bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wicking Behavior and Drying Capability of Functional Knitted Fabrics
Authors: Fangueiro R. , Filgueiras A. , Soutinho F. , Xie Meidi
Published: March 2010

Liquid transporting and drying rate are two vital factors affecting the physiological comfort of sport garments. In this study, plated knitted fabrics produced with functional fiber yarns in the back of the knit (close to the body), combined with polypropylene or polyester in the face (outer surface) were tested in terms of their wicking behavior and drying rate capacity. Functional knitted fabrics were evaluated by vertical and horizontal wicking tests. The drying capability was assessed by drying rate tests under two different conditions, namely, at 20±2°C and 65±3% relative humidity and, in an oven, at 33±2°C, in order to simulate the human body temperature. The influence of the functional fiber used and that of the ground material, polyester or polypropylene, was analyzed and discussed.
Structures of Novel Antimicrobial Agents for Textiles - A Review
Authors: Simoncic Barbara , Tomsic Brigita
Published: March 2010

In this article we review some of the contemporary antimicrobial agents used in textiles, including quaternary ammonium compounds, N-halamines, chitosan, polybiguanides, triclosan, nanoparticles of noble metals and metal oxides, and bioactive plant-based products. According to their mechanism of antimicrobial activity, toxicity, durability and ecological acceptability, these agents can be divided into biocides and biostats, leaching and bound antimicrobials, controlled-release and barrier-forming agents, and agents of poor and good washing resistance. In view of the need for ecologically friendly antimicrobial finishing, much research has focused on the synthesis of antimicrobial agents where the leaching antimicrobials have been replaced with the bound antimicrobials. The latter have mostly been prepared using polymerizable quaternary ammonium salts with acrylate groups, alkyltrialkoxysilanes with incorporated quaternary ammonium groups, reactive cationic dyes, appropriate crosslinking agents, complexes with cyclodextrines, and encapsulated nanoparticle agents embedded into polymer matrices of various compositions.
With Homi Bhabha at the Jerusalem City Gates: A Postcolonial Reading of the ‘Triumphant’ Entry (Mark 11.1-11)
Authors: Leander Hans
Published: March 2010

This article investigates Mark’s story about Jesus’ ‘triumphal’ entry and its relation to Roman imperialism. The article’s first part analyses how that relation has been understood in both a late nineteenth-century biblical commentary and a contemporary political reading respectively. In the article’s second part, a reading is suggested that is informed by the postcolonial theorist Homi Bhabha. Special attention is given to how Jesus acquires the colt by αγγαρεία, how he is greeted, and how the procession ends anticlimactically in the temple. The entry story with its subsequent temple incident, it is argued, could be taken as mimicry of celebratory welcomes. This places Jesus in an interstitial third space in-between a clear-cut anti- and pro-Roman position, a space that is characterized by colonial ambivalence.
Guiding Reflective Practice: An Auditing Framework to Assess Teaching Philosophy and Style
Authors: Titus Philip A. , Gremler Dwayne D.
Published: March 2010

Growing as an educator takes hard work and commitment. It requires the educator to engage in regular, objective self-examinations of instructional beliefs and behaviors. Although this task can be daunting, and unwieldy, due to the complexity of the teaching—learning exchange, it can also be undertaken in a systematic manner. This article proposes a framework of five elements that appear essential for assessing instructor beliefs and behaviors: content, learner, educator, social setting, and physical environment where the instruction takes place. A teaching-style audit is demonstrated to show how the systematic and thoughtful assessment of an educator’s teaching philosophy and style can be undertaken. This research contributes to the professional development of marketing educators by (a) providing a unifying framework to guide reflective teaching practice and (b) proposing that an auditing approach should be used to reveal incomplete or underdeveloped areas of instructional belief and identify inconsistent or incongruent teaching styles.
Caregiver Participation in Hospice Interdisciplinary Team Meetings via Videophone Technology: A Pilot Study to Improve Pain Management
Authors: Parker Oliver Debra , Demiris George , Wittenberg-Lyles Elaine , Porock Davina , Collier Jacqueline , Arthur Antony
Published: March 2010

This article discusses a pilot study testing a videophone intervention enabling hospice patients and caregivers to remotely participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, with the goal of improving pain management. The aim of this study was to test potential outcome measures and combine the data with qualitative observations to assess the overall feasibility and promise of the intervention. The outcomes evaluated included hospice patient quality of life, caregiver perceptions of pain medications, caregiver quality of life, and caregiver anxiety related to team participation. The pilot study showed that caregiver participation in the care planning process is feasible and may change caregiver perceptions of pain medication, potentially improving pain management for hospice patients.
Adequacy of the Seismic Analysis Methods for Single-column-bent Viaducts Considering Regularity and Higher Modes Effects
Authors: Akbari Reza , Maalek Shahrokh
Published: March 2010

