bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of employee worktime control on health: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ala-Mursula L , Vahtera J , Pentti J , Kivimäki M
Published: February 2004

Aims:To investigate the health effects of employee worktime control.

Methods:Prospective cohort study among 4218 permanent full time municipal employees linking questionnaire data from 1997 and 2000 with sickness absence records from 1997 and 2001. Worktime control was considered high for the highest tertile in both 1997 and 2000, low for the lowest tertile for both years, and intermediate for all other combinations. Self rated health status, psychological distress, and medically certified periods of sickness absence were used as the health outcomes. Adjustments were made for age, baseline health status, occupational status, marital status, dependent children, and behavioural health risks.

Results:In the follow up, women with a low level of worktime control had a 1.9 times (95% CI 1.4 to 2.5) higher odds ratio for poor self rated health, a 1.4 times (95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) higher odds ratio for psychological distress, and a 1.5 times (95% CI 1.3 to 1.7) higher risk of medically certified sickness absences than women with a high level of worktime control. The health effects of worktime control were particularly evident among women with families. Among men, worktime control was not associated with self rated health or distress, but it predicted sickness absences in two subgroups: those with dependent children and those with manual occupations.

Conclusions:A low level of worktime control increases the risk of future health problems. The risk is highest among women, especially those with families, and among manual workers. The results suggest that worktime control can help workers integrate their work and private lives successfully.
Association between urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and genotoxic effects in coke oven workers
Authors: Siwińska E , Mielżyńska D , Kapka L
Published: February 2004

Aims:To investigate whether current occupational exposure of coke oven workers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) results in genotoxic effects measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes and whether these biomarkers are associated with the biomarkers of exposure.

Methods:Blood and urine samples were collected immediately after a shift at the end of a working week from 50 coke oven workers and 50 control workers not exposed to PAHs. Methods included: (1) biomarkers of exposure: urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (HpU), urinary mutagenicity by the plate Salmonella test with strains TA98 and YG1024 after metabolic activation, expressed as mutagenic rate (MR98 and MR1024, respectively), urinary cotinine; and (2) biomarkers of biological effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL): sister chromatid exchanges (SCE/cell), cells of high frequency of SCE (% HFC), micronuclei (MN/1000 cells), chromosomal aberrations (CA/100 cells), and DNA damage by the Comet assay.

Results:Occupational exposure to PAH resulted in significantly increased levels of HpU and mutagenic effect of urine. Median values of these biomarkers in coke oven workers were: 9.0 μmol/mol creatinine for HpU, 2.7 for MR98, and 8.2 for MR1024, compared to the controls: HpU = 0.6 μmol/mol creatinine, MR98 = 1.2, and MR1024 = 5.5. Occupational exposure caused significant induction of SCE, HFC, and MN in coke oven workers: median SCE = 5.9, HFC = 12.0%, MN = 6.0 compared to the controls: 3.9, 5.0%, and 3.0, respectively. No effect of occupational exposure was found in relation to CA and DNA damage measured with the Comet assay. HpU concentration was positively associated with SCE and HFC. The concentration of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene corresponding to a 5% probability of increased SCE was 1.0 μmol/mol creatinine.

Conclusions:The occupational exposure to PAHs resulted in measurable biological effects (SCE, HFC, MN). In coke oven workers an increased level of SCE was not observed below the level of 1.0 μmol HpU/mol creatinine.
Six year observational cohort study of the effect of carbon disulphide on brain MRI in rayon manufacturing workers
Authors: Nishiwaki Y , Takebayashi T , O’Uchi T , Nomiyama T , Uemura T , Sakurai H , Omae K
Published: February 2004

Aims:To clarify whether the current occupational exposure limit (OEL) for carbon disulphide (CS2) is low enough to prevent the occurrence of adverse effects on the cerebrovascular system.

Methods:A total of 432 male workers exposed to CS2and 402 male referent workers in 11 Japanese viscose rayon factories were studied at baseline; 750 of these were followed up. Brain MRI was performed at both baseline and follow up surveys. Changes in the number of hyperintense spots in T2 weighted images (HIS), which point to so-called “silent cerebral infarctions”, were evaluated over six years. A total of 666 subjects (217 exposed, 125 ex-exposed, and 324 referent subjects) who twice received brain MRI were subjected to analysis. Mean duration of exposure to the end of the study was 19.6 years for the exposed workers. The geometric mean CS2(ppm) and TTCA (mg/g creatinine) concentrations for the past six years were 4.9 and 1.6 for all exposed workers, 5.8 and 1.9 for spinning/refining workers, and 2.7 and 0.9 for other exposed workers, respectively.

Results:Exposed subjects showed a significantly higher risk for an increase in the number of HIS over six years. Odds ratios adjusted for possible confounders in the exposed and ex-exposed workers were 2.27 (95% CI 1.37 to 3.76) and 1.33 (95% CI 0.70 to 2.54), respectively. No exposure-response relations were observed in a number of analyses among the exposed workers.

Conclusions:Exposure to CS2under the current Japanese OEL, 10 ppm, might increase the number of HIS in brain MRI. However, results should be interpreted with caution.
Biomonitoring results and cytogenetic markers among harbour workers with potential exposure to river silt aerosols
Authors: Wegner R , Radon K , Heinrich-Ramm R , Seemann B , Riess A , Koops F , Poschadel B , Szadkowski D
Published: February 2004

Background:Workers on dredgers and lighters on rivers are potentially exposed to a variety of substances.

