bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commentaries and Critical Articles : Text–context Relationships and Their Implications for Cross Cultural Management
Authors: Jabri Muayyad M.
Published: November 2005

Cross-national comparisons of culture-related values are largely based on an ontology that asserts a certain ‘reality’: the perceived sameness of the self with social others. This ontology is predicated on the presumption that comparisons and contrasts among cultures can be based on a universal pre-ordained set of dimensions upon which commensurability of comparisons and contrasts is advanced. The present article argues that a methodological approach combining ‘text’ and ‘context’ demonstrates that the presumed sameness of the self with social others leads to a loss of context-specific, experiential understanding. The approach suggested here thus destabilizes the presumption of a universal set of dimensions upon which comparisons and contrasts among cultures have previously been made. This, in turn, destabilizes the very concept upon which cross-national comparisons have been based.
Predicting Expatriate Adjustment
Authors: Shimoni Tali , Ronen Simcha , Roziner Ilan
Published: November 2005

This study assumes that the frequently applied model, developed in North America, predicting expatriate adjustment to foreign host countries is applicable crossnationally. This assumption is tested using Israel as a host country, an environment far removed from North American culture, and one that represents a particularly highly heterogeneous society in values, ethnic identities, languages, and religions. Expatriates from 14 different countries stationed in Israel were studied during the term of their foreign assignment. Tested were various behavioral and attitudinal constructs, which include personal, cultural, and work variables. Despite the cultural milieu Israel poses, the predictive model was reconfirmed in most of its aspects. As expected, the findings indicated that spouse's adjustment and expatriate's adjustment are highly correlated. However, it was found that interaction adjustment and environmental adjustment are two distinct processes and are predicted by different behavioral and attitudinal attributes. Work adjustment constitutes a separate criterion and can be predicted by work attitudinal variables. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed.
Structural Damage Detection using Best Approximated Dead Load Redistribution
Authors: Zhao Ling , Shenton Harry W.
Published: November 2005

Presented in this article is a novel damage detection method based on best approximation of dead load stress redistribution due to damage. It is a simple, economical, fast, and passive method that requires no artificial means of loading. The measurement is made of strain readings due to dead load at different stages of the structure during its life cycle. The approach is by finding a ‘null plane’, which is a unique identity of each structural member, such that the measurement is closest to its orthogonal projection on this null plane. The detection procedure resembles the process of finding the shortest distance from a point to a plane in elementary geometry. Both theoretical proof with a flexibility formulation and practical procedure with a stiffness formulation are given. The feasibility of the proposed method, together with the false positive test, are studied in a numerical example of a synthetic frame structure. Measurement noise influence is also conducted using perturbed strain measurement.
Experimental Study Applying a Migration Technique in Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Lin X. , Yuan F. G.
Published: November 2005

This article presents the experimental results of adopting a geophysical migration technique to interpret the ultrasonic flexural wave signals for the purpose of realizing quantitative damage identification in structures. In this study, a homogeneous isotropic plate is examined with a surface-mounted linear array of piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) disk. The piezoelectric disks function as actuators to excite flexural waves and also as sensors to receive the waves scattered from the structural damage in the plate. A prestack reverse-time migration technique, which is an advanced technique in geophysics to reverse the reflection wavefield and to image the Earth’s interior, is then used to back-propagate the scattering waves and to image damage in the plate. The configuration of the experimental setup is presented and its capability of accurately generating and receiving flexural waves is validated by comparing the collected signals with an analytical solution of transient response of a narrowband signal in a piezoelectric sensor/actuator integrated plate using Mindlin plate theory. Finally, the migration results from the scattering waves of an artificial damage are presented. It is shown that the existence of the damage is correctly revealed through migration process in the experiment as it has been shown using synthetic data.
A Comparative Study on Impact Force Prediction on a Railway Track-like Structure
Authors: Lee M. L. , Chiu W. K.
Published: November 2005

The ability to estimate an impact force being imparted onto a structure is highly valuable to its overall health monitoring scheme. This study compares impact force prediction on a railway track-like structure by a number of methods. One proposed technique utilized to estimate dynamic impacts on railway tracks involve correlating a root mean square (RMS) calculation of the track response over a selected frequency bandwidth with different impact force levels. Another technique involves the use of strain gauges configured into a full bridge circuit to reconstruct the time history of the impact force on the track structure. A third method utilizes a classical inverse analysis approach to reconstruct the force time history with a calibrated transfer function in the frequency domain. This article uses both finite element and experimental techniques to evaluate the aforementioned methods with regard to input impacts with constant magnitude and varying durations. It is seen that the RMS method is not effective in predicting impact forces with like magnitudes but varying durations. This is because the RMS relies on measuring energy in the response spectra, which varies according to input impact energy. It was also shown that measuring strain is an effective method of reconstructing an impact force waveform; however its efficacy is reduced when the impact event becomes highly dynamic. This is because strain relies on structural deformation, which is dependent on the loading time history. It is seen that an inverse analysis technique, which relies on the calibration of a frequency response function to facilitate the reconstruction of impact forces is relatively immune to varying impact durations. This is due to the structure’s relative linearity over the lower frequency region, which is a critical consideration when choosing the inverse analysis method.
Crack-induced Changes in Divergence and Flutter of Cantilevered Composite Panels
Authors: Wang Kaihong , Inman Daniel J. , Farrar Charles R.
Published: November 2005

