bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China's High Schoolers: Pro‐American Consumers or Nationalists?
Authors: KING AVENTURINA
Published: July 2008

Will China's authoritarian leaders succeed in building a future by erasing the past? Can the ideology of “nationalist consumerism” obliterate memory altogether? Will the Olympic applause drown out the weak and exiled witnesses of the Tiananmen crackdown?

In this section we listen to a key Tiananmen student leader two decades on as well as check in with today's young elites in Beijing. A political leader from the reformist regime in 1989 calls for justice from house arrest and a young Chinese novelist wonders what kind of identity is possible without memory.
Intracardiac Echocardiography in Patients with Pacing and Defibrillating Leads: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Bongiorni Maria Grazia , Di Cori Andrea , Soldati Ezio , Zucchelli Giulio , Arena Giuseppe , Segreti Luca , De Lucia Raffaele , Marzilli Mario
Published: July 2008

Background: Lead extraction, an important and necessary component of treatment for many common device and lead‐related complications, is a procedure that can provoke much anxiety in even the most experienced operators given the potentially serious complications. The principal impediment to lead extraction is the body's response to an intravascular foreign body with matrix intravascular neoformation, which causes the lead to adhere to the endocardium or vascular structure, increasing the risk of vascular or myocardial damage with lead removal. Fluoroscopic visualization, the commonly visualization used tool, has several limits in terms of anatomical structures visualization. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in patients undergoing pacing and defibrillating leads before and during a transvenous device removal, and its potential role in detecting intracardiac leads and areas of fibrous adherence. Methods: ICE interrogation was performed in 25 consecutive patients with pacing and defibrillating implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) leads before and during device removal. Results: A programmed ICE analysis was completed in 23 out of 25 patients with excellent resolution, providing a “qualitative‐quantitative” information on anatomical structures, cardiac leads, and related areas of fibrous adherence. No ICE‐related complications occurred. Conclusions: ICE evaluation is safe and feasible in patients with pacing and defibrillating leads before and during transvenous lead removal, offering an excellent visualization of cardiac leads and related areas of adherence. ICE can assist pacing and ICD lead removal and could improve procedure efficacy and safety.
Continuing Medical Education Program in Echocardiography
Authors: Fan Pohoey , Kerut Edmund Kenneth
Published: July 2008

Article Title: Anatomy of the Left Atrial Appendage.
Enhancing the Quality of Aged Latent Fingerprints Developed by Superglue Fuming: Loss and Replenishment of Initiator
Authors: Wargacki Stephen P. , Lewis Linda A. , Dadmun Mark D.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  The recovery and identification of latent fingerprints from a crime scene are crucial to many investigations. The cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming method (CFM), which develops fingerprints by growing a polymer coating over the print residue, is a powerful method but encounters severe limitations when prints are aged or exposed to harsh environmental conditions. We examine the aging process and how the changes that occur to a fingerprint residue over time influence the growth of polymer during development. We identify loss of initiator by erosion and degradation that, when coupled with a loss of water from the print residue, result in a decreased ability to polymerize ethylcyanoacrylate. Then, we present a methodology by which the ability of aged latent fingerprints to polymerize ethylcyanoacrylate is recovered. Two print enhancement agents, acetic acid and ammonia, are demonstrated to improve the growth of polymer from the print ridges by over an order of magnitude, while retaining the integrity of the print structure. Comparison between the two enhancement agents indicate that the enhancement occurs due to ridge coating by the ammonia or acetic acid and pH control of the latent print.
Meta‐analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies of the corpus callosum in bipolar disorder
Authors: Arnone D. , McIntosh A. M. , Chandra P. , Ebmeier K. P.
Published: July 2008

Objective:  The corpus callosum (CC) plays a pivotal role in inter‐hemispheric transfer and integration of information and is a relatively understudied structure in bipolar disorder (BD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have reported callosal abnormalities in this condition but findings have been inconsistent. Structural changes affecting the CC may underlie functional abnormalities in BD and could contribute to, or explain the pathophysiology of, the condition.

Method:  A systematic review was carried out to identify, appraise and summarize MRI studies which compared callosal areas in BD with an unrelated control group. The findings were then synthesized using random effects meta‐analysis. Consideration was given to a number of variables to explain heterogeneity.

Results:  Five case–control studies were identified. Bipolar patients showed reduced callosal areas in comparison with healthy volunteers with no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias.

