bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conjugate Problems in Convective Heat Transfer: Review
Authors: Dorfman Abram , Renner Zachary
Published: October 2009

A review of conjugate convective heat transfer problems solved during the early and current time of development of this modern approach is presented. The discussion is based on analytical solutions of selected typical relatively simple conjugate problems including steady‐state and transient processes, thermal material treatment, and heat and mass transfer in drying. This brief survey is accompanied by the list of almost two hundred publications considering application of different more and less complex analytical and numerical conjugate models for simulating technology processes and industrial devices from aerospace systems to food production. The references are combined in the groups of works studying similar problems so that each of the groups corresponds to one of selected analytical solutions considered in detail. Such structure of review gives the reader the understanding of early and current situation in conjugate convective heat transfer modeling and makes possible to use the information presented as an introduction to this area on the one hand, and to find more complicated publications of interest on the other hand.
Super-Relaxed ("Equation missing" )-Proximal Point Algorithms, Relaxed ("Equation missing" )-Proximal Point Algorithms, Linear Convergence Analysis, and Nonlinear Variational Inclusions
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P. , Verma Ram U.
Published: October 2009

We glance at recent advances to the general theory of maximal (set-valued) monotone mappings and their role demonstrated to examine the convex programming and closely related field of nonlinear variational inequalities. We focus mostly on applications of the super-relaxed ("Equation missing")-proximal point algorithm to the context of solving a class of nonlinear variational inclusion problems, based on the notion of maximal ("Equation missing")-monotonicity. Investigations highlighted in this communication are greatly influenced by the celebrated work of Rockafellar (1976), while others have played a significant part as well in generalizing the proximal point algorithm considered by Rockafellar (1976) to the case of the relaxed proximal point algorithm by Eckstein and Bertsekas (1992). Even for the linear convergence analysis for the overrelaxed (or super-relaxed) ("Equation missing")-proximal point algorithm, the fundamental model for Rockafellar's case does the job. Furthermore, we attempt to explore possibilities of generalizing the Yosida regularization/approximation in light of maximal ("Equation missing")-monotonicity, and then applying to first-order evolution equations/inclusions.
New Orleans’s Unique School Reform Effort and Its Potential Implications for Special Education
Authors: Morse Timothy E.
Published: October 2009

Four years following the decimation of the New Orleans Public Schools by Hurricane Katrina the city has been described as the center of a unique urban public school reform effort. This effort is a combination of events that transpired just before the storm and those that have occurred as a result of it. In particular some claim that the emerging public school configuration seeks to be one that is comprised entirely of charter schools, thereby allowing public schools in New Orleans to become a “system of schools” as opposed to a traditional school system. While a fundamental operating principle of charter schools is increased student academic achievement in exchange for school autonomy and innovative practices, an additional responsibility of the charter schools in New Orleans is identical to that of their counterpart traditional public schools: the provision of special education services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Accordingly, this article presents an overview of the seminal reform events that have occurred to date and discusses the potential implications of this reform effort with respect to the provision of special education services.
Fatigue Model for Composites Based on the Cycle-by-cycle Probability of Failure: Implications and Applications
Authors: Kassapoglou Christos
Published: October 2009

Further implications of a fatigue model based on the cycle-by-cycle probability of failure are presented. A model for the residual strength is developed based on a linear relation between the residual strength at any cycle level and its derivative. This model is shown to be in excellent agreement with published test results. The model is also shown to lead to a constant cycle-by-cycle probability of failure under constant amplitude loading thus verifying the assumption of constant probability of failure made previously. The model is then used to construct constant life (Goodman) diagrams for composite structures and its predictions are compared to published test results. The model follows the test data well but needs further improvement for negative R values. The approach is then extended to the determination of the truncation level required for a structure to meet a certain fatigue life. The truncation level is a function of R ratio and the amount of statistical scatter for static tension and compression tests. Using representative values for the scatter, the predicted truncation level of 38% is shown to cover most applications. Possible reasons for discrepancies and areas where more work is needed are identified.
The Influence of Involvement, Familiarity, and Constraints on the Search for Information about Destinations
Authors: Carneiro Maria João , Crompton John L.
Published: October 2009

This study investigates the influence of familiarity, structural constraints, and level of involvement in the decision on whether to search for information and on the strength of the search effort made by individuals who decide to search. Data have been collected from 1,677 structured personal interviews undertaken in two Portuguese national parks. Results indicate that financial constraints encourage people to engage in search but time and accessibility constraints do not exert any influence on search. Evidence indicates a tentative relationship between level of involvement and search effort and suggests this relationship is strongest in the early stages of the decision process. Finally, those who are less familiar with destinations are more likely to search for information about those destinations.
Residents as Travel Destination Information Providers: An Online Community Perspective
Authors: Arsal Irem , Woosnam Kyle M. , Baldwin Elizabeth D. , Backman Sheila J.
Published: October 2009

