bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of the European Yield Model to Nailed Joints in Southern Hardwoods
Authors: Pellicane PJ
Published: February 2009

A study was conducted which utilized data obtained from 1056 tests of nailed joints in 18 commonly used species of southern hardwoods. The data was developed in 1950 by Scholten. This data included information regarding joint geometry, material specific gravity, discrete load-slip curves, and the ultimate load for each joint. The test specimens were laterally loaded and contained one 8d common wire nail in each joint. Joints were tested in compression at a rate of 0.07 in./min (1.78 mm/min) to ultimate load.

With a British model to predict wood embedding strength from specific gravity and nail diameter, and an estimate of nail yield strength,the European Yield Model was employed to predict the failure mode and yield load of the joints. Failure modes which create one or two theoretical plastic hinges in the nail were predicted for all joints. The data suggested that behavior modes of the joints were consistent with model predictions. Further, theoretical nail yield load showed a high correlation (r2 = 0.90) with the experimentally obtained load at 0.015 in. (0.381 mm) slip, 5% offset load, and ultimate load (joint capacity).
Models and Interactions
Authors: Mandel J
Published: February 2009

It is shown that the usual analysis-of-variance model with interaction terms can be a hindrance to the understanding of data rather than a useful tool. An alternative model, especially useful for the analysis of interlaboratory test data, is discussed. However, the best treatment of certain types of data is obtained by an analysis that involves minimal prior assumptions. An example is discussed that illustrates the thesis of this paper.
Reliability and Life Estimation from Component Fatigue Failures Below the Go-No-Go Fatigue Life Limit
Authors: Parida N
Published: February 2009

The true reliability and the fatigue life of a connecting link made of low-alloy high-strength steel have been estimated from go-no-go fatigue test. Tests were conducted on a sample size of 130 randomly selected from a population of different heats. Test results were statistically evaluated using binomial, log-normal, and weibull distributions; the sample reliability was compared with the reliabilities estimated from all three of these distributions. It was observed that for a go-no-go test binomial distribution is preferred for more conservative estimation of the true reliability. The results also show that the life of the link follows a Weibull distribution.
Analysis of Gas-Fired Ceramic Radiant Tubes During Transient Heating: Part I—Thermal Transient Modeling
Authors: Segall AE , Hellmann JR , Modest MF
Published: February 2009

Low profile thermocouples were used to measure the external transient temperature distributions on open-ended silicon carbide radiant tubes during cold-start heating. The measured tube and furnace temperatures were used with radiant exchange relationships for gray-diffuse surfaces and natural convection formulations to calculate quasi-static effective heat transfer coefficients along the length of the tubes. Finite-element analysis was then used with the effective heat transfer coefficients to calculate the transient temperature distribution throughout the tube. Results indicate relatively mild radial temperature distributions during the heating conditions studied and the applicability of the analysis to different tube geometries and burner systems.
Vibration Monitoring of Small Lightweight Components Using Fiber Optic Sensors
Authors: Powers BL , Chuang SY
Published: February 2009

Measurements of vibration resonant responses of lightweight components are difficult if the sensor's mass is comparable to the mass of the specimen. Fiber optic sensors, which are lightweight, are particularly attractive for this special application. To demonstrate the capability of fiber optic sensors for this unique application, a polarimetric fiber optic vibration monitoring system was developed to measure the resonant response of a capacitor (0.34 g) mounted vertically on a printed circuit board during a laboratory vibration test. A pronounced resonance peak around 1200 Hz was detected; this is in agreement with the first vibrational mode of the capacitor (1260 Hz) predicted by a NASTRAN finite element analysis. This resonance was suppressed by encapsulating the capacitor leads in RTV silicon rubber adhesive.
Experimentation and Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers
Authors: Jacobs TL
Published: February 2009

The stated objective of this book is to present “a logical approach to experimentation through the application of uncertainty analysis.” The book is intended for upper level undergraduate and graduate courses and as a reference. Its examples and discussions are geared towards mechanical engineering problems and experiments. In addition, the book may be used as a reference for quantifying sources of error within an experimental process.
Pathophysiological aspects of Wnt-signaling in endocrine disease
Authors: Schinner Sven , Willenberg Holger S , Schott Matthias , Scherbaum Werner A
Published: February 2009

