bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projecting the spatiotemporal carbon dynamics of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from 2006 to 2050
Authors: Huang Shengli , Liu Shuguang , Liu Jinxun , Dahal Devendra , Young Claudia , Davis Brian , Sohl Terry L , Hawbaker Todd J , Sleeter Ben , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: March 2015

Background

Climate change and the concurrent change in wildfire events and land use comprehensively affect carbon dynamics in both spatial and temporal dimensions. The purpose of this study was to project the spatial and temporal aspects of carbon storage in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) under these changes from 2006 to 2050. We selected three emission scenarios and produced simulations with the CENTURY model using three General Circulation Models (GCMs) for each scenario. We also incorporated projected land use change and fire occurrence into the carbon accounting.

Results

The three GCMs showed increases in maximum and minimum temperature, but precipitation projections varied among GCMs. Total ecosystem carbon increased steadily from 7,942 gC/m2in 2006 to 10,234 gC/m2in 2050 with an annual rate increase of 53 gC/m2/year. About 56.6% and 27% of the increasing rate was attributed to total live carbon and total soil carbon, respectively. Net Primary Production (NPP) increased slightly from 260 gC/m2/year in 2006 to 310 gC/m2/year in 2050 with an annual rate increase of 1.22 gC/m2/year. Forest clear-cutting and fires resulted in direct carbon removal; however, the rate was low at 2.44 gC/m2/year during 2006–2050. The area of clear-cutting and wildfires in the GYE would account for 10.87% of total forested area during 2006–2050, but the predictive simulations demonstrated different spatial distributions in national forests and national parks.

Conclusions

The GYE is a carbon sink during 2006–2050. The capability of vegetation is almost double that of soil in terms of sequestering extra carbon. Clear-cutting and wildfires in GYE will affect 10.87% of total forested area, but direct carbon removal from clear-cutting and fires is 109.6 gC/m2, which accounts for only 1.2% of the mean ecosystem carbon level of 9,056 gC/m2, and thus is not significant.
SNES: single nucleus exome sequencing
Authors: Leung Marco L , Wang Yong , Waters Jill , Navin Nicholas E
Published: March 2015

Single-cell genome sequencing methods are challenged by poor physical coverage and high error rates, making it difficult to distinguish real biological variants from technical artifacts. To address this problem, we developed a method called SNES that combines flow-sorting of single G1/0 or G2/M nuclei, time-limited multiple-displacement-amplification, exome capture, and next-generation sequencing to generate high coverage (96%) data from single human cells. We validated our method in a fibroblast cell line, and show low allelic dropout and false-positive error rates, resulting in high detection efficiencies for single nucleotide variants (92%) and indels (85%) in single cells.
Evaluating intra- and inter-individual variation in the human placental transcriptome
Authors: Hughes David A , Kircher Martin , He Zhisong , Guo Song , Fairbrother Genevieve L , Moreno Carlos S , Khaitovich Philipp , Stoneking Mark
Published: March 2015

Background

Gene expression variation is a phenotypic trait of particular interest as it represents the initial link between genotype and other phenotypes. Analyzing how such variation apportions among and within groups allows for the evaluation of how genetic and environmental factors influence such traits. It also provides opportunities to identify genes and pathways that may have been influenced by non-neutral processes. Here we use a population genetics framework and next generation sequencing to evaluate how gene expression variation is apportioned among four human groups in a natural biological tissue, the placenta.

Results

We estimate that on average, 33.2%, 58.9%, and 7.8% of the placental transcriptome is explained by variation within individuals, among individuals, and among human groups, respectively. Additionally, when technical and biological traits are included in models of gene expression they each account for roughly 2% of total gene expression variation. Notably, the variation that is significantly different among groups is enriched in biological pathways associated with immune response, cell signaling, and metabolism. Many biological traits demonstrate correlated changes in expression in numerous pathways of potential interest to clinicians and evolutionary biologists. Finally, we estimate that the majority of the human placental transcriptome exhibits expression profiles consistent with neutrality; the remainder are consistent with stabilizing selection, directional selection, or diversifying selection.

Conclusions

We apportion placental gene expression variation into individual, population, and biological trait factors and identify how each influence the transcriptome. Additionally, we advance methods to associate expression profiles with different forms of selection.
Characterization of a novel KCNQ1 mutation for type 1 long QT syndrome and assessment of the therapeutic potential of a novel IKs activator using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Ma Dongrui , Wei Heming , Lu Jun , Huang Dou , Liu Zhenfeng , Loh Li Jun , Islam Omedul , Liew Reginald , Shim Winston , Cook Stuart A
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Type 1 long QT syndrome (LQT1) is a common type of cardiac channelopathy associated with loss-of-function mutations of KCNQ1. Currently there is a lack of drugs that target the defected slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKs). With LQT1 patient-specific human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), we tested the effects of a selective IKs activator ML277 on reversing the disease phenotypes.

Methods

A LQT1 family with a novel heterozygous exon 7 deletion in the KCNQ1 gene was identified. Dermal fibroblasts from the proband and her healthy father were reprogrammed to hiPSCs and subsequently differentiated into hiPSC-CMs.

