bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model for allometric permeation in fractal branching channel net driven by capillary pressure
Authors: Fan Jie , Zhu Na , Liu Zhi , Cheng Qian , Liu Yong
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the allometric permeation performance in fractal branching channel net driven by capillary pressure and analyze how the geometrical parameters of the branching channel net affect the permeability of the fluid transportation.

Design/methodology/approach

– An allometric permeation model is proposed based on the fractal theory by considering capillary pressure as the main driven force of fluid permeation.

Findings

– It is found that the permeability efficiency is a function of fractal dimension, bifurcation number, and number of branching level. Different fluid permeation efficiencies of the channel net can be obtained by changing the three parameters.

Originality/value

– The allometric permeation model established provides a better understanding of the permeation mechanism in fractal porous media which could further help with the design of bio-mimetic artificial materials.
Numerical simulation of flow field around the race car in case
Authors: Dang Tien Phuc , Gu Zhengqi , Chen Zhen
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the flow field structure around the race car in two cases: stationary wheel and rotating wheel. In addition, this paper also illustrates and clarifies the influence of wheel rotation on the aerodynamic characteristics around the race car.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the Realizable k-ε model to study model open-wheel race car. Two cases are considered, a rotating wheel and stationary wheel.

Findings

– The results obtained from the study are presented graphically, pressure, velocity distribution, the flow field structure, lift coefficient (Cl) and drag coefficient (Cd) for two cases and the significant influence of rotating case on flow field structure around wheel and aerodynamic characteristics of race car. The decreases in Cd and Cl values in the rotating case for the race car are 16.83 and 13.25 per cent, respectively, when compared to the stationary case.

Originality/value

– Understanding the flow field structures and aerodynamic characteristics around the race car in two cases by the steady RANS equations with the Realizable k-ε turbulence model.
Pore-scale numerical investigations of fluid flow in porous media using lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Gao Cheng , Xu Rui-Na , Jiang Pei-Xue
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is employed to explore friction factor of single-phase fluid flow through porous media and the effects of local porous structure including geometry of grains in porous media and specific surface of porous media on two-phase flow dynamic behavior, phase distribution and relative permeability. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– The 3D single-phase LBM model and the 2D multi-component multi-phase Shan-Chen LBM model (S-C model) are developed for fluid flow through porous media. For the solid site, the bounce back scheme is used with non-slip boundary condition.

Findings

– The predicted friction factor for single-phase fluid flow agrees well with experimental data and the well-known correlation. Compared with porous media with square grains, the two-phase fluids in porous media with circle grains are more connected and continuous, and consequently the relative permeability is higher. As for the factor of specific porous media surface, the relative permeability of wetting fluids varies a little in two systems with different specific surface areas. In addition, the relative permeability of non-wetting fluid decreases with the increasing of specific surface of porous media due to the large flow resistance.

Originality/value

– Fluid-fluid interaction and fluid-solid interaction in the SC LBM model are presented, and schemes to obtain immiscible two-phase flow and different contact angles are discussed. Two-off mechanisms acting on the wetting fluids is proposed to illustrate the relative permeability of wetting fluids varies a little in two systems with different specific surface.
Rheological effects on the levelling dynamics of thin fluid films
Authors: Ahmed Gulraiz , Sellier Mathieu , Lee Yeaw Chu , Jermy Mark , Taylor Michael
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate numerically the effect of rheology on the leveling of thin fluid films on horizontal solid substrates.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mathematical model based on the lubrication approximation which defines non-Newtonian rheology using a Power-law model is presented. The rheology is described by two parameters: the consistency factor and the flow behavior index. The resulting highly non-linear coupled set of equations is discretized using Finite-Difference and the resulting algebraic system is solved via an efficient Multigrid algorithm.

Findings

– Importantly, the non-dimensionalization process leads to a pair of Partial Differential Equations which depends on one parameter only, the flow behavior index. The authors show that the consistency factor only affects the time scale of the leveling process, hence stretching or contracting the time line. Results for the leveling of sinusoidal perturbations of the fluid film highlights important differences between the leveling of shear-thinning and shear-thickening fluids. In a normalized time frame, the onset of leveling occurs earlier for the shear-thinning fluid than for the shear-thickening one. However, the dimensionless leveling rate is higher for the shear-thickening fluid than the shear-thinning one. This results in a “threshold thickness” which delimits two regimes: the shear-thinning fluid levels to a thickness above this threshold faster than the shear-thickening fluid but the opposite is true for a film thickness below this threshold. An important aspect of this study is the verification of the numerical implementation using the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS), a first in the context of thin film studies. The paper also highlights differences between the leveling of two-dimensional and three-dimensional thickness perturbations.

