bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PARPST: a PARallel algorithm to find peptide sequence tags
Authors: Brunetti Sara , Lodi Elena , Mori Elisa , Stella Maria
Published: April 2008

Background

Protein identification is one of the most challenging problems in proteomics. Tandem mass spectrometry provides an important tool to handle the protein identification problem.

Results

We developed a work-efficient parallel algorithm for the peptide sequence tag problem. The algorithm runs on the concurrent-read, exclusive-write PRAM in O(n) time using log n processors, where n is the number of mass peaks in the spectrum. The algorithm is able to find all the sequence tags having score greater than a parameter or all the sequence tags of maximum length. Our tests on 1507 spectra in the Open Proteomics Database shown that our algorithm is efficient and effective since achieves comparable results to other methods.

Conclusions

The proposed algorithm can be used to speed up the database searching or to identify post-translational modifications, comparing the homology of the sequence tags found with the sequences in the biological database.
Mining small RNA structure elements in untranslated regions of human and mouse mRNAs using structure-based alignment
Authors: Khaladkar Mugdha , Liu Jianghui , Wen Dongrong , Wang Jason TL , Tian Bin
Published: April 2008

Background

UnTranslated Regions (UTRs) of mRNAs contain regulatory elements for various aspects of mRNA metabolism, such as mRNA localization, translation, and mRNA stability. Several RNA stem-loop structures in UTRs have been experimentally identified, including the histone 3' UTR stem-loop structure (HSL3) and iron response element (IRE). These stem-loop structures are conserved among mammalian orthologs, and exist in a group of genes encoding proteins involved in the same biological pathways. It is not known to what extent RNA structures like these exist in all mammalian UTRs.

Results

In this paper we took a systematic approach, named GLEAN-UTR, to identify small stem-loop RNA structure elements in UTRs that are conserved between human and mouse orthologs and exist in multiple genes with common Gene Ontology terms. This approach resulted in 90 distinct RNA structure groups containing 748 structures, with HSL3 and IRE among the top hits based on conservation of structure.

Conclusion

Our result indicates that there may exist many conserved stem-loop structures in mammalian UTRs that are involved in coordinate post-transcriptional regulation of biological pathways.
Association between Radiologists' Experience and Accuracy in Interpreting Screening Mammograms
Authors: Molins Eduard , Macià Francesc , Ferrer Francesc , Maristany Maria-Teresa , Castells Xavier
Published: April 2008

Background

Radiologists have been observed to differ, sometimes substantially, both in their interpretations of mammograms and in their recommendations for follow-up. The aim of this study was to determine how factors related to radiologists' experience affect the accuracy of mammogram readings.

Methods

We selected a random sample of screening mammograms from a population-based breast cancer screening program. The sample was composed of 30 women with histopathologically-confirmed breast cancer and 170 women without breast cancer after a 2-year follow-up (the proportion of cancers was oversampled). These 200 mammograms were read by 21 radiologists routinely interpreting mammograms, with different amount of experience, and by seven readers who did not routinely interpret mammograms. All readers were blinded to the results of the screening. A positive assessment was considered when a BI-RADS III, 0, IV, V was reported (additional evaluation required). Diagnostic accuracy was calculated through sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Average specificity was higher in radiologists routinely interpreting mammograms with regard to radiologists who did not (66% vs 56%; p < .001). Multivariate analysis based on routine readers alone showed that specificity was higher among radiologists who followed-up cases for which they recommended further workup (feedback) (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.85), those spending less than 25% of the working day on breast radiology (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.89), and those aged more than 45 years old (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.59); the variable of average annual volume of mammograms interpreted by radiologists, classified as more or less than 5,000 mammograms per year, was not statistically significant (OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.25).

Conclusion

Among radiologists who read routinely, volume is not associated with better performance when interpreting screening mammograms, although specificity decreased in radiologists not routinely reading mammograms. Follow-up of cases for which further workup is recommended might reduce variability in mammogram readings and improve the quality of breast cancer screening programs.
Clinically immune hosts as a refuge for drug-sensitive malaria parasites
Authors: Klein Eili Y , Smith David L , Boni Maciej F , Laxminarayan Ramanan
Published: April 2008

Background

Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum that confer resistance to first-line antimalarial drugs have spread throughout the world from a few independent foci, all located in areas that were likely characterized by low or unstable malaria transmission. One of the striking differences between areas of low or unstable malaria transmission and hyperendemic areas is the difference in the size of the population of immune individuals. However, epidemiological models of malaria transmission have generally ignored the role of immune individuals in transmission, assuming that they do not affect the fitness of the parasite. This model reconsiders the role of immunity in the dynamics of malaria transmission and its impact on the evolution of antimalarial drug resistance under the assumption that immune individuals are infectious.

Methods

The model is constructed as a two-stage susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) model of malaria transmission that assumes that individuals build up clinical immunity over a period of years. This immunity reduces the frequency and severity of clinical symptoms, and thus their use of drugs. It also reduces an individual's level of infectiousness, but does not impact the likelihood of becoming infected.