Results

Compared with the control, LQT1 patient hiPSC-CMs showed reduced levels of wild type KCNQ1 mRNA accompanied by multiple exon skipping mRNAs and a ~50% reduction of the full length Kv7.1 protein. Patient hiPSC-CMs showed reduced IKs current (tail current density at 30 mV: 0.33 ± 0.02 vs. 0.92 ± 0.21, P < 0.05) and prolonged action potential duration (APD) (APD 50 and APD90: 603.9 ± 39.2 vs. 319.3 ± 13.8 ms, P < 0.005; and 671.0 ± 41.1 vs. 372.9 ± 14.2 ms, P < 0.005). ML277, a small molecule recently identified to selectively activate KV7.1, reversed the decreased IKs and partially restored APDs in patient hiPSC-CMs.

Conclusions

From a LQT1 patient carrying a novel heterozygous exon7 deletion mutation of KCNQ1, we generated hiPSC-CMs that faithfully recapitulated the LQT1 phenotypes that are likely associated with haploinsufficiency and trafficking defect of KCNQ1/Kv7.1. The small molecule ML277 restored IKs function in hiPSC-CMs and could have therapeutic value for LQT1 patients.
Psoriasis drug development and GWAS interpretation through in silico analysis of transcription factor binding sites
Authors: Swindell William R , Sarkar Mrinal K , Stuart Philip E , Voorhees John J , Elder James T , Johnston Andrew , Gudjonsson Johann E
Published: March 2015

Background

Psoriasis is a cytokine‐mediated skin disease that can be treated effectively with immunosuppressive biologic agents. These medications, however, are not equally effective in all patients and are poorly suited for treating mild psoriasis. To develop more targeted therapies, interfering with transcription factor (TF) activity is a promising strategy.

Methods

Meta‐analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the lesional skin from psoriasis patients (n = 237). We compiled a dictionary of 2935 binding sites representing empirically‐determined binding affinities of TFs and unconventional DNA‐binding proteins (uDBPs). This dictionary was screened to identify “psoriasis response elements” (PREs) overrepresented in sequences upstream of psoriasis DEGs.

Results

PREs are recognized by IRF1, ISGF3, NF‐kappaB and multiple TFs with helix‐turn‐helix (homeo) or other all‐alpha‐helical (high‐mobility group) DNA‐binding domains. We identified a limited set of DEGs that encode proteins interacting with PRE motifs, including TFs (GATA3, EHF, FOXM1, SOX5) and uDBPs (AVEN, RBM8A, GPAM, WISP2). PREs were prominent within enhancer regions near cytokine‐encoding DEGs (IL17A, IL19 and IL1B), suggesting that PREs might be incorporated into complex decoy oligonucleotides (cdODNs). To illustrate this idea, we designed a cdODN to concomitantly target psoriasis‐activated TFs (i.e., FOXM1, ISGF3, IRF1 and NF‐kappaB). Finally, we screened psoriasis‐associated SNPs to identify risk alleles that disrupt or engender PRE motifs. This identified possible sites of allele‐specific TF/uDBP binding and showed that PREs are disproportionately disrupted by psoriasis risk alleles.

Conclusions

We identified new TF/uDBP candidates and developed an approach that (i) connects transcriptome informatics to cdODN drug development and (ii) enhances our ability to interpret GWAS findings. Disruption of PRE motifs by psoriasis risk alleles may contribute to disease susceptibility.
Interferon-α inhibits CD4 T cell responses to interleukin-7 and interleukin-2 and selectively interferes with Akt signaling
Authors: Nguyen Thao P , Bazdar Doug A , Mudd Joseph C , Lederman Michael M , Harding Clifford V , Hardy Gareth A , Sieg Scott F
Published: March 2015

Persistent type I IFN production occurs during chronic viral infections, such as HIV disease. As type I IFNs have antiproliferative activity, it is possible that chronic exposure to these cytokines could adversely affect T cell homeostasis. We investigated the capacity of IFN-α to impair T cell proliferation induced by the homeostatic cytokine, IL-7, or another common γ-chain cytokine, IL-2, in cells from healthy human donors. We found that IL-7- or IL-2-induced proliferation of CD4+ T cells was partially inhibited in the presence of IFN-α. The CD4+ T cells that were exposed to IFN-α also displayed attenuated induction of IL-2 and CD40L following TCR stimulation. Analyses of signaling pathways indicated that IL-7 and IL-2 induced a delayed and sustained P-Akt signal that lasted for several days and was partially inhibited by IFN-α. In contrast, IL-7-induced P-STAT5 was not affected by IFN-α. Furthermore, IFN-α had no detectable effect on P-Akt that was induced by the chemokine SDF-1. Both inhibitors of P-Akt and P-STAT5 blocked IL-7-induced T cell proliferation, confirming that both signaling pathways are important for IL-7-induced T cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that IFN-α can selectively inhibit cytokine-induced P-Akt as a potential mechanism to disrupt homeostasis of T lymphocytes.
Nuclear magnetic resonance average pore-size estimations outside the fast-diffusion regime
Authors: Müller-Petke Mike , Dlugosch Raphael , Lehmann-Horn Jochen , Ronczka Mathias
Published: March 2015

