bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STUDY OF UTILIZABLE MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL ELASTOMERS
Authors: GONG X. L. , CHEN L. , LI J. F.
Published: December 2007

This paper presents two kinds of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs). One is composed of appropriate silicon rubber, carbonyl iron particles and some other materials. It is cured under a strong magnetic field at a room temperature. Its shear modulus change from 0.34MPa at zero magnetic field to 3.34MPa at 1T magnetic field, the relative MR effect reaches 878%. Such high MR effect has not been reported until now. The other is composed by appropriate natural rubber, carbonyl iron particles and some other materials. After the compositions are mixed in a two-roll mill, they are cured under a strong magnetic field according to a temperature profile. The increment of its modulus reaches 3.6MPa, and the relative modulus increment is 133%. Their mechanical properties are also evaluated. All observed results show that the fabricated MREs are utilizable. They have successfully been utilized to adaptive tuned vibration absorbers, which will serve for vibration absorption of vehicles.
HIGH VERSUS LOW FIELD VISCOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BIDISPERSE MR FLUIDS
Authors: NGATU G. T. , WERELEY N. M.
Published: December 2007

Our bidisperse magnetorheological fluids are suspensions of micron (2-10μm) and nanometer (~40nm) scale magnetic iron particles in silicone or hydraulic oil. Earlier studies were conducted to determine the yield stress of these fluids at low magnetic field induction. These studies have shown the absence of saturation yield stress implying the possibility of a higher yield stress by increasing the applied field. In this study, three different bidisperse MR fluids were investigated to determine the maximum available yield stress that can be obtained at or near saturation magnetic flux density. The iron loading in the fluids varied from 50% to 80% by weight. Two types of MR cells, a low field and a high field cells, were used for the investigation. Using a parallel disc rheometer alternatively equipped with one of the two MR cells, the flow curves of the MR fluids were obtained and their yield stress determined. The yield stress of the MR fluids as a function of applied magnetic field was identified using the Bingham-Plastic constitutive model. Results show that the high field cell (maximum 1 Tesla) was able to measure shear stress up to saturation, whereas the low field cell (maximum 0.26 Tesla) could not.
STUDY ON CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL FLUID COUPLING
Authors: MENG YONGGANG , TIAN YU , JI HONG
Published: December 2007

A prototype of a cylindrical ERF coupling was fabricated, and its transmission capability in steady and unsteady running conditions was investigated. The torque transmitted by the coupling with viscous force in wide ranges of driving speed and field strength was measured. The relationship between the transmission torque, the zero field viscosity of ERF and the shear yield stress of ERF under field was obtained, and was compared with theoretical prediction. Moreover, by modulating the strength of the applied DC field, under a fixed load and input speed, the output speed of the coupling was controlled in the range of transmission ratio from 0 to 1. This provides a means to construct transmission systems in which the output speed can be conveniently adjusted and controlled. Further, square wave electric pulses were applied on the ERF coupling, with a fixed external load added on the output shaft, a uniform stepping rotation of the output shaft has been realized. Experiments showed that under certain conditions the rotation angle of the output axle can be precisely controlled.
ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF NANOMETRIC POWDERS SUSPENSIONS
Authors: ŻERO ELŻBIETA , WIELGUS IRENEUSZ , PŁOCHARSKI JANUSZ
Published: December 2007

The sol–gel method was used to prepare amorphous TiO 2 powders with sub-micrometric grain size. These powders together with commercial nanometric TiO 2 were characterized with FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and a light scattering method. Then electrorheological suspensions were composed out of these powders and their flow curves under electric field were recorded. The ER activity of the synthesized powders was relatively high which probably resulted from residual amounts of polar organic matter present in the prepared titania. It was found, however, that the studied suspensions underwent a very well pronounced agglomeration process clearly observed in suspensions of higher concentrations and particularly in those fluids which were exposed to electric field for some time. Therefore, the studied ERFs which were originally prepared out of nanometric powders contain in fact aggregated particles of considerably bigger size. The agglomeration process strongly influences all basic properties of the studied electrorheological suspensions.
THE EFFECT OF POLYPYRROLE LOADING ON THE ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYPYRROLE/SBA-15 SUSPENSIONS
Authors: CHENG QILIN , PAVLINEK VLADIMIR , BELZA TOMAS , LENGALOVA ANEZKA , HE YING , LI CHUNZHONG
Published: December 2007

Encapsulated polypyrrole (PPy) with different amount in the channels of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) was synthesized. The XRD and N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms analysis show that PPy with different loadings in the channels does not affect the ordered hexagonal structure of resultant PPy/SBA-15 nanocomposites. Further, the electrorheological (ER) properties of the nanocomposites with different PPy loadings were investigated by steady and oscillatory shear experiments. The results reveal that PPy/SBA-15 fluids exhibit typical ER and viscoelastic behavior under the applied electric field and ER response depends mainly on PPy loadings and there is an optimum PPy loading for strong ER effect.
CLASP MOVES AND STICK NUMBER
Authors: O'CONNOR ADAM , PODLESNY BARTLOMIEJ , SORIANO NERISSA , TRAPP ROLLAND , WALL DIANA
Published: December 2007

