bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperosmolar glucose induces vasoconstriction through Rho/Rho‐kinase pathway in the rat aorta
Authors: Ün İsmail , Kurt A. Hakan , Büyükafşar Kansu
Published: December 2011

Rho/Rho‐kinase signalling pathway plays a substantial role in vascular contractions. In this study, we investigated any roles of Rho/Rho‐kinase pathway in the vasoconstriction of the rat conductance and capacitance vessels by hyperosmolar glucose solution. Isolated aortic, mesenteric and renal rings were suspended and exposed to hyperosmolar glucose, sucrose and NaCl in the organ chambers filled with Krebs solution gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 and maintained at 37 °C. The effect of a Rho‐kinase inhibitor, (+)‐(R)‐trans‐4‐(1‐aminoethyl)‐N‐(4‐pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride monohydrate (Y‐27632, 10−5 m), was tested on the contraction induced by hypertonic solutions. Endothelial integrity was also assessed after hyperosmolar glucose exposure. Moreover, the activity and expression of Rho‐kinase (ROCK‐2) as well as RhoA translocation were detected by Western blotting and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay‐based RhoA activity detection method detection kit. The vessels produced substantial contractions in response to hyperosmolar solutions. Y‐27632 significantly reduced hyperosmolarity‐induced vasoconstrictions (P < 0.05). Phosphorylation of myosin‐phosphatase target 1 increased after hyperosmolar glucose exposure, and this phosphorylation was significantly decreased by Y‐27632 (P < 0.05) in the aorta. Furthermore, RhoA translocation but not ROCK‐2 expression markedly increased by hyperosmolar glucose solution. These results may indicate that hyperosmolarity could induce vasoconstriction through Rho/Rho‐kinase signalling.
HCN channels in the heart: lessons from mouse mutants
Authors: Herrmann S , Hofmann F , Stieber J , Ludwig A
Published: December 2011

Hyperpolarization‐activated cation channels generate the If current in the heart. In the sino‐atrial node (SAN), If is thought to play an essential role in setting the heart rate and mediating its autonomic control. This review focuses on the role of If in pacemaking and non‐pacemaking cardiomyocytes and the resulting therapeutic implications. HCN4 represents the principal isoform underlying sino‐atrial If, but other isoforms may also be of importance. To examine the functional role of cardiac channels, several mouse mutants, most of them targeting HCN4, have been generated by different groups. Unexpectedly, these lines display greatly different and as yet unexplained phenotypes. We provide an overview about these HCN mutants and suggest an interpretation of the functional significance of If in the SAN in light of these studies. HCN channels are also present in ventricular myocytes, and an up‐regulation of If in the hypertrophic and failing heart may contribute to arrhythmogenesis. Inhibition of If by HCN channel blockers is a novel approach in the treatment of cardiac disorders, and ivabradine is approved for treatment of stable angina pectoris. Remarkably, a recent clinical trial assessing this substance in heart failure showed a significantly improved outcome. The mechanism underlying this beneficial effect is not yet clear and might lie beyond heart rate slowing. Thus, the growing knowledge about cardiac HCN channels will undoubtedly promote the development of the promising class of HCN channel blockers.
Overexpression of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in visceral adipose tissue and portal hypercortisolism in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Candia Roberto , Riquelme Arnoldo , Baudrand Rene , Carvajal Cristian A. , Morales Mauricio , Solís Nancy , Pizarro Margarita , Escalona Alex , Carrasco Gonzalo , Boza Camilo , Pérez Gustavo , Padilla Oslando , Cerda Jaime , Fardella Carlos E. , Arrese Marco
Published: December 2011

Background

The enzyme 11β‐hydroxysteroid‐dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1) catalyses the reactivation of intracellular cortisol. We explored the potential role of 11β‐HSD1 overexpression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) assessing sequential changes of enzyme expression, in hepatic and adipose tissue, and the occurrence of portal hypercortisolism in obese mice. 11β‐HSD1 expression was also assessed in tissues from obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Methods

Peripheral and portal corticosterone levels and liver histology were assessed in ob/ob mice at two time points (8–12 weeks of age). 11β‐HSD1 tissue expression was assessed in by RT‐pcr in ob/ob mice and in 49 morbidly obese patients.

Results

Portal corticosterone serum levels were higher in obese mice with a 26% decrease between 8 and 12 weeks of age (controls: 78.3 ± 19.7 ng/ml, 8‐week‐old ob/ob: 167.5 ± 14.5 ng/ml and 12‐week‐old ob/ob: 124.3 ± 28 ng/ml, P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in peripheral corticosterone serum levels. Expression of 11β‐HSD1 was lower in the liver [–45% at 8 weeks and –35% at 12‐weeks (P = 0.0001)] and highly overexpressed in VAT in obese mice, compared to controls (128‐fold higher in 8‐week‐old ob/ob and 41‐fold higher in 12‐week‐old ob/ob, P < 0.01). No significant differences were seen in the expression of 11β‐HSD1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In multivariate analysis, human 11β‐HSD1 expression in VAT (OR: 1.385 ± 1.010–1.910) was associated with NAFLD.

