bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Legalization of Emotion: Managing Risk by Managing Feelings in Contracts for Surrogate Labor
Authors: Berk Hillary L.
Published: February 2015

Despite a rich literature in law and society embracing contracts as exchange relations, empirical work has yet to consider their emotional dimensions. I explore the previously unmapped case of surrogacy to address the interface of law and emotions in contracting. Using 115 semistructured interviews and content analyses of 30 surrogacy contracts, I explain why and how lawyers, with the help of matching agencies and counselors, tactically manage a variety of emotions in surrogates and intended parents before, during, and after the baby is born. I establish that a web of “feeling rules” concerning lifestyle, intimate contact, and future relationships are formalized in the contract, coupled with informal strategies like “triage,” to minimize attachment, conflicts, and risk amidst a highly unsettled and contested legal terrain. Feeling rules are shared and embraced by practitioners in an increasingly multijurisdictional field, thereby forging and legitimating new emotion cultures. Surrogacy offers a strategic site in which to investigate the legalization of emotion—a process that may be occurring throughout contemporary society in a variety of exchange relations.
Classing Sex Offenders: How Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys Differentiate Men Accused of Sexual Assault
Authors: Small Jamie L.
Published: February 2015

As public awareness of and concern about sexual victimization has increased in recent decades, stigmatization of sex offenders has also increased considerably. Contemporary sex offender policies transform discrete criminal behaviors into lifelong social identities. Although there is much debate about the efficacy and constitutionality of such policies, we know little about how the category of “sex offender” is constituted in the first place. In this article, I reveal how prosecutors and defense attorneys construct sex offenders, not as monsterous or racialized as is commonly thought, but as “lower class” men. This analysis is based on 30 in-depth interviews with prosecutors and defense attorneys in Michigan. These legal actors wield disproportionate power in defining the boundaries of criminal behaviors and individuals. That they associate sexual criminality with lower class men demonstrates yet another way that class-based inequalities are reproduced in the legal field.
Sensitization of enteric neurons to morphine by HIV‐1 Tat protein
Authors: Fitting S. , Ngwainmbi J. , Kang M. , Khan F. A. , Stevens D. L. , Dewey W. L. , Knapp P. E. , Hauser K. F. , Akbarali H. I.
Published: February 2015

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV‐1‐induced neuropathogenesis is significantly enhanced by opiate abuse, which increases proinflammatory chemokine/cytokine release, the production of reactive species, glial reactivity, and neuronal injury in the central nervous system. Despite marked interactions in the gut, little is known about the effects of HIV‐1 in combination with opiate use on the enteric nervous system.

Methods

To explore HIV‐opiate interactions in myenteric neurons, the effects of Tat ± morphine (0.03, 0.3, and 3 μM) were examined in isolated neurons from doxycycline‐ (DOX‐) inducible HIV‐1 Tat1‐86 transgenic mice or following in vitro Tat 100 nM exposure (>6 h).

Key Results

Current clamp recordings demonstrated increased neuronal excitability in neurons of inducible Tat(+) mice (Tat+/DOX) compared to control Tat−/DOX mice. In neurons from Tat+/DOX, but not from Tat−/DOX mice, 0.03 μM morphine significantly reduced neuronal excitability, fast transient and late long‐lasting sodium currents. There was a significant leftward shift in V0.5 of inactivation following exposure to 0.03 μM morphine, with a 50% decrease in availability of sodium channels at −100 mV. Similar effects were noted with in vitro Tat exposure in the presence of 0.3 μM morphine. Additionally, GI motility was significantly more sensitive to morphine in Tat(+) mice than Tat(−) mice.

Conclusions & Inferences

Overall, these data suggest that the sensitivity of enteric neurons to morphine is enhanced in the presence of Tat. Opiates and HIV‐1 may uniquely interact to exacerbate the deleterious effects of HIV‐1‐infection and opiate exposure on GI function.
Cerebral responses to puncturing at different acupoints for treating meal‐related functional dyspepsia
Authors: Zeng F. , Lan L. , Tang Y. , Liu M. , Liu X. , Song W. , Li Y. , Qin W. , Sun J. , Yu S. , Gao X. , Tian J. , Liang F.
Published: February 2015

Background

To investigate the similarities and differences in cerebral responses to puncturing at different acupoints for treating meal‐related functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods

Twenty right‐handed FD patients were enrolled and randomized divided into two groups. Each patient received 20 sessions’ electro‐acupuncture treatment. The acupoints used in Group A were four acupoints on the Stomach Meridian, and the acupoints used in Group B were four acupoints on the Gallbladder Meridian. PET‐CT scans were performed before and after acupuncture treatment to record the changes of cerebral glycometabolism.

Key Results

After treatment, the dyspepsia symptoms and the quality of life (QOL) of the patients in each group were significantly improved (p < 0.05) and there was insignificant difference in efficacy between the two groups (p > 0.05). In Group A, deactivation in brainstem, bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and cerebellum, left superior medial frontal gyrus, orbital frontal cortex (OFC), and thalamus, etc., and activation in bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC), precuneus and lingual gyrus, etc. were observed. In Group B, deactivation in brainstem, bilateral thalamus, putamen, ACC, postterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, etc., and activation in bilateral MCC, precuneus, left OFC, etc. were observed (p < 0.05, Family‐wise error corrected).

