bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silent and Apparent Cerebral Ischemia After Percutaneous Transfemoral Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Kahlert Philipp , Knipp Stephan C. , Schlamann Marc , Thielmann Matthias , Al-Rashid Fadi , Weber Marcel , Johansson Uwe , Wendt Daniel , Jakob Heinz G. , Forsting Michael , Sack Stefan , Erbel Raimund , Eggebrecht Holger
Published: February 2010

Background—

The risk of stroke after transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to dislodgement and subsequent embolization of debris from aortic arch atheroma or from the calcified valve itself ranges between 2% and 10%. The rate of clinically silent cerebral ischemia is unknown but may be even higher.

Methods and Results—

Thirty-two patients who underwent TAVI with the use of a balloon-expandable (n=22) or self-expandable (n=10) stent valve prosthesis were included in this descriptive study and compared with a historical control group of 21 patients undergoing open surgical aortic valve replacement. Periprocedural apparent and silent cerebral ischemia was assessed by neurological testing and serial cerebral diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, at 3.4 (2.5 to 4.4) days after the procedure, and at 3 months. TAVI was successful in all patients. After the procedure, new foci of restricted diffusion on cerebral diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were found in 27 of 32 TAVI patients (84%) and were more frequent than after open surgery (10 of 21 patients [48%];
P
=0.011). These lesions were usually multiple (1 to 19 per patient) and dispersed in both hemispheres in a pattern suggesting cerebral embolization. Volumes of these lesions were significantly smaller after TAVI than after surgery (77 [59 to 94] versus 224 [111 to 338] mm
3
;
P
<0.001). There were neither measurable impairments of neurocognitive function nor apparent neurological events during the in-hospital period among TAVI patients, but there was 1 stroke (5%) in the surgical patient group. On 3-month follow-up diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, there were no new foci of restricted diffusion, and there was no residual signal change associated with the majority (80%) of the foci detected in the periprocedural period.

Conclusions—

Clinically silent new foci of restricted diffusion on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging were detected in almost all patients (84%) undergoing TAVI. Although typically multiple, these foci were not associated with apparent neurological events or measurable deterioration of neurocognitive function during 3-month follow-up. Further work needs to be directed to determine the clinical significance of these findings in a larger patient population.
Sorting Texts by Readability
Authors: Tanaka-Ishii Kumiko , Tezuka Satoshi , Terada Hiroshi
Published: February 2010

This article presents a novel approach for readability assessment through sorting. A comparator that judges the relative readability between two texts is generated through machine learning, and a given set of texts is sorted by this comparator. Our proposal is advantageous because it solves the problem of a lack of training data, because the construction of the comparator only requires training data annotated with two reading levels. The proposed method is compared with regression methods and a state-of-the art classification method. Moreover, we present our application, called Terrace, which retrieves texts with readability similar to that of a given input text.
Performing in the Lap and at the Feet of God: Ramleela in Trinidad, 2006–2008
Authors: Riggio Milla Cozart
Published: February 2010

The island of Trinidad is home to one of the world's largest annual performances of the Hindu epic drama known locally as Ramleela. Far away from their ancestral homeland, Indo-Trinidadians perform their own identities as a Caribbean people in a drama of exile that hauntingly replicates their diasporic experience.
Deadness: Technologies of the Intermundane
Authors: Stanyek Jason , Piekut Benjamin
Published: February 2010

Posthumous duets—performances involving a dead singer and a living one—have become ubiquitous in popular music. As the case of Natalie and Nat “King” Cole's “Unforgettable” makes clear, all sound recording harnesses the productive capacities of both living and dead, patterned through specific forms of co-laboring, or “deadness.”
Suppression of Eddy Diffusivity across Jets in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Ferrari Raffaele , Nikurashin Maxim
Published: February 2010

Geostrophic eddies control the meridional mixing of heat, carbon, and other climatically important tracers in the Southern Ocean. The rate of eddy mixing is typically quantified through an eddy diffusivity. There is an ongoing debate as to whether eddy mixing in enhanced in the core of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current or on its flanks. A simple expression is derived that predicts the rate of eddy mixing, that is, the eddy diffusivity, as a function of eddy and mean current statistics. This novel expression predicts suppression of the cross-jet eddy diffusivity in the core of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, despite enhanced values of eddy kinetic energy. The expression is qualitatively and quantitatively validated by independent estimates of eddy mixing from altimetry observations. This work suggests that the meridional eddy diffusivity across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is weaker than presently assumed because of the suppression of eddy mixing by the strong zonal current.
Toward the Probabilistic Simulation of Storm Surge and Inundation in a Limited-Resource Environment
Authors: Davis Justin R. , Paramygin Vladimir A. , Forrest David , Sheng Y. Peter
Published: February 2010

