bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formability of Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastics in Hot Press Forming Process Based on Friction Properties
Authors: Sachs Ulrich , Haanappel Sebastiaan P. , Rietman Bert , Ten Thije Rene , Akkerman Remko
Published: June 2013

High performance composites are used in commercial applications in a steadily growing degree. This increase of advanced materials is accomponied with the development of fully automated fabrication processes. It aims to drive down the time and costs of the production while ensuring a high quality of the product. This can achieved by considering the process of hot press forming with continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The development of the process is, however, accompanied with a few difficulties, which require more research. For example, composite materials with different architectures, lay-ups, and constituents, show large differences in formability. This research examines the effect of friction on the formability of thermoplastic composites. Both experiments and simulations were conducted. Demonstrator products have been press-formed from laminates with different materials and architectures (UD-carbon PEEK, UD-carbon-PEI, 8hs-glass PPS, 5hs-carbon PEEK and UD-glass PPS), to investigate their effects on formability. Creating a doubly curved shape from a flat laminate requires at least three deformation mechanisms, namely in-plane shear, bending and inter-ply slippage This paper focuses on the sliding mechanism and the corresponding friction. In order to quantify the amount of sliding in the press-formed product, a dot pattern has been applied to both surfaces of the laminate. The slip between the outer plies can be analyzed by means of photogrammetry. Besides, the friction coefficient of each material is measured in a special designed friction test set-up. It can be seen that the composite formability is directly linked to its friction properties. FE simulations of the press-form process will be performed based on the measured material properties, to demonstrate the influence of the materials friction coefficient.
Simple Tests as Critical Indicator of Intra-Ply Shear Locking
Authors: Wolthuizen D.J. , Ten Thije R.H.W. , Akkerman R.
Published: June 2013

Standard finite elements can exhibit the numerical artifact of intra-plyshear locking during forming simulations. The displacement fields of elementsare piecewise continuous and cannot correctly capturediscontinuities in the shear field. This shear locking is illustrated insimulations of bias-extension experiments with an unaligned mesh. Two simpletests were developed as a critical indicator of intra-ply shear locking intriangular elements. A single-element-test shows the origin of the locking anda pull-out test indicates locking caused by small misalignments of theelements.
Microstructure Analysis of High-Manganese TWIP Steels Produced via Strip Casting
Authors: Daamen Markus , Richter Silvia , Hirt Gerhard
Published: June 2013

Steels with manganese contents of more than 20% offer a new and favourable combination of material properties like high strength and high ductility. These extraordinary mechanical properties are based on the TWIP effect, which depends on the Stacking Fault Energy (SFE). But there are still problems in the conventional production of high-manganese steels, which prevents their widespread use. Both in casting and subsequent hot rolling difficulties occur, with the consequence that the production is very expensive. One alternative production process of high-manganese steels is strip casting, which basic feasibility was shown in earlier work. Strip casting allows the casting and rolling of hot strip in one combined process. In this way hot strip with a thickness of less than 3 mm could be produced. Characteristic for the strip cast material is the as-cast structure with a fine dendritic structure, which shows pronounced microsegregations with a short wavelength. The pronounced microsegregations can have an impact on the local chemical composition and thus on the dominating forming mechanisms that occur. In this work therefore the microsegregations of strip cast material are investigated by means of electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) measurement. Besides the local element distribution, also the presence and composition of non-metallic inclusions are analysed. Especially oxides from the casting process and sulfides from the raw material are expected. Furthermore, different annealing processes for the elimination of the dendritic as-cast structure are examined. In these experiments the temperatures were varied in the range from 900 to 1150°C at annealing times from several minutes to a few hours.
Cold Piercing of Cylindrical Aluminum Billet with Counter Punch Pressure
Authors: Matsumoto Ryo , Utsunomiya Hiroshi
Published: June 2013

To make a hole with a high aspect ratio (depth/diameter) for lightweight structural components, piercing of cylindrical billet of aluminum alloy was carried out against a counter pressure on a servo-controlled double axis press. To obtain smooth shear surface of pierced hole, the counter pressure was applied to the billet by a counter punch from the opposite side of a piercing punch during piercing. Irrespective of amount of clearance of die–piercing punch, ratio of the length of shear surface/depth of pierced hole in the pierced billet reached about 0.9 by applying a counter punch pressure of 0.2 GPa. The maximum aspect ratio of the hole in the proposed piercing method was estimated to be approximately of 15 for the aluminum billet from viewpoints of buckling and strength of the punch.
Coupled Thermo-Mechanical-Metallurgical Analysis of an Hot Forging Process of Titanium Alloy
Authors: Ducato Antonino , Fratini Livan , Micari Fabrizio
Published: June 2013

