bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communitarian equality: to each according to their contribution to the group identity
Authors: Pélabay Janie
Published: November 2017

Rooted in a contemporary political reality marked by anxieties over identity within culturally dominant groups, this study seeks to interrogate what happens to equality, a principle of justice generally placed at the forefront in liberal democracies, when it becomes subordinate to the preservation of the majority identity. Communitarian conceptions of equality and justice are examined through analysis of the critiques of political liberalism – and notably the writings of John Rawls – advanced by Alasdair MacIntyre, Michael Sandel and Charles Taylor in the 1980s and 90s. This article shows how the “constitutive” role these writers attribute to the sense of community belonging, their emphasis on “indebtedness” to the community, and the value they give to “desert”, tend to subordinate equality to an enterprise of “identity securing” by national majorities. The article highlights problems and dilemmas concerning the respect for fundamental rights and pluralism, which can be generated by an adherence to communitarian equality in the move from theory to practice.
Higher contact force, energy setting, and impedance rise during radiofrequency ablation predicts charring: New insights from contact force‐guided in vivo ablation
Authors: Makimoto Hisaki , Metzner Andreas , Tilz Roland Richard , Lin Tina , Heeger Christian‐H , Rillig Andreas , Mathew Shibu , Lemeš Christine , Wissner Erik , Kuck Karl‐Heinz , Ouyang Feifan
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Higher contact force (CF) theoretically increases the risk of blood charring, diminishing lesion formation. We aimed to investigate the relationship between CF, impedance change, and char formation during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods

CF was assessed during PVI in 65 patients. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with power‐controlled mode was applied in the point‐by‐point manner. The RFA were divided into five groups: group A (CF < 10 g), group B (10 g ≤ CF < 20 g), group C (20 g ≤ CF < 30 g), group D (30 g ≤ CF < 40 g), and group E (CF ≥ 40 g). Gradual impedance rise (gIR) was defined as >5 Ω increase during each 10‐second period of RFA. Catheter tip was assessed for charring during, and at the end of each procedure.

Results

In total, 2,064 applications were analyzed. During 0–10 seconds, impedance was significantly decreased in groups with higher CF (P < 0.05). During 10–20 seconds, an impedance decrease was not significantly different among the five groups. During 20–30 seconds, mean impedance increased in group E. A gIR was noted at least once during RFA in 63 patients (97%). The incidence of gIR during RFA after 20 seconds was significantly higher in groups D and E (77/504 [15.3%] vs. 90/1560 [5.8%], P < 0.001). Charring occurred in 8 of 65 (12%) patients. A gIR after 20 seconds was significantly associated with a higher incidence of macroscopic charring (6/20 [30%] vs. 2/45 [4%], P < 0.01).

Conclusions

gIR was noted with higher applied CFs after 20 seconds of RFA. This impedance rise may be avoided by keeping the applied CF under 26.9 g with negative predictive value of 95%. Our data suggested that gIR may be related to the incidence of charring.
The importance of dermoscopy for the diagnosis of acquired bilateral telangiectatic macules: the angioid streak pattern reveals underlying chronic liver disease
Authors: Kim G.‐W. , Shin K. , Kim T.‐W. , You H.‐S. , Jin H.‐J. , Shim W.‐H. , Kim H.‐S. , Ko H.‐C. , Kim B.‐S. , Kim M.‐B.
Published: November 2017

Background

Acquired bilateral telangiectatic macules (ABTM) are a newly recognized disease entity, which manifest as multiple telangiectatic pigmented macules confined mostly to the upper arms.

Objectives

To evaluate clinical and dermoscopic features in a group of 50 patients with ABTM and to determine the diagnostic usefulness of dermoscopy in ABTM.

Methods

Patients were selected from two tertiary teaching hospitals in Korea [Pusan National University Hospitals (Busan and Yangsan)]. Fifty patients (41 males and 9 females; mean age 48.1 years; range 26–78 years) with ABTM were included in the study. The dermoscopic findings were graded using a 4‐point scale: none (0), mild (1), moderate (2) and severe (3). In addition, the results of 23 patients with and 27 patients without chronic liver disease (CLD) were compared to determine whether the presence of CLD affects dermoscopic findings.

Results

Three distinct dermoscopic patterns were observed; brown pigmentations, telangiectasia (linear‐irregular vessels) and an angioid streak pattern. Brown pigmentation in the group without CLD had higher severity score than those in CLD group (mean score: 2.00 vs. 1.48, P = 0.033). However, mean telangiectasia severity score was higher in the CLD group (2.14 vs. 1.39, P < 0.001). The angioid streak pattern was more severe and more common in patients with CLD than in those without [1.37 vs. 0.35 (P < 0.001) and 63.0% vs. 26.1%, respectively].

Conclusions

Detailed observations with dermoscopy can provide first clues of the presence of ABTM and underlying chronic liver disease.
Effect of intravenous immunoglobulin administration on erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters
Authors: Cicha A. , Fischer M.B. , Wesinger A. , Haas S. , Bauer W.M. , Wolf H.M. , Sauerwein K.M.T. , Reininger B. , Petzelbauer P. , Pehamberger H. , Handisurya A.
Published: November 2017

Background

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are an attractive therapeutic tool for therapy of toxic epidermal necrolysis and severe forms of certain autoimmune diseases, including dermatomyositis, autoimmune blistering diseases, systemic vasculitis and lupus erythematodes.

