bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MDR‐TB in Finland – still rare despite the situation in our neighbouring countries
Authors: Vasankari Tuula , Soini Hanna , Liippo Kari , Ruutu Petri
Published: May 2011

Introduction:  The multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) epidemic in Eastern Europe bordering Finland has raised worries concerning the risk of disease in near‐frontier contacts.

Objectives:  Our aim was to find out the amount of multidrug resistance, characterise the resistance profiles and evaluate the outcome of treatment. In addition, we analysed the isolates by molecular genotyping methods in order to evaluate the origins of the resistant isolates.

Methods:  All culture‐verified new MDR‐TB cases diagnosed during the years 1994–2005 were included. Treatment outcome categories of the World Health Organization collected 36 months from the beginning of the treatment were used for outcome monitoring. The IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) test and spoligotyping were carried out according to standard recommendations.

Results:  There were 19 culture‐confirmed MDR‐TB cases during the study period. The mean age was 39.9 years. The proportion of foreign‐born patients was 73.7%. The outcome of the treatment was favourable in 14 cases (73.7%). When the spoligotypes were compared with the international spoligotype database, a corresponding spoligotype was found in 17 cases. Seven (36.8%) patients were infected by an isolate belonging to the Beijing genotype (SIT1).

Conclusion:  It is very probable that cases of MDR‐TB in Finland are mostly caught abroad. Risk of gaining disease in near‐frontier contacts seems to be very low.

Please cite this paper as: Vasankari T, Soini H, Liippo K and Ruutu P. MDR‐TB in Finland – still rare despite the situation in our neighbouring countries. Clin Respir J 2012; 6: 35–39.
May–Hegglin anomaly in a dog
Authors: Flatland Bente , Fry Michael M. , Baek Seung J. , Bahn Jae H. , LeBlanc Casey J. , Dunlap John R. , Carroll Roger C. , Kosiba Deborah J. , Millsaps Doris J. , Schleis Stephanie E.
Published: May 2011

Abstract: An 8‐year‐old female spayed Pug dog was presented for evaluation of cutaneous lesions occurring secondary to immunosuppressive treatment of presumed immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia. Abnormal hematologic findings included persistent thrombocytopenia, macrothrombocytes, and variably shaped, often fusiform, blue cytoplasmic inclusions in neutrophils. May–Hegglin anomaly (MHA) was suspected based on the morphologic appearance of platelets and neutrophils. Examination of cells by transmission electron microscopy revealed normal platelet ultrastructure; neutrophil inclusions had features similar to those reported for inclusions in human MHA. Neutrophil function was within normal limits based on flow cytometric analysis. Thrombelastography indicated a prolonged clotting time (r), and PlateletMapping showed a lack of response to 2 μM ADP compared with a moderate response in the control dog. Immunocytochemical staining of blood smears using 2 commercially available antibodies against MYH9 protein (nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II) yielded negative results. However, genomic DNA sequencing analysis of the dog's MYH9 gene identified a single point mutation, resulting in substitution of lysine for glutamine at the 1841 amino acid position; this mutation is identical to one identified in people with MHA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an MYH9 mutation in the dog. MHA‐associated macrothrombocytopenia may be mistaken for immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia.
Expert Advocacy for the Marginalised: How and Why Democratic Mediation Matters to Deepening Democracy in the Global South
Authors: Piper Laurence , von Lieres Bettina
Published: May 2011

The paper argues that the practice of democratic mediation is an increasingly common, yet under‐researched, component of engagements between citizens and public authorities across the globe. While the actors who mediate (and their tactics) are diverse and are not necessarily of the marginalised group, they share a commitment to overcoming representational, knowledge or ideological deficits in decision‐making for the marginalised group. While the ‘speaking for’ nature of democratic mediation clearly opens up critical legitimacy problems, the practice of democratic mediation appears to be remarkably common, and even effective.

The paper demonstrates this by surveying at least three kinds of democratic mediation observed across a large number of cases. First is ‘mediation as professional advocacy’. The mediator in these cases is more an ‘interested intermediary’ in contentious policy politics. In a context of skewed power‐relations where certain groups remain systematically marginalised, not least through knowledge and representational deficits, a degree of advocacy is required to get more egalitarian policy dialogue.

Second is ‘mediation as representational entrepreneurship’. This refers to engagements between citizens and forms of public authority that stretch from the local to the global level. In more ‘global‐local’ mobilisations, mediators are often experts, professionals, and international NGOs. In more ‘local – global’ movements, the mediators are ‘hybrid activists’ deeply rooted in the local identities and associations. However, in either case the actor is distinguished by the taking of initiative to include the voices of the marginalised in a domain of power‐relations which is multi‐level.

