bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation and Neuromuscular Disorders Influence Mortality in Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation/Noncompaction
Authors: Stöllberger Claudia , Blazek Gerhard , Wegner Christian , Finsterer Josef
Published: September 2011

Objectives: The prognosis of patients with left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is controversial. The aim of the study was to assess parameters influencing mortality and to compare the mortality of LVHT patients with that of the general population of Austria. Methods and Results: Included were patients with LVHT diagnosed echocardiographically between June 1995 and February 2011. They underwent a baseline cardiologic examination and were invited for neurological investigation. Between January and February 2011, their survival status was assessed. LVHT was diagnosed in 162 patients (46 females, aged 53 ± 16 years) with a prevalence of 0.31%/year. One hundred and sixteen patients (72%) underwent a neurological investigation which revealed specific neuromuscular disorders (NMD) in 25 and NMD of unknown etiology in 74 patients, and 17 subjects were assessed as normal. During the follow-up of 67 months, mortality was 4.8%/year and the standardized mortality ratio was 6.27, compared with the Austrian population. By multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were heart failure (hazard ratio 3.91, 4.48 and 5.37 for the New York Heart Association class II, III and IV, respectively), atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 3.26) and NMD (hazard ratio 1.86). Conclusion: Prognostic predictors in LVHT are heart failure, atrial fibrillation and NMD. Whether optimal therapy of heart failure and atrial fibrillation will improve the prognosis of LVHT patients has to be addressed by further studies.
Involvement of Brown Adipose Tissue in Subcutaneous Fat Necrosis of the Newborn
Authors: Ichimiya H. , Arakawa S. , Sato T. , Shimada T. , Chiba M. , Soma Y. , Mizoguchi M. , Tomonari K. , Iwasaka H. , Hatano Y. , Okamoto O. , Fujiwara S.
Published: September 2011

Background: Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) of the newborn is a rare condition that manifests within days after birth. The interscapular region, axillae and shoulders are the most commonly affected sites, corresponding to anatomic sites of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in newborns. Objective: We postulated a specific involvement of BAT in SCFN and searched for brown adipocytes at affected sites. Methods: Biopsy specimens were immunostained with antibodies against uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) and examined by electron microscopy. We also examined BAT by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scanning. Results: A few cells in biopsy specimens from two patients bound antibodies against UCP-1, and brown adipocytes were detected at several stages of degeneration. PET-CT scans revealed lower uptake of 18F-FDG at major sites of SCFN. Conclusion: SCFN and BAT can be found at the same sites, suggesting a pathophysiological connection.
Paclitaxel-Eluting Stents Show Superiority to Balloon Angioplasty and Bare Metal Stents in Femoropopliteal Disease
Authors: Dake Michael D. , Ansel Gary M. , Jaff Michael R. , Ohki Takao , Saxon Richard R. , Smouse H. Bob , Zeller Thomas , Roubin Gary S. , Burket Mark W. , Khatib Yazan , Snyder Scott A. , Ragheb Anthony O. , White J. King , Machan Lindsay S.
Published: September 2011

Background—

Sustained benefits of drug-eluting stents in femoropopliteal arteries have not been demonstrated. This prospective, multinational, randomized study was designed to compare the 12-month safety and effectiveness of a polymer-free, paclitaxel-coated nitinol drug-eluting stent (DES) with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and provisional bare metal stent (BMS) placement in patients with femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease.

Methods and Results—

Patients were randomly assigned to primary DES implantation (n=236) or PTA (n=238). Demographics and lesion characteristics were similar between groups (eg, average lesion length, approximately 65±40 mm). One hundred twenty patients had acute PTA failure and underwent secondary random assignment to provisional DES (n=61) or BMS (n=59). Primary end points were the 12-month rates of event-free survival and patency in the primary DES and PTA groups. Compared with the PTA group, the primary DES group exhibited superior 12-month event-free survival (90.4% versus 82.6%;
P
=0.004) and primary patency (83.1% versus 32.8%;
P
<0.001), satisfying the primary hypotheses. In the secondary evaluations, (1) the primary DES group exhibited superior clinical benefit compared with the PTA group (88.3% versus 75.8%;
P
<0.001), (2) the provisional DES group exhibited superior primary patency (89.9% versus 73.0%;
P
=0.01) and superior clinical benefit (90.5% and 72.3%,
P
=0.009) compared with the provisional BMS group, and (3) the stent fracture rate (both DES and BMS) was 0.9% (4/457).

