bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autologous skeletal‐muscle‐derived cell injection for anal incontinence due to obstetric trauma: a 5‐year follow‐up of an initial study of 10 patients
Authors: Frudinger A. , Pfeifer J. , Paede J. , Kolovetsiou‐Kreiner V. , Marksteiner R. , Halligan S.
Published: March 2015

Aim

Our aim was to determine whether the benefits of autologous skeletal‐muscle‐derived cell injection to treat obstetric anal incontinence are sustained at 5 years.

Method

An observational study was performed of 10 women suffering from obstetric anal incontinence refractory to non‐surgical therapy. Autologous skeletal‐muscle‐derived cells were injected into the external sphincter defect under ultrasound guidance. Incontinence diaries and quality of life questionnaires were obtained pre‐implantation and annually after implantation for 5 years. Anal physiology testing was performed before implantation and at 1, 2 and 5 years after implantation. The end‐points included were adverse events, Wexner incontinence scores, incontinence episodes, anal squeeze pressures and quality of life over 5 years. An independent statistician used multilevel linear regression to analyse changes in repeated measures over time. Any skewed distributions were log transformed prior to analysis.

Results

No procedure‐related adverse events occurred and haematological and biochemical parameters were normal during the 5‐year period. There were sustained significant improvements in the Wexner incontinence score and reduced frequency of defaecation and number of incontinence episodes (all comparisons P < 0.001). Anal resting and squeeze pressures showed sustained improvement (all P < 0.001) and quality of life improved overall (P < 0.001), including all submeasures studied (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Autologous skeletal‐muscle‐derived cells to treat obstetric anal incontinence resulted in sustained improvement in incontinence episodes, physiological measurements of anal function and quality of life at 5 years.
Association between patient activation and patient‐assessed quality of care in type 2 diabetes: results of a longitudinal study
Authors: Aung Eindra , Donald Maria , Coll Joseph R. , Williams Gail M. , Doi Suhail A. R.
Published: March 2015

Background

Previous research using cross‐sectional data has shown a positive relationship between patient activation and quality of care. The quantitative relationships in the same patients over time, however, remain undefined.

Objective

To examine the relationship between changes in activation over time and patient‐assessed quality of chronic illness care.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Participants

The study used data reported annually from 2008 (N = 3761) to 2010 (N = 3040), using self‐report survey questionnaires, completed by patients with type 2 diabetes in a population‐based cohort in Queensland, Australia.

Main Measures

Principal measures were the 13‐item Patient Activation Measure (PAM), and the 20‐item Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) instrument.

Methods

Nonparametric anova was used to determine the association between patient activation and patient‐assessed quality of care in low and high patient activation groups at baseline (2008), and in 2009 and 2010, when patients had changed group membership. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare the PACIC scores between baseline and each follow‐up survey for the same patient activation level.

Results

Patient activation was positively associated with the median PACIC score within each survey year and within each of the groups defined at baseline (high‐ and low‐activation groups; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patient activation and the PACIC change in the same direction and should be considered together in the interpretation of patient care assessment. This can be carried out by interpreting PACIC scores within strata of PAM.
Age‐related characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in a Spanish Mediterranean population
Authors: Montero Iria , Requena Celia , Traves Victor , García‐Casado Zaida , Kumar Rajiv , Nagore Eduardo
Published: March 2015

Background

Melanoma is considered a heterogeneous tumor with genetic and environmental factors involved in its pathogenesis. The impact of these factors varies depending on age.

Objective

The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiological, phenotypic, and histological features of patients with melanoma according to three age groups: ≤40, 41–65, and >65 years.

Methods

A total of 1122 consecutive patients with invasive melanoma definitively treated in our institution since January 2000 were selected from our melanoma database. Epidemiological, phenotypic, and histological data were retrieved and analyzed as a function of age.

Results

Female patients predominated in the younger age group. The location of cutaneous malignant melanoma differed with age. In the younger and middle age groups, tumors presented mainly on the trunk, while in the older group they were mainly found on the head/neck. Signs of actinic damage such as actinic keratoses, solar lentigines, or other skin tumors increased with age, while genetic factors such as family history of melanoma or a high number of common melanocytic nevi were more frequent in the younger group.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that melanoma development in younger patients is the result of genetic factors, particularly related to multiple nevi, whereas in older patients environmental factors such as severe chronic sun exposure play a major role.
Assessment of thyroid function and lipid profile in patients with postadolescent acne in a Mediterranean population from Turkey
Authors: Ekiz Ozlem , Balta Ilknur , Unlu Ezgi , Bulbul Sen Bilge , Rifaioğlu Emine N. , Dogramaci Asena C.
Published: March 2015

Background

Postadolescent acne is defined as acne that is seen even after the age of 25 years, regardless of the age at onset. The causes of postadolescent acne have not been completely clarified up to now. Androgens are considered to be the major factor involved in pathogenesis.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the status of thyroid functions and lipid levels in patients with postadolescent acne and determine the effects of lifestyle and environmental factors on postadolescent acne in a Turkish population.

Methods

In total, 184 patients and 82 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Thyroid function and lipid profiles of all participants were analyzed.

