bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of serum sirtuins as novel noninvasive protein markers for frailty
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Mohan Navinath , Upadhyay Ashish Datt , Singh Amrendra Pratap , Sahu Vishal , Dwivedi Sadanand , Dey Aparajit B. , Dey Sharmistha
Published: August 2014

Frailty has emerged as a major health issue among older patients. A consensus on definition and diagnosis is yet to be achieved. Various biochemical abnormalities have been reported in frailty. Activation of sirtuins, a conserved family of NAD‐dependent proteins, is one of the many mimics of calorie restriction which improves lifespan and health in experimental animals. In this cross‐sectional study, we assessed the circulating sirtuin levels in 119 (59.5%) nonfrail and 81 (40.5%) frail individuals, diagnosed by Fried's criteria. Serum SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT3 were estimated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and Western blot. Serum sirtuins level in mean+SD; SIRT1 (nonfrail –4.67 ± 0.48 ng/μL; frail – 3.72 ± 0.48 ng/μL; P < 0.0001), SIRT2 (nonfrail – 15.18 ± 2.94 ng/μL; frail – 14.19 ± 2.66 ng/μL; P = 0.016), and SIRT3 (nonfrail‐7.72 ± 1.84 ng/μL; frail – 6.12 ± 0.97 ng/μL; P < 0.0001) levels were significantly lower among frail patients compared with the nonfrail. In multivariable regression analysis, lower sirtuins level were significantly associated with frailty after adjusting age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cognitive status (Mini Mental State Examination scores) and number of comorbidities. For detecting the optimum diagnostic cutoff value a ROC analysis was carried out. The area under curve for SIRT1 was 0.9037 (cutoff – 4.29 ng/μL; sensitivity – 81.48%; specificity – 79.83%) and SIRT3 was 0.7988 (cutoff – 6.61 ng/μL; sensitivity – 70.37%; specificity – 70.59%). This study shows that lower circulating SIRT1 and SIRT3 levels can be distinctive marker of frailty.
Comparative pharmacogenetic analysis of risk polymorphisms in Caucasian and Vietnamese children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: prediction of therapeutic outcome?
Authors: Vu Hoang Phuong Thu , Ambroise Jérôme , Dekairelle Anne‐France , Durant Jean‐François , Butoescu Valentina , Dang Chi Vu Luan , Huynh Nghia , Nguyen Tan Binh , Robert Annie , Vermylen Christiane , Gala Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2014

Aims

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common of all paediatric cancers. Aside from predisposing to ALL, polymorphisms could also be associated with poor outcome. Indeed, genetic variations involved in drug metabolism could, at least partially, be responsible for heterogeneous responses to standardized leukemia treatments, hence requiring more personalized therapy. The aims of this study were to (a) to determine the prevalence of seven common genetic polymorphisms including those that affect the folate and/or thiopurine metabolic pathways, i.e. cyclin D1 (CCND1‐G870A), γ‐glutamyl hydrolase (GGH‐C452T), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR‐C677T and MTHFR‐A1298C), thymidylate synthase promoter (TYMS‐TSER), thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C) and inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA‐C94A), in Caucasian (n = 94, age < 20) and Vietnamese (n = 141, age < 16 years) childhood ALL and (b) to assess the impact of a multilocus genetic risk score (MGRS) on relapse‐free survival (RFS) using a Cox proportional‐hazards regression model.

Results

The prevalence of MTHFR‐677TT genotype was significantly higher in Caucasians (P = 0.008), in contrast to the prevalence of TYMS‐TSER*3R/3R and ITPA‐94AA/AC genotypes which were significantly higher in Vietnamese (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). Compared with children with a low MGRS (≤3), those with a high MGRS (≥4) were 2.06 (95% CI = 1.01, 4.22; P = 0.04) times more likely to relapse. Adding MGRS into a multivariate Cox regression model with race/ethnicity and four clinical variables improved the predictive accuracy of the model (AUC from 0.682 to 0.709 at 24 months).

Conclusion

Including MGRS into a clinical model improved the predictive accuracy of short and medium term prognosis, hence confirming the association between well determined pharmacogenotypes and outcome of paediatric ALL. Whether variants on other genes associated with folate metabolism can substantially improve the predictive value of current MGRS is not known but deserves further evaluation.
Model‐based evaluation of drug‐induced QTc prolongation for compounds in early development
Authors: Dubois Vincent F. S. , Yu Huixin , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar ,   Cardiovascular Safety Project Team and TI Pharma PKPD Platform
Published: August 2014

Aims

Significant differences between dogs and humans have been observed in the concentration–QTc effect relationship of compounds with known pro‐arrhythmic properties. These findings suggest that interspecies differences must be considered when evaluating drug effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a model‐based approach to assess the risk of QTc prolongation for three investigational compounds (NCE01, NCE02 and NCE03).

Methods

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from experiments in conscious dogs and healthy subjects were included in this analysis. Pharmacokinetic modelling and deconvolution methods were applied to derive drug concentrations at the time of each QT measurement. An integrated pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model was then used to describe QT prolongation. A threshold of ≥10 ms was used to characterize the probability of QTc prolongation.