We introduce a geometric construction, called a clasp move, which is used to prove several results on stick numbers of links. In particular, we show that all two-component six-crossing links have stick number 8, produce small crossing number knots that can be constructed with fewer sticks than crossings, and improve known upper bounds for the stick number of certain classes of links.
EVOLUTION OF THE MAGNETIC COMPONENT IN YANG–MILLS CONDENSATE DARK ENERGY MODELS
Authors: ZHAO WEN , XU DONGHUI
Published: December 2007

The evolution of the electric and magnetic components in an effective Yang–Mills condensate dark energy model is investigated. If the electric field is dominant, the magnetic component disappears with the expansion of the Universe. The total YM condensate tracks the radiation in the earlier Universe, and later it becomes wy ~ -1 and is thus similar to the cosmological constant. So the cosmic coincidence problem can be avoided in this model. However, if the magnetic field is dominant, wy > 1/3 holds for all time, suggesting that it cannot be a candidate for the dark energy in this case.
SHIFT OF THE ISCO AND GRAVITOMAGNETIC CLOCK EFFECT DUE TO GRAVITATIONAL SPIN–ORBIT COUPLING
Authors: SHAHREAR PABEL , FARUQUE S. B.
Published: December 2007

Considering a gravitational coupling between the spin and the orbital angular momentum of a spinning test particle orbiting a central massive body, we derive two particular consequences: (1) the influence of the coupling on the location of the innermost stable circular orbit and (2) the gravitomagnetic clock effect due to this coupling. The previous result does not seem to exist for the former, while for the latter we arrive at a result that coincides with what we think is the most accurate.
REVISITING ROTATIONAL PERTURBATIONS AND THE MICROWAVE BACKGROUND
Authors: CZINNER VIKTOR G. , VASÚTH MÁTYÁS
Published: December 2007

We consider general-relativistic rotational perturbations in homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmologies. Taking linear perturbations of FRW models, the general solution to the field equations contains tensorial, vectorial and scalar functions. The vectorial terms are in connection with rotations in the given model and due to the Sachs–Wolfe effect they produce contributions to the temperature fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR). In this paper we obtain the analytic time dependence of these contributions in a spatially flat FRW model with pressureless ideal fluid, in the presence and the absence of a cosmological constant Λ. We find that the solution can be separated into an integrable and a nonintegrable part, as in the case of scalar perturbations. Analyzing the solutions and using the results of recent observations, we estimate the order of magnitude of the angular velocity corresponding to the rotation tensor at the time of decoupling and today.
A NOVEL METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING MULTI-MODAL DIALOGUE FROM TEXT
Authors: PRENDINGER HELMUT , PIWEK PAUL , ISHIZUKA MITSURU
Published: December 2007

In this article, we propose a novel method for generating engaging multi-modal content automatically from text. Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) is used to decompose text into discourse units and to identify rhetorical discourse relations between them. Rhetorical relations are then mapped to question–answer pairs in an information preserving way, i.e., the original text and the resulting dialogue convey essentially the same meaning. Finally, the dialogue is "acted out" by two virtual agents. The network of dialogue structures automatically built up during this process, called DialogueNet, can be reused for other purposes, such as personalization or question–answering.
Transient permeability and reseal hardening in fault zones: evidence from dilation breccia textures
Authors: Woodcock N. H. , Dickson J. A. D. , Tarasewicz J. P. T.
Published: December 2007

It is well established that earthquake faulting can create permeability along a fault zone in high competence rocks - by mismatch of the fault walls and by secondary fracture in a surrounding damage zone - and that this permeability is created repeatedly during successive earthquake cycles. Less well proven is that such permeability is transient, being episodically reduced by precipitation of cements in the fracture porosity. The textures of carbonate dilation breccias, formed at around 1.7 km depth on the Dent Fault zone (NW England), lend support to this economically important concept of transient fracture permeability. The key observation is that many breccias reflect only a single episode of brecciation and reseal. A generally applicable explanation of such single-phase breccias is that they were resealed in the interval between major earthquakes, that this reseal made the breccia stronger that the intact rock, and that subsequent brecciation in the same rock volume was inhibited. This reseal-hardening model implies that transient permeability in fault zones may last no longer than the recurrence times of large earthquakes, and that the permeability conduits will change position in the damage zone with time, unless focused at a major fault jog or termination.
Pre-development fracture modelling in the Clair field, west of Shetland
Authors: Barr David , Savory Kay E. , Fowler Sue R. , Arman Kate , McGarrity John P.
Published: December 2007

The Clair oilfield is a large fractured sandstone reservoir lying 75 km west of Shetland on the UK continental shelf. Fracture analysis and modelling was carried out in preparation for the phase 1 development, which started production early in 2005. Fracture clusters and discrete fluid inflows observed in wells are associated with faults and other localized deformation features tens or hundreds of metres apart. The reservoir has moderate to good matrix permeability, but well flow rates and profiles are fracture-dominated. Full-field geological models were built using conventional object modelling approaches for matrix and discrete fracture networks for fractures, and upscaled to populate a reservoir simulation grid. Dual-porosity, dual-permeability dynamic modelling (full-field and well-test) was undertaken to understand the fracture and matrix flow contributions and their interaction. Fracture models were conditioned to wells and to seismic data, including coherency and multi-azimuthal velocity information from a four-component, ocean bottom cable three-dimensional seismic survey. At this early stage in field development, there is insufficient calibration to select a single fracture model. Instead, well and depletion plans have been tested against multiple fracture models chosen to encompass a wide range of plausible outcomes.
Multiscale Simulation of Soft Matter: From Scale Bridging to Adaptive Resolution
Authors: Praprotnik Matej , Site Luigi Delle , Kremer Kurt
Published: December 2007

