bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypovitaminosis D is associated with increased whole body fat mass and greater severity of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Dasarathy Jaividhya , Periyalwar Pranav , Allampati Sanath , Bhinder Vikram , Hawkins Carol , Brandt Patricia , Khiyami Amer , McCullough Arthur J. , Dasarathy Srinivasan
Published: September 2013

Background & Aims

Hypovitaminosis D is common in obesity and insulin‐resistant states. Increased fat mass in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may contribute to hypovitaminosis D. To determine the relation among plasma vitamin D concentration, severity of disease and body composition inNAFLD.

Methods

Plasma vitamin D concentration was quantified in 148 consecutive biopsy‐proven patients withNAFLD(non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis –NASH:n = 81; and hepatic steatosis:n = 67) and healthy controls (n = 39).NAFLDwas scored using theNASH CRNcriteria. Body composition was quantified by bioelectrical impedance analysis and abdominalCTimage analysis.

Results

Plasma vitamin D concentration was significantly lower inNAFLD(21.2 ± 10.4 ng/ml) compared with healthy controls (35.7 ± 6.0 ng/ml). HigherNAFLDactivity scores were associated with lower plasma concentration of vitamin D (r2 = 0.29;P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis among patients withNAFLDshowed that patients withNASHhad significantly lower (P < 0.01) vitamin D levels than those with steatosis alone (18.1 ± 8.4 vs. 25.0 ± 11.3 ng/ml). Low concentrations of vitamin D were associated with greater severity of steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning and fibrosis (P < 0.05).On multivariate regression analysis, only severity of hepatocyte ballooning was independently associated (P = 0.02) with low vitamin D concentrations. Plasma vitamin D (P = 0.004) and insulin concentrations (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of theNAFLDactivity score on biopsy. Patients withNAFLDhad higher fat mass that correlated with low vitamin D (r2 = 0.26;P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Low plasma vitamin D concentration is an independent predictor of the severity ofNAFLD. Further prospective studies demonstrating the impact of vitamin D replacement inNAFLDpatients are required.
Is Urodynamic Study a Good Witness to the Progression of Ketamine‐Associated Cystitis?
Authors: HUANG Po‐Wei , WU Sheng‐Tang , TSAO Chih‐Wei , TANG Shou‐Hung , CHA Tai‐Lung , SUN Guang‐Huan , YU Dah‐Shyong , CHANG Sheng‐Yran , MENG En
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Ketamine abuse may cause variable lower urinary tract symptoms and severe cystitis. In this study, we evaluated the relevance of urodynamic parameters according to the dose and duration of ketamine use and investigate the value of urodynamic studies in determining the severity of ketamine‐associated cystitis (KC).

Methods

The urodynamic study results of 30 patients with KC between January 2009 and December 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had been diagnosed based on their history and clinical features before urodynamic investigations. Cystoscopy was performed to confirm the diagnosis and measure the maximum anesthetic bladder bladder capacity (MBC) (under spinal anesthesia).

Results

The mean (± standard deviation) age of patients with KC was 22.0 ± 3.3 years. The mean duration of ketamine abuse was 39.0 ± 20.8 months. Maximum cystometric capacity was 115 ± 66.6 mL. Seventy‐five percent of patients had a high maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) (> 90 cmH2O). There was no significant difference of urodynamic parameters between the high‐dose (≥ 5 gm/day) and low‐dose groups (< 5 gm/day) or the long‐duration (≥ 3 years) and short‐duration (< 3 years) groups. However, the MBC was significantly lower in high‐dose and long‐duration groups compared to the low‐dose and short‐duration groups (191.3 ± 68.5 vs. 299.0 ± 99 mL; P = 0.01; 219.0 ± 59.7 vs. 325.5 ± 104.5 mL; P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The urodynamic test results help diagnose KC, but may not be useful in determining the severity of the disease. The MBC measured under anesthesia may be a better predictor of the disease progression in KC.
The Significance of Opposition Entrepreneurs on Local Sales Tax Referendum Outcomes
Authors: Shock David R.
Published: September 2013

This article assesses the impact of “opposition entrepreneurs” on affirmative vote percentages for special purpose local‐option sales tax (SPLOST) proposals in counties of the Metropolitan Atlanta region. The main question addressed is how does the presence of identifiable opposition‐leading entrepreneurs in SPLOST campaigns affect the affirmative (“yes”) vote percentages for these sales tax proposals? Aggregate‐level county data and election‐specific campaign data were collected for 86 county and school district SPLOST referenda in 15 counties in the Metropolitan Atlanta region during the time period spanning from 1998 through 2011. The results of ordinary least square regression analyses support the hypothesis that the presence of opposition entrepreneurs in SPLOST campaigns reduces affirmative voting. The results indicate that opposition, by itself, is not sufficient to impact voting outcomes in tax referendum elections. Rather, consequential opposition efforts need to be led by an identifiable leader.