The aeroelastic characteristics of a cantilevered composite panel of large aspect ratio and with an edge crack are investigated. The panel consists of several fiber-reinforced composite plies, and is modeled with a one-dimensional beam vibrating in coupled bending and torsion. The fundamental mode shapes of the cracked cantilever are used to study the interaction between a crack and aerodynamic characteristics by employing Galerkin’s method. Variation of the divergence/flutter speed with respect to the crack ratio, its location as well as the fiber angle is investigated. The divergence/flutter speed is more sensitive to the bending-torsion coupling parameter than to the presence of the crack. The crack may or may not reduce the divergence/flutter speed, depending on the fiber orientation. The qualitative analysis may help the development of an online prognosis tool for an aircraft with large aspect-ratio unswept composite wings.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Paste and Honey Show Similar Wound Healing Potential: A Preclinical Study in Rabbits
Authors: Kundu Subarna , Biswas Tuhin Kanti , Das Partha , Kumar Saurabh , De Dipak Kumar
Published: November 2005

The potential efficacy of fresh turmeric (Curcuma longa) paste to heal wounds was tested in a preclinical study in an animal model. Turmeric paste was comparedwith honey as a topicalmedicament against a control on experimentally created full-thickness circular wounds in 18 rabbits (Oryctolagous cuniculus). Wound healing was assessed on the basis of physical, histomorphological, and histochemical parameters on treatment days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Only tensile strength was measured on day 14 of treatment. It was observed that the wound healing was statistically significantly faster (P < .01) in both treatment groups compared to the control group.
A Verrucous Carcinoma of the Foot on an Injection Site: A Case Report
Authors: Verma Shyam
Published: November 2005

Verrucous carcinoma of the foot, also known as epithelioma cuniculatum, usually occurs on the inner aspect of the foot. It is a slow-growing variant of squamous cell cancer with a low metastatic potential. This case report presents a patient with a verrucous carcinoma of the foot who had been receivin long-term intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in that site for some steroid-responsive dermatosis, presumably lichen simplex chronicus.
Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Vanda roxburghii R.Br(Orchidacea): A Preclinical Study in a Rat Model
Authors: Nayak B. S. , Suresh R. , Rao A. V. C. , Pillai G. K. , Davis E. M. , Ramkissoon V. , McRae A.
Published: November 2005

The extract of Vanda roxburghii was administered topically to rats at a dose of 150mgkg – 1 day – 1 for 10daysandwas studied for its effect on wound healing, using the excision wound model. A 60% reduction in wound diameter was observed in the test group rats receiving the extract compared to controls (48%). Significant increases in wet and dry granulation tissue weights (P < .001), hydroxyproline (P < .001), and hexosamine (P < .003) contents were detected. An increase in protein content was also detected in the test group (P > .05, ns). These findings are consistent with wound healing at cellular levels. The pro-healing action may be attributed either to increased collagen deposition or to better alignment and maturation or both. The test wounds (extract-treated wounds) were, on average, fully healed by the 13th day, whereas the control group healed, on average, by the 20th day. These data suggest that the extract ofVanda roxburghii administered topically has wound-healing potential in rats.
Venous Insufficiency Due to Chronic Traumatic Arteriovenous Fistula: Two Case Reports
Authors: Rerkasem K.
Published: November 2005

Chronic traumatic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare complication of vascular injury, and few papers have reported on its consequences to the venous system, that is, venous insufficiency. The author has highlighted this problem with 2 case reports in this case presentation. One patient had recurrent chronic ulcer of the left foot. The other patient developed deep vein thrombosis following repair to the large AVF of the right thigh.
Wound Problems in Surgery for Talipes Equinovarus
Authors: Uglow Michael G.
Published: November 2005

The traditional treatment for talipes equinovarus (TEV) has been open surgery inmany units around the world. The complication rates for primary corrective surgery are relatively small but may affect outcome significantly. The complications of surgery in relapsed TEV are more frequent than for primary surgery, and problems relating to wound healing present difficult challenges to the treating surgeon. An overview of the approaches to management of this still challenging condition are presented, and the factors involved in wound healing problems and strategies for their prevention and treatment are presented. In particular, the belated but rapid spread worldwide of the Ponseti nonoperative approach to treating talipes is the most important factor in reducing the rates of surgery and therefore the complications that may ensue.
An American Reflects on the Windsor Report
Authors: Douglas Ian T.
Published: November 2005

