bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Downward trends in the prevalence of childhood overweight in two pilot towns taking part in the VIASANO community‐based programme in Belgium: data from a national school health monitoring system
Authors: Vinck J. , Brohet C. , Roillet M. , Dramaix M. , Borys J.‐M. , Beysens J. , Jacobs N. , Jebb S. , De Laet C. , Nève J.
Published: April 2015

Background

Multilevel approaches involving environmental strategies are considered to be good practice to help reduce the prevalence of childhood overweight.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of VIASANO, a community‐based programme using the EPODE methodology, on the prevalence of overweight in two pilot towns in Belgium.

Methods

We analysed data from a national school health monitoring system to compare changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over a 3‐year period (2007–2010) in children aged 3–4 and 5–6 years in the pilot towns with those of children of the same ages from the whole French‐speaking community of Belgium. Heights and weights of all participants were measured by trained school nurses using a standardized method.

Results

The prevalence of overweight (−2.1%) and overweight + obesity (−2.4%) decreased in the pilot towns, but remained stable in the comparison population (+0.1% and +0.2%, respectively). After adjustment for lack of homogeneity between the study populations, there was a trend towards a decrease in overweight (P = 0.054) and overweight + obesity (P = 0.058) in the pilot towns compared with the general population.

Conclusions

These results suggest that a community‐based programme, such as VIASANO, may be a promising strategy for reducing the prevalence of childhood overweight even over a short period of time.
Predictive value of serum markers for the development of interstitial lung disease in patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: a comparative and prospective study
Authors: Chen F. , Lu X. , Shu X. , Peng Q. , Tian X. , Wang G.
Published: April 2015

Background

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common and devastated complication of polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM). Several studies have focused on serum biomarkers for ILD in PM/DM patients; however, there have been no prospective studies.

Aim

To explore and compare the predictive value of four serum markers for the development of ILD in patients with PM/DM.

Methods

One hundred adult PM/DM patients were included in this prospective clinical study at baseline. Forty‐four PM/DM patients without ILD were followed up for 1 year. Fifty‐six PM/DM patients with ILD were treated and followed up for 2 months. Serum samples were analysed for the levels of Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6), monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), surfactant protein‐A and D (SP‐A, SP‐D).

Results

Serum KL‐6 (1542.8 ± 760.8 U/mL) (P < 0.001), MCP‐1 (1870 ± 1590 pg/mL) (P = 0.014), SP‐A (56 ± 28 ng/mL) (P < 0.001) and SP‐D (230 ± 196 ng/mL) (P < 0.001) were significantly elevated in PM/DM patients with ILD compared with those in the patients without ILD (KL‐6 429 ± 105.8 U/mL; MCP‐1 1349 ± 1303 pg/mL; SP‐A 34 ± 26 ng/mL; SP‐D 96 ± 63 ng/mL). In PM/DM patients without ILD who were followed up for 1 year, KL‐6 presented the highest predictive value among single markers. In patients who were treated and followed up, KL‐6 concentrations increased with the progression of ILD and decreased along with the improvement of ILD.

Conclusion

Considering the ability of KL‐6 for predicting the onset of ILD and monitoring the treatment response of ILD in PM/DM patients, it may be of great significance for clinical practice, and the prognosis of patients may be substantially improved if serum KL‐6 was regularly monitored.
Medical education and law: withholding/withdrawing treatment from adults without capacity
Authors: Parker M , Willmott L , White B , Williams G , Cartwright C
Published: April 2015

Background

Law is increasingly involved in clinical practice, particularly at the end of life, but undergraduate and postgraduate education in this area remains unsystematic. We hypothesised that attitudes to and knowledge of the law governing withholding/withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment from adults without capacity (the WWLST law) would vary and demonstrate deficiencies among medical specialists.

Aims

We investigated perspectives, knowledge and training of medical specialists in the three largest (populations and medical workforces) Australian states, concerning the WWLST law.

Methods

Following expert legal review, specialist focus groups, pre‐testing and piloting in each state, seven specialties involved with end‐of‐life care were surveyed, with a variety of statistical analyses applied to the responses.

Results

Respondents supported the need to know and follow the law. There were mixed views about its helpfulness in medical decision‐making. Over half the respondents conceded poor knowledge of the law; this was mirrored by critical gaps in knowledge that varied by specialty. There were relatively low but increasing rates of education from the undergraduate to continuing professional development (CPD) stages. Mean knowledge score did not vary significantly according to undergraduate or immediate postgraduate training, but CPD training, particularly if recent, resulted in greater knowledge. Case‐based workshops were the preferred CPD instruction method.

