bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic profiles of fat and glucose differ by gender in healthy 8‐year‐olds
Authors: Eriksson Susanne , Palsdottir Vilborg , Garemo Malin , Mellström Dan , Strandvik Birgitta
Published: September 2009

Objective:  The aim was to investigate if metabolic markers were associated with anthropometry and weight increase in healthy 8‐year‐olds.

Methods:  Ninety‐seven healthy children, 66 of whom had been examined at the age of 4 years, were investigated. Dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry was performed to determine fat (FM) and lean body mass (LBM). Plasma glucose and serum levels of insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin and leptin were analysed and HOMA‐indices were calculated.

Results:  Despite similar anthropometry, metabolic markers differed by gender. Sixteen % of the children were overweight or obese. Body mass index (BMI) was strongly correlated to FM. Anthropometric measures except LBM correlated to metabolic markers in the girls. Boys had higher concentrations of plasma glucose than girls. In overweight children, insulin was negatively associated with LBM. Leptin and the ratio between leptin and adiponectin, but not adiponectin, were significantly associated with HOMA‐IR and body composition.

Conclusion:  The metabolic profile of plasma glucose, serum leptin, fasting insulin and related HOMA indices differed by gender, despite no difference in BMI or FM. LBM, but not FM correlated to the insulin concentration in the overweight children. Leptin was the best marker of overweight.
The Infant Feeding Intentions scale demonstrates construct validity and comparability in quantifying maternal breastfeeding intentions across multiple ethnic groups
Authors: Nommsen‐Rivers Laurie A. , Cohen Roberta J. , Chantry Caroline J. , Dewey Kathryn G.
Published: September 2009

Research tools that are comparable across ethnic groups are needed in order to understand sociodemographic disparities in breastfeeding rates. The Infant Feeding Intentions (IFI) scale provides a quantitative measure of maternal breastfeeding intentions. IFI score ranges from 0 (no intention to breastfeed) to 16 (very strong intentions to fully breastfeed for 6 months). The objective of this study was to examine intra‐ and inter‐ethnic validity of the IFI scale. The IFI scale was administered to 218 white non‐Hispanic, 75 African‐American, 80 English‐speaking Hispanic, 62 Spanish‐speaking Hispanic and 64 Asian expectant primiparae. Participants were asked their planned duration of providing breast milk as the sole source of milk (full breastfeeding). The IFI scale was examined for intra‐ethnic internal consistency and construct validity and for inter‐ethnic comparability. For all five ethnic categories, principal component analysis separated the scale into the same two factors: intention to initiate breastfeeding and intention to continue full breastfeeding. Across ethnic categories, the range in Cronbach's alpha was 0.70–0.85 for the initiation factor and 0.90–0.93 for the continuation factor. Within each ethnic category, IFI score increased as planned duration of full breastfeeding increased (P < 0.0001 for all). Within the planned duration categories of <1, 1–3, 3–6 and ≥6 months, the median IFI score by ethnic category ranged from (low–high) 5–8, 9–10, 12–14 and 16–16, respectively. The IFI scale provides a valid measure of breastfeeding intentions in diverse populations of English‐ and Spanish‐speaking primiparae, and may be a useful tool when researching disparities in breastfeeding practices.
Marital Status and Depressive Symptoms Over Time: Age and Gender Variations
Authors: LaPierre Tracey A.
Published: September 2009

Guided by a life course perspective, this study investigated the contemporaneous and longitudinal relationships between marital status and depressive symptoms for men and women, and examined if age moderates these relationships. Data came from 9,507 individuals who responded to the first two waves of the National Survey of Families and Households. Men and women in first marriages are better off than most other marital status categories with regard to depressive symptoms, and for some groups, this advantage becomes more pronounced over time. Noteworthy age related differences in these relationships were observed for women, but not for men.
Genetic variation in CXCL12 and risk of cervical carcinoma: a population‐based case–control study
Authors: Maley S. N. , Schwartz S. M. , Johnson L. G. , Malkki M. , Du Q. , Daling J. R. , Li S. S. , Zhao L. P. , Petersdorf E. W. , Madeleine M. M.
Published: September 2009

CXCL12 provides a chemotactic signal‐directing leucocyte migration and regulates metastatic behaviour of tumour cells. We conducted a population‐based case–control study to test the hypothesis that common genetic variation in CXCL12 individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles and haplotypes] is associated with the risk of cervical carcinoma. Cases (n = 917) were residents of western Washington State diagnosed with invasive squamous cell cervical carcinoma (SCC), invasive adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix. Control participants (n = 849) were identified from the source population by random digit telephone dialling and frequency matched to cases on county and age. Nine CXCL12 tagSNPs chosen from the SeattleSNPs database were genotyped. The minor allele of intronic SNP rs266085 was inversely associated with cervical cancer under a recessive genetic effects model (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56–0.98). Among the ten common haplotypes inferred from the nine tagSNPs, one haplotype defined by minor alleles at 5′‐flanking SNP rs17885289 and rs266085, and common alleles at the other seven SNPs occurred among 7.8% of cases and 10.6% of controls (dominant model OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56–0.93; recessive model OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.12–0.97; and log‐additive model OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.57–0.90). A stepwise procedure identified rs17885289, rs266085 and 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) SNP rs266093 as the most parsimonious subset of SNPs necessary to define the haplotype inversely associated with cervical cancer risk in our study. A 3′‐UTR SNP, rs1801157, previously found to be related to HIV pathogenesis, was not associated with cervical cancer risk. Further population‐based studies are warranted to confirm these associations between genetic variation in CXCL12 and cervical cancer risk.
DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SMALL POTATO‐GRADING MACHINE USING CAPRON NET
Authors: GHANBARIAN D. , KOLCHIN N.N. , HASAN BEIGI S.R. , EBRAHIMI R.
Published: September 2009