Lastly, ‘mediation as citizenship development’ refers to forms of activism typically associated with community and capacity development, and usually involves limited advocacy by civil society organisations (CSOs). Hence there may be little by way of explicit mediation in local governance decision‐making in these cases, although the empowerment of communities has a demonstrable and mostly positive impact on local governance.
Severe bilateral physitis with instability and Salter‐Harristype 1fractures in two foals
Authors: Jackson M. A. , Kummer M. , Auer J. A. , Ossent P. , Paar M. , Fürst A. E.
Published: May 2011

This Case Report describes the clinical, radiographic, computed tomographic andpost mortemfindings in 2 foals with severe bilateral physitis of the distal third metatarsal bones (MtIII). The foals were admitted because of bilateral hindlimb lameness of several weeks' duration. Initial examination revealed that the physeal regions of the distal MtIII were enlarged, warmer than normal and painful on palpation.Case 1was treated conservatively and discharged but was readmitted 8 weeks later because of clinical deterioration. In both foals, radiographs showed plantar dislocation of both epiphyses through the physis and a Salter‐Harristype 1fracture. The foals were subjected to euthanasia and apost mortemexamination.
Local and global volunteer opportunities for pharmacists to contribute to public health
Authors: Angelo Lauren B , Maffeo Carrie M
Published: May 2011

There are many local and global volunteer opportunities for pharmacists to contribute to public health initiatives that help promote health, prevent disease and improve access to care. This article provides perspective and guidance for pharmacists and student pharmacists who desire to take part in volunteer initiatives related to local and global public health needs. The case examples provided are limited to activities that occurred strictly in a volunteer capacity.

Pharmacists serving in a volunteer capacity have an opportunity to broaden their depth of practice and patient care responsibilities. Their skills sets and knowledge can be applied in a variety of public health settings to help meet the health care needs of the communities and patients they serve. Emergency response and caring for the underserved are recurring themes within the volunteer opportunities afforded to pharmacists. Examples include, but are not limited to, the US Medical Reserve Corps, health departments, health centres and clinics, medical service trips and disaster relief. Regardless of setting, the volunteer pharmacist will need to consider scope of practice limitations and certain legal protections.

An array of volunteer opportunities exists for pharmacists and student pharmacists in the public health arena. Participating in these events allows pharmacists to expand their practice experiences while contributing to public health needs and outreach.
A Tetraparametric Metamodel for the Analysis and Design of Bolting Sequences for Wind Generator Flanges
Authors: Abasolo Mikel , Aguirrebeitia Josu , Avilés Rafael , Fernández de Bustos Igor
Published: May 2011

This paper presents a metamodel that enables estimation of the elastic interaction that occurs in the bolted joints of a wind generator tower during the tightening sequence. In this kind of joint, there is a gap between the contact surfaces of the flanges. The metamodel is composed of four parameters, which are enough to simulate the response of the flange under the tightening loads of the bolts. Even though the behavior of the joint is nonlinear because of the gap, the parameters are obtained from two simple linear elastic analyses of a finite element (FE) model of the flange. The corresponding loss of load in the bolts has been estimated for various sequences with minimum computational cost. Thus, there is no need for costly experimental measurements or nonlinear FE simulations.
Evaluation of Alumina-Forming Austenitic Foil for Advanced Recuperators
Authors: Pint Bruce A. , Brady Michael P. , Yamamoto Yukinori , Santella Michael L. , Maziasz Philip J. , Matthews Wendy J.
Published: May 2011

A corrosion- and creep-resistant austenitic stainless steel has been developed for advanced recuperator applications. By optimizing the Al and Cr contents, the alloy is fully austenitic for creep strength while allowing the formation of a chemically stable external alumina scale at temperatures up to 900°C. An alumina scale eliminates long-term problems with the formation of volatile Cr oxy-hydroxides in the presence of water vapor in exhaust gas. As a first step in producing foil for primary surface recuperators, three commercially cast heats have been rolled to ∼100 μm thick foil in the laboratory to evaluate performance in creep and oxidation testing. Results from initial creep testing are presented at 675°C and 750°C, showing excellent creep strength compared with other candidate foil materials. Laboratory exposures in humid air at 650–800°C have shown acceptable oxidation resistance. A similar oxidation behavior was observed for sheet specimens of these alloys exposed in a modified 65 kW microturbine for 2871 h. One composition that showed superior creep and oxidation resistance has been selected for the preparation of a commercial batch of foil.
Development of a High Speed Gas Bearing Test Rig to Measure Rotordynamic Force Coefficients
Authors: Moore J. Jeffrey , Lerche Andrew , Allison Timothy , Ransom David L. , Lubell Daniel
Published: May 2011