Conclusions

Teaching of current and evolving law should be strengthened across all stages of medical education. This should improve understanding of the role of law, ameliorate ambivalence towards the law and contribute to more informed deliberation about end‐of‐life issues with patients and families.
The Case for Modulated Parasystole
Authors: Jalife Jose , Antzelevitch Charles , Moe Gordon K.
Published: April 2015

JALIFE, J., ANTZELEVITCH, C., and MOE, G.K.: The case for modulated parasystole. Several recently published tracings of parasystolic rhythms with unusual features were studied to determine whether the biphasic response curve characteristic of modulated parasystole could be extracted from the patterns of arrhythmia. Even in cases in which the possibility of modulation had been rejected, the phase response curves could be derived by inverse analysis of the ectopic intervals. When the derived curves were inserted into the program of the computer model, almost exact matches for the clinical patterns were recorded. In one case, in which the right atrium was driven at increasing rates, the patterns of manifest ectopic ventricular responses appeared to be re‐entrant rather than parasystolic. In this case, similar patterns as a function of heart rate were recorded from a mathematical model of reflection.
Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmia During Pregnancy
Authors: DRIVER KEVIN , CHISHOLM CHRISTIAN A. , DARBY ANDREW E. , MALHOTRA ROHIT , DIMARCO JOHN P. , FERGUSON JOHN D.
Published: April 2015

Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmia During Pregnancy

Cardiac arrhythmia as a complication of pregnancy can be problematic to maternal health and fetal life and development. Catheter ablation of tachyarrhythmias during pregnancy has been successfully performed in selected patients with limited experience. Techniques to limit maternal and fetal radiation exposure, including intracardiac echo and electroanatomic mapping systems, are particularly important in this setting. Specific accommodations are necessary in the care of the gravid patient during catheter ablation.
Evolutionary stasis despite selection on a heritable trait in an invasive zooplankton
Authors: Miehls A. L. J. , Peacor S. D. , Valliant L. , McAdam A. G.
Published: April 2015

Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to ecosystems, and there is evidence that evolution plays an important role in the success or failure of invasions. Yet, few studies have measured natural selection and evolutionary responses to selection in invasive species, particularly invasive animals. We quantified the strength of natural selection on the defensive morphology (distal spine) of an invasive zooplankton,Bythotrephes longimanus, in Lake Michigan across multiple months during three growing seasons. We used multiple lines of evidence, including historic and contemporary wild‐captured individuals and palaeoecology of retrieved spines, to assess phenotypic change in distal spine length since invasion. We found evidence of temporally variable selection, with selection for decreased distal spine length early in the growing season and selection for increased distal spine length later in the season. This trend in natural selection is consistent with seasonal changes in the relative strength of non‐gape‐limited and gape‐limited fish predation. Yet, despite net selection for increased distal spine length and a known genetic basis for distal spine length, we observed little evidence of an evolutionary response to selection. Multiple factors likely limit an evolutionary response to selection, including genetic correlations, trade‐offs between components of fitness, and phenotypic plasticity.
Routine outcome monitoring and process quality in mental health care: a descriptive study in daily practice
Authors: Siebum Wim , Pijl Ysbrand J. , de Wolf G. Sander
Published: April 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is used to improve quality of health care by improving the process of care. ROM was introduced nationwide in mental health care in the Netherlands with the primary goal of enhancing the quality of treatment. This study aims to establish the impact of ROM on the process quality of treatment in the daily practice of secondary mental health care in the Netherlands.

Methods

Two cohorts from the same treatment programme were identified, before and after implementation of ROM. Data on patient characteristics, presence of baseline ROM measurement and indicators of the quality of the treatment process were retrieved from the electronic health care information system. Patient data were collected until 6 months after enrolment in the treatment programme. The magnitude of the effect of ROM on the quality of the treatment process was established.

Results

The pre‐ROM cohort comprised 271 patients and 231 patients constituted the post‐ROM cohort. In the ROM cohort, both indicators for process quality ‘presence of treatment plan’ and ‘presence of cancellations’ were significantly higher; the odd ratios were 3,37 [confidence interval (CI) 2.32–4.89] and 1,63 (CI 1.14–2.33), respectively.

Conclusions

Indicators on process quality are important for understanding and establishing the impact of ROM in daily practice of secondary mental health care. Implementing ROM moderately increased the presence of a treatment plan. While this suggests improved treatment agreement, it did not result in better compliance of patients with individual treatment activities, as presence of cancellations was significantly higher after introduction of ROM.
Transcriptome shock in an interspecific F1 triploid hybrid of Oryza revealed by RNA sequencing
Authors: Wu Ying , Sun Yue , Wang Xutong , Lin Xiuyun , Sun Shuai , Shen Kun , Wang Jie , Jiang Tingting , Zhong Silin , Xu Chunming , Liu Bao
Published: April 2015

