bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Cemented Hip Stem Pre‐heating on Stem Push‐out Strength
Authors: Wilairatana Vajara , Pirot Chatchawan , Limpaphayom Noppachart
Published: August 2015

Objective

To determine the effect on ultimate push‐out load and cement–stem surface shear strength of thermally manipulating the cobalt‐chromium‐molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy stems of bone cement–stem constructs.

Methods

Satin‐finished CoCrMo alloy stems were allocated to the following three groups with the predetermined temperatures:T24, ambient (24 °C);T37, body (37 °C); andT44, pre‐heated stem (>44 °C). They were then inserted into hand‐mixed high viscosity bone cement. Ultimate push‐out load to failure was assessed with a servo hydraulic testing machine and the surface shear strength calculated. Data were compared among groups using theKruskal–Wallis withDunn's test. APvalue of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

According toKruskal–Wallis analysis, ultimate push‐out load and surface shear strength differed significantly between the groups (P= 0.001). TheT37 andT44 groups had higher ultimate push‐out loads and surface shear strengths than theT24 group (P= 0.04 and 0.001, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in these two variables between the T37 and T44 groups (P= 0.08).

Conclusions

Pre‐heatingCoCrMoalloy stems enhance the ultimate push‐out load and surface shear strengthin vitro. The suggested temperature is 37 °C. This technique is recommended for hip arthroplasty procedures.
Fixation of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures: Biomechanical Comparison of Intramedullary Nail Crossed K‐Wires and Plate‐Screw Constructs
Authors: Curtis Benjamin D , Fajolu Olukemi , Ruff Michael E , Litsky Alan S
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Metacarpal (MC) fractures are very common, accounting for 18% of all fractures distal to the elbow. Many MC fractures can be treated non‐operatively; however, some are treated most effectively with surgical stabilization, for which there are multiple methods. It was postulated that plates would have a significantly higher (P < 0.05) load to failure than crossed K(XK)‐wires and that intramedullary metacarpal nails (IMNs) and XK‐wires would have equivalent load to failure.

Methods

Mid‐diaphyseal transverse fractures were created in 36 synthetic metacarpals and stabilized using nails, XK‐wires or non‐locking plates. Three‐point bending was performed with continuous recording of load and displacement. Statistical analysis was performed using single factor ANOVA and Scheffe's test. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results

Biomechanical testing revealed significant differences between groups in load‐to‐failure. Average load to failure was significantly greater in the plate (1669 ± 322 N) than the XK‐wire (146 ± 56 N) or IMN (110 ± 43 N) groups. The loads to failure of the K‐wires and nails were equivalent. Plates were 11 and 15 times stronger in three‐point bending than the K‐wires and nails, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between strengths of the K‐wires and nails.

Conclusions

Although plates are the most stable means of fixation of midshaft metacarpal fractures, if minimally‐invasive techniques are indicated, intramedullary nails may provide equivalent stability as commonly‐used XK‐wires. Although some studies have shown favorable clinical outcomes with IMNs, additional clinical correlation of these biomechanical results to fracture healing and outcomes is needed.
Role of Intraoperative Disc Contrast Injection in Determining the Segment Responsible for Cervical Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormalities
Authors: Zhang Ji‐dong , Xia Qun
Published: August 2015

Objective

To determine the features of discs in spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) by intraoperative disc contrast injection (IODCI) and to subsequently treat the responsible discs operatively.

Methods

From January 2007 to December 2011, 16 adult cases of cervical SCIWORA were enrolled in this study. The average preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 9.1 ± 1.8. Although preoperative imaging showed no obvious fracture or dislocation, spinal cord compression was evident in all cases. High spinal cord signals on MRI T2WI and cervical disc degeneration were present in all cases and swollen soft tissue anterior to the cervical spine in nine cases. All patients underwent anterior cervical surgeries for spinal cord compression, IODCI being performed after exposure of suspicious discs. Patients with only one ruptured disc underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion; those with more complex injuries underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with fixation of the ruptured segment. JOA scores, X‐rays and CT scans were checked at specified intervals over an average of 24.4 months.

Results

Of 32 discs suspected preoperatively of being injured, 19 were identified as ruptured by IODCI. Anterior annulus fibrosus rupture was proved in 11 patients whereas the anterior longitudinal ligament was intact in all. JOA scores at 2 weeks, 3 months and last follow‐up postoperatively were 13.3 ± 1.5, 14.5 ± 1.6 and 15.1 ± 1.5 respectively. The recovery rates were 53.2%, 68.3% and 75.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

IODCI helps to determine the segment responsible for cervical SCIWORA.
Heat‐shock pretreatment reduces expression and release of TSLP from keratinocytes under Th2 environment
Authors: Kao Jun‐Kai , Lee Cheng‐Han , Lee Ming‐Sheng , Hsu Cheng‐Sheng , Tsao Long‐Yen , Tsai Yi‐Giien , Shieh Jeng‐Jer , Yang Rei‐Cheng
Published: August 2015

Background

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the skin. Current therapy is not curative, and recalcitrant disease is a big stress and challenge for parents and physicians. This study explored the potential role of heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP‐70) and its anti‐inflammatory effects on keratinocyte under TH2 environment.