Results

The mean age of patients was 30.4 ± 4.9 years (25–50). The mean age of control group was 30.0 ± 4.4 years (25–40). Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with postadolescent acne (P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between patients with postadolescent acne and control subjects in triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, thyroid hormone profiles, and thyroid ultrasound scans. High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly decreased with postadolescent acne (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the thyroid functions and lipid profile in men and women with postadolescent acne. In this study, there was no relationship between thyroid functions and postadolescent acne. However, an association with low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and postadolescent acne was detected. Further investigations with more patients in different populations are needed to determine the causes of postadolescent acne.
Core temperature affects scalp skin temperature during scalp cooling
Authors: Daanen Hein A. M. , Peerbooms Mijke , van den Hurk Corina J. G. , van Os Bernadet , Levels Koen , Teunissen Lennart P. J. , Breed Wim P. M.
Published: March 2015

Background

The efficacy of hair loss prevention by scalp cooling to prevent chemotherapy induced hair loss has been shown to be related to scalp skin temperature. Scalp skin temperature, however, is dependent not only on local cooling but also on the thermal status of the body.

Objectives

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of body temperature on scalp skin temperature.

Methods

We conducted experiments in which 13 healthy subjects consumed ice slurry to lower body temperature for 15 minutes after the start of scalp cooling and then performed two 12‐minute cycle exercise sessions to increase body core temperature. Esophageal temperature (Tes), rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature (eight locations, Tskin), and mean scalp temperature (five locations, Tscalp) were recorded.

Results

During the initial 10 minutes of scalp cooling, Tscalp decreased by >15 °C, whereas Tes decreased by 0.2 °C. After ice slurry ingestion, Tes, Tre, and Tskin were 35.8, 36.5, and 31.3 °C, respectively, and increased after exercise to 36.3, 37.3, and 33.0 °C, respectively. Tscalp was significantly correlated to Tes (r = 0.39, P < 0.01): an increase of 1 °C in Tes corresponded to an increase of 1.6 °C in Tscalp.

Conclusions

Slight cooling of patients with an elevated body temperature during scalp cooling contributes to the decrease in scalp temperature and may improve the prevention of hair loss. This may be useful if the desired decrease of scalp temperature cannot be obtained by scalp cooling systems.
The profile of adult onset Henoch–Schönlein purpura in an Asian population
Authors: Yong Adeline Mei‐Yen , Lee Shan‐Xian , Tay Yong‐Kwang
Published: March 2015

Background

Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP) is less common in adults and has been linked with a more severe clinical syndrome as well as a higher frequency of renal disease and internal malignancy. Renal involvement in adult HSP has been significantly associated with antecedent infections, pyrexia at time of first presentation, and purpura above the waist. We aim to evaluate the frequency of cutaneous and extra‐cutaneous features and identify the predictive factors for renal involvement in Asian adults with HSP.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of 48 adult Asian patients diagnosed with HSP based on the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria at a tertiary hospital in Singapore between January 2000 and December 2011.

Results

The most common cutaneous manifestations were palpable purpura (73%), papules (31%), and petechiae (27%). Forty‐percent had cutaneous lesions extending above the waist. Fifteen patients (31%) had gastrointestinal symptoms, 21 (44%) had joint involvement, and 27 (56%) had renal disease. Seventy‐percent of patients with pyrexia at presentation experienced renal disease, whereas only 30% without pyrexia had renal involvement (P = 0.018). Sixty‐six percent of patients with purpura had renal involvement as compared to 31% in those without purpura (P = 0.049). The frequency of renal involvement in patients with purpura above the waist (52%) was similar to those with purpura below the waist (55%).

Conclusions

Our study confirms that HSP in adults tends to be more severe with a high incidence of extracutaneous manifestations, especially renal disease. Pyrexia at presentation and the presence of purpura were significant predictive factors for renal involvement.
Superficial acral fibromyxoma
Authors: Sawaya Jennifer L. , Khachemoune Amor
Published: March 2015

Superficial acral fibromyxoma (SAF), also known as digital fibromyxoma, is a rare soft tissue tumor with a predilection for acral surfaces. Superficial acral fibromyxoma classically presents as a pink to flesh‐colored nodule located on the subungual or periungual region of the hands or feet. It is typically slow‐growing and asymptomatic, which, coupled with its nonspecific clinical appearance, presents a diagnostic dilemma to the dermatologist. As these features overlap with those of a multitude of differential diagnoses, it is imperative to have a good understanding of the characteristics on which the diagnosis of SAF is based. Superficial acral fibromyxoma was initially described in 2001, since when several case reports and literature reviews have contributed to our current understanding of these tumors. In this article, we will review the history, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of SAF. It is our hope that this systematic approach will help to facilitate the recognition and management of this distinct dermatologic entity.
Microchimerism in alopecia areata
Authors: Terzi Erdinç , Bulut Bilal , Türsen Ümit , Kaya Tamer İrfan , Türsen Belma , Erdal Mehmet Emin , Yilmaz Şenay Görücü
Published: March 2015

Background

Autoimmunity is the main etiopathogenetic factor in alopecia areata. Microchimerism is the existence of allogeneic DNA in a living creature. There are variable studies investigating the role of microchimerism on the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. To our knowledge, no report has investigated the relationship between microchimerism and alopecia areata.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the possible role of microchimerism on alopecia areata.