Aims:To determine the internal load of heavy metals and arsenic as well as levels of cytogenetic markers in workers exposed to river silt aerosols.

Methods:One hundred exposed workers were examined up to eight times within three years. Additionally, 100 control workers were studied once. Blood samples were analysed for lead, mercury, and cadmium. Additionally, micronuclei frequency and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates were determined. Urinary samples were analysed for cadmium, mercury, nickel, chromium, and arsenic. Information on potential confounders, such as smoking habits and consumption of fish were assessed.

Results:Apart from some increased concentrations of mercury in blood (maximum 14.6 μg/l) and arsenic in urine (maximum 356.5 μg/l) all measurements were within reference values. None of the exposure and effect markers were found to be significantly increased in exposed workers compared to non-exposed controls. In multiple linear regression models, mercury levels in blood as well as the concentration of arsenic in urine were strongly related to fish consumption. Cadmium levels in blood as well as urinary cadmium concentrations were strongly related to smoking habits. After adjusting for smoking habits, SCE rates were associated with cadmium levels in blood.

Conclusion:Increased exposure levels or enhanced levels of cytogenetic markers were not found in workers exposed to river silt aerosols. However, cadmium exposure in blood was related to SCE frequency.
Mortality among a cohort of garment workers exposed to formaldehyde: an update
Authors: Pinkerton L E , Hein M J , Stayner L T
Published: February 2004

Aims:To evaluate the mortality experience of 11 039 workers exposed to formaldehyde for three months or more in three garment plants. The mean time weighted average formaldehyde exposure at the plants in the early 1980s was 0.15 ppm but past exposures may have been substantially higher.

Methods:Vital status was updated through 1998, and life table analyses were conducted.

Results:Mortality from all causes (2206 deaths, standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.96) and all cancers (SMR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.97) was less than expected based on US mortality rates. A non-significant increase in mortality from myeloid leukaemia (15 deaths, SMR 1.44, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.37) was observed. Mortality from myeloid leukaemia was greatest among workers first exposed in the earliest years when exposures were presumably higher, among workers with 10 or more years of exposure, and among workers with 20 or more years since first exposure. No nasal or nasopharyngeal cancers were observed. Mortality from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (147 deaths, SMR 0.98, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.15) was not increased. Multiple cause mortality from leukaemia was increased almost twofold among workers with both 10 or more years of exposure and 20 years or more since first exposure (15 deaths, SMR 1.92, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.17). Multiple cause mortality from myeloid leukaemia among this group of workers was also significantly increased (8 deaths, SMR 2.55, 95% CI 1.10 to 5.03).

Conclusions:Results support a possible relation between formaldehyde exposure and myeloid leukaemia mortality. Previous epidemiological studies supporting a relation between formaldehyde exposure and leukaemia mortality have been primarily of formaldehyde exposed professional groups, not formaldehyde exposed industrial workers. Limitations include limited power to detect an excess for rare cancers such as nasal and nasopharyngeal cancers and lack of individual exposure estimates.
COSMOLOGICAL STRING MODELS FROM MILNE SPACES AND SL(2, ℤ) ORBIFOLD
Authors: RUSSO JORGE G.
Published: February 2004

The (n + 1)-dimensional Milne universe with extra free directions is used to construct simple FRW cosmological string models in four dimensions, describing expansion in the presence of matter with p= κρ, κ = (4 - n)/3n. We then consider the n = 2 case and make SL(2, ℤ) orbifold identifications. The model is surprisingly related to the null orbifold with an extra reflection generator. The study of the string spectrum involves the theory of harmonic functions in the fundamental domain of SL(2, ℤ). In particular, from this theory one can deduce a bound for the energy gap and the fact that there are an infinite number of excitations with a finite degeneracy. We discuss the structure of wave functions and give examples of physical winding states becoming light near the singularity.
GHOSTS IN A MIRROR
Authors: FEINSTEIN ALEX , JHINGAN SANJAY
Published: February 2004

We look at some dynamic geometries produced by scalar fields with both the "right" and the "wrong" signs of the kinetic energy. We start with anisotropic homogeneous universes with closed, open and flat spatial sections. A non-singular solution to the Einstein field equations representing an open anisotropic universe with the ghost field is found. This universe starts collapsing from t→-∞ and then expands to t→∞ without encountering singularities on its way. We further generalize these solutions to those describing inhomogeneous evolution of the ghost fields. Some interesting solutions with the plane symmetry are discussed. These have a property that the same line element solves the Einstein field equations in two mirror regions |t|≥z and |t|≤z, but in one region the solution has the right and in the other, the wrong sign of the kinetic energy. We argue, however, that a physical observer cannot reach the mirror region in a finite proper time. Self-similar collapse/expansion of these fields are also briefly discussed.
NEXT-TO-NEXT-TO-LEADING ORDER SOFT AND VIRTUAL CORRECTIONS FOR QCD, HIGGS AND SUSY PROCESSES
Authors: KIDONAKIS NIKOLAOS
Published: February 2004

