bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method of Map Extrapolation for Unequal and Partial Admission in a Double Entry Turbine
Authors: Newton Peter , Romagnoli Alessandro , Martinez-Botas Ricardo , Copeland Colin , Seiler Martin
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a method for prediction of the unequal admission performance of a double entry turbine based on the full admission turbine maps and a minimal number of unequal admission points. The double entry turbine has two separate inlet ports which feed a single turbine wheel: this arrangement can be beneficial in a turbocharger application; however the additional entry does add complexity in producing a complete turbine map which includes unequal admission behaviour.

When a double entry turbine is operated under full admission conditions, with both entries feeding the turbine equally, this will act effectively as a single entry device and the turbine performance can be represented by a standard turbine map. In reality a multiple entry turbine will spend the majority of time operating under varying degrees of unequal admission, with each entry feeding the turbine different amounts; the extent of this inequality can have a considerable impact on turbine performance. In order to produce a full map which extends from full admission through to the partial admission case (where one inlet has no flow) a large number of unequal admission data points are required.

The paper starts by discussing previous attempts to describe the partial and unequal admission performance of a double entry turbine. The full unequal admission performance is then presented for a nozzled, double entry turbine. The impact of unequal admission on turbine performance is demonstrated. Under some conditions of operation, the turbine efficiency may be less than half that of the equivalent full admission case based on the average turbine velocity ratio. A method of using the steady, equal admission maps, with a limited number of unequal admission data points, to predict the full unequal admission behaviour is presented. A good agreement is found when the map extension method is validated against the full unequal admission turbine performance measured on a test stand. In the prediction of efficiency a mean error of approximately 0.39% is found between the test stand data and the proposed extrapolation method, with a standard deviation of 2.79%. A better agreement is generally found at conditions of higher power.
Estimation of Burner Can-Induced Excitation Levels in an Industrial Gas Turbine
Authors: Mayorca Maria A. , Bladh Ronnie , Ozturk Utkudeniz
Published: November 2013

Burner cans lead to a flow field at the turbine inlet with higher temperature gradients than in annular combustors. The circumferential unevenness of the temperature can become a relevant source of harmonic excitation on the downstream rotor blades. The main purpose of this work is to estimate the forcing levels of the burner can excitations on blades through the entire turbine, i.e., not only the blades immediately downstream of the burners cans are of interest.

Both the compressor turbine and the power turbine are modeled in a unique setup using 3D unsteady flow simulations. Two relevant turbine inlet temperature distributions are considered. The high cycle fatigue risk due to the excitation from the burner can harmonics is assessed for the last stage rotor blade. The obtained results show that the hot streaks constitute an important source of excitation, but that the stress level of this blade can be expected to stay below the fatigue limit.

A further phenomenological study is conducted in order to understand the annular flow unevenness propagation along the stages. The hot streak-induced flow perturbations are found to vary considerably in both annular and span-wise directions. The blade force stimuli of the first burner can harmonic are found to remain on the same order through the turbine, while the second harmonic stimuli exhibit a one-order decay. The possibility to use simplified models to predict burner can excitation is discussed and found less promising.
Gain Scheduling Control of Gas Turbine Engines: Stability by Computing a Single Quadratic Lyapunov Function
Authors: Pakmehr Mehrdad , Fitzgerald Nathan , Feron Eric M. , Shamma Jeff S. , Behbahani Alireza
Published: November 2013

We develop and describe a stable gain scheduling controller for a gas turbine engine that drives a variable pitch propeller. A stability proof is developed for gain scheduled closed-loop system using global linearization and linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques. Using convex optimization tools, a single quadratic Lyapunov function is computed for multiple linearizations near equilibrium and non-equilibrium points of the nonlinear closed-loop system. This approach guarantees stability of the closed-loop gas turbine engine system. Simulation results show the developed gain scheduling controller is capable of regulating a turboshaft engine for large thrust commands in a stable fashion with proper tracking performance.
The Staphylococcus aureus SrrAB Two-Component System Promotes Resistance to Nitrosative Stress and Hypoxia
Authors: Kinkel Traci L. , Roux Christelle M. , Dunman Paul M. , Fang Ferric C.
Published: November 2013