To create more useful storm surge and inundation forecast products, probabilistic elements are being incorporated. To achieve the highest levels of confidence in these products, it is essential that as many simulations as possible are performed during the limited amount of time available. This paper develops a framework by which probabilistic storm surge and inundation forecasts within the Curvilinear Hydrodynamics in 3D (CH3D) Storm Surge Modeling System and the Southeastern Universities Research Association Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction Program’s forecasting systems are initiated with specific focus on the application of these methods in a limited-resource environment. Ensemble sets are created by dividing probability density functions (PDFs) of the National Hurricane Center model forecast error into bins, which are then grouped into priority levels (PLs) such that each subsequent level relies on results computed earlier and has an increasing confidence associated with it. The PDFs are then used to develop an ensemble of analytic wind and pressure fields for use by storm surge and inundation models. Using this approach applied with official National Hurricane Center (OFCL) forecast errors, an analysis of Hurricane Charley is performed. After first validating the simulation of storm surge, a series of ensemble simulations are performed representing the forecast errors for the 72-, 48-, 24-, and 12-h forecasts. Analysis of the aggregated products shows that PL4 (27 members) is sufficient to resolve 90% of the inundation within the domain and appears to represent the best balance between accuracy and timeliness of computed products for this case study. A 5-day forecast using the PL4 set is shown to complete in 83 min, while the intermediate PL2 and PL3 products, representing slightly less confidence, complete in 14 and 28 min, respectively.
Hepatocyte-targeted HFE and TFR2 control hepcidin expression in mice
Authors: Gao Junwei , Chen Juxing , De Domenico Ivana , Koeller David M. , Harding Cary O. , Fleming Robert E. , Koeberl Dwight D. , Enns Caroline A.
Published: February 2010

Hereditary hemochromatosis is caused by mutations in the hereditary hemochromatosis protein (HFE), transferrin-receptor 2 (TfR2), hemojuvelin, hepcidin, or ferroportin genes. Hepcidin is a key iron regulator, which is secreted by the liver, and decreases serum iron levels by causing the down-regulation of the iron transporter, ferroportin. Mutations in either HFE or TfR2 lower hepcidin levels, implying that both HFE and TfR2 are necessary for regulation of hepcidin expression. In this study, we used a recombinant adeno-associated virus, AAV2/8, for hepatocyte-specific expression of either Hfe or Tfr2 in mice. Expression of Hfe in Hfe-null mice both increased Hfe and hepcidin mRNA and lowered hepatic iron and Tf saturation. Expression of Tfr2 in Tfr2-deficient mice had a similar effect, whereas expression of Hfe in Tfr2-deficient mice or of Tfr2 in Hfe-null mice had no effect on liver or serum iron levels. Expression of Hfe in wild-type mice increased hepcidin mRNA and lowered iron levels. In contrast, expression of Tfr2 had no effect on wild-type mice. These findings suggest that Hfe is limiting in formation of the Hfe/Tfr2 complex that regulates hepcidin expression. In addition, these studies show that the use of recombinant AAV vector to deliver genes is a promising approach for studying physiologic consequences of protein complexes.
Influence of Conformation of 9,10-Anthrylene Rotors on Structures and Self-association Properties of Macrocyclic Arylene–Alkynylene Oligomers
Authors: Miyamoto Kazuaki , Iwanaga Tetsuo , Toyota Shinji
Published: February 2010

Macrocyclization of 9,10-bis[(3-ethynyl-5-octylphenyl)ethynyl]anthracene afforded three cyclic oligomers: a dimer, a trimer, and a tetramer. Only the trimer showed significant self-association in solution because of its fully planar structure. Their structures and properties were significantly influenced by the conformation of the 9,10-anthrylene rotors depending on the ring size.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of TiO2 Nanorod Bundles in the Presence of Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide
Authors: Lai Teming , Yi Long , Yang Wenxia
Published: February 2010

Highly crystallized anatase TiO2 nanorod bundles have been prepared by a hydrothermal method in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) for the first time. TMAOH plays a structural template role to modify the TiO2 particle shape to nanorod. Many nanorods stick together in the middle, obtaining a special nanorod bundle. The TiO2 nanorod bundles show relatively higher photocatalytic activity than Degussa P25 evaluated via the degradation of phenol.
Pentaleno[1,2-c:4,5-c′]dithiophene Derivatives: First Synthesis, Properties, and a Molecular Structure
Authors: Konishi Akihito , Fujiwara Takeru , Ogawa Noriko , Hirao Yasukazu , Matsumoto Kouzou , Kurata Hiroyuki , Kubo Takashi , Kitamura Chitoshi , Kawase Takeshi
Published: February 2010

New π-extended pentalene derivatives bearing two thiophene rings are synthesized from 3-bromo-4-ethynylthiopenes as stable orange crystals by using a nickel complex. The observed electronic properties and molecular structure clearly indicate low contribution of the pentalene π system as predicted by the TD-DFT calculations.
Tsukuba-green: A Fluorescent Dye that Emits Green Fluorescence Useful for Live-cell Imaging
Authors: Senda Naoko , Miwa Yoshihiro , Tanaka Junko , Momotake Atsuya , Arai Tatsuo
Published: February 2010

A new fluorescent dye, 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-2-methyl-7-hydroxyquinoline (TG) was obtained unexpectedly from the BiCl3-catalyzed Pechmann condensation. TG emits green fluorescence at 509 nm in water. For live-cell imaging applications, TG derivatives TG1–TG3 were prepared. Under physiological conditions, HEp-2 cells were immediately stained upon addition of a solution of TG3.
The empty self in Revolutionary Road or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the blonde
Authors: Richardson Chris
Published: February 2010

