing the concentrations of beneficial or harmful substances or by measuring the effect of the prevailing conditions on the cell. Here we show the existence of a new way of sensing the environment, where the bacteria monitor the activity of an antibiotic resistance transporter. Such a “flux-sensing” mechanism allows the cell to detect its current capacity to deal with the antibiotic challenge and thus precisely respond to the need for more transporters. We propose that this is a cost-efficient way of regulating antibiotic resistance on demand.
Mucosal Immunization with Newcastle Disease Virus Vector Coexpressing HIV-1 Env and Gag Proteins Elicits Potent Serum, Mucosal, and Cellular Immune Responses That Protect against Vaccinia Virus Env and Gag Challenges
Authors: Khattar Sunil K. , Manoharan Vinoth , Bhattarai Bikash , LaBranche Celia C. , Montefiori David C. , Samal Siba K.
Published: July 2015

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) avirulent strain LaSota was used to coexpress gp160 Env and p55 Gag from a single vector to enhance both Env-specific and Gag-specific immune responses. The optimal transcription position for both Env and Gag genes in the NDV genome was determined by generating recombinant NDV (rNDV)-Env-Gag (gp160 located between the P and M genes and Gag between the HN and L genes), rNDV-Gag-Env (Gag located between the P and M genes and gp160 between the HN and L genes), rNDV-Env/Gag (gp160 followed by Gag located between the P and M genes), and rNDV-Gag/Env (Gag followed by gp160 located between the P and M genes). All the recombinant viruses replicated at levels similar to those seen with parental NDV in embryonated chicken eggs and in chicken fibroblast cells. Both gp160 and Gag proteins were expressed at high levels in cell culture, with gp160 found to be incorporated into the envelope of NDV. The Gag and Env proteins expressed by all the recombinants except rNDV-Env-Gag self-assembled into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of guinea pigs by the intranasal route with these rNDVs produced long-lasting Env- and Gag-specific humoral immune responses. The Env-specific humoral and mucosal immune responses and Gag-specific humoral immune responses were higher in rNDV-Gag/Env and rNDV-Env/Gag than in the other recombinants. rNDV-Gag/Env and rNDV-Env/Gag were also more efficient in inducing cellular as well as protective immune responses to challenge with vaccinia viruses expressing HIV-1 Env and Gag in mice. These results suggest that vaccination with a single rNDV coexpressing Env and Gag represents a promising strategy to enhance immunogenicity and protective efficacy against HIV.

IMPORTANCE
A safe and effective vaccine that can induce both systemic and mucosal immune responses is needed to control HIV-1. In this study, we showed that coexpression of Env and Gag proteins of HIV-1 performed using a single Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vector led to the formation of HIV-1 virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of guinea pigs with recombinant NDVs (rNDVs) elicited potent long-lasting systemic and mucosal immune responses to HIV. Additionally, the rNDVs were efficient in inducing cellular immune responses to HIV and protective immunity to challenge with vaccinia viruses expressing HIV Env and Gag in mice. These results suggest that the use of a single NDV expressing Env and Gag proteins simultaneously is a novel strategy to develop a safe and effective vaccine against HIV.