bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cliff characteristics, neighbour requirements and breeding success of the colonial Cape VultureGyps coprotheres
Authors: Pfeiffer Morgan B. , Venter Jan A. , Downs Colleen T.
Published: October 2016

The breeding success of endangered colonial nesting species is important for their conservation. Many species ofGypsvultures form large breeding colonies that are the foci of conservation efforts. The Cape Vulture is a globally threatened species that is endemic to southern Africa and has seen a major reduction in its population size (≥ 50% over 48 years). There is evidence that breeding colonies are prone to desertion as a result of human disturbance. Factors that influence the occupancy and breeding success of individual nest‐sites is not fully understood for any African vulture species. We investigated cliff characteristics and neighbour requirements of the Msikaba Cape Vulture colony, a major breeding colony in the southern node of the population in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, together with their nest‐site occupation and breeding success over 13 years. In total, 1767 breeding attempts were recorded. Nest‐sites that had a higher elevation, smaller ledge depth, greater total productivity and were surrounded by conspecifics were more likely to be occupied, although the amount of overhang above the nest was not an important predictor of occupancy. In accordance with occupation, nest‐sites with a smaller ledge depth had higher breeding success; however, nests with a greater overhang were also more successful and height of the nest‐site was not an important predictor of breeding success. The breeding success of a nest‐site in a given year was positively influenced by the number of direct nest neighbours, and nests in the middle of high‐density areas had greater breeding success. This suggests that maintaining a high nest density may be an important consideration if declines of reproducing adults continue. Breeding success declined over the study period, highlighting the effects of a temporal variation or observer bias. Our results identified optimal nest‐site locations (ledge depths of 1 m, at a height of 180 m) and their effects on breeding success. This information can be used for planning reintroduction efforts of the endangered Cape Vulture and for their ongoing conservation.
Exogenous enzymes in dairy technology: acidic proteases from processing discards of shrimp Pleoticus muelleri and their use as milk‐clotting enzymes for cheese manufacture
Authors: Pereira Nair de los Angeles , Fernández‐Gimenez Analia Verónica
Published: October 2016

Argentina is the seventh largest world producer of cheese. Owing to the profitability of this industry, more than a thousand of dairy companies and farms exclusively produce cheeses, and, thus, this activity utilises 42% of total raw milk production of the country. Due to the increase in cheese demand, and because calf rennet is relatively expensive, this has motivated the study of new sources of proteases due to the potential use in biotechnological processes. Previously, crustacean proteases have been considered as good rennet substitutes for milk coagulation during the cheese making process. The aim of this study was to evaluate and characterise acidic proteases obtained from Pleoticus muelleri discards and their proteolytic capability as well as their potential use as a milk‐clotting agent. The activity of aspartic proteases and the satisfactory acceptation by the taste panel for cheese made with shrimp's enzymes suggest that P. muelleri proteins offer a high potential for use in dairy biotechnological processes with potential use as milk‐clotting agents for cheese making.
Association of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha G/A ‐238 and G/A ‐308 single nucleotide polymorphisms with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Maddah M. , Harsini S. , Ziaee V. , Moradinejad M. H. , Rezaei A. , Zoghi S. , Sadr M. , Aghighi Y. , Rezaei N.
Published: October 2016

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disorder of unknown origin. As proinflammatory cytokines are known to contribute towards the pathogenesis of JIA, this case–control study was performed to examine the associations of certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) gene. Fifty‐three patients with JIA participated in this study as patients group and compared with 137 healthy unrelated controls. Genotyping was performed for TNF‐α gene at positions ‐308 and ‐238, using polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers method. Results of the analysed data revealed a significant positive association for TNF‐α gene at positions ‐308 and ‐238 for A allele in patients group compared with controls (P < 0.01). At the genotypic level, the frequency of TNF‐α gene at positions ‐308 and ‐238 for GG genotype was discovered to be higher in the patients with JIA compared to the healthy controls (P < 0.01), while GA genotype at the same positions was observed to be less frequent in the case group than the controls (P < 0.01). At the haplotypic level, a significant positive association for TNF‐α GG haplotype (positions ‐308, ‐238) together with a notable negative association for TNF‐α AG and GA haplotypes at the same positions were detected in the patients group in comparison with the healthy individuals (P < 0.01). Cytokine gene polymorphisms might affect the development of JIA. Particular TNF‐α gene variants could render individuals more susceptible to JIA..
Decline of miR‐124 in myeloid cells promotes regulatory T‐cell development in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Ren Jun P. , Wang Lin , Zhao Juan , Wang Ling , Ning Shun B. , El Gazzar Mohamed , Moorman Jonathan P. , Yao Zhi Q.
Published: October 2016

