bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes in the Indigenous Population of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Authors: Durand A Mark , Bourne Joyce , Thohey-Mote David , Khorram K David , Abraham Isamu J
Published: June 2011

Diabetes prevalence and complications rates were examined for the indigenous population of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific. Diabetes is common, with 4% of the population and 11% of adults having diagnosed diabetes. Diabetes is more common among females and islanders of Carolinian descent End stage renal disease, hospitalizations for pneumonia, non-traumatic lower extremity amputations and retinopathy are more common than expected (with relative risks of 3.9, 3.0, 1.5 and 1.3, respectively, compared with diabetics in US), while diabetes-related mortality and hospitalizations for ischemic heart disease/cerebrovas-cular disease are less (with relative risks of 0.9 and 0.8). Implications for primary and secondary prevention of diabetes and its complications are discussed.
Demographic Impact on Environment - A Case Study Focussing on CO2 Emission in China
Authors: Hayashi Kenji , Gao Jianqun
Published: June 2011

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission derived from economic activities results primarily from the fossil fuels consumed. The variety of fossil fuels used, the degree of efficient consumption of energy, economic growth and national population size determine the total amount of CO2 emission in a country. Considering its population size as well as its potential for economic development, China is expected to play a key role in the global warming issue in concert with other industrialized Asian countries, including Japan.

In the present study, the impact of population increase on total CO2 emission in China during the period 1982-1990 was analyzed. During the study period, population increase and CO2 emission per capita were 21 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. In terms of population increase by region, some provinces in the inland areas and megacities, like Shanghai and Beijing, contributed the highest figures. To cope with high fertility in the inland areas as well as massive population inflow into the urban areas simultaneously, increasing the number of medium-sized cities to be located in the inland areas could be a solution.

For CO2 emission per capita, the figures for the North-Eastcrn provinces and South-Eastern provinces along the coast are remarkable. The estimate of total emission of CO2 by 2010 is 1.6 million tons, a 74 per cent increase from 1992. Energy transition is the key to the stabilization of CO2 emission in China.
Profile of General Practices in Malaysia
Authors: Ming Khoo Ee , Lay Christina Tan Phoay
Published: June 2011

In this survey all practices under the headings of “Clinics”, “Medical Practitioners” and “Medical Practitioners - Registered” in the Yellow Pages telephone directories for the thirteen states of Malaysia were selected. Those excluded were clinics or medical practitioners who advertised themselves as specialists in other disciplines. A total of 2291 practices were surveyed and a response rate of 51.2% was obtained. 383(33%) of the general practitioners were trained locally for the first degree. 258(22%) had at least one postgraduate qualification. 69(6%) possessed a postgraduate qualification in primary care medicine. About 80% of general practitioners participated in continuing medical education and 4% did research in the last 3 years. 42% were involved in community activities. 75% ran solo practices. Over 90% of the practices opened six or seven days a week. The mean workload per doctor per day was 44.66. Most practices provided a comprehensive range of services including curative, preventive, dispensing services, counselling, laboratory tests, and home visits. 43% of practices had a computer.
The Impact of Modernisation on the Diets of Adults Aged 20-40 Years from Samoan Church Communities in Auckland
Authors: Bell A. Colin , Swinburn Boyd A. , Amosa Henga , Scragg Robert , Sharpe Susan J
Published: June 2011

The objective of this study was to describe the food and nutrient intakes of adults in three Samoan church communities located in Auckland, New Zealand.

The study had a cross-sectional design and measured usual dietary intake in 437 participants, aged 20 years and over, using a self-completed, 89-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Median daily energy and nutrient intakes were calculated and compared by gender and age groups.

Men obtained a significantly (p<0.05) lower proportion of their energy from breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables and fats and oils than women. Compared to those aged 40+ years, those aged <40 obtained a significantly (p<0.01) lower proportion of their energy from meat, pulses and eggs, fruit and vegetables, and starchy staples. A significantly (p<0.01) higher proportion of their energy intake came from takeaways, soft drinks, snacks and dairy products. Nutrient analysis revealed that those aged <40 years obtained significantly (p<.001) more energy from fat and sugar, and less energy from protein (p<0.001) than the older group. They also had significantly lower intakes, per 1000 kilocalories, of a wide selection of vitamins and minerals.