Several definitions have been used concerning structural regularity. A structure is considered here as regular, if its responses obtained from different well recognized analysis methods do not show significant differences. In this paper, the effects of the inclusion of higher modes on the response of a class of reinforced concrete viaducts with different degrees of irregularity have been investigated. The seismic responses of continuous span single-column-bent viaducts have been studied through the comparison of the results obtained from different pushover-based analysis methods. Commonly used single and multi-mode pushover-based analysis methods have been utilized and their corresponding results have been compared with the results obtained from simpler methods such as the so-called uniform load procedure, as well as the more sophisticated inelastic time history analysis methods. For the class of the bridges under consideration, those configurations for which the effects of the higher modes are considerable have been identified and categorized as irregular, for which the minimum analysis requirements have been indicated in order to achieve a reliable bridge response. In contrast, the conditions in which a configuration may be classified as regular have been demonstrated and the adequacy of the simplified methods for the analysis of such models has been examined. The regularity issue has been discussed initially based on an expression developed by other researchers. Another index has also been introduced here for the attainment of a more realistic representation of the structural particulars of such bridges consist with the analysis methods specified in the AASHTO Specifications.
Energy Expressions and Free Vibration Analysis of a Rotating Uniform Timoshenko Beam Featuring Bending—torsion Coupling
Authors: Kaya Metin O. , Ozgumus Ozge Ozdemir
Published: March 2010

In this study; free vibration analysis of a uniform, rotating, cantilever Timoshenko beam featuring coupling between flapwise bending and torsional vibrations is performed. At the beginning of the study, kinetic and potential energy expressions of a rotating Timoshenko beam having single cross-sectional symmetry are derived by using several explanatory tables and figures. In the following section, Hamilton’s principle is applied to the derived energy expressions to obtain the governing differential equations of motion. The parameters for the hub radius, rotational speed, rotary inertia, shear deformation, slenderness ratio and bending—torsion coupling are incorporated into the equations of motion. In the solution part, an efficient mathematical technique, called the differential transform method, is used to solve the governing differential equations of motion. Using the computer package Mathematica, the mode shapes are plotted and the effects of the incorporated parameters on the natural frequencies are investigated. The calculated results are tabulated in several tables and plotted in several graphs. In order to validate the calculated results, the beam is also modeled in the finite-element program ABAQUS. Moreover, two illustrative examples, chosen from open literature, are solved for further validation. Consequently, it is observed that there is a good agreement between the results.
Participative Decision Making in Schools: A Mediating-Moderating Analytical Framework for Understanding School and Teacher Outcomes
Authors: Somech Anit
Published: March 2010

The increasing emergence of participation in decision making (PDM) in schools reflects the widely shared belief that flatter management and decentralized authority structures carry the potential for promoting school effectiveness. However, the literature indicates a discrepancy between the intuitive appeal of PDM and empirical evidence in respect of its sweeping advantages. The purpose of this theoretical article is to develop a comprehensive model for understanding the distinct impacts of PDM on school and teachers’ outcomes. The proposed analytical framework is set within contingency theory and is aimed to predict the distinct impacts of PDM on school outcomes: innovation, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and productivity; and on teacher outcomes: job satisfaction and strain. It contains mediator-moderator components, where the mediator factors explain the relationship between PDM and school and teacher outcomes and the moderator factors influence the strength and/or the direction of these relationships. Specifically, the framework suggests that two mechanisms, one motivational and one cognitive, serve as mediators in the PDM-outcomes relationship. Then, by taking a multilevel perspective, the author posits moderators that may facilitate or inhibit the PDM effect: teacher personality (the Big Five personality characteristics) at the individual level, principal-teacher exchange (leader-member exchange; LMX) at the dyadic level, structure (bureaucratic/ organic) at the school level, and culture (individualism/collectivism) at the environmental level.
Constructing interorganizational collaboration
Authors: Huzzard Tony , Ahlberg Beth Maina , Ekman Marianne
Published: March 2010

This article aims to explore critically the role of an action research team in the social construction of interorganizational collaboration aimed at transgressing organizational and professional boundaries. We argue that the new relationships, actor conceptions and in some cases forms of work organization arising from the change process have been socially constructed through the discursive interventions of the researchers. This has largely occurred through informal interaction with and between the actors engaged in the development process. The action researcher, rather than being a neutral discursive gatekeeper in collaborative development projects, is an active constructor of the discourse shaping the collaboration. A case is presented showing how the researcher role is thus better seen as being an active boundary subject mediating across various professional and organizational perspectives rather than a passive boundary object. Accordingly, by focusing on the discursive role of active researchers as boundary subjects, we can reflect more critically on the roles we adopt in our intervention endeavours and their inevitably political nature.
Impact of panic disorder upon self-management educational goals in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Authors: Dowson Claire A , Kuijer Roeline G , Town Ian G , Mulder Roger T
Published: March 2010

