bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compression behavior of warp-knitted spacer fabrics for cushioning applications
Authors: Liu Yanping , Hu Hong , Zhao Li , Long Hairu
Published: August 2011

Cushioning materials generally absorb kinetic mechanical energy under compression actions at a relatively constant stress over a large range of displacement. However, cushioning materials widely used today are polyurethane (PU) foams with low moisture transmission. As a new class of three-dimensional textile structures, warp-knitted spacer fabrics not only have much better moisture transmission property than PU foams, but also have the similar cushioning performance if appropriate structural parameters are adopted. This paper reports an experimental study on the compression behavior of a series of warp-knitted fabrics made for cushioning applications. These fabrics were produced on a double-needle bar warp knitting machine of gauge 18 by varying different structural parameters including spacer yarn inclination angle and fineness, fabric thickness, and outer layer structure. Both the compression stress-strain curves and energy efficiency diagrams from the testing results were used to analyze the compression behavior of these fabrics and the effect of each structural parameter. The results indicate that warp-knitted spacer fabrics are an ideal class of the energy absorbers for cushioning applications and their energy-absorption capacity can easily be tailored to meet specific end-use requirements by simply varying their structural parameters with the help of efficiency diagrams.
Determinants of Drinking Trajectories Among Minority Youth and Young Adults
Authors: Bernstein Judith , Graczyk Amy , Lawrence Danielle , Bernstein Edward , Strunin Lee
Published: August 2011

Adolescent drinking research has focused heavily on risks for alcohol-related consequences and on personality traits associated with adverse alcohol-related outcomes. A risk-based paradigm may inadvertently overemphasize risk when measures are applied to communities that experience discrimination and socioeconomic disadvantage. In this study we use qualitative methods to examine drinking motives and the relationship between motives and patterns of risk and resilience among a diverse group of 60 youth and young adults enrolled in an independent trial of brief intervention for alcohol use at an inner-city pediatric emergency department and report on their own understandings of their experiences, particularly their reasons for drinking. We found a clear distinction between drinking to “chill” and drinking to “cope” with very different projected life course trajectories despite similarities between groups in neighborhood and interpersonal stressors. Strategies to motivate “copers” to alter drinking behavior may need to be shored up with a network of support services.
Shifting Boundaries of Public and Private Life
Authors: Thompson John B.
Published: August 2011

High-profile political scandals are symptomatic of a profound transformation of the relations between public and private life that has accompanied and helped to shape the development of modern societies. While the distinction between public and private life is not unique to modern societies, the emergence of new media of communication, from print to radio, television and the internet, has altered the very nature of the public, the private and the relations between them. Both the public and the private have been reconstituted as spheres of information and symbolic content that are largely detached from physical locales and increasingly interwoven with evolving technologies of communication, creating a very fluid situation in which the boundaries between public and private are blurred, porous, contestable and subject to constant negotiation and struggle. The shifting boundaries between public and private life have become a new battleground in modern societies, a contested terrain where individuals and organizations wage a new kind of information war, a terrain where established relations of power can be challenged and disrupted, lives damaged and reputations sometimes lost.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Autologous Whole Blood for the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Elbow Epicondylitis
Authors: Thanasas Christos , Papadimitriou George , Charalambidis Charalambos , Paraskevopoulos Ilias , Papanikolaou Athanasios
Published: August 2011

Background: Chronic lateral elbow epicondylitis is a tendinosis with angiofibrolastic degeneration of the wrist extensors’ origin. Healing of this lesion is reported with the use of autologous blood as well as with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Purpose: A comparative study of these 2 treatments was conducted in an effort to investigate the possible advantages of PRP.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients were divided equally into 2 groups, after blocked randomization. Group A was treated with a single injection of 3 mL of autologous blood and group B with 3 mL of PRP under ultrasound guidance. A standardized program of eccentric muscle strengthening was followed by all patients in both groups. Evaluation using a pain visual analog scale (VAS) and Liverpool elbow score was performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

Results: The VAS score improvement was larger in group B at every follow-up interval but the difference was statistically significant only at 6 weeks, when mean improvement was 3.8 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-4.5) in group B (61.47% improvement) and 2.5 points (95% CI, 1.9-3.1) in group A (41.6% improvement) ( P < .05). No statistically significant difference was noted between groups regarding Liverpool elbow score.

