bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dilated cardiomyopathy after pacemaker implantation in complete heart block
Authors: Yasuda Kenji , Hayashi George , Ohuchi Hideo , Ono Yasuo , Yutani Chikao , Echigo Shigeyuki
Published: March 2005

Abstract 
Background
: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of patients with congenital complete heart block (CCHB) who developed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) after pacemaker implantation (PMI) and to determine factors predicting DCM development.

Method
: A total of 15 patients were reviewed retrospectively. They were classified into two groups, one consisted of four patients who were diagnosed as having CCHB in utero or at birth and who developed DCM after PMI (DCM group) and the other consisted of 11 patients who did not (non‐DCM group).

Results
: Maternal autoantibodies were found in two of the DCM group and in five of the non‐DCM group. Perfusion defects in myocardial imaging were detected in all DCM patients and in five non‐DCM patients. DCM developed 2 to 43 months after PMI and three DCM patients died of heart failure 7 to 48 months after PMI. In pathological studies, endocardial or interstitial fibrosis was present in all DCM patients and in one of two in the non‐DCM group. No significant differences between the two groups were found in age at PMI, atrial or ventricular rate, end‐diastolic dimension and ejection fraction of the left ventricle before PMI, and width of QRS after PMI.

Conclusion
: Although it was suspected that the patients with CCHB had myocardial involvement before PMI, there was no significant factor predicting the risk of DCM after PMI. In addition to cardiac rhythm abnormalities, careful attention should be paid to cardiac function in CCHB patients after PMI.
Vasopressin in the treatment of vasodilatory shock in children
Authors: Masutani Satoshi , Senzaki Hideaki , Ishido Hirotaka , Taketazu Mio , Matsunaga Tamotsu , Kobayashi Toshiki , Sasaki Nozomu , Asano Haruhiko , Kyo Shunei , Yokote Yuji
Published: March 2005

Abstract 
Background
: Many recent studies suggest that vasopressin deficiency is an important cause of catecholamine‐resistant hypotension with vasodilation in adults, but little is known about vasopressin deficiency in children.

Methods
: To clarify the usefulness of vasopressin administration in pediatric cathecolamine‐resistant hypotension with preserved ventricular contractility, urinary output and blood pressure response to vasopressin were retrospectively analyzed in 12 consecutive patients (15 instances) who were treated with vasopressin. The causes of vasodilation were central nervous system disturbance (n = 5), side‐effect of drug (n = 5), and infection (n = 5). Plasma vasopressin concentration was measured six times before vasopressin administration and five times during vasopressin administration.

Results
: Patients were divided into four groups according to their response to vasopressin administration. In group 1 (n = 5), urinary output increased to > 3 mL/kg per h within 3 h after vasopressin administration. In group 2 (n = 4), urinary output increased to > 3 mL/kg per h from 3 to 5 h after vasopressin administration. In group 3 (n = 4), urinary output did not increase to > 3 mL/kg per min within 5 h after vasopressin administration, but systolic blood pressure increased to > 120% of the level at the time of vasopressin administration. All remaining patients were classified into group 4 (n = 3). Plasma vasopressin concentration were low considering the markedly hypotensive state in all six instances. Plasma vasopressin concentration during vasopressin administration were significantly increased compared with before administration (P < 0.05). No apparent side‐effects were observed in this series.

Conclusion
: Vasopressin deficiency may occur in catecholamine‐resistant hypotension of pediatric patients due to various causes including central nervous system disturbance, drug induced hypotension and sepsis. Small doses of vasopressin administration seems to be very effective in such conditions by increasing blood pressure and urinary output.
Risk factors for low Kaup index among children in rural ethnic minority areas of Yunnan, China
Authors: Hotta Masanaka , Li Yan , Anme Tokie , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
: The general living standard and health level have been greatly improved in China. But the result of a significant change in a child's growth level has not been reported in the Yunnan rural minority area. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for low Kaup index in the Dai peoples’ autonomous region to construct a better health service system in rural minority areas.

Methods
: A total of 1173 mother–child pairs were selected in 36 villages of the Dai peoples’ autonomous region. Sampled mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Sampled children were measured for weight and height.

Results
: In total, 36.1% of the candidate group was under weight, 12.0% was wasting, and 30.8% had stunted growth. A child's gender (odds ratio; OR, 1.42; 95% confidence interval; 95% CI, 1.07–1.88), existence of a weaning food (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.26–0.46), grasp of the cause of the child's malnutrition (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.16–2.89), positiveness to information on better nutrition (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.07–8.18), coincidence of the child‐rearing plan between parents (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.12–4.11), and existence of a doctor who can consult about child‐rearing (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.22–8.22) indicated significant relationships to the low value of a child's Kaup index.

Conclusion
: The mother's child‐rearing behavior and social support were identified as risk factors. An offer of effective and abundant information to mothers, and the existence of professionals with whom mothers can consult immediately, were required to construct a better health system in the target area.
Genetic influences on early word recognition abilities and disabilities: a study of 7‐year‐old twins
Authors: Harlaar Nicole , Spinath Frank M. , Dale Philip S. , Plomin Robert
Published: March 2005

Background:  A fundamental issue for child psychology concerns the origins of individual differences in early reading development.