Originality/value

– The study of the leveling of disturbances at the free surface of a liquid film using a Power-law rheological model does not appear to have been covered in the literature. Also, the paper uses the MMS to test the validity of the implementation. This appears to be the first time it has been used in the context of the lubrication approximation. Finally, unlike most prior studies, the work does away with the planar assumption.
An empirical test of the accuracy of an attack graph analysis tool
Authors: Sommestad Teodor , Sandström Fredrik
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the practical utility of attack graph analysis. Attack graphs have been proposed as a viable solution to many problems in computer network security management. After individual vulnerabilities are identified with a vulnerability scanner, an attack graph can relate the individual vulnerabilities to the possibility of an attack and subsequently analyze and predict which privileges attackers could obtain through multi-step attacks (in which multiple vulnerabilities are exploited in sequence).

Design/methodology/approach

– The attack graph tool, MulVAL, was fed information from the vulnerability scanner Nexpose and network topology information from 8 fictitious organizations containing 199 machines. Two teams of attackers attempted to infiltrate these networks over the course of two days and reported which machines they compromised and which attack paths they attempted to use. Their reports are compared to the predictions of the attack graph analysis.

Findings

– The prediction accuracy of the attack graph analysis was poor. Attackers were more than three times likely to compromise a host predicted as impossible to compromise compared to a host that was predicted as possible to compromise. Furthermore, 29 per cent of the hosts predicted as impossible to compromise were compromised during the two days. The inaccuracy of the vulnerability scanner and MulVAL’s interpretation of vulnerability information are primary reasons for the poor prediction accuracy.

Originality/value

– Although considerable research contributions have been made to the development of attack graphs, and several analysis methods have been proposed using attack graphs, the extant literature does not describe any tests of their accuracy under realistic conditions.
Combined effects of moisture and radiation on thermal performance of protective clothing
Authors: Fu Ming , Weng Wenguo , Yuan Hongyong
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the combined effects of moisture and radiation on thermal protective performance of protective clothing exposed to low level radiation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a sweating manikin, the effect of radiation and moisture on heat and moisture transfer was initially analyzed under the dry manikin with sweating rate of 100 g/(m2h) exposed to 2.5 kW/m2, and then studied at 200 and 300 g/(m2h) exposed to 2 and 3 kW/m2, respectively. Finally, the combined effects of thermal radiation and moisture were predicted by fitting the relationships among heat loss and wet skin surface temperature, with the sweating rate and radiation intensity.

Findings

– The results show that the heat loss and the wet skin surface temperature are affected by the combined effects of moisture and radiation, with two distinctly different trends. Heat loss from the manikin is increasing with the sweating rate, and decreasing with thermal radiation intensity. However, the wet skin surface temperature has an opposite situation.

Originality/value

– Two filling equations are given to present the relationships among heat loss and wet skin surface temperature, with the sweating rate and radiation intensity. With these two equations, the heat loss and the wet skin surface temperature when exposed to radiation can be predicted by only measuring the mean radiant and ambient temperatures and controlling the sweating rate.
Analysing effect of the factors on ultrasonic seam tensile properties of nonwoven fabrics by Nested Anova Design
Authors: Kayar Mahmut , Mistik Suleyman Ilker , Inan Deniz
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors effecting ultrasonic seam tensile properties.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, 100 percent polypropylene and 100 percent polyester spunbond and meltblown nonwoven fabrics were sewn by using ultrasonic sewing machine with different rollers which have two, three and four rows. Seam tensile properties of the sewn nonwoven fabrics were investigated. Four-Level Nested Anova Design was applied to the data by using Minitab 15 software program.

Findings

– Higher seam strength values were obtained by using four rows roller, PP fiber, spunbond fabric and 50 g/m2 fabric area density for all nonwoven fabrics. Statistical significance was found between fabric area density, roller rows and seam tensile strength properties and between fabric type, roller rows and seam elongation at break values.

Originality/value

– When the authors look at the studies related to ultrasonic sewing, several researchers studied on welding parameters of ultrasonic sewing but very limited studies were performed on assembling of nonwoven fabrics with ultrasonic sewing. Therefore effect of production methods of nonwoven fabrics on the properties of ultrasonic sewing such as seam strength and elongation at break should be investigated.
Local ventilation and wear response of working jackets with different fabric permeability
Authors: Ke Ying , Li Jun , Havenith George
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– An experimental study was conducted to investigate the local ventilation (the right arm, the chest and the back) and wear response of three types of working jackets in different conditions. The relationship between the local ventilation and its related wear response was also explored. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A clothing local ventilation measuring system was developed based on the steady state method to measure the local ventilation of the right arm, the chest and the back. Separate wear trials were conducted to determine the local skin temperature, local microclimate temperature and humidity, clothing local surface temperature, heart rate (HR), eardrum temperature and subjective perceptions.