Conclusion

Murine NAFLD is associated with portal hypercortisolism and11β‐HSD1 overexpression in VAT. In humans, 11β‐HSD1 VAT expression was associated with the presence of NAFLD. Thus, local corticosteroid production in VAT may contribute to NAFLD pathogenesis.
Removal of Erioglaucine (Acid Blue 9) with a new coagulant agent from Acacia mearnsii tannin extract
Authors: Sánchez‐Martín Jesús , Beltrán‐Heredia Jesús , Rodríguez‐Sánchez M Teresa
Published: December 2011

A new coagulant obtained through the polymerisation of Acacia mearnsii de Wild. tannin extract has been characterised in the removal of a dangerous dye pollutant: Erioglaucine (also called Acid Blue 9 or FD&C Blue 1). This coagulant was laboratory synthesised according to the etherification of tannins using glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride and formaldehyde and its performance in dye removal in terms of efficiency was high. Reasonably low coagulant dosages (ca. 50 mg l−1) reach high capacity levels (approximately 0.7 mg dye mg−1 of coagulant) and pH and temperature are not extremely affecting variables. A design of experiments using response surface methodology led to the evaluation of the influence of parameters such as coagulant dosage and initial dye concentration, and reliable data were collected in order to maximise the removal capacity. The whole coagulant‐dye system was successfully modelled by applying the Langmuir hypothesis. Parameters qmax and b were obtained with an adjusted correlation factor (r2) above 0.8.
Health‐related qualıty of lıfe, sleep qualıty, and depressıon in peritoneal dialysis and hemodıalysıs patıents
Authors: Turkmen Kultigin , Yazici Raziye , Solak Yalcin , Guney Ibrahim , Altintepe Lutfullah , Yeksan Mehdi , Tonbul Halil Zeki
Published: December 2011

Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and sleep quality (SQ) were impaired in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). The impairment of both HRQoL and SQ and being in a depressive mood were found to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. We aimed to investigate the association between SQ, HRQoL, and depression, and to define independent predictors of SQ and depression in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. Ninety HD patients (41 females, 49 males with mean age 50 ± 15.7 years) and 64 PD patients (27 females, 37 males with mean age 52.4 ± 15.3 years) receiving renal replacement therapy for at least 3 months were screened for the assessment of SQ, HRQoL, and depression in this cross‐sectional study. A modified postsleep inventory, Short Form of Medical Outcomes Study (SF‐36) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) were applied to all patients for evaluating SQ, HRQoL, and depression, respectively. HD and PD patients had similar total SQ scores. Physical and mental component scale of HRQoL were found to be significantly higher in HD patients (p < 0.001). PD patients were found to be much more in depressive mood when compared with HD patients (p < 0.001). Independent predictors of depression in patients were mental component scale of HRQoL, gender (being female), and dialysis modality (being PD patient). Physical component scale was also found to be an independent predictor of SQ. This study showed that despite similar SQ scores between two groups, HD patients had better HRQoL and less depression than PD patients.
RACE/A: An Architectural Account of the Interactions Between Learning, Task Control, and Retrieval Dynamics
Authors: van Maanen Leendert , van Rijn Hedderik , Taatgen Niels
Published: December 2011

This article discusses how sequential sampling models can be integrated in a cognitive architecture. The new theory Retrieval by Accumulating Evidence in an Architecture (RACE/A) combines the level of detail typically provided by sequential sampling models with the level of task complexity typically provided by cognitive architectures. We will use RACE/A to model data from two variants of a picture–word interference task in a psychological refractory period design. These models will demonstrate how RACE/A enables interactions between sequential sampling and long‐term declarative learning, and between sequential sampling and task control. In a traditional sequential sampling model, the onset of the process within the task is unclear, as is the number of sampling processes. RACE/A provides a theoretical basis for estimating the onset of sequential sampling processes during task execution and allows for easy modeling of multiple sequential sampling processes within a task.
International Norms for Compulsory Licensing and the Indian Copyright Law
Authors: Agitha T. G.
Published: December 2011

In the context of the Copyright Amendment Bill, 2010 of India, this paper explores the feasibility in the international context, of compulsory licence, to ensure information dissemination while safeguarding the interests of copyright owners and the Indian legal position in this respect. Though India pioneered the pressure group for ensuring recognition of compulsory licence in international norms in the discussions of the Berne Convention, it is interesting how her own laws were drafted and how the new Bill is addressing this issue. The problem of access to the information from the developed countries in the context of The Agreement on Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) and the interpretation to the open‐ended three‐step test to facilitate such access are the focal point of this paper.
Enriching Science and Math Through Engineering
Authors: Redmond Adrienne , Thomas Julie , High Karen , Scott Margaret , Jordan Pat , Dockers Jean
Published: December 2011

