bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘House and garden’: larval galleries enhance resource availability for a sedentary caddisfly
Authors: INGS NICOLA L. , HILDREW ALAN G. , GREY JONATHAN
Published: October 2012

1. Sedentary grazers can be numerous in fresh waters, despite the constraints on resource availability and the increased predation risk inherent in this lifestyle. The retreats of sedentary grazers have been assumed to provide protection to the resident (a ‘house’), but also may provide additional fertilised food for the grazer (i.e. a ‘garden’). If retreats function as a garden, then they should (i) contain a higher quality and/or quantity of food than the alternative food source. Furthermore, the proportion of retreat‐derived carbon and nitrogen assimilated by the resident should be (ii) related to overall resource availability (more when resources are limited) or (iii) perhaps also to larval density. Alternatively, if retreats provide a less risky food source, then (iv) assimilation of material from the retreat is likely to be greater under conditions in which the risk of emerging from the retreat is high.

2. We tested these four hypotheses for the common and widespread gallery‐building grazing caddisfly Tinodes waeneri. Resource availability, larval density and biomass, and exposure were measured for populations from six lakes of differing productivity in August, October and January.

3. Galleries always contained more algal food than the surrounding epilithon, suggesting that gardening is effective. Furthermore, gallery chlorophyll a content in August, and the disparity in food quality (assessed from the C : N ratio) between gallery and epilithon (quality higher in the former) in October were positively related to the proportion of larval biomass that was derived from the gallery. Larval density and wave exposure parameters were not related to larval assimilation of gallery material.

4. Galleries that are fertilised by the occupant provide more, and sometimes also better quality, food (in terms of the C : N ratio) than is otherwise available. Thus, the gallery plays a substantial role in larval nutrition, and this role is greater at key times of food shortage.
Protecting the World: Military Humanitarian Intervention and the Ethics of Care
Authors: Kyle Jess
Published: October 2012

Feminist care theorists Virginia Held and Joan Tronto have suggested that care is relevant to political issues concerning distant others and that care can provide the basis for a more comprehensive moral approach. I consider their approaches with regard to the policy issue of military humanitarian intervention, and raise concerns about exceptionalist attitudes toward international law that entail a collection of costs that I refer to as “the problem of global worldlessness.” I suggest that an ethic of care can overcome these concerns, and offer an Arendt‐inflected rereading of some of Tronto's work to show how this is possible.
Phylogenetic status of brown troutSalmo truttapopulations in five rivers from the southern Caspian Sea and two inland lake basins, Iran: a morphogenetic approach
Authors: Hashemzadeh Segherloo I. , Farahmand H. , Abdoli A. , Bernatchez L. , Primmer C. R. , Swatdipong A. , Karami M. , Khalili B.
Published: October 2012

Interrelationships, origin and phylogenetic affinities of brown troutSalmo truttapopulations from the southern Caspian Sea basin, Orumieh and Namak Lake basins in Iran were analysed from complete mtDNA control region sequences, 12 microsatellite loci and morphological characters. Among 129 specimens from six populations, seven haplotypes were observed. Based on mtDNA haplotype data, the Orumieh and southern Caspian populations did not differ significantly, but the Namak basin–Karaj population presented a unique haplotype closely related to the haplotypes of the other populations (0·1% Kimura two‐parameter, K2P divergence). All Iranian haplotypes clustered as a distinct group within the Danube phylogenetic grouping, with an average K2P distance of 0·41% relative to other Danubian haplotypes. The Karaj haplotype in the Namak basin was related to a haplotype (Da26) formerly identified in the Tigris basin in Turkey, to aSalmo trutta oxianushaplotype from the Aral Sea basin, and to haplotype Da1a with two mutational steps, as well as to other Iranian haplotypes with one to two mutational steps, which may indicate a centre of origin in the Caspian basin. In contrast to results of the mtDNA analysis, more pronounced differentiation was observed among the populations studied in the morphological and microsatellite DNA data, except for the two populations from the Orumieh basin, which were similar, possibly due to anthropogenic causes.
Correlation of metabolic syndrome with urinary stone composition
Authors: Cho Sung Tae , Jung Seung Il , Myung Soon Chul , Kim Tae Hyoung
Published: October 2012

Objective

To determine the correlation between metabolic syndrome and the distribution of stone components in patients with urolithiasis.

Methods

Between January 2007 and December 2010, renal or ureteral stones were collected from 712 patients (432 males, 280 females) who underwent surgical intervention at three hospitals in South Korea. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the latest definition of the International Diabetes Federation, using ethnicity‐ and sex‐specific cut‐off values for central obesity. Patients were assessed by factors used in metabolic syndrome. All urinary stones were analyzed using infrared spectrophotometry and categorized according to their main component.

