bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the Well Child Clinic services in Norway and the Nurse Family Partnership programme in the United States
Authors: Glavin Kari , Schaffer Marjorie A
Published: September 2013

Aim and objectives

To present a comparison and a discussion of the Well Child Clinic model in Norway and the Nurse‐Family Partnership® model in the United States.

Background

The Nurse Family Partnership programme in the United States is voluntary and not universal. The Well Child Clinic programme in Norway is voluntary but universally available for Norwegian families. As the Well Child Clinics are used by the vast majority of the families in Norway, it is difficult to determine the benefits and outcomes for the families who receive universal services.

Design

Qualitative design.

Methods

Authors reviewed the literature on the Norwegian Well Child Clinics and the Nurse Family Partnership programme in the United States and interviewed public health nurses experts on evidence‐based home visiting programmes in Minnesota.

Results

The similarities between goals and content of the Nurse Family Partnership programme in the United States and the Well Child Clinic services in Norway are emphases on (1) intensive services, (2) a focus on behaviour, (3) the inclusion of both parents and children and (4) programme fidelity. The major difference in the programmes is the focus on a targeted population for the Nurse Family Partnership programme vs. the universal offer of Well Child Clinics in Norway.

Conclusion

Norway should continue with universal approach to support new families. A model similar to Nurse Family Partnership could be developed in Norway as an addition to the existing universal services, as an offer to the high‐risk families.

Relevance to clinical practice

Public health nursing leaders in Norway need to advocate for public health nurse ratios that make it possible for public health nurses to follow government guidelines. A model similar to Nurse Family Partnership could be developed in Norway as an addition to the existing universal services, as an offer to the high‐risk families.
Patterns of help‐seeking in women when problems arise in their sexual life: a discussion paper
Authors: Azar Mathilde , Bradbury‐Jones Caroline , Kroll Thilo
Published: September 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore patterns of help‐seeking in women who have sexual dysfunction and the implications for nursing practice.

Background

Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem that is under‐reported and untreated. Barriers to help‐seeking reported in existing literature relate to the perception among many women that sexual dysfunction is: part of the normal ageing process; not bothersome or does not exist; an issue that health professionals are reluctant to address; a taboo subject. However, little is known about patterns of help‐seeking in women with sexual problems. This leaves a potential gap in nursing knowledge regarding appropriate, supportive strategies.

Design

Discursive inquiry framed theoretically by Vogel's model.

Methods

A literature review was undertaken by searching relevant databases. A combination of keywords was used to identify peer‐review papers relating to women's help‐seeking behaviour for sexual dysfunction. Vogel's model was used as a framework to extract relevant information from the papers and structure the discussion.

Results

Vogel's model comprises four steps: encoding and interpreting, generating options, decision‐making and evaluation of behaviour. Using this stepwise approach helped elucidate the complex mechanisms associated with help‐seeking in a structured manner. The key issues associated with help‐seeking intention are concerned with women's personal awareness of and interaction with the environment.

Conclusions

Vogel's model offers a new approach to understanding the dynamics that underpin women's decisions to seek professional help when sexual concerns arise and also provides a useful framework for nurses to consider women's specific sexual concerns.

Relevance to clinical practice

Implications for nursing practice are focused on public awareness, women's empowerment and the provision of effective sexual health care. Because sexual dysfunction is a global phenomenon, it is likely that the discussion in this paper will be relevant to an international, nursing readership.
Predicting nonsexual violent reoffending by sexual offenders: A comparison of four actuarial tools
Authors: Howard Philip D. , Barnett Georgia D. , Wakeling Helen C.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This study compared the ability of four risk assessment scales to predict non‐sexual violent reoffending, and differences in non‐sexual violent reoffending rates by sexual offending history.

Method

Risk assessment instruments were scored, and criminal histories and three non‐sexual violent reoffending outcomes were coded, for a large sample of sexual offenders supervised by probation services in England and Wales. Predictive validities for the three outcomes were compared, varying the banding of risk scores to reflect practical constraints on offender management resources. Reoffending rates were compared by sexual offending history.

Results

After adjusting for risk assessment tool banding, the Offender Group Reconviction Scale version 3 and OASys Violence Predictor (OVP) had generally superior predictive validity to Risk Matrix 2000's v and c scales. However, several of OVP's dynamic risk factors were unrelated to non‐sexual violent recidivism. Non‐sexual violent reoffending rates were greater among those with prior but not current sexual offences and lower among those with indecent images offences, and sexual reoffending rates were lower but not negligible among those who had only sexually offended before the age of 16.

Conclusions

The use of OVP was recommended to the English and Welsh correctional services. The dynamic risk factor and sexual offence history results suggest that further work is required to optimize prediction of non‐sexual violence among sexual offenders.
Internet child pornography offenders: An examination of attachment and intimacy deficits
Authors: Armstrong Janelle , Mellor David
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This study investigated attachment, intimacy, and anxiety related to interpersonal interactions, in offenders convicted of Internet child pornography (ICP), other sexual offenders, and non‐offenders.