Prior research regarding residents and tourists has focused on their commonalities and interactions occurring on-site. What is missing from the literature is an examination of residents as information sources to potential tourists. Online travel communities offer such a viable venue. This study has two main purposes. The first is to examine the influence residents may have on travel decisions and identify the types of travel decisions they influence. The second is to compare the influence residents have on travel decisions with other online community members (i.e., experienced travelers). Treemapper is used to identify the country forums, and thematic networks are used for the analysis of influence of eWOM. The results reveal that nearly one-third of the communication threads (including 1,699 postings from 713 contributing members) have been influential for members. Residents are more influential in accommodations and food and beverage recommendations, whereas experienced travelers are more influential in the destination information category.
The consequences of early discharge after hip arthroplasty for patient outcomes and health care costs: comparison of three centres with differing durations of stay
Authors: Hunt Gillian R , Crealey Grainne , Murthy Burra VS , Hall George M , Constantine Philippa , O'Brien Seamus , Dennison Janice , Keane Pauline , Beverland David , Lynch Martin C , Salmon Peter
Published: October 2009

Objective: To compare outcomes from hip arthroplasty between a surgical unit with a rapid discharge policy and two comparison units to test the hypothesis that the centre with rapid discharge has outcomes that are not inferior to the comparison sites.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Subjects: Consecutive consenting patients receiving primary hip arthroplasty during 12 months beginning July 2006 in three UK National Health Service surgical units. One has shortened postoperative stay to median three days; one was a new treatment centre with median stay of five days; the third was a traditional unit with median stay of six days (N = 316, 119, 87, respectively).

Methods: Patients were assessed preoperatively and six weeks postoperatively. The primary indicator of function was the Oxford Hip Score. Additional secondary measures included further self-report indicators of function and quality of life and health service costs.

Results: Patient outcome in the unit with rapid discharge was not impaired by comparison with the other sites on any measure: Oxford Hip Score decreased from 49 to 27 in the short-stay unit, from 40 to 30 in the treatment centre and from 43 to 32 in the traditional unit. Cost of arthroplasty was least in the short-stay unit, although there was potential for cost savings in each.

Conclusion: Short postoperative stay after hip arthroplasty can be achieved without intensive patient preparation or post-discharge care and without compromising short-term patient outcome or increasing health care costs. Longer term follow-up is needed.
Development of a Multi-modal Multi-user Telepresence and Teleaction System
Authors: Buss M. , Peer A. , Schauß T. , Stefanov N. , Unterhinninghofen U. , Behrendt S. , Leupold J. , Durkovic M. , Sarkis M.
Published: October 2009

The presented multi-user telepresence and teleaction system enables two teleoperators, which are independently controlled by two human operators, to perform collaborative actions in a remote environment. The system provides the operators with visual, auditory, and haptic feedback and allows them to physically interact with objects in the remote environment. The interaction between the two human operators is enhanced by augmenting visual and auditory feedback. The paper is focused on the amalgamation of the individual subsystems, which handle the different modalities, into one tightly integrated system, which creates a common workspace for two operators. The overall system architecture and the appropriate design of the auditory, visual, and haptic subsystems are discussed. The audio system makes use of a novel high-fidelity interpolation technique to render three-dimensional sound scenes for both human operators, which enhances their interaction. The design of the video system allows modeling and rendering of the remote environment in real time while regarding changes in the scene by perpetually updating the model. The haptic system is based on admittance-type devices, which are best fitted for applications involving large workspaces and high interaction forces. In addition, the implementation of locomotion techniques for telepresence in large-scale environments are presented. Finally, an application example shows that the system can be successfully employed in a remote maintenance task, which consists of exploring a large-scale environment, moving to the target area, and finally repairing a broken pipe by attaching a sealing clamp. The example demonstrates the necessity of multi-user telepresence and teleaction systems and supports the benefits of consistent multi-modal feedback.
Minors in Name Only: Child Laborers on the Diamond Mines of the Companhia de Diamantes de Angola (Diamang), 1917-1975
Authors: Cleveland Todd
Published: October 2009

Although African men and women comprised the vast majority of the labor force on Angola’s colonial-era diamond mines, child laborers, or “minors,” also played important roles, primarily as mineworkers and plantation laborers. While these young male and female laborers’ daily tasks were often lighter than those assigned to adult males, they often worked side-by-side with more senior workers and were equally subject to physical abuse, poor rations, and injuries. Similarly, minors also employed many of the same strategies as their more senior coworkers to better their lives. Their experiences suggest that these young laborers were minors in name only.
Accelerated Healing of the Rat Achilles Tendon in Response to Autologous Conditioned Serum
Authors: Majewski Martin , Ochsner Peter E. , Liu Fanjun , Flückiger Rudolf , Evans Christopher H.
Published: October 2009

Background

Despite advances in the treatment of ruptured Achilles tendon, imperfections of endogenous repair often leave patients symptomatic. Local administration of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) in patients with inflammatory, degenerative conditions has shown beneficial effects.