Methods

Human keratinocyte cell line (HaCa T) was stimulated with IL‐4, IL‐13, and TNF‐α to synthesize and secrete thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an important cytokine of immunopathogenesis in atopic dermatitis. Heat shock was performed by immersing the cell‐contained flash into a water bath of 45°C for 20 min. Cell viability, TSLP expression, and secretion of HaCa T cells were measured and compared. Possible regulatory mechanisms influencing the expression of TSLP, such as the STAT6 and NF‐κB signal pathways, were investigated.

Results

Heat‐shock treatment induced intracellular HSP‐70 expression in HaCa T cells without affecting cell viability. The induced expression and secretion of TSLP in HaCa T cells were suppressed by heat shock. The NF‐κB signal pathway was inhibited by heat shock, leading to decreased TSLP expression and secretion.

Conclusion

Heat stress‐induced HSPs can significantly reduce the production and secretion of TSLP from HaCaT cells under Th2 environment. Thus, the evidence highlights the potential role of HSP‐70 for atopic dermatitis in the future.
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Lesion of the Superior Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion in Patients with Tinnitus
Authors: Koning Henk M. , Dyrbye Brigitte A. , van Hemert Frits J.
Published: August 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency lesioning of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion for patients with tinnitus.

Study Design

This is a retrospective long‐term clinical review of patients with tinnitus treated with a blockade of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion.

Setting

The human subjects were 366 consecutive patients who came to the DC Klinieken in Almere and Amsterdam from January 2010 to January 2014 for consultations on their tinnitus that persisted for 1 month or longer.

Subjects and Methods

Data were recorded from patients whose charts were reviewed retrospectively to identify the patients who were treated with a blockade of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion for tinnitus. An independent observer conducted a long‐term follow‐up assessment of the therapy by telephone interview.

Results

Relief of tinnitus at 7‐week follow‐up was achieved in 64% of the patients treated with a radiofrequency lesion of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion after a positive test blockade of this structure. Two years after the treatment, the maintenance of a tinnitus relief occurred in almost 40% of the patients with a follow‐up period of two years or longer.

Conclusions

A radiofrequency lesion of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion may be a useful alternative for patients with tinnitus not responding to conventional therapy.
Drought‐stress and plant resistance affect herbivore performance and proteome: the case of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Verdugo Jaime A. , Sauge Marie‐Helene , Lacroze Jean‐Philippe , Francis Frederic , Ramirez Claudio C.
Published: August 2015

Little is known about the simultaneous effects of drought stress and plant resistance on herbivorous insects. By subjecting the green peach aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer to well‐watered and drought‐stressed plants of both susceptible and resistant peach (Prunus persica), the effects of both stressors on aphid performance and proteomics are tested. Overall, the influence of the water treatment on aphid performance is less pronounced than the effect of host plant genetic resistance. On the susceptible cultivar, aphid survival, host acceptance and ability to colonize the plant do not depend on water treatment. On the resistant cultivar, aphid survival and ability to colonize are higher on drought‐stressed than on well‐watered plants. A study examining the pattern of protein expression aiming to explain the variation in aphid performance finds higher protein expression in aphids on the drought‐stressed susceptible cultivars compared with the well‐watered ones. In the susceptible cultivar, the regulated proteins are related to energy metabolism and exoskeleton functionality, whereas, in the resistant cultivar, the proteins are involved with the cytoskeleton. Comparison of the protein expression ratios for resistant versus susceptible plants reveals that four proteins are down‐regulated in well‐watered plants and 15 proteins are down‐regulated in drought‐stressed plants. Drought stress applied to the susceptible cultivar induces the regulation of proteins in M. persicae that enable physiological adaptation to maintain an almost unaltered aphid performance. By contrast, for aphids on the resistant cultivar subjected to drought stress, the down‐regulation of proteins responds to an induced host susceptibility effect.
Improvement of high‐resolution fluorescence in situ hybridisation mapping on chromosomes of Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Authors: Yang K. , Zhang Y. , Converse R. , Lv J. , Shi M. , Zhang H. , Zhu L.
Published: August 2015

The low resolution of chromosome‐based Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) mapping is primarily due to the structure of the plant cell wall and cytoplasm and the compactness of regular chromosomes, which represent a significant obstacle to FISH. In order to improve spatial resolution and signal detection sensitivity, we provide a reproducible method to generate high‐quality extended chromosomes that are ~13 times as long as their pachytene counterparts. We demonstrate that proteinase K used in this procedure is crucial for stretching pachytene chromosomes of Brassica oleracea in the context of a modified Carnoy's II fixative (6:1:3, ethanol:chloroform:acetic acid). The quality of super‐stretched chromosomes was assessed in several FISH experiments. FISH signals from both repetitive 5S rDNA and single‐copy ARC1 on super‐stretched chromosomes are brighter than those on other different types of chromosome due to enhanced accessibility to targets on stretched pachytene chromosomes. In conclusion, the resulting extended chromosomes are suitable for FISH mapping for repetitive DNA sequences and the localisation of a single‐copy locus, and FISH performed on super‐stretched chromosomes can achieve significantly higher sensitivity and spatial resolution than other chromosome‐based FISH mapping techniques.
Revisiting the incremental effects of context on word processing: Evidence from single‐word event‐related brain potentials
Authors: Payne Brennan R. , Lee Chia‐Lin , Federmeier Kara D.
Published: August 2015