Method:  A measure of word recognition, the Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE), was administered by telephone to a representative population sample of 3,909 same‐sex and opposite‐sex pairs of 7‐year‐old twins. Analyses allowing for sex differences in aetiology were used to estimate the extent to which genetic and environmental influences contribute to normal variation in word recognition and word recognition difficulties, defined by scores below the 5th and 10th percentiles of the unselected sample.

Results:  Both normal variation in word recognition and impaired word recognition abilities were substantially heritable (h2 = .65–.67; h = .37–.72). Environmental influences were primarily shared between twins, rather than specific to each individual, and small to moderate in magnitude. There was evidence for qualitative sex differences. Quantitative sex differences were also suggested at the extremes, with genetic influences being more important as a cause of reading difficulties in boys than in girls.

Conclusions:  These findings indicate that early individual differences and impairments in word recognition are principally influenced by genetic factors and may involve partly distinct genetic or environmental effects in boys and girls. Crucially, they also provide evidence that reading impairments are linked genetically to the normal distribution. Genetic risk for early impairments in word recognition is continuous rather than discrete.
The relationship between vocabulary, grammar, and false belief task performance in children with autistic spectrum disorders and children with moderate learning difficulties
Authors: Fisher Naomi , Happé Francesca , Dunn Judy
Published: March 2005

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between language and theory of mind in children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with moderate learning difficulties (MLD). Previous studies have found a strong association between language and theory of mind in a range of groups, but mostly have not included measures of both grammar and vocabulary; including these enables us to speculate about the causal direction of the relationship.

Methods: Fifty‐eight children with ASD and 118 children with MLD were given standardised assessments of vocabulary and grammar, along with standard theory of mind tasks.

Results: The relationship between language and theory of mind was more evident in children with ASD than in those with MLD, and grammar was a particularly strong predictor of theory of mind performance in children with ASD. Children with MLD performed better on false belief (FB) tasks than did children with ASD, and their performance was more predictable across the different theory of mind tasks.

Conclusions: Language, in particular grammar, and theory of mind appear to be more strongly related in children with ASD than in those with MLD. We speculate that this relationship may be causal, with some grammatical understanding being a precursor of theory of mind. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to possible routes for compensatory strategies for mentalising in children with ASD.
Metabolism, physiology and stress defense in three aging Ins/IGF‐1 mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Houthoofd Koen , Fidalgo Manuel A. , Hoogewijs David , Braeckman Bart P. , Lenaerts Isabelle , Brys Kristel , Matthijssens Filip , De Vreese Annemie , Van Eygen Sylvie , Muñoz Manuel J. , Vanfleteren Jacques R.
Published: March 2005

The insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (Ins/IGF‐1) pathway regulates the aging rate of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We describe other features of the three Ins/IGF‐1 mutants daf‐2, age‐1 and aap‐1. We show that the investigated Ins/IGF‐1 mutants all have a reduced body volume, reduced reproductive capacity, increased ATP concentrations and an elevated stress resistance. We also observed that heat production is lower in these mutants, although the respiration rate was similar or higher compared with wild‐type individuals, suggesting a metabolic shift in these mutants.
Photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning as spatial data capture techniques for a national craniofacial database
Authors: Majid Zulkepli , Chong Albert K. , Ahmad Anuar , Setan Halim , Samsudin Abdul Rani
Published: March 2005

Photogrammetry is a non‐contact, high‐accuracy, practical and cost‐effective technique for a large number of medical applications. Lately, three‐dimensional (3D) laser scanning and digital imaging technology have raised the importance of digital photogrammetry technology to a new height in craniofacial mapping. Under the support of the Eighth Malaysian Development Plan, the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (MOSTE) Malaysia allocated a grant to establish procedures for the development of a national craniofacial spatial database to assist the medical profession to provide better health services to the public. To populate the database with normal and abnormal (malformation, diseased and trauma and burn victims) craniofacial information, it is necessary to evaluate the technology needed to capture the essential data of craniofacial features.

The paper provides a discussion on the basic features of the spatial data and the data capture techniques. Both are needed for the establishment of a national spatial craniofacial database. The discussion includes a brief review of the current status of two selected high‐accuracy craniofacial spatial data capture techniques, namely, digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning. The paper highlights a system which has been developed for a Malaysian craniofacial mapping project.

Laboratory tests with mannequins showed that the photogrammetric and 3D laser scanning system could achieve an accuracy exceeding the design specification of ±0·7 mm (one standard deviation) for all the measured craniofacial distances. However, tests with two living subjects showed that the accuracy was in the order of ±1·2 mm because of facial movement during data capture.
Mini‐ICE effectively mobilises peripheral blood stem cells after fludarabine‐based regimens in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Mele Anna , Leopardi Giuliana , Sparaventi Giovanni , Nicolini Giuseppina , D'Adamo Francesca , Guiducci Barbara , Barulli Sara , Malerba Lara , Stramigioli Stefania , Talevi Nadia , Politi Patrizia , Isidori Alessandro , Malagola Michele , Piccaluga Pierpaolo , Visani Giuseppe
Published: March 2005

