bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On some hypotheses of diversity of animal life at great depths on the sea floor
Authors: McClain Craig R. , Schlacher Thomas A.
Published: April 2015

Multiple hypotheses have emerged to explain the apparent paradox of high diversity of the deep‐sea benthos when the environmental conditions are often predicted to inhibit rather than promote diversity. Many fundamental facets of these paradigms remain incompletely understood despite being central to understanding how deep‐sea ecosystems, and more generally all ecosystems, function. Here, we examine nine major paradigms of deep‐sea diversity that deserve, in our opinion, a fresh research impetus. We purposely challenge many of these ideas to generate dialogue and encourage further research. Some of the axiomatic predictions of these paradigms are: (i) the deep sea is highly diverse; (ii) stable environments reduce competition; (iii) species have finely partitioned niches; (iv) biological cropping promotes diversity; (v) disturbance controls diversity; (vi) patch mosaics structure assemblages; (vii) productivity controls diversity; (viii) recovery from disturbance is slow; and (ix) the deep sea is notoriously under‐sampled. We critically examine the evidence for each of these predictions and highlight areas where knowledge gaps exist and linkages to general ecological theory should occur. We conclude each section with ideas about questions and hypotheses that may fruitfully be tackled in future projects.
Incidental Language Learning in Foreign Language Content Courses
Authors: Rodgers Daryl M.
Published: April 2015

This study examined the extent to which 40 students enrolled in upper level foreign language literary/cultural studies content courses showed evidence of incidental language learning over the course of a semester. Students completed a cloze passage and provided both writing and speaking samples at the beginning and end of the semester. In addition, they completed questionnaires related to their goals and perceived development, and instructors were interviewed and observed at various intervals throughout the semester. Instructors' focus was primarily on the content; focus on language was secondary and dealt with incidentally. Some positive evidence of language learning was found, but was mostly limited to students' writing. Speaking abilities, on the other hand, showed little evidence of significant improvement, and global proficiency, as measured by the cloze test, improved in some cases but not in others. Thus, there is some evidence for incidental language learning, but the question remains whether more could have been accomplished. It is suggested that an approach that more intentionally integrates content and language may meet the needs of a greater number of learners and maximize the potential for more language development.
Changes in nitrergic and tachykininergic pathways in rat proximal colon in response to chronic treatment with otilonium bromide
Authors: Cipriani G. , Gibbons S. J. , Saravanaperumal S. A. , Malysz J. , Sha L. , Szurszewski J. H. , Linden D. R. , Evangelista S. , Faussone‐Pellegrini M. S. , Vannucchi M. G. , Farrugia G.
Published: April 2015

Background

Otilonium bromide (OB) is used as a spasmolytic drug in the treatment of the functional bowel disorder irritable bowel syndrome. Although its acute effects on colonic relaxation are well‐characterized, little is known about the effects of chronic administration of OB on enteric neurons, neuromuscular transmission, and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), key regulators of the gut function.

Methods

Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with OB in drinking water at a dose of 2 mg/kg for 30 days. The colons of OB‐treated and age‐matched control rats were studied by confocal immunohistochemistry to detect immunoreactivity (IR) in myenteric plexus neurons for nitrergic and tachykininergic markers, and also by microelectrode electrophysiology.

Key Results

Using immunohistochemistry, chronic OB administration did not change total neuron number, assessed by anti‐Hu IR, but resulted in a significant increase in NK1 receptor positive neurons, a decrease in neuronal nitric oxide synthase expressing neurons, and a reduction in volume of substance P in nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus. Chronic OB administration potentiated inhibitory and excitatory junction potentials evoked by repetitive electrical field stimulation. The various types of colonic ICC, detected by Kit IR, were not altered nor were slow waves or smooth muscle membrane potential.

Conclusions & Inferences

Chronic treatment with OB caused significant changes in the nitrergic and tachykinergic components of the myenteric plexus and in both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission in the rat colon.
The novel CGRP receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS alleviates a postoperative intestinal inflammation and prevents postoperative ileus
Authors: Glowka T. R. , Steinebach A. , Stein K. , Schwandt T. , Lysson M. , Holzmann B. , Tsujikawa K. , de Jonge W. J. , Kalff J. C. , Wehner S.
Published: April 2015

Background

Abdominal surgery results in neuronal mediator release and subsequent acute intestinal hypomotility. This phase is followed by a longer lasting inflammatory phase resulting in postoperative ileus (POI). Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) has been shown to induce motility disturbances and in addition may be a candidate mediator to elicit neurogenic inflammation. We hypothesized that CGRP contributes to intestinal inflammation and POI.

Methods

The effect of CGRP in POI was tested in mice treated with the highly specific CGRP receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS and in CGRP receptor‐deficient (RAMP‐1−/−) mice. POI severity was analyzed by cytokine expression, muscular inflammation and gastrointestinal (GI) transit. Peritoneal and muscularis macrophages and mast cells were analyzed for CGRP receptor expression and functional response to CGRP stimulation.