Results

Simulations found that with the introduction of resistance into a population, clinical immunity can significantly alter the fitness of the resistant parasite, and thereby impact the ability of the resistant parasite to spread from an initial host by reducing the effective reproductive number of the resistant parasite as transmission intensity increases. At high transmission levels, despite a higher basic reproductive number, R
0, the effective reproductive number of the resistant parasite may fall below the reproductive number of the sensitive parasite.

Conclusion

These results suggest that high-levels of clinical immunity create a natural ecological refuge for drug-sensitive parasites. This provides an epidemiological rationale for historical patterns of resistance emergence and suggests that future outbreaks of resistance are more likely to occur in low- or unstable-transmission settings. This finding has implications for the design of drug policies and the formulation of malaria control strategies, especially those that lower malaria transmission intensity.
Selective killing of HIV-1-positive macrophages and T cells by the Rev-dependent lentivirus carrying anthrolysin O from Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Young Jessica , Tang Zhongwei , Yu Quan , Yu Dongyang , Wu Yuntao
Published: April 2008

Background

The ability of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to persist in the body has proven to be a long-standing challenge to virus eradication. Current antiretroviral therapy cannot selectively destroy infected cells; it only halts active viral replication. With therapeutic cessation or interruption, viral rebound occurs, and invariably, viral loads return to pre-treatment levels. The natural reservoirs harboring replication-competent HIV-1 include CD4 T cells and macrophages. In particular, cells from the macrophage lineage resist HIV-1-mediated killing and support sustained viral production. To develop a complementary strategy to target persistently infected cells, this proof-of-concept study explores an HIV-1 Rev-dependent lentiviral vector carrying a bacterial hemolysin,anthrolysin O(anlO) fromBacillus anthracis, to achieve selective killing of HIV-1- infected cells.

Results

We demonstrate that in the Rev-dependent lentiviral vector,anlOexpression is exclusively dependent on Rev, a unique HIV-1 protein present only in infected cells. Intracellular expression and oligomerization of AnlO result in membrane pore formation and cytolysis. We have further overcome a technical hurdle in producing a Revdependent AnlO lentivirus, through the use of β-cyclodextrin derivatives to inhibit direct killing of producer cells by AnlO. Using HIV-1-infected macrophages and T cells as a model, we demonstrate that this Rev-dependent AnlO lentivirus diminishes HIV-1- positive cells.

Conclusion

The Rev-dependent lentiviral vector has demonstrated its specificity in targeting persistently infected cells. The choice ofanlOas the first suicidal gene tested in this vector is based on its cytolytic activity in macrophages and T cells. We conclude that Rev-regulated expression of suicidal genes in HIV-1-positive cells is possible, although futurein vivodelivery of this system needs to address numerous safety issues.
The role of immunohistochemistry in medullomyoblastoma – a case series highlighting divergent differentiation
Authors: Sachdeva Man Updesh S , Vankalakunti Mahesha , Rangan Aruna , Radotra Bishan D , Chhabra Rajesh , Vasishta Rakesh K
Published: April 2008

Aims

To analyse the histo-morphology of cases of medullomyoblastoma and identifying its divergent differentiation.

Methods

A retrospective review of all cases reported as medulloblastoma between the period of Jan 2000 to Dec 2006 was carried out on Hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained slides. The cases were screened on light microscopy for primitive neuroectodermal component of a medulloblastoma accompanied by areas of "myoid" differentiation, identified on the basis of presence of strap cells (indicating a clear skeletal muscle differentiation) and/or large anaplastic cells with vescicular nuclei and moderate to abundant amount of eosinophilic cytoplasm. All these cases were subjected to a panel of immunohistochemical stains, including Desmin, GFAP, NFP, HMB45, SMA, S100, CK and EMA. Ultrastructral analysis was done on tissue obtained from paraffin blocks in 2 cases.

Results

Male predominance (M:F = 5:1) was noted with an incidence of five percent of all cases of medulloblastoma (6 out of 120 cases) over a period of 6 years. Primitive neuroectodermal areas were accompanied with areas of "myoid" differentiation, 5 cases showing strap cells. Two cases with epithelial and cartilaginous differentiation were seen. Three cases showed focal melanocytic differentiation, identified only on HMB45 immunostaining. Four cases showed glial differentiation. Neuronal differentiation again was very focally seen in two cases, of which one was identified only by NFP immunostain. Seventh case is included in the study, however it is not considered to calculate incidence as it occurred beyond the period of 6 years of records search.

