bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metapopulation structure for perpetuation of Francisella tularensis tularensis
Authors: Goethert Heidi K , Saviet Benjamin , Telford Sam R
Published: July 2009

Background

Outbreaks of Type A tularemia due toFrancisella tularensis tularensisare typically sporadic and unstable, greatly hindering identification of the determinants of perpetuation and human risk. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts has experienced an outbreak of Type A tularemia which has persisted for 9 years. This unique situation has allowed us to conduct long-term eco-epidemiologic studies there. Our hypothesis is that the agent of Type A tularemia is perpetuated as a metapopulation, with many small isolated natural foci of transmission. During times of increased transmission, the foci would merge and a larger scale epizootic would occur, with greater likelihood that humans become exposed.

Methods

We sampled questing dog ticks from two natural foci on the island and tested them for tularemia DNA. We determined whether the force of transmission differed between the two foci. In addition, we examined the population structure ofF. tularensisfrom ticks by variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis, which allowed estimates of diversity, linkage disequilibrium, and eBURST analysis.

Results

The prevalence of tularemia DNA in ticks from our two field sites was markedly different: one site was stable over the course of the study yielding as many as 5.6% positive ticks. In contrast, infected ticks from the comparison site markedly increased in prevalence, from 0.4% in 2003 to 3.9% in 2006. Using 4 VNTR loci, we documented 75 different haplotypes (diversity = 0.91). eBURST analysis indicates that the stable site was essentially clonal, but the comparison site contained multiple unrelated lineages. The general bacterial population is evolving clonally (multilocus disequilibrium) and the bacteria in the two sites are reproductively isolated.

Conclusion

Even within an isolated island, tularemia natural foci that are no more than 15 km apart are uniquely segregated. One of our sites has stable transmission and the other is emergent. The population structure at the stable site is that of a clonal complex of circulating bacteria, whereas the emerging focus is likely to be derived from multiple founders. We conclude that the agent of tularemia may perpetuate in small stable natural foci and that new foci emerge as a result of spillover from such stable sites.
Burnout and use of HIV services among health care workers in Lusaka District, Zambia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kruse Gina R , Chapula Bushimbwa Tambatamba , Ikeda Scott , Nkhoma Mavis , Quiterio Nicole , Pankratz Debra , Mataka Kaluba , Chi Benjamin H , Bond Virginia , Reid Stewart E
Published: July 2009

Background

Well-documented shortages of health care workers in sub-Saharan Africa are exacerbated by the increased human resource demands of rapidly expanding HIV care and treatment programmes. The successful continuation of existing programmes is threatened by health care worker burnout and HIV-related illness.

Methods

From March to June 2007, we studied occupational burnout and utilization of HIV services among health providers in the Lusaka public health sector. Providers from 13 public clinics were given a 36-item, self-administered questionnaire and invited for focus group discussions and key-informant interviews.

Results

Some 483 active clinical staff completed the questionnaire (84% response rate), 50 staff participated in six focus groups, and four individuals gave interviews. Focus group participants described burnout as feeling overworked, stressed and tired. In the survey, 51% reported occupational burnout. Risk factors were having another job (RR 1.4 95% CI 1.2–1.6) and knowing a co-worker who left in the last year (RR 1.6 95% CI 1.3–2.2). Reasons for co-worker attrition included: better pay (40%), feeling overworked or stressed (21%), moving away (16%), death (8%) and illness (5%). When asked about HIV testing, 370 of 456 (81%) reported having tested; 240 (50%) tested in the last year. In contrast, discussion groups perceived low testing rates. Both discussion groups and survey respondents identified confidentiality as the prime reason for not undergoing HIV testing.

Conclusion

In Lusaka primary care clinics, overwork, illness and death were common reasons for attrition. Programmes to improve access, acceptability and confidentiality of health care services for clinical providers and to reduce workplace stress could substantially affect workforce stability.
Molecular epidemiology of sexually transmitted human papillomavirus in a self referred group of women in Ireland
Authors: Menton John F , Cremin Suzanne M , Canier Lydie , Horgan Mary , Fanning Liam J
Published: July 2009

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and external genital warts. The purpose of this study is to document the genotype distribution of HPV in females aged between 18 and 34 who self-referred to an STI clinic with visible external genital warts (EGW). Scrapings were taken from visible external genital warts (EGW). These scrapings were analysed by PCR for the presence of HPV DNA. Positive samples were then genotyped by means of a commercially available assay (LiPA). A comparison of genotyping results determined by the LiPA assay and direct amplicon DNA sequencing was also performed.

Results

Ninety-two patients out of 105 samples (88%) had detectable levels of HPV DNA. The majority of individuals with EGW (66%) showed the presence of two or more genotypes. The most common HPV genotypes present in the study population were HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-33 and HPV-53. Potential effects of vaccination on HPV molecular epidemiology indicate that 40% of the patients could have been protected from the high risk genotypes HPV-16 and HPV-18.