Purpose

Because ACS also contains growth factors that should accelerate tendon healing, we studied the effect of ACS on the healing of transected rat Achilles tendon.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

In preliminary in vitro experiments, rat tendons were incubated with ACS and the effect on the expression of Col1A1 and Col3A1 was assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To test its effect in vivo, the Achilles tendons of 80 Sprague Dawley rats were transected and sutured back together. Ten rats from each group (ACS group, n = 40; control group, n = 40) were euthanized at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively for biomechanical (n = 7) and histologic (n = 3) testing. Lysyl oxidase activity was assayed by a flurometric assay. The organization of repair tissue was assessed histologically with hematoxylin and eosin- and with Sirius red-stained sections, and with immunohistochemistry.

Results

Tendons exposed to ACS in vitro showed a greatly enhanced expression of the Col1A1 gene. The ACS-treated tendons were thicker, had more type I collagen, and an accelerated recovery of tendon stiffness and histologic maturity of the repair tissue. However, there were no differences in the maximum load to failure between groups up to week 8, perhaps because lysyl oxidase activities were unchanged.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Overall, our study demonstrates that treatment with ACS has the potential to improve Achilles tendon healing and should be considered as a treatment modality in man. However, as strength was not shown to be increased within the parameters of this study, the clinical importance of the observed changes in humans still needs to be defined.
From Dangerous to Discharged: An Application of Social-Learning-Based Procedures in an Acute Hospital Setting
Authors: Springer Justin R. , Sloan Paul A. , Benge Jared F. , Spence Michael , Carlo Ismael , Teng Ellen J.
Published: October 2009

Psychiatric inpatients who demonstrate persistent aggressive behavior present unique treatment planning and placement challenges. This article presents the case of a severely Veteran who demonstrated high levels of aggressive behavior as well as persistent adaptive behavior deficits. A comprehensive Treatment Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan (TRRP) based on Social-Learning Program procedures resulted in rapid improvements in recovery-related outcomes and discharge within 31 days of TRRP initiation. This intervention significantly reduced maladaptive behavior and increased treatment participation.These improvements were unrelated to pharmacotherapy changes during the hospitalization. Following discharge, a re-emergence of problematic behaviors in a community placement resulted in a more restrictive rehospitalization. The absence of TRRP implementation at this placement likely contributed to the re-emergence of problem behavior. This case illustrates the importance of implementing evidence-based psychosocial interventions in acute settings, engaging in recovery-oriented treatment planning, and maintaining continuity of care across settings.
Fibrolipoma of the Toe
Authors: Tun Hing Lui
Published: October 2009

Lipoma is one of the most common benign soft-tissue tumors. It is most common in the regions of the upper back, neck, abdomen, and the proximal part of the extremities. Toe lipoma is rare. The author presents a case of third toe fibrolipoma that was successfully treated by toe amputation.
Epigenetic regulation of dendritic cell differentiation and function by oxidized phospholipids
Authors: Blüml Stephan , Zupkovitz Gordin , Kirchberger Stefanie , Seyerl Maria , Bochkov Valery N. , Stuhlmeier Karl , Majdic Otto , Zlabinger Gerhard J. , Seiser Christian , Stöckl Johannes
Published: October 2009

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the key cell type in the regulation of an adaptive immune response. Under inflammatory conditions monocytes can give rise to immunostimulatory DCs, depending on microenvironmental stimuli. Here we show that oxidized phospholipids (Ox-Pls), which are generated during inflammatory reactions, dysregulate the differentiation of DCs. DCs generated in the presence of Ox-Pls up-regulated the typical DC marker DC-SIGN but did not express CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c. These DCs generated in the presence of Ox-Pls had a substantially diminished T cell–stimulating capacity after stimulation with Toll-like receptor ligands. Toll-like receptor ligand–induced production of interleukin-12 also was strongly diminished, whereas induction of CD83 was not altered. In addition, we found that Ox-Pls strongly inhibit inflammatory stimuli-induced phosphorylation of histone H3, a key step of interleukin-12 production, yet leaving activation of nuclear factor-κB unaltered. Taken together, Ox-Pls present during differentiation yielded DCs with a reduced capacity to become immunostimulatory mature DCs. Furthermore, the presence of Ox-Pls blocked histone modifications required for full activation of DCs. Therefore, inflammation-derived Ox-Pls control DC functions in part by epigenetic mechanisms.
W41/W41 blastocyst complementation: a system for genetic modeling of hematopoiesis
Authors: Jansson Lina , Larsson Jonas
Published: October 2009

