bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mandatory aged care insurance: a case for Australia
Authors: PAOLUCCI FRANCESCO , SOWA PRZEMYSLAW M. , GARCÍA-GOÑI MANUEL , ERGAS HENRY 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper assesses the feasibility and welfare-improving potential of an insurance market for aged care expenses in Australia. As in many other countries, demographic dynamics coupled with an upward trend in costs of personal care result in consumer co-contributions imposing a risk of expenses that could constitute a significant proportion of lifetime savings, in spite of the presence of a government-run aged care scheme. We explore issues around the development of an insurance market in this particular setting, considering adverse selection, moral hazard, timing of purchase, transaction costs and correlation of risks, as well as such contextual factors as longevity and aged care cost determinants. The analysis indicates aged care insurance is both feasible and welfare-enhancing, thus providing a gainful alternative to the aged care reform proposed by the Productivity Commission in 2011. However, while the insurance market would benefit the ageing Australian population, it is unlikely to emerge spontaneously because of the problem of myopic individual perceptions of long-term goals. Consequently, we recommend regulatory action to trigger the market development.
New tenements and the image of the past: the Crown Street development in Glasgow's New Gorbals
Authors: Urban Florian 
Published: November 2013

In 2000, the Crown Street redevelopment in Glasgow's New Gorbals area was completed following a masterplan by Piers Gough and building designs by Page and Park, Elder and Cannon, Hypostyle Architects and others. Built on symbolically contested ground previously occupied by the Gorbals tenements (1870s–1960s) and the high-rise Hutchesontown flats (1960s–1990s), the new development is a textbook example of neotraditional design. The project features ornamented facades, bay windows, courtyards and corridor streets along with local references to the heyday of Glasgow tenements during the late nineteenth century.This paper shows that the new tenements on Crown Street contributed to Glasgow's economic revival strategies by reconfiguring the site and supporting a positive view of Glasgow's Victorian era. In this sense, the architects adapted design preferences – which at the time were evident all over Europe and North America – to a local agenda.The new tenements reconcile conflicting perspectives: on the one hand a break almost as comprehensive as the urban renewal of the 1960s, and on the other hand an idea of historical continuity and long-lasting community life, which rested on a revised conception of the city's industrial past. Conveying a historical image cleared of imperfections they communicate a message of permanence that stands in stark contrast to the area's historic upheavals, but nonetheless contributed to the viability of the new neighbourhood.
Limits on methane release and generation via hypervelocity impact of Martian analogue materials
Authors: Price M. C. , Ramkissoon N. K. , McMahon S. , Miljković K. , Parnell J. , Wozniakiewicz P. J. , Kearsley A. T. , Blamey N. J. F. , Cole M. J. , Burchell M. J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe quantity of methane in Mars' atmosphere, and the potential mechanism(s) responsible for its production, are still unknown. In order to test viable, abiotic, methangenic processes, we experimentally investigated two possible impact mechanisms for generating methane. In the first suite of experiments, basaltic rocks were impacted at 5 km s−1 and the quantity of gases (CH4, H2, He, N2, O2, Ar and CO2) released by the impacts was measured. In the second suite of experiments, a mixture of water ice, CO2 ice and anhydrous olivine grains was impacted to see if the shock induced rapid serpentinization of the olivine, and thus production of methane. The results of both suites of experiments demonstrate that impacts (at scales achievable in the laboratory) do not give rise to detectably enhanced quantities of methane release above background levels. Supporting hydrocode modelling was also performed to gain insight into the pressures and temperatures occurring during the impact events.
