bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD11c+ macrophages and levels of TNF-α and MMP-3 are increased in synovial and adipose tissues of osteoarthritic mice with hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Uchida K , Satoh M , Inoue G , Onuma K , Miyagi M , Iwabuchi K , Takaso M
Published: February 2015

To understand more clearly the link between osteoarthritis and hyperlipidaemia, we investigated the inflammatory macrophage subsets and macrophage-regulated matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3) and A disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS4) in synovial (ST) and adipose tissues (AT) of osteoarthritic mice with hyperlipidaemia (STR/Ort). CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ macrophage populations in the ST and AT of 9-month-old STR/Ort and C57BL/6J mice were characterized and compared by flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. Expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, MMP-3 and ADAMTS4, and the response of these factors to anionic liposomal clodronate induced-macrophage depletion were also evaluated by real-time PCR. Expression of TNF-α in CD11c+ cells, which were isolated by magnetic beads, was compared to CD11c– cells. In addition, the effect of TNF-α on cultured synovial fibroblasts and adipocytes was investigated. CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages were increased in ST and AT of STR/Ort mice. The CD11c+ cell fraction highly expressed TNF-α. Expression of TNF-α and MMP3 was increased in ST and AT, and was decreased upon macrophage depletion. TNF-α treatment of cultured synovial fibroblasts and adipocytes markedly up-regulated MMP-3. CD11c+F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages were identified as a common inflammatory subset in the AT and ST of STR/Ort mice with hyperlipidaemia. The induction of inflammation in AT and ST may be part of a common mechanism that regulates MMP3 expression through TNF-α. Our findings suggest that increased numbers of CD11c+ macrophages and elevated levels of TNF-α and MMP-3 in AT and ST may explain the relationship between hyperlipidaemia and OA.
The association between serum dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEA‐S) level and bone mineral density in Korean men
Authors: Lee Dain , Kim Hyeonmok , Ahn Seong Hee , Lee Seung Hun , Bae Sung Jin , Kim Eun Hee , Kim Hong‐Kyu , Choe Jae Won , Kim Beom‐Jun , Koh Jung‐Min
Published: February 2015

Context

Many lines of evidence indicate that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) plays a distinct role in bone metabolism and that its sulphated form (DHEA‐S), which is easily measured in blood, may be a potential biomarker of osteoporosis‐related phenotypes. However, most previous epidemiologic studies focused on postmenopausal women and reported conflicting results.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the association between the serum DHEA‐S level and bone mass in men.

Design and Methods

This large cross‐sectional study included 1089 healthy Korean men who participated in a routine health screening examination. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, total femur, femur neck, and trochanter and serum DHEA‐S level were obtained in all subjects.

Results

After adjustment for age, body mass index, lifestyle factors and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, testosterone, 25‐OH‐vitamin D3 and cortisol, higher serum DHEA‐S concentrations were associated with higher BMD values at all skeletal sites. Consistently, compared to the subjects in the highest DHEA‐S quartile (Q4), those in the lowest DHEA‐S quartile (Q1) showed significantly lower BMD values. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds ratios for the risk of lower BMD (T‐score <−1) increased in a dose‐dependent manner across decreasing DHEA‐S quartiles and the odds for the risk of lower BMD were 2·59‐fold higher in Q1 than in Q4.

Conclusion

These findings support previous evidences that DHEA‐S has favourable effects on bone mass in men and suggest that a low serum DHEA‐S level may be a potential risk factor for male osteoporosis.
What assessments evaluate use of hands in infants? A literature review
Authors: Krumlinde‐Sundholm Lena , Ek Linda , Eliasson Ann‐Christin
Published: February 2015

Aim

To identify assessments, applicable to infants aged 3 months to 12 months, measuring hand function, and to discuss their usefulness in assessing infants at risk of developing unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Instruments described in two previous systematic reviews were scrutinized for inclusion of fine motor components. Additionally, a new literature search was performed in Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, and Cinahl (2007–2013) to identify newly developed assessments of infant motor functioning.

Results

Five assessments from the two previous systematic reviews included fine motor components but only three provided separate measures of fine motor performance: the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales – version 2 (PDMS‐2), the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development – version III, and the Posture and Fine Motor Assessment of Infants, each of which provided measures of the preferred hand only. From 531 papers retrieved, 10 new assessments were found, three of which met our inclusion criteria: the Infant Motor Profile (IMP), the Grasping and Reaching Assessment of Brisbane (GRAB), and the Hand Assessment for Infants (HAI). Only the GRAB and the HAI provide measures relevant for assessing infants at risk of developing unilateral cerebral palsy; however, both measures are still under construction.