The pore-size distribution (PSD) of geologic materials is an important rock parameter to understand the flow of water in the subsurface. PSDs can be obtained from sieving analyses, mercury porosimetry measurements, and imaging techniques, but none of these methods is available for in situ measurements. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements are controlled by rock parameters such as the surface-area to pore-volume ratio. NMR is available for in situ measurements. State-of-the-art NMR relaxation time measurements need a calibration of the surface relaxivity [Formula: see text] to extract pore-size information. State-of-the-art NMR diffusion measurements avoid the calibration of [Formula: see text] but are limited to small pores. We developed an approach that estimates the average pore size without calibrating [Formula: see text] by means of incorporating higher order modes into the signal interpretation of NMR relaxation times. We conducted forward-modeling studies using an analytic solution for cylindrical tubes, 2D finite-element simulations to incorporate fractal pore spaces, and laboratory experiments on synthetic and natural samples. Our experimental data indicated that relaxation can occur outside the fast-diffusion regime not only for coarse-grained materials, but also for fine- to medium-grained unconsolidated sandy materials due to high surface relaxivities. We found that the rock-fluid interface’s roughness had a significant impact on the diffusion regime and led to an apparent increase in [Formula: see text], which may cause intermediate or slow diffusion. The methodology was limited to materials with a narrow PSD and uniform distribution of [Formula: see text] because we assumed multiexponential decay due to diffusion in single isolated pores.
Image- and horizon-guided interpolation
Authors: Zabihi Naeini Ehsan , Hale Dave
Published: March 2015

Seismic data are uniformly sampled images of geologic structures, and they spatially cover a big area as opposed to well log data, which are often scattered sparsely within the seismic cube. A common strategy to extend the coverage of the well log data is to interpolate them away from the boreholes on the seismic image grid. Image-guided interpolation is a form of blended neighbor interpolation in which the structural information that guides the interpolation is calculated from a seismic image and represented by structure tensors. Deriving this structural information from only the seismic image might not lead to desirable interpolated results, especially in cases of complex structure, a low-quality seismic image, and few well logs. In such cases, constraining the structure tensors with additional information is beneficial. We have developed a three-step hybrid method in the log-Euclidean domain to use interpreted horizons as well as the seismic image to construct the final structure tensor field. Also, we determined how to incorporate the curvature attributes from horizons for better performance of the algorithm in the presence of faults. Synthetic and real data examples determined the ability of this new technique to achieve better conformance of interpolated properties with the seismic image and interpreted horizons.
Brittleness evaluation of resource plays by integrating petrophysical and seismic data analysis
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhao Tao , Jin Xiaochun , Marfurt Kurt J.
Published: March 2015

The main considerations for well planning and hydraulic fracturing in unconventional resources plays include the amount of total organic carbon and how much hydrocarbon can be extracted. Brittleness is the direct measurement of a formation about the ability to create avenues for hydrocarbons when applying hydraulic fracturing. Brittleness can be directly estimated from laboratory stress-strain measurements, rock-elastic properties, and mineral content analysis using petrophysical analysis on well logs. However, the estimated brittleness using these methods only provides “cylinder” estimates near the borehole. We proposed a workflow to estimate brittleness of resource plays in 3D by integrating the petrophysics and seismic data analysis. The workflow began by brittleness evaluation using mineral well logs at the borehole location. Then, we used a proximal support vector machine algorithm to construct a classification pattern between rock-elastic properties and brittleness for the selected benchmark well. The pattern was validated using well-log data that were not used for constructing the classification. Next, we prestack inverted the fidelity preserved seismic gathers to generate a suite of rock-elastic properties volumes. Finally, we obtained a satisfactory brittleness index of target formations by applying the trained classification pattern to the inverted rock-elastic-property volumes.
Acoustic models of orangutan hand-assisted alarm calls
Authors: de Boer Bart , Wich Serge A. , Hardus Madeleine E. , Lameira Adriano R.
Published: March 2015

Orangutans produce alarm calls called kiss-squeaks, which they sometimes modify by putting a hand in front of their mouth. Through theoretical models and observational evidence, we show that using the hand when making a kiss-squeak alters the acoustics of the production in such a way that more formants per kilohertz are produced. Our theoretical models suggest that cylindrical wave propagation is created with the use of the hand and face as they act as a cylindrical extension of the lips. The use of cylindrical wave propagation in animal calls appears to be extremely rare, but is an effective way to lengthen the acoustic system; it causes the number of resonances per kilohertz to increase. This increase is associated with larger animals, and thus using the hand in kiss-squeak production may be effective in exaggerating the size of the producer. Using the hand appears to be a culturally learned behavior, and therefore orangutans may be able to associate the acoustic effect of using the hand with potentially more effective deterrence of predators.
Assessment and Analysis of Wind Power Resource Using Weibull Parameters
Authors: Bassyouni M. , Gutub Saud A. , Javaid Umair , Awais Muhammad , Rehman Shafiqur , Hamid S. M.-S Abdel- , Abdel-Aziz M.H. , Abouel-Kasem A. , Shafeek Hani
Published: March 2015

