bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term hypoxia enhances ACTH response to arginine vasopressin but not corticotropin-releasing hormone in the near-term ovine fetus
Authors: Ducsay Charles A. , Mlynarczyk Malgorzata , Kaushal Kanchan M. , Hyatt Kim , Hanson Krista , Myers Dean A.
Published: July 2009

This study tested the hypothesis that long-term hypoxia (LTH) results in enhanced fetal corticotrope sensitivity to the ACTH secretagogues, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and AVP. Ewes were maintained at high altitude (3,820 m) from 40 to 130–131 days of gestation. Upon return to the laboratory, hypoxia was maintained by maternal nitrogen infusion. Vascular catheters were placed in both LTH ( n = 4) and normoxic controls ( n = 4). Each fetus received a 15-min infusion of either saline, 100 ng/kg of ovine CRH, or 20 ng/kg of AVP/min over 3 consecutive days in a randomized order. Fetal blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 min after the start of infusion and analyzed for ACTH1-39, ACTH precursors, and cortisol. Anterior pituitaries were collected from additional noninstrumented fetuses for analysis of vasopressin receptor 1b (V1b) mRNA and protein. Basal plasma concentrations of both ACTH1-39and ACTH precursors were higher in LTH fetuses and were not altered by saline infusion. In response to CRH, ACTH1-39increased in both groups and was higher in the LTH group compared with control ( P < 0.05). When analyzed as sum of ACTH1-39released (Δ0–90 min) above basal, CRH released equal amounts of ACTH1-39in both groups. In LTH fetuses, AVP evoked a greater ACTH1-39release ( P < 0.05) when analyzed as an increased sum of ACTH1-39(Δ0–90 min) above basal. Both CRH and AVP elicited a release of ACTH precursors with no differences observed between LTH and control. AVP and CRH elicited significant increases in cortisol, which were higher in response to AVP than CRH. V1b mRNA and protein were elevated in the anterior pituitary of LTH fetuses compared with control. LTH significantly increases pituitary sensitivity to AVP. This enhanced sensitivity may be a mechanism of our previously observed enhanced corticotrope function.
Ghrelin protects mice against endotoxemia-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Wang Wei , Bansal Shweta , Falk Sandor , Ljubanovic Danica , Schrier Robert
Published: July 2009

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in septic patients drastically increases the mortality to 50–80%. Sepsis is characterized by hemodynamic perturbations as well as overwhelming induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Since ghrelin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, we hypothesized that ghrelin may afford renal protection during endotoxemia-induced AKI. Studies were conducted in a normotensive endotoxemia-induced AKI model in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 3.5 mg/kg LPS. Serum ghrelin levels were increased during endotoxemia accompanied by increased ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a) protein expression in the kidney. Ghrelin administration (1.0 mg/kg sc 6 h and 30 min before and 14 h after LPS) significantly decreased serum cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and serum endothelin-1 levels which had been induced by LPS. The elevated serum nitric oxide (NO) levels and renal inducible NO synthase expression were also decreased by ghrelin. Renal TNF-α levels were also increased significantly in response to LPS and ghrelin significantly attenuated this increase. When administrated before LPS, ghrelin protected against the fall in glomerular filtration rate at 16 h (172.9 ± 14.7 vs. 90.6 ± 15.2 μl/min, P < 0.001) and 24 h (147.2 ± 20.3 vs. 59.4 ± 20.7 μl/min, P < 0.05) as well as renal blood flow at 16 h (1.65 ± 0.07 vs. 1.47 ± 0.04 ml/min, P < 0.01) and 24 h (1.56 ± 0.08 vs. 1.22 ± 0.03 ml/min, P < 0.05) after LPS administration without affecting mean arterial pressure. Ghrelin remained renal protective even when it was given after LPS. In summary, ghrelin offered significant protection against endotoxemia-induced AKI. The renal protective effect of ghrelin was associated with an inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokines. Of particular importance was the suppression of TNF-α both in the circulation and kidney tissues. Thus, ghrelin may be a promising peptide in managing endotoxemia-induced AKI.
Involvement of JAK-STAT signaling/function after cyclophosphamide-induced bladder inflammation in female rats
Authors: Cheppudira Bopaiah P. , Girard Beatrice M. , Malley Susan E. , Dattilio Abbey , Schutz Kristin C. , May Victor , Vizzard Margaret A.
Published: July 2009