We report a rapid and highly efficient approach to generate mice in which the hematopoietic system is derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells. We show that ES cells injected into blastocysts from the c-kit–deficient W41/W41 mouse strain have a clear advantage over the W41/W41 blastocyst-derived inner cell mass cells in founding the hematopoietic system. Fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells from W41/W41 blastocyst complementation embryos can be transplanted to establish large cohorts of bone marrow chimeras with hematopoiesis of practically pure ES-cell origin. Using ES cells with site-directed modifications, we show how this system can be used to drive inducible transgene expression in hematopoietic cells in a robust and reliable manner both in vitro and in vivo. The approach avoids the cost and time constraints associated with the creation of standard transgenic mouse strains while taking advantage of the sophisticated site-directed manipulations that are possible in ES cells.
Editorial: PSGL-1—the hidden player in T cell trafficking into the brain in multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Engelhardt Britta
Published: October 2009

PSGL-1 may contribute to T cell interaction with the inflamed blood-brain barrier in multiple sclerosis; and therapeutic targeting of PSGL-1 in multiple sclerosis may prove beneficial.
Poroelastic analysis of permeability effects in thinly layered porous media
Authors: Ren Haitao , Goloshubin Gennady , Hilterman Fred J.
Published: October 2009

The mechanism of wave-induced fluid flow, which causes significant attenuation and dispersion of seismic waves in heterogeneous porous media, opens a potential opportunity to estimate fluid-mobility properties from seismic data. However, the permeability effects on seismic data vary for different reservoir environments, so rules of thumb are difficult to establish. Two types of reservoir models were selected. One represents shallow, unconsolidated, low-impedance reservoirs. The other represents deep, consolidated, high-impedance reservoirs. Using analytic equations and wave-propagation numerical studies, permeability effects were investigated on the magnitude and phase of normal-incident reflection coefficients from an interface between an upper nondispersive medium and a lower thinly layered porous medium. The study found that permeability can affect reflection amplitudes significantly. For high-impedance reservoirs, magnitude of the reflection coefficient decreases when permeability increases. However, for low-impedance reservoirs, reflection magnitude increases as permeability increases.
Effect of Short-Term Free Fatty Acids Elevation on Mitochondrial Function in Skeletal Muscle of Healthy Individuals
Authors: Chavez Alberto O. , Kamath Subhash , Jani Rucha , Sharma Lokendra K. , Monroy Adriana , Abdul-Ghani Muhammad A. , Centonze Victoria E. , Sathyanarayana Padma , Coletta Dawn K. , Jenkinson Cristopher P. , Bai Yidong , Folli Franco , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Tripathy Devjit
Published: October 2009

Context: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as an underlying mechanism in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To determine whether mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the free fatty acid (FFA)-induced impairment in insulin action in skeletal muscle of healthy subjects.

Design: Eleven lean normal glucose tolerant individuals received 8 h lipid and saline infusion on separate days with a euglycemic insulin clamp during the last 2 h. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were performed at baseline and after 6 h lipid or saline infusion. Inner mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm) and mitochondrial mass were determined ex vivo by confocal microscopy.

Results: Compared with saline infusion, lipid infusion reduced whole-body glucose uptake by 22% (P < 0.05). Ψm decreased by 33% (P < 0.005) after lipid infusion and the decrement in Ψm correlated with change in plasma FFA after lipid infusion (r = 0.753; P < 0.005). Mitochondrial content and morphology did not change after lipid infusion. No significant changes in genes expression, citrate synthase activity, and total ATP content were observed after either lipid or saline infusion.

Conclusions: Short-term physiological increase in plasma FFA concentration in lean normal glucose tolerant subjects induces insulin resistance and impairs mitochondrial membrane potential but has no significant effects on mitochondrial content, gene expression, ATP content, or citrate synthase activity.
Prediction of geometrically feasible three-dimensional structures of pseudoknotted RNA through free energy estimation
Authors: Zhang Jian , Dundas Joseph , Lin Ming , Chen Rong , Wang Wei , Liang Jie
Published: October 2009

Accurate free energy estimation is essential for RNA structure prediction. The widely used Turner's energy model works well for nested structures. For pseudoknotted RNAs, however, there is no effective rule for estimation of loop entropy and free energy. In this work we present a new free energy estimation method, termed the pseudoknot predictor in three-dimensional space (pk3D), which goes beyond Turner's model. Our approach treats nested and pseudoknotted structures alike in one unifying physical framework, regardless of how complex the RNA structures are. We first test the ability of pk3D in selecting native structures from a large number of decoys for a set of 43 pseudoknotted RNA molecules, with lengths ranging from 23 to 113. We find that pk3D performs slightly better than the Dirks and Pierce extension of Turner's rule. We then test pk3D for blind secondary structure prediction, and find that pk3D gives the best sensitivity and comparable positive predictive value (related to specificity) in predicting pseudoknotted RNA secondary structures, when compared with other methods. A unique strength of pk3D is that it also generates spatial arrangement of structural elements of the RNA molecule. Comparison of three-dimensional structures predicted by pk3D with the native structure measured by nuclear magnetic resonance or X-ray experiments shows that the predicted spatial arrangement of stems and loops is often similar to that found in the native structure. These close-to-native structures can be used as starting points for further refinement to derive accurate three-dimensional structures of RNA molecules, including those with pseudoknots.
Mixed-Integer Models for Nonseparable Piecewise-Linear Optimization: Unifying Framework and Extensions
Authors: Vielma Juan Pablo , Ahmed Shabbir , Nemhauser George
Published: October 2009

