bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Birth Outcomes of Foreign‐Born, Native‐Born, and Mixed Couples in Sweden
Authors: Urquia Marcelo L. , Qiao Yao , Ray Joel G. , Liu Can , Hjern Anders
Published: February 2015

Background

Many births in industrialised countries are to immigrant parents, or to one immigrant and one domestically born parent. Their newborn outcomes have not been well studied.

Methods

We conducted a study of 1 690 423 singleton infants born in Sweden between 1987 and 2008, including those of immigrants from East Asia, South Asia, Sub‐Saharan Africa, and East Africa. Preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA) were assessed among infants of (i) immigrant parents from the same world region, (ii) an immigrant mother and a Swedish‐born father, and (iii) a Swedish‐born mother and an immigrant father; each compared to (iv) two Swedish‐born parents. Log binomial regression analysis generated adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for preterm delivery and SGA.

Results

Compared with infants of two Swedish‐born parents, infants born to immigrant mothers from East Asia, South Asia, and Sub‐Saharan African were at higher risk of preterm delivery (ARR ranging from 1.2 to 1.9), irrespective of whether the father was from the same world region or Swedish‐born, with the only exception of East African women, who had lower risk. Infants born to two foreign‐born parents had the highest risks of SGA, particularly South Asians (ARR 4.69; 95% CI 4.29, 5.12). Mixed couples exhibited intermediate risks of SGA.

Conclusions

Adverse birth outcomes differ according to a couple's ethnic composition. Having a Swedish‐born partner is associated with lower risk of SGA among immigrant mothers and fathers, and with lower risk of preterm delivery among immigrant fathers but not mothers.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in Feline Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and in Normal and Hyperplastic Endometria
Authors: Saraiva AL , Payan‐Carreira R , Gärtner F , Santana I , Rêma A , Lourenço LM , Pires MA
Published: February 2015

Contents

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is overexpressed in several human and animal neoplasms, including the human endometrial carcinoma. It has been suggested as a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target. This study aimed to (i) clarify histological aspects of feline endometrial adenocarcinomas (FEA) of the papillary serous type and (ii) characterize COX‐2 immunohistochemical expression in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium in this species. Archived paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of 33 FEA, eight cystic endometrial hyperplasias (CEHs) and 21 samples of normal, healthy endometrium in the follicular (FS; n = 10) and luteal (LS; n = 11) stages were evaluated. Histological evaluation of haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections of the FEA revealed a papillary proliferation of neoplastic cells of serous type, accompanied by clear and multinucleated cells. Other architectural arrangements mainly included solid and tubular growth. Randomly distributed areas of necrosis within the tumours were commonly observed. Invasion of the myometrium, of the serosa and of the vascular and/or lymphatic vessels was not constant features. The mean number of mitoses was higher in FEA compared to non‐neoplastic endometrium. COX‐2 scores were lower in FEA (p = 0.003) and CEH (p = 0.05) when compared to normal epithelium (NE). The loss of the membrane apical reinforcement in epithelial cells was observed in FEA samples, which was accompanied by the dislocation of COX‐2 labelling into the cytoplasm and the perinuclear area; in contrast, in epithelial cells in the healthy and hyperplastic endometria, the immunoreaction showed the characteristic pattern of apical membrane reinforcement, suggestive of the membrane polarization. COX‐2 epithelial scores were higher in the FS than in the LS. No differences were found in stromal COX‐2 expression between normal, CEH and FEA groups, but it was higher in the LS than in the FS. In summary, loss of COX‐2 compartmentalization in neoplastic epithelial cells might be one of the molecular events underlying endometrial carcinogenesis.
Lung cancer staging now and in the future
Authors: Liam Chong‐Kin , Andarini Sita , Lee Pyng , Ho James Chung‐Man , Chau Ngo Quy , Tscheikuna Jamsak
Published: February 2015

For a long time lung cancer was associated with a fatalistic approach by healthcare professionals. In recent years, advances in imaging, improved diagnostic techniques and more effective treatment modalities are reasons for optimism. Accurate lung cancer staging is vitally important because treatment options and prognosis differ significantly by stage. The staging algorithm should include a contrast computed tomography (CT) of the chest and the upper abdomen including adrenals, positron emission tomography/CT for staging the mediastinum and to rule out extrathoracic metastasis in patients considered for surgical resection, endosonography‐guided needle sampling procedure replacing mediastinoscopy for near complete mediastinal staging, and brain imaging as clinically indicated. Applicability of evidence‐based guidelines for staging of lung cancer depends on the available expertise and level of resources and is directly impacted by financial issues. Considering the diversity of healthcare infrastructure and economic performance of Asian countries, optimal and cost‐effective use of staging methods appropriate to the available resources is prudent. The pulmonologist plays a central role in the multidisciplinary approach to lung cancer diagnosis, staging and management. Regional respiratory societies such as the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology should work with national respiratory societies to strive for uniform standards of care. For developing countries, a minimum set of care standards should be formulated. Cost‐effective delivery of optimal care for lung cancer patients, including staging within the various healthcare systems, should be encouraged and most importantly, tobacco control implementation should receive an absolute priority status in all countries in Asia.
Sediment‐rich meltwater plumes and ice‐proximal fans at the margins of modern and ancient tidewater glaciers: Observations and modelling
Authors: Dowdeswell Julian A. , Hogan Kelly A. , Arnold Neil S. , Mugford Ruth I. , Wells Martin , Hirst J. Philip P. , Decalf Carole
Published: February 2015

