bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colchicine prophylaxis for frequent periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis episodes
Authors: Tasher Diana , Stein Michal , Dalal Ilan , Somekh Eli
Published: May 2008

Aim: To review our experience with colchicine for the prophylaxis of PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, adenitis).

Patients and Methods: Prophylaxis with colchicine was offered to patients with frequent PFAPA episodes defined as episodes occurring every ≤14 days. Nine patients, aged 3.5–11.0 years, were treated with colchicine at a daily dosage of 0.5–1.0 mg and were followed up for 6–48 months (mean 2 years).

Results: Colchicine treatment increased the interval between the episodes in eight out of the nine patients. The interval between the episodes was significantly increased following colchicine treatment from an average of 1.7 weeks to 8.4 weeks (p < 0.006). Only one patient had an abdominal pain that responded to dose adjustment.

Conclusions: Colchicine prophylaxis may be beneficial for frequent PFAPA episodes.
Neonatal outcome of 58 infants exposed to maternal buprenorphine in utero
Authors: Hytinantti Timo , Kahila Hanna , Renlund Martin , Järvenpää Anna‐Liisa , Halmesmäki Erja , Kivitie‐Kallio Satu
Published: May 2008

Aim: To study the neonatal outcome of infants exposed to buprenorphine in utero.

Methods: We prospectively followed 54 buprenorphine‐using pregnant women and their 58 infants. Urinary buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine concentrations in the mothers were measured prior to delivery, and in the infants during the first 3 days of life. The Finnegan score was used to evaluate neonatal abstinence syndrome. Other medical problems as well as social outcomes were recorded.

Results: All infants had buprenorphine in their urine. A total of 38 infants required 20 ± 10 days (range 7–48 days) of morphine treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome. The length of hospital stay for all infants was 25 ± 19 days (range 3–125 days). The infants' highest urinary norbuprenorphine concentrations across their first 3 days of life correlated with the length of hospital stay and duration of morphine treatment (both p < 0.05). The mean birth weight and mean head circumference (n = 58) were below average (mean −0.7 standard deviation [SD] and mean −0.5 SD, respectively). Eleven infants were discharged home, 19 infants were placed in foster care and 28 infants were discharged with their mothers to Mother and Child homes or to other institutions.

Conclusion: Maternal buprenorphine use at the time of birth may cause neonatal abstinence syndrome, requiring long‐term hospitalization. Multiple social problems require a multidisciplinary team approach.
An Empirical Analysis of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted
Authors: Miles Thomas J.
Published: May 2008

Police agencies regularly publish lists of wanted fugitives. These lists may serve a variety of purposes, including (1) announcement of the police agency's enforcement priorities and (2) the facilitation of fugitive apprehension. When a police agency's enforcement priorities encompass fugitives whose apprehension risks vary in their sensitivity to publicity, a tradeoff may exist between these two purposes. This article conducts the first statistical analysis of fugitives who have appeared on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Ten Most Wanted List. It reports results consistent with this tradeoff. Estimates from hazard models show that changes in the characteristics of fugitives on the list were contemporaneous with declines in the speed of apprehension and in the likelihood that information or “tips” from the public caused a fugitive's apprehension. The results suggest that as the FBI acquired responsibility to enforce a wider range of criminal activity and as other avenues for publicizing fugitives developed, it increasingly used the list to communicate its priorities rather than to locate fugitives.
Phosphorylation of cyclin dependent kinase 4 on tyrosine 17 is mediated by Src family kinases
Authors: Martin Nicholas G. , McAndrew Peter C. , Eve Paul D. , Garrett Michelle D.
Published: May 2008

Cyclin dependent kinase 4 is a key regulator of the cell cycle and its activity is frequently deregulated in cancer. The activity of cyclin dependent kinase 4 is controlled by multiple mechanisms, including phosphorylation of tyrosine 17. This site is equivalent to tyrosine 15 of cyclin dependent kinase 1, which undergoes inhibitory phosphorylation by WEE1 and MYT1; however, the kinases that phosphorylate cyclin dependent kinase 4 on tyrosine 17 are still unknown. In the present study, we generated a phosphospecific antibody to the tyrosine 17‐phosphorylated form of cyclin dependent kinase 4, and showed that this site is phosphorylated to a low level in asynchronously proliferating HCT116 cells. We purified tyrosine 17 kinases from HeLa cells and found that the Src family non‐receptor tyrosine kinase C‐YES contributes a large fraction of the tyrosine 17 kinase activity in HeLa lysates. C‐YES also phosphorylated cyclin dependent kinase 4 when transfected into HCT116 cells, and treatment of cells with Src family kinase inhibitors blocked the tyrosine 17 phosphorylation of cyclin dependent kinase 4. Taken together, the results obtained in the present study provide the first evidence that Src family kinases, but not WEE1 or MYT1, phosphorylate cyclin dependent kinase 4 on tyrosine 17, and help to resolve how the phosphorylation of this site is regulated.
Prolactin, Subjective Well-Being and Sexual Dysfunction: An Open Label Observational Study Comparing Quetiapine with Risperidone
Authors: Westheide Jens , Cvetanovska Gabriele , Albrecht Carsten , Bliesener Niclaas , Cooper-Mahkorn Déirdre , Creutz Cornelia , Hornung Wolfgang-Peter , Klingmüller Dietrich , Lemke Matthias R. , Maier Wolfgang , Schubert Michaela , Sträter Birgitta , Kühn Kai-Uwe
Published: May 2008

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect of antipsychotic treatment. Increased prolactin levels are believed to be responsible for this sexual impairment despite contradictory results.