Conclusion:  Findings from this study indicate that callosal areas are reduced in BD and suggest that a failure to integrate information across the hemispheres may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disorder. Further research is necessary to clarify the underlying cellular changes leading to these morphometric differences.
Association of psoriasis to PGLYRP and SPRR genes at PSORS4 locus on 1q shows heterogeneity between Finnish, Swedish and Irish families
Authors: Kainu Kati , Kivinen Katja , Zucchelli Marco , Suomela Sari , Kere Juha , Inerot Annica , Baker Barbara S. , Powles Anne V. , Fry Lionel , Samuelsson Lena , Saarialho‐Kere Ulpu
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  A susceptibility locus for psoriasis, PSORS4, has been mapped to chromosome 1q21 in the region of the epidermal differentiation complex. The region has been refined to a 115 kb interval around the loricrin (LOR) gene. However, no evidence of association between polymorphisms in the LOR gene and psoriasis has been found. Therefore, we have analysed association to three candidate gene clusters of the region, the S100, small proline‐rich protein (SPRR) and PGLYRP (peptidoglycan recognition protein) genes, which all contain functionally interesting psoriasis candidate genes. In previous studies, the SPRR and S100 genes have shown altered expression in psoriasis. Also polymorphisms in the PGLYRP genes have shown to be associated with psoriasis. We genotyped altogether 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 255 Finnish psoriasis families and analysed association with psoriasis using transmission disequilibrium test. A five‐SNP haplotype of PGLYRP SNPs associated significantly with psoriasis. There was also suggestive evidence of association to SPRR gene locus in Finnish families. To confirm the putative associations, selected SNPs were genotyped also in a family collection of Swedish and Irish patients. The families supported association to the two gene regions, but there was also evidence of allelic heterogeneity.
Molecular elements of the regulatory control of keratin filament modulator AHF/trichohyalin in the hair follicle
Authors: Yamamoto Sachiya , Hirai Kyoko , Hasegawa‐Oka Yumiko , Hirai Yohei
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  Hairs in mammals undergo well‐programmed cyclic development, which is strictly controlled by the surrounding hair follicle cells. Among hair follicle epithelia the inner root sheath (IRS) directly envelops the hair shaft to mechanically support its cyclic growth, but the molecular mechanism underlying its sharp regulation remains obscure. Here, we identify regulatory elements for the expression of the IRS‐specific protein AHF (Anagenic Hair Follicle antigen), the putative mouse orthologue of trichohyalin (THH), which plays a key role in the assembly of keratin intermediate filaments (IFs) during the hair cycle. AHF becomes abundantly present in the growing anagenic hair follicle and is suddenly diminished as the tissue enters into the subsequent resting stages under the control of ubiquitin‐dependent proteolysis. Using primary human keratinocytes, we found that bone morphogenic protein‐4 facilitates THH transcription, and intriguingly, a nuclear lamina component plays a key role in the posttranslational stabilization of THH protein. Silencing of the lamin A/C gene leads to rapi THH degradation, whereas exogenously introduced lamin C, but not lamin A, protects THH from proteolytic elimination. These results shed light on the strict molecular mechanisms which control stage‐ and compartment‐specific IF assemblies in support of the cyclic development of the hair shaft.
Mast cells determine the magnitude of bacterial toxin‐induced skin inflammation
Authors: Metz Martin , Magerl Markus , Kühl Nele F. , Valeva Angela , Bhakdi Sucharit , Maurer Marcus
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  Mast cells are known to be important effector cells in innate immune responses to bacterial infections. However, up to now, neither the mechanisms nor the relevance of mast cell degranulation in innate skin immune responses to bacteria have been adequately addressed. In this article, we show that the bacterial toxins streptolysin O (SLO) and α‐toxin potently induce degranulation of mast cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, intradermal injection of the toxins results in pronounced skin inflammation, which either resolves quickly within a few h (SLO‐induced inflammation) or presents a chronic process with ongoing inflammation for weeks (α‐toxin). Interestingly, mast cells mediated the inflammatory effects of SLO, but in contrast limited inflammatory skin responses to α‐toxin. These findings further support the hypothesis that mast cells are critically involved in initiating and modulating optimal host responses to bacteria by either inflammatory or anti‐inflammatory effects, depending on the course of the host reaction induced by the pathogen.
Microsatellite variation reveals fine‐scale genetic structure of masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, within the Atsuta River
Authors: Kitanishi S. , Yamamoto T. , Higashi S.
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  To describe in detail the population genetic structure of masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou, seven anadromous populations in the Atsuta River were investigated by analysis of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. Exact test and genetic differentiation (FST) revealed that significant differentiation was observed at the within‐river scale. Principal components analysis revealed that the spatial pattern of genetic composition was related to geographical location of each population. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between genetic differentiation and geographical distance, indicating that dispersal is less likely to occur between distant populations. The results of this study imply that masu salmon have potential to show clear genetic structure at the microgeographical scale (21 km) due to precise homing behaviour.
The melatonin metabolite N1‐acetyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine is a potent singlet oxygen scavenger
Authors: Schaefer Meike , Hardeland Rüdiger
Published: July 2008

