bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Periodic Unsteadiness on Secondary Flows in High Pressure Turbine Passages
Authors: Volino Ralph J. , Galvin Christopher D. , Ibrahim Mounir B.
Published: November 2013

Secondary flow losses were investigated experimentally in a linear cascade of high pressure turbine blades in a low speed wind tunnel. Periodic wakes were generated with moving rods upstream of the cascade to simulate the effect of wakes from upstream vanes in an engine. Velocities, turbulence levels and turbulence spectra were documented downstream of the wakes generated by the upstream rods and downstream of the cascade airfoils. Pressure distributions were documented on the airfoils at the midspan and near the tip. Total pressure loss through the passage was measured at the midspan and in the endwall boundary layer. Cases were documented with and without upstream wakes at a Reynolds number of 30,000 based on inlet velocity and axial chord. An additional case was acquired at Re = 60,000 without wakes. The effects of wakes and Reynolds number on the pressure distribution on the airfoils were small. In the cases without wakes, total pressure losses were 27% higher at the lower Reynolds number due to thicker boundary layers. Upstream wakes cause an increase of about 80% in total pressure losses at the midspan and a 36% increase near the endwall. Much of this is due to the loss associated with the upstream wakes themselves, but with this direct effect subtracted the losses are still 20% higher in the case with wakes at the midspan with local increases comparable near the endwall.
Assessment of Cycle Averaged Turbocharger Maps Through One Dimensional and Mean-Line Coupled Codes
Authors: Chiong Meng Soon , Rajoo Srithar , Costall Aaron W. , Bin Wan Salim Wan Saiful-Islam , Romagnoli Alessandro , Martinez-Botas Ricardo F.
Published: November 2013

Downsizing the internal combustion engine has been shown to be an effective strategy towards CO2 emissions reduction, and downsized engines look set to dominate automotive powertrains for years to come. Turbocharging has been one of the key elements in the success of downsized internal combustion engine systems. The process of engine-turbocharger matching during the development stage plays a significant role towards achieving the best possible system performance, in terms of minimizing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. In current industry practice, engine modeling in most cases does not consider the full unsteady analysis of the turbocharger turbine. Thus, turbocharged engine performance prediction is less comprehensive, particularly under transient load conditions. Commercial one-dimensional engine codes are capable of satisfactory engine performance predictions, but these typically assume the turbocharger turbine to be quasi-steady, hence the inability to fully resolve the pulsating flow performance. On the other hand, a one-dimensional gas dynamic turbine model is capable of simulating the pressure wave propagation in the model domain, thus serving as a powerful tool to analyze the unsteady performance. In addition, a mean-line model is able to compute the turbine power and efficiency through the conservation method and Euler’s Turbomachinery Equation. However, none of these modeling methods have been widely implemented into commercial one-dimensional engine codes thus far. The objective of this paper is to assess the possibility of numerically producing the steady equivalent cycle averaged turbocharger turbine maps, which could be used in commercial engine codes for performance prediction. The cycle-averaged maps are obtained using a comprehensive turbocharged engine model including accurate pulsating exhaust flow performance prediction. The model is validated against experimental results and effects of flow frequency on the maps are discussed in detail.
Comparison Between Discrete Phase Model and Multiphase Model for Wet Compression
Authors: Khan Jobaidur R.
Published: November 2013

Gas turbine inlet fog / overspray cooling is considered as a simple and effective method to increase power output. To help understand the water mist transport in the compressor flow passage, this study conducts a computational simulation of wet compression in a single rotor-stator compressor stage using the commercial code, Fluent. A sliding mesh scheme is used to simulate the stator-rotor interaction in a rotating frame. Previous researchers have modeled wet compression using DPM (Discrete Phase Model), where spray amount is very small (1–2%). Compressor washing is also becoming a new interest in the wet compression technology, which involves much higher amount of water (10–15%), which is not easy to handle with DPM. It can be done by multiphase model. To start compressor washing it is important to validate wet compression (1–2% spray) using DPM and the same using multiphase. This study takes the initial step to compare these two models, however multiphase model needs further development to perform an apple to apple comparison with DPM.
New Simulation Process for the Life Management of the Gas Turbine Rotors
Authors: Di Sisto Paolo , Parodi Mauro
Published: November 2013

The Gas Turbine manufacturers are continuously engaged in providing to their customers machines with higher performances, longer lives, better reliability and availability. Since the late 70’s, the gas turbines are designed by using computational tools able to simulate through physic based models the thermal and mechanical behavior of the engines by predicting with high accuracy gas turbine internal pressures, temperatures, stresses etc., across the full flange to flange architecture; but it is only in the last one or two decades that computational predictions have done a huge step forward thanks to the great progress of the information technology. What was before designed with a worst case deterministic approach, it is now designed through optimization, by assessing many different configurations and it is made robust through sensitiveness and statistical assessments.