Grading potatoes by size is an important operation for preparing tubers for seed and for commercial purposes. Farmers in Iran and in developing countries grade potatoes by hand, which is very slow and costly. This work concerns the development of a potato‐grading machine for small‐scale farmers. The design is characterized by a spiral structure covered with a capron net to form a cribriform rotating drum as the grading surface. Potato tubers are fed into the drum, moved forward by the spiral structure, and dropped through holes of the net according to their dimensions. The design parameters included net stiffness (T), rotating drum speed (n) and feeding rate (q). The grading accuracy of the machine was evaluated to determine optimum condition of machine performance. An acceptable grading accuracy of about 70% with a low tuber damage of 5.5% were obtained at T = 0.14 N/mm, n = 27 rpm and q = 2,500 kg/h as optimum condition.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Commercial potato‐grading machines are designed for medium‐ to large‐scale farms, and are not suitable for the majority of farmers in developing countries. In these countries, grading of potato tubers, especially for seed purpose, is performed by hand, which is very time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. A small grading machine has been developed that can sort five times more tubers per person per unit time than the rate achieved by hand grading. The machine is very simply constructed and costs approximately US$800, which is considerably cheaper than current commercial grading machinery.
ADSORPTION OF DARK COLORED COMPOUNDS IN APPLE JUICE – EFFECTS OF INITIAL SOLUBLE SOLID CONCENTRATION ON ADSORPTION KINETICS AND MECHANISM
Authors: ATAÇ B. , GÖKMEN V.
Published: September 2009

Adsorption of dark colored compounds onto adsorbent resin was studied for different adsorbent resin concentrations (1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 g resin/L apple juice) and different °Brix ratios of apple juice (10, 20, 30 °Brix). The equilibrium data obtained fitted well to Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity was found 0.124 1/g resin at 30C for apple juice having a °Brix ratio of 10. The adsorption of dark colored compounds from apple juice onto adsorbent resin followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The adsorption rate constants decreased as the °Brix ratio of apple juice increased. As it was confirmed by Bangham's equation, the rate‐limiting step was intraparticle diffusion. This study showed that using adsorbent resin to improve color had no effect on organic acid and sugar composition of apple juice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Browning during processing and storage adversely affects the commercial acceptability of apple juice concentrate. Adsorption is considered as a viable process to improve apple juice color. The present study shows the adsorption behavior, kinetics and mechanism of dark colored compounds in apple juice. From a practical application point of view, initial soluble solid content of apple juice is considered as an important parameter that should be taken under control to improve the adsorption efficiency. After the adsorption process, the level of main constituents such as sugar and organic acids remain constant so this adsorption process appears to be effective for apple juice process.
EFFECT OF FERMENTED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE ON TEXTURE OF IRANIAN WHITE CHEESE
Authors: JOOYANDEH HOSSEIN
Published: September 2009

The influence of fermented whey protein concentrate (FWPC) added before and after formation of cheese curd on the textural characteristics of Iranian white cheese was studied. The FWPC, prepared from whey obtained during cheese making, was added at different levels 5, 10, 15 and 20% (v/v) after (A) or before (B) cheese curdling. The changes in rheological parameters of cheeses were determined before and after 1 month of ripening. It was found that both incorporation level and stage of addition of FWPC (A and B) caused significant effects on texture profile analysis of cheeses. Increasing the level of FWPC in B group, except samples containing 10% FWPC, in contrast with A cheeses led to considerable increase in moisture and decrease in hardness and chewiness. Samples containing more than 15% FWPC had undesirable texture and were too soft. All experimental cheeses exhibited a decline in values for each rheological parameter after 1 month of ripening.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Perhaps the biggest story in the dairy industry in the past couple of decades has been the rise of new applications for whey and whey proteins. Once considered a waste product in the cheese manufacturing process, whey and whey protein products today are used for a wide range of functional and nutritional properties. In the cheese industry, particularly in soft cheese varieties, whey proteins have shown good applications to replace caseins as they act as fat replacer and bind more water than caseins, which results in softer cheeses. Therefore, this study was attempted to investigate the impact of fermented whey protein concentrate on textural attributes of Iranian white cheese.
EFFECTS OF INULIN AND BULKING AGENTS ON SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL, TEXTURAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF MILK CHOCOLATE
Authors: FARZANMEHR HANNANEH , ABBASI SOLEIMAN
Published: September 2009