Interspecific hybridization is a driving force in evolution and speciation of higher plants. Interspecific hybridization often induces immediate and saltational changes in gene expression, a phenomenon collectively termed “transcriptome shock”. Although transcriptome shock has been reported in various plant and animal taxa, the extent and pattern of shock‐induced expression changes are often highly idiosyncratic, and hence entails additional investigations. Here, we produced a set of interspecific F1 triploid hybrid plants between Oryza sativa, ssp. japonica (2n = 2x = 24, genome AA) and the tetraploid form of O. punctata (2n = 4x = 48, genome, BBCC), and conducted RNA‐seq transcriptome profiling of the hybrids and their exact parental plants. We analyzed both homeolog expression bias and overall gene expression level difference in the hybrids relative to the in silico “hybrids” (parental mixtures). We found that approximately 16% (2,541) of the 16,112 expressed genes in leaf tissue of the F1 hybrids showed nonadditive expression, which were specifically enriched in photosynthesis‐related pathways. Interestingly, changes in the maternal homeolog expression, including non‐stochastic silencing, were the major causes for altered homeolog expression partitioning in the F1 hybrids. Our findings have provided further insights into the transcriptome response to interspecific hybridization and heterosis.
Investigating the widely held belief that men and women with learning disabilities receive poor quality healthcare when admitted to hospital: a single‐site study of 30‐day readmission rates
Authors: Kelly C. L. , Thomson K. , Wagner A. P. , Waters J. P. , Thompson A. , Jones S. , Holland A. J. , Redley M.
Published: April 2015

Background

This study aims to use 30‐day readmission rates to investigate the presumption that men and women with learning disabilities (LDs, known internationally as intellectual disabilities) receive poorer quality hospital care than their non‐disabled peers.

Method

A 12‐month retrospective audit was conducted using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) at a single acute hospital in the East of England. This identified all in‐patient admissions; admissions where the person concerned was recognised as having a LD; and all emergency readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Additionally, the healthcare records of all patients identified as having a LD and readmitted within 30 days as a medical emergency were examined in order to determine whether or not these readmissions were potentially preventable.

Results

Over the study period, a total of 66 870 adults were admitted as in‐patients, among whom 7408 were readmitted as medical emergencies within 30 days of discharge: a readmission rate of 11%. Of these 66 870 patients, 256 were identified as having a LD, with 32 of them experiencing at least one emergency readmission within 30 days: a readmission rate of 13%. When examined, the healthcare records pertaining to these 32 patients who had a total of 39 unique 30‐day readmissions revealed that 69% (n = 26) of these readmissions were potentially preventable.

Conclusion

Although overall readmission rates were similar for patients with LDs and those from the general population, patients with LDs had a much higher rate of potentially preventable readmissions when compared to a general population estimate from van Walraven et al. This suggests that there is still work to be done to ensure that this patient population receives hospital care that is both safe and of high quality.
Circadian Tick‐Talking Across the Neuroendocrine System and Suprachiasmatic Nuclei Circuits: The Enigmatic Communication Between the Molecular and Electrical Membrane Clocks
Authors: Belle M. D. C.
Published: April 2015

As with many processes in nature, appropriate timing in biological systems is of paramount importance. In the neuroendocrine system, the efficacy of hormonal influence on major bodily functions, such as reproduction, metabolism and growth, relies on timely communication within and across many of the brain's homeostatic systems. The activity of these circuits is tightly orchestrated with the animal's internal physiological demands and external solar cycle by a master circadian clock. In mammals, this master clock is located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), where the ensemble activity of thousands of clock neurones generates and communicates circadian time cues to the rest of the brain and body. Many regions of the brain, including areas with neuroendocrine function, also contain local daily clocks that can provide feedback signals to the SCN. Although much is known about the molecular processes underpinning endogenous circadian rhythm generation in SCN neurones and, to a lesser extent, extra‐SCN cells, the electrical membrane clock that acts in partnership with the molecular clockwork to communicate circadian timing across the brain is poorly understood. The present review focuses on some circadian aspects of reproductive neuroendocrinology and processes involved in circadian rhythm communication in the SCN, aiming to identify key gaps in our knowledge of cross‐talk between our daily master clock and neuroendocrine function. The intention is to highlight our surprisingly limited understanding of their interaction in the hope that this will stimulate future work in these areas.
Simulation of Real Discrete Time Gaussian Multivariate Stationary Processes with Given Spectral Densities
Authors: Azimmohseni M. , Soltani A. R. , Khalafi M.
Published: April 2015

In this article we establish a simulation procedure to generate values for a real discrete time multivariate stationary process, based on a factor of spectral density matrix. We prove the convergence of the simulator, at each time epoch, to the actual process, and provide the corresponding rate of convergence. We merely assume that the spectral density matrix is continuous and of bounded variation. By using the positive root factor, we provide an extended version for the Sun and Chaika () simulator, for real univariate stationary processes.
Culture and the Immune System: Cultural Consonance in Social Support and C‐reactive Protein in Urban Brazil
Authors: Dressler William W. , Balieiro Mauro C. , Ribeiro Rosane P. , dos Santos José Ernesto
Published: April 2015

