bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas Pulsation Reductions in a Multicylinder Compressor Suction Manifold Using Valve-to-Valve Mass Flow Rate Phase Shifts
Authors: Park Jeong-Il , Bilal Nasir , Adams Douglas E.
Published: July 2007

This paper investigates the pressure pulsations caused by each mass flow rate through the suction valves and ports of a multicylinder compressor in order to attribute high-pressure pulsation responses to certain valves. By staggering the valve configurations appropriately, it is shown that the level of gas pulsations in the suction manifold of a multicylinder automotive compressor can be reduced. First, the equation for a compression cycle, a Bernoulli-Euler linear differential beam equation for the suction valves, and the piston kinematics are considered in order to calculate the mass flow rates through the compressor suction valves. The pressure pulsations in the suction manifold are then predicted based on the characteristic cylinder method using the calculated mass flow rates. In order to investigate the effects of each mass flow rate, the characteristics and phases of the mass flow rates through the suction valves are changed by modifying the clearance volume.
Simulation of Engine Vibration on Nonlinear Hydraulic Engine Mounts
Authors: Ohadi A. R. , Maghsoodi G.
Published: July 2007

In this paper, vibration behavior of engine on the nonlinear hydraulic engine mount, including inertia track and decoupler, is studied. In this regard, after introducing the nonlinear factors of this mount (i.e., inertia and decoupler resistances in turbulent region), the vibration governing equations of engine on one hydraulic engine mount are solved and the effect of nonlinearity is investigated. In order to have a comparison between the rubber and the hydraulic engine mounts, a six-degree-of-freedom four-cylinder V-shaped engine under shaking and balancing mass forces and torques is considered. By solving the time domain nonlinear equations of motion of the engine on three inclined mounts, translational and rotational motions of an engine body are obtained for different engine speeds. Transmitted base forces are also determined for both types of engine mount. Comparison of rubber and hydraulic mounts indicates the efficiency of a hydraulic one in the low-frequency region.
Dynamic Characteristics of a One-Unit Ball-Rod-Spring Balancer
Authors: Wang Ming-Cheng , Lu Chung-Jen
Published: July 2007

The traditional ball-type automatic balancer consisting of several balls moving on a circular orbit is widely used in the optical disk drive industry for vibration reduction. Under proper working conditions, the balls can counterbalance the imbalance of a disk by positioning to appropriate angles relative to the mass center of the disk. This particular equilibrium position is referred to as the perfect balancing position. The proper working conditions are closely related to the stability of the perfect balancing position, which, in turn, depends on the parameters of the system, such as rotational speed, imbalance ratio, and damping ratios. To achieve perfect balancing, the system parameters must lie in the stable region of the perfect balancing position in the parameter space. An automatic balancer with a wider stable region can tolerate a larger amount of variations in the system parameters and hence is more robust. In this study, we propose a modified ball-type balancer composed of several ball-rod-spring units. In each unit, the ball can slide along the rod while the rod rotates freely about the spindle. The ball’s displacement along the rod is restrained by a radial spring. The additional degree of freedom in the radial direction could broaden the stable region of the perfect balancing position. To understand the fundamental properties of the modified balancer, we studied the dynamic characteristics of a modified balancer with one ball-rod-spring unit. Specifically, we built a theoretical model for an optical disk drive packed with the modified balancer, and investigated how equilibrium positions and the associated stability are related to primary system parameters and the effects of the stiffness of the radial spring on the stable region of the perfect balancing position. Numerical results indicate that the ball-rod-spring balancer may possess a larger stable region of the perfect balancing position compared to the traditional fixed-orbit balancer.
Synchronous Averaging of Time-Frequency Distribution With Application to Machine Condition Monitoring
Authors: Zhu LiMin , Ding Han , Zhu Xiang Yang
Published: July 2007

A novel signal analysis technique capable of detecting periodic bursts of exponentially decaying oscillation from noisy discrete-time observations is presented. The time-frequency distribution of the signal is viewed as a series of time signals corresponding to different frequency variables, and each time signal is processed with the technique of synchronous average scanning over a frequency region of interest. The energies of the outputs corresponding to different frequency bands and different average reference frequencies are recorded in a 2D array and depicted as a gray level image. Detection of the signal of interest leads itself to the identification of the spot in the image. The period of the impulse train and the frequency of the oscillation can be further estimated from the location of the spot. Examples that diagnose machine faults under complicated conditions are given to confirm the validity of the approach.
Eigenvalue Solution of Thermoelastic Damping in Beam Resonators Using a Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Yi Yun-Bo , Matin Mohammad A.
Published: July 2007

A finite element formulation is developed for solving the problem related to thermoelastic damping in beam resonator systems. The perturbation analysis on the governing equations of heat conduction, thermoleasticity, and dynamic motion leads to a linear eigenvalue equation for the exponential growth rate of temperature, displacement, and velocity. The numerical solutions for a simply supported beam have been obtained and shown in agreement with the analytical solutions found in the literature. Parametric studies on a variety of geometrical and material properties demonstrate their effects on the frequency and the quality factor of resonance. The finite element formulation presented in this work has advantages over the existing analytical approaches in that the method can be easily extended to general geometries without extensive computations associated with the numerical iterations and the analytical expressions of the solution under various boundary conditions.
Early Detection of Fatigue Damage on Rolling Element Bearings Using Adapted Wavelet
Authors: Chiementin Xavier , Bolaers Fabrice , Dron Jean-Paul
Published: July 2007