Sensitivity to Flg22 Is Modulated by Ligand-Induced Degradation and de Novo Synthesis of the Endogenous Flagellin-Receptor FLAGELLIN-SENSING2
Authors: Smith John M. , Salamango Daniel J. , Leslie Michelle E. , Collins Carina A. , Heese Antje 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
FLAGELLIN-SENSING2 (FLS2) is the plant cell surface receptor that perceives bacterial flagellin or flg22 peptide, initiates flg22-signaling responses, and contributes to bacterial growth restriction. Flg22 elicitation also leads to ligand-induced endocytosis and degradation of FLS2 within 1 h. Why plant cells remove this receptor precisely at the time during which its function is required remains mainly unknown. Here, we assessed in planta flg22-signaling competency in the context of ligand-induced degradation of endogenous FLS2 and chemical interference known to impede flg22-dependent internalization of FLS2 into endocytic vesicles. Within 1 h after an initial flg22 treatment, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf tissue was unable to reelicit flg22 signaling in a ligand-, time-, and dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that flg22-induced degradation of endogenous FLS2 may serve to desensitize cells to the same stimulus (homologous desensitization), likely to prevent continuous signal output upon repetitive flg22 stimulation. In addition to impeding ligand-induced FLS2 degradation, pretreatment with the vesicular trafficking inhibitors Wortmannin or Tyrphostin A23 impaired flg22-elicited reactive oxygen species production that was partially independent of BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1-ASSOCIATED KINASE1. Interestingly, these inhibitors did not affect flg22-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, indicating the ability to utilize vesicular trafficking inhibitors to target different flg22-signaling responses. For Tyrphostin A23, reduced flg22-induced reactive oxygen species could be separated from the defect in FLS2 degradation. At later times (&gt;2 h) after the initial flg22 elicitation, recovery of FLS2 protein levels positively correlated with resensitization to flg22, indicating that flg22-induced new synthesis of FLS2 may prepare cells for a new round of monitoring the environment for flg22.
The association between serum vitamin D Level and disease activity in Thai rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Pakchotanon Rattapol , Chaiamnuay Sumapa , Narongroeknawin Pongthorn , Asavatanabodee Paijit 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundSerum vitamin D level was inversely associated with the risk of developing new onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and disease activity, but some conflicting results have been reported.ObjectiveTo examine the serum vitamin D status in Thai RA patients and possible independent factors affecting serum 25 hydroxyvitamin vitamin D (25(OH)D) and the associations of serum 25(OH)D level and the disease activity and functional status in Thai RA patients.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed in 239 Thai RA patients. The blood levels of 25(OH)D2 and D3 were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Disease activity was assessed according to tender and swollen joint counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analog scale for global patient assessment, Disease Activity Score‐28 (DAS‐28) and Thai Health Assessment Questionnaire (Thai HAQ).ResultThe mean vitamin D level was 28.79 ng/mL. There were no associations between 25(OH)D levels and number of tender and swollen joint counts, DAS‐28 score, HAQ score or rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or anti‐cyclic citrulinated peptide (CCP) positivity. After multivariated analysis, Bangkok residents, non‐farmer, obesity and non‐vitamin D supplementation were the predictors for vitamin D insufficiency in Thai patients with RA.ConclusionThere are no associations of serum 25(OH)D levels with disease activity or functional status in Thai RA patients. The factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency are Bangkok resident, non‐farmer, obesity and not taking vitamin D supplementation.