The relation between atomistic chemical structure, molecular architecture, molecular weight, and material properties is of basic concern in modern soft material science and includes standard properties of bulk materials and surface and interface aspects, as well as the relation between structure and function in nanoscopic objects and molecular assemblies of both synthetic and biological origin. This all implies a thorough understanding on many length and correspondingly time scales, ranging from (sub)atomistic to macroscopic. Presently, computer simulations play an increasingly important, if not central, role. Some problems do not require specific atomistic details, whereas others require them only locally. However, in many cases this strict separation is not sufficient for a comprehensive understanding of systems, and flexible simulation schemes are required that link the different levels of resolution. We here give a general view of the problem regarding soft matter and discuss some specific examples of linked simulation techniques at different resolution levels. We then discuss a recently developed flexible simulation scheme, the AdResS method, which allows one to adaptively change the resolution in certain regions of space on demand.
Back to the future? Active learning of medical physiology in the 1900s
Authors: Rangachari P. K.
Published: December 2007

In the early 1900s, teachers of medical physiology faced a problem familiar to those teaching the subject in a contemporary setting: too much information, too little time, too many students in crowded rooms, and exams that discouraged real learning. They wanted students to question authority and demand evidence and thus be better prepared for medicine. Their solution was to bring students into laboratories and minimize didactic learning as they felt strongly that useful information could not be obtained merely from books. Thus, they were strong proponents of what we now call active learning.
Splanchnic sequestration of amino acids in aged rats: in vivo and ex vivo experiments using a model of isolated perfused liver
Authors: Jourdan M. , Cynober L. , Moinard C. , Blanc M. C. , Neveux N. , De Bandt J. P. , Aussel C.
Published: December 2007

Splanchnic sequestration of amino acids (SSAA) is a process observed during aging that leads to decreased peripheral amino acid (AA) availability. The mechanisms underlying SSAA remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a high-protein diet could increase nitrogen retention in aged rats by saturating SSAA and whether SSAA could be explained by dysregulation of hepatic nitrogen metabolism. Adult and aged male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed in individual metabolic cages and fed a normal-protein (17% protein) or high-protein diet (27%) for 2 wk. Nitrogen balance (NB) was calculated daily. On day 14, livers were isolated and perfused for 90 min to study AA and urea fluxes. NB was lower in aged rats fed a normal-protein diet than in adults, but a high-protein diet restored NB to adult levels. Isolated perfused livers from aged rats showed decreased urea production and arginine uptake, together with a release of alanine (vs. uptake in adult rats) and a hepatic accumulation of alanine. The in vivo data suggest that SSAA is a saturable process that responds to an increase in dietary protein content. The hepatic metabolism of AA in aged rats is greatly modified, and urea production decreases. This result refutes the hypothesis that SSAA is associated with an increase in AA disposal via urea production.
Statistics in Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Science: Applications, Issues and Pitfalls
Authors: Ludbrook John
Published: December 2007

This review is directed at biomedical scientists who want to gain a better understanding of statistics: what tests to use, when, and why. In my view, even during the planning stage of a study it is very important to seek the advice of a qualified biostatistician. When designing and analyzing a study, it is important to construct and test global hypotheses, rather than to make multiple tests on the data. If the latter cannot be avoided, it is essential to control the risk of making false-positive inferences by applying multiple comparison procedures. For comparing two means or two proportions, it is best to use exact permutation tests rather then the better known, classical, ones. For comparing many means, analysis of variance, often of a complex type, is the most powerful approach. The correlation coefficient should never be used to compare the performances of two methods of measurement, or two measurers, because it does not detect bias. Instead the Altman-Bland method of differences or least-products linear regression analysis should be preferred. Finally, the educational value to investigators of interaction with a biostatistician, before, during and after a study, cannot be overemphasized.
Frequency of Abnormal Thyroid Function Tests in Kuwaiti Arabs with Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Al-Awadhi A.M. , Olusi S. , Hasan E.A. , Abdullah A.
Published: December 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the frequencies of abnormal thyroid function tests and serum thyroid autoantibodies in healthy Kuwaitis and those with autoimmune diseases. Subjects and Methods: Serum concentrations of sensitive thyrotropin, and free thyroxine were measured in 577 apparently healthy controls, 177 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 60 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 25 with primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) using the immunochemiluminescent assay method on IMMULITE 1000. Serum microsomal and thyroglobulin autoantibodies were also measured by passive hemagglutination assay. For analysis of the thyroid function tests, the subjects were classified into five categories: normal, subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, euthyroid sick syndrome and biochemical hyperthyroidism. Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was seen in 1.7% of healthy controls, 10.2% of RA, 13.3% of SLE, and 16% of pSS patients. Among RA patients, the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in females (11.4%) was significantly higher than among males (5.4%; p < 0.01). In SLE and pSS patients, all those with subclinical hypothyroidism were females. Overt hypothyroidism was seen in 1.4% of controls, 10.2% of RA, 8.3% of SLE, and 4% of pSS patients. Biochemical hyperthyroidism was seen in 0.2% of controls, 4.5% of RA, 5% of SLE and none of pSS patients. The euthyroid sick syndrome was seen in 0.4% of controls, 13.6% of RA, 16.7% of SLE and in none of pSS patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were present in 3.1% of controls, 12.4% of RA, 18.3% of SLE, and 12% of pSS patients. Conclusion: Our data show that abnormal thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies occur frequently in Ku-waitis with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, ordering these tests in these diseases is recommended.
The Cortical Involvement of Territorial Infarcts as a Risk Factor for Stroke-Related Seizures
Authors: De Reuck J. , De Groote L. , Van Maele G. , Proot P.
Published: December 2007