Conclusions—

Femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease treatment with the paclitaxel-eluting stent was associated with superior 12-month outcomes compared with PTA and provisional BMS placement.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00120406.
Transarterial Medtronic CoreValve System Implantation for Degenerated Surgically Implanted Aortic Prostheses
Authors: Descoutures Fleur , Himbert Dominique , Radu Costin , Iung Bernard , Cueff Caroline , Messika-Zeitoun David , Ducrocq Gregory , Brochet Eric , Nataf Patrick , Vahanian Alec
Published: September 2011

Background—

To assess the results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS), through the transarterial approach, in high-risk patients with degenerated surgically implanted aortic bioprostheses (SP).

Methods and Results—

Of 241 patients who underwent TAVI, 10 (4%) had a degenerated SP. The approach was percutaneous transfemoral in 9 cases and surgical transaxillary in 1. Patients were age 75±10 years of age. All were in New York Heart Association classes III or IV and at high risk for repeated surgery. Seven patients had stented, 2 stentless, and 1 homograft SP. The failure mode was predominant regurgitation in 7 cases and stenosis (aortic valve area, 0.7±0.2 cm
2
; mean gradient, 58±16 mm Hg) in 3. Based on the echographic measurements, 8 patients received a 26-mm, and 2 a 29-mm-diameter MCS. Procedural success rate was 100%. There was 1 in-hospital death, 1 stroke with moderate sequelae, and 1 pacemaker implantation. There were no other adverse events at 30 days. The mean postimplantation transprosthetic gradient was 13±7 mm Hg; periprosthetic regurgitation was absent or trivial in 9 cases and grade 2 in 1. After a median follow-up of 5 months, there were no additional adverse events. All but 1 of the hospital survivors were in New York Heart Association classes I or II.

Conclusions—

These results suggest that transarterial MCS implantation in degenerated SP is feasible and may lead to hemodynamic and clinical improvement in patients who are poor candidates for repeated surgery, pending confirmation in larger series with longer follow-up.
How General Is Trust in “Most People”? Solving the Radius of Trust Problem
Authors: Delhey Jan , Newton Kenneth , Welzel Christian
Published: September 2011

Generalized trust has become a paramount topic throughout the social sciences, in its own right and as the key civic component of social capital. To date, cross-national research relies on the standard question: “Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you need to be very careful in dealing with people?” Yet the radius problem—that is, how wide a circle of others respondents imagine as “most people”—makes comparisons between individuals and countries problematic. Until now, much about the radius problem has been speculation, but data for 51 countries from the latest World Values Survey make it possible to estimate how wide the trust radius actually is. We do this by relating responses to the standard trust question to a new battery of items that measures in-group and out-group trust. In 41 out of 51 countries, “most people” in the standard question predominantly connotes out-groups. To this extent, it is a valid measure of general trust in others. Nevertheless, the radius of “most people” varies considerably across countries; it is substantially narrower in Confucian countries and wider in wealthy countries. Some country rankings on trust thus change dramatically when the standard question is replaced by a radius-adjusted trust score. In cross-country regressions, the radius of trust matters for civic attitudes and behaviors because the assumed civic nature of trust depends on a wide radius.
A Test of the Multidimensionality of the Self-Construal Scale in Thailand and the United States
Authors: Christopher Michael S. , Norris Paul , D’Souza June B. , Tiernan Kristin A.
Published: September 2011

In this study, the authors examined a series of nested confirmatory factor analytic models to assess the multidimensionality of the Self-Construal Scale (SCS) in Thailand and the United States. The authors compared the original two-factor model with the more recently developed six-factor model and examined model fit for cross-cultural invariance. Results suggested a substantially better fit to the data for the six-factor model in the American sample, replicating Hardin et al.’s findings. However, in the Thai sample, five items did not load on any factor and a number of other items cross-loaded or were significantly related to a different factor than specified by the two- or six-factor models. The failure to demonstrate configural invariance implies that the SCS and perhaps self-construal itself cannot necessarily be assumed to be a universal construct.
Implant Overdentures and Nutrition
Authors: Awad M.A. , Morais J.A. , Wollin S. , Khalil A. , Gray-Donald K. , Feine J.S.
Published: September 2011

We conducted a randomized clinical trial to determine whether providing simple mandibular implant overdentures (IODs) to elderly individuals would give them a significantly better nutritional profile than those who receive complete dentures (CDs). Two hundred fifty-five edentate patients > 65 yrs were randomly assigned to receive maxillary CDs and mandibular IODs (n = 128) or CDs (n = 127). Six-month and one-year post-treatment outcomes were blood plasma levels of homocysteine (tHcy), vitamin B12, vitamin B6, albumin, serum folate, and C-reactive protein concentrations, as well as dietary intake. The association between treatment and tHcy levels was not statistically significant. A decline of folate from baseline values in both study groups, as well as those of vitamins B6 and B12 and albumin, was observed. Significant between-group differences were detected in food preparation and in the individuals’ ability to chew a variety of foods. This study suggests that implant overdentures do not have a more positive effect on the nutritional state of elderly edentate individuals at 6 and 12 mos post-treatment than new complete dentures. However, those wearing IODs are significantly more likely to take in their nutrients through fresh, whole fruits and vegetables. ( International Clinical Trial Registration#: ISRCTN24273915)
Beneficial Effect of Vardenafil on Aortic Stiffness and Wave Reflections
Authors: Vlachopoulos Charalambos , Terentes‐Printzios Dimitrios , Ioakeimidis Nikolaos , Rokkas Konstantinos , Samentzas Alexios , Aggelis Athanasios , Kardara Despina , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: September 2011