The rationale for introducing self-management plans for the whole chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population is uncertain. This study’s aim was to investigate whether people with panic disorder (PD), compared to non-panic-disordered (NPD), derived additional educational or psychological benefits from having a self-management plan. The 24-week prospective study followed 76 participants hospitalized with an exacerbation of COPD. Participants completed mental health questionnaires including psychological measures of self-management plan impact. Subsequently, a nurse provided education for using a self-management plan. All participants were Plan naïve irrespective of their PD status. Self-management knowledge was assessed before introducing the Plan (baseline), 1 week post discharge and at 24 weeks. At baseline 28 (37%) of participants met the criteria for PD and this group had higher scores (better knowledge) for an impending (p < 0.05) and severe exacerbation (p < 0.05) and capacity to act during a severe exacerbation (p < 0.01). No interaction effect was found between PD and NPD scores over time, indicating that the PD’s knowledge did not improve or deteriorate over time relative to the NPD. Evidence was mixed regarding the Plan’s psychological impact. Self-management confidence improved in both groups. Amongst the PD group, perceived control of self-management tasks increased but so did body vigilance and distress about having COPD. There is mixed evidence regarding educational and psychological benefits of COPD self-management plans for people with PD. No additional educational advantages were found for the PD group. Plans may increase confidence and control over self-management but may also increase body vigilance and distress about having COPD.
The Care Pathway Person-Centred Assessment toolkit
Authors: Whelan Annie
Published: March 2010

Annie Whelan works for the Mental Health Providers Forum as Care Pathway Development Manager. Here she discusses a new tool to support mental healthcare services in the UK
Public health support for refugees and asylum seekers
Authors: Philipp Robin
Published: March 2010

Dr Robin Philipp, Consultant Occupational and Public Health Physician, and Director of the Centre for Health in Employment and the Environment at Bristol Royal Infirmary, focuses on a disadvantaged group that is too often overlooked
Influence of tool design on mechanical properties of AZ31 friction stir spot welds
Authors: Yin Y. H. , Sun N. , North T. H. , Hu S. S.
Published: March 2010

The influence of tool design on the energy output, microstructural features and overlap shear strength properties of friction stir spot welds made of AZ31 base material is examined. The mechanical properties of AZ31 friction stir spot welds made using three-flat/threaded tools are superior to those in joints made using a tool with a threaded pin at all tool rotational speed settings. It is proposed that the failure load properties are optimised when the friction stir spot welding operation is carried out in such a manner that it produces a large bonded width, a small v/ t ratio (the height of the hook region above the sheet intersection divided by the thickness of the upper sheet) and a hook region, which is curved outwards from the tool axis.
Investigation on wetting behaviour of B4C by Ni based brazing alloys
Authors: Mirsalehi S. E. , Hadian A. M.
Published: March 2010

In the present study, the wetting behaviour of boron carbide by Ni based brazing alloys has been investigated. Based on the results of wetting experiments using sessile drop method, it has been revealed that these filler metals are generally able to wet B4C surface. This relates to the reactivity of Ni with this ceramic material. The presence of Si in these fillers and its reactivity with the surface of B4C play a major role in wetting improvement. In addition, the existence of Cr in the filler also improves this behaviour. Based on the results of wetting tests, a low wetting angle of 26° was obtained for the filler metal having the highest amounts of Si and Cr. In this article, the microstructure and chemical composition of the interfacial phases have been studied.
Hot cracking behaviour and susceptibility of extra high purity type 310 stainless steels
Authors: Saida K. , Okabe Y. , Hata K. , Nishimoto K. , Kiuchi K. , Nakayama J.
Published: March 2010

Recent progress in the refining technology has enabled the production of highly pure commercial stainless steels. The hot cracking behaviour of these stainless steels was investigated with respect to type 310 stainless steel. For comparison, four types of 310 stainless steels with various amounts of minor and impurity elements such as C, P and S were used. The purity of type 310 stainless steels used was enhanced in the order of type 310<type 310S<type 310ULC<type 310EHP steels. The hot cracking susceptibility was evaluated by the transverse Varestraint test. Two types of hot cracks occurred in these steels by Varestraint test; solidification and ductility-dip cracks. The solidification cracking susceptibility was significantly reduced as the amount of C, P and S decreased, and that in type 310EHP steel reached a level so low that solidification cracking did not occur in practical welding. On the other hand, the ductility-dip cracking susceptibility adversely increased as the purity of the steels was enhanced. However, the ductility-dip cracking susceptibility of type 310EHP steel was sufficiently low as not to yield ductility-dip cracking in practical multipass welding. The experimental and numerical analyses on the solidification brittle temperature range have revealed that the reduced solidification cracking susceptibility upon decreasing the amount of C, P and S in stainless steel can be attributed to the reduced BTR due to the suppression of minor and impurity elements, such as C, P and S, in the finally solidified liquid film between the dendrite.
Macrosegregation mechanisms in arc welds made with dissimilar filler metals
Authors: Yang Y. K. , Kou S.
Published: March 2010