Results

The PKPD relationships of all three compounds were successfully described in both species. A strong effect was observed after administration of NCE01 to dogs and humans, with a slope of 0.0061 and 0.0662 ms nm−1, respectively, and maximal probability of QTc prolongation ≥10 ms at peak concentration. For NCE02 and NCE03, QTc‐shortening and borderline QT effects were observed both in dogs and humans, as described by negative or very shallow slopes (NCE02, −0.00098 and −0.01 ms nm−1; NCE03, 0.00064 and −0.0002 ms nm−1).

Conclusions

Whilst NEC01 shows clear pro‐arrhythmic effects, the liability for QT/QTc prolongation for NCE02 and NCE03 can be deemed low at the expected therapeutic exposure. Moreover, our results show the advantages of an integrated PKPD approach as the basis for translating pro‐arrhythmic effects from dogs to humans.
Timing and preservation mechanism of deglacial pteropod spike from theAndamanSea, northeasternIndianOcean
Authors: Sijinkumar Adukkam V. , Nath Bejugam N. , Guptha Medimi V. S. , Ahmad Syed M. , Rao Bandaru R.
Published: August 2014

The aragonite compensation depth (ACD) fluctuated considerably during the last glacial until theHolocene with a dominant pteropod preservation spike during the deglacial period, which is prominently seen in three well‐dated cores covering theAndamanSea, northeasternIndianOcean. The precise time period of the preservation spike of pteropods is not known but this knowledge is crucial for stratigraphical correlation and also for understanding the driving mechanism. Isotopic and foraminiferal proxies were used to decipher the possible mechanism for pteropods preservation in theAndamanSea. The poor preservation/absence of pteropods during theHolocene in theAndamanSea may have implications for ocean acidification, driven by enhanced atmospheric CO2concentration. Strengthening of the summer monsoon and the resultant high biological productivity may also have played a role in the poor preservation of pteropods. The deglacial pteropod spike is characterized by high abundance/preservation of the pteropods between ∼19 and 15 cal. kaBP,associated with very low atmospheric CO2concentration. Isotope data suggest the prevalence of a glacial environment with reduced sea surface temperature, upwelling and enhanced salinity during the pteropod preservation spike. Total planktic foraminifera andGlobigerina bulloidesabundances are low during this period, implying a weakened summer monsoon and reduced foraminiferal productivity. Based on the preservation record of pteropods, it is inferred that theACDwas probably deepest (>2900 m) at 16.5 cal. kaBP. The synchronous regional occurrence of the pteropod preservation spike in theAndamanSea and in the northwestern Indian Ocean could potentially be employed as a stratigraphic marker.
Terminology and quantification of environmental heterogeneity in species‐richness research
Authors: Stein Anke , Kreft Holger
Published: August 2014

Spatial environmental heterogeneity (EH) is an important driver of species diversity, and its influence on species richness has been analysed for numerous taxa, in diverse ecological settings, and over a large range of spatial scales. The variety and ambiguity of concepts and terminology, however, have hampered comparisons among studies. Based on a systematic literature survey of 192 studies including 1148 data points, we provide an overview of terms and measures related to EH, and the mechanisms that relate EH to species richness of plants and animals in terrestrial systems. We identify 165 different measures used to quantify EH, referred to by more than 350 measure names. We classify these measures according to their calculation method and subject area, finding that most studies have analysed heterogeneity in land cover, topography, and vegetation, whereas comparatively few studies have focused on climatic or soil EH. Overall, elevation range emerged as the most frequent measure in our dataset. We find that there is no consensus in the literature about terms (such as ‘habitat diversity’ or ‘habitat complexity’), their meanings and associated quantification methods. More than 100 different terms have been used to denote EH, with largely imprecise delimitations. We reveal trends in use of terms and quantification with respect to spatial scales, study taxa, and locations. Finally, we discuss mechanisms involved in EH–richness relationships, differentiating between effects on species coexistence, persistence, and diversification. This review aims at guiding researchers in their selection of heterogeneity measures. At the same time, it shows the need for precise terminology and avoidance of ambiguous synonyms to enhance understanding and foster among‐study comparisons and synthesis.
Effects of adenoid/tonsillectomy on inflammatory response in snoring children with witnessed apnoea
Authors: Mutlu M. , Vuralkan E. , Yardim Akaydin S. , Akin I. , Miser E.
Published: August 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of preoperative serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), fetuin‐A, cystatin C, adiponectin and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels in children with adenoid/tonsillar hypertrophy and compare these results with postoperative values.

Study design

Prospective clinical trial.

Setting

Single tertiary care centre.

Participants

Thirty‐five children (14 boys and 21 girls) participated in this study.

Main outcome measures

The operations were performed with the indication of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB). Blood samples were taken preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively to determine the changes in serum high‐sensitivity CRP (hs‐CRP), IL‐6, fetuin‐A, cystatin C, adiponectin and TNF‐α levels. Pre‐ and postoperative values of body weights and heights of the participants were recorded preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months.