One further step forward has been made possible by new software tools able to manage simulation process flows made of a variety of applications, including commercial CAD/CAE software, in house software and Excel spreadsheets. The simulation process described in this paper has been developed for rotor life assessments and the proprietary company is currently using the process to manage part of its heavy duty gas turbine fleet engaged in the oil and gas application for the estimation of risk to extend rotor life beyond inspection interval [1].
Simulation of Wake Interactions in Wind Farms Using an Immersed Wind Turbine Model
Authors: Jafari S. , Chokani N. , Abhari R. S.
Published: November 2013

The accurate modelling of the wind turbine wakes in complex terrain is required to accurately predict wake losses. In order to facilitate the routine use of computational fluid dynamics in the optimised micrositing of wind turbines within wind farms, an immersed wind turbine model is developed. This model is formulated to require grid resolutions that are comparable to that in microscale wind simulations. The model in connection with the k-ω turbulence model is embedded in a Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes solver. The predictions of the model are compared to available wind tunnel experiments and to measurements at the full-scale Sexbierum wind farm. The good agreement between the predictions and measurements demonstrates that the novel immersed turbine model is suited for the optimised micrositing of wind turbines in complex terrain.
Individually optimized uniform contrast enhancement in CT angiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolic disease—A simulation study
Authors: Xue Ming , Zhang Hao , Kligerman Seth , Klahr Paul , D’Souza Warren , Lu Wei
Published: November 2013

Purpose:

To improve the diagnostic quality of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) by individually optimizing a biphasic contrast injection function to achieve targeted uniform contrast enhancement. To compare the results against a previously reported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) approach.

Methods:

This simulation study used the CTPA datasets of 27 consecutive patients with pulmonary thromboembolic disease (PE). An optimization approach was developed consisting of (1) computation of the impulse enhancement function (IEF) based on a test bolus scan, and (2) optimization of a biphasic contrast injection function using the IEF in order to achieve targeted uniform enhancement. The injection rates and durations of a biphasic contrast injection function are optimized by minimizing the difference between the resulting contrast enhancement curve and the targeted uniform enhancement curve, while conforming to the clinical constraints of injection rate and total contrast volume. The total contrast volume was limited first to the clinical standard of 65 ml, and then to the same amount used in the DFT approach for comparison. The optimization approach and the DFT approach were compared in terms of the root mean square error (RMSE) and total contrast volume used.

Results:

When the total contrast volume was limited to 65 ml, the optimization approach produced significantly better contrast enhancement (closer to the targeted uniform contrast enhancement) than the DFT approach (RMSE 17 HU vs 56 HU,p < 0.00001). On average, the optimization approach used 63 ml contrast, while the DFT approach used 50 ml with four patients exceeding 65 ml. When equivalent total contrast volume was used for individual patient, the optimization approach still generated significantly better contrast enhancement (RMSE 44 HU vs 56 HU, p < 0.01). Constraints for the injection function could be easily accommodated into the optimization process when searching for the optimal biphasic injection function.

Conclusions:

The optimization approach generated individually optimized biphasic injection functions yielding significantly better contrast enhancement compared to the DFT approach. This new approach has the potential to improve the diagnostic quality of CTPA for PE.
A Case of Mild Encephalopathy with a Reversible Splenial Lesion Associated with G5P[6]Rotavirus Infection
Authors: Matsuoka Tsuyoshi , Yodoshi Toshifumi , Sugai Misaki , Hiyane Masato , Matsuoka Takashi , Akeda Hideki , Ohfu Masaharu , Komoto Satoshi , Taniguchi Koki
Published: November 2013

We report a case of mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acute gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus (RV) infection. The patient (male, 4 years and 3 months old) was admitted to our hospital for diarrhea and afebrile seizures. Head MRI revealed a hyperintense signal in the splenium of the corpus callosum on DWI and a hypointense signal on the ADC-map. After awakening from sedation, the patient's disturbance of consciousness improved. On day 5 after admission of the illness, the patient was discharged from the hospital in a good condition. Electroencephalography on day 2 after admission was normal. On day 8 of admission, head MRI revealed that the splenial lesion had disappeared. RV antigen-positive stools suggested that RV had caused MERS. This RV genotype was considered to be G5P[6]; it may have spread to humans as a strain reassortment through substitution of porcine RV into human RV gene segments. This extremely rare genotype was detected first in Japan and is not covered by existing vaccines; this is the first sample isolated from encephalopathy patients. Few reports have investigated RV genotypes in encephalopathy; we believe that this case is valuable for studying the relationship between genotypes and clinical symptoms.
Wind Tunnel Testing on Start/Unstart Characteristics of Finite Supersonic Biplane Wing
Authors: Yamashita Hiroshi , Kuratani Naoshi , Yonezawa Masahito , Ogawa Toshihiro , Nagai Hiroki , Asai Keisuke , Obayashi Shigeru
Published: November 2013