In this article, we examine the distribution of a marker of immune system stimulation—C‐reactive protein—in urban Brazil. Social relationships are associated with immunostimulation, and we argue that cultural dimensions of social support, assessed by cultural consonance, are important in this process. Cultural consonance is the degree to which individuals, in their own beliefs and behaviors, approximate shared cultural models. A measure of cultural consonance in social support, based on a cultural consensus analysis regarding sources and patterns of social support in Brazil, was developed. In a survey of 258 persons, the association of cultural consonance in social support and C‐reactive protein was examined, controlling for age, sex, body mass index, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, depressive symptoms, and a social network index. Lower cultural consonance in social support was associated with higher C‐reactive protein. Implications of these results for future research are discussed.
Genetic consequences of population expansions and contractions in the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) since the Late Pleistocene
Authors: Stoffel Céline , Dufresnes Christophe , Okello John B. A. , Noirard Christian , Joly Pierre , Nyakaana Silvester , Muwanika Vincent B. , Alcala Nicolas , Vuilleumier Séverine , Siegismund Hans R. , Fumagalli Luca
Published: April 2015

Over the past two decades, an increasing amount of phylogeographic work has substantially improved our understanding of African biogeography, in particular the role played by Pleistocene pluvial–drought cycles on terrestrial vertebrates. However, still little is known on the evolutionary history of semi‐aquatic animals, which faced tremendous challenges imposed by unpredictable availability of water resources. In this study, we investigate the Late Pleistocene history of the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence variation and range‐wide sampling. We documented a global demographic and spatial expansion approximately 0.1–0.3 Myr ago, most likely associated with an episode of massive drainage overflow. These events presumably enabled a historical continent‐wide gene flow among hippopotamus populations, and hence, no clear continental‐scale genetic structuring remains. Nevertheless, present‐day hippopotamus populations are genetically disconnected, probably as a result of the mid‐Holocene aridification and contemporary anthropogenic pressures. This unique pattern contrasts with the biogeographic paradigms established for savannah‐adapted ungulate mammals and should be further investigated in other water‐associated taxa. Our study has important consequences for the conservation of the hippo, an emblematic but threatened species that requires specific protection to curtail its long‐term decline.
Evolutionary dynamics of Rh2 opsins in birds demonstrate an episode of accelerated evolution in the New World warblers (Setophaga)
Authors: Bloch Natasha I. , Price Trevor D. , Chang Belinda S. W.
Published: April 2015

Low rates of sequence evolution associated with purifying selection can be interrupted by episodic changes in selective regimes. Visual pigments are a unique system in which we can investigate the functional consequences of genetic changes, therefore connecting genotype to phenotype in the context of natural and sexual selection pressures. We study the RH2 and RH1 visual pigments (opsins) across 22 bird species belonging to two ecologically convergent clades, the New World warblers (Parulidae) and Old World warblers (Phylloscopidae) and evaluate rates of evolution in these clades along with data from 21 additional species. We demonstrate generally slow evolution of these opsins: both Rh1 and Rh2 are highly conserved across Old World and New World warblers. However, Rh2 underwent a burst of evolution within the New World genus Setophaga, where it accumulated substitutions at 6 amino acid sites across the species we studied. Evolutionary analyses revealed a significant increase in dN/dS in Setophaga, implying relatively strong selective pressures to overcome long‐standing purifying selection. We studied the effects of each substitution on spectral tuning and found they do not cause large spectral shifts. Thus, substitutions may reflect other aspects of opsin function, such as those affecting photosensitivity and/or dark–light adaptation. Although it is unclear what these alterations mean for colour perception, we suggest that rapid evolution is linked to sexual selection, given the exceptional plumage colour diversification in Setophaga.
The branched CcsA/CckA‐ChpT‐CtrA phosphorelay of Sphingomonas melonis controls motility and biofilm formation
Authors: Francez‐Charlot Anne , Kaczmarczyk Andreas , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: April 2015

The CckA‐ChpT‐CtrA phosphorelay is central to the regulation of the cell cycle in Caulobacter crescentus. The three proteins are conserved in Alphaproteobacteria, but little is known about their roles in most members of this class. Here, we characterized the system in Sphingomonas melonis. We found that the transcription factor CtrA is the master regulator of flagella synthesis genes, the hierarchical transcriptional organization of which is herein described. CtrA also regulates genes involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis and cyclic‐di‐GMP signaling, and is important for biofilm formation. In addition, the ctrA mutant exhibits an aberrant morphology, suggesting a role for CtrA in cell division. An analysis of the regulation of CtrA indicates that the phosphorelay composed of CckA and ChpT is conserved and that the absence of the bifunctional kinase/phosphatase CckA apparently results in overactivation of CtrA through ChpT. Suppressors of this phenotype identified the hybrid histidine kinase CcsA. Phosphorelays initiated by CckA or CcsA were reconstituted in vitro, suggesting that in S. melonis, CtrA phosphorylation is controlled by a branched pathway upstream of ChpT. This study thus suggests that signals can directly converge at the level of ChpT phosphorylation through multiple hybrid kinases to coordinate a number of important physiological processes.
Protein costs do not explain evolution of metabolic strategies and regulation of ribosomal content: does protein investment explain an anaerobic bacterial Crabtree effect?
Authors: Goel Anisha , Eckhardt Thomas H. , Puri Pranav , de Jong Anne , Branco dos Santos Filipe , Giera Martin , Fusetti Fabrizia , de Vos Willem M. , Kok Jan , Poolman Bert , Molenaar Douwe , Kuipers Oscar P. , Teusink Bas
Published: April 2015