The use of gas bearings has increased over the past several decades to include microturbines, air cycle machines, and hermetically sealed compressors and turbines. Gas bearings have many advantages over traditional bearings, such as rolling element or oil lubricated fluid film bearings, including longer life, ability to use the process fluid, no contamination of the process with lubricants, accommodating high shaft speeds, and operation over a wide range of temperatures. Unlike fluid film bearings that utilize oil, gas lubricated bearings generate very little damping from the gas itself. Therefore, successful bearing designs such as foil bearings utilize damping features on the bearing to improve the damping generated. Similar to oil bearings, gas bearing designers strive to develop gas bearings with good rotordynamic stability. Gas bearings are challenging to design, requiring a fully coupled thermo-elastic, hydrodynamic analysis including complex nonlinear mechanisms such as Coulomb friction. There is a surprisingly low amount of rotordynamic force coefficient measurement in the literature despite the need to verify the model predictions and the stability of the bearing. This paper describes the development and testing of a 60,000 rpm gas bearing test rig and presents measured stiffness and damping coefficients for a 57 mm foil type bearing. The design of the rig overcomes many challenges in making this measurement by developing a patented, high-frequency, high-amplitude shaker system, resulting in excitation over most of the subsynchronous range.
Investigation of the Roles of Flame Propagation, Turbulent Mixing, and Volumetric Heat Release in Conventional and Low Temperature Diesel Combustion
Authors: Kokjohn Sage L. , Reitz Rolf D.
Published: May 2011

In this work, a multimode combustion model that combines a comprehensive kinetics scheme for volumetric heat release and a level-set-based model for turbulent flame propagation is applied over the range of engine combustion regimes from non-premixed to premixed conditions. The model predictions of the ignition processes and flame structures are compared with the measurements from the literature of naturally occurring luminous emission and OH planar laser induced fluorescence. Comparisons are performed over a range of conditions from a conventional diesel operation (i.e., short ignition delay, high oxygen concentration) to a low temperature combustion mode (i.e., long ignition delay, low oxygen concentration). The multimode combustion model shows an excellent prediction of the bulk thermodynamic properties (e.g., rate of heat release), as well as local phenomena (i.e., ignition location, fuel and combustion intermediate species distributions, and flame structure). The results of this study show that, even in the limit of mixing controlled combustion, the flame structure is captured extremely well without considering subgrid scale turbulence-chemistry interactions. The combustion process is dominated by volumetric heat release in a thin zone around the periphery of the jet. The rate of combustion is controlled by the transport of a reactive mixture to the reaction zone, and the dominant mixing processes are well described by the large scale mixing and diffusion. As the ignition delay is increased past the end of injection (i.e., positive ignition dwell), both the simulations and optical engine experiments show that the reaction zone spans the entire jet cross section. In this combustion mode, the combustion rate is no longer limited by the transport to the reaction zone, but rather by the kinetic time scales. Although comparisons of results with and without consideration of flame propagation show very similar flame structures and combustion characteristics, the addition of the flame propagation model reveals details of the edge or triple-flame structure in the region surrounding the diffusion flame at the lift-off location. These details are not captured by the purely kinetics based combustion model, but are well represented by the present multimode model.
An Adaptive Material Mask Overlay Method: Modifications and Investigations on Binary, Well Connected Robust Compliant Continua
Authors: Saxena Anupam
Published: May 2011

The material mask overlay strategy employs negative masks to create material voids within the design region to synthesize perfectly binary (0-1), well connected continua. Previous implementations use either a constant number of circular masks or increase the latter via a sequence of subsearches making the procedure computationally expensive. Here, a modified algorithm is presented wherein the number of masks is adaptively varied within a single search, in addition to their positions and sizes, thereby generating material voids, both efficiently and effectively. A stochastic, mutation-only search with different mutation strategies is employed. The honeycomb parameterization naturally eliminates all subregion connectivity anomalies without requiring additional suppression methods. Boundary smoothening as a new preprocessing step further facilitates accurate evaluations of intermediate and final designs with moderated notches. Thus, both material and contour boundary interpretation steps, that can alter the synthesized solutions, are avoided during postprocessing. Various features, e.g., (i) effective use of the negative masks, (ii) convergence, (iii) mesh dependency, (iv) solution dependence on the reaction force, and (v) parallel search are investigated through the synthesis of small deformation fully compliant mechanisms that are designed to be robust under the specified loads. The proposed topology search algorithm shows promise for design of single-material large deformation continua as well.
Strategic Design Decisions for Uncertain Market Systems Using an Agent Based Approach
Authors: Wang Z. , Azarm S. , Kannan P. K.
Published: May 2011

Market players, such as competing manufacturing firms and retail channels, can significantly influence the demand and profit of a new product. Existing methods in design for market systems use game theoretic models that can maximize a firm’s profit with respect to the product design and price variables given the Nash equilibrium of the market system. However, in the design for uncertain market systems, there is seldom equilibrium with players having fixed strategies in a given time period. In this paper, we propose an agent based approach for design for market systems that accounts for learning behaviors of the market players under uncertainty. By learning behaviors we mean that market players gradually, over time, learn to play with better strategies based on action–reaction behaviors of other players. We model a market system with agents representing competing manufacturers and retailers who possess learning capabilities and based on some prespecified rules are able to react and make decisions on the product design and pricing. The proposed agent based approach provides strategic design and pricing decisions for a manufacturing firm in response to possible reactions from market players in the short and long term horizons. Our example results show that the proposed approach can produce competitive strategies for the firm by simulating market players’ learning behaviors when they react only by setting prices, as compared to a game theoretic approach. Furthermore, it can yield profitable product design decisions and competitive strategies when competing firms react by changing design variables in the short term—case for which no previous method in design for market systems has been reported.
Language, foreign nationality and ethnicity in an English prison: implications for the quality of health and social research
Authors: Yildiz Can , Bartlett Annie
Published: May 2011

Background

More than one in 10 of all prisoners in England and Wales are Foreign Nationals. This article discusses whether the research applications to one London prison are aimed at understanding a prisoner population characterised by significant multinational and multilingual complexity.