Key Results

Intestinal manipulation (IM) resulted in CGRP release from myenteric nerves, and a concurrent increased interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β transcription and leukocyte infiltration in the muscularis externa and increased GI transit time. CGRP potentiates IM‐induced cytokine transcription within the muscularis externa and peritoneal macrophages. BIBN4096BS reduced cytokine levels and leukocyte infiltration and normalized GI transit. RAMP1−/− mice showed a significantly reduced leukocyte influx. CGRP receptor was expressed in muscularis and peritoneal macrophages but not mast cells. CGRP mediated macrophage activation but failed to induce mast cell degranulation and cytokine expression.

Conclusions & Inferences

CGRP is immediately released during abdominal surgery and induces a neurogenic inflammation via activation of abdominal macrophages. BIBN4096BS prevented IM‐induced inflammation and restored GI motility. These findings suggest that CGRP receptor antagonism could be instrumental in the prevention of POI.
Seed banks are biodiversity reservoirs: species–area relationships above versus below ground
Authors: Vandvik Vigdis , Klanderud Kari , Meineri Eric , Måren Inger E. , Töpper Joachim
Published: April 2015

Soil seed banks offer plants the possibility to disperse through time. This has implications for population and community dynamics, as recognised by ecological and evolutionary theory. In contrast, the conservation and restoration literature often find seed banks to be depauperate, weedy and without much conservation value or restoration potential. One explanation for these contrasting views might lie in a systematic bias in the sampling of seed banks versus established plant communities. We use the species–area relationship as a tool to assess and compare the per‐area species richness and spatial structuring of the diversity of the established plant community versus soil seed banks. To allow this direct comparison we extensively survey the species–area relationship of the vegetation and underlying seed bank of a grassland community across twelve sites spanning regional bioclimatic gradients. We also compile a global dataset of established vegetation and seed banks from published sources. We find that seed banks have consistently higher intercepts and slopes of the relationship, and hence higher diversity at any given spatial scale, than the vegetation both in the field and literature study. This is consistent across habitat types, climate gradients, and biomes. Similarity indices are commonly used to compare vegetation and seed bank, and we find that sampling effort (% of the vegetation area sampled for seed bank) was the strongest predictor of vegetation–seed bank similarity for both the Sørensen (R2 = 0.70) and the Raup–Crick (R2 = 0.25) index. Our study suggests that the perception that seed banks are intrinsically less diverse than established plant communities has been based more on inadequate sampling than on biological reality. Across a range of ecosystems and climatic settings, we find high diversity in seed banks relative to the established community, suggesting potentially important roles of seed banks in population dynamics and diversity maintenance.
Bayesian estimation on diagnostic performance of Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale for infant pain assessment in the absence of a gold standard
Authors: Ge Xiaoli , Tao Jing‐Ru , Wang Jing , Pan Shu‐Ming , Wang Ying‐Wei
Published: April 2015

Background

Nonverbal pediatric patients such as infants are unable to describe their pain, which leads to the lack of a gold standard scale for their pain assessment. The aim of this study was to estimate the diagnostic performance of Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) for infants' pain in the absence of a gold standard.

Methods

This prospective observational study recruited 202 postoperative infants, aged <12 months. Postoperative pain intensity was evaluated using FLACC and NIPS scales. The diagnostic performance of these two scales was to estimate using a Bayesian latent class model with conditional dependence. McNemar's test was applied to test whether NIPS and FLACC tests differ from each other.

Results

Under a combined model with conditional dependence, the median posterior sensitivity and specificity of the FLACC were 89.94% (95% CI: 78.48–96.83%) and 87.82% (95% CI: 78.6–95.23%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the NIPS were 85.94% (95% CI: 72.15–95.6%) and 92.61% (84.05–97.52%), respectively. McNemar's test demonstrated no significant difference between FLACC and NIPS in either sensitivity or specificity.

Conclusion

Both the FLACC and NIPS have excellent sensitivity and specificity for pain assessment in infants. The comparison test showed that the FLACC scale was no different to the NIPS scale in sensitivity and specificity.
When the State Tries to See Like a Family: Cultural Pluralism and the Family Group Conference in New Zealand
Authors: Cohen Amy J. , Gershon Ilana
Published: April 2015

