bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complement C5a receptor gene 450 C/T polymorphism in renal transplant recipients: association of the CT genotype with graft outcome
Authors: Günesacar R. , Opelz G. , Erken E. , Döhler B. , Ruhenstroth A. , Süsal C. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractComplement‐mediated humoral rejection has become the main focus of research in organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of the complement C5aR gene 450 C/T polymorphism in antibody‐mediated renal allograft rejection. This polymorphism was investigated in 290 first deceased donor kidney graft recipients with well functioning grafts and no rejection treatment during the first transplant year (WFG), 265 recipients with graft failure within the first transplant year (F), and 187 healthy controls. Frequency of the 450 CT genotype was lower in the total population of 555 kidney recipients (4.7%) than in 187 healthy controls (8.6%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.065). A significantly higher frequency of CT genotype was found in F patients (CT: 6.8%) when compared to WFG patients (CT: 2.8%, P = 0.027). The CT genotype was also significantly lower in WFG patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.009). Low frequency of the C5aR 450 CT genotype, which apparently is a feature of certain kidney diseases, appears to be associated with good graft outcome in kidney transplantation and might be helpful for identifying recipients who are at low risk for graft rejection.
Ethnic Residential Patterns in Urban England and Wales, 2001–2011: A System‐Wide Analysis
Authors: Johnston Ron , Poulsen Michael , Forrest James 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMany cities world‐wide are becoming increasingly multi‐cultural and multi‐ethnic in their population composition. However, little attention has been paid in the massive literature on the resultant residential mosaics as to whether the outcomes of those changes are common across a national urban system or whether there are local variations – or to the factors likely to influence any such variations. Using small‐area data for towns and cities in England and Wales from the 2001 and 2011 censuses this paper finds clear relationships between the relative size of an urban area's non‐White ethnic minority population and the mix of different types of neighbourhood according to their ethnic composition – findings that have clear relevance for the development of the emerging countries' multi‐cultural character.
A clinical review of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pyothorax in dogs and cats
Authors: Stillion Jenefer R. , Letendre Jo‐Annie 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo review the current literature in reference to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pyothorax in dogs and cats.EtiologyPyothorax, also known as thoracic empyema, is characterized by the accumulation of septic purulent fluid within the pleural space. While the actual route of pleural infection often remains unknown, the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract appear to be the most common source of microorganisms causing pyothorax in dogs and cats. In human medicine, pyothorax is a common clinical entity associated with bacterial pneumonia and progressive parapneumonic effusion.DiagnosisThoracic imaging can be used to support a diagnosis of pleural effusion, but cytologic examination or bacterial culture of pleural fluid are necessary for a definitive diagnosis of pyothorax.TherapyThe approach to treatment for pyothorax varies greatly in both human and veterinary medicine and remains controversial. Treatment of pyothorax has classically been divided into medical or surgical therapy and may include administration of antimicrobials, intermittent or continuous thoracic drainage, thoracic lavage, intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy, video‐assisted thoracic surgery, and traditional thoracostomy. Despite all of the available options, the optimal treatment to ensure successful short‐ and long‐term outcome, including the avoidance of recurrence, remains unknown.PrognosisThe prognosis for canine and feline pyothorax is variable but can be good with appropriate treatment. A review of the current veterinary literature revealed an overall reported survival rate of 83% in dogs and 62% in cats. As the clinical presentation of pyothorax in small animals is often delayed and nonspecific, rapid diagnosis and treatment are required to ensure successful outcome.
The role of antisecretory factor in pancreatic exocrine secretion: studies in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Nawrot‐Porąbka Katarzyna , Jaworek Jolanta , Leja‐Szpak Anna , Kot Michalina , Lange Stefan 
Published: January 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Antisecretory factor, an endogenous protein detected in many tissues of the body, is known as an inhibitor of intestinal secretion, but its role in pancreatic exocrine secretory function has not yet been investigated.

What is the main finding and its importance?
In a rodent model, we show that antisecretory factor reduces pancreatic exocrine secretion, probably via its direct action on the pancreatic acini and via modulation of the enteropancreatic reflexes involving cholecystokinin and sensory nerves.

