bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and CFD Analysis of a 150kW 8-Stage ORC-ROT (Organic Rankine Cycle-Radial Outflow Turbine) and Performance Degradation due to Blade Tip Clearance of Labyrinth Seal
Authors: Doğu Yahya , Günaydın İbrahim , Kılıçaslan Zeynal , İleri Tacettin , Soğancı Sinan
Published: September 2018

In this study, blade tip leakages were calculated for a Radial Outflow Turbine (ROT) designed for an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) at a 150kW power output. Since the turbine blade sizes are relatively very small for low-capacity systems, the leakages through the blade tip clearances considerably affect the turbine isentropic efficiency. Therefore, labyrinth seals were applied at the blade tips and the ROT’s performance degradation due to blade tip leakages was investigated.

In order to determine the preliminary ROT sizes, an in-house developed 1-D code was utilized. The blade profiles were optimized with CFD analyses to reach high power output and isentropic efficiency. The designed ROT has 8 stages. Toluene is used as the cycle fluid at inlet conditions of 24bar of total pressure, 310°C and outlet conditions of 0.25bar of static pressure. These conditions are chosen for exhaust conditions of a common biogas engine. Thus, the ORC is supposed to operate at a heat source temperature of 460°C and a heat sink temperature of 35°C. The turbine speed of 14000 rpm is determined.

The CFD model for the entire 3-D turbine geometry is built in the FlowVision software. The real gas equation is employed for the compressible flow. The SST turbulent flow model is employed. The CFD model uses transient state and rotating frame approaches.

Four blade tip configurations were analyzed. The CFD results reveal the followings. The turbine isentropic efficiency is calculated to be 87.62% for the unshrouded geometry with no clearance, which is an ideal case. For a manufacturable and manageable blade tip clearance of 0.2 mm, the turbine isentropic efficiency is calculated to be 71.03% for the unshrouded geometry. The shrouded geometry with the same clearance increases the efficiency to 74.03%. When a labyrinth seal is applied to the shrouded geometry, the efficiency reaches to 77.03%. The best practice in terms of turbine power output and efficiency is the shrouded geometry with labyrinth seal applications.
A New Approach for Scaling Aspirating Face Seal Aerodynamics
Authors: Wilhelm Julius , Schwitzke Corina , Bauer Hans-Jörg , Nguyen Tue
Published: September 2018

In the present paper an approach for scaling the aerodynamics of advanced seals is presented. Modern advanced seals, such as a self-adaptive gas lubricated face seal comprise elements that are commonly used in turbomachinery sealing. These are labyrinth seals and mechanical face seals. Parameters influencing the aerodynamical and mechanical behavior of each seals type are known. However, a combined methodology to scale the aerodynamics of the self-adaptive seal which consists of more than one element has not yet been published. The proposed methodology is applied to a model self-adaptive seal and numerical simulations are performed to prove the validity of the approach. The new methodology ensures the transferability of experimental results at lab scale to engine conditions. Since the new approach allows scaling of self-adaptive seal tests, a new unique test rig will be designed accordingly.
An Analytical Pressure and Leakage Model for Leaf Seals
Authors: Nicht Gregor , Willinger Reinhard
Published: September 2018

Leafs seals are an advanced sealing technology to separate high and low pressure parts in turbomachinery. They consist of small metal sheet elements arranged in a housing around the shaft. During operation the seal should be non-contacting to minimize wear and friction. The static pressure on the surface of a single leaf appears to be the main parameter. The higher axial stiffness in comparison to brush seals allows greater differences in pressure and a hang-up effect can be averted. Assessing the discharge behaviour of the sealing is important, because leakage is resulting in less efficient turbomachinery.

In this paper a new approach for an analytical calculation of the pressure distribution inside the seal is presented. It is based on a leakage flow model inside the side plate gaps. Furthermore the flow is assumed to be laminar and incompressible using simple pipe flow correlations with specified hydraulic diameters. The complete seal geometry is parameterized. The results in pressure distribution, leakage flow and static pressure on a single leaf (lift-up, blow down) are compared with the data of Nakane et al. (2004). The choice for their design is based upon their publication of the complete geometric data of the seal. Also the works of Ortner (2009) and Bischelmaier (2011), who made further investigations of this seal design, are taken into account. A good qualitative match was found, so in a second step, variations of the seal design were calculated. The influence of upstream and downstream side plate gaps ratios, heights of rotor side plate gap, numbers of leaves for constant rotor diameter and interleaf gap-gradients are investigated. For validation of the model, the results are compared as far as possible to published data. Also calculations are made for patented designs using leaves with non-rectangular cross-section to estimate, if further and more detailed research is reasonable.