Chocolates are favorite foodstuffs with high sugar contents. Therefore, in the present study, the production of a low‐sugar milk chocolate with prebiotic properties is evaluated. Various ratios of inulin (IN), polydextrose (PD) and maltodextrin (MD) along with sucralose (0.04% w/w) were used instead of sugar. Fifteen formulations were examined to determine some physicochemical, mechanical and sensory properties in order to find their optimum ratios. In general, formulations with high ratios of PD and MD were moister and softer than control. The lowest moisture content and highest hardness were observed for the moderate ratios. In addition, MD induced the least desirable sensorial effects, whereas PD and IN pronouncedly improved the overall acceptability. The optimum applicable range for IN, PD and MD were 14–32% and 71–84%, 7–26% and 67–77%, and 0–20% of sugar substitutes, respectively. Our findings on simultaneous fat and sugar reductions also indicated the possibility of fat cut up to 5% in comparison to previous fat content.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In this paper, we have reported the influences of inulin (IN) as a prebiotic as well as polydextrose (PD) and maltodextrin (MD) as bulking agents on physicochemical, energy content, texture and sensory properties of milk chocolate using simplex lattice mixture design. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in this field with very interesting results and practical applicability. Moreover, our findings showed that the use of aforementioned ingredients instead of sugar could lead to production of low‐calorie milk chocolate without having the undesirable textural and physiological effects on the product and consumers. Moreover, the simplex lattice mixture design was found a very useful technique for finding optimum ratios of sugar replacers in formulation.
PEKMEZ‐DAIRY DESSERTS FORTIFIED WITH SPRAY‐DRIED DAIRY POWDERS: EFFECTS OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SKIM MILK POWDER, YOGHURT POWDER AND BUTTERMILK POWDER BY A MIXTURE DESIGN APPROACH
Authors: SERT DURMUS , YILMAZ MUSTAFA T. , KARAKAYA MUSTAFA , BAYRAK EBRU
Published: September 2009

A mixture design approach was used to evaluate the interactions between skim milk powder (SMP), yoghurt powder (YP) and buttermilk powder (BMP) on rheological and sensory properties of dairy dessert mixture samples (DDMS). DDMS was prepared with pekmez powder, which was obtained by spray drying of pekmez, also known as concentrated grape molasses. Among the dairy powders, YP was the component that had the most effect on the viscosity of DDMS. The liking of the panelists was more prominent for the dairy dessert samples including the higher concentrations of YP. Optimum values of SMP, YP and BMP in the mixture were found to be 12–46%, 41–90% and 0–39%, respectively with respect to sensory properties.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The compositional properties of dairy powders can be changed by their usage at particular combinations, which could give rise to an improvement in their rheological and sensory properties. Such modifications would be of great economical importance to food industry. Dairy powders can be used to improve these properties when optimum combination levels of these dairy powders are taken into consideration. Therefore, information obtained in this study may be useful in practical industrial food product process monitoring and development.
Systemic nitric oxide clamping in normal humans guided by total peripheral resistance
Authors: Simonsen J. A. , Rasmussen M. S. , Johansen J. B. , Høilund‐Carlsen P. F. , Bie P.
Published: September 2009

Aim:  We wanted to stabilize the availability of nitric oxide (NO) at levels compatible with normal systemic haemodynamics to provide a model for studies of complex regulations in the absence of changes in NO levels.

Methods:  Normal volunteers (23–28 years) were infused i.v. with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) at 0.5 mg kg−1 h−1. One hour later, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was co‐infused in doses eliminating the haemodynamic effects of l‐NAME. Haemodynamic measurements included blood pressure (MABP) and cardiac output (CO) by impedance cardiography.

Results:  l‐NAME increased MABP and total peripheral resistance (TPR, 1.02 ± 0.05 to 1.36 ± 0.07 mmHg s mL−1, mean ± SEM, P < 0.001). With SNP, TPR fell to a stable value slightly below control (0.92 ± 0.05 mmHg s mL−1, P < 0.05). CO decreased with l‐NAME (5.8 ± 0.3 to 4.7 ± 0.3 L min−1, P < 0.01) and returned to control when SNP was added (6.0 ± 0.3 L min−1). A decrease in plasma noradrenaline (42%, P < 0.01) during l‐NAME administration was completely reversed by SNP. Plasma renin activity decreased during l‐NAME administration and returned towards normal after addition of SNP. In contrast, plasma aldosterone was increased by l‐NAME and remained elevated.

Conclusions:  Concomitant NOS inhibition and NO donor administration can be adjusted to maintain TPR at control level for hours. This approach may be useful in protocols in which stabilization of the peripheral supply of NO is required. However, the dissociation between renin and aldosterone secretion needs further investigation.
Pregnancy and lactation have anti‐obesity and anti‐diabetic effects in Ay/a mice
Authors: Makarova E. N. , Yakovleva T. V. , Shevchenko A. Y. , Bazhan N. M.
Published: September 2009

Aim:  Dominant ‘yellow’ mutation at the mouse agouti locus (Ay) results in obesity. Pregnancy and lactation are characterized by large energy demand. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity would develop in pregnant and suckling Ay mice.

