bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing a time hypothesis in the biogeography of the arowana genus Scleropages (Osteoglossidae)
Authors: Lavoué Sébastien
Published: August 2015

Aim

To infer the timing of the early divergence of the freshwater arowana genus Scleropages and to determine whether it was contemporary with, or post‐dated, the latest possible freshwater route between Sundaland–Indochina and Australia–New Guinea through the drifting of India, estimated at a minimum of 115.0 Ma.

Location

Sundaland–Indochina and Australia–New Guinea.

Methods

Time‐calibrated phylogenetic reconstructions based on the mitogenome, a Bayesian method and a relaxed molecular clock, differing in how fossils were used to calibrate the clock and how the phylogenetic signal was corrected for saturation.

Results

The phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of Scleropages and its sister relationship with Osteoglossum. Within Scleropages, the Sundaland–Indochina species was the sister group of the two Australian species. After filtering the phylogenetic signal, the estimated mean ages of crown‐group Scleropages and their 95% credibility intervals (CI) ranged from 79.9 Ma (CI, 93.1–67.2 Ma) to 101.4 Ma (CI, 114.7–85.5 Ma).

Main conclusions

In all reconstructions, the ‘early freshwater origin’ hypothesis is rejected, because the age CI of Scleropages do not overlap with the final separation between India and Australia–Antarctica. The palaeontological evidence often presented in support of the ‘late marine origin’ hypothesis is inconclusive because none of the marine osteoglossid fossils are exclusively related to Scleropages, and Scleropages fossils are too fragmentary to be precisely classified. Altogether, there is evidence to reject the ‘early freshwater origin’ but no evidence favouring the ‘late marine origin’. Scleropages represents an additional case of trans‐oceanically distributed freshwater/terrestrial vertebrates that started to diversify during the Late Cretaceous, after the final separation between India and Australia–Antarctica.
Reflectance confocal microscopy for plaque psoriasis therapeutic follow‐up during an anti‐TNF‐α monoclonal antibody: an observational multicenter study
Authors: Ardigò M. , Agozzino M. , Longo C. , Lallas A. , Di Lernia V. , Fabiano A. , Conti A. , Sperduti I. , Argenziano G. , Berardesca E. , Pellacani G.
Published: August 2015

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease that affects 2–3% of the world population. Biologics are relatively new systemic treatments that block molecular steps important in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.In vivoReflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non‐invasive, imaging technique already reported to be useful in the evaluation of the follow‐up ofPPunder treatment with topical actives and phototherapy. No reports on systemic treatments have been proposed in literature so far.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility ofRCMin the monitoring of microscopic response to a subcutaneous anti‐TNFtreatment, Adalimumab.

Methods

One target lesion with typical clinical aspect, from 48 psoriatic patients, was evaluated usingRCMat baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.

Results

Microscopic confocal changes were followed up during treatment. Results disclosed identification of early microscopic evidence of the anti‐inflammatory activity of Adalimumab not detected at clinical examination. Confocal feature related to the effect ofTNF‐α on melanocytes activity has been also identified.

Conclusion

Early detectedRCMparameters related to Adalimumab activity could be used to identify an early response to the treatment.RCMseems to be able to give useful and practical information about follow‐up in patients withPPunder treatment with Adalimumab.
Female choice for male cuticular hydrocarbon profile in decorated crickets is not based on similarity to their own profile
Authors: Steiger S. , Capodeanu‐Nägler A. , Gershman S. N. , Weddle C. B. , Rapkin J. , Sakaluk S. K. , Hunt J.
Published: August 2015

Indirect genetic benefits derived from female mate choice comprise additive (good genes) and nonadditive genetic benefits (genetic compatibility). Although good genes can be revealed by condition‐dependent display traits, the mechanism by which compatibility alleles are detected is unclear because evaluation of the genetic similarity of a prospective mate requires the female to assess the genotype of the male and compare it to her own. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), lipids coating the exoskeleton of most insects, influence female mate choice in a number of species and offer a way for females to assess genetic similarity of prospective mates. Here, we determine whether female mate choice in decorated crickets is based on male CHCs and whether it is influenced by females' own CHC profiles. We used multivariate selection analysis to estimate the strength and form of selection acting on male CHCs through female mate choice, and employed different measures of multivariate dissimilarity to determine whether a female's preference for male CHCs is based on similarity to her own CHC profile. Female mating preferences were significantly influenced by CHC profiles of males. Male CHC attractiveness was not, however, contingent on the CHC profile of the choosing female, as certain male CHC phenotypes were equally attractive to most females, evidenced by significant linear and stabilizing selection gradients. These results suggest that additive genetic benefits, rather than nonadditive genetic benefits, accrue to female mate choice, in support of earlier work showing that CHC expression of males, but not females, is condition dependent.
Pulsed Electric Field‐Assisted Enzymatic Extraction of Protein from Abalone (Haliotis Discus Hannai Ino) Viscera
Authors: Li Meijuan , Lin Jie , Chen Jinquan , Fang Ting
Published: August 2015