The leakage flow model provides a simple approach for the investigation of leaf seals regarding pressure distribution and seal-leakage with qualitative good results. Due to this, it is a good tool for fast and easy design variations compared to 2D or 3D CFD simulations.
Pre-Swirl System Design Including Inlet Duct Shape by Using CFD Analysis
Authors: Lee Hyungyu , Lee Jungsoo , Kim Sangwook , Cho Jinsoo , Kim Donghwa
Published: September 2018

Fluid characteristics of two different types of duct shapes were studied and the pre-swirl nozzle was designed for partial annulus duct shape by using computational fluid dynamics. The fully annulus inlet duct shape and partial annulus inlet duct shape which are installed in front of the pre-swirl nozzles were compared from aerodynamic perspective. The new pre-swirl nozzle was designed for partial annulus inlet duct shape to resolve aerodynamic disadvantage of partial annulus duct. Design process of new pre-swirl nozzles included the optimization process to maximize the discharge coefficient. Three different pre-swirl system were compared using the discharge coefficient, swirl ratio and temperature drop. The experiments of base pre-swirl system were conducted to validate the CFD methodology and to predict the real pre-swirl system. The scale of experimental rig was one half of real pre-swirl system. As a results, the partial annulus duct with previous pre-swirl nozzles showed 1.1% lower discharge coefficient compared with the fully annulus duct. The new designed pre-swirl nozzle with partial annulus duct increased the discharge coefficient about 1.43% than the case of partial annulus duct with previous pre-swirl nozzle, and showed 0.4% lower discharge coefficient compared with the fully annulus duct shape. The swirl ratio was same through the three pre-swirl models because the three models had the same throat area. The temperature drop was measured between the inlet duct and the exit of receiver holes. In the cases of partial annulus inlet duct, the temperature drop was lower than the fully annulus inlet duct case. The new pre-swirl nozzles could resolve the aerodynamic loss occurred in the case of partial annulus duct with previous nozzles.
Numerical Study of Off-Design Centrifugal Compressor Operation and Flow Phenomena Preceding Surge
Authors: Liśkiewicz Grzegorz , Sobczak Krzysztof , Stickland Matthew , Kryłłowicz Władysław
Published: September 2018

The paper outlines the results of a numerical analysis of a low-speed centrifugal compressor operating at design and off-design conditions. This included the analysis of surge predecessors. Surge is known to be a reason for the severe damage of compressing units and systems working with them. This phenomenon is also known to have a very quick and sudden onset. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature of flow structures that appear locally prior to the surge onset. It is generally believed that these could include: impeller rotating stall (abrupt or progressive), diffuser rotating stall, and inlet or outlet recirculation. This classification is, however, not sharp and observed flows could represent only selected features of the different phenomena. It is also not clear which structure is most likely to appear in a given system. The paper presents an exhaustive examination of flow structures observed in the case of a low-speed centrifugal compressor. Transient numerical simulations were conducted for both design and off-design conditions. The results were related to the experimental data presented in another paper. The numerical test domain consisted of blower, volute, inlet nozzle and elements of inlet and outlet channels assuring no influence of the boundary conditions on the local flow fluctuations. The analysis of the results included many factors such as: flow in the volute, flow in the impeller, flow in the diffuser and stagnation zones. The most significant flow structures appearing at pre-surge were identified as the inlet recirculation and the phenomenon representing some features of the rotating stall. The simulation, confirmed by experimental data, allowed for a better understanding of pre-surge flow structures in the case of a low-speed compressor, which is very important for the identification of early surge indicators.
Hot Gas Ingestion Model Employing Flow Network With Axisymmetric Solvers
Authors: Kim Yong W. , Okpara Michael N. , Hamm Hans , Roy Ramendra P. , Moon Hee-Koo
Published: September 2018

This paper discusses a method for predicting hot gas migration into turbine disk cavities using two incompressible orifices for ingress and egress flows at the main flow path-to-rim seal interface. The method employs a flow network system that involves axisymmetric disk cavity flow solver elements to model inflows and outflows that exist in a turbine disk cavity subject to a simulated main gas path pressure field. A modified lumped-parameter two-orifice model in which ingress/egress discharge coefficients and the corresponding orifice physical areas are explicitly defined is demonstrated for predicting sealing effectiveness as part of a flow network system. This model has been calibrated against CO2 concentration measurements results previously reported for a 1.5-stage disk cavity research rig at Arizona State University. The boundary pressures for the entire flow network system were defined to be the peak and trough pressures measured. Two fractional variables are introduced in defining the ingress orifice physical area and driving pressure difference between the main gas flow path and the rim cavity. An exponential curve-fit model for the ingress area fraction was developed to compute orifice egress discharge coefficients for a pre-determined ingress discharge coefficient. Excellent agreement with sealing effectiveness data was observed for a radial-gap rim seal geometry for the tested ranges of rotational Reynolds number and non-dimensional purge flow rate. Assumptions employed in developing the model were supported by a 90 degree sector RANS CFD result for the same disk cavity geometry and flow conditions.
A Modeling Framework Capable of Characterizing the Dynamics of POGO Oscillations in Space Rocket Turbopumps
Authors: Pasini A. , Amoroso M.
Published: September 2018