In this study, wind data of eleven years (2002–2012) has been used to determine wind characteristics of Saudi Arabian city Jeddah. These characteristics include the daily, monthly and annual wind speed, wind probability density distribution, shape ( k) and scale ( c) parameters at 10 m height. The analysis revealed that yearly values of k ranged from 1.398 to 1.763 with a mean value of 1.590 and values of scale parameter c varied from 3.146 to 4.329 with mean value of 3.95. Furthermore, the results showed that maximum and minimum wind power potential was observed in the month of March and February, respectively. The wind was found to be blowing predominantly from south east direction. It was found that wind potential of the region can be used for small scale off-grid wind applications.
Estimation of Permeability for Tight Sandstone Reservoir Using Conventional Well Logs Based on Mud-Filtrate Invasion Model
Authors: Wang Yuzhu , Luo Yang , Liu Hongping
Published: March 2015

Permeability is an important but barely accessible parameter for fluid flow. In tight sandstone reservoir, it is more difficult to estimate permeability accurately because of the complexity of pore structure. Log interpretation is one of the most common and effective approaches to estimate permeability, especially nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) log, which is considered the industry-leading technique for permeability determination in tight sandstone. However, this relatively new well log is missing in many oil-fields, which force us to explore new methods to estimate the permeability base on conventional well logs. This paper introduces a convenient and effective method to assess permeability using mud-filtrate invasion model which is established on the mechanic of mud-filtrate invasion. Only resistivity logs with different investigation radius are used in estimation. The difference of resistivity among different resistivity logs are considered to be the reflection of the saturation difference of mud-filtrate in undisturbed zone, invaded zone and flushed zone. On the one hand, the volume of mud filtrate is calculated using resistivity logs based on Archie's equation. On the other hand, the volume of mud filtrate is obtained based on Darcy's law. Then the volume of mud filtrate is used as a bridge to combine these two functions, where permeability will be the only unknown parameter in the equation and can be evaluated smoothly. This permeability estimation method was used in Sulige gas field. Results show that the estimated permeability matches well with the laboratory measurements.
Petrographic and Chemical Characterization of the Bonito Seam and its Beneficiation Products, South Santa Catarina Coalfield — Brazil
Authors: Simão Gustavo , Kalkreuth W.
Published: March 2015

The Bonito seam has become recently a new exploration and exploitation target in the South Santa Catarina Coalfield, Brazil. The present study is a contribution to an understanding of the petrographical and chemical characteristics of the Bonito seam collected at three underground mine sites, followed by beneficiation tests using a density range from <1.6 to > 2.4 g/cm3.

Seam Characteristics and Ash Fusibility Tests. Averaged ash yield is 58 wt.%, volatile matter content is 16 wt.%, and calorific value is 2910 cal/g. Vitrinite reflectance indicate high volatile B bituminous rank. Inertinite and vitrinite maceral groups are most abundant. Quartz, kaolinite and pyrite are the predominant minerals. The Free Swelling Index is 1. Ash Fusibility Tests indicated an initial deformation temperature at 1260 °C, and a flow temperature at 1473 °C.

Beneficiation tests. In the beneficiated sample a gradual increase of ash yields with increasing density fraction occurs, whereas volatile matter, calorific values and fixed carbon decrease.

Technological properties. High ash yields and low FSI values in the 1.6 and <1.6 g/cm3 density fractions, and the predominance of non-reactive components prevents the use of the Bonito seam in coke-making. The beneficiated samples showed, however, a high potential to be used in combustion.
The Relationship between Trace Element Concentrations and Coal-Forming Environments in the No. 6 Coal Seam, Haerwusu Mine, China
Authors: Chu Guangchen , Xiao Lin , Jin Zhe , Lin Mingyue , Blokhin Maxim G.
Published: March 2015

In order to study the relationship between trace element concentrations and coal-forming environment in the No. 6 Coal, Haerwusu Mine, Inner Mongolia, China, 39 bench samples were taken from the opencast mine, following Chinese Standard Method GB/T 482–2008. The samples were analyzed by an optical microscope, a scanning electron microscope in conjunction with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS). The results indicate that the average contents of vitrinite, inertinite, liptinite are 54.59%, 34.84% and 5.8%, respectively. The concentrations of Li and Ga in the No. 6 coal are higher than those of in world coals, and most of trace elements in the No. 6 coal are correlated with minerals, which are mainly clay minerals, carbonate minerals and sulfide minerals. Two samples were identified as dry forest swamp facies (FtM I), 19 samples as shallow water forest swamp facies (FtM II), and 13 samples as reed swamp facies (RM). Compared with the average contents of world coals, trace elements in No. 6 coal of Haerwusu mine are rich in Li and V, while contents of the other elements are close or lower than the average contents of world coals. However, the variations of CC (Concentration Coefficients) among each swamp type are small and irregular, which may indicate that the concentration of the selected trace elements in the coal is mainly dominated by regional coal-forming environment, not coal-forming microenvironment.
A Piston Geometry and Nozzle Spray Angle Investigation in a DI Diesel Engine by Quantifying the Air-Fuel Mixture
Authors: Dimitriou Pavlos , Wang Weiji , Peng Zhijun
Published: March 2015