We study the modeling of nonconvex piecewise-linear functions as mixed-integer programming (MIP) problems. We review several new and existing MIP formulations for continuous piecewise-linear functions with special attention paid to multivariate nonseparable functions. We compare these formulations with respect to their theoretical properties and their relative computational performance. In addition, we study the extension of these formulations to lower semicontinuous piecewise-linear functions.
Series Expansions for Continuous-Time Markov Processes
Authors: Heidergott Bernd , Hordijk Arie , Leder Nicole
Published: October 2009

We present update formulas that allow us to express the stationary distribution of a continuous-time Markov process with denumerable state space having generator matrix Q* through a continuous-time Markov process with generator matrix Q. Under suitable stability conditions, numerical approximations can be derived from the update formulas, and we show that the algorithms converge at a geometric rate. Applications to sensitivity analysis and bounds on perturbations are discussed as well. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Carbon dioxide chemistry: Examples and challenges in chemical utilization of carbon dioxide
Authors: He Liang-Nian , Wang Jin-Quan , Wang Jing-Lun
Published: October 2009

The development of catalytic methods for chemical transformation of CO2 into useful compounds is of paramount importance from a standpoint of C1 chemistry and so-called green chemistry. The kinetic and thermodynamic stability of CO2 molecule presents significant challenges in designing efficient chemical transformations based on this potential feedstock. In this context, efforts to convert CO2 to useful chemicals will inevitably rely on its activation through molecular catalysts, particularly transition-metal catalysts. Two preparative processes employing solid catalyst or CO2-philic homogeneous catalyst were devised for environmentally benign synthesis of organic carbonates and oxazolidinones under solvent-free conditions. Those processes represent pathways for greener chemical fixations of CO2 to afford industrial useful materials such as organic carbonates and oxazolidinones with great potential applications.
Odanacatib, a cathepsin-K inhibitor for osteoporosis: A two-year study in postmenopausal women with low bone density
Authors: Bone Henry G , McClung Michael R , Roux Christian , Recker Robert R , Eisman John A , Verbruggen Nadia , Hustad Carolyn M , DaSilva Carolyn , Santora Arthur C , Ince B Avery
Published: October 2009

Cathepsin K, a cysteine protease expressed in osteoclasts, degrades type 1 collagen. Odanacatib selectively and reversibly inhibited cathepsin K and rapidly decreased bone resorption in preclinical and phase I studies. A 1-year dose-finding trial with a 1-year extension on the same treatment assignment was performed in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of weekly doses of placebo or 3, 10, 25, or 50 mg of odanacatib on BMD and biomarkers of skeletal remodeling. Women with BMD T-scores of −2.0 or less but not less than −3.5 at the lumbar spine or femoral sites were randomly assigned to receive placebo or one of four doses of odanacatib; all received vitamin D with calcium supplementation as needed. The primary endpoint was percentage change from baseline lumbar spine BMD. Other endpoints included percentage change in BMD at hip and forearm sites, as well as changes in biomarkers of skeletal remodeling. Twenty-four months of treatment produced progressive dose-related increases in BMD. With the 50-mg dose of odanacatib, lumbar spine and total-hip BMD increased 5.5% and 3.2%, respectively, whereas BMD at these sites was essentially unchanged with placebo (−0.2% and −0.9%). Biochemical markers of bone turnover exhibited dose-related changes. The safety and tolerability of odanacatib generally were similar to those of placebo, with no dose-related trends in any adverse experiences. In summary, 2 years of weekly odanacatib treatment was generally well-tolerated and increased lumbar spine and total-hip BMD in a dose-related manner in postmenopausal women with low BMD. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Strontium is incorporated into mineral crystals only in newly formed bone during strontium ranelate treatment
Authors: Li Chenghao , Paris Oskar , Siegel Stefan , Roschger Paul , Paschalis Eleftherios P , Klaushofer Klaus , Fratzl Peter
Published: October 2009