We review recent advances in the calculation of higher-order soft-gluon corrections for a variety of QCD, Higgs, and SUSY processes in hadron colliders. A unified approach and master formulas for next-to-next-to-leading order soft and virtual corrections are discussed. We present some applications of the formalism to top quark pair production at the Tevatron and the LHC, top production via anomalous couplings in flavor-changing neutral-current processes, W boson hadroproduction at large transverse momentum, and charged Higgs production at the LHC.
STRING HAMILTONIAN FROM GENERALIZED YANG–MILLS GAUGE THEORY IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Authors: DUBATH FLORIAN , LELLI SIMONE , RISSONE ANNA
Published: February 2004

Two-dimensional SU (N) Yang–Mills theory is known to be equivalent to a string theory, as found by Gross in the large N limit, using the 1/N expansion. Later it was found that even a generalized YM theory leads to a string theory of the Gross type. In the standard YM theory case, Douglas and others found the string Hamiltonian describing the propagation and the interactions of states made of strings winding on a cylindrical space–time. We address the problem of finding a similar Hamiltonian for the generalized YM theory. As in the standard case we start by writing the theory as a theory of free fermions. Performing a bosonization, we express the Hamiltonian in terms of the modes of a bosonic field, that are interpreted as in the standard case as creation and destruction operators for states of strings winding around the cylindrical space–time. The result is similar to the standard Hamiltonian, but with new kinds of interaction vertices.
THE INVARIANT CHARGES OF THE NAMBU–GOTO STRING THEORY: QUANTIZATION OF NON-ADDITIVE COMPOSITION LAWS
Authors: POHLMEYER K. , TRUNK M.
Published: February 2004

We examine and implement the concept of non-additive composition laws in the quantum theory of closed bosonic strings moving in (3+1)-dimensional Minkowski space. Such laws supply exact selection rules for the merging and splitting of closed strings.
THE SIMPLEST SUPERSYMMETRY ALGEBRAS IN FLAT TEN- AND ELEVEN-DIMENSIONAL SPACES
Authors: McKEON D. G. C. , VAN LEEUWEN G.
Published: February 2004

The simplest spinor representations of the Poincaré group in flat ten and eleven dimensions with all possible signatures are considered. The possible superalgebraic extensions of the Poincaré algebra that are consistent with these spinor representations are provided, with the assumption that the only Bosonic operator that does not commute with the Fermionic operators is the generator of rotations. It is shown that the magnitude of the momentum is bounded above by the central charges, except when there is one time dimension, in which case the momentum is bounded below. An argument is made that this latter property is true in all dimensions.
MATRIX MODEL FOR NONCOMMUTATIVE GRAVITY AND GRAVITATIONAL INSTANTONS
Authors: VALTANCOLI P.
Published: February 2004

We introduce a matrix model for noncommutative gravity, based on the gauge group U (2)⊗ U (2). The vierbein is encoded in a matrix Yμ, having values in the coset space U (4)/( U (2)⊗ U (2)), while the spin connection is encoded in a matrix Xμ, having values in U (2)⊗ U (2). We show how to recover the Einstein equations from the θ→0 limit of the matrix model equations of motion. We stress the necessity of a metric tensor, which is a covariant representation of the gauge group in order to set up a consistent second order formalism. We finally define noncommutative gravitational instantons as generated by U (2)⊗ U (2) valued quasi-unitary operators acting on the background of the matrix model. Some of these solutions have naturally self-dual or anti-self-dual spin connections.
GRAVITY ON A FUZZY SPHERE
Authors: VALTANCOLI P.
Published: February 2004

We propose an action for gravity on a fuzzy sphere, based on a matrix model. We find striking similarities with an analogous model of two-dimensional gravity on a noncommutative plane, i.e. the solution space of both models is spanned by pure U(2) gauge transformations acting on the background solution of the matrix model, and there exist deformations of the classical diffeomorphisms which preserve the two-dimensional noncommutative gravity actions.
MULTIMONOPOLE–ANTIMONOPOLE SOLUTIONS OF THE SU(2) YANG–MILLS–HIGGS FIELD THEORY
Authors: TEH ROSY , WONG K. M.
Published: February 2004

In this paper we constructed exact static multimonopole–antimonopole solutions of the YMH field theory. By labelling these solutions as A1, A2, B1, and B2, we notice that the exact axially symmetric 1-monopole — two antimonopoles solution is actually a special case of the A1 solution when the topological index parameter m=1. Also the B1 solution will reduce to a spherically symmetric Wu–Yang type monopole of unit charge when m=0. All these exact solutions satisfy the first order Bogomol'nyi equations and possess infinite energy. Hence they are a different type of the BPS solution. Except for the A1 solution when m=1 and the B1 solution when m=0, these solutions in general do not possess axial symmetry. They represent different combinations of monopoles, multimonopole, and antimonopoles, symmetrically arranged about the z-axis.
ON q - SU(3) GLOBAL GAUGE THEORY
Authors: FINKELSTEIN ROBERT J.
Published: February 2004

We study the replacement of SU(3) by SU q(3) in standard gauge theories. At the level of a global theory there is a physically sensible SU q(3) formalism with measurable differences from the SU (3) theory.
PROPERTIES OF SO(2, 1) COHERENT STATE FOR THE COULOMB PROBLEM
Authors: XU BO-WEI , YE FEI
Published: February 2004