Cytokines are upregulated in a variety of inflammatory conditions and cytokine/receptor interactions can activate JAK-STAT signaling. Previous studies demonstrated upregulation of numerous cytokines in the urinary bladder following cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis. The role of JAK-STAT signaling in urinary bladder inflammation and referred somatic sensitivity has not been addressed. The contribution of JAK-STAT signaling pathways in CYP-induced bladder hyperreflexia and referred somatic hypersensitivity was determined in CYP-treated rats using a JAK2 inhibitor, AG490. Acute (4 h; 150 mg/kg ip), intermediate (48 h; 150 mg/kg ip), or chronic (75 mg/kg ip, once every 3 days for 10 days) cystitis was induced in adult, female Wistar rats with CYP treatment. Phosphorylation status of STAT-3 was increased in urinary bladder after CYP-induced cystitis (4 h, 48 h, chronic). Blockade of JAK2 with AG490 (5–15 mg/kg ip or intravesical) significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) reduced bladder hyperreflexia and hind paw sensitivity in CYP-treated rats. These studies demonstrate a potential role for JAK-STAT signaling pathways in bladder hyperreflexia and referred pain induced by CYP-induced bladder inflammation.
Hemispheric Lateralization of Pain Processing by Amygdala Neurons
Authors: Ji Guangchen , Neugebauer Volker
Published: July 2009

Recent biochemical and behavioral data suggest right-hemispheric lateralization of amygdala functions in pain. Our previous electrophysiological studies showed pain-related neuroplasticity in the latero-capsular division of the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeLC) in the right brain hemisphere. Here we determined differences in the processing of pain-related signals in right versus left CeLC neurons. Individual CeLC neurons were recorded extracellularly before and after induction of an arthritis pain state in anesthetized rats. Brief innocuous and noxious test stimuli were applied to peripheral tissues ipsi- and contralateral to the recording site. A monoarthritis was induced in the ipsi- or contralateral knee by intraarticular injections of kaolin and carrageenan. Under normal conditions, CeLC neurons in the left amygdala had smaller receptive fields than those in the right, but the magnitude of background and evoked activity was not significantly different. After arthritis induction, neurons in the right, but not left, CeLC developed increased background activity and evoked responses, irrespective of the location of the arthritis (ipsi- or contralateral to the recording site). A protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor decreased the activity of right CeLC neurons after arthritis induction but had no effect in the left amygdala. Forskolin, however, increased the activity of left and right CeLC neurons under normal conditions. The results show for the first time laterality of pain-related electrophysiological activity changes in individual amygdala neurons. Whereas both left and right amygdala neurons receive nociceptive inputs and can become sensitized in principle, a yet unknown mechanism prevents PKA activation and pain-related changes in the left amygdala.
Childhood Psychopathology Predicts Adolescence-Onset Offending
Authors: Buck Nicole , Verhulst Frank , van Marle Hjalmar , van der Ende Jan
Published: July 2009

Moffitt, Caspi, Harrington, and Milne (2002) found in a follow-up study that many of the supposedly adolescence-limited offenders had committed offenses past adolescence. This finding raises the question of whether adulthood starts later or whether there are two distinct delinquency types, adolescence limited and adolescence onset, each with its own etiology. The present study tested whether the adolescence-onset group could be predicted by childhood psychopathology, as compared to the adolescence-limited and no-offender groups. In sum, 355 boys and girls were included, who reported on their emotional and behavioral problems when they were 11 to 13 years old and on their self-reported criminal behavior 8 to 13 years later. The findings lend support tothe hypothesis that adolescence-onset offenders can be distinguished from adolescence-limited offenders.
Full-Day, Half-Day, and No Preschool
Authors: Valenti Joy E. , Tracey Diane H.
Published: July 2009

1. This study examined the relationships between students’ attendance at full-day, half-day, or no preschool and first grade reading achievement. 214 urban, low SES public first grade students of mixed ethnicities were studied. Using the students’ Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2) scores (Beaver, 2006), results indicated that by the middle of first grade students who completed one year of full-day preschool significantly outperformed students who did not attend preschool. Students who completed one year of full-day preschool also outperformed students who completed half-day preschool, although not to a significant degree. Additionally, students who completed half-day preschool outperformed students who did not attend preschool, although not to a significant degree. The results further showed that significant differences between the groups were not apparent at the start of first grade, demonstrating that preschool attendance may not show immediate, positive benefits.
Application of Factorial Design in Determination of Physico-Mechanical Properties of NR/SBR Alloy — Influence of Sulfur Curing System
Authors: Manshaie R. , Hafezi M. , Nouri Khorasani S.
Published: July 2009

In this research physico-mechanical properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, hardness, resilience, abrasion resistance, and compression set of unsaturated natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber (NR/SBR) alloy cured by sulfur curing system were investigated. Factorial design method was employed in order to formulate the sulfur curing system. Three different curing agents were used and their effects on physico-mechanical properties of the alloy were investigated. The results show that with increasing each curing agent, curing time and scorch time reduce and maximum torque increases. Tensile strength, % elongation at break, tear strength, and compression set decrease while hardness, resilience, and abrasion increase. The results show that application of factorial design significantly reduces research and development costs by decreasing the number of experimental configurations to be studied and the results are accurate. Results from factorial design procedure very well match the experimental results with accuracy in order of 2% variations.
Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Tears
Authors: Kamath Atul F. , Componovo Roger , Baldwin Keith , Israelite Craig L. , Nelson Charles L.
Published: July 2009

Background

Arthroscopy of the hip joint is a relatively new diagnostic and therapeutic option for labral tears.

