bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unique Reverse and Maneuvering Features of the AOE-6 Reverse Reduction Gear
Authors: Zekas B. Michael , Schultz Andrew N.
Published: December 2014

A unique Reverse Reduction Gear system is being utilized on the U.S. NAVY AOE-6 Class ships. The AOE-6 is the first of (4) Fast Combat Support ships being built by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in San Diego, Ca.

The principal characteristics of the AOE-6 Class ships are as follows:

Length Overall - 753 Feet 8.5 Inches

Beam - 107 Feet

Mean Draft (Full Load) - 37 Feet 10 Inches

Displacement - 48,500 Long Tons

Total Shaft Horsepower - 100,000 HP

The ships are powered by (4) General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engines, driving thru (2) main reduction gears manufactured by the Cincinnati Gear Co., to (2) shafts fitted with fixed pitch propellers. Each main reduction gear utilizes (2) SSS-TOSI Reversible Coupling Converters (RCC’s) to provide reversing and slow speed maneuvering capability for each propulsion shaft.

The RCC is a fluid coupling/torque converter that has (26) insertable stator vanes positioned around the periphery of the rotor circuit. These stator vanes, when inserted, reverse fluid flow inside the RCC, and consequently reverse the direction of rotation of the RCC output (turbine) rotor. The RCC was tested extensively by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (formerly NAVSSES) in Philadelphia, Pa.

This paper provides an overview of the RCC design and operating principles; highlights of the prior testing accomplished; and an informative brief that details the successful integration, operation, and performance of the RCC aboard these new U.S. Naval vessels.
The Aerodynamics of Trailing-Edge-Cooled Transonic Turbine Blades: Part 1 — Experimental Approach
Authors: Deckers Mathias , Denton John D.
Published: December 2014

The research presented in this part of the paper involved a detailed experimental study of the flow through transonic turbine blading with trailing edge coolant ejection. The tests were carried out on (nearly) flat plate models representing the region of uncovered turning downstream of the throat. The investigation focused on the aerodynamic aspects associated with trailing edge ejection in steady two-dimensional flow over a range of exit Mach numbers, coolant pressure ratios and temperature ratios.

The experiments showed that the simple existence of the coolant cavity leads to a substantial change of the flow field in the near wake. Consequently, the slotted unblown base was found to have considerably less loss than the solid one. The effect of coolant ejection is shown to cause a substantial increase in base pressure and reduction in overall loss. The surface static pressure distribution and boundary layers were affected by the coolant in two ways: directly from downstream, via the base pressure, and indirectly through a changed trailing edge shock system. However, the coolant stagnation temperature ratio was found to have no discernible effect on the base pressure and loss.
The Aerodynamics of Trailing-Edge-Cooled Transonic Turbine Blades: Part 2 — Theoretical and Computational Approach
Authors: Deckers Mathias , Denton John D.
Published: December 2014

A theoretical and computational study into the aerodynamics of trailing-edge-cooled transonic turbine blades is described in this part of the paper. The theoretical study shows that, for unstaggered blades with coolant ejection, the base pressure and overall loss can be determined exactly by a simple control volume analysis. This theory suggests that a thick, cooled trailing edge with a wide slot can be more efficient than a thin, solid trailing edge. An existing time-marching finite volume method is adapted to calculate the transonic flow with trailing edge coolant ejection on a structured, quasi-orthogonal mesh. Good overall agreement between the present method, inviscid and viscous, and experimental evidence is obtained.
Optimization of Trailing Edge Ejection Mixing Losses: A Theoretical and Experimental Study
Authors: Pappu K. R. , Schobeiri M. T.
Published: December 2014

The aerodynamic effects of trailing edge ejection on mixing losses downstream of cooled gas turbine blades were experimentally investigated and compared with an already existing one-dimensional theory by Schobeiri (1989). The significant parameters determining the mixing losses and therefore the efficiency of cooled blades are the ejection velocity ratio, the cooling mass flow ratio, the temperature ratio, the slot thickness ratio and the ejection flow angle. To cover a broad range of representative turbine blade geometry and flow deflections, a General Electric power generation gas turbine blade with high flow deflection and a NASA-turbine blade with intermediate flow deflection and different thickness distributions were experimentally investigated and compared with the existing theory. Comprehensive experimental investigations show that for the ejection velocity ratio μ = 1, the trailing edge ejection reduces the mixing losses downstream of the cooled gas turbine blade to a minimum which is in agreement with the theory. For the given cooling mass flow ratios that are dictated by the heat transfer requirements, optimum slot thickness to trailing edge thickness ratios are found, which correspond to the minimum mixing loss coefficients. The results allow the turbine aerodynamicist to minimize the mixing losses and to increase the efficiency of cooled gas turbine blades.
Flow Field Measurements on a Large Scale Turbine Cascade With Leading Edge Film Cooling by Two Rows of Holes
Authors: Ardey Sabine , Fottner Leonhard
Published: December 2014

To increase the understanding of the aerodynamic processes dominating the flow field of turbine bladings with leading edge film cooling, isothermal investigations were carried out on a large scale high pressure turbine cascade. Near the stagnation point the blades are equipped with one row of film cooling holes on the suction side and one on the pressure side. Blowing ratio, turbulence intensity, Mach number, and Reynolds number are set to values typically found in modern gas turbines. Experimental data of the cascade flow were obtained by pneumatic probes and static pressure tappings. The flow field was visualized by Schlieren and oil flow techniques. For detailed investigations near the blowing holes the Laser Transit Velocimetry and the three dimensional Hot Wire Anemometry were used.

