bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isoflurane leakage from non-rebreathing rodent anaesthesia circuits: comparison of emissions from conventional and modified ports
Authors: Smith J C , Bolon B
Published: March 2006

Chronic exposure to low levels of fluorocarbon-based waste anaesthetic gas (WAG) has been linked to a multitude of human health problems. We have shown that isoflurane exhaust from passive gas-scavenging canisters is often quite high when using conventional rodent anaesthesia protocols and equipment. Another likely source of WAG build-up in rodent procedure rooms is leakage at the interface between the breathing circuit and the animal's face. We evaluated this possibility using three non-rebreathing circuits: traditional Bain, modified Bain, and Mapleson (type E). For the Mapleson E circuit, a conical rodent facemask was attached and used in one of two configurations: normal aperture, or aperture modified with a latex diaphragm (cut from an unpowdered surgical glove) to reduce the orifice diameter and tighten the seal. Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were anaesthetized with isoflurane (5% for induction, 2% or 3.5% for maintenance) in oxygen (2 L/min for induction, 1 L/min for maintenance). Isoflurane leakage was assessed by real-time spectrophotometry. In 94% of the trials, three configurations – traditional Bain, modified Bain, and Mapleson E with unmodified mask – permitted isoflurane leakage approaching or exceeding 100 ppm at the face/port interface. In contrast, the Mapleson circuit with diaphragm-modified mask emitted significantly ( P≤0.0003) less isoflurane (peak of 9.5±1.7 ppm [mean±standard error]). These data indicate that (1) WAG leakage from standard rodent non-rebreathing circuits is substantial, and that (2) a simple, rapid, and economical modification to a conventional rodent facemask can significantly reduce WAG exposure to workers performing many rodent anaesthesia procedures in one session.
Fear conditioning and shock intensity: the choice between minimizing the stress induced and reducing the number of animals used
Authors: Pietersen C Y , Bosker F J , Postema F , den Boer J A
Published: March 2006

Many fear conditioning studies use electric shock as the aversive stimulus. The intensity of shocks varies throughout the literature. In this study, shock intensities ranging from 0 to 1.5 mA were used, and the effects on the rats assessed by both behavioural and biochemical stress parameters. Results indicated a significant difference with respect to defaecation and freezing behaviour between controls and those animals that received a shock. Significant differences in corticosterone levels were also noted between controls and those groups that received a shock. No significant differences were found between the shock groups with regards to the stress parameters measured in our fear conditioning paradigm, indicating that the two shock groups were similarly stressed. Increased significance levels were noted for freezing behaviour as well as a lower standard error of means was found in the highest shock intensity group. We therefore recommend using the higher shock intensity (1.5 mA) as the rats in the higher shock intensity group were more homogeneously fear-conditioned and therefore the results should be more reproducible and robust than in the lower shock intensity group. This would allow for fewer rats to be used in order to gain an accurate impression of the conditioning paradigm employed.
Stress-induced hyperthermia in the rat: comparison of classical and novel recording methods
Authors: Dallmann R , Steinlechner S , von Hörsten S , Karl T
Published: March 2006

Stress causes a rise in body temperature in laboratory animals (stress-induced hyperthermia). However, the direct effect of common stressors in animal research, i.e. transportation between holding and test rooms or isolation of animals, on body temperature has not been investigated to its full extent. To address this question, it is important to have a reliable and simple monitoring technique, which does not induce stress itself. In the present study, we investigated stress-related changes in body temperature of F344/Hw rats after (1) moving the cage within the holding room, (2) moving the cage from the holding room to another test room and (3) social deprivation (isolation). A combination of two different body temperature recording methods was used to clarify their accuracy and stress-inductive character: rectal temperature recording and peritoneal implanted temperature sensors (Thermochron iButtons).

The results demonstrate that (1) different stressors induce a significant rise in body temperature, (2) which is detectable for more than 60 min and (3) it is of importance to standardize temperature recording methods in order to avoid confounding effects of the recording method itself. Furthermore, Thermochron iButtons are more accurate and reliable for body temperature studies than rectal recordings.
Review of successful treatment for Helicobacter species in laboratory mice
Authors: Kerton Angela , Warden Paul
Published: March 2006

Three variations of the amoxycillin-based triple therapy (amoxycillin, metronidazole and bismuth) were administered in the diet, by oral gavage or in the diet in conjunction with cross-fostering on to Helicobacter-free foster mothers to mice naturally infected with H. hepaticus and/or H. bilis. The presence of Helicobacter species was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of faecal pellets. Helicobacter infection was eliminated in 50% of strains of mice treated by oral gavage; 57% of strains of mice treated by medicated diet alone and 100% of strains of mice treated with the medicated diet in conjunction with cross-fostering on to Helicobacter-free foster mothers. Eight strains of mice were successfully treated for Helicobacter infection over a two-year period. The mouse colony has been maintained Helicobacter free, as determined by PCR analysis and has remained off treatment from December 2002 to March 2005.
Cardiac troponin I is a sensitive, specific biomarker of cardiac injury in laboratory animals
Authors: O'Brien P J , Smith D E C , Knechtel T J , Marchak M A , Pruimboom-Brees I , Brees D J , Spratt D P , Archer F J , Butler P , Potter A N , Provost J P , Richard J , Snyder P A , Reagan W J
Published: March 2006