Results

Patients underwent adenoidectomy (n = 21) or adenotonsillectomy (n = 21). The mean age at surgery was 8.74 ± 3.33 years (range 3–16 years). Mean serum levels of parameters measured preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months. The observed differences between pre‐ and postoperative values were statistically significant (P < 0.05), excluding cystatin C levels (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

High levels of IL‐6, hs‐CRP and TNF‐α and low levels of fetuin‐A in serum might have a clinical significance in patients with sleep‐disordered breathing. Levels of cytokines in children with sleep‐disordered breathing because of adenotonsillar disease decreased after surgical treatment. The risks of development of cardiovascular disease are decreased in association with lower levels of cytokines, which are also closely associated with many disease states.
Understanding the sources and effects of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear on marine turtles in northern Australia
Authors: Wilcox Chris , Heathcote Grace , Goldberg Jennifer , Gunn Riki , Peel David , Hardesty Britta Denise
Published: August 2014

Globally, 6.4 million tons of fishing gear are lost in the oceans annually. This gear (i.e., ghost nets), whether accidently lost, abandoned, or deliberately discarded, threatens marine wildlife as it drifts with prevailing currents and continues to entangle marine organisms indiscriminately. Northern Australia has some of the highest densities of ghost nets in the world, with up to 3 tons washing ashore per kilometer of shoreline annually. This region supports globally significant populations of internationally threatened marine fauna, including 6 of the 7 extant marine turtles. We examined the threat ghost nets pose to marine turtles and assessed whether nets associated with particular fisheries are linked with turtle entanglement by analyzing the capture rates of turtles and potential source fisheries from nearly 9000 nets found on Australia's northern coast. Nets with relatively larger mesh and smaller twine sizes (e.g., pelagic drift nets) had the highest probability of entanglement for marine turtles. Net size was important; larger nets appeared to attract turtles, which further increased their catch rates. Our results point to issues with trawl and drift‐net fisheries, the former due to the large number of nets and fragments found and the latter due to the very high catch rates resulting from the net design. Catch rates for fine‐mesh gill nets can reach as high as 4 turtles/100 m of net length. We estimated that the total number of turtles caught by the 8690 ghost nets we sampled was between 4866 and 14,600, assuming nets drift for 1 year. Ghost nets continue to accumulate on Australia's northern shore due to both legal and illegal fishing; over 13,000 nets have been removed since 2005. This is an important and ongoing transboundary threat to biodiversity in the region that requires attention from the countries surrounding the Arafura and Timor Seas.

Entender las Fuentes y Efectos de Equipo de Pesca Abandonado, Perdido y Desechado sobre las Tortugas Marinas del Atlántico Norte
Accounting for enforcement costs in the spatial allocation of marine zones
Authors: Davis Katrina , Kragt Marit , Gelcich Stefan , Schilizzi Steven , Pannell David
Published: August 2014

Marine fish stocks are in many cases extracted above sustainable levels, but they may be protected through restricted‐use zoning systems. The effectiveness of these systems typically depends on support from coastal fishing communities. High management costs including those of enforcement may, however, deter fishers from supporting marine management. We incorporated enforcement costs into a spatial optimization model that identified how conservation targets can be met while maximizing fishers’ revenue. Our model identified the optimal allocation of the study area among different zones: no‐take, territorial user rights for fisheries (TURFs), or open access. The analysis demonstrated that enforcing no‐take and TURF zones incurs a cost, but results in higher species abundance by preventing poaching and overfishing. We analyzed how different enforcement scenarios affected fishers’ revenue. Fisher revenue was approximately 50% higher when territorial user rights were enforced than when they were not. The model preferentially allocated area to the enforced‐TURF zone over other zones, demonstrating that the financial benefits of enforcement (derived from higher species abundance) exceeded the costs. These findings were robust to increases in enforcement costs but sensitive to changes in species’ market price. We also found that revenue under the existing zoning regime in the study area was 13–30% lower than under an optimal solution. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for both the benefits and costs of enforcement in marine conservation, particularly when incurred by fishers.

Justificación de los Costos de Aplicación en la Asignación Espacial de Zonas Marinas
The challenge of implementing the European network of protected areas Natura 2000
Authors: Kati Vassiliki , Hovardas Tasos , Dieterich Martin , Ibisch Pierre L. , Mihok Barbara , Selva Nuria
Published: August 2014