Methods

We analyzed SRY gene levels as indicators of fetal microchimerism in our patient group. The patients were 29 women with alopecia areata, over 18 years old, who had visited our clinic between 2010 and 2013. Patients were divided into two groups; group 1 consisted of 14 patients having a son and group 2, 15 patients either nulliparous or having a daughter.

Results

Seventeen of 29 patients (58.6%) and four of 103 controls (3.9%) showed presence of an SRY gene. The difference between the patient and control groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

As a result of our study, microchimerism may be associated with the etiopathogenesis of alopecia areata. However, we think there is a need for a larger series of studies to support this hypothesis.
Melioidosis in children: a retrospective study
Authors: Foong Yee‐Wah , Tan Natalie Woon‐Hui , Chong Chia‐Yin , Thoon Koh‐Cheng , Tee Nancy Wen‐Sim , Koh Mark Jean‐Aan
Published: March 2015

Background

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is endemic in Singapore and can present as localized or disseminated disease.

Methods

Demographic data, clinical features, investigation results, treatments, and outcomes in patients aged <16 years diagnosed with melioidosis at KK Women's and Children's Hospital between January 2002 and January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Data for patients with primary skin disease and those with other organ involvement were compared.

Results

Seventeen children were diagnosed with melioidosis. Their median age was 12.5 years (range: 2–15 years). Nine (53%) patients presented with localized cutaneous melioidosis and five (29%) with localized lymphadenitis, pneumonia, or septic arthritis. The remaining three (18%) patients had melioidosis sepsis; two of these patients died from septic shock. Treatment included an initial 1–2 weeks of IV antibiotics followed by 3–6 months of oral combination antibiotics. All cases of localized cutaneous disease resolved completely with no recurrences. Three (60%) of the five patients with localized involvement of other organ systems achieved complete resolution of disease, and the remaining two were lost from follow‐up.

Conclusions

Although uncommon, melioidosis can occur in children living in endemic regions. Patients with localized skin disease have good outcomes with no recurrences. Systemic disease can be fatal, especially in the presence of underlying immunodeficiency. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, and treatment requires prolonged combination antibiotic therapy.
MicroRNA‐155 regulates interferon‐γ production in natural killer cells via Tim‐3 signalling in chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Cheng Yong Q. , Ren Jun P. , Zhao Juan , Wang Jia M. , Zhou Yun , Li Guang Y. , Moorman Jonathan P. , Yao Zhi Q.
Published: March 2015

Host immune responses must be tightly regulated by an intricate balance between positive and negative signals while fighting pathogens; persistent pathogens may usurp these regulatory mechanisms to dampen host immunity to facilitate survival in vivo. Here we report that Tim‐3, a negative signalling molecule expressed on monocytes and T cells, is up‐regulated on natural killer (NK) cells in individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Additionally, the transcription factor T‐bet was also found to be up‐regulated and associated with Tim‐3 expression in NK cells during chronic HCV infection. MicroRNA‐155 (miR‐155), an miRNA that inhibits signalling proteins involved in immune responses, was down‐regulated in NK cells by HCV infection. This Tim‐3/T‐bet over‐expression and miR‐155 inhibition were recapitulated in vitro by incubating primary NK cells or NK92 cell line with Huh‐7 hepatocytes expressing HCV. Reconstitution of miR‐155 in NK cells from HCV‐infected patients led to a decrease in T‐bet/Tim‐3 expression and an increase in interferon‐γ production. Blocking Tim‐3 signalling also enhanced interferon‐γ production in NK cells by improving signal transducer and activator of transcription‐5 phosphorylation. These data indicate that HCV‐induced, miR‐155‐regulated Tim‐3 expression regulates NK cell function, suggesting a novel mechanism for balancing immune clearance and immune injury during chronic viral infection.
A Flux‐Free Fusion Technique for Rapid Determination of Major and Trace Elements in Silicate Rocks by LA‐ICP‐MS
Authors: He Zhiwei , Huang Fang , Yu Huimin , Xiao Yilin , Wang Fangyue , Li Qiuli , Xia Ying , Zhang Xingchao
Published: March 2015