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to attenuating immune responses during chronic viral infection; however, the precise mechanisms underlying their suppressive activities remain incompletely understood. We have recently shown marked expansion of MDSCs that promote regulatory T (Treg) cell development in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Here we further investigated whether the HCV‐induced expansion of MDSCs and Treg cells is regulated by an miRNA‐mediated mechanism. The RNA array analysis revealed that six miRNAs were up‐regulated and six miRNAs were down‐regulated significantly in myeloid cells during HCV infection. Real‐time RT‐PCR confirmed the down‐regulation of miR‐124 in MDSCs from HCV patients. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that miR‐124 may be involved in the regulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT‐3), which was overexpressed in MDSCs from HCV patients. Notably, silencing of STAT‐3 significantly increased the miR‐124 expression, whereas reconstituting miR‐124 decreased the levels of STAT‐3, as well as interleukin‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β, which were overexpressed in MDCSs, and reduced the frequencies of Foxp3+ Treg cells that were developed during chronic HCV infection. These results suggest that reciprocal regulation of miR‐124 and STAT‐3 in MDSCs promotes Treg cell development, thus uncovering a novel mechanism for the expansion of MDSC and Treg cells during HCV infection.
Estimation of influenza‐attributable medically attended acute respiratory illness by influenza type/subtype and age, Germany, 2001/02–2014/15
Authors: an der Heiden Matthias , Buchholz Udo
Published: October 2016

Background

The total burden of influenza in primary care is difficult to assess. The case definition of medically attended “acute respiratory infection” (MAARI) in the German physician sentinel is sensitive; however, it requires modelling techniques to derive estimates of disease attributable to influenza. We aimed to examine the impact of type/subtype and age.

Methods

Data on MAARI and virological results of respiratory samples (virological sentinel) were available from 2001/02 until 2014/15. We constructed a generalized additive regression model for the periodic baseline and the secular trend. The weekly number of influenza‐positive samples represented influenza activity. In a second step, we distributed the estimated influenza‐attributable MAARI (iMAARI) according to the distribution of types/subtypes in the virological sentinel.

Results

Season‐specific iMAARI ranged from 0.7% to 8.9% of the population. Seasons with the strongest impact were dominated by A(H3), and iMAARI attack rate of the pandemic 2009 (A(H1)pdm09) was 4.9%. Regularly the two child age groups (0‐4 and 5‐14 years old) had the highest iMAARI attack rates reaching frequently levels up to 15%‐20%. Influenza B affected the age group of 5‐ to 14‐year‐old children substantially more than any other age group. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated both comparability and stability of the model.

Conclusion

We constructed a model that is well suited to estimate the substantial impact of influenza on the primary care sector. A(H3) causes overall the greatest number of iMAARI, and influenza B has the greatest impact on school‐age children. The model may incorporate time series of other pathogens as they become available.
A realist review: what do nurse‐led self‐management interventions achieve for outpatients with a chronic condition?
Authors: van Hooft Susanne M. , Been‐Dahmen Janet M.J. , Ista Erwin , van Staa AnneLoes , Boeije Hennie R.
Published: October 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine how nurse‐led interventions that support self‐management of outpatients with chronic conditions work and in what contexts they work successfully.

Background

Self‐management could be directed at goals such as quality of life, adherence or patients’ empowerment. Self‐management support is an increasingly important task of nurses. Many nurse‐led interventions have been developed but it is not clear how these actually help improve patients’ self‐management capabilities.

Design

Realist review.

Data sources

Primary research studies on self‐management support interventions conducted by nurses from January 2000 until March 2015 were retrieved from all relevant databases. The studies had a before–after design and used qualitative and quantitative methods.

Review methods

For each study, we described how the intervention was supposed to improve self‐management and compared this with the empirical evidence. Next, we described the context–mechanism–outcome strings for each separate study, explored patterns and integrated the findings.

Results

Thirty‐eight papers were included, evaluating 35 interventions concerning a diversity of conditions. Seven different context–mechanism–outcome strings were identified. Interventions focusing on patients’ intrinsic processes were most successful. Least successful were interventions only providing education aimed at patient behaviour change. Various contexts can influence the success of the interventions: involvement of relatives, target group (i.e. chronic condition, motivation, being recently diagnosed or not), involvement of fellow patients and intervention group homogeneity or heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Successful interventions focus on patients’ intrinsic processes (i.e. motivation or self‐efficacy). This would guide nurses to decide what self‐management support intervention they can best use in their specific setting and patient group.
Does the house sparrow Passer domesticus represent a global model species for egg rejection behavior?
Authors: Manna Thomas , Cooper Caren , Baylis Shane , Shawkey Matthew D. , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Grim Tomas , Hauber Mark E.
Published: October 2016