The Windsor Report of the Lambeth Commission on Communion was published in late 2004 and has been released with encouragement from the Archbishop of Canterbury that it be studied around the Anglican Communion. A ‘reception’ process has been established to solicit input and monitor discussion on the Windsor Report from across the Anglican Communion. This article is a reflection on the report from the perspective of an American Episcopalian missiologist and was offered as part of the ‘reception’ process. In a step-by-step examination of the contents of the Windsor Report, the reflection presents underlying currents, concerns and possibilities for the Anglican Communion arising from the Report. There is much of benefit in the Report while at the same time dissent is registered with some of its presuppositions and findings.
Doubts about Doubt: Honest to God Forty Years On
Authors: Wright N. T.
Published: November 2005

Honest to God, published in 1963, was one of the most public religious bestsellers of the twentieth century. Because it was written by an Anglican bishop it was especially controversial. Yet there are questions that remain and this article highlights seven such questions which draw attention to weaknesses in the book. An alternative proposal is offered here. Robinson had his finger on a real problem in postwar British church life and, in a measure, theology. I believe the problem was mostly or largely caused not by the New Testament and historic Christianity itself, but by the way in which the post-Enlightenment world had assimilated and re-expressed the Christian faith. What Robinson referred to when speaking of supraor supernaturalism belonged within an essentially Deist or Epicurean framework, and he was struggling with the unwelcome consequences of people being unable to relate to their absentee landlord, and simultaneously puzzling over the fact that some people did not find this a problem. The huge popularity of his book shows that he struck a chord with a great many people. The tragedy of Honest to God, as I perceive it, is that Robinson did not see that what he was rejecting was a form of supernaturalism pressed upon Christianity by the Enlightenment; that he did not therefore go looking for help in finding other ways of holding together what the classic Christian tradition has claimed about God.
Anglican Approaches to Christian–Muslim Dialogue
Authors: Ipgrave Michael
Published: November 2005

Three aspects of the Anglican understanding of Christianity can make a distinctive contribution to Christian–Muslim dialogue today. Recognition of the importance of context highlights the complexity and variety of the situations in which Christians and Muslims encounter one another. Basing unity on a sense of collegiality which can withstand disagreement offers a model for shared working across religious differences. The interpretation of Scripture through reason and tradition under the guidance of conscience points to a dialogue between those addressed by the Bible and by the Qur'ān respectively. These themes are illustrated through contemporary Anglican involvement in three Christian–Muslim projects, and their theological implications are explored.
Kill-n-tell (& all that jazz): The seductions of crime in Chicago
Authors: O’Brien Martin , Tzanelli Rodanthi , Yar Majid
Published: November 2005

This article uses the lens of cultural criminology to explore representations of the seductions of crime (Katz, 1988) in Hollywood cinema. We use a specific film - Chicago(Miramax Films, 2002) - to investigate the cultural embeddedness of the emotional and sensual parameters that are said to constitute the foreground of criminal activity. We suggest that the stated aim of cultural criminology - to connect the phenomenal foreground of criminal acts to their material background - is laudable but that there is also a pressing need to connect that foreground to specific features of its cultural background. Our analysis of the film Chicago exposes the social circulation of important cultural motifs that help to make sense of why certain kinds of emotional and sensual features might be attended to in accounts of the commission of crimes.
‘Binge’ drinking, British alcohol policy and the new culture of intoxication
Authors: Measham Fiona , Brain Kevin
Published: November 2005

Against the backdrop of a long-standing British ‘binge and brawl’ pattern of alcohol-based weekend leisure and concomitant recurrent anxieties in the media surrounding youth and young adults at play, this article considers the cultural distinctions of contemporary British leisure and the evidence for a ‘new’ culture of intoxication. Four key changes are identified which together, the authors argue, suggest significant change is underway in respect of patterns of alcohol consumption in the UK. Presenting empirical data for the first time, the article considers how one might assess the evidence for a new culture of intoxication which embraces both legal and illicit drugs and which encompasses a broad social spectrum of young people. The study concludes that the pursuit of altered states of intoxication must be positioned in late modern society as behaviour which is a vehicle for consumer and criminal justice discourses, both encouraged by economic deregulation and constrained by legislative change, indicative of the ambiguities at the heart of British alcohol policy.
Paedophiles in the community: Inter-agency conflict, news leaks and the local press
Authors: Cross Simon
Published: November 2005