Findings

– The results indicated that the back part of the jacket had the highest ventilation, followed by the chest and the arm. Fabric permeability affected the local ventilation of the arm and the chest more than on the back. Clothing local surface temperature was significantly related to garment regions but not to fabric permeability. Back ventilation and back surface temperature, arm or chest ventilation and local microclimate humidity of the arm or chest, HR and back ventilation, local ventilation of the arm or the chest and its related thermal sensation, had significant linear relationships.

Originality/value

– The research will help to understand the relationship between the air exchange of the microclimate and the wear response, and thus gives some suggestions on garment design or selection, especially for the working garments.
Understanding delays in housing construction: evidence from Northern Ireland
Authors: McCord J. , McCord M. , Davis P.T. , Haran M. , Rodgers W.J.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate delay factors within private housing construction in Northern Ireland. Delays are inherent throughout the construction industry and create major difficulties in terms of project performance and client satisfaction. Whilst a voluminous body of international literature has investigated pertinent delay factors within construction projects, there is a relative paucity of research which offers a more delineated exploration of delay factors affecting private housing development schemes, particularly in the UK context.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study applies questionnaire survey research to examine the relative importance of 75 delay attribute factors for housing construction projects in Northern Ireland. The approach applies both a relative rank and principal component analysis to distil the key factors impinging upon the delay process in housing construction.

Findings

– The key finding from this research is that delays within the housing construction sector in Northern Ireland can be attributed to deficiencies in site management, ineffective communication strategies and a lack of coordination between key stakeholders involved in the construction process.

Originality/value

– The study adds to the existing knowledge base and provides stakeholders with information on factors, which, if properly risk assessed and understood, can improve housing construction performance. The findings are of relevance to construction industry practitioners, policy makers and researchers with lessons learned serving as a basis for future policy development as well as affording an information platform for improving the efficiency and expediency of housing provision internationally.
Problems and prospects of implementing cloud computing in university libraries
Authors: Yuvaraj Mayank
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The paper aims to examine the characteristic elements of various organizational factors to identify whether a favourable climate for implementing and sustaining cloud computing in Banaras Hindu University library system (BHULS) existed.

Design/methodology/approach

– After reviewing relevant literature on the topic, a list of 20 factors that affected an organization’s adoption to innovation was prepared. A questionnaire was personally administered to the library professionals engaged in BHULS. Respondents were asked to nominate the level of importance of each factor for validation of cloud computing adoption.

Findings

– Findings of the paper validate the fact that opportune time for the implementation of cloud computing existed in BHULS. Library staff showed high willingness toward the adoption of the cloud computing and were well prepared to grasp the challenges.

Practical implications

– The paper establishes the fact that the benefits of cloud computing are inadequate to convince organizations to migrate from the traditional computing paradigm to the cloud. Technological advancement may not transform the cloud into a mainstream technology. To motivate the expansion of cloud computing adoption, emphasis has to be laid upon collaboration between the cloud service providers supplemented by solid cloud legislations which need to be worked out.

Originality/value

– Because no empirical study on the cloud computing in conjunction with academic libraries of India has been carried out before, this paper closes this gap and provides guidelines to migrate to cloud environment. Also, it provides the perceptions of library professionals in response to its adoption.
Research growth in LIS during last decade: a study
Authors: Pandita Ramesh , Singh Shivendra
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the research growth in the field of library and information science (LIS) at a global level for the period 2004-2013. The key areas analyzed in the study include research growth in LIS at a continental level, world’s ten leading LIS research countries, citation analysis Hirsch Index (h-index), etc.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is supported with empirical findings, for which data were retrieved from the SCImago Journal and Country Ranking, based on SCOPUS data source. The study is not exhaustive in nature, as it covers only those articles published in LIS journals indexed with this particular data source. The study simply reflects a trend and not the exhaustive figures.

Findings

– A total of 75,887 research articles were retrieved on the date of data retrieval and put to analysis. The USA is emerging as a leading LIS research country with 29,349 articles, constituting 38.54 per cent of the total global LIS research output, followed by the UK and China. Spain is the fastest-growing LIS research country in the world, with an average annual research growth of 28.70 per cent, which is closely followed by Australia and China. The average annual corresponding research growth of LIS publications at the global level remained 10.46 per cent. Out of 194 nation countries, 162 (82.50 per cent) have contributed to the LIS research during the period. North America, Europe and Asia are the three leading LIS research continents.

Originality/value

– The scope of the present study is global in nature and lasts for the period 2004-2013.
The issues and challenges facing a digital library with a special focus on the University of Calgary
Authors: Thomas Bennett
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on major issues involved in setting up a digital library, with special attention given to the University of Calgary’s new Taylor Family Digital Library, which was started in 2006 and completed in 2011 at a cost of $203 million.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper will begin with a description of the targeted users. It will discuss user expectations for the digital library, which are often focused on the distributive function of the library to provide rapid and easy access to resources such as licensed e-journals and e-books. It will then explore issues related to the productive function, the digitization of collections. Finally, the paper will address the question: what purposes does digitization of collections serve?