Established under the European Union (EU) Birds and Habitats Directives, Natura 2000 is one of the largest international networks of protected areas. With the spatial designation of sites by the EU member states almost finalized, the biggest challenge still lying ahead is the appropriate management of the sites. To evaluate the cross‐scale functioning of Natura 2000 implementation, we analyzed 242 questionnaires completed by conservation scientists involved in the implementation of Natura 2000 in 24 EU member states. Respondents identified 7 key drivers of the quality of Natura 2000 implementation. Ordered in decreasing evaluation score, these drivers included: network design, use of external resources, legal frame, scientific input, procedural frame, social input, and national or local policy. Overall, conservation scientists were moderately satisfied with the implementation of Natura 2000. Tree modeling revealed that poor application of results of environmental impact assessments (EIA) was considered a major constraint. The main strengths of the network included the substantial increase of scientific knowledge of the sites, the contribution of nongovernmental organizations, the adequate network design in terms of area and representativeness, and the adequacy of the EU legal frame. The main weaknesses of Natura 2000 were the lack of political will from local and national governments toward effective implementation; the negative attitude of local stakeholders; the lack of background knowledge of local stakeholders, which prevented well‐informed policy decisions; and the understaffing of Natura 2000 management authorities. Top suggestions to improve Natura 2000 implementation were increase public awareness, provide environmental education to local communities, involve high‐quality conservation experts, strengthen quality control of EIA studies, and establish a specific Natura 2000 fund.

El Reto de Implementar la Red Europea de Áreas Protegidas Natura 2000
Interactive Activation and Mutual Constraint Satisfaction in Perception and Cognition
Authors: McClelland James L. , Mirman Daniel , Bolger Donald J. , Khaitan Pranav
Published: August 2014

In a seminal 1977 article, Rumelhart argued that perception required the simultaneous use of multiple sources of information, allowing perceivers to optimally interpret sensory information at many levels of representation in real time as information arrives. Building on Rumelhart's arguments, we present the Interactive Activation hypothesis—the idea that the mechanism used in perception and comprehension to achieve these feats exploits an interactive activation process implemented through the bidirectional propagation of activation among simple processing units. We then examine the interactive activation model of letter and word perception and the TRACE model of speech perception, as early attempts to explore this hypothesis, and review the experimental evidence relevant to their assumptions and predictions. We consider how well these models address the computational challenge posed by the problem of perception, and we consider how consistent they are with evidence from behavioral experiments. We examine empirical and theoretical controversies surrounding the idea of interactive processing, including a controversy that swirls around the relationship between interactive computation and optimal Bayesian inference. Some of the implementation details of early versions of interactive activation models caused deviation from optimality and from aspects of human performance data. More recent versions of these models, however, overcome these deficiencies. Among these is a model called the multinomial interactive activation model, which explicitly links interactive activation and Bayesian computations. We also review evidence from neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies supporting the view that interactive processing is a characteristic of the perceptual processing machinery in the brain. In sum, we argue that a computational analysis, as well as behavioral and neuroscience evidence, all support the Interactive Activation hypothesis. The evidence suggests that contemporary versions of models based on the idea of interactive activation continue to provide a basis for efforts to achieve a fuller understanding of the process of perception.
Chitosan as a biocontrol agent against the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)
Authors: Nunes da Silva M. , Cardoso A. R. , Ferreira D. , Brito M. , Pintado M. E. , Vasconcelos M. W.
Published: August 2014

The pine wilt disease (PWD) is caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and poses great environmental and economic challenges. Thus, the development of sustainable techniques for the control of this epidemic disease is of major importance. This work aimed at evaluating if the application of different molecular weight (MW) chitosans as a soil amendment could be used to control the PWD in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster, very susceptible to the disease) and stone pine (Pinus pinea, less susceptible). At the end of the experimental period (24 days after inoculation), P. pinaster and P. pinea untreated plants presented ca. 3825 ± 100 and 70 ± 47 nematodes, respectively. In P. pinaster, the high‐MW chitosan prompted the most drastic results, inducing a 21.9‐fold reduction in nematodes numbers, whereas in P. pinea, the most effective was the low MW chitosan, which reduced nematodes numbers up to 7‐fold, compared with untreated plants. P. pinea seems to be highly resistant to the disease, presenting nematode numbers up to 54.6‐fold lower than P. pinaster and less severe chlorophyll loss (ca. 2‐fold).
Supporting dementia patients and their caregivers in daily life challenges: review of physical, cognitive and psychosocial intervention studies
Authors: Nehen H. ‐G. , Hermann D. M.
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose

Dementia is associated with multiple daily life challenges that have a major impact for health outcome, affecting both the patients and their caregivers. In this review, the efficacy of physical, cognitive and psychosocial interventions in the treatment of dementia patients is evaluated, and how caregiver education and support may contribute to patient care is analysed.

Results and conclusions

Due to the complex nature of cognitive and psychosocial interventions, their efficacy depends strongly on local settings. Thus, active components of these interventions are not always obvious, even in controlled randomized trials. Successful patient management includes (i) the safekeeping of basic support, (ii) the provision of a stable external milieu that is adjusted to the patients' cognitive resources and (iii) the provision of multimodal therapeutic concepts that are closely adapted to the practical needs of the patients and caregivers.
Hindlimb lameness associated with proximal suspensory desmopathy and injury of the accessory ligament of the suspensory ligament in five horses
Authors: Dyson S.
Published: August 2014