Objectives

Prompted by a case of IVIG‐associated haemolytic anaemia, the effects of IVIG administrations on haematological parameters in patients with dermatological conditions were investigated.

Methods

Erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters were retrospectively analysed in 16 patients who had received IVIG at doses from 1 to 3 g/kg bodyweight (n = 35 cycles). The influence of IVIG on leucocyte survival was determined in vitro.

Results

Decreased absolute erythrocyte numbers, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels and a case of haemolytic anaemia were linked to transfusion of high‐, but not low‐dose IVIG. In contrast, leucopenia post‐IVIG occurred in the vast majority of the recipients, unrelated to the administered IVIG amounts. In vitro investigations revealed a dose‐dependent impairment of cell survival by IVIG in the neutrophil and monocyte, but not in the lymphocyte subpopulations. In several IVIG preparations, substantial amounts of blood group anti‐A/anti‐B antibodies were detected which could have accounted for the observed changes in the haematological parameters in our study cohort.

Conclusions

IVIG products should be administered strictly according to indications. Commercially available IVIG products can contain blood group‐specific antibodies that may induce haemolysis in some recipients. Monitoring of blood counts during applied IVIG therapy, especially when high doses are administered, is recommended.
Household cleaning products and the risk of allergic dermatitis: a prospective cohort study with primary‐school children
Authors: Liu X. , Tan L. , Yu I.T.S. , Zhang Z. , Wong C.C.‐Y. , Guo C. , Ho K.F. , Lau A.P.S. , Yeoh E.K. , Lee A. , Lao X.Q.
Published: November 2017

Background

Household cleaning products are widely used by the public, but limited data have been obtained on whether their use induces allergic dermatitis in children.

Objective

This study investigated the association between exposure to household cleaning products and allergic dermatitis in primary‐school children.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of Hong Kong primary‐school children was conducted between 2012 and 2014. A baseline survey was administered to 1812 students who did not have allergic dermatitis. Information on respiratory symptoms, exposure to household chemical cleaning products and other topics was collected using a self‐administered questionnaire. A cumulative chemical burden (CCB) score was calculated for each student by summing the duration of exposure to 14 chemical cleaning products. Principal component analysis was used to identify patterns in the use of these cleaning products. Logistic regression was performed to calculate relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Eighty‐nine (4.9%) of the students surveyed had dermatitis during the follow‐up. However, exposure to individual chemical cleaning products was not found to be associated with the children's allergic dermatitis (all P > 0.05). In contrast to those in the lowest tertile, neither CCB scores in the middle tertile (RR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.67 to 2.00) nor those in the highest tertile (RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 0.73 to 2.14) were significantly associated with the risk of allergic dermatitis. The adjusted RR for every 5‐unit increment in CCB score was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.03). Four patterns of cleaning‐product use were derived, but none were found to be associated with the risk of dermatitis (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The use of household chemical cleaning products is not associated with the risk of dermatitis in primary‐school children.
Use of key word signing by staff in special schools and in day centres for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Rombouts E. , Maes B. , Zink I.
Published: November 2017

Background

Staff may encourage individuals with intellectual disabilities to use manual signs by modelling its use, but implementing key word signing during daily activities can be demanding.

Method

Staff's use of manual signs was observed in four special schools and four day centres for adults with intellectual disabilities during communicative group activities, non‐communicative group activities and mealtimes. Using in situ partial interval coding, we measured staff's communication rate, semantic diversity of manual signs, sign reinforcement and sign imitation. With Chi‐squared tests, associations were measured between these variables, the two settings and the three activity types.

Results

During communicative activities, staff used manual signs significantly more in adult services than special schools. During non‐communicative activities and mealtimes, staff seldom used or reinforced signs.

Conclusions

Staff communicated frequently but did not often model sign use during daily activities. To investigate influence from training background, further detailed measurements are warranted.
Evaluation of three chemical immobilization protocols in golden‐headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) undergoing vasectomy surgery
Authors: Ferraro Mario A. , Molina Camila V. , Catão‐Dias José L. , Kierulff Maria C. M. , Pissinatti Alcides , Bueno Marina G. , Cortopassi Silvia R. G.
Published: November 2017

Background

The golden‐headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas), originally endemic to Bahia, was introduced in Rio de Janeiro. The species is currently found in remaining forests within the region of original occupation of the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), which may compromise the survival of the golden lion tamarin. Groups of golden‐headed lion tamarins were captured and translocated to Bahia. However, the area chosen reached its limit and males underwent to vasectomy procedures.

Methods

Animals were separated into 3 groups: S‐ketamine and midazolam, S‐ketamine and dexmedetomidine, and racemic ketamine and dexmedetomidine.