Related Articles

Dyck, Joshua J., and Annika Hagley. 2012. “” Politics & Policy 40 (): 195‐220. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00346.x/abstract

Adams, Brian E. 2012. “” Politics & Policy 40 (): 43‐68. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2011.00336.x/abstract

Caillier, James. 2010. “” Politics & Policy 38 (): 1015‐1035. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00267.x/abstract

Related Media

Davis, Janel. 2011. “” Atlanta Journal‐Constitution. March 16. http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/cobb‐splost‐extension‐appears‐to‐pass‐by‐79‐votes/nQrdt/

. 2011. “” . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smTsBcQYnd8

“” 2011. Atlanta Journal‐Constitution. March 5. http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/cobb‐residents‐rally‐against‐splost/nJbhh/
Within the Limits of Civic Training: Education Moderates the Relationship Between Openness and Political Attitudes
Authors: Osborne Danny , Sibley Chris G.
Published: September 2013

Research demonstrates that the Big‐Five's Openness to Experience is inversely associated with political conservatism. This literature, however, implicitly assumes that the strength of this relationship is invariant across the electorate. We challenge this assumption by arguing that education—an institution designed to increase civic competence—affects the degree to which personality predicts various political attitudes. Specifically, we posit that education facilitates people's ability to identify issue positions that (theoretically) resonate with their personality. Using a national probability sample of New Zealand voters (n = 6,518), we show that education consistently moderates the relationship between personality and a host of political attitudes. Whereas Openness to Experience is inversely associated with politically conservative issue positions among the highly educated, it is often uncorrelated with the same attitudes among those with low levels of educational attainment. These results identify an important—though often neglected—moderator of the relationship between personality and political attitudes.
Tumour‐Infiltrating FoxP3+ and IL‐17‐Producing T Cells Affect the Progression and Prognosis of Gallbladder Carcinoma after Surgery
Authors: Zhang Y. , Huang Y. , Qin M.
Published: September 2013

Tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been found to play crucial roles in a series of cancers. However, the impact of these cells on gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined infiltrating FoxP3+, IL‐17+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells by immunohistochemistry in specimens of 104 patients with GBC and evaluated the association of these cells with clinicopathological features and prognosis. The number of FoxP3+ cells was increased in a stepwise manner from CC to GA and GBC (GA versus CC, P = 0.036; early GBC versus GA, P = 0.032; advanced versus early GBC, P = 0.025). Both intratumoral FoxP3+ and IL‐17+ cells correlated with nodal metastasis and TNM stage. Additionally, there were more infiltrating FoxP3+ cells in specimens with distant metastasis (P = 0.014). The group with high FoxP3+ cells showed poor overall survival (OS, P < 0.001) and disease‐free survival (DFS, P < 0.001), and high infiltration of IL‐17‐producing cells was also a predictor of poor OS (P = 0.024). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of intratumoral FoxP3+ cells was an independent prognostic indicator for poor DFS (P < 0.01). In summary, these findings indicate that FoxP3+ and IL‐17+ cells cooperatively facilitate pathogenesis and progression of GBC and show prognostic significance for OS or DFS.
Asthma in pregnancy
Authors: Goldie Michelle H , Brightling Chris E
Published: September 2013

Key content

Asthma is a common condition that affects ˜10% of pregnant women.

Pregnancy worsens asthma control in one‐third of women, improves it in one‐third and has no effect on one‐third.

Poor asthma control has adverse effects upon maternal and fetal outcomes.

Good asthma management to maintain control is important in line with national guidelines.

Standard therapy with inhaled corticosteroids with or without the addition of short and long‐acting β‐agonists can be used in pregnancy.

Learning objectives

Comprehensive overview of asthma in pregnancy.

Review asthma management in pregnancy.

Ethical issues

Are women appropriately counselled on the pregnancy risks of asthma?

Are doctors aware of the safety of routine asthma treatments in pregnancy?
Frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of primary intracranial tumours in dogs
Authors: Mariani C. L. , Schubert T. A. , House R. A. , Wong M. A. , Hopkins A. L. , Barnes Heller H. L. , Milner R. J. , Lester N. V. , Lurie D. M. , Rajon D. A. , Friedman W. A. , Bova F. J.
Published: September 2013

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a procedure that delivers a single large radiation dose to a well‐defined target. Here, we describe a framelessSRStechnique suitable for intracranial targets in canines. Medical records of dogs diagnosed with a primary intracranial tumour by imaging or histopathology that underwentSRSwere retrospectively reviewed. FramelessSRSwas used successfully to treat tumours in 51 dogs with a variety of head sizes and shapes. Tumours diagnosed included 38 meningiomas, 4 pituitary tumours, 4 trigeminal nerve tumours, 3 gliomas, 1 histiocytic sarcoma and 1 choroid plexus tumour. Median survival time was 399 days for all tumours and for dogs with meningiomas; cause‐specific survival was 493 days for both cohorts. Acute gradeIIIcentral nervous system toxicity (altered mentation) occurred in two dogs. FramelessSRSresulted in survival times comparable to conventional radiation therapy, but with fewer acute adverse effects and only a single anaesthetic episode required for therapy.
On the Kohnen plus space for Hilbert modular forms of half-integral weight I
Authors: Hiraga Kaoru , Ikeda Tamotsu
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we construct a generalization of the Kohnen plus space for Hilbert modular forms of half-integral weight. The Kohnen plus space can be characterized by the eigenspace of a certain Hecke operator. It can be also characterized by the behavior of the Fourier coefficients. For example, in the parallel weight case, a modular form of weight $\kappa + (1/ 2)$ with $\xi \mathrm{th} $ Fourier coefficient $c(\xi )$ belongs to the Kohnen plus space if and only if $c(\xi )= 0$ unless $\mathop{(- 1)}\nolimits ^{\kappa } \xi $ is congruent to a square modulo $4$. The Kohnen subspace is isomorphic to a certain space of Jacobi forms. We also prove a generalization of the Kohnen–Zagier formula.
Computing level one Hecke eigensystems (mod )
Authors: Citro Craig , Ghitza Alexandru
Published: September 2013

We describe an algorithm for enumerating the set of level one systems of Hecke eigenvalues arising from modular forms (mod $p$).