Conspecific brood parasitism (CP) is a facultative breeding tactic whereby females lay their eggs in the nests of conspecifics. In some species, potential hosts have evolved the ability to identify and reject foreign eggs from their nest. Previous studies suggest that the ubiquitous house sparrow Passer domesticus in Spain and South Africa employs both CP and egg rejection, while a population in China does not. Given the species’ invasive range expansions, the house sparrow represents a potentially excellent global model system for parasitic egg rejection across variable ecological conditions. We examined the responses of house sparrows to experimental parasitism at three geographically distinct locations (in Israel, North America, and New Zealand) to provide a robust test of how general the findings of the previous studies are. In all three geographic regions egg rejection rates were negligible and not statistically different from background rates of disappearance of control eggs, suggesting that the house sparrow is not a suitable model species for egg rejection experiments on a global scale.
Wing size but not wing shape is related to migratory behavior in a soaring bird
Authors: Grilli Maricel Graña , Lambertucci Sergio A. , Therrien Jean‐François , Bildstein Keith L.
Published: October 2016

Both wing size and wing shape affect the flight abilities of birds. Intra and inter‐specific studies have revealed a pattern where high aspect ratio and low wing loading favour migratory behaviour. This, however, have not been studied in soaring migrants. We assessed the relationship between the wing size and shape and the characteristics of the migratory habits of the turkey vulture Cathartes aura, an obligate soaring migrant. We compared wing size and shape with migration strategy among three fully migratory, one partially migratory and one non‐migratory (resident) population distributed across the American continent. We calculated the aspect ratio and wing loading using wing tracings to characterize the wing morphology. We used satellite‐tracking data from the migratory populations to calculate distance, duration, speed and altitude during migration. Wing loading, but not aspect ratio, differed among the populations, segregating the resident population from the completely migratory ones. Unlike what has been reported in species using flapping flight during migration, the migratory flight parameters of turkey vultures were not related to the aspect ratio. By contrast, wing loading was related to most flight parameters. Birds with lower wing loading flew farther, faster, and higher during their longer journeys. Our results suggest that wing morphology in this soaring species enables lower‐cost flight, through low wing‐loading, and that differences in the relative sizes of wings may increase extra savings during migration. The possibility that wing shape is influenced by foraging as well as migratory flight is discussed. We conclude that flight efficiency may be improved through different morphological adaptations in birds with different flight mechanisms.
Korean infection control nurses’ knowledge and awareness of infection control against Ebola virus disease
Authors: Kim Kyung M. , Choi Jeong S.
Published: October 2016

Aim

To assess the level of knowledge and awareness of Ebola virus disease infection control among infection control nurses and to identify a correlation between these factors.

Methods

The data were collected from 125 infection control nurses by using a self‐report questionnaire. The data were collected on sociodemographic and hospital characteristics, as well as the level of knowledge and awareness of Ebola virus disease infection control.

Results

The respondents’ mean level of knowledge (correct‐answer rate) was 87.7% and their mean level of awareness was 3.86 (1 = “not important at all” to 4 = “very important”). Knowledge of Ebola virus disease infection control was significantly higher among those nurses who had received some Ebola virus disease education. There was a significant positive correlation between the level of knowledge and the level of awareness.

Conclusion

The development of effective education and training systems is necessary to improve infection control nurses’ knowledge and awareness of Ebola virus disease infection control. Moreover, each hospital should build effective and systematic Ebola virus disease infection control strategies.
Converging evidence for regulation of dopamine neurotransmission by lithium
Authors: Beaulieu Jean‐Martin
Published: October 2016

Read the highlighted article ‘Chronic lithium treatment rectifies maladaptive dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens’ on page 576.

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Exploring patients’ attitudes to different intervention approaches for supporting psychosocial needs
Authors: Taylor Francesca , Hare Jennifer , Combes Gill
Published: October 2016

Background

Many patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) have significant psychosocial needs as a consequence of their illness and treatment. Unmet needs can impact negatively on their health and well‐being. Patients want improved psychosocial support particularly in relation to coping and adjustment. Little is known about the relevance and applicability to patients of intervention approaches to support their psychosocial needs.

Objectives

To explore patients’ attitudes to different intervention approaches that could be developed to help them cope with the psychosocial stressors of ESKD, and to assess the potential acceptability of these approaches.

Methods and Materials

Qualitative interviews and mini‐focus groups were undertaken with 15 patients who have ESKD. Different intervention approaches were shown to participants through use of audio‐visual films. Constant comparative data analysis was employed to derive a framework of categories and themes, guided by stress and coping theory.

Results

Psychosocial support was viewed by patients as an essential constituent of quality care. While some intervention approaches were more or less popular than others, responses were overall variable and individualistic, seemingly influenced by participants’ personal coping strategies. Any perceived connection with depression could make an intervention approach less attractive; physical exercise was particularly acceptable because there was no explicit association with someone not coping.