Results and Conclusions

Heart rate, sedation and muscle relaxation degrees, antinociception, and lidocaine consumption presented significant difference between midazolam and dexmedetomidine groups. Bradycardia was present on dexmedetomidine groups, with values remaining within the normal range. Dexmedetomidine groups present the best outcomes for muscle relaxation, sedation, and antinociception and were safe for vasectomy surgery in golden‐headed lion tamarins.
Diurnal and photoperiodic changes in thyrotrophin‐stimulating hormone β expression and associated regulation of deiodinase enzymes (DIO2, DIO3) in the female juvenile chicken hypothalamus
Authors: Dunn I. C. , Wilson P. W. , Shi Y. , Burt D. W. , Loudon A. S. I. , Sharp P. J.
Published: November 2017

Increased thyrotrophin‐stimulating hormone β (TSHβ) expression in the pars tuberalis is assumed to be an early step in the neuroendocrine mechanism transducing photoperiodic information. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between long‐photoperiod (LP) and diurnal TSHβ gene expression in the juvenile chicken by comparing LP‐photostimulated birds with groups kept on a short photoperiod (SP) for 1 or 12 days. TSHβ expression increased by 3‐ and 23‐fold after 1 and 12 days of LP‐photostimulation both during the day and at night. Under both SP and LP conditions, TSHβ expression was between 3‐ and 14‐fold higher at night than in the day, suggesting that TSHβ expression cycles in a diurnal pattern irrespective of photoperiod. The ratio of DIO2/3 was decreased on LPs, consequent to changes in DIO3 expression, although there was no evidence of any diurnal effect on DIO2 or DIO3 expression. Plasma prolactin concentrations revealed both an effect of LPs and time‐of‐day. Thus, TSHβ expression changes in a dynamic fashion both diurnally and in response to photoperiod.
The evolution of the manus of early theropod dinosaurs is characterized by high inter‐ and intraspecific variation
Authors: Barta Daniel E. , Nesbitt Sterling J. , Norell Mark A.
Published: November 2017

The origin of the avian hand, with its reduced and fused carpals and digits, from the five‐fingered hands and complex wrists of early dinosaurs represents one of the major transformations of manus morphology among tetrapods. Much attention has been directed to the later part of this transition, from four‐ to three‐fingered taxa. However, earlier anatomical changes may have influenced these later modifications, possibly paving the way for a later frameshift in digit identities. We investigate the five‐ to four‐fingered transition among early dinosaurs, along with changes in carpus morphology. New three‐dimensional reconstructions from computed tomography data of the manus of the Triassic and Early Jurassic theropod dinosaurs Coelophysis bauri and Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis are described and compared intra‐ and interspecifically. Several novel findings emerge from these reconstructions and comparisons, including the first evidence of an ossified centrale and a free intermedium in some C. bauri specimens, as well as confirmation of the presence of a vestigial fifth metacarpal in this taxon. Additionally, a specimen of C. bauri and an unnamed coelophysoid from the Upper Triassic Hayden Quarry, New Mexico, are to our knowledge the only theropods (other than alvarezsaurs and birds) in which all of the distal carpals are completely fused together into a single unit. Several differences between the manus of C. bauri and M. rhodesiensis are also identified. We review the evolution of the archosauromorph manus more broadly in light of these new data, and caution against incorporating carpal characters in phylogenetic analyses of fine‐scale relationships of Archosauromorpha, in light of the high degree of observed polymorphism in taxa for which large sample sizes are available, such as the theropod Coelophysis and the sauropodomorph Plateosaurus. We also find that the reduction of the carpus and ultimate loss of the fourth and fifth digits among early dinosaurs did not proceed in a neat, stepwise fashion, but was characterized by multiple losses and possible gains of carpals, metacarpals and phalanges. Taken together, the high degree of intra‐ and interspecific variability in the number and identities of carpals, and the state of reduction of the fourth and fifth digits suggest the presence of a ‘zone of developmental variability’ in early dinosaur manus evolution, from which novel avian‐like morphologies eventually emerged and became channelized among later theropod clades.
The market(able) place of school geography scholarship, 2007–2016
Authors: Taylor Mike , Page Nick , Evans Jane , Foster Jane
Published: November 2017

This report analyses a decade of geography scholarship student entry and achievement data (n= 10,205) to reveal patterns and trends of high‐achieving school students. The study is an exploratory analysis, the aim of which is to describe where the greatest scholarship success has occurred, as well as attendant demographic characteristics of New Zealand's most capable geography students and their schools. Emerging from the regions is a localised story of students from an extremely narrow number of schools achieving disproportionate scholarship success. This raises questions in the wider geography teaching community about the possibility of a broader constituency achieving scholarship awards.
Salivary scintigraphy for Sjögren's syndrome in patients with xerostomia: A retrospective study
Authors: Nadal M , Levy M , Bakhsh A , Joly A , Maruani A , Vaillant L , Erra B , Samimi M
Published: November 2017

Objectives

The value of salivary gland scintigraphy in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome remains controversial. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of salivary gland scintigraphy in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome among 237 patients with xerostomia.

Methods

We retrospectively compared eight scintigraphy parameters between 106 Sjögren patients and 131 non‐Sjögren patients.