Although vardenafil is widely prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED), its effect on arterial function is not defined. Aortic stiffness, aortic pressures, and wave reflections are predictors of cardiovascular risk. The investigators assessed the hypothesis that vardenafil acutely improves aortic stiffness, aortic pressures, and wave reflections in ED patients. Twelve ED patients (mean age 58 ± 9 years) received vardenafil 20 mg in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, 2‐way crossover design. Aortic stiffness was evaluated with carotid—femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV); wave reflections and aortic pressures were evaluated with augmentation index (AIx) and systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure of the aortic pressure waveform, respectively. PWV, aortic pressures, and AIx were measured at baseline and for 3 hours after vardenafil intake or placebo. PWV decreased significantly (by 0.7 m/s, P = .001), denoting a decrease in aortic stiffness. AIx decreased significantly (by 7%, P = .008), denoting a decreased effect of wave reflections from the periphery. Aortic pressures decreased significantly (all P < .05). Statin use at baseline significantly interacted with the effects of treatment on both PWV and AIx (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). This study shows, for the first time, that vardenafil has a favorable acute effect on aortic stiffness and wave reflection in ED patients.
On the Functional Properties of Perceived Self-Efficacy Revisited
Authors: Bandura Albert
Published: September 2011

This commentary addresses the functional properties of perceived self-efficacy in the context of a set of studies contending that belief in one’s capabilities has debilitating or null effects. It encompasses four theoretical orientations. These include social cognitive theory rooted in an agentic perspective, control theory grounded in a cybernetic model, and trait self-efficacy theory and Big Five theory based on a decontextualized trait model. Critical analyses of the studies in question document their failure to fulfill key theoretical, methodological, analytical, and construct assessment requirements. The article extends beyond critical analyses of the published studies. It specifies the theoretical, methodological, and analytical requirements essential to the advancement of knowledge on the role that perceived self-efficacy plays in human self-development, adaption, and change at both the individual and collective levels.
Mindfulness, attention, and flow during music listening: An empirical investigation
Authors: Diaz Frank M.
Published: September 2011

This study investigated the effects of a brief mindfulness meditation induction technique on perceived attention, aesthetic response, and flow during music listening as measured by Continuous Response Digital Interface (CRDI) and questionnaire. Participants were students enrolled in music classes or ensembles at a comprehensive university in the southeastern United States ( N = 132), and were randomly assigned to one of four groups: mindfulness induction paired with aesthetic response ( n = 34), mindfulness induction paired with flow response ( n = 35), aesthetic response ( n = 32), or flow response ( n = 31). Responses to questionnaire items suggests that participants experienced a subjective ‘heightening’ of attention during music listening compared to baseline in all conditions, with no specific modification attributable to the mindfulness task. However, a majority of respondents in the mindfulness groups reported that the task had modified their listening experience by increasing their ability to focus on the music without distraction. Composite CRDI graphs suggest unique response patterns between groups based on both the presence of a mindfulness task as well as the construct for focus of attention. Additionally, verbal accounts suggest phenomenological differences between flow and aesthetic responses, with each accounting for a unique type of heightened and positively valenced affective experience.
Accelerated Versus Nonaccelerated Rehabilitation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Beynnon Bruce D. , Johnson Robert J. , Naud Shelly , Fleming Braden C. , Abate Joseph A. , Brattbakk Bjarne , Nichols Claude E.
Published: September 2011

Background: The relationship between the biomechanical dose of rehabilitation exercises administered after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and the healing response of the graft and knee is not well understood.

Hypothesis: After ACL reconstruction, rehabilitation administered with either accelerated or nonaccelerated programs produces the same change in the knees’ 6 degrees of freedom, or envelope, laxity values.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods: Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with a bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft were randomized to rehabilitation with either accelerated (19 week) or nonaccelerated (32 week) programs. At the time of surgery, and then 3, 6, 12, and 24 months later, the 6 degrees of freedom knee laxity values were measured using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis and clinical, functional, and patient-oriented outcome measures.