Turbid meltwater plumes and ice‐proximal fans occur where subglacial streams reach the grounded marine margins of modern and ancient tidewater glaciers. However, the spacing and temporal stability of these subglacial channels is poorly understood. This has significant implications for understanding the geometry and distribution of Quaternary and ancient ice‐proximal fans that can form important aquifers and hydrocarbon reservoirs. Remote‐sensing and numerical‐modelling techniques are applied to the 200 km long marine margin of a Svalbard ice cap, Austfonna, to quantify turbid meltwater‐plume distribution and predict its temporal stability. Results are combined with observations from geophysical data close to the modern ice front to refine existing depositional models for ice‐proximal fans. Plumes are spaced ca 3 km apart and their distribution along the ice front is stable over decades. Numerical modelling also predicts the drainage pattern and meltwater discharge beneath the ice cap; modelled water‐routing patterns are in reasonable agreement with satellite‐mapped plume locations. However, glacial retreat of several kilometres over the past 40 years has limited build‐up of significant ice‐proximal fans. A single fan and moraine ridge is noted from marine‐geophysical surveys. Closer to the ice front there are smaller recessional moraines and polygonal sediment lobes but no identifiable fans. Schematic models of ice‐proximal deposits represent varying glacier‐terminus stability: (i) stable terminus where meltwater sedimentation produces an ice‐proximal fan; (ii) quasi‐stable terminus, where glacier readvance pushes or thrusts up ice‐proximal deposits into a morainal bank; and (iii) retreating terminus, with short still‐stands, allowing only small sediment lobes to build up at melt‐stream portals. These modern investigations are complemented with outcrop and subsurface observations and numerical modelling of an ancient, Ordovician glacial system. Thick turbidite successions and large fans in the Late Ordovician suggest either high‐magnitude events or sustained high discharge, consistent with a relatively mild palaeo‐glacial setting for the former North African ice sheet.
Cardiorespiratory fitness in groups with different physical activity levels
Authors: Dyrstad S. M. , Anderssen S. A. , Edvardsen E. , Hansen B. H.
Published: February 2015

The aim of the study was to determine how different categorizations of self‐reported and objectively measured physical activity (PA) reflect variations in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max). A total of 759 individuals (366 women) with a mean age of 48.5 years (SD 14.4) wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT1M) for seven consecutive days and answered the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). VO2max was directly measured during a continuous graded exercise treadmill test until exhaustion. Men and women categorized as highly active by IPAQ had 9% and 13% higher VO2max, respectively, than those reporting a low PA level (P < 0.05). Men and women meeting the PA recommendation of 150 min/week of daily moderate intensity PA, measured by accelerometer, had 13% and 9% higher VO2max, respectively, than participants not meeting this recommendation (P < 0.01). No significant differences in average sedentary time, analyzed in total min/day and in bouts of 10 and 30 min, were found between participants with high or low cardiorespiratory fitness. However, women spent less time than men in bouts of sedentary behaviors. Self‐reported PA by IPAQ and objectively measured PA by accelerometer were both useful instruments for detecting differences in VO2max.
Effects of oral salt supplementation on physical performance during a half‐ironman: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Del Coso J. , González‐Millán C. , Salinero J. J. , Abián‐Vicén J. , Areces F. , Lledó M. , Lara B. , Gallo‐Salazar C. , Ruiz‐Vicente D.
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of oral salt supplementation to improve exercise performance during a half‐ironman triathlon. Twenty‐six experienced triathletes were matched for age, anthropometric data, and training status, and randomly placed into the salt group (113 mmol Na+ and 112 mmol Cl−) or the control group (cellulose). The experimental treatments were ingested before and during a real half‐ironman triathlon competition. Pre‐ and post‐race body mass, maximal force during a whole‐body isometric strength test, maximal height during a countermovement jump, were measured, and blood samples were obtained. Sweat samples were obtained during the running section. Total race time was lower in the salt group than in the control group (P = 0.04). After the race, whole‐body isometric strength (P = 0.17) and jump height (P = 0.49) were similarly reduced in both groups. Sweat loss (P = 0.98) and sweat Na+ concentration (P = 0.72) were similar between groups. However, body mass tended to be less reduced in the salt group than in the control group (P = 0.09) while post‐race serum Na+ (P = 0.03) and Cl− (P = 0.03) concentrations were higher in the salt group than in the control group. Oral salt supplementation was effective to lessen body mass loss and increase serum electrolyte concentration during a real half‐ironman.
Diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of coccidioidomycosis in allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mendoza N. , Noel P. , Blair J.E.
Published: February 2015

Background

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT) recipients have multiple risk factors for coccidioidomycosis, and previous reports of coccidioidomycosis in this patient population describe severe infections with poor outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of allo‐HSCT recipients with active coccidioidomycosis to characterize the utility of diagnostic tests for coccidioidomycosis and to determine treatment outcomes.

