bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermocapillary motion of hybrid drops
Authors: Rosenfeld L. , Lavrenteva O. M. , Nir A.
Published: July 2008

Hybrid drops are composed of two or more immiscible phases. They occur in various natural and technological processes and environments, e.g., the atmosphere, liquid membranes, and liquid bilayers and direct-contact heat and phase separation processes. In this work we have studied the dynamics of an axisymmetric hybrid drop in an infinite viscous domain. The drop moves under the influence of the Marangoni effect due to an arbitrarily imposed temperature field. In the classical case of a constant temperature gradient, it was found that in general the motion is induced in the direction of the temperature gradient. However, under certain physical conditions and drop geometry, motion against the temperature gradient is obtained.
Efficient dye-sensitized solar cells using electrospun TiO2 nanofibers as a light harvesting layer
Authors: Chuangchote Surawut , Sagawa Takashi , Yoshikawa Susumu
Published: July 2008

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofibers were fabricated directly onto thick nanoparticle electrodes by using electrospinning and sol-gel techniques. After calcination, the anatase TiO2 nanofibers obtained exhibited a one-dimensional structure of high crystallinity and average diameter of ∼250nm. Dye (N719) sensitized photoelectrochemical cells comprised of a nanoparticle/nanofiber electrode were fabricated. An IPCE of 85% at the wavelength of 540nm with conversion efficiencies of 8.14% and 10.3% (for areas of 0.25 and 0.052cm2, respectively) were obtained under 1.5 AM (100mW∕cm2) illumination.
Simulation of high-power electromagnetic wave heating in the ITER burning plasma
Authors: Jaeger E. F. , Berry L. A. , D’Azevedo E. F. , Barrett R. F. , Ahern S. D. , Swain D. W. , Batchelor D. B. , Harvey R. W. , Myra J. R. , D’Ippolito D. A. , Phillips C. K. , Valeo E. , Smithe D. N. , Bonoli P. T. , Wright J. C. , Choi M.
Published: July 2008

The next step toward fusion as a practical energy source is the design and construction of ITER [R. Aymar et al., Nucl. Fusion 41, 1301 (2001)], a device capable of producing and controlling the high-performance plasma required for self-sustaining fusion reactions, i.e., “burning plasma.” ITER relies in part on ion-cyclotron radio frequency power to heat the deuterium and tritium fuel to fusion temperatures. In order to heat effectively, the radio frequency wave fields must couple efficiently to the dense core plasma. Calculations in this paper support the argument that this will be the case. Three-dimensional full-wave simulations show that fast magnetosonic waves in ITER propagate radially inward with strong central focusing and little toroidal spreading. Energy deposition, current drive, and plasma flow are all highly localized near the plasma center. Very high resolution, two-dimensional calculations reveal the presence of mode conversion layers, where fast waves can be converted to slow ion cyclotron waves. When minority ions such as deuterium or helium-3 are used to damp the launched waves, these ions can be accelerated to high energies, forming suprathermal tails that significantly affect the wave propagation and absorption. By neglecting the toroidal localization of the waves and the finite radial excursion of the energetic particle orbits, the quasilinear evolution of these suprathermal ion tails can be simulated self-consistently in one spatial dimension and two velocity dimensions.
Bleaching susceptibility and mortality of corals are determined by fine-scale differences in symbiont type
Authors: Sampayo E. M. , Ridgway T. , Bongaerts P. , Hoegh-Guldberg O.
Published: July 2008

Coral bleaching has been identified as one of the major contributors to coral reef decline, and the occurrence of different symbionts determined by broad genetic groupings (clades A–H) is commonly used to explain thermal responses of reef-building corals. By using
Stylophora pistillata
as a model, we monitored individual tagged colonies
in situ
over a two-year period and show that fine level genetic variability within clade C is correlated to differences in bleaching susceptibility. Based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of the internal transcribed spacer region 2, visual bleaching assessments, symbiont densities, host protein, and pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry, we show that subcladal types C78 and C8/a are more thermally tolerant than C79 and C35/a, which suffered significant bleaching and postbleaching mortality. Although additional symbiont types were detected during bleaching in colonies harboring types C79 and C35/a, all colonies reverted back to their original symbionts postbleaching. Most importantly, the data propose that the differential mortality of hosts harboring thermally sensitive versus resistant symbionts rather than symbiont shuffling/switching within a single host is responsible for the observed symbiont composition changes of coral communities after bleaching. This study therefore highlights that the use of broad cladal designations may not be suitable to describe differences in bleaching susceptibility, and that differential mortality results in a loss of both symbiont and host genetic diversity and therefore represents an important mechanism in explaining how coral reef communities may respond to changing conditions.
Phylogenetic escalation and decline of plant defense strategies
Authors: Agrawal Anurag A. , Fishbein Mark
Published: July 2008