Among the advanced techniques of the predictive maintenance, the vibratory analysis proves to be very effective, in particular, for monitoring rotating components such as the bearings. Their damage creates cyclic efforts which are at the origin of the processing of vibratory measurements. This processing can be made by temporal methods, frequential methods, or by time-scale methods using the wavelets for 2 decades. The wavelet transform is a very effective processing, however, the difficulties of application and interpretation of the results slow down their employment. The determination of the parameters of the wavelets makes its use all the more difficult. Moreover, the use of these time-scale methods is very expensive in time computation. This paper proposes a wavelet adapted to the mechanical shock response of a structure with n degrees of freedom. In addition, we developed a procedure for analysis of signals by this wavelet which makes it possible to accelerate the process and to improve detection in the case of disturbed signals. This methodology is compared with the traditional time-scale methods and is implemented to detect defects of different sizes on outer rings and inner rings of ball bearings.
Snapping of a Shallow Arch With Harmonic Excitation at One End
Authors: Chen Jen-San , Chang Der-Wei
Published: July 2007

In this paper we demonstrate both numerically and experimentally that it is possible to make a pinned-pinned shallow arch snap to and remain vibrating on the other side by harmonic excitation in the longitudinal direction at the end. One end of the arch is fixed in space, while the other end is attached to a mechanical shaker via a spring. The shaker-mount is first moved a small distance toward the arch to ensure that the arch assembly possesses two stable equilibrium positions, one on each side of the base line. The spring connecting the arch end and the mechanical shaker is carefully chosen such that a small shaker stroke can induce a large vibration amplitude in the arch. The natural frequencies of the two (initial and snapped, respectively) positions are measured first. By adjusting the excitation frequency of the mechanical shaker to the first natural frequency of either position of the arch, we demonstrate that the arch can be snapped to and remain vibrating on the other side when the magnitude of the electric current flowing through the shaker is properly chosen. The vibrant snapping action of the arch recorded in the experiment is confirmed by numerical simulation.
Characterization of Tape Edge Contact Force With Acoustic Emission
Authors: Raeymaekers Bart , Talke Frank E.
Published: July 2007

Acoustic emission sensors were used to detect contact between a moving tape and the flange of a tape guide. The influence of tape drive operating conditions on the tape edge contact force was studied. A one-dimensional model was developed to predict the magnitude of tape/flange impact. The model fits the experimental data well.
Causation of injuries in female football players in top-level tournaments
Authors: Tscholl P , O’Riordan D , Fuller C W , Dvorak J , Gutzwiller F , Junge A
Published: July 2007

Background:Analyses of tackle parameters in injury situations have provided valuable information regarding men’s football. However, there are no similar data for women’s football.

Objective:To categorise the tackle mechanisms leading to injury in elite women’s football.

Study design:Retrospective video analysis of injury situations.

Methods:Events associated with all reported injuries during six women’s top-level tournaments were analysed on video recordings for tackle parameters.

Results:More than half of all injuries were due to tackles from the side (52%, 103/200), whereas tackles from behind were much less commonly involved in injury situations (11%, 21/200). One-footed (65%, 130/200) and upper body (21%, 42/200) tackle actions were most common. Sliding-in tackles leading to injury were the least likely to be sanctioned by match referees. Tackling players (45%, 90/200) were almost as likely to be injured as the tackled player (55%).

Conclusion:The present study found differences between injury mechanisms in women’s football and previously published data on men’s football. Further research, especially using video analysis, is needed for a better understanding of risk situations in football.
Tackle mechanisms and match characteristics in women’s elite football tournaments
Authors: Tscholl P , O’Riordan D , Fuller C W , Dvorak J , Junge A
Published: July 2007

Background:Several tools have been used for assessing risk situations and for gathering tackle information from international football matches for men but not for women.

Purpose:To analyse activities in women’s football and to identify the characteristics and risk potentials of tackles.

Study design:Retrospective video analysis.

Method:Video recordings of 24 representative matches from six women’s top-level tournaments were analysed for tackle parameters and their risk potential.

Results:3531 tackles were recorded. Tackles in which the tackling player came from the side and stayed on her feet accounted for nearly half of all challenges for the ball in which body contact occurred. 2.7% of all tackles were classified as risk situations, with sliding-in tackles from behind and the side having the highest risk potential. Match referees sanctioned sliding-in tackles more often than other tackles (20%v17%, respectively). Tackle parameters did not change in the duration of a match; however, there was an increase in the number of injury risk situations and foul plays towards the end of each half.