Conclusion

Medullomyoblastoma is a rare childhood tumor of cerebellum. Majority of cases reveal divergent differentiation, which are identified with the help of panel of immunostains indicating multi-potential nature of primitive neuroectodermal cells.
Neuropilin-1 is a receptor for transforming growth factor β-1, activates its latent form, and promotes regulatory T cell activity
Authors: Glinka Yelena , Prud’homme Gérald J
Published: April 2008

Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) is a multifunctional protein, identified principally as a receptor for the class 3 semaphorins and members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, but it is capable of other interactions. It is a marker of regulatory T cells (Tr), which often carry Nrp1 and latency-associated peptide (LAP)-TGF-β1 (the latent form). The signaling TGF-β1 receptors bind only active TGF-β1, and we hypothesized that Nrp1 binds the latent form. Indeed, we found that Nrp1 is a high-affinity receptor for latent and active TGF-β1. Free LAP, LAP-TGF-β1, and active TGF-β1 all competed with VEGF165 for binding to Nrp1. LAP has a basic, arginine-rich C-terminal motif similar to VEGF and peptides that bind to the b1 domain of Nrp1. A C-terminal LAP peptide (QSSRHRR) bound to Nrp1 and inhibited the binding of VEGF and LAP-TGF-β1. We also analyzed the effects of Nrp1/LAP-TGF-β1 coexpression on T cell function. Compared with Nrp1– cells, sorted Nrp1+ T cells had a much greater capacity to capture LAP-TGF-β1. Sorted Nrp1– T cells captured soluble Nrp1-Fc, and this increased their ability to capture LAP-TGF-β1. Conventional CD4+CD25–Nrp1– T cells coated with Nrp1-Fc/LAP-TGF-β1 acquired strong Tr activity. Moreover, LAP-TGF-β was activated by Nrp1-Fc and also by a peptide of the b2 domain of Nrp1 (RKFK; similar to a thrombospondin-1 peptide). Breast cancer cells, which express Nrp1, also captured and activated LAP-TGF-β1 in a Nrp1-dependent manner. Thus, Nrp1 is a receptor for TGF-β1, activates its latent form, and is relevant to Tr activity and tumor biology.
Pharmacogenetics in Ovarian Stimulation—Current Concepts
Authors: Loutradis D. , Vlismas A. , Drakakis P. , Antsaklis A.
Published: April 2008

Ovarian response to follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) action differs considerably among women; this has prompted researchers to determine which factors modify this response. The challenge is to identify the genes that affect the response to FSH stimulation by the application of pharmacogenetics to assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs). Recently, new insights have been gained in the investigation of the variability in the gene that encodes the FSH receptor (FSHR) gene or genes of the estrogen pathway. Several polymorphisms of the FSHR gene have been discovered, but Ser680Asn and Thr307Ala are the two most studied. The Ser680Asn polymorphism of the FSHR gene has been found to influence the ovarian response to FSH stimulation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and in women with the genotype Ser/Ser, the FSHR appears to be more resistant to FSH action. The clinical implications of this finding are highly important; the ultimate goal is to apply genetic markers as routine diagnostic tests before ovarian stimulation to predict ovarian response, determine the required FSH dose, and avoid the possible complications related to FSH stimulation.
Male Gamete Empowerment
Authors: Takeuchi Takumi , Neri Queenie V. , Palermo Gianpiero D.
Published: April 2008

The degree of spermatogenesis varies among infertile men from a barely compromised sperm number in the ejaculate to their complete absence—the condition known as azoospermia. The scarcity of gametes often represents a major hindrance to overcoming spermatogenic failure through the use of assisted fertilization techniques. This induced us to attempt replication of the spermatozoon by “male genome cloning.” We then investigated whether it is possible to induce human spermatogenesis in host testes by transplanting germ cells obtained from human testicular biopsy specimens into mouse seminiferous tubules. After plating the sorted germ cells on a feeder layer, one putative spermatogonial stem cell colony proliferated up to day 9 of culture. The production of male gametes by ooplasmic somatic cell haploidization has been tested in our laboratory. Attempts to induce neogametogenesis from embryonic stem cells has yielded mouse offspring following fertilization with sperm‐like cells.
Repeat prescribing processes in primary care: a qualitative study
Authors: Saastamoinen Leena Katariina , Enlund Hannes , Klaukka Timo Juhani
Published: April 2008

Objective

To investigate the characteristics, local agreements and changes regarding repeat prescribing processes in primary health care in Finland.

Setting

Twenty-eight municipal health centres nationwide.

Method

Twenty-eight physicians and 28 medical receptionists were given semi-structured telephone interviews about repeat prescribing practices. The repeat prescribing process of each health centre was displayed as a flow chart and the processes were classified according to the quality of the practical flow and the medication review.

Key findings

There are various ways of carrying out repeat prescribing in different health centres. In some centres, a review of the medications is recognised as part of the repeat prescribing process, but in others there is no systematic review of the patients' medication. Repeat prescribing is often performed in a busy atmosphere. Repeat prescribing systems have evolved over time without proper management, and few local guidelines exist.