The accessory ligament of the hindlimb suspensory ligament arises from the plantar aspect of the calcaneus and fourth tarsal bones and blends with the suspensory ligament in the proximal aspect of the metatarsus. The accessory ligament of the suspensory ligament of both hindlimbs of 12 mature horses, with no history of hindlimb lameness, was assessed ultrasonographically. The ligament comprised linear parallel echoes which were consistently shorter than those of the lateral digital flexor tendon; the dorsal and plantar borders were parallel. Lameness associated with injury of the accessory ligament of the suspensory ligament was identified in 6 of 8 lame hindlimbs of 5 horses, unilaterally in 4 horses and bilaterally in one horse. In all horses there was concurrent proximal suspensory desmopathy. There was localised oedematous swelling on the distal medial aspect of the chestnut extending distally in 2 horses. Lameness was best identified when the horses were ridden. Perineural analgesia of the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve abolished lameness in 3 horses but perineural analgesia of the tibial nerve was required to abolish lameness in the hindlimb with injury of the accessory ligament of the suspensory ligament in 2 horses. Injury of the accessory ligament of the suspensory ligament was characterised by marked decrease in echogenicity of the ligament and loss of parallel alignment of the linear echoes, which were shorter than normal in longitudinal images.
Review of the biology and control of Oxyuris equi
Authors: Reinemeyer C. R. , Nielsen M. K.
Published: August 2014

Oxyuris equi is a well‐known equine parasite that has evolved over time from an easily controlled, minor nuisance into an increasingly prevalent pest that may frustrate even the most intensive management efforts. This paper reviews essential features of the biology, epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis and control of Oxyuris infections, and describes the current status of recent biological adaptations.
Diagnosis and treatment of biaxial keratomas in the left fore foot of a 15‐year‐oldClydesdale mare
Authors: Rowland A. L. , Goodrich L. R. , Bass L. D. , Aldrich E. D. , Edmondson E. F. , Mueller L. W.
Published: August 2014

A 15‐year‐oldClydesdale mare presented for further diagnostics and treatment of waxing and waning lameness and recurrent subsolar abscesses. Radiographs and computed tomography revealed biaxial masses extending from the hoof capsule, causing bone resorption of the distal phalanx. Surgery was performed to remove the masses and post operative care included regional limb perfusions, systemic antibiotics and therapeutic shoeing. Histopathology was consistent with the diagnosis of keratoma for each of the masses; this is the first case of confirmed biaxial keratomas. Two months after surgery the horse is sound at the walk and is expected to return to full function within the next year.
Managing green complexities: consumers' strategies and techniques for greener shopping
Authors: Fuentes Christian
Published: August 2014

The complexities of green consumption are often discussed. Studies bring to fore difficulties of choosing sustainable alternatives in a complex world. How are consumers to know what products to purchase in a market society with global commodity chains? Can consumers really trust corporations' environmental reporting? In arguing this, these studies are giving voice to some of the difficulties and anxieties people have to deal with in a consumer society. As others have argued, consumption involves work and being a consumer is increasingly a laborious and anxiety‐producing activity. However, what these studies are missing is the fact that consumers do manage to consume green, at least some of them do. An interesting question is then, how is this complexity managed? The aim of this paper is to contribute to the field of green consumption by illustrating and conceptualizing how consumers practically manage green complexities when performing green shopping. The focus is on shopping practices. Drawing on an ethnographic study of the Nordic Nature Shop – a Swedish retailer chain of outdoor products – and making use of practice theory, this paper shows that consumers have different strategies and techniques to make their shopping practices more sustainable. One strategy used is to shop for things that last. Consumers focused then on finding quality outdoor products with ‘timeless design’. Another strategy included instead consuming less. These consumers had different techniques that aimed at reducing their overall consumption of outdoors products. Finally, there were also those that focused on purchasing green products. Here, two techniques were talked about. While some focused on finding green brands, others looked at the product information in search on information concerning its manufacturing. In sum, the practice‐based analysis showed that green complexities are managed through the development of various green shopping strategies. Green shopping, however, is not an uncomplicated accomplishment. Green shopping, the analysis suggests, is knowledge demanding for consumers and requires an enabling/supportive socio‐material retailscape.
Calcium Channel Blocker Compared With Angiotensin Receptor Blocker for Patients With Hypertension: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wu Ling , Deng Song‐Bai , She Qiang
Published: August 2014

To explore the clinical effects of a calcium channel blocker compared with an angiotensin II receptor blocker in hypertensive patients, the authors collected data from randomized controlled trials. The pooled outcomes were all‐cause mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Eight head‐to‐head trials enrolling 25,084 patients were included. There was no significant mortality difference in the two arms (relative risk, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.91–1.07). However, calcium channel blockers were more effective in reducing stroke (relative risk, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.99) and myocardial infarction incidence (relative risk, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.98). There was no significant difference with heart failure incidence between the two arms but a lower trend in patients with angiotensin II receptor blockers was noted (relative risk, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.98). The meta‐analysis suggested that initially use of a calcium channel blocker might be superior to an angiotensin II receptor blocker for prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction.
Communities of ground‐dwelling arthropods in conventional and transgenic maize: background data for the post‐market environmental monitoring
Authors: Skoková Habuštová O. , Svobodová Z. , Spitzer L. , Doležal P. , Hussein H. M. , Sehnal F.
Published: August 2014