The amplitude of the N400—an event‐related potential (ERP) component linked to meaning processing and initial access to semantic memory—is inversely related to the incremental buildup of semantic context over the course of a sentence. We revisited the nature and scope of this incremental context effect, adopting a word‐level linear mixed‐effects modeling approach, with the goal of probing the continuous and incremental effects of semantic and syntactic context on multiple aspects of lexical processing during sentence comprehension (i.e., effects of word frequency and orthographic neighborhood). First, we replicated the classic word‐position effect at the single‐word level: Open‐class words showed reductions in N400 amplitude with increasing word position in semantically congruent sentences only. Importantly, we found that accruing sentence context had separable influences on the effects of frequency and neighborhood on the N400. Word frequency effects were reduced with accumulating semantic context. However, orthographic neighborhood was unaffected by accumulating context, showing robust effects on the N400 across all words, even within congruent sentences. Additionally, we found that N400 amplitudes to closed‐class words were reduced with incrementally constraining syntactic context in sentences that provided only syntactic constraints. Taken together, our findings indicate that modeling word‐level variability in ERPs reveals mechanisms by which different sources of information simultaneously contribute to the unfolding neural dynamics of comprehension.
Do Savings and Credit Institutions Reduce Vulnerability? New Evidence From Mexico
Authors: Lensink Robert , Servin Roselia , van den Berg Marrit
Published: August 2015

This study examines whether membership in a savings and credit society (SACP) reduces vulnerability to poverty, using a representative survey from the National Savings and Financial Services Bank. The sample of households includes those that are and are not members of a SACP during 2004−2007. This evidence indicates that membership improves income; furthermore, membership decreases the variance in annual household per capita income. Both effects reduce the probability that somebody becomes poor. Finally, the results offer support for the proposition that households that join a SACP have better abilities to smooth consumption in the face of adverse shocks, and thus are less susceptible to shocks, than do households that are not members.
Antibiotic prescribing practices for patients with fever in the transition from presumptive treatment of malaria to ‘confirm and treat’ in Zambia: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ndhlovu Micky , Nkhama Emmy , Miller John M. , Hamer Davidson H.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To evaluate antibiotic use among patients presenting to primary healthcare facilities with febrile illness in Zambia.

Methods

We analysed data from a 2011 nationwide cross‐sectional health facility survey of routine malaria case management in Zambia. Patient consultation observation and medical record charts were used to calculate the proportion of febrile patients who were prescribed antibiotics, stratified by symptoms, health workers' diagnosis and malaria test results. Logistic regression was used to identify factors affecting antibiotic prescribing behaviour.

Results

Of 872 patients presenting with fever, 651 (74.6%) were tested for malaria. Among those tested, 608 (93.4%) had analysable results; 230 (37.8%) had positive results. Antibiotics were prescribed to 69/230 (30.0%), 247/378 (65.3%) and 132/221 (59.7%) of those who tested positive, negative and those ‘not tested’, respectively. Furthermore, antibiotics were prescribed to 36/59 (61.0%) and 242/322 (75.1%) of those diagnosed with diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), respectively. Among patients prescribed any antibiotic, concurrent antimalarial prescribing occurred in 66/69 (95.6%), 32/247 (12.9%) and 19/132 (14.4%) for those with positive results, negative results and ‘not tested’, respectively. Respiratory symptoms, diagnosis of URTI, malaria or skin disease and level of health care in the health delivery system were associated with antibiotic prescribing.