This article focuses on the themes of self and selfhood raised in the 2008 film Revolutionary Road and the 1961 novel of the same name. These texts, I suggest, demonstrate how American culture has been performing a double movement since World War II, simultaneously
appealing to an essential, stable notion of the self while ingraining a sense of emptiness and incompleteness in individuals. Using Judith Butler's concept of performativity as its main theoretical framework, the article approaches Revolutionary Road from three angles. First, it explores
the transformation of the American aesthetic by focusing on the setting in which the plot takes place the suburbs of New York in the 1950s. Second, the article investigates the sweeping changes that occurred in the workplace during this period, focusing mainly on the autonomous Marxists' concept
of virtuosic and immaterial labour. Finally, the article considers Lacan's theory of desire as it relates to the domestic sphere. The article concludes by arguing that these texts represent a subtle revolution in American thought that encourages readers and audiences to embrace the performative
nature of the self rather than attempting to satisfy what Cushman calls the empty self, which can never be satisfied.
The Negro in Chicago: Harmony in Conflict, 191922
Authors: Hudson Cheryl
Published: February 2010

Calls for reform in the wake of the 1919 Chicago race riot came to centre on the perceived need for greater order and oversight in the relations between the black and white residents of the city. This article examines the city's official response to the racial violence of 1919, which
took the form of the Chicago Commission on Race Relations and its 1922 report, The Negro in Chicago. Demand for the interracial commission emanated from both progressive reformers and official political channels but many among Chicago's African American population resisted the undemocratic
and segregationist implications of such a deliberating body. I assess the nature of the political ideas animating the commission's membership and the intellectual sustenance provided by its primary researcher, Charles S. Johnson, and his mentor, Robert E. Park. I argue that the report not
only institutionalized Jim Crow in 1920s Chicago but by giving official sanction to racial marking, it embedded racial categorizations in the newly emerging conceptions of citizenship in the modern city.
Reviews Books
Authors: Caulfield Emily , Hundley Hannah , Peters William Reid , Thomas Lynn
Published: February 2010

Teen Dreams: Reading Teen Film and Television from Heathers to Veronica Mars, Roz Kaveney, (2006) New York: I.B. Tauris, 232pp., ISBN: 1845111842 (pbk), $18.95

Jean Cocteau James S. Williams, (2008) London: Reaktion Books, 192pp., ISBN: 186189354X
(pbk), $16.95

La Haine Ginette Vincendeau, (2005) Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 128pp., ISBN: 0252073320 (pbk), $15.00

Historical Dictionary of French Cinema Dayna Oscherweitz, MaryEllen Higgins, (2007) Lanham: Scarecrow Press, 457pp.,
ISBN: 9780810854918 (hbk), $95.00
Accounting Educators as the Accounting Profession’s Trustees: Lessons from a Study of Peer Professions
Authors: Wilkerson Jack E.
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT: The past decade has been a difficult period in the history of the accounting profession in the U.S. This challenging environment provides an opportunity for the accounting academy, acting as “trustees” for the integrity of the profession, to play a significant role in sustaining and enhancing the profession’s status as a profession. Generally, accounting educators play this role in two ways: through our practice-related scholarship and through our teaching. This paper draws on a recent comparative study of peer professions to offer insights to accounting educators as we seek to sustain the accounting profession specifically through our teaching. One key insight is that accounting education, as professional education, must be broadly formative, encompassing three broad spheres of professional preparation: technical knowledge, practice skills, and, of critical importance, normative purpose and professional identity. Other insights relate to the use of “signature images” of professional identity and “signature pedagogies.” Two specific recommendations are made: First, accounting students should be required to experience and reflect on the meaning and demands of professional accounting practice as a central, continuing feature of their accounting studies. And second, they should be required to participate in significant clinical learning experiences as part of their accounting studies.
Instructor-Assigned and Student-Selected Groups: A View from Inside
Authors: Hilton Sandy , Phillips Fred
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT: This paper addresses an issue that most accounting instructors face when assigning group work: does the method of forming groups affect the group experience and, if so, how? Our study provides a student characterization of group formation effects, by examining student experiences as expressed in their own words in written journals. This view from inside the groups reveals subtle group formation effects not apparent in prior studies, and enriches findings derived from quantitative questionnaire responses. The findings from this study are used to create guidance for researchers, instructors, and students.
Subword-based Semantic Retrieval of Clinical and Bibliographic Documents
Authors: Schulz S. , Müller M. L. , Dzeyk W. , Prinzen L. , Pacheco E. J. , Secco Cancian P. , Nohama P. , Markó K. , Daumke P.
Published: February 2010

Objectives: The increasing amount of electronically available documents in bibliographic databases and the clinical documentation requires user-friendly techniques for content retrieval.

Methods: A domain-specific approach on semantic text indexing for document retrieval is presented. It is based on a subword thesaurus and maps the content of texts in different European languages to a common interlingual representation, which supports the search across multilingual document collections.

Results: Three use cases are presented where the semantic retrieval method has been implemented: a bibliographic database, a department EHR system, and a consumer-oriented Web portal.