This study directly demonstrates that cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive, specific, and persistent biomarker in laboratory animals. Histopathological and pathophysiological cardiac changes in dogs, rats and mice correlated with increased serum cTnI with various cardiac inotropic agents, and cardiotoxic drugs and with cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, cardiac effusion with dyspnoea, and ageing. A comparison of six immunoassays for cTnI and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) to detect and monitor cardiac injury in a rodent model indicated that enzyme-linked immunosorbent (Life Diagnostics Inc and TriChem Resources Inc, West Chester, Philadelphia, USA) and Immulite (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Llanberis, UK) assays had low sensitivity and less than 1% of the dynamic range of Centaur (Bayer Healthcare Diagnostics, Newbury, UK) cTnI and Elecsys (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland) and M8 (Bioveris Europe, Whitney, UK) cTnT assays. In dogs, however, the Immulite assay was effective and correlated with the Centaur. Serum concentrations were highly correlated but 10-fold lower for cTnT compared with cTnI with cardiac injury. Centaur assay also detected cTnI in myocardium from marmosets, swine, cattle, and guineapigs, indicating it to be candidate cardiac biomarker for these species as well. Purified rat cTnI was 50% more reactive than purified human cTnI in the Centaur assay. In the rat, an age- and gender-dependent variation in serum cTnI was found. Male rats aged six and eight months had a 10-fold greater serum cTnI than age-matched females and three-month-old rats. These increases correlated with minimal histopathological change. Isoproterenol-induced serum cTnI increased up to 760-fold the minimal detectable concentration of 0.07 μg/L, within 4–6 h and decreased with a half-life of 6 h, with an expected return to baseline of 60 h. Severity of histopathological change correlated with serum cTnI during the ongoing injury.
Evaluation of antigen panels for ELISA monitoring of mouse colonies for antibodies to Pasteurellaceae
Authors: Boot R , van de Berg L
Published: March 2006

Pasteurellaceae infection in mice may be monitored by the detection of serum antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We re-evaluated our standard antigen panel comprising Pasteurella pneumotropica and a V-factor requiring Haemophilus species (strain H21) by studying their serological relationship with Actinobacillus muris and 'Haemophilus influenzae-murium'. Serologically, A. muris and 'H. influenzae-murium' were found to be unrelated and to differ from P. pneumotropica and Haemophilus strain H21. These four antigens were used for monitoring breeding and experimental mouse colonies for a period of four years. The addition of 'H. influenzae-murium' antigen to the standard panel of antigens significantly increased the proportion of sera and serum panels showing anti-Pasteurellaceae antibody activity, but the addition of A. muris antigen did not.
Antemortem detection of mouse parvovirus and mice minute virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of faecal samples
Authors: Bauer B A , Riley L K
Published: March 2006

Parvoviruses remain one of the most common viral infections seen in laboratory mouse colonies. The purpose of this study was to develop an antemortem polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect mice infected with mouse parvovirus-1 (MPV) and mice minute virus (MMV) using faecal samples. The MMV PCR assay consistently detected as few as 100 plasmid copies of MMV in faecal samples, while the MPV PCR assay detected as few as 10 plasmid copies of MPV. Faecal pellets from infected mice held at room temperature from 1 to 7 days tested positive by MMV and MPV PCR, respectively. This demonstrates that parvovirus DNA is stable in faecal samples kept at room temperature. PCR assays were also used to follow the length of MMV and MPV shedding in faeces from SENCAR mice, which were endemically infected with multiple agents. MMV faecal shedding was detected in 60–70% of the mice 5–7 weeks old, and by 13 weeks of age, faecal samples from all mice were negative for MMV. MPV faecal shedding was detected in 90–100% of the mice 5–11 weeks old; however, by 19 weeks of age, faecal samples from all mice were negative for MPV. These findings confirm that faecal shedding occurs for a limited time and suggest that 5–9-week-old mice are the most appropriate age group in endemically infected mice for faecal testing by MMV and MPV PCR.
The electrocardiogram of the Beagle dog: reference values and effect of sex, genetic strain, body position and heart rate
Authors: Hanton G , Rabemampianina Y
Published: March 2006

