bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of viscous dissipation on the temperature of the polymer during injection molding filling
Authors: Hassan Hamdy , Regnier Nicolas , Pujos Cyril , Defaye Guy
Published: April 2008

During injection molding, viscous dissipation changes the temperature distribution by playing the role of an energy source, which affects heat transfer rates. Understanding the effect of the viscous dissipation assists the designing of the cooling system in injection molding process. In this article, the effect of the viscous dissipation on the temperature distribution throughout a rectangular channel for different polymers at different inlet velocities and temperatures is studied. A cross type rheological model depending on the temperature and pressure is assumed for polymer materials polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP). The evolution of the flow velocity inside the channel is presented. The quantity of heat added due to viscous dissipation to the polymer is also calculated up to different positions through the channel. A numerical finite volume code for the simulation of polymer melt flow in a channel is used and a validation of this numerical code is presented. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Pressure‐induced polymerization of tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate
Authors: Kaminski Kamil , Paluch Marian , Wrzalik R. , Ziolo Jerzy , Bogoslovov Radoslav , Michael Roland C.
Published: April 2008

The polymerization and crosslinking of tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate were induced by high pressure. The product was analyzed by both swelling experiments and broadband dielectric spectroscopy to determine the structure, with IR measurements used to follow the extent of reaction and its temperature dependence. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3795–3801, 2008
Dispersion copolymerization of 2‐ethylhexyl methacrylate and vinylbenzyl chloride and functional group conversions in a fluorinated solvent using microwave heating
Authors: Karnati Rangarani , Ford Warren T.
Published: April 2008

Conventional and microwave heating were compared for free radical dispersion polymerizations of crosslinked copolymers of 2‐ethylhexyl methacrylate, vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC), and fluoroalkyl methacryate monomers in the solvent nonafluorobutyl ethyl ether, and for the functional conversion of the VBC units of the copolymer particles with trimethylamine to quaternary ammonium chloride units. By conventional heating, all polymerizations produced foamy coagulated products consisting of primary spherical particles 1–2 μm in diameter. Microwave heating using poly(1H,1H‐dihydroperfluorooctyl acrylate) as a stabilizer gave faster polymerization and stable dispersions of discrete 1 μm particles. Microwave heating also gave faster reactions of the copolymers with trimethylamine to produce quaternary ammonium chloride functionalized colloidal particles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3813–3819, 2008
Synthesis of a new zirconium catalyst for ethylene polymerization
Authors: Fim Fabiana De C. , Machado Tiago , De Sá Denise Santos , Livotto Paolo R. , Da Rocha Zênis N. , Basso Nara R. De S. , Galland Griselda Barrera
Published: April 2008

A novel complex dichlorobis(2‐ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4‐pyrone)zirconium(IV) (ZrCl2(ethylpyrone)2) was synthesized. Complexation of the pyrone ligand to the zirconium was confirmed by UV, 1H and 13C‐NMR, and electrochemical studies. NMR showed the presence of four isomers and density functional theory calculations indicated that the main isomer had a cis configuration. The catalyst was shown to be active in ethylene polymerization in the presence of the cocatalyst methylaluminoxane. The highest catalyst activity for the zirconium complex was achieved at Al/Zr = 2500, 70 °C and when a small concentration of catalyst was used (1 μmol). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3830–3841, 2008
Polyion complex micelles formed from glucose oxidase and comb‐type polyelectrolyte with poly(ethylene glycol) grafts
Authors: Kawamura Akifumi , Kojima Chie , Iijima Michihiro , Harada Atsushi , Kono Kenji
Published: April 2008

The comb‐type polyelectrolyte, poly(ethylene glycol)‐graft‐poly(allyl amine) (PEG‐g‐PAA), was synthesized to prepare polyion complex (PIC) micelles with Aspergillus Niger Glucose oxidase (GOD). Even after mixing GOD and PEG‐g‐PAAs with various PEG contents, the resulting mixtures remained transparent but the mixture of GOD and PAA homopolymer immediately precipitated. In the mixtures prepared with a stoichiometric mixing ratio, the formation of PIC micelles with a core‐shell structure was suggested from dynamic and static light scattering measurements. Glucose, the substrate for GOD, could easily diffuse into the PIC micelles, and the GOD molecules were active even in the core of the PIC micelles. GOD didn't lose its enzymatic activity through entrapment into the PIC micelles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3842–3852, 2008
The effect of proton irradiation on the melting and isothermal crystallization of poly(ether‐ether‐ketone)
Authors: Al Lafi Abdul G. , Hay James N. , Parker David J.
Published: April 2008