Methods

We studied all accessible documents relating to research undertaken at a women's prison between 2005 and 2009 to assess the involvement of Foreign National prisoners and women with limited English. The source of information was prison research applications and protocols. We also looked at available final research reports and journal articles.

Results

Two key findings emerged from this study. First, studies at this prison frequently excluded Foreign National prisoners and women with limited English. Second, Foreign National prisoners were often clustered as a homogeneous category in the research reports reviewed. This is despite their diverse cultural backgrounds, their variable immigration status and their differing competence in English, all of which affect their lives.

Conclusions

The failure to include and/or identify social subgroups of the population can undermine the value of research, including, in the case of the study prison, funded health research. This can compromise associated needs assessments and service delivery, particularly important in already disadvantaged populations; this may encourage and/or perpetuate a range of health inequalities. There is a pressing need to examine cultural exclusion in other health and criminal justice settings, to assess the ways in which—and the extent to which—such exclusion may compromise the merit of proposed and completed health and social research.
Wholesale data for surveillance of Australian Aboriginal tobacco consumption in the Northern Territory
Authors: Thomas David P , Fitz Joseph W , Johnston Vanessa , Townsend Joanne , Kneebone Warwick
Published: May 2011

Objectives

Effective monitoring of trends in tobacco use is an essential element of tobacco control policy. Monitoring tobacco consumption using tobacco wholesale data has advantages over other methods of surveillance. In the present work, a research project that monitored tobacco consumption in 25 remote Aboriginal communities and its translation to a policy to implement this monitoring routinely in the entire Northern Territory of Australia is described.

Methods

Tobacco consumption and trends were estimated using wholesale (or occasionally sales) data from all retail outlets in 25 remote Aboriginal communities. Self-reported consumption was estimated from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey in 2008. Local consumption results were fed back in posters to local organisations and health staff.

Results

Estimates of consumption from wholesale data and self-report were similar (6.8 and 6.7 cigarettes/day/person aged 15 and over). Consumption was higher in the tropical Top End than in arid Central Australia, and 24% of tobacco was consumed as loose tobacco. The overall trend in monthly consumption was not significantly different from 0. Local communities could be ranked by their local trends in monthly consumption.

Conclusions

Monitoring tobacco consumption using wholesale tobacco data is a practical and unobtrusive surveillance method that is being introduced as a new condition of tobacco retail licenses in the Northern Territory of Australia. It overcomes some problems with consumption estimates from routine surveys, enables rapid feedback and use of results and is particularly well suited for hard-to-reach discrete populations, such as remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. It has already been used to evaluate the impact of local tobacco control activities.
Preliminary investigation of somatosensory evoked potentials in equine headshaking
Authors: Pickles K. J. , Gibson T. J. , Johnson C. B. , Walsh V. , Murrell J. C. , Madigan J. E.
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to develop a technique for recording electrical activity of the equine cerebral cortex following application of a noxious electrical stimulus to the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve in order to investigate trigeminal nerve neurophysiology in control and headshaking horses. Triphasic somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded using subcutaneous needle electrodes in four control and four headshaking horses under general anaesthesia. Dural electroencephalography electrodes were used to record SEPs in one further control and one further headshaking horse. Headshaking horses appeared to have decreased middle latency and inter‐peak intervals following stimulation of the trigeminal nerve compared with control horses, supporting abnormal trigeminal nerve physiology in equine headshaking
On the interpretation of complex atomic spectra by means of the parametric Racah–Slater method and Cowan codes1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Wyart Jean-François
Published: May 2011

Theoretical studies of electronic configurations of several lanthanide ions in the Racah–Slater approach were performed with the standard suite of codes by R.D. Cowan, including a fitting of energy parameters. Configuration interaction was considered explicitly in the low configurations and was processed by effective parameters for doubly-excited far configurations. Mean errors lower than 100 cm–1 were obtained. Systematic differences are noticed between radial integrals calculated by ab initio PHFR and the Pfit fitted values. The consistency of the scaling factors SF(P) = Pfit/PHFR and of the effective parameters for far configuration effects is shown. In an application to Tm II, the predicted transition probabilities compared well with line intensities and led to the finding of new energy levels. In Nd II, the configuration 4f5 is identified.
Excitation energies, E1, M1, and E2 transition rates, and lifetimes in Ca+, Sr+, Cd+, Ba+, and Hg+ 1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Safronova U.I. , Safronova M.S.
Published: May 2011