As the basal resource in most food webs, plants have evolved myriad strategies to battle consumption by herbivores. Over the past 50 years, plant defense theories have been formulated to explain the remarkable variation in abundance, distribution, and diversity of secondary chemistry and other defensive traits. For example, classic theories of enemy-driven evolutionary dynamics have hypothesized that defensive traits escalate through the diversification process. Despite the fact that macroevolutionary patterns are an explicit part of defense theories, phylogenetic analyses have not been previously attempted to disentangle specific predictions concerning (
i
) investment in resistance traits, (
ii
) recovery after damage, and (
iii
) plant growth rate. We constructed a molecular phylogeny of 38 species of milkweed and tested four major predictions of defense theory using maximum-likelihood methods. We did not find support for the growth-rate hypothesis. Our key finding was a pattern of phyletic decline in the three most potent resistance traits (cardenolides, latex, and trichomes) and an escalation of regrowth ability. Our neontological approach complements more common paleontological approaches to discover directional trends in the evolution of life and points to the importance of natural enemies in the macroevolution of species. The finding of macroevolutionary escalating regowth ability and declining resistance provides a window into the ongoing coevolutionary dynamics between plants and herbivores and suggests a revision of classic plant defense theory. Where plants are primarily consumed by specialist herbivores, regrowth (or tolerance) may be favored over resistance traits during the diversification process.
Plant-produced idiotype vaccines for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Safety and immunogenicity in a phase I clinical study
Authors: McCormick A. A. , Reddy S. , Reinl S. J. , Cameron T. I. , Czerwinkski D. K. , Vojdani F. , Hanley K. M. , Garger S. J. , White E. L. , Novak J. , Barrett J. , Holtz R. B. , Tusé D. , Levy R.
Published: July 2008

Plant-made vaccines have been the subject of intense interest because they can be produced economically in large scale without the use of animal-derived components. Plant-made therapeutic vaccines against challenging chronic diseases, such as cancer, have received little research attention, and no previous human clinical trials have been conducted in this vaccine category. We document the feasibility of using a plant viral expression system to produce personalized (patient-specific) recombinant idiotype vaccines against follicular B cell lymphoma and the results of administering these vaccines to lymphoma patients in a phase I safety and immunogenicity clinical trial. The system allowed rapid production and recovery of idiotypic single-chain antibodies (scFv) derived from each patient's tumor and immunization of patients with their own individual therapeutic antigen. Both low and high doses of vaccines, administered alone or co-administered with the adjuvant GM-CSF, were well tolerated with no serious adverse events. A majority (>70%) of the patients developed cellular or humoral immune responses, and 47% of the patients developed antigen-specific responses. Because 15 of 16 vaccines were glycosylated in plants, this study also shows that variation in patterns of antigen glycosylation do not impair the immunogenicity or affect the safety of the vaccines. Collectively, these findings support the conclusion that plant-produced idiotype vaccines are feasible to produce, safe to administer, and a viable option for idiotype-specific immune therapy in follicular lymphoma patients.
Contact-dependent promotion of cell migration by the OL-protocadherin–Nap1 interaction
Authors: Nakao Shinsuke , Platek Anna , Hirano Shinji , Takeichi Masatoshi
Published: July 2008

OL-protocadherin (OL-pc) is a transmembrane protein belonging to the cadherin superfamily, which has been shown to accumulate at cell–cell contacts via its homophilic interaction, but its molecular roles remain elusive. In this study, we show that OL-pc bound Nck-associated protein 1 (Nap1), a protein that regulates WAVE-mediated actin assembly. In astrocytoma U251 cells not expressing OL-pc, Nap1 was localized only along the lamellipodia. However, exogenous expression of OL-pc in these cells recruited Nap1 as well as WAVE1 to cell–cell contact sites. Although OL-pc expression had no effect on the motility of solitary U251 cells, it accelerated their movement when they were in contact with one another, causing concomitant reorganization of F-actin and N-cadherin at cell junctions. OL-pc mutants lacking the Nap1-binding site exhibited no such effect. N-cadherin knockdown mimicked OL-pc expression in enhancing cell movement. These results suggest that OL-pc remodels the motility and adhesion machinery at cell junctions by recruiting the Nap1–WAVE1 complex to these sites and, in turn, promotes the migration of cells.
Tir8/Sigirr prevents murine lupus by suppressing the immunostimulatory effects of lupus autoantigens
Authors: Lech Maciej , Kulkarni Onkar P. , Pfeiffer Stephanie , Savarese Emina , Krug Anne , Garlanda Cecilia , Mantovani Alberto , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: July 2008

The Sigirr gene (also known as Tir8) encodes for an orphan receptor of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)/interleukin 1 receptor family that inhibits TLR-mediated pathogen recognition in dendritic cells. Here, we show that Sigirr also inhibits the activation of dendritic cells and B cells upon exposure to RNA and DNA lupus autoantigens. To evaluate the functional role of Sigirr in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we generated Sigirr-deficient C57BL/6-lpr/lpr mice. These mice developed a progressive lymphoproliferative syndrome followed by severe autoimmune lung disease and lupus nephritis within 6 mo of age as compared with the minor abnormalities observed in C57BL/6-lpr/lpr mice. Lack of Sigirr was associated with enhanced activation of dendritic cells and increased expression of multiple proinflammatory and antiapoptotic mediators. In the absence of Sigirr, CD4 T cell numbers were increased and CD4+CD25+ T cell numbers were reduced. Furthermore, lack of Sigirr enhanced the activation and proliferation of B cells, including the production of autoantibodies against multiple nuclear lupus autoantigens. These data identify Sigirr as a novel SLE susceptibility gene in mice.
The stability of exceptional bundles on complete intersection 3-folds
Authors: Miró-Roig Rosa , Soares Helena
Published: July 2008