Wnt-signaling has recently been identified as a regulator of a number of endocrine functions in health and disease in addition to its original attribution to developmental biology. Wnts are extracellular ligands on frizzled receptors and on lipoprotein receptor-related protein co-receptors. Ligand binding leads eventually to the activation of intracellular signaling cascades; based on the involvement of the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin it can be distinguished between canonical (i.e. β-catenin) and non-canonical Wnt-signaling. Recent studies revealed that canonical Wnt-signaling regulates the function of endocrine organs and contributes to a number of endocrine disorders. In this review, we would like to focus on a) recent mechanistic data on Wnts in pancreatic β-cell function; b) human genetic studies on Wnt signaling in type 2 diabetes mellitus; c) crosstalk between adipocytes and endocrine cells through Wnt-signaling molecules (with a focus on the role of Wnt-signaling in adrenocortical cells).
Nanoindentation near the edge
Authors: Jakes J.E. , Frihart C.R. , Beecher J.F. , Moon R.J. , Resto P.J. , Melgarejo Z.H. , Suárez O.M. , Baumgart H. , Elmustafa A.A. , Stone D.S.
Published: February 2009

Whenever a nanoindent is placed near an edge, such as the free edge of the specimen or heterophase interface intersecting the surface, the elastic discontinuity associated with the edge produces artifacts in the load–depth data. Unless properly handled in the data analysis, the artifacts can produce spurious results that obscure any real trends in properties as functions of position. Previously, we showed that the artifacts can be understood in terms of a structural compliance, Cs, which is independent of the size of the indent. In the present work, the utility of the SYS (Stone, Yoder, Sproul) correlation is demonstrated in its ability to remove the artifacts caused by Cs. We investigate properties: (i) near the surface of an extruded polymethyl methacrylate rod tested in cross section, (ii) of compound corner middle lamellae of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) surrounded by relatively stiff wood cell walls, (iii) of wood cell walls embedded in a polypropylene matrix with some poorly bonded wood–matrix interfaces, (iv) of AlB2 particles embedded in an aluminum matrix, and (v) of silicon-on-insulator thin film on substrate near the free edge of the specimen.
Substrate-affected indentation contact parameters of elastoplastic coating/substrate composites
Authors: Sakai Mototsugu
Published: February 2009

In coating/substrate bilayer systems, the indentation contact behavior transitionally varies from coatinglike to substratelike behaviors. Spatial confinement effects of the substrate induce very complicated plastic flows in the coating beneath the indenter, leading to a crucial difficulty that is not accounted for by any of the present quantitative analytical/theoretical predictions for the substrate-affected contact hardness. In this work, the author presents finite-element-based studies on the elastoplastic indentation contact mechanics of coating/substrate systems. The effect of the substrate is taken into account by introducing the spatially variable elastic modulus and the yield stress; this approach quantitatively describes the substrate-affected stress/strain field in the spatially localized area beneath the indenter. The elastoplastic constitutive relationship of the contact hardness for semi-infinite homogeneous bulks combined with these spatially variable material characteristics are successfully applied to analytically as well as quantitatively predict the substrate-affected contact hardness of bilayer composite systems having wide ranges of elastoplastic coating/substrate characteristics. The experimental procedures for determining the elastic/plastic parameters both of the coating and the substrate are also discussed, in which the importance of the experimental determination of substrate-affected indentation contact radius/area is emphasized.
Novel ultra nanoindentation method with extremely low thermal drift: Principle and experimental results
Authors: Nohava J. , Randall N.X. , Conté N.
Published: February 2009

Despite active development over the past 15 years, contemporary nanoindentation methods still suffer serious drawbacks, particularly long thermal stabilization and thermal drift, which limit the duration of the measurements to only a short period of time. The presented work introduces a novel ultra nanoindentation method that uses loads from the μN range up to 50 mN, is capable of performing long-term stable measurements, and has negligible frame compliance. The method is based on a novel patented design, which uses an active top referencing system. Several materials were used to demonstrate the performance of the method. The measurements with hold at maximum load confirm extremely low levels of instrument thermal drift. The presented Ultra Nanoindentation Tester opens new possibilities for testing thin films and long-term testing, including creep of polymers at high resolution without the need of long thermal stabilization.
Extracting elastic properties and prestress of a cell using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Zhang C.Y. , Zhang Y.W.
Published: February 2009

An analytical solution was derived for the indentation of a cell using atomic force microscopy. It was found that the contribution of the cell membrane to the overall indentation stiffness is dependent on the size of the indenter. When a small indenter [for example, an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip] is used to probe the mechanical properties of cells, the cell membrane and its prestress were important in interpreting indentation data. The solution allows the partition of contributions from the membrane and the interior soft phase. The apparent elastic modulus of the cell and the prestress of the cell membrane can be extracted. In addition, the modulus of the cell membrane could be estimated from the extracted apparent modulus if the interior soft phase of the cell was known and vice versa. However, when a large indenter is used (for example, a microbead attached to the cantilever beam of the AFM), the contribution of the cell membrane is negligible.
Where are the geometrically necessary dislocations accommodating small imprints?
Authors: Rester M. , Motz C. , Pippan R.
Published: February 2009