This case study reviewed the collaborative efforts of university engineers, teacher educators, and middle school teachers to advance sixth‐ and seventh‐grade students' learning through a series of project‐based engineering activities. This two‐year project enriched regular school curricula by introducing real‐world applications of science and mathematics concepts that expanded opportunities for creativity and problem‐solving, introduced problem‐based learning, and provided after‐school programming (for girls only) led by engineering students from the local university. This engineering education initiative showed significant impact on students' (1) confidence in science and mathematics; (2) effort toward science and mathematics; (3) awareness of engineering; and (4) interest in engineering as a potential career. With regard to gender, there were no significant differences between boys' and girls' responses. The girls' confidence in their own skills and potential, however, was significantly more positive than the boys' confidence in the girls. These results gave rise to new questions regarding mentor/mentee relationships and the overall effect of “girls only” mentoring.
Bending Capacity Analyses of Corroded Pipeline
Authors: Yu Weiwei , Vargas Pedro M. , Karr Dale G.
Published: December 2011

Appendix G of the ASME B31 pipeline and piping codes addresses the pressure containment capacity of pipelines and vessels with locally corroded sections. However, the ability of corroded sections to carry moment, for example, in thermal loops, is not addressed in fitness-for-service codes today. This paper presents nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and full-scale 4-point-bend testing of pipes with locally-thinned-areas (LTAs) to simulate corrosion. The LTAs are loaded in compression, and the buckle moment is used as the carrying capacity of the corroded section. The nonlinear FEA is found to match the experimental results, validating this methodology for computing moment capacity in corroded sections. Significant secondary effects were found to affect the testing results. This paper identifies and quantifies these effects. Also, somewhat contrary to intuition, internal pressure is demonstrated to adversely affect the bending capacity for the intermediate-low D/t ratio (17.25) pipe tested.
Modeling and Control of an Exhaust Recompression HCCI Engine Using Split Injection
Authors: Ravi Nikhil , Liao Hsien-Hsin , Jungkunz Adam F. , Chang Chen-Fang , Song Han Ho , Gerdes J. Christian
Published: December 2011

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is currently being pursued as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to conventional engine strategies. Control of the load and phasing of combustion is critical in the effort to ensure reliable operation of an HCCI engine over a wide operating range. This paper presents an approach for modeling the effect of a small pilot injection during the recompression process of an HCCI engine, and a controller that uses the timing of this pilot injection to control the phasing of combustion. The model is a nonlinear physical model that captures the effect of fuel quantity and intake and exhaust valve timings on work output and combustion phasing. It is seen that around the operating points considered, the effect of a pilot injection can be modeled as a change in the Arrhenius threshold, an analytical construct used to model the phasing of combustion as a function of the thermodynamic state of the reactant mixture. The relationship between injection timing and combustion phasing can be separated into a linear, analytical component and a nonlinear, empirical component. Two different control strategies based on this model are presented, both of which enabled steady operation at low load conditions and effectively track desired load-phasing trajectories. These strategies demonstrate the potential of split injection as a practical cycle-by-cycle control knob requiring only minimal valve motion that would be easily achievable on current production engines equipped with cam phasers.
Skeletal Effects of the Saturated 3-Thia Fatty Acid Tetradecylthioacetic Acid in Rats
Authors: Stunes Astrid Kamilla , Westbroek Irene , Fossmark Reidar , Berge Rolf Kristian , Reseland Janne Elin , Syversen Unni
Published: December 2011

This study explores the skeletal effects of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)pan agonist tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA). Rats, without (Study I) and with ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation (Study II), were given TTA or vehicle daily for 4 months. Bone markers in plasma, whole body and femoral bone mineral density and content (BMD and BMC), and body composition were examined. Histomorphometric and biomechanical analyses (Study I) and biomechanical and μCT analyses (Study II) of the femur were performed. Normal rats fed TTA had higher femoral BMD and increased total and cortical area in femur compared to controls. The ovariectomized groups had decreased BMD and impaired microarchitecture parameters compared to SHAM. However, the TTA OVX group maintained femoral BMC, trabecular thickness in the femoral head, and cortical volume in the femoral metaphysis as SHAM. TTA might increase BMD and exert a light preventive effect on estrogen-related bone loss in rats.
Bayesian Inference on the Shape Parameter and Future Observation of Exponentiated Family of Distributions
Authors: Dey Sanku , Maiti Sudhansu S.
Published: December 2011

The Bayes estimators of the shape parameter of exponentiated family of distributions have been derived by considering extension of Jeffreys′ noninformative as well as conjugate priors under different scale‐invariant loss functions, namely, weighted quadratic loss function, squared‐log error loss function and general entropy loss function. The risk functions of these estimators have been studied. We have also considered the highest posterior density (HPD) intervals for the parameter and the equal‐tail and HPD prediction intervals for future
observation. Finally, we analyze one data set for illustration.
Effect of Polarization on the Correlation and Capacity of Indoor MIMO Channels
Authors: Lo Hsun-Chang , Lin Ding-Bing , Yang Teng-Chieh , Li Hsueh-Jyh
Published: December 2011