Results

The patients' mean age was 55.9 years (range 19–93 years). Of the 712 patients, 347 (48.7%; 205 males, 142 females) had a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Calcium oxalate (71.5%), uric acid (15.3%), carbonate apatite (8.0%) and struvite (4.1%) calculi were found as the main stone components. Overall, the proportion of uric acid calculi was markedly higher in patients with rather than without metabolic syndrome (19.6 vs 11.2%; P = 0.002). However, the proportion of calcium oxalate, carbonate apatite and struvite calculi did not differ between the two groups. The multivariable‐adjusted odds ratio for uric acid calculi according to the metabolic syndrome components indicated that the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with a 93% increased odds ratio of uric acid calculi compared with the absence of metabolic syndrome. Impaired fasting glucose and hypertriglyceridemia were independent risk factors for uric acid calculi.

Conclusions

Metabolic syndrome is associated with a significantly increased risk of uric acid calculi development, especially those with impaired fasting glucose and hypertriglyceridemia.
Intranasal Oxytocin Blocks Alcohol Withdrawal in Human Subjects
Authors: Pedersen Cort A. , Smedley Kelly L. , Leserman Jane , Jarskog Lars Fredrik , Rau Shane W. , Kampov‐Polevoi Alexei , Casey Robin L. , Fender Trace , Garbutt James C.
Published: October 2012

Background

The neuropeptide, oxytocin (OT), has been reported to block tolerance formation to alcohol and decrease withdrawal symptoms in alcohol‐dependent rodents. Numerous recent studies in human subjects indicate that OT administered by the intranasal route penetrates into and exerts effects within the brain.

Methods

In a randomized, double‐blind clinical trial, intranasal OT (24 IU/dose, N = 7) or placebo (N = 4) was given twice daily for 3 days in alcohol‐dependent subjects admitted to a research unit for medical detoxification using Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA) score‐driven PRN administration of lorazepam. Subjects rated themselves on the Alcohol Withdrawal Symptom Checklist (AWSC) each time CIWA scores were obtained. Subjects also completed the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, an Alcohol Craving Visual Analog Scale (ACVAS) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) on inpatient days 2 and 3.

Results

All subjects had drunk heavily each day for at least 2 weeks prior to study and had previously experienced withdrawal upon stopping/decreasing alcohol consumption. OT was superior to placebo in reducing alcohol withdrawal as evidenced by: less total lorazepam required to complete detoxification (3.4 mg [4.7, SD] vs. 16.5 [4.4], p = 0.0015), lower mean CIWA scores on admission day 1 (4.3 [2.3] vs. 11.8 [0.4], p < 0.0001) and day 2 (3.4 [2.2] vs. 11.1 [3.6], p < 0.002), lower AWSC scores on days 1 and 2 (p < 0.02; p = 0.07), and lower ACVAS ratings (p = 0.01) and lower POMS Tension/Anxiety subscale scores on day 2 (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

This is the first demonstration that OT treatment may block alcohol withdrawal in human subjects. Our results are consistent with previous findings in rodents that OT inhibits neuroadaptation to and withdrawal from alcohol. OT could have advantages over benzodiazepines in managing alcohol withdrawal because it may reverse rather than maintain sedative‐hypnotic tolerance. It will be important to test whether OT treatment is effective in reducing drinking in alcohol‐dependent outpatients.
Accommodation of Excess Oxygen in Group II Monoxides
Authors: Middleburgh Simon C. , Lagerlof Karl Peter D. , Grimes Robin W.
Published: October 2012

Atomic scale simulations are used to predict how excess oxygen is accommodated across the group II monoxides. In all cases, the preference is to form a peroxide ion centered at an oxygen site, rather than a single oxygen species, although the peroxide ionic orientation changes from <100> to <110> to <111> with increasing host cation radius. The enthalpy for accommodation of excess oxygen in BaO is strongly negative, whereas in SrO it is only slightly negative and in CaO and MgO the energy is positive. Interestingly, the increase in material volume due to the accommodation of oxygen (the defect volume) does not vary greatly as a function of cation radius. The vibrational frequency of peroxide ions in the group II monoxides is predicted with the aim to provide test data for future experimental observations of oxygen uptake. Finally, calculations of the dioxide structures have also been carried out. For these materials the oxygen vacancy formation energy is always positive (1.0–1.5 eV per oxygen removed) indicating that they exhibit only small oxygen defect concentrations.
Influence of B2O3 on Crystallization Behavior and Microstructure of Mica Glass‐Ceramics in the System BaO·4MgO·Al2O3·6SiO2·2MgF2
Authors: Mallik Amit , Maiti Prabir Kumar , Kundu Paritosh , Basumajumdar Arunabha
Published: October 2012

The effect of varying
B

2

O

3 content on the crystallization and microstructure behavior of barium‐containing glasses based on the system
BaO
·4
MgO
·
Al

2

O

3·6
SiO

2·2
MgF

2 was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Heat treatment of glass specimens in the form of fine powders in the range of 884°C–901°C led to the formation of barium fluorophlogopite. DTA study revealed that the glass transition temperature (T
g) and crystallization peak temperature (T
p) decreased by increasing
B

2

O

3 content. It was also found that the higher the
B

2

O

3 content, the higher the aspect ratio of fluorophlogopite crystal.
Perceptions of the characteristics of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth by child care providers may influence early adoption of nutrition guidelines in child care centres
Authors: Nikolopoulos Hara , Farmer Anna , Berry Tanya R. , McCargar Linda J. , Mager Diana R.
Published: October 2012