More often than not, filler metals differ from the workpiece in composition. To study macrosegregation in a single alloy system, alloy Cu–30Ni was arc welded with seven different filler metals, including Cu, Cu–12Ni, Cu–22Ni, Cu–30Ni, Cu–45Ni, Cu–67Ni and Ni. It was explained that liquid 1 flowing into liquid 2 of a different composition can cause macrosegregation if liquid 2 is below the liquidus temperature of liquid 1 to make liquid 1 freeze quickly. The liquidus temperatures of the base metal T LB and the bulk weld metal T LW were compared. All four mechanisms proposed recently by the authors were identified: mechanisms I ( T LW< T LB and quick freezing along pool boundary), II ( T LW> T LB and quick freezing along pool boundary), III ( T LW< T LB and quick freezing near pool bottom) and IV ( T LW> T LB and quick freezing near pool bottom).
Early limited nitrosamine exposures exacerbate high fat diet-mediated type 2 diabetes and neurodegeneration
Authors: Tong Ming , Longato Lisa , de la Monte Suzanne M
Published: March 2010

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and several types of neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's, are linked to insulin-resistance, and chronic high dietary fat intake causes T2DM with mild neurodegeneration. Intra-cerebral Streptozotocin, a nitrosamine-related compound, causes neurodegeneration, whereas peripheral treatment causes DM.

Hypothesis

Limited early exposures to nitrosamines that are widely present in the environment, enhance the deleterious effects of high fat intake in promoting T2DM and neurodegeneration.

Methods

Long Evans rat pups were treated with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) by i.p. injection, and upon weaning, they were fed with high fat (60%; HFD) or low fat (5%; LFD) chow for 8 weeks. Cerebella were harvested to assess gene expression, and insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) deficiency and resistance in the context of neurodegeneration.

Results

HFD ± NDEA caused T2DM, neurodegeneration with impairments in brain insulin, insulin receptor, IGF-2 receptor, or insulin receptor substrate gene expression, and reduced expression of tau and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), which are regulated by insulin and IGF-1. In addition, increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine were measured in cerebella of HFD ± NDEA treated rats, and overall, NDEA+HFD treatment reduced brain levels of Tau, phospho-GSK-3β (reflecting increased GSK-3β activity), glial fibrillary acidic protein, and ChAT to greater degrees than either treatment alone. Finally, pro-ceramide genes, examined because ceramides cause insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration, were significantly up-regulated by HFD and/or NDEA exposure, but the highest levels were generally present in brains of HFD+NDEA treated rats.

Conclusions

Early limited exposure to nitrosamines exacerbates the adverse effects of later chronic high dietary fat intake in promoting T2DM and neurodegeneration. The mechanism involves increased generation of ceramides and probably other toxic lipids in brain.
Measles outbreaks in displaced populations: a review of transmission, morbidity and mortality associated factors
Authors: Kouadio Isidore K , Kamigaki Taro , Oshitani Hitoshi
Published: March 2010

Background

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease with a significant public health impact especially among displaced populations due to their characteristic mass population displacement, high population density in camps and low measles vaccination coverage among children. While the fatality rate in stable populations is generally around 2%, evidence shows that it is usually high among populations displaced by disasters. In recent years, refugees and internally displaced persons have been increasing. Our study aims to define the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors associated with measles outbreaks in displaced populations.

Methods

We reviewed literature in the PubMed database, and selected articles for our analysis that quantitatively described measles outbreaks.

Results

A total of nine articles describing 11 measles outbreak studies were selected. The outbreaks occurred between 1979 and 2005 in Asia and Africa, mostly during post-conflict situations. Seven of eight outbreaks were associated with poor vaccination status (vaccination coverage; 17-57%), while one was predominantly due to one-dose vaccine coverage. The age of cases ranged from 1 month to 39 years. Children aged 6 months to 5 years were the most common target group for vaccination; however, 1622 cases (51.0% of the total cases) were older than 5 years of age. Higher case-fatality rates (>5%) were reported for five outbreaks. Consistent factors associated with measles transmission, morbidity and mortality were vaccination status, living conditions, movements of refugees, nutritional status and effectiveness of control measures including vaccination campaigns, surveillance and security situations in affected zones. No fatalities were reported in two outbreaks during which a combination of active and passive surveillance was employed.