Findings

– Although digital materials are becoming more popular with university library users, university libraries are not yet ready to abandon print library materials altogether for a wide variety of reasons.

Originality/value

– This is a case study of a library that claims to be unique: a university library which is truly digital in nature.
Separating Sovereignty and Sharing Problems: Australian Federalism and the European Union
Authors: Kay Adrian
Published: November 2015

From its origins in the study of the European Union, the concept of multi‐level governance (MLG) can contribute to understanding the capacity for, and barriers to, dynamism and innovation in the Australian federation. By placing the quality of the interactions between different jurisdictions at different spatial scales at the centre of analysis, the concept helps to underpin the argument that constitutional change in formal roles and responsibilities is not sufficient, and may not even be necessary, for reform of Australian federalism. The following steps are made in the paper. The first defines the main elements of MLG and its advantages for extra‐constitutional analysis of multi‐level policy coordination. The characteristics of MLG observed in contemporary Australian federalism are set out next. The final section presents a critique of the current Reform of the Federation White Paper.
Associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain with cardio‐metabolic risk factors in adolescent offspring: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Gaillard R , Welten M , Oddy WH , Beilin LJ , Mori TA , Jaddoe VWV , Huang R‐C
Published: November 2015

Objective

To assess the associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and rates of early‐pregnancy, mid‐pregnancy and total gestational weight gain with adolescent body fat distribution and cardio‐metabolic outcomes.

Design

Population‐based prospective cohort study.

Setting

Western Australia.

Population

Thousand three hundred and ninety‐two mothers and their children.

Methods

Maternal prepregnancy weight was assessed by questionnaire. Maternal weights at a mean of 16.5 ± 2.2 SD and 34.1 ± 1.5 SD weeks of gestation were obtained from medical records. Offspring adiposity and cardio‐metabolic outcomes were assessed at a median age 17.0 years [95% confidence interval (CI) range: 16.7, 17.7].

Main outcome measures

Adolescent BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, total and HDL‐cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucose and HOMA‐IR.

Results

Higher prepregnancy BMI was associated with higher adolescent BMI, WC, WHR, systolic blood pressure, insulin, glucose and HOMA‐IR levels (P‐values <0.05). Adjustment for adolescent current BMI attenuated the associations of prepregnancy BMI with adolescent cardio‐metabolic outcomes. Higher weight gain in early‐pregnancy, but not mid‐pregnancy, was associated with higher adolescent BMI, WC and WHR (P‐values <0.05), but not with other cardio‐metabolic risk factors. Total gestational weight gain was associated with adolescent BMI and WC (P‐values <0.05). Higher prepregnancy BMI and early‐pregnancy weight gain were associated with increased risks of the high‐metabolic risk cluster in adolescents (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.33, 1.85 and OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03, 1.47 per SD increase in prepregnancy BMI and early‐pregnancy weight gain, respectively).

Conclusions

Higher maternal prepregnancy BMI and early‐pregnancy weight gain rate are associated with an adverse adolescent cardio‐metabolic profile. These associations are largely mediated by adolescent BMI.

Tweetable abstract

Prepregnancy BMI and early‐pregnancy WG rate are associated with adverse adolescent cardio‐metabolic profile.
Feasibility of a community‐based interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention trial on weight loss (the HealthTrack study)
Authors: Tapsell Linda C. , Thorne Rebecca , Batterham Marijka , Russell Joanna , Ciarrochi Joseph , Peoples Gregory , Lonergan Maureen , Martin Allison
Published: November 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel interdisciplinary intervention on weight loss.

Methods

A 3‐month parallel, blinded, randomised controlled trial compared the effects of an interdisciplinary model of care (individualised interdisciplinary advice delivered through dietitians) with control (general advice on diet and physical activity delivered by primary care nurses). The primary outcome was assessing feasibility and acceptability of the protocol, with secondary outcomes including body weight, clinical, dietary, physical activity and psychological variables.

Results

Twenty‐four participants were randomised and 21 included in the final analysis. The recruitment rate was 42% (24/57) and the eligibility rate 83% (24/29). The withdrawal rate was low (13% overall) compared with similar trials. Attendance at study visits was higher in the intervention arm compared with control (100 vs 83%), which may be an artefact of the greater individualised treatment provided in the integrated model.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the feasibility and acceptability of the novel interdisciplinary lifestyle intervention within the region.
Understanding the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans Australians living with dementia, and their partners
Authors: Barrett Catherine , Crameri Pauline , Lambourne Sally , Latham JR , Whyte Carolyn
Published: November 2015

Aim

To outline the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) Australians living with dementia – and their partners.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were conducted with LGBT people, their partners and service providers.