Conclusions

Testing positive for malaria or receiving a malaria diagnosis was associated with reduced antibiotic prescribing, while testing negative, not being tested or a diagnosis of URTI resulted in higher rates of antibiotic prescribing. There is a need for improving diagnostic capacity for non‐malaria causes of febrile illness at healthcare delivery points and limiting antibiotic use to patients with definite bacterial infections.
miR408 is involved in abiotic stress responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ma Chao , Burd Shaul , Lers Amnon
Published: August 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that regulate the expression of target genes post‐transcriptionally; they are known to play major roles in development and responses to abiotic stress. miR408 is a highly conserved miRNA in plants that responds to the availability of copper and targets genes encoding copper‐containing proteins. It was recently recognized to be an important component of the HY5–SPL7 gene network that mediates a coordinated response to light and copper, illustrating its central role in the response of plants to the environment. Expression of miR408 is significantly affected by a variety of developmental and ‏environmental conditions; however, its biological function is ‏unknown. Involvement of miR408 in the abiotic stress response was investigated in Arabidopsis. Expression of miR408, as well as its target genes, was investigated in response to salinity, cold, oxidative stress, drought and osmotic stress. Analyses of transgenic plants with modulated miR408 expression revealed that higher miR408 expression leads to improved tolerance to salinity, cold and oxidative stress, but enhanced sensitivity to drought and osmotic stress. Cellular antioxidant capacity was enhanced in plants with elevated miR408 expression, as manifested by reduced levels of reactive oxygen species and induced expression of genes associated with antioxidative functions, including Cu/Zn superoxide dismutases (CSD1 and CSD2) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST‐U25), as well as auxiliary genes: the copper chaperone CCS1 and the redox stress‐associated gene SAP12. Overall, the results demonstrate significant involvement of miR408 in abiotic stress responses, emphasizing the central function of miR408 in plant survival.
Glucosylceramides are critical for cell‐type differentiation and organogenesis, but not for cell viability in Arabidopsis
Authors: Msanne Joseph , Chen Ming , Luttgeharm Kyle D. , Bradley Amanda M. , Mays Elizabeth S. , Paper Janet M. , Boyle Daniel L. , Cahoon Rebecca E. , Schrick Kathrin , Cahoon Edgar B.
Published: August 2015

Glucosylceramides (GlcCer), glucose‐conjugated sphingolipids, are major components of the endomembrane system and plasma membrane in most eukaryotic cells. Yet the quantitative significance and cellular functions of GlcCer are not well characterized in plants and other multi‐organ eukaryotes. To address this, we examined Arabidopsis lines that were lacking or deficient in GlcCer by insertional disruption or by RNA interference (RNAi) suppression of the single gene for GlcCer synthase (GCS, At2g19880), the enzyme that catalyzes GlcCer synthesis. Null mutants for GCS (designated ‘gcs‐1’) were viable as seedlings, albeit strongly reduced in size, and failed to develop beyond the seedling stage. Heterozygous plants harboring the insertion allele exhibited reduced transmission through the male gametophyte. Undifferentiated calli generated from gcs‐1 seedlings and lacking GlcCer proliferated in a manner similar to calli from wild‐type plants. However, gcs‐1 calli, in contrast to wild‐type calli, were unable to develop organs on differentiation media. Consistent with a role for GlcCer in organ‐specific cell differentiation, calli from gcs‐1 mutants formed roots and leaves on media supplemented with the glucosylated sphingosine glucopsychosine, which was readily converted to GlcCer independent of GCS. Underlying these phenotypes, gcs‐1 cells had altered Golgi morphology and fewer cisternae per Golgi apparatus relative to wild‐type cells, indicative of protein trafficking defects. Despite seedling lethality in the null mutant, GCS RNAi suppression lines with ≤2% of wild‐type GlcCer levels were viable and fertile. Collectively, these results indicate that GlcCer are essential for cell‐type differentiation and organogenesis, and plant cells produce amounts of GlcCer in excess of that required for normal development.
COMPARISON BETWEEN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING ESTIMATES OF EXTRACRANIAL CEREBROSPINAL FLUID VOLUME AND PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS IN HEALTHY DOGS
Authors: Reinitz László Z. , Bajzik Gábor , Garamvölgyi Rita , Petneházy Örs , Lassó András , Abonyi‐Tóth Zsolt , Lőrincz Borbála , Sótonyi Péter
Published: August 2015

Dosages for myelography procedures in dogs are based on a hypothetical proportional relationship between bodyweight and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume. Anecdotal radiographic evidence and recent studies have challenged the existence of such a defined relationship in dogs. The objectives of this prospective cross‐sectional study were to describe CSF volumes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a group of clinically healthy dogs, measure the accuracy of MRI CSF volumes, and compare MRI CSF volumes with dog physical measurements. A sampling perfection with application optimized contrast using different flip‐angle evolution MRI examination of the central nervous system was carried out on 12 healthy, male mongrel dogs, aged between 3 and 5 years with a bodyweight range of 7.5–35.0 kg. The images were processed with image analysis freeware (3D Slicer) in order to calculate the volume of extracranial CSF. Cylindrical phantoms of known volume were included in scans and used to calculate accuracy of MRI volume estimates. The accuracy of MRI volume estimates was 99.8%. Extracranial compartment CSF volumes ranged from 20.21 to 44.06 ml. Overall volume of the extracranial CSF increased linearly with bodyweight, but the proportional volume (ml/bodyweight kilograms) of the extracranial CSF was inversely proportional to bodyweight. Relative ratios of volumes in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions were constant. Findings indicated that the current standard method of using body weight to calculate dosages of myelographic contrast agents in dogs may need to be revised.
Repelling-Screw Based Force Analysis of Origami Mechanisms
Authors: Qiu Chen , Zhang Ketao , Dai Jian S.
Published: August 2015