Purpose

More data are needed to characterize the utility and effectiveness of hip arthroscopy and identify patient-related factors that might predict functional outcome.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

This retrospective study with prospective follow-up examined the clinical outcomes of 52 consecutive patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for labral tears. Outcomes measures included clinical outcome and the modified Harris hip score. Any complications associated with the procedure were recorded. Exclusion criteria included age younger than 18 years or prior ipsilateral hip surgery.

Results

Mean patient age was 42 years. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years. Twenty-one patients (40.4%) had a traumatic cause of the labral tears. Eight patients (15.4%) had possible secondary gain issues. Four (7.7%) patients suffered transient nerve palsies; in 1 case, the guide wire broke during initial cannulation. Three patients (5.8%) went on to total hip arthroplasty after hip arthroscopy. On multivariate analysis, left-sided surgery, a higher preoperative activity level, and duration of symptoms greater than 18 months were found to be positive predictors of good or excellent outcomes. Smoking and secondary gain issues were significant negative predictors of good or excellent outcomes. Only prior level of activity was a significant positive predictor of return to activity after surgery. A traumatic cause of the labral tear was a significant negative predictor of return to activity. Chondromalacia and osteoarthritis were not significant predictors of negative outcome. Postoperative modified Harris hip score improved 40% from 56.8 preoperatively to 80.4 (P < .001). No cases of patients with secondary gain issues achieved good or excellent outcomes. Overall percentage of good or excellent outcomes was 56%, or 66% when those with secondary gain issues were excluded; 84% of patients were able to return to sports or equivalent level of preoperative recreational activity. Neither preoperative radiographic osteoarthritis nor grade of intraoperative chondromalacia predicted postoperative outcome.

Conclusion

This series supports the hypothesis that hip arthroscopy provides safe and reliable improvement of labral symptoms in the majority of patients.
A Web-Based Approach for Helping Communities Become More “Aging Friendly”
Authors: Lehning Amanda J. , Scharlach Andrew E. , Dal Santo Teresa S.
Published: July 2009

This article describes an online conference and supporting Web site designed to help communities become better places in which to age. The “Creating Aging-Friendly Communities” online conference was designed to capture the emerging knowledge being accumulated by researchers, advocacy groups, grassroots organizations, and local governments across the country, and make it available to others who were interested in learning what they could do to make their communities more aging friendly. The article begins with a brief overview of the concept of “aging-friendliness,” followed by evidence regarding the effectiveness of online modalities as mechanisms for knowledge dissemination. It then describes the innovative conference format, examining the extent to which the conference goals were achieved. The article concludes with implications for online learning modalities in general and efforts to foster aging-friendly communities in particular.
Wage Rigidity During Recessions
Authors: Giancola Frank L.
Published: July 2009

The wave of salary cuts and freezes initiated in the recession carries implications for workforce planning, productivity and morale.
Editors' Introduction: Whither Feminist Liberation Psychology? Critical Explorations of Feminist and Liberation Psychologies for a Globalizing World
Authors: Lykes M. Brinton , Moane Geraldine
Published: July 2009

This article explores the roots of feminist and liberation psychologies, positioning examples of contemporary praxis that are deeply informed by today's complex global realities. Examining the consequences of academic and professional women's accompaniment of women `on the margins', that is, those living in `limit situations' deeply affected by global realities of poverty, gender-based violence and structural inequalities, we argue that activist scholars are developing feminist liberationist psycholog(ies) within and beyond the borders of psychology that respond to and incorporate these lived experiences. Through participatory research, pedagogy and community-based workshops, this special issue demonstrates this new praxis. Thus, critical reflexivity and `just enough trust' enable engagement across differences, creating in-between spaces for dialogue, appreciation, and contestation as well as alliances and solidarity — values for a renewed and transformed praxis of psychology with and for those historically marginalized and excluded from our theory and practice.
Suspected multiple sclerosis – what to do? Evaluation of a patient information leaflet
Authors: Heesen C , Schäffler N , Kasper J , Mühlhauser I , Köpke S
Published: July 2009

Background

Parallel to the establishment of early treatments in multiple sclerosis (MS), new diagnostic criteria have made an earlier diagnosis possible. While there is ongoing discussion about possible benign courses and only partial effective treatments, there have been no attempts today to facilitate shared decision making on diagnostic testing between patients with suspected MS and their physicians.

Objective

This study describes the development and validation process of a leaflet to be presented to people with suspected MS to engage them in a diagnostic decision-making process.

Methods

After a qualitative study showing acceptability among five patients, the leaflet was presented to a retrospective cohort ( n = 87 of which 70 replied)) of patients being diagnosed within the last 2 years as well to a prospective cohort of n = 51 patients with symptoms suggestive of MS.

Results

Approximately 70% of patients in the prospective as well as in the retrospective cohort wanted to be informed about a possible MS before testing, whereas 10% did not. The leaflet did not seem to elicit anxieties. The attitude to undergo diagnostic testing was not influenced by the leaflet, which can be explained by the nonexperimental design of the study.