In 2008, the Alberta government released the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (ANGCY) as a resource for child care facilities to translate nutrition recommendations into practical food choices. Using a multiple case study method, early adoption of the guidelines was examined in two child care centres in Alberta, Canada. Key constructs from the Diffusion of Innovations framework were used to develop an interview protocol based on the perceived characteristics of the guidelines (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability) by child care providers. Analysis of the ANGCY was conducted by a trained qualitative researcher and validated by an external qualitative researcher. This entailed reviewing guideline content, layout, organisation, presentation, format, comprehensiveness and dissemination to understand whether characteristics of the guidelines affect the adoption process. Data were collected through direct observation, key informant interviews and documentation of field notes. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Overall, the guidelines were perceived positively by child care providers. Child care providers found the guidelines to have a high relative advantage, be compatible with current practice, have a low level of complexity, easy to try and easy to observe changes. It is valuable to understand how child care providers perceive characteristics of guidelines as this is the first step in identifying the needs of child care providers with respect to early adoption and identifying potential educational strategies important for dissemination.
An improved model for the non-linear velocity power spectrum
Authors: Jennings Elise
Published: October 2012

The velocity divergence power spectrum is a key ingredient in modelling redshift-space distortion effects on quasi-linear and non-linear scales. We present an improved model for the z=0 velocity divergence auto and cross power spectrum which was originally suggested by Jennings et al. Using numerical simulations we measure the velocity fields using a Delaunay tessellation and obtain an accurate prediction of the velocity divergence power spectrum on scales k < 1 h Mpc−1. We use this to update the model which is now accurate to 2 per cent for both Pθθ and Pθδ at z= 0 on scales k < 0.65 h Mpc−1 and k < 0.35 h Mpc−1, respectively. We find that the formula for the redshift dependence of the velocity divergence power spectra proposed by Jennings et al. recovers the measured z > 0 P(k) to markedly greater accuracy with the new model. The non-linear Pθθ and Pθδ at z=1 are recovered accurately to better than 2 per cent on scales k < 0.2 h Mpc−1. Recently, it was shown that the velocity field shows larger differences between modified gravity cosmologies and Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) compared to the matter field. An accurate model for the velocity divergence power spectrum, such as the one presented here, is a valuable tool for analysing redshift-space distortion effects in future galaxy surveys and for constraining deviations from general relativity.
Coliform Bacteria in New Jersey Domestic Wells: Influence of Geology, Laboratory, and Method
Authors: Atherholt Thomas B. , Bousenberry Raymond T. , Carter Gail P. , Korn Leo R. , Louis Judith B. , Serfes Michael E. , Waller Debra A.
Published: October 2012

Following passage of the New Jersey Private Well Testing Act, 50,800 domestic wells were tested between 2002 and 2007 for the presence of total coliform (TC) bacteria. Wells containing TC bacteria were further tested for either fecal coliform orEscherichia coli(FC/E. coli) bacteria. Analysis of the data, generated by 39 laboratories, revealed that the rate of coliform detections in groundwater (GW) was influenced by the laboratory and the method used, and also by geology. Based on one sample per well, TC and FC/E. coliwere detected in wells located in bedrock 3 and 3.7 times more frequently, respectively, than in wells located in the unconsolidated strata of the Coastal Plain. In bedrock, detection rates were higher in sedimentary rock than in igneous or metamorphic rock. Ice‐age glaciers also influenced detection rates, most likely by removing material in some areas and depositing thick layers of unconsolidated material in other areas. In bedrock, coliform bacteria were detected more often in wells with a pH of 3 to 6 than in wells with a pH of 7 to 10 whereas the reverse was true in the Coastal Plain. TC and FC/E. colibacteria were detected in 33 and 9.5%, respectively, of sedimentary rock wells with pH 3 to 6. Conversely, for Coastal Plain wells with pH 3 to 6, detection rates were 4.4% for TC and 0.6% for FC/E. coli.
Visual motion perception predicts driving hazard perception ability
Authors: Lacherez Philippe , Au Sandra , Wood Joanne M.
Published: October 2012

Purpose:  To examine the basis of previous findings of an association between indices of driving safety and visual motion sensitivity and to examine whether this association could be explained by low‐level changes in visual function.

Methods:  A total of 36 visually normal participants (aged 19–80 years) completed a battery of standard vision tests including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and automated visual fields and two tests of motion perception including sensitivity for movement of a drifting Gabor stimulus and sensitivity for displacement in a random dot kinematogram (Dmin). Participants also completed a hazard perception test (HPT), which measured participants’ response times to hazards embedded in video recordings of real‐world driving, which has been shown to be linked to crash risk.