Supplementary materials are available with this article.
The Influence of Actual Layout and Off-Axis Needle Stroke on Diesel Nozzle Flow Under Ballistic Needle Displacement
Authors: Palmieri Fulvio
Published: September 2013

The injection of small amount of diesel fuel relies on the shortening of energizing signal. In such injection conditions, the needle does not reach the mechanical stroke-end and its displacement is defined as ballistic. Some specific experimental work has been performed on how the dynamics of injector needle is reflected on the fuel flow pattern within the nozzle. Due to the intrinsic difficulties of the field, just single axial hole injectors have been optically investigated in real time, by means of the most advanced X-ray techniques. In the current study, based on 3D-computational fluid dynamics modeling, the investigation has been extended to multihole injector layouts, under typical pilot/split injection conditions, namely, high injection pressure and low needle lift. The role of different factors on the flow development within the nozzle has been shown and discussed; the investigations have taken into account actual injector tip layouts and the response to the needle off-axis operating conditions. Results are presented highlighting the flow features within the nozzle and their reflects on the hole-to-hole differences.
Mitigation of Vortex-Induced Vibrations of a Pivoted Circular Cylinder Using an Adaptive Pendulum Tuned-Mass Damper
Authors: Kheirkhah Sina , Lourenco Richard , Yarusevych Serhiy , Narasimhan Sriram
Published: September 2013

A novel adaptive pendulum tuned-mass damper (TMD) was integrated with a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) cylindrical structure in order to control vortex-induced vibrations of the structure. The natural frequency of the TMD was adjusted autonomously in order to control the vortex-induced vibrations. The experiments were performed at a constant Reynolds number of 2100 and for four reduced velocities, 4.18, 5.44, 6.00, and 6.48. Two TMD damping ratios, 0 and 0.24, were investigated for a constant TMD mass ratio of 0.087. The results demonstrate that tuning the natural frequency of the TMD to the natural frequency of the structure decreases the amplitudes of transverse and streamwise vibrations of the structure significantly. Specifically, the transverse amplitudes of vibrations are decreased by a factor of ten and streamwise amplitudes of vibrations are decreased by a factor of three. Depending on the value of the TMD damping ratio, the frequency of transverse vibrations is either characterized by the natural frequency of the structure or by two other fundamental frequencies, one higher and the other lower than the natural frequency of the structure. The results demonstrate that, independent of the TMD damping and tuning frequency ratios, the frequency of streamwise vibrations matches that of the transverse vibrations in the synchronization region, and the cylinder traces elliptic trajectories. A mathematical model is proposed to gain insight into the frequency response of the structure and fluid-structure interactions. The model shows that, for low TMD damping ratios, the frequency response of the structure equipped with the TMD is characterized by two fundamental frequencies; whereas, for relatively high TMD damping ratios, the frequency response of the structure is characterized by a single frequency, i.e., the natural frequency. In both cases, the fluid forcing within the synchronization region is linked to the fundamental frequency/frequencies of the structure. Thus, the classical definition of synchronization applies to multiple DOF structures undergoing vortex-induced vibrations.
Multibody System of the Upper Limb Including a Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis
Authors: Quental C. , Folgado J. , Ambrósio J. , Monteiro J.
Published: September 2013

The reverse shoulder replacement, recommended for the treatment of several shoulder pathologies such as cuff tear arthropathy and fractures in elderly people, changes the biomechanics of the shoulder when compared to the normal anatomy. Although several musculoskeletal models of the upper limb have been presented to study the shoulder joint, only a few of them focus on the biomechanics of the reverse shoulder. This work presents a biomechanical model of the upper limb, including a reverse shoulder prosthesis, to evaluate the impact of the variation of the joint geometry and position on the biomechanical function of the shoulder. The biomechanical model of the reverse shoulder is based on a musculoskeletal model of the upper limb, which is modified to account for the properties of the DELTA® reverse prosthesis. Considering two biomechanical models, which simulate the anatomical and reverse shoulder joints, the changes in muscle lengths, muscle moment arms, and muscle and joint reaction forces are evaluated. The muscle force sharing problem is solved for motions of unloaded abduction in the coronal plane and unloaded anterior flexion in the sagittal plane, acquired using video-imaging, through the minimization of an objective function related to muscle metabolic energy consumption. After the replacement of the shoulder joint, significant changes in the length of the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, deltoid, teres major, teres minor, coracobrachialis, and biceps brachii muscles are observed for a reference position considered for the upper limb. The shortening of the teres major and teres minor is the most critical since they become unable to produce active force in this position. Substantial changes of muscle moment arms are also observed, which are consistent with the literature. As expected, there is a significant increase of the deltoid moment arms and more fibers are able to elevate the arm. The solutions to the muscle force sharing problem support the biomechanical advantages attributed to the reverse shoulder design and show an increase in activity from the deltoid, teres minor, and coracobrachialis muscles. The glenohumeral joint reaction forces estimated for the reverse shoulder are up to 15% lower than those in the normal shoulder anatomy. The data presented here complements previous publications, which, all together, allow researchers to build a biomechanical model of the upper limb including a reverse shoulder prosthesis.
Nanoparticle Mass Transfer From Lung Airways to Systemic Regions—Part II: Multi-Compartmental Modeling
Authors: Kolanjiyil Arun V. , Kleinstreuer Clement
Published: September 2013