Aim

The primary objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between sexual dysfunction, subjective well-being and prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia treated either with risperidone or quetiapine. The secondary objective was to explore the relationship between testosterone and the severity of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia in male patients.

Methods

In a 4-week nonrandomized open label observational study, 102 inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited. Sexual functioning, subjective well-being and endocrinological parameters were assessed as well as psychopathological characteristics.

Main Outcome Measures

Two self-rating questionnaires concerned with sexual functioning (“Essener Fragebogen zur Sexualität”) and Subjective Well-Being Under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale (SWN) were completed by the patients. Plasma levels of prolactin in male and female patients were measured. Furthermore, in male patients testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was applied.

Results

After 4 weeks, patients treated with quetiapine reported less severe sexual impairment, as well as lower PANSS negative and general score compared with patients treated with risperidone. Additionally, emotional regulation as measured with the SWN was higher in patients treated with quetiapine. Risperidone was significantly associated with elevated prolactin levels. Prolactin levels were not correlated either with sexual dysfunction or PANSS. However, in the group of patients treated risperidone, sexual impairment was significantly associated with the SWN subscale emotional regulation.

Conclusions

Increased prolactin levels do not seem to be decisive for antipsychotic induced sexual dysfunction. Improvement of severity of illness and regaining the ability to regulate one's own emotion have positive influence on sexual functioning.
An Open-Label, Multicenter, Flexible Dose Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Viagra® (Sildenafil Citrate) in Korean Men with Erectile Dysfunction and Arterial Hypertension who are Taking Antihypertensive Agents
Authors: Park Hyun Jun , Park Nam Cheol , Shim Hong Bang , Park Jong Kwan , Lee Sung Won , Park Kwangsung , Kim Sae Woong , Moon Ki Hak , Lee Dong Hyeon , Yoon Sang Jin
Published: May 2008

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common among men taking antihypertensive agents to control blood pressure.

Aim

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in men with ED taking antihypertensive agents.

Methods

A total of 198 male subjects, aged 20 years and older were enrolled. This study was conducted for 10 weeks as an open-label, multicenter and flexible dose trial with a 2-week screening period and an 8-week treatment phase.

Main Outcome Measures

Subjects were asked to complete Event Log Worksheets, as well as the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Global Efficacy Assessment Questions (GEAQ) questionnaires during the study period.

Results

The average age among the 167 subjects who completed the study was 55.8 (31.7 to 77.1). The scores for questions 3 and 4 of IIEF improved from 2.3 and 1.8 at baseline to 3.7 and 3.4 at week 4 and 3.8 and 3.4 at week 8, respectively. There were 86.3% of the patients reported improved erectile function at week 8; 88.3% of the patients reported improved ability to achieve sexual intercourse at week 8. There were no significant differences observed in the responses to questions 3 and 4 of IIEF and GEAQ by the number of antihypertensive agents taken. The adverse events were facial flushing (20.1%), headache (11.7%), palpitation (5.0%), rhinitis (2.8%), URI (2.8%), dizziness (2.2%), dyspnea (2.2%), and nausea (1.7%).

Conclusion

Sildenafil citrate is an effective treatment for ED; it is safe and well tolerated by patients with ED taking multiple antihypertensive agents for arterial hypertension.
Effects of day‐length and night temperature on the flowering of sorghum varieties with a dominant thermosensitivity gene
Authors: Yanase Masanori , Tarumoto Isao , Kasuga Shigemitsu
Published: May 2008

This study aimed to clarify the flowering habit in sorghum varieties with a dominant thermosensitivity gene. The number of days from sowing to floral initiation in four varieties with a dominant thermosensitivity gene (TT and Tt) and two varieties of which flower initiation does not depend strongly on day‐length and night temperatures were evaluated under different day‐length and temperature conditions. The day‐length treatment at 25°C indicated that anything over a 12.5‐h day‐length has a long day effect on the flowering of the sorghum varieties examined. Under a long day condition of a 12.5‐h day‐length, floral initiation was accelerated under 30°C/20°C (day/night) conditions, compared to 25°C (constant) conditions in the varieties with a dominant thermosensitivity gene. Under a 15‐h day‐length, floral initiation was accelerated at night temperatures of 20°C and 15°C instead of at the constant 25°C. These results suggest that floral initiation was accelerated by a night temperature of lower than 20°C, even under long day‐length conditions in sorghum varieties with a dominant thermosensitivity gene.
Evaluation of the single pulse dose method for estimating herbage intake by cattle in a large scale free‐ranging system
Authors: Nakano Miwa , Yayota Masato , Ohtani Shigeru
Published: May 2008