Antisecretory factor (AF) regulates ion and water transport through the intestinal cell membrane. Antisecretory factor inhibits intestinal secretion, but its effect on the exocrine pancreas has not yet been shown. We investigated the effect of AF on pancreatic amylase secretion in vivo and in vitro using pancreatic acini isolated by collagenase digestion. For the in vivo study, Wistar rats were surgically equipped with silicone catheters, inserted into the pancreaticobiliary duct and into the duodenum. Capsaicin was used to deactivate the sensory nerves in turn to assess their involvement in the effects of AF on the exocrine pancreas. Antisecretory factor (1, 3 or 10 μg kg−1 i.p.) was given in basal conditions or following stimulation of pancreatic secretion with diversion of pancreaticobiliary juice. For the in vitro study, rat pancreatic acini were incubated in the presence of increasing doses of AF (from 10−8 to 10−5 m) alone or in combination with caerulein (10−12 m). Cytoplasmic cholecystokinin 1 (CCK1) receptor protein was detected by Western blot and immunoprecipitation studies. Antisecretory factor markedly reduced the output of pancreatic amylase both in basal conditions and when stimulated by diversion of pancreaticobiliary juice. Deactivation of the sensory nerves with capsaicin completely reversed the inhibitory effects of AF on the exocrine pancreas. Caerulein‐induced enzyme secretion from the pancreatic acini was inhibited by AF, whereas basal secretion was unaffected. Administration of AF to the rats significantly diminished the synthesis of CCK1 receptor protein. We conclude that AF inhibits pancreatic exocrine secretion indirectly via sensory nerves and directly decreases amylase release from isolated pancreatic acini. The direct inhibitory action of AF on the exocrine pancreas could be related, at least in part, to a reduction of CCK1 receptors on pancreatic acinar cells.
Exploration of the Design Space in Continuous Casting Tundish
Authors: Anapagaddi Ravikiran , Shukla Rishabh , Goyal Sharad , Singh Amarendra K. , Allen Janet K. , Panchal Jitesh H. , Mistree Farrokh 
Published: January 2015

Due to the stringent requirements of industry, it has become extremely important to have a careful control over the required performance and properties of steels. Performance and properties of advanced high strength steel depend significantly on its cleanliness. Cleanliness is achieved by restricting the inclusion count to a permissible limit. Over the past few years, there has been increased use of tundish, a device that acts as a buffer between ladle and mold, for controlling inclusions. Apart from facilitating inclusion removal, tundish also maintains low dead volume and thermal and chemical homogeneity, which is required for smooth casting operation. Thus, performance of the tundish operation greatly influences the properties and quality of the cast slab. Tundish performance is generally assessed using parameters such as inclusion removal efficiency, dead volume within tundish and effectiveness in maintaining the desired amount of superheat. But, the aforesaid parameters are conflicting in nature. Managing the conflict and providing a satisficing solution based on the customer requirements become essential.
In this paper, we present an approach to manage the conflicts involved in designing a tundish. An integrated framework, by linking meta-models with compromise Decision Support Problem (cDSP) construct, is developed to determine a satisficing solution considering conflicting requirements.
The utility of the framework is illustrated by providing decision support when an existing configuration for tundish is unable to meet the requirements. This has been done by exploring the design space of tundish and coming up with a design and operating set points suitable for a particular purpose. This approach can be instantiated for other unit operations involved in steel manufacturing. In the future, each unit operation can be integrated to provide a complete picture of steel manufacturing which in turn will help in reducing the time and cost incurred in the development of new materials and products.
Load Calculation on Wind Turbines: Validation of Flex5, Alaska/Wind, MSC.Adams and SIMPACK by Means of Field Tests
Authors: Zierath János , Rachholz Roman , Woernle Christoph , Müller Andreas 
Published: January 2015

Load calculations on wind turbines are an essential part of its development. In the preliminary design phase simplified multibody models are used for the estimation of the interface loads. The interface loads are used within an iterative development loop to design the components of the wind turbine such as gearbox, blades, tower and so on. Due to the early application of load calculations within the development process, the quality of the simulation results has a great influence on the wind turbine design.
In this contribution the simulation results of the multibody codes alaska/Wind, MSC.Adams and SIMPACK are compared with measurements obtained from a prototype of a 2.05 MW wind turbine developed by W2e Wind to Energy. Furthermore, simulation results of the special wind turbine design code Flex5, developed at the Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, are taken into account. A statistical and dynamical evaluation of the simulation and measurement results has been done. Due to the use of the same controller procedures as used on the physical wind turbine, the wind turbine models show almost the same behaviour (electrical power, pitch angle, rotor speed) as the wind turbine in the field. Differences occur during the evaluation of the interface loads due to the different kinds of wind turbine modelling.
Coordinated Visual and Kinematic Servoing for Positioning Manipulating UAV End-Effectors
Authors: Danko Todd W. , Oh Paul Y. 
Published: January 2015

