bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE NUTRITIONAL RESPONSE OF TWO PENAEID SPECIES TO VARIOUS LEVELS OF SQUID MEAL IN A PREPARED FEED1
Authors: Fenucci Jorge L. , Zein‐Eldin Zoula P. , Lawrence Addison L.
Published: August 2010

Several pelletized feeds containing 30–35% total protein were tested on two penaeid species, Penaeus stylirostris and P. setiferus. Alginate bound test diets varied in protein composition but all diets contained about 30% sun‐dried shrimp meal. Following initial testing with diets containing up to 13% squid meal, further test diets varied in percentage of squid meal between 0 and 12.7, and in α‐soy flour between 0 and 12.4. One test diet replaced these components with 12.5% brewer's yeast.

Conversion rates, survival, and growth were determined during a 3‐week period, both in the two species and in two sizes of P. stylirostris.

Comparisons of the various diets between the two species suggest that the presence of 5–6% squid meal is advantageous in feeds of about 30–35% total protein.
THE EFFECT OF PROCESSING ON PROTEIN INGREDIENTS FOR LARVAL DIETS: BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION
Authors: Gabaudan Jacques , Pigott George M. , Halver John E.
Published: August 2010

The effect of four drying methods on the protein digestibility and metabolizable energy of krill and brine shrimp was studied using the metabolism chamber procedure and rainbow trout as test animals. At attempt was also made to determine the influence of acidity on the nutritive quality of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH). A purified test diet (casein‐gelatin mixture) was used as the control. Freeze drying, vacuum drying and drum drying were found to have no significant effect on the protein digestibility and metabolizable energy values of krill and brine shrimp while oven drying drastically decreased these values. Krill, brine shrimp and FPH protein digestibility values were high and compared favorably with the casein‐gelatin mixture of the control. Acidity had no effect on the protein digestibility and metabolizable energy of FPH.
REPORT ON FURTHER STUDIES BY THE LARVAL FEED PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, COLLEGE OF FISHERIES
Authors: Tucker Barbee W. , Pigott George M. , Halver John E.
Published: August 2010

In addition to the digestibility studies reported in the previous paper (Gabaudan et al. 1980), amino acid analyses were conducted on the protein feed ingredients and test diets utilizing these ingredients. Triplicate samples were hydrolyzed and analyzed on a Beckman 120C model amino acid analyzer. Results are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3. As with the digestibility studies, no significant differences in amino acid profiles were found between acidic or neutralized fish protein hydrolysate. The profiles of brine shrimp and krill show significant differences in essential amino acids only with oven drying. Lysine, in particular, is decreased. Although preparatory hydrolysis could interfere with detection of processing damage, these data do correlate with the digestibility data.
AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF THE TAIL MUSCLE OF Macrobrachium rosenbergii–COMPARISON TO AMINO ACID PATTERNS OF SUPPLEMENTED COMMERCIAL FEED PELLETS
Authors: Farmanfarmaian A. , Lauterio T.
Published: August 2010

The amino acid patterns of the commercial feed Purina Marine Ration, a reconstituted feed repelletized from the commercial ration after addition of binder, and the fresh tail muscle of Macrobrachium rosenbergii were compared by computing the normalized % ratio for each amino acid. The muscle was appreciably lower in glutamic acid and proline and higher in isoleucine, lysine and arginine when compared with the base pellet. Supplementation of the repelletized feed with separate crystalline essential amino acids at a 1% level stimulated the relative growth/conversion index in the case of lysine, arginine, tryptophan, leucine, and isoleucine. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was strongly stimulated by lysine, and to a lesser extent by arginine, leucine and isoleucine supplementation.
PROCESSING YIELDS FOR MALAYSIAN PRAWNS AND THE IMPLICATIONS1
Authors: Smith Theodore I. J. , Waltz Wayne , Sandifer Paul A.
Published: August 2010

Processing yields for pond‐reared Malaysian prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were size and sex dependent. The percentage of tail weight yield decreased with increased prawn size. Female prawns provided significantly (P < .001) greater yields than males for all sizes. For example, 30 g females provided 49.7% tail weight as compared to 45.3% for males while 100 g females yielded 46.2% tail weight as compared to 38.1% for males. Tail meat yields (peeled tails) varied similarly. At a prawn size of 30 g, meat yields were 38.4 and 35.1% for females and males, respectively, while at a size of 100 g yields were 35.6 and 29.8%. Much of these differences in yields are related to the size and weight of the claws. Claws of females are small and provide a relatively constant percentage (2.8%) of body weight whereas claws of males are larger and provide an increasingly greater proportion of total body weight (i.e., males 20 g, 4.3% claw weight; 100 g, 14.3% claw weight).

A table and nomograph are provided to serve as guides in determining the approximate tail weight or count size for prawns of a variety of sizes. In general, meat yields for Malaysian prawns are less than those obtained from penaeid shrimp, but greater than those obtained from crawfish and crabs. Similar to these species the marketing of prawns in the continental United States will probably involve both whole animals and tails only products.
AN INDUSTRY REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS AND ECONOMICS OF MOLLUSCAN SHELLFISH HATCHERIES IN WASHINGTON STATE
Authors: Lipovsky Vance P.
Published: August 2010

Molluscan shellfish hatcheries have been in operation since 1969 in Washington State. The progress and overall performance of these facilities since that time are reviewed. Hatchery operations are discussed from the viewpoint of biological methods and financial success.