A modeling framework defined in the time-domain has been developed to characterize the steady state and dynamic behavior of each component of a typical feeding system for liquid rocket engine. A typical water loop for experimental characterization of liquid rocket turbopumps has been modeled according to the modeling framework in order to understand which is the best way to perform forced experiments for the characterization of the transfer matrix of cavitating turbopumps necessary for understanding the POGO instability phenomena that affect rocket launchers. The best results in terms of capability of generating mass flow rate and pressure oscillations at the inlet of the inducer have been obtained by means of a device that produces a volume oscillation located downstream of the pump.
The Development and Testing of a Dual-Entry Turbine Expander for ORC Applications
Authors: Noall Jeff , Ernst Timothy
Published: September 2018

Reducing the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of large commercial vehicles is a growing priority as governments around the globe introduce more stringent emissions regulations and as companies work to reduce their carbon footprint. Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) can be applied to these vehicles to recover power from engine waste heat, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing fuel burn. However, the available waste heat consists of both high and low temperature sources making an efficient and cost-effective utilization of these resources challenging. In order to utilize both waste heat streams effectively, a single rotor, dual-entry turbine expander capable of accepting process flow simultaneously from high and low pressure supplies was developed, manufactured and tested. Test results show that the turbine concept was able to meet performance targets while decreasing the size, cost and complexity of the dual pressure ORC.
Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation of a Full 3-Dimensional High-Pressure Turbine Stage: Part I — Flow Topology
Authors: Lin Dun , Bian Xiutao , Yuan Xin , Su Xinrong
Published: September 2018

In this work, the flow inside a high pressure turbine (HPT) stage is studied with the help of a high-fidelity delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) code. This work intends to study the flow topology in the HPT stage. There are two motivations for this work: On the one hand, high pressure turbines operates at both transonic Mach numbers and high Reynolds numbers, which imposes a challenge to modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD), especially for scale-resolved simulation methods. An accurate and efficient high-fidelity CFD solver is very important for a thorough understanding of the flow physics and the design of higher-efficient HPT. On the other hand, the wake vortex shedding and tip-leakage flow are important origins of turbine losses and unsteadiness. Built on our previous DDES simulations of HPT vane and stage, this work further investigates the flow in a full 3-dimension HPT stage. The flow topology in the HPT stage is delineated by Q-criterion iso-surfaces. The development of the horseshoe vortex and its interaction with induced vortex and wake vortex is discussed. The wake vortex transportation especially its interaction with the rotor horseshoe vortex is investigated. The flow structures in the tip clearance region are also revealed.
Professor Emeritus Gerald (Jerry) W. KrantzRecipient of the James Allen McMurtry Award recognising a living acarologist who has made outstanding contributions to acarine systematics or applied acarology or both
Authors: Walter David , Halliday Bruce
Published: September 2018

n/a
Genomic Analysis of Multiresistant Staphylococcus capitis Associated with Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Carter Glen P. , Ussher James E. , Da Silva Anders Gonçalves , Baines Sarah L. , Heffernan Helen , Riley Thomas V. , Broadbent Roland , van der Linden Antje , Lee Jean , Monk Ian R. , Stinear Timothy P. , Howden Benjamin P. , Williamson Deborah A.
Published: September 2018

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), such as
Staphylococcus capitis
, are major causes of bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Recently, a distinct clone of
S. capitis
(designated
S. capitis
NRCS-A) has emerged as an important pathogen in NICUs internationally.
Serological Diagnostics of Lyme Borreliosis: Comparison of Universal and Borrelia Species-Specific Tests Based on Whole-Cell and Recombinant Antigens
Authors: Kodym Petr , Kurzová Zuzana , Berenová Dagmar , Pícha Dušan , Smíšková Dita , Moravcová Lenka , Malý Marek
Published: September 2018

The study compares diagnostic parameters of different commercial serological kits based on three different antigen types and correlates test results with the status of the patient's
Borrelia
infection. In total, 8 IgM and 8 IgG kits were tested, as follows: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Euroimmun) based on whole-cell antigen, 3 species-specific enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) (TestLine), Liaison chemiluminescence (DiaSorin), ELISA-Viditest (Vidia), EIA, and Blot-Line (TestLine) using recombinant antigens.
How common is truly benign MS in a UK population?
Authors: Tallantyre Emma Clare , Major Paula C , Atherton Michael J , Davies W Adam , Joseph Fady , Tomassini Valentina , Pickersgill Trevor P , Harding Katharine Elizabeth , Willis Mark Douglas , Winter Mia , Robertson Neil P
Published: September 2018

Objectives

The prevalence and definition of benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) remain controversial. Most definitions are based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), not encompassing the wider impact of disease. The explanation for favourable outcomes remains unclear. We aim to provide a detailed characterisation of patients with low EDSS scores at long disease durations.

Methods

We screened a population-based registry containing 3062 people with MS to identify individuals with unlimited walking ability at disease durations >15 years. A representative cohort underwent detailed clinical assessment and classified as having BMS according to EDSS score <3, no significant fatigue, mood disturbance, cognitive impairment or disrupted employment, and had not received a disease-modifying therapy. We determined patient-reported perceptions of MS status and made comparisons with EDSS-based definitions.

