bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Screen for Metabolic Syndrome Susceptibility Loci Reveals Strong Lipid Gene Contribution But No Evidence for Common Genetic Basis for Clustering of Metabolic Syndrome Traits
Authors: Kristiansson Kati , Perola Markus , Tikkanen Emmi , Kettunen Johannes , Surakka Ida , Havulinna Aki S. , Stančáková Alena , Barnes Chris , Widen Elisabeth , Kajantie Eero , Eriksson Johan G. , Viikari Jorma , Kähönen Mika , Lehtimäki Terho , Raitakari Olli T. , Hartikainen Anna-Liisa , Ruokonen Aimo , Pouta Anneli , Jula Antti , Kangas Antti J. , Soininen Pasi , Ala-Korpela Mika , Männistö Satu , Jousilahti Pekka , Bonnycastle Lori L. , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kuusisto Johanna , Collins Francis S. , Laakso Markku , Hurles Matthew E. , Palotie Aarno , Peltonen Leena , Ripatti Samuli , Salomaa Veikko
Published: March 2012

Background—

Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified several susceptibility loci for metabolic syndrome (MetS) component traits, but have had variable success in identifying susceptibility loci to the syndrome as an entity. We conducted a GWA study on MetS and its component traits in 4 Finnish cohorts consisting of 2637 MetS cases and 7927 controls, both free of diabetes, and followed the top loci in an independent sample with transcriptome and nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabonomics data. Furthermore, we tested for loci associated with multiple MetS component traits using factor analysis, and built a genetic risk score for MetS.

Methods and Results—

A previously known lipid locus,
APOA1/C3/A4/A5
gene cluster region (SNP
rs964184
), was associated with MetS in all 4 study samples (
P
=7.23×10
−9
in meta-analysis). The association was further supported by serum metabolite analysis, where
rs964184
was associated with various very low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein metabolites (
P
=0.024–1.88×10
−5
). Twenty-two previously identified susceptibility loci for individual MetS component traits were replicated in our GWA and factor analysis. Most of these were associated with lipid phenotypes, and none with 2 or more uncorrelated MetS components. A genetic risk score, calculated as the number of risk alleles in loci associated with individual MetS traits, was strongly associated with MetS status.

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that genes from lipid metabolism pathways have the key role in the genetic background of MetS. We found little evidence for pleiotropy linking dyslipidemia and obesity to the other MetS component traits, such as hypertension and glucose intolerance.
Comparison of the Framingham and Reynolds Risk Scores for Global Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in the Multiethnic Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Cook Nancy R. , Paynter Nina P. , Eaton Charles B. , Manson JoAnn E. , Martin Lisa W. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Rossouw Jacques E. , Wassertheil-Smoller Sylvia , Ridker Paul M
Published: March 2012

Background—

Framingham-based and Reynolds Risk scores for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prediction have not been directly compared in an independent validation cohort.

Methods and Results—

We selected a case-cohort sample of the multiethnic Women's Health Initiative Observational Cohort, comprising 1722 cases of major CVD (752 myocardial infarctions, 754 ischemic strokes, and 216 other CVD deaths) and a random subcohort of 1994 women without prior CVD. We estimated risk using the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III) score, the Reynolds Risk Score, and the Framingham CVD model, reweighting to reflect cohort frequencies. Predicted 10-year risk varied widely between models, with ≥10% risk in 6%, 10%, and 41% of women with the ATP-III, Reynolds, and Framingham CVD models, respectively. Calibration was adequate for the Reynolds model, but the ATP-III and Framingham CVD models overestimated risk for coronary heart disease and major CVD, respectively. After recalibration, the Reynolds model demonstrated improved discrimination over the ATP-III model through a higher c statistic (0.765 versus 0.757;
P
=0.03), positive net reclassification improvement (NRI; 4.9%;
P
=0.02), and positive integrated discrimination improvement (4.1%;
P
<0.0001) overall, excluding diabetics (NRI=4.2%;
P
=0.01), and in white (NRI=4.3%;
P
=0.04) and black (NRI=11.4%;
P
=0.13) women. The Reynolds (NRI=12.9%;
P
<0.0001) and ATP-III (NRI=5.9%;
P
=0.0001) models demonstrated better discrimination than the Framingham CVD model.

Conclusions—

The Reynolds Risk Score was better calibrated than the Framingham-based models in this large external validation cohort. The Reynolds score also showed improved discrimination overall and in black and white women. Large differences in risk estimates exist between models, with clinical implications for statin therapy.
Mechanism of Ischemic Infarct in Spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissection
Authors: Morel Audrey , Naggara Olivier , Touzé Emmanuel , Raymond Jean , Mas Jean-Louis , Meder Jean-Francois , Oppenheim Catherine
Published: March 2012

Background and Purpose—

It is unclear whether strokes in patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection (CAD) are due to secondary thromboembolism or to a reduction in cerebral blood flow from the primary cervical lesion. The aim of this study was to identify the most likely mechanism of stroke using cervical and cerebral imaging parameters in patients with CAD.