A simple flux‐free fusion technique was developed to analyse major and trace element compositions of silicate rocks. The sample powders were melted in a molybdenum capsule sealed in a graphite tube to make a homogenous glass in a temperature‐controlled one‐atmosphere furnace. The glass was then measured for both major and trace element concentrations by LA‐ICP‐MS using a calibration strategy of total metal‐oxide normalisation. The optimum conditions (i.e., temperature and duration) to make homogeneous glasses were obtained by performing melting experiments using a series of USGS reference materials including BCR‐2, BIR‐1, BHVO‐2, AGV‐1, AGV‐2, RGM‐1, W‐2 and GSP‐2 with SiO2 contents from 47 to 73% m/m. Analytical results of the USGS reference materials using our method were generally consistent with the recommended values within a discrepancy of 5–10% for most elements. The routine precision of our method was generally better than 5–10% RSD. Compared with previous methods of LA‐ICP‐MS whole‐rock analyses, our flux‐free fusion method is convenient and efficient in making silicate powder into homogeneous glass. Furthermore, it limits contamination and loss of volatile elements during heating. Therefore, our new method has great potential to provide reliable and rapid determinations of major and trace element compositions for silicate rocks.
Initial Experience with a New Image Integration Module Designed for Reducing Radiation Exposure During Electrophysiological Ablation Procedures
Authors: CANO ÓSCAR , ALONSO PAU , OSCA JOAQUÍN , ANDRÉS ANA , SANCHO‐TELLO MARÍA‐JOSÉ , OLAGÜE JOSÉ , SALVADOR ANTONIO , MARTÍNEZ‐DOLZ LUIS
Published: March 2015

Reducing Radiation Exposure

Introduction

Reduction of radiation exposure during cardiac arrhythmia ablation procedures is desirable. We sought to evaluate the utility of a new image integration module (CARTOUNIVUTM) in reducing fluoroscopy times and dosages during left atrial arrhythmia (LAA) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation procedures.

Methods and Results

Consecutive patients undergoing LAA (n = 28)/VT (n = 13) ablation using the CARTOUNIVUTM module were included. Total fluoroscopy time, radiation dose (total dose area product [tDAP], effective dose [ED]), and procedure duration were evaluated. A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent LAA (n = 16)/VT(n = 8) ablation without the new image integration module served as a control group. The use of the new image integration module significantly reduced mean fluoroscopy time (5.2 minutes [IQR 1.9;6.8] in the LAA ablation UNIVU group vs. 28.2 minutes [IQR 15.3;37.8] in the control group, P<0.001; 9.8 minutes [IQR 4.5;13.1] vs. 25.5 minutes [IQR 14.1;30.9] for VT ablation, P = 0.013), tDAP (2,088 cGy*cm2 [IQR 664;2911] vs. 5,893 cGy*cm2 [IQR 3088;8483], P< 0.001 for LAA ablation; 3,917 cGy*cm2 [IQR 948;4217] vs. 12,377 cGy*cm2 (IQR 3385;23157) for VT ablation patients, P = 0.025) and ED (4.1 mSv [IQR 1;5.8] vs. 11.8 mSv [IQR 6.2;16.9] for LAA ablation patients, P< 0.001; 7.8 mSv [IQR 1.9;8.4] vs. 24.7 mSv [IQR 6.8;46.3] for VT ablation patients, P = 0.025). Procedure duration did not significantly change (174 ± 45 minutes vs. 197 ± 36 minutes for LAA ablation, P = 0.083; 201 ± 51 minutes vs. 201 ± 63 minutes for VT ablation, P = 0.860). No serious adverse events related to the use of the CARTOUNIVUTM module occurred.

Conclusions

The new image integration module significantly reduced total fluoroscopy time and mean radiation dose without influence in procedure duration during ablation of complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
Perspectives on thyroid hormone action in adult neurogenesis
Authors: Kapoor Richa , Fanibunda Sashaina E. , Desouza Lynette A. , Guha Suman K. , Vaidya Vidita A.
Published: March 2015

Thyroid hormone exhibits profound effects on neural progenitor turnover, survival, maturation, and differentiation during perinatal development. Studies over the past decade have revealed that thyroid hormone continues to retain an important influence on progenitors within the neurogenic niches of the adult mammalian brain. The focus of the current review is to critically examine and summarize the current state of understanding of the role of thyroid hormone in regulating adult neurogenesis within the major neurogenic niches of the subgranular zone in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone lining the lateral ventricles. We review in depth the studies that highlight a role for thyroid hormone, in particular the TRα1 receptor isoform, in regulating progenitor survival and commitment to a neuronal fate. We also discuss putative models for the mechanism of action of thyroid hormone/TRα1 on specific stages of subgranular zone and subventricular zone progenitor development, and highlight potential thyroid hormone responsive target genes that may contribute to the neurogenic effects of thyroid hormone. The effects of thyroid hormone on adult neurogenesis are discussed in the context of a potential role of these effects in the cognitive‐ and mood‐related consequences of thyroid hormone dysfunction. Finally, we detail hitherto unexplored aspects of the effects of thyroid hormone on adult neurogenesis that provide impetus for future studies to gain a deeper mechanistic insight into the neurogenic effects of thyroid hormone.