Background: The cortical involvement of territorial infarcts is considered to be a significant risk factor for the development of early- as well as late-onset seizures. However, it is not known which cortical regions are more susceptible to the development of stroke-related seizures. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study of 687 patients with territorial infarcts, 184 with stroke-related seizures were compared to 503 without seizures. The extent and the location of the infarcts were determined by computed tomography (CT) scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. The infarcts of the seizure and the non-seizure group were compared on digital cerebral vascular maps by superimposing the CT and/or MRI slices. Results: In patients with late-onset seizures, the infarcts were significantly more frequent in the temporal and parietal branches of the middle cerebral artery in comparison to the non-seizure group. In patients with early-onset seizures and in those with seizures due to a recurrent stroke, the territory of the temporal and occipital branches of the middle cerebral artery was the predilection side of the infarcts. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurred mainly in cases of infarction in the deep territory of the middle cerebral and of the anterior choroidal artery. Status epilepticus was significantly correlated with infarcts in the posterior temporal region. Conclusion: Some infarct regions are the sides of predilection for stroke-related seizures according to their type and their onset-time.
Parental Concordance and Offspring Risk for Anxiety, Conduct, Depressive, and Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey G. , Cohen Patricia , Kasen Stephanie , Brook Judith S.
Published: December 2007

Background: Although parental concordance for any psychiatric disorder is known to be associated with elevated risk for offspring disorder, little evidence is currently available from prospective longitudinal studies regarding the association of parental concordance with offspring risk for anxiety, conduct, depressive, and substance use disorders. Sampling and Methods: Psychiatric interviews were conducted with 593 mothers and their biological offspring at mean offspring ages 14, 16, 22, and 33. Results: Offspring risk for ≧1 psychiatric disorder was significantly greater if both parents had a lifetime history of psychiatric disorder than if only one parent had a lifetime history of disorder. Parental concordance for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was associated with a significant increase in offspring risk for anxiety disorders, above and beyond the risk attributable to having one affected parent. In addition, parental concordance for GAD was associated with elevated risk for offspring depressive disorders, and parental concordance for substance use disorders was associated with elevated offspring risk for conduct disorder. Conclusions: Parental concordance for GAD may be associated with elevated risk for offspring anxiety disorder, above and beyond the risk associated with having one affected parent.
Vicarious liability for the carrier by river?
Authors: Wijffels Alain
Published: December 2007

A case-study of a litigation during the years 1566–1574 between merchants from Oudenaarde and the Corporation of Free Shippers in Ghent shows that the corporation's liability for damage caused by one of its members was controversial. Although art. 20 of the ordinance of 14 February 1541 appeared to phrase the corporation's vicarious or subsidiary liability in general terms, the corporation's counsel, assisted by consultancies from a.o. E. Leoninus and J. Wamesius, successfully argued that in the light of the ordinance's rationale, which limited the free shippers' privileges in the aftermath of Charles V's punishment of Ghent in 1540, the corporation's liability had correspondingly to be construed restrictively, viz. only with regard to cargo shipped in Ghent under its control.
The role of horizontal transfer in the evolution of a highly variable lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis locus in xanthomonads that infect rice, citrus and crucifers
Authors: Patil Prabhu B , Bogdanove Adam J , Sonti Ramesh V
Published: December 2007

Background

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) of animal and plant pathogenic bacteria. Variation at the interstrain level is common in LPS biosynthetic gene clusters of animal pathogenic bacteria. This variation has been proposed to play a role in evading the host immune system. Even though LPS is a modulator of plant defense responses, reports of interstrain variation in LPS gene clusters of plant pathogenic bacteria are rare.

Results

In this study we report the complete sequence of a variant 19.9 kb LPS locus present in the BXO8 strain of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the bacterial blight pathogen of rice. This region is completely different in size, number and organization of genes from the LPS locus present in most other strains of Xoo from India and Asia. Surprisingly, except for one ORF, all the other ORFs at the BXO8 LPS locus are orthologous to the genes present at this locus in a sequenced strain of X. axonopodis pv. citri (Xac; a pathogen of citrus plants). One end of the BXO8 LPS gene cluster, comprised of ten genes, is also present in the related rice pathogen, X. oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc). In Xoc, the remainder of the LPS gene cluster, consisting of seven genes, is novel and unrelated to LPS gene clusters of any of the sequenced xanthomonads. We also report substantial interstrain variation suggestive of very recent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) at the LPS biosynthetic locus of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the black rot pathogen of crucifers.