Methods—

The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee. Informed consent was waived. We retrospectively evaluated the cerebrovascular ultrasound, cervical MR angiography, and stroke brain MRI in consecutive patients with CAD. An embolic mechanism was considered in the case of direct visualization of an intracranial embolism as a susceptibility vessel sign on T2* or in the case of pial artery territory infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging. A hemodynamic mechanism was considered in the case of watershed infarction and in the case of an association of watershed infarction and pial artery territory infarction when ≥2 of the following were present: severe stenotic or occlusive CAD, reduced intracranial velocity on cerebrovascular ultrasound or signal on MR angiography, or hyperintense vessel sign on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. The remaining patients were considered to have a mixed mechanism.

Results—

Of 172 consecutive patients with CAD, 100 (58%) had acute stroke on diffusion-weighted imaging. Stroke was attributed to a thromboembolic mechanism in 85 of 100 patients, a hemodynamic mechanism in 12 of 100 patients, and a mixed mechanism in 3 of 100 patients.

Conclusions—

Stroke in patients with CAD is most frequently associated with both direct and indirect signs of artery-to-artery embolization on imaging, a finding that should help design future therapeutic trials.
Dissociative Effects of Methylphenidate in Nonhuman Primates: Trade-offs between Cognitive and Behavioral Performance
Authors: Rajala Abigail Z. , Henriques Jeffrey B. , Populin Luis C.
Published: March 2012

Low doses of methylphenidate reduce hyperactivity and improve attention in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as in healthy humans and animals. Despite its extensive use, relatively little is known about its mechanisms of action. This study investigated the effects of methylphenidate on working memory performance, impulsivity, response accuracy and precision, and the ability to stay on task in rhesus monkeys using an oculomotor delayed response task. Methylphenidate affected task performance in an inverted-U manner in all three subjects tested. The improvements resulted from a reduction in premature responses and, importantly, not from improvement in the memory of target location. The length of time subjects participated in each session was also affected dose dependently. However, the dose at which the length of participation was maximally increased significantly impaired performance on the working memory task. This dissociation of effects has implications for the treatment of ADHD, for the nonprescription use of methylphenidate for cognitive enhancement, and for furthering the basic understanding of the neural substrate underlying these processes.
Hurricane Clusters in the Vicinity of Florida
Authors: Jagger Thomas H. , Elsner James B.
Published: March 2012

Models that predict annual U.S. hurricane activity assume a Poisson distribution for the counts. Here the authors show that this assumption applied to Florida hurricanes leads to a forecast that underpredicts both the number of years without hurricanes and the number of years with three or more hurricanes. The underdispersion in forecast counts arises from a tendency for hurricanes to arrive in groups along this part of the coastline. The authors then develop an extension to their earlier statistical model that assumes that the rate of hurricane clusters follows a Poisson distribution with cluster size capped at two hurricanes. Hindcasts from the cluster model better fit the distribution of Florida hurricanes conditional on the climate covariates including the North Atlantic Oscillation and Southern Oscillation index. Results are similar to models that parameterize the extra-Poisson variation in the observed counts, including the negative binomial and the Poisson inverse Gaussian models. The authors argue, however, that the cluster model is physically consistent with the way Florida hurricanes tend to arrive in groups.
Effects of Three-Dimensional Photon Transport on the Radiative Forcing of Realistic Contrails
Authors: Forster Linda , Emde Claudia , Mayer Bernhard , Unterstrasser Simon
Published: March 2012

Estimates of the global radiative forcing (RF) of line-shaped contrails and contrail cirrus exhibit a high level of uncertainty. In most cases, 1D radiative models have been used to determine the RF on a global scale. In this paper the effect of neglecting the 3D radiative effects of realistic contrails is quantified. Calculating the 3D effects of an idealized elliptical contrail as in the work of Gounou and Hogan with the 3D radiative transfer model MYSTIC (for “Monte Carlo code for the physically correct tracing of photons in cloudy atmospheres”) produced comparable results: as in Gounou and Hogan’s work the 3D effect (i.e., the difference in RF between a 3D calculation and a 1D approximation) on contrail RF was on the order of 10% in the longwave and shortwave. The net 3D effect, however, can be much larger, since the shortwave and longwave RF largely cancel during the day. For the investigation of the 3D effects of more realistic contrails, the microphysical input was provided by simulations of a 2D contrail-to-cirrus large-eddy simulation (LES) model. To capture some of the real variability in contrail properties, this paper examines two contrail evolutions from 20 min up to 6 h in an environment with either high or no vertical wind shear. This study reveals that the 3D effects show a high variability under realistic conditions since they depend strongly on the optical properties and the evolutionary state of the contrails. The differences are especially large for low elevations of the sun and contrails spreading in a sheared environment. Thus, a parameterization of the 3D effects in climate models would need to consider both geometry and microphysics of the contrail.
Projected Twenty-First-Century Changes in Temperature, Precipitation, and Snow Cover over North America in CCSM4
Authors: Peacock Synte
Published: March 2012