Results: Eighty-five percent of those enrolled were followed through 2 years. Laxity of the reconstructed knee was restored to within the limits of the contralateral, normal side at the time of surgery (baseline) in all participants. Patients in both programs underwent a similar increase in the envelope of knee laxity over the 2-year follow-up interval (anterior-posterior translation 3.2 vs 4.5 mm, and coupled internal-external rotations 2.6° vs 1.9° for participants in the accelerated and nonaccelerated programs, respectively). Those who underwent accelerated rehabilitation experienced a significant improvement in thigh muscle strength at the 3-month follow-up ( P < .05) compared with those who participated in nonaccelerated rehabilitation, but no differences between the programs were seen after this time interval. At the 2-year follow-up, the groups were similar in terms of clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, function, proprioception, and isokinetic thigh muscle strength.

Conclusion: Rehabilitation with the accelerated and nonaccelerated programs administered in this study produced the same increase in the envelope of knee laxity. A majority of the increase in the envelope of knee laxity occurred during healing when exercises were advanced and activity level increased. Patients in both programs had the same clinical assessment, functional performance, proprioception, and thigh muscle strength, which returned to normal levels after healing was complete. For participants in both treatment programs, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) assessment of quality of life did not return to preinjury levels.
Commentary
Authors: Parnreiter Christof
Published: September 2011

A key aspect of how globalization and planning are tied together is that the traveling of planning ideas across nation-states has sped up and gained intensity. Such transnationality echoes similar conceptualization in economic geography, migration studies, and in the literature on “transnational urbanism.” Using the example of the transnational flow of strategic planning ideas and practices, this article highlights the rising role of policy tourism, the important function of city-networks and multilateral institutions (particularly UN-HABITAT), and the uneven processes of transnational norm-making.
Copy Number Variations in Patients With Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep
Authors: Kevelam Sietske H.G. , Jansen Floor E. , Binsbergen Ellen van , Braun Kees P.J. , Verbeek Nienke E. , Lindhout Dick , Poot Martin , Brilstra Eva H.
Published: September 2011

Electrical status epilepticus in sleep syndrome is the association of the electroencephalographic pattern and deficits in language or global cognitive function and behavioral problems. The etiology is often unknown, but genetic risk factors have been implicated. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization was used to identify copy number variations in 13 children with electrical status epilepticus in sleep syndrome to identify possible underlying risk factors. Seven copy number variations were detected in 4 of the 13 patients, which consisted of 6 novel gains and 1 loss, the recurrent 15q13.3 microdeletion. Two patients carried a probable pathogenic copy number variation containing a gene involved in the cholinergic pathway. Genetic aberrations in patients with electrical status epilepticus in sleep syndrome can provide an entry in the investigation of the etiology of electrical status epilepticus in sleep. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
The Relationship of Age, Gender, and IQ With the Brainstem and Thalamus in Healthy Children and Adolescents: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Volumetric Study
Authors: Xie Yuhuan , Chen Yian Ann , De Bellis Michael D.
Published: September 2011

In healthy children, there is a paucity of information on the growth of the brainstem and thalamus measured anatomically magnetic resonance imaging. The relations of age, gender, and age by gender with brainstem and thalamus volumes were analyzed from magnetic resonance brain images of 122 healthy children and adolescents (62 males, 60 females; ages 4 to 17). Results showed that age is a significant predictor of brainstem and thalamus volumes. The volume of the brainstem increases with age, while thalamus volume declines with age. The volume of the right thalamus is significantly larger than that of the left in both genders, with greater rightward asymmetry and greater thalamus to grey matter ratio in females. Males have larger brainstems, but these differences are not significant when covarying for cerebral volume. Larger thalami were associated with higher Verbal IQ. These normative pediatric data are of value to researchers who study these regions in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Experimental, numerical, and theoretical analyses of simultaneous forming–welding of inhomogeneous plates
Authors: Bisadi H , Meybodi M Khaleghi
Published: September 2011

Experimental tests for simultaneous explosive forming–welding for two inhomogeneous plates have been carried out. Sheets of copper, aluminium, and steel were used for simultaneous forming and welding. Also, analytical and numerical analyses were conducted. Given analytic model, is based on energy method, and considering support conditions, deformation, and critical amount of impacts. Two metal plates are converted to their equivalent homogeneous plate by a method similar to the analysis of combined beams. On the other hand, finite-element analysis has been done wherein the work plates have been modelled by Johnson–Cook material model. The maximum deformation of plates and the possibility of rupture have been predicted with respect to mechanical properties of the plates. Also, to measure the velocity of flyer plate, which is necessary to compute impact, an innovative method is presented. Then, the amounts of experimental deformation, stresses, and strains were compared with analytical and numerical results and rather good similarities have been observed.
Characteristics of cold-flow modes and gas concentration distributions behind a novel unconfined nozzle
Authors: San K C , Lee Y K
Published: September 2011