The aim of the study was to establish a database for electrocardiographic parameters of Beagle dogs used for toxicological studies and to evaluate the influence of supplier, sex, heart rate (HR) and body position for electrocardiogram (ECG) recording on ECG parameters. Peripheral ECG leads were recorded from 934 female and 946 male dogs from Marshall Farms and 27 females and 30 males from Harlan, either standing on a table or restrained in a hammock. HR, RR, PQ and QT intervals, P and QRS duration and P-wave amplitude were measured. There were no major differences between sexes for ECG parameters. The axis of the heart was shifted to the left when the animals were restrained in a hammock compared to when they were standing on a table. The PQ interval was higher (about 9%) in Harlan than in Marshall dogs. HR was negatively correlated with QT (coefficient of linear correlation: r = −0.61 to −0.74), which emphasizes the need for a formula correcting QT interval for HR when interpreting changes in QT interval. HR was also negatively correlated with PQ intervals ( r = −0.26 to −0.11), whereas a positive correlation was found between HR and the amplitude of the P wave ( r = 0.21–0.34). The level of the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (SA) was quantified by calculating the ratio of maximum to minimum RR interval measured over a 10 s period. This ratio was negatively correlated with HR ( r = −0.49 to −0.33). Therefore, at high HRs, SA was less marked than at low HRs, but it did not completely disappear. Analysis of beat-to-beat variation indicated that QT and PQ intervals and the amplitude of P wave fluctuated over time and the degree of this variability was positively correlated with the level of SA. In conclusion, we have established reference values for the duration and/or amplitude of some ECG parameters both in terms of means and variability over the recording period, and we have evaluated the influence of body position, genetic strain and HR on the ECG parameters. These data can be used as baseline for the interpretation of the ECG of Beagle dogs.
Efficacy of selamectin against mites (Myobia musculi, Mycoptes musculinus and Radfordia ensifera) and nematodes (Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia obvelata) in mice
Authors: Gönenç Bahadır , Sarimehmetoğlu Hıfsı Oğuz , Iça Anıl , Kozan Esma
Published: March 2006

The effects of selamectin were studied in mice naturally infected with the mites Myobia musculi, Myoceptes musculinus and Radfordia ensifera and with the oxyurid nematodes Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia obvelata. The mice were divided into three treated and three control groups ( n=9). Selamectin in the range 10–12.4 mg/kg was applied topically to the skin in a single spot at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. The mice of treated and control groups were necropsied on the 4th, 7th and 21st day after the treatment. While selamectin was 100% effective in removing M. musculi, M. musculinus and R. ensifera by the seventh day, its effect against S. obvelata and A. tetraptera was 36.7% and 49.2%, respectively on the 21st day.
Four days in a strange place…
Authors: Congressi Locus
Published: March 2006

NHS research governance makes it almost impossible to collect certain kinds of data on the everyday life of hospitals and the experience of patients. Fortunately, those of us who get sick enough to be admitted can write about the experience without fear of regulation. This paper presents some observations on clinical ethics, ward organization and infection control that would have been difficult to obtain in any other way, but which illustrate the policy and information costs of the present system. While not personally recommending this as a research strategy, the paper identifies a growing evidence gap and comments on its implications for the delivery of humane and well-organized care.
Another way to look at high service utilization: the contribution of disability
Authors: McColl Mary , Shortt Sam
Published: March 2006

Objectives: High users of health services are usually identified in terms of their health complications stemming from the coincidence of a number of chronic conditions. Instead, this analysis attempts to characterize high users in terms of disability, based on the belief that disability provides a more detailed and accurate representation of functional needs and health consequences. The study compares the characteristics of high users of health services among Canadian adults (aged 20–65) with those of low to moderate users and non-users.

Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected for the National Population Health Survey, a cross-sectional public-use population-based national survey, conducted in 1998–99.

Results: No matter how disability is conceptualized and measured, it has the strongest association of all the variables considered with health service utilization. Whether looking at the simple presence of a disability or at specific impairments or activity restrictions, there is at least a two-fold increase in the risk of high use over the non-disabled.

Conclusions: The present study challenges the clinical wisdom that high users should be the target for efforts to reduce the overall consumption of health services. Many high users consume on the basis, not of choice, but of need rooted in disability. Moreover, when compared with low or moderate service users, their clinical condition is exacerbated by social factors, including lower income, less education and less immediate family support. Equity cannot be achieved by focusing on reducing consumption by this clinically and socially vulnerable group.
Managing the introduction of expensive medical procedures: use of a registry
Authors: Grilli Roberto , Taroni Francesco
Published: March 2006

Objectives: To explore how the adoption of medical innovations challenges tax-financed health systems, drawing from the case of sirolimus eluting stents, a promising and costly innovation for percutaneous coronary interventions.

Methods: The coverage decisions for the new stents adopted in Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region, are described. The innovation was adopted through a process combining the development of clinical guidelines targeting their use to selected clinical indications, negotiation with the manufacturer for reducing price, and the organization of a registry for monitoring its patterns of utilization and assessing its effectiveness.