This study describes the start/unstart characteristics of a finite and rectangular supersonic biplane wing. Two wing models were tested in wind tunnels with aspect ratios of 0.75 (model A) and 2.5 (model B). The models were composed of a Busemann biplane section. The tests were carried out using supersonic and transonic wind tunnels over a Mach number range of0.3≤M∞≤2.3with angles of attack of 0°, 2°, and 4°. The Schlieren system was used to observe the flow characteristics around the models. The experimental results showed that these models had start/unstart characteristics that differed from those of the Busemann biplane (two dimensional) owing to three-dimensional effects. Models A and B started at lower Mach numbers than the Busemann biplane. The characteristics also varied with aspect ratio: model A (1.3<M∞<1.5) started at a lower Mach number than model B (1.6<M∞<1.8) owing to the lower aspect ratio. Model B was located in the double solution domain for the start/unstart characteristics atM∞=1.7, and model B was in either the start or unstart state atM∞=1.7. Once the state was determined, either state was stable.
Electric Field Measurement of the Living Human Body for Biomedical Applications: Phase Measurement of the Electric Field Intensity
Authors: Hieda Ichiro , Nam Ki Chang
Published: November 2013

The authors are developing a technique for conducting measurements inside the human body by applying a weak electric field at a radio frequency (RF). Low RF power is fed to a small antenna, and a similar antenna located 15–50 cm away measures the electric field intensity. Although the resolution of the method is low, it is simple, safe, cost-effective, and able to be used for biomedical applications. One of the technical issues suggested by the authors' previous studies was that the signal pattern acquired from measurement of a human body was essentially different from that acquired from a phantom. To trace the causes of this difference, the accuracy of the phase measurements was improved. This paper describes the new experimental system that can measure the signal phase and amplitude and reports the results of experiments measuring a human body and a phantom. The results were analyzed and then discussed in terms of their contribution to the phase measurement.
Evaluation and Optimization of Downstream Process Parameters for Extraction of Betulinic Acid from the Bark of Ziziphus jujubae L.
Authors: Dubey Kashyap Kumar , Goel Nitika
Published: November 2013

Present work investigated an apposite and efficient method for extraction of betulinic acid (BA) from the bark of Ziziphus jujubae. Various extraction methods like stirring extraction, soxhlet extraction, ultrasonic extraction, and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) were evaluated for increasing recovery percentage of BA. From the raffinate so obtained, BA was isolated. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to analyze the extract and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification. The results revealed that the percentage extraction of BA from Z. jujubae by MAE was more proficient. As recovery percentage of BA by MAE technique turned out to be maximum, by using response surface methodology (RSM), three process parameters (pH, temperature, and time) were optimized by MAE and it was observed that the optimum parameters (pH 6.5, temp. 70.23°C, and time 3.5 min) gave the maximum recovery of BA (0.44% w/w). To validate the RSM model, experiments were performed and the highest recovery of BA was found to be 0.4% w/w which is ±0.04% to the predicted value. Henceforth the extraction efficiency and the substantial saving of time by MAE was more capable than the other extraction techniques.
The Effective Radiation Pattern Concept for Realistic Performance Estimation of LTE Wireless Systems
Authors: Zarbouti Dimitra , Tsoulos George , Athanasiadou Georgia , Valagiannopoulos Constantinos
Published: November 2013

Radio channels induce distortions to the radiation pattern of beamforming systems such as beam broadening as well as sidelobe level and null rising. If these effects are ignored, the system performance is overestimated. This paper proposes the simple concept of an effective radiation pattern (ERP) calculated by optimally fitting the “real-world” radiation pattern to the ERP. The proposed ERP method is incorporated into a multicell bad urban 4G LTE operational scenario which employs beamforming for both the BSs and the RNs. The performed simulations provide evidence that the ideal instead of the real radiation pattern overestimates the SIR and capacity by almost 3 dB and 13 Mbps, respectively, for the reference scenario without RNs. It also proves that the ERP method produces almost identical performance results with the real radiation pattern, and hence it is a simple and viable option for realistic performance analysis. Finally, the network performance is studied as a function of the number of RNs with the help of the ERP method. Results show that a beamforming LTE network with RNs that also employ beamforming provides 3 dB SIR gain with the addition of 1 RN per cell and 15 dB gain with 4 RNs per cell.
Prediabetes and Short-Term Outcomes in Nondiabetic Patients after Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tian Li , Zhu Jun , Liu Lisheng , Liang Yan , Li Jiandong , Yang Yanmin
Published: November 2013