Interpretation

No currently available assessment for infants aged 3 to 12 months old measures aspects of hand function suitable for quantifying asymmetry between hands or quality of bimanual performance.
Inhibition of misleading heuristics as a core mechanism for typical cognitive development: evidence from behavioural and brain‐imaging studies
Authors: Borst Grégoire , Aïte Ania , Houdé Olivier
Published: February 2015

Cognitive development is generally conceived as incremental with knowledge of increasing complexity acquired throughout childhood and adolescence. However, several studies have now demonstrated not only that infants possess complex cognitive abilities but also that older children, adolescents, and adults tend to make systematic errors even in simple logical reasoning tasks. Therefore, one of the main issues for any theory of typical cognitive development is to provide an explanation of why at some age and in some contexts children, adolescents, and adults do not express a knowledge or cognitive principle that they already acquired when they were younger. In this review, we present convergent behavioural and neurocognitive evidence that cognitive development is more similar to a non‐linear dynamic system than to a linear, stage‐like system. In this theoretical framework, errors can emerge in problems similar to the ones infants or young children were succeeding when older children, adolescents, and adults rely on a misleading heuristic rather than on the correct logical algorithm to solve such problems. And the core mechanism for overcoming these errors is inhibitory control (i.e. the ability to inhibit the misleading heuristics). Therefore, typical cognitive development relies not only on the ability to acquire knowledge of incremental complexity but also to inhibit previously acquired knowledge.
Phenotypic plasticity and the perception–action–cognition–environment paradigm in neurodevelopmental genetic disorders
Authors: Dan Bernard , Pelc Karine , de Meirleir Linda , Cheron Guy
Published: February 2015

Careful study of the phenotype can have implications at several levels, namely clinical diagnosis, pathophysiological reasoning, management planning, and outcome measurement. Behavioural phenotypes involve cognition, communication, social skills, and motor control. They can be documented in a host of neurodevelopmental conditions and approached with the recently refined perception–action–cognition–environment (PACE) paradigm, which focuses on the neurodevelopmental processes that underlie learning and adaption to the environment through perception, action, and cognitive processing. Although this paradigm was originally developed in the context of cerebral palsy, it can be applied along developmental trajectories in several neurogenetic conditions, including Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and Williams syndrome, to name but a few. It must be recognized, however, that relevant, valid tools for assessment and management strategies still need to be developed.
Automated emotion recognition employing a novel modified binary quantum‐behaved gravitational search algorithm with differential mutation
Authors: Chakraborti Tapabrata , Chatterjee Amitava , Halder Anisha , Konar Amit
Published: February 2015

The present paper proposes a supervised learning based automated human facial emotion recognition strategy with a feature selection scheme employing a novel variation of the gravitational search algorithm (GSA). The initial feature set is generated from the facial images by using the 2‐D discrete cosine transform (DCT) and then the proposed modified binary quantum GSA with differential mutation (MBQGSA‐DM) is utilized to select a sub‐set of features with high discriminative power. This is achieved by minimising the cost function formulated as the ratio of the within class and interclass distances. The overall system performs its final classification task based on selected feature inputs, utilising a back propagation based artificial neural network (ANN). Extensive experimental evaluations are carried out utilising a standard, benchmark emotion database, that is, Japanese Female Facial Expresssion (JAFFE) database and the results clearly indicate that the proposed method outperforms several existing techniques, already known in literature for solving similar problems. Further validation has also been carried out on a facial expression database developed at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India and the results obtained further strengthen the notion of superiority of the proposed method.
Changes in Stepparents' Coparenting and Parenting Following Participation in a Community‐Based Relationship Education Program
Authors: Garneau Chelsea L. , Adler‐Baeder Francesca
Published: February 2015

Studies of coparents typically center on the relationship between parents who share a biological child; limited attention in research on community‐based programs is given to the coparenting relationship within a stepfamily, even though clinicians note the challenges inherent in this relationship. We examined changes in coparenting agreement, parenting efficacy, and parental involvement for 96 stepparents following participation in a coparenting‐focused community education program. A significant main effect of time was found for improvement in coparenting agreement, yet a significant time × gender interaction effect suggests that this is driven by improvements for stepmothers only. Parenting efficacy improved, regardless of gender, race, residence, or curriculum. A significant time × race interaction effect on change in parental involvement indicates increases in parental involvement for European American participants only. Finally, increases in coparenting agreement were associated with increases in parenting efficacy, and increases in parenting efficacy were associated with increases in parental involvement.
Benefit of cystatin C in evaluation of renal function and prediction of survival in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Adachi Meguru , Tanaka Atsushi , Aiso Mitsuhiko , Takamori Yoriyuki , Takikawa Hajime
Published: February 2015

Aim

The assessment of renal function is of vital importance in management of patients with cirrhosis. While serum creatinine (Cr) is routinely used for this purpose, Cr‐based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) does not reflect true renal function because of muscle wasting and impaired liver function. By contrast, cystatin C (CysC) is unrelated to muscle volume and liver function. In this study, we examined whether CysC‐based GFR estimation is beneficial in assessment of renal function in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

First, we assessed the performance of GFR‐predicting equations based on serum Cr or CysC in 14 patients with cirrhosis, by comparison with inulin clearance as a gold standard of GFR (measured GFR [mGFR]). Next, in 49 patients with cirrhosis, we examined serum Cr and CysC at baseline, and examined which GFR‐predicting equations were more suitable for predicting the outcome.