Conclusion: Regarding pain reduction, PRP treatment seems to be an effective treatment for chronic lateral elbow epicondylitis and superior to autologous blood in the short term. Defining details of indications, best PRP concentration, number and time of injections, as well as rehabilitation protocol might increase the method’s effectiveness. Additionally, the possibility of cost reduction of the method might justify the use of PRP over autologous whole blood for chronic or refractory tennis elbow.
Tea mill waste fibers filled thermoplastic composites: the effects of plastic type and fiber loading
Authors: Dönmez Çavdar Ayfer , Kalaycioğlu Hülya , Mengeloğlu Fatih
Published: August 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the utilization of tea mill waste fibers (TMWF) in thermoplastic composites. For this purpose, two plastic types: polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), were used as thermoplastic material while TMWF was utilized as a lignocellulosic filler. HDPE or PP and up to 50% TMWF were compounded in the single screw extruder and extrudates were compression molded into thermoplastic composite panels. The effects of plastic type and fiber loading rate on mechanical (flexural, tensile, and impact properties), physical (water absorption and thickness swelling), thermal properties, and morphological of the produced composites were determined. Tensile modulus, flexural modulus, water absorption, and thickness swelling of the produced composites were increased with the rise of the TMWF amount in the thermoplastic matrix. On the other hand, TMWF increase in the thermoplastic matrix reduced the tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of the produced composites. It should also be noted that both flexural strength and flexural modulus have satisfied the requirements of ASTM D 6662. In the case of thermal properties, addition of TMWF into the thermoplastic matrix did not change the initial degradation significantly. However, the char rate of the composites increased. It appears that tea mill waste fibers may have a potential usage as filler in the PP- and HDPE-based thermoplastic composites.
A hybrid averaging approach to predict overall properties of nanocomposites
Authors: Jafari Akbar , Akbar Afaghi Khatibi  , Mahmoud Mosavi Mashhadi
Published: August 2011

A new method is proposed to consider the characterizations of the fillers in overall properties of heterogeneous media, and in particular, nanocomposites. According to this method, named ‘Hybrid averaging,’ the effective properties of a general nanocomposite containing several phases and orientations can be found using the results from a number of simple unidirectional two-phase nanocomposites. The results for the simple media might be obtained from any roots including analytical approaches, numerical simulations, and experimental analyses. In this article, M—T as the analytical and FE as the numerical approaches are combined with the proposed hybrid method. To perform FE analysis, RRVE with periodic boundary conditions is employed. In addition, the influential parameters consisting of RRVE size and mesh density on the numerical results are justified by satisfying certain criteria. Numerical investigations are then done for two case studies of nanocomposites in which boron nitride nanotubes, as fillers, are distributed using two different functions. Furthermore, comparisons are made between the results obtained from different approaches for these materials.
Utilization of secondary sludge as filler in composites: surface energy and final mechanical properties
Authors: Edalatmanesh Maryam , Sain Mohini , Liss Steven N.
Published: August 2011

Secondary sludge from pulp and paper mills can be considered as a potential filler for composite industry. The surface thermodynamics of the secondary sludge from two different pulp and paper mills, processing capability, and material characteristics of biocomposites filled by secondary sludge were studied in this study. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) has been employed to study the surface characteristics of the secondary sludge. Also, the cellular biopolymers were extracted and their surface energy determined by IGC. Based on the surface thermodynamics and the chemical structure of the secondary sludge, Nylon 11 was selected as the polymeric matrix. The dispersive component of surface energy for the secondary sludge samples was obtained in the range 60—42 mJ/m2 measured at 313—373 K, which is high enough to allow the biosolid to be coupled with conventional polymeric resins. The manufactured nylon/sludge composites showed acceptable, yet not improved, mechanical strength. Also, 10% of dried sludge as filler proved to be an effective amount, which is sufficient to fill but not deteriorate the tensile and flexural strengths of the composite. Sludge-filled composites compounded by a twin-screw extruder exhibit considerably better tensile properties than those compounded by the K-mixer. Maleated polyolefins used as coupling agents also improved the composite’s mechanical properties significantly.
Factorial and Item-Level Invariance of an Emotional Intelligence Scale Across Groups of International Students
Authors: Wang Chuang , Kim Do-Hong , Ng Kok-Mun
Published: August 2011

This study examined the factorial and item-level invariance of Wong and Law’s emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS) in a sample of 375 international students in U.S. universities. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and differential item functioning (DIF) analysis were employed at the test and item level, respectively. International students from three regions were of interest: Far East Asia, India, and Europe. A single group CFA was conducted, and the model was found to fit for each group. The factorial invariance between the groups was tested through three models with cumulative constraints. The results suggest that the WLEIS is a viable emotional intelligence measure when applied to this student population. Students from different cultures shared similar pattern of EI. The DIF analysis further revealed that 14 out of 16 items functioned similarly between Far East Asian students and Indian students, while all the items functioned similarly between Far East Asian and European students.
Enhancing Junior Faculty Research Productivity Through Multiinstitution Collaboration
Authors: Rush S. Craig , Wheeler Joanna
Published: August 2011