Objectives: A prediabetic state is defined as the time period before the development of symptomatic diabetes. Limited evidence is available for evaluating the correlation between prediabetes and short-term outcomes in nondiabetic patients with ST-elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: 4,787 nondiabetic patients with a diagnosis of STEMI based on typical onset of chest pain within 12 h were enrolled. Patients were followed up for 7 and 30 days after hospital admission. According to the 2013 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, the study population was stratified into three groups: normal, prediabetic and newly diagnosed diabetic patients. The primary outcomes of our study were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) on days 7 day and 30. Results: The proportions of patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes were 31.1 and 19.2%, respectively. Rates of 7- and 30-day mortality and MACE were similar among the different HbA1c groups. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that compared with normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes (hazard ratio, HR, 1.003; 95% CI, 0.865-1.165) and newly diagnosed diabetes (HR, 0.887; 95% CI, 0.739-1.064) were not correlated with 30-day MACE. However, admission glucose was an independent predictor of short-term MACE (HR, 1.031; 95% CI, 1.017-1.046). Conclusions: In nondiabetic patients after STEMI, the incidence of latent diabetes mellitus was increased. Newly diagnosed diabetes and prediabetes were not correlated with short-term outcome in nondiabetic patients with STEMI, yet admission glucose level was an independent predictor of short-term MACE. To reduce the incidence of short-term MACE after STEMI, more attention should be paid to the control of increased glucose levels and intrinsic stress states.
Discriminating Analysis of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance of the Uterine Cervix Using Nuclear Three-Dimensional Analysis
Authors: Washiya Kiyotada , Nakamura Minori , Mizuki Yuuta , Motoi Makoto , Kobayashi Takako , Yoshioka Haruhiko , Watanabe Jun
Published: November 2013

Objective: The Bethesda System (TBS) of uterine cervical cytology is a classification method that can improve accuracy in management and it includes descriptions on adequate specimens, human papillomavirus (HPV) involvement and estimated lesions. However, the judgment of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) using TBS features complicated diagnostic criteria and poor reproducibility due to the definition of ASC-US. Of patients diagnosed with ASC-US in the initial cytology, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)1-2 cases positive for high-risk HPV (CIN+) and benign cases in histology negative for high-risk HPV (B-) were selected for discriminant analysis based on Mahalanobis distance, in order to improve the accuracy of the ASC-US diagnosis. Study Design: ASC-US cases featuring koilocytosis with little nuclear atypia (koilocytosis) and squamous epithelial cells with nuclear atypia (SC with atypia), morphologically diagnosed with liquid-based cytology specimens prepared using ThinPrep were included. The nuclei of koilocytosis cases (CIN+, 8 cases, and B-, 10 cases) and SC with atypia (CIN+, 19 cases, and B-, 15 cases) were three-dimensionally analyzed to conduct a discriminant analysis based on Mahalanobis distance. Results: Discrimination rates were 78.9% for CIN+ and 66.7% for B- in koilocytosis, and 50.7% for CIN+ and 72.1% for B- in SC with atypia. Conclusion: The present method allows the objective analysis of nuclear chromatin, providing effective cytology regarding CIN+ in koilocytosis and B- in SC with atypia of ASC-US cases.
Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Anticoagulants for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Canestaro William J. , Patrick Amanda R. , Avorn Jerry , Ito Kouta , Matlin Olga S. , Brennan Troyen A. , Shrank William H. , Choudhry Niteesh K.
Published: November 2013

Background—

New anticoagulants may improve health outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation, but it is unclear whether their use is cost-effective.

Methods and Results—

A Markov state transition was created to compare 4 therapies: dabigatran 150 mg BID, apixaban 5 mg BID, rivaroxaban 20 mg QD, and warfarin therapy. The population included those with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation who were eligible for treatment with warfarin. Compared with warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran, costs were $93 063, $111 465, and $140 557 per additional quality-adjusted life year gained, respectively. At a threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year, apixaban provided the greatest absolute benefit while still being cost-effective, although warfarin would be superior if apixaban was 2% less effective than expected. Although apixaban was the optimal strategy in our base case, in probabilistic sensitivity analysis, warfarin was optimal in an equal number of iterations at a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year.

Conclusions—

While at a standard cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life year, apixaban seems to be the optimal anticoagulation strategy; this finding is sensitive to assumptions about its efficacy and cost. In sensitivity analysis, warfarin seems to be the optimal choice in an equal number of simulations. As a result, although all the novel oral anticoagulants produce greater quality-adjusted life expectancy than warfarin, they may not represent good value for money.
Description of three species of Halmyrapseudes (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Parapseudidae), with a discussion of biogeography
Authors: KAKUI KEIICHI , ANGSUPANICH SAOWAPA
Published: November 2013

We describe Halmyrapseudes gutui sp. nov. from a mangrove area on Lidee Island, southern Thailand. This species closely resembles H. cooperi, H. killaiyensis, and H. thaumastocheles, but differs in having the lacinia mobilis with three teeth, and the pereopod 1 carpus with 0,1 or 1,1 ventral simple setae proximal to each spiniform seta. We redescribed and synonymized two species of questionable affiliation, Apseudes cooperi and A. digitalis, placing them in Halmyrapseudes, and partly redescribed Halmyrapseudes killaiyensis. Halmyrapseudes and Pseudohalmyrapseudes have disjunct distributions. Halmyrapseudes is similar in distribution to two freshwater fish taxa whose distributions are considered to reflect the breakup of Gondwana and subsequent continental drift. Pseudohalmyrapseudes occurs around Australia, and its distribution seems to be separated from that of Halmyrapseudes by Wallace’s Line or Huxley’s Line, which are distributional barriers for both terrestrial organisms and an amphidromous shrimp. The adjacent distributions and morphological similarities suggest that Halmyrapseudes and Pseudohalmyrapseudes are sister taxa.
A new genus of Saucrosmylinae (Insecta, Neuroptera) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: LIU QING , ZHANG HAICHUN , WANG BO , FANG YAN , ZHENG DARAN , ZHANG QI , JARZEMBOWSKI EDMUND A.
Published: November 2013