Staphylococcus aureus
is both a commensal and a pathogen of the human host. Survival in the host environment requires resistance to host-derived nitric oxide (NO·). However,
S. aureus
lacks the NO·-sensing transcriptional regulator NsrR that is used by many bacteria to sense and respond to NO·. In this study, we show that
S. aureus
is able to sense and respond to both NO· and hypoxia by means of the SrrAB two-component system (TCS). Analysis of the
S. aureus
transcriptome during nitrosative stress demonstrates the expression of SrrAB-dependent genes required for cytochrome biosynthesis and assembly (
qoxABCD
,
cydAB
,
hemABCX
), anaerobic metabolism (
pflAB
,
adhE
,
nrdDG
), iron-sulfur cluster repair (
scdA
), and NO· detoxification (
hmp
). Targeted mutations in SrrAB-regulated loci show that
hmp
and
qoxABCD
are required for NO· resistance, whereas
nrdDG
is specifically required for anaerobic growth. We also show that SrrAB is required for survival in static biofilms, most likely due to oxygen limitation. Activation by hypoxia, NO·, or a
qoxABCD
quinol oxidase mutation suggests that the SrrAB TCS senses impaired electron flow in the electron transport chain rather than directly interacting with NO· in the manner of NsrR. Nevertheless, like NsrR, SrrAB achieves the physiological goals of selectively expressing
hmp
in the presence of NO· and minimizing the potential for Fenton chemistry. Activation of the SrrAB regulon allows
S. aureus
to maintain energy production and essential biosynthetic processes, repair damage, and detoxify NO· in diverse host environments.

IMPORTANCE
The Hmp flavohemoglobin is required for nitric oxide resistance and is widely distributed in bacteria. Hmp expression must be tightly regulated, because expression under aerobic conditions in the absence of nitric oxide can exacerbate oxidative stress. In most organisms,
hmp
expression is controlled by the Fe-S cluster-containing repressor NsrR, but this transcriptional regulator is absent in the human pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
. We show here that
S. aureus
achieves
hmp
regulation in response to nitric oxide and oxygen limitation by placing it under the control of the SrrAB two-component system, which senses reduced electron flow through the respiratory chain. This provides a striking example of convergent evolution, in which the common physiological goals of responding to nitrosative stress while minimizing Fenton chemistry are achieved by distinct regulatory mechanisms.
Overproduction of Flotillin Influences Cell Differentiation and Shape in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Mielich-Süss Benjamin , Schneider Johannes , Lopez Daniel
Published: November 2013

Bacteria organize many membrane-related signaling processes in functional microdomains that are structurally and functionally similar to the lipid rafts of eukaryotic cells. An important structural component of these microdomains is the protein flotillin, which seems to act as a chaperone in recruiting other proteins to lipid rafts to facilitate their interaction. In eukaryotic cells, the occurrence of severe diseases is often observed in combination with an overproduction of flotillin, but a functional link between these two phenomena is yet to be demonstrated. In this work, we used the bacterial model
Bacillus subtilis
as a tractable system to study the physiological alterations that occur in cells that overproduce flotillin. We discovered that an excess of flotillin altered specific signal transduction pathways that are associated with the membrane microdomains of bacteria. As a consequence of this, we detected significant defects in cell division and cell differentiation. These physiological alterations were in part caused by an unusual stabilization of the raft-associated protease FtsH. This report opens the possibility of using bacteria as a working model to better understand fundamental questions related to the functionality of lipid rafts.

IMPORTANCE
The identification of signaling platforms in the membrane of bacteria that are functionally and structurally equivalent to eukaryotic lipid rafts reveals a level of sophistication in signal transduction and membrane organization unexpected in bacteria. It opens new and promising venues to address intricate questions related to the functionality of lipid rafts by using bacteria as a more tractable system. This is the first report that uses bacteria as a working model to investigate a fundamental question that was previously raised while studying the role of eukaryotic lipid rafts. It also provides evidence of the critical role of these signaling platforms in orchestrating diverse physiological processes in prokaryotic cells.
Genome-Wide Effects of Selenium and Translational Uncoupling on Transcription in the Termite Gut Symbiont Treponema primitia
Authors: Matson Eric G. , Rosenthal Adam Z. , Zhang Xinning , Leadbetter Jared R.
Published: November 2013

When prokaryotic cells acquire mutations, encounter translation-inhibiting substances, or experience adverse environmental conditions that limit their ability to synthesize proteins, transcription can become uncoupled from translation. Such uncoupling is known to suppress transcription of protein-encoding genes in bacteria. Here we show that the trace element selenium controls transcription of the gene for the selenocysteine-utilizing enzyme formate dehydrogenase (fdhFSec) through a translation-coupled mechanism in the termite gut symbiontTreponema primitia, a member of the bacterial phylumSpirochaetes. We also evaluated changes in genome-wide transcriptional patterns caused by selenium limitation and by generally uncoupling translation from transcription via antibiotic-mediated inhibition of protein synthesis. We observed that inhibiting protein synthesis inT. primitiainfluences transcriptional patterns in unexpected ways. In addition to suppressing transcription of certain genes, the expected consequence of inhibiting protein synthesis, we found numerous examples in which transcription of genes and operons is truncated far downstream from putative promoters, is unchanged, or is even stimulated overall. These results indicate that gene regulation in bacteria allows for specific post-initiation transcriptional responses during periods of limited protein synthesis, which may depend both on translational coupling and on unclassified intrinsic elements of protein-encoding genes.