Conclusions & Inferences

Different acupoints have similar clinical efficacy but relatively different cerebral responses. The influence on the sensory transduction regions (brainstem and thalamus) and visceral modulation regions might be the common mechanism of different acupoints treating for FD, and the modulation on some emotion/cognition‐related areas (e.g., prefrontal cortex) is the potential difference between the different acupoints.
Reduced muscarinic parotid secretion is underlain by impaired NO signaling in diabetic rabbits
Authors: Roganović J , Djukić LJ , Kršljak E , Tanić N , Stojić D
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The influence of experimental diabetes (alloxan, 100 mg kg−1) was studied on rabbit parotid gland function.

Material and Methods

Carbachol‐induced parotid secretion in vivo, and in vitro quantification of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, by real‐time RT‐PCR, and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in commercial colorimetric assays were measured in parotid glands of non‐diabetic and diabetic rabbits.

Results

Carbachol‐induced dose‐dependent increase in parotid secretion significantly reduced in diabetic rabbits. Functional studies in the presence of muscarinic receptor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) antagonists revealed that in M3 receptor‐mediated carbachol secretion, nitric oxide, deriving mainly from neuronal NOS (nNOS) in control, and iNOS in diabetic rabbits, was involved. Also, upregulation of iNOS mRNA expression and enhanced SOD activity and TAC were detected in diabetic glands.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that decreased M3 receptor‐mediated parotid secretion in diabetic rabbits appears to be due to alterations in NO signaling, mainly due to iNOS induction, accompanied by elevated antioxidant response.
Impact of hepatic arterial hemodynamics in predicting early hepatic arterial thrombosis in pediatric recipients younger than three yr after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Gu Lihong , Fang Hua , Li Fenghua , Zhang Shijun , Shen Conghuan , Han Longzhi
Published: February 2015

We used Doppler US to evaluate the changes in hepatic arterial hemodynamics that occur following LDLT in pediatric recipients, with a view to assessing the utility of these parameters in predicting early HAT. A retrospective review of 144 pediatric recipients (73 males, 71 females) who underwent routine Doppler US in the first week after LDLT was undertaken, and changes in hepatic arterial hemodynamics were assessed. The HARI and HAPSV were compared in patients with early HAT (defined as occurring in the first postoperative week) and a control group, and the utility of these parameters in predicting early HAT after LDLT was determined. A total of 11 pediatric recipients experienced early HAT, being diagnosed on average four and a half days after LDLT. HARI and HAPSV values were significantly different between the early HAT group and controls. HARI values <0.6 on the day before the onset of early HAT were able to predict HAT development with a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 95.2%. This provides evidence for routine Doppler US examination in these patients and supports consideration of more intensive anticoagulation in these high‐risk patients.
Bees, birds and yellow flowers: pollinator‐dependent convergent evolution of UV patterns
Authors: Papiorek S. , Junker R. R. , Alves‐dos‐Santos I. , Melo G. A. R. , Amaral‐Neto L. P. , Sazima M. , Wolowski M. , Freitas L. , Lunau K.
Published: February 2015

Colour is one of the most obvious advertisements of flowers, and occurs in a huge diversity among the angiosperms. Flower colour is responsible for attraction from a distance, whereas contrasting colour patterns within flowers aid orientation of flower visitors after approaching the flowers. Due to the striking differences in colour vision systems and neural processing across animal taxa, flower colours evoke specific behavioural responses by different flower visitors. We tested whether and how yellow flowers differ in their spectral reflectance depending on the main pollinator. We focused on bees and birds and examined whether the presence or absence of the widespread UV reflectance pattern of yellow flowers predicts the main pollinator. Most bee‐pollinated flowers displayed a pattern with UV‐absorbing centres and UV‐reflecting peripheries, whereas the majority of bird‐pollinated flowers are entirely UV‐ absorbing. In choice experiments we found that bees did not show consistent preferences for any colour or pattern types. However, all tested bee species made their first antennal contact preferably at the UV‐absorbing area of the artificial flower, irrespective of its spatial position within the flower. The appearance of UV patterns within flowers is the main difference in spectral reflectance between yellow bee‐ and bird‐pollinated flowers, and affects the foraging behaviour of flower visitors. The results support the hypothesis that flower colours and the visual capabilities of their efficient pollinators are adapted to each other.
Alterations in host DNA methylation in response to constitutive expression of Hop stunt viroid RNA in Nicotiana benthamiana plants
Authors: Castellano M. , Martinez G. , Pallás V. , Gómez G.
Published: February 2015