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of small indentations in copper single crystals exhibit only slight changes of the crystal orientation in the surroundings of the imprints. Far-reaching dislocations might be the reason for these small misorientation changes. Using EBSD and TEM technique, this work makes an attempt to visualize the far-propagating dislocations by introducing a twin boundary in the vicinity of small indentations. Because dislocations piled up at the twin boundary produce a misorientation gradient, the otherwise far-propagating dislocations can be detected.
Nanoindentation and microstructural evolution of polycrystalline gold
Authors: Ma Jeong Beom , Zikry M.A.
Published: February 2009

A finite-element (FE) microstructurally based dislocation density multiple-slip crystalline formulation that is coupled to molecular dynamic (MD) simulations has been used to predict how nanoindentation affects behavior in crystalline gold polycrystals at scales that span the molecular to the continuum level. Displacement profiles from MD simulations of nanoindentation were used to obtain scaling relations, which are based on indented depths, grain sizes, and grain aggregate distributions. These scaling relations are then used in a microstructurally based FE formulation that accounts for dislocation density evolution, crystalline structures, and grain sizes. This hierarchical methodology can be used to ascertain inelastic effects, such as shear-slip distribution, pressure accumulation, and dislocation density and slip-rate evolution at physical scales that are commensurate with ductile behavior at the microstructural scale.
Determining the elastic modulus and hardness of an ultra-thin film on a substrate using nanoindentation
Authors: Li Han , Vlassak Joost J.
Published: February 2009

A data analysis procedure has been developed to estimate the contact area in an elasto-plastic indentation of a thin film bonded to a substrate. The procedure can be used to derive the elastic modulus and hardness of the film from the indentation load, displacement, and contact stiffness data at indentation depths that are a significant fraction of the film thickness. The analysis is based on Yu's elastic solution for the contact of a rigid conical punch on a layered half-space and uses an approach similar to the Oliver-Pharr method for bulk materials. The methodology is demonstrated for both compliant films on stiff substrates and the reverse combination and shows improved accuracy over previous methods.
Investigation of thermally activated deformation in amorphous PMMA and Zr-Cu-Al bulk metallic glasses with broadband nanoindentation creep
Authors: Puthoff J.B. , Jakes J.E. , Cao H. , Stone D.S.
Published: February 2009

The development of nanoindentation test systems with high data collection speeds has made possible a novel type of indentation creep test: broadband nanoindentation creep (BNC). Using the high density of data points generated and analysis techniques that can model the instantaneous projected indent area at all times during a constant-load indentation experiment, BNC can reveal materials properties across a range of strain rates spanning up to five decades (10−4–10 s−1). BNC experiments aimed at measuring activation parameters for plasticity were conducted on three systems: two Zr-based bulk metallic glasses and poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The results give insight into the operation of the deformation mechanisms present in the test materials, including the dependence of the deformation rate on the hydrostatic component of the stress for PMMA and the form of the activation energy function for the metallic glasses.
Transmission electron microscopy study of the deformation behavior of Cu/Nb and Cu/Ni nanoscale multilayers during nanoindentation
Authors: Bhattacharyya D. , Mara N.A. , Dickerson P. , Hoagland R.G. , Misra A.
Published: February 2009

Nanoscale metallic multilayers, comprising two sets of materials—Cu/Nb and Cu/Ni—were deposited in two different layer thicknesses—nominally 20 and 5 nm. These multilayer samples were indented, and the microstructural changes under the indent tips were studied by extracting samples from underneath the indents using the focused ion beam (FIB) technique and by examining them under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The deformation behavior underneath the indents, manifested in the bending of layers, reduction in layer thickness, shear band formation, dislocation crossing of interfaces, and orientation change of grains, has been characterized and interpreted in terms of the known deformation mechanisms of nanoscale multilayers.
Drug Information: From Education to Practice
Authors: Bernknopf Allison C. , Karpinski Julie P. , McKeever Andrea L. , Peak Amy S. , Smith Kelly M. , Smith Wendy D. , Timpe Erin M. , Ward Kristina E.
Published: February 2009

Drug information is a specialty area within the realm of clinical pharmacy that has evolved as technology and clinical practice have changed. Drug information specialists are trained individuals who have clinical knowledge and skills that allow them to provide clear, concise, and accurate recommendations regarding drug use. The constant changing culture of drug information and health care in general has prompted the need for continual growth and refinement of the standards that govern drug information practice. This article outlines specific standards to help ensure that the education and practice of drug information will continue to meet the needs of the health care community. This opinion paper is divided into two sections: Education and Training, and Practice Areas. The Education and Training section is organized to describe the role of drug information and that of the drug information specialist in the training of all pharmacy students and advanced trainees, as well as to describe the role of focused training for those individuals wishing to specialize in drug information. This article also affirms the recommendations for the standards‐based approach to drug information education and specialty training. The Practice Areas section is organized to describe the role of the drug information specialist within various practice settings, to identify some of the challenges faced by the drug information specialist within those settings, and to provide recommendations for the different practice areas. The areas found within this section include academia, institutional health systems, managed care, industry, medical writing, and informatics.
Extremely Low Excretion of Daptomycin into Breast Milk of a Nursing Mother with Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Authors: Buitrago Martha I. , Crompton Jason A. , Bertolami Shellie , North Donald S. , Nathan Richard A.
Published: February 2009