Conclusion

Measles patterns have varied over time among populations displaced by natural and man-made disasters. Appropriate risk assessment and surveillance strategies are essential approaches for reducing morbidity and mortality due to measles. Learning from past experiences of measles outbreaks in displaced populations is important for designing future strategies for measles control in such situations.
Proteome characterization of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) somatic embryos, plantlets and tuberous roots
Authors: Li Kaimian , Zhu Wenli , Zeng Kang , Zhang Zhenwen , Ye Jianqiu , Ou Wenjun , Rehman Samrina , Heuer Bruria , Chen Songbi
Published: March 2010

Background

Proteomics is increasingly becoming an important tool for the study of many different aspects of plant functions, such as investigating the molecular processes underlying in plant physiology, development, differentiation and their interaction with the environments. To investigate the cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) proteome, we extracted proteins from somatic embryos, plantlets and tuberous roots of cultivar SC8 and separated them by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

Results

Analysis by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) yielded a total of 383 proteins including isoforms, classified into 14 functional groups. The majority of these were carbohydrate and energy metabolism associated proteins (27.2%), followed by those involved in protein biosynthesis (14.4%). Subsequent analysis has revealed that 54, 59, 74 and 102 identified proteins are unique to the somatic embryos, shoots, adventitious roots and tuberous roots, respectively. Some of these proteins may serve as signatures for the physiological and developmental stages of somatic embryos, shoots, adventitious roots and tuberous root. Western blotting results have shown high expression levels of Rubisco in shoots and its absence in the somatic embryos. In addition, high-level expression of α-tubulin was found in tuberous roots, and a low-level one in somatic embryos. This extensive study effectively provides a huge data set of dynamic protein-related information to better understand the molecular basis underlying cassava growth, development, and physiological functions.

Conclusion

This work paves the way towards a comprehensive, system-wide analysis of the cassava. Integration with transcriptomics, metabolomics and other large scale "-omics" data with systems biology approaches can open new avenues towards engineering cassava to enhance yields, improve nutritional value and overcome the problem of post-harvest physiological deterioration.
Assisted injection in outdoor venues: an observational study of risks and implications for service delivery and harm reduction programming
Authors: Lloyd-Smith Elisa , Rachlis Beth S , Tobin Diane , Stone Dave , Li Kathy , Small Will , Wood Evan , Kerr Thomas
Published: March 2010

Background

Assisted injection and public injection have both been associated with a variety of individual harms including an increased risk of HIV infection. As a means of informing local IDU-driven interventions that target or seek to address assisted injection, we examined the correlates of receiving assistance with injecting in outdoor settings among a cohort of persons who inject drugs (IDU).

Methods

Using data from the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS), an observational cohort study of IDU, generalized estimating equations (GEE) were performed to examine socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with reports of receiving assistance with injecting in outdoor settings.

Results

From January 2004 to December 2005, a total of 620 participants were eligible for the present analysis. Our study included 251 (40.5%) women and 203 (32.7%) self-identified Aboriginal participants. The proportion of participants who reported assisted injection outdoors ranged over time between 8% and 15%. Assisted injection outdoors was independently and positively associated with being female (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.74, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.21-2.50), daily cocaine injection (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.29-2.24), and sex trade involvement (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.00-2.06) and was negatively associated with Aboriginal ethnicity (AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41-0.82).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that a substantial proportion of local IDU engage in assisted injecting in outdoor settings and that the practice is associated with other markers of drug-related harm, including being female, daily cocaine injecting and sex trade involvement. These findings suggest that novel interventions are needed to address the needs of this subpopulation of IDU.
Small ruminant feed systems: perceptions and practices in the transitional zone of Ghana
Authors: Duku Stephanie , van der Zijpp Akke J , Howard Patricia
Published: March 2010

Background

Adequate feeding is essential to realizing the potential of small ruminants to alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers. This study was conducted in two villages in the Ejura-Sekyedumase District of Ghana and was motivated by farmers' non-adoption of modern feed technologies, but more importantly by the need to understand the small ruminant feed system considering farmers' different socio-economic backgrounds and how these relate to small ruminant performance. In this study, the feed system was defined as the type, source and seasonality of feeds and how small ruminants access them.

Methods

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to allow for triangulation. Data were collected in seven stages comprising key informant interviews, a census, a cultural domain study, botanical specimen collection and identification, focus group discussions, a household survey, and a small ruminant performance study.

Results

Farmers listed 175 items that are used as small ruminant feed and salience indexes were calculated. There was high consensus about the domain of small ruminant feeds, with 15 items comprising the consensus model. Respondent agreement scores correlated positively with age and negatively with list length. Respondents from matrilineal lineages had higher agreement scores than those from patrilineal lineages. Natural pasture and wild browse scored high in pair wise ranking by village and sex groups. Of the 33 feeds that farmers fed to goats, maize grains, cassava peels and Margaritaria discoidea were the most salient. Six major feed system groups based on access were identified at household level, which regrouped into three at village level based on feed type and source. Patrilineal households were more likely to tether their livestock. Significant differences were found between some socio-economic groups for pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG) of kids, but not for prolificacy of does.