Results

In the first experiment, mGFR was 54.3 ± 23.0 mL/min, and CysC‐based GFR‐estimating equations had better performances compared with Cr‐based equations in terms of bias, precision and accuracy. Cr‐based estimated GFR (eGFRcreat) was significantly different from mGFR (P < 0.05). In the follow‐up study of 49 patients (observational period, 30.7 ± 32.0 months), multivariate analysis demonstrated that CysC‐based estimated GFR (eGFRcys), along with albumin, Child–Pugh grade and presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, was independently associated with overall survival (odds ratio, 4.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–12.2, P = 0.009).

Conclusion

These results suggest that eGFRcys could estimate renal function and predict outcome more accurately compared with Cr‐based eGFR in cirrhotic patients.
A comparative study to evaluate the effect of limited access dressing (LAD) on burn wound healing
Authors: Honnegowda Thittamaranahalli M , Kumar Pramod , Padmanabha Udupa Echalasara G , Sharan Anurag , Singh Rekha , Prasad Hemanth K , Rao Pragna
Published: February 2015

Biochemical and histopathological analyses are commonly used objective parameters in research and clinical fields to assess the healing status of burn wounds. In this study, the effect of newer intermittent negative‐pressure wound therapy in combination with moist environment [limited access dressing (LAD)] on burn wound healing is studied. Various biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline, hexosamine and total protein, and antioxidants like reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and oxidative biomarker malondialdhyde (MDA) were measured in the granulation tissue. Histopathologically, necrotic tissue, amount of inflammatory infiltrate, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix deposition (ECM) were studied to determine wound healing. A total of 55 patients were divided into two groups as follows: LAD group (n = 28) and conventional dressing group (n = 27). Patients treated with LAD have shown significant increase in the mean levels of (±SD) hydroxyproline (75·2 ± 26·30 versus 27·8 ± 15·5; P = 0·010), hexosamine (9·0 ± 1·99 versus 8·0 ± 1·18; P = 0·038), total protein (15·6 ± 8·23 versus 10·26 ± 4·94; P = 0·003), GSH (7·40 ± 1·91 versus 5·1 ± 1·28; P = 0·037), GPx (112·6 ± 46·4 versus 92 ± 32·4; P = 0·016), and decrease in MDA (6·5 ± 2·24 versus 1 0·6 ± 3·8; P = 0·002). Histopathologically, between LAD and conventional dressing groups, there was a significant difference after 10 days of treatment (mean±SE) in necrotic tissue of (LAD versus conventional dressing groups = 10 ± 1·8 versus 11·9 ± 2·6; P = 0·033), inflammatory cells (8·4 ± 1·9 versus 13 ± 3·46; P = 0·021), new blood vessels (12·5 ± 2·87 versus 9·4 ± 1·7; P = 0·047), ECM deposit (12·9 ± 2·41 versus 9·68 ± 1·3; P = 0·018) and showed comparatively fewer inflammatory cells, increased and well‐organised extracellular matrix deposit, more angiogenesis in LAD group as compared with that in conventional dressing group. To conclude, LAD exerts its beneficial effects on wound healing by reducing oxidative stress, decreasing necrotic tissue and amount of inflammatory infiltrate, and increasing ECM deposition and angiogenesis.
Interpolating SRTM Elevation Data to Higher Resolution to Improve Hydrologic Analysis
Authors: Her Younggu , Heatwole Conrad D. , Kang Moon S.
Published: February 2015

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) has been a valuable resource for hydrological analysis, providing elevation data at a consistent resolution on a near‐global scale. However, its resolution (three arc‐second or 90 m) is sometimes too low to obtain the desired level of accuracy and precision for hydrologic analysis. We evaluated the performance of several methods for interpolating SRTM three arc‐second data to a 30‐m resolution grid to better represent topography and derive terrain characteristics of the landscape. STRM data were interpolated to 30‐m DEMs on a common grid using spline, inverse distance weighting (IDW), kriging (KR), natural neighbor methods, and cubic convolution (CC) resampling. Accuracy of the methods was assessed by comparing interpolated and resampled 30‐m grids with the reference data. Slope, aspect, sinks, and stream networks were derived for the 30‐m grids and compared on a cell‐by‐cell basis to evaluate their performance in reproducing the derivatives. The comparisons identify spline and KR as the most accurate interpolation methods, of which spline is preferred because of its relative simplicity. IDW provided the greatest bias in all methods with artifacts evident in slope and aspect maps. The performance of CC projection directly to a 30‐m resolution was comparable to spline interpolation, thus is recommended as the most convenient method for interpolating SRTM to a higher resolution.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring to Assess the White‐Coat Effect in an Elderly East African Population
Authors: Ivy Ashleigh , Tam Jonathan , Dewhurst Matthew J. , Gray William K. , Chaote Paul , Rogathi Jane , Dewhurst Felicity , Walker Richard W.
Published: February 2015