This is the second article of a two-part paper, combining high-resolution computer simulation results of inhaled nanoparticle deposition in a human airway model (Kolanjiyil and Kleinstreuer, 2013, “Nanoparticle Mass Transfer From Lung Airways to Systemic Regions—Part I: Whole-Lung Aerosol Dynamics,” ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 135(12), p. 121003) with a new multicompartmental model for insoluble nanoparticle barrier mass transfer into systemic regions. Specifically, it allows for the prediction of temporal nanoparticle accumulation in the blood and lymphatic systems and in organs. The multicompartmental model parameters were determined from experimental retention and clearance data in rat lungs and then the validated model was applied to humans based on pharmacokinetic cross-species extrapolation. This hybrid simulator is a computationally efficient tool to predict the nanoparticle kinetics in the human body. The study provides critical insight into nanomaterial deposition and distribution from the lungs to systemic regions. The quantitative results are useful in diverse fields such as toxicology for exposure-risk analysis of ubiquitous nanomaterial and pharmacology for nanodrug development and targeting.
Additional Power Generation From Waste Energy of Diesel Engine Using Parallel Flow Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Hossain Shekh N. , Bari S.
Published: September 2013

High temperature diesel engine exhaust gas can be an important source of heat to operate a bottoming Rankine cycle to produce additional power. In this research, an experiment was performed to calculate the available energy in the exhaust gas of an automotive diesel engine. A shell and tube heat exchanger was used to extract heat from the exhaust gas, and the performance of two shell and tube heat exchangers was investigated with parallel flow arrangement using water as the working fluid. The heat exchangers were purchased from the market. As the design of these heat exchangers was not optimal, the effectiveness was found to be 0.52, which is much lower than the ideal one for this type of application. Therefore, with the available experimental data, the important geometric aspects of the heat exchanger, such as the number and diameter of the tubes and the length and diameter of the shell, were optimized using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The optimized heat exchanger effectiveness was found to be 0.74. Using the optimized heat exchangers, simulation was conducted to estimate the possible additional power generation considering 70% isentropic turbine efficiency. The proposed optimized heat exchanger was able to generate 20.6% additional power, which resulted in improvement of overall efficiency from 30% to 39%. Upon investigation of the effect of the working pressure on additional power generation, it was found that higher additional power can be achieved at higher working pressure. For this particular application, 30 bar was found to be the optimum working pressure at rated load. The working pressure was also optimized at part load and found that 2 and 20 were the optimized working pressures for 25% and 83% load. As a result 1.8% and 13.3% additional power were developed, respectively. Thus, waste heat recovery technology has a great potential for saving energy, improving overall engine efficiency, and reducing toxic emission per kilowatt of power generation.
Study of Microparticle Rebound Characteristics Under High Temperature Conditions
Authors: Reagle C. J. , Delimont J. M. , Ng W. F. , Ekkad S. V.
Published: September 2013

Large amounts of tiny microparticles are ingested into gas turbines over their operating life, resulting in unexpected wear and tear. Knowledge of such microparticle behavior at gas turbine operating temperatures is limited in published literature. In this study, Arizona road dust (ARD) is injected into a hot flow field to measure the effects of high temperature and velocity on particle rebound from a polished 304 stainless steel (SS) coupon. The results are compared with baseline (27 m/s) measurements at ambient (300 K) temperature made in the Virginia Tech Aerothermal Rig, as well as previously published literature. Mean coefficient of restitution (COR) was shown to decrease with the increased temperature/velocity conditions in the VT Aerothermal Rig. The effects of increasing temperature and velocity led to a 12% average reduction in COR at 533 K (47 m/s), 15% average reduction in COR at 866 K (77 m/s), and 16% average reduction in COR at 1073 K (102 m/s) compared with ambient results. The decrease in COR appeared to be almost entirely a result of increased velocity that resulted from heating the flow. Trends show that temperature plays a minor role in energy transfer between particle and impact surface below a critical temperature.
Bioaeroservoelastic Analysis of Involuntary Rotorcraft-Pilot Interaction
Authors: Masarati Pierangelo , Quaranta Giuseppe
Published: September 2013

This work presents the integration of a detailed biomechanical model of the arm of a helicopter pilot and an equivalently detailed aeroservoelastic model of a helicopter, resulting in what has been called a ‘bioaeroservoelastic’ analysis. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate potential adverse interactions, called rotorcraft-pilot couplings, between the aeroservoelastic system and the controls involuntarily introduced by the pilot into the control system in response to rotorcraft vibrations transmitted to the pilot through the cockpit: the so-called biodynamic feedthrough. The force exerted by the pilot on the controls results from the activation of the muscles of the arms according to specific patterns. The reference muscular activation value as a function of the prescribed action on the controls is computed using an inverse kinetostatics/inverse dynamics approach. A first-order quasi-steady correction is adopted to mimic the reflexive contribution to muscle activation. Muscular activation is further augmented by activation patterns that produce elementary actions on the control inceptors. These muscular activation patterns, inferred using perturbation analysis, are applied to control the aircraft through the pilot's limbs. The resulting biomechanical pilot model is applied to the aeroservoelastic analysis of a helicopter model expressly developed within the same multibody modeling environment to investigate adverse rotorcraft pilot couplings. The model consists of the detailed aeroelastic model of the main rotor, using nonlinear beams and blade element/momentum theory aerodynamics, a component mode synthesis model of the airframe structural dynamics, and servoactuator dynamics. Results in terms of the stability analysis of the coupled system are presented in comparison with analogous results obtained using biodynamic feedthrough transfer functions identified from experimental data.
The Rodrigues Equations for the Composition of Finite Rotations: A Simple Ab Initio Derivation and Some Consequences
Authors: Pujol Jose
Published: September 2013