Results

Of 1049 patients with disease duration of >15 years, 200 (19.1%) had most recent EDSS score <4.0. Detailed contemporary clinical assessment of a representative sample of 60 of these patients revealed 48 (80%) had an EDSS score of <4.0, 35 (58%) <3.0 and 16 (27%) <2.0. Only nine (15%) fulfilled our criteria for BMS; impaired cognition (57%) and effects on employment (52%) the most common causes for exclusion. Meanwhile, 33/60 (69%) patients considered their disease benign. Population frequency for BMS was estimated at 2.9% (95% CI 2.0 to 4.1).

Conclusions

Comprehensive assessment reveals a small minority of people with MS who appear genuinely benign after 15 years. Study of such individuals may uncover insights about disease pathogenesis. However, discrepancy between patient perception and clinician perception of BMS undermines use of the term ‘benign’ in clinical settings.
Vector periodic solitons for three-coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Wang Xiao-Min , Zhang Ling-Ling , Wang Xiao-Qiang
Published: September 2018

Under investigation in this paper are the three-coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations, which govern the dynamics of solitonic excitations along three-spine [Formula: see text]-helical protein with inhomogeneous effect. The vector periodic solitons (VPSs) of three-CNLS equations have been obtained by a transformation that transforms the corresponding equations to the integrable mixed three-CNLS equations. The VPSs getting from two-bright-one-dark solitons are different to the ones from two-dark-one-bright solitons. The latter propagates on periodic wave background and the interspine interaction coefficient adjusts the oscillation period. Moreover, the different-type VPSs are reported through manipulating external inhomogeneity potential. And it shows that VPSs can transform into bright–bright–bright solitons in the special conditions. Dynamic behaviors of those solitons are discussed through graphic simulation.
DRAWDOWN MEASURES AND RETURN MOMENTS
Authors: MÖLLER PHILIPP M.
Published: September 2018

This paper provides an investigation of the effects of an investment’s return moments on drawdown-based measures of risk, including Maximum Drawdown (MDD), Conditional Drawdown (CDD), and Conditional Expected Drawdown (CED). Additionally, a new end-of-period drawdown measure is introduced, which incorporates a psychological aspect of risk perception that previous drawdown measures had been unable to capture. While simulation results indicate many similarities in the first and second moments, skewness and kurtosis affect different drawdown measures in radically different ways. Thus, users should assess whether their choice of drawdown measure accurately reflects the kind of risk they want to measure.
Weighted minimal affine translation surfaces in Euclidean space with density
Authors: Yoon Dae Won , Yüzbaşı Zühal Küçükarslan
Published: September 2018

The aim of this work is to study affine translation surfaces in the Euclidean 3-space with density. We completely classify affine translation surfaces with zero weighted mean curvature.
The Evaluation of the Number and the Entropy of Spanning Trees on Generalized Small-World Networks
Authors: Mokhlissi Raihana , Lotfi Dounia , Debnath Joyati , El Marraki Mohamed , EL Khattabi Noussaima
Published: September 2018

Spanning trees have been widely investigated in many aspects of mathematics: theoretical computer science, combinatorics, so on. An important issue is to compute the number of these spanning trees. This number remains a challenge, particularly for large and complex networks. As a model of complex networks, we study two families of generalized small-world networks, namely, the Small-World Exponential and the Koch networks, by changing the size and the dimension of the cyclic subgraphs. We introduce their construction and their structural properties which are built in an iterative way. We propose a decomposition method for counting their number of spanning trees and we obtain the exact formulas, which are then verified by numerical simulations. From this number, we find their spanning tree entropy, which is lower than that of the other networks having the same average degree. This entropy allows quantifying the robustness of the networks and characterizing their structures.
Altered NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 Expression on Circulating NK Cells Is Associated with Tumor Progression in Human Gastric Cancer
Authors: Han Bin , Mao Fang-yuan , Zhao Yong-liang , Lv Yi-pin , Teng Yong-sheng , Duan Mubing , Chen Weisan , Cheng Ping , Wang Ting-ting , Liang Zhong-yuan , Zhang Jin-yu , Liu Yu-gang , Guo Gang , Zou Quan-ming , Zhuang Yuan , Peng Liu-sheng
Published: September 2018

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is influenced by a complex integration of signaling pathways activated downstream of both activating and inhibitory surface receptors. The tumor microenvironment can suppress NK cell activity, and there is a great clinical interest in understanding whether modulating tumor-mediated NK cell suppression and/or boosting preexisting NK cell numbers in cancer patients is therapeutically viable. To this light, we characterized the surface receptor phenotypes of peripheral blood NK cells and examined their clinical relevance to human gastric cancer (GC). We found that the proportion of peripheral blood NK cells which expressed the activating receptors NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 was significantly decreased in GC patients compared to healthy donors, and that this decrease was positively associated with tumor progression. At the same time, plasma TGF-β1 concentrations were significantly increased in GC patients and negatively correlated with the proportion of NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 expressing NK cells. Furthermore, TGF-β1 significantly downregulated the expression of NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 on NK cells in vitro, and the addition of galunisertib, an inhibitor of the TGF-β receptor subunit I, reversed this downregulation. Altogether, our data suggest that the decreased expression of activating receptors NKp30, NKp46, NKG2D, and DNAM-1 on peripheral blood NK cells is positively associated with GC progression, and that TGF-β1-mediated NK cell suppression may be a therapeutically targetable characteristic of GC.
The Proportion of Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Sheng-Xiao , Ma Xiao-Wen , Li Yu-Feng , Lai Na-Ling , Huang Ze-Hao , Fan Kai , Wang Cai-Hong , Li Xiao-Feng
Published: September 2018

