bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intake of nutrients from pasture by pigs
Authors: Edwards S. A.
Published: July 2003

The domestic pig evolved from the omnivorous wild boar and has retained many natural foraging behaviour patterns. Although most modern commercial pigs are housed and fed concentrate diets, interest in the potential nutrient contribution from pasture has increased due to growth in outdoor and organic pig production systems. The energy requirements of outdoor pigs are increased by approximately 15% under Northern European conditions as a result of greater climatic energy demand and locomotory activity. The nutritional contribution made by pasture will depend on the availability, nutrient composition, grazing intake and digestive utilisation of herbage. Information on these topics is currently very sparse. Herbage availability is often low due to farm rotational policy or destructive foraging by the pigs. Herbage composition shows large varietal and seasonal differences, but the high fibre content reduces the efficiency of energy utilisation and may impair utilisation of other nutrients. Intake of grazed herbage varies widely between individuals, but is typically approximately 2.0 kg DM/d for dry sows fed restricted concentrate, and approximately 0.1 kg DM/d for growing pigs offeredad libitumconcentrate. This intake can contribute 50% of the maintenance energy requirement and a high proportion of the amino acid, mineral and trace element requirements of dry sows, but <5% of requirements of growing pigs. Whilst the potential to increase nutrient intakes from grazing exists, this process requires better understanding of herbage intake and digestion, and development of better systems for paddock management.
Can human micronutrient status be improved by supplementing domestic animals?
Authors: Biigel Susanne
Published: July 2003

Micronutrient deficiencies are a major problem throughout the world and hundreds of millions of the world's population are affected by micronutrient deficiency disorders. In Europe the prevalence of clinical micronutrient deficiency disorders is less than that in the Third World. However, marginal deficiency of some of the micronutrients might be involved in the aetiology of many of the so-called lifestyle diseases, e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis. Supplementing domestic animals with micronutrients in excess of their needs could be one strategy to increase the intake and, thereby, status of micronutrients in the human population. This approach should, however, be considered carefully, in relation to both animal and human welfare. Many micronutrients that may accumulate in animal foods are toxic in high doses. It would also be unethical to expose animals to doses that might have deleterious effects on their health, and concentrations in animal products that might have adverse effects when consumed by man should be avoided. Furthermore, food quality should not be impaired by the supplement. On the other hand, to be relevant in relation to human nutrition, the given micronutrient should accumulate in animal tissue in concentrations that make an important contribution to total intake. Finally, the micronutrient should be incorporated in a way and in a form that is bioavailable to man, i.e. is well absorbed and utilized.
Energy balance in critical illness
Authors: Plank Lindsay D. , Hill Graham L.
Published: July 2003

Energy balance is the difference between energy consumed and total energy expended. Over a given period of time it expresses how much the body stores of fat, carbohydrate and protein will change. For the critically-ill patient, who characteristically exhibits raised energy expenditure and proteolysis of skeletal muscle, energy balance information is valuable because underfeeding or overfeeding may compromise recovery. However, there are formidable difficulties in measuring energy balance in these patients. While energy intake can be accurately recorded in the intensive care setting, the measurement of total energy expenditure is problematic. Widely used approaches, such as direct calorimetry or doubly-labelled water, are not applicable to the critically ill patient. Energy balance was determined over periods of 5–10 d in patients in intensive care by measuring changes in the fat, protein and carbohydrate stores of the body. Changes in total body fat were positively correlated with energy balance over the 5 d study periods in patients with severe sepsis (n24, r 0.56, P=0.004) or major trauma (n 24, r 0.70, P<.0001). Fat oxidation occurred in patients whose energy intake was insufficient to achieve energy balance. Changes in body protein were independent of energy balance. These results are consistent with those of other researchers who have estimated total energy requirements from measurements of O2 consumption and CO2 production. In critically-ill patients achievement of positive non-protein energy balance or total energy balance does not prevent negative N balance. Nutritional therapy for these patients may in the future focus on glycaemic control with insulin and specialised supplements rather than on energy balance per se.
Protein intake and blood pressure in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Elliott Paul
Published: July 2003

Raised blood pressure (BP) is a major cause of CHD and the leading cause of stroke. Although BP rises with age in most populations, there are remote populations around the world where BP does not rise with age and where the high prevalence of high BP and frank hypertension seen in the UK and other Western countries in the older age-groups is not found. However, when such populations migrate to urban settings, their BPs rise, indicating that the population-wide BP problem is largely environmental in origin. Thus, a substantial body of evidence has accumulated on the importance of dietary factors in BP (Na and alcohol intakes (direct relationship) and K intake (inverse relationship)) as well as body weight (direct relationship). More recently, attention has shifted to other dietary factors that might affect BP. Data from studies of vegetarians (who tend to have lower BP than meat-eating populations) as well as clinical data on the adverse effects of protein intake in patients with renal insufficiency led to the view in Western countries that dietary (animal or total) protein had an adverse effect on BP. By contrast, studies in Japan and China suggested that dietary protein might be protective of high BP and stroke. Recent epidemiological studies have found inverse associations between dietary protein intake and BP, consistent with this view, and supported by some evidence from animal studies. Recent controlled clinical trials of soyabean supplementation have also suggested a BP-lowering effect of protein intake. Results of further large-scale epidemiological studies of protein and BP are awaited.
Regulation of bone cell function by acid–base balance
Authors: Arnett Tim
Published: July 2003