This paper provides an approach to model the reaction force of origami mechanisms when they are deformed. In this approach, an origami structure is taken as an equivalent redundantly actuated mechanism, making it possible to apply the forward-force analysis to calculating the reaction force of the origami structure. Theoretical background is provided in the framework of screw theory, where the repelling screw is introduced to integrate the resistive torques of folded creases into the reaction-force of the whole origami mechanism. Two representative origami structures are then selected to implement the developed modeling approach, as the widely used waterbomb base and the waterbomb-based integrated parallel mechanism. With the proposed kinematic equivalent, their reaction forces are obtained and validated, presenting a ground for force analysis of origami-inspired mechanisms.
Stochastic Approximation Approach to Design of Linear Controllers for Tracking Systems With Asymmetric Saturation
Authors: Kabamba P. T. , Meerkov S. M. , Ossareh H. R.
Published: August 2015

Reference-tracking closed-loop systems with saturating actuators often operate in asymmetric regimes. This is because reference signals cause the operating points away from the point of saturation symmetry (even if the actuator itself is symmetric, i.e., odd, function). Stability analysis and stabilizing controller design for asymmetric systems can be carried out using the same techniques as those for the symmetric case. In contrast, currently available methods for controller design in the framework of reference tracking are not applicable to asymmetric systems. The goal of this paper is to develop such a method for single-input single-output (SISO) plants having no poles in the open right-side plane. The approach is based on a global quasi-linearization technique referred to as stochastic linearization, which approximates the saturation function by an equivalent gain and equivalent bias. The main qualitative result obtained is that the asymmetry leads to a constant disturbance acting at the input of the plant. The quantitative results are analytical expressions for this disturbance and the ensuing steady-state tracking errors. It is shown that these errors exhibit a behavior incompatible with the linear control theory. Specifically, they may be increasing or nonmonotonic functions of the controller gain. In view of this fact, the paper develops a time-domain technique for linear tracking controller design based on two loci: the saturating root locus (to account for dynamics) and the saturating tracking error locus (to accounts for statics). Methods for sketching these loci are provided and applied to controllers design.
Averaging Effect on Pitch Errors in Hydrostatic Lead Screws With Continuous Helical Recesses
Authors: Zhang Yongtao , Lu Changhou , Pan Wei , Chen Shujiang , Liu Zichao
Published: August 2015

The motion errors of hydrostatic lead screws can be smaller than the pitch errors due to the averaging effect of oil films, which is the so-called averaging effect on the pitch errors (AEPE). This paper investigates the factors influencing AEPE under low speeds and a constant external load. An equivalent model of hydrostatic lead screws with continuous helical recesses is established, and the axial motion errors of the nut are obtained by combining the dichotomy and finite difference methods. The results show that (a) the motion errors caused by the pitch errors of the lead screw have additivity, and the pitch errors of the nut have little influence on the motion errors, (b) when the lead screw only has cumulative pitch errors, the motion errors are equal to the average value of the cumulative pitch errors located on the two flank surfaces of the lead screw, and (c) when the lead screw only has periodic pitch errors, the number of nut threads with helical recesses n and the period of the pitch errors of the lead screw T are the main influencing factors on AEPE.
Space–Time Gradient Method for Unsteady Bladerow Interaction—Part II: Further Validation, Clocking, and Multidisturbance Effect
Authors: He L. , Yi J. , Adami P. , Capone L.
Published: August 2015

For efficient and accurate unsteady flow analysis of blade row interactions, a space–time gradient (STG) method has been proposed. The development is aimed at maintaining as many modeling fidelities (the interface treatment in particular) of a direct unsteady time-domain method as possible while still having a significant speed-up. The basic modeling considerations, main method ingredients and some preliminary verification have been presented in Part I of the paper. Here in Part II, further case studies are presented to examine the capability and applicability of the method. Having tested a turbine stage in Part I, here we first consider the applicability and robustness of the method for a three-dimensional (3D) transonic compressor stage under a highly loaded condition with separating boundary layers. The results of the STG solution compare well with the direct unsteady solution while showing a speed up of 25 times. The method is also used to analyze rotor–rotor/stator–stator interferences in a two-stage turbine configuration. Remarkably, for stator–stator and rotor–rotor clocking analyses, the STG method demonstrates a significant further speed-up. Also interestingly, the two-stage case studies suggest clearly measurable clocking dependence of blade surface time-mean temperatures for both stator–stator clocking and rotor–rotor clocking, though only small efficiency variations are shown. Also validated and illustrated is the capacity of the STG method to efficiently evaluate unsteady blade forcing due to the rotor–rotor clocking. Considerable efforts are directed to extending the method to more complex situations with multiple disturbances. Several techniques are adopted to decouple the disturbances in the temporal terms. The developed capabilities have been examined for turbine stage configurations with inlet temperature distortions (hot streaks), and for three blade-row turbine configurations with nonequal blade counts. The results compare well with the corresponding direct unsteady solutions.
Recruitment Pattern in a Complete Cerebral Arterial Circle
Authors: de Lancea Christine L. , David Tim , Alastruey Jordi , Brown Richard G.
Published: August 2015