We describe a simple multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) channel measurement system for acquiring indoor MIMO channel responses. Four configurations of the polarization diversity antenna, referred to asVVV,YYH,YVYandVHH, were studied in terms of the capacity of indoor MIMO systems. Measurements were taken for a3×3MIMO system in the 2.4 GHz band. In addition, the channel capacity, singular-value decomposition, and correlation coefficient were used to explain the effects of various polarization schemes on MIMO fading channels. We also propose an analysis method for polarization channel capacity; this method includes the normalization of the received power and polarization effect for different polarization schemes. The validation of the model is based upon data collected in both light-of-sight (LOS) and non-light-of-sight (NLOS) environments. From the numerical simulation results, the proposed analysis method was close to measurements made in an indoor environment.
Developing and Validating a Predictive Model for Stroke Progression
Authors: Craig L.E. , Wu O. , Gilmour H. , Barber M. , Langhorne P.
Published: December 2011

Background: Progression is believed to be a common and important complication in acute stroke, and has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Reliable identification of predictors of early neurological deterioration could potentially benefit routine clinical care. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of early stroke progression using two independent patient cohorts. Methods: Two patient cohorts were used for this study – the first cohort formed the training data set, which included consecutive patients admitted to an urban teaching hospital between 2000 and 2002, and the second cohort formed the test data set, which included patients admitted to the same hospital between 2003 and 2004. A standard definition of stroke progression was used. The first cohort (n = 863) was used to develop the model. Variables that were statistically significant (p < 0.1) on univariate analysis were included in the multivariate model. Logistic regression was the technique employed using backward stepwise regression to drop the least significant variables (p > 0.1) in turn. The second cohort (n = 216) was used to test the performance of the model. The performance of the predictive model was assessed in terms of both calibration and discrimination. Multiple imputation methods were used for dealing with the missing values. Results: Variables shown to be significant predictors of stroke progression were conscious level, history of coronary heart disease, presence of hyperosmolarity, CT lesion, living alone on admission, Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification, presence of pyrexia and smoking status. The model appears to have reasonable discriminative properties [the median receiver-operating characteristic curve value was 0.72 (range 0.72–0.73)] and to fit well with the observed data, which is indicated by the high goodness-of-fit p value [the median p value from the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.90 (range 0.50–0.92)]. Conclusion: The predictive model developed in this study contains variables that can be easily collected in practice therefore increasing its usability in clinical practice. Using this analysis approach, the discrimination and calibration of the predictive model appear sufficiently high to provide accurate predictions. This study also offers some discussion around the validation of predictive models for wider use in clinical practice.
Ecology of Time: Calendar of the Human Body in the Pamir Mountains
Authors: Bulbulshoev Umed , Kassam Karim-Aly , Ruelle Morgan
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Villagers in the Pamir Mountains of Afghanistan and Tajikistan integrated the human body into the seasons and rhythms of their ecological relations to generate “calendars of the human body.” These calendars illustrate that culture does not exist outside of its ecological foundation (i.e. nature), but is firmly situated within it. Farmers undertook agro-pastoral and hunting activities using their own bodies not only for labor, but as a measure of the changing tempo of the seasons. Their bodies both interacted with life on the land and acted as organic clocks to mark the passage of time. While these calendars are no longer widely used, memory of their usage survives, and words from the calendars marking specific ecological events in local languages are still in use. This paper (1) investigates the historical presence and human ecological significance of a calendar of the human body; (2) illustrates the diversity of these calendars based on the specific context of their use from valley to valley in the region; (3) demonstrates the complex connectivity of the users (agro-pastoralists) within their habitat; and, (4) explores the efficacy of this calendar in developing anticipatory capacity among villagers in order to reduce anxiety associated with climate change. The calendar of the human body not only measures time, but gives it meaning.
The Genealogical History of the Last Royal Families of Chitral and Yasin: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Rahman Hidayat ur
Published: December 2011

Abstract

This study examines the divergent genealogies of the last royal families of Chitral and Yasin, the Katur and Khushwakht respectively. We propose, based on published and unpublished sources of the nineteenth and twentieth century as well as traditions brought to light by field research, that the origin of the dynasties of the founding figures Mohtaram Shah Katur I and Shah Khushwakht is linked not with outsiders, as asserted by the former rulers of Chitral and Yasin, but rather with the ancient Katur rulers of the Hindu Kush mountains, referred to as Kator or Katur in the sources. It is hoped that this preliminary examination of the social, historical, and cultural status of the ancestors of the Katur and Khushwakht rulers will open new research possibilities for the study of the history and culture of present-day northern Pakistan.
The Story of the Button on the Jacket—Substances of Very High Concern in Complex Products
Authors: Hoppenbrouwers Marianne
Published: December 2011

Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are subject to specific rules in the REACH regulation. For example, once the concentration of SVHCs in articles exceeds 0,1% weight by weight notification to ECHA and communication in the supply chain is obligatory. However, many products are in fact complex articles, consisting of many articles sometimes with SVHCs. The calculation of the concentration of SVHC in complex articles is open for interpretation due to the lack of clear definitions in the legal text of REACH. Two formulas, one defended by ECHA and the other by six Member States exist. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice is not clear cut. is article tries to shed light on the issues and gives a beginning of a solution.
Disaster Strikes: Regulatory Barriers to the Effective Delivery of International Disaster Assistance within the EU
Authors: Williams Sarah , Stefanelli Justine N.
Published: December 2011

This article considers the European Union's legal framework and its ability to facilitate – or hinder – international assistance for natural disasters occurring within the European Union. At a time when the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the EU appears to be increasing, and when it is more likely that affected EU Member States are required to seek assistance from outside their borders, or even outside the EU, it is important to ensure that international assistance is able to reach its intended target. Member State domestic legal frameworks may delay, obstruct or prevent international assistance from reaching those in need, often due to a failure to consider the special situation of disasters when drafting, interpreting and applying legislative regimes. For example, immigration, customs, food and transport laws may not contain sufficient exemptions for emergency personnel, materials and goods, and domestic licensing requirements and quality standards may prevent a nation from accepting assistance. At the same time, there is a need to ensure that any assistance accepted by an affected Member State is subject to appropriate quality standards without unduly impeding the delivery of assistance.
Radar Scattering from Ice Aggregates Using the Horizontally Aligned Oblate Spheroid Approximation
Authors: Hogan Robin J. , Tian Lin , Brown Philip R. A. , Westbrook Christopher D. , Heymsfield Andrew J. , Eastment Jon D.
Published: December 2011

The assumed relationship between ice particle mass and size is profoundly important in radar retrievals of ice clouds, but, for millimeter-wave radars, shape and preferred orientation are important as well. In this paper the authors first examine the consequences of the fact that the widely used “Brown and Francis” mass–size relationship has often been applied to maximum particle dimension observed by aircraftDmaxrather than to the mean of the particle dimensions in two orthogonal directionsDmean, which was originally used by Brown and Francis. Analysis of particle images reveals thatDmax≃ 1.25Dmean, and therefore, for clouds for which this mass–size relationship holds, the consequences are overestimates of ice water content by around 53% and of Rayleigh-scattering radar reflectivity factor by 3.7 dB. Simultaneous radar and aircraft measurements demonstrate that much better agreement in reflectivity factor is provided by using this mass–size relationship withDmean. The authors then examine the importance of particle shape and fall orientation for millimeter-wave radars. Simultaneous radar measurements and aircraft calculations of differential reflectivity and dual-wavelength ratio are presented to demonstrate that ice particles may usually be treated as horizontally aligned oblate spheroids with an axial ratio of 0.6, consistent with them being aggregates. An accurate formula is presented for the backscatter cross section apparent to a vertically pointing millimeter-wave radar on the basis of a modified version of Rayleigh–Gans theory. It is then shown that the consequence of treating ice particles as Mie-scattering spheres is to substantially underestimate millimeter-wave reflectivity factor when millimeter-sized particles are present, which can lead to retrieved ice water content being overestimated by a factor of 4.
Changing Work, Changing Health
Authors: Moen Phyllis , Kelly Erin L. , Tranby Eric , Huang Qinlei
Published: December 2011

This article investigates a change in the structuring of work time, using a natural experiment to test whether participation in a corporate initiative (Results Only Work Environment; ROWE) predicts corresponding changes in health-related outcomes. Drawing on job strain and stress process models, we theorize greater schedule control and reduced work-family conflict as key mechanisms linking this initiative with health outcomes. Longitudinal survey data from 659 employees at a corporate headquarters shows that ROWE predicts changes in health-related behaviors, including almost an extra hour of sleep on work nights. Increasing employees’ schedule control and reducing their work-family conflict are key mechanisms linking the ROWE innovation with changes in employees’ health behaviors; they also predict changes in well-being measures, providing indirect links between ROWE and well-being. This study demonstrates that organizational changes in the structuring of time can promote employee wellness, particularly in terms of prevention behaviors.
Effects of finishing on the mechanical and thermal properties of fabrics from wool and hollow polyester fibres
Authors: Khoddami Akbar , Soleimani Mohammad I , Gong Hugh
Published: December 2011

