bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Two-Fluid Model Near-Wall Averaging and Consistent Matching for Turbulent Bubbly Flows
Authors: Vaidheeswaran Avinash , Prabhudharwadkar Deoras , Guilbert Paul , Buchanan John R. , de Bertodano Martin Lopez
Published: July 2016

A new two-fluid model averaging in the near-wall region is proposed to ensure consistent matching of the two-phase k–ε turbulence model with the two-phase logarithmic law of the wall (Marie J. L., Moursali, E., and Tran-Cong, S., 1997, “Similarity Law and Turbulence Intensity Profiles in a Bubbly Boundary Layer,” Int. J. Multiphase Flow, 23(2), pp. 227–247). The void fraction distribution obtained with the averaging procedure is seen to conform to the two-phase wall function approach which is based on a double step function void fraction distribution. In particular, the proposed averaging technique is shown to achieve grid convergence in the near-wall region, which could not be obtained otherwise. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results with the proposed technique are in good agreement with experiments on upward bubbly flows over a flat plate, and upward and downward flows in pipes. An additional advantage of the proposed technique is that it replaces the wall force model, which has a significant degree of uncertainty in turbulent flow modeling, with a simpler geometric constraint.
Failure Mechanisms of Weld Bonded Lap Joints Between Composite/Metal Adherends
Authors: Li Lijun , Sun Lingyu
Published: July 2016

Weld-bonding, a combination of spot welding and adhesive bonding, is a primary method of joining the composite underbody to the steel body-in-white (BIW). This concept is provided by the Automotive Composites Consortium (ACC) to ensure the compatibility with the OEM assembly processes.

This paper established the finite element model of the weld bonded lap joint based on the published specimen dimensions, and compared the ultimate load and failure mode with their experimental results. Their good agreements demonstrated the accuracy of the numerical model and simulation method. Using this model, the progressive failures within the joints were predicted under static tensile loading and impact loading, respectively. The impact resistant capability of this joint was evaluated and the load transfer path among the adhesives, welded spot, composite and HSS adherend was discussed. The influences of relative thickness and relative stiffness between the adhesives and the two adherends on the failure modes were studied numerically, and the map chart for failure mode prediction was provided for weld bonded lap joints of bi-materials adherends, which is helpful for engineering application.
Structural Integrity of Conventional and Modified Railroad Bearing Adapters for Onboard Monitoring
Authors: Montalvo Joseph , Trevino Alexis , Fuentes Arturo A. , Tarawneh Constantine M.
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a detailed study of the structural integrity of conventional and modified railroad bearing adapters for onboard monitoring applications. Freight railcars rely heavily on weigh bridges and stations to determine cargo load. As a consequence, most load measurements are limited to certain physical railroad locations. This limitation provided an opportunity for an optimized sensor that could potentially deliver significant insight on bearing condition monitoring as well as load information. Bearing adapter modifications (e.g. cut-outs) were necessary to house the sensor and, thus, it is imperative to determine the reliability of the modified railroad bearing adapter, which will be used for onboard health monitoring applications. To this end, this study quantifies the impact of the proposed modifications on the adapter structural integrity through a series of experiments and finite element analyses. The commercial software Algor 20.3TM is used to conduct the stress finite element analyses. Different loading scenarios are simulated with the purpose of obtaining the conventional and modified bearing adapter stresses during normal and abnormal operating conditions. This information is then used to estimate the lifetime of these bearing adapters. Furthermore, this paper presents an experimentally validated finite element model which can be used to attain stress distribution maps of these bearing adapters in different service conditions. The maps are also useful for identifying areas of interest for an eventual inspection of conventional or modified railroad bearing adapters in the field.
Surge Limit Prediction of Centrifugal Compressor Using Semi Classical Signal Analysis
Authors: Deligant Michael , Khelladi Sofiane , Bakir Farid , Podevin Pierre
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the use of the recently developed semi classical signal analysis (SCSA) method for surge limit detection of a centrifugal compressor. The SCSA is based on the fact that the studied temporal signal is considered as a trap-potential for a semi-classical particle and is represented by discrete energy levels given by the discrete spectrum of a Schrödinger operator. This approach provides new spectral parameters whom variability might be interesting for signals analysis. Inlet and outlet pressure signals recorded on a turbocharger test bench while reducing the compressor mass flow rate are analysed. The spectral parameters provided by the SCSA show interesting behaviour especially around the transition zone between stable operation and surge. Following these observations, a new criterion for surge limit detection is proposed. The sensitivity of the detection may be adjusted by the threshold value. The implementation of this new method combined with active regulation may extend the usable zone of the compressor map.
Assessing the Impact of a Cooperative Merging System on Highway Traffic Using a Microscopic Flow Simulator
Authors: Ntousakis Ioannis A. , Porfyri Kallirroi , Nikolos Ioannis K. , Papageorgiou Markos
Published: July 2016