A very long-standing problem in Algebraic Geometry is to determine the stability of exceptional vector bundles on smooth projective varieties. In this paper we address this problem and we prove that any exceptional vector bundle on a smooth complete intersection

3
3

-fold

Y
⊂

P

n

Y\subset \mathbb {P}^n

of type

(

d
1

,
…
,

d

n
−
3

)

(d_1,\ldots ,d_{n-3})

with

d
1

+
⋯
+

d

n
−
3

≤
n

d_1+\cdots + d_{n-3}\leq n

and

n
≥
4

n\geq 4

is stable.
A polynomial analogue of the twin prime conjecture
Authors: Pollack Paul
Published: July 2008

We consider the problem of counting the number of (not necessarily monic) ‘twin prime pairs’P,P+M∈Fq[T]P, P+M \in \mathbf {F}_q[T]of degreenn, whereMMis a polynomial of degree>n> n. We formulate an asymptotic prediction for the number of such pairs asqn→∞q^n\to \inftyand then prove an explicit estimate confirming the conjecture in those cases whereqqis large compared withn2n^2. WhenMMhas degreen−1n-1, our theorem implies the validity of a result conditionally proved by Hayes in 1963. WhenMMhas degree zero, our theorem refines a result of Effinger, Hicks and Mullen.
A separable non-remainder of ℍ
Authors: Dow Alan , Hart Klaas Pieter
Published: July 2008

We prove that there is a compact separable continuum that (consistently) is not a remainder of the real line.
Isometries for the Carathéodory metric
Authors: Abate Marco , Vigué Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2008

Given two open unit balls

B
1

B_1

and

B
2

B_2

in complex Banach spaces, we consider a holomorphic mapping

f
:

B
1

→

B
2

f\colon B_1\to B_2

such that

f
(
0
)
=
0

f(0)=0

and

f
′

(
0
)

f’(0)

is an isometry. Under some additional hypotheses on the Banach spaces involved, we prove that

f
(

B
1

)

f(B_1)

is a complex closed analytic submanifold of

B
2

B_2

.
Inclusion theorems for absolutely summing holomorphic mappings
Authors: Junek Heinz , Matos Mário , Pellegrino Daniel
Published: July 2008

For linear operators, if

1
≤
p
≤
q
>
∞
,

1\leq p\leq q>\infty ,

then every absolutely

p
p

-summing operator is also absolutely

q
q

-summing. On the other hand, it is well known that for

n
≥
2
,

n\geq 2,

there are no general “inclusion theorems”for absolutely summing

n
n

-linear mappings or

n
n

-homogeneous polynomials. In this paper we deal with situations in which the spaces of absolutely

p
p

-summing and absolutely

q
q

-summing linear operators coincide, and prove that for

1
≤
p
≤
q
≤
2

1\leq p\leq q\leq 2

and

n
≥
2

n\geq 2

, we have inclusion theorems for absolutely summing

n
n

-linear mappings/

n
n

-homogeneous polynomials/holomorphic mappings. It is worth mentioning that our results hold precisely in the opposite direction from what is expected in the linear case, i.e., we show that, in some situations, as

p
p

increases, the classes of absolutely

p
p

-summing mappings becomes smaller.
Asymptotically hyperbolic metrics on a unit ball admitting multiple horizons
Authors: Li ZhenYang , Shi YuGuang , Wu Peng
Published: July 2008

In this paper, we construct an asymptotically hyperbolic metric with scalar curvature -6 on the unit ball

D

3

\mathbf {D}^3

, which contains multiple horizons.
Progress in the development of early diagnosis and a drug with unique pharmacology to improve cancer therapy
Authors: Lehotzky A , Tőkési N , Gonzalez-Alvarez I , Merino V , Bermejo M , Orosz F , Lau P , Kovacs G.G , Ovádi J
Published: July 2008

Cancer continues to be one of the major health and socio-economic problems worldwide, despite considerable efforts to improve its early diagnosis and treatment. The identification of new constituents as biomarkers for early diagnosis of neoplastic cells and the discovery of new type of drugs with their mechanistic actions are crucial to improve cancer therapy. New drugs have entered the market, thanks to industrial and legislative efforts ensuring continuity of pharmaceutical development. New targets have been identified, but cancer therapy and the anti-cancer drug market still partly depend on anti-mitotic agents. The objective of this paper is to show the effects of KAR-2, a potent anti-mitotic compound, and TPPP/p25, a new unstructured protein, on the structural and functional characteristics of the microtubule system. Understanding the actions of these two potential effectors on the microtubule system could be the clue for early diagnosis and improvement of cancer therapy.
Morules in endometrioid proliferations of the uterus and ovary consistently express the intestinal transcription factor CDX2
Authors: Houghton O , Connolly L E , McCluggage W G
Published: July 2008

Aims:  To undertake an immunohistochemical analysis of squamous elements in endometrioid proliferations of the uterus and ovary and to compare the immunophenotype of typical squamous elements and so‐called squamous morules.

Methods and results:  Cases of uterine or ovarian endometrioid glandular lesions with squamous elements were stained with CDX2, β‐catenin, oestrogen receptor (ER), CD10, p63 and high‐molecular‐weight cytokeratin LP34. Thirteen cases had typical squamous elements and 18 cases morules. Morules typically exhibited diffuse nuclear CDX2 and β‐catenin immunoreactivity and were positive for CD10 and LP34. They were usually ER– and p63–. In contrast, typical squamous elements were usually positive for ER, CD10, p63 and LP34. They were usually CDX2– or focally positive and exhibited no nuclear immunoreactivity for β‐catenin. Ten endometrioid carcinomas not exhibiting squamous differentiation were immunoreactive for CDX2; one was focally positive. Electron microscopy in two ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinomas with extensive morular differentiation showed that the morules exhibited epithelial features, but no overt evidence of squamous differentiation.