Abstract:  Singlet oxygen was generated by means of rose bengal under irradiation by visible light. N1‐acetyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine (AMK) was rapidly destroyed by this reactive oxygen species, whereas its formylated precursor, N1‐acetyl‐N2‐formyl‐5‐methoxykynuramine (AFMK), was remarkably inert. At photon fluence rates of 1400 μmol photons/m2s, and using 20 μm rose bengal, most of initially 0.2 mm AMK was destroyed within 2 min, whereas AFMK remained practically unchanged for much longer periods of time. Competition experiments with other scavengers revealed the following order of reactivity towards singlet oxygen: diazabicyclo‐[2,2,2]‐octane (DABCO) << imidazole < 4‐ethylphenol < Nα‐acetylhistidine < histidine < melatonin < AMK, the last one being about 150 times more effective than DABCO. Contrary to the oxidation in free radical‐generating systems, AMK did not form adducts with the tyrosine side chain fragment, 4‐ethylphenol, under the influence of singlet oxygen. In UV‐exposed cells (keratinocytes, plant cells) it is likely to be more rapidly destroyed by singlet oxygen than formed from AFMK.
Tooth fragments lodged in the lower lip after traumatic dental injury: a case report
Authors: Munerato Maria Cristina , Da Cunha Fernanda Silveira , Tolotti Adriana , Paiva Ricardo Losekann
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  Dental fractures are common trauma complications in the oral cavity. The efficient diagnosis and treatment of dental injury are important elements in clinical dentistry. This article describes a case study of trauma in central maxillary incisors with tooth fragments lodged in the lower lip. Radiographs of the soft structures proved themselves as an important tool in the detection and identification of occult tooth fragments, and play an important role in the establishment of the treatment to be adopted. Also, case follow‐up is of fundamental significance in the preservation and maintenance of compromised structures.
Idiopathic root resorption of the entire permanent dentition: systematic review and report of a case
Authors: Soğur Elif , Soğur Hakkı Dinçer , Baksı (Akdeniz) B. Güniz , Şen Bilge Hakan
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  A rare case of idiopathic root resorption affecting the entire dentition was described. Root resorptions of all of the maxillary and mandibular teeth were coincidentally diagnosed on patient’s radiographic examination. The patient’s medical and dental findings were non‐contributory, other than the increased mobility of upper incisors. No significant familial findings could be identified. Detailed radiographic examination revealed resorption affecting the apical part of the roots, resulting in vertical shortening of the teeth. The character of the resorption was as if a tapering occurred throughout the lateral root surfaces. Involved teeth were endodontically treated and the patient was subsequently followed‐up for 18 months. Following endodontic therapy, all periapical lesions demonstrated clinical and radiographic evidence of healing. Endodontic therapy resulted in a high degree of success to stop resorption process and maintain the dentition.
Orofacial damage resulting from road accidents
Authors: Caldas Inês Morais , Magalhães Teresa , Afonso Américo , Matos Eduarda
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  The objective of this paper was to study the epidemiological characteristics of orofacial damage resulting from road accidents among victims assessed in the Oporto delegation of the Legal Medicine Institute, in Portugal. It was also our goal to analyze in which way orofacial sequelae was reflected in the victims’ complete social reintegration.
Wearability and physiological effects of custom‐fitted vs self‐adapted mouthguards
Authors: Duarte‐Pereira Dario Miguel Vieira , Del Rey‐Santamaria Marta , Javierre‐Garcés Casimiro , Barbany‐Cairó Joan , Paredes‐Garcia Jordi , Valmaseda‐Castellón Eduard , Berini‐Aytés Leonardo , Gay‐Escoda Cosme
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the comfort, wearability, physiological effects and its influence on athletes’ physical performance, of custom‐fitted compared with self‐adapted mouthguards (MGs). Methods: Eleven rugby players were put under specific efforts similar to those of the competition. Each player made three consecutive tests randomly wearing a commercially available ‘boil‐and‐bite’ self‐adapted mouthguard (MG2), a custom‐fitted mouthguard (MG3), and no mouthguard (reference). Forced expiratory air volume at 1 s (FEV1), expiratory flow rates peak (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), rebound (RB) jump 15 s, and counter‐movement jump (CMJ) were measured on each player before and after the training exercise tests. Subjective evaluations by means of a visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire took place. Comforts, adaptability, stability, tiredness, thirst, oral dryness, nausea, ability to talk, breathe, and drink were evaluated. Results: The wearing of the self‐adapted MG showed significant improvement in PEF (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significance differences regarding the others spirometer parameters. In CMJ, there were no differences between both the MGs. On RB power was similar with both MGs and control. However, RB height reduced significantly wearing MGs. MG3 showed superior properties in comfort, adaptability, stability, and ability to talk and to breathe. Conclusions: MG3 showed the smallest range of changes in players’ performance, suggesting improved fit, comfort, and acceptation compared with MG2. Furthermore, its greatest advantage is the individualized design according to the proper anatomy of the oral cavity. Greater efforts must be made to improve the comfort of MGs if their use is to be increased.
Characterization of root surface periodontal ligament following avulsion, severe intrusion or extraction: preliminary observations
Authors: Haas Manor , Kenny David J. , Casas Michael J. , Barrett Edward J.
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  This study employed novel topographic and histological techniques to assess remaining periodontal ligament (PDL) in a convenience sample of avulsed and intruded human permanent incisors and extracted premolars. Seventeen human teeth (eight avulsed, five severely intruded and four uninjured extracted) were evaluated for the distribution and physical characteristics of adherent root surface PDL. The topographic distribution of PDL was assessed by staining roots with malachite green and determining the proportion of remaining PDL within selected regions on four aspects of each tooth. In order to characterize mechanical damage to PDL, serial transverse sections of roots were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined at magnifications of 40× to 800×. The sections were photographed and imaging software was used to calculate the percentage of remaining PDL in the circumference of each root section. Topographic analysis demonstrated that 54% of the PDL remained on roots of avulsed and severely intruded incisors and 36% of the PDL remained on the extracted single‐rooted premolars. Examination of serial transverse root sections revealed that 58% of the PDL remained on roots of avulsed or severely intruded incisors and 54% on extracted premolars. Avulsed and severely intruded incisors demonstrated similar amounts of retained PDL. In both injuries, almost half of the root surface was denuded of PDL.
Avulsion of permanent lower central incisors: esthetic‐functional solution
Authors: Bonanato Karina , Ramos‐Jorge Maria Letícia , Marques Leandro Silva , Novaes‐Júnior João Batista , Paiva Saul Martins
Published: July 2008