Conclusion

Taken together, our findings demonstrate that early information about possible MS is warranted by patients and does not show negative side effects. Further studies on evidence-based patient information in early MS seem necessary.
A pilot study of lighting and low vision in older people
Authors: Evans BJW , Sawyerr H. , Jessa Z. , Brodrick S. , Slater AI
Published: July 2009

We investigated the influence of lighting on performance at activities of daily living in 24 older people with low vision from cataract and/or macular degeneration. Participants carried out four everyday tasks, each at three illuminances: 50 lux, 200 lux, and 800 lux. Both objective performance and subjective preference were recorded. Subjects tend to perform better under brighter conditions, but the average results masked large individual variations. Indeed, most participants showed a large effect of lighting on performance in at least one task, but the optimal light level varied idiosyncratically from one subject to another. The best approach to provide optimal lighting for older people with low vision may be to individually assess their preference and performance at different light levels.
Process maps in clinical trial quality assurance
Authors: Rosen Daniel H , Johnson Sandra , Kebaabetswe Poloko , Thigpen Michael , Smith Dawn K
Published: July 2009

Background A process map is a diagram showing the sequential steps and decisions used to accomplish a procedure from start to finish. Process maps are a standard tool in continuous improvement efforts. They have not been used routinely in clinical trials although they are well suited to display trial processes.

Purpose We present the use of process maps as a tool to visualize and to monitor the correctness of trial work flows. We show that process maps can be used to assure that trial processes are conducted according to the SOP.

Methods We describe how a process map is made. We then derive process maps from two sources: the SOP and trial procedures as currently implemented. We compare these maps to each other, using the SOP maps as the gold standard, to check that work is done according to the written procedures.

Results Eight process maps were produced from each source. 172 differences were found between the SOP maps and the walkthrough maps. Differences included the addition of extra steps, order errors, step mistakes, and ambiguities.

Limitations These process maps focused only on clinic procedures, so interactions with other trial components were not considered. The maps were made after the trial started, which may have biased their content and use.

Conclusion Process maps are a simple tool to check if clinical trial processes are operating as designed and offer an effective means to identify and correct such divergences. Further research should focus on using process maps in the design phase of trials, analyzing the cost to benefit ratio for process maps, and linking the analysis of the process map to monitor queries to quantify the improvement gained from using this technique. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 373—377. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Challenges in designing a pragmatic clinical trial: the mixed incontinence — medical or surgical approach (MIMOSA) trial experience
Authors: Brubaker Linda , Moalli Pamela , Richter Holly E , Albo Michael , Sirls Larry , Chai Toby , Kraus Stephen R , Norton Peggy , Chang Debuene , Tennstedt Sharon L
Published: July 2009

Background Mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) is a common, bothersome condition in women. In MUI, the two subtypes of urinary incontinence that coexist are treated differently; stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is primarily treated surgically while urge urinary incontinence (UUI) is primarily treated medically. There is no evidence to guide the treatment for women with significant bother from both incontinence subtypes. Therefore, investigators of the Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network (UITN) designed and initiated a randomized clinical trial comparing outcomes for two distinct initial treatment approaches for women with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI): therapy initiated with surgery versus therapy initiated with nonsurgical treatment.

Purpose The aim of this manuscript is to describe the challenges in planning and implementing this randomized clinical trial.

Methods The mixed incontinence: medical or surgical approach (MIMOSA) trial was designed as a practical or pragmatic clinical trial to establish the relative efficacy of two specific treatment approaches. The design presented many challenging decisions including: (1) selection of practical paradigm; (2) refining inclusion/ exclusion criteria to offer equipoise; (3) selection of feasibility sample size; (4) recruitment challenges for two divergent treatment approaches (medical vs. surgical), and (5) resolution of ethical and methodological issues.

Results MIMOSA recruitment was planned in two phases, starting with a 5-month pilot and feasibility phase followed by a full trial contingent on the outcome of the first phase. The feasibility portion of the MIMOSA trial started in November 2008. 1198 subjects were screened and approached forstudy enrollment, but only 27 consented to randomization. The feasibility study was halted due to lack of enrollment in March 2009.

Limitations The challenges of this trial included a lack of information from subjects who did not enroll, increasing the difficulty of interpreting the feasibility phase.

Conclusions Successful recruitment to a randomized trial that compares significantly different treatment approaches poses a challenge. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 355—364. http://ctj.sagepub.com
Strategies and ethical considerations for the recruitment of young men who have sex with men: challenges of a vaccination trial in Mexico
Authors: Gutiérrez-Luna Arturo , Angeles-Llerenas Angelica , Wirtz Veronika J , Del Río Asunción Álvarez , Zamilpa-Mejía Laura , Aranda-Flores Carlos , Viramontes Jose Luis , Lazcano-Ponce Eduardo
Published: July 2009

Background The importance of recruiting and retaining study participants from minority groups is well recognized; however, there are no established rules for recruitment as its success depends on the setting and population.