Conclusions: It could be shown that a semantic indexing and retrieval approach, the performance of which had already been empirically assessed in prior studies, proved useful in different prototypical and routine scenarios and was well accepted by several user groups.
Omics-based Medicine and Systems Pathology
Authors: Tanaka H.
Published: February 2010

Objectives: Recent important advances in the human genomics and post-genomic “omics” are now bringing about a new medical care which we call “omics-based medicine”. In this article, we investigated the development and future possibilities of omics-based medicine.

Methods: We divided the development of omics-based medicine into three generations in order to clarify the main clinical goals and characteristics of informatics method of each generation, together with its future possibilities.

Results: The first generation of omics-based medicine started with “genomic medicine” based on the inborn individual differences of genome. It has opened the study of genetic polymorphism of the diseases and promoted the personalized medication based on the pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic difference of the drug response. In the second generation of omics-based medicine, owing to the advances in the high-throughput technology, vast amount of the various post-genomic disease omics data containing comprehensive molecular information of diseased somatic cells has become available. It reflects the ongoing state of diseases more closely and enables the predictive medicine such as prognosis prediction of disease by applying the data-driven analysis. Finally, due to the rapidly growing knowledge about the cellular molecular network, system-level understanding of the disease, called systems pathology, becomes possible. It can fully exploit the substantial contents of disease omics and will lead to a comprehensive understanding of disease process by using model-driven analysis.

Conclusion: Omics-based medicine and systems pathology will realize a new personalized and predictive medicine.
Jordan E-Government Challenges and Progresses
Authors: Al-Shboul Muhannad Anwar , Alsmadi Izzat
Published: February 2010

For several years, Jordan has been working in building and improving its e-government infra structure. As a result, there have been some improvements in the position of Jordan e-government relative to the worldsâ?? e-governments (according to some reports). However, some metrics and statistics about the online users do not indicate that there is a large percent of Jordanian citizens who are using or utilizing e-government websites. This research tries to evaluate the progresses and weaknesses in those websites. It also focuses on the lack of local certificate authorities in Jordan as one of the major factors that is limiting the overall online business and activities in Jordan. There are few websites in Jordan that are certified (by international third parties). This forces those websites to outsource trust to third international parties. Digital certificates are one of the major required parts for building an infrastructure for the e-government in particular and the e-business in general.
Spreadsheet Simulation of Airline Reservation Policy Using Multimedia Software
Authors: Oberstone Joel Lee
Published: February 2010

A hypothetical business simulation case study using a stand-alone spreadsheet is used to illuminate the rationale of airline overbooking. Because almost everyone has personally encountered the implications of being â??bumped,
The Changing Landscape of Ageing Workforce in Hong Kong – The Importance of ICT Training in Lifelong Corporate Learning
Authors: Lam Sanches , Chung Winnie
Published: February 2010

To analyse the changing landscape of ageing workforce in Hong Kong and its needs of ICT training at both the individual worker level and the firm level. This study describes the decisions that older workers are actually making about work and retirement in order to understand the changing expectation of older employees when they reach the retirement age. A large scale of a purposive sample of over 500 aged 50 years or older employers completed an on-line survey. A selected sub-sample of 50 participated in follow-up in-depth interviews. It indicates that older workers are willing to contribute, but in a more flexible way and willing to learn ICT skills to retain active for both social and employment reasons. One important implication for many employers is that they have to redefine specific recruiting, retention and workplace strategies to address the different needs, priorities and preferences among older workers, and how to keep them productive and satisfied.
Early Diagnosis of Nonaneurysmal Infectious Thoracic Aortitis Using Transesophageal Echocardiogram in a Patient with Purulent Meningitis
Authors: Lopes Ricardo , Almeida Jorge , Dias Paula , Pinho Paulo , Maciel Maria Júlia
Published: February 2010

Infectious thoracic aortitis is a rare entity in the antibiotic era and usually appears in patients with prior aortic disease and/or associated infective endocarditis. Infected nonaneurysmal aorta will likely progress to mycotic aneurysm if left untreated. In most of the reports, infectious thoracic aortitis presents with a mycotic aneurysm. We report the case of a patient with a nonaneurysmal infectious thoracic aortitis, probably secondary to purulent meningitis, early diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiogram.
Bone Loss Rate May Interact with Other Risk Factors for Fractures among Elderly Women: A 15-Year Population-Based Study
Authors: Sirola Joonas , Koistinen Anna-Kaisa , Salovaara Kari , Rikkonen Toni , Tuppurainen Marjo , Jurvelin Jukka S. , Honkanen Risto , Alhava Esko , Kröger Heikki
Published: February 2010

