bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective Relationships of Physical Activity With Quality of Life Among Colorectal Cancer Survivors
Authors: Lynch Brigid M. , Cerin Ester , Owen Neville , Hawkes Anna L. , Aitken Joanne F.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

Physical activity can enhance quality of life for cancer survivors. However, few longitudinal studies have examined whether physical activity has a sustained effect on improvements in quality of life. The present study aims to examine the relationships between physical activity and quality of life over 2 years after a colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Patients and Methods

Data were collected within the Colorectal Cancer and Quality of Life Study, in which 1,966 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer were recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Participants completed telephone interviews at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the overall, interindividual, and intraindividual level independent effects of participation in physical activity on quality of life.

Results

There was an overall independent association between physical activity and quality of life. At a given time point, participants achieving at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week had an 18% higher quality of life score than those who reported no physical activity. Significant associations were also present at the interindividual level (differences between participants) and intraindividual level (within participant changes).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the positive association between physical activity and quality of life is consistent over time. Encouraging colorectal cancer survivors to be physically active may be a helpful strategy for enhancing quality of life.
Medical Care in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Nathan Paul C. , Greenberg Mark L. , Ness Kirsten K. , Hudson Melissa M. , Mertens Ann C. , Mahoney Martin C. , Gurney James G. , Donaldson Sarah S. , Leisenring Wendy M. , Robison Leslie L. , Oeffinger Kevin C.
Published: September 2008

Purpose

To evaluate whether childhood cancer survivors receive regular medical care focused on the specific morbidities that can arise from their therapy.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of health care use in 8,522 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a multi-institutional cohort of childhood cancer survivors. We assessed medical visits in the preceding 2 years, whether these visits were related to the prior cancer, whether survivors received advice about how to reduce their long-term risks, and whether screening tests were discussed or ordered. Completion of echocardiograms and mammograms were assessed in patients at high risk for cardiomyopathy or breast cancer. We examined the relationship between demographics, treatment, health status, chronic medical conditions, and health care use.

Results

Median age at cancer diagnosis was 6.8 years (range, 0 to 20.9 years) and at interview was 31.4 years (range, 17.5 to 54.1 years). Although 88.8% of survivors reported receiving some form of medical care, only 31.5% reported care that focused on their prior cancer (survivor-focused care), and 17.8% reported survivor-focused care that included advice about risk reduction or discussion or ordering of screening tests. Among survivors who received medical care, those who were black, older at interview, or uninsured were less likely to have received risk-based, survivor-focused care. Among patients at increased risk for cardiomyopathy or breast cancer, 511 (28.2%) of 1,810 and 169 (40.8%) of 414 had undergone a recommended echocardiogram or mammogram, respectively.

Conclusion

Despite a significant risk of late effects after cancer therapy, the majority of childhood cancer survivors do not receive recommended risk-based care.
Progressive restriction of otic fate: the role of FGF and Wnt in resolving inner ear potential
Authors: Freter Sabine , Muta Yuko , Mak Siu-Shan , Rinkwitz Silke , Ladher Raj K.
Published: September 2008

The development of the vertebrate inner ear is an emergent process. Its progression from a relatively simple disk of thickened epithelium within head ectoderm into a complex organ capable of sensing sound and balance is controlled by sequential molecular and cellular interactions. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt signals emanating from mesoderm and neural ectoderm have been shown to direct inner ear fate. However, the role of these multiple signals during inner ear induction is unclear. We demonstrate that the action of the FGFs and Wnts is sequential, and that their roles support a model of hierarchical fate decisions that progressively restrict the developmental potential of the ectoderm until otic commitment. We show that signalling by Fgf3 and Fgf19 is required to initiate a proliferative progenitor region that is a precursor to both the inner ear and the neurogenic epibranchial placodes. Significantly, we find that only after FGF action is attenuated can the subsequent action of Wnt signalling allow otic differentiation to proceed. In addition, gain and loss of function of Wnt-signalling components show a role for this signalling in repressing epibranchial fate. This interplay of signalling factors ensures the correct and ordered differentiation of both inner ear and epibranchial systems.
Electronic speckle pattern interferometry applied for three-dimensional displacement measurement of a sandwich plate containing a fully potted insert
Authors: Huang S-J , Yeh H-J
Published: September 2008

This study presents the construction and operation of a novel electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) technique, which was applied earliest to sandwich plates containing a single insert. The proposed ESPI is a full-field and non-destructive test that can measure tiny out-of-plane and in-plane displacements under an elastic loading condition. Experimental construction integrates out-of-plane and in-plane measurements into a single optical system to measure three-dimensional displacement of sandwich plates. The ESPI experimental result indicates that displacement of the sandwich plate decreased as the core thickness increased. This experimental result also suggests that displacement decreased as the insert diameter increased; however, estimated strength increased. For validation purposes, the analytical and finite element method (FEM) were utilized to compare the experimental result with ESPI measurements. Comparison between analytical results, ESPI results, and FEM results revealed that all results were in agreement.
Effect of temperature and strain rate on the constitutive behaviour of oriented polypropylene tubes
Authors: Azhikannickal E , Jain M , Bruhis M
Published: September 2008