In the present paper a numerical FEM model for the analysis of a forming process of a complex shape component is presented. The model, developed using the commercial implicit code DEFORM™, can take into account both the thermo-mechanical evolution and the microstructural evolution of the considered material. In this case the Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy was because it was possible to carry out a very good characterization into a FEM ambient. In particular the code can calculate the phase distribution of the main phases of the alloy as consequence of the thermo-mechanical history of the material during a hot forging process. At the end of the simulation the output data was showing to analyze the validity and the quality of the model by a numerical point of view.
Development of Metal Hollow Sphere Sheet and its Formability and Mechanical Property
Authors: Yoshida Yoshinori , Otsuka Yoshihiro
Published: June 2013

A metal hollow sphere (MHS) sheet structure is developed and its mechanical property is investigated. We performed piercings for steel MHS and placed them on a piece of tungsten wire to make an MHS thread. MHS sheets with two kinds of construction have been developed using the thread; plain weave construction and reverse stitching construction. Their tensile property is investigated through tensile test, where advanced specific tensile strength and plateau tensile behaviour are found. Its mechanism is investigated using video and the properties compared with conventional MHS clusters. A block cluster is made from the sheet and compression property is researched by observing their breaking behaviour. The sheet is introduced into a pure aluminium tube and energy absorption through side compression is evaluated.
Modeling Thixoforming Process Using the eXtended Finite Element Method and the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian Formulation
Authors: Biotteau Ewen , Bussetta Philippe , Ponthot Jean Philippe
Published: June 2013

This contribution proposes to model thixoforming processes using the eXtended Finite Element Method (X-FEM). The X-FEM is very suitable for modeling forming processes with complex tool geometries as the mesh does not need to conform with the boundary of the structure. Even if the use of the X-FEM helps to describe the boundary position, the mesh still deforms when the structure is stressed. To avoid mesh distortions that appear in large deformation analysis, an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation is used (ALE) [3].
An Efficient Algorithm for Modeling the Thermo-Mechanical Material Response of Heavy Steel Plates during Accelerated Cooling
Authors: Essl Werner , Antretter Thomas , Parteder Erik
Published: June 2013

Heavy steel plates are among the most essential construction elements for plant and heavy machinery. Their production involves hot rolling, followed by accelerated cooling and leveling. In this work, the focus is put on modelling the accelerated cooling step. It is the goal to build an algorithm which can be used for a virtual design of the accelerated cooling process in order to minimize distortion. Simulation of accelerated cooling requires a complex material model since various physical effects are involved, when plates are cooled down from 850°C to room temperature. Above all, the material undergoes a phase transformation from the austenitic parent phase to the bainitic product phase. The phase transformation is accompanied by metallurgical strains as well as transformation induced plasticity [1]. The highly nonlinear material behavior calls for implicit local integration. To this end, an implicit procedure is formulated within the plane stress theory accounting for plasticity and TRIP. Moreover, it provides the consistent elasto-plastic material stiffness. The global level normally requires an excessive number of DOFs for reliable predictions. It is a challenging task to make accurate predictions about the plate behavior (especially curvature) at the same time avoiding an excessive number of DOFs. A 3D calculation (Fig. 1) is still needed to verify the assumptions that are permitted to reduce the number of DOFs without losing accuracy. Eventually, the fast computation algorithm describes the approximate deformation of the plate by 3 DOFs only, enabling a reduction of computation time by several orders of magnitude. Due to its speed the algorithm can be used as an efficient tool for a virtual process design to obtain minimized distortion at the end of the cooling step (Fig. 2).
Development of Upsetting-Extrusion Type Tribometer for Evaluating Lubrication Coating Performance in Cold Forging
Authors: Wang Zhi Gang , Komiyama Shinobu , Yoshikawa Yasuharu
Published: June 2013

A new upsetting-extrusion type tribometer has been developed to investigate the performance of the lubrication coating on the side surface of a billet in the multi-stage cold forging. In this tribometer, the lubrication coating is first destroyed by the upsetting process due to the free expansion of the billet surface and then evaluated by the extrusion process. The frictional shear factor of the lubrication coating is obtained by plotting the measured extrusion load and the position after the extrusion of a centerline drawn on the billet in advance on the calibration curve obtained by FEM. Experimental results using a zinc phosphate coating and a dry in-place type coating showed that the reduced peak height Rpk is more appropriate than the maximum height Rz to express the effect of the surface roughness of tool on galling generation. When no galling occurs, the frictional shear factor hardly varies with the type of the lubrication coating and the surface expansion ratio. The anti-galling ability of the dry in-place type coating is greatly improved by a two-stage shot blast before the lubrication coating and reaches a level better than the zinc phosphate coating.
Incremental ECAP with Converging Billets
Authors: Rosochowski Andrzej , Olejnik Lech
Published: June 2013

Abstract: A new concept of incremental equal channel angular pressing (I-ECAP) with converging billets is proposed and simulated numerically. It follows a recently introduced process of ECAP with converging billets, in which the contact surface between converging billets plays the same role as a movable die wall in the output channel of classical ECAP and thus reduces friction and the process force. The process productivity is doubled and material pickup, especially problematic in the output channel, avoided. However, ECAP with converging billets, as any ECAP-based process, suffers from a limited length of the billets it can process. This paper proposes an incremental version of ECAP with converging billets, which enables processing very long billets. Additionally, a new option for ECAP or I-ECAP with converging billets is considered, which assumes their separation with a movable tool. This tool can also be used to apply a back force. FEM simulations of all these processes enable their comparison in terms of strain distribution and the force required.
Route Effects in I-ECAP of AZ31B Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Gzyl Michal , Rosochowski Andrzej , Yakushina Evgenia , Wood Paul , Olejnik Lech
Published: June 2013