The authors hypothesized that published hypertension rates in Tanzania were influenced by the physiological response of individuals to blood pressure (BP) testing, known as the white‐coat effect (WCE). To test this, a representative sample of 79 participants from a baseline cohort of 2322 people aged 70 years and older were followed to assess BP using conventional BP measurement (CBPM) and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). There was a significant difference between daytime ABPM and CBPM for both systolic BP (mean difference 29.7 mm Hg) and diastolic BP (mean difference 7.4 mm Hg). Rates of hypertension were significantly lower when measured by 24‐hour ABPM (55.7%) than by CBPM (78.4%). The WCE was observed in 54 participants (68.4%). The WCE was responsible for an increase in recorded BP. Accurate identification of individuals in need of antihypertensive medication is important if resources are to be used efficiently, especially in resource‐poor settings.
The Death Penalty: Should the Judge or the Jury Decide Who Dies?
Authors: Hans Valerie P. , Blume John H. , Eisenberg Theodore , Hritz Amelia Courtney , Johnson Sheri Lynn , Royer Caisa Elizabeth , Wells Martin T.
Published: February 2015

This article addresses the effect of judge versus jury decision making through analysis of a database of all capital sentencing phase hearing trials in the State of Delaware from 1977–2007. Over the three decades of the study, Delaware shifted responsibility for death penalty sentencing from the jury to the judge. Currently, Delaware is one of the handful of states that gives the judge the final decision‐making authority in capital trials. Controlling for a number of legally relevant and other predictor variables, we find that the shift to judge sentencing significantly increased the number of death sentences. Statutory aggravating factors, stranger homicides, and the victim's gender also increased the likelihood of a death sentence, as did the county of the homicide. We reflect on the implications of these results for debates about the constitutionality of judge sentencing in capital cases.
Plaintiphobia in State Courts Redux? An Empirical Study of State Court Trials on Appeal
Authors: Eisenberg Theodore , Heise Michael
Published: February 2015

Prior federal and state civil appeals studies show that appeals courts overturn jury verdicts more than bench decisions and that defendants fare better than plaintiffs on appeal. Attitudinal and selection effect hypotheses may help explain an appellate court tilt that favors defendants. This study builds on and extends our prior work on state civil appeals and examines a comprehensive state court civil appeals data set to test leading theories on appellate outcomes as well as to explore the relation between plaintiff success at trial and on appeal. Using data from 40 different states and 141 counties on 8,872 completed civil trials and 646 concluded appeals, we find that appellate reversal rates for jury trials and defendant appeals exceed reversal rates for bench trials and plaintiff appeals. The reversal rate for plaintiff appeals is 21 percent, compared with 40.9 percent for defendant appeals. The reversal rate for jury trials is 33.1 percent, compared with 25 percent for bench trials. Both the attitudinal and selection effect hypotheses find some level of support in our descriptive analyses and results from more formal models. Finally, we find little correlation between how plaintiffs fare at trial and how they fare on appeal.
Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia: MR Evaluation of Vestibulocochlear Neuropathy
Authors: Singh Dalveer , Hsu Charlie Chia‐Tsong , Kwan Gigi Nga Chi , Korah Ipeson
Published: February 2015

Pontine tegmental cap dysplasia (PTCD) is recently recognized as a rare congenital brain stem malformation with typical neuroimaging hallmarks of ventral pontine hypoplasia and vaulted pontine tegmentum projecting into the fourth ventricle. PTCD patients also demonstrate variable cranial neuropathy with predilection for involvement of the vestibulocochlear and facial nerves. We present a case of PTCD diagnosed on MRI in the neonatal period. During early infancy, the patient displayed features of multiple cranial neuropathies and bilateral hearing loss. At the age of 2, the patient underwent further MRI assessment with dedicated high resolution T2 SPACE sequence to delineate the cranial nerve deficiencies.
The relationships of work–family conflict and core self‐evaluations with informal learning in a managerial context
Authors: Tews Michael J. , Noe Raymond A. , Scheurer Andrew J. , Michel John W.
Published: February 2015

Existing research on informal learning has been largely descriptive, anecdotal, and relatively limited regarding its antecedents. This study represents a step forward towards addressing this gap in the training and development literature by examining the relationships of work–family conflict and core self‐evaluations with informal learning among managers. The sample included 225 managers companywide from a casual‐theme restaurant chain in the United States. The results demonstrated that time‐based work interference with family conflict (WIF) had a negative relationship with informal learning, but core self‐evaluations had a positive relationship. Further, core self‐evaluations moderated the WIF–informal learning relationship. Counter to the hypothesized relationship, managers higher in core self‐evaluations engaged in less informal learning as work–family conflict increased. This study broadens the nomological network of informal learning and highlights that organizations need to limit time demands at work that cause work–family conflict to facilitate managers’ informal learning.

Practitioner points

Limit work–family conflict so managers have the time to invest in informal learning in addition to their family and own recovery.