Results

Seven of the eight parameters were significantly decreased in patients with Sjögren; however, their diagnostic accuracy was low, with areas under the curves (AUCs) ranging from 0.58 (95% CI 0.50‐0.65) to 0.63 (95% CI: 0.55‐0.70). The prestimulatory oral activity index allowed discrimination between primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome (AUC 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62‐0.84), and the secretion velocity for parotid glands allowed discrimination between patients with Sjögren and burning mouth syndrome (AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.59‐0.82).

Conclusion

The accuracy of scintigraphy parameters for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome among patients with xerostomia was low; however, some functional indices appeared to assist discrimination between primary and secondary SS patients and between subgroups of patients with different causes of xerostomia.
Biological and molecular characterization of citrus tatter leaf virus in Taiwan
Authors: Lin C.‐Y. , Chang L. , Lin Y.‐H. , Cheng H.‐J. , Wu M.‐L. , Hung T.‐H.
Published: November 2017

Citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV) causes chlorotic leaves with bud union incompatibility in citrus scion and its current incidence in Taiwan is 65%. However, the burden of infection has long been underestimated due to its common latency, and the serious threat of tatter leaf disease should be investigated and addressed without delay. Here, the biological characteristics and genome sequences of Taiwanese isolates are evaluated. Full‐length sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of three local isolates revealed similarities with isolates from neighbouring countries, indicating their possible origins. Two mild isolates obtained from Liuchen sweet orange (LCd‐NA‐1) and kumquat (Kq‐6‐2‐46) were inoculated on indicator plants and exhibited differences in foliar symptom expression and temperature tolerance compared with foreign isolates causing severe disease. Improved quantitative PCR‐based detection methods using redesigned primer pairs indicated high sensitivity and specificity for both local and foreign isolates. Similar but delayed systemic symptoms were observed when wildtype virus in vitro transcripts generated from a full‐length infectious clone of the Ponkan mandarin isolate (pCTLV‐Pk‐8) were inoculated on Chenopodium quinoa. These symptoms were unevenly distributed and highly concentrated on the inoculated sides of leaves and top leaves. A single codon mutation (U5642C) in the coat protein transcription start site in the pCTLV‐Pk‐8 sequence resulted in defective systemic infection, indicating a role for the coat protein in viral movement. The combination of biological assays, improved detection and infectious clone construction provides comprehensive information and a foundation for citrus virus management and further research.
Re‐thinking Re‐entry: New Approaches to Supporting Students After Study Abroad
Authors: Brubaker Cate
Published: November 2017

While participation in study abroad continues to increase, and both pre‐departure and in‐country support and interventions have become more robust, the re‐entry experience after a program ends still typically takes a back seat to other priorities. Consequently, most students are left to navigate the re‐entry transition on their own. This article discusses the challenges that today's study abroad students face in re‐entry and presents new ideas and approaches for intentionally guiding returnees through re‐entry after studying in a German‐speaking country.
An Investigation of Factors Affecting the Employees' Quality of Work Life and Assessment of the Status of These Factors
Authors: Mohammadi Hamed , Tavakoli Mahsa , Yazdanian Sahar , Babaei Mohammad
Published: November 2017

The present study investigated the factors affecting the quality of work life of employees and assessed the status of these components in Mazandaran Gas Company. The population of this study included the employees of this company, and statistical sample involved 329 employees. Walton model was used to study the quality of work life components. To analyze data, test research hypotheses, and assess the status of components, the Chi-square test, Wilcoxon, Friedman, and confirmatory factor analysis were used. The results revealed that fair and appropriate compensation, providing opportunities for continued growth and safety, social  relevance of work life, and development of human capacities were at a good status, and healthy and safe environment as well as  social cohesion and integration were at an average status,  and total space of life and constitutionalism were at an adverse status.
Fostering Interdisciplinarity: Implications for Social Sciences
Authors: Serpa Sandro , Ferreira Carlos Miguel , Santos Ana Isabel
Published: November 2017

At a time when interdisciplinarity is encouraged, the aim of this article is to analyse some of its implications in contexts of teaching, research and professional practice. For this purpose, and through a literature review, the concept of interdisciplinarity is discussed. Subsequently, the paper discusses its importance and the implications of its promotion, focusing on the following aspects: scientific disciplinary identity, institutional consequences, and professional consequences. It is concluded that interdisciplinary collaboration, while being, in general, difficult to achieve, can, provided that it is controlled, be both a source of recognition and scientific and/or professional opportunities for social sciences. However, there are also potential risks not to be overlooked, being important to be aware of them.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus drives day–night variations in postprandial triglyceride uptake into skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue
Authors: Moran‐Ramos Sofía , Guerrero‐Vargas Natali N. , Mendez‐Hernandez Rebeca , Basualdo Maria del Carmen , Escobar Carolina , Buijs Ruud M.
Published: November 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the factors influencing day–night variations in postprandial triglycerides?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Rats show low postprandial plasma triglyceride concentrations early in the active period that are attributable to a higher uptake by skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. We show that these day–night variations in uptake are driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, probably via a Rev‐erbα‐mediated mechanism and independent of locomotor activity. These findings highlight that the suprachiasmatic nucleus has a major role in day–night variations in plasma triglycerides and that disturbances in our biological clock might be an important risk factor contributing to development of postprandial hyperlipidaemia.