The lighter weight of thermoplastics compared with metals make these materials an attractive alternative for automotive structural components. In particular, oriented thermoplastic tubes, typically uniaxially or biaxially oriented by an extrusion process, possess increased strength along the orientation directions. In addition to their good strength, the ductility of these materials, when formed at elevated temperatures, is also improved. For development of analytical and/or finite element models of the elevated-temperature forming of uniaxially oriented thermoplastic tubes, suitable constitutive models describing the temperature- and strain-rate-dependent stress—strain behaviour of the material along the axial (or orientation) and hoop (perpendicular to orientation) direction are required. The behaviours along both directions of the tube are required since its properties are anisotropic as a result of the extrusion process. The G'Sell et al. constitutive model, modified in this study to account for the effect of temperature, was shown to capture the uniaxial behaviour of oriented polypropylene tubes accurately along the axial and hoop direction at a range of elevated temperatures and strain rates.
Effect of local wall thinning on limit loads for piping branch junctions. Part 1: Internal pressure
Authors: Ryu K-M , Lee K-H , Kim Y-J , Park C-Y
Published: September 2008

This paper presents plastic limit pressures of piping branch junctions with local wall thinning, based on systematic three-dimensional finite element (FE) limit analyses using elastic—perfectly plastic materials. An ideal branch junction is considered, where no weld or reinforcement around the intersection is considered. Two locations of wall thinning are considered: one is in the run pipe (opposite to the intersection) and the other is in the branch pipe (next to the intersection). Based on the assumption of possible plastic collapse modes, approximate plastic limit pressure solutions for piping branch junctions with local wall thinning are proposed using two limit pressure solutions: plastic limit loads for straight pipes with local wall thinning and those for branch junctions without wall thinning. Comparison with FE results shows overall good agreement.
A quasistatic analysis for thermoviscoelastic contact problems
Authors: Mahmoud F F , El-Shafei A G , Attia M A
Published: September 2008

Thermomechanical contact of viscoelastic bodies is a non-linear time- and temperature-dependent problem. Consideration of temperature as an independent variable destroys the convolution integral form of the viscoelasticity constitutive relations. This paper presents a computational procedure capable of predicting the quasistatic response of uncoupled, thermoviscoelastic, frictionless contact problems. The contact problem as a convex programming model is solved throughout an incremental procedure. The Wiechert model is adopted to simulate the linear behaviour of viscoelastic materials. The temperature dependency of viscoelasticity is accounted for by applying the time—temperature superposition principle, in which the William, Landel, and Ferry relationship is adopted to determine the shift factor. Thus, the constitutive equations are transformed to be a function of the reduced time as the only independent variable, maintaining the convolution integral form. Therefore, the complications that arise during the direct integration of these equations, especially with contact problems, are avoided. Two different illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed procedure.
Three-dimensional thermal stress analysis of the mould during high-speed casting of steel
Authors: Xie Y-M , Yin S-R
Published: September 2008

On the basis of the calculated mould temperature, a three-dimensional thermal stress model of the mould is established. A corresponding finite element method program is developed with six-face and eight-node isoparameter elements. The Newton method is used to solve the stress equations. Making using of the stress model, the thermal distortion and stress distribution of the mould are obtained when the thickness of the mould wall is different. Experimental data have been used to validate the model. From the result, it is proved that the mould stress is less than its yield strength and does not result does in residual deformation.
Predicting the forming limit strains of tailor-welded blanks
Authors: Narayanan R Ganesh , Narasimhan K
Published: September 2008

This work aims at predicting the forming limit strains of welded blanks using a thickness gradient-based necking criterion. In order to reduce the complexity and synergistic effect of tailor-welded blank (TWB) parameters, the same material and thickness sheets are considered for the entire work. The forming limit curve (FLC) of welded blanks for varied weld conditions – namely, weld orientation and location – are predicted by simulating the limit dome height (LDH) test using PAM-STAMP (ESI Group, PAM System International), a finite element code. The un-welded blank and TWB FLCs thus predicted by the thickness gradient-based necking criterion are compared with the experimental FLCs obtained by LDH test. Dome height at failure and failure location data of TWBs from experiments and prediction are also compared for varied weld conditions. It is found from the analyses that limit strain predictions correlate well (less than five per cent error) with the experimental results in the drawing region of the forming limit diagram, with the stretching region showing considerable difference. Dome height at failure and failure location prediction correlate well with those of experimental observation in most of the cases. In a few TWB cases, where considerable difference in limit strains are seen, predicted dome height at failure values deviates from experimental results.
Effect of local wall thinning on limit loads for piping branch junctions. Part 2: In-plane bending
Authors: Lee K-H , Ryu K-M , Kim Y-J , Park C-Y
Published: September 2008