An AZ31B wrought magnesium alloy was processed by incremental equal channel angular pressing (I-ECAP) using routes A and BC. Despite the fact that the measured grain size for both routes was very similar, the mechanical properties were different. Tensile strength was improved using route A comparing to route BC, without ductility loss, while tension-compression anisotropy observed for route A was significantly suppressed when using route BC. Moreover, billet shape evolution resulting from subsequent passes of I-ECAP was studied. Significant distortion after processing using route BC and no occurrence of such effect for route A were observed. Results of a finite element analysis showed that non-uniform strain rate sensitivity might be responsible for different billet shapes. The conclusion is drawn that processing route has a strong influence on the billet shape and mechanical properties when processing magnesium alloys by I-ECAP.
Enhancing Mechanical Properties and Formability of AISI 301LN Stainless Steel Sheet by Local Laser Heat Treatment
Authors: Järvenpää Antti , Jaskari Matias , Karjalainen Pentti , Hietala Mikko
Published: June 2013

This study demonstrates applying local laser heat treatment to produce ultrafine-grained austenite (UFGA) structures in an AISI 301LN type commercial austenitic steel. Pieces of 50% cold-rolled sheets containing more than 90% strain-induced martensite were heated locally by a laser beam to various peak temperatures to obtain different degrees of martensite reversion to austenite. Mechanical properties and formability of grain-refined and coarse-grained structures were measured by tensile and Erichsen cup tests. In addition to standard Erichsen cup test, additional interrupted tests were carried out, where cups were first stretched close to the critical strain. Drawn cups were then heated locally by a laser beam to revitalize the structure and thereby enhance the formability in the following cupping test until failure. Results showed that local laser heat treatment is suitable for the reversion treatment to refine the austenite grain size. Various structures were produced: completely reverted microstructures (T > 700 °C) with grain sizes 0.9 - 2 µm in addition to partially reverted structure (T < 700 °C) containing nano- and ultrafine-grained austenite (0.6 µm) with some martensite. The grain refinement by local annealing improved the strength properties. The Erichsen cup tests showed that the formability was equal in the completely reverted ultrafine-grained structures to that of the coarse-grained sheets. It was demonstrated that the local laser treatment restored formability of the drawn cups, allowing stretching to be continued. The second forming step after the laser-treatment provided an enhancement of 19 and 14% in the cup depths in coarse-grained and ultrafine-grained steels, respectively, even though the laser-treatment parameters were not optimized yet.
Numerical Modeling of Ductile Plastic Damage in Tensile Test
Authors: Papadia Gabriele , Primo Teresa , Schipa Silvia
Published: June 2013

Material behaviour description frequently used in commercial codes may not be adequate to simulate real forming processes. One of the reasons is the fact that they rarely include the modeling of internal damage of material. This is a decisive feature in order to be able to predict defective parts in processes like forging or to describe processes in which fracture is a part of the process itself as in sheet blanking or metal cutting. In large deformation of metals, when plastic deformation reaches a threshold level, which may depend on the loading, the fatigue limit and the ultimate stress, a ductile damage process may occur concomitantly with the plastic deformation due to the nucleation, growth and coalescence of micro-voids. Although damage and plastic deformation are two distinct dissipative processes, they influence each other. In this paper a numerical benchmark of the uniaxial tensile tests, for aluminium alloy, has been performed using Ls-Dyna and Deform 2D without damage. Then, a numerical uniaxial tensile tests has been studied using a coupled model of elasto-plasticity and ductile damage implemented in LS-DYNA. Experimental material property present in literature has been used.
Development of an Inverse Routine to Predict Residual Stresses in the Material Based on a Bending Test
Authors: Abvabi Akbar , Rolfe Bernard F. , Hodgson Peter , Weiss Matthias
Published: June 2013

Bending with unloading and reverse bending are the dominant material deformations in roll forming and hence property data derived from bend tests could be more relevant than tensile test data for numerical simulation of the roll forming process. Recent investigations have shown that residual stresses affect the material behaviour close to the yield in a bending test. So, Residual stress introduced during prior steel processing may affect the roll forming process and therefore needs to be included in roll forming simulations to achieve improved model accuracy. Measuring the residual stress profile experimentally is expensive, difficult, time consuming and has limited accuracy. Analytical models are available that allow the determination of residual stress. However, for this detailed information about the pre-processing conditions is required; this information is generally not available for roll forming materials. The main goal of this study is to develop an inverse routine that generates a residual stress profile through the thickness of the material based on pure bend test data.
RKIP Contributes to IFN-γ Synthesis by CD8+ T Cells after Serial TCR Triggering in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Authors: Wright Kyle T. , Vella Anthony T.
Published: June 2013