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Thyroid hormone regulation of adult neurogenesis in the mammalian brain exhibits both unique and overlapping effects within distinct neurogenic niches. Thyroid hormone regulates hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ) progenitor survival and neuronal cell fate acquisition and influences subventricular zone (SVZ) progenitor cell turnover, cell cycle exit, and neuronal cell fate acquisition. In this review, we summarize, critically discuss and highlight open questions in regard to thyroid hormone regulation of adult neurogenesis.
Receptive range analysis of a mouse odorant receptor subfamily
Authors: Li Jingyi , Haddad Rafi , Santos Vanessa , Bavan Selvan , Luetje Charles W.
Published: March 2015

Mammals deploy a large array of odorant receptors (ORs) to detect and distinguish a vast number of odorant molecules. ORs vary widely in the type of odorant structures recognized and in the breadth of molecular receptive range (MRR), with some ORs recognizing a small group of closely related molecules and other ORs recognizing a wide range of structures. While closely related ORs have been shown to have similar MRRs, the functional relationships among less closely related ORs are unclear. We screened a small group of ORs with a diverse odorant panel to identify a new odorant‐OR pairing (unsaturated aldehydes and MOR263‐3). We then extensively screened MOR263‐3 and a series of additional MORs related to MOR263‐3 in various ways. MORs related by phylogenetic analysis (several other members of the MOR263 subfamily) had MRRs that overlapped with the MRR of MOR263‐3, even with amino acid identity as low as 48% (MOR263‐2). MOR171‐17, predicted to be functionally related to MOR263‐3 by an alternative bioinformatic analysis, but with only 39% amino acid identity, had a distinct odorant specificity. Our results support the use of phylogenetic analysis to predict functional relationships among ORs with relatively low amino acid identity.

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We screened a small group of mouse odorant receptors (MORs) with a diverse odorant panel to identify a new odorant‐OR pairing (unsaturated aldehydes and MOR263‐3), then extensively screened a series of additional MORs related to MOR263‐3 in various ways. MORs related by phylogenetic analysis had odorant specificities that overlapped with that of MOR263‐3, but MOR171‐17, predicted to be functionally related to MOR263‐3 by an alternative bioinformatic analysis, had a distinct odorant specificity.
Alpha‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex‐dependent succinylation of proteins in neurons and neuronal cell lines
Authors: Gibson Gary E. , Xu Hui , Chen Huan‐Lian , Chen Wei , Denton Travis T. , Zhang Sheng
Published: March 2015

Reversible post‐translation modifications of proteins are common in all cells and appear to regulate many processes. Nevertheless, the enzyme(s) responsible for the alterations and the significance of the modification are largely unknown. Succinylation of proteins occurs and causes large changes in the structure of proteins; however, the source of the succinyl groups, the targets, and the consequences of these modifications on other proteins remain unknown. These studies focused on succinylation of mitochondrial proteins. The results demonstrate that the α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) can serve as a trans‐succinylase that mediates succinylation in an α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent manner. Inhibition of KGDHC reduced succinylation of both cytosolic and mitochondrial proteins in cultured neurons and in a neuronal cell line. Purified KGDHC can succinylate multiple proteins including other enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle leading to modification of their activity. Inhibition of KGDHC also modifies acetylation by modifying the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The much greater effectiveness of KGDHC than succinyl‐CoA suggests that the catalysis owing to the E2k succinyltransferase is important. Succinylation appears to be a major signaling system and it can be mediated by KGDHC.

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Reversible post‐translation modifications of proteins are common and may regulate many processes. Succinylation of proteins occurs and causes large changes in the structure of proteins. However, the source of the succinyl groups, the targets, and the consequences of these modifications on other proteins remains unknown. The results demonstrate that the mitochondrial α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) can succinylate multiple mitochondrial proteins and alter their function. Succinylation appears to be a major signaling system and it can be mediated by KGDHC.
The exploratory power of sleep effort, dysfunctional beliefs and arousal for insomnia severity and polysomnography‐determined sleep
Authors: Hertenstein Elisabeth , Nissen Christoph , Riemann Dieter , Feige Bernd , Baglioni Chiara , Spiegelhalder Kai
Published: March 2015

Differences between subjective sleep perception and sleep determined by polysomnography (PSG) are prevalent, particularly in patients with primary insomnia, indicating that the two measures are partially independent. To identify individualized treatment strategies, it is important to understand the potentially different mechanisms influencing subjective and PSG‐determined sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent three major components of insomnia models, i.e. sleep effort, dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep, and presleep arousal, are associated with subjective insomnia severity and PSG‐ determined sleep. A sample of 47 patients with primary insomnia according to DSM‐IV criteria and 52 good sleeper controls underwent 2 nights of PSG and completed the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale, the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale, the Pre‐Sleep Arousal Scale and the Insomnia Severity Index. Regression analyses were conducted to investigate the impact of the three predictors on subjective insomnia severity and PSG‐ determined total sleep time. All analyses were adjusted for age, gender, depressive symptoms and group status. The results showed that subjective insomnia severity was associated positively with sleep effort. PSG‐determined total sleep time was associated negatively with somatic presleep arousal and dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep. This pattern of results provides testable hypotheses for prospective studies on the impact of distinct cognitive and somatic variables on subjective insomnia severity and PSG‐determined total sleep time.
Phylogeographic study on the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) in the Northwestern Pacific indicates the late Pleistocene population isolation
Authors: Yan Shuai , Catanese Gaetano , Brown Christopher L. , Wang Ming , Yang Chaopin , Yang Tingbao
Published: March 2015