A dietary transition has occurred for New Zealand Samoans, reflecting a shift from traditional to modern dietary patterns and a decline in the nutritional quality of the diet.
Rapid Streptococcal Testing in Vietnamese Children With Pharyngitis
Authors: Finger Reginald , Ha Ho Sy , Thi Ngo Thi , Ritchie Charles D. , Nhan Nguyen Thu
Published: June 2011

Streptococcal pharyngitis has been a significant public health problem in Vietnam for many years. Accurate diagnosis of the infection, however, has been difficult. We carried out a clinical trial of a rapid streptococcal antigen detection test (Quick-Vue (R) Flex Strep A) on a population of 777 children with pharyngitis seen at the Institute for the Protection of Children's Health (Children's Hospital) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Bacterial culture was performed in parallel with the rapid test on simultaneously obtained throat swab specimens. The rapid test was found to be 89% sensitive and 92% specific (96% in children not on prior antibiotics) compared to culture. The test was also found to be convenient and acceptable to patients and clinicians. A significant benefit of the test is that those children found positive are more likely to be treated with penicillin rather than a broad spectrum antimicrobial, which in turn will reduce the likelihood of resistant infections in the future.
Change in Mortality and Years of Life Lost Attributable to Tobacco in Japan, 1985 and 1995
Authors: Shibuya Kenji
Published: June 2011

Despite the secular trend of decreasing prevalence of smoking and consumption of tobacco in most industrialized countries, the prevalence of smoking in Japan continues to be one of the highest. Based on the alternative measure of population attributable fractions, the present study gives an estimate of the number of deaths and the years of life lost (YLLs) attributable to tobacco in Japan for both 1985 and 1995. This study shows a considerable increase in mortality from tobacco-related diseases over the decade, in particular from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a consequence of the intensified exposure to tobacco in the early 1960s. Although the period of the highest exposure to tobacco was in the late 1970s, prevalence of smoking is still considerably high in Japan and the burden from tobacco will persist if proper anti-smoking measures are not implemented immediately.
Cost Analysis of Malaria Patients in Taikkyi Township Myanmar
Authors: Lwin Aye Moe Moe , Umenai Takusei
Published: June 2011

A hospital and clinic-based study was conducted in one malaria endemic area, Taikkyi Township, Yangon Division, Myanmar, for analysis of cost incurred by different types of malaria cases and the factors influencing the cost of illness from July to October 1995. A total of 100 patients admitted to hospital and 100 patients receiving ambulatory' care from malaria clinics were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Total cost of one episode of malaria was estimated to be kyats 559 for ambulatory care, kyats 2582 for an uncomplicated admitted case, kyats 4056 for one episode of cerebral malaria, kyats 4568 for one episode of other severe and complicated malaria and kyats 4758 for one episode of malaria with other disease. This study showed that the cost of illness for patients attending outpatient malaria clinics who received early diagnosis and prompt treatment was four to seven times cheaper than the cost of illness for hospitalized malaria cases. Multivariate analysis revealed the factors that contributed to high cost of care. Duration of illness before getting any type of treatment w as the key factor that contributed to high or low cost of care. Long duration of illness before getting any type of treatment can lead to high malaria parasite density, long duration of actual illness and high total attendance cost. Therefore, it is recommended that people from malaria endemic areas should be informed to seek early treatment from health staff, and primary' health care services should be made accessible to people who live in malaria endemic areas. The information obtained from this study will be useful in planning future malaria control programs and influencing policy makers to focus on timely and effective treatment of non-severe cases, which can save a large amount of economic loss due to treatment of severe malaria.
Willingness to Pay for Long-term Care Insurance System in a Municipality in Tokyo
Authors: Kitajima Tsutomu
Published: June 2011

This study attempted to estimate the valuation of Long-term care (LTC) insurance system among the residents in a municipality in Tokyo by applying the Willingness to Pay (WTP) approach. The mean WTP for Group one (those aged 65 and over) and Group two (those aged between 40 and 64) was estimated to be 13, 305 Japanese Yen and 8, 722 Japanese Yen, respectively. Both amounts exceed the contribution estimated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (2, 500 Japanese Yen). The result reflects a high expectation for the system especially among those in Group one. It also suggests that those in Group one may be able to shoulder more financial responsibility for the system. Further research on WTP for LTC insurance system is deemed beneficial for its successful management.
Streaming Potential Hypothesis for Ionic Polymer Transducers in Sensing: Roles of Ionomer State and Morphology
Authors: Gao Fei , Weiland Lisa M.
Published: June 2011