In 1989 New Zealand legislators revised their child welfare legislation, partially in response to Māori and Pacific Island critiques that the previous state‐centered regime had failed to take into account their culturally distinctive techniques for being a family and had failed to support culturally specific practices of decision making and conflict resolution. Legislators instituted a new and increasingly popular form of alternative dispute resolution—the family group conference—in an attempt to create a bureaucratic response to family dysfunction that was capacious enough to allow for any and every family's involvement. In the process, however, they continued to understand what counts as a family along nuclear family lines. Against the New Zealand lawmakers’ assumptions, this article illustrates how, in the context of transnational migration, Samoan families experience tensions between the nuclear family unit that lawmakers envision and their lived extended kinship groups. As extended families, Samoan migrant families’ goal is not to produce socially productive citizens for the nation‐state, but rather to produce a transnational family reputation. Thus, despite the legislators’ efforts to create culturally sensitive forms for family conflict resolution, Samoan social workers and community counselors had to translate the legislative act for Samoan families, negotiating and managing the conflicting presuppositions of what it means to be a nuclear family embedded in the act and what it means to be an extended family for Samoans.
Refracting Custom in Western Sahara's Quest for Statehood
Authors: Wilson Alice
Published: April 2015

This article argues that distinctions made by local actors between different legal and normative orders within a broad field of custom should receive greater analytical attention. Local distinctions within custom have sometimes been overlooked in scholarly emphasis on other distinctions, such as between custom and state law, or between custom and religious law. The significance of local distinctions within custom comes to the fore in the case of the liberation movement from Western Sahara, a disputed territory partially annexed by Morocco in 1975. In exile in Algeria, Western Sahara's liberation movement has set up a state‐like government that seeks international recognition as a state. In support of its efforts at state‐making, the liberation movement has drawn on a longstanding local distinction within custom to produce a distinction between a‘rāf, construed as tribal laws to be erased, and ‘ādāt, construed as customary cultural heritage to be elevated.
Musical self‐fashioning and the ‘theatre of death’ in late Elizabethan and Jacobean England
Authors: Murphy Emilie K. M.
Published: April 2015

The spectacle of the scaffold and theatre of punishment has received a great deal of attention and revision in recent scholarship. This article adds to the existing body of work on the actions of the condemned and argues that sites of execution were performative spaces, which were adapted and appropriated by English Catholics. This article reveals how martyrs subverted the authority of the state through musical performance and transformed persecution space. Scaffold singing was part of a tradition of martyrological fashioning and emphasizes how the martyrs' legacy was directed by the martyrs themselves as much as their martyrologists. The influence of musical self‐fashioning is visible in multiple performance spaces: in exile, at arraignments, in prisons, and within the households of the English Catholic community. Finally, English Catholics performed the music of martyrs in their households to enhance their devotion, as the scaffold scene was recreated through music in the domestic setting. In this way, the beleaguered Catholic laity memorialized their martyrs with a politically subversive performance, and framed martyrs' final moments with song.
Governing the Economic Transition: HowTaiwan Transformed its Industrial System to Attain Virtuous Cycle Development
Authors: Wong Chan‐Yuan , Hu Mei‐Chih , Shiu Jyh‐Wen
Published: April 2015

This study explores the transitional processes of Taiwan's innovation system over the past half century, evolving from being rooted in traditional industries to attaining development in a virtuous cycle of development. Our approach is inspired by the Arena of Development theory and acknowledges the system of transformation failures, in which we highlighted the types of failures that might impede economic progress and how they were overcome in the evolutionary targeting of Taiwan's industrial development. Our findings demonstrate that the success of Taiwan's economic transition is targeted on, and evolves with, a series of macrolevel policies in the early phase of development; mesolevel institutional mechanisms to attain the industrial emergence settings; and, in pursuit of the virtuous cycle of development, the microlevel collaboration platform. We attribute the success of Taiwan's industrial system to this series of systematic government interventions. This study provides novel and salient normative principles that guide transformational policymakers in governing transitional processes of innovation system.
University Technology Transfer and Manufacturing Innovation: The Case of Italy
Authors: Cardamone Paola , Pupo Valeria , Ricotta Fernanda
Published: April 2015

This article analyzes the influence of universities on Italian firms' probability to innovate. Using firm‐level data, we focus on institutionalized technology transfer (TT) activities in universities, namely spin‐offs, patents, and research contracts. Results show that TT activities play a significant role in the probability to innovate by Italian manufacturing firms located in the same province as the university. Nevertheless, the effect is not uniform: the contribution of university TT activities to the probability of firms' innovating is concentrated in certain territorial areas (North‐East and Center) and sectors (science based and scale intensive) and among firms that are large.
State Renewable Energy Governance: Policy Instruments, Markets, or Citizens
Authors: Park Sunjoo
Published: April 2015

Since the 1990s, state governments in the United States have diversified policy instruments to encourage the electric power industry to deploy renewable sources for electricity generation. This study identifies the trends and variations in renewable energy (RE) policy governance among states and examines the effectiveness of policy instruments in the deployment of RE sources for electricity production. This study explores 18 state legislative, RE‐related regulations, programs, or financial incentives existing between 2001 and 2010 in 48 states in the United States. Renewable energy policies were classified into three types of policy approaches: command‐and‐control, market‐based, and information instruments. Results suggest that authoritative approaches are more likely to be effective in the governmental intervention toward a pre‐existing market, and information instruments and citizen participation became important in the power industry in the 2000s. In addition, it gives us some evidence that federal assistance under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 influenced the overall growth of the renewable electricity industry, in addition to state government–led policy designs.
Factors predicting the probability of initiating sexual intercourse by context and sex
Authors: Grøntvedt Trond Viggo , Kennair Leif Edward Ottesen , Mehmetoglu Mehmet
Published: April 2015