Conclusion

This is the first report of the molecular epidemiology of external genital warts in women aged between 18 and 34 from Ireland based on results from a LiPA assay. The study shows that most individuals are infected with multiple genotypes including those with high oncogenic potential and that the newly available HPV vaccines could have a significant impact on prevalence of the most common HPV genotypes in this study population.
Genetic diversity of the E Protein of Dengue Type 3 Virus
Authors: Amarilla Alberto A , de Almeida Flavia T , Jorge Daniel M , Alfonso Helda L , de Castro-Jorge Luiza A , Nogueira Nadia A , Figueiredo Luiz T , Aquino Victor H
Published: July 2009

Background

Dengue is the most important arbovirus disease in tropical and subtropical countries. The viral envelope (E) protein is responsible for cell receptor binding and is the main target of neutralizing antibodies. The aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of the E protein gene of DENV-3. E protein gene sequences of 20 new viruses isolated in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, and 427 sequences retrieved from GenBank were aligned for diversity and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Comparison of the E protein gene sequences revealed the presence of 47 variable sites distributed in the protein; most of those amino acids changes are located on the viral surface. The phylogenetic analysis showed the distribution of DENV-3 in four genotypes. Genotypes I, II and III revealed internal groups that we have called lineages and sub-lineages. All amino acids that characterize a group (genotype, lineage, or sub-lineage) are located in the 47 variable sites of the E protein.

Conclusion

Our results provide information about the most frequent amino acid changes and diversity of the E protein of DENV-3.
Implementation experience during an eighteen month intervention to improve paediatric and newborn care in Kenyan district hospitals
Authors: Nzinga Jacinta , Ntoburi Stephen , Wagai John , Mbindyo Patrick , Mbaabu Lairumbi , Migiro Santau , Wamae Annah , Irimu Grace , English Mike
Published: July 2009

Background

We have conducted an intervention study aiming to improve hospital care for children and newborns in Kenya. In judging whether an intervention achieves its aims, an understanding of how it is delivered is essential. Here, we describe how the implementation team delivered the intervention over 18 months and provide some insight into how health workers, the primary targets of the intervention, received it.

Methods

We used two approaches. First, a description of the intervention is based on an analysis of records of training, supervisory and feedback visits to hospitals, and brief logs of key topics discussed during telephone calls with local hospital facilitators. Record keeping was established at the start of the study for this purpose with analyses conducted at the end of the intervention period. Second, we planned a qualitative study nested within the intervention project and used in-depth interviews and small group discussions to explore health worker and facilitators' perceptions of implementation. After thematic analysis of all interview data, findings were presented, discussed, and revised with the help of hospital facilitators.

Results

Four hospitals received the full intervention including guidelines, training and two to three monthly support supervision and six monthly performance feedback visits. Supervisor visits, as well as providing an opportunity for interaction with administrators, health workers, and facilitators, were often used for impromptu, limited refresher training or orientation of new staff. The personal links that evolved with senior staff seemed to encourage local commitment to the aims of the intervention. Feedback seemed best provided as open meetings and discussions with administrators and staff. Supervision, although sometimes perceived as fault finding, helped local facilitators become the focal point of much activity including key roles in liaison, local monitoring and feedback, problem solving, and orientation of new staff to guidelines. In four control hospitals receiving a minimal intervention, local supervision and leadership to implement new guidelines, despite their official introduction, were largely absent.

Conclusion

The actual content of an intervention and how it is implemented and received may be critical determinants of whether it achieves its aims. We have carefully described our intervention approach to facilitate appraisal of the quantitative results of the intervention's effect on quality of care. Our findings suggest ongoing training, external supportive supervision, open feedback, and local facilitation may be valuable additions to more typical in-service training approaches, and may be feasible.
Markers of B-lymphocyte activation are elevated in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and correlated with disease activity in the ESPOIR cohort
Authors: Gottenberg Jacques-Eric , Miceli-Richard Corinne , Ducot Béatrice , Goupille Philippe , Combe Bernard , Mariette Xavier
Published: July 2009

Introduction

Little is known about systemic B-cell activation in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We therefore evaluated the serum levels of markers of B-cell activation in patients included in the ESPOIR early arthritis cohort.

Methods

In the ESPOIR early arthritis cohort (at least 2 swollen joints for more than 6 weeks but less than 6 months), 710 patients were assessed at 1 year and either met the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA (n = 578) or had undifferentiated arthritis (n = 132). Baseline serum samples of patients naïve to corticosteroid and disease-modifying antirheumatic drug treatment were assessed for beta2-microglobulin, IgG, IgA, IgM, immunoglobulin free light chains of immunoglobulins, and B-cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family (BAFF). The BAFF gene 871T>C polymorphism was genotyped in all patients.

Results

All markers of B-cell activation except BAFF and IgM were significantly higher in patients with early RA than those with undifferentiated arthritis. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and beta2-microglobulin were associated with a diagnosis of early RA in the multivariate analysis. Markers of B-cell activation, except BAFF, were associated with disease activity, rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP secretion. The BAFF gene polymorphism was not associated with early RA.

Conclusions

Markers of B-cell activation are elevated in patients with early RA, compared with undifferentiated arthritis, independently of any systemic increase in BAFF secretion, and correlate with disease activity. This study sheds new light on the early pathogenic role of B-lymphocytes in RA and suggests that targeting them might be a useful therapeutic strategy in early RA.
Human mast cells synthesize and release angiogenin, a member of the ribonuclease A (RNase A) superfamily
Authors: Kulka Marianna , Fukuishi Nobuyuki , Metcalfe Dean D
Published: July 2009

Tissue-resident human mast cells may modulate tissue remodeling by the secretion of angiogenin, a potent angiogenic factor.