Low temperature diesel combustion has been widely investigated over the last few years for reducing in-cylinder emissions of Direct Injection (DI) diesel engines without sacrificing efficiency and fuel consumption. The spatial distribution of the fuel within the combustion chamber and the air-fuel mixing quality are the key factors affecting temperature generation within the cylinder. Avoiding fuel rich areas within the cylinder can significantly reduce the local high temperatures resulting in low NOx formation. This paper investigates the effects of the combustion chamber geometry and spray angle on the air-fuel mixing and emissions formation of a DI diesel engine. A new quantitative factor measuring the air-fuel mixing quality has been adopted in order to analyze and compare air-fuel mixing quality for different piston geometries. The results have shown that pistons with a narrow entrance and a deep combustion re-entrant chamber benefit from increased air-fuel mixtures due to the significantly higher swirl generated within the cylinder. However, the improved air-fuel mixing does not consequently lead to a reduced NOx generation, which is highly affected by the combustion efficiency of the engine.
Role of Fluid-Dynamics in Soot Formation and Microstructure in Acetylene-Air Laminar Diffusion Flames
Authors: Pandey Praveen , Pundir B. P.
Published: March 2015

Residence time and thermo-chemical environment are important factors in the soot-formation process in flames. Studies have revealed that flow-dynamics plays a dominant role in soot formation process. For understanding the effect of flow dynamics on soot formation and physical structure of the soot formed in different combustion environments two types of laminar diffusion flames of Acetylene and air, a normal diffusion flame (NDF) and an inverse diffusion flame (IDF) have been investigated. The fuel and air supply in the reaction zone in two flame types were kept constant but the interchange of relative position of fuel and air altered the burner exit Reynolds and Froude numbers of gases, fuel/air velocity ratio and flame shape. Soot samples were collected using thermophoretic sampling on transmission electron microscope (TEM) grids at different flame heights and were analyzed off-line in a Transmission Electron Microscope. Soot primary particle size, soot aggregate size and soot volume fraction were measured using an image analysis software. In NDF the maximum flame temperature was about 1525 K and 1230 K for IDF. The soot primary particles are distinctly smaller in size in IDF (between 19 – 26 nm) compared to NDF (between 29–34 nm). Both NDF and IDF show chainlike branched structure of soot agglomerate with soot particles of a nearly spherical shape. The average number of soot primary particles per aggregate in NDF was in the range of 24 to 40 and in IDF it varied between 16 to 24. Soot volume fraction was between 0.6 to 1.5 ppm in NDF where as it was less than 0.2 ppm in IDF. The change in sooting characteristics of the two flame types is attributed to changed fuel/air velocity ratio, entrainment of gas molecules and thermophoresis on soot particles.
Parametric Investigation of Thermoacoustic Instability (TAI) in a Rijke Tube: A Time-Delay Perspective
Authors: Olgac Nejat , Cepeda-Gomez Rudy , Zalluhoglu Umut , Kammer Ayhan S.
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a novel deployment of a recent mathematical paradigm for predicting the thermo-acoustic instability (TAI) of a Rijke tube in the relevant parametric space. This benchmark problem in combustion science has been studied for over 1½ centuries with phenomenal achievements both in theoretical and practical fronts. The new paradigm is called the Cluster Treatment of Characteristic Roots (CTCR), which is originally developed to assess the asymptotic stability of Linear Time Invariant (LTI) Time-delayed Systems (TDS). A notorious subcategory within LTI-TDS is called “Neutral TDS”, which matches the characteristics of the linearized dynamics of thermo-acoustic instability. The CTCR is shown to reveal a non-conservative and exhaustive linear stability map of the Rijke tube within the space of its geometric and operational parameters. We present a review of this paradigm as well as several case studies to demonstrate its capabilities and some encouraging comparison with the earlier literature. This paper is a concept document and it is prepared with the intent of providing a breeding ground for studies beyond its present coverage.
A Cross-Wavelet Transform Aided Rule Based Approach for Early Prediction of Lean Blow-out in Swirl-Stabilized Dump Combustor
Authors: Dey Debangshu , Chaudhari Rajendra R. , Mukhopadhyay Achintya , Sen Swarnendu , Chakravorti Sivaji
Published: March 2015