This paper presents plastic limit loads of piping branch junctions with local wall thinning under in-plane bending, based on systematic three-dimensional finite element (FE) limit analyses using elastic—perfectly plastic materials. As in Part 1, an ideal branch junction without weld or reinforcement around the intersection is considered with two locations of wall thinning; one in the run pipe (opposite to the intersection), and the other in the branch pipe (next to the intersection). Based on FE results, effects of thinning geometries on plastic limit moments are quantified and simple approximations of plastic limit loads for piping branch junctions with local wall thinning under in-plane bending are proposed.
Flutter margin with non-linearities: Real-time prediction of flutter onset speed
Authors: Corpas J L Casado , Díez J López
Published: September 2008

The flight envelope states the conditions where an aircraft is safe to fly and those conditions must be carefully determined for every configuration. That is why, even today, the numerical tools have become more and more precise, flight test is the only reliable method to define the flight envelope, especially in the conditions where the numerical model reaches a great degree of complexity (non-linearities). However, flight test is expensive and different procedures must arise in order to match reliability (safety) and cost (flight hours). This dilemma is even worse when free-flutter conditions must be provided for a new aircraft or a new external configuration, because the envelope expansion is done by increasing the flight test hours. The present article shows a procedure to predict the flutter speed based on real-time tuning of a quasi non-linear aeroelastic model. A two-dimensional non-linear (freeplay) aeroeslastic model is implemented in MatLab/Simulink with incompressible aerodynamic conditions. A comparison with real compressible conditions is provided. Once the numerical validation is accomplished, a parametric aeroelastic model is built in order to describe the proposed procedure and contribute to reduce the number of flight hours needed to expand the flutter envelope.
Effect of clocking on unsteady rotor blade loading in a low-speed axial compressor at design and off-design operating conditions
Authors: Jia H-X , Xi G , Müller L , Mailach R , Vogeler K
Published: September 2008

This paper presents the results of stator clocking investigations at a design point and an operating point near the stability limit in a low-speed research compressor (LSRC). The unsteady flow field of the LSRC at several clocking configurations was investigated using a three-dimensional unsteady, viscous solver. The unsteady pressure on the rotor blades at midspan (MS) was measured using time-resolving piezoresistive miniature pressure transducers. The effect of clocking on the unsteady pressure fluctuation at MS on the rotor blades is discussed for different operating points. Based on the unsteady profile pressures, the blade pressure forces were calculated. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of the unsteady blade pressure forces are presented and analysed for different clocking positions at both the design point and the operating point near the stability limit of the compressor.
A multi-body approach for modelling manoeuvring aeroelastic aircraft during preliminary design
Authors: Krüger W R
Published: September 2008

During preliminary design, aircraft are described with a limited level of detail, the focus being on rapid investigation of a large number of cases and quickly changing configurations and parameters. Therefore in the majority of cases, dynamic aeroelastic deformations are neglected. In this paper, an approach to modelling aeroelastic aircraft based on multi-body dynamics at the preliminary design stage is presented. The elastic structure is discretized by means of rigid bodies and connected by rotational springs to account for wing bending and rotational stiffness. For the aerodynamics, the strip theory, corrected for the influence of a finite wing, is used. Flight mechanics are included via library elements that describe the degree of freedom between the (inertial) reference system and the moving airframe. The complete model allows a free-flight simulation of the aircraft, including trim and manoeuvres. The evaluation puts special emphasis on flight load calculation. Scenarios include free flight, a pull-up, and investigations of changes in ground loads due to changes in structural elasticity.
Ageformable panels for commercial aircraft
Authors: Eberl F , Gardiner S , Campanile G , Surdon G , Venmans M , Prangnell P
Published: September 2008

After a quick reminder of the principles of creep form process, a detailed comparison of the 6056, 2022, and 7475 alloys will be presented using experimental techniques for creep relaxation under tension and bending. Microstructural investigations using transmission electronic microscopy and small angle scattering techniques show the evolution of the hardening precipitation during the ageform process of the different alloys investigated. Damage tolerance and static properties of creep-formed products are discussed in detail. The results of an industrial sized demonstrator of an Airbus A340 fuselage panel are presented as a conclusion showing the strong potential of this cost-efficient process.
Finite-element modelling and shear stress analysis of engineering structural elements
Authors: Brnic J , Canadija M , Turkalj G , Lanc D
Published: September 2008

This paper deals with the shear stress analysis of engineering beams with uniform cross-sections using finite-element method. The analysis is based on special finite elements whose properties, like stiffness matrices as well as load vectors, are derived on the basis of their axial nodal displacements. From geometrical point of view these elements are three-dimensional, but according to the strain or stress tensor, they are two-dimensional. The aforesaid stress analysis is independent of the cross-sectional shape and the material properties. These elements are subjected to shearing stress analysis due to St. Venant's torsion and due to loading of a beam by shear forces. Stiffness matrices and load vectors are derived in general forms and a closed form can be easily obtained. The material is assumed to be isotropic and linearly elastic. The proposed procedure can be applied in analysis, such as, marine, airplane, vessel structures, etc. Based on this procedure, a computer program has been developed. For justification of the proposed stress analysis as well as its accuracy, for examples are presented. A comparison with analytical and other numerical solutions is also provided.
A comprehensive control strategy for integrated flight/propulsion systems
Authors: Yasar M , Ray A , Horn J F
Published: September 2008