Purpose To describe and analyze recruitment strategies, ethical considerations, and recruitment outcomes from a study to evaluate the efficacy the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine in young men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods The recruitment settings were university and community sites in the state of Morelos, Mexico. Eligibility requirement were men between 18 and 23 years old, who were free of anal-genital lesions as confirmed by clinical exploration, HIV negative, with no history of sexual relations with female partners and with fewer than five male lifetime sexual partners. Recruitment goals were 25 study participants in a four and a half month period. In addition to traditional recruitment strategies (flyers and media advertising, specific training of the recruitment team and adequate choice of recruitment sites)—engagement of local leaders in the MSM community formed a crucial part of the strategy. Special consideration was given to confidentiality and respect for study participants and a Bill of Participant Rights was developed as an explicit commitment to respect and acceptance.

Results In total 723 MSM were initially contacted, 243 filled out the recruitment questionnaire, of which 151 met the criteria to be invited to the clinical examination. After clinical examination and interviews with the recruitment team, 131 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 73 were enrolled in the study — nearly triple the recruitment goal. Among the initial recruitment strategies (application of the screening questionnaire) attending meetings with MSM activist organizations was the most successful (326), followed by recruitment at bars and dance clubs (107).

Limitations The recruitment strategies should be formally evaluated for their effectiveness to identify those which are most successful. In addition, future studies should consider the evaluation of study participants’ perceptions of the recruitment strategies. Conclusions Recruiting MSM in a developing country such as Mexico presented multiple challenges. We recommend that future studies actively engage the local MSM community and pay special attention to designing recruitment strategies that guarantee the confidentiality of and respect for participants.
Determining the rise in BCR-ABL RNA that optimally predicts a kinase domain mutation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia on imatinib
Authors: Press Richard D. , Willis Stephanie G. , Laudadio Jennifer , Mauro Michael J. , Deininger Michael W. N.
Published: July 2009

In imatinib-treated chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), secondary drug resistance is often caused by mutations in the BCR-ABL kinase domain (KD). As alternative therapies are available for imatinib resistance, early identification of mutations may prevent disease progression. Because most patients are routinely monitored by BCR-ABL quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), it is important to define the optimal increase in BCR-ABL that should trigger mutation testing. Expert panels have provisionally recommended a 10-fold BCR-ABL increase as the trigger for mutation screening, acknowledging the lack of consensus. To address this question, we monitored 150 CML patients by quantitative PCR and DNA sequencing. Thirty-five different mutations were identified in 53 patients, and, during 22.5 months (median) of follow-up after sequencing, mutations were significantly predictive of shorter progression-free survival. An unbiased receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a 2.6-fold increase in BCR-ABL RNA as the optimal cutoff for predicting a concomitant KD mutation, with a sensitivity of 77% (94% if including subsequent samples). The 2.6-fold threshold approximated the analytic precision limit of our PCR assay. In contrast, transcript rise cutoffs of 5-fold or greater had poor diagnostic sensitivity and no significant association with mutations. We conclude that the currently recommended 10-fold threshold to trigger mutation screening is insensitive and not universally applicable.
Study of a screw rotor with different stocks and leads for a twin-screw multiphase pump
Authors: Cao F , Gao T , Jiao J , Pan T , Xing Z
Published: July 2009

Rotor profile generation and geometry characteristics play a dominant role in developing twin-screw multi-phase pumps. The aim of this work is to present mathematical procedures to calculate screw rotor profile generation, design rotor cutter tools, and rotor geometry characteristics with given stocks for twin-screw multi-phase pumps. Analyses of the profile generation of a screw rotor for a multi-phase pump are carried out. The resulting rotor profile with different stocks is developed on the basis of the calculation of the forming cutter tool profile. An iso-height contour plot is presented for describing the shape and size of the overlapped cavity of the rotors. By inspecting the iso-height contour plot, analysis of all the possible leakage flow through the inter-lobe clearance is performed. According to the iso-height contour plot, the blowhole provides the major leakage path for the basic chambers through the overlapped cavity. The minimum normal height of the overlapped cavity has a linear relationship with the stock. The larger stocks lead to greater leakage and reduce pump performance. The leakage flow through the overlapped cavity will be aggravated and the performance of the twin-screw multi-phase pump will decline with the increasing lead of the screw rotor.
An experimental investigation of oblique entry pressure losses in automotive catalytic converters
Authors: Quadri S S , Benjamin S F , Roberts C A
Published: July 2009

This study investigates oblique entry pressure loss in automotive catalyst monoliths. Experiments have been performed on a specially designed flow rig using different lengths of monolith (17—100 mm) over a range of Reynolds number and angles of incidence (0–75°). Losses were found to be a function of Reynolds number and angle of incidence and a general correlation has been derived. Computational fluid dynamics predictions of the flow distribution across axisymmetric catalyst assemblies have been performed. Incorporating the oblique entry loss provided much better agreement with experimental data with the assumption that such losses were constant above an angle of incidence of 81°.
Thermal-economic analysis of a heat pipe heat exchanger for energy recovery in air conditioning applications
Authors: Sanaye S , Talaee M R
Published: July 2009