Aim was to investigate fracture risk (FR) according to bone loss (BL) rate. A random sample of 1652 women aged 53.5 years was measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry in femoral neck in 1989 and 1994 and divided into tertiles of annual BL rate: high >0.84%, moderate 0.13%–0.84%, and low <0.13%. Low trauma energy fractures during following 10 years were recorded. There were no differences in FR between BL tertiles in Cox regression model. Factors predicting lower FR in Cox model were in high tertile: high T-score (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.54–0.93,P=.012), no sister's fracture (HR 0.35; 0.19–0.64,P=.001), no mother's fracture (HR 0.52; 0.31–0.88,P=.015), in moderate tertile: high T-score (HR 0.69;0.53–0.91,P=.008) and good grip strength (HR 0.98; 0.97–0.99,P=.022). In low tertile there were no predictors for FR. BL predicted FR in women with mother's fracture in univariate and multivariate model (OR 2.6; 1.15–5.7,P=.021) but with sister's fracture this was observed only in multivariate model (OR 2.66; 1.09–6.7,P=.039). Accordingly, the risk factors for postmenopausal fractures, especially mother's fracture, may interact with BL.
Three patients with both Hodgkin′s lymphoma and Castleman′s disease: Clinicopathologic correlations and lack of association with HHV-8
Authors: Haque Saadiya , Kirk Jr Robert van
Published: February 2010

Background : The relationship between Hodgkin′s lymphoma (HL) and plasma cell-type Castleman′s disease (PCD) has been well documented. There have been over 20 cases reported in the literature and nearly all of them were either diagnosed concurrently, or were initially diagnosed as PCD and upon review were found to have interfollicular HL. Human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) is present in about 40% of cases with PCD. It predisposes patients to a much higher risk of other malignancies, including Kaposi′s sarcoma and non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma. Cases linked to HHV-8 are associated with a different morphology than cases that are not linked to HHV-8. It has been proposed that patients with both HL and CD will have lymph nodes with HHV-8-negative morphology.Materials and Methods : We present a series of three cases in a retrospective study where patients had both HL and PCD. Surgical pathology reports, clinical histories, and H and E and various immunohistochemical stains on initial work-up were examined and subsequent immunohistochemical stains for HHV-8 were obtained from the Methodist Hospital.Results:Patient 1 was diagnosed with PCD and interfollicular HL in the same lymph node. Patient 2 was first diagnosed with classic HL and 2 years later returned with enlarged lymph nodes clinically suspected to be recurrent HL. Histology showed angiofollicular hyperplasia and interfollicular plasmacytosis without Reed-Sternberg cells and a diagnosis of PCD was rendered. Patient 3, a male in his third decade, was diagnosed with nodular sclerosing HL in the thymus, and concurrently PCD in the mediastinal lymph nodes. All three cases had architectural features consistent with an HHV-8-negative morphology. Immunohistochemical stains for HHV-8 were done retrospectively and were negative.Conclusion:All three of our patients with both HL and CD had HHV-8-negative lymph node morphology and absence of HHV-8 by immunohistochemistry. These patients, therefore, are not at an increased risk for the development of subsequent malignancies, when compared to HHV-8-positive patients. Included in our series is one unique case where the diagnosis of HL preceded CD by 2 years.
Endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma in a premenopausal woman with multiple organ metastases
Authors: Srikantia Nirmala , Rekha B , Rajeev A.G. , Kalyan Suman
Published: February 2010

Endometrial adenocarcinoma is the third common malignancy of the female genital tract occurring most often in the postmenopausal age group. High tumor grade, advanced surgical stage, and lymphovascular space invasion are implicated as poor prognostic factors for dissemination of disease. We present an unusual case of endometrial adenocarcinoma in a premenopausal woman with simultaneous metastases in brain, liver, skin and skeletal system, within one month of completion of treatment. The role of adjuvant/concurrent chemotherapy in addition to radiotherapy in high risk cases is discussed along with the review of literature.
Performance Comparison of Bridge Coating Defect Recognition Methods
Authors: Lee S. , Chang L-M. , Chen P-H.
Published: February 2010

Digital image recognition methods are now being utilized for steel bridge painting surface assessment. Through the use of digital image processing methods, the rust percentage on steel bridge surfaces can be objectively computed. The rust percentage may be crucial for the successful implementation of steel bridge painting warranty contracting since it can be used to decide whether painting contractors should repair painting defects at the end of the warranty period or at any regular inspection. To implement painting warranty contracting, however, appropriately designed recognition methods must be developed first. In this paper, several recognition methods are proposed and evaluated based on their rust recognition performance, and these methods fall into two categories. One uses artificial intelligence methods such as neural networks and fuzzy logic as the backbone for recognition, while the others apply statistical approaches to detect rust areas. Illumination is considered in some of the proposed methods to determine how it affects the recognition results. To test the performance of the proposed methods, a series of comparisons were made based on different environmental conditions.
Hydrogen Peroxide Decomposition in an Environmentally Friendly Pickling Solution for AISI 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Narváez L. , Cano E. , Bastidas J. M.
Published: February 2010