Strontium ranelate has been shown to increase bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and to reduce fracture risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential influence of strontium ranelate (Protelos) treatment on human bone tissue characteristics and quality at the micro- and nanostructural levels. We investigated transiliac biopsies from patients treated for 36 months with strontium ranelate or placebo (n = 5 per group) using synchrotron radiation with a microbeam combining scanning small-angle scattering, X-ray diffraction, and fluorescence spectroscopy (SAXS/XRD/XRF) for a detailed characterization of the mineral crystals within the collagenous bone matrix. A scanning procedure allowed the simultaneous determination of maps of the chemical composition together with thickness, length, and lattice spacing of these mineral crystals within each of the 15- or 25-µm-wide pixels in a thin bone section. The fluorescence results show that only bone packets or osteons formed during the strontium ranelate treatment contain significant amounts of strontium and that up to 0.5 of 10 calcium atoms in the mineral crystals are replaced by strontium, as revealed by a corresponding shift in apatite lattice spacing. The thickness and length of the plate-shaped bone mineral crystals were not affected by the strontium ranelate treatment. As a consequence, there was no indication for a change in human bone tissue quality at the nanoscale after a 36-month treatment of postmenopausal osteoporotic women with strontium ranelate, except for a partial replacement of calcium by strontium ions in the hydroxyapatite crystals, only in newly formed bone. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Cbp recruitment of Csk into lipid rafts is critical to c-Src kinase activity and bone resorption in osteoclasts
Authors: Matsubara Takuma , Ikeda Fumiyo , Hata Kenji , Nakanishi Masako , Okada Masato , Yasuda Hisataka , Nishimura Riko , Yoneda Toshiyuki
Published: October 2009

A tyrosine kinase, c-Src, that plays an indispensable role in ruffled border formation and bone resorption is constitutively active in osteoclasts. However, to date, the molecular mechanism underlying increased c-Src activity in osteoclasts is unknown. To address this, we first examined the expression levels and subcellular localization of Csk, a negative regulatory kinase for c-Src. We found that the expression level of Csk in osteoclasts was comparable with that of other tissues. However, in osteoclasts, Csk was hardly localized in lipid rafts, where c-Src is highly expressed. Interestingly, expression of Cbp, which recruits Csk into lipid rafts through physical interaction with Csk, was very low in osteoclasts compared with other tissues. To understand the importance of Cbp in osteoclasts, we introduced Cbp into osteoclasts using an adenovirus gene delivery system. Introduction of Cbp stimulated recruitment of Csk into lipid rafts and suppressed c-Src activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, introduction of Cbp markedly inhibited formation of actin rings and bone-resorbing activity in osteoclasts. In addition, treatment with RANKL and overexpression of TRAF6 or NFAT2 inhibited Cbp expression in the osteoclastogenic cell line RAW264.7 along with osteoclastic differentiation. NFAT2 overexpression also inhibited Cbp expression in spleen macrophages. Collectively, our results indicate that reduction in Cbp expression is responsible for maintaining high c-Src activity in osteoclasts. These findings contribute to an understanding of the unique regulatory system for c-Src in osteoclasts. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Assessment of Energy Rating of Polyurethane Spray Foam Walls: Procedure and Interim Results
Authors: Maref W. , Elmahdy H. , Swinton M. C. , Tariku F.
Published: October 2009

The application of polyurethane spray foam (SPF) insulation in buildings provides a durable and efficient thermal barrier. The industry is also promoting the SPF as an effective air barrier system in addition to its thermal insulation characteristics. In an effort to address these issues, a consortium of SPF manufacturers and contractors, jointly with the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Research in Construction conducted an extensive research project to assess the thermal and air leakage characteristics of SPF walls as well as conventional wall assemblies. The objective is to develop analytical and experimental procedures to determine a wall energy rating (WER) that captures both the thermal and airleakage performance of a wall assembly. The experimental part included two streams of testing: (1) To determine the wall air leakage rate at different conditions and (2) their thermal resistance, R-value, at different temperature differences. An analytical procedure was also developed to calculate WER by combining the heat loss due to thermal transmission and that due to air leakage with the aim of arriving at WER. Six conventional full-scale wood frame wall assemblies were built, two with glass fiber batts and of four with medium density SPF. Some walls were constructed without penetrations and others were built with penetrations. The testing regime included: (i) Initial testing of air leakage and thermal resistance; (ii) conditioning in the dynamic wall test facility according to an established routine; and (iii) retesting for air leakage and thermal resistance. This paper presents the results of six walls included in this project. The focus of this paper will be on presenting a brief summary of the project objective, testing protocol, and the theoretical approach to determine the WER number for the six walls.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Authors: Wen Shizhu , Luo Jianbin , Hu Yuanzhong
Published: October 2009

IN 1966, “TRIBOLOGY,” AS ANEWWORDIN SCIENCE, was first presented in a report by the U.K. Department of Education and Science, which has been usually known as the Jost report. Tribology is defined in this report as the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and of related subjects and practices. The report emphasized the importance and a great potential power of tribology as an individual branch of science in the development of modern national economy. In the history of science, however, research activities on tribology can be traced back to the 15th century, when Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) presented a scientific deduction on solid surface friction. As a practice-based subject, the formation and development of tribology have always been associated with the requirement from society and technology development. Tribology experienced several different stages in its history. Its developing process indicates an obvious trend of integration and combination of multi-scientific subjects in a multi-scale nature from macroscopic dimension to nanometre. The most remarkable character of tribology is the integration, combination, and interaction between multiscientific subjects. This not only broadens the scope of tribology research, but also enriches the research mode and methodology. An early research was typically of Amontons and Coulomb's work on solid surface friction before the 18th century. Based on experimental observations, they concluded an empirical formula of sliding friction. An experiment-based research mode represented a characteristic of this stage. At the end of the 19th century, Reynolds [1] revealed load carrying mechanics of lubricating films and established a foundation of the fluid lubrication theory based on viscous hydrodynamics. A new theoretical research mode was then initiated, which is associated with the continuous medium mechanics.
Chapter 4: Thin Film Lubrication—Theoretical Modeling
Authors: Zhang Chaohui
Published: October 2009

