bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costs of children with medical complexity in Australian public hospitals
Authors: Srivastava Rajendu , Downie James , Hall Jane , Reynolds Graham
Published: June 2016

Aim

To describe the hospital costs, hospital types and differences across states and territories for children with medical complexity cared for in Australian public hospitals.

Methods

Retrospective national administrative database study of 212 Australian public hospitals from six states (excluding Queensland) and two territories that submitted cost data to the National Hospital Costing Data Collection for 2010–2011. Participants included all hospitalised patients with comparisons between adults and children (17 years of age and younger), and adults with chronic diseases and children with medical complexity. Total hospital costs were the main outcome measure.

Results

The National Hospital Costing Data Collection contained data from 212 public hospitals; total admissions (adults and children) were 3 519 140 at a total hospital cost of $16 187 400 000. Children accounted for 350 499 (9.9%) of the admissions at a total hospital cost of $1 931 585 123 (11.9%). Of all children, those with medical complexity accounted for 48 758 (13.9%), and their total hospital costs were $620 948 769 (32.1%). Six children's hospitals had 145 213 (41%) of the total children admissions at a total hospital cost of $936 041 843 (48%). Across the states and territories, the number of childhood admissions ranged from 9164 to 146 618 with 4.7–14.8% for children with medical complexity. Total hospital costs ranged from $44 to $592 million with 15.4–39.4% for children with medical complexity.

Conclusions

The national burden of hospitalised children is substantial. Children with medical complexity only account for a small percentage of hospitalisations but almost one third of total hospital costs for children, with children's hospitals bearing the major costs.
Repercussions of plagiocephaly on posture, muscle flexibility and balance in children aged 3–5 years old
Authors: Cabrera‐Martos Irene , Valenza Marie Carmen , Valenza‐Demet Gerald , Benítez‐Feliponi Ángela , Robles‐Vizcaíno Concepción , Ruiz‐Extremera Ángeles
Published: June 2016

Aim

The objective of the study was to assess posture, muscle flexibility and balance in children aged 3–5 years old with a history of nonsynostotic plagiocephaly.

Methods

Fifty‐two children with previous history of plagiocephaly were evaluated, along with 52 control subjects matched for age, sex, height, weight and physical activity. The outcome measures included static posture, assessed through the measurement of angles and distances between anatomical landmarks; muscle flexibility, evaluated with the Stibor, Shober and finger‐to‐floor distance tests and balance, assessed by the Pediatric Balance Scale.

Results

One‐way analysis of variance afforded statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in head position, muscle flexibility (thoracic mobility and trunk and lower limbs muscle shortening) and balance.

Conclusion

Children with previous history of non‐synostotic plagiocephaly present changes in head position, muscle shortening and a poor balance when compared to control children at 3–5 years old.
Nasal bi‐level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in preterm infants ≤32 weeks: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rong Zhi‐Hui , Li Wen‐Bin , Liu Wei , Cai Bao‐Huan , Wang Jing , Yang Min , Li Wei , Chang Li‐Wen
Published: June 2016

Aim

To investigate whether Bi‐level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), compared with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is a more effective therapeutic strategy in preterm infants ≤32 weeks.

Methods

All inborn infants between 26+1 and 32+6 weeks' gestation, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU ) of Tongji Medical Hospital between 1 January, 2010 and 31 December, 2011 (the 2010–2011 cohort or CPAP cohort) and between 1 January, 2012 and 31 December, 2013 (the 2012–2013 cohort or BiPAP cohort), were retrospectively identified. The primary outcome was intubation in infants < 72 h of age; secondary outcomes were mortality and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Results

There were 213 in the 2010–2011 cohort and 243 infants in the 2012–2013 cohort. There were fewer infants intubated within the first 72 h of age in the 2012–2013 cohort than in the 2010–2011 cohort (15% vs. 23%, P < 0.05). Of the infants who received some form of positive airway pressure, 12/94 (13%) of infants on BiPAP versus 23/74 (31%) on CPAP were subsequently intubated (P < 0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of moderate and severe BPD between the two groups (7% vs. 8%, P=0.52).

Conclusions

In this retrospective cohort study, we found BiPAP, compared with CPAP, reduced the need for intubation within the first 72 h of age.
Neonatal endotracheal intubation: How to make it more baby friendly
Authors: Maheshwari Rajesh , Tracy Mark , Badawi Nadia , Hinder Murray
Published: June 2016

Neonatal endotracheal intubation is commonly accompanied by significant disturbances in physiological parameters. The procedure is often poorly tolerated, and multiple attempts are commonly required before the airway is secured. Adverse physiological effects include hypoxemia, bradycardia, hypertension, elevation in intracranial pressure and possibly increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Use of premedications to facilitate intubation has been shown to reduce but not eliminate these effects. Other important preventative factors include adequate training of the operators and guidelines to limit the duration of attempts. Pre‐intubation stabilisation with optimal bag and mask ventilation should allow for better neonatal tolerance of the procedure. Recent research has described significant mask leak and airway obstruction compromising efficacy of neonatal mask ventilation. Further research should help in elucidating mask ventilation techniques which minimise mask leak and airway obstruction.
The epithelial cell response to health and disease associated oral biofilm models
Authors: Ramage G. , Lappin D. F. , Millhouse E. , Malcolm J. , Jose A. , Yang J. , Bradshaw D. J. , Pratten J. R. , Culshaw S.
Published: June 2016

Background and Objective

Different bacteria differentially stimulate epithelial cells. Biofilm composition and viability are likely to influence the epithelial response. In vitro model systems are commonly used to investigate periodontitis‐associated bacteria and their interactions with the host; therefore, understanding factors that influence biofilm–cell interactions is essential. The present study aimed to develop in vitro monospecies and multispecies biofilms and investigate the epithelial response to these biofilms.