Vehicle merging on highways has always been an important aspect, which directly affects the capacity of the highway. Under critical traffic conditions, the merging of main road traffic and on-ramp traffic is known to trigger speed breakdown and congestion. Additionally, merging is one of the most stressful tasks for the driver, since it requires a synchronized set of observations and actions. Consequently, drivers often perform merging maneuvers with low efficiency. Emerging vehicle technologies, such as cooperative adaptive cruise control and/or merging-assistance systems, are expected to enable the so-called “cooperative merging”. The purpose of this work is to propose a cooperative merging system and evaluate its performance and its impact on highway capacity. The modeling and simulation of the proposed methodology is performed within the framework of a microscopic traffic simulator. The proposed model allows for the vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, which enables the effective handling of the available gaps between vehicles. Different cases are examined through simulations, in order to assess the impact of the system on traffic flow, under various traffic conditions. Useful conclusions are derived from the simulation results, which can form the basis for more complex merging algorithms and/or strategies that adapt to traffic conditions.
Performance Investigation of an Eight Cylinder Gasoline Engine
Authors: Kilicarslan Ali , Qatu Mohamad S.
Published: July 2016

Performance investigation of a Chevrolet 5.7, eight cylinder gasoline engine is experimentally carried out at laboratuary conditions by means of the special softwares called “NetDyn” and “WinDyn”. This experimental work is intended to make contribution to the researchers that experimentally analyze the parameters of gasoline engines with the engine speed in detail. During the experiments, the engine speed is changed from 2500 rpm to 5250 rpm with 250 rpm intervals and steptime for succesive speeds is kept constant as 10 s. Engine power, engine torque, fuel and air flowrates per kW, mechanical efficiency, oil temperature and pressure, break mean effective pressure and exhaust temperatures are measured as a function of engine speed. As the engine speed was increased, it was observed that the air mass flow rate, exhaust and oil temperatures increased while the break mean effective pressure, mechanical volumetric efficiency, and engine torque decreased. Engine power increased between the engine speeds of 2500 rpm and 3750, but it decreased between the speeds of 3750 rpm 5246 rpm.
Ultrahigh sensitivity of methylammonium lead tribromide perovskite single crystals to environmental gases
Authors: Fang Hong-Hua , Adjokatse Sampson , Wei Haotong , Yang Jie , Blake Graeme R. , Huang Jinsong , Even Jacky , Loi Maria Antonietta
Published: July 2016

Extremely low surface trap densities and ultrahigh sensitivity to oxygen and water molecules are demonstrated in perovskite single crystals.
Uncertainty reigns in Brexit Britain
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: July 2016

As U.K. universities counsel their E.U. staff, researchers see first signs of fallout.
Forbidden planets
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: July 2016

How the zoo of exoplanets has turned planet formation theory upside down.
Survival of the Fittest: How Bacterial Pathogens Utilize Bile To Enhance Infection
Authors: Sistrunk Jeticia R. , Nickerson Kourtney P. , Chanin Rachael B. , Rasko David A. , Faherty Christina S.
Published: July 2016

Bacterial pathogens have coevolved with humans in order to efficiently infect, replicate within, and be transmitted to new hosts to ensure survival and a continual infection cycle. For enteric pathogens, the ability to adapt to numerous host factors under the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract is critical for establishing infection. One such host factor readily encountered by enteric bacteria is bile, an innately antimicrobial detergent-like compound essential for digestion and nutrient absorption. Not only have enteric pathogens evolved to resist the bactericidal conditions of bile, but these bacteria also utilize bile as a signal to enhance virulence regulation for efficient infection. This review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of bile-related research with enteric pathogens. From common responses to the unique expression of specific virulence factors, each pathogen has overcome significant challenges to establish infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Utilization of bile as a signal to modulate virulence factor expression has led to important insights for our understanding of virulence mechanisms for many pathogens. Further research on enteric pathogens exposed to this
in vivo
signal will benefit therapeutic and vaccine development and ultimately enhance our success at combating such elite pathogens.
Stress Physiology of Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Papadimitriou Konstantinos , Alegría Ángel , Bron Peter A. , de Angelis Maria , Gobbetti Marco , Kleerebezem Michiel , Lemos José A. , Linares Daniel M. , Ross Paul , Stanton Catherine , Turroni Francesca , van Sinderen Douwe , Varmanen Pekka , Ventura Marco , Zúñiga Manuel , Tsakalidou Effie , Kok Jan
Published: July 2016