To verify the validity of concerns about environmental safety of maize expressing insecticidal Cry toxins (referred to as Bt maize), we compared communities of ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and spiders (Araneae) in plots planted either with Bt maize cultivar YieldGard® or with the non‐transgenic parental cultivar Monumental. Each cultivar was grown on 5 plots of 0.5 ha for three consecutive years. To increase the field load of Cry toxin, the fully grown maize of the first study year was shredded to small pieces that were ploughed into the soil. Arthropods were collected in pitfall traps and determined to the species level. The abundance and species richness of all studied groups greatly varied over the season and between the seasons but without statistically significant differences between the Bt and non‐Bt plots. A single spider species and three ground beetle species dominated in the catches every year, whereas a set of 1–4 most abundant rove beetle species changed every year. Frequently occurring species were typical for most of Europe. The total counts of ground beetles, rove beetles and spiders collected once or twice per season are proposed to serve as bioindicators in the post‐market environmental monitoring (PMEM).
Osmoregulation in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts transferred to seawater at different temperatures
Authors: Handeland S. O. , Imsland A. K. , Nilsen T. O. , Ebbesson L. O. E. , Hosfeld C. D. , Pedrosa C. , Toften H. , Stefansson S. O.
Published: August 2014

In order to investigate how changes in gill Na+, K+‐ATPase (NKA) α1a and α1b subunits, Na+, K+, 2Cl− co‐transporter (NKCC1) and the apical cystic fibrosis trans‐membrane conductance regulator‐I (CFTR‐I) transcripts in wild strain of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, smolts are affected by temperature during spring, hatchery‐reared parr (mean ± s.e. fork length = 14·1 ± 0·5; mean ± s.e. body mass = 28·5 ± 4·5 g) originating from broodstock from the Vosso river (western Norway) were acclimated to three temperature regimes (4·1, 8·1 and 12·9° C) in May and reared under gradually increasing salinity between May and June. Changes in plasma Na+, haematocrit (Hct) and PCO2 were monitored in order to assess and compare key physiological changes with the transcriptional changes in key ion transporters. The temperatures reflect the natural temperature range in the River Vosso during late spring. Overall, higher gill NKA α1b mRNA levels, gill NKCC1a levels and CFTR‐I levels were observed in the 4·1° C group compared to the 11·9° C group. This coincided with a 2–3 week period with decreased Hct and PCO2 and may indicate a critical window when smolts suffer from reduced physical performance during migration. Further research is needed to confirm the potential interaction between ecological and physiological conditions on mortality of hatchery‐reared smolts from River Vosso during their natural migration.
Fall, recovery, and characterization of the Novato L6 chondrite breccia
Authors: Jenniskens Peter , Rubin Alan E. , Yin Qing‐Zhu , Sears Derek W. G. , Sandford Scott A. , Zolensky Michael E. , Krot Alexander N. , Blair Leigh , Kane Darci , Utas Jason , Verish Robert , Friedrich Jon M. , Wimpenny Josh , Eppich Gary R. , Ziegler Karen , Verosub Kenneth L. , Rowland Douglas J. , Albers Jim , Gural Peter S. , Grigsby Bryant , Fries Marc D. , Matson Robert , Johnston Malcolm , Silber Elizabeth , Brown Peter , Yamakawa Akane , Sanborn Matthew E. , Laubenstein Matthias , Welten Kees C. , Nishiizumi Kunihiko , Meier Matthias M. M. , Busemann Henner , Clay Patricia , Caffee Marc W. , Schmitt‐Kopplin Phillipe , Hertkorn Norbert , Glavin Daniel P. , Callahan Michael P. , Dworkin Jason P. , Wu Qinghao , Zare Richard N. , Grady Monica , Verchovsky Sasha , Emel'Yanenko Vacheslav , Naroenkov Sergey , Clark David L. , Girten Beverly , Worden Peter S. ,   (The Novato Meteorite Consortium)
Published: August 2014

The Novato L6 chondrite fragmental breccia fell in California on 17 October 2012, and was recovered after the Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance (CAMS) project determined the meteor's trajectory between 95 and 46 km altitude. The final fragmentation from 42 to 22 km altitude was exceptionally well documented by digital photographs. The first sample was recovered before rain hit the area. First results from a consortium study of the meteorite's characterization, cosmogenic and radiogenic nuclides, origin, and conditions of the fall are presented. Some meteorites did not retain fusion crust and show evidence of spallation. Before entry, the meteoroid was 35 ± 5 cm in diameter (mass 80 ± 35 kg) with a cosmic‐ray exposure age of 9 ± 1 Ma, if it had a one‐stage exposure history. A two‐stage exposure history is more likely, with lower shielding in the last few Ma. Thermoluminescence data suggest a collision event within the last ∼0.1 Ma. Novato probably belonged to the class of shocked L chondrites that have a common shock age of 470 Ma, based on the U,Th‐He age of 420 ± 220 Ma. The measured orbits of Novato, Jesenice, and Innisfree are consistent with a proposed origin of these shocked L chondrites in the Gefion asteroid family, perhaps directly via the 5:2 mean‐motion resonance with Jupiter. Novato experienced a stronger compaction than did other L6 chondrites of shock‐stage S4. Despite this, a freshly broken surface shows a wide range of organic compounds.
Pathways of National Reunification inGermany,Yemen andKorea
Authors: Jung Jai Kwan , Rector Chad
Published: August 2014