Lean or ultralean combustion is one of the popular strategies to achieve very low emission levels. However, it is extremely susceptible to lean blow-out (LBO). The present work explores a Cross-wavelet transform (XWT) aided rule based scheme for early prediction of lean blowout. XWT can be considered as an advancement of wavelet analysis which gives correlation between two waveforms in time-frequency space. In the present scheme a swirl-stabilized dump combustor is used as a laboratory-scale model of a generic gas turbine combustor with LPG as fuel. Various time series data of CH chemiluminescence signal are recorded for different flame conditions by varying equivalence ratio, flow rate and level of air-fuel premixing. Some features are extracted from the cross-wavelet spectrum of the recorded waveforms and a reference wave. The extracted features are observed to classify the flame condition into three major classes: near LBO, moderate and healthy. Moreover, a Rough Set based technique is also applied on the extracted features to generate a rule base so that it can be fed to a real time controller or expert system to take necessary control action to prevent LBO. Results show that the proposed methodology performs with an acceptable degree of accuracy.
Depression, Self-esteem, and Quality of Life in a Community Population.
Authors: Min So Young
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between depression, self-esteem and quality of life in a community population. METHODS: The subjects were given questionnaires which included general characteristics, measures of depression, self-esteem, and quality of life. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: The mean score of depression was 81.47 (range 40~150). Gender, age, education, marital status, subjective economic status, subjective health status and disease were significantly associated with depression. The mean score of self-esteem was 30.42 (range 16~39). Education, marital status, subjective economic status, subjective health status and disease were significantly associated with self-esteem. The mean score of quality of life was 156.29 (range 81~229). Age, education, marital status, subjective economic status, subjective health status and disease were significantly associated with quality of life. 28.9% of the subjects had experiences with depression symptoms. There were significant correlations among depression, self-esteem and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate a need for a nursing intervention to decrease levels of depression in the depression group. In addition, it is necessary to develop a mental health promotion program in order to enhance self-esteem and quality of life in a community population.
Anger, Anger Expression, and Biopsychosocial Health in Korean Adolescents.
Authors: Park Young Joo , Han Kuem Sun , Shin Nah Mee , Kang Hyun Cheol , Chun Sook Hee , Yoon Ji Won , Shin Hyunjeong
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore status and relationships of anger and its expression type to biopsychosocial health in Korean adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used four reliable survey questionnaires that measure anger, depression, resilience, and psychosomatic symptoms. Data were collected from 18,752 students of 36 middle schools and 23 high schools located in 23 administrative districts in Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: The Korean adolescents who completed the questionnaires indicated moderate level of trait anger. 45% of them demonstrated using one of three undesirable types of anger expression such as dysfunctional anger-in and anger-out, high level anger-in, or high level anger-out. Also, level of trait anger and types of anger expression were significantly associated with resilience, depression, and psychosomatic health status. CONCLUSION: School-based mental health education such as anger management programs for Korean adolescents might be necessary to help them develop desirable and effective coping skills and strategies.
The Effects of Insight and Empowerment on Function and Quality of Life for Patients with Schizophrenia.
Authors: Kim Yi Young , Park Hyun Sook
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether insight and empowerment had a positive impact on function and quality of life for patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 446 patients with schizophrenia who were attending 20 psychosocial rehabilitation centers. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/WIN and AMOS programs. RESULTS: Insight showed a direct effect on empowerment, function, and quality of life for patients with schizophrenia. Empowerment showed a direct effect on function and quality of life for patients with schizophrenia. Function showed a direct effect on quality of life for patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that function and quality of life for patients with schizophrenia can be improved by increasing insight and empowerment. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to design an intervention program that emphasizes increasing insight and empowerment in order to improve function and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia.
The Unwed Teenage Mothers' Lived Experience of Hope in a Group Home: Using Parse's Research Methodology.
Authors: Kim Eun Hee , Lee Chung Sook
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: This study was to discover the structure of the unwed teenage mothers' lived experience of hope using Parse's research methodology. METHODS: Participants were 7 unwed teenage mothers in one group home. The data were collected by dialogical engagement and analyzed through extraction-synthesis and heuristic interpretation process. RESULTS: The unwed teenage mothers were very troubled over the thought of aborting their babies after they found themselves pregnant. They decided to go through with the birth and give their babies up for adoption as they recognized that a baby's life was precious. They felt the joy of love for the baby and the sorrow of separation at the same time. They spent much time uncomfortably concealing being pregnant but after they shared their pain and sorrow with significant others they became more stabile. Their desire to make a new life increased gradually and they tried to find their own way. They were proud of themselves for overcoming the pain of childbirth and decided to make a good life. CONCLUSION: Having compared the structure of the unwed teenage mothers' lived experience of hope with Parse's human becoming theory, five concepts were identified, such as valuing, connecting- separating, revealing-concealing, powering and transforming.
Factors Influencing Children's Mental Health State.
Authors: Cho Eun Suk , Seo Ji Min
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that influence children's mental health state. METHODS: The subjects were 127 boys and 132 girls in the 5th and 6th grades of elementary school. Data were collected through Child Problem-Behavior Screening Questionnaire, Parental Behavior Rating Scale, Conflict Tactics Scales, Self-Esteem Scales, and Index of Peer Relations. Subjects were divided into the risk group and normal group of the mental health state by the scores of CPSQ and were analyzed by chi2 test, t-test, and logistic regression using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: The risk group was 70.3% and normal group was 29.7% of the subjects. Self-esteem, peer relationship, and academic achievement were important factors influencing children's mental health state. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest interventions to improve self-esteem, peer relationship, and academic achievement for promoting children's mental health state.
Depression and the Influencing Factors in Korean American Immigrants.
Authors: Bae Jeongyee , Park Hyunjoo
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the degree of depression in Korean American immigrants according to their characteristics. METHODS: This descriptive correlation study conducted visit-surveys with organized questionnaires and sampled 330 Korean American immigrants living in Houston, Seattle and New York areas. SCL-90 was used to measure the degree of depression. Data was analyzed by t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 14.0. RESULTS: Findings revealed that; 1) the degree of depression in Korean American immigrants according to their characteristics were significantly different in age, occupation, immigration life satisfaction, and health status; 2) Pearson's correlation revealed a significant association among depression, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life; 3) multi regression analysis showed immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life significantly influenced depression in Korean American immigrants. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, health professionals should provide proper management of depression as well as its influencing factors, namely, immigrant life stress, self esteem, and quality of life especially for new immigrant populations.
Psychological and Spiritual Factors Associated with Death Anxiety of Elderly People Living at Home.
Authors: Kim Kyung Hee , Kwon Hye Jin , Choi Mi Hye , Park Yoon Ja , Kim Su Kang
Published: March 2015