The effects of finishing steps on hollow and solid polyester/wool have been studied in order to establish the processing behaviour and performance characteristics of fabrics from these fibres. The effect of hollow fibres on fabric tensile strength, pilling, and crease recovery were studied. In addition, the water vapour permeability, air permeability, thermal properties and fabric handle were investigated. The results show that finishing has no adverse effects on fabric strength. By using hollow fibres in the fabrics, the extent of pilling was reduced. Among the different steps of finishing, scouring has the most significant effect on fabric hand due mainly to the large reduction in both bending, and shear rigidity and hysteresis. The results on crease recovery, water vapour permeability and air permeability revealed that the fabric properties are more affected by the fabric structure than the type of polyester fibre. In addition, while the hollow fibre fabrics always have lower thermal conductivity than similar fabrics with solid polyester fibres, their thermal properties are greatly affected by the dyeing process.
Investigation of the techniques decreasing the seam slippage in chenille fabrics (Part II)
Authors: Pasayev Nazim , Korkmaz Mahmut , Baspinar Dilek
Published: December 2011

The seam slippage in woven fabric products is an adverse event in sewn products. The purpose of this study is to examine the seam slippage in chenille fabric products which are widely used as upholstery fabrics and to research ways to decrease seam slippage. In this study, the theoretical analysis of the seam slippage mechanism has been performed by the literature analysis and the results of experimental studies which were obtained in Part I. In this analysis, seam slippage is examined as the sum of two factors: the deformation of sewing stitch and the slippage of the fabric yarns by sewing stitch chains. According to the theoretical analysis of the processes, it can be inferred that it is possible to decrease seam slippage by driving the energy of applied mechanical forces to other tasks. Based on the results, the ways to decrease seam slippage, which occur in sewn products, have been determined. Two of them are related to the selection of sewing yarn and sewing parameters based on previous researches. The dependence of the other two ways on the fabric structure supported with adhesive interlining and the selection of sewing type were examined. The results of the experimental studies supported the results of the theoretical analysis.
Pattern-making simulation on embroidery using probabilistic neural network and texture fitting method
Authors: Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Shih Chung-Yang , Hsu Chien-Tung Max
Published: December 2011

Embroidery fabric is different from other planar fabrics such as printed fabrics and twill fabrics. Because embroidery fabrics have inherent solid texture patterns, furry edges, voids and thickness shadows, it is very difficult to filter and simulate texture patterns and this is the bottleneck for embroidery automation. Therefore, this paper proposes the texture fitting method. The texture fitting method is a kind of nonfiltered digital image processing method. For embroidery fabrics full of multiple single-connected, single-color and single-texture closed regions, the texture fitting method can complete color and region separation, and texture simulation fast. Then the results can be output to monitors or plotters to investigate the simulation effect and it can be compared to real fabrics, or this technology can be used as a generalized filter for embroidery fabrics. This paper first addresses a combination of mean, morphological and central weighted median filters to remove light variation on embroidery surface, periodic darkness on the greige, and noised texture structures, so as to separate colors by weighted fuzzy C-means method and reshape one-dimensional image pixels to finish region separation. The second part of this paper utilizes the texture fitting method to identify stitch colors and simulate texture patterns over the whole image. By exporting the result to visual devices, we can prove the integral correctness and efficiency of the texture simulation.
Inflammation and Traumatic Stress
Authors: Gill Jessica M. , Szanton Sarah
Published: December 2011

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that develops following a traumatic event and has substantial health implications, including high rates of health morbidity and mortality, as well as significant health-related costs. Medical risks that are associated with PTSD often have an underlying inflammatory pathology, suggesting that inflammation contributes to these health declines. Objectives and Design: In this critical literature review, the authors examine the medical risks associated with PTSD and the inflammatory mechanisms that likely underlie these risks. Results and Conclusions: The authors offer a review of their “Cells to Society Resiliency Model” to motivate the development of integrative interventions that include factors of society, community, family, individual, physiological, and cellular factors to thereby reduce the health risks associated with PTSD.
Ireland's restrictive abortion law: a threat to women's health and rights?
Authors: Yoshida Rie
Published: December 2011

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has recently handed down its judgement in the case of three women contesting the abortion law in the Republic of Ireland, which has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the world. Although the Court ruled that Ireland had to clarify the current law following the success of one of the three claims, the failure of the other two claims allows Ireland to continue to enforce its law, which has an adverse effect on women's health. This paper, therefore, proposes an amendment to abortion legislation in the Republic of Ireland that would be compatible with safeguarding women's health, highlighting several circumstances in which the continuation of a pregnancy may have a detrimental impact on a woman's physical and/or mental health.
Emerging themes in the everyday ethics of primary care: a report from an interdisciplinary workshop
Authors: Gardner John , Papanikitas Andrew , Owens John , Engward Hilary
Published: December 2011

We report key themes arising from a postgraduate workshop organized by the King's Interdisciplinary Discussion Society (KIDS) held in April 2011. KIDS believe that health is a phenomenon that transcends disciplinary boundaries, and therefore issues relating to health care and medical ethics are best addressed with an interdisciplinary approach. The workshop, entitled ‘Everyday Ethics and Primary Healthcare’, included poster presentations and oral presentations from participants from a range of disciplines and occupational backgrounds which highlighted the challenges faced by primary health-care workers. Three common themes emerged: the impersonal and cumbersome work environment that can result from the encroachment of rationalizing tools; the tension between ‘ethical practice as an ongoing sensibility’ and ‘ethical practice as “box-ticking”’; and the contested nature of what constitutes ‘health’. Participants felt that the interdisciplinary perspective was helpful in elucidating the various ethical issues arising in primary health care.
The shifting sands of patient autonomy and public interest considerations in health care
Authors: Wheeler Robert , Spargo Paul , Lucassen Anneke
Published: December 2011