IMPORTANCEA large body of literature demonstrates that the coupling of transcription and translation is a general and essential method by which bacteria regulate gene expression levels. However, the potential role of noncanonical amino acids in regulating transcriptional output via translational control remains, for the most part, undefined. Furthermore, the genome-wide transcriptional state in response to translational decoupling is not well quantified. The results presented here suggest that the noncanonical amino acid selenocysteine is able to tune transcription of an important metabolic gene via translational coupling. Furthermore, a genome-wide analysis reveals that transcriptional decoupling produces a wide-ranging effect and that this effect is not uniform. These results exemplify how growth conditions that impact translational processivity can rapidly feed back on transcriptional productivity of prespecified groups of genes, providing bacteria with an efficient response to environmental changes.
Rectosigmoid gallstone coleus: a rare emergency presentation
Authors: Ball William Robert , Elshaieb Mohamed , Hershman Michael Jeremy
Published: November 2013

An elderly woman presented with abdominal pain and vomiting, was known to have gallstones. A CT scan was arranged identifying gallstone ileus and cholecystitis. Ensuing sepsis precipitated fast atrial fibrillation delaying the planned laparotomy. Her symptoms subsequently resolved with conservative management. Ten days following admission her abdomen became distended. A repeat CT scan showed large bowel dilation with intramural air suggestive of obstruction and bowel ischaemia. Emergency laparotomy was performed identifying a large 23 mm gallstone impacted at the rectosigmoid junction (gallstone coleus). The stone was milked back to the transverse colon where it was retrieved and a transverse loop colostomy was formed. Gallstone ileus is rare; gallstone coleus is even rarer. On review of the published literature both entities have not been seen in the same patient during the same admission or indeed caused by the same gallstone.
A combination of anatomical and functional evaluations improves the prediction of cardiac event in patients with coronary artery bypass
Authors: Kawai Hideki , Sarai Masayoshi , Motoyama Sadako , Ito Hajime , Takada Kayoko , Harigaya Hiroto , Takahashi Hiroshi , Hashimoto Shuji , Takagi Yasushi , Ando Motomi , Anno Hirofumi , Ishii Junichi , Murohara Toyoaki , Ozaki Yukio
Published: November 2013

Objective

To study the usefulness of combined risk stratification of coronary CT angiography (CTA) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with previous coronary-artery-bypass grafting (CABG).

Design

A retrospective, observational, single centre study.

Setting and patients

204 patients (84.3% men, mean age 68.7±7.6) undergoing CTA and MPI.

Main outcome measures

CTA defined unprotected coronary territories (UCT; 0, 1, 2 or 3) by evaluating the number of significant stenoses which were defined as the left main trunk ≥50% diameter stenosis, other native vessel stenosis ≥70% or graft stenosis ≥70%. Using a cut-off value with receiver-operating characteristics analysis, all patients were divided into four groups: group A (UCT=0, summed stress score (SSS)<4), group B (UCT≥1, SSS<4), group C (UCT=0, SSS≥4) and group D (UCT≥1, SSS≥4).

Results

Cardiac events, as a composite end point including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularisation and heart-failure hospitalisation, were observed in 27 patients for a median follow-up of 27.5 months. The annual event rates were 1.1%, 2%, 5.7% and 12.9% of patients in groups A, B, C and D, respectively (log rank p value <0.0001). Adding UCT or SSS to a model with significant clinical factors including left ventricular ejection fraction, time since CABG and Euro SCORE II improved the prediction of events, while adding UCT and SSS to the model improved it greatly with increasing C-index, net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement.

Conclusions

The combination of anatomical and functional evaluations non-invasively enhances the predictive accuracy of cardiac events in patients with CABG.
Nano ZrO2: an efficient, recyclable, and inexpensive catalyst for diastereoselective three-component Mannich reactions
Authors: Abaee M. Saeed , Akbarzadeh Elahe , Shockravi Abbas , Mojtahedi Mohammad M. , Khavasi Hamid Reza
Published: November 2013

A facile procedure is developed for the three-component Mannich reactions of several heterocyclic, homocyclic, and acyclic ketones by using catalytic quantities of nano ZrO2. As a result, the starting ketones undergo rapid reactions with a variety of aromatic aldehydes and aniline derivatives at room temperature to produce stereoselectively high yields of the corresponding anti β-amino ketones. Interestingly, the catalyst could be recycled for several runs in a row without significant loss of its activity. The structure of the products was assigned based on their spectroscopic data and the anti stereoselectivity was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.
LITTLE RIP AND PSEUDO RIP PHENOMENA FROM COUPLED DARK ENERGY
Authors: BREVIK I. , TIMOSHKIN A. V. , RABOCHAYA Y.
Published: November 2013