The flow field measurements in the near hole region of the suction side show the typical kidney shaped vortex pair. A local suction peak on the pressure side causes a large recirculation area behind the holes on the pressure side and induces separation bubbles in between the pressure side holes. This leads to the generation of two pairs of vortices: The kidney-vortex is located on top of a second vortex pair and a trough flow that fills up the deficit of the recirculation. Thus the film cooling air is detached from the pressure side surface. In addition to the mean flow vectors Reynolds stress components are a good means to judge the propagation of the jet. In spite of the complex flow pattern occurring on each single jet, the surveyed loss-increase due to the leading edge blowing can be predicted by the mixing layer model.
The Development of the Whittle Turbojet
Authors: Meher-Hornji Cyrus B.
Published: December 2014

Sir Frank Whittle passed away on August 8, 1996 at the age of 89, in Maryland. His work in developing the turbojet can truly be said to represent one of the greatest mechanical engineering achievements in the last 70 years. The development of the turbojet demanded that Whittle face almost insurmountable technical and institutional challenges. The technical challenges included developing centrifugal compressor pressure ratios of 4:1 from the prevailing technology level of 2.5:1, increasing compressor efficiencies from 65 to 80% while designing for combustion intensities that were 10 times the prevailing state of the art in boiler technology. He was also responsible for utilizing a vortex turbine design approach. The institutional challenges that he faced included changing a paradigm on aircraft propulsion technology and nurturing Power Jets Ltd. to produce excellent engine designs with minimal resources in terms of money, technical manpower and governmental support. It is the object of this paper to document the epic long drawn out struggle fought by Sir Frank against entrenched technical opinion that ultimately resulted in the turbojet revolution. The technical aspects of his pioneering work with emphasis on the problems he encountered will also be discussed.
Characterization of Plasma Sprayed and Electron Beam-Physical Vapor Deposited Thermal Barrier Coatings
Authors: Mutasim Z. , Rimlinger C. , Brentnall W.
Published: December 2014

Laboratory testing was conducted on air plasma sprayed (APS) and electron beam-physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applied onto nickel alloy specimens. As-coated chemistry, microstructure, and bond strength of the TBC systems were evaluated. Cyclic oxidation tests that simulated industrial gas turbine environments were also conducted on the various thermal barrier coatings. This study evaluated the effects of ceramic and metallic coating compositions and application processes on coatings microstructure and performance. The relative cyclic performance of the TBC systems was determined from the laboratory tests.
Computer-Aided Manufacturing of Laminated Engineering Materials (CAM-LEM) and its Application to the Fabrication of Ceramic Components Without Tooling
Authors: Cawley James D.
Published: December 2014

Advanced ceramics such as alumina, silicon carbide and silicon nitride (monolithics and composites) have properties that suggest application in gas turbine engines. However, the production of components from these materials is very different from that typical of superalloys and this has limited the range of applications for ceramics in gas turbines. The manufacturing freedom offered by the recently developed technologies termed “rapid prototyping,” RP, or equivalently, “solid freeform fabrication,” SFF, may enable a much wider range of applications to be served in the future. RP was developed to allow production of form-and-fit models without the need for tooling and has proven to be a key assel in the design of new components as well as for the implementation of design changes to existing ones. Direct SFF using engineering materials to prototype components is undergoing continued development and is expected to provide an enabling technology that promises to change design philosophies for components made from ceramics (and other powder-based materials). In this paper, the opportunities for SFF in gas turbine applications are discussed, a brief state-of-the-art overview of RP and its application to engineering ceramics is provided, and a particular process, CAM-LEM, is highlighted.
mTOR inhibition improves immune function in the elderly
Authors: Mannick Joan B. , Del Giudice Giuseppe , Lattanzi Maria , Valiante Nicholas M. , Praestgaard Jens , Huang Baisong , Lonetto Michael A. , Maecker Holden T. , Kovarik John , Carson Simon , Glass David J. , Klickstein Lloyd B.
Published: December 2014

mTOR inhibition by RAD001 improves immune responses in elderly volunteers receiving an influenza vaccination.
Comment on “An antidepressant decreases CSF Aβ production in healthy individuals and in transgenic AD mice”
Authors: Emilsson Johan Fredrik , Andreasson Ulf , Blennow Kaj , Eriksson Elias , Zetterberg Henrik
Published: December 2014

A study attempts to replicate the finding that the serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram decreases amyloid β concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy volunteers.
Targeting ATM ameliorates mutant Huntingtin toxicity in cell and animal models of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Lu Xiao-Hong , Mattis Virginia B. , Wang Nan , Al-Ramahi Ismael , van den Berg Nick , Fratantoni Silvina A. , Waldvogel Henry , Greiner Erin , Osmand Alex , Elzein Karla , Xiao Jingbo , Dijkstra Sipke , de Pril Remko , Vinters Harry V. , Faull Richard , Signer Ethan , Kwak Seung , Marugan Juan J. , Botas Juan , Fischer David F. , Svendsen Clive N. , Munoz-Sanjuan Ignacio , Yang X. William
Published: December 2014