Amorphous poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) (PEEK) progressively crosslinks on irradiation with 11.0 MeV protons, and this has a marked effect on the extent of crystallinity that subsequently develops and on the kinetics of the high temperature isothermal crystallization. The extent of crystallinity with time was analyzed using the Avrami equation, and the temperature dependence of the rate constants was analyzed in terms of nucleation theory. While irradiation inhibits the overall rates of crystallization by the reduction in the mobility of the chain segments as observed by the progressive increase in the glass transition temperature, it also alters the fold surface free energy. The observed melting points were consistent with depression of the equilibrium melting point by the crosslinks produced by irradiation. These two effects alone are sufficient to account for the inhibition of crystallization on irradiation of PEEK by protons. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1094–1103, 2008
SFCscore: Scoring functions for affinity prediction of protein–ligand complexes
Authors: Sotriffer Christoph A. , Sanschagrin Paul , Matter Hans , Klebe Gerhard
Published: April 2008

Empirical scoring functions to calculate binding affinities of protein–ligand complexes have been calibrated based on experimental structure and affinity data collected from public and industrial sources. Public data were taken from the AffinDB database, whereas access to industrial data was gained through the Scoring Function Consortium (SFC), a collaborative effort with various pharmaceutical companies and the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center. More than 850 complexes were obtained by the data collection procedure and subsequently used to setup different training sets for the parameterization of new scoring functions. Over 60 different descriptors were evaluated for all complexes, including terms accounting for interactions with and among aromatic ring systems as well as many surface‐dependent terms. After exploratory correlation and regression analyses, stepwise variable selection procedures and systematic searches, the most suitable descriptors were chosen as variables to calibrate regression functions by means of multiple linear regression or partial least squares analysis. Eight different functions are presented herein. Cross‐validated r2 (Q2) values of up to 0.72 and standard errors (sPRESS) generally below 1.15 pKi units suggest highly predictive functions. Extensive unbiased validation was carried out by testing the functions on large data sets from the PDBbind database as used by Wang et al. (J Chem Inf Comput Sci 2004;44:2114–2125) in a comparative analysis of other scoring functions. Superior performance of the SFCscore functions is observed in many cases, but the results also illustrate the need for further improvements. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structures of a potent phenylalkyl bisphosphonate inhibitor bound to farnesyl and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases
Authors: Cao Rong , Chen Cammy K.‐M. , Guo Rey‐Ting , Wang Andrew H.‐J. , Oldfield Eric
Published: April 2008

We report the X‐ray crystallographic structures of the bisphosphonateN‐[methyl(4‐phenylbutyl)]‐3‐aminopropyl‐1‐hydroxy‐1,1‐bisphosphonate (BPH‐210), a potent analog of pamidronate (Aredia), bound to farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) fromTrypanosoma bruceias well as to geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae. BPH‐210 binds to FPPS, together with 3 Mg2+, with its long, hydrophobic phenylbutyl side‐chain being located in the same binding pocket that is occupied by allylic diphosphates and other bisphosphonates. Binding is overwhelmingly entropy driven, as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. The structure is of interest since it explains the lack of potency of longer chain analogs against FPPS, since these would be expected to have a steric clash with an aromatic ring at the distal end of the binding site. Unlike shorter chain FPPS inhibitors, such as pamidronate, BPH‐210 is also found to be a potent inhibitor of human geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase. In this case, the bisphosphonate binds only to the GGPP product inhibitory site, with only 1 (chain A) or 0 (chain B) Mg2+, and ΔSis much smaller and ΔHis ∼6 k cal more negative than in the case of FPPS binding. Overall, these results are of general interest since they show that some bisphosphonates can bind to more than onetrans‐prenyl synthase enzyme which, in some cases, can be expected to enhance their overall activityin vitroandin vivo. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Selection of global Metarhizium isolates for the control of the rice pest Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Jin Shao‐Feng , Feng Ming‐Guang , Chen Jue‐Qi
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: This study was initiated to search for fungal candidates for microbial control of brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens Stål, to which little attention has been paid in the past two decades.

RESULTS: Thirty‐five isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and M. flavoviride Gams & Rozsypal from different host insects worldwide were bioassayed for their lethal effects against third‐instar BPH nymphs at 25 °C and a 14:10 h light:dark photoperiod at ca 1000 conidia mm−2. On day 9 post‐treatment, mortality attributable to mycosis ranged from 6.5 to 64.2% and differed significantly among the tested isolates with no apparent relationship to their host origin. Only two BPH‐derived M. anisopliae isolates from the Philippines (ARSEF456) and Indonesia (ARSEF576) killed > 50% of the nymphs. Both isolates were further bioassayed for time–concentration–mortality responses of the nymphs to the sprays of 19–29, 118–164 and 978–1088 conidia mm−2 in repeated bioassays. The resultant data fitted a time–concentration–mortality model very well. Their LC50 values were estimated as 731 and 1124 conidia mm−2 on day 7 and fell to 284 and 306 conidia mm−2, respectively, on day 10.