Results

LGBT people living with dementia experience unique challenges including the failure of some families of origin and service providers to understand and value their sexual orientation or gender identity. The fear of discrimination by service providers results in greater reliance on intimate partners for care and compounds social isolation.

Conclusions

The unique experiences of LGBT people with dementia are not well understood. There is a need to recognise historical experiences, including familial relationships, and provide advocacy to ensure sexual and gender rights are not violated. There is also a need to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of LGBT people living with dementia inform the development of services.
Anthropology Meets Epigenetics: Current and Future Directions
Authors: Thayer Zaneta M. , Non Amy L.
Published: November 2015

Anthropologists are interested in understanding patterns of human variation, whether assessed along cultural, biological, linguistic, or material metrics. Epigenetics, the study of heritable chemical modifications to DNA, is an emerging approach that could enrich modern anthropological research. Epigenetic marks can change in response to many of the processes anthropologists study—for example, migration, nutritional stress, psychosocial stress, and social inequalities, to name a few. Thus, epigenetic processes could provide a biological explanation for the embodiment of such environmental experiences. Further, given the potential for epigenetic marks to be inherited across generations, it is possible that these marks facilitate intergenerational transmission of environmental information and therefore help to shape the direction of evolutionary change. In this article, we review some of the ways in which epigenetic methods have been successfully incorporated into anthropological and related studies as well as emphasize promising future directions and challenges for the use of epigenetic data across subfields of anthropology. While epigenetic data have great potential for informing anthropological research, we emphasize that a healthy skepticism is necessary given our still‐nascent understanding of these processes. [human biology, embodiment, methods, epigenetics]
In Vitro Hemodynamic Evaluation of Five 6 Fr and 8 Fr Arterial Cannulae in Simulated Neonatal Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuits
Authors: Wang Shigang , Palanzo David , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate five small‐bore arterial cannulae (6Fr and 8Fr) in terms of pressure drop and hemodynamic performance in simulated neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuits. The experimental circuits consisted of a Jostra HL‐20 roller pump, a Terumo Capiox Baby FX05 oxygenator with integrated arterial filter, an arterial and a venous tubing (1/4, 3/16, or 1/8 in × 150 cm), and an arterial cannula (Medtronic Bio‐Medicus 6Fr and 8Fr, Maquet 6Fr and 8Fr, or RMI Edwards 8Fr). The circuit was primed using lactated Ringer's solution and heparinized packed human red blood cells (hematocrit 30%). Trials were conducted at different flow rates (6Fr: 200–400 mL/min; 8Fr: 200–600 mL/min) and temperatures (35 and 28°C). Flow and pressure data were collected using a custom‐based data acquisition system. Higher circuit pressure, circuit pressure drop, and hemodynamic energy loss across the circuit were recorded when using small‐bore arterial cannula and small inner diameter arterial tubing in a neonatal CPB circuit. The maximum preoxygenator pressures reached 449.7 ± 1.0 mm Hg (Maquet 6Fr at 400 mL/min), and 395.7 ± 0.4 mm Hg (DLP 8Fr at 600 mL/min) when using 1/8 in ID arterial tubing at 28°C. Hypothermia further increased circuit pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss. Compared with the others, the RMI 8Fr arterial cannula had significantly lower pressure drop and energy loss. Maquet 6Fr arterial cannula had a greater pressure drop than the DLP 6Fr. A small‐bore arterial cannula and arterial tubing created high circuit pressure drop and hemodynamic energy loss. Appropriate arterial cannula and arterial tubing should be considered to match the expected flow rate. Larger cannula and tubing are recommended for neonatal CPB. Low‐resistance neonatal arterial cannulae need to be developed.
Hemodynamic Effects of Ventricular Assist Device Implantation on Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan Circulation: A Simulation Study
Authors: Di Molfetta Arianna , Amodeo Antonio , Gagliardi Maria G. , Trivella Maria G. , Fresiello Libera , Filippelli Sergio , Toscano Alessandra , Ferrari Gianfranco
Published: November 2015