We consider Little Rip (LR) and Pseudo Rip (PR) cosmological models with two interacting ideal fluids, corresponding to dark energy and dark matter. The interaction between the dark energy and the dark matter fluid components is described in terms of the parameters in the equations of state for the LR and PR universes. In contrast to a model containing only a pure dark energy, the presence of the interaction term between the fluid components in the gravitational equations leads to a modification of the equation of state parameters. The properties of the early universe in this formalism are pointed out.
Vignetting and Field of View with the KAMRA Corneal Inlay
Authors: Langenbucher Achim , Goebels Susanne , Szentmáry Nóra , Seitz Berthold , Eppig Timo
Published: November 2013

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of the KAMRA corneal inlay on the retinal image brightness in the peripheral visual field.Methods. A KAMRA inlay was “implanted” into a theoretical eye model in a corneal depth of 200 microns. Corneal radius was varied to a steep, normal, and flat (7.37, 7.77, and 8.17 mm) version keeping the proportion of anterior to posterior radius constant. Pupil size was varied from 2.0 to 5.0 mm. Image brightness was determined for field angles from −70° to 70° with and without KAMRA and proportion of light attenuation was recorded.Results. In our parameter space, the attenuation in brightness ranges in between 0 and 60%. The attenuation in brightness is not affected by corneal shape. For large field angles where the incident ray bundle is passing through the peripheral cornea, brightness is not affected. For combinations of small pupil sizes (2.0 and 2.5 mm) and field angles of 20–40°, up to 60% of light may be blocked with the KAMRA.Conclusion. For combinations of pupil sizes and field angles, the attenuation of image brightness reaches levels up to 60%. Our theoretical findings have to be clinically validated with detailed investigation of this vignetting effect.
E. coliMeningitis Presenting in a Patient with DisseminatedStrongyloides stercoralis
Authors: Gomez Juliana B. , Maque Yvan , Moquillaza Manuel A. , Anicama William E.
Published: November 2013

Introduction. SpontaneousEscherichia colimeningitis is an infrequent condition in adults and is associated with some predisposing factors, including severeStrongyloides stercoralis(SS) infections.Case Presentation. A 43-year-old Hispanic man, with history of travelling to the jungle regions of Peru and Brazil two decades ago, and who received prednisone due to Bell’s palsy for three weeks before admission, presented to the Emergency Department with diarrhea, fever, and hematochezia. A week after admission he developed drowsiness, meningeal signs, abdominal distension, and constipation. A cerebrospinal fluid culture showed extended spectrumβ-lactamase producingE. coli. A colonoscopy was performed and showed pancolitis. Three days after the procedure the patient became unstable and developed peritoneal signs. He underwent a laparotomy, which ended up in a total colectomy and partial proctectomy due to toxic megacolon. Three days later the patient died in the intensive care unit due to septic shock. Autopsy was performed and microscopic examination revealed the presence of multipleStrongyloideslarvae throughout the body.Conclusion.Strongyloides stercoralisinfection should be excluded in adults with spontaneousE. colimeningitis, especially, if gastrointestinal symptoms and history of travelling to an endemic area are present. Even with a proper diagnosis and management, disseminated strongyloidiasis has a poor prognosis.
Psoriasiform Drug Eruption Associated with Sodium Valproate
Authors: Gul Mert Gulen , Incecik Faruk , Gunasti Suhan , Herguner Ozlem , Altunbasak Sakir
Published: November 2013

As psoriasis is a common skin disorder, knowledge of the factors that may induce, trigger, or exacerbate the disease is of primary importance in clinical practice. Drug intake is a major concern in this respect, as new drugs are constantly being added to the list of factors that may influence the course of the disease. We report a patient with a psoriasiform drug eruption associated with the use of sodium valproate. Physicians should be aware of this type of reaction. Early detection of these cases has practical importance since the identification and elimination of the causative drug are essential for therapy success.
Circular Photonic Crystal Fibers: Numerical Analysis of Chromatic Dispersion and Losses
Authors: Maji Partha Sona , Roy Chaudhuri Partha
Published: November 2013

Detailed numerical analysis for dispersion properties and losses has been carried out for a new type of Photonic crystal fiber where the air-holes are arranged in a circular pattern with a silica matrix called as Circular Photonic Crystal Fiber (C-PCF). The dependence of different PCF geometrical parameters namely different circular spacings, air-hole diameter and numbers of air-hole rings are carried out in detail towards practical applications. Our numerical analysis establishes that total dispersion is strongly affected by the interplay between material dispersion and waveguide dispersion. For smaller air-filing fraction, adding extra air-hole rings does not change dispersion much whereas for higher air-filling fraction, the dispersion nature changes significantly. With proper adjustment of the parameters ultra-flattened dispersion could be achieved; though the application can be limited by higher losses. However, the ultra-flat dispersion fibers can be used for practical high power applications like supercontinuum generation (SCG) by reducing the loss at the pumping wavelength by increasing the no of air-hole rings. Broadband smooth SCG can also be achieved with low loss oscillating near-zero dispersion fiber with higher no of air-hole rings. The detail study shows that for realistic dispersion engineering we need to be careful for both loss and dispersion.
Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Chinese Patients of Different Age Decades
Authors: Pan Jian Gang , Jiang Chun , Luo Runqi , Zhou Xing
Published: November 2013