This study utilized a novel Tai-Chi swirl generator (TCSG) to modulate the cold-flow behaviour behind a conventional/pure-jet nozzle. This TCSG significantly increased the air-CO2 mixing efficiency. The TCSG was installed at the exit of the pure-jet nozzle so as to transform the axial momentum into tangential momentum. The turbulence intensity increased when the flow passed through the TCSG. Laser-light sheet and smoke-wire flow visualization schemes were utilized to explore the modulated flow characteristics behind the TCSG. The flow patterns were categorized into five modes: jet flow, recirculation bubble, deflected flow, unstable flow, and turbulent flow modes. The vortex-shedding frequency behind the pure-jet nozzle increased as the Reynolds number of the annular jet ( Rea) increased. However, the vortex-shedding frequency behind the bluff disc controller and TCSG decreased as Rea increased. The mixing efficiency of air and CO2 in each characteristic mode was determined by measuring the concentration of CO2 released from the nozzle centre. The highest mixing efficiency occurred in the unstable flow mode.
Determination of reactional cutting forces on a circular sawblade machine by using experimental studies and numerical modelling
Authors: Yasitli N E , Bayram F , Unver B , Ozcelik Y
Published: September 2011

Slab/strip production from blocks in natural stone processing plants is mostly carried out by using circular sawblade cutting machines. An efficient sawing operation can only be maintained by selecting proper cutting parameters. Experimental studies and numerical modelling methods are significant in terms of identifying the effective forces occurring during natural stone cutting with circular sawblades. In this study, experimental investigation was performed on real marble, known as Afyon White Marble, using a fully automatic circular sawblade stone cutting machine. Then, numerical modelling of circular sawing was performed with commercially available software called PFC3D. A discrete-element model of the sawing process was developed, and various numerical models were performed for different peripheral speeds and advance rates in compliance with the actual cutting operation being carried out in the laboratory. Finally, data obtained from the experimental studies were compared with the modelling data. A comparison indicates that the reactional cutting forces obtained by means of the numerical modelling are in good agreement with the results of the laboratory measurements. Consequently, the cutting operation can be determined quickly and economically. A literature review showed that, through this study, numerical modelling of the circular sawblade stone cutting process was successfully performed for the first time. It was envisaged that this would dynamically help in the examination of distinct factors in the area of natural stone processing by numerical modelling and in the illustration of the sawing mechanism.
Stability analysis in wound composite material axial impeller
Authors: Wang J , Piechna J , Yume J A O , Müller N
Published: September 2011

A stability analysis is developed to assess the stresses and dynamic characteristics of the wound composite material axial impeller under centrifugal force loading conditions. This procedure is based on finite element analysis (commercial software ABAQUS) results. A low-cost, light-weight, high-performance composite turbomachinery impeller with a uniquely designed blade patterns is evaluated. Understanding the stress–strain behaviour of fibre-reinforced composite laminates as it relates to ultimate failure and the ability to predict ultimate strength is critical in the design of safe and lightweight impellers. To determine failures, the maximum stress failure criterion is used. In order to avoid operating at resonance, which can make impellers suffer a significant reduction in the design life, the designer must calculate the natural frequency and modal shape of the impeller to analyse the dynamic characteristics. The results show that using composite Kevlar fibre/epoxy matrix enables the impeller to run at a rotating speed 2228 rad/s and withstand the stresses, no critical speed will be matched during start-up and shut-down, and that mass imbalances of the impeller shall not pose a critical problem.
Effect of air velocity on kinetics of thin layer carrot pomace drying
Authors: Kumar N. , Sarkar B.C. , Sharma H.K.
Published: September 2011

Carrot pomace is a by-product obtained during carrot juice processing. Thin layer carrot pomace drying was performed in a laboratory scale hot air forced convective dryer. The drying experiments were carried out at the air velocity of 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 m/s at air temperatures from 60 to 75 °C. It was observed that whole drying process of carrot pomace took place in a falling rate period except a very short accelerating period at the beginning. Mathematical models were tested to fit drying data of carrot pomace. The best fit model was observed on the basis of R2, Chi-square and RMSE values. R2 values for all the selected models were above 0.9783. The average values of effective diffusivity ranged from 2.61 × 10−9 to 3.64 × 10−9 m2/s.
Progress in antimicrobial activities of chitin, chitosan and its oligosaccharides: a systematic study needs for food applications
Authors: Dutta J. , Tripathi S. , Dutta P.K.
Published: September 2011