Despite men initiating sex more than women there is considerable variance within the sexes. This study is the first to consider the impact of multiple predictors from the literature, and investigates how factors, such as relationship length, sociosexuality, and different aspects of self‐perceived mate value among others, independently and interactively predict initiation of sexual intercourse in both short‐term sexual and long‐term romantic mating contexts, testing predictions from Sexual strategies theory. For long‐term relationships, positive partner bond increased initiative to sexual intercourse for women. For men, self‐perceived independence increased probability of taking the initiative, while relationship attachment decreased probability. For short‐term relations, the desire component of the sociosexual orientation inventory increased probability of initiation for both sexes, while male initiative was increased by pleasure reasons for sex. The impact of individual predictors on initiating intercourse is influenced by being included in a multidimensional model, and relationship context affects the impact of the predictors.
Large Eddy Simulation of Flows Around a Kite Used as an Auxiliary Propulsion System
Authors: Scupi A. , Avital E. J. , Dinu D. , Williams J. J. R. , Munjiza A.
Published: April 2015

The aerodynamic forces acting on a kite proposed for propelling marine shipping are investigated using computational and experimental means. Attention is given to the kite's positions as perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the air flow that still possess potential for thrust generation but cannot be analysed using finite wing models applicable for kites at low angles of attack. Good agreement is achieved in the prediction of the time-averaged drag coefficient between the large eddy simulations (LESs) of a full scale kite and wind tunnel measurements of a small scale kite model. At zero-yaw conditions both the time-averaged drag and lift (side) forces show behavior similar to the literature-reported empirical relations for flat plates of the same aspect ratio (AR), but with differences of up to 20% in the coefficients’ values. Thus, the plate’s known empirical formulae for aerodynamic forces at zero yaw angles may be used as fast low-accuracy prediction tools before engaging with the more costly turbulent flow computations and wind tunnel tests. Yawing moderately the kite can actually increase mildly the drag but further yawing or pitching it reduces the dominant drag force. Both the drag and lift show unsteady components that are related to the large turbulent wake behind the kite and vortical shedding from the kite's ends. Power spectra of the aerodynamic forces’ coefficients are presented and analysed.
Design Problems of a Regenerative Turboprop Aircraft Engine
Authors: Cutler R. E. , Spears Esten W.
Published: April 2015

The military and industry have long recognized the potential of the regenerative-cycle gas turbine. Only recently has the “state-of-the-art” in regenerators and other lightweight turbine-engine components made it feasible to apply regeneration to aircraft engines. In applying regeneration to the aircraft gas turbine certain unique engine-design problems are encountered, such as: (a) Configuration and arrangement of lightweight, high effectiveness regenerator; (b) combustion system with side entry air; (c) turbine cooling at high inlet temperatures; (d) compressor operating flexibility; (e) control system for optimum engine response and operational flexibility; (f) configuration and arrangement of propeller and reduction gear.
Potential of the High By-Pass Fan
Authors: Decher S. , Rauch Dale
Published: April 2015

Improved engine and aircraft performance has been achieved in the latest generation of aircraft engines, the fanjets, by the application of the by-pass principle, owing to its superior propulsive efficiency as compared to its basic counterpart — the turbojet. This paper demonstrates that in the moderate subsonic flight regime, interesting performance gains are obtainable by using by-pass ratios appreciably larger than in today’s fanjet engines. Considerations for the selection of an optimum by-pass ratio and design approaches to the high by-pass fan are discussed.
A Radial-Flow Cryogenic Expander Turbine
Authors: Jekat Walter K.
Published: April 2015

After completion of the development of an impulse-type, axial-flow expander, the design of a reaction-type, radial-expander turbine was undertaken. Particular emphasis was placed on turbine efficiency and reliability. Angularly adjustable nozzles control the flow. Two sizes were developed covering a range from 5 to 150 cfm exhaust volume Peak efficiencies reached are as high as 92 percent. Consequently 87 percent are being guaranteed. Load absorbers are radial-flow compressors. Compressor efficiencies as high as 89 percent have been measured. A unique cartridge design permits exchange of rotor, bearing and seals in a few hours.
Turbomachinery Characteristics of Brayton-Cycle Space-Power-Generation Systems
Authors: Kofskey Milton G. , Glassman Arthur J.
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the results of an analytical study of turbomachinery requirements and configurations for Brayton-cycle space-power systems. Basic turbomachinery requirements are defined and typical effects of such system design parameters as power, temperature, pressure and working fluid on turbomachinery geometry and performance are explored. Typical turbomachinery configurations are then presented for systems with power outputs of 10, 100 and 1000 kw.
The Use of Gas Turbines as Marine Auxiliary Machinery
Authors: Vickers W. C.
Published: April 2015