A new genus and new species of Saucrosmylinae (Insecta, Neuroptera) is described as Huiyingosmylus bellus gen. et sp. nov., based on a well-preserved forewing from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Huiyingosmylus gen. nov. is characterized by the large size of forewing, relatively wide R1 space with several rows of cells, anteriorly bent Rs, dense crossveins over the entire wing and undulate outer margin. A key to the genera of Saucrosymylinae is provided.
Poleward Shift and Change of Frontal Activity in the Southern Hemisphere over the Last 40 Years
Authors: Solman Silvina A. , Orlanski Isidoro
Published: November 2013

Several studies have documented the poleward shift of the midlatitude westerly jet of the Southern Hemisphere during the last decades of the twentieth century, mainly during the warm season. In this work the consistency between this change and the seasonal changes in frontal activity and precipitation are explored. The authors also attempt to identify the correlation between frontal activity and precipitation changes.

Frontal activity is defined using the 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40) dataset for the period 1962–2001 as the temperature gradient times the relative vorticity at 850 hPa. Considering cyclonic systems only, an enhancement of the frontal activity at high latitudes in the last two decades is apparent. However, the pattern of frontal activity change is not zonally symmetric, with the zonal asymmetries consistent with the climate change signal of the zonal anomaly of the 300-hPa geopotential height.

The pattern of precipitation change, showing midlatitude drying and high-latitude moistening, is consistent with the pattern of the frontal activity change, explaining to a large extent both the zonal mean and asymmetric rainfall changes. This consistency is also found in terms of the year-to-year variability of the zonal mean at both mid- and high latitudes. However, the frontal activity has a complex relationship with rainfall (not every frontal system is associated with rainfall events), and this consistency is unclear over some specific regions.

Results presented here highlight the robust link between the change in the asymmetric component of the upper-level circulation, the frontal activity, and rainfall over the mid- to high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.
Multisyllabic Word Reading as a Moderator of Morphological Awareness and Reading Comprehension
Authors: Gilbert Jennifer K. , Goodwin Amanda P. , Compton Donald L. , Kearns Devin M.
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the relation between morphological awareness on reading comprehension is moderated by multisyllabic word reading ability in fifth-grade students ( N = 169, 53.7% female, 65.2% minority status, 69.2% free/reduced lunch status), oversampled for poor reading skill, when controlling for general knowledge and vocabulary. Based on the lexical quality hypothesis, it was expected that morphological awareness would have a stronger effect on comprehension for children with poor word reading skills, suggesting possible use of morphological awareness for word identification support. Results indicated that neither morphological awareness nor word reading was uniquely associated with reading comprehension when both were included in the model along with vocabulary and general knowledge. Instead, the interaction between word reading and morphological awareness explained significant additional variance in reading comprehension. By probing this interaction, it was determined that the effect of morphological awareness on reading comprehension was significant for the 39% of the sample that had more difficulty reading multisyllabic words but not for students at the higher end of the multisyllabic word reading continuum. We conclude from these results that the relation between morphological awareness and reading comprehension is moderated by multisyllabic word reading ability, providing support for the lexical quality hypothesis. Although we have only correlational data, we suggest tentative instructional practices for improving the reading skill of upper elementary struggling readers.
Efficacy of a Carrageenan nasal spray in patients with common cold: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ludwig Martin , Enzenhofer Elisabeth , Schneider Sven , Rauch Margit , Bodenteich Angelika , Neumann Kurt , Prieschl-Grassauer Eva , Grassauer Andreas , Lion Thomas , Mueller Christian A
Published: November 2013

Background

The common cold is the most widespread viral infection in humans. Iota-carrageenan has previously shown antiviral effectiveness against cold viruses in clinical trials. This study investigated the efficacy of a carrageenan-containing nasal spray on the duration of the common cold and nasal fluid viral load in adult patients.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 211 patients suffering from early symptoms of the common cold were treated for seven days. Application was performed three times daily with either a carrageenan-supplemented nasal spray or saline solution as placebo with an overall observation period of 21 days. The primary endpoint was the duration of disease defined as the time until the last day with symptoms followed by all other days in the study period without symptoms. During the study, but prior unblinding, the definition of disease duration was adapted from the original protocol that defines disease duration as the time period of symptoms followed by 48 hours without symptoms.

