bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Legal Biography to Legal Life Writing: Broadening Conceptions of Legal History and Socio‐legal Scholarship
Authors: Sugarman David
Published: February 2015

This article describes and analyses how legal life writing has grown to embrace a wider range of subjects, sources, and methods – from eminent white male judges to women, minorities, displaced persons, and outsiders – and explains and justifies it as an intellectual project. It considers some of life writing's challenges, shortcomings, and dilemmas, suggesting ways forward. The aim is to advance an important, inter‐disciplinary perspective in the making: namely, a more pluralistic, democratic conception of legal life writing, which offers new ways of advancing legal history and socio‐legal scholarship, encouraging inter‐disciplinary dialogue. It is argued that legal life writing demonstrates the value of historical thinking in comprehending law, politics, and culture; it can also supplement the study of law, helping legal historians and socio‐legal scholars to develop new skills and embrace a wider range of participants and audiences, thereby enhancing their ability to engage with public issues and public history.
Ivor Jennings's Constitutional Legacy beyond the Occidental‐Oriental Divide
Authors: Malagodi Mara
Published: February 2015

Sir W. Ivor Jennings (1903–1965) was one of Britain's most prominent constitutional law scholars of the twentieth century. He is mostly famed for his work in the 1930s on English Public Law. In 1941, Jennings, however, moved to Sri Lanka, progressively becoming involved in both an academic and professional capacity with constitutional processes across the decolonizing world in the early stages of the Cold War. This article provides an alternative account of Jennings's constitutional legacy to those of existing scholars by combining orthodox accounts of the ‘Occidental Jennings’ with an analysis of the neglected ‘Oriental’ experiences of this influential intellectual. It examines the ambiguous relationship between constitutionalism and democracy in Jennings's constitutional work overseas, and the impact of his postcolonial work on his views on constitutionalism.
Pathways from maternal depressive symptoms to adolescent depressive symptoms: the unique contribution of irritability symptoms
Authors: Whelan Yvonne M. , Leibenluft Ellen , Stringaris Argyris , Barker Edward D.
Published: February 2015

Background

The authors tested three possible pathways linking prenatal maternal depressive symptoms to adolescent depressive symptoms. These pathways went through childhood Irritability Symptoms, Anxiety/Depressive Symptoms or Conduct Problems.

Method

Data were collected from 3,963 mother–child pairs participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Measures include maternal depressive symptoms (pre‐ and postnatal); toddler temperament (2 years); childhood (7–13 years) irritability symptoms, anxiety/depressive symptoms, conduct problems, and adolescent depressive symptoms (16 years).

Results

Irritability Symptoms: This pathway linked sequentially – prenatal maternal depressive symptoms, toddler temperament (high perceived intensity and low perceived adaptability), childhood irritability symptoms, and adolescent depressive symptoms. Anxiety/Depressive symptoms: This pathway linked sequentially – prenatal maternal depressive symptoms, toddler temperament (negative perceived mood), childhood anxiety/depressive symptoms, and adolescent depressive symptoms. Childhood conduct problems were not associated with adolescent depressive symptoms, above and beyond irritability symptoms and anxiety/depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Results suggest evidence for two distinct developmental pathways to adolescent depressive symptoms that involve specific early and midchildhood features.
Non‐invasive subcutaneous fat reduction: a review
Authors: Kennedy J. , Verne S. , Griffith R. , Falto‐Aizpurua L. , Nouri K.
Published: February 2015

The risks, financial costs and lengthy downtime associated with surgical procedures for fat reduction have led to the development of a number of non‐invasive techniques. Non‐invasive body contouring now represents the fastest growing area of aesthetic medicine. There are currently four leading non‐invasive techniques for reducing localized subcutaneous adipose tissue: low‐level laser therapy (LLLT), cryolipolysis, radio frequency (RF) and high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). To review and compare leading techniques and clinical outcomes of non‐invasive subcutaneous fat reduction. The terms ‘non‐invasive’, ‘low‐level laser’, ‘cryolipolysis’, ‘ultrasound’ and ‘radio frequency’ were combined with ‘lipolysis’, ‘fat reduction’ or ‘body contour’ during separate searches in the PubMed database. We identified 31 studies (27 prospective clinical studies and four retrospective chart reviews) with a total of 2937 patients that had been treated with LLLT (n = 1114), cryolipolysis (n = 706), HIFU (n = 843) or RF (n = 116) or other techniques (n = 158) for fat reduction or body contouring. A majority of these patients experienced significant and satisfying results without any serious adverse effects. The studies investigating these devices have all varied in treatment regimen, body locations, follow‐up times or outcome operationalization. Each technique differs in offered advantages and severity of adverse effects. However, multiple non‐invasive devices are safe and effective for circumferential reduction in local fat tissue by 2 cm or more across the abdomen, hips and thighs. Results are consistent and reproducible for each device and none are associated with any serious or permanent adverse effects.
Visual modelling suggests a weak relationship between the evolution of ultraviolet vision and plumage coloration in birds
Authors: Lind O. , Delhey K.
Published: February 2015