Bone growth and turnover results from the coordinated activities of two key cell types. Bone matrix is deposited and mineralised by osteoblasts and it is resorbed by osteoclasts, multinucleate cells that excavate pits on bone surfaces. It has been known since the early 20th century that systemic acidosis causes depletion of the skeleton, an effect assumed to result from physico-chemical dissolution of bone mineral. However, our own work has shown that resorption pit formation by cultured osteoclasts was absolutely dependent on extracellular acidification; these cells are inactive at pH levels above about 7·3 and show maximum stimulation at a pH of about 6·9. Bone resorption is most sensitive to changes in H+concentration at a pH of about 7·1 (which may be close to the interstitial pH in bone). In this region pH shifts of <0·05 units can cause a doubling or halving of pit formation. In whole-bone cultures, chronic HCO3-acidosis results in similar stimulations of osteoclast-mediated Ca2+release, with a negligible physico-chemical component.In vivo, severe systemic acidosis (pH change of about –0·05 to –0·20) often results from renal disease; milder chronic acidosis (pH change of about –0·02 to –0·05) can be caused by excessive protein intake, acid feeding, prolonged exercise, ageing, airway diseases or the menopause. Acidosis can also occur locally as a result of inflammation, infection, wounds, tumours or diabetic ischaemia. Cell function, including that of osteoblasts, is normally impaired by acid; the unusual stimulatory effect of acid on osteoclasts may represent a primitive ‘fail-safe’ that evolved with terrestrial vertebrates to correct systemic acidosis by ensuring release of alkaline bone mineral when the lungs and kidneys are unable to remove sufficient H+equivalent. The present results suggest that even subtle chronic acidosis could be sufficient to cause appreciable bone loss over time.
World's first permanent in‐well fibre Bragg grating sensors perform seismic surveys
Authors: Bogue Robert W.
Published: July 2003

This paper describes the use of fibre‐optics for seismic monitoring in oil wells. Based on fibre Bragg grating technology, the system can withstand temperatures of up to 175°C and extremely high pressures. It allows seismic surveys to be undertaken throughout the lifetime of the well.
Front‐end signal conditioning used for resistance‐based sensors in electronic nose systems: a review
Authors: Arshak Khalil , Lyons Gerard , Cavanagh Leon , Clifford Seamus
Published: July 2003

The overall performance of an electronic nose system will depend on the individual performance of its constituent elements. Although often overlooked, it is clear that careful design/selection of the front‐end signal conditioning circuit is of critical importance if optimal performance of the odour sensing system is to be achieved. In this paper circuits are reviewed, which have been employed as front‐end signal conditioners for resistance‐based sensors in electronic nose systems, with many of the conclusions drawn being equally applicable to other resistor sensors. The relevant equations governing the behaviour of each circuit methodology are derived and advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The performance of the circuit is then quantitatively assessed in a specific test case, in which the maximum sensitivity of the circuit is calculated in relation to the task of interfacing to a theoretical thin‐film conducting‐polymer sensor.
Image analysis based on Qualicision
Authors: Felix Rudolf
Published: July 2003

Qualicision is an original fuzzy‐logic‐based decision‐making software, which is easy to configure and easy to use. During the last few years, Qualicision principles have been adapted to image analysis. The kernel is a correlation analysis which evaluates the interactions between elemental image characteristics. Principles of Qualicision for image analysis are described and illustrated with some successfully working application examples.
A study of the effects of the process parameters on the characteristics of photochemical flexographic printing plates
Authors: Galton D.
Published: July 2003

Inconsistency in flexographic platemaking techniques was perceived to influence the print quality and consistency. The results of a factorial designed experiment created to establish which platemaking factors had a significant influence on the flexographic printing quality are reported in this paper. The objective of the experiment was not only to define the optimum platemaking technique, but also to improve the understanding of the characteristics and properties of the photopolymer printing plate and to identify the key interacting factors which have the most significant effect on print quality and consistency. Various statistical methods were employed for the design of the experiment and for the interpretation of experimental data generated. The results of the investigation have been used to fine‐tune the flexographic platemaking techniques to significantly manipulate the properties for the end‐use application to enhance printing performance and consistency of the plates.
The Effects of Taxation in a Kaleckian Growth Model
Authors: Laramie Anthony , Mair Douglas
Published: July 2003

We analyse the effects of balanced budget changes in the tax rates on wages and profits on the trend component of fixed investment, on the trend rate of growth of capital stock and on the trend rates of capacity utilization. A modified version of Kalecki's growth model is used to analyse the long‐term effects of taxation on the growth performance of the economy.
Characterization of the Major Antigenic Protein 2 of
Ehrlichia canis
and
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
and Its Application for Serodiagnosis of Ehrlichiosis
Authors: Knowles Tamece T. , Alleman A. Rick , Sorenson Heather L. , Marciano David C. , Breitschwerdt Edward B. , Harrus Shimon , Barbet Anthony F. , Bélanger Myriam
Published: July 2003