Fludarabine‐based cycles severely impair mobilisation and collection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In an effort of reversing this side‐effect, we studied the action on mobilisation and collection of PBSC of a low‐dose regimen: 5‐d Mini‐ICE (oral idarubicin and etoposide; subcutaneous cytosine arabinoside) administered after fludarabine‐based regimens in seven adult AML patients. Leukapheresis were started when the CD34+ cell count was more than 10/μL. The median number of harvested CD34+ cells was 8.1 × 106/kg (range 3.08–15.2). All the patients were successfully submitted to PBSC transplantation. Median times to neutrophil and platelet recovery were rapid with a normal transfusional support. We suggest that the Mini‐ICE programme is feasible, well tolerated and effective in terms of PBSC mobilisation and collection in low‐yield AML patients previously treated with fludarabine. It is well known that a negative effect on stem cell mobilisation and harvest is observed not only after fludarabine administration in AML or low‐grade lymphomas, but also after cycles based on different agents, such as thalidomide in multiple myeloma. This preliminary experience, if confirmed on larger series and/or other haematological malignancies, could open new opportunities to perform autologous PBSC transplantation in heavily pretreated cases, allowing a full source of therapeutic options before the start of the mobilisation process.
Role of NF‐κB in regulation of apoptosis of erythroid progenitor cells
Authors: Sae‐ung N. , Matsushima T. , Choi I. , Abe Y. , Winichagoon P. , Fucharoen S. , Nawata H. , Muta K.
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) and interferon‐γ(IFN‐γ) added to human erythroid progenitor cells purified from peripheral blood (erythroid colony‐forming cells; ECFC) significantly reduces apoptosis as assessed by flow cytometry (FCM) using annexin V. To clarify the role of NF‐κB in the regulation of the apoptosis of erythroid progenitor cells, cyclosporin A (CsA), which blocks dissociation of the NF‐κB complex, was added to serum‐free cultures of ECFC. CsA induced the apoptosis of ECFCs in the presence of EPO or IFN‐γ, but at different magnitudes. In the presence of a relatively low concentration of CsA (10 μm), apoptosis was induced only in cultures with EPO. The direct involvement of NF‐κB was then assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. In the presence of EPO, NF‐κB was abundant both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus, and nuclear expression was diminished after adding CsA. In contrast, NF‐κB was undetectable in the nucleus in the presence of IFN‐γ. The effect of CsA on mitochondrial function was investigated by determining the ΔΨm and reactive oxygen species production. CsA disturbed the transmembrane potential in the presence of either EPO or IFN‐γ, although the viability of the cells was maintained in the presence of IFN‐γplus CsA. These results indicate that IFN‐γreduced the apoptosis of erythroid progenitor cells through a unique signaling pathway that is independent of NF‐κB translocation, and which is not mediated by modulating mitochondrial function, whereas EPO reduced apoptosis through NF‐κB translocation to the nucleus.
Imaging of central nervous system lymphomas with iodine‐123 labeled rituximab
Authors: Dietlein Markus , Pels Hendrik , Schulz Holger , Staak Oliver , Borchmann Peter , Schomäcker Klaus , Fischer Thomas , Eschner Wolfgang , von Strandmann Elke Pogge , Schicha Harald , Engert Andreas , Schnell Roland
Published: March 2005

Most patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (PCNSL) relapse after initial response to chemotherapy or the combination of chemotherapy and irradiation. Thus, novel treatment regimens for relapsed PCNSL are needed. As the majority of PCNSL are B‐cell neoplasms expressing the CD20 antigen, treatment with the chimeric monoclonal antibody (MAb) rituximab might be reasonable. Nevertheless, the potential efficacy of intravenous rituximab in PCNSL seems to be limited as MAbs are high molecular weight proteins, which might be unable to pass the blood brain barrier. Thus, we performed dosimetric measurements with iodine‐123 (123I)‐rituximab to evaluate rituximab uptake in PCNSL after systemic intravenous administration. We analyzed four patients with PCNSL receiving a preinfusion of 250 mg/m2 rituximab followed by 200–500 MBq of the gamma‐emitter 123I‐rituximab. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed 1, 24 and 48 h after administration of the radio‐immunoconstruct. Only one patient showed a very weak or questionable uptake of 123I‐rituximab into tumor tissue which was ninefold lower compared with the blood‐pool accumulation. These data suggest that systemic MAb‐based radio‐immunotherapy is not feasible in patients with PCNSL because a sufficient activity in the tumor will be associated with severe hematotoxicity. If an uptake of therapeutic rituximab doses into PCNSL can be achieved remains questionable.
Biochemical Genetics of Short‐Season Cotton Cultivars that Express Early Maturity Without Senescence
Authors: YU Shu‐Xun , SONG Mei‐Zhen , FAN Shu‐Li , WANG Wu , YUAN Ri‐Hong
Published: March 2005

Abstract: The present study is aimed to investigate the mechanism of the biochemical genetic in short‐seasoned cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (SSC). Ten cultivars from two types of SSC were selected, five SSC with no premature senescence crossed with five SSC with premature senescence. The parents, F1, and F2 from the reciprocal crosses were field tested in replication in 2001 and 2002. The results indicated that the activities of protective enzymes of the antioxidant system, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD), were higher in the early maturing SSC with premature senescence compared with activities in the SSC parental cultivars that showed premature senescence, whereas the malondialdehyde (MD A) content in former group was lower than that in latter group. Various genetic variances and heritabilities for these biochemical traits and auxin (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and chlorophyll (Chl a+b) contents were also estimated. Significant additive variance for CAT, POD, ABA, and IAA existed, whereas CAT specific activity and SOD activity were largely controlled by dominant effects. Both maternal and dominant variances played equally predominant roles in the specific activity of POD and SOD, MDA, and soluble portents. The relative contribution of the various genetic components to the phenotypic variation varied in the boll‐setting period.