PURPOSE: The study was done to investigate psychological spiritual factors related to death anxiety of elderly living at home. METHODS: A descriptive correlation study was conducted. The participants were 494 living at home elderly people conveniently selected in Seoul and Kyunggi province. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The death anxiety positively correlated with depression and negatively with self-integrity, readiness of death, belief in life after death, and spiritual well-being. The factors influencing death anxiety were self-integrity, readiness of death, depression, and belief in life after death. Those four variables explained 21.6% of death anxiety. CONCLUSION: It is expected to serve as a useful tool for nurses who serve elderly people in the clinical field and local community to help get a better understanding of death, and it is expected to lay a theoretical foundation for the development of strategies geared toward alleviating death anxiety.
The anion gap
Authors: Locke-Jeffery Unity
Published: March 2015

The growing availability of cage-side blood gas and electrolyte analysers allows easy measurement of bicarbonate, and calculation of the anion gap. Potentially, the anion gap can provide valuable insights into the causes of metabolic acidosis in companion animals. However, in order to use this information to improve diagnosis and treatment, it is important to consider several other factors about the patient, sample collection and analyser performance. This article summarises the clinical value of the anion gap and these potential pitfalls.
Managing lymphoedema and chronic oedema
Authors: Wigg Jane , Lee Natalie
Published: March 2015

This article aims to help in the early identification of oedema and suggest some simple treatment strategies to reduce its impact on the person experiencing the condition—providing cheaper, cost-effective care.
Self-harm and suicide
Authors: Thornton Stephanie
Published: March 2015

Probably many more students than you think self-harm or have suicidal thoughts, warns Dr Stephanie Thornton. She offers her advice on recognising the early signs of problems
Light-Dark-Light-Heavy: Reflections on an art–dance collaboration
Authors: Crickmay Chris
Published: March 2015

This article describes an interdisciplinary collaboration in the making of a new performance piece. In this work we explore visual and movement possibilities using a dancer carrying a single portable light – how the shifting qualities of space, light and shadow are created out of, and feed back into, bodily sensations of weight, breath, touch and momentum. The article raises issues concerning the making process in a collaborative practice where both partners work on equal terms and both are involved in all aspects of the work. An improvisational approach to making and performing the piece leads to the concept of ‘emergent form’ as opposed to a set choreography. The work exemplifies a ‘relational’ approach to performance, focusing on the interaction between the performer and her surroundings as a continuing dialogue within an integrated art–dance practice. Consistent with this interactive approach, the performance environment is conceived as a variable ‘kit of parts’, rather than a pre-determined set.
Somatic commonalities in the study of Budō and Zen
Authors: Doubleday Tony Shinro
Published: March 2015

This article explores the central place of body-mind practice in the Japanese martial arts, known as Budō, and the Sōtō Zen sect of Buddhism, as I have encountered them in Europe. Drawing on my experiences from the study of Budō and Zen, my purpose is to explore a body-mind synthesis in subjective–objective experience, as described by the medieval Japanese Zen master Eihei Dōgen and the philosopher Yasuo Yuasa, which I find to be the fertile shared ground of these two systems of self-cultivation. It is ground that is, I think, all too easily overlooked and left fallow, but which it has been my good fortune to encounter in the training methods of the Tetsushinkan dōjō, in east London.
The presence of absences: Unconscious performances and muscle memories in Pilates
Authors: Holmes Sarah W.
Published: March 2015