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important starter, commensal, or pathogenic microorganisms. The stress physiology of LAB has been studied in depth for over 2 decades, fueled mostly by the technological implications of LAB robustness in the food industry. Survival of probiotic LAB in the host and the potential relatedness of LAB virulence to their stress resilience have intensified interest in the field. Thus, a wealth of information concerning stress responses exists today for strains as diverse as starter (e.g.,
Lactococcus lactis
), probiotic (e.g., several
Lactobacillus
spp.), and pathogenic (e.g.,
Enterococcus
and
Streptococcus
spp.) LAB. Here we present the state of the art for LAB stress behavior. We describe the multitude of stresses that LAB are confronted with, and we present the experimental context used to study the stress responses of LAB, focusing on adaptation, habituation, and cross-protection as well as on self-induced multistress resistance in stationary phase, biofilms, and dormancy. We also consider stress responses at the population and single-cell levels. Subsequently, we concentrate on the stress defense mechanisms that have been reported to date, grouping them according to their direct participation in preserving cell energy, defending macromolecules, and protecting the cell envelope. Stress-induced responses of probiotic LAB and commensal/pathogenic LAB are highlighted separately due to the complexity of the peculiar multistress conditions to which these bacteria are subjected in their hosts. Induction of prophages under environmental stresses is then discussed. Finally, we present systems-based strategies to characterize the “stressome” of LAB and to engineer new food-related and probiotic LAB with improved stress tolerance.
Initial experience using a femtosecond laser cataract surgery system at a UK National Health Service cataract surgery day care centre
Authors: Day Alexander C , Dhallu Sandeep K , Maurino Vincenzo , Wilkins Mark R
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To describe the initial outcomes following installation of a cataract surgery laser system.

Setting

National Health Service cataract surgery day care unit in North London, UK.

Participants

158 eyes of 150 patients undergoing laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Interventions

Laser cataract surgery using the AMO Catalys femtosecond laser platform.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary outcome measure: intraoperative complications including anterior and posterior capsule tears. Secondary outcome measures: docking to the laser platform, successful treatment delivery, postoperative visual acuities.

Results

Mean case age was 67.7±10.8 years (range 29–88 years). Docking was successful in 94% (148/158 cases), and in 4% (6/148 cases) of these, the laser delivery was aborted part way during delivery due to patient movement. A total of 32 surgeons, of grades from junior trainee to consultant, performed the surgeries. Median case number per surgeon was 3 (range from 1–20). The anterior capsulotomy was complete in 99.3% of cases, there were no anterior capsule tears (0%). There were 3 cases with posterior capsule rupture requiring anterior vitrectomy, and 1 with zonular dialysis requiring anterior vitrectomy (4/148 eyes, 2.7%). These 4 cases were performed by trainee surgeons, and were either their first laser cataract surgery (2 surgeons) or their first and second laser cataract surgeries (1 surgeon).

Conclusions

Despite the learning curve, docking and laser delivery were successfully performed in almost all cases, and surgical complication rates and visual outcomes were similar to those expected based on national data. Complications were predominately confined to trainee surgeons, and with the exception of intraoperative pupil constriction appeared unrelated to the laser-performed steps.
‘My independent streak may get in the way’: how older adults respond to falls prevention education in hospital
Authors: Hill Anne-Marie , Francis-Coad Jacqueline , Haines Terry P , Waldron Nicholas , Etherton-Beer Christopher , Flicker Leon , Ingram Katharine , McPhail Steven M
Published: July 2016

Objectives

The aim of the study was to determine how providing individualised falls prevention education facilitated behaviour change from the perspective of older hospital patients on rehabilitation wards and what barriers they identified to engaging in preventive strategies.

Design

A prospective qualitative survey.

Methods

Older patients (n=757) who were eligible (mini-mental state examination score>23/30) received falls prevention education while admitted to eight rehabilitation hospital wards in Western Australia. Subsequently, 610 participants were surveyed using a semistructured questionnaire to gain their response to the in-hospital education and their identified barriers to engaging in falls prevention strategies. Deductive content analysis was used to map responses against conceptual frameworks of health behaviour change and risk taking.

Results

Participants who responded (n=473) stated that the education raised their awareness, knowledge and confidence to actively engage in falls prevention strategies, such as asking for assistance prior to mobilising. Participants’ thoughts and feelings about their recovery were the main barriers they identified to engaging in safe strategies, including feeling overconfident or desiring to be independent and thinking that staff would be delayed in providing assistance. The most common task identified as potentially leading to risk-taking behaviour was needing to use the toilet.

Conclusions

Individualised education assists older hospital rehabilitation patients with good levels of cognition to engage in suitable falls prevention strategies while on the ward. Staff should engage with patients to understand their perceptions about their recovery and support patients to take an active role in planning their rehabilitation.
Six ways not to improve patient flow: a qualitative study
Authors: Kreindler Sara Adi
Published: July 2016

Background

Although well-established principles exist for improving the timeliness and efficiency of care, many organisations struggle to achieve more than small-scale, localised gains. Where care processes are complex and include segments under different groups' control, the elegant solutions promised by improvement methodologies remain elusive. This study sought to identify common design flaws that limit the impact of flow initiatives.

Methods

This qualitative study was conducted within an explanatory case study of a Canadian regional health system in which multitudinous flow initiatives had yielded no overall improvement in system performance. Interviews with 62 senior, middle and departmental managers, supplemented by ∼700 documents on flow initiatives, were analysed using the constant comparative method.