Antibiotic treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is often broad spectrum and targets a diverse range of vaginal flora. Treatment of PID in nursing mothers presents a particular clinical challenge because use of antimicrobials during breastfeeding poses several potential risks to infants. Excretion of drugs into breast milk can occur through different mechanisms and depends on the characteristics of both the drug and the mother. Whether daptomycin is excreted into breast milk is unknown, as is its subsequent exposure to breastfeeding infants and the associated risks. We describe a case of PID caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, an uncommon pathogen in PID, in a breastfeeding mother who was successfully treated with daptomycin. Daptomycin concentrations in her breast milk were measured to determine potential exposure to her infant. These concentrations were extremely low, with an estimated milk:plasma ratio of 0.0012. Although additional confirmatory studies are needed, daptomycin may be a reasonable option in the treatment of PID caused by gram‐positive organisms that are resistant to other antibiotics.
Rhabdomyolysis Caused by a Potential Sitagliptin‐Lovastatin Interaction
Authors: DiGregorio Robert V. , Pasikhova Yanina
Published: February 2009

A 75‐year‐old woman with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia came to the emergency department with generalized and upper‐extremity weakness; she had experienced a fall 2 months earlier. On admission, her drug therapy included lovastatin 40 mg/day, controlled‐release diltiazem 240 mg/day, and glimepiride 1 mg/day. Nineteen days earlier, sitagliptin 100 mg/day had been started; it was discontinued 2 weeks later, and glimepiride was begun. A cardiology consultation performed on the day of admission determined that a markedly elevated creatine kinase‐myocardial band isoenzyme level and borderline‐high troponin I level were diagnostic of rhabdomyolysis secondary to statin use. Because the patient had been taking lovastatin for the past 12 years, the possibility that the rhabdomyolysis may have been caused by a drug interaction between lovastatin and a concomitant drug was evaluated. As it had been 10 months since her last dosage adjustment of diltiazem, it was unlikely that the statin‐induced rhabdomyolysis was precipitated by diltiazem. Use of the Drug Interaction Probability Scale to determine the strength of a lovastatin‐sitagliptin interaction indicated a possible association (score of 4). Multiple drug interactions have been reported with lovastatin. To our knowledge, however, this is the first case report of a possible sitagliptin‐lovastatin interaction that may have caused rhabdomyolysis. Studies must be performed to further evaluate the in vivo effect of sitagliptin on the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme system and to elucidate other mechanisms that may potentiate such a drug‐drug interaction. In the meantime, however, clinicians should be aware of this possible drug interaction.
Conformational effects of Lys191 in the human GnRH receptor: mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulations studies
Authors: Jardón-Valadez Eduardo , Aguilar-Rojas Arturo , Maya-Núñez Guadalupe , Leaños-Miranda Alfredo , Piñeiro Ángel , Conn P Michael , Ulloa-Aguirre Alfredo
Published: February 2009

In the present study, we analyzed the role of Lys191 on function, structure, and dynamic behavior of the human GnRH receptor (hGnRHR) and the formation of the Cys14–Cys200 bridge, which is essential for receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane. Several mutants were studied; mutants lacked either the Cys14–Cys200 bridge, Lys191 or both. The markedly reduced expression and function of a Cys14Ser mutant lacking the 14–200 bridge, was nearly restored to wild-type/ΔLys191 levels upon deletion of Lys191. Lys191 removal resulted in changes in the dynamic behavior of the mutants as disclosed by molecular dynamics simulations: the distance between the sulfur- (or oxygen-) sulfur groups of Cys (or Ser)14 and Cys200 was shorter and more constant, and the conformation of the NH2-terminus and the exoloop 2 exhibited fewer fluctuations than when Lys191 was present. These data provide novel information on the role of Lys191 in defining an optimal configuration for the hGnRHR intracellular trafficking and function.
Toxicity of a dissolved pyrethroid mixture to Hyalella azteca at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Brander Susanne M. , Werner Inge , White J. Wilson , Deanovic Linda A.
Published: February 2009

Use of pyrethroid pesticides, which are highly toxic to aquatic organisms, has increased substantially over the past decade. In 2006, the pyrethroid pesticides cyfluthrin and permethrin were measured in Sacramento-San Joaquin (SSJ) Delta (CA, USA) water at 5 and 24 ng/L (pptr), respectively. To elucidate any interactions between the two pyrethroids, a 10-d laboratory exposure was performed with 7- to 14-d-old amphipods (Hyalella azteca). Cyfluthrin and permethrin were tested singly and in combination at detected levels and also at half and twice the detected levels, both with and without the addition of 25 ppb of piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Mortality in all treatments was significantly higher than in controls, with the median lethal concentration (LC50) for permethrin with PBO (13.9 ng/L) and the LC50s with and without PBO for cyfluthrin (5.7 and 2.9 ng/L, respectively) at or below levels measured in SSJ Delta water samples. The LC50 for permethrin alone was estimated to be 48.9 ng/L. To evaluate combined toxicity, logistic regression models containing terms for concentrations of cyfluthrin, permethrin, and PBO, as well as models containing all possible combinations of these terms and interactions, were run and compared using Akaike's information criterion. The most parsimonious set of models indicated slight antagonism between cyfluthrin and permethrin. Results indicate that a dissolved mixture of cyfluthrin and permethrin is toxic at environmentally relevant concentrations in the water column.
Decolonizing Strategies for Mentoring American Indians and Alaska Natives in HIV and Mental Health Research
Authors: Walters Karina L. , Simoni Jane M.
Published: February 2009

American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) scholars in the fields of mental health and HIV face formidable barriers to scientific success. These include justifiable mistrust of historically oppressive educational systems, educational disparities, role burdens within academe, the devaluation and marginalization of their research interests, and outright discrimination.

Research partners can work to dismantle these barriers by embracing indigenous worldviews, engaging in collaborative research partnerships, building research capacity within universities and tribal communities, changing reward systems, and developing mentoring programs. At the individual level, aspiring AIAN scholars must build coalitions, reject internalized colonial messages, and utilize indigenous ethical frames.

The creation of a cadre of AIAN researchers is crucial to improving the health of AIAN peoples.
Wellbore-Stability Study for the SAFOD Borehole Through the San Andreas Fault
Authors: Paul Pijush , Zoback Mark
Published: February 2009

This paper presents a wellbore-stability study of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) research borehole located near Parkfield, California, USA. In the summer of 2005, the SAFOD borehole was drilled successfully through the active trace of the San Andreas Fault (SAF) in an area characterized by fault creep and frequent microearthquakes. In this study, we report how the analysis of wellbore failures in the upper part of the hole, geophysical logs, and a model for stress gradients in the vicinity of the fault were used to estimate the mud weights required to drill through the fault successfully. Because logging-while-drilling (LWD) acoustic caliper data and real-time hole-volume calculations both showed that relatively little failure occurred while drilling through the SAF, the predicted mud weight was successful in drilling a stable borehole. However, a six-arm caliper log, run after drilling was completed, indicates that there was deterioration of the borehole with time, which appears to be caused by fluid penetration around the borehole. The LWD-resistivity measurements show that essentially no fluid penetration occurred as the hole was being drilled. Because of this, the mud weight used was capable of maintaining a stable wellbore. However, the resistivity data obtained after drilling show appreciable fluid penetration with time, thus negating the effectiveness of the mud weight and leading to time-dependent wellbore failure. Using finite-element modeling (FEM), we show that mud penetration into the fractured medium around the borehole causes failure with time.
Treatment of Hydrocarbon-Based Drilling Waste Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Street C. G. , Tesche C. , Guigard S. E. , Guigard C.
Published: February 2009

Nonaqueous drilling fluids are essential in challenging drill operations. Their use, however, requires special treatment and disposal because of their potential for environmental damage. In light of increasing costs for common treatment technologies and ever-tightening environmental legislation, alternative treatment technologies are being sought by the drilling industry. Supercritical fluid extraction is one such technology that employs a substance higher than its critical pressure and temperature as a solvent.

In this paper, the results are presented of a study using super-critical carbon dioxide to treat synthetic based drilling waste. Unlike typical supercritical fluid extraction studies in which the process is optimized using changes in pressure and temperature, this study was undertaken to improve the extraction of hydrocarbons from drilling waste by increasing the supercritical fluid solvent to waste ratio. Efforts focused on improving supercritical fluid/drilling waste contact, eliminating system clogging with waste solids and minimizing solids carryover. Alterations to the waste using additives and alterations to the vessel both led to an increased amount of waste being treated effectively using the same amount of solvent. Optimization of the process yielded efficiencies as high as 97%. Also, it has been determined that the extracted hydrocarbons are unchanged by the supercritical fluid extraction process. This result suggests that the collected hydrocarbons may be reused in the drilling process, resulting in significant cost savings to the industry.
History And Performance Of The Coldwater Oil Field, Michigan
Authors: Criss C.R. , McCormick R.L.
Published: February 2009

This paper summarizes the development and performance of the Coldwater Oil field, Isabella County, Mich. Production is obtained at a depth of 3,750 ft from a dolomite reservoir, which is probably both Rogers City and Dundee. There appears to be no barrier to vertical fluid movement between the Rogers City and Dundee, and both formations are believed to have a common original oil-water contact. No wells are open to production at the level of the Dundee.