(Managing editor: Li‐Hui ZHAO)
Two Na+ and Cl− Hyperaccumulators of the Chenopodiaceae
Authors: ZHAO Ke‐Fu , FAN Hai , SONG Jie , SUN Ming‐Xia , WANG Bao‐Zeng , ZHANG Sheng‐Qiang , UNGAR I. A.
Published: March 2005

Abstract: The authors found five sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl‐.) hyperaccumulating halophytes in the Temperate Desert of Xinjiang, China and studied two of them (Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. and Kalidium folium (Pall.) Moq.). K. folium and S. salsa had a NaCl content of 32.1% and 29.8%, respectively, on a dry weight basis. X‐ray microanalysis of the Na+ in the vacuole, apoplasts and cytoplasm of the two plants indicated a ratio of 7.3:5.6:1.0 in K. folium and 7.3:6.6:1.0 in S. salsa. These data show that K. folium and S. salsa both have a high Na+ and Cl‐ accumulating capacity, which is related to high activity of tonoplast H+‐ATPase and H+‐PPase.

(Managing editor: Ping HE)
Soil Organic Matter Dynamics Along a Vertical Vegetation Gradient in the Gongga Mountain on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: WANG Lin , OUYANG Hua , ZHOUM Cai‐Ping , ZHANG Feng , SONG Ming‐Hua , TIAN Yu‐Qiang
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Our knowledge about soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics is limited although this is an important issue in the study of responses of ecosystems to global climate changes. Twelve sampling plots were set up every 200 m from 1 700 to 3 900 m along the vertical vegetation gradient along the east slope of Gongga Mountain. Samples were taken from all 12 plots for SOM content measurement, although only 5 of the 12 plots were subjected to radiocarbon measurements. A radiocarbon isotope method and a time‐dependent model were used to quantify the SOM dynamics and SOM turnover rates along the vertical vegetation gradient. The results showed that the SOM turnover rate decreased and turnover time increased with soil depth for all vegetation types. The litter layer turnover rates presented a clear trend along the gradient. The litter layer turnover rates decreased with an increase in elevation, except that the litter layer turnover rate of mixed forest was higher than that of evergreen forest. Climatic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, were the main factors influencing the surface soil carbon dynamics. The turnover rates of the subsoil (including the A, B, and C horizons in the soil profiles) along the vertical gradient had no clear trends. The SOM of subalpine shrub and meadow turned over more slowly than that of the forest types in almost all soil horizons. The characteristic of short roots distributing in the upper part of the soil profile leads to different SOM dynamics of shrub and meadow compared with the forest types. Coniferous and mixed forests were susceptible to carbon loss from the young carbon pool, but their long and big roots resulted in high Δ14C values of the deep soil profiles and increased the input of young carbon to the deep soil. In evergreen forest, the carbon cumulative ability from the B horizon to the C horizon was weak. The different vegetation types, together with their different modes of nutrient and carbon intake, may be the mechanism conditioning the subsoil organic matter dynamics.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin HAN)
Investigation of the Formation and Applications of Ice Powder
Authors: Shishkin D. V. , Geskin E. S. , Goldenberg B. S.
Published: March 2005

Water ice powder constitutes a potentially important manufacturing tool. Availability and cleanliness of this powder constitute its major advantage. It was shown that the ice particles could be used as an abrasive in the course of waterjet machining. Although the erosion potential of ice particles is inferior to that of the conventional abrasives, the environmental soundness of ice enables us to expend the use of the ice abrasive jets on food industry, medicine, precision machining, etc. The principal issue in the use of the ice abrasives is particles formation. Analysis of various technologies showed that an effective avenue in particle production is integration of the water freezing and ice decomposition. As the results, the desired flow rate of ice particles at the desired temperature and size distribution can be generated. The objective of the present paper is the experimental investigation of the production of ice particles. An experimental setup was constructed and used for particles fabrication at controlled conditions. The acquired information was applied for the analysis of the phenomena leading to the particles formation. As a result a hypothetical mechanism of the ice decomposition was suggested and validated. The experiments involving the decontamination of the electronic devices, semiconductors, fabric, leather, food products, polished metal, soft plastics, rusted auto parts, etc., were carried out in order to demonstrate the potential application of the ice blasting.
Three-Dimensional Vibration Analysis of Rectangular Plates With Mixed Boundary Conditions
Authors: Zhou D. , Cheung Y. K. , Lo S. H. , Au F. T. K.
Published: March 2005