In addition to teaching and service responsibilities, junior faculty members are required to be productive researchers. Despite the demand on junior faculty to produce published research, studies suggest that they often do not receive adequate assistance with their research endeavors. Mentoring is an effective form of support for junior faculty that can lead to gains in research productivity. Research productivity also has been found to increase as collaboration increases, particularly when the collaboration is outside of one’s institution. The School Psychology Research Collaboration Conference (SPRCC), which is funded by the Society for the Study of School Psychology (SSSP), has supported the research of junior faculty in the field of school psychology by fostering professional relationships among junior faculty and enhancing their research skills through mentoring from senior-level faculty—all from various academic institutions. Using content analysis as the primary method of investigation, this study examined SPRCC junior faculty/early-career participants’ anonymous responses to open-ended questions regarding the value of the SPRCC in general, the tools and strategies used to conduct the conference, and the potential of the SPRCC to impact their future research productivity. Outcomes of the analysis were used to inform recommendations for establishing other research collaboration events and networking opportunities as well as for improving the SPRCC.
Describing Intimate Partner Stalking Over Time
Authors: Bennett Cattaneo Lauren , Cho Sarah , Botuck Shelly
Published: August 2011

Stalking has increasingly been the subject of legislation and research in the past 20 years. Within intimate partner violence, the context where it is most likely to occur, stalking predicts both greater danger and greater distress for the victim. However, research shows that practitioners are often unsure how to address stalking, and that the remedies available may not be effective. This longitudinal exploration of stalking focused on the experience of victims of intimate partner stalking and was conducted by Safe Horizon, an organization providing assistance to victims of violence and abuse in New York City. The sample of 82 women was interviewed monthly over 7 months, and the data were analyzed using growth curve models. We found that stalking decreased over time at a marginally significant level, and that change in stalking varied among participants. Perceived safety followed a similar pattern, increasing but not significantly, while stalking-related distress decreased significantly. The slopes of these variables were correlated, such that as stalking frequency decreased, perceived safety increased and distress decreased. Help-seeking was greater from court sources than victim services over the course of the study, but neither help source was related to a significant decrease in the stalking trajectory. According to victim report, orders of protection (OP) were helpful at some points and not at others. Implications of these results for offering victim-centered services are discussed.
Intergenerational Continuities and Discontinuities in Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Smith Carolyn A. , Ireland Timothy O. , Park Aely , Elwyn Laura , Thornberry Terence P.
Published: August 2011

This study focuses on intergenerational continuity in violent partner relationships. We investigate whether exposure to caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) during adolescence leads to increased involvement in IPV during early adulthood (age 21-23) and adulthood (age 29-31). We also investigate whether this relationship differs by gender. Although there is theoretical and empirical support for intergenerational continuity of relationship violence, there are few prospective studies of this issue. We use data from the Rochester Youth Development Study (RYDS), a longitudinal study of the development of antisocial behavior in a community sample of 1,000 urban youth followed from age 14 to adulthood. The original sample includes 73% men and 85% African American or Hispanic youth. Measures come from a combination of interviews and official records. The Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) is used to assess IPV and severe IPV in the youth and parent generations. Analyses controlled for child physical abuse, race/ethnicity as well as parent education, family stability, and poverty. In multivariate models, adolescent exposure to caregiver severe IPV resulted in significantly increased risk of relationship violence in early adulthood (age 21-23). Furthermore, there is an indirect effect of adolescent exposure to severe IPV on later adult involvement in IPV (age 29-31), mediated by involvement in a violent relationship in early adulthood. These results were largely invariant by gender. However, we observed a direct pathway between IPV exposure and adult IPV for women (marginally significant) suggesting that adolescent exposure to caregiver IPV may set in motion women-specific processes.
Violent Behaviors in Drug Addiction
Authors: Fernández-Montalvo Javier , López-Goñi José J. , Arteaga Alfonso
Published: August 2011

This study explored the prevalence of violent behaviors in patients who are addicted to drugs. A sample of 252 addicted patients (203 male and 49 female) who sought outpatient treatment was assessed. Information on violent behaviors, sociodemographic factors, consumption factors (assessed by the European version of the Addiction Severity Index [EuropASI]), psychopathological factors (assessed by Symptom Checklist–90–Revised [SCL-90-R]), and personality variables (assessed by Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory [MCMI-II]) was collected. Drug-addicted patients who were associated with violent behaviors were compared on all variables with patients who were not associated with violent behaviors. The rate of drug-addicted patients with violent behaviors in this sample was 39.68% ( n = 100). There were significant differences between the numbers of patients who did and did not demonstrate violence on some variables. Patients with violence problems were younger than those without violence problems and were more likely to report having been a victim of abuse. Moreover, they were significantly more likely to have experienced an overdose and showed a significantly higher score on several EuropASI, SCL-90-R and MCMI-II variables. According to these results, patients with violence control problems present with both a more severe addiction and several comorbid problems. The implications of these results for further research and clinical practice are discussed.
On Barnyard Scrambles: Toward a Rhetoric of Public Relations
Authors: Ihlen Øyvind
Published: August 2011