ANG is a plasma protein with angiogenic and ribonucleolytic activity implicated in tumor growth, heart failure, wound healing, asthma, and the composition of the adult gut microflora. Human mast cells (HuMC) are similarly associated with modulation of vascular permeability, angiogenic processes, wound healing, and asthma. We hypothesized that HuMC express and secrete ANG in response to divergent stimuli. ANG expression was evaluated in the LAD2 HMC, the HMC-1, and CD34+-derived HuMC, following exposure to live Escherichia coli, TLR ligands, or neuropeptides and following FcεRI aggregation. Expression and production of ANG were determined by microarray analysis, qRT-PCR, confocal microscopy, and ELISA. Microarray analysis showed that ANG is up-regulated by LAD2 cells exposed to live E. coli. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that LAD2, HMC-1, and HuMC constitutively expressed ANG mRNA and that it was up-regulated by exposure to E. coli. Activation of HuMC by FcεRI aggregation resulted in release of small amounts of ANG (<100 pg/mL), whereas compound 48/80, NGF, LPS, PGN, and flagellin activated HuMC to secrete >160 pg/mL ANG. These observations demonstrate that HuMC store and secrete ANG to a variety of stimuli and suggest that MC-derived ANG is available in the subsequent inflammatory response.
Squeezability. Part 1: A pressing issue
Authors: Blakey S , Rowson J , Tomlinson R A , Sandham A , Yoxall A
Published: July 2009

Within the UK it is estimated that by 2020 over half the adult population will be over 50. A society in which the majority are aged poses some interesting questions, not least how that society will use and access goods and services, when the majority are likely to experience some loss of strength and dexterity. One such issue, the openability or accessibility of packaging, is becoming a major issue for brand owners, manufacturers, designers, and engineers due to the rapid ageing of much of the developed world. The authors have previously undertaken a significant amount of work on understanding the openability of vacuum lug closures (jam or sauce jars). This work looked at the forces to keep the system closed, the forces a human could apply and used experimental, numerical, and analytical analysis to understand these systems. Packaging, however, comes in many varied and differing forms and little or no previous work has been undertaken in this field on other forms of packaging such as thin film packets or bottles. The work in this article applies the principles used in the earlier studies to the squeezable bottle pack format. The article describes initial experimental and analytical work undertaken from first principals to establish the factors that contribute to the ease of use along with various laboratory tests carried out in order to determine the design rules for developing bottle styles and nozzle designs, for specific fluid contents.

The work suggested several things that may be important for designers and manufacturers of squeezable bottles. Fundamental analysis shows that bottle material and shape generally dominate the squeezeability of and access to bottle contents. Bottle shape was seen to affect performance with the conditioner bottle having the best volume—deflection performance. Work also showed that hole size and Borda length can be calculated to determine specific flow characteristics with a relatively simple set of equations.
Unsteady numerical investigation of the effect of wakes with eddy shedding in different axial turbine aerofoils
Authors: Mokulys T , Congiu F , Rose M G , Abhari R S
Published: July 2009

In the past it was found experimentally and numerically that eddy shedding on trailing edges of turbine aerofoils has significant effect on the aerodynamic performance. Aerofoils of gas turbines usually have relatively thick trailing edges for reasons of mechanical integrity, and hence strong unsteady wakes are created. The current investigation considers trailing edges without cooling injection; hence the area of application is limited to the low- and medium-pressure stages of a gas turbine. In this work a numerical investigation is performed with the aim to weigh the loss production inside these unsteady wakes against the available kinetic energy of the unsteady fluid to formulate a so-called unsteady recovery factor. Furthermore, several design exercises are presented on a gas-turbine rotor profile, which is interacting with the unsteady wake of an upstream vane with eddy shedding. This shows that the stage performance is quite significantly influenced comparing frontloaded, midloaded, and aftloaded profile designs in contradiction to standard steady design approaches. It was found that a frontloaded rotor design under consideration of interaction with an unsteady wake can increase the stage performance of a two-dimensional midsection considerably, while under steady assumptions it has about the same or worse performance. This result shows the importance of unsteady methods in turbine design and also potential new ways for improved profile design.
Experimental investigations of pressure loss and heat transfer in a 180° bend of a ribbed two-pass internal cooling channel with engine-similar cross-sections
Authors: Schüler M , Neumann S O , Weigand B
Published: July 2009

In the present study, the pressure loss and heat transfer of a two-pass internal cooling channel with engine-similar cross-sections were investigated experimentally. This channel consisted of a trapezoidal leading edge pass, a sharp 180° bend, and a nearly rectangular outlet pass. The investigations focused on the influence of tip-to-web distance and rib configuration on pressure loss and heat transfer. The channel was equipped with skewed ribs (α=45°, P/ e=10, e/ dh=0.1) in an inline and a staggered configuration. The dimensionless tip-to-web distance Wel/ dS was varied from 0.6 to 1.2. The investigated Reynolds number ranged from 15 000 up to 100 000.

The experimental results showed a strong increase in pressure loss with decreasing tip-to-web distance, while heat transfer was only slightly increasing. Both rib configurations showed nearly the same heat transfer enhancement in the bend region.
On the definition of the secondary flow in three-dimensional cascades
Authors: Persico G , Gaetani P , Dossena V , D'Ippolito G , Osnaghi C
Published: July 2009

The present article proposes a novel methodology to evaluate secondary flows generated by the annulus boundary layers in complex cascades.

Unlike two-dimensional (2D) linear cascades, where the reference flow is commonly defined as that measured at midspan, the problem of the reference flow definition for annular or complex 3D linear cascades does not have a general solution up to the present time.

The proposed approach supports secondary flow analysis whenever exit streamwise vorticity produced by inlet endwall boundary layers is of interest. The idea is to compute the reference flow by applying slip boundary conditions at the endwalls in a viscous 3D numerical simulation, in which uniform total pressure is prescribed at the inlet. Thus the reference flow keeps the 3D nature of the actual flow except for the contribution of the endwall boundary layer vorticity. The resulting secondary field is then derived by projecting the 3D flow field (obtained from both an experiment and a fully viscous simulation) along the local reference flow direction; this approach can be proficiently applied to any complex geometry.

This method allows the representation of secondary velocity vectors with a better estimation of the vortex extension, since it offers the opportunity to visualize also the region of the vortices, which can be approximated as a potential type. Furthermore, a proficient evaluation of the secondary vorticity and deviation angle effectively induced by the annulus boundary layer is possible.

The approach was preliminarily verified against experimental data in linear cascades characterized by cylindrical blades, not reported for the sake of brevity, showing a very good agreement with the standard methodology based only on the experimental midspan flow field.

This article presents secondary flows obtained by the application of the proposed methodology on two annular cascades with cylindrical and 3D-designed blades, stressing the differences with other definitions. Both numerical and experimental results are considered.
A Structure Theory for the Parametric Submodular Intersection Problem
Authors: Fujishige Satoru , Nagano Kiyohito
Published: July 2009

A linearly parameterized polymatroid intersection problem appears in the context of principal partitions. We consider a submodular intersection problem on a pair of strong-map sequences of submodular functions, which is an extension of the linearly parameterized polymatroid intersection problem to a nonlinearly parameterized one. We introduce the concept of a basis frame on a finite nonempty set of cardinality n that gives a mapping from the set of all base polyhedra in n-dimensional space into n-dimensional vectors such that each base polyhedron is mapped to one of its bases. We show the existence of a simple universal representation of all optimal solutions of the parameterized submodular intersection problem by means of basis frames.
Clinical Significance and Prognostic Value of Serum Dickkopf-1 Concentrations in Patients with Lung Cancer
Authors: Sheng Shi L e , Huang Gang , Yu Bin , Qin Wen Xin
Published: July 2009

Background: Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), a secreted protein, is known as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, which has been implicated in the development of several types of cancers. Clinical significance of serum DKK1 in lung cancer remains to be determined.

Methods: A novel time-resolved immunofluorometric assay was developed. By use of this method, we investigated the serum concentrations of DKK1 in 592 patients with malignancies, 72 patients with benign lung disease, and 120 healthy controls. Serum cytokeratin 19 fragment and neuron-specific enolase values were obtained.

Results: Serum DKK1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in patients with other malignant tumors or benign lung diseases and healthy controls. Serum concentrations of DKK1 were decreased significantly in groups of patients with gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical adenocarcinoma compared with healthy controls. Application of both DKK1 and cytokeratin 19 fragment increased sensitivity, correctly identifying 89.6% of the non–small cell lung cancer patients as positive. The use of both DKK1 and neuron-specific enolase increased sensitivity to detect small cell lung cancer to 86.2%. DKK1 concentrations increased with stage, tumor class, and presence of lymph node and distant metastases, regardless of histology and patient age and sex. Patients with a DKK1 concentration of 22.6 μg/L or higher had a statistically significantly diminished survival compared with patients whose DKK1 values were lower.

Conclusions: DKK1 was preferentially expressed in lung cancer. Increasing concentrations of DKK1were significantly associated with tumor progression and decreased survival in patients with lung cancer. .
Plasma PCSK9 Is Associated with Age, Sex, and Multiple Metabolic Markers in a Population-Based Sample of Children and Adolescents
Authors: Baass Alexis , Dubuc Geneviève , Tremblay Michel , Delvin Edgard E , O'Loughlin Jennifer , Levy Emile , Davignon Jean , Lambert Marie
Published: July 2009

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a protein convertase that posttranslationally promotes the degradation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in hepatocytes and increases plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Heterozygote gain-of-function mutations of PCSK9 are associated with the familial hypercholesterolemia phenotype, whereas loss-of-function variants are associated with reduced LDL-C concentrations and lower coronary risk. Plasma PCSK9 correlates with body mass index, triglyceridemia, total cholesterol, and LDL-C in adults, but no data are available in youth.

Methods: We studied 1739 French Canadian youth ages 9, 13, and 16 years who participated in the Quebec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey, a province-wide school-based survey conducted in 1999. An ELISA assay was used to measure plasma PSCK9.

Results: The mean (SD) plasma PCSK9 concentration was 84.7 (24.7) μg/L in the sample. In boys, plasma PCSK9 decreased with age, whereas the inverse was true for girls. There were statistically significant positive associations between PCSK9 and fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance). In multivariable analysis, a 10% higher fasting insulin was associated with a 1%–2% higher PCSK9 in both sexes. There were also positive associations between PCSK9 and total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, as well as with HDL-C and apolipoproteins A1 and B.

Conclusions: PCSK9 is associated with age, sex, and multiple metabolic markers in youth. A novel finding is that PCSK9 is associated with fasting insulinemia, which suggests that PCSK9 could play a role in the development of dyslipidemia associated with the metabolic syndrome. .
Had there been an axe handy: transatlantic modernism, Virginia Woolf and Jean Toomer
Authors: Goldman Jane
Published: July 2009

This article looks at transatlantic modernist intertextuality and identifies African American influences and voices in the writing of Virginia Woolf. While comparisons between Woolf and the Harlem Renaissance writer Jean Toomer have occasionally been made in transatlantic studies of the matrix of modernism, little attention has been paid to the possibility of more direct or precise connections and intertexts. This essay offers a reading of a precise intertext between Woolf and Toomer and suggests further citations by Woolf of African American writing.
HSQC-NMR analysis of lignin in woody (Eucalyptus globulus and Picea abies) and non-woody (Agave sisalana) ball-milled plant materials at the gel state 10th EWLP, Stockholm, Sweden, August 25–28, 2008
Authors: Rencoret Jorge , Marques Gisela , Gutiérrez Ana , Nieto Lidia , Santos J. Ignacio , Jiménez-Barbero Jesús , Martínez Ángel T. , del Río José C.
Published: July 2009

In situ analysis of lignin by 2D NMR of whole plant material was carried out by swelling finely ball-milled samples in deuterated dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO-d6
) and sonicated so that a gel was formed in the NMR analysis tube. Solution HSQC NMR spectra of different plant materials representative for hardwood (Eucalyptus globulus), softwood (Picea abies), and non-woody plants (Agave sisalana) are presented here. The spectra show signals corresponding to those of the main plant constituents, such as lignin and polysaccharides. The lignin signals were assigned by comparing the HSQC spectra of the whole plant materials with the HSQC spectra of their respective milled-wood lignins (MWLs). In general terms, the major lignin structural features, such as the relative abundances of the main lignin substructures, the syringyl/guaiacyl ratios and the extent of γ-acetylation of the lignin side-chain observed in the HSQC spectra of the whole plant materials, matched those obtained from the HSQC spectra of the isolated MWLs. Therefore, this technique, which needs only minor amounts of lignocellulosic material and minimal sample preparation, can be useful for the rapid screening of plant lignins without the need for tedious and time-consuming lignin isolation procedures.
Yield Strength Evaluation by Small-Punch Test
Authors: Isselin Jerome , Shoji Tetsuo
Published: July 2009

Because of the mechanical property degradation experienced by the nuclear power plant components, it is important to evaluate the evolution of the mechanical properties during service, such as the yield strength. A lack of materials available from nuclear power plants has led to the development of more and more small-sized specimen tests such as the small-punch test that has the advantage of using very small amounts of material with very simple working conditions (machining and test). In this study, we will present a new method for the yield strength estimation. This method is based on the elastic deformation energy method and is compared with the current methods which include the “two tangents” method and the offset method. This new method consists of the determination of the yield strength by measuring the energy beneath the load-displacement curve in the elastic deformation domain. The elastic deformation domain is defined by measuring the elastic reverse displacement during an unloading phase. Subsequently, the elastic displacement reverse is applied at the beginning of the load-displacement curve. Good agreement has been found between the elastic deformation energy and the square of the tensile yield strength. This method allows a better evaluation of the tensile yield strength and with a reduced scatter compared to the current conventional methods.
The Effect of Dual Flue Gas Conditioning on Fly Ash Characteristics
Authors: Shanthakumar S. , Singh D. N. , Phadke R. C.
Published: July 2009

Dual flue gas conditioning (DFGC) deals with the addition of chemical additives such as ammonia and sulfur trioxide, simultaneously, to the flue gas for increasing the ash collection efficiency of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs). Previous studies with ammonia as the conditioning agent [i.e., ammonia flue gas conditioning (AFGC)] have revealed that the collection efficiency increases drastically due to agglomeration of ash particles. However, in what way combination of sulfur trioxide and ammonia helps in increasing the efficiency of ESPs, and hence controlling emissions from the power stations, has not yet been studied in detail. With this in view, efforts were made to investigate the influence of DFGC and AFGC on the collection efficiency of ESPs and overall properties of the ash. To achieve this, fly ash samples from a thermal power station in India, where DFGC is being adopted, were collected and their physico-chemico-mineralogical and morphological properties were investigated. The results obtained were critically analyzed vis-à-vis those obtained for the fly ash samples collected from a thermal power plant where only AFGC is being adopted. The advantage of DFGC over AFGC for enhancing the overall collection efficiency of ESPs has been demonstrated in this paper.
Influence of Loading Rate on the Calibration of Instrumented Charpy Strikers
Authors: Lucon Enrico , Scibetta Marc , McColskey J. David , McCowan Chris N.
Published: July 2009

One of the key factors for obtaining reliable instrumented Charpy results is the calibration of the instrumented striker. The conventional approach for establishing an analytical relationship between strain gage output and force applied to the transducer is the static calibration, which is preferably performed with the striker installed in the pendulum assembly. However, the response of an instrumented striker under static force application may sometimes differ significantly from its dynamic performance during an actual Charpy test. This is typically reflected in a large difference between absorbed energy returned by the pendulum encoder (KV) and calculated under the instrumented force/displacement test record (Wt). Such difference can be either minimized by optimizing the striker design or analytically removed by adjusting forces and displacements until KV=Wt (the so-called “dynamic force adjustment”). This study investigates the influence of increasing force application rates on the force/voltage characteristics of two instrumented strikers, one at NIST in Boulder, Colorado and one at SCK•CEN in Mol, Belgium. Force was applied to the strikers using servohydraulic testing machines up to maximum loading rates of around 3,000 kN/s, approximately 60 times lower than the typical loading rate during the elastic portion of an instrumented Charpy test (∼180,000 kN/s). At SCK•CEN, force was applied to the striker by cyclic loading at increasing frequencies and using a single ramp function having the desired slope (“single-shot” loading). It is observed that, under cyclic loading, the sensitivity of the strain gages drops significantly above a threshold loading rate, which may depend on the striker design (∼100 kN/s for the NIST tup, ∼1,000 kN/s for the SCK•CEN tup). Conversely, in the case of single-shot loading, the force/voltage relationship does not vary significantly up to ∼3,000 kN/s and remains close to the one obtained from the static calibration.
Fiber-Optical Interferometer for Distance Measurements: Investigation of LinearityLinearitätsuntersuchungen eines faseroptischen Distanzmesssystems
Authors: Depiereux Frank , Hamm Wolfgang , Schmitt Robert , Mallmann Guilherme F.
Published: July 2009

Thoroughly investigated optical principles like interferometry can be very well combined with the advantages of light guiding fibers. Such a combination enables the realization of unique measurement systems with exceptional features. We present the extended investigation and compensation of the linear behaviour of our fiber-optical distance sensor.
Dysproteinaemia in the differential diagnosis of kala-azar
Authors: Moriearty Pamela Lane , Teixeira Rodolfo dos Santos
Published: July 2009

Serum protein abnormalities were examined in six kala-azar (KA) patients, six controls with positive immunofluorescence tests with Leishmania donovani antigens, and six seronegative controls. KA patients were clearly distinguishable from controls by several parameters, including A/G ratio, albumin and globulin levels, IgM and IgG titers, and positive rheumatoid factor (RF) tests. A positive relationship was noted between RF titers and serum levels of IgM. The diagnostic value and possibel pathologic significance of serum abnormalities in KA is discussed.
Estudo do comportamento da população de Macaca mulatta Zimmermann, 1780 na Ilha do Pinheiro, RJ, Brasil: organização social, levantamento da população e condições de alimentação
Authors: Jurberg Pedro , Faria Dóris Santos de , Leite Maria Eulália Lobo
Published: July 2009

Os AA. realizaram um trabalho com a finalidade de aumentar a população de Macaca mulatta na ilha do Pinheiro, RJ, através do conhecimento de dados comportamentais desta colônia. Neste estudo inicial são empregadas técnicas etológicas de observação direta visando a esclarecer aspectos da organização social, determinar a quantidade de animais discriminada por sexo e levantar as condições de alimentação. A população é constituída de 91 animais distribuídos em três grupos sociais, havendo 22 machos, 40 fêmeas e 29 filhotes.
Leishmaniose visceral no Rio de Janeiro: 1 - Flebotomíneos da área de procedência de caso humano autóctone
Authors: Souza Miguel Alves de , Sabroza Paulo Chagastelles , Marzochi Mauro Célio de Almeida , Coutinho Sérgio Gomes , Souza Wilson Jacinto Silva de
Published: July 2009

Foi realizado um inquérito entomológico no período de agosto a dezembor de 1977 na área de procedência de caso autóctone de leishmaniose visceral, encosta do Rio da Prata, bairro de Bangu, Rio de Janeiro. Utilizando-se capturadores manuais foram investigados os peri-domicílios de 13 das 27 habitações da área, tendo-se selecionado quatro locais de capturas que haviam demonstrado serem de maior produtividade. Em 22 capturas (73,3 horas - capturador), coletou-se 1.585 flebotomíneos, sendo 828 (52,2%) Lutzomyia intermediata, 684 (43,1%) Lutzomyia longipalpis, 57 (3,6%) Lutzomyia migonei, 5 (0,3%) Lutzomya cortelezzii e Lutzomyia fischeri, 3 (0,2%) Lutzomyia micropyga, 1(0,1%) LUtzomyia firmatoi e 2 (0,2%) Brumptomyia sp. L. longipalpis predominou nos locais de captura acima de 100 metros de altitude, tanto em abrigos de animais do tipo galinheiro como chiqueiro. A maioria deles foi capturada no horário entre 18 e 21 horas mas eventualmente foram também capturados entre 15 e 17 horas. L. intermedia predominou abaixo de 100 metros e em chiqueiro, sendo encontrados em galinheiro menos freqüentemente que L. longipalpis. Os autores ressaltam a necessidade de adoção de medidas de controle na localidade, dado o risco potencial de transmissão de leishmaniose visceral em área próxima a grande concentração urbana.
Glomerulonephritis in schistosomiasis with mesangial IgM deposits
Authors: Magalhães Filho Ageu Godoy , Barbosa Antônio Victoriano , Ferreira Teresa Cristina
Published: July 2009

Twenty one cases of hepatoesplenic schistosomiasis patients without clinical and laboratory evidence of renal disease, were studied by surgical biopsies using light microscopy and immunofluorescence. The cases were classified histologically as: normal pattern (6 cases); minimal changes (6 cases); and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (9 cases). By the immunofluorescence microscopy using anti IgM, IgG, IgA and C3, the predominant finding in all biopsies, except the normal cases, was granular deposits of IgM in the mesangium along with C3. On the other hand, IgG was present in all cases including normal biopsies along the capillary walls. However IgG was also present in the mesangium only in cases with glomerular lesions. This finding may well be similar to that recently described as IgM mesangial nephropathy. According to our cases a mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, characterized by segmental cell proliferation and deposition of IgM in the mesangium, is probably the entity found in the early stages of mansonic schistosomiasis.
Development of cell mediated immunity to flagellar antigens and acquired resistance to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in mice
Authors: Costa S. C. Gonçalves da , Lagrande P. H.
Published: July 2009

Modulation by BCG and/or cyclophosphamide of sensitization of mice with flagellar fraction (a tubulin-enriched fraction) prevented death of mice challenged with T. cruzi CL strain trypomastigotes recovered from Vero cells. A methodology was ceveloped to assay specific antigens and to determine optimal doses for sensitization and elicitation of DTH in mice. CL strain is predominantly myotropic strain which does not produce important parasitism of mononuclear phagocyte cells; these cells appear to control infection when activated in vivo. Maximum protection was seen in this study when BCG and cyclophosphamide were associated, but protection was observed also when cyclophosphamide, that prevents supressor T cells, was applied 2 days before flagellar fraction sensitization in normal mice. These experiments suggested that the macrophage may have an important role in the early phases of infection particularly when nonspecific stimulation is associated with specific sensitization. A correlation betwen delayed hypersensitivity to parasite antigens and protection was observed.
A imunidade na febre tifóide I. A vacinação anti-tifoídica de Wright, 1896 a 1979
Authors: Milhomem Arlete Moreira , Suassuna Italo
Published: July 2009

A presente revisão aborda a literatura disponível sobre a vacinação anti-tifoídica. Sentiu-se desde o início a falta de um modelo experimental adequado para avaliar a potência da vacina e somente dados imcompletos e parciais foram obtidos de modelos humanos e animais em relação aos mecanismos imunológicos básicos da resposta à vacinação. Por esta razão um grande número de diferentes métodos foram propostos e usados, fornecendo variações em vários aspectos, tais como: a) tipo de amostra bacteriana utilizada no preparo da vacina; b) métodos de preparo (germes mortos por aquecimento e adição de preservativo, por éter, álcool, acetona, lisados bacterianos, germes vivos atenuados, etc.); c) composição da vacina; d) vias de inoculação (intradérmica, subcutânea, oral, etc.); e) variação do número de microrganismos; d) variação na dose e/ou intervalo entre as doses. Muitos ensaios de campo não foram conclusivos. Foi considerado que estes ensaios iniciais não tiveram controles adequados os quais foram introduzidos posteriormente em ensaios bem planejados, e patrocinados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde em várias partes do mundo (Iugoslávia, Polônia, União Soviética, ìndia e Condado de Tonga). Os dados disponíveis de tais ensaios permitiram as seguintes conclusões: a) a vacina inativada por etanol foi de pouco ou nenhum valor profilático; b) algumas vacinas inativadas ofereceram significante proteção; c) a vacina inativada por acetona é mais eficaz; d) não há proteção para as S. paratyphi A e B nas doses empregadas na TAB. Quando empregada a S. paratyphi B em doses maiores, esta proteção é obtida; e) os testes em animais de laboratórios não podem ser completamente correlacionados com a efetividade no homem bem como o título de anticorpos para os antígenos H, o e Vi; f) uma dose (0,5 a 1 ml de uma suspensão contendo 10*9 bactérias por ml) da vacina inativada por acetona da razoável proteção por um curto período, enquanto duas doses (intervalo de 4 semanas) dão maior proteção e por tempo mais longo; g) a proteção oferecida pela vacinação é maior nos jovens que nos adultos; h) a vacina oral inativada (Typhoral) não oferece proteção mesmo em doses elevadas. Algumas experiências com animais (camundongos, chimpanzés) e voluntários humanos indicaram que uma melhor proteção foi obtida com vacinas vivas atenuadas. Contudo em tais experiências houve persistência tanto da amostra vacinante como da amostra desafio e ainda uma relação significante entre a amostra da vacina rugosa utilizada para imunização e lesões renais abacterianas de natureza desconhecida.
Considerações taxionômicas sobre Ischinoplax Dall, 1879 versus Callistochiton Dall, 1879 (Mollusca, Polyplacophora)
Authors: Guerra Júnior Orlando
Published: July 2009

Discute-se a validade de dois nomes propostos para o mesmo complexo genérico, ficando estabelecida a prioridade de Ischnoplas Dall, 1879.
Mitochondrial ultrastructural and atpase changes during the life cycle of Ascaris Suum
Authors: Rodrick G. E. , Long S. D. , Sodeman Junior W. A. , Smith D. L.
Published: July 2009