CONCLUSION: The two M. anisopliae isolates are potential biocontrol agents of BPH for further research. This is the first report of the lethal effects of global Metarhizium isolates on the rice pest. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Current treatment options in the management of infantile colic
Authors: Kanabar Dipak
Published: April 2008

Our series Prescribing in children gives practical advice for childhood problems in general practice. Here the author describes the diagnosis and currently available treatment options for infantile colic. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Atrial fibrillation: current approaches to drug therapy
Authors: Taggar Jaspal , Lip Gregory
Published: April 2008

Effective treatment of atrial fibrillation is now a realistic goal as a result of recent advances in drug therapy. Our Drug review considers the properties of the drugs now available to achieve rhythm and rate control and prevent thromboembolism, followed by sources of further information and the Datafile. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Over‐the‐counter EHC: no substitute for family planning skills
Authors: Watkins Jean
Published: April 2008

Since 2000, the ‘morningafter pill’ can be sold over the counter by trained pharmacists as part of a Government initiative to curb abortion and teenage pregnancy rates. Dr Jean Watkins argues that this is no substitute for consultation with a family planning specialist. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Preface: phys. stat. sol. (b) 245/5
Authors: Hettler Matthias H. , Lennartz Christian , Pflaum Jens
Published: April 2008

Organic materials exhibit fascinating transport phenomena at various length scales. For instance, macroscopic organic single crystals have an electron and hole mobility comparable with that of amorphous silicon, indicating that these novel materials are possible substitutes in technical applications. Despite many experimental and theoretical efforts, there remains still a lack of knowledge regarding basic transport parameters. For example the charge transport mechanism is highly dependent on the interplay between packing, the effective bandwidth and the nature of electron–phonon coupling and may vary from band‐like behavior to thermally activated hopping.

On the other hand, charge transport across single molecules bridged between metallic leads shows complex conductance characteristics depending on the contact to the leads, molecule composition, and conformation. From both an experimental and theoretical point of view, these samples define benchmark systems for the analysis of principle contributions to the charge carrier transport.

In‐between these limiting cases, organic thin films have established an emerging field of devices such as light emitting diodes, thin film transistors or photovoltaic cells. Due to controlled preparation of layered molecular structures with defined properties, some of these devices have already successfully entered the market and supply further motivation to study the underlying transport processes. Here the understanding of the impact of disorder on charge transport parameters is of crucial importance.

All the above mentioned aspects have prompted us to organize an international summer school on ‘Charge Transport in Organic Materials’ which was held in September 2007 at the Physikzentrum Bad Honnef. The challenge of this school – with 19 invited key speakers and more than 140 students the biggest school ever organized in Bad Honnef – was to provide a bridge between the communities working on the transport phenomena of the various molecular systems.

The following 15 articles emanate from this event and address many of the various aspects of transport in single crystals, films, and individual molecules, backed‐up by the corresponding theoretical approaches. The equal numbers of contributions indicate the exceptional balance between experiment and theory. All contributions are written by experts in the field and provide an up‐to‐date and in depth overview on the respective subjects.

April 2008
Assessing the impact of ICH E9
Authors: Brown David , Day Simon , Hemmings Rob , Wright David
Published: April 2008

The ICH harmonized tripartite guideline ‘Statistical Principles for Clinical Trials’, more commonly referred to as ICH E9, was adopted by the regulatory bodies of the European Union, Japan and the USA in 1998. This document united related guidance documents on statistical methodology from each of the three ICH regions, and meant that for the first time clear consistent guidance on statistical principles was available to those conducting and reviewing clinical trials. At the 10th anniversary of the guideline's adoption, this paper discusses the influence of ICH E9 by presenting a perspective on how approaches to some aspects of clinical trial design, conduct and analysis have changed in that time in the context of regulatory submissions in the European Union. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of nanoscale η‐MgZn2 phase dissolution from an Al‐Zn‐Mg‐Cu alloy by electrochemical microtransients
Authors: Wloka Joachim , Virtanen Sannakaisa
Published: April 2008

In this article we demonstrate how the dissolution of nanosize intermetallic particles present in Al alloys can be detected using microelectrochemical techniques. The local electrochemical properties of a high‐strength Al‐Zn‐Mg‐Cu alloy, which contains nanoscale η‐MgZn2 phases, were investigated with a microcapillary cell. At the open‐circuit potential (OCP) with the sample surface in the range of 1000 µm2, potential fluctuations (microtransients) can be observed. Under polarization of such small areas, current transients are detected in the passive range of the alloy. An estimation of the size of dissolution events from the charge passed during the current transient leads to the conclusion that the current transients could stem from the dissolution of η‐phase particles, with diameters in the order of 100 nm. This size scale corresponds well with the size of the grain‐boundary MgZn2. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high‐resolution SEM images provide further insights for possible mechanisms leading either to potential or to current microtransients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The developmental toxicity of 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium bromide on Daphnia magna
Authors: Luo Yan‐Rui , Li Xiao‐Yu , Chen Xiao‐Xiao , Zhang Bang‐Jun , Sun Zhen‐Jun , Wang Jian‐Ji
Published: April 2008