The single pulse dose method may be one of the few practical techniques for estimating fecal output and herbage intake in animals in large scale free‐ranging systems because the method reduces labor and time involved in capturing animals and collecting feces. This study aimed to evaluate the single pulse dose method using rare earth marker‐labeled herbage for estimating fecal output and herbage intake by cattle, in comparison with the actual values and the continuous dose method using chromium oxide. In experiment 1, the fecal output and herbage intake estimated by the single pulse dose method (FOS and HIS) and by the continuous dose method (FOC and HIC) were compared with the actual values in the zero grazing condition. Six Japanese Black cows were kept in individual pens and fed fresh herbage ad libitum. Average FOS and HIS were 104% and 108% of the actual values, respectively, and were closer to the actual values than FOC and HIC (85% and 89%). However, the animal‐to‐animal variation represented by the standard deviation in the single pulse dose method was greater than that in the continuous dose method. In experiment 2, the single pulse dose and the continuous dose methods were compared in the grazing condition, using six Japanese Black cows grazing a 77‐ha pasture. Although the differences of the mean fecal output and herbage intake between the two methods were greater than those in the zero grazing condition, the same tendency as that under the zero grazing condition was observed. The results suggest that the single pulse dose method slightly overestimates the herbage intake compared with the actual value and produces slightly less stable estimates than the continuous dose method. However, the method can be useful for estimating herbage intake by animals in large scale free‐ranging systems where the use of other estimation methods is difficult.
Comparison of the levels of dioxins and dioxin‐like compounds in blood and milk in grazing beef cows
Authors: Hirako Makoto
Published: May 2008

To characterize the transfer profiles of dioxins and dioxin‐like compounds from the blood to milk in grazing beef cows, seven polychlorinated dibenzo‐para‐dioxins (PCDD), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and 12 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (Co‐PCB) were analyzed in blood and milk samples collected from four Japanese Black cows at parturition, 1 and 2 months postpartum. The mean toxic equivalent quantities (TEQ) of all three stages normalized by lipid content were 2.94 ± 0.35 and 7.83 ± 0.33 pg TEQ g−1 in the blood and milk, respectively. The total TEQ levels were highly correlated with each other in blood and milk samples (r = 0.58, P < 0.05). Temporal TEQ profiles of PCDD, PCDF (PCDD/F) and Co‐PCB were similar to those of the total TEQ. Regarding individual congeners, blood levels remained almost stable during the first 2 months after parturition irrespective of lactation length. Concentrations of highly chlorinated PCDD/F were significantly higher in colostrum than in mature milk, whereas no differences were found in their concentrations between milk samples collected 1 and 2 months after freshening. In contrast, concentrations of several Co‐PCB congeners were higher in milk collected at 2 months postpartum than in colostrum on a lipid weight basis. Furthermore, concentrations of octachlorodibenzo‐para‐dioxin and 2,3′,4,4′,5,5′‐hexachloro‐biphenyl in milk samples were significantly lower than those in blood samples, whereas milk concentrations of the other congeners were equivalent to or higher than blood concentrations of themselves. These results suggest that milk levels of dioxins and dioxin‐like compounds reflect the blood concentrations in beef cows, and that highly chlorinated PCDD/F congeners are hard to transfer from blood circulation to mature milk compared with colostrum, whereas most of Co‐PCB are readily excreted in both colostrum and mature milk.
STUDY ON FOOD PROCESS MONITORING BY SOLENOID SENSOR
Authors: KITAMURA YUTAKA , SUN JIAN‐FENG , GAUTZ LOREN
Published: May 2008

Electric impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is able to find the material properties of organic materials, such as phase change, ion concentration, water transfer and water content. The relationships between important process properties of foods and their impedance to 1V‐AC input from 100 kHz to 5 MHz were determined experimentally by the use of an EIS system with two noncontact sensors (solenoids winded by ϕ0.5‐mm nichrome wire on polyvinyl chloride tubes; one is 86.3‐mm length, the other is 247‐mm length). The model foods, which were aqueous glucose solution (0–50%) and sucrose solution (0–50%), showed a negative linear function between the concentration and the inductance obtained from the impedance values. However, sodium chloride solution (0–40%) presented a form of an exponential function. For agar gel (2–10%), the relationship between the hardness and the inductance was a positive linear function, which means that the inductance increases with the increase of gel hardness. These relationships were confirmed in yogurt processing. The system can be applied to yogurt processing as a technique for monitoring both fermentation and coagulation. In pudding processing, through this system, it can be found that the change of temperature affected the efficacy of the used system.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In this work, an electric impedance spectroscopy (EIS) system with a noncontact sensor was used to monitor some food processing, for example, to monitor the fermentation and coagulation processing of producing yogurt. The results show that the EIS system with a noncontact sensor has the feasibility to be applied to monitoring food processing or nondestructive testing.
DRYING OF LEEK SLICES USING HEATED AIR
Authors: DOYMAZ İBRAHIM
Published: May 2008