Energy metabolism follows a diurnal pattern, mainly driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and disruption of circadian regulation has been linked to metabolic abnormalities. Indeed, epidemiological evidence shows that night work is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and postprandial hyperlipidaemia is an important contributor. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the factors that drive day–night variations in postprandial triglycerides (TGs). Intact and SCN‐lesioned male Wistar rats were subjected to an oral fat challenge during the beginning of the rest phase (day) or the beginning of the active phase (night). The plasma TG profile was evaluated and tissue TG uptake assayed. After the fat challenge, intact rats showed lower postprandial plasma TG concentrations early in the night when compared with the day. However, no differences were observed in the rate of intestinal TG secretion between day and night. Instead, there was a higher uptake of TG by skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue early in the active phase (night) when compared with the rest phase (day), and these variations were abolished in rats bearing bilateral SCN lesions. Rev‐erbα gene expression suggests this as a possible mediator of the mechanism linking the SCN and day–night variations in TG uptake. These findings show that the SCN has a major role in day–night variations in plasma TGs by promoting TG uptake into skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. Consequently, disturbance of the biological clock might be an important risk factor contributing to the development of hyperlipidaemia.
Translating carotid body function into clinical medicine
Authors: Iturriaga Rodrigo
Published: November 2017

The carotid body (CB) is considered the main O2 chemoreceptor, which contributes to cardiorespiratory homeostasis and ventilatory acclimatization. In clinical medicine, the most common pathologies associated with the CB are tumours. However, a growing body of evidence supports the novel idea that an enhanced CB chemosensory discharge contributes to the autonomic dysfunction and pathological consequences in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), hypertension, systolic heart failure (HF) and cardiometabolic diseases. Heightened CB chemosensory reactivity elicited by oxidative stress has been involved in sympathetic hyperactivity, cardiorespiratory instability, hypertension and insulin resistance. CB ablation, which reduces sympathetic hyperactivity, decreases hypertension in animal models of OSA and hypertension, eliminates breathing instability and improves animal survival in HF, and restores insulin tolerance in cardiometabolic models. Thus, data obtained from preclinical studies highlight the importance of the CB in the progression of sympathetic‐related diseases, supporting the idea that appeasing the enhanced CB chemosensory drive may be useful in improving cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine alterations. Accordingly, CB ablation has been proposed and used as a treatment for moderating resistant hypertension and HF‐induced sympathetic hyperactivity in humans. First‐in‐human studies have shown that CB ablation reduces sympathetic overactivity, transiently reduces severe hypertension and improves quality of life in HF patients. Thus, CB ablation would be a useful therapy to reverse sympathetic overactivation in HF and severe hypertension, but caution is required before it is widely used due to the crucial physiological function played by the CB. Further studies in preclinical models are required to assess side‐effects of CB ablation.

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A Probabilistic Design Method for Fatigue Life of Metallic Component
Authors: Faghihi Danial , Sarkar Subhasis , Naderi Mehdi , Rankin Jon E. , Hackel Lloyd , Iyyer Nagaraja
Published: November 2017

In the present study, a general probabilistic design framework is developed for cyclic fatigue life prediction of metallic hardware using methods that address uncertainty in experimental data and computational model. The methodology involves: (i) fatigue test data conducted on coupons of Ti6Al4V material, (ii) continuum damage mechanics (CDM) based material constitutive models to simulate cyclic fatigue behavior of material, (iii) variance-based global sensitivity analysis, (iv) Bayesian framework for model calibration and uncertainty quantification, and (v) computational life prediction and probabilistic design decision making under uncertainty. The outcomes of computational analyses using the experimental data prove the feasibility of the probabilistic design methods for model calibration in the presence of incomplete and noisy data. Moreover, using probabilistic design methods results in assessment of reliability of fatigue life predicted by computational models.
Validation of the ASVDADD Constraint Selection Algorithm for Effective RCCE Modeling of Natural Gas Ignition in Air
Authors: Rivadossi Luca , Beretta Gian Paolo
Published: November 2017