Blood flow through a vessel depends upon compliance and resistance. Resistance changes dynamically due to vasoconstriction and vasodilation as a result of metabolic activity, thus allowing for more or less flow to a particular area. The structure responsible for directing blood to the different areas of the brain and supplying the increase flow is the cerebral arterial circle (CAC). A series of 1D equations were utilized to model propagating flow and pressure waves from the left ventricle of the heart to the CAC. The focus of the current research was to understand the collateral capability of the circle. This was done by decreasing the peripheral resistance in each of the efferent arteries, up to 10% both unilaterally and bilaterally. The collateral patterns were then analyzed. After the initial 60 simulations, it became apparent that flow could increase beyond the scope of a 10% reduction and still be within in vivo conditions. Simulations with higher percentage decreases were performed such that the same amount of flow increase would be induced through each of the efferent arteries separately, same flow tests (SFTs), as well as those that were found to allow for the maximum flow increase through the stimulated artery, maximum flow tests (MFTs). The collateral pattern depended upon which efferent artery was stimulation and if the stimulation was unilaterally or bilaterally induced. With the same amount of flow increase through each of the efferent arteries, the MCAs (middle cerebral arteries) had the largest impact on the collateral capability of the circle, both unilaterally and bilaterally.
The role of shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Hekimoglu Koray , Donmez Fuldem Yildirim , Arslan Serdar , Ozdemir Adnan , Demir Canan , Yazici Canan
Published: August 2015

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the applicability of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of chronic autoimmun thyroiditis (CAT) patients. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 50 patients with first-diagnosed CAT and 40 control subjects (CS). In all patients with CAT and CS, sonoelastographic measurements were made in both thyroid lobes. Optimal cut-off values were chosen to maximize the sum of sensitivity and specificity. Positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy values were also calculated. Results: Quantitative elastographic analysis evaluated by SWE in CAT patients (2.56 ± 0.30 m/s) was significantly higher compared  with CS (1.63 ± 0.12 m/s) (p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value was 2.42 m/s. SWE had 77% sensitivity, 71% specificity, 92% PPV, 81% NPV, and 87% accuracy for the presence of CAT. Conclusions: Our data indicate that SWE correctly defines the elasticty of thyroid parenchyma, and this technique may assist in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of CAT.
Ultrasonography in psoriatic disease
Authors: Marina Mihaela Elena , Botar Jid Carolina , Roman Iulia Ioana , Mihu Carmen Mihaela , Tataru Alexandru Dumitru
Published: August 2015

Psoriasis represents a common, chronic inflammatory disease involving the skin, nails and joints. Nail psoriasis in usually investigated and diagnosed by clinical examination. New insights support ultrasonography as being a non-invasive reliable imaging technique for studying nail and skin involvement in patients with psoriasis. Power Doppler frequency, higher than 10MHz enables a very sensitive detection and semiquantitative assessment of the blood flow at the dermal level and in the nail bed. In this review we will present the main US findings in skin and nail psoriasis, and discuss the importance of ultrasonog- raphy in diagnosing and monitoring psoriasis vulgaris.
Applicability of pocket ultrasound during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Authors: Bruns Rafael Frederico , Menegatti Cinthia Manzano , Martins Wellington P. , Araujo Junior Edward
Published: August 2015

Aim: To determine the applicability of pocket ultrasound as a complementary method for clinical evaluation during the first trimester of pregnancy. Material and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 86 pregnant women attended in an emergency. The same operator performed the first examination with pocket device Vscan (General Electric, Vingmed Ultrasound, Horten, Norway) and then repeated the exam using a traditional handset high resolution Voluson 730 Expert (General Electric Healthcare Ultrasound, Milwaukee, WI, USA). Data were recorded with individual diagnoses by means of yes/no binary as the visualization of variables: gestational sac, embryo, embryo heartbeat, topical or ectopic pregnancy. Concordance was calculated using the kappa coefficient with its respective 95% confidential intervals (CI). Results: There was no disagreement between the methods when compared the pocket and conventional ultrasounds. The best comparative result between the devices was as the visualization of the embryo heartbeat with kappa coefficient of 0.84 (95% CI 0.76 to 0.89). However, the pocket ultrasound had a low correlation for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, with kappa coefficient of −0.02 (95% CI −0.23 to 0.19). The smaller structure visualized and studied using the pocket ultrasound was an embryo of 3.4 mm. Conclusions: The method of pocket ultrasound has the potential to become a complementary and easy access for diagnostic tool in obstetric patients during the first trimester. However, in ectopic pregnancy cases the diagnosis should be realized by conventional ultrasound.
Does corticosteroid therapy impact fetal pulmonary artery blood flow in women at risk for preterm birth?
Authors: Lindsley William , Hale Richard , Spear Ashley , Adusumalli Jasvant , Singh Jasbir , DeStefano Kimberly , Haeri Sina
Published: August 2015