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and annual prostate growth rates in Chinese patients of different age decades with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data obtained from 1,052 Chinese men with BPH. Overnight fasting venous blood specimens were collected and serum levels of prostate-specific antigen, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded. We divided age into four groups: 50 ≤ age ≤ 60, 60 < age ≤ 70, 70 < age ≤ 80 and 80 < age ≤ 90. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to test the linearity of the relationships between each of the MetS components and prostate volume and annual prostate growth rates generally and in different age decades. Results: The median total prostate volume (69.01 ml) and median annual prostate growth rate (1.92 ml/year) were significantly higher in the MetS group compared with the non-MetS group (57.26 ml and 1.23 ml/year). Significant positive correlations were also found in total prostate volume and different age decades, while negative correlations were seen in annual prostate growth rate and different age decades. Conclusions: MetS is associated with an increased risk of total volume and annual prostate growth rate in BPH patients of different age decades.
Clinical Outcome of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin as Second-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Resistant to First-Line Therapy with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
Authors: Terakawa Tomoaki , Miyake Hideaki , Yokoyama Naoki , Miyazaki Akira , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Inoue Takaaki , Fujisawa Masato
Published: November 2013

Objective: The objective was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of combined therapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC) in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma after the failure of first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC). Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study including a total of 16 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma who showed evidence of progressive and/or recurrent disease after first-line therapy with GC and subsequently received second-line chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) and carboplatin (area under the curve 5). TC therapy was repeated every 3 weeks and was continued until disease progression or intolerable toxicity was observed. Results: The baseline patient characteristics were rather favorable; only 3 of 16 patients had liver metastases and 7 patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0. Of these, response to TC therapy was achieved in 5 (31.3%), including 2 with complete and 3 with partial response. The median progression-free and overall survival times in the 16 patients were 7.9 and 17.3 months, respectively. Conclusions: TC therapy appeared to show modest activity with acceptable tolerability in patients refractory to GC therapy; therefore, TC chemotherapy might be considered as an alternative option as a second-line regimen for advanced urothelial carcinoma following GC therapy.
Response Inhibition in Pedophilia: An fMRI Pilot Study
Authors: Habermeyer Benedikt , Esposito Fabrizio , Händel Nadja , Lemoine Patrick , Kuhl Hans Christian , Klarhöfer Markus , Mager Ralph , Mokros Andreas , Dittmann Volker , Seifritz Erich , Graf Marc
Published: November 2013

Background: The failure to inhibit pleasurable but inappropriate urges is associated with frontal lobe pathology and has been suggested as a possible cause of pedophilic behavior. However, imaging and neuropsychological findings about frontal pathology in pedophilia are heterogeneous. In our study we therefore address inhibition behaviorally and by means of functional imaging, aiming to assess how inhibition in pedophilia is related to a differential recruitment of frontal brain areas. Method: Eleven pedophilic subjects and 7 nonpedophilic controls underwent fMRI while performing a go/no-go task composed of neutral letters. Results: Pedophilic subjects showed a slower reaction time and less accurate visual target discrimination. fMRI voxel-level ANOVA revealed as a main effect of the go/no-go task an activation of prefrontal and parietal brain regions in the no-go condition, while the left anterior cingulate, precuneus and gyrus angularis became more activated in the go condition. In addition, a group × task interaction was found in the left precuneus and gyrus angularis. This interaction was based on an attenuated deactivation of these brain regions in the pedophilic group during performance of the no-go condition. The positive correlation between blood oxygen level-dependent imaging signal and reaction time in these brain areas indicates that attenuated deactivation is related to the behavioral findings. Conclusion: Slower reaction time and less accurate visual target discrimination in pedophilia was accompanied by attenuated deactivation of brain areas belonging to the default mode network. Our findings thus support the notion that behavioral differences might also derive from self-related processes and not necessarily from frontal lobe pathology.
Check It, Change It
Authors: Shah Bimal R. , Thomas Kevin L. , Elliot-Bynum Sharon , Thomas Kristin , Damon Katrina , Allen LaPointe Nancy , Calhoun Sarah A. , Thomas Laine , Mathews Robin , Califf Robert M. , Peterson Eric D.
Published: November 2013

Background—

Despite the widespread availability of effective and affordable therapies, hypertension remains this country’s most significant modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Approximately 30% to 50% of individuals with hypertension currently fail to reach guideline-recommended target blood pressure (BP) goals. Although multiple interventions have been proposed to affect better hypertension control, the integration of multiple elements in a community-based program has not been evaluated to date.