The rate-controlled constrained-equilibrium (RCCE) model reduction scheme for chemical kinetics provides acceptable accuracies in predicting hydrocarbon ignition delays by solving a smaller number of differential equations than the number of species in the underlying detailed kinetic model (DKM). To yield good approximations, the method requires accurate identification of the rate controlling constraints. Until recently, a drawback of the RCCE scheme has been the absence of a systematic procedure capable of identifying optimal constraints for a given range of thermodynamic conditions and a required level of approximation. A recent methodology has proposed for such identification an algorithm based on a simple algebraic analysis of the results of a preliminary simulation of the underlying DKM, focused on the degrees of disequilibrium (DoD) of the individual chemical reactions. It is based on computing an approximate singular value decomposition of the actual degrees of disequilibrium (ASVDADD) obtained from the DKM simulation. The effectiveness and robustness of the method have been demonstrated for methane/oxygen ignition by considering a C1/H/O (29 species/133 reactions) submechanism of the GRI-Mech 3.0 scheme and comparing the results of a DKM simulation with those of RCCE simulations based on increasing numbers of ASVDADD constraints. Here, we demonstrate the new method for shock-tube ignition of a natural gas/air mixture, with higher hydrocarbons approximately represented by propane according to the full (53 species/325 reactions) GRI-Mech 3.0 scheme including NOx formation.
High-Thrust Aerostatic Bearing Design Through Transient Perturbation Modeling With Numerical Validation
Authors: Mondal Nripen , Saha Binod Kumar , Saha Rana , Sanyal Dipankar
Published: November 2017

A simple perturbation flow model is formulated and validated by a rigorous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study for designing a counterbalanced vertical-axis aerostatic thrust bearing. The flow model of the orifice at the entry of the stator manifold involves natural transition between the choked and free flows. While the air distribution network of holes in the stator and one air gap at the inner radius of the stator constitute the fixed part, the variable part is comprised of two air gaps at the top and bottom of the stator interconnected by the inner air gaps. The top and the inner gaps receive air by a circular array of holes. While the basic flow of the perturbation model is taken as steady corresponding to fixed air gaps, the transient effect is captured by a squeezing flow due to the variations of the top and bottom gaps. The overall flow including that in the network is assumed as compressible and isothermal. This model has been validated through a transient axisymmetric CFD study using dynamic meshing and the coupled lifting dynamics of the payload. The validated model has been used to find the appropriate counterbalancing, the orifice diameter, the air gap sizes, and the location of the air holes feeding the top gap. This clearly shows the worth of the model for carrying out an extensive design analysis that would have been very costly and even unachievable for small gaps that would occur during system transients.
Performance Analysis and Detailed Experimental Results of the First Liquid Air Energy Storage Plant in the World
Authors: Sciacovelli A. , Smith D. , Navarro M. E. , Vecchi A. , Peng X. , Li Y. , Radcliffe J. , Ding Y.
Published: November 2017

Liquid air energy storage (LAES) is a technology for bulk electricity storage in the form of liquid air with power output potentially above 10 MW and storage capacity of 100 s MWh. In this paper, we address the performance of LAES and the experimental evidences gathered through the first LAES pilot plant in the world developed by Highview power storage at Slough (London) and currently installed at the University of Birmingham (UK). We developed a numerical model of LAES plant and carried out an experimental campaign to gather new results which show the LAES operating principles, the reliability of the technology, the startup/shut down performance, and the influence of operational parameters. In summary, this work (a) contributes to the advancement of thermomechanical storage systems, (b) provides new experimental evidences and results for LAES technology, and (c) highlights the crucial aspects to necessarily improve the performance of LAES.
Experimental Investigation on Wellbore Strengthening Based on a Hydraulic Fracturing Apparatus
Authors: Cao Cheng , Pu Xiaolin , Zhao Zhengguo , Wang Gui , Du Hui
Published: November 2017

Lost circulation is a serious problem which always exists in the petroleum industry. Wellbore strengthening by lost circulation materials (LCMs) is a commonly applied method for mitigating lost circulation. This paper presents a hydraulic fracturing apparatus to investigate the effect of material type, concentration, and particle size distribution (PSD) of LCMs on wellbore strengthening behavior. In addition, the characteristics of pressure curves in the fracturing process are analyzed in detail. The results showed that the fracture pressure of the artificial core can be increased by LCMs, and there exists an optimum concentration of LCMs for the maximum wellbore strengthening effect. The LCMs with wide PSD can significantly increase the fracture pressure. However, some LCMs cannot increase or even decrease the fracture pressure; this is resulting from the LCMs with relatively single PSD that makes the quality of mud cake worse. The representative pressure curve in the fracturing process by drilling fluids with LCMs was divided into five parts: the initial cake formation stage, elastic plastic deformation stage, crack stability development stage, crack instability development stage, and unstable plugging stage. The actual fracturing curves were divided into four typical types due to missing of some stages compared with the representative pressure curve. In order to strengthen the wellbore in effective, good LCMs should be chosen to improve the maximum pressure in the elastic plastic deformation stage, extend the stable time of pressure bearing in the crack stability development stage, and control the crack instability development stage.
A Study on the Effects of Date Pit-Based Additive on the Performance of Water-Based Drilling Fluid
Authors: Adewole Jimoh K. , Najimu Musa O.
Published: November 2017

This study investigates the effect of using date seed-based additive on the performance of water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs). Specifically, the effects of date pit (DP) fat content, particle size, and DP loading on the drilling fluids density, rheological properties, filtration properties, and thermal stability were investigated. The results showed that dispersion of particles less than 75 μm DP into the WBDFs enhanced the rheological as well as fluid loss control properties. Optimum fluid loss and filter cake thickness can be achieved by addition of 15–20 wt % DP loading to drilling fluid formulation.
Experimental Study on Autothermal Cyclone Air Gasification of Biomass
Authors: Zhao Yijun , Feng Dongdong , Zhang Zhibo , Sun Shaozeng , Che Hongwei , Luan Jiyi
Published: November 2017