The physical properties of the SO(2, 1) coherent state for the Coulomb problem are discussed in this paper. We find that the coherent state, for which the minimum uncertainty relation holds, has a nonvanishing geometric phase factor, and also is approximately nonspreading in the classical limit of the high excitation of angular momentum.
Changes in membrane cholesterol affect caveolin-1 localization and ICC-pacing in mouse jejunum
Authors: Daniel E. E. , Bodie Gregory , Mannarino Marco , Boddy Geoffrey , Cho Woo-Jung
Published: February 2004

Pacing of mouse is dependent on the spontaneous activity of interstitial cells of Cajal in the myenteric plexus (ICC-MP). These ICC, as well as intestinal smooth muscle, contain small membrane invaginations called caveolae. Caveolae are signaling centers formed by insertions of caveolin proteins in the inner aspect of the plasma membrane. Caveolins bind signaling proteins and thereby negatively modulate their signaling. We disrupted caveolae by treating intestinal segments with methyl β-clodextrin (CD) to remove cholesterol or with water- soluble cholesterol (WSC) to load cholesterol. Both of these treatments reduced pacing frequencies, and these effects were reversed by the other agent. These treatments also inhibited paced contractions, but complete reversal was not observed. To evaluate the specificity of the effects of CD and WSC, additional studies were made of their effects on responses to carbamoyl choline and to stimulation of cholinergic nerves. Neither of these treatments affected these sets of responses compared with their respective time controls. Immunochemical and ultrastructural studies showed that caveolin 1 was present in smooth muscle membranes and ICC-MP. CD depleted both caveolin 1 and caveolae, whereas WSC increased the amount of caveolin 1 immunoreactivity and altered its distribution but failed to increase the number of caveolae. The effects of each agent were reversed in major part by the other. We conclude that signaling through caveolae may play a role in pacing by ICC but does not affect responses to acetylcholine from nerves or when added exogenously.
Symptom hypersensitivity to acid infusion is associated with hypersensitivity of esophageal contractility
Authors: Bhalla Vikas , Liu Jianmin , Puckett James L. , Mittal Ravinder K.
Published: February 2004

Several investigators have observed that repeated acid infusions induce stronger symptoms (symptom hypersensitivity). The goal of our study was to determine whether symptom hypersensitivity is associated with esophageal contractile hypersensitivity. Subjects with chronic heartburn symptoms underwent simultaneous pressure and ultrasound imaging of esophagus. Normal saline and 0.1 N HCl were sequentially infused into the esophagus, and subjects scored heartburn symptoms on a 1–10 scale. Saline and HCl infusions were repeated in 10 subjects with a positive Bernstein test. Esophageal contraction amplitude and duration and muscularis propria thickness were measured using a computerized method during recording. Acid infusion induced heartburn. Esophageal contractions had higher amplitudes (pressure 114.2 ± 7.0%) and longer duration (116.8 ± 4.4%) during acid infusion compared with saline infusion. Average muscle thickness was greater during acid infusion than saline infusion (107.0 ± 2.0%). Sustained esophageal contractions (SECs) were identified during acid infusion. A second acid infusion (acid-2) induced heartburn with shorter latency (93.0 ± 15.0 vs. 317.0 ± 43.0 s) and stronger severity (8.5 ± 0.5 vs. 5.3 ± 0.8) than the first acid infusion (acid-1). Contraction amplitudes (140.2 ± 13.0%), average muscle thickness (118.0 ± 3.3%), and contraction duration (148.5 ± 5.6 vs. 116.8 ± 4.4%) were higher during acid-2 than acid-1. Also, numbers of SECs were greater during acid-2 than acid-1 (31 in 8 subjects vs. 11 in 6 subjects). Our data show that acid infusion into esophagus induces esophageal hypersensitivity and that a close temporal correlation exists between symptom hypersensitivity and contractility hypersensitivity.
Cdx1 or Cdx2 expression activates E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and compaction in human COLO 205 cells
Authors: Keller Matthew S. , Ezaki Toshihiko , Guo Rong-Jun , Lynch John P.
Published: February 2004

A mature columnar intestinal epithelium develops late in embryogenesis and is maintained throughout the life of the organism. Although the mechanisms driving intestine-specific gene expression have been well studied, those promoting the acquisition of cell-cell junctions, columnar morphogenesis, and polarization have been less studied. The Cdx homeodomain transcription factors (Cdx1 and Cdx2) regulate intestine-specific gene expression and intestinal epithelial differentiation. We report here that Cdx expression induces E-cadherin activity and cell-cell adhesion in human COLO 205 cancer cells. Within days of Cdx1 or Cdx2 expression, a new homotypic cell-cell adhesion phenotype is induced. This is a specific response to Cdx, inasmuch as a Cdx1 mutant failed to elicit the effect. Additionally, Cdx-expressing COLO 205 cells demonstrate a reduced proliferative capacity and an increase in the mRNA expression of differentiation-associated genes. Electron micrographs of these cells demonstrate induction of tight, adherens, and desmosomal junctions, as well as a columnar shape and apical microvilli. Investigations of the adhesion phenotype determined that it was Ca2+dependent and could be blocked by an E-cadherin-blocking antibody. However, E-cadherin protein levels and intracellular distribution were unchanged. Cdx expression restored the ability of the cell membranes to adhere and undergo compaction. We conclude that Cdx1 or Cdx2 expression is sufficient to induce an E-cadherin-dependent adhesion of COLO 205 cells. This adhesion is associated with polarization and cell-cell membrane compaction, as well as induction of a differentiated gene-expression pattern. Ascertaining the mechanism for this novel Cdx effect may yield insight into the development of mature colonic epithelium.
Parasympathetic control of the heart. II. A novel interganglionic intrinsic cardiac circuit mediates neural control of heart rate
Authors: Gray Alrich L. , Johnson Tannis A. , Ardell Jeffrey L. , Massari V. John
Published: February 2004