The past few decades have seen patient autonomy ascend to a prime position in health care. Patient consent is seen as a key component to expression of autonomy. Yet, interventions may also be justified without consent because they are deemed to be in the public interest. We observe some subtle shifts in balance in these justifications in health care and illustrate these with a range of examples. We hope thereby to stimulate a more explicit debate so that health-care professionals can manage these competing interests.
Expert witnesses – immune no more
Authors: Smith Tim
Published: December 2011

The Supreme Court has handed down judgment in the high profile case of Jones v Kaney, in which the court has held that expert witnesses, including healthcare professionals, can now be sued. Healthcare professionals are often called upon in cases to provide expert evidence. Until this decision, expert witnesses had been held to be immune from claims. However, this decision means that the experts are no longer immune and can be sued by their clients (and potentially others). It will be interesting to see how this judgment affects experts.
Coroners' Rule 43 reports
Authors: Fletcher Alan K
Published: December 2011

Every six months, the Ministry of Justice publishes a summary of coroners' Rule 43 reports. There are many references to clinical medicine and this article describes the document content, its' relevance to clinical risk management and the implications for healthcare governance. This article discusses the history of Rule 43 and also its future. We discover that there are many valuable lessons learned from coroner inquests, that application of Rule 43 varies depending on jurisdiction, and that a recurring theme of similar problems runs through successive Ministry summaries.
Use of an Exchange Method to Estimate the Association and Dissociation Rate Constants of Cadmium Complexes Formed with Low‐Molecular‐Weight Organic Acids Commonly Exuded by Plant Roots
Authors: Schneider André , Nguyen Christophe
Published: December 2011

Organic acids released from plant roots can form complexes with cadmium (Cd) in the soil solution and influence metal bioavailability not only due to the nature and concentration of the complexes but also due to their lability. The lability of a complex influences its ability to buffer changes in the concentration of free ions (Cd2+); it depends on the association (ka, m3 mol−1 s−1) and dissociation (kd, s−1) rate constants. A resin exchange method was used to estimate kd and kaexp (m3 mol−1 s−1), which is the conditional estimate of ka depending on the calcium (Ca) concentration in solution. The constants were estimated for oxalate, citrate, and malate, three low‐molecular‐weight organic acids commonly exuded by plant roots and expected to strongly influence Cd uptake by plants. For all three organic acids, the kaexp and kd estimates were around 2.5 10−3 m3 mol−1 s−1 and 1.3 × 10−4 s−1, respectively. Based on the literature, these values indicate that the Cd– low‐molecular‐weight organic acids complexes formed between Cd and low‐molecular‐weight organic acids may be less labile than complexes formed with soil soluble organic matter but more labile than those formed with aminopolycarboxylic chelates.
Nitrogen Source Effects on Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Strip‐Till Corn
Authors: Halvorson Ardell D. , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Jantalia Claudia Pozzi
Published: December 2011

Nitrogen (N) application to crops generally results in increased nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Commercially available, enhanced‐efficiency N fertilizers were evaluated for their potential to reduce N2O emissions from a clay loam soil compared with conventionally used granular urea and urea‐ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertilizers in an irrigated strip‐till (ST) corn (Zea mays L.) production system. Enhanced‐efficiency N fertilizers evaluated were a controlled‐release, polymer‐coated urea (ESN), stabilized urea, and UAN products containing nitrification and urease inhibitors (SuperU and UAN+AgrotainPlus), and UAN containing a slow‐release N source (Nfusion). Each N source was surface‐band applied (202 kg N ha−1) at corn emergence and watered into the soil the next day. A subsurface‐band ESN treatment was included. Nitrous oxide fluxes were measured during two growing seasons using static, vented chambers and a gas chromatograph analyzer. All N sources had significantly lower growing season N2O emissions than granular urea, with UAN+AgrotainPlus and UAN+Nfusion having lower emissions than UAN. Similar trends were observed when expressing N2O emissions on a grain yield and N uptake basis. Loss of N2O–N per kilogram of N applied was <0.8% for all N sources. Corn grain yields were not different among N sources but greater than treatments with no N applied. Selection of N fertilizer source can be a mitigation practice for reducing N2O emissions in strip‐till, irrigated corn in semiarid areas.
Phenotyping Summer Dormancy in Tall Fescue
Authors: Bhamidimarri S. , Saha M. C. , Payton M. E. , Hopkins A. A.
Published: December 2011