Results from a suite of ensembles of twenty-first-century climate projections made using the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4) are analyzed to document model bias and to explore possible future changes in air temperature, precipitation, and snow cover over North America. Large biases still exist in all analyzed fields in this version of the model, and the necessary assumption in future climate projections is therefore that the bias persists into the future, such that the differences in a field between two time periods are meaningful indications of potential changes. Projected temperature increases show strong regional patterns with spatial similarities for all the emissions scenarios considered, although there are considerable differences in the magnitude of the projected change. Projections indicate an increase in total precipitation over much of North America for all emissions scenarios, with the exception of the Southwest United States. All of North America except parts of northern Canada shows a projected decrease in snow cover over the twenty-first century.
Role of the Boundary Layer Moisture Asymmetry in Causing the Eastward Propagation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation*
Authors: Hsu Pang-chi , Li Tim
Published: March 2012

The moisture budget associated with the eastward-propagating Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) was diagnosed using 1979–2001 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data. A marked zonal asymmetry of the moisture relative to the MJO convection appears in the planetary boundary layer (PBL, below 700 hPa), creating a potentially more unstable stratification to the east of the MJO convection and favoring the eastward propagation of MJO. The PBL-integrated moisture budget diagnosis indicates that the vertical advection of moisture dominates the low-level moistening ahead of the convection. A further diagnosis indicates that the leading term in the vertical moisture advection is the advection of the background moisture by the MJO ascending flow associated with PBL convergence. The cause of the zonally asymmetric PBL convergence is further examined. It is found that heating-induced free-atmospheric wave dynamics account for 75%–90% of the total PBL convergence, while the warm SST anomaly induced by air–sea interaction contributes 10%–25% of the total PBL convergence.

The horizontal moisture advection also plays a role in contributing to the PBL moistening ahead of the MJO convection. The leading term in the moisture advection is the advection across the background moisture gradient by the MJO flow. In the western Indian Ocean, Maritime Continent, and western Pacific, the meridional moisture advection by the MJO northerly flow dominates, while in the eastern Indian Ocean the zonal moisture advection is greater. The contribution of the moisture advection by synoptic eddies is in general small; it has a negative effect over the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific and becomes positive in the Maritime Continent region.
The Diurnal Cycle of the Boundary Layer, Convection, Clouds, and Surface Radiation in a Coastal Monsoon Environment (Darwin, Australia)
Authors: May Peter T. , Long Charles N. , Protat Alain
Published: March 2012

The diurnal variation of convection and associated cloud and radiative properties remains a significant issue in global NWP and climate models. This study analyzes observed diurnal variability of convection in a coastal monsoonal environment examining the interaction of convective rain clouds, their associated cloud properties, and the impact on the surface radiation and corresponding boundary layer structure during periods where convection is suppressed or active on the large scale. The analysis uses data from the Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) as well as routine measurements from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program. Both active monsoonal and large-scale suppressed (buildup and break) conditions are examined and demonstrate that the diurnal variation of rainfall is much larger during the break periods and the spatial distribution of rainfall is very different between the monsoon and break regimes. During the active monsoon the total net radiative input to the surface is decreased by more than 3 times the amount than during the break regime—this total radiative cloud forcing is found to be dominated by the shortwave (SW) cloud effects because of the much larger optical thicknesses and persistence of long-lasting anvils and cirrus cloud decks associated with the monsoon regime. These differences in monsoon versus break surface radiative energy contribute to low-level air temperature differences in the boundary layer over the land surfaces.
An Artificial Neural Network Approach to Multispectral Rainfall Estimation over Africa
Authors: Chadwick Robin , Grimes David
Published: March 2012

Multispectral Spinning Enhanced Visible and IR Interferometer (SEVIRI) data, calibrated with daily rain gauge estimates, were used to produce daily high-resolution rainfall estimates over Africa. An artificial neural network (ANN) approach was used, producing an output of satellite pixel–scale daily rainfall totals. This product, known as the Rainfall Intensity Artificial Neural Network African Algorithm (RIANNAA), was calibrated and validated using gauge data from the highland Oromiya region of Ethiopia. Validation was performed at a variety of spatial and temporal scales, and results were also compared against Tropical Applications of Meteorology Using Satellite Data (TAMSAT) single-channel IR-based rainfall estimates. Several versions of RIANNAA, with different combinations of SEVIRI channels as inputs, were developed. RIANNAA was an improvement over TAMSAT at all validation scales, for all versions of RIANNAA. However, the addition of multispectral data to RIANNAA only provided a statistically significant improvement over the single-channel RIANNAA at the highest spatial and temporal-resolution validation scale. It appears that multispectral data add more value to rainfall estimates at high-resolution scales than at averaged time scales, where the cloud microphysical information that they provide may be less important for determining rainfall totals than larger-scale processes such as total moisture advection aloft.
Uncertainty of Tropical Cyclone Best-Track Information
Authors: Torn Ryan D. , Snyder Chris
Published: March 2012