Abstract –  This short communication reports a clinical case of a 11‐year‐old girl, who underwent an avulsion of the lower left lateral incisor and who sought delayed treatment. The treatment was a combined technique with polyethylene fibers and composite resins to create a fixed partial denture, which is a low‐cost solution and presents a good esthetic‐functional result. The technique is described and the success of its use in appropriately recommended cases is confirmed.
Subsidizing “Stayers”? Effects of a Norwegian Child Care Reform on Marital Stability
Authors: Hardoy Inés , Schøne Pål
Published: July 2008

Since January 1999, all parents in Norway with children aged 1 to 3 years who do not attend publicly subsidized day care are eligible for “cash‐for‐care” (CFC). One important purpose of the reform is to enable parents to spend more time with their children. We analyze whether the CFC reform has affected marital stability, using individual register data covering information on 130,265 observations of married couples. The results from both a natural experiment approach and from a matching procedure indicate that the CFC reform has reduced the likelihood of marital dissolution in the short run.
Parenting Practices of Resident Fathers: The Role of Marital and Biological Ties
Authors: Berger Lawrence M. , Carlson Marcia J. , Bzostek Sharon H. , Osborne Cynthia
Published: July 2008

This paper uses data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N= 2,098) to examine differences in the parenting practices of four types of resident fathers, defined by their biological relationship to a focal child and their marital status with regard to the focal child’s mother. Regression results suggest that biological fathers and social fathers (i.e., stepfathers or mothers’ cohabiting partners) differ significantly, and in some unexpected ways, on most measures of parenting. A considerable portion of these differences, however, can be explained by variation in the background characteristics of the individuals and families in each group. Additionally, difference‐in‐difference analyses reveal a stronger link between marriage and higher quality parenting practices among social fathers than among biological fathers.
Paternal Work Characteristics and Father‐Infant Interactions in Low‐Income, Rural Families
Authors: Benjamin Goodman W. , Crouter Ann C. , Lanza Stephanie T. , Cox Martha J.
Published: July 2008

To examine the implications of paternal occupational conditions for the quality of father‐infant interactions, home visits, including interviews and videotaped observations of father‐infant interactions, were conducted with 446 fathers living in six low‐income, nonmetropolitan counties in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. When a variety of individual and demographic characteristics were controlled for, a less supportive work environment was associated with lower levels of fathers’ engaged and sensitive parenting. Significant interactions pointed to the importance of understanding combinations of risk factors. Experiencing high levels of workplace stressors, including low levels of self‐direction and high levels of care work, in the presence of other individual or demographic risk factors was associated with lower levels of father parenting quality.
Marital Conflict and Children’s Emotional Security in the Context of Parental Depression
Authors: Kouros Chrystyna D. , Merrilees Christine E. , Cummings E. Mark
Published: July 2008

Evidence has emerged for emotional security as an explanatory variable linking marital conflict to children’s adjustment. Further evidence suggests parental psychopathology is a key factor in child development. To advance understanding of the pathways by which these family risk factors impact children’s development, the mediational role of emotional security for children with parents who have potentially clinical levels of depression compared to children whose parents have lower levels of symptomatology was examined (i.e., moderated mediation). Participants included 297 families assessed annually for 3 years. Paternal depression moderated pathways, such that marital conflict was associated with greater child emotional insecurity 2 years later in the context of paternal depression. Testing alternative pathways, emotional insecurity mediated relations between maternal depression and externalizing problems.
Effects of Degradation and Replacement of Southern Brazilian Coastal Sandy Vegetation on the Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Vieira Letícia , Louzada Júlio N. C. , Spector Sacha
Published: July 2008