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is associated with the development of severe medical complications, including progression to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and even death. To date, only marginal improvements in terms of therapeutic options have been established for patients affected by SIRS. Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a regulator of MAPK and NF-κB signaling cascades, which are both critical for production of the proinflammatory cytokines responsible for SIRS initiation. By testing a T cell–dependent mouse model of SIRS that utilizes staphylococcal enterotoxin A specific for Vβ3+ T cells, we show that RKIP is necessary for the exaggerated production of IFN-γ from SIRS splenocytes. This effect was not due to differences in T cell expansion, IL-10 production, or APC priming, but rather a cell-intrinsic defect lying downstream of the TCR in staphylococcal enterotoxin A–specific CD8+ T cells. Importantly, mice lacking RKIP were still able to proliferate, survive, and contribute to cytokine production in response to pathogen associated molecular pattern-TLR–mediated stimuli, despite the TCR-dependent defects seen in our SIRS model. Finally, by blocking RKIP in wild-type SIRS splenocytes, the IFN-γ response by CD8+ Vβ3+ T cells was significantly diminished. These data suggest that RKIP may be a potential therapeutic target in SIRS by curbing effector cytokine production from CD8+ T cells during serial TCR triggering.
Indicator mineral abundance data for bedrock, till, and stream sediment samples from the Sisson W-Mo deposit, New Brunswick
Authors: McClenaghan M B , Parkhill M A , Averill S A , Pronk A G , Seaman A
A , Boldon R , McCurdy M
W , Rice J M
Published: June 2013

As part of the Geological Survey of Canada's Targeted Geoscience Initiative 4 (TGI-4) Program, till, stream sediment, and bedrock samples around the Sisson W-Mo deposit in west-central New Brunswick were collected to determine the indicator minerals and their
trace element signatures that are indicative of intrusion-hosted W-Mo deposits. The purpose of this open file is to report the raw indicator mineral weight and abundance data for bedrock, till, and stream sediment samples collected in 2011 and 2012 for this case study. Samples were processed by the
commercial laboratory Overburden Drilling Management Limited, Ottawa, ON, using a combination of tabling, panning, and heavy liquids to recover potential indicator minerals.
Sample locations, weights of various fractions produced during sample processing, and indicator mineral grains identified are reported in this open file.
Palliative chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell cancer - What is best in Indian population? A time without symptoms, treatment toxicity score based study
Authors: Anuradha V , Anand B.B. , Suresh A. V. S. , Sinha Sudha , Babu S Chinna , Suresh K
Published: June 2013

Background: Patients with recurrent and metastatic head and neck Squamous Cell Cancer (HNSCC) have poor prognosis with limited treatment options. In view of decimal prognosis, the treatment decision should include quality of life (QOL) issues, cost-effectiveness besides the response rates and survival. Aim: Present retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate efficacy (disease-free survival), pharmacoeconomics, and toxicity profile of four (4) different regimens, viz. gefitinib alone, gefitinib with methotrexate, methotrexate alone, or 5-FU with cisplatin. Materials and Methods: Case records between 2007 September and 2008 September were analyzed, 68 patients were found suitable for analysis. Patients received gefitinib (250 mg/day), methotrexate as 50 mg intramuscular weekly or a combination of the same or 5-FU 750 mg/m 2 /day for 4 days along with cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 /day on day 1 in 21-day cycle. Results: A total of 68 patients received therapy. Fifty-one patients have clinically meaningful response (stable disease + complete + partial responses) (75%) and had symptomatic improvement. The median progression-free survival was significantly superior in responders (those who achieved partial or complete response) (8.4 months vs. 3.1 months, P=0.001). Methotrexate with gefitinib had maximum median survival and better overall QOL compared to the other treatment regimens. Weekly methotrexate is relatively cost-effective followed by methotrexate with gefitinib and gefitinib alone. 5-FU with cisplatin in our experience does not appear so attractive in view of high complication rates (when given in full doses) and prolonged hospital stay. Conclusion: Based on the results of this retrospective analysis, methotrexate weekly as single agent or in combination with gefitinib appears as an attractive alternative regimen for patients with metastatic HNSCC including those having poor performance status. A prospective study was planned and submitted to the local ethics committee based on above results to validate these results and compare methotrexate and gefitinib arm with 5-FU + cisplatin.
Candida albicans endocarditis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A dreaded complication of intensive chemotherapy
Authors: Chaudhary Narendra , Vishwanath Manini , Pahuja Mohit , Borker Anupama
Published: June 2013

Candida endocarditis is a rare entity during febrile neutropenia due to early introduction of empirical antifungal therapy. Early surgical intervention has diagnostic and therapeutic importance in Candida endocarditis. We report a case of Candida albicans endocarditis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on chemotherapy. The role of surgical intervention is discussed.
Deep Sternal Wound Complications: An Overview of Old and new Therapeutic Options
Authors: Rupprecht Leopold , Schmid Christof
Published: June 2013