Increasing evidence points to the epigenetic regulation of transcriptional activity as a general mechanism controlling host response to pathogen infection. Recent results revealed that cucumber plants infected with Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) showed alterations in the DNA methylation pattern of usually silenced rRNA genes that are consequently transcriptionally reactivated during infection. These results indicated that, at least in cucumber, HSVd pathogenesis could be associated with disruptions in the transcriptional mechanisms regulated by epigenetic modifications of host DNA. To determine if this disorder in host regulatory activity could be a common phenomenon that occurs in other viroid–host combinations, here, the transcriptional activity in transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana constitutively expressing HSVd (HSVd/Nb) was analysed. It was observed that the HSVd RNA accumulation in N. benthamiana mimics the alteration induced by viroid infection in cucumber, promoting the accumulation of ribosomal‐derived small RNAs (rb‐sRNAs). Bisulphite sequencing demonstrated that this phenomenon was linked to a loss of symmetric cytosine methylation and correlated with an increasing accumulation of rRNA precursors in HSVd/Nb plants. The data supports the hypothesis that the interference of this pathogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in epigenetic mechanisms (associated to rDNA methylation) controlling plant gene expression is not restricted to a specific host. Thus, this phenomenon may be more general and able to occur in other viroid–plant interactions.
Adaptation of physiological cross‐sectional area and serial number of sarcomeres after tendon transfer of rat muscle
Authors: Huijing P. A. , Maas H.
Published: February 2015

Tendon transfer surgery to a new extensor insertion was performed for musculus flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) of young adult rats, after which animals were allowed to recover. Mechanical properties and adaptive effects on body mass, bone growth, serial number of sarcomeres, and muscle physiological cross‐sectional area were studied. Between the transfer and control groups, no differences were found for body mass and forearm length growth. In contrast, transferred muscles had a 19% smaller physiological cross‐sectional area and 25% fewer sarcomeres in series within its muscle fibers than control muscles, i.e., a deficit in muscle belly growth is present. Our present results confirm our the length of previous work showing a limited capability of changing the adapted transferred FCU muscle belly, as the muscle‐tendon complex is stretched, so that most of the acute FCU length change must originate from the tendon. This should most likely be attributed to surgery‐related additional and/or altered connective tissue linkages at the muscle‐tendon boundary. The substantially increased FCU tendon length found, after recovery from surgery and adaptation to the conditions of the transferred position, is likely to be related to such enhanced stretching of the FCU tendon.
Immigration and Swiss‐EU Free Movement of Persons: Question of a Safeguard Clause
Authors: Ambühl Michael , Zürcher Sibylle
Published: February 2015

The issue of migration is a current topic in different European countries. In this paper, we concentrate on the case of Switzerland. After the adoption of the Mass Immigration Initiative on 9 February 2014, Switzerland is faced with a challenging task. It needs to implement the constitutional mandate to manage migration autonomously, although Switzerland has a bilateral free movement of persons agreement with the EU. We present an approach to a solution for discussion. The basic idea is to maintain the principle of freedom of movement without fixed quotas or national priority but with a safeguard clause for (statistically) exceptional situations. An exceptional situation occurs if serious social, economic or political difficulties arise. As an objective method to determine serious difficulties, we choose an excessive percentage in net migration, defined on the basis of the situation in the EU/EFTA. If the net migration in Switzerland is getting excessive, the safeguard clause could be called. In addition, we take other factors into account such as the amount of the EU/EFTA foreigners and the labor market.
Immigration and Integration Policy in Switzerland, 1848 to 2014
Authors: Ruedin Didier , Alberti Camilla , D'Amato Gianni
Published: February 2015

The regulation of immigration and how immigrants are treated once they settle in a country are fundamental aspects of national policy. Existing descriptions of the developments of immigration and integration policy have either provided a limited snapshot, or relied on the author's subjective assessment of how policies developed over time. In this research note, we provide a systematic and truly historical assessment of immigration and integration policy in Switzerland: between the foundation of modern Switzerland in 1848 and 2014. The most recent MIPEX questionnaire was used to provide a systematic and multidimensional portrait of how immigration and integration policy has evolved in Switzerland. Using these data, we identify three distinctive periods (expansive, restricting, expanding), and argue that the changes in policies reflect the fact that immigrants are increasingly accepted as a permanent feature of Swiss society.
The Outcry of the Periphery? An Analysis of Ticino's No to Immigration
Authors: Mazzoleni Oscar , Pilotti Andrea
Published: February 2015

When the popular initiative “against mass immigration” was accepted by the Swiss people and cantons on 9 February 2014, Ticino had by far the highest approval rate. The Italian‐speaking canton thus once more confirmed its singular position, assumed since the 1990s, on popular votes regarding immigration and foreign policy. This seems to be indicative of wider crises and changes in both the economic and political spheres that have favoured the emergence of a political opposition between centre and periphery. The results of a survey among 1400 citizens of Ticino after the vote of 9 February confirm this. In essence, on top of the question of immigration, the vote was influenced by a fearful perception of Ticino as a “double periphery” vis‐à‐vis both Berne and Lombardy.
Switzerland – Really Europe's Heart of Darkness?
Authors: Manatschal Anita
Published: February 2015