The design and development of two related gas turbines, both intended in the first instance as marine auxiliary generators, is described. General matters concerning gas turbines in marine applicatons are touched upon, such as thermal efficiency and design life, and the relevance of these matters to these particular engines discussed.
The Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Jet Powered 121 Mw Electrical Peaking Unit
Authors: Wheaton T. R.
Published: April 2015

This paper discusses the factors involved in selecting the multiple free-turbine module arrangement for high-capacity, gas-turbine peaking units, and describes the design of the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft 121-Mw peaking unit being installed by Public Service Electric and Gas Company at the Sewaren Station.
Designing a Molecular Pump as a Seal-to-Space
Authors: Hodgson J. N.
Published: April 2015

The molecular pump has been shown to be a valuable seal-to-space element, being exceptionally more effective than a conventional annulus or labyrinth. A mathematical model has been developed which accurately describes molecular-pump performance. Although the molecular pump is most effective when pumping vapors which are in the molecular flow regime, space applications also can require operation in the transition flow regime between molecular and continuum flow. Accordingly, the theory has been developed on a general basis in order to be applicable in all flow regimes. A computer program was carried out which allows selection of optimum molecular-pump configurations for minimum leakage to space. A test program has given confirmation of the mathematical theory and has demonstrated the exceptional leakage-restricting capability of the molecular pump.
The Pulsating-Flow Performance of Inward Radial-Flow Turbines
Authors: Wallace F. J. , Blair G. P.
Published: April 2015

The study of the pulsating-flow behavior of small inward radial-flow turbines as used in automotive type turbosuperchargers is of great importance in relation to the mode of operation of such units in conjunction with internal-combustion engines. In complete engine-turbocharger systems detailed analysis of turbine behavior is handicapped by the complex interaction of engine and turbocharger, with resultant interdependence of operating variables. In the present investigation the use of a rotary valve driven at various predetermined speeds and discharging cold air under critical conditions ensures close control of the pressure pulses constituting the turbine-energy input. It has therefore been possible to investigate systematically the influence of the most important parameters, viz., (a) pulse frequency, (b) pulse form, (c) pulse amplitude, (d) pipe length, (e) pipe diameter, and (f) turbine speed.
Sea Experience With Pratt and Whitney Aircraft FT12 Gas Turbine in LCM-8
Authors: Nolte G. H.
Published: April 2015

The design features of the FT12 gas turbine are described. The development background of the gas turbine is reviewed along with service-experience background which, with appropriate marinizing treatments, prompted evaluating the gas turbine in a sea-borne environment. The program conducted in an LCM-8 landing craft, its highlights and results are discussed.
An Approach to Three-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layers
Authors: Carmichael A. D.
Published: April 2015

A relatively simple method for predicting some of the characteristics of three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers is presented. The basic assumption of the method is that the cross-flow is small. An empirical correlation of a basic shape factor of the cross-flow boundary layer against the streamwise shape factor H is provided. This correlation, together with data for the streamwise boundary layer, is used to predict the cross flow. The solution is very sensitive to the accuracy of the streamwise boundary-layer data which is predicted by conventional two-dimensional methods.
Utility Applications for Advanced Gas Turbines to Eliminate Thermal Pollution
Authors: Biancardi F. R. , Peters G. T.
Published: April 2015

Increases in electric power demand during the next 30 years will sharply increase water requirements for condenser cooling and will stimulate the search for alternative solutions to the thermal pollution of our waters. Continuing engineering advances, achieved during extensive research and development efforts on military and commercial gas-turbine applications, could provide the basis for substantially improved power plants that could significantly alleviate thermal pollution. The authors describe the results of analytical studies to estimate the design technology, performance, and cost characteristics of future fossil- and nuclear-fueled gas-turbine power generation systems and the potential for eliminating thermal pollution.
Crude Oil Firing in the Utility Gas Turbine
Authors: DeCorso S. M. , Symonds R. A. , Vermes G.
Published: April 2015

A more flexible approach is needed to accommodate rapidly changing require requirements of the fuel market toward the gas-turbine manufacturer. The impact of new fuels on performance of the gas turbine is both long and short range. The short-range effects influence the design of the fuel-handling, combustion, and control systems. Long-range effects on the gas turbine include potential corrosion of the blades and vanes, as some of the new fuels contain small but varying amounts of sodium, potassium, vanadium, and lead. These metallic trace elements, in causing corrosion, are independent of the type of fuel in which they are contained; therefore, safe trace element levels can be established under controlled laboratory conditions, using small specimens of the structural material. This paper deals mainly with the crude oil.
Status of Air Pollution Regulations Affecting Gas Turbines in 80 Nations
Authors: Ketterer R. J. , Dibelius N. R.
Published: April 2015