Methods:  Body weight and food intake in pregnancy, lactation, and after weaning, plasma leptin, insulin, corticosterone and blood glucose concentrations on days 7, 13 and 18 of pregnancy, days 1, 10, 21 and 80 postpartum, glucose and insulin tolerance on pregnancy days 7 and 18 were measured in C57Bl/6J mice of a/a (normal metabolism) and Ay/a genotypes. The same parameters were also measured in age‐matched virgin females.

Results:  Virgin Ay/a females exhibited hyperphagia, enhanced body weight, glucose intolerance and normal blood parameters at the mating age. With age, they developed obesity, hyperleptinaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia. Obesity did not develop in mated Ay/a mice; during suckling, they had equal food intake and body weight as a/a mice. During pregnancy, glucose tolerance was enhanced in Ay/a mice and became equal in both genotypes. In both genotypes, concentrations of hormones increased, and glucose decreased from pregnancy day 7 to day 18 and returned to normal values after parturition. Ay/a mice did not differ from a/a in corticosterone, insulin and glucose levels during pregnancy and lactation, in leptin levels during suckling; however, Ay/a mice had two times higher leptin levels than a/a during pregnancy. After weaning, Ay/a mice began to eat and weigh more than a/a exhibiting normal metabolic parameters for 50 days.

Conclusion:  Pregnancy and lactation retard obesity and diabetes development in Ay mice.
Stimulation of the Immune System by Therapeutic Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides and Small Interfering RNAs via Nucleic Acid Receptors
Authors: Richardt‐Pargmann Denise , Vollmer Jörg
Published: September 2009

Most of the therapeutic applications for synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) and oligoribonucleotides (ORN) relate to mechanisms of manipulating gene expression based on Watson–Crick base pairing to endogenous nucleic acids. However, in recent years it has become apparent that the immune system has evolved defense mechanisms against infections that are based on the detection of infecting viral and bacterial nucleic acids. In some cases, synthetic ODN and ORN can trigger these defenses and, therefore, can interfere with or distort the mechanism of action of antisense ODN or small interfering RNAs.
Allele‐Selective Inhibition of Mutant Huntingtin by Peptide Nucleic Acid‐Peptide Conjugates, Locked Nucleic Acid, and Small Interfering RNA
Authors: Hu Jiaxin , Matsui Masayuki , Corey David R.
Published: September 2009

The ability to inhibit expression of a mutant allele while retaining expression of a wild‐type protein might provide a useful approach to treating Huntington's Disease (HD) and other inherited pathologies. The mutant form of huntingtin (HTT), the protein responsible for HD, is encoded by an mRNA containing an expanded CAG repeat. We demonstrate that peptide nucleic acid conjugates and locked nucleic acids complementary to the CAG repeat selectively block expression of mutant HTT. The selectivity of inhibition is at least as good as that shown by a small interfering RNA targeted to a deletion polymorphism. Our data suggest that antisense oligomers are promising subjects for further development as an anti‐HD therapeutic strategy.
Peptide‐Morpholino Conjugate: A Promising Therapeutic for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Moulton Hong M. , Wu Bo , Jearawiriyapaisarn Natee , Sazani Peter , Lu Qi Long , Kole Ryszard
Published: September 2009

Steric‐blocking oligos can correct reading frame errors or skip premature termination codons. For Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), systemic administration of oligos produces limited delivery into muscle cells. Conjugation to a cell‐penetrating peptide greatly enhances muscle uptake of morpholino oligos. A peptide‐morpholino conjugate (PPMO) restored dystrophin in mdx mice to > 80% and 50% of normal levels in skeletal and cardiac muscles, respectively, after a single intravenous 30‐mg/kg injection. Six injections over 3 months restored dystrophin to nearly normal levels in all muscles. One PPMO injection daily at 12 mg/kg each for 4 days caused exon skipping clearly detectable in the muscles of the mdx mice 9 weeks later, showing prolonged activity. PPMO significantly improved muscle pathology, strength and function, and the survival rate of mice whose hearts were challenged by chemical‐induced heart failure. No toxicity or immunogenicity was detected. Our studies demonstrated that muscle functions can be restored with a low dose of PPMO, making it a promising therapeutic for DMD.
Antidote‐Controlled Antithrombotic Therapy Targeting Factor IXa and Von Willebrand Factor
Authors: Becker Richard C. , Oney Sabah , Becker Kristian C.D. , Sullenger Bruce
Published: September 2009

Thrombotic disorders and their common clinical phenotypes of acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and venous thromboembolism are the proximate cause of substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures worldwide. Accordingly, therapies designed to attenuate thrombus initiation and propagation, reflecting integrated platelet‐mediated and coagulation protease‐mediated events, respectively, represent a standard of care. Unfortunately, there are numerous inherent limitations of existing therapies that include target nonselectivity, variable onset and offset of pharmacodynamic effects, a narrow efficacy–safety profile, and the absence of a safe and reliable platform for either accurate titration, based on existing patient‐specific, disease‐specific, and clinical conditions, or active reversibility. Herein, we summarize our experience with oligonucleotide antithrombotic agents and their complementary antidotes, targeting the platelet adhesive protein von Willebrand factor and the pivotal coagulation protease factor IXa.
Sunbeds as Vitamin D Sources
Authors: Moan Johan , Lagunova Zoya , Cicarma Emanuela , Aksnes Lage , Dahlback Arne , Grant William B. , Porojnicu Alina Carmen
Published: September 2009