Methods and Results—

We created a broadly inclusive community-based initiative to control hypertension called Check It, Change It: The Durham Blood Pressure Challenge (CICI). We enrolled ≈2000 participants with hypertension in 8 ambulatory clinics across Durham County, NC. The CICI program engaged individuals by providing them with tools for self-monitoring and tied this information to their caregivers via a web-based portal (the American Heart Association’s Heart360, a remote BP monitoring system). Additionally, the CICI facilitated clinical intervention of high-risk individuals using physician assistants and community health coaches. The primary outcome will be a change in BP during the 6 months postenrollment in the program, which will be compared with concurrent and historical control populations of nonparticipants.

Conclusions—

We think that this integrated and tiered approach will lead to improved BP control within 6 months. If successful, the CICI program has the potential to enhance community-level BP control.
Leadership Behavior in Public Organizations
Authors: Knies Eva , Leisink Peter
Published: November 2013

Leadership behavior is recognized as an important variable in the Human Resource Management (HRM)-Performance chain. However, in most studies, leadership behavior is viewed as an independent variable, and one that influences employees’ attitudes and behavior. Because of this premise, claims that public managers’ discretionary room for supervisory support is constrained, and that personal motivation is the most important reason for a manager engaging in supervisory support, have not been systematically examined. This article fills this gap by examining the antecedents of supervisory support by middle managers in the police force and in an academic medical center in the Netherlands. The results show that the extent of the discretionary room that middle managers experience has an effect on supervisory support and that this relationship is mediated by their willingness to support employees. Furthermore, a manager’s supportive ability is an important additional antecedent.
Application of fluorometric and numerical analysis for assessing the algal resistance of external thermal insulation composite systems
Authors: von Werder Julia , Venzmer Helmuth , Černý Robert
Published: November 2013

As a consequence of the reduced transmission heat loss, algal growth on external thermal insulation composite systems has given rise to a serious aesthetical problem over the last decade. Manufacturers of paints and rendering systems are competing to increase the algal resistance of their products. The high time investment of free-weathering tests and the lack of objective measures to quantify the growth, however, prevent a systematic and efficient product advancement. Within a multiannual study, the application of fluorometric and numerical analysis was evaluated for assessing the algal resistance of external thermal insulation composite systems. The efficiency of pulse-amplitude modulation fluorometry for directly quantifying the algal biomass on the facade surface was analysed within three weathering tests which comprised 33 different external thermal insulation composite system specimens. The results show that the IMAGING-PAM (imaging pulse-amplitude modulation) fluorometer of the company Walz allows to measure the algal resistance in the course of the weathering process objectively and efficiently. The measurements confirm the effectiveness of biocides and indicate a higher algal resistance of the mineral rendering systems compared to the organic systems. The options and limitations of using numerical simulation for the assessment of the algal resistance of external thermal insulation composite systems were evaluated using the software WUFI® Pro 5.0 developed by the Fraunhofer Institute of Building Physics. Within selected parameter studies, an appropriate evaluation criterion was identified and the impact of varying material data and exterior boundary conditions was assessed. The integrated results emphasize the need to combine experimental and numerical analysis. The missing correspondence between the calculated and measured algal resistance for selected specimens of the weathering test is attributed to the simplifications inherent to the approximation of the hygric material functions and therefore emphasizes the need for further research.
Schwann cell-free adult canine olfactory ensheathing cell preparations from olfactory bulb and mucosa display differential migratory and neurite growth-promoting properties in vitro
Authors: Roloff Frank , Ziege Susanne , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Wewetzer Konstantin , Bicker Gerd
Published: November 2013

Background

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) and Schwann cells (SC) is a promising therapeutic strategy to promote axonal growth and remyelination after spinal cord injury. Previous studies mainly focused on the rat model though results from primate and porcine models differed from those in the rat model. Interestingly, canine OECs show primate-like in vitro characteristics, such as absence of early senescence and abundance of stable p75NTR expression indicating that this species represents a valuable translational species for further studies. So far, few investigations have tested different glial cell types within the same study under identical conditions. This makes it very difficult to evaluate contradictory or confirmatory findings reported in various studies. Moreover, potential contamination of OEC preparations with Schwann cells was difficult to exclude. Thus, it remains rather controversial whether the different glial types display distinct cellular properties.

Results

Here, we established cultures of Schwann cell-free OECs from olfactory bulb (OB-OECs) and mucosa (OM-OECs) and compared them in assays to Schwann cells. These glial cultures were obtained from a canine large animal model and used for monitoring migration, phagocytosis and the effects on in vitro neurite growth. OB-OECs and Schwann cells migrated faster than OM-OECs in a scratch wound assay. Glial cell migration was not modulated by cGMP and cAMP signaling, but activating protein kinase C enhanced motility. All three glial cell types displayed phagocytic activity in a microbead assay. In co-cultures with of human model (NT2) neurons neurite growth was maximal on OB-OECs.