Ultrastructural morphology and ATPase specific activities of mitochondria isolated from 1-celled fertilized egg, 10-day embryo, 21-day infective larvae and adult body wall muscle of Ascaris suum and rat liver were determined and compared. Although cristae of both muscle and egg mitochondria contained numerous elementary particles with head pieces of conventional diameter (85 A), each muscle mitochondrion contained relatively few, short cristae with a diminished frequency of elementary particles and associated ATPase activity. These morphological relationships are related to the previous conclusion that the transition from an aerobic to an essentially anaerobic metabolism is intimately associated with the mitochondrion and is a normal and mandatory feature of development.
Criterios de nuliparidad y de paridad en Lutzomyia townsendi (Ortiz, 1959) del occidente de Venezuela
Authors: Márquez Margarita , Scorza José V.
Published: July 2009

Lutzomyia townsendi (Ortiz, 1959) es un flebótomo antropofílico con concordancia gonadotrófica, en las zonas endémicas de Leishmania brasiliensis y L. garnhami en el occidente de Venezuela. Mediante el estudio de hembras colonizadas en el laboratorio, nuliparas o paridas, de hembras silvestres alimentadas sobre voluntarios y de hembras silvestres mantenidas con sacarosa, se establecen criterios de nuliparidad con un 56,6% de confianza. En cambio, signos de paridad aparecen en un 82% de las hembras consideradas como tales. La digestión de un ingesta sanguínea inicia un ciclo gonadotrófico con oogénesis abortiva y acumulación de fosfolípidos en las células epiteliales del estómago y en las glândulas accesorias. La ovoposición completa produce un calix ovárico grueso e irregular con restos de oocitos abortivos y acumulación de pigmentos. Estos caracteres son suficientes para precisar un criterio de paridad. La presencia de fosfolípidos en el estómago y en las glândulas accesorias de hembras nulíparas es una indicación de ingesta incompleta de sangre.
Taenia taeniaeformis: aspectos da relação hospedeiro-parasita
Authors: Nascimento Evaldo
Published: July 2009

Gatos eliminam proglotes de Taenia taeniaeformis vinte dias após a ingestão de Cysticercus fasciolares obtidos de ratos albinos infectados dois meses e meio após a ingestão de ovos viáveis. A resposta imunológica humoral de gatos e ratos foi detectada a partir da segunda semana de infecção, sendo observado maiores níveis de anticorpos circulares na quarta e quinta semanas respectivamente.
Biofiltração da água e tipos de substrato na larvicultura do pacamã
Authors: Pedreira Marcelo Mattos , Luz Ronald Kennedy , Santos José Cláudio Epaminondas dos , Sampaio Edson Vieira , Silva Rafael Sá Fortes
Published: July 2009

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso de diferentes biofiltros e substratos na qualidade da água e no desempenho de larvas de Lophiosilurus alexandri. Os tratamentos usados foram: sistema sem biofiltro (SB); biofiltro interno ao tanque com substrato de cascalho de diâmetro médio de 1,6 cm (CMe); biofiltro interno ao tanque com cascalho de diâmetro médio de 2,1 cm (CMa); biofiltro interno ao tanque com substrato constituído de uma mistura de 70% de brita (diâmetro médio de 1,3 cm) e 30% de concha (diâmetro médio de 1,1 cm) (CB); e sistema fechado (SF) com biofiltro externo aos tanques, com substrato de brita e concha. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições, durante 16 dias. Para íon amônio, nitrito, nitrato e ortofosfato, houve interação entre sistemas x dias de cultivo. Os sistemas SF, CMe e CB registraram menores concentrações de íon amônio e nitrito; o sistema SB, maiores concentrações de íon amônio e menores concentrações de nitrato; o SF, concentrações de ortofosfato superiores. A sobrevivência de L. alexandri foi inferior no SF. O crescimento não foi afetado pelos diferentes sistemas. Os biofiltros melhoraram a qualidade da água quanto aos compostos nitrogenados emfunção do tipo de substrato.
Diagnóstico pré-natal de rabdomioma cardíaco fetal pela ultrassonografia: relato de caso
Authors: Guimarães Filho Hélio Antonio , Araujo Junior Edward , Pires Cláudio Rodrigues , Costa Lavoisier Linhares Dias da , Nardozza Luciano Marcondes Machado , Mattar Rosiane
Published: July 2009

Os tumores cardíacos constituem condição rara, com incidência entre 0,17 e 28/10.000 na população geral. Os rabdomiomas são os tumores mais frequentes no período pré-natal. Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar o caso de um feto com 31 semanas de gestação que apresentava tumoração intracardíaca de grandes dimensões, com graves repercussões clínicas.
Consequências metodológicas das formulações 'as if': como a abordagem evolucionária sugere uma interpretação realista da economia
Authors: Muramatsu Roberta , Barbier Fábio
Published: July 2009

Este artigo busca desafiar a visão amplamente disseminada de que o uso de formulações as if pelos economistas implica uma perspectiva metodológica instrumentalista (i.e., antirrealista). Baseado em uma análise do papel das proposições as if na teorização científica, argumenta-se que elas são também compatíveis com uma postura realista. Para efetuar a tarefa citada, discute-se o que são as formulações as if e identificam-se alguns dos seus usos realistas e instrumentalistas na prática efetiva de Economia e Biologia Evolucionária. Mais fundamentalmente, o presente trabalho sugere que o as if pode receber uma interpretação realista se consistir em uma contrapartida simplificada de uma explicação que descreve explicitamente processos evolucionários que produzem padrões de comportamento no mundo econômico real.