Excitation energies of ns1/2, npj, and ndj states in Cd+ (n = 5), Hg+ (n = 5) and ns1/2, npj, and (n – 1)dj states in Ca+ (n = 4), Sr+ (n = 5), and Ba+ (n = 6) are evaluated using the linearized coupled-cluster (all-order) method. Reduced matrix elements, oscillator strengths, and transition rates are determined for the ns–npj–ndj (or ns–npj–(n – 1)dj) possible electric dipole transitions in Ca+, Sr+, Ba+, Cd+, and Hg+. Electric quadrupole matrix elements are evaluated to obtain ns1/2–(n – 1)dj transition rates in Ca+ (n = 5), Sr+ (n = 5), and Ba+ (n = 6). The matrix elements are calculated using both relativistic many-body perturbation theory, complete through third order, and the relativistic all-order method restricted to single and double (SD) excitations. The SD lifetime results for the np and nd states in Ca+, Sr+, Ba+, Cd+, and Hg+, are compared with the latest available experimental measurements. The contribution of the magnetic dipole nd3/2–nd5/2 transition to the lifetimes of the lowest nd5/2 level ln Ca+, Sr+, and Ba+ ions is discussed. These calculations provide a theoretical benchmark for comparison with experiment and theory as well as data needed for various applications.
Recent observational and theoretical studies of the classical nova outburst1This review is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Woodward C.E. , Starrfield S.
Published: May 2011

Many facets of astrophysics are captured in classical novae (CNe) eruptions, making these systems unique laboratories to investigate several poorly understood processes, many in real time. CNe may also be related to the super-soft sources, the likely progenitors of SN Ia explosions. Spectra of CNe ejecta, from X-ray to infrared (IR) wavelengths, are remarkable for the changing elemental and ionic content as the ejecta temporally evolves — often exhibiting a variety of low-energy permitted lines of CNO and Fe II, high ionization lines, e.g., [Fe VIII] λ 6078 Å, and IR “coronal” lines (few 100 eV transitions) of metals such as Ne, Si, S, and Ar. At higher energies, X-ray and UV emission in CNe comes from the nuclear burning of residual accreted material on the white dwarf surface after the initial outburst; this emission directly probes processes powering the post-outburst evolution of the white dwarf and the ejecta. Some nova systems are observed to form dust, making CNe one of the known in situ stellar sources of dust grains. However, from a theoretical standpoint the interpretation of the emission line spectra, the derivation of metal abundances and estimates of ejecta mass are vexed by limited and (or) uncertain atomic and molecular data that is becoming increasingly acute, as spectral resolution and wavelength coverage expands into heretofore new observational phase space. Here we highlight IR observations of select CNe, including V2467 Cygni and V2361 Cygni, studied with the NASA Spitzer telescope and contemporaneously with ground-based optical spectroscopy as well as Swift, Chandra, and XMM-Newton spectrophotometry. We discuss new paradigms derived from photoionization models, recent issues associated with ejecta abundances derived from hydrodynamical codes simulating the nova outburst, and future challenges.
Hyperfine quenching: review of experiment and theory1This review is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.
Authors: Johnson W.R.
Published: May 2011

We give a brief outline of the theory of hyperfine quenching followed by a review of the progress that has been made in both theory and experiment since the pioneering work of Garstang (J. Opt. Soc. Am. 52, 845 (1962)).
Oscillator strength measurements of atomic absorption lines from stellar spectra1This article is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.2Based in part on observations made with the Mercator Telescope, operated on the island of La Palma by the Flemish Community, at the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias.
Authors: Lobel Alex
Published: May 2011

Herein we develop a new method to determine oscillator strength values of atomic absorption lines with state-of-the-art detailed spectral synthesis calculations of the optical spectrum of the Sun and of standard spectral reference stars. We update the log(gf) values of 911 neutral lines observed in the KPNO–FTS flux spectrum of the Sun and high-resolution echelle spectra (R = 80 000) of Procyon (F5 IV–V) and [Formula: see text] Eri (K2 V) observed with large signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios of ∼2000 using the new Mercator–Hermes spectrograph at La Palma Observatory (Spain). We find for 483 Fe i, 85 Ni i, and 51 Si i absorption lines in the sample a systematic overestimation of the literature log(gf) values with central line depths below 15%. We employ a curve-of-growth analysis technique to test the accuracy of the new oscillator strength values and compare calculated equivalent line widths to the Moore, Minnaert, and Houtgast atlas of the Sun. The online SpectroWeb database at spectra.freeshell.org interactively displays the observed and synthetic spectra and provides the new log(gf) values together with important atomic line data. The graphical database is under development for stellar reference spectra of every spectral sub-class observed with large spectral resolution and S/N ratios.
Water flow and storage in fractured, unsaturated sulphur blocks
Authors: Birkham T.K. , Hendry M.J. , Barbour S.L. , Carey S.K. , Lawrence J.R. , Lewko R.
Published: May 2011