The discovery of the field in 1944 was followed by the drilling of 81 producing wells and nine dry holes. By the end of 1952, the field had produced 12,763,000 bbl of oil, at which time 69 active wells were producing 3,600 B/D oil and 21,000 B/D water.

The reservoir has an effective natural water drive, and bottomhole pressure has declined 75 psi from an original pressure of 1,453 psi. Oil is undersaturated at reservoir conditions with a solution GOR of 512 cu ft/bbl and a saturation pressure of 1,190 psi.

Introduction

Although the Coldwater field is now in its ninth year of production, it ranks seventh in cumulative recovery, and second in current daily oil production in the state. Following complete development of the field in 1946, it has consistently contributed approximately 11 per cent of Michigan's daily production.

Coldwater appears to have a greater pay thickness than most fields producing from the Rogers City formation in the west central part of the Michigan basin. Except as influenced by the extent of closure and the thickness of the oil column, reservoir performance is believed to be representative of Rogers City fields in this part of the basin. For this reason, it is felt that the following presentation of factual data for the field will be of general interest.
Coreless Electromagnetic Coupling-Based Drillstem Telemetry Using Dual Electronic Gauges
Authors: Ding Tianhuai , Cheng Li
Published: February 2009

A coreless electromagnetic coupling-based telemetry system for well-test data involving a full-bore drillstem test apparatus has been developed. This system allows the retrieval of formation pressures and temperatures above and below a tester valve by means of a wireline-conveyed electronic gauge and a permanently installed gauge. A wireline-deployed coreless electromagnetic proximity sonde is put into the well to transfer the data using time-division frequency transmission technology in the "Synchronization-Pressure-Low-Temperature-Low" mode on a single-core wired-armored cable. The coded pulse data are modulated on DC power signals. The surface processor uses a double-counter synchronization method to measure signal frequencies to eliminate ±1 most significant bit (MSB) error. Then a simplified algorithm is proposed, based on least-squares curve fitting and dimensionreduction methods, for computing actual temperatures and pressures for analysis of well-testing data. The proposed system is calibrated for temperatures up to 125°C and pressures up to 70 MPa with a pressure accuracy of 0.1% full scale (FS) and temperature accuracy of ±0.5°C. This approach combines the advantages of drillstem testing and wireline formation testing and has been successfully applied to onshore well testing.
Raloxifene: Mechanism of Action, Effects on Bone Tissue, and Applicability in Clinical Traumatology Practice
Authors: Rey Jose R. Caeiro , Cervino Eduardo Vaquero , Rentero Maria Luz , Crespo Emilio Calvo , Álvaro Angel Oteo , Casillas Marta
Published: February 2009

Raloxifene, a member of the class of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM), reproduces the beneficial effects of estrogens on the skeletal systems, without the negative effects estrogens on breast and endometrium.

This is a review article summarizing its mechanism, effects on bone and its applicability in traumatology clinical practice. In postmenopausal osteoporosis, this drug has been proven to decrease accelerated bone turnover, increase bone mineral density (BMD), and to structurally recover bone, decreasing the risk of vertebral fractures and the risk of non-vertebral fractures in patients with previous, severe vertebral fractures. Moreover, raloxifene appears to lower the risk of invasive breast cancer. Raloxifene would be efficacious in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

We can therefore conclude that raloxifene would be efficacious in the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, while reducing the risk of breast cancer when used at the indicated dose of 60 mg/day and with a low incidence of side effects.
c-Fos or pERK, Which is a Better Marker for Neuronal Activation and Central Sensitization After Noxious Stimulation and Tissue Injury?
Authors: Gao Yong-Jing , Ji Ru-Rong
Published: February 2009

c-Fos, the protein of the protooncogene c-fos, has been extensively used as a marker for the activation of nociceptive neurons in the spinal cord for more than twenty years since Hunt et al. first reported that peripheral noxious stimulation to a hind paw of rats leads to a marked induction of c-Fos in superficial and deep dorsal horn neurons in 1987. In 1999, Ji et al. reported that phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) is specifically induced by noxious stimulation in superficial dorsal horn neurons. Accumulating evidence indicates that pERK induction or ERK activation in dorsal horn neurons is essential for the development of central sensitization, increased sensitivity of dorsal horn neurons that is responsible for the generation of persistent pain. Further, molecular mechanisms underlying ERKmediated central sensitization have been revealed. In contrast, direct evidence for c-Fos-mediated central sensitization is not sufficient. After a noxious stimulus (e.g., capsaicin injection) or tissue injury, c-Fos begins to be induced after 30-60 minutes, whereas pERK can be induced within a minute, which can correlate well with the development of pain hypersensitivity. While c-Fos is often induced in the nuclei of neurons, pERK can be induced in different subcellular structures of neurons such as nuclei, cytoplasma, axons, and dendrites. pERK can even be induced in spinal cord microglia and astrocytes after nerve injury. In summary, both c-Fos and pERK can be used as markers for neuronal activation following noxious stimulation and tissue injury, but pERK is much more dynamic and appears to be a better marker for central sensitization.
The Many Faces of Entrepreneurship: A Discursive Battle for the School Arena
Authors: Leffler Eva
Published: February 2009