Results: Overall, 17% of the 6276 patients included in the registry over a 12-month period had the new stent. Wide differences between published trials on sirolimus eluting stents and actual clinical practice emerged. The new stents were frequently (23%) used in combination with traditional bare metal stents, and for indications (acute myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary disease) never included in clinical experiments (25% and 8% of the cases, respectively). Patients' outcomes were also different, the overall rate of major adverse cardiac events being relatively higher (12%) than that shown in clinical trials.

Conclusions: The actions undertaken for the new stents allowed a timely, and at the same time targeted and monitored, adoption of the innovation. This experience highlights how policy decisions related to new medical products could benefit from the availability of clinical databases providing key information on how innovations are actually used and on their impact on clinical practice.
Possession of health insurance in Australia – how does it affect hospital use and outcomes?
Authors: Brameld Kate , Holman D'Arcy , Moorin Rachael
Published: March 2006

Objective: To assess the effect of possession of private health insurance on hospital use and outcomes in Western Australia.

Method: Hospital morbidity records were extracted from the Western Australian (WA) Data Linkage System for all 22 major diagnostic categories (MDCs) for the period 1994–99, with follow-up to the end of 2000. Multivariate modelling techniques were used to estimate the effect of possession of private health insurance on hospital admission rates, average and total length of stay (LOS), cumulative incidence of admission at 30 days and one year, and case fatality at one year.

Results: Possession of private health insurance had significant effects on hospital use and outcomes, even after adjustments for age, sex, aboriginality, socioeconomic status, location and comorbidity. Non-insured patients tended to have a higher overall hospital admission rate but a lower admission rate for surgical episodes, and they generally had a longer LOS although this difference was only greater than a day in three MDCs. Case fatality was higher in non-insured patients, but there was no systematic trend with regard to readmission rates.

Conclusions: The study found that for all MDCs, other than those where treatment was required on an emergency basis, patients with private health insurance had improved access to surgical procedures. Either non-insured patients were disadvantaged in their access to surgery or the higher intervention rate in privately insured patients represented supplier-/consumer-induced demand which may not always have been to the patient's advantage or both may have occurred.
General practitioners with special interests: evolution and evaluation
Authors: Jones Roger , Rosen Rebecca , Tomlin Zelda , Cavanagh Mary-Rose , Oxley Donna
Published: March 2006

General practitioners with special interests (GPSIs) have emerged in the UK as a government initiative aimed at improving access in specialities that traditionally have long waiting times for investigations and treatment. This represents, to some extent, a formalisation of existing working practices of general practitioners who had obtained specialist experience during hospital training. GPSIs are working in a wide range of clinical areas including coronary heart disease, drug abuse, echocardiography and sexual health. Similar changes at the primary-secondary care interface are taking place in other European health systems. Key issues in the development of these services include the assurance of high-quality health care, clinical governance and risk management, cost-effectiveness and impact on outpatient care, and the work and role of specialists. It is possible that these new opportunities for general practitioners and other health care professions will aid recruitment and retention of staff in primary care, enhance education and encourage commissioners of services to look carefully at unmet needs in their health economies. Further challenges include the need to train a cadre of practitioners and to provide the research evidence on which to base continued investment in this promising initiative.
'I suppose that depends on how I was feeling at the time': perspectives on questionnaires measuring quality of life and musculoskeletal pain
Authors: Ong Bie Nio , Hooper Helen , Jinks Clare , Dunn Kate , Croft Peter
Published: March 2006

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the thoughts and reasoning of respondents in relation to their experience of back and knee pain while they were completing validated health status questionnaires as part of two epidemiological surveys.

Methods: Qualitative interviews with 10 participants who were sampled from previous questionnaire responders. Content analysis identified emerging themes. Analysis allowed for a comparison with other research, for a focus on disease-specific questionnaire interpretations, and use of additional survey material (i.e. annotations alongside questionnaire items and accompanying letters).

Results: Adaptation to limitations and comparisons with previous self and/or others changed the way people responded to the standardized questions. The determination of specific periods of pain proved very difficult for respondents because pain, and low back pain in particular, was rarely experienced as a stable phenomenon. In addition, the time frames used in questionnaires were often at variance with the lived reality of pain and its effects on individuals' perceptions of time. Respondents tended to emphasize the context within which they experienced pain, and in the case of knee pain, often ranked this pain in relation to other health issues.

Conclusions: In epidemiological studies, differences in interpretations are averaged across large samples, but we argue that a deeper understanding of the range of individual interpretations is important if one is to acknowledge the different meanings of pain within populations. The accounts of pain sufferers are highly complex and variable. Multi-method studies offer an opportunity to explore these using complementary approaches. This may lead to both more patient-centred research and health service provision.
Paediatric home care: a systematic review of randomized trials on costs and effectiveness
Authors: Parker Gillian , Bhakta Padma , Lovett Caroline , Olsen Richard , Paisley Suzy , Turner David
Published: March 2006

Objective: To review systematically randomized trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness and costs of paediatric home care.