Reducing ATM signaling is neuroprotective in cell and animal models of Huntington’s disease.
Reply to comment on “An antidepressant decreases CSF Aβ production in healthy individuals and in transgenic AD mice”
Authors: Sheline Yvette I. , West Tim , Yarasheski Kevin , Jasielec Mateusz S. , Hettinger Jane C. , Tripoli Danielle L. , Xiong Chengjie , Frederiksen Christine , Grzelak Monica V. , Bateman Randall J. , Morris John C. , Lee Jin-Moo , Cirrito John R.
Published: December 2014

Possible reasons for why a new study could not replicate our finding that the serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram decreased amyloid β concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of healthy volunteers.
Ctrl-Alt-Del: Host-Targeting Anti-Angiogenic Agents as Adjunct Therapy for Tuberculosis
Authors: Bhardwaj Anshu
Published: December 2014

Inhibition of granuloma-associated angiogenesis reduces mycobacterial burden and dissemination.
High-Resolution Transcriptomic Analysis of the Adaptive Response of Staphylococcus aureus during Acute and Chronic Phases of Osteomyelitis
Authors: Szafranska Anna K. , Oxley Andrew P. A. , Chaves-Moreno Diego , Horst Sarah A. , Roßlenbroich Steffen , Peters Georg , Goldmann Oliver , Rohde Manfred , Sinha Bhanu , Pieper Dietmar H. , Löffler Bettina , Jauregui Ruy , Wos-Oxley Melissa L. , Medina Eva
Published: December 2014

Osteomyelitis is a difficult-to-eradicate bone infection typically caused by
Staphylococcus aureus
. In this study, we investigated the
in vivo
transcriptional adaptation of
S. aureus
during bone infection. To this end, we determined the transcriptome of
S. aureus
during the acute (day 7) and chronic (day 28) phases of experimental murine osteomyelitis using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). We identified a total of 180 genes significantly more highly expressed by
S. aureus
during acute or chronic
in vivo
infection than under
in vitro
growth conditions. These genes encoded proteins involved in gluconeogenesis, proteolysis of host proteins, iron acquisition, evasion of host immune defenses, and stress responses. At the regulatory level,
sarA
and -
R
and
saeR
and -
S
as well as the small RNA RsaC were predominantly expressed by
S. aureus
during
in vivo
infection. Only nine genes, including the genes encoding the arginine deiminase (ADI) pathway and those involved in the stringent response, were significantly more highly expressed by
S. aureus
during the chronic than the acute stage of infection. Analysis by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) of a subset of these
in vivo-
expressed genes in clinical specimens yielded the same results as those observed in the murine system. Collectively, our results show that during acute osteomyelitis,
S. aureus
induced the transcription of genes that mediate metabolic adaptation, immune evasion, and replication. During the chronic phase, however,
S. aureus
switched its transcriptional response from a proliferative to a persistence mode, probably driven by the severe deficiency in nutrient supplies. Interfering with the survival strategies of
S. aureus
during chronic infection could lead to more effective treatments.

IMPORTANCE
The key to the survival success of pathogens during an infection is their capacity to rapidly adjust to the host environment and to evade the host defenses. Understanding how a pathogen redirects and fine-tunes its gene expression in response to the challenges of infection is central to the development of more efficient anti-infective therapies. Osteomyelitis is a debilitating infection of the bone predominantly caused by
S. aureus
. In this study, we evaluated the transcriptional response of
S. aureus
during bone infection. Our results indicate that
S. aureus
reprograms its genetic repertoire during the acute phase of infection to adapt to nutrient availability and to replicate within the host. During the chronic phase,
S. aureus
upregulates a survival genetic program activated in response to nutrient starvation. Thus, we have uncovered key survival pathways of
S. aureus
during acute and chronic osteomyelitis that can be used as therapeutic targets.
Phylodynamic Analysis of Clinical and Environmental Vibrio cholerae Isolates from Haiti Reveals Diversification Driven by Positive Selection
Authors: Azarian Taj , Ali Afsar , Johnson Judith A. , Mohr David , Prosperi Mattia , Veras Nazle M. , Jubair Mohammed , Strickland Samantha L. , Rashid Mohammad H. , Alam Meer T. , Weppelmann Thomas A. , Katz Lee S. , Tarr Cheryl L. , Colwell Rita R. , Morris J. Glenn , Salemi Marco
Published: December 2014

Phylodynamic analysis of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data is a powerful tool to investigate underlying evolutionary processes of bacterial epidemics. The method was applied to investigate a collection of 65 clinical and environmental isolates ofVibrio choleraefrom Haiti collected between 2010 and 2012. Characterization of isolates recovered from environmental samples identified a total of four toxigenicV. choleraeO1 isolates, four non-O1/O139 isolates, and a novel nontoxigenicV. choleraeO1 isolate with the classicaltcpAgene. Phylogenies of strains were inferred from genome-wide SNPs using coalescent-based demographic models within a Bayesian framework. A close phylogenetic relationship between clinical and environmental toxigenicV. choleraeO1 strains was observed. As cholera spread throughout Haiti between October 2010 and August 2012, the population size initially increased and then fluctuated over time. Selection analysis along internal branches of the phylogeny showed a steady accumulation of synonymous substitutions and a progressive increase of nonsynonymous substitutions over time, suggesting diversification likely was driven by positive selection. Short-term accumulation of nonsynonymous substitutions driven by selection may have significant implications for virulence, transmission dynamics, and even vaccine efficacy.