Integration of flight and propulsion control systems in advanced aircraft has attracted much attention because of ever increasing demand on enhancement of performance and reliability. As the underlying dynamic couplings and non-linear interactions of flight and propulsion systems are too complex for realtime execution in onboard computational platforms, hierarchical hybrid (i.e. combined continuously varying and discrete event) architecture is proposed for the development of future generation control systems that will take the advantage of these interactions for mission enhancement. Although the original structures of continuously varying control systems for propulsion and flight are retained, discrete event supervisory (DES) control would facilitate decision-making for aircraft operation. DES decisions regarding propulsion and flight control influence the performance and reliability of the entire vehicle control system due to interactions at the level of continuously varying dynamics. A two-level hierarchical DES control system is designed to supervise and coordinate the operation of twin-engine aircraft propulsion with flight dynamics. In essence, the propulsion system is integrated with the flight dynamical system such that the DES controller at the propulsion level of hierarchy provides load balancing of the engines as well as overall health and mission management of the aircraft propulsion system. The parameter-scheduling dynamic-inversion controller stabilizes and drives the flight system in the vehicle operation envelope and compensates for potential unbalance and any other undesirable action, resulting from discrete event supervision of the propulsion system. Results of real-time simulation on a test bed are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed control concept.
Risk management in space systems design and technology development
Authors: Silk E A , Dash P H
Published: September 2008

Over the past two decades, risk management and risk analysis have emerged throughout the business community in the USA as prominent planning and development strategies used to mitigate risk of failure and to ensure a high return on investment for business endeavours (financial and otherwise). They are generic tools that can be applied to any business regardless of the sector (i.e. government, university, and private) and have been used by the Federal Government in the form of institutional practices aimed at maximizing the probability of success in business activities. One US Federal agency that incorporates risk management and analysis techniques into business and/or engineering activities is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The present work is a discussion on mission, spacecraft and instrument design (as well as technology development), and the role of risk management, analysis, and mitigation as fundamental tools in the design process.
Aircraft fault detection and identification by stochastic functionally pooled modelling of relationships among attitude data
Authors: Dimogianopoulos D G , Hios J D , Fassois S D
Published: September 2008

This paper introduces a statistical fault detection and identification (FDI) scheme for aircraft systems, which uses flight attitude data rather than information from purposely developed physical or virtual sensors. The scheme is based on the modelling of relationships among the considered data via stochastic Time-dependent Functionally Pooled Non-linear AutoRegressive with Exogenous excitation (TFP-NARX) representations. These are globally valid inside a flight regime and under various considered environmental conditions, thanks to the pooling technique used for their identification. Moreover, due to the TFP-NARX coefficients being a function of time-dependent quantities, high modelling accuracy is achieved. The scheme's operation involves identifying nominal TFP-NARX models of relationships among the attitude data from an aircraft operating in a healthy state. Owing to fault occurrence, these relationships may change. Then, an in-flight comparison of the nominal and the current aircraft dynamics provides fault-related information, which is statistically evaluated for FDI purposes. The scheme's performance and robustness are assessed with numerous flights conducted throughout a flight regime under various manoeuvring settings and turbulence levels.
Model for shock interaction with sharp area reduction
Authors: Falcovitz J , Igra O
Published: September 2008

The interaction of a planar shock wave, propagating in a conduit of constant cross-section with a sharp area change, is modelled analytically. The area ratio between the wide (incident) conduit and the narrow (continuing) conduit is taken to be very large. Previously published studies for shock interaction with an area change assumed a short smooth connecting nozzle, where, most often, steady flow evolves. It is assumed that the flow converges through the sharp area transition via a smoothly-formed quasi-one-dimensional streamtube, reaching sonic (choked) or subsonic (unchoked) velocity. In the choked case, a centred rarefaction wave is required to match pressures between the sonic flow and the transmitted shock state. The model leads to a pair of equations for velocity and pressure at a contact discontinuity, analogous to the wave interaction curves that resolve a Riemann problem. It is found that the overpressure amplification ratio of the transmitted shock is in the range of 1.5—2.0 for very strong to very weak incident shocks, respectively. A good agreement is obtained between the model predictions and two-dimensional generalized Riemann problem (GRP) simulations. The model is also applicable to a configuration where a smooth (and short) nozzle replaces the sharp area transition. The numerical simulations then produce an amplification factor A t, somewhat higher than the corresponding sharp area value. This is taken to mean that the virtual streamtube formed in the sharp area reduction case has a throat (sonic) cross-section area lower than the actual area of the narrow tube.
Effect of upstream developing length on the flow field of twin pipe jets
Authors: Susanta B , Suresh P R , Srinivasan K , Das S K
Published: September 2008