In this paper we address the effects of anthropogenic disturbance and replacement of Brazilian Coastal sandy vegetation (restingas) on dung beetles communities. We sampled dung beetles in the four main vegetative physiognomies of Guriri Island, Espírito Santo State: forest restinga, restinga Clusia, disturbed restinga (from burning events), and pastures. We placed four sets of two pitfall traps (baited with horse and human dung) in four independent areas of each vegetation type, and collected 14,534 individuals of 13 dung beetle species. Neither log10 of individuals nor log10 of species richness were good predictors of restinga disturbance. However, a significant amount of variation in dung beetle abundance and richness could be explained by bait type. Ordination of these sites using hybrid multidimensional scaling revealed a gradient of habitat disturbance from undisturbed restinga samples to pasture. Dung beetle communities along this gradient demonstrated a complete turnover in species composition, from restinga‐specialists to invasive and generalists species respectively. This complete turnover signals the local extirpation of forest‐adapted species in disturbed and converted areas. Only a single dung beetle species in preserved restingas is protected by Brazilian law (Dichotomius schiffleri). Given the extent of the clearing of restinga habitat, the conservation status of dung beetles associated with restinga forest gives cause for concern.
Urban water demand management: prospects and challenges for the developing countries
Authors: Sharma Saroj K. , Vairavamoorthy Kala
Published: July 2008

As the traditional supply‐driven urban water management is not sustainable, water utilities should embrace water demand management (WDM) measures to meet increasing water demand. Developed countries are using different technological and management measures to reduce urban water demand as a part of their integrated urban water management strategy. However, all these measures might not be directly applicable for the developing countries. Furthermore, the developing countries might not have access to the technologies and skilled manpower as well as institutional set‐up to apply these measures properly. In this context, this paper reviews the different tools, techniques and measures of urban water demand management (UWDM) applied in the developed countries and critically analyses the prerequisites, prospects and constraints likely to be faced in developing countries in adopting these techniques and measures. Furthermore, it outlines a set of activities that will best help the developing countries in attaining the full benefit of UWDM.
The changing face of homozygous sickle cell disease: 102 patients over 60 years
Authors: SERJEANT G. R. , SERJEANT B. E. , MASON K. P. , HAMBLETON I. R. , FISHER C. , HIGGS D. R.
Published: July 2008

Earlier reports on homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease have been biased by severely affected cases. The Jamaican clinic which seeks to avoid such bias has 102 patients surviving beyond 60 years. The objective of this study was to examine the features of elderly cases and assess factors determining survival and the behaviour of this disease with advancing age. A retrospective review of all cases and prospective assessment in survivors was conducted at The Sickle Cell Clinic at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica previously operated by the MRC Laboratories. All patients with SS disease born prior to December 31, 1943 who would, by January 2004, have passed their 60th birthday were traced and their current status ascertained. The molecular and clinical features were assessed and observations on the clinical behaviour of the disease and of haematology and biochemistry are presented. Of the 102 patients, 58 had died, four had emigrated and 40 were alive, resident in Jamaica and aged 60–87 years. Survival was associated with female gender and higher foetal haemoglobin but not with alpha‐thalassaemia or beta‐globin haplotype. A tendency to familial clustering among elderly survivors did not reach statistical significance. Painful crises ameliorated with age and there was a benign course in pregnancy. Mean haemoglobin levels fell with age and were generally associated with rising creatinine levels indicating the importance of renal failure. Elderly survivors present some features of intrinsic mildness but also manifest age‐related amelioration of painful crises and falling haemoglobin levels from progressive renal damage.
Large anaplastic spinal B‐cell lymphoma in a cat
Authors: Flatland Bente , Fry Michael M. , Newman Shelley J. , Moore Peter F. , Smith Joanne R. , Thomas William B. , Casimir Roslyn H.
Published: July 2008

Abstract:A 5‐year‐old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of tetraparesis. The neurologic lesion was localized to the cervical spinal segment (C1–C6). A left axillary mass was identified, and the results of fine needle aspiration cytology indicated malignant round cell neoplasia of possible histiocytic origin. The cells were large, had marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis, occasional bi‐ and multinucleation, and cytoplasmic vacuolation. Euthanasia was performed due to the poor prognosis associated with severe, progressive neurologic signs and a malignant neoplasm. Postmortem examination revealed spinal cord compression and an extradural mass at the C1–C2 spinal segment, with neoplastic cells in the adjacent vertebral bodies, surrounding skeletal muscle, left axillary lymph node, and bone marrow from the right femur. The initial histologic diagnosis was anaplastic sarcoma, but immunohistochemical results indicated the cells were CD20+ and CD45R+ and CD3−, compatible with a diagnosis of B‐cell lymphoma. CD79a staining was nonspecific and uninterpretable. Weak to moderate CD18 positivity and E‐cadherin positivity were also observed. Clonality of the B‐cell population could not be demonstrated using PCR testing for antigen receptor gene rearrangement. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a feline spinal anaplastic B‐cell lymphoma exhibiting bi‐ and multinucleated cells. The prognostic significance of this cell morphology and immunophenotype is unknown.
Free Vibration Analysis of Arbitrarily Shaped Plates With Smoothly Varying Free Edges Using NDIF Method
Authors: Kang S. W. , Kim I. S. , Lee J. M.
Published: July 2008