Aim: Maternal corticosteroid administration in pregnancy is known to enhance fetal lung maturity in at risk fetuses. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that corticosteroid therapy alters fetal pulmonary blood flow in pregnancies at risk for preterm birth (PTB). Material and methods: We prospectively evaluated main fetal pulmonary artery (MPA) blood flow in pregnant women at risk for PTB and treated with corticosteroids (betamethasone), compared to an uncomplicated cohort without steroid therapy. The Doppler indices of interest included Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), Resistive Index (RI), Pulsatility Index (PI), Systolic/Diastolic ratio (S/D ratio), Acceleration Time (AT), and Acceleration Time/Ejection Time Ratio (AT/ ET ratio), with the latter serving as the primary outcomes due to its stability irrespective of gestational age. Results: When compared with controls, fetuses treated with corticosteroids demonstrated significantly decreased pulmonary artery acceleration time (median: 28.89 (22.22-51.11) vs. 33.33 (22.20-57.00), p=0.006), while all other indices remained similar. We found no difference in pulmonary blood flow between fetuses who developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and those that did not (31.56 ± 6.842 vs. 32.36 ± 7.265, p= 0.76). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate altered fetal pulmonary blood flow with corticosteroid therapy, possibly due to increased arterial elastance brought on by medication effect, which leads to the decreased acceleration time or possible gestational age affect. Contrary to a recent report, we did not observe any Doppler differences in fetuses with RDS, which underscores the need for further examination of this proposed association.
Effect of oxygen ion beam bombardment on depth resolved hydrogen distribution in stoichiometric alumina thin films, deposited by e-beam evaporation
Authors: Das Arijeet , Mukherjee Chandrachur , Kamparath Rajiv , Bose Aniruddha , Singh Shreyashkar D. , Phase Deodatta M. , Rai Sanjay K. , Joshi Satish C. , Ganguli Tapas
Published: August 2015

Effect of oxygen ion beam bombardment on the hydrogen impurity distribution (as a function of depth) in alumina thin films is discussed. It is shown that the bombardment of oxygen ion beam during electron beam evaporation significantly decreases the hydrogen content in the films. The observed peak of hydrogen distribution at the silica alumina interface is explained on the basis of morphological changes happening to the silica alumina interface due to the oxygen ion beam bombardment. It is also shown that stoichiometry of these films, irrespective of the oxygen ion beam energy, remains same as that of sapphire crystal.
Three-dimensional modal analysis of carbon nanocones using molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Narjabadifam Ali , Vakili-Tahami Farid , Zehsaz Mohammad , Seyyed Fakhrabadi Mir Masoud
Published: August 2015

The resonant frequencies of carbon nanocones and their corresponding mode shapes are investigated through molecular dynamics simulations. The three-dimensional vibrational mode shapes are extracted using the time histories of the three coordinates of each atom obtained from conducting one molecular dynamics simulation. Unlike the previous studies, the proposed technique is able to predict precisely all of the possible mode shapes including transverse, radial, torsional, and longitudinal modes within one molecular dynamics run. The effects of length, apex angle, and boundary conditions on the resonant characteristics of carbon nanocones are examined. The results indicate that the apex angle not only affects the resonant frequencies but also influences the shape and order of modal displacements. In addition, it is observed that the sensitivity of the resonant frequencies to the boundary conditions depends on the shape of the modal displacement.
Role of timbre and fundamental frequency in voice gender adaptation
Authors: Skuk Verena G. , Dammann Lea M. , Schweinberger Stefan R.
Published: August 2015

Prior adaptation to male (or female) voices causes androgynous voices to be perceived as more female (or male). Using a selective adaptation paradigm the authors investigate the relative impact of the vocal fold vibration rate (F0) and timbre (operationally in this paper as characteristics that differentiate two voices of the same F0 and loudness) on this basic voice gender aftereffect. TANDEM-STRAIGHT was used to morph between 10 pairs of male and female speakers uttering 2 different vowel-consonant-vowel sequences (20 continua). Adaptor stimuli had one parameter (either F0 or timbre) set at a clearly male or female level, while the other parameter was set at an androgynous level, as determined by an independent set of listeners. Compared to a control adaptation condition (in which both F0 and timbre were clearly male or female), aftereffects were clearly reduced in both F0 and timbre adaptation conditions. Critically, larger aftereffects were found after timbre adaptation (comprising androgynous F0) compared to F0 adaptation (comprising an androgynous timbre). Together these results suggest that timbre plays a larger role than F0 in voice gender adaptation. Finally, the authors found some evidence that individual differences among listeners reflect in part pre-experimental contact to male and female voices.
Emergent genetic oscillations in a synthetic microbial consortium
Authors: Chen Ye , Kim Jae Kyoung , Hirning Andrew J. , Josić Krešimir , Bennett Matthew R.
Published: August 2015

Engineering cell population behavior

Attaining the full promise of synthetic biology will require designing population-level behaviors of multiple interacting cell types. As a start, Chen et al. engineered two strains of the bacterium
Escherichia coli
to produce signaling molecules that regulate transcription in the complementary strain (see the Perspective by Teague and Weiss). The signaling circuit was successfully designed to produce feedback loops that produce synchronous oscillations in transcription between the two strains. A mathematical model helped determine how to modulate the oscillations and control their robustness to perturbations.