Protein investment costs are considered a major driver for the choice of alternative metabolic strategies. We tested this premise in Lactococcus lactis, a bacterium that exhibits a distinct, anaerobic version of the bacterial Crabtree/Warburg effect; with increasing growth rates it shifts from a high yield metabolic mode [mixed‐acid fermentation; 3 adenosine triphosphate (ATP) per glucose] to a low yield metabolic mode (homolactic fermentation; 2 ATP per glucose). We studied growth rate‐dependent relative transcription and protein ratios, enzyme activities, and fluxes of L. lactis in glucose‐limited chemostats, providing a high‐quality and comprehensive data set. A three‐ to fourfold higher growth rate rerouted metabolism from acetate to lactate as the main fermentation product. However, we observed hardly any changes in transcription, protein levels and enzyme activities. Even levels of ribosomal proteins, constituting a major investment in cellular machinery, changed only slightly. Thus, contrary to the original hypothesis, central metabolism in this organism appears to be hardly regulated at the level of gene expression, but rather at the metabolic level. We conclude that L. lactis is either poorly adapted to growth at low and constant glucose concentrations, or that protein costs play a less important role in fitness than hitherto assumed.
A Posteriori Physicalism and Introspection
Authors: Elpidorou Andreas
Published: April 2015

Introspection presents our phenomenal states in a manner otherwise than physical. This observation is often thought to amount to an argument against physicalism: if introspection presents phenomenal states as they essentially are, then phenomenal states cannot be physical states, for we are not introspectively aware of phenomenal states as physical states. In this article, I examine whether this argument threatens a posteriori physicalism. I argue that as along as proponents of a posteriori physicalism maintain that phenomenal concepts present the nature of their referents in a partial and incomplete manner, a posteriori physicalism is safe.
The impact of secondary pests on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops
Authors: Catarino Rui , Ceddia Graziano , Areal Francisco J. , Park Julian
Published: April 2015

The intensification of agriculture and the development of synthetic insecticides enabled worldwide grain production to more than double in the last third of the 20th century. However, the heavy dependence and, in some cases, overuse of insecticides has been responsible for negative environmental and ecological impacts across the globe, such as a reduction in biodiversity, insect resistance to insecticides, negative effects on nontarget species (e.g. natural enemies) and the development of secondary pests. The use of recombinant DNA technology to develop genetically engineered insect‐resistant crops could mitigate many of the negative side effects of insecticides. One such genetic alteration enables crops to express toxic crystalline (Cry) proteins from the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Despite the widespread adoption of Bt crops, there are still a range of unanswered questions concerning longer term agro‐ecosystem interactions. For instance, insect species that are not susceptible to the expressed toxin can develop into secondary pests and cause significant damage to the crop. Here, we review the main causes surrounding secondary pest dynamics in Bt crops and the impact of such outbreaks. Regardless of the causes, if nonsusceptible secondary pest populations exceed economic thresholds, insecticide spraying could become the immediate solution at farmers’ disposal, and the sustainable use of this genetic modification technology may be in jeopardy. Based on the literature, recommendations for future research are outlined that will help to improve the knowledge of the possible long‐term ecological trophic interactions of employing this technology.
Industrialization, Productivity and the Shift to Services and Information
Authors: Karmarkar Uday S. , Kim Kihoon , Rhim Hosun
Published: April 2015

All major world economies are exhibiting a shift from products to services in terms of relative share of GNP and employment. A well accepted explanation for this shift to services has been the lower productivity growth in services relative to manufacturing. A second trend visible in the United States and other advanced economies is that from material‐intensive to information‐intensive sectors with the latter growing relative to the former. There does not seem to be a generally accepted explanation for this shift; in fact, here it would appear that productivity in information‐intensive sectors is increasing. We construct a model of an economy with endogenous production and consumption decisions by utility maximizing individuals. We show that differential productivity changes can result in either relative growth or decline of a sector. A second factor affecting the direction of change is the degree to which consumption of sector outputs approaches satiation. When marginal utility of additional consumption drops sufficiently low, productivity increases can lead to declines in the relative size and share of, and employment in the sector. Concurrently, increases in productivity increase average wealth as expected, but income inequality can either increase or decrease.
Nitrogen deficiency hinders etioplast development in stems of dark‐grown pea (Pisum sativum) shoot cultures
Authors: Kósa Annamária , Preininger Éva , Böddi Béla
Published: April 2015