Material and Methods

Bacterial biofilms were cultured in vitro and then either live or methanol‐fixed biofilms were co‐cultured with epithelial cells. Changes in epithelial cell viability, gene expression and cytokine content of culture supernatants were evaluated.

Results

Bacterial viability was better preserved within mixed‐species biofilm culture than within single‐species biofilm culture. Both mixed‐ and single‐species biofilms stimulated increased expression of mRNA for interleukin 8 (IL8), C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CXCL3), C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), interleukin 1 (IL1), interleukin 6 (IL6), colony‐stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), and the response was greatest in response to mixed‐species biofilms. Following co‐culture, cytokines detected in the supernatants included IL‐8, IL‐6, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, with the greatest release of cytokines found following co‐culture with methanol‐fixed, mixed‐species biofilms.

Conclusions

These data show that epithelial cells generate a distinct cytokine gene‐ and protein‐expression signature in response to live or fixed, single‐ or multispecies biofilms.
Gene conversion and linkage: effects on genome evolution and speciation
Authors: Korunes Katharine L. , Noor Mohamed A. F.
Published: June 2016

Crossing over is well known to have profound effects on patterns of genetic diversity and genome evolution. Far less direct attention has been paid to another distinct outcome of meiotic recombination: noncrossover gene conversion (NCGC). Crossing over and NCGC both shuffle combinations of alleles, and this degradation of linkage disequilibrium (LD) has major evolutionary consequences, ranging from immediate effects on nucleotide diversity to long‐term consequences that shape genome evolution, species formation and species persistence. Unlike simple crossing over, NCGC has the potential to alter allele frequencies. Gene conversion can also occur in genomic regions where crossing over does not, and it purportedly exhibits more uniform rates across genomes. Considerable progress has been made towards understanding the mechanisms of gene conversion, and this progress enables us to begin exploring how gene conversion affects processes such as molecular evolution and interspecies gene flow. These topics are timely with the recent shift in focus from a primarily neutral null model of molecular evolution and speciation to one incorporating base levels of selection, making it all the more crucial to understand the basis and evolutionary implications of linkage. Here, we discuss the impact of gene conversion on genome structure and evolution and the current methods for detecting these events. We provide a comprehensive review of how gene conversion breaks down LD and affects both short‐ and long‐term evolutionary processes, and we contrast its impact to that expected from crossing over alone.
Biosystematic studies on the genus Heloniopsis (Melanthiaceae) I. Phylogeny inferred from plastid DNA sequences and taxonomic implications
Authors: Fuse Shizuka , Tamura Minoru N.
Published: June 2016

Based on a combined dataset of plastid DNA sequences (atpB‐rbcL, trnG, trnL‐trnL‐trnF, trnK 5' intron and matK) from 60 individuals, we conducted parsimony and likelihood analyses to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among the six species and three varieties that are commonly recognised in Heloniopsis, in addition to the related genera Ypsilandra and Helonias, using Chamaelirium and Chionographis as an outgroup. According to the single most parsimonious tree, which was identical to the maximum‐likelihood tree in topology, Helonias, Ypsilandra and Heloniopsis are all monophyletic with 100% bootstrap support (BS). In Heloniopsis, there are two highly supported clades (BS 94–97%): a clade of Korean species and a clade of Japanese and Taiwanese species. The latter clade comprised the following four subclades (BS 99–100%): 1) H. orientalis var. orientalis, 2) H. orientalis var. breviscapa and var. flavida, 3) H. kawanoi and 4) H. leucantha and H. umbellata. Because subclades 1 and 2 did not form a monophyletic group, and do show clear morphological differences – including nectary position, nectary‐sac structure and leaf margin undulation – they should be distinguished at the species level: H. orientalis for subclade 1 and H. breviscapa for subclade 2. In subclade 2, neither var. breviscapa nor var. flavida was monophyletic; instead, var. breviscapa plus var. flavida (thick‐leaved entity) was monophyletic (BS 62–63%) and var. flavida (thin‐leaved entity) was monophyletic (BS 86–87%). As var. breviscapa and var. flavida (thick‐leaved entity) share basally ± pinkish wide tepals and dark‐coloured thick leaves, in contrast to var. flavida (thin‐leaved entity), which has completely white narrow tepals and light‐coloured thin leaves, the two varieties should may be kept distinct after the merge of var. flavida (thick‐leaved entity) with var. breviscapa.
Atrial Fibrillation and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the Elderly
Authors: O'NEAL WESLEY T. , SALAHUDDIN TAUFIQ , BROUGHTON STEPHEN T. , SOLIMAN ELSAYED Z.
Published: June 2016

Background

Prior studies have not examined which cardiovascular outcomes most frequently develop in participants with atrial fibrillation (AF) from population‐based cohorts of the elderly.