This article explores the leaking of confidential information about secret Home Office plans to house convicted paedophiles within a local community (albeit inside a prison). It argues that a politics of paedophilia has emerged in which inter-agency consensus on the issue of ‘what to do’ with high-profile sex offenders has broken down. Accordingly, the article situates newspaper ‘outing’ of paedophiles in the community in relation to vigilante journalism and leaked information from official agencies. The article then presents research findings from a case study of news events set in train following a whistle-blowing reaction by Prison Officers’ Association officials to Home Office plans. Drawing from a corpus of 10 interviews with journalists and key protagonists in the story, the article discusses both the dynamics of whistle blowing about paedophiles and also what happens after the whistle has blown.
Observations of the phenomenon of abnormal arc voltage occurring in pulsed metal inert gas welding of aluminium alloy
Authors: Tong H. , Ueyama T. , Tanaka M. , Ushio M.
Published: November 2005

At the time of arc reignition after short circuiting during electrode positive polarity, cathode spots are newly formed in the centre of the weld pool surface, where oxides scarcely exist. The work function of the cathode surface increases and the cathode spots concentrate because of the lack of sufficient oxides, leading to an increase in the potential gradient across the cathode fall space and the adjoining contraction space. Consequently, the arc voltage becomes abnormally high in spite of the short arc length. Moreover, when electrode polarity is switched from positive to negative immediately after a droplet has detached from the wire tip, cathode spots are newly formed on the surface of the molten metal remaining at the wire tip, where little oxide exists, leading to an abnormal increase in arc voltage as well. Therefore, the change in arc voltage does not necessarily indicate a fluctuation in the arc length.
Validation of three-dimensional finite element model for electron beam welding of Inconel 718
Authors: Lundbäck A. , Runnemalm H.
Published: November 2005

A three-dimensional finite element model for the prediction of the distortion and residual stresses induced during electron beam welding is described. The model is validated by butt welding experiments on two Inconel 718 plates. A particular effort is made to determine a good model for the heat input. A combined conical and double ellipsoid heat source is used to model the deep penetration characteristic of the electron beam and this source is calibrated using the results from a separate thermodynamic simulation, using the ELSIM finite difference code. Parallel computation is used to reduce the overall simulation time in the coupled thermomechanical simulation of welding. The agreement between calculations and experiments is good with respect to the residual stresses. Measured and computed deformations agree qualitatively although they differ in magnitude.
Random nature of droplet size and its origins in short circuit CO2 arc welding
Authors: Zhu Z. , Wu W. , Chen Q.
Published: November 2005

The nature of the droplet size variation and its effect on the process behaviour were investigated for short circuit CO2 arc welding using a power supply with constant voltage output. To obtain the droplet images and record the welding current and voltage transient waveforms in phase, an integrated experimental system was established by combining a high speed charge coupled device camera based on laser shadowing and a related optical system with a dual channel analog/digital converter. The droplet size in short circuit transfer mode is defined as the maximum diameter of the molten droplet just before short circuiting. The experimental results reveal that the distribution of droplet size typically has a random nature with a range of between 1 and 2 times the electrode diameter. Excessively large or small droplet size is markedly unfavourable to the process stability. The droplet shape just before short circuiting and the short circuiting experience are also critical factors affecting the process behaviour. The main factors influencing the droplet size and shape are analysed in detail and approaches to control their evolution are then proposed.
Residual welding stresses in laser beam and tungsten inert gas weldments of titanium alloy
Authors: Zhang J. X. , Xue Y. , Gong S. L.
Published: November 2005

The residual welding stresses in laser beam (LB) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) weldments of a titanium alloy in thin plate form were investigated experimentally in the present work. A hole drilling technique was used to measure the residual stresses in the weldments. The effects of the welding method and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the residual stresses were analysed. The results show that (i) the residual stress distribution in the LB welded joints is similar to that obtained for traditional fusion welding processes, although the distribution zone is much narrower in LB welding, (ii) the residual stress in the heat affected zone for LB welding is about 100 MPa lower than that for TIG welding, and (iii) PWHT in vacuum greatly relieves the welding residual stress.
Peak temperatures and microstructures in aluminium and magnesium alloy friction stir spot welds
Authors: Gerlich A. , Su P. , North T. H.
Published: November 2005

The peak temperatures during friction stir spot welding of similar and dissimilar aluminium and magnesium alloys are investigated. The peak temperatures attained during friction stir spot welding of Al 6111, Al 2024, and AZ91 are within 6% of their solidus temperatures. In dissimilar AZ91/Al 6111 spot welds the peak temperature corresponds with the α-Mg solid solution and Mg17Al12 eutectic temperature of 437°C. An a-Mg plus Mg17Al12 eutectic microstructure is produced in dissimilar friction stir spot welds when material displaced during pin penetration into the lower sheet material contacts the upper sheet material at the eutectic temperature.
A two stage approach for the validation of welding and heat treatment models used in product development
Authors: Berglund D. , Alberg H.
Published: November 2005