The effects of nitrogen (N) deprivation were studied in etiolated pea plants (Pisum sativum cv. Zsuzsi) grown in shoot cultures. The average shoot lengths decreased and the stems significantly altered considering their pigment contents, 77 K fluorescence spectra and ultrastructural properties. The protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) content and the relative contribution of the 654–655 nm emitting flash‐photoactive Pchlide form significantly decreased. The etioplast inner membrane structure characteristically changed: N deprivation correlated with a decrease in the size and number of prolamellar bodies (PLBs). These results show that N deficiency directly hinders the pigment production, as well as the synthesis of other etioplast inner membrane components in etiolated pea stems.
ASIA: Asbestos Stop In Asia
Authors: Baas Paul , Burgers Sjaak
Published: April 2015

See article, page 548
Environmental Microbes and Uveitis: Is Microbial Exposure Always Bad?
Authors: Massilamany C. , Gangaplara A. , Reddy J.
Published: April 2015

The eye generally is considered to be an immune‐privileged organ, but this notion is being increasingly challenged as ocular antigens can be expressed in the generative lymphoid organs, resulting in attainment of self‐tolerance. What triggers a break in this tolerant state is a fundamental question in autoimmunity research. The general belief is that exposure to environmental microbes can break self‐tolerance in genetically susceptible individuals, leading to the induction of autoimmune responses. The molecular mimicry hypothesis has been proposed as one major mechanistic, pathway through which microbes, by generating cross‐reactive immune responses, can induce ocular damage of the kind that might occur in uveitis. However, our recent data suggest that exposure to microbial products containing mimicry epitopes for retinal antigens can potentially be beneficial to the host. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms with particular reference to the molecular mimicry hypothesis as it relates to immune‐mediated uveitis.
Residential Transience, Major Depressive Episodes, and the Risk of Suicidal Thoughts, Plans, and Attempts
Authors: Glasheen Cristie , Forman‐Hoffman Valerie L.
Published: April 2015

The association between past‐year residential transience (frequent moving) and suicidal ideation among a nationally representative sample of over 190,000 U.S. adults was evaluated. Suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were more prevalent among transient adults. Among adults without major depressive episodes (MDE), transience was associated with 70% to 90% greater odds of suicidal ideation compared to nontransient adults. Among adults with MDE, transience was associated with a 60% to 80% increased odds of suicidal ideation compared to nontransient adults. Residential transience may be an indicator for increased suicide risk even in the absence of depression.
Invasive Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a liver transplant patient: case report and review of infection in transplant recipients
Authors: Popiel K.Y. , Wong P. , Lee M.J. , Langelier M. , Sheppard D.C. , Vinh D.C.
Published: April 2015

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an ascosporogenous yeast commonly used in the production of food, is an emerging infection in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of a 60‐year‐old man whose orthotopic liver transplant was complicated by S. cerevisiae fungemia and peritoneal abscess, successfully treated with caspofungin and drainage. We also review the literature of invasive saccharomycoses in recipients of hematologic and solid organ transplants.
On the Prediction and Theory of the Temperature Increase of Low Pressure Last Stage Moving Blades During Low Volume Flow Conditions, and Limiting it Through Steam Extraction Methods
Authors: Beevers Adam , Havakechian Said , Megerle Benjamin
Published: April 2015

During extreme low volume flow conditions, the last stages of a low pressure steam turbine operate in ventilation conditions that can cause a significant temperature increase of critical regions of the last stage moving blade (LSB). Under some conditions, the blade temperature may rise above a safe operating temperature, requiring the machine to be shut down. Limiting the heating effect on the LSB increases the allowable operating range of the low pressure turbine. One common method is to spray water droplets into the low pressure exhaust. As the length of LSBs continues to increase, this method reaches its limit of practical operating effectiveness due to the amount of water required and its impact on the erosion of the LSB. An investigation into complimentary solutions to limit the temperature increase was conducted using CFD. An appropriate CFD setup was chosen from a sensitivity study on the effects from geometry, mesh density, turbulence model, and time dependency. The CFD results were verified against steam turbine data from a scaled test facility. The proposed solutions include low temperature steam extraction, targeted for critical regions of the moving blade. From the test turbine and CFD results, the drivers of the temperature increase during ventilation conditions are identified and described.
Off-Line Temperature Profiling Utilizing Phosphorescent Thermal History Paints and Coatings
Authors: Feist J. P. , Karmakar Biswas S. , Pilgrim C. C. , Sollazzo P. Y. , Berthier S.
Published: April 2015