THIN FILM LUBRICATION (TFL) DEALS WITH THE lubrication region wherein the film gap is of the order of nano metres or molecular scale, i.e., the clearance is usually between several nanometres to several tens of nanometres [1–3]. To date, it is clear that TFL is distinctive enough to be qualified as a separate lubrication regime (for instance, Refs. [4,5]), leaving many mysteries to be unveiled. In literature, some researchers regarded that the continuum mechanic ceases to be valid to describe the lubrication behavior when clearance decreases down to such a limit. Reasons cited for the inadequacy of continuum methods applied to the lubrication confined between two solid walls in relative motion are that the problem is so complex that any theoretical approach is doomed to failure, and that the film is so thin, being inherently of molecular scale, that modeling the material as a continuum ceases to be valid. Due to the molecular orientation, the lubricant has an underlying microstructure. They turned to molecular dynamic simulation for help, from which macroscopic flow equations are drawn. This is also validated through molecular dynamic simulation by Hu et al. [6,7] and Mark et al. [8]. To date, experimental research had “got a little too far forward on its skis;” however, theoretical approaches have not had such rosy prospects as the experimental ones have. Theoretical modeling of the lubrication features associated with TFL is then urgently necessary. As revealed through experimental works, however, the flow of lubricants in TFL provides a hint that the macroscopic properties, such as the viscosity and the elastic modulus remain to be a measurement of the fluid characteristics. In addition, the transition from EHL to TFL is inherently progressive, wherein no abrupt transform in lubrication states are found. Thus, the continuum theory is validated to some extent. Furthermore, one can arrives at a continuum viewpoint, but in a different way from conventional fluid mechanics, by considering the material to be a continuum one in an ensemble averaged, rather than a spatial averaged, sense.
Chapter 11: Tribology in Magnetic Recording System
Authors: Luo Jianbin , Lee Weiming , Hu Yuanzhong
Published: October 2009

A HARD DISK DRIVER (HDD) AS A HIGH SPEED DIGItal recording system has been a main part of the computer. It also has been widely used as a mobile data storing set in almost all electronic devices, including a video recorder, camera, etc. The recording density of a hard disk driver has been increasing at a high rate of 100 % per year in the past ten years. It is much faster than the rate of the Moore's law for silicon devices (̃50 %) [1]. It is expected that the recording density will increase to 1,000 Gbit/ in.2, and the fly height will decrease to about 3 nm in the next several years [2,3]. There are three major challenges that tribologists are facing today. The first is how to make solid protective coatings, i.e., diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer, with a thickness of about 1 nm without any micro-pinholes; the second is how to make a lubricant film about 1 nmon the surface of a disk or head to minimize the wear, friction, and erosion; and the third is how to control the vibration of the magnetic head and its impacting on the surface of a disk. The biggest challenge to produce an ultra-thin (about 1 nm) overcoat is to make the coating free of pin-holes while maintaining the durability and tribological properties. In an HDD system, pin-holes can cause much more contaminants from all sources, such as outgas compounds from polymeric foam components, pressure sensitive adhesives, ionic residues from improperly cleaned components and ambient pollutants, which can be detrimental to the tribology and durability of the HDD. Therefore, efforts have been made mainly on the improvement of carbon film [4–7]. A stable lubrication is very important to the slider/disk interface as the demand of HDD life increases. The lubricant films need to have a strong adhesion and bonding with the carbon surface in order to be effective in reducing friction and wear of the hard disk interface [8]. Organic films with one or a few monolayers have been used for lubrication of the HDD. Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) lubricant is one of the synthetic lubricants that are widely applied due to its excellent performances, such as chemical inertness, oxidation stability, lower vapor pressure, and good lubrication properties [9]. Generally, lubricant is deposited on surfaces of a hard carbon overcoat of magnetic recording media. The lubricant and carbon films protect the underlying soft magnetic media from mechanical damage caused by intermittent contacts with the slider. During operation of an HDD, contacts between slider and lubricated film will result in the loss of lubricant in the contact region. Unless being continuously replenished, the film thickness of PFPE in the depleted contact zone will decrease with the increase of contacts, resulting in the loss of the interface life [10].
Modelo de concepção e avaliação da estratégia de territórios
Authors: Figueirêdo Junior Hugo Santana de , Abreu Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de
Published: October 2009