Many components used in the aerospace industry have complex shape and are manufactured from high strength materials. Performing large scale tests is costly and time consuming, therefore, simulation tools are needed to support an effective product development process. Using manufacturing simulations during product development requires a validated model of the material and manufacturing process. In this paper, a validation scheme is proposed for thermomechanical models of welding and post-weld heat treatment. The scheme was investigated by comparing simulations using shell elements with experimental results, which showed good agreement when predicting residual stresses after welding, but an overestimation of the out-of-plane deformations when simulating both welding and heat treatment. However, the simulations showed that the outof-plane deformation is strongly influenced by the initial geometry. It can be concluded that the simulation model is adequately accurate to be used in concept evaluation.
Applicable conditions of instantaneous source used for welding heat conduction
Authors: Terasaki T. , Kitamura T. , Akiyama T. , Nakatani M.
Published: November 2005

This paper deals with the sufficient conditions under which instantaneous heat source can be considered as welding heat source instead of moving source. Temperature rises calculated by instantaneous source and moving one were compared. The applicable conditions of the instantaneous heat source with errors of 1% and 5% were found. This enables us to select either moving or instantaneous source with information of welding speed, thermal diffusivity and the distance from the weld centre line to the interested location. Approximate equations to determine the maximum temperature rise using a moving source were proposed and the accuracy of their calculation was proved to be ∼99%.
Study of the operational parameters of plasma transferred arc melting and modelling of the process
Authors: Bourithis L. , Papadimitriou G. D.
Published: November 2005

Plasma transferred arc (PTA) melting/alloying technique can be successfully used in various surface modification applications and has the potential for industrial use, replacing other more expensive techniques such as laser or electron beam. Such applications require tight control of the process parameters. There is a restricted field of PTA parameter values, where PTA melting can be successfully performed with smooth and unoxidised surfaces. The heat source efficiency of PTA treatment is strongly affected by welding current, arc length and travel speed of the arc and it takes values between 0·40 and 0·55, while melting efficiency takes values between 0·05 and 0·25, affected by the same parameters as arc efficiency. The microstructure and hardness of the melting zone of a PTA pass is associated with heat input and arc length.
Influence of heat treatments and chemical composition on SCC susceptibility during repairing procedure of overlaying of Inconel 182 by laser surface melting
Authors: Bao G. , Shinozaki K. , Iguro S. , Inkyo M. , Mahara Y. , Watanabe H.
Published: November 2005

A practical repairing technique using laser surface melting (LSM) was developed to remove the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in overlaying of Inconel 182. Influence of microstructure of different heat treatments performed during repairing process on intergranular cracking/intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGC/IGSCC) susceptibility was discussed. The intergranular precipitate was identified as M23 C6 by TEM. The microstructure with no intergranular precipitate and refiner sub-grain after LSM process shows excellent IGC/IGSCC resistance. The stress relief heat treatment induced severe microstructure of high IGC/IGSCC susceptibility, owing to the semicontinuous intergranular precipitation. The influence of Nb/C ratio on IGC/IGSCC susceptibility of three nickel based superalloys after LSM process was also investigated. For both of the Inconel 182 alloys with different Nb content, the microstructure after LSM process and following sensitisation treatment showed precipitation free grain boundary. The results of corrosion tests also indicated that the material with higher Nb/C ratio showed higher IGC/IGSCC resistance after LSM process and following sensitisation treatment.
Hardness prediction models based on HAZ simulation for in-service welded pipeline steels
Authors: Nolan D. , Sterjovski Z. , Dunne D.
Published: November 2005

Welding onto pressurised pipelines that contain flammable fluid to facilitate repairs or branch connections, is a critical procedure with considerable risk to personnel and infrastructure. Limiting the heat input is obviously an important consideration to prevent ‘burn-through’, but the potential for rapid cooling of the weldment increases its susceptibility to hydrogen assisted cold cracking (HACC). Therefore, one of the most important factors for in-service welding procedure development relates to the increased risk of formation of hard, brittle microstructures in the grain coarsened heat affected zone (GCHAZ) of the weld, microstructures that increase the risk of HACC. The present work has been successful in utilising heat treatment simulations to derive two new hardness prediction models that more accurately predict hardness in the GCHAZ for typical in-service welding applications than a commercially adopted and widely used hardness prediction algorithm. Although it is acknowledged that further work is required to validate the models for a wider range of in-service welding conditions, the performance of the models demonstrates their potential for developing improved in-service welding procedures.
Determining penetration from topside weld bead and weld pool geometry in PGMAW
Authors: Yan Z. H. , Zhang G. J. , Gao H. M. , Wu L.
Published: November 2005