Deep sternal wound complications represent a significant problem in current open heart surgery and still pose a tremendous challenge to surgeons. Over the years, many treatment modalities have been proposed, but only few found their way into daily clinical practice of cardiothoracic surgeons. A gold standard has not been defined yet. This review was designed to give an overview of the preferred surgical strategies.
Estimating regional methane surface fluxes: the relative importance of surface and GOSAT mole fraction measurements
Authors: Fraser A. , Palmer P. I. , Feng L. , Boesch H. , Cogan A. , Parker R. , Dlugokencky E. J. , Fraser P. J. , Krummel P. B. , Langenfelds R. L. , O'Doherty S. , Prinn R. G. , Steele L. P. , van der Schoot M. , Weiss R. F.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. We use an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), together with the GEOS-Chem chemistry transport model, to estimate regional monthly methane (CH4) fluxes for the period June 2009–December 2010 using proxy dry-air column-averaged mole fractions of methane (XCH4) from GOSAT (Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite) and/or NOAA ESRL (Earth System Research Laboratory) and CSIRO GASLAB (Global Atmospheric Sampling Laboratory) CH4 surface mole fraction measurements. Global posterior estimates using GOSAT and/or surface measurements are between 510–516 Tg yr−1, which is less than, though within the uncertainty of, the prior global flux of 529 ± 25 Tg yr−1. We find larger differences between regional prior and posterior fluxes, with the largest changes in monthly emissions (75 Tg yr−1) occurring in Temperate Eurasia. In non-boreal regions the error reductions for inversions using the GOSAT data are at least three times larger (up to 45%) than if only surface data are assimilated, a reflection of the greater spatial coverage of GOSAT, with the two exceptions of latitudes >60° associated with a data filter and over Europe where the surface network adequately describes fluxes on our model spatial and temporal grid. We use CarbonTracker and GEOS-Chem XCO2 model output to investigate model error on quantifying proxy GOSAT XCH4 (involving model XCO2) and inferring methane flux estimates from surface mole fraction data and show similar resulting fluxes, with differences reflecting initial differences in the proxy value. Using a series of observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) we characterize the posterior flux error introduced by non-uniform atmospheric sampling by GOSAT. We show that clear-sky measurements can theoretically reproduce fluxes within 10% of true values, with the exception of tropical regions where, due to a large seasonal cycle in the number of measurements because of clouds and aerosols, fluxes are within 15% of true fluxes. We evaluate our posterior methane fluxes by incorporating them into GEOS-Chem and sampling the model at the location and time of surface CH4 measurements from the AGAGE (Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment) network and column XCH4 measurements from TCCON (Total Carbon Column Observing Network). The posterior fluxes modestly improve the model agreement with AGAGE and TCCON data relative to prior fluxes, with the correlation coefficients (r2) increasing by a mean of 0.04 (range: −0.17 to 0.23) and the biases decreasing by a mean of 0.4 ppb (range: −8.9 to 8.4 ppb).
Centennial-scale shifts in the position of the Southern Hemisphere westerly wind belt over the past millennium
Authors: Koffman B. G. , Kreutz K. J. , Breton D. J. , Kane E. J. , Winski D. A. , Birkel S. D. , Kurbatov A. V. , Handley M. J.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. We present the first high-resolution (sub-annual) dust particle dataset from West Antarctica, developed from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide deep ice core (79.468° S, 112.086° W), and use it to reconstruct past atmospheric circulation. We find a background dust flux of ∼4 mg m−2 yr−1 and a mode particle size of 5–8 μm diameter. Through comparison with other Antarctic ice core particle records, we observe that coastal and lower-elevation sites have higher dust fluxes and coarser particle size distributions (PSDs) than sites on the East Antarctic plateau, suggesting input from local dust sources at lower elevations and sites closer to the coast. In order to explore the use of the WAIS Divide dust PSD as a proxy for past atmospheric circulation, we make quantitative comparisons between mid-latitude zonal wind speed and the dust size (coarse particle percentage, CPP) record, finding significant positive interannual relationships. Using our CPP record, and through comparison with spatially distributed climate reconstructions from the Southern Hemisphere (SH) middle and high latitudes, we infer latitudinal shifts in the position of the SH westerly wind belt during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA; ∼950–1350 C.E.) and Little Ice Age (LIA; ∼1400–1850 C.E.) climate intervals. We suggest that the SH westerlies occupied a more southerly position during the MCA, and shifted equatorward at the onset of the LIA (∼ 1430 C.E.) due to cooler surface temperatures and a contraction of the SH Hadley cell.
Sennacherib’s Siege of Jerusalem
Authors: KUHRT AMÉLIE
Published: June 2013