This paper summarizes regulations from 80 countries covering air pollution emissions from gas turbines. The paper includes emission and ground level concentration standards for particulates, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, visible emissions, and carbon monoxide.
The Effect of Inlet Temperature and Pressure on an Industrial Turbine Engine Exhaust Emission
Authors: Vaught J. M.
Published: April 2015

The effect of variation of inlet temperature and pressure on exhaust emissions from an industrial gas turbine was determined experimentally. Testing was done in a controlled environment test cell. In addition to temperature and pressure, the influence of two fuels, JP-5 and DF-2, was evaluated. A data matrix of 81 engine operating points was obtained, from which emissions were correlated with engine inlet conditions using regression analysis techniques. The data are analyzed to show how these inlet variables affect compliance with the EPA exhaust emission standards for aircraft and stationary turbine engines.
A Critical Review of NOx Correlations for Gas Turbine Combustors
Authors: Sullivan D. A. , Mas P. A.
Published: April 2015

The effect of inlet temperature, pressure, air flowrate and fuel-to-air ratio on NOx emissions from gas turbine combustors has received considerable attention in recent years. A number of semi-empirical and empirical correlations relating these variables to NOx emissions have appeared in the literature. They differ both in fundamental assumptions and in their predictions. In the present work, these simple NOx correlations are compared to each other and to experimental data. A review of existing experimental data shows that an adequate data base does not exist to evaluate properly the various NOx correlations. Recommendations are proposed to resolve this problem in the future.
Polystyrene as a model system to probe the impact of ambient gas chemistry on polymer surface modifications using remote atmospheric pressure plasma under well-controlled conditions
Authors: Bartis Elliot A. J. , Luan Pingshan , Knoll Andrew J. , Hart Connor , Seog Joonil , Oehrlein Gottlieb S.
Published: April 2015

An atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) was used to treat polystyrene (PS) films under remote conditions where neither the plume nor visible afterglow interacts with the film surface. Carefully controlled conditions were achieved by mounting the APPJ inside a vacuum chamber interfaced to a UHV surface analysis system. PS was chosen as a model system as it contains neither oxygen nor nitrogen, has been extensively studied, and provides insight into how the aromatic structures widespread in biological systems are modified by atmospheric plasma. These remote treatments cause negligible etching and surface roughening, which is promising for treatment of sensitive materials. The surface chemistry was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to evaluate how ambient chemistry, feed gas chemistry, and plasma–ambient interaction impact the formation of specific moieties. A variety of oxidized carbon species and low concentrations of NOx species were measured after APPJ treatment. In the remote conditions used in this work, modifications are not attributed to short-lived species, e.g., O atoms. It was found that O3 does not correlate with modifications, suggesting that other long-lived species such as singlet delta oxygen or NOx are important. Indeed, surface-bound NO3 was observed after treatment, which must originate from gas phase NOx as neither N nor O are found in the pristine film. By varying the ambient and feed gas chemistry to produce O-rich and O-poor conditions, a possible correlation between the oxygen and nitrogen composition was established. When oxygen is present in the feed gas or ambient, high levels of oxidation with low concentrations of NO3 on the surface were observed. For O-poor conditions, NO and NO2 were measured, suggesting that these species contribute to the oxidation process, but are easily oxidized when oxygen is present. That is, surface oxidation limits and competes with surface nitridation. Overall, surface oxidation takes place easily, but nitridation only occurs under specific conditions with the overall nitrogen content never exceeding 3%. Possible mechanisms for these processes are discussed. This work demonstrates the need to control plasma–ambient interactions and indicates a potential to take advantage of plasma–ambient interactions to fine-tune the reactive species output of APP sources, which is required for specialized applications, including polymer surface modifications and plasma medicine.
Beyond graphene
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: April 2015

The ultrathin form of carbon has inspired other atoms-thick materials that promise even bigger technological payoffs.
Two-dimensional superexchange-mediated magnetization dynamics in an optical lattice
Authors: Brown R. C. , Wyllie R. , Koller S. B. , Goldschmidt E. A. , Foss-Feig M. , Porto J. V.
Published: April 2015

Simulating magnetism out of equilibrium

A major goal of quantum simulation is to help us understand problems that are difficult to describe analytically or solve with conventional computers. This goal has been very challenging to reach experimentally, requiring, for example, extremely low temperatures to determine the effects of quantum magnetism in equilibrium. Brown
et al.
studied a nonequilibrium system of ultracold
87
Rb atoms in a two-dimensional optical lattice. They monitored the atoms' dynamics after a sudden change in the lattice parameters and were able to reach a regime where the magnetic interactions dominated the dynamics.