Summer dormancy enables tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) to survive hot and dry summers. Phenotyping summer dormancy in the field can be problematic owing to the confounding effects of heat and drought. The objective therefore was to develop a method for phenotyping summer dormancy in tall fescue. Three genotypes (summer active [SA], moderately summer dormant [MSD], and strongly summer dormant [SSD]) were grown in four growth chambers under long day (LD) and high temperature (HT), LD and optimum temperature (OT), short day (SD) and HT, and SD and OT conditions. Within each chamber, two levels of moisture (well watered [+W] or drought [–W]) and vernalization (vernalized [+V] or nonvernalized [–V]) were also tested. Under SD, OT, +W, and +V conditions, SSD had equal or greater growth compared to SA genotype, as measured by number of tillers, plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight. The SSD genotype grew less than the SA as measured by number of tillers (8.6 vs. 15.8), fresh weight (6.0 vs. 16.0 g), and dry weight (3.1 vs. 8.8 g) under LD, OT, +W, and +V conditions. The MSD genotype had intermediate responses. Plant height of genotypes followed a similar pattern during two consecutive regrowth periods. Dormancy of plants could not be classified under drought or without prior vernalization. Dormancy of genotypes could be differentiated by comparing growth under favorable (SD, OT, +W, and +V) versus LD, OT, +W, and +V conditions.
A Modified Colorimetric Method for Selection of Soybean Phytate Concentration
Authors: Burleson Sarah A. , Shang Chao , Rosso M. Luciana , Maupin Laura M. , Rainey Katy M.
Published: December 2011

Determining seed phytate concentration in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is important for screening germplasm and for selection of modified‐phosphorus (P) lines with stable low‐phytate expression. Accurate quantitative phytate assays and simple colorimetric assays have been developed; however, a high‐throughput colorimetric phytate assay is needed. The objectives of this study were to develop a cost‐ and time‐effective modified Fe colorimetric phytate assay, and to demonstrate that the assay can be used for direct selection of phytate concentration in soybean seeds. The new modified Fe colorimetric assay was tested on 192 samples from eight lines from three germplasm sources (normal‐P composition, and two different modified‐P composition mutants) produced in 12 environments. Compared to other quantitative and colorimetric methods of phytate determination, this assay is faster, less expensive, and simpler, which meets the needs of breeders for selection among modified‐P soybean lines over environments.
Thatch Control in Newly Established Velvet Bentgrass Putting Greens in Scandinavia
Authors: Espevig Tatsiana , Molteberg Bjørn , Tronsmo Anne Marte , Tronsmo Arne , Aamlid Trygve S.
Published: December 2011

The use of velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina L.) on putting greens is limited by sparse knowledge on optimal maintenance. Our objective was to determine the effects of N (75 or 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1), topdressing (0.5 or 1.0 mm biweekly), and mechanical‐biological treatment (grooming, vertical cutting, spiking, and Thatch‐less) on turfgrass visual quality, playability, winter survival, and thatch formation. The study was conducted at a coastal location in Norway (Landvik, 58°N) from August 2007 to May 2010 on sand‐based root zone (United States Golf Association specifications) seeded in late spring 2007 with velvet bentgrass ‘Legendary’. Only the higher N rate gave acceptable quality during the first 2 yr after sowing. The higher N rate reduced moss and winter injuries from disease compared with the lower N but decreased surface hardness by 21% and reduced ball roll distance by 6 to 14%. Significant interactions reflected an increase in mat organic matter with increasing N rate under light but not under heavy topdressing. Compared with grooming only, grooming plus vertical cutting significantly reduced mat organic matter from 64 to 53 g kg−1. Grooming plus spiking improved water infiltration rate by 51% compared with grooming alone. Thatch‐less increased hardness of the otherwise soft plots receiving grooming plus spiking but had no effect on mat depth or organic matter content.
Variability and Stability Analysis for Nutritional Traits in the Mini Core Collection of Peanut
Authors: Upadhyaya Hari D. , Mukri Ganapati , Nadaf Hajisaheb L. , Singh Sube
Published: December 2011

The nutritional quality of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) products depends on the protein content, oil content, and composition of oil. Low genetic variability has been a major bottleneck in genetic enhancement of these nutritional traits in commercial cultivars. The present study was conducted to identify stable genotypes with better nutritional traits and good agronomic performance for use in future breeding programs. The 184 mini core accessions and four control cultivars were evaluated for nutritional traits for two seasons at two locations and for agronomic traits at one location. Significant genotypic and genotype × environment interactions were observed for all the nutritional and agronomic traits in the entire mini core collection and within each A. hypogaea subspecies of fastigiata Waldron and hypogaea. Eighteen accessions with higher nutritional traits such as protein content, oil content, oleic acid, and oleic to linoleic acid ratio with superior agronomic traits were identified and their stability analysis resulted in identification of a high oleic acid content (>73%) accession (ICG 2381). On the basis of higher nutritional and agronomic traits 11 subsp. fastigiata and 10 subsp. hypogaea diverse accessions were identified with more than two trait combinations for use in peanut breeding programs for genetic enhancement of nutritional traits.