The so-called non-dimensional influence function method that was developed by the authors is extended to free vibration analysis of arbitrarily shaped plates with the free boundary condition. A method proposed in this paper can be applied to plates with only smoothly varying boundary shapes. In the proposed method, a local polar coordinate system has been employed at each boundary node to effectively consider the free boundary condition, which is much more complex than the simply supported or clamped boundary condition. The local coordinates system devised allowed us to successfully deal with the radius of curvature involved in the free boundary condition, and, as a result, the accuracy of the proposed method has been reinforced. Finally, verification examples showed that the natural frequency and mode shapes obtained by the proposed method agree excellently with those given by other analytical or numerical methods.
Analysis of the van der Pol System With Coulomb Friction Using the Method of Multiple Scales
Authors: Yabuno Hiroshi , Kunitho Yota , Kashimura Takuma
Published: July 2008

The effect of Coulomb friction on the nonlinear dynamics of a van der Pol oscillator is presented. A map from the magnitude of a peak to that of the succeeding valley in the time history is analytically described by considering both the exponential growth due to negative viscous damping and the switching condition due to Coulomb friction, which is a function of the sign of the velocity of the system. The steady states and their stability are clarified and the difference from those in the case without Coulomb friction is revealed. The addition of Coulomb friction makes the trivial equilibrium, which is an unstable focus in the system without friction, into a locally asymptotically stable equilibrium set. The branch of stable nontrivial steady states is not bifurcated from the trivial steady state by the effect of Coulomb friction and is different from the branch in the case without Coulomb friction, which is bifurcated from the trivial steady state through Hopf bifurcation. Furthermore, experiments are conducted and the theoretically predicted dynamics due to Coulomb friction is confirmed.
A Distributed Parameter Electromechanical Model for Cantilevered Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters
Authors: Erturk A. , Inman D. J.
Published: July 2008

Cantilevered beams with piezoceramic layers have been frequently used as piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters in the past five years. The literature includes several single degree-of-freedom models, a few approximate distributed parameter models and even some incorrect approaches for predicting the electromechanical behavior of these harvesters. In this paper, we present the exact analytical solution of a cantilevered piezoelectric energy harvester with Euler–Bernoulli beam assumptions. The excitation of the harvester is assumed to be due to its base motion in the form of translation in the transverse direction with small rotation, and it is not restricted to be harmonic in time. The resulting expressions for the coupled mechanical response and the electrical outputs are then reduced for the particular case of harmonic behavior in time and closed-form exact expressions are obtained. Simple expressions for the coupled mechanical response, voltage, current, and power outputs are also presented for excitations around the modal frequencies. Finally, the model proposed is used in a parametric case study for a unimorph harvester, and important characteristics of the coupled distributed parameter system, such as short circuit and open circuit behaviors, are investigated in detail. Modal electromechanical coupling and dependence of the electrical outputs on the locations of the electrodes are also discussed with examples.
Movement Optimization of a Redundant Serial Robot for High-Quality Pipe Cutting
Authors: Borboni Alberto , Bussola Roberto , Faglia Rodolfo , Magnani Pier Luigi , Menegolo Andrea
Published: July 2008

The subject of this research concerns an innovative serial robot developed to introduce the laser ray technology in the on-line pipes cutting in a continuous process of production. The presence of different cutting constraints and the necessity of avoiding any robot collisions suggested the insertion of a redundant degree of freedom allowing infinite inverse kinematics solutions for the motion planning as well as for the movement optimization. The inverse kinematics requires to evaluate the pseudo-inverse matrix of the kinematical system in several trajectory points while the optimization is performed with an opportune weighting variable assigned for each joint degree of freedom. The supervision of the machine dynamic behavior is obtained through the change of these weights during the motion. As a consequence, a suitable multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) has been adopted to reduce vibration effects and to improve the quality of the robot motion with optimal motion profiles. In comparison with the traditional cutting techniques, the proposed one allows, as a result of the optimal motion of the robot, an increased quality improvement and a reduced cutting cycle time. Premised a brief description of the technological context, this paper presents the kinematical analysis of the machine and its optimization with the implemented MOGA. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on a working laser pipe cutting machine and exhibits a behavior really similar to the forecasted one.
Improving Machine Drive Dynamics: A Structured Design Approach Toward Balancing
Authors: Demeulenaere B. , Berkof R. S.
Published: July 2008