The drying characteristics of both blanched and unblanched leek slices were investigated for a temperature range of 60–80C and a constant air velocity of 2.5 m/s. They were investigated as a function of drying parameters, air temperature, slice thickness and pretreatment by hot water at 70C. The temperature of the drying air and slice thickness were observed to be significant factors affecting drying. The experimental data was fitted to four thin‐layer drying models available in the literature. Goodness of fit by these models was based on comparing the coefficient of determination (R2), reduced chi‐square (χ2) and root mean square error (RMSE) between the observed and predicted variable. The Midilli et al. model was the most adequate in describing thin‐layer drying tests. Both drying air temperature and slice thickness had pronounced influences on the values of effective moisture diffusivity (Deff). The values of Deff varied from 2.487 to 5.556 × 10−10 m2/s for blanched samples, and from 1.909 to 4.140 × 10−10 m2/s over the temperature range investigated. The values of activation energy were found to be 35.73, 18.09 and 30.16, 17.54 kJ/mol for blanched and unblanched leek samples with 1‐ and 2‐cm thickness, respectively.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study determines the blanching and slice thickness on the drying characteristics of leek slices. The parameters, namely drying time and rehydration ratio, are considered for the optimal product. In order to achieve these results, the drying of leek slices could be carried out in a convective dryer. The dried leek slices could be used in preparation of food and meat products.
‘Balding Nevis’: Place Imperatives of an Invisible Cohort within Tasmania's Forest Communities
Authors: HAY PETE
Published: May 2008

An under‐recognised cohort within Tasmania's forest communities is identified, one that shares the social and cultural background of Timber Communities Australia's constituency, but holding deeply antipathetic views toward current forest regimes. Deploying ethnographic data gathered in the upper North Esk country in Tasmania's North‐Eastern Tiers, where this cohort seems to predominate, the elements of a deep attachment to place are explicated: these include a desire to return to a past local economy based upon small but labour‐intensive sawmills with viable satellite hamlets, and a concern for water quality, for the integrity of forest ecosystems, and for the wellbeing of individual plant and animal species therein. Overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness, lacking political skills, and distressed by the dramatic economic and environmental changes within their community, this cohort is unlikely to organise politically, and is likely to remain relatively voiceless within the fraught dynamics of local politics within riven forest communities. Nevertheless, this ‘third cohort’ suggests wider issues for the politics of place. Its worldview constitutes a potent contemporary articulation of ‘the moral economy’, as described in the 1970s by E.P. Thompson, and extended to a conception of ‘moral ecology’ by Karl Jacoby. It also suggests,contraDoreen Massey, that the identity‐based place theory of the phenomenological tradition is compatible with a conception of places as sites of conflicted meaning, and that it is wrong to assume the vector of change within place to be progressive; rather it is as likely to conduce to a loss of individual and collective agency.
Islam in the Age of Globalization
Authors: Lawrence Bruce
Published: May 2008

If modernity is ambiguous, the relationship of Islam to modernity is still more ambiguous. This essay reviews the scope of change that has occurred in the Muslim world since the onset of the Age of Globalization. Marshall Hodgson coined the phrase ‘the Great Western Transmutation’, decentering the West and accenting the cluster of traits that make moderns modern wherever they are. Hodgson's analysis is amplified by current Muslim voices, such as Ziauddin Sardar, Chandra Muzaffar, Omid Safi, and Ebrahim Moosa. The premise, as also the outcome, of this essay is to project modern day Muslims as global citizens who can, and do, promote innovation, openness and pluralism as legitimate, natural dimensions of Islamic loyalty. Globalization, like modernity, becomes not the enemy of Islam but its ally.
The Past and Present of African Islam
Authors: Tayob Abdulkader
Published: May 2008

Among Muslims across the African continent, there is a noticeable turn towards greater compliance with globalizing norms of Islamic behaviour. Beginning from this widespread observation, this article interrogates the changes that lie concealed under the veil of homogeneity. It identifies a complex pattern of identity formation and power politics, cultural conservativism, marginalized syncretism and symbolic exchange. The emergence of a public sphere has propelled the production of Muslim identity formation in the service of established elites and youth searching for an authentic approach towards Islam. But a turn to Islam also takes a conservative and isolationist turn that thrives in the context of the failure of modern schooling and economy, and provides a haven of dignified marginalization around the great cultures of the past. A syncretist approach to Islam and African cultures is pushed to the background. But there is reason to believe that such an approach thrives on the margins of the society. A global politics of identity and globalization provide the context for a continued exchange of Islamic symbols among Africans in general. The politics of resistance is accompanied by the politics of identity and global conflicts.
Solving the (Real) Other Minds Problem
Authors: Epley Nicholas
Published: May 2008