Results

Findings suggested that smooth flow depends on linking a definedpopulationto appropriatecapacityby means of an efficientprocess; flawed initiatives reflected failure to consider one or more of these essential elements. Many initiatives focused narrowly on process, failing to consider that the intended population was poorly defined or the needed capacity inaccessible; some introduced capacity for an intended population, but offered no process to link the two. Moreover, interveners were unable to respond effectively when a bottleneck moved to another part of the system. Errors of population, capacity and process, in different combinations, generated six ‘formulae for failure’.

Conclusions

Typically, flawed initiatives focused on too small a segment of the patient journey to properly address the impediments to flow. The proliferation of narrowly focused initiatives, in turn, reflected a decentralised system in which responsibility for flow improvement was fragmented. Thus, initiatives' specific design flaws may have their roots in a deeper problem: the lack of a coherent system-level strategy.
One-two-triage: validation and reliability of a novel triage system for low-resource settings
Authors: Khan Ayesha , Mahadevan S V , Dreyfuss Andrea , Quinn James , Woods Joan , Somontha Koy , Strehlow Matthew
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To validate and assess reliability of a novel triage system, one-two-triage (OTT), that can be applied by inexperienced providers in low-resource settings.

Methods

This study was a two-phase prospective, comparative study conducted at three hospitals. Phase I assessed criterion validity of OTT on all patients arriving at an American university hospital by comparing agreement among three methods of triage: OTT, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) and physician-defined acuity (the gold standard). Agreement was reported in normalised and raw-weighted Cohen κ using two different scales for weighting, Expert-weighted and triage-weighted κ. Phase II tested reliability, reported in Fleiss κ, of OTT using standardised cases among three groups of providers at an urban and rural Cambodian hospital and the American university hospital.

Results

Normalised for prevalence of patients in each category, OTT and ESI performed similarly well for expert-weighted κ (OTT κ=0.58, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.65; ESI κ=0.47, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.53) and triage-weighted κ (κ=0.54, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.61; ESI κ=0.57, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.64). Without normalising, agreement with gold standard was less for both systems but performance of OTT and ESI remained similar, expert-weighted (OTT κ=0.57, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.62; ESI κ=0.6, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.66) and triage-weighted (OTT κ=0.31, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.38; ESI κ=0.41, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.4). In the reliability phase, all triagers showed fair inter-rater agreement, Fleiss κ (κ=0.308).

Conclusions

OTT can be reliably applied and performs as well as ESI compared with gold standard, but requires fewer resources and less experience.
Does elevated urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid level predict acute appendicitis in children?
Authors: Bosak Versic Ana , Glavan Nedeljka , Bukvic Nado , Tomasic Zlatko , Nikolic Harry
Published: July 2016

Background

Acute appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in children, and appendectomy is the most frequent acute abdominal operation. Prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment are required to reduce the risk of perforation and prevent complications, especially in small children. Enterochromaffin cells that contain large amounts of serotonin are mostly located in the distal appendix. Serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) could therefore be a marker for acute appendicitis.

Objective

We tested urinary 5-HIAA concentrations in spot urine samples from children with acute appendicitis.

Methods

We enrolled 93 patients who underwent surgery for suspicion of acute appendicitis. The diagnosis was made intraoperatively and confirmed histopathologically. Additionally, urine samples from 102 healthy children were collected as controls. Their 5-HIAA was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Acute appendicitis was diagnosed in 81 patients, whereas there were other explanations for abdominal pain in the remaining 12 patients in the non-appendicitis group. The control group comprised 102 healthy children. Considering the median of all measured 5-HIAA values as the cut-off, we analysed the proportions of patients with elevated values in all the groups. Our analysis showed that statistically there was no significant difference in the distribution of percentages among the groups. The area under the curve for 5-HIAA was 0.55 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.62) with sensitivity and specificity 60.4% and 48.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

Urine 5-HIAA concentration measured in spot samples is not a reliable method for diagnosing acute appendicitis in children.
A systematic review of patients', parents' and healthcare professionals' adrenaline auto-injector administration techniques
Authors: El Turki Aisha , Smith Helen , Llewellyn Carrie , Jones Christina J
Published: July 2016

Introduction

In order to enable fast treatment response to anaphylactic reactions, adrenaline auto-injectors (AAI) have been developed and manufactured. It has been reported in several studies that administration technique is suboptimal. The primary purpose of this study was to review the nature and extent of the deficiencies in administration technique among patients, parents/caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Methods

Relevant publications were identified between 1998 and 2015 using two search methods: a keyword search in Embase, PubMed, British Nursing Index and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and a search of reference lists of relevant articles.

Results

Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 37% of patients, 32% of parents/caregivers and 21% of healthcare professionals demonstrated correct administration technique. For studies which employed a before-and-after training study design, correct technique was achieved in 77% of patients, 79% of caregivers and 65% of healthcare professionals. The most consistently observed error was the failure to hold the device in place for the recommended time. For patients, factors associated with good technique were being aged over 18 years, trained in AAI administration by an allergist, prescribed an AAI for more than 30 months, having a history of severe anaphylaxis and membership of a support group. For parents/caregivers in addition to those mentioned, being given a training device with which to practice, improved technique.