Science
, this issue p.
540
Secure sustainable seafood from developing countries
Authors: Sampson Gabriel S. , Sanchirico James N. , Roheim Cathy A. , Bush Simon R. , Taylor J. Edward , Allison Edward H. , Anderson James L. , Ban Natalie C. , Fujita Rod , Jupiter Stacy , Wilson Jono R.
Published: April 2015

Require improvements as conditions for market access
1000 dams down and counting
Authors: O'Connor J. E. , Duda J. J. , Grant G. E.
Published: April 2015

Dam removals are reconnecting rivers in the United States
Early life Aire
Authors: Tanaka Atsushi , Sakaguchi Shimon
Published: April 2015

The development of particular T cells at a specific time prevents autoimmunity

[Also see Report by

Yang
et al.

]
Stable Expression of Lentiviral Antigens by Quality-Controlled Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vectors
Authors: Hart Bryan E. , Asrican Rose , Lim So-Yon , Sixsmith Jaimie D. , Lukose Regy , Souther Sommer J. R. , Rayasam Swati D. G. , Saelens Joseph W. , Chen Ching-ju , Seay Sarah A. , Berney-Meyer Linda , Magtanong Leslie , Vermeul Kim , Pajanirassa Priyadharshini , Jimenez Amanda E. , Ng Tony W. , Tobin David M. , Porcelli Steven A. , Larsen Michelle H. , Schmitz Joern E. , Haynes Barton F. , Jacobs William R. , Lee Sunhee , Frothingham Richard
Published: April 2015

The well-established safety profile of the tuberculosis vaccine strain,Mycobacterium bovisbacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), makes it an attractive vehicle for heterologous expression of antigens from clinically relevant pathogens. However, successful generation of recombinant BCG strains possessing consistent insert expression has encountered challenges in stability. Here, we describe a method for the development of large recombinant BCG accession lots which stably express the lentiviral antigens, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag, using selectable leucine auxotrophic complementation. Successful establishment of vaccine stability stems from stringent quality control criteria which not only screen for highly stable complemented BCG ΔleuCDtransformants but also thoroughly characterize postproduction quality. These parameters include consistent production of correctly sized antigen, retention of sequence-pure plasmid DNA, freeze-thaw recovery, enumeration of CFU, and assessment of cellular aggregates. Importantly, these quality assurance procedures were indicative of overall vaccine stability, were predictive for successful antigen expression in subsequent passaging bothin vitroandin vivo, and correlated with induction of immune responses in murine models. This study has yielded a quality-controlled BCG ΔleuCDvaccine expressing HIV gp120 that retained stable full-length expression after 1024-fold amplificationin vitroand following 60 days of growth in mice. A second vaccine lot expressed full-length SIV Gag for >1068-fold amplificationin vitroand induced potent antigen-specific T cell populations in vaccinated mice. Production of large, well-defined recombinant BCG ΔleuCDlots can allow confidence that vaccine materials for immunogenicity and protection studies are not negatively affected by instability or differences between freshly grown production batches.
Antiviral Innate Immune Activation in HIV-Infected Adults Negatively Affects H1/IC31-Induced Vaccine-Specific Memory CD4+T Cells
Authors: Lenz Nicole , Schindler Tobias , Kagina Benjamin M. , Zhang Jitao David , Lukindo Tedson , Mpina Maxmillian , Bang Peter , Kromann Ingrid , Hoff Søren T. , Andersen Peter , Reither Klaus , Churchyard Gavin J. , Certa Ulrich , Daubenberger Claudia A.
Published: April 2015

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem, with vaccination being a necessary strategy for disease containment and elimination. A TB vaccine should be safe and immunogenic as well as efficacious in all affected populations, including HIV-infected individuals. We investigated the induction and maintenance of vaccine-induced memory CD4+T cells following vaccination with the subunit vaccine H1/IC31. H1/IC31 was inoculated twice on study days 0 and 56 among HIV-infected adults with CD4+lymphocyte counts of >350 cells/mm3. Whole venous blood stimulation was conducted with the H1 protein, and memory CD4+T cells were analyzed using intracellular cytokine staining and polychromatic flow cytometry. We identified high responders, intermediate responders, and nonresponders based on detection of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) expressing central (TCM) and effector memory CD4+T cells (TEM) 182 days after the first immunization. Amplicon-based transcript quantification using next-generation sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes that correlated with vaccine-induced immune responses. Genes implicated in resolution of inflammation discriminated the responders from the nonresponders 3 days after the first inoculation. The volunteers with higher expression levels of genes involved in antiviral innate immunity at baseline showed impaired H1-specific TCMand TEMmaintenance 6 months after vaccination. Our study showed that in HIV-infected volunteers, expression levels of genes involved in the antiviral innate immune response affected long-term maintenance of H1/IC31 vaccine-induced cellular immunity. (The clinical trial was registered in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry [PACTR] with the identifier PACTR201105000289276.)
Evaluation of the Salmonella enterica Serovar Pullorum Pathogenicity Island 2 Mutant as a Candidate Live Attenuated Oral Vaccine
Authors: Yin Junlei , Cheng Zhao , Wang Xiaochun , Xu Lijuan , Li Qiuchun , Geng Shizhong , Jiao Xinan
Published: April 2015