Results

In patients showing a laboratory-confirmed cold virus infection and adherence to the protocol, alleviation of symptoms was 2.1 days faster in the carrageenan group in comparison to placebo (p = 0.037). The primary endpoint that had been prespecified but was changed before unblinding was not met. Viral titers in nasal fluids showed a significantly greater decrease in carrageenan patients in the intention-to-treat population (p = 0.024) and in the per protocol population (p = 0.018) between days 1 and 3/4.

Conclusions

In adults with common cold virus infections, direct local administration of carrageenan with nasal sprays reduced the duration of cold symptoms. A significant reduction of viral load in the nasal wash fluids of patients confirmed similar findings from earlier trials in children and adults.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN80148028
Cortical contusion injury disrupts olfactory bulb neurogenesis in adult mice
Authors: Radomski Kryslaine L , Zhou Qiong , Yi Kevin J , Doughty Martin L
Published: November 2013

Background

Experimental brain trauma activates quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs) to increase neuronal progenitor cell proliferation in the adult rodent brain. Previous studies have shown focal brain contusion in the form of a unilateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) stimulates NSCs to bilaterally increase neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.

Results

In this study we clarified the bi-lateral effects of a unilateral CCI on proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) NSC niche and on neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb of adult mice. By varying the depth of impact from 1 mm to 2 mm depth, we show CCI to the left somatosensory cortex resulted in graded changes in mouse behavior and cellular pathology in the forebrain. As expected, contusion to the sensorimotor cortex resulted in motor coordination deficits in adult mice. During the first 3 days after injury, CCI increased proliferation in the impacted cortex, deeper striatum and SVZ of the forebrain ipsilateral to the CCI. In each of these regions proliferation was increased with increasing injury severity. At 30 days post-procedure, CCI resulted in a significant reduction in neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb ipsilateral to the CCI. Olfactory avoidance testing indicated disruptions in olfactory bulb neurogenesis were associated with impaired olfactory discrimination in mice post-injury.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate a focal cortical contusion injury to the left somatosensory cortex disrupts SVZ-olfactory bulb neurogenesis and impairs olfactory discrimination and motor coordination in adult mice.
Knowledge translation in Iranian universities: need for serious interventions
Authors: Gholami Jaleh , Ahghari Sharareh , Motevalian Abbas , Yousefinejad Vahid , Moradi Ghobad , Keshtkar Abbasali , Alami Ali , Mazloomzadeh Saeideh , Vakili Mohammad Masoud , Chaman Reza , Salehi Bahman , Fazelzadeh Omid , Majdzadeh Reza
Published: November 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the status of knowledge translation (KT) in Iranian medical science universities in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the most important organizations responsible for producing knowledge in the country.

Methods

The KT activities were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in nine universities using the Self-Assessment Tool for Research Institutes.

Results

The strengths and weaknesses of universities were determined using seven main themes: priority setting; research quality and timeliness; researchers’ KT capacities; interaction with research users; the facilities and prerequisites of KT; the processes and regulations supporting KT; and promoting and evaluating the use of evidence.

The quantitative and qualitative results showed that the Iranian universities did not have an appropriate context for KT. There were significant shortcomings in supportive regulations, facilities for KT activities, and the level of interaction between the researchers and research users.

Conclusions

The shortcomings in KT were mostly in the area of stewardship and policymaking (macro level), followed by planning and implementation at the universities. In order to strengthen KT in Iran, it should occupy a prominent and focused role in the strategies of the country’s health research system.
Golden plaster for pain therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Liu Jin-Tao , Tang De-Zhi , Li Xiao-Feng , Zhang Zhi-Gang , Ji Wan-Bo , Tao Shuai , Wang Yong-Jun , Jiang Hong
Published: November 2013

Background

Osteoarthritis is a relatively common musculoskeletal disorder that increases in prevalence with age. Worldwide, knee osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of disability, particularly in the elderly. In numerous trials of agents for long-term pain therapy, no well-established and replicable results have been achieved. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed for thousands of years to relieve knee osteoarthritis pain. Among herbal medicines, the golden plaster is the preferred and most commonlyused method in China to reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, as it causes few adverse effects. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the efficacy and safety of golden plaster on pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods/Design

This study will be a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 320 participants aged 45 to 79 years with knee osteoarthritis, whose scores on a visual analog scale (VAS) are more than 20 mm,will be randomly allocated into a treatment group and a control group. A golden plaster will be administered externally to participants in the treatment group for 2 weeks, while the control group will receive a placebo plaster externally for 2 weeks. Follow-up will be at regular intervals during a 4-week period with a VAS score for pain, quality of life, and complications.