Methods: National Health Service (NHS) Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines were followed. In all, 20 electronic and other sources were searched, using specially designed strategies. Economic studies and other selected designs were included, but only RCT findings – on service use, clinical outcomes, costs, and impact on the family – are reported here. Analysis is descriptive, with pooled standard mean differences used where meta-analysis was possible.

Results: About 1730 identified records up to August 2001 were potentially relevant. In all, 10 RCTs (24 papers) were finally included, covering five types of paediatric home care – for very low birth weight or medically 'fragile' infants, for asthma or diabetes, for technology-dependent children, for mental health, and generic home care. Paediatric home care may enhance physical and mental development for very low birth weight infants and may be cheaper but the evidence is not strong. Home care for diabetes or asthma may reduce parents' costs with some clinical but no social differences noticeable. No randomized trials for technologically dependent children were found. Home care for mental health may increase parental satisfaction with services and reduce some health service and residential care costs. Generic home care showed no clinical effects at early follow-up. Partial follow-up after five years suggested improved psychological adjustment. No cost data were available for this care model.

Conclusions: Despite recent expansion, research evidence from randomized trials for paediatric home care is slight, and methods used are weak in places. Paediatric home care poses practical and ethical questions that cannot be addressed by RCTs.
Volumetric–Densimetric Measurements of the Adsorption Equilibria of Binary Gas Mixtures
Authors: Keller J.U. , Iossifova N. , Zimmermann W.
Published: March 2006

A new method for measuring the binary co-adsorption equilibria of gas mixtures with non-isomeric components on porous solids such as activated carbons or zeolites is proposed. The method does not require an analysis of the sorptive gas phase in adsorption equilibrium and can be automated fairly simply. It consists of a simple volumetric/manometric gas expansion arrangement combined with the measurement of the density of the sorptive gas mixture in equilibrium via the buoyancy of a sinker fixed to a microbalance. These gas density measurements can be performed on-line preferably with a magnetic suspension balance (MSB) (Rubotherm GmbH, Bochum, Germany, 2-site-type).

The experimental lay-out of the instrument used is given and the measurement procedure is outlined. The theory of the measurement is presented and expressions for experimental uncertainties of component masses adsorbed are provided. As examples, the co-adsorption equilibria data of gas mixtures (CO2/CH4) and (H2/CH4) on activated carbon (D47/3, CarboTech, Essen, Germany) at 293 K and 333 K for pressures up to 2 MPa are presented and discussed to a certain extent.
Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide on Mesoporous Silicas near the Critical Temperature
Authors: Tatsuda Narihito , Goto Yasutomo , Setoyama Norihiko , Fukushima Yoshiaki
Published: March 2006

The adsorption of carbon dioxide on mesoporous silicas was studied near the critical temperature (Tc) of CO2, i.e. 304.2 K. The critical temperature in the mesopores at which the first-order phase transition (capillary condensation) was observed (Tcp) was estimated from the inverse slope of the adsorption isotherms and the behaviour of the adsorption isotherms per unit surface area. The values of Tcp for CO2 in mesopores whose radii, rp, were 3.02 and 2.14 nm were higher than those estimated using a slab model in which the adsorbing parts of layer were clearly separated from the non-adsorbing regions. The differential heat of adsorption decreased with increasing pore size of the mesoporous adsorbent. This result also suggested a deviation from the slab model.
Designing Adsorption Centres for Biological Active Molecules on a Silica Surface
Authors: Belyakova L.A. , Varvarin A.M. , Lyashenko D.Yu. , Khora O.V.
Published: March 2006

The chemical interaction between the surface of hydroxylated or aminated silicas and β-cyclodextrin, mono-tosyl-β-cyclodextrin and the bromine derivative of heptakis-[6- O-( p-tosyl-β-cyclodextrin)] has been investigated using IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis with programmed heating, pH titration, weight adsorption method, elemental analysis and quantitative chemical analysis of the surface compounds. The optimum conditions for chemical grafting of β-cyclodextrins onto the silica surface were established. The formation of supramolecular structures, viz. inclusion complexes between immobilized β-cyclodextrin and the hormone of pineal gland (melatonin), on the surface of highly dispersed silicas of 1:1 composition was demonstrated.
Noise Indices for Assessing Domestic Air Conditioner Noise
Authors: Tang S.K.
Published: March 2006

In the present study, a survey was carried out to examine the capabilities of various noise indices for describing the nuisance caused by exposure to air conditioner noise inside residential apartments. Physical noise measurements were also carried out. Results show that the Zwicker's loudness level and the percentile level of 90% exceedence are the two major indices for air conditioner noise assessment. The rating level appears not to be a good indicator for such a purpose.
Prediction of Safe Charge to Control Ground Vibration in Surface Mining
Authors: Singh T.N.
Published: March 2006