Biologically, a comparison of hatchery seed is made with the imported Japanese seed and the domestically cultched seed in Washington State. The oyster seed market is analyzed in relation to quality of seed, number of oysters per shell, competition from natural seed sources, failure to standardize a case of seed and the inability to supply promised markets.

Economically, the discussion is of the advantages and disadvantages of a hatchery operation with reference to facility size, operational economics and market demand.
Severe Thigh Abscess Two Years after Transobturator Sling Operation
Authors: CHOI Hoon , BAE Jae Hyun , LEE Jeong Gu
Published: August 2010

Objectives: Tension‐free vaginal tape has gained large popularity owing to the ease of the procedure and its effectiveness. These procedures were initially thought to rarely involve any significant morbid complications. The transobturator tape (TOT) procedure reproduces the natural suspension similar to the tension‐free vaginal tape with a reduction in potential bladder, bowel, and vascular complications by the retropubic approach. However, the TOT procedure is not risk‐free when improperly performed. We report a rare case of abscess formation after TOT.

Methods: A 45‐year‐old woman was admitted to the orthopedic department with the chief complaint of right side thigh pain and swelling. Pelvis MRI showed abscess formation and inflammatory changes extending into the soft tissues and muscles between the right gracilis and adductor femoris. During incision and open drainage, the remnant mesh could not be located. On urologic consult, the pelvic examination located the remnant mesh to the right upper vaginal wall. Our patient underwent excision of the mesh material.

Results: She had significant improvement of the leg pain and was discharged home in good condition on postoperative day 7. Ultimately, the treatment for this complication was the removal of the mesh.

Conclusion: Treatment for thigh abscess after TOT was the removal of the mesh. All patients should be counseled about this potential complication.
Novel Modeling Approach to Generate a Polymeric Nanofiber Scaffold for Salivary Gland Cells
Authors: Jean-Gilles Riffard , Soscia David , Sequeira Sharon , Melfi Michael , Gadre Anand , Castracane James , Larsen Melinda
Published: August 2010

Electrospun nanofibers have been utilized in many biomedical applications as biomimetics of extracellular matrix proteins that promote self-organization of cells into 3D tissue constructs. As progress toward an artificial salivary gland tissue construct, we prepared nanofiber scaffolds using PLGA, which is a biodegradable and biocompatible material. We used electrospinning to prepare nanofiber scaffolds using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with both dimethylformamide (DMF) and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as solvents. Using a design of experiment approach, the system and process parameters were optimized concurrently, and their effects on the diameter of the resulting fibers were computed into a single model. A transfer function was used to reproducibly produce nanofibers of a defined diameter, which was confirmed by a scanning electron microscope. The salivary gland cell line was seeded on the nanofiber scaffolds, and morphology, cell proliferation, and viability were assayed. Varying two or more parameters simultaneously yielded trends diverging from the linear response predicted by previous studies. Comparison of two solvents revealed that the diameter of PLGA nanofibers generated using HFIP is less sensitive to changes in the system and process parameters than are fibers generated using DMF. Inclusion of NaCl reduced morphological inconsistencies and minimized process variability. The resulting nanofiber scaffolds supported attachment, survival, and cell proliferation of a mouse salivary gland epithelial cell line. In comparison with glass and flat PLGA films, the nanofibers promoted self-organization of the salivary gland cells into 3D cell clusters, or aggregates. These data indicate that nanofiber scaffolds promote salivary gland cell organization, and suggest that a nanofiber scaffold could provide a platform for engineering of an artificial salivary gland tissue construct. This study additionally provides a method for efficient production of nanofiber scaffolds for general application in tissue engineering.
Microcantilever Based Microdiagnostic Kit for Biomedical Applications: A Cost-Benefit Outlook
Authors: Vidhya Sree , Kumar Gideon Praveen , Mathew Lazar
Published: August 2010

Piezoresistive actuation of a microcantilever induced by biomolecular binding such as DNA hybridization and antibody-antigen binding is an important principle useful in biosensing applications. As the magnitude of the forces exerted is small, increasing the sensitivity of the microcantilever becomes critical. In this paper, we are considering to achieve this by geometric variation of the cantilever. The sensitivity of the cantilever was improved so that the device can sense the presence of the antigen even if the magnitude of surface stresses over the microcantilever was very small. We consider a “T-shaped” cantilever that eliminates the disadvantages while improving the sensitivity simultaneously. An analysis of the cantilever using stainless steel and silicon has been performed using INTELLISUITE software (a microelectromechanical systems design and simulation package).
Engineering Nanorobots: Chronology of Modeling Flagellar Propulsion
Authors: Rathore J. S. , Sharma N. N.
Published: August 2010