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, caused by
Ehrlichia canis
or
Ehrlichia chaffeensis
, can result in clinical disease in naturally infected animals. Coinfections with these agents may be common in certain areas of endemicity. Currently, a species-specific method for serological diagnosis of monocytic ehrlichiosis is not available. Previously, we developed two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using the major antigenic protein 2 (MAP2) of
E. chaffeensis
and
E. canis
. In this study, we further characterized the conservation of MAP2 among various geographic isolates of each organism and determined if the recombinant MAP2 (rMAP2) of
E. chaffeensis
would cross-react with
E. canis
-infected dog sera. Genomic Southern blot analysis using digoxigenin-labeled species-specific probes suggested that
map2
is a single-copy gene in both
Ehrlichia
species. Sequences of the single
map2
genes of seven geographically different isolates of
E. chaffeensis
and five isolates of
E. canis
are highly conserved among the various isolates of each respective ehrlichial species. ELISA and Western blot analysis confirmed that the
E. chaffeensis
rMAP2 failed to serologically differentiate between
E. canis
and
E. chaffeensis
infections.
Effect of Clarithromycin on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Atherosclerosis
Authors: Berg Hans F. , Maraha Boulos , Scheffer Gert-Jan , Peeters Marcel F. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W.
Published: July 2003

Atherosclerosis can to a certain extent be regarded as an inflammatory disease. Also, inflammatory markers may provide information about cardiovascular risk. Whether macrolide antibiotics, especially clarithromycin, have an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with atherosclerosis is not exactly known. To study this phenomenon, a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was performed. A total of 231 patients with documented coronary artery disease received a daily dose of either 500 mg of slow-release clarithromycin or placebo until the day of surgery. Levels of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-2 receptor [IL-2R], IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were assessed during the preoperative outpatient visit, on the day of surgery, and 8 weeks after surgery. Also, changes in the levels of inflammatory markers between visits were determined by delta calculations. Baseline patient characteristics were balanced between the two treatment groups: the average age was 66 years (standard deviation [SD] = 9.0), 79% of the patients were male, and the average number of tablets used was 16 (SD = 9.3). The inflammatory markers of the groups as well as the delta calculations were not significantly changed. Treatment with clarithromycin did not influence the inflammatory markers in patients with atherosclerosis.
Comparison of a Dipstick Assay for Detection ofBrucella-Specific Immunoglobulin M Antibodies with Other Tests for Serodiagnosis of Human Brucellosis
Authors: Clavijo Encarnación , Díaz Ramón , Anguita Ángel , García Antonio , Pinedo Alfonso , Smits Henk L.
Published: July 2003

A dipstick assay for the detection ofBrucella-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies was evaluated by studying the serological response of 133 cultures and or serologically confirmed patients with brucellosis in its different stages along with those of 34 healthy controls. As regards patients with illness less than 3 months in duration, 93.1% tested positive by the dipstick assay, a percentage similar to that obtained in the standard serum agglutination test (SAT) (92.0%), somewhat lower than that obtained by culture (100%) and higher than that obtained by IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (80.5%). SAT was the most sensitive test (87.0%) for patients with illness more than 3 months in duration, followed by culture (50%), the dipstick assay (28.3%), and IgM ELISA (7.5%). The results demonstrate that the dipstick assay could well be used in the serodiagnosis of patients with acute brucellosis, as well as to identify patients with a long history of the illness. Under laboratory conditions this test has the advantage of being quick and IgM antibody-specific.
T-Cell Immune Response Assessment as a Complement to Serology and Intranasal Protection Assays in Determining the Protective Immunity Induced by Acellular Pertussis Vaccines in Mice
Authors: Ausiello C. M. , Lande R. , Stefanelli P. , Fazio C. , Fedele G. , Palazzo R. , Urbani F. , Mastrantonio P.
Published: July 2003

The relative value of antibodies and/or T-cell immune responses toBordetella pertussisantigens in the immunity induced by acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines is still an open issue, probably due to the incomplete knowledge on the mechanisms of protective immunity to pertussis. The relevance of T-cell immune responses in protection from pertussis has been demonstrated in murine and human models of infection; thus, in this study, the ability of different vaccine preparations of three component (pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin) aP vaccines to induce T-cell responses was investigated in mice. All vaccine preparations examined passed the immunogenicity control test, based on antibody titer assessment, according to European Pharmacopoeia standards, and protected mice fromB. pertussisintranasal challenge, but not all preparations were able to prime T cells to pertussis toxin, the specificB. pertussisantigen. In particular, one vaccine preparation was unable to induce proliferation and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production while the other two gave borderline results. The evaluation of T-cell responses to pertussis toxin antigen may provide information on the protective immunity induced by aP vaccines in animal models. Considering the critical role of the axis interleukin-12-IFN-γ for protection from pertussis, our results suggest that testing the induction of a key protective cytokine such as IFN-γ could be an additional tool for the evaluation of the immune response induced by aP vaccines.
Expression of the Nucleoprotein of the Puumala Virus from the Recombinant Semliki Forest Virus Replicon: Characterization and Use as a Potential Diagnostic Tool
Authors: Billecocq A. , Coudrier D. , Boué F. , Combes B. , Zeller H. , Artois M. , Bouloy M.
Published: July 2003