Discussion

There was wide variation in administration techniques reported. However, studies designed using before-and-after training show that even a brief demonstration and educational intervention can improve technique. Further studies are required to design and pilot acceptable and cost-effective educational materials.
Conformational stability, barriers to internal rotations, and normal coordinate analysis of acetone and its2H-isotopomers
Authors: Gholamhoseinpour Mahboobeh , Tayyari Sayyed Faramarz , Emamian Saeedreza
Published: July 2016

Molecular structure and vibrational spectra of acetone, acetone-d3, and acetone-d6were investigated by means of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies of the acetone isotopomers were calculated at the B3LYP (using the 6–311++G(3df,3pd) basis set) and B2PLYP (using the 6–31+(2d,p) and 6–311G(2df,p) basis sets) levels. The calculated frequencies and the Raman and infrared (IR) intensities were compared with the experimental results. Excellent agreement between calculated and observed vibrational wavenumbers was obtained. Additionally, a normal coordinate analysis (NCA) was also done by using the normal mode eigenvectors obtained at the B3LYP/6–311++G(3df,3pd) level. All fundamental vibrational bands were assigned to the normal modes with the aid of the potential energy distribution (PED) values obtained from normal coordinate calculations. To study the internal rotation of CH3groups, single CH3rotation and synchronous rotations of both CH3groups (clockwise–clockwise and clockwise–counterclockwise) were analyzed using the MP2/6–311++G(3df,2pd) and B3LYP/6–311++G(3df,2pd) levels.
Response of Manitoba soils to banding phosphorus with sulfate or carbonate salts
Authors: Manimel Wadu Mihiri C.W. , Goh Tee Boon , Akinremi Olalekan O.
Published: July 2016

Applications of sulfate and carbonate salts have been shown to improve the solubility of phosphorus (P) in model calcareous soils. It is unclear how these treatments will influence P solubility in real soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sulfate or carbonate salts on P solubility in selected Manitoba soils. We hypothesized that the application of carbonate or sulfate salts in a fertilizer band could enhance the solubility of P in Manitoba soils. Different salt mixtures were prepared by mixing either monopotassium phosphate (MPP) or monoammonium phosphate (MAP) with K2SO4, (NH4)2SO4, MgSO4, or (NH4)2CO3. After the 2 wk of incubation of salt-treated soils, both P sources decreased soil pH significantly. The addition of salts did not significantly affect pH in most of the soils. There was a significant treatment effect (P < 0.0001), a significant soil effect (P < 0.0001), and a significant soil by treatment interaction (P < 0.0001) on water-extractable P. Coapplication of either sulfates or (NH4)2CO3salt increased soluble P in some soils by 6%–44% or 11%–14%, respectively. Application of carbonate or sulfate salts increased P solubility only in soils with a smaller ratio of HCl-extractable Ca to ammonium acetate-extractable Ca.
NMR-based metabolomics reveals compartmental metabolic heterogeneity in liver of Arctic char (Salvelinusalpinus)
Authors: Cheng K. , Wagner L. , Pickova J. , Moazzami A.A.
Published: July 2016

Metabolomics involves systematic study of low-molecular-mass metabolites in cells, tissues, or biofluids and is nowadays widely applied to characterize the physiological status of aquatic organisms under a set of conditions, such as disease and toxin exposure. Liver, an important metabolic center in the fish body, is often used for metabolomics analysis. Compared with the whole fish liver, the proportion of liver sample needed for metabolomics analysis is relatively small. The homogeneity of metabolites in liver is thus an important issue, especially for comparative studies and biomarker discovery. This study examined the homogeneity of the metabolic profile in liver of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus (L., 1758)) using a NMR-based metabolomics approach. For the analysis, whole liver samples were cut into four parts along the direction of gall bladder and at right angles to this, and metabolites in each part of the liver were extracted and analyzed by multivariate and univariate data analyses. Although the multivariate model was not significant due to variation within the data, the metabolic differences in polar portion of liver extract between the parts were seen, indicating non-homogeneity of Arctic char liver. Therefore, when sampling fish liver for further metabolomics studies, this heterogeneity should be taken into consideration.
An Efficient Temporal Redundancy Transformation for Wavelet Based Video Compression
Authors: Sowmyayani S. , Arockia Jansi Rani P.
Published: July 2016

The objective of this work is to propose a novel idea of transforming temporal redundancies present in videos. Initially, the frames are divided into sub-blocks. Then, the temporally redundant blocks are grouped together thus generating new frames with spatially redundant temporal data. The transformed frames are given to compression in the wavelet domain. This new approach greatly reduces the computational time. The reason is that the existing video codecs use block matching methods for motion estimation which is a time consuming process. The proposed method avoids the use of block matching method. The existing H.264/AVC takes approximately one hour to compress a video file where as the proposed method takes only one minute for the same task. The experimental results substantially proved that the proposed method performs better than the existing H.264/AVC standard in terms of time, compression ratio and PSNR.
A novel isoindole-containing polyaromatic hydrocarbon unexpectedly formed during the synthesis of meso-2,6-dichlorophenyl-substituted tribenzosubporphyrin
Authors: Shiina Yuta , Karasaki Hideaki , Mori Shigeki , Kobayashi Nagao , Furuta Hiroyuki , Shimizu Soji
Published: July 2016