Results:  Dmin for the random dot stimulus ranged from −0.88 to −0.12 log minutes of arc, and the minimum drift rate for the Gabor stimulus ranged from 0.01 to 0.35 cycles per second. Both measures of motion sensitivity significantly predicted response times on the HPT. In addition, while the relationship involving the HPT and motion sensitivity for the random dot kinematogram was partially explained by the other visual function measures, the relationship with sensitivity for detection of the drifting Gabor stimulus remained significant even after controlling for these variables.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that motion perception plays an important role in the visual perception of driving‐relevant hazards independent of other areas of visual function and should be further explored as a predictive test of driving safety. Future research should explore the causes of reduced motion perception to develop better interventions to improve road safety.
Problems Identifying Independent and Dependent Variables
Authors: Leatham Keith R.
Published: October 2012

This paper discusses one step from the scientific method—that of identifying independent and dependent variables—from both scientific and mathematical perspectives. It begins by analyzing an episode from a middle school mathematics classroom that illustrates the need for students and teachers alike to develop a robust understanding of independent and dependent variables. It then outlines four rationales (two from science and two from mathematics) for identifying independent and dependent variables. Finally, it reports the results of a textbook analysis that used these rationales to examine the extent to which typical mathematics textbook problems support or supplant a sensible view of independent and dependent variables. The findings indicate that often, mathematics textbook problems misrepresent the sense‐making aspect of identifying independent and dependent variables, possibly setting students up to develop misconceptions about this step from the scientific method.
Evidence for complex selection on four‐fold degenerate sites in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Clemente F. , Vogl C.
Published: October 2012

We considered genome‐wide four‐fold degenerate sites from an African Drosophila melanogaster population and compared them to short introns. To include divergence and to polarize the data, we used its close relatives Drosophila simulans, Drosophila sechellia, Drosophila erecta and Drosophila yakuba as outgroups. In D. melanogaster, the GC content at four‐fold degenerate sites is higher than in short introns; compared to its relatives, more AT than GC is fixed. The former has been explained by codon usage bias (CUB) favouring GC; the latter by decreased intensity of directional selection or by increased mutation bias towards AT. With a biallelic equilibrium model, evidence for directional selection comes mostly from the GC‐rich ancestral base composition. Together with a slight mutation bias, it leads to an asymmetry of the unpolarized allele frequency spectrum, from which directional selection is inferred. Using a quasi‐equilibrium model and polarized spectra, however, only purifying and no directional selection is detected. Furthermore, polarized spectra are proportional to those of the presumably unselected short introns. As we have no evidence for a decrease in effective population size, relaxed CUB must be due to a reduction in the selection coefficient. Going beyond the biallelic model and considering all four bases, signs of directional selection are stronger. In contrast to short introns, complementary bases show strand specificity and allele frequency spectra depend on mutation directions. Hence, the traditional biallelic model to describe the evolution of four‐fold degenerate sites should be replaced by more complex models assuming only quasi‐equilibrium and accounting for all four bases.
Isolation and Identification of a Novel Antifungal Protein from a Rhizobacterium Bacillus subtilis Strain F3
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Zhao Xiaomeng , Wei Yanmin , Shang Qiaoxia , Liu Zhenping
Published: October 2012

Bacillus subtilis strain F3, isolated from peach rhizosphere soil, is an antifungal bacterium against many plant pathogens. In this study, the antifungal protein was isolated and purified by ammonium sulphate and chromatography, then identified by mass spectrum analysis. By sequential chromatography of Sephadex G‐50, DEAE‐Sephadex A‐25 anion exchange and Sephadex G‐100, a fraction designated as F3A was isolated to show a single protein band in SDS‐PAGE and be antagonistic towards Monilinia fructicola. The peptide mass fingerprinting of the protein band of F3A had high similarity with the amino acid sequences of several flagellin protein of B. subtilis. There were seven amino acid fragments matched with the protein having the highest score, and sequence coverage was 33%. F3A showed a strongly inhibitory effect to the growth and sporulation of M. fructicola. There were little aerial hyphae and conidia at the antifungal zone, and the hyphae were abnormal with some cell wall collapse and several vacuoles in cells.
Transient induction of melatonin biosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) during the reproductive stage
Authors: Park Sangkyu , Le Tieu‐Ngoc Nguyen , Byeon Yeong , Kim Young Soon , Back Kyoungwhan
Published: October 2012

The regulation of reproduction‐stage inducible melatonin biosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa cv. Dongjin) was investigated. The flag leaf and panicle (flower) were collected from field‐grown rice at three different reproductive stages: the preflowering stage, flowering stage, and postflowering stage. Melatonin synthesis was induced in the panicle, whereas no induction was observed in the flag leaf during the reproductive stages. The panicle displayed a peak melatonin level of 0.4 ng/g fresh weight (fw), which was six times that found in the flag leaf. The induction of melatonin biosynthesis was paralleled by the induction of corresponding genes and proteins such as tryptophan decarboxylase, tryptamine 5‐hydroxylase, and N‐acetylserotonin methyltransferase. In addition, melatonin induction was preceded by the accumulation of its precursor, tryptophan, in the panicle. These results suggest that the induction of melatonin during flower development is regulated by the transcriptional control of its biosynthesis genes and that melatonin may participate in flower development.
Food transit time, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in farmed and feral American mink (Neovison vison) – a comparative analysis
Authors: Gugołek A. , Zalewski D. , Strychalski J. , Konstantynowicz M.
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study was to determine whether farming leads to changes in gastrointestinal function and nitrogen metabolism in farmed mink (FA), as compared with their wild‐living counterparts. Three digestibility and balance trials were carried out. Experiment I was performed in May, and experiments II and III were conducted in September 2011. Farmed mink with the standard coat colour were purchased from a production farm in south‐eastern Poland. Feral mink were harvested using cages in the hunting grounds of the Polish Hunting Association, Branch in Olsztyn. The experimental materials comprised of the following: trial I – adult males (eight animals per group), trial II – young females (six animals per group), trial III–young animals (five males and five females per group). Food transit time was measured during digestibility trials, on 10 consecutive days. The coefficients of nutrient and energy digestibility and daily nitrogen balance values were compared between groups in each experiment. It was found that farming contributed to changes in gastrointestinal function and nitrogen metabolism in mink. Farmed animals were characterized by a longer bowel transit time, a tendency towards higher nutrient digestibility and higher nitrogen retention, which resulted from selection for higher productivity.
A case–control study to examine the association between breastfeeding during late pregnancy and risk of a small‐for‐gestational‐age birth in Lima, Peru
Authors: Pareja Rossina G. , Marquis Grace S. , Penny Mary E. , Dixon Philip M.
Published: October 2012