The growing population of failing single‐ventricle (SV) patients might benefit from ventricular assist device (VAD) support as a bridge to heart transplantation. However, the documented experience is limited to isolated case reports. Considering the complex and different physiopathology of Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan patients and the lack of established experience, the aim of this work is to realize and test a lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system able to simulate SV hemodynamics and VAD implantation effects to support clinical decision. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data of 30 SV patients (10 Norwood, 10 Glenn, and 10 Fontan) were retrospectively collected and used to simulate patients' baseline. Then, the effects of VAD implantation were simulated. Simulation results suggest that the implantation of VAD: (i) increases the cardiac output and the mean arterial systemic pressure in all the three palliation conditions (Norwood 77.2 and 19.7%, Glenn 38.6 and 32.2%, and Fontan 17.2 and 14.2%); (ii) decreases the SV external work (Norwood 55%, Glenn 35.6%, and Fontan 41%); (iii) decreases the pressure pulsatility index (Norwood 65.2%, Glenn 81.3%, and Fontan 64.8%); (iv) increases the pulmonary arterial pressure in particular in the Norwood circulation (Norwood 39.7%, Glenn 12.1% and Fontan 3%); and (v) decreases the atrial pressure (Norwood 2%, Glenn 10.6%, and Fontan 8.6%). Finally, the VAD work is lower in the Norwood circulation (30.4 mL·mm Hg) in comparison with Fontan (40.3 mL·mm Hg) and to Glenn (64.5 mL·mm Hg) circulations. The use of VAD in SV physiology could be helpful to bridge patients to heart transplantations by increasing the CO and unloading the SV with a decrement of the atrial pressure and the SV external work. The regulation of the pulmonary flow is challenging because the Pap is increased by the presence of VAD. The hemodynamic changes are different in the different SV palliation step. The use of numerical models could be helpful to support patient and VAD selection to optimize the clinical outcome.
Breath Analysis Using a Time‐of‐Flight Camera and Pressure Belts
Authors: Zalud Ludek , Kotova Marketa , Kocmanová Petra , Dobsak Petr , Kolarova Jana
Published: November 2015

The proper way of breathing is important for everyone. Healthy people often do not follow respiration until breathing problems start—during stress or during sport activity in physiological cases. More serious cases are stroke, injury, or surgery of the chest and others. So, learning to breathe correctly and/or breathing diagnosis is considerable for many reasons. Two novel methods of breath analysis suitable for diagnostics and rehabilitation are presented. The first technique utilizes pressure belts fastened to the patient's belly and chest, and the second method relies on a SwissRanger SR‐4000 time‐of‐flight camera. The measurement principles are described together with the advantages and disadvantages of the applied techniques. The SwissRanger camera depth calibration is proposed to facilitate better results during the breath analysis. The methods are tested on a group of students to provide a comparison of their individual performances. As it was demonstrated, presented methods proved to work reliably. The method based on time‐of‐flight camera seems to be more suitable for diagnosis, while the method based on pressure belts is more suitable for rehabilitation and biofeedback applications.
Repetitive Hypershear Activates and Sensitizes Platelets in a Dose‐Dependent Manner
Authors: Sheriff Jawaad , Tran Phat L. , Hutchinson Marcus , DeCook Tracy , Slepian Marvin J. , Bluestein Danny , Jesty Jolyon
Published: November 2015

Implantation of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices—ventricular assist devices and the total artificial heart—has emerged as a vital therapy for advanced and end‐stage heart failure. Unfortunately, MCS patients face the requirement of life‐long antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy to combat thrombotic complications resulting from the dynamic and supraphysiologic shear stress conditions associated with such devices, whose effect on platelet activation is poorly understood. We developed a syringe‐capillary viscometer—the “platelet hammer”—that repeatedly exposed platelets to average shear stresses up to 1000 dyne/cm2 for as short as 25 ms. Platelet activation state was measured using a modified prothrombinase assay, with morphological changes analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. We observed an increase in platelet activation state and post‐high shear platelet activation rate, or sensitization, with an increase in stress accumulation (SA), the product of shear stress and exposure time. A significant increase in platelet activation state was observed beyond an SA of 1500 dyne‐s/cm2, with a marked increase in pseudopod length visible beyond an SA of 1000 dyne‐s/cm2. Utility of the platelet hammer extends to studies of other shear‐dependent pathologies, and may assist development of approaches to enhance the safety and effectiveness of MCS devices and objective antithrombotic pharmacotherapy management.
Conductive Gel Increases the Small Tumor Treatment With Electrochemotherapy Using Needle Electrodes
Authors: Suzuki Daniela O.H. , Marques Claudia M.G. , Rangel Marcelo M.M.
Published: November 2015

The combination of chemotherapy drugs and high electric field treatment in local cancer is named electrochemotherapy. The European Standard Operation Procedure of Electrochemotherapy (ESOPE) provides guidelines for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors. The electrochemotherapy of numerous tumors varying in sizes is more convenient using needle electrodes. However, ESOPE recommends that needle electrodes are applied to deeper tumors. The application of needle electrodes to treatment of superficial small tumors seems to be practical in electrochemotherapy. Plate electrodes and gel improve the electrochemotherapy efficacy. This technique provides electric field homogeneity in irregularly shaped tissue structures (bulk tumors). We propose an investigation of needle electrode and gel in electrochemotherapy of superficial tumors. In vivo experiment with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) spontaneous nodules in dog was used to validate the mathematical tissue model. The numerical model considers the tissue conductivity dependent on local electric field. Our studies demonstrated that conductive gel is important for effective treatment of superficial tumors with needle electrodes. The needle electrodes and gel presented reduction of medium current, increased the tumor‐free margin, and improved the practical application in relation to plate electrode.
Use of an integrated modelling and simulation approach to develop a simplified peginterferon alfa‐2a dosing regimen for children with hepatitis C
Authors: Brennan Barbara J. , Lemenuel‐Diot Annabelle , Snoeck Eric , McKenna Michael , Solsky Jonathan , Wat Cynthia , Mallalieu Navita L.
Published: November 2015