Methods

The sample of 162 male participants comprised 32 ICP offenders, 32 matched child sexual offenders, 31 matched adult sexual offenders, 20 offenders convicted of both ICP and an offline sexual offence, and 47 community controls who reported that they had not been convicted of any sexual offences.

Results

The ICP group reported significantly less secure attachment than non‐offenders and both the matched child and adult sexual offenders. Both the ICP group and the group convicted of an ICP offence in addition to an offline sexual offence reported a significantly more fearful attachment style and a more negative view of themselves than non‐offenders. The ICP group also reported a more negative view of themselves than both of the matched sexual offender groups. Finally, the ICP group reported more social avoidance and distress than non‐offenders.

Conclusions

Despite a small sample size these findings provide insights into the cohort of offenders convicted of ICP and their similarities/differences to other sexual offenders.
Principles for a second century of film legislation
Authors: Mac Síthigh Daithí
Published: September 2013

Following a century of legislation about film and the film industry in the UK, and the latest in a series of reports on ‘film policy’, this paper investigates the relationship between law, policy and film. Case studies on the definition of ‘film’ in a time of technological and cultural change consider the privileged position of the cinema in terms of censorship and tax, including the new phenomenon of ‘alternative content’; that is, live relays of theatrical performances. Institutional change is assessed and criticised, particularly the abolition of the UK Film Council and the steady move from statute to executive action. The paper sets out a case for the role of the state to be set out in legislation and the cultural consequences of legal definitions to be taken more seriously.
Hyperexcitability as a potential cause for diffuse lower motor neuron loss in Isaacs’ syndrome
Authors: Furukawa Takahiro , Nodera Hiroyuki , Shimatani Yoshimitsu , Watanabe Osamu , Miyashiro Ai , Mori Atsuko , Matsui Naoko , Nishida Yoshihiko , Izumi Yuishin , Kaji Ryuji
Published: September 2013

We present a patient who initially developed diffuse painful muscle cramps who had elevated antibodies against voltage‐gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex. Despite the initial improvement after immunomodulatory therapy, she later developed progressive atrophy and weakness of the limb muscles whose electrophysiological finding mimicked that in lower motor neuron disease. A potential causal relationship between anti‐VGKC complex antibody‐associated hyperexcitability and lower motor axon loss is discussed.
Anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antibody encephalitis: A back‐to‐front presentation
Authors: Rathakrishnan Rahul , Yuki Nobuhiro
Published: September 2013

The anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a multiphasic immune‐mediated syndrome with a unique evolution of clinical features. Patients usually present with psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, delusions and paranoia, followed by disturbance of speech and obtundation. Some develop movement disorders, characteristically oro‐facial dyskinesias. Dystonia as a presenting feature in adults is unusual. Complex partial seizures and dysautonomia might require intensive care. We describe an adult with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis who presented atypically. Dystonia and oculogyric crisis were then followed by cognitive dysfunction and impairment of consciousness. Psychiatric features manifested 25 days after presentation. The patient made a full recovery after immunosuppressive treatment. The atypical sequence of clinical features suggests a subcortical‐to‐cortical pathway of involvement. Anti‐NMDAR encephalitis might be underdiagnosed in patients with unusual manifestations.
A synthetic framework for modeling the genetic basis of phenotypic plasticity and its costs
Authors: Zhai Yi , Lv Yafei , Li Xin , Wu Weimiao , Bo Wenhao , Shen Dengfeng , Xu Fang , Pang Xiaoming , Zheng Bingsong , Wu Rongling
Published: September 2013

The phenotype of an individual is controlled not only by its genes, but also by the environment in which it grows.

A growing body of evidence shows that the extent to which phenotypic changes are driven by the environment, known as phenotypic plasticity, is also under genetic control, but an overall picture of genetic variation for phenotypic plasticity remains elusive.

Here, we develop a model for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that regulate environment‐induced plastic response. This model enables geneticists to test whether there exist actual QTLs that determine phenotypic plasticity and, if there are, further test how plasticity QTLs control the costs of plastic response by dissecting the genetic correlation of phenotypic plasticity and trait value.

The model was used to analyze real data for grain yield of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), leading to the detection of pleiotropic QTLs and epistatic QTLs that affect phenotypic plasticity and its cost in this crop.
Early transcriptional responses to mercury: a role for ethylene in mercury‐induced stress
Authors: Montero‐Palmero M. Belén , Martín‐Barranco Amanda , Escobar Carolina , Hernández Luis E.
Published: September 2013

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of plant tolerance to mercury (Hg) is important for developing phytoremediation strategies of Hg‐contaminated soils. The early responses of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) seedlings to Hg were studied using transcriptomics analysis.

A Medicago truncatula microarray was hybridized with high‐quality root RNA from M. sativa treated with 3 μM Hg for 3, 6 and 24 h. The transcriptional pattern data were complementary to the measurements of root growth inhibition, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and NADPH‐oxidase activity as stress indexes.

Of 559 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 91% were up‐regulated. The majority of DEGs were shared between the 3 and 6 h (60%) time points, including the ‘stress’, ‘secondary metabolism’ and ‘hormone metabolism’ functional categories. Genes from ethylene metabolism and signalling were highly represented, suggesting that this phytohormone may be relevant for metal perception and homeostasis.