The developmental toxicity of 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium bromide ([C8mim]Br) on Daphnia magna was investigated. The 24 and 48 h LC50 values for [C8mim]Br in D. magna were 1.99 and 0.95 mg/L, respectively. A series of multigenerational toxicity tests were then used to explore [C8mim]Br effects in D. magna. [C8mim]Br significantly inhibited the body lengths of the F0 and F1 1st generations. After 21 days of exposure, [C8mim]Br lowered the reproductive ability of the F0 and F1 1st generations. In F1 3rd generation, 21 days of [C8mim]Br exposure prolonged the time to bear the first egg and the time to the first brood compared with the control, but the number of first‐brood offspring and the number of broods produced by these animals were reduced. After the recovery period all the reproductive parameters returned to normal in F1 1st generation except for the number of broods. The dead neonates increased with prolonged exposure and increasing concentrations, and the dead neonates of the F1 3rd generation went far beyond that of the F1 1st and F0 generations. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) values of the three D. magna generations significantly decreased after exposure to higher concentrations of [C8mim]Br compared with control groups. Collectively, these results suggest that [C8mim]Br exerts a toxic effect on the development of D. magna. This study also highlights the importance of systematically evaluating the potential effects of aquatic ecosystems of ionic liquids that may be released into bodies of water. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Toxicological profiling of chemical and environmental samples using panels of test organisms and optical oxygen respirometry
Authors: Zitova Alice , O'Mahony Fiach C. , Cross Maud , Davenport John , Papkovsky Dmitri B.
Published: April 2008

A simple and versatile methodology for high throughput toxicological assessment of chemical and environmental samples is presented. It uses panels of test organisms ranging from prokaryotic (E. coli, V. fischeri) and eukaryotic (Jurkat) cells to invertebrate (Artemia salina) and vertebrate (Danio rerio) organisms, to analyze alterations in their oxygen consumption by optical oxygen respirometry. All the assays are carried out in a convenient microtiter plate format using commercial reagents (phosphorescent oxygen probe, microplates) and detection on a standard fluorescent plate reader. Simple experimental set‐up and mix‐and‐measure procedure allow parallel assessment of up to 96 samples (or assay points) in 2 h, easy generation of dose‐ and time‐dependent responses, and EC50 values. The methodology was demonstrated with several different classes of chemicals including heavy metal ions, PAHs, pesticides, their mixtures, and also validated with complex environmental samples such as wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant. It has been shown to provide high sensitivity, sample throughput and information content, flexibility and general robustness. It allows ranking and profiling of samples, compares favorably with alternative methods such as MicroTox and mortality tests with animal models, and is well suited for large‐scale monitoring programs such as CWA and WFD. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009.
Efficient representation of the attacker’s knowledge in cryptographic protocols analysis
Authors: Bertolotti Ivan Cibrario , Durante Luca , Sisto Riccardo , Valenzano Adriano
Published: April 2008

This paper addresses the problem of representing the intruder’s knowledge in the formal verification of cryptographic protocols, whose main challenges are to represent the intruder’s knowledge efficiently and without artificial limitations on the structure and size of messages. The new knowledge representation strategy proposed in this paper achieves both goals and leads to practical implementation because it is incrementally computable and is easily amenable to work with various term representation languages. In addition, it handles associative and commutative term composition operators, thus going beyond the free term algebra framework. An extensive computational complexity analysis of the proposed representation strategy is included in the paper.
Predictive Value of Sonographic Features in Preoperative Evaluation of Malignant Thyroid Nodules in a Multinodular Goiter
Authors: Salmaslıoğlu Artür , Erbil Yeşim , Dural Cem , İşsever Halim , Kapran Yersu , Özarmağan Selçuk , Tezelman Serdar
Published: April 2008

Background

The primary goal of ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of a thyroid nodule is to determine its malignancy, although the diagnosis of a malignant nodule on the basis of US alone is nearly impossible. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the predictive value of sonographic features in the preoperative diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules, and to determine the important features of sonography.

Methods

This prospective study included 550 consecutive patients with, thyroid nodules. Nodules were divided into two groups on the basis of pathological diagnosis: group 1 consisted of 1,633 nodules with a benign pathology, and group 2 consisted of 293 nodules with a malignant pathology.

Results

Microcalcifications, blurred nodular margins, and solid and hypoechoic appearance were more common in malignant nodules compared to benign nodules (89.1% versus 5%; 64.5% versus 4.7%; 81.6% versus 30.6% ; and 62.5% versus 43.1%, respectively; p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the detection of malignant thyroid nodules and microcalcification (rs = 0.791, p = 0.0001), blurred nodular margin (rs = 0.625, p = 0.0001), solid appearance (rs = 0.376, p = 0.0001), and hypoechoic appearance (rs = 0.141, p = 0.0001). Microcalcifications, blurred nodular margins, and solid and hypoechoic appearance were independent determinants of malignancy upon US examination of thyroid nodules (OR: 159, OR: 37, OR: 9.9, and OR: 2.2, respectively).