Excessive demands on maternal nutritional status may be a risk factor for poor birth outcomes. This study examined the association between breastfeeding during late pregnancy (≥28 weeks) and the risk of having a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) newborn, using a matched case–control design (78 SGA cases: birthweight <10th percentile for gestational age; 150 non‐SGA controls: 50th percentile <birthweight <90th percentile for gestational age). Between March 2006 and April 2007, project midwives visited daily three government hospitals in Lima, Peru and identified cases and matched controls based on hospital, gestational age, and inter‐gestational period. Mothers were interviewed and clinical chart extractions were completed. Factors associated with risk of SGA were assessed by their adjusted odds ratios (aOR) from conditional logistic regression. Exposure to an overlap of breastfeeding during late pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of having a SGA newborn [aOR = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–3.30]. However, increased risk was associated with having a previous low‐birthweight birth (aOR = 6.53; 95% CI: 1.43–29.70) and a low intake of animal source foods (<25th percentile; aOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.01–5.04), and tended to be associated with being short (<150 cm; aOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 0.92–4.54). This study found no evidence to support the hypothesis that breastfeeding during late pregnancy increases the risk for SGA; however, studies with greater statistical power are needed to definitively examine this possible association and clarify whether there are other risks to the new baby, the toddler and the pregnant woman.
Influence of early life factors on body mass index trajectory during childhood: a population‐based longitudinal analysis in theWesternBrazilianAmazon
Authors: Lourenço Barbara H. , Villamor Eduardo , Augusto Rosângela A. , Cardoso Marly A.
Published: October 2012

Low‐ to middle‐income countries may experience the occurrence of a dual burden of under and overnutrition. To better understand the overall progression of body mass index (BMI) during childhood, we estimated averageBMI‐for‐agez‐score (BAZ) growth curves in a population‐based longitudinal study of 255 children living in theBrazilianAmazon. Children were aged 0.1–5.5 years at recruitment (2003). We collected data on socio‐economic and maternal characteristics, children's birthweight and infant feeding practices. Child anthropometric measurements were taken in 2003, 2007 and 2009.BAZdifferences among categories of exposure variables were calculated at 6 and 12 months, and 2, 7 and 10 years. At baseline, the mean (standard deviation) age was 2.6 (1.4) years; 12.9% were overweight and 3.9% thin. After adjustment, meanBAZestimates were mostly negative. Boys were close to the median value forBAZuntil 12 months, whereas girls were below the median (P = 0.05). Children from households above the wealth median were 0.36z‐ and 0.49z‐less underweight than poorer children at 7 and 10 years, respectively (P < 0.01). MaternalBMIwas positively associated with children'sBAZsince 12 months old;BAZin children from overweight mothers was higher by 0.69 compared with their counterparts at 10 years (P < 0.01). Birthweight was positively related toBAZup until 2 years (P = 0.01). Socio‐economic background and maternal nutritional status are important predictors ofBAZthroughout childhood. Although excessive weight gain is a public health concern, it is critical to restrict inequities, while promoting healthier growth in developing countries.
A pragmatic randomised controlled trial on routine iron prophylaxis during pregnancy in Maputo, Mozambique (PROFEG): rationale, design, and success
Authors: Nwaru Bright I. , Parkkali Saara , Abacassamo Fatima , Salomé Graca , Chilundo Baltazar , Augusto Orvalho , Cliff Julie , Dgedge Martinho , Regushevskaya Elena , Nikula Minna , Hemminki Elina
Published: October 2012