Conclusions:  Typical squamous elements and morules have an overlapping but differing immunophenotype. Morules exhibit no firm immunohistochemical or ultrastructural evidence of squamous differentiation, although immature squamous differentiation cannot be excluded. Nuclear β‐catenin positivity is in keeping with the observation that endometrioid glandular lesions with morules are often associated with β‐catenin gene mutation. The explanation for diffuse nuclear positivity with the intestinal transcription factor CDX2 in morules is not clear, but may be a result of overexpression of nuclear β‐catenin. We suggest that the term morular metaplasia is used instead of squamous morules.
Cysteinyl leucotriene receptor type 1 mediates contraction in human and guinea‐pig oesophagus
Authors: Chang B.‐s. , Chang J.‐c. , Wang Y.‐s. , Huang S.‐c.
Published: July 2008

Abstract  Leucotriene D4 (LTD4) causes contraction of the guinea‐pig and cat oesophagus. Effects of cysteinyl leucotrienes in the human oesophagus were unknown. To investigate and compare the cysteinyl leucotriene effects in the human oesophagus with those in the guinea‐pig oesophagus, we measured contraction of muscularis mucosae strips isolated from the human and guinea‐pig oesophagus caused by cysteinyl leucotrienes, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, as well as the dihydroxy leucotriene, LTB4. Effects of leucotrienes in human were similar to those in guinea‐pig oesophagus. LTC4 and LTD4 caused moderate, whereas LTE4 caused mild, concentration‐dependent contraction. LTE4 was a partial agonist. In contrast, LTB4 did not cause any contraction. The relative potencies for cysteinyl leucotrienes to cause contraction were LTD4 = LTC4 > LTE4. The LTD4‐induced contraction was moderately inhibited by two selective CysLT1 receptor antagonists, montelukast and zafirlukast, in both human and guinea‐pig oesophagus. In addition, the LTD4‐induced contraction was not and only slightly inhibited by BAY u9773, the CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptor antagonist, in the human and guinea‐pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae respectively. These indicate the existence of the CysLT1 mediating oesophageal contraction in both human and guinea‐pig oesophagus. The LTD4‐induced contraction was not affected by tetrodotoxin, atropine or capsaicin, suggesting a direct effect. These results demonstrate that cysteinyl leucotrienes but not the dihydroxy leucotriene cause contraction in the human and guinea‐pig oesophagus. CysLT1 mediates contraction in both human and guinea‐pig oesophagus.
ANCA serology in the diagnosis and management of ANCA‐associated renal vasculitis
Authors: Luxton Grant , Langham Robyn
Published: July 2008

Date written: June 2007

Final submission: October 2007
Renal transplantation
Authors: Toussaint Nigel
Published: July 2008

Date written: November 2006

Final submission: July 2007
Usefulness of a malleable penile prosthesis in patients with a spinal cord injury
Authors: Kim Young Dong , Yang Seung Ok , Lee Jeong Ki , Jung Tae Young , Shim Hong Bang
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  The usefulness of a malleable penile prosthesis was evaluated in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) by investigating the complications and the patients’ satisfaction.

Methods:  A total of 48 patients with a SCI, who underwent malleable penile prosthesis (AMS 600) insertion from 1990 to 2004 were evaluated by reviewing the patients’ medical records and interviewing them via questionnaires. The mean patients age was 58.9 years, and the mean follow‐up period was 11.7 years. In 23 patients, penile prosthesis implantation was carried out to improve urinary management and to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Results:  Complications occurred in eight patients (16.7%). Wound infections in four (8.3%). Two patients were treated with conservative management, and two were managed through prostheses removal. Other complications were erosion in two patients (4.2%), uncontrolled penile pain owing to excessive prosthesis length in one patient (2.1%), and supersonic transporter (SST) deformity in one patient (2.1%). The overall patient satisfaction rate was 79.2%. The dissatisfaction was mainly due to the complications that resulted in the removal of the prosthesis, or partner's unnatural sensation. All of the prostheses that were implanted in the patients for the improvement of their urinary management gave them the benefit of convenient urinary management, except for two patients, whose prostheses were removed.

Conclusions:  The insertion of malleable penile prostheses in patients with SCI is associated with low complication rates and good patient satisfaction. It is therefore still an attractive option.
Clinical significance of transurethral tru‐cut biopsy in confirmation of bladder tumor invasive character
Authors: Chłosta Piotr , Szopiński Tomasz , Antoniewicz Artur A , Dobruch Jakub , Kopczyński Janusz , Borówka Andrzej
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  To evaluate the feasibility of resection (TURBT) replacement in patients with strong suspicion of invasive bladder tumor by transurethral tru‐cut biopsy carried out during cystoscopy.

Methods:  Fifty‐eight patients (52 men and six women; mean age 65 years, range 43–79) presenting with extensive bladder tumor suggested by ultrasound and computed tomography were included in the study. Each patient was submitted to transurethral, cystoscopically‐guided tru‐cut biopsy of bladder tumor before the planned TURBT. Comparison of histopathological assessment of tissue cores, resection and radical cystectomy specimens was carried out.