Conclusions

The need for nutritive and agronomic investigations into major feeds, the creation of non-cropping zones around village fringes and studies on labour demands of different feed systems are proposed. The insight gained in this study on farmers' perceptions and practices relating to small ruminant feeds could guide in the selection and introduction of feed innovations that fit into current feed systems to enhance adoption.
Uses, traditional management, perception of variation and preferences in ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig) fruit traits in Benin: implications for domestication and conservation
Authors: Ekué Marius RM , Sinsin Brice , Eyog-Matig Oscar , Finkeldey Reiner
Published: March 2010

Background

Blighia sapida is a woody perennial multipurpose fruit tree species native to the Guinean forests of West Africa. The fleshy arils of the ripened fruits are edible. Seeds and capsules of the fruits are used for soap-making and all parts of the tree have medicinal properties. Although so far overlooked by researchers in the region, the tree is highly valued by farmers and is an important component of traditional agroforestry systems in Benin. Fresh arils, dried arils and soap are traded in local and regional markets in Benin providing substantial revenues for farmers, especially women. Recently, ackee has emerged as high-priority species for domestication in Benin but information necessary to elaborate a clear domestication strategy is still very sketchy. This study addresses farmers' indigenous knowledge on uses, management and perception of variation of the species among different ethnic groups taking into account also gender differences.

Methods

240 randomly selected persons (50% women) belonging to five different ethnic groups, 5 women active in the processing of ackee fruits and 6 traditional healers were surveyed with semi-structured interviews. Information collected refer mainly to the motivation of the respondents to conserve ackee trees in their land, the local uses, the perception of variation, the preference in fruits traits, the management practices to improve the production and regenerate ackee.

Results

People have different interests on using ackee, variable knowledge on uses and management practices, and have reported nine differentiation criteria mainly related to the fruits. Ackee phenotypes with preferred fruit traits are perceived by local people to be more abundant in managed in-situ and cultivated stands than in unmanaged wild stands, suggesting that traditional management has initiated a domestication process. As many as 22 diseases have been reported to be healed with ackee. In general, indigenous knowledge about ackee varies among ethnic and gender groups.

Conclusions

With the variation observed among ethnic groups and gender groups for indigenous knowledge and preference in fruits traits, a multiple breeding sampling strategy is recommended during germplasm collection and multiplication. This approach will promote sustainable use and conservation of ackee genetic resources.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces IL-17A responses through TLR4 and dectin-1 and is critically dependent on endogenous IL-1
Authors: van de Veerdonk Frank L , Teirlinck Anne C , Kleinnijenhuis Johanneke , Kullberg Bart Jan , van Crevel Reinout , van der Meer Jos W M , Joosten Leo A B , Netea Mihai G
Published: March 2010

IL-17A production induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis through TLR4 and dectin-1 is dependent on the steps necessary for the induction of endogenous IL-1β.

In the present study, we dissected the pathways that trigger the IL-17A responses by MTB. Dectin-1 and TLR4 were shown to be involved in MTB-induced IL-17A production, and blockade of the NOD2, TLR2, or MR had no effect on IL-17A. The MAPK Erk, known to mediate transcription of IL-1β mRNA, was strongly involved in the IL-17A production induced by MTB. The intracellular enzymes caspase-1 and serine proteases, which process pro-IL-1β into the active IL-1β, were also crucial for the induction of IL-17A. Lastly, the MTB-induced IL-17A response was strongly dependent on signaling through the IL-1R but not the IL-6R pathway. In conclusion, the MTB-induced IL-17A response relies strongly on the endogenous IL-1 pathway and IL-1R signaling. TLR4 and dectin-1 are the main receptors responsible for mediating the signals responsible for IL-17A production by MTB. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the host response to mycobacteria and provide the opportunity to explore potential, novel, therapeutic strategies against TB.
Private Secretaries in Early-Twentieth-Century America
Authors: Hoffert Sylvia D.
Published: March 2010

Based on legal documents, letters, and memoirs, this article describes the lives of private secretaries who often served as personal companions and the social context in which they worked, specifically focusing on the women who Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont, a New York society matron and woman's rights advocate, employed in that capacity from 1916 to 1933. It examines the nature of their employment, the emotional and social tensions that plagued their efforts to situate themselves into the world of wealth and privilege, and the way they negotiated those tensions. It argues that the work of women such as these was critical on both a practical and emotional level to the ability of society matrons to carry out their public lives.
Film thickness prediction in elastohydrodynamically lubricated elliptical contacts
Authors: Canzi A , Venner C H , Lubrecht A A
Published: March 2010

This paper analyses the minimum and central film thickness evolution of elastohydrodynamically lubricated contacts, from circular to wide elliptical contacts. It is shown that already for moderate ellipticity, the minimum film thickness is found on the centre-line of the contact, rather than in the side lobes as for the circular contact. In such cases, the film thickness can be accurately predicted from an equivalent line contact, defined as the line contact with the same Hertzian pressure, radius of curvature, and speed and oil parameters. In this paper, a formula is presented to predict the central film thickness in elliptical contacts using prediction formulas for the line and circular contacts as limiting cases, and the results of numerical calculations to fit the film thickness variation with ellipticity. The formula gives an accurate prediction of the central film thickness over the entire ellipticity regime.
Influence of grease formulation on thrust bearings power loss
Authors: Cousseau T , Graça B M , Campos A V , Seabra J H O
Published: March 2010