Water is a primary control on the generation of acidic (H2SO4) effluent from commercial-scale sulphur (S0) blocks. Although clean S0 is strongly hydrophobic, microbial colonization of fracture faces and friable S0 generates localized hydrophilic conditions. Infiltration occurs preferentially along discrete fractures and in areas of friable S0. Surface evaporation rates are low (mean 0.2 mm/day), and >90% of rainfall infiltrates and rapidly drains from the blocks. A conceptual model to describe the flow and storage of water at the base of S0 blocks was developed and tested. The S0 blocks were represented as a hydrophilic equivalent porous medium, and lateral drainage through the base of the blocks was quantified using a two-dimensional numerical model. Specific yield (Sy) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) values were estimated to be ∼4%–7% and ∼1 × 10−2 m/s, respectively, by comparing measured and modelled pore-water pressure head and outflow responses to rainfall events. Given that commercial-scale S0 blocks are constructed in a similar manner worldwide, the results of this study are considered widely applicable in designing S0 block storage facilities that minimize water availability and H2SO4 production in S0 blocks.
LEGENDRE, BESSEL AND BOUBAKER POLYNOMIALS THEORETICAL EXPRESSIONS OF LOW TEMPERATURE PROFILE IN A PYROLYSIS SPRAY MODEL: CASE OF GAUSSIAN DEPOSITED LAYER
Authors: DADA M. , BEN MAHMOUD K. B. , ROZIBAEVA N. , AWOJOYOGBE O. B.
Published: May 2011

In this paper, a solution to heat equation in a spherical model is proposed. The model takes into account conjointly the boundary conditions and the transfer equations in a spray device. The deposited layer is supposed to be Gaussian and not uniform like most recent studies. The solution, using Legendre, Bessel and Boubaker polynomials expansions, presents the advantage of being continuous and indefinitely derivable. These features make the resolution connectable to any heat transfer similar model.
EFFECT OF Mg2+ SUBSTITUTIONS ON THE STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF Co–Mg W-TYPE HEXAGONAL FERRITE
Authors: AKHTAR M. N. , ISLAM M. U. , NIAZI SHAHIDA B. , RANA M. U.
Published: May 2011

W-type hexagonal ferrites having the formula BaCo 2-x Mg x Fe 16 O 27 with x = 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0 were synthesized by the chemical coprecipitation method. XRD analysis shows that the structure of all the compositions is W-type hexagonal ferrite. The c/a ratio varies from 5.48 to 5.52, consistent with the standard values. It was observed that the bulk density and X-ray density decrease whereas porosity increases with increasing concentration of Mg 2+. Room temperature resistivity increases, from 103 to 107 (Ω cm) by increasing the concentration of Mg 2+, due to an increased number of grain boundaries. The remanence and saturation magnetization decrease with increasing Mg 2+ content while coercivity increases as the Mg 2+ increases according to the relation Hc ∝ 1/r. The measured coercivity values are suitable for use in high frequency applications such as microwave absorber materials.
OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF SnO2 THIN FILM PREPARED USING RTO METHOD
Authors: AGOOL IBRAHIM R. , SALEM EVAN T. , HASSAN MARWA A.
Published: May 2011

Transparent and conducting SnO 2 thin film has been produced on quartz substrate using rapid thermal oxidation of pure Sn in air at different oxidation temperature and oxidation time. The transmittance T in the visible and NIR was investigated, the allowed direct energy gap was determined to be 3.18 eV at optimum condition of 600° and 90 s. The dependence of the resistivity on the film thickness and oxidation time has been studied. The optimum thickness of high transmittance and lowest resistivity is about 150 nm for SnO 2 were ρ = 2 × 10-2Ω cm and T = 88%.
ANALYSIS OF THE SPACE SEMI-DISCRETIZED SUPG METHOD FOR TRANSIENT CONVECTION–DIFFUSION EQUATIONS
Authors: BURMAN ERIK , SMITH GILES
Published: May 2011

We consider space semi-discretization of the transient convection–diffusion equation using a Streamline Upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) finite element method. We show stability and convergence both for the standard SUPG formulation with elementwise evaluated Laplacian and for a weakly consistent formulation where the elementwise Laplacian is replaced by a discrete, reconstructed, Laplacian. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the theory.
WEAK ENTROPY SOLUTIONS OF NONLINEAR REACTION–HYPERBOLIC SYSTEMS for AXONAL TRANSPORT
Authors: YAN HAO , YONG WEN-AN
Published: May 2011

This paper is concerned with a class of nonlinear reaction–hyperbolic systems as models for axonal transport in neuroscience. We show the global existence of entropy-satisfying BV-solutions to the initial-value problems by using hyperbolic-type methods. Moreover, we rigorously justify the limit as the biochemical processes are much faster than the transport ones.
A DIVIDE-AND-CONQUER STRATEGY FOR QUALITATIVE SIMULATION AND FUZZY IDENTIFICATION OF COMPLEX DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: GUGLIELMANN RAFFAELLA , IRONI LILIANA
Published: May 2011