With the growing use of tropical cyclone (TC) best-track information for weather and climate applications, it is important to understand the uncertainties that are contained in the TC position and intensity information. Here, an attempt is made to quantify the position uncertainty using National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisory information, as well as intensity uncertainty during times without aircraft data, by verifying Dvorak minimum sea level pressure (SLP) and maximum wind speed estimates during times with aircraft reconnaissance information during 2000–09. In a climatological sense, TC position uncertainty decreases for more intense TCs, while the uncertainty of intensity, measured by minimum SLP or maximum wind speed, increases with intensity. The standard deviation of satellite-based TC intensity estimates can be used as a predictor of the consensus intensity error when that consensus includes both Dvorak and microwave-based estimates, but not when it contains only Dvorak-based values. Whereas there has been a steady decrease in seasonal TC position uncertainty over the past 10 yr, which is likely due to additional data available to NHC forecasters, the seasonal TC minimum SLP and maximum wind speed values are fairly constant, with year-to-year variability due to the mean intensity of all TCs during that season and the frequency of aircraft reconnaissance.
Impacts of Model Resolutions and Initial Conditions on Predictions of the Asian Summer Monsoon by the NCEP Climate Forecast System
Authors: Wen Min , Yang Song , Vintzileos Augustin , Higgins Wayne , Zhang Renhe
Published: March 2012

A series of 60-day hindcasts by the Climate Forecast System (CFS) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction is analyzed to understand the impacts of atmospheric model resolutions and initial conditions on predictions of the Asian summer monsoon. The experiments, for the time period 2002–06 and with 14 ensemble members, are conducted at resolutions of T62, T126, and T254. They are initialized every 5 days from May to August, using the operational global atmospheric data assimilation system and operational global ocean data assimilation. It is found that, in predicting the magnitude and the timing of monsoon rainfall over lands, high model resolutions overall perform better than lower model resolutions. The increase in prediction skills with model resolution is more apparent over South Asia than over Southeast Asia. The largest improvement is seen over the Tibetan Plateau, at least for precipitation. However, the increase in model resolution does not enhance the skill of the predictions over oceans. Overall, model resolution has larger impacts than do the initial conditions on predicting the development of the Asian summer monsoon in the early season. However, higher model resolutions such as T382 may be needed for the CFS to simulate and predict many features of the monsoon more realistically.
Language Development Survey Provides a Useful Screening Tool for Language Delay in Preterm Infants
Authors: Mossabeb Roschanak , Wade Kelly C. , Finnegan Kathryn , Sivieri Emidio , Abbasi Soraya
Published: March 2012

Developmental language disorder has been reported in 3% to 10% of term infants and 30% of preterm infants (<34 weeks gestation). Screening for language delay in preterm infants can be costly and time-consuming. The objective of this study was to assess the expressive language development of preterm infants using the Language Development Survey (LDS). A total of 178 preterm infants born at 23 to 34 weeks between 2006 and 2008 were enrolled. The LDS was completed by parents between 22 and 26 months at or shortly before 2-year neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley III Scale. A total of 26% of former preterm patients had language delay, using LDS. Significant correlations were observed between LDS results and Bayley III scores. Male gender and public health insurance were the most important risk factors for language delay in this cohort. Expressive language delay was present in 26% of preterm infants. LDS is a suitable and inexpensive screening tool for assessing language delay in preterm infants.
Microwave characterization of lanthanum iron garnet-filled PVDF-polymer composite using rectangular waveguide at X-band frequency
Authors: Soleimani Hassan , Abbas Zulkifly , Yahya Noorhana , Soleimani Hojjatollah , Ghotbi Mohammad Yeganeh
Published: March 2012

The nanosized lanthanum iron garnet (LIG) material was prepared by sol-gel method. The nanomaterial with ferrite structure was heat-treated at different temperatures from 700 to 1000°C. The phase identification, crystallinity, and morphology of the prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). LIG ferrite nano powder was composited with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) by solvent method. The magnitudes of reflection and transmission coefficients of PVDF (13% LIG) were measured using rectangular waveguide in conjunction with a microwave vector network analyzer (VNA) in X-band frequency. The results showed that with varying the thickness of the obtained LIG-polymer nanocomposite, reflection coefficient/transmission coefficient ratio can be tuned.
Implementation of domain superposition technique for the nonlinear analysis of composite materials
Authors: Jiang Wen-Guang
Published: March 2012