A novel isoindole-containing polyaromatic hydrocarbon was unexpectedly formed during the synthesis of meso-2,6-dichlorophenyl-substituted tribenzosubporphyrin from a reaction of phthalimide and 2,6-dichlorophenylacetic acid in the presence of boric acid. Due to the highly annulated structure, this molecule exhibited blue color in solution, which was theoretically well reproduced by the HOMO–LUMO transitions based on the time-dependent DFT calculation. In this manuscript, the synthesis and properties of this polyaromatic hydrocarbon [Formula: see text]and meso-2,6-dichlorophenyl-substituted tribenzosubporphyrin are reported.
Vagal Mechanoreceptors and Chemoreceptors in Mouse Stomach and Esophagus
Authors: Page A. J. , Martin C. M. , Blackshaw L. A.
Published: July 2016

We used a novel in vitro mouse vagus-gastro-esophageal preparation to study the properties of peripheral vagal afferent endings. We found two types of mechanoreceptive fiber, mucosal receptors and tension receptors. These were distinguished by their sensitivity to mucosal stroking with von Frey hairs and circular tension applied via a claw-cantilever system. A comparison was made with gastro-esophageal afferents found in a similar preparation of ferret tissue. Responses of mouse tension receptors to circular tension were significantly greater than ferret tension and tension/mucosal receptors. Similarly the responses of mouse mucosal receptors to mucosal stroking were significantly greater than ferret mucosal and tension/mucosal receptors. Forty-seven percent of mouse mucosal receptors and 50% of tension receptors responded to one or more drugs or chemical stimuli applied to the receptive field. These included α,β-methylene ATP (10−6 to 10−3 M), 5-hydroxytryptamine (10−6 to 10−3 M), and hydrochloric acid (10−2 to 10−1 M). Drug responses were concentration dependent. One hundred percent of mucosal receptors and 61% of tension receptors tested responded to bile (1:8 to 1:1 dilution). A third type of fiber was recruited by bile. These fibers were mechanically insensitive and silent prior to bile exposure. In conclusion, we have shown three types of gastro-esophageal vagal afferent fibers in the mouse: mucosal mechanoreceptors, tension receptors, and specific chemoreceptors activated by bile.
Effect of Short-Term Saccadic Adaptation on Saccades Evoked by Electrical Stimulation in the Primate Superior Colliculus
Authors: Edelman Jay A. , Goldberg Michael E.
Published: July 2016

The brain maintains the accuracy of visually guided movements by using visual feedback to correct for changes in the nervous system and musculature that would otherwise result in dysmetria. In monkeys, evidence suggests that an adaptive mechanism can compensate for weakness in an extraocular muscle by changing the gain of the neural signal to the weakened muscle. The visual effects of such neuromuscular changes have been simulated using a short-term saccade adaptation paradigm, in which the target spot jumps to a new location during the initial saccade. Under these circumstances, over several hundred trials, monkeys gradually change the amplitude of their saccades so that the eye lands closer to the final location of the target spot. There is considerable evidence from lesion and single-unit recording studies that the locus of such saccade adaptation is downstream of the superior colliculus in the cerebellum. Paradoxically, previous research has indicated that saccades evoked by electrical stimulation in the superior colliculus are not modified by short-term saccade adaptation, suggesting that adaptation occurs in the oculomotor system upstream of the superior colliculus or else in a pathway that bypasses the superior colliculus. We tested whether this result was due to using suprathreshold stimulation currents. Stimulating at 44 low-threshold sites in the superior colliculi of three monkeys revealed that using low current levels evoked saccades that were modified by adaptation. Adaptation for visually guided and electrically evoked saccades had similar time courses and tended to be accomplished by a reduction in saccade velocity rather than a decrease in duration. Moreover, the more similar the velocity of electrically evoked and visually guided saccades prior to the start of saccadic adaptation the greater the effect of adaptation on electrically evoked saccades. These results suggest that the superior colliculus is indeed upstream of the locus of adaptation, corroborating previous lesion and single-cell recording studies, but that the mechanism mediating saccade adaptation is sensitive to the parameters of electrical stimulation.
Increasing Number and Proportion of Adverse Obstetrical Outcomes among Women Living with HIV in the Ottawa Area: A 20-Year Clinical Case Series
Authors: Buchan Sarah , Muldoon Katherine A. , Spaans Johanna N. , Balfour Louise , Samson Lindy , Walker Mark , Cameron D. William
Published: July 2016