Conclusions:Match properties provide valuable information for a better understanding of injury situations in football. Staying on feet and jumping vertically tackle actions leading to injury were sanctioned significantly more times by the referee than those not leading to injury (p<0.001), but no such difference was seen for sliding-in tackles (previously reported to have the highest injury potential in women’s football). Therefore, either the laws of the game are not adequate or match referees in women’s football are not able to distinguish between sliding-in tackles leading to and those not leading to injury.
Mechanisms of non-contact ACL injuries
Authors: Yu Bing , Garrett William E
Published: July 2007

In soccer one of the most common knee injuries is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, which usually occurs through non-contact mechanisms. Female soccer players are at higher risk of sustaining non-contact ACL injuries than male soccer players. A good understanding of ACL loading mechanisms is the basis for a good understanding of the mechanisms of non-contact ACL injuries, which in turn is essential for identifying risk factors and developing prevention strategies. Current literature demonstrates that sagittal plane biomechanical factors, such as small knee flexion angle, great posterior ground reaction force and great quadriceps muscle force, are the major ACL loading mechanisms. A great posterior ground reaction force may be associated with a great quadriceps muscle force, which would cause great anterior draw force at the knee. A small knee flexion is associated with a large patella tendon-tibia shaft angle and ACL elevation angle, which would result in great ACL loading. Current literature also demonstrates that the ACL is not the major structure of bearing knee valgus-varus moment and internal-external rotation loadings. Knee valgus-varus moment and internal-external rotation moment alone are not likely to result in isolated ACL injuries without injuring other knee structures.
Comparison of the incidence, nature and cause of injuries sustained on grass and new generation artificial turf by male and female football players. Part 1: match injuries
Authors: Fuller Colin W , Dick Randall W , Corlette Jill , Schmalz Rosemary
Published: July 2007

Objective:To compare the incidence, nature, severity and cause of match injuries sustained on grass and new generation artificial turf by male and female footballers.

Methods:The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System was used for a two-season (August to December) prospective study of American college and university football teams (2005 season: men 52 teams, women 64 teams; 2006 season: men 54 teams, women 72 teams). Injury definitions and recording procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies of injuries in football. Athletic trainers recorded details of the playing surface and the location, diagnosis, severity and cause of all match injuries. The number of days lost from training and match play was used to define the severity of an injury. Match exposures (player hours) were recorded on a team basis.

Results:The overall incidence of match injuries for men was 25.43 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 23.92 on grass (incidence ratio 1.06; p = 0.46) and for women was 19.15 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 21.79 on grass (incidence ratio = 0.88; p = 0.16). For men, the mean severity of non-season ending injuries was 7.1 days (median 5) on artificial turf and 8.4 days (median 5) on grass and, for women, 11.2 days (median 5) on artificial turf and 8.9 days (median 5) on grass. Joint (non-bone)/ligament/cartilage and contusion injuries to the lower limbs were the most common general categories of match injury on artificial turf and grass for both male and female players. Most injuries were acute (men: artificial turf 24.60, grass 22.91; p = 0.40; women: artificial turf 18.29, grass 20.64; p = 0.21) and resulted from player-to-player contact (men: artificial turf 14.73, grass 13.34; p = 0.37; women: artificial turf 10.72; grass 11.68; p = 0.50).

Conclusions:There were no major differences in the incidence, severity, nature or cause of match injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and grass by either male or female players.
Comparison of the incidence, nature and cause of injuries sustained on grass and new generation artificial turf by male and female football players. Part 2: training injuries
Authors: Fuller Colin W , Dick Randall W , Corlette Jill , Schmalz Rosemary
Published: July 2007

Objective:To compare the incidence, nature, severity and cause of training injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and grass by male and female footballers.

Methods:The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System was used for a two-season (August to December) prospective study involving American college and university football teams (2005 season: men 52 teams, women 64 teams; 2006 season: men 54 teams, women 72 teams). Injury definitions and recording procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies of injuries in football. Athletic trainers recorded details of the playing surface and the location, diagnosis, severity and cause of all training injuries. The number of days lost from training and match play was used to define the severity of an injury. Training exposures (player hours) were recorded on a team basis.

Results:The overall incidence of training injuries for men was 3.34 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 3.01 on grass (incidence ratio 1.11; p = 0.21) and for women it was 2.60 injuries/1000 player hours on artificial turf and 2.79 on grass (incidence ratio 0.93; p = 0.46). For men, the mean severity of injuries that were not season ending injuries was 9.4 days (median 5) on artificial turf and 7.8 days (median 4) on grass and, for women, 10.5 days (median 4) on artificial turf and 10.0 days (median 5) on grass. Joint (non-bone)/ligament/cartilage and muscle/tendon injuries to the lower limbs were the most common general categories of injury on artificial turf and grass for both male and female players. Most training injuries were acute (men: artificial turf 2.92, grass 2.63, p = 0.24; women: artificial turf 1.94, grass 2.23, p = 0.21) and resulted from player-to-player contact (men: artificial turf 1.08, grass 0.85, p = 0.10; women: artificial turf 0.47, grass 0.56; p = 0.45).