Three-dimensional vibration solutions are presented for rectangular plates with mixed boundary conditions, based on the small strain linear elasticity theory. The analysis is focused on two kinds of rectangular plates, the boundaries of which are partially fixed while the others are free. One of those studied is a rectangular plate with partially fixed boundaries symmetrically arranged around four corners and the other one is a rectangular plate with partially fixed boundaries around one corner only. A global analysis approach is developed. The Ritz method is applied to derive the governing eigenvalue equation by minimizing the energy functional of the plate. The admissible functions for all displacement components are taken as a product of a characteristic boundary function and the triplicate Chebyshev polynomial series defined in the plate domain. The characteristic boundary functions are composed of a product of four components of which each corresponds to one edge of the plate. The R-function method is applied to construct the characteristic boundary function components for the edges with mixed boundary conditions. The convergence and comparison studies demonstrate the accuracy and correctness of the present method. The influence of the length of the fixed boundaries and the plate thickness on frequency parameters of square plates has been studied in detail. Some valuable results are given in the form of tables and figures, which can serve as the benchmark for the further research.
An Investigaton of Minimum-Weight Dual-Material Symmetrically Loaded Wheels and Torsion Arms
Authors: Dewhurst Peter , Srithongchai Sriruk
Published: March 2005

A cylindrically symmetric layout of two opposite families of logarithmic spirals is shown to define the layout of minimum-weight, symmetrically loaded wheel structures, where different materials are used for the tension and compression members, respectively; referred to here as dual-material structures. Analytical solutions are obtained for both structure weight and deflection. The symmetric solutions are shown to form the basis for torsion arm structures, which when designed to accept the same total load, have identical weight and are subjected to identical deflections. The theoretical predictions of structure weight, deflection, and support reactions are shown to be in close agreement to the values obtained with truss designs, whose nodes are spaced along the theoretical spiral layout lines. The original Michell solution based on 45 deg equiangular spirals is shown to be in very close agreement with layout solutions designed to be kinematically compatible with the strain field required for an optimal dual-material design.
Analytical Solution of a Dynamic System Containing Fractional Derivative of Order One-Half by Adomian Decomposition Method
Authors: Saha Ray S. , Poddar B. P. , Bera R. K.
Published: March 2005

The fractional derivative has been occurring in many physical problems, such as frequency-dependent damping behavior of materials, motion of a large thin plate in a Newtonian fluid, creep and relaxation functions for viscoelastic materials, the PIλDμ controller for the control of dynamical systems, etc. Phenomena in electromagnetics, acoustics, viscoelasticity, electrochemistry, and materials science are also described by differential equations of fractional order. The solution of the differential equation containing a fractional derivative is much involved. Instead of an application of the existing methods, an attempt has been made in the present analysis to obtain the solution of an equation in a dynamic system whose damping behavior is described by a fractional derivative of order 1/2 by the relatively new Adomian decomposition method. The results obtained by this method are then graphically represented and compared with those available in the work of Suarez and Shokooh [Suarez, L. E., and Shokooh, A., 1997, “An Eigenvector Expansion Method for the Solution of Motion Containing Fraction Derivatives,” ASME J. Appl. Mech., 64, pp. 629–635]. A good agreement of the results is observed.
Stochastic Stability of Mechanical Systems Under Renewal Jump Process Parametric Excitation
Authors: Iwankiewicz R. , Nielsen S. R. K. , Larsen J. W.
Published: March 2005

A dynamic system under parametric excitation in the form of a non-Erlang renewal jump process is considered. The excitation is a random train of nonoverlapping rectangular pulses with equal, deterministic heights. The time intervals between two consecutive jumps up (or down), are the sum of two independent, negative exponential distributed variables; hence, the arrival process may be termed as a generalized Erlang renewal process. The excitation process is governed by the stochastic equation driven by two independent Poisson processes, with different parameters. If the response in a single mode is investigated, the problem is governed in the state space by two stochastic equations, because the stochastic equation for the excitation process is autonomic. However, due to the parametric nature of the excitation, the nonlinear term appears at the right-hand sides of the equations. The equations become linear if the state space is augmented by the products of the original state variables and the excitation variable. Asymptotic mean and mean-square stability as well as asymptotic sample (Lyapunov) stability with probability 1 are investigated. The Lyapunov exponents have been evaluated both by the direct simulation of the stochastic equation governing the natural logarithm of the hyperspherical amplitude process and using the modification of the method wherein the time averaging of the pertinent expressions is replaced by ensemble averaging. It is found that the direct simulation is more suitable and that the asymptotic mean-square stability condition is not overly conservative.
Wall Heat Flux Partitioning During Subcooled Flow Boiling: Part II—Model Validation
Authors: Basu Nilanjana , Warrier Gopinath R. , Dhir Vijay K.
Published: March 2005

A mechanistic model for wall heat flux partitioning during subcooled flow boiling proposed in Part I of this two-part paper, is validated in this part. As the first step of the validation process, the developed model was applied to experimental data obtained as part of this study. Comparison of the model predictions with the present data shows good agreement. In order to further validate/exercise the model, it was then applied to several data sets available in the literature. Though the data in the literature were for experimental conditions vastly different from those from which the model was originally developed, reasonable agreement between the model predictions and the experimental data were observed. This indicates that the proposed model can be extended to other flow conditions provided the submodels cover the conditions of the experiments. Future work should be directed towards improvement of the various submodels involved to extend their range of applicability, especially the ones related to bubble dynamics. Additionally, it must be kept in mind that the model as proposed is strictly only applicable to vertical up-flow and may not be applicable to other orientations.
Heat Transfer Enhancement for Finned-Tube Heat Exchangers With Winglets
Authors: O’Brien James E. , Sohal Manohar S.
Published: March 2005