Conclusions

There is a need to reorganise the repeat prescribing systems in primary health care. A regular review of long-term medications, in particular, needs to become a part of the repeat prescribing process. There is a need for both local and national guidelines.
Preparation of Silicon Carbide-based Nanoporous Materials by Replica Technique
Authors: Shiraishi Soshi , Kikuchi Akihiro , Sugimoto Masaki , Yoshikawa Masahito
Published: April 2008

We tried to prepare silicon carbide-based nanoporous materials using the replica method. The polycarbosilane (PCS) as the SiC precursor filled the mesopores of mesoporous silica as the template, and then calcination and subsequent removal of the silica matrix led to the mesoporous product with a BET specific surface area of 780 m2 g−1. The product had the SiC≈1.9O≈0.9 composition and very low crystallinity, indicating a good resistivity to oxidative conditions.
Self-assembled All-inorganic Chiral Polyoxovanadate: Spontaneous Resolution of Nitrate-incorporated Octadecavanadate
Authors: Koyama Yuki , Hayashi Yoshihito , Isobe Kiyoshi
Published: April 2008

A chiral octadecavanadate has been isolated and optically resolved into enantiomers by spontaneous resolution. From the partial oxidation reaction of a reduced decavanadate [V10O26]4− with nitric acid, a chiral octadecavanadate encapsulating a nitrate template was formed. A nitrate anion was incorporated at the center of the spherical polyoxovanadate cage. The structure may be regarded as a double helical V8 ribbon between two square pyramidal VVIO5 units, consisting of half-pitch helix with ca. 11.0 Å diameter and a half pitch length of 8 Å.
Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of [MnII(rac-pnH)(H2O)CrIII(CN)6]·H2O and Its Dehydrated Form
Authors: Yoshida Yusuke , Inoue Katsuya , Kurmoo Mohamedally
Published: April 2008

An irreversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation is observed upon dehydration of [MnII(rac-pnH)(H2O)CrIII(CN)6]·H2O. The virgin, dehydrated, and rehydrated phases are ferrimagnets with Curie temperature of 36, 70, and 36 K, respectively.
The impact of a peer counselling scheme to address bullying in an all‐girl London secondary school: A short‐term longitudinal study
Authors: Houlston Catherine , Smith Peter K.
Published: April 2008

Background A variety of peer support schemes are now widely used in schools, notably to reduce bullying. However, there has been little systematic investigation of the impact and effectiveness of these approaches.

Aims To assess the impact of a peer counselling scheme on peer counsellors and the school community.

Sample The research was conducted in a North London all‐girls state secondary school. Data were collected from all lower school classes (years 7, 8, and 9) and some staff members, in addition to year 10 peer counsellors and an age equivalent comparison group.

Method A detailed 1‐year longitudinal study combined qualitative and quantitative methods of assessment.

Results Peer counsellors benefited from their involvement through an acquisition of transferable communication and interpersonal skills, and, compared to age‐matched control pupils, had increased social self‐esteem. There were no reductions in self‐reported bullying and victimization, but in general pupils believed that there was less bullying in school and that the school was doing more about bullying, with year 7 students showing the most positive changes.

Conclusions Peer‐counselling schemes can improve self‐esteem of peer supporters, and also impact positively on perceptions of bullying in the school; but impact on actual experiences of bullying is less clear, and there may be problems with the acceptance and use of such programmes by older students.
The case against the use of polygraph examinations to monitor post‐conviction sex offenders
Authors: Ben‐Shakhar Gershon
Published: April 2008

In this article I caution against the use of polygraph testing in convicted sex‐offenders programs. First, I explain that the prevalent method of polygraph testing, the CQT, suffers from several major flaws and has no scientific basis. These flaws, which characterize all usages of the CQT, including its use with sex offenders, create a considerable risk for false positive as well as false‐negative errors. Second, no methodologically sound research examining the validity of the CQT, neither in its forensic application, nor in its use with sex offenders has been conducted. Finally, I explain why the use of CQT polygraphy with sex offenders is even more problematic than its common use as an aid in criminal investigations. Clearly, rehabilitation programs of convicted sex offenders are highly important, but the use of polygraph testing in this context is misguided and instead of reducing recidivism in sex offenders is likely to achieve just the opposite.
Time perspective, personality and smoking, body mass, and physical activity: An empirical study
Authors: Adams Jean , Nettle Daniel
Published: April 2008

Objectives. Time perspective describes how individuals conceptualize and value future events, and may be related to health behaviours. Research to date has focused on addictive behaviours, used a variety of different measures of time perspective, and not explored the role of personality. This work aimed to: explore the relationships between: five previously used measures of time perspective; time perspective and the broad domains of the five‐factor model of personality; and time perspective and smoking, body mass, and physical activity after controlling for socio‐demographics and personality.

Design. Cross‐sectional self‐report data were collected using a web based survey.

Methods. Participants (N=423) were recruited via local community internet message boards in US urban areas. The survey collected information on: delay discount rate, the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS), the future scale of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), subjective probability of living to age 75, and time period for financial planning, the five‐factor personality inventory, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity.