How can we gain a better understanding of public relations rhetoric? This essay takes stock of the analytical building blocks that can be found in the public relations research and addresses the question raised in the introduction to this special issue: Can external organizational rhetoric help make society a good place to live? It is argued that whereas the literature on crisis communication and the concept of apologia—speech of self-defense—is fairly extensive, analysis of other subfields and types of public relations discourse is needed. Following the modification of its original epistemological basis, the concept of the rhetorical situation helps guide this endeavor. Such analysis can form a basis for a critical discussion of whether organizational rhetoric helps improve society.
The Invisible Disease
Authors: Weston Joanne M. , Norris Emma V. , Clark Emma M.
Published: August 2011

Osteoporosis (low bone density) is a potentially serious disease which mainly affects women older than 50 years. National screening programs for osteoporosis are being developed in the United Kingdom. It is important to assess the psychological experience of receiving a positive diagnosis from a population-based screening program so that psychological distress does not outweigh medical benefits. Little research has been conducted in this field. In our study, we explored the experience of being diagnosed with osteoporosis following screening. We interviewed 10 women aged 68 to 79 who were recruited from a population-based osteoporosis screening trial. Four themes emerged from our interpretative phenomenological analysis of the interviews: osteoporosis is a routine medical condition, lack of physical evidence creates doubt, the mediating role of medical care, and protecting the self from distress. Our findings emphasize the complexity attached to receiving a positive screening result. We suggest considerations for health care providers.
The Role of the Fatosphere in Fat Adults’ Responses to Obesity Stigma
Authors: Dickins Marissa , Thomas Samantha L. , King Bri , Lewis Sophie , Holland Kate
Published: August 2011

Obese adults face pervasive and repeated weight-based stigma. Few researchers have explored how obese individuals proactively respond to stigma outside of a dominant weight-loss framework. Using a grounded theory approach, we explored the experiences of 44 bloggers within the Fatosphere—an online fat-acceptance community. We investigated participants’ pathways into the Fatosphere, how they responded to and interacted with stigma, and how they described the impact of fat acceptance on their health and well-being. The concepts and support associated with the fat-acceptance movement helped participants shift from reactive strategies in responding to stigma (conforming to dominant discourses through weight loss) to proactive responses to resist stigma (reframing “fat” and self-acceptance). Participants perceived that blogging within the Fatosphere led them to feel more empowered. Participants also described the benefits of belonging to a supportive community, and improvements in their health and well-being. The Fatosphere provides an alternative pathway for obese individuals to counter and cope with weight-based stigma.
Transitioning Care of an Adolescent With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Dupuis France , Duhamel Fabie , Gendron Sylvie
Published: August 2011

This qualitative study explored the experience of parents and adolescents living with cystic fibrosis prior to the transfer of the adolescent’s care from a pediatric to an adult health care facility. Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven families receiving care from a specialized cystic fibrosis clinic; parents and adolescents were interviewed separately, followed by a group interview with members of a health care team comprising eight professionals from the clinic. Interviews were analyzed through a systemic lens which accounts for interaction and reciprocity in relationships. The parents’ experience was marked by suffering and uncertainty that remained unexpressed to the health care team, even though team members had known the family since the child was first diagnosed. Findings led to identifying a systemic hypothesis that accounted for the interactions and relational processes between parents and the health care team. This hypothesis may guide the development of systemic family nursing interventions that target this complex, relational, transition process.
“Like a Mexican Wedding”
Authors: Marshall Catherine A. , Weihs Karen L. , Larkey Linda K. , Badger Terry A. , Koerner Susan Silverberg , Curran Melissa A. , Pedroza Rosa , García Francisco A. R.
Published: August 2011

Although recent work has recognized that the influence and consequences of cancer extend beyond the individual receiving the diagnosis, no studies have focused on the specific psychosocial intervention needs of female co-survivors in low-income populations. In this qualitative study, the co-survivors, 16 women, representing 10 low-income families and predominately Hispanic, were interviewed about their experience of having someone in their family diagnosed with cancer. Several themes emerged from the data, including family stress, lack of skill in coping with the effects of cancer (e.g., depression of their loved one), a need for financial help, a willingness to share with others, and reliance on faith to see them through the cancer experience. Whereas no agreement existed as to where and how to provide an intervention, participants reported that tailoring an intervention to family needs and delivering it in a way that was accessible to them was important.
Thermal Analysis of the Domed Vernacular Houses of Harran, Turkey
Authors: Başaran Tahsin
Published: August 2011