Intracardiac pathways mediating the parasympathetic control of various cardiac functions are incompletely understood. Several intracardiac ganglia have been demonstrated to potently influence cardiac rate [the sinoatrial (SA) ganglion], atrioventricular (AV) conduction (the AV ganglion), or left ventricular contractility (the cranioventricular ganglion). However, there are numerous ganglia found throughout the heart whose functions are poorly characterized. One such ganglion, the posterior atrial (PA) ganglion, is found in a fat pad on the rostral dorsal surface of the right atrium. We have investigated the potential impact of this ganglion on cardiac rate and AV conduction. We report that microinjections of a ganglionic blocker into the PA ganglion significantly attenuates the negative chronotropic effects of vagal stimulation without significantly influencing negative dromotropic effects. Because prior evidence indicates that the PA ganglion does not project to the SA node, we neuroanatomically tested the hypothesis that the PA ganglion mediates its effect on cardiac rate through an interganglionic projection to the SA ganglion. Subsequent to microinjections of the retrograde tracer fast blue into the SA ganglion, >70% of the retrogradely labeled neurons found within five intracardiac ganglia throughout the heart were observed in the PA ganglion. The neuroanatomic data further indicate that intraganglionic neuronal circuits are found within the SA ganglion. The present data support the hypothesis that two interacting cardiac centers, i.e., the SA and PA ganglia, mediate the peripheral parasympathetic control of cardiac rate. These data further support the emerging concept of an intrinsic cardiac nervous system.
Parasympathetic control of the heart. I. An interventriculo-septal ganglion is the major source of the vagal intracardiac innervation of the ventricles
Authors: Johnson Tannis A. , Gray Alrich L. , Lauenstein Jean-Marie , Newton Stephen S. , Massari V. John
Published: February 2004

The locations, projections, and functions of the intracardiac ganglia are incompletely understood. Immunocytochemical labeling with the general neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) was used to determine the distribution of intracardiac neurons throughout the cat atria and ventricles. Fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the number of neurons within these ganglia. There are eight regions of the cat heart that contain intracardiac ganglia. The numbers of neurons found within these intracardiac ganglia vary dramatically. The total number of neurons found in the heart (6,274 ± 1,061) is almost evenly divided between the atria and the ventricles. The largest ganglion is found in the interventricular septum (IVS). Retrogradely labeled fluorescent tracer studies indicated that the vagal intracardiac innervation of the anterior surface of the right ventricle originates predominantly in the IVS ganglion. A cranioventricular (CV) ganglion was retrogradely labeled from the anterior surface of the left ventricle but not from the anterior surface of the right ventricle. These new neuroanatomic data support the prior physiological hypothesis that the CV ganglion in the cat exerts a negative inotropic effect on the left ventricle. A total of three separate intracardiac ganglia innervate the left ventricle, i.e., the CV, IVS, and a second left ventricular (LV2) ganglion. However, the IVS ganglion provides the major source of innervation to both the left and right ventricles. This dual innervation pattern may help to coordinate or segregate vagal effects on left and right ventricular performance.
α-Adrenoceptor-mediated coronary vasoconstriction is augmented during exercise in experimental diabetes mellitus
Authors: Setty Srinath , Sun Wei , Martinez Rodolfo , Downey H. Fred , Tune Johnathan D.
Published: February 2004

This study tested whether α-adrenoceptor-mediated coronary vasoconstriction is augmented during exercise in diabetes mellitus. Experiments were conducted in dogs instrumented with catheters in the aorta and coronary sinus and with a flow transducer around the circumflex coronary artery. Diabetes was induced with alloxan monohydrate ( n = 8, 40 mg/kg iv). Arterial plasma glucose concentration increased from 4.7 ± 0.2 mM in nondiabetic, control dogs ( n = 8) to 21.4 ± 1.9 mM 1 wk after alloxan injection. Coronary blood flow, myocardial oxygen consumption (MV̇o2), aortic pressure, and heart rate were measured at rest and during graded treadmill exercise before and after infusion of the α-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (1 mg/kg iv). In untreated diabetic dogs, exercise increased MV̇o22.7-fold, coronary blood flow 2.2-fold, and heart rate 2.3-fold. Coronary venous Po2fell as MV̇o2increased during exercise. After α-adrenoceptor blockade, exercise increased MV̇o23.1-fold, coronary blood flow 2.7-fold, and heart rate 2.1-fold. Relative to untreated diabetic dogs, α-adrenoceptor blockade significantly decreased the slope of the relationship between coronary venous Po2and MV̇o2. The difference between the untreated and phentolamine-treated slopes was greater in the diabetic dogs than in the nondiabetic dogs. In addition, the decrease in coronary blood flow to intracoronary norepinephrine infusion was significantly augmented in anesthetized, open-chest, β-adrenoceptor-blocked diabetic dogs compared with the nondiabetic dogs. These findings demonstrate that α-adrenoceptor-mediated coronary vasoconstriction is augmented in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs during physiological increases in MV̇o2.
Complaints About Avâriz Assessment and Payment in the Avâriz-tax System: An Aspect of the Relationship Between Centre and Periphery. A Case Study of Kayseri, 1618-1700
Authors: Demirci Süleyman
Published: February 2004