The effects of prophylactic iron during pregnancy on maternal and child health in developing settings with endemic malaria and high prevalence of HIV remain unclear. This paper describes the rationale, implementation and success of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial comparing routine iron supplementation vs. screening and treatment for anaemia during pregnancy. The setting was two health centres in Maputo, Mozambique. Pregnant women (≥12‐week gestation; ≥18 years old; and not with a high‐risk pregnancy, n = 4326) were recruited. The main outcomes are preterm delivery and low birthweight. The women were randomly assigned to one of two iron administration policies: a routine iron group (n = 2184) received 60 mg of ferrous sulphate plus 400 μg of folic acid daily while a selective iron group (n = 2142) had screening and treatment for anaemia and a daily intake of 1 mg of folic acid. The recruitment, follow‐up, and collection of follow‐up data were successful; both groups were similar to each other in all the trial stages. Collection of delivery data was challenging and data on about 40% of births is missing. These are currently being traced through different hospitals and health centres. The compliance of the study personnel and the women with regard to regular measurement of haemoglobin and intake of the iron and folic acid tablets was high and similar in both trial arms. Taking into account the various constraints encountered, the stages of the present trial prior to delivery were carried out well.
Supportive breeding boosts natural population abundance with minimal negative impacts on fitness of a wild population of Chinook salmon
Authors: Hess Maureen A. , Rabe Craig D. , Vogel Jason L. , Stephenson Jeff J. , Nelson Doug D. , Narum Shawn R.
Published: October 2012

While supportive breeding programmes strive to minimize negative genetic impacts to populations, case studies have found evidence for reduced fitness of artificially produced individuals when they reproduce in the wild. Pedigrees of two complete generations were tracked with molecular markers to investigate differences in reproductive success (RS) of wild and hatchery‐reared Chinook salmon spawning in the natural environment to address questions regarding the demographic and genetic impacts of supplementation to a natural population. Results show a demographic boost to the population from supplementation. On average, fish taken into the hatchery produced 4.7 times more adult offspring, and 1.3 times more adult grand‐offspring than naturally reproducing fish. Of the wild and hatchery fish that successfully reproduced, we found no significant differences in RS between any comparisons, but hatchery‐reared males typically had lower RS values than wild males. Mean relative reproductive success (RRS) for hatchery F1 females and males was 1.11 (P = 0.84) and 0.89 (P = 0.56), respectively. RRS of hatchery‐reared fish (H) that mated in the wild with either hatchery or wild‐origin (W) fish was generally equivalent to W × W matings. Mean RRS of H × W and H × H matings was 1.07 (P = 0.92) and 0.94 (P = 0.95), respectively. We conclude that fish chosen for hatchery rearing did not have a detectable negative impact on the fitness of wild fish by mating with them for a single generation. Results suggest that supplementation following similar management practices (e.g. 100% local, wild‐origin brood stock) can successfully boost population size with minimal impacts on the fitness of salmon in the wild.
Sector expansion and elliptical modeling of blue‐gray ovoids for basal cell carcinoma discrimination in dermoscopy images
Authors: Guvenc Pelin , LeAnder Robert W. , Kefel Serkan , Stoecker William V. , Rader Ryan K. , Hinton Kristen A. , Stricklin Sherea M. , Rabinovitz Harold S. , Oliviero Margaret , Moss Randy H.
Published: October 2012

Background

Blue‐gray ovoids (B‐GOs), a critical dermoscopic structure for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), offer an opportunity for automatic detection of BCC. Due to variation in size and color, B‐GOs can be easily mistaken for similar structures in benign lesions. Analysis of these structures could afford accurate characterization and automatic recognition of B‐GOs, furthering the goal of automatic BCC detection. This study utilizes a novel segmentation method to discriminate B‐GOs from their benign mimics.

Methods

Contact dermoscopy images of 68 confirmed BCCs with B‐GOs were obtained. Another set of 131 contact dermoscopic images of benign lesions possessing B‐GO mimics provided a benign competitive set. A total of 22 B‐GO features were analyzed for all structures: 21 color features and one size feature. Regarding segmentation, this study utilized a novel sector‐based, non‐recursive segmentation method to expand the masks applied to the B‐GOs and mimicking structures.

Results

Logistic regression analysis determined that blue chromaticity was the best feature for discriminating true B‐GOs in BCC from benign, mimicking structures. Discrimination of malignant structures was optimal when the final B‐GO border was approximated by a best‐fit ellipse. Using this optimal configuration, logistic regression analysis discriminated the expanded and fitted malignant structures from similar benign structures with a classification rate as high as 96.5%.

Conclusions

Experimental results show that color features allow accurate expansion and localization of structures from seed areas. Modeling these structures as ellipses allows high discrimination of B‐GOs in BCCs from similar structures in benign images.
Modification of plant Rac/Rop GTPase signalling using bacterial toxin transgenes
Authors: Singh Manoj K. , Ren Fugang , Giesemann Torsten , Bosco Cristina Dal , Pasternak Taras P. , Blein Thomas , Ruperti Benedetto , Schmidt Gudula , Aktories Klaus , Molendijk Arthur J. , Palme Klaus
Published: October 2012