Aim

The aim of the study was to simplify the dosing regimen of peginterferon alfa‐2a in paediatric patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods

A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed using PK data from 14 children aged 2–8 years and 402 adults. Simulations were produced to identify a simplified dosing regimen that would provide exposures similar to those observed in the paediatric clinical trials and in the range known to be safe/efficacious in adults. Model predictions were evaluated against observed adult and paediatric data to reinforce confidence of the proposed dosing regimen.

Results

The final model was a two compartment model with a zero order resorption process. Covariates included a linear influence of body surface area (BSA) on apparent oral clearance (CL/F) and a linear influence of body weight on apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment (V1/F). A simplified dosing regimen was developed which is expected to provide exposures in children aged ≥5 years similar to the dosing formula used in the paediatric clinical trial and within the range that is safe/efficacious in adults. This simplified regimen is approved in the EU and in other countries for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in treatment‐naive children/adolescents aged ≥5 years in combination with ribavirin.

Conclusion

Pre‐existing adult PK data were combined with relatively limited paediatric PK data to develop a PK model able to predict exposure in both populations adequately. This provided increased confidence in characterizing PK in children and helped in the development of a simplified dosing regimen of peginterferon alfa‐2a in paediatric patients.
Cell‐Penetrating Peptides as Carriers for Oral Delivery of Biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Kristensen Mie , Nielsen Hanne Mørck
Published: November 2015

Oral delivery of biopharmaceuticals, for example peptides and proteins, constitutes a great challenge in drug delivery due to their low chemical stability and poor permeation across the intestinal mucosa, to a large extent limiting the mode of administration to injections, which is not favouring patient compliance. Nevertheless, cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) have shown promising potential as carriers to overcome the epithelium, and this minireview highlights recent knowledge gained within the field of CPP‐mediated transepithelial delivery of therapeutic peptides and proteins from the intestine. Two approaches may be pursued: co‐administration of the carrier and therapeutic peptide in the form of complexes obtained by simple bulk mixing, or administration of covalent conjugates demanding more advanced production methodologies. These formulation approaches have their pros and cons, and which is to be preferred depends on the physicochemical properties of both the specific CPP and the specific cargo. In addition to the physical epithelial barrier, a metabolic barrier must be overcome in order to obtain CPP‐mediated delivery of a cargo drug from the intestine, and a number of strategies have been employed to delay enzymatic degradation of the CPP. The mechanisms by which CPPs translocate across membranes are not fully understood, but possibly involve endocytosis as well as direct translocation, and the CPP‐mediated transepithelial delivery of cargo drugs thus likely involves similar mechanisms for the initial membrane interaction and translocation. However, the mechanisms responsible for transcytosis of the cargo drug, if taken up by an endocytic mechanism, or direct translocation across the epithelium are so far not known.
mTORC2 and Metabolic Reprogramming in GBM: at the Interface of Genetics and Environment
Authors: Masui Kenta , Cavenee Webster K. , Mischel Paul S.
Published: November 2015

Metabolic reprogramming is a central hallmark of cancer, enabling tumor cells to obtain the macromolecular precursors and energy needed for rapid tumor growth. Understanding how oncogenes coordinate altered signaling with metabolic reprogramming and how cancer cells harness cellular metabolism and its metabolites for their survival may yield new insights into tumor pathogenesis. Here, we review the recently identified central regulatory role for mTORC2, a downstream effector of many cancer‐causing mutations, in metabolic reprogramming and cancer drug resistance in glioblastoma. We further consider the emerging concept that mTORC2 may connect genetics with environmental alterations in brain cancer.
Constraining provenance, thickness and erosion of nappes using low‐temperature thermochronology: the Northland Allochthon, New Zealand
Authors: Jiao Ruohong , Seward Diane , Little Timothy A. , Herman Frédéric , Kohn Barry P.
Published: November 2015