Conclusions

These data provide evidence that OB- and OM-OECs display distinct migratory behavior and interaction with neurites. OB-OECs migrate faster and enhance neurite growth of human model neurons better than Schwann cells, suggesting distinct and inherent properties of these closely-related cell types. Future studies will have to address whether, and how, these cellular properties correlate with the in vivo behavior after transplantation.
Proliferative retinopathy and neovascularization of the anterior segment in female type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Mancini Jorge E , Croxatto Juan O , Gallo Juan E
Published: November 2013

Background

To examine the presence of diabetic retinopathy in a female rat model of type 2 diabetes fed on a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods

Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) at the age of two days and fed on an HFD from eight weeks onwards. Five diabetic animals were euthanized at 110 weeks of disease, together with a control group of age-matched, non-diabetic animals. A group of diabetic animals at 57 weeks of disease was included for comparison. Cross sections of the rats’ corneas, iris and retinas were histologically examined and analysed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, using glial-fibrillary-acidic-protein (GFAP), the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the Von Willebrand factor (vWF). The trypsine digestive technique was used for the pericytes count.

Results

Neovascularization was only found in the retinas, irises and corneas of the diabetic animals of 110 weeks of disease. There was also a significantly lower number of pericytes in these animals than in the controls.

Conclusion

The female rat model of type 2 diabetes fed on an HFD may prove useful in evaluating the mechanisms involved in diabetic retinopathy, together with strategies to reduce its severity.
Technical tips and procedural steps in endovascular aortic aneurysm repair with concomitant recanalization of iliac artery occlusions
Authors: Uchiyamada Jorge Senkichi , Ichihashi Shigeo , Iwakoshi Shinichi , Itoh Hirofumi , Tabayashi Nobuoki , Kichikawa Kimihiko
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to describe our technical strategy and procedural steps for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) when performed with concomitant recanalization of the iliac artery occlusion.

Materials and methods

Three octogenarians having abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)/common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAA) with unilateral external iliac artery (EIA) occlusion underwent EVAR with recanalization of the occluded iliac arteries. Crossing the iliac artery occlusions was attempted in a retrograde approach using a 0.035 inch-hydrophilic guidewire. After passage of a guidewire, predilation was performed using 6mm balloon. Then a 12-Fr sheath was advanced via the occluded EIA for contralateral iliac limb delivery. Internal iliac artery embolization was subsequently performed as needed. A self-expanding stent was then placed in the occluded EIA after EVAR.

Results

Recanalization of the EIA occlusion, followed by stentgraft delivery through the occlusion and EVAR, was successfully performed in all three patients. Penetration of the occluded EIA was successfully achieved only by retrograde approach in two patients, and by bidirectional approach in the other patient. No perioperative complication or death occurred. Postoperative CT showed no type I or III endoleaks in the aneurysms and patent iliac arteries in all patients.

Conclusions

Total endovascular repairs were successfully performed for three patients with AAA and concomitant unilateral EIA occlusions. The proposed steps described in this report might reduce the complication rate and enhance the technical success rate associated with this procedure.
Future view on fibres
Authors: Militký Jiří , Aneja Arun , Křemenáková Dana
Published: November 2013

In this century, textiles will not only offer the best functional features of natural and synthetic fibres, but will be highly engineered systems targeted to provide complex functionalities for technical applications. Biotechnology, fibre engineering and materials science will be key technologies driving the development of these next generation textile systems. Exciting new opportunities will arise at the interfaces - integrated science - between these divergent disciplines. In the general parts of this lecture the factors influencing future trends in the fibre industry and application of fibrous structures are discussed. The core of presentation is specification of cotton and polyester fibres properties required for apparel production and expressing the selected properties changes due to variation of air humidity.
Optoelectronic properties of improved GaN semiconductor on Si (111) using growth approaches and different interlayer's
Authors: Ghosh Bablu , bte. Parimon Norfarariyanti , Yamamoto Akio
Published: November 2013

The crystalline quality of wider direct band gap semiconductor (3.4 eV) h-GaN epilayer grown on Si (111) is evaluated by different growth approaches and by using different interlayer's. The investigations of GaN epilayer crystal quality for the template of converted porous GaN layer formed by novel nitridation process of thin (2 and 0.5 μm) GaAs layer on Si (111) and on C+ ion implanted very thin SiC layer formed on Si (111) and grown ambient effect are made. Epilayer grown on thinner non-isoelectronic converted SiC templates is found to broaden its PL line width whereas epilayer grown on porously converted GaN layer fromed from iso- electronic GaAs (111) layer on Si (111) is found narrow line width. H2 ambient grown film better crystalline quality and higher PL Ex. peak energy is found as compared to N2 ambient grown film. Low temperature PL measurement, similarity between defect related donor-acceptor peaks (DAP) to defect related yellow band luminescence at the room temperature PL measurement is also found. Grown epilayer different characterization reveals better crystalline quality h-GaN is achieved by using thin iso-electronic GaAS interlayer on Si (111) with H2 grown ambient.
Turnover of Electronic Funds: Civil Law Issues
Authors: Коростелев Максим , Korostelev Maksim
Published: November 2013