Minimum energy consumption and economic efficiency using local and recyclable materials is essential for achieving sustainability, considering the depletion of global energy sources. The Anatolian Peninsula presents a diverse range of local building construction techniques accumulated over centuries, which meet the criteria mentioned above. Due to richness of climatic variety and the influence of many civilisations throughout history, Anatolian regions reflect this richness in their respective solutions to building construction. Built mainly out of brick and stone, mortared and plastered by mud, the domed vernacular houses of Harran, a small town in the province of Urfa in the hot arid climate of southeastern Anatolia, are one of the best examples that deserve attention with respect to minimum energy consumption. In this study, the thermal performance of the “Harran house” as a vernacular type was analysed. For this purpose, temperatures inside and outside a Harran house complex with relative humidity variations were measured. In addition, for investigating the domed houses’ thermal behaviour, temperature measurements at different surfaces and media were recorded. The solar chimney effect obtained from the dome and the importance of the thermal mass of the square base of the house were also evaluated. The study yielded results, which showed that the indoor conditions were within the limits for thermal comfort even under extreme summer conditions.
Evaluation of Healthy Choices: A commercial weight loss programme commissioned by the NHS
Authors: Lloyd Amy , Khan Rabia
Published: August 2011

Aim: The aim of this study is to identify factors that influence successful weight loss in an NHS-funded commercial weight loss programme.

Methods: Baseline height, weight, body mass index (BMI), age, gender, address, date of referral, referrer and 12-week attendance and weight were measured. Participants were classified as having achieved successful weight loss if they had > 5% weight loss and ‘completers’ if they had attended at least 10 of the 12 free sessions. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate predictors of successful weight loss. Predictors tested in regression analyses were initial weight, number of meetings attended, deprivation, age and gender.

Results: In total, 2,456 (87%) of referred participants were given vouchers to attend a commercial weight loss programme for 12 weeks. The majority of the participants were female and the mean age group was 45–54 years. Almost half (44%) of all patients referred had > 5% weight loss at 12 weeks. A statistically significant difference was found in the mean weight loss between completers (6.1 kg, SD 3.7) and drop outs (2.2 kg, SD 2.5). Participants who had successful weight loss were significantly more likely to be older, male and in obese class I. They were also significantly more likely to have attended more meetings.

Conclusions: Commercial weight loss programmes produce successful weight loss in the short term. There was no difference in successful weight loss between providers and deprivation quintiles. Age, gender, initial BMI and number of meetings attended are all predictors of successful weight loss.
Comparative analyses reveal discrepancies among results of commonly used methods for Anopheles gambiae molecular form identification
Authors: Santolamazza Federica , Caputo Beniamino , Calzetta Maria , Vicente José L , Mancini Emiliano , Petrarca Vincenzo , Pinto João , della Torre Alessandra
Published: August 2011

Background

Anopheles gambiae M and S molecular forms, the major malaria vectors in the Afro-tropical region, are ongoing a process of ecological diversification and adaptive lineage splitting, which is affecting malaria transmission and vector control strategies in West Africa. These two incipient species are defined on the basis of single nucleotide differences in the IGS and ITS regions of multicopy rDNA located on the X-chromosome. A number of PCR and PCR-RFLP approaches based on form-specific SNPs in the IGS region are used for M and S identification. Moreover, a PCR-method to detect the M-specific insertion of a short interspersed transposable element (SINE200) has recently been introduced as an alternative identification approach. However, a large-scale comparative analysis of four widely used PCR or PCR-RFLP genotyping methods for M and S identification was never carried out to evaluate whether they could be used interchangeably, as commonly assumed.

Results

The genotyping of more than 400 A. gambiae specimens from nine African countries, and the sequencing of the IGS-amplicon of 115 of them, highlighted discrepancies among results obtained by the different approaches due to different kinds of biases, which may result in an overestimation of MS putative hybrids, as follows: i) incorrect match of M and S specific primers used in the allele specific-PCR approach; ii) presence of polymorphisms in the recognition sequence of restriction enzymes used in the PCR-RFLP approaches; iii) incomplete cleavage during the restriction reactions; iv) presence of different copy numbers of M and S-specific IGS-arrays in single individuals in areas of secondary contact between the two forms.

Conclusions

The results reveal that the PCR and PCR-RFLP approaches most commonly utilized to identify A. gambiae M and S forms are not fully interchangeable as usually assumed, and highlight limits of the actual definition of the two molecular forms, which might not fully correspond to the two A. gambiae incipient species in their entire geographical range. These limits are discussed and operational suggestions on the choice of the most convenient method for large-scale M- and S-form identification are provided, also taking into consideration technical aspects related to the epidemiological characteristics of different study areas.
Elevated International Normalized Ratio Associated with Use of Dronedarone and Warfarin
Authors: Pogge Elizabeth K , Haber Stacy L
Published: August 2011

Objective:

To describe a case of elevated International normalized ratio (INR) after addition of dronedarone to warfarin therapy.