Cyclone gasification technology is commonly used for biomass fuels with small particle sizes, such as rice husks and wood chips. This paper explored the effects of gasification intensity and equivalence ratio on the performance characteristics of an autothermal cyclone gasifier. Increasing the gasification intensity caused the syngas' heating value, the cold gasification efficiency and the carbon conversion rate to increase to a maximum for an intensity of 885.24 kg/(m2 h) before then decreasing as the gasification intensity was further increased. Increasing the equivalence ratio from 0.23 to 0.32 increased the overall temperature of gasifier, decreased the tar content (from 6.84 to 4.96 g/N·m3), and increased the carbon conversion rate (from 47.2% to 62.3%). Increasing the equivalence ratio to 0.26 also increased the syngas' heating value to its maximum of 4.25 MJ/N·m3, which then decreased with further increases in equivalence ratio. A similar trend was observed for the gasification efficiency, which ranged from 30% to 37%. From these tests, a gasification intensity of 885.24 kg/(m2 h) and an equivalence ratio of 0.26 appeared optimal for the autothermal cyclone air gasification of biomass process studied here.
A New Empirical Model for Bulk Foam Rheology
Authors: Soleymanzadeh Aboozar , Gahrooei Hamid Reza Erfani , Joekar-Niasar Vahid
Published: November 2017

Foam fluids are widely used in petroleum industry such as foam-enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, underbalanced drilling, and as proppant carrying fluid in hydraulic fracturing. The most important issue to be considered in foam behavior is foam rheology and specifically, apparent viscosity. Various models have been used in order to predict foam apparent viscosity; most of these equations are originally developed for suspension systems, containing rigid spherical particles, and therefore, they are unable to predict foam apparent viscosity with acceptable accuracy. In addition, the lack of a comprehensive model with usage in all foam qualities is still tangible in the literature. In this research, a new general empirical model with application in all foam qualities is proposed and validated against experimental data available in the literature. Despite the simplicity, results have near-unity correlation of determination (R2), which shows good agreement of the proposed model with experimental data. Additionally, a new definition for foam quality is presented, to be more representative of the foam texture.
Dynamic Modeling of Directional Drillstring: A Linearized Model Considering Well Profile
Authors: Feng Tianheng , Kim Inho , Chen Dongmei
Published: November 2017

Drillstring vibration can cause fatigue failure of the drill pipe, premature wear of the bit, and a decreased drilling efficiency; therefore, it is important to accurately model the drillstring and bottomhole assembly (BHA) dynamics for vibration suppression. The dynamic analysis of directional drilling is more important, considering its wide application and the advantage of increasing drilling and production efficiencies; however, the problem is complex because the large bending can bring nonlinearities to drillstring vibration and the interaction with the wellbore can occur along the entire drillstring. To help manage this problem, this paper discusses a dynamic finite element method (FEM) model to characterize directional drilling dynamics by linearizing the problem along the well's central axis. Additionally, the rig force and drillstring/wellbore interaction are modeled as a boundary condition to simulate realistic drilling scenarios. The proposed modeling framework is verified using comparisons with analytical solutions and literatures. The utility of the proposed model is demonstrated by analyzing the dynamics of a typical directional drillstring.
Serving cancer its last meal
Authors: Venere Monica
Published: November 2017

Abolishment of just one of the pathways activated by mTORC1 creates a metabolic imbalance that drives cancer cell death.
Total Laboratory Automation and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Improve Turnaround Times in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory: a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Theparee Talent , Das Sanchita , Thomson Richard B.
Published: November 2017

Technological advances have changed the practice of clinical microbiology. We implemented Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and BD Kiestra total laboratory automation (TLA) 4 and 3 years ago, respectively. To assess the impact of these new technologies, we compared turnaround times (TATs) for positive and negative urine cultures before and after implementation. In comparison I, TATs for 61,157 urine cultures were extracted for two periods corresponding to pre-TLA and post-TLA, both using MALDI-TOF MS for organism identification. In comparison II, time to organism identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST) reports were calculated for 5,402 positive culture reports representing four different periods: (i) manual plating and conventional biochemical identification (CONV), (ii) manual plating and MALDI-TOF MS identification (MALDI), (iii) MALDI-TOF MS identification and early phase implementation of TLA (TLA1), and (iv) MALDI-TOF MS identification and late phase implementation of TLA (TLA2). By the comparison I results, median pre- and post-TLA TATs to organism IDs (18.5 to 16.9 h), AST results (41.8 to 40.8 h), and preliminary results for negative cultures (17.7 to 13.6 h), including interquartile ranges for all comparisons, were significantly decreased post-TLA (
P
< 0.001). By the comparison II results, MALDI significantly improved TAT to organism ID compared to CONV (21.3 to 18 h). TLA further improved overall TAT to ID (18 to 16.5 h) and AST (42.3 to 40.7 h) results compared to MALDI (
P
< 0.001). In summary, TLA significantly improved TAT to organism ID, AST report, and preliminary negative results. MALDI-TOF MS significantly improved TAT for organism ID. Use of MALDI-TOF MS and TLA individually and together results in significant decreases in microbiology report TATs.
Imaging of Cellular Oxidoreductase Activity Suggests Mixotrophic Metabolisms in
Thiomargarita
spp
Authors: Bailey Jake V. , Flood Beverly E. , Ricci Elizabeth , Delherbe Nathalie
Published: November 2017