People care about others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions but can have considerable difficulty reading others’ minds accurately. Recent advances in understanding how people make such inferences provide significant insight into when people are likely to be reasonably accurate mind readers and when they are not. People tend to reason about others’ mental states by starting with their own and only subsequently adjusting that egocentric default to accommodate differences between themselves and others. Such adjustments tend to be insufficient, rendering final estimates egocentrically biased. When more information about others is available, people tend to rely on existing stereotypes or other expectations to intuit others’ mental states. Systematic errors resulting either from excessive egocentrism or inaccurate expectations can lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, and social conflict, but these biases also suggest useful strategies for improving mind reading in everyday life.
International Perspectives on the Legal Environment for Selection
Authors: Myors Brett , Lievens Filip , Schollaert Eveline , Van Hoye Greet , Cronshaw Steven F. , Mladinic Antonio , Rodríguez Viviana , Aguinis Herman , Steiner Dirk D. , Rolland Florence , Schuler Heinz , Frintrup Andreas , Nikolaou Ioannis , Tomprou Maria , Subramony S. , Raj Shabu B. , Tzafrir Shay , Bamberger Peter , Bertolino Marilena , Mariani Marco , Fraccaroli Franco , Sekiguchi Tomoki , Onyura Betty , Yang Hyuckseung , Anderson Neil , Evers Arne , Chernyshenko Oleksandr , Englert Paul , Kriek Hennie J. , Joubert Tina , Salgado Jesús F. , König Cornelius J. , Thommen Larissa A. , Chuang Aichia , Sinangil Handan Kepir , Bayazit Mahmut , Cook Mark , Shen Winny , Sackett Paul R.
Published: May 2008

Perspectives from 22 countries on aspects of the legal environment for selection are presented in this article. Issues addressed include (a) whether there are racial/ethnic/religious subgroups viewed as “disadvantaged,” (b) whether research documents mean differences between groups on individual difference measures relevant to job performance, (c) whether there are laws prohibiting discrimination against specific groups, (d) the evidence required to make and refute a claim of discrimination, (e) the consequences of violation of the laws, (f) whether particular selection methods are limited or banned, (g) whether preferential treatment of members of disadvantaged groups is permitted, and (h) whether the practice of industrial and organizational psychology has been affected by the legal environment.
Microsatellite DNA markers in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii: a tool for genetic analysis
Authors: DIVU DAMODARAN , KARUNASAGAR IDDYA , KARUNASAGAR INDRANI
Published: May 2008

Eight microsatellite loci were identified and characterized in the commercially important giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The microsatellite loci were detected by the random screening for dinucleotide repeat units within a partial genomic library developed for the species with biotinylated probes (CA)15, (AT)15 and (GA)15. All the eight loci were found to be polymorphic. The number of alleles and observed heterozygosities per locus ranged between three to 16 and 0.22 to 0.71, respectively. These microsatellite markers will be useful for the conservation and management of wild and cultured stocks and population genetic studies of freshwater prawn.
Non‐invasive markers for the prediction of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Cross Timothy , Antoniades Charalambos , Harrison Phillip
Published: May 2008

Liver fibrosis occurs as a result of chronic liver injury and is the hallmark of chronic liver disease. The final stage of progressive liver fibrosis is cirrhosis, which is implicated in portal hypertension, end‐stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy has historically been the gold standard test for the assessment of liver fibrosis for liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Improved serological tests have enhanced the diagnosis of these conditions and reduced the need for liver biopsy. Liver biopsy is unpopular among patients and clinicians. It is associated with morbidity and mortality, and in addition is subject to sampling error, inter‐ and intra‐observer variability. There is therefore a need for non‐invasive markers of liver fibrosis that are accurate, reliable, cheap and easy to use. The aim of this review is to examine the different non‐invasive methods that can be used to estimate the severity of fibrosis. The methods evaluated include clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, imaging tests, specialized tests of liver function and finally serum extra‐cellular matrix markers of fibrosis. The review mainly focuses on fibrogenesis in the context of chronic hepatitis C infection.
New insights into autoimmune liver diseases
Authors: Kumagi Teru , Alswat Khalid , Hirschfield Gideon M. , Heathcote Jenny
Published: May 2008

Autoinflammatory liver disease represents an important aspect of global hepatological practice. The three principal disease divisions recognized are autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. Largely, but not exclusively, these diseases are considered to be autoimmune in origin. Increased recognition of outlier and overlap syndromes, changes in presentation and natural history, as well as the increased awareness of IgG4‐associated sclerosing cholangitis, all highlight the limitations of the classic terminology. New insights continue to improve the care given to patients, and have arisen from carefully conducted clinical studies, therapeutic trials, as well as genetic and laboratory investigations. The challenges remain to treat patients before liver injury becomes permanent and to prevent the development of organ failure.
Transcription factor HNF and hepatocyte differentiation
Authors: Nagaki Masahito , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: May 2008

To know the precise mechanisms underlying the life or death and the regeneration or differentiation of cells would be relevant and useful for the development of a regenerative therapy for organ failure. Liver‐specific gene expression is controlled primarily at a transcriptional level. Studies on the transcriptional regulatory elements of genes expressed in hepatocytes have identified several liver‐enriched transcriptional factors, including hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)‐1, HNF‐3, HNF‐4, HNF‐6 and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein families, which are key components of the differentiation process for the fully functional liver. The transcriptional regulation by these HNFs, which form a hierarchical and cooperative network, is both essential for hepatocyte differentiation during mammalian liver development and also crucial for metabolic regulation and liver function. Among these liver‐enriched transcription factors, HNF‐4 is likely to act the furthest upstream as a master gene in transcriptional cascade and interacts with other liver‐enriched transcriptional factors to stimulate hepatocyte‐specific gene transcription. A link between the extracellular matrix, changes in cytoskeletal filament assembly and hepatocyte differentiation via HNF‐4 has been shown to be involved in the transcriptional regulation of liver‐specific gene expression. This review provides an overview of the roles of liver‐enriched transcription factors in liver function.
Heat Transfer and Friction Factor in a Square Channel With One, Two, or Four Inclined Ribbed Walls
Authors: Ahn Soo Whan , Kang Ho Keun , Bae Sung Taek , Lee Dae Hee
Published: May 2008