Immigration is a prominent and contested global topic of contemporary politics. Several recent popular votes targeting migration such as the minaret initiative, the automatic deportation initiative, and most recently the vote on “mass immigration”, evoke however the impression that Switzerland sets particularly harsh standards in migration policy. Based on historical evidence on Swiss migration policy making and comparative analyses on current cantonal integration policy outputs, I argue that ‐ while far from being a new phenomenon ‐ immigrant scepticism has become a more relevant factor of Swiss migration policy making than ever. Yet, immigration and immigrant scepticism do not only challenge direct democratic Switzerland, but all destination countries of immigration.
The RING finger E3 ligase STRF1 is involved in membrane trafficking and modulates salt‐stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tian Miaomiao , Lou Lijuan , Liu Lijing , Yu Feifei , Zhao Qingzhen , Zhang Huawei , Wu Yaorong , Tang Sanyuan , Xia Ran , Zhu Baoge , Serino Giovanna , Xie Qi
Published: February 2015

Salt stress is a detrimental factor for plant growth and development. The response to salt stress has been shown to involve components in the intracellular trafficking system, as well as components of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS). In this article, we have identified in Arabidopsis thaliana a little reported ubiquitin ligase involved in salt‐stress response, which we named STRF1 (Salt Tolerance RING Finger 1). STRF1 is a member of RING‐H2 finger proteins and we demonstrate that it has ubiquitin ligase activity in vitro. We also show that STRF1 localizes mainly at the plasma membrane and at the intracellular endosomes. strf1‐1 loss‐of‐function mutant seedlings exhibit accelerated endocytosis in roots, and have altered expression of several genes involved in the membrane trafficking system. Moreover, protein trafficking inhibitor, brefeldin A (BFA), treatment has increased BFA bodies in strf1‐1 mutant. This mutant also showed increased tolerance to salt, ionic and osmotic stresses, reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species during salt stress, and increased expression of AtRbohD, which encodes a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase involved in H2O2 production. We conclude that STRF1 is a membrane trafficking‐related ubiquitin ligase, which helps the plant to respond to salt stress by monitoring intracellular membrane trafficking and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
Introgression browser: high‐throughput whole‐genome SNP visualization
Authors: Aflitos Saulo Alves , Sanchez‐Perez Gabino , de Ridder Dick , Fransz Paul , Schranz Michael E. , de Jong Hans , Peters Sander A.
Published: February 2015

Breeding by introgressive hybridization is a pivotal strategy to broaden the genetic basis of crops. Usually, the desired traits are monitored in consecutive crossing generations by marker‐assisted selection, but their analyses fail in chromosome regions where crossover recombinants are rare or not viable. Here, we present the Introgression Browser (iBrowser), a bioinformatics tool aimed at visualizing introgressions at nucleotide or SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) accuracy. The software selects homozygous SNPs from Variant Call Format (VCF) information and filters out heterozygous SNPs, multi‐nucleotide polymorphisms (MNPs) and insertion–deletions (InDels). For data analysis iBrowser makes use of sliding windows, but if needed it can generate any desired fragmentation pattern through General Feature Format (GFF) information. In an example of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) accessions we visualize SNP patterns and elucidate both position and boundaries of the introgressions. We also show that our tool is capable of identifying alien DNA in a panel of the closely related S. pimpinellifolium by examining phylogenetic relationships of the introgressed segments in tomato. In a third example, we demonstrate the power of the iBrowser in a panel of 597 Arabidopsis accessions, detecting the boundaries of a SNP‐free region around a polymorphic 1.17 Mbp inverted segment on the short arm of chromosome 4. The architecture and functionality of iBrowser makes the software appropriate for a broad set of analyses including SNP mining, genome structure analysis, and pedigree analysis. Its functionality, together with the capability to process large data sets and efficient visualization of sequence variation, makes iBrowser a valuable breeding tool.
Pedagogy and world Englishes: The legacy of Yamuna Kachru
Authors: BERNS MARGIE
Published: February 2015

From the beginning of world Englishes (WE) as a field of study, Yamuna Kachru was a strong advocate for users of English in all circles. She consistently argued for language teaching and for language acquisition research that would acknowledge the diverse bilingual and multilingual contexts in which English is learned and used. This paper considers just four of her areas of interest as they pertain to language pedagogy and world Englishes: the interlanguage hypothesis and fossilization, discourse studies, contrastive rhetoric, and the sociolinguistic realities of learners and teachers. The conclusion offers touchstones from her work to inspire future research.
Grammar and culture in the work of Yamuna Kachru
Authors: DAVIS DANIEL R.
Published: February 2015

This paper examines Professor Yamuna Kachru's construction of grammar in the context of work that adopted a number of different approaches to linguistics, each with its proper data, methodology, and theoretical concerns. These approaches are the standard theory of generative grammar, relational grammar, and grammar from the perspectives of discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and systemic functional (Hallidayan) linguistics. Throughout her research and publications on grammar and culture, Professor Kachru's work challenges and extends traditional linguistics in a creative and innovative fashion, providing a unique contribution to our understanding of Hindi and English, and to that of grammar and of culture.
Plurality and world Englishes: The social realities of language use
Authors: HILGENDORF SUZANNE K.
Published: February 2015