To date, consensus has not been reached on the underlying physical mechanism responsible for the experimentally observed sensing response of ionic polymer transducers, sometimes referred to as ionic polymer-metal composites. It is understood that a robust hypothesis will be able to accommodate a range of experimental observations. Moreover, because the actual morphology of ionic polymers is (a) an open topic and (b) expected to vary, a robust sensing hypothesis should additionally be decoupled from any particular morphological assumption. Explored here is the streaming potential hypothesis. As per this hypothesis, the magnitude of the predicted electromechanical response will vary with assumed morphology, but will always exist. This study demonstrates scenarios including predicting the evolution of sensing with diluent and cation variations for two morphological propositions. Specifically, sensing predictions are offered for a Nafion-based sensor (a) exchanged with lithium versus sodium cations, (b) imbued with water versus ionic liquid diluents, and (c) each of these cases is considered for a parallel circular cylindrical channel morphology versus a spherical cluster morphology. Both candidate morphologies correctly predict higher sensitivity for the lithium exchanged and water imbued cases.
Vinegar for Decreasing Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria in Long-Term Catheterized Patients
Authors: Chung Yu-Chu , Chen Hsing-Hsia , Yeh Mei-Ling
Published: June 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of rice vinegar administered via nasogastric feeding tube on catheter-associated bacteriuria in patients with long-term urinary catheterization. Method: The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial ( n = 60) to compare treatment with dilute vinegar and usual care. The authors recruited patients with chronic catheters from a long-term care facility in northern Taiwan. The experimental group received 100 ml of diluted rice vinegar each day for 4 weeks, whereas the control group received 100 ml of water. The authors analyzed urine weekly and cultured it on Day 28. Results: The generalized estimating equation results showed significant between-group differences in urinary pH, bacterial titer, and turbidity. No patient in the experimental group, but three in the control group, exhibited symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). Rice vinegar may decrease bacteriuria. Medicinal use of vinegar may decrease the risk of symptomatic UTI, but further study is needed to determine the effects of ingesting vinegar for a longer period and with a larger sample size.
A Qualitative Study of Earplug Use as a Health Behavior: The Role of Noise Injury Symptoms, Self-efficacy and an Affinity for Music
Authors: Beach E.F. , Williams W. , Gilliver M.
Published: June 2011

The use of earplugs in loud music venues is confined to a small minority who wish to avoid hearing damage from excessive noise exposure. Using the framework of the health belief model (HBM), structured interviews were held with 20 earplug-wearing clubbers. Qualitative analysis revealed the HBM constructs relevant to understanding this group’s motivation to protect their hearing. Personal experience of noise injury symptoms was the most common cue triggering earplug use. Awareness of the benefits of earplugs and appreciation of the long-term implications of hearing damage, affinity for music and high self-efficacy were also key variables underlying this health behaviour.
Applying Semantic Web technologies to improve the retrieval, credibility and use of health-related web resources
Authors: Mayer Miguel A. , Karampiperis Pythagoras , Kukurikos Antonis , Karkaletsis Vangelis , Stamatakis Kostas , Villarroel Dagmar , Leis Angela
Published: June 2011

The number of health-related websites is increasing day-by-day; however, their quality is variable and difficult to assess. Various “trust marks” and filtering portals have been created in order to assist consumers in retrieving quality medical information. Consumers are using search engines as the main tool to get health information; however, the major problem is that the meaning of the web content is not machine-readable in the sense that computers cannot understand words and sentences as humans can. In addition, trust marks are invisible to search engines, thus limiting their usefulness in practice. During the last five years there have been different attempts to use Semantic Web tools to label health-related web resources to help internet users identify trustworthy resources. This paper discusses how Semantic Web technologies can be applied in practice to generate machine-readable labels and display their content, as well as to empower end-users by providing them with the infrastructure for expressing and sharing their opinions on the quality of health-related web resources.
Young children’s literacy in the activity space of the library: A geosemiotic investigation
Authors: Nichols Sue
Published: June 2011

An ecological approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding multiple contexts for learning, underpins this study of libraries as activity spaces for young children’s literacy participation. Five libraries serving a diversity of communities were the subject of ethnographic investigation incorporating participant observation, visual documentation, and parent and librarian interviews. A geosemiotic approach was taken to the analysis of this data with an emphasis on the ways in which sociocultural and material qualities of libraries as places and spaces impacted on families’ access and participation. It was found that physically accessing the library is not equally easy for all, not all communities have equally well-resourced libraries, and the social space of the library does not hail all categories of family in the same way. However, in the case of one site where discourses of leisure, consumption, and modernity were materialized throughout the space, the effect was more inclusive. For those families that do navigate successful membership of libraries, there are potential benefits related to strong connections between the performance of early literacy activities in libraries and the participation structures of the school-entry classroom. However, literacy activities run in libraries require unobtrusive parental regulation of children’s participation, a requirement that may marginalize some families.
New Technique for Retraction of the Strap Muscles in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy
Authors: Sheng Liu  , Zheng Xiang-min , Jiang Dao-zhen , Wei Zhang  , Shan Cheng-xiang , Ming Qiu
Published: June 2011

Objective. It is extremely important to establish sufficient exposure and room for manipulation during endoscopic thyroidectomy. To solve this problem, the authors have developed a new technique for retraction of the strap muscles perfected during 500 cases of breast-approach endoscopic thyroidectomy. Methods. The new technique encompasses the use of 3 styles of retractor: the suture retractor, the button retractor, and the adjustable button retractor. These retractors are all easy to make and are all useful in different situations. Conclusions. The new technique is a safe and cost-effective method. It reduces the operation time required to obtain good exposure without transecting the strap muscles. In addition, it is minimally invasive and confers cosmetic benefits.
School Governing Bodies in South African Schools: Under Pressure to Enhance Democratization and Improve Quality
Authors: Heystek Jan
Published: June 2011