Fergus Millar has been a pioneer among Graeco-Roman historians in appreciating the huge importance of Near Eastern societies and cultures within the ancient world. A continuous interest within this field has been the evolution of Judah/Judaea, cradle of two of the great world religions. The difficulties inherent in the sources for studying its history have provoked intense debates, which show no sign of abating. When did the Judaean state come definitively into being? What were the forces that shaped the political landscape within which its unique traditions began to crystallise? A significant element in the development of Israelite historiography was Judah's encounter with the Assyrian Empire. This chapter argues that a crucial stage in the emergence of the state of Judah was also closely linked to contact with Assyria. It focuses on a famous episode in Judah's history, which may, when set into the wider historical and archaeological context of Near Eastern history, yield some possible answers.
BLOQUEIO DO PLEXO BRAQUIAL EM AVES
Authors: Garcia Soresini Grazielle Cristina , Turra Pimpão Cláudia , D’Otaviano de Castro Vilani Ricardo Guilherme
Published: June 2013

O uso da anestesia locorregional em animais, como o bloqueio do plexo braquial, cresce a cada dia. O bloqueio do plexo braquial é um procedimento simples e de baixo custo, que promove analgesia e relaxamento muscular do membro torácico, sendo uma técnica versátil, que permite a redução do uso de anestésicos gerais ou até mesmo a sua não utilização, dando uma segurança clínica maior e promovendo uma melhor analgesia trans e pós-operatória. Tendo em vista a grande casuística de casos de fraturas e danos teciduais em membros torácicos de aves, esse tipo de anestesia pode ser amplamente utilizado na rotina médica veterinária aviária. Esta revisão teve o objetivo de compilar maiores informações sobre a utilização dessa técnica, que pode ser uma ferramenta importante para essa classe animal com poucas informações relacionadas ao uso de anestésicos locais.
Atividade do sulfato de vincristina em cultivos primários de tumores mamários caninos
Authors: Mariko Tanaka Neide , Castilho de Faria Maeda Mayara Suellen , Isono Pereira Leila , Cilião de Araújo Renata , Kemper Bernardo , Gonçalves Raquel Cristina , Da Silva Luiz Cesar , Navas Padilha Flávia , Manduca Trapp Silvia , Headley Arlington
Published: June 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a atividade antiproliferativa do sulfato de vincristina em cultivos de tumores mamários caninos in vitro por meio da determinação de concentração inibitória e estabelecimento do estadiamento clínico. Amostras frescas obtidas de 20 pacientes caninas com neoplasia mamária foram fatiadas e cultivadas individualmente na presença e ausência de sulfato de vincristina durante três dias para determinar a viabilidade e a citotoxicidade. Quinze amostras apresentaram sensibilidade ao sulfato de vincristina proporcional à dose. Amostras com o estágio clínico avançado apresentaram crescimento celular correlacionado ao potencial proliferativo dos tumores malignos de se desenvolverem melhor que os benignos em cultivo celular. Concluiu-se que o método utilizado pode ser adaptado como modelo de aplicabilidadeno estudo de resposta tumoral a drogas antitumorais em cultivos primários.
A cadeia de valores e as cinco forças competitivas como Metodologia de planejamento estratégico
Authors: Schiemer Vargas Katiuscia De Fátima , De Moura Gilnei Luiz , Bueno Daiane De Fátima dos Santos , Paim Eliane Suely Everling
Published: June 2013

0 presente artigo tem o intuito de compreender as possíveis vantagens da utilização da cadeia de valores e das cinco forças competitivas, propostas por Porter (1990; 1992), na implementação do planejamento estratégico na área da saúde, mais especificamente no ramo comercial de farmácia {drogarias). Por isso, este estudo é: uma pesquisa descritiva quanto ao objetivo; qualitativa, quanto à análise; e de estudo de caso, quanto à estratégia de abordagem do problema. Nesse sentido, foram identificadas as seguintes vantagens inerentes à utilização  da cadeia de valores como instrumento metodológico de planejamento estratégico: {i) sistema de identificação de pontos fortes e fracos de maneira objetiva e eficaz; {ii) subsídio para a formulação de estratégias dentro do planejamento condizentes com a realidade interna da organização; e {iii) percepção de possível compartilha- mento e envolvimento de ações e de informações em todas atividades – primárias e de apoio – da organiza- ção. Com relação à utilização das cinco forças competitivas, identificam-se como vantagens: {i) a identificação de vantagens competitivas; {ii) a exploração das vantagens competitivas identificadas; {iii) a identificação de oportunidades a serem vislumbradas pela organização; e {iv) a abordagem das ameaças ambientes, a fim de exercer a proatividade diante de possíveis mudanças ambientais. 0 estudo demonstra a fragilidade da empresa pelo desconhecimento tanto do ambiente interno quanto externo, das formas e procedimentos mínimos neces- sários para a gestão do empreendimento, manutenção e desenvolvimento deste. Sendo assim, considera-se que as devidas adequações, sem grandes investimentos, e considerando-se o longo prazo, desenham para a em- presa uma possibilidade ampla de desenvolvimento e de adequação aos fatores do ambiente mercadológico.
Fatores condicionantes da vantagem competitiva nos postos de combustíveis de Florianópolis
Authors: Leite André Luis da Silva , Fiates Gabriela Gonçalves Silveira , De Lima Mauricio Andrade
Published: June 2013