Fuzzy systems properly integrated with Qualitative Reasoning approaches yield a hybrid identification method, called FS-QM, that outperforms traditional data-driven approaches in terms of robustness, interpretability and efficiency in both rich and poor data contexts. This results from the embedment of the entire system dynamics predicted by the simulation of its qualitative model, represented by fuzzy-rules, into the fuzzy system. However, the intrinsic limitation of qualitative simulation to scale up to complex and large systems significantly reduces its efficient applicability to real-world problems. The novelty of this paper deals with a divide-and-conquer approach that aims at making qualitative simulation tractable and the derived behavioural description comprehensible and exhaustive, and consequently usable to perform system identification. The partition of the complete model into smaller ones prevents the generation of a complete temporal ordering of all unrelated events, that is one of the major causes of intractable branching in qualitative simulation. The set of generated behaviours is drastically but beneficially reduced as it still captures the entire range of possible dynamical distinctions. Thus, the properties of the correspondent fuzzy-rule base, that guarantee robustness and interpretability of the identified model, are preserved. The strategy we propose is discussed through a case study from the biological domain.
FUZZY DISTANCE SENSOR DATA INTEGRATION AND INTERPRETATION
Authors: FALOMIR ZOE , CASTELLÓ VICENT , ESCRIG M. TERESA , PERIS JUAN CARLOS
Published: May 2011

An approach to distance sensor data integration that obtains a robust interpretation of the robot environment is presented in this paper. This approach consists in obtaining patterns of fuzzy distance zones from sensor readings; comparing these patterns in order to detect non-working sensors; and integrating the patterns obtained by each kind of sensor in order to obtain a final pattern that detects obstacles of any sort. A dissimilarity measure between fuzzy sets has been defined and applied to this approach. Moreover, an algorithm to classify orientation reference systems (built by corners detected in the robot world) as open or closed is also presented. The final pattern of fuzzy distances, resulting from the integration process, is used to extract the important reference systems when a glass wall is included in the robot environment. Finally, our approach has been tested in an ActivMedia Pioneer 2 dx mobile robot using the Player/Stage as the control interface and promising results have been obtained.
LONG TERM RESULTS OF MATCHED HEMIRESECTION INTERPOSITION ARTHROPLASTY FOR DRUJ ARTHRITIS IN RHEUMATOID PATIENTS
Authors: Ahmed Syed Kamran , Cheung Jason Pui Yin , Fung Boris Kwok-Keung , Ip Wing-Yuk
Published: May 2011

Introduction: The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is commonly affected in rheumatoid arthritis and is associated with significant functional morbidity. The aim of our study is to review our results with matched hemi-resection interposition arthroplasty in patients with DRUJ arthritis.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 39 patients with 51 wrists that were treated at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong from 1989 to 2007. All patients underwent matched hemi-resection interposition arthroplasty and dorsal wrist synovectomy. Long arm hinged elbow brace was used for three weeks followed by intensive rehabilitation up to twelve weeks. The indicators of outcome included range of motion assessment, pain, wrist stiffness, grip of strength and need for revision assessed during follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with student t-test.

Results: The average age of patients was 50.5 years (25 to 77 years) and there was a 35:4 female to male ratio. The average follow up was 4.5 years ranging from 1 to 18 years. Associated extensor tendon ruptures were found in 31.4% patients. The average increase in supination was from 73 degrees preoperatively to 81 degrees at long term follow up (p = 0.10 at 1 year and 0.13 at long term follow-up). The average increase in pronation was from 68 degrees preoperatively to 74 degrees on long term follow up (p = 0.57 at 1 year and 0.02 at long term follow-up). There was evidence of painless, relatively stiff but functional wrist in 37.25% of patients. There was an increase in grip strength from an average of 6.1 kilogram force preoperatively to an average of 11.5 kilogram force at follow-up (p = 0.004 at 1 year and 0.15 at long term follow-up). Complete relief of ulnar sided pain was seen in 43 wrists (84%), partial relief was seen in 7 wrists (13.7%) and no relief was found in one wrist (1.9%).

Conclusions: DRUJ arthroplasty is a rewarding procedure and most of the patients obtain pain free movement.
EARLY COMBINED NEUROSURGERY AND ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY IN NEONATAL BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY
Authors: Palti Ram , Horwitz Maxim D. , Smith Nicholas C. , Tonkin Michael A.
Published: May 2011

Three cases are presented in which neurosurgical reconstruction of a Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy was combined with orthopaedic reconstruction of a posterior glenohumeral dislocation. The authors believe that a combined procedure is indicated if the neurological deficit meets the criteria for neural reconstruction and the complication of a posterior glenohumeral dislocation has occurred prior to nerve surgery. Two children with C5–6 lesions and a third child with a pan-plexus lesion obtained good shoulder function following the combined reconstruction.
HIGH DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF LOW-TEMPERATURE SINTERED (Ca0.5Cu0.5)TiO3 CERAMICS
Authors: YUAN JIAN-CONG , LIN YUAN-HUA , CHENG BO , NAN CE-WEN
Published: May 2011