Results:  Histopathological analysis of resection specimens and tissue cores were in complete accordance with previous tissue cores assessment in terms of type and grade of bladder cancer. Histological type of bladder tumor revealed by tru‐cut biopsy and radical cystectomy was identical in 56 (96.6%) cases. Tumor grade was the same in biopsy cores and radical cystectomy specimens in 55 (95%) cases.

Conclusions:  Endoscopic tru‐cut bladder tumor biopsy allows us to collect sufficient amounts of tissue material for histopathological confirmation of detrusor muscle infiltration in patients presenting with bladder tumors suspected to cause muscle invasiveness. The procedure is carried out under cystoscopic control and is fast, efficient, safe, easy to perform and less invasive than standard TURB in cases of an extensive bladder tumor.
Recent sojourn time results for multilevel processor‐sharing scheduling disciplines
Authors: Aalto Samuli , Ayesta Urtzi
Published: July 2008

Multilevel Processor‐Sharing (MLPS) disciplines refer to a family of age‐based scheduling disciplines introduced decades ago. A time‐discretized version of an MLPS discipline is applied in the scheduler of the traditional UNIX operating system. In recent years, MLPS disciplines have been used to study the way that packet level scheduling mechanisms impact the performance perceived at the flow level in the Internet. Inspired by this latter application, many new sojourn time results have been discovered for these disciplines in the context of the M/G/1 queue. The aim of this paper was to give a consistent overview of these new results. In addition, it points out some intriguing open problems for further research.
Convergence of stochastic approximation algorithms under irregular conditions
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liang Faming
Published: July 2008

We consider a class of stochastic approximation (SA) algorithms for solving a system of estimating equations. The standard condition for the convergence of the SA algorithms is that the estimating functions are locally Lipschitz continuous. Here, we show that this condition can be relaxed to the extent that the estimating functions are bounded and continuous almost everywhere. As a consequence, the use of the SA algorithm can be extended to some problems with irregular estimating functions. Our theoretical results are illustrated by solving an estimation problem for exponential power mixture models.
EURANDOM: a decade of European stochastics
Authors: Den Hollander W. Th. Frank , Senden Wim J. M. , Van Zwet Willem R.
Published: July 2008

Conception, founding, start‐up and development of EURANDOM are described by Willem van Zwet, Frank den Hollander (former scientific directors of EURANDOM) and Wim Senden (former managing director of EURANDOM).
WATER CONTROL AND CEREAL MANAGEMENT ON THE BRONZE AGE IBERIAN PENINSULA: LA MOTILLA DEL AZUER
Authors: ARANDA GONZALO , FERNÁNDEZ SERGIO , HARO MARTÍN , MOLINA FERNANDO , NÁJERA TRINIDAD , SÁNCHEZ MARGARITA
Published: July 2008

Summary.  Archaeological research conducted in the La Mancha region (central area of the Iberian Peninsula) has made it possible to identify motillas. This specific type of archaeological site consists of a central fortification surrounded by an inhabited area. They appear in high densities throughout the plains of this area, distributed at regular intervals and located in places where the phreatic level is closest to the surface and the water has low salinity. The strong relationship between sites and water has subsequently been supported by fieldwork, especially in the Motilla del Azuer settlement, where a complex well that was cut into the natural terrace to reach the phreatic level has been documented. Research has also demonstrated that the large‐scale storage of cereals was another significant function. The quantity and capacity of the different storage systems documented in two large enclosures suggest that these sites were engaged in the control and management of cereals.
The distal forelimb musculature in aquatic and terrestrial turtles: phylogeny or environmental constraints?
Authors: Abdala Virginia , Manzano Adriana S. , Herrel Anthony
Published: July 2008

We compared the muscular anatomy of the distal front limb in terrestrial and aquatic chelonians to test whether observed differences between the two groups are associated with their divergent lifestyles and locomotor modes. Given the different use of the forelimb in the two environments (body support and propulsion on land vs. mainly propulsion in water) we expected that: (1) aquatic and terrestrial turtles would show differences in their muscular anatomy, with aquatic species having more individualized muscle bundles to allow for the complex forearm movements observed during swimming, and (2) that terrestrial turtles would have more robust muscles to support their body weight against gravity. To address these questions, we examined the forelimb myology and associated tissues in six aquatic or semi‐aquatic turtles (Phyrnops hilarii, Podocnemis unifilis, Trachemys scripta, Sacalia bealei, Cuora amboinensis and Mauremys caspica) and six terrestrial or semi‐terrestrial turtles (Geochelone chilensis, Testudo graeca, Cuora galbinifrons, Glyptemys insculpta, Terrapene carolina and Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima). This paper describes the general structure of the forelimb musculature in all species, and quantifies muscle masses in those species with more than five specimens available (Ph. hilarii, Po. unifilis and Ge. chilensis). The general structure of the forelimb muscles in the strictly terrestrial species Ge. chilensis and Tes. graeca was found to be notably different from the pattern of the aquatic and semi‐aquatic species examined, showing a distinct fusion of the different muscular bodies. Ter. carolina also show a distinctly terrestrial pattern, but a less extensive tendon development. R. pulcherrima and Gl. insculpta were found to be morphologically intermediate; in the geoemydids the strictly terrestrial bauplan never appears. Quantitative differences in the robustness or mass of the distal forelimb muscles were also observed for the species investigated, supporting our prediction that the extensor muscles are more robust in terrestrial turtles. However, in contrast to our expectations, not only the extensor muscles of the distal forelimb (which are crucial in providing both body support and propulsion), but all muscles acting around the wrist were found to be heavier in terrestrial turtles.
Writing Ideology: Hybrid Symbols in a Commemorative Visitor Book in Israel
Authors: Noy Chaim
Published: July 2008