The Resveratrol Attenuates Ethanol‐Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis Via Inhibiting ER‐Related Caspase‐12 Activation and PDE Activity In Vitro
Authors: Liu LQ , Fan ZQ , Tang YF , Ke ZJ 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundEndoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a key role in cell apoptosis pathways. Caspase‐12, a proapoptotic gene induced by ER stress, is also the key molecule in ER‐related apoptosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective activity and possible mechanism of resveratrol (ResV) against ethanol (EtOH)‐induced apoptosis in human hepatocyte Chang cell line.MethodsThe human hepatocyte Chang cell line was used to test the hypothesis that ResV may alleviate the liver cell apoptosis induced by EtOH. ER stress‐inducible proteins and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) were assayed by Western blot. Cell viability was studied by MTT assay and apoptosis was measured by Annexin‐V and propidium iodide assay. Caspase‐12 activation was examined by immunofluorescence staining. Alcohol dehydrogenase‐2 (ADH‐2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH‐2) were measured by polymerase chain reaction amplified product length polymorphism. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity was assayed in cell lysates using a cyclic nucleotide PDE assay.ResultsEtOH exposure significantly increased the expression of ER stress markers and activated signaling pathways associated with ER stress. These include GRP78, p‐IRE1α, p‐eIF2α, p‐PERK, ATF4 as well as cleaved caspase‐3/12, CHOP/GADD153, and Bax in human hepatocyte Chang cell line. The expression of these proteins were significantly down‐regulated by ResV (10 μM) in a SIRT1‐dependent manner. ResV can inhibit EtOH‐, tunicamycin‐, thapsigargin‐induced caspase‐12 activation. ADH‐2 and ALDH‐2 activities are lower in this cell line. PDE activity increased by EtOH was inhibited by ResV (10 μM).ConclusionsThe results indicate that (i) EtOH‐induced activation of caspase‐12 could be one of the underlying mechanisms of hepatocyte apoptosis; (ii) EtOH‐induced cell apoptosis was alleviated via ResV (10 μM) by inhibiting ER stress and caspase‐12 activation in a SIRT1‐dependent manner; and (iii) SIRT1 activated indirectly by ResV (10 μM) attenuates EtOH‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis partly through inhibiting PDE activity.
Guideline: the laboratory diagnosis of malaria
Authors: Bailey J. Wendi , Williams John , Bain Barbara J. , Parker‐Williams John , Chiodini Peter L. ,   The General Haematology Task Force of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology
Published: November 2013

SummaryUK National External Quality Assessment Service surveys indicate continuing problems in malaria diagnosis: inaccurate calculation of parasitaemia or failure to estimate it altogether, difficulty distinguishing Plasmodium vivax from P. ovale, reporting malaria parasites when none were present and misidentification of P. falciparum as another species still occur. Therefore, the British Committee for Standards in Haematology Guidelines for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria have been revised. They are intended for use in the UK but may also prove useful in other non‐endemic areas. Routine use of thick and thin films is advised for malaria diagnosis. Thick films should be stained using Giemsa or Field stain. Thin films should be stained with Giemsa stain or Leishman stain. Thick films should be examined by two observers, each viewing a minimum of 200 high power fields. If thick films are positive, the species should be determined by examination of a thin film. In the case of P. falciparum or P. knowlesi infection, the percentage of parasitized cells or the number of parasites per microlitre (/μl) should be estimated and reported. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malarial antigen cannot replace microscopy but are indicated as a supplementary test when malaria diagnosis is performed by relatively inexperienced staff. Malaria RDTs are negative in babesiosis.
Genetic epileptic encephalopathies: Is all written into the DNA?
Authors: Striano Pasquale , de Jonghe Peter , Zara Federico 
Published: November 2013

SummaryEpileptic encephalopathy is a condition in which epileptic activity, clinical or subclinical, is thought to be responsible for any disturbance of cognition, behavior, or motor control. However, experimental evidence supporting this clinical observation are still poor and the causal relationship between pharmacoresistant seizures and cognitive outcome is controversial. In the past two decades, genetic studies shed new light onto complex mechanisms underlying different severe epileptic conditions associated with intellectual disability and behavioral abnormalities, thereby providing important clues on the relationship between seizures and cognitive outcome. Dravet syndrome is a childhood disorder associated with loss‐of‐function mutations in SCN1A and is characterized by frequent seizures and severe cognitive impairment, thus well illustrating the concept of epileptic encephalopathy. However, it is difficult to determine the causative role of the underlying sodium channel dysfunction and that of the consequent seizures in influencing cognitive outcome in these children. It is also difficult to demonstrate whether a recognizable profile of cognitive impairment or a definite behavioral phenotype exists. Data from the laboratory and the clinics may provide greater insight into the degree to which epileptic activity may contribute to cognitive impairment in individual syndromes.