Governing bodies in South Africa are expected to have an important role in ensuring high quality education in schools as well as in the democratization of the post-apartheid South Africa. However, current legislation precludes governing bodies from involvement in the professional management of schools. Governing bodies are democratically elected and thus they comply with representative democratic expectations. The governing bodies are less successful in the participative democratic model because of factors such the literacy of parents, the expectations of parents, the negative perceptions of principals and parents and the availability of parents to attend governing body meetings. The Education Laws Amendment Bill of 2007 may provide an opportunity for some governing bodies with capable and committed members to be more involved in the governing body activities. Governing bodies may not be successful in supporting schools to improve the quality of the education provided. However, there are indications that governing bodies may play a positive role in the school and the community to build democratic foundations that will lead towards sustainable high-quality education for all children.
Trends in acute myocardial infarction treatment between 1998 and 2007 in a Belgian area (Charleroi)
Authors: Collart Philippe , Coppieters Yves , Levêque Alain
Published: June 2011

Background/objectives: To describe the evolution of the therapeutic practices over 10 years of follow-up of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Charleroi and to analyse the factors influencing the choice of treatments and the mortality of these patients.

Methods: The Charleroi register of ischaemic cardiopathies is the oldest register of infarctions in the French-speaking community of Belgium and is one of the very rare registers that allows identifying tendencies over 25 years. Analyses presented hereafter relate only patients in the 25–69-year age range over time from 1998 to 2007. The data were analysed in five periods of 2 years. Treatment evolutions over time were analysed using chi-squared tests for trend and logistic regression analyses identify factors influencing the type of treatment.

Results: The present study shows a marked increase in the utilization of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) between 1998–1999 and 2006–2007. The use of thrombolytic agents on approximately one-third of the patients treated remained fairly stable between 1998 and 2007. A lower proportion of patients with a history of AMI received thrombolytic agents. Thrombolysis seems beneficial for men and without effect for women. The use of β-blockers continued to increase until the 2000–2001 period and remained fairly stable for the two following periods. 42% of patients were administered three medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, antiplatelet drugs, and β-blockers). Association of PTCA with antiplatelet drugs, β-blockers, and thrombolysis was observed for 58.7, 50.6, and 25.7%, respectively. These associations were still observed after adjustment for gender, age, and comorbidity. The factors associated with fatality were specifically old-aged patients, antecedents of diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and oral antiplatelet drugs, and β-blockers therapies and PTCA.

Conclusions: The evolution of the therapeutic data on AMI in this register confirms the use and the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy. PTCA becomes the main coronary reperfusion treatment with less risk of bleeding. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were without effect on mortality.
A variety of novel lipid A structures obtained from Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain
Authors: Beasley Ashley S , Cotter Robert J , Vogel Stefanie N , Inzana Thomas J , Qureshi Asaf A , Qureshi Nilofer
Published: June 2011

F. tularensis is a Gram-negative coccobacillus that causes tularemia. Its LPS has nominal biological activity. Currently, there is controversy regarding the structure of the lipid A obtained from F. tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS). Therefore, to resolve this controversy, the purification and structural identification of this LPS was crucial. To achieve this, LPS from F. tularensis LVS was acid hydrolyzed to obtain crude lipid A that was methylated and purified by HPLC and the fractions were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. The structure of the major lipid A species was composed of a glucosamine disaccharide backbone substituted with four fatty acyl groups and a phosphate (1-position) with a molecular mass of 1505. The major lipid A component contained 18:0[3– O(16:0)] in the distal subunit and two 18:0(3-OH) fatty acyl chains at the 2- or 3-positions of the reducing subunit. Additional variations in the lipid A species include: heterogeneity in fatty acyl groups, a phosphate or a phosphoryl galactosamine at the 1-position, and a hexose at the 4′ or 6′ position, some of which have not been previously described for F. tularensis LVS. This analysis revealed that lipid A from F. tularensis LVS is far more complex than originally believed.
A Behavioral Disinhibition Hypothesis of Interventions in Moral Dilemmas
Authors: van den Bos Kees , Müller Patrick A. , Damen Tom
Published: June 2011

The present article puts forward a behavioral disinhibition hypothesis stating that, often, at least some levels of behavioral disinhibition are needed to overcome people’s inhibition to intervene in dilemmatic situations in which they have to choose between different actions with good reasons for each of the actions involved. Results reported indeed show that people to whom disinhibited behaviors were salient or people with stronger predispositions toward behavioral disinhibition were more likely to intervene in trolley and footbridge dilemmas.
Utilitarian Emotions: Suggestions from Introspection
Authors: Baron Jonathan
Published: June 2011

In folk psychology and some academic psychology, utilitarian thinking is associated with coldness and deontological thinking is associated with emotion. I suggest, mostly through personal examples, that these associations are far from perfect. Utilitarians experience emotions, which sometimes derive from, and sometimes cause or reinforce, their moral judgments.
Emotions as Moral Amplifiers: An Appraisal Tendency Approach to the Influences of Distinct Emotions upon Moral Judgment
Authors: Horberg Elizabeth J. , Oveis Christopher , Keltner Dacher
Published: June 2011