Conclusions

There is value in clinicians making available a choice of appropriately timed and tailored interventions to meet patients’ different psychosocial support needs at key points of distress across the ESKD pathway. Congruence between intervention features and patient coping style could stimulate interest and take‐up.
Grape pomace improves antioxidant capacity and faecal microflora of lambs
Authors: Kafantaris I. , Kotsampasi B. , Christodoulou V. , Kokka E. , Kouka P. , Terzopoulou Z. , Gerasopoulos K. , Stagos D. , Mitsagga C. , Giavasis I. , Makri S. , Petrotos K. , Kouretas D.
Published: October 2016

Grape pomace is a by‐product of winemaking process and rich in bioactive compounds such as plant polyphenols having antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. As known, oxidative stress may cause a number of pathological conditions in farm animals and thus affecting animal welfare and production. Moreover, pathogenic bacteria affect animals’ health status. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether lambs’ feed supplemented with grape pomace enhances the antioxidant mechanisms and reduces the growth of pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, redox status was assessed in blood and tissues using oxidative stress markers in lambs fed with diet supplemented with grape pomace. Moreover, the effect on bacterial growth was assessed by examining microbial populations in lambs’ faecal microflora. The following oxidative stress markers were assessed: reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase activity (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (CARB). Twenty‐four lambs were assigned to two experimental groups receiving standard or experimental diet for 55 days. Blood and tissues (liver, quadriceps muscle, spleen, heart and brain) were collected at two different time‐points, 42 and 70 days post‐birth, after ration administration. The results showed that lambs fed with experimental diet had significantly increased antioxidants mechanisms in blood and tissues as shown by increases in CAT and GSH compared to control. Moreover, lambs fed with the experimental diet exhibited decreased oxidative stress‐induced damage to lipids and proteins as shown by decreases in TBARS and CARB respectively. In addition, the experimental diet enhanced the growth of facultative probiotic bacteria and inhibited the growth of pathogen populations such as Enterobacteriacae and E. coli. This is the first study investigating the effect of diet supplemented with grape pomace on the redox status and microbiota of lambs.
Equal Rights vs. Special Rights: Rights Discourses, Framing, and Lesbian and Gay Antidiscrimination Policy in Washington State
Authors: Adam Erin M. , Cooper Betsy L.
Published: October 2016

This study argues that rights discourse influences heterosexual public opinion in Washington State. We tested this through a survey experiment conducted in the 2011 Washington Poll. We broke interviewees into three groups, with each group exposed to a different frame: a pro–lesbian and gay equal rights frame, an anti–lesbian and gay special rights frame, and a control or no frame. Immediately following the treatment, we asked interviewees if they agreed with a pro–lesbian and gay policy: changing state antidiscrimination law to encompass those who identify as lesbian and gay. Overall, this study concludes that a special rights frame dampens support among some while an equal rights frame has no effect. Respondents who indicated that they were against same-sex marriage even more strongly opposed altering antidiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation when confronted with an equal rights frame than when confronted with the special rights frame or no frame at all.
The nationalisation of the domestic sphere
Authors: Storm Eric
Published: October 2016

Banal forms of nationalism permeate our everyday life. However, it is not very clear when all kinds of banal objects and practices became nationalised. In this article, I focus on the domestic sphere by analysing how around 1900 a small group of activists began to propagate the nationalisation of domestic architecture, decorative arts and even gardening. Domestic practices such as cooking, cleaning and consuming were nationalised at about the same time, at least in Western Europe. Although in the beginning the nationalisation of the domestic sphere was perceived as something new, within a few decades the existence of national cuisines and architectural styles was taken for granted. As a consequence, it becomes clear that the nationalisation of the domestic sphere constituted a new and very successful phase in the nation‐building process, which now also began to affect quotidian practices and objects in the private realm.
National Drug Stockout Risks and the Global Fund Disbursement Process for Procurement
Authors: Gallien Jérémie , Rashkova Iva , Atun Rifat , Yadav Prashant
Published: October 2016

Despite substantial financial aid from international donors for procurement of health products, stockouts of life‐saving drugs related to prevalent infectious diseases are still widespread in Africa. Rigorous research to understand the underlying causes of these stockouts is lacking. To this end, we study the relationship between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and its grant recipients. Specifically, we leverage historical fund disbursement and drug procurement data from 2002 to 2013 to build a discrete‐event simulation model predicting the joint impact of procurement and grant disbursement processes on national drug availability for the Global Fund's recipient countries in Africa. This model is validated against cumulative stockout levels inferred from historical grant implementation lengths, and used to evaluate potential high‐level modifications in the disbursement or procurement process. Results show the existence of significant intrinsic stockout risks in most African countries, with particularly high levels in East Africa, due to the unpredictability of fund disbursements and the frequency of grant performance monitoring performed by the Global Fund. Interventions shifting some fund disbursements upfront to protect against disbursement timing uncertainty are predicted to be more effective than others that include regional buffer stocks and bridge financing.
Physiological adaptation to recurrent social stress of extraversion
Authors: Lu Wei , Wang Zhenhong
Published: October 2016