Birds have sophisticated colour vision mediated by four cone types that cover a wide visual spectrum including ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. Many birds have modest UV sensitivity provided by violet‐sensitive (VS) cones with sensitivity maxima between 400 and 425 nm. However, some birds have evolved higher UV sensitivity and a larger visual spectrum given by UV‐sensitive (UVS) cones maximally sensitive at 360–370 nm. The reasons for VS–UVS transitions and their relationship to visual ecology remain unclear. It has been hypothesized that the evolution of UVS‐cone vision is linked to plumage colours so that visual sensitivity and feather coloration are ‘matched’. This leads to the specific prediction that UVS‐cone vision enhances the discrimination of plumage colours of UVS birds while such an advantage is absent or less pronounced for VS‐bird coloration. We test this hypothesis using knowledge of the complex distribution of UVS cones among birds combined with mathematical modelling of colour discrimination during different viewing conditions. We find no support for the hypothesis, which, combined with previous studies, suggests only a weak relationship between UVS‐cone vision and plumage colour evolution. Instead, we suggest that UVS‐cone vision generally favours colour discrimination, which creates a nonspecific selection pressure for the evolution of UVS cones.
Emergency nurses’ perceptions of the role of confidence, self‐efficacy and reflexivity in managing the cognitively impaired older person in pain
Authors: Fry Margaret , MacGregor Casimir , Hyland Simone , Payne Barbara , Chenoweth Lynn
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectives

The study aimed to explore the practice of care among emergency nurses caring for older persons with cognitive impairment and who presented in pain from a long bone fracture, to highlight nurse confidence and self‐efficacy in practice.

Background

Cognitive impairment is an issue increasingly facing emergency departments. Older persons with cognitive impairment have complex care needs, requiring effective clinical decision‐making and provision of care. Nurse confidence and self‐efficacy are critical to meeting the necessary standards of care for this vulnerable patient group.

Design

A multi‐centre study.

Methods

The study was undertaken across four emergency departments in Sydney, Australia. Sixteen focus group discussions were conducted with 80 emergency departments of nurses.

Results

Four main themes emerged: confidence and self‐efficacy through experience; confidence and self‐efficacy as a balancing act; confidence and self‐efficacy as practice; and confidence and self‐efficacy and interpersonal relations.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that confidence, self‐efficacy and reflexivity enabled the delivery of appropriate, timely and compassionate care. Further, confidence and self‐efficacy within nursing praxis relied on clinical experience and reflective learning and was crucial to skill and knowledge acquisition.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our research suggests that confidence, self‐efficacy and reflexivity need to be developed and valued in nurses' careers to better meet the needs of complex older persons encountered within everyday practice.
Clinical validity of a relocation stress scale for the families of patients transferred from intensive care units
Authors: Oh HyunSoo , Lee Seul , Kim JiSun , Lee EunJu , Min HyoNam , Cho OkJa , Seo WhaSook
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectives

This study was conducted to develop a family relocation stress scale by modifying the Son's Relocation Stress Syndrome Scale, to examine its clinical validity and reliability and to confirm its suitability for measuring family relocation stress.

Background

The transfer of ICU patients to general wards is a significant anxiety‐producing event for family members. However, no relocation stress scale has been developed specifically for families.

Design

A nonexperimental, correlation design was adopted.

Methods

The study subjects were 95 family members of 95 ICU patients at a university hospital located in Incheon, South Korea. Face and construct validities of the devised family relocation stress scale were examined. Construct validity was examined using factor analysis and by using a nomological validity test. Reliability was also examined.

Results

Face and content validity of the scale were verified by confirming that its items adequately measured family relocation stress. Factor analysis yielded four components, and the total variance explained by these four components was 63·0%, which is acceptable. Nomological validity was well supported by significant relationships between relocation stress and degree of preparation for relocation, patient self‐care ability, family burden and satisfaction with the relocation process. The devised scale was also found to have good reliability.

Conclusions

The family relocation stress scale devised in this study was found to have good validity and reliability, and thus, is believed to offer a means of assessing family relocation stress.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings of this study provide a reliable and valid assessment tool when nurses prepare families for patient transfer from an ICU to a ward setting, and may also provide useful information to those developing an intervention programme for family relocation stress management.
Consumer Attitudes Toward Texture and Other Food Attributes
Authors: Luckett Curtis R. , Seo Han‐Seok
Published: February 2015

This study aims to examine the current attitudes of North American consumers toward food attributes, focusing on the effect of gender and age. A total of 337 participants were asked to list the first three words that come to mind when each image/name of 32 different foods was presented. The responses were grouped into seven main categories: “food attribute,” “menu uses,” “type,” “personal preference,” “health and nutrition,” “regional origin” and “others” and subsequent subcategories. The frequencies of answers for each category were compared by gender and age group. Texture‐ and flavor‐related responses became less common as age increased. Conversely, “health and nutrition” responses became more common with increasing age. In addition, male participants were more likely to give color, flavor and food brand‐related responses, while female participants were more likely to list texture, form/temperature and personal preference‐related words. Furthermore, this study shows the changes in consumer attitudes toward foods for the last several decades.