Methods

This analysis included 4,304 (85% white; 61% women) participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study who were free of baseline cardiovascular disease. AF cases were identified at baseline and as time‐updated events during follow‐up. Kaplan‐Meier estimates were used to compute the 1‐, 5‐, 10‐, and 15‐year cumulative incidence rates of the following outcomes: coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, and ischemic stroke. Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between AF and each outcome.

Results

For all time periods, the cumulative incidence estimates of CHD, MI, heart failure, and ischemic stroke were higher for those with AF compared with those without AF. Heart failure was the most frequent outcome in those with AF, while CHD events were the most frequently detected outcome in participants without AF. Compared with persons who did not have AF, the risk of heart failure was higher in those with AF (HR = 3.18, 95% CI = 2.78–3.64), and the magnitude of this association was greater than the other outcomes of interest (CHD: HR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.54–2.03; MI: 1.40, 95% CI = 1.14–1.71; ischemic stroke: HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.63–2.39).

Conclusions

AF is associated with several adverse cardiovascular outcomes and heart failure is the most frequently detected event. Potentially, risk factor modification strategies for the primary prevention of heart failure will reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with AF.
Predicting Ventricular Arrhythmias in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The Impact of Persistent Electrical Dyssynchrony
Authors: KARACA OGUZ , GUNES HACI M. , OMAYGENC MEHMET ONUR , CAKAL BEYTULLAH , CAKAL SINEM DENIZ , DEMIR GULTEKIN GUNHAN , KIZILIRMAK FILIZ , GOKDENIZ TAYYAR , BARUTCU IRFAN , BOZTOSUN BILAL , KILICASLAN FETHI
Published: June 2016

Background

Although response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been conventionally assessed with left ventricular volume reduction, ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation [VT/VF]) are of critical importance associated with unfavorable outcomes even in the “superresponders” to therapy. We evaluated the predictors of VT/VF and the association of residual dyssynchrony during follow‐up.

Methods

Ninety‐five patients receiving CRT were followed‐up for 9 ± 3 months. Post‐CRT dyssynchrony was defined as a prolonged QRS duration (QRSd) for persistent electrical dyssynchrony (ED), and a Yu index ≥ 33 ms for persistent mechanical dyssynchrony. The first VT/VF episode, including nonsustained VT detected on device interrogation and/or appropriate antitachycardia pacing or shock for VT/VF, were the end points of the study.

Results

Forty‐five patients who reached the study end points had significantly lower mean ΔQRS (baseline QRSd – post‐CRT QRSd) values than those without VT/VF (–20.8 ± 28.9 ms vs –6.6 ± 30.7 ms, P = 0.022). Both the baseline and post‐CRT QRSds, along with the Yu index values, were not different in two groups. Patients with VT/VF were statistically more likely to have persistent ED (38% vs 9%, P = 0.021). Kaplan‐Meier curves showed that a negative ΔQRS was associated with a higher incidence of VT/VF during follow‐up (P = 0.016). A multivariate Cox model revealed that QRS prolongation was an independent predictor of VT/VF after CRT (P = 0.029).

Conclusions

A negative ΔQRS, also called persistent ED, is associated with VT/VF. Narrowest possible QRSd might be a reliable goal of both implantation and optimization of devices to reduce arrhythmic events after CRT.
Permanent His‐Bundle Pacing: Case Studies
Authors: VIJAYARAMAN PUGAZHENDHI , DANDAMUDI GOPI
Published: June 2016

His bundle pacing (HBP) is a physiological alternative to right ventricular pacing. In addition to patients with normal His‐Purkinje conduction, HBP can be valuable in patients with infranodal atrioventricular (AV) block and patients undergoing AV node ablation. The following case studies illustrate the challenges associated with HBP.
REVENUE SCARCITY AND GOVERNMENT OUTSOURCING: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM NORWEGIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Authors: GEYS BENNY , SØRENSEN RUNE J.
Published: June 2016

It is often said that ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. In this article, we assess whether this also applies to the design of public authorities' service provision. In particular, we evaluate whether revenue scarcity – as an indicator of fiscal stress – induces government outsourcing. In contrast to previous studies, we exploit arguably exogenous variation in local government revenue across time and space to derive stronger inferences on the role of revenue scarcity for outsourcing. Using data from Norwegian local governments covering the period 1995–2012, our main results indicate that a decrease in local government revenues is linked to more outsourcing of both infrastructure and support services.
GOVERNING ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS IN CHINA: UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS DO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COMPROMISE?
Authors: LI YANWEI , KOPPENJAN JOOP , VERWEIJ STEFAN
Published: June 2016

In recent years, governing environmental conflicts concerning the planning, construction, and operation of urban facilities has increasingly become a challenge for Chinese local governments. Chinese governments seek adequate responses to deal with these conflicts, for instance by ignoring criticism and sticking to initial decisions, by suppressing protests, or by compromising. In this article, by analysing 10 cases of conflict in China using crisp‐set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA), we aim to investigate which combinations of diverse conditions lead to changes in local governments' decisions. Four contextualized paths to explain both the presence and the absence of these changes are identified. These findings increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the governance of environmental conflicts in China and may inform Chinese governments and non‐state actors who are seeking ways to deal adequately with them.
Immunoglobulin E‐Mediated Hypersensitivity Reaction to Ketamine
Authors: Ozcan John , Nicholls Katherine , Jones Karin
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Ketamine is a commonly used analgesic agent in the management of both acute and chronic pain. While dose‐dependent side effects are well described, allergy to ketamine is extremely rare.