Nanorobots are propitious to swim or fly compared with crawling and walking because of issues with desirable characteristics of high velocity, efficiency, specificity, controllability, and a simple propagation mechanism that can be realized with miniaturized parts. Inspired by the fact that microorganisms existing in nature function expeditiously under these circumstances, researchers have shown a great interest to conceptualize, model, analyze, and make micro-/nanosized swimmers (nanorobots) that can move in body fluids for applications such as targeted drug delivery, nanomedication, and in-viscera nanosurgery. The present work compiles modeling of physics as investigated since 1951 of flagellar propulsion in engineering nanorobots. Existing theories in flagellar propulsion such as resistive force theory, slender body theory, Kirchhoff rod theory, bead model, and boundary element method as well as progress in designing the propulsion system of a nanorobot are summarized, and various interdisciplinary aspects of realizing nanorobots and issues in moving nanorobots have been presented chronologically.
Magnetic Assisted Transport of PLGA Nanoparticles Through a Human Round Window Membrane Model
Authors: Gao Xinsheng , Wang Youdan , Chen Kejian , Grady Brian P. , Dormer Kenneth J. , Kopke Richard D.
Published: August 2010

The lack of an effective method for inner ear drug delivery is a clinical problem for the prevention and treatment of hearing loss. With technology advances in nanomedicine and the use of hydrogels, more drug delivery options are becoming available. This study tested the feasibility of using a tripartite layer round window membrane (RWM) model to evaluate the effectiveness of a magnetic assisted transport of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). A RWM model was constructed as a three-cell-layer model with epithelial cells cultured on both sides of a small intestinal submucosal (SIS) matrix with fibroblasts seeded within the matrix. PLGA encapsulated coumarin-6/SPION nanoparticles 100 nm in diameter were formulated by an oil-in-water emulsion/solvent evaporation method and pulled through the RWM model using permanent magnets with a flux density 0.410 T at the pole face. Independent variables such as external magnetic force and exposure time, composition of hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel suspending media, and particle characteristics including magnetic susceptibility were studied. Magnetic assisted transport of coumarin-6 labeled magnetic nanoparticles through the RWM inserts increased 2.1-fold in 1 h compared with the controls. HA hydrogel did prevent particle accumulation on the surface of RWM in a magnetic field but also impaired the mobility of these particles. Greater particle susceptibility or stronger external magnetic fields did not significantly improve the transmembrane transport. A RWM model was designed consisting of a SIS membrane and three co-cultured layers of cells, which was structurally and physically similar to the human. PLGA particles (100 nm) with encapsulated ∼15 nm SPIONs were transported through this model with the assistance of an external magnet, allowing quantitative evaluation of prospective targeted drug delivery through the RWM via the assistance of a magnetic field.
Wireless Point-of-Care Diagnosis for Sleep Disorder With Dry Nanowire Electrodes
Authors: Varadan Vijay K. , Oh Sechang , Kwon Hyeokjun , Hankins Phillip
Published: August 2010

Currently, available sleep monitoring systems use electrical recording where the electrodes make contact with the patient’s skin using a conducting gel. The electrode wires are connected to a processing recording system. The subject has to be in close proximity of these machines due to the direct electrical connections with the body and the machine. The conductive gel along with many wires connected to the biopotential electrodes makes them uncomfortable for the subject, with the result that recording and monitoring of the patient’s sleep patterns can become very difficult. The patient has to be in a sleep lab and/or a hospital at all times and at least one technician needs to watch the patient’s sleep behavior via video. The patient may not experience normal sleep patterns under such environments and as such, the diagnostic results are not really very conclusive. The commonly monitored biopotential electrodes are electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyogram, and electrooculogram. The electrodes used for monitoring these signals are Ag/AgCl and gold, which require skin preparation by means of scrubbing to remove the dead cells and application of electrolytic gel to reduce the skin contact resistance. The gel takes a role of reducing skin contact impedance in the conventional Ag/AgCl electrode and its usage is directly related to the sensitivity. However, the wet conventional Ag/AgCl electrode has some drawbacks such as difficulty in long time monitoring because the gel dries out after few hours and skin irritations. Usually, physiological parameters are monitored over an extended period of time during the patient’s normal daily life to diagnose a disease. In this case, the wet conventional Ag/AgCl cannot be used because of the dry-out of gel. The dry-out of gel increases the impedance between skin and electrode and it is reflected in the poor signal sensitivity. Also noises, such as motion artifact and baseline wander, are added to the biopotential signals as the electrode floats over the electrolytic gel during monitoring. To overcome these drawbacks, dry nanoelectrodes are proposed in this paper where the electrodes are held against the skin surface to establish contact with the skin without the need for electrolytic fluids or gels. The results are presented along with a wireless communication such that the proposed system is ideal for point-of-care diagnosis of the patient at home.
Nanoclay Based Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Ambre Avinash H. , Katti Kalpana S. , Katti Dinesh R.
Published: August 2010