The computer simulation and working fluid selection of a heat pipe heat exchanger (HPHE) system appropriate for both heating and cooling modes in air conditioning applications are performed in this article. The studied heat pipes had a screened mesh wick and methanol as the working fluid. Various numbers of heat pipes and different values of return to the total outlet air mass flowrate ratio were considered. The heat transfer rate in HPHE was computed by the ε—NTU method by considering appropriate heat pipe thermal resistance. Because of its higher evaporation enthalpy and appropriate working limits, methanol was selected as the working fluid. Checking the heat transfer limits showed that the minimum heat transfer rate was well above the required heat transfer rate. Furthermore, the economic analysis of the HPHE was performed considering initial (investment) and operational costs as well as annual savings due to energy recovery for different numbers of heat pipes and various values of return air ratio. The results showed that there was a design point at which the savings of energy recovery was the maximum. The characteristics of this point at various values of return air ratio were determined and reported for the most economical HPHE design and for manufacturing purposes.
Wake-tracking and turbulence modelling in computational aerodynamics of wind turbine aerofoils
Authors: Campobasso M S , Zanon A , Minisci E , Bonfiglioli A
Published: July 2009

This article addresses two modelling aspects of wind turbine aerofoil aerodyna-mics based on the solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier—Stokes (RANS) equations. One of these is the effect of an a priori method for structured grid adaptation aimed at improving the wake resolution. The presented results emphasize that the proposed adaptation strategy greatly improves the wake resolution in the far field, whereas the wake is completely diffused by the non-adapted grid with the same number and spacing patterns of grid nodes. The proposed adaptation approach can be easily included in the structured generation process of both commercial and in-house-structured mesh generators.

The other numerical aspect examined herein is the impact of particular choices for turbulence modelling on the predicted solution. This includes the comparative analysis of numerical solutions obtained by using different turbulence models, and also aims at quantifying the solution inaccuracy arising from not modelling the laminar-to-turbulent transition. It is found that the drag forces obtained by considering the flow as transitional or fully turbulent may differ by 50 per cent.

All these issues are investigated using a special-purpose hyperbolic grid generator and two multi block structured finite volume RANS codes. The numerical experiments consider the flow field past a wind turbine aerofoil for which an exhaustive campaign of steady and unsteady experimental measurements was conducted. The predictive capabilities of the CFD solvers are validated by comparing experimental data and numerical predictions for selected flow regimes. The incompressible analysis and design code XFOIL is also used to support the findings of the comparative analysis of numerical RANS-based results and experimental data.
Minimal Valid Inequalities for Integer Constraints
Authors: Borozan Valentin , Cornuéjols Gérard
Published: July 2009

In this paper, we consider a semi-infinite relaxation of mixed-integer linear programs. We show that minimal valid inequalities for this relaxation correspond to maximal lattice-free convex sets, and that they arise from nonnegative, piecewise linear, positively homogeneous, convex functions.
Extended Formulations for Packing and Partitioning Orbitopes
Authors: Faenza Yuri , Kaibel Volker
Published: July 2009

We give compact extended formulations for the packing and partitioning orbitopes (with respect to the full symmetric group) described and analyzed in Kaibel and Pfetsch [Kaibel, V., M. E. Pfetsch. 2008. Packing and partitioning orbitopes. Math. Programming, Ser. A 114(1) 1–36]. These polytopes are the convex hulls of all 0/1-matrices with lexicographically sorted columns and at most, respectively, exactly one 1-entry per row. They are important objects for symmetry reduction in certain integer programs. Using the extended formulations, we also derive a rather simple proof of the fact established in the paper mentioned above, that basically shifted-column inequalities suffice to describe those orbitopes linearly.
Online Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Even-Dar Eyal , Kakade Sham. M. , Mansour Yishay
Published: July 2009

We consider a Markov decision process (MDP) setting in which the reward function is allowed to change after each time step (possibly in an adversarial manner), yet the dynamics remain fixed. Similar to the experts setting, we address the question of how well an agent can do when compared to the reward achieved under the best stationary policy over time. We provide efficient algorithms, which have regret bounds with no dependence on the size of state space. Instead, these bounds depend only on a certain horizon time of the process and logarithmically on the number of actions.
Microwaves and layered double hydroxides: A smooth understanding
Authors: Benito Patricia , Labajos Francisco M. , Rives Vicente
Published: July 2009

Microwave-hydrothermal treatment (MWHT), a modification of conventional hydrothermal treatment, has been used during post-treatment of different layered double hydroxides (LDHs). In some cases, microwaves (MWs) have been used simultaneously with urea hydrolysis or for reconstruction of the LDH structure. The main advantages of replacing the conventional furnaces by MW ovens are a noticeable reduction in the time required to complete the process to obtain well-crystallized materials, and modification of their particle size distribution and textural and thermal properties. MW radiation leads to an increase in the rate of urea hydrolysis and consequently to fast precipitation of LDHs. Finally, the memory effect of Ni,Al-based LDHs is also improved.
Crossing the water: Willa Cather and the transatlantic imaginary
Authors: Morley Catherine
Published: July 2009