Results. After controlling for socio‐demographics, most markers of time perspective were significantly correlated with each other, but the strength of correlations was rarely strong. Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, and Openness were associated with some markers of time perspective. After controlling for socio‐demographic and personality domains, only CFCS score was associated with smoking status and BMI.

Conclusions. There is some overlap between previously used markers of time perspective and the five‐factor personality domains but this is neither strong nor consistent. Smoking and BMI, but not physical activity, are associated with CFCS, but not other measures of time perspective.
Prevention of Trabecular Bone Loss Induced by Estrogen Deficiency by a Selective p38α Inhibitor
Authors: Caverzasio Joseph , Higgins Linda , Ammann Patrick
Published: April 2008

Increased bone remodeling with estrogen deficiency is mediated by the production of cytokines such as TNFα and interleukin (IL)−1. Recent data have indicated that the p38 pathway mediates cytokines effects on enhanced bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, in this study, we investigated the effect of a selective p38α inhibitor, SD-282, on the prevention of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency in an adult ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. Results indicate that oral administration of SD-282 for 8 wk dose-dependently blunted the increase in the bone resorption marker DPD/Cr induced by OVX in adult rats. Associated with this effect, SD-282 did not reduce but significantly enhanced by 2-fold the rise in the bone formation marker serum osteocalcin observed in OVX animals. In addition, SD-282 completely blocked vertebral bone loss associated with estrogen deficiency. Furthermore, a partial preventive effect was observed in long bones with reduction of trabecular bone loss and enhancement of cross-sectional area of the diaphysis. Prevention of trabecular bone loss and increased in cortical bone area were associated with improvement of biomechanical resistances. In conclusion, chronic administration of a selective p38α inhibitor effectively prevented trabecular bone loss and alteration of bone microarchitecture induced by estrogen deficiency. Prevention of bone loss was associated with inhibition of bone resorption with uncoupled changes in bone formation. These data strongly suggest that the p38 pathway is important for regulation of bone resorption induced by estrogen deficiency, and selective inhibitors of this pathway have potential for prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Joint Effects of Antibody to Heat Shock Protein 60, Hypertension, and Diabetes on Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Chinese
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , He Mei-An , Cheng Longxian , Zhou Li , Zeng Hesong , Wang Jing , Wang Feng , Chen Ying , Hu Frank B , Wu Tangchun
Published: April 2008

Background: Several studies have suggested an association between antibody to human heat shock protein 60 (anti-Hsp60) and coronary atherosclerosis, but the results have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between anti-Hsp60 and coronary heart disease (CHD) and to determine whether anti-Hsp60, hypertension, and diabetes have joint effects on CHD risk.

Methods: We measured the concentrations of anti-Hsp60 in 1003 CHD patients and 1003 age- and sex-matched control subjects without CHD events.

Results: Concentrations of anti-Hsp60 were significantly higher in CHD patients than in controls. Increasing concentrations of anti-Hsp60 were significantly associated with higher risk of CHD (P for trend <0.0001) and with increasing severity of CHD as assessed by number of diseased vessels detected with angiography [odds ratio (OR) 3.67, 95% CI 1.56–8.64, P = 0.003] after multivariate adjustment for traditional CHD risk factors. There were strong joint effects of high concentrations of anti-Hsp60 and hypertension (OR 5.17, 95% CI 3.95–6.75, P < 0.0001) and diabetes (OR 6.49, 95% CI 4.52–9.33, P < 0.0001) on CHD risk; simultaneous occurrence of high anti-Hsp60 concentrations, hypertension, and diabetes conferred a dramatically higher risk of CHD (OR 20.99, 95% CI 12.50–35.24, P < 0.0001) in multivariate analyses.

Conclusions: Anti-Hsp60 is independently associated with CHD risk, and a combination of high anti-Hsp60, hypertension, and diabetes is particularly detrimental for CHD risk.
Pediatric Head and Neck Injuries in Snow Sports: Evaluating the Influence of Helmets
Authors: Scher Irving , Richards Darrin , Carhart Michael , Thomas Reed , Hurlen Natalie , Lam Tack
Published: April 2008