This paper on complaints about avâriz assessment and payment relies on the şer'iyye sicils of Kayseri. It begins by reviewing the traditional Near Eastern concept of State Justice in conjunction with the archival evidence. By examining the court cases and the imperial orders in these sicils it is possible for us to assess how the Ottoman judicial system and central administration dealt with the complaints and alleged corruption regarding the avâriz levies in the province of Kayseri throughout the seventeenth century. It is also possible to see how common people fought with rising problems in the avâriz system, or how they sought justice, and to what degree they knew what was their legal right and what not by examining the sicils themselves. The result of this examination will help to revise a number of misconceptions regarding complaints in the Ottoman Empire- a study of complaints from the sicils may yield a certain insight into the nature of the relationship between the centre and periphery. Cet article sur les plaintes concernant le calcul et le paiement de l'impôt avâriz est fondé sur les şer'iyye sicils de Kayseri. Il débute par l'étude du concept traditionnel de l'État de Justice au Proche Orient en relation avec les données trouvées dans les archives. En examinant les procès et les ordres impériaux dans ces sicils , il nous sera possible d'établir comment, à la fois le système judiciaire et l'administration centrale de l'Empire ottoman, ont traité les plaintes et la supposée corruption concernant le prélèvement de l'impôt avâriz dans la province de Kayseri tout au long du XVIIème siècle. Il nous sera alors possible, en exploitant les documents contenus dans les sicils, de voir comment la population luttait contre les problèmes croissants dans le système avâriz, comment elle avait recours à la justice et dans quelle mesure elle connaissait ses droits légaux. Les résultats de cette analyse permettront de réviser un certain nombre d'idées fausses à propos des plaintes dans l'Empire ottoman; de même, l'étude de ces plaintes pourra éventuellement donner une certaine idée de la nature des liens entre le centre et la périphérie.
The Sogdian Trade Diaspora in East Turkestan During the Seventh and Eighth Centuries
Authors: Karam Skaff Jonathan
Published: February 2004

Evidence from Chinese documents supports the hypothesis that Sogdians dominated Silk Road trade in East Turkestan during the seventh and eighth centuries. The merchants lived and/or traveled among a diaspora of Sogdians who settled in the oasis cities of the region and also practiced farming and handicraft making. Some traders traveled the entire distance between China and West Asia, but others operated along circumscribed routes that connected to the broader commercial network. Residents of the diaspora facilitated trade by acting as cultural intermediaries for unassimilated merchants. Le témoignage des documents chinois soutient l'hypothèse selon laquelle les Sogdiens dominèrent le commerce sur la route de la soie pendant les VIIe et VIIIe siècles. Les marchands habitèrent et/ou voyagèrent parmi une diaspora de Sogdiens qui s'établit autour des villesoasis de la région et exercèrent l'agriculture ainsi que l'artisanat. Certaines marchands voyagèrent sur toute la distance entre la Chine et l'Asie occidentale, tandis que d'autres travaillèrent sur des chemins courts les reliant à un réseau commercial plus large. Les habitants de la diaspora facilitèrent ce commerce en leur qualité d'intermédiaire culturels au service des marchands étrangers.
Purity Ideology in Ezra-Nehemiah as a Tool to Reconstitute the Community
Authors: Olyan Saul
Published: February 2004

Responding to recent treatments of purity and impurity in Ezra-Nehemiah by J. Klawans and C. Hayes, the author argues that Ezra-Nehemiah's purity ideology is innovative and distinct, drawing upon a variety of precedents from both the "moral" and "ritual" impurity traditions. The purity ideology of Ezra-Nehemiah functions as one of several significant tools used to reconfigure the Judean community through the redefinition of who is a Judean and the expulsion of those classed as aliens. The author explores the rhetoric of purity and pollution in Ezra-Nehemiah from the perspective of the work in its final form and that of the text's hypothetical sources.
Disjunction of Heavenly and Earthly Times in the Ascension of Isaiah
Authors: Hall Robert
Published: February 2004

In the Ascension of Isaiah, the descent and ascent of the Beloved decisively bisects heavenly time around a past crisis, but earthly time runs through five periods with the crisis at the future overthrow of Beliar. The disjunction between these two views of time defines a soteriology of glory, summoning the reader to live in the experience of heavenly glory and to eschew Beliar's earthly glory.
Joseph and Aseneth: Rewritten Bible or Narrative Expansion?
Authors: Docherty Susan
Published: February 2004