Discussion

This study will be a methodologically sound randomized controlled trial to assess pain relief after the intervention of golden plaster, compared to a placebo intervention in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-13003418
Comparing treatment outcomes of different chemotherapy sequences during intensity modulated radiotherapy for advanced N-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Sun Xueming , Zeng Lei , Chen Chunyan , Huang Ying , Han Fei , Xiao Weiwei , Liu Shuai , Lu Taixiang
Published: November 2013

Background

N-stage is related to distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. We performed this study to compare the efficacy of different chemotherapy sequences in advanced N-stage (N2 and N3) NPC patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods

From 2001 to 2008, 198 advanced N-stage NPC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-three patients received IMRT alone. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) was delivered to 72 patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) + CCRT to 82 patients and CCRT + adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) to 11 patients.

Results

The 5-year overall survival rate, recurrence-free survival rate, distant metastasis-free survival rate and progress-free survival rate were 47.7% and 73.1%(p<0.001), 74.5% and 91.3% (p = 0.004), 49.2% and 68.5% (p = 0.018), 37.5% and 63.8% (p<0.001) in IMRT alone and chemoradiotherapy group. Subgroup analyses indicated that there were no significant differences among the survival curves of CCRT, NACT + CCRT and CCRT + AC groups. The survival benefit mainly came from CCRT. However, there was only an improvement attendency in distant metastasis-free survival rate of CCRT group (p = 0.107) when compared with RT alone group, and NACT + CCRT could significantly improve distant metastasis-free survival (p = 0.017).

Conclusions

For advanced N-stage NPC patients, NACT + CCRT might be a reasonable treatment strategy.
Radiosensitization of noradrenaline transporter-expressing tumour cells by proteasome inhibitors and the role of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Rae Colin , Tesson Mathias , Babich John W , Boyd Marie , Mairs Robert J
Published: November 2013

Background

The radiopharmaceutical 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) is used for the targeted radiotherapy of noradrenaline transporter (NAT)-expressing neuroblastoma. Enhancement of 131I-MIBG's efficacy is achieved by combination with the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan - currently being evaluated clinically. Proteasome activity affords resistance of tumour cells to radiation and topoisomerase inhibitors. Therefore, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was evaluated with respect to its cytotoxic potency as a single agent and in combination with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. Since elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are induced by bortezomib, the role of ROS in tumour cell kill was determined following treatment with bortezomib or the alternative proteasome inhibitor, MG132.

Methods

Clonogenic assay and growth of tumour xenografts were used to investigate the effects of proteasome inhibitors alone or in combination with radiation treatment. Synergistic interactions in vitro were evaluated by combination index analysis. The dependency of proteasome inhibitor-induced clonogenic kill on ROS generation was assessed using antioxidants.

Results

Bortezomib, in the dose range 1 to 30 nM, decreased clonogenic survival of both SK-N-BE(2c) and UVW/NAT cells, and this was prevented by antioxidants. It also acted as a sensitizer in vitro when administered with X-radiation, with 131I-MIBG, or with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. Moreover, bortezomib enhanced the delay of the growth of human tumour xenografts in athymic mice when administered in combination with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. MG132 and bortezomib had similar radiosensitizing potency, but only bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity was ROS-dependent.

Conclusions

Proteasome inhibition shows promise for the treatment of neuroblastoma in combination with 131I-MIBG and topotecan. Since the cytotoxicity of MG132, unlike that of bortezomib, was not ROS-dependent, the latter proteasome inhibitor may have a favourable toxicity profile in normal tissues.
Geochemical characteristics of hazardous trace elements in the coal from the Pingshuo mine district, China
Authors: Wang Jinxi , Ling Pei , Yang Jingjing , Zhao Jing
Published: November 2013

A total of 283 coal and parting samples were taken from the Pingshuo mine district, Ningwu coalfield, China. The contents, distribution and enrichment mechanism of 12 hazardous trace elements were studied. The results indicate that Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ag and Cr have the chalcophile affinity; Ba, Cd, U are related with clay mineral; Mn is mainly related with carbonate minerals; Pb and Be may be related with sulfide, clay mineral and organic matter. Most of trace elements were associated with terrigenous clastic and clay. The elements (Cr, Pb, Be, Ag, Cu, U, Cd) were enriched in the wet forest and low swamps.
Dynamics of Consumer Adoption of Financial Innovation: The Case of ATM Cards
Authors: Yang Botao , Ching Andrew T.
Published: November 2013

We develop a structural consumer life-cycle model to investigate consumers' adoption and usage decisions of ATM cards. If consumers are forward-looking with a known discount factor, our framework can control for the heterogeneous life span faced by consumers of different ages, and hence measure adoption costs more accurately. Moreover, our framework can recover the monetary value of total adoption costs. To estimate our model, we use an Italian panel data set, which contains information on consumers' adoption decisions for ATM cards, and their cash withdrawal patterns before and after adoption. Our results suggest that one could significantly overestimate adoption costs for the elderly when ignoring their shorter life span. Our policy experiments show that a sign-up bonus targeted to the elderly could be much more effective if implemented as a limited-time offer rather than a permanent offer. Interestingly, if the sign-up bonus is permanent, younger consumers may strategically postpone adoption.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Trans-meaning – Dance as an embodied technology of perception
Authors: de Lima Cecília
Published: November 2013