Conclusions:There were no major differences between the incidence, severity, nature or cause of training injuries sustained on new generation artificial turf and on grass by either men or women.
QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT OF DOUBLE ELECTRONS IN TWO COUPLED QUANTUM DOTS
Authors: LI HAIYU
Published: July 2007

We study the system of vertically coupled two quantum dots in confined single electron. Coulomb interaction between two electrons and Rashba type spin-orbit coupling are taken into account. It is a two-Fermion system, hence the antisymmetric requirement of electronic states must be considered. Four lower antisymmetric eigenfunctions are found out. Based on the rotation wave approximation, the coherent manipulation of quantum state in an external electric pulse with some resonance harmonic frequencies are investigated. The instantaneous degree of quantum entanglement of the state in time-dependent external electronic field is calculated.
CHARACTERIZATION OF p- AND n-TYPE MnSi1.7 FILMS BY AUGER ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: HOU Q. R. , ZHAO W. , ZHANG H. Y. , CHEN Y. B. , HE Y. J.
Published: July 2007

P- and n-type higher manganese silicide ( MnSi 1.7) films are characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The relationship between Auger chemical shift and electrical property of the film has been established. Compared with pure Mn , the peak positions of Mn [MVV] Auger spectra in p- and n-type MnSi 1.7 films move to higher energy regions with +2.0 and +7.0 eV, respectively. New peaks around 50 eV in the Mn [MVV] Auger spectra, and 600, 654, and 705 eV in the Mn [LMM] Auger spectra appear in MnSi 1.7 films prepared by magnetron sputtering. These new peaks are considered to arise from iron impurities which are unintentionally introduced from the Mn–Si alloy target and during the magnetron sputtering process. The intensities of these new peaks are much stronger for the n-type MnSi 1.7 film. Compared with pure Si , the peak positions of Si [LVV] Auger spectra move to higher energy regions with +1.0 eV for both p- and n-type MnSi 1.7 films. However, the peak positions of Si [KLL] Auger spectra in p- and n-type MnSi 1.7 films move to lower energy regions with energy shifts between -1.0 and -3.0 eV.
EFFICIENT SCHEME FOR EPR STATE AND CLUSTER STATES GENERATION WITH SQUID QUBITS VIA RAMAN TRANSITION
Authors: ZHAN ZHI-MING
Published: July 2007

In this paper, a theoretical scheme is proposed to generate the EPR state of two SQUID qubits and create the multipartite cluster states of many SQUID qubits in cavity via Raman transition. We also show how to transfer quantum information from one SQUID qubit to another directly. In this scheme, the cavity field is only virtually excited and thus the cavity decay is suppressed. The quantum information processing and cluster states generation are realized by using only two lower flux states of the SQUID system and the excited state would not be excited. Therefore, the effect of decoherence caused from the levels of the SQUID system is possibly minimized.
BEATS OF THE MAGNETOCAPACITANCE OSCILLATIONS IN LATERAL SEMICONDUCTOR SUPERLATTICES
Authors: KLIROS G. S. , DIVARI P. C.
Published: July 2007

We present calculations on the magnetocapacitance of the two-dimensional electron gas in a lateral semiconductor superlattice under two-dimensional weak periodic potential modulation in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. Adopting a Gaussian broadening of magnetic-field-dependent width in the density of states, we present explicit and simple expressions for the magnetocapacitance, valid for the relevant weak magnetic fields and modulation strengths. As the modulation strength in both directions increase, beats of the magnetocapacitance oscillations are observed, in the low magnetic field range (Weiss-oscillations regime), which are absent in the one-dimensional weak modulation case.
ERRATUM: "DYNAMICAL ADDRESSING OPTICAL INTERCONNECTION BASED ON ONE-DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR PHOTONIC CRYSTAL"
Authors: CHEN MING , LI CHUNFEI , XU MAI , WANG WEIBIAO , MA SHAOJIE , XIA YUXUE , LIU DALI
Published: July 2007

An erratum is presented to correct the mistakes in the equation of a previous publication. We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.
A QUANTUM MECHANICAL — ELECTRODYNAMICAL APPROACH TO NONLINEAR PROPERTIES: APPLICATION TO OPTICAL POWER LIMITING WITH PLATINUM-ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Authors: BAEV ALEXANDER , WELINDER PONTUS , ERLANDSSON ROBERT , HENRIKSSON JOHAN , NORMAN PATRICK , ÅGREN HANS
Published: July 2007

Light propagation in a medium is sensitively dependent on the shape and intensity of the optical pulse as well as on the electronic and vibrational structure of the basic molecular units. We review in this paper the results of systematic studies of this problem for isotropic media. Our theoretical approach—the quantum mechanical–electrodynamical (QMED) approach—is based on a quantum mechanical account of the many-level electron-nuclear medium coupled to a numerical solution of the density matrix and Maxwell's equations. This allows us to accommodate a variety of nonlinear effects which accomplish the propagation of strong light pulses. Particular attention is paid to the understanding of the role of coherent and sequential excitations of electron-nuclear degrees of freedom. The QMED combination of quantum chemistry with classical pulse propagation enables us to estimate the optical transmission from cross sections of multi-photon absorption processes and from considerations of propagation effects, saturation and pulse effects. Results of the theory suggest that in the nonlinear regime, it is often necessary to simultaneously account for coherent one-step and incoherent step-wise multi-photon absorption, as well as for off-resonant excitations even when resonance conditions prevail. The dynamic theory of nonlinear propagation of a few interacting intense light pulses is highlighted here in a study of the optical power limiting with platinum-organic molecular compounds.
THERMAL, DIELECTRIC STUDIES ON PURE AND AMINO ACID (L-GLUTAMIC ACID, L-HISTIDINE, L-VALINE) DOPED POTASSIUM DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE SINGLE CRYSTALS
Authors: KUMARESAN P. , BABU S. MOORTHY , ANBARASAN P. M.
Published: July 2007