This study is concerned with the literary genre of Joseph and Aseneth in particular and the genre of rewritten Bible in general. To date, no real scholarly consensus has emerged as to the date and purpose of Joseph and Aseneth, and it is assumed by many commentators to be based only loosely on the Hebrew Bible. I have undertaken a detailed examination of the text and its relationship to the Joseph Story as narrated in Genesis. This has led me to the conclusion that the work is most appropriately classified as an example of rewritten Bible, thereby shedding some new light upon both the purpose of Joseph and Aseneth and the genre of rewritten Bible.
A driver-centred safety evaluation model of lane change operation for the aged driver
Authors: Wang B , Abe M , Kano Y
Published: February 2004

In this paper, a safety evaluation model was proposed, which was used to assist an aged driver with decision making while executing a lane change/merge (LC/M) task. This model combined the aged driver's lane change properties, such as lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration, time to accomplish the lane change and the permissible deceleration after finishing the lane change in the destination lane. It can be set to adapt to different types of driver. Based on this model, a visual warning assist system is built on a driving simulator. It gives out the safety information of the LC/M operation to the driver with a diode-bar mode in real-time. Some experiments that are centred on the aged driver are designed and executed. The effectiveness of the model was confirmed through the experiment.
Driving style and traffic measures-influence on vehicle emissions and fuel consumption
Authors: Van Mierlo J , Maggetto G , Van de Burgwal E , Gense R
Published: February 2004

This paper describes the influence on vehicle emissions and energy consumption of different vehicle parameters and driving style as well as of traffic measures taken in order to increase transport safety or to reduce traffic jams. This should allow the Flemish Regional Government to perform more realistic modelling of the impact of transport on air pollution.

The methodology is based on on-road measurements, roll-bench emission tests, vehicle simulations and regional emission modelling (for the Flemish Region, which encompasses the northern part of Belgium and is one of three entities that constitute the Federal Kingdom of Belgium). A vehicle simulation programme (VSP) has assisted in the assessment of the individual vehicle parameters (weight, gear shifts, tyre pressure, etc.). Different drive styles (sportive, EcoDriving, etc.) were measured on-road and evaluated on a roll-bench. Typical speed profiles corresponding to different traffic measures such as roundabouts, phased traffic lights, etc., were also recorded at different locations in the Flemish Region. All data were distilled into small driving cycles, representative of a certain traffic situation or driving style, and repeated on a roll-bench to measure the emissions in controlled circumstances.

Technical solutions as well as educational programmes are proposed as possible measures to reduce the influence of driving style on emissions and fuel consumption. Finally, the results indicate how the emission calculations performed by the Flemish government can be improved.
Optimization of an automotive side door beam, considering static requirement
Authors: Lee Kwon-Hee , Joo Won-Sik , Song Se-Il , Cha Ik-Rae , Park Gyung-Jin
Published: February 2004

Door stiffness is one of the important factors in side impact. A side door beam is installed in the door to protect occupants from side impact. Generally, side impact performance has been calculated with the assembled door unit or the body-in-white (BIW) system. Thus, the effects of a side door beam should be investigated after a BIW system is designed. This research concentrates on the side door beam, which will be optimized. The cross-section of a side door beam is defined to have an elliptic shape. An optimization problem is formulated to find the design maximizing the crush stiffness within the specified weight. Design variables are the radii and the thickness of the side door beam with the elliptic section. Analysis of the side impact is carried out by the non-linear finite element method. The optimization problem is solved by two methods. One is the experimental design scheme using an orthogonal array. The other is optimization using the response surface method (RSM). Both methods have obtained better designs than the current one.
Validation of battery-alternator model against experimental data-a first step towards developing a future power supply system
Authors: Boulos A M , Pacaud C , Burnham K J , Mahtani J L
Published: February 2004

The electric power system of a modern vehicle has to supply enough electrical energy to drive numerous electrical and electronic systems and components. The electric power system of a vehicle consists of two major components: an alternator and a battery. A detailed understanding of the characteristics of the electric power system, electrical load demands and the operating environment, such as road conditions and vehicle laden weight, is required when the capacities of the generator and the battery are to be determined for a vehicle. In this study, a battery-alternator system has been developed and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink, and data obtained from vehicle tests have been used as a basis for validating the models. This is considered to be a necessary first step in the design and development of a new 42 V power supply system.
Diesel Injection System Modelling. Methodology and Application for a First-generation Common Rail System
Authors: Payri R , Climent H , Salvador F J , Favennec A G
Published: February 2004

This article details a method for modelling the most critical parts of an injection system. It focuses on the most important component of the system, the injector itself. As a clear example of this methodology, the modelling of a first-generation common rail injection system is carried out using a commercial code. The proposed methodology for modelling the injection system is based on two types of characterization: a detailed dimensional characterization and a hydraulic characterization of the different internal parts of the injector. The dimensional characterization is based on the use of a fine detail measuring technique applied to all the constituents of the injector. These include the passages and internal lines of the injector, internal volumes, calibrated orifices, nozzle springs, clearances between moving sections of pistons, etc. The second type of characterization makes reference mainly to the hydraulic characterization of the nozzle and injector control orifices, which together with dimensional information makes it possible to determine the discharge coe cient. In this case, special emphasis is placed on the detection of critical cavitation conditions and repercussions of this on the flow. This is a typical phenomenon in control orifices and also in nozzles subject to strong pressure gradients.