In the present study, the population genetic structure and historical demography of the chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus, in the Northwestern Pacific were examined based on the full‐length sequences of the mitochondrial control region and cytochrome b gene. A total of 320 individuals was sampled from 11 localities along the coast of China and Japan from August 2011 to May 2013. Two main clades representing Chinese and Japanese populations, respectively, were detected, suggesting population isolation of S. japonicus during the late Pleistocene era. The Chinese clade was further divided into two small clades and the distribution of haplotypes were not related to sampling locality, which may be a signature of secondary contact following past division. Analyses of molecular variance and pairwise FST revealed significant genetic differentiation between the Chinese and Japanese populations, but a lack of genetic structure for the populations along the coast of China. Both neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis suggested that the populations along the coast of China experienced population expansion during the late Pleistocene. Historical events, biological characteristics and other extrinsic forces such as ocean currents may all be associated with the current phylogeographic pattern of S. japonicus in the Northwestern Pacific.
Feed the Brain: Insights into the Study of Neurovascular Coupling
Authors: Welsh Donald G. , Ledoux Jonathan
Published: March 2015

The microcirculation is tightly regulated by a diverse range of mechanisms which share the common goal of matching blood flow delivery with tissue metabolic demand. Despite in‐depth examination of tissues like skeletal muscle, brain microcirculation has remained largely unexplored due to methodological limitations. Recent, technological advances have, however, started to grant greater access to this vital microcirculatory bed. This overview is part of a Special Topics Issue centered on the methodology, theory, and mechanistic basis of neurovascular coupling. Solicited manuscripts have been purposely written in an opinionated manner to provoke thought and to illuminate new emerging areas of investigation.
Role of hydrogen sulfide within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the control of gastric function in rats
Authors: Sun H.‐Z. , Yu K.‐H. , Ai H.‐B.
Published: March 2015

Background

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous messenger and serves as an important neuromodulator in the central nervous system. This study aimed to clarify the role of H2S within the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) in the control of gastric function in rats.

Methods

Cystathionine β‐synthetase (CBS) is an important generator of endogenous H2S in the brain. We investigated the distribution of CBS in the DMV using immunohistochemical method, and the effects of H2S on gastric motility and on gastric acid secretion.

Key Results

CBS‐immunoreactive (IR) neurons were detected in the rostral, intermediate and caudal DMV, with the highest number of CBS‐IR neurons in the caudal DMV, and the lowest in the intermediate DMV. We also found that microinjection of the exogenous H2S donor NaHS (0.04 and 0.08 mol/L; 0.1 μL; n = 6; p < 0.05) into the DMV significantly inhibited gastric motility with a dose‐dependent trend, and promoted gastric acid secretion in Wistar rats. Microinjection of the same volume of physiological saline (PS; 0.1 μL, n = 6, p > 0.05) at the same location did not noticeably change gastric motility and acid secretion.

Conclusions & Inferences

The data from these experiments suggest that the CBS that produces H2S is present in the DMV, and microinjection of NaHS into the DMV inhibited gastric motility and enhanced gastric acid secretion in rats.
Generalizedx‐to‐C in Germanic
Authors: Leu Thomas
Published: March 2015

This paper highlights striking similarities of three well‐known but hitherto disparately treated alternations in Germanic morphosyntax: (i) the positional alternation of the finite verb between a low and a left peripheral (V2) position; (ii) the morphological alternation in adnominal adjectives between so‐called weak and strong agreement; and (iii) the contrast in definiteness marking between a free DP‐initial definite article and a so‐called suffixed article. The number and kinds of punctual similarities among these alternations suggest that we are dealing with a parallelism that is non‐accidental (even if not always fully surface apparent).

In an attempt to propose a principled account of this parallelism, I argue that the familiar syntactic CP/DP analogy must (A) be extended to include the extended adjectival projection (xAP), and (B) that it is more than an analogy. It is, I claim, a point‐wise isomorphism. I identify a shared complementizer head C, which, I claim, extended projections of all colors converge on. In Germanic, C is either lexicalized/identified qua head, asd‐, or it attracts the lexical category of its containing extended projection, indiscriminately of whether it is verbal, nominal, or adjectival. Movement of the lexical category to the left periphery results, in many cases, in its preceding material which it does not precede in the absence of such movement, notably inflectional material.

If correct, the proposed isomorphism hypothesis has consequences for the analysis of the phenomena involved in that it allows us to transfer insights from one domain to another. In particular, it supports an analysis of the adjectival inflection alternation in terms of adjective movement; and an analysis of V2 as involving two merger steps.
Tectonically induced change in lake evolution recorded by seismites in the Eocene Green River Formation, Wyoming
Authors: Törő Balázs , Pratt Brian R. , Renaut Robin W.
Published: March 2015