A domain superposition technique for the nonlinear modeling of composite materials has been developed in this paper. Instead of explicitly modeling the conjugate matrix domain and reinforcement domain with proper matching mesh interfaces between them in the manner of a traditional finite element analysis, a domain superposition technique model uses the global domain geometry superimposed with the reinforcement phase material domain geometries. The major purpose of doing so is to avoid the difficulty of directly constructing the matrix phase material geometries, which are usually hard to build due to the presence of likely geometric degeneracies in most composite materials internal architectures. The finite element meshes for domain superposition technique analyses are much simpler to establish than those used for traditional finite element analyses. Numerical examples are given to show the validity of the proposed modeling procedures.
Tensile properties degradation of glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars embedded in concrete under severe laboratory and field environmental conditions
Authors: Almusallam Tarek H , Al-Salloum Yousef A , Alsayed Saleh H , El-Gamal Sherif , Aqel Mohammed
Published: March 2012

This paper presents the test results of an experimental study to investigate the durability of newly developed glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars. The main objective of this study is to investigate any degradation in the tensile properties of the glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars using accelerated aging methods. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars were embedded in concrete prisms and exposed to several environmental conditions for 6, 12, and 18 months. The environments included exposure to tap water and seawater at two temperatures (room temperature and 50°C), seawater dry/wet cycles and alkaline solution at 50°C. In addition, two typical field conditions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Gulf area and Riyadh area) were included. The performance of the glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars was evaluated by conducting tensile tests on the bars extracted out from the concrete prisms after exposure to different conditions. In addition, scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the degradation mechanism of the bars. After 18 months of exposure, test results showed that both the tap water at 50°C and the alkaline solution at 50°C had the maximum harmful effect on the tensile strength of glass fiber-reinforced polymer bars. The two field conditions showed almost no degradation in the tensile properties of the tested bars.
Investigation of the techniques decreasing the seam slippage in chenille fabrics (Part I)
Authors: Pasayev Nazim , Korkmaz Mahmut , Baspinar Dilek
Published: March 2012

Seam slippage, which occurs frequently in furniture upholstery fabrics on the parallel sewing line, even though it is undesirable, results in partial or full distortion of fabric appearance. The purpose of this study is to reduce the seam slippage in upholstery chenille fabrics, which are widely used in furniture production.

This is the preliminary study, in which the effects of sewing direction and the number of interlaced chenille yarns over warp yarns on seam slippage were investigated for the first time. Aside from the effects of fiber content, sewing stitch step, weft densities of fabrics, sewing direction according to the weft and warp and the number of interlaced chenille yarns over warp yarns on seam slippage were studied with the use of multifactor experiment. On the basis of these experiments, effects and impact factors of the aforementioned parameters on seam slippage were shown with the use of mathematical models.
Quantitative evaluation of air gap thickness and contact area between body and garment
Authors: Psikuta Agnes , Frackiewicz-Kaczmarek Joanna , Frydrych Iwona , Rossi René
Published: March 2012

The thermal, evaporative and wicking properties of clothing depend not only on the properties of the fabric but also on the thickness of air layers and the magnitude of the contact area and their variation. The aim of this study was to accurately determine the contact area and the air gap thickness between clothing and the human body in detail.

These parameters were measured for a range of typical patterns of garments (tight- and loose fitting) covering either the upper or lower body and made of various types of fabrics (knitted and woven). The method consisted of imposing three-dimensional scans of the nude and dressed manikin and determining the distance between their surfaces by advanced three-dimensional scan post-processing.

Due to this method the distribution of the air gap thickness and the contact area over body parts was obtained and this knowledge can be applied in models of heat and mass transfer in the clothing.
Modelling and simulation of an innovative fabric coating process using artificial neural networks
Authors: Furferi Rocco , Governi Lapo , Volpe Yary
Published: March 2012

A polyurethane-based fabric coating process requires a series of parameters to be set in order to meet the desired quality of the final product. Usually, the optimal setting of such parameters is performed by means of experimental tests, based on the experience of trained operators. The lack of understanding of the interaction between the coating process parameters and the final quality properties of the coated fabric encourages the development of predictive models. The main aim of the present work is to provide a predictive model of a particular coating process for forecasting the final characteristics of a coated fabric, based on the process parameters. The devised model, based on artificial neural networks, is trained and validated using a wide experimental database created with reference to an innovative coating process. Once simulated with new process parameters, the model proves to be capable of determining the best possible process parameter values to obtain the preferred coated fabric properties. By employing the developed model, a series of charts are also built that can be used to provide technicians with a practical tool for effectively selecting the process parameters.
Effect of relative humidity coupled with air gap on heat transfer of flame-resistant fabrics exposed to flash fires
Authors: Li Jun , Lu Yehu , Li Xiaohui
Published: March 2012