In this article, we advance the perspective that distinct emotions amplify different moral judgments, based on the emotion’s core appraisals. This theorizing yields four insights into the way emotions shape moral judgment. We submit that there are two kinds of specificity in the impact of emotion upon moral judgment: domain specificity and emotion specificity. We further contend that the unique embodied aspects of an emotion, such as nonverbal expressions and physiological responses, contribute to an emotion’s impact on moral judgment. Finally, emotions play a key role in determining which issues acquire moral significance in a society over time, in a process known as moralization (Rozin, 1999). The implications of these four observations for future research on emotion and morality are discussed.
How Much Do Thoughts Count?: Preference for Emotion versus Principle in Judgments of Antisocial and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Fedotova Natalie O. , Fincher Katrina M. , Goodwin Geoffrey P. , Rozin Paul
Published: June 2011

Following important work by Pizarro, Uhlmann and Salovey (2003) on moral judgments of uncontrolled/impulsive versus controlled/ deliberate action, we focus on the related issue of the moral evaluation of emotion-motivated versus principle-driven behavior. We examine: (a) the potential lesser blameworthiness of antisocial acts perceived as driven by emotion as opposed to principle; (b) how factors governing the moral evaluation of antisocial acts might extend to the evaluation of prosocial acts; and (c) how overriding a moral emotion in favor of a moral principle affects moral attributions.
Thriving and Surviving: Approach and Avoidance Motivation and Lateralization
Authors: Rutherford Helena J. V. , Lindell Annukka K.
Published: June 2011

Two core motivational systems have been conceptualized as underlying emotion and behavior. The approach system drives the organism toward stimuli or events in the environment, and the avoidance system instead deters the organism away from these stimuli or events. This approach—avoidance dichotomy has been central to theories of emotion. Advances in neuroscience complementing well-designed behavioral experiments have begun to elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying approach—avoidance motivation, suggesting that these two systems exist in parallel and are lateralized in the brain. This review explores the notion of approach—avoidance and the cerebral lateralization of these motivational tendencies.
Moral Empathy Gaps and the American Culture War
Authors: Ditto Peter H. , Koleva Spassena P.
Published: June 2011

Our inability to feel what others feel makes it difficult to understand how they think. Because moral intuitions organize political attitudes, moral empathy gaps can exacerbate political conflict (and other kinds of conflict as well) by contributing to the perception that people who do not share our moral opinions are unintelligent and/or have malevolent intentions.
Gas shielding in fibre laser welding of high strength pipeline steel
Authors: Quintino L , Miranda R M , Williams S , Kong C J
Published: June 2011

Pipeline welding requires mechanised high productivity welding processes to achieve the industry's production demands. Laser welding is a high productivity process in use though there is further scope for development namely by using the recent commercialised high power fibre lasers. Shielding gas is known to have a significant influence on plasma plume characteristics during laser welding and on weld bead profile. This paper presents an analysis of fibre laser weld bead characteristics obtained with different shielding gases. The results indicate that weld profiles are affected by the shielding gas for different welding regimes. Increasing CO2 content results in higher penetrations in medium or shallow keyhole conditions, while argon is beneficial in deep penetration.
Influence of HAZ cracks on fatigue resistance of resistance spot welded joints made of advanced high strength steels
Authors: Gaul H , Weber G , Rethmeier M
Published: June 2011

A method is reported with which heat affected zone (HAZ) cracks in a specific region of spot welded joints, made of advanced high strength steels, could be realised. The influence of HAZ cracks on the fatigue behaviour, which is the focus of the contribution, was studied by evaluating the stiffness characteristics as a function of the number of cycles N in comparison with crack-free specimens, i.e. by analysing HAZ and fatigue cracks on the specimen surface and the surface of fatigue fractures containing beach marks. It was found that the fatigue cracks are not initiated at the HAZ cracks. The number of cycles to failure Nf is not significantly reduced for specimens with HAZ cracks. Overall, the examinations did not reveal any influence of HAZ cracks on the fatigue strength of resistance spot welded joints.
Effect of friction pressure on joining phenomena of friction welds between pure titanium and pure copper
Authors: Kimura M , Saitoh Y , Kusaka M , Kaizu K , Fuji A
Published: June 2011

This paper describes the effect of friction pressure on the joining phenomena of friction welds between pure titanium (P-Ti) and pure copper (OFC). When the joint was made at a friction pressure of 60 MPa or lower, the OFC side had deformation from the contact of both weld faying surfaces. Then the joint had generated sparkle from the P-Ti side with increased friction time. The peripheral portion of the P-Ti side had large deformation and was intensely upset when the joint had sparkle. On the other hand, the joint did not have sparkle on the P-Ti side when it was made at a friction pressure of 75 MPa or higher. The deformation of the OFC side was large and was intensely upset, although the P-Ti side was hardly deformed. The joining phenomena had dissimilarity because the difference of the yield stress for each material depended on the temperature in the friction process.
Influence of nozzle orifice diameter in keyhole plasma arc welding
Authors: Short A B , McCartney D G , Webb P , Preston E
Published: June 2011