Case

A 41‐year‐old woman with chronic pelvic pain and previous ketamine exposure developed a widespread urticarial rash and mild perioral edema following the initiation of a ketamine infusion. The infusion was ceased and the patient was treated with oral antihistamine, with rapid resolution of symptoms. Serum tryptase levels were elevated at 2 and 6 hours after the infusion was ceased, and subsequent intradermal skin testing supported the diagnosis of type I hypersensitivity reaction to ketamine.

Discussion

This case represents a likely immunoglobulin E‐mediated type I hypersensitivity reaction to ketamine, supported by elevated tryptase levels and positive intradermal skin testing. The interpretation of these results and likely mechanism of the hypersensitivity reaction are described. The patient and treating team were advised against subsequent use of ketamine, due to the risk of serious adverse systemic reaction with repeat exposure.
The superwoman1‐cleistogamy2 mutant is a novel resource for gene containment in rice
Authors: Lombardo Fabien , Kuroki Makoto , Yao Shan‐Guo , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Ikegaya Tomohito , Kimizu Mayumi , Ohmori Shinnosuke , Akiyama Takashi , Hayashi Takami , Yamaguchi Tomoya , Koike Setsuo , Yatou Osamu , Yoshida Hitoshi
Published: June 2016

Outcrossing between cultivated plants and their related wild species may result in the loss of favourable agricultural traits in the progeny or escape of transgenes in the environment. Outcrossing can be physically prevented by using cleistogamous (i.e. closed‐flower) plants. In rice, flower opening is dependent on the mechanical action of fleshy organs called lodicules, which are generally regarded as the grass petal equivalents. Lodicule identity and development are specified by the action of protein complexes involving the SPW1 and OsMADS2 transcription factors. In the superwoman1‐cleistogamy1 (spw1‐cls1) mutant, SPW1 is impaired for heterodimerization with OsMADS2 and consequently spw1‐cls1 shows thin, ineffective lodicules. However, low temperatures help stabilise the mutated SPW1/OsMADS2 heterodimer and lodicule development is restored when spw1‐cls1 is grown in a cold environment, resulting in the loss of the cleistogamous phenotype. To identify a novel, temperature‐stable cleistogamous allele of SPW1, targeted and random mutations were introduced into the SPW1 sequence and their effects over SPW1/OsMADS2 dimer formation were assessed in yeast two‐hybrid experiments. In parallel, a novel cleistogamous allele of SPW1 called spw1‐cls2 was isolated from a forward genetic screen. In spw1‐cls2, a mutation leading to a change of an amino acid involved in DNA binding by the transcription factor was identified. Fertility of spw1‐cls2 is somewhat decreased under low temperatures but unlike for spw1‐cls1, the cleistogamous phenotype is maintained, making the line a safer and valuable genetic resource for gene containment.
A Geographical Analysis of Dutch Electoral Volatility 1994–2012
Authors: Van Laake Thomas
Published: June 2016

In the past two decades, Dutch electoral volatility has been one of the highest in Europe. This study analyses this phenomenon from a geographic perspective. In contrast to the prevalent use of electoral volatility, as a method for comparison of national political systems, the differences within a single national context are examined. Electoral volatility in seven national elections (1994–2012) is calculated at the municipal level. The resulting geographical pattern is mapped, analysed, and explained through the use of (geo‐) statistical methods. Significant differences are identified within the country, with particular concentration of high volatility in the south of the country, and low volatility in the north. The results of the research demonstrate the relevance of geography in explaining political behaviour as well as improving the understanding of recent Dutch electoral volatility. Furthermore, the national‐scale focus of electoral volatility research is critiqued.
Investigating inducible short‐chain alcohol dehydrogenases/reductases clarifies rice oryzalexin biosynthesis
Authors: Kitaoka Naoki , Wu Yisheng , Zi Jiachen , Peters Reuben J.
Published: June 2016