Ethylene‐insensitive alfalfa seedlings preincubated with the ethylene signalling inhibitor 1‐methylcyclopronene and Arabidopsis thaliana ein2‐5 mutants confirmed that ethylene participates in the early perception of Hg stress. It modulates root growth inhibition, NADPH‐oxidase activity and Hg‐induced apoplastic H2O2 accumulation. Therefore, ethylene signalling attenuation could be useful in future phytotechnological applications to ameliorate stress symptoms in Hg‐polluted plants.
Modifying the Libyan fiscal regime to optimise its oil reserves and attract more foreign capital part 2: application to CO2‐EOR project in Libya
Authors: Balhasan Saad A. , Towler Brian F. , Miskimins Jennifer L.
Published: September 2013

This paper extends the analysis of our proposed modification to the first model of Libyan Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (LEPSA I) to field applications. Four decision‐making models are coded in a spreadsheet program to estimate profitability indicators for two development scenarios. These scenarios are primary and secondary recovery methods with water injection and enhanced oil recovery by injecting carbon dioxide. The paper concludes that the economic profit for the foreign investor (second party) under LEPSA I was improved compared with EPSA IV. Also, Libya increased its oil reserves with a reasonable decrease of its production share. Moreover, the results showed that the profit indicators under the current production shares (cost recovery) of the fourth model of Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA IV) were not favourable to the second party. Because of that, the second party would not be motivated to make a decision to invest any money for an oil development projects in Libya. Finally, the paper investigates how EPSA IV should be redesigned to maximise the Libyan National Oil Corporation (first party) oil reserves and give more attention to the economic objectives of the second party.
Oral treatment with β‐lactoglobulin peptides prevents clinical symptoms in a mouse model for cow's milk allergy
Authors: Meulenbroek Laura A. P. M. , van Esch Betty C. A. M. , Hofman Gerard A. , den Hartog Jager Constance F. , Nauta Alma J. , Willemsen Linette E. M. , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen Carla A. F. M. , Garssen Johan , van Hoffen Els , Knippels Léon M. J.
Published: September 2013

Background

Prior exposure to partial whey hydrolysates has been shown to reduce the allergic response to whey in mice. This effect was more pronounced in combination with a diet containing non‐digestible oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS). It is unknown which fractions/epitopes are responsible for this effect. Therefore, the prophylactic ability of synthetic peptides of β‐lactoglobulin with/without a scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS‐containing diet to reduce the allergic response in a mouse model for cow's milk allergy was investigated.

Methods

Of 31 peptides, nine peptides were selected based on human T cell data. Mice were pre‐treated orally with three peptide mixtures or single peptides for six consecutive days. During this period, they received a control or scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS‐containing diet. Subsequently, mice were orally sensitized to whey and received an intradermal and oral challenge. After sacrifice, serum and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were collected for further analysis.

Results

Prior exposure to peptide mixtures 1 and 3 significantly reduced the acute allergic skin response to whey. Mixture 2 showed no effect. An additive effect of the scGOS/lcFOS/pAOS‐containing diet was only observed for mixture 1. Of the peptides in mixture 1, one peptide (LLDAQSAPLRVYVEELKP) showed the strongest effect on the acute allergic skin response. This peptide also tended to decrease whey‐specific antibody levels and to increase the percentages of CD11b+CD103+ dendritic cells and CD25+Foxp3+ T cells in the MLN.

Conclusions

Prior exposure to specific peptides of β‐lactoglobulin reduces the allergic response to whey, which may involve regulatory dendritic and T cells. Combining peptides with a sGOS/lcFOS/pAOS‐containing diet enhances this effect.
The Metaphysics of Constitution and Accounts of the Resurrection
Authors: Loose Jonathan
Published: September 2013

Some Christian materialists have argued for the possibility of resurrection given that persons are constituted by bodies, and constitution is not identity. Baker's constitutionist view claims superiority over animalist alternatives but offers only circular accounts of both personal identity over time and personhood. Corcoran's alternative approaches these questions differently but makes use of Zimmerman's ‘Falling Elevator Model’ of resurrection, which is rendered incoherent by its reliance on contingent identity. A recent constitutionist revision of this model succeeds only in exchanging incoherence for absurdity. Despite difficulties for such resurrection accounts, the idea of constitution as a sui generis relation remains attractive among philosophers and Christian materialists in particular. However, Wasserman's deflationary view combines with problems such as extensionality, indiscernibility and the explosion of reality to provide reason to worry that constitution might be just identity after all. If so, then the metaphysics of constitution cannot provide a convenient route between animalism and immaterialism when explaining the possibility of resurrection.
Systematic review of human listeriosis in China, 1964–2010
Authors: Feng Yanfang , Wu Shuyu , Varma Jay K. , Klena John D. , Angulo Frederick J. , Ran Lu
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Listeria is an important foodborne pathogen with severe manifestations and high case‐fatality rate. However, listeriosis is not yet a notifiable disease in China, and there is no national monitoring system for cases. We conducted a systematic review to better understand the clinical and epidemiologic features of listeriosis in China.