Results

Eleven of 426 (2.6%) allo‐HSCT recipients experienced active coccidioidomycosis after transplantation. Of these 11 patients, 1 (9%) had extrapulmonary infection, 9 (82%) patients were hospitalized, and 5 (45%) died. Culture or histology was positive in 33% (3/9) of the patients tested. Most (64% [7/11]) had at least 1 positive serologic test result, and the enzyme immunoassay immunoglobulin G test was positive most often (overall 55% [6/11]). Chest radiographs and chest computed tomography scans showed miliary or multifocal nodular infiltrates or consolidations, consistent with coccidioidomycosis, in 80% (8/10) and 100% (9/9), respectively, of patients tested throughout the course of active illness. Rapid polymerase chain reaction testing was positive in 71% (5/7) of the patients tested. Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 18% (2/11) of patients.

Conclusion

Coccidioidomycosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in allo‐HSCT recipients in an area endemic for Coccidioides. Diagnosis of this infection can be difficult and often requires multiple and frequently invasive tests. Antifungal prophylaxis should be considered for patients at highest risk.
Evidence of meaningful levels of Trypanosoma cruzi in platelet concentrates from seropositive blood donors
Authors: Cancino‐Faure Beatriz , Fisa Roser , Riera Cristina , Bula Ibeth , Girona‐Llobera Enrique , Jimenez‐Marco Teresa
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

According to the reported cases of transfusion‐acquired Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the risk of T. cruzi transfusion transmission appears to be higher with platelet (PLT) products than with other blood components. The aim of this study was to investigate by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) the parasitic load detected in leukoreduced plasma and PLT concentrates collected by apheresis from seropositive T. cruzi blood donors and compare them with peripheral whole blood (WB).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

During 2011 to 2013, a prospective study was carried out in a group of blood donors originating from Chagas‐endemic areas but who are now living on the island of Majorca, Spain. Leukoreduced plasma and PLT concentrates were collected by apheresis from seropositive blood donors with detectable parasitemias in peripheral WB.

RESULTS

Seropositivity was found in 23 of 1201 donors studied (1.9%), and T. cruzi DNA with less than 1 parasite equivalent/mL was detected in peripheral WB in 60.86% (14 of 23) of these. The study in blood components obtained by apheresis from these donors showed that T. cruzi DNA with a mean ± SD parasitic load of 5.33 ± 6.12 parasite equivalents/mL was detected in 100% of the PLT concentrate samples. Parasite DNA was undetectable in the extract taken from plasma collected from donors with a positive qPCR in peripheral WB.

CONCLUSION

The higher parasitic load found in PLT concentrates compared to plasma and peripheral WB would explain the higher transfusion transmission risk of Chagas disease associated with PLT transfusions described in the reported cases of transfusion‐acquired T. cruzi infection.
Survey of ophthalmic anterior segment findings and intraocular pressure in 95 North American box turtles (Terrapene spp.)
Authors: Espinheira Gomes Filipe , Brandão João , Sumner Julia , Kearney Michael , Freitas Inês , Johnson James , Cutler Daniel , Nevarez Javier
Published: February 2015

Objective

To describe the ophthalmic biomicroscopy findings and intraocular pressures (IOP) in a captive population of box turtles and to determine whether a relationship exists between body morphometrics or health status andIOP.

Procedures

Hundred and three box turtles (69 Gulf coast, 24 three‐toed, one ornate, one eastern, and eight unidentified) were triaged into three different color‐coded groups: green (healthy), yellow (abnormal physical examination with no need for immediate care), and red (immediate care required). Both eyes were evaluated by rebound tonometry and slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Body weight and morphometric data were recorded.

Results

Intraocular pressures measurements were available for 190 eyes, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy was available for 170 eyes, and morphometric data were available for 81 turtles.IOPin Gulf coast turtles (138 eyes) was 6.7 ± 1.4 mmHgOU.IOPin three‐toed turtles (48 eyes) was 8.3 ± 1.5 mmHgOU, which was significantly higher than in Gulf coast turtles (P < 0.0001). No significantIOPdifferences were noted between genders in both subspecies (P = 0.768). There was a correlation betweenIOPand health status in three‐toed turtles only. There was a mild negative correlation between morphometrics andIOPin Gulf coast and three‐toed turtles. Fifteen of 87 turtles had unilateral corneal or lenticular opacities; 3/87 had bilateral corneal or lenticular disease; and 3/87 had adnexal abnormalities.