Puumala virus (
Bunyaviridae
family,
Hantavirus
genus) causes a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) called nephropathia epidemica in northern and central Europe. Serological tests are used for diagnosis, but antigen production is difficult because the virus grows poorly in tissue culture. We expressed the N protein (nucleoprotein) of Puumala virus via the Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon in mammalian cells and compared its antigenic properties with those of the native antigen derived from Puumala virus-infected cells. Detection of immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin M by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), μ-capture ELISA, and indirect immunofluorescence assay was (at least) as effective with the recombinant antigen as with the native antigen when HFRS patient sera or organ washes from wild rodents were tested. No nonspecific reaction was observed. Thus, the SFV-expressed N protein of Puumala virus appears as a valid antigen, specific and sensitive for serological investigations.
Detection by Immunofluorescence Assay ofBartonella henselaein Lymph Nodes from Patients with Cat Scratch Disease
Authors: Rolain J. M. , Gouriet F. , Enea M. , Aboud M. , Raoult D.
Published: July 2003

Laboratory diagnosis ofBartonella henselaeinfections can be accomplished by serology or PCR assay on biopsy samples. The purpose of our work was to assess immunofluorescence detection (IFD) in lymph node smears using a specific monoclonal antibody directed againstB. henselaeand a commercial serology assay (IFA) compared with PCR detection. Among 200 lymph nodes examined from immunocompetent patients, 54 were positive forB. henselaeby PCR, of which 43 were also positive by IFD. Among the 146 PCR-negative lymph nodes, 11 were positive by IFD. Based on PCR results, the specificity of this new technique was 92.5%, the sensitivity was 79.6%, and the positive predictive value was 79.6%. At a cutoff titer of 64, the sensitivity of the IFA was 86.8% and the specificity was 74.1%. Diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD) may be improved, with a specificity of 100%, when the two tests (IFD and IFA) were negative; the sensitivity was 97.4% if one of the two tests was positive. Since PCR-based detection with biopsy samples is available only in reference laboratories, we suggest using IFD coupled with the commercial serology test for the diagnosis of CSD.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay To Differentiate the Antibody Responses of Animals Infected with
Brucella
Species from Those of Animals Infected with
Yersinia enterocolitica
O9
Authors: Erdenebaatar Janchivdorj , Bayarsaikhan Balgan , Watarai Masahisa , Makino Sou-ichi , Shirahata Toshikazu
Published: July 2003

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using antigens extracted from
Brucella abortus
with
n
-lauroylsarcosine differentiated natural
Brucella
-infected animals from
Brucella
-vaccinated or
Yersinia enterocolitica
O9-infected animals. A field trial in Mongolia showed cattle, sheep, goat, reindeer, camel, and human sera without infection could be distinguished from
Brucella
-infected animals by conventional serological tests.
Detection of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV)
tax
Sequences in New York City Blood Donors Seronegative for HTLV Types 1 and 2
Authors: Dezzutti Charlene S. , Guenthner Patricia C. , Daniel Sylvester , Utz Ursula , Cabrera Thania , Marshall James H. , Bianco Celso , Lal Renu B. , Cowan Elliot P.
Published: July 2003

A potential public health concern is the reported detection of the human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
tax
gene in the lymphocytes of up to 11% of a low-risk group of New York City blood donors (NYBD). This study aimed to independently confirm the prevalence of HTLV
tax
sequences in 293 NYBD. All NYBD tested negative for antibodies to HTLV types 1 and 2 and HTLV Tax. HTLV
tax
sequences were not detected in the NYBD lymphocytes. These data demonstrate the lack of HTLV-1
tax
in this group of NYBD at low risk for HTLV infection.
The Generalized CCR: Representations and Enveloping C*-Algebra
Authors: Kim Che Soong , Proskurin Daniil P. , Iksanov Aleksander M. , Kabluchko Zakhar A.
Published: July 2003

The review of the representation theory of deformations of the CCR is presented. The faithfulness of the Fock representation of q-CCR, twisted CCR and quon CCR is discussed. The more general deformation of CCR is presented. The K0 and K1 groups of the twisted CCR algebra are calculated.
Ab Initio/RRKM Study of Dissociation Mechanism of Benzene Trication
Authors: Zyubin T. S. , Kim G.-S. , Mebel A. M. , Lin S. H. , Bandrauk A. D.
Published: July 2003