The objectives of this work were: (1) To determine whether repeated exposures to small doses from a commercial sun bed (Wolff Solarium Super Plus 100 W) over 5 weeks gave less vitamin D than repeated exposures to twice as large, but still nonerythemogenic, doses. (2) To investigate whether the contribution to the vitamin D status from such sessions of exposures was dependent on the baseline status before the start of the sessions. (3) To determine the decay rate of the induced increment of vitamin D. The sun bed sessions raised the 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels from typical winter values to typical summer values. The mean value after exposure being 80 nm (±14) and the increase being 15 nm on average. Persons with the lowest initial levels got the largest increase. The level in this group was back to the pre‐exposure level after 2–4 weeks. To maintain a summer level through the winter, when no vitamin D is produced by the sun in northern countries, one should consider increasing the recommended intake of vitamin D intake significantly, or encouraging the population to get moderate, nonerythemal sun bed exposures.
Tissue Doppler Imaging of Right Ventricular Decompensation in Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Simon Marc A. , Rajagopalan Navin , Mathier Michael A. , Shroff Sanjeev G. , Pinsky Michael R. , López‐Candales Angel
Published: September 2009

Right ventricular (RV) function is closely linked to outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH). The authors sought to evaluate RV myocardial strain in 3 groups of patients: normal, PH with compensated RV function (PH‐C), and PH with decompensated RV function (PH‐D). Fifty‐six patients (aged 56±12 years; 40 women; mean pulmonary artery pressure [MPAP] range, 13–82 mm Hg) underwent right heart catheterization and 2‐dimensional echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging of the RV. Right atrial pressures were 6±3, 5±2, and 14±4 mm Hg; MPAP values were 19±3, 44±15, and 56±13 mm Hg; pulmonary vascular resistances were 1.4±0.4, 7.9±5.1, and 11.5±6.6 Wood units; and cardiac indices were 3.4±0.9, 2.8±0.8, and 2.2±0.7 L/min/m2 (P<.05 for all for normal, PH‐C, and PH‐D patients), respectively. RV free wall strain decreased significantly among all 3 groups (−26%±6%, −19%±7%, and −14%±5%; P<.0001). RV free wall strain decreases in PH without hemodynamically decompensated RV function suggesting it may be a preceding step in the development of RV failure. This may be of particular use in following patients sequentially.
The Atrial Fibrillation Paradox of Heart Failure
Authors: Shelton Rhidian J. , Clark Andrew L. , Kaye Gerald C. , Cleland John G. F.
Published: September 2009

Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:3–9. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) is high, but longitudinal studies suggest that the incidence of AF is relatively low. The authors investigated this paradox prospectively in an epidemiologically representative population of patients with HF and persistent AF. In all, 891 consecutive patients with HF [mean age, 70±10 years; 70% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 32%±9%] were enrolled. The prevalence of persistent AF at baseline was 22%. The incidence of persistent AF at 1 year was 26 per 1000 person‐years, ranging from 15 in New York Heart Association class I/II to 44 in class III/IV. AF occurred either at the same time or prior to HF in 76% of patients and following HF in 24%. A risk score was developed to predict the occurrence of persistent AF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing was 0.5% (0%–1.3%) for those in the low‐risk group compared with 15% (3.4%–26.6%) in the high‐risk group. Despite a high prevalence of persistent AF in patients with HF, the incidence of persistent AF is relatively low. This is predominantly due to AF coinciding with or preceding the development of HF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing can be estimated from clinical variables.
Aspects juridiques du cas de l’obélisque d’Aksoum
Authors: Scovazzi Tullio
Published: September 2009

En 1937, l’obélisque d’Axoum, vieux de 1 700 ans, fut déplacé de la ville d’Axoum, en Éthiopie, à la suite de l’annexion du pays par l’Italie. L’obélisque, brisé en cinq fragments, fut transportéà Rome et réinstallé en face du ministère des Colonies, aujourd’hui siège de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO). Ce n’est qu’en avril 2005 que, malgré les engagements pris précédemment au titre de trois traités (1947, 1956 et 1997), l’Italie finit par se conformer à l’obligation qui lui incombait de rendre l’obélisque à Axoum. En 2008, celui‐ci fut réinstallé sur son site d’origine. L’histoire du retour de l’obélisque peut être considérée comme un précédent dans le processus actuel de formation de nouveaux principes du droit international dans le domaine du patrimoine culturel, à savoir le principe de non‐appauvrissement du patrimoine culturel des États d’origine, le principe de non‐exploitation de la faiblesse d’autres pays pour obtenir un gain culturel et le principe de préservation de l’intégrité des sites culturels.
De l’Italie à l’Éthiopie : démontage, transport et réérection de l’obélisque d’ Aksoum
Authors: Croci Giorgio
Published: September 2009