Conclusion

Our analyses indicate that HGT has altered the LPS locus during the evolution of Xanthomonas oryzae pathovars and suggest that the ancestor of all Xanthomonas oryzae pathovars had an Xac type of LPS gene cluster. Our finding of interstrain variation in two major xanthomonad pathogens infecting different hosts suggests that the LPS locus in plant pathogenic bacteria, as in animal pathogens, is under intense diversifying selection.
Wnt canonical pathway restricts graded Shh/Gli patterning activity through the regulation of Gli3 expression
Authors: Alvarez-Medina Roberto , Cayuso Jordi , Okubo Tadashi , Takada Shinji , Martí Elisa
Published: December 2007

Dorsoventral patterning of the vertebrate nervous system is achieved by the combined activity of morphogenetic signals secreted from dorsal and ventral signalling centres. The Shh/Gli pathway plays a major role in patterning the ventral neural tube; however, the molecular mechanisms that limit target gene responses to specific progenitor domains remain unclear. Here, we show that Wnt1/Wnt3a, by signalling through the canonical β-catenin/Tcf pathway,control expression of dorsal genes and suppression of the ventral programme,and that this role in DV patterning depends on Gli activity. Additionally, we show that Gli3 expression is controlled by Wnt activity. Identification and characterization of highly conserved non-coding DNA regions around the human Gli3 gene revealed the presence of transcriptionally active Tcf-binding sequences. These indicated that dorsal Gli3 expression might be directly regulated by canonical Wnt activity. In turn, Gli3, by acting as a transcriptional repressor, restricted graded Shh/Gli ventral activity to properly pattern the spinal cord.
Methodological Issues in Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Research
Authors: Kypri Kypros
Published: December 2007

The research literature on screening and brief intervention (SBI) for unhealthy alcohol use is large and diverse. More than 50 clinical trials and 9 systematic reviews have been published on SBI in a range of healthcare settings, and via a variety of delivery approaches, in general practice, hospital wards, emergency departments, addiction treatment centres, and more recently, via computers and the Internet. The aim of this paper was to discuss methodological issues which arise in the design, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of SBI trials. Principal among these are the challenge of detecting small effects, standards of analysis, reporting, and interpretation, the risks of bias arising from self-report of outcomes, and the need to ensure that results have the potential to be applied in practice to reduce the burden of disease and injury attributable to unhealthy alcohol use.
Measuring Performance of Brief Alcohol Counseling in Medical Settings
Authors: Bradley Katharine A. , Williams Emily C. , Achtmeyer Carol E. , Hawkins Eric J. , Harris Alex H. S. , Frey Madeleine S. , Craig Thomas , Kivlahan Daniel R.
Published: December 2007

Brief alcohol counseling is a top US prevention priority but has not been widely implemented. The lack of an easy performance measure for brief alcohol counseling is one important barrier to implementation. The purpose of this report is to outline important issues related to measuring performance of brief alcohol counseling in health care settings. We review the strengths and limitations of several options for measuring performance of brief alcohol counseling and describe three measures of brief alcohol counseling tested in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. We conclude that administrative data are not well-suited to measuring performance of brief alcohol counseling. Patient surveys appear to offer the optimal approach currently available for comparing performance of brief alcohol counseling across health care systems, while more options are available for measuring performance within health care systems. Further research is needed in this important area of quality improvement.
Recent discoveries in the pathways to cobalamin (coenzyme B12) achieved through chemistry and biology
Authors: Scott A. Ian , Roessner Charles A.
Published: December 2007

The genetic engineering of Escherichia coli for the over-expression of enzymes of the aerobic and anaerobic pathways to cobalamin has resulted in the in vivo and in vitro biosynthesis of new intermediates and other products that were isolated and characterized using a combination of bioorganic chemistry and high-resolution NMR. Analyses of these products were used to deduct the functions of the enzymes that catalyze their synthesis. CobZ, another enzyme for the synthesis of precorrin-3B of the aerobic pathway, has recently been described, as has been BluB, the enzyme responsible for the oxygen-dependent biosynthesis of dimethylbenzimidazole. In the anaerobic pathway, functions have recently been experimentally confirmed for or assigned to the CbiMNOQ cobalt transport complex, CbiA (a,c side chain amidation), CbiD (C-1 methylation), CbiF (C-11 methylation), CbiG (lactone opening, deacylation), CbiP (b,d,e,g side chain amidation), and CbiT (C-15 methylation, C-12 side chain decarboxylation). The dephosphorylation of adenosylcobalamin-phosphate, catalyzed by CobC, has been proposed as the final step in the biosynthesis of adenosylcobalamin.
Divining the prospect for Sino-Iraqi relations
Authors: Keith Ronald C
Published: December 2007

Sino-Iraqi economic relations declined in the context of American control over reconstruction; however, Chinese diplomacy is, nonetheless, persistently inclusive and open-ended towards Iraq and all of its neighbours. Chinese Middle Eastern foreign policy has generally become more active
in the last several years. This policy has not sought direct confrontation with the United States, but it has focused on UN-based initiatives, on the mutual development of state economies and the inclusive recognition of the national self-determination of all states in the region and the need
to respect the diversity of civilizations. Indeed, China does have its own energy interests, but Chinese policy generally offers a deliberate contrast with policy that accepts the unilateral resort to force and the refusal to engage targeted regimes. If China is a rising power, it is poised
to play a constructive role in Iraq and in the Middle East.
Stories of our boys, but for whom? The Japanese media's coverage of the SDF in Iraq
Authors: Sakai Keiko
Published: December 2007