Temperature profiling of components in gas turbines is of increasing importance as engineers drive to increase firing temperatures and optimize component’s cooling requirements in order to increase efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. However, on-line temperature measurements and, particularly, temperature profiling are difficult, sometimes impossible, to perform due to inaccessibility of the components. A desirable alternative would be to record the exposure temperature in such a way that it can be determined later, off-line. The commercially available thermal paints are toxic in nature and come with a range of technical disadvantages such as subjective readout and limited durability. This paper proposes a novel alternative measurement technique which the authors call thermal history paints and thermal history coatings. These can be particularly useful in the design process, but further could provide benefits in the maintenance area where hotspots which occurred during operation can be detected during maintenance intervals when the engine is at ambient temperature. This novel temperature profiling technique uses optical active ions in a ceramic host material. When these ions are excited by light they start to phosphoresce. The host material undergoes irreversible changes when exposed to elevated temperatures and since these changes are on the atomic level they influence the phosphorescent properties such as the life time decay of the phosphorescence. The changes in phosphorescence can be related to temperature through calibration such that in situ analysis will return the temperature experienced by the coating. A major benefit of this technique is in the automated interpretation of the coatings. An electronic instrument is used to measure the phosphorescence signal eliminating the need for a specialist interpreter, and thus increasing readout speed. This paper reviews results from temperature measurements made with a water-based paint for the temperature range 100–800 °C in controlled conditions. Repeatability of the tests and errors are discussed. Further, some measurements are carried out using an electronic hand-held interrogation device which can scan a component surface and provide a spatial resolution of below 3 mm. The instrument enables mobile measurements outside of laboratory conditions. Further, a robust thermal history coating is introduced demonstrating the capability of the coating to withstand long term exposures. The coating is based on thermal barrier coating (TBC) architecture with a high temperature bondcoat and deposited using an air plasma spray process to manufacture a reliable long lasting coating. Such a coating could be employed over the life of the component to provide critical temperature information at regular maintenance intervals for example indicating hot spots on engine parts.
A Refined Model for Knock Onset Prediction in Spark Ignition Engines Fueled With Mixtures of Gasoline and Propane
Authors: Pipitone Emiliano , Beccari Stefano , Genchi Giuseppe
Published: April 2015

In the last decade, gaseous fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas (NG), widely spread in many countries, thanks to their prerogative of low cost and reduced environmental impact. Hence, bi-fuel engines, which allow to run either with gasoline or with gas (LPG or NG), became very popular. Moreover, as experimentally demonstrated by the authors in the previous works, these engines may also be fueled by a mixture of gasoline and gas, which, due to the high knock resistance of gas, allow to use stoichiometric mixtures also at full load, thus drastically improving engine efficiency and pollutant emissions with respect to pure gasoline operation without noticeable power loss. This third operation mode, called double fuel combustion, can be easily introduced in series production engine, since a simple electronic control unit (ECU) programing is required. The introduction into series production would require the availability of proper models for thermodynamic simulations, nowadays widely adopted to reduce research and development efforts and costs. To this purpose, the authors developed a quite original knock onset prediction model for knock-safe performances optimization of engines fueled by propane, gasoline, and their mixtures. The ignition delay model has been properly modified to account for the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior exhibited by many hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and propane. The model parameters have been tuned by means of a considerable amount of light knocking in-cylinder pressure cycles acquired on a modified cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine, fueled by gasoline–propane mixtures. The adoption of many different compression ratios (CRs), inlet mixture temperatures, spark advances (SAs), and fuel mixture compositions allowed to use a very differentiated set of pressure and temperature curve, which gives the calibrated model a general validity for using different kinds of engines, i.e., naturally aspirated or supercharged. As a result, the model features a maximum knock onset prediction error around four crank angle degrees (CAD) and a mean absolute error always lower than 1 CAD, which is a negligible quantity from an engine control standpoint.
Design, Modeling, and Performance Testing of a Weak Coupling Combined Radial–Axial Magnetic Bearing
Authors: Han Bangcheng , Xu Qinjie
Published: April 2015

Most combined radial–axial magnetic bearing (CRAMB) is usually composed of a radial magnetic bearing (RMB) unit and an axial magnetic bearing (AMB) unit. The coupling problems in different degrees of freedom (DOF) will make it difficult to design the controller and influence dynamic characteristics of the magnetic bearing system (MBS). In this paper, the coupling stiffness models of a CRAMB between the RMB unit and the AMB unit affected by radial-displacement and axial-displacement are presented using equivalent magnetic circuit method. The CRAMB and the testing system are designed and fabricated. The coupling stiffness model is verified by the experimental results. The weak coupling characteristics between the radial-direction and axial-direction is beneficial to design the controller and dynamic stability control for the CRAMB system.
Application of the Maximum Entropy Method for Determining a Sensitive Distribution in the Renewable Energy Systems
Authors: Yari Gholamhossein , Amini Farsani Zahra
Published: April 2015

In the field of the wind energy conversion, a precise determination of the probability distribution of wind speed guarantees an efficient use of the wind energy and enhances the position of wind energy against other forms of energy. The present study thus proposes utilizing an accurate numerical-probabilistic algorithm which is the combination of the Newton’s technique and the maximum entropy (ME) method to determine an important distribution in the renewable energy systems, namely the hyper Rayleigh distribution (HRD) which belongs to the family of Weibull distribution. The HRD is mainly used to model the wind speed and the variations of the solar irradiance level with a negligible error. The purpose of this research is to find the unique solution to an optimization problem which occurs when maximizing Shannon’s entropy. To confirm the accuracy and efficiency of our algorithm, we used the long-term data for the average daily wind speed in Toyokawa for 12 yr to examine the Rayleigh distribution (RD). This data set was obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in Japan. It seems that the RD is more closely fitted to the data. In addition, we presented different simulation studies to check the reliability of the proposed algorithm.
Analytical Investigations on the Mesh Stiffness Function of Solid Spur and Helical Gears
Authors: Gu X. , Velex P. , Sainsot P. , Bruyère J.
Published: April 2015