Finding suitable characteristic parameters of topside weld pool to reflect the penetration is a key work in weld shape control. In this paper, by analysing the molten metal volume, the relationship between topside weld bead shape and penetration in pulsed gas metal arc welding (PGMAW) is revealed, and then several weld bead characteristic parameters (WBCPs) are proposed to determine the penetration. However, these WBCPs are difficult to be obtained in real time, because continuous solidifying of weld pool forms the weld bead, and the WBCPs can be reflected by the weld pool geometry. Therefore, some weld pool characteristic parameters (WPCPs) are proposed to replace the WBCPs. Furthermore, a visual system is established and a series of image processing arithmetics are developed to extract the WPCPs.
Effects of torch configuration and welding current on weld bead formation in high speed tandem pulsed gas metal arc welding of steel sheets
Authors: Ueyama T. , Ohnawa T. , Tanaka M. , Nakata K.
Published: November 2005

Undercut and humping bead are the common defects that limit the maximum welding speed of tandem pulsed gas metal arc (GMA) welding. In order to increase the maximum welding speed, effects of the inclination angle, interwire distance and welding current ratio between the leading wire and trailing wire on bead formation in high speed welding are investigated. The undercut and humping bead is attributed to the irregular flow of molten metal towards the rear part of the weld pool. This irregular flow can be prevented by the trailing wire with a push angle from 5° to 13°, which provides an appropriate component of arc force in the welding direction. The irregular flow is also related to the distance between the leading wire and the trailing wire, and the flow becomes regular when the distance is in the range 9–12 mm. Moreover, the stabilisation of the bulge of the weld pool between the two wires, the presence of enough molten metal below the trailing arc, and the reduced velocity of molten metal flow towards the rear part of the weld pool, are essential to increase the maximum welding speed. These conditions can be obtained by adjusting the ratio of the leading arc current to the trailing arc current. A maximum welding speed as high as 4–4·5 m min−1 is achieved by setting the current ratio to a value ranging from 0·31 to 0·5.
Effect of shielding gas and activating flux on weld bead geometry in tungsten inert gas welding of austenitic stainless steels
Authors: Rodrigues A. , Loureiro A.
Published: November 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of three shielding gases (argon and argon–hydrogen and argon–helium mixtures) and two activating fluxes (a commercial flux and a TiO2 based flux) on the geometry of welds produced by the tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process on several casts of austenitic stainless steel AISI 316, using currents ranging from 100 to 300 A. Penetration depth increases with increasing current for all shielding gases, but weld depth to width ratio is higher for argon than for argon–hydrogen shielded welds. Both activating fluxes produce a substantial increase in penetration depth and in depth to width ratio of the welds. No correlation was found between penetration depth and oxygen content in the melted material. Some interaction exists between activating fluxes and shielding gases, which can affect the weld geometry and/or the defect formation in the welds.
Process–structure–property relationships for nugget and heat affected zone regions of AA2524–T351 friction stir welds
Authors: Yan Junhui , Sutton M. A. , Reynolds A. P.
Published: November 2005

The effects of weld tool rotational speed ω, welding speed v and z-axis force FZ during friction stir welding of the aluminium alloy 2524-T351 on the resulting process response variables, nugget microstructure, nugget tensile properties and heat affected zone hardness variations were investigated. For the range of conditions examined, the results indicate that ω has the dominant effect on nugget properties and structure, that optimum nugget tensile properties can be obtained by increasing ω to obtain a peak temperature that is just below the incipient local melting temperature, and that excessive values of ω result in low nugget ductility because of localised embrittlement near the weld crown. The study has also shown that the peak weld temperature is inversely related to the measured torque T0. The T0– ω relationship appears to be a useful guide for weld modification, as it is indicative of conditions leading to overheating in the nugget region.
Welding of magnesium alloys with activating flux
Authors: Zhang Z.-D. , Liu L.-M. , Shen Y. , Wang L.
Published: November 2005

The effects of an activating flux on AZ31B alloy welding were investigated. Alternating current tungsten inert gas (ACTIG) welding was used to weld 5·0 mm thick AZ31B alloy plates with CdCl2, AlF3 and TiO2 activating flux. Applying the activating flux on the AZ31B alloy surface led to an increase in weld penetration depth. Various welding conditions, such as welding current, welding arc length, welding shielding gas flowrate, welding speed and flux thickness, influenced to different extents the ability of the activating flux to increase weld penetration. Furthermore, a high speed camera was used to monitor the arc images during welding. It was found that the brightest region of the arc was broader when CdCl2 and AlF3 were used, while the stability of the arc was increased when TiO2 was used, especially in the positive electrode period. In summary, it is important that a uniform flux layer is present at the alloy plate surface and suitable welding parameters are selected.
Transforming growth factor-β2 is involved in quantitative genetic variation in thymic involution
Authors: Kumar Ritu , Langer Jessica C. , Snoeck Hans-Willem
Published: November 2005