Conclusion

Although we did not identify a single feature indicative of malignancy in the sonographic examination of nodules, microcalcification and blurred margin were the strongest correlates for malignancy.
Anal Sphincter Asymmetry in Anal Incontinence After Restorative Proctectomy for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Kang Sung‐Bum , Kim Nayoung , Lee Kyoung‐Ho , Kim Young‐Hoon , Kim Jee Hyun , Kim Jae‐Sung
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The morphology and physiology of the anorectum can be altered after restorative proctectomy, which may result in anal incontinence. Thus far, there have been few reports regarding the specific characteristics and management of anal incontinence after rectal cancer surgery. We attempted to determine the characteristics of anorectum in anal incontinence after restorative proctectomy.

Methods

We compared the clinical and physiologic factors between consecutive 138 patients with continence and 48 with iatrogenic anal incontinence at 1 year after rectal cancer resection. This study excluded patients at less than 1 year after operation or ileostomy takedown.

Results

The two groups were comparable with regard to age, sex ratio, radiotherapy, and complication rate. The percentages of asymmetry of the resting and squeeze sphincter were significantly higher in the anal incontinence group (37.2 ± 9.3% vs 32.5 ± 6.7%, P = 0.01; 32.4 ± 7.8% vs 28.3 ± 6.3%, P = 0.011). High‐pressure zone length, mean resting vector volume, and rectal compliance were not less in the anal incontinence group than in the continence group. In multivariate analysis of manometric variables, the percentages of asymmetry of the resting and squeeze were independent factors associated with anal incontinence (P < 0.05). The mean thickness of the anal cushion and internal anal sphincter did not significantly differ between the anal incontinence and continence groups.

Conclusion

Sphincter asymmetry is one of the hallmark characteristics of iatrogenic anal incontinence patients after proctectomy, which suggests that anal canal symmetry may be a beneficial factor with regard to anal continence.
Interlinking hare and lynx dynamics using a century's worth of annual data
Authors: Vik Jon Olav , Brinch Christian N. , Boutin Stan , Stenseth Nils Christian
Published: April 2008

The classic fur trade records on Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis) have rarely been analysed in direct conjunction with data on its principal prey, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Comparable long‐term data for hare exist only for a region south of Hudson Bay. We fitted a bivariate log‐linear time‐series model to this hare and lynx data to disentangle the within‐ and between‐population interactions of these species. To reduce problems with fur returns being non‐normal and non‐linearly related to abundance, we transformed the fur returns to a normal distribution based on sample quantiles. The estimated effect on next year's lynx abundance of a 1% increase in current hare abundance was a 0.23% (SE = 0.05) increase in lynx. Conversely, a 1% increase in current lynx abundance corresponded to a 0.46% (SE = 0.12) decrease in next year's hare abundance. This contrasts with some earlier studies. However, these studies mixed hare data from south of Hudson Bay with lynx totals for all of Canada. Despite this asymmetry of interaction strengths, coefficients of determination were similar for hare versus lynx and lynx versus hare, because hare abundance varies more than lynx. Both species showed clear intraspecific density‐dependence of about equal strength. A 1% increase in current abundance increased next year's abundance by about 0.75%.
Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: Surgical technique and early clinical results
Authors: Wenger Dennis R. , Mubarak Scott J. , Henderson Patrick C. , Miyanji Firoz
Published: April 2008

Purpose

The ligamentum teres has primarily been considered as an obstruction to reduction in children with developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). In the early surgical descriptions of both the medial (Ludloff) approach and the anterior (Salter) approach to the hip, it was generally accepted that the ligamentum teres was an obstruction to reduction and was excised (similar to the discarding of menisci for knee surgery in our orthopedic history). Because of the known propensity for early re-dislocation following open reduction, we developed surgical methods for maintaining the ligamentum teres when performing open reduction for hip dislocation in young children. This study presents the surgical methods developed for ligament maintenance and transfer, and analyzes the early clinical and radiographic results in a study group.

Methods

The techniques for open reduction by both the medial Ludloff approach and the anterior open reduction were developed and refined. Twenty-one children (23 hips) had ligamentum teres shortening and transfer performed as part of either a medial Ludloff or anterior open reduction for hip dislocation. Complete pre-operative and post-operative clinical and radiographic analysis was performed.

Results

All patients had stable hips at follow-up. The transferred ligamentum teres appeared to provide additional stability to prevent repeat dislocation. We noted no apparent loss of hip motion or other adverse events. One patient had avascular necrosis (AVN).