It is well known that initial conditions significantly affect the flow field and the evolution characteristics of the jets. In the present study, experiments on twin pipe jets were performed to understand the effect of developing length on the twin-jet characteristics. The developing length was varied in the range of 4< L/ D<9, and hot-wire data were acquired up to a downstream distance of 40 D. Twin jets combine at farther downstream axial distance with an increase in the developing length due to delayed mixing brought about by relatively less intense vortex action. The range of the energy-containing eddies decreases, resulting in a decrease in the spread rates of the twin jet.
Neural network-based modelling of a two-degrees-of-freedom twin rotor multiple input, multiple output system using conjugate gradient learning algorithms
Authors: Rahideh A , Shaheed M H
Published: September 2008

This paper presents a neural network (NN)-based non-linear dynamic modelling approach for a twin rotor multiple input, multiple output system (TRMS), in terms of its two-degrees-of-freedom dynamics. The TRMS is a highly non-linear system with significant cross-coupling between its horizontal and vertical axes. It is perceived as an aerodynamic test rig, representing the control challenges of modern air vehicles. Accurate dynamic modelling is a prerequisite to address such challenges satisfactorily. A feedforward NN has been trained using the Powell—Beale version of conjugate gradient and scaled conjugate gradient learning algorithms. The data for training comprises sine and square waves with various frequencies and amplitudes, pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS), and composite PRBS signals with different amplitudes. The trained NN-based models have been tested with a set of data that are different from those used for training purposes. For more validation, the power spectral density of the model is compared with that of the real TRMS and also the correlation validations of the test results are presented in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results show that the developed model can adequately represent the highly non-linear features of the system and can be used for sophisticated controller development.
A simulation framework for aircraft power management
Authors: Liscouët-Hanke S , Pufe S , Maré J-C
Published: September 2008

Today, the preliminary design process of power system architectures of civil aircraft is characterized by the separation into air transport association chapters. However, the complexity of an aircraft energy network and the large number of influencing design parameters and system interfaces require a common and transparent process if one is aiming at a meaningful evaluation of different system architectures with regard to overall aircraft efficiency. The variety of possible solutions requires a flexible tool that enables the system designer or aircraft architect to analyse the impact of system architecture changes at the aircraft level and the impact of aircraft level changes on system design. The outline of a simulation framework that fits these needs is presented in this paper.
An insight into some innovative cycles for aircraft propulsion
Authors: Corchero G , Montañés J L , Pascovici D , Ogaji S
Published: September 2008

Emissions are important drivers in the design and use of aero-engines. This paper presents a part of the work carried out in the VITAL (EnVIronmenTALly aero-engine) project; it consists of a parameter study on the application of three innovative thermodynamic cycles to aircraft propulsion, looking for benefits on fuel consumption, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and noise. These cycles are intercooler-regenerative, the wave rotor topping, and the constant volume combustor cycles. The work, starting from a next-generation ultra-high bypass ratio turbofan, the baseline, and considering two possible design conditions, presents the influence of the application of these new cycles or design changes to the baseline on emissions and on the required technological level, represented by the turbine entry temperature (TET). VITAL is a project supported by the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Communities. The results show that some significant benefits on emissions can be achieved although they are linked to significant technology improvements and in-depth studies of the new components involved in cycle implementation.
A hot-streak (combustor) simulator suited to aerodynamic performance measurements
Authors: Povey T , Qureshi I
Published: September 2008

A new hot-streak (combustor) simulator has been designed and implemented in a turbine test facility at QinetiQ Farnborough (the QinetiQ Isentropic Light Piston Facility, ILPF) to study the impact of temperature distortion on high pressure (HP) turbine efficiency, aerodynamics, and heat transfer. The ILPF is an engine scale, short duration, rotating transonic turbine test facility, in which M, Re, Tg/ Tw, and The hot-streak simulator is a second-generation design, in which cold gas is introduced into a hot mainstream though radial and circumferential slots upstream of the turbine stage. The simulator is rotatable, so the effect of clocking (relative circumferential position of hot streak and nozzle guide vane leading edge) can easily be investigated. An emphasis was placed on accurate measurement of turbine inlet enthalpy flux so that the impact of hot streaks on turbine efficiency could be investigated. The hot-streak simulator differs from all previous systems in that a pronounced radial and circumferential temperature profile has been generated, with a hot-streak to vane count of 1:1. The profile is very well matched (non-dimensionally) to the target profile, which is a combustor temperature profile measured in a modern operating engine at the most extreme point in the cycle. The most accurate area survey of a simulated temperature profile has been conducted to date, and this demonstrates that the simulator offers an exceptionally high degree of circumferential symmetry and run-to-run repeatability. The design and commissioning of the simulator is described, and the measured temperature profiles are compared with the target profile.
Delivering Goods in Urban Areas: How to Deal with Urban Policy Restrictions and the Environment
Authors: Quak H. J. (Hans) , de Koster M. (René) B. M.
Published: September 2008