Methods

Both electronic and manual retrieval systems were used to search Chinese literature for cases and isolates of human listeriosis reported between 1964 and 2010. We recorded and analysed demographic, clinical and laboratory information available for reported cases.

Results

A total of 147 clinical cases, 479 Listeria isolates and 82 outbreak‐related cases were reported in 28 (90%) provinces in China from January 1964 to December 2010. Of the clinical cases, 45 (31%) were central nervous system infections, 68 (46%) were septicaemia and 34 (23%) were focal infections or gastroenteritis. The overall case‐fatality rate was 26% (34/130) among clinical cases with known outcomes and 46% (21/46) among neonatal cases.

Conclusion

Listeriosis cases occurred in China throughout the study period between 1964 and 2010. Case‐fatality was similar to published data from other countries. China should consider requiring notification of listeriosis cases to improve estimates of incidence, identification of risk factors and design of preventive measures.
Effect of HSV‐2 on population‐level trends in HIV incidence in Uganda between 1990 and 2007
Authors: Biraro Samuel , Kamali Anatoli , White Richard , Karabarinde Alex , Nsiimire Ssendagala Juliet , Grosskurth Heiner , Weiss Helen A.
Published: September 2013

Objective

To assess the long‐term effects of population‐level HSV‐2 infection on HIV incidence.

Methods

Data from a population‐based cohort in south‐western Uganda were used to estimate HIV incidence from 1990 to 2007. Stored blood samples were tested for HSV‐2, and the impact of HSV‐2 prevalence and incidence on HIV incidence was estimated by calculating population attributable fractions (PAFs). The association between population‐level annual HIV incidence and annual HSV‐2 incidence/prevalence was analysed using linear regression.

Results

HIV incidence declined over time among men, from 8.72/1000 person‐years (pyr) in 1990 to 4.85/1000 pyr in 2007 (P‐trend <0.001). In contrast, there was no decline in HIV incidence among women (4.86/1000 pyr in 1990 to 6.74/1000 pyr in 2007, P‐trend = 0.18). PAFs of incident HIV attributable to HSV‐2 were high (60% in males; 70% in females). There was no evidence of an association between long‐term trends in HIV incidence and HSV‐2 prevalence or incidence.

Conclusion

Assuming a causal relationship, a substantial proportion of new HIV infections in this population are attributable to HSV‐2. The study did not find an effect of HSV‐2 prevalence/incidence on trends in HIV incidence. HIV incidence did not vary much during the study period. This may partly explain the lack of association.
Nasopharyngeal bacterial colonisation in HIV‐positive children in Cambodia
Authors: Krcmery Vladimir , Sokolova Jaroslava , Kulkova Nada , Liskova Anna , Shahum Andrea , Benca George
Published: September 2013

Objective

To determine patterns of nasopharyngeal colonisation in HIV‐positive children.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal, nasal and ear swabs were prospectively taken from all children living in two paediatric nursing homes for HIV‐positive orphans in Cambodia from 2004 to 2011.

Results

A total of 882 swabs were taken, of which 586 tested positive for bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated species (178 isolates; 30.4%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (103 isolates; 17.6%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (99 isolates; 16.9%). The rate of S. pneumoniae decreased in 2009 when a vaccination programme was introduced.

Conclusions

The respiratory tract of HIV‐positive children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy is commonly colonised by S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, while other species normally found in the respiratory tract, such as Moraxella catarrhalis, are far less frequent.
Skunk musk causes methemoglobin and Heinz body formation in vitro
Authors: Fierro Brittney R. , Agnew Dalen W. , Duncan Ann E. , Lehner Andreas F. , Scott Michael A.
Published: September 2013

Background

A captive Red Panda developed a regenerative anemia with Heinz bodies after being sprayed by a skunk. A definite cause‐and‐effect relationship between skunk musk and oxidative erythrocyte damage has not been reported, but it was suspected in one reported case of a dog with Heinz body hemolytic anemia.

Objective

The objective was to determine whether skunk musk induces oxidative HGB damage in vitro.

Methods

Plasma and RBC were harvested from heparinized blood of 3 dogs, 3 cats, and a Red Panda. Skunk musk was solubilized in ethanol and mixed with plasma from each species to make stock solutions of 4% musk and 4% ethanol. Aliquots of RBC were resuspended in autologous stock solutions and solvent controls to yield musk concentrations of 0%, 0.04%, and 0.4% (by volume). Aliquots were incubated at 37°C for 4–72 hours and assessed for oxidative damage by visual inspection, optical absorbance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and light microscopy after Wright and vital New Methylene Blue staining.

Results

Dose‐dependent brown color and absorption changes characteristic of methemoglobin were present by 4 hours and increased over 24 hours (Red Panda) and 72 hours (dog and cat). Similarly, there were time‐dependent (all species) and dose‐dependent (dog and cat) increases in the number of Heinz bodies, which were present by 4 hours and numerous by 24 hours.