Scaffolds based on chitosan/polygalacturonic acid (ChiPgA) complex containing montmorillonite (MMT) clay modified with 5-aminovaleric acid were prepared using freeze-drying technique. The MMT clay was introduced to improve mechanical properties of the scaffold. The microstructure of the scaffolds containing the modified MMT clay was influenced by the incorporation of nanoclays. The MTT assay also indicated that the number of osteoblast cells in ChiPgA scaffolds containing the modified clay was comparable to ChiPgA scaffolds containing hydroxyapatite known for its osteoconductive properties. Overall, the ChiPgA composite scaffolds were found to be biocompatible. This was also indicated by the scanning electron microscopy images of the ChiPgA composite scaffolds seeded with human osteoblast cells. Photoacoustic–Fourier transform infrared (PA-FTIR) experiments on the ChiPgA composite scaffolds indicated formation of a polyelectrolyte complex between chitosan and polygalacturonic acid. PA-FTIR studies also showed that the MMT clay modified with 5-aminovaleric acid was successfully incorporated in the ChiPgA based scaffolds. Swelling studies on ChiPgA composite scaffolds showed the swelling ability of the scaffolds that indicated that the cells and the nutrients would be able to reach the interior parts of the scaffolds. In addition to this, the ChiPgA scaffolds exhibited porosity greater than 90% as appropriate for scaffolds used in tissue engineering studies. High porosity facilitates the nutrient transport throughout the scaffold and also plays a role in the development of adequate vasculature throughout the scaffold. Compressive mechanical tests on the scaffolds showed that the ChiPgA composite scaffolds had compressive elastic moduli in the range of 4–6 MPa and appear to be affected by the high porosity of the scaffolds. Thus, the ChiPgA composite scaffolds containing MMT clay modified with 5-aminovaleric acid are biocompatible. Also, the ChiPgA scaffolds containing the modified MMT clay appears to satisfy some of the basic requirements of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
Kepler-9: A System of Multiple Planets Transiting a Sun-Like Star, Confirmed by Timing Variations
Authors: Holman Matthew J. , Fabrycky Daniel C. , Ragozzine Darin , Ford Eric B. , Steffen Jason H. , Welsh William F. , Lissauer Jack J. , Latham David W. , Marcy Geoffrey W. , Walkowicz Lucianne M. , Batalha Natalie M. , Jenkins Jon M. , Rowe Jason F. , Cochran William D. , Fressin Francois , Torres Guillermo , Buchhave Lars A. , Sasselov Dimitar D. , Borucki William J. , Koch David G. , Basri Gibor , Brown Timothy M. , Caldwell Douglas A. , Charbonneau David , Dunham Edward W. , Gautier Thomas N. , Geary John C. , Gilliland Ronald L. , Haas Michael R. , Howell Steve B. , Ciardi David R. , Endl Michael , Fischer Debra , Fürész Gábor , Hartman Joel D. , Isaacson Howard , Johnson John A. , MacQueen Phillip J. , Moorhead Althea V. , Morehead Robert C. , Orosz Jerome A.
Published: August 2010

Extra Exoplanet?

A planet is said to transit its star if it can be seen to pass in front of the star; 19% of the known extrasolar planets are transiting planets. A lone planet will transit in an exactly periodic manner; if other planets are present, however, variations in transit duration are expected because of gravitational interactions.

Holman
et al.

(p.
51
, published online 26 August; see the cover; see the Perspective by

Laughlin

) report timing variations in the transits of two exoplanets detected by the Kepler space telescope. The planets have masses similar to that of Saturn and transit the same Sun-like star. A third planet several times the mass of Earth may also transit the star in an interior orbit.
A pilot study to examine research subjects' perception of participating in research in the emergency department
Authors: Paradis Carmen , Phelan Michael P , Brinich Margaret
Published: August 2010

Study objectives

The emergency department (ED) provides an arena for patient enrolment into a variety of research studies even for non-critically ill patients. Given the types of illness, time constraints and sense of urgency that exists in the ED environment, concern exists about whether research subjects in the ED can provide full consent for participation. We sought to identify enrolled research subjects' perspectives on the informed consent process for research conducted in the ED.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study of ED subjects, 18 years or older, who had been approached to participate in research in the ED and who were judged to have decision-making capacity. Exclusions were critical illness and refusal to participate. Subjective were followed up within 1 week after enrolling using structured phone interviews by trained interviewers.

Results

During the study period, 229 eligible patients were approached to participate in both a target study and this study. Of these, 66% (150/229) agreed to participate in this study, at least to the extent of allowing us access to their demographic data. The study participant group was similar in terms of gender to this particular ED's patient population but had significantly more African-Americans and persons older than 45.

Conclusion

Despite rigorous time constraints and rapid throughput times, the majority of subjects who consented to research participation in the ED felt that they were sufficiently informed and had adequate time to decide to participate.
Comparison of occupational exposure assessment methods in a case–control study of lead, genetic susceptibility and risk of adult brain tumours
Authors: Bhatti Parveen , Stewart Patricia A , Linet Martha S , Blair Aaron , Inskip Peter D , Rajaraman Preetha
Published: August 2010

Objectives

There is great interest in evaluating gene–environment interactions with chemical exposures, but exposure assessment poses a unique challenge in case–control studies. Expert assessment of detailed work history data is usually considered the best approach, but it is a laborious and time-consuming process. We set out to determine if a less intensive method of exposure assessment (a job exposure matrix (JEM)) would produce similar results to a previous analysis that found evidence of effect modification of the association between expert-assessed lead exposure and risk of brain tumours by a single nucleotide polymorphism in theALADgene (rs1800435).