A identificação dos fatores que determinam a Vantagem Competitiva das firmas tem sido objeto de pesquisa ao longo do tempo, Nesse sentido, várias teorias tentaram explicar de forma concreta o segredo da competitividade de algumas organizações, destacando-se as estratégias genéricas de posicionamento propostas por Porter (1980) e os recursos estratégicos proposto pela RBV de Wernerfelt (1984 e Barney (1991). Assim, este artigo visa identificar os elementos condicionantes da vantagem competitiva dos postos de combustíveis do município de Florianópolis (SC), tendo em vista as particularidades desse setor. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, empreendeu-se uma pesquisa quantitativa, com uso de modelo estatístico eu usa regressão linear relacionando indicadores de vantagem competitiva com fatores explicativo aqui considerados: localização, preço, marca e facilidades. Foram utilizados dados primários, coletados no mês de maio de 2011 junto aos distribuidores de combustíveis e aos agentes de postos pesquisados e dados secundários e oriundos da Agência Nacional do Petróleo. A partir da análise realizada para a população estudada, em virtude das características da configuração do setor na cidade de Florianópolis, os fatores que se apresentaram como determinantes de Vantagem competitiva foram a Localização e Facilidades.
Basophils
Authors: Mukai K , Galli SJ
Published: June 2013

Basophilic granulocytes or ‘basophils’ are a type of leucocyte (‘white blood cell’) that circulates in the blood. They are the rarest of the granulocytes (the others are neutrophils and eosinophils), usually representing less than 0.5% of leucocytes in the peripheral blood of humans or mice. Basophils can participate in the expression of acute and chronic and allergic diseases, including anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and hay fever. Basophils also can contribute to resistance to internal parasites (such as helminths) and ectoparasites (such as ticks). At a steady state, upon leaving the bone marrow, basophils reside mainly in the peripheral blood but can migrate into tissues such as lymph nodes, skin and the lungs where they can play roles in regulating immune responses or in the pathogenesis of diseases. When they participate in allergic reactions or responses to parasites, basophils release histamine and many other biologically active molecules that can contribute to inflammation.

Key Concepts:

Basophils are the rarest granulocytes circulating in the peripheral blood.

Basophils are increased during inflammatory responses such as certain types of skin inflammation, asthma or parasite infections, settings in which basophils may appear in the affected tissues.

Basophils are activated when antigen‐specific IgE antibodies that may recognise antigens derived from parasites or from substances that cause allergies (such as ragweed allergens in subjects with hay fever induced by ragweed) that are bound to the basophils' high‐affinity IgE receptors (FcɛRI) encounter bi‐ or multivalent antigen recognised by that FcɛRI‐bound IgE.

Basophils activated by IgE and antigen can help to induce the development of acute allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis to bee stings or peanut products, and also chronic allergic reactions, such as in asthma or atopic dermatitis.

Basophils have common features with mast cells (which are normally located in the tissues, but, unlike basophils, are not normally present in the blood), and basophils and mast cells can play similar or overlapping roles, as well as have some distinct roles, in the induction of allergic diseases or in immune responses against parasites or ticks.

Chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients often have a markedly increased number of basophils in the blood and bone marrow.
Tumours: Immunotherapy
Authors: Johnson C Bryce , Salem Mohamed L , Mehrotra Shikhar , Cole David J , Rubinstein Mark P
Published: June 2013

The mainstay of cancer treatment has historically involved therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, that were developed without regard for the patient's immune system. However, as researchers have started to elucidate mechanisms by which the immune system can eradicate cancerous cells, an increasing number of approaches have been developed that capitalise on an immune‐based antitumour response. These therapies include nonspecific activation of the immune system using toll‐like receptor ligands, cytokines or immune checkpoint inhibitors, or specific treatments, like monoclonal antibody administration or vaccination, that directly target cancer cells. Perhaps, the most promising specific therapy is the adoptive transfer of genetically engineered tumour‐reactive T cells, an approach that has already proven curative in some patients with metastatic disease. Cumulatively, these new immune‐based approaches have great promise to revolutionise cancer therapy. In this article, we will outline the mechanisms and characteristics of these tumour immunotherapies, emphasising those with demonstrated clinical efficacy.

Key Concepts:

The immune system can destroy malignant cells.

The tumour microenvironment enables tumour growth by exerting immunosuppression.

Restoring the immune system's ability to fight cancers is a promising clinical approach.

Nonspecific immunotherapies include administration of toll‐like receptor ligands, cytokines or immune‐checkpoint inhibiting antibodies.