Different conditions of pulsed electric field (PEF) intensity strength, treatment time and the ratio of material to solvent of PEF‐assisted enzymatic extraction of the abalone viscera protein (AVP) were studied in the article. Optimal PEF extraction conditions were achieved (PEF intensity strength of 20 kV/cm, treatment time of 600 μs and the ratio of material to solvent of 4:1). Detailed comparison of various properties (degree of hydrolysis, nitrogen yield, hydrolysis rate, function properties) of two AVPs was investigated. Application of PEF‐assisted enzymatic extraction resulted in fully hydrolyzed, high AVP product yield and good emulsifying properties of AVP when compared to purely enzymatic extraction; however, the foaming properties and viscosity were reduced. In particular, the increase of solubility (91.54%) and the reduction of viscosity of AVP had a good effect on the improvement of solubility of spices, providing a theoretical basis for the development of abalone condiments.

Practical Applications

The abalone viscera protein AVP is presently extracted through enzymatic extraction. The disadvantage of this method is incomplete hydrolysis. The AVP obtained by pulsed electric field‐assisted enzymatic extraction had good hydrolysis (high solubility) and good properties (low foaming properties, viscosity and high emulsify properties). The process developed in this study could be suitable for abalone manufacturers to utilize the abalone viscera to be developed as seafood seasoning.
Development and comparison of the methods for quantitative electron probe X‐ray microanalysis analysis of thin specimens and their application to biological material
Authors: WARLEY A.
Published: August 2015

In recent years, there has been a return to the use of electron probe X‐ray microanalysis for biological studies but this has occurred at a time when the Hall programme which acted as the mainstay for biological microanalysis is no longer easily available. Commercial quantitative routines rely on the Cliff‐Lorimer method that was originally developed for materials science applications. Here, the development of these two main routines for obtaining quantitative data from thin specimens is outlined and the limitations that are likely to be met when the Cliff‐Lorimer routine is applied to biological specimens is discussed. The effects of specimen preparation on element content is briefly summarized and the problems encountered when using quantitative analysis on resin‐embedded materials emphasized.
Approaches of intensive care nurses towards sensory requirements of patients
Authors: Üzar Özçetin Yeter Sinem , Hiçdurmaz Duygu
Published: August 2015

Aims and objectives

This study aimed to identify the approaches used by nurses to address the sensory requirements of patients to respond to the concerns and needs in this area.

Background

Preventing sensory problems is very important for intensive care nurses as these problems may cause various additional health problems in intensive care patients; however, no study has evaluated the approaches used by nurses in this respect.

Design

The study was conducted as a descriptive study in all internal medicine intensive care units at hospitals located within the borders of the metropolitan municipality in the capital city of Turkey.

Method

Data were collected using case forms that were developed through expert opinions to identify the approaches of nurses for the sensory requirements of patients. The study was conducted with 95 nurses who agreed to be involved in the study of the 107 internal medicine intensive care nurses in the research population.

Results

Most of the nurses (86·3%) who took part in this study indicated that intensive care patients had sensory requirements, but 80% clarified that their priority was to maintain life support and to meet their physiological needs. Almost all of the nurses were able to accurately identify the specific sensory problems of the six different ones in cases that were assigned to them. However, this ratio decreased when identifying the proper approach for the given sensory requirement.

Conclusions

Nurses were able to identify sensory requirements of patients, but they do need support in deciding the appropriate management approach. This study may fill the gap in the literature regarding the approaches of nurses towards sensory requirements and to provide contribution for future research.

Relevance to clinical practice

To help intensive care patients with sensory problems, nurses should routinely assess patients' psychology and should do appropriate interventions.
Spatial patterns in the diet of the Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata and their environmental determinants
Authors: Tsuji Yamato , Ito Takehiko Y. , Wada Kazuo , Watanabe Kunio
Published: August 2015

We aimed to ascertain the environmental determinants of the diets of Japanese macaques Macaca fuscata in relation to geographical variables (latitude and elevation) and environmental variables [annual rainfall, mean temperature, snow characteristics and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a proxy for primary productivity]

We collected dietary data from the entire range of Japanese macaques (29 study sites) and extracted each dietary component to determine spatial patterns over the species' range and between forest types. We then conducted model selection to identify the environmental determinants of staple diets and dietary diversity.

Japanese macaques' diets were mainly composed of 1) foliage, 2) fruits and seeds, and 3) bark and leaf buds, throughout the entire range. Percentages of bark and buds were greater in deciduous forests than in evergreen forests; significant differences in the proportions of the other two major components and in dietary diversity were not observed in different forest types.

Macaques inhabiting forests with higher NDVI and with less snow fed more on fruits and seeds, and a high dietary diversity was observed. In snowy forests, macaques inhabiting higher elevation fed more on foliage, while those inhabiting lower elevations fed mainly on bark and buds.