High dielectric-permittivity ( Ca0.5Cu0.5)TiO3 -based ceramics have been prepared by a sol-gel method combined with a solid state sintering process. The results indicate that the additives of H3BO3 have a remarkable effect on the sintering temperature, microstructure and dielectric properties. High density ( Ca0.5Cu0.5)TiO3 bulk ceramics can be obtained after sintering at 900°C. The as-sintered ceramics show high dielectric constants (~1000), and low losses (~0.05). The dielectric properties are nearly independent of frequency and temperature in a wide range. The activation energy is calculated as about 0.50 eV by impedance spectrum method.
FERROELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF PEROVSKITE STRUCTURED Bi1-x-yGdxBayFe1-yTiyO3 MAGNETOELECTRIC CERAMICS
Authors: RAI RADHESHYAM , BDIKIN IGOR , VALENTE M. A. , KHOLKIN ANDREI L.
Published: May 2011

Ternary solid solutions of BiFeO3 , GdFeO3 and BaTiO3 have been prepared by solid-state reaction method. Dielectric properties of these ceramics have been characterized in the temperature range between room temperature and 673 K and magnetic properties between 5 K and 300 K. For the understanding of the multiferroic property, the relation between the crystal structures, magnetic transition and ferroelectric transitions with increasing temperature have been analyzed. All ceramic samples show single perovskite phase. When Ba content exceeds 0.2 wt%, the sintering ability is weakened and the phase structure of Bi 1-x-y Gd x Ba y Fe 1-y Ti y O 3 (with x = 0.2 and y = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) solid solution changes from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase. The maximum ferroelectric transition temperature (Te of this system was in the range 154–165°C with the dielectric constant peak of 6000 for y = 0.5 at 100 kHz. Well-saturated piezoresponse hysteresis loops were observed for all compositions indicating room temperature ferroelectricity. With increasing Ba content (up to 0.3 wt%) the remanent magnetization Mr increased and the coercive magnetic field decreased.
Virtual fieldtrips for petroleum geoscientists
Authors: McCaffrey K. J. W. , Hodgetts D. , Howell J. , Hunt D. , Imber J. , Jones R. R. , Tomasso M. , Thurmond J. , Viseur S.
Published: May 2011

Significant advances in geosciences data acquisition, visualization and analysis now allow highly detailed outcrop models to be constructed for a range of petroleum industry purposes. From a given field locality, a virtual outcrop is created from a centimetre-scale digital elevation model and colour photographs with geological information overlaid as appropriate. In a visualization environment, these datasets can be viewed sequentially to simulate undertaking a fieldtrip. These
virtual fieldtrips
allow geoscientists to improve and expand the traditional fieldwork experience in a number of ways, ranging from planning and health and safety considerations for management, to providing live supplemental technical content on a mobile device to the fieldtrip participant. The fieldtrips are easily archived and content can be reviewed in the office to provide analogue information during technical work. Examples of virtual fieldtrips are provided on the DVD that accompanies this volume.

Supplementary material:
The virtual fieldtrip videoclips referred to in the article are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4816377
The search for a Carboniferous petroleum system beneath the Central North Sea
Authors: Milton-Worssell R. , Smith K. , McGrandle A. , Watson J. , Cameron D.
Published: May 2011

This paper integrates interpretations of modern long-offset seismic datasets with potential field anomalies derived from dense grids of 2D gravity and magnetic data to present a regional-scale synthesis of Devonian, Carboniferous and Early Permian basin development beneath the UK Central North Sea. The 95 000 km
2
study area has had little modern exploration for petroleum systems beneath the Upper Permian. Seismic interpretation and potential field modelling confirm that along the southern fringe of the Central North Sea, as in northern England, Lower Carboniferous basin development was strongly influenced by the disposition of granite-cored Lower Palaeozoic basement blocks – Farne Block, Dogger Block and Devil's Hole High. This study adds a previously unidentified WNW–ESE trending pre-Devonian basement block, the Auk–Flora Ridge, that exerted a profound control on Late Devonian to Mesozoic structural evolution of the south-Central North Sea. From the Flora Field, where it is overlain by relatively thick mid-Devonian to earliest Permian strata, the sub-Permian relief of this block becomes progressively shallower towards the NW. On its southern flank lies a parallel half-graben, akin to the Stainmore Trough in northern England, and interpreted as also containing several thousand feet of Lower Carboniferous strata. As indicated by the coal measures section in well 39/7-1, these strata are likely to include prolific source rocks, which have been modelled as being fully mature for oil generation in Quadrant 29. Potential field modelling extends this interpretation beyond the current seismic coverage, and suggests that Carboniferous to earliest Permian basin development in the Central North Sea was strongly influenced by an underlying Scottish–Norwegian SW–NE trending Caledonoid structural fabric. An earliest Permian, Lower Rotliegend unit thickens southwards towards the Auk–Flora Ridge, and rests unconformably on one or more undrilled NE–SW trending Carboniferous basins. Red-bed fluvial facies akin to those at Flora are likely to dominate the substantial post-Dinantian fill of these basins, but significant thicknesses of Westphalian coal-measure source rocks may also be present locally. As in central Scotland, the Dinantian strata underlying a widespread mid-Carboniferous unconformity in these basins are likely to contain further coal-measure intervals and local developments of oil-shale source rocks. These Westphalian and Dinantian source rocks are key elements of a Carboniferous petroleum system that remains largely untested across large areas of the Central North Sea.