The present studies examined the influence of extraversion on physiological reactivity, recovery, and physiological habituation‐sensitization to repeated social stressors. In Study 1, subjective and physiological data were collected from 97 college students who were categorized as high (n = 51) and low (n = 46) on extraversion (NEO‐FFI) across five laboratory stages: baseline, stress 1, poststress 1, stress 2, and poststress 2. Results indicated high extraversion (HE) participants exhibited relative lesser heart rate (HR) reactivity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) withdrawals to, and more complete HR and RSA recovery after the first social stress, and also exhibited relative lesser HR reactivity to the second social stress. When repeatedly exposed to a social stressor, HE participants showed pronounced systolic blood pressure (SBP) adaptation, low extraversion (LE) participants displayed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) sensitization. In Study 2, data were collected from another 78 participants (HE: n = 40, LE: n = 38) across the same laboratory stages with speech performance videotaped. After controlling for the speech styles, Study 2 found the same HR response and SBP/DBP adaptation pattern across extraversion groups to social stress as Study 1 but not RSA reactivity. These findings suggest extraverts exhibit more adaptive physiological reactivity to recurrent social stressors, which thus might benefit their health.
Diversity is strategy: the effect of R&D team diversity on innovative performance
Authors: Garcia Martinez Marian , Zouaghi Ferdaous , Garcia Marco Teresa
Published: October 2016

Diversity in the workplace has attracted significant interest in organisations that want to attract and retain talented employees. Breakthrough innovation requires a wider knowledge base, and organisations increasingly rely on multidisciplinary R&D teams to identify scientific developments that bridge gaps and reduce time to market. However, research on the performance implications of R&D team diversity remains limited and the empirical evidence inconsistent. This paper investigates the impact of surface and deep‐level diversity on R&D teams’ innovative performance and how diversity dimensions interact to drive innovation. We find supportive evidence that R&D team characteristics influence innovation outcomes, confirming our hypothesising that diversity is a valuable strategy for an organisation to pursue as it provides greater cognitive ability. Each diversity facet however has its own distinct effects depending on the novelty of innovation and industry. Yet, diversity is not solely positive and excessive heterogeneity could be detrimental to R&D team performance. Our findings suggest that high diversity in gender or skills in cognitively diverse teams might be negative attributes to take into consideration. Senior managers and organisations should therefore consider the appropriate mix of capabilities to benefit from creativity in diverse R&D teams and avoid possible conflict and distrust associated with diversity.
HLA class II alleles influence rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility and autoantibody status in South Indian Tamil population
Authors: Mariaselvam C. M. , Fortier C. , Charron D. , Krishnamoorthy R. , Tamouza R. , Negi V. S.
Published: October 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex multifactorial autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory arthritis. The precise etiology and pathogenesis of RA remains elusive but evidence points towards stochastic interactions between genetic and environmental factors. This study investigated the distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1/DQB1 alleles in South Indian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their influence on RA susceptibility and clinical phenotype. Low resolution HLA‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 typing was performed in 271 RA patients and 233 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using sequence‐specific primers (SSP). HLA‐DRB1*10 was found to be more frequent in patients (Pc = 0.004, OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.5–3.34) than controls. This difference persisted in RF positive (Pc = 9 × 10−6, OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.62–3.74), ACPA positive (Pc = 0.007, OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.35–3.29), ACPA negative (Pc = 0.001, OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.50–3.97) and both RF and ACPA positive subgroup of patients (Pc = 0.003, OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.41–3.51). On the contrary, the HLA‐DRB1*13 (Pc = 0.01, OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.25–0.73) and HLA‐DRB1*14 (Pc = 0.003, OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.26–0.69) alleles were over‐represented in controls than patients. Further, distribution of the prominent Caucasian RA risk allele DRB1*04 did not differ between patients and controls in our study population. We did not find any association between DQB1 alleles and RA susceptibility or autoantibody status. The haplotypes DQB1*05‐DRB1*10 (P = 6.8 × 10−6, OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.63–3.79) and DQB1*06‐DRB1*15 (P = 0.03, OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.02–1.96) were more frequent in patients while DQB1*05‐DRB1*14 (P = 8.4 × 10−4, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.26–0.74) and DQB1*06‐DRB1*13 (P = 9.5 × 10−4, OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.21–0.72) were higher in controls. To conclude, HLA‐DRB1*10 is associated with RA while HLA‐DRB1*13 and HLA‐DRB1*14 alleles confer protection in south Indian Tamils.
Explicit and Emergent Mechanisms of Information Status
Authors: Arnold Jennifer E.
Published: October 2016