Assessing the challenges of multi‐scope clinical research sites: an example from NIH HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks
Authors: Rosas Scott R. , Cope Marie T. , Villa Christie , Motevalli Mahnaz , Utech Jill , Schouten Jeffrey T. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesLarge‐scale, multi‐network clinical trials are seen as a means for efficient and effective utilization of resources with greater responsiveness to new discoveries. Formal structures instituted within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials facilitate collaboration and coordination across networks and emphasize an integrated approach to HIV/AIDS vaccine, prevention and therapeutics clinical trials. This study examines the joint usage of clinical research sites as means of gaining efficiency, extending capacity, and adding scientific value to the networks.MethodsA semi‐structured questionnaire covering eight clinical management domains was administered to 74 (62% of sites) clinical site coordinators at single‐ and multi‐network sites to identify challenges and efficiencies related to clinical trials management activities and coordination with multi‐network units.ResultsOverall, respondents at multi‐network sites did not report more challenges than single‐network sites, but did report unique challenges to overcome including in the areas of study prioritization, community engagement, staff education and training, and policies and procedures. The majority of multi‐network sites reported that such affiliations do allow for the consolidation and cost‐sharing of research functions. Suggestions for increasing the efficiency or performance of multi‐network sites included streamlining standards and requirements, consolidating protocol activation methods, using a single cross‐network coordinating centre, and creating common budget and payment mechanisms.ConclusionsThe results of this assessment provide important information to consider in the design and management of multi‐network configurations for the NIH HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks, as well as others contemplating and promoting the concept of multi‐network settings.
Apolipoprotein A‐I and adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter A1 expression alleviates lipid accumulation in hepatocytes
Authors: Liu Wei , Qin Ling , Yu Hao , Lv Fangqiao , Wang Yutong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground and AimAbnormal lipid metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) mediates the transport of cholesterol and phospholipids from cells to high density lipoprotein apolipoproteins. The lipidation of apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) by ABCA1 is the rate‐limiting step in reverse cholesterol transport and the generation of plasma high density lipoprotein. Here, we examined the effect of apoA‐I or ABCA1 overexpression on hepatic lipid levels in BEL‐7402 cells.MethodsHuman ABCA1 or apoA‐I was overexpressed in BEL‐7402 hepatocytes by transfection and human apoA‐I was overexpressed via adenoviral vector in C57BL/6J mice with MCD diet.ResultsOverexpression of either apoA‐I or ABCA1 resulted in an increase in cholesterol efflux and a decrease in cellular fatty acids and triglycerides. However, after repression of ABCA1 by its siRNA, overexpression of apoA‐I failed to decrease both cellular fatty acids and triglycerides. ApoA‐I or ABCA1 overexpression also resulted in a decrease in the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum stress‐related proteins GRP78 and SREBP‐1. Overexpression of apoA‐I in mice also reduced hepatic lipid levels.ConclusionsExpression of apoA‐I or ABCA1 can reduce steatosis by decreasing lipid storage in hepatocytes through lipid transport and may also reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, further lessening hepatic steatosis.
Application of Smith Chart for Non-Repeating Stages in Axial Compressors
Authors: Hernández Daniel , Antoranz Antonio , Vázquez Raúl 
Published: November 2013

The configuration of an axial compressor, including the mean radius, the annulus lines, stage loading or number of stages, flow parameter, work split and stage reactions, are all of them selected in the preliminary design phase. For the success of the final design, to attain the proper selection is mandatory.
A representative geometry of the airfoils is not available at this early stage of the design process. Therefore the former parameters use to be selected based only on the designer prior experience and/or empirical correlations. Under these circumstances, the so called Smith Chart is a valuable tool that can provide simple guidelines to the designer and a preliminary assessment of the compressor efficiency. The use of this chart can be also extended to get the main features of the airfoils, like flow angles, turning, Mach and Reynolds number, diffusion factor, aspect ratio, etc. as well as to compare different design candidates.