Practical Applications

Little is known on how food attitudes change with age. The changes in food perception that accompany aging are well documented. However, the extent these changes lead to altered attitudes toward food has not been examined. In addition, for approximately 50 years, the food industry has been operating on the same information regarding the importance of texture and other food attributes to consumers. During this period, many changes in demographics and cuisine have occurred, yet we do not know how these have affected consumer attitude toward foods. This study gives insight into changes in consumer attitudes toward foods since the 1960s and 1970s, as well as changes associated with aging for food scientists, food processors and business marketers.
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic integration and modelling of amoxicillin for the calf pathogens Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida
Authors: Lees P. , Pelligand L. , Illambas J. , Potter T. , Lacroix M. , Rycroft A. , Toutain P.‐L.
Published: February 2015

The antimicrobial properties of amoxicillin were determined for the bovine respiratory tract pathogens, Mannheima haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time‐kill curves were established. Pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) modelling of the time‐kill data, based on the sigmoidal Emax equation, generated parameters for three levels of efficacy, namely bacteriostatic, bactericidal (3log10 reduction) and 4log10 reduction in bacterial counts. For these levels, mean AUC(0–24 h)/MIC serum values for M. haemolytica were 29.1, 57.3 and 71.5 h, respectively, and corresponding values for P. multocida were 28.1, 44.9 and 59.5 h. Amoxicillin PK was determined in calf serum, inflamed (exudate) and noninflamed (transudate) tissue cage fluids, after intramuscular administration of a depot formulation at a dosage of 15 mg/kg. Mean residence times were 16.5 (serum), 29.6 (exudate) and 29.0 h (transudate). Based on serum MICs, integration of in vivo PK and in vitro PD data established maximum concentration (Cmax)/MIC ratios of 13.9:1 and 25.2:1, area under concentration–time curve (AUC0–∞)/MIC ratios of 179 and 325 h and T>MIC of 40.3 and 57.6 h for P. multocida and M. haemolytica, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations for a 90% target attainment rate predicted single dose to achieve bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions over 48 h of 17.7 and 28.3 mg/kg (M. haemolytica) and 17.7 and 34.9 mg/kg (P. multocida).
Recovering the Recovering Liver Graft
Authors: Chan See Ching
Published: February 2015

The shortage of liver grafts from deceased donors is universal. A deceased‐donor whole liver from an otherwise healthy brain‐dead donor is ideal for transplantation. This situation however is very uncommon since deceased donors often have comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, or multiple injuries. On the occasion when a whole liver with excellent function is available for transplantation, splitting it into two grafts for two recipients is often done in order to maximize utilization.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Relationship between Health Literacy and Kidney Function
Authors: Devraj Radhika , Borrego Matthew , Vilay A Mary , Gordon Elisa J. , Pailden Junvie , Horowitz Bruce
Published: February 2015

Aim

Low health literacy (HL) may contribute to poor self‐management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and poor kidney function. This study aimed to assess the relationship between HL and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods

A cross‐sectional observational study was conducted among consecutive eligible adult patients with CKD stages 1–4 attending an outpatient nephrology clinic. HL was assessed using Newest Vital Sign (NVS). eGFR was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. CKD self‐management behaviour knowledge was assessed using a study instrument (CKD self‐management knowledge (SMKT)).

Results

One hundred fifty patients participated in the study (83% participation rate). The prevalence of high likelihood of limited HL was 32.7%. Participants' eGFRs ranged from 17 to 152 mL/min / 1.73 m2, with over 80% of the eGFRs below 60 mL/min / 1.73 m2. HL was associated with eGFR after controlling for all demographics except age, race and gender (which are included in eGFR equation) (P = 0.05). Every unit increase in NVS score was associated with a 1.9% increase (95% confidence interval = 0 to 3.86%) in eGFR (model R square = 0.23, P = 0.002), which remained significant after controlling for CKD‐SMKT (P = 0.05; model R square = 0.28, P < 0.001). The relationship was non‐significant after controlling for age, although it remained significant after controlling for other demographics including gender and race.

Conclusions

There is a small but significant association between HL and eGFR. Providers should use HL‐tailored communication strategies in CKD patients. Larger multicentre studies are needed to substantiate this relationship.
Luciferin‐Regenerating Enzyme Mediates Firefly Luciferase Activation Through Direct Effects of D‐Cysteine on Luciferase Structure and Activity
Authors: Hemmati Roohullah , Hosseinkhani Saman , Sajedi Reza H. , Azad Taha , Tashakor Amin , Bakhtiari Nuredin , Ataei Farangis
Published: February 2015