The largest known bacteria,
Thiomargarita
spp., have yet to be isolated in pure culture, but their large size allows for individual cells to be monitored in time course experiments or to be individually sorted for omics-based investigations. Here we investigated the metabolism of individual cells of
Thiomargarita
spp. by using a novel application of a tetrazolium-based dye that measures oxidoreductase activity. When coupled with microscopy, staining of the cells with a tetrazolium-formazan dye allows metabolic responses in
Thiomargarita
spp. to be to be tracked in the absence of observable cell division. Additionally, the metabolic activity of
Thiomargarita
sp. cells can be differentiated from the metabolism of other microbes in specimens that contain adherent bacteria. The results of our redox dye-based assay suggest that
Thiomargarita
is the most metabolically versatile under anoxic conditions, where it appears to express cellular oxidoreductase activity in response to the electron donors succinate, acetate, citrate, formate, thiosulfate, H
2
, and H
2
S. Under hypoxic conditions, formazan staining results suggest the metabolism of succinate and likely acetate, citrate, and H
2
S. Cells incubated under oxic conditions showed the weakest formazan staining response, and then only to H
2
S, citrate, and perhaps succinate. These results provide experimental validation of recent genomic studies of
Candidatus
Thiomargarita nelsonii that suggest metabolic plasticity and mixotrophic metabolism. The cellular oxidoreductase response of bacteria attached to the exterior of
Thiomargarita
also supports the possibility of trophic interactions between these largest of known bacteria and attached epibionts.

IMPORTANCE
The metabolic potential of many microorganisms that cannot be grown in the laboratory is known only from genomic data. Genomes of
Thiomargarita
spp. suggest that these largest of known bacteria are mixotrophs, combining lithotrophic metabolism with organic carbon degradation. Our use of a redox-sensitive tetrazolium dye to query the metabolism of these bacteria provides an independent line of evidence that corroborates the apparent metabolic plasticity of
Thiomargarita
observed in recently produced genomes. Finding new cultivation-independent means of testing genomic results is critical to testing genome-derived hypotheses on the metabolic potentials of uncultivated microorganisms.
Mechanisms of Surface Antigenic Variation in the Human Pathogenic Fungus
Pneumocystis jirovecii
Authors: Schmid-Siegert Emanuel , Richard Sophie , Luraschi Amanda , Mühlethaler Konrad , Pagni Marco , Hauser Philippe M.
Published: November 2017

Microbial pathogens commonly escape the human immune system by varying surface proteins. We investigated the mechanisms used for that purpose by
Pneumocystis jirovecii
. This uncultivable fungus is an obligate pulmonary pathogen that in immunocompromised individuals causes pneumonia, a major life-threatening infection. Long-read PacBio sequencing was used to assemble a core of subtelomeres of a single
P. jirovecii
strain from a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid specimen from a single patient. A total of 113 genes encoding surface proteins were identified, including 28 pseudogenes. These genes formed a subtelomeric gene superfamily, which included five families encoding adhesive glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoproteins and one family encoding excreted glycoproteins. Numerical analyses suggested that diversification of the glycoproteins relies on mosaic genes created by ectopic recombination and occurs only within each family. DNA motifs suggested that all genes are expressed independently, except those of the family encoding the most abundant surface glycoproteins, which are subject to mutually exclusive expression. PCR analyses showed that exchange of the expressed gene of the latter family occurs frequently, possibly favored by the location of the genes proximal to the telomere because this allows concomitant telomere exchange. Our observations suggest that (i) the
P. jirovecii
cell surface is made of a complex mixture of different surface proteins, with a majority of a single isoform of the most abundant glycoprotein, (ii) genetic mosaicism within each family ensures variation of the glycoproteins, and (iii) the strategy of the fungus consists of the continuous production of new subpopulations composed of cells that are antigenically different.

IMPORTANCE
Pneumocystis jirovecii
is a fungus causing severe pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals. It is the second most frequent life-threatening invasive fungal infection. We have studied the mechanisms of antigenic variation used by this pathogen to escape the human immune system, a strategy commonly used by pathogenic microorganisms. Using a new DNA sequencing technology generating long reads, we could characterize the highly repetitive gene families encoding the proteins that are present on the cellular surface of this pest. These gene families are localized in the regions close to the ends of all chromosomes, the subtelomeres. Such chromosomal localization was found to favor genetic recombinations between members of each gene family and to allow diversification of these proteins continuously over time. This pathogen seems to use a strategy of antigenic variation consisting of the continuous production of new subpopulations composed of cells that are antigenically different. Such a strategy is unique among human pathogens.