The well-known Rodrigues' equations for the composition of two finite rotations were introduced in 1840 without a detailed derivation. Although later derivations are available, the one presented here is very simple, is based on rotation results due to Euler, is essentially self-contained, and makes use of analysis techniques familiar to engineering students. As the Rodrigues equations have a strong connection to quaternions, this matter is considered in some detail. Then the equations are used to derive some general results concerning the angle and axis of the composite rotation. If α, β, θ and a, b, d indicate the rotation angles and axes for the two individual rotations and for the composite rotation, respectively, some of the results are as follows. (a) The value of θ does not depend on the order of the two rotations. (b) The vector d is equal to the sum of two vectors, one in the plane Π spanned by a and b, and one perpendicular to Π. Moreover, the vector in Π is always between a and b. (c) The rotation axes for the two possible composite rotations are symmetric with respect to Π. (d) The angle θ decreases from α + β to α − β as the angle between a and b increases from 0 to π. Finally, the Rodrigues equations are used to derive the equations corresponding to the composition of infinitesimal rotations, which are also derived using alternative approaches.
Thermoeconomic Optimization of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System
Authors: Jun Tan Ling , Yang Chen , Zhou Nana
Published: September 2013

A hybrid system that combines a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is presented in this paper. The SOFC stack acts as both an electricity producer and the fuel reformer for the PEMFC stack to generate additional power. A thermoeconomic model for the design optimization of a 220 kW SOFC-PEMFC hybrid system is developed in this work. Optimization of two objectives, i.e., the life cycle cost and the net electrical efficiency, are considered individually to find the optimum system configuration and component designs. Then, a multiparameter sensitivity analysis is performed to estimate the relative importance of the decision variables on the objectives. The optimization results indicate that the life cycle cost of the hybrid system is 3800–5,600 $/kW, and the maximum net electrical efficiency can reach around 63%, which is higher than an SOFC-only system, a reformer-PEMFC system, and an SOFC-gas turbine (GT) system with a similar output power. The sensitivity analysis shows that minimizing the size of the SOFC is most crucial to the system cost optimization. The hydrogen utilization factor in the SOFC is found to be sensitive to the net electrical efficiency.
Silicon (100)/SiO2 by XPS
Authors: Jensen David S. , Kanyal Supriya S. , Madaan Nitesh , Vail Michael A. , Dadson Andrew E. , Engelhard Mark H. , Linford Matthew R.
Published: September 2013

Silicon (100) substrates are ubiquitous in microfabrication and, accordingly, their surface characteristics are important. Herein, we report the analysis of Si (100) via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) using monochromatic Al Kα radiation. Survey scans show that the material is primarily silicon and oxygen with small amounts of carbon, nitrogen, and fluorine contamination. The Si 2p region shows two peaks that correspond to elemental silicon and silicon dioxide. Using these peaks the thickness of the native oxide (SiO2) is estimated using the equation of Strohmeier. The oxygen peak is symmetric. These silicon wafers are used as the substrate for subsequent growth of templated carbon nanotubes in the preparation of microfabricated thin layer chromatography plates.
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Forest Grown via Chemical Vapor Deposition from Iron Catalyst Nanoparticles, by XPS
Authors: Jensen David S. , Kanyal Supriya S. , Madaan Nitesh , Vail Michael A. , Dadson Andrew E. , Engelhard Mark H. , Linford Matthew R.
Published: September 2013

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have unique chemical and physical properties. Herein, we report an XPS analysis of a forest of multiwalled CNTs using monochromatic Al Kα radiation. Survey scans show essentially only one element here: carbon. The carbon 1s peak is centered at 284.5 eV. The C 1s envelope also shows the expected π→π* shake-up peak at ca. 291 eV. The valence band and carbon KVV Auger signals are presented. When patterned, the CNT forests can be used as a template for subsequent deposition of metal oxides to make thin layer chromatography plates.
Thermally Evaporated Iron (Oxide) on an Alumina Barrier Layer, by XPS
Authors: Madaan Nitesh , Kanyal Supriya S. , Jensen David S. , Vail Michael A. , Dadson Andrew E. , Engelhard Mark H. , Linford Matthew R.
Published: September 2013

We report the XPS characterization of a thermally evaporated iron thin film (6 nm) deposited on an Si/SiO2/Al2O3 substrate using Al Kα x-rays. An XPS survey spectrum, Fe 2p and O 1s narrow scans, and a valence band scan are shown.
Reverberation clutter induced by nonlinear internal waves in shallow water
Authors: Henyey Frank S. , Tang Dajun
Published: September 2013