Luciferin‐regenerating enzyme (LRE) contributes to in vitro recycling of D‐luciferin. In this study, reinvestigation of the luciferase‐based LRE assay is reported. Here, using quick change site‐directed mutagenesis seven T‐LRE (Lampyris turkestanicusLRE) mutants were constructed and the most functional mutant of T‐LRE (T69R) was selected for this research and the effects of D‐ and L‐cysteine on T69R T‐LRE‐luciferase‐coupled assay are examined. Our results demonstrate that bioluminescent signal of T69R T‐LRE‐luciferase‐coupled assay increases and then reach equilibrium state in the presence of 5 mm D‐cysteine. In addition, results reveal that 5 mm D‐ and L‐cysteine in the absence of T69R T‐LRE cause a significant increase in bioluminescence intensity of luciferase over a long time as well as decrease in decay rate. Based on activity measurements, far‐UV CD analysis, ANS fluorescence and DLS (Dynamic light scattering) results, D‐cysteine increases the activity of luciferase due to weak redox potential, antiaggregatory effects, induction of changes in conformational structure and kinetics properties. In conclusion, in spite of previous reports on the effect of LRE on luciferase bioluminescent intensity, the majority of increase in luciferase light output and time‐course originate from the direct effects of D‐cysteine on structure and activity of firefly luciferase.
Potential of Ypt1 and ITS gene regions for the detection of Phytophthora species in a lab‐on‐a‐chip DNA hybridization array
Authors: König S. , Schwenkbier L. , Pollok S. , Riedel M. , Wagner S. , Popp J. , Weber K. , Werres S.
Published: February 2015

A novel DNA‐chip hybridization assay that uses the ras‐related GTP‐binding protein 1 gene (Ypt1) was developed for the identification of several devastating Phytophthora species. The hybridization was conducted in a portable microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip device for fast and accurate detection of 40 Phytophthora, two Pythium and one Phytopythium species. Moreover, the functionality of the Ypt1 region was examined in comparison to an array for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region by in silico modelling. The difference in species‐specific capture probe sequences was lower for the ITS than for the Ypt1 region. While ITS‐probes of Phytophthora ramorum, Phytophthora fragariae and Phytophthora lateralis cross‐reacted with up to 11 non‐target species, Ypt1‐probes were specific except for P. fragariae/Phytophthora rubi. First analyses of artificially inoculated Rhododendron leaves successfully demonstrated the usability of the respective capture probes for the Ypt1 and the ras‐related plant protein Rab1a gene region. The on‐chip hybridization enabled the detection of up to 1 pg μL−1 target DNA depending on the species examined. Due to the complementarity of ITS and Ypt1 genetic features, the use of multiple loci is recommended to identify targets of different taxonomic rank.
Computer‐aided analysis with Image J for quantitatively assessing psoriatic lesion area
Authors: Sun Z. , Wang Y. , Ji S. , Wang K. , Zhao Y.
Published: February 2015

Background/aims

Body surface area is important in determining the severity of psoriasis. However, objective, reliable, and practical method is still in need for this purpose. We performed a computer image analysis (CIA) of psoriatic area using the image J freeware to determine whether this method could be used for objective evaluation of psoriatic area.

Methods

Fifteen psoriasis patients were randomized to be treated with adalimumab or placebo in a clinical trial. At each visit, the psoriasis area of each body site was estimated by two physicians (E‐method), and standard photographs were taken. The psoriasis area in the pictures was assessed with CIA using semi‐automatic threshold selection (T‐method), or manual selection (M‐method, gold standard). The results assessed by the three methods were analyzed with reliability and affecting factors evaluated.

Results

Both T‐ and E‐method correlated strongly with M‐method, and T‐method had a slightly stronger correlation with M‐method. Both T‐ and E‐methods had a good consistency between the evaluators. All the three methods were able to detect the change in the psoriatic area after treatment, while the E‐method tends to overestimate.

Conclusion

The CIA with image J freeware is reliable and practicable in quantitatively assessing the lesional of psoriasis area.
Crop rotation and seasonal effects on fatty acid profiles of neutral and phospholipids extracted from no‐till agricultural soils
Authors: Ferrari A. E. , Ravnskov S. , Larsen J. , Tønnersen T. , Maronna R. A. , Wall L. G.
Published: February 2015

Analysis of phospholipids (PLFA) and neutral lipids fatty acids (NLFA) was used to characterize no‐till productive agricultural soils associated with different crop rotation levels, replicated across a 400 km transect in the Argentinean pampas, during two sampling seasons, summer and winter. High rotation (HR) management consisted in maize–wheat–soybean intense rotation including cover crops. Low rotation (LR) management trend to soybean monocultures. Soils from nearby natural environments (NEs) were used as references. Fatty acids concentration in soils (nmol/g) decreased c.a. 50% from summer to winter differentially according to soil treatment being the smallest decrease in HR management 35%. Both PLFA and NLFA profiles showed strong potential to discriminate between different land uses. In winter samples, some rare or unknown fatty acids were relevant for the discrimination of agricultural practices while NLFA 20:0 appears to be a good marker of HR soils despite season or location. The PLFA‐based taxonomic biomarkers for total bacteria, Gram‐negative bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhiza showed a significant trend NE>HR>LR in the winter sampling. HR management was also characterized by high levels of NLFA in winter samples as if high crop rotation improves lipids reserves in soil during winter more than in monocropping soil management. In conclusion, PLFA and particularly NLFA profiles appear to provide useful and complementary information to obtain a footprint of different soil use and managements, improving soil biochemistry characterization tools.
Effects of habitat transition on the evolutionary patterns of the microgastropod genusPseudamnicola(Mollusca, Hydrobiidae)
Authors: Delicado Diana , Machordom Annie , Ramos Marian A.
Published: February 2015