The mechanisms regulating thymic involution are unclear. In inbred mouse strains the rate of thymic involution and the function of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) compartment are subject to quantitative genetic variation. We have shown previously that transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) is a genetically determined positive regulator of HSCs. Here, we demonstrate that genetic variation in the rate of thymic involution correlates with genetic variation in the responsiveness of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to TGF-β2. Corroborating these correlations, thymic cellularity and peripheral naive T-cell frequency were higher in old Tgfb2+/- mice than in wild-type littermates. The frequency of early T-cell precursors was increased in Tgfb2+/- mice, suggesting that TGF-β2 affects the earliest stages of T-cell development in old mice. Reciprocal transplantation experiments indicated that TGF-β2 expressed both in the (micro)environment and in the hematopoietic system can accelerate thymic involution; however, the age of the stem cells appeared irrelevant. Thus, although thymic involution is largely determined by the aged environment, TGF-β2 plays a major modulatory role that is subject to genetic variation and is possibly mediated through its regulatory effects on early hematopoiesis.
Fas ligand is localized to membrane rafts, where it displays increased cell death–inducing activity
Authors: Cahuzac Nathalie , Baum Wiebke , Kirkin Vladimir , Conchonaud Fabien , Wawrezinieck Laure , Marguet Didier , Janssen Ottmar , Zörnig Martin , Hueber Anne-Odile
Published: November 2005

Fas ligand (FasL), a member of the TNF protein family, potently induces cell death by activating its matching receptor Fas. Fas-mediated killing plays a critical role in naturally and pathologically occurring cell death, including development and homeostasis of the immune system. In addition to its receptor-interacting and cell death–inducing extracellular domain, FasL has a well-conserved intracellular portion with a proline-rich SH3 domain–binding site probably involved in non-apoptotic functions. We report here that, as with the Fas receptor, a fraction of FasL is constitutively localized in rafts. These dynamic membrane microdomains, enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, are important for cell signaling and trafficking processes. We show that FasL is partially localized in rafts and that increased amounts of FasL are found in rafts after efficient FasL/Fas receptor interactions. Raft disorganization after cholesterol oxidase treatment and deletions within the intracellular FasL domain diminish raft partitioning and, most important, lead to decreased FasL killing. We conclude that FasL is recruited into lipid rafts for maximum Fas receptor contact and cell death–inducing potency. These findings raise the possibility that certain pathologic conditions may be treated by altering the cell death–inducing capability of FasL with drugs affecting its raft localization.
Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates both proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitors and late stages of megakaryocyte differentiation
Authors: Raslova Hana , Baccini Véronique , Loussaief Lamya , Comba Béatrice , Larghero Jérôme , Debili Najet , Vainchenker William
Published: November 2005

A major determinant in platelet production is the megakaryocyte (MK) size that is regulated both by ploidization and the increase in cytoplasmic volume at the end of maturation. Here we investigated the involvement of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the regulation of megakaryopoiesis. We show that phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K1, and 4E-BP1 was diminished in thrombopoietin-cultured human MKs after rapamycin treatment. Rapamycin induced an inhibition in the G1/S transition and a decrease in the mean MK ploidy via a diminution of p21 and cyclin D3 occurring at a transcriptional level. Both cycling (2N/4N) and polyploid (8N/16N) MKs were reduced in size, with a size reduction slightly more pronounced in mature polyploid MKs than in immature ones. Rapamycin also induced a delay in the expression of MK markers and prevented the generation of proplatelet MKs. Additional experiments performed in vitro with MKs from mutant mice showed that the decrease in mean ploidy level and the delay in MK differentiation in the presence of rapamycin were less pronounced in CdknIa (p21)–/– MKs than in CdknIa (p21)+/+ MKs. These findings indicate that the mTOR pathway plays an important role during megakaryopoiesis by regulating ploidy, cell size, and maturation, in part by regulating p21 and cyclin D3.
Analysis of transgene-specific immune responses that limit the in vivo persistence of adoptively transferred HSV-TK–modified donor T cells after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Berger Carolina , Flowers Mary E. , Warren Edus H. , Riddell Stanley R.
Published: November 2005

The introduction of an inducible suicide gene such as the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) might allow exploitation of the antitumor activity of donor T cells after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) without graft versus host disease. However, HSV-TK is foreign, and immune responses to gene-modified T cells could lead to their premature elimination. We show that after the infusion of HSV-TK–modified donor T cells to HCT recipients, CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses to HSV-TK are rapidly induced and coincide with the disappearance of transferred cells. Cytokine flow cytometry using an overlapping panel of HSV-TK peptides allowed rapid detection and quantitation of HSV-TK–specific T cells in the blood and identified multiple immunogenic epitopes. Repeated infusion of modified T cells boosted the induced HSV-TK–specific T cells, which persisted as memory cells. These studies demonstrate the need for nonimmunogenic suicide genes and identify a strategy for detection of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses to transgene products that should be generally applicable to monitoring patients on gene therapy trials. The potency of gene-modified T cells to elicit robust and durable immune responses imply this approach might be used for vaccination to elicit T-cell responses to viral or tumor antigens.
Drug-resistant T-lymphoid tumors undergo apoptosis selectively in response to an antimicrotubule agent, EM011
Authors: Aneja Ritu , Zhou Jun , Vangapandu Surya N. , Zhou Binfei , Chandra Ramesh , Joshi Harish C.
Published: November 2005