In spite of decades of scholarship on plurality and in particular Englishes, discussion in some academic quarters in recent years has questioned this fundamental aspect of language/English use, with some coming to view plurality (of Englishes) in fact as marginalizing and segregating (cf. Bruthiaux 2003; Pennycook 2003, 2008; Saraceni 2010; Ur 2010). In light of now nearly four decades of scholarship on world Englishes (WE), by Yamuna Kachru as well as innumerable other scholars, this paper revisits the core concepts that form the foundation for plurality and consequently WE, concepts that must be addressed if plurality (of Englishes) is to be challenged. The discussion revisits the numerous foundational concepts in (socio)linguistics for WE, and gives particular consideration to the notion of the speech community in light of the higher degree of mobility and virtual interaction in the contemporary era.
Yamuna Kachru's contributions to South Asian discourse and convergence studies
Authors: Henrich Hock Hans
Published: February 2015

The range of Yamuna Kachru's publications is tremendously broad, ranging from language pedagogy, to South Asian – especially Hindi – syntax and syntactic typology, to discourse in South Asian and other languages, to the broader issue of South Asia and world Englishes. This paper focuses on a number of those aspects of her work that have stimulated my own work on several facets of South Asian linguistics, and presents a personal perspective on Professor Kachru's work in this arena.
Directives in Japanese: Evidence from signs
Authors: MORROW PHILLIP R.
Published: February 2015

This study deals with the description and analysis of directives in Japanese. Data is drawn from public signs and announcements. The study is organized around two issues: the linguistic forms associated with directives and the use of graphics. Regarding linguistic forms, there was found to be a strong tendency for directives to be framed as requests. Imperative forms were avoided and other strong forms used infrequently. Although the directives were impersonal, being directed at a general audience, there was a clear concern with mitigating the face‐threat of directives. This was evident in the preference for framing directives as requests, in the avoidance of imperative forms, and in the prefacing of directives by explanations or statements of purpose. One distinctive characteristic was the use of the ‐mashoo (‘let's’) form for directives. This use can be attributed to politeness concerns and a sense of empathy. Graphics, usually in the forms of caricatures and cartoon‐like characters, were often used on signs with directives. The association of graphics with directives is related to the popularity of anime and manga in Japanese culture, where they are used not only for entertainment, but instruction.
Mapping Yamunaji's linguistic landscape research: Cartographies in context, culture and class
Authors: PANDEY ANJALI
Published: February 2015

The current paper pays intellectual homage to a prolific scholar whose contributions to world Englishes need formal acknowledgement. Current linguistic landscape research it is argued stands to gain from Yamuna Kachru's timely theorizations. This paper situates Kachru's forty‐six year‐research within the chronoscope of her own evolving scholarly career to demonstrate the provocative implications of her brand of research. Her theorizations stand poised to re‐revolutionize the field's acknowledgement of linguistic rights particularly in regard to peripherally acknowledged, yet semiotically salient variables of pertinence to current research namely, context, culture and class which her research assiduously, indeed, meticulously sought to study.
Yamuna Kachru's contribution to linguacultural studies
Authors: PROSHINA ZOYA G.
Published: February 2015

This paper summarizes the major theses Professor Yamuna Kachru developed in the field of linguaculture: the relations between language and culture, role of English diversity in enriching speaker's worldview, dependence of language dynamics on the change of the sociocultural context; cultural specifics of text types; the culture's effects on cognition; impact of social conventions and linguistic strategies on intercultural communication, and role of contact literature in enriching English user's background knowledge. All these arguments serve as a solid basis for the world Englishes paradigm closely associated with intercultural communication studies.
Speech act, politeness, the Yamuna Kachru model
Authors: SMITH LARRY E.
Published: February 2015

Yamuna Kachru's work on politeness (2003a, 2008b) and the various forms it takes in different cultures is foundational and should be studied by everyone researching any aspect of cross‐cultural communication. Her personal and professional life demonstrated her profound understanding of the phenomena of politeness. She was, for me, politeness personified but that in no way prevented her from correcting errors in her students’ work or challenging her colleagues when she disagreed with them. Using the title of this paper as something she would not have readily accepted, I review her understanding of speech act theory (1991a, 1991b,1992b, 1994a, 1995d, 1998b) and principles of politeness.
Colonization, indigenization, and the differential evolution of English: Some ecological perspectives
Authors: MUFWENE SALIKOKO S.
Published: February 2015

ABSRACT

This paper provides an overview of research on the emergence of creoles and pidgins, how these are related to ‘indigenized Englishes,’ and whether these evolutions have occurred in fundamentally different ways from other colonial English varieties such as North American and Australian Englishes. The findings of this research strongly suggest that, from an ecological perspective, similar processes of language contact are crucial to the development of not only creoles and pidgins and world Englishes, but to all languages. In this perspective, creoles and pidgins should not be disenfranchised as examples of ‘abnormal’ varieties, but instead recognized as instances of natural language evolution.
Importance of defining experimental conditions in a mouse excisional wound model
Authors: Park Shin Ae , Covert Jill , Teixeira Leandro , Motta Monica J , DeRemer Sara L , Abbott Nicholas L , Dubielzig Richard , Schurr Michael , Isseroff Roslyn Rivkah , McAnulty Jonathan F , Murphy Christopher J
Published: February 2015