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the heat transfer and friction characteristics of a fully developed turbulent air flow in a square channel with 45 deg inclined ribs on one, two, or four walls. Either two opposite walls or all four walls in the channel were heated. Tests were performed for Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 7600 to 24,900, the pitch to rib height ratio (P∕e) of 8.0, the rib height to channel hydraulic diameter ratio (e∕Dh) of 0.0667, and the channel aspect ratio of 1.0. The results show that the local Nusselt number and friction factor increase with the number of ribbed walls. With one ribbed wall, the Nusselt numbers on the ribbed side (B) were 50% and 63% greater than those on the adjacent smooth sides (L∕R) and the opposite smooth side (T), respectively. The Nusselt numbers, when the two opposite walls of a four-wall ribbed channel are heated, are found to be 1.49–1.52 times greater than those obtained when all four walls are heated.
Clearance Effects on the Onset of Instability in a Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Schleer Matthias , Song Seung Jin , Abhari Reza S.
Published: May 2008

This report intends to shed an insight into the effect of large relative tip clearances on the onset of instability in a highly loaded centrifugal compressor. Time-resolved pressure measurements have been performed along the casing of a scaled-up model of a small compressor for two clearances at a wide range of operating conditions. Based on these time-resolved measurements, the pressure distribution along the meridional length and the blade loading distribution are calculated for each operating condition. In addition, the phase locked pressure fluctuation and its deviation are computed. The results show the behavior of each subcomponent of the compressor at different flow conditions and explain the role of the relative tip clearance on the onset of instability. For high mass-flow rates, the steady pressure distribution along the casing reveals that the inducer acts as an accelerating nozzle. Pressure is only built up in the radial part due to the centrifugal forces and in the subsequent diffuser due to area change. For off-design conditions, incidence effects are seen in the blade loading distribution at the leading edge while the inducer is unloaded. A region of high pressure deviation originates at the leading edge of the main blade and convects downstream. This feature is interpreted as the trajectory of the leakage vortex. The trajectory of these vortices is strongly affected by the mass-flow coefficient. If the mass-flow rate is sufficiently small, the trajectory of the leakage vortex becomes perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the leakage vortex interacts with the adjacent blade, and inlet tip recirculation is triggered. If the flow rate is further reduced, the leakage vortex vanishes and rotating stall is initiated in the diffuser. For larger clearances, stronger vortices are formed, stall is triggered at higher flow rates, and the overall compressor performance deteriorates.
Bowl-Type Diffusers for Low Specific-Speed Pumps: An Industrial Application
Authors: Boncinelli Paolo , Biagi Roberto , Focacci Antonio , Corradini Umberto , Arnone Andrea , Bernacca Marco , Borghetti Massimiliano
Published: May 2008

In this paper, the aerodynamic design of a bowl-type diffuser for a low specific-speed pump is presented and described in detail. The main goal was to achieve an optimal configuration in terms of diffuser recovery capacity and stage aerodynamic efficiency, while satisfying severe constraints concerning stage size and multistage feasibility. Both geometrical parametrization tools and a fully viscous three-dimensional numerical solver were exploited in the design process. The geometrical parametrization allowed one to control and modify the geometry of the component by changing a limited number of parameters. Computational fluid dynamics analysis was exploited to assess the effectiveness of the geometrical modifications on the performance and to identify critical problems. A number of aerodynamic 1D coefficients with simple physical meanings were also introduced and used as a support to the design to synthesize the main feature of the strongly three-dimensional flow evolving in the component. As a result, a new stage configuration was developed according to the imposed constraints, whose performance is at the same level as standard pumps of the same class.
Transonic Turbine Stage Heat Transfer Investigation in Presence of Strong Shocks
Authors: de la Loma A. , Paniagua G. , Verrastro D. , Adami P.
Published: May 2008

This paper reports the external convective heat transfer distribution of a modern single-stage transonic turbine together with the physical interpretation of the different shock interaction mechanisms. The measurements have been performed in the compression tube test rig of the von Karman Institute using single- and double-layered thin film gauges. The three pressure ratios tested are representative of those encountered in actual aeroengines, with M2,is ranging from 1.07 to 1.25 and a Reynolds number of about 106. Three different rotor blade heights (15%, 50%, and 85%) and the stator blade at midspan have been investigated. The measurements highlight the destabilizing effect of the vane left-running shock on the rotor boundary layer. The stator unsteady heat transfer is dominated by the fluctuating right-running vane trailing edge shock at the blade passing frequency.
The Effect of Vane Clocking on the Unsteady Flow Field in a One-and-a-Half Stage Transonic Turbine
Authors: Schennach O. , Pecnik R. , Paradiso B. , Göttlich E. , Marn A. , Woisetschläger J.
Published: May 2008