This article joins recent ethnographies of written documents which shed light on embedded practices and codes in and through which writing is produced and consumed. The article explores the linguistic ideology of writing through examining inscriptions made in a visitor book in a war commemoration museum in Jerusalem, Israel. These settings supply a dual ideological framework, fusing the modern ideologies of authenticity and national commemoration. Under attention are the physical affordances and circumstances of the visitor book and how they contribute to an “authentic” mode of commemoration‐cum‐participation via inscribing, where language ideology and national ideology reinforce each other. The analysis suggests that the category “writing” is reductionist, and that under embodied sensibilities it should better be viewed as an array of textual, para‐textual, and non‐textual visual signs that are fused into the production of materialized hybrid inscriptions. Further, the situatedness and corporeality of inscribing practices carries far reaching semiotic implications, including the transformation of the ontic state of “texts” into that of symbols, calling for the rematerialization of inscribing. [handwriting, language ideologies, museum, commemoration, visitor book]
Inflammatory response to chlorhexidine, minocycline HCl and doxycycline HCl in an in vivo mouse model
Authors: Houri‐Haddad Yael , Halabi Amal , Soskolne Wilfred Aubrey
Published: July 2008

Aim: To examine the effect of locally delivered antimicrobial drugs on the inflammatory response in an in vivo mouse chamber model.

Material and Methods: Two weeks following chamber implantation, 24 BALB/c mice, in the experimental group, were given an intra‐chamber challenge of heat‐killed Porphyromonas gingivalis, followed immediately by injection of the specific antimicrobial drug: 2000 μg/ml chlorhexidine (CHX); 1500 μg/ml minocycline HCl;and 1500 μg/ml doxycycline HCl (concentrations achieved in the periodontal pocket with commercial controlled‐release delivery systems). A second group of 24 animals received only the antimicrobial treatment without P. gingivalis challenge. Intra‐chamber exudates were sampled at 2 and 24 h following the challenge, and leucocytes, TNFα, IFNγ and IL‐10 were evaluated.

Results: At 2 h, minocycline HCl induced high levels of IL‐10, TNFα and IFNγ, while CHX reduced the levels of TNFα and IFNγ. By 24 h, these responses were attenuated. Following bacterial challenge, the antibacterial agents attenuated the inflammatory process, each in its own fashion.

Conclusions: Antibacterial agents applied locally have the ability to induce an inflammatory response. They also modify the inflammatory response to P. gingivalis independent of their antimicrobial effect. CHX and doxycycline HCl appear to have the most marked anti‐inflammatory effect.
Oort groups and lifting problems
Authors: Chinburg T. , Guralnick R. , Harbater D.
Published: July 2008

Let k be an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic p. We consider which finite groups G have the property that every faithful action of G on a connected smooth projective curve over k lifts to characteristic zero. Oort conjectured that cyclic groups have this property. We show that if a cyclic-by-p group G has this property, then G must be either cyclic or dihedral, with the exception of A4 in characteristic two. This proves one direction of a strong form of the Oort conjecture.
NPSHr Optimization of Axial-Flow Pumps
Authors: Li Wen-Guang
Published: July 2008

The two-step method for optimizing net positive suction head required (NPSHr) of axial-flow pumps is proposed in this paper. First, the NPSHr at the impeller tip is optimized with impeller diameter based on experimental data of 2D cascades in available wind tunnels. Then, it is optimized again with the velocity moment at the impeller outlet, which is expressed in terms of two parameters. The blade geometry is generated and flow details are clarified by using the radial equilibrium equation, actuator disk theory, and 2D vortex element method in the optimizing process. The NPSHr response surface has been established in terms of these two parameters. The results illustrate that the second optimization allows NPSHr to be reduced by 37.5% compared to the first optimization. Therefore, this two-step method is effective and expects to be applied in the axial-flow pump impeller blade design. The simulations of 3D turbulent flow with various cavitation models and related confirming experiments are going to be done in the axial-flow impellers designed with this method.
Finite-Amplitude Long-Wave Instability of a Thin Power-Law Liquid Film Flowing Down a Vertical Column in a Magnetic Field
Authors: Cheng Po-Jen
Published: July 2008

The long-wave perturbation method is employed to investigate the nonlinear hydromagnetic stability of a thin electrically conductive power-law liquid film flowing down a vertical cylinder. In contrast to most previous studies presented in literature, the solution scheme employed in this study is based on a numerical approximation approach rather than an analytical method. The modeling results reveal that the stability of the film flow system is weakened as the radius of the cylinder is reduced. However, the flow stability can be enhanced by increasing the intensity of the magnetic field and the flow index.
A Review of Fluid Forces Induced by a Circular Cylinder Oscillating at Low Amplitude and High Frequency in Cylindrical Confinement
Authors: Leblond Cedric , Sigrist Jean Franc¸ois , Laine Christian , Auvity Bruno , Peerhossaini Hassan
Published: July 2008