Case Summary:

A 72-year-old white female with a history of tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and permanent pacemaker implantation was taking warfarin (target INR 2-3) and Sotalol for chronic atrial fibrillation; atorvastatin for hyperlipidemia; and risedronate for osteopenia. Her warfarin therapy had been managed by a nurse-run anticoagulation clinic for several years. During the prior year, her INR had been stable with a weekly dose of warfarin 25 mg. After persistent episodes of atrial fibrillation, the antiarrhythmic agent was changed from Sotalol to dronedarone 400 mg twice daily. Approximately 10 days after starting dronedarone, the INR was 4.6; she stated that there was no bleeding. The warfarin dose was decreased to 20 mg/wk, and the INR remained stable with that dosage for the next 11 months.

Discussion:

Postmarketing surveillance has revealed cases of increased INR values with or without bleeding in patients taking warfarin who were started on dronedarone. In this case, the Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale suggested a probable causality for an interaction between dronedarone and warfarin. Based on current knowledge, this interaction may involve an indirect gastrointestinal mechanism and/or a direct pharmacokinetic mechanism.

Conclusions:

Clinicians should monitor patients who are taking warfarin and dronedarone for INR changes and bleeding episodes about 1 week after initiation of dronedarone. If a significant interaction Is noted, the warfarin dosage should be decreased and the patient should be monitored within 2 weeks to assess the need for further adjustments.
The Changing Poetics of the Dissolve in Hollywood Film
Authors: Cutting James E. , Brunick Kaitlin L. , Delong Jordan E.
Published: August 2011

Most films contain many shots knit together by several types of transitions, and by far the most prevalent is the cut. Over the last 70 years, fades and wipes have become increasingly rare. Dissolves have also diminished in frequency but, unlike the others, they remain an important part of the general visual narrative and have shown a small increase in contemporary film. We tracked the usage of dissolves in 150 films released from 1935 to 2005. We found: (a) that after a lull between 1970 and 1990, dissolves have become more numerous, although not nearly so common as during the studio era; (b) that shots surrounding single dissolves are fairly long compared to the median shot lengths of a given film, suggesting visual preparation for scene change before a dissolve, and a re-acceleration after; and (c) that after their nadir, dissolves have increasingly reappeared in clusters reflecting a rebirth of the Hollywood montage. We also discuss the functions and meanings of these montage sequences in the stream of a film's narrative, with more contemporary films focusing on setups, altered mental states, and celebrations rather than older films' focus on travel and time gaps of various sizes.
Taste Sensitivity and Aesthetic Preferences: Is Taste Only a Metaphor?
Authors: Dewall C. Nathan , Schurtz David R. , Silvia Paul J. , McKenzie Jessica
Published: August 2011

“Taste” is often used to describe sensitivity to both foods and visual art. We examined whether a biological marker of physical taste sensitivity influenced aesthetic preferences. In three studies, we measured physical taste sensitivity by exposing participants to the chemical phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and having them rate how bitter it tasted (if they tasted it at all). Across all studies, miscalibrated physical taste sensitivity (extremely high and low taste bud density) related to extreme negative responses to disturbing and provocative artwork. Miscalibrated physical taste sensitivity was related specifically to avoiding (high disgust) disturbing artwork, but not to approach-related negative affect (anger). These findings provide novel evidence regarding biological influences on aesthetic preferences.
Kaempferol Extraction from Cuscuta reflexa using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide and Separation of Kaempferol from the Extracts
Authors: Mitra Pranabendu , Chang Kyu -Seob , Yoo Dae-Seok
Published: August 2011

Kaempferol, a strong antioxidant, was extracted from Cuscuta reflexa (a medicinal plant) using supercritical CO2 and separated using thin-layer chromatography, column chromatography and HPLC analysis. A rotatable central composite design was used to determine the influence of process variables and arrive at optimal processing conditions in the supercritical CO2 extraction process of kaempferol. The kaempferol yield was effectively modelled as a function of the independent variables (temperature, time and pressure). The kaempferol yield increased with the increasing of temperature and time and decreasing of pressure of the supercritical CO2 extraction process. The predicted kaempferol yield at the optimum point was 52.92 µg/g and the optimum conditions were 50.7°C for 132.6 min and 15.9 MPa.
Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass in Bubbling Fluidized Bed: A Model Study
Authors: Kaushal Priyanka , Mirhidi Seyed Amin , Abedi Jalal
Published: August 2011

This study proposes a model for the fast pyrolysis of biomass. A reaction scheme of a set of three parallel reactions followed by a set of two parallel reactions has been used to describe the primary and secondary reactions of biomass pyrolysis in a stationary bed reactor. A simple first-order kinetic approach has been applied to predict the product yields. The bed hydrodynamics, the mass transfer between phases and the reaction kinetics have been mathematically formulated. The effects of the operating parameters on the biomass pyrolysis product yield were simulated; the results show that the reaction temperature and nitrogen flow rate plays an important role in the yield of bio-oil. Good agreement between the predicted and measured results was obtained.
An Optimization-Based Framework for Process Planning under Uncertainty with Risk Management
Authors: Khor Cheng Seong , Giarola Sara , Chachuat Benoit , Shah Nilay
Published: August 2011