Conclusions

In this series of 23 hips, in which ligamentum teres transfer/tenodesis was utilized, we found no residual subluxation or dislocation in either the medial Ludloff or the anterior open reduction groups. Based on these early positive results, we recommend the method for children treated with the Ludloff open reduction procedure. Although we have less experience with it, the technique presented for ligamentum maintenance and transfer in anterior open reduction may provide similar added stability. This is an early follow-up study, and long-term follow-up will be required to confirm the ultimate femoral head and acetabular development.
Global attraction to solitary waves for Klein–Gordon equation with mean field interaction
Authors: Komech Alexander , Komech Andrew
Published: April 2008

We consider a

\mathbf{U}(1)

-invariant nonlinear Klein–Gordon equation in dimension

n⩾1

, self-interacting via the mean field mechanism. We analyze the long-time asymptotics of finite energy solutions and prove that, under certain generic assumptions, each solution converges as

t\rightarrow \pm \infty

to the two-dimensional set of all “nonlinear eigenfunctions” of the form

\phi (x)e^{−i\omega t}

. This global attraction is caused by the nonlinear energy transfer from lower harmonics to the continuous spectrum and subsequent dispersive radiation.
Bone mineral status and its relation with dietary estimates of net endogenous acid production in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents
Authors: Chan Ruth S. M. , Woo Jean , Chan Dicken C. C. , Lo Dominic H. S. , Cheung Catherine S. K.
Published: April 2008

Diet composition influences net endogenous acid production (NEAP), which may affect bone health. No studies are available to relate dietary estimate of NEAP to bone health in Chinese adolescents. This study examined the association of dietary estimates of NEAP with bone mineral status in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Baseline data on 171 boys and 180 girls aged 10–12 years from the Hong Kong Adolescent Bone Health Cohort Study were presented. Weight, height, Tanner stage and dietary intakes by FFQ were collected. NEAP was estimated from diet using Frassetto's method. Bone area (BA), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) of total hip, lumbar (L1–L4) spine and whole body were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). No significant association was observed between BMC or BMAD and energy-adjusted NEAP or other nutrients. BA was significantly and positively associated with BMC at all sites in both sexes. Weight was significantly and positively associated with BMC in hip and spine in both sexes. Height was negatively correlated with hip BMC for boys and whole body BMC for girls. Pubertal stage was significantly and positively associated with BMC in all sites in both sexes. Weight and height contributed most of the variability in BMAD at different sites. The results suggest that anthropometric characteristics and pubertal stage are more influential than dietary NEAP in determining bone mineral status of Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. However, the methodological weaknesses regarding the use of DXA and FFQ in the present sample require attention.
Fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and their associations with native host plants in a remnant area of the highly endangered Atlantic Rain Forest in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: Uramoto K. , Martins D.S. , Zucchi R.A.
Published: April 2008

The results presented in this paper refer to a host survey, lasting approximately three and a half years (February 2003–July 2006), undertaken in the Vale do Rio Doce Natural Reserve, a remnant area of the highly endangered Atlantic Rain Forest located in Linhares County, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. A total of 330 fruit samples were collected from native plants, representing 248 species and 51 plant families. Myrtaceae was the most diverse family with 54 sampled species. Twenty-eight plant species, from ten families, are hosts of ten Anastrepha species and of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Among 33 associations between host plants and fruit flies, 20 constitute new records, including the records of host plants for A. fumipennis Lima and A. nascimentoi Zucchi. The findings were discussed in the light of their implications for rain forest conservation efforts and the study of evolutionary relationships between fruit flies and their hosts.
Impact of abiotic factors on predator-prey interactions: DNA-based gut content analysis in a microcosm experiment
Authors: Berg K. von , Traugott M. , Symondson W.O.C. , Scheu S.
Published: April 2008

The effects of predators on prey populations can be modified by a number of abiotic factors. Here, we investigated the combined and separate effects of rain and ground-dwelling predators on aphid populations in a microcosm experiment lasting for 21 days, using PCR to analyse the gut content of the predators. Rain significantly dislodged aphids from shoots and ears by 57% and 25%, respectively. The gut content analysis showed that more predators consumed aphids in the rain treatment than without rain, indicating higher availability of aphids to ground-dwelling predators after rain. However, no synergistic effects of rain and ground-dwelling predators on aphid population development could be demonstrated. Rain alone significantly decreased aphid populations by 27%, suggesting that this is a significant mortality factor. Predators alone had no significant effect on aphid numbers, but the gut content analyses showed aphid consumption also in the no-rain treatments, indicating that aphids were available to the predators on the soil surface even without rain. Our results suggest that weather conditions such as rain can modify predator-prey interactions in the field. Employing PCR-based predator gut content analyses proved to be useful as trophic links could be directly verified.
Application of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis for analysing the gut microflora ofLumbricus rubellusHoffmeister under different feeding conditions
Authors: Knapp B.A. , Seeber J. , Podmirseg S.M. , Meyer E. , Insam H.
Published: April 2008

The earthworm,Lumbricus rubellus, plays an essential role in soil ecosystems as it affects organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. By ingesting a mixture of organic and mineral material, a variety of bacteria and fungi are carried to the intestinal tract of the earthworm. To get a better understanding of the interactions betweenL. rubellusand the microorganisms ingested, this study tried to reveal if the diet affects the composition of the gut microflora ofL. rubellusor if its intestinal tract hosts an indigenous, species-specific microbiota. A feeding experiment withL. rubelluswas set up; individuals were collected in the field, transferred to a climate chamber and fed with food sources of different quality (dwarf shrub litter, grass litter or horse dung) for six weeks. DNA was extracted from the guts of the earthworms, as well as from the food sources and the surrounding soil, and further analysed by a molecular fingerprinting method, PCR-DGGE (Polymerase Chain Reaction – Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis). We were able to demonstrate that the gut microbiota was strongly influenced by the food source ingested and was considerably different to that of the surrounding soil. Sequencing of dominant bands of the bacterial DGGE fingerprints revealed a strong occurrence of y-Proteobacteria in all gut samples, independent of the food source. A specific microflora in the intestinal tract ofL. rubellus, robust against diet changes, could not be found.
DETERMINANTS OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN INDIA
Authors: BHARATI SUSMITA , PAL MANORANJAN , BHARATI PREMANANDA
Published: April 2008

The aim of this paper is to assess the spatial distribution of nutritional status of children of less than three years through Z-scores of weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height using data collected by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2, 1998–99), India. The nutritional status of pre-school children was regressed on different socio-demographic factors after eliminating the effect of age. The data show that there are gender differences and spatial variations in the nutritional status of children in India. Gender difference is not very pronounced and almost disappears when the effects of age and socio-demographic variables are removed. The spatial difference, especially the rural–urban difference, was found to be very large and decreased substantially when the effects of age and socioeconomic variables were removed. However, the differences were not close to zero. All the variables were found to affect significantly the nutritional status of children. However, the literacy of mothers did not affect height-for-age significantly. The weight-for-age and height-for-age scores showed a dismal picture of the health condition of children in almost all states in India. The worst affected states are Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. Assam and Rajasthans are also lagging behind. Weight-for-height scores do not give a clear picture of state-wise variation. Goa, Kerala and Punjab are the three most developed states in India and also have the lowest percentages of underweight children according to the Z-scores. Along with these three states come the north-eastern states where women are well educated. Thus overall development, enhancement of level of education and low gender inequality are the key factors for improvement in the health status of Indian children.
BODY FATNESS AND ITS SOCIAL AND LIFESTYLE DETERMINANTS IN YOUNG WORKING MALES FROM CRACOW, POLAND
Authors: SUDER AGNIESZKA
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to determine the degree to which general body fatness variation, presented by body mass index (BMI), the sum of the three skinfold thicknesses (TST) (triceps, subscapular, abdominal) and percentage of body fat (%FAT), can be explained by socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle. The cross-sectional, population-based survey was of 259 healthy working males aged 20–30 from the city of Cracow, Poland. Objective anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis, the results of motor fitness tests and social and lifestyle data from a questionnaire were analysed. The independent variables were: age, socioeconomic status (birthplace, place of residence until the age of 14, social class, educational level and the type of work done) and lifestyle elements (smoking habits, dietary habits, family obesity resemblance, sport activity in the past, leisure time physical activity and level of motor fitness). Three separate full models were created using stepwise straightforward regression with BMI, TST and %FAT as dependent variables. The highest autonomous influence on BMI and %FAT was ascribed to age and family obesity resemblance, whereas variation in TST was explained by level of motor fitness, age, city as a place of residence until the age of 14 and family obesity resemblance. Although the analysed variables explained only from 8% (BMI) to 13% (TST) of body fatness variation, indicating at the same time that most variations are explained by other variables, the impact of lifestyle family-shared factors on body fatness seems to be significant.
SOME FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CONDOM USE AMONG BAR MAIDS IN TANZANIA
Authors: AKARRO ROCKY R. J.
Published: April 2008

Some socioeconomic and demographic factors contributing to the use of condoms among bar maids were studied in selected urban areas in Tanzania. Bar maids were classified according to whether or not they use condoms, and logistic regression was used in the analysis. Of the demographic variables studied, age, marital status, education level, use of alcohol and wage rate showed a significant relationship at the 1% level between individual factors and use of condoms. The odds ratios show that girls aged 10–14 are over 18,000 times more likely not to use condoms compared with women aged 30 and above. Those who drink are 6·6 times (1/0·165) less likely to use condoms compared with those who do not drink. In other words, alcohol consumption can be a stimulus for an individual not to use condoms. It is clear that young girls who drink are at the highest risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in comparison with older females. A multiple logistic regression model shows all the aforementioned factors to be significant at the 1% level. A policy recommendation is made that the government should impose restrictions as far as employment of bar maids is concerned.
Treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy: our experience of endoscopic optic nerve decompression
Authors: Li H , Zhou B , Shi J , Cheng L , Wen W , Xu G
Published: April 2008

Objective:

Traumatic optic neuropathy can be treated by various methods including steroids and surgical decompression. Endoscopic optic nerve decompression has been suggested to be effective in treating this condition. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of treating traumatic optic neuropathy with steroids and endoscopic surgical decompression.

Methods:

Two hundred and thirty-seven patients with traumatic optic neuropathy were treated with steroids; 176 also consented to endoscopic optic nerve decompression.