Bacterial protein toxins which modify Rho GTPase are useful for the analysis of Rho signalling in animal cells, but these toxins cannot be taken up by plant cells. We demonstrate in vitro deamidation of Arabidopsis Rop4 by Escherichia coli Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1) and glucosylation by Clostridium difficile toxin B. Expression of the catalytic domain of CNF1 caused modification and activation of co‐expressed Arabidopsis Rop4 GTPase in tobacco leaves, resulting in hypersensitive‐like cell death. By contrast, the catalytic domain of toxin B modified and inactivated co‐expressed constitutively active Rop4, blocking the hypersensitive response caused by over‐expression of active Rops. In transgenic Arabidopsis, both CNF1 and toxin B inhibited Rop‐dependent polar morphogenesis of leaf epidermal cells. Toxin B expression also inhibited Rop‐dependent morphogenesis of root hairs and trichome branching, and resulted in root meristem enlargement and dwarf growth. Our results show that CNF1 and toxin B transgenes are effective tools in Rop GTPase signalling studies.
Engine Cycle-by-Cycle Cylinder Wall Temperature Observer-Based Estimation Through Cylinder Pressure Signals
Authors: Yan Fengjun , Wang Junmin
Published: October 2012

The effects caused by the cylinder wall temperature variations are nontrivial in advanced combustion mode engine control, particularly in cold-start processes and transients when the combustion mode switches from one to another. Being affected by the engine coolant and operating conditions on a cycle-by-cycle basis, cylinder wall temperature is difficult to be directly measured, and it is typically viewed as an unknown disturbance or estimated as a quasi-static parameter. However, such treatments of the cylinder wall temperature may not be sufficient in sophisticated control of combustion processes. This paper aims to estimate the cylinder wall temperature, on a cycle-by-cycle basis, through cylinder pressure signals in diesel engines. In the proposed methods, the cylinder wall temperature is modeled as a disturbance in the in-cylinder pressure dynamics. Thus, the wall temperature in each cylinder can be estimated, on a cycle-by-cycle basis, by the disturbance observer methods in finite crankshaft angles. Furthermore, to reduce the cylinder wall temperature estimation errors caused by the high-frequency noises in the cylinder pressure signals, a robust disturbance observer is proposed and compared with a typical design method. Through GT-Power engine model simulations and engine experimental results, the observer effectiveness, noise attenuation properties, and applications on a multicylinder diesel engine are evaluated.
Thermoreflectance Measurement of Temperature and Thermal Resistance of Thin Film Gold
Authors: Cardenas Christopher , Fabris Drazen , Tokairin Shawn , Madriz Francisco , Yang Cary Y.
Published: October 2012

To improve performance and reliability of integrated circuits, accurate knowledge of thermal transport properties must be possessed. In particular, reduced dimensions increase boundary scattering and the significance of thermal contact resistance. A thermoreflectance measurement can be used with a valid heat transport model to experimentally quantify the contact thermal resistance of thin film interconnects. In the current work, a quasi-steady state thermoreflectance measurement is used to determine the temperature distribution of a thin film gold interconnect (100 nm) undergoing Joule heating. By comparing the data to a heat transport model accounting for thermal diffusion, dissipation, and Joule heating, a measure of the thermal dissipation or overall thermal resistance of unit area is obtained. The gold film to substrate overall thermal resistance of unit area beneath the wide lead (10 μm) and narrow line (1 μm) of the interconnect are 1.64 × 10−6 m2 K/W and 5.94 × 10−6 m2 K/W, respectively. The thermal resistance of unit area measurements is comparable with published results based on a pump-probe thermoreflectance measurement.
A Mobile Test Rig for Micro Gas Turbines Based on a Thermal Power Measurement Approach
Authors: Wiesche Stefan aus der
Published: October 2012

It is widely considered that micro gas turbines are potential devices for future energy needs. However, many micro gas turbine development projects have failed, particularly those with a very low power level below 10 kW. The financial and experimental capabilities for micro gas turbine development projects are typically extremely limited; hence, there is a need for low cost mobile test rigs. To close this gap, a robust mobile test rig for turboshaft micro gas turbines was developed and validated. The shaft power can be determined using a thermal measurement approach. This circumvents any issues associated with high voltage and electric current levels. The shaft power can be obtained by a straightforward parameter identification procedure based on simple temperature measurements. This approach is feasible because an analytical expression for the transient temperature field can be obtained. The test rig and thermal power measurement concept were fully validated by a commercial micro gas turbine; good agreement was obtained between the experimental results and the theoretical process data.
Numerical Prediction of Unsteady Pressure Field Within the Whole Flow Passage of a Radial Single-Blade Pump
Authors: Pei Ji , Yuan Shouqi , Benra Friedrich-Karl , Dohmen Hans Josef
Published: October 2012