Background. Accumulating evidence indicates that a deficiency in or dysfunction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As different markers have been used to identify Tregs, recent studies on the proportions of Tregs in SLE patients have generated controversial results. To clarify the status of Tregs in such patients, we determined the proportions of Tregs present during development of the disease, with special consideration of controversial cellular markers.Methods. We identified studies reporting the proportions of Tregs in SLE patients by searching relevant databases through March 2018. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we performed a random effects meta-analysis of the frequencies of Tregs defined in different ways. Inconsistency was evaluated using theI-squared index (I2), and publication bias was assessed by examining funnel plot asymmetry using the Begger and Egger tests.Results. Forty-four studies involving 2779 participants were included in the meta-analysis. No significant difference in the proportions of Tregs was evident between 1772 patients and 1007 controls [−0.191, (−0.552, 0.362),p=0.613,I2=95.7%]. We next conducted subanalyses based on individual definitions of Tregs. When the Treg definition included “FOXP3-positive” cells, the proportions did not differ between SLE patients and controls [−0.042, (−0.548, 0.632),p=0.889,I2=96.6%]; this was the case when Tregs were defined as either “CD25low/−FOXP3+” or “CD25high/+FOXP3+” cells. SLE patients had lower proportions of Tregs that were “single CD25-positive” [−1.428, (−1.982, −0.873),p<0.001,I2=93.4%] and “CD127-negative” [−1.093, (−2.002, −0.183),p=0.018,I2=92.6%] compared to controls. Tregs defined as “CD25bright,” “CD25bright/highCD127low/−,” and “CD25highCD127low/−FOXP3+” did not differ in proportion between SLE patients and controls.Conclusions. The Treg proportions varied by the cellular identification method used. The proportions of Tregs that were accurately identified and functionally validated fell among patients with SLE. Stricter definitions of Tregs are necessary when evaluating the status of such patients.
Decreased Systemic Levels of Endocan-1 and CXCL16 in Psoriasis Are Restored following Narrowband UVB Treatment
Authors: Sigurdardottir Gunnthorunn , Ekman Anna-Karin , Verma Deepti , Enerbäck Charlotta
Published: September 2018

Background: In psoriasis, a common immune-mediated disease affecting 2–3% of the population worldwide, there is an increased prevalence of extracutaneous diseases including obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. This is believed to be linked to systemic inflammation. In previous studies, we have explored various markers in plasma and serum to characterize the ongoing systemic inflammation in psoriasis patients compared to controls. We have identified several markers that were altered in psoriasis patients, but which all were unresponsive to narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) treatment. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of NB-UVB treatment on markers of cardiovascular risk and systemic inflammation in psoriasis. Methods: The levels of 17 potential biomarkers with an association with cardiovascular risk were quantitated in plasma from 37 age- and gender-matched psoriasis patients and controls at baseline and in 21 psoriasis patients after 12 weeks of NB-UVB treatment to identify a systemic treatment response. Results: We identified the mediators endocan-1, CXCL16, and sVEGFR1, which were systemically decreased in psoriasis at baseline, as well as FABP3, FABP4, and sIL-1R1, which showed normal baseline levels. After 10–12 weeks of NB-UVB treatment, endocan-1 and CXCL16 were restored to normal levels, while sVEGFR1, FABP3, FABP4, and sIL-1R1 showed a significant reduction. Conclusion: The current study expands the number of potential biomarkers in psoriasis by including a greater number and variety of mediators, approaching the systemic inflammation from additional vantage points, including soluble immune receptors and adipocyte contribution, to provide a more complete picture of the systemic inflammatory state in psoriasis.
CAP-Inhibition, Molecular Diagnostics, and Total IgE in the Evaluation of Polistes and Vespula Double Sensitization
Authors: Quercia Oliviero , Cova Vittoria , Martini Matteo , Cortellini Gabriele , Murzilli Francesco , Bignardi Donatella , Cilia Marcello , Scarpa Alessandro , Bilò Maria Beatrice
Published: September 2018