The minimization of the power loss and the use of the biodegradable greases have attracting considerable attention. To compare the energetic performance of biodegradable lubricant greases, power loss tests were performed on a modified four-ball machine. A correlation between the grease formulation and rheology was established with its energetic performance.
Effect of friction force between piston rings and liner: A parametric study of speed, load, temperature, piston-ring curvature, and high-temperature, high-shear viscosity
Authors: Dellis P S
Published: March 2010

Efficient engine operation is combined with effective lubrication in the ring/cylinder interface. On the one hand, there should be enough lubricant on the surfaces and, on the other hand, the lubricant contribution to combustion and, thus, to hydrocarbons and particulate emissions should be minimized. These requirements present a challenge to formulate new additives that would enable the lubricant to operate in the demanding circumstances inside the internal combustion engine and at the same time contribute to an environmentally friendly operation. This study is focused on parametric friction force measurements, their appearance close to the dead centres of the stroke, and how load, speed, and temperature affect the friction maxima. An approach is also attempted to the role of high-temperature, high-shear viscosity for a group of CASTROL lubricants. Piston rings with different curvatures were also tested, and friction power losses for each testing case are presented.
Selecting Participants When Testing New Drugs: the Implications of Age and Gender Discrimination
Authors: Ferguson Pamela R
Published: March 2010

Pharmaceutical products are rigorously tested for safety and efficacy prior to being licensed for use. During this testing process the archetypal research subject is a young male; women and older people are less frequently invited to participate. This is especially true at the early stages, but can also occur in the later phases of drug testing. This paper considers the reasons for the relative under-representation of these groups, and the legal implications of failing to include as research subjects the very types of people who will ultimately consume these drugs.
Epidemiology of needlestick injuries among health-care workers in Awassa City, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Tadesse Moges , Tadesse Takele
Published: March 2010

Accidental needlestick injuries sustained by health-care workers are a common occupational hazard and a public health issue in health-care settings. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and 30.9% of health-care workers had experienced at least one needlestick injury in the previous year.
Managing chromoblastomycosis
Authors: Ameen Mahreen
Published: March 2010

Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection caused by the traumatic inoculation of the skin with pigmented saprophytic moulds. Although infection is rarely fatal, it is characteristically chronic and can be complicated by lymphatic damage and malignant transformation. Despite a variety of treatment modalities, which are often combined and include long courses of antifungals, surgical excision and destructive physical therapies, it remains one of the most difficult deep mycotic infections to eradicate.
Amputation and disability following snakebite in Nigeria
Authors: Abubakar S B , Habib A G , Mathew J
Published: March 2010

Snakebite is an important cause of amputation and disability in rural communities throughout the tropics. However, the details of the causes, types and estimates of disability are lacking. This report describes 16 snakebite victims who had amputations, including two who had above-knee amputations. The patients presented with limb swelling (16), gangrene (15), ischaemia (4) and three had possible compartment syndrome. All the patients used ineffective time wasting remedies that were potentially harmful as first-aid. The median delay to hospital following bite was 2.5 days. In order to prevent disability, efforts should be made to: reduce delay before hospital presentation; improve the knowledge of first-aid; provide effective antivenoms; improve wound and clinical care in communities; and improve facilities.
Erythema nodosum in the course of Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever
Authors: Bijani Behzad , Mardani Masood , Toosi Parviz
Published: March 2010

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is an emerging zoonosis with a wide geographic distribution and protean clinical manifestations. The main pathogenesis of this infection has not been elucidated. Erythema nodosum is an immunologically-mediated dermatologic disease and the most common form of panniculitis that has been associated with many infections and inflammatory disorders. We describe a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever with severe bleeding diathesis and hepatic failure that was successfully treated with oral ribavirin. The patient presented with erythema nodosum in the course of disease. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and erythema nodosum have not been reported to occur together. We present the first reported case of erythema nodosum associated with this emerging viral infection. Furthermore, it may influence our opinion about pathogenesis and immunologic mechanisms of this disease.
Outbreak of beriberi in the state of Maranhão, Brazil: revisiting the mycotoxin aetiologic hypothesis
Authors: Lima Helena Cristina Alves Vieira , Porto Eucilene Alves Santana , Marins José Ricardo Pio , Alves Rejane Maria , Machado Rosângela Rosa , Braga Karla Neves Laranjeira , de Paiva Francisca Bernardes , Carmo Greice Madeleine Ikeda , Faria Silva e Santelli Ana Carolina , Sobel Jeremy
Published: March 2010

Beriberi is caused by thiamine deficiency. Early 20th century epidemics in Japan were attributed to rice contaminated by citreoviridin mycotoxin. Our investigation of an outbreak of beriberi in Brazil showed an association of beriberi with the consumption of poor quality subsistence farming rice, although, unlike other investigators of this outbreak, we did not identify citreoviridin producing fungi in the implicated rice.
Hair dye poisoning – an emerging problem in the tropics: an experience from a tertiary care hospital in South India
Authors: Chrispal Anugrah , Begum Anisa , Ramya I , Zachariah Anand
Published: March 2010

Super-Vasmol, a cheap, freely-available hair dye is emerging as a major cause of suicidal poisoning in India. It contains potential toxins including paraphenylene diamine, resorcinol, sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and propylene glycol which can result in multiorgan dysfunction.