Amino acids (L-Glutamic acid, L-Histidine, L-Valine) doped potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals were grown by the solution growth technique. Slow cooling as well as slow evaporation methods were employed to grow these crystals. The concentration of dopants in the mother solution was varied from 0.1 mole % to 10 mole %. The solubility data for all dopant concentrations were determined. The variation in pH and the corresponding habit modification of the grown crystals were characterized with UV - VIS, FT-IR and SHG trace elements, and dielectric studies reveal slight distortion of lattice parameter for the heavily doped KDP crystals. TGA-DTA studies reveal good thermal stability. The dopants increase the hardness value of the material, which also depends on the concentration of the dopants. Amino acids doping improved the NLO properties. The detailed results on the spectral parameters, habit modifications and constant values will be presented.
NONLINEAR OPTICAL APPLICATIONS OF PHOTOREFRACTIVE LIQUID CRYSTAL LIGHT-VALVES
Authors: BORTOLOZZO UMBERTO , RESIDORI STEFANIA , HUIGNARD JEAN-PIERRE
Published: July 2007

We show a novel nonlinear optical medium, which is formed by coupling a liquid crystal layer to a photoconductive crystal. We show that this medium allows the control of the liquid crystal birefringence in a local and dynamical way, so that large optical nonlinearities are obtained on a large transverse section. The properties of the photorefractive liquid crystal light-valves are used to implement transverse pattern formation, two-wave mixing amplification and phase conjugation.
MEASUREMENT OF THE LIFETIME OF PHOTO-GENERATED FREE CARRIERS IN SiGe WAVEGUIDES
Authors: TRITA A. , CRISTIANI I. , DEGIORGIO V. , DÖBELI M. , CHRASTINA D. , VON KÄNEL H.
Published: July 2007

The carrier lifetime in SiGe planar waveguides with Si cladding was measured with a pump-and-probe technique, using an ultrashort 810 nm laser pulse and a CW 1.55 μm probe, as a function of layer thickness d and Ge concentration x. The measured lifetimes are in the range of 20-90 ns. The obtained interface recombination velocity S is a growing function of both d and x, taking values in the range from 300 to 4000 cm/s.
The Biology of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Lobo Neethan A. , Shimono Yohei , Qian Dalong , Clarke Michael F.
Published: July 2007

Cancers originally develop from normal cells that gain the ability to proliferate aberrantly and eventually turn malignant. These cancerous cells then grow clonally into tumors and eventually have the potential to metastasize. A central question in cancer biology is, which cells can be transformed to form tumors? Recent studies elucidated the presence of cancer stem cells that have the exclusive ability to regenerate tumors. These cancer stem cells share many characteristics with normal stem cells, including self-renewal and differentiation. With the growing evidence that cancer stem cells exist in a wide array of tumors, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the molecular mechanisms that regulate self-renewal and differentiation because corruption of genes involved in these pathways likely participates in tumor growth. This new paradigm of oncogenesis has been validated in a growing list of tumors. Studies of normal and cancer stem cells from the same tissue have shed light on the ontogeny of tumors. That signaling pathways such as Bmi1 and Wnt have similar effects in normal and cancer stem cell self-renewal suggests that common molecular pathways regulate both populations. Understanding the biology of cancer stem cells will contribute to the identification of molecular targets important for future therapies.
A Global Perspective on the Epidemiology of West Nile Virus
Authors: Kramer Laura D. , Styer Linda M. , Ebel Gregory D.
Published: July 2007

West Nile virus (WNV) (Flavivirus: Flaviviridae) is the most widespread arbovirus in the world. A significant range expansion occurred beginning in 1999 when the virus was introduced into New York City. This review highlights recent research into WNV epizootiology and epidemiology, including recent advances in understanding of the host-virus interaction at the molecular, organismal, and ecological levels. Vector control strategies, vaccines, and antivirals, which now must be considered on a global scale, are also discussed.
Restorative Justice: What Is It and Does It Work?
Authors: Menkel-Meadow Carrie
Published: July 2007