En 1937, l’obélisque d’Axoum fut transporté en Italie, divisé en quatre blocs. Son état fragmenté résultait d’un tremblement de terre survenu plusieurs siècles auparavant. L’obélisque fut ensuite remontéà Rome, les pièces étant assemblées au moyen de mortier et de boulons de bronze. Le projet de démontage et de remontage supposait la solution de problèmes délicats, afin d’éviter aux pierres tout nouveau dégât.
Empêcher le pillage par le retour des objets archéologiques pillés
Authors: Elia Ricardo J.
Published: September 2009

Ces dernières années, plusieurs pays sources ont négocié avec des musées étrangers pour effectuer le retour des objets archéologiques pillés détenus par ces musées. Ces affaires sont souvent considérées comme de simples controverses sur la propriété des œuvres d’art. Les négociateurs devraient avoir à l’esprit que, si quelques antiquités peuvent être récupérées avec succès dans ces affaires, l’information archéologique, historique et scientifique détruite par le pillage ne peut jamais être récupérée. Les efforts pour récupérer les objets culturels pillés devraient aussi se consacrer à faire pression sur les musées afin que ces derniers cessent d’acquérir des objets d’origine inconnue, pour décourager les pillages à venir.
Differential gene expression in bacterial symbionts from loliginid squids demonstrates variation between mutualistic and environmental niches
Authors: Guerrero‐Ferreira Ricardo C. , Nishiguchi Michele K.
Published: September 2009

Luminescent bacteria (γ‐Proteobacteria: Vibrionaceae) are found in complex bilobed light organs of both sepiolid and loliginid squids (Mollusca: Cephalopoda). Despite the existence of multiple strain colonization between Vibrio bacteria and loliginid squids, specificity at the genus level still exists and may influence interactions between symbiotic and free‐living stages of the symbiont. The environmentally transmitted behaviour of Vibrio symbionts bestows a certain degree of recognition that exists prior and subsequent to the colonization process. Therefore, we identified bacterial genes required for successful colonization of loliginid light organs by examining transcripts solely expressed in either the light organ or free‐living stages. Selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) was used to differentiate genes expressed by the same bacterium when thriving in two different environments (i.e. loliginid light organs and seawater). Genes specific for squid light organs included vulnibactin synthetase, outer membrane protein W and dihydroxy dehydratase, which have been associated with the maintenance of bacterial host associations in other systems. In contrast, genes that were solely expressed in the free‐living condition consisted of transcripts recognized as important factors for bacterial survival in the environment. These transcripts included genes for methyl accepting chemotaxis proteins, arginine decarboxylase and chitinase. These results provide valuable information regarding mechanisms determining specificity, establishment, and maintenance of bacteria–squid associations.
Enrichment of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms
Authors: Hu Shihu , Zeng Raymond J. , Burow Luke C. , Lant Paul , Keller Jurg , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: September 2009

The microorganisms responsible for anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to denitrification have not been clearly elucidated. Three recent publications suggested it can be achieved by a denitrifying bacterium with or without the involvement of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. A key factor limiting the progress in this research field is the shortage of enrichment cultures performing denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO). In this study, DAMO cultures were enriched from mixed inoculum including sediment from a freshwater lake, anaerobic digester sludge and return activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant. Two reactors, operated at 35°C and at 22°C, respectively, showed simultaneous methane oxidation and nitrate reduction after several months of operation. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries from the 35°C enrichment showed the presence of an archaeon closely related to other DAMO archaea and a dominated bacterium belonging to the yet uncultivated NC10 phylum. This culture preferred nitrite to nitrate as the electron acceptor. The present study suggests that the archaea are rather methanotrophs than methanogens. The highest denitrification rate achieved was 2.35 mmol NO3‐‐N gVSS−1 day−1. The culture enriched at 22°C contained the same NC10 bacterium observed in the culture enriched at 35°C but no archaea.
A Partnership for Health in China: Reflections on the Partnership Between the Government of China, the World Bank and DFID in the China Basic Health Services Project
Authors: Bloom Gerald , Liu Yunguo , Qiao Jianrong
Published: September 2009

This practice paper is one of a series, in which development practitioners reflect on their own experiences. Its aim is to contribute to efforts to understand China's successful management of very rapid change and development. It explores the relationship between central and local governments in the implementation of change and the role of partnerships between the Chinese government and international and bilateral organisations. It focuses on the health sector, which has experienced major challenges in adapting to the many changes associated with the transition to a market economy. By the mid‐1990s, policymakers had recognised the need to address these challenges, but they did not have a clear understanding of a practical way forward. One government strategy to build this understanding was to collaborate with the World Bank and the Department of International Development of the UK in the design and implementation of a project which encouraged a large number of poor rural counties to test strategies for strengthening their health service. The end‐of‐project evaluations documented the many changes they had put into place and the contribution this project made to national policy processes.