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of forced convection heat transfer in a narrow rectangular duct fitted with a circular tube and/or a delta-winglet pair. The duct was designed to simulate a single passage in a fin-tube heat exchanger. Heat transfer measurements were obtained using a transient technique in which a heated airflow is suddenly introduced to the test section. High-resolution local fin-surface temperature distributions were obtained at several times after initiation of the transient using an imaging infrared camera. Corresponding local fin-surface heat transfer coefficient distributions were then calculated from a locally applied one-dimensional semi-infinite inverse heat conduction model. Heat transfer results were obtained over an airflow rate ranging from 1.51×10−3 to 14.0×10−3kg/s. These flow rates correspond to a duct-height Reynolds number range of 670–6300 with a duct height of 1.106 cm and a duct width-to-height ratio, W/H, of 11.25. The test cylinder was sized such that the diameter-to-duct height ratio, D/H is 5. Results presented in this paper reveal visual and quantitative details of local fin-surface heat transfer distributions in the vicinity of a circular tube, a delta-winglet pair, and a combination of a circular tube and a delta-winglet pair. Comparisons of local and average heat transfer distributions for the circular tube with and without winglets are provided. Overall mean fin-surface Nusselt-number results indicate a significant level of heat transfer enhancement associated with the deployment of the winglets with the circular cylinder. At the lowest Reynolds numbers (which correspond to the laminar operating conditions of existing geothermal air-cooled condensers), the enhancement level is nearly a factor of 2. At higher Reynolds numbers, the enhancement level is close to 50%.
An Analytical Study of Heat Transfer in Finite Tissue With Two Blood Vessels and Uniform Dirichlet Boundary Conditions
Authors: Shrivastava Devashish , McKay Benjamin , Roemer Robert B.
Published: March 2005

Counter-current (vessel–vessel) heat transfer has been postulated as one of the most important heat transfer mechanisms in living systems. Surprisingly, however, the accurate quantification of the vessel–vessel, and vessel–tissue, heat transfer rates has never been performed in the most general and important case of a finite, unheated/heated tissue domain with noninsulated boundary conditions. To quantify these heat transfer rates, an exact analytical expression for the temperature field is derived by solving the 2-D Poisson equation with uniform Dirichlet boundary conditions. The new results obtained using this solution are as follows: first, the vessel–vessel heat transfer rate can be a large fraction of the total heat transfer rate of each vessel, thus quantitatively demonstrating the need to accurately model the vessel–vessel heat transfer for vessels imbedded in tissues. Second, the vessel–vessel heat transfer rate is shown to be independent of the source term; while the heat transfer rates from the vessels to the tissue show a significant dependence on the source term. Third, while many previous studies have assumed that (1) the total heat transfer rate from vessels to tissue is zero, and/or (2) the heat transfer rates from paired vessels (of different sizes and at different temperatures) to tissue are equal to each other the current analysis shows that neither of these conditions is met. The analytical solution approach used to solve this two vessels problem is general and can be extended for the case of “N” arbitrarily located vessels.
Investigation of a Novel Flat Heat Pipe
Authors: Wang Yaxiong , Peterson G. P.
Published: March 2005

A novel flat heat pipe has been developed to assist in meeting the high thermal design requirements in high power microelectronics, power converting systems, laptop computers and spacecraft thermal control systems. Two different prototypes, each measuring 152.4 mm by 25.4 mm were constructed and evaluated experimentally. Sintered copper screen mesh was used as the primary wicking structure, in conjunction with a series of parallel wires, which formed liquid arteries. Water was selected as the working fluid. Both experimental and analytical investigations were conducted to examine the maximum heat transport capacity and optimize the design parameters of this particular design. The experimental results indicated that the maximum heat transport capacity and heat flux for Prototype 1, which utilized four layers of 100 mesh screen were 112 W and 17.4W/cm2, respectively, in the horizontal position. For Prototype 2, which utilized six layers of 150 mesh screen, these values were 123 W and 19.1W/cm2, respectively. The experimental results were in good agreement with the theoretical predictions for a mesh compact coefficient of C=1.15.
Calculation of Turbulent Boundary Layers Using Equilibrium Thermal Wakes
Authors: Sucec James
Published: March 2005

The combined thermal law of the wall and wake is used as the approximating sequence for the boundary layer temperature profile to solve an integral thermal energy equation for the local Stanton number distribution. The velocity profile in the turbulent boundary layer was taken to be the combined law of the wall and wake of Coles. This allows the solution of an integral form of the x-momentum equation to give the skin friction coefficient distribution. This, along with the velocity profile, is used to solve the thermal energy equation using inner coordinates. The strength of the thermal wake was found by analysis of earlier research results, in the literature, for equilibrium, constant property, turbulent boundary layers. Solutions for the Stanton number distribution with position are found for some adverse pressure gradient boundary layers as well as for those having zero pressure gradient. The zero pressure gradient results cover both fully heated plates and those with unheated starting lengths, including both isothermal surfaces and constant flux surfaces. Comparison of predictions of the present work is made with experimental data in the literature.
Analytical Study of Flow Regimes for Direct Contact Condensation Based on Parametrical Investigation
Authors: Petrovic Anka
Published: March 2005