Conclusions

In vitro, skunk musk causes Heinz body and methemoglobin formation in canine, feline, and Red Panda RBC, supporting the clinical association between Heinz body hemolytic anemia and skunk spray exposure.
Correlation of cellular expression with function of NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase in the murine lower urinary tract
Authors: Lies Barbara , Groneberg Dieter , Friebe Andreas
Published: September 2013

Key points

Diseases of the lower urinary tract are associated with dysfunctions of cellular mechanisms that regulate smooth muscle tone. Nitric oxide (NO) mediates relaxation of most smooth muscle‐containing tissues via NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO‐GC). Correlation of cellular localization with function of NO‐GC in the murine lower urinary tract has not been previously performed.

Using cell‐specific knock‐out mice, we demonstrate that NO‐GC is expressed exclusively in smooth muscle cells of the urethral sphincter and mediates NO‐induced relaxation.

In bladder detrusor, NO‐GC is not detected in smooth muscle cells but rather in platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α‐positive interstitial cells. NO‐GC in these cells does not contribute to NO‐induced relaxation; therefore, bladder detrusor smooth muscle appears to be unique as it is not relaxed by NO.

The correlation of NO‐GC localization and function regarding smooth muscle relaxation allows the clinical use of compounds acting within NO/cGMP signalling to be assessed.

Abstract  The action of nitric oxide (NO) to stimulate NO‐sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO‐GC), followed by production of cGMP, and eventually to cause smooth muscle relaxation is well known. In the lower urinary tract (LUT), in contrast to the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract, specific localization in combination with function of NO‐GC has not been investigated to date. Consequently, little is known about the mechanisms regulating relaxation of the lower urinary tract in general and the role of NO‐GC‐expressing cells in particular. To study the distribution and function of NO‐GC in the murine lower urinary tract, we used internal urethral sphincter and bladder detrusor from global (GCKO) and smooth muscle cell‐specific (SM‐GCKO) NO‐GC knock‐out mice for immunohistochemical analyses and organ bath experiments. In urethral sphincter, NO‐GC‐positive immunofluorescence was confined to smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Deletion of NO‐GC in SMCs abolished NO‐induced relaxation. In bladder detrusor, exposure to NO did not cause relaxation although immunohistochemistry uncovered the existence of NO‐GC in the tissue. In contrast to the urethral sphincter, expression of NO‐GC in bladder detrusor was limited to platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα)‐positive interstitial cells. In conclusion, NO‐GC found in SMCs of the urethral sphincter mediates NO‐induced relaxation; bladder detrusor is unique as NO‐GC is not expressed in SMCs and, thus, NO does not induce relaxation. Nevertheless, NO‐GC expression was found in PDGFRα‐positive interstitial cells of the murine bladder with an as yet unknown function. Further investigation is needed to clarify the role of NO‐GC in the detrusor.
Electrotonic suppression of early afterdepolarizations in the neonatal rat ventricular myocyte monolayer
Authors: Himel Herman D. , Garny Alan , Noble Penelope J. , Wadgaonkar Raj , Savarese Joseph , Liu Nian , Bub Gil , El‐Sherif Nabil
Published: September 2013

Key points

Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are a known trigger for arrhythmias, but the effect of surrounding tissue on EADs is poorly understood.

Neurotoxin anthopleurin‐A (AP‐A) increases action potential duration and gives rise to EADs in isolated myocytes. We investigate the effect of AP‐A on connected networks of cultured cardiac cells.

We show that EADs are markedly suppressed in well‐coupled neonatal rat ventricular monolayers treated with AP‐A, but reappear when gap junction connectivity is blocked.

The ability of cell coupling to electrotonically damp EADs is confirmed in a two‐cell simulation where connectivity is systematically varied.

Taken together, these results suggest that cell–cell coupling can act to suppress EADs in normal cardiac tissue. Results also suggest that EADs may emerge and propagate in poorly coupled tissue.

Abstract  Pathologies that result in early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are a known trigger for tachyarrhythmias, but the conditions that cause surrounding tissue to conduct or suppress EADs are poorly understood. Here we introduce a cell culture model of EAD propagation consisting of monolayers of cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes treated with anthopleurin‐A (AP‐A). AP‐A‐treated monolayers display a cycle length dependent prolongation of action potential duration (245 ms untreated, vs. 610 ms at 1 Hz and 1200 ms at 0.5 Hz for AP‐A‐treated monolayers). In contrast, isolated single cells treated with AP‐A develop prominent irregular oscillations with a frequency of 2.5 Hz, and a variable prolongation of the action potential duration of up to several seconds. To investigate whether electrotonic interactions between coupled cells modulates EAD formation, cell connectivity was reduced by RNA silencing gap junction Cx43. In contrast to well‐connected monolayers, gap junction silenced monolayers display bradycardia‐dependent plateau oscillations consistent with EADs. Further, simulations of a cell displaying EADs electrically connected to a cell with normal action potentials show a coupling strength‐dependent suppression of EADs consistent with the experimental results. These results suggest that electrotonic effects may play a critical role in EAD‐mediated arrhythmogenesis.
Predictions of Unsteady Interactions Between Closely Coupled High Pressure- and Low Pressure-Turbines With Co- and Counterrotation
Authors: Praisner T. J. , Grover E. A. , Mocanu R. , Jurek R. J. , Gacek R. E.
Published: September 2013