IMPORTANCECholera, a dehydrating diarrheal disease caused by toxigenic strains of the bacteriumVibrio cholerae, emerged in 2010 in Haiti, a country where there were no available records on cholera over the past 100 years. While devastating in terms of morbidity and mortality, the outbreak provided a unique opportunity to study the evolutionary dynamics ofV. choleraeand its environmental presence. The present study expands on previous work and provides an in-depth phylodynamic analysis inferred from genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms of clinical and environmental strains from dispersed geographic settings in Haiti over a 2-year period. Our results indicate that even during such a short time scale,V. choleraein Haiti has undergone evolution and diversification driven by positive selection, which may have implications for understanding the global clinical and epidemiological patterns of the disease. Furthermore, the continued presence of the epidemic strain in Haitian aquatic environments has implications for transmission.
Regulation of the Arginine Deiminase System by ArgR2 Interferes with Arginine Metabolism and Fitness of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Schulz Christian , Gierok Philipp , Petruschka Lothar , Lalk Michael , Mäder Ulrike , Hammerschmidt Sven
Published: December 2014

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is auxotrophic for arginine, and molecular analysis of the pneumococcal genome showed that the gene encoding an arginine-ornithine antiporter (ArcD) is organized in a cluster together with the
arcABC
genes encoding the arginine deiminase system (ADS) of pneumococci. The ADS consists of the arginine deiminase (AD), the catabolic ornithine carbamoyltransferase (cOCT), and the carbamate kinase (CK). Pneumococcal genomes contain three ArgR-type regulators (ArgR1, ArgR2, and AhrC) that are supposed to be involved in the regulation of arginine metabolism. Here, we identified ArgR2 of TIGR4 as the regulator of the ADS and ArcD. ArgR2 binds to promoter sequences of the
arc
operon, and the deficiency of ArgR2 in TIGR4 abrogates expression of the ADS, including the arginine-ornithine antiporter ArcD. Intranasal infection of mice and real-time bioimaging revealed that deletion of the
arcABCDT
genes attenuates TIGR4. However, the acute-pneumonia model and coinfection experiments indicated that the arginine-ornithine antiporter ArcD is essential to maintain fitness, while the deficiency of ADS enzymes has a minor impact on pneumococcal fitness under
in vivo
conditions. Strikingly,
argR2
mutant TIGR4 outcompeted the wild type in the respiratory tract, suggesting an increase in fitness and further regulatory functions of ArgR2. In contrast to TIGR4, other pneumococci, such as D39, lacking expression of ArgR2, constitutively express the ADS with a truncated nonfunctional AD. On the basis of these results, we propose that the arginine-ornithine antiporter is essential to maintain pneumococcal fitness and that the genes of the ADS cluster are positively regulated in a strain-specific manner by ArgR2.

IMPORTANCE
Pneumococci are the major etiologic agents of community-acquired pneumonia, causing more than 1.5 million deaths annually worldwide. These versatile pathogens are highly adapted to the nutrients provided by the host niches encountered. Physiological fitness is of major importance for colonization of the nasopharyngeal cavity and dissemination during invasive infections. This work identifies the regulator ArgR2 as the activator of the
S. pneumoniae
TIGR4 ADS and the arginine-ornithine transporter ArcD, which is needed for uptake of the essential amino acid arginine. Although ArgR2 activates ArcD expression and uptake of arginine is required to maintain pneumococcal fitness, the deficiency of ArgR2 increases TIGR4 virulence under
in vivo
conditions, suggesting that other factors regulated by ArgR2 counterbalance the reduced uptake of arginine by ArcD. Thus, this work illustrates that the physiological homeostasis of pneumococci is complex and that ArgR2 plays a key role in maintaining bacterial fitness.
Human Papillomavirus E6 Triggers Upregulation of the Antiviral and Cancer Genomic DNA Deaminase APOBEC3B
Authors: Vieira Valdimara C. , Leonard Brandon , White Elizabeth A. , Starrett Gabriel J. , Temiz Nuri A. , Lorenz Laurel D. , Lee Denis , Soares Marcelo A. , Lambert Paul F. , Howley Peter M. , Harris Reuben S.
Published: December 2014