With the advent of transnationalist literary studies and its emphasis on questioning naturalized versions of nationalism, the idea of Cather as the celebrant and elegist of American values is ready for revision. Indeed, recent scholarship which has disinterred the political aspects
of Cather's writing informs such new readings as it reveals a writer cogitating and critically engaging with the realities of social, political and cultural change. This article will examine some of the ways which Willa Cather compulsively appropriated and reinvented aspects of European culture
to advance her own aesthetic designs. One purpose of this article is to shed light on established versions of American cultural nationalism. Another is to suggest, through close textual examples from Cather's work, that the author's conceptions and depictions of national identity emerged through
engagement with a transatlantic imaginary.
An Efficient Inverse Method for Identification of the Location and Time History of an Elastic Impact Load
Authors: Kazemi M. , Hematiyan M. R.
Published: July 2009

An inverse method to identify the location and time history of a single elastic impact load based on the time dependent structural responses is presented. At first, the unknown impact location is found through an inverse analysis without any information about the time history of the load. Two different methods are presented for the location identification. In both methods, an objective function expressing relationship between pairs of structural responses is minimized to find the optimal impact location. In the first method, the steepest descent technique is used to find the impact location precisely. In the second method, a zero-order search technique is developed for fast, but a little less accurate, identification of the impact location. After determining the location, the time dependent value of the impact load is reconstructed using the least-squares method. In-plane strain and its time integrals at sampling points are used to find the location and history of the impact load. In case of high strain fluctuation, time integration of strain removes fluctuations without introducing any additional error. This significantly simplifies the time history determination of the impact load. Two examples are presented to show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.
High Precision Calibration of Modern Machine Tools by Inertial MeasurementHochpräzise Bahnkalibrierungen bei Werkzeugmaschinen durch Beschleunigungsmessungen
Authors: Mahdavi Nejat , Holzapfel Wolfgang
Published: July 2009

This paper yields the experimental proof that by strapdown accelerometers precise path calibrations of Cartesian machine tools can be performed with position accuracies in the micrometer scale and better. The acceleration sensors are fixed at the movable machine parts and position is calculated by time integration of the acceleration signals. To get high calibration accuracy one has to compensate carefully all systematic error sources in the inertial measurement channel, for instance dynamic sensor errors as well as disturbing vibrations of machine structure. We conclude that embedded inertial calibrators in machine tools can perform not only very fast and precise calibration procedures but also the inertial equipment is applicable for some additional tasks like in-process structural health monitoring.
Optical Bi-Sensorial Measurement System for Production Control of Extruded ProfilesOptisches Bi-Sensor-Messsystem zur Produktionskontrolle von Strangprofilen
Authors: Weckenmann Albert , Bernstein Johannes
Published: July 2009

Extruded profiles are semi-finished products — made out of steel, brass, aluminum, polymers — which are appointed for wide applications in manufacturing of technical products. Today used optical sensors in process control can only measure accurately a two-point information of the part or with dense pointclouds at concave zones but with lower accuracy. It is to serve with a reliable conception to combine both advantages as well as suitable methods of analysis for the in-line inspection of concave profiles.The target uncertainty of less than 0.1 mm at every section of the profile has to be met.
Effect of the Embedding Technique in Fibre-Optic-Based Force Sensor for Dentistry: Nano-strain AnalysisFaserkraftsensor im Nanodehnungsbereich für Dentalanwendungen
Authors: Elsarnagawy Tarek , El-Wakad Mohamed-Tarek I.
Published: July 2009

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of fibre optics in measuring nano-strains developed in dentistry due to small chewing force. Since long fibres were used before, therefore, short fibres were evaluated in this study. In this direction the results from three short fibres sensors (coated with adhesive, coated without adhesive, and uncoated with adhesive) were collected. The results were compared to each other and to strain values from electrical strain gauge. The results revealed superiority of the short fibre with adhesive among all the sensors in sensitivity and accuracy including the strain gauge. The results of the short fibre were, then, compared to results of previous study long fibre. Again, the accuracy of the short fibre sensor was higher than that of the long fibre (deviation of 3% and 12% errors, respectively). In terms of sensitivity, the sensitivity of the short fibre was about 30% of the long fibre. However, sensitivities of both short and long fibres were in the nano-strain region (74 and 17 nano-stains respectively) and were much higher than electrical strain gauge (micro-strain range).
Mass Dissemination using a Robot SystemMassevergleiche mittels eines Robotersystems
Authors: Fröhlich Thomas , Fehling Thomas , Heydenbluth Detlef
Published: July 2009