Conclusions

Different subspecies of box turtles have different normal intraocular pressures as measured by rebound tonometry, which was influenced by the animals’ health status in one subspecies. Some morphometric parameters were found to be associated withIOP. Box turtles are often affected with ophthalmic abnormalities of unknown clinical significance.
Organic light emitting diode improves diabetic cutaneous wound healing in rats
Authors: Wu Xingjia , Alberico Stephanie , Saidu Edward , Rahman Khan Sazzadur , Zheng Shijun , Romero Rebecca , Sik Chae Hyun , Li Sheng , Mochizuki Amane , Anders, Juanita
Published: February 2015

A major complication for diabetic patients is chronic wounds due to impaired wound healing. It is well documented that visible red wavelengths can accelerate wound healing in diabetic animal models and patients. In vitro and in vivo diabetic models were used to investigate the effects of organic light emitting diode (OLED) irradiation on cellular function and cutaneous wound healing. Human dermal fibroblasts were cultured in hyperglycemic medium (glucose concentration 180 mM) and irradiated with an OLED (623 nm wavelength peak, range from 560 to 770 nm, power density 7 or 10 mW/cm2 at 0.2, 1, or 5 J/cm2). The OLED significantly increased total adenosine triphosphate concentration, metabolic activity, and cell proliferation compared with untreated controls in most parameters tested. For the in vivo experiment, OLED and laser (635 ± 5 nm wavelength) treatments (10 mW/cm2, 5 J/cm2 daily for a total of seven consecutive days) for cutaneous wound healing were compared using a genetic, diabetic rat model. Both treatments had significantly higher percentage of wound closure on day 6 postinjury and higher total histological scores on day 13 postinjury compared with control. No statistical difference was found between the two treatments. OLED irradiation significantly increased fibroblast growth factor‐2 expression at 36‐hour postinjury and enhanced macrophage activation during initial stages of wound healing. In conclusion, the OLED and laser had comparative effects on enhancing diabetic wound healing.
Weight‐bearing–induced changes in the microtopography and structural stiffness of human skin in vivo following immobility periods
Authors: Dobos Gabor , Gefen Amit , Blume‐Peytavi Ulrike , Kottner Jan
Published: February 2015

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues, caused by sustained deformations and occur frequently in aged patients. Skin microtopography and stiffness affect the interaction of skin with contact surfaces contributing to PU development. We simulated immobility in 20 healthy females (mean age 69.9 years). Skin microtopography and stiffness were measured at the PU predilection sites before and after loading. Skin roughness decreased at the heels by 18.1% after 90 minutes (p = 0.022), but remained unchanged at the sacrum and the upper back. Structural elasticity and elastic deformations increased at all skin areas; changes over time were significant at the sacrum (p = 0.005) and the heel, (p = 0.002). The residual skin deformation increased at all skin areas after loading significantly at the sacrum (32.0%, p = 0.013) and upper back (20.6%, p = 0.007). The structural “biological” elasticity of the skin decreased significantly at the upper back after loading, but remained unchanged at the heels. All skin changes recovered after unloading. Results indicate that prolonged loading causes structural skin changes in humans in vivo in PU predilection sites. The pathogenesis of PUs is different at the heels, the sacral and upper back skin.
A cohort study of diabetic patients and diabetic foot ulceration patients in China
Authors: Jiang Yufeng , Wang Xuemei , Xia Lei , Fu Xiaobing , Xu Zhangrong , Ran Xingwu , Yan Li , Li Qiu , Mo Zhaohui , Yan Zhaoli , Ji Qiuhe , Li Qiang
Published: February 2015

To determine the annual incidence and clinically relevant risk factors for foot ulceration in a large cohort study of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients and diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in China. To investigate a cohort of 1,333 patients comprising 452 DFU patients and 881 DM patients, who underwent foot screening, physical examination, and laboratory tests in eight hospitals. The patients were assessed at baseline in terms of their demographic information, medical and social history, peripheral neuropathy disease (PND) screening, periphery artery disease (PAD) screening, assessment of nutritional status, and diabetic control. One year later, the patients were followed up to determine the incidence of new foot ulcers, amputation, and mortality. By univariate analysis, statistically significant differences were found in age, location, gender, living alone (yes/no), occupation, smoking, hypertension, PND, PAD, nephropathy, retinopathy, cataracts, duration of diabetes, Glycosylated hemoglobin A (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose level, postprandial blood glucose level, insulin level, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyeride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), serum albumin, white blood cell, and body mass index. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine which of these risk factors were independent risk factors for foot ulceration. A total of 687 (51.5%) of the 1,333 patients were followed up for an average of 12 months; there were 458 DM patients and 229 DFU patients. A total of 46 patients died during the follow‐up period; 13 were DM patients, and 33 were DFU patients. Of the 641 patients, 445 (69.4%) patients were DM patients, and 196 (30.6%) were DFU patients. At follow‐up, 36/445 DM patients (8.1%), and 62/196 DFU patients (31.6%), developed new ulcers; 10/196 DFU patients underwent an amputation. The annual incidence of ulceration for DM patients and amputation for DFU patients were 8.1 and 5.1%, respectively. The annual mortality of the DM patients and DMF patients were 2.8 and 14.4%, respectively. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine which risk factors were independent risk factors for foot ulceration during the follow‐up period, and the final results showed that nephropathy (odds ratio 2.32), insulin level (odds ratio 3.136, 2.629), and decreased HDL (odds ratio 0.427) were associated with increased risks for foot ulceration. Complications of diabetes affecting the feet represent a serious problem in China. The incidence of foot ulcers and amputation are much higher than that of Western countries. More intensive surveillance and aggressive care following a diagnosis of DFU and earlier referral to specialty care might improve the patient outcome.
Recipient wound bed characteristics affect scarring and skin graft contraction
Authors: Rose Lloyd F. , Wu Jesse C. , Carlsson Anders H. , Tucker David I. , Leung Kai P. , Chan Rodney K.
Published: February 2015