Several recent studies have converged upon the innate immune DNA cytosine deaminase APOBEC3B (A3B) as a significant source of genomic uracil lesions and mutagenesis in multiple human cancers, including those of the breast, head/neck, cervix, bladder, lung, ovary, and other tissues.
A3B
is upregulated in these tumor types relative to normal tissues, but the mechanism is unclear. Because A3B also has antiviral activity in multiple systems and is a member of the broader innate immune response, we tested the hypothesis that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection causes A3B upregulation. We found that
A3B
mRNA expression and enzymatic activity were upregulated following transfection of a high-risk HPV genome and that this effect was abrogated by inactivation of E6. Transduction experiments showed that the E6 oncoprotein alone was sufficient to cause
A3B
upregulation, and a panel of high-risk E6 proteins triggered higher
A3B
levels than did a panel of low-risk or noncancer E6 proteins. Knockdown experiments in HPV-positive cell lines showed that endogenous
E6
is required for
A3B
upregulation. Analyses of publicly available head/neck cancer data further support this relationship, as
A3B
levels are higher in HPV-positive cancers than in HPV-negative cancers. Taken together with the established role for high-risk E6 in functional inactivation of TP53 and published positive correlations in breast cancer between
A3B
upregulation and genetic inactivation of
TP53
, our studies suggest a model in which high-risk HPV E6, possibly through functional inactivation of TP53, causes derepression of
A3B
gene transcription. This would lead to a mutator phenotype that explains the observed cytosine mutation biases in HPV-positive head/neck and cervical cancers.

IMPORTANCE
The innate immune DNA cytosine deaminase APOBEC3B (A3B) accounts for a large proportion of somatic mutations in cervical and head/neck cancers, but nothing is known about the mechanism responsible for its upregulation in these tumor types. Almost all cervical carcinomas and large proportions of head/neck tumors are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Here, we establish a mechanistic link between HPV infection and
A3B
upregulation. The E6 oncoprotein of high-risk, but not low-risk, HPV types triggers
A3B
upregulation, supporting a model in which TP53 inactivation causes a derepression of
A3B
gene transcription and elevated A3B enzyme levels. This virus-induced mutator phenotype provides a mechanistic explanation for A3B signature mutations observed in HPV-positive head/neck and cervical carcinomas and may also help to account for the preferential cancer predisposition caused by high-risk HPV isolates.
Acute confusion secondary to steroid eye drops
Authors: Farooq Umar , Dallol Bander
Published: December 2014

We present a case of a 90-year-old woman who presented to the acute medical unit with a new onset presentation of confusion. Her abbreviated mental test on admission was 5/10. Biochemical screen including full blood count, urea and electrolytes, C reactive protein and liver function test and imaging such as chest X-ray and CT of the head were normal. The patient had recently been started on steroid eye drops for shingles. Suspension of this medication was followed by a resolution of confusion with the abbreviated mental test on discharge improving to 9/10. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first presentation of a link between steroid eye drops and acute confusion.
An unusual cause of jaundice in a patient with breast cancer
Authors: Lacey Rachel , Evans Alex
Published: December 2014

A 48-year old woman with metastatic breast cancer and extensive bone marrow infiltration was admitted with extreme lethargy, jaundice and deranged liver function tests. She had been started on anastrozole in May 2013 for bony metastases, detected on a bone scan. A CT scan performed at that time had shown no evidence of metastatic or nodal disease elsewhere. Over the subsequent 2 months, the patient had become progressively jaundiced. Outpatient abdominal ultrasound and CT liver had shown a fatty liver with no focal lesions. She was admitted in August 2013 with bilirubin 567, alkaline phosphatase 385, alanine aminotransferase 98, albumin 25 and international normalised ratio 1.9. The patient ultimately had a liver biopsy, which demonstrated features of drug-induced steatohepatitis, and anastrozole was found to have been the probable cause. This case explores the differentials of jaundice in a patient with cancer and describes a rare cause of drug-induced liver injury.
A woman's experience of tapering from buprenorphine during pregnancy
Authors: Welle-Strand Gabrielle Katrine , Kvamme Odd , Andreassen Andreas , Ravndal Edle
Published: December 2014

Although opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) is the treatment of choice for pregnant opioid-dependent patients, some professionals argue that tapering the medication dose will reduce the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This case description is based on the patient's detailed blog, and medical records from her general practitioner and the hospital. The patient is an employed, 32-year-old drug-abstinent woman in OMT. Her taper from 24 mg of buprenorphine started at 14 weeks’ gestation and is slow, with withdrawal symptoms increasing gradually. In pregnancy week 31, she is off buprenorphine but she has severe withdrawal symptoms. She chose to go back on 4 mg of buprenorphine. The patient's son was born in pregnancy week 38+3, weighs 2950 g and does not require pharmacological treatment for NAS. The fetus most probably did experience fetal stress during the patient's tapering. It was the right decision by the patient to go back on buprenorphine.
Meckel's diverticulum with intussusception in a 5-year-old patient with Down's syndrome
Authors: Anwar Mohammed Omer , Ahmed Hamza Ibn , Al Hindi Saeed , Al Omran Yasser
Published: December 2014

Meckel's diverticulum is understood to be the commonest congenital malformation within the gastrointestinal tract with a prevalence of 2%, as found on autopsy studies. Although many cases are asymptomatic, complications can occur including haemorrhage, diverticulitis, chronic ulceration and intestinal obstruction. Intussusception is also a complication, but extremely rare. We present a rare case of Meckel's diverticulum causing intussusception, which was surgically resolved, in a 5-year-old girl. Our aim through this case report is to generate greater awareness of this complication and to provide some potential guidance towards its treatment.
A usability study of two formats of a shortened systematic review for clinicians
Authors: Perrier Laure , Kealey M Ryan , Straus Sharon E
Published: December 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of two formats of a shortened systematic review for clinicians.