This paper deals with fluid forces induced by an oscillating rigid circular cylinder in a fluid initially at rest. The amplitude of the imposed movement is assumed sufficiently small so that no wake is formed. The objective of the present paper is to review different theoretical methods to evaluate fluid forces. A wide variety of conditions is considered, from inviscid, compressible flows in infinite fluid domains, to viscous, incompressible and strongly confined ones. A special care is taken to underline the limits of the simplified models regarding real fluid effects, such as three-dimensional centrifugal instabilities. This review is related to a study whose ultimate aim is to predict dynamic fluid load during a typical shock encountered in the environment of a military ship.
A Novel and Simple Approach for Predicting Creep Life Based on Tertiary Creep Behaviour
Authors: Zarrabi Khosrow , Ng Lawrence
Published: July 2008

The creep of materials is a research topic of major significance in the life assessment and design of many modern engineering components of advance technology such as: power generation plant, chemical plant, gas turbines, jet engines, spacecrafts, components made of plastics and polymers, etc. To predict the creep life of such components, one necessary ingredient is a creep damage model. The current creep damage models are either too cumbersome to be readily employed and/or not sufficiently accurate for practical applications. This paper describes a new multiaxial creep damage model that alleviates the major shortcomings of the existing models yet it is simple and accurate enough to be readily applicable to industrial cases.
Experimental Investigation on Mutilayered Explosion Containment Vessels
Authors: Zheng Jinyang , Deng Guide , Chen Yongjun , Sun Guoyou , Hu Yongle , Li Xiaomao , Zhao Longmao
Published: July 2008

Explosion containment vessels (ECVs) are used to fully contain the effects of high explosions. As monobloc thick-walled ECVs, which are widely used now, become larger and thicker, they are difficult in fabrication, high in cost, and uncertain in quality of very thick steel plates. A multilayered ECV (MECV) is presented to develop large-sized ECVs in this paper, which is convenient and economical in fabrication. Under static loadings the design criteria for the multilayered vessels has been established. However, it can not be used to design MECVs because blast loadings are quite different from static loadings. Five MECVs with the same materials and dimensions except for steel ribbon winding angles were fabricated and tested under internal blast loading induced by centrally located TNT in order to develop design criteria. Dynamic strains at the outer surface of tested vessels were measured, and fracture characteristics also were observed, which lay a solid foundation for conducting theoretic dynamic response analysis and numerical simulation, and establishing fracture criteria.
Experimental Investigation on Mechanical Properties of Plastic Pipes Reinforced by Cross Helically Steel Wires
Authors: Zheng Jinyang , Lu Yubin , Li Xiang
Published: July 2008

A plastic pipe reinforced by cross helically wound steel wires (PSP) is a new plastic-matrix steel composite pipe with excellent performance. Its strains, critical buckling pressure, short-time burst pressure and failure modes at various temperatures were investigated. Results show that its ring stiffness is increased by 19%, critical buckling pressure by 57% and short-time burst pressure at room temperature by 129% in comparison with a comparable polyethylene pipe; it has two failure modes, ductile burst and excessive deformation, and their transition temperature is about 45°C; radial expansion rate of the PSP due to internal pressure only exerting in the radial direction is much larger than that of enclosed PSP.
Considerations for Selecting the Optimum Bolt Assembly Stresses for Piping Flanges
Authors: Brown Warren , Reeves David
Published: July 2008

In order to minimize the likelihood of leakage from flanged piping joints, it is a good practice to maximize the initial bolt assembly stress. Present bolting guidelines (ASME PCC-1 [1]) use a standard percent of bolt yield to set the assembly stress level. This approach does not allow for the difference in strength between standard pipe flange sizes, differences in material yield strengths (carbon steel versus stainless steel), raised face (RF) versus ring type joint (RTJ) flange configurations and the actual gasket stress achieved across all flange sizes and classes. Since there is no assessment of stresses, such an approach may cause failure of joint components. In addition, because the standard percentage of bolt yield technique does not look at gasket stress, it is prone to gasket leakage due to low stress or gasket destruction due to over-compression for some joints. In addition, some joints may require bolt loads well in excess of the standard value to develop an acceptable gasket stress level in order to prevent leakage. This paper examines an alternative approach, based on the actual gasket and flange stresses. The approach examines the minimum and maximum gasket stress levels to determine what bolt stress range is acceptable and then looks at the flange stresses and flange deformation issues to ensure that the flange will not be permanently damaged, while maximizing the specified bolt load. The practical application of this method is in the development of standard bolt assembly stress (or torque) tables for standard pipe flanges using a given gasket type.
Prediction of the Flow and Force Characteristics of Safety Relief Valves
Authors: Dempster W. , Lee C. K. , Deans J.
Published: July 2008