Many researchers have proposed various predictor equations to determine the PPV (Peak particle velocity) which is the function of distance and maximum safe charge per delay. When the maximum safe charge per delay is calculated by different predictors its values vary because these predictors are formulated on different bases with limited observations. In this paper, an equation has been proposed for estimation of the maximum safe charge per delay and its performance has been compared with other predictors. The proposed predictor is the function of PPV and distance. Results were well correlated and near to the observed value. The maximum charge per delay has been calculated by all predictors and compared with the proposed one. The coefficient of correlation was found to be high for the proposed predictor. This may be give better prediction of safe charge as compared to other predictors for different rock litho units.
On the Annoyance Caused by Magnetic Levitation Train Passby Sounds
Authors: Vos Joos
Published: March 2006

In a laboratory study, the annoyance caused by the passby sounds from a magnetic levitation (maglev) train was investigated. The listeners were presented with various sound fragments. The task of the listeners was to respond after each presentation to the question: “How annoying would you find the sound in the preceding period if you were exposed to it at home on a regular basis?” The independent variables were a) the driving speed of the maglev train (varying from 100 to 400 km/h), b) the outdoor A-weighted sound exposure level (ASEL) of the passbys (varying from 65 to 90 dB), and c) the simulated outdoor-to-indoor reduction in sound level (windows open or windows closed). As references to the passby sounds from the maglev train (type Transrapid 08), sounds from road traffic (passenger cars and trucks) and more conventional railway (intercity trains) were included for rating too. Four important results were obtained. Provided that the outdoor ASELs were the same, 1) the annoyance was independent of the driving speed of the maglev train, 2) the annoyance caused by the maglev train was considerably higher than that caused by the intercity train, 3) the annoyance caused by the maglev train was hardly different from that caused by road traffic, and 4) the results 1) – 3) held true both for open or closed windows. On the basis of the present results, it might be expected that the sounds are equally annoying if the ASELs of the maglev-train passbys are at least 5 dB lower than those of the intercity train passbys. Consequently, the results of the present experiment do not support application of a railway bonus to the maglev-train sounds.
Vibration Monitoring for Local Tooth Damage in Multistage Gearboxes
Authors: Gelman L. , Zimroz R. , Birkel J. , Leigh-Firbank H. , Simms D. , Waterland B. , Whitehurst G.
Published: March 2006

An adaptive approach was applied for local tooth damage diagnostics in gearboxes. The expediency of adaptation was proved experimentally for the new diagnostic feature, the sum of normalized sideband amplitudes. The positive correlation between mesh amplitudes and their sideband amplitudes was found experimentally for the first time.

Novel adaptive vibration condition monitoring technology for local tooth damage in gearboxes was developed and experimentally validated.

The experimental results showed an increase in effectiveness of the diagnostics when the adaptive technology was used.
Short and Longer-Term Planetary Effects on Sun and Earth
Authors: Dickman Kenneth W.
Published: March 2006

The Solar Electro-magnetic Resonant Cross provides the key to timing of major events on Sun and Earth. Planet/Cross alignments, together with specific interplanetary angular separations, coincided with the seismic events on 24/26 December 2004, of which an outcome was the Asian Tsunami. Planetary conjunctions also coincided with peak sunspot abundance on 30 March 2001, precipitous decay of the giant 1997/8 El Niño in May 1998, and beginning/end (1645/1715) of the last prominent cold period of the Little Ice Age, the Maunder Minimum. Cross and influential angularities promise to be as revealing for the future as the past; because orbits can be calculated in advance. A sharp enhancement of planetary influence on Sun/Earth can be expected in June 2006.
Antarctic Ice & Australian Antarctic Science are They Collapsing?
Authors: Rowden-Rich Murray
Published: March 2006

A major glaciological event is underway in Antarctica. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is collapsing into the sea by the progressive inland movement of the boundary between the slow flowing continental sheet-ice and the fast flowing stream-ice of the major ice streams. The massive changes to ice streams flowing into the Amundsen Sea observed in the last decade include flow-rates that now exceed 1,000 metres per annum. These are internal dynamic flow regime-changes. Surging of the ice sheet is not the result of anthropic (human-caused) global warming but the result of a combination of internal changes combined with the destabilizing effect of past sea level rise on an ice sheet founded on a submerged continental shelf. Antarctic ice-surging will have climatic influences via sea level rise and impacts on oceanic circulation irrespective of mitigation measures proposed. Australian Antarctic science is condemned to irrelevance in the global warming debate. It will be unable to provide objective (disinterested) scientific advice about events in Antarctica until operations are removed from the Department of Environment and Heritage.:
A Critical Review of Some Recent Australian Regional Climate Reports
Authors: McLean John D
Published: March 2006