Here, we report on an analytical study of the unsteady aerodynamic interactions of a closely coupled, corotating, high- and low-pressure turbine configuration. The effort was focused on the prediction of unsteady surface pressures imparted on the first blade of the low-pressure turbine (LPT). As a first step, a baseline three-row time-accurate prediction was carried out for the first three rows of the low-pressure turbine (vane-blade-vane). In contrast to the three-row results, a four-row analysis, which included the blade of the high-pressure turbine, revealed that the temporally varying tangential load on the LPT blade was increased in amplitude by a factor of five compared to the three-row case with a shift in primary unsteady energy to unexpected frequencies. In the four-row analysis, a region of unusually high unsteadiness near the tip of the LPT blade was also characterized by an increase in the amplitude of the fluctuating surface pressure by a factor of nearly seven, again, with unexpected attendant frequencies. A model is presented which explains the unexpected frequencies realized in the four-row results and allows the predetermination of these frequencies without the use of computational fluid dynamics. In an effort to better understand the complex interactions between the high- and low-pressure turbines, the first vane of the low-pressure turbine was redesigned, and the remaining airfoils were reoriented, to establish a counterrotating turbine configuration. While substantial reductions in unsteady surface-pressure amplitudes were realized near the tip of the LPT blade with the switch to counterrotation, the amplitude of the temporally varying tangential load on the blade remained notably higher than that from the three-row analysis. The precise physical cause for the high levels of local unsteadiness near the tip of the first LPT blade in the corotating configuration remains unclear.
The Effects of Unsteadiness and Compressibility on the Interaction Between Hub Leakage and Mainstream Flows in High-Pressure Turbines
Authors: Popović Ivan , Hodson Howard P. , Janke Erik , Wolf Torsten
Published: September 2013

This paper investigates the effects of compressibility and unsteadiness due to the relative blade row motion and their importance in the interaction between hub leakage (purge) and mainstream flows. First, the challenges associated with the blade redesign for low-speed testing are described. The effects of Mach number are then addressed by analyzing the experiments in the low-speed linear cascade equipped with the secondary airflow system and computations performed on the low- and high-speed blade profiles. These results indicate that the compressibility does not significantly affect the interaction between the leakage and mainstream flows despite a number of compromises made during the design of the low-speed blade. This was due to the fact that the leakage–mainstream interaction takes place upstream of the blade throat where the local Mach numbers are still relatively low. The analysis is then extended to the equivalent full-stage unsteady computations. The periodic unsteadiness resulting from the relative motion of the upstream vanes appreciably affected the way in which the leakage flow is injected and the rotor flow field in general. However, the time-average flow field was still found to be dominated by the rotor blade's potential field. For the present test arrangement, the unsteady effects were not very detrimental and caused less than a 10% increase in the losses due to the leakage injection relative to the steady calculations.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of a Catalytic Flat Plate Fuel Reformer for On-Board Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Das Susanta K. , Gadde Kranthi K.
Published: September 2013

A catalytic flat plate fuel reformer offers better heat integration by combining the exothermic catalytic combustion reaction on one side and the endothermic catalytic reforming reaction on the other side. In this study, steam reforming of natural gas (methane) coupled with a methane catalytic combustion in a catalytic flat plate reformer is studied using a two-dimensional model for a cocurrent flow arrangement. The two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model makes the predictions more realistic by increasing its capability to capture the effect of various design parameters and eliminates the uncertainties introduced by heat and mass transfer coefficients used in one-dimensional models. In our work we simulated the entire catalytic flat plate reformer (both reforming side and combustion side) and carried-out studies related to important design parameters such as channel height, inlet fuel velocities, and catalyst layer thickness that can provide guidance for the practical implementation of such fuel reformer design. The simulated transverse temperature profiles (not shown here due to page limitation) show that there is virtually no heat loss across the plate at the reformer exit. Introduction of a water gas shift (WGS) reaction at the reformer side along with our optimized reformer design parameters decreases the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) almost 90%–98% in the final reformate exiting the reformer as compared to without the WGS reaction. The CFD results obtained in this study will be very helpful to understand the optimization of design parameters to build a first generation prototype.
Effect of Blowing Ratio on Early Stage Deposition of Syngas Ash on a Film-Cooled Vane Leading Edge Using Large Eddy Simulations
Authors: Shrinivas Sreedharan Sai , Tafti Danesh K.
Published: September 2013