In this paper, the periodically unsteady pressure field caused by rotor-stator interaction has been investigated numerically by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculation to evaluate the transient pressure variation in a single-blade pump for multiconditions. Side chamber flow effect is also considered for the simulation to accurately predict the flow in a whole-flow passage. The strength of the pressure fluctuation is analyzed quantitatively by defining the standard deviation of the pressure fluctuation of a revolution period. The analysis of the results shows that higher pressure fluctuation magnitudes can be observed near the blade pressure side and high gradients of fluctuation magnitudes can be obtained at the trailing edge near the pressure side of the blade. An asymmetrical distribution of fluctuation magnitudes in the volute domain can be clearly obtained. On the cylindrical surface around the impeller outlet, although the absolute pressure value is higher for the Q = 11 l/s condition, the magnitude distribution of fluctuations is lower, and a relatively symmetrical fluctuation distribution is obtained for the Q = 22 l/s condition when clearly asymmetrical distributions of fluctuation magnitude can be observed for the design point and for large flow rates. Obvious periodicity can be observed for the pressure fluctuation magnitude distribution on the circumference with different radii in the volute domain, and some subpeaks and subvalleys can be found. The effects of unsteady flow in the side chambers on the entire passage flow cannot be neglected for accurately predicting the inner flow of the pump. The results of unsteady pressure fluctuation magnitude can be used to guide the optimum design of the single-blade pump to decrease the hydrodynamic unbalance and to obtain more stable performance of the pump.
Quantification of Model Uncertainty: Calibration, Model Discrepancy, and Identifiability
Authors: Arendt Paul D. , Apley Daniel W. , Chen Wei
Published: October 2012

To use predictive models in engineering design of physical systems, one should first quantify the model uncertainty via model updating techniques employing both simulation and experimental data. While calibration is often used to tune unknown calibration parameters of a computer model, the addition of a discrepancy function has been used to capture model discrepancy due to underlying missing physics, numerical approximations, and other inaccuracies of the computer model that would exist even if all calibration parameters are known. One of the main challenges in model updating is the difficulty in distinguishing between the effects of calibration parameters versus model discrepancy. We illustrate this identifiability problem with several examples, explain the mechanisms behind it, and attempt to shed light on when a system may or may not be identifiable. In some instances, identifiability is achievable under mild assumptions, whereas in other instances, it is virtually impossible. In a companion paper, we demonstrate that using multiple responses, each of which depends on a common set of calibration parameters, can substantially enhance identifiability.
Numerical Simulation of Two-Degree-of-Freedom Vortex-Induced Vibration of a Circular Cylinder Between Two Lateral Plane Walls in Steady Currents
Authors: Zhao Ming , Tong Feifei , Cheng Liang
Published: October 2012

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a circular cylinder at a low mass ratio of 1.5 between two lateral walls is investigated numerically. The focus of the study is to examine the effects of the two lateral walls on the VIV. Numerical simulations are carried out for w/D = 4, 6, 10, and 20 with D and w being the cylinder diameter and the distance between the two walls, respectively. It is found that the effects of the two walls on the VIV are obvious as w/D ≤ 6 and negligibly small as w/D = 10. The VIV amplitudes in both x- and y-directions increase with the increasing w/D in the lock-in regime.
Development and Application of Models for Steelmaking and Casting Environmental Performance
Authors: Haapala Karl R. , Catalina Adrian V. , Johnson Michael L. , Sutherland John W.
Published: October 2012

Growing interest in sustainability is driving manufacturers to improve the environmental performance of their products and processes. The production of steel and steel products consumes materials and energy resources, and creates wastes and emissions. Industry leaders and policy makers have identified iron/steel and metal casting as areas of concern from an environmental perspective. By evaluating steel product manufacturing processes commonly employed in the heavy equipment industry, environmental impacts can be mitigated during product and process design. A process modeling approach that is focused on improving the environmental performance of steel product manufacturing is developed and demonstrated. The process models focus on part production employing electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and sand casting with chemical binders, and relate process energy and material inputs and outputs to product and process design characteristics. The models are based on scientific principles, as well as empirical data reported in the literature. Models of the two processes are applied to assess the production of a representative ground engaging tool (GET) component. It is found that EAF electricity use can be reduced by more than 30% and process-related CO2 emissions by nearly 20% over initial settings. Replacing the polyurethane nobake sand mold binder with a low nitrogen furan binder is predicted to reduce casting emissions by more than 50%, and sulfur dioxide emissions by over 90%. Thus, the models are capable of estimating changes in environmental performance due to modifications in material type, part geometry, and process parameters. This process modeling approach demonstrates improvements in environmental performance for the production of a GET component, and can be extended to assess and compare other steel alloys and components.
Experimental Investigation of Draft Tube Inlet Velocity Field of a Propeller Turbine
Authors: Gagnon Jean-Mathieu , Aeschlimann Vincent , Houde Sébastien , Flemming Felix , Coulson Stuart , Deschenes Claire
Published: October 2012

The draft tube of reaction hydraulic turbines is subject to numerous investigations since it accounts for a significant portion of the energy recovery. But even with up-to-date computational fluid dynamics methodologies, simulating the draft tube flow remains highly challenging since it is a diverging swirling flow that may undergo flow separations and become dominated by unsteady secondary flows. Within the framework of a collaborative research project on the flow dynamics of a propeller turbine model, the flow at the inlet region of the draft tube was studied using 2D-laser Doppler velocimetry (2D-LDV). Measurements were used to detect and characterize the flow structures at three operating conditions: partial discharge, near best efficiency, and full-load conditions. The paper presents analysis based on phased-averaged velocity fields to yield information on fluctuations and dominant frequencies according to runner positions. The main features detected are the flow nonuniformity at the runner exit and the secondary flow structures associated with the runner hub wake. Those results are part of a larger database aimed at providing test cases for the validation of numerical simulation strategies.