There is increasing interest in the utilization of ecological bath solutions for the pickling of stainless steel (SS), because conventional nitric (HNO3) and hydrofluoric (HF) acid mixtures generate high NOx emissions. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and HF has been tested in this study as an environmentally friendly pickling solution for AISI 316L SS (UNS S31603). The decomposition of H2O2 and the H2SO4-HF-H2O2 mixture was assessed at different temperatures from 25°C to 60°C, with ferric ion contents from 0 to 40 g/L, with and without stirring of the aqueous acid mixture. The p-Toluene sulfonic, 3-hydroxybenzoic, and 4-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acids were tested as stabilizers for H2O2. The AISI 316LSS pickling rate found at 50°C was 2.35 × 103 mg/dm2-day (mdd) and 0.12 × 103 mdd, respectively, in the absence and presence of 40 g/L ferric ion.
Electrochemical Polarization and Stress Corrosion Cracking of Alloy 690 in 5-M Chloride Solutions at 25°C
Authors: Chen Y. Y. , Chou L. B. , Wang L. H. , Oung J. C. , Shih H. C.
Published: February 2010

An experimental, potential-pH diagram was constructed for the nickel-based Alloy 690 (UNS N06690) in 25°C concentrated (5 M) sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, using an electrochemical hysteresis method. The domains of immunity, general corrosion, passivation, and pitting in 5-M NaCl solutions were defined. At pH > 4, the passive region subdivided into areas of perfect passivation, imperfect passivation, and pitting. After anodic polarization, the surface of each specimen was carefully examined metallographically. Pitting corrosion was observed over the entire pH range investigated (0.3 to 8.52), but general corrosion predominated at lower pH values (<3). On the other hand, the mechanical properties, such as ultimate tensile strength (UTS), strain at fracture, and the reduction area (RA) measured by the slow strain rate test (SSRT), decreased significantly at pH < 3. The SSRT results are consistent with fractography and side-view observations of the tested specimens by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Technical Note:
16 Years of Corrosion Behavior of Carbon Steel in Seawater
Authors: Zhu X-R. , Huang G-Q.
Published: February 2010

This paper summarizes 16 years of corrosion behavior of carbon steel exposed in splash, tidal, and immersion zones at the Qingdao, Zhoushan, Xiamen, and Yulin sites in China. Long-term characteristics of seawater corrosion for carbon steel have been obtained.
Threshold Chloride Concentrations of Selected Corrosion-Resistant Rebar Materials Compared to Carbon Steel
Authors: Hurley M. F. , Scully J. R.
Published: February 2010

The threshold chloride concentration for solid Type 316LN (UNS S31653) stainless steel, Type 316L (UNS S31603) stainless steel clad, 2101 (UNS S32101), Fe-9%Cr, and carbon steel rebar (ordinary ASTM A 615M) was investigated using potentiodynamic and potentiostatic current monitoring techniques in saturated calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) + sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. There is general consensus in this study and the literature that the chloride threshold for carbon steel is less than a chloride to hydroxl (Cl−/OH−) molar ratio of 1. Solid Type 316LN stainless steel rebar was found to have a much higher chloride threshold (i.e., threshold Cl−/OH− ratio > 20) than carbon steel (0.25 < Cl−/OH−< 0.34). Type 316L stainless steel clad rebar possessed a chloride threshold expressed as a Cl−/OH− ratio of 4.9 when cladding was intact. However, surface preparation, test method, duration of period exposed to a passivating condition prior to the introduction of chloride, and the presence of cladding defects all affected the threshold chloride concentration obtained. For instance, the presence of mill scale on any of the more corrosion-resistant materials reduced the chloride threshold to approximately that of carbon steel. The chloride threshold for Type 316L clad rebar was highly dependent on any defects that exposed the carbon steel core. At best, it was similar to that of solid stainless steel. However, when defective, it was equal to that of carbon steel rebar in the potentiostatic method used here. A model was implemented to predict the extension of the Cl− diffusion time period until corrosion initiation would be expected using rebar materials with a higher chloride threshold concentration than carbon steel. Model results confirmed that corrosion-resistant rebar materials in a pickled condition may increase time until chloride-induced breakdown of passivity and onset of corrosion to 100 years or more.
Transient Analysis and Simulation of Pitting Corrosion for the Estimation of Noise Resistance
Authors: de León G. Miramontes , Farden D. C. , Tallman D. E.
Published: February 2010

A new approach for the measurement of noise resistance based on the transient behavior of pitting corrosion is presented. Potential noise and current transients have been recognized as a characteristic behavior of pitting corrosion. This new approach uses the transient information present during corrosion as a way to estimate the noise resistance of coated metals directly. Computer simulation and analytical results are presented, indicating that the new technique can be applied to the problem of noise resistance estimation. This new approach was applied to experimental electrochemical noise data obtained with commercial electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)/electrochemcial noise measurement (ENM) equipment.
Electrochemical Behavior of Rust Formed on Carbon Steel in a Wet/Dry Environment Containing Chloride Ions
Authors: Nishimura T. , Katayama H. , Noda K. , Kodama T.
Published: February 2010