A numerical study is performed to investigate the deposition of Syngas ash in the leading edge region of a turbine vane. The leading edge of the vane is modeled as a symmetric semicylinder with a flat afterbody. Three rows of coolant holes located at stagnation and at ±21.3 deg from stagnation are simulated at blowing ratios of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0. Large eddy simulation (LES) is used to model the flow field of the coolant jet-mainstream interaction and Syngas ash particles are modeled using a discrete particle method. The capture efficiency for eight different ash compositions of particle sizes 5 and 10 microns are investigated. Under the conditions of the current simulations, both ash particles have Stokes numbers less than unity and hence are strongly affected by the flow and thermal field generated by the coolant interaction with the mainstream. Because of this, the coolant jets at stagnation are quite successful in pushing the particles away from the surface and minimizing deposition in the stagnation region. Among all of the ash samples, the ND ash sample shows the highest capture efficiency due to its low softening temperature. For the 5 micron particles, when the blowing ratio increases from 1.5 to 2.0, the percentage of the capture efficiency increases as more numbers of particles are transported to the surface by strong mainstream entrainment by the coolant jets. The deposition results are also estimated using the discrete random walk (DRW) model and are compared to that obtained from the LES calculations. For both particle sizes, the DRW model under-predicts the capture efficiency when compared to the LES calculations and the difference increases with the increasing blowing ratio and decreases with increasing particle size.
Guyana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from Costa Rica emit whistles that vary with surface behaviors
Authors: May-Collado Laura J.
Published: September 2013

Guyana dolphins show remarkable intraspecific whistle variation. This variation has been largely explained in terms of distance among populations; however, other factors such as behavior may also be important. A broadband recording system recorded the whistles of Guyana dolphins under three behavioral states. A discriminant analysis found that during social and travel events, dolphins emit whistles with high delta and minimum frequency, respectively. Whistle duration was also important in discriminating behaviors. This study indicates that behavior is an important factor contributing to whistle variation of Guyana dolphins. Understanding how dolphin whistles vary with behavioral context will advance our understanding of dolphin communication and enable appropriate comparative studies.
Acoustic attenuation performance through a constricted duct improved by an annular resonator
Authors: Feng Qipeng , Huang Zhenyu , Yu Gaokun , Meng Xiangbin
Published: September 2013

Acoustic attenuation performance through a constricted duct is greatly improved by an annular resonator. A method based on the Green's function for a semi-infinite circular duct is proposed to calculate the transmission loss, where the velocity distributions are assumed to be uniform at the constriction inlet/outlets and at the inlet to the annular resonator. From an analogous acoustical circuit, the effect of higher order evanescent modes on the quarter-wave resonance is described by an extra length. The improved acoustic attenuation performance is also confirmed by an experiment.
Response to Comment on “Influence of HLA-C Expression Level on HIV Control”
Authors: Apps Richard , Carrington Mary
Published: September 2013

Lo Monaco
et al
. propose that human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) and HLA-C expression levels both contribute to HIV control. The minimal, flat level of cell surface HLA-E detectable by staining with available HLA-E–specific antibodies questions a role for differential HLA-E expression in determining HIV control. Evidence remains far stronger that HLA-C expression levels as detected by the DT9 antibody specifically affect HIV control.
Researchers Wary as DOE Bids to Build Sixth U.S. Climate Model
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: September 2013

The U.S. Department of Energy wants to build a new computer climate model—the sixth in the U.S. modeling toolbox—but some climate researchers are wary of the idea.
Unearthing Hidden Genomic Data in Solid Tumor Samples: Are Your FFPE Samples Revealing All?
Authors: South Sarah , Pietsch Torsten
Published: September 2013

Cancer is a highly complex disease that can encompass multiple genomic alterations in the progression from normal to diseased cell. Recent studies point to the significance of copy number aberrations in the etiology of cancer, with the number and complexity of these aberrations being indicative of overall prognosis. Additionally, the detection and characterization of subclones is also understood to be important for understanding clonal evolution of the cancer and thus patient monitoring and treatment decisions. Genome-wide copy number analysis is a powerful means to understand the genetic basis of solid tumors. With the majority of solid tumors typically stored as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, retrospectively analyzing these samples with available outcome data is a cost-effective route to prognostic and predictive biomarker discovery. Our expert panel will describe their research and discoveries, and how they have overcome the significant challenges of extracting copy number data from often degraded, heterogeneous FFPE samples.
Comprehensive Identification of Mutations Responsible for Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA)-to-VISA Conversion in Laboratory-Generated VISA Strains Derived from hVISA Clinical Strain Mu3
Authors: Matsuo Miki , Cui Longzhu , Kim Jeeyoung , Hiramatsu Keiichi
Published: September 2013

Heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(hVISA) spontaneously produces VISA cells within its cell population at a frequency of 10
−6
or greater. We established a total of 45 VISA mutant strains independently obtained from hVISA Mu3 and its related strains by one-step vancomycin selection. We then performed high-throughput whole-genome sequencing of the 45 strains and their parent strains to identify the genes involved in the hVISA-to-VISA phenotypic conversion. A comparative genome study showed that all the VISA strains tested carried a unique set of mutations. All of the 45 VISA strains carried 1 to 4 mutations possibly affecting the expression of a total of 48 genes. Among them, 32 VISA strains carried only one gene affected by a single mutation. As many as 20 genes in more than eight functional categories were affected in the 32 VISA strains, which explained the extremely high rates of the hVISA-to-VISA phenotypic conversion. Five genes,
rpoB
,
rpoC
,
walK
,
pbp4
, and
pp2c
, were previously reported as being involved in vancomycin resistance. Fifteen remaining genes were newly identified as associated with vancomycin resistance in this study. The gene most frequently affected (6 out of 32 strains) was
cmk
, which encodes cytidylate kinase, followed closely by
rpoB
(5 out of 32), encoding the β subunit of RNA polymerase. A mutation prevalence study also revealed a sizable number of
cmk
mutants among clinical VISA strains (7 out of 38 [18%]). Reduced cytidylate kinase activity in
cmk
mutant strains is proposed to contribute to the hVISA-to-VISA phenotype conversion by thickening the cell wall and reducing the cell growth rate.
Novel Determinants of Intestinal Colonization of Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium Identified in Bovine Enteric Infection
Authors: Elfenbein Johanna R. , Endicott-Yazdani Tiana , Porwollik Steffen , Bogomolnaya Lydia M. , Cheng Pui , Guo Jinbai , Zheng Yi , Yang Hee-Jeong , Talamantes Marissa , Shields Christine , Maple Aimee , Ragoza Yury , DeAtley Kimberly , Tatsch Tyler , Cui Ping , Andrews Katharine D. , McClelland Michael , Lawhon Sara D. , Andrews-Polymenis Helene
Published: September 2013