Entrepreneurship and enterprise in schools are concepts that are appearing more and more frequently in local curricula for the compulsory nine-year school system in Sweden. The meanings of the concepts of entrepreneurship and enterprise in schools vary, however. Over the last few years, the concept of entrepreneurship has started to appear in contexts other than economic ones, and economic authorities are now expressing a need for a widening of the concept of entrepreneurship to include all sectors of society. This article further problematizes entrepreneurship and enterprise by discussing the following issues: the broader application of the perspective of entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurial perspective that focuses on a business orientation, and the enterprise perspective concerning the development of an individual's inherent abilities. The results show that teachers are still wrestling with the contribution of entrepreneurship in school activities.
Gender and PISA Mathematics: Irish Results in Context
Authors: Close Sean , Shiel Gerry
Published: February 2009

This article examines the Irish results in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) mathematics, with particular reference to gender differences. As in most PISA countries, male students in Ireland achieved a significantly higher mean score than females on the overall mathematics scale in all PISA cycles to date. In 2003, when mathematics was a major assessment domain, male students in Ireland outperformed females on all four mathematics subscales representing the overarching ideas, with the largest difference on Space and Shape. This is contrasted with the stronger performance of female students on the state Junior Certificate (JC) mathematics examination, taken by all students at the end of 9th Grade. The authors' analyses suggest that the stronger performance of male students on PISA is related to differential performance across content areas and cognitive levels, stronger performance at the top end of the overall mathematics proficiency scale, stronger performance on multiple-choice items, and stronger self-efficacy in and lower anxiety about mathematics. The findings are discussed in relation to existing theories of gender differences in mathematics and to features of schooling in Ireland. Throughout the article, reference is made to gender difference in PISA mathematics in other European countries.
The Case of Iceland in PISA: Girls' Educational Advantage
Authors: Halldórsson Almar M. , Ólafsson Ragnar F.
Published: February 2009

Among 41 participating countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2003, the gender difference in favour of females was greatest in Iceland in the three subjects tested: mathematics, science and reading. The aims of this article are to put these findings in national and international context, and report on a number of attempts to explain them. This large gender difference is confirmed and given concurrent validity through the results of the annual Icelandic national standard tests in these subjects. The female advantage is apparent at 4th and 7th Grade, depending on subjects, and is maintained through university level. A comparison of PISA 2003 results with PISA 2000 and recently with PISA 2006 indicates that the year 2003 was somewhat exceptional. However, the basic stability of the gender differences over the past years is demonstrated. A number of explanations for the overall female superiority in PISA and the national standard test performance in Iceland are examined, namely gender difference on low versus high stakes tests, regional effects, school variability and psychological factors. No evidence is found for a stable school effect on gender differences across years, stable regional differences or for the explanation that male disadvantage only appears in ‘low stakes' exams like PISA. Various psychological factors such as anxiety and self-esteem are shown to have stronger links with academic performance for girls compared with boys.
Gender Gap in Comparative Studies of Reading Comprehension: To What Extent Do the Test Characteristics Make a Difference?
Authors: Lafontaine Dominique , Monseur Christian
Published: February 2009

In this article we discuss how apparently indicators that may appear straightforward, such as gender differences, need to be interpreted with extreme care. In particular, we consider how the assessment framework, and the methodology of international surveys, may have a potential impact on the results and on the indicators. Through analysis of Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data we show how increases or decreases in the achievement of some groups of students (either of whole countries or population subgroups like males and females) can, at least partially, result from variations in the framework or the methodology of the respective assessments. The analyses provide evidence that the gender gap is larger for open-ended questions, for continuous texts and for more cognitively demanding reading tasks.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Individuals After Cerebral Hemispherectomy: A Case Series
Authors: de Bode Stella , Fritz Stacy L , Weir-Haynes Kristi , Mathern Gary W
Published: February 2009

Background and Purpose

This case report describes the feasibility and efficacy of the use of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) in 4 individuals (aged 12–22 years) who underwent cerebral hemispherectomy (age at time of surgery=4–10 years). The aims of this case series were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of this therapeutic approach involving a shortened version of CIMT, (2) to examine improvements that occurred within the upper extremity of the hemiparetic side, (3) to investigate the feasibility of conducting brain imaging in individuals with depressed mental ages, and (4) to examine changes in the sensorimotor cortex following intervention.