Relative humidity (RH) and air gap size are two characteristic indices of clothing microclimate. The current thermal protective performance (TPP) tests cannot evaluate protective performance of fabrics under a microclimate with high temperature and humidity. In this study, a newly modified TPP test apparatus was applied to investigate the effect of RH in a microclimate on heat transfer of fabrics exposed to flash fires. Air gap heights from 0 to 24 mm with increments of 3 mm were employed. Three microclimates with different RH were preconditioned respectively. The results indicate that the RH in a microclimate significantly improves thermal protection of fabric with various air gaps. Under 35% RH, the TPP obviously increases with the air gap up to 15 mm and then the increment becomes a little lower; under humidified conditions (65% or 95% RH), it becomes higher substantially with air gap height increasing until 12 mm, subsequently it decreases or increases alternatively if the size keeps increasing. The positive effect of air gap with small size on TPP of fabrics is enhanced due to the increase of the vapor in the air; however, the positive effect of air gap with large size is interfered by the RH. It is indicated that around 12–15 mm was a critical air gap size under 35% RH, while about 12 mm was a key air gap size for a damp microclimate with 65% or 95% RH.
Fiber length distribution variability in cotton bale classification: Interactions among length, maturity and fineness
Authors: Krifa Mourad
Published: March 2012

Proper classification and bale selection are prerequisites to success in a modern cotton spinning operation. Currently, for crops where automatic High Volume Instrument (HVI) classification is the norm, fiber selection is done based on HVI data which does not include adequate characterization of fiber length distribution. This research evaluates the effectiveness of current cotton fiber classification and selection procedures in controlling for variability in fiber length distribution and presents a new approach to adequately clustering cotton bales into homogenous groups based on empirical length distributions. The results show that using the common HVI parameters to group the bales produces categories with uncontrolled length distribution variability. Differences in distribution patterns appeared related to the potential for bales with the same micronaire levels to differ significantly in maturity and thus in propensity to break.
The hand of textiles – definitions, achievements, perspectives – a review
Authors: Ciesielska-Wróbel Izabela Luiza , Van Langenhove Lieva
Published: March 2012

The aims of this wide-range review concerning the hand of textiles are to present:

(1) the diversity of definitions and the complexity of analysis of the hand of textiles;

(2) the authors’ own definition of the hand of textiles and division of techniques of its analysis.

The review presents objective techniques, subjective techniques along with their physiological background, and a combination of techniques as well as a new biomechanical approach called modelling of skin.

The structure of the paper is as follows:

• definitions of the hand of textiles, including the authors’ definition;

• objective techniques of hand measurement;

• physiological approach;

• subjective techniques of hand measurement;

• combination of objective and subjective techniques;

• modelling techniques and the biomechanics approach for measurement of the hand of textiles;

• division of hand measurement techniques according to the authors.

This paper gives a review of the international literature from 1930 to 2010 concerning the hand of textiles and other related subjects like skin physiology, perception though the skin, and biomechanical aspects of the skin.

Due to obvious limitations the authors have chosen only those papers which seemed to have the strongest relation to the presented topic and which are at the same time the most interesting studies in the authors’ opinion.
Automatic machine embroidery image color analysis system, part II: Application of the genetic algorithm in search of a repetitive pattern image
Authors: Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Jian Bo-Lin , Tung Chun-Ping , Wu Han-Cheng
Published: March 2012

This series of studies proposed an automatic machine embroidery image color analysis system. Based on the machine embroidery image color separation system proposed in part I of this series of papers (Kuo CFJ, Jian BJ and Wu HC. Automatic machine embroidery image color analysis system, part I: using Gustafson-Kessel clustering algorithm in embroidery fabric color separation. Textil Res J 2011, submitted for publication), this paper presents an automatic repetitive pattern image recognition algorithm for machine embroidery. Firstly, the image pre-processing is implemented to eliminate image acquisition noise and smooth the texture of machine embroidery. After the completion of image pre-processing, the genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to obtain the color image of repetitive patterns. The novel fitness function proposed in this paper can increase the calculation of the color entropy value to improve the measurement block accuracy of color similarity in previous literature. When applied to the GA, the system can accurately identify and cut out images of repetitive patterns. In addition, since the proposed fitness function has been normalized, it can accurately calculate the optimal target function, indicating that the proposed algorithm can automatically and accurately identify and cut out the images of repetitive patterns in machine embroidery.
Green tea-aided dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in non-water media: Application for extraordinary reinforcement of nanocomposite fibers
Authors: Uddin Ahmed Jalal , Watanabe Akihira , Gotoh Yasuo , Saito Takeshi , Yumura Motoo
Published: March 2012

Green tea has recently been reported to be a good dispersant of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in aqueous media. In the current work, green tea extract powder was examined for dispersion of SWCNTs in organic solvents. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was found to be a good solvent of green tea extract for dispersing SWCNTs. A combination of green tea (dispersant)/DMSO (solvent)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (nanotube wrap) was obtained that resulted in the dispersion of SWCNTs almost to individual nanotubes or to very thin nanotube bundles. The reinforcing ability of highly dispersed SWCNTs was explored in a PVA matrix producing PVA-SWCNT gel-spun fibers. Extraordinary reinforcing effects on the tensile and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were observed by incorporating a minute amount of SWCNTs (∼1 wt% to PVA). The analysis revealed effective stress transfer through the PVA crystalline interfaces surrounding the nanotubes.
Shear characterization of para-aramid (Twaron®) fabric by yarn pull-out method
Authors: Bilisik Kadir
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the para-aramid fabric shear by the pull-out method. For this purpose, Twaron® type fabrics were used. The fabric width/length ratio and the number of pull-out ends were identified as important testing parameters. It was found that fabric shear depended on fabric density. Fabric shear strength increased when the number of pulled ends increased. When the fabric width/length ratio decreased, fabric shear strength increased. The number of pulled ends and the fabric width/length ratios influenced the fabric shear rigidity. Also, shear jamming angles were found to be based on the number of pulled ends. The results showed that para-aramid fabric shear could be measured by the yarn pull-out test.
Effect of cross-sectional shape on the behaviour of cationic dyeable poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres
Authors: Koc Serpil Koral , Duzyer Sebnem , Berger Rüdiger , Hockenberger Asli Sengonul
Published: March 2012

The effects of cross-sectional shape on the properties of cationic dyeable poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres were investigated. Three different cross sections, namely tetra channel, snowflake and hollow, were used. Tensile test results showed that the hollow cross section has the highest breaking strength, while the snowflake has the lowest. In terms of thermal properties, no significant difference was observed. However, some differences in their morphology and surface topography were seen. According to birefringence studies, the hollow cross section has the highest overall orientation, while tetra has the lowest. In addition to this, hollow cross section gives the highest roughness value.
In-plane shear properties of polyester satin fabric by yarn pull-out method
Authors: Bilisik Kadir
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the in-plane shear properties of polyester satin fabric by the pull-out method and analytical relations were developed to calculate the shearing properties.

After the yarn in the fabric was pulled from the top ravel region, before the start of the crimp extension stage, it was found that fabric shear strength and rigidity increased when the number of pulled ends increased. In addition, when the fabric dimensions increased, fabric shear strength and rigidity increased. Also, the shear rigidity values in untreated fabric were high compared to that of treated fabric due to the effect of softening agent on the fabric structure.

It was observed that fabric sample dimensions and the number of pull-out ends as well as the fabric treatments influenced fabric shear strength and rigidity. The shear jamming angles were found to be based on the number of pulled ends. Fabric local shearing properties could be identified by pulling the yarn ends in various regions of the fabric. This could be important for the handling of the fabric during formation. The results generated from this study showed that polyester fabric shear could be measured by the yarn pull-out test.
Betelnut fibres as an alternative to glass fibres to reinforce thermoset composites: A comparative study
Authors: Nirmal Umar , Hashim Jamil , Lau Saijod TW , My Yuhazri , Yousif BF
Published: March 2012

For the current work, investigations were carried out using treated betelnut fibre-reinforced polyester (T-BFRP) and chopped strand mat glass fibre-reinforced polyester (CSM-GFRP) composites. Results revealed that T-BFRP showed competitive performance of about 1.16%, 17.39% and 4.92% for tensile, flexural and compression tests as compared to the latter. Through tribological performance tests, T-BFRP composite showed superiority in wear for the dry and wet tests of about 98% and 90.8% while the friction coefficient was reduced by about 9.4% and 80% respectively. The interface temperature was lower by about 17% for T-BFRP composite subjected to dry test as compared to CSM-GFRP. SEM analysis revealed that the brittle effects observed on glass fibres during the tribo test enhanced the material removal rate which increased the thermo-mechanical effects at the rubbing zone. As such, evidence of adhesive to abrasive wear transition was observed when the CSM-GFRP composite was subjected to the stainless steel counterface. On the contrary, T-BFRP composite formed a thin layer of shield (i.e. back film transfer) on its worn surface during the test, which assisted in lowering the material removal rate.
Job satisfaction, flexible employment and job security among Turkish service sector workers
Authors: Zeytinoglu Işık U , Yılmaz Gözde , Keser Aşkın , Inelmen Kıvanç , Uygur Duygu , Özsoy Arzu
Published: March 2012

This article examines the association between job satisfaction, flexible employment and job security among Turkish service sector workers. Data come from a survey of workers in banking and related sectors’ call centres, frontline five-star hotel staff and airline cabin crews ( N = 407). Results show that flexible employment involving fixed-term contract, paid and unpaid overtime, on-call work and mismatched contract and hours are not associated with job satisfaction. Perceived job security is positively associated with job satisfaction. The study provides evidence that the perception of job security rather than flexible employment is an important contributor to job satisfaction for Turkish workers in the sample.
Adolescent Attachment Insecurity and Parasympathetic Functioning Predict Future Loss Adjustment
Authors: Fagundes Christopher P. , Diamond Lisa M. , Allen Kendrick P.
Published: March 2012