Salmonella entericaserovar Pullorum (S. Pullorum) is a highly adapted pathogen that causes pullorum disease (PD), an important systemic disease of poultry that causes severe economic losses in developing countries. In the interests of developing a safe and immunogenic oral vaccine, the efficacy of aSalmonellapathogenicity island 2 (SPI2)-deleted mutant ofS. Pullorum (S06004ΔSPI2) was evaluated in chickens. S06004ΔSPI2 was severely less virulent than the parental wild-type strain S06004 as determined by the 50% lethal dose (LD50) for 3-day-old chickens when injected intramuscularly. Two-day-old chickens immunized with a single oral dose of S06004ΔSPI2 showed no differences in body weight or clinical symptoms compared with those in the negative-control group. S06004ΔSPI2 bacteria were not isolated from livers or spleens of immunized chickens after a short period of time, and specific humoral and cellular immune responses were significantly induced. Immunized chickens were challenged withS. Pullorum strain S06004 andSalmonellaenterica serovar Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum) strain SG9 at 10 days postimmunization (dpi), and efficient protection against the challenges was observed. None of the immunized chickens died, the clinical symptoms were slight and temporary following challenge in immunized chickens compared with those in the control group, and these chickens recovered by 3 to 5 dpi. Overall, these results demonstrate that S06004ΔSPI2 can be used as a live attenuated oral vaccine.
A Combination of Three Fully Human Toxin A- and Toxin B-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Protects against Challenge with Highly Virulent Epidemic Strains of Clostridium difficile in the Hamster Model
Authors: Anosova Natalie G. , Cole Leah E. , Li Lu , Zhang Jinrong , Brown Anna M. , Mundle Sophia , Zhang Jianxin , Ray Satyajit , Ma Fuqin , Garrone Pierre , Bertraminelli Nicola , Kleanthous Harry , Anderson Stephen F.
Published: April 2015

Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) is the principal cause of nosocomial diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis associated with antibiotic therapy. Recent increases in the number of outbreaks attributed to highly virulent antibiotic-resistant strains underscore the importance of identifying efficacious alternatives to antibiotics to control this infection. CDI is mediated by two large exotoxins, toxins A and B. Strong humoral toxin-specific immune responses are associated with recovery and a lack of disease recurrence, whereas insufficient humoral responses are associated with recurrent CDI. Multiple approaches targeting these toxins, including intravenous immunoglobulin, neutralizing polymers, active vaccines, and, most recently, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), have been explored, with various degrees of success. In this study, we describe the characterization of the first MAbs isolated from healthy human donors using a high-throughput B-cell cloning strategy. The MAbs were selected based on their ability to inhibit the actions of toxins A and Bin vitroand because of theirin vivoefficacy in a hamster challenge model. A potent 2-MAb cocktail was identified and then further potentiated by the addition of a second anti-toxin B MAb. This 3-MAb combination protected animals against mortality and also reduced the severity and duration of diarrhea associated with challenge with highly virulent strains ofC. difficiletoxinotypes 0 and III. This highly efficacious cocktail consists of one MAb specific to the receptor binding domain of toxin A and two MAbs specific to nonoverlapping regions of the glucosyltransferase domain of toxin B. This MAb combination offers great potential as a nonantibiotic treatment for the prevention of recurrent CDI.
Identification of Haemophilus influenzae Type b Isolates by Use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Månsson Viktor , Resman Fredrik , Kostrzewa Markus , Nilson Bo , Riesbeck Kristian
Published: April 2015

Haemophilus influenzae
type b (Hib) is, in contrast to non-type b
H. influenzae
, associated with severe invasive disease, such as meningitis and epiglottitis, in small children. To date, accurate
H. influenzae
capsule typing requires PCR, a time-consuming and cumbersome method. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) provides rapid bacterial diagnostics and is increasingly used in clinical microbiology laboratories. Here, MALDI-TOF MS was evaluated as a novel approach to separate Hib from other
H. influenzae
. PCR-verified Hib and non-Hib reference isolates were selected based on genetic and spectral characteristics. Mass spectra of reference isolates were acquired and used to generate different classification algorithms for Hib/non-Hib differentiation using both ClinProTools and the MALDI Biotyper software. A test series of mass spectra from 33 Hib and 77 non-Hib isolates, all characterized by PCR, was used to evaluate the algorithms. Several algorithms yielded good results, but the two best were a ClinProTools model based on 22 separating peaks and subtyping main spectra (MSPs) using MALDI Biotyper. The ClinProTools model had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 99%, and the results were 98% reproducible using a different MALDI-TOF MS instrument. The Biotyper subtyping MSPs had a sensitivity of 97%, a specificity of 100%, and 93% reproducibility. Our results suggest that it is possible to use MALDI-TOF MS to differentiate Hib from other
H. influenzae
. This is a promising method for rapidly identifying Hib in unvaccinated populations and for the screening and surveillance of Hib carriage in vaccinated populations.