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported in 1999 that head injuries represent approximately 14 % of all skiing and snowboarding injuries. Cadman and Macnab showed that children were twice as likely as other age groups to sustain injuries to the head, face, and neck. While helmets have been shown to reduce the overall number of head injuries for the pediatric population, some members of the skiing and medical communities have indicated that pediatric helmets may increase the likelihood of neck injuries. We conducted a two-part experimental study to examine the potential effects of pediatric helmets during severe collisions. In the first part of the study, we measured the speeds of 154 children on beginner and intermediate ski slopes. Across all locations at a resort, the average speed of the children was 18.7 kph (11.6 mph). In the second part of the study, we used an instrumented Hybrid-III 10-year-old anthropomorphic test device (ATD) to determine the head accelerations, neck loads, and chest deflection associated with two impact conditions: (1) inertial neck loading created during torso impacts into a rigid barrier and, (2) direct head contact and neck loading during skier-to-pole and skier-to-skier impacts. For these tests, the ATD was accelerated to the average observed speed of pediatric skiers and snowboarders. The data show that the use of a helmet did not increase the likelihood of severe neck injury during the inertial neck loading condition. The results of the direct head contact tests showed that compressive loads on the neck were reduced with helmet use, but always exceeded injury thresholds with or without a helmet. As expected, helmet use did reduce substantially the likelihood of severe brain injury in the skier-to-pole (by 47 %) and skier-to-skier (by 69 %) impacts by decreasing the linear accelerations, angular accelerations, and head injury criterion.
The Influence of Residual Stress on the Design of Aircraft Primary Structure
Authors: Ball Dale L.
Published: April 2008

Aggressive performance and weight objectives are driving aircraft manufacturers toward the use of advanced materials and structural concepts that may have inherent, process induced residual stresses in localized, but critical areas. Certification of these structures will require that the influence of these residual stresses be properly accounted for during design. One example of this circumstance is the unitization of lugs and fittings with primary spars and bulkheads. This is being done in order to reduce part count, which, in turn, reduces the necessity for large numbers of fasteners and the associated hole preparation/mating requirements. Such unitization can be achieved through the use of large forgings, which experience has shown may have significant residual stresses in localized areas, even after final machining. For man-rated flight vehicles, primary structural elements are typically designed based on damage tolerance concepts. This requires that fatigue crack growth analysis and testing be used for certification of the structure. Thus, for advanced design concepts based on unitized structure, the influence of residual stress on fatigue crack growth must be addressed. A substantial body of work has been developed over the past three decades by numerous researchers in the field of fracture mechanics with regard to residual stress. In what has become the standard approach to the problem, the residual stress field is used to estimate a residual stress intensity factor (SIF) using weight function or Green’s function techniques. The residual SIF is superimposed with the applied SIF due to service loading and the total is then used in an otherwise unmodified, LEFM-based fatigue crack growth analysis. In this paper, we describe current research directed toward the formal inclusion of residual stress effects in the design of aircraft primary structure. This effort has three focus areas. The first is the extraction of confounding residual stress effects during the characterization of the fundamental fatigue crack growth rate behavior of a critical aluminum alloy. The second is the quantification, both by analysis and experiment, of the location, spatial magnitude, and stress magnitude of the residual stress fields in a candidate forged/machined part. The third is the development of improved fatigue crack growth analysis methods that selectively account for the presence of residual stresses. Each of the three focus areas provides a critical ingredient to a proposed design analysis method in which components are analyzed using intrinsic (residual stress free) material data, with residual stresses then explicitly introduced only in those areas where they are known to exist. The discussion includes the results of a trade study on a wing spar showing potential optimization, both in terms of weight savings in over-designed areas, and service life/damage tolerance enhancement in under-designed areas.
Neurology of cognition and language in the publications of Kálmán Sántha and today
Authors: Szirmai Imre
Published: April 2008

Sántha Kálmán a különleges tehetségű emberek agyának neuropatológiai vizsgálata során a parietalis asszociációs areák túlfejlettségét és a kéreg sejtgazdagságát találta. A gyrus angularisról feltételezte, hogy az, működését tekintve, „memóriamező”. A
Lángész és átöröklés
című írásában kifejtette, hogy: „A talentum a kor gyermeke, a zseni minden időké.” Egy tumoros beteg tünetei alapján helyesen értelmezte a szenzoros és motoros amnesticus aphasia lokalizációját. A beszédképességtől eltérő pszichológiai tünetekre is felhívta a figyelmet. Megfigyelte, hogy keresztezett afázia a balkezeseknél kétszer gyakoribb, mint a jobbkezeseknél. Ez magyarázhatja azt a mai megfigyelést, hogy az afáziák kialakulása után a beszéd restitúciója preformált; jobban javulnak a „kétkezesek” vagy a látens balkezesek. Topográfiai közleményében elemezte a mimikai és az akaratlagos arcbénulást. A szellemi képességek és a beszéd hierarchikus szemlélete Sántha és kortársai tanulmányainak eredményeként maradt fenn a mai napig. Sántha munkája a modern afáziakutatás előfutárának tekinthető.
A Novel Isolation Technique of Progenitor Cells in Human Corneal Epithelium Using Non-Tissue Culture Dishes
Authors: Yokoo Seiichi , Yamagami Satoru , Shimada Takashi , Usui Tomohiko , Sato Taka-aki , Amano Shiro , Araie Makoto , Hamuro Junji
Published: April 2008