The use of autograft skin is essential in the treatment of full thickness burns and large cutaneous defects. Both autograft thickness and condition of the wound bed modulate aesthetic and functional outcomes. Thicker autografts contract less and maintain greater functionality as the scar matures. The presence of hypodermis can also positively affect the eventual appearance and functionality of the wound site by modulating contraction and alleviating inflammation and cellular stress responses. In this study, we characterize wound‐site physical and cellular characteristics following split‐thickness skin grafting onto hypodermis vs. onto fascia. Compared to autografts grafted onto fascia, identical thickness autografts grafted onto fat demonstrated reduced contraction, enhanced mobility and vascularity, and reduced topographical variability. Grafts onto fat also showed reduced levels of myofibroblasts and leukocytic infiltration. The status of the wound bed prior to engraftment is an important contributor of skin quality outcome. The presence of hypodermis is associated with improved functional and aesthetic qualities of split thickness skin grafts, which are correlated with reduced presence of myofibroblasts and leukocytic infiltration.
Postoperative wound dehiscence: Predictors and associations
Authors: Shanmugam Victoria K. , Fernandez Stephen J. , Evans Karen Kim , McNish Sean , Banerjee Anirban N. , Couch Kara S. , Mete Mihriye , Shara Nawar
Published: February 2015

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality patient safety indicators (PSI) were developed as a metric of hospital complication rates. PSI‐14 measures postoperative wound dehiscence and specifically how often a surgical wound in the abdominal or pelvic area fails to heal after abdominopelvic surgery. Wound dehiscence is estimated to occur in 0.5–3.4% of abdominopelvic surgeries, and carries a mortality of up to 40%. Postoperative wound dehiscence has been adopted as a surrogate safety outcome measure as it impacts morbidity, length of stay, healthcare costs and readmission rates. Postoperative wound dehiscence cases from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample demonstrate 9.6% excess mortality, 9.4 days of excess hospitalization and $40,323 in excess hospital charges relative to matched controls. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the associations between PSI‐14 and measurable medical and surgical comorbidities using the Explorys technology platform to query electronic health record data from a large hospital system serving a diverse patient population in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan areas. The study population included 25,636 eligible patients who had undergone abdominopelvic surgery between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012. Of these cases, 786 (2.97%) had postoperative wound dehiscence. Patient‐associated comorbidities were strongly associated with PSI‐14, suggesting that this indicator may not solely be an indicator of hospital safety. There was a strong association between PSI‐14 and opioid use after surgery and this finding merits further investigation.
Surveillance of Human Rabies by National Authorities – A Global Survey
Authors: Taylor L. H. , Knopf L. ,   the Partners for Rabies Prevention
Published: February 2015

Effective prevention of deaths due to human rabies is currently hampered by a lack of understanding of the scale of the problem, and the distribution of both animal and human cases across countries, regions and continents. Unfortunately, despite the severity of the disease, accurate data on which to assess these questions and to prioritize and direct public health interventions are not available for many parts of the world. This survey sought to understand the current global situation regarding the surveillance of human rabies. Data were collected from 91 countries across all continents and all categories of human rabies risk, generating the most complete and representative global data set currently available. Respondents were asked key questions about whether human rabies was a notifiable disease, how the surveillance system for human rabies operated and whether the respondent considered that the surveillance system was working effectively. Across the 91 countries from which data were collated, human rabies was a notifiable disease in all but eight. Despite international guidance, surveillance systems were very varied. Even where rabies is a notifiable disease, many countries had surveillance system judged to be ineffective, almost all of these being high and moderate rabies risk countries in Africa and Asia. Overall, 41% of the population covered by this survey (around 2.5 billion people) live in countries where there is no or ineffective rabies surveillance. The lack of robust surveillance is hindering rabies control efforts. However, whilst worldwide rabies surveillance would be improved if rabies were notifiable in all countries, many other challenges to the implementation of effective global human rabies surveillance systems remain.
Analysis and Characterization of Finite-size Curved Frequency Selective Surfaces
Authors: Mattiello Francesco , Leone Giovanni , Ruvio Giuseppe
Published: February 2015

Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSSs) are spatial filters that are largely employed in radomes for radars and antennas where high performance is necessary. FSS can be categorised in terms of their frequency behaviour. Band-pass FSS structures are able to let the electromagnetic wave pass in certain frequency ranges and shield others, which are especially suitable for out-of-band stealth of radomes. The properties of frequency selectiveness of these screens are used at microwave and infrared wavelengths. By tuning the electrical size and geometry of the unit-cell (patch or aperture) different frequency behaviours of the structure are generated. Although their analysis and simulation is significantly simplified with the approximation of infinite and planar array, in some real applications FSS are required to be conformal to limited non-planar structures. The literature on the problem of characterizing finite-size and curved FSS has been sparse and more focused on the single application rather than on a unified approach. In the aim of synthesizing valuable techniques, this paper reviews significant research results on truncated and curved FSS which were presented in the dedicated literature.
Traveling Wave Solutions to Riesz Time-Fractional Camassa–Holm Equation in Modeling for Shallow-Water Waves
Authors: Saha Ray S. , Sahoo S.
Published: February 2015

In the present paper, we construct the analytical exact solutions of a nonlinear evolution equation in mathematical physics, viz., Riesz time-fractional Camassa–Holm (CH) equation by modified homotopy analysis method (MHAM). As a result, new types of solutions are obtained. Then, we analyze the results by numerical simulations, which demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the present method. The main aim of this paper is to employ a new approach, which enables us successful and efficient derivation of the analytical solutions for the Riesz time-fractional CH equation.
An Integrated Control and Design Framework for Optimizing Energy Capture and Component Life for a Wind Turbine Variable Ratio Gearbox
Authors: Hall John F. , Palejiya Dushyant , Shaltout Mohamed L. , Chen Dongmei
Published: February 2015

Small wind turbines are a promising technology that can provide renewable power to rural and remote communities. In order to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of small wind technology, it is necessary to maximize the wind energy capture and to prolong the turbine system life. Accordingly, this paper presents an integrated development framework that optimizes component design goals, including durability and minimal gearbox mass, with the control objective of producing maximum energy over the turbine system’s 20-yr life. This study focuses on the wind turbine gearbox, which plays a critical role in achieving high efficiency and extended system life. A variable ratio gearbox (VRG) previously developed by the authors is used as an example to demonstrate the methodology. In this paper, an algorithm developed for optimizing the VRG gear ratio is integrated with the design selection of commercially available gears, which will be used to construct the VRG gearbox. The proposed multi-objective framework is capable of identifying the optimal gearsets based on a trade-off between selecting gearsets that maximize wind turbine efficiency and choosing gearsets that best meet the design requirements.
Advanced Differential Approximation Formulation of the PN Method for Radiative Transfer
Authors: Pal Gopalendu , Modest Michael F.
Published: February 2015

The spherical harmonics (PN) method, especially its lowest order, i.e., the P1 or differential approximation, enjoys great popularity because of its relative simplicity and compatibility with standard models for the solution of the (overall) energy equation. Low-order PN approximations perform poorly in the presence of strongly nonisotropic intensity distributions, especially in optically thin situations within nonisothermal enclosures (due to variation in surface radiosities across the enclosure surface, causing rapid change of irradiation over incoming directions). A previous modification of the PN approximation, i.e., the modified differential approximation (MDA), separates wall emission from medium emission to reduce the nonisotropy of intensity. Although successful, the major drawback of this method is that the intensity at the walls is set to zero into outward directions, while incoming intensity is nonzero, resulting in a discontinuity at grazing angles. To alleviate this problem, a new approach, termed here the “advanced differential approximation (ADA),” is developed, in which the directional gradient of the intensity at the wall is minimized. This makes the intensity distribution continuous for the P1 method and mostly continuous for higher-order PN methods. The new method is tested for a 1D slab and concentric spheres and for a 2D medium. Results are compared with the exact analytical solutions for the 1D slab as well as the Monte Carlo-based simulations for 2D media.
Surfactant-Based Cu–Water Nanofluid Spray for Heat Transfer Enhancement of High Temperature Steel Surface
Authors: Ravikumar Satya V. , Jha Jay M. , Haldar Krishnayan , Pal Surjya K. , Chakraborty Sudipto
Published: February 2015

Spray cooling is critical in many industrial applications to extract large heat fluxes from metal parts, such as hypervapotron in nuclear fusion reactors, heat treatment of steel plates in run-out table (ROT), electronic parts, and many more. The objective of the present study is to enhance the heat dissipation in transition and nucleate boiling regimes using an air-atomized water spray with water-based copper nanofluid as a coolant. The nanoparticle used in this study is energetic metal Cu, which has been prepared by mechanical milling (MM) process. The nanofluid has been prepared by suspending 0.1 vol. % Cu nanoparticles in water, with or without a dispersing agent (surfactant). The effect of type of dispersing agent on augmentation of boiling heat transfer has also been studied. The spray cooling experiments are conducted on a 6 mm thick stainless steel plate of initial temperature above 900 °C. The transient surface heat flux and temperatures are estimated using commercial inverse heat conduction software named intemp. The experimental results illustrated that transition and nucleate boiling heat flux as well as critical heat flux (CHF) increased significantly using nanofluid spray. A maximum ultrafast cooling (UFC) rate of 267 °C/s is achieved using surfactant-based nanofluid spray, which is 31.53% and 59.88% higher as compared to the nanofluid without any dispersant and pure water sprays, respectively. Overall, the surfactant-based copper nanofluid spray can serve as a better coolant on the ROT of steel processing industry.
Natural Convection in a Wavy Porous Cavity With Sinusoidal Temperature Distributions on Both Side Walls Filled With a Nanofluid: Buongiorno's Mathematical Model
Authors: Sheremet M. A. , Pop I.
Published: February 2015