Seismogenic sedimentary structures – seismites – provide an opportunity to understand the effects of syndepositional tectonics on lacustrine sedimentation. The lowermost Wilkins Peak Member (Eocene Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA) contains laterally extensive intervals displaying folds, load structures, mixed brittle–ductile deformation, microfaults, breccias and sedimentary dykes, which formed intrastratally in a low‐energy, sublittoral lacustrine environment. They developed in situ by liquefaction and plastic or brittle behaviour of semi‐lithified sediment, or by remobilization and injection of granular material. Their morphological attributes and lateral extent, zonation in deformation intensity and the depositional setting all imply deformation triggered by earthquake‐induced stresses in shallow‐buried sediment. Their stratigraphic distribution coincides with a shift in hydrological conditions from a balanced‐filled to an underfilled lake type, independent of climate change. This study is the first to ascribe seismites to a pulse of tectonic activity that caused a synchronous change in lacustrine evolution.
Marr and Reductionism
Authors: Bickle John
Published: March 2015

David Marr's three‐level method for completely understanding a cognitive system and the importance he attaches to the computational level are so familiar as to scarcely need repeating. Fewer seem to recognize that Marr defends his famous method by criticizing the “reductionistic approach.” This sets up a more interesting relationship between Marr and reductionism than is usually acknowledged. I argue that Marr was correct in his criticism of the reductionists of his time—they were only describing (cellular activity), not explaining (cognitive functions). But a careful metascientific account of reductionistic neuroscience over the past two decades reveals that Marr's criticisms no longer have force. Contemporary neuroscience now explains cognition directly, although in a fashion—causal‐mechanistically—quite different than Marr recommended. So while Marr was correct to reject the reductionism of his day and offer an alternative method for genuinely explaining cognition, contemporary cognitive scientists now owe us a new defense of Marr's famous method and the advantages of its explanations over the type now pursued successfully in current reductionist neuroscience. There are familiar reasons for thinking that this debt will not be paid easily.
Design of a Centrifugal Compressor Using CFD Analysis: Part I — Preliminary Design and Geometry Modification
Authors: Muralidharan K. V.
Published: March 2015

The centrifugal compressors are used in a wide variety of turbo machines ranging from low-pressure fans for cooling of electric motors to high-pressure ratio gas turbine compressors, from tiny cryogenic coolers to large industrial petrochemical compressor stations. An automated design scheme making use of Navier Stokes equation and Artificial Neural Network is envisaged as in figure 1. The present work describes a user friendly scheme to carry out blade geometry generation and to carry out preliminary designs that are two of the most important steps of the automated design scheme. Present paper describes a robust method to carry out these two steps. This paper also describes a method adopted to decide on viable design space. In the blade generation steps, present method was applied to that obtained by other methods reported in literature. It was found that the present scheme could replicate the centrifugal compressor geometry with just six parameters as compared to many more by others. In Mihai[1], use of adjoint method is used for optimization of NASA rotor. The design had 28 parameters. In Trigg[2], a systematic approach for optimization of a two dimensional blade design is reported. Two dimensional profile is defined by seventeen parameters. In Wang Hong liang[3] an optimization based on particle swarm principle is made use of to optimize the blade angle distribution at hub and shroud and had seven control points to do this. In order to minimize the number of control points, Asimara and Goto[4], used inverse method. Here blade loading at hub and shroud is the input to a inverse method to generate the blade geometry. Optimizer works on the blade loading. The generated geometry is analyzed by CFD calculations. From the above references, it is clear that the present scheme is a user friendly general method.
Bonded Composite Repairs of Aluminum Alloy 2024T3 Cracked Plates
Authors: Benyahia F. , Albedah A. , Bachir Bouiadjra B.
Published: March 2015

In this study, the behavior of repaired cracks, located in aluminum alloy sheets 2024T3, with bonded composite patch is analyzed experimentally and numerically. The experimental study has been conducted through fatigue tests on aluminum cracked plate repaired with Carbon/epoxy patch. In the numerical analysis, the stress intensity factor at the crack front is computed using three-dimensional finite element method. The obtained results show that the stress intensity factor at the crack front is highly reduced by the presence of the patch repair. Therefore, the fatigue life of the damaged structure can be significantly improved especially if the patch repair is applied at small crack lengths.
A Multi-Scale Viscoelastic Cohesive Layer Model for Predicting Delamination in HTPMC
Authors: Roy Samit , Upadhyaya Priyank , Haque Mohammad H. , Lu Hongbing
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a novel numerical-experimental methodology is outlined to predict delamination in pristine as well as isothermally aged (in air) polymer matrix composites. A rate-dependent viscoelastic cohesive layer model was implemented in an in-house test-bed finite element analysis (FEA) code to simulate the delamination initiation and propagation in unidirectional polymer composites before and after aging. This unified model is fully rate-dependent and does not require a pre-assigned traction-separation law. The actual shape of traction separation law depends on: (a) the strain rate via the viscoelastic constitutive relationship, (b) the degree of thermo-oxidative aging via the changes in the experimentally measured creep compliance due to oxidation, and (c) the evolution of the internal state variable defining the state of damage. To determine the model parameters, double cantilever beam (DCB) experiments were conducted on both pristine and isothermally aged IM-7/bismaleimide (BMI) composite specimens. The J-Integral approach was adapted to extract cohesive stresses near the crack tip. A principal-stretch dependent internal damage state variable defines the damage in the cohesive layer. Within the cohesive layer, pristine and cohesive stresses were compared to estimate the damage parameters. Once the damage parameters had been characterized, the test-bed FEA code employed a micromechanics based viscoelastic cohesive layer model to simulate interlaminar delamination. From a numerical stability standpoint, the viscous regularization effect of the viscoelastic constitutive equations in the cohesive layer helps mitigate numerical instabilities caused by elastic energy released due to crack growth, thereby enabling the FEA model to simulate the load-deflection response of the composite structure well beyond peak load. The present cohesive-layer based FEA model was able to accurately predict not only the macro level load-displacement curve, but also the micro level crack growth history in IM-7/BMI laminate before and after thermal aging, using only three parameters.
Intelligent Resin Delivery System for Manufacturing Large Composite Structures
Authors: Yuksel Tolga , Stockton Daniel , Marshall Paul , Kim Dave , Gurocak Hakan
Published: March 2015