Molecular phylogenies of extant species are considered effective tools to infer mechanisms of speciation. Here, we benefit from this utility to investigate the evolutionary history of an organismal group linked to different aquatic ecosystems, the microgastropod genusPseudamnicola(family Hydrobiidae). Previous studies have found around 45 species of the nominal subgenusP. (Pseudamnicola), most of them in coastal stream localities of several Mediterranean islands and mainland territories, whereas only 12 species of the other subgenus,P. (Corrosella), have been collected from springs and headwaters of mountainous regions of the Iberian Peninsula and south of France. As springs often act as isolated habitats affecting dispersion and constraining gene flow, we supposed that the temporal history and mode of diversification of species from both subgenera should differ and therefore be reflected in their phylogenetic patterns. To assess this hypothesis, we performed a molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclearDNAsequences and later conducted an independent analysis to examine the potential effect of certain geographic and ecological variables in the genetic divergences of the subgenera. Additionally, we estimated the ancestral area of diversification of both groups. Published anatomical revisions and our molecular analyses suggest that the genusPseudamnicolashould be divided into three genera: the two previous subgenera plus a new one described here. As postulated, the evolution of the spring organisms was strongly related to habitat fragmentation and isolation, whereas dispersal followed by divergence seem to have been the most common speciation processes for euryhaline species inhabiting coastal streams and low river stages in which waters remain connected. On the contrary, rather than habitat fragmentation or dispersion, environmental conditions have played a larger role during the deep divergent split leading to the three genera.
Organizations in a Non-Linear, Unpredictable World
Authors: Ståhle Pirjo , Åberg Leif
Published: February 2015

Globalisation, new information technology, universal networking, the non-linearity of things, and environmental turbulence are changing strategies of managing and succeeding. This paper examines non-linear phenomena and their practical consequences from an organizational perspective by using three concepts: Malcolm Gladwell’s tipping point, Ilya Prigogine’s self-organization, and Algirdas Greimas’s semiotic square. Tipping points occur at all system levels, determining for instance how fashion trends catch on, how health campaigns succeed, and how new ideas spread like wildfire. Self-organization refers to the kind of consciousness, action and intelligence that is manifested in the community’s rather than the individual’s actions, such as swarm intelligence in the animal world. Insight into the dynamics of change is supplemented by the semiotic square, which sheds light on how organizations can succeed. Organizations must have buffers, a surplus of resources to which they can resort whenever something unexpected happens, and they must be attuned to change and have access to tools that promote open, confidence-building communication.
BGG reciprocity for current algebras
Authors: Chari Vyjayanthi , Ion Bogdan
Published: February 2015

In Bennett et al. [BGG reciprocity for current algebras, Adv. Math. 231 (2012), 276–305] it was conjectured that a BGG-type reciprocity holds for the category of graded representations with finite-dimensional graded components for the current algebra associated to a simple Lie algebra. We associate a current algebra to any indecomposable affine Lie algebra and show that, in this generality, the BGG reciprocity is true for the corresponding category of representations.
Rolling-Element Bearing Heat Transfer—Part I: Analytic Model
Authors: Hannon William M.
Published: February 2015

The complexities of analyzing rolling element bearings vary. Vendors offer cataloged solutions comprised of limiting loads and speeds, bearing life, and lubricant recommendations. These guidelines meet the needs of most customers; however, more demanding applications warrant advanced analyses. This work focuses on thermal management. Current literature offers system level solutions using either resistance methods or finite element analysis (FEA). Resistance methods have rapid computation time, yet lack accuracy. Finite element methods improve the accuracy, but are computationally cumbersome. This work proposes an integral transform method. The rapidly computed solution yields accurate results. The methodology and results of this work are presented in a three-part series. Part I details existing literature and provides the framework for a new heat transfer model. This model describes rolling-element bearing systems containing a shaft, housing, and numerous bearing raceways. It also includes gears, cooling jackets, and is applicable for several methods of lubrication. The model consists of solid component partial differential equations (PDEs) in conjunction with analytic expressions for fluid temperatures, convection equation, and mass flow. Part II presents the housing, shaft, and bearing raceway PDE solutions. Part III offers experimental validation, as well as observations from experiments on fluid flow within the bearing.
A Fast Convergence Parameter for Monte Carlo–Neumann Solution of Linear Stochastic Systems
Authors: da Silva Cláudio R. Ávila , Beck André Teófilo
Published: February 2015