Manipulating objects using arms mounted to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is attractive because UAVs may access many locations that are otherwise inaccessible to traditional mobile manipulation platforms such as ground vehicles.
However, the constantly moving UAV platform and compliance of manipulator arms make it difficult to position the UAV and end-effector relative to an object of interest precisely enough for reliable manipulation. Solving this challenge will bring UAVs one step closer to being able to perform meaningful tasks such as infrastructure repair, disaster response, law enforcement, and personal assistance.
Toward a solution to this challenge, this paper describes an approach to coordinate the redundant degrees of freedom of a six degree of freedom gantry with those of a six degree of freedom manipulator arm. The manipulator’s degrees of freedom are visually servoed to a specified pose relative to a target while treating motions of the host platform as perturbations. Simultaneously, the host platform’s degrees of freedom are servoed using kinematic information from the manipulator. This drives the base of the manipulator to a position that allows it to assume a joint-space configuration that maximizes reachability while minimizing static torque transmitted from the arm to the host.
Open Source 3D Scanning and Printing for Design Capture and Realization
Authors: Tucker Conrad S. , Saint John David B. , Behoora Ishan , Marcireau Alexandre 
Published: January 2015

Traditionally, the complexities and costs associated with design conceptualization (e.g., 3D scanning) and design realization (e.g., 3D printing) have limited the diversity of individuals capable of participating in the process to individuals/entities with advanced technical backgrounds or substantial financial resources. The authors of this work propose a methodology that utilizes low cost hardware and open source software to make the capture, reuse and management of design knowledge more accessible to the general public.
3D scanners are digital tools that facilitate the conversion of physical object information into the digital space through multiple image capture techniques. 3D scanners have the potential to revolutionize design conceptualization in society by enabling individuals to seamlessly transform physical representations of objects into a digital 3D rendered version. The 3D rendered version can then be manipulated using existing 3D CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) and subsequently printed using a 3D printer.
Design realization via 3D printers (e.g., RepRaps) is becoming an integral aspect of the engineering design process. While the conceptualization of designs (e.g. CAD models) helps designers visually experience potential candidate designs, product prototypes that can actually be touched and manipulated add an important ‘feedback’ dimension to the engineering design process. This scan-edit-print approach to design conceptualization and realization will enable designers collaborating in online environments to work towards achieving a common design by providing them with tools and techniques.
A case study is presented that demonstrates the feasibility of the scan (knowledge capture), edit (knowledge reuse) and print (knowledge management) approach to design using low cost hardware and open source software.
Method for Turbocharging Single Cylinder Four Stroke Engines
Authors: Buchman Michael R. , Winter Amos G. 
Published: January 2015

This paper presents a feasibility study of a method for turbocharging single cylinder, four-stroke internal combustion engines. Turbocharging is not conventionally used with single cylinder engines because of the timing mismatch between when the turbo is powered, during the exhaust stroke, and when it can deliver air to the cylinder, during the intake stroke. The proposed solution involves an air capacitor on the intake side of the engine between the turbocharger and intake valves. The capacitor acts as a buffer and would be implemented as a new style of intake manifold with a larger volume than traditional systems.
In order for the air capacitor to be practical, it needs to be sized large enough to maintain the turbocharger pressure during the intake stroke, cause minimal turbo lag, and significantly increase the density of the intake air. By creating multiple flow models of air through the turbocharged engine system, we found that the optimal size air capacitor is between four and five times the engine capacity. For a capacitor sized for a one-liter engine, the lag time was found to be approximately two seconds, which would be acceptable for slowly accelerating applications such as tractors, or steady state applications such as generators. The density increase that can be achieved in the capacitor, compared to air at standard ambient temperature and pressure, was found to vary between fifty percent for adiabatic compression and no heat transfer from the capacitor, to eighty percent for perfect heat transfer. These increases in density are proportional to, to first order, the anticipated power increases that could be realized with a turbocharger and air capacitor system applied to a single cylinder, four-stroke engine.
Use of the Harmonic Balance Method for Flexible Aircraft Engine Rotors With Nonlinear Squeeze Film Dampers
Authors: He Feng , Allaire Paul , Dimond Timothy 
Published: January 2015