It is well established that language production and comprehension are influenced by information status, for example, whether information is given, new, topical, or predictable, and many scholars suggest that an important component of information status is keeping track of what information is in common ground (i.e., what is shared), and what is not. Information status affects both speakers' choices (e.g., word order, pronoun use, prosodic prominence) and how listeners interpret the speaker's meaning (e.g., Chafe, 1994; Prince, 1981). Although there is a wealth of scholarly work on information status (for a review, see Arnold, Kaiser, Kahn, & Kim, 2013), there is no consensus on the mechanisms by which it is used, and in fact relatively little discussion of the underlying representations and psycholinguistic mechanisms. Moreover, a major challenge to understanding information status is that its effects are notoriously variable. This study considers existing proposals about information status, focusing on two questions: (a) how is it represented; and (b) by what mechanisms is it used? I propose that it is important to consider whether representations and mechanisms can be classified as either explicit or emergent. Based on a review of existing evidence, I argue that information status representations are most likely emergent, but the mechanisms by which they are used are both explicit and emergent. This review provides one of the first considerations of information status processing across multiple domains.
Marked subcutaneous mast cell and eosinophilic infiltration associated with the presence of multiple Dirofilaria repens microfilariae in 4 dogs
Authors: Mazaki‐Tovi Michal , Reich Michal , Karnieli Adva , Kuzi Sharon , Aroch Itamar
Published: October 2016

Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic nematode in the subcutaneous tissue of carnivores, including dogs and cats, transmitted by mosquitoes. Human beings may be accidental hosts. Infection of a dog with D repens was first reported in Palestine in 1934, and 2 additional cases were reported in dogs in Israel to date. This report describes D repens infection in 4 dogs in Israel that presented with subcutaneous masses, which were cytologically characterized by marked mast cell and eosinophil infiltration. In 3 cases, multiple microfilariae were present in the lesions; rare microfilariae were present in the 4th case. In all 4 dogs, PCR of fine‐needle aspirates from the lesions were positive for D repens. The mast cells observed in all lesions were uniform and highly granulated, and with the presence of the microfilariae, a mast cell tumor was considered less likely. This report suggests that D repens infection‐associated subcutaneous lesions, characterized cytologically by massive mast cell and eosinophil infiltration, should be considered a differential diagnosis for mast cell tumor, especially in geographic locations endemic for this nematode. Notably, all 4 dogs were infected with D repens despite a routine prophylactic doramectin therapy administered every 3 months, probably due to the relatively long time interval between treatments.
Nodular granulomatous glossitis as the sole clinical sign in canine leishmaniosis
Authors: Tangalidi Melpomeni K. , Oikonomidis Ioannis L. , Psalla Dimitra , Papadimitriou Serafim , Kritsepi‐Konstantinou Maria , Mylonakis Mathios E.
Published: October 2016

A 5.5‐year‐old, intact male Rottweiler dog was admitted with a history of multifocal nodular tongue lesions which progressively deteriorated during the previous year. Physical examination revealed several reddish nodules with central depression on the surface of the tongue in an otherwise healthy dog. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included eosinophilia and hyperproteinemia. Lingual nodule cytopathology, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry revealed Leishmania spp. amastigotes and a severe granulomatous glossitis. The dog was also seroreactive to L infantum antigens by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Clinical reevaluation 3 months after the institution of treatment with allopurinol and miltefosine indicated that the nodular lesions had completely regressed. In endemic areas, lingual nodular lesions may rarely be the sole clinical sign of canine leishmaniosis. Standard medical treatment may provide an excellent prognosis.
Interaction between the hypothalamus and the immune system
Authors: Soto‐Tinoco Eva , Guerrero‐Vargas Natalí N. , Buijs Ruud M.
Published: October 2016

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

Both branches of the autonomic nervous system are involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response. We explore how the hypothalamus may influence this process.

What advances does it highlight?

We analyse how a lipopolysaccharide signal is transmitted to the brain and which areas participate in the response of the brain to lipopolysaccharide. Recent studies show that the hypothalamus can influence the inflammatory response by modifying the autonomic output. The biological clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, is integrated into this circuit, putting a time stamp on the intensity of the inflammatory response.

The brain is responsible for maintaining homeostasis of the organism, constantly adjusting its output via hormones and the autonomic nervous system to reach an optimal setting in every compartment of the body. Also, the immune system is under strong control of the brain. Apart from the conventional systemic responses evoked by the brain during inflammation, such as hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation and the induction of sickness behaviour, the autonomic nervous system is now recognized to exert regulatory effects on the inflammatory response. Both branches of the autonomic nervous system are proposed to influence the inflammatory process. Here, we focus on those areas of the brain that might be involved in sensing inflammatory stimuli, followed by how that sensing could change the output of the autonomic nervous system in order to regulate the inflammatory response. Finally, we will discuss how the defenses of the body against a lipopolysaccharide challenge are organized by the hypothalamus.
Turbine Blade Platform Film Cooling With Simulated Swirl Purge Flow and Slashface Leakage Conditions
Authors: Chen Andrew F , Shiau Chao-Cheng , Han Je-Chin
Published: October 2016