Approximate formulae are presented which give the time-varying mesh stiffness function for ideal solid spur and helical gears. The corresponding results compare very well with those obtained by using two-dimensional (2D) finite element (FE) models and specific benchmark software codes thus validating the proposed analytical approach. More deviations are reported on average mesh stiffness which, to a large extent, are due to the modeling of gear body deflections.
Improving the Efficiency of Low Temperature Combustion Engines Using a Chamfered Ring-Land
Authors: Lim Jae Hyung , Reitz Rolf D.
Published: April 2015

In the present study, a chamfered piston crown design was used in order to reduce unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) emissions from the ring-pack crevice. Compared to the conventional piston design, the chamfered piston showed 17–41% reduction in the crevice-borne UHC emissions in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion. Through parametric sweeps 6 mm was identified to be a suitable chamfer size and the mechanism of the UHC reduction was revealed. Based on the findings in this study, the chamfered piston design was also tested in dual-fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion. In the tested RCCI case using the chamfered piston the UHC and CO emissions were reduced by 79% and 36%, respectively, achieving 99.5% combustion efficiency. This also improved gross indicated thermal efficiency (gITE) from 51.1% to 51.8% in a 9 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) RCCI combustion case.
Gas Turbine Intake Filter Systems Related to Offshore Platform Installations
Authors: Kimm M. H. P. , Langlands D.
Published: April 2015

This Paper covers various aspects with respect to the selection and operation of air filtration associated to offshore gas turbine installations. As the Offshore North Sea industry moves into its second decade, Operators are still trying to improve machine availability and reduce maintenance costs. One of the main contributing factors in their failure to achieve the ideal condition has been poor inlet air filtration caused by bad design and incorrect filter selection.

The majority of offshore installations are equipped with filter systems which were originally designed for use on ocean-going vessels. The performance of what has become known as the “High Velocity Salt Eliminator System” has, in most cases, been unsatisfactory, thereby creating a necessity for a continuing search into alternative filter systems.

The experiences of most Operators in the North Sea have been very similar, and examination of the platform environment explains why this should be the case.

To emphasize the affects of poor air filtration and the savings that can be achieved by the Operator in recognising and correcting the problems, specific reference is made to the experience of Mobil North Sea with the Beryl Alpha Production Platform.
Heat Transfer Measurements With Film Cooling on a Turbine Blade Profile in Cascade
Authors: Horton F. G. , Schultz D. L. , Forest A. E.
Published: April 2015

Heat transfer measurements with film cooling have been made on a gas turbine rotor profile in a cascade at engine representative operating conditions. The blade temperature was varied independently to investigate the scaling of heat transfer coefficient, and a superposition model was found to correlate the data.

Contrasting results are presented for films on the two surfaces, along with predictions from a 2–D boundary layer method.
Full-Coverage Film-Cooling: A One-Equation Model of Turbulence for the Calculation of the Full-Coverage and the Recovery-Region Hydrodynamics
Authors: Yavuzkurt S.
Published: April 2015

A one-equation model (mixing-length and turbulent kinetic energy) of turbulence is used for the calculation of the full-coverage and recovery region hydrodynamics over a full-coverage film-cooled surface. The model requires a detailed description of the form and dynamics of the complex mixing-length profile encountered in this type of flow structure. This is achieved through extensive use of experimental input and physical interpretation of the data by combining equations for simple flow structures such as two-dimensional turbulent flat plate boundary layers and jets-in-cross flow. The one-equation model is used in a two-dimensional finite difference boundary layer code giving successful predictions of the spanwise averaged mean velocity and turbulent kinetic energy profiles between injection rows in the full coverage region and also in the recovery region for two blowing ratios (Ujet/U∞ = 0.4, 0.9).
Heat Transfer Around Sharp 180 Degree Turns in Smooth Rectangular Channels
Authors: Metzger D. E. , Sahm M. K.
Published: April 2015

Measured Nusselt numbers are presented for forced convection within and around sharp 180 degree turns in smooth channels of rectangular cross section. Separately determined top wall, bottom wall, and side wall values are presented individually along with azimuthal averages. The geometry of the channels and connecting turn is characterized by parameters W*, the ratio of upstream and downstream channel widths; D*, the non-dimensional channel depth; and H*, the non-dimensional clearance at the tip of the turn. Results from nine combinations of these parameters are presented at several values of channel Reynolds number to illustrate the effect of turn geometry on the heat transfer distributions.