We have shown previously that EM011, a synthetic compound, binds tubulin with a higher affinity than the founding compound, noscapine, without changing total microtubule polymer mass. Now we show that EM011 is potently effective against vinblastine-resistant human lymphoblastoid line CEM/VLB100 and its parental vinblastine-sensitive line CEM. The cytotoxicity is mediated by cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and subsequent apoptosis, as indicated by altered plasma membrane asymmetry, loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, activation of caspase-3, and increased DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, oral EM011 treatment of nude mice bearing human lymphoma xenografts results in pronounced tumor regression by triggering apoptosis and significantly lengthens the survival time of mice. EM011 treatment does not have obvious side effects in tissues with frequently dividing cells, such as the spleen and duodenum. In addition, EM011 does not show any toxicity in the liver, lung, heart, brain, and sciatic nerve. More importantly, EM011 does not affect hematopoiesis as determined by complete blood count profiles. These findings suggest that EM011 may be a safe and effective chemotherapeutic agent for oral treatment of drug-resistant human lymphomas. (Blood. 2006;107:2486-2492)
Proinflammatory cytokine responses induced by influenza A (H5N1) viruses in primary human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Chan MCW , Cheung CY , Chui WH , Tsao SW , Nicholls JM , Chan YO , Chan RWY , Long HT , Poon LLM , Guan Y , Peiris JSM
Published: November 2005

Background

Fatal human respiratory disease associated with influenza A subtype H5N1 has been documented in Hong Kong, and more recently in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. We previously demonstrated that patients with H5N1 disease had unusually high serum levels of IP-10 (interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10). Furthermore, when compared with human influenza virus subtype H1N1, the H5N1 viruses in 1997 (A/Hong Kong/483/97) (H5N1/97) were more potent inducers of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-a) and chemokines (e.g. IP-10) from primary human macrophages in vitro, which suggests that cytokines dysregulation may play a role in pathogenesis of H5N1 disease. Since respiratory epithelial cells are the primary target cell for replication of influenza viruses, it is pertinent to investigate the cytokine induction profile of H5N1 viruses in these cells.

Methods

We used quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA to compare the profile of cytokine and chemokine gene expression induced by H5N1 viruses A/HK/483/97 (H5N1/97), A/Vietnam/1194/04 and A/Vietnam/3046/04 (both H5N1/04) with that of human H1N1 virus in human primary alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells in vitro.

Results

We demonstrated that in comparison to human H1N1 viruses, H5N1/97 and H5N1/04 viruses were more potent inducers of IP-10, interferon beta, RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in primary human alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Recent H5N1 viruses from Vietnam (H5N1/04) appeared to be even more potent at inducing IP-10 than H5N1/97 virus.

Conclusion

The H5N1/97 and H5N1/04 subtype influenza A viruses are more potent inducers of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in primary human respiratory epithelial cells than subtype H1N1 virus. We suggest that this hyper-induction of cytokines may be relevant to the pathogenesis of human H5N1 disease.
ErmineJ: Tool for functional analysis of gene expression data sets
Authors: Lee Homin K , Braynen William , Keshav Kiran , Pavlidis Paul
Published: November 2005

Background

It is common for the results of a microarray study to be analyzed in the context of biologically-motivated groups of genes such as pathways or Gene Ontology categories. The most common method for such analysis uses the hypergeometric distribution (or a related technique) to look for "over-representation" of groups among genes selected as being differentially expressed or otherwise of interest based on a gene-by-gene analysis. However, this method suffers from some limitations, and biologist-friendly tools that implement alternatives have not been reported.

Results

We introduce ErmineJ, a multiplatform user-friendly stand-alone software tool for the analysis of functionally-relevant sets of genes in the context of microarray gene expression data. ErmineJ implements multiple algorithms for gene set analysis, including over-representation and resampling-based methods that focus on gene scores or correlation of gene expression profiles. In addition to a graphical user interface, ErmineJ has a command line interface and an application programming interface that can be used to automate analyses. The graphical user interface includes tools for creating and modifying gene sets, visualizing the Gene Ontology as a table or tree, and visualizing gene expression data. ErmineJ comes with a complete user manual, and is open-source software licensed under the Gnu Public License.

Conclusion

The availability of multiple analysis algorithms, together with a rich feature set and simple graphical interface, should make ErmineJ a useful addition to the biologist's informatics toolbox. ErmineJ is available fromhttp://microarray.cu.genome.org.