Materials and methods

Usability of the prototypes was assessed using three cycles of iterative testing. 10 participants were asked to complete tasks of locating information or items within two prototypes and ‘think aloud’ while being audio taped. Interviews were also audio recorded and participants completed a systematic usability scale.

Results

Revisions were made between each iteration in order to address issues identified by participants. Finding information relating to the number of studies in the meta-analysis, and locating the number of studies in the entire systematic review were revealed as areas needing attention during the usability evaluation.

Conclusions

Iterative testing combined with a multifaceted approach to usability testing offered essential insight into aspects of the prototypes that required modifications. Alterations were made in order to create finalised versions of the two shortened systematic review formats.
The association between neighbourhood greenspace and type 2 diabetes in a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Bodicoat Danielle H , O'Donovan Gary , Dalton Alice M , Gray Laura J , Yates Thomas , Edwardson Charlotte , Hill Sian , Webb David R , Khunti Kamlesh , Davies Melanie J , Jones Andrew P
Published: December 2014

Objective

To investigate the relationship between neighbourhood greenspace and type 2 diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

3 diabetes screening studies conducted in Leicestershire, UK in 2004–2011. The percentage of greenspace in the participant's home neighbourhood (3 km radius around home postcode) was obtained from a Land Cover Map. Demographic and biomedical variables were measured at screening.

Participants

10 476 individuals (6200 from general population; 4276 from high-risk population) aged 20–75 years (mean 59 years); 47% female; 21% non-white ethnicity.

Main outcome measure

Screen-detected type 2 diabetes (WHO 2011 criteria).

Results

Increased neighbourhood greenspace was associated with significantly lower levels of screen-detected type 2 diabetes. The ORs (95% CI) for screen-detected type 2 diabetes were 0.97 (0.80 to 1.17), 0.78 (0.62 to 0.98) and 0.67 (0.49 to 0.93) for increasing quartiles of neighbourhood greenspace compared with the lowest quartile after adjusting for ethnicity, age, sex, area social deprivation score and urban/rural status (Ptrend=0.01). This association remained on further adjustment for body mass index, physical activity, fasting glucose, 2 h glucose and cholesterol (OR (95% CI) for highest vs lowest quartile: 0.53 (0.35 to 0.82); Ptrend=0.01).

Conclusions

Neighbourhood greenspace was inversely associated with screen-detected type 2 diabetes, highlighting a potential area for targeted screening as well as a possible public health area for diabetes prevention. However, none of the risk factors that we considered appeared to explain this association, and thus further research is required to elicit underlying mechanisms.

Trial registration number

This study uses data from three studies (NCT00318032,NCT00677937,NCT00941954).
A cross-sectional exploration of the clinical characteristics of disengaged (NEET) young people in primary mental healthcare
Authors: O'Dea Bridianne , Glozier Nicholas , Purcell Rosemary , McGorry Patrick D , Scott Jan , Feilds Kristy-Lee , Hermens Daniel F , Buchanan John , Scott Elizabeth M , Yung Alison R , Killacky Eoin , Guastella Adam J , Hickie Ian B
Published: December 2014

Objective

Youth with mental health problems often have difficulties engaging in education and employment. In Australia, youth mental health services have been widely established with a key aim of improving role functioning; however, there is little knowledge of those who are not engaged in employment, education or training (NEET) and the factors which may influence this. This study aimed to examine NEET status and its correlates in a sample of such youth.

Design

Cross-sectional data from a longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Between January 2011 and August 2012, young people presenting to one of the four primary mental health centres in Sydney or Melbourne were invited to participate.

Participants

Young adults (N=696) aged between 15 and 25 years (M=19.0, SD=2.8), 68% female, 58% (n=404) attendedheadspacein Sydney.

Measures

Individuals ‘Not in any type of Education, Employment or Training’ in the past month were categorised as NEET. Demographic, psychological and clinical factors alongside disability and functioning were assessed using clinical interview and self-report.

Results

A total of 19% (n=130/696) were NEET. NEETs were more likely to be male, older, have a history of criminal charges, risky cannabis use, higher level of depression, poorer social functioning, greater disability and economic hardship, and a more advanced stage of mental illness than those engaged in education, training or work. Demographics such as postsecondary education, immigrant background and indigenous background, were not significantly associated with NEET status in this sample.