This article reviews the now extensive literature on the varied arenas in which restorative justice is theorized and practiced—criminal violations, community ruptures and disputes, civil wars, regime change, human rights violations, and international law. It also reviews—by examining empirical studies of the processes in different settings—how restorative justice has been criticized, what its limitations and achievements might be, and how it might be understood. I explore the foundational concepts of reintegrative shaming, acknowledgment and responsibility, restitution, truth and reconciliation, and sentencing or healing circles for their transformative and theoretical potentials and for their actual practices in a variety of locations—family abuse, juvenile delinquency, criminal violations, problem-solving courts, indigenous-colonial-national disputes, ethnic and religious conflicts, civil wars, and liberation struggles. Restorative justice, which began as an alternative model of criminal justice, seeking healing and reconciliation for offenders, victims, and the communities in which they are embedded, has moved into larger national and international arenas of reintegration in political and ethnic conflicts. This review suggests that there are important and serious questions about whether restorative justice should be supplemental or substitutional of more conventional legal processes and about how its innovations suggest potentially transformative and challenging ideas and “moves” for dealing with both individual and group transgressive conduct, seeking peace as well as justice.
Primordial Nucleosynthesis in the Precision Cosmology Era
Authors: Steigman Gary
Published: July 2007

Primordial nucleosynthesis probes the Universe during its early evolution. Given the progress in exploring the constituents, structure, and recent evolution of the Universe, it is timely to review the status of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) and confront its predictions, and the constraints that emerge from them, with those derived from independent observations of the Universe at much later epochs. Following an overview of the key physics that controls the synthesis of the elements in the early Universe, the predictions of BBN in the standard (and some nonstandard) models of cosmology and particle physics are presented. The observational data used to infer the primordial abundances are described, with an emphasis on the distinction between precision and accuracy. These are compared with the predictions, testing the internal consistency of BBN and enabling a comparison of the BBN-inferred constraints with those derived from the cosmic microwave background radiation and large scale structure data.
How a Cell Deals with Abnormal Proteins
Authors: Aigelsreiter A. , Janig E. , Stumptner C. , Fuchsbichler A. , Zatloukal K. , Denk H.
Published: July 2007

Defective protein folding is responsible for many diseases. Although these diseases seem to be quite diverse at the first glance, there is evidence for common pathogenetic principles. The basis of the pathological changes is the cell’s inability to prevent protein misfolding, to revert misfolded proteins to normal or to eliminate misfolded proteins by degradation. This could result in deposition of potentially cytotoxic protein aggregates (protein aggregation diseases). Chronic degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), the amyloidoses, but also chronic liver diseases, for example alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, belong to this category of disorders. This review highlights general pathogenic principles of protein aggregation diseases based on immunohistochemical and biochemical studies as well as observations in a mouse model for protein aggregation in the context of alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The cellular defense mechanisms involved in protein quality control as well as the pathogenesis of protein aggregation diseases will be discussed.
Role of Glycoproteins Isolated from Epicoccum purpurascens in Host-Pathogen Interaction
Authors: Kukreja Neetu , Arora Naveen , Singh Bhanu Pratap , Das Hasi Rani , Sridhara Susheela
Published: July 2007

Objective: Attachment to host matrix is an important provisory step for the institution of any fungal infection. The present study investigates the role of glycoproteins of Epicoccum purpurascens in host-fungal adherence. Methods:Epicoccum spore-mycelial extract was fractionated on a concanavalin A-Sepharose column. Three glycoproteins of 12, 17 and 33 kDa (Epi p 1) were electroeluted and checked for hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition. The monosaccharide content of the highly potent protein Epi p 1 was determined by high-performance anion exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection. The interaction of Epi p 1 with mannose-binding lectin (MBL) leading to the activation of the complement system was studied by immunoblot, ELISA and ELISA inhibition techniques. Immunoblot and immunoblot inhibition were carried out with culture filtrate to determine the nature of Epi p 1. Results: 33 (Epi p 1)-, 17- and 12-kDa proteins were 58, 46 and 38 times more potent than crude extract in hemagglutination activity (HA). The HA of Epi p 1 was inhibited by N-acetyl glucosamine, glucose and laminin. Epi p 1 had a high mannose content, showed MBL binding in ion-dependent manner and caused complement activation. The protein was detected in culture filtrate and thus seems to play a significant role in fungal invasion. Conclusion: Epi p 1, an allergenic glycoprotein of E. purpurascens, is involved in host-fungal interactions through MBL.
The Roaring of Southern Brown Howler Monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) as a Mechanism of Active Defence of Borders
Authors: Grassetto Rogério , da Cunha Teixeira , Jalles-Filho Euphly
Published: July 2007

Our study aimed to understand the function(s) of roars of southern brown howler monkeys(Alouatta guariba clamitans).The study group called almost exclusively on its range borders and preferentially on early mornings, but with no dawn peak. Intergroup encounters were associated with 88% of all sessions. Predation deterrence and regulation of access to mating partners do not seem compatible with our findings, but more work is needed to reject the latter hypothesis. Their roars seem to be related to intergroup spacing, but through an active defence of borders, instead of mutual avoidance or regular advertisement of occupancy, as proposed for other howler monkey species.
Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Concentration in Elderly Patients with Mental Illness Is Mainly Related to the Presence of Vascular Disease and Not the Diagnosis
Authors: Nilsson Karin , Gustafson Lars , Hultberg Björn
Published: July 2007