The iron rust phase was analyzed by using the in-situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) and alternating current (AC) impedance methods after a wet/dry corrosion test using sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, which is the main composition of airborne saline particles. The corrosion content of the carbon steel depended on the concentration of Cl ions in the environment of the test chamber. As the concentration of Cl ions increased, the content of β-FeOOH increased in iron rust phases. The transition of β-FeOOH from the green rust I (GRI) was observed directly by in-situ XRD. The amount of GRI depended on the concentration of Cl ions, and β-FeOOH was transformed from GRI automatically in the dry process of the test. AC impedance showed that the resistance of the rust (Rrust) increased with the number of cycles in the corrosion test, and that the structural factor of the rust became predominant in Rrust. With the increase of the amount of rust, the resistance corresponding to the corrosion rate (Rt decreased, which was related to the reduction of β-FeOOH in the rust phase.
Microstructure Dependence of Stress Corrosion Cracking Initiation in X-65 Pipeline Steel Exposed to a Near-Neutral pH Soil Environment
Authors: Chu R. , Chen W. , Wang S.-H. , King F. , Jack T. R. , Fessler R. R.
Published: February 2010

A study was carried out to understand mechanisms of stress corrosion crack initiation in an X-65 pipeline steel exposed to a near-neutral pH soil environment under a mechanical loading condition typical of a pipeline operating in the field. Microcracks initiated on the polished surface of the X-65 pipeline steel after long-term exposure at open-circuit potential in a near-neutral pH synthetic soil solution. It was found that these microcracks were initiated mostly from pits at metallurgical discontinuities such as grain boundaries, pearlitic colonies, and banded phases in the steel. Strong preferential dissolution was observed along planes of the banded structures in the steel. Selective corrosion at these metallurgical discontinuities is attributed to the anodic nature of those areas relative to the neighboring steel surface. Consistent with previous observations, no increased susceptibility to crack initiation was found at physical discontinuities mechanically introduced into the surface of steel exposed to synthetic soil solution at open-circuit potential.
Degradation of SiC-Base Materials in Environments Containing Potassium Salt Vapors
Authors: Pareek V. K. , Shores D. A.
Published: February 2010

Studies have shown that low levels of potassium salt vapor contaminants drastically lower the oxidation resistance of α-SiC. In this study, reaction-bonded SiC and a composite SiC + TiB2 suffered considerably more attack in environments containing potassium salt vapors than α-SiC. The kinetics were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the scales. In an attempt to mitigate the degradation, a thin aluminum layer was applied by physical vapor deposition and then oxidized to alumina. When applied to α-SiC, the Al2O3 layer reduced the corrosion rate where good overlayer coatings were achieved.
Effects of Carbides on Susceptibility of Alloy 600 to Stress Corrosion Cracking in High-Temperature Water
Authors: Rebak R. B. , Xia Z. , Szklarska-Smialowska Z.
Published: February 2010

The electrochemical behavior of sensitized, carburized, and mill-annealed alloy 600 (UNS N06600) was studied in hydrogenated, aerated, and high-temperature (250°C to 350°C) dilute aqueous solutions. In high-temperature water at high anodic potentials, the current density (CD) from carbide dissolution was higher than CD from matrix dissolution. In oxidizing environments, intergranular stress corrosion cracking propagated in alloy 600 by dissolution of continuous or semicontinuous carbides at the grain boundary, in sensitized and non-sensitized materials.
Kinetics of Passive Film Formation on Scratched Bare Surfaces of Stainless Steels in Magnesium Chloride Solutions
Authors: Li D. , Mao X. , Zhu R.
Published: February 2010

Kinetics of passive film formation on the bare surface of scratched stainless steels SS in magnesium chloride (MgCl2) solutions were studied using the rapid scratching technique under potentiostatic conditions. An experimental device was designed to record data at the rate of 20,000 points/s, with the rotating rate of the specimen at 3,000 rpm and a scratch scar length of about 4.6 mm to 4.8 mm. A new phenomenon was observed in that two peaks were seen rather than a continuous decay in the curve of current decay on scratched SS in MgCl2 solutions. Current decayed steeply to approximately passive current within about 2.5 ms to 3 ms after the diamond knife was moved away from the specimen. Current rose again for about 2 ms to 3 ms. This phenomenon was considered to represent the processes of adsorbed layer formation on the bare surface and transformation of the adsorbed layer into a passive film. Results were affected by the recording rate of experimental data, the specimen rotating rate, and the scratch scar length. The kinetics of passive film growth were shown empirically by i(t) = I0exp(−βt) with I0 and β being constants. Passive film growth was controlled by ion conduction in a strong electric field, as defined by i = A exp(BV/x).
Corrosion-Inhibitor Efficiency Control: Comparison by Means of Different Portable Corrosion Rate Meters
Authors: Martínez I. , Andrade C. , Rebolledo N. , Luo L. , De Schutter G.
Published: February 2010

Corrosion-inhibiting substances have been applied to suppress corrosion mainly on bare steel, but when corrosion is progressing, suppression can be achieved if anodic and cathodic reactions are avoided, which is not an easy objective, particularly if the bare metal is surrounded by concrete. In the present article, several corrosion inhibitors are studied to identify their inhibition efficiency in concrete. The percentage of reduction of the corrosion rate without and with inhibitor is named “inhibition efficiency.” This definition calls for the measurement of the corrosion rate and makes its measurement a must when studying corrosion-inhibiting substances. The most extended technique used for the corrosion rate quantification is based on the calculation of the polarization resistance, Rp. For the study presented in this article, several portable corrosion rate meters based on the Rp technique have been used. These equipment are needed for the evaluation of large structures and are able to confine the current in small areas or to determine the steel area affected by the signal for a correct corrosion rate calculation. A comparison among the different corrosion rate meters used for the inhibitor's efficiency has been done. This comparison has indicated that the corrosion rate meter with nonefficient confinement of the current is not able to detect clearly the passivation state.
Slip Casting of ZrB2–SiC Composite Aqueous Suspensions
Authors: Medri Valentina , Capiani Claudio , Gardini Davide
Published: February 2010