Density functional B3LYP /6-31 G (d,p) calculations have been performed in order to investigate isomerization and dissociation of [Formula: see text] in the ground electronic state, which are relevant to the Coulomb explosion mechanism of benzene. The results demonstrate that the benzene-like isomer of [Formula: see text], 1, can decompose through various pathways leading to distinct fragmentation products. The most kinetically favorable channel involves ring opening in 1 accompanied with 1,2-shifts of two hydrogen atoms followed by rotation around the middle C–C bond and dissociation to H 2 CCCH 2+ + H 2 CCCH + with exothermicity and the highest barrier of 100.2 and 38.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Several other product channels, including [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], share the same highest barrier for the initial ring opening step with the pathway producing H 2 CCCH 2+ + H 2 CCCH + but exhibit higher second highest barriers. Elimination of [Formula: see text] to form [Formula: see text] is 137.9 kcal/mol exothermic but the highest barrier on the pathway leading to these products is 53.0 kcal/mol. A simple proton elimination to produce [Formula: see text] is computed to be 82–84 kcal/mol exothermic and to depict a 64–65 kcal/mol barrier. RRKM calculations of rate constants for individual reaction steps assuming that the initial internal energy of 1 is 110 kcal/mol and solving kinetic master equations to obtain relative branching ratios show that H 2 CCCH 2+ + H 2 CCCH + are the dominant products (81.5%) followed by [Formula: see text] (13.2%) and the other minor products include [Formula: see text] (2.6%), [Formula: see text] (1.1%), [Formula: see text] (0.55%), [Formula: see text] (0.49%), [Formula: see text] (0.20%), and [Formula: see text] (0.14%). The fragments are expected to be produced with high translational energy due to high Coulomb repulsion energy barriers.
Applying the Principles of Industrial Ecology to the Guest‐Service Sector
Authors: Schendler Auden
Published: July 2003

Industrial ecology (IE) has historically focused on manufacturing but could be applied more broadly, particularly to sectors of the economy not typically considered “dirty.” The guest‐service sector, for example, has a significant ecological footprint, often in environmentally sensitive areas, and would benefit from an IE perspective. Colorado's Aspen Skiing Company, which hosts 1.3 million skiers annually on 5, 000 acres of skiable terrain, is integrating concepts of energy efficiency, feedback, life‐cycle costing, nutrient cycling, renewable energy, ecosystem diversity, local sourcing, and human capital into operations at four ski areas and two hotels. An IE perspective offers the guest service sector a holistic view of its environmental impacts, a big‐picture view that is missing from an industry where environmentalism has historically meant “recycling” or end‐of‐pipe pollution control. Many industrial ecology principles are directly applicable to resorts, but implementers will encounter a host of obstacles cultural, institutional, and economic that express themselves in unique ways in the guest service sector. Written using firsthand experiences from Aspen's ski slopes, restaurants, and a five‐star hotel, this article explores what happens when the principles of industrial ecology are applied to the guest service sector, particularly what goes right, and what goes wrong.
On the Impact of Local Feedbacks in the Central Pacific on the ENSO Cycle
Authors: Burgers Gerrit , Jan van Oldenborgh Geert
Published: July 2003

While sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern equatorial Pacific are dominated by the thermocline feedback, in the central equatorial Pacific local wind effects, such as zonal advection, are important as well. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulations with a linear model improve markedly if these effects are included as a local wind stress feedback on SST. An atmosphere model that reacts both to eastern and central Pacific SST anomalies is needed for producing a realistic ENSO cycle.

First, simulations are studied of a linear 1.5-layer reduced-gravity ocean model and a linear SST anomaly equation, forced by observed monthly wind stress. If only the thermocline feedback is present in the SST equation, SST can be simulated well in the eastern Pacific, but, contrary to observations, central Pacific SST is out of phase with the eastern Pacific. If a wind stress feedback is added in the SST equation, as a term proportional to the zonal wind stress, correlations between observed and simulated SST are above 0.8 in both the central and eastern Pacific, and the correlation between the Niño-3 (5°S–5°N, 90°–150°W) and Niño-4 (5°S–5°N, 150°W–160°E) indexes is close to the observed value of 0.75.

Next, a statistical atmosphere is added to the ocean module that is based on a regression of observed wind stress to the observed Niño-3 and Niño-4 indexes. The coupled system is driven by noise that is inferred from the residues of the fit and has a red component. The observed Niño-3–Niño-4 index correlation can be reproduced only with a wind stress feedback in the central Pacific. Also, the level of SST variability rises and the ENSO period increases to more realistic values.