The dispatch of the Japanese Self Defence Forces (SDF) to Iraq following the US invasion was a watershed in the transformation of Japan's defence and security policy, from its traditional pacifist policy toward deeper involvement in international security issues. The Japanese media
covered the situation in Iraq mainly in the context of Japan's policy regarding the SDF. An analysis of editorials in major Japanese newspapers shows that media concern regarding the SDF reached a peak during the proceedings on legislation to allow the dispatch of the SDF, but decreased dramatically
following the dispatch. The presence of the SDF in Iraq became an issue that was too close to home. As a result, criticism became impossible, and the debate on the SDF became limited to the issue of morality and the loyalty of the Japanese people to the government. The analysis also shows
that the original motivation for the dispatch of the SDF was not perceived as a domestic factor but as a reflection of Japan's relationship with the United States. Thus, the Japanese media failed to grasp the situation surrounding the SDF within the overall context of domestic political developments
in Iraq.
Reviews
Authors: Sullivan Paul , Abdullah Thabit A.J , Ismael Tareq Y
Published: December 2007

The cakewalk meets reality and Rashomon

Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq, Michael R. Gordon and General Bernard E. Trainor, (2006) New York: Pantheon Books, 603 pp., ISBN 0375422625 (hbk), US27.95

Chain of Command: The
Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib, Seymour Hersh, (2006) New York: Harper Collins, 394 pp., ISBN 0060195916 (hbk), US24.95

Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq, Thomas E. Ricks, (2006) New York: Penguin Press, 482 pp., ISBN 159420103X (hbk), US27.95

The
Assassin's Gate: America in Iraq, George Packer, (2005) New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 467 pp., ISBN 0641792581 (hbk), US26.00

Night Draws Near: Iraq's People in the Shadow of America's War, Anthony Shadid, (2006) New York: Picador USA, 507 pp., ISBN 0312426038
(pbk), US15.00

Basra, the Failed Gulf State: Separatism and Nationalism in Southern Iraq, Reidar Visser, (2005) Muenster (Germany): LIT Vertag, 256 pp. including index, ISBN 3825887995 (pbk), US39.95

Kurdish National Movement Its Origins and Development, Wadie
Jwaideh, (2006) Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 419 pp., ISBN 081563093X (pbk), US40.50
Analysis of extended human leukocyte antigen haplotype association with Addison's disease in three populations
Authors: Gombos Z , Hermann R , Kiviniemi M , Nejentsev S , Reimand K , Fadeyev V , Peterson P , Uibo R , Ilonen J
Published: December 2007

Objective

Addison's disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder with a polygenic background. The aim of the study was to identify non-class II human leukocyte antigen (HLA) susceptibility genes for Addison's disease.

Design and methods

Addison's disease patients from three European populations were analysed for selected HLA–DR–DQ alleles and for 11 microsatellite markers covering ∼4 Mb over the HLA region. Subjects were 69 patients with Addison's disease from Estonia (24), Finland (14) and Russia (31). Consecutively recruited healthy newborns from the same geographical regions were used as controls (269 Estonian, 1000 Finnish and 413 Russian). Association measures for HLA–DRB1, DQB1, DQA1 and 11 microsatellites between D6S273 and D6S2223 were taken. A low-resolution full-house typing was used for HLA class II genes, while microsatellite markers were studied using fluorescence-based DNA fragment sizing technology.

Results

We confirmed that the HLA–DR3–DQ2 and the DQB1*0302–DRB1*0404 haplotypes confer disease susceptibility. In Russian patients, we also found an increase of DRB1*0403 allele, combined with DQB1*0305 allele in three out of six cases (P<0.0001). Analysis of 11 microsatellite markers including STR MICA confirmed the strong linkage in DR3–DQ2 haplotypes but DRB1*0404–DQB1*0302 haplotypes were diverse. MICA5.1 allele was found in 22 out of 24 Estonian patients, but results from Finnish and Russian patients did not support its independent role in disease susceptibility.

Conclusion

HLA–DRB1*0403 was identified as a novel susceptibility allele for Addison's disease. Additionally, we found no evidence of a non-class II HLA disease susceptibility locus; however, the HLA–DR3–DQ2 haplotype appeared more conserved in patient groups with high DR–DQ2 frequencies.
Reference range of serum calcitonin levels in humans: influence of calcitonin assays, sex, age, and cigarette smoking
Authors: d'Herbomez Michèle , Caron Philippe , Bauters Catherine , Do Cao Christine , Schlienger Jean-Louis , Sapin Rémy , Baldet Line , Carnaille Bruno , Wémeau Jean-Louis , _ _
Published: December 2007

Objective

The objective of this study was to re-evaluate the adult CT reference values determined by five different immunoassays and by introducing criteria for selecting control subjects.

Design

A prospective multicenter study.

Patients

Three hundred and seventy-five clinically euthyroid subjects.

Methods

We used five different CT immunoassays. Sera were assayed for the concentration of TSH, gastrin, procalcitonin, urea, calcium, and anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies.

Results

Screening for the various potential causes of hypercalcitoninemia led to the exclusion of 23% of the sera. Our reference value analysis dealt with 287 subjects (142 men and 145 women). The proportion of samples in which no CT was detected varied from 56% (for assay D) to 88% (for assay C). We observed significant correlations (whose magnitude depended on the assay used) between CT levels and age or body mass index (BMI) (primarily in men). The distribution of CT levels showed that 4.7, 9.8, 2.5, 6.5, and 8.0% of the values were over 10 pg/ml respectively. These values corresponded essentially to samples from 11 male subjects (median age: 55 years), most of whom were smokers. The highest CT values were around twice as high in men than women, and were higher in smokers than non-smokers.