The murine dorsum dermal excisional wound model has been widely utilized with or without splint application. However, variations in experimental methods create challenges for direct comparison of results provided in the literature and for design of new wound healing studies. Here, we investigated the effects of wound location and size, number of wounds, type of adhesive used for splint fixation on wound healing using splinted or unsplinted dorsum excisional full thickness wound models. One or two 6‐ or 8‐mm full thickness wounds were made with or without splinting in genetically diabetic but heterozygous mice (Dock7m + / + Leprdb). Two different adhesives: tissue adhesive and an over the counter cyanoacrylate adhesive (OTCA) “Krazy glue” were used to fix splints. Wound contraction, wound closure, and histopathological parameters including reepithelialization, collagen deposition and inflammation were compared between groups. No significant effect of wound number (1 vs. 2), side (left vs. right and cranial vs. caudal) or size on wound healing was observed. The OTCA group had a significantly higher splint success compared to the tissue adhesive group that resulted in significantly higher reepithelialization and collagen deposition in the OTCA group. Understanding the outcomes and effects of the variables will help investigators choose appropriate experimental conditions for the study purpose and interpret data.
Validation of Particle-Laden Turbulent Flow Simulations Including Turbulence Modulation
Authors: Reinhardt Yvonne , Kleiser Leonhard
Published: February 2015

The objective of the present numerical study is the validation of wall-bounded, turbulent particle-laden air flow simulations for a wide range of flow and particle parameters (i.e., flow and particle Reynolds numbers, Stokes number, particle-to-fluid density ratio, ratio of particle diameter to turbulent length scale) covering the one-, two- and four-way coupling regimes. The applied computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model follows the Eulerian two-fluid approach in a Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) context and is based on the kinetic theory of granular flow (KTGF) for closures concerning the particulate phase. The fluid turbulence is modeled applying a low-Reynolds-number k–epsilon turbulence model. The main focus is put on the modeling of turbulence coupling between the fluid and the particle phase. Different from common practice, the choice of a model accounting for turbulence modulation is made dependent on the prevailing coupling regime. For the case of four-way coupling, a new modulation model is suggested that well predicts turbulence augmentation and attenuation. The predictive capabilities of the present approach are evaluated by comparing simulation results to experimental benchmark data of various pipe and channel flows. Very good agreement with reference data is obtained for the mean flow and turbulence profiles of both phases.
A Stepping Microrobot Controlled by Flow Oscillations
Authors: Ishikawa Takuji , Vladimirov V. A.
Published: February 2015

A self-locomotive microrobot can be a key technology for medical applications, manufacturing, or micro total analysis systems (μTAS). Although previous studies have mostly used magnetic, electric, chemical, or optical forces to control microrobots, we utilized flow oscillations. The results showed that the locomotion of the microrobot was stepwise near a wall when the oscillations were applied both horizontally and vertically. The most efficient microrobot was capable of propelling itself about 2×10-3 times its radius during one oscillation period. These results illustrate that the proposed stepping microrobot has great potential for future applications.
Inverse Heat Transfer Study of a Nonlinear Straight Porous Fin Using Hybrid Optimization
Authors: Das Ranjan , Singla Rohit Kumar
Published: February 2015

Gas turbine blades are subjected to excessive heating load and for safe operation they must be properly cooled for protecting the blade material from damage. This involves external film cooling and internal pin-fin cooling. Cooling using fins are used for gas turbine blades by passing cold air over small extended surfaces. However, it is found that compared to conventional solid fins, for same weight, the usage of porous fins gives better thermal performance. In order to satisfy a given temperature distribution, the fin designer needs to determine various important properties and parameters, which requires solution of inverse problems. These parameters are generally thermo-physical properties for selecting suitable material and dimensions. In this work, an inverse heat transfer study of a porous rectangular fin using a hybrid Differential Evolution (DE)-nonlinear programming (NLP) algorithm has been carried out. The energy exchange in the porous fin is governed by conductive, convective and radiative heat transfer alongwith mass diffusion through the porous media, which makes the problem nonlinear. The fluid medium is assumed to be air. Using DE-NLP algorithm, four important parameters such as porosity, thermal conductivity of solid, length and thickness of the porous fin have been estimated for satisfying a given temperature distribution. Initially, the prescribed temperature distribution is calculated by solving a forward problem based on an implicit Runge-Kutta method working on Lobatto technique. Effects of random measurement errors, comparison of number of iterations and reconstruction distributions for the hybrid DE-NLP and individual NLP, DE schemes are performed. It is observed that the hybrid DE-NLP method converges faster than other two methods working separately. For all measurement errors, a very good reconstruction of the temperature distribution is observed using DE-NLP algorithm. In addition to this, it is found that many feasible combinations of the parameters can satisfy a given temperature distribution, which offers flexibility in selecting various parameters by adjusting the fin size, solid thermal conductivity and porosity.
Structure of the Velocity and Soot Concentration Fields of a Swirl Stabilized Turbulent Non-Premixed Flame in a Gas Turbine Model Combustor
Authors: Chatterjee Sandipan , Halmo Christopher , Gülder Ömer L.
Published: February 2015