A retrospective study was conducted over 3.5 years (January 2006 – July 2009) of 13 consecutive patients with Super-Vasmol poisoning admitted to a tertiary care, referral hospital in South India. A chart review including records of clinical presentations, laboratory findings and treatment details was carried out.

Eleven of the patients were women and the mean age was 27.2 years. The predominant clinical features were cervico-facial oedema and pain, cola-coloured urine and oliguria. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated hepatic transaminases (100%), leucocytosis (92.3%), elevated creatinine phosphokinase (92.3%), metabolic acidosis (84.6%), hypocalcaemia (61.5%), hyperphosphataemia (46.2%) and renal failure (38.5%). Eight of the patients were discharged with complete recovery. Trends towards a poor outcome were evident among the following patients: late presentation at our centre; when no gastric lavage was done at the primary-care centre; those requiring tracheostomy/intubation at the primary centre; presentation with a low Glasgow Coma Score or seizures; established renal failure; and those who subsequently require dialysis, mechanical ventilation or intensive care.

Hair dye poisoning classically presents with cervico-facial oedema, severe rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. Early therapy with tracheostomy and aggressive forced diuresis are essential in order to prevent the high mortality associated with this toxin. It is imperative to raise public awareness of the potential toxicity of the dye as well as to educate physicians about the need for aggressive and early treatment.
MRSA – too many hurdles to overcome: a study from Central India
Authors: Mallick Sanjay Kumar , Basak Silpi
Published: March 2010

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are commonly associated with nosocomial infections and are usually resistant to many antibiotics. This study describes the prevalence of MRSA strains and their antibiogram in a tertiary care hospital in Central India. The detection of MRSA was done by a cefoxitin (30 µg) disc diffusion test. Antibiotic sensitivity tests were done as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines 2006.

Of the 280 S. aureus strains studied: 145 (51.8%) strains were MRSA; 51 (35.2%) MRSA strains were inducible clindamycin resistant; and all (100%) MRSA strains were resistant to penicillin and sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.

In order to detect the MRSA strains, cefoxitin disc diffusion tests should be used routinely in any microbiology laboratory to enable prompt treatment for the patient.
Removal of Sulfur and Ash from Coal Using Molten Caustic Leaching, a Case Study from Hazro Fields, Turkey
Authors: Duz M. Zahir , Saydut Abdurrahman , Erdogan Sait , Hamamci Candan
Published: March 2010

Molten caustic leaching process is effective in reducing significant amount of ash derived from minerals, pyritic sulfur, and organic sulfur from coal. The effect of leaching coal samples from Hazro fields, situated in Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey with molten sodium hydroxide as well as followed by mild acid on demineralization and desulfurization was investigated. The effects of alkali/coal ratio, time, and temperature on the leaching efficiency were detailed and the experimental results are presented here. Chemical demineralization and desulfurization of coal samples using molten sodium hydroxide was investigated in the temperature range of 200−400°C. The percentage of demineralization and desulfurization increased with the increase in alkali/coal ratio. The removal of total sulfur and ash increases with increasing leaching temperature and time. As a result of MCL, ash content of Hazro coal was reduced from 18.31 to 6.77 %, and 70% of combustible was recovered. Total sulfur and volatile matter content was reduced from 7.54 to 1.01% and from 47.80 to 12.41%, respectively. Most of the inorganic sulfur and a significant portion of the organic sulfur were removed.
Accumulation and Average Contents of Trace Elements in the High-Moor Peat of Tomsk Region (Western Siberia, Russia)
Authors: Mezhibor A.M. , Arbuzov S.I. , Rikhvanov L.P.
Published: March 2010

In 18 ombrotrophic peat deposits, the average contents of 25 trace elements were determined. The studied peat deposits of Tomsk region are characterized by high concentrations of Fe, Co, Ba, Cr, Sr, Br, Sb and Au. This specific range of trace elements was determined as a characteristic for Tomsk region. The estimations of average contents of trace elements in the high-moor peat were recommended as the background level for studies of the changing of atmosphere fallouts composition using the high-moor peat as an indicator of the environment pollution. The southern-eastern part of Tomsk region were determined as the most polluted according to results of elements concentrations at this territory and taking into account the influence from industries of Tomsk-Seversk industrial agglomeration.