Conclusion

In clinical practice (and after having excluded the usual causes of raised CT levels), the interpretation of CT assay results must take into account i) the method used; ii) the patient's gender, age, and weight; and iii) the potential influence of cigarette smoking.
The pentose phosphate pathway in Trypanosoma cruzi: a potential target for the chemotherapy of Chagas disease
Authors: Igoillo-Esteve Mariana , Maugeri Dante , Stern Ana L. , Beluardi Paula , Cazzulo Juan J.
Published: December 2007

Trypanosoma cruzi is highly sensitive to oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species. Trypanothione, the parasite's major protection against oxidative stress, is kept reduced by trypanothione reductase, using NADPH; the major source of the reduced coenzyme seems to be the pentose phosphate pathway. Its seven enzymes are present in the four major stages in the parasite's biological cycle; we have cloned and expressed them in Escherichia coli as active proteins. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, which controls glucose flux through the pathway by its response to the NADP/NADPH ratio, is encoded by a number of genes per haploid genome, and is induced up to 46-fold by hydrogen peroxide in metacyclic trypomastigotes. The genes encoding 6-phosphogluconolactonase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, transaldolase and transketolase are present in the CL Brener clone as a single copy per haploid genome. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase is very unstable, but was stabilized introducing two salt bridges by site-directed mutagenesis. Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase belongs to Type B; genes encoding Type A enzymes, present in mammals, are absent. Ribulose-5-phosphate epimerase is encoded by two genes. The enzymes of the pathway have a major cytosolic component, although several of them have a secondary glycosomal localization, and also minor localizations in other organelles.
Demonstration project on epilepsy in Brazil: outcome assessment
Authors: Li Li M. , Fernandes Paula T. , Noronha Ana L.A. , Marques Lucia H.N. , Borges Moacir A. , Borges Karina , Cendes Fernando , Guerreiro Carlos A.M. , Zanetta Dirce M.T. , de Boer Hanneke M. , Espíndola Javier , Miranda Claudio T. , Prilipko Leonid , Sander Josemir W.
Published: December 2007

PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of patients with epilepsy treated at primary care health units under the framework of the demonstration project on epilepsy in Brazil, part of the WHO/ILAE/IBE Global Campaign Against Epilepsy. METHOD: We assessed the outcome of patients treated at four primary health units. The staff of the health units underwent information training in epilepsy. The outcome assessment was based on: 1) reduction of seizure frequency, 2) subjective perception from the patient’s and the physician’s point of view, 3) reduction of absenteeism, 4) social integration (school and work), and 5) sense of independence. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients (93 women - 51%) with a mean age of 38 (range from 2 to 86) years were studied. The mean follow-up was 26 months (range from 1 to 38 months, 11 patients had follow-up of less than 12 months). Seizure frequency was assessed based on a score system, ranging from 0 (no seizure in the previous 24 months) to 7 (>10 seizure/day). The baseline median seizure-frequency score was 3 (one to three seizures per month). At the end of the study the median seizure-frequency score was 1 (one to three seizures per year). The patients’ and relatives’ opinions were that in the majority (59%) the health status had improved a lot, some (19%) had improved a little, 20% experienced no change and in 2% the health status was worse. With regard to absenteeism, social integration and sense of independence, there were some modest improvements only. DISCUSSION: The development of a model of epilepsy treatment at primary health level based on the existing health system, with strategic measures centred on the health care providers and the community, has proved to be effective providing important reductions in seizure frequency, as well as in general well being. This model can be applied nationwide, as the key elements already exist provided that strategic measures are put forward in accordance with local health providers and managers.
Melhoramento do trigo: XVII. comportamento de linhagens de origem mexicana no estado de São Paulo
Authors: Camargo Carlos Eduardo de Oliveira , Felício João Carlos , Freitas José Guilherme de , Ferreira Filho Antonio Wilson Penteado , Barros Benedito de Camargo , Pettinelli Junior Armando , Santos Rui Ribeiro dos , Kanthack Ricardo Augusto Dias , Rocha Junior Laércio Soares
Published: December 2007