Squeeze film dampers in flexible rotors such as those in compressors, steam turbines, aircraft engines and other rotating machines are often modeled as linear devices. This linearization is valid only for a specified orbit where appropriate equivalent stiffness and damping coefficients can be found. However, squeeze film dampers are inherently nonlinear devices which complicates the analysis. This paper develops the harmonic balance method with a direct force model of the SFDs. This model is used for flexible rotors with squeeze film dampers where the rotor is treated as linear and the squeeze film damper is treated as nonlinear. The predictor-corrector method is employed to obtain the system forced response in the frequency domain after separating the nonlinear components from the linear components of the equations of motion. This approach is much more efficient than conventional full nonlinear transient analysis.
The application considered in this paper is the low pressure (LP) compressor of an aircraft engine. The LP compressor rotor has two roller bearings with squeeze film dampers and one ball bearing without a squeeze film damper. Orbits at the fan end dampers and the turbine end dampers for both the harmonic balance and nonlinear transient modeling are compared for accuracy and calculation time. The HB method is shown to be 5 to 12 times faster computationally for similar results. Fast Fourier transform results were obtained for various shaft operating speeds. Results were also obtained for the unbalance response at different locations with gravity loading. Finally, unbalance response of the rotor with varying centering spring stiffness values were obtained. The results show that the centering spring stiffness for the turbine end damper is less sensitive than the fan end damper.
A Small Molecule, Odanacatib, Inhibits Inflammation and Bone Loss Caused by Endodontic Disease
Authors: Hao Liang , Chen Wei , McConnell Matthew , Zhu Zheng , Li Sheng , Reddy Michael , Eleazer Paul D. , Wang Min , Li Yi-Ping 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Periapical disease, an inflammatory disease mainly caused by dental caries, is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases of humans, affecting both children and adults. The infection travels through the root, leading to inflammation, bone destruction, and severe pain for the patient. Therefore, the development of a new class of anti-periapical disease therapies is necessary and critical for treatment and prevention. A small molecule, odanacatib (ODN), which is a cathepsin K (Ctsk) inhibitor, was investigated to determine its ability to treat this disease in a mouse model of periapical disease. While Ctsk was originally found in osteoclasts as an osteoclast-specific lysosomal protease, we were surprised to find that ODN can suppress the bacterium-induced immune response as well as bone destruction in the lesion area. X rays and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) showed that ODN treatment had significant bone protection effects at different time points. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining show that ODN treatment dramatically decreased F4/80
+
macrophages and CD3
+
T cells in the lesion areas 42 days after infection. Consistent with these findings, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis showed low levels of proinflammatory mRNAs (for tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6, and interleukin 23α) and corresponding cytokine expression in the ODN-treated disease group. The levels of mRNA for Toll-like receptors 4, 5, and 9 also largely decreased in the ODN-treated disease group. Our results demonstrated that ODN can inhibit endodontic disease development, bone erosion, and immune response. These results indicate that application of this small molecule offers a new opportunity to design effective therapies that could prevent periapical inflammation and revolutionize current treatment options.
Relative CBV ratio on perfusion-weighted MRI indicates the probability of early recanalization after IV t-PA administration for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Sohn Sang-Wook , Park Hyun-Seok , Cha Jae-Kwan , Kim Dae-Hyun , Kang Myung-Jin , Choi Jae-Hyung , Nah Hyun-Wook , Huh Jae-Taeck 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundWe hypothesized that the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) ratio on perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) using MRI might serve as a predictor of early recanalization (ER) after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA) administration for acute ischemic stroke.MethodsPatients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemic stroke (IS) were enrolled in the study. They were evaluated by MRI, including PWI and diffusion-weighted imaging, before administration of IV t-PA and underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the brain within 2 h after t-PA administration. We compared the rCBV ratio on PWI between patients with and without ER on DSA and investigated the proportion of patients with an excellent outcome at 90 days after t-PA administration (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1) among those with and without ER.Results85 patients with acute MCA IS were included; 16 patients (18.8%) experienced ER on DSA after IV t-PA administration. Patients with ER more frequently had an excellent outcome at 90 days than those without ER. The rCBV ratio on PWI was higher in the ER group (1.01±0.21, p<0.01) than in the non-ER group (0.82±0.18). After adjusting for the presence of atrial fibrillation and the serum glucose level, the rCBV ratio on PWI (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.12; p<0.01) was a significant independent indicator of ER.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the rCBV ratio on PWI might serve as a useful indicator of ER after IV t-PA administration.
Republished: Symptomatic reflux disease: the present, the past and the future
Authors: Boeckxstaens Guy , El-Serag Hashem B , Smout André J P M , Kahrilas Peter J 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT
The worldwide incidence of GORD and its complications is increasing along with the exponentially increasing problem of obesity. Of particular concern is the relationship between central adiposity and GORD complications, including oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Driven by progressive insight into the epidemiology and pathophysiology of GORD, the earlier belief that increased gastroesophageal reflux mainly results from one dominant mechanism has been replaced by acceptance that GORD is multifactorial. Instigating factors, such as obesity, age, genetics, pregnancy and trauma may all contribute to mechanical impairment of the oesophagogastric junction resulting in pathological reflux and accompanying syndromes. Progression of the disease by exacerbating and perpetuating factors such as obesity, neuromuscular dysfunction and oesophageal fibrosis ultimately lead to development of an overt hiatal hernia. The latter is now accepted as a central player, impacting on most mechanisms underlying gastroesophageal reflux (low sphincter pressure, transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, oesophageal clearance and acid pocket position), explaining its association with more severe disease and mucosal damage. Since the introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), clinical management of GORD has markedly changed, shifting the therapeutic challenge from mucosal healing to reduction of PPI-resistant symptoms. In parallel, it became clear that reflux symptoms may result from weakly acidic or non-acid reflux, insight that has triggered the search for new compounds or minimally invasive procedures to reduce all types of reflux. In summary, our view on GORD has evolved enormously compared to that of the past, and without doubt will impact on how to deal with GORD in the future.