A new mass comparator robot system was used which covers 6 decades from 1 kg down to 1 mg in a single system to calibrate an entire 1 kg–1 mg OIML (5,2,2*,1) weight set against one 1 kg reference by subdivision. The robot system is fully automatic and can carry out the calibration in less than 1.5 days with no operator action except for loading the magazine at the beginning. A detailed description of the weighing design and the adjustment calculation is given.
On the adjuvant effect of aluminum hydroxide for mice
Authors: Vaz Nelson M. , Kane Robert E. , Lynch James M.
Published: July 2009

Linear relationships were found between the dose of A1(OH)3 adjuvant and the titer of anti-OVA antibodies formed by BDF1 mice. Mice immunized with OVA, DNP-KLH and then boosted with DNP-OVA formed anti-DNP antibodies only when A1(OH)3 was added to the injection of DNP-KLH; addition of A1(OH)3 to the priming injection of OVA decreased, rather than increased antibody formation.
Schistosoma mansoni antigenic extracts obtained by different extraction procedures
Authors: Tendler Miriam , Scapin Mauro
Published: July 2009

Solubilization of Schistosoma mansoni antigens was obtained by agitation of adult worms in a 3M KCl solution. The protein contents of the KCl extrats varied from 0.35 to 0.96 mg/ml. Sera from 97 patients with hepatointestinal shistosomiasis and viable eggs in stools from a Brazilian endemic area were studied by immunoelectroomophoresis and Ouchterlony immunodiffusion methods with the KCl extract and with another antigen, obtained by homogenization of adult schistosomes in saline. The rate of positiveness of immunoprecipitation deterctions by immunoelectroomophoresis with the KCl extract was 53.5%. A correlation was verified between methods of detection and extration procedures, resulting in a better association of the extract obtained by agitation in 3M KCl and immunoelectroomophoresis.
Comportamento de Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) como critério de toxicidade em ensaios biológicos com moluscicidas
Authors: Pieri Otávio S. , Jurberg Pedro
Published: July 2009

Visando à aplicação sistemática de parâmetros comportamentais como indicadores da ação tóxica de moluscicidas empregados no combate aos hospedeiros intermediários do Schistosoma mansoni, um procedimento para avaliação quantitativa do efeito de dose sobre o comprotamento de Biomphalaria glabrata foi desenvolvido, com base no paradigma recomendado pela O.M.S. para ensaios biológicos e envolvendo registro comportamental por cenematografia ocm lapso de tempo: caramujos com 5 7/8 ± 1/8 giros eram subemtidos a diferentes concentrações subletais de sulfato de cobre durante 24 horas e em seguida transferidos para recuperação em água destilada desionizada; a partir da análise dos registros foram computados (a) a freqüência total de subidas à superfície por indivíduo, (b) a frqüência total de saídas da água por indivíduo e (c) a proporção média de indivíduos no terço superior do recipiente de teste. O método Litchfield-Wilcoxon foi empregaod para determinação de índices de referência (denominados "concentrações de efieto comportamental de 50%" ou CEC50) em relação a cada parâmetro, e os valores obtidos - (a) 0,010, (b) 0,006 e (c) 0,029 ppm de cobre - não só evidenciaram a exeqüibilidade da aplicação sistemática de critérios comportamentais de toxidade, como se revelaram capazes de detectar o efieto tóxico do produto em concentrações muito infereiores às obtidas nas determinações convencionais de letalidade. Os dados também mostraram alterações na atividade dos caramujos em decorrência do ciclo de iluminação dia-noite. Embora o esclarecimento dos aspectos etológicos envolvidos no problema do controle químico do vetor dependa da análise das relações entre o indivíduo e seu ambiente natural, estudos de laboratório com mensurações acuradas de parâmetros relacionados a comportamentos de proteção podem fornecer subsídios relevantes a respeito.
Trypanosoma cruzi: antigen-receptor mediated endocytosis of antibody
Authors: Abelha Judith , Azevedo Maristela O. , Teixeira Antônio R. L.
Published: July 2009

Trypanomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi were derived from tissue culture and incubated with immune and non-immune human sera. All immune sera showed high titers of specific humoral antibodies of the IgM or the IgG type. Agglutination and swelling of parasites were observed after incubation at 37ºC, but many trypomastigotes remained free-swimming in the sera for two to three days. The quantitiy of immune serum capable of lysing a maximum of 10 x 10 [raised to the power of 6] sensitized red cells was not capable of lysing 4 x 10 [raised to the power of 3] tripomastigotes. Typically, the parasites underwent cyclical changes with the formation of clumps of amastigotes and the appearance of epimastigote forms. Multiplication of the parasites was observed in immune sera. Further, the infectivity of the parasites to susceptible mice was not lost. All sera used produced similar general effects on the growth of the parasite. The antibody bound to T. cruzi appeard to enter cells by antigen-receptor mediated endocytosis. The ferritin-conjugated antibody was internalized and delivered to phagolysosomes where they might be completely degraded to amino-acids. This seemed to be a coupled process by which the immunoglobulin is first bound to specific parasite surface receptor and then rapidly endocytosed by the cell.