As an experiential practice of somatic perception, dance digs into the living matter of what is scientifically currently recognized as the source of self-consciousness and of the thinking process, producing what is commonly referred to as ‘embodied knowledge’ or ‘embodied thinking’. What is the expression of such a mode of knowledge? How can it be transmitted to other fields of knowledge? Departing from proposing the artistic practice of dance as a technology of proprioception, this article explores a particular view of this issue by relating the dancer’s phenomenological experience with some contemporary theories of cognitive science. It develops the notion of ‘embodied knowledge’ not merely as the innate know-how of the bodily system to act and survive, but as sensorial awareness of such know-how. This intensified awareness opens up an experiential understanding of reality as an embodied motion condition, generating a distinct reasoning based on a transformative paradoxical value ground.
Rest Sleep Wake: Soma–science scores for performing sleep
Authors: Brown Carol , Niemetz Anne , Medlin Margie , Scoones Russell
Published: November 2013

As a post-performance reflection, this article addresses the complexities of a number of different issues surrounding the dramaturgies of art–science collaborations and the role of agency when spread across multiple collaborators. It includes comment from the voices – artistic, scientific and academic – involved in shaping Revolve from dusk to dawn and speculates on the impacts of the research and production. Revolve is an interactive performance inspired by sleep science (chronobiology); it was previewed as part of SEAM2011, 17–18 September 2011, at Critical Path in Sydney, premiered in Christchurch, New Zealand, during the Body Festival, 4–5 October 2011, and presented as a lecture performance during the Somatics and Technology 2012 Conference, University of Chichester, 23 June 2012.
Dirichlet heat kernel estimates for subordinate Brownian motions with Gaussian components
Authors: Chen Zhen-Qing , Kim Panki , Song Renming
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we derive
explicit sharp two-sided estimates
for the Dirichlet heat kernels, in C
1,1 open sets
D in ℝ
d
, of a large class of subordinate Brownian motions
with Gaussian components.
When D is bounded, our sharp two-sided Dirichlet heat kernel estimates hold for all t > 0.
Integrating the heat kernel estimates with respect to the time variable t, we obtain
sharp two-sided estimates for the Green functions, in bounded C
1,1 open sets, of
such subordinate Brownian motions with Gaussian components.
On the determination of the principal coefficient from boundary measurements in a KdV equation
Authors: Baudouin Lucie , Cerpa Eduardo , Crépeau Emmanuelle , Mercado Alberto
Published: November 2013

This paper concerns the inverse problem of retrieving the principal coefficient in a Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation from boundary measurements of a single solution. The Lipschitz stability of this inverse problem is obtained using a new global Carleman estimate for the linearized KdV equation. The proof is based on the Bukhgeĭm–Klibanov method.
Austrian Newborn Screening Program: a perspective of five decades
Authors: Pollak Arnold , Kasper David C.
Published: November 2013

In 1966, the National Austrian Newborn Screening Program for inherited metabolic and endocrine disorders was initiated. In the last five decades, around four million babies were screened and in more than 2600 babies, various inborn errors of metabolism and endocrine disorders were detected. This health-preventive program was continuously expanded from phenylketonuria and galactosemia to congenital hypothyroidism, biotinidase deficiency, cystic fibrosis, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In 2002, the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry substantially increased the number of detectable rare diseases, and now includes disorders of fatty acid oxidation, organic acidurias, and various disorders of amino acid metabolism. In this review, we highlight the development of the Austrian screening program, and pinpoint future disorders and challenges.
Tonic Activation of Bax Primes Neural Progenitors for Rapid Apoptosis through a Mechanism Preserved in Medulloblastoma
Authors: Crowther Andrew J. , Gama Vivian , Bevilacqua Ariana , Chang Sha X. , Yuan Hong , Deshmukh Mohanish , Gershon Timothy R.
Published: November 2013

Commitment to survival or apoptosis within expanding progenitor populations poses distinct risks and benefits to the organism. We investigated whether specialized mechanisms regulate apoptosis in mouse neural progenitors and in the progenitor-derived brain tumor medulloblastoma. Here, we identified constitutive activation of proapoptotic Bax, maintained in check by Bcl-xL, as a mechanism for rapid cell death, common to postnatal neural progenitors and medulloblastoma. We found that tonic activation of Bax in cerebellar progenitors, along with sensitivity to DNA damage, was linked to differentiation state. In cerebellar progenitors, active Bax localized to mitochondria, where it was bound to Bcl-xL. Disruption of Bax:Bcl-xL binding by BH3-mimetic ABT 737 caused rapid apoptosis of cerebellar progenitors and primary murine medulloblastoma cells. Conditional deletion of Mcl-1, in contrast, did not cause death of cerebellar progenitors. Our findings identify a mechanism for the sensitivity of brain progenitors to typical anticancer therapies and reveal that this mechanism persists in medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor markedly sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy.