bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation in Nigeria: Drawing Lessons from the Democratic Experience in India
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh
Published: September 2005

Newfound ‘consensus’ that has emerged in the form of the acceptance of the concepts of ‘democratization’ or ‘governance’ is about the minimalist form of liberal democracy under the auspices of the contemporary political aid industry. With the label of democracy getting detached from the content of the concept, even the ‘home-grown’ non-democratic regimes in Africa have appropriated the term. As for Nigeria, weakened both by political decay and economic crisis, ‘democratic transition’ was more of an obligation than a choice for the political class of Nigeria. The recent democratic openings, however, have failed to reconcile, if not aggravated its ethnic, linguistic, regional, religious and cultural differences. Nigeria today is in desperate need of democratic solutions and consolidation while facing a serious crisis in the form of an overall absence, deterioration or breakdown of social, economic and political institutions of governance; the safeguard of human security; a dependent political economy of oil; and the dereliction of physical infrastructure. Lessons from the relatively successful experiences of Indian democracy can be instructive, as India, like Nigeria, not only lacked all the ingredients that make liberal democracy a success at the time of decolonization, but to an extent also faces similar challenges even now.
Serving the unserved: informal refuse collection in Mexico
Authors: Medina Martin
Published: September 2005

The incomplete collection of municipal solid waste is a significant problem in the cities of many developing countries. Mexican cities collect less than 75% of the waste generated. The uncollected waste generates pollution and poses risks to human health and the environment. Low-income communities comprise most areas that lack refuse collection. In many of the areas where there is no official collection service, informal collectors provide this service for a fee. This paper analyses informal refuse collection in three Mexican cities, and argues that it can supplement municipal collection, create jobs, benefit the economy and help clean up the urban environment.
A laboratory study on migration of K+ in a two-layer landfill liner system
Authors: Du Yan Jun , Hayashi Shigenori
Published: September 2005

Contaminant transport through the clay liner and the underlying secondary leachate drain layer (SLDL) in landfills was studied through a laboratory test, and analysis method on the transport of K+ in a two-layer soil system. The soils used for this study were Ariake clay and the underlying layer, Shirasu soil from the Kyushu region of Japan, representing the clay liner material and SLDL material, respectively. The effective diffusion coefficients ( De) of the selected target chemical species, potassium (K+) for the Ariake clay and Shirasu soil were back-calculated using a computer program, and it was found that values of De derived from this study were consistent with those previously published. The hypothesis that the mechanical dispersion process can be negligible has been proved to be reasonable based on both the observation that the predicted values fit the experimental data and the analyses of two dimensionless parameters. Parametric analysis showed the transport of K+ through the soils is controlled by advection–diffusion rather than diffusion only, whereas at low Darcy velocity (i.e. ≤ 10–9 m s–1), transport of K+ would be controlled by diffusion. The test results and parametric analysis may be applied in design of landfill liners and SLDLs, particularly in coastal areas.
Note. In Vitro Viability of Bifidobacterium Strains Isolated from Commercial Dairy Products Exposed to Human Gastrointestinal Conditions
Authors: Collado M. C. , Moreno Y. , Hernández E. , Cobo J. M. , Hernández M.
Published: September 2005

Levels of bifidobacteria contained in commercial fermented milks in Spain were determined by fluorescent techniques. The transit tolerance of probiotic bifidobacteria strains to human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was assessed in vitro. The number of bifidobacteria in commercial fermented milks declared to contain bifidobacteria varied from 104 to 107 bacteria/m L. Viable cell counts estimated by plating onto selective media were lower than direct counts. Bifidobacteriumstrains analysed showed different survival behaviour. Viable bacteria counts decreased considerably following exposure to gastric juice. As only intrinsic acid resistant cells survive their passage through the human intestine, the selection of acid tolerant strains is necessary for the elaboration of probiotic products. Viability of dairy bifidobacteria is affected by gastrointestinal juices but the majority of tested strains survived well at gastrointestinal conditions. The reason for this may be the low number of viable bifidobacteria contained in commercial dairy products. Adaptation and survival at low pH is likely to determine the efficacy of Bifidobacterium strains both as dairy starters and probiotic microorganisms. This study confirmed the usefulness of fluorescent techniques for a rapid and accurate evaluation of bacterial viability in probiotic products.
Influence of the Presence of the Lees during Oak Ageing on Colour and Phenolic Compounds Composition of Red Wine
Authors: Rodríguez M. , Lezáun J. , Canals R. , Llaudy M. C. , Canals J. M. , Zamora F.
Published: September 2005

Oak ageing of red wine in the presence of lees is currently a procedure that is being introduced in most wineries. This work analysed the influence of this technique on colour and phenolic compounds of two red wines, one with a low ageing potential (low anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin concentration) and the other one with a high ageing potential (high anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin concentration). Wines, after six months of ageing in new American oak barrels, were analysed and tasted by expert panellists. In general terms, ageing in the presence of lees presented the disadvantage of producing wines with a slightly less intense colour and with lower proanthocyanidin concentration. However, the advantages were that wines presented a colour slightly less evolved towards yellowish nuances, a non-negligible diminution of their astringency and an increase in the mouthfeel perception.
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Juices from Mature and Immature Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC)
Authors: Righetto A. M. , Netto F. M. , Carraro F.
Published: September 2005

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of juice from immature and mature acerola and of concentrated juice from immature acerola were determined. Tartaric, malic and citric acids and a high content of ascorbic acid were found in all the juices. Vitamin C contents were 4.80, 1.90 and 0.97 g/100 g for the concentrated immature, the immature, and the mature acerola juices respectively. The total phenol contents decreased during ripening, from 3.8 mg of catechin/g for immature acerola juice to 1.4 mg of catechin/g for mature acerola juice. The concentrated immature juice had a content of 9.2mg of catechin/g of juice. Catechin, gallic acid, coumaric acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid and ferrulic acid were detected in immature acerola juice by HPLC analysis whereas mature acerola juice showed only one predominant peak with a retention time similar to that of ferrulic acid. The concentrated juice from immature acerola reduced the oxidation of methyl linoleate by 57.2% while the juice from immature acerola reduced the oxidation by 28.1%. These results stated that the antioxidant potential of the acerola juice depended on its content of phenolic compounds and the vitamin C.
Hardiness, History of Abuse and Women's Health
Authors: Heckman Carolyn J. , Clay Daniel L.
Published: September 2005

This study examined hardiness and health in women with and without histories of physical and/or sexual abuse. Patients ( N= 201) from a major Midwestern hospital gynecology clinic completed measures of hardiness, physical health, psychological health and neuroticism. The following findings were obtained: (a) the proposed three-factor structure of hardiness was not confirmed, and a different model was suggested; (b) evidence for convergent (adjustment and neuroticism) validity was found; (c) hardiness was significantly associated with physical and psychological health; (d) hardiness was not found to moderate the effects of an abusive past; and (e) the constructs of neuroticism and hardiness appear to overlap to a certain extent. Implications of these findings for theory, research and practice are discussed.
Children’s Concepts of Health and Illness: Understanding of Contagious Illnesses, Non-Contagious Illnesses and Injuries
Authors: Myant Katherine A. , Williams Joanne M.
Published: September 2005

This study was designed to provide a more comprehensive picture of children’s understanding of illness and injury than previous studies by interviewing 83 children from 4 age groups (4/5 years, 7/8 years, 9/10 years and 11/12 years). They were asked questions about how they defined illness and health as well as questions regarding different features of specific illnesses. First, it was found that definitions of health and illness became more polarized with age. Further, significant effects of age were detected for understanding of the specific illnesses with explanations becoming more sophisticated and accurate with development. This result held for almost every illness and illness feature. Lastly, cross-illness analyses showed that children hold differing levels of understanding for each ailment, e.g. understanding of injuries was higher than illnesses. These results contribute to health psychology literature on children’s understanding of specific illnesses.
An Attitudinal Study of Responses to a Range of Dermatological Conditions Using the Implicit Association Test
Authors: Grandfield Tracey A. , Thompson Andrew R. , Turpin Graham
Published: September 2005

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) was used to explore implicit attitudes to dermatological conditions. The stimuli employed were photographs representing skin conditions and clear skin. Explicit attitudes were measured using rating scales and questions concerning participants’ experience of dermatitis. Participants ( N= 64) completed the IAT, explicit measures and demographics. The results showed a statistically significant implicit preference for people with clear skin and suggested that people who knew someone with a skin condition may exhibit stereotype inhibition. This concurs with earlier research into disfigurement, and in accord with previous IAT research, correlations between implicit and explicit measures were not significant.
Tattooing, Piercing, Healthy Behaviours and Health Value
Authors: Huxley Caroline , Grogan Sarah
Published: September 2005

This study was designed to investigate whether people who engage more frequently in healthy behaviours, and attach a higher value to health, are likely to engage less frequently in tattooing and piercing. One hundred and eight participants with tattoos and/or piercings completed questionnaires including the Reported Health Behaviours Checklist and the Health Value Scale. There were no significant relationships between healthy behaviours, health value and numbers of tattoos or piercings. A significant proportion of pierced and tattooed participants had not considered possible health risks, and those that had were often unaware of potentially serious health problems. Results are discussed in terms of health guidelines for tattooing and piercing.
Role of erythropoietin receptor signaling in Friend virus-induced erythroblastosis and polycythemia
Authors: Zhang Ji , Randall Mindy S. , Loyd Melanie R. , Li Weimin , Schweers Rachel L. , Persons Derek A. , Rehg Jerold E. , Noguchi Constance T. , Ihle James N. , Ney Paul A.
Published: September 2005

Friend virus is an acutely oncogenic retrovirus that causes erythroblastosis and polycythemia in mice. Previous studies suggested that the Friend virus oncoprotein, gp55, constitutively activates the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), causing uncontrolled erythroid proliferation. Those studies showed that gp55 confers growth factor independence on an interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line (Ba/F3) when the EPOR is coexpressed. Subsequently, we showed that a truncated form of the stem-cell kinase receptor (sf-STK) is required for susceptibility to Friend disease. Given the requirement for sf-STK, we sought to establish the in vivo significance of gp55-mediated activation of the EPOR. We found that the cytoplasmic tyrosine residues of the EPOR, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5), which acts through these sites, are not required for Friend virus-induced erythroblastosis. The EPOR itself was required for the development of erythroblastosis but not for gp55-mediated erythroid proliferation. Interestingly, the murine EPOR, which is required for gp55-mediated Ba/F3-cell proliferation, was dispensable for erythroblastosis in vivo. Finally, gp55-mediated activation of the EPOR and STAT5 are required for Friend virus-induced polycythemia. These results suggest that Friend virus activates both sf-STK and the EPOR to cause deregulated erythroid proliferation and differentiation.
Cerebrospinal fluid may mediate CNS ischemic injury
Authors: Wang Yanming F , Gwathmey Judith K , Zhang Guorong , Soriano Sulpicio G , He Shunli , Wang Yanguang
Published: September 2005

Background

The central nervous system (CNS) is extremely vulnerable to ischemic injury. The details underlying this susceptibility are not completely understood. Since the CNS is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that contains a low concentration of plasma protein, we examined the effect of changing the CSF in the evolution of CNS injury during ischemic insult.

Methods

Lumbar spinal cord ischemia was induced in rabbits by cross-clamping the descending abdominal aorta for 1 h, 2 h or 3 h followed by 7 d of reperfusion. Prior to ischemia, rabbits were subjected to the following procedures; 1) CSF depletion, 2) CSF replenishment at 0 mmHg intracranial pressure (ICP), and 3) replacement of CSF with 8% albumin- or 1% gelatin-modified artificial CSF, respectively. Motor function of the hind limbs and histopathological changes of the spinal cord were scored. Post-ischemic microcirculation of the spinal cord was visualized by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) albumin.

Results

The severity of histopathological damage paralleled the neurological deficit scores. Paraplegia and associated histopathological changes were accompanied by a clear post-ischemic deficit in blood perfusion.

Spinal cord ischemia for 1 h resulted in permanent paraplegia in the control group. Depletion of the CSF significantly prevented paraplegia. CSF replenishment with the ICP reduced to 0 mmHg, did not prevent paraplegia. Replacement of CSF with albumin- or gelatin-modified artificial CSF prevented paraplegia in rabbits even when the ICP was maintained at 10–15 mmHg.

Conclusion

We conclude that the presence of normal CSF may contribute to the vulnerability of the spinal cord to ischemic injury. Depletion of the CSF or replacement of the CSF with an albumin- or gelatin-modified artificial CSF can be neuroprotective.
Institutions and financial market development in the MENA region
Authors: Okeahalam Charles C.
Published: September 2005

There is reasonable agreement that effective and well-developed institutions have a significant role to play in economic development. Accordingly a number of studies have attempted to relate institutions to the rate of economic growth and the level of efficiency of markets. This paper assesses the relationship between a number of economic development and institutional variables and the level of financial market development in the Middle East and north Africa (MENA) region. Correlation matrices support the view that the institutional environment in which financial markets function is important, as this reinforces the efficient allocation of economic rights that are essential for markets to function optimally. The correlation analysis also establishes a link between the development of financial markets and governance in the MENA region. However, regression estimates indicate that infrastructure development and the degree of openness of an economy are the most robust indicators for the development and effective functioning of financial markets in the MENA region.
Otitis Media: Review of the 2004 Treatment Guidelines
Authors: Cober Mary Petrea , Johnson Cary E
Published: September 2005

OBJECTIVE

To review the 2004 treatment guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) regarding the treatment of otitis media in pediatric patients.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE search, restricted to English-language articles about pediatric patients, was conducted (1966–May 2005) using the key words acute otitis media (AOM), guideline, observation therapy, and vaccination. Additional references were located through review of the bibliographies of cited articles.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Studies related to the fundamental basis of the updated guidelines and articles addressing current issues related to otitis media infection were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Otitis media affects many children in the US. Concerns have been raised about the proper treatment of AOM in the face of increasing drug resistance among primary pathogens responsible for infection. Some countries have chosen to observe patients for a designated period of time prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy. The AAP and AAFP have updated the treatment guidelines for otitis media to include the option of observation therapy, recommendations for dosing of various antibiotic regimens and their place in therapy, and the importance of initial pain management.

CONCLUSIONS

Updated treatment guidelines for otitis media have been developed in an effort to properly treat children while decreasing current resistance rates for common organisms that cause AOM. In the future, the therapeutic outcomes of observation therapy related to both the incidence of drug resistance and the possibility of increased complications related to otitis media will need to be evaluated in the US.
Comparison of Geotechnical Engineering Consolidation and Physical Science Filtration Testing Techniques for Soils and Suspensions
Authors: Stickland AD , Scales PJ , Styles JR
Published: September 2005

Traditionally, there have been two approaches to the modelling and prediction of the extent and rate of dewatering of particulate networks: consolidation theory and filtration theory, developed by geotechnical engineers and physical scientists, respectively. The physical situations and governing equations for Terzaghi's consolidation model (Terzaghi and Peck 1967) and Landman and White's filtration model (Landman and White 1997) are essentially the same. However, their methods of determining the relative dewatering parameters differ. The consolidation method matches experimental data from oedometer testing to the theoretical predictions of the model in order to determine the coefficient of consolidation, cv. The filtration method determines a solids diffusivity coefficient, D, based upon the experimental data from a filtration rig, which is then used in modelling to make predictions.

This work aims to highlight the similarities between the two approaches, initially by demonstrating the theoretical relationship between the two parameters, cv and D, and then through experimental determination. The material characteristics of a kaolin sample undergoing one-dimensional (zero lateral strain) compression are determined using both oedometer and filtration testing and equated using the developed theoretical relationship. The results indicate that the two testing methods are essentially the same, and that their relevant analysis techniques give similar outcomes. Consequently, geotechnical engineers can use filtration methods and physical scientists can use consolidation methods.
Optimization of Aspect Ratio of Waste Tire Shreds in Sand-Shred Mixtures Using CBR Tests
Authors: Ghazavi M , Sakhi MA
Published: September 2005

The advantage of optimizing aspect ratio (length to width) of waste tire shreds on California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of sand-tire shred mixtures is investigated in this paper. The mixtures were composed of a relatively uniform sand and tire shreds with 2-, 3-, and 4-cm widths and various lengths. Shred contents of 15, 30, and 50 % by volume were mixed with sand at two sand matrix unit weights of 15.5 kN/m3 and 16.8 kN/m3. The results show that the influencing parameters on CBR of the mixtures are sand matrix unit weight, shred content, shred width, and aspect ratios of tire shreds. The variation of aspect ratios can increase CBR up to 850%. The average value for the influence of the shred aspect ratio on CBR was about 161%. For a given shred width, there is only a certain length giving the greatest CBR for sand-tire shred mixtures, regardless of shred contents and compaction effort. This is the main objective sought in this paper.
Statistical Evaluation of the Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Lateritic Soil
Authors: Nwaiwu CMO , Osinubi KJ , Afolayan JO
Published: September 2005

This paper examines the variation of hydraulic conductivity of a compacted lateritic soil with molding water content, dry unit weight, and initial degree of saturation under as-compacted conditions. Trends in the hydraulic conductivity versus molding water content relationships are similar to those obtained for nonlateritic, temperate zone soils. Hydraulic conductivity generally decreased as dry unit weight and initial degree of saturation increased. However, for the same values of dry unit weight, specimens compacted on the wet side of optimum water content yielded lower hydraulic conductivities than those compacted on the dry side of optimum water content. For lateritic soil specimens compacted at about 2% or more on the wet side of optimum water content, hydraulic conductivities less than 1 × 10−7 cm/s can be achieved when the dry unit weight is greater than or equal to 16.3 kN/m3 and initial saturation is greater than or equal to 88%. Statistical analysis of the results obtained in this study show that relatively weak relationships exist between hydraulic conductivity and molding water content or dry unit weight. Stronger relationships are obtained when hydraulic conductivity is plotted against initial degree of saturation. It is shown that a more accurate prediction of hydraulic conductivity can be achieved when a multiple regression equation is used to relate degree of saturation and compaction energy to hydraulic conductivity. The British Standard heavy compactive effort offers a wider range of molding water contents within which soils can be compacted to yield low hydraulic conductivity. This range is, however, limited by consideration for long-term desiccation and shear strength.
Combined TDR and P-Wave Velocity Measurements for the Determination of In Situ Soil Density—Experimental Study
Authors: Fratta D , Alshibli KA , Tanner WM , Roussel L
Published: September 2005

This paper summarizes a new nondestructive approach for the evaluation of soil density and water content. This new measurement methodology involves evaluating the dielectric permittivity and the P-wave velocity in soils as the water content is increased. These values are then related to the volumetric water content, porosity, and skeleton shear stiffness, which are needed to back-calculate the density and water content of the tested soil specimens. Experimental laboratory results are briefly summarized. These test results show a potential for developing a new device. Electronic equipment and sensors for the proposed device include a TDR system, miniature piezoelectric accelerometers, signal conditioner system, and oscilloscope for data acquisition.
Engineering Properties of Wet-Pluviated Hollow Cylindrical Specimens
Authors: O'Kelly BC , Naughton PJ
Published: September 2005

A hollow cylinder apparatus was used to study some engineering properties of hollow cylindrical sand specimens prepared using the wet-pluviation technique. The refined specimen preparation method had good repeatability. Wet pluviation produced inherently cross-anisotropic specimens, with the initial level of anisotropy reducing with decreasing initial void ratio. The variation in the initial void ratio of the sand specimens was related to the volume of the specimens. The stress-strain responses under isotropic consolidation were not significantly affected by the small variations in the initial void ratios that occurred for a target initial specimen volume. The levels of membrane penetration recorded for the different specimens were independent of the applied cell confining pressure, and the amount of membrane penetration compared well with other experimental studies.
Effect of Alloying Elements and Impurities on in-BWR Corrosion of Zirconium Alloys
Authors: Sell H-J , Trapp-Pritsching S , Garzarolli F
Published: September 2005

The data base on the corrosion behavior of Zr alloy materials under BWR conditions was evaluated with respect to the burnup target of 70 MWd/kgU. At high burnups, corrosion rate and the rate of hydrogen pickup (HPU) may increase. This onset of increase obviously depends on the material, but also seems to be significantly affected by the coolant water chemistry. Because small differences in corrosion behavior at lower burnup might become more and more important with increasing burnup, Framatome ANP has performed several studies on the separate and combined effects of (1) alloying content of the claddings, (2) cladding material condition, (3) impurity content of the cladding, and (4) the coolant chemistry. This paper focuses on the effects the concentration of alloying elements and of impurities (including microstructural differences imposed by the annealing treatment) have on corrosion. The corrosion effects were evaluated in material test irradiation programs in two BWRs. Zircaloy type materials processed at low temperatures (LTP), defined by a low particle growth parameter (PGP) value, exhibit a maximum corrosion resistance between 1.2 and 1.5 % Sn. Impurities, such as C, O, and P can increase the corrosion of Zircaloy in BWRs at high burnup. The higher the corrosion resistance of the base material, the more pronounced is the increase seen at high burnup. Above a critical PGP value, in-pile corrosion increases. At high burnups, Zry-4 shows a higher increase with increasing PGP than Zry-2, whereas at lower burnups both behave similarly. The critical PGP value varies with the chemical composition, such as Fe, Cr, and Ni content and the distribution of second phase particles (SPP). The effect of Si is more complex. Si increases in-pile corrosion at contents in excess of 140 ppm. Contents at 80 to 140 ppm can be beneficial, when the β-quench rate applied during fabrication is not high enough to ensure a uniform distribution of the SPP, and the alloying composition and the concentration of impurities is in a beneficial range. The hydrogen pickup fraction (HPUF) of Zircaloy type samples in BWRs decreases with decreasing corrosion resistance but differs from plant to plant. There are indications that the difference can partially be attributed to the Fe content in the coolant.

The results are in agreement with the irradiation experience with Zry-2 LTP cladding extending up to 73 MWd/kgU in different BWRs.
Comparison of the High Burn-Up Corrosion on M5 and Low Tin Zircaloy-4
Authors: Bossis P , Pêcheur D , Hanifi K , Thomazet J , Blat M
Published: September 2005

The corrosion and hydriding behavior of M5 and low tin Zircaloy-4 in PWR have been compared at high burn-ups (>70 GWd/t). Whereas low tin Zircaloy-4 reached about 90 μm in oxide thickness and is subjected to significant precipitation of hydride rims at the metal/oxide interface, the oxide layer on M5 remains below 20 μm, and a hydrogen content remains below 100 ppm. Owing to the modification of the oxide structure and hydrogen localization observed, it is proposed that, concerning the high burn-up corrosion acceleration of Zircaloy-4, the tin content is the parameter governing the onset of the high burn-up corrosion acceleration, which is further accelerated by hydride precipitation at the metal/oxide interface and dissolution of precipitates. On M5, since no significant evolution of the oxide structure was observed, and none of the parameters identified as contributors to acceleration are present, no acceleration of corrosion kinetics is expected at higher burn-ups.
Enhanced Recovery and Real-Time PCR Based Quantification of Mycobacteria from Metalworking Fluids
Authors: Yadav JS , Selvaraju SB , Khan IUH
Published: September 2005

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria, especially Mycobacterium immunogenum and M. chelonae, that are associated with metalworking fluids (MWF) have been implicated in occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), asthma, and other respiratory illnesses in the MWF exposed metal workers. Cultural recovery and quantification of mycobacterial population from the contaminated MWF is often cumbersome, especially due to the presence of other microbial contaminants and due to the frequently coexisting culturable and non-culturable fractions of the mycobacterial population in these fluids triggered by improper fluid management and storage conditions. Here we report on role of sample storage conditions in reducing cultural recovery, optimization of methods for enhanced recovery, and culture-independent DNA-based quantification of mycobacteria (culturable and non-culturable) from MWF matrices. The recovery optimization included strategies for selective suppression of gram-positive and gram-negative co-contaminants using antibiotic mixture and revival of the injured cells (viable-but-non-culturable, VBNC). A real-time PCR method designed based on Mycobacterium-specific PCR primers [9] was further developed to attain a minimum quantification limit of 1 CFU/ml, using pristine or used MWF simulated with M. immunogenum in the background of microbial co-contaminants. The method was validated by comparing its quantification efficiency with conventional agar plating and evaluated for direct quantification of total mycobacteria, including culturable and non-culturable, using contaminated field MWF. The state-of-the art methods developed in this study for selective recovery and real-time PCR based quantification would allow rapid and efficient analysis of field MWF samples for mycobacteria including both culturable and non-culturable sub-populations.
Modelling the Redistribution of Residual Stresses at Elevated Temperature in Components
Authors: Lee H-Y , Nikbin KM
Published: September 2005

In this study the effects of high temperature relaxation on the residual stresses has been examined for T-plate and tubular T-joint geometries by numerical analysis using elasto-plastic-creep finite element modelling. It is shown that residual stresses are important, especially at the early stages of lifetime before the residual stresses relax rapidly. A sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying the creep properties and geometric constraint under plane stress and plane strain conditions. A comprehensive residual stress profile derived from measured residual stresses of a range of steels and different geometries that have been welded, cold bent, repair welded, or overloaded, was used as a ‘Master curve’ of the residual stresses. In all cases compared, it has been shown that the transverse measured residual stresses were tensile at the surface The stress intensity factor (SIF) estimates using the master curve profile for the T-Plate, and tubular T-joint geometries are lower compared to current case specific residual stress profiles used in R6 and BS7910 procedures but is still sufficiently conservative when compared with experimental measured residual stress data. It has also been shown that the numerically calculated residual stresses induced by overload in this study compare well at the surface with the master curve but decrease more rapidly with respect to crack depth compared to experimental values. Furthermore, by considering creep stress relaxation rates from the present FE calculations, it is shown that the peak surface residual stresses drop rapidly to about 50% at the relatively short duration of the first 1000 h. The SIF values of the predicted residual stresses are found to be lower than the experimentally measured data, and they are also found to be insensitive to stress relaxation in the through depth of the T-plate and tubular T-joint geometries. It was shown that the master curve gives an overall conservative SIF, though reduced, for the weld residual stresses as well as for residual stresses derived from overload. Furthermore, where redistribution of the residual stresses is concerned, it is shown that present profiles may all be unduly conservative in their SIF estimations.
Discriminating Sex in South African Blacks Using Patella Dimensions
Authors: Dayal MR , Bidmos AB
Published: September 2005

For many years, sex determination has been carried out on skeletal remains to identify individuals in forensic cases and to assess populations in archaeological cases. Since it has been shown that not all bones are found in a forensic case, discriminant function equations should be derived for all bones of the body to assist in sex determination. Numerous studies have shown the usefulness of bones of the lower extremity (e.g. femur, tibia) in sex determination using discriminant function analysis, but the use of patella measurements has not been extensively investigated for this purpose. It is therefore the aim of this study to derive discriminant function equations for sex determination from measurements of the patella of South African blacks as represented in the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons. A total sample of 120 (60 male, 60 female) patellae were measured using six measurements. The Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) program was used to derive the equations. Stepwise and direct analyses were performed with the highest rate of classification of 85% thereby making the patella useful for sex determination. Thus, the proposed equations derived from this study should be used with caution and only on the South African black population group.
Fungal DNA Challenge in Human STR Typing of Bone Samples
Authors: Calacal GC , De Ungria MCA
Published: September 2005

The present study focuses on possible cross-reaction of fungal DNA with human STR primers that may affect subsequent forensic DNA analysis of forensic samples. Specificity of human STR markers namely HUMAMEL, HUMCSF1PO, D8S306, HUMTH01, HUMvWA, HUMFES/FPS, HUMF13A01, HUMDHFRP2, HUMFGA and HUMTPOX was tested using DNA of 24 different filamentous fungal isolates obtained from exhumed bone samples. The specificity of these ten STR markers for human DNA was demonstrated. Presence of non-human DNA in five bone samples analyzed did not alter scoring of detected alleles. Notably, amplification was inhibited in the presence of a high proportion of fungal DNA compared to human DNA (1000 ng: 1 ng) in DNA mixture experiments. The results of the present study underscore the importance of carefully analyzing the presence of non-human biological contaminants that may affect DNA typing of environmentally challenged forensic samples to avoid spurious data interpretation.
Semi-automated Ultrasound Facial Soft Tissue Depth Registration: Method and Validation
Authors: De Greef S , Claes P , Mollemans W , Loubele M , Vandermeulen D , Suetens P , Willems G
Published: September 2005

A mobile and fast, semi-automatic ultrasound (US) system was developed for facial soft tissue depth registration. The system consists of an A-Scan ultrasound device connected to a portable PC with interfacing and controlling software. For 52 cephalometric landmarks, the system was tested for repeatability and accuracy by evaluating intra-observer agreement and comparing ultrasound and CT-scan results on 12 subjects planned for craniofacial surgery, respectively. A paired t-test evaluating repeatability of the ultrasound measurements showed 5.7% (n = 3) of the landmarks being significantly different (p < 0.01). US and CT-scan results showed significant differences (p < 0.01) using a Wilcoxon signed rank test analysis for 11.5% (n = 6) of the landmarks. This is attributed to a difference in the volunteer's head position between lying (CT) and sitting (US). Based on these tests, we conclude that the proposed registration system and measurement protocol allows relatively fast (52 landmarks/20 min), non-invasive, repeatable and accurate acquisition of facial soft tissue depth measurements.
Commentary on: Budowle B, Shea B, Niezgoda S, Chakraborty R. CODIS STR loci data from 41 sample populations. J Forensic Sci 2001;46:453–489.
Authors: Kornfield IL
Published: September 2005

Sir, Analysis of CODIS data from a large study of human populations by Budowle et al. (1) raised concerns articulated in a Commentary by Krane et al. (2) and rebutted in the Authors' Response by Chakraborty et al. (3). One aspect of this exchange merits additional discussion.
The Stalking of Public Figures: Management and Intervention
Authors: Hoffmann JM , Sheridan LP
Published: September 2005

Public figures are at relatively high risk of unusual contact initiated by fixated individuals. Prior research on managing the threat presented by public figure stalkers concludes that although direct threats rarely precede attacks, there is usually evidence of pre-planning. Furthermore, some public figure attackers do attempt to communicate with their future intended victim prior to attack. Thus, early warning signs from unusual contact behavior can be a powerful tool in threat assessment and risk management. The current paper offers a systematic concept for managing public figure stalking and constitutes five stages: (i) screening, (ii) first analysis, (iii) passive research, (iv) active research and finally (v) considered management strategy. It is concluded that assessment and management of risk are dynamic procedures, requiring ongoing monitoring and flexibility. Furthermore, although different stalkers will engage in ostensibly similar behavior, their motives and underlying psychopathologies may vary considerably. As such, all interventions require individual construction.
Isotopic Fractionation of Carbon and Nitrogen During the Illicit Processing of Cocaine and Heroin in South America
Authors: Casale JF , Ehleringer JR , Morello DR , Lott MJ
Published: September 2005

The forensic application of stable isotope analysis to cocaine and heroin for geolocation of exhibits must take into account the possible enrichment and/or depletion of 13C and 15N during the illicit manufacturing process. Continuous-flow elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was utilized to measure changes in the stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen for both cocaine (N = 92) and heroin/morphine (N = 81) exhibits derived from illicit manufacturing processes utilized by South American clandestine chemists. In controlled settings in South America, there was no siginficiant carbon isotope fractionation during the conversion of cocaine base to cocaine HCl using current illict methodologies. In contrast, nitrogen isotope fractionation for this conversion was 1‰. There was a kinetic carbon isotope ratio fractionation during the acetylation of Colombian morphine to heroin and as a result heroin exhibits will almost always have more negative δ13C values than the original morphine. There was an isotopic fractionation against 15N during the acetylation of morphine base to heroin base, but this effect was not expressed since all of the heroin base was precipitated during the manufacturing process. However, the clandestine process of converting a single batch of heroin base usually involved two consecutive crops of heroin HCl and the latter crop was isotopically depleted as expected from a Rayleigh distillation process. When heroin was deacetylated to morphine, the morphine produced resulted in δ13C values that were indistinguishable from the original morphine. The kinetic carbon isotope fractionation factor for the South American process of morphine acetylation was -1.8‰, allowing calculation of the δ13C values of the acetic anhydride from deacetylated heroin δ13C values.
An Ideal Material for the Preparation of Known Toolmark Test Impressions
Authors: Petraco N , Petraco ND , Pizzola PA
Published: September 2005

Traditionally, toolmark test exemplars are produced by applying a tool's working surface to a piece of soft metal such as lead. Soft, pliable metals are primarily used for this purpose because they will replicate the microscopic grooves present on a tool's working surface without damaging the tool. In this paper the authors present an alternative material for the preparation of test toolmarks. Jewelry modeling or carving waxes are utilized in this study. These waxes are designed for the jewelry modeling industry to create very fine, highly detailed wax models of jewelry pieces that will be cast in various metals utilizing the lost wax casting method. Jeweler's waxes have been found to be ideal for preparing test toolmarks from exemplar tools. The test tool's working surface is applied to a piece of the appropriate wax in a manner consistent with the tool's design. The replicas obtained are exact, highly detailed, 1:1, negative impressions of the exemplar tools working surface, have a long shelf-life, and are suitable for use in toolmark examination and comparison cases.
Development and Evaluation of a Standard Method for the Quantitative Determination of Elements in Float Glass Samples by LA-ICP-MS
Authors: Latkoczy C , Becker S , Dücking M , Günther D , Hoogewerff JA , Almirall JR , Buscaglia J , Dobney A , Koons RD , Montero S , van der Peijl GJQ , Stoecklein WRS , Trejos T , Watling JR , Zdanowicz VS
Published: September 2005