Clutter is related to false alarms for active sonar. It is demonstrated that, in shallow water, target-like clutter in reverberation signals can be caused by nonlinear internal waves. A nonlinear internal wave is modeled using measured stratification on the New Jersey shelf. Reverberation in the presence of the internal wave is modeled numerically. Calculations show that acoustic energy propagating near a sound speed minimum is deflected as a high intensity, higher angle beam into the bottom, where it is backscattered along the reciprocal path. The interaction of sound with the internal wave is isolated in space, hence resulting in a target-like clutter, which is found to be greater than 10 dB above the mean reverberation level.
Nonlegumes Respond to Rhizobial Nod Factors by Suppressing the Innate Immune Response
Authors: Liang Yan , Cao Yangrong , Tanaka Kiwamu , Thibivilliers Sandra , Wan Jinrong , Choi Jeongmin , Kang Chang ho , Qiu Jing , Stacey Gary
Published: September 2013

Stealth Nod Factor Recognition

Legumes' symbiotic interaction with nitrogen fixing bacteria supplies the plant with nitrogen. Many important crop plants, however, cannot establish these symbioses and, thus, agriculture depends on externally applied fertilizers. Surprisingly,

Liang
et al.

(p.
1384
, published online 5 September) found that several nonleguminous plants, including
Arabidopsis
, tomato, and corn, were able to respond to the same Nod factors that initiate the microbial symbiosis in soybean.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis Phage φ105
Authors: Zeigler Daniel R.
Published: September 2013

A complete 39,318-bp genome sequence containing 52 coding sequences has been determined for the
Bacillus subtilis
temperate phage φ105. In a lysogen,
B. subtilis
strain 1L32, the φ105 prophage interrupts the
radC
locus, a part of the competence-induced ComK regulon.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptococcus equi subsp.
zooepidemicus
Strain S31A1, Isolated from Equine Infectious Endometritis
Authors: da Piedade Isabelle , Skive Bolette , Christensen Henrik , Bojesen Anders Miki
Published: September 2013

We present the draft genome sequence of
Streptococcus equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
S31A1, a strain isolated from equine infectious endometritis in Denmark. Comparative analyses of this genome were done with four published reference genomes:
S. zooepidemicus
strains MGCS10565, ATCC 35246, and H70 and
S. equi
subsp.
equi
strain 4047.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium abscessus Clinical Strain V06705
Authors: Pang Stanley , Renvoisé Aurélie , Perret Claire , Guinier Marie , Chelghoum Nadjim , Brossier Florence , Capton Estelle , Jarlier Vincent , Sougakoff Wladimir
Published: September 2013

Infection caused by
Mycobacterium abscessus
strains is a growing cause of concern in both community-acquired and health care-associated diseases, as these organisms naturally display multiple drug resistances. We report an annotated draft genome sequence of
M. abscessus
strain V06705 obtained from a patient in France.
Sensory Stimulation for Lowering Intraocular Pressure, Improving Blood Flow to the Optic Nerve and Neuroprotection in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Rom Edith
Published: September 2013

Primary open-angle glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies that can lead to irreversible blindness. Sensory stimulation in the form of acupuncture or ear acupressure may contribute to protecting patients from blindness when used as a complementary method to orthodox treatment in the form of drops, laser or surgery. The objective of this article is to provide a narrative overview of the available literature up to July 2012. It summarises reported evidence on the potential beneficial effects of sensory stimulation for glaucoma. Sensory stimulation appears to significantly enhance the pressure-lowering effect of orthodox treatments. Studies suggest that it may also improve blood flow to the eye and optic nerve head. Furthermore, it may play a role in neuroprotection through regulating nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and their receptors, thereby encouraging the survival pathway in contrast to the pathway to apoptosis. Blood flow and neuroprotection are areas that are not directly influenced by orthodox treatment modalities. Numerous different treatment protocols were used to investigate the effect of sensory stimulation on intraocular pressure, blood flow or neuroprotection of the retina and optic nerve in the animal model and human pilot studies. Objective outcomes were reported to have been evaluated with Goldmann tonometry, Doppler ultrasound techniques and electrophysiology (pattern electroretinography, visually evoked potentials), and supported with histological studies in the animal model. Taken together, reported evidence from these studies strongly suggests that sensory stimulation is worthy of further research.
Pituitary apoplexy initially mistaken for bacterial meningitis
Authors: Wong Sui Hsien , Das Kumar , Javadpour Mohsen
Published: September 2013

We presented a case of a 62-year-old man whose initial clinical picture was suggestive of bacterial meningitis, but instead had pituitary apoplexy. We highlighted how pituitary apoplexy can mimic bacterial meningitis, learning points on how clinical assessment can aid earlier diagnosis and the importance of considering this differential diagnosis, particularly with the associated morbidity and mortality if missed.
Small bowel evisceration through the anus in rectal prolapse in an Indian male patient
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Mishra Anand , Gautam Shefali , Tiwari Sandeep
Published: September 2013