In the current challenging and volatile political and economic environment, the process industry is exposed to a high degree of uncertainty that renders the production planning task to be a risky and complex optimization problem requiring high computational expense. This work proposes a computationally-tractable optimization-based framework for risk management in midterm process planning under uncertainty. We employ stochastic programming to account for the uncertainty in which a scenario-based approach is used to approximate the underlying probability distribution of the uncertain parameters. The problem is formulated as a recourse-based two-stage stochastic program that incorporates a mean-risk structure in the objective function. Two risk measures are applied, namely Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR). However, since a large number of scenarios are often required to capture the stochasticity of the problem, the model suffers from the curse of dimensionality. To circumvent this problem, we propose a computational procedure with a relatively low computational burden that involves the following two major steps. First, a linear programming (LP) approximation of the risk-inclined version of the planning model is solved for a number of randomly generated scenarios. Subsequently, the VaR parameters of the model are simulated and incorporated into a meanCVaR stochastic LP approximation of the risk-averse version of the planning model. The proposed approach is implemented on a petroleum refinery planning case study with satisfactory results that demonstrate how solutions with relatively affordable computational expense can be attained in a risk-averse model in the face of uncertainty. Future work will mainly involve extending the approach to a multiobjective formulation as well as for mixed-integer optimization problems.
Histopathologic and immunohistochemical lesions in liver of mink infected with Aleutian disease virus
Authors: Valdovska A. , Pilmane M.
Published: August 2011

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical lesions in liver of mink infected with Aleutian disease virus

Parvovirus of Aleutian disease causes mainly damage to kidneys, but immune complexes deposition and damage may occur also in other organs. In mink farms of Latvia the liver dystrophy or hepatic lipidosis of mink is widely distributed. The goal of this study was to examine probability of liver damage and regeneration of mink infected with Aleutian disease virus. Liver injury was assessed histologically. The mink liver demonstrated inflammation of liver parenchyma and foci of fatty liver. In immunohistochemistry, during liver regeneration the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-9, vascular endothelial growth factor and β-defensin 2 expressions were lower, but MMP-2 and nerve growth factor receptor p75 expression was increased.
1,1’-(3-Methyl-4-phenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl)diethanone as a Building Block in Heterocyclic Synthesis. Novel Synthesis of Some Pyrazole and Pyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: Mabkhot Yahia Nasser , Al-Majid Abdullah Mohammed , Barakat Assem , Alshahrani Saeed , Siddiqui Yamin
Published: August 2011

A series of new bis(heterocycles) featuring thieno[2,3-b]thiophene rings was synthesized in a combinatorial manner. Intramolecular cyclization of enaminone derivatives with appropriate N-nucleophiles afforded the target compounds. All compounds were characterized by 1H-, 13C-NMR, GCMS, IR, and UV-Vis spectrometry. These compounds represent a new class of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing heterocycles that should also be of interest as new materials.
Comprehensive Utilization of Temporal and Spatial Domain Outlier Detection Methods for Mobile Terrestrial LiDAR Data
Authors: Leslar Michael , Wang Jian-guo , Hu Baoxin
Published: August 2011

Terrestrial LiDAR provides many disciplines with an effective and efficient means of producing realistic three-dimensional models of real world objects. With the advent of mobile terrestrial LiDAR, this ability has been expanded to include the rapid collection of three-dimensional models of large urban scenes. For all its usefulness, it does have drawbacks. One of the major problems faced by the LiDAR industry today is the automatic removal of outlying data points from LiDAR point clouds. This paper discusses the development and combined implementation of two methods of performing outlier detection in georeferenced point clouds. These methods made use of the raw data available from most time-of-flight mobile terrestrial LiDAR scanners in both the temporal and spatial domains. The first method involved a moving fixed interval smoother derived from the well-known position velocity acceleration Kalman Filter. The second method fitted a quadratic curved surface to sections of LiDAR data. The combined use of these routines is discussed through examples with real LiDAR data.
Study on the Dynamic Excitation of the Star Gearing
Authors: Jiang Li Dong , Liu Bao Xing , Zhu Zhen Rong , Chen Ying Li
Published: August 2011

Study on the dynamic excitation is the basis of dynamic response analysis of gearbox. In the paper, the dynamic coupled model of the star gearing was established. By analyzing the casing substructure and extracting the coherency nodes, the gearing and casing was coupled. On the basis of analyzing dynamic meshing stiffness and transmission error, the dynamic meshing force of the star gearing was analyzed and calculated. By converting the dynamic meshing force, the dynamic force on the bearing was obtained. The dynamic excitation for dynamic response analysis of casing was achieved by applying the load on the coherency nodes. The method used in the paper has provided proper dynamic excitation for the dynamic response analysis of casing.
Failure Analysis of Transmission Gear for Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Wang Tie , Zhao Fu Qiang , Shen Jun
Published: August 2011