Provide managers with skills in time management and goal setting and provide support necessary to encourage informal learning.
Effects of Classroom Composition on the Development of Antisocial Behavior in Lower Secondary School
Authors: Müller Christoph Michael , Hofmann Verena , Fleischli Janine , Studer Felix
Published: February 2015

Early adolescence is a critical period during which classroom composition may affect behavioral development. This study investigated whether classmates’ levels of aggression and delinquency influenced individual antisocial behavior during the first year of secondary school. At this point, students had just transitioned to a new classroom peer environment. A short‐term longitudinal design with four measurement points distributed across the school year was applied. Data were collected from the anonymous self‐reports of 825 seventh graders. Longitudinal negative binomial multilevel analyses revealed that classmates’ antisocial behavior influenced pupils’ behavioral development (other peer influences were controlled). Furthermore, classroom behavioral heterogeneity moderated the peer effect regarding delinquency but not aggression.
Pharmacokinetics and distribution of voriconazole in body fluids of dogs after repeated oral dosing
Authors: Lemetayer J. D. , Dowling P. M. , Taylor S. M. , Papich M. G.
Published: February 2015

The goal of this project was to determine the pharmacokinetics of voriconazole and its concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), aqueous humor, and synovial fluid in five healthy dogs following once daily oral dose of 6 mg⁄kg for 2 weeks. Body fluid and plasma drug concentrations were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Mild to moderate gastrointestinal adverse effects were seen. The mean AUC0–24: minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio was 15.23 for a chosen MIC of 1 μg/mL, which is lower than the recommended target of 20–25 and also lower than previously reported in dogs, perhaps reflecting induction of metabolizing enzymes by multiple dosing. Voriconazole concentrations in the CSF, aqueous humor, and synovial fluid were only 13–30% the concurrent plasma concentration, which is lower than previously reported in other species. Results of this study suggest that twice daily, administration may be necessary to maintain therapeutic plasma concentrations in dogs but further studies are warranted.
Japanese amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient with learning disabilities with a deletion mutation in the C‐terminal of the FUS/TLS gene
Authors: Onohara Akiko , Koh Kishin , Nagasaka Takamura , Shindo Kazumasa , Kato Masaaki , Aoki Masashi , Takiyama Yoshihisa
Published: February 2015

We report a 19‐year‐old Japanese man with a heterozygous deletion mutation (c.1485delA, p.G497AfsX527) in the fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma gene. His mother and aunt were diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He and his mother had learning disabilities. He noted muscle weakness of the right arm at age 18 years and 9 months. His respiratory function worsened rapidly, and he died of respiratory failure 11 months after onset. To date, the fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma c.1485delA mutation has only been reported in three patients in a Caucasian family, and all those patients had a short disease course (12–18 months) and learning disabilities or slowness in school, similar to our patients. Thus, the fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma c.1485delA mutation might cause a rapid disease course and affect the learning function. This is the first non‐Caucasian patient with a heterozygous mutation, c.1485delA, in the fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma gene.
The molecular basis of antifolate resistance in Plasmodium falciparum: looking beyond point mutations
Authors: Heinberg Adina , Kirkman Laura
Published: February 2015

Drugs that target the folate‐synthesis pathway have a long history of effectiveness against a variety of pathogens. As antimalarials, the antifolates were safe and well tolerated, but resistance emerged quickly and has persisted even with decreased drug pressure. The primary determinants of resistance in Plasmodium falciparum are well‐described point mutations in the enzymes dihydropteroate synthase and dihydrofolate reductase targeted by the combination sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine. Recent work has highlighted the contributions of additional parasite adaptation to antifolate resistance. In fact, the evolution of antifolate‐resistant parasites is multifaceted and complex. Gene amplification of the first enzyme in the parasite folate synthesis pathway, GTP‐cyclohydrolase, is strongly associated with resistant parasites and potentially contributes to persistence of resistant parasites. Further understanding of how parasites adjust flux through the folate pathway is important to the further development of alternative agents targeting this crucial synthesis pathway.
The biology of Plasmodium vivax explored through genomics
Authors: Luo Zunping , Sullivan Steven A. , Carlton Jane M.
Published: February 2015

Malaria is a mosquito‐borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Of the four Plasmodium species that routinely cause human malaria, Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread species outside Africa, causing ∼18.9 million cases in 2012. P. vivax cannot be cultured continuously in vitro, which severely hampers research in nonendemic and endemic countries alike. Consequently, whole‐genome sequencing has become an effective means to interrogate the biology of the P. vivax parasite. Our comparative genomic analysis of five P. vivax reference genomes and several whole‐genome sequences of the closely related monkey malaria species P. cynomolgi has revealed an extraordinary level of genetic diversity and enabled characterization of novel multigene families and important single‐copy genes. The generation of whole‐genome sequences from multiple clinical isolates is also driving forward knowledge concerning the biology and evolution of the species. Understanding the biology of P. vivax is crucial to develop potential antimalarial drugs and vaccines and to achieve the goal of eliminating malaria.
A Critical Review and Best‐Practice Recommendations for Control Variable Usage
Authors: Bernerth Jeremy B. , Aguinis Herman
Published: February 2015