Cattle are naturally infected withSalmonella entericaserotype Typhimurium and exhibit pathological features of enteric salmonellosis that closely resemble those in humans. Cattle are the most relevant model of gastrointestinal disease resulting from nontyphoidalSalmonellainfection in an animal with an intact microbiota. We utilized this model to screen a library of targeted single-gene deletion mutants to identify novel genes ofSalmonellaTyphimurium required for survival during enteric infection. Fifty-four candidate mutants were strongly selected, including numerous mutations in genes known to be important for gastrointestinal survival of salmonellae. Three genes with previously unproven phenotypes in gastrointestinal infection were tested in bovine ligated ileal loops. Two of these mutants,STM3602andSTM3846, recapitulated the phenotype observed in the mutant pool. Complementation experiments successfully reversed the observed phenotypes, directly linking these genes to the colonization defects of the corresponding mutant strains.STM3602encodes a putative transcriptional regulator that may be involved in phosphonate utilization, andSTM3846encodes a retron reverse transcriptase that produces a unique RNA-DNA hybrid molecule called multicopy single-stranded DNA. The genes identified in this study represent an exciting new class of virulence determinants for further mechanistic study to elucidate the strategies employed bySalmonellato survive within the small intestines of cattle.
Wearable cardioverter defibrillator in stress cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrest
Authors: Nascimento Francisco O , Krishna Rama K , Hrachian Hakop , Santana Orlando
Published: September 2013

A 57-year-old woman presented with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. She had severe hypokalaemia and hypomagnesemia with marked QTc (680 ms) prolongation after suspected viral diarrhoea. She then developed progressive dyspnoea with congestion. An echocardiogram was obtained and showed severe hypokinesis with apical ballooning and hyperdynamic cardiac base, suggestive of stress cardiomyopathy. A repeat ECG showed further prolongation of the QTc (883 ms) and she rapidly developed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. She underwent cardiac arrest and was successfully resuscitated. A coronary angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of stress cardiomyopathy. We had therapeutic dilemma at discharge to implant a permanent automated implantable cardiac defibrillator in view of the high risk for recurrent ventricular tachycardia, or follow-up for resolution of both reversible causes of the prolonged QTc (stress cardiomyopathy and electrolytes abnormalities). We suggested an alternate treatment for sudden death prevention in high risk patients who have reversible cause for QT interval prolongation.
Performing resistance exercise before versus after aerobic exercise influences growth hormone secretion in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Yardley Jane E. , Sigal Ronald J. , Riddell Michael C. , Perkins Bruce A. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: September 2013

We compared growth hormone (GH) and plasma glucose (PG) levels in type 1 diabetic individuals performing aerobic before resistance exercise (AR) to when resistance exercise was performed first (RA). In AR, GH secretion declined in late exercise while it rose throughout exercise in RA, resulting in higher GH in RA versus AR at exercise completion. Higher GH during RA may support PG by increasing hepatic glucose production and lipid mobilization.
Photophysical properties and study of the singlet oxygen generation of tetraphenylporphyrinato palladium(II) complexes
Authors: Şen Pınar , Hirel Catherine , Gürek Ayşe-Gül , Andraud Chantal , Bretonnière Yann , Lindgren Mikael
Published: September 2013

Three differently substituted Pd-tetraphenyl-porphyrins complexes were synthesized and their X-ray crystal and photophysical properties were studied. All compounds display intense phosphorescence in de-aerated solutions at room temperature with decay time in the μs range. An efficient spin transfer to oxygen in aerated solutions was monitored using singlet oxygen (1 O 2) luminescence at 1275 nm. For all compounds, the quantum efficiency for generating singlet oxygen was found to be close to unity. Interesting differences in the pathways from the excited singlet state to singlet oxygen via the intermediate triplet state were observed. The excitation spectra obtained while recording the phosphorescence at 1275 nm closely matched the absorption spectra with two bands: the Soret (or B) band near 410–420 nm and a split Q-band at 510–520 nm. Noticeable differences in the B/Q intensity ratio between the absorption and excitation spectra (for both phosphorescence and singlet oxygen luminescence) were determined, indicating different Sx → T1 pathways.