Methods

We used data from a study of 355 patients with glioma, 151 patients with meningioma and 505 controls. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between brain tumour risk and lead exposure and effect modification by genotype. We evaluated Cohen's κ, sensitivity and specificity for the JEM compared to the expert-assessed exposure metrics.

Results

Although effect estimates were imprecise and driven by a small number of cases, we found evidence of effect modification between lead exposure andALADgenotype when using expert- but not JEM-derived lead exposure estimates. κ Values indicated only modest agreement (<0.5) for the exposure metrics, with the JEM indicating high specificity (∼0.9) but poor sensitivity (∼0.5). Disagreement between the two methods was generally due to having additional information in the detailed work history.

Conclusion

These results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that high quality exposure data are likely to improve the ability to detect genetic effect modification.
Radiation doses from global fallout and cancer incidence among reindeer herders and Sami in Northern Finland
Authors: Kurttio Päivi , Pukkala Eero , Ilus Taina , Rahola Tua , Auvinen Anssi
Published: August 2010

Objectives

People in the Arctic regions are one of the most heavily exposed population from the global fallout from atmospheric atomic bomb testing of the 1950s and 1960s due to their diet rich in reindeer meat in which radionuclides accumulate. We estimated the effect of the radioactive fallout and ethnicity on the cancer incidence in Northern Finland.

Methods

A cohort of the Arctic population in Finland (n=34 653) was identified through the Population Register Centre with grouping by reindeer herding status, ethnicity and radiation exposure. Annual average radiation doses, based on137Cs whole-body measurements, were assigned by birth year, gender and reindeer herder status. Incident cancer cases of a priori selected cancer types in the study cohort during 1971–2005 were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry.

Results

A total of 2630 cancer cases were observed versus 3073 expected on the basis of incidence rates in Northern Finland (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) was 0.86 with 95% CI of 0.82 to 0.89). For the indigenous Sami people SIR was even lower, 0.60 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.71). None of the cancer sites was significantly associated with the lifetime cumulative radiation dose. The SIR for the combined group of radiation-related cancer sites increased with the cumulative radiation dose received before 15 years of age (p=0.004).

Conclusion

Despite the low overall cancer incidence in the Arctic population and ethnic Sami people in Finland and lack of association between the lifetime cumulative radiation exposure from global radioactive fallout and cancer incidence, we found some indication of an increased cancer risk associated with radiation exposure received during childhood. Potential underestimation and misclassification of the radiation dose may affect the results and the findings should be interpreted with caution.
Blood lead at currently acceptable levels may cause preterm labour
Authors: Vigeh Mohsen , Yokoyama Kazuhito , Seyedaghamiri Zahrabigom , Shinohara Atsuko , Matsukawa Takehisa , Chiba Momoko , Yunesian Masoud
Published: August 2010

Objectives

Although occupational and environmental exposures to lead have been dramatically reduced in recent decades, adverse pregnancy outcomes have been observed at ‘acceptable’ levels of blood lead concentrations (≤10 μg/dl).

Methodology

Blood samples were collected from 348 singleton pregnant women, aged 16–35 years, during the first trimester of pregnancy (8–12 weeks) for lead measurement by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Subjects were followed up and divided into two groups (preterm and full-term deliveries) according to duration of gestation.

Results

The average (range) and geometric means of blood lead levels were 3.8 (1.0–20.5) and 3.5 μg/dl, respectively. Blood lead level was significantly (p<0.05) higher in mothers who delivered preterm babies than in those who delivered full-term babies (mean±SD: 4.46±1.86 and 3.43±1.22 μg/dl, respectively). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that a 1 unit increase in blood lead levels led to an increased risk of preterm birth (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.84).

Conclusion

Adverse pregnancy outcomes may occur at blood lead concentrations below the current acceptable level.
Incidence of extrapleural malignant mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, from the Italian national register
Authors: Marinaccio Alessandro , Binazzi Alessandra , Di Marzio Davide , Scarselli Alberto , Verardo Marina , Mirabelli Dario , Gennaro Valerio , Mensi Carolina , Merler Enzo , De Zotti Renata , Mangone Lucia , Chellini Elisabetta , Pascucci Cristiana , Ascoli Valeria , Menegozzo Simona , Cavone Domenica , Cauzillo Gabriella , Nicita Carmela , Melis Massimo , Iavicoli Sergio
Published: August 2010

Objectives

The epidemiology of extrapleural malignant mesothelioma is rarely discussed and the risk of misdiagnosis and the very low incidence complicate the picture. This study presents data on extrapleural malignant mesothelioma from the Italian National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM).

Methods

ReNaM works on a regional basis, searching for cases and interviewing subjects to investigate asbestos exposure. Classification and code criteria for certainty of diagnosis and exposure modalities are set by national guidelines. Between 1993 and 2004, 681 cases were collected. Incidence measures and exposure data refer to the ReNaM database. Age-standardised rates were estimated by the direct method using the Italian resident population in 2001. Correlations between the incidence of pleural and non-pleural malignant mesothelioma for the 103 Italian provinces were analysed.