Science
, this issue p.
986
; see also p.
924
Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science
Authors:   Open Science Collaboration
Published: August 2015

Empirically analyzing empirical evidence

One of the central goals in any scientific endeavor is to understand causality. Experiments that seek to demonstrate a cause/effect relation most often manipulate the postulated causal factor. Aarts
et al.
describe the replication of 100 experiments reported in papers published in 2008 in three high-ranking psychology journals. Assessing whether the replication and the original experiment yielded the same result according to several criteria, they find that about one-third to one-half of the original findings were also observed in the replication study.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.aac4716
Fact meets fiction
Fantastic Worlds
Science and Fiction 1780–1910
Kirsten van der Veen and Doug Dunlop, curators
National Museum of American History, Washington, DC, USA 1 July 2015–October 2016
Authors: Gross Rachel
Published: August 2015

Science and fantasy collide in the newly refurbished Smithsonian Libraries Exhibition Gallery
Age-related mortality explains life history strategies of tropical and temperate songbirds
Authors: Martin Thomas E.
Published: August 2015

Life history theory attempts to explain why species differ in offspring number and quality, growth rate, and parental effort. I show that unappreciated interactions of these traits in response to age-related mortality risk challenge traditional perspectives and explain life history evolution in songbirds. Counter to a long-standing paradigm, tropical songbirds grow at similar overall rates to temperate species but grow wings relatively faster. These growth tactics are favored by predation risk, both in and after leaving the nest, and are facilitated by greater provisioning of individual offspring by parents. Increased provisioning of individual offspring depends on partitioning effort among fewer young because of constraints on effort from adult and nest mortality. These growth and provisioning responses to mortality risk finally explain the conundrum of small clutch sizes of tropical birds.
Human and Pathogen Factors Associated with Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women
Authors: Menon S. , Timms P. , Allan J. A. , Alexander K. , Rombauts L. , Horner P. , Keltz M. , Hocking J. , Huston W. M.
Published: August 2015

Chlamydia trachomatisis the most common bacterial sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. Infection can result in serious reproductive pathologies, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, in women. However, the processes that result in these reproductive pathologies have not been well defined. Here we review the evidence for the human disease burden of these chlamydial reproductive pathologies. We then review human-based evidence that linksChlamydiawith reproductive pathologies in women. We present data supporting the idea that host, immunological, epidemiological, and pathogen factors may all contribute to the development of infertility. Specifically, we review the existing evidence that host and pathogen genotypes, host hormone status, age of sexual debut, sexual behavior, coinfections, and repeat infections are all likely to be contributory factors in development of infertility. Pathogen factors such as infectious burden, treatment failure, and tissue tropisms or ascension capacity are also potential contributory factors. We present four possible processes of pathology development and how these processes are supported by the published data. We highlight the limitations of the evidence and propose future studies that could improve our understanding of how chlamydial infertility in women occurs and possible future interventions to reduce this disease burden.
Applied Protein and Molecular Techniques for Characterization of B Cell Neoplasms in Horses
Authors: Badial Peres R. , Tallmadge Rebecca L. , Miller Steven , Stokol Tracy , Richards Kristy , Borges Alexandre S. , Felippe M. Julia B.
Published: August 2015

Mature B cell neoplasms cover a spectrum of diseases involving lymphoid tissues (lymphoma) or blood (leukemia), with an overlap between these two presentations. Previous studies describing equine lymphoid neoplasias have not included analyses of clonality using molecular techniques. The objective of this study was to use molecular techniques to advance the classification of B cell lymphoproliferative diseases in five adult equine patients with a rare condition of monoclonal gammopathy, B cell leukemia, and concurrent lymphadenopathy (lymphoma/leukemia). The B cell neoplasms were phenotypically characterized by gene and cell surface molecule expression, secreted immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype concentrations, Ig heavy-chain variable (IGHV) region domain sequencing, and spectratyping. All five patients had hyperglobulinemia due to IgG1 or IgG4/7 monoclonal gammopathy. Peripheral blood leukocyte immunophenotyping revealed high proportions of IgG1- or IgG4/7-positive cells and relative T cell lymphopenia. Most leukemic cells lacked the surface B cell markers CD19 and CD21.IGHG1orIGHG4/7gene expression was consistent with surface protein expression, and secreted isotype and Ig spectratyping revealed one dominant monoclonal peak. The mRNA expression of the B cell-associated developmental genesEBF1,PAX5, andCD19was high compared to that of the plasma cell-associated markerCD38. Sequence analysis of the IGHV domain of leukemic cells revealed mutated Igs. In conclusion, the protein and molecular techniques used in this study identified neoplastic cells compatible with a developmental transition between B cell and plasma cell stages, and they can be used for the classification of equine B cell lymphoproliferative disease.