Korean reunification could be achieved by a confederation agreement between theSouthKorean government and theNorthKorean regime that preserves the existingNorthKorean elite or by a unilateral absorption of theNorth in which theNorth's population and territory would be directly incorporated into theSouthKorean political system. Which of these is a more plausible path toKorean unity? Two regimes confederate when one regime offers a bargain and the other accepts it; the confederation agreement itself then shapes future bargaining between the regimes. Absorption, in contrast, ends one of the regimes and so precludes future negotiations. The confederation path to reunification is more likely when the regimes can confederate in a way that preserves the balance of bargaining leverage between them, which will be when the weaker regime can claim unique competence at governing its territory and when both regimes can maintain their security via a combination of internal resources and external ties. When these factors are not present, absorption is the more likely path to reunification. We illustrate the theory by the reunification ofYemen via a confederation and the reunification ofGermany via absorption and apply its logic to the unresolved case ofKorea. We conclude that a confederation agreement betweenNorth andSouthKorea is unlikely in the foreseeable future.
Performance Maps for a Bio-Inspired Robotic Condylar Hinge Joint
Authors: Burgess Stuart C. , Etoundi Appolinaire C.
Published: August 2014

This paper presents performance charts that map the design space of a bio-inspired robotic condylar hinge joint. The joint mimics the design of the human knee joint by copying the condylar surfaces of the femur and tibia and by copying the four-bar motion of the cruciate ligaments. Four aspects of performance are modeled: peak mechanical advantage, RMS (root mean square) mechanical advantage, RMS sliding ratio, and range of movement. The performance of the joint is dependent on the shape of the condylar surfaces and the geometry of the four-bar mechanism. The design space for the condylar hinge joint is large because the four-bar mechanism has a very large number of possible configurations. Also, it is not intuitive what values of design parameters give the best design. Performance graphs are presented that cover over 12,000 different geometries of the four-bar mechanism. The maps are presented on three-dimensional graphs that help designers visualize the limits of performance of the joint and visualize tradeoffs between individual aspects of performance. The maps show that each aspect of performance of the joint is very sensitive to the geometry of the four-bar mechanism. The trends in performance can be understood by analyzing the kinematics of the four-bar mechanism and the shape of the condylar surfaces.
Biomimetics: Structure–Function Patterns Approach
Authors: Helfman Cohen Yael , Reich Yoram , Greenberg Sara
Published: August 2014

Understanding the relationships between structures and functions is important for engineering design in general and for biomimetic design specifically. In nature, different structures provide a wide range of functions efficiently and with minimal costs. Based on the analyses of 140 biological systems that are derived from biomimetic sources by a TRIZ based method, we provide a list and examples of structure–function patterns that repeat in biomimetic applications. These patterns are presented through a technical lens and a complete system model, serving as engines or brakes of the biological system, exploiting energy sources or blocking them, respectively. This list of patterns serves as an index of clues that open doors for further investigation of the complexity of these relations. Understanding the mechanisms behind these meta-level patterns is required for a successful biomimetic design process. The list provides both keywords for biological databases search and clues for abstraction of biological texts. The TRIZ based method that has been used for this study can be further used for modeling other biological systems during the abstraction stage of the biomimetic design process. Thus, we offer a bridge between biology and technology and set a foundation for a new biomimetic design method.
Using Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis in Biologically Inspired Design as a Multidisciplinary Tool to Assess Biology-to-Engineering Transfer Risk for Candidate Analogs
Authors: Lindsey Williams M. , Ertas Atila , Tate Derrick
Published: August 2014

Inherent in biologically inspired design (BID) is the selection of one or more analogs from which one or more strategies are extracted and transferred into the engineering domain. The selection of an analog is a fundamental step in biomimetic process, but locating relevant biological analogies can be challenging. Often, designers may fixate on an analogy or choose an established analogy without rigorous examination of alternatives. This practice is problematic—as basing a new design on an invalid assumption can lead to suboptimal results. This paper makes contribution to evaluation of analogy utility. The contribution is made by combining stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA) with a set of criteria, derived from BID, to assist multidisciplinary decision makers (DMs) in evaluating candidate design analogs. The resulting framework, which we call the biotransferability framework, is being developed to assist multidisciplinary teams to choose, rank, or sort candidate design analogs by assessing biology-to-engineering transfer risk.
“Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?” The BioM Innovation Database
Authors: Jacobs Shoshanah R. , Nichol Emily C. , Helms Michael E.
Published: August 2014