Este artigo apresenta um modelo de concepção e avaliação de estratégia de territórios, desenvolvido a partir da expansão do modelo ECP (estrutura-conduta-performance) utilizado para empresas. O modelo, denominado ECP territorial, é aplicado ao Centro de Fortaleza, área que, assim como várias outras regiões centrais de cidades de grande porte em todo o mundo, enfrenta um processo acelerado de esvaziamento e demanda uma revitalização sustentável. O artigo analisa a competitividade da região e identifica oportunidades estratégicas de desenvolvimento, baseadas no suporte a setores econômicos nos quais o Centro possui vantagens. Os resultados comprovam a utilização do modelo ECP territorial para o planejamento de estratégias de bairros e sugerem a sua aplicação para territórios em geral.
Modelo conceitual para avaliação de práticas e estratégias climáticas: resultados de sua aplicação nos setores automotivo e de papel e celulose no Brasil
Authors: Fuchs Paulo G. , Macedo-Soares T. Diana L. van Aduard de , Russo Giuseppe
Published: October 2009

A alta concentração de gases de efeito estufa está provocando mudanças climáticas com forte impacto, inclusive no ambiente competitivo das empresas. Assim, algumas empresas já estão adotando práticas e estratégias climáticas em função não somente das legislações restritivas ao carbono, mas também para assegurarem sua vantagem competitiva. Contudo, há uma escassez de ferramentas gerenciais para avaliar o quanto tais práticas e estratégias são adequadas a esse novo contexto. Este artigo apresenta um modelo conceitual desenvolvido com base em benchmarks (melhores práticas) internacionais, para auxiliar as empresas na avaliação das suas práticas e estratégias climáticas, e mostra como o modelo foi aplicado no Brasil em dois setores representativos de sua economia: o automotivo e o de papel e celulose. Identifica as práticas e estratégias climáticas que precisam ser melhoradas nesses setores, quando comparadas com as internacionais. Na aplicação do modelo, foram testadas cinco hipóteses referentes às principais variáveis do modelo proposto. Para tanto, realizaram-se testes estatísticos: teste t-student, para comparação com as práticas internacionais, e teste não paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis, para verificar diferenças entre as médias dos dois setores investigados. Com base nos resultados, são feitas recomendações para futuras pesquisas e para outras empresas preocupadas em adotar práticas e estratégias climáticas eficazes.
Análise e avaliação do mercado reprimido de energia no contexto do desenvolvimento limpo na Região Administrativa de Araçatuba
Authors: Heideier Raphael Bertrand , Ueocka Marcos Z. , Udaeta Miguel Edgar Morales
Published: October 2009

Este artigo avalia o mercado reprimido de eletricidade, gás natural e álcool na Região Administrativa de Araçatuba (RAA), comparando o consumo com o consumo médio do estado de São Paulo e do estado da Flórida, EUA, onde se acredita que a demanda é plenamente satisfeita. O artigo apresenta uma projeção para o atendimento da demanda no contexto do desenvolvimento limpo em um cenário hipotético.
Bases teórico-metodológicas da administração política
Authors: Santos Reginaldo Souza , Ribeiro Elizabeth Matos , Santos Thiago Chagas Silva
Published: October 2009

Os estudos no campo da administração política, até aqui, estavam avançando mais na direção da análise ou da história das ideias do que na explicitação das definições, dos conceitos, dos enunciados. Contudo, o estágio atual das discussões vem acompanhado de questionamentos sobre a validade de algumas proposições das análises em andamento, que impedem avanços teóricos e analíticos sem a fundação de uma base teórico-metodológica pertinente. Sem dúvida, esta não é uma tarefa fácil, mas é necessário iniciá-la. Este artigo ajuda na edificação da administração política como campo do conhecimento.
Contribuição ao estudo da patologia da lepra murina
Authors: Linhares Herminio
Published: October 2009

O A. fez a revisão bibliográfica sobre a patologia da lepra murina. Em 41 ratos espontaneamente infectados com lepra murina 39% tinham alopecia, especialmente no dorso; 78% tinham infiltração subcutânea; 13 apresentavam tumores que podiam atingir 5 cm. de maior diâmetro; oito animais tinham ulcerações variando em número de 1 a 15; 11 tinham nódulos, desde um desde um único até 10; dois apresentavam hipertrofia do baço e dois outros tinham pequenos nódulos na sua superfície; microabcessos no fíagado em cinco casos; dois ratos com pneumonia e dois outros com microabcessos no pulmão. Os demais orgãos estavam macroscopicamente normais. Foram feitos minuciososestudos histopatológicos com material de lepra murina espontânea e experimental. Granulomas foram vistos em cortes da pele, gânglios linfáticos, baço, médula óssea, fígado, pulmões e rins. os testículos estavam raramente atingidos. Os granulomas são constituidos por células mononucleares ou por grandes células semelhantes ás células epitelioides, nas quais existem numerosos bacilos. O processo infeccioso fica localizado por muito tempo nos gãnglios linfáticos. A lepra murina por sua natureza e provavel origem das células atingidas sugere ser uma doença primoedial do sistema retículo endotelial.