Conclusions

One in five young people seeking help for mental health problems were not in any form of education, employment and training. The commonly observed risk factors did not appear to influence this association, instead, behavioural factors such as criminal offending and cannabis use appeared to require targeted intervention.
Exploring cardiovascular health: the Healthy Life in Suriname (HELISUR) study. A protocol of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Diemer Frederieke S , Aartman Jet Q , Karamat Fares A , Baldew Sergio M , Jarbandhan Ameerani V , van Montfrans Gert A , Oehlers Glenn P , Brewster Lizzy M
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Obesity, hypertension and diabetes are on a dramatic rise in low-income and middle-income countries, and this foretells an overwhelming increase in chronic disease burden from cardiovascular disease. Therefore, rapid action should be taken through preventive population-based programmes. However, in these regions, data on the population distribution of cardiovascular risk factors, and of intermediate and final end points for cardiovascular disease are scarce. The Healthy Life in Suriname (HELISUR) study is a cardiovascular population study in Suriname, which is part of the Caribbean Community. The HELISUR study is dedicated to provide data on risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease in the multiethnic population, which is mainly of African and Asian descent.

Methods and analysis

In a cross-sectional, observational population-based setting, a random representative sample of 1800 citizens aged between 18 and 70 years will be selected using a cluster household sampling method. Self-reported demographic, socioeconomic and (cardiovascular) health-related data will be collected. Physical examination will include the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease. In addition, we will study cardiovascular haemodynamics non-invasively, as a novel intermediate outcome. Finally, fasting blood and overnight urine samples will be collected to monitor cardiometabolic risk factors. The main outcome will be descriptive in reporting the prevalence of risk factors and measures of (sub) clinical end organ damage, stratified for ethnicity and sex-age groups.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained from the State Secretary of Health. Data analysis and manuscript submission are scheduled for 2016. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, and at national, regional and international scientific meetings. Importantly, data will be presented to Surinamese policymakers and healthcare workers, to develop preventive strategies to combat the rapid rise of cardiovascular disease.
Spiral Dynamics Algorithm
Authors: Siddique Nazmul , Adeli Hojjat
Published: December 2014

The spiral has universal appeal and a mysterious resonance with the human spirit. It is intriguing and beautiful. The spiral pattern is found extensively in nature, encoded into plants, animals, weather phenomena, the earth, and galaxies around us. The paper starts with a mathematical representation of the spiral phenomena. Next, 2-dimensional and n-dimensional Spiral Dynamics Optimization (SpDO) algorithms are presented followed by their variants such as adaptive SpDO and hybrid SpDO. Finally, applications to engineering problems are reviewed including a flexible robot manipulator system, training of artificial neural networks, the Combined Economic and Emission Dispatch (CEED) optimization problem in power system operations, and clustering in data mining.
Human Decision Making Model for Autonomic Cyber Systems
Authors: Mertoguno J. Sukarno
Published: December 2014

Real-time autonomy is a key element for system which closes the loop between observation, interpretation, planning, and action, commonly found in UxV, robotics, smart vehicle technologies, automated industrial machineries, and autonomic computing. Real-time autonomic cyber system requires timely and accurate decision making and adaptive planning. Autonomic decision making understands its own state and the perceived state of its environment. It is capable of anticipating changes and future states and projecting the effects of actions into future states. Understanding of current state and the knowledge/model of the world are needed for extrapolating actions and deriving action plans. This position paper proposes a hybrid, statistical-formal approach toward achieving realtime autonomy.
Dynamic Constraint Satisfaction with Space Reduction in Smart Environments
Authors: Degeler Viktoriya , Lazovik Alexander
Published: December 2014

A scalable, reactive and easy to evolve reasoning mechanism is essential for the success of automated smart environments, augmented with a large number of sensors and actuators. While constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) model is applicable for modelling decision making in such environments, the straightforward representation of the model as a CSP leads to a great number of excessive calculations. In this paper, we propose a method of modelling the task as a Dynamic CSP in a way that avoids unnecessary recalculations with new events in the environment. We present a Dependency Graph data structure, which not only allows to reduce CSP search space for every consecutive sensor event by detecting only affected parts of the environment, but also allows to give enough information to users of the system to specify the exact reasons of system's decisions, even with a large number of constraints. We formally prove that partial recalculation of affected parts still keeps the full environment globally satisfied and globally optimal. The evaluation of the system in the living lab showed real-time responses for all events. Additional simulated performance experiments showed that the Dependency Graph approach consistently outperforms the straightforward CSP representation. The experiments also showed that the clusterization of the environment has a noticeable effect on the performance, with highly clusterized environments requiring less computations.
Fast Strong Planning for FOND Problems with Multi-Root Directed Acyclic Graphs
Authors: Jaramillo Andres Calderon , Fu Jicheng , Ng Vincent , Bastani Farokh B. , Yen I-Ling
Published: December 2014

Recently, the state-of-the-art AI planners have significantly improved planning efficiency on Fully Observable Nondeterministic planning (FOND) problems with strong cyclic solutions. These strong cyclic solutions are guaranteed to achieve the goal if they terminate, implying that there is a possibility that they may run into indefinite loops. In contrast, strong solutions are guaranteed to achieve the goal, but few planners can effectively handle FOND problems with strong solutions. In this study, we aim to address this difficult, yet under-investigated class of planning problems: FOND planning problems with strong solutions. We present a planner that employs a new data structure, MRDAG (multi-root directed acyclic graph), to define how the solution space should be expanded. Based on the characteristics of MRDAG, we develop heuristics to ensure planning towards the relevant search direction and design optimizations to prune the search space to further improve planning efficiency. We perform extensive experiments to evaluate MRDAG, the heuristics, and the optimizations for pruning the search space. Experimental results show that our strong algorithm achieves impressive performance on a variety of benchmark problems: on average it runs more than three orders of magnitude faster than the state-of-the-art planners, MBP and Gamer, while demonstrating significantly better scalability.
The HPOL Spectropolarimeter at Ritter Observatory
Authors: Davidson James W. , Bjorkman Karen S. , Hoffman Jennifer L. , Bjorkman Jon E. , Nordsieck Kenneth H. , Babler Brian L. , Meade Marilyn R. , Wisniewski John P. , Lomax Jamie R.
Published: December 2014