Linkage and cam-follower mechanism design are often based on the simplifying assumption of constant drive speed. Usually, however, the mutual interaction between the mechanism and its actuator gives rise to a fluctuating drive speed, possibly resulting in a variety of dynamic problems. This paper provides machine designers and researchers with a structured design approach toward solving such problems. As such, it constitutes both an extension and a complement to the 1979 input torque balancing survey by Berkof.
A Material-Mask Overlay Strategy for Continuum Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms Using Honeycomb Discretization
Authors: Saxena Anupam
Published: July 2008

This paper proposes novel honeycomb tessellation and material-mask overlay methods to obtain optimal single-material compliant topologies free from checkerboard and point-flexure pathologies. The presence of strain-free rotation regions in rectangular cell based discretization is identified to be a cardinal cause for appearance of such singularities. With each hexagonal cell sharing an edge with its neighboring cells, strain-free displacements are not permitted anywhere in the continuum. The new material assignment approach manipulates material within a subregion of cells as opposed to a single cell thereby reducing the number of variables making optimization efficient. Cells are allowed to get filled with only the chosen material or they can remain void. Optimal solutions obtained are free from intermediate material states and can be manufactured requiring no material interpretation and less postprocessing. Though the hexagonal cells do not allow strain-free rotations, some subregions undergoing large strain deformations can still be present within the design. The proposed procedure is illustrated using three classical examples in compliant mechanisms solved using genetic algorithm.
Semantic Tolerance Modeling With Generalized Intervals
Authors: Wang Yan
Published: July 2008

A significant amount of research has been performed to explore the mathematical basis for dimensional and geometric tolerance representation, analysis, and synthesis. However, tolerancing semantics such as logical dependency among variations and sequence of specifications is not maintained in these models. Consequently, their numerical results are not interpretable. In this paper, a semantic tolerance modeling scheme based on generalized intervals is proposed to improve the interpretability of tolerance modeling. Under certain optimality conditions, semantic tolerance models allow for true variation range estimations with simple computations. With the theoretical support of semantic tolerance modeling, a new dimension and tolerance specification scheme for semantic tolerancing is also proposed to better capture design intents and manufacturing implications, including flexible material selection, rigidity of specifications and constraints, component sorting in selective assembly, and assembly sequences.
Monitoring the Onset and Propagation of Natural Degradation Process in a Slow Speed Rolling Element Bearing With Acoustic Emission
Authors: Elforjani M. , Mba D.
Published: July 2008

The monitoring and diagnosis of rolling element bearings with the high frequency acoustic emission (AE) technology has been ongoing since the late 1960s. This paper demonstrates the use of AE measurements to detect, locate, and monitor natural defect initiation and propagation in a conventional rolling element bearing. To facilitate the investigation a special purpose test rig was built to allow for accelerated natural degradation of a bearing race. It is concluded that subsurface initiation and subsequent crack propagation can be detected with the AE technology. The paper also presents comparative results between AE and vibration diagnosis.
Earth’s other moon: An exercise in computational dynamics
Authors: Allen Douglas R.
Published: July 2008

In September 2006 a meter-sized object designated as 6R10DB9 was temporarily captured by Earth’s gravity and made three turns around Earth before leaving a geocentric orbit. This event provided an excellent case study for my upper-level undergraduate classical mechanics course. Students did a four-body (Sun, Earth, Moon, and 6R10DB9) simulation to reproduce the object’s path and examine its dynamics. The initial positions and velocities were downloaded from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Horizons service. It was found that the Moon’s presence causes 6R10DB9 to orbit Earth three times rather than once. Coupling multi-body dynamical models with Horizons data allows numerous other potential applications for physics and astronomy classes and student research projects; several possibilities are suggested.
On the fundamentals of optical scanning holography
Authors: Poon Ting-Chung
Published: July 2008

Optical scanning holography is a real-time holographic recording technique in which holographic information about a three-dimensional (3D) object is acquired using a single two-dimensional active optical scan. Applications of the technique include optical scanning microscopy, pattern recognition, 3D holographic display, and optical remote sensing. This paper introduces the basics of optical scanning holography.
A geometrical derivation of the Boltzmann factor
Authors: López-Ruiz Ricardo , Sañudo Jaime , Calbet Xavier
Published: July 2008

We show that the Boltzmann factor has a geometrical origin, which follows from the microcanonical ensemble. The Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution or the wealth distribution in human society are some direct applications of this interpretation.
Minimizing abdominal wall damage during high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation by inducing artificial ascites
Authors: Wu Chih-Ching , Chen Wen-Shiang , Ho Ming-Chih , Huang Kai-Wen , Chen Chiung-Nien , Yen Jia-Yush , Lee Po-Huang
Published: July 2008