The use of control variables plays a central role in organizational research due to practical difficulties associated with the implementation of experimental and quasi‐experimental designs. As such, we conducted an in‐depth review and content analysis of what variables, and why such variables are controlled for, in 10 of the most popular research domains (task performance, organizational citizenship behaviors, turnover, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, employee burnout, personality, leader‒member exchange, organizational justice, and affect) in organizational behavior/human resource management (OB/HRM) and applied psychology. Specifically, we examined 580 articles published from 2003 to 2012 in AMJ, ASQ, JAP, JOM, and PPsych. Results indicate that, across research domains with clearly distinct theoretical bases, the overwhelming majority of the more than 3,500 controls identified in our review converge around the same simple demographic factors (i.e., gender, age, tenure), very little effort is made to explain why and how controls relate to focal variables of interest, and control variable practices have not changed much over the past decade. To address these results, we offer best‐practice recommendations in the form of a sequence of questions and subsequent steps that can be followed to make decisions on the appropriateness of including a specific control variable within a particular theoretical framework, research domain, and empirical study. Our recommendations can be used by authors as well as journal editors and reviewers to improve the transparency and appropriateness of practices regarding control variable usage.
Portal flow modulation in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Rela Mohamed , Bharathan Anand , Palaniappan Kumar , Cherian Pradeep T. , Reddy Mettu S.
Published: February 2015

APOLT is a suitable technique of liver transplantation in patients with ALF and some types of MLD. Portal venous steal is a problem with this procedure that leads to graft dysfunction and failure. Modulation of the portal flow to the graft and native liver can help in preventing this problem. We discuss the pathophysiology of this complication, review available literature regarding its management, and describe our results using the technique of graded hemiportal banding to achieve adequate perfusion for the graft and native liver.
Attachment style impacts behavior and early oculomotor response to positive, but not negative, pictures
Authors: Silva Catarina , Chaminade Thierry , David Da Fonseca , Santos Andreia , Esteves Francisco , Soares Isabel , Deruelle Christine
Published: February 2015

The present study investigated whether oculomotor behavior is influenced by attachment styles. The Relationship Scales Questionnaire was used to assess attachment styles of forty‐eight voluntary university students and to classify them into attachment groups (secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing). Eye‐tracking was recorded while participants engaged in a 3‐seconds free visual exploration of stimuli presenting either a positive or a negative picture together with a neutral picture, all depicting social interactions. The task consisted in identifying whether the two pictures depicted the same emotion. Results showed that the processing of negative pictures was impermeable to attachment style, while the processing of positive pictures was significantly influenced by individual differences in insecure attachment. The groups highly avoidant regarding to attachment (dismissing and fearful) showed reduced accuracy, suggesting a higher threshold for recognizing positive emotions compared to the secure group. The groups with higher attachment anxiety (preoccupied and fearful) showed differences in automatic capture of attention, in particular an increased delay preceding the first fixation to a picture of positive emotional valence. Despite lenient statistical thresholds induced by the limited sample size of some groups (p < 0.05 uncorrected for multiple comparisons), the current findings suggest that the processing of positive emotions is affected by attachment styles. These results are discussed within a broader evolutionary framework.
Detecting overdispersion in INARCH(1) processes
Authors: Weiß Christian H. , Schweer Sebastian
Published: February 2015

A statistical test for the degree of overdispersion of count data time series based on the empirical version of the (Poisson) index of dispersion is considered. The test design relies on asymptotic properties of this index of dispersion, which in turn have been analyzed for time series stemming from a compound Poisson (Poisson‐stopped sum) INAR(1) model. This approach is extended to the popular Poisson INARCH(1) model, which exhibits unconditional overdispersion but has an (equidispersed) conditional Poisson distribution. The asymptotic distribution of the index of dispersion if applied to time series stemming from such a model is derived. These results allow us to investigate the ability of the dispersion test to discriminate between Poisson INAR(1) and INARCH(1) models. Furthermore, the question is considered if the index of dispersion could be used to test the null of a Poisson INARCH(1) model against the alternative of an INARCH(1) model with additional conditional overdispersion.
Modeling and forecasting of stock index volatility with APARCH models under ordered restriction
Authors: Thorlie Milton Abdul , Song Lixin , Amin Muhammad , Wang Xiaoguang
Published: February 2015

This article examines volatility models for modeling and forecasting the Standard & Poor 500 (S&P 500) daily stock index returns, including the autoregressive moving average, the Taylor and Schwert generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH), the Glosten, Jagannathan and Runkle GARCH and asymmetric power ARCH (APARCH) with the following conditional distributions: normal, Student'stand skewed Student'st‐distributions. In addition, we undertake unit root (augmented Dickey–Fuller and Phillip–Perron) tests, co‐integration test and error correction model. We study the stationary APARCH (p) model with parameters, and the uniform convergence, strong consistency and asymptotic normality are prove under simple ordered restriction. In fitting these models to S&P 500 daily stock index return data over the period 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2012, we found that the APARCH model using a skewed Student'st‐distribution is the most effective and successful for modeling and forecasting the daily stock index returns series. The results of this study would be of great value to policy makers and investors in managing risk in stock markets trading.
Detailed Measurements of Local Heat Transfer Coefficient in the Entrance to Normal and Inclined Film Cooling Holes
Authors: Gillespie David R. H. , Byerley Aaron R. , Ireland Peter T. , Wang Zuolan , Jones Terry V. , Kohler S. Toby
Published: February 2015