Case Description

The patients received a shortened version of CIMT for 3 hours each day for a period of 10 days. In addition, a standard resting splint was used for the unimpaired hand for an 11-day period. Each patient was encouraged to wear the splint for 90% of his or her waking hours. The following outcome measures were used: the Actual Amount of Use Test (AAUT), the Box and Block Test (BBT), and the upper-extremity grasping and motor portions of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery (FM).

Outcomes

Immediately after therapy, improvements were found in AAUT and BBT scores, but no improvements were found in FM scores. Three patients underwent brain imaging before and after therapy and showed qualitative changes consistent with reorganization of sensorimotor cortical representations of both paretic and nonparetic hands in one isolated hemisphere.

Discussion

The findings suggest that CIMT may be a feasible method of rehabilitation in individuals with chronic hemiparesis, possibly leading to neuroplastic therapy–related changes in the brain.
Crime-Prevention Jurisprudence? A Response to Andrews and Dowden
Authors: Birgden Astrid
Published: February 2009

Recently Andrews and Dowden (2007) published an article proposing that both offender and victim well-being could be enhanced by utilizing the risk–need–responsivity model to guide the legal and court systems in crime prevention (rather than therapy). Consequently, crime-prevention jurisprudence (defined as a law-and-justice objective reflecting the language of personality and social psychology) was proposed as an alternative to therapeutic jurisprudence (defined as a mental-health objective reflecting the clinical language of forensic mental health). The authors erroneously claim that therapeutic jurisprudence is a mental-health concept whose aim is to provide therapy that improves well-being in offenders rather than to demonstrate concern for victims. In fact, therapeutic jurisprudence is a legal concept that utilizes social-science knowledge to highlight the therapeutic and anti-therapeutic impacts of the law, legal procedures, and legal roles on all individuals, including victims. This article will respond to Andrews and Dowden by challenging three assumptions they make regarding the role of therapeutic jurisprudence. This response concludes that the focus of offender rehabilitation should be on enhancing community protection by balancing offender rights and victim rights. Therapeutic jurisprudence already provides such a framework and, therefore, the promise of crime-prevention jurisprudence fails to add value.
Clinical evaluation of the safety and efficacy of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage for the treatment of refractory increased intracranial pressure
Authors: Tuettenberg Jochen , Czabanka Marcus , Horn Peter , Woitzik Johannes , Barth Martin , Thomé Claudius , Vajkoczy Peter , Schmiedek Peter , Muench Elke
Published: February 2009

Object

Several approaches have been established for the treatment of intracranial hypertension; however, a considerable number of patients remain unresponsive to even aggressive therapeutic strategies. Lumbar CSF drainage has been contraindicated in the setting of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) because of possible cerebral herniation. The authors of this study investigated the efficacy and safety of controlled lumbar CSF drainage in patients suffering from intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods

The authors prospectively evaluated 100 patients—45 with TBI and 55 with SAH—having a mean age of 43.7 ± 15.7 years (mean ± SD) and suffering from refractory intracranial hypertension (ICP > 20 mm Hg). Intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) before and after the initiation of lumbar CSF drainage as well as related complications were documented. Patient outcomes were assessed 6 months after injury.

Results

The application of lumbar CSF drainage led to a significant reduction in ICP from 32.7 ± 10.9 to 13.4 ± 5.9 mm Hg (p < 0.05) and an increase in CPP from 70.6 ± 18.2 to 86.2 ± 15.4 mm Hg (p < 0.05). Cerebral herniation with a lethal outcome occurred in 6% of patients. Thirty-six patients had a favorable outcome, 12 were severely disabled, 7 remained in a persistent vegetative state, and 45 died.

Conclusions

Lumbar drainage of CSF led to a significant and clinically relevant reduction in ICP. The risk of cerebral herniation can be minimized by performing lumbar drainage only in cases with discernible basal cisterns.
Endovascular options in the treatment of delayed ischemic neurological deficits due to cerebral vasospasm
Authors: Eddleman Christopher S. , Hurley Michael C. , Naidech Andrew M. , Batjer H. Hunt , Bendok Bernard R.
Published: February 2009

The second leading cause of death and disability in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is delayed cerebral ischemia due to vasospasm. Although up to 70% of patients have been shown to have angiographic evidence of vasospasm, only 20–30% will present with clinical changes, including mental status changes and neurological deficits that necessitate acute management. Endovascular capabilities have progressed to become viable options in the treatment of cerebral vasospasm. The rationale for intraarterial therapy includes the fact that morbidity and mortality rates have not changed in recent years despite optimized noninvasive medical care. In this report, the authors discuss the most common endovascular options—namely intraarterial vasodilators and transluminal balloon angioplasty—from the standpoint of mechanism, efficacy, limitations, and complications as well as the treatment algorithms for cerebral vasospasm used at our institution.