Various industrial devices exist where direct contact condensation (DCC) of steam in water takes place. Typical examples are the nuclear reactor coolant systems, steam driven jet pumps, and condensers. The modeling of steam condensation is crucial to obtain an appropriate design of such devices. Present models designed for DCC have shown limited agreement with experimental data. Computation of the flow regimes is performed with limited accuracy, due to initial model settings and empirical correlations, which form a main drawback in the computation of DCC related problems. This study, which is a part of a PhD study, presents an investigation of the steam-water interface for various conditions of steam and water, using the computation of balance equations and jump conditions. A simple mathematical model to predict the location of the condensation interface for four different shapes of steam plume at different heat transfer coefficients is presented which will be further developed into an advanced computational model for DCC.
Case Study of the Use of API 581 on HK and HP Material Furnace Tubes
Authors: Noori Soudabeh A. , Price John W. H.
Published: March 2005

Risk-based inspection guidelines have been created by several technical societies, most notably the ASME and API. This study intends to show how one of these techniques, American Petroleum Institute, API 581 assesses risk and determines inspection intervals of furnaces tubes. The paper also explains the difficulties of applying API 581 and discusses the meaning of the results and the inspection program proposed in API 581.
Reference Stress Based Approach to Predict Failure Strength of Pipes With Local Wall Thinning Under Combined Loading
Authors: Shim Do-Jun , Kim Young-Jin , Kim Yun-Jae
Published: March 2005

In the previous work carried out by the authors, a new method to estimate failure strength of a pipe with local wall thinning subject to either internal pressure or global bending has been proposed. The proposed method was based on the equivalent stress averaged over the minimum ligament in the locally wall thinned region, and the simple scheme to estimate the equivalent stress in the minimum ligament was proposed, based on the reference stress concept for creep stress analysis. This paper extends the new method to combined internal pressure and global bending. The proposed method is validated against FE results for various geometries of local wall thinning under combined loading. The effect of internal pressure is also investigated in the present study. Comparison of maximum moments, predicted according to the proposed method, with published full-scale pipe test data for locally wall thinned pipes under combined internal pressure and global bending, shows good agreement.
Fitness-for-Service Methodology Based on Variational Principles in Plasticity
Authors: Indermohan H. , Seshadri R.
Published: March 2005

A variational formulation in plasticity has been used to develop improved limit load estimation technique, such as the m-alpha method. Lower bound limit load estimates are especially germane to design and fitness-for-service assessments. The concept of “integral mean of yield” has been applied to problems involving locally thinned areas (LTA) and local hot spots in the context of industrial pressure vessels and piping. Simplified procedures for “fitness-for-service” assessment, suitable for use by plant engineers, have been developed. The results are compared with the corresponding inelastic finite elastic analyses.
SIMPLE GRADED RINGS OF SIEGEL MODULAR FORMS, DIFFERENTIAL OPERATORS AND BORCHERDS PRODUCTS
Authors: AOKI HIROKI , IBUKIYAMA TOMOYOSHI
Published: March 2005

In this paper, we show that the graded ring of Siegel modular forms of Γ0(N) ⊂ Sp(2,ℤ) has a very simple unified structure for N = 1, 2, 3, 4, taking Neben-type case (the case with character) for N = 3 and 4. All are generated by 5 generators, and all the fifth generators are obtained by using the other four by means of differential operators, and it is also obtained as Borcherds products. As an appendix, examples of Euler factors of L-functions of Siegel modular forms of Sp(2,ℤ) of odd weight are given.
ERRATA: HIGHER DERIVATIVE SUPERSYMMETRY, A MODIFIED CRUM–DARBOUX TRANSFORMATION AND COHERENT STATE
Authors: BAGCHI B. , GANGULY A. , BHAUMIK D. , MITRA A.
Published: March 2005

No abstact received.
THE DISCOVERY AND PROPERTIES OF PENTAQUARKS
Authors: STANCU FLORENCE
Published: March 2005

The pentaquarks are exotic baryons formed of four quarks and an antiquarks. Their existence has been discussed in the literature over the last 30 years or more, first in connection with kaon nucleon scattering data. The subject has been revived by the end of 2002 when experimental evidence of a narrow baryon of strangeness S=+1, and mass M≃1530 MeV has been found. This is interpreted as the lightest member of an SU (3)-flavor antidecuplet. Here we shall mainly review the predictions of pentaquark properties as e.g. mass, spin and parity, within constituent quark models. Both light and heavy pentaquarks will be presented.
THE (π,2π) INTERACTION AND THE π-π INTERACTION INSIDE NUCLEAR MATTER
Authors: CAMERINI PAOLO
Published: March 2005