Regional Climate Reports prepared by the CSIRO for five states and the Northern Territory of Australia have been accepted by governments for planning and policy purposes without critical analysis. This review examines the credibility of those reports, in particular the historical trends they describe and the accuracy of the numerical models that are used for both hindcasting and forecasting climate to 2100. The reports are found to be lacking in four crucial areas; by the inclusion of misleading trends, omission of relevant influences, use of poorly performing models and, critically, unjustified claims of accuracy for their output projections. As planning tools the CSIRO model-derived forecasts are of doubtful if any value. Caveat Emptor.
Renewable Energy Technologies in Australia: Research, Status and Prospects
Authors: Godfrey R Bruce
Published: March 2006

In support of environmental goals – principally reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector – Australian Federal and State governments have put in place a range of measures to support the deployment of increasing levels of renewable energy products and services. These market-making mechanisms complement Australia's leadership in a wide range of technologies for stationary energy applications of renewable energy, including photovoltaics, electricity storage, concentrating solar power, small wind turbines, energy efficiency products, hot dry rock geothermal and wave power. Industry is responding to these market and technology opportunities, and associated policy measures to support their growth, with the aim of growing a sizeable renewable energy sector that delivers economically competitive solutions for Australian and export markets.
One-Dimensional Nonlinear Model for Prediction of Crack Spacing in Concrete Pavements
Authors: Chen G. , Baker G.
Published: March 2006

This paper proposes a one-dimensional non-linear model to predict the minimum and maximum crack spacings due to shrinkage in concrete pavements. The proposed model consists of two cohesive cracks and an elastic bar restrained by distributed elastic springs. The cohesive crack is characterized by an exponential softening constitutive relation. A set of non-linear equilibrium conditions are obtained. By varying the length of the elastic bar of the proposed model, the tensile forces acting on the cohesive cracks and the energy profiles are investigated. It is demonstrated that the cracking pattern varies with the length of the elastic bar (i.e. the spacing between the two possible cracks), from which the minimum and maximum crack spacings are obtained. Numerical analyses are made of a model pavement and the results indicate that it is the energy minimization principle that governs the cracking pattern. The proposed model provides physical insight into the mechanism of crack spacing in concrete pavements.
Very Large Deformation but Small Strain Analysis of Plates and Folded Plates by Finite Strip Method
Authors: Shahidi A. R. , Mahzoon M. , Saadatpour M. M. , Azhari M.
Published: March 2006

In this paper a Finite strip method is developed to analyze very large deformations of thin plates and folded plates by use of the elastic Cosserat theory. The principle of virtual work is exploited to present the weak form of the governing differential equations. Through a linear mapping, a rectangular strip is transformed into a standard square computational domain in which the deformation and director fields are developed together with the general forms of the uncoupled nonlinear equations. The geometric and material tangential stiffness matrices are formed through linearization, and a step by step procedure is presented to complete the scheme. The validity and the accuracy of the method are illustrated through certain numerical examples and comparison of the results with other researches. The method is shown to be capable of handling numerical analysis of plates experiencing very large deformations.
Base-Isolated Building with Asymmetries Due to the Isolator Parameters
Authors: Matsagar Vasant A. , Jangid R.S.
Published: March 2006

The effects of torsional coupling, due to isolator parameters, on the seismic response of base-isolated buildings are presented. The isolated building is modelled as a single-storey structure mounted on different isolation devices such as elastomeric and sliding systems involving non-linear restoring forces. The governing equations of motion for the uncoupled and torsionally coupled system are derived and solved in time domain by Newmark's method of integration to obtain lateral-torsional displacement response. The displacement response of the isolated system with different combinations of structural configurations, isolation systems and the ratio of uncoupled torsional to lateral frequency of the system is investigated. A comparison of the response of the torsionally coupled base-isolated building is made with the corresponding response obtained from torsionally uncoupled base-isolated building. In addition, a parametric study is conducted to observe the effect of superstructure flexibility on the displacements in torsionally coupled base-isolated building. The eccentricities arising due to the asymmetries in the isolation stiffness and/or yield strength of the isolators are compared with the eccentricity in the system as specified by the Uniform Building Code (UBC 1997). It is observed that the torsional coupling arising due to the dissimilarity in the isolator properties considerably influences the seismic response of the base-isolated building. Effects of superstructure eccentricity are found diminishing when the isolation eccentricities exist. The design bearing displacement suggested by the UBC static formula incorporating accidental torsion is found conservative for the isolation eccentricities arising due to the dissimilarity amongst the isolators.
Study on Strain-Sense Property of TiNi and TiNiCu Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Liu Zhi-Qiang , Li Hui , Chen Wen-Li , Ou Jin-Ping
Published: March 2006