Cross-reactions between Polistes dominula and Vespula species are common in southern Europe. Currently, only CAP-inhibition demonstrates high accuracy in identifying genuine sensitizations, but this method is time-consuming and expensive, so a new approach is required. This study investigates skin tests, molecular diagnostics, total IgE (tIgE), and the Ves v 5/Pol d 5 (or vice versa) ratio. The ratio generated low-accuracy results and poor agreement with CAP-inhibition, and we did not find any agreement between CAP-inhibition test and double values of Ves v 5/Pol d 5. Nevertheless, a slight diagnostic improvement was obtained when Ves v 5/tIgE and Pol d 5/tIgE were measured.
Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Prevalence of Atopic Dermatitis among Adolescents in Kuwait
Authors: Abdualrasool Mosa , Al-Shanfari Saad , Booalayan Hussain , Boujarwa Abdulwahab , Al-Mukaimi Abdullah , Alkandery Omar , Akhtar Saeed
Published: September 2018

Background: This study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at homes, (ii) assess the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and (iii) evaluate the association between ETS exposure and atopic dermatitis status among adolescents. Methods: During October 2015, a cross-sectional study design was implemented using a self-administered, modified version of the ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire among students enrolled in nine high schools of one of the six governorates of Kuwait. Prevalence of ETS exposure at home (1 or more smokers at home vs. none) and atopic dermatitis were computed. A multivariable log-binomial regression model was used to evaluate the adjusted association between ETS exposure and atopic dermatitis. Results: Of 800 invited students, 746 (93.3%) participated, of whom 74.8% were Kuwaiti and 50.1% were female with a mean (SD) age of 16.8 (0.68) years. Prevalence of ETS exposure at home was 54%. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis was 14.9%. A final multivariable log-binomial regression model showed that compared with the adolescents free from atopic dermatitis, adolescents with atopic dermatitis were significantly more likely to have had ETS exposure at home (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.03–2.14; p = 0.034) or tended to be female (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.99–2.03; p = 0.054). Conclusions: A high prevalence of ETS exposure at home among adolescents was recorded. ETS exposure and female gender were significantly associated with atopic dermatitis status. Intervention fostering voluntary adoption of a smoke-free home rule may help protect the adolescents against ETS exposure and alleviate the menace of associated morbidity.
Phase II/III Clinical Trial of Sub-Tenon Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (WP-0508ST) for Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Ogura Yuichiro , Shimura Masahiko , Iida Tomohiro , Sakamoto Taiji , Yoshimura Nagahisa , Yamada Mie , Ishibashi Tatsuro
Published: September 2018

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (WP-0508ST) for the patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: This multicenter, randomized, double-masked, comparative, controlled study was performed in 95 patients with DME. The patients were randomly divided into 20 mg WP-0508ST, 40 mg WP-0508ST, and control groups. Results: A significant improvement in central macular thickness (CMT) was observed (p < 0.001) at 12 weeks after a single sub-Tenon injection of 20 mg WP-0508ST. The 40 mg group also demonstrated improvement in CMT, but the difference was not significant. In addition, the best-corrected visual acuity was improved in both the 20 mg and 40 mg groups at 12 weeks. The major side effects were increased intraocular pressure (9.4% in the 20 mg group and 13.3% in the 40 mg group) and lenticular opacity (6.3% in the 20 mg group and 10.0% in the 40 mg group). However, none of the patients with increased intraocular pressure required surgery. Conclusion: The efficacy and tolerability of WP-0508ST in the treatment of DME were confirmed, and 20 mg was determined to be the optimal dose.
Societal Issues Concerning the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Authors: Vellido Alfredo
Published: September 2018

Background: Medicine is becoming an increasingly data-centred discipline and, beyond classical statistical approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, machine learning (ML) are attracting much interest for the analysis of medical data. It has been argued that AI is experiencing a fast process of commodification. This characterization correctly reflects the current process of industrialization of AI and its reach into society. Therefore, societal issues related to the use of AI and ML should not be ignored any longer and certainly not in the medical domain. These societal issues may take many forms, but they all entail the design of models from a human-centred perspective, incorporating human-relevant requirements and constraints. In this brief paper, we discuss a number of specific issues affecting the use of AI and ML in medicine, such as fairness, privacy and anonymity, explainability and interpretability, but also some broader societal issues, such as ethics and legislation. We reckon that all of these are relevant aspects to consider in order to achieve the objective of fostering acceptance of AI- and ML-based technologies, as well as to comply with an evolving legislation concerning the impact of digital technologies on ethically and privacy sensitive matters. Our specific goal here is to reflect on how all these topics affect medical applications of AI and ML. This paper includes some of the contents of the “2nd Meeting of Science and Dialysis: Artificial Intelligence,” organized in the Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. Summary and Key Messages: AI and ML are attracting much interest from the medical community as key approaches to knowledge extraction from data. These approaches are increasingly colonizing ambits of social impact, such as medicine and healthcare. Issues of social relevance with an impact on medicine and healthcare include (although they are not limited to) fairness, explainability, privacy, ethics and legislation.
The Effects of Endurance Exercise and Diet on Atherosclerosis in Young and Aged ApoE–/– and Wild-Type Mice
Authors: Jakic Bojana , Carlsson Mattias , Buszko Maja , Cappellano Giuseppe , Ploner Christian , Onestingel Elisabeth , Foti Maria , Hackl Hubert , Demetz Egon , Dietrich Hermann , Wick Cecilia , Wick Georg
Published: September 2018