The Northland Allochthon, an assemblage of Cretaceous–Oligocene sedimentary rocks, was emplaced during the Late Oligocene–earliest Miocene, onto the in situ Mesozoic and early Cenozoic rocks (predominantly Late Eocene–earliest Miocene) in northwestern New Zealand. Using low‐temperature thermochronology, we investigate the sedimentary provenance, burial and erosion histories of the rocks from both the hanging and footwalls of the allochthon. In central Northland (Parua Bay), both the overlying allochthon and underlying Early Miocene autochthon yield detrital zircon and partially reset apatite fission‐track ages that were sourced from the local Jurassic terrane and perhaps Late Cretaceous volcanics; the autochthon contains, additionally, material sourced from Oligocene volcanics. Thermal history modelling indicates that the lower part of the allochthon together with the autochthon was heated to ca. 55–100°C during the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene, most likely due to the burial beneath the overlying nappe sequences. From the Mesozoic basement exposed in eastern Northland, we obtained zircon fission‐track ages tightly bracketed between 153 and 149 Ma; the apatite fission‐track ages on the other hand, generally young towards the northwest, from 129 to 20.9 Ma. Basement thermochronological ages are inverted to simulate the emplacement and later erosion of the Northland Allochthon, using a thermo‐kinematic model coupled with an inversion algorithm. The results suggest that during the Late Oligocene, the nappes in eastern Northland ranged from ca. 4–6‐km thick in the north to zero in the Auckland region (over a distance >200 km). Following the allochthon emplacement, eastern Northland was uplifted and unroofed during the Early Miocene for a period of ca. 1–6 Myr at the rate of 0.1–0.8 km/Myr, leading to rapid erosion of the nappes. Since Middle Miocene, the basement uplift ceased and the erosion of the nappes and the region as a whole slowed down (ca. 0–0.2 km/Myr), implying a decay in the tectonic activity in this region.
Children Seek Historical Traces of Owned Objects
Authors: Gelman Susan A. , Manczak Erika M. , Was Alexandra M. , Noles Nicholaus S.
Published: November 2015

An object's mental representation includes not just visible attributes but also its nonvisible history. The present studies tested whether preschoolers seek subtle indicators of an object's history, such as a mark acquired during its handling. Five studies with 169 children 3–5 years of age and 97 college students found that children (like adults) searched for concealed traces of object history, invisible traces of object history, and the absence of traces of object history, to successfully identify an owned object. Controls demonstrated that children (like adults) appropriately limit their search for hidden indicators when an owned object is visibly distinct. Altogether, these results demonstrate that concealed and invisible indicators of history are an important component of preschool children's object concepts.
Maternal Sensitivity and Child Secure Base Use in Early Childhood: Studies in Different Cultural Contexts
Authors: Posada German , Trumbell Jill , Noblega Magaly , Plata Sandra , Peña Paola , Carbonell Olga A. , Lu Ting
Published: November 2015

This study tested whether maternal sensitivity and child security are related during early childhood and whether such an association is found in different cultural and social contexts. Mother–child dyads (N = 237) from four different countries (Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States) were observed in naturalistic settings when children were between 36 and 72 months of age. Maternal and child behavior during interactions at home and in the playground were described using Q methodology. Findings reveal that across cultures, concurrent maternal sensitivity and more specific behavioral domains of maternal care (e.g., contributions to harmonious interactions and secure base support) are important for children's attachment security during early childhood. Implications for the study of attachment relationships beyond infancy and in diverse contexts are highlighted.
How to select networks of marine protected areas for multiple species with different dispersal strategies
Authors: Jonsson Per R. , Nilsson Jacobi Martin , Moksnes Per‐Olav
Published: November 2015

Aim

To develop and test theory based on connectivity to identify optimal networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) that protect multiple species with a range of dispersal strategies.

Location

The eastern North Sea in the Atlantic Ocean.

Methods

Theory of finding optimal MPA network is based on eigenvalue perturbation theory applied to population connectivity. Previous theory is here extended to the persistence of multiple species by solving a maximization problem with constraints, which identifies an optimal consensus network of MPAs. The theory is applied to two test cases within a 120,000 km2 area in the North Sea where connectivity was estimated with a biophysical model. In a realistic case, the theory is applied to the protection of rocky‐reef habitats, where the biophysical model is parameterized with realistic dispersal traits for key species. Theoretical predictions of optimal networks were validated with a simple metapopulation model. Persistence of optimal consensus MPA networks is compared to randomly selected networks as well as to the existing MPA network.

Results

Despite few overlapping MPA sites for the optimal networks based on single dispersal strategies, the consensus network for multiple dispersal strategies performed well for 3 of 4 contrasting strategies even without user‐defined constraints. In the test with five realistic dispersal strategies, representing a community on threatened rocky reefs, the consensus network performed equally well compared to solutions for single species. Different dispersal strategies were also protected jointly across the MPA network (93% of sites), in contrast to simulations of the existing MPA network (2% of sites). Consensus networks based on connectivity were significantly more efficient compared to existing MPAs.

Main conclusions

Our findings suggest that the new theoretic framework can identify a consensus MPA network that protects a whole community containing species with multiple dispersal strategies.