The current paper presents the results of numerical and experimental clocking investigations performed in a high-pressure transonic turbine with a downstream vane row. The objective was a detailed analysis of shock and wake interactions in such a 1.5-stage machine while clocking the vanes. Therefore, a transient 3D Navier–Stokes calculation was done for two clocking positions, and the three-dimensional results are compared with laser-Doppler-velocimetry measurements at midspan. Additionally, the second vane was equipped with fast response pressure transducers to record the instantaneous surface pressure for 20 different clocking positions at midspan.
Thermal and Start-Up Characteristics of a Miniature Passive Liquid Feed DMFC System, Including Continuous/Discontinuous Phase Limitations
Authors: Rice Jeremy , Faghri Amir
Published: May 2008

The thermal and start-up characteristics of a passive direct methanol fuel cell system are simulated using a numerical model. The model captures both the thermal characteristics of the fuel cell and the passive fuel delivery system using a multifluid model approach. Since the fuel cell is run without any active temperature control, the temperature may rise until the convective and evaporative cooling effects balance the heat produced in the chemical reactions. The cell temperature can vary as much as 20°C, and it is vital to model the thermal effects for accurate results. The numerical model also includes continuous and discontinuous phase limitations, as well as a probabilistic spread of the porous properties. These added physical characteristics qualitatively portray the departure of carbon dioxide from the anode side of the fuel cell.
Heat Transfer in High-Speed Rotating Trapezoidal Duct With Rib-Roughened Surfaces and Air Bleeds From the Wall on the Apical Side
Authors: Chang Shyy Woei , Liou Tong-Minn , Chiou Shyr Fuu , Chang Shuen Fei
Published: May 2008

An experimental study of heat transfer in a radially rotating trapezoidal duct with two opposite walls roughened by 45deg staggered ribs and bleed from the apical side wall is performed. Centerline heat transfer variations on two rib-roughened surfaces are measured for radially outward flows with and without bleeds at test conditions of Reynolds number (Re), rotation number (Ro), and density ratio (Δρ∕ρ) in the ranges of 15,000–30,000, 0–0.8, and 0.04–0.31, respectively. Geometrical configurations and rotation numbers tested have considerably extended the previous experiences that offer practical applications to the trailing edge cooling of a gas turbine rotor blade. A selection of experimental data illustrates the individual and interactive influences of Re, Ro, and buoyancy number (Bu) on local heat transfer with and without bleeds. Local heat transfer results are generated with the influences of bleeds on the apical side examined to establish heat transfer correlations with Re, Ro, and Bu as the controlling flow parameters for design applications. The rotation of present trapezoidal duct with rib-roughened surfaces and air bleeds on the apical side worsens the impairing heat transfer impacts due to bleeds. Within the Ro range of 0.1–0.8, bleeds on the apical side of the rotating channel respectively produce 25–50% and 25–40% of heat transfer reductions from the rotational no-bleed references along the leading and trailing centerlines. Such heat transfer reductions due to the combined bleeds and Ro-Bu impacts need design precautions for turbine rotor blades.
Energy Separation in the Wake of a Cylinder
Authors: Goldstein R. J. , Kulkarni K. S.
Published: May 2008

Energy separation is a spontaneous redistribution of total energy (enthalpy) in a fluid without external work or heat flow, resulting in some portion of fluid having higher total energy (enthalpy) and another portion having lower energy (enthalpy) than the surrounding fluid. The present study investigates the mechanism of energy separation in the vortex field behind an adiabatic circular cylinder. Time-averaged velocity and temperature measurements are carried out in the wake of a cylinder in a cross flow of air. The measurements are performed at downstream locations of three, five, seven, and ten diameters, for a Reynolds number, based on upstream velocity and cylinder diameter, of 9.2×104 and freestream Mach number of 0.22. The measured velocity and recovery temperature data are expressed in nondimensional form as an energy separation factor. The distribution of energy separation factor indicates that the main cause of energy separation is the periodic vortex flow in the wake. The vortex strength and the separation effect decrease as the flow moves downstream. However, energy separation is observed even ten diameters downstream.
A Nonequilibrium Thermal Model for Rapid Heating and Pyrolysis of Organic Composites
Authors: Zhou Jianhua , Zhang Yuwen , Chen J. K. , Smith D. E.
Published: May 2008

A nonequilibrium thermal model is developed to predict the through-thickness transient temperature variation in organic composites subjected to intensive heating. In addition to heat conduction, the model incorporates four important mechanisms: rate-dependent pyrolysis, pyrolysis by-product outgassing, irradiance-dependent convection heat loss, and radiation heat lose. Both the shape of the gas flow channel and the gas addition velocity from the channel wall are evaluated based on the decomposition reaction rate. The through-thickness temperature transients, the continually changing gas channel, and the pressure distribution in the decomposition gas are obtained and discussed.
Tube Transverse Pitch Effect on Heat/Mass Transfer Characteristics of Flat Tube Bank Fin Mounted With Vortex Generators
Authors: Liu Song , Wang Liangbi , Fan Jufang , Zhang Yongheng , Dong Yuanxin , Song Kewei
Published: May 2008