Specific immunotherapies include administration of monoclonal antibodies, adoptive T cell transfer or vaccination.
Phylogeny Reconstruction
Authors: Irisarri Iker , Zardoya Rafael
Published: June 2013

Phylogenies provide the necessary comparative framework to study biological problems from an evolutionary perspective. Therefore, selecting the appropriate data sources and methods of inference that ensure reconstructing robust phylogenetic hypotheses becomes essential. Molecular phylogenies reconstructed with probabilistic methods (i.e. maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) are by far the most popular, as they produce powerful statistical estimation of phylogenies from a potentially large number of characters (sequences). Working within a probabilistic framework further allows using available statistical tools fora posteriorianalyses on the reconstructed phylogenies. Most recent advances in phylogenetics, including sophisticated evolutionary models, methods that reconcile different gene genealogies, the analysis of genome‐scale data (phylogenomics) or the development of new and more effective computational methods take advantage of probabilistic methods of phylogeny inference. Hence, an understanding of the properties, strengths and limitations of probabilistic methods is fundamental.

Key Concepts:

Phylogenetic trees represent the evolutionary history of organisms (or sequences) in terms of relationships and the amount of genetic differentiation.

Phylogenies are essential to fully understand the evolutionary dimension in any biological discipline.

Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference are probabilistic methods for the statistical estimation of phylogenies based on explicit models of sequence evolution.

Probabilistic methods of phylogeny reconstruction provide a statistical framework for estimating historical patterns, inferring intrinsic parameters of evolutionary processes and testing of hypotheses.

Methods that attempt to reconcile different gene trees with the underlying species phylogeny have recently been developed as an alternative to data concatenation.

The intersection of genome‐scale sequence data and probabilistic methods of phylogeny reconstruction has given rise to phylogenomics, which is emerging as a very promising field in evolutionary studies.
Serpentes (Snakes)
Authors: Lee Michael SY
Published: June 2013

Snakes are a diverse group of long‐bodied, limb‐reduced reptiles closely related to lizards; together they are termed squamate reptiles. Primitive snakes with vestigial legs appear in the fossil record of the Cretaceous period (∼90 Mya). Snakes have since been diversified rapidly, and now comprise ∼3500 species that occupy terrestrial, subterranean, aboreal and aquatic niches. All snakes are predators, having highly mobile skulls and jaws that can often swallow prey much larger than their own diameter. Primitive snakes such as boas, pythons and blindsnakes lack venom fangs. Such fangs have evolved repeatedly within more advanced snakes, called the Colubroidea, which make up ∼80% of the diversity of living snakes: front fangs in viperids (e.g. vipers and rattlesnakes), fixed front fangs in elapids (e.g. mambas and cobras) and rear fangs in many lineages of colubrids (e.g. boomslangs and twig snakes).

Key Concepts:

Snakes are just one of the many lineages of limb‐reduced lizards – though by far the most successful ones.

Snakes have highly flexible (kinetic) skulls and lower jaws, and many forms can engulf prey wider than their heads.

Snakes are one of the most rapidly diversifying groups, with more than 3000 living species, mostly belonging to the Colubroidea.

Venom‐delivery systems (fangs and glands) have evolved multiple times within the most advanced snake lineage (Colubroidea).

The fossil snakes
Najash
and
Pachyrhachis
(∼90 My old) retain prominent external hindlimbs, as would be expected given that snakes evolved from lizard‐like reptiles.
History of Drug Discovery
Authors: Patrick Graham L
Published: June 2013

Until the nineteenth century, natural extracts from the natural world were the only source of medicines. In the nineteenth century, experimental procedures were developed that were used to purify active principles from these extracts. The first of the semisynthetic analogues were also prepared during the nineteenth century. Towards the end of the century, purely synthetic agents were being prepared and organic synthesis became increasingly important throughout the twentieth century in preparing novel agents. The discovery of penicillin from a fungus sparked a postwar search for other antibiotics, and for lead compounds that were useful in other areas of medicine. In more recent years, advances in genomics and proteomics identified numerous potential drug targets, which initiated the development of automated synthetic methods in order to meet the demand for novel lead compounds. The principles of drug design have evolved over the last century, aided significantly by the development of X‐ray crystallography and computer‐based molecular modelling.

Key Concepts:

Up until the nineteenth century, the only medicinal therapies available were minerals or crude extracts obtained from natural sources such as plants, herbs and animals.

From the nineteenth century, purification methods have been used to isolate the active principles of natural extracts, resulting in the use of many of these agents in medicine.

Synthetic methods have been developed since the mid‐nineteenth century permitting the synthesis of clinically useful semisynthetic analogues of pharmacologically active natural products.

Synthetic methods have resulted in the generation of purely synthetic structures that are not found in the natural world and have been investigated as potential therapeutic agents.

The development of automated parallel and combinatorial syntheses has vastly increased the number of compounds that can be synthesised in any given period of time.

Drug design strategies have been developed since the mid‐twentieth century allowing a more focussed approach to the discovery of novel agents.

In the last couple of decades, genomics and proteomics have identified huge numbers of novel targets for future drug research.

Structure‐based drug design involving X‐ray crystallography and molecular modelling has been developed over the last 30 years allowing researchers to investigate how active compounds interact with their targets at the molecular level, and allowing the rational design of new and improved analogues.

De‐novodrug design has been developed over a similar period allowing scientists to study a binding site, then design novel structuresin silicoas potential lead compounds.

In the past 20 years, fragment‐based drug design has been used to discover novel ligands for protein targets.