Results:

The total vision improvement rate was 55 per cent in the 176 patients treated with both steroids and endoscopic optic nerve decompression, compared with 51 per cent in the 61 patients treated with steroids alone; this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Treatment with steroids plus endoscopic optic nerve decompression resulted in a significantly greater vision improvement in patients with gradual vision loss, compared with those with immediate blindness (68vs42 per cent, respectively). Early surgery (within one week) was an important prognostic factor for vision recovery, compared with more delayed surgical treatment (associated vision improvement rates were 60 and 31 per cent, respectively).

Conclusions:

Endoscopic optic nerve decompression is a minimally invasive, safe and efficient treatment for traumatic optic neuropathy. Used in combination with steroids, it provides effective rescue for some patients suffering visual loss. It should be undertaken as soon as possible.
Bulimia and oesophageal foreign bodies
Authors: Sastry A , Karkos P D , Leong S , Hampal S
Published: April 2008

Objectives:

To demonstrate the importance of a detailed history when assessing patients with a repeated pattern of foreign body ingestion.

Case report:

A 19-year-old woman presented to our department following accidental ingestion of a teaspoon. On further questioning, she admitted to a habit of binge-eating followed by self-induced vomiting, in order to avoid weight gain; she blamed this behaviour on a stressful relationship with her partner. She also had one previous episode of accidental ingestion of a plastic spoon, which had been removed by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. The patient underwent an uneventful rigid oesophagoscopy and foreign body removal. During post-operative recovery, she admitted that she had suffered for years with bulimia and anorexia nervosa. She was discharged home after appropriate psychiatric counselling, and follow up was arranged.

Conclusions:

Oesophageal foreign bodies are commonly encountered in otolaryngology practice. Such circumstances are often compounded by pre-existing psychiatric problems such as bulimia and/or anorexia nervosa. Patients with bulimia may often present with a very similar pattern of multiple episodes of ingestion of large foreign bodies. Identification of this eating disorder (especially when there is a recurrent history of large, accidentally ingested foreign bodies) and prompt psychiatric referral is essential for efficient long-term management of this condition.
Cystic echinococcosis in a wild population of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), a threatened macropodid
Authors: BARNES T. S. , GOLDIZEN A. W. , MORTON J. M. , COLEMAN G. T.
Published: April 2008

Infection of small macropodids with the larval stage ofEchinococcus granulosuscan cause fatalities as well as significant pulmonary impairment and other adverse sequelae. The brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) is a small macropodid listed as vulnerable on the IUCN'sRed List of Threatened Species. This study used radiographic techniques to determine the prevalence and severity of pulmonary hydatid infection and growth rates of hydatid cysts in a wild population of this macropodid. The overall prevalence was 15·3% (9/59 animals) with 20·0% (8/40 animals) of adults infected. During the study period, the death of at least 1 infected animal was directly attributed to pulmonary hydatidosis. Rapid cyst growth occurred in some animals (up to 43% increase in cyst volume in 3 months). Cyst volume reduced lung capacity by up to 17%. Secondary pulmonary changes were uncommon but, in 1 animal, resulted in reduction in lung capacity by approximately 50%. Infection was associated with a higher blood urea concentration, but no significant differences in other blood variables were detected. These results indicate that hydatid infection may be a significant risk to threatened populations of small macropodids and should be addressed in conservation management plans for these animals.
Adaptive control schemes for autonomous underwater vehicle
Authors: Sun Yeow Cheng , Cheah Chien Chern
Published: April 2008

In this paper, two adaptive proportional-derivative (PD) control laws are proposed for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The proposed adaptive controllers require only model of gravity and buoyancy regressor matrix and do not need any knowledge of inertia matrix, Coriolis and centripetal force, hydrodynamic damping, and the parameters of the gravity and buoyancy force. Hence, the proposed controllers have the advantages of simplicity and ease of implementation. We shall also prove that the setpoint controller is a special case of the region reaching controller when a desired region is reduced to a point. Furthermore, the inverse Jacobian matrix is not required in the control laws. Lyapunov-like functions are proposed for the stability analysis. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controllers.
A shape memory alloy-based tendon-driven actuation system for biomimetic artificial fingers, part I: design and evaluation
Authors: Bundhoo Vishalini , Haslam Edmund , Birch Benjamin , Park Edward J.
Published: April 2008

In this paper, a new biomimetic tendon-driven actuation system for prosthetic and wearable robotic hand applications is presented. It is based on the combination of compliant tendon cables and one-way shape memory alloy (SMA) wires that form a set of agonist–antagonist artificial muscle pairs for the required flexion/extension or abduction/adduction of the finger joints. The performance of the proposed actuation system is demonstrated using a 4 degree-of-freedom (three active and one passive) artificial finger testbed, also developed based on a biomimetic design approach. A microcontroller-based pulse-width-modulated proportional-derivation (PWM-PD) feedback controller and a minimum jerk trajectory feedforward controller are implemented and tested in anad hocfashion to evaluate the performance of the finger system in emulating natural joint motions. Part II describes the dynamic modeling of the above nonlinear system, and the model-based controller design.