Time-access regulations and vehicle restrictions are increasingly used, especially in western Europe, to improve social sustainability in urban areas. These regulations considerably affect the distribution process of retail chain organizations as well as the environmental burden. This paper studies the impact of governmental time windows, vehicle restrictions, and different retailers' logistical concepts on the financial and environmental performance of retailers. We use a case study with two cases that differ in their drop sizes as input for an experiment. The retailers provided all organizational, flow, and cost data of the distribution process between their distribution centers and their stores. We use these data to calculate the impacts of different scenarios on the retailers' financial and environmental performances based on a fractional factorial design in which urban policies and the retailers' logistical concepts are varied, using vehicle routing software. We test the propositions with a third case. We show that the cost impact of time windows is the largest for retailers who combine many deliveries in one vehicle round-trip. The cost increase due to vehicle restrictions is the largest for retailers whose round-trip lengths are restricted by vehicle capacity. Vehicle restrictions and time windows together do not increase a retailer's cost more than individually. Variations in delivery volume and store dispersion hardly influence the impact of urban policy and the retailer's logistical concept decisions.
Self-organized nanoarrays: Plasma-related controls
Authors: Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Levchenko Igor , Xu Shuyan
Published: September 2008

The paper presents an investigation of self-organizational and -assembly processes of nanostructure growth on surfaces exposed to low-temperature plasmas. We have considered three main growth stages-initial, or sub-monolayer growth stage, separate nanostructure growth stage, and array growth stages with the characteristic sizes of several nm, several tens of nm, and several hundreds of nm, respectively, and have demonstrated, by the experimental data and hybrid multiscale numerical simulations, that the plasma parameters can strongly influence the surface processes and hence the kinetics of self-organization and -assembly. Our results show that plasma-controlled self-organization is a promising way to assemble large regular arrays of nanostructures.
Use of a low-pressure plasma discharge for the decontamination and sterilization of medical devices
Authors: Rossi François , Kylián Ondrej , Rauscher Hubert , Gilliland Douglas , Sirghi Lucel
Published: September 2008

Nonequilibrium low-pressure plasma discharges are extensively studied for their applications in the field of decontamination and sterilization of medical devices. The aim of this contribution is to discuss and demonstrate feasibility of oxygen low-pressure inductively coupled plasma (ICP) discharges for removal of various kinds of biological contamination. We demonstrate the ability of ICP discharges for the sterilization of bacterial spores and the removal of biological contamination from proteins and pyrogens.
Microplasma thruster for ultra-small satellites: Plasma chemical and aerodynamical aspects
Authors: Takao Yoshinori , Takahashi Takeshi , Eriguchi Koji , Ono Kouichi
Published: September 2008

A microplasma thruster has been developed of electrothermal type using azimuthally symmetric microwave-excited microplasmas. The microplasma source was ~2 mm in diameter and ~10 mm long, being operated at around atmospheric pressures; the micronozzle was a converging-diverging type, having a throat ~0.2 mm in diameter and ~1 mm long. Numerical and experimental results with Ar as a working gas demonstrated that this miniature electrothermal thruster gives a thrust of >1 mN, a specific impulse of ~100 s, and a thrust efficiency of ~10 % at a microwave power of <10 W, making it applicable to attitude-control and station-keeping maneuver for a microspacecraft of <10 kg.
The Readability of Marketing Journals: Are Award-Winning Articles Better Written?
Authors: Sawyer Alan G. , Laran Juliano , Xu Jun
Published: September 2008

This is a study of the readability of articles in four marketing journals: Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of International Marketing, and Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. For each journal, the authors compare articles that have won an award with articles that have not. The authors find that award-winning articles are more readable, as measured by indexes focusing on sentence and word length, than nonwinning articles. The authors also identify and analyze other characteristics of more readable journal articles and discuss the importance of good writing.
Kestês und Dêmas, die beiden Schächer am Kreuz – aus einer koptischen Paraphrase der Acta Pilati
Authors: Förster Hans
Published: September 2008

This edition of a fragment of the Coptic text (in the Sahidic dialect) quoting the or being a paraphrase of the Acta Pilati rises new questions about the history of this text. The names of the two criminals crucified with Jesus are reversed here. Usually Dêmas is the good and Kestês is the bad one. In this text, however, the good one is Kestês. Since the names are firmly connected with the tradition of the text, this fragment poses the interesting question as to whether the origin of this textual tradition should not be placed in a time-period, when the names of the two were not yet firmly established. This would probably place the version of the Acta Pilati that is used here around the first decades of the fourth century.
Was lernen wir über das frühe Christentum aus der Archäologie des Heiligen Landes?
Authors: Markschies Christoph
Published: September 2008