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is becoming an important tool for tumor treatment [especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)] in Asian countries. A HIFU system provides unique advantages of low invasiveness and absence of nonradiation. However, if the target HCC is close to the proximal surface of the liver, HIFU may overheat diaphragm, abdominal wall or skin. To avoid this complication, a method using artificial ascites in the abdominal cavity to separate the liver from the peritoneum, and to serve as a heat sink to cool overlying structures and thereby avoid inducing permanent damage was proposed. Target tissue that was 10mm below the liver surface was ablated in 12 New Zealand white rabbits: 6 in the experimental group and 6 in the control group. Artificial ascites was established in the experimental group by injecting normal saline into the abdominal cavity until the pressure reached 150mmH2O. Artificial ascites not only reduced the probability and extent of thermal damage to intervening structures, but also had no adverse affect on the efficacy of HIFU ablation.
Calibration of broadband active acoustic systems using a single standard spherical target
Authors: Stanton Timothy K. , Chu Dezhang
Published: July 2008

When calibrating a broadband active acoustic system with a single standard target such as a sphere, the inherent resonances associated with the scattering by the sphere pose a significant challenge. In this paper, a method is developed which completely eliminates the source of resonances through isolating and exploiting the echo from the front interface of a sphere. This echo is relatively insensitive to frequency over a wide range of frequencies, lacking resonances, and is relatively insensitive to small changes in material properties and, in the case of spherical shells, shell thickness. The research builds upon the concept of using this echo for calibration in the work of Dragonette et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 69, 1186–1189 (1981)]. This current work generalizes that of Dragonette by (1) incorporating a pulse compression technique to significantly improve the ability to resolve the echo, and (2) rigorously accounting for the scattering physics of the echo so that the technique is applicable over a wide range of frequencies and material properties of the sphere. The utility of the new approach is illustrated through application to data collected at sea with an air-filled aluminum spherical shell and long broadband chirp signals (30–105kHz).
Speech identification based on temporal fine structure cues
Authors: Sheft Stanley , Ardoint Marine , Lorenzi Christian
Published: July 2008

The contribution of temporal fine structure (TFS) cues to consonant identification was assessed in normal-hearing listeners with two speech-processing schemes designed to remove temporal envelope (E) cues. Stimuli were processed vowel-consonant-vowel speech tokens. Derived from the analytic signal, carrier signals were extracted from the output of a bank of analysis filters. The “PM” and “FM” processing schemes estimated a phase- and frequency-modulation function, respectively, of each carrier signal and applied them to a sinusoidal carrier at the analysis-filter center frequency. In the FM scheme, processed signals were further restricted to the analysis-filter bandwidth. A third scheme retaining only E cues from each band was used for comparison. Stimuli processed with the PM and FM schemes were found to be highly intelligible (50–80% correct identification) over a variety of experimental conditions designed to affect the putative reconstruction of E cues subsequent to peripheral auditory filtering. Analysis of confusions between consonants showed that the contribution of TFS cues was greater for place than manner of articulation, whereas the converse was observed for E cues. Taken together, these results indicate that TFS cues convey important phonetic information that is not solely a consequence of E reconstruction.
Method-of-adjustment measures of informational masking between auditory streams
Authors: Sheft Stanley , Yost William A.
Published: July 2008

A method-of-adjustment procedure was used to measure thresholds for detecting a continuous sequence of brief 2-kHz tonal pulses in the presence of random-frequency masking sequences. Masker pulses consisted of either one or eight sinusoidal components and were either synchronous or asynchronous with the signal pulses. Effects of pulse rate and asynchronous gating were generally consistent with a reduction in informational masking due to segregation of the signal and masker streams. Despite use of continuous stimulus presentation to encourage stream segregation, masking was still obtained from most listeners in most conditions.
Psychophysical assessment of the level-dependent representation of high-frequency spectral notches in the peripheral auditory system
Authors: Alves-Pinto Ana , Lopez-Poveda Enrique A.
Published: July 2008

To discriminate between broadband noises with and without a high-frequency spectral notch is more difficult at 70–80dB sound pressure level than at lower or higher levels [Alves-Pinto, A. and Lopez-Poveda, E. A. (2005). “Detection of high-frequency spectral notches as a function of level,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118, 2458–2469]. One possible explanation is that the notch is less clearly represented internally at 70–80dB SPL than at any other level. To test this hypothesis, forward-masking patterns were measured for flat-spectrum and notched noise maskers for masker levels of 50, 70, 80, and 90dB SPL. Masking patterns were measured in two conditions: (1) fixing the masker-probe time interval at 2ms and (2) varying the interval to achieve similar masked thresholds for different masker levels. The depth of the spectral notch remained approximately constant in the fixed-interval masking patterns and gradually decreased with increasing masker level in the variable-interval masking patterns. This difference probably reflects the effects of peripheral compression. These results are inconsistent with the nonmonotonic level-dependent performance in spectral discrimination. Assuming that a forward-masking pattern is a reasonable psychoacoustical correlate of the auditory-nerve rate-profile representation of the stimulus spectrum, these results undermine the common view that high-frequency spectral notches must be encoded in the rate-profile of auditory-nerve fibers.