The existence of adult stem cells or progenitor cells in the human corneal epithelium (i.e., self-renewing squamous cells) has long been suggested, but these cells have not yet been isolated. Here we describe a novel isolation technique using non-tissue culture dishes to enrich progenitor cells, which are able to reconstitute a three-dimensional human corneal epithelial equivalent from single cells in serum-, feeder-, and bovine pituitary extract-free medium. These cells showed original tissue-committed differentiation, a high proliferative capacity, and limited self-renewal. Laminin-5 was measured by mass spectrometric analysis. Pretreatment of cells with anti-laminin-5 antibody demonstrated that laminin-5 was important in allowing corneal epithelial progenitor cells to adhere to non-tissue culture dishes. Hydrophilic tubes (used for cell collection throughout this study) are essential for efficient isolation of adherent corneal epithelial progenitor cells expressing laminin-5. These findings indicate that our new technique using non-tissue culture dishes allows the isolation of progenitor cells from human corneal limbal epithelium and that laminin-5 has a critical role in the adhesion of these cells.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Methane ingress during Yangtse River outfall construction
Authors: Preston C. , Beirne C. , Yang G.
Published: April 2008

A US$345 million project to upgrade and extend Shanghai’s sewerage system was completed in 2007. The tunnelled component of this scheme includes 30 km of sewer tunnels with diameters varying from 2·4 to 3·5 m i.d.—a major tunnelling project in its own right. When methane gas was encountered during construction of the twin-bore 2·4 m i.d. outfall tunnel, the client recognised the serious safety implications and, being keen to complete the works without incident, requested expert advice from both national and international experts. This paper demonstrates knowledge sharing and the application of best practice in China through a case study of how the client, in partnership with national and international experts, dealt with the methane problem, enabling the outfall tunnels to be constructed without incident despite the onerous ground conditions. This case study must be viewed in the context of the absolute need for the development of Shanghai wastewater facilities with knowledge of the difficulties experienced in earlier similar projects.
Challenges in underground construction
Authors: Yuan Y.
Published: April 2008

Infrastructure construction in mega-cities poses great challenges. Most transportation systems, energy and water supplies, shopping facilities and other daily necessities require underground spaces. However, underground construction in soft ground is demanding and must be carefully undertaken with great attention to temporary works design. Additionally, in areas with a high water table, watertight construction is a primary requirement in the whole-life maintenance strategy. This paper deals with key aspects in tackling such problems. Several recent construction projects in Shanghai are used to illustrate practical solutions to these problems. In dealing with long-span underground spaces, the use of reinforced concrete is compared with a composite construction. The design procedure for supporting deep excavations is based on constructing ‘cut-and-cover’ structures. Early-age cracking in underground structures is prevented by simulation-based design and on-site monitoring. This paper also provides an example of sustainable development for infrastructure through planned maintenance, and inspection and appraisal techniques for existing infrastructure. All of the examples show the technical aspects of the work of an efficient municipal engineer.
The impact of agriculture on autumn staging Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus) in Estonia
Authors: LEITO A. , TRUU J. , ÕUNSAAR M.
Published: April 2008

This paper explores the relation between the local numbers and distribution of autumn staging Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus Linn.) and agricultural land use during recent decades in Estonia. The analysis is based on the long-term monitoring data of staging cranes and the statistical data of land use in Estonia. We found that great changes in cropping area, as well as in crane numbers have taken place in Estonia since the 1960s. We also found a significant positive correlation between crane numbers and the cropping area of summer wheat, winter wheat, winter rye and all cereals together, and a negative correlation with the area of potatoes. Generally, arable land, particularly that used for growing cereals, has a great influence on the local numbers and distribution of staging cranes. Based on our findings, we predict that changes in the local numbers and distribution of Eurasian Cranes staging during their migration in Estonia and elsewhere will depend on changes in agricultural land use in staging areas, rather than on the size of the breeding population. As about 10 percent of the European Eurasian Crane population stop over in Estonia during the autumn migration, the country has an important role to play in the protection of the species.;
Continuous electricity production from leachate in a novel upflow air-cathode membrane-free microbial fuel cell
Authors: Zhang J. N. , Zhao Q. L. , You S. J. , Jiang J. Q. , Ren N. Q.
Published: April 2008

In this study, a novel microbial fuel cell, i.e. upflow air-cathode membrane-free microbial fuel cell (UAMMFC) was reported and its performance in electricity generation from original leachate was examined. The experimental results demonstrated that the UAMMFC could continuously generate electricity from leachate (0.3V; REX=150 Ω) for an operational period of time (50 h). The maximum volumetric power reached 12.8 W/m3 at current density of 41 A/m3 (93 Ω). NH4+-N elimination from the leachate was shown to be a consequence of electrochemistry-independent oxidation occurred in the MFC. Increasing organic loading rate from 0.65 to 5.2 kgCOD/m3 d resulted in a decrease of overall Coulombic efficiency (CE) from 14.4% to 1.2%. The low CE obtained here should be attributed to severe oxygen diffusion from the open-to-air cathode.
Electricity production from beer brewery wastewater using single chamber microbial fuel cell
Authors: Wang X. , Feng Y. J. , Lee H.
Published: April 2008