Rice (Oryza sativa) produces a variety of labdane‐related diterpenoids as phytoalexins and allelochemicals. The production of these important natural products has been partially elucidated. However, the oxidases responsible for production of the keto groups found in many of these diterpenoids have largely remained unknown. Only one short‐chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductases (SDRs), which has been proposed to catalyze the last step in such a pathway, has been characterized to date. While rice contains >220 SDRs, only the transcription of five has been shown to be induced by the fungal cell wall elicitor chitin. This includes the momilactone A synthase (OsMAS/SDR110C‐MS1), with the other four all falling in the same SDR110C family, further suggesting roles in diterpenoid biosynthesis. Here, biochemical characterization with simplified substrate analogs was first used to indicate potential functions, which were then supported by further analyses with key biosynthetic intermediates. Kinetic studies were then employed to further clarify these roles. Surprisingly, OsSDR110C‐MS2 more efficiently catalyzes the final oxidation to produce momilactone A that was previously assigned to OsMAS/SDR110C‐MS1, and we speculate that this latter SDR may have an alternative function instead. Conversely, two of these SDRs clearly appear to act in oryzalexin biosynthesis, with OsSDR110C‐MI3 readily oxidizing the 3α‐hydroxyl of oryzalexin D, while OsSDR110C‐MS3 can also oxidize the accompanying 7β‐hydroxyl. Together, these SDRs then serve to produce oryzalexins A–C from oryzalexin D, essentially completing elucidation of the biosynthesis of this family of rice phytoalexins.
Salmonella Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices: A Survey of Backyard Poultry Owners Residing in Seattle, Washington and the Surrounding Metropolitan Area
Authors: Kauber K. , Fowler H. , Lipton B. , Meschke J. S. , Rabinowitz P.
Published: June 2016

Raising poultry flocks in urban backyard settings is becoming increasingly popular across the United States, but carries a risk of zoonotic infection. In the United States from 1990 to 2014, 53 outbreaks of human salmonellosis linked to live poultry have been documented resulting in 2611 known illnesses, 387 known hospitalizations and five known deaths (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015a, http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/resources/dont-play-chicken-with-your-health-poster-24x36_508.pdf). A cross‐sectional descriptive study was developed to better understand knowledge, attitudes and practices of urban backyard poultry owners regarding Salmonella risk and prevention. The study included a survey of bird health, animal husbandry and hygiene practices, and knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to Salmonella risk. Participants were videotaped while caring for their birds, and the recordings were transcribed using notational analysis to determine whether reported practices differed from observed practices. The results indicated that while a large proportion of participants knew that exposure to Salmonella is an inherent risk associated with raising poultry and harvesting eggs, their reported and observed practices would not consistently reduce risk of transmission of Salmonella and other zoonotic diseases. Approximately one in four participants reported performing practices that increase risk of inoculation, such as snuggling and kissing birds or eating/drinking near them. None of the participants were observed kissing their birds on video; however, snuggling (holding birds to clothes) or touching their face during routine care was observed in approximately two‐thirds of the video recordings. The video data provided a unique opportunity to compare reported practices with actions recorded during site visits. While the differences were not statistically significant, findings from our study suggest that flock owners may not accurately report the frequency with which risky practices are performed during routine animal care. Education and outreach targeting backyard flock owners should aim to improve husbandry and hygiene practices and reduce risk of zoonotic diseases associated with raising poultry in the backyard setting.
SIRT3 gene expression but not SIRT3 subcellular localization is altered in response to fasting and exercise in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Edgett Brittany A. , Hughes Meghan C. , Matusiak Jennifer B. L. , Perry Christopher G. R. , Simpson Craig A. , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: June 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Evidence from cellular and animal models suggests that SIRT3 is involved in regulating aerobic ATP production. Thus, we investigated whether changes in fatty acid and oxidative metabolism known to accompany fasting and exercise occur in association with changes in SIRT3 mitochondrial localization and expression in human skeletal muscle.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We find that 48 h of fasting and acute endurance exercise decrease SIRT3 mRNA expression but do not alter SIRT3 mitochondrial localization despite marked increases in fatty acid oxidation. This suggests that SIRT3 activity is not regulated by changes in mitochondrial localization in response to cellular energy stress in human skeletal muscle.

The present study examined SIRT3 expression and SIRT3 mitochondrial localization in response to acute exercise and short‐term fasting in human skeletal muscle. Experiment 1 involved eight healthy men (age, 21.4 ± 2.8 years; peak O2 uptake, 47.1 ± 11.8 ml min−1 kg−1) who performed a single bout of exercise at ∼55% of peak aerobic work rate for 1 h. Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest (Rest), immediately after exercise (EX‐0) and 3 h postexercise (EX‐3). Experiment 2 involved 10 healthy men (age, 22.0 ± 1.5 years; peak O2 uptake, 47.2 ± 6.7 ml min−1 kg−1) who underwent a 48 h fast, with muscle biopsies collected 1 h postprandial (Fed) and after 48 h of fasting (Fast). Mitochondrial respiration was measured using high‐resolution respirometry in permeabilized muscle fibre bundles to assess substrate oxidation. Whole body fat oxidation increased after both exercise (Rest, 0.96 ± 0.32 kcal min−1; Exercise, 5.66 ± 1.97 kcal min−1; P < 0.001) and fasting (Fed, 0.87 ± 0.51 kcal min−1; Fast, 1.30 ± 0.37 kcal min−1, P < 0.05). SIRT3 gene expression decreased (P < 0.05) after both exercise (−8%) and fasting (−19%); however, SIRT3 whole muscle protein content was unaltered after fasting. No changes were observed in SIRT3 mitochondrial localization following either exercise or fasting. Fasting also decreased the Vmax of glutamate [80 ± 43 versus 50 ± 21 pmol s−1 (mg dry weight)−1; P < 0.05]. These findings suggest that SIRT3 does not appear to be regulated by changes in mitochondrial localization at the time points measured in the present study in response to cellular energy stress in human skeletal muscle.
Numerical Simulation of Flow Fields and Head Losses of Trash-Barriering in Pumping Station Based on VOF Model
Authors: He Shuquan , Qiu Baoyun , Chu Shiji , Feng Xiaoli
Published: June 2016