The combined effects of inlet purge flow and the slashface leakage flow on the film cooling effectiveness of a turbine blade platform were studied using the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique. Detailed film cooling effectiveness distributions on the endwall were obtained and analyzed. Discrete cylindrical film cooling holes were arranged to achieve an improved coverage on the endwall. Backward injection was attempted by placing backward injection holes near the pressure side leading edge portion. Experiments were done in a five-blade linear cascade with an average turbulence intensity of 10.5%. The inlet and exit Mach numbers were 0.26 and 0.43, respectively. The inlet and exit mainstream Reynolds numbers based on the axial chord length of the blade were 475,000 and 720,000, respectively. The coolant-to-mainstream mass flow ratios (MFR) were varied from 0.5% and 0.75% to 1% for the purge flow. For the endwall film cooling holes and slashface leakage flow, blowing ratios (M) of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 were examined. Coolant-to-mainstream density ratios (DR) that range from 1.0 (close to low temperature experiments) to 1.5 and 2.0 (close to engine conditions) were also examined. The results provide the gas turbine engine designers a better insight into improved film cooling hole configurations as well as various parametric effects on endwall film cooling when the inlet (swirl) purge flow and slashface leakage flow were incorporated.
Numerical Simulation of Wave Run-Ups due to Nonlinear Interaction Between Stokes Waves and Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsien , Chen Jing-Fu , Lu Po-Ying
Published: October 2016

This paper conducts a RANS solver with k-ε turbulent closure to simulate hydrodynamics of wave run-ups of three types of wind turbine foundations, including monopile, gravity-based and tripod support structures. In this study, a semi-empirical formula is developed and calibrated based on velocity stagnation head theory by means of a CFD model, FLUENT. The numerical results are validated by the experimental data, which were implemented in the Large Wave Flume (GWK) of the Coastal Research Centre (FZK) in Hannover and published by Mo et al. (2007) [1]. It is indicated that the difference of normalized run-up envelopes among these wind turbine foundations is smaller for higher wave steepness than those for lower wave steepness. It is also obvious that the tendency of maximum run-up heights is considerably correlated with higher nonlinearity, whereas an opposite trend is obtained for minimum run-up envelops. Eventually, a calibrated run-up parameter is obtained by the present numerical simulation and found that the value becomes smaller with respect to higher nonlinearity and run-up heights.
Nonlinear RPD Analysis of Jack-Up Rigs Including Material Plasticity
Authors: Chakrabarti Partha , Chawan Abhijeet
Published: October 2016

Rack Phase Difference or RPD may occur during the installation phase of a jack-up rig when it is jacking up at a location. Instances of failure of leg members of a jack-up have been reported in the past. Therefore, this is an important design issue. Among the many causes of high RPD, important ones are when one of the jack-up spudcans becomes eccentrically supported on the bottom or has lateral offset due to preexisting soft spots in the soil during installation. The resulting moment and shear on the leg is carried essentially by the horizontal guide reactions that may induce high stresses leading to failure of a diagonal brace in extreme cases.

In a previous OMAE paper written by the authors [1] the importance of a 3D model of the jack-up that uses non-linear analysis methods by including large deformations and rotations was highlighted. In this paper it was also emphasized that the meaning of RPD has to be understood properly in relationship with moment or shear carrying capacity at the spudcan for a given jack-up.

The present paper includes material plasticity effects in addition to the other nonlinearities in the 3D analysis to investigate the failure mechanism of a critical brace. Both applied moments due to the vertical load eccentricity at the spudcan and lateral displacement effects of it are considered. The behavior of a trussed leg jack-up depends heavily on the bracing pattern, chord and bay spacing as well as the size of the braces. For a well-designed jack-up the reserve strength beyond the initial exceedance of the allowable limits of member stress following the codes to the actual physical failure is considered to be important. This reserve strength could prevent actual damages to the rig. This paper discusses these aspects using one particular jack-up as example. The particular jack-up has shown very high RPD and reserve strength when a brace fails due to a large spudcan moment being applied or base deflection. The failure of the brace, however, does not indicate that the ultimate strength of the rig has been reached which is expected to be much higher. Although the analysis is for one particular jack-up, it discusses the parameters that in general could make the reserve strength large indicative of good design. These observations and the overall methodology of analysis used here could be beneficial to other rigs.
Finite Element Analysis on the Hull Girder Ultimate Strength of Asymmetrically Damaged Ships
Authors: Muis Alie Muhammad Zubair , Sitepu Ganding , Sade Juswan , Mustafa Wahyuddin , Nugraha Andi Mursid , Bin Muh. Saleh Alamsyah
Published: October 2016

This paper discusses the influence of asymmetrically damaged ships on the ultimate hull girder strength. When such damages take place at the asymmetric location of cross sections, not only translation but also inclination of instantaneous neutral axis takes place during the process of the progressive collapse. To investigate this effect, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is employed and the damage is assumed in the middle hold. The collision damage is modeled by removing the plate and stiffener elements at the damage region assuming the complete loss of the capacity at the damage part.