We present the BioM Innovation Database, the first of its kind containing detailed information about global biomimetic activity. We present a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the database to address the following questions: (1) Are products, which are identified as being the result of biologically inspired design (BID), actually BID and to what extent do they use biomimicry terminology in their descriptions by the designers? (2) To what extent do BID products mimic the forms, processes and interactions of biological systems? (3) To what extent do BID products exploit the scale and range of biological systems? (4) What patterns of design practice can we learn from successful BID practitioners?
Transient Temperature Response of Variable Flow Heat Exchangers in a Marnoch Heat Engine
Authors: Saneipoor P. , Naterer G. F. , Dincer I.
Published: August 2014

Within a Marnoch heat engine (MHE), a water/glycol mixture transfers heat from the heat source into a set of variable flow heat exchangers and removes heat from adjoining cold heat exchangers. The compressed dry air is used as the working medium in this heat engine. The MHE has four shell and tube heat exchangers, which operate transient and variable flow conditions. A new transient heat transfer model is developed to predict this transient behavior of the heat exchangers for different flow regimes and temperatures. The results from the model are validated against experimental results from an MHE prototype. The heat transfer model shows 85% agreement with measured data from the MHE prototype for the individual heat exchangers. This model can be used for similar shell and tube heat exchangers with straight or U-shaped tubes. The heat transfer model predicts the gas temperature on the shell side, when a step change is imposed on the liquid entering the tubes.
Experimental and Numerical Characterization of an Electrically Propelled Vehicles Battery Casing Including Battery Module
Authors: Anderson Johan , Sjöström Johan , Andersson Petra , Amon Francine , Albrektsson Joakim
Published: August 2014

This paper demonstrates the possibility to predict a battery system's performance in a fire resistance test according to the new amendment of United Nations Regulation No. 100 “Uniform Provisions Concerning the Approval of Vehicles with Regard to Specific Requirements for the Electric Power Train” (R100) based on careful measurements of the physical properties of the casing material, as well as modeling of the battery modules and computer simulations. The methodology of the work consists of estimating the heat transfer coefficients by using a gasoline pool fire model in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FireDynamicsSimulator (FDS), followed by finite-element (FE) calculations of the temperatures in the battery
A Multidisciplinary Approach for the Comprehensive Assessment of Integrated Rotorcraft–Powerplant Systems at Mission Level
Authors: Goulos Ioannis , Ali Fakhre , Tzanidakis Konstantinos , Pachidis Vassilios , d'Ippolito Roberto
Published: August 2014

This paper presents an integrated methodology for the comprehensive assessment of combined rotorcraft–powerplant systems at mission level. Analytical evaluation of existing and conceptual designs is carried out in terms of operational performance and environmental impact. The proposed approach comprises a wide-range of individual modeling theories applicable to rotorcraft flight dynamics and gas turbine engine performance. A novel, physics-based, stirred reactor model is employed for the rapid estimation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. The individual mathematical models are implemented within an elaborate numerical procedure, solving for total mission fuel consumption and associated pollutant emissions. The combined approach is applied to the comprehensive analysis of a reference twin-engine light (TEL) aircraft modeled after the Eurocopter Bo 105 helicopter, operating on representative mission scenarios. Extensive comparisons with flight test data are carried out and presented in terms of main rotor trim control angles and power requirements, along with general flight performance charts including payload-range diagrams. Predictions of total mission fuel consumption and NOx emissions are compared with estimated values provided by the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). Good agreement is exhibited between predictions made with the physics-based stirred reactor model and experimentally measured values of NOx emission indices. The obtained results suggest that the production rates of NOx pollutant emissions are predominantly influenced by the behavior of total air inlet pressure upstream of the combustion chamber, which is affected by the employed operational procedures and the time-dependent all-up mass (AUM) of the aircraft. It is demonstrated that accurate estimation of on-board fuel supplies ahead of flight is key to improving fuel economy as well as reducing environmental impact. The proposed methodology essentially constitutes an enabling technology for the comprehensive assessment of existing and conceptual rotorcraft–powerplant systems, in terms of operational performance and environmental impact.
Advanced Flow Control for Supersonic Blowdown Wind Tunnel Using Extended Kalman Filter
Authors: Xi Jiaqi , Li Mian , Zhang Qiang , Wang Zhaoguang
Published: August 2014

Supersonic blowdown wind tunnels provide controlled test environments for aerodynamic research on scaled models. During the experiments, the stagnation pressure in the test section is required to remain constant. Due to nonlinearity and distributed characteristics of the controlled system, a robust controller with effective flow control algorithms is required for this type of wind tunnels. In this paper, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) based flow control strategy is proposed and implemented. The control strategy is designed based on state estimation of the blowdown process under the EKF structure. One of the distinctive advantages of the proposed approach is its adaptability to a wide range of operating conditions for blowdown wind tunnels. Furthermore, it provides a systematic approach to tune the control parameters to ensure the stability of the controlled air flow. Experiments with different initial conditions and control targets have been conducted to test the applicability and performance of the designed controller. The results demonstrate that the controller and its strategies can effectively control the stagnation pressure in the test section and maintain the target pressure during the stable stage of the blowdown process.