Several authors have produced their own diagrams by analytical or semi-empirical approach. The repeating stage hypothesis, which has been usually assumed, implies no change in inlet and outlet absolute flow angles and constant axial velocity throughout the stage. The density rise through the stage is compensated by reducing the annulus height and so the annulus wall slope along the compressor is directly obtained from the continuity equation, being in most of the cases not representative of real compressors.
In order to have a more representative annulus, in the present work, the repeating stage hypothesis has not been assumed. The annulus shape (height and slope wall angle) is therefore defined by the designer and in order to close the equations of the problem, the absolute exit flow angle of every stage is required.
The optimization of the compressor by the novel proposed method is more complicate because of the higher number of variables. However the method has the advantage to reduce the design iterations due to its more reliable results.
The aim of this paper is to introduce the novel method of non-repeating stages and to show how this approach can be used in the preliminary design of an axial compressor.
On the Failure of a Gas Foil Bearing: High Temperature Operation Without Cooling Flow
Authors: Ryu Keun , San Andrés Luis 
Published: November 2013

Implementing gas foil bearings (GFBs) in micro gas turbine engines is a proven approach to improve system efficiency and reliability. Adequate thermal management for operation at high temperatures, such as in a gas turbine or a turbocharger, is important to control thermal growth of components and to remove efficiently mechanical energy from the rotor mainly. The paper presents a test rotor supported on GFBs operating with a heated shaft and reports components temperatures and shaft motions at an operating speed of 37 krpm. An electric cartridge heater loosely inserted in the hollow rotor warms the test system. Thermocouples and non-contact infrared thermometers record temperatures on the bearing sleeve and rotor OD, respectively. No forced cooling air flow streams were supplied to the bearings and rotor, in spite of the high temperature induced by the heater on the shaft outer surface.
With the rotor spinning, the tests consisted in heating the rotor to a set temperature, recording the system component temperatures until reaching thermal equilibrium in ∼60 minutes, and stepping the heater set temperature by 200 °C. The experiments proceeded without incident, the heater set temperature equaled 600 °C and 10 minutes into the test, noise became apparent and the rotor stopped abruptly. The unusual operating condition, without cooling flow and a too large increment in rotor temperature, reaching 250 °C, led to the incident which destroyed one of the foil bearings. Post-test inspection evidenced seizure of the hottest bearing (closest to the heater) with melting of the top foil at the locations where it rests on the underspring crests (bumps). Analysis reveals a notable reduction in bearing clearance as the rotor temperature increases until seizure occurs. Upon contact between the rotor and top foil, dry-friction quickly generated vast amounts of energy that melted the protective coating and metal top foil.
Rather than a reliability issue with the foil bearings the experimental results show poor operating procedure and ignorance on the system behavior (predictions). A cautionary tale and a lesson in humility follow.
The Impact of Hole Depth on the Rotordynamic and Leakage Characteristics of Hole-Pattern-Stator Gas Annular Seals
Authors: Childs Dara W. , Arthur Stephen , Mehta Naitik J. 
Published: November 2013

Test results are presented for rotordynamic characteristics of hole-pattern-stator annular gas seals at a 70 bar supply pressures running at 20200 rpm. Leakage results are presented for these conditions and the additional speeds: 10200, 15300 rpm. Hole-depth is the principal test variable of interest. Most published annular test data for these seals have a hole diameter of 3.175mm and a hole depth of 3.302mm. For this work, with the 3.175mm hole diameter, additional results are presented for shallow (1.905 mm) and deep (6.604 mm) hole depths.
Test results show a pronounced dependence of leakage and rotordynamic behavior on hole depth. Test results show much better leakage performance for the shallow-hole-depth seal in both leakage and rotordynamic performance. Compressor manufacturers and users will need to decide whether this observed performance improvement is worth trying in real machines.