The interplay between the local wind stress and the thermocline feedbacks, therefore, is an important factor in the structure of ENSO in the coupled linear model. In the eastern Pacific, the thermocline feedback dominates SST anomalies; in the central Pacific, the local wind stress feedback. Due to the local wind stress feedback, the ENSO wind stress response excites SST anomalies in the central Pacific, extending the ENSO SST anomaly pattern well into the central Pacific. In turn, these central Pacific SST anomalies give rise to wind stress anomalies that are situated more westward than the response to eastern Pacific SST anomalies. As a result, the ENSO amplitude is enhanced and the ENSO period increased. Also, central Pacific SST anomalies are not completely determined by eastern Pacific SST anomalies and they persist longer.
Low Cost Mold Development for Prototype Parts Produced by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM)
Authors: McCaffery Timothy R. , Zguris Zachary Z. , Durant Yvon G.
Published: July 2003

A low cost prototype mold, used in the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process, was developed and manufactured using inexpensive materials and tooling methods. Several available mold materials were investigated from Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and aluminum to less conventional materials such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and oak. Through a multiple generation approach, a fully functional mold was developed capable of producing parts of accurate and reproducible dimensions. The use of conventional machine shops over fully automated machine shops was utilized for additional savings. Race tracking is a common problem in the VARTM process. A two-part room temperature vulcanizing rubber was used to seal the ends of the fibers and act as a mold gasket for vacuum. These baffles, created by sealing the fiber ends to the mold, forced the resin through the fibers and eliminated the race-tracking problem.
A Difficult Case: Beyer's Categories and the Bahá'í Faith
Authors: McGlinn Sen
Published: July 2003

Margit Warburg has presented data showing that the Bahá'í community of Denmark represents an excellent case of Beyer's “liberal option” in its response to globalization. She also claims, incorrectly, that the Bahá'í Faith has the “ultimate aim of merging political and religious institutions”. The Bahá'í Faith represents a paradoxical example in terms of Beyer's categories. Its values include relativism, pluralism, globalization, a cosmopolitan ethic and democratic government. But it also seeks to give political and legal effect to these religious values, for instance by supporting the United Nations and advocating a world court. Beyer considers that a religious movement which seeks to have religious norms enshrined in legislation has adopted the “conservative option” in response to globalization. Is this a useful categorization, when the religious norms are liberal and the stage on which they are to be implemented is global?
The Consequences of Job Insecurity for Employers and Unions: Exit, Voice and Loyalty
Authors: Sverke Magnus , Goslinga Sjoerd
Published: July 2003

Although job insecurity has received growing recognition in connection with the transformation of working life, little is known about how unionization affects its consequences. This study addresses how unionized workers cope with job insecurity and examines the extent to which they respond with reactions of exit, voice and loyalty. Of special interest is whether such reactions tend to affect primarily the employer or the union. Survey data from four European countries (Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden) suggest that job insecurity is primarily related to exit and loyalty reactions, but not to voice. The results replicate previous findings of adverse effects of job insecurity on organizational loyalty and employees' propensity to turnover from the job. Although the findings were less consistent across countries with respect to union-related outcomes, the study suggests that job insecurity may lead to reduced union loyalty and withdrawal from union membership.
Can Union Support Reduce the Negative Effects of Job Insecurity on Well-Being?
Authors: Hellgren Johnny , Chirumbolo Antonio
Published: July 2003

In the context of rapidly changing environmental conditions, innumerable organizations engage in restructuring activities. As a consequence, many employees feel insecure about the future existence of their jobs. While research suggests that such job insecurity has negative consequences for employee attitudes and well-being, less is known about if and how these negative effects can be alleviated by social support from the union. This present study tests for a potential moderator effect of perceived union support in the insecurity-mental health complaints relation using survey data collected among unionized workers in Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. The results indicate that job insecurity is associated with mental health complaints in all participating countries and that union support relates negatively to mental health complaints in one of the participating countries. However, no interaction effect was obtained, thus indicating that union support does not reduce the effects of job insecurity on mental health complaints.
Reflexivity as Non-Linearity
Authors: Lash Scott
Published: July 2003

This article attempts to re-think the notion of reflexivity in terms of non-linearity. It tries to understand the second modernity as a non-linear modernity. This second modernity is understood as much in terms of communications as social norms. It is a modernity that is thoroughly monist. It features non-linear socio-technical systems.
Reflexive Modernization Temporalized
Authors: Adam Barbara
Published: July 2003

This article considers the relevance of time theory for Beck's theory of reflexive modernization and vice versa. It focuses in particular on discontinuity in the context of continuity, on decontextualization, naturalization and responsibility as key concerns of both perspectives on the industrial way of life. It makes explicit the temporal underpinnings of that cultural form with respect to five Cs: the creation of time to human design (C1), the commodification of time (C2), the compression of time (C3), the control of time (C4) and the colonization of time (C5). It concludes that explicit concern with temporal relations shows reflexive modernization in action and facilitates improved knowledge for deliberative change.
Rethinking Subpolitics
Authors: Holzer Boris , Sørensen Mads P.
Published: July 2003

Beck uses the term `subpolitics' to refer to forms of politics outside and beyond the representative institutions of the political system of nation-states. From the perspective of the theory of reflexive modernization, the proliferation of subpolitics indicates a weakening of the `iron cage' of bureaucratic, state-oriented politics. We argue that subpolitics does indeed challenge conventional notions of politics. It mobilizes sources of societal influence that transcend the formal political system. In particular, subpolitics correlates with the command over positive or negative sanctions and the capacity for uncertainty absorption. This can be illustrated in the areas of scientific expertise, corporate decision-making and political consumption. Those cases show that the political system cannot monopolize the means of societal influence. For a political system that regards itself as the centre of society, this must be irritating. For sociology, however, it provides the opportunity to part with such an inappropriate account of the role of politics in modern society.
The Passion and the Pleasure Foucault's Art of Not Being Oneself
Authors: Robinson Keith
Published: July 2003