A numerical study of the natural convection flow in a porous cavity with wavy bottom and top walls having sinusoidal temperature distributions on vertical walls filled with a nanofluid is numerically investigated. The mathematical model has been formulated in dimensionless stream function and temperature taking into account the Darcy–Boussinesq approximation and the Buongiorno's nanofluid model. The boundary-value problem has been solved numerically on the basis of a second-order accurate finite difference method. Efforts have been focused on the effects of five types of influential factors such as the Rayleigh (Ra = 10–300) and Lewis (Le = 1–1000) numbers, the buoyancy-ratio parameter (Nr = 0.1–0.4), the Brownian motion parameter (Nb = 0.1–0.4), and the thermophoresis parameter (Nt = 0.1–0.4) on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics. It has been found that the average Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are increasing functions of the Rayleigh number, buoyancy- ratio parameter, and thermophoresis parameter, and decreasing functions of the Lewis number and Brownian motion parameter.
Numerical Evaluation of Novel Shaped Holes for Enhancing Film Cooling Performance
Authors: Yang Xing , Liu Zhao , Feng Zhenping
Published: February 2015

The overall film cooling performance of three novel film cooling holes has been numerically investigated in this paper, including adiabatic film cooling effectiveness, heat transfer coefficients as well as discharge coefficients. The novel holes were proposed to help cooling injection spread laterally on a cooled endwall surface. Three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model were solved to perform the simulation based on turbulence model validation by using the relevant experimental data. Additionally, the grid independent test was also carried out. With a mainstream Mach number of 0.3, flow conditions applied in the simulation vary in a wide range of blowing ratio from 0.5 to 2.5. The coolant-to-mainstream density ratio (DR) is fixed at 1.75, which can be more approximate to real typical gas turbine applications. The numerical results for the cylindrical hole are in good agreement with the experimental data. It is found that the flow structures and temperature distributions downstream of the cooling injection are significantly changed by shaping the cooling hole exit. For a low blowing ratio of 0.5, the three novel shaped cooling holes present similar film cooling performances with the traditional cylindrical hole, while with the blowing ratio increasing, all the three novel cooling holes perform better, of which the bean-shaped hole is considered to be the best one in terms of the overall film cooling performance.
Thermal Performance of Microencapsulated Phase Change Material Slurry in a Coil Heat Exchanger
Authors: Kong Min-Suk , Yu Kun , Alvarado Jorge L. , Terrell Wilson
Published: February 2015

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the convective heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) slurry in a coil heat exchanger (CHX). The thermal and fluid properties of the MPCM slurries were determined using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a rotating drum viscometer, respectively. The overall heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of slurries at 4.6% and 8.7% mass fractions were measured using an instrumented CHX. A friction factor correlation for MPCM slurry in the CHX has been developed in terms of Dean number and mass fraction of the MPCM. The effects of flow velocity and mass fraction of MPCM slurry on thermal performance have been analyzed by taking into account heat exchanger effectiveness and the performance efficiency coefficient (PEC). The experimental results showed that using MPCM slurry should improve the overall performance of a conventional CHX, even though the MPCM slurries are characterized by having high viscosity.
Cross-Plane Phonon Conduction in Polycrystalline Silicon Films
Authors: Cho Jungwan , Francis Daniel , Chao Pane C. , Asheghi Mehdi , Goodson Kenneth E.
Published: February 2015

Silicon films of submicrometer thickness play a central role in many advanced technologies for computation and energy conversion. Numerous thermal conductivity data for silicon films are available in the literature, but they are mainly for the lateral, or in-plane, direction for both polycrystalline and single crystalline films. Here, we use time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR), transmission electron microscopy, and semiclassical phonon transport theory to investigate thermal conduction normal to polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) films of thickness 79, 176, and 630 nm on a diamond substrate. The data agree with theoretical predictions accounting for the coupled effects of phonon scattering on film boundaries and defects related to grain boundaries. Using the data and the phonon transport model, we extract the normal, or cross-plane thermal conductivity of the polysilicon (11.3 ± 3.5, 14.2 ± 3.5, and 25.6 ± 5.8 W m−1 K−1 for the 79, 176, and 630 nm films, respectively), as well as the thermal boundary resistance between polysilicon and diamond (6.5–8 m2 K GW−1) at room temperature. The nonuniformity in the extracted thermal conductivities is due to spatially varying distributions of imperfections in the direction normal to the film associated with nucleation and coalescence of grains and their subsequent columnar growth.
Experimental Study of Single Phase Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss in a Spiraling Radial Inflow Microchannel Heat Sink
Authors: Ruiz Maritza , Carey Van P.
Published: February 2015