The Neumann series is a well-known technique to aid the solution of uncertainty propagation problems. However, convergence of the Neumann series can be very slow, often making its use highly inefficient. In this article, a fast convergence parameter (λ) convergence parameter is introduced, which yields accurate and efficient Monte Carlo–Neumann (MC-N) solutions of linear stochastic systems using first-order Neumann expansions. The λ convergence parameter is found as a solution to the distance minimization problem, for an approximation of the inverse of the system matrix using the Neumann series. The method presented herein is called Monte Carlo–Neumann with λ convergence, or simply the MC-N λ method. The accuracy and efficiency of the MC-N λ method are demonstrated in application to stochastic beam-bending problems.
Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Additively Manufactured Ti6Al4V With Controlled Voids
Authors: Fadida Refael , Rittel Daniel , Shirizly Amnon
Published: February 2015

The mechanical properties of additively manufactured (AM) dense and porous Ti6Al4V specimens were investigated under static and dynamic compression. The fully dense specimens were fabricated using laser melting process. The porous specimens contained spherical pores with full control on the geometry and location of the pores. The laser processed dense material exhibited superior strength in the static and dynamic tests, compared to the same conventional material, but the ductility of the two was comparable. Single pore specimens exhibited a linear relationship between the load and the pore volume fraction. The comparison between single- and double-pore specimens, at identical volume fractions, revealed the importance of the pores' orientation with respect to the applied load.
Enhanced Capture of Magnetic Microbeads Using Combination of Reduced Magnetic Field Strength and Sequentially Switched Electroosmotic Flow—A Numerical Study
Authors: Das Debarun , Al-Rjoub Marwan F. , Banerjee Rupak K.
Published: February 2015

Magnetophoretic immunoassay is a widely used technique in lab-on-chip systems for detection and isolation of target cells, pathogens, and biomolecules. In this method, target pathogens (antigens) bind to specific antibodies coated on magnetic microbeads (mMBs) which are then separated using an external magnetic field for further analysis. Better capture of mMB is important for improving the sensitivity and performance of magnetophoretic assay. The objective of this study was to develop a numerical model of magnetophoretic separation in electroosmotic flow (EOF) using magnetic field generated by a miniaturized magnet and to evaluate the capture efficiency (CE) of the mMBs. A finite-volume solver was used to compute the trajectory of mMBs under the coupled effects of EOF and external magnetic field. The effect of steady and time varying (switching) electric fields (150–450 V/cm) on the CE was studied under reduced magnetic field strength. During switching, the electric potential at the inlet and outlet of the microchannel was reversed or switched, causing reversal in flow direction. The CE was a function of the momentum of the mMB in EOF and the applied magnetic field strength. By switching the electric field, CE increased from 75% (for steady electric field) to 95% for lower electric fields (150–200 V/cm) and from 35% to 47.5% for higher electric fields (400–450 V/cm). The CE was lower at higher EOF electric fields because the momentum of the mMB overcame the external magnetic force. Switching allowed improved CE due to the reversal and decrease in EOF velocity and increase in mMB residence time under the reduced magnetic field strength. These improvements in CE, particularly at higher electric fields, made sequential switching of EOF an efficient separation technique of mMBs for use in high throughput magnetophoretic immunoassay devices. The reduced size of the magnet, along with the efficient mMB separation technique of switching can lead to the development of portable device for detection of target cells, pathogens, and biomolecules.
Effect of Axial Clearance on the Efficiency of a Shrouded Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Lei Cao , Yiyang Zhang , Zhengwei Wang , Yexiang Xiao , Ruixiang Liu
Published: February 2015

Clearance always exists between the rotating impeller shrouds and the stationary casing covers in shrouded centrifugal pumps, which affects the pump internal flow and performance. Model tests were conducted for a shrouded centrifugal pump with back blades on the front shroud, and the performance parameters were obtained for three different impeller axial positions. Adjusting the impeller axial position can change the axial size of both the front and back clearances simultaneously. The results show that a tiny variation of the axial clearance size can substantially change the pump performance. A large front clearance reduces the pump efficiency and head with little change in the shaft power. Numerical simulations for a wide range of operating conditions for the three models with different impeller axial positions using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) with shear stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model agree well with the experimental results. The numerical results show how the clearance flow interfere with the main flow as the axial clearance is varied. The change in the pump hydraulic efficiency, volumetric efficiency, and mechanical efficiency was analyzed for various clearances. The hydraulic efficiency is the lowest one of the three kinds of efficiency and changes dramatically as the flow rate increases; thus, the hydraulic efficiency plays a decisive role in the pump performance. The volumetric efficiency is most sensitive to the axial clearance, which obviously decreases as the front clearance is increased. Therefore, the volumetric efficiency is the key factor for the change of the gross efficiency as the axial clearance changes. The mechanical loss varies little with changes in both axial clearance and flow rate so the mechanical efficiency can be regarded as a constant. The effect of axial clearances on the efficiency of shrouded centrifugal pumps should be considered to enable more efficient designs.
Metallurgical Design and Performance of High-Frequency Electric Resistance Welded Linepipe With High-Quality Weld Seam Suitable for Extra-Low-Temperature Services
Authors: Toyoda Shunsuke , Goto Sota , Okabe Takatoshi , Kimura Hideto , Igi Satoshi
Published: February 2015