The article is devoted to the definition of electronic money according to Russian legislation, its legal nature, legal mechanism of its transfer, to the question whether electronic money is legal tender in Russia as well as to the question whether electronic money emission constitutes deposit taking activity.
EL TALÓN DE AQUILES
Authors: Cantoral Ricardo
Published: November 2013

Con este ejemplar – Vol. 16, Núm. 3 – se cierra la edición 2013 del año internacional de las matemáticas del planeta. Según nuestros planes editoriales, se alcanzaron debidamente las metas propuestas que dependían directamente de la Dirección Editorial y de los Equipos Técnicos de apoyo, mismas que fueron explicitadas en su oportunidad a través de las editoriales precedentes: Tenemos el DOI; logramos el registro e-ISSN como publicación electrónica; seguimos manteniendo la modalidad de Open Access (Acceso Abierto) y estamos en el primer grupo de revistas de excelencia del Conacyt (México) que migrarán a la plataforma OJS. Así mismo, hemos conservado nuestra inclusión en los más importantes índices de revistas científicas y aumentado sensiblemente nuestra visibilidad internacional.
NHS Choices Underreports the Workload of High Volume Centres for Carotid Endarterectomy and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Bailey MA , Coughlin PA , Griffin KJ , Baxter PD , Berridge DC , Scott DJA
Published: November 2013

In the 2010 white paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, the government calls for a service focused on shared decision making between doctors and their patients.1 ‘No decision about me, without me’ was one of the key messages. Furthermore, the annual National Health Service (NHS) patient survey reveals a sustained but unmet demand for greater patient involvement in treatment decisions.2 The white paper calls for an information revolution in the NHS in order to place valid information in the hands of patients, enabling valid choices to be made.1 This process requires both accurate data and suitable dissemination to patients.
Flipping Over: Student-Centred Learning and Assessment
Authors: Ryan Barry James
Published: November 2013

Engaging students is a difficult task faced by all academics. Student engagement can be achieved by giving ownership of their learning back to the students and by carefully aligning the assessment methodology to the students’ learning and future employability. To promote learning ownership in this case study, a group of final year students were involved in the design of the delivery (‘flipped classroom’) and assessment strategy (‘flipped assessment’) of the curriculum. Upon reflection, students noted a deep understanding of their self-selected topic by taking ownership of their learning and their ‘assessment for learning’ within the bounded learning environment. Additionally, students enhanced their soft skills and developed proficiencies appropriate for future employment and lifelong learning.
Book Review: Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education - Challenges of Designing the System
Authors: Swanton Katrina
Published: November 2013

Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education – Challenges of Designing the SystemPrawelska-Skrzypek, G., & Jałocha, B. (Eds.). Institute for the Development of Education, Zagreb, Croatia, 2013
Fast hash functions and convolution product
Authors: Omar Sami , Sabri Houssem
Published: November 2013

We propose a new simple and efficient family of hash functions based on matrix-vector multiplications with a competitive software implementation. The hash design combines a hard mathematical problem based on solving a system of linear equations with special-random requirements and the fast computation of the convolution product algorithm. Such a mixing was often unrealizable.
For security, the one-way and collision resistant criteria are based on the fact that inverting the compression function for random values is infeasible in reasonable time. In a subsequent result, we conjecture a general framework for producing secure matrix multiplication hash functions.
Neural Codes Formed by Small and Temporally Precise Populations in Auditory Cortex
Authors: Ince Robin A. A. , Panzeri Stefano , Kayser Christoph
Published: November 2013

The encoding of sensory information by populations of cortical neurons forms the basis for perception but remains poorly understood. To understand the constraints of cortical population coding we analyzed neural responses to natural sounds recorded in auditory cortex of primates (Macaca mulatta). We estimated stimulus information while varying the composition and size of the considered population. Consistent with previous reports we found that when choosing subpopulations randomly from the recorded ensemble, the average population information increases steadily with population size. This scaling was explained by a model assuming that each neuron carried equal amounts of information, and that any overlap between the information carried by each neuron arises purely from random sampling within the stimulus space. However, when studying subpopulations selected to optimize information for each given population size, the scaling of information was strikingly different: a small fraction of temporally precise cells carried the vast majority of information. This scaling could be explained by an extended model, assuming that the amount of information carried by individual neurons was highly nonuniform, with few neurons carrying large amounts of information. Importantly, these optimal populations can be determined by a single biophysical marker—the neuron's encoding time scale—allowing their detection and readout within biologically realistic circuits. These results show that extrapolations of population information based on random ensembles may overestimate the population size required for stimulus encoding, and that sensory cortical circuits may process information using small but highly informative ensembles.