When studying spatial patterns in the feeding behaviour of mammals, both environmental and geographical variables should be treated equally since the effect of environmental variables may be independent of the effect of geographical variables. In addition, more emphasis should be placed on snow characteristics, because snow cover leads to decreased availability of terrestrial food items and to increased energy costs (for locomotion and body temperature regulation), which can affect feeding behaviour and dietary diversity.
Regulation and Sausages
Authors: Gale Douglas
Published: August 2015

The experience of market disruption during the recent financial crisis has focused attention on the requirements for increasing the resilience of financial markets. Theoretical research has provided new insights into the sources of ‘market freezes’. These models offer new explanations for the sudden drying up of liquidity in terms of adverse selection, ambiguity aversion, coordination failure, hoarding and market manipulation. The challenge is to make use of these insights to help design better regulatory frameworks and improve the structure of the financial system.
Population Growth and Human Capital: A Welfarist Approach
Authors: Renström Thomas I. , Spataro Luca
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between economic and population growth in an endogenous growth model driven by human capital accumulation Because we allow for endogenous population growth, we adopt the population criterion “Relative Critical Level Utilitarianism”, which allows the critical level utility to depend on parents' well‐being. In this scenario, we investigate the equilibrium relationship between economic growth and population growth and we provide the conditions for the economic take‐off to occur. A simulation analysis calibrated on developing countries shows that the model has the potential to explain the dynamics of the latter variables experienced by those countries.
Neuroprotection by safinamide in the 6‐hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sadeghian Mona , Mullali Gizem , Pocock Jennifer M. , Piers Thomas , Roach Arthur , Smith Kenneth J.
Published: August 2015

Aims

Current therapies in Parkinson's disease mainly treat symptoms rather than provide effective neuroprotection. We examined the effects of safinamide (monoamine oxidase B and sodium channel blocker) on microglial activation and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of PD in vivo, and on microglia in vitro.

Methods

Rats received unilateral stereotaxic injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle on day 0: The contralateral side served as control. Safinamide or vehicle was delivered from days 0 or 1, for 7 days, via sub‐cutaneous mini‐pumps.

Results

In vehicle‐treated rats 6‐hydroxydopamine caused a significant increase in the number of activated MHC‐II+ microglia compared with the contralateral side, and only 50% of the dopaminergic neurons survived in the ipsilateral SNc. In contrast, rats treated daily with safinamide 50 and 150 mg/ml (on day 0 or 1) exhibited a significantly reduced number of activated microglia (55% reduction at 150 mg/ml) and a significant protection of dopaminergic neurons (80% of neurons survived) (P < 0.001) compared with vehicle‐treated controls. Rasagiline, a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, and lamotrigine, a sodium channel blocking drug, also protected dopaminergic neurons, indicating that safinamide may act by either or both mechanisms. Safinamide also reduced the activation of microglial cells in response to lipopolysaccharide exposure in vitro.

Conclusion

Safinamide therapy suppresses microglial activation and protects dopaminergic neurons from degeneration in the 6‐hydroxydopamine model of PD, suggesting that the drug not only treats symptoms but also provides neuroprotection.
Targeting of prolamins by RNAi in bread wheat: effectiveness of seven silencing‐fragment combinations for obtaining lines devoid of coeliac disease epitopes from highly immunogenic gliadins
Authors: Barro Francisco , Iehisa Julio C. M. , Giménez María J. , García‐Molina María D. , Ozuna Carmen V. , Comino Isabel , Sousa Carolina , Gil‐Humanes Javier
Published: August 2015

Gluten proteins are responsible for the viscoelastic properties of wheat flour but also for triggering pathologies in susceptible individuals, of which coeliac disease (CD) and noncoeliac gluten sensitivity may affect up to 8% of the population. The only effective treatment for affected persons is a strict gluten‐free diet. Here, we report the effectiveness of seven plasmid combinations, encompassing RNAi fragments from α‐, γ‐, ω‐gliadins, and LMW glutenin subunits, for silencing the expression of different prolamin fractions. Silencing patterns of transgenic lines were analysed by gel electrophoresis, RP‐HPLC and mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), whereas gluten immunogenicity was assayed by an anti‐gliadin 33‐mer monoclonal antibody (moAb). Plasmid combinations 1 and 2 downregulated only γ‐ and α‐gliadins, respectively. Four plasmid combinations were highly effective in the silencing of ω‐gliadins and γ‐gliadins, and three of these also silenced α‐gliadins. HMW glutenins were upregulated in all but one plasmid combination, while LMW glutenins were downregulated in three plasmid combinations. Total protein and starch contents were unaffected regardless of the plasmid combination used. Six plasmid combinations provided strong reduction in the gluten content as measured by moAb and for two combinations, this reduction was higher than 90% in comparison with the wild type. CD epitope analysis in peptides identified in LC‐MS/MS showed that lines from three plasmid combinations were totally devoid of CD epitopes from the highly immunogenic α‐ and ω‐gliadins. Our findings raise the prospect of breeding wheat species with low levels of harmful gluten, and of achieving the important goal of developing nontoxic wheat cultivars.
Genetic resources offer efficient tools for rice functional genomics research
Authors: Lo Shuen‐Fang , Fan Ming‐Jen , Hsing Yue‐Ie , Chen Liang‐Jwu , Chen Shu , Wen Ien‐Chie , Liu Yi‐Lun , Chen Ku‐Ting , Jiang Mirng‐Jier , Lin Ming‐Kuang , Rao Meng‐Yen , Yu Lin‐Chih , Ho Tuan‐Hua David , Yu Su‐May
Published: August 2015