In recent years, active biomolecules such as chitosan and its derivatives are undergoing a significant and very fast development in food application area. Due to recent outbreaks of contaminations associated with food products, there have been growing concerns regarding the negative environmental impact of packaging materials of antimicrobial biofilms, which have been studied. Chitosan has a great potential for a wide range of applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, nontoxicity and versatile chemical and physical properties. It can be formed into fibers, films, gels, sponges, beads or nanoparticles. Chitosan films have been used as a packaging material for the quality preservation of a variety of foods. Chitosan has high antimicrobial activities against a wide variety of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, including fungi, and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A tremendous effort has been made over the past decade to develop and test films with antimicrobial properties to improve food safety and shelf-life. This review highlights the preparation, mechanism, antimicrobial activity, optimization of biocide properties of chitosan films and applications including biocatalysts for the improvement of quality and shelf-life of foods.
Determination of low-molecular mass phenols in red wines: The influence of chips, staves and micro-oxygenation aging tank
Authors: Gallego L. , Nevares I. , Fernández J.A. , del Álamo M.
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study is to assess the use of polymeric cartridges with diode array detection to extract the main low-molecular mass phenolic compounds from red wine samples. This method expanded and improved permitted to quantify 20 compounds in red wines made and aged under different conditions. These conditions included aging in barrels and in tanks with chips or staves as well as micro-oxygenation. The study of wine development during its wood storage period and the compounds transferred from the wood to the wine during this period provide useful important information concerning the impact of wine aging methods on the chemical makeup of the resulting wines. The main compounds that differentiated wine aging systems were identified to be 5-hydroxymethyl-2 furaldehyde, gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic aldehyde, syringic acid and sinapic acid.
Effect of slurry parameters on material removal rate in multi-wire sawing of silicon wafers: a tribological approach
Authors: Skomedal G , Øvrelid E J , Armada S , Espallargas N
Published: September 2011

The main goals for the silicon wafering industry are to improve the surface quality of wafers by reducing the total thickness variation and subsurface defects and to increase the production by reducing the wafer thickness. To attain these goals, it is important to understand the material removal mechanisms involved in the process, which at the moment are little understood and explored. In this study, the effect of slurry parameters on the wear rate and surface roughness of solar grade silicon have been investigated using a tribological approach. A reciprocating pin-on-plate tribometer has been used to simulate the abrasion process occurring in a slurry-based multi-wire silicon saw. The tribological system consisted of silicon, SiC slurry, and stainless steel counterpart. The results showed that a narrow size distribution of the SiC particles in the slurry increases the wear rate and improves the surface quality. The shape factors of the SiC particles in the slurry were also investigated and revealed that particles with lower degree circularity and higher aspect ratio led to lower roughness.
The influence of manufacturing method on the running-in of gears
Authors: Sjöberg S , Björklund S , Olofsson U
Published: September 2011

Striving for higher gear transmission efficiency by using a low-viscosity transmission lubricant affects the lubricant film thickness. To keep the Λ-ratio (the ratio between the film thickness and the surface roughness) intact, more effort must be put on the surface topography. This paper presents a study of how running-in affects the dry elastic contact area ratio in spur gears using real surface topographies from three common manufacturing methods (green-shaving, honing, and grinding). The test gears were manufactured in case-hardened steel, similar to 20MnCrS5. Surface topography measurements were used as input to a contact analysis boundary element software program. An important hypothesis used in this work is that the dry elastic contact area ratio, i.e. the ratio between real and nominal contact area, can be used as a measure of the contact conditions in gears. It is concluded that running-in differs significantly for the studied manufacturing methods and that the dry elastic contact area ratio gives a consistent description of these changes. The shaved gears have the highest dry elastic contact area ratio after running in, where the ground gears have the lowest dry elastic contact area ratio. The increase in dry elastic contact area ratio is about 30 per cent for the shaved gears, 12 per cent for the honed gears and less than 5 per cent for the ground gears. Extreme value parameters, such as Rp and Rz, showed relatively good correlation to dry elastic contact area ratio. However no genuine correlation could be found between dry elastic contact area ratio and two-dimensional (2D) surface roughness parameters. Furthermore, traditional gear metrology form parameters do not serve as a good measure on the changes occurring during the running-in.
Testing and modelling of new tribo-systems for industrial sheet forming of stainless steels
Authors: Nielsen P S , Friis K S , Bay N
Published: September 2011