Em ensaios instalados nas Estações Experimentais de Monte Alegre do Sul e Tatuí e no município de Maracaí, de 1984 a 1986, estudaram-se 23 linhagens de trigo introduzidas do Centro Internacional de Melhoramento de Milho e Trigo (CIMMYT), México, juntamente com os cultivares IAC-24 e Anahuac. Analisaram-se os seguintes parâmetros: rendimento de grãos, altura de plantas, ciclo em dias da emergência ao florescimento e da emergência à maturação, porcentagem de plantas acamadas, comprimento da espiga, número de grãos por espiga e por espigueta e de espiguetas por espiga, resistência às ferrugens do colmo e da folha em condições de campo e de casa de vegetação, tolerância à toxicidade de Al3+ empregando-se soluções nutritivas, em laboratório. As linhas mexicanas, nominadas como IAC-215, IAC-216, IAC-217 e IAC-219, destacaram-se quanto à produção de grãos, porém não diferiram do cultivar controle IAC-24. As linhagens Festiguay-Tecolote 363.30.6.1 x Ciguena e [4777² x (Frontana/Kenya 58//Newthatch)] Gabo/Pavon-76 mostraram-se resistentes às nove raças do agente causal da ferrugem-do-colmo e às seis raças do agente causal da ferrugem-da-folha. Os resultados evidenciaram que são fontes genéticas de grande valor para o programa de melhoramento do trigo no Instituto Agronômico os genótipos seguintes: IAC-215, IAC-216, Yaco"S", IAC-218, Dougga-Bluejay (T-4), Buckbuck"S" - Bulbul"S", com ciclo precoce; IAC-215, Yaco"S" e Jupateco 73-Bluejay, com porte baixo, Bonanza-Yecora F-70/Florence 35.70, com espigas compridas e maior número de espiguetas e de grãos por espiga; Jupateco 73-Bluejay, com grande fertilidade de espigas; [(IAS-58-IAS-55 x Alondra"S"/IAC-5) Alondra"S" - IAS-58 103A x Alondra"S"] e IAC-215, IAC-216, IAC-219 e IAC-24, com tolerância a 10 mg/litro de Al3+.
Gomose da acácia-negra causada por Ceratocystis fimbriata Ell. & Halst.
Authors: Ribeiro Ivan José Antunes , Fumikoito Margarida , Paradela Filho Osvaldo , Castro Jairo Lopes de
Published: December 2007

É relatada a ocorrência, pela primeira vez no Brasil, de Ceratocystis fimbriata Ell. & Halst. sobre acácia-negra. Testes de inoculação cruzada foram efetuados em casa de vegetação com o isolado obtido de acácia-negra (Acacia decurrens Willd.) e outro de mangueira (Mangifera indica L.). Observou-se que ambos os isolados foram patogênicos à acácia-negra e à mangueira.
Ocorrência de Ovulariopsis papayae Bijl em folhas de mamoeiro
Authors: Ribeiro Ivan José Antunes , Castro Lucia Helena Signori Melo de , Rica Maria Teresa de Toledo , Piza Junior Coleis de Toledo
Published: December 2007

É citada pela primeira vez, em nossas condições, a ocorrência de oídio causado por Ovulariopsis papayae Bijl em folhas de mamoeiro (Cacica papaya L.). São descritas a sintomatologia, as características morfológicas do patógeno e o teste de patogenicidade.
Avaliação de variedades IAC de cana-de-açúcar das séries de 1965 e 1966 e de outras cultivadas no estado de São Paulo
Authors: Espironelo Ademar , Pommer Celso Valdevino , Pereira José Carlos Vila Nova Alves , Igue Toshio
Published: December 2007

Conduziram-se três experimentos no Estado de São Paulo com o objetivo de avaliar variedades de cana-de-açúcar provenientes de hibridações realizadas no Instituto Agronômico (IAC) em 1965 e 1966 e outras variedades em cultivo no Estado, tomando-se NA56-79 e IAC52-150 como padrão. Os experimentos, delineados em blocos ao acaso com 14 tratamentos e quatro repetições, foram instalados nas localidades de Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, Serrana e Sales de Oliveira em fevereiro-março de 1979. Em agosto-setembro de 1980, 1981 e 1982, colheram-se a cana-planta, a cana-soca e a cana-ressoca respectivamente. As melhores variedades pelo teste de Dunnett a 5% de probabilidade foram o padrão NA56-79, as comerciais CB45-155, IAC51-205 e IAC48-65 e a nova variedade IAC65-113. Em pelo menos duas localidades, essas variedades apresentaram produtividade de açúcar que não diferiu significativamente do padrão NA56-79 e foram superiores ao outro padrão IAC52-150. As variedades IAC52-150, NA56-79 e IAC58-480 apresentaram os maiores teores de açúcar e IAC48-65, IAC51-205 e CB45-155, teores intermediários. As variedades NA56-79 e IAC48-65 apresentaram maior estabilidade de produção ao longo das colheitas.
Situação nutricional de seringais produtivos no estado de São Paulo
Authors: Bataglia Ondino Cleante , Cardoso Mário , Carretero Miguel Viscaíno
Published: December 2007

Avaliou-se o estado nutricional de quarenta seringais em produção, instalados em diversas regiões edafoclimáticas paulistas, por meio da análise química foliar e dos solos correspondentes. As amostragens de folhas foram feitas no verão e no outono e as de solo, apenas na primeira época, ambas em 1984 e 1985. De forma consistente, verificaram-se baixos níveis de P nos solos de quase todos os seringais e de K naqueles localizados no litoral. A acidez apresentou grande variabilidade, registrando-se desde baixos índices de saturação por bases em solos do litoral e na região dos latossolos vermelho-escuros de textura média até níveis bastante elevados nos latossolos roxos eutróficos e nos podzólicos. Embora não se tenham registrado deficiências de micronutrientes, as concentrações de Fe e B se mostraram marcadamente associadas ao tipo de solo. As produtividades mais elevadas de alguns seringais foram associadas com níveis mais altos de N e K nas folhas. Para os demais macronutrientes, as concentrações nas folhas foram semelhantes, independente do grupo de produtividade em gue os seringais se enquadraram: baixa, média ou alta. Não ocorreram deficiências visíveis de Ca e Mg, porém os baixos níveis de P tanto nas folhas como nos solos possivelmente estejam afetando a produtividade.