Summary statement

Compared with the robustness of genome sequencing and bioinformatics techniques, progress in understanding the function of rice genes has lagged, hampering the utilization of rice genes for cereal crop improvement. In this review, we discuss the important features of existing T‐DNA activation‐ and knockout‐tagged rice mutant populations, summarize the recent progress in functional genomics research using these resources and discuss how to more effectively utilize these resources to expedite functional genomics and phenomics studies following forward and reverse genetics approaches. These studies utilizing the T‐DNA insertion mutant populations may facilitate the translation of rice functional genomics research to improvements of rice and other cereal crops.
Genetics of melanocytic nevi
Authors: Roh Mi Ryung , Eliades Philip , Gupta Sameer , Tsao Hensin
Published: August 2015

Melanocytic nevi are a benign clonal proliferation of cells expressing the melanocytic phenotype, with heterogeneous clinical and molecular characteristics. In this review, we discuss the genetics of nevi by salient nevi subtypes: congenital melanocytic nevi, acquired melanocytic nevi, blue nevi, and Spitz nevi. While the molecular etiology of nevi has been less thoroughly studied than melanoma, it is clear that nevi and melanoma share common driver mutations. Acquired melanocytic nevi harbor oncogenic mutations in BRAF, which is the predominant oncogene associated with melanoma. Congenital melanocytic nevi and blue nevi frequently harbor NRAS mutations and GNAQ mutations, respectively, while Spitz and atypical Spitz tumors often exhibit HRAS and kinase rearrangements. These initial ‘driver’ mutations are thought to trigger the establishment of benign nevi. After this initial phase of the cell proliferation, a senescence program is executed, causing termination of nevi growth. Only upon the emergence of additional tumorigenic alterations, which may provide an escape from oncogene‐induced senescence, can malignant progression occur. Here, we review the current literature on the pathobiology and genetics of nevi in the hope that additional studies of nevi promise to inform our understanding of the transition from benign neoplasm to malignancy.
Bovine Oviduct Epithelial Cells Dedifferentiate Partly in Culture, While Maintaining their Ability to Improve Early Embryo Development Rate and Quality
Authors: Schmaltz‐Panneau B , Locatelli Y , Uzbekova S , Perreau C , Mermillod P
Published: August 2015

Contents

There are convincing arguments to suggest that the success of early reproductive events is reliant on a satisfactory dialogue between gametes–embryo and the oviduct epithelium. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize an in vitro model to study these interactions. Cattle zygotes produced in vitro were cultured in either SOF or TCM‐199 in the presence or absence of bovine oviduct cell monolayers (BOEC), under 20% or 5% O2. The embryonic development rate and its quality (cell numbers, cryosurvival) were evaluated, as were the BOEC contents in 11 candidate transcripts (real‐time PCR) at different time points. A BOEC co‐culture did indeed increase the rate of development in both media under 5% O2 (41 vs 27% and 28 vs 10% of Day 8 blastocysts in SOF and TCM‐199, respectively; p < 0.05). The effect of BOEC on the developmental rate was more pronounced under 20% O2 (35 vs 6% and 27 vs 4% of Day 8 blastocysts in SOF and TCM‐199, respectively; p < 0.05). BOEC significantly increased the embryonic cell count in TCM‐199 (122.5 ± 11.1 vs 70.3 ± 9.6; p < 0.05) and embryonic cryosurvival in both media. The expression levels of SOD, FGF2 and TGF‐β1 in BOEC remained steady during culture, although mRNA levels of OGP, C3, PGR and ESR2 were clearly reduced, suggesting a dedifferentiation of BOEC during culture. However, SSP1 and GPX4 transcripts were slightly increased during culture, this rise becoming significant by the end of the culture period. In conclusion, our co‐culture system with bovine oviduct epithelial cells used for the development of bovine zygotes produced in vitro enhanced blastocyst formation and above all the quality of the resulting embryos, which was associated with specific transcriptomic changes.
Restoration impacts on fuels and fire potential in a dryland tropical ecosystem dominated by the invasive grassMegathyrsus maximus
Authors: Ellsworth Lisa M. , Litton Creighton M. , Leary James J. K.
Published: August 2015