This article interprets Foucault's life-long involvement with transgressive experiences as an art of not being oneself, an effort to escape identity and become other. By bringing together Foucault's own theoretical practices with those drawn from Deleuze and Blanchot, and linking these with biographical material (modes of existence), I show how Foucault's `encounters' with passion and pleasure in film, philosophy, S/M, drugs, the Greeks and suicide amount to an `art of living', an intensification of the power to affect oneself and others in processes of `subjectivation', creating new possibilities of life. This is what Foucault more precisely called an `ethics' - an immanent ethics in which one becomes worthy of what happens to oneself by becoming a work of art.
Relevant or Not? Literature, Literary Research and Literary Researchers in Troubled Times
Authors: Johnston Rosemary Ross
Published: July 2003

In a world post-September 11 2001, with seemingly endless escalations of war and violence in so many places, engaging one's time in literary research may appear futile and perhaps even self-indulgent. Scientific research has obvious and immediate outcomes that directly benefit the human condition (although it can of course have the reverse effect in certain fields - developments in weapon technology for example). Medical research helps to cure diseases. Social research facilitates planning for the future in all sorts of ways. Comparatively, it may certainly seem that literature and research in literature - exploring texts for what they say and how they say it, tangling with ideas of different takes or ‘comprehensive grasps’ (Merleau-Ponty, 1962: 408) on the world - have no such directly observable beneficial outcomes. On the surface at least, they indeed may appear removed from everyday needs. In reality, however, literature, literary research and literary researchers need to play an increasingly significant and creative role in a troubled world.
Optimizing the Mechanical Performance in Semi-Crystalline Polymers: Roles of Melt Temperature and Skin-Core Crystalline Morphology of Nylon
Authors: Murthy N. Sanjeeva , Kagan Val A. , Bray Robert G.
Published: July 2003

Crystalline texture and mechanical (tensile and flexural) properties of injection molded nylon 6 were evaluated to understand the influence of one of the key-processing variable, the melt temperature ( Tmlt). We find that mechanical properties are sensitive to Tmlt only below ∼250°C. Rapid quenching of the surface produces a skin with lower crystallinity than the core, which cools more slowly; this difference in the rate of cooling produces γ crystalline form in the skin and α crystalline form in the core. Higher tensile strength at yield, lower elongation at break and higher flexural strength were observed in specimens molded at lower Tmlt. These characteristics are associated with thicker and less ordered skin, and a lower crystallinity core. The role of the Tmlt on micro-structure and mechanical properties of injection molded nylon 6, the development of skin and core morphologies, and the role of the residual stresses in the core are discussed.
Thermal Residual Stresses in Aluminum Metal-Matrix Antisymmetric Laminated Plates Under Uniform Temperature Distribution
Authors: Sayman Onur , Yeni E. Çinar , Toygar Evren , Şenel Mehmet
Published: July 2003

Thermal stresses are of great importance in composite structures. In this investigation, a thermal elastic-plastic stress analysis is carried out in (0°/90°)2, (30°/−30°)2, (45°/−45°)2, (60°/−60°)2, (15°/−15°)2, (15°/30°)2, (15°/45°)2, (15°/60°)2 antisymmetric aluminum metal-matrix laminated plates. Temperature is chosen to be constant along the cross sections of the plates. The residual stress components of σ x, σ y and τ xy are illustrated in the layers of the laminated plates for different thermal loading. Elastic-plastic and residual stress components are given in tables. When the absolute value between the orientation angles of the layers is increased, the magnitude of the residual stress components becomes high. The strength of the laminated plates can be increased by using residual stresses. Tsai-Hill criterion is used as a yield criterion. Differential equations are solved numerically with a sufficiently large number of integration intervals of the temperature. The composite material is assumed to be linearly strain hardening.
Phosphorylated Epoxy Resin: Effect of Phosphorus Content on the Properties of Laminates
Authors: Jain Preeti , Choudhary Veena , Varma I. K.
Published: July 2003

The paper describes the properties of glass-fabric reinforced composites based on novel phosphorylated epoxy matrix resins. Limiting oxygen index as high as 80 were attained using such novel matrix resins. These resins were prepared by curing diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) with phosphorylated amines such as bis(3-aminophenyl) methyl phosphine oxide (B), tris(3-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide (T), bis[3(3′-aminobenzamidophenyl)]-methylphosphine oxide (MB), bis[3(4′-aminobenzamido phenyl)]methylphosphine oxide (PB), tris[3(3′-aminobenzamidophenyl)]phosphine oxide (MT) and tris[3(4′-aminobenzamido phenyl)] phosphine oxide (PT). Phosphorus- containing amide-acid amines were also used for curing and were prepared by reacting T with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid anhydride(P); 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (Z) and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic acid anhydride (F). Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), flexural strength and modulus of composites (32 ± 3% resin content) based on B, T, MB, PB, MT, PT and state-of-the-art curing agent 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (D) were higher than the composites prepared using amide-acid amines. Increase in ILSS was observed on heating at 180°C for 200 h. On hygrothermal ageing of the samples for 7 days, the ILSS values decreased but those cured with amide-acid amines showed the least change. A significant improvement in limiting oxygen index (LOI) was observed by increasing the phosphorus content of the composites.
An Investigation on Synergism of an Intumescent Flame Retardant Based on Silica and Alumina
Authors: Wei Ping , Hao Jianwei , Du Jianxin , Han Zhidong , Wang Jianqi
Published: July 2003