This article synthesizes the scholarly areas of dance studies, somatic research and kinaesiology, to illustrate how Pilates history continuously overlooks values culturally transmitted from body-to-body through Pilates practice. In this process, I suggest that not all embodied memories have liberatory effects. This could be potentially problematic, especially with respect to the historical marginalization and invisiblization of non-white bodies. I maintain by making the goal of Pilates an ‘unconscious’ and therefore unreflective performance of its exercise, it perpetuates specific cultural and behavioural values.
Multi drug resistant (MDR) tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus treated with ventriculo-peritoneal shunting: a review
Authors: Gautam Vinod , Khurana Sarbjeet , Singh Ravinder
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Tubercular meningitis (TBM) is one of the severe manifestations of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Prognosis of cases of multidrug resistance TBM is even worse. We present report of three cases of MDR tuberculous meningitis with hydrocephalus to highlight the challenges in the management of these patients.Materials and Methods: The present study was done was done at IHBAS, a tertiary care neuropsychiatry hospital in Delhi, India. Three patients of MDR CNS TB treated at neurosurgery department were included in this study. Study design was a descriptive case series.Results: All three cases were treated with second line ATT and ventrriculoperitoneal shunting. After a regular follow up with clinical and neuroimaging vigil and with laboratory testing, these patients showed improvement.Conclusion: The decision to start second line ATT to treat resistant cases of CNS TB is often delayed and increases the morbidity and mortality. Prompt and precise decision is possible with vigilant clinical observation, lab tests and neuroimaging. Close follow-up is mandatory for detecting any adverse drug effect and therapeutic response in patients of MDR-CNS TB.
On the connectedness of the Chabauty space of a locally compact prosolvable group
Authors: Hamrouni Hatem , Kadri Bilel
Published: March 2015

Let
Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Regionalbibliotheken in der Sektion 4 des dbv – Bericht für die Jahre 2013/2014
Authors: Freifrau Hiller von Gaertringen Julia
Published: March 2015

Der Bericht informiert über die Tätigkeit der Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Regionalbibliotheken in der Sektion 4 des Deutschen Bibliotheksverbands (dbv) in den Jahren 2013 und 2014.
Öffentliche Bibliotheken als Agenten der Beruflichen Aus- und Weiterbildung
Authors: Hermann Elisa
Published: March 2015

Dieser Artikel befasst sich mit den für berufliche Aus- und Weiterbildung spezifischen Zielgruppen. Näher betrachtet werden die Zufriedenheit mit den Bibliotheksangeboten sowie mögliche Dienstleistungen zur Steigerung der Attraktivität und damit der Rolle der Öffentlichen Bibliotheken Berlins als Bildungsagenten nach dem Besuch der allgemeinbildenden Schule.
Potentiometric measurement of urinary iodine concentration in patients with thyroid diseases with and without previous exposure to non-radioactive iodine
Authors: Giovacchini Giampiero , Giovanella Luca , Haldemann Andreas , Staub Uwe , Füchsel Frank G. , Koch Peter
Published: March 2015

Extensive application of measurement of urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in several benign and malignant thyroid diseases could profit by the availability of rapid and inexpensive measuring techniques. Aim of this study was to apply a simple and inexpensive commercially available potentiometric method for the quantification of UIC based on iodine-specific ion-selective electrodes (ISE) in patients with thyroid diseases.

This retrospective study included patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (n=286) and patients with hyperthyroidism of different etiologies (n=203). Within the whole sample (n=489) 20 patients had previously (1 week–6 months) been exposed to iodine overload, either from contrast media (n=8) or amiodarone (n=12).

: In patients not exposed to iodine, the histogram showed that the distribution of UIC violated normality. The peak of the curve occurred between 5.0 μmol/L and 6.0 μmol/L. Variability was sizeable (percent coefficient of variation, %CV: 66%, 95% confidence interval: 1.48–18.72 μmol/L). The group of exposed patients could be easily distinguished from not exposed patients (median UIC: 47.5 μmol/L vs. 5.42 μmol/L). UIC was significantly correlated to urinary creatinine concentration, but normalization to urinary creatinine increased the inter-subject variability of UIC (%CV=96% vs. 66%). In test-retest studies (n=25) the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.73 for UIC, 0.82 for creatinine and 0.64 for the UIC: creatinine ratio.

Iodine-specific ISE-based potentiometric methods can be successfully applied as an alternative to existing methods in patients with thyroid diseases. The promising characteristics of the method need to be confirmed in future larger prospective studies.
Transversal Oxide-Metal Thermoelectric Device for Low-Power Energy Harvesting
Authors: Dreßler Christian , Bochmann Arne , Schulz Thomas , Reimann Timmy , Töpfer Jörg , Teichert Steffen
Published: March 2015

The concepts of dual leg, unileg and transversal oxide thermoelectric harvesting devices were compared with regard to the dimensionless figure of merit calculated from published data on common dual leg oxide thermoelectric generators. The analysis shows that the application of the transversal thermoelectric effect does not significantly reduce the expected electrical output power density of thermoelectric devices utilizing thermoelectric oxides. At the same time, the transversal device layout is simple in comparison to the common dual leg device. A transversal thermoelectric harvester consisting of a tilted multilayer stack La1.97Sr0.03CuO4/Ag was prepared and analyzed in detail. Simulations using the finite elements method were performed to verify the results. Based on this data, the electrical power density of the transversal oxide-metal device is estimated to be in the range of currently published data on oxide dual leg devices, thus allowing energy harvesting for low power applications.