Fabrication of large composite structures, such as recreational yacht hulls and wind turbine blades, is a cost intensive and high-risk operation, which must be carefully controlled to meet demanding design specifications and reduce defects. In this study, the goal was to develop an intelligent resin delivery system that can easily be integrated into the existing traditional setup in production environment and without any modifications to the mold. A prototype system with two resin supply lines and 16 optical sensors was developed. The system automatically monitors and adjusts resin flow in the mold in real-time using a controller. The effect of process setup parameters on the resin flow was investigated with the design of experiments technique to identify the best settings. The results showed that the automatic system can successfully control the resin flow, hence can be a potential future option in composite manufacturing.
Flight Trajectory Optimization Through Genetic Algorithms Coupling Vertical and Lateral Profiles
Authors: Félix Patrón Roberto Salvador , Botez Ruxandra Mihaela
Published: March 2015

For long flights, the cruise is the longest phase and is where the largest proportion of fuel is consumed. A new flight trajectory calculation method utilizing genetic algorithms is proposed here. The lateral and vertical navigation profiles are analyzed to obtain the optimal cruise trajectory in terms of fuel consumption. With a complete analysis of the wind currents, a 3D grid is created for all along the cruise phase, including latitudes, longitudes and altitudes. Different flight trajectories are calculated using genetic algorithms. To improve calculation time and precision, the flight trajectories are calculated using the performance databases for commercial aircraft, databases which are used in actual flight management system platforms. This optimization process indicates that fuel cost savings of up to 5.6% can be achieved.
Microstructural Analysis and Nanoindentation Characterization of Ti-6Al-4V Parts From Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Gong Xibing , Lydon James , Cooper Kenneth , Chou Kevin
Published: March 2015

In this study, the microstructure analysis and nanoindentation characterization from electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) were experimentally investigated. Specimens with different build heights of an EBAM built part were tested for microstructure observations by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The correspondent Young’s modulus and hardness were measured by nanoindentation. Columnar prior β structure is found along the build direction from the X-plane, while the Z-plane is characterized by equiaxed grains and fine Widmanstätten (α+β) structure. The microstructure varies along the build height: the top layers present finer columnar prior β grains and inside Widmanstätten (α+β) structure, while the bottom layers show bigger percentage of α′ martensitic phase owing to the very high cooling rate. Nanoindentation tests identify the highest Young’s modulus of 127.9 GPa and hardness of 6.5 GPa from the top layers of Z-plane. The Young’s modulus and hardness of the middle layers are lower because of the repeated heating. The Z-plane shows higher mechanical properties compared to that of the X-plane. The enhancement of modulus and hardness of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy could be attributed to the strengthening phase of α′ and fine microstructure.
Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Optimized Friction Stir Welded Twin Roll Cast AZ31B Sheets
Authors: Ammouri A. H. , Achdjian Haig , Dorbane A. , Ayoub G. , Kridli G. T. , Hamade R. F.
Published: March 2015

In order to select the optimum parameters for friction stir welding of twin-roll cast (TRC) AZ31B Mg-Al-Cu alloy, mechanical and microstructural characterizations are performed on friction stir welded 3 mm thick sheets under different processing parameters of rotational spindle speed and feed rate. Used was a tool made from high resistance Sverker 21 steel alloy with a 19 mm diameter cylindrical shoulder and a 6.4 mm diameter pin that extrudes 2.7 mm from the bottom of the shoulder. A large number of welded joints were prepared according to a test matrix of various combinations of rotational speed and feed rate. Tensile tests at different temperatures and strain rates were performed on specimens cut with their major axis perpendicular to the welded joints. Static strength tests of these specimens revealed that joints welded at a speed of 1200 rpm and a feed of 150 mm/min resulted in strengths as high as 94% of that of the as received TRC AZ31B metal. For specimens welded at spindle speeds larger than 1400 rpm, microstructural observations revealed the presence of micro cracks and voids located in the zone between the nugget and the thermally affected zone. In order to monitor the effect of lengthy testing times and the observed grain growth associated with slow strain tests, annealing tests under different temperatures and time durations were performed while monitoring grain diameter. Very limited grain growth have been obsereved after annealing and thus the mechanical performnace of the joints was solely due to the effect of the friction stir welding.