For early failure problems, which are broken teeth of the first transmission driving gear in the test, this paper studies the problem in the failure mechanisms such as chemical composition analysis, fracture surface analysis as well as the metallographic structure morphology inspection analysis of failure gear. The results show that the main reasons causing abnormal fracture of the failure gear are the insufficient root shot peening strengthening, the small fillet of the spline groove and the inadequate rim thickness of the rim. This paper uses the finite element method to analyse the contact stress of failure gear and puts forward an improving design method.
Sensitivity Analysis of Natural Frequency to Structural Parameters of Helical Gear Shaft for Wind Turbine Gearbox
Authors: Wang Jun Gang , Wang Yong , An Yan Tao , Huang Qi Lin
Published: August 2011

This paper takes a helical gear shaft as research subject and discusses the main structural parameters to see how it would affect natural frequency sensitivity. The parametrical model of helical gear shaft is created by using software PROE3.0. The natural frequencies and vibration shapes are calculated by the modal analysis. The relationship between the structural parameters and the natural frequency sensitivity can be obtained by means of ANSYS. The result shows that the structural parameters can affect the natural frequency sensitivity. The variation in low order natural frequency is similar to that in high order natural frequency. The effect of module on the natural frequency sensitivity is more remarkable comparing with pressure angle, modification coefficient and helical angle. Selecting structural parameters reasonably may reduce vibration and noise of the helical gear shaft effectively.
Study on the Micro Thermal EHL Behavior of Wind Turbine Gearbox
Authors: Wu Bin , Shi Wan Kai , Zhao Long , Fu Ping
Published: August 2011

A complete numerical solution for the micro thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) of planetary gearing in wind turbine gearbox is obtained with taking roughness effects and characteristics of non-Newtonian fluids into account. The oil film pressure profile, film shape and the trend of equivalent temperature rise in planetary gearing in special meshing points are drawn. Through comparing with lubrication performance in different surface morphology between Ra=0.8μm and 0.2μm, the results show that the film thickness ratio of ring gear and planetary gears with Ra=0.8μm is greatly smaller than 1.5. From the relationship between tooth surface damage and film thickness ratio, these gears are in abnormal lubrication state, surface damage, when Ra=0.8μm, can theoretically reach more than 15%. However, the surface damage ratio with Ra=0.2μm has been greatly deceased, so as to that it provides a theoretical basis of reliable lubrication analysis for wind turbine gearbox.
Research on Geometry Relationship of Pin-Rack Gearing
Authors: Feng Zhan Hui , Gou Ming Kang , Wu Shao
Published: August 2011

The pin-rack gearing is a particular type of cycloidal gearing which transforms a rotation motion to a linear one. Comparing with rack and pinion gearing and hydraulic swing cylinder, the pin-rack gearing has a more compact structure, less mass and lower cost. Nevertheless, designers always worry about vibration, noise and low use life as pin-rack mechanism working caused by deficiency of design theory. The present research derived the pin-rack gearing tooth profile equation and studied the geometry relationship among design parameters. The results can help to improve the pin-rack gearing design.
Gearbox Fault Diagnosis Using Vibration Signal with Wavelet De-Noising
Authors: Dong Zhi Feng , Cheng Hui , Yang Hui Jia , Fu Wei , Chen Ji Wei , Shi Zhi Yuan , Zhao Dong Liang
Published: August 2011

This paper dealt with the gearbox fault diagnosis with vibration signal analysis. The vibration signals from experiment contained a lot of noises which result from motor, gears, bears and box, and were collected through accelerate sensor, data collector and computer. The wavelet de-noising stratification was used to de-noise the vibration signals before the frequency-domain analysis was done. The effects of the simulation signal de-noising was contrasted, and the noise cancellation the power spectrum estimation was carried out. The experimental and analytical results show that the different features are indicated with vibration signal of the normal gearbox and the signal with bolts loosened of the gearbox. The gearbox fault with bolts loosened can be diagnosed by extracting the time-domain fault features of vibration signals.
Investigating Mass Customization Implementation in Iranian Manufacturing Organizations
Authors: Valmohammadi Changiz
Published: August 2011

The aim of this article is to investigate the extent of mass customization (MC) methods implementation in Iranian manufacturing organizations, mainly based on a descriptive analysis. Based on the review of literature seven methods and motivators and barriers of MC implementation were identified. Through a questionnaire which was distributed among 100 Iranian manufacturing organizations the extent of MC methods applied in the surveyed organizations was studied. And their priorities were determined. Results showed that these organizations have found out the importance and the role of mass customization strategy in fulfilling customer satisfaction and intimacy which could hopefully lead to the increase of their revenue and market share. But based on chi-square test the present study cannot confirm that the use of customization methods and strategy is significantly related to greater company success in Iranian manufacturing context.