Turbulent non-premixed swirl flames were investigated in a gas turbine model combustor with optical access. Velocity and soot concentration fields for ethylene/air combustion at three overall fuel-air equivalence ratios, 0.222, 0.209 and 0.198, were studied. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements were used to study the flow field in the combustor, and time-averaged soot volume fractions were obtained using laser induced incandescence. The flow field and soot measurements were performed separately, but under identical conditions. The flow field measurements captured the inner and outer recirculation zones, the boundaries of which showed high turbulence intensity. This high intensity turbulence implies a rapid mixing of the cold reactants with the recirculating hot combustion products and chemically active radicals near the recirculation zone boundaries. The soot volume fractions showed a strong dependence on the overall fuel-air equivalence ratio. Regions of maximum soot had a conical shape and grew radially outward with downstream locations.
Numerical Studies on the Effect of Gurney Flap on Aerodynamic Performance and Stall Margin of a Transonic Axial Compressor Rotor
Authors: Rafeeq Mudassir Ahmed M. , Nagpurwala Quamber H. , Shivaramaiah Subbaramu
Published: February 2015

Numerical studies have been carried out on the effectiveness of trailing edge Gurney flap on a transonic axial compressor rotor. The baseline geometry of the rotor blade was modified at the trailing edge by introducing Gurney flaps of varying depth and span-wise length, viz. 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm depth with 20% span length of Gurney flap from tip (designated as GF1-20, GF2-20 and GF3-20 respectively), and 1 mm depth with 50% and 100% span length (designated as GF1-50 and GF1-100 respectively). Geometric models of the compressor rotor without and with Gurney flaps were generated using CATIA V5 software and CFD simulations at 100% design rotor speed were carried out using ANSYS CFX software. Results have shown that the compressor total pressure ratio increased with increase in both depth and spanwise length of Gurney flap. Peak pressure ratio increased from 1.51 for baseline case to 1.58 for rotor GF1-100. However, the peak isentropic efficiency remained almost constant for various Gurney flap configurations, except for GF1-100 which showed a tendency for improvement in efficiency. The stall margin reduced with the introduction of Gurney flap and was lowest for configuration GF1-100 which gave highest peak pressure ratio. Higher blade loading with Gurney flap was responsible for lowering the stall margin. Analysis of the flow through the blade passages has shown clear formation of trailing end vortex structure in the presence of Gurney flap that resulted in bending of the streamlines towards suction surface of the rotor blade, with consequent reduction in flow deviation and increased flow deflection, and hence increased total pressure ratio.
Unsteady Flow Analysis Around an Elliptic-Bladed Savonius-Style Wind Turbine
Authors: Banerjee Abhisek , Roy Sukanta , Mukherjee Prasenjit , Saha Ujjwal K.
Published: February 2015

Although considerable progress has already been achieved in the design of wind turbines, the available technical designs are not yet adequate to develop a reliable wind energy converter especially meant for small-scale applications. The Savonius-style wind turbine appears to be particularly promising for the small-scale applications because of its design simplicity, good starting ability, insensitivity to wind directions, relatively low operating speed, low cost and easy installation. However, its efficiency is reported to be inferior as compared to other wind turbines. Aiming for that, a number of investigations have been carried out to increase the performance of this turbine with various blade shapes. In the recent past, investigations with different blade geometries show that an elliptic-bladed turbine has the potential to harness wind energy more efficiently. In view of this, the present study attempts to assess the performance of an elliptic-bladed Savonius-style wind turbine using 2D unsteady simulations. The SST k-ω turbulence model is used to simulate the airflow over the turbine blades. The power and torque coefficients are calculated at rotating conditions, and the results obtained are validated with the wind tunnel experimental data. Both the computational and experimental studies indicate a better performance with the elliptical blades. Further, the present analysis also demonstrates improved flow characteristics of the elliptic-bladed turbine over the conventional semi-circular design.
CFD-Modeling of Powerful Screw Centrifugal Kerosene Pump
Authors: Zubanov V. M. , Shabliy L. S. , Krivcov A. V.
Published: February 2015

This article presents the CFD-modeling of fuel pump with program ANSYS CFX. Paper gives detailed description of CFD model and techniques for improving its adequacy. Verification with experimental data allows recognize used CFD-model adequate within the experimental error. Identified CFD-model can be used to upgrade pump design for increasing efficiency.
Axial and Radial Variation of Spray Characteristics of a Small-Scale Simplex Atomizer
Authors: Govindaraj Muthuselvan , Suryanarayana Muralidhara Halebidu , Vyas Vinod Kumar , Rajendran Jeyaseelan , Natarajan Rajeshwari , Pradhan Anurag , Perdoor Chaithra , Pattil Prarthana , Sameer Mohammed
Published: February 2015