This paper presents an experimental study of the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of a single phase high heat flux microchannel cooling system with spiraling radial inflow. The heat sink provides enhanced heat transfer with a simple inlet and outlet design while providing uniform flow distribution. The system is heated from one conducting wall made of copper and uses water as a working fluid. The microchannel has a 1 cm radius and a 300 μm gap height. Experimental results show, on average, a 76% larger pressure drop compared to an analytic model for laminar flow in a parallel disk system with spiral radial inflow. The mean heat transfer coefficients measured are up to four times the heat transfer coefficient for unidirectional laminar fully developed flow between parallel plates with the same gap height. Flow visualization studies indicate the presence of secondary flows and the onset of turbulence at higher flow rates. Combined with the thermally developing nature of the flow, these characteristics lead to enhanced heat transfer coefficients relative to the laminar parallel plate values. Another beneficial feature of this device, for high heat flux cooling applications, is that the thermal gradients on the surface are small. The average variation in surface temperature is 18% of the total bulk fluid temperature gain across the device. The system showed promising cooling characteristics for electronics and concentrated photovoltaics applications with a heat flux of 113 W/cm2 at a surface temperature of 77 °C and a ratio of pumping power to heat rate of 0.03%.
Effect of Rivet Hardness and Geometrical Features on Friction Self-Piercing Riveted Joint Quality
Authors: Ma Yunwu , Lou Ming , Yang Zhou , Li Yongbing
Published: February 2015

Conventional magnesium alloys, due to their low ductility, have a poor self-piercing rivetability. Cracks always occur when the magnesium sheet is placed at the bottom layer, which brings great challenge to the use of the magnesium alloys. In this paper, friction self-piercing riveting (F-SPR) process was adopted to join 1 mm thick aluminum alloy AA6061-T6 to 2.2 mm thick magnesium alloy AZ31B, and the effect of rivet hardness and key geometrical features on joint formation were studied systematically. The experimental results showed that using rivets with a hardness of 190 HV, the top aluminum sheet could be well pierced and a larger rivet shank flaring value would be formed between rivet shank and the bottom magnesium. The effect of the rivet's geometrical features, including ribs under shoulder and inclination angle under shoulder, were examined using two evaluation criteria, i.e., rivet shank flaring value and remaining thickness, and found that the rivet with no ribs and 10 deg inclination angle under shoulder is suitable for joining 1 mm AA6061-T6 to 2.2 mm AZ31B in F-SPR process.
A Frequency-Shift Synchrosqueezing Method for Instantaneous Speed Estimation of Rotating Machinery
Authors: Xi Songtao , Cao Hongrui , Chen Xuefeng , Zhang Xingwu , Jin Xiaoliang
Published: February 2015

Instantaneous speed (IS) measurement is crucial in condition monitoring and real-time control of rotating machinery. Since the direct measurement of instantaneous rotating speed is not always available, the vibration measurement has been used for indirect estimation methods. In this paper, a novel indirect method is proposed to estimate the IS of rotating machinery. First, a frequency-shift synchrosqueezing transform is proposed to process the vibration signal to obtain the time–frequency (TF) representation. Second, the Viterbi algorithm is employed to extract the shifted instantaneous frequency (IF) from the TF representation. Finally, the extracted IF is used to recover the IF of the measured vibration signal. The IS of rotating machinery can be calculated from the estimated IF. The proposed method is validated with both numerical simulations and experiments. The results show that the proposed method could provide much higher frequency resolution, better TF concentration results, and more accurate IF estimation of the considered signal compared with the synchrosqueezing method. Furthermore, the proposed method was confirmed to be less sensitive to noise, especially for high-frequency components.
System Identification of Nonlinear Vessel Steering
Authors: Perera Lokukaluge P. , Oliveira P. , Guedes Soares C.
Published: February 2015

In this paper, the stochastic parameters describing a nonlinear ocean vessel steering model are identified, resorting to an extended Kalman filter (EKF). The proposed method is applied to a second-order modified Nomoto model for vessel steering and that is derived from first physics principles. Furthermore, the results obtained resorting to a realistic numerical simulator of nonlinear vessel steering are also illustrated in this study.
Parametric Identification of Abkowitz Model for Ship Maneuvering Motion by Using Partial Least Squares Regression
Authors: Jian-Chuan Yin , Zao-Jian Zou , Feng Xu
Published: February 2015

Partial least squares (PLS) regression is used for identifying the hydrodynamic derivatives in the Abkowitz model for ship maneuvering motion. To identify the dynamic characteristics in ship maneuvering motion, the derivatives of hydrodynamic model's outputs are set as the target output of the PLS identification model. To verify the effectiveness of PLS parametric identification method in processing data with high dimensionality and heavy multicollinearity, the identified results of the hydrodynamic derivatives from the simulated 20 deg/20 deg zigzag test are compared with the planar motion mechanism (PMM) test results. The performance of PLS regression is also compared with that of the conventional least squares (LS) regression using the same dataset. Simulation results show the satisfactory identification and generalization performances of PLS regression and its superiority in comparison with the LS method, which demonstrates its capability in processing measurement data with high dimensionality and heavy multicollinearity, especially in processing data with small sample size.