Results

Standardised incidence rates (Italy, 2004, per million inhabitants) were 2.1 and 1.2 cases for the peritoneal site (in men and women, respectively), 0.2 cases for the tunica vaginalis testis, and 0.1 in the pericardial site, varying widely in different parts of the country. Mean age at diagnosis for all extrapleural malignant mesothelioma cases was 64.4 years and the men/women ratio was 1.57:1. Median latency was over 40 years for all extrapleural sites combined. The correlation between pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma was 0.71 (Pearson's r coefficient, p<0.001). Modalities of exposure to asbestos fibres were investigated for 392 cases.

Conclusions

The rarity of the disease, the low specificity of diagnosis and difficulties in identifying the modalities of asbestos exposure call for caution in discussing aetiological factors other than asbestos.
Ozone, heat and mortality: acute effects in 15 British conurbations
Authors: Pattenden Sam , Armstrong Ben , Milojevic Ai , Heal Mathew R , Chalabi Zaid , Doherty Ruth , Barratt Ben , Kovats R Sari , Wilkinson Paul
Published: August 2010

Background

Acute associations between mortality and ozone are largely accepted, though recent evidence is less conclusive. Evidence on ozone–heat interaction is sparse. We assess effects of ozone, heat, and their interaction, on mortality in Britain.

Methods

Acute effects of summer ozone on mortality were estimated using data from 15 conurbations in England and Wales (May–September, 1993–2003). 2-day means of daily maximum 8-h ozone were entered into case series analyses, controlling for particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of <10 μm, natural cubic splines of temperature, and other factors. Heat effects were estimated, comparing adjusted mortality rates at 97.5th and 75th percentiles of 2-day mean temperature. A separate model employed interaction terms to assess whether ozone effects increased on ‘hot days’ (where 2-day mean temperature exceeded the whole-year 95th percentile). Other heat metrics, and non-linear ozone effects, were also examined.

Results

Adverse ozone and heat effects occurred in nearly all conurbations. The mean mortality rate ratio for heat effect across conurbations was 1.071 (1.050–1.093). The mean ozone rate ratio was 1.003 per 10 μg/m3ozone increase (95% CI 1.001 to 1.005). On ‘hot days’ the mean ozone effect reached 1.006 (1.002–1.009) per 10 μg/m3, though ozone–heat interaction was significant in London only. On substituting maximum for mean temperature, the overall ozone effect reduced to null, though evidence remained of effects on hot days, particularly in London. An estimated ozone effect threshold was below current guidelines in ‘mean temperature’ models.

Conclusion

While heat showed robust effects on summer mortality, estimates for ozone depended upon the modelling of temperature. However, there was some evidence that ozone effects were worse on hot days, whichever temperature measure was used.
The impact of ill health on exit from paid employment in Europe among older workers
Authors: van den Berg Tilja , Schuring Merel , Avendano Mauricio , Mackenbach Johan , Burdorf Alex
Published: August 2010

Objective

To determine the impact of ill health on exit from paid employment in Europe among older workers.

Methods

Participants of the Survey on Health and Ageing in Europe (SHARE) in 11 European countries in 2004 and 2006 were selected when 50–63 years old and in paid employment at baseline (n=4611). Data were collected on self-rated health, chronic diseases, mobility limitations, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity and work characteristics. Participants were classified into employed, retired, unemployed and disabled at the end of the 2-year follow-up. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of different measures of ill health on exit from paid employment.

Results

During the 2-year follow-up, 17% of employed workers left paid employment, mainly because of early retirement. Controlling for individual and work related characteristics, poor self-perceived health was strongly associated with exit from paid employment due to retirement, unemployment or disability (ORs from 1.32 to 4.24). Adjustment for working conditions and lifestyle reduced the significant associations between ill health and exit from paid employment by 0–18.7%. Low education, obesity, low job control and effort–reward imbalance were associated with measures of ill health, but also risk factors for exit from paid employment after adjustment for ill health.

Conclusion

Poor self-perceived health was strongly associated with exit from paid employment among European workers aged 50–63 years. This study suggests that the influence of ill health on exit from paid employment could be lessened by measures targeting obesity, problematic alcohol use, job control and effort–reward balance.
What is the best strategy to reduce the burden of occupational asthma and allergy in bakers?
Authors: Meijster Tim , Warren Nick , Heederik Dick , Tielemans Erik
Published: August 2010

Rationale

Insight into the effectiveness of intervention strategies will help realise a decrease in the occupational disease burden from (allergic) respiratory diseases in the bakery population.

Objectives

To use a simulation model to assess the impact of different intervention strategies on the disease burden of the bakery population over time.

Methods

A recently developed dynamic population based model was used to prospectively evaluate the impact on disease burden resulting from different intervention strategies. We distinguished interventions based on exposure reductions for flour dust and fungal α-amylase, health surveillance combined with reduction in exposure, and pre-employment screening.