Silicon-based materials appear potentially to be attractive flame-retardants because of the protective coatings formed in fire, which decreases the rate of heat release. But few reports were presented about inorganic materials, such as SiO2, Al2O3, used as additive flame-retardants. In this paper the degradation process of the intumescent system, polypropylene (PP)/Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP)-Pentaerythritol (PER), with and without SiO2, Al2O3 or blend of SiO2 and Al2O3 was investigated by means of cone calorimetry, TGA, LOIs measured at ambient and elevated temperature (represented by a t and TI, respectively). For PP/APP-PER system with the blend of SiO2 and Al2O3 a maximal synergy was observed at the highest LOI of 35.5%, 17 units higher than the virgin PP. Its excellent flame-retardance was also evidenced by the highest residue char measured from TGA and parameters (MRL, PK-HRR, etc.) from Cone calorimetry.
Study on the Thermal Degradation of Flame Retardant Wools
Authors: Tian C. M. , Li Z. , Guo H. Z. , Xu J. Z.
Published: July 2003

The thermal degradation of wool treated with the flame retardant synergistic system, potassium hexafluorotitanate and dicarboxylic acids, was studied by thermal analysis, mass loss, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and infrared spectroscopy. The wool treated with the flame-retardant reagents show decrease in the temperature of decomposition and mass loss, increase in LOI, and changes in activation energy, comparing with the untreated wool.
Kinetics of Degradation Reactions within Intumescent and Subliming Fire Retardant Coatings
Authors: Bhargava Atul , Griffin Gregory J.
Published: July 2003

Thermal degradation of subliming and intumescent fire retardant coatings is studied and kinetic information is derived for the various physical and chemical processes occurring within the coatings. An approach that requires estimation of the invariant values of kinetic parameters is used in the study. The probability associated with eighteen different kinetic equations were evaluated to estimate the influence of each process on the oxidative degradation of the coating material. These probabilities were then used to model the global kinetics for the degradation of the coatings and the results were used to predict the behaviour of the fire retardant coatings when subjected to elevated temperatures.
Study on the Thermal Degradation of Wood Treated with Amino Resin and Amino Resin Modified with Phosphoric Acid
Authors: Gao M. , Pan D. X. , Sun C. Y.
Published: July 2003

Wood has been treated with amino resins and amino resins modified with phosphoric acid to impart flame retardancy. The thermal degradation of samples has been studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG) in air. From the resulting data, kinetic parameters for different stages of thermal degradation are obtained following the method of Broido. For the decomposition of wood and flame retardant wood, the activation energy is found to decrease from 122 to 72 kJ mol−1, the char yield is found to increase from 6.0 to 30.8%, LOI from 18 to 40.5, which indicates that the flame retardancy of treated wood is improved. Effects of the different flame-retardants on the thermal degradation and flammability of wood have also been proposed.
Biological Effects of Heparan Sulfates and Regioselectively Modified Heparin-Heparan Mimetics
Authors: Baumann H.
Published: July 2003

The heparan sulfates (HS) are structurally the most complex but information rich biopolymers known. They are composed of polysaccharides containing regioselectively distributed carboxyl, sulfate ester, acetyl, amino, and N-sulfonyl groups with sequence- and domain-like arrangements. HS are found ubiquitously on cell surfaces and in extracellular matrices where they are covalently anchored via restricted protein cores. They modulate numerous development cell processes and the pathology of living organisms. HS concentration is extremely low on endothelial cell surfaces (1 pmol/cm2), therefore, they are difficult to isolate and evaluate. Furthermore, their sequence variability is extremely high and the sequence analysis is in its infancy. HS acts as a low affinity receptor which plays a central role in the reception and modulation of a wide range of effector proteins such as growth factors, morphogens, chemokines, enzymes, protease inhibitors.

Water soluble fragments of HS and heparin (HE) enzymatically released or synthetic sequences, analogs of heparinoids and heparanoids (HH) mimetics regioselectively modified oligo- and polysaccharides with HE/HS like functional groups, and nonsaccharide containing structures can modulate effector proteins and influence some of the development and pathological processes. Modulation effects are described for anticoagulant antiproliferative properties, for reducing platelet and plasma protein adhesion as well as inhibition or activating growth factors by the influence of HH mimetics. The advantage of defined high molecular weight substrates are discussed and compared to the low molecular weight mimetics. The potential of HH mimetics opens new approaches and strategies for therapeutic treatment.