For the validation results obtained by Finite Element Analysis of the asymmetrically damaged ship hull girder, the simplified method is adopted. The Finite Element method of ultimate strength analysis of a damaged hull girder can be a practical tool for the ship hull girder after damages, which has become one of the functional requirements in IMO Goal Based Ship Construction Standard.
Flow Loop Investigation of Lubricant Concentration Effect on Mechanical Friction in Drilling Fluids
Authors: Ytrehus Jan David , Taghipour Ali , Gyland Knud Richard , Lund Bjørnar , Sayindla Sneha , Saasen Arild , Hermansson Lasse
Published: October 2016

A laboratory scale flow loop for drilling applications has been used for evaluating the effect of lubricants on skin friction during drilling and completion with oil based or low solids oil based fluids. The flow loop included a 10 meter long test section with 2″ OD free whirling rotating drill string inside a 4″ ID wellbore made of concrete elements positioned inside a steel tubing. A transparent part of the housing was located in the middle of the test section, separating two steel sections of equal length. The entire test section was mounted on a steel frame which can be tilted from horizontal to 30° inclination. The drilling fluids and additives in these experiments were similar to those used in specific fields in NCS. Friction coefficient was calculated from the measured torque for different flow velocities and rotational velocities and the force perpendicular to the surface caused by the buoyed weight of the string.

The main objective of the article has been to quantify the effect on mechanical friction when applying different concentrations of an oil-based lubricant into an ordinary oil based drilling fluid and a low solids oil based drilling fluid used in a North Sea drilling and completion operation.
A Submerged Floating Tube Bridge Concept for the Bjørnafjord Crossing: Alternatives for Station Keeping
Authors: Aasland Tale Egeberg , Myhr Anders , Haugerud Stein Atle , Minoretti Arianna , Sekse Jorunn Hillestad
Published: October 2016

A submerged floating tube bridge (SFTB) concept has been developed for the Bjørnafjord crossing. Two designs are currently considered feasible: pontoon stabilized and tension leg stabilized SFTB. Previous studies have found that the vertical motions and accelerations are largest for the pontoon stabilized concept, although both designs are within the requirements. With respect to ship impact, seabed mooring is favorable. No ship impact is likely at the current depth of the bridge, and this is considered a great advantage. Submarine impact on the tethers must be considered, however. Using a failsafe link between the pontoons and the tube itself significantly lowers the stress in the bridge due to ship impact. The link will break at impact energies above a given threshold, and release the pontoon. The bridge is designed to survive loosing one pontoon. It is seen that the bridge survives impact even without the failsafe, thus it is not a critical element, but the stress reduction is beneficial. The cost of the tension leg moored alternative is substantially higher than that of the pontoon stabilized one. Both concepts are considered feasible, but the final decision depends on more accurate knowledge of the soil conditions in the fjord.
Laboratory Study of the Behavior of Conventional Intermittent Gas-Lift
Authors: Bordalo Sergio N. , Ochoa Lara Ismael O.
Published: October 2016

The intermittent gas-lift (IGL) methods still remain a practical recourse for the extended production of petroleum wells in the on-shore fields of Brazil. The IGLs are a natural candidate to substitute the continuous gas-lift (CGL) method at a late stage of reservoir depletion; as so the IGLs require modest adaptation to the CGL installation. The IGLs also display operational and economical characteristics that make it a viable artificial lift method for many low producing wells. In such cases, it becomes advantageous to properly design the system and to optimize it. A laboratory apparatus was designed and built to study the operation of the conventional IGL, such as the concurrency of cycle stages, as presented by Carvalho (2004), the fallback for different operating conditions and the stability of cycles due to motor valve timing and adjustment of the gas-lift valve. The results of the tests performed by changing the operating variables of the IGL are presented here. These tests results show the types of dynamical behavior predicted by numerical simulations; therefore they will be useful in tuning the simulation models that will be applied to the large scale systems of petroleum fields.
Hydrodynamic Characteristics Analysis on the Dredging Dustpan Internal Flow Field Based on CFD
Authors: Lu Yu , Hu Ankang , Chang Xin
Published: October 2016

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays an important role in predicting the fluid characteristics throughout the engineering practice. With the developing of computers and CFD software, it has become a powerful tool in the hydrodynamics area. In this paper, the hydrodynamic characteristics of dredging dustpan internal flow field on the coastal engineering are further studied using CFD as a modeling and calculation tool. It is implemented in such way that the ICEM CFD software has been firstly employed to establish the full dredging dustpan model and gridding, the numerical simulation of internal flow field is then accurately performed by the FLUENT code under the conditions of different slurry concentration and particle diameter working on the dredging dustpan. Based on the calculation results, the effect of different slurry concentration and particle diameter on the dredging and transporting efficiency of dustpan is presented and discussed. It is shown that when the slurry concentration is low, particle diameter plays a leading role, and suction efficiency is proportional to particle diameter. However, the slurry concentration plays an important role and is inversely proportional to the suction efficiency as it is in a high level. It has been demonstrated that the present study is efficient and accurate for the numerical simulation of the dredging dustpan internal flow field.