In order to calculate flow fields behind the trash rack and the head loss caused by trash-barriering, the waterweed lump congregated in front of the trash rack was simplified as watertight entity that has the same shape and the same size of the waterweed lump. We adopted ANSYS CFX software and VOF method in numerical simulation of the flow fields of trash-barriering, calculated several schemes, and analyzed the influences of blockage. The results show that: the water level difference and the head loss of numerical simulation are consistent with results of experiment. Because of tiny water permeability of the waterweed lump in front of the trash rack, there are nuances between the flow fields behind the trash rack of numerical simulation and experiment. The specific gravity of the waterweeds is less than that of water and the waterweeds block the up part of the trash rack, which makes the flow velocity through the down unblocked part of the trash rack increase rapidly. As a result, the velocity behind the trash rack increases in the lower area, and decreases, even the backflow appears in the upper area. With the increase of the blockage ratio, the turbulence scale behind the trash rack increases. When the blockage ratio increases to 0.7, the velocity uniformity already decreases to −1.57. The head loss of trash-barriering increases when the blockage ratio and the velocity in front of the trash rack increase. For certain velocity in front of the trash rack, when the blockage ratio reaches 0.6∼0.7, the head loss would increase rapidly.
CFD Multi-Phase Flow Analysis Across Diverging Manifolds: Application in the Oil-Gas Industry
Authors: Croquer Sergio , Vieiro Joaquin , Chacon Carlos , Asuaje Miguel
Published: June 2016

This investigation assessed detailed characteristics of flow in diverging manifolds, for water and water-oil cases. A 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of a distributing manifold was carried out. Numerical results showed good agreement with experimental values. Predicted pressure and velocity contours agree with theory, detailed 3D insight on present secondary flows and localized hydraulic losses was obtained, as well as effect on distribution of phases. Moreover, a 3D, multi-phase (oil-water) CFD model of a diverging manifold design, similar to those installed in separation units was conducted. The main pipe had 0.762 m (30 in) in diameter and 24 m in length, with 8 perforated pipes branching out. Branches had 0.305 m (12 in) in diameter and 12 m in length, with 312 holes per branch. Non-uniform outflow distributions were detected, as well as secondary flows. An alternate design was proposed. Numerical results show the new manifold design achieves uniform static pressure distribution across the entire main pipe, reducing secondary flows and hydraulic losses. Outflow distribution is also uniform, thus improving the performance of the separation unit.
Effect of Surface Modification on Protein Deposition in Desiccated Droplets
Authors: Schertzer Michael J. , Lea Peter , Ben-Mrad Ridha , Sullivan Pierre E.
Published: June 2016

Detection of fluorescent signals from desiccated droplets is a useful tool for the analysis of microarray devices. This investigation presents an optical method for the observation of physical structures and protein deposition in desiccated droplets. Greyscale images of droplets containing red fluorescent protein solutions in water were recorded after desiccation. Images were obtained under both white and fluorescent light for droplets desiccated on glass and Teflon. Spots desiccated on glass were twice the size of those desiccated on Teflon. As such, average physical deposition and protein concentration was higher for Teflon spots. The average fluorescence intensity for spots desiccated on Teflon were four times greater than those desiccated on glass. For spots desiccated on glass, physical deposition and protein concentration increased with radial position, consistent with a coffee-ring pattern. The local maximum fluorescence intensity was highest at the center of the droplet. Protein deposition then decreased with increasing radius before increasing again toward the edge of the spot. These results suggest that desiccation of protein laden droplets on hydrophobic coatings, such as Teflon, may increase sensitivity of fluorescent protein detection while improving the uniformity of the fluorescent signal measured from the droplet.
Turbulent Flow in a No-Tube-in-Window Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger: CFD vs PIV
Authors: Bouhairie Salem , Talapatra Siddharth , Farrell Kevin
Published: June 2016

A research-scale shell-and-tube heat exchanger housing a no-tube-in-window (NTIW) arrangement of tubes is analyzed using ANSYS® FLUENT. Three-dimensional, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations of adiabatic flow in a periodic section of the exchanger were conducted. The numerical results were compared to particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements in the window region where tubes are not present. As part of the study, the k-epsilon with scalable wall function, k-omega with shear stress transport (SST), Reynolds Stress (RSM), and Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS) turbulence models were assessed. Each turbulence model showed some similarities with the recorded phenomena, but none fully captured the complexity of flow field outside of the tube bundle. Additional simulations of an entire NTIW exchanger model were performed to examine the flow behavior between the window and crossflow regions, as window momentum flux, ρu2, limits are a concern for safe mechanical design.
A Study on the Multiphase Flow Characteristics Inside Subsea Separation System
Authors: Woo Nam-Sub , Kim Young-Ju , Han Sang-Mok , Kwon Jae-Ki , Kim Sang-Shik , Ahn Hee-Hak
Published: June 2016