The recent broadly debated discoveries, which apparently designate the graves of Jesus of Nazareth's family, force us to deal with an old problem in a new degree of poignancy: what can archaeological research really tell us about early Christianity? The essay shows that the traces of Jesus' family cannot be found in the graves of Jerusalem and that the ossuaries allow at best only onomastic observations. There are, furthermore, no definitive traces of sanctuaries from the pre-Constantine period. The same can be said for the most recent finds at the Megiddo-Junction. The area does, however, offer a great deal of versatile material from the post-Constantine period, for example the so-called “Camp of the Bedouine Bishops”, which allows us to draw interesting conclusions for the assimilation of Christianity into the Bedouine culture.
La fiscalità nel mondo antico: il caso dell’hospitium militum
Authors: Tavolieri D’Andrea Claudia
Published: September 2008

Among many other taxes of the Roman Empire it is a special tax, the so-called hospitium militum the article is dealing with. This hospitium militum consisted in the obligation to offer hospitality to the Roman army and is one of the taxes typical for the time of the Emperors burdening the possessores. So all persons who were able (and obliged) to pay this tax were considered as equal members of the society. In the later time the tax shifted more and more onto a kind of munus (munus hospitalitatis), an obligation for the owners of praedia and domus. The special character of this tax and its character as munus caused not only the long duration of this tax, but, in the time of assettlement of Barbarians in the limites of the Roman Empire, this tax was one of the norms relevant for becoming a member of a certain status in this new society.
Identification de l'auteur des citations néo-ariennes dans le Traité de Basile d'Ancyre
Authors: Morales Xavier
Published: September 2008

Der Artikel befaßt sich mit der Frage nach der Identifizierung anonym überlieferter neoarianischer bzw. anhomöischer Zitate aus dem sogenannten Traktat des Basilius von Ankyra, der eine Reaktion des homöusianischen Bischofs Basilius auf die 4. Sirmische Formel („das datierte Credo“) der homöischen Partei vom 22. Mai 359 darstellt und im Panarion des Epiphanius von Salamis erhalten ist. Der Autor schließt sich der bereits im Jahre 1979 von T.A. Kopecek vertretenen Auffassung an, wonach das von Basilius verarbeitete neoarianische Dokument Aetius zugewiesen werden kann. Er stützt diese These, indem er die sechs bei Basilius erhaltenen Fragmente mit dem einzigen sicher Aetius zuweisbaren Schriftstück (dem ebenfalls im Panarion des Epiphanius überlieferten Syntagmation) vergleicht und dabei sowohl auf inhaltliche als auch auf lexikalische Übereinstimmungen beider Dokumente aufmerksam macht.
‘Hippolytus’ and Magic. An Examination of Elenchos IV 28-42 and Related Passages in Light of the Papyri Graecae Magicae
Authors: Kelhoffer James A.
Published: September 2008

Theologen und Philosophen haben in der Vergangenheit wiederholt darauf hingewiesen, daß der gewöhnlich Hippolyt von Rom zugeschriebene Elenchos (auch bekannt unter dem lateinischen Titel Refutatio omnium haeresium) eine Fülle von Material enthält, das nur im Elenchos überliefert ist und das andere erhaltene Zeugnisse bereichert und ergänzt. Der vorliegende Artikel widmet sich im allgemeinen den Quellen, die dieser Schrift zugrunde liegen. Dabei wird insbesondere die Auffassung von Magie in Elenchos IV 28-42 untersucht: Ein Vergleich des Elenchos mit den Papyri Graecae Magicae offenbart ein großes Maß an Übereinstimmungen vor allem von Elenchos IV 28-42 und zahlreichen Details in den Papyri Graecae Magicae. Die entsprechenden Bezugnahmen des Elenchos sind bedeutsam wegen des Lichts, das sie auf magische Praktiken in der Kaiserzeit werfen. Entgegen der Position Richard Ganschinietz', der davon ausgeht, daß Hippolyt seine Kenntnisse über Magie nicht direkt aus den magischen Original-texten bezog, sondern eine oder mehrere Zwischenüberlieferungen benutzte, läßt die Übereinstimmung zwischen Elenchos IV 28-42 und den Papyri Graecae Magicae darauf schließen, daß der christliche Autor Zugang zu einer Sammlung von Zaubersprüchen hatte, die er für seine Zwecke umgestaltete. Der Artikel prüft außerdem die Anspielungen des Elenchos außerhalb von Buch IV auf die Anwendung von Magie durch christliche „Häretiker“ der jüngeren Vergangenheit und der Gegenwart zur Gewinnung von Konvertiten. Der abschließende Teil des Beitrags beleuchtet die Bezugnahmen auf Magie in Scholien zu den Büchern Daniel und 1 Samuel sowie in der Traditio Apostolica, die jeweils Hippolyt von Rom zugeschrieben werden.
Alternatív módszer a szívelégtelenség reszinkronizációs kezelésére: az elektróda transapicalis beültetéser
Authors: Kassai Imre , Földesi Csaba , Székely Andrea , Mihalik Csilla , Szili-Török Tamás
Published: September 2008