The authors played different roles in the project. This enabled them to gain first‐hand knowledge of the relationship between levels of government and between officials of the government and the international agencies. When the project came to an end they decided to reflect on what they had learned. This practice paper presents the results of this reflection. It provides unique insights into the way China is managing health system change and into the working of partnerships between the Government of China, the World Bank and bilateral donor agencies.
An Experimental Investigation Into the Plastic Flow and Strain Hardening of Mild Steel Under Proportional and Abruptly Changing Deformation Paths at a Controlled Rate
Authors: Meguid S. A. , Malvern L. E.
Published: September 2009

Tension-torsion tests are reported on thin-walled tubes up to strains of the order of five percent. Attention was given to the question of whether, as has been suggested, in the continued loading after a sudden direction change in the deformation path, the behavior of the material quickly approaches that predicted by a von Mises plastic potential and isotropic hardening. The results show a slower approach of the deviatoric stress vector direction to the plastic strain-rate vector direction than had been expected, as well as considerable variations in the von Mises equivalent stress versus equivalent plastic strain curves.
An Experimental Study on the Cold Rolling of Strips
Authors: Banerjee J. K.
Published: September 2009

The power consumption and the orthogonal strains were measured during cold rolling of thin strips of aluminum, stainless steel, mild steel and bronze, under lubricated condition and through several passes to show that they closely fit a power function.
Damage Tolerance Evaluation of Adhesively Laminated Titanium
Authors: Johnson W. S.
Published: September 2009

Basic damage tolerance properties of Ti-6Al-4V titanium plate can be improved by laminating thin sheets of titanium with adhesives. Compact tension and center-cracked tension specimens made from thick plate, thin sheet, and laminated plate (six plies of thin sheet) were tested. The fracture toughness of the laminated plate was 39 percent higher than the monolithic plate. The laminated plate’s through-the-thickness crack growth rate was about 20 percent less than that of the monolithic plate. The damage tolerance life of the surface-cracked laminate was 6 to over 15 times the life of a monolithic specimen.
Analysis of Flexure Strength Data of Ceramics
Authors: Seshadri S. G. , Srinivasan M.
Published: September 2009

A method to obtain the two and three Weibull parameters from the statistical strength distribution of ceramics, when either surface flaws or volumetric flaws govern fracture, is outlined. The advantages of obtaining confidence in the parameter estimates are given realizing the flaw severity variations within a test population. The inadequacy of testing a very limited number of specimens to gather reliability data to assess service performance is discussed.
Time Dependence in Biaxial Yield of Type 316 Stainless Steel at Room Temperature
Authors: Ellis J. R. , Robinson D. N. , Pugh C. E.
Published: September 2009

This paper describes two biaxial experiments which investigated time and rate effects in the yield and deformation behavior of type 316 stainless steel at room temperature. The first experiment was aimed at determining the effect of probing rate on small-offset yield behavior. The primary aim of the second experiment was to investigate time-dependent flow after loading beyond initial yield. An additional aim was to investigate the effect of radial (3 σ12 = σ11) and nonradial preloads on the yield and hardening behavior. The first experiment showed that for the limited range investigated, 100 to 500 με/min, the probing rate had little effect on yield behavior. The small differences observed in the size and position of certain yield surfaces were shown to be related to the sequence in which the yield loci were determined. The second experiment showed that yield surfaces suffered considerable distortion from their initial near-circular form after both radial and nonradial preloads beyond initial yield. It also showed that the hardening behavior was predominantly kinematic for both types of preload. The strain-time data obtained after the preloads in this experiment showed characteristics typical of creep curves. A transient flow period was observed with high initial strain rates diminishing one or two orders of magnitude during the 0.5-h hold periods. This means that in detailed mechanical modeling of this material, careful attention should be given to time-dependent effects, even at room temperature.
Effects of Prior Creep on Subsequent Plasticity of Type 316 Stainless Steel at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Ohashi Y. , Kawai M. , Shimizu H.
Published: September 2009

History effects of prior creep on subsequent plasticity were studied for type 316 stainless steel at 600°C under combined torsion and tension. Following each of three different amounts of prior torsional creep, plastic deformation tests were performed under torsions in the same and opposite directions of the prior creep and axial tension, respectively. The experimental results showed the marked influence of prior creep on subsequent plasticity. That is, the flow stress in the subsequent plastic deformation after creep became larger than the one in the corresponding pure plastic test where the prior creep strain in the combined creep-plasticity test was replaced by a plastic strain of the same amount. Finally, predictions by means of existing separated and unified constitutive equations were discussed on the basis of the experimental results.
Constant and Variable Amplitude Fatigue Behavior of Five Cast Steels at Room Temperature and −45°C
Authors: Stephens R. I. , Chung J. H. , Fatemi A. , Lee H. W. , Lee S. G. , Vaca-Oleas C. , Wang C. M.
Published: September 2009

A comprehensive fatigue program was undertaken at room temperature and −45°C (−50°F) for five representative carbon or low alloy cast steels. Constant amplitude low and high cycle axial fatigue behavior, cyclic stress-strain behavior, constant-amplitude fatigue-crack-growth behavior and variable-amplitude fatigue-crack-initiation and -growth behavior were determined. The fatigue resistance at low temperature was usually equal to or better than at room temperature except for one material under variable amplitude fatigue crack growth conditions. SEM analysis revealed similar fatigue crack growth mechanisms at both room and low temperature, even though some tests were well below the NDT temperature. Most fatigue resistance for the five cast steels was consistent with that for wrought steels. Fatigue test procedures generally developed with wrought steels were completely satisfactory for these cast steels.
Creep-Rupture Behavior of Six Candidate Stirling Engine Superalloys Tested in Air
Authors: Bhattacharyya S.
Published: September 2009