The local heal transfer inside the entrance to large scale models of film cooling holes has been measured using the transient heat transfer technique. The method employs temperature sensitive liquid crystals to measure the surface temperature of large scale perspex models. Full distributions of local Nusselt number were calculated based on the cooling passage centreline gas temperature ahead of the cooling hole. The circumferentially averaged Nusselt number was also calculated based on the local mixed bulk driving gas temperature to aid interpretation of the results, and to broaden the potential application of the data. Data are presented for a single film cooling hole inclined at 90 and 150 degrees to the coolant duct wall. Both holes exhibited entry length heat transfer levels which were significantly lower than those predicted by entry length data in the presence of crossflow. The reasons for the comparative reduction are discussed in terms of the interpreted flow field.
An Experimental Investigation of Stator Induced Unsteadiness on Centrifugal Impeller Outflow
Authors: Ubaldi Marina , Zunino Pietro , Barigozzi Glovanna , Cattanel Andrea
Published: February 2015

Detailed flow measurements were taken in a centrifugal turbomachine model to investigate the aerodynamic influence of the vaned diffuser on the impeller flow.

The model consists of an unshrouded centrifugal impeller with backswept blades and a rotatable vaned diffuser which enables a continuous variation of the vaned diffuser location with respect to the measuring points.

Phase locked ensemble averaged velocity components have been measured with hot wire probes at the impeller outlet for 30 different relative positions of the probe with respect to the diffuser vanes. The data also include the distribution of the ensemble averaged static pressure at the impeller front end, taken by means of miniature fast response pressure transducers flush mounted at the impeller stationary casing. By circumferentially averaging the results obtained for the different circumferential probe locations, the periodically perturbed impeller flow has been split into a relative steady flow and a stator generated unsteadiness.

The results for the different probe positions have also been correlated in time to obtain instantaneous flow field images in the relative frame, which provide information on the various aspects of the diffuser vane upstream influence on the relative flow leaving the impeller.
Computations of a Film Cooled Turbine Rotor Blade With Non-Uniform Inlet Temperature Distribution Using a Three-Dimensional Viscous Procedure
Authors: Weigand B. , Harasgama S. P.
Published: February 2015

A numerical investigation of film cooling on a turbine rotor blade has been carried out. The computations were performed with a 3D-Navier-Stokes code utilizing an unstructured solution adaptive grid methodology (Dawes (1992)). The code uses a low Reynolds number k-epsilon model for prescribing the Reynolds stresses. The results show that there is a significant interaction between the coolant flow and the secondary flow near the hub and the tip of the turbine blade. It was observed that, by blowing on the pressure side of the blade, some of the cooling air was transported through the tip gap of the blade to the suction side of the blade where the coolant flow interacts with the secondary flow field.

When radial inlet temperature distortion (RTD) is included, it was possible to show that there were some further modifications of the film cooling effectiveness on the rotating blade near the pressure side tip. This is believed to be mostly because of the changed secondary flow system due to the radial inlet temperature profile.
Mass Transfer Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence and Horseshoe Vortex Formed at the Upstream Edge of Film Cooling Jets About a Cylindrical Surface
Authors: Lee Joon Sik , Ro Sung Tack , Seo Hyeong Joon
Published: February 2015

The leading edge of a turbine blade was simulated as a circular cylindrical surface. The effect of free-stream turbulence on the mass transfer upstream edge of the injection hole normal to the cylindrical surface has been investigated by using a naphthalene sublimation technique. The effects of injection location, blowing ratio on the Sherwood number distribution were examined as well. The free-stream Reynolds number based on the cylinder diameter is 53,000 and other conditions investigated are: free-stream turbulence intensities of 0.5%, 3.9% and 8.0%, injection locations of 40, 50 and 60 degrees from the front stagnation point of the cylinder, and blowing ratios of 0.5 and 1.0. The role of the horseshoe vortex formed upstream edge of the normally injected jet is discussed in detail. When the coolant jet is injected at 40 degrees, the mass transfer upstream of the jet is not affected by the coolant jet at all. On the other hand, when the injection hole is located beyond 50 degrees the mass transfer upstream edge of the injection hole suddenly increases due to the formation of the horseshoe vortex, but it decreases as the free-stream turbulence intensity increases because the strength of the horseshoe vortex structure is weakened. The role of the horseshoe vortex is confirmed by placing a rigid rod at the injection hole instead of issuing the jet. In the case of the rigid rod, the Sherwood number upstream of the injection hole is much larger due to the intense influence of the horseshoe vortex. The variation in the strength of the horseshoe vortex structure with free-stream turbulence intensities was observed by a flow visualization.
Development of 300 kW Class Ceramic Gas Turbine (CGT302)
Authors: Watanabe Aklo , Tatsumi Tetsuo , Tanimura Kazuhiko , Takehara Isashi , Fujii Tatsuo
Published: February 2015

The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) is promoting the Ceramic Gas Turbine (CGT) project for energy saving technology development under the ‘New Sunshine project’. The objective of this project is to develop a 300 kW ceramic gas turbine with 42% thermal efficiency at 1350°C turbine inlet temperature.