Absztrakt

Percutan transzvénás úton a sinus coronarius oldalágába vezetett elektródával jelentős arányban sikertelen a reszinkronizációs kezelés, ezért ezeknek a betegeknek alternatív módszerre van szükségük. Célkitűzésünk, hogy egy alapjaiban új lehetőséget ismertessünk a bal kamrába transapicalisan beültetett endocardialis, aktív fixációs elektróda alkalmazásával. Ennek a módszernek a szívcsúcs feltárása, megszúrása és Seldinger-technika szerinti bevezetés az alapja. A bal kamrán belül az elektróda elhelyezését röntgen-képerősítő segítségével lehet nyomon követni. A módszer előnyei, hogy minimálisan invazív sebészi beavatkozás, a bal kamrában endocardialis ingerlést biztosít, és nem érinti a mitralis billentyűt.
Acut appendicitis tüneteit okozó Enterobius vermicularis fertőzésr
Authors: Antal András , Kocsis Béla
Published: September 2008

Absztrakt

A szerzők egy appendix enterobiasisos betegük esetét ismertetik. Az Enterobius vermicularis fertőzés ritkán oka az appendicitisnek. A fertőzés műtét előtti diagnosztizálása majdnem lehetetlen klinikai gyanú nélkül. A paraziták az acut appendicitisnek megfelelő tüneteket okozhatnak. Az appendixcsonk gondos megfigyelése az enterobiasis műtét alatti diagnosztizálásához vezethet. Az időben történő diagnosztizálás és megfelelő terápia megelőzheti a későbbi komplikációkat.
Persistent Disparities in the Use of Health Care Along the US–Mexico Border: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Bastida Elena , Brown H. Shelton , Pagán José A.
Published: September 2008

Objectives. We examined disparities in health care use among US–Mexico border residents, with a focus on the unique binational environment of the region, to determine factors that may influence health care use in Mexico.

Methods. Data were from 2 waves of a population-based study of 1048 Latino residents of selected Texas border counties. Logistic regression models examined predictors of health insurance coverage. Results from these models were used to examine regional patterns of health care use.

Results. Of the respondents younger than 65 years, 60% reported no health insurance coverage. The uninsured were 7 and 3 times more likely in waves 3 and 4, respectively, to use medical care in Mexico than were the insured. Preference for medical care in Mexico was an important predictor.

Conclusions. For those who were chronically ill, old, poor, or burdened by the lengthy processing of their documents by immigration authorities, the United States provided the only source of health care. For some, Mexico may lessen the burden at the individual level, but it does not lessen the aggregate burden of providing highly priced care to the region's neediest. Health disparities will continue unless policies are enacted to expand health care accessibility in the region.
Reducing Risky Sexual Behavior and Substance Use Among Currently and Formerly Homeless Adults Living With HIV
Authors: Rotheram-Borus Mary Jane , Desmond Katherine , Comulada W. Scott , Arnold Elizabeth Mayfield , Johnson Mallory
Published: September 2008

Objectives. We examined the efficacy of the Healthy Living Program in reducing risky sexual behavior and substance use among adults with HIV infection who were marginally housed (i.e., homeless at some point over a 37-month period).

Methods. We had previously conducted a randomized controlled trial with 936 adults living with HIV infection. In that study, 3 intervention modules of 5 sessions each addressed different goals: reducing risky sexual acts and drug use, improving the quality of life, and adhering to healthful behaviors. Participants were interviewed at baseline and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 months; 746 completed 4 or more assessments. In this study, we analyzed sexual behavior and drug use outcomes for the 35% (n = 270 of 767) of participants who were considered marginally housed.

Results. Among the marginally housed participants, there were significantly greater reductions in unprotected risky sexual acts, the number of sexual partners of HIV negative or unknown serostatus, alcohol or marijuana use, and hard drug use among the intervention group than among the control group.

Conclusions. Intensive, skill-focused intervention programs may improve the lives of marginally housed adults living with HIV infection.
Microwave Irradiated Acetylation of p-Anisidine: A Step towards Green Chemistry
Authors: Chakraborty Mousumi , Umrigar Vaishali , Parikh Parimal A.
Published: September 2008

The present study aims at assessing the effect of microwave irradiation against thermal heat on the production of N-acetyl-p-anisidine by acetylation of p-anisidine. The acetylation of p-anisidine under microwave irradiation produces N-acetyl-p-anisidine in shorter reaction times, which offers a benefit to the laboratories as well as industries. It also eliminates the use of excess solvent. Effects of operating parameters such as reaction time, feed composition, and microwave energy and reaction temperature on selectivity to the desired product have been investigated. The results indicate as high as a 98% conversion of N-acetyl-p-anisidine can be achieved within 12-15 minutes using acetic acid. The use of acetic acid as an acetylating agent against conventionally used acetic anhydride eliminates the handling of explosive acetic anhydride and also the energy intensive distillation step for separation of acetic acid. Organic solvent like acetic anhydride are not only hazardous to the environment, they are also expensive and flammable.