Concerning important infrastructures and civil structures, they need real time detection during the service, such as high-rise buildings, cables, bridges and dams. Therefore, it is necessary to study sensing property of shape memory alloy (SMA) for developing a sensing element embedded in the structures to carry out damage detection. In this paper, change rate of resistance-stress-strain relationship of TiNi and TiNiCu shape memory alloys (SMAs) under elongation is examined. Tests are conducted in MTS at room temperature for the mechanical and strain-sense properties. According to the test results, it is concluded that TiNi and TiNiCu in martensitic phase and austenitic TiNi SMA wires have good strain-sense property. The change rate of resistance of SMA wires has a linear relation with the applied strain. Additionally, stress-strain relation is also predicted by Brinson Model. This study is devoted to sensing properties of TiNi and TiNiCu shape memory alloy.
Hysteresis Behavior of Square Tube Columns to H-Beam Connections with Vertical Stiffeners
Authors: Chung Jinan , Seo Seongyon , Matsui Chiaki , Choi Sungmo
Published: March 2006

This paper deals with confirming the usability of a new connection method for steel moment-resisting frames. The connections are strengthened with vertical stiffeners to connect square tube columns and H-shaped beams. Two test methods were selected with experimental parameters given as details. The first test is performed under symmetrical loading. Beams are simply supported on both ends and test load is applied to the top of the column. The second test is performed under anti-symmetric loading. The shape of test specimens is cruciform, with a beam and a column. The top end and base of the column are simply supported, and load is applied to both ends of the beam. Test results are summarized to investigate structural performances of the connection. Nonlinear FE analysis using ANSYS for moment-resisting frames was performed to confirm the test results. It was found that all specimens had sufficient capacities exceeding the full plastic strength of beam. Therefore, the connections strengthened with vertical stiffeners were successfully verified to have possibility as a new connection method for steel moment-frames.
An Accurate Numerical Scheme for Large Deflection Analysis of Non-Prismatic Inextensible Slender Beams Subjected to General Loading and Boundary Conditions
Authors: Al-Sadder Samir Z. , Dado Mohammad H.
Published: March 2006

This paper studies the large deflection behavior of prismatic and non-prismatic inextensible beams subjected to various types of loading and boundary conditions. The formulation is based on representing the angle of rotation by a power series and substituting it into the derived governing nonlinear differential equation. The coefficients of the power series are obtained by minimizing the integral of the residual error over the deflected beam axis. Several numerical examples are presented covering prismatic and non-prismatic beams subjected to uniform and non-uniform distributed loads. A large displacement finite element analysis using the package MSC/NASTRAN was used to check the accuracy and efficiency of the present numerical method. Excellent agreement was observed between the two numerical schemes.
Along-Wind Dynamic Interference Effects of Tall Buildings
Authors: Gu M. , Xie Z. N. , Huang P.
Published: March 2006

Most previous investigations have focused on the wind induced interference effects between two buildings. The interference effects of three or more buildings have seldom been studied so far due to the huge workload of experiments and data processing. In this paper, the along-wind dynamic interference effects of two and three tall buildings are investigated through a series of wind tunnel tests on typical tall building models using the high frequency force balance technique. The testing cases are totally over 8000. In order to conveniently and rapidly process the huge amount of testing data, a Windows-based software platform integrating artificial neural network, statistics and spectral computations is developed. Database technique is also employed in the platform to manage the experimental results. Because of a vast amount of experimental results, this paper presents only detailed results of the along-wind dynamic interference effects but not the across-wind effects. Some selected results of the twin-building configuration from the present tests are compared with the previous comparable results in literature. Effects of upstream terrain, height ratio and breadth ratio of the tested models on the interference factor are discussed in detail.
Treatment Centres, Training and the Future of Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Utting MR , Spencer RF
Published: March 2006

Since its inception in 1948, the NHS has provided treatment free at the point of delivery to all eligible citizens in the UK. In parallel with free healthcare, the specialty of orthopaedic surgery has grown exponentially, both in cost and scope, from a fledgling discipline to one offering surgical expertise on a vast scale.
Hospital at Night: Not for ENT?
Authors: Pothier DD , Ahluwalia S , Monteiro P
Published: March 2006

The introduction of the European Working Time Directive has meant a reduction in the number of hours that junior doctors may spend at work. The impact that this legislation will have on training and the continuity of patient care may be significant. In an attempt to reduce the number of doctors required to look after patients after hours, the Hospital at Night programme has been introduced. The basis of the project is to have a team of generically skilled surgeons on call to handle emergencies and routine ward work from all surgical specialties. The reasoning behind this move is that most SHOs have sufficient training to deal with most surgical problems; any more advanced problems are to be referred to the SpR or consultant surgeon for that specialty.
Surgical Experience of Doctors Applying for A BST Rotation
Authors: Lehane CW , Plusa S
Published: March 2006

Basic surgical training (BST) posts are very oversubscribed, both by British and overseas doctors. The changes to be implemented as part of Modernising Medical Careers will make entry into surgical training more controlled. This will streamline training for British graduates but may make it harder for overseas doctors to compete. There are proposals to allow more experienced Trust doctors to enter a surgical programme at a more senior level if they can demonstrate appropriate competencies. This may be particularly applicable to overseas graduates too experienced for foundation posts. Our study examines the surgical experience of doctors applying for a BST rotation, particularly that of the overseas applicants.