Ecological restoration often attempts to promote native species while managing for disturbances such as fire and non‐native invasions. The goal of this research was to investigate whether restoration of a non‐native, invasiveMegathyrsus maximus(guinea grass) tropical grassland could simultaneously promote native species and reduce fire potential.Megathyrsus maximuswas suppressed with herbicide, and three suites of native species—each including the same groundcover and shrub, and one of three tree species—were outplanted in a randomized, complete block design that also included herbicide control (herbicide with no outplantings) and untreated control treatments. Fuels were quantified 27 months after outplanting, and potential fire behavior (rate of spread and flame length) was modeled withBehavePlus. Compared with untreated controls, native outplant treatments reducedM. maximuscover by 76–91% andM. maximuslive and dead fuel loads by greater than 92 and 68%, respectively. Despite reductions inM. maximusfuels, neither treatment‐level (grass + native) total fuel loads and fuel moistures, nor modeled fire behavior differed between outplant treatments and controls. The best performing native woody species (Dodonaea viscosa) had significantly lower average individual plant live fuel moisture (84%) thanM. maximus(156%) or other native woody outplant species (201–328%), highlighting the need for careful species selection. These results demonstrate that restoring native species to degraded tropical dry forests is possible, but that ecological restoration will not necessarily alter the potential for fire, at least in the short term, making selection of species with beneficial fuel properties and active fire management critical components of ongoing restoration.
Factors Affecting Hurricane Evacuation Intentions
Authors: Lazo Jeffrey K. , Bostrom Ann , Morss Rebecca E. , Demuth Julie L. , Lazrus Heather
Published: August 2015

Protective actions for hurricane threats are a function of the environmental and information context; individual and household characteristics, including cultural worldviews, past hurricane experiences, and risk perceptions; and motivations and barriers to actions. Using survey data from the Miami‐Dade and Houston‐Galveston areas, we regress individuals’ stated evacuation intentions on these factors in two information conditions: (1) seeing a forecast that a hurricane will hit one's area, and (2) receiving an evacuation order. In both information conditions having an evacuation plan, wanting to keep one's family safe, and viewing one's home as vulnerable to wind damage predict increased evacuation intentions. Some predictors of evacuation intentions differ between locations; for example, Florida respondents with more egalitarian worldviews are more likely to evacuate under both information conditions, and Florida respondents with more individualist worldviews are less likely to evacuate under an evacuation order, but worldview was not significantly associated with evacuation intention for Texas respondents. Differences by information condition also emerge, including: (1) evacuation intentions decrease with age in the evacuation order condition but increase with age in the saw forecast condition, and (2) evacuation intention in the evacuation order condition increases among those who rely on public sources of information on hurricane threats, whereas in the saw forecast condition evacuation intention increases among those who rely on personal sources. Results reinforce the value of focusing hurricane information efforts on evacuation plans and residential vulnerability and suggest avenues for future research on how hurricane contexts shape decision making.
Public Debt, Economic Growth and Inflation inAfrican Economies
Authors: Lopes da Veiga José Augusto , Ferreira‐Lopes Alexandra , Sequeira Tiago Neves
Published: August 2015

We analyse the relationship between public debt, economic growth and inflation in a group of 52African economies between 1950 and 2012. The results indicate that the limits of public debt are negatively related to economic growth and exhibit, from a given level of debt, an invertedUbehaviour regarding the relationship between economic growth and public debt. Briefly, the high levels of public debt are coincident with reduced rates of economic growth and rising levels of inflation. Our results for three specific geographical areas resemble those of the overall analysis, despite some differences. InNorthAfrican countries, the growth rates of the gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation also show an invertedUbehaviour as the ratio of public debt/GDPincreases. The highest rate of economic growth is recorded when the ratio of public debt/GDPis below 30% ofGDPand corresponds to an average inflation rate of 5.33%. An identical behaviour of theGDPgrowth rates and inflation also appears in Sub‐Saharan countries until the third interval (60–90%). However, the highest growth rate of theGDPandGDPper capita is registered when the public debt/GDPratio is in the second interval (30–60%). For the countries of theSouthernAfricaDevelopmentCommunity, the highest average rate of economic growth (6.8%) is similar toNorthAfrican countries, when the ratio public debt/GDPis below 30% ofGDP, with an average inflation rate of 11%. A number of robustness analyses were performed and the great majority of them confirm the general analysis.
Prospective diagnostic accuracy evaluation and clinical utilization of a modified assay for platelet‐associated immunoglobulin in thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic dogs
Authors: Bachman Dawn E. , Forman Marnin A. , Hostutler Roger A. , Corn Stephanie , Lin JuiMing , Kociba Gary J.
Published: August 2015

Background

No diagnostic tests reliably distinguish primary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia (pIMT) from other causes of thrombocytopenia.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to evaluate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity using modified direct and indirect platelet‐associated immunoglobulin (PAIg) assays and reticulated platelets (RP) by flow cytometry for the classification of thrombocytopenic dogs and differentiatingpIMT.

Methods

Platelets were isolated from plasma samples of thrombocytopenic dogs and nonthrombocytopenic healthy and ill dogs. For directPAIg, they were analyzed by flow cytometry after incubation with anti‐human amylase fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC, negative control), anti‐canine IgG‐FITC, anti‐canine IgM‐FITC, and anti‐humanCD61‐conjugated fluorochrome (AF647). For indirectPAIg, platelets from normothrombocytic dogs were incubated with thrombocytopenic dog plasma and analyzed similar to directPAIg.RPpercentages were determined based on forward light scatter vs thiazole orange fluorescence.