Forensic analysis of glass samples was performed in different laboratories within the NITE-CRIME (Natural Isotopes and Trace Elements in Criminalistics and Environmental Forensics) European Network, using a variety of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) systems. The main objective of the interlaboratory tests was to cross-validate the different combinations of laser ablation systems with different ICP-MS instruments. A first study using widely available samples, such as the NIST SRM 610 and NIST SRM 612 reference glasses, led to deviations in the determined concentrations for trace elements amongst the laboratories up to 60%. Extensive discussion among the laboratories and the production of new glass reference standards (FGS 1 and FGS 2) established an improved analytical protocol, which was tested on a well-characterized float glass sample (FG 10-1 from the BKA Wiesbaden collection). Subsequently, interlaboratory tests produced improved results for nearly all elements with a deviation of <10%, demonstrating that LA-ICP-MS can deliver absolute quantitative measurements on major, minor and trace elements in float glass samples for forensic and other purposes.
Death of an Infant Involving Benzocaine
Authors: Logan BK , Gordon AM
Published: September 2005

This report describes the death of a four-month-old Hispanic male which may be related to benzocaine toxicity. A toxicological evaluation revealed benzocaine at a concentration of 3.48 mg/L, and postmortem methemoglobin of 36% (normal 0.4-1.5). Methemoglobinemia is a complication of benzocaine toxicity. In light of the toxicology findings, the coroner investigated the source of the benzocaine and discovered that the child was treated with Zenith Goldline Allergen Ear Drops containing 0.25% w/v benzocaine and 5.4% w/v antipyrine. There was an admission by a caregiver that on the day prior to the child's death, he had been treated with three times the prescribed dose. Blood benzocaine concentrations in nine other unrelated cases were determined and concentrations ranged from <0.05–5.3 mg/L (mean 1.48 mg/L). Seven of the nine cases were positive for drugs of abuse, and one additional case was described as a known drug user. Methemoglobin in these benzocaine positive cases ranged from 6–69%; however, methemoglobin concentrations in postmortem cases are frequently elevated and should be interpreted with caution. The unknown significance of the benzocaine, and the circumstances of the case raise questions about the ultimate attribution of this death to SIDS.
An Application of D- and L-aspartic Acid Mixtures as Standard Specimens for the Chronological Age Estimation
Authors: Ohtani S , Abe I , Yamamoto T
Published: September 2005

Instead of using the control teeth, we tried to prepare standard specimens to derive the equations for calculation of the age (analytical curves) with respect to each kind of tooth of various ages. To prepare standard specimens, we determined the racemization ratio of the teeth of known age that had actually been used for the appraisal of chronological age (total control teeth). Then we mixed commercially available L-Asp and D-Asp in the same D/L ratio as the measured one in the total control teeth. As a result, we were able to obtain the racemization rate equations from the age-specific standard specimens of central and lateral incisors. These equations were closely similar to those derived from actual teeth of known age. Since the racemization rate equations obtained from the standard specimens were satisfactorily reproducible, we assumed that these equations could be used in place of those obtained from the control teeth. Actually, in the age estimation of unidentified corpses from teeth, the use of standard specimens enabled us to estimate the age almost as precisely as estimated using the control teeth. Thus, the present study has demonstrated that in the estimation of chronological age the control teeth can be substituted by the standard specimens. This shows the possibility of using the standard specimens also in other laboratories where the racemization ratio can be measured with sufficient reproducibility.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in an Exhumed Decomposed Brain After Twenty Months of Burial in a Deep Grave
Authors: Omalu BL , Mancuso JA , Cho P , Wecht CH
Published: September 2005

After 20 months of interment in a deep grave, the decomposed body of the 81-year old testator of a will was exhumed to sustain the burden of proof that he lacked testamentary capacity when the will was rewritten two days prior to his death. The brain was mushy and pulverized with complete disappearance of the brainstem, cerebellum and subcortical ganglia. Small foci of relatively intact dorsal frontal neocortex were identified. Sections from these foci were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, bielchowsky silver stain and immunostains for beta amyloid peptide (βA4), tau and alpha-synuclein. Despite severe autolysis and decomposition, the bielchowsky stain and the βA4 immunostains showed preserved frequent neuritic amyloid plaques with very few residual neurofibrillary tangles. Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy was present. At the present time this case represents the first documented and reported case of direct tissue diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease pathology in a decomposed brain following long term burial in a deep grave.