The performance of electricity production from beer brewery wastewater in a single chamber membrane-free microbial fuel cell (MFC) was investigated. Experimental results showed that the MFCs could generate electricity from full-strength wastewater (2,239 mg-COD/L, 50 mM PBS added) with the maximum power density of 483 mW/m2 (12 W/m3) at 30°C and 435 mW/m2 (11 W/m3) at 20°C, respectively. Temperature was found to have bigger impact on cathode potential than anode potential. Results suggested that it is feasible to generate electricity with the treatment of beer brewery wastewater.
Enhanced solubilisation of the residual fraction of municipal solid waste
Authors: Cirne D. G. , Agbor V. B. , Björnsson L.
Published: April 2008

The Swedish ordinance banning the landfilling of organic material after 2005 has led to rapid developments towards waste incineration, while biological alternatives have been less studied. In this study, biological alternatives for enhanced methane production from residual municipal waste (the remaining waste fraction after source separation) are investigated. The strategies investigated were recirculation of leachate, recirculation of leachate with aeration, flooding of the solid bed, and enzyme addition after initial leaching in an anaerobic, batch, two-stage digestion process with recirculation of digested leachate. The degree of solubilisation of organic compounds achieved was higher for initial digestion in a two-stage anaerobic digestion system followed by the addition of cellulolytic enzymes than in the other strategies investigated. The overall net solubilisation achieved was 0.48 g COD/g VSadded corresponding to an increase of 34%. In addition, the digestion time was considerably reduced using this strategy. For the other strategies investigated the solubilisation yields obtained were similar, 0.31 g COD/g VSadded.
monEAU: a platform for water quality monitoring networks
Authors: Rieger L. , Vanrolleghem P. A.
Published: April 2008

Continuous monitoring of water quality creates huge amounts of data and therefore requires new concepts to guarantee high data quality and to prevent data graveyards. Monitoring stations commonly used in practice today suffer from insufficient flexibility and a lack of standardization. That is, although a lot of monitoring tasks are comparable and should lead to robust and powerful platforms, most monitoring stations are case specific developments.

In this paper the underlying ideas of a new generation of monitoring networks is described. First a problem analysis of monitoring stations typically seen in current river monitoring practice is outlined, then the monEAU vision on monitoring networks will be discussed together with an overview of a planned system set-up with innovative data evaluation concept.
Modelling E. coli transport in soil columns: simulation of wastewater reuse in agriculture
Authors: Smith Edward , Badawy Aimen
Published: April 2008

Transport of E. coli bacteria was investigated in laboratory soil columns for three Egyptian agricultural soils, with aim toward determining a set of site specific criteria for safe and sustainable use of treated wastewater in irrigation in Egypt. In particular, the impacts of varying soil type and hydraulic loading rate (HLR) on E. coli effluent breakthrough curves were examined in the laboratory and simulated using the CXTFIT package to solve a one-dimensional mass transport equation that included advection, dispersion, adsorption, and straining/filtration. The attempt was made to measure the coefficients associated with each mass transfer process from independent experiments. The HLR used in irrigation was found to exert considerable influence on the impact of transport processes on E. coli breakthrough. At low HLRs, adsorption and straining/filtration are significant in addition to advection and dispersion. However, at high HLRs approaching flood irrigation, E. coli is essentially unaffected by reaction processes, with breakthrough a function of advection and dispersion only. Estimating Kdvia independent batch experiments did not provide a suitable description of adsorption of E. coli in soil columns. To ensure safe and sustainable reuse of reclaimed wastewater in irrigation, guidelines should account for physical and chemical properties of the soil and other local conditions that may impact residual contaminant transport.
Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of Segregation in Powder Injection Molding
Authors: Ilinca F. , Hétu J.-F.
Published: April 2008

The ability to predict segregation of the solid phase in processes such as powder injection molding and injection molding of semi-solid materials is of special interest since such phenomenon affects the final properties and characteristics of the molded parts. In powder injection molding, for example, defects appear very often in the debinding and sintering stages but are caused by filling problems and determined by a non-uniform distribution of the solid particles within the molded part. In this paper we propose a 3D numerical solution algorithm for the simulation of particle migration in dense suspensions. The particle migration is modeled using the diffusion flux model and integrated into the NRC's 3D injection molding software. The solution algorithm is validated by solving flow problems for which experimental and numerical data are available: circular Couette flow, piston driven flow and sudden contraction-expansion flow. Since it is observed that the piston movement in the sleeve can induce particle migration even before the material enters the cavity, an ALE (Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian) formulation is also developed to include the piston movement in molding simulations. The ALE formulation is first compared with an Eulerian solution for the case of the piston driven flow problem. Then, the approach is applied to injection molding problems and the segregation inside the molded parts is studied.