Slip casting of concentrated aqueous suspensions was set up as forming technique for the production of crucibles from ZrB2–SiC composite powder. The dispersion effectiveness and the effect on the final microstructures of two commercial ammonium polyacrylates (Duramax D3005 and Dolapix PC33) used as dispersants were investigated. The first goal was pursued by evaluating the zeta potential of the powders in water at different concentrations of additives, while the second one was assessed by analyzing the microstructure. Duramax D3005 resulted more effective than Dolapix PC33 in electrostatically stabilize the suspensions. Correspondently, almost homogeneous microstructures and lower final porosity of the sintered crucibles were obtained with Duramax D3005, while ZrB2 layers on the vertical surfaces initially in contact with the plaster molds were observed using Dolapix PC33. Moreover, the use of this latter dispersant did not allow the preparation of thick crucible walls due to the sample rupture during the binders pyrolysis stage.
Enantioselective Aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction Using Aliphatic α‐Amidosulfones as Imine Surrogates
Authors: Abermil Nacim , Masson Géraldine , Zhu Jieping
Published: February 2010

The bifunctional catalyst 6′‐deoxy‐6′‐acylamino‐β‐isocupreidine (1) served both as a base to trigger the in situ generation of N‐sulfonylimine from readily available α‐amidosulfones and as a chiral nucleophile to initiate the enantioselective aza‐Morita–Baylis–Hillman (aza‐MBH) reaction. α‐Methylene‐β‐amino‐β‐alkyl carbonyl compounds, difficultly accessible previously, can now be synthesized in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.
Prevalence of asthma by industry and occupation in the U.S. working population
Authors: McHugh Michelle K. , Symanski Elaine , Pompeii Lisa A. , Delclos George L.
Published: February 2010

Background

Workers are potentially exposed to asthmagens daily. Our study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of asthma among working adults in the U.S. by industry and occupation.

Methods

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001–2004), multiple logistic regression was used to investigate associations between industry and occupation and current asthma as defined by positive responses to “Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you have asthma?” and “Do you still have asthma?”

Results

Workers in mining (17.0%), health‐related industries (12.5%), teaching (13.1%), or in health‐related occupations (12.6%) had the highest prevalence of asthma. As compared to construction industry workers, workers in mining (aOR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.1–24.2) or health‐related (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.8) industries had significantly higher odds of asthma.

Conclusion

Our study adds to the increasing evidence that miners, healthcare workers and teachers remain high‐risk working populations and appropriate evaluation and control measures are needed to protect these workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:463–475, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutations at KCNQ1 and an unknown locus cause long QT syndrome in a large Australian family: Implications for genetic testing
Authors: Summers Kim M. , Bokil Nilesh J. , Lu Foong Teng , Low Jiun Tsuen , Baisden John M. , Duffy David , Radford Dorothy J.
Published: February 2010

A large Australian family affected with long QT syndrome (LQTS) was studied. The medical characteristics of the 16 clinically affected members were consistent with LQT1. A previously identified mutation in KCNQ1 was found in 12 affected individuals and 1 unaffected infant but absent in 4 affected family members. A haplotype consisting of specific alleles for microsatellites flanking in KCNQ1 was associated with the mutation. This was absent from the four affected individuals without the mutation, who had three different haplotypes in this region, indicating that LQTS is unlikely to be segregating with KCNQ1 in these anomalous family members. A genome scan revealed 12 regions where all four of these individuals shared alleles. One region on chromosome 21 contained the KCNE1, KCNE2, KCNJ6, and KCNJ15 genes. A common variant of KCNE1 was segregating in the family but did not explain the anomalous cases. A candidate region on chromosome 7 contained the AKAP9 and KCND2 genes. A previously reported mutation in the N‐terminal Yotiao region of AKAP9 was absent from the family. No evidence was found implicating any other known or suspected LQTS gene. This family shows that there remain unidentified genetic causes of LQTS which are clinically significant and highlights the difficulties associated with genetic testing in LQTS, since we cannot rule out risk in individuals who are negative for the known mutation in KCNQ1 without knowing the second disease locus. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrical properties and transport conduction mechanism of nitrile rubber/poly(vinyl chloride) blend
Authors: Mansour S. A. , Al‐Ghoury M. E. , Shalaan E. , El Eraki M. H. I. , Abdel‐Bary E. M.
Published: February 2010

The current–voltage characteristics of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends are studied as a function of sample temperature and PVC content. These samples showed ohmic behavior up to (225 V), after this value the behavior become SCLC (space charge limited conduction). The results obtained show that the charge carriers are generated by Richardson–Schottky emission from the electrode as well as from trapped ionic impurities at high fields. The activation energy of the prepared samples was calculated by using Arrhenius equation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010