The implementation of subsea separation and liquid boosting is becoming a common development scheme for the exploration of deep water fields. Subsea separation system should be reliable to ensure successful operation in a wide range of 3-phase flow regime, without need for developments. A subsea separator can avoid or simplying costly surface platforms of floating vessels, as well as being an efficient tool to enhance hydrocarbon production. One solution of interest is the separation and re-injection of water at the seabed to avoid bringing the water up to the surface facility. In this study, multiphase flow characteristics inside subsea separation system are investigated for the design of subsea separation system.
Leveling of a Line of Paint Droplets on a Surface
Authors: Esmaeelpanah J. , Dalili A. , Chandra S. , Mostaghimi J.
Published: June 2016

When liquid droplets are sprayed onto a solid surface during spray painting and coating, defects may be created due to non-uniformity of the liquid film. The time scale required for leveling the liquid film is of utmost importance. In this paper, the leveling of a droplet line was modeled numerically using a three-dimensional parallel code, based on a two-step projection method with a volume-of-fluid technique used to model free surface flow. Simulations and experiments were performed with a high viscosity liquid (87%wt glycerin in water solution and commercial paint) where a droplet line was deposited with varying center-to-center distance between the droplets and the time scale for leveling was measured. Predictions from the numerical model for droplet line thickness and variation in the thickness agreed well with experimental measurements. Simulation and experimental measurements clearly showed that the drastic portion of thickness change happened in the first 30 seconds. When the droplets were dispensed close to one another (initially thicker films), there was a lot of interaction between the droplets and therefore there was a huge variation in the thickness of the droplet line until the variation died down and the line was level. On the other hand, when droplets were dispensed further apart (initially thinner films), there was less interaction between the droplets and therefore less variation of the film thickness from the beginning and the leveling occurred much sooner.
Numerical Study of Internal Flow Structures Within Hydrocyclones With Parabolic and Hyperbolic Swirl Chambers
Authors: Motin Abdul , Tarabara Volodymyr V. , Bénard André
Published: June 2016

In this work we examine the internal flow structures within hydrocyclones used for liquid-liquid separation, especially those used for the removal of oil droplets from water. The internal flow structures and patterns are greatly influenced by the geometric shape of the swirl chamber. The effects of parabolic and hyperbolic wall profiles of the swirl chamber on the reverse flow vortex core, short circuit flows, and the separation efficiency are investigated numerically by solving the Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes equations closed by an equation of change for the Reynolds stress. Droplets (forming the dispersed phase) trajectories are predicted by solving a kinematic equation of motion and force balance. Internal flow structures for different geometric conditions have partially motivated the redesign of the hydrocyclone geometry so as to support a longer and stable reverse flow vortex core and for greater separation efficiency. Results indicate that both the parabolic and hyperbolic swirl chambers provide improved separation efficiency. However, the hyperbolic swirl chamber has a greater potential for the reduction of effective length of the hydrocyclone with maintaining the same separation efficiency.
Gas Separation Using a Membrane
Authors: Alkhamis Nawaf , Anqi Ali , Oztekin Dennis E. , Alsaiari Abdulmohsen , Oztekin Alparslan
Published: June 2016

Gas-gas separation, to purify natural gas, is simulated using a membrane supported by a porous medium. Removing acidic gasses from the natural gas is gaining attention recently. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are conducted for asymmetric multi-component fluid flows in a channel. The flow system consists of a circular cross-section channel bounded by a porous layer which supports the membrane wall. The Navier-Stokes equations model the flow in the channel, while the flow in the porous medium is modeled by both the Darcy’s law and the extended Darcy’s law. Mass transport equations, including mass diffusion of mixtures of two gasses (CO2 and CH4), are employed to determine the concentration distribution. The membrane will be modeled as a functional surface; where the flux of each component will be determined based on the local partial pressure of each species, composition, and permeability and selectivity of the membrane. The effect of the porous medium on the membrane performance will be determined for a wide range of Reynolds number. The performance of the system will be measured by maximum mass separation with minimal frictional losses.
Using Shear and DC Electric Fields to Manipulate and Self-Assemble Dielectric Particles on Microchannel Walls
Authors: Yoda Minami , Cevheri Necmettin
Published: June 2016

Manipulating suspended neutrally buoyant colloidal particles of radii a = O(0.1 μm–1 μm) near solid surfaces, or walls, is a key technology in various microfluidics devices. These particles, suspended in an aqueous solution at rest near a solid surface, or wall, are subject to wall-normal “lift” forces described by the DLVO theory of colloid science. The particles experience additional lift forces, however, when suspended in a flowing solution. A fundamental understanding of such lift forces could therefore lead to new methods for the transport and self-assembly of particles near and on solid surfaces.

Various studies have reported repulsive electroviscous and hydrodynamic lift forces on colloidal particles in Poiseuille flow (with a constant shear rate γ̇ near the wall) driven by a pressure gradient. A few studies have also observed repulsive dielectrophoretic-like lift forces in electroosmotic (EO) flows driven by electric fields.