Keyhole welding with the plasma arc welding process occurs when the engineered nozzle and the plasma gas flowrate impart the arc pressure and heat distribution necessary for the formation of a keyhole weld pool. Experimental investigations were conducted to determine the influence of nozzle orifice diameter on weld width and weld stability for a range of substrate thicknesses in Ti-6Al-4V. The experimental results are compared with a semianalytical heat flow model. Both the experimental results and the semianalytical model show that the nozzle orifice diameter can significantly influence the top width and penetration for a given parameter set, particularly in relatively thin substrates.
Effect of trailing heat sink on residual stresses and welding distortion in friction stir welding Al sheets
Authors: Han W T , Wan F R , Li G , Dong C L , Tong J H
Published: June 2011

This paper investigates a trailing heat sink, which was designed and applied to friction stir welding (FSW) in order to control the residual stresses and welding distortion. Residual stresses, residual plastic strains and welding distortion of 2024-T3 and 5083-H321 Al sheets welded by FSW with and without the trailing heat sink were compared. The optimal placement of the heat sink was discussed. The results revealed that the reductions in peak tensile stresses were 66% for 2024-T3 and 58% for 5083-H321 by application of the trailing heat sink in FSW. In addition, the welding distortion could be reduced drastically by this method. The 5083-H321 sheet with a size of 1000×100×3·5 mm welded by this method was very flat and had almost no distortion. This method achieved in-process control of stresses and welding distortion, without additional complicated work before or after welding operation.
Direct observation of austenitisation in 1005 C–Mn steel during continuous heating using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction
Authors: Palmer T A , Elmer J W , Mayr P , Specht E D
Published: June 2011

The austenitisation ( α→ γ) transformation in a 1005 C–Mn steel is monitored in real time at continuous heating rates between 1 and 10°C s−1 using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and validated using dilatometry. Experimental validation is provided for austenitisation models that predict that the austenitisation transformation proceeds through multiple mechanisms. At temperatures below the A1 transformation temperature, the starting microstructure undergoes recovery and recrystallisation to relieve stress imparted during the initial thermomechanical processing of the steel. The austenitisation transformation follows, beginning at the A1 temperature, with the initial transformation proceeding as the pearlite in the microstructure is dissolved and high carbon concentration austenite is formed. Since the carbon is localised near the original pearlite colonies, there is a pronounced heating rate dependent delay before the remaining low C ferrite grains begin to transform. The transformation reaches completion at temperatures above the A3 temperature, and the last ferrite to be transformed is nearly pure iron.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 mediates pain in mice with severe sickle cell disease
Authors: Hillery Cheryl A. , Kerstein Patrick C. , Vilceanu Daniel , Barabas Marie E. , Retherford Dawn , Brandow Amanda M. , Wandersee Nancy J. , Stucky Cheryl L.
Published: June 2011

Pain is the leading cause of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and daily suffering in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). The pathologic mechanisms leading to the perception of pain during acute RBC sickling episodes and development of chronic pain remain poorly understood and ineffectively treated. We provide the first study that explores nociceptor sensitization mechanisms that contribute to pain behavior in mice with severe SCD. Sickle mice exhibit robust behavioral hypersensitivity to mechanical, cold, and heat stimuli. Mechanical hypersensitivity is further exacerbated when hypoxia is used to induce acute sickling. Behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity is mediated in part by enhanced excitability to mechanical stimuli at both primary afferent peripheral terminal and sensory membrane levels. In the present study, inhibition of the capsaicin receptor transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) with the selective antagonist A-425619 reversed the mechanical sensitization at both primary afferent terminals and isolated somata, and markedly attenuated mechanical behavioral hypersensitivity. In contrast, inhibition of TRPA1 with HC-030031 had no effect on mechanical sensitivity. These results suggest that the TRPV1 receptor contributes to primary afferent mechanical sensitization and a substantial portion of behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity in SCD mice. Therefore, TRPV1-targeted compounds that lack thermoregulatory side effects may provide relief from pain in patients with SCD.
Human lymphoblastoid B-cell lines reprogrammed to EBV-free induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Rajesh Deepika , Dickerson Sarah J. , Yu Junying , Brown Matthew E. , Thomson James A. , Seay Nicholas J.
Published: June 2011

Generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) holds great promise for regenerative medicine. Epstein-Barr virus immortalized lymphoblastoid B-cell lines (LCLs) can be generated from a minimal amount of blood and are banked worldwide as cellular reference material for immunologic or genetic analysis of pedigreed study populations. We report the generation of iPSCs from 2 LCLs (LCL-iPSCs) via a feeder-free episomal method using a cocktail of transcription factors and small molecules. LCL-derived iPSCs exhibited normal karyotype, expressed pluripotency markers, lost oriP/EBNA-1 episomal vectors, generated teratomas, retained donor identity, and differentiated in vitro into hematopoietic, cardiac, neural, and hepatocyte-like lineages. Significantly, although the parental LCLs express viral EBNA-1 and other Epstein-Barr virus latency-related elements for their survival, their presence was not detectable in LCL-iPSCs. Thus, reprogramming LCLs could offer an unlimited source for patient-specific iPSCs.
Peritoneal lymphomatosis confounded by prior history of colon cancer: a case report
Authors: Kim Yun Gi , Baek Ji Yeon , Kim Sun Young , Lee Dong Hyeon , Park Weon Seo , Kwon Youngmee , Kim Min Ju , Kang Jeehoon , Lee Joo Myung
Published: June 2011

Background

It is well known that carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract are frequently associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis. In contrast to that entity extensive involvement of the peritoneal cavity with malignant lymphoma is rare.

Case presentation

This is the first case reporting coexistence of peritoneal lymphomatosis and a previous history of colon cancer, which is a highly challenging clinical situation.

Conclusions

If not aware of this unusual condition medical history, radiologic finding and laboratory data alone can lead to wrong diagnosis as in this case.
Does the inclusion of 'professional development' teaching improve medical students' communication skills?
Authors: Joekes Katherine , Noble Lorraine M , Kubacki Angela M , Potts Henry WW , Lloyd Margaret
Published: June 2011

Background

This study investigated whether the introduction of professional development teaching in the first two years of a medical course improved students' observed communication skills with simulated patients. Students' observed communication skills were related to patient-centred attitudes, confidence in communicating with patients and performance in later clinical examinations.

Methods

Eighty-two medical students from two consecutive cohorts at a UK medical school completed two videoed consultations with a simulated patient: one at the beginning of year 1 and one at the end of year 2. Group 1 (n = 35) received a traditional pre-clinical curriculum. Group 2 (n = 47) received a curriculum that included communication skills training integrated into a 'professional development' vertical module. Videoed consultations were rated using the Evans Interview Rating Scale by communication skills tutors. A subset of 27% were double-coded. Inter-rater reliability is reported.

Results

Students who had received the professional development teaching achieved higher ratings for use of silence, not interrupting the patient, and keeping the discussion relevant compared to students receiving the traditional curriculum. Patient-centred attitudes were not related to observed communication. Students who were less nervous and felt they knew how to listen were rated as better communicators. Students receiving the traditional curriculum and who had been rated as better communicators when they entered medical school performed less well in the final year clinical examination.

Conclusions

Students receiving the professional development training showed significant improvements in certain communication skills, but students in both cohorts improved over time. The lack of a relationship between observed communication skills and patient-centred attitudes may be a reflection of students' inexperience in working with patients, resulting in 'patient-centredness' being an abstract concept. Students in the early years of their medical course may benefit from further opportunities to practise basic communication skills on a one-to-one basis with patients.
An arrhythmia classification algorithm using a dedicated wavelet adapted to different subjects
Authors: Kim Jinkwon , Min Se Dong , Lee Myoungho
Published: June 2011

Background

Numerous studies have been conducted regarding a heartbeat classification algorithm over the past several decades. However, many algorithms have also been studied to acquire robust performance, as biosignals have a large amount of variation among individuals. Various methods have been proposed to reduce the differences coming from personal characteristics, but these expand the differences caused by arrhythmia.

Methods

In this paper, an arrhythmia classification algorithm using a dedicated wavelet adapted to individual subjects is proposed. We reduced the performance variation using dedicated wavelets, as in the ECG morphologies of the subjects. The proposed algorithm utilizes morphological filtering and a continuous wavelet transform with a dedicated wavelet. A principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were utilized to compress the morphological data transformed by the dedicated wavelets. An extreme learning machine was used as a classifier in the proposed algorithm.

Results

A performance evaluation was conducted with the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. The results showed a high sensitivity of 97.51%, specificity of 85.07%, accuracy of 97.94%, and a positive predictive value of 97.26%.

Conclusions

The proposed algorithm achieves better accuracy than other state-of-the-art algorithms with no intrasubject between the training and evaluation datasets. And it significantly reduces the amount of intervention needed by physicians.
Analysis of the photosynthetic apparatus in transgenic tobacco plants with altered endogenous cytokinin content: a proteomic study
Authors: Cortleven Anne , Noben Jean-Paul , Valcke Roland
Published: June 2011

Background

Cytokinin is a plant hormone that plays a crucial role in several processes of plant growth and development. In recent years, major breakthroughs have been achieved in the elucidation of the metabolism, the signal perception and transduction, as well as the biological functions of cytokinin. An important activity of cytokinin is the involvement in chloroplast development and function. Although this biological function has already been known for 50 years, the exact mechanisms remain elusive.