Background: Plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is often elevated in patients with mental illness. Since patients with mental illness and vascular disease exhibit a higher plasma tHcy concentration than patients without vascular disease, it is possible that elevated plasma tHcy in mental illness is mainly due to concomitant vascular disease. Methods: We have investigated plasma tHcy, cobalamin/folate status, renal function and the presence of vascular disease in patients with vascular dementia (VaD, n = 501), Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 300), depression (n = 259) and in healthy subjects (n = 144) stratified according to age (below and above 75 years). Results: Plasma tHcy concentration showed the highest increase in patients with VaD compared to patients with AD or depression. After the exclusion of patients with cobalamin/folate deficiencies and increased serum creatinine, patients with AD or depression above 75 years with vascular disease showed a similar elevation of plasma tHcy concentration as patients with VaD. Furthermore, patients with AD and depression without vascular disease showed a similar plasma tHcy concentration to healthy subjects. Conclusion: The findings imply that elevated plasma tHcy concentration in elderly patients with mental illness is mainly associated with the presence of vascular disease and is not related to the specific psychogeriatric diagnosis.
Subjective Memory Complaints: Presence, Severity and Future Outcome in Normal Older Subjects
Authors: Glodzik-Sobanska Lidia , Reisberg Barry , De Santi Susan , Babb James S. , Pirraglia Elizabeth , Rich Kenneth E. , Brys Miroslaw , de Leon Mony J.
Published: July 2007

Background/Aims: Subjective memory complaint (SMC) in normal individuals may predict future cognitive decline. The goal of this study was to examine whether the probability of decline increases with growing intensity of complaint. Methods: Normal subjects over the age of 50 years were included in a longitudinal retrospective study (mean follow-up time = 8 years). All subjects (n = 230) underwent cognitive and medical examination at baseline. The presence of SMC was determined based on Global Deterioration Scale staging. A subgroup of 83 participants also received baseline assessment for the intensity of SMC. Logistic regression was used to predict outcome from baseline variables. Three outcome groups were established at the final visit: nondeclining, declining and diagnostically unstable (i.e. the diagnosis changed over time: from normal to mild cognitive impairment, then back to normal). Results: The presence of SMC was a predictor of future decline but also increased the likelihood of the unstable diagnosis. Increasing intensity of SMC did not further raise the risk for decline. High intensity of complaints and more pronounced affective symptoms predicted the unstable clinical diagnosis. Conclusions: The presence of SMC contributes to the risk of future decline, however, the increasing intensity of the perceived impairment does not further enhance the risk.
Hematological Manifestations of Primary Mitochondrial Disorders
Authors: Finsterer Josef
Published: July 2007

At onset mitochondrial disorders (MID) frequently manifest as a mono-organic problem but turn into multisystem disease during the disease course in most of the cases. Organs/tissues most frequently affected in MID are the cerebrum, peripheral nerves, and the skeletal muscle. Additionally, most of the inner organs may be affected alone or in combination. Hematological manifestations of MID include aplastic, megaloblastic, or sideroblastic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or pancytopenia. In single cases either permanent or recurrent eosinophilia has been observed. Hematological abnormalities may occur together with syndromic or nonsyndromic MIDs. Syndromic MIDs, in which hematological manifestations predominate, are the Pearson syndrome (pancytopenia), Kearns-Sayre syndrome (anemia), Barth syndrome (neutropenia), and the autosomal recessive mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis and sideroblastic anemia syndrome. In single cases with Leigh’s syndrome, MERRF (myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fiber) syndrome, Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, and Friedreich’s ataxia anemia has been described. Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, or pancytopenia can frequently also be found in nonsyndromic MIDs with or without involvement of other tissues. Therapy of blood cell involvement in MID comprises application of antioxidants, vitamins, iron, bone marrow-stimulating factors, or substitution of cells.
Cognitive Performance after Lacunar Stroke Correlates with Leukoaraiosis Severity
Authors: McMurtray Aaron M. , Liao Alex , Haider Janelle , Licht Eliot , Mendez Mario F.
Published: July 2007

Background: This study investigates the effect of leukoaraiosis on patients presenting with cognitive impairment after lacunar stroke. Methods: Fourty-six patients with cognitive impairment and newly discovered lacunar stroke detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging underwent neuropsychological testing. Results: Patients with both lacunar infarct and leukoaraiosis performed less well on cognitive measures, compared to those with lacunar infarcts alone. Additionally, leukoaraiosis severity inversely correlated with cognitive performance. Conclusions: In patients with lacunar stroke, presence of leukoaraiosis is associated with worse performance in multiple cognitive domains. These findings suggest lacunar infarcts plus leukoaraiosis is a common etiology for vascular dementia.
Arterial Events after Ischemic Stroke at a Young Age: A Cross-Sectional Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients and Controls in Western Norway
Authors: Waje-Andreassen Ulrike , Naess Halvor , Thomassen Lars , Eide Geir Egil , Vedeler Christian A.
Published: July 2007