Once the model is obtained, it is tested and validated. Following this, the values of the experimental injected mass and rate of injection at different operating points are compared with the model results.
Effect of Fuel injection timing with waste cooking oil as a fuel in a direct injection diesel engine
Authors: Bari S , Yu C W , Lim T H
Published: February 2004

For a diesel engine, injection timing is a major parameter that sensitively a ects the engine performance, emission and durability. The physical and chemical properties of vegetable oils are known to be different from those of diesel. This study examines the changes in the behaviour of waste cooking oil (WCO) with changes in injection timing of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine, compared with those of diesel. The aspects taken into consideration were the effects of injection timing on combustion, performance and emissions. The results reveal that WCO and diesel responded identically to injection timing changes. To reduce NOx emission, one of the methods is to retard the injection timing from MBT timing. The engine used in this research follows this technique and had its original injection timing set at 15° before top dead centre (BTDC). With injection timing advanced by 4°, the engine produced better e ciency by 1.6 per cent for WCO and by 1.1 per cent for diesel, reduced CO emission, by averages of 9.9 per cent for WCO and 44.9 per cent for diesel, but su ered increased NO emission of 76.6 per cent for WCO and 91.4 per cent for diesel. In all instances, WCO had shorter ignition delays than diesel, but the ignition delay for WCO was more sensitive to load and injection timing than that for diesel. The test engine could run on WCO with the original injection timing, and altering the timing could result in a trade-o between performance and emission.
Identification of a vibration transmission path in a vehicle by measuring vibrational power flow
Authors: Lee S K
Published: February 2004

In a vehicle, many isolators are used to attenuate the vibrational transmission from an engine to a car body. Vibration power flow through these isolators gives information on the flow of the vibrational energy generated from an engine or induced from the road. The measurement of vibrational power flow at each isolator identifies the vibration transmission path in a vehicle. In this paper, a simple equation is derived for the calculation of vibration power flow at the isolator of a passenger car. This equation is used for the measurement of the vibrational power flow at 18 isolators of a test car. From these results, the vibrational transmission path of the test car is identified and is extended to the reduction of the structure-borne noise in the compartment of the test car. Major vibrational transmission is at the front end of the centre member of the test car. The modification of the front part of the car body yields a reduction of the sound pressure level at the major noise peak.
Correlation of field, laboratory and standard lubricant tests using multivariate analysis
Authors: Aruna M A , Fox M F
Published: February 2004

Chemometric techniques were used to analyse engine lubricant test results in order to correlate activities within engine test procedures. Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares projection to latent structures (PLS) and cluster analysis were used to extract information from the data set. Analyses of the results by PCA revealed trends and outliers within the observations and showed relationships between observations and variables and among the variables themselves. The PLS analysis showed how each oil sample varied with time and the acquired prediction plot showed the extent of degradation of the oil samples, which was then used to rank them. A dendogram obtained from the cluster analysis was used to show clearly which oil samples were ranked together.

The multivariate analysis approach was useful in extracting significant information from engine laboratory test data and, in parallel, engine lubricant field tests. Chemometric analyses have demonstrated a scaled relationship between a standard engine lubricant test, extreme sampling direct from the piston ring zone and also field tests.
Modelling of a hollow-cone spray at different ambient pressures
Authors: Takagi M , Moriyoshi Y
Published: February 2004

Prediction of the mixture formation processes inside a gasoline direct injection (DI) engine is strongly required in order to improve both the fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions. Swirl-type injectors, widely used for gasoline DI engines, are characterized by the fact that the spray cone angle drastically changes with ambient pressure. The present study is intended to describe the effect of ambient pressure on the characteristics of a free hollow-cone spray formed by a swirl-type injector using a numerical simulation that is based on a discrete droplet model (DDM) method. In this model, the droplet deformation is calculated for determining droplet break-up and the drag force variation of droplet due to the droplet deformation is taken into account. The simulation result was compared with an experiment focusing on the effect of ambient pressure on the spray shape. It was shown that the characteristics of a spray formed by a swirl-type injector are predicted very well by introducing a selected break-up model and a drag force model with appropriate initial conditions. The drag force of droplets affected by the droplet deformation was found to be a crucial factor in determining the spray shape at various ambient pressures.
Speciated hydrocarbon emissions and the associated local ozone production from an automotive gasoline engine
Authors: Bohac S. V. , Assanis D. N. , Holmes H. L. S.
Published: February 2004

Concentrations of total and individual exhaust gas hydrocarbon species were measured from a contemporary automotive gasoline engine to gain insight into how an engine's operating conditions affect the combustion and post-flame oxidation processes and to estimate the ozone-forming potential of these hydrocarbons. Both the customary method of estimating maximum ozone production using maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) factors and a new method of estimating actual local ozone production (LOP) were used to quantify the harmfulness of the exhaust hydrocarbons. Depending on local atmospheric conditions, LOP estimations are about 2–10 times less than the method of maximum ozone production using MIR factors. Per unit of engine output, retarded spark timing and higher engine load reduce the LOP of catalyst-in hydrocarbons, while the air-fuel ratio does not strongly affect the LOP of catalyst-in hydrocarbons. LOP is increased during a start-up and drastically decreased by the catalytic converter, once the catalyst is heated to its operating temperature and the engine is run at stoichiometry.