Background. The prevalence and associated risks with adverse obstetrical outcomes among women living with HIV are not well measured. The objective of this study was to longitudinally investigate the prevalence and correlates of adverse obstetrical outcomes among women with HIV.Methods. This 20-year (1990–2010) clinical case series assessed the prevalence of adverse obstetrical outcomes among pregnant women with HIV receiving care at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). General estimating equation modeling was used to identify factors independently associated with adverse obstetrical outcomes, while controlling for year of childbirth clustering.Results. At TOH, there were 127 deliveries among 94 women (1990–2010): 22 preterm births, 9 births with low birth weight, 12 births small for gestational age, and 4 stillbirths. Per year, the odds of adverse obstetrical outcomes increased by 15% (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.30). Psychiatric illness (AOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.12–6.24), teen pregnancy (AOR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.04–1.46), and recent immigrant status (AOR: 7.24, 95% CI: 1.30–40.28) were the strongest correlates of adverse obstetrical outcomes.Conclusions. The increasing number and proportion of adverse obstetrical outcomes among pregnant women with HIV over the past 20 years highlight the need for social supports and maternal and child health interventions, especially among adolescents, new immigrants, and those with a history of mental illness.
An Integrated Expert System for Linear Scheduling Heavy Earthmoving Operations
Authors: Markiz Nizar , Jrade Ahmad
Published: July 2016

Heavy earthmoving operations are repetitive in nature and vulnerable to time-related restraints and uncertainties. Therefore, at the conceptual stage, scheduling these operations can take a linear form, known as linear schedule or line of balance (LOB). In such type of work, generating a preliminary line of balance for variable sequencing of activities is crucial. In this paper, an integrated expert system for determining preliminary linear schedules for heavy earthmoving operations at the conceptual stage is presented. The proposed system incorporates numerous factors that influence the analysis of earthmoving operations, which include geological and topographical parameters used to determine productivity rates at the conceptual stage. Also, the proposed system is capable of automatically generating a line of balance based on a stochastic scheduling technique via the metaheuristic simulated annealing intelligent approach to incorporate randomness and uncertainties in performing the associated activities. A parametric analysis is conducted in order to quantify the system’s degree of accuracy. An actual case project is then utilized to illustrate its numerical capabilities. Generating accurate linear schedules for heavy earthmoving operations at the conceptual design stage is anticipated to be of major significance to infrastructure project stakeholders, engineers, and construction managers by detecting schedule’s conflicts early in order to enhance overall operational logistics.
HMBA Enhances Prostratin-Induced Activation of Latent HIV-1 via Suppressing the Expression of Negative Feedback Regulator A20/TNFAIP3 in NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Chen Duchu , Wang Huiping , Aweya Jude Juventus , Chen Yanheng , Chen Meihua , Wu Xiaomeng , Chen Xiaonan , Lu Jing , Chen Ruichuan , Liu Min
Published: July 2016

In the past decade, much emphasis has been put on the transcriptional activation of HIV-1, which is proposed as a promised strategy for eradicating latent HIV-1 provirus. Two drugs, prostratin and hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA), have shown potent effects as inducers for releasing HIV-1 latency when used alone or in combination, although their cellular target(s) are currently not well understood, especially under drug combination. Here, we have shown that HMBA and prostratin synergistically release HIV-1 latency via different mechanisms. While prostratin strongly stimulates HMBA-induced HIV-1 transcription via improved P-TEFb activation, HMBA is capable of boosting NF-κB-dependent transcription initiation by suppressing prostratin-induced expression of the deubiquitinase A20, a negative feedback regulator in the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, HMBA was able to increase prostratin-induced phosphorylation and degradation of NF-κB inhibitor IκBα, thereby enhancing and prolonging prostratin-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB, a prerequisite for stimulation of transcription initiation. Thus, by blocking the negative feedback circuit, HMBA functions as a signaling enhancer of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Preventive Maintenance Optimization in Healthcare Domain: Status of Research and Perspective
Authors: Mahfoud H. , El Barkany A. , El Biyaali A.
Published: July 2016

Although medical equipment maintenance has been carefully managed for years, very few in-depth studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of these implemented preventive maintenance strategies, especially after the debate about the credibility of manufacturer’s recommendations has increased in the clinical engineering community. Facing the dilemma of merely following manufactures maintenance manual or establishing an evidence-based maintenance, medical equipment maintenance could have exploited an advanced area in operations research which is maintenance optimization research. In this paper, we review and examine carefully the status of application oriented research on preventive maintenance optimization of medical devices. This study addresses preventive healthcare maintenance with a focus on factors influencing the maintenance decision making. The analysis is structured by defining different aspects necessary to construct a maintenance optimization model. We conclusively propose directions to develop suitable tools for better healthcare maintenance management.
Grape Powder Improves Age‐Related Decline in Mitochondrial and Kidney Functions in Fischer 344 Rats
Authors: Pokkunuri Indira , Ali Quaisar , Asghar Mohammad
Published: July 2016