Background: There is little information in the literature on the risk of vascular events among patients after ischemic stroke at a young age. Methods: We examined 144 (77%) of 187 long-term survivors of ischemic stroke and compared them with 167 controls. Mean age of the 187 survivors at inclusion was 41.0 years and mean age of the participating patients was 40.8 years. Results: After a mean duration of observation of 11.8 years, we registered arterial events among 54 patients and 14 controls. Ninety patients with index stroke only had no significant risk factors compared with controls without arterial events. Compared with 54 patients with several arterial events, age, incidence of diabetes mellitus, smoking and family history of coronary disease were significantly lower. Conclusions: The results from index-stroke-only patients suggest that a subgroup of patients has a benign course, probably without chronic vascular disease.
Leukocyte Count and Vascular Risk in Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Authors: Ovbiagele Bruce , Lynn Michael J. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Chimowitz Marc I.
Published: July 2007

Background: Few data exist about the prognostic value of serum white blood cell (WBC) count among patients with symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. We investigated the relationship between WBC count and vascular risk in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease enrolled in the Warfarin-Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease(WASID) study. Methods: The relationships between baseline serum WBC count (categorized into quartiles) and both ischemic stroke alone and the combined endpoint of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction or vascular death were evaluated using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Compared with the quartile with the lowest WBC counts at baseline (≤5.9 × 109/l), WASID subjects in both upper WBC quartiles (7.3–8.8; ≧8.9 × 109/l) were more likely to be younger (p = 0.022), diabetic (p = 0.013), on statin treatment (p = 0.015), or have higher mean body mass index (p = 0.015) and triglyceride (p = 0.0065) values. The rate of the primary endpoint was greater among WASID subjects in the upper two WBC quartiles compared with the lower two quartiles (28 vs. 16%, hazard ratio = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2–2.5, p = 0.003). After adjusting for baseline factors found to be significantly related to the time of primary endpoint in multivariate analysis, both upper WBC quartiles (vs. lowest quartile) were independently associated with a greater risk for the primary endpoint (hazard ratio of 1.5; 95% CI = 1.06–2.2, p = 0.024). Conclusions: An elevated WBC count at study entry was associated with an increased risk of stroke and vascular death in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease enrolled in the WASID trial.
ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Blockage Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Renal Damage
Authors: Flávio Andréa G.C. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Francescato Heloísa D. Colletta , Soares Telma J. , Costa Roberto S. , Barbosa Júnior Fernando , Coimbra Terezila M.
Published: July 2007

Background: Cisplatin-induced renal damage was associated with an inflammatory process. ATP-sensitive potassium channels can be involved in neutrophil migration. This study evaluated the effects of glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker, on cisplatin-induced renal damage. Methods: A total of 48 Wistar rats received glibenclamide (20 mg/kg/day, s.c.) and 24 h later, these animals, and an additional group of 45 rats, were injected with cisplatin (5 mg/kg, i.p.). In addition, 38 control rats were injected with saline, i.p. Twenty-four hours and 5 days after saline or cisplatin injections blood and urine samples were collected to evaluate renal function and the kidneys were removed for analysis of neutrophil accumulation, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β and histological and immunohistochemical studies. Results: Cisplatin injection induced neutrophil recruitment and increased tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β contents in renal cortices and outer medullae tissues. Cisplatin-treated rats also presented reduction in the glomerular filtration rate, as well as greater immunostaining for ED1 (macrophages/monocytes) and acute tubular necrosis. All of these alterations were reduced by treatment with glibenclamide. These effects seem to be related, at least in part, to the restriction of neutrophil recruitment and inflammatory process observed in the kidneys from glibenclamide+cisplatin-treated rats.
Usual ACE Inhibitor Therapy in CKD Patients Is Associated with Lower Plasma Aldosterone Levels than Usual Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Therapy
Authors: Haddad Nabil , Rajan James , Nagaraja Haikady N. , Agarwal Anil K. , Hebert Lee A.
Published: July 2007

Background: Attenuating aldosterone (ALDO) effects may be important in slowing kidney and cardiovascular disease progression. This study tested whether ACE inhibitor (I) therapy achieves lower plasma (p) ALDO levels than angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy when they are used under usual clinical conditions in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods: Consecutive CKD patients (n = 123) were studied. They were clinically stable and receiving either ACEI (n = 77) or ARB (n = 46) (physician’s choice) for ≧3 months. Results: Mean pALDO in the ACEI cohort was 7.8 ± 5.7 (SD) ng/dl compared to 12.3 ± 9.8 ng/dl in the ARB cohort (p = 0.0018, normal ambulatory pALDO 9.4–33.8 ng/dl). The pALDO difference was not explained by differences in age, sex, race, body weight, diagnosis of diabetes; the use of β-blockers, calcium channel blockers or diuretic; systolic or diastolic blood pressure; plasma renin, serum creatinine, sodium, potassium, or bicarbonate levels; 24-hour urine potassium, sodium, urea or protein excretion; or ACEI or ARB dose. Conclusions: Mean pALDO is about 60% higher with ARB therapy than ACEI therapy when these drugs are customarily used in CKD patients. This difference could be clinically important with regard to kidney and cardiovascular protection.