Simplex atomizer is widely used in the liquid fuel combustion devices in aerospace and power generation industries. An experimental work was conducted, to study variation of SMD and droplet size distribution along axial and radial directions of the spray for different injection pressures. Malvern spray analyzer is used in the present investigation. Four different atomizer configurations of increasing atomizer constant (K) are examined using water and kerosene. Spray cone angle is measured for different configurations at different injection pressures (up to 30 bar) using image processing technique. In the case of atomizer with lower K, spray cone angle continuously increases with injection pressure. In the case of atomizer with higher K, initially spray cone angle increases significantly, but remains almost constant after 16 bar. Variation of SMD and droplet size distribution along axial direction of the spray is compared between water and kerosene spray. SMD variation along the axial direction of spray clearly shows the continuous brakup of droplets along axial direction of the spray. In the case of water spray, SMD rapidly decreases along the axial direction up to 30 mm from the orifice exit, and gradually decreases up to 120 mm. In the case of kerosene spray, SMD rapidly decreases along the axial direction up to 40 mm from the orifice exit, after that SMD fluctuates along the axial direction up to 100 mm from the orifice exit. This fluctuation is due to evaporation of smaller droplets (50 microns) of kerosene. Span also continuously fluctuates after 40 mm from the orifice exit in the case of kerosene spray. Variation of SMD and droplet size distribution along radial direction of the spray is compared for different injection pressure and configurations of simplex atomizer. Increase in injection pressure, increases the disruptive aerodynamic force, which reduces the radial peak value of SMD and widens the radial profile. With decrease in atomizer constant (K), swirl strength inside the swirl chamber increases, which in turn increases the spray cone angle. SMD variation along the radial direction of spray showed more uniform droplet diameter distribution for lower atomizer constant (K) configurations. Reducing the atomizer constant improves the atomization quality more effectively than increasing the injection pressure.
A New Real Time Path Planning for Mobile Robot Navigation Using Invasive Weed Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Mohanty Prases K. , Parhi Dayal R.
Published: February 2015

In this article a new optimal path planner for mobile robot navigation based on invasive weed optimization (IWO) algorithm has been addressed. This ecologically inspired algorithm is based on the colonizing property of weeds and distribution. A new fitness function has been formed between robot to goal and obstacles, which satisfied the conditions of both obstacle avoidance and target seeking behavior in robot present in the environment. Depending on the fitness function value of each weed in the colony the robot that avoids obstacles and navigating towards goal. The optimal path is generated with this developed algorithm when the robot reaches its destination. The effectiveness, feasibility, and robustness of the proposed navigational algorithm has been performed through a series of simulation and experimental results. The results obtained from the proposed algorithm has been also compared with other intelligent algorithms (Bacteria foraging algorithm and Genetic algorithm) to show the adaptability of the developed navigational method. Finally, it has been concluded that the proposed path planning algorithm can be effectively implemented in any kind of complex environments.
Experimental Investigation of Unsteady Flow in a Transonic Uni-Stage Axial Compressor
Authors: Kumar S. Satish , Alone Dilipkumar Bhanudasji , Thimmaiah Shobhavathy M. , Mudipalli Janaki Rami Reddy , Ganguli Ranjan , Kandagal S. B. , Jana Soumendu
Published: February 2015

Detailed steady and unsteady experimental measurements and analysis were performed on a Single stage Transonic Axial Compressor with asymmetric rotor tip clearance for studying the compressor stall phenomena. The installed compressor had asymmetric tip clearance around the rotor casing varying from about 0.65mm to 1.25mm. A calibrated 5-hole aerodynamic probe was traversed radially at exit of rotor and showed the characteristics of increased flow angle at lower mass flow rates for all the speeds. Mach number distribution and boundary layer effects were also clearly captured. Unsteady measurements for velocity were carried out to study the stall cell behavior using a single component calibrated hotwire probe oriented in axial and tangential directions for choke/free flow and near stall conditions.

The hotwire probe was traversed radially across the annulus at inlet to the compressor and showed that the velocity fluctuations were dissimilar when probe was aligned axial and tangential to the flow. Averaged velocities across the annulus showed the reduction in velocity as stall was approached. Axial mean flow velocity decreased across the annulus for all the speeds investigated. Tangential velocity at free flow condition was higher at the tip region due to larger radius. At stall condition, the tangential velocity showed decreased velocities at the tip and slightly increased velocities at the hub section indicating that the flow has breakdown at the tip region of the blade and fluid is accelerated below the blockage zone. The averaged turbulent intensity in axial and tangential flow directions increased from free flow to stall condition for all compressor rated speeds. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the raw signals at stall flow condition showed stall cell and its corresponding frequency of occurrence. The stalling frequency of about half of rotational speed of the rotor along with large tip clearance suggests that modal type stall inception was occurring.