To clarify the effect of inclusions on the Charpy impact properties, the 2 mm V-notched Charpy properties of X60–X80-grades steel were numerically simulated using the finite element method code abaqus. The yield strength and the tensile strength of the steel were 562 MPa and 644 MPa, respectively. The striker's velocity and the temperature dependency of the stress–strain curve were taken into account. To estimate the effect of nonmetallic inclusions, a 200 μm long virtual inclusion with a 1 μm edge radius was situated at the maximum point of the stress triaxiality. Four types of microcrack initiation were determined: (a) ductile void generation in the matrix, (b) cleavage crack generation in the matrix, (c) void generation by inclusion fracture, and (d) void generation by matrix–inclusion interface debonding. Without inclusions, a ductile microvoid was generated when the striker stroke was 3.3 mm, independent of the temperature. With inclusions, an inclusion fracture occurred when the striker stroke was 0.6 mm at room temperature. The striker stroke decreased as the temperature decreased. Based on the above numerical estimation results, high-frequency electric resistance welded (HFW) linepipe with high-quality weld seam MightySeam® has been developed. Controlling the morphology and distribution of oxides generated during the welding process by means of temperature and deformation distribution control is the key factor for improving the low-temperature toughness. The Charpy transition temperature of the developed HFW pipe was much lower than −45 °C. Based on the low-temperature hydrostatic burst test with a notched weld seam at −20 °C, the MightySeam® weld provides a fracture performance that is the same as UOE double submerged arc welded pipe. The pipe has been used in actual, highly demanding, and severe environments.
Biocompatibility and Corrosion Response of Laser Joined NiTi to Stainless Steel Wires
Authors: Brandal Grant , Lawrence Yao Y. , Naveed Syed
Published: February 2015

The biocompatibility of nickel titanium (NiTi) wires joined to stainless steel (SS) wires via laser autogenous brazing has been evaluated. The laser joining process is designed to limit the amount of mixing of the materials, thus preventing the formation of brittle intermetallic phases. This process has the potential for manufacturing implantable medical devices; therefore, the biocompatibility must be determined. Laser joined samples underwent nickel release rate, polarization, hemolysis, and cytotoxicity testing. Competing effects regarding grain refinement and galvanic effects were found to influence the corrosion response. After 15 days of exposure to a simulated body fluid, the total nickel released is less than 2 ug/cm2. Numerical modeling of the corrosion currents along the wires, by making use of polarization data, helped to explain these results. Microbiological testing found a maximum hemolytic index of 1.8, while cytotoxicity tests found a zero toxicity grade. All of these results indicate that the autogenous laser brazing process results in joints with good biocompatibility.
A rare cause of primary amenorrhoea, the XY female with gonadal dysgenesis
Authors: Mannaerts Dominique , Muys Joke , Blaumeiser Bettina , Jacquemyn Yves
Published: February 2015

Disorders of sexual development are conditions where sexual phenotype and genotype are discordant. Genetic sex is determined at conception as the ovum is fertilised by a spermatozoon that contains either an X or Y chromosome. A complex pathway determined by genes and hormones leads to gonadal differentiation into testis or ovary and promotes the development of internal and external genitalia. We present a case of an 18-year-old woman who presented with primary amenorrhoea. She was a virgin, and apart from hirsutism and overweight, had no complaints. Her family history was insignificant. The patient was tall and had underdeveloped breasts. Her blood results showed hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. A 46, XY genotype was detected with karyotype analysis. Ultrasound and MRI demonstrated the presence of a uterus, but no overt gonads. Laparoscopy was performed, with bilateral removal of streak ovaries.
Postoperative epidural haematomas associated with hydrocephalus caused by intraoperative overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid: two case reports with a literature review of 19 cases
Authors: Niimura Manabu , Takai Keisuke , Taniguchi Makoto
Published: February 2015

We report two cases with postoperative epidural haematomas (EDHs) associated with hydrocephalus and discuss the cause of haematoma development on the basis of a literature review. A 13-year-old boy presented with obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a sellar mass lesion. Multifocal EDHs occurred after partial resection of the lesion via a transcallosal approach following ventricular drainage. In the second case, a 26-year-old man who had a history of ventriculoperitoneal shunting for congenital hydrocephalus presented with hydrocephalus caused by ventricular catheter obstruction. An EDH occurred after replacement of the ventricular catheter with a new burr hole opening. On the basis of a review of 19 cases including our two cases, the authors concluded that postoperative EDH development associated with hydrocephalus was mostly caused by intraoperative overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid, resulting in rapid shrinkage of the brain with dilation of the epidural space, a situation that may have caused dural venous bleeding.
Ackerman syndrome: a rare cause of arthritis with dermatitis
Authors: Hussain Kosar , Thomas Liza , Shaikh Niaz Ahmed , Ahmed Abdul Hamid Badr
Published: February 2015