Main Results

The impact of most interventions on disease burden was limited, generally less than 50% for lower respiratory symptoms and disabling occupational asthma. Only the rigorous health surveillance strategy, identifying workers who are sensitised or report upper respiratory symptoms and decreasing their individual exposures by 90% shortly after diagnosis, resulted in a decrease of almost 60% in disease burden after 20 years.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that different intervention strategies have substantially different impacts on the burden of disease. The time window during which changes occur differs considerably between strategies. This information can assist policy makers in their choice of intervention and gives guidance for achievable reductions in disease burden.
Mortality from diabetes and ischaemic heart disease in textile workers
Authors: Zanardi Francesca , Harris E Clare , Brown Terry , Rice Simon , Palmer Keith T , Coggon David
Published: August 2010

Background

To explore explanations for elevated mortality from diabetes among male garment manufacturers and repairers in England and Wales during 1979-1990, analysis was extended by 10 years, looking also at other textile workers and at deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD).

Methods

Data on some 3.5 million deaths were used to compute proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for diabetes and IHD, standardised for age and social class, in 10 textile-associated job groups, with additional analyses by place of birth for 1993–2000.

Results

Male mortality from diabetes was elevated in nine of the 10 textile jobs, with overall PMRs of 147 (95% CI 131 to 165) during 1979–90 and 170 (95% CI 144 to 199) during 1991–2000. Proportional mortality from IHD was also consistently high. Female mortality from both diseases was close to that for other occupations. In both sexes, mortality from diabetes and IHD was increased among people born in the Indian subcontinent (PMRs 353 and 139 in men; 262 and 130 in women). In men, the proportion of deceased textile workers born in the Indian subcontinent (11.4%) was much higher than for all occupations (1.8%), but not in women (1.1% vs 0.7%). PMRs for male textile workers standardised for place of birth were lower but still significantly elevated (133, 95% CI 110 to 159 for diabetes; 109, 95% CI 105 to 114 for IHD).

Conclusions

No obvious occupational hazard explains the increased risk specific to men across a wide range of textile occupations. One possible explanation is uncontrolled residual confounding related to place of birth. This could be tested through suitably designed morbidity surveys.
Fast and specific detection of moderate long-term changes in occupational blood exposures
Authors: Chaillol Isabelle , Ecochard René , Denis Marie-Agnès , Iwaz Jean , Khoueiry Phrem , Bergeret Alain
Published: August 2010

Objectives

Hospital surveillance systems have been established to monitor occupational blood exposures. We compare short-term monitoring with long-term monitoring of data analysis over 11 years and 21 institutions to identify variations in the number of reported exposures.

Methods

Short-term monitoring examines the current number of exposures compared to their average over previous years. Long-term monitoring detects trends over several years by various exposure characteristics (place, staff, procedure, etc) through estimating rates of change and using the best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) to prevent artefactual trends due to the many categories for each characteristic. Graphical representations of estimated rates help detect change and differences in rates of change.

Results

Annual monitoring allowed detection of significant changes in the number of reported exposures. Long-term monitoring identified moderate trends over time. The BLUP corrected the estimate of each specific annual rate of change and allowed all other rates to reduce the random variability around the mean change for more specificity. League tables showed significant increases or decreases compared to no change. League tables for two-by-two comparisons allowed reliable comparisons between estimates of the rates of change, although with spurious ranking. Funnel plots enabled quick detection of changes in trends within specified confidence intervals. Long-term trends agreed with the dominant type of annual changes over the 11 years but were not as sensitive.

Conclusions

The two methods have different uses. Both are helpful for assessing short-term sudden and long-term minor changes in number of exposures, possibly reflecting the success or otherwise of introducing specific safety devices or guidelines.
Workplace smoking restrictions in China: results from a six county survey
Authors: Ma Jiemin , Apelberg Benjamin J , Avila-Tang Erika , Yang Gonghuan , Ma Shaojun , Samet Jonathan M , Stillman Frances A
Published: August 2010

Objective

To determine the coverage of smoking restriction policies in indoor workplaces in China and to assess the relationships between these restrictive policies and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and smoking behaviours.

Methods

A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in six counties in Sichuan, Jiangxi and Henan provinces in 2004. Using a standardised questionnaire, information on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to smoking and SHS exposure was collected through face-to-face interviews by trained local investigators among 12 036 respondents. Of respondents, 2698 individuals worked mainly indoors and were included in data analysis.

Results

Only 28.5% of respondents reported that indoor workplaces had a smoke-free policy. Even when respondents reported smoke-free policies, 41.1% smokers reported that they were non-compliant with policies and smoked at work. In addition, 32.0% of non-smokers reported being exposed to SHS at work despite smoke-free policies. Non-smokers who reported no smoking restriction policies were 3.7 times more likely to be exposed to SHS than those working in smoke-free workplaces (adjusted OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 10.1). On average, respondents complying with smoke-free policies smoked 3.8 fewer cigarettes than those reporting no policies in their workplaces at a marginally non-significant level (p=0.06) (adjusted mean difference −3.8, 95% CI −8.0 to 0.5).