Results

Seventy‐five thrombocytopenic dogs, 16 nonthrombocytopenic ill dogs, and 24 healthy dogs were evaluated. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity utilizing direct IgG was 29.4% and 75.9%, respectively; when combining direct/indirect assays (IgG/IgM), it was 76.5% and 65.5%, respectively, for distinguishingpIMT. ForRP, no significant difference betweenpIMTandsIMTwas noted.RP> 8% with positivePAIg had a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 27.6% for distinguishingpIMT. There was a significant difference in platelet concentration andCD61% staining between control andpIMT.

Conclusions

The combined modified assays resulted in fair diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis ofpIMT. The modification of the immunoglobulin assays improved diagnostic accuracy; however, a single panel to accurately classify thrombocytopenia remains elusive.
Cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptor unloading during passive hyperthermia does not contribute to hyperthermia‐induced hyperventilation
Authors: Lucas Rebekah A. I. , Pearson James , Schlader Zachary J. , Crandall Craig G.
Published: August 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does baroreceptor unloading during passive hyperthermia contribute to increases in ventilation and decreases in end‐tidal carbon dioxide during that exposure?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Hyperthermic hyperventilation is not mitigated by expanding central blood volume and reloading the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors via rapid saline infusion or by reloading the arterial baroreceptors via phenylephrine administration. The absence of a reduction in ventilation upon reloading the baroreceptors to pre‐hyperthermic levels indicates that cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptor unloading with hyperthermia is unlikely to contribute to hyperthermic hyperventilation in humans.

This study tested the hypothesis that baroreceptor unloading during passive hyperthermia contributes to increases in ventilation and decreases in end‐tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide () during that exposure. Two protocols were performed, in which healthy subjects underwent passive hyperthermia (increasing intestinal temperature by ∼1.8°C) to cause a sustained increase in ventilation and reduction in . Upon attaining hyperthermic hyperventilation, in protocol 1 (n = 10; three females) a bolus (19 ± 2 ml kg−1) of warm (∼38°C) isotonic saline was rapidly (5–10 min) infused intravenously to restore reductions in central venous pressure, whereas in protocol 2 (n = 11; five females) phenylephrine was infused intravenously (60–120 μg min−1) to return mean arterial pressure to normothermic levels. In protocol 1, hyperthermia increased ventilation (by 2.2 ± 1.7 l min−1, P < 0.01), while reducing (by 4 ± 3 mmHg, P = 0.04) and central venous pressure (by 5 ± 1 mmHg, P <0.01). Saline infusion increased central venous pressure by 5 ± 1 mmHg (P < 0.01), restoring it to normothermic values, but did not change ventilation or (P > 0.05). In protocol 2, hyperthermia increased ventilation (by 5.0 ± 2.7 l min−1, P <0.01) and reduced (by 5 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.01) and mean arterial pressure (by 9 ± 7 mmHg, P <0.01). Phenylephrine infusion increased mean arterial pressure by 12 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.01), restoring it to normothermic values, but did not change ventilation or (P > 0.05). The absence of a reduction in ventilation upon reloading the cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptors to pre‐hyperthermic levels indicates that baroreceptor unloading with hyperthermia is unlikely to contribute to hyperthermic hyperventilation in humans.
Shock-Based Experimental Investigation of the Linear Particle Chain Impact Damper
Authors: Gharib Mohamed , Karkoub Mansour
Published: August 2015

Impact dampers (IDs) provide an effective, economical, and retrofittable solution to the vibration problem in several engineering applications. An ID typically consists of a single or multiple masses constrained between two or more stops and attached to a primary system to be controlled. The latest developed type in the IDs family is the linear particle chain (LPC) ID. It consists of a linear arrangement of two sizes of freely moving masses, constrained by two stops. The high number of impacts among the damper masses leads to rapid energy dissipation compared to the common IDs. This paper presents an experimental study on the effectiveness of the LPC ID in reducing the vibrations of a single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) frame structure under different shock excitations. Prototypes of the LPC and conventional IDs with different geometric parameters are fabricated. The structure is excited by either an impact at the top floor or pulses at its base. The damping effect of the LPC ID is compared with that of conventional IDs. The experimental outcomes clearly show that the LPC ID can effectively reduce the response of simple structures under shock excitation. Additional investigations are conducted to examine the LPC ID sensitivity to the main damper parameters, such as the chain length, damper mass ratio, and damper clearance.
Transform Operator Pair Assisted Hilbert–Huang Transform for Signals With Instantaneous Frequency Intersections
Authors: Sun Yuxin , Zhuang Chungang , Xiong Zhenhua
Published: August 2015

Due to low frequency resolution for closely spaced spectral components, i.e., the instantaneous frequencies (IFs) lie within an octave or even have intersections, the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) fails to separate such signals and consequently generates inaccurate time–frequency distribution (TFD). In this paper, a transform operator pair assisted HHT is proposed to improve the capability of the HHT to separate signals, especially those with IF intersections. The two operators of a pair are constructed to remove the chosen component that is clearly observed in the TFD of the signal, and then recover it from intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). With this approach, the components can be clearly separated and the intersections can also be identified in the TFD. Since a priori knowledge of the transform operator is usually not available in real applications, an iterative algorithm is presented to obtain a global transform operator. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by analysis of numerical signals and a real signal collected from a cracked rotor–bearing system during the start-up process. Moreover, the proposed approach is shown to be superior to the normalized Hilbert transform (NHT) as well as the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD).
Incorporating Six Degree-of-Freedom Intervertebral Joint Stiffness in a Lumbar Spine Musculoskeletal Model—Method and Performance in Flexed Postures
Authors: Meng Xiangjie , Bruno Alexander G. , Cheng Bo , Wang Wenjun , Bouxsein Mary L. , Anderson Dennis E.
Published: August 2015