Background: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death worldwide. The disease development is by and large driven by old age and lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical activity, and smoking. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of exercise and diet on the development of atherosclerosis in young and aged mice. Objective: This study aimed at comparing multiple age-dependent factors that may influence atherosclerosis in a transgenic mouse model. Methods: Young (14 weeks) and aged (49–52 weeks) C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and atherosclerosis-prone ApoE–/– mice were subjected to physical endurance exercise on a treadmill, with or without a high-fat diet. Five weeks later, the frequencies of regulatory T cells (TREGs) in lymph nodes were assessed by flow cytometry, plasmatic cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1) levels were determined by Luminex assay. Lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and anti-heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) autoantibodies were measured by ELISA. Aortic lesion sizes were assessed by en face imaging. Microarray analysis and qPCR of skeletal muscle gene expression were also performed. Results: Exercise leads to a reduction of aortic lesions in young ApoE–/– and aged WT mice independent of diet. In most groups, this reduction was followed by an increased proportion of TREGs and TGF-β1 levels. Moreover, gene expression analysis showed that exercise seems to affect the AMPK signaling pathway. In particular, PGC-1α1 mRNA was induced in aged WT mice, whereas it was reduced in young ApoE–/– mice. In addition, GSEA analysis showed a marked reduction in the insulin signaling pathway in aged ApoE–/– mice. Conclusion: Practicing endurance exercise seems to be enough for reducing early aortic lesion formation, independent of diet. However, this was only true in mice with smaller aortic lesions, since mice with large, advanced, complicated atherosclerotic plaques did not show any reduction in lesion size with exercise training.
Estranho, familiar e pathos
Authors: Bossa Débora Ferreira , Neves Anamaria Silva
Published: September 2018

Apoiado na investigação psicanalítica, este estudo teve como objetivo compreender as movimentações psíquicas atuantes na escolha de uma mãe em adotar uma criança diagnosticada com paralisia cerebral. A interlocução entre os elementos estranho (unheimlich), familiar (heimlich) e paixão (pathos) foi realizada para a análise do caso. A análise indicou implicações no laço mãe-criança como condição de sobrevivência psíquica de ambos, a busca pela criança com deficiência como recurso materno para revisitar marcas de sua própria história e superinvestimento materno que restaurou a maternidade em integralidade.
O psicoterapeuta na clínica de bebês com transtornos de subjetivação
Authors: Martins Paula Gruman , Silva Milena Da Rosa
Published: September 2018

Neste trabalho, discute-se a clínica pais-bebês em casos de dificuldades na constituição psíquica, partindo do conceito de Transtornos de Subjetivação Arcaica, de Victor Guerra, para pensar as manifestações autísticas nos primeiros anos de vida. Neste artigo, a postura do clínico que trabalha com tais bebês é colocada em discussão. Sugere-se que, ao analista que se propõe a trabalhar na clínica precoce dos transtornos constitutivos graves, fazem-se necessárias certas qualidades subjetivas: uma disponibilidade especialmente alta ao encontro intersubjetivo e, principalmente, uma postura de esperança, nunca deixando de apostar no advir do sujeito.
O ato cardinal entre psicanálise e democracia
Authors: Dunker Christian Ingo
Published: September 2018

Gostaria de ler esta espécie de regressão da democracia que parece ter se abatido no Ocidente a partir de uma crítica psicanalítica da economia de gozo envolvida nessa espécie de hiato democrático e que deve entender três processos de modo concomitante. Primeiro: a tensão agressiva produzida pela assimilação de indivíduos ao processo democrático depende de antropologia não só como discurso sobre a diferença, mas também como presença encarnada e experiência real do estrangeiro. Segundo: o processo formal no qual democracia é sucedida por tirania, processo que remonta à filosofia da história em Platão. Terceiro: a operação de regressão da democracia em tirania no âmbito do neoliberalismo depende da redução de indivíduos a números ordinais, seguido de atos cardinais de adição de novos indivíduos e depois de atos segregativos, baseados na subtração, multiplicação e divisão de subjetividades excedentes e sexualidades abjetas. Se nos dois primeiros casos está em jogo a constituição dos sujeitos da democracia e sua regra de repetição e transformação ao longo do tempo, no terceiro caso trata-se de avaliar sua potência de universalização no quadro do que Lacan chamou de lógica do não-todo.
Reflexões sobre as práticas psicanalíticas com crianças autistas no Brasil
Authors: Marfinati Anahi Canguçu , Abrão Jorge Luís Ferreira
Published: September 2018

Este trabalho é fruto de uma pesquisa, que buscou compreender o surgimento e desenvolvimento das práticas psicanalíticas ligadas ao atendimento de crianças autistas brasileiras, no período de 1990 a 2010. Com o intuito de alcançarmos os objetivos propostos, fizemos uso de duas fontes históricas: documentais e orais. A primeira foi empregada para que pudéssemos identificar as práticas psicanalíticas e verificar quais os profissionais que mais publicaram na área, os quais foram entrevistados. Por meio da análise das entrevistas, discorremos acerca de questões importantes para compreensão das práticas psicanalíticas desenvolvidas em território nacional, apresentadas ao longo desse artigo.
On Populism and Democracy
Authors: Finchelstein Federico , Urbinati Nadia
Published: September 2018