Losing a close relationship is highly stressful and a robust predictor of major depression in adolescents. The current study examined relationships between attachment insecurity, parasympathetic nervous system activity, indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and adolescent adjustment to the loss of a close social partner. Adolescents with more attachment anxiety to their mother at age 14 were more likely to report poorer adjustment to a subsequent loss than adolescents with less attachment anxiety. Attachment avoidance interacted with stress-induced changes in RSA to predict loss adjustment. Among adolescents with higher RSA in response to the stressor, those with more attachment avoidance reported better loss adjustment, whereas among adolescents with lower RSA in response to the stressor, those with more attachment avoidance reported poorer loss adjustment. In sum, the combination of attachment insecurity and stress-induced changes in RSA predicted how well adolescents adjusted to a loss.
Compliance and Efficacy of Titratable Thermoplastic versus Custom Mandibular Advancement Devices
Authors: Friedman Michael , Hamilton Craig , Samuelson Christian G. , Kelley Kanwar , Pearson‐Chauhan Kristine , Taylor David , Taylor Renwick , Maley Alexander , Hirsch Martin A.
Published: March 2012

Objective

To share our experiences treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea‐hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with titratable thermoplastic (TPD) and custom‐made mandibular advancement devices (MAD) and to compare these devices in terms of objective improvement and cure and treatment success (improvement/cure plus adherence at 6 months).

Study Design

Case series with planned data collection.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Patients with OSAHS who failed or refused both continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surgery had a titratable oral appliance fitted. Patients were offered an office‐fitted TPD or a custom‐made dentist‐fitted device. Assessment included pretreatment and appliance‐titration polysomnography (PSG). Improvement was defined as ≥50% apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) reduction plus posttreatment AHI <20, and cure was defined as AHI <5. Patients were contacted at 1 and 6 months regarding treatment adherence.

Results

A total of 180 patients (123 TPD, 57 custom) with complete PSG data were reviewed. Improvement/cure were significantly better with the custom device overall (91.2%/71.9% vs 77.2%/52.0%, P =. 024/.012). Adherence data at 1 and 6 months were obtained from 128/180 and 119/180 patients, respectively. Using an intention‐to‐treat analysis, those lost to follow‐up were considered nonadherent. Adherence at 1/6 months was 64.9%/50.9% for custom versus 53.7%/32.5% for TPD (P =. 156/.018), yielding treatment success rates (with initial improvement/cure) of 49.1%/40.4% for custom versus 27.6%/17.1% for TPD (P =. 005/<.001) at 6 months.

Conclusion

Custom‐fit devices achieve higher rates of objective improvement and cure of OSAHS than TPD at the time of titration‐PSG. TPDs have a high acceptance rate, low cost, and reasonable initial improvement and cure rates of 77.2% and 52.0%, respectively, but significantly poorer 6‐month compliance.
Modulation of Inflammatory and Profibrotic Signaling in a Rabbit Model of Acute Phonotrauma Using Triamcinolone
Authors: Hall Joseph E. , Suehiro Atsushi , Branski Ryan C. , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Rousseau Bernard
Published: March 2012

Objective

To investigate the hypothesis that prophylactic triamcinolone modulates acute vocal fold inflammatory and profibrotic signaling during acute phonotrauma.

Study Design

In vivo rabbit phonation model.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Forty New Zealand white breeder rabbits were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: control (no intervention), no treatment (30 minutes of raised intensity phonation), sham treatment (bilateral intralaryngeal triamcinolone acetonide injection at 0 µg/25 µL followed by 30 minutes of raised intensity phonation), or steroid treatment (bilateral intralaryngeal triamcinolone acetonide injection at 400 µg/25 µL followed by 30 minutes of raised intensity phonation). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to investigate gene expression levels of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), interleukin (IL)–1β, and transforming growth factor (TGF)–β1.

Results

Results revealed a significant main effect for COX‐2 (P =. 002). Post hoc testing revealed that rabbits receiving no treatment (15.10) had higher COX‐2 gene expression than control (5.90; P <. 001). There were no significant differences in COX‐2 expression between treatment groups. Results revealed a significant main effect for IL‐1β (P <. 001). Post hoc testing revealed that rabbits receiving no treatment (14.70) had higher IL‐1β gene expression than control (6.30) (P =. 001). There were no significant differences in IL‐1β gene expression between treatment groups. There were no significant differences in TGF‐β1 gene expression (P =. 525) between treatment and control groups.

Conclusion

Given conflicting evidence, further studies are necessary to investigate vocal fold steroid injections prior to and following the induction of phonotrauma. Prophylactic administration of triamcinolone immediately prior to acute phonotrauma resulted in no significant changes in COX‐2, IL‐1β, and TGF‐β1 gene transcript levels.
Speech Acts Within Facebook Status Messages
Authors: Carr Caleb T. , Schrock David B. , Dauterman Patricia
Published: March 2012

This research examines the use of speech acts in computer-mediated communication, specifically in the status messages of the social network site Facebook, to communicate in both a mass and an interpersonal medium. A total of 204 status messages created by 46 participants were captured 3 times daily over 14 consecutive days. Content analysis of these data revealed that status messages were most frequently constructed with expressive speech acts, followed by assertives. Additionally, humor was integrated into almost 20% of these status messages. These findings demonstrate differences in how users express themselves in alternate media. Findings address implications for self-presentation in social networks and theoretical implications for computer-mediated communication research.