Three types of CGT are under development for individual purposes and concepts. CGT302 is the recuperated two-shaft ceramic gas turbine for cogeneration use.

Ceramic materials have many advantages in the application of high temperature gas turbines, but there are still several problems of practical use. Therefore, we introduce the unique technology of monolithic - FRC hybrid concept to fabricate large ceramic components, stress free supporting structure, joining technology, etc. The all ceramic components of the 1200°C CGT were successfully fabricated and engine tests are in progress.

This paper will describe the technologies of the CGT302 development and results of engine tests.
On Fast-Response Probes: Part 1 — Technology, Calibration and Application to Turbomachinery
Authors: Gossweiler Christoph R. , Kupferschmied Peter , Gyarmathy George
Published: February 2015

A system for fast-response probe measurements in turbomachine flows has been developed and tested. The system has been designed for 40 kHz bandwidth and used with various in-house built probes accommodating up to 4 piezoresistive pressure transducers. The present generation of probes works accurately up to several bar pressure and 120°C temperature. The probes were found to be quite robust.

The use of miniature pressure transducers placed in the head of probes showed that a precise packaging technique and a careful compensation of errors can considerably improve the accuracy of the pressure measurement.

Methods for aerodynamic probe calibration and off-line data evaluation are briefly presented. These aimed, i.e. in the case of a 4-hole probe, at measuring the velocity fluctuations as characterised by yaw, pitch, total pressure and static pressure and at deriving mean values and spectral or turbulence parameters.

Applications of the measuring system to turbomachinery flow in a radial compressor and to a turbulent pipe flow demonstrate the performance of the measuring system.
Compressor Station Recycle System Dynamics During Emergency Shutdown
Authors: Botros K. K. , Jungowski W. M. , Richards D. J.
Published: February 2015

Transient phenomena associated with gas recycling during compressor emergency shutdown (ESD) have been studied both experimentally and numerically, A scaled-down laboratory test rig has been constructed to study the influence of various underlying parameters on ESD operation. Three different configurations representing different design scenarios were tested. The first configuration has a long recycle system with a volume capacitance representing an air cooled heat exchanger in the recycle loop, and the recycle valve located close to the discharge side. The second one is the same as the first except the recycle valve placed close to the suction side. In the third configuration, the cooler capacitance was removed from the recycle loop and the piping capacitance on the discharge side was further reduced. Shutdown tests were carried out from different steady state initial conditions varying the recycle valve opening time, and the synchronization time between the compressor ESD signal and valve opening signal. Numerical simulations based on the solution of the full one-dimensional conservation equations using the method of characteristics were also conducted for the above configurations. Good agreement was obtained between measurements and simulation results. Numerical simulations were used to analyze other cases which were not investigated experimentally, to further investigate the interaction between equipment and flow parameters. Results indicate that the valve prestroke time is more crucial than the stroke time and that it should be made short to avoid surging the compressor during ESD. Locating the recycle valve as close as possible to the suction or discharge of the compressor helps reduce unit surge during shutdown.
Development of a Low-Emission Combustor for a 100-kW Automotive Ceramic Gas Turbine: II
Authors: Kumakura Hirotaka , Sasaki Masafumi , Suzuki Daishi , Ichikawa Hiroyuki
Published: February 2015

Perfomance tests were conducted on a low-emission combustor which has a prevaporization-premixing lean combustion system and is designed for a 100 kW automotive ceramic gas turbine. The results of steady-state combustion tests performed at an inlet temperature of 1000–1200 K and pressure of 0.1–0.34 MPa indicate that the combustor would meet Japan’s emission standards for gasoline engine passenger cars without using an aftertreatment system. Flashback was suppressed by controlling the mixture velocity and air ratios. Strength tests conducted on rings and bars cut from the actual ceramic parts indicate that the combustor has nearly the same level of strength as standard test specimens.
Magnetic Thrust Bearing Operation and Industrial Pump Application
Authors: Allaire P. E. , Maslen E. H. , Lewis D. W. , Flack R. D.
Published: February 2015

Magnetic bearings represent a new bearing technology which has some advantages over conventional fluid film and rolling element bearings for some applications. The paper describes the basic concepts of magnetic thrust bearing operation involving the magnetic actuator, electronic controls, power amplifier, and sensor. The magnetic actuator is a magnetic circuit which generates attractive forces. These support the rotating shaft While it is often thought that magnetic bearings are highly nonlinear devices, this paper demonstrates that they are linear in both the perturbation flux and current when used in a double acting configuration. Electronic feedback controls are used to stabilize the bearing. Example design parameters are presented for an application to an industrial canned motor pump.