We examined the effects and mechanism of grape powder‐ (GP‐) mediated improvement, if any, on aging kidney function. Adult (3‐month) and aged (21‐month) Fischer 344 rats were treated without (controls) and with GP (1.5% in drinking water) and kidney parameters were measured. Control aged rats showed higher levels of proteinuria and urinary kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1), which decreased with GP treatment in these rats. Renal protein carbonyls (protein oxidation) and gp91phox‐NADPH oxidase levels were high in control aged rats, suggesting oxidative stress burden in these rats. GP treatment in aged rats restored these parameters to the levels of adult rats. Moreover, glomerular filtration rate and sodium excretion were low in control aged rats suggesting compromised kidney function, which improved with GP treatment in aged rats. Interestingly, low renal mitochondrial respiration and ATP levels in control aged rats were associated with reduced levels of mitochondrial biogenesis marker MtTFA. Also, Nrf2 proteins levels were reduced in control aged rats. GP treatment increased levels of MtTFA and Nrf2 in aged rats. These results suggest that GP by potentially regulating Nrf2 improves aging mitochondrial and kidney functions.
An Immunohistochemical Study on the Role of Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Irradiated Skin
Authors: Koerdt Steffen , Tanner Nadine , Rommel Niklas , Rohleder Nils H. , Stoeckelhuber Mechthild , Wolff Klaus-Dietrich , Kesting Marco R.
Published: July 2016

Background/Aim: The effects of ionizing radiation through the generation of free radicals, reactive aldehydes, and other oxidative and nitrosative by-products account for skin injuries as side effects of radiation therapy (RT). This study aims to identify cellular pathways in oxidative and nitrosative stress in irradiated skin using well-established marker proteins in an immunohistochemical analysis. Materials and Methods: Tissue specimens of 51 patients were obtained during operative access to the neck. Twenty patients (39.2%) received RT prior to the surgical intervention. Immunohistochemical analysis of stable degradation products of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), 3-nitrotyrosine, 8-isoprostane, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) was performed in specimens which were exposed to RT and those without a history of RT. Results: Immunohistochemical staining showed a significantly increased expression of nitrotyrosine in superficial and basal epidermal regions of interest (ROI), p-AKT in all epidermal ROI, and p-ERK in all the investigated epidermal and dermal ROI, as well as in an overall analysis. No significance could be detected in immunostaining against isoprostane. Discussion: This study summarizes the influence of RONS in RT. Moreover, a detailed histological analysis was able to identify epidermal ROI as a main starting point of RONS in irradiated skin. Even though the role of RONS in high-dose therapeutic radiation remains a subject for further research, these data underlines the crucial role of RONS in high-dose radiation.
Heart Valve Replacements with Regenerative Capacity
Authors: Dijkman Petra E. , Fioretta Emanuela S. , Frese Laura , Pasqualini Francesco S. , Hoerstrup Simon P.
Published: July 2016

The incidence of severe valvular dysfunctions (e.g., stenosis and insufficiency) is increasing, leading to over 300,000 valves implanted worldwide yearly. Clinically used heart valve replacements lack the capacity to grow, inherently requiring repetitive and high-risk surgical interventions during childhood. The aim of this review is to present how different tissue engineering strategies can overcome these limitations, providing innovative valve replacements that proved to be able to integrate and remodel in pre-clinical experiments and to have promising results in clinical studies. Upon description of the different types of heart valve tissue engineering (e.g., in vitro, in situ, in vivo, and the pre-seeding approach) we focus on the clinical translation of this technology. In particular, we will deepen the many technical, clinical, and regulatory aspects that need to be solved to endure the clinical adaptation and the commercialization of these promising regenerative valves.
Nuclear factor-κB regulates expression of platelet phospholipase C-β2 (PLCB2)
Authors: Mao Guangfen , Jin Jianguo , Kunapuli Satya P. , Rao A. Koneti
Published: July 2016

Phospholipase C (PLC)-β2 (gene PLCB2) is a critical regulator of platelet responses upon activation. Mechanisms regulating of PLC-β2 expression in platelets/MKs are unknown. Our studies in a patient with platelet PLC-β2 deficiency revealed the PLCB2 coding sequence to be normal and decreased platelet PLC-β2 mRNA, suggesting a defect in transcriptional regulation. PLCB2 5’- upstream region of the patient revealed a heterozygous 13 bp deletion (-1645/-1633 bp) encompassing a consensus sequence for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). This was subsequently detected in three of 50 healthy subjects. To understand the mechanisms regulating PLC-β2, we studied the effect of this variation in the PLCB2. Gel-shift studies using nuclear extracts from human erythroleukaemia (HEL) cells or recombinant p65 showed NF-κB binding to oligonucleotide with NF-κB site; in luciferase reporter studies its deletion reduced PLCB2 promoter activity. PLCB2 expression was decreased by siRNA knockdown of NF-κB p65 subunit and increased by p65 overexpression. By immunoblotting platelet PLC-β2 in 17 healthy subjects correlated with p65 (r=0.76, p=0.0005). These studies provide the first evidence that NF-kB regulates MK/platelet PLC-β2 expression. This interaction is important because of the major role of PLC-β2 in platelet activation and of NF-κB in processes, including inflammation and atherosclerosis, where both are intimately involved.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.