Intervertebral translations and rotations are likely dependent on intervertebral stiffness properties. The objective of this study was to incorporate realistic intervertebral stiffnesses in a musculoskeletal model of the lumbar spine using a novel force-dependent kinematics approach, and examine the effects on vertebral compressive loading and intervertebral motions. Predicted vertebral loading and intervertebral motions were compared to previously reported in vivo measurements. Intervertebral joint reaction forces and motions were strongly affected by flexion stiffness, as well as force–motion coupling of the intervertebral stiffness. Better understanding of intervertebral stiffness and force–motion coupling could improve musculoskeletal modeling, implant design, and surgical planning.
Design Space of Foil Bearings for Closed-Loop Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles Based on Three-Dimensional Thermohydrodynamic Analyses
Authors: Kim Daejong
Published: August 2015

The closed-loop Brayton cycle with supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) as an operating fluid is an attractive alternative to conventional power cycles due to very high power density. Foil gas bearings using CO2 are the most promising for small S-CO2 turbomachinery but there are many problems to address: large power loss due to high flow turbulence, lack of design/analysis tool due to nonideal gas behavior, and lack of load capacity when they are used for large systems. This paper presents high-level design/analysis tool involving three-dimensional (3D) thermohydrodynamic (THD) analyses of radial foil bearings considering real gas effect and flow turbulence inside the film. Simulations are performed for radial foil bearing with 34.9 mm in diameter and lubricated with CO2 and N2 under various ambient conditions up to above 40 bar gauge pressure. The simulation results using the turbulence model still underpredict the measured data in open literature. However, the error between the prediction and measurements decreases as either speed or ambient pressure increases. In addition, general behavior of substantial increase in power loss with ambient pressure agrees with the measured data. The simulation results indicate the importance of detailed THD analysis of the foil bearings for prediction of power loss under severe turbulent condition. A conceptual layout of rotor system for 10 MWe S-CO2 loop is also presented along with realistic rotor weight and bearing load. A hybrid foil bearing with diameter of 102 mm is suggested for gas generator rotor, and its power losses and minimum film thicknesses at various operating conditions are presented.
The Three-Dimensional Structure of Swirl-Stabilized Flames in a Lean Premixed Multinozzle Can Combustor
Authors: Samarasinghe Janith , Peluso Stephen J. , Quay Bryan D. , Santavicca Domenic A.
Published: August 2015

Flame structure can have a significant effect on a combustor's static stability (resistance to blowoff) and dynamic stability (combustion instability) and therefore is an important aspect of the combustion process that must be taken into account in the design of gas turbine combustors. While the relationship between flame structure and flame stability has been studied extensively in single-nozzle combustors, relatively few studies have been conducted in multinozzle combustor configurations typical of actual gas turbine combustion systems. In this paper, a chemiluminescence-based tomographic reconstruction technique is used to obtain three-dimensional images of the flame structure in a laboratory-scale five-nozzle can combustor. Analysis of the 3D images reveals features of the complex, three-dimensional structure of this multinozzle flame. Effects of interacting swirling flows, flame–flame interactions, and flame–wall interactions on the flame structure are also discussed.
Bump-Type Foil Bearings and Flexure Pivot Tilting Pad Bearings for Oil-Free Automotive Turbochargers: Highlights in Rotordynamic Performance
Authors: Ryu Keun , Ashton Zachary
Published: August 2015

Oil-free turbochargers (TCs) require gas bearings in compact units of enhanced rotordynamic stability, mechanical efficiency, and improved reliability with reduced maintenance costs compared with oil-lubricated bearings. Implementation of gas bearings into automotive TCs requires careful thermal management with accurate measurements verifying model predictions. Gas foil bearings (GFBs) are customarily used in oil-free microturbomachinery because of their distinct advantages including tolerance to shaft misalignment and centrifugal/thermal growth, and large damping and load capacity compared with rigid surface gas bearings. Flexure pivot tilting pad bearings (FPTPBs) are widely used in high-performance turbomachinery since they offer little or no cross-coupled stiffnesses with enhanced rotordynamic stability. The paper details the rotordynamic performance and temperature characteristics of two prototype oil-free TCs; one supported on foil journal and thrust bearings and the other one is supported on FPTP journal bearings and foil thrust bearings of identical sizes (outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID)) with the same aerodynamic components. The tests of the oil-free TCs, each consisting of a hollow rotor (∼0.4 kg and ∼23 mm in OD at the bearing locations), are performed for various imbalances in noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH; i.e., cold air driven rotordynamics rig) and gas stand test facilities up to 130 krpm. No forced cooling air flow streams are supplied to the test bearings and rotor. The measurements demonstrate the stable performance of the rotor–gas bearing systems in an ambient NVH test cell with cold forced air into the turbine inlet. Post-test inspection of the test FPTPGBs after the hot gas stand tests evidences seizure of the hottest bearing, thereby revealing a notable reduction in bearing clearance as the rotor temperature increases. The compliant FPTPGBs offer a sound solution for stable rotor support only at an ambient temperature condition while demonstrating less tolerance for shaft growth, centrifugal, and thermal, beyond its clearance. The current measurements give confidence in the present GFB technology for ready application into automotive TCs for passenger car and commercial vehicle applications with increased reliability.
Breathing guidance in radiation oncology and radiology: A systematic review of patient and healthy volunteer studies
Authors: Pollock Sean , Keall Robyn , Keall Paul
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