The creep-rupture behavior of six candidate Stirling engine iron-base superalloys was determined in air. The alloys included four wrought alloys (A-286, Alloy 800H, N-155, and 19-9DL) and two cast alloys (CRM-6D and XF-818). The specimens were tested to rupture for times up to 3000 h at 650° to 925°C. Rupture life (tr), minimum creep rate (ε˙m), and time to 1 percent creep strain (t0.01), were statistically analyzed as a function of stress and temperature. Estimated stress levels at different temperatures to obtain 3500 h tr and t0.01 lives were determined. These data will be compared with similar data being obtained under 15 MPa hydrogen.
Statistics of Crack Growth of a Superalloy Under Sustained Load
Authors: Yang J. N. , Donath R. C.
Published: September 2009

A statistically-formulated fracture mechanics model for crack growth under sustained load is used to analyze crack growth data from 23 compact tension specimens of IN100, a turbojet engine disk material. The procedures characterize crack growth rates assuming that the growth rate is a lognormal random variable. The mean and standard deviation of the growth rate are determined from test data using the method of maximum likelihood. From these estimates, a lognormal creep crack growth rate model is developed from which is derived a statistical distribution of the crack size at any time. The distribution of time to reach some critical crack size is also presented. These distributions allow for the determination of the effect of hold time in the loading cycle on the life prediction of gas turbine engine disks.
A Modeling Study of Metal Cutting With Abrasive Waterjets
Authors: Hashish Mohamed
Published: September 2009

An experimental and theoretical investigation was conducted to study the cutting of ductile metals with high-velocity abrasive jets. The investigation involved experimental cutting tests, visualization experiments, and model development. Data were generated to study the effects of abrasive-jet parameters on the depth and quality of cuts produced. These parameters included waterjet pressure, waterjet diameter, abrasive material, particle size, abrasive flow rate, traverse rate, and number of passes. The penetration process was found to be cyclic and to consist of more than one cutting regime as the kerf developed. In the first regime, particles impact the kerf wall at shallow angles, and cutting wear occurs; in the second, particles impact at large angles, causing deformation wear. A simplified model was developed to determine the optimum set of parameters for efficient high-quality machining of ductile metals. The model requires further refinement, however, to provide definitive results.
The Contact Problem Studied by Pseudocaustics Formed at the Vicinity of the Contact Zone
Authors: Theocaris P. S. , Stassinakis C. A.
Published: September 2009

The method of caustics is applied to formulate the normal and tangential stresses developed in the contact zone of two elastic bodies, and also for one elastic and the other plastic. The stresses are represented by a cubic spline polynomial, its coefficients calculated by pseudocaustics from reflected light around the contact zone. The method is applied to determine the stresses along the boundary of a half-plane and the stresses along the contact area of two disks. The deviation of calculated stresses from the applied ones, in the first case was small, while in the second case it was found that the normal distribution of stresses was similar to a Hertzian distribution. This experimental method can be used to accurately obtain contact stresses.
High Carbon Steel Microcracking Control During Hardening
Authors: Lyman J.
Published: September 2009

When high carbon, low alloy steels, such as AISI 52100, are conventionally quenched or marquenched from an austenitizing temperature that dissolves all of the carbon in the austenite, many of the martensite crystals in the quenched microstructure are fractured or microcracked. This paper describes a process in which a limited amount of martensite is formed by quenching the steel to a temperature between the Ms temperature and conventional quench temperatures. This martensite is then tempered for a short time to toughen it before again cooling the steel to complete the formation of martensite from austenite. When the limited amount of martensite formed, and intermediately tempered, and the martensite formed on cooling from the intermediate tempering temperature are appropriately balanced by the processing, micro-cracking is essentially avoided. The process can be done in equipment and with procedures commonly used commercially.
Investigation of the One-Dimensional Endochronic Constitutive Equation for Metals by the Rivlin Test
Authors: Wu Han C. , Yang C. C.
Published: September 2009

Two sets of experiments with and without strain cycling have been carried out to test the validity of an equation derived from the improved theory of endochronic plasticity. It has been found that for strain path not involving cyclic straining the agreement between theory and experiment is quite good. In the test with strain cycling, the agreement is not good for small strain amplitudes of cycling but the discrepancy diminishes with the increasing amplitude of the strain cycling.
Estimates of the J-Integral for Elastic-Plastic Specimens in Large Scale Yielding
Authors: McMeeking R. M.
Published: September 2009

A generalization of the area under the load-deflection curve method for estimating the J-integral in cracked elastic-plastic specimens in large scale yielding is proposed. The results of this method are compared to values of J from other theoretical techniques, all based on finite element calculations for plane strain cracked specimens. The new formulae are found to be reasonably accurate. In particular, the results for the compact tension specimen are superior to those obtained from the established Merkle-Corten formula. The technique could be extended to structures in service containing cracks, and then would have similarities to the reference stress method already used in high temperature design against creep.