Conclusions

In China, few workplaces have implemented policies to restrict smoking, and, even in workplaces that have policies, workers report exposure to SHS while at their places of employment. Many workers report a lack of compliance with smoke-free policies. China needs better implementation of SHS policies to promote compliance. Working to improve implementation of smoke-free policies would promote cessation since Chinese smokers who were compliant with these efforts reported smoking fewer cigarettes per day.
MODELING THE MELTING TEMPERATURE OF METALLIC NANOWIRES
Authors: LI Y. J. , QI W. H. , HUANG B. Y. , WANG M. P. , XIONG S. Y.
Published: August 2010

A model is developed to account for the size-dependent melting temperature of pure metallic and bimetallic nanowires, where the effects of the contributions of all surface atoms to the surface area, lattice and surface packing factors and the cross-sectional shape of the nanowires are considered. As the size decreases, the melting temperature functions of pure metallic and bimetallic nanowires decrease almost with the same size-dependent trend. Due to the inclusion of the above effects, the present model can also be applied to investigate the melting temperature depression rate of different low-dimensional system, accurately. The validity of the model is verified by the data of experiments and molecular dynamics simulations.
CONCURRENT DATA MATERIALIZATION FOR XML-ENABLED DATABASE WITH SEMANTIC METADATA
Authors: FONG JOSEPH , SHIU HERBERT , YEUNG YIN FEI
Published: August 2010

For a company with many databases in different data models, it is necessary to consolidate them into one interchangeable data model and present data in more than one data model concurrently to different users or individual users who need to access the data in more than one data model. The benefit is to let the user stick to his/her own data model to access database in another data model. This paper presents a semantic metadata to preserve database constraints for data materialization to support the user's view of database on an ad hoc basis. The semantic metadata can store the captured semantics of a relational or an XML-enabled database into classes. The stored constraints and data can be materialized into a target database upon user request. The user is allowed to perform data materialization many times alternatively. The process can provide a relational as well as an XML view to the users simultaneously. This concurrent data materialization function can be applied into data warehouse to consolidate heterogeneous database into a fact table in a data model of user's choice. Furthermore, a user can obtain either a relational view or an XML view of the same dataset of an XML-enabled database interchangeably.
AN OBJECT-ORIENTED SECURITY KNOWLEDGE FRAMEWORK FOR THE NUCLEAR SAFETY SYSTEM PROJECT
Authors: CHOU I-HSIN , FAN CHIN-FENG
Published: August 2010

As computers are used in nuclear safety systems, security engineering is becoming more and more important in the nuclear industry. Like all highly technical endeavours, the development of nuclear safety systems is a knowledge intensive task. Unfortunately, not only do nuclear scientists and software engineers lack the security knowledge, they are also not familiar with the new security requirements. Besides, few young people are studying nuclear science, nuclear engineering and related fields. Therefore, knowledge management can play a central role in encapsulating, storing and spreading the related discipline and knowledge more efficiently in the nuclear industry. In this paper, we propose a security knowledge framework to gather and store security knowledge from those regulatory-based security activities. We adopt an object-oriented paradigm which is easy for software engineers to understand and to express tacit and explicit knowledge. Its aim is intended to decouple between platform-independent security knowledge and platform-specific security controls. Finally, an example is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of linking between security controls and knowledge ontology in our framework.
ON THE APPROACH TO EQUILIBRIUM FOR A PENDULUM IMMERSED IN A STOKES FLUID
Authors: CAVALLARO GUIDO , MARCHIORO CARLO
Published: August 2010

We study the unsteady motion of a sphere immersed in a Stokes fluid and subject to an elastic force. The equations of motion for the sphere lead to an integro-differential equation, whose solution we study asymptotically. We prove that the position of the sphere reaches its equilibrium point with a power-law, t-γ, with γ = 1/2, 3/2, depending on the initial conditions. This behavior is due to the memory effect of the surrounding fluid.
GLUON SATURATION AND THE TOTAL PROTON-AIR CROSS SECTION
Authors: CARVALHO F. , DURÃES F. O. , SZPIGEL S. , NAVARRA F. S.
Published: August 2010

In this work we propose a simple model for the total proton-air cross section, which is an improvement of the minijet model with the inclusion of a window in the pT-spectrum associated to the saturation physics. Our approach introduces a natural cutoff for the perturbative calculations which modifies the energy behavior of this component. The saturated component is calculated with a dipole model. The results are compared with experimental cross sections measured in cosmic ray experiments.
DECONFINEMENT PHASE TRANSITION IN NEUTRON STARS AND δ-MESON FIELD IN RMF THEORY
Authors: ALAVERDYAN A. G. , ALAVERDYAN G. B. , CHILADZE A. O.
Published: August 2010

The Maxwell and Glendenning construction scenarios of deconfinement phase transition in neutron star matter are investigated. The hadronic phase is described within the relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory, if the scalar-isovector δ-meson field is also taken into account. The strange quark phase is described in the frame of MIT bag model, including the effect of perturbative one-gluon exchange interactions. The influence of the δ-meson field on the deconfinement phase transition boundary characteristics is discussed.
MESON MASSES AT FINITE TEMPERATURE IN A NONLOCAL SU(3) CHIRAL QUARK MODEL
Authors: DUMM D. G. , CONTRERA G. A. , SCOCCOLA N. N.
Published: August 2010

We study the temperature behavior of light scalar and pseudoscalar meson masses within a three-flavor nonlocal chiral quark model that includes the coupling of quarks to the Polyakov loop. Chiral restoration and deconfinement transitions are described.