For one heat exchanger model of three-row flat tube bank fin mounted with vortex generators (VGs), the effect of transversal tube pitch on heat/mass transfer performance was investigated by the experimental method of naphthalene sublimation. For the same arrangement of VGs around the tube, it is found that the larger the transversal tube pitch, the larger the heat transfer enhancement because of less interactions of vortices generated from different VGs. Interaction of vortices decreases the heat transfer enhancement on the fin surfaces with and without VGs for the case with small transversal tube pitch. For isothermal condition, two correlated equations of average Nusselt number and friction factor considering the fin spacing, the attack angle of VG, the height of VG, the ratio of transversal tube pitch, and Reynolds number are reported.
On the Numerical Modeling of the Thermomechanical Contact for Metal Casting Analysis
Authors: Chiumenti Michele , Agelet de Saracibar Carlos , Cervera Miguel
Published: May 2008

The paper shows the intrinsic difficulties found in the numerical simulation of industrial casting processes using finite element (FE) analysis. Up until now, uncoupled pure thermal simulations have been mostly considered to model solidification and cooling phenomena. However, a fully coupled thermomechanical analysis provides a more complete insight of the casting process and the final outcome regarding the quality of the part. In this type of analysis, the thermomechanical model used plays a role of paramount importance, as the problem is coupled both ways through contact between part and mould. The paper presents the full statement of the problem regarding contact, and it considers the difficulties associated with FE mesh generation and time integration strategy. It also reviews soft and hard algorithms for mechanical contact presenting some new alternatives. Evaluation of coefficients used for thermal contact is also discussed, and a new proposal is presented. Finally, some numerical applications are presented to assess the performance of the proposed strategies both in benchmark and industrial problems.
Linear Stability of Weakly Forced Taylor-Vortex Flow
Authors: Khayat Roger E.
Published: May 2008

Linear stability analysis of fully developed axisymmetric steady spatially modulated Taylor–Couette flow (TCF) is carried out in the narrow-gap limit. In contrast to unforced TCF, only the vortical base flow is possible in the forced case. It is found that the forcing tends to generally destabilize the base flow, especially around the critical point corresponding to unforced flow. Both the critical Taylor number and wave number are found to essentially linearly decrease with modulation amplitude.
An Experimental Study of the Laminar Flow Separation on a Low-Reynolds-Number Airfoil
Authors: Hu Hui , Yang Zifeng
Published: May 2008

An experimental study was conducted to characterize the transient behavior of laminar flow separation on a NASA low-speed GA (W)-1 airfoil at the chord Reynolds number of 70,000. In addition to measuring the surface pressure distribution around the airfoil, a high-resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used to make detailed flow field measurements to quantify the evolution of unsteady flow structures around the airfoil at various angles of attack (AOAs). The surface pressure and PIV measurements clearly revealed that the laminar boundary layer would separate from the airfoil surface, as the adverse pressure gradient over the airfoil upper surface became severe at AOA≥8.0deg. The separated laminar boundary layer was found to rapidly transit to turbulence by generating unsteady Kelvin–Helmholtz vortex structures. After turbulence transition, the separated boundary layer was found to reattach to the airfoil surface as a turbulent boundary layer when the adverse pressure gradient was adequate at AOA<12.0deg, resulting in the formation of a laminar separation bubble on the airfoil. The turbulence transition process of the separated laminar boundary layer was found to be accompanied by a significant increase of Reynolds stress in the flow field. The reattached turbulent boundary layer was much more energetic, thus more capable of advancing against an adverse pressure gradient without flow separation, compared to the laminar boundary layer upstream of the laminar separation bubble. The laminar separation bubble formed on the airfoil upper surface was found to move upstream, approaching the airfoil leading edge as the AOA increased. While the total length of the laminar separation bubble was found to be almost unchanged (∼20% of the airfoil chord length), the laminar portion of the separation bubble was found to be slightly stretched, and the turbulent portion became slightly shorter with the increasing AOA. After the formation of the separation bubble on the airfoil, the increase rate of the airfoil lift coefficient was found to considerably degrade, and the airfoil drag coefficient increased much faster with increasing AOA. The separation bubble was found to burst suddenly, causing airfoil stall, when the adverse pressure gradient became too significant at AOA>12.0deg.
On the Interaction of Water Waves With a Surface-Parallel Vortex
Authors: Lang Amy Warncke , Thacker William D.
Published: May 2008

An experimental study was performed to investigate the interaction of water waves with a surface-parallel oriented vortex at a free surface. Shadowgraph images were obtained visualizing surface deformations. The role of vortex strength and the direction of approach of the waves were investigated. For favorable waves, with flow velocity at crests parallel to vortex flow, surface deformations were weaker, lasted longer than for a vortex without waves, and were characterized at late times by the appearance of surface-normal vortices. For unfavorable waves incident on the vortex from the other side, surface deformations were stronger and dissipated more quickly.