Recently, evanescent-wave particle tracking has been used to quantify near-wall lift forces on a = 125 nm–245 nm polystyrene (PS) particles suspended in a monovalent electrolyte solution in EO flow, Poiseuille flow, and combined Poiseuille and EO flow through ∼30 μm deep fused-silica channels. In Poiseuille flow, the repulsive lift force appears to be proportional to γ̇, a scaling consistent with hydrodynamic, vs. electroviscous, lift.

In combined Poiseuille and EO flow, the lift forces can be repulsive or attractive, depending upon whether the EO flow is in the same or opposite direction as the Poiseuille flow, respectively. The magnitude of the force appears to be proportional to the electric field magnitude. Moreover, the force in combined flow exceeds the sum of the forces observed in EO flow for the same electric field or in Poiseuille flow for the same γ̇. Initial results also imply that this force, when repulsive, scales as γ̇1/2. These results suggest that the lift force in combined flow is fundamentally different from electroviscous, hydrodynamic, or dielectrophoretic-like lift.

Moreover, for the case when the EO flow opposes the Poiseuille flow, the particles self-assemble into dense stable periodic streamwise bands with an average width of ∼6 μm and a spacing of 2–4 times the band width when the electric field magnitude exceeds a threshold value. These results are described and reviewed here.
CFD Simulation of Boiling Heat Transfer Using OpenFOAM
Authors: Shademan Mehrdad , Balachandar Ram , Barron Ron
Published: June 2016

An Eulerian-Eulerian two-phase flow model has been developed to simulate the boiling heat transfer phenomenon in a pipe flow. The model was implemented in the OpenFOAM source code. The code development process was divided into two sections. In the first step, an adiabatic two-phase flow model which takes into account the effect of interfacial forces was developed. In the second step, the energy equation was activated to account for non-adiabatic conditions. In order to include the boiling effect, several different subroutines which model evaporation and condensation phenomena were attached to the solver. Results of the two-phase adiabatic flow and from the boiling model are compared with available numerical and experimental data. The simulation predictions are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data and show significant improvement relative to previous numerical results, which suggests the validity of the developed model for boiling heat transfer problems.
Particulate and Emulsion Sorting Using Microfluidics
Authors: Lu Li , Irwin Rebecca M. , Schertzer Jeffrey W. , Chiarot Paul R.
Published: June 2016

We report on a microfluidic device capable of sorting nanoscale particulates and water-in-oil emulsions at high-throughput. The device is passive, relying solely on hydrodynamic forces and the emulsion mass to achieve separation. We use the microfluidic device to deliver surfactants and lipids to the emulsion surface. This is achieved by immersing the emulsions in a fluid stream with a high concentration of the nano-particulates. The particulates assemble on the surface of the emulsions as they are transported along the stream. The emulsions are then transferred (i.e. separated) into a second fluid stream that is devoid of surrounding material. The performance of the device is evaluated for a range of flow rates, nano-particulate concentrations, and emulsion sizes. We report separation efficiencies that exceed current technologies over a wide range of flow rates. The microfluidic device can be used to produce delivery vehicles for pharmaceuticals and models for membrane biology studies.
Validation of URANS Simulation of Truck Cooling Fan Performance
Authors: Etemad Sassan , Gullberg Peter
Published: June 2016

The performance of an axial heavy duty truck cooling fan was investigated by measurements in a test rig and by CFD simulations. In order to account for the unsteadiness of the flow, URANS simulations were employed. Good agreement was achieved between the simulation and test data, in particular in the axial regime, despite the constant density assumption. To improve the simulation accuracy in the radial and transitional regime it is most likely insufficient to assume constant density. New simulations with ideal gas assumptions for these regimes are believed to give better agreement with the test data. The simulations show that URANS CFD can produce results very close to the ones obtained in the test facilities and thereby can be used for the industrial applications when flow unsteadiness has to be taken into account. The fact that it requires long computational time and is CPU-demanding can no longer be regarded as a major preventing factor for its application in the industry. In addition, it provides valuable information about the details of the flow which can contribute to the optimization of the geometry for improved efficiency and higher performance.
Pumping Speed Measurement of the Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump by Using Numerical and Experimental Approaches
Authors: Azam M. Nadeem , Umar M. , Maqsood M. , Akhtar Imran , Aziz Imran
Published: June 2016

Pumping speed is the main performance parameter of a vacuum pump. In the present work, pumping speed for a three-vane rotary vacuum pump is quantified using both experimental and numerical approaches. The numerical methodology assumes continuum flow (Knudsen number < 0.1), thus allowing the use of Navier Stokes equation. Commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver i.e. Fluent, is used to discretize the governing equations. Moving / dynamic mesh technique is used for the internal flow volumes of the pump to reproduce the change-in-time shape. Complete process starting from the CAD modeling to CFD simulations is discussed in detail. The adopted approaches are generic and can be used to find the pumping speed of any other rotary vane vacuum pump. The vane pump is also tested using an assessment system, which is constructed according to DIN28432 standard. Results of experimentally measured pumping speed are in good agreement with the one computed numerically.