The HPOL spectropolarimeter, previously operated by the University of Wisconsin at Pine Bluff Observatory (PBO), has been restored and relocated to the University of Toledo's Ritter Observatory. We achieved first light with HPOL at Ritter Observatory on 2012 March 11. We present a detailed instrument description of HPOL in its current configuration at Ritter Observatory, and a description of the standard observing procedure. We performed frequent observations of unpolarized standard stars to calibrate the instrumental polarization. We present polarimetric calibration results for observations spanning 2012 March 11 to 2013 May 2. Our calibration work shows that the systematic uncertainties of observations obtained with HPOL at Ritter Observatory are comparable to, and sometimes outperform, the systematic uncertainties obtained at PBO. We have successfully recommissioned the HPOL spectropolarimeter at Ritter Observatory, making it once again available for ongoing science observations.
Software Polarization Spectrometer "PolariS"
Authors: Mizuno Izumi , Kameno Seiji , Kano Amane , Kuroo Makoto , Nakamura Fumitaka , Kawaguchi Noriyuki , Shibata Katsunori M. , Kuji Seisuke , Kuno Nario
Published: December 2014

We have developed a software-based polarization spectrometer, PolariS, to acquire full-Stokes spectra with a very high spectral resolution of 61 Hz. The primary aim of PolariS is to measure the magnetic fields in dense star-forming cores by detecting the Zeeman splitting of molecular emission lines. The spectrometer consists of a commercially available digital sampler and a Linux computer. The computer is equipped with a graphics processing unit (GPU) to process FFT and cross-correlation using the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) library developed by NVIDIA. Thanks to a high degree of precision in quantization of the analog-to-digital converter and arithmetic in the GPU, PolariS offers excellent performances in linearity, dynamic range, sensitivity, bandpass flatness and stability. The software has been released under the MIT License and is available to the public. In this paper, we report the design of PolariS and its performance verified through engineering tests and commissioning observations.
The Fram Slide off Svalbard: a submarine landslide on a low-sedimentation-rate glacial continental margin
Authors: Elger Judith , Berndt Christian , Krastel Sebastian , Piper David J. W. , Gross Felix , Spielhagen Robert F. , Meyer Sebastian
Published: December 2014

Submarine slope failures are a widespread, hazardous phenomenon on continental margins. The prevailing opinion links large submarine landslides along the glaciated NW European continental margins to overpressure generated by the alternation of rapidly deposited glacigenic and hemipelagic material. Here, we report a newly discovered large landslide complex off NW Svalbard. It differs from all known large slides off NW Europe, as the available data rule out that this slope failure resulted from rapid glacigenic deposition. This suggests that processes such as contour currents, tectonic faulting, and overpressure build-up related to the gas hydrate system must be considered for hazard assessment.

Supplementary material:

Supplementary data are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18803
.
Increased GIP signaling induces adipose inflammation via a HIF-1α-dependent pathway and impairs insulin sensitivity in mice
Authors: Chen Shu , Okahara Fumiaki , Osaki Noriko , Shimotoyodome Akira
Published: December 2014

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gut hormone secreted in response to dietary fat and glucose. The blood GIP level is elevated in obesity and diabetes. GIP stimulates proinflammatory gene expression and impairs insulin sensitivity in cultured adipocytes. In obesity, hypoxia within adipose tissue can induce inflammation. The aims of this study were 1) to examine the proinflammatory effect of increased GIP signaling in adipose tissues in vivo and 2) to clarify the association between GIP and hypoxic signaling in adipose tissue inflammation. We administered GIP intraperitoneally to misty (lean) and db/db (obese) mice and examined adipose tissue inflammation and insulin sensitivity. We also examined the effects of GIP and hypoxia on expression of the GIP receptor (GIPR) gene and proinflammatory genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. GIP administration increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression and macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue and increased blood glucose in db/db mice. GIPR and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expressions were positively correlated in the adipose tissue in mice. GIPR expression increased dramatically in differentiated adipocytes. GIP treatment of adipocytes increased MCP-1 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Adipocytes cultured either with RAW 264 macrophages or under hypoxia expressed more GIPR and HIF-1α, and GIP treatment increased gene expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and IL-6. HIF-1α gene silencing diminished both macrophage- and hypoxia-induced GIPR expression and GIP-induced IL-6 expression in adipocytes. Thus, increased GIP signaling plays a significant role in adipose tissue inflammation and thereby insulin resistance in obese mice, and HIF-1α may contribute to this process.