Sheet metal forming of stainless steels is known to be tribologically demanding. To ensure satisfactory production without pick-up and galling, lubrication with environmentally hazardous chlorinated paraffin oil is normally required and in the most severe cases combined with ceramic tool coatings. The present paper presents an attempt to clarify the challenges of replacing chlorinated paraffin oils with new environmentally friendly oils in an industrial production, by investigating these oils in combination with alternative tool materials and tool coatings. A number of tribology systems have been screened in the laboratory by strip reduction testing and the best tribo-systems have been tested in a progressive production tool at the Danish company Grundfos A/S. The combination of a TiAlN coating with one of the environmentally friendly lubricants shows good performance in the simulative test as well as the production test with no sign of galling even at maximum production speed. Lowering production speed, and thereby the interface temperature, allows less efficient tribo-systems to function satisfactory, i.e. without galling. The tool/workpiece interface temperature is simulated for the strip reduction test as well as the production test in order to estimate the critical interface temperature for lubricant film breakdown. Simulation results show good agreement with experimental measurements of tool temperature close to the interface.
The influence of surface roughness on friction in a flexible hybrid bearing
Authors: Isaksson P , Nilsson D , Larsson R , Almqvist A
Published: September 2011

The effect of surface roughness on friction in all lubrication regimes is studied for a flexible hybrid bearing of a radial piston hydraulic motor. The effect is studied by performing experiments in a specially designed test rig and numerical simulations of the real measured surface topographies of the bearings. The simulations are performed with a two-scale model where surface roughness is treated on a local asperity level by homogenized flow factors and a global scale where the bearing structure is included. Three bearings with different surface topographies are included in the study and both experimentally measured and simulated friction are analysed for each of them. Comparison of friction predicted by the model and experimentally measured friction is performed and it reveals that the model is a valuable tool for analysing the effect of surface roughness in this type of bearing.
Tobacco consumption and the poor: An ethnographic analysis of hand-rolled cigarette (bidi) use in Bangladesh
Authors: Roy Anupom
Published: September 2011

Bidis, or hand-rolled, filterless tobacco cigarettes, are largely marketed to and consumed by the poor in Bangladesh. In exploring perceived rationales and the situational contexts of smoking, this study identifies the crucial connections between bidi smoking and the social and economic forces that influence choices and shape the contexts of individual suffering. Ethnographic research in Netrakona District revealed that inexpensive bidis were used to gain relief from physical ailments specific to the poor, such as hunger, indigestion and constipation. Bidis were found to be a socially accepted mood-altering drug that symbolizes relief from their everyday tensions, angers, perceived exploitations and disappointments. I argue that both cultural norms of reciprocity and hierarchy as well as the socio-economic structure of Bangladesh with its inequality, poverty and exploitation contribute to the tobacco consumption and related health problems of the poor.
Missile captive carry monitoring and helicopter identification using a capacitive microelectromechanical systems accelerometer
Authors: Hatchell Brian K , Mauss Fredrick J , Amaya Ivan A , Skorpik James R , Silvers Kurt L , Marotta Stephen A
Published: September 2011

Military missiles are exposed to many sources of mechanical vibration that can affect system reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness. The US Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center has been developing missile health monitoring systems to assess and improve reliability, reduce life cycle costs, and increase system readiness. One of the most significant exposures to vibration occurs when the missile is being carried by a helicopter or other aviation platform, which is a condition known as captive carry. Recording the duration of captive carry exposure during the missile’s service life can enable the implementation of predictive maintenance and resource management programs. Since the vibration imparted by each class of helicopter varies in frequency and amplitude, tracking the vibration exposure from each helicopter separately can help quantify the severity and harmonic content of the exposure. To help address these needs, the authors have developed a captive carry health monitor for the Hellfire II missile. The captive carry health monitor is an embedded usage monitoring device installed on the outer skin of the Hellfire II missile to record the cumulative hours the host missile has been in captive carry mode. To classify the vibration by class of helicopter, the captive carry health monitor analyzes the amplitude and frequency content of the vibration with the Goertzel algorithm to detect the presence of distinctive rotor harmonics. This article provides an overview of the captive carry health monitor, presents vibration data collected on missiles during captive carry, describes data analysis techniques used to monitor captive carry and identify the class of helicopter, and discusses the potential application of missile health and usage data for real-time reliability analysis. More broadly, this article illuminates the challenges of developing a structural health monitor to classify transportation modes in an unstructured environment.
Using Photovoice to Assess and Promote Environmental Approaches to Tobacco Control in AAPI Communities
Authors: Tanjasiri Sora Park , Lew Rod , Kuratani Darrah G. , Wong Michelle , Fu Lisa
Published: September 2011

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities face enormous health disparities, with tobacco use contributing to high rates of cancer and heart disease. There is growing interest nationwide on the influence of environmental factors on tobacco use. AAPI communities have been found to have higher exposures to tobacco company marketing compared to the general population. The authors describe the use of Photovoice (a qualitative needs assessment technique) to empower AAPI youth to identify and understand environmental characteristics associated with tobacco use in four AAPI communities in California and Washington. Of the six major environmental themes identified from the photos, three themes were found across all four communities. Debrief sessions with youth and community leaders underscore the relevance of Photovoice for identifying community needs and motivating community organization for change. Despite some logistical challenges, Photovoice exemplifies the power and potential of this community-based methodology to capture how the environment influences youth on tobacco use.
Evaluating Public and Community Health Programs
Authors: Hou Su-I
Published: September 2011