Evisceration of small intestine through anus is a rare presentation in emergency. We reported a case with long history of recurrent complete rectal prolapse presenting in emergency as small bowel protruding out through anal orifice. The small bowel herniated out from a spontaneous perforation in rectosigmoid. After resuscitation, emergency exploratory laparotomy was carried out and small bowel was reposited in the peritoneal cavity through the site of perforation by pulling and pushing maneuvere and the perforated segment of rectosigmoid was exteriorised as double barrel colostomy.
An unusual recurrence of dysembroplastic neuroepithelial tumours after a seizure-free period of 8 years
Authors: Khan Nadeem Israr , Khanna Laxmi , Renjen Pushpendra Nath , Fernandes Cecilia Succour
Published: September 2013

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours (DNETs) are grade 1 central nervous tumours, which can be diagnosed judiciously based on clinical features and radiological investigations, having a good prognosis after surgical resection. However, the recurrence of tumours due to variable epileptic zones leading to persistence of seizures can make the management of such cases challenging. We present a case of DNET where the patient had recurrence of the tumour with worsening of seizure activity 8 years after initial surgical resection.
Initial validation of the International Crowding Measure in Emergency Departments (ICMED) to measure emergency department crowding
Authors: Boyle Adrian , Coleman James , Sultan Yasmin , Dhakshinamoorthy Vijayasankar , O'Keeffe Jacqueline , Raut Pramin , Beniuk Kathleen
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Emergency department (ED) crowding is recognised as a major public health problem. While there is agreement that ED crowding harms patients, there is less agreement about the best way to measure ED crowding. We have previously derived an eight-point measure of ED crowding by a formal consensus process, the International Crowding Measure in Emergency Departments (ICMED). We aimed to test the feasibility of collecting this measure in real time and to partially validate this measure.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in four EDs in England. We conducted independent observations of the measure and compared these with senior clinician's perceptions of crowding and safety.

Results

We obtained 84 measurements spread evenly across the four EDs. The measure was feasible to collect in real time except for the ‘Left Before Being Seen’ variable. Increasing numbers of violations of the measure were associated with increasing clinician concerns. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.80 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.90) for predicting crowding and 0.74 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.89) for predicting danger. The optimal number of violations for predicting crowding was three, with a sensitivity of 91.2 (95% CI 85.1 to 97.2) and a specificity of 100.0 (92.9–100). The measure predicted clinician concerns better than individual variables such as occupancy.

Discussion

The ICMED can easily be collected in multiple EDs with different information technology systems. The ICMED seems to predict clinician's concerns about crowding and safety well, but future work is required to validate this before it can be advocated for widespread use.
Application of resistance gene analog markers to analyses of genetic structure and diversity in rice
Authors: Ren Juansheng , Yu Yuchao , Gao Fangyuan , Zeng Lihua , Lu Xianjun , Wu Xianting , Yan Wengui , Ren Guangjun
Published: September 2013

Plant disease resistance gene analog (RGA) markers were designed according to the conserved sequence of known RGAs and used to map resistance genes. We used genome-wide RGA markers for genetic analyses of structure and diversity in a global rice germplasm collection. Of the 472 RGA markers, 138 were polymorphic and these were applied to 178 entries selected from the USDA rice core collection. Results from the RGA markers were similar between two methods, UPGMA and STRUCTURE. Additionally, the results from RGA markers in our study were agreeable with those previously reported from SSR markers, including cluster of ancestral classification, genetic diversity estimates, genetic relatedness, and cluster of geographic origins. These results suggest that RGA markers are applicable for analyses of genetic structure and diversity in rice. However, unlike SSR markers, the RGA markers failed to differentiate temperate japonica, tropical japonica, and aromatic subgroups. The restricted way for developing RGA markers from the cDNA sequence might limit the polymorphism of RGA markers in the genome, thus limiting the discriminatory power in comparison with SSR markers. Genetic differentiation obtained using RGA markers may be useful for defining genetic diversity of a suite of random R genes in plants, as many studies show a differentiation of resistance to a wide array of pathogens. They could also help to characterize the genetic structure and geographic distribution in crops, including rice, wheat, barley, and banana.
Tropical covers of curves and their moduli spaces
Authors: Buchholz Arne , Markwig Hannah
Published: September 2013

We define the tropical moduli space of covers of a tropical line in the plane as weighted abstract polyhedral complex, and the tropical branch map recording the images of the simple ramifications. Our main result is the invariance of the degree of the branch map, which enables us to give a tropical intersection-theoretic definition of tropical triple Hurwitz numbers. We show that our intersection-theoretic definition coincides with the one given in [B. Bertrand, E. Brugallé and G. Mikhalkin, Tropical open Hurwitz numbers, Rend. Semin. Mat. Univ. Padova 125 (2011) 157–171] where a Correspondence Theorem for Hurwitz numbers is proved. Thus we provide a tropical intersection-theoretic justification for the multiplicities with which a tropical cover has to be counted. Our method of proof is to establish a local duality between our tropical moduli spaces and certain moduli spaces of relative stable maps to ℙ1.
Thermodynamics and the quantum stress-energy and spin tensor
Authors: Becattini Francesco , Tinti Leonardo
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we show that thermodynamics is sensitive to the existence of a fundamental spin tensor. In general, the thermodynamics is not invariant by a change of the stress-energy tensor of a fundamental quantum field with a divergence transformation leaving the total energy, momentum and angular momentum unchanged. Among the quantities which are changed by such a transformation, there are densities at equilibrium with rotation and nonequilibrium ones like transport coefficients and total entropy. Therefore, at least in principle, it could be possible to probe the existence of a spin tensor, with major consequences for general relativistic theories, with a thermodynamics experiment.
UNIQUENESS RESULTS FOR DIAGONAL HYPERBOLIC SYSTEMS WITH LARGE AND MONOTONE DATA
Authors: EL HAJJ AHMAD , MONNEAU RÉGIS
Published: September 2013