Populism became the name of a form of government after the demise of Fascism. As a political form located between constitutional government and dictatorship, it displays family resemblances with opposite political systems, like liberal democracy and fascism. Today, populism grows within both democratizing and fully democratic societies although it takes its most mature riling profile in representative democracies, which are its real target. Historically, it used representation to construct a holistic image of the people that a leader promised to bring into power at the cost of downplaying pluralism and humiliating political and cultural minorities, thus twisting democratic procedures and institutions in ways that stretched it to democracy’s extreme borders. One of the core arguments of this article is that populism is a transfiguration of representative democracy that attempts once in government to reshape the democratic fundamentals, from the people and the majority principles to elections.
The subgenus Ortmannicus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Texas, with descriptions of new species
Authors: JOHNSON DANIEL P.
Published: September 2018

Three crayfishes of the genus Procambarus, subgenus Ortmannicus, are described from Texas, including (1) Procambarus (Ortmannicus) parvus n. sp. from the Victoria-El Campo region of the Coastal Plain; (2) P. (O.) albaughi n. sp. from the Coastal Plain in the vicinity of Houston; and (3) P. (O.) fayettei n. sp. from the eastern versant of the Colorado River drainage south of Giddings. The three new species, P. (O.) acutus, P. (O.) texanus, and P. (O.) zonangulus form a closely allied group. They are distinguished from each other primarily by characters of the first pleopod. The subspecies P. (O.) acutus acutus and P. (O.) a. cuevachicae are elevated to full species. Species accounts are provided for all Texas subgenus members and may include diagnoses, color notes, size data, locality data, life history notes, listings of associates, and information on variation and relationships. A key to the species of Ortmannicus in Texas is also presented.
Exploring Links Between Innovation and Profitability in Georgia Manufacturers
Authors: Youtie Jan , Shapira Philip , Roper Stephen
Published: September 2018

Encouraging innovation in manufacturing is of much interest in business and policy circles. One aspect of this emphasis on innovation is the assumption that innovation leads to tangible business outcomes that can sustain the competitiveness of industries and create jobs. This study examines the relationship between product and process innovation and profitability and employment growth using a unique set of cross-sectional data from the Georgia Manufacturing Survey over three time periods of 2005, 2010, and 2016. The results failed to show a connection between innovation and firm performance in the 2010 and 2016 periods. One implication from the 2010 and 2016 results is that standard product and process improvements may not be enough to achieve benefits in 2010 and 2016, because manufacturers may be having difficulty appropriating profits from these innovation practices in today’s globally competitive climate. The results suggest a need for more nuanced measurement of innovation in associating it with business outcomes.
Thinking about critical thinking: An industry perspective
Authors: Pearl Alastair Owen , Rayner Gerry M. , Larson Ian , Orlando Laurence
Published: September 2018

There has been a drive towards enhancing the critical thinking (CT) skills development of students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, both in Australia and internationally. One debate among CT theorists centres on whether CT comprises a set of generalizable skills or is content- and context-dependent. While previous studies have considered CT skills development and its assessment in pharmacy courses, there appears to have been limited scholarly research within the pharmaceutical sciences discipline. In seeking to address this, it is vital to understand how companies conceptualize CT and its use by Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates. This research identifies five major categories used to conceptualize CT in the companies interviewed: being systematic, having strong business sense, considering multiple solutions, considering implications and identifying problems and potential solutions. The study finds that, while these skills are dependent on the business context, they may be generalizable across a range of industries.
Analysis of grip and pinch strength using inverse dynamics simulation technique
Authors: Sankar Krishnakumar , Patil Shantanu , Krishnamurthy Sridhar
Published: September 2018

Grip strength is the function of musculotendinous action across the finger joints and varies while dealing objects of varying size and shape. Increasing object size requires greater effort by the fingers to grip. The main objective of this study is to analyse the variation in grip and pinch strength exerted on objects of various sizes and shapes in a short span of time. OpenSim 3.3 is open-source musculoskeletal modelling software used for performing simulations in a dynamic environment. The generic wrist model in OpenSim has movements on index finger and thumb only, for study purpose. Objects of various sizes were designed and imported in OpenSim. This study determines the joint moments exerted by the fingers during grip activities. Original model was modified and custom joints were placed in the proximal and distal phalanx joints of the fingers. This allowed the finger segments to undergo translational and rotational movements. Coordinates of the custom joints were adjusted to provide constraints in the joint movement to hold the objects in position. For grip strength, objects of various sizes and shapes were imported to OpenSim. Simulation was carried out for gripping the objects for a specified time period. The force generated by the synergistic movements of finger segments was compared among grip and pinch of different objects. This method is used to determine the grip and pinch strength by handling objects of different shapes and sizes under the influence of time.