The results of an extensive campaign of measurements of the π→ππ process in the nucleon and nuclei at intermediate energies are presented. Several differential cross-sections were measured following the detection of multiparticle (π+,π+π±) and (π+,π+π-p) events, which allowed to understand the general properties of the pion production reaction inside the nucleus. Particular attention was devoted to the study of the effects of nuclear matter on the π-π scalar-isoscalar system. The most relevant results are reviewed and compared to theories as well as to other recent experimental results.
HADRONIC DECAYS OF CHARMONIA FROM BESII
Authors:   FOR THE BES COLLABORATION., YUAN CHANG-ZHENG
Published: March 2005

Recent results on charmonia decays at BESII/BEPC are reported, including the observation of [Formula: see text], ψ′→Vector Tensor and ψ′→Vector Pseudoscalar for the measurement of the relative phase between the strong and electromagnetic decays of ψ′ and a test of the pQCD "12% rule" between ψ′ and J/ψ decays; the test of the color-octet mechanism via [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]; the first observation of χc0→f0(980)f0(980); and a study of the ψ′ and χcJ decays with [Formula: see text] in the final states.
RECENT RESULTS FROM GRAAL
Authors:   FOR THE GRAAL COLLABORATION., MORICCIANI D. , BARTALINI O. , BELLINI V. , BOCQUET J. P. , CASTOLDI M. , D'ANGELO A. , DIDELEZ J. P. , DI SALVO R. , FANTINI A. , GERVINO G. , GIUSA A. , GHIO F. , GIROLAMI B. , GUIDAL M. , HOURANY E. , KUNNE R. , KOUZNETSOV V. , LAPIK A. , LEVI SANDRI P. , LLERES A. , NEDOREZOV D. V. , REBREYEND D. , RUDNEV N. V. , RUSSO G. , SCHAERF C. , SPERDUTO M. L. , SUTERA M. C. , TURINGE A. , ZUCCHIATTI A.
Published: March 2005

A polarised and tagged [Formula: see text] ray beam is produced at GRAAL by the Compton scattering of laser light on the high energy electron of the ESRF storage ring. We present results on the beam polarisation asymmetries and cross sections in the photoproduction of mesons on hydrogen and deuterium target in the energy region 500-1500 MeV. These very precise results cover the angular range 30°-150°, providing stringent constraints to theoretical models.
PHYSICS ISSUES IN η′ DECAYS
Authors: WOLKE MAGNUS
Published: March 2005

Studies of hadronic, radiative, and (semi–)leptonic decays of the η′ allow to shed light on a broad field of fundamental physics questions. Isospin symmetry breaking decays provide a well-suited tool to extract the light quark mass difference. Differential distributions in hadronic decays both test predictions obtained within ChPT approaches, and enclose information on the scalar meson sector. Precision measurements on radiative decay widths will constrain pseudoscalar mixing, the manifestation of QCD anomalies, and the structure of the η′. The latter is also subject of investigation in semileptonic decays probing the η′ transition form factor. The presently available experimental information is reviewed, and prospects for η′ decay physics with WASA at COSY are presented.
ISOSPIN BREAKING IN HADRONIC REACTIONS
Authors: HANHART CHRISTOPH
Published: March 2005

In the standard model the isospin symmetry is broken by electro magnetic interactions as well as the difference in the quark masses. Given a systematic scheme that allows to disentangle these two effects it is possible to get direct access to properties of QCD from low and medium energy hadronic reactions.

Recently interest in isospin breaking reactions has revived due to the measurement of a forward–backward asymmetry in pn→dπ0 as well as the total cross section for dd→απ0—both quantities vanish in an isospin symmetric world. The current status of the theoretical analysis for these reactions is disucssed.

In addition, I will briefly discuss how the isospin violating a0(980)-f0(980) transition amplitude can be studied in dd and pn induced production reactions—a quantity that is believed to reveal important information on the nature of these lightest scalar mesons.
CHARMONIUM AND EXOTIC HADRONS AT PANDA
Authors: PETERS KLAUS
Published: March 2005

Recently GSI presented the plans for a major new international research facility, called FAIR. A key feature of this new facility will be the delivery of intense, high-quality secondary beams which embody the production of antiprotons. For the antiproton beams a High Energy Storage Ring (HESR) is comprised. The design luminosity is 2·1032 cm -2 s -1. Experiments will take place at an internal target. The rich spectroscopy program on exotic hadrons with antiproton beams is presented.
SPIN-DEPENDENCE OF MESON PRODUCTION IN NN COLLISIONS
Authors: DEEPAK P. N. , HANHART C. , RAMACHANDRAN G. , VIDYA M. S.
Published: March 2005

We present here a model-independent irreducible tensor approach to meson production in NN collisions, which leads to a spin-structure of the T-matrix valid at all energies together with exact partial-wave expansions for the reaction amplitudes. We then make use of these expressions to estimate the values of the partial-wave amplitudes for the reaction [Formula: see text], using the IUCF data of Meyer et al.
IS THE a0(980) RESONANCE A $K\overline{K}$ BOUND STATE?
Authors: LEŚNIAK L. , FURMAN A.
Published: March 2005

We have analysed properties of two resonances a0(980) and a0(1450) using the πη and [Formula: see text] coupled channel model. Although the forces in the scalar-isovector [Formula: see text] channel are attractive the a0(980) resonance cannot be interpreted as a kaon-antikaon bound state within our model.