We study the uniqueness of solutions to diagonal hyperbolic systems in one spatial dimension and we present two uniqueness results. First, we establish a global existence and uniqueness theorem for continuous solutions to strictly hyperbolic systems. Second, we establish a global existence and uniqueness theorem for Lipschitz continuous solutions to hyperbolic systems that need not be strictly hyperbolic. Furthermore, an application is presented for one-dimensional flows in isentropic gas dynamics.
ASYMPTOTICS OF THE CRITICAL NONLINEAR WAVE EQUATION FOR A CLASS OF NON-STAR-SHAPED OBSTACLES
Authors: ABOU SHAKRA FARAH
Published: September 2013

Scattering for the energy critical nonlinear wave equation for domains exterior to non-trapping obstacles in 3+1 dimension is known for the star-shaped case. In this paper, we extend the scattering for a class of non-star-shaped obstacles called illuminated from exterior. The main tool we use is the method of multipliers with weights that generalize the Morawetz multiplier to suit the geometry of the obstacle.
Synthesis and spectral properties of tetraquinoxalino-porphyrazines containing benzocrown-ether group
Authors: Song Cheol Jun , Jang Chun Keun , Park Jong Min , Jung Chang Young , Yao Wang , Gu Yeon Ju , Jaung Jae Yun
Published: September 2013

The synthesis and spectral properties of the metal-free and the Mg complex derivatives of crown-substituted tetraquinoxalinoporphyrazine are described. Porphyrazine 4 and 5 have satisfactory solubility in chlorinated hydrocarbons, THF and toluene, but are practically insoluble in alcohols. Porphyrazine 5 generally did not show aggregation in CHCl 3 but aggregate in DMF.
Maturation of upstream and downstream esophageal reflexes in human premature neonates: the role of sleep and awake states
Authors: Jadcherla Sudarshan R. , Chan Chin Yee , Fernandez Soledad , Splaingard Mark
Published: September 2013

We tested the hypothesis that the sensory-motor characteristics of aerodigestive reflexes are dependent on stimulus type and volumes, sleep or awake states, and maturation. Thirteen neonates were studied at 33.6 ± 0.5 wk ( time 1) and 37.3 ± 0.5 wk ( time 2) postmenstrual age using multimodal provocative esophageal manometry concurrent with video polysomnography. Effects of graded volumes (399 infusions at time 1, 430 infusions at time 2) of midesophageal stimulation with air, water, and apple juice on the sensory thresholds and recruitment frequency of upper esophageal sphincter (UES), esophageal body, and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) reflexes were investigated during sleep and awake states. Sensory thresholds for aerodigestive reflexes between maturational stages were similar. Increased frequency recruitment of UES contractile reflex, LES relaxation reflex, and peristaltic reflexes were noted at time 2 (all, P < 0.05). Graded stimulus-response relationships were evident at time 1 and time 2 during awake and sleep states ( P < 0.05). Secondary peristalsis vs. esophago-deglutition response proportions during sleep at time 1 vs. time 2 ( P = 0.001) and awake vs. sleep at time 2 ( P = 0.02) were distinct. We concluded that sensory-motor effects of esophageal mechanosensitivity, osmosensitivity, and chemosensitivity are advanced in sleep with maturation. Sleep further modulates the frequency recruitment and the type of aerodigestive reflexes.
Acyl chain length, saturation, and hydrophobicity modulate the efficiency of dietary fatty acid absorption in adult humans
Authors: McKimmie Ryan L. , Easter Linda , Weinberg Richard B.
Published: September 2013

Intestinal fat absorption is known to be, overall, a highly efficient process, but much less is known about the efficiency with which individual dietary fatty acids (FA) are absorbed by the adult small intestine. We therefore measured the absorption efficiency of the major dietary FA using sucrose polybehenate (SPB) as a nonabsorbable marker and analyzed how it is modulated by acyl chain physicochemical properties and polymorphisms of proteins involved in chylomicron assembly. Dietary FA absorption efficiency was measured in 44 healthy subjects fed a standard diet containing 35% fat and 5% SPB. FA and behenic acid (BA) were measured in homogenized diets and stool samples by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, and coefficients of absorption for each FA were calculated as 1 − [(FA/BA)feces/(FA/BA)diet]. Absorption coefficients for saturated FA decreased with increasing chain length and hydrophobicity (mean ± SE) and ranged from 0.95 ± 0.02 for myristate (14:0), 0.80 ± 0.03 for stearate (18:0), to 0.26 ± 0.02 for arachidate (20:0). Absorption coefficients for unsaturated FA increased with increasing desaturation from 0.79 ± 0.03 for elaidic acid (18:1t), 0.96 ± 0.01 for linoleate (18:2), to near complete absorption for eicosapentaenoic (20:5) and docosahexaenoic (22:6) acids. Of several common genetic polymorphisms in key proteins involved in the chylomicron assembly pathway, only the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein-2 A54T allele (rs1799883) had any impact on FA absorption. We conclude that acyl chain length, saturation, and hydrophobicity are the major determinants of the efficiency with which dietary FA are absorbed by the adult small intestine.