The advent of image‐guided radiation therapy has led to dramatic improvements in the accuracy of treatment delivery in radiotherapy. Such advancements have highlighted the deleterious impact tumor motion can have on both image quality and radiation treatment delivery. One approach to reducing tumor motion irregularities is the use of breathing guidance systems during imaging and treatment. These systems aim to facilitate regular respiratory motion which in turn improves image quality and radiation treatment accuracy. A review of such research has yet to be performed; it was therefore their aim to perform a systematic review of breathing guidance interventions within the fields of radiation oncology and radiology.

Methods:

From August 1–14, 2014, the following online databases were searched: Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science. Results of these searches were filtered in accordance to a set of eligibility criteria. The search, filtration, and analysis of articles were conducted in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Reference lists of included articles, and repeat authors of included articles, were hand‐searched.

Results:

The systematic search yielded a total of 480 articles, which were filtered down to 27 relevant articles in accordance to the eligibility criteria. These 27 articles detailed the intervention of breathing guidance strategies in controlled studies assessing its impact on such outcomes as breathing regularity, image quality, target coverage, and treatment margins, recruiting either healthy adult volunteers or patients with thoracic or abdominal lesions. In 21/27 studies, significant (p < 0.05) improvements from the use of breathing guidance were observed.

Conclusions:

There is a trend toward the number of breathing guidance studies increasing with time, indicating a growing clinical interest. The results found here indicate that further clinical studies are warranted that quantify the clinical impact of breathing guidance, along with the health technology assessment to determine the advantages and disadvantages of breathing guidance.
Republished: Respiratory microbiota: addressing clinical questions, informing clinical practice
Authors: Rogers Geraint B , Shaw Dominick , Marsh Robyn L , Carroll Mary P , Serisier David J , Bruce Kenneth D
Published: August 2015

Over the last decade, technological advances have revolutionised efforts to understand the role played by microbes in airways disease. With the application of ever more sophisticated techniques, the literature has become increasingly inaccessible to the non-specialist reader, potentially hampering the translation of these gains into improvements in patient care. In this article, we set out the key principles underpinning microbiota research in respiratory contexts and provide practical guidance on how best such studies can be designed, executed and interpreted. We examine how an understanding of the respiratory microbiota both challenges fundamental assumptions and provides novel clinical insights into lung disease, and we set out a number of important targets for ongoing research.
The danger of epigenetics misconceptions (epigenetics and stuff…)
Authors: Georgel Philippe T.
Published: August 2015

Within the past two decades, the fields of chromatin structure and function and transcription regulation research started to fuse and overlap, as evidence mounted to support a very strong regulatory role in gene expression that was associated with histone post-translational modifications, DNA methylation, as well as various chromatin-associated proteins (the pillars of the “Epigenetics” building). The fusion and convergence of these complementary fields is now often simply referred to as “Epigenetics”. During these same 20 years, numerous new research groups have started to recognize the importance of chromatin composition, conformation, and its plasticity. However, as the field started to grow exponentially, its growth came with the spreading of several important misconceptions, which have unfortunately led to improper or hasty conclusions. The goal of this short “opinion” piece is to attempt to minimize future misinterpretations of experimental results and ensure that the right sets of experiment are used to reach the proper conclusion, at least as far as epigenetic mechanisms are concerned.
Damping in thin circular viscothermoelastic plate resonators
Authors: Grover D.
Published: August 2015

The governing equations of transverse motion and heat conduction of a homogenous, isotropic, thermally conducting, Kelvin–Voigt-type medium, based on Kirchhoff–Love plate theory, are established for out-of-plane vibrations of a generalized viscothermoelastic circular thin plate. The analytical expressions for thermoelastic damping of vibration and frequency shift are obtained for generalized and coupled viscothermoelastic plates. It is noticed that the damping of vibrations significantly depends on mechanical relaxation times and thermal relaxation time in addition to thermomechanical coupling in a circular plate under resonance conditions. The surface conditions also impose significant effects on the vibrations of such resonators. The numerical results may also be illustrated in the case of a circular plate and an axisymmetric circular plate for clamped and simply supported boundary conditions for fixed aspect ratio, fixed radius, and fixed thickness, respectively.