We present a case of a middle-aged woman who presented with acute onset of non-erosive oligoarthritis and cutaneous lesions. Her laboratory work up revealed mild anaemia with positive antinuclear antibody. Her skin biopsy confirmed the presence of interstitial granulomatous dermatitis. She was treated with a successful trial of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis with arthritis (IGDA), or Ackerman syndrome, is an under-recognised cause of arthritis with dermatitis. This is primarily due to the varied clinical presentation of the skin lesions and the non-specific laboratory findings. Our aim is to highlight the pivotal role of skin biopsy as part of the diagnostic assessment of patients who present with arthritis and concomitant skin lesions.
Osteomalacia: a forgotten cause of fractures in the elderly
Authors: Rokan Z , Kealey W D
Published: February 2015

We present a case of a man who suffered bilateral neck of femur fractures secondary to osteomalacia, attributable to a combination of his reclusive lifestyle, poor diet and long-term anticonvulsant therapy. These fractures may have been prevented if certain risk factors had been identified early. This case aims to highlight the importance of identifying vulnerable older adults in the community who are at risk of fragility fractures secondary to osteomalacia. It should be recognised that not only osteoporosis but other factors can precipitate these fractures as well and that preventative measures should be undertaken in those individuals at risk.
Hallucinations associated with miglitol use in a patient with chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism
Authors: Ezeji George Chinedu , Inoue Taiga , Bahtiyar Gul , Sacerdote Alan
Published: February 2015

A 71-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease stage IV, primary hypothyroidism and osteoarthritis, whose prescribed treatment included miglitol 50 mg thrice daily with the first bite of meals, reported that she suffered visual hallucinations while taking miglitol, which resolved within a few days of stopping the drug. When she resumed miglitol, hallucinations recurred within a few days and again resolved within a few days of stopping the drug. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of hallucinations associated with the use of an α-glucosidase inhibitor and highlights a previously unappreciated risk associated with the use of this generally quite benign drug class.
Isolated folate deficiency causing profound pancytopenia in pregnancy
Authors: Obaji Samya Gwen , Al-Ismail Saad
Published: February 2015

New-onset pancytopenia in pregnancy is challenging in the clinical setting particularly as the management and outcome of pregnancy are entirely dependent on the underlying aetiology. In the absence of increased peripheral destruction, for example, hypersplenism, bone marrow (BM) failure should be considered as the cause of pancytopenia. Profound folate or B12deficiency may result in BM failure and are relatively easy to diagnose and manage. Other causes include aplastic anaemia (AA), infiltration by a haematological malignancy and other non-haematological disorders. We report a 26-year-old woman presenting with severe pancytopenia due to folate deficiency with complete recovery observed after folic acid replacement. This case highlights the importance of recognising folate deficiency as a reversible cause of pancytopenia, since prompt replacement can lead to rapid normalisation of counts with no subsequent clinical sequelae. We also consider the indications for measuring serum folate in pregnancy.
Low-dose carvedilol protects against acute septic renal injury in rats during the early and late phases
Authors: Abdel kawy Hala Salah
Published: February 2015

Recent findings from septic acute renal injury studies have implicated the mitochondrion as an important factor in kidney injury, and that increased sympathetic nerve activity may contribute to the induction of organ failure. This study investigated the impact of a nondepressor dose of carvedilol, which is a beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist with antioxidant activity, on septic renal injury induced in rats with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Three groups of rats were studied. The first group was the sham-operated control. The other 2 groups of rats underwent CLP, and were administered either the vehicle or carvedilol (2.0 mg/kg body mass, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, daily for 2 days as well as 30 min prior to CLP). Kidney function, inflammatory parameters, mitochondrial function, and renal perfusion pressure (RPP) were investigated at 6 and 18 h after CLP. Carvedilol did not significantly induce hypotension, and it significantly improved RPP and renal dysfunction induced with CLP, together with significant reductions in serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Septic kidney injury mediated increased levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls. Carvedilol also attenuated the decrease in kidney mitochondrial glutathione and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate dehydrogenase. Further, intracellular renal edema and inflammation induced with CLP were reduced with carvedilol. These findings suggest renoprotective effects of carvedilol in sepsis.
The Kauffman bracket ideal for genus-1 tangles
Authors: Abernathy Susan M.
Published: February 2015

Given a compact oriented 3-manifold M in S3 with boundary, an (M, 2n)-tangle [Formula: see text] is a 1-manifold with 2n boundary components properly embedded in M. We say that [Formula: see text] embeds in a link L in S3 if [Formula: see text] can be completed to L by a 1-manifold with 2n boundary components exterior to M. The link L is called a closure of [Formula: see text]. We define the Kauffman bracket ideal of [Formula: see text] to be the ideal [Formula: see text] of ℤ[A, A-1] generated by the reduced Kauffman bracket polynomials of all closures of [Formula: see text]. If this ideal is non-trivial, then [Formula: see text] does not embed in the unknot. We give an algorithm for computing a finite list of generators for the Kauffman bracket ideal of any (S1 × D2, 2)-tangle, also called a genus-1 tangle, and give an example of a genus-1 tangle with non-trivial Kauffman bracket ideal. Furthermore, we show that if a single-component genus-1 tangle [Formula: see text] can be obtained as the partial closure of a (B3, 4)-tangle [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text].