The design of safety relief valves depends on knowledge of the expected force-lift and flow-lift characteristics at the desired operating conditions of the valve. During valve opening the flow conditions change from seal-leakage type flows to combinations of sub-sonic and supersonic flows It is these highly compressible flow conditions that control the force and flow lift characteristics. This paper reports the use of computational fluid dynamics techniques to investigate the valve characteristics for a conventional spring operated 1/4” safety relief valve designed for gases operating between 10 and 30 bar. The force and flow magnitudes are highly dependent on the lift and geometry of the valve and these characteristics are explained with the aid of the detailed information available from the CFD analysis. Experimental determination of the force and flow lift conditions has also been carried out and a comparison indicates good correspondence between the predictions and the experiment. However, attention requires to be paid to specific aspects of the geometry modeling including corner radii and edge chamfers to ensure satisfactory prediction.
Evaluating Plastic Loads in Torispherical Heads Using a New Criterion of Collapse
Authors: Camilleri Duncan , Mackenzie Donald , Hamilton Robert
Published: July 2008

In ASME Design by Analysis, the plastic load of pressure vessels is established using the Twice Elastic Slope criterion of plastic collapse. This is based on a characteristic load-deformation plot obtained by inelastic analysis. This study investigates an alternative plastic criteria based on plastic work dissipation where the ratio of plastic to total work is monitored. Two sample analyses of medium thickness torispherical pressure vessels are presented. Elastic-perfectly plastic and strain hardening material models are considered in both small and large deformation analyses. The calculated plastic loads are assessed in comparison with experimental results from the literature.
Modelling Fatigue Crack Growth in a Residual Stress Field
Authors: Price A. J. , Tsakiropoulos P. , Wenman M. R. , Chard-Tuckey P. R.
Published: July 2008

Tensile residual stresses can have a detrimental affect on the safe operating limits of components. In most cases, these residual stress fields can be relieved through various treatments but in many cases it is not realistic to expect the complete elimination of these stresses. When considering the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) located within a Nuclear Reactor Plant (NRP), knowledge of fatigue and fracture within a residual stress field is essential in support of safety cases. This research has investigated the behaviour of flaws that lie within a residual stress field with emphasis on fracture toughness through a series of fracture toughness tests. Alongside this experimental series, a finite element model has been created to predict the stress distributions prior to fracture. To enable an accurate simulation of the residual stress field distribution before loading to fracture it is important that the introduction of a fatigue crack is accurately modelled. This paper details several methods of introducing a fatigue crack into a simulation. During this research it has been shown that the introduction of a crack in progressive stages will lead to a better representation of the residual stress distribution prior to fracture. It has been shown that it is essential to use experimentally determined crack front shapes for the final stage of crack growth as this shape can significantly alter the residual stress distribution.
On the Fatigue Life Prediction of Die-Marked Drillpipes
Authors: Farhangdoost Khalil , Siahpoosh Mehran
Published: July 2008

Drillpipe fatigue damage occurs under cyclic loading conditions due to, for instance, rotation in a dogleg region. Usually, failure mechanisms develop in the transition region of the tool joints and the die-marks due to gripping systems intensify it. In this paper two approaches are presented to evaluate damage in drillpipes; FEM and Cox Regression Model. First, Finite Element Method is used to evaluate cumulative effects of fatigue damage in a number of drilling events with respect to rotating cyclic bending and constant tension and internal pressure in a G-105 drillpipe. The results show that how die-marks or other surface crushes can reduce the fatigue life of the pipe. The presented graphs can be easily used to determine the allowable length of a G-105 drillpipe below dogleg that consumes the fatigue life of the pipe section. In the second approach, as a case study, the Cox Regression Model, a broadly applicable and the most widely used method of survival analysis is used to evaluate the distribution of survival times for the failure data of the southern oilfields of Iran. The resultant cumulative survival and hazard functions can reliably predict the time of failure and assist the engineers to evaluate cumulative damage.
Implicit Partitioned Fluid-Structure Interaction Coupling
Authors: Scha¨fer Michael , Yigit Saim , Heck Marcus
Published: July 2008

The paper deals with an implicit partitioned solution approach for the numerical simulation of fluid-structure interaction problems. The solution procedure involves the finite-volume flow solver FASTEST, the finite-element structural solver FEAP, and the coupling interface MpCCI. The method is verified and validated by comparisons with benchmark results and experimental data. Investigations concerning the influence of the grid movement technique and an underrelaxation on the performance of the method are presented.
Influence of Steam Generator Tube Bundle Vibrations on the Operating Diagram of a Nuclear Plant During Stretch Out
Authors: Adobes Andre´ , Pillet Joe¨l , David Franck , Gaudin Michae¨l
Published: July 2008

During the normal cycle of a pressurized water reactor, boron concentration is reduced in the core until fuel burns up. A stretch out of the normal cycle is however possible afterwards, provided primary coolant temperature is reduced. In those stretch out periods, nuclear operators want to keep constant thermal power exchanged in the steam generator, in order to preserve its performances. Under that constraint, the required reduction in primary coolant temperature involves both a decrease of secondary cooling system pressure and an increase of tube bundle vibrations. Since neither pressure nor vibrations should exceed some given thresholds in order to preserve component integrity, the reduction of primary coolant temperature has to be limited. Nuclear plant operators thereafter need an operating diagram, i.e. a diagram that provides minimum allowed primary coolant temperature versus power rate. In that context, we propose a method to derive such a diagram, by combining, on the one hand a code for simulating primary and secondary fluid flows in steam generators and, on the other hand, a software that allows one to predict fluid elastic tube bundle instabilities. That method allows one to take into account both tube fouling and plugging. It is now used by French utility “Electricite´ De France”, in order to check or supplement the analysis that are provided by steam generator manufacturers.