Results

To elucidate the effects of altered endogenous cytokinin content on the structure and function of the chloroplasts, chloroplast subfractions (stroma and thylakoids) from transgenic Pssu-ipt and 35S:CKX1 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants with, respectively, elevated and reduced endogenous cytokinin content were analysed using two different 2-DE approaches. Firstly, thykaloids were analysed by blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by SDS-PAGE (BN/SDS-PAGE). Image analysis of the gel spot pattern thus obtained from thylakoids showed no substantial differences between wild-type and transgenic tobacco plants. Secondly, a quantitative DIGE analysis of CHAPS soluble proteins derived from chloroplast subfractions indicated significant gel spot abundance differences in the stroma fraction. Upon identification by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry, these proteins could be assigned to the Calvin-Benson cycle and photoprotective mechanisms.

Conclusion

Taken together, presented proteomic data reveal that the constitutively altered cytokinin status of transgenic plants does not result in any qualitative changes in either stroma proteins or protein complexes of thylakoid membranes of fully developed chloroplasts, while few but significant quantitative differences are observed in stroma proteins.
Gallus Heat shock cognate protein 70, a novel binding partner of Apoptin
Authors: Chen Kun , Luo Zheng , Zheng Shijun J
Published: June 2011

Background

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) infection of newly hatched chickens induces generalized lymphoid atrophy and causes immunosuppressive. VP3, also known as Apoptin, is non-structural protein of CAV. Apoptin specifically induces apoptosis in transformed or tumor cells but not in normal cells. In particular, there are no known cellular homologues of Apoptin hindering genetic approaches to elucidate its cellular function. Although a number of Apoptin-interacting molecules have been identified, the molecular mechanism underlying Apoptin's action is still poorly understood. To learn more about the molecular mechanism of Apoptin's action, we searched for Apoptin associated proteins.

Results

Using yeast two-hybrid and colony-life filter approaches we got five positive yeast clones. Through sequencing and BLASTed against NCBI, one of the clones was confirmed containing Gallus heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70). Hsc70 gene was clone into pRK5-Flag plasmid, coimmunoprecipitation assay show both exogenous Hsc70 and endogenous Hsc70 can interact with Apoptin. Truncated Apoptin expression plasmids were made and coimmunoprecipitation were performed, the results show the binding domain of Apoptin with Hsc70 is located between amino acids 30-60. Truncated expression plasmids of Hsc70 were also constructed and coimmunoprecipitation were performed, the results show the peptide-binding and variable domains of Hsc70 are responsible for the binding to Apoptin. Confocal assays were performed and results show that under physiological condition Hsc70 is predominantly distributed in cytoplasm, whereas Hsc70 is translocated into the nuclei and colocalized with Apoptin in the presence of Apoptin in DF-1 cell. Functional studies show that Apoptin markedly down-regulate the mRNA level of RelA/p65 in DF-1 cell. To explore the effect of Hsc70 on Apoptin-mediated RelA/p65 gene expression, we have searched two Hsc70 RNAi sequences, and found that all of them dramatically inhibited the expression of endogenous Hsc70, with the #2 Hsc70 RNAi sequence being the most effective. Knockdown of Hsc70 show Apoptin-inhibited RelA/p65 expression was abolished. Our data demonstrate that Hsc70 is responsible for the down-regulation of Apoptin induced RelA/p65 gene expression.

Conclusion

We identified Gallus Hsc70 as an Apoptin binding protein and showed the translocation of Hsc70 into the nuclei of DF-1 cells treated with Apoptin. Hsc70 regulates RelA/p65 gene expression induced by Apoptin.
Concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous appendicitis in a recipient of a renal transplant: a case report
Authors: Ardalan Mohammad R , Shoja Mohammadali M , Ghabili Kamyar
Published: June 2011

Introduction

Tuberculosis is still a serious infection among recipients of renal transplants. Although the ileocecal region is the most affected part in intestinal tuberculosis, acute tuberculous appendicitis is quite a rare entity. We report a case of concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous appendicitis in a recipient of a renal transplant.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old Iranian woman, who had been the recipient of a renal transplant five years earlier, presented with a two-week history of coughing, fever and weight loss. The cause of her end-stage renal disease was chronic pyelonephritis. There were fine crackles noted during a chest examination, and a plain chest radiography showed fine miliary nodules throughout her entire lung fields. Sputum and bronchial aspirate examination was positive for acid-fast bacilli, suggestive ofMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection. A chest computed tomography scan revealed widespread miliary nodules, compatible with miliary tuberculosis. She developed severe abdominal pain and abdominal surgery disclosed a perforated appendicitis. Histopathological examination of the resected appendix revealed widespread caseating epithelioid granulomas, suggestive of tuberculosis.

Conclusion

Our case report highlights a rare presentation of tuberculosis in a patient who has undergone renal transplant. Such unusual presentation of tuberculosis, particularly among patients receiving potent immunosuppressive protocols, should be considered by clinicians.