This commentary provides a comprehensive review of key issues related to evaluating public and community health programs. This book is a valuable resource introducing a participatory model for evaluation and describes the approaches and methods for evaluating community health programs and policy interventions. Topics in the chapters are logically sequenced with sufficient details to orient public health and community health students as well as practitioners to program evaluation. The book’s emphasis on participatory approaches throughout the program evaluation process is congruent with the current trend of encouraging community-based participatory research in public health and health promotion. Two primary evaluation frameworks that are most common in public and community health are integrated and discussed: the Donaldson three-step program theory-driven evaluation approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s six-step Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health. The book consists of a detailed survey of methods in community assessment, planning, program design, quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis, and reporting of findings to provide readers with a systematic, step-by-step process to program evaluation. It is a timely and well-written resource for faculty and students interested in participatory research to develop community-validated evaluation research.
Biophysical investigations into the interactions of endotoxins with bile acids
Authors: Fukuoka Satoshi , Richter Walter , Howe Jörg , Andrä Jörg , Rössle Manfred , Alexander Christian , Gutsmann Thomas , Brandenburg Klaus
Published: September 2011

The interaction of selected endotoxin preparations (lipid A from Erwinia carotovora and LPS Re and Ra from Salmonella enterica sv. Minnesota strains R595 and R60, respectively) with selected bile acids was investigated biophysically. Endotoxin aggregates were analyzed for their gel-to-liquid crystalline phase behavior, the type of their aggregates, the conformation of particular functional groups, and their Zeta potential in the absence and presence of the bile acids by applying Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, measurements of the electrophoretic mobility, and synchrotron radiation X-ray scattering. In addition, the ability of the endotoxins to induce cytokines in human mononuclear cells was tested in the absence and presence of varying concentrations of bile acids. The data show that the endotoxin:bile acid interaction is not governed by Coulomb forces, rather a hydrophobic interaction takes place. This leads to an enhanced formation of the inherent cubic aggregate structures of the endotoxins, concomitant with a slight disaggregation, as evidenced by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Parallel to this, the addition of bile acids increased the bioactivity of lipid A and, to a lower degree, also that of the tested rough mutant LPS at lower concentrations of the endotoxin preparation, a finding similar as reported for the interaction of other agents such as hemoglobin. These data imply that there are general mechanisms that govern the expression of biological activities of endotoxins.
A review of rifaximin and bacterial overgrowth in poorly responsive celiac disease
Authors: Chang Matthew S. , Green Peter H. R.
Published: September 2011

A proportion of patients with celiac disease have a poor response to a gluten-free diet, which may be due to small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Treatment with rifaximin is often used in the clinical setting, but there is limited literature to support this practice. In addition, challenges in the diagnosis of SIBO confound response interpretation. Our recent placebo-controlled trial did not demonstrate any improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms after treatment with rifaximin and casts doubt on the utility of lactulose–hydrogen breath testing for SIBO in this population.
Mindful "Vitality in Practice": an intervention to improve the work engagement and energy balance among workers; the development and design of the randomised controlled trial
Authors: van Berkel Jantien , Proper Karin I , Boot Cécile RL , Bongers Paulien M , van der Beek Allard J
Published: September 2011

Background

Modern working life has become more mental and less physical in nature, contributing to impaired mental health and a disturbed energy balance. This may result in mental health problems and overweight. Both are significant threats to the health of workers and thus also a financial burden for society, including employers. Targeting work engagement and energy balance could prevent impaired mental health and overweight, respectively.

Methods/Design

The study population consists of highly educated workers in two Dutch research institutes. The intervention was systematically developed, based on the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol, involving workers and management in the process. The workers' needs were assessed by combining the results of interviews, focus group discussions and a questionnaire with available literature. Suitable methods and strategies were selected resulting in an intervention including: eight weeks of customized mindfulness training, followed by eight sessions of e-coaching and supporting elements, such as providing fruit and snack vegetables at the workplace, lunch walking routes, and a buddy system. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated in a RCT, with measurements at baseline, six months (T1) and 12 months (T2). In addition, cost-effectiveness and process of the intervention will also be evaluated.

Discussion

At baseline the level of work engagement of the sample was "average". Of the study population, 60.1% did not engage in vigorous physical activity at all. An average working day consists of eight sedentary hours. For the Phase II RCT, there were no significant differences between the intervention and the control group at baseline, except for vigorous physical activity. The baseline characteristics of the study population were congruent with the results of the needs assessment. The IM protocol used for the systematic development of the intervention produced an appropriate intervention to test in the planned RCT.

Trial registration number

Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR2199